https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/d6aff853ddb0b755ba2365fd0f37095b.pdf 59cf2a136e893c6e9118c686d03dcce8 PDF Text Text ,. 1i~iI~~Wlii~iim ... BDOW021159 STATE _ _ _Q_q_J:.q_~~']._<l_o___ .___________ ·--· PilOJ".CCT NO. _ _J.,_-J.._·--·-·--·-------- QUARTE~L): . lo Title of ProjecJc,: 2o Superv5.sor s: 3. ·Leader: REPORT PROGRESS . . Antelope Surveys a.'l'ld Invest:.i.gations Go l!. Hunter, Game & Fish I;Ic.nager E. Ko Brown, Coordinator Ito Oo Bronn, Jr. 4o Coope::ce.t:L"'1g .AgencieG: Fish and Wile.life Service, G1"azing Service, and Forest Service 5. Perspect5.ve: To conduct si.rcveys and i:nvestigat:tons to a:Ld in· the r:1anag0i-:-.e1~t and development of Antelope. 6. Objective: To deterr.1ine by these sm·vcys ct.Lid ilwest:tc;ations the exact ste.tt~.s of ih"ltelopc in the va1"ious areas so that na.nagencnt controls and c>. sy~Jv'3::1 of trapping can be carried out. 7. PJ.an: Distribution ancl census or Antelope herds b:,.-- aerial ai-n.c: gro1md su:cva~...:, study of food habits, and ir.veztigation of transplanting areas ere po~·cs being covered. Bo Probable date p::."oject v1ill be conplcted: S. Relationsh~.ps 10 o Suilmary report of progress: ~ L'1dofinite of cooperating agencies: F.ich. £1.ntl ~'!~.:hdJ_j_fo Service, Vlilcllife ·Research laboratory cooperates in furnishine analyses of stonach samples~ In 194.l and 194.'2, tr1e11ty sat1pJ.cs of antelope stor11achs r:ere Gathered and analyzed. The results are listed bclor1 by "Ghe moilth j:n r1hich they ue~c gather0d. IJ:J1D.!Bl1 COUHTY Graraa - Rabbit Brush type) . ,, G % fa 0\"ISG &:...--·--· 65 ,~j.:g..9.§ 1 0 co 1 Tr n u ~ ............ Tr ,... 92 12 10 3 CG 02· ~7 (.J u 84 60 40 85 40 15 Tr e .. j"\ 0 77/ ,1· I """' . \. ::)} .• -- ·"""" �- 2 lOo Continued Stun.raary nepor"tz of Pi·ogress: EUGO Af'-3.A -- Short g1.. c.ss type range (Blue Gran~, Bu.ffalo Grass, Sage Brush, Rabbit Brush) Fe hruar1r ... 1 Sa1111)le .. -·- --- -"-·--·-·--··· -··-··· ~ Grass e...:. ___ _ r.' Browse Tr 100 ~------ ., ~ W~eds tp Brm7S~ 20 6/"' Tr Tr 92 5 95 '-~ ·needs ct B e e...:::.£.EJ!JL J.;:... ___ _ 95 5 96 29 6 91 36 61 BOLERO .AlmA -- Short grass t~1.,e r~ge (Blue Graaa, Rabbit Brush, Sae:;e type) r.; Bro:we ~------ 2 To further analyze the data by seasons: ct Weeds 12 Samples, 4 4 n II Deco, Jan., Feb. I!i.ay, J tme October ~---- 20 Jl 63 ~ Brovme &!----69.5 63 33 From the datp. above, it is observed that on the ranger. represented that Antelope food h~bits in winter, s:)ring, r.nc1 su&1er are largely feeding on browse. The year ..round average diet, fl"or.1 the tuen-'Gy analyses presented, sho..-1 a grass, i;1eeds, and browse ratio of 7:~-, 27~. ., antl 65::·. ·Prefo!'ence for different plan.ts as shcr>'m by the stotmch samples are listed belou in the order of their ir.1portancc: Broi1sc \'le eds 91'.l!:.§.§ Rabbit Brush Ch°C:--i"C;;oc1es Euffalo Grass Herbaceous Sac;c Russiru-i Thistle \lestern rfl1cat Grass Pric!.:l~,. ?cc:.r J. stcrs Salt Buzh . Dor at:;e Su.-rif lowers This analys:.s of foocl habits shoultl be a.."1 aic.1 in/~valuz..t1nc; prospective ranges on tthich to transplru1-'c ~telope. / / �3 10. Continued Sur.u:~ary neports of Pro~rcss: Ec~m1itJ1 is presented the to.bulQtio;n of reports gc'.lthcrcd f:L.. or.1 C6 :i.."DJ1chers e.ncl lend o\mcrs tlu"OU[;h .Arcf'.s 1 1 2, 3, and L.,., nhich c.rc dcscr~.bcc.~ by tl10 atto.choc.~ r,1apo It is p1.. esru:1ccl those C6 contnd;s represent a crosn-soctj.o:::i of the Ol.Jinion of tho oi;mo1"s of all the lancl that the c11tclopc rcne:;c over • .Arca 1, :!.i1clicaton 100~; in favor of sea.son. l.h"s o Spc:.r}rn' nttituclo ;has chcngcd fro1:1 lust yo~:r 0 She still docs not fuJ.ly approve or open sc~son, but she indic~tcd that nftcr consuJ. tin& her forcr·1£m, Ur o D1.cl:crso11, she woulc~ tolerate htmting c~c­ ccpt in her fenced cnclostrrcs. All otib.or oport?.tors rcs~.dine in Colorado \'tho run on Cold Spring I.lO'lL."1.k.in showed conplctc favor n..'1d st~toc1 tl1ct there ,·1as already cvic1cncc of damage by antelope therc 0 I.~s. Spar!·:s otatcd that tl:!.crc rtas a deer problcn there; Jc,his v1cis also oubstcmtinted by the other oporatorn there. Thirty....ttw ranchers in .Arco. 2 were conoultec.~, 16 \·rcre 5.n favor o.nd 16 vrore The 16 trho opposed o;m~d U,.,630 acres of ro.ngc 1 or 29% of the area · o'rmcc.!. by the 32 persons co11tactcc1. Tho 16 opc:L"at.ors favo:dng season operate· on 1561 570 acres or 71% of the area represented by those contacted L"l this arcao 01~:)osoc1. In Arca 3, 19 ormcrs rrcrc 5.ntervfo~md. They line up to 6 in. favor unC. 13 opi)o::;cd to scaGon. T!1c 13 rCl!-ichcrs opposin~ the· season ovm lOC,222 acres, Th0 6 rc:nchors fr~vorinG sor.3on control, 77 ,C40 ncron, or 41+% or the land ormcd by those intorvic~Jed in Arca 3o Fifty-sj.x percent of the land in this ro."'ca rrill probably.be posted to huntina. Arapclloo Cot~lty is consistent and bitterly aG~n~t witclopo ocason. L"'l Arco. 4 of 35 ru.."1.chvrn intc:i"vim:cc~., 20 ·ncre opposed to season ffi1d 15 fuvoz-cd ito Tho 20 re.11chor~ oi;poaL"'l~ , · orm 166,lGO e.crcs. The other 15 r~1chcrs inter-, vic-;-:cd L-ri Arca 1.,, O!'oratc on 1S'9,020 ei.crca. ThuG it i:&ay be sc.ic: th.':!:c probably Li-65; of this area will be postetl to huntinz. To take L'.S Cl \"1holc t!10 1£'.nc: ormcc~ by those intcrvicr:od,, 57;'> of trhc lo.nC. Ytill. 1Jc opened to huntinGo Tl.,;::; C:.oca not 5.ncluC'.c the. Government Lmcl ,-rithi.."'l tho arcus. Tho SGS Project at Brigazc.klc covers 6$11 200 acrcc, wost o:~ uh:i.c21 is stoc!::ocl rri th c.ntclopc. The Ccnt:i... al Plai.-ris B:;~Jc::... j.racnt Station has 10 1 000 am."os in Held County, lJhich is mitclopc ranr;c 0 l!f>_,_g Ji.9_.__:3- Arca. No,_A Ar;grq_filltq_ 10 32 19 35 86 100 71 1~ 54 57 0 29 71 46 43 Arca Etu-;ibcr Ch·mor s In torvictrcc~ Percent of Arca In Favor Percent of Arca 0-pposcd Arca EQ.._.1 Arca ,/ .1 �- 4 10. Continued Sur;rr.mry Ilcports of Progress: Rcuson~ for o:)posinG season "f!Crc under three headings. _lfa.mcly, no·t cnou:?;h · c...'ltclopc to merit htintin~ in tho opinion of ·chc lr:.nd O\"/l1Cr, rosontracn·~ of he.ving ~1tu1tc7i."s fa•a1.1p c.round over thc5.i· lru1d ru~c1 their pm"portcd r,1isbchnv:.m.· of huntc1"s 5.n c::i:n-·cspcct of property, Emel~ lr~stly, inarc.incd acntir.1cnt~l c.tt,ituc.1.c to presence of t:.ntclopc. It 5.s soon th~t last ycC!:i." there i:ms a much granter cs::omrt of opposition to the p:i."o:Josit,ion of f'. sc:c.son th~n there is tM.s ycm·. Th:l.r.; ~~y be co!i!par~hlc to ··~he rcacnt!;1cnt st:.i.rrcc1 by oi)c11:i..11.:; so~son on ~.ntlcrlcss do01~ so1·:10 ycci"s aao. It 5.s prod5.c-C.cd tl12:t fccl:i..i13 :.~d.n~t o:)cl1 soc8on on a1Y~olopc ·d.11 1wno r.. ~ soon as tho o·.:n~rs c.:"o ·~ccusto;~1cc1 J-:;o -~~:io idea a11c~ al"C convinced thc.t :i.t 5.s good l::icna~cment p:·nct.5.cc. It :1.s the op~J.1io!1 of the undersigned, th~t hotto::. . fcoJ.ii1G nmonG the or:ncrs o-r the antelope !'{:'J!gcs coulo. be ~)ronotcc~. :i.f they i:fCro c::.vcn so1:10 1Ircforcnce: in c15.s~1011sL~G 15.ccnscs J-:;o hu-'~·i:.. Tl1~t is -Go sc.y, th~:~ v1ho11 a f~"mcr or raJ1chor ru~wt:; c:n 2.pplic~3~ion fo!' 1~.cmwo -'c.o hunt; 2.ntl iD :L"cfnsoc~.P he io -17'ritatoc1 to tho point \:1l1cro ho refuse::; pcrErl.ooion fo:L" the lfocn:Jcd !mntQj. . to trespass on his 18.nd. 11. Subr;1it,tod by: Dato: July 2..0~CJ{r§_ _ _ _ _._ ·-- I i! 1 l i ! J . I :I· �) ) I - I I \V y "•·-~~•"'-,•••--....':""7':":..,.,..• ---r-t•.~..·----·I ...... •• ... •• • • • • • :: • • I ' • .. • ••• '• I I • ' ••• I • •-<> 6 . 1 ' M rl' • 11 I , I • I N I G I \. . I t N E B R A s K A I • I �) ) ;a > z 0 ~­ ·n z > r !( . l , ~ ! i ..... J N ·i ... . ·1 .I )C ~ 0 0 r 0 ::0 ~ r., l) �) ) ( .-.. )C • 0 : u. ~:~~~ 20 3«?_ •O !!O 10 IULCS , ff. £-i ~ X, COLFAX (.) �) } j ( ............ ......... .. �( irrig~ted ... farming " of eastern .a,reas dolorado·. E[ •O ,; .... iii ~ .... 5' -.... N .M r::: ~ '-b ~ CP • C> t;J .. ~.· �) }. ) II II II i B • 8 • WAlllllNOTOlf Pi'"!!])a· c c NOllLAlfCO • .,... l -- .. D .._._. ..I I• D s , i• l&J:S4 I ·1 I I G a I ' i• I i• • I llONTllOS& • I. raow£111 SAOU4CU& I• OOLOJll:I i• IUOCRAJIDS &UM034 J.IONTl%UM4 I i L i• L.Clll!Za ...... It -·-·__.:;:1,•.---~--·-·-· Antelope iJistri.bution and #umbers in Colorado-Census 01 Ju!J dnd Au!JUSt, /9.J!l C'ompard /./ii Ii d Ce11sus Of 1922.-2..9 ltf'"'- IC . C,u_, ., µ11 ,.1 A•fdt,11'1-CS (T1t11., 3.!11 Awtrt.,.J (,,.,.,, "f t!Z1..-:"I (Ncl1..,J-1rJl mt•l"l '1U.A,,,,.,,.,,., (li•-l<r6'A•t•'•r ,,.,_ ;, ,..,,,, ~-~ Shown on a cownt;- ouUir.c mop 'ii. . 'ii Oliillm·- ----------·· r G 8 • I L �It. ... 1 cu· 'fU ..o,~t.i~ I cI7" I lt~a ·hlCe ••••• .:s / . . . . Original t.o ·~ ··""' ....._. /~ t •.• • -···-~ / ,, Colorado . DATE June 30, 1946 ·: ':) . ... . ------ QUARTERLY. PR 0 GRESS .R E,P 0 RT - 1. Title of Project: . Bec.r Studies.: : 2. Supervisors: 3. Leader: 4. Coopero.ting Agencies - Indirect coop·.:;ra;tion h~s 1?.cen ;received by keeping in contnct with fieldmcn of the U. s .. Fish and Y::ildfife Service and the U. s. Forest Service. Helpful sue;gestions and cpm.~ents from J. V. K. Wagar and II. F. Quick, of the Colorado A. & J!'.. College, Division of Forestry, were appreciated. · 5-. Perspective: 6. Object:.· 'I'o ,c9l,lect informo.t.ion on. black be~r in Colorado which can be usen in future benr management. .· 7. Plan: t •• ·• I Gilbert 1'!. Hunter. - E. K•. _Brow~1 ... .. Paul F, Gilbert · Bear ir..vestigation studies on life habits; dcYelopment; food studies; ·which include skat and sto~-nnch ana.lysis; ben.r charnc~ers; rnnge and alsp all field opservations possi~le. .. ·, It is planned to continue close contact with stockmen of this area and especially the sheepmen; and collect tiop on life h~bit&,,.t-:Qh~~p.cters,· .etq. ·· . 8. incr~as ipg umounts of ini'orma.- .. ... . ~ Probable.. date project will be completed: . I.~ is.. hoped that. this seasons · ··study on. bear· can be- foll~,:eq .u.ntil fal.l, at \¥hi ch time nq~es on hibern~tion can be collected... . 1 9. Refa,tionship of Coopc.ra~ing Ag~ncies: ~cgular contac~s have been made and wi 11 continue to be me.de with tl,.e U.S. Fish a_nd Wil~life predatory· trappers and th3 U. s. Forest Service Forest R:ingors, both of v:hom re·· ceive inform~tiqn.on recent bear nctivitios. 10. Sunu::ary report ·of .p:rq.grQs~: This i?tudy w~s stnrtcd on ~l.pti 1 1 .of this year; the following pr~lim:j.nary outlin~ vrn.s n11.de up which will be en· larged upon the study progr~sse~. as 1 •. Introduction 2. ·Purpose .. •.··. 3. Uethods 4. Literature. Surv~Jr.... 5. Bear ecology;. cqnp~ti ti on for· lnnd use. A. Bear expectation~ 9f ideal range. B. ·»istory ar..p status - d.c?crip-tion of mans~ a~ti t~de ~ tovrnrd bear. Topographic clirn~to.antj ~aatip history of ~egion. A. Topography ' ,. B. Climate C. Beutic.H~story !.-'. .. 1li~~IOOli~lfil~~ BDOW021153 • 1,;'" .. .-~ "'11- �- 2 Bear Characterist16s, Development and Habits A. Gaits . . . .: ··· B. Soneo:J.. · ···· · ··· C. Voice a. Breeding Habits A. Combination before breeding season B. Breeding season C. After breeding season _.. 9. Bear Development 10. Observations 11. Food studies A. Stomach. samples B. Observed food habits l2 •. Enemies, insects and parasites 13. Bibliography ~ '.I ... I Numerous intervievrs were made during the month of Apri 1. All the personnel of the ·Uncompahgre !-rational Forest Viera contacted well as several on the Gunnison ·National Forest. ·The s.h'eep men in· this area and their herders were interviewed. Continued contact has been kept ·with these men. as The first bear·were seen the: first of May. Howevar, tracts·wer·e reported seen before this time. This being a dry spring, it seems safe ·to assume the bear were out a bit earlier than usual • .: ' ../ . . Spri;ng Creek ·Basin on .t:he Uncompahgre Nat·ional Forest is an .:ex:amp1e of typical bear range of this area. It is A -.nnt.ural; ·bas-in ftpp·roximat'ely five miles a.cross and six miles long having stoop rocky v;all.s on bro sides, vrith thick stands of s·pruc·e, fir and aspen i:n the creek 1.Jottoms ;. and at the head of. tho bas~in~ The lower half of the· b~s.in is~ ·covered with a heavy ·gro\vth of oak brush and scrviceberry with a few scattered ponderosa. ·pines and levier dovm pinion. The follovling observations were made :from the e_as·t rim of Spring Creek .C:-,n·m before the oaks were leafed out1 . . ·. .,, . . ·: : Observations 5-7-46· I• 9:45 ·A,M~ Bear was seen v1·alking slowly: through oakbrush, about half ·mile away (glasses used). Ho apparent ·destfnation. 9: 50 A. }l. · Bear spooked deer - which stood u.p - ·bear stoppc;d and looked then continued on way - deer trotted off. 10:00 A.M. Bear reached swAll grassy clearing and started grazing. , 10:10 A.H. Bear lays dovm in grass, rolls, rubs neck and haa.d on g~ass, gets up and continues grazing. 10.s 15 A.M. Scratches around foot of oakbrush. 10:17 A.H. Benr out of sig;ht.. behind brus·h. l 0 : 30 A. l T. Bear grazes into~vimv: 10: 40 A. ~1T. ·Grazes out of·si-g.ht along.edge of .nearby· pond. 10:50 A.M. Back in view, starts to len.ve by f.ar end .or clearing, turns right angle and "leav.ds· by lov:cr ·or.d ·of· clearing. Passes porcupine, ..-.rhich climbs pine tree, bca:r pc.ys no attention. 11:05 A.M. Bear enters smn.11 patch of aspens ·:and badrfod: dovm .. · Vint ch nas continued for half hour, bear did not reappear. 1 ' . �( j ,· I ,• .h Fig. 1 - Bear bed in thick oakbrush. Fig. 2 - Bear scat near dear c~rcass. Deer having died last fall. Boar scat fresh. Fig. :; - Dear visit old carcasses in spring a.rtf'r coir.ing out or hibernation. Fig. 4 - Old mine hol.e used :i.n past b7! bear .for hibernating purpose:'l. Pi;:;. 5 Ln.m'\:' killecl by coyote nnd rinishad up by bea.r. Coyotes kill by :;rahbin,r; lamb noe.r enr or throat". Leaving lef,R nnd h~:ad attached to hide is typical of bO(tr. !!'ig. S - :::heap killiur; henr tukon by tr.llrper was soon en ten up by other htHi.rs. Note mathod. boar has o!' 11 peeling back" hide to c;c·t. nll of flesh. �• • C3 • Fig. 1 - Bear bed in thick oRkbrush. Fig. 2 - Bear soat near deer carcass. Deer having died last fall. Dear scat fresh. Fig. 3 - Dear visit old carcasses in spring a.f't~r corr.ing; out bf hibernation. Fig. 4 - Old mine hole used in pe.st by bear for hibernating purposeR . Fi~. 5 - Lo.ml- killed by coyoto and Cinished up 'by bear. Coyotes kill by grabbing lrunb near ear or throat . Leaving le~s and head attached to hide is typical or boar. Fig. 6 - Sheep killing bear taken ~y trapper was soon eaten up by other bears . Note method bear has .or"peeling back" hide to get all or flesh. �.... ···-· 3: -· ~ear w~~ .-again -soe't laying i1'.1 sm~H ·ct~~~:.i~~~· eo..ting..what V'3geto.blcs he could r~mch f:r:om this p<?~ 1 t~on. · Cha.nged positions ...: got up~ :mqv~d O.b~4~. ten. feet, sat dmm and continu~d grazing. Layed ?own. an~·; continued grazing. · Rain obscured view. · · · 3:05 P.M. .. Mote: .. The above was a full grown browri·beo.r and all day did not cover a· distD.nce· of· more ·than 200 yards-. . ... Observation 5-8-46 seen· 9:45 A.H. Bear was grazing just below at a distance of about 300-·yards o Hindquarters and ·lower parts· were muddy. . This pep.r grazed unconcerned until ho went in-to a pn.j;ch of aspon a.t 10: 55. A fov: minutes lo.ter 8 head of co.ttle came down th~ trail and bagnn grazing in clearing. Be~r was not seen again. At ono timo bear stood up on hind legs and rubbed head on aspen branch bitbg it a fov: ·times.: · .· ~·· Dentitition .formula , of yco.rling boar ~aken by trapper: i 3 c 1 pm 3 (+1) m 2 x 2· (~iJ = 39 3 .·. ' I 3 3 ··-··-On. May·-1 ·three-srepa:rate-·set·s of-· bear· tra·ei:s.. ·Yre-ro· ·found around Q.. smo.11 seas.onal .ronq .in ·~~st S~r.in~. ~reek. .All were· fresh tr_acks '· on several instances the tracks could bo seen a.bout four fOE:t out ih the water._ All tracks left· p~on·d-i:n ·same· diredtion-. ·The·se··were··f'ollowed ·.fO·F· about a. quarter of a mile to an. ol.9-. d.eer .carcass~,_. p,r.ob~J:>.ly dead sin~e .las~ hunting s_eRson. Moise wo.s heard in :~thick brush anci .·up,o:ri .i~ves'tigation bear be.4.· ~~s ~ounci (Fig. 1). T".t: bear had the grou11d· ·near)y p~~ro. ~rot;tnd tl~e:: deer carco:s s"./ ho:ving pretty we 11 pic~ed ~·t ov:e:r:, · (~igs .··} ·~mer 3) •i ;· ! ... : : . • · . ·. ,··· 1 ~ old abandon;d fii:tna~ ·whi~·h· vras rep~rt~d to h~ve ·been used by bear in the past v:as investiga.ted, (Fig. 4). About seventy feat be.ck in, the tunnel had· caved in and at .this poi.nt it appQ~red probable that the bear may have . hibernated No ".for~f gn' :ma.tor io.l had been taken ~rito the .~ine. · · . . .. . .. hE)re. · ~ :::·· .. . - c.:-: ·; ..... . ::: ..... ·-~·:-: .. ... -··:. . . .. \ ....-... : ' ·. \ ·. . • . .:.· ... 1.. •. • . . . . .4 • • • • · . · - . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ' . I ·1 . ... : ... ·' ..· �4 Skat Anal:{s is May ft""., (Percent~ges by volume) · : .: "·~~~des · · ·. .... ·· : · :: : · Quorcu·s· gamboUH ·(lD.st· years loaf)· .fo·pu1u·7 tromuic)ide·~ 'ft,:ligs·~ and buds'):.: · : :· Populus tt-emtiloidos :(bark): · · ·· Jamesin americana (?) . . Jtp:~iper,~s .C,omrmmus (seeds) . ..... . .;. Amel anchicr~ alnifo li~. ~ 1.~a~) • t . I ~•• ~·. Erige~on 1 · Trifolium • Loontodon Thormopsis· montana ·. -~; , ~. . Ants ·ab~r (old·c~rbasi) Sheop (old qo.r?u.~s~ .. . Larva (probably maggots) Caron beetle .. ~~vt ~: ... _(old_ c~rcas s) . ·.. T . .. 6 .01 .01 : .... I ~ .01 .61 .01 .83 ·T .05 T .78 .20 .47 .os .so T ~ .30 .08 T'. : .. · ~.; .01· . ~ .·4 .. ·~: ·5 T ...... .oa .01 .• . :· ..::·. ' T ·T T .01 .90 ~ .. 3 .02.. : -..o3 .02 T!." .01. ... 01 .02 T 0 Juncus balticus Poa compressa .. : Carex Spp. : . {\.gropyron spicn t\.~m 2 .. 1 .os . ·.o3 ,2(): T· . TT .15 .01 !£·;·; ; .02 .. •· ...r T - .. "t. •·~ : ' .. ., T T .. t; T i T ,, ·.• I T .02 . ..·03... .03 ... .03 .04. .. .02·-. .04 . . : ~- .. ... ~ -~ ' . The. fir~t. report. of boar . killing stock i.·rn.s ?n ~&.y .28·,,· ·which was. ;only a f evr days after sheep i:iere -~to:rted: up' on.their surmri'or: r·ange. ·Numerous kill'ings have boon reported si nee. In cleaning up a co.rcas·s · o. bear_ pee_ts the hidd. from the fl.e$.h and ofton leaves just tho hide with fe~t and head attached, (Fig. 5). Be.ai a.re scav.o.nge.rs :to such an exte·nt' thnt they will eat on other bear carcasses, ' : · . ~ ·, ... · . ....... . . . F . . 6) ( ig., • •,· ..... ~ . ...~. : . .. . ... . ··:,. :·i It migEt b~· :vmli :to riote thttt: ori Juno 19th the weather turn'3d ·:cold and frosted higher up, killing some of tht: luo.vcs on the oak brush. This will probably cut down on the amount of acorns and berries as natural fall food, which mo.y mean th3y v1ill give the stockraon more trouble. Submitted by: Marae: Pnul F Gilbert Off iciu Titl0: Sr. Wildlife Technician ·By: Title: / Director Dnte-z/--7/'/-/i ;"--'#---·~____,,-. �. llii~lll~ili ,· BDOW021161 I ----------------- STATE... l Colorado PROJECT NO. __l...,1;.·_R_ .. - - - - - - - - I ... DATE --~---...-.JUl~Y:"""''-1-..9_.4....,6_ __ QUARTERLY 1, Title, of Project: 2. .Supervisors: I I I G. N. Hunter, Garno & F"loh I.!n.nagor .E. K. Brom1 1 Coordi11ctor Assistant wader: 1 ! ,j I L. E. Riordan I I 4o Coopcrtting Agoncies: u. s. Grazing Service, u. So Forest Scrvlco, u. s. Fish ond Wildlife Scrvico, Colorc.do A. &. u•. College ~-· 5. Perspective: To establish usable critcrions for handling deer-elk herds on a · · . sustained yield basisG 6. Objective: To conduct surveys and invcstigo.tions on docr..olk ranges that uill be tho basis or mo.nngcmont plans. ' ...._. REPORT Door-Elie Stuc1ios 3. ' wader: Fred To Jeep ~ PROGRESS I 7• Plon: Included hero are populction trend counts, utilization survey, experi··mctital plot study of grazing and relo.tad studios. G.~· Probable ~ate project llill bo completed: Indefinite 9e Relationships of cooperating ~aencics: Excellent cooperetion and advice is being obtained from all agencies uith dccr-clJ{ surveys. 10. Summary ·report of progress: . J:OPUJt..T:tQ.N_~ND~_TIIDIES ON DEER TID-ITER RANGES IH co10RAb·o- ~ ..:_, --·-·--·--·-·------------ .::~~., During the fir st three uccks of April, 15'46 checks ucre corapletcd of all -.~·. :~ Po1ml.ation Trend areas in Colorado in compuny \·rith the Grune end Fi:Jh DcpC'.rtrncnt 1 s ~· .. _ rcprcscmtativc r1ho conducted the actual population cou.11ts on trends duri11g FebrutlJ.-y, l-1e.rch1 ond April• I • Tho ma.in points of interest in mo.king the checks 1·rcrc a.s follons: · Wore tho trc11ds located in rdntcr rnngos? If the tr011ds r1oro on uintor ranges r1orc they located :i.11 rcproscntG.tivo nrca.s Yli thin the rrl..ntor rm1go? Out of thirty-three trends checked, four \7oro discontinued, four \Tore changed, end throe ·nere added. After chocking on the ground it t1as o.grccd ond f'elt the.t tho o.bovo c~1ongcs rrcrc jusM.ficd. I \. I i Il I I ·I I ! I �.· 10, · Continued Surnnmry Reports of Pl"<?grcss: ,. Tho utilization stmlios dlscuoscd in the follo;·1ing report -:;1orc conducted et tho ond of tho ·rrintor arazinc:; occ.son,, dtn"lll({ tho por5.od from April 22 1 1946 to ·· l!t?.y 31, 1946. Tho object of this 'Dtudy r1aa to 9bto.5..i1 informc..tio11 rcgurding tho utilization of \"linter deer forage by cxarainction of definitely locnted study plots il1 key areas \"thich informc.tion could then be applied in the formulatlon of management plans for the surroundjng tcrri tory. Tho utilization plots -oxarainod had been . previously locnted, plotted OJ.id described, c.11c1 in most cc.sos ucrei. locc.tcd on or _. . -:~~·r·· adjacon~ to deer populetion trend plots so tho.t the results of tho utilization chocks could be corrclatcc.t \·1ith doer population inf'orrn~tion obtained from the c~tmts on population trend plots. The method of study used ucs thc.t do scribed by" f.iilo Deming end modified for use on big gruno by G. N. Htmtor. This r:ic thod j.s based upon the observation of a limited munbqr of key spccfos of forego plants, the clogroc of use of \thich acts ns an indicator of the over-all use.of a given range •. ~ Jn reporting the results· of these studies, ro1 attempt hao been mo.do to group '- tho nrcc.s covered by mo.jor rmtcrshccls. For example, the observations on o.11 fore.go utilization ploto in the Yflrl.tc River dra5.nngc have bcQn grou1;od.togcthcr at the · beginning of tho report. Tho Colorudo River drn:i..m:.go has been tclmn next, foll0\10d by tho Gunnison as for south, or upDtrcnm, c.s tho mouth of the Bleck Conyon, noxt tho rcma.indcr of the Gunnison River drc.inogc. Uc then rrork r1cstmlrd to tho Son l!i~'UOl ..Doloros drainage ond. finish the f!cstcrn Slope uith the Lo.s Animas drainage. On tho Eastern Slope I the report bcr:;inc \'ti th the North Platte draj.nagc in r:orth Park. Mext the Cache Le Poudrc River is covered, ~'1.d tho other uintcr range orcc.s ho.vo bc.:on to.ken in order as they occtU' from north to south in the state. ·· ' utilizc.tion otudies in the White Rivc1" dro.inc.ge ncre me.de c.t eight Forage scp~o.tc str~tcgic locctj_ons, four cc.ch on the Piece.nee Creek m::.tcrshed, end tho Douglas Creek rmtcrshcd. Tho ~csults of these cxc.mino.tions indicate generally . ___ _ hoo.vy use by doer .over this '1holc c.roc. The plot;s in the Picco.11ce Creel: o.rcri ucra · ·~ given tho follcming re.tings of' use; 0110 proper, onC: three proper to severe. In Douglas Crock, all four ploto 1·1crc re.tad severe. It is felt thet those srunplc c.rcas givo n good picture of the ovcr-~11 use of the t:1i.a.1tcr rmigc in this pc.rt of tho state. In the couroc of the cxruninction of the specific utilizc.tion plots, numerous observations of the condition of the plcnts over the area ncro mtlde, ond those ae11erclly corrclo.tcd closely Ttith the find:ings i.11 the utilization plots p~opcr. In L"Ltcrprctincr the l"cGUlts of thcoc studi.co it is important to note that all of the plate except one of tl1e eight ,·rcro locc.tcd on cattle rango, D.lld that tho degree of use \"ICS b~scd in a largo mco.otn'o upon the use of big sr.bcbrush ti.nd pinion juniper species that for the most pnrt ere not c~tcn by c~ttlo to m1y c~ctcnt undci· normal rongo conditions. I r �.. 3 .. 1:10. ~:J .': .. ..~ · ' . ,. r. :- l , ... Continued Summr.ry Reports of Progress: ' ·. ... . t:..;·: Another factor thc.t should bo considorcd in the interpretation o.nd ~so of ... ~'those studieo in com1ccti011 rdth mrnagcmcnt plci1s for this nroc. is the £net that i: :·the SCJ"ilC conditions prevc.il over an nreo. or hlllldrcds of square miles of i:angc -::·:·that is llllj_forml:( cccossiblo to deer, ru1c1 therefore represents n fnr moro sorious probl:,em then if tho over-use ucrc confined to a f'olctivoly snm.11 area such cs thnt represented by n .series.. of no.rroyr ca11yon bottoms intcroecting orcc.s of high . stu~or ·range• .~. .... , . .. ' .~ noro" .' On tho Colorado River c1rc:L1ago, fifteen forr.gc utilizati.on ·plots. studied. this numbor 1 thrco rrcrc l"atcd propor 1 fj.vc rrcre rcted. proper to severe, end --· seven uerc rated severe. Tho scve1"0 use centered arotmd tho· toun of En3lo and ::~.I r;re.duc.lly shooed out tor:crd proper in ell directions.· Tho c.roc c.long tho foothills of tl10 Book Cliffs on tho north side of the Colorado fyom ~iflo. v1ost to., the ·:"ato.~e line gencl"~lly wcs rr~tod proper to severe. . .. · r.~or . . Six utilization plots Ytcro studied in the Gunnison nivcr c1.rr..inngc bqlm; the mputh or Black Cc.nyon. Tr10 co.ch uoro in Escc.lru.1tc Creek, on the -:;1cst s:1.do of tho ~~ .. ·drc.inage, c.11d Minnosoto. ~d Kc.nnnh Creeks. on tho co.st sido. · Of these plots, only· ·one :Li Escnlro1to Crook vmo re.tad proper '\Ihilo tho ot!1cr. five indicated severe . ~ use. With the exception of one or. trio places. in the stctc 1 . tho Kc.m1o11 Crook area nppoc.rod to be cm:-rying the heaviest concentration .fotmd. This condition un! ·doubtcdly exists bccc.uoo of a number of i'o.ctoro of nhich tho follo-:dng ere tho most irnportc.nt. Firot, tho liLtlted c.r.lotmt of dcsirc.ble ,-1i11tcr rc11g0 aveilablo in proportion to tho laree c.crec.5e or Stuil6:1el rcnge. Second, tho topography \1hich tends to funnel deer from c. lc. r~;c ro"'cu or spring-fall and summer range into c. . .-.. small nrca. Third,, the locution of ·nc.tor 1 11."!Y mecc1orrs and alfalfa fields .in the ·, ccnyon bottom that tend to· concc11tr~to the ci.ccr in tl::ts c.roa. · :·· , :.: .. "' Thnt part of' tho Gtmnison River druinc.gc o.b~vc. th~· Blc.clc Ccnyon. rtns studied ·. ·~·-:: by uoo ·or cieht plots. Tho so v1cre .diotributcd :in· the £ollo\1ing mnnner; · tl~co . -.·.;:.'in tho Iola-Sc.pincro croa., throe in Tomichi Creck 1 ~"ld t·.10 in Taylo~ River. Sovcn of these otudios re.tad the utilizt?.tion very li3ht \Jhilc the eighth one . indicl'..tcd light usaec. It is intcrcstin~ to note ·iihc:li this ia the only plo.cc in ···.7 the ctatc, r1hich \W.s covered in thio study, -·~1hcrc Guch c. lcrgc c.rca had received such a light dec;rec of uoc. Thero lil:cly ere a.t. lccst tm> contributing fc..ctors ~!~:to this situc.tion. One is the reduction of thp number or ~r.rao o.nimc.ls in tho area through hunting end by \·1i11tci" loso. The other factor is. that tho pest rd.i1tor \"/as unusur.117 mild in tho.t region uith a. very linht sno,,-1fo.ll in tho surrounding high country. . This lo.tter point cppec.red to be most importc.nt judging by reports .. :.,.~of .tho locc.1 popul~tion ~mcl gc.mo •·rc. rdons. · , . .. ~. .. ..•: . ·.. · : · .. . . . . .. .. ' · Eight plots y1crc cxar.dncd in the f ollo~-,ing areas in the J>f:!l Migucl-Doloro s : : River dro.inc.gos. Tuo plots t:crc locotcd alone Sta.to P'J.Bhmty lTo. 32-· ~!1 qypstun ·. ~.:. ···valley. Thrco plots ·;1erc locr,ted 011 Blue Moo~, en isolc-.tcd spot on tllc~.,_~st sido ~ '::of ·tho. Dolores R5.vor bclm1 Ura.vc.n, ColQj. . aa.o •. The rcmo.:ining threo plots uci"·o ..• · _ ·· :-: .'. loco.tod. on Tabcga.uchc Crook~ · As c. Y1holo this region of tho str..tc ·uho\·red ·lqos >hc'~p~. sistoncy in tho degree of use of doer 'tdntcr ·fort-.go than did.. o.ny ·01;.hor •. ·: ~.. .; . ·: · 1 jI i i I ; • I �Continued Summary Re poi.. ts of Progress: The plots in Gypsum Valley were rated proper and proper to-sevo~e. Thos~ in the Tabeguache Creek dJ:•ainage indicated light and very light usage. Con"l:.!'~.§!ted with those tv10 locations, Blue I..-:esa indicated use that Vias rated as severe on thc':pJots in the Big Sagebrush and proper in the pure pinion-juniper typo. Generally spe'ill=~~... ( inc; the Blue Mesa area compared very closely in degree of use Tlith Kannah Creek in··:"·., ::the Gunnison drainage. Ho,,-rever, the factors which contribute to this heavy concentration are more obscure in the case of Blue r~!esa areao 'I'he. main cause of this condition appears to be just a case· of over popula~ion of deer, Before leaving the San 1aguelMDolores River section, .it should be noted that the areas stud.i..ed do not cover this region thoroughly, and that reports from the Grazing Service and Forest Service person11el in this area indicate that there are other locations where winter concenfa·etions of deer are becoming ·probler.1s •. Tvto such places were Paradox Valley and the ridge be;ty1een Disappointment Valley and the ' Dolores River Canyon. In this Sar.le connection,, reports Y/Cre heard from several sources regarding winter and spring-fall damaGc from concentration of deer in the area between the Utah State line and HiGhnay No. 160 betuecn Dove Creek and Cortez in .the San Juan River watershed. ·· . , .. A; ... . . . Two utilization plots were examined in the Hermosa Creek drainage which tio,7s into tho Las Animas Rivero Both of those plots i11dicatod proper use by doer end ~·are. thought .to rop1 osont the uso. 011 tho adjacent territory. &doquately. ··· . 1 . Throe plots l7cro studied in North Park. Of tho three 1 one vms rated proper, one proper to severe, and tho third one sovorc. From observation or tho rrlntor r~go as ~ uholo, those degrees or use appear ~o apply generally in this ~ogion. In the Poudre River Canyon, tv10 utilization plots wore checkccl •. In each case , tho plot was located jusJc, off tho higlmay in tho canyon bottom. An cxatrl.no.tion of tho f'orogc in t11cso plots im:1icatod light use. Ho~·;cvcr 1 an examination of tho ·plai1ts farther back from tho higlmay indicated that the uso had been at least r>ropor if' not closer. Therefore, it is recommended that both of these study plots bo ebandoncd and ner1 plots laid out in the same general loce.tion but faJ. enough back from tho road and other human activity so as to got a true picture of use on the rCll:l50. This same criticise applies to the location of most of the plots in tho Clear Crock, Chicago Crook, and Soda Crook drainages in Clear Creek Cotmty, o.nd to ,· a lcsDer degree .to tho plots near Bailey and Evergreen. Lll:ouiso it is tho~ght that soveral of the plots on the 'Jestcrn Slope v1oul.d- be more roprescmtativo. of' the door ,·1:1..ntcr range as a i.1holo if' they V1cr0 removed a little farther .from human .activity. ·. 1 ... ~ ------ . . Saven utilization plots \1Cro studied in Clear Creek County. One of theso was. looatod below Idaho Spri11Gs on Clear Creole, one uost of Empire 1 Colorado op.. Highr1ay No. /IJ, t\70 were in Soda Crock, and three ,·rare in Chicago C1 eck. Three of. these ... plots indicated light use, tuo proper use, and tr10 severe uso. .As noted ab•Ne 1 it · is probable that had some of those plots been located farther back from tho highr1ay ~ those. that Sh0v7Cd light tlSO ltould haVO indicated a her.vier degree of: USO• 0n tho other hand, it is possible that the noticoably liahtor.uso ·this. year is a reault 6£ . tho mild winter and loss anon in tho higher country. . '· . .. ·. :;·. '·.., ::.: 1 ' I. .. �.· - 5- 10. Continued Summary Reports of Progress:. ~ the B3ilcy-Evcrgrecn area, Y1hich is onc ...of ·the. trio ·rcraaining to be·· • ··L_ ..di~cussed, tv10 utilization plots r1crc examined. One of these rms about four and .. o. half miles from Bnilcy on Highmly 2G5. The other vias near Troutdale on Bear ~·.Crook. The former of the so plots indice.tcd light to very light use during tho ,.. past uintor \1hile tho latter- shm1ed light to propc1· usage. · The rd.ntcr re.ngo in this area, like tho.t in Clear Creel: County, sho\1s evidence or severe use in the···: past uith a. marked change for ·tho bettor during the past, year or tv10.· Undoubtedly tho po.st open win-tor is at least partly responsible for this decreased pressure 011: tho uintor rnngo ~oas. : · ·· · ~ ..1 1 · · Fhtally,· .tt10 utilization plots r1crc chocked in the Corl~y l1~quntain area.nest or Colorado Springs. Both of these indicated light or proper ~o ~ight usage ~uring .tho past sc~son. .. . .. - ...... : . .. ;. · · ·· · · arc .. Tl10 regions in 'the state \1hcre forage utilization plots 'located uerc not studied. Ono of these is in Conejos County in the far southern part of Colorado. )Tho other is tho Diamond Mountain-Cold Spring lfountain area in •wstern Moffat County. It rras found that this latter nrcu is not e ,·rintor rcngo problott but rather spring-fall £1.nd stunmcr range. Thcroforc, it ues decided_ to examine tho ar_ca at a lntcr dcte. · · · · · · ·.. '. ·.· ··: .. :·: ,· ' ... , ... , I . ,-.... In gcncrril, the survey shous that the dcmund for winter forage for door exThis condition is resulting in ovcr-utilizatio11 of some n:i.ntcr ranges to a dcgroo that-·ii' continued, three.tons to cliri1inatc the more important forage species end thus further reduce tho carrying capo.city of our r1intor ranges. . ccods the supply under p1 csont conditions over c large pert of tho state. 1 J>REJ>N'~J):_O}.Ll...QI:l. ~./:J>PAil·:iEJ!.'t~-QKJ.Iil?. L!1TJ¥ HILLS_ GPJ~_j!XPERlJ:~N'l' _S~A_'!'ION . During the first ucok of Jtmo, 1946 a cooperative meeting uas held uith ncmbcrs of Colorado State College, The Rocky Mountain Foreot md Range Experiment Station, tho Grazing Service, end tho Color~do Stete Garno nnd Fish Deportment being present and in t1hioh tho typo of expcrim011t to be conducted ;ms di~cussod. Tho experiment .being planned is to determine tho selectivity and utilization of plants for deer, cattlor·c.nd sheep through their. normal grazing season in Pinion-Juniper 1 Segobrush, and Mt. Brush in order· that a belro1cctl mcncgcmcnt program m~y be developed. In order to accomplish tho above, it ~as decided a brood rnnac survey for dctorraining fore.go dnvcntory and types ,·;ould be tho f:i.rot thing to do folloyrod by c detailed range survey of the area selected for the ostoblishment of the oxperir11cntal plots. It was also atJrecd upon, that a minimum of throe years nould bo necessary to have tho experiment stctistfoo.lly correct. The first ycc:i.. three . fenced plots \·1ould be cstc.blishod in YJhich doer, cattle end sheep uould be plac.od sepcratcly. Each succeeding year throe a_dditional plots r1ould be added. Tho dotc.ilcd· plan for conduct of tho o::-porimont is still. being formulated. Whc11 tho questioru:mhoro, \·1hat 1 \/hon, r1hy, c.nd horr the experiment is to be conducted arc anauorod and formed into a plan, tho problem is settled except for results. �•. r· .. 6 .. 10, Continued Sunnno.ry Rcpo1"ts 0£_ Progress: To dato (June. JO, 1946), o. crci·1 of four men hr.s been organized and trained for rnngo survey \·1ork. Appro}:imc.tcly 30,000 ccres of a total of 150,000 acres hcvo boon Stu"vcycd. It is expected thct by August l, 1946 both the goncrnl and dctcilcd rmigo surveys uill be completed. It is plcru1od r.nd hoped to huvc the first yccr•a plot3 foncod and rc~dy £or observation by ~tobor 15, 1946. ... ". '· , .... ·. :.. .. . . Approved: · · ·· · . il. Submitted by: ..... _Name: ::~~:i<Z DEPAR~1.~~ Frod T, Jeep ···:.· ··-· Nt'.me: · • L, E .. Riordan Do.to: .. .,. -· Dj.roctor Title: . ·: ..:Title: . Sr, Wl:ldlifo Tcchnician_L_ .r;------ ~ ,'I I . Noto:·: "Parsons •tishing to quote from any of thcsa nbntrncto, should first .... ~.._ obtain permission from ·the Stato Gmno and Fish· Department. " .. ' . ....'·.:· ~- . .... .. ~ I : •; . . . :. . ..... . . .. ~.'"1•• ·-~·~···' ·:·.J: ····.· "••.. ·,._.. ........ ·~ . . ·, . :. ~· ,. '. -". I '• :1., .. . . . ..~ . ... •-o • ••••.• ~ · .... : ' . •._" ... .... · --_:-:._~----.--;._:_.·._-,:..· ..·•..·_.·:· ·.··): .·.· .. ....·.·.· :.·:·• .. ··,•···· ·:" .. ' ....... . - - -. 1. •'.:~ ·.... · •1 • .:• .l:. ·- .. . . __ . '. ,·, ..... : .' ... ,. ... : . ... \:" ' ... ·- . .. • . -. · . ' ~· . . . . .. ' . ·: ..;, ~: ; . ~ ... ~~ . ~ ·= . :_ .. ; :. : .. ;. . .. .. .. . .. · •... •: . .. · ~ . ' ... : .. '. .£.' .. : ~. • ' ; . : -; ... . :· ~-··.I:•:.:/•,'..':·- .I l ' .• .' ' .·. > . I... • •. 'I • I ~·- .. ·-. •.... : .... ' ·-.. I :. • : ': - ., .. ·• .... ··r . . . • • :"-:.. : ·. ~· ,- I . • • . .·· ... , ' ·.- . ... !:' ·.. . ,• • I ., ! • •• • ~ ,- ; • ' . ' •L~ . ' ' ~- '• • )'' ,·: . • I ,, : •• ! .~ ,.,; t • ... I... .. ., ~ ' ~ . ...... -~ : . : ~ .:: , • • • •• • • • :· .•. ··.· I . ' ,! . . ., : ; .. ••• . -·· "... - .··: -~ . " t ••• , •• • . • i ' ~ . ' I " .... :'. ~ ·.: . . 1 ': ,i : ·... •'. i • .. • •• .. ~ ... :: ' • ; 1.. . .. - . . . . .~ ·· · '· ' . . . .. ... ... : .•· .. ·! ;. ·-- i · . :. .' , . ;... . ' • . ,.· \ .. .. • •I:• • . ~ I " ·, . . ~ : . :· .. .: . . ' . . ·- _,. .. . ' ~ . ' o " ·~ . ;. ' . . . ~·. ·~ .--~' :. ; .. ~ '; . .. ; ~ ·. '.·. '•.\ . ~ . _:__ .-- I • • .. ._.;.;. o •" I "t •.• o .:· . ? . , .. , . . . --"::·, ~ ' . , .... '~ . . ·~, ... .. �Colorac1o.....__ _ STATE PROJLCT NO. L.-R DATE ________J_Ul __y_,__1c_z~_6_________ QUARTERLY 1. Title ·or Project: 2. Supervisors: 3. ·Leader: PROGRESS REPORT Grune a.t1d Fish Evaluation Interviens Gilbert N. Hunter, Game & Fish lfanager E. K. Braim,· Coordinator A. E. Carlson,· Game & Fish Dept. H. E. Perkins, Lloyd Harold, Federal A5.d Sta.ff Assistant Leaders: 4. Cooper~ting .Agencies: Law· Eriforcenent Staff', Stat~e Gane and Fish Dept. 5. Perspective: To conduct persone.l interviens with the sportsmen of Colorado to aid in Game and Fish .manage;.1ent. 6. Object:tve ·: To obtain data from the spo1 tsmen in the state regarding their ~945 h1Ulting and-fishing activities. 7. Plan: To interview a specific nu.uber of big gane hilllters, ·small.game hunters, and fi~hermen over the state using a rando1i1 sample method of interviewing so that a true ·evaluation can be-made. of wildlife conditions •. One-third of' the cost the". survey is paitl._~Qm state funds a11d the remainder of the· co~t is· ob·~a:i.i~ed_ ~om(Fe;de~al ~d Project 1 of . C. . ·. .. . : .. ..· 4-lD , Probable date project will be"complet'ed:. ··October 30, 1946. 9. Relationship of coope1·ating acencic s: EJccellent. ' 10.· ~.um.mary report of prof>Tess:· This survey consists of socuri1'i~ duto. as. sl·wi:m on the attached intervicr1 forms on s:nall game, big game and fishin~ for the 1945 seasons. After consultation with the rJational Opinion Research Center of Denver University, . every 1J7th name frcm tha Small Gat1c anc.~ Fi shine; liccn~o s aIK~ every 50th name from the Big Game l:tce11scs of . .1945 \Wrc taken as subjects to be :L"'l.tcrvicr1cd. This method i:1oulc.l give: a totl~l: of 1250 small. game cnC: fish intorvj.eus and 1250 1)ig c;anc interviews Yd th a L.,. 5 percent iJargin of er1 or. (Gallup t!:. Rae ~940) ·• This method of intorvic~t~g was follo·ncd for a month and a half. · 1 The probletl& which ~rose from this nctl1od of intervierd.ng \1Cro as folloTis; change of ·ad-dress, dco.th, lcavin[> tho s~atc, and subjects not ut home. The latter being ·tho most troubloso~c probloo. �•, - 2 10. Continued SUIUilnry Report o:f Progress: Uc rovcrtcc1 t·o cullii1g on sub,iocts in the cvcninG ·which provec1 successful "1ith .the exception that uo could avcrar;c only three to fotu" interviews per nic;ht; · As this p::ovcc1 to be too slm1 ru1c~ costly, it m1s dccidccl to secure the i11tcrvicv1S by another r11othoc1. Intcrvicrrs ncrc r.u:clo with f'ishorr:1cn on the s-t,rceDs and wit!1 sportsr11cn on t.hc streets of the various to,ms. '!'his latter mc:thocl was fo\m<l to be Much :fontm" · o.nc1 in c~c.1c1~.tion r,1orc nccm"ato 5.nsofar as correct unswcrq_ to the qucptions v10ro concerned. For example, in tho Bic Gnr:1c Hunting qt'lcationnaire 0110 question iss 11 Eou. 1~uch did yotu.. D:l.~ Gruac HtU1t cost you! 11 Usua~ly when ~his ~ucstion was asJ:cd to ·the subject usinc tho fori:1cr· mcthoc':. of intervicuinr;, "'Gho rlifc ·rrould most always be present. We fotmd thc~t tho sportsman r1oulcl invariably giyo a lor1or araount than ho actually. spent fa~o to the presence of his ~life. Tho second method of intcrvic1·iinr; broti.cht out· the actual o=cpensc. . of .tho trip. In the distribution of intcrvicmi throti_c~1out tho stetc uc rot~incd. tho number of nar!1os nhich Y1crc CQj:1pilcd fr on the· f~.rst method of intcrv:I.cuing. As thoac· names ·wqro .. taken from the licqnsc rccorc1.s of tho aconts in the counties, tho nai-ncs of the subjects ucre listed in their· respective. counties. For example, in Denver County there \icre.· 195 Big Garno subjects ruld 170 Small Ga~c ~d Fis~ing. ::;ubjccts t.o. be :i.11~crvicr1cd from the total number of licenses sold froni thq· cow.1ty. ··Us:lng the abovd. totals only, and not the specific names·, tho intcrvioYJS arc t1a.dc :&t randon throughout tho c.ot¥1ty. . . In order to determine· the influence of var:i.c.hlc factors·. in the method of sampling as dcscripc.cl~· analysq$ 6£. .thooc factor~ arc bd..ng m~dc. In other 't'IOrds tabulutions Of OCCUp'c:itiOl'lS,, sex1 _age, n.nd locc.tion a:rc-·.'.bo:ing made SO that they cro1 be compared '1-ii th tho actual distribution of these factors :in the hunter and ~ishormon populati9n. These compc.risons nill make it possible to determine· the val:tdity of tho· sampl:i.ng method.;·· as· used, so that an accui.. atc om:1plin.G ·crro~ can be arriy<?d at. It is not possible at this point in tho survey to make conclusions on rurJ" particulor item rrith ru1y knoYm degree of sccuracy •. ··. Hor1cvor, tl1c f.ollor1ing tabulations rnay be of intoro st on :the .basis of this partial sm"voy ·of' the 1945 sousons. · · · Throe-fourth::> of the sample.· fo-: Denver County hb.s been· com1Jlctcd tinder our. Gano snC:. Fish Ev~lu~:Gion St.u"vcy·•. :. The ·Tollo~·iinG figures arc· bnscd upon this pro1~o~~_ional nat1plc~ .. · ·' · The cvc1"ago f'ishcr:r.icrl f~~shod . . Tho avcrc.~c trout fishcrhlcn r~.shcd· The avcrcgc rtcrr.1 ·m::tcr fishermen fished The . avcr~ac trout fishcrncn spent . Tho c.vcro.gc ·m:rm ·no.tor fi:JhcrHc.n Si)o1·iii ·. The average coDt to the trout fishcrilo:n ·~w.r{ The cvcrcgo cost to the ~crm we.tor· ·rj~~ho.rr:10n · 17·.63 ~days per occ.son 16.Gl :.c~ays per season c.c2 days per scnoon f'"-(4.(' r:-7 . vu/.u pc~ season ·-~~3l.. ~C2· .per·' sec.son ~~ 5.35. per· c~ay $ 3•95 :i)Cl" day �- 3 - 10. Continued Summary Report of Progress: The c.vcragc yoc.rly expenditure of mirm ·::atc"r Cl'ld trout f'ishm."1:1011 m:w ')92.52 The o.vcrngc CX?Chditurc for tc.cklc r-nC: accossorier; per man for tho sec.son is $22.Li-C Tho D.VCl"O.b"C cost of narli1 r:c.tor c..ntl trout fisher- ... men per day ···~t'!! The o.vcrc.go nurj1bcr of trout caucht per day ~ ~1t.;.P Tho cvcrngc number of rrcrm untcr fish ccught per c~ay 5.25 7.74 trout 9.21 i ioh The c:.verr.gc nw1bcr or fish caught por cl~y by both uuru ·Go.tor mtl trout fishor::icn is 7.G5 fish 81% or the fiahol"l~1cn' o time -r:ao opcnt on streams. 19% of tho fishermen• s tir.io -rmo opont on lcl':cs. The c.vcr~::.,c hour:J Sl)Cnt on tho strcm.i by ~rout fishcrr!cn per dc.y uo.a The average hou.rs si,cnt 011 the stroru;i by ·\n1rr:i \!a tor Zishcrmcn per day nc.s During the ace.son the c.vorc.go trout i'ishcrr:mn 6.5J hOUl"S 6.31 hours 130.25.· trout . cnugl;t During the season the nvcrcac v1arr.1 Ymter fishcrm.~1 ccught 61% of the fishcrncn · fished on public h:.11d 23~ of tho fishcrn1cn fished 021 privutc lr.nd end Yrcro chro. gcd. · .. 16% of the fishcrncn fiohod on privr.tc land ~rhcrc no charges 110re I!mde. In other uords, 39% of tho Denver Fiohcrmon fished on private lend. c1.2c rish 1 Tot~l EVALUATION OF PHEASAHT HUNTil.JG 385 Subjects. Cost of Hunting Tl"ips $5,671.20 Total Number of Subjecto Totc.l Number of Dayo Hunted 1,574 Total Be.~ Lirll.t of Phocsc.i1ts 3,475 Tok.l Phcc.so.nts Crippled Totc.l fitu:ibor of Hours Hunted Totc.l Nur1bcr of Trllil1ed Dogs UDed 639 6,53c; 77 �•. -4 10. Cont:Lrtuod Sur.:mc..ry RC?port of P:l."ogrcss: $14.73 ~.02 Avorc..go G:i. ipplos per Htmtcr 1.66 Avorcgc 1'iur~1bcr of· Days Htmting 4.• oc Avorcgo 1-!umbor of• Hours per Hunter 16.90 Percent of DOGS used by Hunters. 20% 1 11. .. Submitted by: N~10: A. E. Cc~rlson Nronc: ~ H. E._Po:.:-1:~10 Title: _ _._j)i1:£,9tor - - - - - !fo.no : Jl.Qy_~c_L_i_fo...,T_o_.l...d_______ Titlc: lrotc: Jr, Wi.1£11.fo T_cchnic :i.cn Persons \7ishi..'tlg to quote from any of these .c.bstrcc:ta; ·should first.· obtcin permission from the Sto.to Gema encl Fish Dcpcrtmcnt. . �HUNTING QUESTIONNAIRE ~. 1. - SMALL G!\ME AND BIRDS Did you hunt small game and birds in 1945?· _ _ Yes No Directi9n and miles from nearest ... Yes Town and County No I--------------------------------- A. Did you hunt Blue Grouse? B. Did you hunt Sharpt~il? c. Did you hunt Sage Chickens? D. Did you hunt Pheasants? E. Did you hunt Scaled·Quail? F. Did you hunt Gambel. Quail?. G. Did you hunt Bandtailed Pigeon? H. Did you hunt Dove? I. Did you hunt Due.ks? J. Did you hunt Geese? K. Did you hunt Cottontail Rabbits?. _ _.___. ... 2. Kinds~ A B C D E F G H I from question l, indicates . J K . How many times did you hunt? per About what was your average bag day?· ..._~--+-..._...._.-+---1~-1-__...-ir---1--t ~bout how many hours per day did you usually spend hunting? Tihat was the average number crippled and not counted in bag? Yl):i..a.t time or day did you generally hunt? .3. Can you obtain your ducks Wlder the present shooting hours? _ _ 4. Would any change in evening hunting hours ·aid you? _ _ 5. Did you use a dog? _ _ Yes Yes Tua No Breed?·------- Traiiled? _ _ Tua ~ No -No 6. Lveraga cost of a hunting trip, including car expenses. - - - - - - - 7. What make or a gun did you use? 8. Do you belong to a hunting club? Gauge?_Type?_ _Shot Sizei_ _ If so, Na7:~<) ·Yes ······No· ···· ··· ·· ····· · and nearest town? · ...... ··· .......... · ~ 9. Did you hunt on private land? . 10. __:_If so, were you charged? _ _ Yes No Yes Do you regard fenced property as private? _ _ Yes ··· ·No -No �HUNTING QUFSTIONNAIRE - BIG GAME During hunting season, which big game animals do you like to hunt best? ~ l •.................................. 2 •.................................. 3 •.................................. 4 •.............................. 1. What big game animals did you kill during 1945 season? 2. Was this animal a Buck? Doe? Fawn? Bull? Cow? Calf? Mature Bear? Cub? 3. How many points on each antler of each male deer and elk? 4. ~here did"you kill ybur ani~als? 5. Date your animals were killed? 6. Tim6 of day kills were made? 8. How many animals did you wound and not get? 9. About how much did your big game hunts cost? 10. How many hunters were there in your party? 11. Did you use a horse to hunt any of these animals? 12. About how much do you spend yearly on guns, ammunition, and hunting accessories? 13. Were you checked by a warden during big game season? 14. Were you checked through a check station? 15. Did you send in your big game kill report card? 16. How far from the nearest (county) road was your animal killed? 17. What kind of a rifle did you use? ......................................... . Calibre and Make 0 . Drainage, county or forest. . . . 7. .How many days did you hunt to .obtain your animals~ What grain bullet 18. Did you kill any lions, coyotes or bobcats last year? ................................................ . 19. In 1945 did you ever hunt big game- out of the State?.................. If so, where and what? .......................................................................................................................................... 20. Do you usually wear something red when you hunt? ............................................................ 21. Do you think of bear as being a ma in goal in your hunting trip?............ ............. . Yes No Do you hunt. bear mainly for the meat ? ............ For t,he hide? ............ or just for the sport? ...................... . 22. �DEER EIK A~ITELOPE BEAR 1. 2. 3. 4. . . . . . 5. 6. 7.· s. 9o 10. 11. ~ 12. 130 140 15. . . . . .. .. . �I FISHING QUESTIONNAIRE ------------·---··.-.---- 2. About how many fishing trips did you make last tleason?.................... ..................... . Trips Days What wa_s the average cost each day? ................................................................................... . 3. How many times did you go trout fishing 1n 1945? .......................................... ~ ................. . 4. How many times did you go warm water fishing in 1945? ................................................. . 5. Of all your fishing time, about what percent is spent on st,reams? ......................... . Lakes? ......................... . l. 6.· ·How many hours do you usually fish a da_y?.,~······:............................. ~ .............•...................•. • 7. 'What is the ave·rage"number o·r.·rish you caught on a day? .................... :....................... :. 8. When you fished, what percent of the time did you use flies? ........Wet flies?·-····· Dry f 1 ies? ........Worms? ........ Eggs? ........ Spinners? ........Plugs? ........ 0 ther? ....... . . . •·. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . ·. 9. How soon after opening of season do you generally start fishing? .. :.................. .c•••••• 10. (Approx. Date) In what district do you fish most? ....................................................................................... . 11. Name of streams and lakes {give section) and County Under normal conditions, what js your yearly average expenditure on fishing tackle, accessories? ................................................................................................................... . ~ on private land?.................... charge? ...................... or due~? ..................... . 12. Do you fish 13. Did you fish in some other State? 14. Do you believe that game and fish should be regulated in relation to their na. tural food supply? ............................. . 15. What kind cf work do you do? ...................................................................... u••·························· If private, under a privilege If so, where? ........................................................... . REMARKS: Party Interviewed. Interviewer·. Data of Interview. �STATE Cot or ado PROJECT NO. · 4-R DATE QUART~RLY July 1, 1946 PROGRESS REPORT l.· Title of Project: ~- Migratory Bird Study 2. Supervisors: , : '. ------ Gilbert u. Hunter and E. K. Brown . ~· 3. _Project Leader ----- Jack c. Culbreath 4. Cooperating Agencies - Federal Fish and Wildlife Service. 5. Prospective: -- Field Survey and Mapping of the Duck and GOose Hunting :· ... __ areas of the State of Colorado in an attempt to· classify by pe'rcentage the differently managed hunting _areas. Areas are first considered ··by type - such as rivers, fields, ponds or 18.kes, and these are classi;- fied as to landowners management such as open to the freelance hunter, · private reserve, leased, and closed to all hunting • \ .. . •• •! • . 0 .• 1. • •• . . A joint field study of the Band-Tail Pigeon by the Colorado State Game and Fish Department and the Federal Fish and Wildl if'e Service• First · consideration to establish· the State population and distribution of the Band-tailed Pigeon •. Secondly to study the life history, with particular reference to the nesting cycle and sexual behavior, 6, Objective: -- To open as much hunting area a·s possible to the freelance ··· hunter of the State of Colorado. To keep account of any tendency by minority groups to exclude the freelance hunter by strong leasing, .and to block the efforts of the minority groups in the latter case • .. . o:· ,. i ·. · To establish management in areas where hunters have overlooked the effect of their hunting pressure on the biological requirements of the birds, and where they are endangering the securing of the birds. ;- \. l. ; " ·.·Maka visual analysis ·of· all duck damaged cultivated crops that are ·reported. During the two vnnter quarters, duck banding of winter populations in . ·cpoperation with the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service will be conducted. Kill record reports are to be circulated during the hunting season to all organized hunting groups or individuals that will keep the records an:l return them to the State Grune and Fish.Department art~r the hunting season • . A joint field study by the State Game and Fish Department. and the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service of the Band-Tail Pigeon of Colorado • .... ! �2 - Plan! ..~.~-·-· Management of migratory birds of Colorado is a twofold problem. First is the factor of protecting birds that are receiving excessive hunting pressure, second is increasing the hunting pressure on duoks and geese that are damaging the farmers' cul t-i vated · grain crops. By an intimate knowledge or the ·field conditions for migratory birds 1 it is possible to prepare in advarice requests to the State Game and Fish Commission asking for the opening and · closing or areas to hunting a~ the requirements of the birds dictate. It is also possible· through associations with organized hunting groups to shift hunting pressure by-cooperationinnd achieve· the desired manngemement of the flights. 7. At the present time in Colorado little is known of the average : :;( ·' ·:: composition and amount of the daily bag of the duck and goose ... ~ .. :·:-: ··. ·:hunters.· The following plan has been formulated-to. obtain this .,....,,-., .. ·~ ). · information. A questionnairo (See attached duck questfo~a..ire) -· i ~ :. ···~.. vdll be circulated to 8,000 residents or the State in the qtl~·· ter1 < ., •• ·"".::i ';:: ·· •· ly publication "CONSERVATION COMMEUTS" published by the Colora . State Grune and Fish Co:rmnission. Additional copies are planned to ·.. reach all organized duck and goose clubs that are not subscribers <·< ···~, to CONSERVATION COM1:~MTS through the cooperative efforts _of the 1 : '·· ~ ·: o ·. ~, l Izaak Wal ton League. The kill report will incorporate material '1 :··,I·~:,- that wi 11 permit extraction of such. information as hunting pressure, <~ ;·: .... hunting location, hunting success, .composition of bag, kill by day, .. ~. '·' .' and weather. 1 :· ,, 11 ~ · ·-.·<In October, three banding stations for ducks will be established , ·· . ~ ·' .·: in the eastern part of the State in cooperation wi+.h the Federal t •. ~ ~-: Fish and Wildlife Service. Duritlg January, annual duck census~ •. . · : by ground count and aerial count, wi 11 be conducted to give cooper. -:.· :. ~ .-: .: ati ve o.heoks on federal e stimato or State duck and goose populations. . ·::~" 1 "!' . :.. · ·-·· · , : "f -"'!. • ·::, ·~ ; ·· .·· A joint. study with the Denver or fice of the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service was set up the first of May for the studying of "!·; . ,' · · the Band-tailed Pigeon. S,..udy outlined was to detennine by field census abundance and distribution of the Band-tailed Pigeon over as much of the State as possible. By trapping we plan to obtain ,,..... i ·~ :·.::·pigeons for band'ing as well as for aviary studies of the nesting •A!«n .-I : cycle. Two aviaries have been es,tablished, one at the Colorado State Game Bird Fa.rm at Colorado Springs, where 18 birds are held. The second is located near Denver, Colorado, at Arvada and was es. :.-: ~' · . · tablished with fourteen birds. Both avaries were provided with ·.·:-- ·• pine trees and forest duffel for nesting sights and material. .. : , Birds are fed wheat, oats and cracked corn. During the July quarter, none of the outlined work except on Band-tailed Pigeon will be completed· except for the distribution of the Duck Kill report. All duck census work will be renewed in the October quarte~. ' a. ~.• •-' ~ Probable Date Project Will Be Completed: -- Duok census project is proposed to be completed July 1, 1948. Pigeon study project is. proposed to be completed January 1, 1950. 9. Relationship or Cooperative Agents: -- All duck banding stations are cooperatively operated by both the State Game and Fish Department and the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service. Mr. Johnson Neff of the ------- , I �,,. -.... .. 3 - .... ... l , ,. Federal Fish and Wildlife Service and Jack Culbreath of the . State Ga.~e and Fish Department are working jointly on the collection of all field data associated with the band-tailed pigeon in the State of Colorado, and are preparing to publish joint . · ; papers on their findings. -~ ••• '-• 1 ." ' ~ io.· ·.·. ~ummary Reports of Progress: -- During the months April and May the duck ·· · · · survey on the South Plat1D River was finished from Washington County to the Nebraska State line. ~;L··-:~r~:. ~; ·:: . . ::~;:~ . ~Washington County, a compara.~ively dry county as far as water. ·' · ·· · :: · ·: : ... fowl is concerned, affords little shooting for the hunters. The :>:•jJ:: '~-':'~.'.~river shooting in Washington County, is confined to 3-3/4 miles • ,, of the Platte River in the northwestern corner. All of the section .. ';;:::-. _ _•• ·: .. of the river is under private reserve status. _One-half of all the 1 __ , . .~, ... ri~:~.river shooting land belongs to F. L. Gill of Hillrose. All of the ...,; ".,,., C~, r .:.:·:.>~.land around Prewett and its seep ponds· are on ~Ar. Gill's property• •· ~ II , ., . t . · 1. _ ... .... ' : ..... , All of Mr. Gill's property being under private reserve status is , r 1 • ·· .. , Lt·, ... Lt... not leased but it is regularly hunted by many members from the .:c :T r-' • "'State House. Prewett Reservoir has approximately_ 3,000 acree in Washington County • . \ ;:~'>,. i:~· .'-'.· ...( : [~~-In the. area north of Akron, one will find field shooting where • · ··.. ., (,:: " : . ,. .. : the birds from Prewett Raservoir come to· feed. 1945' s hunting .. .' .' .: ~-·· · season records 18 sections or land being used for field shooting of ducks and 2 sections used for goose ·shooting. · . ·. ·· - -~ ·~ t During the first of April, 1946 a migratory bird survey was conducted in Logan County for determining the extent and management . -~ . : . . of the duck and goose hunting areas. ·-12-1-per-sons-v.rore per-sona-lly .. .. contacted. Logan County, in northeastern Colorado, covors an . ~. _·· · ....· .: ~ .. area _of 38 miles north and south and forty;..eight miles ea.st and -...... t,..• ' .•' ' • . '. west~ Running diagonally from southwest to northeast across the county is the Platte River, which affords some 66 miles of very .. . . . ;.. ~ good river shooting. . 9-1/4 miles are open to freelance hunters by permission r ! ,;· : . . ... , .. ,,. from the landowners. 6-1/4 miles leased to hunters. 50-1/2 mile~ under private reserve. ;. ~ ~ ' ~ ~ '6 . ~ ~ •• · -'" , l ~·.' ~ .. ~ ·.·; ! The general area from Merino to Iliff enables the freelance hunter to obtain for the asking, from any landowner, an area on which he may hunt. This strip of river, has approximately '-. 24 miles or private reserve hunting area. From Ili.f.t' to the eastern boundary of .the county, the condition is quite changed~ •) ..~ Permission for the freelancer to enter private reserve lands is almost non-existant. This strip or river has eome of the best duck shooting in tha state and is in great demand, direotly resulting in the latter condition. : Logan. County has one. reservoir,· North Sterling, with approximately 3,600 acres, part of Prewett Reservoir of about 200 acres and '.. 700 acres of the Julesburg Reservoir. All of these bodies, of ,·, · wator permit freelance hunting. The flights in general, afford little hunting on or around the reservoirs with the exception of pass shooting periodically. �.'" - 4 - 10. . Continu.ed Surnr.iary Reports of Progress: . .North of the Platte River no areas of hunting were roported in tho fields, but it is definitely known that it did occur • South of the Platto, in tho vicinity of Fleming, 7 square miles of field shooting was reported and it is.estimated that -the acreage constituted only one-third of the to~al area that was field hunted. The principal crop attracting these birds to the rields is corn. \ Julesburg Reservoir, generally winters one of the largest known .duck populations in the State. It is from this resting ground that the birds fly south across the Platte some fi teen miles to reed in the corn areas around Fleming and Haxtun. ........ --~ ! ,- l Sedgwick County, in the extreme northeast corner of the State, is 31 miles east to west and 17 miles north to south. It com. prises 26-1/2 miles of some of the best duck hunting in Colorado. One mile is open to the freelance hunter, 2-3/4 miles are leased to hunter's and 22-3/4 miles are on private reserve. 78 personal ·. contacts yrere made in this county • ~ . In general it may be said that an outsider from the county has little chance of hunting on the Platte River in Sedgvtick County, as almost all land ovtners reserve the right exclusively for .·local hunters. Even that part of the Platte River which is · leased is leased by residents of.. Julesburg • .'·:. ·- f . :r-• . Julesburg Reservoir has 700 acres or water in Sedgwick County. . I" '· I• There is a limited amount of hunting in the grain fields for ducks. and geesa. in this area. Small acreages east or Julesburg reservoir and areo.s of about six square miles south of Julesburg Reservoir are all that wero hunted during the 1945 season. During Bay, a duck and goose survey was conducted through Prowers, Bent, Baca and Kiowa Counties in tho southeastern corner of the State on the Arkansas River drainage. This area contra8t to the Platte River, was found to include no leased property from La Junta, Colorado to the Kansas State line. in '·.-: .. t. . - Bcmt county comprises 27 miles of private' reserve--allfl 16 miles of' government land along the Arkansas River. "'~,... · . . · Horse Creek Reservoir 350 Acres, ope~. to f'reel~ . hunter. ' Adobe Creek Reservoir 3,000 acres, open to freelance hunt or Caddo Reservoir 6 miles square, open to freelance· ,'-hunter. Prov1ers county comprises 39 miles of private reserve river which is open to the freelance hunter for the asking, 8 miles of non-patented land, King Reservoir 750 acres, Thurston · Reservoir 360 acres, and Prince Reservoir 260 acres. All reservoirs aro open to the freelance hunter. ., . i �•.. - 5 - .10. .... '\ Continued Summary Reports of Progress: Kiowa County comprises four largo reservoirs which are tho t; / ; ·! <: following: Queen Reservoir, 1,340 .acres; Nce-Noshe Reservoir, 2,680 acres; Nee-Grande Reservoir, 2,300 acres; Nee-So-Pah Reservoir, 2,000 acres, all open-to the freelance huntor. r .-. ·<. rr .. ' ~. • Baca County has the Two Buttes Reservoir or 900 acres. The • south side of Two Buttes Reservoir comprises an area or 8 seo· tions or land which during the 1945 season was leased to an individual who in turn charged gun fees daily. This piece of leasing represented the only section of leased property in ·southeastern Colorado during the 1945 season and met with such opposition from local hunters that the indications are that the lease will >;iot be. reissued ror··the 1946 season, but instead the land will be open to the freelance hunter without charge. -i. -. . _. i ~ .' . . ~. !"- : • -· l'f. ' t\ ·~ ., ---~ ~ ~·.: The 21st of May Two Buttes· Reservoir was drained dry for irrigation purposes, the firs~ time for this to -happen in 37 ye~rs. This situation brings about a very serious problem to the major ~ ··'·goose population of the State of Colorado. During the last three ,r; .-.l '.7' .. -.years Two Buttes Reservoir has been the wintering ground of forty -·~'.; r ~ · ·· ~ •· .~i ..... r.= to fifty thousand geese. With the possibility of this reservoir .:-:v · •• : - : · i\ · •· ·not filling prior to the ar.rival or the wintering geese in the .. I ..: fall or 1946, it was necessary to· take action to establi~h ....... ·~·· 1 ·.·-·sanctuaries on some or the other large bodies of water in south-· ..; .. .,.. · ;·f~ ~ .. -· eastern Colorado~ l!embers or the Atnnity JAutual Irrigation • · - ....... :.-:.· j ., -."·:.::-. -.Company, who control Queen Reservoir, Nee-Noshi, Nee-Grande, · -~ :· . . ··' ·::·and Nee-So-Pah reservoirs were ·round favorable to the plan of closing an area 300 yards from the water line of all their reser•F voirs.. This plan was contemplated in the eventuality that 'l\vo \.· ·':",'.' ·.·~ ,.,·Buttes Reservoir would not fill this fall and that the geese that "'.·:~~ had formerly rested there would not have an adequately protected • ·· ~ .r , resting· area.. I also contacted members of the Southeastern Colorado Rod and Gun Club in Lamar, Colorado, as well as members ,. · · · of the La Junta and Rooky ~ord Sportsman's ·Associations. These clubs and associations were in full accord with the proposed plan for providing the wintering geese Vii th a proper resting ground • • •1 'ic ,; ;·-.:· -:· • ,_.. • : 1 , ... ..· : .....l \ :. '.' i •• · 1 : •• ••• •• May 26th, the field work on the Band-tailed Pigeons was started. It was this date that two bands· or birds were located at the . -··-·-"-·· ~-·-·-··· .. ·-" Perry Ranch, 36 miles south of Denver. On the 27th, traps were placed at the Perry Park Ranch and heavily baited. Tho trap ---··---·-···- ... ·-····~· . consisted of a five by eight by two foot pen, with funnel entrances. On the morning of the 28th, birds were observed enter--··----._·---..··--~- .. ,. ing by the funne 1 entrances, but the trapping process was very slow due to the tact that one bird reeding in the funnel could block the entrance of some 50 to 60 birds trying to get into the :· ·."'.:'. . \ :· .trap •. We then placed a. ladder type entrance in the top or the ~·;·:· .. · cage, in o.n attempt to make an additional entrance for the birds that were lighting on top of the pen and watching the other birds feod. This entrance increased the catch approximately 10% over the funnel type entrance, but was still considered to be unsatisfactory. A fivo foot section at one end of the trap was converted to a doorway which could be dropped after the birds had entered the trap, see accompanying photographs. This type· of entrance proved satisfactory and r~sulted in the following catches at our traps. The 28th of- May, 13 bir.ds banded and liberated. The 29t__h_____ or l.iay 16 birds banded and liberated. Juno 5th, 59 birds banded • : ~· -:i ~' ·.: ·: �'. - 6 - 10. Continued Summary Reports or Progress: ·· and liberated. June 27th, 12· birds banded and liberated, and --:·.· ... June 28th, seven birds banded and liberated. :. :. ~ I ~ ; To date 17 bands or Band-tailed Pigeons have been located. Tho bands vary in size from 35 to 300 birds per band. In all casos the bands have been located at the mouths of canyons and · associate~ with pine and cottonwood trees, o.s woll as located : ·in the near proximity of open grain fields. I ..... · The birds activities ori warm, bright days are extremely eratic In contrast, on a cloudy or rainy day, the · . :~.birds were found to be very quiet and easily trapped and hand~ · led. The 30th or· May five birds were observed rising on an air currant for 2,000 ~eet in a soaring manner. After gaining . this elevation they headed west in flat flight to the top of the Rnmpart Range. ·~.and unpredictable. ... ' .... ·: •·. . . .. . ... '. ._,. - .• : . •. ! . ' ; o ,• I' ·, •,...., ......., .... . :·.~·: ·:-·: ,"-.: .. __ . . .. . · June 5th, 14 specimen birds were obtained bet•:1een Denver and '· · · : Colorado Springs, nine o.f tho birds posted were females, one 1 ·:: .... ·: .:•· · -: · 'i. ·: · bird weighing 327 grams was carrying an egg showing shell de.·:.:.:·:~:·,::. ~· :··.·posit and ready to be la.id. Three hens showed egg development · · '· ·,' · ·· with tho follioa.ls approximately 1/2 inch in diameter. The re, · - ~.r • :" , · - ·. maining five hens showed the most early stages of E:)gg develop;." r ·' ·; ., ·:.: · · ment with the follico.ls just beginning to fonn. The five males .. '" r ., .. ' · · · • ··posted ho.d one character that was constantly conspicuous as " compared to the females, this was· a raspberry hue to the common grey breast of both sexes. • ~ l . ~ .. June 5th; 18 birds wore taken to the .Colorado Springs Garno Bird Form and placod· in an aviary. On the 19th, 20th and 21st these ".birds in captivity were observed mn.ting normally. On June the 27th, 14 birds were captured and placed ln the avinry at Arvada,. Colorado. ·.·,.·· 11. , Submitted by: Approved: Name: Jack o. Culbreath .~ ' Title:Sr. Wildlife Technician Title: Date: Notes Director July 22, Persons wishing to quoto from any of these abstracts, should first· , obtai~ pcrm,ission from the State G01lle_ and_ .~ish Department. ·,. ,...._,. ' ), ~946 ',. I �- 7 TO UI GRA TORY BI RD STUDY SUT'PLE~~17T REPORT OF DUCK BA1mING DUtI~TG SEASON 1945-1946 ---- MD.y 9, 1946 The U. S. Fish and V:ildlife Service operated a banding station jointly with the Colorado State Game and Fish Department at Valmont during the winter season of Dece~ber, 1945 to March,~ 1940.· A total of 4, 100 birds were banded. From December 20, 1945 to January 23, 1946, a period of 34 days, Ralph Imler of the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service and Gurney Crawford of the Colorado State Game and Fish Department,· banded 3,.395 ducks out of an estim• ated populati_on of 70, 000. 1 :-. ·BIRDS BANDED. DEC:'.:~IBER 1945 to JAUUARY 1946 ------------ December January ,t ..... 1'" \ : ... . ' ( •• ' ·~ . ·i- _'· ;· ~ ' • . :~ • a. • . 1 : --- ''I 734 Mallards 79 Widgeons (Baldpate) · 4 Pintails 1 ··Greenwing Teal. · 2,368 fflallards 125 Pintails ~ 69 Wigeons (Baldpate) · 2 Greenwing Teals ' · 1 V.:ood Duck 1 Gadwall l Black Duck . ...:.. ... From Febntary 14th to the 21st inclusive, a period of eight days, Johnson Ifoff of the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service and Jack Culbreath of the Colorado Game and Fish Department banded 374 ducks, out of an estimated population of 6,000 birds on February 14th, which gradually tliminished until there were less than 3,000 birds on the 21st of February. Warm sprin~ weather, during the period opened all surroundin~ small lakes and ponds and scattered out population. One of the principal idea.s of banding at this period was to check on birds banded during December and Jnnuary and to pick up indications of migration. or the birds captured, I am inclined to believe that the greater percentage or the ~a.llard population had begun to move around the first or February. The !fidgeon population, on the other hnnd·was frequently reca.ptured indicating the population had not. started moving vri th the malla.rds. · BIRDS BAlTDED mr.n~G FEBRUARY, 1946 319 --------------- ?~~a.Hards 37 --------------- TI'idgeons 18 --------------- Pintails A recheck was made during the period of Harch 21st to March 29tht a period or 9 da.ys. J:\iring this period new birds that had migrated in wer& in evidence and the greater part of the Widgeon population ha.d migrated. BIRDS BA!~DED DURIWG ~~RCH, 1946 86 -~--------·----- Uallards 1 ---------------- Widgeon �- .. .. ~· - 8 - TOTAL DUCKS BA!\;DED DY sncrns FOR .. TE~ SEASON 3,761 - - ----- - ---- ----- l~ ll a rds 186 - ------------ -- -- ~idge ons (Baldpnte) 147 ------------ -~ --- Pintails 3 - - --- - ----------- Gr cenwing Tao.ls l --------- - ----- -- v:ood Duck 1 - - -- - -- - ---- - ---- Bl o.ck Duck 1 - ---- ----- ------- Gndwa ll 4, 100 Tota l ~-=-=-~ 30 r1a llo.rds and 14 Widgeons vrerc r ecaptur ed that had 'been banded at Valmont during the 1944-1945 s eason . One Fallo.rd banded in 1945 by Ducks Unlimited in Co.nada was recaptur ed . Six traps of th'.:J il l ustrated type vrere us od fo r c apturing the ducks at Valmont . Va l!llont , the Powe r Plant for Denve r, is located east of Bouldor, Colorado , fo1.ir miles . It ho.s two largo ponds us e d in tho circulating s ystem of the plan t . Ever y 48 hours , the wo.tcr from tho tvro · pon ds is circulated through the powor plant . This constant circul ation: of trntc r docs not permit the pond tempero.turo to drop b o loYT fift~r de gress o.t any time . .' . Respe ctfully submitted : J o.ck C. Culbreath Sr . ~1ld lif e Te chnician. �1iliiiM"iliOO~ BDOW021157 Colorado PROJECT NO. 4-R ------- DATE_____J_u_ly __ ,_1_9_4_6_____ QU A R T E R L Y P R 0 GR E S S R E P 0 R T 1. Title of Project: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Surveys 2. Supervisors: 3. Leader: 4. Cooperating Agencies: 5. Perspective: Conducting surveys of bighorn areas for the purpose of determining planting survivals, locating native herds, and studying sites for future transplanting. 6. Objective: To locate and determine the amount of bighorns in the State of Colorado. To determine the increase in the herds of bighorn that have been transplanted, and to note the condition of the sheep in various parts of the state. Differences in their winter and summer grazing areas will be surveyed as well as determining why they left their former grazing land. 7. Plan: 8. Probable date project will be completed: 9. Relationships of cooperating agencies: Forest Service and stock.men gave excellent help in locating bighorn bands. 10. Summary report of progress: located is as follows: Gilbert N. Hunter, Gatne and Fish Manager E. K. Brown, Coordinator George W. Jones Forest Service and Stock.men. To go into areas where sheep have been reported past and present and work these areas to locate the sheep in their habitat, and with this survey of the herds a good picture of bighorns over the state will be shown. Mapping this territory is especially important so they can be counted the next season. Indefinite. The way in which the bighorns were Bighorns were generally located in the timberline country, therefore pack outfits were necessary to get into some of the areas. For exatnple, the sheep located on Booth Creek of the Gore Range were found by. using a pack horse as far as possible and then going on snowshoes. As travel by snowshoes is slow progress, approximately twenty miles a day is the average travel, therefore, it takes about a week to locate a herd. Listening for rock slides and snow slides, use of field glasses, noting the time of day, which indicates the side of rocks they will be on, and watching weather conditions are of great importance in locating the bighorns. �- 2 - 10. Continued Summary Reports of Progress: Locations of sheep were made as follows: April 14. Fourteen head of sheep were found on Elk Creek, located in the White River National Forest, Kline Top. Sheep were observed through glasses. They were in good condition due to the fact they were on the south slope of the rim rocks where grass is available through the winter months. April 16. Eight head of sheep, six ewes and two rams, were located in Holy Cross National Forest near Avalanche Creek. They were in good condition and quite tame. Observation was made from a car. In this area deer have over-browsed in the past, but the range shows improvement at present, and due to this fact more sheep could be supported in this area. April 21. Twenty-three head, all ewes, were located with field glasses on Crystal River, Holy Cross National Forest. The herd appeared to be in fine shape and were grazing up the mountain as the snow melted to get the green grass. This is a very good area for bighorns. April 24. Six head of sheep, five ewes and one ram, seen on the Hogback, twelve miles north of Rifle on Highway 13. They were located with field glasses, and they were in good shape. This area is excellent for sheep as it is not available to domestic stock. Very little snow in winter noted here. April 30. Four head of sheep were located on Mamm's Peak in the Grand Mesa National Forest. They were in good condition, but their winter grazing land is very limited as this area is all slide rock. May 5. Forty-four head, all sexes, were located on Booth Creek in the Holy Cross National Forest. This location for sheep is very rugged and due to this fact, it is a good area for them. It is thought that there are a few sheep killed by snow slides. The snow slides clean the mountain slopes and leave the grass for winter feed in some instances. May 6. Ten ewes, three yearlings, and three rams were seen on Pitkin Creek, Holy Cross National Forest. The same conditions prevail here as on Booth Creek. May 7. Twenty-five head, sex not determined, were found on the east fork of Brush Creek in the Holy Cross National Forest. Very good conditions with wintering on the south slope in the scrub oak where grass is available were noted. This area is open through the winter. May 10. Four rams were seen on Castle Mountain in the Holy Cross National Forest. This is not a good location for sheep. These rams were caught in a snow storm and could not get back on the Brush Creek side where they formerly wintered. �- 3 - 10. Continued Sunnnary Reports of Progress: May 11. Fourteen head, sex not determined, located at Maroon Lake in the Holy Cross National Forest. Sheep were in good shape; however, the snow slides kill what little increase there is, leaving small herds. May 15. Eighteen head were located on Piney Creek in the Holy Cross National Forest. The sex was not determined. These sheep were in an isolated area where they are seldom seen by man. Food conditions were very good. May 26. Five ewes and three yearlings located on Red Mountain in the San Juan National Forest. Winter range is limited as there are heavy snows here. It is believed that too much poaching is the reason the herd does not increase. June 13. Eight ewes located at Mendota Peak on Uncompahgre National Forest. Sheep were in poor shape on account of a very heavy snow fall. Feed is the limiting factor. June 14. Twelve head, sex not determined, located on Sniffle Peak, Uncompahgre National Forest. Same condition as found at Mondota Peak. June 19. Four ewes located on Rifle Mountain Park, White River National Forest. Sheep were in good condition. This is unusual as sheep have not been seen in this locality for about twenty years and it is believed they have moved here from the Hogback. Total of sheep counted 208. In most of these localities, sheep have not been seen in years. All sheep were in good condition except the Ouray herds where range is a limiting factor. 11. Submitted by: Name: George W. Jones Title: Jr. Wildlife Technician COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPT. By: Isl C. N. Feast Director Date:~~A_u_g_u_s_t~l_3_,_1_9_4_6~~--~ Note: Persons wishing to quote from any of these abstracts, should first obtain permission from the State Game and Fish Department. �1lfilfi~~il"i~IDi~i BDOW021155 RESEARCH CENTER UBRARY STATE DIVISION OF WILDLIFE PROJECT NO. P. 0. BOX 2287 FORT COLLINS, CO. 80521 DATE QUARTERLY Colo:-aC:o ------~~~~----------- 4-2 ~~~-------------- July 9, 1946 ----------~--------------- PROGRESS REPORT lo Title of 1)-oject: -- Scaled Quail.Su~dy 2. Supervisors: 3. Leader: 4o Cooperating .Agencies: Food Habits Division of the Fish a.n:1 Wildlife Service and The Colorado State College or Agriculture and Mechanical Arts. 5. Perspeotive: A study to determine what is needed to make the sea.led quail a better game bird in the State. In the extension or the specie possible or necessary? 6. Objective: The prirr.ary purpose of this plan is to better correlate the research studies with the mar.agement section. 7. Plan: Through the wh61e study keep in mind to note everything that would fit into the life history of the scaled quail. Check areas of low, medium, and high densities and try to ascertain the reason for that densityo Gilbert No Hunter and and E. K. Brown. Harry Jo Figge Set up four study areas - two open to hunting and two closedo Trap and band all birds in those areas. Season will be closed in 1946, therefore, two areas open to hunting will have to be postponed. Check predator density, and of competing species. Investigate effect of hail, snow, etc. a. s. lOo Probable date project will be completed: 1950. ' Relationships of cooperating agencies! The Fish and Wildlife Service will either do the food habit studies or assist the leader in dqing them. The Department of Pathology, Colorado State College of Agriculture will diagnose any suspected disease or idantify any parasites. Summary report of progress: Some of the common names for the scaled quail (Callipepla aquama.ta) are: blue quail, Mexican quail, cottontop quail, crested quail and scaled partridgeo Most or the names, no doubt, are derived from the coloring or appearance of the bird. Henshaw (1918) gives an adequate description: (xf:-Ro}' .. ~ COPYf """"' I, ·1·~0 ·~COPY;, ,..,. r;-.··" �- 2 - From cer:tr3.l :i.ri:.o~o.. to ~-:~~tern '.i'e;;:s.G, nort:i. to So~~t!:orn Colorado and over r~ost of t::.s :~:.c-.!-.::~~ndle of Te:ce.s, east near}.y to central Texas, e.nd south to ti10 1.ralloy of Mexico. - "Range: "The cottontop, as the scaled quail has been dubbed trom its oonspiouous whitish crest, has a restricted range in the United States along our southern bordero The country it frequents is dry and barren, and chaparral and mesquite form its favorite covero On account of the dry nature of quails' food they are greatly dependent upon water, and hance the presence of large numbers of cottontops may be taken as a pretty sure indication that a stream or waterhole is not far a·we.yo lYestern quail of whatever species have learned to trust to their legs rather than their wings to carry them out of harm',s way, and the cottontop forms no exception to the rule. 1'hen alarmed, a bevy will scatter hither and yon among the rocks or b~sh, to come together again when the supposed danger is pasto Vihen hard pressed it is an adept at close hidingo The bluish gray plumage of the oottontop harmonizes well with its usual surroundings, and no doubt the confidence the bird reposes in its protective coloration is justified by long experienceo" Phillips states in his article "wild Birds Introduced or Transplanted in North America (19.28)n: "So much confusion exists as to the part that ma.n has played in extending the range of the scaled quail that one is often lefB in doubt e.s to ,-.nether an extension of range has been natural or an artificial one." The veracity of this statement is realized upon perusal of the early reports of this species. Several plants are known to have been made in the State. Realizing the need for more specific information on scaled quail, the State Game and Fish Commission instituted a research project whioh is now in progresso The aim is to evolve an intelligent system for management. Ranchers and farmers welcome the scaled quail on their prop9rty. One or the difficulties in managew£nt is to get permission from the landowner to allow legal shooting. This desire to have the birds on their land and the ease with which they may be trapped probably accounts for muoh of the artificial spread of the bird. IN COLORADO - ... Scaled quail are now scattered over most of the drainage of the .arka.nsas River. They are more numerous south of the river than north. Their northern limit at th.e present is a few miles north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County. To the west they can be found as far as thirty-five miles west of Canon City in Fremont County o South and East they extend to the state line. All of this territory lies east of the Continental Divide. RA..~GE Martin L. Burget of the State Game and Fish Department has reported one covey of scaled quail southwest of the town of Durango about fifteen miles north of the New Mexico state line. This covey is the single exception known to occur outside of the Arkansas River drainage in the State of Colorado. Since there is no record or knowledge of a plant having been made there, it is asstuned that they have moved north from New ~1:exico. to their present lo cationa Xl:ROI .,COPY l, ,')(ER"Q·;~ ... ~COPY • .....,, . ·.,-x-i~o". ___ JCOPY'. fry J XERO ; (:OPY .. --::- ,r.:' �- :) lOo ..:, . c:or_ti.n:JJ~(~. 3u:r:~;.:1ry_ c-;~ .::<·-':l.; c ·: . . :. : _.-- :::' ·;: ..-- . Th;i!·.:~ is a varie."';ion i:a elev;. . t.:JJ.n: :i.n "t :·i·--:,.r present hr-."o ito:t from thirt~" tl·::.:;\·.::;:-·..:.:'i f'e~6to They S0t'~1 to !-~r.2.:-"'e::- ::!er.':io.nn, hilly cou:1tr~'~ The ":icr...chor. r.~-;:l ridG'3S are u:::ed for esc~1:c. The dry, south slopes malce excolle:!.lt '.·1i.:~·:;0r ran;e. fl.:l~... [:~,~r!:_:rad feet·~.:) ·:.'\-~;:"- ~·::-;_:.>~·:::; The typo of country used by this bird in Colorado probably c~rresponds in general with that described by Griner (1940) for Arizona scaled quailo Very few quail are encountered in the flat open prairi~o Although they are much more abundant in areas where there are thick clumps of tree cacti ( Cholla arboretum), they also inha.bi t country where greasewood ( Sarcobatus vermiculatus) and yucca, offer t.i."'iem covero Most of these areas do contain the grasses and weeds essential to furnish an adequate diet as well as ground cover. Occasionally they will even select a tumble down farmyard for a home. This probably happens v;hen natural feed and cover have been depleted. WATER RE·~Im!SNTS -- Scaled quail are seldom seen in the de.mp river bottoms o Open water, h~xever, se~ms to be a factor in the location they choose. That statement is not without exception, but they are found in larger numbers along permanent strea.'rtls, springs and ~an-made watering places than in arid c~~ntryo It is impossible to state at the present time if this is actually for the necessity of water to drink or if other factors are involvedo Scaled quail r...ave been observed to drink VTater in both winter and summer. There is no area in the state known as good quail country~ that does not have some open water within. the cruising range of the coveyso Permanent open water should be considered as a requisite in any attempt to extend the range of the species. CRUISING RA..~GE -- Scaled quail are probably less sedentary than bobwhites (Stoddard 1931). From observation in the field their cruising range is believed to average about three milen. It seems self evident that this extension of daily or seasonal movement is induced by a comparative scerci ty of the physiological reql irements. ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION -- Experiruental work in a~tificial propagation of scaled quail has been carried on continuously at the State Grune Bird Farm since 1940, excepting 19410 ~Zild birds were trapped in late winter or early spring for use as br~eders. The objectives in mind have been: lo To raise the reproductive threshold. 2o To find a satisfactory method of incubation. 3. To discover an efficient system of brooding and rearing including a satisfactory feed. There is the possibility that artificially reared birds might more easily adjust to a new environ.mgnt than would wild trapped birds. This remains to be proven. We have not yet succeeded in raising the reproductive threshold as has been done in the case of the pheasant. Incubation has been improved, but hatchibility does depend upon the fertility and vitality of the egg ·and embryo. The highest percentage of fertile eggs (8805%) has been obtained in a comnru.nity pen with 100 males and 145 femaldso The wild bires are through to be monog~~ous, but field observation has sho~r. that this is not rigidly true. _ ......... .... _ 1·xf.:~<>1. XEPO$ .-:,COPY' ..... ;COPYj " . �lOo Conti:.i.'~l.:1 d Su.rnrl.9.ry of Repc::-t :Jf iT(\; 1.-e::: :~: It has been r epee.t0dl;r domonztr:~·t.ed t!1a t both the yoi.:.:'lg n::.c~ old b ird.s e.re his~~ly ~: 1.~sc:0srtiblc to C.5.scase" Th·::·rofore, it seems ad..risu'::>le to r.::.~.sc thi~ young on wire. The ],·:cc1;!,rty b:tooc.~.·..1rs seen ndequa.te for tl:is. Brooders held on wire floored pens gave ver~ poor fertility (4So7%). For liveability and vitality of tr..e young birds the best .!'eed used vms a commercial feed of seventeen percent protein, supplemented by night flying insects. The insects were obtained. by placing a lighted twenty-five vmtt light in the pen. The light rrould attract the insects and the quail would gorge themselves until their crops heca~~ quite distended. The birds were benefited both by the diet of insects and the stimulation received from the lighto DISEASES A series of controlled experiments were run to check the possibility that an immunity might have been acquired by the birds that survived an outbreak of ulcerative enteritis. Unfortunately no degree of immunity could be demonstratedo All birds, artificially infected by forced ingestion of portions of ulcerated intestine from dead birds, died within twenty-one to forty-five hourso This would indicate the causative organism to be of rapid growth and probably highly toxic for scaled quailo Another series of experiments were run to check the feasibility of pre-· venting or curing ulcerative enteritis with sulfanilamide or sulfaguaniqineo Results were negative for both drugso SEXD-TG -- Since the sexes are colored alike, differentiation of sexes is difficult except during the tir.:e of mating, laying, brooding, and rearing of young. During th..~t period the secondary sex characters of both sexes are sufficiently developed so that evon the novice can usually distinguish male from female. In January of 1945 while the secondary sex characters were dormant, an attempt w~s made to sex wild trapped birds. On a ~roup of 141 birds that later· died and r,-ere posted, a total of 29 errors (20j~) were found. ~nelve birda were listed as females that proved to be males. Seventeen birds listed as males proved to be females. A majority of the erros were made on L"il.rnature birdso A preliminary check on 310 scaled quail showed 149 females to 161 males - an excessof 12 males. Conclusion: The time to determine the s ex ratio is in the spring and early surnmero Constant care must be exercised not to count as extra cooks those birds whose mates are nn the nesto AGE DETERMINATION -- The most dependable methods for age determination in scaled quail is the retention of the juvenile, primary covert feathers until the bird is fifteen to eighteen months old (Leopold-1939). The accuracy of this method has been proven on over four hundred pen reared birds of known ageo The error due to premature molt of the juvenile, prime..ry coverts was less than five-tenths of one percent. This figure might be even larger than in the case of birds in the wild, due to excessive wear on the fee.thers by ~ire pcnso It was fouhd that if a. single juvenile, primary covert persisted on either wing that bird could be listed as under eighteen months of ageo Applying this to 245 birds trapped in January of 1945,, 120 proved to be immature and 125 adultso All the birds were trapped from twelve coveys .·:.·· XERO· ~. i;orY. .--·· --- 1 XERO .-~!COPY·"' �- 5 l0o C0r~i:.~.~t~r:J ~:~~~~£~.r~r of'' Repo::.-~ of F-rcr;-r~;:J: but only abO\.lt t-;;o-thi:.tls or er·.(;:). c0·,·z:r i'tD.e ta~:~eno Fror.i t::.:--sr~ fi:::;u:-es it would apDear that th.a 104·1 ~.::d::~h ·":''-'1 ·r·.;r.._r D·1or or that there hr.5 bt";a:t n heai.,7 lo~s of young bir~.s bef::ire Ju.nuc.ryv of 1945 (Stoen-19 1 ~':)0 Either or both of these statements might have been trJe for there apparently has been a steady decrease in scaled quail n-w1~ers for the past three years (1943, 1944, 1945) o This asser·cion is Tr..ad0 on the basis of available information, namely, reports by game we.rdens, sportsmen in the field, and residents in quail country. Since the nm:11ber of birds checked is small, too much reliance should no·t be placed on the result. CENSUS -- Because of the type of country that scaled quail inhabit, the density figures on a large area ·will probably never approach what would be 'an average number of bobwhites on th3 same size area in bobwhite habits.to For e~:ample, Henders:m (1945 _ptates that in Iovra, the bobwhite population in Decatur County in December 1945, was estimated at 2,856 birds over 7, 713 acreso This ,is equal to ona bird to two and seven;.tenths acres. On one area of 8,960 icres in Colorado, 333 quail were counted in January 1946. This is equal to only one bird per twenty-seven acreso The· potential carrying capacity of the semiarid habitat.of the scaled quail will never equal that of bob1-;hi te habits.to Scaled quail are probably easier to find and count than are bobwhiteo This again because of the sparse vegetation and their habit of walking or running when approached. Frequently they will run along a cowpath in single file. ga:ne wardens in the field hava been of great help in locating the coveyso Other methods used to locate coveys have been: Inquiry of r esidents; sign, thit is, tracks in the snow, loose soil or damp ground; roosts; dusting spots; early morning calls; and warning calls given frequently when the birds are approached e~ther on foot or in a vehicleo T~e 1fo at-tempt has been made up to the present time to correlate the amount of sign or the number of c o.lls made to the number of birds present. Arter we have secured much more data, it will doubtlesshelp in caloulating a census •. ~'herever the presence of quail has been reported or where sign has been found or calls heard, the search has continued u~til the covey or coveys were located and enumerated. The number of coveys present and the number of birds in a covey vtill vary with the season. The following are the counts ~ade on a study area of fourteen square miles: Scaled Quail Counted on an Area of 14 Square · Miles in Bent County, Colorado : Mo. of :Coveys '.Month jfov. 1945 Jan. 1946 : 11 10 7 Febo 19'16 March 1946: 8 14 Deco 1945 Smalledt : Largest Covey : Covey 41 10 10 10 20 10 Aoril 1946: 58 86* 57 42 * Union of small cov~ys end some influx. .. · :-x-e:'Ro). · : · ··nCOPY~ -~ Covey Average 26.27 320 47.5 39.l 22.3 Total Birds : Counted 289 320 333 313 312 �. :~.:~~. £'.<l r.:·-\~~ i l ~.nticl1Ja·~·Jd .. tryrrito;'j,. t~·.:i :,:;::.:-._:_::. .:. 1:.~: ~.·t· ·:.'.:...~--c: ~I!!.lch S!.r-:~.J.l~r t~;:L:~ .:-~;J~J ~~,1;,cr. l'he S~r~·~.;~~ Gr.:·:1.J ~·.~._._: :,'j_.·~·t ':;:y._~/~~:ion, -!:hJ·- .... -'l~·:.. (~.:~5_d.·~·-: ~~o .. close the s-eason 0:-1 sea.led quail for 194Go whether this was necessary- or beneficial. ·j E\:ture res!3arch will reveal ~HABITS -- Avn:!.lability probe.blj" ck:te::-:-:ti.;ies the food that is eaten This is substantiated by field observation and by Kelso (1937) who states: "The indiscriwinate ~ feeding habits of the scaled quail are indicated by the fact that no single plant item constituted as much as 6 percent of ·che yearly food of the species as e. whole, while fully 292 were recorded merely as part of one percent or e.s traces on by scaled quailo "On the basis of the material examined (258 stomachs) it appears that the scaled quail oats more animal matter than the bobwhite, Gambel's quail, or the California quail. Oning to its feeding on grasshoppers, plant bugs, scale insects, ground beetles, nnd weevils, the scaled quail may be of real service in agricultural areas as a natural check on the pests~" With the oooperation of the Food Habits Division of the Fish and Wildlife Service a detailed study of stomachs will be undertaken. Collection of stomachs was started in January 19460 PF.EDATORS -- Sea.led Quail do have e. nu1nber of predators. Coyotes, bobcats, skunks, weasels, r.ouse cats, ground squirrels, rats, great horned owls, and various other winged predators have been observed in quail habitat. One bobcat was found in the middle of the day lying on a fallen cottonwood tree watchi:n.g a covey of quail. It is probable that if a bird would have approached. within springing distance the cat would have made a kill. Evidence of a few predator kills have been foundo These kills have been proportionately more numerous in country with poor cover than in good covero Thick bushes of tree or· staghorn cacti 'offer excellent protection from most predatorso The greatest dani.a.ge to this spocies by predators seems to be through nest dastr~ction. In most of the quail country rodents, particularly prairie dogs, are very numerouso They do compete for the food of the qi.,.ail but they also serve as a buff er against predationo Over use of the lar-d, grazing and pl~riing of thousands of acres suitable to agriculture, is the greatest single factor responsible for the decrease in scaled quail. The only hope of restoring this species to anywhere near the numbers reported in 1910 to 1912, will be by range improvement. There is no intention of condemning all ranchers or farmers. Many have been doing e..n excellent job of production and he.ve injured the soil very littleo The Soil Conservation Service· has improved many acres. There are many acres now producing plants that are suitable for wildlife util. iza.tion. Our present pls.ns are to try some experimental plants in those areas -that give promise of furnishing the physiological requirements for the scaled quail. MA.MAGEMENT TO TES PRZSE£TT TD..~ -- The first restriction in Color~do on shooting and trapping ·quail or partridge was made in 18770 The State set the season that year from October 1 to November 15. Legisla~~re l'xiRor 1'COPY· ( iXERO. jCOPY:. �- 7 - 10. Cont.int:ed Sunr.ury of R~port of I'rc ~::.·-:;:, ~·: Tr:.. ~·pin~ of v.11 ge.::~c e.!:d. insect:. 'i~'0i.::3 ":Ji:r.:1: ":;as prohibi:tcd. Thi~ ;i;)r.!3urc i;;~~s teJ:en becau.se i~1::.or~ ·:::J; r•.n :~::. :-·: ,:'.~~:.t.ic~ of insc ct~ o ~.,l:L: ::Li': ~·;0 c·~:~ season with no bag lirni.11.i remained in effect for fourteen years. In 1891 the open season was lengthened to about ten weeks with no bag limit, e.nd remained in effect until 1899.. In that year the season vm.s closed on quail and partridgeo The reason for closing is not known. In 1903 the Legis:lature proposed a.n open sec.son on "Crested Quail", November 1 to November 30, with a bag limit of 25 birds per day or 50 in possession, commencing in the j-ear 1907 o Before this season opened it was postponed to 1920. In 1909, however, it was set for October 15 .to October 30 commencing in 1912. That was the first open season with provision for a bag limit. The limit was 20 bir1s per day or 25 in possessiono There is a history of a heavy snow in the vrinter of 1912-13 that covered the ground for several months o Many quai 1 are reported to have starved or frozen. Probably for this reason the season was again closed and remained closed until 1938 0 During that interval several opening dates were proposed but quail did have complete legal protection in Colorado for the twenty-five yenrs preceding 1938. (Session Laws of Colorado). In 1937 the State G~'ile and Fish Commission was created and given the power to set seasons and regulate bag limitse The season was opened in 1938 and remained open throuf;11 1945. The bag limit has been eight birds per day and eight in possession. TENTATIVE CONCLUSIOMS .... ......... _ 1. Scaled quail are found in varying nur.ibers in the semiarid hilly country of the southeastern part of Colorado. 2. Their covey cr~ising range is about three miles. 3. Open water is a factor in the location they choose in Colorado. 4. They are highly susceptible to disease in captivity. 5. Sex ratios in the field can be determined at the begi~.ning of mating season. (Secondary sex characterso) 6. A practical method for age determination in scaled quail is the presence or absence of juvenile, primary covert foathers. 7. A plan can be devised for enumerating or ascertaining the trend by taking a count on a large nulriber of coveys. 8. Scaled quail have many competitors for the available food supplyo 9. In good quail country predation will not be serious. Where the cover is sparse some increase in the hunters bag limit might be obtained by control of' predators. 10. Seil conservation and land restoration will aid quail to increase • _ rxii:io( : . · XERO) .-4C'OPY ·: . , , \COPYf ,...~ : i·~~(), · jCOPY ,.•~ �., 11. Legish:tion alone ca.m1'Jt re:;:: tee>: c:::; ~;~· (:i_'...t::dl coverts. 12. It is sut~gested. that s~tti.r~:. of thr; :::r;r.::.·::d q;_w.. il see.so~ b·~ pos;:_?or;.e:: in the future, until the h<:i.. tch of the year hbs been checked. LITEF~~T~JF.E CITED Henshaw, Ho Yf o 19180 The Book of Birds, The rational Geographic Society, 'ITashington,D.C. Phillips, Jo Co 1928. Wild Birds Introduced or Transplanted in North Americao ment of Agriculture, Techo Bul. 610 Depart- Griner, Lynn 1940. Investigational Report and Proposed Uanagement Plan for Arizona Federal Aid Project. Cochise Count:y, .t\rizonao Stoddard, Ho L. 1931. The Bobwhite Q.lail, Charles Scribner and Sons, Nev; York, N.Y. Leopold A. Starker. 1939. Age Determination in Quail, Journal of Wildlife llanagement, P. 261. Steen, Melvin Oo 19440 The Significance of Population Turnover in Upland Grune WLanagement, Ninth North Americo.n Wildlife Conference, Page 331. Henderson, George Lo 1945. Kelso~ 1937. Letter to Theodore Swem, Aiay 29, 1945. Leon Ho Food of the Scaled Quail (Freliminary Report)Wildlife Research and Management Leaflet, B.S. 840 Submitted by: Apir oved by: Nam: STATE GAME AND .FISH DEPARTMElIT. (Official Title of Gama Dept.) Harry Jo Figge Titles Ga..m,., F~.rm Assi sti.mt By: Title Co No Feast Director ~~----~----~----~--~ Date ___J_u_l__y_2_2_ _1_9_4_6_ _ __ 11 Mote: Pers~ns wis~in~ to ·quote from any of these abstracts, should first obtain permiss~on from the State Game a.'l'J.d Fish. _;Departrnento ;XERO~ ; COPY) XERO ,COPY i ,r-J \. .x~Ro ; COPY~ �,,,,.,-··. - ... -. .•. .... _, . •4 li~ii~illiJ~lii BDOW021154 --- STATE ~-- ..... __QpJ:..o_r..s,Q..9. ---···-~----- ... .·'Tr:O~CT NO~~ ·,l ;:.~._.:_.- · ~ . . ~ ·.-· .........-......................~.-...~ r I' ··~ • .! ... •. . I P R 0 GR E S S· • • 1 •. ·Tit~e of Project: P.."E ·p;, 0 R T .-~· .· '... : -- \1ilcl Turkey· Survey · · · 4 • .- ' • ~- ' I • i') • .. ,, ·,. 2,· '_Supervisors_:·· Gilbel"'t n. Hunter,.Grune J:anacene11t Super.visor···~.··~.·:·: .. E~ Kliess Brown, Sectional Superv~sor 1 ·F.A• :· - 1 · ·~ ·>. · ;· ... -· '. ..., .. ~ .. . . ' .. ! . -:, .. 31 .-Le·ader:. liart:bi L. Burget. · j 4•. Cooperating Aaencies: ,... . ......... , ' I .. __ 5.·~ ... Perspective: . ~ · ;· i.·: .. : . . . . ·-. State Garn~ Wardens,· Forest Rangers: . • ... ... .~ • .. . _:. . : .. . ~ ·...·~· .- ,.. .. ' ; ~ . . ' Sm.. vival checics ·on plants made ·previously... . ·· .Checl:s on the development or· former plants~ . . Checld.ng and mapping all il1habited sections of the State. Special checks on uncertail1 ~uckar releases~··-· · · . '· .·To determine new release areas~ ·· · i l I i i ~ t·I . .. · 6~. -··Objective: T.o determine the development Tie are ge:tt:ing frqra Turkey releases and to note the proG'l"ess in the program. · To·· get· a co:c1plete picture of the turkey si"'Gua·liion over the state. To get a ge11eral population trend ·, ·· for the State. To check the Chuckar activities in relat~oil .to c·ontinuing '· .. _. .:'..' ·...·:the prograr11 further• · ·;· . . . .. .. .·' .7. Plan: ·.To deterr.tlne ·by ·actual field· trips personal cont~cts with ·res;~dents ~~ r~~ ~i·):'!~:.of,· .thE~(~e.as, ch<:cl~l?.. u~th·A~. :IJa;rc'te.P:s and lf.~r~:~·t~~~1~a.,~~~~·~.~~xact or ,. :. relative populations of Ttu.. keys :i.11 the areas. Chuckm... · checks were made '. -_ on the same· basis. R0plantii"lg :ureas are deterttlned by checks of the ere as • . ·Food, cover, weather .aud general ·protective circumstances are· determined field c.hecks. · · . · . by actual . . . . . : · c•. · Probabl~ date -project will be. corJpleted: . . Aueust~ 31~ ·1946 •.. ,. ~ ~ "-" .... ···i' i. l I !! . ' 1' I I I _,:I I ·:: 1• .,. • :::. . Somo of tho Surv:.va.1 chock·. \yorl: had been started if:1 ~e pre~ous quarter.· • _,.It ·had been hoped that t11oro uoulc1 lio two men i.L1 the field. fOJ; tho entire ".season. It l10.S .thought· best to put·1;r. Jolm Fashing in'th~ Montoz'Wl1a : . ·:·, ·Forest area for .rc-chocld.11g work as ho was· living nccr ·and ho lmow tho .r ·· · .. area, Ho· worked only PG::I"t or the lhonth· of April ·and resigned.;. · This lort . tho .m~j_ority of' tho lVork up to tho projoct loader •. :· Dt.le to this the available timc;v1as.cut in· half and necessitatod ·a ·general retronchmcrit or . ,· activities to soruo dogroo, · · · :i: ;.- . l ·; :;', 'J" ·. _.·lo. .Summary report of progress: (Work on Sngc Grouse by Joseph J e' Nenanic 1 re··· signed, is added as a supplement to this rcportrf')••-·-·-··__. -"'--·------·- - - - - - - - ~ R · .It he.a :been excellent. ' . .·. .: : 9. Relationsh5.ps of cooperating agenc5.cs: .: I ....... I • I i ·1 I j ·'I I I ' j 1 ... .i - .J �·---------~- -~-----. .... . . . -.... - ,;-.-- ... 2 lOe . ~-~tinued Summary Reports of Progress: Tho ·Montezwna. area was pretty well covered in our work during the winter and did not need too coreful checking. A plan suggested to the Forest Rangers of that district last year hod been carried out faithfully by several of the men. This plan was to set down in some convenient place· the date of wild turkey observations, both adults nnd broods; both by themselves and personnel working with ther.i. ·_This gave us an excellent·· check on development as these men aro in the f'ield a great deal dur:in_g_ _ _ __ the summer months. These reports were coordinated with our mm checks and personal observations 0£ others, with tho result that a rather close check is made '?11 the area. Two definite trips V1erc mado in the Trinidad, Rye~Bculah area to complete our studies there. In tho field trips a turkey call wes uscd·with tolling • ~. eff'oct. · Since it is extremely d5.fficult. to actutlly i'ind the turkeys in tho field duo to their ability 'bo koop out of' sight when thoy wish. Tho . call mothod brought more than one h'lUldred turkeys into view during these trips, and many ansv1crod. Some came within tnenty-five feet of where . ·- .. ,, r ,. we were hidden in oak thickets. Most of the ranchers in these areas m-o ~ ... ·· · ·~~,_.· .. :··~interested in the re-stocking program and gave us valuublo _ii1f'ormation · ~:: .... .-.~- :that helped us complete our ~ata. . . · ' : • ~ ~ • • ' t' i !• I' ; ' ! ••• ' , • • • •' Development of plontcd arena to date has been extremely rapid. If tho numbers reported were completely used it uould be out of all proportion. :.-: ·;·;-~/'""... ::For this reason vro· have tried to stay on tho conservative sido. Even .. ·.-·. ~~ ... then tho figures seem out of proportion. It is quite evident that ~" ·.: \· ,: . -:··yearling hens ere mating and bringing broods regularly. The ·percentage of development is too· rapid for any other solution. I quote a caso in point. On December 1, 1944 we completed the Chor~y Crook plant in tho Thompson park area west of Durango. The plant vms made up as: follows: 1 mature tom, 3 juvenile toms, 3 m&tttrc hens, and 7 juvon:Ue hens. Juvenile were birds of the year. A positivo c aunt of this flock at tho close of March 46, revealed n9 birds, which indicates on increase of 7~. ~ pnults per hen. Immediately the question arises, v1cre there anypossiblo influx or other birds to this flock? As far as we have boen·able to determine, there was no ouch chanco of' either tamo or wild birds. Of - .·~ ~:::.:.course v~e must understand that this percentage does not carry over a ·· period o.f' years. or in all rclco.scs. Howevor, the percentage is relatfvoly--cc 1 · • :. . ... J :• ., .. hi~. 1.· i !" i ... j ). ! ! j f 1· -I I ."'·; ._... . . ·In selecting restocking areas a number of points must bo cons:i.dered. . ;·~·:.: First, food, not only for the reloaocd birds but in sufficient quantity--~· - ,. ~ r : : . for. development over a period of yocrs. Second, covor,. which includes ~· •... ~ c: ·. ·· hi¢l.ing places, roosting si tea and protoction from predators both wild and .,r_ .. :, · '. ..~:-:-human. Third,. predator loa.d, v1hich is checked so that ~ho birds will not , ~. be too severely hora.ssed while becoming established. · Tuo such.areas. we~ selcctpd in tho nron north of Trinidad and wost ·of Highv1ay 65• ·, • " • .. ~ • ..: • t. ' '..... •. • ' •• ~ .' " : · . : .,,,,: .,: ....., ; t• i .· r I I I• ~ 1· \. �,, ' ..:... i1I \ . , !I .I - 3 10. Continued SunlDlary Report of Proeress: Four Chuckar'·checks were mado in the area during these turkey trips; 1 - Big Muddy Creek, 2 - JR Ranch, 3 - Taylor Ranch, and 4 - Red Cr~ek. There was a definite lmockdown on all these roleases due to· a heavy •. ,.,, .. r·1· ,.... storm in April,· 19411-.. Vfo were especially anxious to knon the real story on these plants. Our trip revealed that the birds are making a' · · ' satisfactory recovery and while they have moved. about somewhat they are still in the general vicinity of the releases. · · !'; .;. •• 1 '.. • . ~ ' i.. •• A special nesti11g study was· conducted on Sage Grouse the latter part of I was called in from turkey work in the Trinidad area to look after ·- · , ··: this study. Joe llema.."1ic, who was teking over Sage Grouse studies worked ':, 1 -.,~- · ·.··-with me. Three principal ·areas were covered; the Lleclcer area, the Maybell,' · :. ·,_:·.. · Great Divide ai"ea, and the North Park _area. Sign and indications of nesting were found in all thl"oe. However, the first tuo failed to yield any nests. At Maybell a rancher showed us a hatched off nest. This was in .....- ·- ·'; the midst of a maze of sheep trails near· a gate where a flock of sheep ·····: .... passed daily to water. In the !forth Pork area r1e checked ill the vicinity. of the State Fish Hatchery. We had not traveled one-half mile when vie . found the first nest under a heavy crmmod sago. In two days of search -..~L'c:':. · ·. ~:. ~ · we located 19 nests but all had hatched off. Evidently wo started too· -~~ "'~.-~: .:-. :.·"-late. So~e ot these nests had not been hatched 0££ more than twenty-four ·;_--- ·,. .. :.hours. ·· · · · · · ·:·~!<:··r :-;:·: .. · ~ J · Uay. . - r . : ·-' · NJr. Nemani~ was thon: trarisfe1 red to tho Gtmnison area whore he finally. caught two young grouse ~d delivered them to the State Bird Fa'rm at _.. i. Colorado Springs, · ·· · · · ~. · · ·'· 1 ·-- 11. Submittod by: Name: ·: Titlo: . -----: . Approved: M, L, Burgoj; COLORAD ,1 Field Assistant. .Ey: -·_/_._._.~~'--I---~..._..__...._ ___ , Title: Dato: ....._ _.... Jul~y,-...-,;;;U,...*'-...1~94..,6.__·- - • I . .. . ·Note::· Persons vtlshing to quote. from any of tho so· abstracts, should. fir.st, .. : · ob~ pormission_ from the Stato Gamo and Fish, Dcp~tmont. . -~ r--:-. < . . . . . . -... . 'f • ' ~ .. .. ... .- ' . ; _/ ·::"\~ ' ~ •• ~ • • • .,,. '"'t .• · .:· .•• ·,, .j, \ �~ @ " I V\c. l v1..cl-ed \IV\ \ ~ J t..dy I ) f l ct 1l, .. 4 SUPPLEt.!ENT Q f . Pv-u'j . J{_g_f f · c 1--, P·n.:je c..J 4 - R (\Alt Id Iv. v· Iu.>" (I.Al( v l.'7 J .. . Vlork on Sage Grouse v1as undertaken with the into:nt5.on of locating nests for the purpose of obtaining eggs to be incubated at the Colorado Springs Grune Farm. A search of the three most important are a s in the state; namel y, Moffat County, North Park, and Gunnison Cotmty reve aled an early hatch in all and directly accountable to tho warm and mild weather during April . As no eggs ncre found it vias decided to take young for brooding stock. Four . · yo1lllg, ton days to two weeks old were taken ; hov1evcr, tuo died nithin 24 hours and the other t 110 died rrl.thin a few days aft er reaching the hatchery. At this earl y ago tho young arc very delicate and. the sudden environmental change from f i eld to pen is j ust too much shock . By tho first v1ec1c of June hons with their broocls \7erc moving into grassy areas near v1ater showing prcforcnco for those locations supporting 11illo11s and trees under 11hich they could take r efuge during tho heat of tho day . Of all local c i tizens contacted in the area each had the same stor y of yearly decrease in number . During tho 17 days spent in tho field :in areas 11horc at one time they t hrived in gr oat number s, 130 birds m~rc scen--20 roosters , 36 hon s , and 74 youn~ . During tho same period fom· dead birds were found --t\10 hens killed on highy1ay, one unidentified, too badly decayed for cxa.m.:i.nation of probable disease loss , and one young caught on barb niro fence • Postmorte m examina tions of t he t \"J O young that died anc1 one that 11as caught on the fence shcmod them in u normal hoo.lthy condition f'ree of parasites uith exception of one which hud one taporiorm. In tho Upper Great Divide and Tinbor Lal~o areas it is estimated clutches ha tched out tho fir st neck of i~iay encl nhen young 11cro first observed during second neck of Juno they ricre v1cll developed and able to fly alona riith the hen . One nest no.s found in whic h all but one cr;g hatched . · It r;as loco.tad in o. sheep l ambing area 40 feet from gate entrance and in dirc_ct path of daily sheep movement. Broocls observed, not counting four hens Y1ithout young, averaged 3 . 54 young per hen. This indicated oi thcr o. poor hatch or high morto.lity during first fen l"/ccks foilouing tho hatch or a combination of tho t110. With good incubation conditiona during April and probablo ha t ch during cold storey May \1outher it is probabl y the l att er . No dead young nero found t o substantiute t his viorr, hov1ovcr, they uould be very inconspicuous and extremely hard to find. ~ �- - ! -· - 5 MOR.TH PARK In tho vicinity of tho Stc::.to Fiah Ho.tchary sown nests ucro found all of ,-1hich · had probably hatched out during the third r10ek of May. Egg shell remains indicated an average clutch or seven uith 100 per cont hatch. Location of nosts nore ·in ~ITt'oo­ mont l7ith findings of previous r1ork done in the area. Only one hen was soon and hor actions indico.tod sho had a brood, hm1cvcr, none was se~n •. ·· ... GUllMISOM COUNTY ~ Throo areas u0ro covorod: Kozar Bo.sin, area to north of tho Mcl\oo Ranch on Ohio Creek, and tho Allen Range near Alkali Flat on East n;;vcr. It is estimated ' that clutches in this area hatched out during third uook of Hay. Ono clutch of fivo eggs nas· fo\llld destroyed by a predator that had bitten the sides out and sucked tho contents. Tho nest m1s located on a heavy sagcd southeast olope uith 60 percent BTado varying from tho usual location of. level to slightly sloping_ · nesting sitos. As in Uoffat County, all broods wore small not cmmting three hons t1ithout broods. Tho avorago r:as 2.G young per hen. As the :i.ncuba.tio11 period and hatch t10ro both during bnd \7onthor, it is probably n combination of tho t\10 that acc01U1ts for thoso snw.11 broods. As observations uerc made nhen young noro one to two uooks old' at an ago uhon they aro exceptionally r10ll camouflaged and upon we.rn• ing trom tho hen tdll froozo and sit tight lllltil alr.lost touched, it is vory probable that further stucty nill indicate slightly lnrgor broods. -.,,. Ho. of Young ---~_..-.__....._.._ l ...........__ 2 .3 ,~------~ 6 5 ..........,_______..... 4 Avo1·ggo Erood _____ 7 ~-------------- Moffat 8 _ _2_ _ _ 4 _ _1_ _ _1 _ __2 No. of .Q..OJaP .....t....4Y:_ _ _ _ _ l Broods .Gunnison ________ coun ____tx________.3 ___1 ___~-~-1____________________2_._a_______ SUMMARY 1. Duo to fnvoro.blo· April uoo.thor all areas hnd nn oc.rzy hatch. 2. Unfnvoro.blo weather during May was probably responsible for poor hatch . · and 10\1 survival of.young uhich is indicated by small broods. 3. All birds observed or examined appeared to bo in normal healthy conditio_n. 4. .ho.tchory. YOllllg nro toCX..dolicato to stand sudden environment change from fiold to ' �J --6 RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Studies should continue mainly in the Gunnison area with periodic checks in other areas. 2. Close check, obtaining assistance of local warden if necessary, should be maintained on stagnant water holes in Moffat County as possible and partial solution to losses in that area. 3. Continuation of year around study to determine losses and population trend to give information for sound management plans. 4. If breeding stock is desired, trapping should be done in the fall of the year when young are fully grown. At this time they are congregated around water holes making trapping easier. It will also allow time for them to become accusto~ed to new environment before spring nesting. A la~ge wire trap should be constructed and feeding with pellets should begin at least two weeks prior to trapping in order to acquaint the birds and facilitate successful baiting of the trap. � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/dc239432ff045e77a908761e182d41a1.pdf c9ffc0e5ad6ddbbdcddef703691613ee PDF Text Text 1i]1~11r1m111m1m11 BDOW021172 ....___ Pfl0J".8CT NO. £~}.._______.____ _ QUARTERLY P .R 0 G n E S S REPORT Antelope Surveyo eJ1c~ Invcst:5.~~~t:i.ons 1. Title of Project: 2. Supervisors: 3. leader: Li-• Coop~rating Agend_es: 5. Perspective: To conduc·c surveys and investigations to a:!.d in the r:1a.nagement and developncnt of An:belope. 6. Objective: To determine by these surveys and L"'lvc::rti[:;c~t:i.ons the exa.ct status of .Antelope in the ve.rious aree.s so t!1et m~'1a&;enent controls and a system of trappins m1d trans:)le.nt:lnc; con be e~~ecutecL 7. Plan: ·Study of food habits, investigations of: transplant5.ng areas as 1'7ell as tral?:=>inG sites, gathering public sent:i.i·.~ent in tho Jmtelopo renges are points beina covered. 3. Probable date project nill be conploted: G. N. Hunter, Game r:~ Fish I.'~ane.Ger E. K. Brorm, Coordinator R. O. Brovm, Jr. Bureat1. of Lan( E&"'la.::.,eraent and the Colorado A. & H, College Range Departnent. Indefi.nite. The Euroc.u o~:: Lc:md r:;ane.::em0nt recom·· mending ureas !Tithin their control for futti.re tr~nsr.>12.nti.n~ op6rations as well as assisting in evaluating pl.. OS!Ject1.vc !)lant5_ng a.~ec.s as potential A.'t'ltelope hc:bitnt; the Stute A. ~: I.:. ColleGc. cooi;c:::.--uting in collectil1a mid a.ilalyzing stor.1ach sanplc s. 9. Relationsh:tps of cooper2tinc at;cncfos: Durinr; the recent Antelope season, ched:ing stEttions vmrc set up ~-rithii1 the Antclo::>c htmt5.n[; ffi'oc-._s in an endeavor to check all possible cr.rcc:tsscs of Antelope to obto.in horn t1oasurct1cnts, tlcntv.l data, weights, a11C. c5.rth mor..surcr:1G11ts. Sur:1mDXY i ..eport of pror;ross: Twcnty-tl.~10 stomach S2.mplcs Yl·:Jl.""0 collected froL1 various parts of the State. These rcr.1;;.in to be anr.lyzcd. Ph'ms nrc r:w.clo to do this in o. l~boratory beina set up at tho L:tt.tlc rElls Ex~)or:i.mcnt St.-:tion. Crcd::.t :!.s duo the Game We1"c1011s 11110 took the t5.E1c alone; rrit.h thch., ro::;ulc.r cnforcotaont cll1tios to a.ss:i.st in colloct:i_ng those stor1ach Sfij!l:)lo.s. ·· Data roco:i.vod by tho choc!:in;Z ~:rtie!t:loi.1s givo us a trend of tho kill of Antelope over the throe days of ·the season, a"ld a sex ratio of kill us1n3 a hunter's cho:i.cc method of ki115.ng. @v �- 2 - Followi~;;; is. a t~blc of ldll by sz:x: ll.n(~ d~ys as obtc.ii1ed o.t the check . stations: 1ct6 Tar:rrJc. •• /.r.. - ··- -- ·-- October ~ .-------..../- .Qc.t_oP._e.r._.1 13_ui!J~fJ_D_Q.e.~- _f..?-sm.§ St2.tion -,-::;c-'":\- -.§;· .:..J.. 35 26 23 53 .;. if.1. J:.ult Tf0lli11Gton St:.... ~rnburg Colorado Spr?.ngs Doone · 22 247 11 ·Does <;·2 11 Fr~rms 17 Bue!-;_~- ]?_q_c_§,_£:.s·'!l:.1.§. 13 11 0 0 0 lli- 2 15 10 c 10 __ if. .. _Q .. 163 Total Bucks 11 54 2 14 2 7 5 .,.I 12 ~ 7 _Q_, _3_ 4 62 30 i. ·4 1 2 2 13 1 4 0 1 L.,. _Q_ _o_ 10 22 0 l 3 3 0 1 r-:(,) 0 0 2 ·1 0 _9__ 3 69 t>1.,.5; 25oG% 4oB% Prepc1·at:i.ons a:-i.·c 1.)oi.nc; l:mc1.o to build. n tc!.11)0::0ry or r110V2.ble Antelope trap fashi.oned .:::.ft.or tl:c m1cs bo:i.nc; succesr:>f'ull:;r us0cl. by othm. . st2.tes 5_n their trc.ppinr; avid trc-.ns::ih:.:.··y'c:J.ng p1.. ocrt-.msv It is pro)oscc1 that this tr~p be set up on the Wcrrcn Im~ch in k.r5.r:!c1·· Covnty; but in the event thn-t it 5-s fotmd that the Antolo,c he1"d ~.n th5.s v:i.cini ty cmmot sustc.d.n cxtcndcd trap11ing.: tho trq) ~1C:..Y bo moved a.11d set up on the Dfol:crson Gar10 Ilcfugo in co.stern Lincoln County o Locations to plc.nt nc·v·1 colonies of .Anto1opc hc.vc been soloct.cd·: tc1dn(( into considcrction the 1... nnbc c:.r;; concc:;."ns its r.bility to sup:)ort Ant0lopc a Studies of no,:r propo~>ed c1·c~s :i.ncludc forc..:;e: stuc~y, so5.l 81d r1c.tcr conditions, the c:)..cnc~1t of cbr:1!1ot:i.t:i.on l!:'i.th do~cDtic l:i.vcstock encl the local sentiment anon~ land om101"s enc~ spQj."'t::J:·.1011, c:..loo the protcct:i.on tho now colony \'/Ould receive. C.:ic-.:L~1o_t p_oachin:o Loc2.tions -::rh5.ch. seen to r.1c1.. :.t fr:.vorc.blo co~1sidcrr:.t:!.on for tre.i1s;?lc.nt:Lng loc2.tions ere r~s folloHs s!!ou:i.n[:; ·tho pr:!.r.cipcl types. o~: forc.~c l:~.stcd for cc.ch crcu: A. · The Eorry Ki1.wcy ~"anch 5.21 Bent Cou.nty, si.xtccn nilc s nouth of L~s An:t.mc.no .A fm."<:.,:c otud~r of the ::.·~n.;o in this vicil~ity chorJCd that it wr. s nearly i(~ont:tcnJ. ~-n conponit5.on to rangcc pr~ncntly su:;::10:-"'dng lmtolo:)c" It uc~r:; 100.rnccl tlK~t it b:.c~ ix.:cviot1.sly su:1portcd .Antelope, and this is tc..!:c!1 c.r. cv.:l.doncc thct :i..t r:ould. c.:;~in GU?!)O~ct the c..ni:i.1~.la if th0y ai... c ~dc~uc.toly ::!j,"'Otcctocl. .1 " �i j I i Su.rruiW.~'Y report of pror;:i."oso (Cont 1 cl.): .I ; I . Bror1sc: !i Rabb:\_ t-brush I l Gutierre z:La Cactus Yucca V!ccds: Circim:1 St:.nflonor s Sc.lsola Loco Grs.m:;: lmc1r opog on Blu..o. Gr n:.m. Buffr.lo Gl"C-.SG ·I.Ittl1ly Water: : Year ai"Otmc~ cont:i.nuous sup~)l;y- frot1 crocl~ c·.ncl 17:i.nclmills. Broyrno: Grc a Gori oocl S6.ltbush Tic.b;Ji tb~"L".Sh ODD• p.;.,....:.0'1".(.'~..1.. ,,,l-..J..;. LI ._... .1-'-" U . - ... Gutforrc z:lc. Jii.. tcr.10 si_a novu "floods: Russfo.n t.li-1 stlo · ColQj:-ado :Goe· pl~l'lt SUJ."'!flov1or Desert Ilu.c Gre.ss: Indian Ricogr~ss Dormcy Chc8s ·i.!uhly Stip~ GIJl)· Blue Grc:.r:m / I I I I �'I •' _, - L.,. lOo Sumr::ary report of progr:css (Cont 1 d .• ): C. In Pro\'/Cl"s Cotmty, the rnngc 15 riJ.lco south and cc.st of L~.l1~.r, spccif'icr.:.lly 011 tho Otis Httffmm! :c2nch. Bronso: Guticrrczie'.l Ilc.bbitbrush CQctus Yu.CCC! Ticcdo: Stmflor1ors Rus~>iun thistle Bull Th~.stlo Loco S}.)Po Grass: Sidc-o~ts gr2.r.1~ Bluo G1" m::a He.tor: Yc~r arotmd sti_pply fror:1 Yicll-Gpc.ccd 1·:i11c1r:U.lls D.nd tm1!~s. Throe more plr.cos of less decided suitc.bility for .A.l'ltelopo pl<:.ntings rcmc.i.i."1 to be su.ggc steel. i;rhich 2.l'O r.s follm·rn: 1. Sc.guc..chc Cou.:."lty in the vicini t~;- of Crestone, Colorado, 2. South Pcrl~, ~nd J. 1~:c:nn~h Creek in Mesa Cour1tyo Of those, tho first trio I)leccs rcm~in debatable bccc.uso of the 2.ltitucl:L'l').cJ. v2.!'5.~tion fro1:1 thpir ~)recent ro1gc D..:."1d· tho lc-..ttor bccr!.usc of tho unstudied locc.1 atti tuclc nhich is thought to be f'c.vo:i:-r~blc. All r..r0 suitc.blo r2ngcs, horrcvcr, · mic1 could be considered good planting sites from thc.t sfo.nclpo5.~:.t. Approved: /1_7 Title: 81" Cl r!ilcl.lifo Tochnfoinn COLffib.DO S'£ATp. -~~I.~ FISH DEPJJtTiZ!·JT -~'· '-----· \ .. ,' ...... . . .. \":;·, ~----.) ,.. ·/ ~y: ' .u, , ·'·-'-'-··C~ --- ',_,. . b_ - "'°-·--· .. Title: ~~~---Dircc~Qr_________~~-- . . '· D~te: Note: Octobor 9 1Sli.6 ·------.. ----:.3 -------- Persons nishing to quote fro:n a."'1y of .the so ~bstr~.cts should fird obtain porr,1ission from the Sk~:to Gc.r:10 cm.~ Fish Dcl_)m'tncnt. / I I / �1ii~mr~1rnwm1111rn BDOW021166 STATE _f.9..:1.:.9.r.a.Q._9__ PROJECT NO ..... lx_-R_ _ __ DATE QUARTERLY PROGRESS 1. Title of Project:· Bear Studies 2. Supervisors: .- _. 3. leader: Sentcmbe:r;_..20, 1946. REPORT··· Gilbert N. Htmter - E. K. Brovm Paul F. Gilbert 4. Cooperating Agencies: Trappers and field men of the U. s. ·Fish and · Wildlife Service, the u. s. Forest Service, and Stockmen. 5. Perspective: Be·ar investigation studies on life habits; development; food stud5.es, vthich include skat and stomach analysis; bear characters; range and also all field observations possible. 6~ Objective: To collect information and data on black bear in Colorado which can be used in future bear management. ?. Plan: To continue cooperation nith the u. So Forest Service, U. s. Fish and Hild.life Service, and stockmen on boor problems and through field observations and study collect as much data as possible on bear in ColQj."'ado. 8. Probable dnte project will 1:-e completed: It is hoped that this season 1 s study on bear can be followed tu1til late ·fall at which time notes on hibernation can be collectedo Entire project indefinite. 9~ Relationships of cooperating agencies: The u. s. Forest Service and U. s. Fish and Ylildlife Service who are in frequent contact with bear activities have given excellent cooperation. The stockmen 1 s cooperation has been excellent in many cases and. poor· in others. . . 10. Summary report of progress :· Durj_llg the months of July, August, and September the bear have continued to move around a great deal. Tracks seen in one area one day often arc not seen there acain for several weeks. It seems. that there has been an incrcaGc in tho boar activities along the canyon rir.1s throughout these throe mo1)thso Through .July aYid August the bear Y!orc ·cspccial1y active along the rims. In some areas ninety percent of all rocks have been turned over by bear in search for ants and other insects. Somo of the smallc st rocks turned over woishcd less than u pound while some of the largest onca were estimated to weigh all of one hundred and fifty poundso Fig o 1. J,:any logs and stur.ips were torn up in the timber during this time. CV �10. Su.mniary report of progress (Cont 1 c1.): The natural bear food, or mast and berries, is vcriJ scarce this year. Acorns, one of the big fall foods for ~car, arc practically nonexistent duo to late killing frosts last spring. Sr.owberry and Servicebcrry ore very scattered. Blueberries, which arc. highly preferred by boar, arc few and in scattered patches. The boar found ull these scattered patctics and started working on them before the berries were oven ripeo For the most part rodents and birds take tho rew•bcrrics, ctco before they are found by the bcaro Ranchers report in many areas that the bear arc very cager to got the waste after butchering, and many animals that die arc clocncd up promptly by boar. During the last of July and the first of August a ,,"Jct spell caused a hca~/ cattle loss on several Larkspur areas on the Uncor.1pahgrc Plateau. In the Tabcguachc Basin v1hcrc bear arc quite tM.ck, those carcasses wore cleaned up in several nights. The tracks showed several bear to be Y1orking on one carcass. One carcass was found v1hcrc it had been dragged or rolled off of the trail :into the creek bottom (Fig. 2), and throe days later the bones and hide~ all that rms left (Fig. 3). On both the eastern and western ~lopes of tho Continental Divide, bear are working down 10\1 a.'1d are invcding fields of' corn, oats, and orchards. An occasional ~piary or· chicken yard is invaded. It has boon reported .that these boar arc usually old ones that arc still rather thin. One young bear taken at the head of Happy C~yon by a Federal Trapper r1as in good condition and had the follorJing measurements: Snout to tip of tail Tail - - - - - - - Hind foot - - - - - Height at shoulders - 55 11 ... .. .. 3.J.11 2 &]~" - - lBii A stomach seJnple of about one pound t·ras 'taken from this animal rlith -the follouing analysis: Popul~s trcmuloidcs Thermopsis - - - - - - - - Trif olium The.lie trUJ"J Danthonia Ants - - - Bear (Orm front foot in tr~p) Sheep - - - - - - - - - - - The dentition formulc of this nnimal was: i.2 c J pm j 3 1 m ~ x 2 (f 1) m 37 2fl 3 Trace Trace Trace .01 003 .01 050 .45 �h Fig. 3. The carcass of cow i n Fig . 2, af ter bear had worked on it for three days . Note only hide and bones left . Fig. 9. Cal f which was carried out over corral fence by bear . Fig . 8. Bear left muddy tracks and blood on corral top pole, ' where struggling calf was taken out . Fig . 10. Cal f was bitten on neck by bear. �Fig . 4. Bear claw marks at t imes go to t he tops of l a r ge aspens. Fig. 6. Natural hole used by bear for hibernating purposes . : • •1 ~ ·, _ .. ~ .. '" ~'= Fig . 5. Aspen climbed numerous times by bear cubs . Mudhole in background used as wallow . Fig . 7. Bear bed protected by overhanging ledge and hidden by oak brush . �.. .3 10. Summary ~cport of progress (Cont'd.): l.:any aspen trees marked by boar have been found. It ho.s boon noticed thr..t usut.lly the mc:.rkings do not go t.bovc t·;icnty-fivc feet; horrcvcr, scvcrcl uoro found thr..t extended much higher to the tops of the c:spcn (Fig. 4). On one occc~sion rm cspcn m:::: fo~c1 thc:t hc~d been clir:1bcd numcrouD time a in one ni[;ht end ~mll cllmcd up by cubs. (Fig. 5). Nearby vms a smnll mud hole the be ur hc.d uzcd us n t-ic.lloY1 o A natural cave vms found that hr.d boon used for hibcrnc.tin~ purpose~, (Fig. 6). One could \Jalk be.ck in this hole for ebout ten .feet, then it turned and ncnt up r:.nd beck miothcr ton feet. At tho end of this hole was where tho boa hc.d lain. No foreign mctcrfr:.l lmd been brought into this cave o Nearby nc.s c. sroldy spot, protected by en ovorhonging ledge, end \"Jell hidden by oak brush uhich had been uocd c.s n bod (Fig. 7) • . Bo<!r demage s to sheep have boon scGttorcd mid in some spots honvy. Only. one cc.so of bc~r bothering c~ttlc r1c.s rcportoclo On this ce.sc a bc".r picked up a oi..xty to seventy pound cc.lf nnd took it out over u four foot corral fence (Fig. S). r.~uddy trc.cks c:i1d blood r1cro seen on the top rcil of the pole fence o The rancher hearing the di~Jturbc.ncc rescued the calf and killed tho bour o The cc.lf :1e:s lrn:J.c for aunilc and had a running sore tJhcrc bitten on the neck (Fig. 9 end 10). Tho calf did rccovoro Seven ska.ts rrcro analyzed us follons: Por~11t.a}2cs by Voltuno . _i __ _Jt. __ .. 9~ ··- _].9_._ ~.-J-1. ____1_?__ ._,_)-.1 .. Qu.crcus ( t;·Jigs) Arnclanchicr alnifolin (ty1igs) Dry Pinc Cones Pinc Needles Rotten Hood Spruce 1-!ocdlo s .01 oOl T T .02 .02 .... ---·...---- ---- Vaccinium (berry) Vo.cciniwn (leaf) Thalictrum I.confodon Castilleja occidcnt~lis (Bracks & Cn:cycos) Juncus bnlticus Do.nthonin Poa Fcstuca ,., Grasses (Unidcntif'ir.blc c~ Vice.) . 11'1"'.. .01 T T T .60' .37 .05 .eo .no .16 ,,87 002 T .10 .55 .30 .10 T T �.• ... 4 lOo Summary ~eport of progress (Cont'd.): Percentage by Volnno L ___ 2_~__ __._10.___.....1_1_._1_2_ _1_3 Larva (probably maggots) Sheep Ants Deer Cow T T T .03 .01 T· .01 T .10 .03 .01 .01 T .96 Porcupine .93 T --·-·---·------·-------------------Miscellaneous and Traces .03 .03 .01 .01 ---------------------------It has been noticed that herders lose small bunches of sheep as the sheep are moved from one area to another, especially is this true on long moves and r-1here much brush and thick timber is encountered. It is these sheep in small bunches of. 2 - G - 6 - 3, etc. that are left behind and are easy prey · for bear o One herder on an allotnent above timber line was hesitunt about · · bedding his sheep dorm too near a. patch of Alpine V!illow as he had had experience in the past ·with a bear l~illing a lamb ~d not dj.sturbing the rent of the herd. Jmother herder reports having a bear walk dorm through . his herd and not looking right or ·left. 11. Submitted by: Name Pcul:....J_~-.filJ..Q9~t Title Sr •. Tiildlife Technician Approved: Title Director Date ___o_c_t_o_b_cr_3._.,.__1...S__ 46__ note: Persons wishine to quote from any of those abstracts, should first obtain permission from the State Game and Fish Dcpart1~10nt. • �.... / I , PitOJECT no. -·_4,...-....R_ _ _ _ __ DATE _ ___§eptembor _),0, 19.izP_· . . .' .. ~~ • • . P·R 0 GR E.S S·.'; R E.P 0 RT · 'i>··~ Ti~le .. of ·Project::~· Deer-Elk Studies .... ". - . · ... ·. . .. . . . ·: ... -~ . : . Supervisors: 2. . . . . . ., A • . . . c; UAR.TE R LY •r .., . r,. • • ' · ·-_: .... I ' 1 •• . . G. N. Hunter, Game &:. Fish Manager · E. _K.· Br~, Coordinator .3. Leader: •' I Fred T. Jeep· · · Asaistent leader: L. E. Riordan •••·• · · ·:4.- ".Cooperatil1g Agencies! u. S.:°Fish &: .Wildlife Service, u. ·$. Forest ~ervice, ~ ·: •\ ··5. ' ~--·) ~ ·:u. s. Bureau· of Land Management;. u. s•. ·Park Service, Colorado A. & l!. . College • · ·· · ··· : . ·-, · . · . ·: : . · · · . . .. . ·". .. Perspective:.-: To determine s1iccessfuliy methOa.s and data which in turn may · be used to place deer-elk herds on a sustained yield .bas:i,f? under proper management, ~ .·:: :objective:· To conduct ·surveys ~n qeer-elk herds. and ;rarlges ·to ·assist in the . , _...~ : ·~. · · f'orraulati·on of mm1a~ement plans. ·: . . Plan: Herein will be found cotlTJ.ents on tho Little Hills Game Experiment Steltion, preliminary work on n stomach cumlysis laboratory, summ~y of . " elk. sto~ach analysis studies, propcrat:l.on for elk utilization studies, ··operating big game checl:: ste.:jiions, .coope1 e..tive resoarch ..\dth the u. s. Park Service and c.onventions anC: ~ch9ols att~nded.. · .. 1 C. Probc.ble date pro.ject. will. b.e c.ompl~:te.~: Indefinite. 9. : Rolatiqnship~ of 'cooperating ··agencies:· Excellent cooperation is being obto.~cd .from all ag~ncics. · 10. ·summary Report of progress: --- .HIU..S...GAME STATION .LITTLE ·--·---------· - ..EXPERil~i'.ENT ·-~ -~-···--. ···-:--·· •. ----·-~ .. •. ' ...... ~ Durmg. tho. moRth .of Ju;Ly and the first. half of August the field uork on a r®gc survey of the Little Hills Grczing Unit which comprises a lc..rge ·.. ':.portion of the \Vinter range for tha ·White River deer herd vms· completed. ~ :· The total t.rcc. involved is c.pproximetcly 150 to 160 thouspnd acres, of · which C!~:iproximr:tcly 130 thousond acres were surveyed during ·tho q,uertor. Tho survey was conducted on c cooperative basis betr1con the t.r. S. Grazini Service (now tho Bureau of Lend 1Iv.n£:.gcmcnt), u. s. Department of the Intcrio1"', and the Colorado Gar,10 and Fish Department. The method used wc..s tho roconnaissenco or oculrr method or range survoyz tho field work being dono by a tuo-man crow under supervision and assisted pert of the time by tho Projoct Ulnder and.Assistant Landor. �'\ - 2 - 10. Summery report of progre ss (Cont 1c. ): Ir~ecliL:tc ly nfter t he com1)letion of the field work the two- mr.n crew beg2.ll the dr.:fting of c. bc.se mcp whic h together vii th a grc.zinc:; overl2y will represent the finr.l result of the r~.nge survey. As of this d2.te (Septewber 30, 1SL~6), 111 or!~ on the r.ic.p hc.s t empor.::.rily been suspended r.s e:. r esult of the t no field cssistc.nts .J..e.r.ving to r eturn to school the lr:tte:r pc.rt of September. The bc.se no.p is 2.t present npproximc.tel y t!rree - fourths completed . .. the twenty-second of 1iursust c::. conference WL.s held ct Little · Hills · Experi~ent Stc.tion for the lJU!'pose of, obj;~ining inf o:;,'mD.t i on c.nd outlininG · plans for the eskblishment of .c:: stor.w.ch· cnclysis l e:.borc.tory c.t the station. The conference \K.s attended by . c representative .of the u. s. Fish .c.nd Hildlife Service , r cpresent<:.tives from the U. s. Forest Service, · c.s well as by t he l)roj oc t supervisors, Hr. Hunter end 1;r . Brorm, and the Assistcnt Proje ct w ader. 0 11 Plans were compl eted for c:sscnbling tho necessc.ry equipment for housing , for collectinG sped.mens , r..nd for setting up a sriw.11 herbc.rium of the conunon fore.go plants :found '.in the stc.te for use in the idcntificc.tion of st?mc.c~ _c ontents . Dm·:lng t he course of the meeting , I.h-. Rc::.lph Hill who is in chr..rgo of wildlife rc son~ch in t he Denver r egional office of tho u. s. Forest Service~ · demonstrc.tod c. practicc.l, s~.inplifiod technique for t he c.rtalysis of the ·s tomc.ch contents of a ruminc.nt G2..P1C c::.nimal. §jJI.J::A.TtLQF .ELK . STOMACH AITALYS.IS STUDIES Follm1ini:; is c sumr.1ary of tho · rcsult ::; of c.n elk stor~2.ch r.nalysi~ study conducted in tho vicinity of nocl;y r.iountc.in ikt; on,,J Prr 1 ~ · during J;irtrch, 1942 through FcbruQ:i.'Y, 1943 by the Colorc.do GL:Ti10 <:nd Fish Dept, wit h the Nc.tionul P.:.rk Service coopcr c.ting: · f.ey_ccni!_ of Voget_;,ti_on Consumed per Vionth _c.ncLJ:tunber of Sc.mple_~ rQ.n_t]1_ ------·~ ~.:.J·l~-F-~P.,!)J.'_._Jf':y___J).ipe JnJ.-_y~_Aug. SoDt .__.9st. Nov~c . Jc.n . Feb . %Grc.ssos · · 07 - Ge; 01 C6 54 . 62 73 . 60 65 61 71 . 7(,%Weeds 3 5" 7 ·· rs ·. 25 12 12 14· 17 16 13 G %Bro\7SO :· 10 6 "12 6 .. 21 26 15 26 18 23 16 14 No. Stor.ic.ch 6· ·· 5 5 4 7 ' 5 4 7 5 5 5. 5 Sc.mplo3 ' .. < " ,. ·.: . I ..~ ·.: . �, • Summary report of progross. (Cont'd.): 10. Gr.ASSES AND GP~S-LIKE PLANTS Ffl.E·t:UENTLY CONSUl-:ED. BY SEASON . . .. .. Winter Summer Spri:ig· ·-:, .. • :··....... _I • • • ... .... ·' _ ... ·.- . ~ .:.-Aoi:rrc;>pyron · Agropyron · · Eouto louil: Boutoloua Bromus Bromus Ccrcx · c. ·: :~ . ;·_: ~l. CC.ltunagrostis Dcsccritpsin c~.rcx Fostuca ·. Dc.nthonin Juncus Fcstucn I~0oloria H~dcum. Phlaum · · Juncus Poe. · · ·.~ Koclarin Alpine Flora . ·.:. · .. Qryzopsis · . Phlcum ·-;· • . ·..·.·• ·.:._'·)• : .P.-0.1. r.,..;.,,..o·eoti• S ·: t.;,t · ••• . ·:· Agropyron ·. .. Boutoloua . • ·. Br or.ms : . Ca.lamagrostis . C2:l."OX Agropyron Bou~loua Bronms Co.lamagrostis earax . .Juncus. June us· Kneloria Uuhlcnbcrgia Bµhlonbo~gia Phloum Phlaum Pon Poa Stipn.. . Sito.nion Stipa Muh~onbcrgia. .. ' ,.' .- ;"'· ~ • ....... : • .. '-· · \ifLEDS FREQl.J"ElJTLY CONSUMED BY. SEASON Sur.mer· Spring Winter . :; ":~!~ .~-~: ' . Aster Antonnori~ Erigoron Lactucc. . wvcocl"inum Aster ~ o:ntod.on · Brasoio~ Erizcron · · . Eritricliiura · • · Primulo. c. · Rcnunculus · Rydlurgia · · · ·'Silano : · Thcrmopsis .. · · ."Trifolitun · ·, . • -~ . .. .-· -. # •• • Aster Astor Brr.ssica ·"Chono1.,odium Er:tgcron · Gri11c1alic. · : Le 011todon · Ponstomon Brcnsica .Chrysopsis Erigcron Holimithus Pcnstomon Tounscndia • BROWSE "Ar-ID. CQNF.mns .FREQUENTLY CONSUiED BY SEASON · · · ..Summct; ·. ·. · Alnus :. · ·:. ··. :- ·. :. Bctula Pscudotsuga Cconothus Artomisia Cc onothus Populus St.lix Populus · · · · Prtinus · : .. Ribas .. · •. , ·Rosa. · ~laliX . .. . .... . Fan·. Alnus Artcmisia .Arctostephylus . Psaudotsuga Winter · Alnus Chrysothrunnus Pocudotsuga Populus Pinus Populus Purohic. Ribas Ro.sci.. · &.J.iX. ·...... Ribas Rosa Sc.lix Pr\ll1US (A considoreblo amount of Populus (Aspen) b~rk is included under Populus ebovo) �10. • Sl.41Uilary report of progress (Cont, 1 d)°: FCUAGE UTILIZATION STUDIES FOR ELK · · In 194li- aer-ial ell~ population trends were established throughout the have boon checked annually to date. In conjunction with these aerial population trends, areas within their boundaries are now being selectod whore the winter forage utilization may be checked. To d&te areas havo been selected uithin what was formerly lmown as tho Cochotopa. National Forest'wo~~ of Saguache, Colorado. . sta~.and ... . · Evcntuoliy, which uill be sometime in 1947, tho entire state will be covered by similar utilization study areas. OPEri.ATING·BIG GAME CHECK STATIONS During tho 1946 Antclo:>0 scnson, all deer and olk personnel were used to operate chock stations. Teclmical data gnthercd from these stations included weights, dentition, girth, horn, and length measurements, ·together . with.miscellaneous gun informatio11. From the 23rd of September on, deer and ollc personnel worked on prop. aration for the deer ond ell' huntllig season beginning October 12. This entailed selection and m"l"ruigemo11ts for ty1clvo chock stations, prcpm-ing instructions for personnel working on chock stations, .. and p1•eparing forms to ·be used for obtaining teclmicnl data such as sex ldllcd, weights, girth measure.men~, bo£U11 diameters, ntunbcr of cntlors, etc. Q_OOPEP~~IVF-1-RESE.ARCH Va.Tii THE U. S. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE During the week of Scptct1ber 16 to 21, the deer-elk project leader end assistant louder, to~othcr Tiith other Gama and Fish Department personnel i I \ l I t ·" I j~ vj.sitod l':Icsa Verde national Pr.r!c for tho purpose of studying a series of clip-plots which ere beil1g maintained ther.'? in cooperation with the National· Pelrk staff. Tho object of this experiment is to determine by clipping, the· degree to uhich various species of browse plants may be browsed without destroying that species ebility to maintain itself in the vegetative typo. Plnns were made to continue tho oxpcrimo11t and to fence tho plots to eliminate the effects of gTuzing by go.me animals in the park. COHVENTIONS AND SCHOOIS ATTENDED Tho project lender attended the convention for the Western States Uildlifo Associntion of State Ge.mo and Fish Commissioners held July 15-17 in.,_T~1in Falls, Idaho. · Tho project leader and tho nssistan·l; leader each C;ttendcd a full VIOCk 1 s sessions of the annual Gainc Vfo.rdon' s School conducted jointly by tho Dept. or "Forest Rocrcc.tion c.nd Game Monagcmont I Colorado. A. &: M. College' ond tho Color&do Ge.mo and Fish Dopo.rtmont f'rom July 23 through August 2. Both mon prosontod discussion topic~ in connection with tho school. j .. _,... j -~ �- '. I " • - 511.. Approved: Submittod by: lJD.lllO : _ _ ,_o....d.......... T,.._ .....J...,o;..;c.,..p_ _ _ _ _ FISH DEPARTrJEHT Fr..,.• lfomo: R:J.orc1m1 --..-..--------·- Titles: L. : • Sr. _ill:..ldlif'c Technicians Title: ___________ ......,.......,_________________ Director Dctc: _______0c__t_ob_c_r......1_0~,~l.9.4.6...________ Noto: ,... Persons wishing to quote from any of those abstracts should first obtain permission from tho ·stato Gatlo ond Fish Dopnrtmcnt. .... f',) / . • \ �@} I~i1J1i1 ij'~1~'1li1~if1i1 i[~j1ij~]~I ~~fl~fij11 f0 - 1 - Lj(.,. BDOW021176 STATE Colorado PROJECT N0.__...4....-_R_ _ _ _ _ __ DATE QUARTERLY 1. Title of Project: 2, Supervisors: 3. Leader: PROGRESS October 1, 1946 REPORT Rocky Mountain Bighorn Surveys Gilbert N. Hunter, Game and Fish Manager E, K. Brovm, Coordinator George W. Jones 4• Cooperating Agencies: Forest -Service and Stockmen 5• Perspective: Conducting a survey of bighorn ar~as on the Tarryall range, getting the approximate · number of sheep and location. 6. Objective; .Locating and determining the location and number of sheep on Tarryall range, also noting the food conditions and salting grounds. 7. Plant To get approximate- location of the sheep and number so we can run the counting survey at this same time next year in order that there will be a record of increase or decrease on the Tarryall herd. 8. Probable date project will be completed: Indefinite 9. Relationships of cooperating agencies: Forest Service and stockmen give excellent cooperation in location of bighorn herds. c{ 10. Summary report of progress: The months of July, Ailgust, and September were spent keeping in contact with the Tarryall herds, Due to the fact of the heavy rainfall during July and August, it was impossible to find some of the small herds as they would stay under shelter of rocks and cliffs making it impossible to locate them. On the 22nd of September there were t welve head seen on Sugar Loaf Uountain, coming do\1Il to their winter feed grounds. This is unusually early to see the sheep dorm on Tarryall Creek. Through the herds located, there has been approximately twenty percent increase, This is noticed all through the herds, regardless of the size of herd, large or small. A more definite count will be made during December and January, 11hile sheep are on their winter range. �·. - 2 - Summary report of progr ess (Cont 1 d . ) : 10. The herds are in excelJ.ent condition . Their r ange is in better condition than it has been in. the past eicrht years due to the greater amount of rain and snow vihich increased forage growth . The approximate anount ·of sh~.~p in the Tarryall diatrict is .~.ight hundred · and f ifty. -' :.\ .) \ l. ·.r: Locations or the sheep in t he Tarr:,rall area are on attached map. . . .~(:, ··..! \ .: . . ,. 11. ,. Subnif;ted by:. .. : ~' . .. . ·. -::: ~ . .. .. ... ' 1Ja~e :' : -. rcko~ge ·w. ';Jx5nes '· . 7 i. . . . ".Approved: \ ~ , j: . · "Titl e: .. : ... J r . Wil tUife Tc!Ch.l'lician · ·- .. Titl e : _ __D - 'ci=·r.....ec tor Date : Note : !1ovember 8 , 1946 Pers ons wishing to quote from any of these abstr£1.cts should first obtain permission from the State Game an{ Fish De partment . ��I~~ll~llBDOW021174 ~ ij1~iji1] f1i1i~~m~]f~ ~llilllf~ll 1 STATE Colorado PROJECT NO. 4-R ...' '·. DATB ~~~-Oc~t_ obe __r__l~,·~19~4~6~~~ - u ARTERLY l .· Titl e PROG RE SS REPORT of Project: Sa3e Grouse Suryeys 2. Supervisors: 3. Leader : Gilbert N, Ruhter , Game [; Fish J.:anager E. Klie ss .~r orm , Goor0.inator · Ho '1ard A. · Stiehm 1 4. Cooperating Agencies : Vontana Game C. Fish Cor,lini ssion; I.J.· ! William R. Ber ge son , cooperating. Fur Resources staff , 1 Colorado Game f.: Fish Dept . F;r . Scott Be ssirc, Gar.:e :"larcl.en . 5. Perspective: Conduct ex)e:rinents and collect data necessa:vy: for future mana&ement of Saf$e Grot~se in Colorad.o . 6. Obj ec tive : To secure info:cmation on Sa[;e !Ien concent rations in r el ation to range . Test the effects of various driving methods on the success of live trapping . Follov1in:; the attainment of trapped birds , a· study of the re actions of live - tra:Ypecl bi1·ds should te· nade ao t o the effect of confine ment on strutt:i.nt:. act5.vity", breedin::; , e g:; production : arid the r esulting size of broods ir reproduction does occur . In addition a r elated study on t he feas:i.bil:tty· of feec15.n[. pr epared or connerc:i.al feeds Hhile in captivity should be made . · 7. Plan : An experimental l ive - t1·apping pro:::;ram v1ill be conducted in the Gunnison · area . This ru.· ea \7as chosen for ex::_Jer:!.menta.l work bec&t1se investiGc.tions indicate sa~e hens in this area are free of parasites and infection . A · drive - 5.n trc.:p, !'luvinr.; 150-foot :1in::;s 11:Ul . be asser.1 blcd in the field where ever sc:,t;e . hc;.1s cnn be loc z.tcd c:mc conditions r:!eet suitc.'ole trc.pping r equire raents . T1· c-:ppecl. birds will be i~.mediutely trc.nsported to thq. Gnme Fe.rm at Colora do Spring s to be muintc::ined in captivity for future experiments in propo.b ation . 1 G. Probc:blc -,dc:.tc proj ect v1ill be completed : Fall ·tr~9ping will be terminated by snonfull which is cxpecte(· to occur about IJovombe1~ 1, 1911-6 . Horrover , t he work is to bo continued unti.l a logic al conc l usion is reached . 9 . .Rel2.tionships of coo~1· din[;; c~ cncics: . The f.lontana Garno and Fish Commission vms l:inc'. onouc;h to :lorwa;rd c:: diagrrun "of the sa::;e hen trcp previ ously used in I:ontc:::nc. clan:, nith specific C:.i~ections for its use . �- 2. 10. Summnry r eport of progross : At this c2~~ly date progress in the work is c on fined solel y to the c::tto.inrnnnt of oxp.:ricnco in knowing the r ec.ction of SQgc hens to vc.rying stimuli. V/ork on the experi ment ha s been discontinued for the time being but it is expccte~ t o r esume by Dec ember 1, 1946 . For soma time it we.s ::a lt t hat tl~c Grune and Fish Depurtment might successfully tre.p end tro.nsplant 82co Hons to servo ·as 2 nucleus for future popule.tion development in sore l y deple ted , but suitc.bl c , areas. In the mc2ntimo , hm10vor , personnel at one of tho st2tc 's bird f arms wer e success ful i n bringing to rnaturi ty Sv.go Hens incubo.ted from eggs gc:thored in tho fie l d durii1,s tho sprincs ne sting soc.sor.. of 191~5 . As a r e sult of tho success ootr.inod on tho bird fr.::.'i:J it ;ins f e lt thc.t live - tr o:.pped bi rds should be maintdnod on the bird fc:r m to test the feasibility of r <lising 'bird.s uncle± f2rr:1 cond itions. Through tho coopcrction of the r~lontana Grune & Fish Commission and J,ir . V!m . BorgE:son, a pl e.n for the trcp employed by them and c comprehensive descripti on of the conditions under nhich it v1as used, -.-ins socurdd as t-. mode l for the trap employe d in t he Gunnison aroo.. The Gunnison aron wr:..s chosqn f01· the e xperimental tr c.pping be cause previous post mortems on. Sage Hons collected in the vc:.rious c::rc cs throughout tho str.te showed the Gunnison populc.tion to be free of pcrc.si t os and infection . Tho project lc<!dor 2rrivod in "the D.l'e2 in c:.cly211ce of the other men to cons t ruct tho tn.-.lJ c.nd l ocette flocks :.of S2r;c Hens suit:::.blc in size for handl ing as outline (> ?-n t ho fontcnr: r eport . ·At _this time pro scribed mntori2.l for buil ding tho trr.p "'72 S CO!'rpl ot e l y un·a vdh»blc . · Neverthe l es s c. r cc;.s onably suitc:.blc, though somo1.01hc.t cumber some trr.p wcs constructe d of willoi.;i_ stc:J~es 211c~ c hicl:en i.·::Lro . At tho out set , it becc.mo evident tha.t gc.lve.nizod cM_ckcn wire r efle cte d too r.mch sunlight for i mmediate use · ruld it 11 c.s t l!cn dotr..:!:ninec~ to spr c.y t:ilC rol l s of H2-re ~~i ith n·fiJ..ct paint r esembling a o ne arly a s possib l e tho color of sago brush . Skkos n.nd wire wer e t ied, toge ther in c. pen ;mnont mo.nncr nhich cut dm-m the number of single pieces to be hc::.ndled thuc put t ing o.11 tho ncc c scc:ry mc.tcricl ~or tho tr;::.p _into f our units . The loc.:.tion of Sage Hens constituted one of the oc.rly ma jor problems of tho oxporimcnt . Local l y stc.t:i_oncc~ Ge.no crid. Fish cmployoos and r esiclont s of thb 2r or. ovontu2lly :::mpplidd sufficie nt i nfor mc.t i on to l ee.cl tho r ccc)rreh str.f':l ~to those er ccn most hoc.vily populc.tod by Sc.go Hons fm tho pro·lir:iin.:.r y studies pri01· to tho c.ctud trappin_, opo1Ttions . Proliminc.r y fie ld studios r esulted in loc ating f locks v<rrying in number fron 6 to 21 q:i.l'C'.s.; but onl y four flocks t:IOr e s i tu.:.tod in crens o.ccessiblo to tho truck ccr1~ying t ho trc.p equipment. Therefore , tho s t eff concontr ctod its efforts mcinly upon· trc::ppinr; tho birds i'l i thin the four flocks mentioned ebovo. �. _, - 3 ... 10. Summc-.ry report of progress (Cont 'cl.).:. ,Tcrre.:Ln _proved to be tho limitinr; factor v1hich confined trepping operations to those areas c.djtlccnt to roads... Shcrp brae.ks composed of rim r.e>ck· end the gencr~l broken, rocky nc.turo of tho ovcr-ull o.rcn me.de travel by truck through the sage brush an impossibility. Once trapping ·actually got U.ndcr· t1ey on tho 27th of So1Jtembc~, it wao discovered that this broken, ' rocky. tcrrc..:i.n_ offorccl a groat handicap to.~iying stakes in setting the trap end uffordcd a unique hiding place for sago hons •. Sage hons hidden in those rocky brocl;:s noro extremely difficult to rolocc.to after the trc.p vms sot:UP c.ntl prior to thc·bcginnin~ of. th~ c.ctticl drive. Thus, vn1cn tho drive boG,cn one or .more birds wctc.inndvcrtontly flushed with tho consequent loss of the entire flock. Evon ufthin thosHi.cccssiblc areas in which trapping oporc.tions v1oro cc.rricd on .it ~cs fol.llld that the shc.rply rolling grounQ. most often obscured· tho birds from viov1 for a short period of time during ·Hhic~ :t;,ho. M.rqs stopped to rest· or food. To resume the cQ:-ivo wguld noccssitc.tc c:l:imbing_·.the rise TI_hich in every case cc.used .the birds to fly. Horses ·WO=f:'O ..eventually employed in tho· drive work in tho hope of ovcr- comi.~g tho ·tinccsinoss of.'tho birds, but they proved to be of little value ~side from. sc~v~g the crci.1 c.· lit~J..o harmless footr1ork. Actuc.lly ,. it vrc.s felt tho 'liiork rfo..s not o1:>ooclcd up by tho use of horses and in c.ddition it -r1ould be :Uµpossiblc ·to keep thorn ~onstc.ntly viith the crow for immedintc use. The stuff felt 11.orsos i7!ou1d be of no pertinent vc.luo. except in c.rcc~s \1hcrc cr.ttle end horsco c:.rc commonly found, on tho ~ssumption thnt the birds W?µld hr.vc dcvolopod .u cortr..in dcgrqc of tolorc:ncc to. domestic livestock. We fool th~t ctlditioncl time spent 'in tho field becoming acquainted \1i th the actions Of bc.~O hens r1ould he.VO climinc.focl mcny Of tho trc.pping fciluro s. J:n, · c~tldition further oxporionco in picking tho tre.pping sito proper nill contribute much to the success of tho tmdcrtaking. It is rocornxacndcd thct future trapping cctivity'bo precoded by sufficient field v;ork to insure suitublc numbers of sage hens thc.t will enable trcpping activity to proceed without tho present dolcy in loccting new flocks or rclocoting tho fon lmoun flocks c.s tho creu members r1crc forced to do during tho present expcriracnt. It appocrcd thnt once n flock of scgo hens hcd boon flushed due to nn attempt nt trapping they nould exhibit q definite spooky chcrc~ctor if o. second attempt c.t trr.pping them vmn me.do the S{!me do.y or even the f ollo11ing day. In sca.rch of a possible means of baiting scgc hens to a trap, tho creu members brocchQd tho subject to all parties cxhitibing more than the usucl amo'lll'lt of interest in the vrclfarc of tho sago hons in tho -Gunnison arcc.. �.... 4 10. Sunnnery report of progress (Cont'd,):. Rmichers, feeding stock, wor(: the source of tho most. plausible suggestion: for future livc-trr.pping uork. The ranchers pointed out thut sage hens regulcrly visit ccttle recd lots in lcto ~inter and onrly spri~g to feed upon hay plc.cod there .for domo:=;tic stock 0 Therefore, it is felt ··that the livo-trr.ppin3 experiment, discontinued c.t this time, October 8, 1S46, :L1 order to conccntre.tc manpoy1or r.t· deer check stations, should be resumed during Fcbrucry ru:ld March of.1947• Further field nork by tho project lender is rcconm1cndcd to definitely dotcrmihc tho date at .~1hich· trapping crui be. continued·. lle Submitted by: Nrunc: .. Approved: Hormrd A. Stiehm Title: Sr. Wildlife Technician N9to: Title: Director Detc: ·October ·n, 1946 Persons ilishing -to quote :.from o.ny of these cbstrc.cts should first obtain permission from the Stctc G~.mc and Fish Department. �11l~illii11H~ BDOW021177 STATE __.............................. Colorado.._________ PROJECT N0._.4.--.._R_ _ _ __ Dli.TE Q U A R T E R ~ ·Y .p R 0 G R E S S October l, 1946 R E P 0 R T 1. Title· of· Project: . Scaled Quail Stud.Y • 2~ .supervfsor·s: 3. Leader: 'Harry J. ·Figge 4. Cooperating Agencies: Food Habits Division of the Fish and Wildlife ~ervice and The Co.lorado State College_ ?f .Agriculture and Mechand.cal Arts. Gilbert N~ Hunter - E-•.. ic"•. Brown A study to deter~e·'.·what is needed to _ma.lee the scaled quail a better game bird in the State. Is the ·extension of their range possible or necessary? 5. Perspective: ~- 6. Objective: · Tlie primary purpose of ·this plen is to better correlate the research ·stu~es with ·the ~agement sect_ion •. 7. Plan: Note everyth~g that i'its_irito the life history of the scaleq quail •. Check areas of low; mediuill, .and high densities ·and try to ascertain the ·re·ason for that densi~y.. ' · Set up t,10 study areas- ... ti..,~p· and band all birds in thqse areas on successive years. Check predator density and competing species. ·Investigate effect of hail, snow, etc. · ·Locate areas in-the State not now inhabited-by scaled quail but which seems to offer their physiological requirements. Make plants of wild trapped quail ill those ·areas and check c;>n their success. of n. Probable date projec~ will be completed: 1950. The Fish mici Wildlife Service will either do_the food studies or assist the leader in doing them. The Colorado State College of".Agriculture will diagnose any suspected disease or identify any parasites~ 9. Relationships of cooperating ac;cmcies: 10. Summary report of progress: In Southeastern Colorado the scaled quail will probably rank ·s~c_o11d tc;> tho pheasant as an upland game bird. Over use of tho land inahbitcd by tho scaled quail is probably tho greatest factor which reduces. the carrying capacity of that land. _ Specimens arc belng collected for crop and gizzard study. Gross examinations of droppings arc being ma.do in tho field and droppings are collected for microscopic examination. To help in identification of seeds and plant parts that might bo foi.md in tho food habit study, a collection of tho plants growing in -quail territory is being made. �- 2 Since ITovei:1ber 1 , 1945 evidence of seven preclator kills have been found. This inc l~1de13 0ne ]~11 made by a red - tciled h::twk ? After the bird was ' lcilled the h:::.t<k fle n out of sight nith ·c,he quail in its talonsQ On July 25, 1945 3. s;.:a:..·:..·ow hank rms s een attac:~i:1g a tzrn neeks old quail ? The young quaiJ. d,-.ig0d into a clump of sho~t grass and_ the hank missed it. The mother ·q·1ail f l er1 dovm fl•on the hilltop and. hit the sparro1ii hawk with sufficient f c,:· ce to upset it . The haul: me.de no att enpt to attack the mature bird out seer.ied i nter ested onl~r :i.n esc ape . The femal e quail pecked and pulled f eathers until the ha~·1k ne..s abl e to take flight . She even pursued the ha1ak for .some distance in flight . It still appear s t hat i n good cover, losse s from predator s ':Jill not be excessive except for · destruction of nests . Tnent y - one nests ner e de stroyed out of tnenty- six that were located (80 . G per cent) . .. In t he Higby stuc1.y area a pheasant nest nas found 11ith fourteen pheasait eggs anG. tr;o ::icaled quail ec;gs in it. The ne st vias destroyed by a grou.l'ld squi:..•relo There has been no evidence observed of serious cor.1petition betucen pheasants and quail. Sex r atio observed in the field. r1as cloven males to ten females . The largest brood seen ·n as trrenty- f our yotmg birds vd.t h one pair of adults . They vmr e hatched about June 4, 1946 . The sr.mll est brood rias t no y oung birds hatci!od on about July 28 , 1946. The l c;46 broods have avoro.cred t on ru1d seven- tenths birds ' on tho broods obsorvcc1 o All adult pairs under observ ation did not hatch broods. I n at l east three nests more t han one egg 1;: a·s l aid in a singl e day . This ni::;ht explain tho t Honty- four young 11 i th one pair All of t ho t r1ont y - f our seemcp. to be tho same . size and ago . Q On So rtcr:ibor 30, 1946 the bir'ds r1erc still in fanil y groups and r:idoly so that a compl ete census has not boon possible . Lurgest nur!bor of birds seen in one day during this poriocl 1ias 170. dispcr sec~ 11. Submitted by: Approved.: Nrune .JL~l'.Y. J . Fi;::r;o COLO~"'JJ)O Title Note : Sr. Wildlife Techpj._~:i,,gl~ Title Director Dat o October 9, 1S4_6~~~~ Persons v1i shinJ to quote from any of those abstrac~s should f irst obtair: per mission fr om tho State Game and Fioh Departr.ient . ' �STATE _______Ool_9rg_q_q___________ - PROJECT HO. --~':.. c~ U A R. T E R L Y ..L,. Title of Proj~~t.: Superv::Lsor s: 3G PROGRESS REPORT Hild Tm.. key Stud:Les Gilbert N" Iiuntcr e.nd Klicss Brorm Leade1": 4., Coopera:tin.z Acie!lcieG: He a1"e being ass:"'._stecl by the U. s. ]'ore st Sqrvice eJ"ld t}1c Soil Co11servc.tion Service e 5. Pe1~spect.iva: · Devclcpr:ient and for::!r.;:;:- rc:m.~e in Colo:A.·a<lo 'J 6. Objective: To c~ete:~m:i.no e.o for e.s possible the clevelop~n:t of J:erri.ans '.l:.ld Ttu"key a.:i e spor·~ins ::·ossi'bil~.ty v1~.thi~-;. the stcte o To determ5.ne the past developr:1ont enc~ l1oss:7.bJ_e .futtu:e :i~atc o:'"": .. increc.se, To determine the ve.lue and use of plan-tine ce~tc.in f oo( slll'ti.bn as a som·ce of added food supply and as c:.n attrelct5.on to grord.i1t; broods. 7. Pl~: C. Probable date project vtill be conplcted: <]. Re~etionships J.O. Sur.mmry report of progress: reestablish:I.11[; the Yiilc~ tur!-:ey in nmch of its Stud.ying· f'ood. h2.bi ts and evaluation of c~rtain plants as n f'oor:t med:i.tuil ·for rJild tv.r1:e::-s. Surveys a"ld cens~s of turkey "!'"\Q"),,, ,,..i...-; ~ --.;-:-'!....: ll th. e s..I..~ .Lo J:1 1 '--C" u.. 01., -~P ;; •• v.i.!..!... .L v~ \,,,; e To ·tap every ::>c·ssiole sou~"'ce of 5_n~f'o1.. mation triTOUGh fie.lc1 trips, observr,tions ~1 the fie1cl: interv:.e:w 2.nd !"Jrelir.1jJ1~"'Y st.w:oveys, These :methods are fo1· the ·sole pm·pose of cletern:l..nins ~.ccure.te· data on plants end p=ros~)ective plc:mt areas, To gather all possible scie~1tific de.ta for use in futm"e v101"'k :1i th the wild tur1~ey. L~definite. of coo:)erat:i..ng agei1cies: Cooperation with u. s. Fo!'est Rangers 2.ncl So5.l Coi1serve..tion Serv~.ce is· 1:~aintr..:.ncc1 to ad.V8.L"'1te..ge. Inforr.12.tion on the food h~'.1Jits of I.Ielouciris gc:llopovo ne'.i."'riruni is rather mca~Cj,". He l:nve ·a little inf or~i1c:. ti.on 01: a fc-:.·1 inc1ividuals by 1.x e Stokley L:i.~011 of th0 U. S~ Fish a.r."1.d Wildlife Service end soue of hi~s c.ssocfo.tcs. Hcnever 1 j_t is not felt ad.vist."'..blc to coll~ct tr1_r!:eys for s.t9r.1r..ch se.npl0 s a.t this time~ For t!1:i.s :i. cr.son, i':i.clcl. food study of the tur!:ey hc.s been by· means of comparisons rcthcr th2.n of a apec5.fic ncture. Ilci.rcloprJcnt of plants h~s proven thc.t th5.o method. is s2tisfr:.cto:i.1J to dat~. 1 1iliriMlil~~ BDOW021167 �.. 2 10. Sur.unl:'.ry report of progress (Cont'd.). Accordingly, it has been found thd a rather gcncrc.1 hilly situation in the tr~nsiti.on zone vrith heavy south and nest cxposm..es is setisfnctory. This, of cou.rso, includes the dotcr1~i11~:tion of fooc~s o.vailr.ble. The top story of this s5.tuc.tion is Pinus Pondcroso.. The understory grc..c1cs dovm v1ith Pinus cduJi.s, JunipO'.i."us utc.hons5.s, monospor1]a and scopulorum. These should be bacJ.:cd by hcc.vy stcnds of Qucrcus ~lba spp;, Rhus trilobt.ta, Amolcnchie~, Pru11us nclonocurpa mid ~ssociatcd shrubs of this zone. This should be coupled nith an ~bundvnt pcr~otual w~tcr supply end the nccesse:ry protective cleEonts to give the birds c. .11 runni.ng chence." Five such ere as were· checked dttring the quc··.rtcr. Tv10 in the Trinidad crcn. One south end V1cst of. Rye. One in the goner~l c.rcn of Rifle in Gcrficld County ancl. the le.st :tn the arcc.. near McCoy on the Grcnd River in Ec..gle Coti.11ty. \~l1:i.le the crcas e.rc otrl.tQblc and food conditions right, the lnot t·~10 nm:icd u-ill hr.vc to vnd.t due to climatic conditions that arc not wholly f~vorc:blc. Vo.cc.ti.on til~!O cer:1c out of this qtwrtcr. On tho Hc.y to North West to spend tho ho11.day, c. c~~rofti..1 sti.rvivv.l check wes mcdc on t 110 Chul:ur cre::s. Tho first ,:rc.s in tho R-i·:-'lc, G'."L"cnd V£:.lloy distric·t. These Chnkcrs have moved fro~n tlu,cc to seven miles north to the mesas r.nd Bookcliff m. .ec no1"'th of the river on cone open l:.l'C<:.s and arc doing. c. s~·1cll job of getting ~.long. On the· ~·!c.y out c check ~·rc:.s m2do in the C1 r.ig e:reo. Q.lld this district is dcf:~itcly u success r:!'·:c. to date·. A number of covoyo \1cro seen and hct'.!~t:. ro:;;.1catcc1J.;r r.nd excellent royorts 11crc received. Tho Grec.t Divide cu-cc :i.s not so fortuntt.c c.s thcj- hcvc c~isc.ppoqrccl like many other plcnts. A plont ncr.r lkailton c..nd one nc~r L:>r:1c hcvc left for perts unlmovm. One of om· wc.rdons in the Bontl"osc district c.sked Mr. Rcod on Spring C~ypn if he v1cJ1tcd cnothcr roloc.so of Chukc::s~ He sc.id thct ho nould.n 1 t know Yrhct to do ,:lith thorn as he h2..d too mc.ny 2.lror.dy. ·A nurabcr of other plc.nts m... c rol_Jortcd cs doinG fine. Colorc~do 1 1 Turko,_.. -------.. Rrnch --.--.--Activ=.tics -------.JJ.. Ai'tqr c.rr:i.ving houo, the time has boon crorrclcci. rd.th prcp~rc..tion for · the trcppin~ sc~.son. Non net trc.ps c.r~.. 1.vcd L"1 good sh~pc. These r.ro ncttypc end rdll be u::;cd i.l'\ those plc.ccs vrhorc '10 car.not construct traps of a. pcrw:~.ncnt ::;ort. Ro:Jorts on the· tur!mya~ from c..11 plc.nts and Ol"i[;incl nrcc.s indic~tc en c:::ccllcnt hc..tch this scc..son. ruc}1 interest i~ bcina shoYm in the progrc:a. Of coi.u·sc the cvcr-pr'-~::;ont question ic, "Hhcn ere Y/C going to hcvc Ctll opon socaon?" �3 .. 10,, Summc.ry rcl'?rt of pro~rorn (Co11t. 1C:..): A recent check on tho thott:Jcnc: Rusc.ic:'.l'l Olivo shrubs sot out lc~st nprinG inc1icntc thc.t more then cicht per cent h:.vc lived oven through th-is very dry season. I.ioro thrm t;:10 £;.2.llom~ of thccc bc1":rj.cs !!ore fed to tu.rkcy3 ;n con .. noc tion \Ii th corn lr.r.::t yoc.r r.n en o~(lJC~:."'fr!lcnt. Once the b:i.rclo got c tc.~tc of the: Ru~sicn Olivo::::; they d5.s~~)poc.rod before tho corn 71c.s cctcn. On c~ recent trip to tho Trj.nifa~d section it u".G notod thc.t, Russi~.n Olivco produce hcevy · seed crops in qu5.to c.rid ::i!t.uc.tiono. There in much survey v1orl~ to be done before the trr..pping so~son rce:.lly goto under r.;c.y. At lc2.st one pormm1ont trc.p :must be constructed at the ttlr1:cy rc..nch. A roguh-.~· helper 11ill be caploycG. shortly c.ftcr the first of October. Feed is SC[:rcc 2.nd cx~cns~.vo but c. q_uc~ntity must be purch~scd for trcp~)inJ c.nc1 cmrgoncy feeding. Plc.ns r.ro under wr.:y for our hoc.viost trc.ppin~ scc~son tbi s ycc:r. A visit ::c.s nr.dc to the rr-.nch by the Fodcrc.l .Aid Distri~t Inspector, lx. Bennett r-'ld I.x. J orgcnson fror.1 Albuquorq_ue on the morning of Scptc1ubor 29. An c.ttcmpt to shon thcin some ·younG turkcyo ft'.:Uod. (We sec them clmost d~ily nov: c.nd it is c strcngc co:tncidonco thr.t ~Jhcn r1c wr.nt them to shop, off they just c.ron 1 t there!) 11. Fote: Sttbm:i..ttod by: Approved: Title: Director D~tc: _______ .Q£_~<?_b_gr 14, 1946 Persons riishing to quote frot1 my of. these c.bstr~.cts Dhould firot obtd.n permission il'on the St~tc Gc~10 ~.n& Fish Dop~.rtncnt. � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/6689b7b44c0b9d99d9344b70c01855ce.pdf 305324a558263afba5a20d2fe6f5b068 PDF Text Text 1iliillitmi September 30, 1946 BDOW021165 COLORADO FEDERAL AID QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT, PROJECT 4-R, THIRD QUARTER FISCAL YEAR 1946 Big Game 1. Aerial counts of elk and deer were made over ten major elk trend plots on the Western Slope of Colorado and five deer .trend plots on both slopes of the State by R. o.·Brown, Jr. Elk Routt National Forest Middle Park White River .Area Frying Pan Rio Grande N.F. Gunnison Area Muddy Fork .) Gunnison R. to Curricanto Cr. ) Antelope Ridge ) Old Feed Ground ) ) Beaver Cr. Cochetopa National Forest ------- H,:>l'"nlru::a Mont~zuma 833 648 1268 153 739 (114 bulls) (10 bulls) 383 (43 bulls) 649 (57 bulls) 886 877 414 6850 (72 bulls) (56 bulls) (36 bulls) Sexing of elk from the air attempted for the first time, shown from the above figures: 4640 elk of which 388 were bulls or 8.36%. Deer Piney Cr. Area -State Bridge Piceance Cr. Cach La Poudre North Park Gunnison 731 5345 174 521 1163 7934 2. At the present time we hav.e no method of correlating these trend counts to.actual numbers in areas, and the figures as given on the counts do not in themselves mean total deer/elk in an area. However, these figures, when broken down to the trend plots as shown on maps in this office, present a good year-to-year picture of the status of the big game populations. And, when the trend plot counts are correlated with the utilization data from the utilization sub-plots, then a very worthwhile picture of big game status on the range will be obtained. �-2- Upland Game Birds Sage grouse studies conducted in this quarter by Mr. Donald J. Woolley (resigned), are mainly of a preliminary nature. Four winter study areas were located in the Gunnison country, three of which were also strutting grounds. Winter habits were studied from February 11 to March 13, and strutting habits were observed from March 13 to March 27. Attempts were made to trap and band grouse by the use of a jacklight carried on a strap across the ~boulder. No success was obtained. An interesting discussion of the "strutt" was reported with the following features pertinent to that area: 1. The birds seem to prefer open pastures adjacent to sagebrush for strutting grounds. 2. It was concluded that the amount of snow on the ground somewhat determines the number of strutting areas, i.~., more snow, more concentration to strutting areas and therefore fewer areas. Flushing counts on winter grouse areas and counts on strutting grounds were observed to be feasible methods of determining population trends. /'--\_ Migratory Birds A survey was made to establish and map the extent of migratory waterfowl hunting on the South Platte River and· its tributaries by the project leader, Jack Culbreath. The work was summarized by counties and took into account the following factors: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Crops and food relations to ducks and geese. Vegetation on the land and its relation to nesting. Water acreage during hunting season and in winter. Water level fluctuation in lakes and reservoirs. Dates and degree of freezing. Flight conditions and hunting. Dates of filling and draining reservoirs. Larimer County Hunting of migratory waterfowl is confined to the eastern part of the country. Of 98 bodies of water only 29 are of importance to the hunter. Following are the conditions relative to the lakes: 1. 2. 3. Total acreage: 5730 3235 acres under hunting lease to 174 hunters. 1695 acres o.pen to the freelance hunter of which 720 acres are subject to leasing, leaving Lone Tree Reservoir of 400 acres open indefinitely. �-3- The lake or pond hunter comprises the principal hunting group. quently, an earlier season is desired from the freezing standpoint. Conse- Stream or river shooting is of minor importance and generally considered poor in Larimer County. On the Cache La Poudre R. there are 14 miles open to the freelance hunter, one-half mile is closed to all hunting and two and onehalf miles is too close to town for shooting. On the Thompson there are 14 · miles open to hunting and one mile under lease. During 1945, approximately 45 sections of land were used for field shooting mostly east of Loveland using the flights from Boyd Lake. Weld County Two hundred personal contacts were made similar to the method used in Larimer County. Hunting is confined to the southern half of the county covering an area 36 miles by 48 miles east and west. Black Hollow and New Windsor reservoirs in the northern part of the county serve as good winter resting grounds. In the western half of the area 59 reservoirs with 6 of real importance as resting areas provide the principal hunting. River hunting is the principal method in the·eastern part of the county -with the South Platte River being the only important stream for hunting. -f"'.,_ Summary of thP t=:nrvey is as follows: 17,440 acres 102 reservoirs and lakes 8,310 acres 13 reservoirs of important winter duck area 650 acres 1 reservoir open to free lance hunters 3,810 acres 8 reservoirs leased to hunters 3,850 acres 4 reservoirs closed to hunters 117 1/2 miles of river suitable for hunting 72 miles of South Plate River 24 3/4 miles open to free lance hunters 29 1/4 miles leased to hunters · 56 3/4 miles private reserve land (Note: Mileages include both sides of stream in some cases from adjoining properties on the stream) 23 1/4 miles of Cache La Poudre R. 12 1/4 miles open to free lance hunter 7 1/2 miles leased to hunters 5 1/2 miles closed to hunting (Stream pollution from the Great Western Sugar Co. inhibits duck hunting) 13 3/4 miles - Big Thompson River - of no importance as duck hunting due to stream pollution by the Great Western Sugar Co. 28 sections - field hunting as taken from actual shooting records. �-4- ~ Morgan County One hundred thirty-six persons were contacted and data secured. Hunting is well distributed over the entire county. The western half is good goose hunting area with as high as 1000 geese on Empire Reservoir last fall. Three reservoirs are of importance to d·ucks and geese during the winter: Jackson, Bijou, and Empire reservoirs of 2560 acres open to the public, 700 acres open to the public, and 640 acres closed to the public, respectively. 45 3/4 miles of river hunting affords the following aspect: 3 1/4 miles open to free lance hunter 3 3/4 miles closed to hunting 10 miles leased to hunters 28 3/4 miles private reserve Only 6 square miles of field shooting.reported for 1945 for ducks, 47 sections reported as geese field shooting area. Submitted by: Approved by: COLORADO GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT (Offic..ial title of Game Department) Title ______E_.__K_li__e_s_s__ B_r_own __~'---------­ Sectional Supervisor Federal Aid Division Title______c_.__N_.__F_e_a_s_t~,__ D_i_r_e_c_t_o_r______ Date~ ____M_a~y__2_9~,_1_9_4_6_______________ � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/49ba27af77f16920cf99c6e514b8f901.pdf 70bc4738e17fe2d8c87098fc1e116aea PDF Text Text , I~~l1/1 ij'~1~'1ll1~li1 1 i~1i 1ij~ ~I~m1/i1i1 BDOW021189 PROJECT NO. _....:4:r..-..;:..R;....__ __ _ _ __ • DLTE ·QUA B.._ TE R·L Y J.. '· Title of Project: P R 0 GRE S S . .• .[_al:u:1.a ry 2,,l,.,...:1::..9:;.::4r..!7_ · -----'R E P 0 R T Antelope surveys and Inyostiga tions 2. Supervisors: . G. N~ Hunter, Grune & Fish .Man2ge r . Eo K. Brovm, Coordinator '3 ~ Le ader: I Gooperating .Agencies: : ::· . Bob Lehti Colorado State Wal_'den Servfoe·. ~..: Perspe'c tivc: De t ermination of ante lope range, diStributioJ:!, population, and incr ease to be used in compilation of manage men~ plano 6~ Obj ective: Preparation and ..adherence to sound man~rgement progrrun that will hold the herd at optimum c'o ndition and allon a normal hunting se ason. 7. Plan : Aerial census and distribution. data. Eventually:~ in~1~oduce ante l ope to now unoccupi ed range that will be· favorab.l e to their development :and ·increase. 8. Probabl e date project Hill be comp.l e-ted: ' . Indefinite 9. Relationship of cooperating agencfas: Wardon Service provides reports on distribution and concli ti on as no 11 as tho pv.blie sentime nt from 't ime to time. 10. Sununary report of progre.ss: I • . The period . f'rom .. October 5, 1946 tl1rough Dece mber · 15, 1946 has been covered in a special progress report dated December 15, 1946. II. NORTHERN HERD STUDY .AND AERIAL CENSUS ' J.., Area - Color ado 4ntelope Refuge 103 square · miles. Date - December 26, 1946. ' Total Count - 572 antelope. Unit Group Sizes - (nUtlber of antelope per gToup as seen ) ~ 13, 25, 8 , . 16, JO, 25, 40, 62, 59, 43, 1$, 33, 5G, 65, 35, 10, 34. Antelope per square mi le - 5.29 . 2.:. .Area - Bounded on north by Colorado-Wyoming border; on south by latitude 40 - 47; on east by highway u. s. 8 5; on west by highway u.s. 87 • .Above area - 111 squc:.r.e miles. Date - December 26, 1946 . Total Count - 157 ante lope., Unit Group sizes - 41, 24, 12, 5, 52, 12, 11. Antelope per square mil e - 1.41 �.. - 2 10. Summary report of progress (Cont ' d . ); • 3. Area - Bou.tided on the north by Colorado- Wyomi ng border; on the south by l atitude 40 - 47; on the east by longitude 104 - 34; on the west by highway u. Sp 85. Above area - 162 square miles . Date - December 26, 1946. Total Count~·- 257 a,nte l ope. Trend Area Count - 157 antelope (as compared to 52 on July 14, 1946) • Unit Group sizes - 22, 28 , 42, 13, 91 63, 80. Ante l ope per square mile - 1.58. · . . 4. .krea .. Bounded on the north by Colorado-1ilyorni ng bor der; on the south by l atitude 40 - 47; on the west by longitude 104 ·"".' 34.; o.n -. the east by Chicago Burlingtbn and ·Quincy Railroad adjacent to highway Colorado 155. Above area - 19G square miles. Date Dec.enber 27, 1946. · Total Count - No ante l ope seen in this area although vegetation, water and topography are simil ar to areas 1, 2, and 3. This are a ·may be · considered pert of the normal r ange and distribution of . the northern ante l qpe herd. ·5 . Area .... BGunded on the' north by Color c-~do-Wyomin6 border; on the south by . l ati:t;ude 40-47; on ti'1e east by longitude 105 - 13; on the we st by l ongitude 105 ~ 26 . Above ur ea -. 158 square .miles. Date .. December 31; 1946. · Total Count - 6 antelope. Unit Group size • ·6 Antelope per .square mile ~ .038. This nron is suitnb l e antelope range . and at present is used by the animals of the northern herd as emergency range when the norma l range is c over ed with snow. It is about 40% timber and brovrse, 40% grazing land , and 20% cultivated. The cul tivatio:r;i is mainly concentra ted ip. the southwest portion of this area. 6. All the above described areas appear to be populated belov1 r ange carry!- : ing capacity (including domestic stocJc density),. The gr ass :i1s good, pl enty o.f· .continuous \1inter s upply, accessibl e are sheltered areas of broken t errain for browse f eeding duripg snow cover e xistence. It is possible that the supplemental water. sy.pp°ly brought on by the comple tiQn of the Missouri Valley Authority will increase the amount of this range under cultivation and :i.:rrigation, This will limit tho range avail abl e to the norther n ante l ope he rd and move their dist ribution further nor th above the 6000 foot contour line .. : �, - 3 10. Surrunary r e port of progre ss (Cont ' d.): 7 • 0 8. The average donsi ty of the above nn:o.s based on a total c01mt of 992 antelope in 731 squr.re miles of fair to exce llent r ange is 1.3 ante lope per square milo 0 This figure includes 198 square mil es of g ood range in v1h:tch no animals ·acre soon , and 158 s quare mil es of f air range in v1hich only six ante lope r1ere seen. On De cember 20, 1946 a typic al portion of the Colorado Ante l ope Refuge (on ITa:cron Livostocl·: Compeny l ['.l1d) r1r:.s ground surveyed for ante lope with atfon·0i on directed tormr d gr ass and nntor conditions. The grass l and docs not appear to be over or misused . A toto.l of 132 ant e lope \Ter o seen in this random survcy o All ner e in good condition. The 'Jo.t or run-·off m:.s slightly higher than nor mal , and muc h hj_ghcr t han dur i ng the ~·1intcr of 1945e At pr esent the animals can f ind enough natural r1a t er n ithont di fficulty ? During dry seasons t hey ur,o ·che c.T tificic.l ~·n;tcr hole s ani rcfo.ining dams bui +t end mni:.Y~.::ti.1J a d by t he l~c n1 rmichcrs, The number of ante l ope in this a.re el p o:i.nt s t.m:1a:r·d optimum cond:~ t ions of' grass and rmt er o It may soon bo no c e s ~ o..ry to control tr.0 :lcr:sity of ante lope in t his area thr ough tn:pp:ing and trc..n splc.nt~ng , and hunti ng . Tho loca l sentiment i s sl orrly moving toi;rard a fee ling on the part of loca l ranchers tovmrd too much expendi ture of r;rass, nater, and s alt for the maintenance of the herd at pre sent l e vel and nor r.ml i ncrease . A little e ffort along trappine l ines vlill probnbly satisfy t hese loc al ranchers that the dcpnrtment r on1izes the ir concern, appreciat es their tolerance , ruid th:;:,t vie do hc:ve a. management program nhich consider s the rancher o.s rte ll a s t llo nimrod 0 Present schedule calls for trapping in thi s area i n tho fall of 1947. 11. Note : Submitted by: Name : Robert Lahti Title: Jr., :;li ldlife Technician Approve d: Titl e : Director DQte : Jc:nuary 7, 1947 Per sons vlishing to quote from any of these abstrac ts should f irst obtain permission from t he State Game anQ Fish Depo..rtment , �"- PROJECT NO . _ _--.;4._-_ R_ _ _ __ DATE ' Q U .A R T E R L Y . PROGRESS January, 1947 REPORT 1. Title of Project: 2. Supervisors: 3o leader : J.,. 0 Cooper ating Agenc ie s : Trappers and field men of the. U . s . Fish and rl ildlife Service, the Uo s. For est Service , and stockmen . _. , Per spec tive : Bero;' ¥ive sti gation studi~ s on life habits; development; food studies, which· include .skat and · stomach analysis; bear characters; range and also all field ob~ervations possible. 6, Objective : To sumrn~i.ze info~iiatiori and data on: black bear collected in Col or ado during the past. se13-son . Bear -Studi e s :_. I Gilbert N. Hunter i! •' E . K. Brown :.: Paul F. Gilbert Pl an : To contjnue cooperati on wi th the u. s. Forest.Service, U. S. Fish and Wildl ife Service , ·9-!ld . s.tockJ)len on bear problems and t hr ough fie l d and observa t ions and stuc:l y co:)..lect . as mu9h data .as possibl e on bear in Colorado • . . . 8 . Probabl e date project ·'<7ill be "Gop1pieted: "It is ·hoped to continue studies as . . soon as country opens up :i.n spring .· Entire proje6t ·, indefiriite . " 7. . ~ 9. · Relationships of coope~ating agern;:ies:' The Uo S. ·For.est . Ser vice and u. S. Fish and Wil d life Service \'lflO are iti frequent contact with bear S:Ctivities have given excellent cooperati9n... The· stoc1rn1en 1 s -cooperation has been exce llent in many cases and poor in other s • .. ·1.1 ~ Summary Report of Progress : This study was started April 1, 1946 . : Numerous interviews have been made with all who might have any intere st, "whe the r direct or indirect, in the bear in Colorado . A gr eat deal of time has been s pent in t he field on food. studie s and. actual observations . . This r e port is raore of a summary r e por t of t h is summe r ' s nor k . Bear have a · persqn~~ty of stre ngth, courage , and achievement; but it is so enve l ope d in the mists _of l egends , 'that one does not know what can be accepted as fact . Most stoclanen l ook upon bear as killers . This is no more t rue thari a state ment that.all h1µn~s are killcr s o The r e are exceptions in both case s . Ther e is the occasional be ar that love s to kill, perhaps get t ing into a corral of prize bucks and killing twenty ih one night , or he may follov1 a her d of shee p arid kill one or :tD.o ~very n i ght until he i s shot or t rapped . Such things have happened . A bear is a l over of carr).on and nill s eldon pas s u p a dead animal. This gr ea t l ove for de c aye d fle sp and the c a rrion bee tle s anc~ magg ots, nhich are de s sert f or any bear , has caused the bc.ar tribe as a v1hole to be unjustly accused on circwnstantial evide nce as kilJ.crs . �' ' - 2 - 10. , Summary Report of Progress (Cont'·d.): Citing a case that occurred this past sununer. A ewe and several lambs were l eft behind by the herder when he moved his sheep to a new area.. Seve ral days later the herder went back and found t~10 dead lambs, and hollared bear. Examination showed that a bear had definitely been there and cleaned up the remains, having pee l ed the hide back l eaving tho head and feet attached; ho\1evcr, further examinations shm1ed that the lambs were killed by fang hole s at the base of the skull. The fangs had penetra ted ITe ll into the brain, but the holes were small the size of a l ead pencil, not those of a bear, but a cat or coyote, probably the latter as this seems to be the usual manner a coyote uses to kill a sheep. Most losses can be t r aced back to negligence on the herder's part. Intervions riith sheopmon and herders have brought out the fact that a good herder '.7ill -cut ·dorin·· on tho sheep losses from predators. One sheep man credited a lot of his losses to the fact that his herder uoUld not r.ouse up all the sheep and· l eave some, .. usually lambs~ behind \7hen moving the sheep. A record was kept this past sumnier and 7'?. stray sheep uere found in bunches as follorTS : 2, 2, 12, .30, 5,- 2, 6, ·.S;· 1 3; ·· and· 2-. Tho herder, or camp tender, Y1as notified of these stray sheep' It is these unprotected strays that add up the sheepmen 1 s loss at the end of the year. Another sheepman was of the opinion that a good dog qut d01m his losses for several reasons. The dog referred to nas one that 17ould 11drar1 blood every jump" nhcn bear or predators came near the sheep. A good dog also cuts drnm on the number of stray sheep l eft behind. Herders agree that this is so. The country where this study nas covered tho past year was in· typical western Colorado bear range, the MQntane and subalpine fore sts surrounded by chaparral type of oak brush, service berry, sn~w berry J. etc ... · I t is interesting to note that all the larger bear areas in the state are enc ircled by this chaparral type. Observations on bear food habits viere made. One stomach sample and thirteen skats r10re analyzed. No attempt is being made at this time to draw any conclusions from these food studies due to the small ·a mount of data on hand; hm1ever, it is inter e sting .to notice in the enclosed . table of skat summaries the amount of grasse s and ·grass-like plants taken by be ar especiallJ'." in the spring. Tho stomach sample of about oi:ie pound vras taken v1ith the following analysis: Popu:lus treniuloides • • • • • • Trace· Thermopsis · ~ ; • • • • • • • • Trace Trifolium • • • • • • • • • • Trace Thalictrum .• .'! • • • • • • • • .01 · Danthonia • • ~ • • • • • • • .03 Ants • • • • • • • • • • • • • .01 Be ar (oun front foot in trap) ·~·- .50 Sheep • • • • • • • • • • • ! · • .45 The dentition formula of this animal was: i 2 c 1 pm 2 3 1 2/-1 m ~ x 2 (f 1) : 37 3 �- 3 10. Summary Report of Progress (Cont'd.): The measurements of the above bear , nhi ch .-1as taken at the head of Happy Canyon by a. Federe.l Trapper and m::s in good condition , are as follows: Snout to tip of taii Tail Hind Foot He i ght at shoulder s Rider s r eported to h ave soon be ar fe eding on two fa1ms in the Roubideau are a. Only cnG case knomi nhore be ar att ack live stock other than sheep. In this case , a bc Qr took a calf out of a rancher ' s corral. The cal f l ived , but the rancher killed t he boar e Through July and Au.gust ther e m~s an increase in tho be ar activiti es along the Ccriyan rime 11hor ::; t l1cy ner c hunting f or ant s. A wot spe l l the first of August cause d sever a l cc.tt1c l ass o s due to le.rkspu nhich accounts for the large amounts of c on fou..rid in s omG slrnts at this t i l1l0 of the y ear.., The attache d tabJ.e is to give a sununary of bcc.r slrnts for the per iods, May, Juno, and July, and August~ The fall period of September , October , and November cill be carried in a like m<::nnor ':/hen it bec omes possibl e to '.wrk on bear during thi s timo o Tho reason for bro nking the period of be ar acti vi ty up in thi s manner i s because it is knorm that a boar ' s food habits very by seasons , s pring , summer , and fall probabl y due to differ ent food r e quirements as 11011 as availebility. Seasonal Conclusions 1. 2. 3. 4. Montane and subal pine .forests surrounded by chaparral appears t o bo i deal bear renge . Herder s ' care l e ssness can c c.use shec pmen unnecessary losses. A good sheep dog cuts dorm l osse s f r om be c..r or o.ny predator . Bear are often nrongly condonmcd as killers on c ircumstantial evi dence . ' L. Submitted by: Approved: Name: PalQ- F .. __G_.i..... 1.... b.... c_r_t _ _ _ _ __ COLORADO ~TE G~J.-~ ~'ID F ISH DEPARTI'ilENT Ti tlo : Sr , \1ildl i fc Tecfmician By : ,, \.:t-:..ff-~-a-4c..(-- Title : ---~iro ct :)r Dato : ____l_o.ngqr,y 20. 19.._l.._7.___ _ _ _ __ Note: Persons rrishing to quot e from nJ1y of t hc so nbBtr:-:c ts i:;hould first obtain per mission from tho S"cc.t c Game and Fish !Jepcrt mcnt , �- 4 Food An_?]..ysi_l?_ .::_J3_o_~ _?_k_a_ts 1946 Species May-June (6 sknts) Times Percent occurring Maximum Aver age ucrcus gambellii (leaf and t wi g) _opulus trcmuloides ( t Ytigs and buds) f opulus tre muloide s (bark) Jamesin cmericana (? ) Juniperus communus (seeds) Amelanchier alnif olia (twig and l e cl') Dry Pino Cone s Pina needles Rotten wood Spruce needles Vaccinium (berry) Vaccinium (leaf) Tho.lie trum Leontodon Castilleja occidentclis (Bracks and Cclycos) Erigoron Trifolium Thermopsis montana Juncus balticus Poe compressa Cnrcx Spp . Agr opyron spicatum .2cnthonia Yostuca Spp. Grasses (Unidentifiable) 6 .3 1.8 4 1 1 1 T 1 2 T T 1 T P..nts Deer Sheep Lnrvn (M£>.ggots) Carrion beetl e s Co'\7 Porcupine 3 4 1 1 1liscello.neous enc. Trace s 6 1 1 1 .3 1 1 1 T T 1 1 1 1 1 6 6 1 4 5 T 20 90 8 5 1 1 .3 3 2 1 2 2 2 2 80 37 87 80 1 2 46.6 17.6 46 80 2 1 1 T 1 5 4,6 7.3.l 55 55 10 30 10 10 .30 3 5 3 1 1 T T 8 1.5 1 1 .3 2 2 1 15 2 T T 1 4 (7 skats) Percent I.iaximum Average July-A~. Times occurring 1 3.7 1 1 3.1 1 2 T 4 98 1 T 7 3 51 1.7 �STATE ___ c __ oL ~O~ R-.;;;.. ADO .__~~--~~ PROJECT HO. _...4...·..-R..___ _ _ _ __ DATE Q ·u A R T E R L Y 1. Title of Project : 2.. Supervisors: 3.. Leader: P R 0 GR E S S ' January , 1947 R. E P 0 R T Deer-Elk Studies G: N. Hunter, Ga!ile and Fish Uanager E ~ K. Brorm, Coordinator · Fred T. Jeep 4. Cooperating Agenci es : Assistant Leader: L•. E. Rior dan u. s. Fish. and Wil dlife Service, u.. s. Bureau of Land I.Ianagement . Development of methods and data to be used in management of deerelk herds on a sustained yie l d basis. 5. Perspective: 6. Objective : To conduct surveys on deer-eJJc herds and range s, t o assist in the formulation of mane.t;er.ient plans , 7. Plan: To conduct bi s game checking stations; a deer age- sex rat io survey and a carcass- paunch 'survey t o obtai n information to be used in future man~gement , 8. Probable date project will be completed: 9. Relationships of cooperating agencie s : from all agencie ~. ~. 0 ~ Indefinite Excellent cooperation i s being obtained Summary Report of progress : At the beginning of the quarter, deer-eJJc° personnel were engage d in making preparations f or the big game hunting season which begC!Il on October 12, 1946 and lasted throueh Noveraber 24 i n some areas. The preliminary work consi sted of assembling equ~pment , hiring additional 't emporary personnel , choosing the best specific loc ations, an~ making the necessary local arrangements for f eeding and housing of t he station attendants. · Also, specific i nstructions rrer e written for the oper ati on of each checking station, inst ructing the supervisors of each checking station in their r esponsibilitie s and duties. On the opening date of the hunting season, el even stat ionary and one roving checking stat i on wer e established and r eady for business. The locations of the se stations and the ir contempl ated hours o:f oper ation vrer e a.s follows: �' - 2 10. Sur:unary Re port of PJ:ogre~s (Cont'd): Hours of oper ation . Location - · · ~-· ·· eame-rori· Pe:ss- on···Hi(;hY1ay (Sta t e ) no . 14 16 - 2.4 Junction of Highnays No. 14 and U.S . 287 24 I daho Spr i ngs on U.s. Hi ghr1ays 6 and 40 24 r.!onarch Pass on U.s . Hi'ghviay No. 50 24 Steanboat Spr i ngs, U.S. Hi glmay No . 40. ~ 16 Me eker, Junction of Stat e Hi ghways 13 and 132 16 - 24 Rifle , Junction of State Hi ghm1ys 13 and US . 6 16 - 24 . 16 . 25- J,:c se. at Uo s . For e s t boundary · Hc rnosa Cree k on Stat e Highway Ifo . 550 16 Little Hill,s . arc a. nest of i,7eekcr ··12 Roving Check s'~·ation ~ - All of State 12 .•. At. the end of t he' sec-ond d~y of op~ra'ti on it bec ame apparent that ~he. numbers of deer and e JJ{ corain~ th1'.'ough t he chcc1'".:L"lg stati ons vJCr e greatly exce eding the pr e -season estimat e s i'lhich \"/or e ba sed upon r ecords of stations similarly . . . locetcd in previous year s plus a ben ty-fivc t o thirty percent increas e to allm7 for a gr e ater expected kill. This f ac t nece ssitated the M.i· ing of additional. .temporary personnel; ,v1here they could be found, as \1Cll as Some quick Shifts me n from stations handling the lighter loads to i{hoso c::rrrving t he gr eater increases in h~ters. This wq.s .· e spcc~ally. true from'thri st~.dpo b1t of. man- hours qf individuals . On .at l east f o'ur checE st ations some men r1orked approxi mate l y 20- hour days until add itional a s s is t Ctnce arrived. of Thp nature of the check .~t atipn . v10rk consis teo of checking all hunter~ . r e turning_ from" the fie ld, ca.ricelling licenses of succ e ssfui hunters, 'ap~. r ecording on a form the follm·1 ing informati on: License NU!!lber, Name and Addre ss of Hunter, Loce..tion of I~ill, Spe cie s Killed, Ir..ndm'e Animals Kille c;l, ~e x of . Animals .J~i:).le d , . ' tiur::ibcr of Points Right and I.oft, Boa.'!1 Diamet er of Antlers, Girth ?.:ea surements .• and r ecording the anS\1er t o t ho que stion, 11Did you hunt Big Game l a st ye ar ? " The follou ing Table s, 1 t hr ouGh 5 , r eflec.t. som~. of the highlight statistics t abulated from tho che ck station ..ques t i .onnl!ire • . It u also :intere sting to note in conjuhctH:m p::.th this, · t !1a.t t he largest number of Big Game animals killed and checked through check statfons in· p1·evious years occurred in 19L~O, at .1hi9h time 9,366 c;leer ana 1 , 417 e lk ne~o cl:icckqd using 11 cha.c k stations compnred to the 11 chock stations e stablished this ~~ar . 1 TABIB 1 Perce nt of !\ill Checked by Check Stations . by S0x· an~ Specie for ~946 Deer · Antler ed Antlerle ss 62.6% 27.6% El k Antle r ed Antlorlcss 5. 4% 0.2 �- 3 - 10. Summary Report of Progress (Cont ' d): • Total Number Bi g Game Chec ked by Check Stat i ons for 1946 Sex and Spec i es number Antlered Deer Antl erless Deer Ant l ered Elk Antlerless Elk Bear Total 14,151 6, 234 1, 225 945 fi:l 22, 596 TABLE 3 Kil l Checked by Check Stati ons by Species, Percent, and Number for the season 1946 DEER . Number Percent Station Idaho Springs J.:onarch Pass Rifle Ted 1 s Place t.:eeker 25 l!:ile r.lesa Steamboat S~ring s Roving St ation Hermosa Littl e Hills Cameron Pass 6, 580 5, 811 3, 284 1, 286 1, 101 747 675 527 le6 JJ.;.O 48 32. 3 28 . 5 16. 1 6. 3 5.4 3.7 3. 3 2. 6 .9 .7 . 2_ 20,385 BEAR ELK NUJ: iber Percent 564 545 77 8 297 3 231 77 366 2 2,170 Number Totals 26.1 25.0 3.5 .4 13. 7 41 10.6 3.5 17. 0 15 .1 1 41 7,159 6,367 3,363 J., 294 1,404 750 907 605 556 140 51 22,596 ll 2 0 6 0 1 1 4 TABLE 4 Percent Checked First Week by Check Stati ons by Sex and Species f or 1946 Antlered Deer Antlerless Deer Antlered Elk Antlerless Elk Be ar Humber Percent 8,51$ 3,428 717 572 17 "' 60.4 54. 9 58.5 60 . 5 41. 5 �- 410. Summary Report of Progress (Cont'd): • TABLE .2 Check Station Questionnaire Indicating Increase of Successful Hunters 1946 Station Did you hunt Dig Grune last ye ar? Ye s No ·- - - - I.:onarch Pass I daho Springs Rifle r.'.eeke l' Ted ' s Place Stea.'T!boat .3pr:L-:gs 25 Mi 7.e i.~ s.::. Roving Station Hermosa Little Hills Cameron Pass 2742 26~9 1£i01 ?6G b'~7 3554 31L'+ 1565 Total Interviewed 6296 5773 3366 652 1420 j~il 1238 893 728 611 561 140 ----5_1 21, 077 408 397 260 240 61 ~5 29 22 331 3'51 321 79 lO!Of2 11,065 PAUHCH-CARCASS SURVEY At the close of the big g~-ne hunting season, plans wer e made to conduct a pa'.ll1ch and carcass survey to e stimai::.e the hunting loss ,, The crews were assembled a:t Little Hill s Game Experi.nent Station for pre lir:iinary instruction and train:L..l1g ~ Before the actual survey could be undertaken, however, · an extensive ::m o~ s-'.~orm covered the princi pal hunting are as of western Colorado, mak in.:s it impossi~)le to cor1-y out t his project with any degree of accuracy. Several unsuccessfu:·. trials were run in are as nher e kills vmre lmovm to have been made~ It was conc luded from this experience that to be successful such a survey should be conducted immediately upon c losing t he se ason, or i n the case of long s easons , concurrentl y nith the hunting s e ason. AGE-SEX Rl.TI O SURVEY The same cre·:1s tha t had been assembled for the above-mentioned paunch- carcass survey nere used to conduct t he t;round phase of an age -sex ratio survey. This work beg an illlJ:lediatel y , and wa s carriec: out by the folloning men : Mr . C. D. Tolman, Sr. Hildlife Techni cian; f.lr . Paul Gilbert, Sr . Wildlife Technician; Mr. Gl en Rogers, Stat e Garie and Fish Depn;:t r.mnt, Sr . Fish Technician; Mr . Lloyd Searle, State Grune and Fish Department , FiDh Te chnician; f.lr. Hov1ard Dansdill and r,~. Clarence Weberg, t e mporary a s sistants; and r.:r. Donald G. Lauridsen, Superintendent of Littl e Hills Game Experiment Station . �- 5 • 10. Summary Report of Progress (Cont 1 d ): Beginning on December 4, w~ . Norman Kramer , airplane pilot lUlder contract to tho state and Mr . Laurence E . · Riordan, Sro Vlildlifo Technician, conducted an experimental aeria l survey of the principa l deer herds of the state. As shovm by the accompanying maps, approximate l y the sa111e areas wer e cover e d by both the grolllld and _p.er ial cre :Is, the ob j ect being to obta in comparative figure s betv1een t he t v10 me thods both as to r esults and costs. 1 , r. • . . De~~ription' ... ~ of l1cthods·; Tho ground cr e\1s · \7orked on foot, horseback , snowshoes, and automobi le , sometimes individually and sometime s in pairs depending upon loc a l condition~ • . All crov1s 1-iorc e quipped vlith binoculars , an~ some n ork nas done at night using a spotlight and binoculars. The deer wore classified into tho folloTI:j.ng groups : bucks; doe s, and f a;-ms, not·colUlting animals which c'Juld not be positively sc ~-age i dentified . Records wer e ke pt by . individual drainages and \7ero consolidated for major herds or are as. . . . The aeria l survey, vras made by f l ying over an area· at· lov1 altitude , 30 to 200 f ee t, and tally ing. tho animals that could be positive l y sex- age identifi e d. The pilot t allied bu~Y.s i:!hil~ the observer tallied doe s and, fm:ms on seperate tally rogi,sters . As uith t he grolllld survey, r e cords. ncr e ·kept by separate drainage s and consolidated for major areas. Results: A total of 4586 animals \7er o cla~sified by the ground cre\7s; 7 , 719 animals by. air • .Of the 4, 586, 915 vmr e bticks , 2,'105 r1er e does and 1, 566 ner e f arms , or .a ratio of one buck to 2. 30 docs to 1. 71 farms. A breakdorm of the 7,719 shorzs 1,249 bucks , 3, 329 does , and 3, 141 f m1ns or a r atio of one buck to 2. 66 does .to 2.5~ farms. Like11isc , it Hill be noted from tabl e nhich give s the location of . the q.reas surveyed by a·a ch method as nell . as the total number of animals and the sex - ago r atios, that the.r e is corlsiderabl e variati on betnoon the r e sul ts obtaine d by tho t·oo methods oven in ureas nhoro sizabl e nunbers rmr e clnssifie d by each method~ The follorring factors arc thought to be r esponsible for these differ ences , thmigh ne arc unc.bl o a t this time to determine to v1hat degre e each is liabl e . First, ther e i s a possibiiity of some error in t allying the does and fc.rms from the air Y1hen large numbers of deer are encount er ed toge ther in a bunch. This is t rue because t he toJ.lyi ng under such circumstance s must be done as a continuous process so as not to miss some animals, and thus obtain fu""l inaccurate r e lationship betrmen bucks, u hich are tc.lliod by t he pilot; and the doc s and farms together . Normally, uhen the deer occur in small bunches of up to ton or fifteen, a cor,1pl ete count can be made before any anima ls arc t allied, thus giving runpl e time to study the anima l s and el ilJlinating the possi bility of error. Se condly, thcr G i s the f act that by pl ane inaccessible areas arc cover ed as easily o.s those accessible to the grolllld crens , r1hich mi ght improve the uniformity of the sampling by the aeri al method . Thirdly , in ground sexing ther e i s a tendency to drive the animals , with an opportlUlity for the mor e nary ones to slip from viorr , uhile tho plane approc.ches them so r c.pidly that there is no opportuni t y for them to get aY1ay . La stl y , ther e is the l arger number of individuuls t hat uro ordinarily che cke d by the aerial method \7hich mo.y improve the accur ucy of t he sampl ing . �- 6 - .. TABLE 6 Comprrison of Results Obtained . by trio Methods of Age -Sex: Swvcy on Mule Doer " Aerial . f;rea Survc:L:ed .. "• Tot al . Deer .Ratio~ Bucks-Doos-Fmms '' .. White. River Ri0 Blanco County Grand Mesa East Uncompahgre West Uncompnhgre No!'th Fork Gunnison River Gunnison Eagl e County Grand Coi.lnty J ad:son Count y Bo"k Cl iffs Divide Creek Garfie ld :county Crystal River Poudrc River Boulder County J effer son County Toto.ls Grotind Total Deer ·Ra·t:10 1 B11cks:}2oes-Favms ' .. . 2089 .. 1 ·: 3 ,~~ 3o47_ ' 200 1 1.• 58 0.93 949 1 -: 2 ,,44 : .2.35 .. 140 1 2,17 .: 1.•66. 87 1071 649 1132 966 124 :639 53 ?In 3.~ 1 2.56 1088 1 : · 3.o48 .3~ 17 1 2.G4 2. 58 2.07. : 1.90 i 1 J . 03 _:._ 2o63 1 2.38 2.52 $.3 733 382 676 600 ' . 312 1 .i676 ' ·s 2.52 1 1 1 2.54 : ~ . 43 1.91 : 1,.91 . 1.37 ;. J. .15 2.00 · : 1.71 1 1 1 1 1 1.00 : 0~?>6 3o92 . 2.56 . 2.07 . l~.18 · 1.65. : 1.02 3 .29 2.16 . . 1.14 138 510 13 7719 1 ! ' 2.66 ·1 4586 1 I.81 1.03 1 4.42 4.21 1 7. oo 5.00 1 . 2·. 00 .: 1.00 _1 2.30 1.71 . �. ) F"::;;:---.--- ) . -------~- =,_ ) MAP OF COLORADO • I I 1946 AERIAL SEX COUNT TOTAL ANIMALS CHECKED 7719 BUCKS 1249 DOES 3329 FAWNS 3141 RATIO: / I BUCK to 2.66 DOES to 2.52 FAWNS HERD COMPOSITION : BUCKS 16% DOES 433 FAWNS 413 �) ) FFFM _____ -------~- ...=,._ • I ' 1946 GROUND SEX COUNT TOTAL ANIMALS CHECKED BUCKS 915 DOES 2105 4586 FAWNS 1566 RATIO: I ·BUCK to 2.30 DOES to 1.71 FAWNS HERD COMPOSITION·: BUCKS 20% DOES 46% FAWNS 34% �- 7 lo. Summary Report of Progress (Cont'd): Next season it is planned to conduct further experiments vrith the trro methods in order to evaluate the se factors. Some figures on the r el ative costs of tho t uo methods are significant. The general crows rrorkod a total of ?8-man llo.ys to classify 41 586 animals at an average cost of 20.8¢ per head~ The aerial crcn classified 7, 719 animals in 37t hours actual flying time in ten days a t an a'7crage cost of 7.1¢ per head. 11. Note: Submitted by: Approved: Nrunc: COLORADO Fred T+ J eep FISH DEPARTMENT Title: Sr, Wildlife Technician By: Name: _ L . E, Riordcan Title : Director Title: Sr, Vlildlifc Technician Date: January 22, 194 7 • Persons wishing to quote from any of those abatracts should first obtain permission from the State Game and Fish Department. �1 i 111 1 ij ~1~1 1 ~1r1 1 i~~i1ij~ ~1m1i1 !i j1 1 1 BDOW021188 PrtOJECT NO. QUARTERLY 1. Title of Project: 2. Supervisors: 3. · Leader; PRO~. RESS 4-R REPORT Migratory Bird Studies Gil bert N. Hunter, Game & Fish Manager E. K. Brown, Coordinator R. G. Kinghorn .. ....,, 1+. Cooperating Agencies: U. s. Fish and Wildlife Service; Warden Service, Colorado State Grune and Fish Department. 5. Perspective: To conduct field. studies and surveys of migratory bird concentrations and nesting areas within the state and to establish banding stations in cooperation with the present nation~ide banding program of the Fish and Wildlife Service.. · 6. Obj ective: .Proper management · of migratory birds )'l'ithin the state . and the - · formulation of constructive recommendations to the .Fish and Wildlife Service for the r egulation of hunting·. seasons and restrictions • . 7. Plan: To . carry· on regular field studies and surv.eys of the migratory bird of banding stations to aid in · populat~on in the state , and the construc tion the study ~f their migratory movements. 8. ' . . Probable dat e project· will be completed: Indefinite , 9. · Relationships of cooperating · agencie s: The Fish ·and Wildlife Service and Warden Service ·have aided in the location' of concentrations and conducting of surveys. 10. . Summary Report of progress : · Actual work on the project was not begun until the last wee·k· of October, the first part 6f the month being spent outlining the project and oper ating a eheck station in the Meeker area during big game season. · Preliminary field checks of r eservoir s and lakes in the Platte River Valley made to locate concentrations and e stablish a basis for future studies. The main concentr ations of birds were found in th0 Fort Morgan-Sterling area r e sting on Empire , Jackson, Riverside , Prewitt and Jumbo Re servoirs~ Large flights of northern ducks arrived with the st or m the fir st part of November, and a population of about 225,000 birds was maintained ·in this area during November and December. ~-1cre �- 2 - 10. Summary Reports of Progress Continued: .. .. ... · About 95 _percent of the se birds were F.ia llards, the r emainder be ing a mixture of Gadwalls, Baldpates , Green Wing · Toal, Lesser Sea.ups, Pintails, American and Red Breasted Mergan~er~; AmericC!Il Golden Eyes, and Bufgle Heads. One Black Duck was soon on Jumbo Reservoir November 27·,1hich is very unusual in this area. A survey of Tr10 Buttes State Grune Refuge was made during the first week in December and the follo\1ing observations \7er e made:· On December 3 ther e v1er c about 7000 Canadian Geese resting on the r eservoir. :Jn December 6 the number had dropped to around 4000. The weather during this ~criod was excell ent and there was apparent reason for them to desert the reservoir. However a checkup of the hunting conditions the!'"-e will expl~in.the ir acti ons. At the pr e sent time, the boundary line of the refuge is the 210 foot contour line or high natcr line of the r eservoir. In some pl aces the line is Yrithin a f en . hundred yards of the present nater line, in others i t is perhaps a half mile away. Hunting is allovred back of this line . The usual procedUr~ of the hunter1:1 is _to station themselves a long this line and shoot at the geese as they l eave the r .e scrvoir at feeding . time and again when they r eturn. The geese feed t .-1icc each day ,.-1 hich me ans they arc sqot at four times daily. During :tho first fen days o~ the s eason, good kills arc rnadc as the birds arc not VTary :and come off the lake just skimming the bluffs r1hich border it on the north and:· south. They soon get uise, however, and gain sufficient a ltitude before venturing out over the - land~ Thehunters shhot at them c.nyriay, o.ven though they are ncll beyond effective shotgun range. On neek days: there arc usua lly 50 to l OO ·hunte rs around the reservoir ond several hundre d on neokendsr ]Fen gqese ,are killed,·· but many are. .c rippled (about 100 cripple s '17er e r epor ted on the r e servoir· ufte;._~ - l ast year 1 s season). The r eal harmful effect of this t ypo of hunting is that thG geese arc frightened · and harassed every time they attempt to l eave or r e turn to tho r eservoir. - They have developed very irregular fo odin.g habi ts--seldom feeding in._the s ame field: twice , _ mid often circling for an hour or more befo:re picking a ·fie ld. Also' it accounts for · thcir leaving the r efuge and r esting on Oaddoa and Eads Reservoirs uhere they are not molested as much. If the Tuo Bti.ttes Reservoir is to be maintained a s p. refuge for migratory birds, it n ould seem advisab.l e to enlarge the present r efuge in order to e.fford tho b:j.rds a .maximum amount of safety and security during their r e st periods. A r eport of the exi sting conditions is being -prepared ·at -the present time nith the hope that so~~ corrective measures can be taken. no The last tv10 uceks of Decembe r 'i7ere spent organizing a duck banding program. for the state• Barr Lclce and -t;.he Rocky M_ountain Arsenal vrcrei chose n for the first t 110 sites and traps are being constructed there_ ~t the present.; It is hoped that tho program can be expanded to include one or more sites in the Platte Valley before spring. 11. Submitt ed by: Name : R. G. Kinghorn .Tltl e i Jr. Wildlife Technician Noto: Title : Director Date: January 2, 1947 Persons \"fishing to quote from any of the se abstracts permission from the State Game and Fish Department . should first obtain ., . �' .... ... ~-t·1e..h~ > ICf'-1/Q. 1iiiITTl1illiml BDOW021190 STATE Colorado PROJECT NO. __.4.....-.... R _ _ _ _ __ DATE _____._J_an.._u_ary...,...••_1_9_4_7________ QUARTERLY PROGRE'ss REPORT ~ 1. Title of Project: 2 e Supervisors: 3o ·Leader: ..... ..... Pheasant Surveys ·. G. No Hi.mter P Grune & Fish I.ianager E. KP Brown, Coordinator Howard Stiehm 4·• Cooprating Agencies: 5e Perspective: Primarily to establish systematic, annual checks on the population trend prior to the setting of hi.mting seasons.. Conduct experiments and checks relative to sex ratio, age ratio, preference of cover, nesting losses and.depredation all of which uill.be of aid in future management. Colorado State Warden Service and Teclmical Staff '6. Objective: Set up permanent census routes in all counties within the pheasant territory of Colorado; with the routes a set of rules or procedure to he f ollorred while censusing which will unify and standardize the census work. 7. Plan: Put rural carrier's census into operation as soon as official sanction is received from Washington. Provide master map depicting permanent census routes in all countieso Continue with investigation of depredation vhich can be supplemented by all possible data attainable while tra1;1'eling. ove~. the ... areae ... 8. Probable date project will be completed: Indefinite 9. Relationships of cooperating agencies: Assisted ;in the g~thering. of data_ fol.llld compiled in Tables I and II of following summary. 10. SummaJ.""IJ Report of Progress: With the onset of the annual pheasant hi.mting season (Noverneber 17 - 30) in eastern Colorado a.~ excellent opporti.mity arose to procure information on the sex ratio, the number of birds per mile uhile driving, the age ratio of male birds in the hunter's bag 9 and the effect in part, at least, of the early November snow storm on the pheasant population with respect to the approaching hunting seasono · Sex ratio as well as the number of birds per mile was detcrm:ined by roadside counts \'Jhile drivL"'lg L~ a lirnited area surrounding Haxtun,. Colorado in the no~theast portion of the stateo The.figures presented here in Tablo I apply c1ly to t.ne limited area noted abovo and therefore do not hold for tho pheasant range in generalo �- 2 TYSI.E I Hens 11-15-46 11-16-l;.6 Cocks 52 169 11-17-1..6 28 11-lC-46 11-21-46 11-22-46 11-23-46 Total 32 24 29 Date -3..2 373 Total No,. Se~ Birds Rat5.::l 104 -1.cooo 21 429 110 i 1 1 56 98 1 333 150 1. : 201666 52 16J 52 37 ·L2 .7500 L7500 1 : l.;2760 1 : L15Li.O 1~0 -~ ·1383 . ~426 o96M~ 1: 1()1420 Niles 111 .160 130 201 114 120 128 fil...r.~mile 964 ~9369 2.6812 .8461 ~4JJ76 209211 la2500 102422 1.4346 A total of 1,363 birds, 373 males, 426 females and 5$4 unclassified was cotmted while dr.iving 964 miles for an average of la4346 ~i.rds per mileo The 584 unclassified birds were the result of s~eing large flocks of pheasants which wh~n sighted usually bega...~ to move off by running or flying, thus preventing a.~y closer obser"T1ation than a total count of their numberso · Whenever possible an accurate account of male and female birds was recorded The result was 373 cocks a:1d 426 hens or a sex ratio of 1 : loJ.42; Limited prel~:ninary work on the age r~tio of male birds in the hunterts bag v;as begun in the area from Sterling, Colorado on the west to Nebraska on the east and from the Platte River south to Wray, Colorado~ There VTere 187 birds, 78 mature and 109 immature,· checked by the men in the field resulting in a ratio of 1 : la397. Expressed in another ma.'t'lller the irmnature birds made up 58.29 per cent of the killo The per cent of immature birds in hunter's bags varied considerably from 81+o2 per cent at Sterling to 52 per. cent at Haxtun to· 64o4 per cent at Holyokeo I~ would appear from the small amount of data acquired that the heavily hunted Sterling area prodt:.eed a near normal kill of . immature birdso The Holyoke and Haxtun areas show lesser degrees of normal kill which it is felt mB.y_b~ accounted for by the abnormal hunting conditions underfoot. TABIE II Arca Sterling Haxtun "Holyoke Total ~ .. 1.fature '. . 3 59. 16 78 Immature 16 64 .d9109 % of Im.'nati.lre .... fl4~21 52003 64o!dr 58e29 It is believed that proximity to Denver.(the source of heavies~ hunting pressure at least during and immediately follO\"ling the War years With .their shortages and restrictions) governs the kill in outlying areas. Hence the near normal kill of mature and iJ"Tuaature cocks in the Sterling region ~hich is located nom"'cr the populated areas as compared with Ha.."'{tun and Holyokeo Even if' an · area is capable of sustaining a heavy hunting pressure the kill has necessarily been belou normal with a resulting high residual population thereby leaving the outlying areas r1i th a larger pe_rcentage of mature birds in successive years. �- 3 .. A heavy blanket of snorr covered the pheasant rnngc of eastern Colorado follo,1ing an car ly November storm y;hich reached blizzard proportions o As a result the phcasnnts concentrated in largo flocks near ploy1cc1 roads ,·1here they Ytcrc able to obtci.n tho rcquil"·cd amounts of earth for grit and for dustingo Food at that time rras no problem because corn stood in the fields in easy reach of pheasants walking on tho crusted snou'" Because of tho heavy concentration of birds near the roadi-mys, the Gn.n:c Dcp~tmcnt felt that o. heavy kill ;·rould be tho naturnl result_ and shortened the proposed hunting season by a full ..,·1eek. Actuc.lly, however, car travel along plo;10~ gravel or dirt roads ~·;as greatly restricted due to tho soft nature of tho roads. In addition it vms observed thn.t fci:: hunters found it profit.~blc to pursue the birds afoot because the h8cvy, foot-deep snor1 soon dj.scouragcd even the most hardy. As a result, the kill ;-ms lovr ( ,,964 birds/mm1), fer: hunters tnking the limit of birdso Thon too, knor1ing the hunting conditions underfoot in advance, a groat number of hunters from the pressure areas. Denver, Pueblo, Greeley, Colorudo Springs, m1d Fort Coll~1s refused to travel groat distc.nces for the allotted throe birds co.uaing a concentration of hunters in a fifty-mile radiu.~ of the abovct1Emt5.onod sources of Hunting prossureo Consideration of the conditions outl:L'1cd has led to the belief that the pheasant experienced a light kill over tho muj or portion of its rcngc a VloJ"'k has no~: bogm1 tom:rd compilation of a host of accumulated data relative to -~he phoasm!t,, It is hoped thri.t the work cD.ll be completed nnd tm.. ned over to the mcnagcmcnt division of tho ·Gar.le and Fish Department in the near future. ,-.... Approved: Nrunc: Hormrd A. Stich'il COLOP.JillO STJ~t(~~J.:E. ~·!p...-FISH DEP.ARTI,lENT Title: Sr , W:tldlifc Tochnic fo.i1 By: Title: Date: Noto: . ( .)j--T~/.. :-t1.~/~. Director Jo.nur..i·y 15, 1947 Persons Ytishing to quote frotn any of those abstracts should first obtain permission from the State Game and Fish Dcpnrtmont. �1 1~11/1 ijlfl~l}~~rn11i~li~ij~~~I~~il~flil 1 / BDOW021185 STATE ~~-C~"o_l_o_r_a~ do ..._~~~~~~- .- PROJECT NO . _4 .....-_R_ _ _ _ _ _ __ DATE: Q UARTERLY PROGRESS January, 1947 REPORT 1. Titl e of Project: 2. Supervisors:: Gilbert N. Hunter , Grune and Fi sh l•lanager E . Kliess Brovm, Coordinator 3. Leader: Scaled Quail Study Harry J. Figge 4,. Cooperating Agencies: Food Habits Divisi on of the Fish and Wildlif e Ser vice . 5. Perspective : A study to determine 11hat is needed to make the scal ed quail a be tter game bird in the State . 6. Objective : The pr imary purpose of thi s .plan is to better correlate the r es earch studies with the management section . 7. Plan: Note everything that f its into the life history of the scaled quail. Check predator den sity and of competi ng s pecies 0 Set up t wo study areas--trap and band all quail in those areas on successi ve year s o Investi gat e effect of climatic f actors. Locate areas in the State not now inhabited by s caled quail but which seem to offer the i r physiological r equirements . t1iake experimental plants of wild trapped quail in those areas and check on the ir success. 8. Probable da te project wi ll be completed: 19 50--perhaps sooner . The Federal Fi sh a.~d Wildlife Ser vice hav.e given preliminary instruction to the leader for carrying on the ·food habit studies . 9. Re l ationship of cooperating agency: 10 . Sur.unary r eport of progress : Counts made throughout October indicated that there had been a good hatch and excellent survival of young . The birds wer e still in family groups and scattered. It v1as , theref or e , not possible to obtain a complete census in e ither the Higbee or Fre mont County study areas . November found some of the family groups uniting to f orm s omer1hat larger coveys. Two hundred and t r1ent y- one s caled quail wer e counted in t he Higbee area . This vras not a compl ete census as the quail nere still wide ly scattered . They were in fifteen groups for an average of 111-. 73 birds per covey . The large st covey had 51 birds i n it. The smallest 4 birds . �.. :• - 2 Summary r eport of progre ss (Cont 1 d . ) : . . Hany quail pe rished · as a r esult of the sever e November blizzard. 10. The r e vms an ave r age of thi!'ty inches of snm1 f e l l over mos t of the Arkans a s Valle y in Color ado 0 The gr ound t1as cover ed f or about three· wecka 0 On De cember 26 onl y eight quai l coul d be f ound in the aroi;t ~·1he re 51 had be en counted pre viousl y e One covc;,y of nine c.i.uail died 11ndcr ths dr::fted snow . This doubtl ess, happcnqd to many othar s fo~ the s~~OY! was drifted into and often c omplet el y covere d the c act:i. "t!1c.t. t.h:1 birds !1ac.1 000:.-:. us :L.11g for r oost and e scape cover . The qua il that did S«lr.CCC' d :i.n :;c·ctiJlg OP. ti:ip Of the snow \1Cr C at a de cide d di s advantae,e . Tho 011:1.y fee d ~va:.:..J.aole YJaS a f eri t all weeds such as sunfl ower s or gr easeue ed . Gr ound p1·c d c.t::>!'.' f; Hor:: a t ab out tho same disadvantage as the quai l but Vlinged . · p1• od:1·~o1Y!,' B h:::.d easy pi ckin.g for over t YTO 1meks o Foathc:r:--a .::'.!10. 1:ik0J.atal rom~.:ins of quai l ner c f ound over mos t of the sc al ed qua il t..;r"!.':l 1 r~-;:>r ' J:-C, i s re 3li~cc1 tha t a l:l. of the se might not have been actua.l prcantor ki.. 1 l i; '.J·.j+, t lT:y r. :u.1 al:;. be ~hm:'god Cl.irc0 -Cly or indirectl y t o t he deep snon., I t n'J\7 app0n!'s that DI.•Y g:i5_~J.s i n popul ation that· mi r;ht ha-,rc been me.de by closi.l'lg .t h.; 11/:.6 . hi.;n-:·.::.ng ;.S•Jo.son on sc al ed 4_WJ.il !1,:rn boon de cimated " The quail inhab:l.ti".lg f·l a t p:r:-ai rio a"!-ri l e':-:- :r:Jl ling "hills sQffer od . gr e ater l os s t han those in the r cu.gh , "!:lr '.)ken , hilly c our.:tir-y o One are n that seems ::,o have g ond poss ib ilitie ~ for ar1 exper b1ontal pl ant has been looatod n e e.:" V~:ray, Colorado a ' " 11. I Submi t ted by : Name : He!_~ ....;F ::.. • 1;;;1 · g ~g.c;:;.._ _ _ _ __ -. COLORADO ~TA~ .GAr.iE ~ FI SH DEPARTVENT. I >7 . ·. /__ . a / . ;' By: Title : ' ;-----r: '.,,£ ,,/ - Direc tor Date : Note : Persons :1is:1i ng t o quot e fro:n any of the se · abstr acts shoiild f irst . obtain pm~m:'...ss io:"l f .ccm the S"La.tc Gnmo .~d Fi~; h Depnrtr.1e nt.~ �1 mr11 1ij~1~ 1li1~ifli1i[~m~m1r1m1r1ij1 1 I 1 1 BDOW021184 I PROJE~_..T NO. _ _ 3._4....-_D_-_..,_ _ _ _ __ _ January 13 . 1947 DATE QUARTE R L Y PR OGR E SS REPORT 1. Titl e of Project: Wild Turkey Trapping and Trans planting 2o Supervisors: 3. Leader: 4e Per spective: To r eestablish as rapidly as possi ble the Merriam wild turkey within its former range in the State of Colorado. To conduct studie s to de termine the effect and r e actions of food habits, range conditions, weather and other factors control ling wild turkey development. ~: r. Coope-·ating az;encies: Gilbert N. Hunter and E. Kliess Brown· M, L, Burget State Game Vlardens , . Sportsmens clubs, etc . Objective: To trap and transplant in definitely chosen areas as rapidly as possible . To gather data relative to deve lopment and future management within the habitable range. as Plan : To trap rapidly as possible on specifi cal ly chose~ ar~a~ the largest number of birds , without destroying foundation stock. To move the.se. bir ds to previously chosen r el ease areas as soon as possibl e after trapping . On all trips all observations a.re recordedo Re ports are noted and checked and history gathered whenever possibl e o Probable date the project will be completed : . The pre sent trapping season will close the l ast week in I.~arch, 1947. 9. Relationships of cooperating aecncics: Tiardens are contacted both in trapping areas and transplanting areas 0 They have ~ iven admirable assistance; and gathered much valuable informat ion. Thuc, f urthering the rJOrk through a voluntary s acrifice of their time . 10., Sununary r eport of progress: The tr apping progr run began to shape up r ight afte r the first of Oc t ober . Pre pa r ation work in the form of ge t t ing traps r eady, roughing in a cabin for help at State Turl~ey Ranch and prepara tion of crate s and other equipment, occupi ed the first stages of this proj e ct. Due to shortness of materials and equipment t hi s occupi e d more th~~ its allotted share of time . The big game season came in with a bang, and continued to r e-echo in some of tho turkey areas for five vmeks . Vic have been shy of trapping bir ds in hunting seas on and distributing them into heavily hunt ed are as . The birds go through a heavy nervous strain to start ITT. th. The disturbance of hunting ~1 ould be an added str ain and, would, in many cases, c ause the birds t o move from desired areas . TJany v1il d turkey poaching r eports were g oing the rounds during and immediate ly after hunting se ason ~ Of course , these wer e gr oundless for the most part~ A final case of Texans in the Hay- camp Me sa area on Lost Canon was run dO\-m but the fac ts came too l ate for effective hnndling 0 �\ 10. Summary report of progress (Cont'd.) Reports on wild turkey development were most gratifying during the hunting season. Other reports were to the effect that in almost identical areas hunters traveled for days without seeing a single wild turkey• Several storms during the htmting season may have been the cause of the l ater reports. Birds were on the move. Being disturbed by unusual sounds and sights caused them to be shy. Since hunting season, the great silences have engulfed our turkey population. They have not come in in numbers in any of the 1usual haunts. The flock at State Turkey Ranch is smaller than for several years. Only half the bir~s are in the Delores canon bottoms that were in last year; Chicken c!eek' is _up to standard, but in many of the areas they just haven't gotten in at hll. This, of course, will add to our checking problem. · Two catches were made at State Turkey Ranch, one on Friday November 22 which consisted of 12 birds. These were added to the nine released in the C"lay creek section of the San Miguel last January. The second, · on December 4th of twentyeight birds (largest single cateh). These wer e delivered in a single releas·e · on the Tabeguache rims in Montrose County. A·third .catch was made in ,the Dolores Canon area at the mouth of Ferris Canon . s:µi~e the heavy storm on the eastern slope in early November had dimmed . t rapping poss~bilities there we delivered these birds to the Chicosa canon area north of .Trinidad. Bands, sex, and age ·aata: Catch No. 1 at State Turkey Ranch Band 449 450 451 452 453 454· 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 Sex Hen Tom Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Tom Hon Hen Tom Hen Second Catch -- State Turkey Ranch Band Sex Hen 462 Hen 463 Hen 464 '465 Hon Hen 466 Hon 467 Hen 468 Hen 469 Hen 470 .. Age : · Notation.§ Mature 2 Yeprs Juvenile Mature Juvenile 2nd Year ·. 1 Year Juvenile 1 Year Juvenile 1 Year 1 Year .J1lature . l . •.• Age Notation.§. Mature .·Juvenile Mature Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile Mature Juvenile Broke v1ing in trap �I , - 3 - 10. Summary report of progress (Cont'd.) • • Second catch -- State Turkey Ranch (Cont ; d . ) · Sc-x Afr}}_ Notations Band · Hon Caturc 471 Tom :t ··Ycc.:r 472 He·n f.!atlire 473 Hen Juvenile 474 ·.'Hon Juvenile 475 476- - This band rras missin(:; f!'om the string · ·Torn Y..ia.turc· 477 Hen l:ie.turc 478 r.~o.ture . . .Torn · 479 ··4so E::i.ture ~·:ature . Hen 431 . 4152 .. Hen I1lature f;.G3 . J'uvenj_lo .. Hen .... " .......... 1 Ye ar ""4D4 Torn Juvenile Hon 485 Hon I\':ature 486 Hon r.:ature LiI.57 Hon I.1atu1'e 488 Hen ii:ature 489 H on .Juvenile 490 Third c ~tc h - - Dolore s Canon B::i.nd Sex 4')1 Fkn Hon 492 Hen 493 Tom 494 Hen 495 Hen L~96 Hen 497 Tom 498 Hon 499 Hen 500 Hon 501 !;gg_ i.~o.ture i..2turo i'aturc f :atlll'C Died in transit Juvenile Eature 1 Ye ar Juvenile 1 Year Mature r.:ature For the quarter fifty - one birds \7er e trappe d . Fifty of the s e wer e de livered alive and in good condition . The sex rnt:i.o of e i ght toms to 42. hens mckes one tom to 5{ hens . This is very good except in the c ase of the Chicosa c anon plnnt . Herc onl y one juvenil e t om is pl aced r1ith nine hensr. .An addition.:il r e l ease nill be made her e ii' possible this y:3cr o i7e D.!'C still hoping for at l east threo mor e ce.tches f or the trcpping season. Bird movements are r ather erratic in l ate season . For the past t wo nce ks no birds have been under the traps at State Turkey Ranch although no attempt ed catch has been made since December 4th. �' ' - 4 The release area in Par adox valley is impossible to reach with any equipment except teams and has been for five weeks.. This will have to be abandoned for the present' ye~. Since a t otal of forty-nine birds have been released at the foot of the Uncompahgre Plateau in the San Miguel and Tabeguache areas the past tvro seasons, v1e f elt this should be sufficient f.or a trial plant. Muc h of this area is inaccessible in the late season. 11. Submitted by: Approved: Name : Martin L. Burget COLORADO~~TEG_~ A.1®_ .~ISH DEPARTr,:ENT Title : Field Assistant By: Title : · tv+ . - ~ / ~ <.__1-.. _ __;r,, ··-. -<--a-Al-·..,----::_ I Director Date : ~~Jan..._u_cr_...y~l3~.a--1~9~4~7.~~~~- Not e : Persons v1ishing to quote from any of these abst r acts; should first obtain per mission from the State Grune and Fish Department. � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/adbe5ddb086511017d63c17da55d24b5.pdf f2b04cd7996ab84757a61f46bd0f0aae PDF Text Text 1 Ili~llll/ij~l~ l i1~lilili[1jilij~ ~I ~]/l/li~ll ( 1 BDOW021204 STATE ~~C~o~l~o-r~a_d_o..._~~~~PROJECT NO. _ _.4._-R _ _ _ __ "' Q u A ~/r ..E R: L y . ._DATE _ _'A_..p_r... :l.l.._,.___l.._ 9..... 47..___ _ __ P. R 0 :G ·:~ E s' s ~ E p 0 R 'T 4 1. · Title of .Project~ Antelope surveys and ~vesti~~tions .. 2. Supervisors: C•. N. :Fe ast, Director;. ~ . N.• .Hunter, Mari~~z:; and E. Kliess Bromi, Coordinator " . . i:, ~ ~ader: . . B.ob. :lehti ! . . . . .. \ ' : . . . C·ooperatingi A.gen.c i es: 5. 6 •• 7• 8 . ·and)9 . 10 . N9 Change . :. ( ! • . , Sununary Report of progress: The first ten days ·of January wer e ·spent at ·. Glemtood Springs: Wi],dlifc .9onfe~e~ce , which b~ought . out the salient points of each of tho various Fcder,a.l : Aid ..Projects· in the ~tatc ·of Cploredo. • I J • Three days ·in .January ner e , spent . flying tho dl,l.ck qpn_13.u s in the South Platte and .Arknnsas F.~ve:r. Dr~:inag~·s •.' . Re.port by. ,". .J~ck Culbrc'!:J.th' ifi'ade to ·th$ Fish and . . ' .. l ' Wildlife Service • · ~ t . The. aerial ce!'ls~s o:L ·an.te.;Lsiw <J~s continuo.d. The method of flight upod is the standard Army search pattern i7ith '01ic milc' .Visil;:>ility range on each side of tr.act, modified to suit ·particular t errain fentl\I'e~ in order to allou complete sight cove rage of the area be ing flontj. -~t \iould appear t hat this method r10uld give 100 pe.rce~t :.coverage i f at.tcn;~ion is given to tn6 specific coverage ·Of any defiladcd spots by appropriate variation s ·in f~ght track. The area s are not flmm unle ss visibility is unlimited, and then only uhen the sun is bright and at ;Le ast . 30 degrees ab?ve the horizon. Total count to date: 1. 2·. 3~ 4. 3, 079 loc ated' as folloi:IS : r . L0c al e -. l;l or.~er · Hc;ird from. .Virginia. D"ale to Sedg\1ick - · · 1180 . . . ;,· .. . . Consu_s ~ 761· square mil es Are a D()nsi ty . -.. :.... 1.6 antelope per square mile :· . __.. .- / . .. . . . 1 • . Lop ale : - , : Bl ac;K: Squirrel Creek Drainag~ . ... 8?2 . · · •·::·· 2. Censu,.s :.. 794 square miles 3. Are a mil e 4. Dens ity - 1.1 antelope per .square ' . - 1. Locale 2. Census 3 • • Arc a 4. Density Boxel dcr, Kioua, ~~Bijou Creek~ Drainage - 413 1008 square miles' .4 antelope per s_quarc mile · :: ... . ·..... '~ .. . �• - 2 - 1. · Locale 2. Census 3. Area 4. Dens:i,ty .. Big Sa.'1.dy Dr ainage from Agato to Kit Carson ..: 4137 ~ 792 square miles .-6 antelope per square mile : In addition to the above en~rated major herd ~eas, a ban~ of 85 antelope nas found 12 miles north of Ordm1y, and a band of 42 ante lope nus found 20 _miJps south of Vliggins. ~, The South Park herd area, Hucrfano-Apishipa Drainage , and Moffat County he rd areas rcamin to be flomi. An estimated projec.t i on of. total ante l ope in Colorado based on reports from othe r personnel of this departme:p.t and .techni cians of , other agenc i es ,·1ould }Je. 5100. Three days vtere spent at Marfa, Texas on antelope trapping <;>pcrations, . ~e p9rt of findings was presented in a Special Progre ss Report dated February 17,1947. . . A; radio intervie\1 \Jas given on local De nver station -relative to antelope and given.for the particular benofit of l aymcnt • . . Antel ope sex ratios \7crc obtained from aerial flights over the east ern part of the state. The rntio foWld, .ha sed on 294 subjeqts, ~as 1 buck to 2.4 does to 1.7 ye arl ings. The antelope µi tho Hugo _ar~a (Dickerson Antelope Refuge ) have bee~ -observed to have · all ·. returned to norrpal range from the emergency range they . occupied following the heavy snor1 cover of the early November, 1946 storm. The emergency s age brush type range the y migrated to is 25 miles southeast ,of .. Wild Hor~e , and is bounded by the Big Sandy Creek and Rush Creek to their point of confluence • .. One observa~ion of a .gol den eagle kill ing a year ling doe was made in the Ante lope Refuge north of Ft. Collins. Ante lope speeds of 42 and 45 mile s p:ir hour rmre obtained in Colorado ' ~ ante l ope r e fuge through pacing 11ith 8.ijtomobile as l ong · as tc:rrain i·r nuld permit , Longest pacing di stance rms 2.5 mile s ~1ith. 22 ante lope being paced, · . Antelope Stomach Analysis Collected by E. K. Br oi1n, September, 1946 nB ar Hugo, Colora~o . Analyzed by Donald G. Lauridson on March 1, 1947. Cactus Aster spp. Rabbit .Brush Grass Wild Buckvrheat Psoralea 39.2% 13.9 22.8 6,3 8.9 3, 9 100.0% . �... - 3 Collected by District Wardens Nialloy and Broux in the vicinity of Butler. Analyzed on February 15 1 1947 by Donald G. Lauridsen. Grass Rabbit Brush Rabbit Brush stems Hairy Galdon Aster Psoralea 13 .. 7% 30.9 (Flowe r heads) 14.8 20.6 12.t.2_ 99.9% 11. Note: Submitted by: Approved: Name : Robert I.ehti 1 COLORADO 1llATE . l GAME A1 . FISH DEPARTMENT Title: Jr. Wildlife Technician -· ._,,/ - '.'--::---- ........ Title: Director Date: April 9, 1947 Persons wishing to quote from any of these abstracts should first obtain permission from the State Game and Fish Department. �4-..;;P...;...- - - - - .· PROJECT N0 • . _~ . DATE _ _ _..;;A.:.:P::.:..r.=il::.;•i-.:-=1~94::..7=---- Q q· A R. ~ER L Y 1. · ·· T:i.t'i~ ·~f Pr~j ec t : P' R 0 GRE S S REP 0 RT Deer-Elk Stttdi es 2.• _ S':li:i~rvisors : .. c •. N. F~ast , Director; G. N. Hun~r, . f'.lanagei:; , and ;E . Klie ss Bro?tn, · • .. "· · : · · ··coor9in.ator . .. ,.:· . .. . . .."" ... ' .. · . 3. · leader : · · Fred T'~ · Jeep As~1,stant" ieader: 'L. E.•.. Ri ordari ( .. 4 • .. Co_operatipg .Agenc;i~~ : , l} • . S . Fi;:;h ~d Wildlif~ Ser vi ce , U. $. Bureau of Land ". ..... r.1an'ag~mentJ ~Cl · u~ . s ~ '}'orest ~erVice . . • ' l ~ ' I • • • J : • • . . ' ~ ·~~ .·. : fersl_)Elct~v~ ~ .· .. rie~elop~ent of· inetbpds .and d~ta to be·used in man~gement of deer.· · " elk. h~tcls · on a sust'c~iined yiel d b?,.sis . ',' • · . . . .· .. I 6'~ · 6bj~cti~~ : · To dondti~t stirveys on de~r -el~~ herds . ~9. ranges , to assi~t in the formulation of management pl ans { · · 7·~ . P;t.~: :·T.~ l!laf.~ .: ~~-t:i.~l and ~ground ·pqptb.~ti'6n.' tre~d ~ensus studies, t o set up a . . . syst~m o~ .I'e:s:td~nt deer-el k techni~ians . t~ worl~ on management pl ans in t he · · . ·., ·: :m~j or ·big · ~~e .· ar$ as, . _: · · · 1 ·8.: Probab~e da'.te pr oject ~~ill be comp1e~~df 9. Re l ati onships .of cooperating agencie~: from all agencies . Indefinite Exce llent cooperation is being obtai ned 10. · Sumn:iarY, Report of progre~s : · When tM quarter began, l\h- _ Fr¢d T. Jeep and the .s1l~!'.rt~9rs had worke~ . ~mt a pr6grafu to devel op and pl~ce in operation manage . 111erit pl ans for deer ancl elk herds j_n five of the most impor tant. big game areas in the state . In or de r to do ·i:.l'd.s efficiently with a mini mum of trave l, the work in ,.each area was .assigned ·Lo a toch..'l'.lician . Tho aroa1:1 and men assi t>ned t ci each.. are ·a s follows: . Aiidd.l o Park-G.:r,and County, Mr . Lloyd Searle; Eagl e County ~d the . l ower C ~l or adb River dr~inage , Mr. Gl enn Roger s; White RiverPice·ance Cr eek, Mr. Donald G., Laur:Ldson ; Uncompahere and l ower Gunni son River drainages , r . Paul Gil bert; Upper Gunnison Ri ver drainaeG, Mr . c. D. Tolman . Practically the entir~ . time of these men was spent in locating and mapping seasonal game ranges; cqicentration and -damabe areas; 'domestic livestock range s, their seasons of. use and rate of stoc~i.pg . Base maps of each area are being prcpru.•cd , · showini; the l and ormer'shi p -Status "and the administrative B.{;ency for publi c lands . 'rho other previousl y mentioned cl asse s of infornation arc bcihg'placcd' upon transparent overlays to be used iJ1 conjunction with the base .map. .- .~ �.. .; <1r ' - 2 At . the present time the greater part of this preliminary work has been c ompleted in rough draft forn for the important range s in each area . Ve r y fine cooperation has been given by the u. s. Fore st Service and the Bureau of Land Management in making available to each technician whatever basic information . their. files contained. In numerous instance s officers of these agencies have also assisted in making fiel d examinations to chock existing conditions . In connection with such fie ld examinations, each technician has had an excellent opportunity to observe close ly the ·condition of the game herds throughout the winter. They also have observed and t abulated considerable information relative to other game s~cies existing within the ir areas. (' . . . . ... . :· -~ .. ..~ · • •• • . ~ .. .:-!.: Early in January all personnel of the deer-ellc research projeqt attended a three day conference o~ the r e search a:hd management staff of the Colorado Grune · arid Fish De partment. Results of past nork and future plans for each project uere discu~sed in detail. . f .. ... Deer-elk research personnel attended local cooper~tive managem~nt meetings with reprosentativ_e s _Q~ the Fore·st Service , Bureau of Land Management and ·::~i " o:ther r e:presenta:t.ive's"'.of the . Colorado Game and Fish Departrn0nt ;1hcr e r ec ommendations for htmting .seasons and other management practices ~ere discussed. La ter, they also att~nded a meeting of r epresentative s from the se local ·districts a:t \'Jhich final reconunendations to be submitted to the Colorado Game and Fish Commission were drafted • [ . . ·'l'.hroughout the quarter Mr. Laurenpe E. Riordan · worked on aerial census of '. deer and e lk ·population trend areas whenever weather conditions permitted. Lack of sufficient snow depth during January and earl y February on most elk ranges, and pr otracted periqds . of stormy \'.fe ather since· then have delayed this phase of t he work. · At · ·t his vrri ting t vro deer trend are as and two ellc trend are as remain to .:be counted.. Re sul:ts thus far obtairled are pre sented in table s 1:: and 2 for elk .and deer r e s pectively. The r e sults tho counts thus f ar made show a high degree of correl ation be tv1c en present herd population, pa st se ason 1 s hunter kill, and previous herd population a·s shown by a· four ye ar aver age of the trend area c ount s. Only in the c a se of one or tno trend areas i n the rrhole sta te is this not true . In the se instance s o. shift in r ange from an adjacent are a seems to pre sent tho most'likely expl ana tion for the variation from the expected r e sults. · of During .per i ods nhon ~7c ather condit ions mo.de flying impossible , considerable time nas :Spent \7orking on plans for a deer-live stock for age c ompetition experiment to be initiat ed at Little Hills Grune Experiment Station during the . ..c Ol)ling year • 11. Submitted by: Approved:. . :, . · Name : Fred T. Jee p COL( ,S~Au; ._ _~71E AND !';~~~ . Ti tlo : Sr. Wildl ife Technician By: - Name : L. E. Riordan · Title: Director Title : Sr. Wildlife Technician Date : April :3 , 1947 Noto : ------ .. I . (' ; DEPARTT.filHT l . . -- -- Persons ·v1i shing to quote from any of the se abstracts should first obtain permission from tho State Game and Fish Department. �AIB CENSUS - IDENTICAL AREAS 1944 - 1947 AREA TABIE 1 - ELK Average Count For !z. Yr. Period Increase or Decrease 1244 124~ Cochetopa 764 495 570 4J.7 No Count 881 655 1001 386 405 1172 904 - 32% +28% Grand Mesa 417 281 383 476 389 + 22% Gunnison East Side West Side Smith Fork 216 945 122 211 498 122 150 300 855 830 645 33 435 812 69 222 5% -- 52% 151 321 917 167 482 54 153 1537 570 (84 bulls) 11011 748 +48% Arapahoe East Side We st Side Holy Cross Montezuma Rio Grande Routt 1246 414 735 846 1247 608 + 96% - 24% San Juan 1246 984 877 664 842 - 27% White River 1813 2078 1684 1815 1848 .. 1.7% 214 511 375 954 206 657 146 281 744 160 - 31% Roosevelt 330 83.3 171;. North Park 5~n 731 585 608 - 4% 555 1023 607 1001 643 + 6% TABIE 2 - DEER Cebolla Sapinero - Iola Piceance 5193 Piney Uncompahgre East Side West Side 951 969 1474 352 - 9% 53l:.5 �~~11 11 ~'ij1~1111~rn11i[~Mijm1 ~~111 1~11 1 STATE BDOW021208 Col orado PROJECT NO . _ _...4._-R ______ DATE QUARTER .LY . PROGRESS April, 1947 REPORT 1. Title of Project: Migratory.·Bird Studies 2. Supervisor s: C. N. Feast, Director; G, N. Hunter, Munager ; and E. Kliess Br orm, ·coordinator 3. Leader : R, G. Kinghorn . ~ 4~ Coopera ting Agencies : i"iarden Servi ce. u. S~ · F.i.sh and Wildlif-e Service and Colorado~State 5 • .: ;Perspectiv~: Pr oper management of mi gr atory birds "11ithi n the State; and t he formulation of eonstructi ve recommendati ons ·to the Fish and Wildlife Ser vi ce ... . for .the r egulation 9f hW,lting seasons and r estrictions. -. . . , ·' . . . . . :. .. :. ,. - 6. 9bj.ect~y~; To carrJ on · re~Ular"fi6ld studies and · survey~ of the migratory · bird concentrations \"Iithin the State , and a study of . their migratory habits through the operation of several bunding stations• 7. · ·Plan: Construct:i,on and op~r·ation of duck banding . stations in cooperation vii th the u. s. Fish and Wildli fe Service and routine fie l d studies of migrator y bird concentrations. 8~ · · Probable date project ·r iill be compl eted: Indefinite 9. Reletionship oi . cqoj:>erating agencies : The . Fish and Vlil dlife Service · suppl ied the bands use~· iii. tagging the birds • . Mr~ W. B. Wells, ... District Game Warden, materiall y ai ded the success of the· banding project by unse l f i shl y vol unteering his time and effort to he l p build and operate the duck traps in the Sterling arc~. . Mr. G. _I. ~rm1ford , State Warden Service, operated a banding ,station indePt?nd~nt of the ones mentioned in this report and banded a total of 1896 duck.~ ; · He uorked ~full cooperation \7ith .Mr. Kinghorn and shared a l l his trapping methods and t echniques rrith him. 10 . Stµlllllary Repor t- . of progr ess : The entfre · quart er 'iTD.S · spent t r apping nnd banding ducks . Sever al trap sites 11erc establ ishea and operated with ·varying degrees of success. During tho first pal't of J anuary, traps uere set ·on the Platte River and a \7arm slough near Henderson. A fe\1 birds nere trepped·, but the site was abandoned as good catches could not be made consi stently-due to changing neather conditions. · Windsor Reservoir · and Lindenrnoier Lake were se l ee tcd for the next si to s and traps v;ere operated· there during the last of January, and the first par t of Febr uary wit h fair ·success . Lindenmeier LeJcc rms abandoned \"/hen domestic livestock found the traps and br oke into them to secure the grain be ing used for bait. Windsor Reservoir nas abandoned r1hen the \7atcr le~..rb l _ began to rise, making it necoss~y _to move tre. traps daily. Several mil'm sloughs ne ar Pre...-1itt Reservoir r10rc selected next , and traps ner e operated there fr om February 13 t o March 21 very success.fully. The r e mainder of. March uas s pent compiling records of the birds banded and com' '· pl eting reports . �..."' ' - 2 - Many obstacles r10r o encounter ed during the trapping period. In nn effort to overcome them, various types of. traps and trapping methods 11er e tried. As a r esult of this experi menting , several successful deviations from the conventional trapping methods ;1cre made. The · more izaport~t observati ons are outl ined bel ow: ; $ .. • • • ~- • ~ • 1. The traps s hould be large - prefqrabl y 40' ix: 25 1 x 2 1 .,or larger~ TT10 inch mesh f oxwire should be use d for the sides as chicken wire i s not strong enough to hol d a J.arge nu.'!lber of birds. 2. Sets should be made in brushy areas protected from the prevailing \'li nds and frequent ed by the birds during the day. 3.. About one-third of the trap ; should be pl aced in the water; nith tho entrance at the edge , or partiall y in the :nater. j .. : 4. During periods >7hen there nas snow on the ground, · ·good catches were made r1ith the entrances in, several inches of water. This left the grain oxpose~, in spite of the s~ov, and the birds. found it r eadil y in tho shallon water. :"~: .: . 5. The .entrru:ices sho;:6d be around 5 inches \71dc, 7 inches high and sl~t outward at . abo~t . a 60 angl e. · 6. The area immediately outside the entr ances should be interrupted with _a few \tlllo\7 ti7igs , ~a the birds \7ill ·;1,qrk . around them to ge t ·the bai 1;.. 7. A largo quantity of ·oait should be pl aced just inside eac h entranc~ inn shalls)\1/ t :r:qnch • . T:tiis. p!!cvqnts it from being scr atched aside by the birds . Plenty :of ·bait is -esse ntic.l, as the birds \7ill not enter the: trap r1l:cn the bai t is gone . 8. Bait should be scatter ed sparingly for several rods on each. end of the trap -to q.ttract tho bir:ds • . Thran it into t he gr ass roid •mods as vre ll a s the shallo\'/ •7?.tGr, s o th~y 11ill have to Yr~rk to ge t it. 9. All sides of th~ trap. should be crunouflcged nith r1ill or1 t-.-Tigs or appropriate m~~er ~ul i n order to make it blend in uith the . sutrounding vegeta"tion.-.as -.1nu9h as. pos s ible • .! A .,• .. . .. .. After the birds are in· .the trap.. the y can be caught for banding easily, by attachl,.ng a tube mo.de of pirc or fish se ine about 2 f.Ele.t in diame ter mid G f eet long, to qne corpqr of the trup··ancl driving them: into it. When.t~e tube ~s . fµli,, close the end of t~e tube and r~move them one by one.; ~ . 10. . \' ., . During the quarter, ·~ .total .of. ,) :348 du.eks were bandeq. The. · ~mc lose d chart shows the .:nunbe r , spe cies , a,nd _sex ,bci.ndod at each st.ation , and c orre l a te s .th~ . we ather conditions rd,th the numl;>er. bq.nde d~ ." "'- .: ...... . The 1946 ni:ic.k Hunter Que stionnaire sheets have been compil e<t and.'. the results are be ing subraitted in a separate r e port. ..... �- 3 - ..... BAND __IN __.G._S_T_A._TI.. _..... ON____ N_o__ • __ SPE......., •c__m_1 s _____S_E__x__ VIEATHER AND cmth-ENTS Platte River and 20 ' Mallard Drake The weather during this period was Howe 1 s Slough 12 Mallard Hen very col d with several inches of near Henderson snovr on the ground. The birds, seeking protection from the wind and cold, changed their r esting areas frequently, making it difficult to trap them profi tably. ~7indsor Reservoir Drake The weather during this period was Mallard 75 and Mall ard Hen variable . The best catches, hou46 Li nderuneier Lake Pint ail Drake ever, were made on moderate l y cold 23 near Ft . Collins Pintail Hen days with a west wind. On these 14 6 Bal dpate Drake I days, the birds left their custom2 Bal d pate Hen j ary r esting place in the middle of the l ake and sought protection II along the shores where the traps I were located. Several warm , 651 Liallard Drake The vteather during this period YTas sloughs bel ov1 i 283 Ballard Hen variable. On extremel y cold days D!'ake and during heavy snow storms, ·· ·: Pintail Prewitt Reservoir! 148 Pintail catches v1er e poor as the birds Hen 53 Bald pate Drake deserted the sloughs and sought 6 Hem ., food and protection on the Platte Baldpate 3 Wing Toal 1 Green 3 Drake I River. On warm quiet days, catches 1 Green Wing Teal I Hen 1 f ell off as the birds wer e l azy-2 Redhead Drake ! r esting and playing in the Ymter during the day and feeding in t he grain fields at ni ght. The best catches wer e made on moderate i cold days \7i th \7ind and snow flurr i es. On these days the birds frequented the shallow, protected shorelines where the t r aps ~ere set, seeking food and shelter. I I TOTAL 11348 ' 11. Submitted by: Approved: Name: R. G. Kinghorn COLORADO ~J& GAr Title: Jr. Wildlife Technician . l AND FISH DEPARTMENT ' . (,LA,-;:(--- By: Note: Title: Director Date: April ?, 194? Persons wishing to quote from any of these abstracts should first obtain permission from tho State Garno and Fish Department . �: ~~r1r1 ~'1l1~'1Ji1~rn1 i~1i 1ij~~~' ~m1r1'ij1 1 BDOW021207 STATE ___C~o~l-o~r~a=d=o---------~ PROJECT NO. _4.....-_n_____ DATE: QUAR TERLY PROGRES S April, 1947 REPORT 1. Title · oi Project·: .2. Supervisors: ...c. N. Fea.st,. Director; G. N. Hunter, Manager; and E, Kliess Brown, Coordinator. 3. leader:· Hairy Figge Quail and Pheasant Studies ' 4. Cooperating Agencies: Future Farmers of America· 5. 6. 7, and 8 . No change 9. Re lat i onships of cooper a tin~. ;~encies: census . 10. Summary r eport of progress : ·It has ·b een decided to drop the scal ed quail (Callipepla squamata palli~a) investi gations as a major project. Some . work such as trapping , banding W;J.d food studies can be carried along with research and management pl ans for pheasants. · Cooperating in pheasant population After the "Wildlife Conference of Technicians at Glenwood Spripgs iri January, a pheasant survey was made in Grand Valley in f:lesa County. The ground was snow covered during the entire time of the survey and the temperature remained unus'\.l.8.llY low. Feed a.nd" cover appeared to be sufficient to support mor e birds than the survey indicated were present. In five days .of driving roads and ditch banks only six pheasants wer e seen (3 males and J f emales) . Tracks in the snov1 indi cate¢l more birds V1ere present than wer e observed, and they seemed to be evenly distributed over the habitable areas. The land mmers contacted were i:iot enthusiastic ·a oout increasing the number of pheasants on their land. The grain patches are comparatively small. · Alfalfa is a major crop. The unfarmed, vmste patches are very strongly alkaline• Ther e might be a scarcity of good quality grit or gravel in the area . Aey of these conditions might be a limiting fac·t or on a pheasant : population. It seems doubt.f'ul that planting ·m6re birds at tho present time would pro~ benef i c i al , since there is a brood stock.in .tho area that is apparently · all the l and will support under prc:.>ent condi tions. Further survey.s ar~ to· be made in the spring and summer so that open season and bag limits can be properly s et . The last part of January \7aS spent getting equipment ready t-o trap and band quail. Fifty- throe scaled quail wore trapped in Pueblo County and moved to El Paso County. Three hundred ·t en quail were trapped and banded in the F?:"e.mon-,t County and Higbee Study ~eas. All birds were ·t rapped, banded, ~e~ed, . ~easurement~ taken , age determined, and r el ease d at the same spot they ner e trapped . · · .. "1: · .. .' .. �~ .. .:. - 2 - ·. '... ·- ·DATA OBTAINED FROI.: TRAPPING SCAI.ED CUA I L Total Quail I.Jales 62 ~8 Arca 248 Totals 310 Fremont County -· Adult ·· Adult f.!al cs Fe males Adults Juve nil es . 34, .; .. 32 )0 16 117 131 109 139 145 165 141 169 Females Juvenile r:al es J uvenilo Female s 16 12 18 52 57 65 74 6S 7~ 77 92 .. Hi gbee .. I\iEASUREl·:1ENTS OF SCAI.ED QUAI L Aver age . measurements in ce-r iti meters Total length .. ' .. Wing Tarsus Fremont eount y 2G.i 12. 78 3.94 Higbee Area 27.876 12. 74 3. 857 Mi ddl e Toe .. T.iiddle Nail .. . ~ 2.91 1. · 2.89 .993 .. · Unfortun1,1tely all ·o f th~ ·quai:]... v10ro not 110i ghed since an accurate scal e or balance y1as not uvaiicrhle. Oil.a hundred t rrenty- three quail weighed, : in four groups of 44, 18, ·40, and 21, on a large farm scale , 5~- pounds; ' This is an average of 7.35 ounccs ~e: bird. 1 The number of birds per covey-in February, 1947 was as f ollor1s : Fremont County Higbee Are·~ · - 39, 10, 7, 6, and 21 - 21, 23, 35, 19, 23, 50, l R, 8 , 50, 22, and 16 Ther e \'las a decr o;rne of 152 birds in Fremont County f:rom a count made in Febr uary, 1946 on the same coveys . Higbe e Study Are a shorred a'.· decr ease of 40 bir ds on a si milar count. 1 Ther e has been no l egal hunting in e i ther area in that period. There hrii:3 ," honevcr, been some poac.hing . Evi dence of this rms r:ound on the trapped birds J..n t he · Higbae Arca . Warden N'ialoy convicted one ·poacher in Fremont County· for shooting scaled quail. Poac h~1g pressure \'m s'- +ecognizcd c.s s ever e during the coal strike in Fremont Cow1ty. Most of the decrease in quail can be attr.i butcd directl y or indirectl y to th~. ,deep snoo in Nove mber , , 1946 . , . . .. . The month of r1iarch \7as s perit. pr eparing and ·pr esenting a farm .r1ildl ife census and habitat improvement program to the future Farmel's of Americ o. -·in Colorado. ~lo~t of'. ~he. boys .in this organization are from 14 ·to 18 years old;. All of them arc taking C'ourse s in. vocl'..tional agr.iculturc. The r eport blanks and instructions HCr t"l mode primaril y for phe asants but rlith minor chonges t hey cnn be used for any other specie s found on the ir farm. I t is r e alize d that in a group of approxi mately fourteen hundred boys not all of them nil l roport r egularl y . There for e the system of tho average number seem dail y was used. �- 3 In addition to n.ny value nc might r e ceive from the census r eports, rm hope to receive much more benefit indirectl y from uildlife habitat i mpr ovement and in making the farmers r1i ldlifo consc iousc A copy of tho repor t bl anks and directions 11. Submitted by: No.me: Harry J. FJ.~g..,.g.e..__ _ _ __ Title: Sr . rlildl ifo Technician is made n part of this r eport. Approved: FISH DEPA11Ti.:ENT By: NotG: Title: Director Date : April 10, 1947 Persons vlishing to quote from n.ny of these abstracts should first obtain permission from the State Game and Fish Department. �FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA WILDLIFE CENSUS ~ , COLORADO . The prim?XY purpose of this cooperative project is to aid the State Game and •ish C9~ss-~on in managing as intelligently as possible the wildlife r~sources of :.he State of'. Color~do. · There is no .desire ·to have any species of wildl:!ife so abund'!" ant that it nill work a hardship on any individual, but it is consider~d desirable . to have game and fish plentii'ul enough so that all true sportsmen can enjoy good hupting and fishing now and for the generations to come. To accomplish: this, it is absolutely necessary to have the cooperation and -good nill of the . man _op. the land. You can increase the wildlife on your farm if you have the desire to increase In areas ,·Tith low game populations much ·can be done to. improve. o~nditions for ~iJ,dlife. Frequently, at no expense and very little effort a satisfactory populatioh c·an be developed.· leavingi the ~·1oeds unburned along f ence r0\7S and ditches wil.'.( give quail and pheasants a··-p1ace to hide and fe ed Hithout destruction of any crop. · Slight ~odifications in farm practices, i f no incon~cnicnce i.s -caused, might help game populations. For example 1 nhen harvesting a field near cover. you may l eave 'the side nearest the cov'er "t ·o the last. Saving nests from de~truction uhen•~ver po~sible uill he lp ~e athercd game to increas e es much as any other factor. it. Probably no other group appreciate and enjoy contao.t ,·J ith living things more ""-han do farmers. This in itse lf is sufficient for many to nant to increase l7ildlife. In addition to the esthetic values there arc definite economic values obt.ained ·f'rom properly managed grune. Because of their food habits, game birds are among the b~st natural aids of the farmer in r educing grasshoppers, cutworms, caterpillars and ·many other insect pests as nell as many obnoxious weed see ds. In addition to these bcnefits, .. every individual on the farm is e ntitled to the l e gal bag · imit of game \1hen in compliance with existing regulations. Soil is the basic .. 2.ctor for all farm production. Soil conservation and improvement of habitat for ,,ildlife are identic al. Some plants and crops are beneficial to soil in certa in --- ·~ spe cts. It is believed tho.t Hildlife · in prope r numbers is beneficial to a farm .nd its crops . J.1any things can happen to uildlife in very short time:. De9p sno\7 1 har~ hail ;;; b rms, etc •. CAA r apidly dec:r:ease to a dangerous level i7hat has been a satisfactory f"-':;::..lation . An exceptionally . favorable season for the young ·of · a species, might su.ddm~ :~y increase them until they become a nuisance to some individuals. In the past, i t has not o.lTiays been possible to l earn of these changes in time to institute the proper r egulations. If a population in an area decreases belou the desired · ·n umber, all possible assistanc~ ? ill be given to _bring it bac k. If any species · bec omes a nQ:i.sance in an area, tho same effort will be m.a de to control it. Your F. F. A. r e ports nill be an important aid to the e ntire State of Colorado in its wildlife management program~ The land use report need be turned in only once each year . However 1 if a nerr member turns in a .report, p,iease furnish us >i i~h tl~e same i nformation. The v1ildlife census report should be turned in each ·month. (Over) �DIBECTIONS FOR FILLING OUT WILDLlFE CEllSUS FCRM For "Spec ies", give the name of the g~mc th~t ~s: be.ing c oilllted, for exampl e, pheasant, quail, bobwhite, etc. · · · _ .,, 11 Dates 11 , this will be the dates of eabh ·report period. Since i t is '. aesirable to have r eports sent in once each month, th~y can be fille d · out at the last meeting of each month. ·'· Enter t he to\m, school, and county -nher e the chapter is located and the name of the administrator and the instructor on· e·ach shee t of the report. If ' more than one sheet i s r equired for each chapter report, number each sheet. . . · ·:rn ·the first column, give alphabetically the name of each member. In t~e- second colWim, enter t he m:imber of days on whi ch counts v1er e made . If birds wer~ . CO\l!lted .on 30 da~TS, enter 30· in tha t column. If you wer e abl e to coun~ nnly on one ; pr t wo days in the r eport period, enter the exact number . The counting t":f game on your ovm farm need not take any extra time. You can simply keep a r ecor d -:...~ the n~qer of birds seen each day as yot~ . do your chores or other farm vrorJ<; • .. . The ·entry f or the t hird column will be obtained by totaling all the male birds 3een ·du.ring the entire . r eport period and dividing i:t. by.. the number of times · coun~ed$ ·;bi·s wili give the ave=!'..'age number of males. · •· .: . : Th~. n.e xt three cblumns (A, be ~figureci. in ~he same mann~r. . .... 5, and 6) :will . . . . Und~r "Nest·~ Deetroyed 11 (.col~·~7) give · the total nlimber ~f nest·s· found dilring ~.r.e mo:n::,h th<:1.t· ha';a been destfoy~d or broken up. For your own: benefi t try and •..~:J t'.:)T!f1:i4;e th~ C~l:l.S-3 De net coilllt the same . nest .more than one t i me ' . 0 1 • •• • .• Under 11 Deaa Birds 11 (C'cluni,..'1 S) ·iist all .dead birds sGen and include evi dence o;f 8 bird that has .been killed such .·a ~·~ pile of fe.athers, head, wings , feet, . or l e'gs. Enter each dond bird: only one. ·.:t.J.m~ ' ... : .... Exampl e of a member ' s r ec ords a~d calculations : T5.mes CC''JJ.14:3 d - Total Mal es - Total Hc·ns ·- Total ·Young - Total Hens with Broods - 35-·--· - . 240 ~;30 . . _1500 300 . Nests Destr oyed ~ Dead Birds 17 • -·.: 21 l . i Each of the above totals divided by the i:nuµl?,er .o f times counted, \~hich .. :in this case is JO, wi11 give the figures to be enterptj.. ·in:· the col umn headed 11Av0rage. No . Of 11 Males Hens · Young · Hens \1i th :Bro·a ds ~ s21 50 10 The figure s for 11Nests Destroyc d 11 and 11Dead :B,ir ds 11 :uill r o·main 17 and 21 r e spec tive ly. They ~e not to be averages but · tl::l.<f.' tp~ . c.ountcd. In the l ast coltunn fill ~ the.:.Ifutige , Tormship, . and Sec~~oh of )'9ur. cvm·. fa.rm. . In all c ases r ecord only what you actuall y sec . _ We arc dGp0nding on you for: some accurate and important information. We know ·that these figure s \7ill not give us the total population of any game specie s, but it uill give us vrhat is knO\m as a trend . This means tha.t if game in your vicinity increases, you r1ill sec and r eport larger number s or if game decre ases, you nill soc and r epor t smaller number s. By having a l arge number of boys make a drive through a number of fie lds counting all the game seen , >IC can arrive at a figure that nill approximate the total population for that particular area. ; . �I r• • F. F . A. \'IILDLIFE CENSUS FOR Tm COLOfl.ADO GJV,':E AlID FISH cor:.r.:ISSI Ol'T (To-.m) ending For month beginning Species - --- - -·--(Scl1ool)_ __ --· - -·--- --- -·- ---.-~ - -··.---T·i~n~-; . --·--·- - -AvERAGE NUI.lBER OF 1. _Jiumc__o_f f,:embor 2. Counte d - - - - -"'------ Hons \·1ith j Dor:.d : Range , Tmm ship 7. Dcs~oycd J_ G. Bir<;!_s___;. -"~- and Section Nests 5. Youn_g_ __~_Broods 4. Hons 3.l".ialcs --(A"dr.iI;i5tr-~t;r·)-- - - ·- ( c;\mty) -----·- I ___________,_ . -----·. -------~··--------:---- +-~ - _____ !__ - - - - : --t----~--r--------r--- - - -·---'---·- I ----r---- ----r - ·----- ----------·----I : - -· - - - - +------- - - - -- --- ---7···- - -·- ·-- ---·- ---- ___;l _______:_i _______-+-------··-: ----- - _.;.: _____ . --·---+-- - -- ·- - - - - I I ----:--~--; _____ _____;--- _ ;----~---=--- -=-·- ·- - · ---+------.L__-·--r---:- - - ·-- -t·- ~--=j--=-=·! -1-----· ----- ----+---+---t-·----l- -----+-- ---- : ---------1------··---~ --=-~=-==-r-:-~-=-~==-=~·~-= - -t-- - -· ------- I --··---:-r---·---------t- ·--·-------- T·-- ··· -· =-=~-=~~= ----+-- - - - -+--·----- ~-- - ---- --- ---t---- - --r---1-----r--- -----t---i ·-·- - ---- ----1 ----- ---------- -- ---- I -t·r - ---rt-- - -+ -+---· t I---· --=i=-·----------- : --+- -----+----·-I ---·-----·- --. + ; -·-·"'f"""·-- ·- ·-----r--·- ------1 - ---- ·· - - -- ---- - - ------------t------t------+------ ---·4-------t· ' ·-----+ . !· ----- ~ --l---~----1----·-· -t== I i ---.---;--~-=--:---·----··+I-----~ ~ I '- ----+- - - - - -t---- _____)____ --- --·-t-----·- ---- ~ ----·. ------- =r---=~~ F~=- =-+~ -- . -=-==-==· =-~~=== I . +.---,.---·---·---- ---··---------------1-·-·· ---·· -- ---------------,. - ·- ·--- - --1--- -·---- - - - - ---- F---+ 1 · -t---- --t-----1------+------ ---------~·----·--- • -----+-------t--·--------~- - - -- --- -r------ ---·---il -- -- -- !· - - - - - --·-·- - --- ·----·- -- l _- -- - -----·-·--- ·- · ----- ____--r---· ---r-- -- ··----· t ___·==-=-~~~~ =------~~==~~:~~= _________ _ ---!---~------l--------- - --- -- ·-----·- · I __....... . : - -~-- -± ~ ' ' t-.-_-_---_---+-_-::::~~~=--~------_-_-_-_-_-_--____-~~---~~ -- ~ =~~--- ----- -----· ----·r··---- --·· --·------ - --------·-·---------·--- --+--~---·-- i ~--·--· ---- -+----- ------·-----·-----+---~~--=-=---===~==-~ ... ,__,__,________ ____________ ! ------------------- -----------· ·-----·- �LAND USE REPORT Torm rT <lJ!lC School Total · Acreago of l11cmber County Date Acre s Acre s Acr e s Acr es Acr es Corn · Smell Gr a.in : Alfa lfa Grazing Waste lnndl _ _=t_ _ ------+------+-------------------:-- - -- ! --------------------~·--------' - ·-- -4- - - ----- ·- ________ 1 - - - - - -- -·- --r··-- . I __.__ ·------ - -·- --------- ,-,.. _.. _ _ _ · - -- - L ,i ----.. ___ --- ~- - -- · - - · - - -- - · - - - - -- 1· ---+_......'______..._____......._ _ _ _ _ _ _ __,__ _ _ ___._ _ _ _ _ _ .. ·-- - - - -···- · - · - i - - - -- - -'"""' 1, ·-- - - - ----- ~ ~~· ~-~ --~ ·_·- ~ ~·-_·- ~~---_··~~---_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-·_-_-_-_-_-_-_·-=.-:.:-=.-=--~-=--=--=--=--=--=--:.~-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=1 _________ , __ _________,__ ·----------+-----+-=---------.__________,________.. ______: 1;- l·- l-·------: ------.-A-==____.________ ·-- ----- __..'..______._ _____________+-+-- -----------------· __.___ I ' • ---------11--------+--------------1---~-------·- -------1 1--------+-----+----r--- __--·I' I I I r i-----~ ~---+-·-===-=----r1 L-- - ------11-- - ---!' ------ __..!.-------------"------...__.___ i ----1 --==I===-~-·--=--·------ --- -1 =!=------~--- ,----·_________ j -+-------4--- --- - ·--'----- - -- --~---·--'-------- '-- --- --------------------------------------------- �--~ .... r STATE Col orado PJl OJECT i'T O. _ _. :::3.:::.2-....;D :;...__ _ __ DATE q UART ERL Y Title of Project: 2. ..., .P· R 0 GR E' S S April, 1947 REP 0 R 'T Rocky Mow1tei.'1 Bighorn Surveys Supervisors : c. N. Fe ast, Dire ctor; G. N. Hunter, Mana ger; end E. Kliess Bro~m, Coordina t or. Geor ge n. Jones J . Leader: 4. Cooperating Age ncies : 5. Perspective : 6. Object: To transplant sheep· from the . Tarryall herd t o locations found during the ·summe r i:ihere no can put no-:; bl ood into some of the s mall herds. Also starting sheep on 2.l'Cas Wher e they hcvc been · in past yecrs. 7. Pl an : Live trepping the Bi ghorns by b a iting me thod , and trc.ns planting to non are a s over the state ~ are as of little or no population . 8. Probable date project uill oe c ompleted: The trapping f or thi s se ason is c ompleted and \7ill start ag~in in October, 1947 . Forest Service To build up Bighorn Sheep herds a ll ovci·· the state. 9. Re lationships of c ooperating .agencie s: Excelle nt in c oope r ating in se l ection · of transplanting site s. 10. Summary Report of Progress : .On Oct ober 29 :, 1946 .ct 8 1..1 .m. t ho gate vms dropped on 32 he ad of sheep at Sugar Loaf Mount01in on t ho Tcrryull. The shee p r e mained in the Q9rr al fr om 8 a.m . to 1:45 p~m ., t hi s l apse in time rms wait ing f or men to arrive fr om Denve r t o help l oad the sheep . After help arrived it too.k 15 minutes t o l oad tho s heep :L.'1to t v10 trucks. At 2 p.m. t he party s tcr ted n i th them to Gcor get mm , a trip of a hundred mile s uhich t ook three hours , unl oading the sheep just pe f or o dark. All shee p ncr e in fine c ondition uith exce pti on of one l amb nhich had .its l eft horn br oke!).. As it uas l at e , only 5 \/er e c ar tagged . The sheep \7CTe planted in Cle ar .Cr eek County, Sections 28 and 33, Tounship 3 South, Range 74 We st, South Cle ar Cree k, Dougla s Mountain. The sheep c onsis t cd of 32 anima l s, 3 male s, 20 enc s, 7 l ambs, 3 ye arling s, 2 r ams bree ding age . Five sheep were t ae;gcd a s follons: Tag No. 501 502 503 504 505 Sex Euc Eue E 110 E·.10 Ram Age Mc~turc Lamb Mature ~!ature Lanb �- 2 On December 5 at 11:35 a.m. 17 he ad of she ep 11er e trapped at Sugar Loaf Mountain. Six men arrived fron Denver at 4:45 p.m. The 1.. ading t ook tY:enty minute.s and nhen 16 sheep were loaded, one ram broke through woven Y1ire. The trip ~as then s t arted to La Poudre Canyon at 5:30 p.m. arriving there seven .and. one ~h~lf hours later at 1 a . m. · The a.b.~.~P. . rom~ined in the truck until 8 a .m. waiting f or sufficient light in order that tho sheep could tell where t o go. All sheep were in good condition. The plant vias me.de in Larimer County, Tmmship 7 north, Range 76 west at the Zimmerr.ian Ranch . on the La 1 Poudre River. The 16 animals consis ted of 3 rams, 6 ewes, 4 lrunbs, and 3 yearlings. Two rans \7ere of breeding age • .~.l:ire e. sheep were tagged as foilows: · Tag No~ 512 513 514 Sex Ewe Ewe Ram Age ~:;ature .. Lamb Mature This c ompleted the trapping at Sugar Loaf mountain trap No ! 1 a s it was figured the increcse· .h ad been ~:transplanted from this location for this s eason. While trapping at Trap No. 1 bait v1a s ta.ken to the nerz Trap No~ 2 which mis ·corist rticfted the la.st :or 0Gtc;>ber on a smaller · sc al q . This trap . is located 12 mile s eL:tst on the 16~1or .TarrY,all~ This trap mis first made qf 'part v1ovon r1ire and part rope ne tting . The Y10ven 11irc \7as the part tho sheep .,11ere baited into and .. the- netting \7as on the ~hutq part. The 11ovcn wire proved unsatisfactory as on the.17th of .January; · 19(/_at 11:15 a~m. -.·thc &:ate Y/as dropped on 20 he ad and the sheep charged the novcn' YJirc until .i-t was s o damaged' that they e scaped. Tv10 were killed .in l~ss than five minute s. After this happened the woven nire was taken dorm and r0plnced. v1ith rope netting· so that v1hen the sheep charge the fence r1ith such violence tho rope netting give s to such extent that· the sheep. are throvm b_a ck int9 tho trap keeping them from harming ·themselves. This proved that the rope hotting is more satisfactory than the nirc • . Ba ~ting. r:ith alfp.lfa, "j•• ' . . ·. I. ,s alt ~d shee p pelle ts proceeded . On March 5 the. gat e rms dropped on f ourteen head of sheep at 11:45 a.m. At 12 noon the sheep_mir.c l oaded into t he truck ·.-,i th three l!len loading. As the tr ap is small ~he sheep had to be l oaded i mrncdi ut ely. Since they wer e very ·hot "they uer e n ot .r.iovod until 1 'p~~ .. , t aki."11a thorn to Green Mountain Falls, a distance of 54 miles; · arriving at 3:30 p. r.1. Thi s plant rias made in El Pa so Count.y, Tor1pship 12 south, Range 68 ~1e st, Sections 8 and 9. Of the 14 planted :3 \7cr e r runs and .11 e,:ms. · T\7c wer e iambs an<fr two r.ur.is YJCre of~ breeding age ,. Fiv? shee p rrorc ·ear t~~g~d a s f olloYis: · · Tag No. 515 516 517 518 519 Sex ·E~·ie Ram. Ewe Ewe Ram Age Lamb ..; Mature Mnture Mature Lamb This conclude s the trapping f or this season. Total transplanted 62. ~ �...... POPULATION TREND COUNT ON BIGHORN SHEEP (These cotmts were made incidental to the trapping operations) Nover:1bor Lambs Yearlings Weathe~ 639 26 18'" cloudy 9 0 / 15 45 3.3 24 '1arm . ,, ;, 131 99 90 85 uarl!l .6 32 8 19 49 cold .J 9 5 1 r1in<ly 4 _3 57 cold 59 30 3.3 27 75 38 25 warm 40 30 21.. _£iJ_ .JL 10 warm ;at e El1es Rams 418 350 235 Date Ewes Rams Januar;y Lambs 2 35 67 45 16 4 8 11 15 18 25 30 22 ~ 25.3 19 11 29 22 39 15 5 14 9 _ltf:. -12 54 62 32 12J 249 183 December Datc Erre s Rams ~ Yearlings Weather '7arm 45561" 39 43 cold 18 10 7 4.3 37 windy 11 ll 2 7 -6 cold 8 15 47 22 14 18 68 56 V1arm 51 4.3 \7arm 21 62 94 76 34 20 mi.rm 23 45 50 14 2S _x._ 27 11arm __2... .JL 397 336 220 170 Februar;y Date E\7es Rams Lambs Yearlings Weather stormy 387"63 warm 42. .34 warr.i 62 65 7 31 '1arrn 33 storny 11 11arm 15 .30 5.3 61 \tlndy storrny 14 17 28 ll 9 vrindy 18 cold 17 15 .33 29 stormy 23 stormy 40 19 9 48 windy 28 ...21 ~ 22 warm J£ Y~arlings Weather ) 19 40 10 3 9 12. 17 109 351 322 160 143 This population trend count shows tho variation of the nUl!lber of sheep counted on windy and stormy days. This also shows heavier population over last year's trend, v1hich may be on ace ount of the more sever e winter. 11. Submitted by: Approved: Name : George W, J ones COLORADO SThJ'E. GAME AND .ISH DEPARTMENT Title: Jr 1 Wildlife Tech. Note : C-7/ ... -- By: Title: Director Dai;e: AJ2ril 2. 19!;7 Persons wishing to quote from any of these abstracts should first obtain per mission fr om the Stat e Game and Fish Department, �STATE .: PROJECT NO• : . ·: .. ..... Q U A R T E R 'L y · 1. Colorado ~~~----------~~~~~ Title of; _Project: 4-R DA~ _ _ _ A,,_Pr_·il,........,_l_,9._.4...... 7_ __ P R 0 .G R E S S .R E . P, 0 R.. T Sage · G~ouse and Pheasant Studies. .. 2~ · ~up~rvisorsc C~ N. :Fq.n.st~ D;i.r~ctor; G. N• .Hunter, Manager; and E. Kliess Brovm, Coordin'a tol'. .. ~ . Leader: Hmmrd A. Stiehm · ' ~ :· .. 4,.' Cooperating Agencies: . ·J ... ·'· U. S~. Forest Service, U. S. Bureau of Land Management, . and u. "S~ Postal Se~vice. .. . 5. through 9. No.Chroige • . 10. ... .. , . Summary Report of Progress: Foll9uing the determined need for a &tudy of Sage Grouse uintering conditions, fie ld ·trips nere inaugurated into the three major grouse areas of Q~lorado; . i. e ., Gunnison, North Park· and Moffat county. Each area r1as visited· periodic ally during that part of the \7inter Vlhen the temperature and sno\7 cover are the most se ver e to Q.etermine if . possible the adequacy of range and weather conditions· in relation to Sage Grouse survival. In North Park, rihich ~{ri-fors from the he aviest snowfall, grouse r10re observed from a distance ~~ se en to. be i..11 flocks of t \'/o to thr'e e hundre d. An e xruninn.tion of tho range . being used by each flock as the f locks \7er e located revealed ·t-ha t the birds. \?er e feeding in \7ind.· sr1ept, snorT-free areas made up of · the shor.t sage brush (Artcrnesfo. frigida). Tall sage (Arteme sia tridentata) caught much of.. the f n.llen snon thereby r endering food getting activity in this vege t at"ion type difficult due to the effort expended by the birds in moving about. In n later gene ral examination of the North Park sage grouse area it - was f aund ·tp;:i.t tho tall .s age type came into use as roosting grounds into rihich the birds could. fly and ·the rtind-swept short sage areas served as f eeding grounds. It \'IO.S observed that the sage grouse \'lould fly from t rio hundred yards to appr<!>:ximatc zy 5 rhiles in the morning and evening nhen moving to and from the fee ding are as. On January 14, 74 grouse rtere observed v1hile drivi.llg 135 mile s or .548 birds/ mile during a field trip into the Moffat County sage grouse area. The onset of n four day blizzard pre vented further field activity at the time but a l ater check in the area on January 21 did not r eveal signs of mortality. Prior to the blizzard and shortly folloning it snow cover in the area was light therefor e it is believed the birds nintered \7ithout difficulty for f ood was easily available. RURAL MAIL CARRIER CENSUS -. Considerable time during the quarter was s pent at inaugurating a rural mail carriers 1 census technique. It rias originally planned for application to Colorado 1 s pheasant population alone but ovcntunlly found application in the s uge gr ouse areas of the state. At the present t ime card returns being received at the department attest to the feasibility of the rural carriers' inventor y as a me thod of sage grouse census. �- 2 ·· Permission to cont~ct rurc.l and stnr route carriers \7ns obtained from the First Assistant Postmaster General early in J nnuary. The Gurne nnd Fish Department then contacted postmasters in small terms throughout Colorado to ask their cooperation in the compilation of a list of rural nnd stDr route carriers in order that the men might be contacted directly to ask the: ir cooperation. Each cDrrier then r eco ived inst;ruqtions for conducting the survey and a record form on Y1hich to enter daily counts for the ''reek specified. Four hundred tnenty-six., carriers, 344 in pheasant r nngc and 82 in. ~age . grouse r ange were contc.cted by instructi ons r clee.sed on March 26. Working dates for the week of census activity by the rura1 cDrriers m:ir e sot at l\.lf,lrch 31 to April 5 as determined by field inve stigations. A report 11as submitted to the Game a.i."1d Fish Commission outlining the rural ' mail carriers' census me thod proposed for use in Col orado. Copies of the correspondence o.nd record forms used i n obte.ining the census data arc being submitted to the Game and Fish Commission crid the Fedor ::il Aid Division of the u•.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, al ong vii th this rE;po:r:-t. Af>DITIONAL .. Considerable tine nas devoted to \'/Or~ing up pheasent data. obtained by mrrdens o.nd frunter check stations ove:r . th~ pa.st ·r aur years. This 1wrk iS expected to r each c onpl e tion at an ecrly ' date~ Submi.tte~ by: Approved: -·Name.: .__H-.m._.1...nr;.;....d~S_t.;..;i-.e~hr.1='"-------- COLORADO STATE .GAL:E :J.l.. Title : ,/· · Sr. Wildlife Technician ~ FISH DEPJUlTf.iEHT '' -·- ~y : -· ~/J: ' -~l-:-- ,· Title: Date: Note : Director . ' April 7 , 1947 Persons nishing to quote fror,1 MY of these ·ab~tr~cts should first obtcin permission fr ora tho State Guue and Fish Depcrtrneht • .. .. ' �•. . ,J.--~ . ,,--.. u ~jf~(!l~f:'~~ . ... , .... ' ·.· GAME AND F"ISH COMMISSION . DENVER 5, COLORADO C. N. FEAST, DIRECTOR March 1 1 1947 Mr. Rural Carrier Dear Sir: The Colorado Game end Fish Department \dshes to obtain data concerning the pheasant population which will be an aid toward better management or this natural re source• Consequently we have eained the permission of the Postmaster General to ·. contact rural carriers directly and ask f<;rr c~operation in conducting a roadside census in conj\U'lction with the perforrnanc~ or their regular.duties. ·' Taking the census is not compulsory. We are asking for cooperation in this activity because rural carriers travel over a g.reat portion of the pheasant territory regularly and in a ma.'mer which is impossible for us to duplicate during the limi~d period. when roadside census is or greatest value. Very little time and effort is required for t1'.is activity as shoon by similar arrangements in othar portions or the United States. In addition we are cognizant of the personal interest shown by rural carriers toward the we1£aro of our game species and feel that a cm• mondable piece or work \1il1 be the natural results. · Aiuch or the accuracy or the census depends upon· all the carriers making counts at the same time; and for that reason the neek or to · is arbitrarily set as the week during which the six counts should be made. ne reel that this check on our pheasants will, when compared with tuturo chocks, indicate an important trend in our pheasant .populations. There may be times, on the road, when the carrier llill be tempted to vll'ite 1n a n\DDber of birds not then present which are habitually seen in some familiar spot. Please do not. Numbers ot phoas• ants at any one spot on the road vary considerably from day to dq, but, over the entire length ot the mail route, daily totals are usuolly quite comparable• The enclosed postal card, for keeping daily records, contains a consus record for your inspection and convenience• FollOfdng completion of the six census runs we would groat~ appreciate immodiate receipt of the cards. Thank 1'0U• · '• -~~;G·_ c. N. Feaet Director .• ~ �O• mSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF CENSUS CARD ·1. Please fill out card giving town rroni wliich route eminates, general direction of route from to\VD, county or cotmties covered by route, route number, length of route in miles and your name. 2. Record the number of cocks and hens as shown. It will be necessary to carry a scratch pad recording the numbers of cocks and hens as they are seen in order to eliminate any estimates or guesses of the total number of birds aeen after covering the area. Enter the daily total on the record cara. Only observations made while on your regul~ route should...be recorded • .). This is important: Becord only those birds seen withµl ·the I.Q!S right-of-w§.Z; that is, in the r.oad ditches and on the road proper between the fences which mark the right-of-way. 4, Do iiot stop and leave the car to flush birds\ The number of birds that might be' there or that have been seen on other occasions is not wanted tor this record, only the birds you actually see.· It rainy or stormy weather should occur, omit ccnm~ing tor that Then mail the card promptly. 5. day substituting a day the following week. 6. We would appreciate a six-day. record taken during the week outlined in the letter; :' :·;-· . ~·:~:.-:·r~LJ:::.~ ~:·c:; :. ::;~~· (;;· ~.~··:··::;~_\-": \_ ... ~~~•. , Please return.-the. c"ar(fl-ihethe·~-·you ·have'-censused none, one, ar all six days • 7. ..~. : ····; :"'· ·.i··L :'··,---·.:·r .-.-. ··~ ~·.~·;·~:·., ~-··:-···:·-. ·'·r·.:r·~ ·~-:~1::·:~~ :•,-.·,r;·r· r.~~· ..;.i ·,·.~·~1, s. :·A. summart. .·of: the statewide ··rural.-..oafrier.s: census -will :be sent to ··each·· pos.tmaster, tor: ·the:·:uispe9tion:~·or caoperating carriers:j ~--:.J·~, ./ r·.• c .t,,.,~.. .-... ~j ·~, ~.:.; -~.::.·.·:? ·~~.- .~·:.:.~.· ~: .~·. ):.··: ~~-, .· . ,n .. ·" . '.;·'.;··· ;: ~-·:_·· ~.:··-..·: ~:_; 1.• : .-. ,·~-: ~.'·~!·~i~:~ r.;··· .l ._._.;:j. . !..-i~~:~·,r~-~· ,·,:t• :·,'t· -;,.:·::#··: . . ::-:-.-\t·'!.-. ·!~~' ·.:!:!·-~j;_-~\':··:-~ .....7·.:.: . )• ·~-:>.:.:~-, ~··.!1 ·\:·.:··n~.~·,·:!.-·~1:: . .•.'i·:~.~: -··~~:·~.:-~."~:.::./;. ;·~··r; ·:·t l~~· ~·,--·:~; ~~ r: 1 ··;~·.}:.:· -'.!.-,.,;·; ·-~-~~ -~·:./ ;· ~ .• ·-.i .1..:.~·d··~. :-~: ... r: :~.; i.,·i··-:. 1 ... :J ...:. :-,,_ .. .. . . ' •J. . ' :;t ?~:~>C'_' ·;;:~.~.:.:-.~" '.~.:~~ i . :._:?_•· ;~;::.:~!:; :. :1..-. ••.· .. ~·~ "! :·~·~~~ · -r· .• ' .. , : .: .,·~ .. ~·:·:~ f--~·. i. ·a·;-'-~~·::··~·~\·~~!·~'} ·•. ·~"•/.Jj:·~: -:·.,·:· :~·r.:.;; r ... t-·.~~:-l ~~, . :·~ .·": -:1~~.·/ 1.:-i-.~ t~.::.~._t -~·!·~.~ .. ·~ .. ~-i··~·)ja•' ·,~:,·~·.·::id, ::' . .. ~ . :~·"·.-..' .. ··.:~\~...\.<·J.. ·'.~~;. ;.~ ::. ~~ ,·.(·.._ . -.~~·:.;:~,-~-i;r ...·~~'°:< .• �'I I l I'!. • • 0 • !' 0 I I .. ' I ~-· SAGE GROUSE CENSUS.INSTRUCTIONS l. Please fill out card giving town from "which ·route eminates, general direction of route f'rom town, county or counties. covered by route 1 route number 1 length of route in miles, and your name. 2. · Record the number or Sage Grouse seen under the caption "Sage Grouse"• It will be necessary to carry a scratch pad recording the numbers of birds as they are seen in order to · eliminate any estimates or guesses or the total number of · birds. seen after covering the area. Enter the daily total on the rocorci card; Only observations made while on yaur regular route should be recorded. 3. The numbers of birds that might be there or that have been seen on other occasions is not wanter for this record, onJ.7 . the bir~s you actually see during each daily period •. 4.. If rainy or stormy weather should occur,. omit counting for that day substituting a dq the f ollo\dng week,. Then mail the card promptly... 5.· We would appreciate a six-day record taken during the week outlined in the letter. · · 6 •. Please return the card whether you haw censused none, one, .' or all six: days.: . . 7. Under "Remarks" we would appreciate learning ot any Sage hen strutting areas known· to you, S.· A l99Cord of the deer observed will be ·appreciated. .... 9.· A SUJmrl817. ot the statewide rural carriers census will be sent to each postmaster. tor the inspection, of cooperating carriers. '":. ' �·- ... STA'.l'E ____c_o_l_o_r_ad_o_ . .. . . ... ~ PROJECT tm~· . .:..34~--=D:;___ _ _ _ _ __ .. ;: ~ 1 DATE ~~-~A=p~r~i=l~,'"-'1~9~4~7..__~~~~ . .. . QUAR~ERL~ . 1. 2. Title of Project: Supervisors: PRO .GRESS Upland Grune Bird Development REPORT . .''. r : •• ; J C. N. Feast, Director; G,- N. Hunter, r.:anager; and Klie ss Br own, Coord~ator . 3. IBader: · M• . L. Burget 4. Cooperating Agenc ies: u. s. Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service. 5. 6 •. and 7·.. N'o ~hanee . 8. Prob ;ble .date project will be . cor.lpl eted: . ... March 31, 1947 • .. 9. Relationships of cooperating agencies : Excellent . 10. )~ ~ <::>.. '() <J :::f... ~ Summary report of progress{. Former conclusions on the sl owing down of trapping processes after January first were confirmed again this season. Fev1 birds are taken and the process is nruch more exacting on the trappers' time . The trap.s were paited regularly and earl y observations were made as often as the ·indicati ons 'jus.t ifieci. On sever al occasions as many as t e n or more toms could have been taken . Ho:"Tever , it was felt best to hold off until more adequate female stock could be assured . Since the adUJ.t t om was lost in the Chicosa plant near Trinidad, a l oad of six toms \Vas taken ther e on the 16th of January. Two were added to the former plant and fom~· V1ere set in as br eeding stock in the area near JAonument Lake. . , There nere a number of .detering factors affecting our · trapping season this year . The first uas a late start of actual trapping . There ner o tuo r easons for. this • .. First, a lot of rrork had tq be done ~t .headquarter s befc;>r e the trapping could ·a ctually get under way. Second, t~e Big Grune hunting· season vras prol onged in both the trapping arid transplanting areas . It has ah1ays been .felt best not tq release. birds in hunted are as . This is doubl y true if the hunting pressuro .is .heavy. Thon , mild ,7cather played · ~··part. Turkeys did not com3 trapping areas or auxiliary f eeding areas e arly or at all in a great many cases . Just why this o~.curred or \1hat 1-:as the underlying cause has not yet been determined. .. · -· · · into Once the trappine season i s \mdor vmy field v:ork is cut to a Jlll.n1mum . Hence , fiel d checks could not be ·made tq any groat extent . Reports in the fall .indic ated .a go~d devel opment .. for the year, but since the .birds did not come in.it ·is difficult to d~te~mi~e t he pr esent status. . '· .. �- 2 It is hoped that fie l d checks in the present quarter ~ill r eveal the story more c],early. I t is a lmorm f act that very little mast has been available for t he past tv10 years . It may be that due to this fact the present flocks vfill show a breakdO\m. Honevcr , l ate reports s honed that turlcoys \7Gre ·1:ifitcring in high pl aces . This may be the ansner. Close f iel d checks must be made in the next fcv1 months. Catches and r'eicases for the quarter 11er e as f ollor1s : Catch No . 1 consisted of 6 toms on January 16. Sc ~ Band No . Tom Tom Tom Tom 502 503 504 505 I:!ature ) Lature ) I:ature ) I.:ature ) These four released near 1!onument Lake Tom Tom 506 507 Viature ) M.ature ) These t\70 r eleased in Chicosa Ca.!1on. ~ Catch No. 2 made at Chicken Creek near Mancos consisted of t \1elv0 he~s and one young tom on l~o bruary 5• Sex Band No . · Age Hon Juvenile 503 Hon Juvenile 509 Hen 510 Juvenile Hen Juvenile (sustained a neck injury) 511 1 :year · Hen 512 Hen Viature 513 Tom Juvenile 514 Hen r.laturo 515 Hen 1 year 516 Hen I.iaturc 517 Hen Juvenile 518 Hen Juvenile 519 ·Hen Juvenile 520 (These birds were del ivered to the Ute Ranger s ·t ation area in the Tabcguachc aroa on tho Uncompahgr e Plate au). Cat ch No . 3 consisted of t\10 mature to~s V!hich wer e added to tho l ast catch named . · These ~ore mature birds in excellent condition . Sex Tom Tom Band No. 521 522 Age l\iature Viaturc The seasons catch consisted of seventy-one birds delivered alive. This was ten short of the 1945-46 season but r1ith fener birds to choose from. Duo to weather conditions vie r1ere unable to mnke a try on the eastern slope this yerxr . The sex ratio ;ms exce llent. There uer e 51.:, hens and they wer e matched by 17 toms. Only trro of the toms r1Cre l ess than one year ol d . �- 3 Our trapping program continued until f.'ia.rch 20. While the '17ork is discour aging nhen ca tche s are not made , valuable observations nere recorded. The birds, particularly the hens, deve lop a shyne ss as the se ason advance s. Traps rJGr e set in Tiithout the top placed on, then the top added gradually. This maneuver didn't seem to help much. In early season the turkeys will usually g o into the trap r1ithin t en days of se tting time with or nithout the top. In late season no maneuver rlill conx them into the trap confine s. They nill take f e ed freely around the trap but not under or in it. .. As a r e sult of the past se ason's experience, it is non quite de finite tha t the be st portable turkey tr ap is the slat-type tr ap. The net-type trap will simply not rrork more than once in a particular loc ation. 11. Note : Submitted by : Name: T.iartin L. Burget Title : Wildlife Technician Approved: Title : Director Date : April 5, 1947 Per s ons wishing t o quote fr om any of the se abst r acts should fir st obtain permis s i on fr om the Stat e Game and Fis h Deportment. � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/c1ee730e1049d2cb7a709ec1ea33c6dd.pdf 33142442dcdcaf9571f8c82cf0978a5a PDF Text Text - -· 1~m11 1ij'~1~1li1~111i1i~~i1~ij~~1i1i11r1~11 BDOW021211 STATE ~--..;.-,---=-=-----~~~ COLORADO PROJECT NO. _ 4.._-_ R_ _ __ OUTLI N E FO R SURVEYS AND PROGRESS DATE July, 1947 VOL. NO, RE P ORT INVESTIGATIONS As r e quired by FEDERAL .AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title 0f Proj ect: 2. leader: ~te lope Investigat i ons Robert R. Elliott 3. Report of Progre ss : Ob.ject - To determine farm ratio, number of fawns per doe , and f mm mortality . Scope .. The study was confine d to the herd w.i thin the Colorado ,Ant~ lope Refuge in Lo.rimer County. Time - Daily coverage of the r e fuge are a was begun Jun~ 2 and the field work ended J:une .·19, 1947; At the l atter .dat e , the _f ayms \7Cre large· enough and could r un fast enough as t o prohibit the i;r being a.aught by the, .methods employe d .. Cooperating Agenci es and Gr oups -: U• . g• Fi sh and 1i'lildli£:e.· S.e~vice, local r anche rs. I1ie thods, Procedure , and Equipment Used "'.' No farms wei:e found until June 9, however, during that afternoon seven were caught by use of a net. Thi s ne t was made from an old tennis .net obta ined from t he Colora do A. l. .M. Coll .e ge at Fort Coll ins. A hoop Has formed fro:n No. 9 galv~ized c l othesline wire, and the net fastened t o this then tied together at the bottom. A six-foot handle was wired to the net, the thing then resembiing an ove r-sized dip-not in e f fect. The net was carrie d on the f ender of the car. •I Coverage of a pasture wa s .done by driving strips about 100 to .150 f eet wide , and observing to right and l eft. The f mms wer e quite difficuit to see , and 75 f eet is ab0ut t he limi t · .a t \1ltj.ch they can be Je~_ected from a slowlymoving car. The c ar Has a l ways' maneuver e d t <i t~e r e c-U'- of t he f awns , l;Uld then approached by f oot vli:th net outstre tched , l m1 t o ·i.;::c:; gr o\md. As ."s~ on : flS the net Vlf!S pl ac ed over i t , . the . fawn starte d bleat.ir;g, e xcept ill the caSf3 9f Nos . 654 and 655·. The s e· two favms . wer.e b orn only a f ew hours pr ior· t .o be).ng caurh t,, and neither utte r e d a sound uritil handled·. A blindfol d was, tr.i ed on the firs·v two fawns in hope s t o qui:et them·, but it v1as .9 f: no ava il , . a rn;l. the blindfold W'< .. ·disc arded. One fore l eg and one hind leg v1er e tied togeth,~~ t p prevent ldc1':~g and to control it somewhat. ·I �.. - 2 - Each fnwn t1as sexed, measured, 11ei ghed, t agged, and its age e stimated as sho\'ID by. Table 1, then released. All measurements were made filth a steel tape c alibrat ed in thirty-sec onds of an inc h, and the v1e i ghts \7ere t aken with a tubular spring scal e and an improvised sling made fr om an old cinch. The cinch was slipped through the tied l egs, under the belly 1 and hooked t o the scale . In this manner the faym i:ias a suspended frce··swb.ging l oad and a fairl y accurate we i ght c oul1 be obtained ~ A standard metal livestock tag was clipped in t!.'.e right ear of male s cmri in the l e ft ear of f emales . This y;as c;lone to f ac ilitate r ecognition of sex :Lat e r Ono Age \"JaS estimated by the c ondition Of the umbilicus, r ather than by tee .-~h , since all fawns had t 110 incisor s . Thi s is shovm in the 11Remarks 11 Column of Tabl e 1. When r el eased, the f awns .usuall y r an onl y 50 t o 100 feet away and l ay dovm again in the gr ass . During the time the f arms 11er e being handled, the d oes did not come any closer than about 100 yards--sever al did not come that close. After t he young wer e r elease d, ho\vever, the does would walk over cautiously . ~d move the fawns again or assure themselves t hat their young wer e. safe. In order to uork the r ougher parts of the r efuge area, a horse ~as u sed from June 14 to June 17. This wor ked out fine for finding the fawns but not so well for catching them. A heavier net nas constructed and a 25~foot rope tie d t o it. The net was carried on the horse as shmm iri Figure 5. The pony -.ms a bit skittish abou~ the. r ope and net at first but didp 't seem to mind aft er it was tied on• One fc¥-m was spotted and appr oached at a fast walk, the writer t ossed the net over the f awn and the horse start ed t o shy away. When the f ami came up inside t he net and started bleat~ng, it 1ms too much f or the c ow pony. He .r ear ed and .c orrunenced r unning s o the f awn had to be forgotten momentarily and full attention was given to checking tho hor se. Needless to say, no more attempt were made to lasso f avms fr om hor seback . Findillgs - From Table 1, it may be seen that a t ot al of 15 fawns was produced by 11 does thus giving an aver age of l.J6 fawns per sl.~ . Of. the 15 favms, 9, or 60 percent, wer e t vJins and the r emaining ~ -or 40 percent, wer e singl es . No triple ts ner e obse rved. T_he sex ratio in this . sampling is 6 males t o 9 f emales, or 1 : l~- , which is l ower than the actual 1'.atio at rutting . A larger number of samples would bear· this ~ut • . It i s inte r esting. t:o~ note the .r apid weight gain during t he first .f ew days after birth. For exampl e 1 one f mm which Vias one duy old. "l?eighed 5t pounds and one which was s ix days old weighed 12 3/4 pounds . This shows thr.t they· ·gain at a r at e of a little over one pound per day, but f or bow l ong this ~ontir.ues is not. known. The· girth-we i ght r atio (Table 2 ) sho"t1s that most of this gain is me.de in the trunk r eg1on, other measurements r emaining somewhat stabl e or pre s enting r el atively little incr ease. One source of error in measurements was fr om using a steel t ape t o measure . l ength of head, inst ead of ca lipe rs. It is c·onside r ably more accurate to measure l ength of head from the tip of ~he nose t o the posteri ~ e dge of the l runbdoidal ridge wfth a set of calipers than to get a "square 11 measurement by sighting ui th a .tape. · · :: �• -: .J Fawn Mortality - No losses of farms .f'rom predators, weather, or other factors were observed. It was thought that unseasonally cold weather and snow on June 12 and 13 might kill ?- fev1 farms, but a close check of the area on the 14th disclosed no dead young antelope. Predat ors do not appear to be a problem in this area.. No coyote s or bobcats were seen during .the · entire study, and .f'rom r e ports of ranchers, most of the s e tuo predators pcve been killed out by government trappers. There are a f en golden eagle s in ' and near the r e f'uge . Mr. Lee Arnold, of the U. s. Fish and Wildlife Service, rras making a special study of golden eagle~ at this . time, . and ·cooperative field v1ork was carried on concurrently by J(II' ~ .Arnold and the \·1riter. Four ne sts, \7hich had been or Here occupied this year were located v-Jit.hin the ·refuge and four old nests ·were found also. Exo.rainat'ion of the 11r emains 11 in the nests shovred no evidehce of antelope fam1 depredation. Figure 6 shows- c-0ntents of one nest. It '17as comprised 11holly of cottontail and jack rabbit remains. Locations of the eagle nests are shovm on the overlay, Figure 7. Three of the · four nests arc in such position that they can be checked periodically without undue effort or use of special equipment• Mr. Arnold plans to keep the· nests under surveillance and \·1hatevc r information he finds shall be made available to the department. Recommendations - It is r ecommended that next f mming season one or perhaps several f avms be tal~en into captivityf under proper conditions of course, and a thorough study made of them as thoy devel op. Rate of gr ovrth, foods, and feedin5 habits, physiological data and other valuable i nf ormation, both life history and management, could be obtained first hand and in a scientific manner. Such a proj ect c ould be conducted by a· graduate student at the Depart ment of Forestry, Colorado A. & M. College in Fort Collins, or as a study carried on in conjunction with the Cooperative Wildlife Unit, . Submitted: Approved by: Name Robert R. Elliott COLORADO GM;iE AND FISH DEPARTMENT Title Wildlife Te chnician ( 3) By ~(f.-.:.~u.: ., . .~ "7~ '-_ -' - · - - Title ~~-C~·~N~·~F~e~e~s~t~•i....:;;D~ir=-=e~c~t~o~r~~~~ Date ----=-Jul=.-Y:.--=1~6..._,-=l=-<9~4:..:...7_ _ _ _ _ __ �..... . . .... ,..,,,,... ...... ,~ .; :.. . Girth _- Vleight Ratio Girth in Inches - - - - ·- -·- 13 1/4 13 1/2 Wei ght in Pounds .. 5 1/2 - -- - 5 1/2 '7 1/2 14 1/4 . 15 ., .. i5 '.J· --- ----:1 ( ... - 8 1/2 15 .. ·15 1/4 15 1/4 15 1/4 15 1/2 16 16 1/2 16 1/2 17 1/2 ' 17 3/4 " · ... 8 10 1/2 8 - - - .. - - - ----- .; ~ --- - - - - - ·- - - - - - - - - .. - - ... ----.. - .. - : 8 1/4 8 3/4 9 1/2 8 3/4 .: 8 10 1/4 •.· ... '• 11 3/4 12 3/4 ; Al though the . gains .·.were n ot consistently uni !.'or m, they do show an i ncrease of' slightly over a pound for each inch of increase in girth. ~ . · ~. ..:. .· �'• (JI ) ) ) TABLE I DATE TAG NO. "5T. AGE SEX WEIGHT LENMR TOTAL LENGTH AROUND HEAD 1.75 l0.25 3.75 . 6.oo 2.2s .10.00 3.50 5.SO II 8.oo lbs 3 days 25.50 in. 20.00 June 9 652 F 8.25 " 3 22.00 " OF HEAD HEIGHT HIND June 9 b51 n LIRGTD OF TAIL 19.50 FOOr EAR TWIN TEETH HORNS 16.50 x 2 incis. None Umbilicus dry and stringy 15.25 x Same as above, 200 yds.apart GIRTH June 9 653 II 5.50 " l n 19.00 n 18.50 1.75 9.25 3.00 5.25 9.00 1).25. June 9 654 M 5.50 n l " 20.50 " 18.00 2.00 9.50 ).25 5.00 8.75 13.50 SINGLE x " None n Buttons Umbilicus fresh, ·but not wet June 9 655 F 7.50 " l " 22.00 n 19.50 2.25 10.00 3.75 · 5.75 9.25 lh.50 June 9 656 F 8.75 " 3 n 23.50 " 21.50 2.50 10.25 3.50 6.00 9.25 16.oo x x x June 9 657 F 8.00 n 3 11 23.50 n 20.00 2.25 10.00 3.25 6.QO 9.00 15.oo x June 10 658 F 8.75 " 3 n 23.50 n 21.00 2.50 10.50 3.25. 5.75 9.50 15.2$ June 13 6~9 M 8.$0 n 3 n 24.so n 20.50 2.50 10.25 3.50 5.50 9.50 15.00 June 13 660 M 10.25 n 4 n 25.oo n 21.00 2.50 10.75 3.50 6.oo 9.75 16.50 x " Buttons Same June 13.661 F 11.75 " 6 n 25.25 n 22.00 2.75 11.00 4.oo 6.oo 9.75 17.50 x n None June 14 662 F 12.75 n 6 n 24.50 " 21.50 2.25 10.75 3.50 5.50 9.75 17.75 x " Buttons Same June 15 663 M 9.50 " 5 " 23•50 " 20.50 2.75 10.50 3.50 5.50 9.50 15.50 x n Buttons June 16 664 F 10.50 5 n 23.00 11 21.00 2.75 10.00 3.50 5.50 9.75 15.oo ti Buttons Umbilicus dry, stringy .June 18 665 F " 23.00 It 18.50 2.00 n Buttons Same n 8.oo " 3 5.25 15.25 x x x x n Buttons Umbilicus fresh, bloocbr & wet n None Same as above, 10 ft. apart " None Ulli>ilicus ~' healed n None Same n None Umbilicus dry, stringy, healed n Buttons Same, Twin of #bb3 Umbilicua gone, healed over Umbilicus gone, Twin of 1/659 �Fig. 1 - Male ant-e lope favm Fig. 2 - Same fawn as in fig. 1, caught June 9, 1947. He v1as stand ing to show height and long one day old and weighed 5! legs. Notice tag in right ear pounds. desi gnatin.g a buck. -B- �Fig. 3 - Fawn one day old weighing ?t pound s lying down against prairie background. They are much harder to see than is indicated by the picture. Figure 4. - Fawn caught under net. Background is typical habitat of antelope in this area, shortgrasa prairie region. -9- �Figure 5. - Net and rope carried on horseback. Pony's name is Midnight. Figure 6. - Contents of a golden eagle's nest within the antelope refuge. One whole cottontail, parts of another, and feet of both cottontails and jack rabbits. -10- �OVERLAY HIGHWAV AND TRANSPORTATION MAP l-ARlMER COUNTY 5HE£T COL-ORADO 2 ANTELOPE REFUGE --- R.68 ""· 'TIUI • • •• • • • • • ,,f- .; l u • • 90UTH • - LOCATION WHER.£ 8 . LOCATION OF' EACH EAGLE WA~ FAWN NESTS 60UN°"RV CAUGHT OCCUP\EO IGUQE 7. TH lS AND YEA~ TAGGED �1 1~~1m11ij ij1~1111~1r1 1i~imij~~1]~f11~ij11 B DOW021 212 "PROJECT NO. __4_ ..R_ _ _ _ __ . . ~ DATE ~; VOL. ------ F 0 R · · P -R 0 GRE SS REP 0 RT . .. ·o UT LINE S U R V E .- Y. S July, 1%.7 ·A N D NO~ I N. V E S ·T I G A T I 0 N S As requirec by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Projec,t: 2. leader: Bear Studies Paul F. Gilbert 3. Report of -ptogress: Seasonal Bear studies were r esumed ~pril first of this year. Bear emerged from b.:: bern~tion this spring about the usual time.. The · earliest report received oi bear being out was the -las~ . week in Marc_h , wltj.ch was in the lower Tabe.,,ur.che of t he Uncompahgre . S::~n was· more numerous d'uring the month of April. A loc al Fish and Wildlife tr- ,.1.._11er r ._, ported . seeing_ a bear from a plane the first C..ay of Februr.ry. ·This w;.._:: vl'. t he S01;ltheast end of the Uncompahgre and during a period whe.n much bare- •.n~1H.d was ·visi'Elle. · A short time later three f eet of snow fell in this ' area ~o thi ~ bear probabl y re t urne d to his place of hibe rnat ion . ·- . Bear study areas, loc ated last year, wer e visited ~t ·frequent ·int~rvals during the past three months. Tracks were fe~er and be ar ~ign ~a s l~ss.than during the same period l ast year. Three bear dens and tTio beds which v1ere - found last ye ar were checked. Of these three dens che cke d, two ·contained tracks a.i:id sign which would indi cate that they had been used this past winter. ·.en the _third;. den, ; wliich, \7as an old miile, no 'conclusions could be drawn due to the natUI'e of the floor of the mine and sever al small cave - ins. Figure 1 shows 'the outside view of one of the dens which ,had been used. Fifteen f eet back under this rock l e dge , which was off of the ground about e ighteen inches, was the bed pr oper. Figure 2 shows how t~e. sand and loose dirt has been pu::ihed back to_form a nest-like bed. The_ fir~t ~ed, locate d in "thick oak brush, had. not been used. The second (Figure 3), located half..way up on a steep slope, under -an overhanging cliff and we ll hidden by choke cherry and oak, w;:i.s, in use when visited. A yearling be ar was seen l eaving the be d . On e xamining the bed, tracks indicated there had been a large bear with the yearling . The larger bear had l eft by a trail l eading down through the oaks. This trail coUld not be seen from above due to the overhanging brush •. The first r eport rece ived of be ar killing shee p was Flbout the m:iq.d le of May. Stock killing report s by be ar are feVler this spring t han l ast spring with fe wer bear and bear sign being seen. A trip v1as made i nto Me sa Verde National Park, where it was also found by comparing notes V1i th tlte Park Natur.a,list, Don Watson, and Chief Range r, Jack Wade , that f ewer bear have been r eported in t.his area than for the same period last spring. The be st explanation for t hi s situation at pre sent is the weather conditi ons \7bich f avor ed the growth of �- 2 green veget.a tion \fhich makes up t he greatest part of a bear' s diet. A bear having suff:!.cient f eed in some isolated spot v1ill hang in that spot and is not so ·apt to be seen roaming around in search of food or hanging around a band of sheep an~ _ ge~ting into trouble. At the t i me when bear emer ged from their place of hibernation more snow · lay on the . ground than was ther e l ast spring . Earl y warm weather and melting snow gave the vegetation : tn early stc:.rt . By June most of the snow V1as gone in the Transitional and Canucl].on zones; howeve r, frequent rains continued to favor the grmr::h d' gr a3s md ot~er vegetati on found in a be ar 1 s diet. One setback occurre-:d .Tune ll nhen a frost got most of the :·oak brush and c hoke cherries above 7500 f eet. This uill undoubtedl y eff e ct the bear s f a ll f ood supply. One bear nas found sho:rt1y after snow went off that had died during the winter or l ate f a ll (Fi,qn:-'"' L)., The cause of the bear 1 s death could not be determined. The pre servM. e-:mditi on of the carcass when f ound would indicate that death occurre d \'./hen i'lie s nor e not pre sent . This may indicate that natural l osses do occur when bear arc caught short when i;iinter se t s in. Fe w if any berries or acor ns wer e availabl e 11::.st s eason . T~s bear c.ould a l so have gone· ·. into hibernati on in poor condition and come out ctu·c:'.ng the winter, as the one seen by the Fis h and Wildlife trapper, arid then was unable to r e turn due to a weakened condition or a heavy snow . Further proof of the fact that cubs stay rdth the ir mother the second spring was received when Grune Wardens Sherme.h Hall a.nd Scott Bessire watched an old bear and her year l ing cub ne ar timberline on Cement Creek in the Gunnison National Forest. A porcupine was found that had been cleaned up by bear (Figure 5). job of ski nning wus performed. A ne at THO bear ska ts >'10re collected and analyzed o.s foll o;rn: SPECIES Thermopsis Montana (Golden poa ) entire plant Amerenchi er alnifolia (Service berry} l eave s Prunus mele.noccrpa (Choke cherry) l eaves Pachistima myre ini t e s (f11yrtlo boxl caf) l e eves Populus tremuloidos (Acpen) buds Poa Spp. (Blue gr a s ~ ) Cares Spp. (Sedge ) Juncus balticus ( W~re rush) Pinus ponderosa (Ye Ho\1 pine) nee dle s Misc . gr asses. Dry deer h5.de & bonds · ( sme ll pieces ) Ants Traces & Misc. 1 .75 2 .90 .02 T T . 04 .07 .01 T T T T .01 .02 T . 10 .05 .01 .02 T �• . ... • .. • .. ... ; 11 ,, ·~· - 3 ~EER-ELK Deer-Mineral Experiment SUPPLEMENT . ... ... Three hundred pounds of prepared sheep m1nei'als were put out in Billy Creek and Sprine · creek concentration .areas on April 2J and 24 with the plan to "salt" the deer out of the hay meadows. No a ttempt tQ.~ control the deer was made at first as' .the minerals Vlere placed in deer trails arid areas whei:e t r acks were more abundant but well above the hay meadcvJ'> . If the aeer took t4e minerals, then. tr.e f.et s were to be moved gradus~J.y ·higher up and away from the hay meadows~ B.:ith block and granulate d forms · war e .used. · · ; All sel:t, grounds vie~~ ~isited at r egula,r weekly inter~als until May 22. At no tim'9 ~1.1 .:_ t he deer take ·any o·:- the mineral s . · it VIJl.S f~ lt that as the deer wer e mcY:i.ng back on t h'9ir OW'"). accord by ·this ti.r'(le ,. it would be unwise to l eave the mi':lerals o:ut l ong0r j r;'J they wer e picked up and stored f or perhaps a similar .falJ che ck. · Deer Ear Tag~ The following Colorado Grune and Fish Department e ar tae, s were r~ leased : .. 25 to u. s. For'9 st Se rvice - Uncompahf;r e Rangers, e tc. 3 to u. s. Forest Ranger - Grand Mesa Nationa l Forest, North ..Side, North Fork 3 to u. s. Forest Ranger - Gunni son Natj_onal For e st, South .S.iqe lk:rth Fork J ..to licensed guide - Ouray ............. • __] to sheep outfit - Snowshoe l1ie sa 37 Report of number of f mms tagged will be included at a later date . Forage Utilization Studies The follo~ing utilization studies were conduct ed during the period fr om May 15 to June 15. All plots had been pre viously l aid out and .described and in most cases wer e located adj ace nt to pqpulation trend plots. Tuo utilizati on plots r1er e studied in Kannah Cree k both of which wer e l isted as destructive with the important key species · losing ground chiefly due to overuse by dee r. Utilizati on plots checked in Esca l ante were carried as follows: one proper and severe to dentructive . Condition of t he se plots is affected gr eatly by domesti c stock. Minnesota Cr eek had trio plots found to be as fnllov1s : one severe to destructive and the other destructive. Cattle and ~heo p in addition to the deer use t he range on which the se plots ar e located . �.. • 4 · The Blue Mesa plots showed proper use in the pinion-Juniper typo and destructive in the two sagebrush .plots. This area shows no sign of improving • . Plots on the Tabeguache , three all together, wer e listed proper to light. It ~s questionable if the se plots are located in"deer winter r~ge areas. Utilization plots in Gypsum Valley as follov15: sever e and sever e to destructive. The l atter has· oeen sheeped heavily this pest season and the entire area has been ver y dry, , Two plots \7er e ch0cked on Hermosa Creek and showed proper J.ise on t he upper one ~d proper to· severe on the lower area. Sum¢.ng :up tht? r est:l·;:,s of the : utilization plots checked in this aren it sho~s- definitel y the lack 0f ~inter r ange to carry our pre sent deer population . Also that in nany of these arean the vegetation is not holding its own. Submitted: Approved by : Name _ ..... Pa...ul---.,_.F""".__....G=il-..b;;..;e_,r_.t_ _ _ __ COLOHADO GAL:E AND FISH DEPARTMENT Title Biologist Ti ~le ___.c;;..:.•.....N~• ..;;F;..;e;..;a;;.: · s;:;..t"-''i.-;;D..-ir~ e..;.c...;t..;.o.-r___ 19~4;i;.:7~----Date ---~J.;;:ul::.J.1...r...:l::.;;;8~,_..;::;. - �Figure 1. Bear place of hibernation in Tabequache Creek, Uncompahgre Nati onal Forest. Figure 2 . Fifteen feet back under rock pictured in Figure 1. Figure 3. Bear bed used two seasons. �.. F:gure 4. Cause of denth unknown . Pnss ible 1·.fi nter los s. ~igure 5. Porcupine hide left by bear. Arrow indicates front end of hide. Bones of front l~~ s are visible. �1 1 I~~ll~ll~ ~l~ ijl1\1\l1i1ij~~i~ij]~1]f1il~lij1 BDOW021215 PROJECT NO . " ·' OUTLINE SURVEYS FOR DATE _ _J:W,L,._;;1=9-"'4"'""7_ _ __ VOL . _ _ _ _ _NO. PROGRESS AHD 4-R REPORT . . I N V ES T·I GA TI~ N S As r equired by . . FEDERAL AID IN VII LDLIFE RESTCRATI O!! Acii: , 1. Title of Project: 2. le ader: Deer-Elk Studies Laurence E. Riordan 3. Report of progre~s: Activities of the Fede r al Aid, Deer-Elk Research Staff for the f iflcil quarter of 1947 were divided into four main categor ies as f oll ows: winter range forage utilization studies; White River deer herd concentration and mi gration studies; pre liminary work upon . the investigati on of competition. between domestic livest~~k and big game animal's for range forage plants at Litt l e Hills Game Experiment Station; and lastl y , a continuati on of the observati on, r ecording and study of conditions. ·r elated to each of the st ate s· ma.i n deer and elk herds by resident t echnie1ans stationed i n the respecti~· areas. Each group of such act:Lv.i·ti es will be covered in a separate section of this report. RANGE FORAGE UTILIZATION STUDIES On April 7th, 8th, and 9th, all personnel of the Deer _-;elk proj ec t including ?r.r . Gilber t N.; Hunter, Game and Fish Manager and r.~ . E"; K. Brown, Ccxml:inata; met at Little Hills Game ·Experiment Station, near Meeker, Colorado, her e a school wa·s conducted for the purpose of devel oping uniformity in judgi ng utilizati on of forage plants on deer and . e lk winter ranges pri or to making the r egular annual study of these rangel:l ~t the end .of· the winter graziz:ig season. ·From the time 'of. t his mectins until tho second ·wee·k in June , studies were made: on all C!f ·.t he major deer winter r_ange ar._e~..S.. A tota.l of 64 utili zation plot's wercr. obsei'rv~sJ. and recorded , the r esults of which will be summarized bel ow . In ' addi~io~ to these previously located study areas , numerous supplemental obser tat:l.6ns were made throughout the winter range areas . In ~ummariz ­ ing the degree of use , the Key Fora.:;e Specie s r..:e thod do scribed by Deming and modified by Hunter has been used. Fs>ur descriptive terms ~re used. as. follov1s: light-, proper, severe , end destructive. · The first two of. tP,~se · t erms indicate a degree of use such that i f continued the r ange will hold "l."ts' own or improve for t he class of animal using it. 'The l atter two terms describe us.o such that if continued ove r a period of time , the mor e. valuable for age plants fo~ the using class of animal will bo drun!lg~ d to· grea:tetr . ·or l ess extent and- the caT:-ying cap'a ci t y of the range for this plass of .arnlmal will ther efore d~clim, . \ c' ·' ' .. : ~ i . : I • ' :. , • .. ;.Y ,, ••• .. �- 2 - The same method of discussing uti lization by draina ges, and i n the same or der as last ye ar has been used for the convenience of those v1ho may wish to compare conditions as found at the end of the 1946-1147 grazing seasor. nith those found a year previously in any gi ven area. In the ere a drained by the White River, eight utili~ ation plots we;:-e observed, four each in Piceance Creek and Douglas C r~ek . Of the e i ght plot s , six indicated sever e use and t wo were rated severe to destructive. I t is fe l t that for the area as a v1hol e ;. this is a f airly accurate picture of conditi ol"s on the Vlhite River deer winter range s. Whil e it i s possibl e that t he poor gro·_-1th resulting f r om the extr ellle1y dry. 1946 sununer may be r esponsible i n pert for existing conditions, it cannot be deni ed that sever al f actors inclu:\int: a good f a\'m crop, r el ative l y lit;ht v1inter l oss, and a hunter kill confined only to antl er e d deer hevo tended to i ncrease t he numbe rs of deer using these ranges , v1hich the 1CJL~6 utilization checks i ndic at ed wer e already be i nc over utilized . ·' · Seventeen util i zation pl ots ~·mre studi ed i n the Colorado River dI'ainage area. Two of those pl ots indicated light to prqper use during the past winter; tr10 showed severe t o destructive use; three v1er c r ated as destr uctive . Honever, in t ·,m of these, part of the use vms by domestic livc stock . Of the r emaining ten plots \'/hich shor1e d sever e use , six had been used bot h by deer and dome stic stock, while in four a ll of the use was attr ibutable to deer • .' From this data it can be r eadily seen thet the demand for ~?inter forage for deer in the Col orado River drcinage is still critical. Honever, it is the opin:i.on of the field men r10rking in the upper section of this area (Eagle and Grand Counties ) that there has been some improvement over the immediate past . In the lower part ' of the · dreinage , some r e duction in demand for forage should be obtained by an increased harvest of both male and f emale deer since this ar ea riill be open to hunter ' s choice during the 1947 hunt ing season. Utilization i n the lov1er Gunnison River drainage from the mouth of the . rive r up to the beginning of t he Black Canyon vias sampl ed by six utilization study c.re<!s. T110 of these plots '\"Jer e on the soui1h Je st or Uncompahgre side of the river, and four r1er e on the northe a st or G:i;and f.~esa side.: ·or the first t wo mentione d, one indicetcd . proper use ; the other, severe use . . Two of tho four plots on the Gr end f,~ sa ' side were rated severe t o destructive and tY10 wer e r ated de structivs . it '?ould appc ai; ·ther efore , tho.t ther e has been l ittl e if any improvement in Tiinte r range conditions in this area. 1 Observations 11er e made e t e i ght loca tions in tno upper Gunnison River One of the se indic at ed light tb proper use; one seve r e · use, and three each proper and proper to sever e . From this informa tion it appears t.hat the deer winter range s · in this ~ree arc. nt l past ..fully stocked, i n spite of last hunting season ' s heavy ki~l in this area. dr~inage . ~ · the Dolore s-San f·l igue l River drainage a~ea , ~ ight 's tudy ·p lots wer e observed. Throe of these loc at ed i n the· Blue :.Me.sn ar ea along the we st side of the Uric.ompahg.r e Plat eau indic at e d sever.e :to destructive .u,se by deer . The other ·.five pl ots v1er e r at ed as follows: one ·1:}..ght, one .light .t o ·proper, and three proper. Two of the· 'l a st three .mentioned h&d rocen!-lY 1Jeen .heavily used by sheep, \7hich use nus discounte d in judging deer herd c onditions. On the �...-- -- , - 3 basis of this survey it appears that for the greater part of the San l\ii guel and Dolores River drainages. the .demEµld by deer for wi nter forage is not exceeding the available s uppl y . ' However , in t he area of Blu.e ~esa and possi bly in other more or l ess sma~l a.ri~ i solated loc ations t he deer have incre a s ed in numbers to a point where they are destroying the for aee pl ar-ts up0n rhi ch t hey winter. As far a s can be tol d at present , th3re ho s been :i.5ttle or ro 5m9rove ment in this condition despite the f a ct t hct ·~he are a han been open to '.,hPhunting of antl e rless deer for long hunting seasons f or the past two y'ilar s . No doubt the isolated location is r esponsible ·~:o:c t hi s . Two ar eas wer e studied in the Animas Rive r dl· aina~e or more specifica l l y i n Hermosa Creek. On the basis of ·this·: ·s mall sample ,.,·1~ ·,r::;:'..lization of winter forage by deer · is con.sistent with good range pra ctice . Three utilization pl ots w~ re observed i n North Par k in the North Plat t e River drainage. Winte r deer f or ag·e on two of the se was found to have been properl y utilized -.during the 1946-1947 winter grazing se ason. The use on t he third plot was considered proper to severe v1hich indic ate s some improvement for. this area over past conditions. Three utilization pl ots \:1er e likewise studied i n t he Poudre River drainage . On the basis of these studies utiii zation by deer in that loca lity was pr oper or s l i ghtly less than proper . Winter deer utilization was judged on the basis of e.i ght s tudy plots located in the mountainous are a we st of Denver from Cle ar Creek south to Highway ~o . 285. Six of . these plots sho11e d degr ee s of use as follows; t no light, t wo light to pr ope r and tv1q prope r. One plot v1as rated proper to sever e and one s ever e to de structive . The r e fore the over all pi cture in this area is . improved over conditions f oupd, . · . . prior to 191~6 . T\'lo. utilization plots· wer e) s tudie d i n the Corl ey Mountain are a we st of Colorad.o Springs, bbth of whic h · indicate d light use by deer dU!ing the pa st winter grazinf; s eason . Ther e fore , it appe ars that ther e is no critica l winter range problem in this are a. Finally, three utilization plots we r e obs e rve d i n the Conej os River dra inai;e in the southern part ,of .t he State . 'I'Wo of these pl ots i ndic at e d s evere utilization whil e thc·· other ·showe d light use . From this it appe ars that for at l e ast a part of t~c. are a , ther e is a 11int e r r ange problem of some i mportance • Looking at the ·deer .rdnt.e r range situation · as a \?hole , some progr e ss seems to have be en made in bri.riging the rrumbers of deer ·into b e tter balance v1ith the availabl e forage s.upp,1y in .. the cri~ical are as. On the other hand, ther e are large se ctions of t.he most important deer ':dnter . r ange s that have shown no improvement or that have de cline d in this r e spe 9t . since _last ye ar 1 s study. · V:/HITE RIVER- PICEANCE CREEK DEER HERD CONCEN'.IRATION AND MIGRATION STUDIES. On April 8th and 9th nhen the Deer-Elk personne l r1er e at Little Hills Game Experiment Stat ion for the for age utilizati on school, discusse d previously, �.. \ - 4 a census of ~he deer · concentrated in tl:ie hay me adows along Pi ceanc;:e and Y~ llow Cr ee ks and th~ir tributaries via&; made in co9per ation wi~h the 'gruhe ' wardens in Warden District No. 5. 'I\w-man crei;15 YJe r e organize d ~d t he . area divided up i n such a manner that al l of thG meadoris i,=1cr c count e d 'On tv10 conse cutive evenings in t he l ast forty- five minut e s of daylight; 'J ust under 10,000 hea d of deer wer e c ounted. At about t his time of year nhen t he m.eadoY1s firBt begin to gr een , a substantia l part of the deer in t he area aT0. found coni ng into t he mik dows to gr aze on the t ender ne n growth. The r ef o~:e , it i s t hought that a census conducted . annually in t he . maD.If.er just descr ibed .m ight be u seful as an indicator of population ·trends for t his loc ality and eventually might r e place the method of ~ampling population ·trends no~~ in use . · . .. During the month of .May ail of_the Feder a l Aid, Deer - Elk staff wor ked Thi::; work was c onducted under the direct ·supe rvision of} nr. GJ;Ein n Roger 's , Vli~~dlife Te clinl.C-ian.: A suppl ementa l r eport covering t his st udy will be made. .by ·Jli!r . Rogers • . · .· · up on - th~. White Rive r ds er herd migrat i on study. INVESTIGATIONS . INTO DOh'ESTIC LIVESTOC K ANll BI G GAfliE Cot1iPETI TION" ~ . .. .' . . ·~. Conside r abl e progre s s 1'1as ma.de during ·the quarter on· the plans-- f or c onducting the firs t phase of ~hese studie s. Gener al Land Offic e survey corners ner e J_ocated upon the ground and their locations plotted up on l~ge scale aer i a l photo mosaics to set up -~ ac¢1.ftate survey gr id. The bouiidary f ence line s wer e blaze d and staked put .f or four of t he contemplated t \Ye lve deer tight enclosure s. -Cha in and ,compass surveys wer e run on the·s e four enclosure s to de t ermi ne l ength of f ence :r:.cquire d , location .of gat e s , gully crossings, and si milar structure s. Pl ans and spe cifications wer e drawn and writ ten for the construction 0f t he f ence rihich nill be contracte d for. \7ork \'1as . begun on l aying ou,t e.c.o iogice l s.tudy pl 9ts uithin the cncl~sure s and making pr e liminary plant me asure ments. to be analyze d statistic ally to de t e rmine the number of plots, observati ons , and s t ern measurement s r equir ed to ge ~ .an accurate sampl e of plant growth ancl utili zation . Enough woven wire was . loc at e d : ru:id purs ha se d to bui~d .. thEi f ence for three and one - half enclosure s. · GENERAL OBSERV.ATIOHS Afl.:.; STUDJES A large part of the months o f April and June was spent by the r e side nt t echni cians in the ir r e spe ctive areas conti nuing the study bf c ondition G r e l ut i ye to dee r and e lk herds in _t hose are as. In this wor k par t icular atten~ion was pa id to range condit~ on, the c ondition of the animal s , death l oss, r oute s and dat e s of migration f r om \'Jinter to s ummer r ange, mapping of the se range s, inve s t i gating damage c l aims, and in gener al assembling a ll manner of information t hat la~c r. can be use d in· an int ensive management plan f or each of these herds indiv:idually . Tho men so engaged . and t he ir areas are as f ollo~w : .. · . ··-· . .. ·1 ·. I ' l ..... I .. �, ,- ~ - 5Lloyd Sear le - Jackson and Grand Counties nnd adjacent areas Glenn Rogers - Colorado River drainage outside of Grand County c. D. Tolman - Upper Gunnison River ano upper Rio Grnnde River drainages Paul Gilbert - Lower Gunnison River and Doloros-San Miguel River drainages. Submitted: Name Laurence E. Riordan Approved by: COL0'2JJ)0 GAJ;'E. AND FISE DEP.ARTJ,:ENT ( Title Biol ogist By _ Date L-,,_· · \......,.f-: ..___-_;f:_ _ ,,=--<--_rL_d=........__ __ July 16 , 1947 �STATE ., COLCRADO PRoJEcT NO. _ _..4..,,-_R_ _ _ _ ____ . DATE · July, 1947 VOL. NO . - - - - . . F o n- •:pi ·i:r ·o G R E. s· s R E P o R T ,... : : .. . ' . ~.. ( ou T L r NE A N·D · I N V ES T I GA T I ONS ' SURVEYS ' ~- .As require9 .PY ·. .. .·: ., · .: , .. -·· " .. . . .. \,• FEDERAL AID IN WIIDLIFE RESTbhATIONACT 1. Title of Project: Mi• gr atory Bird Studies . • . , . . -. 2. Leader: J. Report of progre ss: The month of April Vias .sP.ent qpmpleting the Land Status Survey of th~ Arkansas Valley and outlining· a -~liba.t·a iled Pigeon project for t.~e coming summer• Field-..:trips·· were made throughout the Arkansas Valley, from Pueblo east, and the status pf all suitabl e duck hunting country r ecorded and mapped. Durihg.thiS per.iod a· specia}. r eport on the r e sults of the Duck Hunter's Questionnaire was prepared an~ submitted to the Department , i\{ ~ ' R. G. KinghC?rn ~ . ....... . h • • • • • ......~ -··· : . - • • The Bandtailed Pigeon project was started the first of ~-~ay, when the first birds wers r eported i n Perry Park west of Sedalia, Col orado . Observations were made of these birds, and a total of 18 were trapped, banded, and r s l eased. One bird was r ecaptured with a band on ~.lay 29, 1947 . The band number 11as traced and found to be one put on by ~~ . Neff on ~ay 28, 1946 at Perry Park, Colorado. The first of an annual meeting with the u. s. Fish and Wildlife Service on migr atory waterfowl management was attended on the 26th and 27th of May in Denver. The Bandtails began to arrive in other pnrts of the State the first part of June, and en ext ended field t rip was made into the Wet Mountain Valley to observe and st udy them. A flock of e.round sixty was located six miles wost of Westcliffe and these birds wer e observed for several days. Twenty-two wer e t r apped, banded, and released on June 19 arid seven mor~ on June 25. A trip was made into the San Luis Valley to check for birds, but no sizable flocks uere observed or reported. A large f lock of about 150 birds wer e found Jrme 27 on the mesa just v1est of Salida and observations are being made there at the pr e sent time. Several spots have been bei t ed in their f eeding grounds, and it is hoped that e sizable number can be trapped and banded in the near future . �-· - ... ............. .-.. ., , . .. • ' I • • "-• .. ,,.. • •• - ., ·-· .. . ... -- ... Following is a record of the birds banded to date: .......... Place ~!umber ~ Pi:ay 29·~ · 1947 Perry Park 13 (1 recapture) June 5~ ..1947 Perry Park 5 June 19, 1947 Westcliffe 22 We stc lif'fe :1.! .. June 25, 1947 A more detailed report of the Bandtailed Pigeon studies will be made at the conclusion of this year's work in the. form of a joint report ~ith the u. s. Fish and Wildlife Service. · · :... 1 • ,· ... Submitted: Name Approved by: ... . _, ·.. ,.-. \.' , Robert G. Kinghorn COLORADO. GAME AND FISH DEPARTAlENT I~ Title Wildlife Technlcian . · ··~ By ,\ , , .. l: ; i ,, , '\ j., . -: - . f.. . 6.- 1' - - ; .. '... Title __·,_ ._.c_,,......,N.......F..,e..,.a...s....,t........,~iiiiioir..,e...,c...,t...o_..r_ __ I • •, , • • Date _ _ _J_ul .....Y..-21........._..i...,9... 4?.....·_·- - - - ,.J J: •• _: · : l' . # • ; • f .. I ..· '-' .··: . . ..'( . ., i' ; .. : .. '· .i. . ~ ,·, . .!· I ··- . '• . .... .. . ,>... . :·· . .. .: . . . ... .J . ,· .. .J : ·, . . l ,. ..• • �, ., : . ~ . ... 1~~1m1~lij1~ij111i1 i~~mij]~1]f1i1~lij1 ... . BDOW021216 t ... . STATE COLORADO : PROJECT NO., .. .. 4-R ;· July, 1947 DATE VOL. .. NO• , . 0 U T L I N. E F .o' R P R 0 GR E S S s u R v E ";I s AND I N v E s' T ·I GA T I 0 N $ .. As· Required· By - .' . R E P O R ·T . ;FEDERAL AID IN ifILDLIF.E RESTORATION. A CT .:· i. ·:.1. . . · ."2• Title of Project: Leader: Plieasant Study :. : . " Harry J°j Figge 3. Report of progress~ During the quarter two areas were·s~veyed for the possibility of establishing ne\1 pl"Ha sant populations. T~n . ·-t'mva River valley in the vicinity of J.:aybell, Color a·'.3 . r1as checked. This wa ~· ~:;1 .-..:·. ~ner to a r equest maie by the I\iaybell Fish anq Ga"OO .CJ.ub. The area is not J'"l L.r:W.!<'l nded for pheasantr: for. the folloning ". re~s6ns: .. ·.' • 1. The valley· is only one half mile to a m~le in wi dth. 2. There .is no ·corn planted and only smali patchos of small grains are sown. 3. rlinter cover and f eed are not abundant and r.ir c I.;~ters, the Secretary of the Club, says that the ground remains snow cov~red for long each winter. period~ 4. If p~~asants· should eye~ be planted t~ere and become abundant, it seems ce'z:tain· that it uoulq become a problem area from the standpoint . .of er.op damage. ~ ·' .. .. .. The othe~ area surveye d f!BS, the Cainp · Car$on r.1ilitar y Re-servation in El Paso .CountyJ · The~e B.z:e about 8,000 acres that appear t~ ·be ·very good pheasant habitat. The· one · thing l ackinG at the presE:lnt .is grain" c'r ops . The .Army Engineers "have disked. and planted a number "of . acre~ to gra1n near permanent open Tiater sites. If this grain crop matures, -.i:t ,~houid :r1arrant a plant of at least 500 pheasants. BandP.d -~~-rd Farm · birds; ._ should ..qe used as a check on their ability to survive and rep~~odul.:e since there cir.e ·no ph~asants in the area now. �- 2 The Colorado River valley near ~ifle, Colorado was checked for the possibility of increasing the small pheasant population nou existing there. It is not ideal pheasant habitat. To answer the sportsmen's request for more birds, the State Grune Bird Farm sent 1,500 pheasant eGgs to be hatched, reared, and liberated by the sportsmen. Grand Valley in r.:esa County and the ArY.ansas Valley report a decrease in the number of pheasants over the past several years. Tuo trips made into Grand Valley (Fruita to ~.Tack) revealed the follolli.nr, : 1. The ground cover is burned clean in late winter and spring. 2. The farmers state that much of the land has been "corned out, 11 and the acreage of alfalfa has increased. 3. The County Agent in Grand County has found that 60 percent of the cattle and 25 percent of the hogs in Gr~d Valley are "slow breeders. 11 They are l ooking for the reason. 4. Reports on some soil tests run at the Colorado College of Agriculture and Uechanical Arts state that salts are the limiting factor in an otherwise fairly good soil. Much of the soil in the area is strongly alkaline. 5. The small amount of grit available is smooth or soft. Recommendations: Liberate wild trapped pheasants in c] 18ed areas. good quality sharp grit in the same areas. Dist ribute Little information Tias Gathered from the trip into the .Arkansas Valley except to confirm that the pheasant population is lou. The most frequent reason given has been severe hail storms in June and July. Flood water from the rain and hail did destroy some nests and perhaps some younb birds. Liberate 1,000 to l,500 banded pheasants and check progress nt frequent intervals. Plants to be made in eastern Pueblo County, Cror1ley County, and Otero County r1e st of State Highnay 71. · These areas to remain closed to huntint;. CROP DAI.JtGt COMPLAINTS Investigations were made in Larimer, Weld, I.iorgan, Logan and Montrose Counties on reported crop damage ~bY pheasants. The actual amount of damage seldom proved to be as extensive as reported. A wheat field in f.iontrose County, however, was seriously damaged. It has always been possible to correlate corn crop damage nith insect activity. This fact can usually be proven to· the farmer's satisfaction by allordng a pheasant to feed on the field, shoot it, and then open the bird's crop in the farmer's presence. Fortunately, in every case there have been either cutworms (Lepidoptera), grain ueevils {Coleoptera), or grasshoppers (Orthoptera) in the crop. The food items found are separated and preserved in vials for exhibit to other farmers. \1hen they are sho\V?l what the birds in their own field have eaten, and a number of specimens from other fields, their estimation of pheasants as pests is considerably reduced. �- 3 Brood counts made in June showed an average of five young per pheasant hen. Due to very heavy cover and probably a late hatch, only three broods (4, 5, and 6) wer e seen. July and Aucust will doubtless be a better time to count young game birds. An experiment nas set up to check on rumors that pheasants were being killed by feeding them salt (NaCl) brine soaked corn. A pheasant cock fed on this for t welve days shor1ed no ill effects o·th.er than uatery droppings. This was caused by the excessive amount of water consumed to allay dehydration. Climographs of pheasnnt areas in CcJ.0.1·ado have been made. populations are compared ID.th those having lor1er counts. Submitted:: Name Harry J. Figge Areas with heavier Approved by: COLCRADO GAf.1: AND FISH DEPARTMENT -~- . Title Biologist BY. . ·'' '+ . . . . -r- · , .. -1 / .- ...... ; .. .... ·-'·- .- . ., Title _ _Q_._~.,_f.e..§!_st, Director �1 i~m11~'1I1~'1ll1~li1i1i~1i/1ij~~~I~f1 1~'ij1 BDOW021213 r S T~TE COLOP...DO PROJECT NO. _ _.... 4-_.R_______ DATE July, 1947 VOL. NO. OUTL I NE FOR PROGRESS REPORT SURVEYS AND I N VL S T T GA T I 0 N S As required by .FEDERl.L AID rn HILDLIFI:: m:::STORATION ACT 1. Title of Project ~ 2. Leader: _George n. Jones J. Report of progress: Through the months of April and liiay very little could be accomplished due to the heavy spring rains and sno\7s, The· sheep would move up approximate ly four ·miles and when it stormed they would Te turn to lowe r coun+.ry. Rocky r.Iountain Bi:;horn Surveys Three days \1ere spent on Brush Creek at Eaf;le , where thirty-six head of sheep were counted, r1hich shotvs an increase over the tr1enty-five head that 11ere courtted last year. The sheep v1ere in very good condition due to an open r1i..•ter and good feed conditions. Four· days were spent i~ t~e. ".?.an Luis ·valley at Crestone, whe]'.'(:l .fourteen he ad of sheep were located, part of r1hich we had previousl y planted. An increase of three lambs over las~ year uas noted, and all the sheep were in excellent condition. The 21st of April uas spent. planting Kentucky blue grass around trapping sites and r1inter feeding areas. At present there i s a very good stand. On I. ay 10 there wer e eight he ad of ewes and three yearlings returned from Bison mountain to trap No . 1 They travele d a distance of f ive miles to the block salt which was l eft in the trap. During I.iay, sheep were beginninc to look very shaggy as they were beginning to get their summer coat. E\'le s v1ere very heavy r1ith lamb. On the 17th of June, seven ewes wer e found r1i t h l ambs between Bison and r.TcCurdy mountains . They r1ere found ::;razing on f l ats, and the l abms looked to be a r1eek old. I t is almost impossible to find er1es having l ambs due to thG rugg~d,, rocky cliffs . �... ......... . . . On the 19th of Llay, tTielve ewes with lambs uere located ha:f UFJ.y bet\1een the ·top of ·McCurdy- mountain and Hay Creek. They were i.'1 2. ;_rc-::y ror.k.r area and uere located VTith field ~lasses. Due to the h~ avy fog we. c 0u : cl oilly see them _ . . ........ for a fei1 ·minutes.• . On the 21st of June, fourteen head were seen ib. foCurdy Park. These lambs uere considerably larger than the ones born before t he big storm. These were also sighted through field glasses. \ Eues that had . had ·lnl!Jbs. \1ere seen through 81-as ses, but VJere not with them. This shows t hat there :iere a number Oj~ lrunbs th<;.t riere lost during the s t orms, which came during the pe ak of th~ l.nmb~.ng season. 1 Also found tY10 le.mbs which had been killed by coyotes. These were found on the 26th of June during an e~_eve n-inc h snowfall. The coyotes had come over a small ridge and tal~en tho lambs by surprise • . During this three-month period there have been bad storms of rain and snow making the grass slor1 and making it difficult to keep in touch vlith the .·Tarryall herds. Submitted: Name George ·. I. Jo!!._~,"-------- Title Hilcll:!.fe Te ~hn=i""'" ci .... • an__.. ._ __ A:iprove d by : COLORADO FISH DEPARTI.ENT - Gli.i.iE ..,.,..-··- -:rAil!D ....-~ ,.. ----t, ,,/ By ' . . -·/ ,I- -· ·,J_- · .i - "' - · - -~ ' "-- .... - .: ·'t- -1.• ••_·-~~"------ �. ___ . 1 m11r1~'1J1~'iri1~rn111~1i 1~ij~~1~m1ri'ij1 _ BDOW021217 ---- PROJECT NO . _ __.;;i4.._-R =------ µATE ~uly, 1947 . ----- NO . .- ----..... .. VOL • . •,_;_ OU TLI NE •p R 0 G ·R E S ·s F 0 R , R EP OR T '.s uR.,V E ~.;s ....; _.A 'N,f ·; '· 1 N v Es T l G ~'.'.f't~? . ~r .~, 0 . . .. .. ...._:. As reqUir~~ 'by .. . .~ "'- . ... . : :1 ; FEDERAL . .' . . ·r :· . . • ' : I"• 'o • ;. - · • • ·~ :' .... ... ·- . . Rural Carriers Roadside Census :· · .__ .. · ... · Title of Project: • • t ·• .1. ••: AID IN WILDLIFE rut$'.tpRATI6~:AdY· .. :-. .• ~-·"!· ~ ; '(',~'I l ',., :J : ', : ~ ~: ~ •• •. •• :. j 1. . .· ·· - ~ . c. . . , ; , : 0 I ' ! •• (' .J : . . ·..·~ :· 2 •..~ I..e51Q.~r: I~.oward A. Stiehm . . '· J~~· -Report of progr ess : \/hat fo;I.It~~s cap be t~rmed ar. account of th~ ')Rural Mail 'f . : ! .Catriers Censu.sLin. Colori;i.do. The :r es1,lit$ :have been pres~nted.. as cbtlcisely as . " possible. ~: fe r1 ef~ors. were uncov~:te~t. a{fdi ~'.fiese are br c?ught to. :l.;ig~ . But . ,· ... oh the ~·;hole the sys°tem was r~la.t~~e IY- very . succe 3sful and even· gre1.1~er aid to ·; :·::game management is expected of ,:L~' in •the future. . ! • .. ,. ' ~ . - •· ~. • ~ 1. . . . • . • . • . , I • . •• - • • ' '.. . • • L ! ':'~ . • i94?'. Ear l y . in it · vJas deterfuii;ie d "f..o inaugurate the Rural Carriet- Census as a means of. de.velopiilg 'a n inde x from \Vhich' future population trends of pheasant and Sage Grous~ '-;'i?\iJ.a: e·volvo. · ~~fo;re: t~ ...syst~m ·was put i n ·ope.r ation the Grune and Fish Departmen~ rcce ~ve·d t~e pEl rnrl.'ssion . of.· ~!iEl Postm~ster General of the United States to contact rur al ancl star r 6ute "carr ior s cli±ectl y to enlist their cooperation in taking the census. A carrie rs' mailing list was· compiled by obtaining fr om each ppst. orfi<?C ~O\l!l.~ ii:i the postal gui~e ?J. list of carrier s under its j:µrisdiction . Natlirally t his· cn-Ca:ilod the prepa-f at ion and distribution of additional for m. let·t~rs t o post ·master s . However , the .' T~spo~se of these men was i mmediate and unanimous and r esulted in a · comprehensi~e mailing list of carrier s w~o could be expcc t~ d • to cooperate . Needl ess to say, much of • J • the detailed vior k ne cessar y to"'put the ~stem in operation can be dispensed ·. vii th in the future ther e by as.sliring. tne . . Gante · ai1d Fish Department of ~a host of val uaple data with a mini mum experidi.t"ure" of "timl:?·; personnel ~nd equipment • ' I, •' 'l I :\ •. I, ' ,. ·J, • • '• .. : •• It wi;i.s nece·s.s ary at th9 outse t to:. ·~et~ "the d~tes: marking the ·cen-su~ period . To do thi's. a te"clm:iciail .ma.er~ fre quent chock's on. bir~f ·ac~fvi~y · a'fioral to ascer tain tho logic al 'time' vihen' spring activ1J,y Vias at>1ts . height· and=before the hens began i ncubation. These precauti orr:f were ta-teen·· to· make cer tlain tho obtaining of a near normal sex r atio as a r esult of the census wor k. Record c ards and l e tters of instrUc'tion VIC ! £ . prepared viei .l ;,·in ad~~ricEf· "fc)r : irrunediatc r el ease to ·CJ1rrie~s at the pr oper tim'!=l ;'. · · ' · · ·... ..,. · · .. · · ... . . " . :; . - ·: ..1 . 7 . . • ·.:!i' . .. ) c. ~: . ·····' f .. .. . .. . . ·i,. ... • • 1•• ": . 4 ~ �There are some weak points in the system \1hich in all probability are native to Colorado. The individual rural carrier may feel that game work is an added duty which can be performed and dispensed with in the simplest manner possible. Thirty-three percent failed to return the ~eport card. It is fe lt that a goodly share of these cooperators are merely 1£,cking in interest whic h perhaps may be stimulated· by a comprehensive letter enclosing a summary of the . statewide rural carriers 1 census. By virtue of this theory a summary consisting of Figures I and II and ·Table I and accompanied by a letter was released to every carrier on the mailing list • . . .Several' pheas~t producing regions of the State because of the proximity to the mountains .~e. not homogeneous but frequently inteI:rupted by sand dunes, barren foothills or open range generally unsuited to pheasants. Such areas may at times .cover ~onsiderable acreage or may be of slight ~~ent. At any rate these areas are often included in the territory censused thereby tending t o loner the index fibure Cor certain counties. No difficulty is expected from the present census technique in its indication of population trends, but for a county to county comparison it is felt discrepancies will arise unless accurate boundaries of our pheasant range can be determined and adhered to. Carriers from each of the post offices are starting their route at different hours. In some cases the starting time may vary as much as two to two and one-half hours. A two and one-half hour delay will give those ·birds commonly seen along the roads at an early hour a chance to be well ar1ay from traveled roads as they follow their daily activity. Hence an abnormal low figure of birds/mile results in areas served by post offices from which the carriers are late in getting · under way. The data·ar~ summarized by c.o unties and without uniform starting ~imes some counties fall in a distribution category in which they do not belong. The census period is chosen to avoid the time of year when hens are nesting· and for that reason little effect on the sex ratio is expected. Through the medium of the carrier's report card it is planned to note each carrier's starting time and find the effect of this factor on future results. The difficulties mentioned above are not major factors, but it is felt they do narrant close study before the findings of the carriers' census can be totally accepted. \'/hen it uas decided to utiiize the Rural Carriers' i~ventory to establish an index as a basis for future man~gement of our game, existing ·systems were studie.d in order that our application of the system would develop·:data which would lend itself to interstate compa,rison. Consequently, carriers were instructed to. tally only those .birds seen within the rpad right-- of-riay •. An~ther important proqedure largely followed in other states iq th13-t the : carrie.r s refrain from leaving their cars to flush broods. This rule will be adhered to during the running of our July census. ·: . . After compilini:;; the compl~te list of carriers 1; ·names, 435 cards were sent _ out to 425 carriers in 4f3 co~~;i.es. A fer1 ·meh ' are · ·s erving more than one route and they received the extra cards. Of the ·435 c·a rds sent out, 292 were returnee which constitutes 67.1 percent of the total. �·' . . .. , ,; .:-::.: - ,J,.... . i ... . . ~i . : On~ -: ~{ th~.. re!tll.tfj ~>tpected ~r: ili{ rurttl :~ar'rietsi ·.s~treY ·fia~· a·:: voluttte of usabie ..da:ta ib a reasonably short period of.' time. 2.s~ · card:s,~~ • .J.. per~\:mt or .. ....... . . . of the r .e turn nas; re.ceived at the end of the first \1eek. At ··:the ·end of the second week 2Cl cards, or 96 .23 ·percent, had been ret'urne'd. ·"i'he · ren1ail'linc; 11 · cards .continued- to dribble in . during thf., ne~-t twp -r1ee~s ..... _It is intere sting to ·n ote . here ' t;hat a number of cards. reachirig .the' office the second neek were from · me.n ·.servillg 2 routes, each of whicp wa~..··cpvereci ·just . 3. :d.ays·:_~f· eyery·'Yleek. c·o nsequently, in order to submit a· full week 's d!ita on the · separate routes, the carriers continued- tp cens-qs g~_e .:during the 'f.o;l.loi.ving v!eek and then returned the record cards. Rural and star roµte . cJ.rr~ers drove 79~709 miles and recorded J,871 birds during the period of Llarch 31 to April 5. An overall, state-wide figure of .0485 birds per mile ,·ms tallied as a result of tlµs r1ork. A furthe r breakdown of the birds per mi],e can .pe. obta.i ned from .Ta~1e· I .and by re~erence to Figure I. Of the 3,871 bi.~ds talli~d, t~ere were 2,457 cocks and 1,414· hens for a statewide sex ratio of 173.76 o,ocks per 100 hens. · Table I exhibits a complete breakdown of data by counties. C_a lculatio'n the _s ex ratio in all cases is based upon the actual field count. A corrected state-,·1ide sex ratio · of 130.34 cocks to 100 hehs is oe~ieve d ·to be more representati ve of pheasant conditions. This :inv.olve.s .the upplioation of, a c.orrection factor deve.loped by J. n. Kimball in uhich the numb~r of . hens tallied .is .increased by one-third to account for unseen birds lmown to be present in the ·fie.ld. · : .of Northeastern Colorado counties, including Cheyenne, Kit Qarson, Yuma, Vlashington, Phillips, SedcrJick, Logan, l.iorgan, and Adams, exhibit the least ·-·- favorable ratio of c9ck~1 . to hens. So far it is difficult to explain this condition because the countie·s· of th~ ·-area outlined dra\'I much ·Of· Colorado's hunting pressure. In addition, an unusually high ratio of cocks to 100 hens can be .. ... noted in Baca, Elbert, Fremont, Rio ·Grande,·· and La" Plata counties. Some question ID.11 naturally arise - as"'Eo"y:hy these countie s were not included nith theoothers. ~· as members of tp.e µnfavor.~b.le sex ratio group. He f eel that too little data resulted ill an ·abnormal ratio thus excluding the se areas from consideration r1ith the re ~t •... __.. ;..... .: . . , Examination of Figures I, III, and TV reveals a correlation of pheasant concentration viith the dry and irrigated farming areas of eastern Colorado. The highest concentration of pheasants is primarily in the dry farming re gion in the extreme northe astern portion of the state. From this point of high population there is ~ decrease in the number of birds per mile in the general direction of the mountains, westnard (Figure I). An extension westv1ard in the good, fair, and poor areas of northeastern sections and the poor and very poor areas of the southeastern sections appears to conform closely v1ith our major irrigated farm areas, thus strengthening the belief that the distribution of bird concentrations depends largely upon established farming practices . Areas designated as 11poor 11 in south central and west central Colorado are isolated faming regions along the \1estern slope. �- 4As a whole, ueather conditions had little of any noticeable effect upon census results. A rough examination of the card returns which is not included in this report, minimi zed, it is felt, any concern over the effect of weather on future cencus nark. Of the greatest importance, hov1ever, was the failure of carriers to religiously supply this information in the space provided. The usefulness of the Rural Carriers 1 Inventory \1as tested on sage grouse and deer in addition to the pheasant. There uere 88 carriers from 15 counties in sage grouse regions who drove 8, 752 miles and tallied lil.3 or .047 birds per mile. It nas felt that this volume of data from Colorado 1 s four major s age grouse areas did not present usable data upon which to base future population trends. However, it is felt that the results shorm. follouing this first application by no means nullify the system here. Rather, that a more satisfactory census period uould result in more volume of data. Remarks tendered by some cooperators v1ould point toward the winter season as the period during r1hich to conduct the survey. Sage hens at that time are relatively· exposed to view by virtue of the snow .cover generally prevalent , ·over the four grouse regions. Plans for the futtir_e indicate a running of our carriers' census in Jan~ary or February rather than the first ·week _of April • ... As a result of seeing· 348 dee~ 'Yhile driv~g 14,694 miles j,rl fq of our c·.ount;te~, it seems impossJble · tha~ ~t~e r.ural carriers' inventory c.ould a s sist in determining the status' ·or· Color·adO-' ~ 'deer population • .. . ·- , ·. N ' :; ' ·.: · ;~~ · ·Howard A, . . .:::... . •tfti~. : T/ilcllife •• ' ... c .. . ·.. ,:. :. I t •· . !_ : -~ . . ... .. ; .. - .. July 24, 1947°: :··: .., · Date f .. . . 1·: -.. . ! . .: .,, : .' .1: . . . ~ ~- \ . : J. ·: : • ~' . ; ·::.~ ' : - .... .:. ... .. . .. . . ~ .· : . •' . . ! j ,. • • .: •; :! :·.... .; . • . ~. I' : . .. . :. ···.. . ·.. . :.. -~ .) ..; ,' · .. .. . ' . . I • . .. i .J • l .. . ~;~·~_:~~.: ... , ._ .. ~ ; . ': ~ • ; ., t !. · -,_. ~· . ·r .' ' I ·'J .. �,. J ' ..... ... n 0 ii x •8 .. = . "'r~ ..... .... •r .... "'z .. n> ..,.."' II) z ~ z 0 !< c~ n 0 z 31: "Q i'i 0 �t FIGURE 1I , ~HlL"\Af ::•,..,; ·.: o - ?:( '++++-+++·~ +++++-1-Hf-HHl.~w~~·~ ?:::.~~ 2! nttf:l:t:t:l+t:t:t:tt:ttil . . , .... ·· .... , I l'I t:l::l±t:~+='='"-'.........,,........... • :~:-+'~,i ?' ~~~!~ ·~· 0 ::Sl l (' C" 1 01 1 =) (l '\°- .. ·,-..v.u_M~ : , , : • : , . I ·:..:: ... ; .~<' .<:·{-'. '. ·. :.·:::·...... 2 00 over 200 1 51 ~ • • ..... !I: //'. ~~ -... )C l:S • ,KIT J;,ARSCN. ... " : ·' .'" .. ' ·, • lf •.{[·•L_~:. X-?\·.:n1 1 . :.·.. _.-:-:<:: ::- :.:·.:~. . -.. ~::·.:l~:iic _ • • ' I " ' . ' ' '• ' . - , ' ' '• ' .::~:._:_"'. :.:~: ~,::-f.::"·.·. ::.I~> ~~~¥OI~ : ,'•"/:. : ; : :·;: .• ;. ::. 1~2! t;h'.'i.::·H:;t':J:.;_~ .c.-<.J-· . T. i �TABLE I·. RURAL MAIL CARRIER CEMSUS --- sum.fARY SHEET Sage Gr. Pheasant Total Cocks Hens Males per Birds Total Birds 100 Females per miles birds per mile mile Counties :, Adams 29 .1576 .0184 Alamosa 1716 50 .0291 ! Arapahoe 62 1170 .0529 Baca 2244 .ooao 18 Bent 1278 .0492 63 Boulder 2352 26 .0110 Cheyenne 1236 10 .0080 Conejos 1200 20 .t0166 Costilla No Card Return Croviley 982 8 .0081 Delta 1746 52 .0297 Denver 384 .0026 1 Dolores 90 0 0 Douglas 0 481 0 Eagle 576 0 0 Elbert 1233 10 .0081 El Paso 4520 26 .0057 Frernont 1077 12 .0111 186 ~ Grand 0 0 Gunnison 975 0 0 ! 69 v Jackson 0 0 Jefferson 3 6M .0043 Kiowa 2316 .0233 54 Kit Carson; 4317 170 .0393 5 I.a Plata 1599 .0031 Larimer 2750 .0050 14 Las Animas 1275 4 .0031 Lincoln 1137 .0255 29 Logan 4560 391 : .0851 Mesa 1917 20 .0104 (j .r.toffat 74:7 0 Montezuma 991 ,0050 5 Montrose 1623 '.0184 30 Morgan 1595 23 j .0144 Otero 2232 33 .0147 ! 1658 Phillips Prowers 2732 809 66 24 0 Pueblo 2682 Rio Blanco ' 366 Rio Gra~1de 1 1267 5 Routt 71:4 0 5aa· Saguache 6 San Miguel; No Card Return 1 f"'I", Sedgwick ~ 1902 'Summit i 75 Washington j 3164 Weld· ; 6837 Ywna Total ' 4860 -··· -·79709 599 0 512 186 ; 496 ·sa71 ; .4879 '. .0241 : .0089 0 j , .0039 ' I 11 163.6 51.51 67.56 500.00 3 29 l 117.24 18 44.44 3. 233.33 185. 71. 7 0 0 0 0 0 300.00 160.00 0 0 0 o: 0 0 0 400.{)0 2 62.50 16 1 '1100.00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 116600 25 226.9 52 400.00 1 100.00 7 3 33.33 19 52•63 144 171•6 15 33.33 0 0 0 0 66.66 18 130.00 10 17 94.11 254 218.5 100.00 33 9 166.6 0 0 1 I 400.00 0 ·1 0 3 100.00 ' 18 17 25 15 33 37 . 34 I 8 I ~1 13 6 32 0 0 0 0 8 10 11 0 0 0 3 29 118 4 7 1 10 247 5 0 5 12 13 16 555 33 15 0 0 4 0 .0102 3 2 20 l I i I I .I i ; .3149 0 .• 1618 ! .0272 i.1020 .0485 . f 373 0 360 92 348 2457 ! ; 226 0 152 94 148 1414 165.00 0 236.8 97.87 235.l 173.76 Deer Deer per mile 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .1021 .0594 1.449 0 0 0 0 .0352 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o. 0 0 1.263 0 1.8~6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .0696 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .0 0 0 0 0 .4121 .ooaos .0686 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .0801 �., " ...... n 0 Cir- :!i 8 :(/) ~Pl z I"" .,11:>..... "Pl :: 0 !; s _ •n r- -.. )C l:J oz ~"' ~ J: ;< > ~ 'V n :0 �\ ,, �.t.. 1ij[1l1l1 ij ~1~iji1~l1 1 1i[~ilijij]~1]f1i11l1'ij11 1 BDOW021218 •f • I•• • • . ••. .. ', .:-4 . . 0 U T L I N I: F 6 ·~ s u R v E Ys . A ND PROJECT ro. ... , ., #col' - .. .. •' 4-R DATE ~--l,l!..Y...t...13.47--..~~~~~- ..... :VOL. - ·-·--·--·jTO. R ~ P ·o R T P R 0 G..R .E S S I N v ·E .s T I G· A T r ·a N s As Required By FEDERAL AID IN UILDLIFE RESTCRATIOlJ ACT . · 1. Title of Project: A Study of D~ac~ - ~o . Grain-. Crops. by ..Pildlii'e · and· Ins~cts; · ·· ·- ·· ·· ···"and· Ifabl.tat .. Improvement for Pheasants and \1ate~fowl~ -· 4 ' Irving · R• Pole' ·· ... 2. Leader: J. Report of progress: .· , •• ~ ' •.\ ,,.. • - •f., -1... •, • . •I ' .~ ~ I ~· A. Preliminary.- 'Planning·: · · From J.iar9h 15 to !l!µ-~h 20: a -thorough recotmaissance .. or: the land available to the G~e · ,and Fish Department at the- Rocky f,!ountairi -.Arsenal \1as made . • ' • I • . . March 20" to f.iarch 31 r1as spent making an actue.l ·surwy of the land an::i t~e allocation of such land to certain acreage s for crops . in securinc permis sion from .the Qhemical Harfar~ Service to use thi·s land, and in obtaining competitive bids from local farmers in the .Ar~enal area to· do the planting. B. Census l.iethods: .·. A car trend approximately 200 yards .\1ide (100 yarcl.ci en either side of -:the road) and 25 miles long nas·:,put into operation on Ar;:.:-:~:.. i ·.'" The trend ·starting time \Vas 5:30 a.m. r1ith the exception of one ris~· k Y1i1en the starting time was 5:00 p.m. ~ . · T\1enty-two car tren~ counts: )lere made during the month '·and on both morning and evening counts the nUJ!lber · of pheasants seen re~ained abou~ · tne same. The highest count rtas ~a~e on ~pril 16. Uith snow on· th~- . ground providing a white background, 32 cocks pnd.. 50 hens were seen. : . . . Car trend counts show a - dec.li.pe in ·the pheasant popul~tion during the months of L;ay and June. Thl,:;i •.d eoline· may be caused by an· increase in ground cover and in nesting activities. The .-follo\7ing figures are for comparison: ~ .... ·. · : ··.. ,, ..... �.... ·-~ . ... .. - 2 - Honth Phe.asan.ts/mile cocks/mile April .578 1.150 . • 520 ?.lay ~856 June .240 . .140 hens/mile .1uvenile simile -- .556 .336 .070 . .OJO In the attempt to secure 100. per cent pheasant pn~ulation counts over sections of land in the -Arsenaj., thirty Boy Scb'u:<, ·nere used. Sections 5 and 26 and one-fol:lrth of Sections 12 .1..-~d l \1ere covered. · ·' -.:.. : . · -. · ·· fol~~ITT.ng results l1ere obt.a ined: The ·. ~ ···· i : . :'"' . Drive No. 1 2 3 Section No, 5 26 12 4 1 Starting Time 9:15 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 1:15 p.m. 2:00 p.m. TOT.ilS ~ . Unident 15 74 Hens 85 6 47 37 w. 21 1 150 16 Cocks l4 7 . The estimated pheasant population of the .Rocky P,iountain Arsenal is based upon trend counts, available cover, and pe~sonal observation of each sectio of the Arsenal. The Boy Scouts' count \7as not us:d, f or it is knovr.1 t hat some birds \Vere missed, and some oore counted more c-h..m one time. Of 17,705 acres in the. s~udy area proper, 915 comprise the buildings and lakes leaving 16,790 acres available to an estimated population of 1,907 pheasants or .113 phe ~ : ants per acre. An area adjacent to the study area and clos~d to the gen:·:.!ll public consists or 13,970 acres mth an estimated p:opulation .. of 1,822 p: ~·,_1.. Jants or .130 pheas·ants per acre. ~ · ... B~ds .......: • .· .. and mammals observed at. the Ro0.ey: Mountain Arsenal include: Marsh· hawks American Roughlegs Sparrow Hawks Goshawks Great Horned Onl~ Bwrowing Owls . Golden Eagles Hilson Snipe Kildeer Night-croun -Hero~s · Starlings Shrikes Jack rabbits Cottontail rabbits Ifeasels Skunks Badgers Coyotes Porcupine . ,. t •• fiickers (Red-shafted) r.iagpies Blackbirds (Red-\'ri.ng; yellow-headed) I.:eado\7larks Lark-b'5ntings Morning Doves Robins Spar.r ous Baltimore Orioles Eastern Kingbirds \teatern Kingbirds Domestic Pigeons Dogs Cats i.iuskrats Thirteer.-line-striped Ground Squirr~ls f.ioles r.Iice �• - 3 • Ducks found at the Rocky Mountain .Arsenal lakes: . .- . . .. A12ril 23 P:ia;y: 21 Jnne 18 .. 1.1 M F Total S~cies F Total u F Juv! ·1 c Gad-wall 16 8 124 ·l 2 2 Pintail I) 8 21 8 3 2 ., 5. 3 Mallard 60 .?4 12 7 : 19 225 31 -27 1~ Seaup 2 .. 4 8 2 4 4 G. rI. Teal 10 9 19 B. TI• Teal· 7 4 11 3 1 .. Spoon Bill 8 5 13 3. 5 5 4 · Ruddy ·iJ .··12 15 .12 11 7 . . 27 25 ' ''8 6 '8 6 20 · 17 ·. Reghead 1 ' 14 14 ' ~ i . ·2 . 1 . Baldpate 3 - Canvas back ··.. · 1 1 Coot 2 13 4 "'":' Ylestern Grebe . ~ .. ._:. G. B. Heron 10 5 .. Cormorant· 20 90 Ducks Unident. 6 .. c. Planting Pr'o gress: ... -- -- ·- -- --.... -- -- .... -- .... ·- I _ .... I Total 4 5 7J -- -- ..--z -- -- .. ·~ -: 4 9 ; 18 '... ::·38 1 2 . . ·'JS .: . 1 1 .. J 1 · Ground v1as broken for the· 270 acres . ot·'gr.a in to be planted at the Arsenal on April 14, by Ii.ir. u. K. Land. Planting :r1as slow due to ac;lverse ueather .conditions. · By April JO, 110 acres "had been ploued and JO acres · of barley had been planted using 62 pounds of seed per acre. Thirty acres of Marquis wheat was planted on f-.iay 4 using 63 pounds of the acre. t.ir . Land spent the remainder· of the . month preparing the remaining acres for planting, and again he was delayed by much rain and spme snow. Completion of the planting of 155 acres of corn was accomplish~d · ·b y June 17, and the planting of 40 acres of millet was completed on the 25th of June. Three and one-half acres of cane and the remaining eleven and one-half acres of millet and corn uere planted on June 26 thus completing the 270 acres. The 15 acres last mentioned \'/ill .be used as a \?inter feeding ..area. r , " ~ . I Ammonium Nitrate (32.5% Nitrogen) at 77 pound~ p~r acre nas used to fertilize 142 acres. This fertili.zer:.:and: the equipment necessary to apply..it . .-".. ~as furnished by the Post Engineer~ · . _, D. Corn Damage: ·- ...-,...·· . ·.. ·. , ;, . -.... :' ... : . ... .. . . . . . Ten· p~rcent of the total number or··corn rous ·are checked for the actual dP.m~ge., This means that ev.ery tmfnt'ieth ridge betueen the rous of corn is trave~sed and the rou o~ either side of the ridge is inspected • . A damaged sprout. :is stepped on so it \7ill not be counted again• . .: . .,, : �- 4Pheasant damage to the corn has been found to be in four stages: 1. The \7hole kernel is eaten 2 • . The corn sprout is pulled up e,nd the remains of the 3. 4. · . kernel is eaten The corn sprout is pulled ~P or uncovere.d, but. the kernel :is not eaten .. The large sprouts are partially un-coirer8c1 or broken off, with the kernel stii+ rem·1::r.:L1g cr.wr '3 d· . ... · . The theory has been advanced that the pheasant hears 'a cutworm, and upon digging for the \"Jorm, eats the kernel and the 11orm., .. This action 110uld be similar to that of a robin eating norms on a l arm, and is a reasonable explanation to Stages 1 and 4 described above. The most damage appears after the sprout breaks through the ground and lasts for a period of five ueeks. This is also the time uhen cutuorm activity is greatest. Song bird and ant damaee to ·kernels and small sprouts is· second to that of the pheasants. " They bo:t;h attack the kernel by ~~ing a small hole, up to the size of a quarter, and eating the kernel but leaving the yellou hull; v1hile the pheasant nill dig a triangular hole, varying in size from that of a quarter to a hole tuo and one-half inches in diameter~ Rodent damage has not been notice able up to the p~e sent i:.~_ne o The 155 acres of· corn have .been planted with the f0llo\7i.ng seed: Colotado Grown Registered Hybrid Corn Registration Num"::Ert'.' R-45-22 Variety Colorr:S.o · 151 · County i7e ld Percent of Ger?lli:i ·-:r~i:m 93% Grade 13 flat Grower 13-45-11 This seed contained an avera&e of 2,018.3 kernels per pound CORN DAI.iAGE BY SEED PULLING Area Cl C2 C3 C4 Ten Percent Counts June 17-18-12 - June 22-2~-22 ·8b7 181 100 746 1053 1972 No count ava;il245 able dµe to · ground conditions 335 Total 10% Damage .· 1048 846 3025 580 Total Damage 10,480 8,460 30,250 5,800 Pounds Seed Damage 5.19 4. 19 14.99 2,87 TOTALS 5499 54,990 27.24 June 27 --- > Uith the above data there is at the present time a loss of 4.5 acres of corn planting an average of 6.2 pounds of corn per acre. �• - 5 .. . . . -· An inci<lental farmins ;t.011s of seed cern takes place '17hen the corn lister is ·-lifted out of the :rouna: · \1herr : ~intr ~ .turn .at. t}l~ _e)ld of. the field. An aver~e .of three kernels per i:or1 is dro'Ppad at t he· end of each rou before ... .. · ·the Tister is throvm out· or ge·a r ·~ · There . i:s approximat~J:y .1,~Q...5.4 rows in the 155 acres of corn which will give a loss of over one and one-half pounds of c~rn.- This corn -is largely eaten by ph~asants, · but a considerable quantity is eaten by song birds and pigeons. Pheasant damage is not restricted entirely to the sides and ends of the corn . fi~lds. On~ ~phe~sant, trac~ed after a rain; · covered three adj~cent "· ·i ¢,,r.n. ro-r1s for a <Ustance of over 1,100 ~et and then went out of the center ·· · 6f the fi'ill-d at -about :a 60 degree angle·~ ' The pheasant destroyed 29 kernels of corn. The kernels -of 27 sprouts wer·e taken, and tuo other sprouts were pulled leaving the k~rnels. Light damage has been observed in the centers of a.)..l ·qorn fields. · · ~ Pheasant damage to wheat, barley, mille"t:·, and cane has been nonexistent • .Ants have destroyed much grain, 6 to 8 "foot circles around their bills have been complete~y cleared of all vegetation and each fi~ld contains 10 to 15 or more ant hills. ' Yellou-headed blackbirds and .lark-buntings were observed eating considerable millet and cane. .. . ' E. . Pheasant N~sting Data: . . . PHEASANT NEST DESTRUCTI<>N Hen Killed Date . ...... ~ , .. 5-4 5-15 5-17 5-17 Clutch Size 4 ? 11 Yes 5~21 -~ ? 16 · .. ~7·Dests .9 .- w16 ' 5-25 5-26·, 6-2 • . B. nests 6-7 .).0 11 9 6-7 . ~- Yes Yes .. 6-7 6-12. 12 6-2d 10 ... ,.. Remarks Destroy~d by rain Destroyed by dogs · Destroyed by mowing Are.a flGoded py r.r~.k~n re~ervoir valve Destroye~ by badge:r:· Heri· ·qu:f..t nest . bec a-qs.~ q~ too many people''observing eggs· .. . pestroyed by predators Destroye.d by mowing· Destroyed by mowing Destroyed by mo'IT.ing Destroyed by mowing Hen quit nest because nest was flooded. Clutch Size .-..Av~~~ge , ·: . .. , ... . J 10.S ·: . ,· . '• �- 6. PHEASANT, goops , :. Dite : Clutch Brood . ~ ·Siff · :-· Size ? 13 ~ ..·. Hen freseht Yes ' 5-22 · to . ... 5-2S 5-~s . 6-7 6-12 6-16 6-16 , : ·14 12 Yes Yes · - Yes No .... 6-19 6-19 6-24 ? ) 2 6 12 12 ' .. 5 ... -......... 6 7 6'· ..... Yes 6-25 6-25 ) .' . ) ...-- . ... s Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes · Yes 6-17 . 6-17 ,. ·12 Yes ...,·: ?· ? Yes No .' Regrks Reported by $heepherder Ab~e to t~y 50 feet Reported by Clyde Robbins Repoi:ted by Clyde. Robbins .Reported by R. R, lJaiden Reported by R. R~ .Liaiden · .~epo~ted by R. R. I.hlden Reported ·l:?Y..R." R. I.iai_d en ·Reported by lte R. i!aiden · Reported by R. R, Haiden Reported by 1.ir• Star 4 3 .... z · Able to f'~y Awrage Brood Size · 5.8 Monthly Precipitation: . April i.30 inches 4.61 May Jtme F. The total precipitation of S.56 inches may be the reason for a poor hatch and low brood counts. · 11 •• 2.65 ' I! Duck and Dove Nesting Data: D te 5-17 5•17 DUCK AND DOVE !lEST DESTfiUCTION · Female ·· ' Clutch s ed ·Duck 6 6 Nests 4 Nests 4 Nests · Coot 5-26; 6-2 Dove Duck (Unknown) 6-5 6-5 6-14 6-18 ize . 4 Nests Dove ~- · Do~e 2 · Yes Coot 'i I Area nood.ed by broken valve Area flooded by broken vilve Destroyed by predators Destroyed by dogs Destroyetl ~y -dogs :Destroyed by rain Destroyed by me.n uith 2 foot piece of 2 ~ 4 DUCK. BROODS Hen Date 6-5 6-5 6-10 6-19 6-19 6-19 6-19 6-19 6-19 Species Uallard Coot I~lallard Mallard 1Jallard Mallard Mallard Coot Redhead Present Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Clutch Size Br.ood. Si.ze Remarks Tuo weeks old Less than neek old Two Tleeks old Trio weeks old Two ueeks old Fledglings Fledglings Three neeks old Tno weeks old 7 6 ...- -- 5 J 5 5 2 2 l Average Brood Size . 4 �- 7 G. Predator Information: I Destroyed T.1agpie Nests l.iagpie E~cs April Killed Juvenile I.:agpie s Old 1.!agpie s Sparr0\7 Hanks Goshawks Great Horned Owls P.1ay 128 81 June Total 2 0 133 April May June 0 133 17 23 0 1 0 Total 156 28 9 5 3 9 10 5 12 0 0 10 0 3 3 0 3 0 0 16 3 3 0 Dogs Coyotes Cats Badgers Skunks 11 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 5 6 Probable kill of skunks \7hen holes were gassed rti th Tear Gus (CH) 81 5 3 6 6 The Department appreciates the cooperation of Mr. R. R. I.iaiden of the Guard Force and I:lr . Clyde Robbins, Post Engineer, uho have been of great help i..1 destroying magpie nests and killing predators. There is still considerabl A badger and skunk sign around the Arsenal at the present time. 1 Submitted by: Approved: Name Irving R. Poley COLORADO GAME .AND FISH DEPARTI,iENT Title Tiildlife Technician 1 Title _ _c;;;..•::-.;;N.;.:i ·~F-.e-.a-.st.-.as....-D.. ir--.ec-.t_o~r.....__ __ • Date _ _..;:;J...;;ul;;:,Y~2;;..:9..a.•..;l:;;;..911..;;4~7------- �.... ·- - ; • 1ij~1l~\ l ~\l~~l~\i\l\~~~\~ij~f\ l\l\l ~l~\ BDOW021219 ---- COLORADO STATE PROJECT .N.O. _ _......4_-R_ _ _ _ __ 0 lJ ·T LINE . July, 1947 DATE · .. VOL. - - - - - NO. FOR PROGRESS REPORT ,. S ·U R V E Y S A N D I NVE S T I G A T I ONS As r equired by FEDERAL AID IN WILD~IFE RESTORATION ACT ·.: . 1. Title of ·Project: 2. Leader: Strutting Ground Survey Howard A. Stiehm 3. Report of progre ss: A sage grouse strutting ground survey conducted during tho quarter primarily to develop a ·basis for annual inventories was initiated. Data are presented to illustrate our findings to date. The ·quantity of data accumul ated by t~o months of survey wor k has provided the most useful material thus far upon v1hich to determine the status of our sage grouse~ ... It was planned to develop daily and seasonal durations of . strutting activity at the maximum. l evel, an audibility range of strutting-activity, pennGUlent census r outes; and a r el ationship of struttin~ grouna size to the number of ·strutting birds. Sufficient stru~ting areas, {4?) were l ocat ed upon which to base a t emporary trend of population, and the attempt was made t o locate the great e st possibl e number of strutting neles for- c.n index of future populetion trends. Using £.11 passable roads. in each. of the sage brush 8r Eias a "listpnti.ng stop" truverse by" automobile r1as . incorpor~tod. The· observer, starting bEJfore sunrise, stopped at mile intervals to listen. and scerch Tiith binoculars f or strutting activity. At the outset it became evident thz.t the observer frequently saw strutting activi ty v1hic.h -.w. s inaudible . Consequently t he use of binqcu,lars became rnandr.tory and the survey is novi referred to as the stop-1ook- nnd listen system as applied to sage grouse . Realizing the nee~ for · r egular time limits marking the daily census period the observer applied, a rµle . of thlirnb whicl;l included the maximum in s:trutting activity. One hour bef or e sunrise untii one and one -helf hours: after sunrise ~as established. Each strut area has been carefully mapped and the numbers of strutting male s r ecorded. �. -.... .... .. Discus~i?,JJ ..of Strut - 2 - Gro1:fildS .. Ncrth of Kr emmling , , Co] or ado on t ho Upper Troubl esome (Figure I) l ay 5 clos el y a l lied s'Erutting gr ounc"s r:hich r·err; easil y e.ccessibl o a.11d rJhich wer e s.~N e rt8d to a s Grics of § vis::.t:=; to establ ish tcnpor ary dail y ond s e csonal t ine l:.:n~ts .. ThG'"first· 3· vis~7.s et the ho:.r.: '~·:. of strutting activity pointe d t oy:arci a sh~.fting .of indiv~.du::l DaJ.o b:i.rdJ ft'om on0 g:i:-ound to another runong the 5 gr nund;:; . At the srune time i::bo totb.l populo.t.ion of tho· 5 gr ounds ( Tabl e 2 ) varied but sl Lght.l y. t'r or.1 ti:m f5.r st :t o tho thi:·d vis).ts... A s i milnr oc currence has bec:i note d i n the. Gu!1..nison regi .<m • . This grol~ping of str ut t i ng gr ounds r1ithi n a str utting area ~ppoars .1::<?. occur goner ally throughout tho St ate 1 s sage gr 0usc r egi ons; thcrcf0r e , it i s be l icvdd that the findi ngs of future trend v1ork will be Q~i?Pd lcrgol :y upo11 . ~~r'+ttir?-g ~rcn populati ons r at her than upon i ndividual strutting gr ound populations .~ I 11 each of tho ar eas wher e the phen omenon was n oted t ho gr ounds r.ror e no f lU'ther apar t t han t hr e e - f ourth s of a mile . We crumot arbitr arily. s~t the diamet er of strut t i ng ar eas at three - f ourths of a n ilc on s uch limi ted dnta'but it i n f e lt 1 t nat aroo. b~mnclar ies: c an b~ e s tablishe~ thr oueh field wor k beyond whi ch lit~k or no shifting occurs . .I On·: May 26 ·~d J une 2 t he rom9~ning t·ao checks v1or c made on the Kremmling ar ea c ounting 33:end 0 bi r ds ' r 9s poctive ly. The hi gh of -33 mal e bir 4 s. wa;> r eached at 6 :10 o. 4IJ . c.ppr:oxi incte i y- ~ hours l e.t er than normnL The-1 ubsenc E- of birds fr0m tho· str utti ng gr qilpc1s.. oh June 2 \Jould indi cate a· .drrcr e-c.se·· of s t r utti ng activity ne ar t he. end '?~ .1'.ily •. . : -, .. .: .: . • i The: fie ld per sonne l druing t he s urvey period (Apr il 1 - J une 2 ) l oc ated 48 struttJ;ng g~ounds. ,On 39 of t ho .48 gr b~qs 8/+2 mal e ·str \i:tt ing bi r d s wer e counte d or nn ·:aver age..: :of 2;i. . 58 per gr ound . The r en1ci ni ng 9 strutti ng . grounds v1en obscure d \1hich pr ohibit ed c 'c ount of m.a l e bir ds . It is fe l t t.het thesG obsc ure ground s do ·not •;1crrant the t i me:: n0c cssary to bring thorfl.. to vieH ,end t _hus shorten t ho t raverse a s e r e s ult . · :' . . . ~ . ' .! Individual gr ounds exhibi ted consi de n.!bl e vcriati on i n t hG number of mal e birds pr~ se nt, r anging .fr oq 1 t o 139; and 23 s t r ut t i ng gr ounds ~~ re found to be supporting 1 to 25 r.ialG birds , •1ith anothe r 15 str utti ng (;r qunds suppor t i ng 26 t o 50 birds . On0 · str ut ground c arr yi ng 139 perf0rr.ii nc ncl e: bir ds f e ll wi thin th~ 126 to 150 cl nss (Fi3urcII ) . A fi gure repr e s enting the avor cbe number of mnl e bir ds per str ut ting gr ound can be found by r e f er ence to Tabl e · I. No a t tor.ipt is made ct t hi s e arl y date to c ccount for tlic G.iffe're:nces rihich cix:j..st; ther ef or e it i s f e lt t hat until c ompl ete cover t:t;e of all our · sc.ge gr .ousc regi on s has been accompli she d t hese c!atr. arc inc o.pablc of r opr <.:) sent ing each r egi on in i ts entir c tyt Howeve r , in the ftiture t he do.ta r esultine fr om the locati on of strut gr ouncls i n 1947 c an be utilize d f or t he ir value in i ndicati ng a t r end of' ·~ve ra~o ground population over the sar.ie s trut t ing gr ounds in 1948 . ..: ·· �- 3 Nesting Study: Several days (123 man hours) ~ere spent in the field in search of nests to obtain data r el ative to clutch size, success r~tio, causes of failure , proximity t o vmt or , topography and i;encr al sage type* . During this time 4 nests co.rae to the attention of t he observer. Three of tho f our ncr e from the preceding season. The r emai ning nest, a product of t he 1947 season , hud gone thr ough successfully, h~tching off u clutch of 6 o~gs. The r esults obtained f r om this 11ork y1ould i ndicc:.te t hat mor e observers nr e needed to find o. quunti ty of do.t a upon v1hich concl usions can be based. * Colorado P-R 1940-41. Submitted: Approved by: COLORADO GAME AND FISH DEPARTM ENT Title __,w,_1.,·1...d_,l._i""";f._.o__.T....e_c_ hn =ic_1__ •an ______ Title ___c.;;..:.••N;.;.:..•-=F~·e~u~s~t~,i.....;:;D~i~r~e-c_t_o_r___~ Date _____;J;..;ul=y_.;;;;; 2:2z.., ; :;. -=l::.c9:.=4t7:.:._ _ _ _ _ __ �... . N FIGURE I N.ap shows close relationship of five strutting grounds within a struttin.: area. Continued shifting of male birds within the area was noted. R 80 W, T 2 N Sec. 34 and 35 Gre.nd County, Colo. I I ' ' '' ' ' \ l I I I ; ,,.i,...o I .,. .·- I / ,, / \. .-. , / I _., ..- - ~ - --, - I .. / ' , I t I I Gr. 1 \ Gr. 5 \ G r• 2 • I - ' 1 I II 1 1 -- Gr.- j- - .-' -- ' ..... - .4 ,,.-- '· Gr " ..... .,/ 'I 11 -- - ---. I,,------' I I I I -----~ . I I I I Upper Troublesome Road S ca t' e �T".BIE II KREMMLili_Q _· GUNNISON · NUMBER OF S'IRUTT ING MAI.ES {Seen on S~cific D~sl NUMBER OF STRUTTING ~.w.ES (Seenon Specific DJ!X.~·--· Area 4-22-47 1 2 3. . ·4 5 8 32 28 37 _g_ 105 21 Total Average 5-3-47 0 11 9 '21 -2.... 93 ' 18.6 2-10-47 0 5 51 34 6 - 96 19.2 Area 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 4-27-47 8 18 0 28 20 26 4-29-47 12 ·6 4-30-47 45 4 19 0 0 26 5 0 10 ·No check 0 .. (Leck of complete ··rield study eliminates this data as an example other than to show daily variances in the number of strutting mal es on individual grounds ) FIGURE II No. of Strut Grounds 0 - -- -1 -_- 25- ._....;;.._ _ _.____,_~--- 26 - 5o 51 - 75 1 J 76 - l oo 101 - 125 J.26 - 150 Size classes of Strut Grounds. �TABLE I • Number of .il.l'ea Date Male Birds 5-6-47 5 II 14 52 NORTH PARK P&-r tA P~,,),tYJ.,2 . •., J . 3, 4 5· 6 7 8 Area . : l. Number of Mal e Birds Date · MOFF.i>.T @JW,!.Y II 5-7-47 1 It 36 It ? 7 II 5-8-47 9 II 10 11 ti II 12 II 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 5-9-47 l II 13 II 8 II ? ? 7 8 4 2 5-14-47 36 41 35 15 45 II II II II II Total \ 12 6 45 5 0 10 ~ 1 l1- . 104 ,A\rex.ag~33'­ ~0n-bas:i:-s-ef 6 s trutgrorardSJ--:-- .!IBfil.~G (; 'Y ~ "' J, (! o _it__ 605 A~ ...,...----- -..24,20 ~ Total 6 II ,, .. 1 2 3 4 5 6 5-12-47 _4___ 14 9.oee---., Total Average GUNNISON 1 30 O" 0 ( On-bcrs±s- -of- 2- str-ut-gr-0:undsJ 31 3 26 13 139 II .. 0 3 4 5 J8 5-20-47 ·10 z II II . . -.. 1 2 l\ J 4 .5 - I ,... 'I. 8 32 28 37 0 5 6 7 Total (pn - basis of 2 5 sti>ut s-retmds}_ 1 Avera~ ( 9 --2_ 119 -i9-.S33____ Qn-~~strut-grouncis1--- �_,,, I~~lil llij'~1~'1li1~il1i1 i~iilijij]~I]~iilf~II B D OW0212 2 0 ST.ATE COLORADO ---- -- PROJECT NO. _ _4~·:-l DATE_....,.....___Ju.1y , A 19!-:.'.L. VOL~ ." ------NO . .0 ·u..T L' I N E FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND I N VE S T I GA T I 0 NS . R~POR~ As r.eq~ired by FEDERAL AID iN WiLDLIFE RES.TQRATION ACT 1. Title of Proje~t: 2. Leader: 3. Report of progress: During the quarter just complet e d r econnaissaµc e trips wer e made in .the follo\1ing areas: The r£ie sa areas a.round Dolore s, including Horse Camp Mesa, Turkey Creek; Be!3,ver Canon, Ferris Canon , Salters. ·Canon , The Glade~ Granath Mesa , Dolore s River, , Fish Creek; and the area around r e d rocks and Taylor Park. These ar e all . development areas from the·' pJ.ant.s: ~·ade in the Dolores River ha.sin at Beaver Creek and Sa lter s Can·on -beginning . with March, 1942 through March, 1943. In tho Lost Cnnon . r en invc:::stigation s :vicr o made at Hay Camp h~sa , Lost Canon, Rush ~~11 dist rict, an~ Railroad Canon. This area shows deve l opment from 7 hens r e l ease d in Lost Crulon in March, 1943. Surveys in the Chicken Cre<'1k area included Chicken Creek Cl:.non, Turkey Cree!~, Mancos River, Webber Canon~ Ifoncos Me sa, East Canon, and lower Cherry Creek Cnnon. The se wer e developments from plants made from January and February of 1943 to J unuary, 1945. The Upper Cherry Cr eek pl ant han remained pretty much intact and staye d fairly c l ose to the originc l p l anti ng are a. The Deadrnan Gulch plant has moved dorm into the lower Cherry Creek district and i s shorJi ng a year of ~atisfnctory increas e . ~'1 . Wild Turkey Surveys and Investigations in Colorado L. Burget The plant ·on Florida l'.':Csa has spread out ·,·iell and most of the turkeys area kz1,own as tho Baldy Mountai n district. This is desirable habitat and they ·s hould do we ll. A little poachi ng is char ged in this district but l a cks confitlnatl.on. It is found that v1hen birds move, tho · citi zens arc sure that poachirig. i ·s 't he cause. Obse rvations would confirm the f act t hat movement is due to food ·:conditions r ather .t han disturbance·._ . ... A trip uas made into the Hermosa dist rict. Turkcys · we ~c l ocate d east of the river near Trimble Spr,ings, at Rockwood, near Tacoma, an.d a gr oup a lso 5n the Mineral Creek .district •. A flock is still r eported in Hermosa Cre e k~ mov~ d ·t o" an ;. [ �,...,........ . :.,"' • - 2 · A tI'1p was also made into the Trinidad area . Tho Chicosn pl ant is st5-ll intact. A flock of loca ls have moved in a f e,·1 miles s ont '.1\7( ..-3 ·· o"" t "1:i. s :r-1-u;t and the Toms planted in the Stoncmc.11 district have beer: s ..--cr: -.. !:: <. · i ....<r i; <1n several occ asions. A brood of twelve wes soon on the 29th of J:ia.~- i... ch-:: Chicoso. district. The yount; birds we r e the size of be.by c hi cks. A chock 11as· made in the lov1er Purgntoire River section. There are only nine birds r eported in the Higby area, while t hirty or mor e ar c r e ported !\bove the Roark r anch. A survey was made in the r~s c.round the Hudson property. This district is lmorm as the Cedar Brake c ountry. Ther e are more than 50,000 acre s i n this district that should support ~ur~e~s. The area lie s in the Picketv1iro Canon (Purga toire River') and adj acent side ce.nons. Feed is of a little d;i.ffer ent type but is much like the habitc.blo areas in Ne·J t~xico that suppor t considerable flocks of turkeys. There ar~ Pinion-c edar brakes ond Ponderosa pine draws 11ith a heavy stand of oak undcrgror1th. Three-leaved sumac is abundant and at this time the f'ruits nero the size of large peas. The bottoms arc cove:red r1i t h dense growths of cottonwoods, populus angustif.olia apd.. af:!.s ociated shrubs. Wi:.a. plum thicke ts arc common and the overall picture is favor able~ There is onn drm1back. Vie c.ro informed tlmt bald oagl es congr egate in ·the c anon for t'!c ' · winter, end that they have been seen mol e sting the flocks f ar ther dO\·m r iirr.:r. Howeve r, this area should have a good tria l plant, a s a Mr • .Roberds, nnti vo o:f the area, says turkeys v1or c abundant in earl y days . Tv1enty-one broods Y"Jer e :r;c·p_orted during June as f 9llov1s: ·.·· 8 3 J 2 1 2 2 '. Piedra ar ea lJolorc s area Upper P;l-cdra, includes one on Williams Cr eek Bl enc o Basin Chicosa Cc.non · · P.urga t oirc Canon S~ onewcll area Tho average so f ar this ye ar is <; plus birds per l?r ood. The l owe st was f our in tho Piedra arec . The large st 1ms 13 in tho Williruns Cr eek erca. The turkeys ar e .mor e wide ly sc~ttercd .than any pe riod to dete·. · Thi~ adds grea tly to the difficulty of getting accurate dat a . To arrive at an accurate c ount is next to impossible . Ei ght9en ~trutting gr ounds were loc at ed in the ~ia.ncos -Doloros erea. Many nest sites r eported v1er e traced dorm without succe ss. All birds seen a ppcc.red in t op condition. Three are as Hith heavy predator l oads wer e indicated b oth int r eports and in survey: Thompson Park (Cherry _Creek), Tacoma Range foothills (Hermosa ), Spanish Peaks oroa . · · The Beulah, Wet Mountain erea will be chec ked early in Julv and a c omplct report can be given at thnt time . \.. �.. 3 - • Short feed conditions, coupled Tiith open winter has done a better job of distributing the turkeys than could have been done by trap~ing and transplanting or an open season. The general feeling is tmfavorabl.e ·c,o ur: open season as yet. Indications are that there nc.s an increase over l ust ye:i.r ' s figures . However, positive data is so hard to obtain that it will be nec 6ssery to get more reports before the true status can be detcrminedG Two ne sting areas were checked at an elevation of more than nine thousand feet this spring. The first·. vras checked porsonelly in the area above Rush Mill. Here a tom and seven hens vmre called in along a rim just at the edge of the Engelman Sp:ruce belt. The second nesting area vms checked by Ranger Busch of Pagosa Springs in the upper Piedra area, end tho birds wer e seen in an aspen patch in the spruce belt. In both cases there wer e hons and a tom which indicafod a mo.ting group. Both groups were seen early in May. Submitted: • Name: Martin L. Burget Title Wildlife Technician Approved by: Title C, N. Feast, Director Dato July 21, 1947 � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/81189cc65cf4c8ff66796519fba61d8f.pdf f08866020c59dd264e796b1c782fa8f2 PDF Text Text ' -~ 1 mr1r11~'iI1~'1Ji1~rn11i~~mij~~'~m1/fij11 _ _BDOW 0 2 1229 STa'lE ___________ ............. COLORJJ)O --~----- PROJECT NO. __.40= · '-'-R ....--=1:..-...--D'"'TE October, 1947 Vol. No. OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS S UR VE YS A l1 D ! N v· E S T I · G A T I 0 N S ------ REPORT As required by ·· : . FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTOR.11.TIO!'V .iil)T l~ " 2. . Titl e of Project: leader: . .. :._: Antelope Investigl,ltions Robert R. Elliott .............. . .. 3. Report of Progress: · Title' of Job:. Selection of Transplant Sites , .... '·" . :.o~je·c~i2~: .'...-To ' ~~c~t~ · desiFabi~ &~eas into.:~~~~~ :anteiope..;~f!l,;e' transl ocated success.fUlly • .. ..: : .: · , '. · .. '. · ~ . ! . ._. .-: ... ., .. ·• • t. • " .). ' '" • ~ , , . Scope: Complete coverage of public. land$ withln the state which vould provide suitable habitat. for ant~lope , . all facto.rs con.~iderec:i •. . '. ' . · I •• " • ., Time: Slirvey started Juiy. 16, 1947·, . in so1.rthe~n O~~·ro Com,ity~ : and was · completed September 6, 1947, tepn;inati!lg at North :?ark;. · ·" . . . · . Cooperating Agenc,~es .a.pd Grot:p.£ Soil Consez:yat.ion Service, Forest ··Service, U. s·. Bureau of Land- Man~5ement , Colorado State Vlarden: Service, · ·. Colorado A.- & ·M. ·_College; I~aak -H!ilton ·l eague s and local sport-5m~n r5 groups, :. · ' 'ranchers and landowners . T:l1e . ~nthusiastic cooper a.t ion of the·se groups and individuals ~as of considerable help .and is greatiy appreciated by the department. . ' ~. \ ~ ..... . 1. The Southern Otero County Land Utilization Project. · Dry Creek Basil'l ~ and .. ~Ionqgram J.lesa .in San ~·iiguel and Montrose Counties. J. The North Park are a no:-rth~~ st _.of Cowdrey, split by the Big Creek Lakes road. . r . _, . . ·· 4. The "desert" area north of Grand jilnct ion and Fruita, between the .High Line Canal and· the Book Cliffs. . 5. ·· Saguache Park, embracing.. the Taylor grazing· iand northwest of - Saguache, and in the AnteJ,ope and J ack1 ~ Cree~s drainages mainly. 6. The Gunsight Pass area between Troubl~some and Mudqy Creeks north of Kremmling in Grand County. · 2. �• .... -. · ··-- -~_.,_ ___ ...,._...,.,;... ·•• • .r_t _ -· ···-- . •·! ,, .. : • ~ . -·- -· .~ · ... --.::... :... .. : ' : - 2 - . -·· ·· ~ = - :.. - . - L •. 7. The Whitewater Creek - Rose Creek area south of Grand Junction ·- -·-·· ··cmd · eist-of ·U •· -6 ~ Highway 50 • . ·: . • ., ·. •t . . . ' . ·: • • • 'l'ranslocation areas· \vere chosen with the ..objectives in mind first, . that ~hey w~re situated on public lanc;l, .. and ..secondly, that each area would make ··a sUi table habitat for antelope ·from all standpoints, i.e. topogr~phy, v~:e~~t~on, predators, protection, etc. Each site is dealt with separately ·in ··this report in order of priority as listed . above, and _the ,informf-tion c.onc~rning it is as complete and . accurate as Vias possible to obtafu'·tH:thin the time allotted. Prospective sites which were not selected, but uhich were su.:;;ested by various ·individuals, were . reconrtoitered ·by the ' writer and reasons for the ir r ejection are ...,~iven •. . . . .. ,, .. ·. .' .·" No. 1 - Southern Otero County Land Utilization Project Antelope Transplant .. filk. .. .. .. Location and Size: Thl.~· -.area is in the southwest corner of -Otero _. C9untY.. - ~-~~een the .Apishipa an<;ivPurgatoire . Rivers, and is divided by u. s. ·Highway )50 which rUns from ·La Junta to Trinidad. The area:extends :from Township line 25S on the north {o the Otero-Las .Animas County line bn the ··· s9~th; . Sll~ from Rang~ ~i11e }4W ~111 tl)~ e:as:t to the Otero-Pueblo County line oii .the we st boundary. · Tnese · l;imits ' are ·nch the ·extremes · and the ..ai;.e.a is not a solid block of land as· thus· des6ribe·d., but is broken · somewhat frregular:ly w~ t~, a~ - . ~~~wn . by , m~p. J\io~t of th;].~ l and is abandoned farm land, taken ·over. by thetscs· iri 1936, in ·. qr:de·~.t~··'~~store ~t to ~· · ri~tive grJlss · ccw~ , and make it as product ite as possfbl e- without damage to tfie ··r ange ·or soil~ ...·, ·': . !;kogr~Rhy: : · Gently. rolling \9 .~dulatin.:; taro~~i~#Lof .the. area; bro~~n, , hilly:. c<;>µntry alohg th~ - south~~n bd~der, especially iii the , extrem~ · · · .s?~tp.we.~t 'ccirriei;-.,_· EvideJ1.ces of· ;s~'V'er~ ero~ib~ :are quite · apparent in ' the form , Qf alluvi~l .:f.~.ns· and : aeqf.i~ ' d~~O-~it~"' at .th~ . ba.s~ , of.the i o9 se shale .' ridges. · · ' · -· ·' ··• .,. · ~- ·· ·. · .. ·. · · ' · ·· · Soil: The Brown soil group, typical of most of t he prairie region, is foundi'Ilthis locality. Texture is from li~ sandy·; -ie~~~a -1:1eavy. clay loam in the bottom l ~apds •.,.. . ; . . .. ~ ~ • • •· • : .:· ' 1 ) :..... • •••• •• • • • .. •• .·.·: .. · . ·.1 ciiffie.te.: The · ~ve~~g·~ ~~l pr~cip;i.titio~· ·is i2.5 inches, ·with ' a little over 19' inches of sno\V. ·The eleva'ti6h :is ab6ut· 4000 · fe e·t and the average ~'1:81..t~~ge~ature. is .5 2,.? ..d~c;rees J!~hre?h~~:t· • • •• • •, • • •• · - •. ... • •• ..1 • .·, Vegetation: .. Ifio~t .o:f.. ~.14!:> ··area· i~ ·:iii the sJ:tortgrass region, or what is often . called . tlie 'Gr.~ at:· ~aJ.ns erassland, however, parts : of it: ..inay be classed .@.$.~ s~dhills :ta.~igri11:s~;- ~.d : t}.i~ 1µ.ilt . ~ections carry- a _pinon.".' juniper type. ·rhe' 'main f orage ··spe'c ies Bi~· ·-a.~ · f61l6\~~.? · · . · · . .... : :; •· · .r ; · . • ... . • I ij ,l J • • '.\ '! 4 .- ." • • �.. 3 GRASSES . ..·- .. ~.": '...J3lue··grru1ia · _::i: ; ,. . . . . •. "'"' i : "·· · ·Hai°t-y 'grama · · ..::·· ... r; ' ... ':_.,.,, :: - : ·: . ...... : ... __.1 . :· ·~ .. :.,, .. ..., . . . ': ;; · •; ·. Buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) Western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) : . :: . _c;iai-~&~- ..·.. · ; .;--:_: ... . ..!JJ:i.'lIU"j.~- Jam.~--~-~J.:..: . "".. 'Alkali '-sacaton : _. · : (Spor.dbolus ·eiroides,} . .._: _Saiid ~<k-o'psee·d · .. .': ·· -~- (Sporoholus cryptandl:\ls)_ .-:.: :.:. . · · R~g niuhly ·(1fiu hlenbergia .. torr.eyir . ... Feather · grass ·,r (Stipa-neo-mexicana).;-;_ · -. ... ,::.~-. .. Red three-awn (Aristida longiseta) Inq~~ _ ricegrass · (ory~opsis hymenoides) SiC1~ .;.·6ats g:r:rupa :. (Bouteloua curtipendula) Texas crabgrass · · -(ScMdonnardus paniculatus) .~ittle barley (Hordeum pusillum) Squirrel taii;·:5 (Si tanion: ..hystrix) .. :·~,..: !: _.. : :·. ~ . : :... '.i_'"';,·~.>. .. .. :·· ........ . '·'· . WEEDS · · . .. . 1.: . ~ ·! ") • (:Bouteloua gray-il1.s) ·· · · (Bouteloua hirsut·a ) _. ' • .. I (• ~ ; · · ! ·: :. . :-: • ' •, i.t' , I ,,J ::.: :.- . ~ ·sffiirlower ' ' _·P igw__ eed : · • ·· >.- : ... 1 : . ...· "' •' . ·, . ( HeJ:i~thus : .spp.·.:).... · . (Arnaranthus .:.retn:ot:l~,xus) · · · · {Ambrosia :spp·-) . · ···· . · · · · (Chenopoa±Uln · tlb~r~· ·.: ..·. ·:; ;!... · . LambsqUa.tter (Aplop-appus or Oonops~:;i) • . :..; ( : :;•_r .• . ........ .;, ~;iilkweed (Asclepia:::Lspeoio.s a).. .: .r -, j ,- .. . . Euphorbia (Euphorbia .ma'r.gina·t~Ql .-_., : .: : ._ ... (Cirsium spp.) ·: ':I:·:..".. : . Thistle :: i-:c ' · · =. Ctobeinallow·.. · · · · (Malvastrum --:cace:i,nel:lJll): .. .,,,; . ... i "· ,..' :.. :. ~ ' .·•· r' . " • • ; _ \ ... :: .. . ·s.a.ls:i;fy · (Tragopogo~'.:.ptaten~:f.s.)., .": ·; ;·~;, :· .. . t."4....... ... , .. _ .. . ..... 1{Verbena ·btac.teosa) :: : ., ; . N• .:).:. .,,. ,..:·:v".: .. . • ·: . , .1.· ..Vervai.n -.· ·· ~ · . · •• :... T. .. :: .:i ... .. ... < ·. : ~ -~ . Colorado . be.e;..plant (Cleome serrulata) :- .·.., ·. · .. :.1. •., • • · ·r:_ . .. .·:::..1: .: . ···:,: R.ussiB.l). thistle ~ .. .·· (Salso:j.a pe stif~r) ' ·, ···'!. · - .' . ~ ; . _.,. r ; ·. . 'i ~ d !t .'J :,. .. '' _., . ·'·-·- •·..: : "" . Rag\veed <·:- ·. t; 0 :- ; • ( .. t [~~-=; ... • • • • . • f • ..... • • ·: ·~ :· • . : -:: . ~ : :~! ..' : sR.Ql1SE. ..; . . . .. .. r~:.~ :. : . !: . ..:: ·"- ... j :' ~: : ~ . ·, ~· ,·: . .~ : ,,, .. .·· . : . . . ·.-.:·.... · ...·~ · : ~. · ~ :". '· .. : r , ·. -. .= · : ~- !ourwiri'g s~ltbu~h:· · ~v· {~tf~·Pl.~~._ c.~es~~nsf . · · · · ' ' ·. !. -<..-.Big r11bbitbrush ~· - ~~-. .,(Cbryso:tharnpus spp. ). •" Hin~rfat · · : :-· (Eui-otia .lanata} .. , r : .• Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) . _,i " ' 1Yucca~ '·· · ·· (Yucca glauca) . . .. 10 . ~... Snake,ve~d~f. . ·.. . ;... (Gutierrezia: s~pthrae) v: . :"""' .... .: · . . : :..1 ... ·· ·,'~ · ..... v.r :; · .'"!:: . ;.;j t ;~ ··; .: ·:~ i ._ , . . .. ··: ·. :' ~,ok.m~y tif " the:.··pb.s€~s; 'r1hic}1 .~· ab~done:d. pioweq. fie'ias~·'. .°t'he\i~geta­ .tio,~ ''.is: -~lJj \ xi': t~e· s~e~on2r ~or thi_rtl stage of~iSecond~cy;, ~u~~·s_s~n.~ :..~s .". c4a;rE;~,t~r;i.:z_e.d :by: >t;he 'ahnual and ·.p e:t'ennial weed.is.·. By- :conserv.at1~e ~. no gr'a'zing, oth'er ._ p.art-s 'haik ::tecover.ed to·' a mot~ -~s:Iv@ced _s:t~: of _ePol_qgical succession, and have a perennial grass cove.r,: ~inli- bl~; .f#~ v/itl),'·a good mixture of mid-grasses . An abundance of moisture this year· has'helped the vegetation to get a better foothold, and total forage production has about doubled. It is to be noted, however, that the increased volume of forage is �• . . -4due to the higher vi·g or · of ·each plant, more so than -an in~rease in density. Under the present system of mtanagement, the range as . a whole may be expected to advance to a 11good 11 or· 11excellent 11 condition Gl:ass within the next five years. Land Use, Carrying Capacities. and Stbcking Rates: At present, practically allthe land in the ' utilization .proje9t is used £or grazing only. The SCS has some areas plante'd to grain crops for feed and hay, and quite a bit of reseeding has been done uith crested wheatgrass. The .total number of livestock being run within the area by class this year is as follows: . ·.; . cattle horses . --sheep · --- 3000 300 ( appro~.) 5500 Year-long use is made of the range, but permits are . for only a six~month maximum, renewable every six months. Perm~ttees do have a preference or priority rating, but they do not receive a ' long-term permit. There are twentyseven separate allocations vii thin the : area, and of these, tv1enty-four are preference or priority holdeJ?s. ~- The .. other three blocks .are split up betwe81 ten or twelve temporary permi.ttee.s~ · ·In order to obtain a per·m it on government land, an operator must adhere to the stocking rates set up by the SCS on his own land (of comparable range value) as well as on the allocation. This procedure insures conservative stocking and consequent range improvement on adjacent private lands in addition to the government controlled areas. Such a system is highly commendable. The original range survey was executed by the scs· in 1936, and since that tinecarrying capacity figures and stocking rates have been adjusted by making random check examinations. According to the field q.onservationist, Utr. Karn, the 1936 stocking rates could be increased 20% this year due to the favorable moisture conditions. The writer made several ·transect examinations in random sections throughout the area, using the 11 step-point 11 density method in conjunction with the revised Hestern Region Range Score Card for eastern Colorado. In comparing the stocking rates ..t:\l~s found with those of the 1936 survey, it was found tha~ the ·range could veTy safely ·carry a 12 to 15 percent increase. To be on an even m6re .conservative '" basis, the figures were increased only 10%, and the conversion to antelope units ·made from that, t!iking into account, of course, reduction factors similar to utilization cuts • .. ! . On an SGS 'map the stoCldng · rates are shovm for cattle and sheep for each section • .Also th~ _ surface acres are shown at the bottom of each section. Antelope 'U!lits are not shown £or eaoh· section, but are given below as a total for the whole area. Since the ratio or antelope per cow-month may vary consider.ably, dependihg mostly €>n ·vegetative type and stage of succession·, an arbitrary conversion factor . of seven is used. This may not jibe with factors used in other sections of the country, but it is believed .to be nearly correct for ran~es within the state. ··· : .. ·•. �- 5As : take~ .!rom the map, the total animal units for the whole area, yearlong use, are as follows: Cattle Sheep 5913.5 - - - - -19,?39.0 9f c9ur~e, ~traight conversion to antelope units cannot be made from these figures.. Aboµt 30% of the total range area would not be occupied by antelope due to proximity of roads, railroads, houses, and other places of human activity. In addition, the vegetation in certain pastures is preferred by the antelope over that in other areas. For example, the alkali 11flats 11 which carry a good growth of four-wing saltbush, rabbitbrush, and other browse and weed species preferred by antelope, would carry a higher population of animals than the strictly shortgrass pastures, especially in· winter. Along with these reduction factors, the most important consideration, when determining carrying capacity of any range, is a multiple or integrated-use plan· which allows for grazing by livestock and game animals. Therefore, we cannot multiply 5913.5 cow-months by the conversion factor of ? antelope per cow-month, and say that the area will carry 41,394.5 antelope. An accurate conversion factor cannot be established un:ti.l more information is lmovm about palatability or preference rating of variotis species for antelope. By keeping in mind all the factors involved, we, could say, however, that 500 antelope could be carried quite easily without creating serious competition with livestock. That is, of course, under the present .system of management, and the SCS gives assurance that range · · improvements will continue. Tran~lpcation considerations: It is prop9sed that 150 antelope will be introduced into this area this .winter, and as indicated f:tbove, can expand to a herd of · 500, which may be considered optimum for the range. From breeding · p.otent:i;al itaqles. (-Leopold-1939) it may:. be seen that the unimpeded increase of 150. entelope to a herd of 500 woulp require about 5 years. After the environmental resistance (predators, poaching, winter loss, disease, natural death, etc·,.) .is $.Ubtra~ted, hor1ever, th~..time may increi;tse to 8 or 10 years. By proper protection, some of these decimating factors can be eliminatea. :.:Agencies which can offer pro~ectiqn to the antelope in additiqn to the Game and Fish Departmimt are the .employee's of the SCS ·field station Ei..i;. Timpas, Izaak Walton League at La Junta, and .local ranchers. All these factions have . been contacted and haye pledged their cooperation with the department in making an introduction of antelope into this area successful.· Predators in this locality are not . a major consideration, due to the fact that g~vernment hunters have trapped or poisoned most of the coyotes and bobcats. Most of the golden eagles are found farther west, and in the writer's opinion, this raptore is not as great a predator on antelope as some sources would have the public believe. At any rate, should any. one or all three of these predacious species become so numerous that they would jeopardize the antelope herds,. control meas1:JI'es _c.o uld be ini:ti*"t-e~ · without much· la.s s of time. ·=· • I• f ' • �- .6 . .. ~~~uggester;i :rou,t~ of t:avel -~ ~~ansporting th~ . · ~telope f:l;'om · the · sit~ · iri·'no!'thern Larimer ·county to the release pq~nts ·:is as follqw,s: trapping u. s. Highway 8? fr0m tJ:te re.f1Jge to Loveland • • • • • • • • 50 miles 16 ·r:r·o~ Lqve.l~q ~ast to the traffic circle. • 6 185 to Denver • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 50 11 8.5-67 to Pueblo ·• •. • . • •. •. .• • . • • •• ,. , •.•• 115 . 11 · · 50 to L~ .JuPta •• •' •. .••.. .•. • . 64 II . ~5b to ~10<?1!1. •,. ,• • • •. -•. • . • · • • • •. • •. • •. ~ Total 315 State II ., . JJ.II s . . : ; 11 11 11 11 J • · 11 •.•• . . ._ .: :· ', · ~ l • • • • • • • • I • • • • :· • • 11 ._ !• 11 • 11 • . ]!.t Blopm·>· Mr. Ernie Engler· c;an be · co~t.acted .a t the· San:ta Fe water- station, and . . he: .wi11. d~reqt .the truck t-o reie.as~ . point No . 1-•. -:FQr _dir~c:t:i. ons to. rele~se · P:o~f?fo..;··2> · flilI':•.. w•. :F., K~n·, . at tll:e ?C~ f ;Leld station iiea+ Timp~s, ·can be· . . : ..con.taY..t-~di4!-- ...·.The r.oute will be traced out ·On: a map· · and giveJl to the trpck: · .. '. ·. PI"iverfs.' 1J,~1'orEtie. aving· :the .trapping , si ~13 .... ~ case. of a breakdovm,, a· tr.uck · .' c~ ..from. For. ·,::.' -.. i . . . be'. . "dispafo~ed ' - . . . ~ 9·011irs ,or Denver t.o assist . : ~ . : ., I . .. ~. ., • : ,. • . . .' : . . . ~ . .• . : : · N_ ?J 2 - . ~Ft _G.r~.elc B;9sin Trara.s plant Sit~. • • '\' ..J .:~ j ~. 0 :;..~ L . :i .~ , -:; . ~ .. ' !.· · . ,#2.q~J~.P.~: ~.<;!' S.iZe: •: .· .... :J( 1 · ·. i·: . ·. ~ . • • . : ... • Appr~ximat~:j.y ;five - .. : ·, ~ ~ ·, :' toyms.hips of pubJ.:i.c· dQIJla_iff ~ incluc'l.ed .W:i.}t .!.n .:;h-y· C1e·ek Bas::.n and, .Mon_ogram Me s:i., and a:. total . Qf ab(i>µtrJ i20 sections ' of. ,pater..t~d . l and scattersid,-AJ.9ng.: the creek b9ttom§•:'. Thi~:i'~ ~j._te is ... : ;iocat.ed.'..~'. £re no/tJ;i: centr.8.1 .part_of: q# .l'iiguej_ ~o~ty and, the : soµ;~h · ~e~jl(ral " · part of Monfr ose County betneen State High\'lays ?Q. ~cl 90. . .. · · -.:.:· . •.·:. is : ; Topog~: On the flpor .?f. ~h~·: ba~~~- Y.J:i~ -g;o~d i~ flat to ._;r<;?1.ling, ' the~ . :i..t "r.~se ~· .w.i~ro:r-inly to ' ricl~e s . ~z:i . br;ij~?st~~~ .;;·-_-13oth:-~h~se ridges·~~~ steep .e:qci'4glt ~o ...~s to. - ~~:t ap natural ·~C!-rri~_rs ·.t °.·. ~t.elope _. ~o ~he . southea.!3i! .across : · ~~gh,~ai 8~ .,is · f er~lf!Pd, then Tl\Oun ~~i?;i~,. ~? the ~n;i.:y .al te,rnC!-tive for . 'jr.h~ 1·:. ; .: ·. ·:~~e.I~~~ ~(! ~f·m~y~ ; b~ck up o~ tqo~og~cµn lf1e.~~ ~o . _ th~ nor.~h\~est . It .is ::-.Po~s~ble , th~!{ ~liey; .c;:qUl~ .get . do~ from -~~~ . mesa : to ..Par~~ox yalley, _.gµt the colJ!l"j;+y in . ·o~~wee~ :f.~.:pr14ttjt r ougn. 'The l).o-qg~; _bl'.'?ken. c1~try may serye as a she,'.!-te~ area d\iI'.i!Ut .,h·~atfl. _s n, OVIStorms , and:: t~~...;.bf,?WS~ . ~~ ~~gh ·.e..~ough ·so tha~ S.tJ:PW would not cb:ver·· ·a:11.. of ""it. . . . ~ ; ·: ;.. i \ , , t"! • .- -. • ·~ t _.. JJ:. _! '. •·· ; • ·1:~ r :·... " . • .: • :· .. .Soil;:. ·. Undi:rr~zj'entiate d fy:,own ..:~cl -J~e s:tn.ut ~.o~l groups make .ul? -~hi,s .area, ' ". :the t~~ur.e bei,~g ,r·~the,r co.~s.e. °t:? ·.M~;r ..o~ ..1:-l;i.~. ::i:·ii:;es , \1ith deep,,q:J4y:-4,~posits .,. :t .· alo,ng ' th~ . .cr e ek b.e.ds, . Gener.ally .t h,e. soil-s ~~- · shallow and rocky . anfii::}:la~e _no profile de velopment . ")'his . soil erpdes":rather.··easil y, .due for th~:,w-,o~:t. ·pfµ't to overgrazing by sheep . • .. • ~ ,: : • • '. ' , ' : ~ •• o ' I• • . ._ .. : :~ J . :. ! _: :~;.:. . · ~:: p~~~t(_.:· ' •• ' , . • ' ... • • . :.• • •. • - '£,.J ', ...~ ! . • . I. • .• . : . • - ·!7-~~·~~g~. .annual ..precipit~w.p~.?,-0r .thi~ ar.ef:1 .is 15 ·;lno.~~s, . of: , c:; ., ~~hi~h '.!3'¥.µt. ~ne.".'!f:ow:;_th ~.s sno\~:- . 1!-:verage .~:~;L: t emperatUF.e is 46°-F;~...elevation .......;.:.!1-s close~ ·P.~ · ~ ~poqi_f_e~:if.. : .. ; ::. :.: ...:•·.a·: "" " -.;· . 1.. : . · :!~-.· - r . .: . .L :. <; . .. " •: . : :· ! ..: . . " . ·... \., . . • . . : : f. ; : . .Ve_g~.1~~.,Q!!:.,.~:T}'l~~ ~e.a :!:~es; _wi.t~in. t~ ·. iJltermount~jin shrub gp~z:i,ng region, and is. ~min~te_d_ .97 .?i~ sageb~~sh_JAr.~ef!!~Sia; ~r;identat~) , inclucl~ m1any subspecies . Second to big sage in both importance and abundance is shadscale �- 7 (Atriplex confertifolia), thert yello~brush and big rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.) and greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus). Heavy use by sheep in the past has kept associated grass and forb species to where they are rare to absent. Very little blue grama is evident, some galleta, bunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum), and needle grass. Plenty of ·the less desirable cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is present between the sagebrush clumps. Very few forbs of any value are in the basin area; a little fringed sage and some asters are spotted in the lower parts. There ls some pingue and the everpresent Russian .thistle (Salsola pestifer) .• Pinon-juniper associations cover the ridges and canyons to the northwest &nd the borders of Monogram Mesa. Land Use: All of this area is used for grazing, the cultivated crops being up higher where there are better soil and moisture conditions. It is essentially a winter range for sheep; however, transient bands of sheep use it some· in s·prin'g and fall when moving to and from the high mountain summer range. ·At ·present, there are 9,000 sheep wintered inthe basin itself from November 15· to April 15 by a rancher named Hughes. Most of the small holdings of private land-along-Dry Creek Basin Creek are owned by this man~ About 500 head of-cattle are run by several other smaller operators. There are no stock in the area during the summer. · Some sign of. deer was noted back in the canyons, and the natives report that a few do \'Winter in Ham and Bull Canyons, but that they are seldom seen out on the mesa. or in the basin. Carrying capacities for the combined area of Dry Creek Basin and Monogram Mesa were obtained from the Bureau of Land I~anagement office in Grand Junction, and are as follows: Range 44 45 45 46 46 46 Township 17 17 18 17 18 19 Surface Acres 3,412 22,.963 12,765 4,720 19,392 4,970 A.U.M. 413 3,217 330 436 570 44 ·Range 45N, Tl7W (Ute meridian) is about the center of the basin, hence the carrying capacity figure of about 7 A/AUM gives an index to the productivity of the area. · Translocation Considerations: Even though this proposed site does carry many sheep, it still has possibilities for developing into a good antelope · herd area. There is enough range to support a herd of 350 to 400 antelope, provj providing the livestock numbers are not increased. · It is intended to introduce 50 antelope into this locality. Coyotes and bobcats are found in the canyons, but, as is the case in many other livestock sections, control is effected by government. hunters, and predators are not very numerous here at present. ' I �. ' . ' il "". ~c ... J - .. " . ·' •--' ; . ~ ; Poaching may be seme,1ha"t o:f"a problem due to the l ocation of seve~al mi11ss in Gypsum Valley and Paracfox Valley. Most of these minei;i have a permane:ii~ or semi-permanent .9a;m)?, · and the occupants are not averse ~·o eating game , particularly during thesEef_'.'t~es of high meat 'J?rJces. Protection by the .game wardE?n ..at Nucla, Ben Stuart,. · the Forest Servid~ off icials on the Montezuma ~~:tf~c_>n8;1 Forest, the loca1"sportsman 1 s club .at..Dolores, and by ranche rs, however'; n)'ay aid in control; . . . ··: 1 ... A suggP.sted route of travel from the trapp~g ·: ~i~e to the release point is r.~.~ ·~~ol~~.ws : :.', Y· . :: ,~; u:;CS'(.Highway · 8·7 · from refuge to Loveland -traffic circle •• 56 mile &· · ~"st!ili.te. 11 18 5 ·:. :..:tc{ Denve~. . • • • ..-. • • ~ • • • • • • • • 50 11 11 , .U. S, '.85-,g ? to Colorado Springs-.· ·• • · • • • • • • • • • 71 11 : . .~('..~";_._~ ~ pf II r24-'?.85 td Po!icha Springs . :~ • • • • • • • • • • .116 II ." ... · u~- e. n: ·50 "to Mcnt:..·c·se · ··• : • \ • · : · -~ • • • • • • • • 126 11 11 ~ · ·' · U, So 550 ;·t'o Ridgwe.y • • • ·• \ "". ··.'~: ._- ·• • • • • • •- ·•• 26 11 "" 11 State 60 to PJ.a.-:::erv.i lle • • • : • • • • • .- • ·~ ·i..:• -'. 23 · 11 11 State . 145 to Norwooa • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • 16 11 _' :~'. }~~!. ~Ro.ad .... .t o Dry Creek Basin Store .- • ,• ~ • • • • ~ }cf; 11 to r elease point • • ; • • • • •. • • • • •· 10 · 11 514 ... ·r--· . . ' r ,,. . ,. ' . ' .... II . ·:.Mr·:: .P.lpud·;. ·p,ropr.ie.~or · of Dry Cr:ee:k B:isin Store, may be contacted for directions . ·to ·the rel ease ·p·o{nt within the baD.n . ~ - North Park Tr ansp1a.~t Site. ]:.ocat:i,Ql}_ans!_Size : Thi s area starts about 7 miles west of Cowdrey in the northwest pa:ct of North Park and extends to the 1uest on both sides of the Big Creek Lakes road for 8 miles. There are approximate l y 3 townships of public domain and about 10 sections of patented land included in the range that would be used by ante l ope • .. . .I~im.l}x : The ground he r.~ for ~h~ mo~:t . P:~:rt. =i;s gentlY: rolling to hilly, sloping ~o the east and south, and draining : in-t;,~ ~·~e N:9rth Plat~~ Ri.v er. Enougn broken countr y wi th southern exposufe is' in· the" area to pi'oyide available for age during deep 'snow . · r::! · ._ . .§oi.J;: Br:own an(f Chestnut ·goi ng into· giay.- brown podzo1-i,c soils higher ..,,, .u_p an~ urv~~r . for est cover . The soil texture ~-s rather l oos_e and grav~~~;Y'' .::·~°? - · · washes J::ias;tly as may be seen by the· s.mall gullies . · · · · ' - . ., ~· : 1 • (. I 'I··,,(, r '·.~ .'..: :. •• 'I . CliJ!l.§:te: This r egion r eceives between 20 and 25 inche; of pret.ipftation as ~ ;f.:3arly average, and 150 to 160 i!lp_he_s <?f sl').ow. Ave:-r:~~e ~ual te~perature is about 40°F. and e l evation here '-is 1;i~·tweert 8JOO and 87® -feet*· ·· '.·\.: . . . . . ,_. ... • ' .: . t .• .· .. !. ,j i -..·.. c-. ,"\. . . .r. : . yP.getat_ion : Big sagebrush ·i ·s tl'le ·predomi nant spec:i.e:s ·'trii:-"d1ghout this ·-"~-~ section wH,h associate d spec i es being low rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.) and fringed sage (Artemisia frigida). There i s a fair s howing of grasses including blue grama, ring muhly (Wiu hlenbergin torreyi ), slender wheatgr ass, needle and �• . -..: . 9 ... .. . . .. . ........ ·- - .. . .. , :,)..: ... . .' t:\ll"eh4i;" June gra·ss'. (Koeleria eristata), and- western wheatgrass; and . forbs s, •·Jes Astragalus, club' moss (Selaginella), and dwarf pe.ntstemon. The sagebrush ~ has been grazed down rather severely, but with the grasses . corning in as they are, the range trend -is defirtitely up. -. Condition ·class. of this range at present is "fair. 11 · ·Land .Use : ·About .10, 000 acres of' the .. public domain is used by the Big. _, Horn Cattle Company, and most of the patented l and wit hin this area as de- .. scribed above belongs to this organization. They run about 3600 head of cattle, .:.400. horses,. · and: no sheep. 11iost of this land is spring-fall range, and it is evident that~ a system of management js ' being -folloqed by this cattle company. The remainder of the area is used by several other smaller operators, most of whom run only cattle. ....... . .: " ..... · Tuanillocation Considerations·: -·Acaording to long-time residents of the · Park~ ante1ope " f'9rmerly were ' qtlit~ · n1imerous throughout the area, but were killEjd_ · off rto feecl.! seetioii hands: when the railr gd- was .being bu1lt. The range ·i§. well<slii.ited to· successful habitat10n· by .antelope even with •j.oint use .by . . livestock, and all plitsons c6ntae.ted··were enthusiastic . about .-restoring ·them to North Park. r, · .:... ~i: ·!· .. :.......· ::~ :~ '"\...1-: :· .. ~ :.. .:..r :~·..:-~ '~ ; .·i'_ ,:. is -~·-~ ;':(:;; . ~-~·;· (.. --~ ·~ (~..•~ ..·:. ', :\;.:: : ~ ;· • :·81nee ·.:.t hS :- Fark.r w6rk~-d by'-.govetrtment .'hunte~s)·: the::ji17ob!tei. bf :pi'~dation from· coyote~ alia'ibobcats · ~iF:not' 1-ikely.'> to be serious. 1'': No :g-olden et1gleS :.were · observed •at .. the 'time _;G:f the· :; ~urvey;' i lbut· there · ai'e a fewreported . to ..;'be-· in .the ! 1 ~ Patk~ . . :· ·:;-.:,··, .. ". ..... . ·-·[ .:·:..~ ;_ .-::: -:.:. ·:- ·:.:: . ·,. ·:..:· .. ·) •"_, ;~·. ·) :• 1" -~ : : • I • • • .. .- ··, · .11.i·. i ' :: l_. • :;. ·: • "(\:•• •• • .. _: ~. --. : J :--: ·~ . .· . i ·. . . ~ ~ ! :r., ·: ~.·: : . • -. • • . •• .~ . . '.'): . .. -:_· , ·: '..." Ptdte'cti<:>n may be ~ · al':t7or'ded ~ by ·"the ·~·game :warden 8.t. 1Walden; Preston :Steele; ;'local sportsmen·and" othe:i"wiJ:dlife .<fonservation '9nthtl.sililsts::indicated ·their . de sire to ··c·ooperate . in making -the"·transplant -- su6-M SSful .. .i-1"' .. .. ·i. . : . "'. ::-. ;. · ..... · The best route from the trap to the release point is by way of Poudre ..: canyon. over ·camer-cm . :·Pe.ss ·to Walden, · pfcl>viding the roald 1·s : open • . Usually the pats.-is :<?'losed -by;:·snow 1 before December 1l ,· :.The al ter.nat1v.e .. route:- ls as follous: , -~ ;..; . . . .. ... . . :: t ..-, ~ .: :_. . - .. - ·.:u .;·S. fl:iighway · 87 ·:from· tra'p to .. ~heyenne · •• . • . •. ~:v ; . • ~ · · · ~ .; • .· •' 20 miles . 11 U. S. JO to Laramie. • • • • • • • • , • • • • • • •. 52 "1~ . .. .. V/yoming State Highway 230 and Colorado State ·,· ; 'Highway 127 .:to: Cowdrey .. :~~ -·.-: • . • o. .; -. .•·, ~ •- • •_. , -. • · • .. • · 55 11 ~ .: t .: :-,.; Releas~ Lcart, ·be ·· made from . Big .. Or.e&k iakes road ... :. , . -:. : · · . ' · :· •::::about 10"miles west : of -CO\vd.r.ey·•. • ~ • ~ •• : . . .... . . ....:· •· 10 11 · . .J. '. . . . <.: c ; • Total . 'J ·.. ...: • ~ .. •''' •.:. • 137 II . .. ·.. .·. . . . .. . - . . I : ··: .: : ~ ~ .~ :• : : ·.";' • • I No. 4 - Book Cliffs Transplant Site . ·c '"Location and Size: This •proposed antelope '.ar~a:.is .:t.he. . so-called "Desert" eountry between ·-the High Line Canal ·and · the Book G1if£s ·north- of Grand. Junction and Frtiita 'in· :Mesa County. The ·range ·: could . be J0onsidered .as '. covering the same ground! as 'the Salt Wash and the · Salt .Gre e k ·graz:i.rtg .units, ·a ' total a.f 'over• ·" 3.'.3too~ fac~es~ '"a~~> ~f which l:s :Taylo>r.";grazing'•iand.·· · ·.. : .. . I ' '.:} • • • t::: " · : . .. . • t : ·= ·~· ~ '. .i:l .'1- : :J t'~ : ''-.! ,; . · :.:· 0 ' •· , ., . �• .. 10 .. Topography: Most of the "desert" is rather flat with hummocks and rolling hillsi very desirable f~r ~telope range. The ground rises slightly and rather llniformly as the cliffs are approached, then the Book Cliffs rear abruptly, ·· almo.s t perpendicUlarl y from the flat lando The parts covered by pi(l.on-juniper are. rough . eno·..lgh · so that a deep snow would not le av~. t .he antelope st];' anded and wanting for browse that· could be reached through the. snow. · · Soil: , T~e undifferentiated Chestnut and Brown great soil grotlp takes in .this. ai:ea,. the textur~ being a sandy clay to silty loam and heavy, 9lay in the washes. -: . .Q.Hr;ate :. ·Elevation here is between 4, 500 and .5,,000 feet; average annual is 49.?°F.; annual precipitati'On 10.·49 ·inches and 22.4 inches of snow yearly average. temp~r~wre ~g~tation: Predominant ve getation is of the shadscale-greasewood · associ at~ on , but more ·g!'ass is pr~~e rrt ~n this particular lp~ality • . Blue grama seemed. to be getting a ·rootp9ld, and quite a bit of. galleta··;is ·notieeable. Other ar::sociated species are squ:i::·::··(')l t:i;,;.1 (Sitanioii hys.tri:x), .· Indian' rice grass (Oryzop8HI hymenoides) apd some 0.:'fi}.1seed. (Sporobol\lS ; spp.). '.l'he "pinon-juniper association is present"as· usual on ·~he rocky, dry sites. ' . ·. . .. . ·'... Lruiq Use:. Both the Salt Wash and Salt Creek units carry sheep almost . exclusi~1~ly an:d rather·· ~arge number.s •Of t hem . In t.he .,1SaJ., t Ha.sh :unit the · Q~rying capacity is figured to be 1.41 A/AUJVi, ~whi9h is a great deal higher than it should 'be for conservative "practices. Th~re .are 14,.583 's urface acres in this unit, V1ith the carrying capacity computed at 10,386 AUM for a licensed 6- month.season. The Salt Creek unit contains an estimated 18,530 usable acres carrying 56,JO sheep '. and 948 cattle, "or a capacity of 2.3 A/AWi~ .I n winter, howeve r, the B1lre au·., of Land · Managerr.en t figures about 9 .A/At.JM~ .. All permits on gr a zing land for· thi·s · are'a are·-· 10-Jl'e ar terms, most of which will. expire in ~il~ . ... . . A· fe w deer ·dr:i,f~: into the ' 11deser.t'1 country dtll'ing severe we.a ther, but it is not a regular winter renga fTom Salt Wash on dowp. toward Palisade. Above · :thie, .t11ough, part of the Dcuglas Creek herds concentrate in the hilly areas, "SO : th~t a 'consideration ·of putting antelope above Salt .Creek would not be advisable~ · · · ' · · : · · . · 0 South of the . High Line ·Canal is irrigated. farm land, but there is enough ·~.!~ge . tlfa~ the antelope shouid.. not have occasion to drift down onto crop lands, · causi~g d~~age. · This; ~f cour·se; cannot be stated as fact, because extraordinarily severe· weather may force them to winter wheat fields or irrigated pasture where forage is available, but such a case viould be the exception rather than the rule. . . . .. . Translocatioh .Consideratiohs: -This s~ction of the country could carry a large population of antelope r1ere it .not .t;or the l ar ge popula.tion of sheep us¥lg : ~t new. Since TI~ are striving to attain a satisfactory multiple-use plan for public larid, hcn~~e·ver, the antelope . herd should not be allowed to expand to more than 4oo· probably, unle s s <U:a~tic changes are made in livestock numbers using the range. With a proposed initial plant of 25, there should be ~ �• - 11 • no justifiable objectiqn_s ." fr.om other range users • . The Bureau or · Land hlanagement has no objections . and has. offered to. ·cooperate with . the department-. Predators do not appear. to b~ a problem in this area; most of the· coyotes· have been poisoned by government hunters. Protection frompoaching ·can" be ·· handled most ly by the game warden :in Grand Junction· and some of the local sportsmen's groups can be .of spm~ aid. A suggested route for transporting the antelope · is . given ~elow: U. S. Highway 87 from trap to Cheyenne • • • • • • • • • .- • 20 miles 11 U. S • . 30 to Laramie .. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 52 11 Wyoming -State High\vay ·.130 and Colorado State · : Highway 127-125 to Walden • • ·•· • • • • • • • • • • • • • 64 11 State lli,ghway 14 . ' ·to junction with U. s. ·.Highway 40 • • • • • 35 11 u.. S. :H;ighytaY. 40.. to Steamboat Springs and Craig • • • • • ·71 11 ..... · Stat~ · Highway ~.3 to Me eker - Rifle • • • • •· • • • • • • • 90 · 11 · U. S. Highway 6-24 to Grand Junction • · • • • • • ·• • • • •. • ; .6 5 11 U. S. Highway 6-50 to Fruita • • • • • • • • • • .. • •. • ·• :14 ·11 ·: . . ·. :;.; North from Fruita toward Farmer's Mine •• •• • • • • • • • • 15 11 Total • • .µ6 '.. ·II : ·~ No. 5. .:- Saguache Park Transplant. Si~ • . , ·:··L ocation .and -Size·: This site ·i s about 20· miles northwest of .the town of Saguache,. and · covers appr.pxiinately two townships in aggregate, that is, the area which would be considered as antelope r ange . I t is bounded on the north, west, and south by the boundary of t he Rio Grande National 'Forest .- 'Taylor grazing. lands continue : to the we st for 12 or 15 mile s , t hen it opens into the upper San Luis Valley, · which '_ is. patented land. . . ' ···. Topography: Open rolling mesas make ·up most of the area, then the land rises rather sharply after getting into the .forest. These me sas are quite broad ;and afford good observation as well as g~~zing. grounds. They also face toward the : south and west, so that snow doesnft stay on as long as in the valleys .and some of· .t}:le parks. · .§.Qjl: Undifferentiated BroWn. grading· J.hto Chestnut soil groups mark the _ lower mesa are as, then the Gray-brown podzolic soil starts with the conifers at higher ele¥atibns. On the tops and side$ of the hills, the soil is rather loose, sandy or .grayelly, and. :rn· the .dr.aws and creek bottoms, the soil is deeper, a deposition of clay~i,qam_ and. much .more ~reductive. Cli~~t~~- ..'. A.~~rage -annu~l·. pr~cipitat.ionL ·is .about 9 inche s , with 23 to. inches of snow yearly average. ·Ele vation· is between· 7800 and 8500 feet and t~e average :annual ..temperature is 9°F. .. .. . . 43. . 2S.:.>· ~- .~ ··: r . ... : . Vegetation~ ..)wg~ o_r : m~~e :vege tat:!-ve "types seem t o i nt er gr ade ·at . this po:µitf At the ·,lower t?,levat~ ons,. .the shadsc ale-grea~ewood · type ·merges wi t h the pii:ionjuniper, then up onto .the mes.as t he "vege t a tion looks more -like a ." mix~d . grasf?- �• •:: 12" .. • -:·· l· .. •' ,._ "•\ , •, •• •• I\ - • ' ' 't~ ,/ , • • ' • • , ;. • we·ed ~fage of _a P.?r:tder~_sa p1ne-b_"ilnchgr_ass· co~unity. · T~-e:re is a rathe·r P.?~r covef of blue ""grarna; overshadowed · by an almost · unbr-dken. stand of pingue; ·ot .. .9,ol~ra_d? , r..ubb~Z:P~~-t (.(lcti~ea ~ic~~~dsoni)._ wJ:4ch ~s . very good _eyide;r:c~_. of · ·ovet._~gi'"a_~ing.~ .In ~e .' m9~e· fayorable sites al~~mg · creek b~tto~s, .,a 'true bunchgrass cover· is no'ted~ · suc·h as .Ariz.aha fescue '(Fe·s tuca arizbn:f.ca)':, : Uountain muhly (Il·iuhlenbergia niontana), blue:gtass (Poa spp.), . slend~r'··~i:ie at_grass (Agropyr on trachycaulon), June grass (Koeleria cristata) and some Stipa. There ar~ . shrub species such as currant (Ribes _s pp.), skunkbrush _(Rhus trilobata), ser7iceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), snowberry (Symphoricarpus · spp.), . ~d ceanottus (Ceanothus spp.), all of which are grazed by antelope more so ·. 'th'¢i ,the grasses. · . · ... · .. .: The q_ue st ion of whether ·o r not antelope will e a·t the pingtie ;' and· vii thout harm, rem::iins to be ans\1ered~ It is generally known that this plant causes compa~t5.r.;1! . ~o~ ~he 11ha_ir-ball".f·?.~meq· w.he~- ~~:t:n .: by she7p,_ and ~(~s.believed by. son;ie 'Lhat on poor ranges durmg dry p~riocis, - c,~ttle wl.11 <?at it al)9. develop sympt~~s: or po~s?n~~ ~a~h~r: t~~ _of: c:o?1Pt1c~~on.• '" Ot_h~r·, poi:sono~$ ?t · ~oxious plants apparently do not injure wild animals, ~}. lea.s t there is no record of de.atJ.·(from' this solirce~ . . . . . . .' . . . ·. ·: ... ~ -. ~ : J:_) • .. ... ,,,.:...,.. :.. • • ' • t ' • ' • t • . J' :' • . ; .,. : • • .: I' ~ • •, • • \ - . : .:·: Land Use : Most of the range, which \7ould be used by antelope, is grazed by cattle belonging to a permit tee, hr . Gottelf, who also . own:,:; several strips of land borderine; Jack's Creek. Some sfieep.. are run on-ifie..!·. area; but not as ·. IDfil?.Y. ~ow.: as fo:m~r~f"! . "E?:'&c~ _ f~~ur~ '.?: pn pr~s~nt st~ck~~ - :apes for each class o~ livestock an4 c~~~yipg, eapa~ ity n~r~, not available; }W~ever, spot-check . ex~inaiion · i11di.c:a.t~d~·thflt about~ 15' .:110. ~0.. tlcres ..pe!;' .A,U.• M.• -· wpY;ld b~ normal for .. .the gentle slppe·s~ No· grazl.ng what'soev~r· by' lives~ock ... i;;hould.. be~' permitt~d on '1.~he st~~P,~~~1 ~:i.Jis. : ~~· foo·s~ .. dry .·so.il. .. '·· . ... ·. . ,_,:. _._.·.. :.: 1 timbet~·a. areas ~urtolinding the Deer and elk are rather numerous "in . coun1;,17y, but it is dpubtful .~hat seriou.§ C<?J7;1pet~tion for.. the brc:iwse . ... wo~d develop \·iith only . , .fin~ ant~_+ope .in the neighborhoo~. . the mes~ a ·· . .·.~ .·Translocation c6xtsid~f~tion.s(.; Si.n ee t}?e . ":sable rahg~ area is rather small in comparison'' to' ranges · in the eas tern part. of the '.state, and the forage vegetation is in poor condition, it would not "bef" advisable to" 's'tock this locality very hea:v~l!.i,~.? .R~&iz: ;Yf~· th.~ 1 . ~-1. ~r~~plant of ?5 would probably be enough, an1 th~ . _rang!3 .. is . f~ex;i.91~ .. ~pougn .sq _that t~ey_' ~ould eJtpand to a herd of 150 .w.'!.thout (..ca:Y:i?tng ·~erj.oti,s . coihpJ7.cat.i9ri$ . ... . . : . . . • •" • ' • • ' i ;. • •• • - "' ) f; • ' , .. ,., ' t_ "' l 0 • l • • • • • ' ' . •' ' • ' I '•• ' " ! ' ~ • ' f ' ; • • " '• • I '"' ...· .. ·Predators iii ' lhis reg;lon . a~e, .. <f9y~t~~·; ~ pqpca:~.:,:;,. aiid · rnoup.ta_in ·_lions. It may be necessary to carry· out · control ·me·asYrt·e s should the·s e predators·· ·start d~c~a.!4-n~:· .t-?e, .h~y~;·.~o_· Bf,Y.,.~xt~~t~ ;}f~ JJYf~?~ed~..~.~/{3.S ..a.djac~nt. to.. ~}1~ ,range ....-'. c.ountry .do.e.s,. .of.f~J; ,a-, h,av~p .foz: .. pr~dAq:!.o\l.S anima1_{3, _D,\lt .apparently- t~~y are not .. - t'()o" bothe~s'<)me ," ''sinc'e . deer' 'a nd' elk ·a.re 'pi-e~eµ.t' tpe~.~ :}p.:~~?'~. ; n_~ber_~ • .: ~ ,_, __ · .J?'or.!_l>r9;!f~~tfpp ,.flg.~~~st po~~!p.?g,, . t~.~~ ?:-.~ ~-f ~~r.~~~:. ~ S~~~?J:le, Bill _~~~t~_;;r apQ.; ._on~ . .abMoil.~~: v~.~t~~--~¥:~- l?p~~~,, .. TP,~-; F?1-'_~-~~J ~e~.c~ · employees _at -S.?.g·\_l.~C~~Y .fi,~v~ ~f~::~g ,!~fu!?.-.~\: ~O~fl.~~~.:t~.~X:.' -~~ a.,.~tl)e)var,~.l:l . a~h: H.ar~ . Gulch, .Mf'. w. F. Johnson, is in very good position to control any traffic to and from · . �- 1.3 the proposed antelope range. Public sentiment in this area and throughout the San Luis Valley is very much in favor of restoring antelope here, A suggested route of travel is as follows : u. S.Highway 87 11 State State ' · 11 U. S. · 11 11 U. s. from trap to Loveland • • • • • • • • • 50 miles· 6 II 16 to traffic circle • • • • • • • , 50 II 185 to Denver • • • • • • • • • • • • • II 85-87 . to Colorado Springs • • • • • • • • • • 71 150 II 24. and 285. to Saguache . . . . . . .... . . . . 20 II Saguache to release point • • • • . • Total • • • • • 347 II .Toe l(ay, district ranger at Saguache, and \j. F .Johnson, fire warden and saVillliil operator· at· .H.ard Gulch, may be located for directions to the release point~ .9.1).d for aid in releasing the animals if necessary. No. 6 ~ Gunsight Pass Transplant Site. Location and Size: This prospective site is located betueen Troublesome Creek and I1iuddy Creek north of Kremmling in Grand Count.y. The available range is about J'} 'to 4 tmmships in size, of which 2t tomlships ar~ public domain. The north limiting point is the timbered IJIOuntains starting with the boundary· of the Arapaho· National Forest, and the southern limit is u. ~. Highway 40. Topography: .Witljin the· proposed .ra,nge betwe.e n Gunsight Pass and Antelope Pass, the land is rat~er broken, the hill~ having flat or gradually sloping plateaus on top. To the south of Antelope Pass, the ground becomes more even . and rolling, and large hay meado\1s are numerous along the drainages. · ·The broken, hilly sections run. east and west, thus presenting quite a bit of surface exposed to the south. The snow does not stay on long in this area anyway. . . . Soil: Chestnut and Brown (undiffere.n tl.ated) soils make up this area, except under the timber which is a podzol, also undifferentiated. Texture varies from a loose sandy or gravelly. loam ~o ~rich clay loam in the creek bottoms. · Vegetation: · Typi~al associations of th~ inte~mount"aih shrub region are present here. The shadscale-greasewood type appears o~ the drier, more shallow soil, and the · sagebrush-rabbitbrush or ye.llowbrush in the moiste~ area~ of deeper soil. Aspen groves occur on the north sides of the higher hills, and the rocky outcroppings on top carry .pi.llon-juniper and scrubby ponderosa pine. The range · is in a ''high fair 11 to 11 good 11 condition class as evidenced by a vig9rous grass undercover. Much of the grass is made up of annuals ·such as cheatgrass, little barley . (Hordeum pusillum), squirrelta~l, . gre~ foxtail (Setaria viridula) and others, but per~nnial ~pecies such as western wheatgrass, slender nheatgrass, and blue grama are sho~ing up .also. Browse plants observed to be in high vigor, though not making up a ve~y great percentage of the total composition, were skunkbush (Rhus trilobata), currant (Ribes spp.), and some serviceberry (11.melanchier alnifolia). �- 14 Land Use: Practically all the public land is used by operators rtmning cattle only; a fewbands of sheep have been pastured in the northern part, but it is not known whether or not they are still using the range. No figures were available as to the exact numbers of ~ach class of livestock. using the range, but estimates from various sources ~ere JOO to 500 head of cattle; there are probably more th.an that. Parts of this area; especially on\"iolfe:r' s .Mountain, are winter range for deer. Close scrutiny of browse plants taken bY. dee·r ,. however, did not disclose overuse .or indicate that too many deer were in the area. · Close control over both deer and antelope numbers may be ·a concern in the distant future, : but. not for 5 years or so. Translocation Considerations: Although. this area is rather small, and used st eadily .by livestock and deer, the range is still capable of car~ying some antelope i probably a herd of not over 150. A plant of 25 \Vould be plenty to 'start ¥1ith. As indicated by the names "Antelope Pass" and "Antelope Creek" this game species has be~n in here before. According to the natives," the last antelope were shot out shortly before 1900. Protection. for the transplanted herd could be handled largely by .George Steele, warden at Hot Sulphur Spririgs. Local sportsmen and ranchers contacted were much in favor of bringing the. .animals back into·. the area, an"d their; cooperation could be counted on in ~,l.pche~k poaching.· Predation fr.oip cqy9tes and bobcats prob.~bly would not J:>.~ · a" serious consideration, although. both . these species are present near· ~ ·bie proposed range • . . ·;·•,:.. The s~ggested route for .t ransporting the animals is as follows: u. s. Highway 87 from trap to Loveland traffic circle • • • 56 miles State " 185 ·to Denver •• • • • • , • • • • • • • • • • 50 " 11 u. s. 40 ·to Kremmling • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • .128 II 11 Kre~ling to release point. • • • • • • 16 .Total • • • • 250 11 Warden Steele may be contacted at the department's house, J miles out of Hot Sulphur Springs on Highway 40, and he can direct the truck to the release point near Gunsight Pass. No.?"- Whitewater -Rose Creek Transplant Site. Location and Size: . From Vlhitewater Creek .in N.e sa County south to Rose Creek just across the county line 41to". Delta County, and east of u. s. Highway 50 rtmning between Grand Junction and Delta, to the mountains, delimits this proposea antelope area. It coyers approximately .t wo townships, half of wlµ.ch · is patented ~d and the · ether ~alf is va~ant. . •. . Topography: •.Rolling ~ills ·with rather large flat plateaus on top .charact erize this s.:i:.t e • . The .. mountains,' starting_ with the boundary of the Grand M~a National Fores~;. rise·.rathe·r ·gr!l-dually, b~t are steep and rorigh enough..tP :_, •' ' !: ' ··~ · serv:e as a . bar.r~er. · \ 1 . .. .. . c �- 15 Soil: Chestnut and Brown (undifferentiated) group with podzolic soils starting in at the timber; lo.o se, coar.se, gravelly" te?Cture on the hillsides ~d plateaus; silty loam in the drainages. · · · .Climate: Avera3e annual temperature is 52°F., with a maximum - minimum range of 105° to -21 F. Average annual precipitation runs 8.7 inches and about 22 inches of snow is received as a yearly average. Elevation is between 4500 and 5000 feet. Vegetation: A part of the intermountain shrub region, the dominant vegetation on the drier sites is ~hadscale with associated species such as prickly pear (Opuntia), winterfat (Eurotia lanata), galleta (Hilaria jamesii), and R~ss~an thistle. Some sagebrush is mixed in, but it is found more so in the creek bottoms with big rabbitbrush, where the soil is a little deeper and more moist. Scrubby junipers occur on .the tops of the hills and ridges where there are rocky outcroppings. Land Use: " The biggest disadvantage of this site for antelope is that it is a uinter range and crossing for deer. Th~re may be t~o much competition for the same type of range forage species betneen · antelope, deer, and sheep. No ~igures were available on the number of sheep using this range, but judging from tbe poor vigor of individual plants, there are more than there should be under a multiple-use plan of management • . The range is not depleted; but it is ,in a 11poor 11 condition .class. Antelope could be placed ·in the sQt\thern end where there is apt to be less direct conflict with deer and sheep. Translocation Considerations: This site is last to be· ·c onsidered for antelope, but if necessary, 25 could be introduced and watched carefully to sRe what develops. The herd probably should not be allowed·to increase to more than 150 ' at any time; in all probability, it ~ould not get that high anyway. Predat·o rs would not be a major deq~mating factor in ·this area, but poachers might. Proteotion· from the warden in Grand Junction, and the ranchers, would be readily available, and the proximity of highway 50 may discotn'age poaching somewhat. The route to this · site is the same as for Number 4, the Book Cliffs site, to Grand Junction, then via highway 50 ~outh to about the Delta County line. Any side road .leading. off to the east or north serve as a release point. . Are·a s Reconnoi·t ered but Re,jecte.d: 1. The state land south and east of the Baca Grant No. 4 in the San Luis Valley was considered for a transplant site, but rejected for· the following re ason·s : a. Not enough public lat:d; most all the state land under lifetime le·ase • �- 16 b. Ranchers would not be agreeable to allow hunting on thei r land when the anteloP.e . herd had built up enough to withstand a season. ,~ : ... . .. ... i- .. ".. :', ... ... . .... . ' : . \ . . . •. . f • • :~~·.~: ~ : f i ·r:,'. n~~app~iri,~ment ..'Vai~ey~. · ~h - n.ot~k~.r~ ~~~t?r~~ ~.Qp~tr. and_s~ut~~i>n .san Ivu.guel ;Count;n was turned ..4¢v~ . fgr tne. f,Qllowing reasO?ffl ~ " · . . • , ~:• .. ,.. j • •• ; : "-•• J ,I • • - ' ' ; ~·.. •.· ' ·• · ' .. .. i. • • ,) 1.J • •• • • •• ; ,._. • •• .. • • ~ , •• : • • ,;• · • !t is a wi:µter range ,. t'9;r.: both deer and .sheep; . • • • • •• .. • --~ . b. ·rh~r~ ~ k:~ to6:'many deer an(j.: shee·p iri~Jiiere:· ~~;~}~;·· the . , 'forage that is available _. "Range is - ifi p90~" ~origi~it?h~ . . . . . . . .. . -. . . ·~ ' _ :C• .. Most of tbe land .;, tUo:qg Disappointment Cree~ :l ~ pr~y~tely - --.· . '.'J?wned, the ptiblici' land be~g up iJ;i ; -t;~e i"p.;j,lsL .·~.:.~ .~ ~-~- .. .. . . " • • ' • • • ' ' ' ' • I • • ' , .1 , ~I ,•, 1 • ) 0 , ' 3. ~~~'.·:vtli~~ ~ located,_j~~~::~bove Disappo~t~~ke·~vallef : on State " :1. .H,:i,ghway,.$0 mis checked -butj ja's r~jected ·~aµily" because ·the area" i$ '" . ~c?R s~a,ili .3 ·miles wide at .. Higlnvey·· ap, and.· about 2 miles wide at : ~· ·-·L, :··~·. Ifolores· River; 12 miies· in le.rigth~ ·several 'm,ines ·in the "'valley afso added to the reasons for not wanting to put' arit~'iop~ there ~ ' · '>;:;:1 .... ' ·; f, ) .::::; . ... ': j .: ~ " ' . -· . : - . . " :· : ... . . ' . . : .. L: .t ~.. , .. ~ah~~~._ Me,sa, , .~n}he .so~~hw~::>~" ~o~~~ r. of· the " s~~te, . and·"spreading over . :,_. ; ... L:~,:1~'1~q;,U~~h, wa.s ._. su_ggesfa~d, : a.~ ... ~.. ~r~~~~~t s~te·~.'. b~~ . for rea~.~ns ., ·>:.: :' t:t. ,'.;!._; ~~~~.d below was. t:irn:~ d ~owl)~ ;_-':.. !, >;,. "" . .·_ :·.. . . ,. . _; ~!.lt..::·- ~~~ <>.. -; .. ;1 • .'.. ~ ' : • •• • • • • :·.-i: _:.. .. _: ,, ~., ., 7 .. ••• • • • • • • • , I( . a.• • ' ,,I . : . .. . . .. . . .· : • ,. . . ; . It is a winter.. rang~. f.or : qeer .and pheep ~ ": ." .'.. : : • ~• • •.' ... : • ; • I # I ' • : • • • ; • ' .. • • • • • • ;. • • • ' : • • ;. • : • • - ~ : • . :.,.:_) ;> •._ Ve g~ {at~on . i~ · m~~u;l.· s'J;1~p~f..now; and· c'ouJ.d' not··carry any more ' griiZing of" browsing .animais bf ariy,' c'lasti·i · . .. ' ! . . ... " ~ • . 'rhe t~p~gf~pii~-::~s f~ugh~ ;·ro~k~'!_aji~=· br6ken; ·-the:re is ve~y "' . ; . : . l ittie flat oi' )~1e s_a '.<;:°<?1:11'.l': try t~~t": J.s"·: Open and that .woulcf!be .. . ! .-: .,,:_; ~:.:.??~~~pie for ..:~.:t7+.~~e < ~ ~:, ..~ l · · ~ ... ... · :.:·~ ~~- >' r·..... " . . ; d. Most of the cover is pinon-juniper; there is not eno\.igh ,:~ '·· ·:· ,:tr! : vari~~!!J 9f ~~ef~.~ f~~.. b~o~·is.~ sp~cies. . . : .. .. !. : 1 '.~·!:.=i:r:·:·:. , .~.: ~"~.·:.~ ,h~r: Gr~~t '. ~i,v~de :t~~;..vt~1i;i_~tiop Pr·o~~9t· i .n .·~~s,te~~ ~6rf~t ~oun_~:Y was considered, but the public land· there was· broken into-· smal1 · blocks and was scattered wide ly. This area would make a suitable · . , .. . . .) ~,;-. ') ~t~lope h~bi }.gf..: a:nd. )~·O~~~ be .?o~.~idered . agai.P: . at a fu~~e date . ... : ;. ·::.; ::.: . s}:io~~ the ;i.~~.A>,~~rs~?:::P. .. ~tfp~s 9~~ge..' '" . . r: . . . . ·: .- , . ,, 'to } : : J ' ;:• :·!; • f : €_: ~ • • :• \ • 1"•; • ' •_. ' ' , • \ 1-i ' ' '"., •~' I ' •• • ' • 6• . Twenty:.mile Park~ soutliwest"" of· Steamboat Spririg·~·, was sugge·sted for survey, but the suggestion w.~~ ~~tp,~ a~ . af:te.r f~~~~7"~· consideration • ..--··.-. ... ....... ·---....... ·- .. -· .. ..... -· -·--· ·-··. . ·;j:;.. i n£t.:·: 7~ :j ~~~ ~~r~~ . e.~~t., ~:( R:~di~. Wf: ::O .~~~? ;~::9g~~:.~~~ '.Bfd! wa~ ..r_ec~_~noitered ':"{: ·: c·~ ;S~J>:~e~?\31'.i ..~; J-_94Z'"!O :: J~i -~·~ ii}9p Jtl~~' ,~M~&eq,,,,~d .. t_l.lllbere~: for successful antelope ha'bitation, ana it is- ove:r.;.;p ophl.ated with ·deer and sheep. : : ... ···:. ' ... ~ ~ 1~!1.'. • ·: : .. ~ ·...!.. . . : . .. :.. . . �,.. . ,.. .":. : ,. ... .. ... . .. ... ,·~. ' Rec·ol?'iaendatf6n~ : \ .• : " (· :. 1 .. . THe 1·1ope:ration" <;>1'. tr·app:faig: and tiiansplanting 2·50 ·to .300 .~f.~;rop~ ~;i.i{gb~g'.'. to entai"i";.·a 'great" amount"'o~ tib!E!; labor', and equipment·, and 'thEl.r tc?J~l.· ~o·~:ts. pX:or~ted oV:er e·acp an:fofal ·tllia:t :t ransplanted succe.'s ·s £ully, will mS.lqf .tli.~ ' an~e.l·ope rather e·~ensive ft~:inis· 'to the department. Th'er~~re , · it "is re'cornmended ' that the' lm1 'enforcement ' Ciivision ' of the department: ..concentrate on protect:ton of' ·the ante ldpe· vii'thiri . the restorat'ion areas. .. · -., " ' . i·s >: "-: .,.'. -_· 1fi V'ik.\r.~of:tp.e . .f;~r·egoing; .. it 'is. stigge·s te_d that' facilities and materials 'Qe :jnage ,availa"t?le . so ·tlfat all restor'a tiori areas may be posted ··adequately • . ·. :'. i... ~ • • ' : ·· .. I ·~ • ; . . . ' . .. •• ,_. . • ·~ •. . . . . . ' ~; .. .,. ,. ... :· ; · :..; Ti tie· - ~f Jab: ·~red~~~~ Stµdf~·~ ; ~ .~ --:~ .·: . .. .:.:. ·.·_ .. Obiectiv~: T,o dete.rmine 'B.IJl~unt of predation upoti aritelope · frol!l.golden .. · : '. ! • .,. ' ,; ' ' . ~ ~ ".,,!' ·, ,"• ". ' ' . . . . Techniques Used: This study was conducted in the Huerfano-Cucharas .. fj.~y.E;lr,. <4'f?-_il!a?~}:1:\. ~\le:rf.an~, an~ P~e~tC? counties ~uring the pe:i~d. July ·8-16, 1947. ).lfos~. of t~~(inve_st~gations into _{:oyote and bobcat-. act::!-."l[l:.t~e~ · ~~-!'e confl.pe·d . t;o:- t;h~ \v~·~t::'e~d bf .~h~ ~teiope - ~ange· in: what . is· kn©wn !3-S Butler P.ast~e. _' t!:~-:.'r?.i??:.:·a:'·~~~ 1Ei.,f~flJY" rath~r ~e~p :. :rou~~. ~~~y_on~.' : ~ui~e r.ocky-. and. ·timbered. tl?ic.kly w,ith P.+noP,.::-J.\llll.per an·q some · pon9,e rwaEpine.-1 .. . ' .. • " .. · • . ._ . • • •:.. :r ·eagle· ; · :qoyot.~ , •"' I ·· ; •• : ·:and ' bbbcat.~ ·. "· - ':. .: · .· .. - ,; , .- • ', . • : :: I • ' • i • , :' • .~·:. ' ".-~· : .·. · " .~.' ,·.~~ ~ ~ .::~ !. : :.: .. .- \ ~·. . . ... . . . ;: ' . . ·,. ~:: ,.._.,.,~:·~ th~·'. :t'#-~:r··aay .· ,1as ·. s~n·t 16okµig- f-o! coyoj;e "fil:icl l:>obcat dens in· Doyle Arroyo · ~,9?:·r~~df»'.~-~P.Y:?I)·; ;._i.1-i:~ ~~~ ~:.~·6l:th .~d. f,a;s_t".:p~~·~ ?~ the" .pasture area ...: Only· a .. • • : : J : : .: : • • •: • • • .·'"\':.:'.,:" ·· : ... . few remains of a· rabbit"'s keleton (ph'ot6graph=;·< F:i.:g ttre J.:) werE;J found .in wha·t ,.may have been used as a temporary den. Bobcat dens are diff'icul t : to · find and -.~yen more difficult to get to for collection or analysis of the contents. No fresh "sign" was observed in either of the two canyons. : . . ,. . -: : . Twelve . ~.Q. 3 stee;l,. ~raps v1ere borrowed from Mr. Louis E. Miller, govern' merit .limi~er:::~t-1a ··.ve t ii-;-...aria <i.ere.~:se.t_,'in Sh~.J~.P-.Q.9-11..Y.Q.I:h ·.<!9.<P:i!~..!.!'._\?<?.~~:..4 .: ~n:i-bfo.J.:f miles west of the pa sture area. A group of ante lope consisting of one 'buck, four ~oes, an~ .~<?:U-. f avms , ,) 1as. seen in t?~ - 9.2.~.If...P..~~~~~ ,~~~;-~~~-=_qj.~!~.re!1t : · .: , . ·oce-a-s:t.en·s·. · ~·l2Fa3,r,J.e . dogs, . :rabbi.ts.- ~and birds were used for bait; no scent bait was used. The t-rap-line vms 11run 11 t'1ice a day for six days, but produced neither··coy0.te:..-nGr.;. bobc.at.1o .~ - On_:the ' tfiird day, however, one bobcat was shot only fifty ya;i;-ds. from a 11 set. 11 It was a young female, slightly over a year -old·. ~ ·· The--sk-3.:n-, .,.skulJ.., : ·afui. ·s.tpmW) h·~\7ere taken, and the latter kept in formaldehyde until it was sent in to the U. s. Fish and Wildlife Service laboratory at De.rivet ~-1 :.'im..ian·a lysis · o.f · the ·.Stomach:. contents ~ sho¥1,eq..r ~on+Y.~~ ~~~~~ . c;>f::a wood rat. ~ ..-:: · · · .. .. :i ... : : ~ -1· 1 ·. ·:;. : , : _ .. .. .,~ · · ~. :: It is not likely that much depredation on antelope fawns is made by bobcats here. The antelope range is over two miles from the deep canyons which the cats inhabit, and it doe s not seem logical that a bobcat would kill and drag a favm across this open stre tch o~ country. �- 18 _. Coy9tes apparently are not very numerou.s in this section according_to report.s ·f rom the government hunters.. No trap-lines or cyanide gun line-s: are . run by the. government in tliis area. Farther to the west, TiherEf sheep use the rang~, there is some trouble from coyotes, but this is far r emoved from ·the ap'telope range'. Since he has been in thi·s district, I~ir. Miller reports ·~11a:t. he has obser~ed no evidence of coyote pred~tion on antelope. Golden eagles were observed in the eastern part of the antelope area, six being. counted in one day through a distance of t uenty-fi.ve rnil.e p • . On_ly one nest nas found, however, and it did not look as if it had been oc·c upied this year. There was nothing in the nest to examine except a few eagle feat~ers and bits of rabbit fur. It is reasonable to believe that the eagl es M ·t~ ·· a farm occasionally, but not enough evidence has been gat~~~eq . t~ make that a fact. That the eagle is a serious predator of antelope in· tbis area ·is rather doubtf.ul, because t~ .. rodent population is large enough to satisfy its needs. Cottontails, jack rabbits, praririe dogs, and ground squirrels ·are easier for the eat;le to catch and carry to the nest than a t v1elve o'r fifteen-pound antelope farm. .. .. . Conclus:i.ons: Data obtained from this· study do not indicate ·that a very gi:eat percentage of the fmm crop is lost to predatory animals;. not in this· . region aniuay. As an· average, probably less than .three percent is lost in . this manner throughout the mn~'s llig pe:r;iod, middle of r.:a.y to middle of September. After ueaning and especially during severe uinter weather, a higher loss due to predators must be acknowlep.ged. An antelope canno.t maneuver very well in deep snow, .arisi uhen caught iri. this situati6ni. 'bepomes ail ~asy mark for almost any pre.dacious species. Control of predators ih this area ±s not of primary ..im~o~~ance .at .. pre:sen~... · · . . ; . Approved: · Submitted: COLOR~O S~foTE ~MviE AND FISH DEP~~t,~~~:· ~ . Title . .. .V/ildlife Technician 4.,...,-£,j By: • f Title . C. N. Feast, Director . . :'; ; · Date ~._.;0:;.;;c;...:t:.;:;o.::;.be;..:r~2:;;;,2~,~.l: ;:9. ~.4~7~.- - - - Note.: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract shoUld fir.st obtain permission from the State Game and Fish Department • .;. i'. . : .. ·· . . r:. .. . , .. . �Figure 1. Renmants of rabbit skeleton found in bobcat den; Butler Pastµ:re, s outhern Pueblo Countyo �•• 't / :·..' ! . ·.•- · : , I ... • •: • : ... 19.· _.' . ; '·"' : . ; :_.. . '! ... ,.. .. , . =·· .. 1 • '· - 7i' :' ... . . ANTELO~E· .. . I . Job No. 5 - .. ' ,'I • , • _;, ~"' ·.·· ,. . . " ... ... ~.:. :·~··.. ·"·i I SUPPLEPZEIITARY EE?:ORT . ON i: ·". · . " . _, . ~.· ·: •.' : ' .. . . · ·:.: . . :· . . ~ .. .' . .. 'r: . ..• ...... . . .. \ . : ' . ... ·.. . : Ti~le, of •., , kl.mwis AND INVESTIGATIONS .. . Job: ·, Sex-Ratio Survey . ' I . . . Repor-t . of: .Progr~~: . .'ori August.:~6, ;~947, the Colorado An~loi;e.' Ref'uge . in Larimer: County, north of..fort·Collins ,uas surveyed from the air byR •.n·• . Lehti, pilot, and R~ -R." Elllptt, · obse~ver, using the department~s . plane, a Ce ssri.a· 120. As the antelope · \ver e ·seen,.'. the plane \1a.s' marietrvere~r.dq\m :clo'Se . to them, and ail' accilra~e, . com;it was made·; lis.ting the ti.~ber in'.ea9)1 class ·~- : . on a prepared chart. In c·a.s es ,~,here . ~here \'j~ re larger· groups · and ·closely =... · • bunched 1toge.th!3:r, a second run was made· in o'r<ier to get a double check ol) the animals . '.rn.?.s t oi!~ the,.i.ante lope wer e in small grotfPs·, · 'M.btievez:t anq 11ere scatteI'ed;· wid~l.Y .througpo,ut tbe refuge are.a.. . ~ All an~.me..ls appeared to ·be· in good condi ti6n,· ·the ·bu.cl::s.,:EHi.1 focially looketl slee k and: tat. Reactions of the antelope to tl:ie '. plane,~at: ·· a . h:L:gher alt~tude was only to l ook up at it, and some paid no attention whatsoever. '"fl,i,i~n approachec(at close range' however, they '17ould watch intently, some' dr the does a.nd .. farms taking several ~s~~ps towa rd the plane, but when apprehension got the better of their curiosity; -'they \?O~ul~. polt and run. No instances r1ere observed r1here f!IlY hostile movements,: e~lp.:¥ted. -.by eJther bucks or does, ·would lead ... ope to believe that theY.' uer.e .~r~g " t o pro~~c~ .1the: :&iUP.ti! ..a~ains t an attack. ·c-. .It iS · q'Liite li-ke;Ly, neverthel~~~.., .that the _do¢ s woUld)?f3bave :in such a IJlanner v1hen the ·f awns :. "ere young11r. · _~d · iliore ..help~~is; ·or-.;i.ii .c~se: of an ~tte~pted .. attac~ by an eagle • . ., '-:::: '..· -:-.,.j ''.'. : .. . ..... ·~t. :·: . . ..... . :· "··· .t ;~, . ....· . The tabulation, by sex and by · n~l;>ers in eac};l group. aS' 1they octrurreq, is given in Table 1. From the totals, it."may.:be seeri ~hat:·:·a·:,:r~tio 2.64 · q.~s per buck is shO\m by the sa!llpling taken in this are·a ... '· Iri: tq~:.lll'iter' s ~.:::·· ~ opinion, this figure is low, and such a belief may be substantiated' by'. t:q_e fact that other does come i n from adjacent areas during the rutting season. Perhaps this can be determined when the census flights are made during the \'inter. The ratio of .4 fawns per doe is · also 1011 because no attempt was made to distinguish between yearling, f ertile, and barren does. A fa~m crop of 44.6%for the total number of does may appear rathe r light,· but considering other factors, such as last year's unusual weather, it may be about normal. Further study over a period of years Vlill be necessary to establish what an optimum farm crop should be. of No antelope were seen in the Granite Canyon area. It is quite probabie that the few \7hich have been observed there, have joined one of the main herds in the refuge area. The last antelope seen near Granite Canyon by the 11I'iter, '17as a group of seven about one mile north of Haystack Rock on U. S. Highway 287 last April. �20 - "! On August 2?, 1947, the sex~ratio survey by air was continued in the Dickinson Refuge and vicinity near Hugo and Limon, thence to the Black Squirrel Creek drainage and the area ea$t and south of Colprado Springs. In all areas, the antelope were scattered widely and the cotmts were .. obtained by random . sampling, no standard search pattern being employed, The cotmts made in the Hugo area are contained in Table 2 · and show a ratio of one buck to 1.3 does, Apparently the bucks withstood the severe weather of last \1inter much better than the does~ The ·herds in this area _stU'fered g:r:eat~r l _o sses !z:om the weather than those of _o ther parts of the sta:t e e: .' The. fawn crop seems to be -better., however, with i:r ratio of .6 fawns . per doe • . . · . :. In the Black Squirrel Creel{ area, the ratio l,s ~hown as one buck per .. 3.J~ does, which probably is· closer to the actual relationship, but still seems low. T~e fawn_crop, as computed from this sampling, is 40~9%, or ,4 . .. fawns per doe, . Table 3 shows the grouping and nillnbers as ~hey_ occurred, for all are~s, and ratios taken as an average, are given below; ~otals Bucks ..... ' -w23 .. -' .. 103 . ' 30 :·_M_ : _Ll :· .75 .... . .. -~~ 177 .. Fawns J;6 -- Colorado Antelope Refuge 19 -.~ Dickinson Refuge Black Squirrel Creek 83 -- Total 335 18 Does ·per buck: -. 2.36 Fa~s per d,.~ : ... · • 46 . Obtain~ng -se~-r~~iq. o~ a_ntel9pe _from the air is probably the most efficient -and . ac,curat~ _ine.~ho_d~ · l It ,. ma,y be sugges:ted that the flights be accomplisheq abo\.lt the m;i.ddle ·of; SeptemJ?e:r, howe~r, in or!!ler to get a higher sampling when ·;the ~erds . ar~ g~.ouped together inore. A greater number of . subje~ts woulct af.f o.1'4 a. nioE~ .'. accu:u.ate . re.p resentation c;if .sex-ratio, .. : . .. . . . . .... . . .. • ~ I ; ' ~ . I : ~ ' \ ·. :· • ' ... . . ~. : : . ·. ~ J). !. �• - 21 - TABLE_! COLCRJ.»O ..ANTELOPE REFUflE _..: . LARIMER COUNTY Bucks . . 2 2 1 1 ·: 7 :. i.·~ 1 . 1 ': ·' ' 1 17 8 2 .3 5 2 7 10 4 .. .3 25 4 ,, 9 · ,( 14 1 6 17 . 2 2 24 2 4 2 I 1 1 .3 .. . 1 1 1' 4 ,.! ~-· 2 ~::· 3 8 4 1 2 3 ; 2 2 .2 - .. :.:. ,2 :.. 5 11 6 .3 1 1 10 '"1 . . • . .1 . . 2 " ·.'"..-.:' ·7 . ... -~ ~!·;~: ...... .:.,2:.;._.. - ... .• .. . 9· .l : . :...):"... ':. 1 l' ... " 1 - .1'.',':" : l :.• _. .3..l 9: ·'· i. 2 3 .- 1 1 1 .3 4 188 1 1 . -... --... . ....... 6 5 5 1- .39. .3 9 10.3 r '· ... ... _.. __ __ .... ;-: I .,..' .·.. ·•,. . ·' �. ' ':''.t : ,. - 22 TABLE 2 . Efil£-RATIO SUR~X DICKINSON REFUGE .AND VIC INITY Bucks 1 5 ·.. ..:·: :. ; i ..... Does Fawns 1 5 1 1 1 3 4 7 4 6 3 7 7 1 6 3 10 1 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 -' 7 1 . Totals 7 1 3 2 4 1 1 4 7 2 2 7 19 72 l 5 1 23 30 TABLE 3 1 SEX-RATI0 SURVEY BLACK SyTJIR11.EL CREEK iJRAINAG~ Bucks 1 1 " 1 l l Fawns ~ ~ 9 3 8 3 2 1 1 l · ··- :· :... . 4 12 J 1 l 1 8 ~ · · ... ..... 2 J 7 ... .. 2 2 J 2 9 1 5 5 4 11 18 75 2 2 13 16 l 1 1 l l Totals 44 �1~~11~1~\~1i1~1~11 ~1~~r1i1~~11~1im11 i1 BDOW021227 STATE Colorado PROJECT NO. _...,3'"""8_-R_-....1_ _ _ __ DATE October, 1947 Vol. No. REPORT OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN HILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader: Deer-Elk-Bear Investigations Paul F. Gilbert 3. Report of Progress: Bear Studies • Bear in the past three months have been moving around a great deal in what seems to be a last effort to put on that additional ·fat needed for the winter months ahead. They have been working the canyon rims through the pinion and ponderosa country turning over rocks and tearing up logs in the heavy spruce timber in search for ants and grubs. Bear have frequently been reported traveling in mid-day in search of food. On the 28th of August three head of cattle were observed grazing in a small park in the Tabeguache basin. At 1:50 p.m. the cattle stopped grazing and were watching the far side of the park. A full grotm black bear came into view. The cattle trotted into the trees at the edge of the park. The bear ambled slonly across the park and worked along the edge around the base of the oak brush. The bear disa:i::peared into the brush at 2:05 and by 2: 08 the cattle were again in the park grazing. This would tend to show that 11hile range cattle do respect a bear, they do not stampede as it is often thought. Four bear were seen in this general vicinity during mid-day a week later by a Fish and Vlildlife Service man, uhich also shows that bear do move around in the day time in search of food. The natural bear food of mast and berries was not ripe by the last of July when the weather turne d off dry and much of the green feed began drying up. About this time a great increase in bear complaints began coming in, especially from the sheep men. During the last of July about 9:30 p.m. a large black bear was seen in a band of sheep belonging to Mr~ Redd. The sheep were milling around very excitedly in a closely packed group as though they were conscious of the danger at hand, but did not know when or where it would strike. It had been knomi that Lr. Redd ·\1as losing sheep by bear. One shot was fired at the animal as he disappeared into the brush and out of �.. - 2 the lights of the car. The follouing morning two enes and one lamb were .found . de.ad; only: the lamb was partially eaten. The next evening this bear was shot by the herder. Another bear entered a small screened-in meat house. On inv~s"tigating this .complaint it nas found tho.t the rancher had butchered the beef not more than forty feet from the meat house leavi ng the head and entrails laying · where.-. they rit:lre removr;id. This rancher was actually baiting the bear to his meat house. Numerous complaints .from stockmen continued to come in until about the .lst ·of September. · As ' the berries and acorns ripened, the complaint s dropped off. Due to the fact that there is more natural food for bear this year, there has been fewer complaints· of· be~ damage ~o ~rain fields, orchards, and apiaries. .-· ·. . . In several cases where sheepmen had .heavy b~ar dam~ge, , ~nterviews wer~ . held with the owners as well ·as ·with the herders, ·and suggestions were made to correct the cause of such heaviJ losses. Poor rnani::ige~ent of the .sheep during the critical time was the chief cause of frequent . or.heavy losses. Judging from reports and observations, the cub c~cip ·has' ·be~n good t .h is year. Ranger Stevens located on ~he . north end of the Uncompahgre reported an old bear with three cubs in tha't ..Vici nity. The bear pictured .in the: last. q\l'az.te;rly report ~s 11po·s:sible . wiht~z: loss 11 ·wa:s probably poisoned with s'trychriine honey--an empty pound cpffee can. was found near the d~ad bear and ·also ·a qead . squirrel. Several hi.ind.red yarqs away another pound coffee can wa~ foµnd at the .foot of a tree.. This Gan·· still contained honey. The contents 'of w)lich was c°cJllected and sent . in for analysis. · · ' · Places of hibernation visi~ed recently show no . sign of bear havi.I).g been· around ~ them. .. . · : · · · . · · · One female adult bear 'taken .ne;;i.r the :)1eaQ. o;f Kelso Creek by a Fed~. ral Trapper was in excellent condition. . MJ.. au.tqpsy i7~s ·made arid no . parasite~ :or di~eased tissue could be ..f<?Und. The . foliordii,f mea~ure~~epts were tak~~: I • • • • . • Snout to . tip of tail Tail : . ' . . Hind foot H~ight at shoulders ' •• • • • j • ! . The stomach contents of ·~this bear waf? par.tly: diges:ted magg~ts and . decayed flesh which she .had eaten at ~he bear pen befor~ getting in~o t}le trap.· · · ·· . . · . .. .. :• .. · ·Dentition formulas ·of bear ' skuils 'e~~n~d· t}l~ past ·t'h. l;~f months .:a re as' follows: , . :. . . " . . · . :..·. . ' . · , .. . ~· 1. Borders Cabin Bear i . J ·a l . PM {t M ~ 3 1 2 3 x2 .: )8 . __., �':r-- - • fl'· 1 ! - 3 c 1 PM 4 M 2 x 2 : 37 211 1 2 .3 2. Grays Creek Bear i .3 3. Kelso Creek Bear i 2 c 1 PM f= M g x 2 : 40 1 3 4. Gunnison Bear i Dry Park Bear 3 3 2 c 1 PM :2 I 1 Iii g x 2 = 39 1 3 3 i ,2 c l PM..} Mg 3 5. - - - 3 2 f 1 1 3 x 2 : 37 The full compliment of teeth in a bear is 42. The variance is usually in the premolars as the R.b,we r -::r.1r..:1as show., Some of the premolars are very smaJ.l @d it i s r.rcsu::i'Jd that many of the permanent premolars are aborted and are ne~1er ~·ep1P..~~d. Skats analyzed for the past quarter are as follo~s: 16 .'\.sp~n (populus) trigs & buds Spr·1ce needles O~k ]eaves (Que rcus) Wh.!:::.e pea (Lath~,r-..·us ) ~lE P.<low.. rue (-rli.e. ~~:: trum) Blu~ g:l'.'e.s~ (!?.n L f:'~') Hor ' € "·a i , 1 '?q~,.: '''-"t n C!p·-.) ~ oJ . ..1- \).I ;...L. .....--.-.... 11 I.A.I '- 5 (Unidenti::-':i.r.ble p}.mts Dandelion :r.0·1:it.o1irm ) r.Janson:i. ta 1.1 ..~·~:.: .l o 8 Dogwood b';: n :i.f'. r, (Corn us Spp) Dogwood tw:.£\·3 & ::i~ems _Chokecherr~ .. (P:nurns Spp) Service 'IJ"!I r 'r;> :./\r:1Ft:i.enc.hier) Service b'~ 1.-ry l~a1!2 s Oregon €;rape- {Btirbaris) Cirsium Brome grass (Bronus Spp) Maggot:S 4 70 1 19 20 21 22 23 2, 3 T 10 40 2 10 10 T T T 1 1 15 45 50 67 5 5 30 85 15 15 1 T 5 T 3 T 95 5 5 2 T T T Ants Ant de:i. t ... a.sh 2 Cow BumbJ.f.l he'?. Foo~ ol' bi:rd 15 Alise . & Traces 18 T T - ' Pin"- net"ld1..~ s Rush (Jt'.11~"1S balticus) (Other g~·essa::: 17 2 T 50 20 40 8 50 T T 2 2 10 5 T (Percentage by volume) 85 2 �- 4 ·,, Submitted: Name · Approved by: __ _....___......... Paul F. Gilbert __...__.......,.,_,_~~~~ Title -~B~i~o~l~o~g=i-st.._~-..i.-~~--- COLORADO GM.!E AND FISH DEPARTMENT ,{ By~~--·f_.·_--_-_-_--_._ '--._-_·~--~--~--~-~~ ' ~· 4 T{ tle __c_._N_.._F1_ea.....s....,t_.,._D_i_r_ec...t_o_r_ _ _ __ :. .. , Note: Persons wishing to· quote from this abstract should first obtain permissioll: from· the · State Game and Fish Department. .., . l p O . ·, . ; �lij~l1l11ij'1l1~'1li1~i 1i1ij~1j~ij~]~1]~il[i~l BDOW021226 STATE ~---c-0_1.o.r.ad_o._.._______~ PROJECT NO. ---3~8-~R_-~l----~-. ~ DATE · .:--~-o.ct.o~b.e_r~·--.10.?4~7--~--- • J As · Reqtiired by· FEDERAL AID m lllLDLIF.E. . . REST~TIOl{ . -:.· . ACT . 1. : ,,. ' . 2~ . Leader: .. Laur~nce:·E. Riord·a n· ... . . 3. Report of Progress: . · : · . - · ·· ., . ' .. Job No. l - Location and extent of summer ranges. ...... . . . ' ' I To locate and !llap s.~~r d~r .~d elk rall:~es. . . -;.. -.. ~ ::.~ .. .. .. :.·~ . . . :.:.:. :;.~~ : _... ;:. ..•:..,_;.._~ ;.,. . .:. ........ -:. _..:. ..: ·.·=·· ...; ·~ ..· •... . . . -~ ... ... Teclmigue s Used: \lork \7as done on this j 9b in the f ollowipg areas by the men indicated: . ' . .. · · ·. " . ..· ~ ·: · ; "~ " ; : ~. ··. .... · ~ ... " · · · · · · · ..., 1 · · Objective: a;· b. c. d, e. f, White Ri~r · Gunnison area· ···Glenn Roger·s· and D_o nald Lauridsen c. D. Tolman · ·. Gle_nn Rogers Llojd"?earle ·. . . Paul .f.~. Gilbert · Eagle-Colora~o River -- 11iddle"Park · ' · Uncompahgre :ro;-ea Hermosa ar~a · : · 1 •..:. ~ *' I .:iiai-qi<l ·'R.•.·Sheph~rd v-- : Before going into -tlie field, each "technician ass.ambled and studied the best maps ·available 'for.- his· region. In most cases, these 'were United States Forest Service maps of the various National Fqre~t~. . Each man then proc~ed­ ed into his par.tichls.r area of··the ·state·:·atia b~·gan observing and .J.opati.Jlg the animals. upop: .their summer rangss;, ' As eacti· secti'9n was visited, t .h e boundaries .of .the ranges·: were traced · µpan a. f~~lQ. . or work :m~p·, later to be · · transferred to a transparent o~rlar, :·w14ch__ together with .tI:ie corr:~ spending ·· .. base map will-· form a · pwt "of the permanent · re~orq:. of eact,1 o.f Colorado~ s principal big , game :. hell'd·s , · To ·get-_ ~tq the l'~g~~d - ~acces~i~le ~~er range . areas, horses .were used, or the ·work· was doi:ie .,~n, .foo:t by w9rking out from . whatever roads and .truek:·trai:ls exist in ,the it~iou~ areas. This method Qf ' rec<?nnaissance necessar.ily makes ·'t he ·worlC' .in t~e fie!~ :?low, .arid in most instan~es,· only ..a .f,re:ction· o:f -the ··total s~el'." ·.r~g:e area of each game herd was covered during .the past· 'field··"seasoh,· .. · . -.· · ~ · • ~. • '... • : '• ' ~ t • ~0 ~ ' • ' ' • I' •' • • : : • •r ' • ' During the latter part of September, 1947, a limited .amount of aerial reconnaissance was tmdertaken in the Upper White River and ·Eagle-Coiorado River areas, The Colorado Game and Fish pepartment' ~ ne.w plane~ piloted. by r1ir. Kenpetb W.lyard, and.-ttith· ?,ir, Glenn E'," Rage.r s" obsel-vi.ng, t1as used for this work. · · ... :··: . .. . ·. .•· . • ; : . ... . : i . !::" ,: ·' . I �., .· ·. -· . ........ ....:~ f . .. 't ........ . t ( • • r .. ... . . fepulat!pn Surveys - p~er Md Elk. . , Job No. 3 .. Checking Station Survey. ... • !... Objectives: To determine kill trends, age, sex, weight, hunting loss, and other pertinent data. . ' Progress~ Plans were made for the establishment of thirteen checking stations to be operated ·durin~ the big game hunting season. Temporary help was lined up by the resident technicians for each station. Signs, flares and other equipment \1ns assembled and checked. Forms uere· designed, upon whio~ information concerning species of· animal, ·a ge, sex, girth and antler- measurements, \1eight, cost of the hunting trip, wounding of animals, .and abandonment of animals in the field could be recorded~ · ."'{ .• •·r Forage and Range Utilization Job No. 2 .. Correlation of Game and Livestock Laiid Vs~ Status. Objective: To determine land status according to use. : .... '•i ·. , Pro~ SS: Work upon this :Job was done in . the variouS areas by the · 111en in.. dicated as follows: ; I ... .• a.- White River b. Gunnison c • . Eagle..-Colorado ---· d. Middle Park ;... e. Uncompahgre · ·- .to "" . -- Hermosa -- I Donald G. Lauridson C. D. Tolman Glenn E. Rogers Lloyd· \1. Sear le Paul F. Gilbert Harold R. S}lepherd · ~ . Information for mapping land status was obtained from the following . sources: U. s. Forest Service, U. s. Bureau of Land Management, and from. county land· records. Actual use of land was checked in' the field in conjunc .. tion with work on '. Job No. 1, previously discussed,- and in conjunction \"lith Jobs Nos; .3 and 4, reports ,upon which 'follow. The extent to· which this phase 0£ the . t7ork was completed . in the · :various areas- de·p ends very :largely upon the · information that was available ·to the technician· in the beginning • . In some· - · areas of the state, iand onnership status maps ·were available from the Federal Land Use Agencies. In- others, this inf'ormation will have· to be pieced together· from incomplete· and obseut~ county· land ·records,' ~ nill .require a great' am.ouri~ , of time to finish the job.: In all of '·the areas listed above, some progress bas .· ... been made,. and· in 8eve~al, practi.0 8:1)..i complete maps have now be~n assemble~;, .. • • 1 1 .. : Job No. 3 .. Food Habits •• • • t ~ ' To find more accurately the foocf~habits of deer· and elk • . ·· Progress: Plans were made to ~urv~y the ·V!ork already done upon stomach· analysis in the · state · to secure· t~e following • f'acts: ··: · : . .. Objectin: \ : :. . ! . �·- - .3 a. The nt.lmber of stomachs and the season at which they were collected for each area ~d species of animal. b. The cause of death of· the animal from nhich se.niples were taken. It is . knorm that ~ : fdrly i~ge -number of stomachs have been analyzed, but in at ~east some .cases it is 't liought ... tnat ·the animals from which the." samples had died from starvation .or malriutrition i.... OUr ·plan is to eliminate any "'such data, :· · and th~n t~ concentrate up.~n c?llect:lrig · ~~ples ~t the seasbl'.'s of 'tRe ~ear .a nd . J. · from the species of'.. f:lllim¥ .. an4 . fro~ · the · area where : the. survey. indicates .. further · information is nec~ssa;-1:• .. ·· .. · .:'·-_" ·,; ·: .. .: · : . ·.' · · . .' . · · "· · . . ' .. .. . . .· .. . : ·.: \ Job No •. 4 -·· ~tillzat~on -~d ~~nrllab~liyY. 6'f" br~w~e· ~- ~\JlllJII~~- r~~e~r "' . .. . . ·. . Ob:teotive :. ·To ~tudy ·gam'.e..' browse· jise ·•summer· rang~e. ~ ~ :' • ,. ,~ .~· t ' • .,. • • ·on ~· ' 4; • "' • ,• . : : • • I' • : l • • : • J ·: • • I ' • ~ • .. ·•• .,. • . · Progres§~ · ~ing,.th~ 'l>~~t .'.?i.e~d .;~e.as'~n; :te_chn~iaha ~~icing ~~on · j~b.· ~o. ·2 above and ·Job ·No. 1 e.t the .begirirling · of' this :report, :were 9ll. the . ale:rt to .note and ~tudy any localized areas of .overuse ·~y deer:•or .. ellli to .. dis~ove~ t~~ ·'piants being so used, and if possible, the factors causing such use. Thus far, ·only the loeatians o:f ~ fe.w such _places have been marked upon the field maps;·aria tur~her study wi:U be . reqUired · t9, fpt~f _caU:~Efs. and. .to· .s~ge s~ ~~~g~men~ p~actice s to correct these conditions. · ... · · · ~ ·.·. · ·: .. · : .. -·· · .. .. . .. .. :, . .• : Iri c·onnection with. th:e. 'ut,ii1z~tipn 'o_f~:brdw-se .studies, ~wo assignme~ts were carried out during the .Pafit-.ciU:~.te.r ·.by Federal -Aid· personnel. On July 28 and 29 Mr. Glenn Rogers and Jiir. Riordan pailticiJ)ate'd ·in ·a .two ..day field trip over range lands in the DiVide Cr.eek ..s~c_t~~n 9f th~ Colorado River drainage. The trip was sponsored ·and conducted .by the .Garfield 'County: Agricultural Planning Committee for the pui-pose of·_studY:4i~. rang~ . con~ti on in an.:area. where the United States Forest Service had announced i ts~'inteniion-= ofi.makb:lg s11l;>stantial reductions in the numbers of live~to~k . pe~mitted to graze. The study showed that big g8Jlle animals were not, en- impoz:tant factor in the condi:tio.n of this range. • • ...... .. . '. ' 't . • •• I I • Later, !"Jr. Roge.r s', ·..~: -P~Ui F·~ -~f-lb'dr't ~d~ .f.~ . --~i.~dan assisted in a ccr-... operative survey..:or -~t~c;ly ·~.r·t:_ang~'.~_d ·. '~ater~h~d ·:c®<il.ti.C?lls an the K8.:Mah Creek watershed of the .Grand- rresa ~ational ·Forest.·,; Iii· this · case it was found that :an · over-population · of . de~r~ -~~pe~;i.a~iy_ d~in~ ·,the . winter. ~eason w~s contributing materially to the existing unsatisfacto~y·range condi~~on. The~efore, the nee- ~ easary recommendat1011s were , made to the Colorado Game and -Fish Commission through proper channels in the Game and Fislt·Department,, · and a · post season hunting season has been set to attempt to alleviate the condi.tion. by har~sting a substantial proportion· ~f the deer h~~d ~hat concentrates in this locality· in th· winter. •• • • .: • ·· ·~ ... ,· o ••.~ I . •,,,. : ..... • ~. ·,· ' . l • • ,,. . ·, ~ ~ • •" .'' • ••• " •..- ', ' · -The cooperative :fffor~ -~ust...de.~c~i~d 1:-ed ·to· :an-·invi.t.ation to · 1~. Rogers and Mr. Riordan ·to attend · ~ schoQl.~ o:q."the "judging "of . r,ange condi tiq~ \'lhich was · being conducted by -Mx"•..Herber.t.'Scliwan.'c:>r' t1ie ·Derivar · Regi~al Qffiee of tlie U. s. Forest Service for· the . rangers · ~d" oth~:f l)~r?oniiel- of tne·:Wbite ~ivel' N:ational Forest at Glenwood Springs, Colorado.·:·"Three ' d.ays: ~ rrom---Augus~· 17 . to _flu~ust 19 inclusive were spent attending this · school. · · �- 4- . '·· . . . Job Ng. ~ ..; Little ·H ills Grazing Comp~tfticn, Enclosure Study "~·: To determine degree and select~vity of forage use of deer, Ob.iective; sheep and cattle in enclosures • . ~ Progress: AssistaJ'.1~e in designing .the sampli~g techniq~~ to be used in the . experi.Jllen~ was obtained from Mr. ~drew G• .C::J.ark, Professor 9£ i:a,theinatics _a t. . Colorado A. & M. College 1 and a statistici~ cf'. re~ognized ability. Th~s h~lp is ·.~ the . form of · a cqmplete procedural out~e for making ~ , s,tatistical ; analysis of the various vegetative species to determine th~ number of point~ ~t · · . which observations should be made, the number of plants to be included \1ithin each obs~~~a~ion, an4 the .n~bet of ~tem ~asurement~ o~ _ ea~h P.lant, required to adequately 'sample . tlie vegetatlon· oerore· and af'ter grazing; 'iil each eii"c!osure. Field \1ork: . D~t~ the months of. July and August,· a · rec.taiig.uliii." '"g' rid was l~~ Ol.:lt: and ·s take.d . ~~ ~~e gx:o~da . .t}'iei:~by di~d;lpg .e ach ~nclos~ int.o a con.:venient_.~umbe:r of plots .or bf..~kl(I ,. ~ach fi;~ . ,Q~~~ )n leng:t~· . o~ :a· side. T_h is · · subdivj..sion was provided so as .to.,have a . workable"" sized unit tor use in select.. ing· pQint~ f .o r .obs~r!V'~ti0n ..o~ S.tUdy ·vegetation a~ random. wi'thin eac};i enclo.s~~ ~ . · · ~ -." . ·: , -,·. .. . . .·. . . .. .' , ' . . . . , Using the outline of procedure previously mentioned,. pre1iniinari or e:xploratory measurements were made upon the folloWing plant species: · · .of the ~~· • -.. . . • . .. ... . , . i • • • .: ~ . • , . . . .. . . . M~t$, Mahogany, Ceroocar,p,u a ~ontanus; Bitterliru~~. . ,· i P'-'1°$pia ~rid~ntata; .Big. ~ag~l:'rtish, Arte~i.sia , t,:-id~ntate,; ·: , ...Bl;'owse: . .,. and _S ervice berry, .Ame.lanchi.er ·~l,iaf'oli~ •. · : .. • .~ ! • I .._ • • " _. . . · · , ·.'. ( • '• • .... , ·.- Graases: Slend~r Whe~t~a~s, . Agropyron p~uci"florum; Tfe~tern' oi:, · •>·. 't· .·• . , . • . ·, . Blue s~m \1he~-tgr~ss, . W<?p~on ~i ~hii; Indiari. -~ice. ·a~a.88, . .. .. -. ~ · . , 1 .. , Oryzop.s is :l~enoides; · and J~e Gr~ss.,. ~oele,ria .cri,s.t ata. The. object 'here was .to arrive at "a inewiure of the vari~ce be'twee'n I • • lengths .of 1ndi~P.uoJ. pl~t ~te!Jls, . theJ v~iano.~ ~f stem.- length bet~en. plants at . ··the . .s~e. ~b~ery.atiO?l. J~Q;4'lt 1 . ~4 the. var;ance Qf -~:tein~len~tJl .be\t\'1$,e n .widelX , separated OQfJervation. po~ts .. £or ~ach · pl;~~ .species •.. From this information., it, will··® . pQssi'b~~ to plM thEr field uork when the act.µal grazing expe~imen~ . ·.begins so ·as to ge,t the. ?;'equired inform_atio~ f~Qin the l_e,ast pos.sible number of · . measurements, ther~by. ms.king ._ the ..experiment ~s ecpnomical .as po~~i?le • .. .. .. · • • • ~ } • t .. :...:·< App~~~ime,~lj. oh~~~U ·~!' th~ c~putatio~s . ~o int~~p~et the. f~~ld..m~a·a.ure• . ·ments have been _oomple~.d t9. date. ·. · .. :. . . A qetaile4 ral)ge . sµrv~y by the _.Ocular ~ec.o!Ula~s,sanc~ Metho4 was made of ·, .. the . axe·a :tha.t .w~lLbe included ,in the first eert~·s. of encl.Cisure·s. · The' ~errying . . cs.pa~ity..dattl; 'trqiii.::t)rl;"i3""~u.r~i, ~~n. 1~ i~ ·.c'onipiled .f;x:om · ~ ~i~ld no~~~. ·~11 · be used a~ .a: g·uid~· in s.toc~ng .t}Je .epclosur.e s, tor .i;iheep t;md for. c_a.t tle; ~d :· : ~hould ·be :u eef.u l ·.later in ~ w,orldn,g ,out a. method of ..ap~l~ t!t8Pdard range survey procedure to the determination of car.riini . . . . C,apacfty . . £.or. ·.deer. . .._ �- 5 - In conjunction with the range survey just discussed, an ecological study or writeup l7as made for each vegetative type within each proposed enclosure. Information concerning the folloTiing points was recorded for each vegetative type: 1. Soil type, its origin or parent material, and its characteristics as regards stability, erodibility, etc. 2. Erosion, the type (sheet or gully), degree, and \7hether active or arrested, together with comments or reasons for the classification given. J. Vegatative cover, the standard type number and symbol, and the key species forming the type. Comments upon plant condition or vigor, and upon evidences of plant succession and use by animals. Submitted: Name Approved by: Laurence E, Riordan Title _ __,B:;.:1:::.; · o-=1-=ooc:gi.:::i.::.st-=--------Title ___c~,...N.;.:•:-.;;;F.-e-=a:.::s-.t.z.,. .;D; ;.;1=·r.e-c-t_o_r___ Date _ __:N.:.;;o:..::v.;;e.::: mbe =r:.....:;;2;.;2:.a.,...:1:..9~1+~7_ _ _ _ __ Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the State Grune and Fish Department. �STATE Colorado PROJECT. NO. _..,.3~7_.-R;.;..-..:::1..__...-..--:---October, 1947 DaTE ·:.: Vol. No.--........- - - OUTLINE FOR PKOGR.ESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As Required by REPORT · .lEDERAL ATu IN VJILiJLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Proje~t: 2. Leader: Grune Bird Survey Harry J. Figge 3. Report of Progress: The following recommendations were made to the State Grune and Fish Commission for . the. i947· Pheasarit ·Season: : uPLAND GJJ.L BIRiJS ·.. The permanent openinG date of Pheasant an.d Quail' seas~n .·.;.. the third Sunday":·of ·November of each year. . . :' .. ,, . ..' . .' ._ ---..... :., ·- ..... . November 16 to November 29, inclusive, :µi . the following counties~ · .. . . ,, . Logan, Sedgwick_, Phillips, Yuma.~ \;iashi.hgton -~.. . .. ·~ Nov~mb~r 16 to Novemb~~- ·22·; · · ih~·lusiv~_,_ ~. the folio~g co~tie~: • : · • • • ·., ••• • 1 ••• .... Weld, Morgan, Ad.runs;- :i~~fue'I;' " ··: : •• , 4 • • ... ..... • • :: . • • · -:.· ·.. ·.: ;. ' November 16 to November lS, incius:iive.;..in" the follQ~:i,ng counti~s: . . .\ Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Kio~a, Bent, ; P~owers, Baca, Otero - e~qept that ·portion of°.'the ·.coun.ty bounded .:ori. ·the.. ea.:?t by State Highwey 71 and Ori_ the : south b:r:u·. s'~ High~~y 350 - !iii'e's·a~ 'Delta, Montrose, San Ivdguel, Arapahoe . {east. ·or Box Elder e~eek, which crosses . Highway 287 at \latkins), D6tiglas,, . .Elbert). _LincoJ.ri. · .. November 16· and .17, inclusive, in the . following ~ourities: . Saguache, ~i~ Gr~~e,')~-~o.sa;' ;~ -~o~~·j·~·s . , .. November 16 - One Day Only, in the folldwing coUJ)ty: . .. I Garfield .. �- 2 - "' No~mber 16 to N~vembe?" 1.s;. inelusive, in the .following counties: Mesat Delta, and Montrpse .: :. .. ~ •' BAG LI1iIT - Eight per ': dar .@d :eight ·:tn possessi<?Ji .· . .' HOURS - 12:00 Noon tmtil 5:00 p.m. ' . . MEXICAN BLUE .OR ~SCALED ~UAIL AND BOB\'JHITE .. . . No Season • ,t ." . ,,.. " . . ...' PHEASANT SEASON::REco1:1'/TI:N,Pii.TIONS .. . ; :. •• ' 2 Week Area -- ·Northeast .. There was a good wiitter and sPr· ~-~ :;opula:ti~~~ App~~_ritly a· ion kill. last season and a fair hatch this summer. · ··It"the two wee·k season does ' not· remove a sufficient number of birds we · aniic,ipate a successful trappi?:ig' progral!\ or thP. season .could be extended. .. · ;. ·- ·· . . .. • • ..J .. ' 1 \Veek Area .... North central ., . ~ '. .. .. ! Possibly t~e]'.'e is a ·Some.what lower popµl.ati.on ·iti thfs:.area this year, but the excellent cover should preven;t..any overshooting~ There ·. sti1l"' were enough pheasan;ts .,J~ast spring to cau$e .numerous 4amage:. ~Qmpl'aints in Larimer, Vleld, · · ·. ·. "" ·' · · · · · ·· · · and Morgan Counties. I ; • • ·, .,. : • • •••• • • -~ ... • .. ~ ' 1.. } D§:¥ Areas -- .li.rkans8:s Valley, Enst Central and West . . . • ... • .' ., • , .. t ' ' : ' ~· :, ' • I ' ;_ • • • .. • \ - , , In all of these areas the pheasant pop\llation is not high.but they are well distributed. With the ·good' cover in ,.the ar~.aa· ' and. ~~ooting of cocks only, three half days appear c"onservative.• , . · , .,. ·,: .. ". , .·. ::: ..: : .. · · . · ~ -- . ·.· . .. .--··. . •" ·' ... . . .. -. · .. . ! . . :.: ....... : ~.. ~ ..... · ">.· ~: ·. . .: . . ..Hvn,til'.lg.. presstll'e shoU.ld not be .as ·g?'.eat in this. ar~a as., ~ previous years fo.r tJier~ wi:l;L !lot -~e a dµi:ik se~son' y1hile .~he. ~h~~s~t' s'ea!s~~ is open. Late reports. and ~hecks,, J'"'y.. checks, . . ' .loo.k . . bettei:; t~an ...t.~e June ·anq -. .· .... . · ~ . . •. t· l De.y Area -- Garfieid c·ountx • • • •. • • • • • • ! £ '\ , .r-t ·:t • • :" .. . . . .... ~~ t ; -. :·. . . .·.. . •. .. , - ; . . .. . : Last year's one day season ~as reported successful without any apparent reduction in normal spring popW.ation.. . .... ' . ~·. . \ ~ �Areas closed this year .... Dolores, Montezuma, and La. Plata Counties The Wardens in those areas recommend no season this year. A two-day check was made and no pheasants seen in that time. The recommendations were accepted as made Vlith the exception of changing the close of each day's shooting to S:OO p.m. inotead of official sunset. Liberation sites selected and plants of Bird Farm reared pheasants were made in the following areas: Pueblo County-------------------------------------· 600 Uestern Otero and Crowley Counties---·------------- 400 Alamosa, Rio Grande and Conejos Counties----·----·· 1057 Costilla County-·---------------------------------- 100 El Paso County (Camp Carson tiilitary Reservation)-- 400 ~esa County---------------------------------------- 400 2957 1900 pheasants included in the above total were released in areas closed to hunting and it is anticipated that they \"dll remain closed for a minimun of two years. Farmer cooperation ~ ~ and ~ ~ ~ goal £.2I ill game ~ pro.iect.s Submitted: Approved by: Name _ _,H...,ar .......r_y___J __._Fi...,·....g.. ,g._.e_ _ _ _ __ COLORADO G Title Biologist Date ~~-N_av __e_m~be-r.._.1_0~·-1~9~4~7~~~~~ Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission f'rom the State Grune and Fish Department. �........ ,, . . lllliiiilil~ BDOW021225 PnOJECTNO. __:3_7_-R_-~1----,~·;1_·_ _ Vol• - - - - - No. - - - - OUT.LINE FOR PR·OGRESS SURVEYS .AND REPORT INVESTIGATIONS As reqtiir~d bi FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIPE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: G~e Title of Job: Job No. 1, Job No. 2, 2. leader: Bird Survey Band-Tailed Pigeons Location and Census Trapping ap.d Banding Barry J. Figge Report by: Robert G. Kinghorn, Wildlite Tech. 3. Report or Progress: . b.Q]~ ~rap To locate and count flights of Band~Tailed pigeons and to and. ·oa..~d pigeons for migration and flyway studies. · DeviationiJ: To ·make addit~onal d~tailed studies of the-: food, · ne s~;,i.'t'\g and other habits of ·the pigeons. · ~b.ni!t~-~~: ·The location and census work was done by field recor!la!s.~a'"l·.:~ ::u1d "iti+R-rvl~mng wardens, rangers, ra!tchers, and o~h'3r indi- vidual.:; v,ho could supply ·:.ir...e infol"mation des~~d. 'l'rappjng, for banding purposes, was done with a por~ao:.e, welded wire trap eight reet square. A drop-gate entra:ice was used and t.he birds were bait.ed into the trap with grain. Some experimenting wa.s done with a net trap 25 by 40 feet, suspended above the ground and :-eleascd with a trip wire; 'bt:.t the difficulty of er~ct­ ing it in grain fields its ~ize made it imprs~tical for this type of' work •. Life history stilO:es ot the pigeons were made by field reconnaissance and observation. ·and ~ Findings& Some ot the findings of Mq and June are included in this report in order to· give a complete picture ot the progress made on these jobs during the summer. �-• Job No. 1. Lecati@ and Census · '' Distribution.: The. attached map shows ~he portion ·ot the State in ·which field studies were· carried on and the dis~ibution of ·th9 pigeons .within: this area. All of the birds recorded on this .map·~were· either aeen by the writer or were taken .from confirmed reports or other cooperatirig .observers• Concentrations of birds were f.olll:ld in the s~ general' localities .as .last. year, but in smaller nUJnbers. A comparison with last.year's-distribution map ot the --study area shows a decrease or about 40% .!Ji population this. year,·. Several theories may be advanced as to the cause or this drop in popµlation: ·and will be discussed under the heading 11.Analysis and Recommendations•~· I Nestingr No nest·s were. found or reported in the State this year-, so this phase of the study· could not be c~ried on.· The dispersal from· the . sprhlg concentrations to the nesting grounds was observed to begin around .. the first of July. At this time,: the large flocks of pigeons,. which had been reeding in stubble and new grain fields,· broke .up into small: flocks. and drifted away into the high mountains. They were not seen aga:tn until the first part of August when they again flocked to the grain fields in large numbers. . During·tbis nesting period,.intensive field work was done in several typical areas to try and locate a nest b~t none\IJre. found. Areas searched included; . Poncha and Methodist Mountain near .Salida, Middle Taylor Creek near Westcliffe, St. Charles Canyon, Green Hill Divide, Dome Rock Canyon, and Willis Creek near Beulah~ . Food Rabits: . Food habits observe·d throughout the summer seemed to be In the spring, the pigeons. showed a definite preference tor wheat· stµbble fields or straw stacks·. Fields harvested with ·a binder were the favorites as the s~ubble was short and easy to move ·around in. ·Other grains used in the or4er or their preference we_re: . barley, oats,1 ·BDd ·rye• ·Later .on in the .s~er, the. wild berries began to ripen and there was .a large assortment of fruit.for them to choose from •. The common, wild foods they used are as follows: .. Mast (acorns and pine nuts),· Choke Cherries (prunus melanocarpa), Mountain. Ash (sorbus · scopulia) ,. Mountain Elder (sambucus microbotrys), Ink Be~ry (lonicera involucrata), Wild C\Jrrants (ribes),:and ··~uckleberries (vacoinium). Flocks feeding ~ the tall, during their southern · migration; showed a detini~ preference tor .·ma~t. and shocked wheat. Salt: is also a factor in their diet. , In' two instances this ~ummer, large numbers.9t pigeons were observed feeding on salt blocks in feed: lots. . very consistent. Sex Ratios: .·. All ·observations made:· tend·. 1;o. indicate a predominance ot · male birds. A study of. 89 birds at about 100' feet with 6 by .30 binoculars ·.on· July 26, showed. a ra.tiQ of 50 males to .39 females •. or the 70 birds banded during the summer, 28 were determiti~d ,to be females and 42 to be males. It is rather ditric-µlt to determine the sex ·bt external exam1natiQn, · but the difference .in plummqe during the .Sulnnier· ~onths·"will· hold true ill. ·at least .90 percent .or .·the cases~ ·Mo~e s~.x ratio ·studies will have to be made, however, before a definite conclusion can be made. �UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT or THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY COLORADO A s K A !II~~k~~A=~=ltl!I UCll oor-lt>"IJl!lS BU.atLlllE-~~ c -~_,_ _--·___ _.._ _., ~-. ;. .. ---- �- 3Job N8.· 2,· Trapping and Bandilig Trapping. and banding operations were carried on· durmg t)le months ot· The scarcity of birds limited the number of birds banded and it is hoped· that an improvement in the trapping technique can be_ ·worked out by next year to enable us to trap a larger number of birds, · ?vlq, June ~d July.- ,. Following is a record of the birds banded dur~g 1947: -Date 5~29-47 6-5-47 6-19-47 6-25-47 7-2-47 7-6-47 Place Perry Park recapture) W1n 5 n II Vie stclii'fe 22 7 16 --1.. 70 11 Salida tt Total The recaptur~d bird, caught May 2.9, 1947 at Perry Park, was traced and found to be a bird banded by Mr. Johnson Nett, U. S.. Fish and Wildlife Service on May 28, 1946, at Perry Park. . Analzsis and Recommendations:· Prom an analysis ot the season's work on .the Band-Tailed Pigeon Project, it is plain to see that there is a need tor ~ore study before any recommendations tor management can be mad~. The cause ..or the fluctuation in the Pigeon population from year ·to year must be f()und -mid. ~teps taken to correct it if possible. Food supply is the main factor· in the distribution ot the pigeons over the state,.but is not necessarily a . factor causing the drop in population. One theory advanced, which I believe is very_ sound, is that the season on Band-Tails· in New Ptsxico falls at· the time of year when the birds are migrating south and that.the birds hunted .thel:-e are actually our summer residents. It would seem. in order then to recommend that the season in New Mexico be closed to hunting for a year or ·two· to enable us . to determine· ii' this is the case. Advancing the opening :date woul4 then correct the qituation. An increased banding program muld ·also help to answer this question, and it is being planned .'!tor the co¢ng . year • .· ._Data' and Report·s: The field notes and Progress Reports relating to this · project are on record in the ·files of the Colorado State Game and Fish Dep~. Appreciation is hereby extended to Mr. Jack Culbreath, N~. Johnso~ Ne.tt, ·.and ·ai1 the personnel of the Game and Fish Department, ·Fish and \1il~life · Service, and the Forest Service·r~r their cooperation in tbis_proje~t. Submitted: Name Robert _.-G, · Kinghorn Title· ..·Wildlite Technician. Approved by: COLCruDO G~c::;:sH DEP~TilE~ ... _ By Title Daw.. Note: ·' lt:•_>- l,;~~-. ... .c, .N. F.eagt. Director October 21. i941 · · - ·.. · · ' . · Persons wishing to q1;ote from: this: abstract .should· first optain permission from the State Game and.Fis~ Department. -· �I~~1m1~B~1DOW ~iji1I~1i102122 i~~i~ij]~1]ff4 1 ifij11 1 :-:. .:. .. • • ~' . - PROJECT NO. - .. :· • !" _~;~ ...... : • I 37-R-l .. - ..... .. ........,,. ,'.~ ;!.-- ....... ''.----- ' DATE October, 1947 ... ~: ! ~· ...,. I . ·. \.C;-:: No. ·-.,---. ----- ·..... .. ;_ .. : .· .. 0 U T L I NE "F 0 R P R. O G R E S S- . :·:.:R "IE P 0 R T ·.·S J:J. R V E Y S A N D ·1 N V E S T I G A T "'.[: ·o N. S . - ~·:: .. : VQl . :-.__ . .._ , !'ft ~ ~· "'' ,t, .' . : ., ..; :' .': . . .. '. As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT .. 1. Title of Project: 2. leader: : Har.ry :J ....":Ji'.igge Game Bird Survey ,. , .. ::. _11.. :.·-·· T:?.1••:.::·: ·· -' ~.. :: ~ .. ..' :. ..... 3. Report of Progress: A Study of Damage toy)if~in Crops by rlildlife and, ~:>e~_~;({.:·· and. Habitat Improvement . :t'oi;- Pheasants and Waterfowi:.;..-:.'- ··~~ · · . " .. .. ....• :: \ 'by Irving R. : Po~~y . .. Hildlife Teclm:l.cian .. A • . Census Meth'ods:· . :· .. : . ~. . . ~.. ~ ."' 1. Car trend cotmts: . . . . ,. \" .. . ,• car trend approximately 200 yards wide (100 yards on either side of the road) and 25 miles long, m1s,. p~t: into operation on April 1, 1947, with a starting time of ·s:3oa.m:: This time was chai:i~ed to 6:0~ a.m. on Septe~~~~,.,6· ·. I.~Sh~st __~~~.~~·..\~~e obtained af~~f~~ .-.snowµIlett.ltY dew, o~-raf?r. "''""Tlffiie ~J·-.and Chart I show the f~~*~~ of car ~end observations. .: . ·. · .. · ·· ~-1..:.~ i: =~ .. : A Table I - Car Trenq, Counts ! ........ C"6 \;)o ~ () ~ ~ ~ Phe asant~U~mi. .. 1.150 1'1iay .856 June .240 . • 528 July August 1.069 September . . .472 Month April ~· --·- CocksLmi. .578 .520 .140 .068 .002 .216 ~~nsLmi. ~.. .·.556 ,') . G'~36 s. ·;~70 ·~ . ) 092 ~ .• 083 ·-· •160 . .. -.. ·' ~. '~ ...... . .;. .. .. . .. : .. Juvenfle s/mi.. -~ 'l/-. ·~ !.: <; _ ;:~ . ..364 ·: : ·:.; . : ~3- 0 ' . .9'6:- ~ :~ ... ·. :,"~~ . • . '. ·· 1 :. : ~. ; 09c;f. rn~. ;~ i-. '· : )"1; .:.· •.• ~ J ·.: ··, -l t :_·d~ .( i ...:- :~ .~ ' 1 •jjL>>~! !'... .... ;'.'..". ' ·.. . :0 · tj·. ~ . f . . ~ ' • i"'\•-... ~ :·:r\ ' . • \., f~ . '• j :'o~ ..; ~ ...·..> ~ �- 2 - . Chart t..:: _._ .See· Appendix to this report. Summary of CarTrend· Results: May and June- ooun-ts -show a decline in the pheasant population which is partly due to an increase in gr01.md cover and nesting activity. A. very marked decl-ine· in the number of cocks seen during July and August is the result of their regular molting period. September counts show a drop to .472 birds per mile. The only explanation for this drop from l~st m~th's count is that the family groups have scattered and growi>l wi·l der. 2. Brood Col.Ults: . Table II Period Brood Count June-July 10 Trend Count July 11-31 August 1-31 Chicks/hen Chicks y,lo ·hen 6.07 2.82 4.00 4.50 4.25 . 4~05 j : 6.38 Average · Broocf 5 •.21. . .. 3. Duck Census of R. M. A. Lakes: . . A monthly census of the waterfowl· found at the Arsenal is divided into two groups; summer population and the early fall flight. Table III shows a five-month average and the September or early full flight. ;. :. . . • • .. . . • I .... •"- Species Gadwall Pintail Mallard Scaup G. V1. Teal o . Awrag~ ·of.. 5: Monthly .Counts . ... : .. ;,·2s.4" . . • I . - - .· : ... '7 . 6 . . , 2#4 ::.. ~ .. !:.. ;:_'. 5'9.$.~-~ :- ~ :: . . ... : 5.8 .! .- ·• . ·· . . . ~~:.6.2 · 20.6 ·:---- ·27.2 . . 1.2 Baldpate · · · Canvas back Ducks Unidentified Coot Pie-billed Grebe \7e stern Grebe G. B. Herom. N. c. Heron Cormorant : .. ·123" _: 73.8 B. W. Te~l Shoveller -·.:.. .:. Ruddy Redhead ·· · .. . ... September 23 - . 56 . . 17 0 57 5 ·-·-·· ·-·· · .:... . ·.16 '-. ..., ... 94 106 ....: f . .4 1.4 - .;_ · 26.2 0 0 0 221 7.4 37 • I~ • <-'· .4 4.8 1.0 37.2 0 2 0 0 .• �- 3 A steady increase in all species has been noticed since September 23; the heaviest increase in the duck population was between September 14 and 18 . Chart II.shows the monthly population of game and non-game waterfowl found at the Arsenal (See Appendix). B. Crop Damage: 1. Grasshopper Damage: Grasshopper damage was found to ·be quite extensive as shovm in Tables IV and VI. (See letter ·.from Julius Hyman & Company included in Appendix to this report) Table fV C-4 Corn Date of Field Check ~ugust 5 ;August 22 · Total Damage Note: 2. Seed 9.11 ·· ·Acres Dainage"d . ·1.47 --2..&Q ....#.21t Lbs~ of 10% Co1mt · . 1,840 . 1,938 . .. 3, 778 Total Damaii;e ' 18,400 19. 380 37,780 18.71 JfOl This table refers only to corn stalks cut off by grasshoppers. Ant Damage: . . ~ -All thE:l plantings in Section 5··and Section -J ·are infested with hills of red ha:rvester ~ants. These ant::hills ..range in size from 2 to 20 feet in diameter, with an average diameter of 7 feet. To· determine the extent of damage to the crops, the Army Air Forces stationed at Lowry Field, Denver, Colorado took aerial photographs ·of · all areas planted at the Arsenal and the damage v1as then determined from the photos. (See Appendix) · .. · · ; t .. . . J. Pheasant Dar.iage: . July pheasant damge to corn has been combined with June damage and is listed in Table VI. (Se~. App_~p_dix) C. Harves"ti: 1. I • . ' Grain harvested for·· trapping purp~·~"e·~·· and emergency winter feeding was harvested on a50-50 basis. The share of the Game and ~sh Department consist~ of the following : 2.50 bu. barley . 150 bu. millet 50 bu. spring wheat 2. Corn Field C-4 was so badly damaged by grasshoppers and drought that arrangements have been made to put the 40 acres into \tlnter whe at this fall at no expense to the Department, The Department will receive 50 percent of the harvested crop. �- 4 .. - : .. J. : The ·remairiirtg .c~r~ : ~~~~i~ts · ot lif acre~"·irl t~ee plots• The amount of ·corn: should produce 50 percent of a 'normal harvest; this reduction J being mainly due to drought conditions ...this summer. 4. See Chart III in App~nc;lix \1hich shows monthly precipitation. Figures . . . taken from u.·s. Weather Bureau, Stapleton Field • D. Predator Information: Table VII Killed liagpie s Juvenile Iuagpie s, Adult Sparrow H~wks .~·~.-~ · Goshawks Great ~~~~~d Owls Dogs .· . Coyotes Cats .' .· ·.... ·, Badgers Skunks . A~ril to June De stroY!3d. · Iliagpie Nests Magpie Eggs JUl~ to SeEtember ~ -- 1.33 81 133 81 - ... ; .' 156 . - .. _, 156 28.. . . 28 1 l . 9 5 . 10 6 . ;\ 9 9 10 ·5. 16 10 5 6 .. 3 3 22 3 3 .. Mat.sh-, Redtail .aria Su~inson 1 s hariks· make up the ~~~est raptor populatii::m at the Arsenal. · · I.Jany: . badger, skunks 'ahd c~ts are seen but due to neavy cover conditions, it is extremely hard to .control their numbers. · .:. · · E. Hunting 'and Violation: "... The roads around the perimeter of the Arsenal are well known to the Denver are a roadside hunters and poachers. During the rirst ~eek of dove season a sample check of dove . hunter~ was made on the roaqs- boUllding the Arsenal. are as follows·~ ·· ' · .Results .. .. .., : . :· '·· . .. ,~ : " Table VIII ~ .. ~ • Number of .. .. Date '-;: • · Hunters . :_-'_ .. ' S!'? pt. ·l i: 9 - . Sept. 5 3 Sept. 6 2 Sept. 7 13 Total 27 . No • . Dove~ " No. Hoiirs '·· Kii1ed .- ·... Hunted· .. : "\·: . 20 ' ·.. 4 .. s.. ~ - · ~ ~ · .:·. ' . ~ • .J • ! · . .. .-. - .. .•' . ,,.·· \ . .! :.: ; . : ~· .. :- . · ·· t l! . . : :: . : . . . ~- .... 'i.. ~ . ·. ·::· • ·, .. -~~ I , .... Dogs . tos¥ . ~ 13.0 ) 2.5 s.o 1 ~ .5..lf. .. :': . :...·'. \ :.~ 34.0 ."': • Cr:$.pp~s 22. . . ' . .. . ~ ~_1£b.2 " .· I ... 5 . .: ·- r , .. . . ~ . .. . ... _! 1 �- 5Table IX Illegal Hunting on Arsenal Boundary Date July 11 Sept. 7 Sept. a Sept. 23 Sept. 23 F. Offense Hunting doves out of season 5 in possession. Illegal possession of one pheasant. Shooting doves with unplugged gun. Illegal possession of 3 pheasants - no license. Illegal possession of 3 pheasants - no license During the months of August and September a cover map of the Arsenal was made. The main value of this map will be in obtaining population data and in making plans for habitat improvement this coming spring. A photostatic copy of the cover map is included in the Appendix to this report. Submitted: Approved by: Name COLOR.aDO GAME AND FISH DM.ARTI.ENT Irving R. Poley Title ijildlife Technician Title __c_.._ • N_.._F1_e... as....t_._D_,ir_ec...,t_o...r_ _ _ __ Date ____,o_c~t~o~be~r..__2.7~·-1~9~4~7~~~-~~- Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the State Grune and Fish Department. �CH ART. I CAR TREm> COUNTS el =-"4 ..... _. ! I ~~.~ ; t ·~ .,: ~I _;. �CHART 1llI Q) ! • ! • +I 0 0 • 0 CD R �t . Table V ANT DAf.iAGE Section 5 No. of ~ Crop W-1 Wheat M-1 Millet M-2 Millet B-1 Barley B-2 Barley Total Av. II Ant Hills Area lost/ per Acre acre ~sg .ft. l Total sq.ft. Acres lost lost Acres Ant Hills 32.5 625 19.23 740.35 24061 .552 20.0 257 12.85 676.42 13528 .310 20.0 341 17.05- . 764. ~?. 15284 ..350 20.0 535 26.?5 1031.87 20637 .473 10.0 102.5 197 ' 1955 19.07 94.95 . i8.97 · ... 7343 734.39 3947.25 . - ~ 80853 789.45, ··. ' . 1.853 ·•. .. --· . ... . ." - , C·l Corn C-2 Corn Total .• 40.0 ., ~ . I :, ·. ,J,fl .•9'1. -: .: . 18 .. 97. ?O.<J -· ·· ... .. . 37.94. : 789~45 ;,'' . . . . . ·.·. .168 .. . 31578 - ••. • ·?e9~·l5: · ·· 236S3 · · 1'57.8.•9.9 . . ·55261 ..: ,.. -. ~· · GRAND TOTAL ' :1'7Z ~ ·5 : ,. ' .: . , \ . 136114 -· Section .3: Cane ) A'l illet)- 14.0 Corn. ) (Fe~d Plot) ',• • • • ~ • t .. 138 9 .85 379.22 • . • • :. ~ , 3.119 • • i.' . :' 1' •. · • ~. ; ••: f !. • •••• • 4309 .· Table VI CROP DA!IAGE PER FIELD I N ACRES Crop Acres Pheasants · Ants Grasshoppers Drought Rain Songbirds 1.13 . . • 72 d-1 Cl-Corn 40 d-1 d-2 d-1 1.16 d-2 d-1 C2-Corn 30 d-1 .54 d-2 2.8? d-2 d-2 d-2 d-1 CJ-Corn 45 d-1 C4-Corn 41,2 d-1 3.0 •7.3 d-3 Bl-Barley 20 d·l .47 d-2 d-1 B2-Barley 10 .16 d-2 d-1 Ml-Millet 20 d-1 .35 d-1 flii.2-Millet 20 d- 1 .31 d-1 Wl-Wheat 32.5 d-2 .55 d-2 Plot 5 14 .098 d-2 (Cane, Millet, and Cornl Note: d-1, 2 and 3 is damage light, meditllll, and heavy, but not determined. C-2 and C-3 received .71 inches of rain on the 5th of July, 't\hich caused considerable washing. �- .. • - .. __.... ....... .___.. ". . ...... .... '' ..: : , ... . :-:..... .. ... . . . . ..!..-.....- ·.: - •• .. _.. .. ·"· . l , OOPY __.. . I• "\ \ ." ... . i ._ • .. ..., •.. ·-· . .. :JULIUS.. HYI.Jiili : &. -COMPANY; -!Ne:. Denver, Colorado 1 October· 1947 . . ....·.. ... '". . ... • ~ # CHLORDANE EXPERDilENTAL f!&1 '. .. f"• • • ·....... " :. • . .l ..... ·. ,•'\ . 1. .. . .. . :· . : 'ts .i x exper~~~·t~l plot~ ~ach . one-fourt~ .acre in s~ze uere laid out in the.~ ~·:~ '.a outh portion ·;of secti~n ":-2/t' b91Jlld.e.d:~b~.Nin:th ....Avenue and -the··· acci0-S-;r-:roa<l~. .. - - ·:.'Tlfe:· experfiri~"hi··rias ..c.0-riCiup·t~<f primarily. ,for the purpose of deter~:i'.ning 't:fa( • ... ~rfsldual properties of Chlordane tht?_~~:.P.~E.~<?~~9a:+.~J.~l;>s>ra.t.ary.. tests.. ·- ·~· .:.:.:: .App1ieatien· --of- imrectitlitl~·· was-·at. ·tne rate of one pound per acre in each of .. the plots. .. . ·, . .:,, . . • '\' I ·, • . , . ~·exact rec~rd:. was not"kept of the g~~s~hopper control obtained because damage to th~ . 9 prn was .. so . n.~ ar ly e omp:J_~ t~ at the . :!-~.~~ _j,J.1~ _a pplie.alion was· .'-mad~r-~he- -~i.~f~ -of'-c-oi:h :·~~~ icoffsfaef.~4\.to--be ..at least 90% ruiiiea~"' due ; t6 grasshopper 'dainage and insufficient moisture. Grasshopper feeding was particularly severe on the corners of the field and the margins. ~. _ ~ ·.; :t --·........ . ·. - :· :.. : .... . . .-Ml :-of--the- "ile11 ·hytlrtR:"at'Oons· ·viere-"tes'ted-·-a.5· wei:f'as-S~b~dlll~ -·~d H.E.T. . . Excellent grasshopper control was also obtained in the area of section · r; ·· ·' twenty-fotll' in which residual tests rrere conducted, although counts were_ .. ·; . · not made. .... ~ ~.~ !),f,7~ .• = :• ; ; 'a. .' · , .. ,., ... :.-, Mature chickens were fed exclusiv~.~Y _f.?.E --~~Y~!".~.J... ~y.s__upo~~~.~pper~ · :· .--kilied ·with. ·Chlor~ ;.:-=-wi t.Fiout·:-any-· Ill:· effe~ t- bellii( manife sted. Upland game should not be affected by the use o~, 9.!¥-ordane • .. . . ..~·::.:.:.. ': .. .~·............ '!:. ~·.::! __:._.2 ... . ... . . . . . ~.:----=~ ..:.:·l.~fu~~ ··H!MAN-' &~--c&ll>ANY ... . - .i') j t ... ... •- • ~ -· ~ ·~Entomologist ' ... -~ : -. ..·-. - -.. .. ( - ; ..i f ~ •• ... ·· l ~ : . ..-.:.~~-.... ·-/'s'f.'-.Floya · ·n~· Htitcliiiigs · - . -. ·;. (' . J I . . : : .. "" =·' . ·.I. r;··· .... ' ., - ..; ;' ~- ' '·... • ::. . ci [ . -' ..~ ~..... .. ' .. .: ·-·--···. ·. . . .. ;,~. .. . . - \ : . -- .' -.. ~ • ,,, .- ·· '.. . .. . .. - .• ~ ·, .. ~ ( · .... ... J .. • ;,. ~ - . ..... "' . .. . . :.. .. . ·· ·.. . ··: · . .... .:. 'l. : . . .·· .. · ...... .... • •: J •. �~ ~ Cl: < ~ U....,,..;...,,~ ·· !I rn �' • "t"- CHART][ MONTHLY PRECIPITATION 7. 0 u lJ . \. I j , I Li ' \, \ , \ I \ I !\ J I I\ I 3. - \ I (' I\ j 0 1-4 ! \ I ~ " j e-c I ~ .... I Clf 2. r ....0 I ~ ""!'' I - " ' " ~ "' J -"""'...._ I '+4 -"""'...._ .. 0 tll l. r... B ..... ..... . ....~ o. fl • -· '"" .... ...... .. .... • ~ ... "-i i 1• I ~ lo... ti . . . ;:: .. .. ... ..... .._ i::: ~ - ,_ I'::' IW -· �Colorado oTATE PROJECT NO. __3._.9_-_R-_.l.___ _ __ October, 1947 DATE No._ _ _ __ Vol. 0 U T L I NE F 0 R PR 0 GR E S S .RE P 0 R T SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIO NS As required by FEDERAL AID I N WILDLIFE RESTORhTION ACT 1. Title ·of Pr_o j_ect: 2. Leader: f,Jartih :.1. B'1rget· •• ·' J ..' • 3•' ~eport ·o~ '.P r ogre ss:s J-0b 'No.· 1 . ' ' . .. .. .. :: : Hild Turkey Investigations - : Sur_v ival ·Checks · ; . •.· ~ . . ~ .. . . Objective~: ·To make counts iri'• plruited and ·original areas to detertnihe the ·presen4 ·poptilation status.· To ·determine drift and· dist~ibution due to food ·a vailability and other factor s . ;· ~ · _-: · .: · · : ·..._. .. .,J : . . . . . :' ·. Techniques Used: Actual field trips were made in the areas and careful ·: . . notds' of'. obse_rv:ations were kep·t .: ·"Interviews .Were ·made ..fo gather as accurately !J..S faossib1:e '• a~ · d·~ta regarding t\.u>key populations, trends, - ~d general status. Since .a large part of our turkey range is within the -National Forest, Rangers have been enlisted to assist in' gathering data in- rela~ion to population status· w~thin ~heir respective districts. Through their Supervisors the rangers were requested ·to keep accurate records of -.nild turkey observations on their dis't rict maps. ··This included::the date the. observati'on \7as made. and the number and sex· where pos·sible. If . the :obser.v ation \1as of .a }!~n ..and. brood, this was also noted.• · :Where the·se rec-o rds alie faithfully. -Jc~pt, the. ii¥"01~m~~i9n has proved ·most valuable • . fViore · g.eneral :ehecks are .ma!ie wit-}?. s~oqlanen who .run cattle or sheep -in the: gener·a l ., _turkey r ange.. Ditch z:iders, , r8:?1chers whose land lies r1ithin .the . bQunda~ie_s .o r adj-acen~ . to the N~tional Fqrest, .and within the turkey range, are interviewed. In' big game hunting season', as many hunting camps and hunters are intervie·wed, antj. checked as. poss~1?+e _•.. Thi;::_·serves a twofold purpose;· F:i.Tst,. to loy;~z: p,oachipg ,possib~'it~esi .- se~ond., to gather as much. info:nnatio.n on ni'<ie l y l:le;atter-ed_ f~o~k.s as . r1e can. Vlher.e the · ~eports seem spurious the reports are c ~efully cr.oss-che.cked 'to verify them • . Then in . the Tiinter and SP-ring traqks of mov~g .(lpc~s ·8!e _c_axefµliy, _c oUrited .to determine the number in a .:moving flock • . Findings: Survival checks are kept up throughout the · year. 'The best time to make survival checks is in the spring mating period or during the fall gathering period when the birds are banding to go together on the winter range. �Since much of the t"'.erriam' s range is within the vast forest pasture lands they are extremely difficult to check. However, much of their wintering range and pre-nesting range lies at the border of the forest areas. Some of this range is on dee ded land lying Qdjace~t to or within the forest boundaries. Therefore, it is not unco~mon t 0 see hens with broods or several of them banrled together uorki:ig over stubble fields in the early or late fall.. Here they find a crop o: mature grasshoppers as rtell as a fe w kernels of stray grain. To gather accur~te material the o~server must compile much material, Observations of wile. turkeys is pretty much an accident. If the observer happens to be ranging in a natural feeding area and food is available, he may sight from two or three flocks to t welve or fifteen flocks in a single day, On the other hand, he may travel for days in thesame or similar territory without seeing a single ·flock. This c ompara~ive scarceness of birds may occur in the same places v1I'..ere he has seen an abundance of birds only recently. By compa:cison, the tendency :1.n the fir s t case is to overrate the area, while in the second the tendency is to set the figures too low. There are a number of important factors controlling these conditions that must be dealt rlith '.Jefore C.rarting conclusiom: on an area. First, there is the disturba'1ce f actor. 1f the birds have nrit been alarmed frequently or recently, the birds \'1ill not be i:;oo shy of h'.unan approacho Of course, such approach must be mada quietly and at an obli~ue angle. A quick direct approach will cause the birds to take insta.."Y~ flight. If the birds have been disturbed recently they will be alerted and take flight at any approach and \1ill hide through natural camouflage or will keep out of sight by moving ahead of any disturbance uhatever. ·· Checking in ea"C'nest began the ~atter part of ~!larch. Field notes nere gathered and compared. A general weather and food condition for the Western Slope areas was noted and compared. Light \?inter conditions and Short feed in the form of mast crops ~~~e the prin9ipal controlling factors. During the early part of the season and even later, t~e birds did not come down ·from their summer ranges. In the \linter of 1945-1946 uhere flocks of· from 15 or 20 to 150 had been counted at the lower edge of the range, only token flocks showed up in the fall of 1946. Trapping at State Turkey Ranch was de layed until after November 1 due to short return• ing of birds. While small flocks of turkeys kept c oming and going there never seemed to be more than forty or fifty at a time. These conditions prevailed over most of the \'/estern Slope rartge; It was not until mid-December that any considerable flocks came into the lower Chicken Cre.e k feed ground. Around fifty birds were hatched and raised in Dolore·s Canyon. These were not supplemented by new flocks until late December or early January. A storm would bri.ig 'in a few small flocks but these \7ould not remain more than a fen days even with the inducement of suppl~mental , fe~d. . .. �...._ - 3 , ·, Hunting repo:rts we~e to the effect that turkeys 11ere everywhere. This was particularly tr'1le ·ii'!. ''the ' hi·gh· 'range·!: Other hunter~ came .:t>aGk wi.t~ ~he report that they had seen neither turxll;rs ·=or .. ttacks~ :.·The /repo.r t. on.:.fJ.~~.k: count~ of .f r.om ~ to 15 a.pd up to 100 came in regularly. The report of 100 in ·a.. :flo~~ ·w~~ 'confi~me~.· by, l~~st:Ji1x~ different·. hunters ..iir~ the. S;~e _ge_~eral_ ~y_a~ ; :T~~y · ~~e~e: re_po_;rt~d ~~-ar: ·t he ··mouth . .of Turkey £-re,~lt: i.n , t~e_ . Lo.st . Ca:pyon· ~e:a·~ ~: A _· ~p:ri11g r .echeck ot( this gener.al>f1ock reveal.~4, petter .. ~han.: e;fghty ~~rds .,in li:lte !•.;arch. ·: Some flocks - were .r.ep0rted · in ~ e-~:rly:. ~C?y;ember ~ azi', e1ev.a:g on. 9..f' p.earlY° ten· .thousand ·feet:.. .; A· ·hw.iter.! in;:the. .-4'~e;! 09!le .,_. section r·e-pdrteci: l'?: f~~e· turkeys· well'· above the;· Gr.oundhq_g . Lake: ·P. Qµn~.r.Y•· ; : Jie was hunting elk. · Just wllf they ·i.1.o uld ·a·tay ;that· Mgh ·.so··l &te-;is. ·,~ -q~. ~~ij~. Evi~~-~~Y~ ~P~l. . Yle;re; ~o:v.in~. -~.ovm v~~en seen. . .. at_ • J : i .... ' ' :-- ! . ·~· . .· . . • . . .... ~l. " . : . .. • : • .. : • t . J • •.. • : . :·i .~ i -~ : . : . .i . r..·. ~ . ..·~ .R~'g~af: .)tep_orts b:~e;_ ).n_ 'from ne·a :r1t:all the ·. transplanted . ·~ci!:!Pn:s·r-- ; . ·. : Be,E+~er: .qai}yqp~~ _Sa1:~er~ :._C.-an¥9JY, ·Fei~'is··:canyon, ·: Cabin .- Canyo,n; :·Bl-ack .,?peg, ·.~ !tc. Up the Ifol'ore·s· River they ·t-zcre' re'p orted- e:t ~ S.tapelton -..Switch :neai: ·/~~~· ·.Vl~.~·~­ fqr.k ;Camp . Gro~_q, a"t:-..C.ottonwood Creek, Fish Creek near Red Rocks, at Stoner, ot?r ·J aY.lor...qte·~~ - an~ -_Tayl'~i ~1Ei1:1a ~ · ·:AlF·of:' !~the-s~ la:st:·plaee.s. mentic:m~ drifted ir(. ~tfom -.p+~~~ :'6~~~.whe·~e: ~; _:·ito "bird:f:we'.fe re.Iea:5e'd ;·above Dolore's ~91)1Ill'qll~ ~Y.: ~~~'n A~ t.n~_;:19~-~'. ,9·thfyq~· .', ~~-#~f?iffbird~ "'tier~ ' iJ9:poJite:d :1at, the ·Rush . ~41l: -{tlµs . . l -,. :?~n~~ :~i;ii!ee y~a~i$' , ag~) ;· ·,·~~'-'Haic~mp' E:-e_sat·'· Co~·.-.ruiQ. .' Roclcy Ganyons, ·.- Xie~ : ~he · mo~~~-·~~ ~tjl;'ke,y: ;Gre.~~ ·~~;'-~a#mil'.t '-~~ ·servoit, :::eite~· :·This~.country·· i~ · comp~etely c~~ . . up." with al.a ; l9g~ing ·r6ad.s. There ' arePat :lea-s t·1 a,. dozen .-small r~se~v9irs d.!)... ~h~ " ?,rea'• . '. '.l'ilrlfofs ~ wi::re'·· rep6rted:··-at nib·s't. or··:.them,. 1 . : ;. . f .. . • ·. •. ·. . . "•'- .. :. h !. ·. •..·.·=·:; ..... ~~·. :. In thi3' F.ianb"bs ! >; :• •: ~·. !'. "' ··: ··. : .~: :O •.: · ·· :;"~~ 'J.~ J:'! ·..:· ~·: :·,'!. \ . "{. ·~ ri.:, _ ·· ~ :.· ·; areli (nmnerous r1<>c~ ;· were-: rep6tted.· on:'Chicken ' d~~e~, : ·?-t . ~the /J;'ransferA.C?,n . East,_ \7e13~-~ anq. M~ddle J,;ancos Rivers. The Wallace Brothers ~at:~-1,~ :. qomp;B.fty' j;'f3p_ o,1 't(?d_.. !:ifiar1y' ~10" 1 'ffuridr84' irOhtlt1mrous .smaller flo~ks near .- , tp,e;:i,r·, c~ttl'e 9.amp ..otl ~.J;lE:?" Upperi· 'llfrkey.;Creek !SectiOn.-r.; 'I'he.se b-i:r;~:s vrer.e ~gh · in the midale · o'f' December·:-" : Tliey \Vere u·0rkil'lg., ori~ the .s.outh -·sl.ope.sJ .of_-the . canyon. Then at the Slagle Cattle Camp six miles farther up Turkey Cr~ek .. •.. ; .gQod f~~9,:KI? . Fer~ r_eported i~ Novernper. This last area is right at 9,000 :;,:_, . ~e.~:-~- :·~~~;!'.~-~?.~~: -:~ ~: ~ -~- -~·': :·~ .:'; ~i: .-> :;· ·; :,: ;·~: -: : !~ :;:: :: .J~t~ i:~·l .; =·: ~. ·.\ ;~ :~:~~ f \'.::('. ,;···;.:-:.i :.· ~ ,~...\. f . .· ...::~ ·:·· .. I~ .tpe ··c):p;.Ck_e r(Cree!k:· a'.reif- flocks · o.f ..anyi !si"ze; .did. not ,·.-st~tj _cpnd,n€}· _i;n, :and :;i.f . wa;s ~ mi~d~Dec~mbe]' -~f-cire 'flbckif cif ·.tr-app:i:ng·:·s:±21s .ib!').c·ame o,rganized. 'At" the ··he.ight "th~. :t:r~b}H.rig 's~ascri;· inore ...thali' itOP: l?~fdS.: .wer,e - Ao~if!3d i~ a single flock. Of ·coutse·-, ·-roi': genera-1: sMial:- purpose-s: t.hes:e V{~pe br.'9~~n .into smaller groups. Timber in this area is thick, composed of Ponderosa Pine, Pinion Pine and Juniper with a heavy undergrowth of Sg~n~~-}~~~.J:'..Y 1 :-1qi.µ_-_I.ey ~ .::,:· )~~ :IDOUIJ.,t~~ 1~~hogan~, . , C~iff fendler bush, Antelope ~rush and-·Cliff'"r·ose • ..F'.or ·.thi:S .·reasq111t is·'dffficulti: tio ··get·: an1 aecuratie ,d ountr:.<1n lil-~q~g flock , . 6f ·.~urke-Y~: ~ -.. ·Eve_n :.·~.i tW'~<?.Q.ci ·~ ~ie I~ · ·g lasses ·1it-' :1: s; ;-:harrl to :g~ t t~~ ~all\e .number ·:.·• :tv{~~.e. ~ .~ ¢.?,.~t~ :· }'o<r ,.~lli,s :i;easoti tlie·.· neares~ repeated co\filt .-i~ a~cep~d a~ ~J;ie total . --·- .. -··. ·''· . .,.,.,_,_ ''"'· ' . . ·.· l·r '. . • . . . at /.:·:·:·'_·;·· ,·;: · ~ :t.·:~· . :· -~·:' :,,.. ; ..!:~·'. '~ ::~:·. ·~ . :· ·. · !.'.' : . . · .. : ... :·.. · ,;:-:->~ :·:;'· _.,:-._' .\,... j~!:_·_;•::~ : ; ·,·.~::-~: ·; . '. ~· 1 .·;: ~~er?~~:·. ~iock~_jf' · ~#.~eis.~ ti~~e --r~ported in,.,~he:,Th.ompson ;· P~k. :tµ"~-~ :-. ' ..•. ,:. 'l'.urk13y~ , we,rf;l : tE)pp'.l:'t~d .. in ·· flocks: number:rn.g :.up0.- to:, s1xty: bird~ ~'fa+. ,the. ·hefid of " - ., dherry··creek 'aiid ' S't-ar1;atioi(C~eek.-·1· · Dead -man Golch did a: fin~ , jQp,_, of bUilding up turkey flocks for the first season. More than seventy-five bircis were reported in the area. Webber Janyon and East Canyon didn't do so well. �- 4The birds drifted up along East nfountain, some worked over into Cherry Creek and some went over on .Webber Aiountain. On the lower .Allimas River ·the showing was d~fficult to trace. · Hunters reported flocks at the head of · Sawmill Creek and Indian Creek .. · However; good flocks were reported in· Lightner Creek and in the Bald Knob area the head of Lightner Creek. This constituted a '4-ift of more than fifteen miles to the north. On t he upper Animas, the Hermosa area and Trimble Springs area turkeys were doing fine. They were reported as high as Rockwood. ~he· main flocks hi:tve drifted over on the foot of the Tacoma range. , , . . The Florida River or Florida lf.e sa flock have drifted n9rth into the ; Baldy Mountain ·section and up along the river. There are still some birds near the planting area. Some were reported as high as the Durango City reservoir. These have :v1orked over the ridge from the Pine River flocks . ... . . may . . at .. In the original heavy population ·areas on the ' Piz.i~ River, . the PiedTa 'River and ·the San "Juaz1 River the ·c·oncentrat~<ms ·have been pre.tty largely· broken up.~ : A mor~ g~neral distribution h~s resulted fr~m this activity. · There are· ·s trveral un?erlying . causes for this pr~akup. Short feed the past :three years .hai?··made the pirds· break up ·into s1na:i1er flocks. W d:lling activity with its: attendant oper atipps has .cr,eated a dist1lrb~ce that the . turkeys · dislike~ In their se arqh !or food they have · ro'iln~ favorable nesting and roosting sites ·army from their habitual range. This has cre.ated a natural fill-in that is better ,than dis tribution by artificial planting. After the hunting se~son the reports blanked. out. Snows,while not deep or serious, s:topped traffic on the· back roads'• The turkeys undisturbed· by these storms went on fee4ing on . the · south. 'slopes th~t . opened .up in a day o~ . ;. so. . .'.. ' • The spring ·.and summer checks-. in all of ·these, ·ru.eas confirmed the distribution ~ith a uidely distributed. nesting ' habitat. -Through the use of a call, strut grounds were located in many areas where no tracks or dropping sign was found. Normal rains destroy droppings ~d U:i many cases wash out t~e tracks. Nine nesting groµnds · were .found··in a singl~ days checking by the . call method. This was in· the Mesa ·above Beaver ·canyon. Eastern Slope Checks · Eastern. ~lope checks V1ere· made ' in Jtme and July • . Vle.ather conditions had been bad all uinter and spring. ··. rlhen the early. siicm·. c~e . in November, attempts were made to· get .feed out to marooned birds. The iSno\v w~s so deep . the ranchers had difficulty g~tting, th~ir chores done. · If ' feed col:lld have ·been gotten to . the birds, it would pave . melted down . into the snow before the birds could have gotten to it. In one case rancher used snowshoes and hauled a toboggan out with feed in a shallow box on it. This was le~~ near a roost-. The turkeys never visited it. In a few'. cases turkeys \7ere s~en to fly dmm into .the . deep a ~ .. • .. '· • ,' .. . ' . ' ' • • I �- 5 snow. After a few tries the birds lay quie t till the snow crusted when they were able to get footing and fly back to the roosts. They were always back on the roost in the morning. Ylhen the snow crusted the turkeys 111oved mornings and evenings till they were on south slopes. These opened up shortly and the turkeys were able to get fee d. For the most par t the turkeys stayed in the tr~es for several days before venturing dorm. Then other storms developed. This continued through the 1linter and even Ja ~e spring and summer. To heighten the problem there had beeri no mast crops in the summer of 1946. We c.ame...to the .c.hecldng problem with much mj_sgiving. Naturally, we were surprised :i~d., ;turkeys .ai+d broods ..everyuhere. The re sults are a tribute to the :;"s~ami.n~ :·~<:1: ;.r"~ ~olll:~~. ·~he.. .viild • .. . r - ~:S. .. . ... ~. o,f . .. .. .. .turkey . . tc? . · , • , . ~' .. '.·:~ ,~~~~~~? :~t" ~·h; ,_. ~~#~h~ :Vf;~~~m?i;'e · , )tj~~~.·:~~q'.ti~n. . .of . tOO. ·~1e ~ .~o.~ta~ns -. ~~~wed ..;·; .:.~o~d ~~i'Ji.e:r!h:~~~<i\ 18l.r.'?-.s 1'.r.llla.~~:cl ~9 :f..e~.toc~~ ..11~e ar.~:~ ~, -.~11~ .:-01rd~ · ~.e ·_.: .. s.~~~~e.:rl?.<:1; ~.oY!~:t: i !i :}Xid~:1: ¥..e ~,. .t-;nari ~.b..ef:6~~1 ~. 'Jlie~.;. ·:t~<;>.{,~t~~Y.; ~e' .mqr~. vya:ry .,-t han ~~ey .,l}~~e '-~·~ ·e?. f .p].~s. .;r:~·-i"o~q~ !vi~~ '_9.9,~~s=l~~eq.: .~y. . ~~e·~'.r:i;.«~s .--~~ .. ~~ic.h ·t~eY. ~· , ,.:have; bee~ . Sl.J.Q;J.e.c t~cr 4ur.lng . t~e :r.ougil . r~e t;rtnsr ; , !t ··is ..:'noi'r 'ev1d~)'l't'· ·that :·other :-.:i ; ~~~ ':we.~~~e·~· ;c;~~cli;t~?ri~\i~;~~~~Y~~.c q~.~·~·~~.~ ~¥'.~~·~t~~~~,.ri~~~s~'. .'.: ..~o~~:t~e~se causes were year around poaching, the i.ntrbduchdn· of ·pohltry '\7J.:tb ·tMeµ' '} attendant diseases including coccidiosis and pulorum disease . ·Ev~deritly '. . w_hile ttµ,"~~ys i~~:r~ ?~d:( .: UP-<l~.~· ;~~8:Ym~~'-'~Q1?-¥-t~9n~ 1, ...p1~ ~tr.~~u~t;o:: .. 9:f these ... ~~#n~l'.;t~,.~1~e .. soipe~J:µl1<-> ..:~1~Rh::'~q~c~Jf~Y i~7-1~ ;. ~a~·~~ ~~.,cop,~·~·· ..\t~1~.,f!~ _ l~~t h~ a~~;i..;r ( ~\-:~e.a~t,: ?~~ ~~a+/ S.i :.4~ye ~9,PID~t;l~ { .}1~ -~~~~~ ·i ga~ned '. ~:::Loy o~ :. i~~o~fl!B.-­ " tion.; tq.at ,shqitl.d 0 h~;J..p,, 'qs rJ1J... ~he~; ... pr9bl~ID$ ,_ Of ·i:naf1~g~men:t.' . • :" ··.. · : ·· .... ···· ~' · .t .·,) ~ ',• ; •i , r' ~-~; i ~ ·,:·!"f: ., , • ~· ,i "': .. ,. ~. , • , , · · ·· i ,. •,.• · ;, I - • : '. ; / '.' • l• . ., I : , .. ··· ·'.: ; ... . ·:~. lli i11~ t~· 'veta"~e~:- ~ ~tt~~pt'\/k~;:~aa~',;kt· g~ttink· a. Jpdbili~t!ion·'~clieck. .; , ; This;. ar,aa.- al~;o. sui'fered f:r9m . .the .beayy storms. Lying as it does on the .-,;·i ~orti;~,r_·~?-.sl . ~:J.ope· s· o'.(: ~he ~SpahJ,sn:~ ~e~~.·.:~~~·t~~~·i's·~~.·- bn'tiW~ p~gtfl~ril: .:mo~~ . .::! Y:~s. r :I?u~.; to_. t~-- ~~~~~e~~)>~ ;· ~11~ :;.~~.asort~ :: ~~ep · gr~rs~ . #~ . t1ee~·s .;. arl~·-'thel'_ l;q.r48 wei;+ ,~catter~d : m~Q . the Jq.g:P cpuntry; . it was ...necessary t o-depend , . . ~·~::, j-aP.geJy,:, qp_.__i-eiiab~,:rep(?r~s.~ ;''.'l'fii:.~':_ 1$~:i.13 -~4ii~r,'. - fe?er~l . \rfild.life · ~rB'.piJer-' ~9i('~ the., ar~_?, .ga~~ I :Us.· muf?h... Ya·~Uitbl~'.!:~~,~·:. j ?.~ -}1.4~· J;)~e:r:.~\7'6rk~~1(t~~-. di·s~r~ct for more than t wo years. Be is also· interested: in· Wild · Turk~y development. After weeding the reports down and \Wrking thert(ihto':::fig~s~ :H01:telt -th~t .:. : ·.:· .... ~r .qgure.~ ,: we r.~. s~~..; an,d:;.7 ?.ns~rv,~j.f ~~···-. p~· ·: ~·f ~ima~~. ~." cov~r1ing Ind~an Creek, '. P·~9-h8:~s: R.~Viilr :1 :~h:!f 1_l~~a,'Y-?Y.\ f?:(;\, ~\3:,~· C7.~~ ~:,~~~t~?!1.~~~!~~~:~w~~~·:~~~~.. h~dred : ') .a,nc;l: f+,ve,_1:1un4,.red,. /r~l}l~ >di:c:\ .l')..qt perm:J. t ~; ~.¢mp:~et.~· ~.~~p_lc on::. the· ~a:st s:i~:.' of .. · i ·t-h~: P.~~ ~ ...»Pw~_ver ,, ~t: r.~~o~tJ .g~}~~J;e~~:~ :~ if}~~ .·~t-+ «-~e?-~~ble ( ·~hE{. J>.~p~a ~ion here would rru;ge betv1een five an~ six hundted.- ._ ·\~t-~~., %.?~d..co~eration ·~~s general area is capable of carrying 3500 turk~fs- ·e·-ven: though . rather · bad seasons occur. 1 The Trinidad, Stone~vall country was checked in June. Here the storm was somewhat less severe. The survival, while showing some loss, was more nearly normal. Transplants made in late December came through with the loss of a single hen. Four toms released in the Stonewall section in January came through O.K. and have been seen with hens frequently this spring and summer. �- 6 Turkeys are st;i.11 abundant ~ Terci.o , Lonencito, Alamosa, Johnson, and the Longs Canyons section. Turkeys around the ·Fisher·' s Peak area are still plentiful. These ·flocks h~ve re~ched a point ·at which they seem somewhat static. Variati9ns ·occur o~ly ~ue to food an~_ poachi~g conditions. Poaching is still reported but there have been no specific cases checked in recent years. Vie have been over much of the area at various times of the year and the only .activity found that might have lead .to poaching was some timber cutting· aqi;ivi:ty- in the Terc:i.o section. : . Survival checks of the Purgatoire · Canyon section shows the flocks in the Higby area gradually disappearing. This is due to· two main factors; First, crossbreeding. These birds mixed with tame flocks ·almost at once on reaching the area. Most of the birds observed a year ago were hybreds. Then, some hybred. ·stock was in~roduced in the area two or three years ago in the .hope of getting a stfil::t in wild turkeys. Second, poaching. In spite of care.ful per·sonal·wox:k d,~ne in the area, SOJlle ...of the natives and foreign born residents taiie ·a to:il , of the ti.lrkeys thus pi'e.'?'enting a good _start in the area • . The area is large and access by an ,o fficer is diffi,cult. Ranches are far ap,a rt and communication. d).ffiCult.. This . creates a bad game situation · .all around. . . ., Farther' up the cany~n '. the pictlire looke·d .better. ~· P.l~ ·canyoif, the mouth of Chaquaco' Canycn and .the original plant. f!Xea.Jiold ;bir,ds •.. :fictu~l. counts were ·impossible tq .get. Mr. Porterfield's .son claimed."35 this spring: '.· Then in early July, Ward~n Brit~a~ ~eported 75 (reported by an emp~oyee of the Doherty Cattle Qo.).in · Chaq~a?o C~yon •. This last report has not been verified. An~lysi~ and -Recornmend~tions: In the Mon~e·zuma-San J~ se~tion it is believed that there .was .a.t.. least a 15 per9en~ increase . ove.r last year. Due to the wi~r distrib~t;l.on through ·arorementfone_d factors·, :i,t is 'felt unwise to open a .hunting season in 1947.· If, ~hrough the \'linter of 1947, 1948,no . decimatin·g. conditions . occlir; we would· recommend a· season to be opened in 1948. · This season mu~t be : shor:t, . pos·sible four. OI' five' days with a license sale not to excee'd · tv10 thousand. . · Data and Rebort~·: :1'4a~e:rial ·co;ered in this re~ort was taken from survi"1i.' check sheets .of the areas covered, from d~ily d:iaries and special personal , field notes • . The diarie.s are held at the D~nver office of the Department of Game and Fish. · ·'THe . S~vival Check Shae.ts are on file with the personal field notes at State Turkey Ranch• · · • ! !".: ~ '. ~· .... . . i . . ~; 'I .. . . .. '· �·. ~. - 7 Job No. 2 - :toc.a tion ·of Transplant'mg· Sit! 5·.... .:.:.. . . .. " .·. ·; : ~; ..·•·· "'·- ..... . ·' ::.. ·:_ ..: ? .. . .~ .. . .. ' Ob.iective: · To locate areas suitable, , f~r!' transplanting turkeys. Techniques Used: We kndw that» t ·he. J;·qt7~r~. middle and upper transition zones are the best suitecl to vJild turkey .Q.evelopment. : .'Ntls, .;qf course, includes most of the yellori,pine "·{Pinus. P,qpci~rcisa) belt;; .';!:he range in rJinter will at times go into the · P"inlqn Jtmiper.... ~~~· '.~cl it~r;rissocj.ated shrubs. \later availability tnust be checked, The·nUlliber 'of rO'osting sites are determined within an :area, A careful check is !nade of grotmd cover types to determine the availability of valuable food types for winter use. \leather conditions are checked to determine whether snoVT covers the area for too long a pe riod during the winter months. The predator abundance is checked within an area to determine whether the ,introduced birds will .have a chance for survival and development. Then, too; ;tlie "btiinan' 'angle is 'considered. If the area has a bad reputation ·as -.a / poaching ..area; ..:the Jb.ir..ds would not be •·· I planted unless this can be corrected first. Actual release sites are chosen before the birds ru:e trapped' 'a:S1spe·~w ill ,:r;:,~~~-~s.?-ng i's a' mo:i;;j;.. important factor. Findings: Purgatoire River - Chacuaco Canydn· ·Plantfi.ng;,:Area. . ' - ..,, ' .· This area was the first to be examin~!f •... .Tl;te trip \'las made on June 17, 1947. A number of factors ente red into tne·-~hoosing ·o!'..~hi~ area as a planting site. First~ j.-.f·~.;.,01I!P8res_ favorably VTi th populated areas to the south in New Mexico..,, ~econd, there· ±s·:"a "gO'od. :~e~~~· 9f . ~istory about the area carrying a good many turkeys :in ~he. esµ:ly days. A ..F;;r.- ·Robards.:np}!_ living in Trinidad re·ca;l).s. .-~h~t turkeys . w~~~ : aF,nmdari.t in the early days. He owned a cattle and horse:"l'ii.Ac'h :near~ the :1!J.Q:U..i(h. <:>r. ·chacuaco.:fG.~yo~ bi3fore 1900; .- ~e . cl~:l,.ms that a . big f~ood ;iil the· early:: 1900.''s '. ~e : Jnast .of,_.Jhe.:. \vildlifer ou,t of: the · canyoh .. The.z:i, :;~~s· area· is: blqo.k_e.d "of~ ·~y ·oioad . ,pr.~~rie,~"". on il.1l.; side.s .... N:Urn.~otis side canyons ... run ' pit~ the : m~:y-i ., ri.ve,r.. -The · ri.v~.:r c.~y~n and m·o~~ .. of :th~ . ~fde" · canyon~ are "blocked by )}ri.gb "ohµ'f~ :.that :ar:e jna:c·qe s~ible .t9 ., ~~t$ide tr ave 1 except at long ·i.ntervaa~. The . cover · type. is inot · strictly.wh~t ne :~ould count to be ideal turkey area, \?ut· .has· ·enough Of· ~h~ : ~.r_ip~ipal · fgod.s : ap.4 .enough others to make it \'/Orth a r e al try, : ·:~·: ·~... .. .. .. .:· /· : . ~: .: " . : . ; : '. : . . :~ . . .. ! .. .... . ',1 .:: • , l ... . ·. .. ... .... . . . Sorn~ t1;1Flceys fartRe:f'.~rlorth~;1est .:.i1:r:.~h~ c.anyo:;?. .di d fairly 'v~iL- -~'This area is better protected" afld .sho.:u.J...d make a gooa·pllmting:.:s:tte. The predator load is mod~rate ~o-· hea.'llY ·.yf.i:f::,h ..bQA..:.c·ays ~redomj.11ati~~ along the rims. Food is abundant .and \mte;i.- ·i·s.- pl~n.:\i;l.;{ul 'in: <the ·fo~.m of· .s prings:·along: the . .side canyons and . ~ r~idg · strea:m in jh~.'-clariyon the ·ye&r ~qund·~ · . ': .. ":: .. ,; . " .. ~ 1 0 I 0 ..1\.' •• ,1 . : " • \ ' . •. •;·· .!:.. · :....·., , :~. . ·· ··." ··~. , ?:.·-:_ ...... :_~. ·~j . .. i . , : ;'"' :1 . :: ·.:. . . I will give a somewhat detailed food s:tuay qf the aret:!.. ,!. Ii;i other proposed plant areas I will mention only the princip~l type·s ....r.~9~· ~~arts are made in all planting::f t9.l'Jl\S.. an9. can be gotten there if desireq . . -.C°9Y'er: type ls of the J!lost . abundant "ftp~foi:&s •. . .:. : .= ot:ti~r :species are mentioned 'in proportion to their per.ce~t~~e .o f .aptmd.fWce. _ Tree's· a.r·~ ··ment!m.ied first and lesser shrubs an,ci piant''S~ ffo:).lo~.· in·, gert~ral :sequi;mce • .. • ,. '• : :-., ~ ~· ', •f: ·;·::.\ V:egetative Analvsis: J• t .:... 1 ': ,,· . :. • '• • t • '• ' ' } I•" ~- -...·r ::~·J·:· ; ··: ['' ..: ;~ ~~,:,~.J. · • . ·.. ..... !- ..... :: . ;,:, i General Type - Pinion Jtmip~ - Known as 'Cedar Brakes' \ .-· �A, Pinion - Pinus edulis Jtmiper - ·Juniperus mono sperma Juniperus Scopulorum. Oak Quercus gambeli 11 utahensis " undulata Wild Grape - Parthenocissus vitacea Skunkberry - Rhus trilobata Service berry - Amalanchier spp. Wild Elderberry .. Sambucus .. canadensis Cottonwood~ ~opulus Spp. Wafer ash - Aceracae Spp. B. Grasses Buffe.lo Grama • blue - introduced Wheat grass - Western Tall or slender Foxtail Needle grass - Stipa - two types. Brome - Inermis · ·Tectorum ~,iany types of weeds Area No. 2 - Gardiner Area -- Turkey Creek This area is on the south side of Greenhorn Mountain at the south end The type is Pinion Juniper. There is a heavy growth of Yellow pine near the head of numerous canyons leading up to the foot of the mountain. Oaks are abundant and associated shrubs plentiful including chokecherry, serviceberry and snoIT berry. The Rye area which i s just over the motmtain to the north has alre ady been planted. This mll be a connecting link bet ween the ~·let Mountain are a and the La Veta section. The valley is controlled by two brothers (Uil burn) and they are much interested in the development of turkeys in the section • of the \'let Mountain chain. .. Area No. 3 - Apishapa Grune Refuge This area was suggested several years ago. I went over the area in August with Warden Scott. At be st it is extremely limited in scope. It would not support more than four or five hundred birds. It would be my suggestion that the area rest until we are able to tabulate the result in ~gatoire _ canyon. Food is scattered. Cover is scarce. The predator load is heavy. Area No. 4 - Talahassee Creek Area This is in north west Fremont County. It is· ideal Turkey type. The type is Ponderosa Pine, Oak .type, with a heavy sprinkling of Pinion Juniper in the lower edge. There is room for a lot of development in the area. �• t • ~ ,,,,, • I J.rea No. 5 - Black~ ·F;~~st··-Are~:. ·... _:: · .. . . . . . 'This was one of .the origin~lly - planned stocking areas. It is a pure stand of Ponderosa Pine starting · about 15 miles northeast of Colorado Springs and running for nenrly forty miles in broken stands; There is practically no'. und~.r-story exc~p:t; grass . and weeds . In the canyons and open plots there are a ·f-El\'I· :o1i]{s and small shrubs~ : One :·prh1cipal drawback is . the fact of a heavy settlement situation. · The pr.e dator<l:oad, .principalJ.i :&oyotes, is fairly heavy. \'late1' is scarce. The area might .stip.po.1~t 'five hundred biTds but would have to be carefully patrvled at ·all times.• .A _suggest;iQri ·was made that a lot of personnel work be done · before: a 'p1aht.'\fas 1m~de. :Tr1.~ 9rganizations in the community might handle this adequately. ·· · •. · • ·": ·:,_. ·-.... ... ·::.. . .-. :Ai-ea No; .§ ·- Salida - Badger -Creek , Arra ..... • • ' • .· 1',.,..' ' "• I ·,~·7' ~~,·' '1 ,.... ., .:' ,' · .. There have. b~~n )rm tµ+,1<'.~f.-hens -i n· :this·- . ar~~ se.v~:ral ·y ea.rs, The area lies at the }}ea~ ..or· Cottoni1o6d: 'Gulch and· th~: ne~cf .' ~. ~)1e 'B!1dger Creek , . drainage . It lies almost · on the·· -dividing li!1El :p~t:r,.e.en .p·ha~f~( -~«" 'hemont "'· · Countie-s;": :Ther.e -is not too much r1ater on the Cottomi6.od side· "of · the ar·e a but springs ruad·Is~e~~ 1 ~. e.· p~~~~eii't ·on ·the ·Badge,~1 9.r.~~~ ..d},'~~~~~ ~ There are p+enty of pines, and oaks are 'abiindant.- ..Tpe.re w~~ : a, : gc?od. ·c~ap 'df ... aoorns this ·· ".-year ii.rid the,,.;im<jle.! story grass aJ?.d shrubs are all that .. could de ~ired·• ·: The ... s.~er} arr~ wint~r. J;'~n~_es ~...~.r'1 · '.o~·iY'-'e·: sho1".t ·'distru;i_cei.:l1P¥:t .~:a~.. t? . ~-he steepness .. of =the country·.. .Th;i.s ar~a Shohld st·an~·; two g994':·~~t.s tJ:ll.·~ · ye•a r also. f '• ' • £ t ' " .. , ·'; " • ,' for: be . ' .. I:.: • : ' • • • • : • •• ,.,. • • '• ' • • ,.) • '• ,' : Area No. ? - Di_s,~~-oj;t~~~~ ".v;~~ll~-~ t.Tda,:i-:.. . ' .. . .. ~ l . .••. . . . . \, ' ' . ¥" / J o • • '. . ~l :.: ~;_·, ~··: · .. . . .' . : : .. ~ ; ..f ... '· . • .. . - For several · years"·turke ys· ,7efre·.._r.epar.te ~ ..in ..th~ . are~ . around Cedar in San Migue l County. In checking the area it was found . that :the turKeys reported ·were north of the Cedar District and in a section knovm as the hog•back . coun'tty..just ~9uth . of ±,he Gl'ade • "A'iost: of r. the J?is.ap.p piptment area is winter range "·and is -.i-Oe:8=1:.~9.i"'.. :t~~ey-s. ,·The survey· .in~lfc.~t~a .¥r~~: comp·arable to the best transplant areas· vJith' ari·'·abundance·.-of .food ,al\d-.riater . .. Predator ecmditions are light. There is not much .chance £or o·the~ di.~rturbarice--.- There ha've . bee~ .a .good lllB.pY requests for turkeys. the d:fstrict ·a nd:.the ;:aentiment all" ·seems gq9d., .".trio releases ' here 110U:l.d y.omp;J..ete , the. district and tie in ·'with· the .:S~ ·r:9-.g i~l.~ !ynco~~a~~~,/lan~~-':.~ ,'' ;::-:.-'. · .~ .·. ·:'.: . _: ·-"-.i·:~:>.~_: .~: for' . '' \ ·.· ' ' •r ".'" ,' ! , . •· • • 1 .•; i\ ! I •. •'f • , " .... h ,. I , Analysis: It will"be iioted.i t:hat . ~aJ..:J.··:.W::ea~: · s~~~yed. .. are ; on •.the. e~stern slope with one exception, Area 7. There are more.. ~~a·~· on the . wes..tern slope that can..be. s~1'~~¢i anq :that '7ill support tur.keys ~ '. H6~ver ,·~ d,t:; is 1 thought be st. iat tl~iS :time ·...to pi'~wd ·eastern: .sl.ope . .pl~ts ,fo:ruard _to allo\7 for a larger ' ,.. htinting ariea when '.a"" s.e~'son " should.· te ·opened·. · Uni\iee.p C~pyon, 'the northeast ie'ction of' 'i;h~: . ~~·'11.i:i;~~Y,a'lieY,; '_ :the· area ·n9rtit)i.nd· .".~ve·S'~ :o:t' Highway 120 between ·Canon . and C9J.9r~qo)~pfi~gs an~ .other ::areas. a:ne ..s.uggeift,ed · plariting ~:s:i:tes. "' Available · a+'~.a9 f~ilirlg in pretty :fa:rt.. ' ::~:tnc:iEi·; ~lie'-'mrist crops .iha1le been . very: 1lg.ht tll~ +a:i:it'. tm-e~ .s~ as6ns;;·.. a:~ oid.~ ... ~ift 11~·.. ,octurred·: ·iii pop~ation distribution centers an'ci~· a" care ful~' watch w.i11~·~y . n~c-~ ·~i:iary "to ·see1¢hat no gaps occur in the planted sections. . · ··" •: : · I :·. a.re· �.. 10 Job No. 3 - Predator Relationship Study Ob.1ective: To determine the number and kind of predators within given areas. To determine if possible the relationship of these predators t~ Wild Turkey Development. Techniques Used: In the case of coyo:tes careful field reconnaissance trips are taken. In theoo t1·ips three things are looked for· irst, tracks which can be located along game trails, around r1ater holes, and along sandy ledges. Second, the number and freshness of scats. These are examined for signs of turkey quills and scraps of turkey feathers. Third, a c lose watch .~s kept for possible kills. Bob-cats usually follow rather well defined routes. Their tracks can be located along the fo'o t· of ·sandy ledges, near old caves, and along high banks. Their scats are usually buried but uhen found are carefully examined, Kills that may be attributed to them are also watched for. A marked characteristic of cat kills is that the ·larger bones are cleaned but not eaten. Fox characteristics are similar to coyotes, but their occurrence on turkey range is not of sufficient frequency to uarrant special checks. Gr.e at horned owls are common throughout the turkey range. This winged roost marauder is a hard one to check. Regurgitated pellets are foun~ near their nesting areas. These are difficult to find. The owl's hoot is a most distressing sound to roosting turkeys. . Eagles, both golden and bald, are predators about which far too little is known. Our checking is pure field observation. This is supplemented by personal interviews with ranchers, wildlife predator trappers, individual trappers, Game ~ardens, and field men ~ This is also supplemented by regular interviews \iith Forest Rangers and assistants. Findings: Field observations on coyotes continue throughout the year. Special observations started in earnest just after the close of turkey trapping season. It was frequently observed that coyote tracks are found near turkey feed grounds and roosts. Strang~ . as it may seem, YJe have never found a turkey kill near a turkey roost. One evening while feed rras being taken to a trupping area at State Turkey Ranch, the follorling· incident . occur.red. The turkeys 11ere preparing to go to roost r1hen sudden.}.y, and just out. of O\ll' range of vision, the turkey~ set up an insistent clatter of "quit, 11 11quit, 11 "put, 11 11put. _11 Some . of them took to the trees instantly, uhile others ~tood their ground in curious alertness. A rifle kept in the blind for emergencies was secured. Cautiously the aut~or moved up the hill to investigate. As soon as I came into their line of vision, the �- 11 - turkeys · gave · my presence away· by a fresh soundi.Dg &le.rm. The cause of their · origina~·~ disturbance was on the ·opposite side of a large juniper limbed to the ground·. A war of' ·nerves ·was on. The JP>r~dator and hunter not knowing when or how to move. The .predator made the decision and 1n three great jumps was in a drywash and out of sight. Jt was a large shaggy .coyote. In ten minutes the · turkeys '.7ent back t9 the 1'.outine business of going to roost. . . At State Turkey Ranch this spring, ~oyote sign has been exceptionally light. Few tracks were seen • . A few SGats (rather old) s~owed only rabbit fur to indicate the diet of these animais. · In the Dolores ·section checks were made · in late 'winter and early ·spring. The winter popt+lation of this area has always b~en rather light as the coyotes usually follow . the· ·sheep and cattle to winter ~ange. In two \Veeks of careful checking not .more than a .dozen separate tracks were located. Scats indicated a diet of rabbits, mice, ground squirrels, and some birds, but no turkeys • . In 'the lost Canyon area thir'ty-five 'wattering places were visited in late April and early lviay. Not more -i;han one-- third of these showed coyote tracks. A freshly killed porcupine near ·Turkey Spring ·showed evidence of coyote activity~ Coyote tracks were abundant a.r·ound···t he remains. The skin ripped doml the belly was peeled free of the Ca;I'cass and then s tripped free of all fat. ·Only a· P8:1't ·of the b·ackborie with 'scraiis of meat remained. Turkey sign was abundant throughout this · ar~a but not a ·single kill was found. Scats ware· mostly old arid showed signs" of deer hair an~ some berry seeds, evidently amalanchier, and rose hips. : ·· · · · , _. In the Mancos area which includes Chicken Cr!3ek, Turkey Creek, the Transfer. area, East, West ·arid ·r:dddle r:;anc·os Rivers with East and Hebber Canyons, the sign was somewhat more abundant·•' I found two kills in this area. Evi• dently th~se had. been .killed ' by owls ·as ·only a small' part of the breast was eaten in both cases. They were sUfficiently fresh s'i nce coyotes had hot fotmd them to clean them up. Sen~- <, still showed mice, with rodents as the · principal diet. (also a heavy leaning t o rabbits). Some of the older scats shoood a fair perce~tage of deer · hai:c ., No dtml?t" this- was after hunting salvage. Rancher · and cattlemen IS . reports indicated a light population Of Coyotes for the · district·.· · · ·· · In tAe Thompson Pru;k distr~ct; ll?-9iu~ing· Cherry Creek, Starvation Creek, and Dead-man Gulch, the ~inter · pop~ation- wa~ light. This spring there was a definite migration ·irito ·the' area.. ·Three den sites were located in the Deadman Gulch section. ·These were reported. at once to the iocal Fish and \"/ildlife predator trapi:e r. Continued checks here shO\Ved a heavier late coyote population than for several years. · A few fresh .scats indicated prairie dogs as the principal diet~ .\ · · · · ·· ' In the lower Animas River section around Samnill Canyon the coyote sign was light. I also found the turkey sign light. Careful search failed to locate . the ; flocks. Then B: F~deral trappe:r.'. "r~vealed that the turkeys were �high on the }f.esa. Th.i.s solved our problem. In the upper Animas Valley arounq. Trimble . Springs, the . foot ,.of the..:raeoma Range .:.and ·.t he ·Herrilbsa Creek Se"<~tiori, .,·· the heavie~t coyote. sie~ ·in· .tbe. ·state~:\?as ·found. Scats - war~ plenti£Ul/ and '. tracks were everyw~ere. · .,S9ats incUcated ..a ·wide .variety:: of diet but·~ r still"" did not locate any turkey conte.nt. - Tr10 ·reported turl{ey kills failed to m.ateriaJ,ize. .A half ' day 1.s sear(;!\ faile~" °b6 either reveal the kills or fresh turkey signs in· the indicat.e°d area. The turkeys \·1ere higher on the range at the time this examination was made. In the ·Florid.a River' and Pi.ne Riv..el,' checks 'only .a few fresh coyote tracks were located. Scats i .n dicated a rodent diet • . T'Urkey sign was e.buncla'nt and in only one place did f.lign indicate that the coyotes were following turkeys. "In. 'the Piedr~ area only s~ven . fre~h tracks ·were ·s een. 1• T\10 sets of scats were :full of deer hair. 4 · lio.n track \'las found.;. It :i:s possible that the coyot~ ,scats 11ere.. ~he result of a cleanup on the lion's activity • • . . ... Two trips into the Blanco Basin and Navajo River basin showed only .mode;r~te coyqte populations. Sif;:n was · more active .than in some 's ections but' no kllis~ were founc;L. C,hecks with ranchers in t ·he area indicated that turkeys rrere plentiful but .c oyote.s were sc.arce·. . ... On phe _Ea~~rn slqp~,. coyote: sign. was. light 'in all areas "·checked. This · _ was particularly tr\l~ in the LaVeta,. Greenhorn . ~.fountain section. In three days · careful 'chec·king,i~ . this ·c.ountr.y,. ._ onl;y one fresh coyote :traek ·was· found. ·· The Ctichar~s ,area w~s . covered with ..the .same .t ype . orr.esults. Mr ·. ·Leuis f,Ji:ller, Federal Predator Trapper for the area, is doing a top job of control· \7ork. In the Beulah District and on the North and South Hardscrabble Creeks the same light predator condii(ions pre.vailed~ · Three· cleanups of turkeys Tiere report~ .on .Nor.th Creek. l'hese evidently were .turkeys that 'had perished during the w~t!=Jr. storm. The .remains were. cleaned .up by cats,· coyotes or skunks. This area was carefully .c-heckep but .nothing to indicate kill was located. . . . : · .... l·~ · . . . ·. · . , ;. Longs Canyon west Of·'Trfuidad .p roved the" exe'eption to all rules. First, coyote scats wer.e locat~d · cpntaining·.turJce.y .quills and p'o rtions of turkey feather and 'sect·~~:ms of. turkey .b ones.! In ·the e:v:ening of. the same day a fresh kill was discovered in a long park only a fe\'1 hundred yards from r1here· the scats were located. On tr10 successive days two additional kills Y1ere located in the same park. . All of this ~cti.vi ty , P.0:0.u pied. ll.e ss: than a quarter mile• The coyote's method was simple put · effective~ .~ The · turkeys fed each morning . along this open park.. Br.u;3h r1a~ thi~~~ on the upper.. side.. The coyote lay in this brush unobserved by .the tUFk~ys • . The . last :turkey less alert.than the rest, ·was the target. After t:Qe third loss, ..the turkeys changed their line of feeding, .and tno · days later .the ·coyote .was ·caught.". A post mortem revealed the :fact that he was the right predator . There were still turkey feathers in his stomach. \ .. . . . .. ~ ' ... ·~ : . .·.i··=. Bob cai;. dis~ibµti0n is not nea:r:ly as wide a:s .:the coyote. Cats· g~nerally range in rimrock areas. While he may ·, be found .:En :ba:ck .wooded sections; his · occurrence in these places is rather rare. Little is knovm as to how effective �- 13 th~i! P!edat~ons . ~ay be o~ w~~<l ~urkeys • . A_turkey is a bird and cats are nn_tcr:t--ously f.opd of bipds •. '!n ·1942-43 ru-·ound'' thl.rty'•cats were.trappe.d·in · turkey t\9rri tory ~ Iiith · o:q.e _or·! t~·19" exceptions· Stcmaeh ·analysis revealed no turkey content ... In t:na m6n~h _ of t·e!:Jruary "'a kil~ was found in the · mouth of · .. . Fa1·;i1?· Cany.on on t.J:ie Dolore·~- Rivero All abo~t the r emains were Lrrge cat track$ . ~trap was set l.:t:J:_; B.l1d in tht'e'e day's a larga·· inale cat rieighing· :·. twenty-trio 'and one half poilnds was caug'ht, ··A post-mortem. examination. showed no sign of turl:ey. \'lhether or not this was the cat that made the kill) .we hava. n~ i/a:f of te,lling ~ Hc11ever., no other cat rm.s caught at this location. Wild-cat·' scats not usually' fo:.'11tl ·a~r they are' coveretl. There a're many wilq t~les 'of the cet 1 s pr~ying h~bits.' · There are no"factual observations to sub~tanti~te m.a ny of: them·.. are Very little cat si3n was observed during the checking period. Seve;ral tracks were se.en along the Dolores River rims. A fer1 were seen in Lost Qa'1yon. .One· ,tr~ck .was observed iii the· Devil Creek area near St.ate· T.urkey ranch.: ,A. trapp~::- c_a ught t~1:.s bne and ·it \7e1ghed tr1enty- eight::pounds . T})e stoma.c.h wa( c9111plete_ly empty. No cat sign \7aS f ound in .the :\let I.lountain " area. Thef P~ga.~_oire River cne.c~s shoned · some cat : sign along.. th,e rims·.. • ' ,' '- ' • I • ; •I .. ~ I Fo~: ~~~e • :, ~ Predatory Birds • ' ' • ther;0'.;~~~·~ be~n ~ ·-·~r~':;irig· ,f~eling ::t~~t ~inged · irnie . :predators .. kill .more turk¢ys · ~haµ '.cat.s" or coyotes do. ' !I'hia:·feeling ' is· occasione9. by repeated observati'ons o~. a · ~J.iii1lar· char~ctefr ·. I-t·· has.·been :found repea~dly that ,·,hen great horned·ovils··{l3ubrl virginianus) ' hoot ·near a ·turkey roost .- tha:t the b~rds .~.tart ·llll:ll'muring and becom~ r estless at once. If the onls come near the roosts, 1~i,rar.ia'P+Y ~ome·: of the·.. turkeys · fly , from . the. roost regardless · of ho\7 dark the night may· be. ...Once .on the ground~ they . a!'e easy pre;r to the owl$. The 0111 eats only a small portion of the breast and leaves the rest fpf the .l\lcky coyote. comiJ?.g by. _ N.~tll!.~lly, . the cpyote gets the credit for the kill . . • . • . • . • . . . ·.. I • . • . . . • . . , ., . . ~ ~·Du~ t~ .ttie.:l.f. ri'o.cturnal hap i tfr, the owl ~s extremely: difficult to check • . Near a roost or nesting area snlall . ne'B;tly 11rapped pellets · of the skin and bones of mice and small rodimts · nill'be folina·; The bones will be completely . cleaned of all flesh. These pellets are regurgi '!'.ated and ma.y be dropped on the ground or ne atly placed in the crotch of a tree. Orlls inhabit most of . the wild turkey areao Their abundance within any one area would be most difficult to determine. 1 Golden EaGles (Aquila chrysaetos canadensis) and the Bald Eagle (Haliceetus l eucocephalus) prey upon wild turkeys. Fortunately they are not abundant in most are a s where turkeys range . Goldens are common in the Dolores River rims . In February, 1947 a single bald eagle was observed in some cottonwoods one and one-half miles northwest of the mouth of Beaver Creek. Game Warden C. M. Scott observed a golden eagle kill a large tom turkey He has observed f::-esh turkey scratching and was alert to finding a feedine f lock of turkeys . He then noticed a large in Alamosa Canyon in August 1945. �- 14 golden eagle perched in the lower l!inbs of a Ponderosa Pine not ?ar distant~ Almost without previous motion the eagle sw09ped dorm on .the feediilg turkeys with half spread wings. · Mr. Scott had, not disc.overed the -t urkeys till the . eagle struck. ·The t\.irkey was hit on the pead by th~ bend ofthe eagles wing and stunned. Immediately the eagle pounced upon its prey and began eating. Before If~. Scott. could reach the turkey, the eagle had .torn .out and eaten nearly half the breast.. . · ,· ~-·· . · · Adept in the air the eagle is awkuard and clumsy on toot. Frequently they need fifty to seventy-five feet of run\lay to create enough motion to get into the air. For this reason they perch on posts, tree brancpes, and·: on the edge of hills or on cliffs. If surprised by some ·enemy, they can be air-borne .at .once. . . . ·Reports are that a flock of ba1d ~agl~s migr~te each winter into the Purgatoire Canyon near the mouth o.f Cbacuaco Creek. - This is rather surprising if true. Generally the birds are found solitai:Y or not more t~an a fS.mily group in :one place.. They do nest at. t}1e i;iame aerie year. .after ·year, but a · migration or anything similar has not come within the· observation of the :. author. The following observation was made at State Turkey Ranch in April, 1947. A golden eagle was seen circling rather ~ow. one afternoon •. Jus~ be~ow him was a flock of: turk~ys ·feeding , on ear:J.y al~alfa shoots • .·The eagle _made . . . seve:ral tries for a turkey but. each time the turkeys took ref\ige in a .'neai'1:>Y chokecherry thicket. Finally the eagle . was driven off. ,.. · · If eagles were plentiful they would fo?1I1 ~ threat 'to. turkey de'Veiopm~nt. · · s:µice they are fairly scarce, little }larJll can com~ ..from th~,ir . predatory · · a~tions. . . · · The excerpts from uhich these materials are drawn are contained in field notes,. survival·.check ·shee~s, paily d.i,aries and personal notes.. The diaries are ke-p:t at ·the Denver office of the Department ot Game and Fish. The other · materi·als are filed at S~ate ~urkey Ranch at Dyke. . . . . . . 1 ' '•I . .. :. ~. .. ~ .. . .. .. .., .. i:· ,. . ~ .. . .. .· · ·: •• ·:... , "" ... ! ,. : . ·: .. · ..... - .' ' .· �- 15 Objective: To locate · and co&it ' the ·number of Y?ung per brood in most of the Wild 'TurJ:cey are~s · of the state/·· . • t · Scope·: To survey" all areas planted•exce-pt the Uncomp·ahgre Plateau. M endeavor is made to get a fall count on first year plants. This helps de term~ne early dev~lopment. rhe areas included most of Montezuma Forest; the San ., Juan Forest; the San 'I sabel ·Forest · and ~iekct. rlire Canyon. Va"iue: Brood survival is· an· indication of flock increase and is ·a basis for · ~ar.ia~ement plans. It· is almost impos~ible to check accurately the movemet1:( of many of the turkeys. The formation of the terain and he'avy cover · add" ~'?· :th~ problem. · To. get the neares~ acc'llrate figure, a check is made on .· broods; and, under favorable •contlitions, 5Q% to 60% of broods .s\lrv.ive and gro\7 to maturity. This figure is arI'ived ; at throut;h counts made · over a period of . fiveI yf(3arp where broods r1ere under sufficiently close observation . . . 1 , . •· . ti;> make '8. ·positive~ check. · : · · _. . -· · · .. .. · · · " . • . •• • ' l:e tbod: ' • • : ... i ;' : . • Field . rec'o nnaissance coupled hi th" careful . ilitervie\;S. . : ••,•I • • • . .. •• • Observations • ... '~ · · '• • • • • : · '· · -' : · :. · ~ • • . . ·. ' l7ee..ther Conditions·: Durilig the . pas't.. three:. ~e·ars . weather ·and .food con~ .. ditions ha.ve been most unusual. These in turn would naturally affect turkey 'ne~tµ.g and 'turkey bro·o a· development ·to· ·a marked degTee . In the yea.I's· 1945 ·and ·1946; a dry situatiqn P.r~vai~e'd. that oame 'close ·to drowth proportions. These condition·s prevai°'.l.ed .·o ver; most· ·of ·the' turkey cover of' the- state • . At · 1:J1e State Turkey Ranch in the four months period, L1arch through June of 1945, ' there was ·a total· r ·a inf'all · of 4·. 15 inches •. The· month ·.t otals u~+e .. divid~d as .follovts! t'iarc-h' r: e6··-in'ches; April, · 1.24' inches~ l:~ay,.; • 72 inches; and . June, · .33 'inche's. · In 1946 the gross vie.s a °little higher ·rdth 4.79 inches. The month division was as follo\ifs-: I.:8-rch, ' J.44 inches; April, l.07 ,inches; . May, " .o7 incl1es, ·~a. ~uzie, ;21' .i~C'be-s. · ·This ilottld ·not have· been so bad had· it not b~er1 c·o upled with· 'high viincfs and'· 'late fros't s, ·.. · · · I . '~ ·: • : ' • In 1945 temperatures of low char~cter ranged on the following dates: J~e, 1, 26.0~; 'Jooe 2~. .f.?°F: Jmj.~ s;~· ·2&~P;;0J.~e 9, '269FJ ~U!le 10, 24° F; . :June 11, ~6~F; Jgi?~'. 17; .~2~F; ~un€7' l~ ' · 2~ F; ·J~e 28, -28 F. In 194~~ ~..ay 30, 20°F; .May Jl,.. 2~ f; Jutie: 1, 25 F. · ~ese · lo\7·late temperatures caught most of the IJlB.~t · qea.J;".irig ~rees an'~ ·~hr\ios ·i n ploss·6m time;· Th~ r e sult \'1as that . there were. pract:i,ci:tlly 110 ·mast.· ·or ·berry ·erops· 'f"Or the two-year period. · • ' • • • • , , :. ' ' • : f~ I • :, • : • • • In -1947 IBclU'ding ·thet wlliter ~·of ·19'46-47'~'tnese dty '.f rost conditions continued ~ the ElO~thwe st part of the state. · In the Turkey areas east of the S~gr~ .: de Crist~ ~a;zi-ge'. extr~meiiy hea:fy'"ninter"· c·onditions :prevailed·. These in. tur11 vte,re ''followetl .late snovis; heavy<·spl'ing Fains and summer floods. flhere tlie blossoms \1ere :riot affe'Cted' oy· :fros·t in ·this· condition, mast, berry and seed crops came on in mass prod~ction. .. ". ·oy �.. 16 - In the area around State Turkey Ranch in 191~7; late frosts o~_curred on June, 12, 2S°F; 13, 24°F; 14, 27°F. This nas sufficiently lat e to miss the most destru:::tive action r) n mo.st of the Oak (Quercus gambelii) · pine _(Pinus ponde!'osa. and Pinus edulis), Service berry (.Amalanchier) and Chokecherry (Prunus spp.). ·rn parts of La Plata and Montezuma Counties, the frost conditions were much more severe. The effects of this are still showing heavily in mid-Augusto · The effects of ·these adverse · weathe~ conditions on turkey development are ·· twofold. fi:rst, ninter survjval of ·the birds is poor when food is short and such food as is available is of low ~uality. · Also, the vitality of · the birds is lot7. s.econd, mating and reproduetiw activity whic.h begins in February,.is affected. · If the .birds uintered badly, ths mating activity would be light. Snow does not recede much until earJ.y March. Th~n succulent greens are available to tid~ the birds over. During the laYing period t~ hens dep~nd very largely on these new plant shoots for food; ' The 'l"linters of 1944-1945 and 1945-1946 \1ere comparatively ligfit. Survival · checks revealed high populations, good survival and birds in excellent condition. Broods vrere also relatively hi~h in numbers. The . .11inter of 1946-1947 had an exceP..tion in the case of the ilet f~ountain area and the North Spanish Peaks area.. Here a loss was sustained .due to heavy winter conditions. However the spring mating and nesting activity seems to have been heightened. Many in. this area this season. . and larger broods prevail . . .. . .· . .: •, One excellent effect .of these advers~ cbnditions is that the .turkeys have scattered widely in search of food. This forms. a ·natural ·'development. feature ·. . that a:rtificial means. · . . i~ . actually .better than -distribut:i.oi:Cby· . -. . .... . .. . Brood ...Counts: A ·close i7atch •i s always ·k ept ·at State Turkey ~ch. At .the clo-~e of tr:apping . season this year moFe· '.than: .se·v~nty-five· birds remained to nest in ~he area.· These .\1ere divided tl.rito six ne~ting grou.Ps• Sex gro:ups were _di~ded. iJ:lto· .19· toms: and ."56· lien~ ·'. of v~ryirl~ ..~ge;:i. _The ~oms w~re divided into 8 .f).lll;y. ma:ture, 4 tTio-yearS. ·old,· and the· b.alance yeS!.~ings~ These young toms sat Q~ the sidelines of the mating' activity'. They strutted ~~gularly ·· · · · but seldom mixed with mating · hens~ · . · " . Hens g~~d~ly disappeared ·until l~te '.April·. and .0~:cy . W tay. · The first hen ·ni th a brood showed up in the l~st neek of nay~ ' Sl:iB ·bad eleven poults. She was in .the upper me~dow, and :Wa.s ~bserved ' by ·T~omas . Parker while irrigating. "The, _- second ob~ervance was -Of two "h0!1S '\Vi th four poults :betrieen them. SO'P'.10 thing must· have. ·gel!_~. wrong in .thi·s case. : The·se· sho\;ed ~ iii the ,],ower meadow and near the r<>ad ~ade ._ aP\ltbeast ·or· the ranch· buildings. The third was a hen Viith nine poults·. These last tuo obse~v~c.es ..came the f;4'st w~ek in, J~e. ' ' \ • • • •. • ' ;.:. • .! :, ~ I • . Thirteen\r.oods. vler~· countetl at head quarter~ · by Ailg~s.t 5·• . · The largest brood. u~s tlrl.r~en and ·. the ' smallest was· three. TM'. last. br.ood. observed was :a hen mth six half grom :poults.' On· the I'Oa~f grade "going . pu~~ The .average for all counts at ~~ate Turkey Ranch was ini.ne . plus. . . ' .. ... �. .... . . . " ' - 17 Five hens uere observed recently on the Yellow Jacket Divide . Two hens .. had sixteen half grmm poul~s. · Two days later in another area three hen~ had an aggreg~te of twenty-eight half grovm poults. The average here is eight and four-fifths. T\1enty-one broods were che cked during the month of June. Eight in the lower Piedra are a with an average of nine poults each. The I.iancos, Dolores area was checked ear:Ly and yielded only . three broods .with an averagei· Q.f ten plus poults per PI-ood. Three hens Tiez:e observed in the· ;'/illiains Creek area in mid-Jun~ with an averaf;e of seven poul.t~ each. Thei?e ucre all en the Western Slop~.- ol;'. the Juan and Lontezurna f~reS.ts.. bn the Eastern . Slop~ · the yield was as. follows: A ~ngle brood in Chicosa Canyon north ·of Trinidad had ·twelve· pouJ,.ts •. ' Two broods in the PiCket .Hire Canyon near Hi"gby "had seven .and thirteen, and tno in the ' S~.onewall ·area· \7est ·o.f Trinidad had fo~ and eleven. A single brood on Bear Creek had -thirteen • .. .The a cgr egate for all areas <luring June was 204, with _an average brood of nine and seven.:"tenths . San In July, seventeen broods ~1ere se~n : ~d .reported. F~urteen · 0f. these uere ·· in the \7et _. Liountl.).in 'area nee.r· D~ul·ah. Five ..1-lere repor~d on the Billington Ranch·.. '.J.'he broods ."tiere;-- six, nine , eight, and fo\lrteen·. This is a totel of forty-five, or an aver.ege or' nine ·. The ;:;roup riitn f~mrteen were one-third gro\·m on July 15. · A. .i.1r.• Smith r:eported trio .broods on tho. North H~dscrabble · Creek. One of -the.::;e had nine the 'other tweh-ty • .:·He qualified .the trienty with the fact that there seemed td be .·tr10 sizes ..ih ' the br.ooc} qf t \'1enty. ·"Careful search on July 12 failed to flush these -birds. · . In the .Beulah section \1ere found four broods of t:1elve, fourteen, eieven and fifteen with an average · o·r .. thirteen_. In the_ \"letmore ~ection a J.ir. Sullivan reported seeing two broods in his hayfield of fifteen · and sixte_e n each respectively. The two hens were seen within a half hour's walk. The author did not attempt going thTough t he. !J10adoH. . .. The · cap·storie. of · broods ~\tas .:r:eported in the LaVeta area at the head of Bear Creek Canyon> A Mr. Todd claims .. a single"' hen \ll th · t1Venty-thr.~.e potll ts ~-_ aJ). one size-..,hal:t'. grooo, 611 July 16. This report was not· verified and it seems fant'a'sti~ ; · but .. neighbors cJ.um that rlir :·-' Toda . is ·r e liable •.: . ·F or . tbe ' Ea:sterh· S'lope ...sectibn. fourteen broods had an average of just µpd.er thirteen poul~s per brood. A question may be r aised as to i1hy Eas tern Slope bl.ras· should have higher average broods than those on the \"lestern Slope. A theory--and it is pure theory- - may give the answer .. Eastern Slope birds \'1ent through a hard winter. The spring has been viet and baclmard. Losses viere heavy and in~entive· ·to<increase-· hiah. I.f the theory that hunting pressure creates breeding ·incentive iri game birds is · true, .thE.m t he· uinter loss stepped up the breeding incentive here. · ' �- 18 Perhaps the losses uere of weaker birds, and the stronger breeders re·'maind.pg .to perpetuate the flock~; may be · a better explanation • . In ~y case an average of :three birds per flock more. on ·the Eastern Slope is significant. Then, too, the \'lestern Slope has more nearly reached its carrying. capacity. T~s ~.lso Jn?.ght make a difference in the creative desire. "Conclusion: · Taking the overall development picture we have an average brood pf eleven and five-teµths (11.5). If 50 perceht· to 60 Percent of broods mature·, then each breeding hen would produce six matur.e poults. The average flock breakdown is six hens and four toms. In a flock ·of lOQ birds this would be ·an·1ncrease of 360 p~rcent. Hoi70ver, there are several qualifying fact6rs. We do not yet lmow hoTI· many .young hens breed in the first year •. · :[ •. Stokley Ligon has this to say ::i.n... re g~q to e~ly· niating: "The true r1ild bi~~- ·cip~s ='not mature· until the se~_ond . year- , 11 ~d "Turkeys that breed at a young13:r .age · Ca!.l usually: be regarded· as· 9f semi~domestic' oriitin. 1 • ' • • • • • " : • . ( ..... . ' .. ' ..... ~ '*· · . I : • : · ' • :• • •, ; ' • • • •• ; . • • ' llhi.le this is generally true there ri1a:y be 'qi:falffying .circumstances. .Most · number of· generations. , \There ,. teine flocks. ?!ix with" wild ones, they d·()' not have the stamina. to ·meet the ;rigors: ..of the 'wild·f:l· Vie. do have positive .l;'ecc;>rds of where young ·toms . and young :hen;S . OO:ve. mate·d·.· ~ Ho\vever·,c ·this may' not b~ general practice. · ,. ... · · · · · : . .. · o.£: ·o ur· pird·s have had lit.tle . OI?PJ:?rtuni ty ..t~ contact domestic flocks for a . . Then; :thexe is.· the; to:u. talqm by natural enemies. There is also a natural . : mortality 'rate.. ~ome . dis~ase factors may also ·play ipaJ±t in the rate of flock · developineht. · Usually t-tie,·first. ye_af.ai.~~:;"planting· flocks, the ·rate of:"... increase is highest. This gradually decreases .until· carrying capa~ity for .the ~ea is reached · · · · ' · · ·1 · ~ • . .· . :. . ·.. ...· t . . • .. • • ... • • • • l . • . (*Quoted from Hist·o ry .and ki~agement :o! ffferria1Jls .. \7ild Turkey - 1946 P.6) ·su=: · ·. · . ·· · ·· ·: . .. . .. ._·:.. . . ~; . ·.. · _. . ·. ·. . · . . -·: · l .. • • • • • • • , ·····"-. ..~P.i>r• 1·9:vea by: ·· - •·. • • • . • •• •• : Submitted: .. . . .. . ... . Martin ..L. Burmt .. . ' ( ..: ·. .' COLOR~J}~~- AND FJSH DEP.ARTlviENT ~ ~~e . .. . . . /C~·· L? ·. . . Title · 'Wil~~f~ - Technici~ . ~ · · _:···. ' . :· · · /~ · ~ ~i-~ . , . ,,. . I .• ·'. .. . ·. . . . ; . Br .· .Ti tl~ ,___ _.c..,,..,.,....~........F ...e...a..s....t...,_...D;;;;;;ir...e...,c..t.,.o,_r_·- - - - ~ I . ·.· .'· .. · ·. . -.--:~ i-:-:--/ ,...,. . . . j. .. ! . Note·: :Perso~s . '7i~hing tG · ~ · · ..... : Date· ·_ __.N.-ov...~...m-be ...· _r_.._3., .....1...9.-4-..7...-:...'._._._,..,........___ .. .· . . . . .. . ~ ...:' .: .... . quota· fr·om ..this="'a bstract should fir st ob.t 'rln .· · · ·.. · · ; permission fr.om the ·. $tat-e. Game and Fish D~partment. . .. . t ;" . ·.. :I :: ·· .: . ~ � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/9ff5d71253f16654a1be5378c07e21cc.pdf 751ce61a9ae3fb5e8cd6d0e3991a01dc PDF Text Text bTATE COLORADO PROJECT NO. _;,w7•....••• R_.,-•• DATE January. 1948 + Vol. OUTLINE FOR PR~GRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS _ No. REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFERESTORATIONACT 1, Title of Project: 2. Leader: Game Bird Surveys Harry J ~ Figge 3.. Report of Progresst IOl'lt •.Plan No.1 Title: - Job 4 and 5 Predator-Sage grouse study and Survey of winter population and distribution. Object: To gain information as to the relative effects of different predators on sage grouse populations. To locate and define winter areas and make counts, noting factors affecting mortality. TechniqueS: Field reconnaissance and interviews with ranchers. Personnel: Wildlife Technician, Howard S. Stiehm Fingings: During the latter part of December some time was spent in the North Park and Moffat County areas for the purpose of noting the condition of ground cover and of noting sage grouse flock conditions. North Park: Very light show cover was found in the area, In no case were there any signs of valuable food plants being obliterated. One flock ot appro:x1tftately80 sage grouse were observed with binoculars from a distance of 300 yards and all appeared to be Cb ing well. An attempt was made at closer observation but this activity frightened .the birds into flight. Judging from the action of the birds while feeding and from their manner of flight the flock was believed to be in excellent condition. �-2 - Moffat County: This area has been devoid of snow ~ Amthough almost a full week was spent in the field, it was impossible to locate birds and thus judge the general condition of the wintering flocks. Numerous interviews with local inhabitants bore out a universal opinion that the sage grouse is gradually increasing. This statement is of questionable value, but its worth will be thoroughly checked on the strutting grounds in April and May. Neither area revealed si~ns of predator damage. Analysis and Recommendations: Insufficient data was obtained to make recommendations since A~. Stiehm's time was taken during the quarter on big game check stations, pheasant check stations, and observing public shooting grounds during the migratory bird season. Work Plan No.2 ~: - Job 5 Hunter Check Object: To find the number, the age ratio and the crippling loss of pheasants shot during the open season, Techniquesl Check stations set at key points in six of the areas open to pheasant hunting. A 3/4 inch leg gauge was used to determine age ratio. Personnel: Members of the Federal Aid Staff; Harry J. Figge, Howard A. Stiehm, R. G. Kinghorn, C. D. Tolman, Paul Gilbert, and Lloyd Searle. In addition seven members of the Game and Fish Department assisted; District Chief Warden's James Drommond and Earl Downer, Wardens nm. B. Wells, Lloyd Triplet, Donald Gillham, Bill Goosman, and G. I. Crawford. Findings: Complete data obtained is given in the following two tables. Check station data for 1945, the only other year that a check station operated, is given for comparison. Analysis and Recommendations: The greatest number of hunters were checked on Sundays. In areas with low hunting pressure, checking only on week ends and holidays would give the desired data. The reduced success ratio can largely be at.tributed to the increase in hunters in the field. Age ratios for the entire State indicate a hatch for the season slightly under normal (32.5% adults to 67.5% juveniles). The length of season and bag limits should be set only after obtaining brood counts each year. There is no indication that the past open season has served to decrease the pheasant population in any area in the State. Only male pheasants were le~al to shoot. The reduction in male might make it possi- �- .3 1947 UPLAND GlJIE BIRD ClECKSTATIONDATA Species Ringneck Pheasant No. of Hunters Total Hrs. Hunted 237 709 (males onlY) Ad:!!ils JU!!m.:!J.es 76 lfn No. Cri1212led length of Season and Area. 54 2 Dnya Sa!l Lui.s ~Tal1ey 45.3 1,958 219 171 10"~ 2.38 847 65 209 .32 .398 1,112 46 214 47 204 609 72 88 .3.3 ..25..Q.. 2.116 2,979 ..12l 43.34 11,000 16,235 Birds' Hunter 1.08 .86 1.16 .65.3 .78 1.10 1 •• 09* Birds/ Hour .362 .199 .332 .23.3 .262 .279 .281* ~ 1,434 % of Adults 29.6 56.0 23.7 17.7 45.0 31.5 32.5 % of Juveniles 70.4 44.0 76.3 82 •.3 55.0 68.5 67.5 3 !)c."\r3 .A:r l~[.r.3Ci.S Val.ley 3 Day3 West Slope 7 DBYS 1,021 North 14 Days N.E. Dry Land 14 Days N.E • Totals % Cr1pp1ed/ Iota1 Shot 17.3 21.0 10.4 15 •.3 17.9 19.6 18.7 * Includes Area San Luis Valley Arkansas Valley West Slope North NE. Dry Land N.E. Entire State 660 hunters who hunted 3,250 hours and bagged 1070 pheasants not checked with a leg gauge. llli were UPLANDr..AME BmD CHECK STATIONDATA No. of Hunters Total Hra. Hunted Adults Juveniles No. Cri12E1ed 2141 9359 1657 1580 772 Buds/ Hlm:!;g;t Birds/ Hour ", •.345 % of % of % Crippled/ Adults 51.1 Juveniles 48.9 Total Shot 19.25 1.51 that Area Arkansas Valley North and N. E. Area Arkansas Valley, North and N. E. �-4 hIe for more females to survive the winter. There is ne evidence that the reduction ot males has been excessive in lZlyarea. The pheasant trapping program now in progress should give valuable information on winter sex ratios. WgrkPlan Ng. 2 - Job 6 Title: Object: populations. Location of transplanting sites. To locate areas in which it is desirable to increase phegsant, Tecbnigw: Interviews with farmers in the geaeral area where the increaseis desired. £lAdings' Numerousfarmers 11\ the Arkansas Valley have been contacted in connection with increasing the numberof pheasants on their farms. A surprising numberhave expressed their willingness to cooperate, even to the extent of habitat improvement. Analysi, and ReCOmmendations:An agreement must also be madewhereby hunting will be allowed on those farms when the population warrants it, and to leave unburned a portion of their fields for spring nest cover. WorkPlan No.3 - Job '* !Ul!: Crop Damage Personnel: Irving R. Poley, \lildlife Technician FPtdingp: Pheasant damageto crops other than corn was not apparent. At the time of planting, the pheasants wouldnot eat or clean up the seed spilled while filling the drill. However,muchof the seed left on top of the ground was eaten by song birds •. Pheasant damageto corn began with sprout pulling and continues with eating the unharvested corn. A 10 percent check was madeof the four corn fields to ascertain the extent of sprout damageand a fall check ot two of the fields was made to obtain the amo'lmtof damagedone to the unharvested corn. Ten percent ceunt.s were obtained by the following method: Every twentieth ridge between the rows of corn was traversed and the row on either side of the ridge was inspected. A damagedsprout was stepped on so it would not be reco'lmted and a damagedear of corn with more than three-fourths of the kernels missing was collected and cO'lmtedat the end of each row. If any corn remained on the cob, it was shelled and left in the field. �••5 Damace to the unharvested cera was computed in pounds 'by multiplying the number of cobs collected by .11 pounds. This figure was obtained by collecting 150 ears of corn of all sizes and weighing the shelled corn. The 150 ears produced only l~· pounds of corn. Pre-harvest damage to the ear corn was first noted upon my return from duty at a big game check station Oft October 28, and counts were conducted from the 1st of Novemberuntil the middle of December, which would be the normal h~vest period in Colorado. The following table (I) shows the damage to corn in fields C-2 and C-3 by pheasants, ducks, songbirds, and mice. Included in the table is the number of pheasants, ducks, jack-rabbits, and cottontail rabbits seen in the fields on the day that the count was made. Summary: Field C-2 shows a loss of 446 pounds of corn. This field was not bothered by ducks until a nearby corn field (Cool)was harvested by a mechanical picker and then ducks were attracted to this area. The pheasants like the dense cover of the unpicked corn, while the ducks prefer good visibility and not too much cover. Field C-3 is surrounded by excellent pheasant cover on three sides and a lake on the fourth side and shows extensive pheasant damage. The exact number of pheasants feeding on the fields cannot be determined. However, it is estimated that 20 to 30 pheasants feed on C-2 and from SO to 100 pheasants feed on C-3. Drought conditions at the Arsenal prevented corn from maturing, leaving con Oftly in the pockets. This is the main reason for an average yield of .11 pounds of corn per ear; and a reduction of the acreage from 30 to 14 acres and 45 to 17.3 acres for the respective fields (See attached graph showing precipitation). PheaSant and Duck trends: Pheasant car trend results are listed below in Table II and the attached graph is based upon ten trend counts each month. In this study area the trend is approximately 200 yards wide and 25 miles long. Table II - Car Trend Counts ~ April May June July August September October NoveI:lber December PheasantsL mi. 1.150 .S56 .240 .528 1.069 .472 •416 .644 . 1.464 CocksL mi. .578 .520 .• 140 .068 .002 .216 .272 .404 .676 HensLmi. .556 .336 .070 .092 JuvenilesLmi. .083 .956 . .160 .144 .240 .•644 --.030 .364 .096 seen, sex determined �A~ril !5 10 te i'[~Y,o ••20.. 20 25 .ru.nTo ••20.. .r~1;X; te 20 2' A~~~~ 20.. vctuber S~1'oelflP:!Vaa !5 10 15 20 2!5 N~V,~~~~.. D.e9~;Pr.,r25 .r~nVc,ar"Y20 2. '=. _'___ -.. -- " =:25m ::::ix~l'ii1I::·~ E::::: :::: ~t::::E ~;:;:::.:::~:::::: :::::::!E=. ~I?' per ""I:i.E 1.50 J';~~g1t.202. F~b~u,q~ 2. .--:=1:::: -.~:'::-: :~ 1.40 1.30 1.30 :,,: .:, ~:: L ::~ ~7: -.",.- •..•.... ' ,;.: ".: ::;; -' -. ,,,,,,. ..".. .."~~. --I-: -- -''' ""I":' ,.--,-.. ~- ~ 1.2;J .. : -- '- ., '-:=,- ..•.=:. -:::: .- - --. :.:: ':-:: .-:: _. . "'·::-::r"~ --.. -.-,,:;. • ..- .~ ~rlli'_-:E" ====,~~:~~~--- -- -~-.. -- -- .--. ~~~- •g5 .:- .•.•...•...•..• .,. :::::F?: I:.::.:J": J::; 1··:: F::1:;i:1 = --;-..::.-..·.. =~ ----I-·l::f·m.-" ·c .90 .00 .70 11"-' .:::. .;::~:: .00 :liE -ElS.:.- •b5 iX __ ?;. ~ -1=. 1= c;::; I~'- ~ t::: IIiff_ - 1= .30 .00 '~11r::: :::7c:fr =t-- ::7= ..:.~::'2[:':::0;E "'I::::;f---Fi~ .. I=-': = :: ,::t:;::I1ti?. .60 .05 I~ III .80 .75 .1b •10 c'; :~ .. __ =c. ~;. .• __ .25 .. . 1.00 .20 " -= 1.10 1.u5 .40 .35 ±:::; ".. ,-. .1..1:1 .40 '." -. :;::~I ".. ::..= ::':E :~:~::=:!~:: _.:-::=I~':: -:: =-:::: ::~- :~: :S'§@r::;'c-.: ~"= ,-,- :;,.....-..:::: ,= :-"::."ceo. "••:.~ ._-=\ii.-- .... :'::'c:-' -= -"::;:1:=-:: .:= .... '~i::::: •.. 1:::" 1 ----~-------~---~ ---.. ,,>-1:::: .;.;.... loGO ':-l::'c '=' ~:i::~~:::~::::::;; ~,,::::.~... i=.::_ ' .. " I!t:.': :;:.::: .:. ::::: :::;::~-'i=:~::::::~~~~l;::::::= ;:' .:+-"-=-c:::---' :::: .::I~ :;::::::;13 ~1~2~'::~ 'Fe 1.40 .00 I_C~:'~ =-' =.~::~-_.:::1:-:::= :;g ::::::~:~2 ::~~::::::=;;; :::::~'::.:,:.::::':E=~~Eo::= -::~:.=-=~~[~~E ::-': ~~I~ ::::-::: _.~i -~:L ':::::::~:::;~: ::=:: :;-.:'-: 'olg¥@ 1=I=1 ., I_«W· . -1::= -, :-l'1 - . . - - - - -- - _.-. .. -_.-.- . 'r .~. •j~;; _F, __ - Iff .~ .~~= ._ .•. .;~2; f::- -r-: ,,_.- - •. :::. ,,: ,,:-::j~~_._~_'::-':::__ e to 15 20 25 !5 10 15 2025 !5 10 15 20 2' !5 10 15 20 2' !5 to 15 20 2!5 !5 10 15 20 25 S to 15 20 2' IS 10 15 20 215 __ W 15 10 20 215 !5 ,I . ".'" :~:::L~~;~=~:~=:::1 -: IS .":§_::~'~;~~F~~~~~~ .---:@l _I~ ==+=1' d·· 'I:::Y:;;:: l~~ =:: ... ~.-r::::: _.' .~':;::::J:=:::§ :~;I'~:I<: ~:: 10 US 20 215 !5 10 us 20215 !5 10 US 20 28 �- 6 ... TABIE I OUNDS OF CORN l>AWiGED IN FIELDS C-2 AND Coo Based upon a 10% Count FIELD C-2 (14 Acre s) Song Birds Date or Count Pheasants Nov. 5 1).20 " 13 5.50 It 21 3.19 fI 29 7.37 -- -----_ .. Dec , 5 8.58 -- " 17 TOTAL 6!S2 44.66 TCYtAL DAAiAGE 446.6 pucks .11 Mice .44 1 .44 1 .11 -- -- -- -- .22 ---- *11 .33 1.10 -- 3.3 11.0 FIEW Pheasants Seen 25 13 Ducks Seen Jackrabbits S3en --- --- -- -- Cottontails S'3~n 2 I I 1 I 2 {tracks} --- 10%--- 1 Loss in pcunds or com. C-3 (17,) Acres) Nov. 5 76.45 -- 1.10 -- 32 -.. 3 II 11 27.28 1.10 .55 .11 23 6 5 It 19 24.75 1.43 .11 13 11 3 1 11 26 20.99 26.18 -- -- 12 JOO 5 1 16 -- 6 Dec. 6 II 17 TOTAL -- --- 1§.2it 2122 •• 191.05 39.38 1.76 .72 .88 ---- 10%--- 1910.5 393.8 17.6 S.S Loss in pO'lUldsof corn. 24.64 8.14 TOTiU. DANJLGE 12 2 4 .•- �... 7z A duck census 1s taken during the last week of every month on the Arsenal lakes. Table III shows the mdnthly population of ducks and non .•. game birds at the Arsenal. Month April May June July August September October November December l)ucks & Coot Mon.game Birds 456 85 155 56 181 689 1968 1920 6800 29 113 43 9.3 47 41 85 696 172 Work Plan No. '3 - ~ Title: Hunter Check Two check forms were used at the Arsenal during the pheasant season. One form was given to the hunters and the other was used at the check station. It was impossible to obtain a 100 percent kill figure because of guest hunters, but it is believed that the reported kill was more than 90 percent of the total. Check Station RepQrt No. of Hyp.ters Total Hours Hunted 89 236 Adults Young Total Killed Cri:e12led 21 51 72 27 Agults Young Total Killeg Cri:e:eled Hynter's Voluntary Re:eort No. of Hunters Total Hours Hlmted 90 246 -- -- 69 23 SwnmarY of Hunter Check: It is believed that there were less than 80 pheasants killed at the Arsenal. Results of the hunting, based on the check station report, are as follows: Birds killed per hour - - ...Birds killed per hunter - - Birds crippled/hunter - - -.. .305 .808 .303 Total weight of 27 cocks checked at the station amounted to 64.75 pounds with an average of 2.4 pounds per bird or young birds 2.25 pounds and old birds weighing 2.75 pounds. �t1 o e • o e c+ • i • : •••• mr.tHYHO �- 8 - Duck Seasons; The first two days of the first half of the season provided good shooting at the resident duck population. The results of the remainder of the season are not known because I was on duty at a big game check station. The second half of the season was very poor because of the unusually warm weather enjoyed in the Denver area. A complete report of the species killed is not available at this time because all of the hunting reports have not been turned in. ~alysis and Recommendations: 1. The reduction of the corn acreage from 155 acres to 85 acres, divided into J fields for better control. 2. The treatment of corn seed to prevent damage by birds and insects. J. All pheasants trapped and released at the Arsenal should be marked by a tIt x 2" white stripe on the back of the head so that a ratio may be set up between the banded birds seen and the unmarked birds seen for a density study in connection with the car trend counts. 4. Feed plots and two miles of a 7 row windbreak should be planted as an aid to natural pheasant propagation. Work Plan No.4 - Job 2 Title: Survey of migrations and population trends of migratory game birds. Object: To determine population trends, migration routes and migration dates. Technique;: The Game and Fish Department's airplane, piloted by Kenneth tdlyard, was assigned to make monthly aerial counts of an established t,~~en~. area which includes the Platte, Arkansas, and San Luis River Valleys. COllJ"',ts were made from an average altitude of 300 feet and the grid census method was used. A K-20 aerial camera, borrowed from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Research Laboratory, was used to photograph soma of the larger concentrations of birds as a means of substantiating the grid estimates. Ground counts were also made as a further cross-check. Personnel: R. G. Kinghorn, Technician. operated in ground counts. In addition all wardens co- F~dings; The trend area used for the aerial census is listed below. Populations of ducks and geese found on each river and reservoir are recorded for the three months the survey has been made. Ground checks failed to diGclose any discrepancies in these figures. The attached graphs show the duck population trend by the month for the Platte and Arkansas Valleys and the State as a whole. State goose population trends are also shown. ��'030 'AON '.100 --f- �- 9 Analysis and Recemmendations: Analysis of the three menths' counts shows an increase in duck population of 344.02 percent for November over October; 50.9 percent increase for December over November; and 592.9 percent increase for December over October. The goose PO}:.ll!.a.tionrose from 7 in October to 12,067 in November and back to 6,171 Jn December, No recommendations can be made from the limited figures at !taml, but it can be seen that the survey will be of value when the remaini~g ~onthly counts are added to it to show the complete winter migration picture. Work Plan No.4 - Job 3 Title: Hunting season checks on age and sex ratios the hunter. Ob.1ect: To determine the age and sex ratios of game taken by of the ducks killed during the season. Technig.ues: Sex and age of the birds examined were determined by the following methods: ~: 1. Tail-feathers: V-notched tail-feathers indicate a juvenile bird. 2. Bursa of Fabricius: Presence of the Bursa indicates a bird of the year. 3. Cloacal examination: Degree of development of the sex organs indicates age. m: 1. Plummage: During the fall and winter months, most ducks can 2. readily be classified Cloacal examination: Findings: as to sex by their plummage. Sex organs denote sex in all cases. The following ducks were examined and classified during the 1947 season: Sml Luis Valle! Adult !Jjale S}2!cies 11 Mallard G,W.Teal B.W,Teal Shove11or Gadwall Scaup Platte Juvenile Male 1 Adult Female 7 1 Valle! Adult Juvenile Male Dl'Jale Species 7 Mallard 5 1 1 G.W.Teal 1 1 Pintail 6 2 Date Oc't. 7, S, 9 2 1 1 Juvenile Fem~le 1 2 1 Adult Female Juvenile Female 2 4 1 - Date Dec. 10, 11, 12 �- 10 AnalYsis and Reconmtel'\dations: The above data is beil'\gforwarded to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service where it will be combil'\edwith similar data from numerous other observers and published by that Service. Work Plan No.4 Title: - Deviation: Survey of public shooting ground projects. Object: To gather data on the public shooting grounds recently put into operation by the Colorado Game and Fish Department. Number of hunters using the areas, game killed, reaction of the birds to controlled hunting, and worth-while suggestions for improvement of the areas were all recorded for use in future management plans for the areas. Technigues: Field observation and analysis of Warden's reports from the areas. Per sonnel t Technicians R. G. Kinghorn and H. S. Stiehm and all wardens in southeastern Colorado, District Chief \larden Alexander Hamilton, and Wardens Leo Browe, C. W. Clifton, Lloyd Brittain, Chester Scott, and Frank Cordova. Findings: Two Buttes public shooting grounds was the main area studied during the season. The area is fenced and all hunters \'Verecompelled to enter and leave the area through one of three gates controlled by Hardens. A plowed and posted boundary line kept the hunters from getting too close to the reservoir and rallying the birds. The season opened with an estimated 5000 geese resting on the reservoir and a population of approximately that number was maintained throughout the season. Hunting pressure was heavy the first part of the season, but fell off towards the latter part. An estimated 150 hunters used the area the second morning of the season and killed about sixty geese. As the season advanced, both the kill and number of hunters progressively decreased to ten hunters and one goose the last day. The intensity of the shooting from the "firing line II caused the geese to change their direction of flight frequently and to feed erratically, but no large fluctuation in population was observed. An estimated 800 hunters used the area during the season and killed about 250 geese. \"lardenreports from the area shoVl the following: No. Hunters 515 No. Geese Killed No. Hours Hunted No. Cripples 215 1288 37 .417 geese per hunter .167 geese per hunting hour A total of 49 geese were weighed during the season. Their weights ranged from 4.25 Ibs. to 8.75 lbs. with an average weight of 6.33Ibs. �- 11 AnalYsis and Recommendat!ons: As. whole, the management ot the shootin, grounds was very good. The Wardens stationed there during the season are to be commended for their excellent cooperation in making the area a success. In spite of the hunting pressure, the geese did not desert the reservoir in any appreciable numbers and, barring a large increase in usage, no further restrictions are recommended for the 1948 season. Some changes in the control of traffic on the south side ot the reservoir should be made to prevent excessive damage to the pasture. The Sedgwick Bar shooting grounds on the Platte River was opened for duck hunting the second half of the season but no management plan was in operation there. This area will be controlled next year as will the Tamarack area ncaunder State control. Data and Reports: The field notes, progress reports and photographs relating to this project are on record in the files of the Colorado Game and Fish Department. Two special reports were published during the quar ter , "Migratory Bird Aerial Census Trends" and ''Results of the 1947 Duck Season (1st half) ". Results of the second half of the 1947 duck season are being compiled now and will be submitted when all of the Warden reports are in. Submitted by: Approved by, Name Harry J, Figge COLOR@O GAI\E , AND FISH DEPARTMENT Title Biologist B7 Note: ('~--~ ~-1U-(; /' Title C, N, Feast. Director Date JanuarY 22. 1948 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the State Garee and Fish Department. �- 12 MIGRATORY :BIRD AEItIAL CENSUS TRENDS - 1247 ~ Platte River Valle: October 21, 19tz.7 Geese ~ - 1,800 Barr Lake 1,300 Horse Creek 800 Valmont 700 Baller 650 Gaynors 150 Ish 400 Burches 250 Highland 600 Lone Tree 100 Loveland 1,500 Boyd. 1,200 Fossil Creek 800 Timnath 9,000 Windsor Reservoir 100 Uindsor Lake 100 Lindenmeier 100 Terri 500 Curt s 125 Rocky Ridge 800 No. 6 350 Cobb 250 Eaton 200 Latham 700 Ud1ton 650 Riverside 500 Empire 150 Jackson 500 Prewitt 1,1J)0 North Sterling 7,000 Jumbo South Platte River (Greeley to Nebr.) 32,675 Totals ~ber 18, 1947 ~ Geese - 10,000 11,000 2,200 4,000 2,300 300 400 1,000 1,600 500 6,700 1,300 3,000 8,500 2,500 500 300 1213 120 13 December 171 l2~7 Ducks G~ - 12,200 21,000 6,000 20,000 3,500 1,400 1,500 225 17,400 150 3,000 12,000 250 13 2,500 750 .350 1,650 2,500 2,200 4,000 3,500 1,000 200 300 5,000 700 1,000 36,500 -- 0 116,550 23 44 270 153 35 400 180 1,366 1,600 1,200 8,500 6,000 -- 700 9,000 16,000 1,000 42,000 3,400 190,275 135 40 35 -473 �• 1.3•. MIGRATCRY BllU> ~ Arkansas River Vallet }{eredith Henry Holbrook Cheraw Horse Creek Adobe Creek Caddoa Thurston Nee Skaw Nee Noebe Nee Grande Nee Sopah Sweetwater Upper Queen Two Buttes Ar kansas River (Rocky Ford •. Kansas) October ~ AERIAL CENSUSTRENDS •. 1947 23. 1947 Geese 3,000 125 175 150 110 425 150 100 .375 .375 1,100 150 2 5 Totals 6,425 =r: San Luis Valley 00 tober 17, 1947 Duck, Gee@! To~als October. ~~ 44,.315 225 December 20. 1947 Ducks 36,000 1,700 8,500 5,.300 90 1,700 200 100 625 1,000 4,.300 7.3,400 23,000 2,200 3,400 _..,j9_ 10,599 1.3 .- 10,000 19.000 Q!ese •.- .300 1,900 2,200 400 .35 7,800 17,000 5.250 750 10.3,750 5,t>98 No,yember 15. 194'1 December 16. 1947 Duck, ~ ~ Geese 6,817 5,215 State 950 18,000 200 1,300 150 .3,000 650 12,000 4,200 -•. -... .-J.2Q November 23. 1947 ~ .9W! 102 3,800 7 swans 12A7 November. 19"7 Ducks 7 196,767 ~ 12,067 December. 1947 ~ Geese 297,075 6,171 �COL01tetRQ STATE PROJECT NO._38~-R~-;;;al _ JanuarY, 19M D.Ji.'l'E Vol. No. OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIG~TIONS _ REPORT As required by :n:DERAL AID n~WIlJ)LIFERESTatATION ACT 1. Title or Project: 2. leader: 3. Report or Progress: Deer, Elk, Bear Investigations Laurence E. Riordan WprkPlan No. I - mation lsU Title: and extent 9f Seasonal Ranges ••Deer and Elk To Locate and MapWinter Ranges Several reconnaissance trips have been made into the HermosaArea for the purpose of determining the upper limits of winter range for deer and elk. V:Ol'k on this job has not been completed. Observations will be continued throug~Ot"4:. the winter. Manydeer and a rew elk have left the upper Hermosacountry and are ran"ing, at the time of this writing (January 6), in the AnimasValley. According to local ranchers, the elk are downfrom summerrange muchearlie!' than usual. Winter range checks were made along the east side of the Uncompahgre Plateau during November, which was just prior to the post-deer season in this area. In the Roubideau Canyonand Dry Creek country, the bulk of the deer were at an elevation of about 8,000 feet, or about a mile above the forest light, and varied from a depth boundary. The snow fall had been'relatively of one foot to about three inches. The lower Pinon breaks along the east side of the Uncompahgrecontained small, scattered bunches (seldom larger than ten or twelve) which were just above the hay fields and were beginning to come downinto the fields in the evenings. The deer on the CowCreek side were downcloser to the road, but still at approximately the same elevation for the bulk of the deer. Deer had not moveddownon to the Hinter Mesa problen area as yet. Most of them, seemingly, were still back in Potters Basin and upper tionitor l:esa country. Postseason htmting during the month of December kept the deer at the extreme upper limits of the winter range. In the Rio Grande fl8nagementUnit the follo\ling areas \Verechecked to determine the extent of \'linter elk range: Pinos Creek, South Fork of the Rio Grande, upper Rio Grande, and Saguache Park. Elk were fotmd from an elevation of 8,600 feet to 9,500 feet. No large concentrations of elk were 'noted. �*' IS The S8ll1eareas wore.checked tor deer as for elk. Deer appeared to be scattered trom an elevation of 8,200 feet to 9,000 feet and were located slightly below the elk ,on open ridges. In the GtmnisonGameIJanagementUnit, elk on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison were downto an elevation of about a.ooo feet. Somedamageto haystacks on the Indian Creek branch of the Lake Fork was investigated during the latter part of November. A visit to the Soap Creek and Red Creek elk winter range revealed no fresh sign, indicating little use. In the Gunnison GameManagementUnit the follOV1ingareas were checked during Decemberfor deer: Soap Creek, Dillon Gulch, Red Creek, .iUJnont •.Jack's Cabin Triangle, WoodsGulch, Elmerf s Place, Hot Springs Creek (below Uaunital • Deer were widely scattered from an approximate elevation of 8,000 to 9,000 feet. Concentrations on key winter range were light. No report was madein the last quarterly report of work done on Job 1 (To locate and map summerranges) for the HermosaArea. The summerranges of deer and elk in the HermosaArea of the AnimasGameUanagementUnit have been determined and mapped. Deer were found to range over the entire Hermosa drainage area, but heaviest concentrations occurred above the confluence of Big Elk and HermosaCreeks. Largest concentrations of elk were found at t.he heads of Buck Creek and South Fork. A base map of the AnilnasGameManagementUnit is near completion. This mapwill showthe location and extent of all Forest Service, Private, State, and Bureau of Land Ivianagement land within the unit. A base map to the scale of one inch to the mile has been madeespeciaJly for the Hermosaare~. It shows the. location and extent of all F~rest Serv:~~r. Private, State, and Bureau of Land Manacementland within the Hermosaarea; A large.scale map of the Hermosaarea has been made showing the vegetative types, Overlays of deer-elk range, to the same scale, maybe usee. in conjunction with this map to showcorrelation of range and vegetative t~)b" In the Colorado, Eagle, and '·1hite River areas at the end of the y(!-8"::, the deer were ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 foot elevations_ The large~ majority remaining very high for this time of the year, especially in t:'Ja Roaring Fork Unit. The Piceance herd was divided into two definite gr-oup.s, one high and one 1.ow. The elk in the White and Colorado Units camedownon to their winter range before the 1st of November,causing numerousdamagecomplaints and considerable fencing to be done. In the upper Colorado Gamef,ianagementUn!t \1ith one or two minor exceptions, base maps and Overlays have been made shoning location and extent of winter range for both deer and .elk. These maps and overlays are one inch to the mile scale. The base map shows location and extent of all Forest Service, Private, State, and Bureau of Land A~agement land. �Work PlaJi Net 1 - Job 3 Title: To Locate and Determine the Amount of llligrations of Deer and Elk between Summer and ninter Ranges and the Factors Affecting. During October and November, observations were made to learn if there was any true migration of either deer or elk from their summer to uinter ranges within the Hermosa Area of the Animas Game Management Unit. No evidence ot any mass migration was found for either deer or elk. The shift of deer and elk from summer to winter ranGe is a gradual movement from higher to lower elevations by individual members ot the deer and elk population in response to changing food availabilit.1. Some old-timers have reported that in some years ~eer in large numbers travel from their summer range in the high country of the upper Florida River to winter in the table lands to the south. This migration reportedly follows down Missionary Ridge, the divide between the Animas and Florida Rivers. Following the first heavy snow ot the season, several horseback trips were made along ta.ssionary Ridge to check for mieration signs. There was at that time no evidence of any mass movement. In the Uncompahgre Game lianagement Unit, the bad weather along with the hunting pressure during October may have been the factors which slowed the movement of deer somewhat. Deer that cross from the upper slopes of the west side of the Uncompahgre to the east side were late crossing. This resulted in the Log Hill and adjacent areas having fewer deer than usual. The drainage into the Billy Creek and Cow Creek side was about normal. In the Rio Grande River drainage, the following areas were observed by aerial checks during the first two weeks in November: Cat Creek, Rock Creek, Meyers Creek, South Fork of the Rio Grande, Goose Creek above Humpheries, Lower Goose Creek, Unper Rio Grande, Pines Creek, Saguache Park (upper), Saguache Park (lower), Saguache Creek below Saguache Park, and Tracy Creek. Movement to lower elevations was still in progress during the latter part of November. Most of the elk were found on the leeward side ot the ridges. A partial segregation of mature bulls at an approximate elevation of 10,800 feet was noted in several areas. Deer were scattered during November; no true migration was observed. December checks showed few deer above 9,000 feet in elevation. The fndte River deer herd started its migration the first week of October and reached its peak around the 20th of October, The Eagle, Roaring Fork, Grand ff.esa,and Lower Colorado herds started their downward movement the 27th of October but moved partially back when the weather cleared. Because check station duties kept the technician from makirig observations during the migration period, no information on migrations between summer and winter ranges \7aS obtained for deer or elk herds in the Middle Park Game r.ianagementUnit. �.• 17 Work Plan No.2.. Job 1 Title: Popw.!!cj.smSurveY! -- Deer and ElJe Populaticm and Trend Counts A check of the aerial trends on elk was made during Decemberin the Rio Grande GameManagementUnit as follows: Pinos Creek - South Fork of the Rio Grande ---Goose Creek Drainage --------------------------Saguaohe Park------------.•--- •.------------•..• -- 259 Animals 486 " 516 II In the UncompahgreGamel.ianagementUnit, three separate bunches of elk were counted by plane, December3. Thirty-eight head were counted on Lou Creek. Twenty-five were cows, one of which was crippled, and thirteen were calves. No bulls were found. In awl Creek three calves and five oows but. no bulls were fOlmd. Elk counted on South Baldy on Dallis Creek included. two bulls, eighteen cows, and eight calves, making a total of twenty-eig~l.t animals. No aerial trend counts have been made in the Animas GameManagement Unit. Sometimeafter the first of the year aerial trend counts will be made in the HermosaArea. nork Plan No.2 - Job 2 TitIe: Sex-ratio Survey During October and Novembersex-ratio records were made of herds in the AnimasGame~ianagementUnit. But because the deer and elk were still high and widely dispersed, no quantity of data was obtained. Late heavy snows have brought the animals downinto the AnimasValley, Sex-ratio figures are being collected at this time. Interested ranchers and sportsmen have been contacted, given data forms, and enlisted in collecting sexratio data. Data will be collected until the middle of January or until it is felt that a reliable body of information has been obtained. In the UncompahgreGameManagementUnit sex-ratio counts were made during the first part of December. Aerial sex ratios made December3 in the Uncompahgrearea are as follows: CowCreek side --------fIinter Mesa and Dry Creek Side -- .•---- •.- Bucks Does I.t.ml! 154 128 72 73 172 Rlllo of Bucks to Doe! 1 : 2.14 153 A ground count made December31 on the CowCreek side included a total of S2 animals: 10 bucks, 22 does, and 20 fawns, giving a ratio of 1 buck to 2.20 does. An aerial count on KanJ'lahCreek on the second of Decemberincluded 71 bucks, 119 does, 114 fawns for a ratio of I buck to 1.67 does. The following tables summarize sex-ratio data collected elk herds in the Rio Grande River drainage area. on deer and �•.18 TABLE I POST-HUNTING SEASON AERIAL SEX-RATIOS 01' ELK (Rio Grande Drainage) RatiQs Bulls Cows Calves Number Animals BulJ. Qmm Calves (Cows 19 148 (and (Calves 1 8(Cows (and (Calves 6 42 (Cows (and (Calves J8 17 34 Total Animals LocAtion D§te Lower Goose Creek Nov. 4 Upper Rio Grande· Nov. 4 Pinos Creek Nov. 4 South Fork, Rio Grande Nov. 8 1 1.12 0.50 Goose Creek (above Humpheries) Nov.10 1 5.53 3.30 17 94 56 167 Saguache Park (proper) Nov.l0 1 3.63 2.43 44 160 107 311 Saguache Park (lower) Nov.10' 1 2.25 1.OS 51 115 55 221 Saguache Creek Nov.U 1 4.1S 1.18 17 71 20 108 Tracy Creek Nov.U 1 2.00 1.00 4 8 4 16 Meyer Creek Nov.12 1 3.50 1.50 4 14 6 24 No Name Lake Nov.13 1 0 0 1 Cat Creek-Rock Creek Nov.13 TOTALS -- 167 9 48 89 1 3,85 1.86 14 54 26 94 1 3.55 1.37 212 752 291 1255 Sex Ratio - Ratio of Bulls to Cows and Bulls to Calves �~ 19 TABlE2 POST .•SEhSON AERIAL DEER (Rio Grande - 1947) LocAtion Date Sex Ratio Fawns Bucks Does Ember &lim!l§ Bucks Does Fayms Tgtal South Fork, Rio Grande Nov. S 1 S.OO 5.67 ) 24 17 44 Upper Saguache Uov.1O 1 4.25 4.75 S )4 38 80 LowerSaguache Nov.10 1 6.28 3.92 14 88 55 157 Saguache Creek Nov.12 1 3.)3 2.00 ) 10 6 19 Cat and Rock Creek Nov.l) 1 2·41 1.52 17 4l 26 84 1 4.38 ).16 45 197 142 384 TOTAlS Deer were scattered over a large area and in small groups. The sex-ratio checks tor deer in the Gunnison area were made on foot. In the Sapinero deer herds 20 bucks, 49 does, and 35 fawns were counted. This would give a sex ratio of 1 buck to 2.45 does to 1.75 fawns for the small sample. In the Almontcouptry,deer were scattered from an elevation of 9,000 to 8,200 feet. A small sample of 4 bucks, 13 does, and 9 fawns were counted. This would indicate a selr ratio of 1 buck to 3.25 does, to 2.25 fawns. Further work is contemplated on sex-ratio studies during the first part of January, 1948 in this area. Sex-ratio figures, as yet incomplete. tor the Middle Park GameManagement Unit, give a ratio for elk of 1 bull to ) cows. The ratio for deer in the spme area has been found to be 1 buck to 2.65 does. These are preliminary figures based upon a relatively small sample and are considered to give an indication only. Special effort was expended with the objective of determining the sex ratio of deer in the "IlhiteRiver deer herd prior to the opening of the 1947 deer hunting season and again at the close of the hunting season. Teehniques Used: In making the pre-season survey, early morning and late evening flights weremadeover deer ranges along the divide between the Colorado and l1bite River drainages from Cathedral Bluffs eastward to State HighwayNo. 13 near Rio Blanco and in the upper White River Basin. Samples of approximately 300 animals were obtained from each area (lower and upper White River). Bucks, does and fawns were tallied separately, and the buck to doe to fawn ratio determined for the lower and upper herds. This procedure was applied first between September 24 and 27 with I\Jr. K. B. Milyard piloting and tallying bucks and with Mr. L. E. ' �- 20· - ~ ,.~.. '. ~iordan obaervin, aad tallyiftgdoes and fa~~. TAe whole survey was repeated between October 1 and October 3 w+th Mr. Glepn E. Rogers observing. The purpose for repeating this survey was twofold. :.;First,to obtain a larger sample ot the herd than was given by the number of aeer first counted and classified. Secondly, to test the accuracy of this metho~ of sex-ratio determination. 'i A post-season survey was cOlilductedon Nqvember 28 and 29, 1947 with J:ll'. W,lyard piloting and with lia:-. Riordan observ~g. A check flight was made again by Mr. i.iilyard and l!a:-. Rogers on January 3, 1948. Only the Little HillsPiceance Creek-Yellow Creek area was covered:in this survey as it was assumed that the deer would all be down upon the winter range at that season of the year. I F1nging§: A summary of the information obtained is presented in Tables Nos. 3, 4 and 5 attached. !nagsi, and RecOJ!1Dlenda~ions:A careful study of the data contained in Table 3 indicates that the results are consistent for the Lower White River and for the Upper White River excepting flight No. 5 in the first series of flights. A statistical analysis of the data obtained in both series of flights in the Upper \lhiteRiver discloses that the figures obtained on flight No. 5 represent an abnormal variation from the mean of the ratios of does and of fawns to one buck, and therefore should be disregarded. Table No. 5 summarizes the results of the pre-hunting season survey by areas, omitting the results of flight No.5. From Table 5, it can be seen that there appears to be a very definite difference in the sex-ratio of the Upper and Loner White River herds. This difference can probably be explained by the fact that the deer observed in the Lower White River area migrate to this summer range both from the White River and the Colorado River herds, and the Colorado River herd has been subject to the hunting of animals ot eithe%, sex for a number ot years. This undoubtedly accounts for the lower proportion of does to one buck in this area of the summer range. Table No.4 gives the reeults of the post-hunting season sex-ratio survey. This survey,based upon a total of 2,172 animals, indicated a post-hUnting season sex-rati~ of one buck to about 6f doe s to s-} fawns. From past experience with this herd it is believed that these figures represent too low a proportion of bucks for this herd. It is possible that weather conditions are partially responsible tor the low number of bucks observed because conditions were not the best for aerial sexing at the time the survey was made. However, until a repeat survey can be run, these figures must be accepted as the best available. Re£omm!Dd,tions: It is recommended that further sex-ratio studies be conducted on the White River deer herd d.JJringthe coming quarter to varifY or diBProve the post-hunting season figures before recommendations for next year '8 hunting seasons are made and the seasons set. �TABLE NO.3 RESULTS OF PRE-HUNTING SEASON AF1UAL SEX-RATIO SURVEY - 1947 Fawns Numbers of Animals Fawns Buqks Does 1.66 1.50 T r:IU 29 40 1.~6 1.45 1.43 1 1 1 3.81 2.)5 0.40 T 3.50 2.41 0.55 1.$6 i.5~ -n m ill W TOTALS FIRST SERIES FLIGHTS ll~ hrs. White River . 1 1.56 1.48 147 230 218 595 1 Oct. 6 2 Oct. 7 Sub-Totals 2t hrs. AM 2 hrs. AM T hr-s, Lower White Lower White Lower White 1 1 1.59 1.09 1.42 1.93 1.36 1.14 44 22 70 24 85 30 bO 94 m 199 76 m 3 Oct. 8 ) Oct. 9 Sub-Totals 2t hrs. AM 1 2.41 2.83 ~ 52 53 85 13B 63 91 T 2.86 3.23 3.08 22 T hrs. Upper White Upper Vfuite Upper White roo 138 212 350 SERES FLDHl'S 11 hrs. White River 1 1.97 2.33 118 232 275 625 GRAND TOTALS 2.2! hrs White River 1 1.74 1.86 265 462 493 1220 Time Date 24 Sept. 1 25 Sept. 2 Sub-Totals 25 Sept. 26 Sept. 4 27 Sept. 5 Sub-Totals 3 I ri N • Total IS Animals Ratios Bucks noes Flight Number ;t Location hrs. AM hrs. Lower White Lower White Lower White 2i hrs. PM 1 3/4 AM hrs. AM 2 hrs. Upper White Upper White Upper Vilii te Upper White ra-s. PM 1t 32' hr s , PM 1 1 1 1 TOTALS SECOND 42 57 99 119 157 09 48 60 lOB 16 17 45 56 41 25 61 40 18 133 98 88 )0 m �TABLE No.4 RESULTS OF POST-HUNTINGSEASON AERIAL SEX-RATIO SURVEY-1947 : , ; Flight Number Date Time Ratios Bucks Does Fawns Location 1 3/4 hrs.PM Little Hills 28 Nov. 3/4 hrs.AM Little Hills 29 Nov. 1 1/2 hrs.AM Piceance Cr. 29 Nov. 2 1 3/4 hrs.AM Yellow Creek 29 Nov. 2 :5 314 hrs , White River Sub-Totals 3 Jan.48 2 1/2 hrs.AM White River 3 1 2 GRAND TOTALS White River T o.mi 1 5.13 4.20 24 13 50 42 129 39 1 6.44 5.48 168 1 1 1 1 9.75 2.54 6.56 6.84 10.04 1.17 5•.36 $.16 5.88 241 23 Total Animals tm2 75ff 200 164 499 69 655 546 1769 403 1082 922 2172 234 33 328 281 277 217 TABLE NO.5 RESULTS OF 1947 PRE-HUNTING SEASON AERIAL SEX-RATIO SURVEY (Summarizedb,y areas~ i.e., Lower and Upper vlliite RIver areas) t , 8 1/4 hrs. Numbe~s of Animals Bucks Does Fawns ~ Flight Number Date 1 2 6 1 Sub-Total 3 4 8 9 Sub-Total Time Location LOwer White "" "II It" Upper White " II II " It " Ratios Bucks Does Fawns Numbers of Animals Bucks Does Fawns 1 1.66 1.45 29 48 1 1 1 1#50 1.59 1.09 1.43 1.93 1.36 T I:"SO I'38" 40 44 22 135 60 57 10 85 24.30 202 214 1 1 1 1 3.50 2.41 2.41 2.8.3 2.76 1 3.81 . 16 17 2.35 22 2.86 3.2.3 )0 3.07 ~ 56 41 53 85 2~ 42 61 40 63 97 201 Tota Animals 119 157 199 76 ~ 133 98 1.38 212 51U ID2 �. ' ••23 •• ,rob J: To Determine Kill Trends, Ace, Sex, Wei«ht, Crippling Loss, and Other Pertinent Data by Meane of Checking Station Surveys~ Preparations were made for big game hunting season the first of October. The locations for stations were picked and all arrangements made as to help, equipment, food and shelter for attendents, etc. Additional checking stations were established in new locations in two areas of the state. These were the Rio Grande-Saguache Park and the Grand Mesa National Forest areas. In the former of these two, particularly accurate information concerning the day-to-day kill of female elk was desired. This area had been opened to the hunting of animals of either sex against considerable opposition from local sportsmen who felt that there was great danger of over-killing cows and calves since this was the on1y,either-sex hunting area in the state this year. Before the season opened, it was agreed that when the animals checked by the stations in this area reached a ~iven number(approximate1y 75 percent of the desired total kill, in this case) steps would be taken to close the season as provided by the c.urrent state law on two days'notice. In accordance with this plan, the area was closed to hunting on October 23, three days before the original closing date, without undue confusion or difficulty, thus proving the effectiveness of this tool for regulating the harvest of game animals. Two stations were established to determine 4Ccurately the number of deer removed from the west end of the Grand l~sa National Forest where a serious Winter concentration of deer necessitated prompt remedial action. Based upon the kill in this area during the regular hunting season, as determined by these checking stations, a post-season was opened during the month of December, 1947 during which an additional two thousand head of deer were harvested.' Big game season opened October 11 in all areas. The date of closing varied from October 20 to October 31 in various areas. Thirteen checking stations were set up in the following locations, and these were operated the number of hours per day as shown. Location 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Junction of Highway 14 and U.S. 287 (Tedls~lace) Idaho Springs on U. S. Highways 6 and 40 ..Monarch Pass on U. S. Highway 50- •.- .•- .•.•....• Steamboat Springs, U.S. Highway 40 .•.••.•. Meeker, Junction Highways 13 and U.S. 132 .••• - - .••• Rifle, Junction Highways 13 and U.S. 6 - - •..• - Twenty-five Mesa at Roubideau River •.•. Hermosa Creek on Highway U.S. 550 •.- House Log Road on Cochetopa Pass Road •..• - - - - .••. Del Norte on U.S. Highway 160 ••Whi tewater on Highway 50 - •.- .••• Cameo on U.S. Highway 6 and 24 •.•.•• - - Dam Store U. S. Highway 34 ••- - •.•. .. •.- •.•.•. Hour s ot Operation 24 24 16 16 16 and 24 24 16 16 and 24 16 16 and 24 16 and 24 16 and 24 16 and 24 �-24The nature of~he cheek station work consisted of checking all hunters returning froo the field, cancelling licenses of successful hunters, and recording tor successful hunters the following information: License number, sex ot animal killed, location of kill, species killed, immature animals killed, number of points right and left, beam diameter of antlers, cost ot trip, number of animals wounded, dead animals seen, whether animal taken was previously wounded, and girth measurements Qf does in some cases. It is well to mention the adverse weather conditions in which hunters had to hunt during the first week of'the 1947 game season. In some of the western slope areas the storm reached such proportions that the number ot lost hunters increased to a point where many hunters refrained from hunting. NUMBERS OF GA1JiJ:: NflfMLS KILLEl) BY SPECIES Ted's Place Idaho Springs Monarch Pass 4. Steamboat 5. Ueeker 6. Rifle 7. Twenty-five Vie sa 8. Hermosa Creek 9. House Log Cr. Road 10. Del Norte 11. llhitewater 12. Cameo 1.3. Dam Store Totals 1. 2. 3. Nos Deer 1389 6562 2973 761 1501 .3966 5.39 214 435 706 1018 833 ..ill 21027 No. E~ 12 .315 102 56 261 71 0 1.31 271 .362 4292 ~ 1740 Nos ~ear 3 21 21 0 4 9 7 10 4 10 11 3 .:» 10.3 An innovation was tried at the Hermosa check station. In addition to making a written record of all kill locations, the site of each kill was marked by the hunter on a large scale map of the Hermosa Deer-Elk N~agement Unit. The map showed locations of all guide camps. It was attached conveniently to a bulletin board at the check station and proved helpful to incoming hunters by showing at a glance where most hunters might be encountered and where most of the game was being taken. TOTAL NUMBER OF BIG GAIvilL ANIVlAlS CHECKED DURING REGULAR BIG GN.iE SEASON Sex and Species Antlered Deer Antler1ess Deer Antlered Elk Ant1erless Elk Bear Number 15,574 5,454 1,.32.3 417 103 22,871 �.·25 •. The tollowine are the results of the Crippling Loss Survey conducted in connection with the big game checking stations during the 1947 big game htmting season. The method used was to ask each successful htmter the following questions, the answers to which were recorded by appropriate check marks in spaces provided on the recording form: 1, Did you wound any ~ima1(s) (deer or elk) other than the one you have here? How Many? If so, do you think the animal(s) was fatally wounded? 2. Had this animal been previously wounded by any other hunter? 3. Did you see any animals (specify deer or elk and No. of each) that had been killed and left lying in the field? An effort was made to avoid duplication by recording only once, abandoned animals reported by different members of the same party where it could be ascertained by questioning that they had seen the same animal. The answers obtained from successful hunters were summarized both by individual checking station and for the state as a whole in the following manner; All deer reported as h~ving been wounded in answer to question No. 1 above were lumped together, whether the hunter thought they were fatally wotmded or not, The elk were handled similarly. From the totals thus obtained, the number of each species of animal reported in answer to question No. 2 above (the number of previously wounded animals) was subtracted. The result of this subtraction was considered to be the number of wounded animals of each species that was unaccounted for. It was assumed that where this number was positive (at several of the individual stations there were no reported wounded animals unaccounted for) the chances were about equal of the wounded animals surviving or of its dying and being seen and reported by a hunter in answer to question No. 3 above. Therefore, the number of wounded animals of each species unaccounted tor was divided by two and the result added to the number of animals of that species reported to have been seen abandoned in the field in answer to question No.3. The percent of crippling loss given is the result of dividing this number by the number of successful hunters interviewed for either species respectively. The following example using the figures for all stations for deer illustrates the procedure just described: �- 26 • 609 1ees ..JQ1 302 _ total deer reported wouaded (Question 1) _ No. of crippled deer killed (Question 2) - nounded deer unaccounted for 302 divided by 2 equals 151 or 1/2 wounded deer unaccounted 2645 _ No. deer carcasses reported abandoned 2796 - plus ..ill ~ 20318 for. (Question 3) total crippling loss _ hunters interviewed equals 1.3~76%or in other words, for every 100 animals legally takeft, approximately 14 deer were killed and left in the field. Some factors that may tend toward inaccuracy in the results obtained are that the survey considered only the successful hunter; secondly, there is a possibility or even a likelihood that the same abandoned animal was reported more than once by difference hunters. However, this factor is compensated for to some extent by the fact that undoubtedly many dead animals were never reported. At the present time, it is felt that the totals given in Table 6 which summarizes the results of the survey are the best available for this state. As might be expected, figures given in Table 6 seem to indicate that in general, the percentage of crippling loss is higher in areas where antlered animals only are legal than ~n those areas where animals of either sex may be legally taken •. Based upon 20,318 successful deer hunters interviewed and upon 1,740 successful elk hunters interviewed, the survey showed that a number of deer equal to 3.00% and a number of elk equal to 1.55% of the number of each species legally bagged was reported to have been wounded and not bagged. Corresponding percentages for each species for animals bagged that had been previously wounded are for deer 1.51% of the number legally taken and for elk 0.34% of the legal bag. �- 27 .• TABLE 6 Ii SUl/illARY OFTHERESULTS OFA CRIPPLING OR\JOUNDING LOSSSlJRVEY Numberof Successful Hlmter§ Interviewe~ Type of Area * m - Checking Station ~ m Qw: Ted's Place DamStore Idaho Springs 1:tonarchPass House Log Cr. Del Norte HermosaCr. 25-Mesa Whitewater Cameo Rifle Steamboat Springs Meeker Totals 796 131 6194 3110 455 836' 221 528 1016 846 3984 667 12 25 315 102 271 362 131 0 4292 71 56 x.o. A.O. ~ 20318 .l2l Percent Wounding Loss,No. Carcasses/ Succe§sful Hunter Elk Deer A.O. A.O. Both A.O. A.O. A.O. E.S. E.S. E.S. E.S. E.S. A.O. E.S. A.O. E.S. A.O. E.S. A•.O. Both A.O. Both A.O. A.O. A.O. 1740 3.14 0.76 12.35 20.26 5.71 1.9.3 5.88 5.50 17.50 4.61 20.00 14.10 11t85 13.76 -- 12.50 20.90 39.20 4.43 0.,55 10.'70 4.76 14.15 33~3f') 16.1') ~Q2 11.7" * A.O. - Antlered only E.S. .•Either sex Both - Indicates that animals checked came from both types of areas. POST...sEASON CHECKING STATION SURVEY As a result of kill figures obtained by checking stations during the regular 1947 hunting season in the Grand Plssa and the Uncompahgreareas, a post-season deer hunt was authorized by the Colorado Gameand Fish Commission in an effort to increase the harvest of deer in these critical winter range areas. The season was set to run from December1 through December 31 unless a sufficient number of animals was killed prior to the latter date. In order to obtain accurate information regarding the success of the hunt, four stationary and four roving checking stations were orianized within these areas. With the exception of one individual, these stations were mannedentirely by re~ar departmental personnel, the Research and ManagementDivision (Federil Aid) personnel having been ably assisted by membersof the LawEnforceihent Division lmder the supervision of District Chief' WardenVictor Steele. �....• The oheckin« atationa were operated for the first ten days of the season, atter which it was apparent that only a traction of the desired total kill would be obtained. The stations were closed and spot checks were made through the remainder of the season. Table 7 which follows gives a summary of the first ten d~s of the season for the stationary stations. TABlE 7 TEN DAY SUMMARY OF POST SEASON DEER KILL Station Colona Twenty-five Delta Whitewater Total Percent \Jork Plan No.4 Title: Mile );~sa Fawns ~ ~ 123 15 ~ 266 52 112 .JJ.L 46 90 27 39 53 10 27 .saa, --1!L ...JQL 315 43.1 279 38.2 137 18.7 731 100.0 - Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Her~s Mortality Factors Three deer were killed on the Uncompahgre Unit by oar, two on U. S. Highway No. 550 and one on U. S. Highway No. 50. No other loss was found in this area. ... In the Hermosa area one blind buck deer was found during the middle of December. This deer was totally blind. Cause of blindness was not deter ... mined. In other areas, one elk is known to have been killed in the Wagon VVheel Gap Region of the Rio Grande River drainage, and two deer in the SF.pinero area on the Gunnison. These animals were killed by cars as were four 6891:' in the Glenwood Canyon of the Colorado River. The heaviest known 105s from this cause ocourred along the Rifle-Meeker highway during the autumr. m~.[!ration of the White River deer herd. A substantial though unknown number of C1P:blSls were killed. The total losa from all factors except hunting is negligible during the period covered by this report. COST OF lIDNTING TRIP SURVEY Along with other information obtained at checking stations, figures upon the cost of bagging a deer or an elk \~re secured by aaking each successful hunter checked, the following question: "How much money did it cost you �to make this hunting trip ineluding everythinc except the cost of the hunting license?" The reason for asking this question was to check the accuracy of figures obtained by a random interview survey conducted cooperatively under Federal Aid Project No. 36-R, with the Departmental Research Staff. A summary of the results of this survey is as follows: The average cost of a hunting trip for a resident big game hunter was shown to be ~45.78; the cost for a non-resident big game hunter was ~1l4.30. These figures were based upon interviews of the following numbers of succes~ful big game hunters: resident, 19,792 and non-resident, 2,645. These cost figures run somewhat below the costs obtained by the random survey mentioned above. The cost for resident hunters averaged approximately 30 percent below that obtained by the random survey, This fact is probably accounted tor by the tact that the hunters interviewed were not yet home trom the field and also by the tact that little time was available for the hunter to make an accurate estimate of the total cost of the trip to hill. It0WSE TOLERbNCE EXPERllvlENTS A controlled clipping experiment was begun in Mesa Verde National Park to determin6 how much of the yearly growth of Sagebrush, Serviceberry, and Bitterbrush lIay be browsed by deer over 8 period of years without serious injury to the plants. Plots of each plant species will be fenced from deer. On each plant species, plots will be clipped by hand so as to remove 20 percent, 40 percent, 60 percent, and 80 percent ot the total annual growth respectively. One plot will be left unclipped as a control in each series. There will be three replications for each species, making fifteen plots in all for each plant species. In November, one seri~s of each plant species was fenced. The rellainder of the series will be .fenced and clipped. This will be a continuing experiment to occupy several years. Work Plan No.3 - Forage and Range Utilization ~: Title: Little Hills Grazing Competition Enclosure Study No further work has been done upon the technical phases of the Little Hills Grazing Experiment during the last quarter. However, the contractor who has taken the fencing contract for the first series of experimental enclosures has a crew at work cutting posts and placing them on fence lines. At the present time, approximately 92 percent of the posts for 0.7 mile of sheep-tight fence are on line and approximately 13 percent of the posts for 5.2 miles of deer-tight fence are on line. �Before the ground became frozen, the contractor also dug the post holes for approximately 0.7 mile of fence which is about 12 percent of the total number of post holes required. The holes that have been dug are located along the meadows where it was possible to use a tractor mount~d posthole diiger, and therefore do not represent 12 percent of the total work involved in digging post holes. The field personnel work on which this report working in the areas indicated: is based was done by the following Laurence E. Riordan, Project Leader Glenn E. Rogers, Assistant Project Leader - Colorado Eagle River dr ainage area. Paul Gilbert, Assistant Project Leader - Lower Gunnison-Uncompahgre Rivers and adjacent areas. C. D. Tolman, Assistant Project Leader - Rio Grande-Upper Gunrdson River areas. L. V"I. Searle, Assistant Project Leader - North Park-Middle Park aree.s ~ Harold R. Shepherd, Assistant Project Leader - San Juan Basin. In addition to the work of the above-named Federal Aid personnel, invaluable assistance was rendered at the checking stations dUl'b.g hunting seasons and otherwise by the members of the Warden Service of the Colv~~~o Gameand Fish Department. Submitted by: Approved by: Name COLmADO GAlIi1~Aim FISH DEPilR1TENT Title Laurence E. Riordan Biologist Jf Ti tIe Notel '"):.' > . _./ •••• .,. • /' l /\ -'J.:.-.."....,,/_....'-~ ..'-- - .., By_____________ --=-C ~~.!_l~east. Fersons wishing to quote from this abatc-ac t shcul.d first permiSSion from the State Gameand Fh'b. DE' par t,!J1(' •.1"'~t Dir~2 t-.!:.! obtain _ _ �.,- - 31 STATE _.C.:;.:OLO~RAD:=.::;O _ PROJECT NOe_3a:S:,;:;-!:,R _ DATE Jaftuary. 1948 Vol. No. OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS _ REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader, 3. Report ot Progress. Bear Studies (Seasonal Summary) Paul F. Gilbert . Seasonal bear studies were resumed on April 1 of this year, The first report of bear spring activities was received when an old bear was seen in the lower Tabeguache county the last week in March by some sawmill .orkera. Bear sign became increasingly common as spring progressed. A local Fish and Wildlife trapper reported seeing a bear from a plane the first day of February. This was on the southeast end of the Uncompahgre at a time when there was very little snow in this area The bear when observed was working a1ong.an open south hillside as though looking for any available food. Several days later three teet of snow fell in this area so this bear probably returned··to his place of hibernation. Bear study areas were located last year. These areas were usually individual canyons where bear dens were found and bear appeared more active than in adjacent areas. These areas were visited at frequent intervals. Tracks were fewer aftd bear sign was less than during the same period last year. Three bear dens and two beds which were found last year were checked. Of these. three dens CheCked, two contained tracks and signs which would indicate that they had been used this past winter. On the third den, which was an old mine, no conclusions could be drawn due to the nature of the floor ot the mine and several small caveins. The first bear bed checked. which had been located by an old deer carcass, had not been used. The second. located half way up on a steep slope, under an overhanging clift and well hidden by choke cherry aftd oak, was in use when visited. A yearling bear was seen leaving the bed, Tracks in and around the bed indicated there had baen a full grown bear present also, probably the mother of the yearling. The tirst report received of bear killing sheep was about the middle of May. Stock killing reports b.Y bear were fewer up to the middle or latter part ot July than for last year. It seems that p08siblJ the wet spring had a bearinc �'" 32..·· on this fact. Additional moisture favored the growth of green vegetation tihich makes up the greater part of a bear's diet. Prior to the time any of the berries or mast were ripe enough to furnish bear food, the weather turned off ~ and much of the green feed began lirying up. About this time, which was the latter part of July, a great increase in bear complaints began coming in, especially from sheep men. Complaints on bear damage were investigated and reported on in previous quarterly proaress reports. Complaints showed a sharp decline about the first of September as more berries became available. The last known complaints were on November 2 and December 2. Vihen possible, interviews were held with sheep men and their herders where bear losses occurred. Poor management of the sheep during the critical time was the chief cause of frequent or heavy losses. Suggestions were made to correct the cause of such losses. One bear was found dead the early part of the season and it was first assumed to have died from naturel causes. Further investigation and laboratory reports showed this bear had been poisoned by strychnine honey. One male cub was caught and ear tagged with a metal tag reading Colorado Game and Fish Depar taent., No. n38. This tagging was done by Forest Service maintenance men on June 24, 1947. on Terrible Creek on the Uncompahgre National Forest. One female adult bear taken near the head of Kelso Creek by a Federal Trapper was in excellent condition. An autopsy was made andno parasites or diseased tissue could be found. Measurements were taken and tabulated in a previous quarterly progress report. The stomach contents of this bear consisted entirely of partly digested maggots and decayed flesh which she had eaten at the bear pen before getting into the trap. Dentition formu+as of bear skulls examined this season were tabulated in previous reports. Number of teeth varied from 37 to 40 with a full complement of 42. The bear showinb a total of 40 teeth was the largest and probably the oldest of all •. The shaded areas of the attached map show the heavier bear concentration areas throughout the state. The attached table gives a seasonal summary of bear skats analyzed. Submitted: Approved: Name Paul Gilbert COLORADO GaIlE AND FISH DEPARTr;~NT Title Wildlife Technician By' F'''~ .r t,./j)(, -I.-.t"-f,.,r· Title --f~~east. Director Date January 17. 1946 Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the State Game and Fish Department. �I i -~ --t ~11 i _._iI I O::' -.:.~: s~'-I obl#"'- I _ ---~] �SPECIES (Vegetative parts unless otherwise indicated) Thermopsis montana (Golden Pea) Amelanchier bakeri (Service berry ) Amelanchier bakeri (Serviceberry) Fruit Prunus me1anocarpa (Chokecherry) Fruit Pachystlma myrsinites (Myrtle Boxleaf) Populus tremuloides (Aspen) Pinus ponderosa (Yellow Pine) Picea engelmanii (Engelman Spruce) Quercus spp {Oakbzush) Quercus spp (Oakbrush) Fruit Latbyrus leucanthus Thalictrum spp, (MeadowRue) Equisetum spp, Leontodon spp. Arctostaphylos spp, (Manzanita) Fruit Comus instoloneus (Dogwood) Fruit Comus instoloneus (Dogwood) Berheris aquifoliu..'1l (Oregon grape) Cirs1um spp. (Thistle) Unidentifiable Plru1t Material Poa spp. (Blue grass) Bromus spp. (Brome grass) Carex spp. (Sedge) Juncus balticus (Baltic rush) Visc. grasses Dry deer hide and bones Ants Ant den trash Cow Maggots :Bumb1ebeets Hometts ~ird Foot Traces and Misc. FOODANALYSIS - BEARSKATS1941 (9 Skats) (2 Skats) July, Aug. and Sept. May and June Times Percent Times Percent Max. Avg. Max. Avg. Occurrin~ Occurrin~ 2 90 1 2 1 1 1 2 T T T 1 88 1 5 1 5 2 2 95 50 3 2 2 T T T 3 3 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 4 2 2 7 4 1 T 2 10 T 2 2 1 1 60 1 1 12 5 T 61 36 T 85 15 50 , ('f'\ ('f'\ • 2 1 45 16 6 85 3 50 40 T T 1 3 1 20 8 1 1 1 2 40 6 4 2 8 70 30 6 2 1 1 1 10 T 50 10 T 2 2 4 2 1 2 (1 Ske.t) Oct. and Nov. Percent Times Max. Avg. Occurring 2 3 T 2 25 27 15 2 �.• 34 STATE ,----~~~~~----------COLORADO .J.J•.9-;;:;R:.;;,-1=------ PROJECT __ DATE __ Vol. OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS ~J an~u=ar:..yl-::::2:.a. •.•• l:.9'-=i4a;.:;:8~-1:0. _ REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORj~TION ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader: Wild Turkey Investigations M. L. Burget ). Report of Progress: Job No.5 - Food Studies Objectives: To determine as far as possible and practicable the carrying capacity of certain wild turkey ranges of the state. Techniques: To date we do not have any adequate data on the feeding habits of Merriams liiildTurkey in the State of Colorado. Consequently, these studies are based on feeding habit observations rather than specific checks on stomach analysis or dropping analysis. A dropping study is being conducted beginning the 1st of September, 1947. These droppings are to be collected from feeding and roosting areas where no artificial feeding is being conducted. They will be gathered for a 12-month period. A specific differentiation will be made between winter and summer feeding. This study is to be conducted with the assistance of the Denver laboratory of the Fish and Hildlife Service. The present study was carried on during the months of April, May, June, July, and August, 1947. It is baaed on field observations coupled with data gathered over the years of work dating from 1941. Findings: Carrying Capacity - in relation to wild turkeys would be determined by the amount of food grovm and the availability of that food in relation to preference and use during the winter months. As to choice, Oak mast comes first. Frequent failures or semi-failures leave the value of this choice food a somewhat unknown quantity. For most of the turkey range of the state the following abundance was evident during the years 1941 - 1947: �.", ';5.- 1941 - Light mast crop 1942 - Light mast crop 1943 - Heavy mast production 1944 - Light mast crop (1945 _ Almost a complete failure (1946 1947 - ~mst production was heavy on the eastern slope and medium to light on the western slope. Due to these unstable crop conditions, the birds cannot become too dependent on oak mast as a sustaining food. Then, too, when mast production is heavy, competition for this staple food is also heavy. Bear and deer probably come first in line of compatition. Squirrels, ~ound varieties and the chicarees come next--then birds of all sorts, wild pigeons, doves, jays and even woodpeckers (Lewises have been observed working on them). ~lhether this last bird eats the nut or is seeking the worm that infests many of them could not easily be determined. Second choice is pine seed, Pinus ponderosa and Pinus edulis (pinion pine). The seeding cones are biennial but evidently many seeds remain dormant during the two-year period as birds scratch when no cones are present. Possibly they get green shoots and hibernating insects, as well as stray seeds in the needles. From there on the choice is somewhat mixed. Berry types of all sorts are taken freely when available. It is likely that these are taken for the seeds as well as the flesh of the fruit. In the craw of a dead turkey (cause of death unknown) 21 whole rose !UPS were found and parts of six more. Eleven tame oat kernels and a few blades of oat leaf completed the content of the craw. Skunk berry (Rhus trilobata) while not too high in pa.Lat abd.Ll t;,r or preference is generally a sustaining food in rough weather. The S!~U0 stands up well above the snow and the berries hang on well to late '~I=,dng of the following year. Turkeys have been observed feeding on them regularly in late winter and spring when other foods were difficult to obtain Q A very important winter item is elk sedge (Carex geyeri). This grass is found growing freely under pines and oak brush. It is evergreen in character and tha birds use it freely. They also spend much time along small spring branches where greens continue to grow throughout the winter months. In the early spring, succulents of all sorts are sought under the leaves and wherever they appear. Where it is available they spend much time picking alfalfa shoots. In a test feeding of alfalfa leaves in the late winter, the birds were observed scratching in the straw for choice leaves for hours at a time. Leaving for a brief rest they would return to work industriously. �- 36 In mid-summer and fall the food is mixed with maturing grain seeds and ~rass seeds. Hull type seeds receive a general preference. Oat grasses (Danthonia intermedia and similar); wheat grass (Agropyron spp.); and smooth brome (Bromus inermis) are first choices. Turkeys were observed stripping Brome heads. Although the grass was in full head the turkeys stripped the stalk clean at a single up-sweep of the head~ The mouth was over-full and several swallows were required to clear it, yet not a single seed was observed to fallout in the process. Recently sixteen turkeys were observed stripping blue gramma grass. They were feeding at time s wi thin thirty feet of the observer. Their ability and speed at the process is amazing. The rhytlw was seldom broken and then only to pick up a luckless hopper that came under the keen eyes of the birds. Food Conditions: Food conditions over the state this year are generally excellent. On the western slope, including the San Juan forest, the ~iontezuma forest and the west.ern section of the Uncompahgre forest the mast crop is light to medium. Pine cones are in feir abundance although this is the off year ot the pinus species and the crop is fairly light. Juniper is in fair seed. Juniperous scopulorum is the only one that would be of any general food significance. Evidently the seeds contain too much turpentine to be palatable to the birds as they seldom feed under these trees. f~at the mast types lack, the berry and seed crops have more than offset. There is a heavier crop of Service berry (Amalanchier spp); Squaw current (Ribes cereum); common wild gooseberry (Ribes saxosum); Choke cherry (Prunus melanocarpa); and Buffalo berry (Shepherdia argentea) than for many years. The common wild rose (Rosa sayi) is burdened with hips. Hawthorn (Crategus spp) is in heavy fruit. Ylhile the author has never observed the turkeys workinG on this last species, there seems little reason it should not be an excellent food item. Grasses and all types of weeds are in full seed. This season the elk sedge has been observed in seed; it is the first time in three years that it has reproduced itself. On the eastern slope of the state everything is in lush growth, Heavy winter snows, late rains and summer floods has made the woodlands abundant with new growth. Trees and flowers, grasses and weeds were in full bloom, and the seeds are so heavy most of them are drooping with the weight. Carrying Capacity: This would be a poor year on which to base carrying capacity estimates. Naturally, we must use a rule of thumb for the estimates. Since the winter range is more or less restricted and controlled by weather factors, it is difficult to arrive at a satisfactory figure. There is a change in the habitat factors from the early day ranges that may be a benefit rather than a hindrance. After the heavy logging operations of the 1890's and later,s heavy growth of oaks of various types has filled in much of the logged-over lands. In places the reseeding of pines has taken hold. Even the parks have filled in with various types of shrubs. Two main benefits resulting from this sort of activity are: first, the development of more food; and, second, the better cover type provides more protection for z.Ll, sorts of game. �- 37 '. After computing all the general data available, the following figures are arrived at: Western Slope: San Juan Forest -------------- 4,000 to 6,000 Montezuma Forest -----.-------- 3,500 to 4,500 West Uncompahgre -------------- 2,000 to 2,500 San Luis Valley* -------------- 1,500 to 2,000 Totals --------.•.• ---- 11,000 to 15,000 * This includes the Trinchera Grant area. Eastern Slope; LaVeta Area* -------------Stonewall, Fishers Peak** ----Purgatoire -------------Beulah District -------------Totals -------------- 2,000 to 3,000 3,500 to 4,000 1,000 to 2,000 1.20g to 2,000 8,000 to n, 000 * This district includes the north and east sections of the Spanish Peaks and the Gardner district. ** This area includes the south Spanish Peak area Tercio with all the tributary area around Trinidad. While these figures may be revised from time to time as more adequate data is gathered, they will at least present a goal. This, of course, should form the basis of management, the arrangement of hunting seasons and general enforcement plans. If enough emergency feed grounds are established to carry the seed stock through the worst seasons, Colorado need never again be l~v on wild turkey. Analysis: The management program for this work must be set up on a long-time basis. A careful watch of all development and any possible retrogression should be carefully kept. Perhaps a little more vigilant cnecking with emphasis on wild turkey poaching might help. Development over th9 past five years has been more rapid than anticipated. This is largely due to a fine spirit of cooperation on the part of the Warden Service and a widening circle of interested citizens. A little more general educational work and publicity would help the program. There are still many citizens who think and feel that our wild turkey flocks are made up pretty largely of strayed farm yard flocks. As long as that feeling prevails, poaching, to a large degree, will be tolerated on the part of some land owners. The establishment of more emergency feeding stations (with emphasis on the emergency angle) should be established as part of the development program. �- J8 - Data and Reports: These data were gathered from daily diaries, field notes, general monthly and quarterly reports, with personal field notes. Food studies are taken from preliminary survey of proposed planting area sheets. Copies of all these data are held at State Turkey Ranch except the daily diaries which are on file at the Denver office of the Department of Game and Fish. Submitted: Name ---1j. L, Burget Approved: COLORADO STATE GMIE AND FISH DEPARTMENT '. Title Wildlife Technician By i . -,:;,/ /: 17' .:....-..-.- . ./ ,." ....•...~ ~ '_' "_' . .••.• .-' ~ .<:-' .-' Title ----p, N. Feast, pirector Date Note: January 2. 19M Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permiSSion from the State Game and Fish Department. _ �••39 STATE _--:::C~OLQ~RAD:.=.:::O:.._ PROJECT NO~ ••...• 3"-=4r.;;.-.:.,D-•...•3i:..-. DATE January, 1948 Vol. No. OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS _ _ REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Wild Turkey Trapping and Transplanting 2. Leader I M. L. Burget 3. Report ot Progress: The population status of our birds has been extremely difficult to check this entire season, In the early season a good many nesting groups were located in the best areas. Since much of our turkey country is in the wide open spaces, and these spaces comprise many acres per bird, the checking problem is heightened materially. It is not difficult to find turkey sign, e.g., tracks, droppings, raked leaves, an occasional feather and the like. However, to actually see the birds, poses a real problem. Then, too, the food situation has been a major factor in the whereabouts of the flocks. Numbers of rangers and stockmen have declared they did not see the birds they did a year ago. This, of course, is due to the food situation. The birds break up in smaller flocks and range widely, Due to the smaller flocks the birds are more wary and have a tendency to fade out when approached When the trapping season opened officially at State Turkey Ranch there were only sixteen birds at the place. These would not justify trapping until the flock built up. In Dolores Canyon a flock of sixty-five were feeding near the Lone Dome trapping ground. A trap was set up here on the lOth of November and feeding started at once, Feed lanes were run in to the trap area from areas where the birds were known to cross. The roost is a.l so close to the trap site. The trap put in operation was of the slat type a~1 had been enlarged from 10 by 12 feet to 10 x 20 feet, After only a few Q.E.;rS it looked like a large catch could be made almost any time. The feed was being taken regularly and when regular observation started we discovered the birds were only coming in in small groups, and that these were feeding at different periods of the day, Often only one or two of these birds would feed in the trap. On the morning of Tuesday, November 25 a catch of 13 bir1s was made at this site, They were delivered to the Disappointment tran8pla~ting area and released at 2:30 p.m. It consisted of eleven hens and two young toms. �- 40 B,y this date turkeys were coming in at state Turkey Ranch in considerable numbers. A careful check of these flocks revealed that more than sixty percent of these birds were young toms. On November 29 a catch of eleven birds showed six toms and only five hens. One of the toms was released and ten birds were taken to the West Fork of Cottonwood Creek northeast of Salida. On December 12 a seoond catoh was made at State Turkey Ranch. This was also of ten birds, all hens. This reveals how the population shifts. This catch of birds was delivered to the Tallahassee Creek section north of Canon City in Fremont County. A third catch, also at State Turkey Ranch consisted of nine birds taken on December 16. There were three mature toms and 8ix,~ hens. These were added to the group in Tallahassee Creek completing the plant for that area this season. A game management meeting for the Federal Aid staff was held in Denver on the 18th of December, After our attendance at this meeting we concentrated on the Dolores Canyon trap. The irregularity in feeding' habits continued and after more than a week of concentrated work we abandoned the try for the present. It seemed that we could never get more than two birds in the trap at a time. These were all hens. We needed several large toms to oomplete the plant in Disappointment Valley~ Not a single tom could be induoed to the trap area. Studying this problem, it would seem that two main things developed to thwart our plans. First, there seems to be a considerable amount of disturbance in the canyon. This is of a studied type. We found tracks on several occasjons where someone has flushed the turkeys almost at once after they left the rOO€~Go Careful search of the area has not revea+ed any feathers or blood that would indicate a kill. The only conclusion we CQuld arrive at was that the disturbu~G~ always happens when we are out of the canyon. This would indicate that acmeonis watohing our movements and creating the disturbance when we leave the ares, We also discovered a deer poaching case about two miles from the trap area. 'r~le legs of the animal and entraUs were left about 25 feet from the road. The le.es had been sawed off_ No further evidence could be picked UP. The second contributing difficulty was feed. A large oat $tubble lies south of the road; and these birds are working under the junipers heavily this year. The birds we caught were larger and fatter for their age class than any we have trapped to date. Evidently there is some food the birds are getting on the rims that is good and abundant. The Chicken Creek trapping area has not had more than thirty birds at any time we have checked this year. This would not justifY trapping activity. The last part of December we spent in getting ready to trap on the eastern slope the opening part of the year. The number of birds available at State Turkey Ranch at present is too small to justify trapping so this will not be disturbed until the numbers pick up. Submitted: Approved: Name _--...1M.w •••••• LI.I.._Bur~~gw.eUlt:..._ Title __ ~W~i~l~d~li~f~e~T~e~ch~n~i~c~i=an~' _ Title __ ~C~.~N~,_F~e~a~s~t~,_D~i~r~e~c~t~o~r _ Date J:..;:a::;:n:.:;:ua::;l'Y=---=l::,o:5:..a.._l: _ �-41STATE C~o:=l;.;:.or:.:a=:d&:o~ _ mO~CTNO. ~Q~~~ DATE J@AWY. 1948 OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As required ~_ REPORT by FEDERAL AID IN HILDLIFERESTORATION ACT 1, Title of Project: 2. Leader: J. Report of Progress: I. Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Survey George W. Jones; Survey of Transplant Assistant Hubert H. Evans Sites Glenwgod Cwyon During the first part of July a survey was made of the ranGe in the Glenwood Sprines are~ to determine the possibilities of making a sheep tromsplant. The area between No NameCreek and Grizzly Creek was examined carefully and it was decided that this site was quite comparable to other areas whereon there is at present healthy herds of bighorn she9p. The range in this area V18S in good condition, and since the Forest Serv:'4;E" has moved domestic sheep from the high country between the two drainage [ " the area is quite suitable for bighorn sheep. The area is also elk and deer winter range, but due to the rocky terrain, it is quite evident tha'~ there will be plenty of feed for bighorns. Boulder Canyon A short survey was made in Boulder Canyon during the middle of July. The rough country southwest of the tovm of Boulder was determined to be a fairly good planting site. Range was in good condition and not too heavily used by other animals. History shows that this territory supported a great number of bighornsin past years. Rifle Creek Canyon The range in the vicinity of Rifle Creek and on the Hogback north of Rifle was surveyed. Eight ewes and three lambs were located and they appeared to be in fine condition. Only eight sheep were located in this area a week ago. It would be advisable to make an additional plant in this area in the attempt to establish a worth-while breeding herd. �- 42 Table lIovnta1p - Arkansas ltiver After repairing the fence around the traps on the Tarryall winter sheep range, a survey was made on Table Mountain. Six ewes and no lambs were fO'W'ld. The ewes appeared to be in good condition and feed conditions were also good. This area should support manymore sheep and should be considered as a good transplant site. Wolf Creek The range on Uolf Creek, northwest of Pagosa Springs, was surveyed in the attempt to locate a suitable planting site. This area has 15 head of sheep. Not too manybighorns could be supported in this area since the winter range is 11mited due to the heavy snowfall. II. Sex Ratio Survey of Tarryall Herd From the 20th of July to the 6th of August a survey was made on the Tarryall range locating sheep herds. The following sheep were located, July 22 - 4 ewes, 1 lamb at the head of Sand Creek. July 22 - 11 ewes, on Bison point. July 22 - 27 rams in McCurdyPark. July 23 - 30 rams on WlCCurdy Mountain, July 24 - 2 ewes and 2 lambs on Red Rock Point. August 4 - l4 rama, 8 ewes, and 3 lambs on Bison Mountain Fromexamination of the sex ratio, as shownby this survey, a very poor ratio of lambs is evident. However,this is not a true picture. In the high country where the sheep are found during the summer,the rams arc generally above timberline in the open parks, and the ewes and lambs are found further downon the points where they had better protection from predators. Consequently, it is very difficult to determine the percenta~r. of lambs in any particular herd during the summer. III. Survey of Transplant Areas .Q.e!!2ya Creek Canyon A three-day survey was made on GenevaCreek, northwest of Grant. Twenty-one sheep were found consisting of eight lambs and thirteen adults. They were located at timberline, and it was concluded that they were part of the herd that had been planted there three years previously, making a.i increase of five sheep over the original transplant. �.e 43..- The sheep appeared to be in fine condition and the range was found to be in good condition also. A block of white salt which hed been placed in this sheep area earlier in the season was examined, and it was found that the sheep had been constantly using it since it was placed where deer and elk could not get to it. During the middle of August an inspection trip was made near Big Creek Lake in North Park] In this area the herd is an original stocking and not transplantedJ .Seventeen sheep were found consisting of four rams ten ewes, and three lantbs. The rams and lambs appeared to be in good shape although the ewes were quite shabbY which was possibly due to a late summer in that area. Kenosha Mountains From the 18th to the 30th of August, a survey was made of Kenosha Mountains. Sixty bighorns were located mostly with the aid of field glasses. As closely as could be detected, it was determined that there were fourteen lambs. However, this is not all of theKenosha herd. Due to bad weather the survey had to be discontinued after replacing a block of salt that had been cleaned up during the past year. It was found by placing salt on the rocky points, that it tends to keep sheep from the old stock licks where they have a tendency to eat excessive amounts of dirt. On this trip twenty-two coyotes were counted in the general bighorn area. L~ttle Box Canyon - Tarryall Range A survey was made in the Little Box Canyon during the first three days of September. Eighteen sheep were located there which included five lambs. (First Half of October is Included in thts Report) The first half of October was spent on a survey in the Gore Range area. A pack trip was made in to Booth Creek where fifty head of sheep were located. This area is quite rought and rocky and snow storms mad€ it impossible to locate many of the small herds. However, this is an irolated area and will support many more sheep since range conditions ara good. Block salt was placed at Pitkin Lake and on Gore Creek. The use of this salt will be studied on a survey into the area next year, Submitteds Approved: Name Geo. Vi. Jones COLCRADOJC~E, Title Wildlife Technician By ZAMf' Jlli1) FISH DEPARTI\l8NL ./\Jl~«;f-- Title __ ~C~,~N~.~~~e~a~s~t~,~D~i=r_e~c_t~or~ _ Daw ~Fe~b~r~wa~y~2~,~1~9~4S~ _ �-44STATE __ ~C~o~l~or~a~d~o~ _ ffiO~CT NO. __ ~3;2_-D~ _ DATE OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS JanuarY. 1948 REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN HILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. leader: Rocky Alountain Bighorn Sheep Restoration George \"1. Jones; Assistant, Hubert H. Evans 3. Report of Progresss During the last half of October all work consisted of rebuilding the traps in the Tarryall area and getting ready for trapping operations. On October 13 the first sheep were noticed coming down on Sugar Loaf Mountain and twelve herd were observed. T~ts was much later than last year when they were down on the 22nd of September. One ram was killed during the hunting season in the Tarryall area on October 16. On the 1st of November, baiting of the traps with feed was begun and constant observations were made of the sheep movements. On the 4th of November a gate was dropped on twenty-one head of sheep at 3:30 p.m.. Sheep were kept in the trap over night until 8 a.m. on the morning of November 5. Sheep were inspected three times during tr~ night and they were very calm. Actual loading of the sheep took about five minutes. Five e~es were taken from the loaded truck and were reloaded to a second truck and were tagged. These five ewes were taken to Geneva Creek and released into the area where a previous transplant had been made. The truck loaded with sixteen sheep left the trap at 9 p.m. for Jorqan, Montana. A total distance of 918 miles was covered in 27 hours. The sheep were watered on the morning of the 6th with the use of a water container in the true}:. During the 27 hours in transit they consumed about one bale of alfalfa hay. Ylhen the destination was reached, the gate \"ias opened on the truck and the sheep left the truck and ran for about a quarter of a mile. None of the~e sheep was touched by hand. It was at first decided on this long trip to keep the truck moving by having four drivers to relieve each other, letting two stop to eat while the others kept the truck in motion. It was found, however, that the sheep became a little restless from riding so they were allowed to rest while the drivers ate. This proved to be more satisfactory as they would also eat a little hay �.' 45 ..1.. while resting. By noon on November 6 they were noticed to be a little more restless since two rams started to butt' the side boards of the truck. The The sheep were unloaded at Fort Peck Game Refuge, 40 miles north of Jordan, Montana. After returning to Tarryall the remainder of November was used in preparing the trap, putting in fresh alfalfa and salt and in general observation of the sheep movements. A trip was made on the 27th of November to Glenwood Springs to look over the snow conditions on the proposed Glenwood Canyon transplant site. On the 4th of December seventeen head of sheep were trapped consisting of rams, four lambs and nine ewes. The trap was sprung at 4:10 p.m. and the sheep were again left in the trap overnight. The reason for leaving the sheep in overnight was to allow time for additional help to arrive at the trap site for the loading opar atdon , Sheep were loaded at C:30 a.m. on December 5.About five minutes of actual loading time was taken. Sheep Vlelll taken to Glenwood Canyon, a distance of 160 miles in hours. The releasing was accomplished at I p.m. Since there we~e four large rams and four small lambs in this bunch, it uas decided not to ea:,:" tag. After opening the gate on the truck the sheep started grazing within 100 feet. 4t From observations made on previous releases, it has been concluded that when the animals are ear tagged they are much more excited and run much f~~t~er and in a more excited marmer after leaving the truck. These sheep were a.l.:in fine shape and not a scratch of any kind was made on their bodies. The p18n~ was made seven miles east of Glenwood Springs between No Name and Grizzly Gr~pk on the Colorado River. During the last part of December, baiting of the tra9~ and observation of the movements of the sheep were continued. Submitted: Name Geo, n. Jones Title Wildlife Technician Note: Approved: Title Cs N. Feast. Director Date February 2. 1948 Persons \"Jisbingto quote from this abstract should first permission from the State Game and Fish Department. obtain �-46STATE _--=.C~OLO=:.:RAD=:::O~ _ PROJECT NO. _3""5;..,-D-::;,...:1:.._ DATE January, 1948 Vol. OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS No, _ REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: 2, Leader: 3, Report of Progress: Antelope Restoration Robert R. Elliott After completing construction of the trap,which took all of the month of November, the first attempt at live-trapping antelope was made December 10 in Larimer County north of Fort Collins on the Warren Livestock Company's range. Eighteen animals were run into the main cord-net pen after one hour and thirtyfive minutes of difficult flying by the pilot, Kenneth Milyard. When the herd was well within the wings of the trap, two trucks bearing the canvas crew and the fence crew, respectively, sped from behind a nearby hill to follow up the antelope and force them past the large double gates of the pen. Four antelor9 got behind the outstretched canvas and ~scaped. Four more gained their free-· dom through the squeeze-pen gate, which was shut, but not wired tightly. The remaining ten animals were hazed into the squeeze-pen, caught and loaded on a truck. Since there were only a few, it was decided that the antelope should be taken to a closer area then the southern Otero County site. They were released on the range land about nine miles south of Woodrow; one buck, four does, and four fawns. One doe died enroute, and it was brought back to the Veterinary Clinic at Colorado A. & M. College for autopsy. A copy of the report of post mortem examination is attached. On December 12, a group of 26 antelope was trapped in 45 minutes flying time. These were left in the trap for about two hours before loading on the truck, The rest quieted them down somewhat. In the afternoon another herd of 45 was run in during 45 minutes of flying. Four antelope were injured seriously at the trap, and died. Two had broken necks, one a broken leg, and the other abrasions and bruises all sustained from hitting the fence in effort to escape. Twenty animals were loaded, and the re~ainder left in the trap overnight to be loaded the following morning. Both truckloads were driven nonstop to the southern Otero County transplant area. Forty were released in good condition, however, three in each truck had died en route - 10 bucks, 15 does, 15 fawns comprised the group. �- 47 - The antelope left in the trap overnight were in cood shape the following morning except for one cripple whIch was released and one dead fawn. Nineteen were loaded and transported to the otero site. All were released (5 bucks, 8 does, 6 fawns), and appeared to be without injury. This release made a total of 59 antelope translocated to the otero County site. The weather was favorable and 30 antelope were trapped December 15, requiring 35 minutes of flying. This group was left in the trap for the remainder of the day, and overnight, because from the experience and success of the previous bunch, it was thought that the animals could stand handling, loading, and transporting better if they were not hot and excited from being chased. The following morning found the antelope uninjured except for one fawn, which had a broken 'leg. As the crippled fawn was being carried out, the large double gates became loose, and before they could be secured again, twenty-six of the bunch had escaped. Of the remaining ten, nine were loaded and taken to the Tamarack Ranch south of Crook. One groggy doe was turned loose at the trap. She ran off after regaining her equilibrium. Another run was made in the afternoon, capturing 11 in 35 minutes flYing time. Eight were loaded and transported to Tamarack also. One in each truck died en route, reducing the total released in this area to fifteen; one buck, ten does, four fawns. Trapping operations were suspended until December 29, at which time 54 were trapped in 40 minutes flying time. Two antelope escaped in the lane, one through the fence and one hurdled the canvas bearers. Two more were injure~ in the trap and had to be killed. Forty-one were loaded and taken to the Tamarack Ranch. The other nine were turned out of the trap because only two trucks were available. Only one animal died en route, which brought the to't;e.l number of antelope released on Tamarack Ranch up to 55, a ratio of 8 bucks, 22 does, and 25 fawns. To date, totals are as follow8: Number trapped - - - - - - - - - - 184 Number released at trap site - - 39 Number killed at trap site - - - 12 Number loaded - - - - - - - - - - 133 Number dying en route- - - - - - 10 Number released- - - - - - - - - - 123 Percent Loss - - - - - - - - - - 11.8% southern Otero County Site - - - Tamarack Ranch - - - - - - - - - South of Woodrow - - - - - - - - Total - - - - - - - - - - - - 59 55 9 123 released It " �Personnel assisting: Jerome D. Buckner, Field Assistant Kenneth Milyard, Pilot Biologist Jack Arnold, Truck Driver Robert Lehti, Fish Technician Jack Mutz, Game Warden (and several other employees from the Denver office) Submitted: Approved: Name Robert R. Elliott COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Title Wildlife Technician ( \ J !I t -:/ .._- "t--.jI.-~'- V- - By----------------------------- Note: Title C. Nt Feast, Director Date' January 15. 1948 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the State Game and Fish Department. �••49 - COLORADO STATE COLLEGE - VETERINARY MEDICINE Pathological Record No. P646) Species Antelope Breed Age 4-5 Yr. Sex 12-11-47 Height: inches Weight: 1bs. Hrs. since death B.Y FB Owner state Fish & Game Dept., R.R. Elliot, 1115 W. Magnolia, City,Hospita1 #7-4056 Clinical History and diagnosis: Doe was put into truck and taken a distance. All other animals were able to run when turned loose. Limbs were massaged; Could not stand. Died immediately. Nasal discharge. Skin & external Mouth Nasal Cavity Trachea Esophagus Pharynx Larynx Tracheitis, extensive hemorrhage Laryngitis, extensive hemorrhage Thyroid gms. Thymus Heart gms. Pericardium Lungs x x cm, x x cm. Very congested, hemorrhagic Pleura Thoracic lymph nodes Peritoneum & cavity Liver gms. x x em. Gall bladder Spleen gms. x x cm. x x cm. X x em, Local areas of necrosis Stomachs Intestines, small Intestines, large L. Kidney R. Kidney gms. gms. Adrena1s Pancreas Lymph nodes Bladder Eccymotic hemorrhage Ureters L. Ovary - Testis R. Ovary - Testis uterus - prostaie Cervix Bones & joints Brain Hyperemia and petechiation Pulmonary congestion Postmortem Diagnosis: � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/6e32892f52782633fab08bfe67ebdcbf.pdf 2f463778c06d1a9d109c2d17ec75ed59 PDF Text Text 59 111~111' lij'lj'~'llil~ir';lli~,;m~~il iilll~'I;'1 ..~~()W021241 STATE COLORADO PROJECT NO._..:.37o&,.;-,.:.:R:.;;.:-l:.- . DATE April', OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS _ 1968 REPORT As requir~~ by FEDEIlkLAID IN ilILDLIFERESTORATION ACT Objective: migration To determine population dates. trends, migration routes, and Techniques: The Gameand Fish Department's airplane was employed to make monthly counts of the trend area which includes the Platte, Arkansas and San Luis Valleys. Observations were made by both Lir. K. B. Uilyard, State Pilot, and Ivir. Kinghorn. Counts were made from an average altitude of 300 feet and the grid method of census was used. A K-20 aerial camera, borrowed .from the U. S. Fish and Uildlife Research Laboratory was used to photograph some of the larger concentrations of birds as a means of substantiating the grid estimates. Ground. counts were also made as a further cross-check. Personnel: R. G. Kinghorn, Teclmician; K. B. Llilyard, Pilot; All wardens in the Colorado Gameand Fish Department. Findings: The trend area used for the aerial counts' is listed below. ; Populations of ducks and geese found on each river and reservoir are recorded for the five months the survey waS made. Ground checks by wardens and teclmicians failed to disclose any discrepancies in these figures. The attached graphs show the duck and goose population trends by the month for the Platte and Arkansas Valleys and the State as a whole. The January population figures shown are for the trend area only and not the complete State figures used in the mid-winter inventory report to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. �MIGRATO!Y BIRD AERIAL CENSUS TRENDS - 1947-~8 PUCE Arkansas Oct.23,1947 Ducks Geese Nov.23,1947 Ducks Gee 'le Dec.20,1947 Jan. 11,1948 Mar.19,1948 Ducks Geese Ducks Geese Ducks Geese Meredith Henry Holbrook Cheraw Horse Creek Adobe Creek Caddoa Thurston Nee Skaw. Nee Noshe Nee Grande Nee Sopah Sweetwater Upper Queen Lower Queen Two Buttes Arkansas River (Rocky Ford to Kansas) TOTALS 3,000 125 175 150 110 425 150 100 375 375 1,100 150 18,000 950 200 225 1,300 150 3,000 300 650 1,900 12,000 2,200 4,200 36,000 1,700 1317,000 2,200 210 85 400 10,000 1,200 250 400 7,700 1,000 75 200 780 200 1,530 225 San Luis STATE TOTAlS 2 5 8,500 5,300 4,370 300 350 100 230 625 5,600 7,800 1,100 430 1,000 4,.300 17,000 5,250 6,835 3,418 2,200 19,000 750 9 190 6,425 23,000 2,200 7 90 3,400 1,700 200 35 73,40010,599 103,750 5,69850,5.35 4,798 615 90 400 350 75 218 500 22 150 75 200 2,500 910 3,685 4,975 Oct.17,1947 Ducks Geese Nov.15,1947 Ducks Geese Dec.16,1947 Jan. 8,1948 Mar .16,1948 Ducks Gee se Ducks Gee se Ducks Geese 5,215 102 6,817 7 swans 3,800 . Oct. 1947 Ducks Geese 7 44,315 2,500 2,500 Mar. 1948 Jan. 1948 Nov. 1947 Dec. 1947 Ducks Geese Ducks Geese Ducks Geese Ducks Geese 196,767 12,.067297,825 6,171 161,8804,S'7512,220 5,121 �MIGRATORY BIRD AERIJ..L CENSUS TRENDS - 1947-48 FLACE Platte Barr Lake Horse Creek Valmont Baller Gaynors Ish Burches Highland Lone Tree Loveland Boyd Fossil Creek Timnath Windsor Res. Windsor Lake Lindenmeier Terry Curtis Rocky Ridge No. 6 Cobb Eaton Latham Milton Riverside Empire Jackson ", Prewitt No. Sterling Jumbo Platte River (Greeley to 'Nebraska) TOTALS Oct. 21,1947 Ducks Geese Nove16,1947 Ducks G(:£.§@. 1,800 1,300 SOO 700 650 150 400 250 600 100 1,500 1,200 800 9,000 100 100 100 500 125 10,000 128 11,000 120 2,200 4,800 2,300 300 400 1,000 1,600 13 500 6,700 1,.300 3,000 8,500 2,500 500 300 750 350 1,650 23 2,500 2,200 4,000 44 3,500 270 1,000 153 200 35 300 1,,00 5,000 180 700 1,000 36,500 800 .350 250 200 700 650 500 150 500 1,400 7,000 -- 32,675 Dsc ,,17,194.7 Jan. 8, 1948 Ducks Geese !?~~s Ge~ 12,200 21,000 6,000 20,000 3,500 1,400 1,500 225 17,400 150 3,000 12,000 250 13 2,500 12,300 11,000 1,500 6,000 Mar. 16, 1948 Ducks Gee.§L 500 2 75 500 1,000 275 7,000 900 2,750 5,100 .350 1,900 250 .300 100 125 200 250 -1,600 1,200 8,500 6,000 135 700 9,000 40 16,000 1,000 42,000 3,400 35 116,550 1,366 190,275 473 1,100 2,400 1,500 1,700 200 100 2,600 2,000 12,500 300 100 175 -- 9,500 24,670 108,845 177 3,835 146 6,035 146 �II· _-'" -iln-- I ,, , ! • If.:- •• ,! , ! lI!iiii I I ,:il I ll; ,. ,I , ii! ' I : iii; ,: 'II , I, i I., ; ,Id I iii ! I I , I, ,I II I I ,Ii , III " iiI. Iii ,II II Ii ',I, 1tttTtf+!'aiii*Ii~**l**tt+T~H+H+f!il++++ffil+Ht+t8i-lll+J!jiH!*i1if++1-!IlAA!IlAA,**IW!++++l+H+J++++j**li1+IH+l H+++H~I'I+t+:tl,~H++ltftm+l+*ttHit+++H~i1+IH+it:+rH' c:++1'''+1: i ++t+t+11lt1 , I " , II ' II I: i Ii ! +H+lIf!flH*W~~J_'f!4fI!il Ii£E 1 I l~flJliII ! IltJIIII:,I II :, illl ,I, ,I~ , !I : ill Ii ::,i: " t' r:,T";! !II " , iii: :' ~:i ;',: ~- 'Ii ';: ,II II!! :' i, :I :i' I !' I II II II I II ':i: !I I ,il II ! ,::! : i! I;: :I ! .I: I: !!",:!II :! lillili I ,:'I :I II', 'I', i 1111 : ,!I: '! :1; .: :1: i : 1i:1 ,:I ":11' ::!:t ,I i i: Iiii ,I I!';I' : :II d! I '! 1:1 i:l'i 11:1;': :, il Ii, d ,!' I !: I ! i I! I: i, II :::Ii !W,I-;"H fBfi-llHhlf'iil-'7'i+RlfiHttfllfl rnf.tmlrs', !fSr.'*I1 i+ifi8-rit';m! i !'*"'t'+:-i i', i' II: :! i' Ii, , I II' iii ; , i'!, "I' ,'i i' 'iii' I.' ,I!: I!!.: II I. II II , : :! I ,Ii ii, I' 01' i, ! 1" !m;! I!' , illl Ii: :1'; ,i!: I,; ::, ,1::[,!ill oil o· , ,I', "iI I u: ,I: ! ~" • r. I :'! :"1IlUUW,mollJ~'~, :, I. 1C1 i ,'.'..+~ I,,:ljl,i :', i,I·1""'" ;, t" , ,I !dl, : . . ;,101 1:1: :1: 1 ' 'i:' ,,' Iii ,*,' '!I 'I~:' I' Ii' ,,' i '~r II!, '::1,'!, 'I!:1 til',,; liii "" 1:1, r'~:~ _I~ ~'j!i! 1:'!iI 1'[' i',.1 "I~' ' 1\"., 1'\:' :;, ~ ",I ,:: I '";li I'I.,, I', !Ii iii !!S ;:' iii !: ':'; " ", '. '.1, ',' i::,i;" ~::t': .~.~:, ,j.i liii ,N !ii' ,\ !L, ii l,i ,: i ifTi c++;1n*'1IIP.'IJi IU"",ii+,-i;.wi,,*,,'ii!I1;t' ffi +.+*1:, 'iirt+;;'iiH i"", ,:' i.f;;-' t,ii+:;+;t;i lie li* ,P:+'1 ii !c;.;-;' +~C7l!!' ~', '~!f ;.;eli: H,,"N r~"",': '+Ti "8i:,T;"; f;fii,'ltf Iit:'~!ir.+l!!: H1fH-l1 ~1,,**)1ii~' I' ii ii ' II , ��Analysis and Recommendations: Analysis of the five monthly duck counts shows a stea~ rise in population from October to December and a steady decline from January to March. The goose populations showed an increase from October to December and a reduction in January to the winter population level lvhich was maintained throughout the remainder of the season. December nas the month of peak populations in both cases. This information is being combined with other data collected during the past fall and winter and will be submitted to the U. S~ F~sh and rlildlife Service in the form of season and regulation recommendations for the coming waterfowl seasons. Work Plan No, 4 - Job 4 ~: Trapping and Banding Ducks Object: To trap and band ducks from the main State flyways for migration studies. Techniques: Trapping consists in baiting the ducks into wire traps from where they are banded and liberated. Personnel: Technicians R. G. Kinghorn, H. A. Stiehm, W. L. Flinn, Trapping Specialist G. I. Crawford, Wardens \1. B. Wells, and Lloyd Triplet. Findings: Trapping o~rations were started January 15 with traps constructed at Prewitt Reservoir, near Merino, Colorado and on the Platte River near Sedgwick, Colorado. Sub-zero weather the latter part of January froze all the open water around Prewitt and the traps there were removed. During the remainder of the season, the traps on the river were operated regularly and an additional trap was constructed on Jumbo Reservoir, near Crook, Colorado" VVeather conditions were not favorable and the Jumbo trap did not produce any significant number of birds. High water periodically flooded out the river traps, but they were operated until March 12 when the main spring migration was over. It was noted that the ducks arriving in the spring migration were in very poor condition and in advance stages of a moult. The weather during the first part of f.IarchVIas very severe and some losses nere observed. The following ducks were banded in the northeast sector of the State during January, February and March, Ballard Dr ake s Mallard Hens Pintail Drake s Pintail Hens G. U. Teal Drakes G. W. Teal Hens Total -2- 3,401 1,727 130 77 13 5 5,353 �V,.O,._M' p .......•, ...",',..' 1_-<;" ~ '",,; . . ''--....--j Average day's catch in multiple South Platte River entrance trap. ----.--.-.---~----- - ....---.-.-.---- •. Small water trap in Frewi tt drain ditch. �g~ ", Multiple entrance duck trap on S. Platte River. Catches up to 800 ducks per day were made in this trap. Details of a multiple entrance duck trap. Feed lane on shore. Holding pen in the water. ...•... �Analysis and Recommendations: This year's trapping operations have shown that large numbers of ducks can be trapped successfully on the Platte River during the period when the ducks are concentrated there for protection. It is recommended that future trapping operations be started earlier in the year--as soon after the hunting season as p05sible--so as to take advantage of the large migrating populations using the.river during their southern flight. A sufficient number of men should be available so that the birds could be trapped in large numbers. This would eliminate a great share of the difficulty encountered from high water later on in the winter. Work Plan 4 Personnel: - Deviations: R. G. Kinghorn, Lloyd Bruce A meeting was attended in Fort I,iorgan,February 4, 1945 with representatives of the Reclamation Service to discuss the proposed Narrows Dam Project. Recommendations were made to the Reclamation Service that the Colorado Game and Fish Department be granted the privileges of game and fish development and management within the dam area, A two-day meeting with representatives of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service was attended in Ilray, Colorado, March 24 arid 25, 1948 to discuss and inspect the Bonney Dam site near Hale, Colorado. Cover types were mapped and recommendations made to the Fish and Wildlife Service men for proposed game and fish development and management. Submitted by: Approved by: Name COLORADO GAME 4!W FIsH DEP .• i.RTI,lENT R. G. KinRhorn Title Wildlife Technician •..•.. -~..•.. Note: _ ..'''' Title C. N. Fe~st. Director Date __ .::il;:I::;pr~i=1::...::2o;;::,6.a. •..;:1:;.,:9~4=.8 _ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the St~te Game and Fish Department. -3- �I~~IIIII~'~I~llil~iilllli[li~ijij~~1 ~ifilliijil BDOW021242 STATE C_O;L~~~~O _ ffiO~CTNO. __ .3~7~-R_-~1 DATE April, OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As required _ 1948 REPORT by PEDER..LAID IN \JILDLIFERESTOR..TION 1£T 1. Title 2. of Preject: Leader: GameBird Surveys Harry J. Fi~e. Report submitted by Irvin~ R. Poley 3. Report of Progress: Work Plan No. 2 end 4 Ti tIe: - Job 7 2n4 J.. Experiment.:.l Trapping and Banding of PheE-.S&ntsand Ducks Personnel: Irvin:; R. Poley, Wildlife Techniciml Object: To obtcl.n informc.tion on lii'e pheascnt.s and ducks. cycles and migration of Teclmigues: Two Ohio-type pheasant, tr"ps and one square trap was employed at the Rocky Mountain AI'sencl. These tre.ps were later modified. Three butterfly duck traps and one square drop-zata trwp wa~ used at the Arsenal and at Fitzsimon's Generw. Hospital Analzsis and Recommendations: Seven phe asanfis (,J hens and 4 cocks) . were banded and rele~sed at the Rocky Uountain Arsenal. The following table shows the results of the duck banding totalirie 1,901 birds banded, TABLEI. a r-, <3'''i(j (J ~ ()- Pintail IJ F Baldpate F 298 141 56 57 2 259 124 253 99 Eallard -.-S) I.i January 12•. 31 R. M. A. February 1-29 R. M. A. FebrtW'y 20-26 Fitzsimons G.H. March 1-16 R. 14. A. TOTALS 58 M F G.V1.Teel 1,1 F .•.. 5 4 2 68 ~22 SJ 844 416 8j lt1 394 197 -4- 1 5 1 3 Canada Geese 5 2 Total 554 746 35 161 -- 1901 35 t.it.0 �Pheasant trap5 and bd t should be in &peration as soon' *.t'ter pheasant season as possible, in order that all traps may receive full benefits from all snow storms that come during December and to the middle of March. This recommendation should also apply to migratory bird traps. Forty-eight ducks of five species were found dead on the Arsenal lakes during February and 42 ducks during the month of March. This is in addition to 10 taken to the U. S. Fish and Uildlife laboratories. These specimens were ct~cked for lead and arsenic poisoning. It is believed that the dead ducks were part of the normal winter loss. \"lorkPlan No.2 ~: - - Job 3 Census Trend Techniques Object: To establish better techniques in computing accurate population trends. Techn!_ques: Pheasant road count results are listed below in Table II and the attached graph is based upon ten counts each month. In this study the trend route is approximately 200 yards wide and 25 miles long. TABIE II - ROAD COUNTS Month April May June July. August September October November December January . February March Pheasants/mi. 1.150 Cocks/mi. .578 .520 .856 .240 .528 1.069 .472 .140 .068 .002 .216 .272 .404 .676 .928 1.088 .808 .416 .644 1.464 2.300 2.996* 1.636 Hens/mi. .556 .336 .070 ,092 .OS3 .160 .144 .240 .644 1.372 JuvenilesLmi. .030 .364 .956 .096 sex determined -- ... 1~036 .736 *Sex not determined on all birds A duck census was taken during .the last ueek of every month on the Arsenal lakes. Table III shows the monthly population of ducks and non-game birds at the Arsenal. -5- ��(t .,.. .. .. II .. o 0 e s 2 2 " .'". "'" o .. ~ 0 '" !! 2 '" " ! IlL , , .. 0 .I;i :H ~ Ii . I~Hl it H IH1' : :, . :, ! ' : ,,,. '1 I; . ii I! [ liT . ih .. H .li 11[' Ik Ii 2 ,'!J '. ;1 IE ij .' Ii; " .,r1' ".. .. 0 :! 11 . ! R ~ 2 , Ii " .". .. 0 !! 2 '" .. .. " 0 n I Ii i! ! : iii: i : II II! iii! !! I, ";Ji!ii i 2 I I .". .. i ! 11'!i 0 ~ I 2 u " if I '"0" u i: , ,[ ' u .. ,I I Ii ~ I . I I I 2 I '" I ! iii I I I 'i:1 II !,i !I I I' I II 0 i i ~ Ii u ".. II! ! . i i~ I !: [ I ! I I' I , '"~ 2 Il .. Il I, , I 1. 2 " I I ".. ... 0 !! '" I 11 0 , 2 I .. '"~ I !i I I II[ .. .. '" 0 .i II !! 2 '" It) 0 '0" ~ !! .. 2 ., .. 2 '" -~-. �TABLE III - DUCK CENSUS _~_on~t;h April May June July August September Octooer November December January Fe bruary March D~u~c~k~s~.and C~o~o~t~ __ ~N_on~-~G~am~l~e~B:ir~d~s .is·6 29 85 113 155 43 56 93 181 47 689 41 1968 85 1920 696 6800 172 4700 181 6650 440 1126 36 Pheasant crowing counts: Listening posts were established at every road intersection at the Arsenal. A two-minute count was made from 30 minutes before sun-up until 10 minutes after sun-up; Findings: A crowing count was taken of the main portion of the .Arsenal, comprising approximately 23 square miles, over a two-week period, showing an average cock population of 16.5 cocks per mile. The sex ratio during the past three months shows 2.7 cocks to 3.0 hens. However, the hen ratio is low because all of the hens were not flushed. Pheasant road counts indicated a rapid rise in the population from October through February. Submitted by: Appr oved by: Name._--=Ir::...:,V'l.:· n:;:ig._ ..:;R:..:.._P:..;o~l::::e.y __ .:;:C.:::.O~LO::!P..;:,AD~O~Gil1~· ;;:;E::...:.:M;:;:.ID;:::....;:F:..:I:;:::S~H~DE~ p:..:AR=T~r.iE:::.:, N:;:.:T::..... __ Ti tIe Hildlife Technician :i;·· ..1--. _"'/: <--t-, / "I .. By ----.-~ .•.•. ;Zt-.-..---.-,..:.)-.' -~.:_•,...._.'P_···_-'P-_···.;._1__ ~--~ Ti tIe _..;C~'!.. • ..!.N:.J.~F~e~as!::.t~,L_!;D:.::i~r.:;:.e::::.c t~o~r;,_ _ f~ " Date _~A:t;pr:..:i::.:l=-=26:::.J... • ...:1~9:r;:48:::.-.. _ Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the State Game and Fish Department. - 6- �STATE _-:.;CO::;:L::.::ORAD=_O--. PR~CTNO. DATE OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS _ __ ~3_8-~R~-1~ April, _ 1948 REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN UILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1, Name of Project: 2. Leader: Deer-Elk-Bear Laurence E. Riordan Surveys and Investigations Assistant Leader: Glenn E. Rogers .3. Report of Progress: In response to suggestions from the Fish and Uildlife Service, an effort has been made to submit insofar as is possible individual reports from the field personnel working upon this project. In order to minimize travel expenses incident to the work, and to allow each technician to become closely acquainted with the problems in a particular area, the state was divided into five sections, to each of which was assigned a deer-elk staff technician. The areas thus designated are bounded generally b.Y natural terrain features, and together constitute the ",hole of the deer-elk range in the state. The areas, and the men assigned to each are as follows:. Northwestern Colorado from the Continental Divide westward and south to and including the main drainage of the Colorado River, but excluding the l>tiddlePark area -- Glenn E. Rogers North Park, Middle Park and the north half of the eastern front range of the Rockies -- L. 11. Searle Southwestern Colorado including all of the drainage basin of the San Juan River -- Harold R. Shepherd Central western Colorado including the Dolores, San l-iiguel,Uncompahgre, and lower Gunnison Rivers (downstream from Black Canyon) -- Paul Gilbert Upper Gunnison ~iver drainage, Arkansas River drainage and San Luis Valley areas, -- C. D. Tolman Beginning in March, 1948, an addi tiona! technician 14r. Gordon Douglas was employed. Hr. touglas has been assigned to uork upon the whole eastern front range or the Rockies. This will necessitate a shifting of some of the boundaries of the other men's areas in order to more nearly equalize the work. �Northwestern I. Colorado - Glenn E. Rogers Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges ~ - Deer and Elk To Locate and Map Winter Ranges. A trip was made into the Steamboat Springs area early in January to inspect reported elk damage. The elk were found to be ranging extremely far down on account of the deep snow, and were breaking into haystacks over our eight toot panel fenoes. Mr. Milyard, the Department's Pilot Biologist brought the plane in and successfully hazed that particular herd of elk back into their natural range. Checks were made on the location of deer and elk winter range in connection with the aerial census flights in the follOWing areas on the dates indicated: Little Hills, Piceance Creek and lower Hhite River areas January 3, 8 and 9; Upper Hhite River elk, January 14 and 15; Colorado River elk: Glenwood Canyon, Sweetwater Creek, Crystal and Frying Pan River, l-IuddyCreek and North Fork of Gunnison River elk, and Kannah Creek and Piney Creek deer, FebrUary 18 through 24; Yampa River elk and deer Uarch 8 through 11. A large part of the time between the middle of January and the middle of February was spent dOing office work which consisted mainly of preparing maps and overlays shmdng the extent of seasonal game ranges as well as numerous other important game manaeement features. II. Population Surveys ~ - -- Deer and Elk Population and Trend Counts~ As noted above, the regular deer and elk counts on the population trend areas in northwestern Colorado were completed during the months of January, February and Ha.rch.-.The results of tnese counts are shown in the last table which summariZes the aerial census figures for all areas. III. Forage and Range Utilization :,.Job 1 - Survey of Uinter Browse Use. During the first week in larch, trips were made into the Crystal and Frying Pan River area and into the Coffee Pot and Mitchell Creek areas ot the Colorado River drainage to examine winter range conditions prior to making recommendations for 1948 big game hunting seasons. In both areas the deep snow had forced the large deer populations in those areas to occupy smaller sections of the winter range than normal. Forage conditions were becoming critical in these places with prospects of some winter death loss. -tJ- �IV. Mortal! ty Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds ~ - Studl of Other Mortality Factors. Co~siderable numbers of last year's fawns were found to be dying in both the lower Colorado River and the \o1hi te River areas. Postmortem examinatiom of numbers of these animals indicated that malnutrition was the basic cause of these losses although infestations of ticks, lice nose bots, and lung \-Tormswere common and probably were secondary causes. v. Other Related Activities. Cooperative management meetings were held in conjunction with other land use agencies throughout northwestern Colorado at which range conditions, population and kill figures were discussed and season dates and bag limits for the 1948 hunting season were recommended. North Park, Middle Park, and the Northern Front Range of the Rockies L. H. Searle -- Hork Plan No. I Job 2 - Location and Extent of Hinter Ranges. Many trips and close studies were made by snowshoe, horseback and hiking into the main deer and elk winter ranges in lUddle and North Park areas. The deer and elk in these areas have been utilizing the same range to a great extent this winter. The animals preferred the wind-swept ridges or that portion of the range from which the snow had disappeared. They were located, in most cases, on southern exposed mountain sides, extending from 7400 to 9500 feet in elevation. Hork Plan No. II ~ - Population andT~nd Counts. Surveys were made both by air and several methods were used on the ground to obtain population and trend counts of both deq,r and elk in Hiddle and North Park areas and Routt County. The findings were as follows: Middle Park deer are up 7 percent, elk are down 31 percent, North Park deer are down 17 percent, elk are up 3 percent Routt County deer are up 8%, elk are down 18 percent. Work Plan No. III Job 3 -- Food Habits. -~- �· , Due to such a severe wirtter aad heavy snow, deer were very thickly concentrated, and held to close quarters on their 'Winter ranges this 'Winter. This being the case, most ranges, have been overutilized. In the Hiddle and North Park areas, where the deer nave been wintering, they have almost completely stripped the serviceberry, bitterbrush, rabbitbrush, and all species of sage brush of their available leaves, seed stalks, and new growth. They have utilized the aspen, juniper and pine as high as their reach permits. The Routt County area is the only area not overutilized this winter and this is due to such ~ scarcity of deer in the area. The elk in all areas have not damaged their winter range. TheY' did cause some damage, however, to hay stacks., It is believed that this is not due to poor range conditions, but that the elk followed.the line of least resistance in obtaining this food. Uork Plan No. IV Job 3 It is still too early to determine uhat ,·Tinterloss we will suffer. In the past ten days eight fal-m carcasses have been found and examined. Of these, three were coyote kills and the remaining five vere thought to have died from'a combination of malnutrition and ticks and other secondary parasites. It appeared as though the animals had'reached such a weakened condition that they had no resistance left, thus the parasites became . increasingly active in killing" the animals. Five deer are known to have been lost in the l-Iiddleiark area from blindness. Upon examination of the eyes of one of these deer, the Veterinary Medicine Department of Colorado A. & ~ College round them to contain mixed bacterial infections, as would be expected in organs exposed to the surface, _s are eyes. Histoiogica11y* they foUrld that some of the epithelial cells of the cornea contain cttot>lasmic incluSioIl bodies. The~e appear similar to bodies foUnd in the ceils of eyes of cattle and sheep having infectious keratitis. The disease in this deer, in all respects, appears similar to the swme disease of cattle and sheep. This does not mean necessarily that the disease is transmissible from cattle or sheep to deer, or from deer to cattle or sheep. It is probable that the disease in these three species of animals is caused by different but related organisms according to their report. It is probable that the same disease was the cause of the blindness in the other four deer in this same district as they appeared to be in the same condition. Up to the present time the railroad betl.[eenByers Canyon and Troublesome Creek in Grand County has killed 128 head of deer this winter, the majority of these deer being killed in the night. - If) - �There have been approximately 25 head of deer killed HighwayNo. 40 in the laddle Park area. br automobile on lfiscellaneous Hork - Gamelianagementmeetings \-lere attended at \vhich time recormnendationsand mapswere madefor the 1948 gameand fur season~ in Colorado. Southwestern Colorado-san Juan Basin -- Harold R. Shepherd The district covered ~ this report is limited by the following boundarieE On the east by the San Juan mountains; on the west by the Utah State line; as far north as the town of Silverton, and as far south as the NewNeXiCO State line. Five gamemanagementunits comprise this large area. They are the following: Dolores, Animas, Pine, Piedra, and the San Juan. I. Location and Extent of 'vlinter Range Surveys were madein the AnimasGameHanagementUnit to determine where deer and elk range .Ln the winter months. The surveys were accomplished by reconnaissance on foot, horseback, and with car. Manylocale ranchers, as ",ell as active and retired forest personnel and loggers were interviewed. From these interviews muchvaluable information was obtained relative to winter range. From the data collected, transparent overlays to a base map have been made showing the winter range of both deer and elk within the AnimasGameNanagementUnit. The area occupied by deer in the winter was found to be very small comparedto that over which they range in the summer--abouta fourth of the summerrange area. The winter range is a narrow strip omboth sides of the AnimasRiver. This strip is about one J'rlle wide at the up-stream end near Needleton. It gradually t.n.densuntil reaching a ltTidthof approximately five miles. This point of greatest width is six miles north of Durango. Fromthis locale, southward to the Ne\vI-Iexicoborder, deer are found ranging throughout the remainder of the AnimasGameManagementUnit. The place of greatest concentration is an area of about seven square miles around the mouth of HermosaCreek, a tributary to the AnimasRiver. Throughout the winter range, deer were most often found on ,south and west-facing slopes. They ranged from an elevation of 9,000 to 6,000 feat in elevation. The latter part of February and the first part of Harch was the period whenthe deer herd occupied the smallest area. It was then that the snow reached its greatest depth. Vlinter elk range in the AnimasGameNanagementUnit is confined, for the most part, to a relatively small area in the HermosaCreek drainage and a narrow strip along the east side of the AnimasRiver Valley. By far the largest \nnter area is that comprising the HermosaCreek drainage. Elk vtere found wintering up stream in the Hermosacountry as far as Big Lick Creek. -ll - �They wintered west to the LaPlata mountains, east to the draillage divide between the Animas and Florida Rivers, and south to a little below Durango. In elevation, they were found ranging from 10,000 to 6,600 feet, On January 19, when a count of the Hermosa elk herd was made by plane, most of the elJ,{ seen were between 9,500 and 10,000 feet in elevation. For the most part, they were on west and south-facing slopes. By the middle of December elk were often seen along U. S. Highway 550 in the vicinity of Hermosa, nine miles north of Durango. II. Population and Trend Count On January 17, 18, and 19 airplane trend counts 'VTeremade of the Hermosa elk herd within the Animas Game l-ianagementUnit. A total of 917 elk were counted. A year ago 664 elk were seen in the same trend area. This would indicate that the Hermosa herd has increased 38.9 percent above what it was a year ago. Of the 917 elk counted this year, 115 were bulls. This is a sex ratio of I bull to 7.9 cows and calves. At the time of this year's trend count, south and west-facing slopes were either bare or nearly bare of snow. Elk'were ranging as high as 10,000 feet in elevation. For the most part, sexes intermingled freely, but occasionally groups of bulls vlere found which ranged apart from the cows and calves. It was observed that these groups of bulls ranged generally higher than the mixed groups. On March 16, 17, and 18 airplane trend counts were made of the Dolores elk herd in the Dolores Game Hanagement Unit. At the time of the count, there was an estimated three or four feet of snow in the country where the elk were found. Sixty-eight elk were seen on Fish Creek, one hundred forty elk were counted on the Dolores River, and one hundred forty on the Hest Dolores River. This is a total of 348 elk counted within the boundaries of the Dolores elk trend area. At the time of the count the Dolores elk herd was ranging low. Few animals were seen above 8,000 feet in elevation. During the period of this report, counts were made of the number of deer seen along a measured length of U. S. Highway 550 extending through the Hermosa ,-Tinterarea. This record vas kept to provide data for arriving at an estimate of the yearly trend and total population of deer within the Animas Game Hana.gement Unit. From December 29 to January 24, deer sex ratio counts were made within the Animas Unit. No bucks were observed during this period that had lost ' their antlers. A sex ratio of I buck to 2.54 does to 2.17 fawns Has obtained. III. Forage and Range Utilization. 3. Food Habits During the period of this report, observations vTere made on the food habits of deer and elk in general and especially as regards domestic crops. Immediately after heavy snows, deer browsed young fruit trees heavily, but ate from them less and less as the snov melted and made natural food plants more readily available. In the latter part of December and the first part of January, deer did very serious damage to a field of clover. As many as thirty-five deer were seen at one time grazing in the field of about one-half acre in size. In many instances the clover plants were ~eaten down to the roots -12- �Deer have been observed to eat alfalfa hay from stacks. However, more deer damage results to hay stacks from tramping and pawing than through actual eating of hay. Considerable damage is done young fruit trees by buck deer barking trees with their antlers. The local ra~chers have found the most effective method of protecting young f~it trees from browsing and barking by deer is use of a method developed by Nr. La.wrence Kimsey, local "rarden. Each sme.Ll, tree is fenced individually with a coil of woven wire. These coils work best if staked down, for othervdse buck deer get their antlers caught in the fencing and carry it off. There is a strawberry patch located in that part of the \-linterconcentration area most heavily used by deer. The owner of the patch has carefully vatched for evidence of deer damage to this patch for tuo years. Al though acme damage has been done to the patch by the deer making a path through it, no deer have been seen to eat the p1ants~ No browsing damage has been noticed. Predation Affecting Deer and Elk Coyotes and mountain lions are important deer predators in the Animas Game Hanagement Unit. Rancher's are unanimous in the belief that coyotes kill many deer during the severest part of the winter. There are two authenticated cases of coyote deer predation. Coyotes were actually seen to run deer down and kill them. A mountain lion has been runninG between the Ralph Hutchinson ranch and a point about 8 miles above Tacoma along the Animas River. Severlli ranchers have reported seeing its tracks. The conductor on the local Rio Grande Western Railroad reports having seen three deer along the track eight miles ~bove Tacoma that he judged from sign to be lion kills. Section hands saw a lion in Elk Park. Hr. Ralph Hutchinson reports that the carcasses of twelve deer killed by lions have been found on his ranch this winter •. No verified cases of elk predatio.n are known uithin the area this winter. other Hortality.Factors The deer and elk herds in the Animas unit were generally healthy during the past winter. Onty one case of death from disease was noted. This was a tVlo-point buck deer found near Pagosa Springs in the San Juan Game Hanagement Unit. The deer vTas too weak to stand when found. A bloody discharge ran from his nostrils and the sinus was swollen. The deer ",as taken to a local veterinary. As an experiment, it was given a shot of penicillin and placed in a warm barn over night. The following morning the animal was dead. A careful postmortem of the animal was made by the veterinary and the Resident Biologist. One deer botfly larva vas found in the lungs, eight or - 13- �ten in the trachea, bronchii and sinus. The lett sinus contained large larvae. It was very much inflamed, enlazged and infected. It corrtaf.ned much pus. The opinion of the'veterinary was that the deer's dea~h was a diract resUlt of the infection set up in the sinus due to the irritation of th~ bottly larvae. Central Hestern Colorado I. -- Paul F. Gilbert Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk Job 2 - To locate and Map-Hinter ~ange~ Information on winter ranges for management plans in the Uncompahgre, LaSalle, and San Higuel Game Hanagement Units. Checks were made in Dry Park and Honigram Hesa areas where tracks indicated an abundance of deer; however, few were seen. Bull C~yon country was also checked. The browse in this area is putting on spring growth already. Deer are fe"l in this area, this area appears to have been sheeped heavily for years past. Another trip was made into the Sinbad Valley country of the laSalle Unit where some deer damage complaints have been turned in. This area seems to be holding a good part of the \-Tinterdeer herd off of the La Salle National Forest and has possibilities of developing into another \linter problem area. Job 3 - Higration Between Summer and Hinter Ranges No true migrations have taken place; howeverf.deer drained out of the Hailbox Park area, crossed the San Higm~l River towards the Lilly Lands early in January. Some crossing was noted betveen Honigram Mesa and Long Park across the upper end of Paradox Valley. II. Population apd Trend Counts Aerial trend counts were started February 17 in the Gunnison Unit. This area was finished the follo"dng day and the Uncompahgre started. Rain and snow made it necessary to give up flying in this area until March 6 when the area was complet-ed working out of Grand Junction which is the only allweather landing field in this area. The follo"dng table shows 1948 aerial trend figures for this area: ELK TRENDS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. East Cochetopa East Gunnison Hest Gunnison Smith Fork Dallas Divide 2-17-48 2-17-48 2-18-48 3-6-48 3-6-48 - 14- 136 193 529 80 17 �DEER TRENDS 1. Cebolla 2. Sapinero 3. East Uncompahgre 4. Hest Uncompahgre 2-18-48 2-18-48 2-18-48 3-6-48 . 22.3 1000 598 1264 There was a solid cover of snow in most cases vThich made counting much eaater , Very little snow was on the ground on the Hest Uncompahgre count. III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 1 - Survey of HInter Browse Use. Trips were made into two key winter range areas, 1.-linter Mesa and Dry Mesa, for the exact purpose of checking range conditions and deer conditions. These trips were made in cooperation with the U. S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Hanagement. The trip on "Tinter Mesa was made on foot. The south slope of the mesa was for the most part free of snov, The top and benches were covered with partly crusted and drifted snow varying in depth from six to sixteen inches. The slopes and top of Hinter Nesa were very badly overgrazed. This is especially true on top where the entire area looks like a sheep bedground. This sage is very shot and stunted and many plants are dying out. Annual growth where present was equal to about one-fourth inch. The greatest amount of annual growth found on the fe"1l10untain Hahogany plants was about three •• fourth inches. A fevl stumps of Rabbi.tbrush could be distinguished. Saltbrush and Shadscale had most of the live growth taken. Numerous places were found where deer were digging down through the snow to get cactus. A definite browse line exists on the Pinion and Juniper at about shoulder height. Young Pinion and Juniper reproduction is being grazed heavier than usual. It is evident that deer are now taking everything and anything that is available in this area. The trip over Dry Hesa winter area was made on horseback. Snow was completely gone along the south slopes of the canyons and was present on top only in the shaded slopes and under the Pinion and Juniper. More snoY was found in the open or sagebrush flats towards the upper limits of the :mesa,. The heavily grazed sagebrush parks first became evident on the bench beneath the top of Dry Mesa: On one bench the numerous deer trails gave a terraced effect which was very noticeable. Dry Nesa is similar to Hinter Mesa in that they are both isolated mesas and are both used only by cattle and deer. Dry Nesa is the larger and includes more sagebrush parks. Very little evidence of annual growth could be found on any browse. The deer are definitely taking more than the annual srovth on all the browse species encountered. The browse line on the Pinion and Juniper was particularly noticeable where the stand waa the thickest. Young Pinion and Juniper "reproduction was grazed very heavily uhen near a stand of older trees. - 15 - �Job.3 - Food Habits Eleven deer stomach samples were analyzed for this area. included in the following tables. Results are The percentages are percentages by volume. The volume of each species was first measured im cubic centimeters then calculated as a percent of the total. ANALYSES OF DEER STOMACH SAMPLES Winter 14esa (Uncompahgre Hanagement Unit) Sample No.1: Was .taken from a fawn on the north side of 1.-Tinter Mesa. shot 3-11-48. . This anima] wa~ Sample No. 22 ,-lastaken from a fawn on Hinter Mesa. too weak to stand 3-11-4.8. This animal was found Sample No.3: i·lastaken from an aged buck which 'WaS found too weak to stand. This was- on February 1, 1948. This animal died that night. Sample No. '1. 2. Pinion Juniper 3. Big Sage 4. Saltbrush 5. Shadsca1e 6. Cactus 7. Morman tea a. Snow berry 9. Mtn. Mahogany 10. Service berry 11. Grass Traces Total (Pinus edulis (Juniperus utahensis (Artemisia tridentata (Atriplex canescens (Atriplex confertifo1ia (Opuntia Spp. (Ephedria SPP. (Symphoricarpus oreophilus (Cercocarpus montanus (Amelanchier Spp. (Hilaria & Agropyron Spp. ) 1 55.'0 23.7 5.0 ) ~ ) ) ) ) 15.0 ) 2 68:'3 13.9 5.6 6.9 2.S T 1.3 T T ) ) 1.3 100.0 1.2 100.0 ..l 73.2 12.2 7.3 2 •.3 T 1.5 T 0.9 1.5 T 1.1 100.0 Blue Mesa (Uncompahgre Managem.ent Unit) Sample No.4: Has taken from a doe which was poached for the hind quarters .3-17-48. Sample No. 1. Pinion 2. Juniper 3. Big Sage 4. Saltbrush 5. Cottonwood 6. Sophia 7. Loco s. Spiney Hopsage C)~ Grass Traces Total (Pinus edulis (Juniperus utahensis (Artemisia canescens (Atriplex cancsen (Populus angustifo1ia (Sophia Spp. (Aragallus Spp. (Grayia spinosa (Hilaria, Agripyron,eto. - 16- .s: ) ) ) ) ) ) . .31.3 6.2 52.1 2.1 ) T T 1.0 2.1 100.0 ) ) 5.2 T �Dry:Mesa (Uncompahgre Management Unit) sample No.5: Has a Eture Sample No.6: Was a female fawn shot for postmortem. .3-23-48 Sample No.7: '-lasa mature buck shot for postmortem. 3-23-48 doe shot for postmortem. Sample No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Pinion Juniper Big sage Shadscale Sa1tbrush Cactus Cogswel1ia Senecio Ericgonum Chrusothamnu8 Lichen Grasses Traces ,.Total ) (Pinus edulis ) (Juniperus utahensis ) (Artemisia tridentata (Atrip1ex confertifolia ) ) (Atriplex canescens ) (Opuntia Spp. ) (Cogswellia Spp. ) (Senecio SPP. ) (Eriogonum Spp, ) (Chrusothamnus SpP. ) (Gyrophora ? (Hilaria, Agropyron, etc.) 3-23-~ _2_. 6 67.5 13.5 10.8 1.9 41.1 44.3 7.6 3.1 1.3 7 52:"7 45.4 T T 0~8 T T T T T T 1.8 0.8 100.0 T 4.3 1:2 100.0 0.8 1.1 100.0 East Spring Creek Rim (Uncompahgre Nanagement Unit) Sample No. 8: \-lasa mature doe shot for postmortem. Sample No. 1. Pinion 2. Juniper 3. Big Sage 4~ Saltbrush ,5. Gutierrezia 6. Eriogonum 7. Grasses Total ) (Pinus edulis (Juniperus utahensis (Artemisia tridentata (Atrip1ex canescens (Gutierrezia SpP. (Eriogonum Spp, (Hilaria, Agropyron ) ) ) ) ) ) 1-30-48. L 1.1 50.7 13...3 21.3 8.0 2.6 3.0 100.0 Dillon Gulch (Gunnison Nanagement Unit) Sapinero) (Dillon Gulch is about 3 miles above Sample No.9: A mature doe shot for postmortem on 4-8-48. Sample No. 10: A male fawn shot for postmortem on 4-8-48. Sample No. 11: A mature buck (3 yr. old) shot for postmortem 4-13-48. - 17- �...._ . .~~{1_ "" 1. Big Sage 2. Juniper 3. Phlox 4. Pentstemon 5.• Rabbitbrush 6. Cutierrezia 7. Oregon grape 8. *Cottonwood 9. Saltbrush 10. Bitterbrush 11. Serviceberry 12. Gi1ia 13. Russian Thistle 14. Grasses Traces Total Sample No. ) (Artemisia tridentata ) (Juniperus utahensia ) (Phlox Spp. ) (Pentstemon Spp. ) (Chrysothamnus Spp. ) (Gutierrezia Spp. ) (Berberis Spp. ) (Populus agustitolia ) (Atriplex canescens ) (Purshia tridentata ) (Amelanchier Spp. ) (Gi1ia ) (Salsola pestifer (Aristida, Hilaria, etc. ) .,1_ 88.2 10 62.5 '1.4 1.2 1.2 5.5 11 87:4 3.9 T T T T T T 20.8 0.8 T T T 23.8 0.8 0.8 T 7.0 6.9 2.5 0.8 2.4 2.1 100.0 100:0- 100.0 *Last year1s dry leaves IV. Mortali ty and Factors Influencing Deer and Elk Herds. Job 2 - Predation Influence on Deer Coyote sign was noted around several deer carcasses, however, it is believed these deer died and were then ted on by coyotes as coyotes are not too plentiful in this area. Job 3 - stW;v of Other Mortality Factors. On all animals listed above field postmortems \Oleremade. Also three others not listed above which were taken on Dry Mesa for stomach samples, In all cases the deer w~r3 suffering from multiple parasitism. Bot larvae (Cephenemyia Jellis~ni) varying in numbers from 28 to 52 ,.,erefound in the Nasopharynx region. Fluici. filled tapeworm cysts were present in all cases. The fawn killed on pry Nesa was infected with lung loTorms(probably Protostrongylus macrotis) the first found in this area. The aged bucks (Sample No • .3) immediate cause of death was pneUIitoniain both 1unes. This was aggravated by poor winter feed conditions, parasites compaction and diarrhea. The.small fawn found too weak to stand was also suffering from pneumonia. The fawn . killed on Dry Nesa infected \-li th lungworms was unable to keep up with other animals. The deer on \-linterl>1esa\lere'in poor shape and many 'of them in critical .shape and will not make the winter. Slightly more feed is available on Dry Mesa and animals in this area are in slightly better shape. - 18- �Upper Gunnisotl, Arkansas and San Luis Valley I. -- C. D. Tolman Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges -- Deer-Elk. Job? - Locaticn and Extent of Winter Ranges Object - To locate and. map winter ranges Saguache Elk Hersh Elk were studied in the followin~ areas: Tarbell Mesa, East rim of Saguache Park, Upper Four 1IDe, Middle Four Mile,. Lower Four Mile, South Fork of Saguache Creek, Mouth of Wannemaker, Base of Sheep l-lountain,Saguache Park Proper, Mexican Joe Creek, Hat Springs, Trough Gulch, Round Corral Park, California Gulch, Johns Creek Mesa, Allen Creek, East Pa.ss Creek, Spanish Creek, ~ar creek, ~ruce Creek, A'ntelope Park, Jacks Creek and Sheep Creek. Sargents Mesa revealed only a few old sign no fresh indications Here seen. Rio Grande Herd: Elk were found in the followin~ areas: Long Ridge, Wagon Wheel Gap, Goose Creek and its tributaries below 9,200 teet, Pinos Creek, South Fork, Elk Creek and the moutll of the triputaries of each. Cat Creek: The Cat Creek area and Green Mountain areas were checked both by plane and horseback as to ~dnter range. There is considerable shift with the weather conditions and same drift into the Pinos and Frisco Creek drainages. The elk in this area are found in the Pinion Juniper type below the heavy snows. - Deer Rio Grande: Upper Rio Grande and Goose Creek areas: deer is the same as for elk. The winter range for Cat Creek-Green Mountain area: Deer are found along the foot hills just belo\olthe heavy snows in both areas. Gunnison: Lake Fork: Fewer deer are wintering in this area during the middle of Harch than were found during January and December of the past season. Their main concentration is about 200 feet lOvler down the river (in elevation) than last year. Tomichi Creek: Razor Creek and the Sargent's area were checked. The main concentration was found in the Razor Creek and Dean Jones areas. The area of heaviest concentration shifted from the Sewell's Gulch range to the area qy Parlin north of Highway 50. North Fork-Taylor River area: The main concentration shifted from the Almont Triangle to the area between Almont and Roper's ranch, showing a drop in elevation of about 400 teet. - 19- �Iola-Sapinero area: Deer were concentrated below 7,850 feet showing a drop in elevation of about )00 teet lower than last year. Average range in the Gunnison area is from 8400 feet to 7500 feet, indicating a drop of main concentratio~ of about 300 feet lower than last year. "Tinter range in 1947 was checked by altimeter. In 1948 they were approximated. II. Population Surveys -- Deer-Elk. ~. - Population and Trend Area Counts The regular deer and elk population trend counts were made by airplRne during the quarter. The results have been summarized in table torm which shows the results of the counts in all areas of the state. III, Forage and Range Utilization Job 1 - Object - Food Habits To find more accurately the food habits of deer and elk In the following charts the availability and utilization are compared. The figures represent the frequency distribution of the plants, that is, the most abundant species is Number 1, the next most abundant is Number 2, and so on, under availability. Similarly, the most heavily utilized is Number 1under utilization. Saguache Creek Elk Herd - .a.nuary 15 to 22, 1948 Snow conditions varied from ten inches at the mouth of Hannamaker to none in Antelope Park and Jacks Creek. There was no snow in Saguache Park proper and was only found in the heavy timber and on the northern slopes. Elk were found to be feeding only in the areas where there was snow. The wa.ter content of the snow was between 15% and. 20%. Plants available Aspen Grasses Rabbi tbrush (large) Pinque Cinquefoil (large) Rose Tarbell Mesa (Snow Sin.) *Av. *ut. East Rim of Park (Sn(.w 6 in.) Four Mile (Snow 6 in.) Av. Ute Av. Ute 1 3 2 4 1 4 2 4 1 J 2 5 J 1 :3 4 2 4 1 2 2 1 5 6 0 5 6 5 3 4 6 0 -20- 0 0 3 0 �Plants available Aspen Grasses \Ul1ow Rabbi tbrush (large) Pinque Rose Cinquefoil Plants available Aspen Grasses Cinquefoil Rabbitbrush (large) Fringed sage Willow Pinque ' Rose Plants available Aspen Grasses Cinquefoil Rabbitbrush Fringed Sage tlillow Pinque Rose Plants available Aspen Grasses Cinquefoil Rabbitbrush hinged sage .111110w Pin que Roses Mouth et Uannamakers (Snow 10 in.) Ute Av. 1 .3 Under Sheep Nt. Mexican Joe Sec.1S T 4.3N,R.3E (Snow 9 in.) Av. Ute Av • Ut .• 0 1 .3 .3 4 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 4 0 2 0 :3 0 Hat Springs (Snow Sin.) Av. Ute 2 0 5 .3 Trough Gulch (Snow 6 in.) Av. Ute 2 .4 1 .3 4 0 I .3 1 0 0 0 5 2 0 2 1 5 .3 0 0 0 Bear Creek (Snow 5 in.) Av. ute 0 2 0 1 0 5 _./ 4 1 5 0 5 4 2 0 .3 2 0 East Pass Creek (Snow 5 in.) Av. Ute 0 :3 0 AlIens Creek (Snow 4 in.) Ute Av. 1 2 2 .3 .3 l. 4 2 0 .3 0 5 0 1 0 4 .3 4 0 0 Spanish Creek (S:oow 4t in.) Av. U~. I 2 4 2 0 0 .3 2 0 .3 0 0 1 4 6 0 0 -21- 1 4 .3 2 ~ .~ 4 1 2 0 Round Corral Park (Snow 6 ino) r.... 'u • Av. 2 1 0 0 .3 4 0 4 5 2 .3 1 0 2 0 California Gulch (Snow Sin.) Av. ute 4 0 1 2 Antelope Park (No snow) Ute Av~ 0 1 4 2 1 .3 .3 4 �Sheep Creek (Snow in.) Av. Ute Jacks Creek (No Snow) Av. Ute 4t Plants available Aspen Grasses Cinquefoil Rabbitbrush tfillow Pinque Roses 1 4 2 3 o 3 o 1 4 2 o 1 2 3 4 5 6 * Av. - Availability * Ute - Utilization Upper Rio Grande Feb. 10 to 17, 1948 Snow depth 36 to 40 inches, water content about 35% on Langridge. Elk were feeding on the southern slopes, well down. Elk were feeding on the semibare southern slopes in the ~.fagonwheelGap area. Heather sub zero. No crust on snow. Available plants Ribas Snowberry Aspen Grasses Spruce Kinnikinnick Goose Creek and its Long-ridge Av. Ut \'lagonwheel Gap Av. uta 2 2 1 4 3 5 1 2 1 2 1 5 6 :3 o o o 4 tributaries' Feb. 10-17, 1948 Snow 30 in. light and fluffy no pack Plants available Aspen Ribes Snowberry Spruce Grasses Kinnikinick (roots) o 5 .3 :3 Av. 1 2 3 4 5 6 - 22 .• Harch 8 to 11; 1948 Snow 36 to 40 in .• crust ~ about 15 in. of pack. . ute Av. .Ut. 1 1 :3 4 2 o o J 4 2 1" :3 (Spruce 2 (by dig. 5 5 buds only; 4 thro snow6 6 (slight . use) �Cat creek and Green Mountain (Uarch 22 - 25) Plants Available Pinion Juniper Grasses Rabbitbrush (small) Yucca }.it. lvJahogaey Shadseale " Av. ute 1 o 2 4 :3 4 1 5 2 5 6 :3 6 7 Feeding ta"bits snow25 inches on the north slopes. Elk lITerS feeding on the south slopes veIl within the juniper pinioo type. One stomaehvas taken in the Cat Creek area, Deer Gunnison (Tomichi and DeanJones Creek. Feb. 18-20) Plants available: Sagebrush Skunkbrush Grasses Serviceberry \<1i11ow Utilization in the area was in direct proportion to availabilit,y. AlmontTriangle to Roper Ranch Over-all winter utilization on key ~dnter range more severe than last year at this time. During January there vas somecompetition by horses in this area. Parlin~evellts Gulch area Over-all utilization more severe than last year. Deer in good condition. Iola-Sapinero a.1'ee Showingevidence of heavy over-all utilization b.Ydeer in this area. Range in poorer condition than last year at this time. FremontCounty Four ltlle-Gordan Parkbeavy use by eattle No browse line except in the area where there is Royal Gorge-- Somesevere use on a few ot the browse plants. utilization severe to proper. Area showedheavy past use. Over-all Grape Creek-- Heavyuse on the creek bottoms on all species ot browse. Light to proper use in areas wher.eno cattle sign was fo'\UlCl, - 2.3 - �fted Gulc~- Heavy use b.Y cattle. Tunnel nrive-- Little use other than livestock. Road South from Cotopaxi-Road Gulch-- Use light. Use light IV. 140rtality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds. Job 3 - Other Mortality Factors Know winter losses reported by lIarden Donald Benson at Gunnison, killed from Highwq, January 5 to 1-1arch20, 1948. Gunnison-lola Iola-Sapinero Gunnison-ParlinGunnison-AlmontAlmont triangle- 4 does 5 does, 3 bucks 2 does, 4 bucks 1 doe, 1 buck 3 does, 2 bucks Known winter loss b.Y predation and disease Lake Fork Tomichi - 4 fawn, . 4 faw, 1 doe Seven deer and one elk vere examined for parasites and a report on them vill be submitted as soon as returns on specimens are obtained. The period between January 22 and February 5",. 1948 was used in making a babi tat study for the introduction or the I·fontana1-1ountainGoat. SpeCial Report Surveys and Investigation Title or Job: Projects (Lake Fork of the Gunnison) Dreeding habits or the mule deer (Odocoileus henionus) " Objective: To determine the possibilities deer less than a year old. . of the 'breeding and concepti.on of mule Techniques: Observations of l!lI.1ture males covering female deer less than a year old were made by Hr. George Grover, Powderhorn, Colorado during the first fev days of December in 1945, 1946, and 1947 on the Lak~ Fork of the Gunnison River. Four specimens of female deer less than a year old were taken in the area of observation by l-1r.Grover and myself, and the sex organs examined and preserved in 5% Formaldehyde solutio~ " -24- �Q1 ('. Findin~s: Mr. Grover reports the attempts of breeding the fawn females were made by large mature bucks on December 5 and 7, 1945, December 2 and the 9, 19l:E l'..nd December a, 10, and 12, 1947. In all cases the fa\offis appeared to be unid2.1il~g to be bred. No complete copulation was reported. A. Specimen No.1, Female mule deer less than a year old. Date: January 16, 1948 Place: Campbell Ranch, Lake Fork of the Gunnison, Section 29, Township 47 North, Range 3 Hest, New Hexico Principal 14eridian. Sex Organs: Uterus: Small, flattened anterio-posteriorly and p,yriform in shape loTi th the apex diverted vo\mward and backward denoting a virginal or immature state, Ovary: Ovisacs (vesicular ovarian follicles) small uniform and numerous, no mature ova seen. No corpus luteum present indicating the follicles had not discharged ova. Vagina: Small external orifice opening (less than the size of a lead pencil) no swelling present. B. Specimen No.2, 3, 4, Fe~le deer less than a year old. Date: 'Harch 17 and 18, 1948 Place: About 1/2 mile up the river from Specimen No.1 Sex Organs: The same general condition as Specimen No.1 C. Specimen No.5, Female deer over a year old and under two. Date: l-1arch17, 1948 Single foetus Height 5.25 oz. Length 8.75 in. Sex - External protuberance D. Specimen No.6, Female deer over two years old (taken by accident) Date: February 8, 1948 Two foetus' Height: 4 •.5 oz. 4.5 oz. Length: 7.25 in. 7.25 in, Analysis: No indication of conception by female mule deer less than a year old was found in the four specimens taken in the Lake Fork area. ~: Hr. Donald G. Lauridson, of the Colorado Game and Fish Depar'tmenb t s technical staff reports from Little Hills Game Expe:'iment Sta.tion near H8E::ker,Co~.or.J.c10 J..,hat postmortems on three female mule deer fawns have fa.iled "(.(1 l:'".iicate the po.; gj.bj.ll"i;y of reproduction by animals of that species less than one year old. - 25 - -'~~ �AERIAL DEER AND ELK CENSUS 1944-1948, Inclusive Area Elk Deer Cebolla Sapinero-Iola Roosevelt North Park Piceance Piney Uncompahgre East Side West Side Brush Creek Crystal River Kannah Creek Five Year Average Increase Decrease 1944 1945 __" 495 570 417 881 1,001 281 655 886 383 405 1,172 476 388 993 487 565 924 409 -31% +7% -1-19% 216 945 122 151 321 917 211 498 1,246 855 830 ~84 167 482 54 153 414 735 846 877 122 645 33 435 193 1,537 570 664 193 598 80 291 348 1,119 575 966 182) 633) 72 236 315 1,032 705 946 +6%) -5%) +11% +23% +10% +7% -18% +2% 1,375 1,813 1,591 2,078 1,268 1,684 1,.380 1,815 1,382 1,864 48 1,399 1,851 +.07% 214 511 ··375 954 330 833 174 531 5,345 731 206 657 146 223 1,000 143 369 269) 791) 161 450 -17%) +39%) +15% -11% -20% 585 476 597 -20% 555 1,023 607 598 1,264 357 303 114 920) 798) - Arapahoe West Side Cochetopa Gram Mesa Gunnison East Side West Side Smith Fork Holy Cross Montezuma Rio Grande Routt San Juan White River North Ehd Total Piney 1947 1948 1946 150 )00 . 5,193 951 969 1,474 352 -.05% +8% ~j;) :tv �Presented in the accoapaayift~ table is a summar,y or the results of aerial counts or deer and elk on the regularly established population trend areas. The 1948 figures were obtained during the period covered by this report. For purposes of comparison the results of previous years' counts from 1944 through 1947, as 1.'2L. as the five-year average including 1948 are also given. In the last column is given the percent of increase or decrease of 1948 cor.rrbs based upon the five-year average. Where no figures are given in the table for years prior to 1948, the trend area is a new one established this year. The PiceancA Creek deer trend area has been replaced by an annual meadow count which is mad ') just prior to the spring migration of that herd. A report of this work 'WilJ. t'3 made in connection with the report on the migration studies at a later date. I:.! most instances where successive counts indicate marked fluctuation in the r,;,lJc:b(~:' or animal S in an area, this can be explained by a shift of a herd from one a~'6'i to another because of hunting pressure. l-~arch1, 1948, a new technician, Mr. Gordon A. DouglS$ was employed Mr. Douglas will work the area commonly called the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, extending the entire breadth of the state from north to sO'lth~ Hr. Douglas spent the month of March getting established at his headquarters at Fort CollinS, Colorado, getting acquainted with his assigned area, and working with the other technicians in their areas so as to become oriented with respect to the job requirements. Beginning on Project 38-R. The greater part of the month of January was used by the project leader to summarize the results of approximately 22,000 questionnaires tilled out at big game checking stations during the 1947 hunting season, and to incorporate the results into the previous quarterly report. Several trips were made into the field to visit the various project technicians in their respective ,areas. The early part of Februar,y was spent in the field'and in preparing a paper dealing with the use ot the airplane in game management for presentation at the Thirteenth North American Wildlife Conference. The latter half of February the project leader was on leave. A trip was made to st. Louis, Nissouri during the first half ot J.1arch to attend the Thirteenth North American Hildlife Conference. The last half of March was spent presenting information deaiing with deer and elk range, population and kill figures and in obtaining recommendations for 1948 hunting seasons at Cooperative l1a.nagement Haetings held in cooperation with Federal Land Use,Agencies throughout the state. Submitted byt Name __ ..::La;:;,:;UT=en_c;,;e:;...,:;E:.,:.o..;;::R,;,io;::;:r;:,;:d::,:an=_ COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTHENT Approved by: s.:.:-:.:_q·_· .". ~- .. '_ .{.~ / • _.y. f..' c·' l' {."._ .J--.. .....j"j_ Title _.....::Pr:.:;,.:o:..l..i.:::;.e.:.ct~B:.::i;.;::o,;,lo:lg;a:i:.::s~t:;._ _ " v''/ -~ / -,--~~"~r <----_ ... By -----.~~~.~~_/~-------------------- Title Date Note: M_a::;;olY"---2;::o.5.a., • ..::1~9 •• !±g _ Pe~sons wishing to quote ~ram this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado state Game and Fish Department. -26- �STAtE e_·o_~ •• __· PROJECT NO._4l=-=--R;;.-. -.,.:1::.-.. DATE April, outLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS _ _ 1248 REPORT As required by FEDEIW., AID IN WIWLIFE RESTOR. ..TIONACT 1. Title of Project: RockyMountainBi;horn Sheep Restoration 2. Leeder: George lI. Jones Assistunt, Hubert H. Evans J. Report of Progress: (SupplementalReport) Survey of Transplant Sites (Incidental to DevelopmentProject activities) Black Cwon: During first part of January, a survey was madeof the r~ge in the Black Canyonof the Gunnisondetermining the possibilities of making Ii sheep tr:.nsplant. Eight sheep were located, six ewes, two lambs on the north side of the Canyon. The Black Canyonof the Gunnison is located within National Park boundaries. This area will support more sheep and due to good protection will makea fine planting area. Terrxal! 1080 Poison Stations Workedwith Mr. Fugate and Mr. Kelly of the Fish and Wildlife Service, selecting areas on the winter sheep ranee for 1080 poison stations. Twostations were placed: r\ -s r- oa 1. Oneat Spruce Creek CampGroundon the Tarryall River Ranch on sheep range where coyotes have been numerousand a detriment to the mountain sheep. Twelvecoyotes .have been seen on this rides at one time. . 2. Second station placed at Sugar Loaf lJountain, four hundred yards from Bi:horn Sheep trap_ In three months the bait has been practically cleaned. No coyote tracks in vicinity of bait were seen. These stations were placed in locality where there are no fur bearing animals and it has been a .:reat success. (J :::}~ -2!7- �Georgetown Herd First part of February was sl'E!nt in Georgetown area checking sheep where 42 head were located, which included 12 yearling lambs, 2 rams, and 28 ewes. No ear tags were noticed, but some of the sheep had been formerly planted here. Block salt was placed on the old Empire Georzetown road. Sheep were in excellent condition even though there has been a very heavy snow fall. Tarryall From the 9th through the 14th was spent in constant watch over sheep movements and trapping sites. Very heavy snows have tended to break herds into small groups of 5 and 6 to a group. Snowcoverinc feed in 10rler country hss made the sheep move up to the rocky rims and benches nhere food is available. S}ove Pipe Canyon Sheep surveys were made in Stove Pipe Canyon near Gr~d Junction. Three days wer'e spent in this canyon looking over the range possibilities of transplanting sitEs. The ran~e shows possibilities of handling a few sheep. Forty years ago there were quite a munber of sheep in this vicinity; but due to the overstocking of domestic sheep and before the Grazing Service had charze over domestic sheep in this cOlmt:'y:and it was overrun, the Mountain Sheep became extinct. This is a controlled range now and there are very few domestic sheep in this area. This will make a cood future transplanting site. Chalk Creek and Cottonwood Creek -.-From the 24th through the remainder of February a survey was made of Chalk Creek and Cottonwood Creek. Counted 19 sheep on Chalk Creek" aH ..ene s, No :;:-mns could be located, .theref.ore rams should be planted here as it 17111support a nice herd of sheep; There is a good \'ilinter range and abundance of summerrange above timberline. Mount Evans From the 4th of Uarch through the 7th a snow shoe trip was made to the top of Mount Evans where eight ewes were located on a wind-blown slope where feed was accessible. These sheep were in . very poor condition. This is probably due to the heavy snow below timberline which prevents sheep from eetting to lower country for winter range, consequently they have to remcln on the wind-blown ridges where food conditions are limited. - 28- �Gore Range Snow shoe trips frOIl the 9th to the 14th of f;1archwere taken on the .Gore ltange looking for possibilities of Mountain Goat transplanting sites. Snow conditions in this area are very deep, ranging from 5 to 14 feet deep. However, rocky mountain sections in this area have Vlarmspringswhich melt thesnow making green grass available nearly all winter. Tuenty-six head of sheep were located on this trip, 8 lambs and 18 ewes. These sheep were in very good shape. lUso located were 7 sheep formerly transplanted on the Gore Range. These were located in the same territory as that in which they were planted. . Tarryal1 From the 16th through the 2Jrd of Harch was spent in watching movements of sheep on Tarryall Range. Also some work was done on Rock Creek where no sheep were located. Sheep on Tarryall are beginning to work down toward the road as the snow is melting and the feed is again available. Ewes are also beginning to show they are with lamb and are starting to shed. The sheep on lower Tarrya11 are beginning to work up the river. Even though this has been a very bad winter sheep are in very good condition. Hogback From the 24th through the 27th of March was spent on the Hogback, north of Rifle, locating sheep that had been planted there on the 17th of January. The sheep were still in the vicinity uhere planted and were all in fine shape. This survey was made due to the report of mounbadn lions in this area, but as there are' a number of deer here it is not believed the lions will bother the sheep. No signs of lions were detected. Submitted by: Approved: Hame Geora!: rl. Jones COLORADO ,GAtE ANDFISH DEPiJlTL.:ENT ,/ r" , \ Title Uildlife Tech. _,' . '. / -._.' ',t' .: 1 --/_. ~J.; By ..-. '~\~'~,_·_-_··~,.-/---~-·-·~-,(-~-·,~-r--------------- Ti tIe _~C~.=-:.;:N.:.._]1~e:.:;a::.:::s:.:::t;.z;, . ..:D::.;ir=-.:::e:.=c..:;.t,:::;or=-_ Daw __ ~A~pr~t~I~27u,~19~4§~ Note; _ Persons wiShing to quote from this. abstract should first obtain permission from the State Gameand Fish Department • •• 29- �I~~iIU'~I~'llil~jflilli~imij~~1 ~flil[f~11 BDOW021245 STATE COLORADO ~~CTNO. __ 3=2~-D~-_4 DATE OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As required _ April. 1948 REPORT by FEDER.hLAID IN WILVLIFE RESTORATIONACT 1. Title' of Project: 2. Leader: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Restoration George W. Jones ASSistant, Hubert H. Evans 3. Report of Progress: Final Report on Trapping Season of 1947-1948 Montana Transplant On the first of November, baiting of the traps vlith feed was begun and constant observations were made of the sheep movements. On the fourth of November a gate was dropped on 21 head of sheep at 3:30 p.m:. Sheep were kept in the trap over night until 8 a.m. on the morrt1ng of November 5. Sheep were inspected three times during the night and they were very calm. . Ac tual loading of the sheep took about five minute s , Five ewe s were taken from the loaded truck and v~re reloaded to a second truck and were tagged. These five ewes were tcl{en to Geneva Creek and released into the area where a previous transplant had been made. The truck loaded with sixteen sheep left the trap at 9 p.m. for Jordan, Montana. A total distance of 918 miles was covered in 27 hours. .The sheep were watered on the morning of the sixth ui th the use of'a water container in the truck. During the 27 hours in transit they consumed about one bale of alfalfa hay. When the destination was reached, the gate uas opened on the truck and the sheep left the truck and ran for about a quarter of a mile. None of these sheep had been touched by hand. It was at first decided on this long trip to keep the truck moving by having four drivers to relieve each other, letting two stop to eat while the others kept the truck in motion. It nas found, however, that the sheep became a little restless from riding so they were allowed to rest while the drivers ate. This proved to be more satisfactory as they would eat a little hay while resting. - 30 •• �BY noOnon No~ber 6 tL-y uere notioed to be a little mare restless when two rami started to 'butt the side boards of the truck. The sheep were uilloaded at Fort Peck Gue Refuge, 40 miles north of Jordan, latana. GlepwoodSprings Transplant A trip was made on the 27th of Novemberto GlenwoodSprings to look over the snowconditiona on the proposed GlenwoodClDYontransplant site. On the 4th of December17 head of sheep were trapped consisting of rellB, four l&mbs, and nine ewes. The trap \1&8 sprunc at 4:10 pvm, and the sheep were again left in the trap overnight. The reason for leaving the sheep in overnight was to allow time tor additional help to arrive at the trap site for the loading operation. Sheep were loaded at 8:30 a.m. on December5. About five minutes of actual loading time was taken. Sheep were taken to GlenwoodCanyon, a distance of 160 miles in four end a half hours. Tbe relea.1ng was accomplished at 1 p.m. Since there \'16refour larp rams end tour small lambs in this bunch, it was decided not to ear tag. Atter opening the gate on the truck the sheep started &ruing within a hundred feet. Fromobservations madeon previous releases, it has been concluded that when the animals are ear-tagged they are muchBlareexcited and run muchfarther and in a more excited manner after leaving the truck. These sheep were all in fine shape and did not have a scratch of Bn1 kind on them. The plant was made seven miles east of Glen\1oodSprings between No-Nameand Grizzly Creeks on the Colorado River. During the last part of December;baiting of the traps and observation of the movementsof the sheep were continued. Hogbackand Gore Range Transplant On the 16th of January at 10:4.5 a.m. the gate was dropped on 28 head, two ewes jumped over the side of the trap and one large ram went through the rope netting. Twenty-five were load~d and seven were planted on the Gore Range.whichincluded 'one ram and six ewes. This was the first group to be released at night, which was at 8 p.m. This plant was successful. Planted sixteen head on the Hogback, twelve miles north of Rifle. These \Verereleased at 9 a.m. Twosheep were ta.1cento l;:eeker and placed in a shed as they seemed stiff and were left there until activity was regained~ They were then released on the Hogback. This made a nice plant as there were already fourteen in this area. - )1 - �This makes a total of sixty-:three sheep planted this year, with the Loss of one y!'larling Lamb, which died a few days after being p.Lanted, This is '3-!~~.~pt,ionalJ.y gcod consd.der-Ing the difficulties in trapp:!....'1G conc.::i:.:.ior.s. Submitted by: Approved by: Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstra~t should first permission from the State Gameand Fish Department. - .32 - obtain �STATE COLORADO ffiO~CTNO. __ .3~4-_D_-~3_·· DATE G RES OUT L.1 N E FOR PRO SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As required S ..April, REP _ 1948 Q R T by :FEDERAL AID IN WILDLI:FE RESTORATION llCT 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader: Uild Turkey Development (N.erriams) M. L. Burget .3. Report of Progress: Wild Turkey trapping and transplanting completed at the end of Ilarch, 1948. activity for 1947-l948 season ~as General Summary Wild Turkey Trapping resolved itself into three separate sections for the present season. The first was an early try in the Trinidad section. A desire to work out some early trapping plan, coupled ~ith a number of reports that turkeys we~e easier trapped in the early fall than later in the winter, resulted in an early trapping tryon the Eastern Slope. Birds were present in considerable numbers but food was so abundant and the movement of the birds so uncertain the try was unsuccessful. Three traps were set in in the area. The first was a net type, the second a slat-type trap, and the third a net type. Birds fed in and under the first two, but never in sufficient numbers to justify trapping. An observation was to the effect that the flocks changed almost daily. The second section was trapping that came after the big game season r pressure had subsided. The trapping was done at State Turkey Ranch and in Dolores Canon. The fall was exceptionally mild and snows light. The turkeys did not form into flocks in heavy concentrations as they.did in many places in rougher weather. As a result of this, only one trapping location opened outside of the turkey ranch. Here 1.3 turkeys were taken and moved to the Disappointment Valley area. At State Turkey Ranch the conentration this year was less than half the number of former years. When29 birds had been taken we felt it was not safe to take more so did not try for more. . The third section of the trapping work was two trys in the upper Piedra area. T~~ougha little careful public relations work we were able to get the consent of t\10 ranchers to set up traps on their property. The first of these traps wa.s set up on the .first, or rather j near the first of February. A catch of ten birds was made on February 14. The second trap \iaS set up a little •.. "- �'1: ·:rt~~l ''..i._ '. over a weeklater and more than a monthof careful feeding and observation failed to produce a catch, While the early tries had been hamperedby mild weather these last efforts were constantly beset by storms. Roadswere blocked b1 snowand drifts. The traps had to be shoveled out almost daily. It was difficult to get into the areas. Oncein it was impossible to get out. The trapping season ended \1ith a short catch but it was due to circumstances over nhieh we had no control. Report on DevelopmentProgress: Arrangementshad been madewith GameWardenC. M. Scott to report when the turkeys were active in the Laurencito and AlamosaCanyonsections near Trinidad. The report camenear the first of September. Ourplan had been to makean early tra,pping try in that area. The Big Gamehunting season cuts in just at the time' our trapping activity should get under way. For thia" reason we were hoping to trap enoughbirds for two or three plants before. the, hunting season cameon. In reports from Virginia (WildTurkeyin Virginia ...t;osb1 and Handle1, 1943) and Histor1 and Management of l!erriam's Vlild Turkey-NewMexico,J. Stokely Ligon, 1946) recommendationsin favor of the early fall and early winter trapping were given. In our oun experiences late winter trapping has been difficult, both from the standpoint of inducing the birds: ,-, into the trap and weather and road hazzards. It was planned to give the- early' try a chance and at least gain somemuchneeded data on the subject. As a result of this plan, traps, blind, and feed were movedinto the area on the fourth of September, 1947. Four or five days were spent in putting out experimental feed plots and checking the area for the best locations for traps. Turkeys were seen every day. For someunknO\v.n reason we were never able to get the turkeys to cometo feed in either- Laurencito or Alamosa· Canyon. Just over a small divide to the south in Martinez Canyonthe feed~ was taken at once and locations were chosen and traps set up at two likely looking points. The topography of this area is interesting and forms the basis for e:'X:~ cellent turkey habitat. It is formed of small rather broad canyons leading otf from'broad plateau areas. It is quite evident that in the earlier history of the areas these canyonswere prinCipally park lands. The plateaus were at one time covered with virgin stands of yellow pine •..Pinus ponderosa. There 1s a fair stand of Pinion pine - Pinus edulis, along the rims and a fair stand of juniper - Juniperus monosperma,also along the rims. As the heavy stands .. of pine were logged off a second growth of pine filled in. Heavygrazing in , the area resulted in a filling in of the parks with islands of oaks-- Quercus gambelli, and Quercusutahensis. Alongthe south facing slopes, heavy stands of evergreen oaks - Quercusundulata have filled in. The whole area is filled. in with skunkberry, rhus trilobata, curly leaf mountainmahogany- cercocarpus ledifolius, and various types of roses. The bottoms of the canyons are filled, with a heavy stand of thread and needle grass .•. -a form of Stipa. At the time our trapping nae started, the oaks were in full seed and just starting to drop the acorns. - 34- •.•• :." �Competition for this choice f.ood was keen. Bears 'seemed to be taking the major portion. They were not averse to tearing off great limbs or even breaking down entire tree s if it better served their appetite. Deer, wild pigeon, and even coyotes were not adverse to taking their share. This Last. was evidenced by hulls in scats noted in the area. Turkey movementswere erratic. They were seen daily but always seemed on the move. Due to a change of composition of the flocks it was evident Viewere not seeing the same flocks every day. It was not infrequent for us to see as many as 50 to 100 per day. The first trap--a net type--was set up in upper I.1artinez Canyon near a spring where tracks of watering turkeys were thick. Feed was taken at once and within a week the whole picture had changed. A rain washed out most of the old tracks and the new sign was few and far between. At trap No. 2-- a slat type--the sane thing happened. Feed was taken in the trap within three days. The fourth day I noted several hens and t~1Otoms feeding in the trap. I rras in the blind at 5:30 a.m. the next morning and ufter seven hours of waiting no turkeys came in. I left and from then on at no time of observation was there ever more than three toms in the trap at anyone time. A third trap--net type .•.•was set up. {[hile turkeys were induced to feed near it, they were never knownto feed in under the netting at any time. At the end of September we felt it was too near the big game season to release in case we were successful in trapping and the trys were abandoned. Twothings grow out of this experiment. First, the birds have not established themselves as far as feeding habits axe concerned this early. They are not yet ready to settle down to winter feeding areas. The urge to get their share of the acorn crop left them too restless to stay and feed on any other diet. Second, due to this restlessness it is not practical to trap this early in the season. During the month of October, a watchful waiting occurred. Outside of a few days'storm, the weather was extremely mild and open. Trips were made into the turkey terri tory at regular intervals. There was always the hope that flocks from which trappings could be made would build up. The Chicken Creek feed ground did not develop. A fair flock Viasworking in Iblores Canyon near the Lone Domefeed ground. No actual feeding was done till after the hunting season closed. At State Turkey Ranch no considerable flocks came in till in November. . Whenthey did arrive they were composed of more than 60 percent toms. The first catch of the 'season was made at the Lone Domefeed ground in Dolores Canyon. The catch was made at 7:10 a.m. on November25, 1947. It consisted of eleven hens and two toms which is an ideal sex ratio. The birds were delivered and released at 2:30 p.m. the day they were caught in the D~sappointment Valley. This section forms a tie .•in between the plants made in the UncompahgrePlateau area and the Dolores River. - 35 - �The second catch was made at State Turkey Ranch on November2'. The birds were taken at the upper trap. Several tries were made before the catch could be completed. This difficulty was from the heavy percentage of young toms in the area at the time. Several times flocks of fifteen or more wera in the trap and only two or three were hens. This catch was a fifty-fifty proposition. It consisted of five hens and five toms. These were taken at 6: 50 a.m. They were crated and delivered at the cottonwood area near Salida at 3:10 p.m. the same day. Birds delivered in this way are in top condition. The third catch of the season was made at the upper trap at State Turkey Ranch at 7:18 a.m. on December 12, 1947 and delivered to the Tallahassee Oreek area northwest of Canon City at 4s45 p.m. the same day. It consisted of ten hens. Since we had planned to put in at least two groups of 12 in this district, we were not worried about this catch being all hens. Something of interest is to note the change of sex ratio from the catch made earlier in the same location. The young toms had moved on to some other area. The fourth catch of the season was also made at State Turkey Ranch. This was made at the old trap. (The original turkey trap set up and super •. vised by J. Stokley Ligon). The sex ratio was better. There were six hens and three top quality mature toms. The.se were added to the Tallahassee Creek plant. The two plants consisting of 19 birds were seen working together a short time after release. This catch was made on December 16, 1947. The fifth catch of the season was made at the West Carlin Ranch in the Upper Piedra area on February 14, 1948. The catch was made at 11:.35 a.m. A team had to be gotten in and taken the mile to the trap before these could be boxed. They were banded and crated by 2 p.m. and loaded in the truck by 2:30 p.m. They were added to the plants made in the Salida area. This catch was another of the 50-50 variety. Since there was an abundance of toms already in the area, four of these toms were banded and released in the area to serve as markers in case of a turkey hunting season. Five hens and one tom were taken to Salida. The release was made around 8 a.m. the following morning. All of these birds were in the best of condition. A sixth try proved unsuccessful. A trap was put in on the Floyd Andrews ranch the last week of February. It was left in until the 25th of 1fuxch. These turkeys spooked of the trap the first morning did not quiet down during this time. This was the most unusual flock of turkeys I have been privileged to work with this far. Although they came in to feed regul,Fly they never settled down to eat like most turkeys do. They were constantly quarreling and pecking at one another. They ran and flew at the sligh~est provocation. They were not afraid of humans but became spooky of any changes in their surroundings. This again attests to the keenness of the turkeys eyesight. Roads into or out of the area were impassible for most of the month of .March. Whenwe were ready to quit the area I could not get Mr. Ford out until one of the neighbors came out with a caterpillar tractor. - 36 - �The Season I s Catch - Sex Ratios. e tcs s Catch No.1 Band No. 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 §g Hen Hen Hen Tom Hen Hen Hen Hen Tom Hen Hen Hen Hen ~ ~ !W.!L ~ Age Ma.ture - with beard Mature Mature I-Year I-Year I-Year Mature Juvenile Ma.ture Juvenile Juvenile Mature Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile Mature I-Year I-Year Juvenile (Injured Hing) JuveniJe Mature Catch No.2 Band No. 536 537 538 539 540 541542 543 544 545 Tom Tom Hen Hen Tom Tom Hen Hen Tom Hen I-Year I-Year Juvenile JuveniJe I-Year Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile I-Year I-Year Catch No.3 Band No. 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen - 37- �Catch No.4 Band No. 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 ~ ~ Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Tom Tom Tom Juvenile Juvenile li18.ture Mature Juvenile Mature tiature Mature Mature Catch No.5 Band No. 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 Sex Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen l'om Tom Tom Tom Tom ~ Mature Iviature I-Year P.ia ture - \Vith be ard Mature Mature Mature* Mature* Mature * 2-Years* * Released in area as markers. jna!vsis and Reoommendations: At the close of the year fifty-two birds had been caught. The sex ratio was as follows: 15 toms and 37 hens. The number. trapped was disappointing, but it was due to circumstances caused by weather and other factors that were beyond our control. The main areas we had hoped to plant this year were left without turkeys. These, of course, will be filled with the first catches in 1948-1949 trapping season. The desired inherent wildness in our turkeys is showing a fine development. This is most desirable in a hunting bird. Some of the tameness in our first trapped flocks has disappeared and we are getting reports of flocks that take wing at the first sign of disturbance. Natural distribution remains high in all areas. - 38- �~lebelieve a hunting season on the areas that are nearing their capacity would be a real benefit to the birds. wnxlleit presents a problem in the way of license distribution, it is nevertheless a desirable function in the matter of complete distribution over the habited areas. or course, it would be best to make a complete spring survival and nesting check before a season is set., Developmentwithin most of the planted areas has been of such a high character that the habitable areas are filling in faster than we had even hoped. This developmenthas offset the seeming slowness of our trapping development. Submitted: Name M. L. J?urget Approved: COLORADO STATE GAbE_AND FISH DEPARTMENT .(L~-.~:;::::~II Title Wildlife Technician i - " .--"" _- ?_ . . _ __ ~-------~~-.~_~.-------------TitIe __ Date Note: 4:'..a.. - ....'"l\~ " ....;::C..z.• ..:N:;:.,z..:;Feo.:::.=a:::.st~,IL...::D;.=ir=-e; __ A~p~ri~1~26_,~1~948~ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colo. State Gameand Fish Department. _ �STATE COLOftADO ffiO~CTNO. DATE OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS 34_-=D_-3 April. _ 1948 REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN iiILULIFE 1. Title of Project: Birds. 2. ~ader: RESTORATION ACT Pheasant Restoration Harry L. Figge, Report submitted by HowardStiehm and YI. L. Flinn 3. Report of Progress: ~7orkPlan No.1 ~: - ~ Pheasant DevelopmentThrough Restocking with Uild Trapped Birds. Object: To replenish the breeding stock in depleted areas by trapping birds from areas of high populations. Personnel: H. J. Figge, H. A. Stiehm, W. L. Fliim, and R. G. Kinghorn Techniques and Methods: Prior to actual field operations, which began January 13, 1948, the early part of the quarter was devoted to the preparation of traps and equipment. In general the areas used for pheasant trapping are grain producing farm lands traversed by the intake ditch to North Sterling Reservoir. One area lies ,rest of the tovm of Sterling in northeastern Colorado. The other is west of Crook, Colorado. Trapping sites were selected by locating the larger concentrations of pheasants in the area. Invariably the birds showed a preference for the growth along the . ditch which afforded middle-of-the-day protection for sunning arid loafing. In most caces it was noticed that the natural growth bein€{ used by these concentrations of birds was willow brush. . .. All activities and work ware planned to allow latitude for eXperiment and subsequent changes to fit the local situations. Traps were placed to take advantage of exposure to sun, the protection from wind, and the general use of an area as shovmby bird sign. -40- �Before a trap \7aS erected in any vegetation the proposed site was completely cleared to the ground level. Then following the completion of the *trap the same vegetation was replaced with the top wire of the trap acting as a support. Some question may arise as to the advisability of handling the program in this manner without observing the regular practice of prebaiting, etc. Let it be understood that it was mandatory to begin operations at the earliest date which prompted a deviation from accepted procedure. Baiting: The first baiting practices involved the use of unshelled corn and some barley as bait. The bait was placed in the: traps with all exits open to allow free travel and use by the birds~ At the same time and in the anticipation that the limited number of traps available would be employed at other sites, prospective trapping sites were baited in advance of the actual trapping.?peration. Trap Tending: It was the general practice to visit the traps to replenish bait and remove birds after 11:00 a.m. As time progressed, the workers began tending traps at night to reduce continual disturbance. Day time , trapping operations apparently discouraged the birds from using the area. Still further change found the workers tending traps during the two hours preceding darkne ss , Traps: l10rk as outlined above was devoted primarily to the Ohio-type pheasant trap. Later other methods of trapping were employed in the area to check their feasibility. These included a drive trap, spotlighting and certain innovations of the Ohio trap (See Diagram). Drive Trap: The early model pictured in Figure 4 was constructed entirely of wire and made use of parts of two Ohio traps. It was sparingly successful and after minE rous trials was discontinued. It was felt, however, that, the method possessed possibilities. This brought about the construction of a larger trap built entirely of fish seine'. Some success has been realized, enough at least to require further investigation.' Spotlighting: Sometime in the past the system has received attention in Colorado but few birds were taken. The department solicited and obtained specific instructions of the procedure to be follo\red from the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. The second application of the system in Colorado soon encountered difficulties such as; deep snow,. muddy fields, and moonlight and consequently was dropped until a future date. Modified Ohio trap: The application of this trap employed the 'use of a so-called "feed lane" (See Diagram). This innovation known as a "feed lane" arose as a result of incidental experiments to check the reaction of birds to woven wire fence stretched across their regular lanes of travel and from observation of quail traps presently being used. *The Ringnecked 121 inc. Pheasant and Its Management in North ~eTica--pp-. 112. ' , - 41 - �1l n,q . .!!_ ';.' ", ', ..~' FIG. (b) 4 PHEASANT DRIVE TRAP DIAGRAM ~ (a) Holding pen. (b) Catch pen (c) Entrance (d) Wing (c) 1 ,, ( ) t ( (d) ! <:: ".1' "..,.., PLAN VIEW <, . (c) 1 ....• ~ 374' (b) .. .... SIDE VIEW j, (a) +0 .3 ...... ~ �"FEED LANE" TYPE TRAP DIAGRAM .... v 1- \ J HOLDING ..,..... ,i "-- __ FEED ~ __ ___, ,._\ ~ LANE FUNNEL -- j 2" ¥/ DOOR THROAT PEN r~ rr: PLAN VIEW '\ I WOVEN MESH 16ga. CHICKEN CATCHER 1/+ ga , WELDED WIRE WIRE ~ n n ~-~=~ ~-- -- --, I I I FEED HOr.OO:NG LANE PEN I I FUNNEL I I I ~ I L-' t 1------------ I ~ :.";''b <:;, �111 '-1_ .. .'... _.'O~_ An experiment revealed'that the pheasants will measure a woven wire fence, in search of an openin:. Once established, they used the fence openings to continue their customary lanes of travel through the willow growth bordering the irrigation ditch. Similarly, openings in the wire placed at frequent intervals facilitate travel into the feed lane. As the term "feed lane" implie s, bait in the form of ear corn and barley was placed in the trap as an added incentive to the birds to enter. In addition, the bait served as a means of contentment to the birds once they entered the enclosure. The length of the enclosure was governed largely by the width of the vegetative strip. Four feet was thought to be a satisfactory width for the lane. This allows ample space for the attached funnel and at the same time leaves a cleared area for bait and easy access to the catch pen. Funnels'" attached to the openings prevented the birds escaping and they were thereby prompted to enter the catch pen while searching for an avenue of escape. Once in the catch pen the birds were easily moved into a catcher (Figure 3), for subsequent handling. The catcher, made of fish seine and wire hoops was collapsible thus" permitting ease of transport. Birds entering the catcher were im~ mediately entangled which prevented any undue commotion on their part during the work that followed. Captured birds were placed in holding crates, which because of their.:' design nere easily transferable to pick-up trucks for the trip to transplant areas. The holding crates were kept in semi-darkness ,until' such numbers were obtained to warrant a trip to a transplant sf.te' •. , Release Sites: Due consideration was given each site. Particular'attention was paid to residual cover, available food, source of water-~ and the prevailing type of land use. Individual pheasant plants varied; in numbers from 11 to 46. Table I comprises a record of the abo~-mentioned plants and the numbers of birds released at each. TABLEI PHEASANT TRANSPLANT RECORD ~ January 10 February 2 February 12 February 25 March 12 March 18 April 3 TOTALS Number ~ 32 Totals by Months ~ 21 41 11 5 7 13 4 20 88 63 46 11 7 25 77 125 37 26 95 70 11 25 .329 241 88 -42- 32 95 �Fig. 3 Two views of the catcher attached an Ohio type trap. to �Results and Findings: The pheasant trapping season of 1948 has produced a total of 343 birds which consists of 245 hens and 90 cocks. Breaking this figure down still further, the monthly totals are as folIous: January February !\larch 33 (22 hens and 11 cocks) 87 (68 hens and 19 cocks) •. 224 (164 hens and 60 cocks) Of the different types of traps used the bait traps have been more successful to the present time than the drive traps. The bait traps caught 229 pheasants while the drive traps accounted for the remaining 115. Indications are that the "feed lane" type trap has excellent possibilities since 48 birds were taken in one week's operation. All the pheasants trapped and banded were transported to the Arkansas Valley and released at predetermined points having suitable pheasant habitat. Selecting Trapping Sites: The initial trapping season has brought to light additional information regarding the natural habits of the pheasant, and consequently a better knowledge of pheasant trapping methods. Some of the knouledge was gained too late to be incorporated in this year's work but may be useful in next year's program. Due consideration must be given to the selection of trapping sites. One needs only to examine the trapping records to find that during the month of January our trap accounted for about 80 percent of the birds taken, and another trap set for the first time on llarch 9 caught more than all other bait traps combined until bait trapping operations ceased on March 16. Both of these traps were set along the ditch bank in long narrow patches of willows used by the pheasants for protection, sunning, and loafing spots. But what is thought to be more important is the fact that this kind of cover is used extensively as the usual avenue of travel from one place to another, and virtually every bird using the cover comes into contact uith the trap (Figure 1). Effects of Ueather: Heather has a decided influence on pheasant trapping. Snow covering the ground and prolonged cold spells are highly in favor of 1(he trapper. During Such times pheasants prefer to spend longer periods in the windbreaks, especially during the middle of the day, and where they can warm themselves in the sun. They will take the bait more readily because of the easy access and the need of food to maintain body temperatures. The results of this trapping season clearly illustrate that the best catches are made during snow storms and the few days of cold weather that usually follow. Also, at such times there is little natural food available for pheasants. V/ben periods of warm weather clear the ground of snow the birds scatter and feed in the fields rather than take the bait in the traps, confining the catch almost entirely·to periods of snow and cold. A check was made in a stubble field shcming that during the \vinter there is an abundance of waste grain available to the birds when the ground is clear of snow • •. 43 - �11.4 Fig. 1 An example of the long narrow strips of cover along N. Sterling intake ditch. Fig. 2 Pre-baited Ohio type trap with ends opened and top removed. Ohio type trap set for a catch. �·1 ~~~ ....•.••........ _. __ . DIAGItAM SHOVIING RELATIONSHIP OF PHE.AS~rr CATCH TO VlEATHER 50 40 30 20 10 o JAN. 15 15 STORl;1 STORM STORlvi STORM Tending Traps: Y1hen trapping operations began little regard was given to the dd.sturbance of pheasants uhile setting up the traps or \7hile tending them. It uas noticed, especially in one place where there was a con~ centration of birds that each time the site was entered there were fewer birds flushed. That indicated they were leaving that particular cover in favor of another place because they were being disturbed too much. It uas found that tending the traps starting about two hours before sundorm was the most satisfactory time. This starting hour allowed sufficient time to finish the job sometime after dark. After 'a trap has been placed in its desired location there is usually a time required for the birds in the area to become accustomed to the trap in its location before a catch can be expected; In one case the birds did not start using the trap for nearly a month after it had been placed, In all cases the traps were left open, that is the birds were allowed to run through them until such time as it was felt that enough birds were using them to start catching. This time element became an added handicap since once a trap proved ineffective in one location, moving the trap meant the necessary "familiarization" itl its new location. Condition of the Birds: In the main, the birds caught were in good condition, but occasionally when they were disturbed or excited in the trap, or could not be removed promptly by the workers, a feu received cuts on the head from jumping against the wire top of the trap. Hhen rabbits or magpies got into the traps there seemed to be more head injurie s than usual. None, however, were seriously injured, nor were any lost from this cause. .After being removed from the trap, the birds were held in shipping crates until it uas convenient to transport them. -44- �Four hens died in the crates i'retlll unknowncauses. The crates were thought, to be unsatistactor,y for holding pheasants for long periods because they crowdedthe birds and afforded little movingspace and were not high enoughto allotl the birds to stand erect. Analysis and Recommendations: Erection of Traps: On,the basis of the information obtained from one year's trapping, it would seemevident that another season's trapping wouldbe muchmore successful. Since too little consideration was given to the time element involved before a catch could be expected, this year's trapping programgot off to a slow start. Uhile the construction and setting up of the traps was being carried on, the pheasants were flushed out of their cover and often not allowed to comeback in for long periods, consequently they movedto other undisturbed places. These activities obviously reduced the possible catch. It wouldbe advisable, then, to set up pre-baited traps far in advance of the proposed trapping season, possibly before the birds have gone into winter concentratiqns. At that time, of course, the birds will have access to and from the trap. To protect the traps against cattle, arrangements can be madewith landownersand the traps can be fenced. In this waythe birds wouldcertainly becomeaccustomedto the presence of the trap and bait by the time trapping operations begin. The traps wouldbe protected not only against cattle but also hunters whootherwise might stumble into them. Trapping Sites: As indicated previously, the desired type of trapping site is one which is used by the birds for protection, for sunning, for loafing, and as the usual avenue or lane of travel. Pheasants seemto ,prefer the tall, willowy, weedytype of cover and trees in the winter. To get the maximum numberof pheasants to comeinto contact with the traps, it is preferable to use long narrOrlstrips of cover for trapping sites. It is recommended that a trap in such a location be placed near the usual "loafing" spot where larger numbersof birds can be attracted by the bait and extending into the cover across the pathways through it. Types of Traps: Oneadvantage of the "feed lane" type trap is that it can utilize the long narrow strips of cover; The feeding lane can be placed across the strip of cover and offers a numberof entrances. In theory, it a bird merely passes through the area it should contact the trap; and although it maynot want food, it maybe trapped trying to get through. The Ohio-type trap was successful and should continue to be employed where conditions of cover offer mainly baiting possibilities. 'Additional entrances wouldbe advantageous. Pheasants entered morereadily when the entrances were widenedinto a "V" shape. There have been times whenpheasants have escaped from the Ohio-type trap. It is believed that weedsor willows used as camouflageinside the traps and in front of the entrances will prevent the birds from seeing the opening. Since the tops of the traps were wovenwire the pheasants sometimesinjured their heads by jumpingagainst it repeatedly. - 45 - �Fish nettin~ of one to tno-inch meshshould be used for the tops of all the Ohio-typetraps and the catch pens of the nreeding lanett type traps. Catching rabbits in the traps presents a problem. In trying to escape the rabbit butts the sides of the trap and its weight and strength m~ damagethe trap if it is not secure or if it has weakmembers •. The use of the drive trap should not be discounted. Provided the trap is so designed that it can be easily handled and put into place in a few minutes while the birds are out of the area, and provided it does not fence out the birds, it should be successful. Baiting the area near the drive trap opening is suggested, and should be especially beneficial when natural food is not available. Extremecaution must be exercised in driving pheasants. It seemsnatural for pheasants to speak or run awayif the approachingdanger is not too near, but if startled or pressed they will fly. \~n driving pheasants, therefore, one must moveslowly to prevent flushing them. Theposition of the drive trap and the dispersal of the cover wouldnecessarily govern the numberof menneeded and the direction of driving the birds. Baiting: If, as planned, traps are erected well in advance of the trapping season, baiting should be done at that time also. Pheasants often will leave the bait untoucheduntil their natural food becomesunavaila.ble. It is believed that ear corn is the' best bait to use inside the trap because it is moreeasily seen and not quickly covered by snowas are other grains. Hhena newtrap is placed it should be \1ell baited inside and all exits left open. Grain should be freely scattered around the outside of the trap to get the birds used to feeding there and accustomedto the sight of the trap. Pheasants will take barley and corn readily. Whena catch is expected baiting outside the trap should be done sparingly and only near the trap entrances. . TendingTraps: It. has been found that it is easier to trap pheasants where they choose to be than to induce them to cometo a trap in another location. Oncethe bird concentration points are spotted, the trapper should avoid driving the birds away. It is, therefore, goodpractice to tend the traps while the birds are awayfrom the trapping site. It is here recommended that traps be tended during the late afternoon and early evening hour-sto avoid disturbing the flock. Also, trapped birds ~hould.be removedas quickly as possible to prevent self-injury in attempting to escape. It might be advisable to place stationary traps somedistance from farm houses to prevent any trouble with house cats getting ~to the traps. Holding Period: In view of the discomfort suffered by the birds while confined in holding crates, it is felt that a holding pen of ampledimensions to allow free movementon the part of the birds nould be highly superior. Dueconsideration has been given the excellent condition of birds held in pens and it La felt this step warrants any additional work. Here, again, it is felt that the catcher used in removingbirds from the traps can be employedin an identical mannerto removebirds from the holding pen, or special value is the fact that stock can be carried over the slack trapping periods or until sufficient numbershave been taken to constitute a truck load and a reasonable numberof plants. - 46 •. �It ,'as noted that even in a state ot semi-darkness birds confined· in crates are prone to keep up a constant pacing and \'Iorking to free themselves. Whereas, in a pen covered \lith light canvas, through which sufficient light passes to allow feeding, the birds cease their excited behavior. Sand or gravel should be used to cover the floor of the pen. Outside distrubance of the penned birds from predatory birds and animals can be eliminated by placing the enclosure under shelter. Banding~ At the outset it was felt that a system of banding each daily catch as the birds were placed in holding crates 'Wouldeliminate an add!tiona! handling of birds and consequently increase their chances of survival. Along with this it was desired to retain the birds in a series of band numbers within each crate in order that a complete series of birds could be released at the individual transplant sites. Whenthe proposed holding pen is utilized it is recommendedthat bands be attached as the birds are placed in shipping crates thus attaining a like result. Primarily the work was inaugurated to replenish depleted pheasant areas by trapping birds !tom areas of high populations. Since that time it has been recognized as a comprehensive means for· supplying data on age, weight and spur length before the first of the year and 'Weightand general condition from January until the onset of the breeding season. It is suggested that in view of the crop dsmage studies already in progress under Federal Aid Project 37-R that an account of crop depredation reported by farmers be recorded as possible areas in which to carryon live trapping operations. Pursuant to a study of crop depredation it might be well to note the effects resulting from the reduction of pheasant numbers in a given area. Submitted b;y: Name HowardStiehm Approvedb;y: COLORADO GAME AND FISH DEPARTliENT A:::::- --....-....; Y·,· e-. / Name n. L, Flinn By -' / ¥ \. /..r ~~---.:..r r < t _~.'!--~.-f-.:r,..",€' .-. _--. \ . _ .• - . TitIe _~f1:.::i=ld=l=i::;.f.;.e...;T:;.;:e~c.::;hni:=·::;,;:e:.::i=an=.:s:::...Title ,;,C.s."..:No:.J.:...:..F1~e=as::.t~'L-.:::D;.:ir::.e_c: _ Date Note: ~A~pr~i~1~2~7~,~19~4S=_ ------ Persons vlishing to quote from this abstract should first permission from the State Gameand Fish Department. - 47- obtain �STATE COLORADO ffiO~CTNO. __ ~3~2-~D~-1~ DATE April, OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS _ 1948 REPORT As required by PEDER.A.t AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader: 3. Report of Progress: Antelope Restoration Robert R. Elliott Title o£ Job: Live-Trapping and Transplanting Antelope ObJectives: To increc.se and develop the total antelope population in the State by trapping animals out of overcrowded areas, and placing them in a new habitat, either to start a new herd or improve an old herel by eliminating inbreeding to someextent. ~: ~ -s r-, \j' o () ::t~ Actual trc.pping operations were started December10, 1947 and terminated MarchI, 1948.. Construction and assembly of the trap consumedmost of November,1947, and dismantling and preparation for storaee was completed b7 April 1, 1947. Technique Used: Subsequent to rather intensive survey of both transplant sites and locations for the tr~p, it was agreed that the antelope were to be trapped from the Colorado Antelope Refuee on the Harren Livestock Company'sland, in Lc.rimerCOtmty, north, of Fort Collins. Aerial trend counts and ;;round-checks which. 'Weremade prior to surveying trap sites, revealed that ne~l:r 700 antelope oore wintering within the refuce, and that probably 200 more were just across the Hyomingboundary; It VIasdecided that 250 antelope could be taken £rom the refUce without having ~ deleterious efrects.on the herd as a whole, due mainly to the inter-min~ling \lith the herds in Wyoming. Near17 a full month, November,was spent collecting all the needed materials and setting up the trap. This delay was due to several factors. The trap was made in Montanaand evidently somedifficult)" was experienced in procuring scarce items for its completion. Furthermore, inexperience on the part of the. project leader and the crew madefor the expending of more time. -48- . �... ..•.. '-; 1e70 ._.~!J,. Arter all eeneeraed becamefamiliar with the trap, assembly, dismantling, and movingtime was cut by more than half'. Personnel makingup the regular crew in addition to the project leader were: JerOJl1e D. Buckner, Field Assistant L. C. Munson,Laborer DwightE. Divens,Laborer Claude E. rIbite, Laborer Acknowledgment and appreciation is extended to KennthB. Ui],yard, Pilot, whose skillful flying madethe project a success, and to all the other departmental employeeswhowillingly and generously gave their time and efforts. A diagrammatic sketch of the trap is shownin Figure 1, Whichis taken from that sent by the LlontanaGameand Fish Department. The complete trap consisted of wings, lane, main pen of cord net, and squeeze pen uhioh is actually a part of the cord-net pen. The wings and lane vrere madeusing ~. foot iron T-posts driven in the ground one rod apart, and 32 inch wovenwire, 4 inch mesh. One wing was 80 rods long and the other about 60 rods in length, both with only one width of the 32 inch wire. The lane was 40 rods long, 40 feet wide at the mouth, tapering back to 23 feet at the double gates of the cord-net pen. The wire was doubled in height" presenting a 5-foot fence of woven\vire. The main'cord-net pen with the integral squeeze pen is situated in defilade, where possible~ so that the antelope do not see it until they are practically inside. The pen itself is an 8-foot high net enclosure, 100 feet long and 40 feet wide at the center, forming an oval, with double swinging gates at the front, and a single swinging gate at the rear, which opens into the .squeeze pen. The latter is 7 feet uide at the front, 16 feet- long, and 3 feet nide at the rear sliding gate. The large netting is supported by cables strung at the top end bottom of portable steel Ltype posts. These posts are beld to the ground by one steel picket stake. Procedure in trapping uas to haze the antelope into the wings by plane; and once \7ithin the wings, the plane held them until ground crews made their ,Jay behind the antelope to "seine 'f t~em into the lane and pen with outstretched canvas. The double gates were closed by pulling a rope, uhich was strung along the lane fence. Canvas strips 6 feet wide were fastened to the bottom cable, and these strips were draped along the netting in order to keep the animals from hitting the sides of the pen. This did not workevery time, but it did have a tendency to makethe antelope "mill" in the center of the pen. Organi~ation for handling the animals was set up as follows: Four menwith canvas inside the main pen. Onemanon the squeeze pen gate. Four mento load from squeeze pen to truck. Onemanon sUding gate. Onemanto tally, tag and' watch trap door of truck., -49 - ' .• ' �TA6LE LOCATION OF TRANSPLANTED 2 ANTELOPE - DEC. ,Q.q1 t JAN. 'Q48. LOGAN WELD It(>.y~ YUMA ,.J> ~ .-® d- 0""" CHEYENNE. KIOWA . r;f"" CROWLE.Y BACA Q$'-'" FI, L~ OTl\lIllCl4D �SQUEEZEPEN MAIN LANE PEN ~II;'+-IDO' '" I· WING 401"'dG. •. I c 80 rds. pOST .,i e ,. GATE e 9 .25' f" "'\.t 45' · . ·$ 5 OOU8LEO e ~f" 9 8. • H 1 W'II~ L,- TYPE" 5 P03T 32 - wovEN willE (, i't ,S T· TYPE STEEL FIGURE - 1 POST f<' .. J\ �Trucks used for trensperting the antelope were completely enclosed to shut out as muchlight as possible, and the animals were hauled to the release point quickly, stopping only to refuel. Q1 December10, 1947, the first run was made, trapping IS antelope in one hour, 3S minutes flying time. Eight of this group escaped, however, four going behind the canvas-bearers, and four through the squeeze-pen sliding gate. The remaining ten were loaded, hauled to a point 9 miles south of ~'ioodrow and released. Onedoe died enroute !'rompneumonia, as was determined later by autopsy. Twenty-six were trapped the morning ot December12 in 4S minutes fiying time, and 45 more were nm in the trap in the afternoon atter 45 minutes of flying time. Forty-six animals were loaded in two trucks and were taken to the Bouthern otero County transplant site. Losses at the trap numbered.four and.losses en route six. The remaining 21 were left overniiht in the trap and 19 nere transported the next day to the same site. Onefawn had d.ied in the trap and one groggy doe was released. Nonewas lost en route. OnDecember15, 38 antelope were trapped in the afternoon and left in the trap overnight. The next morning found one fawn dead and one with a broken leg sustained from getting caught in the netting. The double gates becameloose and 26 antelope ran out before the gates could be secured again. This left 10 in the trap, 9 of which were loa.cledand taken to the TamarackRanch. Onedoe in bad shape was released at the trap and one fawn died en route, leaving only 8 released at the transplant site. Eleven more were trapped the sameday, but :3 of them were killed by hitting the \lo11en wire fence. The remaining 8 were loaded and then taken to Tamarackalso, but one died en route, bringing the total released to 15. Fifty-four antelope were trapped Deeember29, two of which escaped through the canvas bearers, and two were killed at the trap. Only two trucks were available so '41 were loaded and taken to Tamarack. The other 9 were released at the trap. Cnedied en route, making a total of S5 released on the TamarackRanch. No,further trapping Viasdone until January 19, 1948, due to bad weather. At this time, 27 were trapped, 20 of which were loaded and hauled to the southern Otero County transplant. area. The other 7 were turned loose at the trap because only one truck was available. Onefawn died en route. These 19 animals brought the total numberreleased in southern Otero County to 78. The following day, January 20, a clean capture put 17 in the trap with no losses. All were loaded and transported ~98 miles across the Continental Divide to the transplant area north of Fruita and Grand Junction, and all were released in good sbape, This was the most difficult, ;yet most successful haul madeduring the program. -50 ~ �Findings: Follow-up inspection trips were ede te each of the transplant areas at irregular intervals to check on the progress of the antelope in their newhabitat. At the TamarackRanch, foUl' were found that had been killed by coyotes, and one had died from injuries received at the trap or en route apparent~. The remaining 50 had split up and drifted off the Ranchto the south and east. Various reports have been received since, stating that groups of lB, 6, 1.3, and 8 have been seen in the general vicinity betweenSterling and Julesburg. It is felt that the "plant" in this area will be fairly successful due to the adequate range and protection by the wardens, trappers, and public in general. Only two of the transplanted antelope in southern otero Countyhave been found dead, but complete coverage of the area has not been madeJ due to bad road conditions. According to reports from wardensand the Soil Conservation Service field oftice in that area, the herd has scattered considerably. Undoubtedlysomeof them have joined a herd that roams to the south and were in the area before transplanting was done. Introduction here should be successful also since most of the range is within the LandUtilization Project and is administered quite close~ by the SCS. An inspection trip to the Fruita transplant area two weeksafter the antelope had been released revealed that they were not doing so well, primarily due to poaching. Three had been shot and a fourth casualty has been reported but not confirmed. The range is large enoughand can carry the antelope easily anQtbere is no serious predator problem, but the poaching is and always has been a major consideration in this area. The thirteen or fourteen antelope left will probably do well to survive until next fall and winter whenmorecan be put with themin order to build up a larger herd. Analysis and Recommendations:J4anymistakes were madeduring the trapping activities, and muchhas been gained from them so that repetition shall not be madewhenoperations are resumednext fall. Observations made for improvementof the trap and techniques are given below: 1. Keepone wing straight and in direct line with the lane, and the other can be curved out in a hook. This could be fenced off at the mouthor entrance and be used as a holding pen, providing that 54" wire is used; 32" is muchtoo low. . 2. Tying•.in the straight wing with a line fence f1r other existing fence is good practice, since it is familiar to the antelope and they will have a tendency to follow it toward the trap • .3. The main pen should always be in defilade or partly out of sight so that the antelope are practically in it before ·they see it. Use of canvas around the squeeaa-pen mayhelp in handling and cut downloss somewhat. - 51- �4. Wherepossible, it is better not to have anyone behind the antelope to force them on into the trap. Although this insures getting somein the trap, the loss is higher because they hit the novenwire in the lane and break a neck or leg or get skinned up badly. If the antelope are not "wise" to the trap, the plane can usually boost them into the main pen, and the gates can be closed by pulling on a rope from a foxhole or other hidden spot. Onthe other hand, whenthe antelope do leam. what the trap means, it is absolutely nece ssar.y for a crew to get behind them as soon as they are in the rf.Ungs because they will certainly stop and retreat when they see the trap. 5. It must be emphasizedthat antelope cannot be driven, and that they must be workedand handled carefully and slo\71y. The plane should stay slightly behind the herd at all times, and not dive on themexcept to push them into the trap. The pilot has to just haze them easilY, taking plenty of time if necessar,y. Leaving the antelope in the trap or holding pen to cool off and quiet dow.nis highly recommended. Most losses were caused either directly by pneumoniaor shock, or being excited unduly and running into the fence. Data and Reports: Detailed accounts of trapping activities from monthto monthhave been set dOl1nin monthly progress reports, and these maybe referred to for any particular operation from December,1947 to March, 1948, inclusive. Table 1, as shown, gives the breakdownof bucks, does, and fawns transplanted in each area and the grand total for all areas. TABlE1 Distribution of AgeGroupsfor Each Transplant Site Southern Otero County LandUtilization Project Bucks 8 2 S 3 Does 8 7 8 7 Fawns 7 8 6 9 Sub.,.totals 18 .30 .30 Total NumberTransplanted • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Sex "Ratio: 1 buck to 1.66 does and 1 favm per 1 doe - 52- Total 23 17 19 19 78 �Tamarackltanch Bucks Does FaWfis - 5 3 Total 8 7 40 1 5 1 7 12 21 Sub-totals 8 22 25 Total NumberTransplanted • • • • • • • • • •• 55 Sex Ratio: 1 buck to 2.75 does and 1.13 fawns per doe South of Woodrow Bucks 1 Fawns 4 Total 9 4 Sub·totals 1 4 4 Total NumberTransplanted • • • • • • • • • •• Sex Ratio: 1 buck to 4 does and 1 fawn per doe 9 North of Fruita Bucks 2 Does Fawns Total 5 10 17 Sub.totals 2 5 10 Total NumberTransplanted • • • • • • • • • • 17 Sex Ratio: 1 buck to 2.5 does and 2 fawns per doe GRAND TOTAlS; ~ 29 Does 61 Fawns 69 ~ 159 From the above intormation, it can be seen that a rather well-balanced sex ratio pre~ls in each area, except the ta\m:doe ratio in the Fruita area. Twoto one is slightly above averqge. Of course, the antelope which are shot, killed by predatOl's er injury will throw the ratio off somevlhat,but if' planted in the proper proportion, the' herd should tend to balance it~elf. Table 2 shows the record at trapping operations tor each d~ that a catch was made. - 53- �TABLE 2 Daily ~ecord of Antelope for Each Catch Flying Time Hrs. Min. Date 12/10/47 12/12/47 12/12/47 121:13/47 12/15/47 12/16/47 12/29/47 1/19/1J3 2 0 45 45 40 30 20 18 26 45 (21) 38 11 54 27 17 10 236 35 35 1/20/48 6 Number Trapped Number Escaped 8 Number Loaded Number Released 10 26 20 19 0 0 1 27 0 11 '9 23 17 19 .8 '0' ,9 Number Dead 1 3 7 1 .3 0 8 41 20. 17 ,19 17 4 3 1 0 54 170 159 23 7 ·· .7 ./.1) ·. · ..' · · .. · o ,_. Total Number Trapped • 236 • • • • • • ._ Total Number Escaped and Released at Trap 54 • • • " '. Total Number Killed at Trap • • • • • • • •" • • .._ ., •• ~ .~ •• •• 12 Total Number Died En Route • • • • • • 11 • • • '. ". • • • .• • • Total Number Transplanted 159 • • • • • • • • • • •" • •• '\ • • • • • Percent Loss of Total Number Trapped • • • • • • • ~ • • • • • • 9.74% - · 0 0 , " "', Continued cold and severe weather and high \7inds whic~ prohibited light-plane flying accounts for the seemingly few days when trapping attempts were successful. There were several days when the antelope could not be made to go near the trap" even after moving it to two new locations. They were "trap-wise" and would turn and bolt out of the lane once they caught sight of the trap. Atter three or four experiences of this nature, it was deemed best to terminate trapping activities for the year. Although the project was not as successful as was anticipated, a great deal of valuable experience was gained, and the project leader is confident that next year 1 s operations will show a marked improvement both in a. larger number of antelope successfully transplanted and a smaller lo~s • . .... ;. .. ,;.. '_ ': Submitted: Approved: Name COLORADO STATE GAIliE AND FISH DEP.@TMENT Robert R. Elliott E- " - ' 'L. - \./ /~r Title Wildlife Technician By Title Note: _ 0' ( ' ~ 7 CO d.. :7i;;:par:;_ C. N. Feast" Director Date Apr~l 30,'l<ij§ Persons wishing to quote from this abstr~ct shou,ld first obtain permiSSion from the State Game and Fish Department. -54- � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/54e25421dbbe3b387aa4c8badf088094.pdf 319b0d5396c07f295200ac58a1de9a50 PDF Text Text STATE COLORADO PROJECT NO. _~37"-.;.:;R....:-l=-DATE QUARTERLY PROGRESS SURVEYS AND _ July. 1948 REPORT I»VESTIGATIONS As required by FEDERAL AID IN HILDLlFE RESTORATIOn ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader: Game Bird Surveys H. J. Figge Report submitted by H. A. Stiehm 3. Report of progress: Hork Plan No.2 Title: - ~ Rural and star Route Carriers Pheasant Roadside Census. Objective: To obtain information regarding the distribution and centration of birds and the sex ratio thereof. con- Techniques: Rural and Star Route nail carriers throughout the pheasant range in Colorado conducted a survey of one week's duration over their mail routes \-Thilecarrying on their regular mail delivery duties. The week of J:.Iarch 29 through April 3 was chosen as the most desirable. During this period field conditions as well as the natural behavior of the birds facilitated spotting and was determined as most satisfac~ tory to produce accurate data. Cooperators followed accepted procedure whi.ch has been outlined in previous reports and thus deemed unnecessary to repeat here. . Personnel: Rural and star Route mail carriers. Findingsz The results of this, the second annual survey by mail carriers are to be found in Table 1. The results of the initial survey (Harch April, 1947) have been recorded also to aid comparison. Reports were received from 201 carriers comprising 60.54% of the 332 contacted in 33 counties of Colorado. Carriers drove 55,113 miles and counted 2468 pheasants for a ttatewide figure of .0447 birds per mile tallied while driving. The total of 2468 birds, 1509 cocks and 959 hens, resulted in a sex ratio of 157 •.35cocks per 100 hens. A breakdown of data for individual counties has been compiled in Table I. On the basis of individual county records, Figure I and II 'tITere prepared to simplify examination of existing conditions and at the same time conform ld th a practice originated one year ago. �;~==========~========~~~====~========~==========~ ic I FIGURE io '" WYOMRNG' I • ALBANY II ItARAMIE .~~--.;._.---.. ' LARIMER KIMBALL' -.~IWEL", NEilL EUEL CHEYENNE - '--; ,, RURAL MAIL CARRIERS CENSUS' DISTRIBUTION OF PHEASANT SEX RATIO Based on Table I (cocks/IOO hens) J)jJJj]7A o ' \ r'\ , M -, 151 :~,~~}::,}\,~ 200 Ig tl' "0<» I dO ~ 4' ::;::JiiiIt l.><J ..••. !I: ..li -, over 200 II Ie:::: insufficient ./ ,..".., /""DELTA L .-1""" I I' '-L. -- GUNNISON' _ fj: -, / .~ CHAffEE " 1 JE ;;' ~. ) ii' .-. ) . ~ FREMciNr-'-' )' EL PAS __ . ._. __ .__ . \ , '! 1 'I._._J '6 •__ • I . {' -_._- t. '/ I .-_.__J. I' . .L.._ l S 5 '\../~. 'Y 10 20 30 .0 j. 50 J 0 80 M'LES' A "0° 0ot~ ~."!.! 0 - O~"'" tJ() ~ .RioARRi"BA---·-~----\ . _.-......__. :., 'II'" • tf "." : ·0 •• 't' . "••.••..• r : •• ' • ,'" •••••••.•• ••,.,. • -.11 • ~." •• "... ••• - ~ •• •1: •• -.......... !. I N. 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';...-,,:. .#.~" .,. ;. .......r., ./cOSTILLA \ \ . •• .'a.,.... s.... .!..~.: ..•,...r.,••.•• '" -'''~ •• I·.•·~···#· : ...-...: .•...- •.•;•••. -:-: r•.••..•• :,;,••••.• ~.t.:··. · ,",.;, •.•• ' e: "' ••••••••..••. '...• -':· ..• -··-.··-::r··.,·'··~-·····:· • •• r: r'LASANIM / p:~:'.: !:II .,....' ~. . ..., " •••• •••.••••••••• .~.~Co~.:"','")·.='r''I;'C;7. OIERO' _ -,I. .• •••.:;e •.• ".r- --) ~".t... •• CJ -< .'" .':,.•....,--... .,.,,: .. "°tJ°OO tJO .' • ALAMOS ~ •••• .. __ . 0000 00 .' '\ 0 ~f!) Go"'e> .••• ,:. " Ia;;- __'_'--''-T-'_ SAN JUAN----L-----._____ 0 1 0 ~. ", ••• ,OO~OOtJ I '\../HUERfANO L.__..ot) .RIOGRANDE • iii".".• S. ,/,.,-.,. .,,','1*" . ..•..- _••.'.', ._ CROWLEY0 /'/'"\.J '. . . . -AP • LATA I : .,_............, '1, . I. " 1 MINERAL\......... •• 1" ~ 1 \ .\.. _ III , •••• : ' •• j '--'---" \. . J .' ,.1' l1li ./ '\ ~.~.!,.(SANJUAN,·t ';-, .OLORES o ) HINSDALE I r. . ,,_. , ) ~ t· ••• «<» ...t':,'_"';,.' ." ~."~.," I.. _I ~ • . 0000" •••.••. ·CUSTE-R 1' •• ., , I '_' 1 l 1 . PUEBLO ~ - t: ' .__ '. ~ - ~ •• ~.-.-' .LI-NCOLN'-.-, --jiKITCARsON. -:. ~f;o '! :"-:1! 1 't iJ.,,~~~: ••.••1...•: .: : .•••.•~.i . ,-_. __ .__ ._l_.--J'\ . .,..,.... 1 r./ • ." • • .. ".,,'1.' -' .~.'•••••• '"I ,,' ••• •• e· ,.: ,: •••• ' ~,!,_e:_~~~~~- ITELLER SAGUACHE [• , III. ~.--.~.-- ! '- • r » II'~' III i ,,/ I, J:S • •• ," I. ,:••••• • I'" • .' •••••• • ' ,,' ill, " ••.••• _,I, ••; • ( • •• "'_.':: _ I ~ \, )C • 'ill ....,,_....... ". l",-.' ,::J r r -< "••••••.•.•,. ltt'_,.,:;: .. : ...t··\,.":···_···.... ~.~ , • ' ••••• ;.,•• ,. • •• , .,1"1 IE" ) , .IfARK--·' ('I \ _. __ ••••••. /"', , Y W" MA" ~ I..,._ . , .•.. 'J. __ .--;.....• , '-. I· J ''I ~ ___ .~: I.' " , <, CREEK ,-. \ \ data f'__"'" . CLEAR •• \ (" IE ;:;' e, • .•••••••••••• •••••• )..~.-.. x., ,. .1\'\: ::.~: :.',\; ) '" It .1. ~ '•••• . ".'.-:- ~ :.,~. 1-. ..•• ~ .Z:' :••:.,.; ••,:: .•••• I.: .,: : «: ":. . ~.--. . . \GiLPIN 'MIT \ ••• ".- .••• 11,\ " '. / .., ?.....e2. 0 -... . . "t ..,..,......~..-. . ... . WASH1NGTON' ' 150 > ° 00°015000:°\: . M RG N 1 .. .,,-..,.}' 100 101 'Z OO(Jt!)tltJO~", \ BOULDER 51 0 s: '0 0 ()# 0 ~ e 000 """il; PHILLIPS \ .._. >z ~ ,,"'01:;) ,,0 • e O~ _lU..~, '\_ 50 KEITH ---0-'4"";- 0 '~DGW~U 0 0 I) (> 0 0 ;(l)J~ ~ I) • 0 (!) D I'" 'Oll{ » LA- o o �;;u I WYOMRNC' !LARAMIE .ALBANY FIGURE I ,. '\'L'ARiMm-----~ '\ RURAL MAIL CARRIERS CENSUS PHEASANT DENS lTY MAP _ > '\ "'-::-i~·-·-·-.-.-,-.-y-;.. ;;; : ,~ I < PITKIN .• 12:: .. «1 • ~ ~•• I :> S' is': .. I I DELTA , ~ . -zt f::I <"-'-. ;;1 MONTROSE . I..:::J . . , . .--1 L_ ..., : f__ •• oi.OiiES·_·_·"'\.... !-= ~ ---...-\ r....) ~ I r1 II 11 L '1.1 I l 81 ~ I.. rSANJUAN·_ 0 5 10 20 ! "!o. , 00 -'-- ••• 10-450 eo MILES A-;;CHULETII ' I~ I 30 . I •.~,------.-~----. RIO ARRIBA ._._.__ .,CONEJOS . ') \" i ./ 1. ~ t t!. ) \ ~/ <rl P ~ I'II\--~.---+\( •• - - TOAS C\n N. ",.Ii!:;lC, COLFAX ..• J !<c ' II f-I-i-·t- ~"Q n to _ Ll It'' I zl!: :<> - ~ I t- ..J (,_J:' , ./' / ~~ l!=o . I--_j~ .1. 'LASANIM f.., . /COSTILLA z,Drrt ~" - ~ . r-I- II. "I .;>, y ......r ~ .I . I- I.....' '\ ./\.J ) :8 -<Ill ~rrt >- ..n'-~ 1/1 oS:: KI WI '.) '" ._. .RIOGRANDE....., ~ 1.1 k'-1ro-:t;;.I-t-. , L EV \ I' '-.;../HUERFANO ,., " •• - •••••• t CIPW . : '.6 -11 \.. I \ ..sr- ~111 j" \ CUSTER . ,. i- . r- .r- ·~rt:i·T , f- _ I . _._._.-,." \ • . r.;;;PUE·BLO ' /' ~ . . ':j_J I a:h o III . """ './ l L._ ._._.:....,-._.. I If i~11 ~ ',J ~. • I ' i . 1-1-'1- . I-- .-t- C EV NN . '\. . . n ~ I~~ II ~ " . i ~ I~ J I-·_·_·_· 'L_ ' . '.FREMONT . '. I '·MINERAL·'-..., '1 :lA PLATII ""-."\. ~), . .j-H. " ',TELLEA!ELPAS _,J.'"\.... > JUAN! ~ _._-_._'_._.---i, EZ ~ I III ) HINSDALE ,-J' 1"00.. i L a "r ./\ .b:::! LIICU' .~ !u.'_. .I fSAcUACHE·_·__'_·-J· -, r'-'-I' (SAN ~ ".o91l1li:J:!· E.BE T '., ., ,.. " 'I L., ON -.../ '-" ,--....!.CHMfEE I) . '.''t--' ,..-s"ANMiGUEL-·-·-·_·f. I \......_ \', . ~'o..•... ~ . i I --'-, , ~I 'l! . i _J Jj. • GUNNISON ~ =- . .L '-L CRF.EI( LAKE ( .,(\' ./. ,..,....... .~./ r: F< : \_ .J_.-.-.-.~.i . ,.._./~ i ,)" c-' Ell: or m, i~ J CLEAR V1MIT \ I None ~ ... l~ ~ j Fair I -< ~ '._ _.\... r r fol . III TlIIIIII 11 Poor III 1 1 I I I] Very Poor Z '0 ~ I Based on Table I (b5.rds/100 miles) 1111111_ 0 ~ . \. Good » Z . <:) --!WEL I ~ s II I I I' 'I J .r-I-'-I-.t- . ' ,., . , L ! . .1. - .l.&.-"rY ' UNION . I_I- -r....r:. _j _!:- ,_1- •• ~ •• I �Analysis and Recommendations: Card Returns: An analysis of carrier response to a plea for cooperation has shown a drop fram 67.1% (spring 1947) to 60.54 at the present time, a difference of 7.46%. The all-time lou has been recorded for July, 1947 when 57.76% of the cooperators saw fit to submit returns. Actually, the initial response last spring ",as far belo,.,a 90% to 95% return experienced by other states. But on the other hand Colorado is experiencing a fairly comparable return at present due to an absence of the expected drop of 25% to 30% in card returns. As a preventive against such an occurrence, the results of each survey have been released to individual carriers in the form of tables and maps on the county level. In addition, every effort is made to impress upon the group as a \-Tholethe importance of their ,·rorkas an aid to proper ga1lle management. Future contacts with rural carriers may call for added ingenuity to maintain interest at a level "'hich "lill provide a reliable sample of data. Population Densities: The sta teuide figure of .0447 birds per mile is 7.8.3% lover than the .0485 birds per mile recorded during the same period one year ago, Eighteen of the 33 counties reporting have shown an increase of birds per mile seen while driving, whereas 13 counties have shown a decrease, 2 counties, Costilla and Douglas ",ere lacking in data. Table II has been developed to give the reader easy access to data shm·ring the percent of increase or decrease in pheasant areas of Colorado, The allimportant nortbeast corner camposed of Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Hashington, and YUI!laCounties ShOl·ISa decrease of 23.06% in birds per mile recorded uhile driving. In addition, a 4.97% decrease in birds per mile has been calculated for the Arkansas Va.lley in uhich lies' Baca , Bent, Otero, Prowers, Kio,·,a,Crowley, and Pueblo Counties. In the irrigated area Generally north of Denver and including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Jefferson, Larimer, norgan, and Ueld Counties an increase of 34.16% 'oTasnobed , Tuo relatively small areas the san Luis Valley and the Hestern Slope were found to· show increases of 92.73% and.17.7.3% respectively. Though considerable increases and decreases are evident in areas such as the northeast, the San Luis Valley, and the area north of Denver they did not result in broad changes to the pheasant density picture, Figure I. The northeast remains as the area of population high from which the density tapers off to the west and south. A break in the poor pheasant range has been noted as developing across the cattle range and uheatland of ICioua, Lincoln, and Cheyenne Counties causing an extension of very poor pheasant range from Elbert and weatern Lincoln Counties eastward to the Kansas State line. 1. small patch of southern.Ueld County has been isolated from the surrounding area due to a noticeable absence of birds, In addition, it can be -2- �seen that a small portion or Las AnimasCountyvaries from the general density of the region. It is believed that these and other areas l.,hichindicate a close correlation to irrigated and dry lands as uell, l·lill continue as present to be a part of the arrangementof pheasant densities. SexRatio: A change in the statal-Tidesex ra.tio from ITJ.76 males per 100 females in 1947 to 157.35males per 100 females in 1.948 has been indicative of a healthy improvement. The changeis not great but it is to be expected as a result of continued hunting seasons on cock birds only. A group of northeastern Coloradocounties including Sedgwick, Phillips, Yuma,tut Carson, and Uashingtonexhibit unfavorable sex ratios, Figure II. In a like mannerCrowley,Kim"a,Bent, and Otero Counties in the A~kansa.s Valley and counties of the entire San Luis Valley and l1estern Slope areas exhibit unfavorable sex ratios. Hare 'favorable sex ratios are evident in the southwestern tier of counties as \1e11as in counties north of DenverinCluding Arapahoe,Adans, Boulder, Larimer, lIeld, Horgan, and Logan. Eventhough the northeastern counties remain ld.thin the class of unfavorable sex ratios the entire group with the exception of Sedguick has shosn improvementl.·Ti th Loveredsex ratios. In conducting a roadside survey hens are of a more secluded nature and in general are not as easily observed as the cock birds. Therefore, it l·louldbe safe to assumethat a ratio of 100 or even less cocks per 100 hens uere actually in existence. This analysis wouldpoint to'\-laI'd a need for determining the approximatetrue ratio. But in the absence of somenathoo, a steadily declining ratio of cocks per 100 hens 'Would allow amplelatitude for proper numbersof male birds and at the same time makepossible the increase in hens. - 3- ��TABLEII Birds Per Hi1e - By A.reas Percentage of Change Area Hiles 1947 194& Birds per Hile . % of Difference Birds 1947 1948 1947 1941 Increase Decrease ITorth of 16964 Denver (7 counties) 13397 343 363 .0202 .0271 34.16 US) )384 75 117 .0179 .0345 92.73 Arkansas 14466 Valley (7 counties) 12711 266 223 .O:J.84 .0175 4.89 llortheast 16144 (5 counties) 11028 2807 1476 .1739 .1338 23.06 Uestern 3540 Slope (2 counties) 3256 50 54 .0141 .0166 San Luis Valley (3 counties) 17.73 �STATE C_OL __O=!RAD-=-O PROJECT NO. DA~ 1. Title of Project: 2. _ 37-R-l --~Ju1~y~!_1~9~4~8 _ Game Bird Surveys Leader: Harry J, Figge. Reported by R. G. Kinghorn, H. A. Stiehm, H. L. Flinn, and I, R. Poley. 3. Report of progress: Hork Plan ~ Title: - Job 2 Pheasants Pre-nesting Study. Objective: To determine potential breeding population, population trends of pheasants in various areas, extent of habitat, and distribution of pheasants. TeQhnigues: Field reconnaissance, including crovdng counts, 'roadside counts, rural carrier road counts, and F. F. A. sex counts. Personnel: Biologist Harry J. Figge, Technicians, R. G. Kinghorn, 11. L. Flinn, and H. A. Stiehm. ' Findings: Crowing counts and roadside counts were made in all the major pheasant areas of the State. Crowing counts were made over predesignated routes one or more times during the crowing season, Road counts uer'e made in conjunction with the crowing counts. Investigators' findings and their areas are as follows: Northeastern Colorado - R. G. Kinghorn Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, and Yuma Counties ",ere all sanpl.ed by one or more trend routes, each approximately twenty miles in length. Crouing counts ",ere'started one-half hour before sunrise and counts vTere taken for two minute period. Results of the crowing counts are as fo1lo'\oIS: ,Averaee 'Calls per stop 10.79 .':' •.••••I'".~..,...... l ~~.{ ;_:;.·T·i'·:·i. (' ,c:L_ ..•..,." ,'! '.': �AnM1;sisand Recomuendations: During the period from April 27 through June 6, 15 crowing counts were conducted in 10 counties comprising the main portions of the Arkansas and San Luis Valleys. It bad been planned originally to sample each county by at least two routes. Time, hmlever) did not permit the fulfillment .of previous plans wi tIl 'the result that only Otero and Prewers CoUnties in the ArkansasValley and AlamosaCounty in the San Luis Valley uere sampled t,dce. Rio Grande Countyof the San Luis Valley was sampledthree times. All other counties including FreD.ont,Pueblo, Bent, Baea, Saguache, and Conejos were sampled once each. TheArkansas River Valley which lies east and west across southeastern Colorado is primarily an irrigated area, with the exception or- eastern border counties, na:tnelyProuers and Baea devoted almost wholly to dry land wheat farming. As a result of this diVision of land use between -9- �the irrigated areas and the dry land areas, routes were set up to produce adequate sa1I1plesot each major land division. Irrigated sections from Pueblo County on the west through Otero, Bent, and Prowers Counties to the east showa general increase in crowing counts fram 4.166 calls per listening stop in Pueblo County to 24.45 calls per listening stop in Prowers County. Dry land areas ot Prowers and Baca Counties showcrowing irxlexes ot 2.65 and 3.00 calls per listening stop respectively. That portion of Fremont Countywhith lies in the rich cuiti vated area surrounding CanonCity was iound to have a crowing index of 38.2 oalls per listening stop in a lim!ted area. Pheasant crowing counts in the San Luis Valley have indicated that the major pheasant area can be outlined by the towns ofoDel Norte, Honte Vista, La Jara, Antonito, Alamosa, Hosca.and Center. It is felt this area supports a fairly uniform population of birds, a belief which is SOIi1e\-1hat contrary to the crowing indexes shownin the Table. Bands ot sheep commonly'Winteredin the area 'Whichremain tmtu early June have been a constant source of "interference to crowing counts, resulting in lowered crOldng indexes. lIevertheless a numberot individual listening stops on each of the seven routes scattered through the valley \lere run off in the absence of sheep interference ,d th resu! ts that point tot-tardhigher indexes on all routes but particularly° on two routes grossly affected. The two ~outes considered here are No. 1in Rio GrandeCounty-and a single route no. 1in Conejos County. Two runs of the Rio GrandeCounty route on l·tay 28 and .:rune5 resulted in crowing indexes of 13.55 calls and 11.00 calls respectively. Though the route was covered from opposite ends on successive attempts it vas noted that eight stops in the sane relative localiti~s were supject to muchinterference but sampling a similar vegetative area was found to have a crowing index of 23.00 callso• Sheep interference at seven stops in Conejos Count,ybas conceivably resulted in lowering the crowing index tl-10to three~ possibly more, points. No attempt is madeto comprehendthe .f'ull effect of thia condition upon otn' annual counts in the San Luis VaUey. But so long as the valley remains a \r.intering area for bands of sheep their. interference vi th hearL~ pheasant calls can be expected to produce similar effects year after year. Fromthe major pheasant area. oasoutlined previously the pheasant population quickly drops orfin all directions, due largely to uncultivated grazing lands of greasewood, high alkalinity, and often flooded areas resulting from a constant nOli of artesian water. - 10 - �Average Calls per Stop Date - No. of stops Mesa County Grand Junction to Fruita 4-21-48 22 do. 4-23-48 22 3.5 Montr·ose County \-1. Ivlontrose 4-19-48 18 6.88 do. 4-20-48 IS 7.66 do. 4-22-48 26 12.7 During the Nesa County counts seven male pheasan.;t.::'1ifuierobservation did not crOll during the tuo r-..i.nuteeountine peri~ds. One was observed to crou tlolice in the interval. The sex ratio of pheasants seen in llesa County \lS.S 100 male:t to 100 females. The sex ratio or pheasants seen in Uontrose County nas 92 males to 100 fetlales. The counts obtained in liontrose County are lou compared to other area. The reasons for this lOll count, are: Hind, cattle, sheep, roosters crouing, and the habitat is iong n.nd narro'H so that on many stops pheasants \-1ouldbe heard trom one direction only, since the roads follo\red the margins ot the tarmland. Future Farmers of America. counted and recorded the pheasants seen on their tarns during the week of April 19, 1948.. Their report 1'o110w8: Area - No. of-No.of BOYs_Total- Total _ Sex aatio or _Chapters-Reporting .J·iales-Fema.les_Pheasants Seen Z.rorthern 8 Northern Haxtun· . 1 Southeast· 4 San Luis Valley lvIonteVista 1:;69 1.324 10.3. m. : 100 f. 1793 . 842 213. m. •. 100 f. 89 143 121 ns, m. : 100 f. 1 12 22 27 81.5 m. : 100 f. llest Central Hontrose 1 .30 214 134 160. m. Garfield Rifle 1 30 11.3 50 226. Southwest Durango Totals 187 e e e· 100 f. County ....L 17 m, : 100 f. 18 62 34 1SB. m. : 100 f • 366+ , 371$ 2532 146.7 m. •" 100 f. . - 12- �Analysis and Recommendations: It seems obvious that the sex ratios given in the F. F. A. report are not correct. All areas except the San Luis Valley ShOH a majority of nales. T".aeremust have been pheasant, hens present that lfere not seen and counted. This is apparently trl,le even "Thentrained observers make sex counts. Manyfactors influence counts on pheasant calls. Practical application of croving counts depends on a reasonably accurate knowledge of sex ratios. Certainly with the limited data now available no attempt should be made to fi~~e total pheasant populations on the basis of crowing counts. \-1orkPlan No.2 - Pheasants - Deviation. ~: Pheasant habitat Objective: development. To extend and improve pheasant winter cover. ~~1: Technicians R. G. Kinghorn, H. A. Stiehm., Harden \1. B. UeUs) and Dr. Lee E. Yeager. ~dinp;~: Twoexperimental lunter' COverplots vere planted in Phill::"ps ?ounty. The plots vTereplanted on waste land adjacent to whea-~fie110 on proper-ty belonging to the Sprague Brothefs·~eoperative Farme~ Inc. All farming tror-k Lavo.Ived was done by the Sprague Brot!lers under the ?rovisions of t:19 exchange use agreenent now in force betareen the (;o:cTado Gane and Fish !)epartment and the Sprague Brothers", O:~eplot vas SOlID in 14 feet rows approximately one-half mile in Length along t.•.. 1-:1e edges of uheat fields. The other plot \-Ias SOlInin a square at Jche edge of a wheat field. The pltlIltings consisted of the follc"T~_ng; 20 percent 20 percent 20 percent 20 percent 20 percent Honey Drip sorghum Bla':!!~Ambez-sorghum Premont; sorghum Sud.~ Grass GiaIl-t Domest~c Sunflouers The seeds llere nixed and drilled acre. in at the rate' of 20 pounds per Analysis and Recommendations: The results' of this be reported in the fall and vTinter quarterlies. It is suggested that if future plantings experiment will of this nature are Dade, SOmeeJqleriments be .madeHi th seeds of s.uitable shrubs. Small amounts of shrub seeds could be nixed "dth the grain and possibly provide a permanent cover strip after tae annual~ops have died out. -12- �Hork Plan No.2 Title: - Pheasants - Deviation. Hail damaGe investigation. Object: To deterrline the extent of damage done to the pheasant population in northeastern Colorado by hail. Personnel: Technician R. G. Kinghorn, Hardens lI.B. Hells, L. Triplet. Technigues: On June 13, 14, 15, 1948, a series of severe ha~l storms suept, t.rrough northeastern Colorado. Extensive field reconnaf.saanee by automobile and on foot ,·TaSnecessary to conplete a prelirninary inventory of the losses sustained. Findings: In general, the hail belts uere from four to eight :miles in \Olidth. They entered Colorado in northern Logn County near Peetz, swept; south across the county into southves tern Phillips County and southeastern Uasl1ington County. From there, they proceeded southeast across northern Yuma County and out of the state east of Uray. Crop damage uithin the hailed strips "ms severe. Hhaat and corn crops uere totally destroyed and adjacent ueed and grass cover areas uere beaten to tile ground. Field reconnaissance revealed dead pheasru1ts, both adtULts and young. Up to four dead pheasants per square !tilewere observed in the severely damaged areas. Hoteever, SOLle live adults Here observed a.Lso , Additional damage was caused by torrential rains that drenched the hail belts and extensive areas on their perimeters. . Analysis and Recommendations: At this early date it is impossible to evaluate the losses sustained, Indications at the present are tha t t~'leDortali ty of young birds ui thin the hail belts "las extremtiy high 'rrith moderate losses in tbe adjacent flooded areas. Hoderate adul, t pheasant losses ~'Teresustained in the hail strips, with few, if any, in the flooded areas~ Continued field uol~k throughout the season Hill be necessary to complete the findings and results ,.fillbe reported trhen available. ltTorkPlan No.2 Title: - Pheasants - Deviations. Hail danace investigation. Object: To determine upland gane losses at the ROChJr Mountain Arsenal Study Area on Hay 30, 1948. . Personnel: Technician I. R. Poley. Technique: One-t1:lelfthof the area vas inspected for danage to pheasants and other Hild life. - 13 - �acres of Beecher Barley \·tereplanted at t~leArsenal for the purpose of putting corn ground into suitable stubble. l~inety-f'iveacres of corn Here planted during Uay. Some seed was treated "lith Semesan, Jr., some ui th Chlordane, and some \u th kerosene; and pheasant danage vas compared uith damage to untreated seed. l10rk Plan NO.2 - Job Z ~: Seed germination and sprout damage study. Object: To deternine the amount of damage to grains and young sprouts. Techniques: Treated and untreated seeds Here planted in alternate sections of 12 rows. Findings: Corn Field I (C-l) !i2.:. 24 rows of 36 36 96 .30acres Treatment Oh.Iordane I Semesan Jr. Kerosene Untreated Corn Field II (C-2) No. 24 z-ovs of 24 2448 72 No. 24 rows of .36 . 24 84 loss per lour rOvlS 81 kernels 15 kernels .35kerne'ls 14 kernels 20 acres Treatment Chlordane II Chlordane III Semesan Jr. Kerosene Untreated C om. Field III (C-.3) Toml Total loss per four rows 2 kernels 8 kernels 'T kernels 6 kernels 7 kernels .30acres Treatment Chlordane IV Semesan Jr. Kerosene Untreated Tptal loss per four rows ISO Remels .385 kernels 175 kernels 141 kernels Four out of every tHelve rO\-1S"rere cruised and the damaged sprouts were stepped on so that they voufd not be recounted. The totnl pheasant d~ge per field to the sprouted corn was as follows: Plot c:r C-2 C-.3 1947 damaBe .3~5 pounds 4.8 pounds 10.8 pounds - 15 - 19.4$ damage ~66pounds ;57 pounds 4•.32pounds �During cultivation a disc type ~d a shoe type cultivator "Tere used. Thoughconsidered less destructive tllan other types of cultivutors, the stationary cultivator regulated by the hydraulic lift of a Ford tractor did destroy more corn sprouts than pheasants destroyed during the first four l1eeks after planting. Work Plan No, 2 - Job 1 ~: Census Techpiques Object! To establish population trends. better techniques in conputing accurate Technigues: Pheasant Cro\~ingCounts: Tl'TO types of crowing counts were made at the Arsenal in an effort to estimte the pheasant breeding population. A sectional trend, in trhi.ch the listt!!f"aingpost ,-roslocated at the center of' the sections; and an intersection trend, in uhicl} the liste:"'.ing. post was located at the road junctions. A t\'TO minute count uas taken at all listening posts fron one-half hour before sun-up tllltil one and one-half hours after sun-up. Pheasant car tre~ds: A 25-mile route ~ithin the Arsenal area is driven ten tines monthly. Pheasants in a strip 200 yeard 'Hide are counted; Ducks and coot trends: A census is made of all the ducks and coot found on the open \-later at the Arsenal. One cO,untis made during the last week of each month. Findings: Crm·ringcounts: Sectional counts give an average of 33.0 calls per stop. Intersection counts give ~n aver~ge of 29.9 calls p~~ stop. The discrepancy of 3.1 calls per mile may be caused by telephone line and fence interference .• A sex ratio of 57 Dales to 1'00 females was obtained by . flush of birds seen. Pheasant car trends: Birds/mile CockS/mile Hens/mile Juv.!mile April Ma.v ~ 1~588 ',578 .632 ~188 '~556 ~356 ~568 .408 .148 .088 .012 April Hay Jime 238 167 171 Ducks and coot trend: - 16- an actual �Pheasant trends shov an' increase during April and June over the sane tHO months of 1947, despite the very damaging storm of He,.;\r 30 Duck trends also shou an increase over the norrths of Hay and June of a year ago. Hork Plan Ho•. Ti t~: 0 '* - Job 4 Trapping and banding Technique s : A soo11 ,·liug-type trap was employed at Fi tzsinons General Hospital. The goslings \Tere driven into the trap one family at a time. Analysis and Recomnendations: TlIenty-tuo goslings "lere banded at Fi tzsinons General Hospital. Ten goslings and tll0 adults \-rere banded at Denver City :::>ark. A reconnaissance uas made on the Green River in ",estern Colorado to inspect the geese nesting conditions. An adult poptuation of approxinately 700 b;i.rds tras reported and an average brood of 4.1 was found. CAlTADA GEESE (Branta canadensis Parents ~ 44-816516 41-8051.31 F 44-816517 149 - Date Remarks FitzsimonS 6-8-48 Adults banded Gen. Hosp, 1-1 Band numbers unknown n tt If " II " 520 521 522 44-816523 524 H 2-20-4$ II 1.4-816525 526 527 528 529 5.30 44-816541 542 H F 44-8165.31 Denver 41-805135 1·1 ·44-$16543 44-~165()1 F 5411- to 540 p1us* Hale is a Lesser Canada Goose (B. c. Leucoparia) mated wi th Connon Canada, Goose (B. c; c.). 7 egGs laid. 6-10-48 City Park Fitzsimons 6-23-48 Adults banded Gen. Hosp; 2-20-48 545 546 Band numbers unknown Goose 11 yrs. 518 44-816519 II 44-816551 Location DownyYoung 44-816502 512 canadensis) 44-816547 548 549 - 17- " It �Hay 5, 1948, one pair of geese uas observed uith two goslings. Six nests uere found, containing t:le follouing eggs: Tl·'0nests of 5 e~gs eggs " II " 6 tt 7 eggs " " 36 eggs Total Average clutch, 6 eggs. Infertile eges, 5, Fertile. eggs,. not ~tch~d, . 6, Juveniles 5. unaccounted for, *One goose, banded \lith No. U.S.B.S. A7l9.366 in 19.36-.37by E. R. Kalmbach, was rebanded in 1945 with band number 41-0051.31. l-TorkPlan No.4 - Higratory lIaterfowl, Title: Survey of migrations Job 2. and population trends of migratory game birds. ObJective: To detemine migrati-on dates. Personnel: population trends, migration routes, and R. G. Kinghorn. Findings: Reference is made to quarterly report of April, 1948, . Project .37-R-l, Special Progress Report Uarch 22, 1948, Project .37-R-l, and Special Progress Report IJovember7, 1947, Project 37-R-l. On the basis of data compiled during the previous quarters on waterfolt11population trends, recomendations for the dates of the 1948 migratory bird seasons \{ere submitted to the U. S. Fish & }lildlife Service. Kill :figures taken from warden reports and prelitti.nary reports on brood success from the Canadian. nesting grounds \-Tereused as a basis for recomoendations on the length of season and bag limits. Shooting hours \-lere recommendedthat lTould help alleviate depredation problems and provide the oost practical shooting period for hunters as "re11 as la\1 enforcement officers. Recommendationsfor the 1943 migratory bird seasons as suPmitted to the U. S. Fish & t-lildlife Service are ~,asfltUows:Ducks: Season: Hours: 35 days- NoV. 8 to Dec. 12,- inclusive 7:00 atm. (mean sunri~e), 5:OQp.m. (mean sunset plus 20 min.)_ Bag limit: 6 ducks a day or in possession. Geese: Season: Same as ducks Hours: Same as ducks. Bag li.nit: 1 goose a day or in possession Species: Canada Goose and sub-species, :lhite Fronted. - 18- �WorkPlan No.4 - l-ligratory Haterfowl - Deviations. Title: Aeria.l census of nesting uaterfoul. Objective: To conduct an aerial census of the HatcrfovTlnesting areas of the San Luis Valley to determine the number-of nesting pairs of ,/aterfO\ll (ducks primarily) and to map the areas considered sui table nesting grounds within the valleys. Technj.!l.~s usedr The San Luis Valley on June 8, 194$, \Thenthis survey was nade, had an abundance of 110. ter , Hany areas, nornally com.prising farms and pastures, uere com ... !_)letely flooded 3:1d practically the whole valley appeared to be sui table duck marsh. This nade the survey very difficult as it lias inpossible, in some cases, to define tlle limits of the nornal nesting areas. Due to this fact, the limits of the nesting grounds \Tere deter.:rl.ned by the observers on the basis of observations wade on the five previous cen~us fliGhts in the area. Resident populations were determined by use of the transect method of census , The valley uas divided into six units, each encompassing typical, consistnnt nesting habitat. These units v~ied in size fron four to 220 square niles in size. A saIlple strip one-half mile tude was floun through ea.ch unit. All birds observed in these strips were counted and the sex and species of each recorded wherever possible. The sample strips represented 13.6 percent of the total nesting area. It uas assumed that each dra!:c represented one nesting pair. The sex ratio, as determined from all birds sexed, was applied to the total count figures and the number of drakes in each semple unit detemined. The density of' nesting pairs per square mile fol", the sample strip was computedand this factor applied to the uhole unit. v, Findings: Unit 1/1, UadanoSpring Area - 102 square miles Densit" - 6.235 nesting pairs per square nile Total pairs - 636 Unit 112, Gun Barrel Area - 220, squat~ Ill~).es '.. .. Density. 4 nesting pair' P6r ~4uare mile ,Total pairs - 880 '. Unit H), Russell Lakes Area - 4 square miles Density - 50 nesting pairs per square mile Total pairs - 200 Unit #4, Rio Grand River Area - :39 square niles Density - 5.92 nesting pairs per square mile Total pairs - 231 - 19 - �Unit 115, Spring Creek Area - 16 square miles Density - 4.7 nesting pairs per square mile Total pairs - 75 Unit 116, Conejos Area - 12 square miles Density - 7,1 nesting pairs per square mile Total pairs - 85 Totals, San Luis Valley Area - 389 square miles Average Density - 5.4 nesting pairs Total pairs - 2107 per square mile Species represented: Uallards made up about 75 percent of the nesting population. The other 25 percent was divided. about equally betueen Pintails, Blue-,ung and Cinnanon Teal, Redheads, Gadualls, and a feu Ruddys and Shovellorso Broods: Young birds appear-ed to be scarce. Ol~y six broods vrer e observed in the uhole valley. It \las felt that the extrenely high water "Was a factor contributing to this 3.S many grassy Imolls and pastures adjacent to ,·raterareas normaLly used as nesting sites ,·rerecompletely flooded out. The average of the six broods observed was 6. 5 bd.rds, Analysis and Recommendations: This was a netr type of survey !IDd some difficul ty Has experienced in Harking out a practical applic.~tion of the transect system. Further \Tork along this line pust ,be:~de before conclusions on tpe reliability of the figures can be ~de. It is planned to survey the area again in the near future using true random sampl.Lngmethod. This Hill give figures for..comparison and may help prove the uor-th of the survey. . a Hork Plan Ho. 5 - Job 1 Title: Location anG census. Objective: To locate and count flights of band-tail pigeons. Techniques t Ot~ler than personal observations, ,",hichto date have been li~ited, location and census ,data have largely been accumulated through the efforts of the field personnel of the Game ~ Fish Depart~ ment augmented by reports from the Fish &. Hildlife Service and several private individuals. In addition to the form letters sent to all field personnel of the GaDe & Fish Department a memorandum has been routed through channels to RanGers of the U. S. Forest· Service, requesting similar information. Personnel: Clyde P. l1atteson, Technician; all wardens and technicia.D$ of the Game r.: Fish Department. 20 �Findings: To dat~ .•e only personal observations of band-tail pigeons have been seve...'Dirds seen on Quigley Iiountcdn beLou :::ingreePark in the Cache La Poudre River drainage, and t~le f'Lock at PQrry Park. The Perry Park concentration has duindled from a maximum of approximately 300 birds, in tho first "leeks of Hay; to about 75 birds, in the last l1eek of June. Other reports shOlla scattering of birds, but no confirL1ed heavy concentrations, in the Cortez, ?aonia, and Sa.lida areas. Analysis and Recommendations:. Data accumulated thus far is considered to be insufficient to significantly analyze. Horl::Plan No.5 Title: ....,.__ - Job 2 Trapping and banding Ob~ective: To trap and band band-tail pigeons for :ugration and flyway studfes , Techniques: Trapping has been carried on ~~d ter~nated at the Perry Park Ranch. A small area in a large corral adjacent to the buildings vas first baited ,,;ithmixed grains and then finally just wheat, for several days prior to the tine of placing the trap. The trap is six by eight feet by 20 inches high, composed of one-inch mesh chicken wire-covered wooden f'rames assembled as a unit Hi th screws, vhich al.Lovs relatively easy transportation when taI:en dotm , The entrance is in the top and consists of a three-foo.t opening centered in the six-foot dimension, the length of the opening being eight feet. The "door" consists of a piece of string netting cut to the size of the opening and tacked along one eiGht-foot side of the entrance .... rhd.Le the other long side is lashed to an eight-foot-long uire slider to ~ither end of uhich a pull-i-Tireyoke is fastened. One hundred yards of cha.Lk-d.Lne is at.tac.ied to tho yoke and runs to the trapper's posi tion. Hatch sticks are for~ed into holes drilled in front of the ends of the slider, uhile in the open position, uhich allows considerable tension to be applied to the pull-string ",ithout springing the trap. An additional sudden tug literally snaps the netting across the entrance. There \lere no misses in four catches at ~erry Park~ A captured band-tail was used as a decoy during bne day's trappinG, but escaped its tether befqre.sufficient time had elapsed in which to deternine the effectiveness of this technique. F;i.ndings: Following is a record of the birds captured and banded, to date~ - 21 - �Date Captured Date Released Place Captured Plaoe Released 6-20-48 6-21-48 Perry Park Ranch Colo. Spgs. 6-23-48 6-23-48 6-27-48 " " " 6-27-48 " 11 II 6-27-48 It tl " P. ·P. Ranch 6-28-48 6-28-48 It It It n 6-27-48 It " " " It " NUI:tber Number' Trapped Banded 16 17 (1 return) 22 29 (4 returns) (1 repeat) (2 lost handling) 17 "16 (1 repeat) 0 1 (1 return) 0 2 (1 return) ~1 re:eeatl 6 TOTALS 54 One of the 6-20 catch is an immature bird estimated to be betareen five and six ueeks of age, and is being held at ~he state Gane Farm. One repeat was trapped at Perry Park wi thin 48 hour-s of its telease at the Game Farm, just northeast of Colorado Springs. Banddrig records have not been checked as yet to ascertain the history of the returns. Dr. Robert II. Stabler, of Colorado Coliege is cOl).Curreritly cqndue~g a parasitological study on the band-tail pigeon. Cooperation \lith Dr. Stabler has consisted of moving the trapped birds from Perry Park to Colorado Springs, vrher-e blood smears and palatal saliva examinations \-lereDade on each bird in order to determine the presence or absence of parasites. In the sixty pigeons e~amined, ten Trichomonas gallinae positive specimens \·lerefound. !n the Perry Park ranch observations it was noted that the birds exhibited a definite preference for \lheat, although waste barley in feed troughs and on th,e ground had apparently constituted their principa.l f'ood up to the time uhea't vTa.S introduced for baiting. AnalYsis and Recommendations: The trapping of the inmature bird would seem to indicate one of several' possibilities. The apparent age of the pigeon 'Would mean'that the parent birds had begun to nest about the middle of April. Thisg in turn, means the adults may have been early migrants, early nesters in Jliheirmore southern habitat, or Colorado resi~ents. The erratic nature of this species has made it nearly impossible to predict its behavior, in order to devise a more or less standard trapping technique. It is~ therefore, evident that continued - 22- �intensive trapping, \-Jherever trapping is at all feasible and uhen-. ever the birds are available for trapping, be carriea on so as to enhance the pro babili ty of ca'tchfng mor-e iI:":la ture birds and of getting more band returns, both of \1hich are requisite to the mass of inforv.ation necessary to the mnagenent of the species. Submitted by: Approved Name Harry J. Figge COLORAD95S'fA~ Title }lildli~ Technician Note: Y by: GAlj AN];) FISH DEPARTHENT v.-· ··.~.I . ,,/~. ..., __..... ~...../! ,..r'i By ,f .:' ~ l ......•... ,f.t>.i.,6// ,I , •.. t .••.••'_ :;;;J., . \!._- ',: •.•f#VJ Ti tIe __ ..::C::.:,r....:;N:.l.~F.;::;e;:a::::.s.;:;t.& ...:D~i=r:..::e;;.:c:..:t:.:::a _ Date ...._.!!A:.:::uQ;ffil=s::..:t:_2:::::1~.~19'-=48e;:_ __ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. t - 23 •... _ �STATE COLORADO PROJECT NO. DATE .nILY1948 . ~ e OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As required 38-R-l '4l REPORT by . FEDERAL AID IN HILDLIFERESTORATION ACT 1. Na:m.e of Project: 2. Leader: Deer Elk Bear Surveys and Investigations Laurence E. Riordan Assistant Leader: Glenn E. Rogers J. Report of Progress: Northwestern Colorado I. Glenn Rogers Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges ~ Deer and Elk - Location and extent of sunmer ranges. Several days uere spent flying, together "Tith interspersed ground trips observing the movement·of deer to their su.nn.errange, and their distribution on that range in the Cathedral Bluffs, Book Cliffs, and Calamity Ridge areas. These areas are in three management units, . and receive use from deer uintering in the Piceance Creek, Roan Creek, Parachute Creek, and Douglas Creek regions. There appeared to be a definite band of vegetation in the up)!er pinion-juniper type~ between the \Tinter and sumaer ranges, vrhich receives lighter use than either of these ranges. At this same ti~:e, tuo flights were made over deer and ell: summerrange in the' upper Uhite River Hanagement Unit. On the seventh of l-!ay, 102 elk wer-e counted on Oak Ridge, still on their 'linter range. This VIasnot a total count, and a later check on Uay 20 shoued that none of the elk in that area had started to move to' their sumner ranges. Elk closer to their sunmer' range than these, and vT1thout intervening valleys, had moved up to snow line by this time. Ground trips 'fere made on Hount Sopris and Thonpson Creek areas of the Roaring Fork Hanagement Unit; Blair liountain an4 the South Fork of the lThite .Itiver in the Hhite River l·lanagement Unit; Grizzly Creek and Uillow Peak areas of tile Loven Colorado River Management Unit; and in the Douglas Pass area of the ~Jest Douglas-Grand Junction Hanagement areas. Both deer and elk were observed, and Here found to be vddely scattered, using both Hinter and summerranges. -24- �Job 2 - To locate and map winter ranges. Trips ",ere made to all winter ranges in the Eagle-Lower Colorado areas during this period to check on deer and elk winter use and the extent of such use~ In spite of heavier snows than usual this past winter, deer and elk ranged only sliChtly louer than in the previous year, The greater chanGe \-Tasnoticed in the early part. of the winter when the elk came 10ller and the deer remained higher than usual-later, both classes of animals moving to their conventional range. Job 3 - l-ligrationbet'-.Teen sumner and "linter ranges. The migration of the ~!hite River deer herd will be covered in a separate report. The only other true migration yet found in this area "las in the Piney region of the :Sagle River Ilanagenenf Unit. Part of the deer of this herd winter on the Colorado River at the foot of Castle IIountain. In the spring, they Dove up and over the Long Ridge area and down into the lOller Piney River Valley, joining the deer that vTintered there in their movement up towards the headwaters of the Piney River. This movement, spring and fall, averages a total distance of forty miles over high and 10\-l range. The first time that deer were observed on this nigration vas on April 30 of this year trhen nineteen head wer-e seen moving up and over Long Ridge. IIo Population Surveys Job 1. Population and trend countso The meadow count of the Piceance Creek "Tinter deer herd with all members of the Federal Aid big game staff participating was reported separately by !-Ir.Lauridson, Superintendent of the Little Hills Experiment Station. Several other trend count.s uer'e made and recorded at that tine as the deer reached t::leirgreatest concentration on the nev green groHth. An attempt ~·,asmade on the Prince Creek aerial trend area, to run a ground count as a check against the aerial count. Hork U"aS done by E. J. Stevenson, Forest Ranger, w1d ranchers of that area. The deer Iloved out ahead of the riders and it ",as impossible for an accurate count to be obtained. On the Sno\nnass Creek utilization plot, 112 deer were counted in an area of less than one square mile. Job 2 - Sex-ratio Survey. No true sex-ratio survey "ras made at this tine, as nost male animals had shed their antlers. A check of fawn-adult ratio was :made in an effort to judge f'aimuinter loss. Of 543 deer checked at the time of the Piceance Creek meadow counts, 161 l..rere yearling f'atms,whereas the post-hunting season sex-ratio survey, fall of 1947, on this same herd showed 42 percent of the herd to be fa~ms. These figures show approximately a 13 percent loss in fm-ms to the twentieth of April. Some I'avma died after this date, but no death loss was observed after Hay 1. - 25 - �III. Forace and Range Utilization. ~ - Survey of ,.,inter br-owse use. Thirty-four range utilization plots uere checLed in soven manaGement uni ts. T\oJ'enty of these plots have been checked for several years. The other-s consist of nine plots on deer ral1Ger-epr-esentdng larger areas where the ranee is in bad condition. In addition, five plots on elk range Here laid out and checked this year. Three plots in the Uest Douglas lIanageoent Unit shoued severe to destructive use ~rlth Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), Pinon Pine (Pinus edulis), Rabbitbrush (ChrysothamnussPP.), Juniper (Juniperus utahensis), Serviceberry (Amela...'lchier I alnafolia), and Hountain l·fahogany(Cercocarpus montanus) furnishing the greater part of the feed. Little new growth ~1C.S found on the last tuo plants mentioned. Someuse on Greasewood(Sarcobatus vermiculatus) and Shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia) was observed. Utilization plots on the -GrandJunction fIanagementUnit ranged from proper use on the Atchee (Hest Salt Creek) road, to severe to destruc..i. tive on East Salt Hash. One plant that received destructive use in that area, and ~lhich has not been mentioned previously, was Spiny Hopsage (Grayia spinosa). Very little new growth was found on any plants in the Salt Hash area, The utilization plots on Roan Creek in the BookCliff HanagementUnit shoved the sane general plants carrying the feeding load '-lith the exception that pinon and Juniper uer-e lightly used ~lhile Oak (Quercus spp,,), Skunkbush(Rhus trilobata), and FourHine Saltbush (Atriplex canescens) ver-e carrying a severe to destructive share. There Has very good new grouth on all plants in this area '-1ith up to six inches on Mountain Mahoganyand Serviceberry at the tine of observation. One plot was movedin t:lis area, and one was abandonedbecause of excessive use by horses runrring the r-ange throughout the 'linter months. The four utilization plots on the Uhite River ManagementUnit vlere checked and Hritten up by lire Laurence Riordan.. Ne rated them from proper to severe and from severe to destructive. Host of these plots are at tlle upper edge of the deer "linter r-ange in this area. One plant not previously mentioned, Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) is carrying a small part of the grazing load on these plots. There is practically no nev growth in this area on any major br-owsespecies except Oak•• Serviceberry, I-fountainHa...1.ogany, Sagebrush, and Bitterbrush have stagnated and are of lou vigor,mainly from over use. Pinon Pine has been bro\-1sedin someareas to a point higher than a man can reach. Although the tllO areas formerly set up as utilization plots in the Lower Colorado River l1anagementUnit are reported, they are not satisfactory, and tuo new plots have been added. Plot number one at No NameCreek is a new center of sumner homes, \-1hileplot number'two at the old feed ground near Dotsero does not contain a sufficient variety of plants and receives very heavy use as a sheep bed ground. - 26 - �One qf the new plots consists of a three nile \lalle beginning at the feed grounds and folloHing the old road to the upper limits of the deer "Tinter ranee. The other plot is in Red Canyonat tile foot of storm King IIountain. All of these plots, excepting Ho NameCreek, shoir destructive use, uhile Ho NameCreek shows proper use for the past winter. There is little n9\-1growth on Hourrtaf.nlIahogany or Serviceberry, and Sagebrush is dying out entirely· in spots .• Eight major browse species, Pinon Pine, Juniper, Sagebr-ush,llountadn Hahogany, Serviceberry, Bitterbrush, Rabbitbrush, and Oa1:,.,on utilization plots', all are destructively used. Twoutilization plots uere observed on the Piney sub-unit of the Eagle River HanagemerrtUnit. One of these, a ridge top and north slope was snowedin tilis year; the other was a south exposure. This area is a.lnosf entirely a Sagebrush and Juniper range "lith the other browse species widely scattered. Wlile the Sagebrush and Juniper received from proper to severe usage, all other plants are dying out from overuse, 1-flletherdeer can "Tinter on taro species only is questionable. Tworegular plots in Hernage Gulch of the Eagle River Hanagement Unit were rated as severe and destructive. Serviceberry is shoHing somenev growth in one area but none in the other plot,' while Mountain Mahoganyshows no evidence of recovery at either location. Tw,oother areas, Ber~y Creek and Alkali Creek were checked for utilization in this unit. This is an extensive uinter ranee unit, and it vas believed' that more vlidely separated plots should be set up. Dig Sagebrush, the min plant in both areas; ShO'\oIS considerable recovery frOD a year ago. Alkali Creek was rated severe on all usage} with Berry Creek severe to destructive. In general, the same plants . namedbefore \fere found on this unit, uith tHOnot previously mentioned. These were Chokecherry (Prunus melanocarpa) which uas severely used, and Uinterfat (Eurotia lanata) ."lhich '-1aslightly used. Juniper appears to have had a corap'Ie'tebrowse line in this unit in the past, but is nO\1trying to refoliate. The ne\-1leaV'es that are coming out are sharp and harsh to the touch as are the leaves on a young Juniper seedling. This is resul~ing in Pinon pine receiving greater use, and JuniPe:r-less. The Roaring Fork Hanagemen t. Unit had t.hre~:regU1;8.1'~· utilization plots on the Frying Pan River; all rat.ed sever-e to destructive. TYl0of these plots are on or near old feed grounds, and the Sagebrush on them has made a remarkable comeback. The Oak has been killed in t\-10 plots, but it is one plant that seems to furnish more deer feed as a result of over-use, by sending up sucker sprouts from the roots. Four other plots Here set up on this unit; one OASnoumaaa-Greek, use destructive;. one on PrdnceGreek~ destructive. ~se;· one on Avalanche Creek, use severe to destructive;. and one at Hheatley Gulch, use destructive, The'same main browse species ~{e up the vegetation on this unit, which.receives a greater degree of over=use throughout the entire "Tinter C'<1~~e than docs rnv other unit. - 27 - �One othOl"deer utilization plot vas set up this year in the Divide Creek district of the Grand Nesa IlanagemerrtUnit. The entire \{inter range in this area appears trampled and dying. There has been considerable overuse by domestic stock in this area which has bare soil exposed betueen all bro\-Tseplants. The soil loss mayhaYe considerable bearing on the lou vigor of the plants Hhich reI'!lain. Five elk utilization plots Here established this year on four management units. 11hile as manyas fifteen different species of br-owse plants ",ere listed as '!!>eing used by elk in one area, Oakuas the number one plant in all areas, so far as availability and use uer-e concerned. Serviceberry, Ilourrta.in1Iahogany, Chokecherry, Pere..phllum, and Aspen \-lere also destructively u,sed. Alpine Fir (Abes lasiocarpa) received the use by elk that deer give Juniper in this region. Other plants receiving nore or less use by eLk wer-eHoneysuckle (Lonicera utahensis):, Sericothica Dumosa,Ceanothus spP., Hawthorn (Crataegus rivularis), Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), Snotrber-ry(Symphoricarpus oreophylus), Cottonvood (Populus angustifolia), HillovlS (Salix sPP.), Gooseberry (Ribes spp~), Ra'1bitbrush (Chrysothannus sPP.) , and Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), Twoelk utilization plots were established and judc;ed in the South Fork Canyonof the Hhite River. Both wer-erated as receiving destructive use. One plot was mar-ked and judged on ThonpsonCreek in the Thompson-8apineroHanagementUnit, and tras rated severe. One plot on HillOv1Peak in the Lower-Colorado River IlanagementUnit vas rated as receiving destructive use. The other plot was in the Uheatley Gulch region of the Roaring Fork l1anageoent Unit and tras rated destructive. Job 4 - utilization and Availability of brouse on summerrange. The summerrange for deer in the Calamity Ridge, Cathedral Bluffs area vas checked and Has found to be heavily overused. Big Sagebrush in this area has a hedged and trampled appearance•. Serviceberry bushes have a sheaf of l1heat appearance uith all available brolTse taken. Hountain Hahoganyplants Here dying and had no new groirth available. Cattle had tloved up to the hiGher elevations on this range before the grass was ready and all choice forbs had been eaten by them. IV. Mortali ty Factors affecting Deer and Etk Herds. ~ deer and elk. - Predation affecting It is difficult to separate deer loss by predation fro~ that caused by other factJrs. In manyinstances, while predation is the cause of actual death, a check uill ShOHthat the deer Here already ueak from malnutrition or paz-asd t.Ism, or both. In every case, except b.w where' dee!' that had been killed by predators ver-e exarririedthis past "linter, a pink to red, jelly .•. like bone marr-owHas found. The tuo exceptions were f'atms killed by coyotes in the month of November , In all areas fifteen f'awnsvTeredefinitely knownto have been l::illed by coyotes and one by a bobcat. Numerousothers had been fed on by coyotes or cats, but no definite proof of kill was available • •.•. 28 "'" �Job 3.- study of other nortality factors--uinter loss, disease, parasites, llighllay and railroad nortali ty. starvation, It ,.,as decided last year to report the number'of dead deer observed each year as the various utilization plots uere checl.ed , hopinG t:1at a trend of Hinter loss could be established. All deer and elk listed VIerechecked for bone narr-owcondition, and all, exceptd.ng tHO adult bucks, \·rere suf'fering from nalnutri tion, as indicated by this test. Grand Ilesa llanagemenf Unit Divide Creek--t'l.·,oadult deer and three fa\ms. Grand Junction HanagementUnit Sal t Hash-e-one fa .•.. m 0 Uhite River IianagemenfUnit Piceance Creek--176 deer, 90 percent dawns South Fork Canyon--5 elk calves Knovffi migration loss from cars and fences--9 LOHerColorado River IIanaeeDentUnit Coffee Pot--6 fawns Eagle River HanagemerrtUnit Piney River--3 adult deer and 23 favms Berry Creel:-- 3 adult deer and I falm Alkali Creek-l adult buck Roaring Fork HanagementUnit Hheatley Gulch--3 adults and I falm Avalanche Creek--l fQ.'\om Prince Creek-- J adults and I fal'm The dead deer listed above are only those that could be seen from the path traveled to check the various utilization plots and the lileadou count on Piceance Creek. As an example, postmor-tens ,·,ere run in the Roaring Fork, tlhite River, and Lover Colorado River areas. In all cases ~ultiple parasitism existed. Southwestern Colorado -- Harold R. Shepherd I" Location and ::::xtent of Seasonal Ranges -- Deer and Elk Job 1 - Location and exterrt of summerr-anges, Additional data to that collected a year a~o as to the extent of the summerrange of deer and elk in the Anirm.sGene HanagernerrtUnit has been obtained. This data has been incorporated in the existin~ range maps. lfuch of the inforE"n.tion on sumner-ranges obtained last year for the AnimasUnit Has the opinions of ranchers intimately aequa.lnt.ed with areas in question. lluch of the \fork done in this quarter has been corroborative of sumner range work of 0. year ago. - 29 - �The location and mapping of summerrange for deer and ell:: in the Pine GameIianagezaerrtUnit has been started. Job 3 - Higration Betueen Summerand Hinter Ranges. In the Animas GamelIc:magement Unit the migration of both deer and elk from the uinter range near the noirth of HermosaCreek to the summer range of higher country to the north and l1est began about April 25 and vas corrp'l.e te by Hay 11. The migration folloHed tuo general routes of both deer and elk. One route, used mainly by deer, Has up the AnimasValley to the vicinity of Keeler L3.1~e about one role beLou Rockirood , This locality seemed '::'0 be a point of dispersal from \-rhich the herds fanned out east, llest, and north into SUIJDerrange of hiGher elevations •. The second route, used equally by deer and elic,but being the main route for elk, let up HermosaCreek to high country. II. Population Surveys -- Deer and Elk Job 1 - Population and Trend Counts. During the latter part of April a trend count area for deer Has establisned in the AnimasValley. During consecutive evenings, counts uere nade of the deer seen uithin this area. The sane count ln1l be repeated in future years to obtain a population trend. III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 1 - Survey of Hinter Brouse Use. ~ A study of ",inter br-owseuse by deer and elk '·Tasmade on the Herraosa wintering grounds of the AnimasGameHanagementUnit. Forage Utilization plots established by other Horkers several years ago ver e located and surveyed; As a result of the survey, ",:'.nter browse use in the Hermosa"Hinter area vas judged severe to destructive. Oak brush makes up 75 per-cent; of the available brouse. An averaGe of 41 percent of the annti.al available gr-owth'of oak plants remins uneaten. The relative .vigor of the plants is ]oor,'and they have nany dead branches ~in their tops. Hountain Hahoganyconprises about 15 percent of the available annual browse, An aver-a;e of 15 percent of the available annual gr-otrth remains uneaten from this plant. Ilany plants are hedged to tHOfeet in height a'lthough mature. Someplants only two feet high are seven to eiGht years old as judged by annual grouth rings. Serviceberry oakes up no nore than 5 percent of the available annual browse, About 20 percent of the annual gr-owthremains uneaten. In one locality only rennants of tho plants are left, in most instances •• No young plants ar-e evident. Skunk bushes, P~us trilobata, have been heavily used. -30- �Junipers shou but little use and young plants are quite evident. The total ground cover of grasses and forbs is not more than 10 percent. Small clumps of 6Tasses are )edestaled. Deer and en.: made very heavy use of orchards in the Herraosa"\OTinter area this past "Tinter. Fruit ranchers uere quite irate over the resul ting damage. A survey of the danage caused to trees in the orchard most heavily used was made. No dollars and cents damage appraisal was nade, Out of a total of 56 young trees, 23 were browsed, Five wer-edead as a result of the bro\-1singand barking. One young tree uas dead, but it shoved no evidence of having been br-owsed; An orchard of old trees \-Tas examined; Out of a total of 70 trees examined, 66 trees had been br'oused by ei·ther deer or elk or both. Five trees had been seriously barked on trunk and Llmbs by elk. Tuo of these l-rere barked so severely tl1:'l..tit is judged t.hey Hill d i.e , Thirteen trees "lere found that shoved scars of serious elk barking in past years. Host serious injury resulted large limbs by elk. from the barking of tree trunks and Nost br-owsangHas confined to small twig ends of Imler branches and the adventitious grovth from tru..TJks. IV'• Hortali ty"Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds In April, an intensive search on foot 3.ndhorseback 'las ~1Udein the Hermosadeer--e Ilt uinter area for deer and elk bhat r:u3.Y have died during the \-linter • Comparatively felT animals vrer-e found. Hinter death loss of deer and elk appear-s not to have been excessive, considering the severity of the uinter just past and tl1C relativ'e scarcity of available forage. Central Hestern Colorado -I. Paul F. Gilbert Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges ~ - Location and extent of summerrange. . The only checks made on elk Here made on t~le Ouray herd. The early part of Hay, eIlt could be observed feeding in the oak brush type be-. tueen Coal Creek and Corbett Creek at an elevation of 8000 feet \Thich is still uinter range , Onl:ay 15 three elk lJere seen still doun in this area. 1m excess anounf of snou in this area delayed the movement; to SUT:1Iller range. Deer "\olerefound to be proserrt on the SUI3:1er ranges on t.he Unconpahgre as soon as the roads opened up, Groirth on the summerrange uas slow - 31 - �getting started being from ten to fifteen days later than usual, Boundries of sUI!!mer range have recently been r-echecked on Upper Hesa Creek and Horseny, Job 3 - Higra:~ion Betueen S:u~er and Winter Ranges Chocks nade on ell: novement in the Coo.l Creek area disclosed were still on the louer end of the SUDInerrange on June 23. elk Deer migration vms checked by pl.ane on the Uncompahgreon Hay 6 of this year. It \las possible to fit this in l1ith \lork being done on bear aJc this t~.ma. The buU: of the deer on the \-lest side of the Uncompahgreplateau at tlu~ti.me 't-Terejust inside the forest boundry, an occasional aniI:Ia1 \-1a.S seen on top. The large concentrations on Calamity, Blue Hesa, and Atkinson had disapl)eared. On the easf side of the Unconpahgre most of the deer \lera found "lell inside the forest boundry. None \Tere seen on the tuo Itey uinter areas, Uinter Hes and Dry Mesa. On. Hay 1, 13S deer l.fere counted in the meadove on Billy.Creek. At this tine deer 'Here in the hay meadous on COl~ Creel: and the Upper' Unconpahgre Valley every evenmg , Frequent night herding was done. By Hay 20 the bulk of the deer had left t~le neadove excepting in the upper limits of the UncompahgreValley, where deer in the Cutler Creek area. didn't 1ea.ve until a veek later, III, Forage and Range Utilization Job .1 - Survey of Uinter DroliSe I!se. Range utilization checks Here nade in the Ilncozapahgre , North Fork, San Higuel GameiIanaGenent Units, and the I:annah Creek end of the Grand Hesa Uni·~. All plots have been permanentdy laid out, and in most cases are located. adjacent to population trend plots. The Kannah Creek plots \-Iere listed as destructive, shO\·rinano improvemerrt over last year. Such annual.s as tumble weed (Salsolapestlfer) and Cheet Grass (BroLlus tectorum) are invading most of the bare soil in this area. ' Onl·linnesota Creek the same th1n3 "JaS true \-1ith annual weeds infading and no improvement shown over last year. Plots listed destructive. The louer plot on Escalante Creek probably supported no deer at all °t,his past uinter was found proper. Tile upper plots condition was . severe \-d th more than the annual, [;To'-Ithtaken in many cases. The upper pl.ota on the Tabeguache VIera found to be severe uith probably cattle contributing a warked anount to the over use!' The lOHer plot probably only used li~htly by deer uas rated as proper. Host of tile available annual g!"olTthon plots checked in GypsumValley had been ta1:en. Dry conditions in this area this year hold very li ttle promise ~or muchgrol>Tth tirls season, .•...32 - �In brief checks shall that the deer Hinter ranges in this areas are not improving, and in many cases the browse species are not holding t..lleir own, Hare then one years annual grol1th is frequently taken and checks shoved as much as five years ero\-1thbeing taken. ~ - Food Habits The follouing 1. 2~ 3. 4. 5. 6, 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 1.3. 14. 15. 16. 17. deer stomach analyses vere made for this quarter: " Sample Nq. !.2 II (Artemisia tridentata) Big Sage 37.5 Cottom-roodLeaves (Populus Angustifolia) 18.8 31•.2 Serviceberry (Amelanchier DaJ:eri) 2.6 Snouberry (Symphoricarpos SPP.) 2.5 Phlox (Phlox Spp.) 10~0 Astragalus (Astragalus SPP.) 7.5 Buckwheat, (Erioganum Spp.) 3,9 Daisy (Erigeron flagel1aris) T Erysimun (Erysiotun Spp.) T Oakbrush 20.8 (Quercus SPP.) 11i110u (Salix Spp.) 27.1 Silver buffalo berry (Lepargyrea argentea) l2~4 Rose 2.2 (Rosa SPP.) Hild Lettuce (Lactuca Spp.) T T Clover (Trifolium Spp.) Dogwood (Cornus Spp.) 4.2 (Poa Koe1eria) T Grass 15.0 Traces 2~1 2.2 100,0 Total , 100,0 " Sample No. 12 was ta1:en from an adult buck collected on Red Creek Hay 3, 1948 and had the folloi-ling parasitesl Biting lice, sucking lice, Ticks, Lung l-IOI'l!lS, Leg \-lorns, bats, and Cysticercus. The general condition of the nnima.l "1O.S poor 'torith 110 fat in body cavity,. Sample No.• 13 was taken from an adult buck hit by a car near Colona on high\-lay 550 June 16, 1948. This aninal had only bats and had already begun' to put on fat around t:le kidneys and heart. Three additional stomach sanples 14, 15, and 16 vlere' analyzed from deer taken by local "mrden on control work on Bostl1ick Park. They were all taken in cultivated fields: No. 14 on Hay 26, No. 15 on June 8, and Ho. 16, the only buck ~nd the only e.nima1 of the three having any fat Hithin the body cavity, vas taken June 18. - 33 - �- Sam.nle1'J o. Yt !2 16 42.5 30~9 ~HediCagOSpp.) Ouercus SPP.) 32~9 7.2 4.2 (Atriplex C&1eScens) 2.1 (ATJ.ela.nchierBa.::eri) 18.0 T (Cogs"lellia SPP.) (Salix SPP.) T (Cercocarpus montanus) T 8.7 9.9 (Rhus tri10bata T (Small Grain) 20.1 (Lactuca Sp!>.) T l4~3 (Leontodon SPP.) 2.4 2~0 (Oenothera SPP.) 7.2 (Trifolium Spp.) 77~8 (Ulmus ptmila) 5e4 (Poa, Agrostic, etc.) T 2~0 3.8 2.5 4~2 _;1~9 100.0 1 J.O 100.0 l~ Alfalfa 2~ Oakbrush 3. Saltbrush 4. Serviceberry 5. Cogsvtellia 6. HillO\1 tain Hahogany 7. l-!oun 8. Skunk brush 9. Grain 10~ Uild Lettuce 11. Dandelion l2~ Oenothera 13. Red Clover 14. Elm 15. Grasses Traces and l!ise. ~ -- INVESTIGATIONS Seasonnl studies on bear ,rere resumed April first of this year. Snou conditions and muddyroads ~~de it ir.lpossible to check h~eher country as early as usual. Sign indicated that bear cane out the latter par-t of April. Bear study area located in the Spring Crecle basin was checked the first part of llay, Ilene of ti.le dens appeared to have been used. Likewise bear beds in this area had not been used. The bear that ,·Tintered in this area the past t"10 ",inters either moved out or "rere killed. ~. Food Studies. Twobears \Jere seen grazing l:i.ke cattle first part of Hay. - in open grassy parks the Job 2 - Observation of Lite Habits. . On Hay 6, 1948 three bear areas on the UncompahgreNational Forest were mapped out and f own by K. B. Hilyard and nyself. These three areas are described as folIous: Sprint:; Creek Area includes the Spring Creek Basin \-1hichlies about t\-Telvemiles southvleat of l-iontrose, and taken in about 18 . sections extending from a mile belo\1 the forest, 7500 feet, boundry to the head or the basin ~t about 9200 feet. Tabeguach~ including all of the Tabeguache Baai.n down to the forks where North Fork and the !lain Tabeguache join, and about four miles up the North Fork of the Tabeguacile.. This is a narrOV1 basin approximately three mles "'ide and fourteen miles long, including sone 34 sections lying betareen 7500 feet and 9000 feet" This area lies tuelve niles northeast of Nucla• .;jo·34 - �) Massey Branch is the smallest of t:1e three areas checked including about 7 sections lyinG tvre1ve mles southeast of Gateway on Hassey Branch of Blue Creek from the forest boundry to lrl. thin about one mile of the Ridge Road, including an elevational range from 7000 to 9000 feet. A total of two hours and thittY-five·minutes·of flying were spent checking these areas (8:10 A.m. to 10:45 a.m.) As bear have frequently been observed grazinc durinG these hours on the Unconpahgre in the past tvo aprings, this tine of the day Has chosen foi- the flight. It my be tho.t an evening fliGht uould be just as Good. It is necessary that these flights be nade before the SerViceberry and Oakbruch Leaf out, The bear t;1.encan be fo110ued after they take to the brush. Both bear seen ",ere in the Tabeguache Basin. The first, about a two year old stra\-l colored bear, "Tas seen grazing in 0. snaIl clearing at 9:15 a.n, and at 8500 feet. This bear- hit for the brush at the first pass of the plane. The second bear, a large anical, probably a male, was also bro\·lll, but darker than the sL"'..:lllerbear and the fur appeared glossy and. smooth. The large bear uas about three quarters of a nile frOB the s7~ller one at 8000 feet, and when first seen (9:20 a.m.) \.m,slyi11[:;on its s'tonack, hind legs extending behind; grazing in a clearing beside a small ste-ean, Tl-ropasses Here made over the large bear before he became spooked. This animal then left in a much greater hurry than the smaller .:l.nimaland \las lost from sight in the thick timber on a north hillside. Photographs \lere taken uith unsatisfactory results as air currents would not permit getting 10\1 enough in the canyons for the type of cameras used. ~ - Bear Livestock Ieill Study The first report of bear killing stock H:lS reported about the middle of lIay. Stocl:: killing reports have been fell this spring. One recent complaint "tflat three head of catrt.Le uere killed by bear on Coal Creek above Ridgeway\-Tasinvestigated, and it appears doubtful that the bear did ,the damage. All evidence indicates a loss from poisonous plahts and one bear "Iorking on carcasses of the dead animals. Bears have raided several sheep ca"'"lpsand Diners caI:1psin the OurayRidgeuay area. A reported Joss of seven Lambein Cat Canyon could not be checked properly due to the lack of evidence and tj.::le lapse betareen time of kill and d~te report lias received. The post deer season on the Uncompahgremay be a factor in the scarcity of bear on Spring Creek and the feller bear complaints uithin the area open to the late season. No knoun bear kills uere made durinc this season; hovever, hunters in the field at this time could have changed hibernation plans for some animals. - 35 - �South Central Area -- C. D. Tolman I. Location and ~ent .~ of' Seasonal Range - Deer and Elk - Location and extent of SU-1!lIil9J" Ranges Rio Grande - Saguache Drainages. ~ - The elk in thi:;; area l;lO",ed int.o their sutlJllerrange durine the latter part of' 13ay. lI~lever, the- nuin concentration of elk during June, in the SaguacheCreek draino.ce, "tere found in the upper litni ts of' the winter areaa, 110 fresh elk sign ",as ~countered below 8600 teet during the ~tayand June stu~ of the upper winter ran~e: . Alder Creek, Heyers (EDsbargo) Creek, Sietz Creek, Decker Creek, GooseCreek dra~e~,. Bee.v~rCreek, Trout Creek, Uillo1tlCreek,' ShawCreek, Burro Oreek, Pin0:s Creek, Sehrader Creale, Cat Creek, Rock Creek, and San Francisco Creek of -the ::tiD Grande River drrdnage. Fresh sign was enoountered in the Hesa Hountain and Sheep Hountain areas of thE! upper SaguacheCreek drainaGes at timberline. The SaguacheCreek drainaGes at timberline. The Saguache Creek elk herd follO\...• ed the residing snow1i1'1ethis spring and then returned to an el~ation of from 9000 to 10,000 feet, establishing themselves \1ell within the burned over areas. l2U .•J.agration bet'4een SUI!llller and \-Tinterranges Object - 'Xolocate and determine the anount of' migrations of deer and elk winter ranges. m - In the upper Rio Gra..."lde drainage, GooseCreel:~HagonUheel Gap areas-HoveI:lent of elk fluctuated with the depth of snou. Hovenents trom the heavily concentrated "Tinter use areas began during the last t~lo ",eeks.in April. A reccnnafsance survey shoved elle:in this erea to be keeping high on the bare ridges durin£! the early mornings and evenings. Onemid-day flight indicated that elk spent the day at the edge of the heavy, sno\l-filled timber on the north exposures. No true miaration of elk uo.s encountered in the Rio Grande area. ~ III. - Only a partial miGI'ation of deer was encountered in tne Rio Grande and Arl~ansa.sRiver drainages. Forage and RangeUtilization ,Tob 1 - Survey of Hinter Br01!1se Use Objec~ - To determine winter utilization of important browse species Scope - Key areas to be covered as uell as local critical areas. Het:lods: Key\-Tinterranges "tere mappedand noted for the follO'\d.ng drainages: UP?erRio Grande, upper Gunnisonand up,er Arkansas rivers. Key range vas devided into representative range utilization areas, "lhich bisect the \-ripter concentration of the drainage. Areas - 36 - . �'\.Jere surveyed by jeep and on foot and horseback. All areas located on Forest Service Lands were "'lorkedin cooperation with the local Forest Rangers. Summarization of Representative na~fleUtilization trend areas Elk-Hinter of 19/~7-1948 Upper Rio Grande Unit-...sub-Uni t Goose Creek drainage. . Trend Area No, 1. . 1. Location: HcKinney Gulch-Colduell Creek (April 17-19) 2. General type of range: Aspen-Engelmann Spruce Climax on Northern exposures. Southern exposures-Ribes, grass, Ponderosa Pine type. 3. Forace PUL~ts (listed in order of forage ioportmlce) A. Primnry Plants .. _ , ' . Aspen Ribes (Squawberry) Sno\-Tberry Jt. Degree at use t . Description of Conditions Severe to destructive Very little growth of young trees Proper to severe scattered :plants destructive Plants on southern Severe to destructi,ve exposure destructive Rabbitbrush SE;vere Cinquefoil Severe Rosa Spp. Light to destructive Pine (Pinus bonderosa) No use to destructive Use spotty-no explanation . Use depended on availability because of.heavy snows Primary Plants Engelmann Spruce Light Terminal buds only Pinque (Actinea SPP.) Severe Heavily utilized during heavy snow. Skunkbrush Proper 4. Soil §nd Erosion: Area has appearance of recent sodding by grasses, old gullies healing, annual veeds 1'e\-l. Range improving as far as grass range is concerned. - 37 - �5. other factors: Topography.•.-short drava and pockets--numerous small open exposures timbered with aspen and spruce on northern exposures. Snowabout three feet deep during critical ~dnter and spring period. Hinter browsing areas considerably reduced. About 20 percent of brm..rsingarea used in "dnters or 1946 and 1947 was used this year. 6. Use by domestic live stock moderate. Range is ,·,ell managed. 7. Hinter loss: Thee ani.mals \-lere found dead in the area--2 calves, 1 cov, 1.3 animals \-lere seen during the latter part of IJIarchwhich \-Iere in very poor condition. Trend Area No.2. 1. Loca.tion--Pierce Creele (April 17-19) 2. General type of range: Northern exposures. 3. Forage plants: (listed (Primary Plants) Uameof Plrmt A. B. Aspen-EngelmannSpruce Clomax on in order of foraG'e importance) Degree ,of use Description of conditions Aspen Severe Depth of snow affected utilization over most • of area. Snowberry Severe to destructive Southern exposure destructive, northern exposures proper. Ribas Spp (Squawberry) Proper A few plants were destructively utilize~ Rabbitbrush (Big) Destructive Rosa Proper to destructive (Secondary Plants) Grasses Proper Pinque (Actinea SP.) Proper Skunkbrush Proper to destructive Bitterhrush Destructive - 38- Only few plants found in area �Sro.l and Erosion: 4. 'Gullies healing, soall anount of litter. Plants, heavy utilization areas, not severely hummocked. except in 5. Other factors , Topography: long rolling ridges with springs in small pockets. Snow well over three feet deep on northern exposures during critical time of "dnter. 6. Former use: Live stock is fairly \-1ellmanaged in area. No acute iOOioa. tion of over-grazing. General Comments: Elk were concentrated on the lqwer part of the drainage. Heaviest utilization was on southern exposures well up on tlle side. Hinter lOGs: One elk . ~f .•. was found dead in the area. Trend Irea No.3. 1. Location--Roaring Fork (June 4, 1948) 2. General type of range: lfumerous aspen and spruce surrounded by rOUGhrocl~ cliffs, pockets, J. Forage plants: (A. Primary Plants) Name of plnnt Degree of plants Description of conditions Aspen Froper Showed a great deal old use, little current use. Ribes Moderate Heavy past use, current use light Mountain HahoBallY' Proper to severe Snowberry Hoderate r (B. Secondary plants) CinquefOil Light Rosa None Pinque (Actinea sp.) Light Skunkbrush Light Grasses Proper -.39 - �4. Soil and Erosio.n: Area has appearance of recent sodding by grasses, old gullies healing. Soil l.ight, decomposed granite Few annual ",eeds. 5. other factors2 SnOlv depth forced the elk out of this part during the first part of February. 6. Use by domeatd c livestock moderate. 7. Uinter J.r,ss~; None ver e found durinG the study. Range is well managed. One dead CO\-/ ",as reportF!d. Trend hea Ne. 4.. 1. Location: 2. General type of ranee: Bare vindsvlept, Rocl:y Slope. ocean spray and SnOlvberry predominant. Hagon\1heel Gap (Aprill6, 1948} Ribes, 3. ForaGe pl~~ts: A. Prinary plants Name of Plant Degree of use Prop r to destructive Severe to destructive Destructive Destructive Severe. Proper to destructive Ribes Spp. Snowberry OC".~ Spray l-tountainHahogany Pinque Grasses Description Condition of In several cases grassos Here pulled out by their roots 4. Soil and Erosion: Soil decomposed' granite and sedimentary rock, sOOllo\oI. steep slopes, active sheet erosion, Hashing top soil from between the stabilizing boulders. Drowse plants hummocked. 5. Other factors: Elk were concentrated 6. Former use: 7. in this area. No use by domestic lovestock. Hinter loss: Three dead elk '.ferefound in the area. Sub Un! t 2, South Fork of the Rio Grand drainage -tlJ- �Trend Area Ho. 5. 1. Location: Trout Creek--Poison Gulch (June 4, 1945 2. General type of range: Steep southern exposures adjacent to aspen timbered pockets. 3. Forace plants: (A. Primary plants) Name of Plants Degree of utilization Deaaiiptltcn.ot Condition Aspen Proper to destructive Elk were concentrat~ Chokecherry Serviceberry Snowberry Rabbitbrush Skunkbrush Severe to destructive Severe to destructive Severe Destructive Severe on southern exposuf (B. Secondary Plants) Rosa SPP. Heeds Cinquefoil Ponderosa Pine Severe l'~odera. te to severe Severe Light to severe utilization severe 4. Soil and Erosion: Soil shallau except in bottom range over-grazed below . Forest Service fence \lithhorses. Very little sheet erosion because of the installation on the private lands of "Gully Stops." 5. Other Factors: Due to the heavy snOHS and topogra.phy of tho terrain and lack of hunting pressure ~ the Trout-Elk Creek area elk were concentrated in small open·ateas. . 6. Fbrmer use: The private land vas heavily used by horses durinG' the winter. 7. l-linterloss: Ten head ot elk were.found dead in the area during the study, six by the investigator, and four. by Hr. Hellman who \013.8 along on the investigation. -41 - �Trend Area Nq. 6 1. Location: 2. Beaver Creek (J~e 13, 1948) General type of range! Southern exposure, internittent aspen parks north side of Beaver Uountain. 3. Forage plants: (A Primary plants) Description of oonditions Degree of use Nane of plant Aspen Proper Ribes Chokecherry SnQuberry Servioeberry Proper Severe .Severe Severe Deep snow forced elk from area. Utilization by deer Utilization by deer Utilization by deer (B. ~'eoondary Plants Rabbitbrush Cinquefoil Pinque Proper Light Light 4. Soil and Erosionl Soil shallol1. Erosion severe in the past. improvement. Range shows recent 5. Other factors: Heavy snotr drove the elk from this area. in February. wintered in this area. 6. 7. Former use: Severe by domestic stock. Range shaHs recent imp rovement. Hinter loss: None were found. Sub Unit No. 3 - Pinos Creek drainace-both elk and deer Trend Area No.7. 1, Location: 2. Schrader Creek (June 13, 1948 General type of rango: Aspen, Spruce Climax ';'42- Deer �3. Forage Plants: (A. Primary Plants) Na.I'!1e of Plant Degree of use Aspen Proper to severe Ribes SnowberI"'J Hountain Hahogany Proper Proper Severe (B. Description of Condition A few areas of destructive utilization Secondary Plants) Rabbitbrush Cinqufoil Ueeds Covered with snow Proper Light Light 4. Soil and Erosion: G1.U1ieshealing. 5. Slopes of streams gradual Other Factors: Ridees run north by east and s outh by west only. only, are open in heavy snows in lTinter. Small areas 6. Former use: Shee? ran~e. lIanagement of private land poor, better nanagemenb of t!le range on Forest Service lands. 7. General Comnents: Range somewhat over utilized by sheep due to improper handling of the animals by the owners. Sub Unit No, 4 Alder Creek and Embargo (Heyers) Creek drainage Trend Area No, S. 1. Locationt Alder Creek drainage 2. Type of r'anger (I-ray17, 1948 Aspen, spruce, '-lith open parks 3. Forage plants, A. Primary plants Nameof Plant Aspen Degree of use Proper Description of Conditions One small area in Sec. 17 severely utilized. Fe"1 elk in"area during winter. - 43 - �Hillow Chokecherry Nountain Hahogant Snowberry (B. Proper Proper Proper to severe Severe Used by deer Secondary Plants) Birr Rabbi tbrush Grasses Pingue Proper No use Light 4. Soil and Erosion: Gullies healine. A small amount of plant litter accumulating. Rru1ge shows evidence of improvenent, except in the area adje~ent to the Forest Service boundary fence. ~his area is over grazed by live stocle. 5. Other factors, Cattle gather at ?orest Service boundary causing serious over grazed condition onHr~lse a.nd grasses. 6. Hinter 10sst None General Conment: No game problem in this area. Trend lIIree. No.9 (Elk anq Deer) 1. .Location: Dyers Creek (Hay 17, 1948) 2, Type of range: Pinion Junf.per bordered by aspen; spruce type .3. Forace plants: A. Primary Plants Name of Plant Degree of use Aspen Severe to destructive Ribes Hountain Hahogany Skunkbrush Bitterbrush Snol1berry Bie Sage Severe Severe to destructive Proper to severe Severe to destructive Severe Severe -44- Description of Condition Heavy concentration of elk in upper part. Few plants in area. �B.. Secondary Plants Big Rabbitbrush Pinque Snakeweek Severe Proper Severe Yucca Grasses Proper Light Used by both deer and elk 4. Soil and Erosion: SolI shallo'-l. Erosion ls less marked on Forest Service lands than private Landa, Plants sholl some huamocldng , Evidence of severe over;"grazing ot private and Land Mana.gementland. Little or no plant litter in most areas. 5. other factorst Heavy snovs , drainage. Both deer and ell: concentrated 6. Heavy past use by domestic livestock. ?• Hinter loss: in lOHer part of Shows improvement. None.£ound Trend Area No. 10 Ii 1. Location--sei tz Creek (June ?, 1948 2. Genero.l type of range: Louer pinion-juniper I upper- aspen, 3. spruce climax. Forage plants: A. Primary Plants) Nameof Plant Degree of use Aspen Ribes 1-1ountaint.lahogany SnOlolberry Serviceberry Big Sage B. Severe Proper to severe Severeto destructive Severe to destructive Severe Severe Description of ....Q2.ndition Used heavily by elk, Used by elk and dee~ Used by elk and dee: Used by elk and deer Used by deer Secondary Plants} Rabbitbrush Rockspirea (Sericotheca Qutierrezia Grasses SPP.) Severe Severe to destructive Severe Light - 45 - Used by deer Used by deer Used by deer �4. Soil and Erosion: Erosion marked lower part of drainage. Over-grazed by domestic livestock, causing severe gully and sheet erodon 5. other factors:--Hone 6. Hinter .}.OSSI None \-Terefound durdng study. 7. Former use~ He~vily utilized b.Y domestic livestock. General Comments: Lm-ierpart of rancrebadly over grazed. Sub Unit uo. 4 Trend Area No. 11. 1. Location: Rock Creek...cat Creek Area Deer-Elk (April 10, 1948) 2. TYPe of range: Pinion-Juniper type. 3. ForaGe Plants: A. Primary Plants llameof Plant luniper Degree of Use Description of Condition Proper No definite browse line Rabbitbrush P roper to severe Ribes Proper to light Snakeweed (Gutierrezia Spp~)Proper to Severe Bitterbrush Severe Soap Heed Proper to destructive ~oper to destructive Hountain llagogany B. Hhole plants were eaten, including roots Secondary Plants Grasses Proper Pinque Rockspirea Grease\-Tood(Sarcobatus Serviceberry Light Proper to severe Proper Proper Considerable feedin(~· on Hount Huhly 4. Soil and Erosion: Active and severe sheet erosion on southern exposures. Soil light with a great deal of shale -~- �5. Other factors: Due to heavy snovs in the higher uplands the elk 'Were coneentrated in the pinion juniper tyye. 6. Former use: Public lands in the area have been heavily over-ut.ilized domestic live~tock. 7. Hinter loss: by None found Sub Unit No. 12 Trand Area No. 12. 1. Location: Conejos River--Fox Creek (May 15, 1948) 2. General type of Range: Pinioh-Juniper soutbern slope. 3. Forage Plants A. Primary Plants Nameof plant Degree ot use Description of Conditions Juniper Proper to severe No def'ini te browse line Hountain Mahogany Gutierrezia Ponderosa Pine Chokecherry Uoderate to destructive Proper to severe Light to severe Eoderate to destructive B.. Secondary Plants Ribes Rabbitbrush 4. Proper to severe Severe to destructive Soil and Erosion: Small amount of sheet erosion. Erosion healing. 5. Other factors: Prolonged hunting season on bucks only tended to permit concentration in relatively small area. 6. Forner use: Over utilized by domestic livestock. Range \lell I!lmlaged.at present. 7_ General Comments: Deer concentrated in snall area. 8.. \linter loss. None found during survey Recent improvements. �Sub Unit No. 6 Trend Area no. 13 1. Location: Saguache Creek Drai]1age--Hiddle and $outh Fork of Saguache Park (June 19 to 22, 1948) 2. General Type of Range: .Open parks surrounded by aspen slopes loTi th heavy spruce' timber at base of Table lit., £l.djaeent to old burned over areas. 3. Forage Flants: A. Pr~ Plant.s Nal'le of Plant Degree of Use Aspen Prbper lUbes SPP. Cinquefoil Pinque Rabbitbrush l>loderate Proper l10derate Proper to severe B. Description of Condition Elk were well distributed in this area during winter Heavily utilized plants sparse Secondary plants Grasses Uillo\Ol Lieht Snowberry Skunkbrush Light Light I.ight to severe A few cases destructive utilization 4. Soils ~d Erosion: Soil, light decomposed gram te. Gullies show evidence of healing except in areas "There the hunters and fishermen I scars haVe caused washing and have accelerated gully erosion. Very small,e.mount of accumnkated litter between plants. 5. EIther Factors: 'J 6. None • Former Use: Over utilized 7~ l-linter loss: None found by both cattle and game. General Comments: 1. 2. Elk in arel\ were \.lel1 distributed in region. About 1200 cattle use the entire Saguache Park area. Hiddle Fork of SaguacheCreek is taking on some of the aspects of a city dump. Hunters and fishermen have left open pits, scattered cans, gla$s and pa,ers at random. -1$- �.3, Present elk utilization is heaviest grounds have been established. in those areas "There salt Trend Area No. 14 1. Loca.tion: South Fork of Saguache Creek, Bear Creek, and John's creek Hesas (June 20, 21, 1948 . 2. General type of Range: Open parks surrounded by aspen and adjacent to large burned over areas. 3. Forage Plants.: A. PritJD.rYPlants / Hameof Plant Degree of Use, Aspen Proper U1110w Ra.bbitbrush Serviceberry Chokecherry 1!0untain Uanogany' Proper Proper- to restructi ve Severe to destructive Severe Severe to d~structive Description of Conditions FevT isol1ated areas of severe B. Fef1Plants Fel·rPlants feH Plants found found s;'ound Secondary plants Pinque Shrubby Cinqufoi1 4. Soil and Erosion: . Soil sha11o", decomposedgranite 'on ridges. Active gully erosion caused by car and j cep trails up the South Fork Trail, presenting a range managementproblen in that area. Plant litter sparce , Over-all range shows healing sheet erosio~ indicating an im~rovenent of r~~ge managementmethods. 5. FOI'IIleruse: Over-utilized by domeEtticIi vesbock and game. General Comnents: Distribution of elk is heaviest around sa1~ grounds. Deer "Tinter Range 1947 - 1948 Gunnison Unit Sub Un! t No, 1 Dillon Gulch to Steuben Creek Conditions found in this key uinter range are expressed in the "Trite up of established trend plots for this area. Over-all utilization is des.tructive on key \-linter range. - 419- �Sub Unit No, 2 (Trend Alrea) 1. Location: Taylor River and East Fork of Gunnison River (April 13 to 15, 1948 2. General type of ranGe: Sage brush, aspen type 3. Forage Plants A Primar7 plants Name of Plant Big Sagebrush Degree of use Description of Condition Severe to destructive 2 years. annuak growth taken in critical uinter area Rabbitbrush Bitterbrush Serviceberry B. Destructive Destructive Destructive Secondary Rlants Fringed Sage Skunkbrush (Rhus trilobata) Severe to destructive Destructive 4. Soil and Erosion: Soil light, active sheet erosion on all key winter ranee. Plru'!tshurmocked, Ho litter. 5. at,her factors:: Intermittant range for cattle. Competition \-lithstray horses on the Almont Triangle caused considerable over grazinE in this area. 6. Former use: Range indicates severe over-grazing by both game and donestic livestOCk. General Conments: Post mortem shoved heavy infestation ot internal and external parasites as uell as indications of malnutrition and starvation. Range retrogressive Trend Area No.2 1. Location! Prosser Creek-Hill Creek (April 15 to 17 1948) 2. General type of range: sagebrusb-aspea type �3. Forage Plants A. Primary Plants Name of Plant Big Sagebrush Degree of Use Description of Condition Destructive About tHO years annual grouth takefl Small Sagebrush (Artenisia Canal Destructive liountain Hahogany Destructive Rabbitbrush Bitterbrush B. Very feu plants sh01l life Destructive Destructive Secondary Plants Yucca Severe Serviceberry Destructive Fringed Sage (Artemisia frigida) Heeds Destructive 1-Iholeplants seem. to have been ea.t~n Only a £ew plarts found. Severe 4. Soils and Erosions Active gully and sheet erosion. Plants hunmocked. 5. Other factors: Present livestock use considerable reduced. apparent need for further reduction. However, there is an 6. Former use: Destructively utilized lTJ lisestock. General Co~ents: Post mortem on deer shm~ed heavy infestation of both external and internal parasites and indicated eA-treme malnutrition to be evident. Three dead deer \Tere found in the area. . Upper Arkansas River Drainage Sufficient informa.tion has not been gathered for the· establishment of permanent range utilization areas. Only one winter's observations have been made, and due to the unusually heavy S::lOH during the past 'Hinter, condf tions are !lot typical. For the purpose of this report, the Arkansas drainages was divided into five areas in v1hich conditions are much the same, and a summariziation \ms made of each area. Area 1. -- Poncho Creek to and including the Chalk Creek area. 1. Type of range steep slopes, southern exposures covered ui th heavy growths t~t110untain Mahogany, Oceanspray and Ribes, pinion-juniper type. Northern exposures, spruce, aspen type. During the critical winter period the area was covered t·rith snov, - 51- �2. Plants; Pr~mary Plants Name of Plant Degree of Use Description of Condition Hountain }'1ahogany Proper Little use, due to heavy snow. Common Servt cebenry Bitterbrush Juniper Proper Proper Proper No browse line Secondary Plants Rabbitbrush Proper Small Soapweed (Yucca glauca) No use Pinion Pine (Pin\lsedulis) No use Proper Rosa SPP. J. Soils and erosion and other factors: Soils deep on northern slopes--shallow on southern exposures. Some indications of over utilization by livestock. However , due to heavy snow conditions little winter use is apparent. Area 2 -- South Cottonwood--North Cottonwood Creek and I·riddleCottonwood Drainages \-linterUtilization--April, Hay, 1948 Primary Plants Name of Plant Degree of Use Description of Condition Se.rviceberry Proper to severe Some destructive Proper to destructive Heaviest use on middle Cottonwood Heaviest use on middle Cottomvood Aspen Chokecherry Light Proper to destructive Big Sagebrush Light to destructive Ribes Heaviest use on Hiddle Cctrtonvood Few Plants in area Secondary Plants Small Soapvreed (Iucca glauca) Pinion (Pinus edulis) Area J - Light to none Light Harvard, Uapaca, and Horris Creeks--Cbaffee County \.J'inter Utilization -- June 12, 1148 - 5~- Only slightly in Hiddle Cottonwood Slightly used in each drainage �Primary Plants Name of Plant Degree of Use Description of Condition Serviceberry }.fountainr.fBhogany Severe Severe to destructive Ribes Spp. Proper l1ainly over-grazing Afew plants ,d th destructive . utilization due to over-grazing by domestic livestock. Small Amount of use utilized by domestic livestock Snake Heed Severe Secondary Plants Fringed Sage Proper to severe Heeds Use undeterDin~d Used heavily by domestic livestock Soil and Erosion: Soil ehaLl.ow, Sheet erosion prevalent throughout the area. hummocked grasses sparce. other factors: Range heavily over.utilized in past. Trespass is a problem in this area. Plants Present use shows improvement._ General Comments: RanGe has been destructively over-utilized by domestic livestock in the past. The presence of the gane in their present ~umber in this area tend to keep the reproduction of the remaining bro1;1seplants at a low point. , Area 4. -- Four lule Creek, Seven Hile Creek, Trout Creek and Bassum. Park drainage areas in Chaffee County. Spring - May and June, 1948. Area covered by jeep and on foot Range type pinion juniper. Forage plants Primary Plants Name of Plant Degree of Use Description of Condition Mountain Hahogany Severe ShO\..rs heavy past use by domestiflJ' livestock. Juniper Rabbitbrush Proper Destructive Sno,"Tberry Proper. to severe Oceanspray (Sericotheca Spp.) Destructive Heavily used by livestock. �Secondary Plants Light Yucca Light Heeds Light Pinque Light Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) Soils and erosion: Soil shallo,.,. Sheet erosion prevalent throughout the area. hummocked grasses sparce. Other factors: , Range heavily over-utilized in past. Trespass is a problem in this area. Plants Present use ·Sh01rlS improvem.ent. General Comments: Range has been destructively over-utilized by domestic livestock in the past. The presence of the ~ame in their present number in this area tend to keep the reproduction of the remaining browse plants at a low point. Area 4. - Four Hile Creek, Seven Hile Creek, Trout Creek and Bassum Park drainage areas in Chaffee County. Spring -- Hay and June, 1948. Pinion juniper Area covered by jeep and on foot Range type Forage Plants Primary Plants Name of Plant Degree of tJ4Q: Description of Condition Hountain !·Iahoenny Severe Shows heavy past use by domestic livestock Juniper Rabbitbrush Proper Destructive Snowberry Oceans pray .; (Sericotheca Spp~) Proper t.9 severe Destructive ~etiofid~yPlant~ Yucca Heeds Pinque Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) Ligh~ Light Light Light - 54- Heavily used by livestock �Soils and erosion: Soil shallou decomposed granite, active and acute gully and sheet erosion. StrearlS with high,steep, caving banks. Other Factors: Due to the lack of cover, summer and spring floods are destructively eroding aHay the top soil. Plants huromocked, no accumulated litter bet'Heen plants. General Conments; 1. Tresp."l,ss in winter is still a management problem in this area • .2. Li ves tock have been cut dovn in the area, this ie reflected in t..~erecent growth of brovse , HOHever, game tend to keep reproduction at a 1m-I ebb. Area 5. -- Upper drainages of ute Trail, Running 'Jater, and Badger Creeks in Chaffee and Fremont Counties. Spring -- Hay and June, 1948 Forage Plants Primary 'plants Degree of Use Name of Plant Mountain Hagogany Severe Juniper Proper Serviceberry Severe to destructive SuO\.,berry Pinion Pine Proper Light Description of Conditions Heaviest utilization by deer at head of Running Creek No definite browse line Shows past use by domestice livestock Secondary Plants Yucca. "'leeds Light Light Soil and Erosion; Soil shallO';Idecomposed granite. Plants show considerable hummocldng in the area. Sheet and gully erosion active. other factors: The presence of abandoned farms in the area have left open areas in "lhich erosion has taken over. General Co~~ents~ The area has been over-utilized by domest~c livestock to such an extent that the presence of game keep reproduction at a 10\01 ebb. r .' - 5$- �IV. -Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds ~ - Predation affecting Object: deer and elk To determine the extent and anture of deer loss ~lrough predation. F~ deer ,,Jere reported to have been killed of the Gunnison Area. by coyotes in the Lake Fork Job 3 - Study of other Hortality Factors: Starvation and parasitism Gunnison: 22 deer -\OTere: found dead of starvation and parasitism in the Gmmison area by the writer. Fourty more \.fere reported, vrhich could not be found. Rio Grande: Tl-renty-four elk \-lere found to have died from starvation and disease. Thirty-four deer \Jere reported lost from starvation in the Saguache drainage. Specimens uere taken in the upper Rio Grande. All 'Iere heavily infested \lith both external and internal parasites. Dr. Jellison and I·Ir. Kahls, U. S. Public Health Laboratory, Haniltoh, Horrtana, have kindly consented to determine the identification of the external parasd tes. Hhile the Cestodes and rlematodes are being determined by the Division of Zoology, Bureau of Animal Industry, Beltsville, l·Iaryland. Stomach samples were saved and 'rill be examined during the summer. - - Front Range •••• Gordon Douglas ~. - 14igration betueen \linter and SUL'1IDer ranees. Observation of the Poundre River herd this spring shoved that the deer movedfrom their \-linter grounds of steep, brushy,snouless slopes to valley hay meadowsabout the middle of April, \rl th the thavring of meadow snov, This shift was the first. indication o.f spring migration, incited by the availability of the first green grasses and wheeds of the neu year on those meadovs, As the first green plants appeared on ~ surrounding hills, the deer returned to them, and concentrations of the animals on the meadows consequently disappeared. Favored in the deer diet at this tine uere sedges, -(Carex stenophylla, C. filifolia), Kentucky bluegrass, (POb.Pratensis), needlegrass_, (Stipa. comata}, cheatgrass, (Bromus tectcrum), Canada \dld-rye, (Elymus canadensis), Dandelion, (Lentodon officinale), wi;J..donion, (Alliumcernuum), senecio, (Senecio sP.) wild currant, (Ribes lo~iflorum), 56 - �Roc~ Mountain maple, (Acer glabrum), big sage. (Artemisia tridentata), bitterbrush, (Purshia tridentata), and mountain mahogany, (Ceroocarpus montanus) • Storms or short duration forced the deer to move down or to seek the shelter of hills and timbered areas, but these were only temporary migrations. Dis~ppearing snowbanks and greening sprouts kept the deer moving to higher country, until by the third week in May the majority of the herd had moved to summer range. A coyote was observed stalking five deer, apparently does and yearling fawns, and was soon driven off' by fit. doe which threatened assault with her sharp front hoofs. When not weakened or hampered by deep snow, an adult deer is more than a matoh for a coyote. Range and Forage Utilization Job 1 - Survey of winter browse use. Of the utilization sub-plots on the front range, the following were classed under a downward ·range trend when examined the last week in May: Bear Creek - Both deer and elk using this range too heavily. Chicago Creek - Severe use of' all pri~Ary browse. Upper Clear Creek .•Use heavier than proper. Foudre Canyon - Sagebrush, carrying the brunt of the browsing load, shows many dead plants, few new ones. Currant Creek .• Severe to destruotive use. Park County - Proper to severe. The remainder of the sub .• plots showed an upward range trend: Lower Clear Creek. Light use •. Soda Creek - Light Use Corley MOuntain - Light Use Garden Park - Mountain mahogany - severe; all others proper. - 57 - �N~rth Central .~rea ~- Lloyd Searle I. Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges -- Deer and Elk. Job 1. Location and Extent of SummerRanges. Field reconnaissance or study trips 'lare made by car , on horseback, and on foot through,various parts of the North Park and Biddle Park big game ra~ges, and field glasses were used to study the animals on these areas. It Has found that the deer were utilizing that portion of the range from 8500 feet upaards , and elk \-rere utilizing the range from about 9700 feet upwards in ali area.s. An abundance of summer forage \-las found for both deer and elk for the present herds of these animals in this area. Job ,J. - Higration betl.[een Swmneriind 1-linter nanges. The deer and elk Here somewhat, slovter than usual in their migration from winter to summerranges this spring because of heavy snows not disappearing until later than .usual. Also, the game animals vere in poorer shape this spring from the hard \-Tinter. Several places ",ere found \oThereboth deer and elIc had broken through heavy snow to reach higher ranges sooner. In studying the game in migration, tuo definite routes used by them this spring have been found. One route begins at the "Tinter deer and elk ra)""geon the Befl,verCreek and Little Huddy Creele in GrfmdCounty, and heads southwesterly across the Hilliar.1s Fork River, across Battle Creek, and up into the l1illi::uns Fork Hountain Range ",here the animals sunmer-, This route is used by both deer and elk,. and has been used for a good many years, as it has been observed by "old tir.lers" in the area. for the past sixty years. The other ~tgration route, used by deer only, begins at the mouth of SnO\Ol King Valley and Cottol'lVTood Creek and crosses Cottonlvood Creek in an easterly direction and continues up near ~le top of the ridge dividing Cottonwood Creek drainage from the Colorado River in Grand County. Tbe deer fol10\" this ridge just belm·, the rock cliffS at its sumralt until they reach the top of Cottomlood Pass vihere they turn south, crossing the road, and continuing to go south until they reach the Big Headcms and Churches I Park areas on the Blue Ridge wheze they summer. . In general, the migration routes used by deer and elk in both Hiddle and Horth Parks are very ahort and nUI:lerousas compared to routes like that of the Hhite River deer herd, and it uill take considerable time and study to complete a map of all of them. II. Forage and Range Utilization. ~ - Survey of Hinter BrOl-lSeUse. Studies \Tere made of J.ll t~le utilization plots in North and Middle Parks, uith additional observations of utilization by deer and elk wherever work \-Tasdone in these areas. These surveys indicated that the deer used their ldnter range from severe to destructive in the Biddle Park HlL"1:l3ement Unit. In this area, ell~ uinter use \IBS judged - 58- �to be proper for elk, and moderate for deer, TheNorth Park deel" herd used their 'linter range trom liGht to proper, ",hile use on the elk rancre in .this area l,aS rated as proper. The deer in the north Pork area changedt~'leir Hinter ranges in someparts this past winter. The reason for this change is not certain, but it is believed that the deer tried to range in the more sheltered or broken, mountainous areas for protection ag:1inst severe uinds and storms during the past, "tinter. This moverelieved very muchsomeof the ranee problem in this area, \-Ihile the deer themselves wintered better. The big gameseason for this· ye:J.I'is set as recomlnended for the Niddle Park llanagenent Un!t, and should give muchrelief on our range problem nowpresent there. Job 2 ~ Correlation of Gameand Livestock LandUse status. _,..... .,. Information was gathered frpm Forest Rangers and ranchers regarding cla.sses of livestock; length of grazing season, and number~of domestic animals usine ran~es. Also field studies were madeon the ground. It has been found that dome~ti~sheep give deer and ell~ ~ore competition for ranee ~lan do other domestic stock in this area~ in some , cases, sheep damagerange as nuch b.1 trampling as they do by eatingj where they are not properly managed. In one area in Biddle Park, nar.lel;rthe Sheephorn, \-,heredomestic sheep have over-utilized and trampled tIle range, \le have soil erosion to a depth of twelve to fifteen feet in sene gttlli,es. Sheep are still being run on this range, the operator arguinG that the bad range condition is caused ~J an over-population of deer. It is recognized that there is an abundant deer population in this locality, but it is felt that tlle major share of the responsibility for the ranGe condition lies uith the domestic sheep. Horses seem to utilize more BaIlefood i'Thenon the sane range with the gameanimls than cattle do, although, cattle outnumberhorses by far on the big gameranges in North and Biddle Parks. It is believed that the Bureau of LandHanageaent,and the Forest Service are doing a good,job, in most cases, in restricting the numberof animals and time periods on ranges in these areas, but there are sone places where better livestock management,including reductions in numbersis needed. . Job 4 - Utilization and Ava.ila.bility of Brouse on SummerRanees. Field studies of deer and elk SUl'!ll!1er ranges, in three areas, Steamboat Springs, North Park; and lIiddle Park, have ahevn that these areas have an abundanceof available sunmer'forage for both deer and elk without too L1uchcompetition from domestic stock. If the big gameherds in these areas are managedin accordance ,-lith the proper utilization of the adjacent uinter ranf.ies~sunmer ranGe for these anj~~ls should never be a problem. �IV; Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds. Job 3 - study of Other }:iortality Factors, Hinter Loss, Starvation, Disease, P8.tasitee, Highway and Railroad Nortali ty. Malnutrition and parasites combined accounted for approximately an eight percent 10s6 on the Niddle Park deer herd during the past '·linter. The North Park and Steamboat Springs areas came through the winter ~th a normal or slightly heavier than normal winter loss. Mosquitoes and flies of all types seem much more numerous this summer, and are feeding on, and pestering some of the deer so badly ~1at their heads appear raw, and most of the hair has disappeared from Just behind the ears to the nose. The -big game hunting hunting season for 1948 as set for the Biddle Park Management Unit should increase the kill in this area, and thus help both to solve the range problem and to avoid a repitition of last winter's loss. Little Hills Experiment Station - L. E. Riordan III. Foraee and RanGe Utilization. ~ - Little Hills Grazing competition Enclosure Study. Two types of jobs have characterized the ilOrk on this study. The first of these has to do Hit.h building the physical layout with which tl1e study \o1illbe conducted. The other deals 'vlithresearch, planning, and preliminary investigations to test methods, etc. During the period covered by this report, the follO'vlingwork has been accomplished with respect to the actual construction of the enclosures~ The contractor's post cutting cre", finished cutting the required posts, except for a small number uhich the fence bvilding crev is cutting to fill in, as the l10rk progresses. The contractor's foreman brought in a creu to resume work upon the fence construction the last week in Hay. Since that time, the \-Torkhas Gone steadily forward. It was found that a large proportion of the post holes on fence lines not in canyon bottoms, had to be blasted "lith dynamite to get the required depth. This necessit~ted construction of a rough truck trail along most fence lines in order to get an air compressor on the job. A track-type tractor with bulldozer \~S used for this work, and although it was not contemplated in the origional plans, it has resulted in a considerable saving of time in the actual construction by providing a means of getting men, tools, posts and t-Tireon the site \-lithnuch less effort. At the end of June, 120QQfeet 'a£ deer fence had been completed, most of the posts were delivered to the site Of the llork, the access trails were finished, and the contractor estimated that the job of building the three enclosures in the first series l-louldbe completed by September 10, 1948. . - ;60- �In regard to the research and planning pha.se of. the ,",ork, on Hay 4, the Proj ect Leader. accompanied t.fr. Gilbert ~r.H~ter 1 GameHanager of the Colorado Gat1eand Fish Department, to Fort Collins, Colorado; "there a number of students uere int.erviewed as prospective summer employees for this .study. Doctor Lee Yeager, Leader of the Colorado Coopera.ti ve l1ildlife Research Un!t , had kindly ar-ranged in advance for these intervie'\-16.. Subsequently, a senior student in Hildlife Hanagemerrt, lx. Ronald a Ryder, was selected from those interv i ",\-Ted, and was hired. Mr~ Ryder reported at the Little Hills Experiment Station on June 17~ . Arrangements \-Taremade ui th lIr. E. I:. Dro\,Irl,Federal Aid Coordinator, and \o'ith Hr. G. N. Hunter, Gamel·1a.nager,to a1.1oHthe ,·rriter to ts p:~nd a. good share of his time at the Experitlent Station. During -!:J:er.J..Yl.t.o of June, his tinle was occupied \-lith inspections of the conetruc t.tr.i vork previously discussed, and \lith cafcuLatdon of statistical 6.L,·t_" on plant measurements· for the purpose of determining the relative !Al'cn.ber of study areas, nlwber of study-plants of each species, and numper of stem-length measurements on each plant required, in each enclosUl~e, to adequately sample the stem lengths of each species of plant before the plants are grazed or browsed by the enclosed animals. Based upon a preliminary exploratory experiment, in vlhich five stems from each of four plants of a given species vere measured at each of three study areas in each of the three pastures of the first series, or a total of one hundred eighty stem measurements per speoies, it 'Wasfound that for the actual study, tuice as many individual plants of the graso species should be studied aa the number of study locations chosen in each enclosure, and thnt the number of plant stems measured on each plant of grass species should be ap:;roxina tely tvn.ce· as many as the nunber of plants relative to the nUIilberof study areas, or about four atens from each grass plant. For the browse plants, in the actual study, four plants should be studied for each point urea chosen, and tuice as many stems should be measured from each r:lan'~ as the number of plants relative to the nuniber of study areas, 01" eight stems from each browse plant in this case. An analysis for eiGht key species of plants, four each of grusees and . br-ovae species, vTaSmade upon 'Hhich to base the figures just me:1.'·,i0neJ. Theso species vlere: Grasses: Agropyron smithii Dluestem tr!heatgrass or Uestern Hheatgrass A. trachy'~~ulUIi1(paucifiorum) Slender Uheatgrass ~eria cristata June Grass Oryzopsis hv.menoides Indian Rice Grass Browse Plants: Amelanchier alnifolia Serviceberry Artemisia tridentata Big Sagebrush Cercocarpus montanus Hountain }.Iah.ogany Purshia tridentata Bitterbrush -61-' �In addition to the Hork outlined above, posts have been cut for the construction of three one-a.cre total exclosures to be built uihtin the larger enclosures. The locations for these one-acre exclosures have been tentatively chosen. Diagrams of the three pastures in the first series, sheld.ng t:1e boundaries of range survey type write-ups, and the location of grid lines '-111ichsub-divide each enclosure int.o five-chain squares to facilitate locating point-areas for study, have been prepared for the pernanent records. A reconnaissance study has been made, and uor'k begun on a plane table survey to locate the fence lines for enclosures numbers three, five, and six llhich constitute the second series, the construction of which \-Tillbe undertaken during the coming year. Submitted by: Name Laurence Ti tIe ;Hildlife technician Approved E, Riordan V Title Date Note. by: C;..J.=-=.;N•••••_F;:..e;.;as:;;.;:;..otOo~,._..D1r=-e;:..c __t;;,;;o_r_ :;;.:s;..;;t_3 __O;:;..lil...· .;19.::.;48 •••.•· A_ugug,:· Persons Hishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado state Game and Fish Department. - 62- _ �STATE COLORADO ~O~CTNO. __ ~4~~R~-1~ DATE -J!ub 1948 OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS _ REPORT As required br FEDERAL AID IN HILDLlFE 1. Title of Projeet: RESTORATIONACT Antelope .Inve.stigations 2. Leader! Robert R. Elliott 3. Report of Progress I Title of Job: Population and Trend Counts ObJeotives: To obtain the numberof antelope in uajor herd areas and trend areas tllroughout the State .• ~: The first flight vas made over the Colorado Antelope Refuge on I·larCh31, and the survey terL'linated in northwest lioffat County on April 17, 1948. Groundchecks on numbers, of course, are made continuously whenever'in the herd areas. Personnel: KenB. Hilyard, Pilot; R. R. Elliott, Observer. reehnigues Used: In flyinG' :l herd ar~a or :l portion thoreof, an attenpt uas made, in nost cases, to fol:l,ol1a parallel strip pattern. The strips were about l~ miles "ride and had an overlap of about t mile, which, it was believed, gave optimumcoverage of ground on both sides of the plane. Compassbearines and outstanding land marks helped keep alignment 1-1hile. flying the area. Elevation of the plane fluctuated according to terrain, varying from 500 feet to 1500 feet while counting. Counting "ms done by both pilot and observer-t using tally registers. In order to prevent counting any -antelope tt-rice, one manor the other vlould say, "Under" if the arrcal.operan under the p'lane and he had Gotten count on t:lem~ If he had not nade the count, he would say nothing and the other man\-1ouldpic}cthem up on his side of the pInne• Ilo attempt was nade to distinguish sex, due to the necessity of covering as muchground as possible in the short tine available.. Hhen sexing from the nir it is often necessary to dive and circle the antelope several times in order to get t:le complete eex-ratdo , and this conaunptdon of time could not be peI'I!litted at present. Due to unfavorable ueather conditions, flying time was lid-ted to about four hours in the early morning and three hours in the evening, at which times the Hind was dotm somel-1hat and countinG could be accomplished. It ." - 63 - �is recognized that April, in addition to being a poor time for census flying, is also rather late to catch the antelope in large groups. By then t~ey have begun to scatter and distribute themselves over a greater area, prior to fal-ming. These fa.ctors account for the 10\·1 figure, to some extent. Table 1 ShOi-TS tally of count for each herd area. AnalySis and Reco~endations: Same discussion has been had about percent of coverage in mldng population counts froo the air. As regards antelope, a total count is o.tteLlpted because the nain areas of the state \-l~lereantelope are found are fairly \-Iell knoim, These are the najcr herd areas and are, in effect, trend areas, since it \-1ouldnot be feasible to' cover t:le total ground surface of the State. Even thOUGhthe areas are f1o"m by search pattern, with the t-mile sight overlap as described before, the efficiency in coverage of ground inhabited by antelope cannot be estimated at more than 60 percent. This may be accredited to human error in vision, poor visibility from atmospheric conditions, shadeva, deceptiveness of terrain, and innunerable other £actors. On the basis 0:';:' this survey, no season could be recorzaended, llhich, of course, was the deCision tnde at the close of trapping activ~ties. It nay be sugcested also that the census be nade d't~rinGthe \linter" preferably in December or early January. Counts in trend areas should be mad.eat the sane time each year in order to determine increase or decrease \rith reasonable accuracy, Datal TABLE I ANTELOPE POPULATIOn AND TREND COUl-ITS Wumber Area Colorado Antelope Refuge • • • • • • •• • • • Betl'1eenHighuay 87 and 85 ••••••• North of Briggsdale •••••••••• • •• South of Briggsdale· ~ ••••••••• • • • Tamarack Ranch • • • • • • • • • • • • • N and E of JumboReservoir • • • ~ • • • • • • N of Ster1ine Reservoir ~ •• '0 • • Black Squirrel Creek • • • • • • • • • • • • • Horse Creele, .• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • Dickinson Refuge • • • • • • • • • , • • • • • So. otero Transplant Site ••••••• • • • m·l Hoffat County • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • TOTAL 0.·. , • • . · . .. ·.- 548 102 25 1 19 56 16 534 39 191 17 24J. 1789 �Title of Jobt Se•.•Ratio Survey Objectives: To obtain sex-ratios of the nain antelope herds, proper managementmeasures may be carried out. so that !!m!: This report covers the sex-ratio flights made in August, 1947, and· the ground survey which was conducted during the first half of Hay, 1948. A progress report was submitted covering the aerial survey, but parts of it are used to give total figures. Personnelt Aerial survey ~ R. H. Lehti, pilot, R. R. Elliott, observer. Ground survey - K. B. Hilyard, Hardens Triplett, Halloy, and Oberle; R. R. Elliott. Technigue3 Used: The ground survey during Hey vIas made by driving through the major herd areas uhere possible and using field glasses to count and distinguish sex. Starting just east of Nunn on the Central Plains Experimental Range, the survey vas continued east to Julesburg in a.ttempt to \-Iorkthe bluff country a.long the northern barder. This particular section of the Ste.te is difficult to aaneuver- in an automobile, and results obtained l1ere poor. It should be pointed out here, houever, that the objective of this ground Hork tras not to get a total count, but only to obtain representative samples fram several areas. The sex proportions gained from these sanplings then can be ai.1alyzed and plans made for managementof the herds in that particular area. The averaGes of sex ratios for all major herd areas are also essential to sound management, The Agate, Buick, Linon, and Hugo areas, including the Dickinsoll Refuge, were worked, then the survey proceeded Hest through the Bijou Creek drainar;es. A short tiI1e was spent in South Park, and the re:oa.inder of sexing was completed at the Colorado .\ntelope Refuge. Analysis and Recomaendatd.ons e i'1hile acla1O\dedging the fact that carrying . out a sex-ratio survey from the ground is far inferior to aerial methods, the resnlts do give sene indication of sex proportions of a given herd and uill serve as a check on figures obtained from the aerial survey. Buck-doe ratios a~e not so difficult to get, but the fawn-doe ratio is almost totally inaccurate since it is not easy to distinguish yearling does from mature does, eSIJecially at a distance, From Table I, something may be seen of the difference, and also of the corroboration of figures by the comparisons of time of year and method of sexfng, For instance, in the Colorado AnteLope Refuge, the AU€,J'llst aerial sex count s11o\-IS a ratio of 2.64 does .per buck as compared to the May ground ratio of 2.24 does per buck. The slight difference may be explained by the trapping a.ctivi ties of the past Hin·ter trhen 29 bucks and 61 does lIere removed along ,d th 69 faloffis. . The antelope in this area appear to be keeping a fairly \oTell-balanced sex proportion, due mainly to the lack of an open season for two years. At the rate the bucks are increasing, it may be necessary to have another season \-Iithin the next tuo years in order to lJaintain the proper balance of sexes. . - 65- �There is a bit of encouragement in the results 6f comparing figureS,for the Dicldnson Refuge. The August ra.tio shoys 1.3 does per buck, uhich is not high enough. This is attributed t.o the loss sustained during' the hea.vy snow of tiovember1946. NOlI, the Nay surveY'shows a ratio ot 2.2:1 does per buck, uMch indica tee the does are giginning to recover from their losses and are "getting back into the picturelf as it were. This cannot be t.~t:en too jubilantly, ho\vever, because enough data have not been collected yet. After the fliGhts are made this SUl!lIl1er, perhaps more substantial proof can be set forth. The 'average buck-doe ratio for both times and met~lodsof sexing check out-quite closely uith one Clnother; the ratio for August 1947 being 2 •.36 does per buck, and tho.t for Hay 1945 at 2,23 does per buck, Sexratios for the separate herd areas st~veyed are included in the iollouLng tables, as well as frequency and L~oupingdata. TABLE I ANTELOPE SEXRATIOSURVEY Comparisons in Aerial and Ground Sexing lviay1948 August 1947 I t (Aerial) : , (Ground) tBucks:Does:Fawns: Location z Buoks,D.oesilFa1ma:: ··:Location : : . Colo. Antelope Heruge: .39 t 10.3: 46 I .Colo. Antelope Refuge: 25 I 56 f Dickinson Refuge : 23 I .. .30, 19 • :Dickinson Refuge ,11: 25 , 16 Black Squirrel Creek t 1.3 I 44: 18 I 1 - ~ - - - ~ - - - - t - : ~: t : :NE Border Area :.3 t 17: .3 : I •• •• I :South r",rk : 8 : 7 t 1 . . , Average ratios: t : : : 177t 8l I I 2~.36 does per buck .46 fawns per doe Totals : I : 47 :105,: 20 : Average ratios: 2.23 does per buck " "(Faymswere not ohecked in, all areas) -66- �TABLE II SEX.•RATIO SURVEY (Aerial) COLORADO ANTELOFE REFUGE LARIMER COUNTY August. 1947 ... --.-.-------.-.~---------'r- I.... Buek~_.., I ' I .__.;.---------poes: I I I 1 7 1 1 1 Total Fawns , I I 2 1 2 4 8 3 2 25 ; ; 4 14 17 6 24 2 2 2 I. 1 1 . I 1 3 1 2 3 8 4 1 2 2 2 2 10 1 7 1 2 1 1 II 9 2 l' I 1 1 2 3 - ..... --.-.~.-... '---1 .. _-----_ .. _--------+---_._- 2 4 1 1 4 2 3 5 ! 11 1 1 1 :3 1 5 I 5 7 10 1 1 1 ·----f 2 1 !! ,17 I ! 6 3 1 10 2 9 1 1 1 3 9 6 5 1 1 3 4 I II I I j i j II I ! i I ! '---if 39 46 103 - 67 - , _l,_6!L.:_ .. : �TABLE III SEX-RATIO SURVEY (Aerial) DICKINSON REFUGE AND VICINITY , August, 1941 I Bucks Total Fawns Does 1 5 1 1 3 4 1 1 1 4 6 3 6 3 1 3 2.3 2 2 ! I 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 24 II 1 II I .. I _- ._------_ _' _ _..I I 23 I 1 5 1 '1 7 1 7 7 ~ , I ", I -.- ._--_-30 __ -. : .... 19 __ I ... 10 7 4 1 5 7 1 72 - TABLE IV SEX-RATIO SURVEY (Aerial) BLACK SQUIRREL CREEK DRAINAGE AUGUST.1947 I i Bucks ~-----~Dn~AI:g~--+_--~Fuu~'wn'w,a-.R----~~----~~i- 1 1 1 9 3 6 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 113 1 1:,~ _ 6 16 3 12 4 3 1 1 2 8 225 I __jl,-· 9 1 3 _. ~ ~I - 68 - 2 I 1:: __,1__ 5 __;.:..=..: __ 1 �TABLE V SEX-RATIO SURVEY (Ground) May, 1948 ;---------~---,...--F-----.....----~---·--,......,-··-·-···-·-·--awns i.r.!g!!Y- Total, 1 1 .] 1 S lEast of Nunn 1 1 2 i" 9 1 11 1 115 Miles North Jumbo Res. 3 , """ 3 14 ITamarack Ranch 1 l1ile W. Cedar Point ; " 14 Miles NE Crook 3 3 7 7 3 6 2 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 7 1 3 2 2 1 " II 1 3 2 6 " n 1 1 1 9 1 1 1 2 1 1 5 1 1 1 4 2 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 4 ." 5 1 1 3 2 1 :3 3 1 2 4: 1 1 4 2 1 1 5 3 2 1 4 2 4 1 1 11 5 4 2 2 4 1 2 4 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 9 10 1 2 8 2 2 8 3 1 2 2 1 ~-:-J I 47 I ~--ri--- 1105 ! A"'leNige ratios for total l" 29 " " " " l Between Agate and Buick 13 Miles SW Buick 8 Miles S. Limon Dickinson Refuge " II 1 1 1 1 1 ! Location 1 1 -j I n II If tI ,. tI " tI Middle Bijou Creek ISouth Park . " u " " It , " '1 , II " " I Colorado Antelope Refuge I " f " I I It It " " "" "tt " It I II " I " II It II II It It " It II " II II II " " It " tt " 11 " " " It I' " It II It n It " " " " " " " " It It " " " " " " " II -'---=-172_.. number: 2.23 does per buek .19 fawns per doe " " " " " It It ------------- ------~ - 69 - �TABLE VI SEX-RATIOS BY HERD AREAS May. 1948 r-···· .-- ... Bucks ! 1 1 1 .. -+- Northeastern r····_······-········---···_···_-_··· .....- ..-..Border -- - ..Area --······_ ..i······· .- ..._ .....•. ------.Yearlings 1 1 3 I 1 1 2 I 9 1 Ii +-_.~__ Ratios: I I n_, 3 .l__ ~ ...-j Total I 3 3 17 23 .. 3 ._•. ., 5.33· does per buck .17 fawns per doe Dickinson Refuge and, Vicinity t- i Does BuCkS 1 7 7 1 1 1 1 2 I Year lin s 1 I 6 2 3 I ! 1 1 1 II +-.. 3 1 1 14 9 7 1 I 1 Total 2 3 2 2 1 6 1 1 1 2 1 .________ __ ._ _._o. ___ 1 ~ 3 1 1_-11 Ratios: I i I I 1 I i I I II I I ! , i, I I ! '1 _j I 3 1 I 25 16 52 ______ .~.) 2.27 does per buck .74 fawns per doe South Park .. Bucks Does 3 2 1 1 1 Total 4 2 1- 1 5 1 8 7 Ratios: Yearlinlts 1 5 I 1 3- 1 16 .87 does per buck .14 fawns per doe -10 - j I i l J �TABLE VI (Cont'd.) ColQrado Antelope Refuge Total 1 1 2 1 1 4 1 4 2 2 3 1 4 1 7 11 3 4 1 2 2 a 1 4 5 5 1 1 2 4 1 4 1 2 2 4 1 1 1 4 1 1 ~- 1: 9 10 2 2 : III 22 2 1. 1 ' 2 1 I .L-_-.--_---..;;,..;:~~-_-._ ..... ..-+-1~~-----+-------=81'----1 I_--·-_-._·.....;.;..-~~-;_----_Ratio: 2.24 does per buck (Yearlings were not counted) Subttdttedby; Name Approved: Robert R. Elliott --------------~~------Title Wildlife Technician --------~--~---------Title __ ~C~.~N~.~F~e~a~st~.~D~i~re_c~t~o_r _ Date Note: ~A~u~gu~Bt~3_1~. __1_94_8 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the State Game and Fish Department. - 71 - _ �STATE COLORADO mO~TNO. AA_-_R_-~2 Jul.y. 1948 DATE OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SU.RVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As requirea _ REPORT by FEDERAL AID IN llILDLIFERESTORATION ACT ~ Title of Project: 2. Leader: Antelope Surveys and Investigations Robert R. Elliott 3. Report of Progress: Title of Job: Fawning Studies Ob.1 ecti ves : To detertdne fa.'-mswx-ratio, morta.lity, and to collect physiological managenent, nt1Il1berof tal-ms per doe, fa\,m data uhich oay be of use in Scope: Fauns \-lere caught in the Colorado Antelope Refuge, north of Fort Collins, and in the Dickinson Refuge, near Hugo. Studies were not conducted in South Park, as \-Ja~ previously planned, due to the widespread scattering of the antelope herds in that area, and also because of the difficulty in negotiating the terrain. Time: Searching for fs."ms \laS begun the latter part of Hay, alt:lough none 'Here caught until, JUne 7~ june 17 was the last. day that fauns \lere captured, but field observation continued until July 1. Techniques Used: Field met-nodsvlere much the sene as those employed. last year, using an over-sized dip net to catch the fa\IDS, once t~ey ,rere seen. Coverage of the large pasburee , some being 3 or 4 sections in size, was accomplished inpart by driving parallel strips 75 to 100 feet ",ide. This method, hovever , did not seem to reveal any more hidden fal-rns, than by driving a.t random through the pastures, and stumbling onto them, as it were, Even from the experience cra~.ned from lo.st year's studies, it was still quite difficult to find the flllms before they 'Here a ueek old • At this ace one can sneak up and drop tl1e net over the fa\-m as it sleeps in the grass, but after seven or eight days, they are more aware of danger , and more confident of their excellent ability to outrun it, thus makinGcapture a minioUlll probability. After l1etting the fa\m, it \-ms ear-tagced, l1eighed, measured, and other data as to age, teeth, being a twin, and horns \-lare taken. �F_igure 1. First fawn caught. 6-Days old, weighed 131bs., 14 oz. The net used to catch the fawn is in the background. Figure 2. Posing for a picture - with the aid of the "pigging" string tied to his hind leg and the net handle. Under the net, but still trying to escape. He found a hole big enough to get his head through, anyway. �Figure 4. This fawn doesn't seem to mind being under the net so much; it was 2 days old, and was being nursed by the doe just prior to capture. ~ Figure 5. The smallest and youngest of the fawns caught - a little doe 1 day old and weighed 5 lbs, 2 oz. She was pretty wobbly on those long legs, but she could still run. Figure 6. Fawn being weigbed - slightly over 8 lbs. It isn't as hard on them as it might appear. That is an old cinch supporting the fawn. �All this information is shO\'1nin Table I. Reaction to being captured was denonstrated by the ta,ms in 'bleatinG, kicking quite VigOl'ously, and trying to free themselves trom the short "pigging" string which tied their front and hind legs together. Figure six shoHs the' legs' tied together to facilitate weighing and handling, and in Figure 2, the string is used to hold the fawn in a pose for the c~era. 'The metal tag may be seen in the riallt ear of' the fa\Olnin Figure 2, designating a buck. Doe fmms uere tamred in the lett ear. This is of no particular significance, except that it m::~.y aid in identification of sex later on ,.,hen seen through fiold glasses. A horse was used again to Hork the rougher country, and also to spot the fauns in the flat pastures, since it is nuch easier to see them from horseback than from a truck cab, Ho attempt \-/as made, however, to net the fawns fram horseback; too Duch objection from ~1e horse. Three fawns ,.,ere run down with the pick-up, one of uhich ran 1.5 mnutes at a speed of .20 to 25 miles per hour. This illustrated the stamina possessed by a ueek-old fawn. Ilo harr:ful effects from the chase were noted, and3fter 3 minutes rest, it ",as ready to go agadn , The does ,·rere disturbed considerably more uh9n the fa"ms \lere run detm by the truck and cauG~lt, than when caught by stealth and use of the net. They \lould only stand off several hundred yards and watch, seeoingly \-1ithout undue akarm, at t:le latter action, bUt uhen the f'alm vas being chased, the doe ran rapidly in e circle around all the activity, and on several occasions, would cut in to\,tard the fa\m in an attempt to get it av,a_yfrom the pursuing truck. In returning to the sane pasture the follouin(; day, it is interesting to note that a.ll the antelope had moved out of this particular location toxa point about 3 miles north, whereas, in the other 'areas uhere the fa"ms were caught with the net ~ the antelope \lere carrying on just as if' no one had disturbed them at all. •. ~na.lY'sis and Recommendatlons: Several assumptions may be nade from the conta.ined in Table 1. Out of the 13 fawns caught, 7 or 53.8% vTereknown to be t..\rins. This is slightly lot-ler tilan last year's figure of 9 out of 15 or 60% twins, but S.t does indicate that as a general rule, antelope do bear t"nn faloms. It is quite likely that some of the fawns !'I.arkeda.s singles, may be tuins, but ordinarily, In if there are twirlS,. .they· are found quite close to one another. the case of numbers 671, 672, 673, and 674, all four fawns were within a radius of 50 yards of one another, and ~t is reasonable to believe that No. 671 is the tHin of No. 674, a.lso that No. 672 is the twin of 673. The explanation for No. 669 is that its tuin was seen, but not caught. Hith this rauch established, it ooy be said that these 13 fa't7ms \-Tereproduced by 10 does, and arrive at a ratio of 1.3 fawns per doe • . This is quite close to the long-time accepted average of 1.5 faYns per doe. The sex-ratio, 10 bucks to J does, or over 3 to I in favor of the tulles, does not jibe '\<lithfigures obtained for adult animals during the regular sexing survey. No explanation is offered except that the sample is probc~bly too small to be used as representative for the whole herd. ¥ita -73 - �No :faun losses or evidence of losses uere observed during the tine of field study. Coyotes mid bobcats are of no consideration as predators in the refuge area. Both thes0 species have been rigidly controlled by U. S. Fish and l1ildlife Service representatives here. There is sene indication that golden eagles rJD.Y have talren a f'a\-mor tHO, but positive identification of sl-:eletalrema.ins has not been completed. Results of that :)articular job will be presented in a separate report. In general, predacious species are of little or no ~portance in this area. It is suggeated again, the sane a.s last year, that the Educational Section of' the Depar tnerrt arrange to take photogra.phs or movies of parts of the fawn catching operations, s~nce there is usually & publicity demand for such pictures. . The project lender on several occasions has broached the subject of havinc a stud~nt, graduate or undergraduate, take over an antelope problem for study at the Cooperative Hildlife nesearch Unit, located at the Oolorado A&M College Division of Forestry and Range Hanagenent. As yet, no student has offered to undertake such a study, but it is reconnended that the Depar-toerrt aid in settinG up the study should the Cooperative Unit tind an interested and capable individual. - 74- �TABLE I DATA ON ANTELOPE FAWNS CAUGHT IN COLORADO ANTELOPE REfUGE, ' Tag Date NQ-'; Seil[ me Est. I Total Age l~ength Ht.·, I I Tail ~/7 666 M 13-12 6- 25 1/2 22 1/2 3 ,.. 6/8 121 Hind Foot Ear Length! I . ! I" " of ,AroundI , ,Head Head IGirth Sing1ejTwin Triplet Teeth ~orns I 2 1/1. 9 3,4 3 1/2 IS 1/1. I 2 22 679 668 M 8-14 2 23 1/2 21 1/2 2 1/4 101/2 3 3/4 5 3/4 1 9 1/2 16 6/10' 669 F 10-6 3 25 1 I X i 1 21 19 2 l/Z 6/12 671 M 9-0 2 23 21 2 1/2 101/4!131/2 5 1/2 I 9 )/4 17 1/4 6/12 612 M 11-0 3 25 1/2 2l. 1/4 2 1/2 101/2 3 1/2 5 5/6 , 2 23 1/2 20 1/2 2 6/13 675 M 12-0 5 25 6/13 676 M 7 26 1/2 24 14-8 !I X IX t' 9 3141111/4 ," 22 1/2 ts 26 1/2 23 678 F ! 8-4 2 12 ~one 2' Buttons 2 Buttons X 2 ~utto;;;'- 2 Buttons 677) 2 ButtonS-- ~(10) 2 Buttons 11 I 131/2 5 3/4 110 118 I ii,' 14 6 ilO 1/4 19 3/4 111/2 3 3/4 ,0 iii , X I X !10 us 1/2 X ----+---~---~~----_r----I! FAWN CAUGHT IN THE! DICKINSON REFUGE .._ ~one 101/2P 1/2 5 1/2 j 9 1/4,15 1/2 1221/2121 1/4 2 1/2 10 , 2 ~uttons 131/2 5 5/8 ! 6111 ~uttons 2 ~I' ,, . 2 iX 2 3/4 12 2 ~uttons I I 6/13 677 M 13-14 1 I 2 9 1/2 '16 3/4 20 3/4 2 1/2 10 9-1 - X, ! 6/12 613' M' iO-8 - 3";: 23 6/13 674 M 9314131/2 5 1/4 I 8 1/2113 5-2 _ 2 inc. ~uttons I ,X 10lb' 3 1/2 5 1/2 ! 9 1/2 16 3/4 3 6/12 670 F ,' " i~ I 9 3/4 r.4 1/2 X 8-0 / -3 \J\ 10 3/4119 11llU 3 1/2j6 667 11 22 LARIMER COUNTY 1948 JUNE 1 '31/2 j5 1/4 1 iii I9 i1$ 3/41 X I i 2' ~one 1 NOTE:Weightsare shownas poundsand ounces; 13-12 means13 Lbs 12 oz. :stimated age is given in days, and all other measur-ement.s are in inches, made w:i.tha ste~l tape. HeadLengt.n was measuredwit.ll a set of caliper, frn.-n tip of nose to occiiJitC!l List.ead of :'ailbdc.i;: a1 ridge. - * �••••••• .1 ..... ;. " ~" ,,... TAB~.tSi COMPARISOn OF GIRTH •• WErGIn' R!TIO~ ;--~-i--9-4-7--'-'--"---'---- 1" 15 1" 15 16 " 16 2" 16 lit 17 17 3/4" t" I~' ._., .• '!:. I l 5 2' Lbs. 51:.11 13" 5 1/8 Lbs , 7 14 !tt 88 13 it, 13 ],. •• ]15 •.•.• __ Weight Weight t" _._---- 8 Girth Girth 14 15 " 15 " 15 » 15 .111 94 ~--~~----~~~~ 1 i I" 10 I " 8 8 It 8],. n " iI I I I 11 i " 8 8 3/4" 9 ~ " 15 ~ 15 3/4" 16 It 16 3/4" 16 3/4" 17 .!." 17 18 18 !" 19 u 19 " 8 3/4" 8 10 t It 11 3/4" 12 3/4" " til " 9 8 .! 4· tt n 8 7/8 It 10 3/8 tt 10 ~ " 9 " tt 11 12 " 13 7/8 " 13 3/4 14! " I I II I! " __,.......- .._.,. .. There isn't much of a correlation to be drawn from the above data, although some of the ratios show a similarity from one year to the next. Girth measurements, as an indication of weight, probably hold more nearly correct with adult animals • ..76 •. t I �S~bmitted by : Name· Robert R. Elliott Title 11;\ld11feTechnioian Approved: Da~ __ ~A~u=gu=s~t~)~1~,_1~9~4~8 _ Note: Persons 'Hishing to quote from this abstract should first permission from the State Gameand Fish Department. -77 - obtain �STATE COLORADO ----------~------------PROJECT NO. 39-R -------------------JU~l~y~,_1_9~4~8 _ DAU OUTLINE FOR PROGRESS SURVEYS AND I N V EST REPORT I GAT ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION 1. Name of Projects 2. Leader: 3. Report of Progress: ACT Wild Turkey Surveys and Investigations M. L. Burget Preliminary work on this project was hindered a great deal by unfavorable weather conditions. Where for the past three years there has been an exceptionally light rainfall record, the present year has been very wet. The bulk of t he precipitation came in the late winter and spring. Almost continuous late rains and snows kept the turkeys away from f~ed well into the middle of the mating season. For this reaGan the real nesting activity was held back to a later date than usual. At the State turkey ranch preliminary gobbling started in mid February. As the wet season advanced the gobbling and early strutting stopped almost completely. Id did not again get under way till the seoond week in Maroh. In the upper Piedra area strutting did not get well underway till late in Maroh. This, of course, was partly due to heavy snow in the valleys and the higher altitude ~f the area. As a result of this later activity the season continued later than usual. Gobblers stayeQ on the ~trutting grounds till nearly the tirst of June. Careful observations cOnfirmed the fact that younger toms do not participate in the mating activity when older toms are present. This is· oooasioned by the older gobblers controlling the strutting ground. Young toms come in and strut re~larly when no hens are present •. However, when hens are on the area the older toms immediately drive the younger birds out of the area. This spring as ~y as sixteen toms were observed on the strut ground at one time. As many as seven toms were observed in full strut at one time. Feed was kept near the I:trutting area as late as the birds oared to take it. They left the roosts as ~arly as 4:50 A.!.1. The first aotivity after leaving the roosts was to participate in a round of strutting. As long as the hens were laying they roosted in the same trees and roosting sites �proven in&dequate. With the cuttin, of the heavy stands of· Ponderosa Pine much of the shading that left large open park like areas has been destroyed. As late as the late 1880's great park like areas existed. In their place have come dense cover of second growth pine, and the infilling of heavy stands of scrub oak and lesser type shrubs. Turkeys do not leave tracks in grass. Droppings disintegrate with the first rains unless they are protected by cover. Then, grass grows up to hide any old ones that may have carried over. i Besides this, the stock ranges are trampled dawn by stock sign that would hide any tracks near the watering places. In spite of all these difficulties droppings were gathered in many places where turkeys had not been seen before. It is our opinion that early spring and fall checks are more valuable than mid-season ones. Check~ on Recent Releases: Checks in the Uncompahgre area are to the effect '.thht our turkeys have ranged widely in search of food. The Disappointment flbdk moved about six miles from the plantirig area. The Canon City plant moved,about ten miles. In the Salida area the birds moved down toward the Arkansas River. Of these birds, two are reported to have been killed. One of the first release was killed by' a train "llsat: a eanyon tunnel.. Early this month Warden Oberle sent in a band, No. 570, with the following comtnent: I i'The band had been given to Mi-. Oberle by Ii Mr. Blanchard, who in turn had ~eceived it from anbther party. It was found one half mile north of the Salida Stockyards, and there was no sign of predation or a kill having been made. It is almost unbelievable that a band could be torn from the leg of a living bird. However, this is the seoond band returned under similar circumstances. The bird this band had been placed on was a large tom taken from the upper Piedra River area in the last catch of birds for the season. II Predator signs and reports continue to be extremely light over all Predation; the areas of the State. Only one complaint of coyotes has come to attention, which was on the Animas River north\of Durango. Food: Food indications over the entire State are the best they have been for five years. Most grasses are in full seed; some, types that have not born seed J:n four years. Acorns are generally good. Pine and Pinion cones are plent~ful. Other shrubs and food types are full fruited. Broods: To date we have had reports on seven broods. We have observed nine more. This makes a total of sixteen broods, averaging from nine to sixteen. I have not counted a broad of sixteen this year. Thirteen was the most I have counted in a single brood this season. The heavy hail that was so ••.80- �prevalent in the eastern half of the State was east of most of our turkey area. There were a number of heavy, late rains that may have affected some of our turkey broods. It has been our observation that late rains do not affect wild turkeys as seriously as would be thought. Wild hens brood their poults in storms and in heavy dew, which protects the small birds from chilling. Submitted: Approved: Name COLORADO STATE GAllE AND FISH DEPARTMENT Title M. L. Burget ------------~-------------- t------------~~~~~~-----5.~~····t'·. ,-,/ _/__;;;;;;::_ 't~t:;~::t-By __ .••• ' _::;.;.~_' _'•.•. ' __ '_' __ ••• : ----~~--~--~--~~----Wildlife Technician Title Date C. N. Feast, Director ----------._------------------- Note; Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain perruission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department_ ./ - 81- _ �STATE OUT LIN E FIR SUR V E Y SAN P R O"G RES DIN V EST ~------~~~--------COLORADO PROJECT NO. 41-R DA TE ~J.;;u.;;;.ly=t...=...J ...,;1;.,;9;,..;4;.;;8 _ " S I GAT REPORT ION S As requ ired by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE 1. Name of Project: Rooky Mountain 2. Leader: 3. Report of Progress: ACT Bighorn Sheep Survey George W. Jones Survey of Bighorn Sheep Transplanting 1. RESTORATION Areas. Glenwood Canyon A survey was made on Grizzly Creek during the first part of April to locate the sheep that were transplanted there December 4. Eight head" of sheep were found, which were noted to be in fine condition and seemed to be making Grizzly Creek their permanent location. The weather was stormy at the time of the survey. which prevented a full location of the sheep that were planted in the area. 2. Green MOuntain This area was planted with sheep during the 1947 season. The survey in the area found eighteen shee~ of which nine were ewes. four were rams, and five yearlings. These sheep seemed to be in very fine oondition and were in an excellent area as far as an abundance of feed was concerned. 3. Brush Creek On a survey in the Brush Creek Area, south of Eagle, a total of thirty~sheep were counted. A counting in this area was done on foot, because of brush. Wood ticks were noted to be very thick in the area. It was noted, out of the thirty-seven sheep. there were eight yearlin.gs and four rams. It is recommended that a few rams be transplanted to this area from the Terryall herd • .•.82- �Rifle - Hog-Back 4. Eight ewes were looated in this area with three n~ lambs. This leaves eight sheep that have not been located out of a plant of sixteen in the area. 5. Tarryall Mountain Numerous trips were made on horse through the Tarryall MOuntains, concentrating most of the work on Bison Peak, Lost Park, and McCurdy Mountain areas. Although getting an accurate ratio of lambs is difficult, since the ewes divided into small scattered groups, tabulations were made on the number of lambs and ewes. It was noted that the heavy spring storms and heavy winter snow in the high country kept the sheep staying 10Wei",than in previous years. A tabulation of the ewes and lambs counted throughout the period showed forty ewes and thirty lambs. A very interesting observation was made of a lamb during birth,on Rock Cliff in the Tarryall area. The lamb was born on the 8th'of June at 7:00 A.M. The ewe and lamb remained on the cliff for thv,Be .days , leavin~ the cliff on the third day in the afternoon about; 6:00 P.M. The ewe and lamb were apparently starting for the timberline country. This particular lamb became active in about three hours after birth. From observations of the lambing, it appears that the peak of the lambing season for the Tarryall herd was from June 7 to June 18. Submitted: Approved: Name COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH George W. Jones COM!~ISSI ON ~}\(~~""\\j~> Title Wildlife Technician By - ~A(",-I- Title ~C~.~N~.~F~e~a~s~t~. __D~i~r~e~c~t~o~r _ Date _ Note: Persons wishing to ~ote from this ab~tract should first obtain permission from the ,Colorado State Game and Fish Department. - 83 ••• � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/bc74f862647b50a78ca52c6a79d485a6.pdf 3db9092bfa8355b4697f09e8e55fe9e0 PDF Text Text STA~ __ ~C~O=LO=ruum==~ PROJECT NOo DATE qUARTERLY PROGRESS SURVEYS AND _ 37-R-2 Octobers 1948 REPORT INVESTIGATIONS As Required by FEDERAL AID IN"VITLDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project~ 20 Leader: Game Bird Surveys Ho Jo Figge Report subnutted by Ho Ao Stiehm 30 Report of progress: Work Plan No ••2 - Job 3 Title: Rural and Star Route Carriers Pheasant Roadside Census , Objective~ To gain information regarding the distribution, concentration" and sex ratio of pheasants in Colorado; to determine average brood size and frequency and subsequent annual production level among pheasants in various sections of stateo Techniguesg A roadside driving survey conducted during a period of one week by chosen men while carrying on their normal activity of mail deliveryo Personnel s Rural and Star Route mail carriers 0 Findings: Table I and Figures I and II contain the compiled data which present existing conditions over the stateus pheasant range generally and for individual counties 0 One hundred seventy-four carriers, comprising 47041% of the 367 contactedl) submitted report cardso These reports sampled 37 counties throughout the state (Figure I and 11)0 Carriers drove 49,226 miles and counted 2,678 pheasants for a statewide figure of 00544 birds per mi.Le , The total of 794 adult birds, 267 cocks,and 527 hens" resulted in a sex ratio of 50 66 cocks per 100 henso A breakdown of data for individual counties has been compiled in Table 10 On the basis of individual county records, FigUres I and II were prepared to simplify examination of existing conditions 0 0 �- 2- An average brood size of 3~575 birds resulted from counting 1,884 immature pheasants which were 70035% of the 2,678 bird total. Analysis and Recommendations: Population Densities: The state'tvidefigure of .0544 pheasants per mile is 22.5~ higher than the .0444plieasants per mile recorded during the same period one year agoo Twenty-one of the,thirty-seven counties reporting have shown an increase of pheasants per mile seen, whereas 12 counties have shown a decreaseo Four counties, Costilla, Dolores, Douglas, and Yuma, were lacking in data. Table II was developed to give easy access to data showing the per cent of increase or decrease in pheasant areas of Colorado. A general increase in all areas is noted, The area north of Denver shows the most significant change with 160.,'7%increaseo Of particular interest is the heavily populated northeast section which shows an increase of'41.8%. This area was believed by some to have suffered extensive losses in pheasants as a result of several severe hailstorms and floods. Apparently too much emphasis has been placed upon hailstorms in the past as a means of seriously depleting pheasant populations. It seems reasonable to assume in the light of present .findings that i.fpheasant losses were as great as some observers reported, then the pheasant has exhibited a wonderful faculty for recouping its losses through additional nesting attempts. S'ex Ratio: Colorado's pheasant sex ratio,. based on the sample of 794 birds, is 50.66 cocks per 100 hens. This is a decrease of 12.53% in the ratio of cocks to 100 hens , With the exception of Rio Grande, Morgan, arid Fremont counties, a favorable sex ratio is exhibited over the pheasant range. Individual countd.ee, such as Pueblo, Crowley, Yuma, Larimer, Douglas, Elbert, Dolores, and Montezuma, were not sampled or were so poorly sampled ~hat they have little bearing upon the ·final fi~e. Reproduction: The average young per hen ratio or brood size in Colorado is 30575 young per brood. This is an increase of 24061% over the average 2.869 young per brood in 19470 Figure I presents a comprehensive picture of reproduction. Reproduction is highest in a bloc of .four northeastern counties, Cheyenne and Bent counties in the east, Larimer county north of Denver, and Delta county on the western slope 0 SiX eastern counties have young hen ratios near the state average, as well as Conejos county in the San Luis Valley. Reproduction is poorest in three counties northeast of Denver and generally through the southeastern section of the state. Mesa, Montrose, Montezuma, and La Plata counties on the western slope fall in this category. �~~~==~~~~~==~====~~~==~==~~====~~~~~ I I I FIGURE __ -·· IT!!.. -e ~ --. ~ ~ 0 ~ 3: '0 '" - ~ I I I ~ .(\ GRANi)""'·--....v " '~ULDER Iil1illIU1illt IFIIIIIUllIll! high (above 4.14) IT/Ill medium [ low (below 3 00) I. / (3.00 - 4.14) ._._. 1 ~UMMIT'\ . 0 ~PiN1..-&-;.~ '\.. <, }.~'-' ... .' f'-' <, CLEAR JME E ;1 'OEli\_ V~'flARAPAHOE'--'--'--"--' _. 1 \....~~EK data '> .4AnK-·-j fMESA'·-_·;.;.;:_·-._.-._.--..._ ...L._.-.-.~.i.~// ~ lI: ..• DO / PITKIN .. :!: ,: ~ ii' :J, .. I .c:> . GUNNISON ~ >< ~ cimrEi: i ?'~MONTiiOSE-'~ c:\. " 'r I ruNMIGUEL-'-'-'_'~ ,__" l._ '\ /\ ---...,. ·_·_.-L_ i I I I I.~-----.-L..I 1 • N _j "\. i '\-.CU-SiE-R-·-·-T \ ~ _.J.'-., \" , ./\. ~../'H'uERrANO\ '1 I" 'L .-. . _._. _' J.RIOGRAND ,,' ._.__ ) " ..•.•• /" ":\ // (' -./.~ fA.;CHULETA . . ,,/ i _ •.. ~ioA~-"-·- • rzo'" . " CONEJOS . "..i. ----- ) l'\ TOAS------- . . r r: 'LASANI <'.•tcorro------------ L 1 A' BAC '-'-'-'16 i .~ 11z r I r i i: UNION----- ! I' L_._._·_·_, t, I .'I _ -I';.x l:il ' ' S ~0 ~!:i ~~ j ,/cOSTILLA }./ L·-t._._.L._._. I OWLEY' , .__.... !S ;:l"rl ,,~ ~: . lrufio"",-·___j I I ,- _j '_'-'r><]" ). I 6'BiO > > l r-. '-.l ! I·MINERAL\-..... . 'lA PLATA-' -', . I i ~ en "'~ s ~ ~ j 1 (SANJUAN"t \. ,-1 I MOIIITEZUMA ) HINSDALE, .r·.;-. -oLOiiES·--·-·"\... "'\.. ~ __ /).-, ~ i!'?C " fSAGiiAciiE'-'__'_' \ C,_,-,'I '-..,.' L.._. ~) IT 'ITELLERIELPA . ''-;J I •• l_· _. . ' _j "-,, .:......--...: ~8 . i J . : N j' ..., ,-../ f" DElTA i ) LAKE ( /'1\.",- __. e. Po-e : ~ § insufficient :;;- o OEUEL i \ State average - 3.575 ;;; .NE B. \. Based on Table I (young per hen) ~ I •• CHEYENNE - _- WE \... RURAL MAIL CARRIERS CENSUS REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS c:>«J .~ KI"BALL W'lf'OMnNG~ lARAt<11E .ALBANY 's"OH_·D\uRi;:;~ i -.-~-------- ,CIMARRON 01(.LA. ~1~~~::O::~:t:O·::2:0:::30:.::4:0::S:0:::.0:M:':LI:.::~:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::!:::::N:.:M::E;~~':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;::::::::::::::::::;J II.? ~\~ lil 0 0 r0 1~ 0 0 �~ ~ : I p ~ tmy..,.n. MY II '" . ~ I i i 100 '\so"UUiEn 101 150 J 151 200 -- inSl,lfficient ~":'.-- I- DELTA c: ) ,---j /PARK )C ,"" ~ ._._. N MIGUEL I "l - _ r'-'-I <--. ) ~/'\ I~''-.. HINSDALE \....-,,-,! I~LOftES I" ~ ,_ ._._,_ \. ,.--1 ,{APi:AjA-'~ ~ 0 5.0 .0 .'! I. \. I. I' ~ '\- ~ \ L . 40 50 eo :.IlLES ._:'\-l,....L. ..J.._I~ . 1 . ,/\ I ..••,,'....:..':::...'.' .' • • . --)' :>-. )'LASAtU . .,_r' ./cOSTIL~ ~~aLUJJ!~~ __=_I~.:::_L_ }/ 30 > 'v...-""HUERFANo'. " -.----- .RIO GRAND' J 3: "II tPuEBLO ·"<·-·-·-·i·_j \ CUSTER , t' 1'1 I h" • ',\ MINER}.L·'-...., Z i '.' ,. . . ';"\ (SANJUAN,' ; o i ~ : ) . . __, ·-·---·f ', L._._._. j ~~~---'-~-~ ,K rSAGUAC~·-·__'_·_.J· . :i r 1 I '-./, '-., , :u i o - - <, 'J : }SAi <, \ z 5.., i..!,';ELLE'RTELPA ~ ......I o o VI [TJ _ '-../ \. MONTROSE .... ' _JI CHAFFEE 1!-._._ . I::.l I - ).1 ' '----., GUNNISON':"'" ,__I__J.:J .L7IZ" , " ':J ,~I -.. N - JE - )"-.__...~./ LAKE ( : .. ~ fc~~"-.'-"_' I . ---// z ~ L_~EEK <, "\ r- :;), so III i-Gtrpiil.--tL \... ~UMMIT .\.. data --(l' ~, o '0 i ) PITKIN -, IF< : ~ ~ 51 I ~rrCHEYENNEIT· • ..-v ,1'\ " __ ._ !Ii: ~ ~ ~ Zl> ~ 50 ~~.~ K'MBALLIJL NEB. - (/ 1 I ••• \. ~ ...•. '- \ o 1><1 , \... DISTRIBUTION OF PHEASANT SEX RATIO Based on Table I (cocks/100 hens) 1111111111111111 I • --,f~RiM~'-~=....!:::-"'LAlnRA"".!.E.IWIE FIGURE II RURAL MAIL CARRIERS CENSUS ~. .•.• , TOAS ill. IMII£,X., COLFAX / UNION • OIlCLA. ~ C 0 �-3- s-umma.ry: - 1. During the Rural Mail Carriers Ga.riJ.e Census in August, 1948, cooperators drove 49,226 Iililesand recorded 2<;678 birds for a statewide population index of 00544 birds per mile, 22.52% greater than in 1947. 2. The northeastern corner of Colorado continues to exhibit the best population index. 3~ The Arkansas ValleY9 the San Luis Valley, and the countdes of Delta, Mesa, and Montrose o~ the western slope boast fair population indices. 4.· The southwestern and southeastern corners of the state are designated as low population areas. 5. All sections showed population increases. The important northeastern section displayed a 4108% increase in spite of severe hailstorms and floods •• 6. Colorado's pheasant sex ratio is 50466 cocks per 100 hens or about twice as many hens as cocks •• 74 The average brood size in Colorado is 34575 young per brood, 24.61% greater than in 19470 8. The count of 1,884 immature pheasants was 70.,35% of the total count of 2,678. . �=4= TABLE I S'ummary of Rural Carriers Pheasant Census August)) 1947 and 1948 Yourig per Males per 100 Total Totiil .Birds per - mile femaJ_es hen Cocks Hens Young County Miles Birds 194'1 1948 1948 1947 1948 1947 00 O~DO 25 00 075 2•• 882 Adams 8 1 13 ~0069 ~0l47 4 0 66.,66 0.,00 1000 1.,66 .A:la:fu.cisa 8 .,0059 ~0061 1302 3 5 Arapahoe 11 2.,461 .50 32 .,2208 00422 7 61..53 78057 14 759 Baca 2010 22 .,0184 .,0109 60.,00 8033 1 12 2090 0>75 9 Bent 1 00 1 348 7 100000 100.,00 0.,00 7 .• 9 00037 ~O259 BouIder 67 .,0065 •• 0361 17 25.,00 52094 1854 41 2",00 30-00 9 Cheyenne 0,,00 0000 40.50 11 00023 00131 0 840 2 9 100 00 C-oneijos 0000 3••. 1 0.,00 100000 936 1 00 5 e-0021 .,0053 3 Costilla 0 .,000 0000 0 0 0000 0000 0000 0000 150 0 Crovr1ey 1 ~040 00016 1 0 0 200.,00 0000 0.,00 0 ••. 00 62.4Delta 166 66 66 66 1206 21 •• 2 16 0384 00174 5•• 5 0 5•• 33 0 0 3 ]},.61ores 0 0 0000 .,000 0 0000 0.,00 0000 0000 0 0 Houg1as 0 0 0000 .,000 0 0 0000 0000 0.,00 0000 231 Elbert 0 0000 0 0 00 0000 798 00113 2 0 .• 00 3050 7 9 El Paso 6 0 ll4028 66066 20285 0000 1446 15 00136 00104 9 Fremont 6 3.,].661050 522 27 00686 .,0517 12 9 150000 200000 0 6066 3••66 Jefferson 606 11 100.,.00 0000 14 .,0134 00231 3 Kiowa 60000 33033 ll67 1 10 4 ••80 3 •• 14 00276 00119 3 33 Kit Carson 3640 250 0062.3 o06ert 32 38 74028 60 .• 5.3 165 40514 3011 La. Plata 0,,00 ~857 1128 6 2 0000 28057 15 .,0010 00133 7 Larimer 906 12 ••0030 .• 0 50.,00 0000 0132 11 1 050 11000 Las Animas 1404 1 7 02106 00050 2 74007 50 •• 00 3044 2000 4 Lincoln 1269 26 6.,50 2088 50000 44044 39 00089 00307 4 9 Logan 4J.0 00676 .,117$ 29 3480 20402 5068 57 32.4- 25037 50088 Mesa 1218 6 75000 75000 1.3 00043 e-0107 1000 1050 .3 4 Montezuma 0 1 2 100000 0000 3000 2,,00 744 3 .,0104 00040 Montrose 1120 8 12 10812 1008 33 .,0232 00295 1.3 .37050 66066 Morgan 22 •• 16 llloll 200.,.00 20444 8~00 1254 027.3 00175 2 4 Otero 18 .,.011000127 l4l6 8 1000.00 42 86 7 1 •• 80 1014 3 Phillips 419 -02241 ,,7054 27 295 46 96 27.,-84 2.,606 3 04 594 97 Prowers 16 3408 48 •• 0172 oD141 81 81 18075 3 29 30.36.31081 PUeblo 1122 0 2 00070 00018 1 1 400000 0 00 5000 1000 Rio' Grande 684 .3 00087 .,0044- 2 66.,66 200.,00 1 0 00 050 0 .. Sa.guache II .,0068 00500 240 1 7 100.00 3.3033 2000 2033 3 Sedgwick 1482 401 01861 02706 32 28020 69057 20641 7002 46 323 Washington 2838 61 427 01856 .,1505 42 324 52017 68085 30641 5031 Weld 28 277 ,,0172 00495 5598 182 66.,66 41079 67 20904 2072 Yuma 0 0 .,1005 0000 0 0 0 0 00 58082 20344 0 00 - -- ".- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tot8.ls 49226 2678 00444 .,0544 267 527 1884 57••92 50.,66 0 20869 30575 �- 5 - TABLE II Birds Per Mile ~ By Areas Percentage of Change Area l-li1es 1947 1948 Birds 1947 1948 Birds per mile 1947 1948 Percent of Increase North of Denver 13328 lllOO 187 405 <)0140 00365 160070 San. Luis Valley 4345 3162 27 27 00062 00085 3701 Arkansas Valley 15687 14575 389 375 .,024$ 00258 4003 Northeast 8204 8394 1142 1657 01392 01974 41.,.8 West Slope 5972 3544- Dl 67 00186 00189 16 0 �6 "'lork Plan Noo 2 ~ Job Titleg 3 Brood Survey Objectiveg To secure counts of broods in size the factors affectingo ~opc: Arkansas Valley and frequency and to determine and San Luis Valleyo Tech:iliques.~ Automobile sighting is considered the most f'eas fb'Le to afford r'apd.d , general. coverage of all areas during the desirable morning hours. This system failed cOI:lpletely in the hot~ dry sections of the Arkansas Valley \-lith the result that farmers engaged in moving Here contacted for the information they could provideo Per-sonnel.e Technician 3 0 Ao Stiehn, i-Iardens~ and Farmors , Findin£2.~ (Arkanses Valley) Throughout the ent.Lr-o period prior to August 1, one brood of five birds was Loca'ted , These birds 'Here approximately weeks old on July 16 Realizing the need for more data regarding pheasant r-epr-oductdon, a survey Has instigated to contact farmers engaged in mosrlng alf'alfa for any information they could supply Seventy-throe farmers noted 213 broods for an average brood size of 6 4 birdso 5t 0 0 0 During August9 three broods of 11,9 9:1 and 7 birds~ wer-e seem for a11. average of nine young per br-ood; (San Luis Valley) A similar in this area 1iTiththe result that of 505 birds per broodo respectively)) means of obtaining data vas employed 51 broods Hero obser-ved for an average No data for August availableo Analysis and Becormendatd ons e (Arlmnsas Valley) It seems reasonable to assUJ.!lCthat a figure of 6 4 birds per brood is conservative because rarely, if ever J) was tiTIle taken by the farmer to obtain a 100% count , 0 It lS felt that the average of nine young per brood seen during August is higher than norrno2 for that seasono (San Luis Valley) Although flood conditions wor-e rather extensive well into JuneJ it is believed they exerted a delay~ng action on nesting activity instead of being destructive to established nestso Another possibility is that nests Here placed on high ground during the first nesting attempt due to the occur-rence of high ~'Jater at that til'.leo It is recommended that certain farmer cooperators be requested to count the pheasant hens and young seen during alfalfa movi.ng, In that Hay a running account of pheasant reproductive success could be availableo �- 7 Werk Plan NO'. 2 - Jeb 3 Title: Pheasant Breed Survey Objective: TO' secure ceunts e~ breeds in size and ~requencY,and termine the facters affecting •. to' de- Scepe: Nerthern Celerade - Adams, Beulder~ Larimer, Weld, and Mergan ceunties. Persennel: W ••L. Flinn Findings: Pheasant breed ceunts began early in June f'o.LLo, .•ing the spring crewing ceuntso ,The majerity ef these ceunts were taken in the morning, starting abeut sunrise and continuing until mid-merning.. Ceunts were aise made dUring the evening ~rem abeut an heur be~ere sunset to' dusko 'At first, no attempt was made to' flush er scatter the breed" It was discevered later, hewever, that the hen and breed usually assemble in a little while by calling to' each ethero Prebably all the chicks are net always seen, even when flushed, but these ceunted and the final ~iguresebtained can be treated as a trend •• Breed ceunts threugh the menth ef July were made en er in clese preximity to' the cre\ving reutes in the hepe that seme cerrelatien might be feundo The value ef cemparing numbers al1d sizes e~ breeds with crewing ceunts may be questiened, but in general cemparisen shews that a1eng reutes where crewing ceunts were higher~ larger breeds were seeno ROUTE AVERAGE CALLS PER STOP AVERAGE BROOD SIZE. 1 48 ..9 2 50 3 29.9 9 66 8e07 3 4 5 6 7 '8 9 0 0 707 18 0 26 8 7 ..0 6.,7'7" 0 0 24••8 4•.5 2203 7~28 27 6 5016 505 ' 0 38 1 0 ,Prier to'August 1, a tetal of 70 breeds and 471 individual chicks were counted; giving an average ef 6 72 chicks per brood; During August and September, additienal breed ceunts were made. Abeut the middle ef August, it became di~ficult to'make accurate breed ceunts because yeung birds ef varieus sizes and ages started mixing tegether. Greups ef yeung pheasants having as many as three distinct ages have been ebservedo Where breeds could be clearly identified, they were counted and r-ecorded, Single, ha Lf-egr'own_ birds are eften seen but net recerded ..' In additien to' the above figures, 87 breeds with 524 chicks were ceunted since August 1, a-veraging 6 e 02 chicks per breed. Altegether 995 young pheasants have been ebserved in 157 breods, 0 �- 8 glvlng an overall average of 6.34 birds per brood. Of the broods count~d since August 1, 26% were estimated at less than six weeks old, indicating that the later hatches of pheasants in this area were satisfactory. Work Plan No.3 - Job 5 Title: of pheasant locations Mapping and numbers~ Objective~ ... To Census 'and.. M?-p Pheasant Loeatd ons , Personnel: 1'1. L. Flinn Findings: As a basis for determining the pheasant range and populations in northern Colorado, and as ground work for a prospective habitat development program, mapping of all farming in the area was begun August 15, and has since been completed. Mapping of irrigated lands compared to non-irrigated or dry-land farming was done, section by section, on maps drawn by the Colorado state Highway Department, scaled one-half inch to the mile. The major portion of the area reported on is irrigated farm lando Irrigation ditches on the perimeter may be considered the boundaries to the pheasant range. Almost surrounding the irrigated lands, except on the west, is a belt of non-irrigated land where dry-land wheat farming is the principal practice. The South Platte River flows northeast through Adams, Weld, and Morgan coun.ties, and its tributaries run east out of the mountains and across Boulder, Larimer, and Weld counties. Between the various trib~ taries, there are occasional high, isolated areas, which cannot be reached by irrigation, but are devoted to dry-land farming. These areas vary in size from t1iTOto forty square miles. The pheasant population in northern Colorado is not uniform. Where irrigated farming is extensive, land use and farming practices are not particularly· favorable to pheasants. Crops such as alfalfa, sugar beets, and potatoes produce little year around ~ood, &~d little winter cover. Weeds along ditch banks and fences are often cut or burned. Conventional strip farming is done on the dry lands, but though food is plentiful, the only suitable cover in these areas is stubbleo Records of crowing counts and brood counts point out that pheasant populations increase and nesting is more successful at the borders of irrigated and dry-land farming areas. These areas are characterized by the presence of marginal irrigation ditches which are usually grown up with weedso Unused plots of land below the ditches are not unusual and provide good cover. Often the dry land is farmed to the edge of the ditch, making waste grain readily available to the birds using this cover. As a result, comparatively good populations of pheasants may be found in this zone bordering the irrigated lands, and often greater numbers inhabit the zone around the isolated dry-land farming areas. �- 9 The following table shows pheasant crowing counts on the routes which cross irrigated and non-irrigated lands. The table attempts to show that crowing counts, indicating population, increase near the "transitionll or border zones. Stop No. Route #2 Calls per stop Route #3 Calls per stop Route #5 Calls per stop Route '#9 Calls per stop 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 69 border II 63 52 " 53 II 72 dry 50 " II 48 54 irrig. It 46 II 32 34 "II 47 II 35 u 44 n 42 o dry 53 border 48 irrigo n 57 n 47 45 border 70 dry n 55 42 border 23 dry 37 border 49 irrigo 66 border II 52 51 irrigo 38 " 39 border II 49 43 dry 31 irrigo' II 37 n 30 II 31 II 24 22 " 30 " II 0 If 24 39 border tt 0 40 irrigo tt 0 tt 27 30 irrig. 41 dry 39 II 30 II 0 II 21 II 34 tt 24 n 7 irrig. 24 " 19 II 13 n 11 II 7 n 18 n 27 " 32 u 45 border 38 irrig. II. 32 21 river 49 irrig. tt 63 70 " II 74 65 " 66 border 59 "II 42 II 35 II 49 n 32 n 37 22 dry II 27 n 21 n 23 15 "u 17 II 12 n 8 Work Plan No.2 Title: 44 II 46 11 33 dry 21 n 25 n - Job 3, Pheasants Brood survey Objective: To secure counts 6f broods in size and frequency and to determine the factors affecting. Techniques: Field reconnaissance. Personnel: Ro Go Kinghorn Findings: Brood counts were made in the northeastern part of the state prior to submitting season recommendations on July 22. Many excellent broods were in evidence in all parts of the area not damaged by hail at this time. A few small broods also appeared in some parts of the hailed areas. 'The average brood size at this time for the whole northeast area was 702 young per brood. Excluding the hailed areas, �- 10 - the broods averaged 8.7 young per brood. As the season progressed, more and larger broods appeared in all areas and young birds are still appearing at this date.· .Brood success in the hailed areas has shown remarkable improvement in recent weekso At the present time, -with most broods mature and foraging for themselves, the broods average 6 6 young per brood. 0 Some preliminary investigation was made to determine what per cent of hens actually produce broods~, Findings at this time are incomplete and inconclusive, but it is felt that this phase of brood study is highly important and more work will be done on it in the future. Analysis and Recommendations: Data from the pre-nesting studies reported on in the July Quarterly and the above brood count data were considered in the recommendations for the 1948 pheasant season recommendations for Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Yuma, and Washington countieso Season recommendations are as follows: Length of season: 10 to 14 days Hunting hours: 12:00 noon until sundown Bag limit: 3 cocks a day and in possession Work Plan Noo 2 - Pheasants, Title: Deviation Pheasant habitat development Objective: To extend and improve pheasant winter covero Personnel: Ro Go Kinghorn Findings: Following a meeting with Mro Chalmers, Soil Conservation Service representative in Fort Collins, plans were made to start an extensive habitat development project during the coming spring planting seasono Land mmers are being contacted at the present time to lease land in strategic locations throughout the dry-land section of northeastern Coloradoo Five to fifteen acre plots will be planted to suitable cover shrubs and trees and fenced against livestock on these leased areaso Details of the progress of this project l,villbe reported in future Quarterlieso Followup·inspections were made of the two experimental annual sorghum strips in Phillips count yo The square plot is a total loss due to the lack of moistureo The strip planting also suffered from a lack of moisture, but some sections of it have made a fair growth and will supply some vdnter cover 0 A complete report of the success of the plantings will be made at the end of the growing seasono _',;.,. �- 11 "vlorkPlan lio. 4 - Higratory 'ilaterfovIl, Deviation Title: Aerial census of nesting 1.-J'aterfovJl. Objecti ve: To conduct aerial census of the vIaterfowl nesting areas of the San Luis Valley to determine the numberof nesting pairs of waterfowl and to mapthe areas considered suitable nesting grounds within the Valley. Personnel: R. G. Kinghorn, and K. B. Milyard Technigues: Reference is madeto Quarterly Report of July, 1948. On June 8, 1948, a transect survey of the San Luis nesting areas was made. OnJuly 13, 14, and 15, 1948, a randomsample survey was made of .the Samearea to check the accuracy of the transect system. The randomsurvey uas set up as follows: 1. A study area of 66 tovmships of potential waterfowl nesting habitat was selected. 2. T\.,renty-two of the 66 townships •.rere selected at randomto be sampled. 3. Twosix mile strips were selected at randomin each of the 22 townships. 4. The tvJO6 mile strips were i'lmm. and all ducks observed for ~ mile on each side of the plane were recorded. The density of' ducks per square mile was then computedfor each of the sample strips. Findings: A sta.tistical analysis of the results and the fol101nng conclusions drawn: 1. A highly significant sampled. 2. No significant townships variance existed between tmffiships variance existed be·-tlreenthe. sampLeswithin 0 3. of the survey was made A high correlation . \' existed between.s:aniPleswithin tmIDships. From.the facts gained by the tvlO surveys, the following method of randomsampling was developed.to be used where.a total. population figure is desired and practical: 1. Select units comprising each major consistent cover type. 2. Select strip randomtransect routes. through each cover type nni t. Cover the sameper cent of each nnit. 3. Fly each transect route counting all birds within 1/8 mile of each side of the plane. �- 12 - 40 Compute the density of the transect route and project this figure to give the popluation for the whole unito The transect survey showed that no total population figure can be obtained by that method, but it is satisfactory to give a trend in population if the same transects are flown under comparable conditions each yearo The random survey showed that a satisfactory total population figure can be obtained if the survey is confined to an area of consistent ho~ogeneous habitato Analysis and Recommendations: Unless total population figures are desired, it is felt that the random sample survey is not practical for nesting surveys because of the large amount of flying requiredo It is recommended that a series of transect routes covering all of the major water areas and cover types in the San Luis Valley and other nesting areas in the state be established and flo\{llregularly each year This will a.LLov accurate yearly trends in population to be plotted which are adequate and suitable for proper managemento 0 Work Plan Noo 4 - Higratory Title: Management Personnel: Waterfovll, Deviation Area Development Ro Go Kinghorn Find;ngs: Preliminary plans for the development of the Tamarack and Sedgwick Bar Management Areas were dravlllup and work started during the last quartero Necessary improvements in roads, fences, and buildings were determined and arrangements made to have the work co~pleted before the opening of the hunting seasono Blind locations are being staked out and materials being obtained so that blinds can be constructed and properly marked when the river reaches its winter levelo Cattle guards for existing fences are being constructed at the present time and arrangements have been made to have them installed as soon as they are availableo Work Plan NOe 4 ~ Migratory Title: Management Waterfowl, Deviation Meetings RD Go Kinghorn, Wildlife Technician Personnel: Findings: TvlO Haterfovl1 management meetings were attended during the quarter During August9 a mee~ing was attended at Glenwood Springs, Colorado, to form the Centrao Flyvray Councilo This council is to function as a coordinating body to guide the participating states in their waterfovll projec ts , Its aim is to aid the various states in setting up their projects on a standard basis so that the wor'k done by each state will be comparable and the combined data can be assembled and compiled on a common planeo The council also hopes to expand and enlarge the state's waterfovll project s , 0 �- 13 During September, a meeting sponsored by the Uo S. Fish and Wildlife S~rvice was attended in Westhope, North Dakotao Discussions centered around census techniques, methods of obtaining data on hunters I waterfo'illkill, duck banding and analysis of returns, lead poisoning and methods of obtaining data on it, the need for habitat development, nev r-esearch problems, and the .1.J'ork done by the Delta Waterfol'll Station. Following the meeting, a field trip was taken to the Lower Souris Waterfowl Refuge. Work Plan Noo 2 - Job 1 Title: Census Techniques Objective: To establish population trends •. Scope: better techniques in computing accurate Rocky Hountain Arsenal, Denver, Colorado Personnel: Technician I. Re Poley Techniques: Pheasant Car Trends: A 25 mile route wi thin the "Rocky Mountain Arsenal study area is driven ten times monthly. Pheasants in a strip 200 yards -wide are counted. . Duck and Coot trends: A census is made of all the ducks and coot found on the open Ifater at the arsenal. One count is made during the last half of each montho During the months of April to August, a sex-ratio-juvenile count of 14 species was made of the summer resident ducks 0 Findings: "TABLE III Pheasant Car Trends Pheasants / Hile Month April May June July August September October November December January February March Co"cks/ Mile HenS/Mile .Juveniles / Mile 1948 1947 1948 1947 '1948 1947 10134 10588* 0.856 .632 0240 .568 0524 1.206 10041 1 •• 504* 0472 10392 .0416 . .644 10320 2,,300 20996* 1.544 .578 0520 .140 .. 068 0002 0216 .272 .402 0676 .578 .. 188 0408 .080 0136 0308 0556 0556 0336 0356 0070 0148 ,,092 0192 0083 0184 0160 0304 0144 .240 0644 1 •• 372 10036 0736 1947 0928 10088 0808 * Unable to determine sex on all birds seen. .. 030 .364 .956 0096 :.1948. ~088· .012 0934 1.028 .,780 �- 14 ..,. TABLE IV Ducks and Coot Census Month 1947 1948 April Hay June July August September October November December· January February Harch 466 98 193 98 181 689 1968 1920 6800 239 167 171 362 558 875 4700 6650 1126 Analysis and Recommendations: Roadside counts combined with flushing and counting each brood seen is the most satisfactory method at present of obtaining data on the hatch of the year. It was found that car trends were a good means of obtaining sex ratio data during the months of February and March. Work Plan No.2 Title: - Job 3 and Deviations Brood Survey Objective: To secure counts of broods in size and frequency. Scope: The counties of Montrose, Delta, and Mesa were inspected for pheasant and quail broods during the middle of July and the first week of September. Personnel: Technician Io Eo Poley Technique: Field reconnaissance and late parts of the dayo by auto and on foot during the early Findings: TABLE V Pheasants Pheasant Brood Average Gambell s Quail Gambe'L!s Quail Brood Average Number of Miles Montrose & Delta July September Mesa County July September 62 10 302 11 208 79 4.8 15 6.0 154 17 305 5.5 84 4.0 176 134 6.0 48 �- 15 - A-chukar hen and 12 juveniles were observed in Escalante Canyon on September 40 Warden and rancher reports of chuker broods, combined with the above brood, indicate a chukar brood average of 10.7 chicks per heno Pheasant broods averaged 6.9 in July and Rocky Mountain Arsenal study area. 704 in August at the· Analysis and"Recommendations: Brood counts should be conducted during the latter part of August and early September because of the amount of heavy cover and uncut grain and alfalfa found during Julyo Juvenile birds are larger and bolder during August and September, thus facilitating better counts at that timeo Work Plan Noo Ti tIe: 2 - Job 1 Planting and Farming Objective: To provide study plots for pheasant crop damage and bait for the trapping program. Scope: Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Denver, Colorado Personnel: Technician I. Ro Poley Findings: The state's share of 400 bushels of wheat will be used to put corn ground into suitable stubble and establish feed plots of volunteer grain. Two corn fields wer-e so severely damaged by hail that only 30 acres of the 95 will warrant harvesting. Approximately 50 of the 110 acres of barley wer-e harvested. The barley ground, 20 acres of corn ground, and a 14 acre feed plot were prepared so that winter wheat may be planted as soon as the weather permits. Work Plan No.4 Title: - Job 4 Trapping and Banding Objective: To obtain information of ducks and pheasantso Personnel: Technician on the life cycles and migrations I. R. Poley Findings: Pheasant traps trer-e left open and during periodic baiting eight juvenile pheasants (five cocks and three hens, one blind in the left eye) were banded and released at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Five additional pheasants were found feeding in the traps but "'YTere too small to sex and band" 0 �- 18 Work Plan No.5 Title: - Job I Location and Census Objective: To locate and count flights of Band-tail Pigeons. Personnel: Clyde P. Matteson, Technician; All field personnel of the Game and Fish Department; and Forest Service personnel in Colorado. Techniques: It was necessary to rely almost completely upon reports from Fish and Wildlife Service, Uo S. Forest Service, and Game and Fish Department field personnel for knowledge of the presence of Band-tails in Colorado. Form requests and postcards were sent to these men who, after filling in the required information, returned them to the Department. During trapping operations, 'the writer made additional counts and confirmed or discredited numerous rumors. Ranchers and other interested persons were an additional source of informationo An effort was made during the early fall, (up to September 20,) to intercept flock concentrations and mfu~tiann movements, but without success. Findings: As will be seen on the map of nBand-tail Observations", the distribution of birds is rather widespread throughout the mountainous portion (west half) of the state, the preponderance of the population hanging in the southwestern quarten. The observed population is close to 7,000. From all indications this summer's population shows a very considerable gain over recent previous years, especially last year& Band returns obtained during the summer's trapping revealed the birds bearing these bands to have returned to the site of their original trapping, and in the case of the Perry Park Ranch flock, for two successive seasons& Analysis and Recommendations: There were three separate individual reports of pigeons from observers in the Salida area ranging from six to forty birds each. The writer was able to confirm apprOximately a 2,000 bird concentration in this same area during the same observation period. This does not necessarily decry the efforts of cooperative observers nor. the method of obtaining location and census reports in the present fashion~ It simply indicates that the error is considerable and something to be dealt with if this method is to be used in the future. Robert Kinghorn has suggested that trend areas be set up in carefUlly selected localities in order;to help combat this difficulty. It is herein recommended that this be done without further delay. Another error in the population figur"e is introduced due to flock shifts,' wherein one flock of pigeons is counted two or possibly thre,e times during one season. In addition, there are many rough and relatively inaccessible areas in the state where pigeons are not courrbed, because they are seldom observed. It cannot be overemphasized that great care should be excercised in flock and concentration observations, so that the final figure shall be significant. The writer wishes to express appreciation for all request and voluntary cooperation received during the current season. �Fo"FFAr----------~~I MAP OF COLORADO. __....--:-:________________ _ I' oGl#""I''''~ l;v..,.mor,' '''9'' Vofo ••• ---------------rs;-lxlw I WELD oy"y,nloO." ,lARIMER OG""-.Y~~ \ I ",J • oC"rl' OOoylr AliNa ClImbdl '0 1I oJl(?o o6riggsti'M> i R~tlL;,m c,.""s. 0 I .K.olo . o6~1t'n~ '/WODti '. "'Ill/liN I • I#ty , I .• I A 8.'.e, It ~ I I S h)g'J.I 1 'd(V t\<~. ••••• 0 I w~y • I o I 'I __-=---,,----J i \ ",.Ian' t o8flu \ ----l I ~2::__L__----. ,oAl~Ir,~ oHljlJmol". . '6 • I oJ.,..tI'.-r . lI • ----r--:J I, ""k".,.. HO.lt""E . 0/'II1II" , I I 1 I ~-I. $h:Pdvry Am",,,I..1 ,,"tno' L ••.•...Wls7iTNo'fON-TYijMA I,";IH.I , 1 I. I_r-----:----J-.-(---- "".""" I -oHfHl'lIn O/~sIJno • ! . Slo ,hom . j J .. A (:HllllPS NJ~'r_j' , FRGAN"--" I ..~ <tfg;;B~' !~.. opuh oK,*,1mmr 0(11'''''''' 1 ~OlLlNS"'o... 'ILOGAN oK~r~lOrti . /~~n"Y":!i' _ I I bEiA----------;t;;;; 1 . 1SiIB IWID-TULKD ~ 4um.1H(lTf.}1I DISTRIBUTIOR .7,,,.,,,,0 !!!!! ~ (BUIIIIER) IlCH Dar 10 BIRIl8 ._---_._j Nv~~ ..r oJ'bc(H """,IoN. lIuhs '""m "':;::----- I j •••. 'i \ o 1 OIEY£NN£ \ ""'rI'* .._._ .. _'"-1 I _J_ ICROWLEY- ''lFJ'''l; ••.• ,.,~1 1 I i i oTOO'OllfIIfN o",_k/t". 611"1,/1 or~lIjp rft., .,-, 0 oWtllth S/oI!;AjJon oEd'.' olhHll#)' ��- 19 Work 'Plan Noo 5 - Job 2 Ti tIe: Trapping and Banding Objective: studies Personnel: To trap and band Band-tail pigeons for migration and flyway 0 Clyde Po Matteson, Technician Techniques: Trapping and banding has been carried on and completed ln three general locations: Perry Park, Westcliffe, and Salida, in this order Typical of the method employed in all three areas, a patch of ground roughly thirty feet in diameter was baited heavily with wheat from three to ten days ahead of the time of setting up the trapo The trap was then set up over the center of the baited groundo After this, it became only a matter of waiting until the birds dropped into the trap in sufficient numbers to warrant pulling the top overo In order to band the birds without help from a second person, it was found necessary to enter the trap and then band while resting on one elbow in a horizontal positiono A description of the trap and its operation is to be found in the P-R Progress Report for Colorado for the second quarter of 1948 0 0 Findings: Fo.l.l.owf.ng is a record of the birds captured and banded during the summer of 1948: Date 6-20-48 6-23-48 6-27-48 6-27-48 6-28-48 7- 7-48 7-19-48 7-25-48 8-31-48 .... .P'l.ace Perry Park Ranch " n II " Near Westcliffe Near Salida " Number captured Returns Repeats Immatures 17 29 17 1 2 79 60 4 1 4 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 Near Devils Head I Totals 210 0 0 0 0 (caught out of nest tree) 9 3 13 13 3 I 31 All birds not otherwise accounted for were banded with Fish and Wildlife Service bands and released with the exceptions of six held by DroHobert Mo Stabler for parasite study, and fifteen held at the Game Farm for study and experimentation in the forthcoming Colorado Ao & Mo College aviaryo It will be noted that the number of immature birds constitutes about 1408% of the total samplee> No mortality was experienced during trapping and bandingo However, several birds were released in a temporarily weakened condition and were seen to later fly offo During the Salida trapping millet was introduced with the wheat, but wheat still claimed preference as a food. It was observed that one catch was about all that could be expected in the ten days the trap was set up in �- 20 anyone spot, hence, the importance of waiting for the trap to fill before springing it. Once a part of the flock was trapped, the balance flew- off apparently for good with the exception of a fel-lwho evidently had mates in the trap. The Perry Park Ranch birds had more reason to be domestically inclined after several years of returning to the ranch corrals and buildings and being fed by the caretaker~ r Analysis and Recommendations: There are many pigeon concentrations in other areas other than those already trapped which should be added to the sample in order to help complete the overall picture. Once the birds disperse to the higher slopes, and this occurs when wild foods become available, it is too late to trap (with our present knowledge). A mere 200-odd birds does not begin to constitute a statistical sample of the state population of Band-tailed pigeons. It is therefore recommended that a more extensive trapping operation be undertaken, and that the trapping be commenced at an earlier date in the spring. After several seasons of more extensive trapping and banding has been carried on, it is further recommended that a restricted open season be allowed in areas scattered across suspected flyways in order that information regarding their movements may be accumulated via band returns from hunters •• Work Plan Noo 5 - Job 3 Title: Life History (Wild and Aviary) e Objective: To study the elements of life history of the Band-tail, in the field and in the aviary. Personnel: Clyde P. Matteson, both Technician Techniques: The principal effort in this respect was directed toward-. the location of a nest or nests, so that a close study of this particular phase of the birds' life history might be made. The area along the Rampart Range road at the head of Bear Canyon was searched for several weeks. It was in this same area that Robert J Niedrach, .Colorado Museum of National History, and Johnson A. Neff, Fish and Wildlife Service, found their nests in 1945, the only Band-tail nests that had been found in the state up to the present time. Three flights were made using the Game and Fish Department's airplane, with Kenneth B. Milyard as pilot, in an effort to follm1 pigeons into their nesting area from their daily rendezvous at the Perry Park Ranch. In order to determine whether or not the Bear Canyon pigeons were still nesting, six birds were collected, tvTO on the Rampart, and four at the Perry Park Ranch~ These were examined by Dr. Stabler and the writer in order to determine lactation status, food contents, parasites, and sex. It is hoped that it will be possible to artificially propagate'Bandtails in captivity, employing speCial techniques, and this, together with the study -of"'other"more simple life history factors, Will constitute th$ aviary. study as~'soon. as the new one is established at Colorado A •.& 11. Colleged 0 �- 21 Findings: Two Band:..tailnests were found, both along the Ranpart Range road just to the south of Devil's Head. One (August 27, 1948) had an egg in it, while the other (August 31, 1948) was empty with the squab ready to leave and perched on a branch just below the nest. The incubated egg was watched rather closely Until September 2, when after a brief absenceJ the Hriter returned to find the egg kicked out of the nest and onto the pine mat at the foot of the tree some 25 feet below the nesto The broken egg appeared to be about one-third through the incubation period. Both parents had disappeared. The squab of the other nest was captured and is being raised in captivity. It was found that follov-lingpigeons by airplane is poss i.hl.e , Hovever , this technique was not thoroughly tested.by any means. Kenneth Hilyard and the writer were able to spot five or six as they were flying some third of a mile -away, Seeing them on the wing is easy as long as they stay in the sun:" light.. A definite correlation between the Rampart nest sites and the Perry Park flock was also obtained .••. rhen it was seen from the air that Bear Cany6n~ which empties into the Perry Park Ranch, heads just below the Rampart Range road at the point .••. rher-e the nests were located. In addi tion, birds wer'e observed and follovled on top of the Range at the head of the canyon~ and from the ranch to about half-way up the canyon. wher-e they flew into some trees. After the search for nests had been carried well into the latter part of August and none had been found, it was thought that perhaps the birds had, for the most part, finished nesting In an effort to confirm or allay this suspicion several birds were collected and their lactation. condition determined. A pigeon whose-nmi1ktt glands (in the wall of the crop~ one on each side) were found to be active, was assumed to be nesting, our reasoning being rooted in a knoul.edge of domestic pf.geons , In four out of five adult birds autopsied., the "milk" glands were found to be in varying stages of lactationo The search was then renewed and, shortly afterwards, the first nest discovered. A scouting foray davID into Bear Canyon from above disclosed the possibility that the Band-tails use the canyon only as a flight corridor and do not nest until they reach the lodgepole pine at the head of the canyon; The fact that a squab, which still had down on its head, avlkvlardlyflevI onto a rail in a corral fence at the ranch one day dUring the summer is the ou+y clue we have that might tend to nullify this possibilityo Several internal parasites were revealed by Dro StablerUs examinations and it is hoped it will form the subject matter for a special report in the near future as soon as the information is completeo Pigeons were observed to combine water and food 1'Then choosing their early sunnner feeding ground., At all three trap sites the birds were observed to bathe in and drink from nearby running water., 0 Analysis and Recommendations: All four official nest finds in Colorado have been in lodgepole pines and of the same flimsy, unpretentious construction of loose twigso The fact that they are often hidden by -branches are small (about 7" in diameter), and that it requires considerable practice to be able to see all parts of all trees under which the observer may be -wal.king has made Band-tail nest-hunting diff'iculto Probably the best method of searching is to first know there are birds in the area, then from a vantage point, watch and listeno Single birds �- 22 are the best clue, and when the searcher nears the nest site the adult bird is likely to evidence concern by not flying far when flushed, and uttering a rattling soUnd, possibly likened to a high-pitched growl, repeated cooing, or botho It is definitely suspected now, too, that considerable care must be excercised when observing and photographing a nest, lest the incubating bird flush from the nest and leave the egg to chill or became prey to rodents or jays since it is white, and so rather conspicuous. When another effort can be made to follow pigeons into nesting areas with an airplane, it is suggested that much larger concentrations than the- small gathering at the Perry Park Ranch be followed. This should prove successfUl. Reports from legitimate sources indicate that, properly prepared, the Band-tail is reasonably good to excellent eating and should be taken more into consideration as a game bird since it is also a thrill to hunt providing a fairly small (compared to pheasant) rapidly moving target. Appreciation is extended to Robert J. Niedrach, of the Denver Museum, and to Johnson Ao Neff, of the Fish and Hildlife Service, for their considerable help in this study in particUlar. Work Plan No.5 Title: - Job 4 Food Habits and Economic Relationships. Objective: To study food habits and depredation Personnel: Clyde Po Jiiatteson, Technician to field crops. Techniques: This information was derived from three principal sources: Several crop examinations, personal observations, and the observations of others gained through interviews or correspondence. Findings: The two birds collected on t_~e Rampart had small red berries in their crops., These bright red berries turned a clear alcohol preservative to purplish pink., Usual food berries (see Quarterly Progress Report for third quarter 1947 - Band-tail pigeon) similar to the ones just described,did not produce the same effect when immersed in the alcohol, and the attempts of others to identify the berry failed similarly., Of the four birds collected at the Perry Park Ranch, t1m were empty and two contained scrub oak acorns. It was noted that a considerable number of acorns had been stripped from the scrub oak on the first slope just to the northwest of the ranch buildings, presumably by pigeons since they flocked into these lOw trees beginning the latter part of August. During the Spring and early summer, before wild foods have ripened to any extent, Bandtails feed where food is available which is mostly waste grains around barns, corrals, etc." and the waste grain occasioned by harvesting and Personal observations show that barley and wheat were cormnon threshingo in this respect, wi th wheat, being the preferred grain. Wheat was used as bait for trapping, but mixed grain and millet were also tried at separate times, the millet being added to the wheat. Of the mixed �- 23 - grain (wheat, barley, corn, and millet) it was difficult to determine which claimed preferenceo Of the wheat and millet,vheat WaS predominantly chosen. Due to the abundance of acorns, this year especially, mast undoubtedly constituted the preponderance of wild food as it is known that this food is a favorite. Regarding depredation to crops not much was learned Frank F" Poley, U S. Game Management Agent, reports his work in comiection with pigeon damage to cherries in the Paonia area. Of the two pigeons he was able to examine during his investigation, both contained mulberries only and both had been killed in cherry orchards. At no time did he report over 150 birds in any one orchard, and these were easily rallied with rifle and shotgun fire However, in the past,considerable damage to cherry crops has resulted from Band-tail pigeonso It is possible that this birds is gradually becoming ueducatedu to man's ways, as have other forms of wildlife. In interviews with farmers and ranchers in several different areas~ very little depredation to wheat and other field crops was reportedo However, up to the time of writing this report not much grain had been harvested, so the picture is incomplete. One farmer near Palmer Lake remarked that the pigeons were very destructive in years past to field-shocked wheat severely shattering the heads. 0 0 0 Analysis and Recommendations: There is insufficient data to try to intelligently analyze-this phase of the study" It is, nevertheless, recommended that··a well-planned and thoroughly executed investigation into this species' food habits and economic relationship be initiated. Since wildlife is becoming an increasingly important factor in :mul tipleuse, conser-vatd.on ; the Band-tailed pigeons' role in the natdon+s economic structure.\)both as far as their influence on crops and their value as a game-bird species is concerned, should be carefully taken into consideration and it is urged that all phases of this study be continued. Submitted by: Name Harry J., Figge Title Wildlife Technician V Approved by: Title Date Noteg C_·· .• ~o~N~o~F~e~a~s~t~,~D~ir~e~c~t~o~r _ ......;Oc::;,:·· :-...:t~0..::;.be::;.:r=-~2::::2~?....: _ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Departmento ��- 25 STATE COLOR~O PROJECT NO. 3S-R --~~~----------- October. 1948 DATE QUARTERLY SUR V E Y S PRO G RES S I N V EST AND REPORT I GAT ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Deer-Elk-Bear 2. Leader: 3. Report of Progress: Investigations. Laurence E. Riordan Nor thires'tern and North Central Colorado - Lloyd W 0 Searle 1. Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk Job 1 - Location and Extent of S~Ber Objective: Ranges. To locate and map SumTIer ranges. Techniques Used: Field reconnaissance trips Here made by car, on horseback, and on foot into the STh"'J1!1er game ranges. Field glasses wer-e used to study the game animals on their summer ranges.,. Findings: An abtmdance of good sturrmerrange exists in Moffat, Routtj and Summit Counties, and in Middle and North Parks for the numbers of deer and elk presently occupying these areas. The bulk of the deer used that portion of the range from 8,500 feet in elevation upwards while the elk preferred that portion of the range lying above 9,700 feet elevation. No evidence was found of deer or elk damage to their sun~er range in any of the areas studiedo Analysis and Recommendations: Since there appears to be no shortage of summer range for either deer or ellc in the section of the state under considerationJ it is recommended that management procedures be adopted for these game herds, the object of which Hill be to maintain the greatest numbers of both classes of animals consistant with the proper utilization of the '\rrlnter ranges of these herds. Job 3 - Migration Objective: between summer and vrlnter rangeso To locate and determine the amount of migration of deer and elk be tween summer and "linter ranges, and the factors affecting. �- 26 TechIligues Used: Field glasses and spot lights Here used to observe the animals in thG field, and to locate and study their routes of migration. Findings: The deer and elk began a SlOH, steady nigration as early as August 20, 1948 in some areas. A heavy mi.gr'atd on of deer Has noted in the Nine Hile Gap section of Hoffat County frOD the middle to the last part of September. Analysis and Recommendations: The cause for this very early movement of the game herds rr-on Sl."G'I2er to 'Hinter range is not certain. From the studies made, it appears as if the lack of moisture in the higher ranges may have been the maj or factor. There vas practically no rain in the high summer range this summer ,·rhichr esul. ted in the forage bec orri.ng very dry and ye Ll ow in appearance in contrast to its usual green, nutritious condition. III. Forage and Range Utilization Job ~ - Correlation Objective: of Game and Livestock Land Use status. To determine land use status according to use. Techniques Used: Field study trips were made on horseback and on foot to study ranges used by both game animals and domestic livestock. Findings: Deer and elk do not mingle \'lith,or use at the same tine, ranges Hhich are being used by domestic sheep. Deer and elk prefer, if possible, to use ranges above those Hhich are being used by domestic sheep. Horses and cattle use the same range as deer, at the same time, On numerous occasions, deer have been without apparent disconfitureo observed feeding together ~Jith both cattle and horses. Elk seem to prefer to have all of the range to themselves, and do not mingle lTith, or use the s~~e range at the same time as do any class of domestic stocke Analysis and Reconnendations: To "lork in cooperation 1/itIl public land administrators and pr Lva teLand owner-s for the correction of abuse to range lands that are in many cases being damaged by domestic stock, to the end that the needs of all range users, both game arrlrna Ls and livestock may be better served. Job 4 - Utilization Ob,jecti ve: and availability of brOvISe on sumner ranges. To study game br-owse use on SUI'lI!1er ranges. TecP.nioues -Used: Summer ranges used by game animals "Jere studied on the ground, and the animals Here observed feeding on these ranges. Findings: The deer "Here found to be utilizing mainly the moist sites along creeks, lake shores, valleys, principally areas covered by "lilloHs. The elk wer e found to be grazing on the open mountain �- 27 sides above timberline and in little open parks scattered the thick timber near timberllneo throughout Analysis and Recommendations: It is believed that the deer and elk prefer the higher ranges for feeding to escape flies and mosquitoeso The better feed is fOillldon the higher ranges, and there is less competition from domestic livestock. Lastly~ it is much cooler, and the bull elk and buck deer can get the full benefit of the sun and breezes on their new antlers to dry and harden them before they move down into the thick timber during the rutting seaaon , No evidence of over use by game animals has been found to date on any of the summer range are.as studied in that part of the state assigned to this investigator'~ IVa Mortality Factors affecting Deer and EL~ Herdso Job 3 - study of other mortality factors, i-.Tinter lossy starvation, dd sease , parasites y hi.ghway and railroad mortali tyo Ob,jective: factors. To determine Technioues Used: the fieldo the losses to deer herds by various decimating Observations made in conjunction \-li th other wor'k in Findings: A f'ev f'avns wer-e lost during the summer in most areas j with the heaviest loss occD~ing in Moffat Count yo Analysis and Recommendations: As nearly as can be determined, the fa"ms died from lack of foodo In most cases i-lhereloss occuredJ the doe bore t1.JOfawns and being in such a poor and weakened condition from last year's hard winter that she was unable to supply sufficient milk for both fa1.Jns~the weaker one perishedo Most of the doe deer in this area have one fawn with them nov Both does and f'awns appear to be in fine condition j 0 0 White River-Eagle River~olorado I. Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk Location'and River drainage areas - Glenn Eo Rogers Job 1 - Location and extent· of sunrrnerrangeso Ground trips by jeepj pack trainy and on foot over summer ranges in the Blue Hountain, Greystone, Craigy \<lestDouglas, Grand Junction, White Rivery Book Cliff, Colorado River, Roaring Fork, and Derby Creek Management Units were made The deer trer-e f'ound in most areas to be summering on·the upper edge of their Hinter ral1gesj and on the winter ranges themselveso 0 An aerial flight was made over summer range in the L01.JerColorado Ri ver Unit on August 10, at which time 142 head of deer Here courrbed., Thirty-five of these deer 'Here above 9,500 feet elevationy and 107 �- 28 ~ere on or near their winter range. IIo Population Surveys -- Deer and Elk Job 2 - Sex-ratio survey. The deer observed on the aerial flight over the Lower Colorado Ri ver Management Unit discussed above ver e classified as to sex and age as follows: Buck 62, does 36, fa.fis 25, and 19 deer unclassifiedo It is believed that these figures do not represent a true sex-ratio between bucks and does for this area. It is probable that the nunber of does in relation to the number of bucks is greater than the f'Lgures indica te The f'avn to doe ra tio shown above is Lover' than average, and may also represent an untrue pictureo 0 Job 3 - Che,cking station survey. TvTenty-tl-lOchecking stations are being set up surroUnding the area in 'Hhich tHO deer ~ one buck, and one doe or two does 1I may be taken on one license during the period bet ..•. Teen October 1 and October 12, both dates inclusiveo The area involved comprises all or a part of the folloiung game management units in l'1esternColorado: The Grand Mesa!),Uncompahgr-e , La Sa'LLe, and San Miguelo In order to control the taking of t..•. to deer per hunter in .the area .just 'mentd.oned, during the· special early season; the follovrlng procedure has been devised: Each hunter will be required to c4eck into the area through one of the checking stations to be located on the principal roads of ingress around the perimeter, and at strategic points within the areao If the registering hu..1'1ter Hishes to attempt to kill more than one arrimal, a numbered metal box-car type seal will be issued to him at the checking station. Records will be kept of the hunter's name, address~ licnese number, and seal nurnber at each checking stationo The first deer bagged Hill invalidate the coupons,or tags which·are a part of the Colorado deer hunting Li.cense, .The box-car seal \'lill be used to prove legal possession of the.sec.ond deer killed during the speci&l seasono Unused seals must be returned to a checking station by the hunter upon his leaving the area designated above, and any deer killed must -Li.keizi.ae be checked through a checking stationo " Preliminary steps have been taken for the establishment of sixteen checking stations to be used during the regular hunting season. Twelve of these stations vrlll have been in operation at the same site for five years at the end of the present seasono The other four stations are being set up to check more closely upon the elk kill in the ,,{hiteRiver National For est , The general location for each station has'been designated; additional equipment, such as tentsy stovesy road si@1s, and lanterns9has been purchased or is on order; and the greater part of the extra temporary personnel to man these stations has been lined upo �- 29 IIIo Forage and Range Utilization Job 1 - Survey of Hinter br owse use. Checks 1.-18re made of winter br-owse use in the Blue Hountain and Greystone Hanagement Units dur-Ing the first week of July. spot checks then made shoved severe to destructive use on the important br-owse species in the areas covered. It "Tas noticed that all of the 1,finter ranges checked throughout this region were receiving considerable S~Ber use. Job 2 - Correlation of game and livestock land use status. Trips Here made 1"ith Hr. Ralph Hill, Wildlife Specialist from the Regional Forest Service Office, members of the adrr~nistrative staffs of local National Forests s and Colorado Gameand Fish Department employees over parts of the Hhite River and Uncompahere National Forests to check upon game ill,d livestock use. Job 4 - Utilization and availability of brovse on summer range. As there is considerable controversy between various range men concerning the amount; of use on willovTs, Salix spp., by deer, elk~ and sheep on the timberline ranges in National Forests in this area» arrangements were made "I:1i th the Supervisor of the 1"hite River National Forest to construct t1.J"0 grazing exclosures for the purpose of observing the use on these plants by elk and sheep independently, eliminating the effects of use by the other class of ani...rn.al in each case. One of the excLosures ",rill be des i.gned to exclude the elk» the other, the sheep. The sheep excl.osure , one acr-e plus in area, vas finished this summer. Lack of available man-power has delayed the building of the elk exclosure until next year. Wil101.·1s l' SalL'{ spp. l' and small Blueberry II Vaccinium. scopariuml' are the only tHO broHse species that occur at the higher elevations in this area, and there is question as to vhe the'r the disappearance of willows from over-grazing by domestic livestock has a bearing on deer and elk population decreases on the higher range on the higher ranges 0 Three of the summerranges checked this summer ver e found to be receiving critical use. These are the Blue ~IDuntain, Greystone~ and Book Cliff Management areas. These ranges show direct cOT:J.petition between livestock and game animals for the major br-owse species IV. Mortality Factors affecting Deer fuld Elk Herds Job 3 - Study of other mortality factors--winter 10ss3 starvation» disease l' parasites, hf.ghvay and railroad mortality 0 0 �- 30 Four deer Here found that had been killed by cars in the 'vfl1i te River area on the Meeker-Rifle Road , Tirrof'awns 'Here found car killed' in the GlemlOod Canon ar ea , This is not a total of animals killed on the h.i.ghvays in this part of the Stateo The high price of meat a.l.l.ous very f'ew animals hit by cars to lie by the side of the road to spoil or to be found at this time of yearo A report Has received from Bra Dudley Jerome, state Trapper~ that thirty-four dead fai~lS had been cOlliltedby sheepmen in the stove Canon area of the Book Cliff Management Unito During the first part ofSep'tember, a trip "vas made into this area by Nro Jerome, Bill Horstman, .of the Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, and the '\<Tritel a The stockmen contacted there9stated that no f3.\,ffis had died since the end of July, and that the heaviest death loss had occured aro~~d the first of that morrth, As no dead animals were f'ound, and all fawns seen appeared to be in excellent condition, it Has decided to postpone further investigations until next June90r lliltilinformation concerning further losses is receivedo G:~ntral Western-Colorado 10 ':;_~FaulFo Gilbert kocaticn:and .. extent of seasonal ranges - 'deer and e.Ik, Job 1 ~ Location ffi1dextent of s~~er ranges The deer herds in the Uncompahgre Game Managemerrt Unit have been checked rather closely during the last quartero The object being to find out wher-e the bulk of the deer wer-e hanging so that hunters can be directed into these areas in the early season, October 1 through 120 Through July and August the deer Here Hell on top of the Uncompahgre P'lateau, especially in that area be tween Hindy Point and Gill Cr eek , Deer also seemed to be distributed dOHn on both sidesof the plateau in this areao On August 259 108 deer were counted in 5t miles of this area Hhile driving along the ridge road just before dark Other areas wher-e deer seem more abundant; than usual are the Tabeguache Basin and Upper Log Hill just beloH Horsefly Peako 0 About the first of September the deer began leaving the top of the plateau and are Harking dO\m into the oakbrush hillsides and deeper canyons , This movement was hastened by the large number of cars over the ridge road during the three day Labor Day holidayo TvIO checks made since this time s1101.'[ definitely fevrer deer on t.op, Deer complaints from ranchers in the COH Creek area began coming in about the last week in Augusto Here deer Here already coming down in to hay meadows 0 Job 3 - Ivligrationbe tween summer and "Tinter ranges , It was brought out in the preceding paragraphs that deer began moving off of the top of the Uncompahgre Plateau about the first of September This Has a bi t ear-Ly] hovever , an excessive number of 0 �- 31 cars in this area and dry conditions on top are important factors to consider" This dri:rt cannot be called a migration as the deer merely moved from the u?per limits of their summer range to the lower limits of the sumner range. II. Population Surveys - Deer and elk. Job 2 - Sex-ratio Survey On August 25, 53 animals Here sexed on the summer range l<Ii th the following results: 24 Bucks, 22 Does, and 7 Favms. It is felt that the buck-doe ratio is correct; however , the f'airns wer-e not easily seen and many probably wer-e missed. III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 3 - Food Habits The follm..ringdeer stomach analyses wer-e made this quarter. Sample No •. 17 18 1. Oakbrush (Young twigs) 2. 3. 4,. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. II. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Hawthorn (Leaves) Tvlinberry (Leaves) LDllsew~;ti (Leaves) Hountain Maple Rose Peavine Boxleaf Hyrtle Aspen Snowberry Serviceberry Vlild lettuce Phlox Buckwheat Biscuit root Dandelion Hountain Hahogany Grass Traces & Misc. Total (Quercus Spp.) (Crataegus Spp) (Lonicera Spp) (Pedicularis bracteosa) (AceI' glabrum) (Rosa Spp) (Lathyrus Spp) (Pachistima myrsinites) (Populus tremuloide-s) (Symphoricarpus Spp) (Amelanchier Bakeri) (Lactuca Spp) (Phlox Spp) (Eriogonum Spi_:)) (Cogsl.J'ellia Spp) (Leontodon Spp) (Cercocarpus 1\10ntanus) 4407 34 2 0 2903 4.0 907 T 1307 605 106 T T T 2704 10.9 207 T T T 7.9 T 302 100 0 0 Sample No. 17 was taken from a tvJO-year old buck collected on top of the Uncompahgre for postmortem purposes. This animal was killed the last day of June and at that time had started putting on fat around the kidneys and on the rump. One bot larva was found in the nasal passages, and the lungs wer-e hea.vily infested vIi th lung worms" �- 32 Sample No. 18 was taken from an adult doe wh.ich Has shot on control The animal Has killed in a clover field; however, it must have just come into the field as the stomach contents showed no trace of clover or other crops. wor-k on Bos ti..JickPark. 'fim additional stomack samples were analyzed from deer taken by local wardens on control work on BoStHick Park. They 1·rerekilled in a clover field and are shown be 10•.. 1 0 Sample Noo 20 19 Red Clover Oakbrush leaves 3. Oakbrush acorns 40 Serviceberry 5. Wild lettuce 6. Yellow" Clover 7. Cirsium 8. Hountain 1'1ahogany Haple 9. tiow.""l.tain Buckwhea t 10 lI. Grass Traces and misc. Total 1. 2. e- buck. " ~ 65.9 17.8 , (Quercus Spp) (Quercus Spp) (Arnelanchier Bakeri) (Lactuca Spp) 5.8 2.,7 101 T (Cirsium Spp) ,(Cercocarpus montanus) (Acer glabrum) (Eriogonum Spp) 10,,2 42.6 5.0 T 5.8 38 1 T 201 T T 2.0 100.0 ~ 100.0 0 Sample No. 19 was taken on the last day of June from a yearling Sample No , 20 was taken from another yearling buck on August 170 Job 4 - utilization and availability of browse on summer range In many places on the Uncompahgre, the br-owse on the summer range is show.ing signs of abuse. This is especially true iiith the young oak reproduction. Huch of this damage can be attributed to domestic stock as Hell as deer. BEAR INVESTIGATIONS Job 1 - Food Studies Two bear stomacks, taken from bear trapped for sheep killing, were analysed as follows: �- 33 Sa.tlpleNo •• L,,8-2 48-1 10 Cow parsnip 2. Serviceberry 3•. Aspen 40 50 6. 7. 8. 98 10. 110 120 130 (berries) Lupine (Pods) Peavfue Dandelion Ants and ant eggs Ant den trash Grass 'Wool and sheep flesh Deer Vlaggots Trace and 1:1isc. 24•. 2 (Heracleum Spp) (Amelanchier Bakeri) (Populus tremuloides) (Lupinus Spp) (Lathyrus Spp) (Leontodon Spp) T T T 102 5.7 1.4 7.1 2•. 8 57.1 (Poa, calomogrostis) 407 1•. 8 102 76.5 11.7 2•. 9 ___hi 10000 100.0 Total :,,_: -. ;; Both of the above samples wer e"from bear taken on Reds Sheep allotment at the head of Kelso Creek. The first is from an adult ani~l and the second a yearling cub. The f'o.LLovdng bear ska ts wer-e analyzed. .·JuJ.y', SaIn:Qle.Ho.• 26 27 28 August SaTIl:Qle Noo : 29 30 31 10 Oak leaves (Quercus Spp) T T 20 Acorns 7.7 (Quercus Spp) 30 Hawthorne berries 40 50 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. . (Crataegus Spp) Serviceberry (leaves) (Amelanchier Bakeri) Serviceberry (berries) 'CAmelanchier Bakeri) Spruce needles (Picea engelwznni) Douglas fir needles (Pseudosuga taxifolia) Boxleaf Hyrtle (Pachystima myrsinites) Lupine pods (Lupinus Spp) Headotr rue (Thalictrum Spp) Blueberries (Vaccinium Spp) Dandelion (Leontodon Spp) T' 6.1 T 200 202 1.1 60.1 6503 3907 88.7 T 2.2 1.0 T T 21.2 T T ~ 302 �- 34 - JUly N0 Sar:n.ple 26 28 27 (Continued) 9 Peavine (Lathy-rus Spp) 14'0 Grass (Poa~ etc.) 15. Ants 16. Ant den trash 17. Hornets 18. Haggots 19. Carrion - beetles 20. Fawn 210 Deer 22. Cou Traces and misc .. August Sample' No. 30 29 31 13. T 2.3 7.1 T 102 T 63.5 T 2.1 4.8<>1 3.1 40.9 28.2 108 T 107 2.0 16 6 10 0 100 0 0 101 58 201 0 T T 18.1 2.1 34.1 2.5 __kl_ ___bQ ..b.Q_ ___& __ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 9 Observation of Life Habits One bear was seen August 27 in Tabequache Basin. It vas observed for about five minutes as it wa.Lked ar-ound tHO small beaver dans. Cattle grazing in an adjacent park about a hundred yards away wer-e undisturbed. Job 3 - Bear-Livestock kill study Losses and complaints from bear Here lighter than usual this quarter. As a rule$ August is the heaviest month for bear complaints. This year there lJas a very good crop of serviceberries Hhich matured early, and acorns s chokecherry, and Hawthorns Here abundant and f'urn.i.shed more natural food for bear Hhich undoubt.ed'ly lessened the complaints. One trip was made into the Spanish Peaks area the first part of August. Federal trappers had trucen care of several complaints of bear getting into chicken yards as well as several stock complaints through July. Bear taken "Jere thin. Complaints in, this area .have les sened >-li th the 'ripening of acorns and berries. Job ~ - Parasites and disease study. All bear carcasses collected through the trappers Here examined by Bo No Horstman of the Colorado Cooperative VJildlife Unit. Southwestern Colorado - San Juan Basin I. and Extent of Seasonal Rangeso Location Harold Ro Shepherd Job 1 - Location and ~Ltent of Summer Ranges Observations were made of the location and extent of the summer range of deer and elk in the Airimas, Pine, Dolores, and Piedra Game Nanagement Units. A map shoiri.ng SUJ!1ITer range Has begun for the Pine Game Management Unit. �- 35 In general, deer and elk herds Here found occupying the zonal ranges common to the season,,· 11-10 exceptions ~ however , wer-e no ted , 11m elk spent the summer in the orchard country near the m.outh of Hermosa Greek in the Animci.sGame Management Uni to Here they did serious damage to garden crops until one, a spike, was shoto The second animal Has not seen after the first Has disposed ofo Several elk still remained in the North Fork Texas Creek winter range of the Pine Game Management Unit as late as June 20" In McElmo Canyon, in the extreme southwestern corner of the State, deer were found using the same range in the summer that they occupy during the wintero 1110 Forage and Range Utilization Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Use Prior to this spring and summer~ no food utilization plots had been established in deer winter ranges in the Pine and Piedra Game Management Units" The establishment of such plots for appraisal of forage use during the winter of 1949 was indicated" Therefore, food utilization plots were established in key winter deer ranges in the t.lO management units mentd oned , The writer has experimented with the development of a method by which the extent of winter forage use can be appraised the summer f'o.Ll.owi.ng such ,-linteruse , He believes he has devised a reliable method for making such appraisals" When food utilization plots were established this sumDer~ detailed appraisals were made of the amount of browse use given the vegetation by deer the winter past" .Key browse plants were singled out for critical examination" '0I?-E3 of these key p.Lant.s , records were made in chart form .~9t;'-!il.i3.ch to show the degree of use made of them" Notations were made as to their relative vigor and as to evidence of reproduction and death loss" The plant composition of each plot was established by the step-point method and expressed as a percentage" Too, the percent of ground cover was determined" For each plot, records were made of the soil type, kind and amount of erosiono Information was obtained about the present and former livestock useo Points were established from which pictures were taken 'of the plots" Each year the plots are examined, pictures will be taken from the same point to show changes in plant composi tiono Taking into consideration the use made of all the key plants in a plot, the degree of use of the forage as a whole was indicated as being light, moderate, proper, severe, or destructiveo In the Pine Game Management Unit three plots were established. Two are in winter deer and elk range on the North Fork of Texas Cr-eek, One is in deer winter range on lower Bear Cr-eek, Winter range use by deer and'_elk:'oiLthe~North-.. -For~-._:~o.r:;T.e~sl,C:t'eek was judged moderate" Winter range use by deer on lower Bear Creek was judged propero �- 36 .In the Piedra Game Hanagement Unit t"lO plots were es bab'Li shed , One of these is near the Piedra store in winter deer rangeo Here the degree of use was judeed as severe to destructiveo The second plot.9 on winter deer range$ is near the State Turkey Rancho The degree of use on this range was judged des tr-uctd.ve, In addition to those established in former years by other worker-sp two new food utilization plots were established in winter deer and elk rrulge in the Animas Game Mrulagement Unito One of these is in the Animas Valley near the Hermosa Schoolo Here the degree of use was judged proper to severeo The second plot is, located in the Animas Valley about sixteen miles north of Durrulgo along Uo So Highway 550 The r-ange use here vas judged moder-a'te, 0 Correlation of Game and Livestock Land Use Statuso Throughout the period of this report9 records Here kept and maps made showfng the extent of livestock use of public and private lands on which deer and elk rangeo Job 4 - Utilization and Availability of Browse on Summer' Ranges , In the Animas Game Hanagement Unit tHO food utilization plots Here established in summer deer and elk range. One of these is at the head of Dutch Creek in Spruce~Aspen type range. The use on this summer rrulge was judged propero The second plot is located up Corral Draw in Spruce-Aspen type r-ange Here the degree of range use is lighto 0 On the high ridges at the head of Elbert Creek the range is in a very depleted conditiono It is thought that too heavy stocking of cattle in- previous years is primarily responsible for the over useo In this locality there is very little grass left.\)the grasses having been replaced by sedges culd weedso Job 7 - Meaa Verde Clip Plot Study In an attempt to determine the amount of use brmvse species can Hi thstand and .still renev themselves9 a longtime study was begun in Mesa Verde National Park in the fall of 19470 At that time a series of fiye plots (each fifteen feet square) was fenced in sage brush; Artemisia tridentata; antelope brush, Purshia tridentatag and serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifoliao During the period of this report 9 more of such plots wer e fenced Iiith woven and barbed wire to exclude deero Fifteen of such plots Vlere fenced in sage brush typep fifteen in antelope brush.9 and five in serviceberry tTpeo IJhen the fencing'project is completed there will be a total of fifteen fenced plots in each of the following vegetative types: Sage brush.9 Artemisia tridentata9 antelope brush~ Purshia tridentata~ oak brush~ Quercus Gambellii9 mountain mahogany ~ Cercocarpus montanus; and service berry 9 Amelanchier alnif'oliao The fifteen plots in each plant type Irill provide three �- 37 series of five plots each. One plot in each series will be used as of their annual growth clipped year-Ly, One will be clipped t'olentyper cent; one ;: forty per cent~ anothe~ sixty per cent; and the forth will have Pictures will be eighty per cent of its annual gr-owth clippedo tru~en of the plotsy and detailed records maintained as to the relative vigor and growth of the plants in them over a period of several years. a control; the other four wjll have a percentage It is hoped that the study will show how much brovs mg important br-owse species can 1-1i thstand and maintain their vigor and growth. south Central Colorado Io Corwi.n D. Tolman Location and extent of ranges -- Deer and Elk Title: Locatd on and Extent of Summer Ranges. Object: To locate and map summer ranges. " Methods: Checks wer-e made on foot and by jeep (Forest Service) in the upper Arkansas River drainage. In the upper Rio Grande drainage , the::af\eatlas covered on foo·t ana by pack yrairi." Elk andtdeer 'Were.ccurrted-by ..binocu1a.rs and fe:ed;i.ng' areas checked.ifrrr evidence· a.f l1tilizationb ',' Elk - Upper Rio Grande The Saguache Park area, Watson Park areay Goose Creek drainage, Blue Creek drainagey Alder Creek drainage, and the area from the Alamosa River south to the Conejos River were:.r.iddeu.o,-Observations vJere as follows: Saguache Park: Elk wer-e found from an elevation of 9,000 to 12yOOO feet with the greatest concentration just below timberline, and were found to be more heavily concentrated in TWin Peaks Basiny Machine Basin, Benito's Basiny and upper Jom1's Creek Summer utilization in all areas light to proper. No over-utilized areas Here notedo o Watson Park: Elk were found from an elevation of 8,600 feet to timberline. No large concentration was noted. The largest herd (37 head) was found at the foot of Half Moon Pass on the sheep driveway. Utilization light to proper on all summer range. Goose Creek drainage: Elk were found from an elevation of 8,600 to well above timerline and the greatest concentration was found in the vicinity of South River Peak in the upper Goose Creek drainage. Tracks indicated that crossing �- 38 back and forth over the Continental Divide is common dur-Ing July and early Augusto No fresh elk sign Has found in Roaring Fork and Leopard Park areas; howeverlJ fresh tracks Here checked in upper Fisher Creek~ Blue Creek-Alder Creek drainages: Elk in this area wer-e scattered and in small herds during the August check, Sign was most plentiDuring late August and early ful above 99500 feet elevationo September a few elk \.Jerereported at lower elevations in Alder Creeko South Alamosa River.LaJara Creek drainages: The South Alamosa range and the LaJ ara Creek drainage was ridden from September 20 to September 2/'0 Little evidence of either deer or elk summering in the area was foundo Deer - Upper Rio Grande In all areas of the Rio Grande deer were found from an elevation of 8~000 feet to above timberlineo Hare deer ver e checked above timberline than in any other life zone; however, evidence such as tracks wer-e more plentiful between 9yOOO and 10~OOO f'ee t , Browse utilization Has light to proper in all areas of the Rio Grande 1-lith the exception of LaJara Creek--little evidence of deer vas f'ound in this area , Upper Arkansas River drainage: For the purpose of this report9 the Arkansas River drainage is divided into five sections as follows: 10 Hayden Creek to Poncho Pass road; 29 Poncho Pass to the South Fork of the Arkansas River; 30 From the South Fork of the Arkansas River to Twin Lake Road (Highvay 82); 40 That area from the northern limi ts of the Four Eile Creek drainage to Hi.ghvay 285-24,; 50 From F~ghway 285~24 to the southern limits of the Badger Creek drainageo A complete survey of divisions l~ 2~ and 3 was not attempted; however , representative areas ver e checked in each divisiono Division Noo I - Hayden Creek: Deer scattered from a..11. elevation of 7y800 feet to above timberlineo No evidence of concentrationo' stout Creek" Bear Creek, and Poncho Creek9" no summer range problemo Division Noo 2 Silver Creeky Starvation Creek~ and upper Green1s Gulch: Deer wer e scat ter-ed , Check on Silver Creek shoved distribution to be from 7;>600 feet to timberline The largest concentration appeared just above the .. upper liroits of the winter range The physical condition of the deer in this area renained poor until late Augusto In upper Green's Gulch the deer Here scattered and the main concentration appeared to be somewhat higher than those in the Silver Creek drainageo o 0 Division Noo 3 - The North Fork of the Arkansas River~ Chalk Creek~ South Cot.t.onvood, Niddle Cot tonvcod , Cache Creeks> Clear Creek_9 and Lake Creek: Deer in this area Here Hell scattered and wer-e more numerous above 91000 feeto Evidence of elk was found in Hiddle Co t tonwood and upper Clear Creek near Winfieldo �- 39 Division No.4: In this area deer are scattered and in several instances occuping the upper lirn.i ts of their "Tinter range. Division No.5: Deer are scattered from the upper limits of their I,linterrange to the highest elevation in the area. Hore deer Here found at the head of Ute Trail Creek~ Badger Creek~ upper Basam Park~ Aspen Ridge~ and CottonHood Gulch during the late August and early September checks than during the earlier studies. Title: Utilization Objective: and Availability of Brouse and Summer Range. To study game br-owse use on summer range. Rio Grande: Utilization of S1..11JJffier browse was light to proper, and feed was abundent in the Rio Grande with the exception of the southern half of the area known as the LaJara lease, wh.i.ch is under the control of the state Land Board. Cattle are kept on this range from late June to the first of December causing destructive use on most species of sUIJ1Iner and lvinter br ouse , No evidence of game was seen in this area. Arkansas drainage: Utilization of SUD.mer browse Has light to proper in all areas studied Hith the exception of small areas on the upper Four Hile, upper Seven Hile~ Upper Badger Creeky AspenRi.dge, and upper Cot-tonwood Gulch. In these areas total utilization of this yearts annual grouth was taken on Hountain Mahogany, Cercocarpus spp., as early as September 2. Severe and destructive over-grazing by cattle in this area has res1..utedin a problem of competition for browse causing destructive utilization of the browse species at the upper limits of the deer winter range. area. Eastern Ie Active gully and sheet erosion is prevalent Wind erosion is commono Front Range of the Rockies throughout the Gordon A. Douglas Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk. Job 1 - Location and Extent of Summer Ranges. Elk in the Red Mountain area of the Lariamie Range are not numerous enough to cause any immediate problem. Summer range in the vicinity of Deadman Park in the Roosevelt Forest, when examined in Julyy was in good condition largely due to the early summer moisture. Farther south in the same forest y elk vlere found to be ranging from i-Tinterand early spring range in Paradise Park, Hoody Park, LOHer Fish Creek1 and Sheep Creek to Crystal Hountain, Lookout Mountain, and Signal Motmtain in the summer. �- 40 - A band of 25 to 30 elk has been observed and vas reported to be in the middle Buckhorn drainage in late August, at a much Lover elevation than previously reportedo i-lestof Love Land , eIk summer-ed in the rugged timbered country on both sides of Hell Canyon and Elk Ridge, and west into Rocky Mountain National Park.· A fe•.relk wer-e observed in the upper Boulder Creek dr-afnage, condi tions on their summer range 1-Tereexce.l.Lerrt , Feed An inspection of the Bear Greek basin east of Nount Evans disclosed good cover of grasses in the alpine type The willm-ls, however, shol{ed much death losso 0 The Forest Service desires to cooperate •.ri th the Colorado Game a_~d Fish Department in constructing an elk exclosure in this areao Comparison of the plant cover inside and outside of this structure will then give a clue as to the trend of HilloVT condition in this type •• Elk of the Hount Evans herd Here scattered over a wide area this summer, from Grapevine Gulch, above Idledale, at an elevation of about 7,000 feety to the southeast extr-eme of the Kenosha Hountainso To the •rest , they "Jere found in Cold Springs Gulch, Swede Gul.ch , Snyder Gulch, Bergan Peak" Snyder Hountain, Squaw Hountain3 Cheif Hountain, Hount Evans, Epaulet Mountain, Neridian Hill, Upper Elk Creek, upper Deer Creek, and Geneva Creek drainageso Park County utilization plot 'Has checked for domestic stock useo The pasture in H'hich it is located is very c1rYlland probably for that reason seems not to receive much sunll1eruse at all, although the fence :_s dOvID whd.ch separates it from summer range receiving observed cattle useo Hountain l·:Iahogany,Cercocarpus spDo 9 plants on this plot are dying in great numbers from wha t appears to be a bacterial or fungus infection of the barko The Botany and Entomology Departments at the Colorado State Ao & No College \-Tereunable to diagnose or explain the conditiono Deer signs are nurnberous in the southwes t corner of Douglas County, diminishing as one proceeds south through Teller County, and again are numerous in Fremont County 0 Fremont County deer popu~ation, judged by damage complaints and range examination~ is too great for the available forageo The theory that great numbers of deer must be maintained attract tourists is a short-sighted oneo to �- 41 Adobe Creek and He"vl1inCreek, south of Fl.or-eace , and the Greenhorn to the south, showed good feed for deer arid turkeys" The north half of the Royal Gorge refuge, since it receives year-long domestic use, is not a logical place for great numbers of deer.. The available forage is not enough to support them, and they are forced to invade small gardens and alfalfa fields, causing damage 0 Laurencitp and Martinez Canyons west of Trinidad have good oak brush cover for deer and turkeys, and these game species are on the increase in the western part of Las Animas County, although still far from numerous .• The North Fork of the Purgatoire River was inspected on horseback as far as the saddle north of Trinchera Peak.. Dense thickets of willows at the higher elevations form ideal cover and feed for big game , Two large bucks were seen in this willovl-spruce type, but they soon disappeared in the maze of brusho A fe"1 elk also have been reported in this basin, but none are believed to be there at the time of Lnspec td on , due to quite a few cattle being presento Any elk in this basin probably migrate from adjacent costilla Count yo The basin mentioned is the watershed for the City of Trinidad, and the City officials are interested in protecting the game in the area .• The rugged canyons of the Purgatoire northeast afford good cover for deer, and the deer population to much conjectureo of Trinidad is subject Little Hills Game Experiment Station and Adj acent Areas Laurence Eo Riordan II.. Popula tion Surveys Job 2 - Sex-Ratio Deer and" Elk survey Obj eet: To determine the ratio between bucks, does, and f'awns prior to the 1948 big game "hunting season in portions of the White River deer herdo Techniques and findings: A pre-hunting season aerial sex-ratio survey of portions of, the \:Vhi te River deer herd was made by Mr K B Hilyard, Departmental Airplane Pilot, and the "vITiteron September 14 and 150 One evening, and one early morning flight, together totaling three and three-fourths hours of flying time, were made in the region 0 0 0 �- 42east o~ Meeker known locally as the upper White Rivero The resul ts of' this survey were as ~ollovTs: 11 bucks); 60 does ~'49 ~aVnls9 ~or a total o~ 120 deer. These ~igures are in the ratio of one buck to 5.45 does to 4.45 ~avInSo 2t One hour flight was made over the summer range west o~ Rio Blanco 9 Colorado, covering the divide between the White River and the Colorado River9 roughly~ between the head o~ Ryan's Gulch and the head o~ Roan Creek. This is the same area that in previous reports has been tabulated under the heading of Lover White River area~ though it more properly should have been called the Book Cliff area since it lies uithin ght Book Cli~f Management Unit9 and even though an UILknown proportion o~ its summer deer population moves nor-thward into the White River drainage basin in the wi:hter~ _:On this flightll 78 deer were cLaasdf'Led as folIous: bucks 159 does 38~ faVllls249 which gives ratios of one buck to 2038 does to 1050 farms. Analysis and Recommendations: While both o~ these samples are somewhat; smaller than is considered desf.rabl,e , reference to Table I, which is a summary of the aerial sex-ratio surveys o~ this herd ~rom 1946 to date9 shows that they confirm last year's pre-hunting season survey wherein a higher ratio o~ does to one buck was ~ound in the upper White River than in the Book Cli~f region. As has been pointed out previouslY9 the most logical explanation ~or the di~ference in sex-ratio in the tuo localities lies in the fact that bucks only have been killed in the White River drainage ~or the past several years whereas either sex~ or hunteris choiceptype o~ seasons have been in e~~ect on the Colorado River side o~ the divide. The higher ratio o~ does to one buck found in the upper White River has had no apparent adverse e~~ect upon the ~awn crop~ there being 0.816 ~arms per doe in tllis locality as compared to 0.,632 farIns per doe in the Book Clif~ region on the basis o~ this surveyo The combination o~ these two ~actors9 a high proportion of the herd being does~ and o~ these does producing a greater number of f'avns, is exactly wha t is not needed in the 1rlhite River herd at this time in the light o~ the shortage o~ winter f'or-age that has been shown to exist by the annual utilization checks , and which was brought sharply into focus last winter by a severe starvation loss o~ ~aWllso �- 43 Table I Summary of results of-aerial sex-ratio surveys of portions of the t.Jhite River deer herd - 1946 to and including pre-hunting season survey 1948 0 Area Surveyed Time of Survey Bucks Numbers of Animals Does Fatms Total Animals Ratios, bucks··to does excluding fawns Li ttle Hl.Ll.s-Pfceance Creek 1946 post-hUnting season 257 821 891 1969. 1 1947 pre-hunting season: Upper \'lhi te R, 85 235 261 581 1 Book Cliffs 135 202 214 551 Little Hills-Piceance Creek 1947 post-hunting season 168 1082 922 2172 1948 pre-hunting season: Upper White Ro 11 60 49 120 Book Cliffs 16 38 24 78 ·· 3019 " · 2076 1 · 1,,50 · 6,,44 1 · 5045 1 · 2038 1 .....: �-44- The seriousness of this situation has been recognized by the Game Hanagement Division of the.Colorado Game and Fish Department for some time and finally, in the face of strong opposition from local sportsmen and other groups ~ portions of the vIhite River area will be opened for hunter's choice for the-first time durlllg the 1948 big game hunting season beginning October 15 y 1948 It wi.Ll, be interesting to observe the effect, if anyy upon the sex-ratio of the Piceance Creek-Little Hills· ,-Tinterdeer herd which the opening of this season ,·fillhave , j 0 Sex-ratio Survey - Elk In conjunction with the survey of deer in the upper White River just dd scus sed , 39 elk wer-e classified as fol101·18: 2 bulls" 25 C01..J'S s 12 ca.lves, for a ratio of one bull to 12050 covs to 6000 calves 0 Analysis and Recommendations; While no effort was made to find these elk~ and the records were kept only as a matter of interest, the ease 'Hith which the animals were observed on their ranges near or above timberline leads to the conclusion that sex-ratio and calf crop surveys conducted by airplane at this season when the bulls and cows are togethers and while the calves are small enough to be easily distinguished" would payoff in the increased accuracy of the figures obtained over the present practice of noting the number of bulls observed while making the run1ual aerial trend area countso The fact that the bulls are ranging alonep us~al1y in small groupss at the later season decreases the chances, under the present me thod , that they 1-1illbe seen in the same proportion as the more numerous cows and calves 1{hich usually herd together in bandso 1110 Forage and Range Utilization Job 5 - Little Hills Grazing Competition Report of Progress: Enclosure Study Physical Layouto The fencing contractor finished the construction work upon the three enclosures of the first series on September 250 The Albuquerque office of the Fish and Wildlife Service was notified immediately as had been requested by Mro Bennett, of that office, so that an inspection of the work could be ar-ranged, ApproxiJ.--n.ately one-f'ourth of the work of fencing, two 1 acre total excl.oeur-es, one each in pastures one and two was corap'Ie bed , This work consisted of digging post holes~ and of setting juniper posts that had been previously cut and skiddedo It was found to be impossible to dig post holes in all cases because of the proximity of the underlying sandstone bedrocko Plans have been made to blast such holes 1.rithdynamiteo �- 45 Research, Planning<) and Investip,ations: 1\)"0 1 acre total exclosures "lere surveyed and staked out , one each in pas tur e No , 1 and No , 2. The' locations for these exclosures were first selected tentatively upon aerial photo mosaics $) and wer-e finally chosen by careful study on the gr-ound; Each exclosure vrill be a rectangle tHO chains by five chains. The boundaries wer-e laid out vlith surveyor's compass and chaino The fence lines for the next series of enclosures~ pastures 3 5~ and 6 have been located and mapped by plru1etable? and the fence lines chained to obtain the slope~distance Hhich is the length of fence requiredo For pasture Noo 3~ which is a cattle enclosure" bw proposals are being cons.i.der-ed , Under the first plan.\)91092 chains of deer-tight fence Hould be requiredo This voul.d provide a deer-tight fence completely around the enclosure~ and would leave an open water gap for range livestock to reach Dry Fork Creek between pas tures No , 2 and 30 The other plan woul.d provide a fenced dr-ivevay for livestock be tween pastures 2 and 3s> the ends of uhich would be closed by deer-tight fence with the necessary gateso Under this plany 58 41 chains of deer-std.gh't fence and 51035 chains of f'our-ss tr-and barbed "lire livestock fence woul.d be required. For pasture No , 5 J Hhich is a sheep enclosure? 106.44 chains of deer-tight fence will be requiredo In laying out pasture No , 69 which is a deer enc Lcsur e , it has been tentatively decided to enclose pasture Noo 7 at the same times> since pasture Noo 7 is also a deer enclosureo For.this purposey 147064 chains of deer-tight fence wi.Ll, be r-equi.r ed , No~ j 0 During the last week of Julys> a trip to Fort Collins~ Colorad09 was made for the purpose of consulting ilith Professor Andr81..T Clark of the Hathematics Department of Colorado lio & Ho College regarding the methods and accuracy of the statistical work done in connection l'li th the exploratory plant measurement investigations Vlhich were reported upon last quartero Professor Clark pointed out a number of apparent errors in our mathematical calculations~ otheTI..rise~ he approved the work done thus faro The errors which wer-e pointed out vlere cor-r-ec ted , and then the detailed pr-ocedure was written to guide the field work of locating pcdrrb-ar-eas , selec·ting plants 9 and choosing and measuring plant stems based upon the results of these calculations. Six point=areas were located in 'pasture Noo ly and measurements of stem-lengths Here made for all of the important forage plant species at four of these point-areas' during the quarter 0 Carrying capacities based upon an intensive reconnaissance range survey conducted las t year in pastures one s tll0.l' and four SI and using new estimates of acreages actually enclosed by the fences wer e calculated for these pas tur-es, Proper use factors for spring~fall use for cattle and sheep were usedo Results obtained wer e as fol101';S: Pasture No , I)) sheep, 4105 sheep months of forage; estimating four months usey this gives �46 approximately 10 head of sheep. Pas tur-e No , 2~· ca'tbLe , 16 animal unit mon'ths , or 4 head of cattle for J+ months; pasture No , 4~ deer , 15 Aill1Stimes three deer per Aill~gives 45 deer-months of forageo Estimating six months use for deer gives appro]cimately 8 head of deer. Since all of these figures are based upon conservative use9 and since it is desired to be sure that sufficient use ,.Jillbe made of each important plant species so as to be readily mea surabl.e, it is proposed to stock the respective pastures as follm,JS: Pasture No.1, 12 head of sheep; pasture Noo 2, 5 head of cattle; pasture Noo 49 10 head of deer. A local livestock operator9 }~o Dick Burke, has agreed to furnish the cattle for use in the experimentp but no sheep have been secured as of the present dateo Work upon this project is appro:x:imtely two to three \.Jeeks behind schedule at the present time because of a disasteroup . lightning caused fire wlrich burned approxlraa teIy four hundred acres in tvlO areas in the vicinity of the experimental enclosures between July 10 and 170 Time lost then, 1:111en every available man was required night and day for fire suppression activities~has never been regainedo The writer is indebted to lITo Ronald Ao Ryder9 senior student at Colorado Ao & M. College.\'and to Hra Donald Go Lauridson, Superintendent of Little Hills Game Experiment Station9 for valuable assistance in the Hork reported in the foregoing paragraphs. Submi tted by: Name Title Approved Laurence Eo Riordan -------=~~~~~~~~~~-----Wildlife Technician V Title Date Note: by: Co No FeastQ Director October 27. 1948 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Departmento �- 47 ~ STATE .....;;.CO.:;,;:L:;;.:O;;::,;iRAD::;.;O::;.__ __ PROJECT NOo DATE QUARTERLY AND I N V EST As required FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE 1" Title of Projectg 20 Leader~ REPORT PROGRESS SURVEYS ___,;O~c;...;:t;..=.0.;;;.be.;; I GAT ION S by RESTORATION ACT Wild Turkey Surveys and Investigations Mart.in Lo Burget 30 Report of Progress: Work Plan No" 1 - ~ Title~ Population and Survival Checks on Merriams Wild Turkey Objective: To det.ermine as accurately as possible the population status of the turkey over the habited port.ion of the Stateo To determine the location and survival of transplfuits madeo As far as possible to determine population in transplanted areas~ the rate of increase in the turkey Techniques: General field checks made in spring, summer, and fall in the various population centers" Field checks are made by three methods" First, driving into an area by car£> then. taking off on foot and cutting across as much of the country as possibleo On these trips examination is made of the ground covered to determine tracks, to note droppings~ ~~d to watch for scratching sign made by the birds in feeding" The second method is to drive t.o the areas with a saddle horse in a trailerjl then ride the area looking for the same type of sign" In these types of checks, careful examination is made of all vlate:dng p.laces , If evidence is not in any other place it vnll be found around a spring or pond" There is always green grass around such places and the birds spend much time picking green feed" The third method is to check 'Hith reliable observers whose work frequently takes them over some part or parts of the populated areas" Such observers include forest rangers~ wildlife predator trappers, state game wardens~ and stoclanen' whose summer ranges are over portions of the turkey areao All the data gathered is com= piled in field notes~ then coordinated to supply.in condensed ~orm the necessary informationo While this wor'k is conducted, mostly through the summer months, a careful observation is kept throughout the year and any signi~icant �~ 48factors noted alsoo That is, if it is noted that the birds leave an area where they usually stay, the cause is checked and reasons noted, if possible. Findings: There are a fe1-1significant facts that should be noted at the beginning of our present study. The range of the Merriams Wild Turkey is limited largely to three states: Arizona, New Hexico, and Colorado. There is a definite migration each season between SUI1mer and ;'linter ranges ° In the spring~ this migration is up and occurs shortly after the young birds are hatched. In the fall the movement is dovm as the .summer' ranges Ifill not support the birds in wintero This is probably due to heavy snows over those areas , This movement may also be due to the abundance of food and water in the higher elevations in the summer morrths, ··i~.r·~~··'·::· Then there is the vastness of the areas that may be re-stocked with turkeys in Colorado. The range comprises some four National Forests beside much Taylor grazing land and some deeded land vIi thin and adjacent to these governnlent supervised landso Roughly, the area comprises of some 25,000 square miles of l~~d area rather than thousands of acres~ Even the nature of these areas adds to the difficulty of getting an accurate check on the turkeys. Heavy undergrowth of shrubs makes field observation extremely difficulto On the other hand~ these shrubs furnish the turkeys vIi th vast amounts of valuable food. In the reports of certain States, Missouri~ Virginia, etco, they speak of certain refuges and parks comprising of a few thousand acres. It is also noted that within these parks and refuges the population remains fairly constant. Thus, a specific check can be made in a few days or perhaps a few hourso This is not true of the Merriams Wild Turkey. It is possible to designate certain areas as \-Tinterrange. If the food values of that range remain at a high level of production the flocks will return regularly and build up to the carrying capacity of the flocks will return regularly ill1dbuild up to the carrying capacity of that r'ange, A change in the food production of the area, or some disturbing element entering,Hould cause a shift in the population of that area at onceo' The birds would drift to better range or a more protected spot with but little provocation. . There are a fevT areas where general trends can be kept. Such areas are the State Turkey Ranch on Devil Creek in the San Juan Forest area; Dolores Canyon in the Montezuma National Forest; and the Longs Canyon ill1dAlamosa Canyon section of the San Isabel Forest area. Constant checks of these areas gives a fairly accurate population trend for the stateo For this reason, more careful checks are made ,uthin these population centers than in other sections of the State. Due to the vastness ru1d general character of the National Forest areas, complete accurate population checks are most difficult to obtain. The entire yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa) belt is mountaneous in character. The higher elevations are covered by deep snows in "Tinter. These areas, of course s cannot be used by the turkeys in 'iunter. There are, hcwever , �- 49 many south slopes and sheltered coves that form winter ranges even at fairly high elevationso These areas can only be reached by an observer on skis cr 'snowshoe s, Heavy snows in the high elevations in winter mean greater food and water supply in the summer monthso It seems that the turkeys sense this facto Shortly after the hatch, the hens move their growi.ng poults to this supplyo They remain high till frosts remind them of approaching winter Then the movement is downward~ back to the winter r~lgeso Like the bighorn sheep, the deer ,... and the eIk , the turkey range was once in the lower elevations and parkso The advance of civilization has crowded them back into the more inaccessable places 0 0 Survival checks for the season began in late Harcho Late storms kept the side roads in such a state the strutting grounds could not be reached till the mating cycle was nearly overo In southern and western Colorado the weather shows a definite increase in moisture in the later spring monthso ·"Weather·Chart Shovd.ng Comparison Be tween 1947 and 1948 1947 Month Inches January February March April Total 1948 Month Inches 039 1061 030 064 January February Marcp: April 043 2074 2082 073 2094 Total 6 72 0 In 1947 the precipitation for the first four months was 2094 inches while in 1948 it was 6 72 inches for the same per-iod , The result of this condition is simple to computeo All trips on side roads had to be taken on footo Some trips had to be postponedo Then when they could be made the hens Here setting or hatching and the result.\-lasa light observation of birds 0 0 During the last three seasons, (note 1947 completi9n report), there was a light mast crop over most of the turkey areao This resulted in \videly scattered flocks and a natural distribution If flocks remained in heavy concentrations during such periods)'>heavy losses "JOuld naturally follow There may be a feH instances \<Therethis was trueo 0 0 General reports wer-e to the effect that there Here not nearly as many birds as one year agoo No one had found any dead birds or indications of actual Los ses , The first and immediate suspicion "las that hunters had killed them .offo One wild report was that a single hunter's car had been examined by two other hunterso In it they found seven turkeys dressed and stored in various places in the caro A claim that �- 50 they had notified the sheriff's office and that he refused to search or do anything about it5'woul.d not stand up on ver-Lf'Lcat.Lon , Some thirtyfive camps in the reporting area were searched without finding anything out of ordero Field checks showed the turkeys were widely spattered and that they were in smaller flockso Due to a new environment and separation from their former comparri.ons~ the turkeys stayed pretty well together for' the first two years after plantingo It was while these conditions held that the birds were seen in large flockso As the flocks increased and food becrune scarce~ the birds drifted and separatedo Over most of the habited ar-ea , t.ransp.Iarrbedand na tura'I, all watering places showed tracks or droppings or botho The fact that there had been a lot of rain during late Nay and June would indicate that much of this sign was quite fresho Due to greater moisture II much of the older sign was completely covered by the gr-owth of grass and 1..J'8eds or9 had been disentegrated by mct.ature, In. the P:tne River area9 the only droppings found were under rather heavy growth pines In the Bear Creek sec td on , the sign was so fresh and of such quantitY9 the ground was patted down like a poultry yard and the droppings were fresh and moisto However~ only one turkey hen was seen in this latest areao Calls brought responses from toms in all directionso It is evident that this is a heavy nesting areao There were numerous tree tops left from rather recent Imnbering operationso An entire afternoon was spent around this area searching for nests but none were found 0 0 On the eastern slope in the Beulah area.9 despite storms Vlhich con= tinued most of the \-linterand we lL into the spr-ing, there was a good survival Many of the birds were not in the same locations as a year ag09 but Vlere reported in new locationso Observations in the area. showed a definite increase over former reportso One thing that helped was that there was a fair mast crop on the eastern slope in 19470 0 In the La Veta area.\)there was some argument as to the number of birds surviving the wintero After carefully checking with wardens9 forest rangers» and 'trappers; then computing the resultsll there were nearly tHiee the number originally thought in the ar-ea, In the Trinidad area.\)there was an excellent survival.9'and nesting gro~ps were observed over most of the areao \ihile I was checking in the Monument section9 there were reports of regular gobbling up until the~later~part('of~Jun@o This is rather unusual as the gobbling stops in late Hay in most areaso Even in the Purgatoi.re :area'-there -TtJaS a'bett~r'_rep(ji"t'Ctha.n"USua.lo ""This is due to better co-operation in the areao Survival of 19479 1948 plants: Survival of last years plants was goodo The Disappointment Valley plant remained in tact urrtd.L" late Mareho They have not been seen since and there was no report on broods up until the first of Augusto From available reports the flock drifted up a canyon north of the planto Tllls canyon is seldom used by live stocko Water in the area is abtmdant in the form of springs and j �- 51 = small creekso Cover and food are abundant and there are plenty of good r.oostiIig'sites.;:ThereQare several areas near this plant that might support the turkeyso They could be in any or several of these places vTithout being seen until they drift back in the falL The Salida plant has done exceptionally Hello At least seven broods are reported in the ar ea , Part of the flock werrt into Badger Creeko Sign is reported as plentifulo Oak leaves have been raked into piles 18 inches deepo However 9 these birds have not been aeen , Another flock moved soutbwesf of Salida into an area known as Bear Cr-eek, Three broods v18re reported in this ar ea , Another flock has been seen on Poncha Cr-eek, A nesting hen Hi th fourteen eggs vas -reported near the Sadalia Hine north of Salidao TvlO broods are reported in the area near Howard9 Colorad0~some sixteen miles south of Salidao ~~o kills were also reported in this areao One ,laS hit by a train near the mouth of a t.unne.l , The other was f01LTJ.d ~ but the cause of death could not be determinedo The Canyon City plru1t~ Tallcl1assee Creek area~ did not fare so wello A bad storm in January scattered them Some of them drifted into the CotopaY~ areay and three broods are reported in this sectiono There are also some birds reported some distance up Cotopaxi Creek These may be a drift from this planto It is al~ost unthinkable for them to have drifted from any other sectiono Beyond this9 there are reports of scattered birds 9 tl-fQor three in a place but no brood reports It is possible that these may come in latero 0 : o 0 Although no turkeys have been planted close to Westcliffe? there are several flocks reported in the areao These evidently have drifted from the Oak Creek plant made in 1944~19459 and the Canon City plant of 19470 If these are correct they have drifted approximately twenty miles in either caseo Over the entire area y both eastern and "lestern slopes y vTinter survival seems at a high levelo General reports for most of the area are exceptionally goodo Recently there have been reports of flocks of from forty to more than one~hundred have been reported in the last few weeks , These concentrations are due to the abundance of food available, and the bunching of hens vIith broods Host of _the young turkeys are well matured at present, It is difficult for the casual observer to distinguish between mature and young birdso 0 Recommendations: In spite of the difficulties involved in travel~ we believe it is best to make survival checks as early as possible~ There are several reasons for thiso Firsty by the first of :f.1ay a majority of the mature hens .1111 be settingo This, makes the observa= tion of birds difficulto Secondy by Hay 15, livestock is being turned on the ranges and they trample out the sign that could or wou.Id be observed Third$) as the hens hatch off in late Hay and early JUl1e~ they are extremely \-iaryfor the first feH weeks due to their protective instincts" The young birds can fly when they are hro weeks o.Id, They 0 �- 52 i-Tillr-emadriquiet until the hen gives a command for them to leave" The young birds blend so completely .dth their surroundings that observation i;Ti thout movement is impossibleo Four-th, due to their migrating shortly after hatching~ the density of the surrounding cover and natural wariness~ late accurate checks are next to impossible to obtain" To arrive at a figure fulTwhere near accurate~ one must rely too much on verbal reportso In the fall an intensive check 011 broods should be madeo The birds start drifting down in late August and early September" Fr-om then until the end of the big game hunting season is an excellent time to make a concentrated checko j A hunting season should not be opened later than Octobe-r.,l" Later than this the birds are too concentrated on the vTinter r'anges, In late season the unscrupulous hunter would concentrate on a roosting areao The late season woul.d do at least tl.'lO things we should avoid" First" it woul.d make too heavy a kill because of the concentration of birds in limited area Secondy it would have a tendency to scatter the birds and force them to migrate to areas for "dnter feeding wher-e they would perish in bad storm periods" A later date woufd also interfere liIi th trapping and transplanting operations" 0 Summary: Due to late stormsy checking got a late start this season. Several unfavorable results point to an earlier checking activity" The best time is to check when the birds are mating" Our checking revealed the birds widely scattered and in much smaller flocks than formerlyo NaturallYJl the food supply is the controlling factor in this distribu= tiono The completed checks show a satisfactory development over the entire populated areao In several ranges the birds have drifted as much as tvlenty miles from wher-e they ver'e r-eLeaaed , In such cases the birds are filling in the spaces betweeno It is recommended that early and late checks are best~ as a better overall picture can be obtained in t:qis way General trends can be checked and other factors noted" A light hunting season is recommended~ but it should not be held later than the early part of October,,: Birds are too concentrated after that dateo 0 Data and Reports: The exerpts from which this report is compiled are: Regular field diaries kept at the department of Game and Fish offices in Denver" and monthly and quarterly progress reports" The principal .source is field notes held at State Turkey Ranch" Reference is also made to "The 'i'Tild Turkey in Virginia" y Hosby and Hand.Ley, 1943~ and nThe First Teclmical Bulletin" on Wild Turkey in Missouri by DahlkeJ 1945" Title of Job: Studies Personnel: Wild Turkey Investigations - P'lantd.ngSites and Food Hartin L" Burget Objectives: To select by careful field examination and comparison suitable transplanting sites for VTild turkeys" These are chosen to give the birds a chance for proper development. The principal factors involved �- 53 are ~ determination of food condi tions s checking '(ilea ther factors to make sure the l-lintersupply of food will be adequate for normal development, location of desirable' roosting sites near the point of release~ and to determine whether there are undesirable conditions that would hinder development, such as ranches too near, possibilities of poaching activitY9 etco Because these areas are close to the planted and natural areas of the State~ we have included general food studies of the turkey area vTi th this present study 0 Techniques: Careful ground examination was made of the areas to determine the kinds and amount of foods available. Examination of winter conditions includes checking of moisture, rainfally and winter snow depth if this data is available" The areas are examined to determine if there are enough south facing slopes and coves to support the development of birds over a period of yearso Development of good public relations to determine whether the birds vnll have adequate protection if introduced into the area is also importanto Findings: Foods and Area This report only deals with winter foodso The summer supply and variety are always adequate" The area comprising Merriams Wild Turkey habitat is principally the yellow pine belto It borders on three principal life zoneS9 the Upper Sonoran zone9 the Transition zone9 and the I01r18rHudsonian zone (1) This covers an altitudinal range of from 5~500 to 9~OOO feet in a rough~ broken9 timbered section of the state. The possible habitable area extends from the Grand River9 Grand Junction area~ along the west side of the Continental Divide and extends southward to the State Jine" Then going eastward across the southern border of the state pntil: the plains area cuts it off along the Purgatoire River section west of La Junta" Originally, the historical range extended north along the east side of the Continental Divide to a point some miles north of Denvero A great deal of this eastern slope area has become useless as turkey range through heavy. settlement~ and the development of summer residential districts and parkso 0 Staple liJinterfoods are mast producing typeso These trees and shrubs will be given in order of their importance" Perhaps the most imporJQant species are the shrub oakso The bulk of these are sub-species of the White Oako The three of greatest importance are Gambels Oak.9 Quercus Gambelli; Utah Oak~ Quercus Utahensis~ and Evergreen Oak~ Quercus ~~dalatao While the oaks are not a completely stable food due to the fact that they do not bear seed every year because of late frosts~ they are very important in that they drop acorns in good seeding years that remain in good condition under the leaves for two or more yearso j The pines also are a staple food" The two principal ones are Ponderosa Pine~ Pinus Ponderosa; and Pinion Pine, Pinus Eduliso While these are biennial seeders, the fact that the cones keep opening throughout the l.• Irrter , releasing seed , makes them an important �- 54 item in the turkey clieto The seeds drop into the needles and are raked out by the turkeys. The f'act that snov does not lie deep under' these trees also makes this f'ood available in stormy periodso Then there are always some trees that are off' the main cycle so that there are some. pine nuts available each year. Of the smaller shrubs~ skunkberry (three leaved sumac), Rl1US trilobatay is the most important. It is almost a sure seedero The berries stay on ve LL through the vlinter~ and the shrub stands up Hell above the winter snows making this food available almost continuouslyo Running a very close second are the ,{ild rose species. These shrubs are general throughout the range ru1d the hips furnish nourishing pulp as vIGIl as seeds , Rosa f'endleri, Fendlers rose, is the most common species in the turkey area. Choke cherries, Prunus melanocarpa; Service berry, Amalanchier sppo; Oregon grape~ Berberis aquifolium; and the barberry, Berberis sppo are all staple foods when available. KinnikinniC}:~ (Arctostophylos novaursiis y) is taken vrhen it is wi thin the range. The junipers produce a lot of f'eed, but it is not taken when f'reshly dropped. Usually these berries must lay for a year in the needles before the tu~keys take them. Even then it is only a f'ood when other foods are scarce The three principal species of' this s~~ll tree in our range are Utah Juniper~ juniperus utahensis; Single seeded JUL~iper~ Juniperus mono sperma; and Rocky Hountain Red Cedar, Juniperus scopulorumo 0 Most types of grasses are taken f'reely both v~nter ~~d s~~er when available. The most important one is elk sedge (v~nter grass), Carex geyeri. The brome grasses~ Bromis inermis, big smoth brome, and big mountain or nodding brome are irr~ortant specieso The grana grasses~ particularly blue grama~ are L~portanto The wheat grasses, Western wheat and slender vrheat stand up Hell and are taken freely. The t.urkey eats the leaf as we I.l as the seed of all species of grass. Areas chosen for planting sites: 'I'Woareas wer-e chosen last year that vTere not filled because we ver e unab.Le to catch enough birds. One was an area on \Ulliams Creek, northeast of Gardner~ Colorado~ This area is at the foot of Greenhorn Hountain. This is historical range and there was an abundance of' food available when the area was visited recently. Dry periods this suramer have ripened a lot of the seed in the area early. The second of these unused areas is in Purgatoire Canyon near the mouth of Chaco Canyon. The release area was on the Hudson estate and assurance was given that hunting voul.d be allowed when the birds build up. This is also historic rangeo NeVI Areas: The first area examined was the Co•• Creek district- south and east of Hontrose and northeast of'RidgeHay. In this area, there are three creeks having living water the year around. These are Cow Creek, Deer Cr-eek, and Burro Cr'eek, They f'Low in a general westerly direction �- 55 into the Uncompahgre Rivero South slopes are ideal and the types are comparable to some of the best areaso The type is Pinion-Juniper with oak as the top under-story shrub, Skunk ber-ryy rose bushes with hips, this year nearly an inch in diameter ~ snowber-ry, and other associated shrubs 9 grasses s and weeks are pr-eserrt , The second area is Loghill Mesao This area is located on the Uncompahgre plateau~ 15 miles southHest of Hontroseo The type is Oak-Pineo Gambels Oak is the predominent species of the areao O~her species are ablIDdant and comparable for the typeo There are 'enough south slopes and the weather is comparatively mi.Ld , The third area examined is the east face of Grand Mesao The area is knovm as Wells Gulch Basino It is rough country to get intoo This area is northeast of Deltao It is about 15 miles south of the Kannah Creek releases of pen raised turkeys in the late 1930~so The redeeming feature of this area isy that it is almost completely inaccessable to the publico The range below the area is comparativelya desert type with shadscale and sagebrush the predominating covero As the foot of the mountain is reached the type changes rapidlyo First,there is Pinion-Juniper~ then Pine-oak9 etco This area should be a .feeder area for the entire Grand Hesa sectiono It is not completely ideal range:,Jbut has abtmdant feed ~nd water to support the birds The slopes remain open except in very severe storms and then open quicklyo This area \<Jassuggested by Hro Ray Pecko He also accompanied me on the tripo I .feel it woul.d be best to hold this area open in case better planting sites are locatedo 0 Area four vas the Chalk Creek sect.Lon, 28 miles nor thves t of Salida There are hlo factors that make the area unt.enab.Le, First, it is a heavily populated summer- residential ar ea , This woul.d cause too much disturbanceo Second~ the shrub understory is almost completely missingo Host of the shrubs present are red SquaH current (Ribes cerum) and they are not even plentifulo 0 A fifth area Has examined known as Hayden Cr eek , This area is sone twenty miles south and Hest of Salidao It is much like the Bear Creek area wher-e some of the birds moved last Hinter and are doing fine The predominent cover is Oak-pine type with a heavy sprinkling of ideal food plants like roses:,lservice berrY9 sktuik berry, snowberry, etc, The slopes are right~ viith ,dntering conditions ideaL This should make an ideal release areao 0 General Food Conditions: Late r?-ins and good spring weather have produced one of the heaviest mast crops in many years , Oaks are in heavy seed over most of the turkey range There are a few exceptions but they are rareo Thirty-seven acorns were counted on a single small branch of oak, Pine cones are aomewha t scattered and mostly in the tops of the treeso It seems the Imler cones vrere affected by some late frostso Pinion pine is spo+ted , Some areas 0 �- 56 are heavily seeded wlri.Le others are light. Skunkberry is super abundant over the entire range Rose hi.ps are the most abundant and of the largest size in year-s,, Chokecherry is .in the· heavi.est fruit I have ever seen., ,:The .drying like prunes on t}Je trees. Practically all other specf.es cherrie.s~are .. are the same. Grasses are twice their usual height and in full seed~ This is the first year I have seen elk sedge go to seed. In many places the stems are eighteen iilches to two feet tall.. The turkeys are maturing early because of the abundance of feedo 0 .. Summary: The present study comprises of a careful ground study of possible planting sites. Considerations in the study include a canvas of available foods for winter use~ the chance for development and weather conditions prevailing in the area. It also checks to determine if birds were present through historical facts4 To be a good site the area must have pel~ent water~ During the checking period five areas were inspectedo Two areas in the Uncompahgre section~ one on the west face of Grand Mesa~ Chalk Creek near Salida.,and Hayden Creek near Cotopaxi. It was found that the Chalk Creek area was not suitable for the transplanting of turkeys. ~vo areas carried over from last yearj one near Gardiner~ and the other east of Trinidad in Purgatoire Canyon. Food was found to be plentiful over the entire turkey areao Data and Reports: Data from which this report is written is contained in Field diaries vThich are retained at the Federal Aid Office in Denver •• Life zones was a reference from a book by Robert J. Niedrach, "The Birds of Denver and Hountain Parks '",pages 8 and 9. The bulk of the material is contained .in field note books kept at State Turkey Ranch. Title of Job: Personnel: Wild Turkey Investigations - Brood and Nesting Study Hartin L. Burget Objectives: To determine by comparative study, the rate of development of the Merriams Wild Turkey in the State of Colorado. To find out as nearly as possible the relationship between the number of hatched poults and development to mature poults. The rate of increase is a vital factor in good game managemento Techniques: Field recognizance. This is for actual observ~Dce in the field. Careful checking and verification of all reports wherever possible. Coordination and compilation of all data gathered. Findings: Reports and observations began rather late on broods this season. It is evident that storms in February and March were the cause for this delay. Strutting and gobbling began in early February at the State Turkey Ranch. Then as storms camel' the mating cycle seemed to rest for a time. It did not get we Ll, under way again until mi.d-Har-ch, Hens continued to visit the strut grolmds until late Mayo �- 57 The f'irst broods at Turkey Ranch Here tvlO hens mothering _thirteen poults be tween them. In less than tHO weeks, tvlO similar" reports came in of' the same thingo This Has all in the same general areao One was two hens vTith fourteen poults, and the other in the Yel101']Jacket divide area Has two hens ,·Ii th sixteen poults. In July two more reports of this sort were made One was in the Beulah district of' tvTO hens with seven quail" sized poul ts s and another pair ,vith 9 qua.i.Lsized poults <> It is not uncommon for tame turkey hens to set together. Possibly this may be the answer to this problem. It is evident if this is the case, only one clutch of eggs was hatchedo In all the observances and reports where turkey nests have hatched the hatch has been 100% with one exception, where an egg that had started to incubate f'ailed to hatcho Another observation is that very little shell remains about the hatched nest. By way of' comparison, Sage grouse hens, when hatching off, leave all the shells just as the chicks leave them. Thus nests from tHO and three years back can be located in a nesting area. Observations on turkeys prove the hens break up the shells and feed them to the young poults for their first grito 0 Only three nests have been reported during the present season. THo of these were reported in the lower Animas Valley seven miles south of Durango. Both nests wer'e on .the bank or near an irrigation canal. One nest had nine eggs, the other eleven. They Here reported by a :' Mro George ~ee. They hatched 100%. The third nest was reported by f'orest ranger Hickel of Salida. It contained 14 eggs and-only thirteen hatched. The extra egg was f'ertileo Incubation started but did not -hatch. This was discovered on a second visit nearly three weeks after the nest was d.i.scover-ed , The hatching ratio for this nest "IaS 92 84 plus 0 0 A general report of all broods seen and reported f'o.l.Lovs , It must be understood that some of the districts wer'e not visited at a time when this data could be gathered That is, Trinidad was visited in June before the hatch was ve Ll. under way. Then some of the more primitive areas do not yield data in the brief time we have to visit them. While this data is somewhat incomplete it does yield a fair overall pf.c'tur-e for the state popul.at.Lon , In July and August, poults are pretty "Hell matured. Note reporting dateso 0 �- 58 Area Beulah Date Reported or Seen June August August and September August August 7 11/14 4 hens 43 poults 10 3/4 64 poults 19 "n 16 fI 11 7 " 14 hens 117 poults 8 5/14 4 hens 38 poults 9 1/2 1 hens 11 poults 8 1 11 " 1 n 6 " n 1 It 13 Total Pagosa District hens 109 poults 3 hens 22 poults 1 " 16 " Total Williams Creek Ill- 8 hens 3 n 1 n 1 " 1 " Total Dolores Canyon 6 1/2 2 hens 13 poults II 1 II 18 n 1 12 " Total Dolores 12 hens 78 poults 1 hens 6 poults n 1 n 8 It 1 7 "II 2 " 12 It 18 2 II n 28 3 " II 30 ~. II August Total La Veta Average 2 hens 15 poults n 8 1 fI 1 " 6 " n 17 3 "n 16 1 n 11 2 II 7 II II 2 9 Total Salida and Canon City Nmnbers August 4 hens 38 poults 9 1/2 3 hens 17 poults n 1 " 9 n 1 16 "n 1 n 7 21 II 3 " Total 9 hens 70 poults 7 7/9 �- 59 Area Turkey Ranch Bear Creek (Pine) Date Reported or Seen Numbers Average July and August 2 hens 13 poults n 2 It 14 It 16 n 2 2 It 15 "Ii 1 It 9 Total 8 hens 67 poults July and August 1 hens 13 poults 11 It 1 n 1 7 " 2 "II 13 " 2 It 20 n Total 7 hens 64 poults 9 1/7 Totals.of' all Areas 76 hens 624 poults 8 4/17 8 3/8 -- This data does not account for -v[inter losses or v[inter predator activitiesc Predator activities are covered in another reporto It is not possible to expect every hen to produce eight mature poults per seasono We have no data on nesting losses. There is no determination as to the per cent of hens that hatch out broods. In 1947 two hens were seen trying to mother three poultso Evidently one hen had lost her nest and -for some reason the other hen did not hatch 1,-Tell or lost the poults after hatching. This is just one of those little tragedies in nature about which He know far too littleo It is generally conceded that turkey hens hatch their clutch of eggs 100% if they are not disturbedo It is also true that the ability of' the turkey hen in the Hild to raise her poults is remarkably high. Conclusions and Recommendations: It is recommended that a careful follow up study be made on nesting loss relationships.. This should be developed to forma basis for good management practice. I.f at all possible~ an area on both the eastern slope and 1,-[esternslope should be put under special observationo ~vo are~s suitable .for the study would be State Turkey Ranch on ..the western slope .and Longs, Canyon on the eastern sLope , A li.fe 'history stri,dyproj~ci is being set up at Turkey Ranch and this nesting. study could be worked in with this project e Summary: Reports on nests and broods c~~e rather late this season due to late stormso Three nests were reported with nine9 eleven~ and .fourteen eggs respectively. Broods observed and reported comprises o.f some seventy-six hens and six hundred and tHenty-.four poults. The average brood per hen was 8~4/17~ -While this average cannot be expected to hold good on all hens, it does reveal a high reproductive curveo SOIDe �- 60 study should be made on nes t i.ng losses. The study should be conducted 011 the eas tern and '.-18 S torn slopes at the sar;e ti:ne. Data and Reports: The do.to. contained in this report ar e kept in :~egular field diaries ,-Thichare kept at the Federal Aid Office in Denver. Also in monthly and quarber-Iy progress reports t~1at have been sent in during the period of the study. For the fine cooperation on brood reports, I am indebted to many individuals over much of the tliTkey area. The bulk of this data is contained in fi91d notes kept at state Turkey Ranch. Ti tIe of Job: Personnel: Hild Turkey Lnveatd.gat.Lons Hartin - Pr edator Relationship Study L, Burget Objectives: To deter:oine developnent. the decimating factors controlling liIild turkey Technigues: Car-ef'u.L field checks to deternine t:le number and kinds of predators Hithin the t.urkey r-ange, By co::.:.parative study to detern:1.ne the effect of these preuators on uild turkey development. Careful disection is made of all scats Locat.ed Hithin the area to note any trace of idld turkey feathers, bones, and feather quills. Findings: Field checks and records of tly occurrences of the tracks of both bobcats and coyotes are kept for tlle entire year. '1he11scats are found they are broken up and carefuJ.ly exami.ned, If anything of note is found it is also recorded. The number of tracks obsGrved this year 1o1ere negligable. In five days of intensive checking in June in the Beulah d.is'tr Lct , only seven fresh coyote tracles Here noted. There Here only t'\vo areas ",ithin the turkey area trher e si gn Has ple:ltiful. This tras in Thompson Park and the Her-mosaarea of La Plata County. There has been This is probably a definite increase of bobcats over TIuch of the areao due to a change in predator control prac td.ce s , They are not using traps as regularly as they once did. It seems that .t.raps are the on.ly effective Dethod of controlling these soft Halking marauderso A good many Hourrta i.n Lions ar-e being reported over various portions of the range. It is known that eigllt Here caught in the Beulah area last spring. At least a half dozen r-epor-t.s have been made attesting the presence of this great cat in the Piedra River area. Less than one week ago, early September, a track Has reported at Vallecito Reservoir by a Mro Phillip Stock. Sheep men have reported kills in the Red Creek area and numberous reports have been made in the Hernosa section. Sone good control tror'k on these wcul.d benefit both deer and turkeys as Hell as domestic stock. A. report on the kill of a good buck on the north end of Devil Hountain in September Has attributed to lion. These reports are difficult to verify, but no doubt they reveal an increase in the lion population in the areao We do kl10Hthat coyotes and cats playa part in controlling the development of turkey popUlations. Scat an2.1ysis has revealed the presence of turkey bones and f'ea ther parts in both cats and coyotes. �- 61 = stomach analysis also has revealed the same types of predation. We do believe however ~ after a number of years of careful field checking that neither of these animals playa great part in keeping the turkey populations dovn , The number of kills vIe have observed wher-e we could be sure are few and far be tween , Since some very effective control work has been done on these predators in recent years~ it is hard to believe they play any major part in controlling turkey populations. Another fact we must face frankly is that turkeys were here in great number-s before any control work was done As far as '-le are able to learn our great losses of turkeys in the early days was caused by over hunting, and the introduction of diseased poultry flocks into the borders of the turkey range. j) 0 There has been a definite increase in sktLDk population over the State in the past few years. These little animals have a bad reputaThere is no tion for destroying the nests of many game bird specieso doubt that they destroy some ,-lildturkey nests. Some control wor-k should be done on this specieso We still feel that winged predators are our most dfu~gerous threato In the spring of 1949~ a kill was reported north of Highway 160 and soirthvest of turkey rancho Investigation revealed that the turkey had been a large tom. In the remains not a single large bone had been broken. The bone structure had been completely stripped of flesh. Even the ribs were still in tacto The shinsj) which had not been disturbed9 were rosy red and the feathers remaining indicated the bird was in perfect health. The spurs on the legs '-lereover an inch in lengtho There were bits of fat hanging on the carcas that indicated the bird had been in good flesh. A large golden eagle had been hanging around the turkey ranch for nearly two weeks before this kill was reported. Great horned O1-llsseem to be on the increase. They are extremely hard to deal vIi th since they move mostly at night. In a period of a week in July ~ three of these birds wer-e found in the YelloirlJacket area that had been killed by cars on the highuay at night. A good many reports of poaching by hunters have been made. Whenever it was possible to trace these rumors down it was done. Most of these reports have been proven to be mere idle gossipo Generally no evidence can be gathered on these cases. Careful watch VIiII be kept to note any unusual predator activit yo If such development is founds> measures will be taken to control ito summary: Predator activity over the entire turkey range is rather light. Bobcats seem to hold the prominent placeo Lions are also reported to be on the increase in several sections of the Stateo Skunks are increasing and something should be done to control these animals. They prey principally on nestso Winged predators~ golden eagles, and I F �- 62 great horned oul,s still ar-e the most active factors in turkey dec.imatdon , There have been nwnberous reports of poaching but few of these can be verifiedo Data and Reports: Host of the data from vh.i.chthese reports are taken are kept in Field Diaries at the Federal Aid Office in Denver and in personal field notes kept at state Turkey Rancho Submitted by: Name l-Io L. Burget Title Wildlife Hote: Approved by: Title C. N. Feast, Director Date November 3. 1948 Technician Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Gane and Fish Department. Ii l_ r- �- 63 STATE QUARTERLY SURVEYS o DATE OCTOBER $ 1948 G RES S I N V EST I GAT As reguired --~~~~---------- PROJECTNO PRO AND COLOR.~DO -----------._-L.D-R-2 REPORT ION S by FEDERALAID IN i,tIILDLlFERSSTORIi.TICN ACT 10 Title of Project: 20 Leader: Robert )0 Report of Progress: Title of Job: Antelope Surveys and ImTestig:::.tion R. Elliott Predator Study Objectives: To deterlTj_ne a:110l1.l1t of predation eagle9 coyotey and bobcat. upon antelope from golden Techniaues Used: The 10\l)'er area of the Cucharas-Huerfano Hiver drainages vras covered again, since a.I.I three of the named predacious species are found here. It "\'I'9.S found, hovever , that the antelope irhf ch have been staying in the old Butler Pas ture area have moved south across HighHay 10 A search of dens~ or Hould-be dens, in Sheep Canyon and Doyle Canyon revealed no remains or evidence of' predation on antelope f'awns , - No fresh signs of either bobcat or coyote Here seen , and reports from the Government hU11ter at La Veta indicated that the predator situation is of little or no consequence in the area occupiGd by antelopeo 0 In the Apishapa Canyon to the south; the dens examined revealed only skeletal renains of rodents and rabbits. Several ranchers uere contacted on both sides of the canyon concerning predators. Their observations ver e about. the S31:189 fe\1' to no coyotes 9 and bobcats were seldom seen. £'.lr. Rogers reported that he had had some trouble with coyotes bothering his sheep, but since the Government, trapper tror-ked the ar ea , his coyote problem ceased , One slceleton of a coyote killed by a cyanide gun vas found on 1.Ir. Rogers ~ ranch. Across the Apishapa to the sou'bheas t , }IrQ Hickok related that a group of about L;.o arrte Lope had I-iintered in his pasture near the house. During this time ~10 losses wer-e observed by the rancher s even though there tras considerable snow throughout the 1,rinter 0 Golden eagles are the only potential predators in the Co.Lor-ado Antelope Ref'uge th3.t var-rarrt consideration. HerG9 as Ln-most other herd areas:! coyotes have been controlled rigidly by the U. S. Fish �- 64 and Wildlife Service, and bobcats have not been seen in the refuge for quite some tiIl2e. The eagles, hovever , occupy nests throughout the refuge for the greater part of the year, and some are year-long residents; therefore, they come under scrutiny in their relationships "(.Jith antelope. Examination of the debris beneath nests shoved only a f'ev skeletal remains of rabbits as illustrated by Figure 10 No evidence of f'avn predation was found, and it was observed also that no eagles were seen in the refuge from JlUle 25 to September 3 t~1is year. This vas the first time, the eagles had left the refuge for any length of time in tl.J'O year s , They stayed in full force all last summer , Analysis and Recommendations: From resluts obtained dUring last year's investigations and the study conducted this SlTID~erin the HuerfanoCucharas drainages ru1d the Apishapa River areap no control measures need be recolIlmended other than those being 'carried out by the Uo So Fish and Wildlife Service. The most important single decimating factor in this area is poachi.ng , and that is the main reason the fevT remaining antelope in the Butler Pasture sector moved farther south. Ranchers such as George Rogers are more conservation-mindedy and provide protection for the antelope by restricting un-authorized traffic on their lru1dso Increase in these small groups of antelope has been materially impeded by poacherso Predation by golden eagles in the Colorado Antelope Refuge ,has not been proven conclusively yet, at least not to the writer's' satisfaction., Even if the eagles are seen actually feeding on an antelope carcass it dOesnnt necessarily mean they killed it. The.sane is true if parts of a f'airnskeleton are found in the nest or be Low it; the evidence is still circumstantial A fe1:Tantelope may be killed by eagles during the winter, but until they are caught in the act no control measures will be recommended for this areao The activity of the airplane dlITing trapping operations seems to keep the eagles pretty close to their nests an~ayo 0 A story of some interest can be told by FigtlTes 29 3, 4, ~~d 50 As the ,vriter approached the nest (Figure 2):J tI.o eaglets and the mother eagle 1Jere observed on it. The adul, t bird flew off about 200 yards and alighted atop a kno'LL, wher-eupon a couple of shots wer-e sent over just to insure that she maintain that distance from the nesto Climbing to the top of the cliff by VJay of a route less sheer than were the nest was situated" a foothold lias obtained on the shale ledge about 12 feet above the nest~ and a photo (Figure 3) was taken by holding the camera out at armis length? guessing at the focus and alignmento Three days later it Has decided to climb the face of the shale wa.l.l, (Figure 4) ~ since no activity could be SGen in the nest" Upon reaching the nest, the writer fOlmd both eaglets dead (Figure 5), obviously killed by the mother eagle the few days previouso The flesh wa~ ripped apart at the base of· the neck~ such as an eagle does on a rabbit or prairie dogo Hothing more lias seen of the adult eagle? and apparently she has never returned to the nes t , The observation may be taken for ",hat it is wor th , �Fig. 1 - Skeletal remains of rabbits found underneath golden eagles' nests in the Colorado An telope· Refuge north of Fort Collins. No evidence of antelopt .predation here. ��Fig. 2 - Golden eagle nest strategically located on sheer face of a shale ridge. Nest is about 40 feet above ground. Fig. 3 - Two eaglets photographed from directly above the nest. Notice the rabbit's foot in center of nest. Eaglets are about six weeks old. ��Fig. 4 - Cliff was scaled by chopping holes in the soft, ·crumbly shale. Comparative size of nest is shown by author who is 6 ft. tall, standing beside it •.· \ 'i:g. 5 -. Eaglets killed by mother eagle apparently. Nothing else of sufficient size to'harm the -eaglets could have -gotten . into the nest. Evidently the mother eagle did not like having a Wildlife technician taking pictures of her offspring. �I: �- 65 Title of Job: Sex-Ratio Part (a) Survey Objectives: To obtain sex-ratios of the main antelope herds, so that proper management measures may be carried out. Time: This report covers the first half (a), of the sex-ratic survey for the fiscal year 1948-49; the aerial work being done in August 19480 Part (b) will be accomplished in April and a separate report submitted at that time. Personnel: Kenneth Bo Milyard, pilot; Robert Ro Elliott, observero Techniques Used: On August 23, 19481 the Colorado Antelope Refuge, north of Fort Co.Ll.Lns , was f'Lown for .sex-ratio deternination. This was done by random samp'Hng , counting the groups as they ver e seen. Antelope were sighted from an altitude of 500 to 1000 feet~ then the pilot would circle low over a group so that an accurate sex determination could be made. No attempt ",JaSmade, however , to distingquish yearling animals from adults 1I nor to ascertain sex of this year is fawns It vas noted also, that at this late in the summer , the fawns had grown enough that it was difficult to distinguish them from some of the smaller does, especially Hhen vieltTedat an angle of less than 45 degrees. 'When seen from a vertical position9 discerning the age groups was relatively easy. Hith this in mind, it might be suggested that a survey to include fa1m.s~ should be conducted the last of June or the first of July, particularly in the southern herd areas "There the f'avns are born earlier than in the northern parts of the state. 0 The Dickinson Refuge and the adjacent area north of Limon, and part of the Black Squirrel Creek-Chico Basin areas wer-e flown August 25, 1948 Tabulation of data by herd areas is Sh01ID in Table 1.• 0 Analysis and Recommendations: From Table l,it is seen that throughout the various herd areas, the majority of favfis born are tHins. This substantiates the findings mentioned in the f'avm report of July 1948 The exact percentage of twin f'awns has not been determined as yet, but \-lithdata collected over a period of yearsll a usable figure may be Harked out. 0 Some conclusions can be dra"fi from parts of the data contained in Table 2. For instance? the slight drop in number of does per buck for the Colorado Antelope Refuge7 is actually an increase in the number of bucks rather than a loss in does. This, of COl-lISe,is due to the lack of a hunting season for the past t"l0 year s , as was stated in a former report. ConverselYll the situation for the Dickinson Refuge shows a Low buck-doe ratio "Thich is due partly to the winter loss of November 1946 The number' of bucks is on the increase for this area also, and a season is anticipated within the next two years. 0 The figures given for the Black Squirrel Creek area and South Park are not as reliable as is desiredp but the number of samples taken was cut short due to limited time. �- 66- TABLE 10 Tabul.atd.on of Occurrence and Sex-Ratios by Herd Areas Aerial Survey August 1948 COLORADO ANTELOPE REFUGE Bucks 1 · Does · Fawns 0 · · · · ·· · · · ·· 0 1 1 1 7 6 3 1 1 1 2 2 2 ·· · ·· ··· · ·· · · ·· · 0 a Q · 26 2 1 4 2 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 1 3 19 3 1 3 1 3 3 · ·· · · · · · ·· ·· ·· ··· · · ··· · 1 2 I 6 2 2 1 4 3 3 3 4 4 54 36 Buck~Doe ratio: ratio: 1:2 08 1: 067 Doe--Fatcn 0 · Total · 12 · 1. · · 42 · ·· 114 ·· .3 ·· 37 · 73 · 6 ·· ·· 206 ·· 1 · 46 · ·· 61 · ·· 31 ··· 7 · 7 116 , Remarks · ·· ·· tvrlnf'avrns · 3 sets of twins · tvlins · twin.s · twins · · · ·· set h!ins, 1 single ·· 11 set twins, 1 single · ·: 1 set tivins,1 single · ·· 2 sets tHins · 2 sets tHins �- 67 ~ TABLE 1 :-(Contftd,,) NORTH OF LINON :(Notth:_'_6f(Di<ckin~~m Refuge) Bucks 3 1 1 1 : Does .• · ··.. 8 · ··.. •·. ·: ·. .· · 1 .. 3 1 1 · Fawns ·· ·· 2 •. 4 · ·· 8 2 · ··: s · 2 : Q •. Total •. 1 o e 3 1 o 2 2 1 4 2 7 2 · .... Q e o 28 20 1 5' 6 1 12 · 4 •. ·· 163 •. · 4S · 1 .. o e 72 · o Remarks •. ·· .. · tHin fawns o e e .... twin fawns .. · all t1riins ·•. singles ·· tl-un fawns · ...• singles o •. · Ratios taken together with those of the .. Dickinson Refuge DICKINSON REFUGE Bucks 1 : Does 3 : 2 : 2 : 4 " 1 · ,.·· : 2 · : 1 : 2 : 2 : 1 : 4 : 1 : 2 : 1 : : : : 3 1 2 2 · ·· 21 · 24 · .. 20 4 ·· 28 20 24 45 ·· Buck-Doe ratio: 1:1087 2 ..•. Total ~ 1 1 : Fawns Doe-Favro ratio: o 1:1006 · 6 6 1 o 3 o 3 3 8 o o Remarks ·•. fawns ·· twin tlun fawns ·· ·· o o ·· 1 set twins; 1 single ·· •. singles 4 · triplets; only ones observed •. 3 · 2 ·· ·· 4 ·· · 45 · · 72 - -:- - Totals for N of Limon •. · Q 2 117 - -:- - Totals for both areas �- 68 TABLE 10 (Oorrt td , ) Bucks 1 1 1 .• · 3 1 1 .• ·.• · 8 ~~CK SQUIRREL CREEK AND CHICO BASIN AREAS' Does .• 10 1 1 1 3 2 4 22 Buck-Doe ratio: Doe-Fawn ratio: · Fawns · Total ·.• · ·· · 7 2 2 1 3 1 4 ·: 0 · ·· 20 .•· · ··· ·· · Remarks · ·· .•· ·· 1 set tHins; 1 single · tHins · 18 4 4 2 6 6 9 1 .• 3 sets t1.uns;1 single 50 : 1:2075 1: 091 SOUTH PARK Bucks ·· ·· 1 1 Does : 8 · · 8 Buck-Doe ratio: Doe-Fawn ratio: Fawns 7 Total ·· 16 16 7 · ·· ·· Remarks 1:8 1: 875 0 TABLE 2 COHPARISON OF SEX-RATIOS FOR HERD AREAS BY YEARS 1947 .• Does/Buck · Colo Antelope Refuge 2 64 · 1030 Dickinson Refuge Area o 0 Blko Sqo Cro and Chico Basin South Park · 3038 · 087 1948 • · Fawns/Doe ·. Does/Buck · Fa:.ms/Doe .• ·. 2007 067 044 · loll ·. 1087 ·· ,,63 :: · 091 2075 ·· 041 .. · . 800 ·· 014 ··.. · 087 �- 69 TABLE 3 TWO-YEAR AVERAGE SEX-RATIO FOR EACH HERD AREA Area Colorado Antelope Refuge .Dickinson Refuge Black Squirrel Creek South Park Submitted · ·: Does/Buck 2041 1059 3014 1055 ·.. 0 byg . : : Fawns/Doe 052 089 057 053 Approved: Name o~E:=ll=J.=· o:::..t.::.;t::._ -=R::.;::o;.;:b.::;;er::;.,t.=....-:R~. Title Wildlife Technician ----~~==~~~==~~------- Date Note: : Persons wishing to quote from this abstract from the State Game and Fish Departmento ~N.::;;o~ve;m~b~e~r~_=8~2_=19~48~ _ should first obtain permission ��\, - 71 STA-'f'E- COLORADO PROJECTNO. DATE PRO QUARTERLY SURVEYS AND G RES I N V EST As required S 0~c~-t~o~b~~~r~g~1~9~4~8 _ REPORT I GAT ION S by FEDERALAID IN \f.[LDLIFERESTORATION ACT 1. Title 20 Leader: 30 Report of Project: Rocky Hountain George Wo Jones Bighorn Sheep Survey and Claude White~ Project Leaders. of Progress: Job Noo 1 Title: Summer locations of eHes and lambso Objective: To determine number of lambs in relation of predators during this period. Smer locations to e1,·lGSand effects of ewes and lambs~ On July I? ewes and lambs on Tarryall were half 'I-lay to the top of Bison Hountain -and HcCurdy Hountainy and sheep on the Kenosha Hountains wer e .Low and right at timberline in the Black Canyon of Rock Creek Hills. The sheep on the Kenosha range from T'I.J'inCones southeasterly along the Kenosha to the north rim of Wi~[am Park, a distance of 17 miles" Eues and lambs in this area 'Here in excellent condition and there wer-e more lambs per number of eves than last year. This is the first time ewes and lambs wer e observed on the Wigv[aTIl Park rim rocks. This is probably due to the ruggedness of the area "Thich affords excellent protection for the lambso TrJenty-eight ewes and 14 18.L'1lbs \'Jere observed be twe en T'l-rrnCones and the B.lack Canyon area. Tr.re.Lve rams Here observed on Black Canyon Peak'. During the middle of July a reconnaissance of the Tareyall range was made ,\-lith E. Ko Br-own, Ewes and lambs Here observed on the top peaks above timberline. Tvrorams wer-e seen on Bison Hountain and I ram and 3 old ewes in HcCurdy Park. Three Lambs, 4 eves, and ll~ rarns wer-e observed on HcCurdy Hountain. The lambs Here quite active and alert. The rams wer-e starting to turn in color from light tan to dark br-own on the shoulders The range Has in good condi tlon, but beginning to look very dryo 0 �- 72 Job Hoo 2 Title: Comparative range analysis for the location Objectiveg To determine the possibility sheep in the Troublesome River Valley, RiYer areaso Personnel: Claude Eo iiThi te j) Jr 0 of transplant sites" of the transplanting of bighorn Antelope Creek? and upper Blue s and Lloyd Searle The area considered in this survey includes the area north of t01;ffiship 2, north and south of tOlmship 5 nor-th, bounded on the east by range 78 weet , and on the 'I-rest by range 81 ves t , The southern portion of this area consists of rolling sagebrush covered hills" Due to the gentleness of slope the sagebrush occur's in abundance into the aspen parks on the hi.gher ridgeso The higher northern portion is covered \.lith dense gr-owth of pine and aspen, Soil characteristics: The basic parent :o.aterial is easily erodible shale and sandstonec Outcroppings of rock, forming high cliffs? are noticeably lackingo The soil produced from the above parent material is por-ous and often results in clay pockets in draws and Loirer' ridge areas , The porous nature of the soil reduces the effectiveness of raino All evidences of a heavy rain disappear a f'ev short hOUTSafter the rain end.sa Forage c<2_n.fliction: 'I'hose areas \-Jhich might be considered ,-Tinter sheep range lie in the center of a Hinter concentration area for deer and e.Lk , The use on shrubby vegetation is c.onsequently severe to destructivea The vTinter grazing of cattle on these areas complicates range use tfu'ough reduction of the grass cover , Such a concentration of Hildlife and stock woul.d not seriously influence utilization by bighorns if the topography was such as to limit the sphere of utilization of the conflicting arrimaf.s, However9 in any heavy concentration of deer and elk there are grave possibilities that diseases not normally import&!t might become ep.Ldemi,c , This factor is extrel;Iely important in the case of bighorn sheepa The information given above was compared with present conditions in the Tarryall ar-ea; Some al.Lovance Has made in keeping I-Jith the success, etco~ of previous transplants .• The results of the comparison eliminate the possibility of a trmlsplant in the Troublesome and Antelope areas Attention is called particl1J.arily to the severe f?rage utilization occ.asioned by the "linter concentration of deer and elk and to detrimental factors such as the lack of suitable topographical and climatic conditionso Q Upper Blue River: Biologist Searle had been informed of a small head of 4 sheep observed by a rancher on \filliams Fork just be.Lov Ptarmigan Peak This was probably part of the head whi.ch summer-sbetween Ptarmigan and Ute Peaks and Hinters betveen Slate and Bushee Creeks 0 �= 73 ~ on the Blue River side of the Williams Fork Hountainso A plant on the Williams Fork side is not advised because of inaccessibility;; however~ a supplementary plant on. the Blue River is possible if the need should arrive 0 Job No" 3 Ti tIe: Artificial salting experiment 0 Objective: Be establishing artificial salt grounds on sheep range to keep sheep from alkili beds where the sheep eat roots and dirto Personnel: George Wo Jones Tarryall: Two fifty pound blocks of salt were placed on the north end of Bison Mountain about one mile apar t., The salt stations wer-e established last summer~ an ,estimated nine tenths of the salt at each salt Observastation was lefto No evidence observed of deer or elk usagec tions of an alkili bog about one-half mile from salt station revealed little aLgn of sheep use , Such use was quite noticeable tHO years ago , Two fifty blocks •. rer'e placed on HcGurdy Gountain at top of rim where ewes bring lambs up to summer rangeo This is placed to keep sheep from going to an old cattle salt ground where they were observed eating dirto The last cattle salting there Has in 1937:7' but sheep still wor-ked the banks of salt ground until salt was placed on McCu~dy about one~half mile avay, Two fifty pound blocks \,lereplaced on south Tarryall Peak, ~.lrJ1is is the first summer for salt stations in this ar'ea, It 1rTaSplaced there to keep sheep from going dmm onto winter range along the country roado THO fifty pound blocks "Jere placed on Rock Creek on the Lost Creek Hinter r-ange, The sheep are using cattle salt grounds in summer, when salt is placed there for the cattle whf.ch roam this' part of the mountain" One hundred pounds wer-e placed on the Hog-Back near Rifle for the first time this summer This is summer and ;;Tinterr'ange, This salt was placed to keep sheep a1..J'ay from the domestic sheep ",hich run in the valley on west Rifle Cr-eek; So far it has proved successfuL A hundred pound block was placed on the rim of Rifle Creek Canyon in Rifle Creek Parks on the summer r-ange, This salt station was placed here to make it easier to locate sheepo Due to the rugged cliffs and oak brush it is almost impossible to find the sheep vTithout these stationso 0 �~ 74 - Title~ Census of herds throughout Obiective: To find the increase trmlsplanted herdso Per-sonne.l e the stateo or decrease and sex of the resident George \-Jo J'ones , and Claude Eo White9 and J'r , Parachute Cr-eeks Five rams wer'e located on the falls of Book Cliff s one 3 year old ramp t\m 5 year o.Lds 9 and tvlo old rams; all wer-e in good shape and Here feeding on oaks along oil shale cliffso This is the first time sheep were seen in Parachute areao Finding one young ram indicates that there are eves in this ar-ea, which tri.Ll, be located at a later da be , liifle Hog,=back: Al though three days were spent on the Hog=back, no sheep 'Here a.ctually seen , Fresh tracks and droppings served to indicate that the sheep were frequenting the Lower Hog-back about one mile north of the Claude Rees ranch" No sign Has observed on the higher ridges tOvrard Rio Blancoe Mesa V~rde: A preliminary survey of the area revealed raany sight records of sheep on Weber Hourrbad,neast of Nesa Ver'de , Mro Jack 1fade in Meaa Verde National Park stated that sheep had been seen in the Park only once during the spring ruld smmnero Arrangements wer-e made with Mr Martin Burget to ride \-J eber Mountain during the 1-leekof August 170 It proved very difficult to use horses on Weber Mountain due'to the ring of sfu!dstone cliffs which encircle the entire mourrtaf,n, We were able to reach the top from the northern end just above the King rancho During the trip three bed grounds v18re located!) one on the northern end, one on the northeast middle of Weber9 arid on the Lion Canyon on the Nesa Verde sideo Only the first b.m had been used recentlYe No sheep were actually seen5) but the number of beds per bed ground conformed Vlith the sight records which indicated approximately 17 head now on l.J'eber l-10untaino 0 Pikes Peale herg,: This survey covered the terri tory bounded on the south by the Corley Hountain hi.ghvay , FOUl'Hile Creek on the north and east , and on the west by the boundary of the Colorado Springs water shed , All of sheep located during this survey Here found on Sheep :Hountain from Sentinel Point south to Bogg-yParke The sheep appeared to be in good conditions- and evidenced little sign of feare On one occasion 4 large rams approached vIi thin twenty feet of the observer During the sur~ey' a total of 29 sheep were observedo Of the total number observed, approximately 62 per cent were rams, 20 per cent were mature ewes~ and 7 per cent vIere yearlings e Of the total number of mature ewes 50 per cent were accompm1ied by lambso 0 �- 75 The largest number 0:2 a.nimals observed together \-TaS12--al1 rams All of the ewes and lambs Here seen in one groupo Rams were seen in an old burn be Low timberline; e,"18S and lambs "Here observed above timberline 0 Approved: Submitted by: Name George Wo Jones Claude 0 White? and COLORADO STATE GAl\1EAND FISH DEPARTMENT Jro By: Title Wildlife Technicians Title Date Note: Co No Feast, Director __;.;,N..;;;,ov_e;;.;;m;;;;.;, b;;._:e=r__::;;l"'-O .a,~1~9~48~ _ Persons 1tfishing to quote from this abstract should from the Colorado State Game and Fish Departmento first obtain permission ��- 77 ~ STATE COLORADO PROJECT NO. --=4:l:..!7_~.::!:.R _ DATE __ QUARTERLY SURVEYS PROGRESS AND REPORT I N V EST As required FEDERAL 10 Title of Project: 20 Personnel: AID IN WILDLIFE Fur Resources ..::O;.::c-=-to.::;,;b::.;;e::;::r. _ I GAT ION S by RESTORATION ACT Survey Richard No Denney; Leader; Quick; and Dwight Roberts Curt Hammt t , Irving Ni.Lson , Te:rrell 30 Report of Progress: Objectives: ao Determination of gross and net income value of wild fur animals the people of Colorado bo Yield, in quantitative teTIfiS9per square mile by species and major soil or vegetation typeso Co Economic do Information on methods of trapping, hunting, including percentage shipped out of state. eo Determine seasons s\ll'veypermits). fo Determine payments go relationships of fur animals of fur primeness need for and evaluate to various land~uses and marketing to in stateo fursy (so far as the scope of this the problems inherent in bounty 0 To gather the information required for equitable and biologically sound seasons and regulations pertaining to Colorado fur animalso Brocedure: The field procedure set up for this survey was modified early in the quarter to suit conditions ecountered on the eastern slope. As previously reported, it was first plaru1ed to sample the state by soil and vegetational types 9 but 101-1 resident population on much of the upland area 9 concentration of most fur animals along ~terways9 and location of large numbers of trappers in towns and cities:i necessi ta ted:':la change �- 78 from this sampling methodo In its modified form)) 20 per cent of all licensed trappers, randoriLy selected,by counties, were interviewed., In add.itd.on , all fur-buyers in the state 1.·;ere contacted in determination of fur qualitY9 marketing practices and population trends as reflected by nlunber of pelts handledo Finally, fur-buyers I affi1ual reports Hill be processed as a check on the calcu~ated catch based on trappers' intervie'\.Jso Information obtained from these three sources Hill be analyzed largely on International Business Machines, and a final report prepared during the fall and Hinter of 1948 j 0 In order to permit urri.f'orm recording of data, a special form "lith 60 entries and oriented to permit analysis on IcBol'1oHachines was de sf.gned, The more importa.nt entries in this form included location of trapper or fur taker, his occupation, the species and number of ru1imals caught ~ income recei ved ~ length of trapline, number- of traps, damage and recor:rmendations for seasonso The data supplied by this form Has quantitative in nature and when analyzed will supply the information listed under objectives., Upon the completion of the survey, all field forms Here turned over to the IoBoMo Section of the G&ue fuid Fish Department for statistical analysis This Hork is now in progress and will be completed in tillle to permit the preparation of a final report during the winter 1948-490 0 The Fur Survey Phase of this project was completed about August 10 At this time the second phase of the investigation; namely, BeaverAirplane Census Investigation, was initiatedo The purpose and procedlITe of this imTestigation '.tlere as follovlS: 0 Purpose: To develop beaver censusing techJU.ques applicable to airpla.ne use The more immediate obj ecti ve is to determine the correction factor required for beaver population estimates of this nature" 0 Persnective: The beaver is the most important fur animal in Colorado, involving an in~ome of several hunc~ed thousand dollars annuallyo In addition~ this 'species is of great value and importance in flood control, watershed protectiony and fire suppression. Its effect on forest-game habitats has never been studied in precise detail~ but it is certain that beavers are directly responsible for the creation of more wat.er and marsh area.. Its effect on plant succession is important in localities where beavers are numerous, and should be subjected to exacting study, Finally, the species i nuisance qua.Li.td e s, too .we.l.L known to be discussed here, give it an economic status of negative as vlell as positive va.Lues, This circumstance requires that it receive careful managementy based on local conditions, if it is to return n~~imum value to the stateo This supplementary study proposes~ therefore~ to obtain information that 1.Jilllead to biologically and economically �- 79 sound management and harvest of the beaver resource9 based on popula~ tion nu.TD.bers~carrying capacity of the habitat9 and control in accordance with needs. Objectives: ao To determine9 with plane and observers beaver populations S$lected streams or itTa tersheds ., on the western slope on the 0 bo Co To determine? with ground ~, same streams or watershedso To deternune beaver populations on the a correction factor~ based on data obtained through 1 and 2 above ~ to be used in 1949 in connection ,.li th statevdde plane census of beaver population. do To determiney through studies to be made ~ grow1d ~J all possible information on beaver food sources; degree of utilization; carrying capacity by main habitat types; relationships be tween beaver and other 'I'l'ildlife p particularly waterfm'll; relationships be tween beaver and fish; economic losses caused by beaver; and other pertinent or related data. eo To report findings in complete sun~ary form to Game and Fish Department for use in formulating census and ma~agement plru1s. Hethods and Procedure: The vlOrk consisted of two phases or divisions9 the airplane estimate and the ground estimateo Ea.ch estimate 'Has ini tiated over the same sample areas ~ selected by Hr Gilbert No Hunter-~ Game :tvlanager;and Nr. Eo K. Brown, Federal Aid Coordinator; and beaver trappers of the Colorado Game and Fish Departmento 0 AirDlane Estimate: This estimate is not completed for all sample streams or watershed areas finished by the gr-ound crews , To date, only hw streams in the North Park area have been f'Lown, since there was a priority need for the plane in other investigations. Unfinished streem areas vnll be f'Lown by pilot and picked observer under typical weather conditionso If counts are consistently and appreciably greater for anyone directio119 it woul.d seem that the average of up ill1ddo",m flights wO'Lud give the most reliable figureo Ground Estimate: The ground estimates wer-e initiated by ti-JOcr evs of tHO men each , cover-Ing sampl,e stream areas not less than five mi.Les in length. The basic objective was to determine the popUlation of beaver for the stream ar'eas, Department officials checked each cr-ew to ascer-« tain accuracy. Other inforn~tion such as beaver food sO'LITces,degree of utilization, and relationships be tween beaver and other i..Jildlife was r-ecorded; �- 80 - Results: The Beaver-Airplane phase was completed on September 15, except for the flying of sample streams in Grand, Eagle, Gunnison, and Saguache counties Flying is scheduled to be completed in early October and analysis of data" will be made subsequentlyo This information vdll be incorporated as a supplement to the Fur Resources Survey Report~ 0 Submitted by: Approved: Name _ ~R~.~i~ch~ar~d~l~~o~D~e~nn~e~y Title W~l=·l~dl~l~·f~e~T~e~c~hn=;i~c~i~an~ _ Title Date Note: C~o~N~o~F~e~a~s~t~.~D~i~r~e~c~t~o~r _ November 12. 1948 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Departmento � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/8a3471a17ea0bf6c054a16c3ab84a5c4.pdf eb143d3470c016e6b6ea7ac706cc5ca9 PDF Text Text STATE COLORADO PROJECT NOo DATE PRO QUARTERLY SURVEYS G RES I N V EST AND S 32-D .------- January, 1949 ----------~~--~~--------- REP I GAT 0 R T ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORJ\TION ACT 10 Title of Projectt Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Restoration 20 Leader: 30 Report of Progress: George W. Jones Title of Job: The trapping and transplanting of Bighorn Sheep Objectives: To introduce Bighorn sheep into areas where they do not now exist and to inject new blood into slowly increasing herds throughout the State. Personnel: George W. Jones Techniques: A stationary trap is constructed in a previously determined location and is baited with rock salt and alfalfa hay. When a sufficient number of animals of approximately the right sex ratio are in the trap~ it is automatically sprung by means of a long wire or cable. The sheep are then pushed through a wooden chute and into a waiting truck. Reference is made to the article by Hunter~ Swen, and Jones9 11th North American Wildlife Transactions (1946) -for a complete description of the trap. Results~ Trapping operations at the original trap near Sugar Loaf Mountain were discontinued this -year. This was done because of herd drainage occasioned by successful trapping operations in the past and because of weather conditionso An extremely open season and recent high winds have kept the sheep from concentrating on the Tar~all Creek winter range. Trap No.2 at Sprucetree Campground is a spring trap so few results are expected before March 1. After the exclusion of trap Noo,l at Sugar Loaf Mountain from trapping operations, a new trap was constructed within the refugeo The location of the new trap (Noo 3) is 19 miles from Tarryall Reservoir9 at the southeast corner of China Rock on Highway 770 Construction of trap Noo 3 began on October 1, and was completed on November 150 ��- 3 STATE COLORADO PROJECT NO. DATE SURVEYS AND I N V EST January, 1949 REPORT PROGRESS QUARTERLY 34~D-4 I GAT ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project~ Wild Turkey Development 2. Leader: Martin Burget Assistant Leaders: Earl Ford and Jack Newman 3. Report of Progress: Progress in the Wild Turkey Project, 34-D-4, for the quarter ending December 31, has not been quite what we had expected. Weather naturally played an important part, that is, during the month of November there was only one day that had moisture of 1/100 of an inch; twice there was a trace of rain. This meant that there was nothing to cause the birds to come down to feed grounds or stations anywhere. Then, there was an abundant feed crop over practically the entire turkey range for the State. Since there was no food crav:i,.ng on the part of the birds~ the appeal to their appetites~ which is our principal decoy in trapping, did not help us much. These factors combined to make our trapping and transplanting problem rather difficult. During the month of October work was devoted to the checking of conditions in the field. Then9 too, much of the equipment needed going over and getting in readiness. Crates needed some repairs and painting. The traps needed some remodeling and working over. Field checks revealed that the turkeys were well scattered and still in the high country. Up until recently we hav~ been unable to trace directly the movements of the Disappointment Valley plant of last year. This is because of the vastness and inaccessibility of the area. The Uncompahgre plateau area plants showed up exceptionally well. Some of the transplanting sites were rechecked to make sure the areas were suitable. It is a rather remarkable fact, to note that in spite of the small number of birds we have been able to trap in the past. our historical areas are being filled in rather rapidly. The general overall development this season begins to form a distinct paterno Birds are showing up in most unexpected quarters and in considerable numbers. Some of the farmers are begir~ing to complain of the numbers of birds showing up in their areas. While this situation �-4 is not yet developing into problem areasg it does point the way for our trapping program in the future. Public relations are taking on a little more satisfactory atmoshper~o Most areas where we have planted to date have been very much opposed to any trapping in the area. Now since they can see the benefit and development of our program they are encouraging trapping on a small scaleo Three places have opened up in the LaVeta area this yearo This is a real concession for that area, since they have been opposed to any system of trapping in tbat area heretoforeo Another area is open in the Trinidad section9 one in the Mancos area, and one in Thompson Park. While these areas are open to trapping they present a problem as well as an opportunityo There is no established feed ground in any of them. To establish one takes time. The birds must be lured to a definite feeding place regularly and then must become accustomed to a trap and blind established in the areao If our traps could be set and throvm without the use of a top the problem would be simplified. Turkeys are extremely sensitive to shadows. A predator trapper who hangs some small object over his trap that will move in the _breeze can trap safely without catching turkeys. So sensitive is the turkey to movement from above that a trap cover becomes a real problem. Sometimes the turkey gets over his fears in a week or so. but sometimes he never gets over them. At the Lone Dome feed ground in Dolores Canyon we have established a feed ground. The turkeys will come in freely when feed is placed in the open area. The moment the trap is put in they become shy and refuse to take the feed in the trap. They will feed all about it but not in it. If they do go in the trap to feed it will be only in small numbers. In four years we have only had two successful catches in this area. Thiss despite the fact we have had traps in the area for a month at a time and more. They are not afraid of the blind. They will feed within a few feet of where we are sitting. Even low talking does not seem to bother them. This season the trap was set for a month and we finally settled for four birds. This shows some of the problems that develop in some of these areas. However, a successful catch can be made in most areas within two weeks. During the month of November and the early part of December~ very few birds came into feed grounds anywhere. Most of the birds that did come in were broods that were hatched and raised locally. A few new flocks are showing up at the end of December. Three catches have been made up to this date. The first catch at Turkey Ranch was 16 birds on November 13. There were four toms and t\lI[elve hens in this catch. These were moved into the Gardner district in Huerfano County. Seven more birds had moved into the area from our Muddy Creek plant in 19440 This made a total of 23 birds for the new stocking of that area. Then on December 8 four birds, consisting of two toms and two hens, were taken in the Lone Dome area and moved into the cow creek district in Ouray County .•south and east of Montrose. To this plant, four hens were �FIG. 1. COVERED TRAP, .STATE TURKEY RANCH. EARL FORD AT GATE WHERE TURKEYS ARE TAKEN OUT OF TRAP. FIG. 2 COVERED TRAP, STATE TURKEY RANCH. EARL mRD HOLDING A BANDED BIRD READY TO PUT IN CRATE. �- 5 added, making eight in the districto This plant will be increased again shortly. Another release was made December 30 in the Log Hill Mesa area, also south of Montrose~ but on the Uncompahgre Plateau district. This plant consisted of three toms and ten hens. This brings our yearls total catch to thirty-seveno Of these thirtyseven, nine were toms and twenty-eight were hens. Two other feed grounds are in operation and we hope to make catches in the very near future. One of these is in the Trinidad section and the other is in the Mancos area. In the Trinidad area the trap has been set for three weeks and the birds refuse to go into the trap except at the ends. The Mancos trap was set up quite recently. Since this feed ground has been under trees, we believe it will develop rather quickly. There has been more storms in the western slope area in the past weeko We hope this will quicken the pace of trapping activit yo We were able to assist in the a~prehension of three turkey poachers during the month of December. It is an "ill wind that blows nobody good". So we turned the carcasses to advantageo The complete visera content of the four birds was sent to the Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Unit for special food study and bacteriological analysis This should assist us in the furtherance of our food study and disease study checks. One carcass was sent to the Fish and Wildlife Service for preparation of a skeleton structureo Another was sent to the Colorado Museum to have a study skin made. also a bone structure check was to be made from this carcasso Two of the birds were sent to the hospital at Trinidad. 0 Some general reports from the Beulah District are to the effect that birds are definitely on the increase in that areao Under our present plan we are making some gobbler exchanges from the eastern slope to the western slope and visa versao This will add new blood in a situation where in-breeding is bound to be quite prevalent. Under this plan a few years ago some very good results have been noted in the Monument Lake sectiono It is hoped to establish this system as part of our regular trapping program" especially where surplus toms are caughto ,Sunmary: Weather and abundant feed conditions have,hindered our trapping program so far this yearo The month of October was spent in general preparation work for 'trapping General reports of development in our planting areas were goodo Thirty~seven turkeys have been caught and released to date. Thirty-three of these were taken at the Turkey Ranch, and four at the Lone Dome feed ground in Dolores Canyon. The public relations problem is easing and we are able to est.abLi.ah trapping sites in seve r-a.L new places. Wild tu.r:keytrapping aar its pr.cbLems as well as its »ompensa+Lons We 0 0 �-6assisted in the apprehension of three turkey poachers with four turkeys during the month of December. The carcasses were used for scientific purposes and charity. A new setup for strengthening the blood and breeding potential of our turkeys is being worked on basis of an exchange of male birds. Approved: Submitted: Name Martin Lo Burget Title Wildlife Technician COLORADO STATE GAlllSAND FISH DEPARTMENT BY~~~~~';-_ Note: Title C. No Feast. Director Date January 12. 1949 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. �-7STATE .c c PROJECT NOo. DATE PRO QUARTERLY SURVEYS G RES I N V EST AND S COLORADO 35~D Januaryp 1949 ----------~~~~----------- REPORT I GAT ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project: 20 Leader: 30 Report of Progress: Antelope R~storation Robert Ro Elliott All of the first part of September was spent renovating, collecting materials together, and assembling the trapo Plans for the construction of the wings were changed from those of last year in that a large enclosure was made with the wings instead of leaving them openo A gap of about 20 rods, just enough to be closed by one roll of wire, was left as the opening through which the antelope are to be driveno This change was made with the intent to let the antelope settle down a bit in the enclosure before working them into the net-peno It is thought that such a procedure might cut down on losses from handlingo WYoming reported that this modification worked out satisfactorily for them, so it was decided to try the same in Colorado, since conditions are somewhat similaro The trap was completed~ except for three or four rolls of wire, on September 22, and Pilot Milyard started hazing a small herd of antelope toward the t rap , Evidence..;,f being "buzz.ed"or run by planes other than ours, was soon detected, because the antelope would not run from the plane and showed little or no fear of ito Behavior of the antelope in relation to the trap also showed that they were still wise to it, and they would turn and scatter in different directions upon approaching the woven wire wings. Some of the old bucks seemed exceptionally "cagey"o One in particular that was observed rather closely with field glasses, would turn and butt his fawns to change their course away from the trap. At other times the doe would try to lead off in opposite direction from the buck and fawns. Displays such as this cause one to stop and reconsider that perhaps the intelligence of these animals is often under-ratedo Th~y almost appear to possess the power to reason in some instanceso On one occasion, a group of five was run into the trap by shooting behind and to the sides of the antelope with a 022 pistol. Almost at the .outset, two.of .:thembroke their necks hitting the �- 8 - wire in the lane9 and the other three ran into the cord-net peno These three were left overnight ~ but upon returning the following morning; two were dead and the other dyingo This costly leason proved a point, and that was that it is practically useless to attempt trapping a small number~ less than 15 or 200 They have more space to jump and butt against the wire and netting, whereas, with a bunch of 25 or more~ they almost fill the lane and the main pen, and are unable to move very vigorously without running into each other, thus tending to mill around in the center of the peno With this thought in mind, trapping operations were suspended until colder weather when the antelope would be b.mched in larger herdso Warm, fair weather throughout October kept them scattered in small groups~ and constant surveillance revealed no tendency on their part to gather in the "flats" in their usual winter herdso Although the vagaries of weather made predictions almost worthless~ it could be advanced that attempting to trap antelope before November I, or even a later date. is practically a waste of time. and may do more harm than goodo Trapping was resumed the first of November. but no antelope were put in the trap until the third of Novembero Two pick-up trucks were used on the flanks. and were able to boost 13 past the gapo While putting up the fence across the opening~ two fawns rusheds hit the wire, (which was pulled about halfway up on the posts,) and rolled to freedom. practically all in one movemento The remaining 11 were held in the enclosure overnighto They ran along the fence trying to butt their way through about every 10 feet~ and one doe looked pretty groggy after 30 minutes of thiso Evidently one or both of the escaped fawns belonged to her~ because she seemed to be making the greatest effort to get outo Two cars and two pick-ups were employed to drive the antelope into the net-pen the next morningo At the sight of the netting. they immediately balked~ tried to turn b~ck into the vehicles. then started hitting the wire in the lane in frantic attempt to escapeo Two fawns did get through the fence where the doubled layers overlapped» and a doe and two more favms died from broken neckso The remaining six were loaded and transported to a point 5 miles southwest of Wiggins. where five were released in good shapeo One buck died enroute. apparently from injuries sustained at the trapo The antelope were not released in a scheduled transplant area. because the time and distance involved was not justified by so few antelopeo Further trapping was delayed due to windy weather. and the pilot deemed it best not to fly when the wind was above 15 to 20 miles per hour s..-,After conferring with the Game Manager and others. it was agreed'to try a ground drive to supplement efforts of the pilot Neither pei-sonnel nor equipment was available in sufficient numbers to organize an effective drive. but a trial run was made November 229 using four pick-ups. two trucks, and one car , Twice the antelope 0 �- 9 were brought up within 200 yards of the opening by the plane~ but both times they split up and scattered despite the maneuvering of the vehicles on the groundo It seemed that no force could make them go in the trapo After this dasappointment , the decision was made to move the trap to another major herd area where the antelope had not been molestedo Preliminary survey on the ground showed afair concentration in the Chico Basin area southeast of Colorado Springs on the Appelt Ranch, formerly the Drinkard-Emmert placeo Aerial Survey by the pilot and the project leader revealed a total of 276 antelope on this rancho Dismantling and transporting the trap was begun November 29$ however most of the wire fence was left standing at the former site with the plan in mind of returning later in the winter and attempting to trap again when the antelope were accustomed to seeing the woven wire in that particular locationo Assembly of the trap is now being accomplished~ and the target date for trapping to begin in the new area is December 150 Submitted by: Name Robert Ro Elliott ------------------------------- Title Approved by~ COLORADO STATE GAbffi AND FISH DEPART1mNT Wildlife Technician ----------------------------Title Co No Feast~ Director ----------------~----------------Date January 12$ 1949 --------------~~--~~~---------Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Departmento ��- 11 = STATE DATE PRO QUARTERLY SUR V E Y S G RES I N V EST AND COLORADO ~~----------------------- January» 1949 ------------~--~~-------- REP S I GAT 0 R T ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project: 20 Leader: 30 Report of Progress~ Progress Report on Aerial Work Kenneth B» Milyard August 22» 1947 through June 30. 1948 Period: Personnel: Kenneth Bo Milyard. Aeronautical Technician Purpose~ To project herein a detailed cost analysis and breakdown of flying time of the Department airplane and showing all aerial trend areas covered for the period above mentionedo Scope~ A total time of 485 hours and 30 minutes were flown in 156 days or the equivalent of five full months of flyingo This repre= sents an average of 3 hours and 15 minutes per day for the 156 flying days and 48 hours and 30 minutes per month for the ten~month period in which the time was acquiredo During this period it was found necessary to employ the services of an additional: airplane because. the intensity of work to be accomplished was too much for one air= plane These services were contracted for deer and elk onlyo 0 ELK: Total Counted Total Counted (Project airplane only) Total Time (Project airplane only) 9284 3815 85 hro 45 mino See first map following the conclusion of this report for elk trend areas coveredo DEER: Total Counted Total Counted (Project airplane only) Total Time (Project airplane only) 4857 4769 86 hr , See second map following the conclusion of this report for deer trend areas coveredo �= 12 - ANTELOPE: Antelope Trapped Total Time 228 17 hr. 30 min. Antelope Counted Total Time 2131 51 hr. 30 min. See third map following the conclusion of this report for Antelope trend areas covered. Antelope were trapped within the trend area shown due north of Fort Collins~ Colorado. DUCKS AND GEESE~ Total Counted (20 Flights) Ducks Geese Total Time (Ducks & Geese) 7l3~007 230341 81 hr. 30 mi.n , See last map following conclusion of this report for Waterfowl trend areas covered. Totals shown for the 20 flights made on this project were accomplished on or about the 15th of each monthD starting in October and ending in Marcho .MIG~~TION STUDIES AND MISCEUWU~EOUS SURVEYS: CROSS COUNTRY (Travel Time) COST ANALYSIS~ To~al Time 18 hr. 35 mino 152 hr. 30 mino The following figures are a breakdown of the time spent per animal unit and the cost per animal unit. These figures include the following data~ 10 20 30 4. 50 Cost of airplane - $2~844.3l Depreciation of airplane - $2000 per hro Operational costs (Maintenance~ Gas" Oil. Storage~ and Insurance)o Pilot's salary Observer's satary Further projection of this analysis will bring the following figures to light: Aircraft Only Aircraft & Pilot Aircrafts Pilot. & Observer $5.09 per hr. 008 per mino $6085 per hr. 011 per min. $8.03 per hro 013 per min. * Studies and surveys include the following types~ Deer migration studies. Pigeon surveys~ bear surveys~ Duck nesting surveysJ) Elk surveys~ Antelope surveys~ and Terrain studies. �- 13 Detailed breakdown of costs are as follows: Time Per Animal Unit Cost Per Animal Unit DEER: $13.13-1/) per animal unit .19-1/3 per animal unit 055 per animal unit 015-1/4 per animal unit .84-1/4 per 1~000 units 8.03 per hro 6.84 per hr. ].min. per animal unit. 1-1/2 min. per animal unit ANTELOPE TRAP: 5 min. per unit A~~ELOPE CENSUS: 1-1/4 min. per unit DUCKS & GEESE: 6-1/2 min. per 1,000 units MIGRATION STUDIES & MISC. SURVEYS: CROSS COUNTRY (Travel Time) ELK: Total Cost of Individual Surveys is listed below: $ 619097 DEER: ,ELK: ANTELOPE TRAP ~ ANTELOPE CEnSUS::: DUCKS & GEESE~ 743093 125040 346029 598.92 (Ducks) 23052 (Geese) 148.55 19041.20 MIGRATION STUDIES & SURVEYS: CROSS COUNTRY (Travel Time): TOTAL. $3.96470IlL CONCLUSION: It is hoped that the foregoing will bring to light the true value of the airplane for Game Management purposes as the airplane was used almost exclusively in this mannero I might also add that if the Department accomplished its aerial census on the contract basis~ it would have cost about $7»000. Theref'or e, it·can be determined from figures shown in total census costs that the airplane will pay for itself twice over in a yearis time. Submi tted by: Approved by: Name COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Kenneth Bo Milyard ------------------~------- Title A.eronautical Technician Title Date Note: Co N. Feast~ Director ----------------~--~----------January l2~ 1949 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. �GAME 8 FISH DEPT. (M(.--_--_ --------. ,OFFAT , MAP OF COLORADO ---;y,;7n'i:'DZ--1 WELO- -- - - --;;-H;,.;;::r- oc,,,, j =: - - -- - -. LOGAN--- ""re.1I 08rissstlllj, ... __ J,, • 1 ol(~ol" I -- I' oJl!$O oOOlllr :;,;;;- I oK,vi!tnt.7A S,JflJ,Dm NI3Ro/mtr_j° , I o4"e~/ng""'" [MoRaAN-- HOl90l(£ I . b-".'W;sHiNGTOiV-TYii~--· A ! "liMN' Ii R. 0 ON , ;1 !lIf'tI,H $1Ij'd'l'r~i'lrcu.. I ..JJ' Fd(:Y "', °IYv~a' 01 -'-----l' J.._,.• oJ"d#u" OJ·.,0"'';'-.1 ~p<O, ·-·futiiCoi.'N--·' iZ7.J lfc:4kJ",-· _. I 'p~ qH !,,~"~ ·-r (jtnot? o ,»-". I i o-'"IDII i , , W~Y i i I I ",,, o ',i6trl , 4VAI.;;Or /.n.", •• 9".", ,g", jCHEW~--'-'_'-'-'; ''"1'8'" \ °Cl/EYE/iNE \ -----'i -=:~-=""'- L-.__ .Mtf:/~II"u3'jl --"- oOp" _____ "".,.. AI""AAA~ • OJ,' 'II'I"lti"J"'W! or,;I" oorrie,' I OK,;" __ 0$1",,,,,, 0'''''' 0,"""; oT"'n,h,,. _______________ O""nh ",,,17'6;,1 ~ I I oM(I~'Y I' oHoop"" op'*ms• ------._:_. oT-o 6vIfN SPIIHGFlElD Jo./coyO I CTolI. ' L 08"lt ----1'8ACA--· 0Pr/It:h,H 0 ,,,,lItll ~,u I• I ' ! 0""'''' oW" oR""'?, \ I I s/otr;II"on OVI/,)'yi/I.. _j_ 0 o1f(luh I ------------- J or.",!", •• ,,,01 �GAME 8 FISH -DEPT. ~'':-~''-'-------~~ MAP OF COLORAOO --------- e: IWFU;---------IO--------·-------------=.SclJi:lwiCf(" o~r~ or" ILOGAN oPr,lz !.;>~ ~.<I . '. o "'Y1nl.o.l. nGu".",..r--...._ OCII'';: oKlv,lirJi'" oa,.,,~,. . . I oJlifo oOo ••,r Purall o8risgstl,k ."....._.J,, .s: I SIt1,1,4111 o6"din.9Mm N~i h_rrn#r_j° , [Mona::iN - - -, fSBIlRtiI I-=,. 1 oKeeI, cHunn R~<!~' . '-'--1, • I i EdIfY /''' ~j ~._. '_ ~"": til;;m};;·A1)ilm--..L1-·-·r- 0~ ! ••• OH'M"~#III tllir~~_-·~ _1:1 II w.B, I OI,s')I'O ol. •.• ;~ o lu '''~'" "~_{,!.~." \._ ~~!T~mAJ5.VrOE)·S/~S·iJ19~7JVi\--- - I , -'II T'rol'l I ",nl..' olrlcA/uHI y j 0 -.-.M·_---tuNCOLN·-· ~ iZtl~J7" I o ,•••• G._ c fI , oJ· •• oKi}l oit--_' 'i,~"._.J.II."'" .9,.•••° • I 8VAlIN6rqN _ ( m;.Y'.iWNF'"--· _-_-_. ""'1'8"'" °CHEYENN4 ,i ' ' L.--,---,-,-1 o,,"ln' , , , I j_:~_ -"18ACA o"""'~ 0"";'" oom", o~~ oK•• ,., I SPIIHGFI£LD ? Jo./eo,t' 0!'r;fc/"H 0 O"..,.w i -------)' ~.,..- 0",,,... . . 0$1"•• 11. 0 .,.1. 6 __ 0"~/'J o Tron,hrrD or~. 6'· ltv "' .,dl.H ,ft", 'OVI/'./V(II. I 'I oFlM... of"" ' I or•• -.- oMtnrrJ ., 0 ow./fh \ I S/oI7itljlOl'l' \ .-,,), ""'..... hIo""]' ------------------~----------- �ANTELOPE AERIAL TREND AREAS I ~ --------- I .i ofJ~'- -" _ �MAP OF COLORADO F;';FAT------------ 'Eio---------;-Ikr;ro-;;- ...- ----'ILOGAN---:Pf't'1z I COLORADO j WATERFOWL TREND AREAS r: (II" '\ oKlvl1iMM fJJl{fO oOO/llr • 1 '.~~;:~'r;:_~..-1-~ .. oKtO/1I I Pure,1I 08r;,ptl'~ 01«1;11;;"" c.",/l,N fEt (s' ~lr.wO"h SIo f",,~m N~ At!r""'O i • ~ 0 C AIf7tOH "tlllI~ (I DR.• hft" rH w..81" I I I I I ___ .-+_{_~.r--'-'-- I Sltyls"'iJili'""cii;;;'.i\--- --. loJl&/,u I , o#fJ/,ml1"f' oCtul"~,.,, bMiS;:------_- __~ ---_-_'-,,;; Co" •••• I o,l#Jur OH"~"I" OMtJ~,::/f"uC,~ I, (PITKIN ~ -- - ~ . _--_- .: I O'II.teh" or.lI. OE.,/ or••••. O_".'~-"'''''rH ("to.Df'" \ �- 15 STATE COLORADO ---------------------------- PROJECT NO •. DATE PROGRESS QUARTERLY AND SURVEYS I N V EST January~ 1949 ----------~~--~~--------- REPORT I GAT ION S As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project~ 20 Leaden Game Bird Surveys Harry Jo Figge 3· Report of Progr ess e Work Plan Noo 2 - Job 5J> Pheasants Title:- Hunter Check Objective: To find the number and age of the pheasants taken during the open seasono Personnel: Approximately 25 men from the Game Management Division~ Fish Division, and Warden Service~ and Dro Lee Eo Yeager, Leader Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. Appreciation is hereby extended to the Colorado Highway Patrol for their cooperation in this projecto Techniques~ A check station was operated at the Brush, Colorado, "Port of Entry" November 21 and November 28$ to obtain hunting data from Morgan, Logan, Sedgwick~ Phillips, Washington, and YumaCountieso Data; including number of hunters, number of hours hunted; number and age of pheasants killed$ and the home county of the hunter; were recordedo Age was determined by means of a 3/4 inch leg gaugeo Findings: Shown in chart$ "1947-48 Upland Game Bird Check Station DataoD Analysis and Recommendations~ Very few local hunters were checked through this stationo Since the station was located on the main highway leading to Denver the majority of hunters checked were city hunters. One thousand four hundred thirty-three cars, averaging three hunters each. were checked. One thousand one hundred sixty car~ or 80%, were from Denver or suburbso Cars from 23 states and Guam were representedo Four thousand two hundred eighty-nine hunters obtained 5,422 pheasants in 16.522 hours of huntingo ,L:' .) / 1'-. �- 16 - ) Pheasants per man~hour Pheasants per hunter Percent adults Percent juveniles 0328 10264 3707 6203 Attempts were made to check on week days but so few hunters were in the field that it was discontinued. The San Luis Valley check stations near Alamosa~ checked through 95 cars3 57% of them local from Alamosa County~ 1005% from Huerfano County» and 1005% from Las.Animas County. The West Slope area~ with the check station near Olathe in Montrose CountY3 checked 124 carss 37% were from Mesa CountY3 34% were local from Montrose Countys and 18% were from Delta County. 1947~48 UPLAl~D GAbIE BIRD CHECK STATION DATA Species Ringneck Pheasant Length of Season and Area 2 days San Luis Valley 3 days Arkansas Valley 3 days 1947 5 days 1948 West Slope 7 days North 14 days Northeast Totals / ~ Total Hrs. Hunted 1948 1947 Adults 1948 1947 Juveniles 01947 1948 .._ '0 237 277 709 958 76 62 453 703 1»958 2~75l 219 305 171 326 238 305 847 lp016 "65 80 209 228 358 19399 19112 4,,860 46 410 214 513 3~008 4»289 111)609 16~522 19028 19987 49334 69973 161)235 26,,107 1.1)434 2 844 p Area Birds! Hunter 1948 1947 Birds/ Hour 1948 1947 San Luis Valley Arkansas Valley West Slope North Northeast Entire state 1008 086 1016 0653 1009 1009 0362 0199 0332 0233 0278 0281 0899 090 100 0661 10264 1008 I -\' (TABLE 1) (males only) Noo of Hunters 1948 1947 " .260 0229 0303 0190 0328 0289 181 187 2.1)204 3,,435 2 979 0 49689 Percent of Adults 1948 1947 Percent of Juveniles 1948 1947 2906 5600 2307 1707 3108 3205 7004 7501 4400 7603 8203 6802 67<>5 5107 7401 5506 63<>4 62<>3 24.9 4803 2509 4404 3606 3707 \ ,I �- 17 1945 UPLAND GAME BIRD CHECK STATION DATA J Area Noo of Hunters Total Hrso HUnted Adults Juveniles ,Arkansas Valley North and NoEo 2,,141 9",359 Ij)657 1!J580 Area Birds/ Hunter Birds/ Hour Percent of Adults Percent of Juveniles Arkansas Valley North and NoEo 1051 0345 5101 4809 (The above report was submitted by Robert Go Kinghorn) Work Plan Noo 2 - Job 5 Title~ Hunter check Objective~ To determine the number" sex" and age of the pheasants taken during the open seasono Techniques: Check stations at key points in the hunting areaso Check stations were set up so as to facilitate a shifting of the limited personnel available from the public waterfowl shooting area at Two Buttes Reservoiro The procedure somewhat limited the number of hunters checked as well as the resulting data~ but it is felt that valuable information was obtainedo / Scope: Arkansas Valley Personnel: Technicians Howard Ao Stiehm.t 10 Robert Poley" and To Lynch 0 Wardens Co Slonaker!) Go Boyd" No Do Riggs.t Co Scott.tAo Rogers!) Co Chamberlain.t Ho Pickens» and Jo Ashingo x Findings~ During the.pheasant hunting season!) November 21-23.t in the Arkansas Valley.t wardens and technicians operating check stations near Lamar!) Las Animas" and Holly checked 703 hunters having 631 birds in possession.t or 08976 birds per huntero The bag of 631~ir.ds was made up of 305 adult and 326 young birds~ or a ratio of 1 to 100690 The 3~6 young cocks comprised 51066% of the totalo Hunters were in the field a total of 2,751 hours~ thus obtaining 02294 birds per houro Local hunters were the source of the heaviest hunting pressure from Las Animas eastward to the Kansas line (TABLE 11)0 They constituted 59014% of the hunters during the three day seasono Hunters from Pueblo County" second largest in Colorado, were 163 in number" �- 18 - or 24.22% of the hunters checked 0 Hunters from 15 other counties" all varying distances from the hunting ar'eas, were 13037% of the total~ while 3027% were non-residents from Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and }JewMexicoo Analysis and Recommendations: There was an increase of 4037% in the number of birds per hunter over 19470 The number of birds per hour obtained in 1948 showed an increase of 15028% over 19470 The percent of juvenile birds in the hunters' bag rose from 44% in 1947 to 51066% in 1948. For the most part the increase is thought to result from an improved hatch of young birdso A somewhat more healthy pheasant situation is indicated in view of the increased returns to hunters despite an increase in the hunting pressureo �- 19 TAB.LE II Hunting Pressure by Counties Noo of Hunters Counties Percent of Total Las Animas Check Station November 21 47 40 13 13 5 5 4 4 1 Bent Pueblo Otero El Paso Prowers Frem6nt Huerfano Las Animas Denver 35060 30030 9085 9085 3079 3079 3003 3003 076 November 22 24 12 5 4 4 2 2 1 1 1 Bent Pueblo El Paso Otero Chaffee Prowers Kiowa Larimer Arapahoe Montrose 42086 21043 8092 7014 7014 3057 3057 1079 1079 1079 November 23 20 Bent 47062 Pueblo 21043 9 otero 16067 7 2 Prowers 4076 2 El Paso 4076 Denver 1 2038 1 Kansas State 2038 Counties Noo of Hunters Percent of Total Lamar Check Station November 21 Prowers Pueblo Otero El Paso Las Animas Weld Baca Adams Fremont Denver Lake Texas State Florida New Mexico 235 102 21 14 6 5 4 3 3 2 1 7 1 1 58002 25019 5018 3046 1048 1023 099 074 <>74 049 025 1073 025 025 Holly Check Station November 22 Prowers 14 2 Boulder Texas State 6 . Kansas 2:: Oklahoma 2 November 23 El Paso 6 Prowers 4 Kansas State 2 53085 7069 23008 7<>69 7069 50000 33033 16067 (The above report was submitted by Uoward Ao Stie~) Work Plan Noo 2 - Job 5 Scope: North - Adams» Boulder~ Larimerp Morgan~ and Weld Counties Personnel~ Willard Lo Flinn. Gordon Ao Douglas Techniques: Two check stations were set up north of Denver; one in Yield County." located one-half mile east of Hudson; and the other located or; Fossil Creeks eleven miles southeast of Fort Collins in Larimer Count Yo �- 20 Hunters were checked at these stations on the opening day of the season~ and again at Hudson on the last day. Through the other days of the season hunters were checked in the field. Findings: Hudson Check Station During the season a total of 538 cars were stopped and Ip074 hunters were checked for hours hunted and pheasants obtained. Six hundred ninety-seven pheasants were killed in 36960 hunting hours; 288 were adult birds and 409 were juveniles. Average hours per hunter Birds per hunter Birds per man-hours Percent iuvenile birds Percent adult birds 3068 0644 0176 5807 4103 Hunting pressure was heaviest during the first three days when 807 hunters hunted 3pl08 hours and killed 608 birds6 or 0195 birds per man-hour and 0753 birds per hunter. Only 3i% of the hunters were Weld County residentsp while 58% of all hunters were from Denver. Fossil Creek Check Station The Fossil Creek station was operated by Gordon Ao. Douglas. A total of 325 hunters checked in the area hunted 900 hours and obtained 226 pheasants~ 122 adults and 104 juveniles. Average hours per hunter Birds per hunter Birds per man-hour Percent juvenile birds Percent local hunters Percent Denver hunters 2.76 .695 0251 46.0 43.6 2707 (Above findings are taken only f'r'om hunting reports for the opening and closing days of the season.) (The above report was submitted by Will~rd L. Flinn) Work Plan Noo 2 ~ Pheasants p Title: Deviation Pheasant Habitat Development Objective: To improve and increase pheasant cover facilities in the major pheasant areas of the Stateo �- 21 Personnel~ Robert Go Kinghorn~ Howard Ao Stiehm, Willard Lo Flinn9 and 10 Robert Poleyo Findings~ During the quarter, plans were drawn for several pheasant cover plantings to be put in this coming spring. The number and species of trees and shrubs needed were figured and these plans and estimates submitted to the Denver office. Following a series of meetings» it was decided that the planting project would be turned over to a full time man and that the resident technicians would act in a cooperative capacity with himo Further plans and estimates will be submitted by this new mano (The above report was submitted by Robert Go Kinghorn) Scope~ Rocky Mountain Arsenal Study Areao Personnel~ 10 Robert Poley and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Rod and Gun CLub , Method: All hunters were required to register before and after huntingo Findings: Date Noo of Hunters Novo 21 Novo 22 Novo 23 Novo 24 No••. 25 Novo 26 Novo 27 60 60 40 30 33 42 33 315 189 152: 118 127 129 219 64 30 29 17 15 16 15 298 1.9249 186 0 Totals Hours Hunted Pheasants Killed Sixteen percent of the pheasants killed were adult birdsD while 84% were young b i rds;. 1948 Pheasants per hunter Pheasants per man-hour :584 0140 There were 90 hunters voluntarily checked in compared to 298 in 19480 1947» as com- Work Plan Noo 4 - Job 4 Title: Hunter Check Objective: To determine the sex~ species and number of ducks killed during the open hunting seasono �- 22 - Scope: Rocky Mountain Arsenal Study Area. Personnel: Method: 10 Robert Poley and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Rod and Gun Club. All hunters were required to register before and after hunting. Findings: Date No. of Hunters Hours Hunted Ducks Killed Nov. 12 Novo 13 Novo 14 Novo 15 Novo 16 Novo 17 Novo 18 Novo 19 Novo 20 Novo 21 Novo 22 Novo 23 Novo 24 Novo 25 Novo 26 Novo 27 Novo 28 Novo 29 Novo 30 Deco 1 Deco 2 Dec. 3 Deco 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 6 Deco 7 Deco 8 Deco 9 Deco 10 Deco 11 Deco 12 Deco 13 Deco 14 Deco 15 Dec. 16 41 68 40 6 17 18 16 11 32 25 4 1 13 6 7 3 10 1 1 198 206 168 20 73 39 15 91 81 4 1 43 23 20 6 17 1 1 70 52 45 10 3 4 16 14 3 2 5 1 1 1 2 5 2 0 0 1 2 2 7 3 1 4 2 1 2 2 3 1 7 .:»: 1 4 4 17 3 1 6 4 4 2 12 3 1 20 3 0 0 0 4 0 1 3 1 3 0 0 11 2 10 3 Totals 361 1"l44 274 J; 42 �Ducks by species: Four banded were Mallards Pint ails Teals Scaup Redheads .Canvasback Unidentified 188 26 23 13 12 3 9 Total 274 ducks were killed at the Rocky Mountain Plans for the 1949 operation of the Caddoa submitted to the management divisiono (The above report was submitted by 10 Robert Work Plan Noo 4 - Job 2~ Migratory Waterfowl Title: Waterfowl Population 0240 0750 Ducks per man-hour Ducks per hunter Arsenalo Public Shooting Polley~ Wildlife Grounds Technician) Trends Objective: To conduct regular, periodic fowl within established trend areaso aerial census of migratory water~ Techniques~ The census techniques employed in this survey are the same as those used in past surveys and are outlined in the Quarterly Report of April, 19480 Scope~ Platte, Personnel~ Arkansas, Robert andSan Luis Valleys Go Kinghorn, Kenneth Bo Milyard~ and Clyde Po Mattesono Findings: The trend areas covered are listed below with the monthly t~ons of ducks and geese found on eacho (See following tables)o popula= Analysis and Recommendations: The three surveys made to date show a con= sistent increase iIi-the duck population following a pattern similar to last year'so The pattern -of the goose popUlation varies from that of last year, but it is -felt that the change in season dates could account for this as geese are extremely sens1tive to hunting pressureo Final analysis and conclusions will not be drawn until the whole season's survey is completedo �- 24 MIGRATORY BIRD AERHL CENSUS TREJ.I;l)S - 1948-49 PLA.CE PLATTE Oct. 21. 1948 Ducks - Geese Novo 16, 1948 Ducks - Geese Deco 17~ 1948 Ducks - Geese Barr Horse Creek Wlilton Latham Eaton Windsor Lake Windsor Reso Timnath Cobb Noo 6 Ro cky Ridge Terry Lindenmeier Curtis Fossil Creek Boyd Loveland Lone Tree Ish Baller Burches Highland Gaynors Valmont Hiverside "&npire Jackson Prewitt Jumbo No Sterling Platte River 2~000 2!J900 450 2»700 IJIOO 425 3:>800 850 3.600 1.050 300 225 225 60 1,600 2.• 500 200 800 250 2~900 325 1,800 900 700 300 570 600 6.650 6!}4oo 600 3,920 16,000 4,500 4,400 7,500 4,200 3.000 26,500 125 6,900 75 50 400 2.700 68",,000 19 200 140 1,000 50 7jlOO 45 2.11700 2,700 3,600 1,250 600 300 Totals 50 .• 700 94 82 10 58 85 108 22 80 539 IJ)050 15.100 300 300 600 4.500 450 13.• 000 1.000 6.500 910 3.300. 9.500 32.000 86.000 1.• 125 1.280 253.265 180 90 85 50 3.700 550 3.400 350 800 8~900 140 47 115 13 670 . 7.200 125 8 .• 800 5.• 100 62s500 80 .• 200 13100 21)450 272»675 1 46 301 �- 2-5 MIGRATORY BIRD AERIAL C~~SUS TRENDS - 1948 - (Continued) PLACE ARKANSAS Oct. 233 1948 Ducks _. Geese Novo 17, 1948 Ducks - Geese Deco 18 ~ 1948 Ducks - Geese Henry Meridith Cheraw Horse Creek Adobe Creek Caddoa Thurston Lower Queen Upper Queen Nee Noshe Nee Sopah Nee Grande Sweetwater Two Buttes Arkansas River 400 8~800 1,400 350 29 92 125 26,650 500: 147 189 2,200 9 800 7,000 27,510002,51320 200 65 26,9200 340 175 160 1»400 400 155 60,9000 2.9"400 3»300 Totals 26,,290 SAN LUIS STATE TOTALS Ib100 600 300 1»200 1~?50 950 Ij)500 5,600 300 1~940 24 26 22 160 15 11'850 650 36,300 90 90 5,51900 90 7 1,515004,51000 35 55 18",000 4»800 710 108,720 7,900 117» 975 8,,121 Oct. 22, 1948 Ducks - Geese Novo 19" 1948 Ducks - Geese Deco 21,<>1948 Ducks = Geese 5»810 12,740 6,780 Octo; 1948 Ducks - Geese Novo.\)1948 Ducks - Geese Deco .9 1948 Ducks = Geese 82,800 374,725 397 ,9430 8,,422 13 58 1,249 8,<>570 3,900 38100 1j)100 200 (The above report was submitted by Robert Go Kinghorn, Wildlife Technician 85 �· = 26 - Work Plan Noo 4 = Migratory Waterfowls Title& Management Area Development Scope~ Tamarack Management Area Deviation Personneh Robert G. Kingho'rn, Willard Lo Fl.Lnn;Harry J Fi.gge, Lloyd Learleo Glenn Rogers, Claude White~ Terrell Quicks William B. vrells, Lo Triplet~ George Steele~ Oscar Peterson~ and others. 0 Findings ~ The Tamarack and Sedgwick Bar NJanagement Areas were set up and placed in operation during the first part of the quarter. Considerable development wo rk was done on the Tamaracks including: construction of a check station building~ construction and grading of about ten miles of road~ installation of cattle guards on all cross fences to allow through traffic along the rivers division of the area into 23 hunting areas~ painting and installing signs to direct hunters to the areas: and addi= tional heavy maintenance work on the irrigation system to ready it for spring irrigationo October 12, the Tamarack was opened to the public for waterfowl hunting~ and Department personnel were on duty continuously throughout the season to supervise and direct the hunters using the areao All hunters were checked in and out of the area and records kept on the results of their hunt. Following is a summary of the Tamarack Manage= ment Area records for the 1948 waterfowl season. In addition to the information listedo sex=age data were collected: but have not been included in the report as too many discrepancies were found in the records. No organized control plan was set up for the Sedgwick Bar Area as the limited hunting area did not warrant a full time control pro= ject. Analysis and Reccmmendat i.ons~ During the seasons the entire ten mile s of river on the Tamarack we~e open for hunting every day. The kill records show that after the first three days of the season hunting success fell off rapidly, except for an occasional stormy day when a few good bags were obtained. .Observations made on several s-trips of private river adjacent to the I'amar-ackshowed that good hunting could be m.aintained throughout the season by alternating hunting periods va th r'est periods. The management plan on the Tamarack this year merely served to scatter the hunters out at the start of the day. After this: they were per= mitted to roam at will over the entire area. This meant that there was seldom a day went by when the area was not tramped from one end to th~ other and all resting birds driven away. In spite of this: hunters who chose a blind and stayed there throughout their hunt consistently bagged more birds than the "jump shootersolt With the recent acquisition of some eight miles of river adjacent to the Tamaracks it would be a simple matter to arrange an alternate hunting program so that each area could be rested periodically. This �- 27 TAMARACK GAME MANA.GEMENT AREA. 1948 DATE 1l/i2 n!13 n/14 11/15 1l!16 n/17 11/18 11/19 11/20 11/21 11/22 11/23 11/24 11/25 11/26 11/27 11/28 11/29 11~0 12 1 12/2 12~ 12 12/5 12/6 12/7 12/8 12/9 12/10 12/11 12/12 12/13 12/14 12/15 12/16 NOo OF HUNTERS 31 53 110 15 29 10 14 12 68 97 25 27 17 45 24 39 58 11 17 20 20 2 43 43 10 5 14 12 5 28 39 3 20 21 29 HOURS HUNTED 67"1,. 17 60 22~ 31 364t 6 47 7fft, 5 12i 42 231 20 31 224.1. 26 1741 20 2 1051 12 56 2 43 108 6 1 59 102"1,. 7 110I 7 28 1 32t 38 2 3% 1 97"1,. 12 26 115; 20 5 2 6 1 6 712 . 2 44 2 31 6 65 111 3 8 19 72 13 1 54 m Totals 1/1016 2.,75% Total each species Total Mallards M F 364 GAME KILLED Pintails G.W.Teal M F M F 19 55 30 3 8 14 11 12 2 2 5 1 1 3 1 5 3 2 4 9 3 .7 1 2 Others 1 1 1 1 8 2 1 1 2 4 12 1 1 7 1 2 2 2 1 1 10 12 233 597 2 1 14 25 39 3 2 2 641 0232 Ducks per man-hour .63 Ducks per hunter. 93% Ducks killed were Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) (60% maleS$ 40% Females) 6% Ducks killed were Green Wing Teal (Nettion carolinense) �= 28 - yearls experience has shown that asystem of assigning hunters to definite blind locations is definitely feasible and it is felt that most hunters would welcome such a move as an improvement of the present management plan. Several blocks of private land still exist within the limits of the Tamarack Area and the efficiency of the management plan was impaired on numerous occasions by interference from these land owners. It is recommended that every effort be made to gain control of these blocks of land and in the future to limit any control plan to areas completely under Department jurisdiction. (The above report was submitted by Robert Go Kinghorn~ Wildlife Technician) Work Plan Noo 4 = Job 3 Title~ Hunting season checks on age and sex ratio. Objective: To determine the age and sex ratios of the ducks and geese taken by the hunter. In addition, the number of hunters using the area~ the game killed~ and the reaction of the birds to controlled hunting. Techniques: The work reported here pertains to the State controlled goose shooting area at Two Buttes Reservoir. It was expedient to check hunters as they returned to their cars in designated parking areas. At that time wardens and technicians checked weight, sexs and age of the geese obtained. Field observations to check the reactions of the birds to con= trolled hunting consisted of noting the daily flight pattern and tabulating the popUlation periodically by counts and estimates. Scope: Two Buttes Management Area Personnel~ Technicians Harry J. Figge~ Howard A. Stiehm~ and I. Robert Poley; Wal'dens A. Hamilton$.J. F. Cordova~ Lo Lo Broux~ N. D. Riggs~ C •.Mo $cott~ C. S'Lonaker, J Ashing. s: W. Rogers» Co Chamber-La'i n , Ho Co Pickeus , and Co No Clifton~ and Refuge . Custodian Pete Steele. 0 Findings: Waterfowl hunters in Colorado were allowed 34t consecutive days of shooting. During this period the controlled goose shooting area at Two Buttes Reservoir handled an estimated 2»652 hunters who shot 645 geese for an average of .2432 geese per hunter. At the three designated parking lots on the area, wardens checked 611 hunters who were in the field 1»660 hours to obtain 148 geese, an average of 02422 geese per hunters and an average of 00891 geese per houro �- 29 Two hundred fifty-one geese were weighed during the seasono One Hundred thirty-three on platform scales of the postal typeD and 118 on straight draw spring scales. Weights of the 133 ranged from 2 lbs~ 12 oz. to 8 Ibso 5 oz.~ or an average of 5 Ibs. 15 oz. The 118 weights taken with draw spring scales ranged from 3-3/4 lbso to 8=1/2 Ibs.~ or an average of 5 Ibs. 12-1/3 oz. The sex of 38 specimens was determined by cloacal examination. Eighteen were males and 20 were females~ or a sex ratio of 90 males to 100 females. The ages of a 66 bird sample were determined by using tail feather characteristics which revealed that 31 birds were juvenile and 35 birds were adult$ or a ratio of 1 to .88570 Continuous gunning along the refuge boundar~ commonly referred to as the "shooting line: brought about daily fluctuations of the direction of flight. The birds were seeking an unharried avenue of flight which when found became the accepted route to.and from the feeding grounds. Exceptions were noted in cases of threatening storms or extremely high winds which prompted the geese to disregard any precautionary measures thus choosing the shortest and easiest lane of travel. On November 12~ an estimated 3~500 geese were believed to be in= habiting Two Buttes Reservoir. Due to the onset of colder weather and because of incoming flights from nearby waterfowl resting spots~ this number grew to 4$000 geese by November 18$ as repqrted by R. Go Kinghorn in his aerial waterfowl census. By November 28 daily population figures obtained through a system of counting and estimating as the geese left to feed$ were fluctuating between 4$800 and 5$300 geese$ with an average of slightly over 5$000 geese. The population remained fairly stable for the duration of the waterfowl hunting season. On December 18» two days after the close of the season~ another aerial census of the waterfowl on Two Buttes Reservoir showed that there were 4»800 geese. Warden checks indicate that an average of four geese were wounded or crippled and lost daily. Even with from 1~500 to 18$000 ducks on the reservoir» Two Buttes Management Area proved to be a sanctuary for duckso Very few shots were fired at duckso They never left the water until after shooting hours in the evening and they were back on the water before one=half hour before sunrise. Analysis and Recommendations: The number of geese taken per hunter dropped 41091% from .417 geese per hunter in 1947 to .2422 geese per hunter in 1948. In viewof the fact that the numbers of geese resting on Tw'OButtes were essentially comparable to 1947~ it is believed the difference can be attributed to the scores of new hunters unfamiliar with goose shooting$ to the much extended season with its increased possibility for more fruitless days~ and to milder weather conditions which allowed the geese increased freedom of movemento �- 30 TABLE I Two Buttes Kill Record Date Novo 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 21J 26 27 28 29 30 Deco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Total Noo of Hunters Geese Killed 100 200 150 40 39 47 50 10 47 150 60 59 28 30 72 58 111 36 40 46 45 29 41 24-1 39 60 71 72 47 161 152 62 41 112 !d6 29 68 67 9 34 16 1 4 20 61 5 5 7 5 0 38 4 3 10 18 10 8 12 37 18 16 13 5 16 13 5 10 52 24 2,,652 645 2:: �- 31 Geese per hunting hour fell from 0167 in 1947 to 00891 in 19480 The Same conditions were believed to be responsible for the drop of 46064%0 Field observations and investigations by the research staff led to the belief that the crippling loss of four birds daily as reported to wardens represents less than half the sustained losso Daily observations along and behind the shooting line following a blizzard on November 18, 19, and 20 resulted in establishing an average daily count of slightly over five fresh blood trails in the snow from wounded geeseo Only heavy blood trails were considered as signs of mortal woundso On several instances geese were observed to fall mortally wounded half a mile or further beyond the shooting lineo No visible signs of hemorrhaging were foundo Geese lost in this way would increase the estimated daily crippling Loss, "When totalled, the daily loss of four birds reported by hunters to wardens coupled with the additional loss of five birds somewhere during flight or in fields behind the shooting line was found to be nine~ or 315 for the shooting periodo The total kill of geese at and around Two Buttes Reservoir was expected to reach 192000 This figure would include 645 geese taken along the Itshooting line," 315 geese lost as cripples, and a possible 200 geese taken by field shooters in blinds on the feeding groundso Goose weights were segregated according to the type of scales u'Sed beca:use some inaccuracy of the common spring scales became apparent The scales were markedly affected by changes in temperatureo Therefore, in referring to the material reported heres it would be best to use the average goose weight of 5 Ibso 15 OZo 0 Each year considerable difficulty is experienced over goose stealing among hunters on the "lineo" Invariably the hunter who made the kill was unable to prove that point or at least outrun another hunter who was nearer the fallen birdo In many such cases hunters were competing for a fallen bird which they honestly be= lieved had fallen to their guno Nevertheless~ honest competition has been swiftly giving way to out and out theft-=the first hunter to the bird claims ito Improved methods of regulating the shooting area ha-,'ebeen under consideration and it is recommended some working revision of the present system be adopted to further the practice of sportsmanshipo It is further recommended that the Game and Fish Department make every effort to purchase the land which it now manages as a shooting area by reason of a short term leaseo To date, management �- 32 of hunting and the es t.abLi.shmerrt of a resting place at I'wo Bv.ttes has acted to increase the goose population from. a f'ew hundred to 5iOOO birds It is felt the ;_:;ropermanagement can best be maintained through complete owner s.hi.p, 0 (The above report was submitted by Howar-d Ao St Lehm, Wildlife Technician) Approved: Submittedt Name Harry Title Wildlife Jo Figge COLORADO STATE FISH DEPARTMENT Technician By Title Date Note: Co No Feast. January Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first from the Colorado state Game and Fish Department. Director 15, 1949 obtain permission �- 33 STATE COLORADO PROJECT NO~ PRO Q.UARTERLY SURVEYS A N" D G RES I N V EST 38-R DATE January~ 1949 ------------~~~~--------- S REPORT I GAT ION S As required by' FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATIOn ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader: 30 Report of Frogresst Deer-Elk-Bear Investigations Laurence E. Riordan 'J-, Northwestern and North Central Colorado - Lloyd W. Searle I. Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk Job 3 - Migration between Summer and Winter Ranges. Objective~ To locate and determine the amount of migration of dee~ and elk between summer and winter ranges and the factors affecting. Techniques Used: Field reconnaissance study trips into the game ranges by car. on horseback~ and on foot were made. The animals were observed and the routes of migration located by use of field glasses and spot lights. Findings: The deer and elk began a slow~ but definite movement from summer to vnnter ranges as early as August 209 1948 in some areas. These were minor herds. The big or heavy migrations observed, took place first in the Nine Mile Gap~ Price Creek9 and Axial Basin sections of Moffat County about the middl~ and during the latter part of September, 1948. The migration of deer in the Brown's Park section of Moffat County did not start until the first week in November, and then it was only light. The main ~liddle Park deer herd did not start migrating until the latter part of the second week in November~ 1948. Analysis and Recommendations: The cause for the very early movement of some of our game herds from summer to winter ranges is not certain. Through the observations made, it appears as if the lack of moisture in the higher ranges played a major role in causing the early drift noted above in some areas. In such areas~ the high rarigesbecame very dry, and yellow in appearance9 �exceptionally early this summer. The remaining or major game herds migrated in a near to normal time of the yearD some of them a little earliers and some a little later than usual. II. Population Surveys - Deer and Elk. Job 2 - Sex-Ratio Survey Objective~ To determine sex ratios on key herds prior to~ and subsequent to hunting season. Techniques Used~ Field study trips were made by automobile~ on horseback~ and on footo Field glasses and spot lights were used to observe the game. Findings~ The Moffat County and Middle Park deer and elk herds are showing an increase in buck deer and bull elk, On Cold Spring Mountain in Moffat County~ where there has been no open hunting season on elk in recent yearsD the bulls outnumber the cows and calves. Analysis and Recommendations~ Several head of old bulls should be taken out of' the Cold Spring Mountain elk herd~ in which the sexratio is so badly unbalanced that we are not realizing a good increase each year. It is believed that a factor in the low increase in this herd is that the old bulls keep the young bulls away from the cows during the rutting season. AlsoD these old bulls are utilizing a big portion of the forage that could well be used for younger stock or for increasing the herd. Job 3 - Checking Station Survey Objective~ To determine kill trendsD ageD sexD weightD hunting loss and other pertinent data. Findings~ During the special deer season from October 1 to October 12$ 1948 inclusiveD there were 2~22l head of deer and 14 head of bear checked through the Delta checking station which the writer supervised. During the regular deer and elk seasons from October 15 to October 31 inclusive on deers ana.from October 15 to October 24 inclusive on elk, the Idaho Springs Checking Station.9which the writer, superviseds checked 59897 head of deer9 793 head of elk$ and 17 head of bear. The tabulation of data on these animals is being done by machi.ne, and the results of the breakdovm by 'sex, age, antler point cLass, and other similar information will be presented in a supplemental i-eportcovering all checking stations at a later date. Analysis and Recommendations: Checking stations are an effective means of regulating the harvest of game herds by use of special seasons and bag limits as was done in Colorado during the 1948 hunting season. This system would be even more effective if it were possible to require every vehicle to stop at game checking �- 35 stations. This wou Ld also reduce the hazard for the checkers working on these stations. IV. Mortality Factors affecting Deer and Elk Herds Job 1 - Hunting Loss other than Legal Bag Objective: To find the relation of the legal kill to the number of animals.killed by the hunter through crippling and the various factors affecting. Findings~ From studies made on data collected from some nine thousand hunters checking through the two checking stations mentioned previously~ on their way out of the field this fall$ it appears that the losses inflicted upon our deer herds through crippling during this year's hunting seasons are lighter than last year$ even though there were more hunters in the field. As for the elk» the loss seems to be heavier. Analysis and Recommendations~ It is believed that we realize a heavier crippling loss in our elk herds with a hunter's choice season because the man in the field does not have to define the sex of the animal before shooting it. Knowing this~ he see s some portion of an elk moving through thick brush or timbers and immediately begins shooting at that portion of the elk which is visible instead of waiting until the animal comes into full view where he would have a much better chance of landing a fatal shot. Until each and every hunter becomes more conservation mindeds and less "trigger happy" we will continue to have this suffering of game and waste of meat. Job 2 - Predation affecting Deer Objective: To determine extent and nature of deer loss through predation. Findings: In response to a letter to Mr. Gilbert N. Hunter» Colorado Game h~nager~ from Mr. R. A. Massey of Mt. Harriss Colorado~ stating that either a coyot e, dcg , or wolf pack was believed to be running and killing deer'on Blue Mountain in Moffat County~ three days in November were spent in:vesti'?,8tinrr this situation, No indication or information of this killing having taken place was found. This, 01' course, uoes not mean that such k.i Ll i.ng; does not e xi.s t , but simply that no evidence of it has been found. The State Game Yfardens. State Trappers~ and residents of this area were questioned on this subject~ and none had knowledge of this situation existing there. Analysis and Recommendations: There is a possibility that the coyotes or dogs could be devouring carcasses of deer that died last spring following last year's hard winter. Another possible action that could have occurredis that this pack of coyotes or dogs could have been killing~ or finding dead~ deer that had been crippled by hunters~ and eating them. �- 36 Little Hills Experiment Station -- Laurence Eo Riordan Population Surveys -- Deer and Elk II. Job 2 - Sex-Ratio Survey - Deer Object: To determine the post-hunting season sex-ratio of deer wintering in the Little Hills-Piceance Creek region. Techniques Used~ Only ground surveys have been made this quarter. The method used was as follows: Two men worked together9 one driving the vehicle, recording the observations, and helping spot the deer; the other man classifying the deer as to whether adult or juvenile, and the former as to sex. Findings~ Six different groups of deer were classified on six dates as shown in Table I. The area covered by this work included the Dry Fork of Piceance Creek from the upper end of the meadows to the mout.h , and the Lowe r one-fifth of Piceance Creek proper. The greater part of all of the deer classified were beside the roads, in the hay meadows9 or on the hillsides adjacent thereto. TABLE I RESULTS OF SEX-RATIO SURVEY PICEANCE CREEK--LITTLE HILLS AREA Date Bucks Does Fawns Total Classified Unclassified Nov. 28 20 38 34 92 0 Deco 1 6 24 14 44 0 Dec. 7 1 15 21 37 11 Dec. 8 5 14 12 31 0 Dec. 16 7 53 54 114 118 Dec. 20 19 22 12 53 0 Totals 58 166 147 371 129 .. Analysis and Recommendations: The overall sex-ratio of one buck to 2.86 does is probably a fairly accurate figure for the area which it represents, being based, as it is, upon a total of 224 adult animals, and representing a relatively small propcrbion of the total winter range area of the Piceance--Little Hills de~r herd. If it is fOillld,upon further study of this herd, that the sex-ratio disclosed above is representative of the whole herd, this would indicate a substantial decrease in the numberaf does to one buck from the figures �- 37 = obtained during the previous two year's surveys. However~ since the 1946 and 1947 post-hunting season surveys were aerial surveys~ each of which was based upon at least 1000 adult animals~ it is felt that more data~ including a greater number of animals~ and covering a larger area of the total winter range should be obtained before drawing conclusions. An aerial survey to obtain such information is contemplated in the near futureo The ratio of fawns to one doe indicated by this survey was 0.89~ which indicates a good fawn crop at this season of the year. III. Forage and Range Untilization Job 5 - Little Hills Grazing Competition Enclosure Studyo Report of Progress~ Experimental Pastureso As was reported last quarter~ the enclosure fences were completed during the latter part of Septembers and the work was inspected by Mro Carey Bennett from the Albuquerque Office of the Fish and Wildlife Service on October 50 Everything was thought to be in readiness for the arrival of the deer upon the winter range. It is customary for large numbers of deer to congregate at night in the hay meadows along Dry Fork Creek when they arrive from the higher summer ranges. The plan was to open a gate on the south side of the deer enclosure away from these meadows» and to watch by moonlight until the desired number of animals had entered the enclosure on their way to the hay meadows below. The first date upon which a definite influx of deer into the area was noted, was on October 11. when numerous tracks were found where deer had been crowding the pasture fences. The numbers of deer increased steadily until the opening date for the 1948 deer hunting seasong October 15. ~~en the hunting season opened~ numerous hunters came into the Dry Fork area and drove up and dovrn the road which parallels the northwest side of the experimental en~ closures. This unusual human activity had the effect of keeping the deer stirred ups and working along the north side of the pastures in their efforts to escape to the hills and timber along the south side of Dry Fork Creeko By October 18 some deer tracks were found inside the enclosure fences. and from that date onward the numbers of deer inside the enclosures steadily increased until the end of the hunting season. Examination of the fences disclosed that the deer were jumping over the top of the woven wire at an average height of 70 inches above the ground. and under the first strand of barbed wire~ through a space approximately 8 inches wide. Of course, when the animal started to jump through this space. its weight. and the force of its jump, spread the wires aparto Many cases were observed where the deer attempted to jump the fence and failed; one instance where a doe jumped through as explained above was witnessed by �- 38 the writer. It was found that relatively few deer jumped the fence at any point away from the mea dows , so it is assumed that the human activity along that side of the enclosures was largely responsible for the failure of the fences to exclude the deer. Since the experiment was designed to measure the degree of use of the various plant species by each class of animal exclusive of the others, it was decided that the f'Lrs t thing that should be done was to stop the deer from jumping the fences if possible. Then. to get the deer out of the sheep and cattle enclosures. In order to prevent their jumping~ an additional strand of barbed wire was stretched between the top of the woven wire and the first strand of barbed wire on the existing fence. This resulted in a fence with the following characteristics: 70 inches to,the top of the woven wire, and with three strands of barbed wire, the first~ 4-inches above the top of the woven wire~ the second 4-inches above the first. and the third 8-inches above the second. Since the extra strand of wire was put up~ no evidence of additional deer jumping has been found. It is planned to tie the three strands of barbed wire and the top of the woven wire together with two smooth wire stays between each pair of posts so that the wires cannot spread when a jumping animal strikes the fence. It was thought that as soon as the fence was improved as outlined above. the deer could be driven out of the sheep and cattle enclosures. Therefore. when the work upon the fence was completed. six men were evenly spaced in a line along the northwest side of the two enclosures which are together about threeeights of a mile in width. This resulted in the men being about one hundred yards apart. After all of the gates on the southeast or opposite side of the enclosures had been opened, the line of men moved slowly across the enclosures.'keeping as nearly in line~ and as evenly spaced as the rough terrain and the dense pinon-juniper cover would permito' The day for this drive was selected inunediately after a fresh fall oi~snow in order to be able 'to t,ell from the tracks the success of the drive. It was found that five an i.rna Ls had gone out through the open gates. while three animals had entered from the outside. so that only two deer were actually gained. The gates on the southeast side were closed; those on the northwest side of the two enclosures were opened. and the same crew of men attempted to drive the deer out in the opposite direction. During this drive. the writer was located in a position on the hill across Dry Fork Creek from the enclosures where it was possible to see what took place. �- 39 As the line of men approached the northwest side of the enclosures~ a number of deer moved out of the timber ahead of them toward the fence and the open gates. It appeared as if these deer already knew the location of the fence, and before they came close enough to it to see that there were openings in it, they began filtering back through the line of men. No success whatever was had on this second drive. On November 13. a new fall of snow and a crew of ten men made conditions seem favorable for again trying to drive the deer out of the sheep and cattle enclosures. The same procedure as that just described was used. In this case, the men were only 60 to 70 yards apart as they moved across the enclosures, but the results were even less favorable. The tracks indicated that tvvo deer went out of the pastures while one entered from the outside while the gates were open. When the deer broke back through the line of men. in some places, they passed within a very few feet of an individual, and although these men shouted and waved their arms. and in some cases, even fired pistols into the air. they were unable to turn the deer back. As in the previous case. an attempt was made to drive the deer out in the opposite direction without success. The maximum number of deer observed in these ~vo enclosures at any time was eighteen. while twenty-six were seen in the deer pasture. Under these circumstances, it was felt that nothing •. vou.Ld be gained by stocking the sheep and cattle pastures with the deer still in them. Therefore. this phase of the experiment has been postponed until the beginning of the spring grazing season at about April 15. 19490 The conclusions that can be drawn from this work are~ 1. In order to hold Rocky Mountain l~Ale Deer. a fence must be at least eight feet high and without holes or spaces between the wires through which the animal can force its body. The latter applies even to spaces at the very top of the fence. 2. That it is practically impossible to drive these animals from one place to another in pinon-juniper vegetative type with any number of men on foot. 3. That a ground observer sees a very small proportion of the deer present when moving through pinon-juniper or similar vegetative cover. This conclusion is based upon the experience of the men who made the drives and the few deer they reported having seen. �- 40 Exclosures: Holes were drilled for blasting those post-holes on the one-acre exclosure fence in pasture number one (sheep) which could not be dug with a bar. About half of the posts on this exclosure fence are set, about half of the remaining post-holes are dugs and the demolition holes have been drilled for blasting the remainder of the post-holes. Plans for Second Series of Enclosures: The specifications for the fencing contract on the second series of experimental enclosuress numbers three, five. six. and seven have been written. and are in the process of being reproduced. The changes that were found to be necessary or'desirable in the details of construction of fences and gates have been incorporated into the drawings. and the tracing of the plans is nearly completed so that bids can be called for in the near future for the building of the second series of enclosures. White River-Eagle River-Colorado River drainage areas - Glenn Eo Rogers 10 Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk Job 3 - Migration between summer and winter ranges. Wi th the weat her remaining clear and warm for the month of October. it was surprising that some of the deer in most areas made their regular migration or movement towards or onto their winter ranges. It was a slower movement. and much less complete thfu~ if there had been a storm of usual force to drive them down. Deer were still being killed at or near timberline when the deer season closed at the end of October. A flight was made over the Upper White River country on October 29. and the ground was not completely covered with snow at that time. On December I a trip was made up the Coffee Pot road. and deer were observed graz= ing on top of the plateau in the open parks between stands of spruce at an elevation of 9.500 feeto . . . . Since .th~ end·oJ:elk'season •.numerous reports have been received of elk having been seen in new and heretofore elkless areaso These reports are being checked as rapidly as possible. If found to exist. these small groups. of elk may mean new herds if they do not return to their fomer range. and it wi Ll, be necessary to decide from which former range they migrated in order to evaluate kill and population trend area figures. II. Population Surveys - Deer and Elk Job 2 - Sex-ratio Survey ~~o sex-ratio counts have been made in the Coffee Pot area of the Colorado River Management Unito On the first of December. an evening count from the car without benefit of an observer showed �- 41 lLbucks", 42_do~s", 29·;fawn~. This is a ratio of 1 buck to 3082 does to 2.64 fawns~ Or.December 3, with the assistance of Mr. Cross, the same area was covered and showed: 14 buckss 36 doess and ~4 fawns. ~r a ratio of 1 buck to 2.58 does to 2.43 fawnso It is intended that sex-ratio counts on this area will be repeated using every available method--by car, on foot", on horseback", and by airplane--to find the greatest and the least deviation by any particular method from the mean of all of the methods. This should give an indication of the most advantageous method for use in this and similar areas. Two trips were made on sex-ratio counts near Brush Creek in the Eagle River 1funa~ement Unit. The first", on upper Brush Creek", gave 7 bucks", 8 does, and 4 fawnso The second trip, with ranger Craig Pender on lower Brush Greek",was completed with a count of 33 bucks, 67 does, and 70 fawnso These are ratios of 1 buck to 1014 does to 0057 fawns", and 1 buck to 2.03 does to 2012 fawns respectivelyo Job 3 - Checking Station Survey As all tabulations have not been completed on the data obtained through the operation of checking stations during the big game hunting seasons", a complete report covering the results of these surveys for the entire state will be submitted at a later date. 1110 Forage and Range Utilization Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Use. Checks were made during the past month on availability of winter forage on the Colorado River, Eagle Rivers and Roaring Fork :Management Units. In the deer concentration areas of all three units", little to no growbh wi t.hi.nreach of deer was present on Mountain 1ffihogany.(Cercocarpus montanus)", or Serviceberry", (Amelanchier alnifolia). Somewhat better growth was found on Bitterbrush", (Purshia tridentata), and on Oak", (Quercus spp.). There was good growth excepting in very .localized spots", on Big Sagebrush, (Artemisia tridentata)", and Rabbitbrush. (Chrysothamnus spp.). These facts will have to be taken into consideration when winter utilization checks are made next spring. Salt was placed in varying quantities and in locations as listed below. on lightly used areas at the extreme upper limits of winter range by Oscar Peterson", Refuge Custodian of the Colorado Game and Fish Department", and Ranger Stevenson of the White River National Forest. Capitol Creek at Light's Rru~ch, 75 Ibso; Avalanche Creek. 100 Ibso; Thompson Creeks 200 Ibs.; Basalt Ranch", 200 Ibs.; Mount Sopris", 50 Ibso �- 42 The purpose of this experimental salting program 'was to attempt to entice the animals, both deer and elk, to remain on the less heavily used portions of their wi.rrter ranges and thus give the normal concentration areas a measure of protection. Central I. Paul F. Gilbert Western Colorado Location and Extent Job 2 - Location of Seasonal and Extent Ranges -- Deer and Elk. of Winter Ranges. Systematic checks have been made on the f'o Ll owi.ng key wi.nter ranges which lie on the East side of the Uncompahgre National Forest: Winter NIesa, South Roubideau Rim, Old Paradox Road, Cottonwood Mes a , and Dry Mesa. All checks were made on f'cot , The winter deer herds in these areas seem to have split somewhat; into two groups. one staying at the upper limits of the wi.rrte r range. and the other group is hanging just above the cultivated fields. The snow conditions are in gene ra I light over the entire winter range as yet, and the upper limit at present is about one to t.wo mi Les inside the forest boundaryo Job 3 - Migration Betvreen SUmmerand Winter Ranges 0 'Whenthe pre-deer season ended on the Uncompahgre PIa teal. the middle of October, the bulk of the deer had bEen pushed by hUllting pressure about five to eight miles down from the top, and into the rougher and more inaccessible country During the second or regular season, very few hunters were out; the deer were not pressed any to speak of, consequently, many of them continued working dovm-country [end hit t.he . i rrt e r ranges a little sooner than last ye ar , After the first seaSOli, some of the deer started working back up~ and it is believed t.hac this accounts I'o r t.he y,-aythey have formed the two groups on the wi rrter range. On the Cow Creek-Billey Creek side, deer did not work into thi s area unti 1 about the middle of l.ovember Viannweat.her s Lowe d up this movement. 0 0 that II. A check was made in the Lowe r Coal Creek area to see if the elk usually wi.rrter in this area could. be found. l'hey were not found. Population Surveys -- Deer-Elk Job 2 - Sex Ratio Survey. The f'o Ll owi.ng sexing was done in key winter range areas on the east sid'" of the Uncompahgre Plateau. On Winter Mesa. buckSg 4 does , and 3 fawns were sexe d, South Roubideau Rim. 4 bucks , 8 does, and 4 f'awns; Fall Cabin or Cottonwood Mesa, 5 bucks. 13 does. and 8 fawns. On Dry Mes a , 4 bucks, 8 does, and 6 f'awns were aexe d , This makes a total of 71 animals sexed. Seventeen were bucks. thirty-three does, and twenty-one f'awns, This gives 1094 does and 1.24 fawns to 1 buck. 4 �- 43 Job 3 - Check Station Survey Two separate seasons were held in the Uncompahgre region this year. The first, October 1 to 12, with tvrodeer per license. The second, and regular season, with just one deer per license and extending from October 15 to 31. A separate checking station was manned for each season. A total of 4,16~.hunters were checked in through the Montrose Check Station for the first seasons and a total of 2,232 deer were checked out. Four bear were checked out. The kill by days is shown b eLows Date Hunters Checked In Sept. 28 29 30 Oct. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Totals 143 522 1,698 630 450 203 102 75 69 32 32 132 41 32 3 o 4,164 Kill by Sex B D F Double Kills 51 35 14 167 127 53 324 224 144 145 135 85 37 71 41 72 55 34 41 53 18 26 38 15 19 31 10 24 37 21 11 21 7 5 15 5 15 83 i97 108 49 65 31 28 21 25 12 Bear 1 1 1 o o 1 5 8 o o o o o o o 927 853 425 650 4 5 11 8 For the second and regular season, the check station was placed in the usual place, on the 25 Mesa Road at the Roubideau Crossing. The kill was very light as most of the local hunters had filled the first season, and an erroneous report in one of the local papers, that the area was closed, steered many outsiders to some other area. The following is the daily check station figures: �- 44 - III. Date Kill by Sex B D F Oct. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 0 0 5 0 0 2 4 2 1 2 1 1 4 0 2 2 2 Totals 1 5 3 2 0 1 3 2 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 Bear 0 0 0 t)' 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 28 29 10 I Total Deer: 67 4 0 Forage and Range Utilization Job I - Survey of Winter Browse Use Only the east slope of the Uncompahgre has been checked to date~ and this only in some of the key areas. The problem concentration areas still remain a winter problem in spite of the two deer seasons. There is a natural instinct for the deer to collect on these areas, and from the ground checks no difference in the deer population can be seen. A check on Winter Mesa December 2 disclosed that the deer had already been well over the entire mesa. Tracks were everyvrhere. and no browse plant could be found that had not been recently grazed. The plants in this area had put on very little growth, and the winter feed situation is very critical. Dry Mesa in the Escalante country is nearly as bad. On the south side of the Roubideau, abuse in the past by sheep, and hea~y deer USe has left the range in a declining state. Where there is sufficient sagebrush left on the winter range. it is being hit the hardest. Larger amounts of Pinon and Ju.niper are taken in the diet where. the sage has been killed out. On the east side of the Uncompahgre Plateau, where the country is cut up less by the deep canyons, the deer spread out more and the wi nter range has taken less of a beating. Job 3 - Food Habits Two stomack analyses were made this quarter. The first was taken from a buck one and a half years old, which was shot on top of the Uncompahgre October 26. during deer season. The second �- 45 sample was from an adult buck (about 4 years old) taken on Dry Mesa December 13. Plants Occurring in Samples Sample Noo & Percent 0 -- I. Sagebrush 2. Buckwheat 3· Pricklypear 4. Pinon 5· Juniper 6. Draba 7. Aspen 8. Ore.gon Grape 9. Oakb rush 10. Willow 110 Cow-parsnip 12. Grass 130 Indian Paint brush 140 Deer hair 15. Misco & Traces (Artemisia tridentata) ) (Eriogonum Spp ) (Opuntia Spp (Pinus edulis ) (Juniperus utahensis ) (Draba Spp ) (Populus tremuloides ) (Odostemon aquifolium) ) (Quercus Spp ) (Salix Spp (Heracleum lanatum ) (Bromus, Poa, etco ) ) (Castilleja Spp Total 26.3 206 804 5207 907 T 309 30.5 3707 1001 1200 400 T T 1.8 T ·3 10000 10000 No postmortem was performed on the deer taken during season. The one taken December 13 had lost all ~he fat from over the rumps but a small amount still remained over and around the ribso The kidneys and heart still had fat on them. Leg worm was present, as were immature bots and lung wormso IV•. Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Job 1 - Hunting L'JSS Other Than Legal Bag , Several crippled deer have been. reported since deer seasono However; none have been seen nor have any dead deer been foundo Job 2 - Predation Affecting Deer Predation offers no problem in this area as there are very few coyotes in this area. Job 3 - Other Mortality Factors So far there has been no known loss from starvation, disease; or parasiteso Some loss is expected from these causes which losses will be accelerated if any heavy snows occur. �- 46 Harold R. Shepherd Southwestern Colorado I. and Extent of Seasonal Location Job I - Location Ranges -- Deer and Elk and EA~ent of Summer Ranges Because of the press of other jobs; such as the fencing of clip plots at Me sa Verde and the operation of game check stations, very little data in addition to that reported for the previous quarter was collected on the location and extent of summer ranges. Some observations were made and recorded for the Pine, Piedra, and Animas Game Management Units. Job 3 - Migration Between Summer and Winter Ranges The early special deer season in the Uncompahgre National Forest made it necessary for Mr. Shepherd to be absent from his district from September 26 to October 14. when the migration of deer from summer to winter ranges began in his district. However. when he returned to his district October 14. he found more deer on winter range in the Animas Unit than were observed there on the same date last year. Beginning October 15~ when the big game season began in the Animas Unit, and continuing through November 1, hunters checking through the Animas check station with game were questioned as to where they made their kills and where they were seeing the most deer. Their reports indicate that the largest number of deer in the Animas Unit during this period were in Ponderosa Pine~Oak Brush cover type, ranging from 8,000 d~wn to 7,000 feet. Comparatively few deer were found above 8,000 feet. A few deer were shot at elevations of 9,000 to 9.500 feet, but these were usually large bucks. Does and fawns were not common at this elevation. On October 26, a horse-back trip was made into the Devil Creek Country of the Piedra Game Management Unit. Few deer were found above 7,500 feet, but the:y were abundant below this elevation. The movement of' deer from summer to winter ranges this fall was not preceded by snow. This would seem to indicate that the presence of snow is not the chief factor causing the beginning of the migration movement. Deer threaten to be more of a problem on winter ranges this season than last. Serious browse damage has already been done to one orchard in the hermosa ,nnter area. It is the writerYs observation that there are more deer using the Hermosa winter area at this date, December 10, than there were a year ago. This is also the obser-vat i.on of local interested ranchers. _'This, -in spite of the fact that to date there has been relatively little snow. �- 47 Elk are still in the high country of the Animas Urrit at this writing, December 10. II. Population Surveys -- Deer and Elk Job 2 - Sex Ratio Survey Because of check station duty, sex-ratio surveys scheduled for the period October 1 through November 30 were not possible. Job 3 - Checking Station Survey Fro:r;:t September 26 throuGh October 12, Mr. Shepherd was in charge of a game check station near Ridgwayo Here he collected kill data during the special deer season on the Uncompahgre National Forest. The reporting of this data has been left to those in whose district the station was located. After the special season, Mr. Shepherd returned to his district and set up a check station in the Animas Unit fa r the regular season there. The big game season in the Pine» Piedra~ San Juan, Animas and Dolores Units began October 15 and con= tinued through October 31. The game check station was maintained in the Animas Unit throughout the season» and was open to check the kill of hunters twenty-four hours a day. It was located on U. S. Highway 550s one quarter of a mile south of where the highway crosses Hermosa Creek. In this locations checkers wer-e able to contact the majority of hunters who hunted deer and elk in the Hermosa Creek and upper An i.mas River sections of the Animas Unit. J The season began with no snow on the ground.$ and the weather was warm and sunny. During the latter part of the season some snow fell. But there was never enough snow on the ground to affect the hunting materially. During the season, hunters checked through the station a total of 237 deer. Of this number, 130 or 55% were bucks,; 82 or 35J~ we re does; 25 or 101~were fawns Seventy-five percent of the deer checked during the entire season were received at the station during the first 10 days. 0 The heaviest deer kills were made on the three)·t;:e3kends The lightest kills were made on Fridays 0 0 ~{enty-three more deer passed through the Animas check station this year than during the season a year ago. This is an increase of 1007%. A total of 354 elk were checked through the station. Of this number, 157 or W+% were bulls .•l44 or 41% were cows; 53 or 15~~..•. {ere calves 0 �- 48 One hundred and tvrenty-three more elk were checked through the station this year than last. This is an increase of 93.8%. This increase was due to a bull-only season last year and an eithersex season this year. However; the increase is not due alone to the number of cows killed. The either-sex season attracted more hunters than did the bull-only season last year. Consequently~ 26 more bulls were checked through the station than a year agoe> Seventy-eight percent of the elk checked during the entire season were received at the station during the first 8 days. As was the case with deer; the heaviest elk kill was made on weekends. A total of 593 hunters reported their kills through the Animas game check station. Of this number~ 469 hunters3 or 79%3 hunted without benefit of guideso All hunters contacted were questioned as to whether they had wounded any game they did not get; whether any of the animals they took had been previously wounded~ and if they had seen any dead game left lying in the field unclaimed. Sixteen hunters out of 593 reported having wounded game they did not get. Nine deer or elk were shot which had been previously wounded by other hunters. These hunters also reported having seen 42 dead elk or deer left lying unclaimed in the field. This number represents 7.1% of the total legal deer and elk kill reported. A total of 8 black and bro~n bears was checked through the station. Last season there were ten. Three of those killed this year came from Dutch Creek; two from Jones Creek» and two from Lime Creek. The location of one of the kills was not determined. When does were received hog-dressed and otherwise intact3 they were weighed on a spring scale hung from a trinn0.. Twentyone does were weighed. Two of the largest does weighed 120 pounds each. The smallest doe weighed 45 poundso The average doe weighed 91.6 poundso Most of these doe weights were obtained during the early special-season hunt on the Uncompahgre National Forest; .a few of them are of deer killed on the San Juan National Forest during the regular big garrieseason.· A record was kept of the number and kinds of game killed in each of the drainages in the Animas Unito The greatest number of deer taken from anyone drainage was thirty-seven. These were killed in Elbert Creekp a tributary to the Animas. River. The second largest number of deer taken f'r-orn any drainage was twentynine, in Dutch Creek. Since Hermosa Creek and its tributaries comprise the greater portion of the elk range within the Animas Unit9 it is natural that that Hermosa Creek should bear the heaiest elk kill 10ad3 as reported by hunters. Fifty.,.threeelk were reported killed on Hermosa Creek �- 49 propero However, there were fifty-two elk reported killed on Dutch Creek~ a tributary to Hermosa Creeko Dutch Creek was second in the number of deer killed, tied for first in the elk kill~ and was first in the total number of bearso This makes Dutch Creek the best game produced of any secondary drainage within the Animas Unito DAILY KILL REPORT STATION~ Animas SUPERVISOR: Harold Ro Shepherd DEER DATE YEAR: 1948 MONTH: Octo ELK BEAR DAY BUCK DOE FAWn DEER BULL COW CALF 1 13 9 4 1 9 9 9 6 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 30 21 28 15 13 1 24 18 13 6 4 1 2 9 21 3 11 31 37 22 14 12 4 8 5 1 4 3 1 1 15 17 21 17 21 8 3 21 7 8 5 3 9 8 6 6 4 3 7 4 3 1 237 157 ELK Octo 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 18 11 15 9 6 1 12 6 10 4 4 1 4 4 10 10 3 1 2 3 11 3 1 4 3 2 2 1 2 6 2 1 4 29 57 66 45 41 24 10 36 16 9 11 4 1 2 1 2 1 2 Novo 1 3 TOTAL' 130 82 25 1 I44 53 354 8 �- 50 - DISTRIBUTION OF 1948 ANIMAS KILL AS COMPILED FROM CHECK STATION DATA DEER ELK BEAR DRAINAGE Animas River Big Bend Creek Big Elk Creek Bear Creek Big Lick Creek Bondurant Creek Bell Canyon Buck Creek Cascade Creek Corral Creek Corral Draw Clear Creek Canyon Creek Coon Creek Deer Creek Dutch Creek Elbert Creek Elk Park East Cross Creek Falls Creek Goulding Creek Grassy Creek Grasshopper Creek Hotel Draw Hermosa Creek Jones Creek Kroeger Park Lime Creek Little Elk Creek Lone Spruce Draw Mill Creek' Mitchell Creek North Hope Creek Red Creek Reed Creek Relay Creek South Fork Stony Creek Sheep Creek Salt Creek South Hope Creek Tank Creek West Cross Creek Unidentified TOTAL BUCK DOE 6 1 3 1 2 6 6 10 2 1 4 3 FAWN DEER BULL 1 9 2 1 4 13 3 3 1 5 1 2 2 5 10 6 17 3 1 6 8 1 1 4 6 16 5 10 11 COW CALF ELK 3 10 2 2 3 4 2 13 9 3 3 1 1 2 7 9 26 2 1 1 9 10 36 14 17 14 2 1 2 52 13 1 4 1 1 1 19 18 8 16 1 1 2 3 2 1 29 37 2 2 23 5 2 20 8 9 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 25 1 2 2 53 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 12 7 11 ~ 4 3 4 1 2 2 6 2 1 7 2 1 1 1 1 1 7 2 1 1 1 1 82 2 1 3 9 1 1 20 1 3 6 1 8 2 1 1 5 1 2 1 5 13 2 1 3 3 1 1 3 5 1 1 1 1 2 3 1 6 3 1 2 1 1 1 2 3 5 3 2 8 2 1 4 2 3 5 8 13 10 1 25 237 157 144 53 354 8 1 2 1 3 1 4 130 2 29 13 4 6 10 .2 1 5 3 1 7 7 3 3 1 �- 51 - DOE DEER HOG-DRESSED )iEIGHTS Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests October 1-31, 1948 POUNDS WEIGHT NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 80 100 45 94 54 50 95 100 92 118 104 52 98 108 96 120 97 120 104 88 110 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 \ AVERAGE: 91066 1925 �- 52 III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 2 - Correlation of Game and Livestock Land Use Status Throughout the period of this report the mapping of' land to show the correlation of game and livestock use was continued» and this information was addedto management plan data. Job 4 - Utilization and Availability of Browse on SUmmer Range Examination of summer ranges was made in the Pine» Piedra» Animas, and Dolores Game Management Units. The degree of browse use by deer and elk on all ranges examined was judged proper. Job 6 - Quadrat Study of Range in Utilization Plots In order to have a means of comparing deer elk use with nonuse in the key Hermosa winter range area of the Animas Unit, a quarter acre quadrat was established. The site was chosen so as to include a representative sample of the most important browse species. The fence was constructed seven feet high of woven wire. barbed wire. and cedar posts. Job 7 - Mesa Verde Clip Pli t Study In judging the carrying capacity of a browse range, the game manager has been handicapped for lack of definite and confirmed data as to just how heavy sustained browsing may be without serious injury to the plants. In an attempt to learn the degree of use that browse plants can withstand and maintain their vigor and growth, a controlled clipping experiment has been initiated at Mesa Verde National Park. Representative stands of sage brush, (Artemisia tridentata), Antelope brush, (Purshia tridentata), Service berry (Amelanchier alnifolia), Mountain mahogany» (Cercocarpus parvifolius)>> and Oak brush, (Quercus Gambellii). have been selected. Within these stands. plots have been fenced to exclude game. The fences were constructed of woven wire, barbed wire, and br-aced cedar posts. Three series of 'five plots each have been, or will be estiab Li she d in each plant type. J One plot jn each series will be used as a controL The other four will have a percentage of their annual growth clipped yearly. One will be clipped twenty percent» one forty percent. another sixty percent. and the fourth will have eighty percent of its annual growth clipped. The clipping will be done each year for a period of years. To date, all of the fencing has been done for all of the plant species mentioned except Oak brush. A total of sixty plots have been fenced. Where topography and plant ty~e have pernutted. several plots have been included inside one fence. In some instances. one or two plots only could be included inside a single fence. �- 53 Suitable stands of Mountain Mahogany could not be found in Mesa Verde National Park. Plots of this type were established in the Hermosa Winter Range area. In this location9 the controls will serve as additional checks of browse use by deer. Job 3 - study of Other Mortality Factors -- Winter Loss~ Starvation~ Diesease. Parasites, Highway, and Railroad Mortality. During the month of November, four deer were killed by automobiles on U. S. Highway 550 where it passes through the Hermosa winter area. In the same period, a fawn was found with two broken hind legs. Evidence indicated it had been injured in a barbed wire fence. N"<;> winter starvation has occurred. South Central Colorado 10 Carwin D. Tolman Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges -- Deer and Elk Job 2 - Location and Extent of Winter Ranges Objective~ To locate a~d map winter ranges - deer Method~ Checks were made on foot and from the car. The known winter areas were covered. Comparative density of deer popUlations were determined by the relative amount of sign present. Upper Arkansas Drainage: Collegiate Peaks Area: In South Cottonwood» Middle Cottonwood» and North Cottonwood Creeks, deer sign was most abundant in the upper limits of the winter range at about 8,700 feet in elevation. This range extends along the southeastern and southern exposures of the drainages. Deer are well scattered. However, some concentration is found in the alfalfa fields at night. Marmot Peaks Area: In Four Mile, Seven Mile, and Trout Creeks~ deer are well scattered and are found from above the upper limits of their normal winter range to the stream bottoms. The greatest amount of sign was found on the northern exposures at the edge of the coniferous timbered patches. Distribution in this area is relative to the abundance of available browse. Considerable feeding on aspen was noted. Upper GUllllisonDrainage: Tomichi Creek, Taylor River, and the Lake Fork of the Gunnison were checked. Deer were well scattered, however, the early December storm caused a downward movement and some concentration in the Lake Fork and Upper Tomichi Creek drainages. �- 54 II. Population Surveys Job 2 - Sex-Ratio - Deer and Elk Survey A survey of the Gunnison and Arkansas Biver drainages is being made. A sufficient 1umber of deer have not been sexed for an accurate sex-ratio figure at the time of this writing. III. Forage and Range Utilizationo Job 6 - Quadrat Objective: elk useo Study of Ranbe in Utilization To determine the range recovery Plots in relation to deer and Method: Exclosures to be established in key deer and elk winter range areas. One exclosure with a seven and one~half foot fence was established on the Middle Fork of Cottonwood Creek deer concentration area. Material for another has been delivered to the Trout Creek deer concentration area. Wire and other materials were furnished by the San Isabel National Forest. Other proposed sites for exclosures are as follows: Prosser Creek, (Tomichi Creek drainage), above the Roper ranch near Almont, and Red Creek of the Gunnison drainage. A forage inventory is beinG made on all proposed plots and comparative photOGraphic hubs are being established in the areas where the plots are to be located. IV. Mortality Job Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds 3 - study of Other Mortality Factors -- 1;linterLoss, Star.ration, Disease, Parasites Objective: To determine ing factors. and Others. the losses to deer herds by various decimat- Methods: Field post-mortem examinations were made whenever the opportuni ty afforded. Durin-g the la'st three days of the hunting season, trips were made into the ProsserCreek and Needle Creek drainages. Highway mortalities were checked for evidence of parasitism. Findings: It was noted that deer from Prosser, Upper Razor, and Needle Creek drainages, coming through the Monarch. Check Station were in poor condition as to flesh. An attempt was made to discover the reason. Findings are as I'o Ll.ows r Specimen No. l. Date: October 22~ 1948. Drainage~ Needle Creek. Sex: Male (two point). Parasites external: Ticks (D. andersoni) few. �- 55 Parasites internal: Throad bots (Cephenomya jellisoni) three in the advanced stages; numerous in the early stageso Lung worm (Protostrangylus sp) light to medium infestation. Leg worm none. -Tapeworm (Cysticercus sp) numerous. Tapeworm (Nlonieziasp) adults one. No other parasites were seen. Evidence of infections and other infestations: Lungs: Considerable scar tissue was encountered in the lungs together with small localized infections. Infective substance had a pinkish casto Liver e Normal Heart: Normal Brain~ Normal Antlers~ Stubbys points blunt. This is characteristic of the deer from this area. Animal appeared to be small for the age class with very little fat. Specimen Noo 2 Date: October 23s 19480 Drainage~ Prosser Creeko Sex~ Female Age: About 18 months (dry). Parasites external: None Parasites Lnt.e rne.Lr Throat bots (Co jellisoni) numerous in the early stage of development. Lung worm (Protostrangylus sp.) few~ only three seeno Tapeworm (Cysticercus sp.) sca+ter-ed , small and f'ew , Leg worm (Wehrdickmansia spo) moderate infestationo No other infestations or infections were notedo Post-mortem not complete. Speciment Noo 3. Date: October 241 19480 Drainage! Prosser Creek. Sex: Female about three years old (current lactation evident)o Parasites external: Ticks (Do andersoni) oneo . Parasites internal~ Throad bots (Co jellisoni) numerous» in the early stages of development only~ Lung worm (Protostrangylus sp.) numerous9 worms throughout the lungso -Tape worm (Cysticercus sp.) heavy infestationo Leg worm (Wehrdickmansiaspo) heavy infestation on both front and hind legs extendingwell up , Evidence of other infections.and infestations: Lungs: considerable scar tissue was encountered throughout the lungs together with small localized infectionso Infective substance had a pinkish casto Animal was in poor'flesho It is interesting to note that this area is considerably overgrazed by both deer and domestic livestock, and.that the annual growth on Sagebrush and other browse was slight. �- 56 Specimen No.4. (Taken by a hunter and hog-dressed by h i.m, ] Date~ October 17~ 1948 Sex~ Male. Young four-point buck. Drainage~ Ford Creek. External parasites~ Ticks (D. andersoni) few Internal parasites~ Not taken. Evidence of other infestation and infections: The entire body of the animal was covered with tumorlike swellings or enlargements of the tissue similar to Actinobacillosis or Actino= mycosis. (Actinobacillosis lignieresi has been reported from deer in Colorado.) A specimen was sent to the Veterinary Medicine Department .• Colorado Ao & M. College; Fort Collins .•Colorado. Returns have not been received as yet. Eastern Front Range of the Rockies -~ Gordon A Douglas I. Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges ._Deer and Elk Job 3 - ~tigr~tion Between Summer and Winter Ranges. Heavy hunting pressure at the east and north boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park during the 1948 big game hunting season has dri veri a herd of elks tentatively numbered at 250 individuals, from the Park to the vicinity of Crosier Mountain. This situation developed on account of the rugged nature of the canyon of the Big Thompson River, and the solid front of locked gates on its North Fork. Hunters entering this area via Loveland become concentrated in a relatively narrow strip of terrain betvveen the Estes Park Closed Area on the west, and the inaccessible rocks of Crosier Mountain on the east. As winter progresses .•some of these elk may cross the North Fork of the Big Thompson towards Cedar Park.. in which case they will create a damage comnlaint from land o~~ers in that area. This is a recurring problem .•the solution of which probably lies in working out an agreement with the National Park Service whereby this. elk herd will be cropped at intervals wi thin Rocky Mountain Park. 110 Population Burveys _,= Deer and Elk Job 2 - Sex-Ratio Survey Object: To find the ratio between bucks and does. and between does and fawns in portions of the Poudre River deer herd after the 19L~8big game hunting season. Methods: Counts'were made from the highway .•of deer on the meadows of Poudre canyon. and by the use of glasses .•in the hills north of the McNeeley Ranch west of Ted's Place on December 6 and 9.•19480 �Meadow counts were made by Game Warden Jack Mutzv hill counts by the writero Results~ In the after.noon of December 9$ 18 deer were counted within one-half mile north of the south boundary of state pasture leased by McNeeleyo There were no bucks among themD 10 does and 8 fawns being countedo At the same timeD Mutz counted 8 bucks» 46 doesD and 36 fawns between Rustic and Kinnikinnicko On December 6~he found 9 bucks» 31 doesD and 21 fawns between Rustic and Columbineo Total deer by classes Bucks Does Fawns Total 17 87 65 169 Ratios Bucks to Does Does to F~Nns 1 1 Conclusions~ This sample indicates that the Poudre River herd is high in does per bucko Further study must determine the estimated populationD confirm or change trese ratio figures» and determine how the utilization of winter feed is affecting the available supplyo III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 2 - Correlation of Game and Livestock Land Use Status Due to the favorable exposure and steep slopes of much of the foothill country in the Front RangeD private lands lying outsideD or just inside the National Forest are often subject to heavy stocking of cattle and horses during the wintero The snow does not usually fall heavily in the area mentionedD and even when it does» the sun does not permit it to remain long on south exposureso For this reasonD many areas» so locatedD become bones of contention between wintering deerD elkD and livestocko Such competition becomes acute at times of heavy snows when the forage for wintering game suffers from overuseo Grass is made unavailableD and elk turn more heavily to browse which is usually not so great a part of their dieto ThE'writer has observed severe elk utilization of Mountain Mahogany', (Cer-coca.rpus mont anus L under storm condit.i.ons , along their trails to and from meadows and stacks which they invaded only at night and in the early morning hourso Indications are that the elk fed on the browse during the daytime when they were afraid to venture to a stack of hay which they used at nighto This resulted in acute competition with deer for the feedo �= 58 - IV. Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds Job 1 - Hunting Loss Other Than Legal Bag Checking station surveys during the 1948 big game hunting season revealed that crippling loss is common to any type of seasone One hunter reported shooting a buck in the mouth, and knocking out several of its teethe The buck, bleeding profusely, ran through snow, leaving a well marked trail which the hunter followed for five miles. Vfuen it became apparent that the deer was not weakened enough to stop, the man gave up the chase. Such crippling sometimes leaves a deer able to survive the hunting season, but in poor condition to escape predators, or to travel through deep snow. Two crippled fa~~s were killed during the season to end their suffering. Both were within a mile of Ted's Place Checking Statione One had both front ankles broken, the other had been shot through the right rear leg. The great number of antler less deer shot during a season on antlered deer only, indicated that a great many hunters become too excited to choose a legal target when an opportunity to shoot presents itself. �,.-i· · I o Vic"\t'urg ~ I Winfield SAN ISABEl.. ~ ,· (;rluf/'PII -.•.c"'••. ,. ..•• ,c : · Au~r_ I'I'96 ~~ os~Ebm~E Ali"''' '" . ~ LoGorilO Iilil"" MAP OF SOUTEWESTERN COLORADO DEER - PRE-SEASON () ~ ---------- AREA BOUNDARY CHECK STATIONS PRE-SEASON AREA BOUNDARY She.pM/to. oSummil"me 1..;111 "".-1_"*. s.-."';tAt !.J1>7 g~. R~NGS"4 EL.710, 1 S.WJI SOUTHERN UTE o °Mn(vet oX> "7'"V. LongMt,. Redmeso Tote! MLleage between red stars N M �- 59 Pre-Season Check Station Report Twenty-three check stations were set up through the special~ two~ deer, early season hunting areao These stations~ their location~ the department personnel in charge, and the number of temporary men are listed below. Map 1 shows their relative location to the huntir.g area. -_. Station Location Department Personnel In Charge Cedareige Delta Dove Creek Gateway Glade Grand Valley Ground Hog Molina Montrose Muddy Creek Nat,,;., ita New Castle North Delta Norwood Olathe Palisade Paradox Placerville Ridgeway Rifle Rulison Silt Whitewater c. D. Tolman Lloyd Searle 10 R. Poley Co Davidson, Lo Dunn. Wayne Nash, Ho Wixon Ho Stiehm Ho Terrell J. Russell Paul Gilbert Lo Evans Al Carlson Ao Orlosky, E. Wilson R. Mink G" Douglas A. De Gue I l e , Do Gore Dudley Jerome Wmo Mink, M. Gore Eo Williams Ho Shepherd te Co filii D. Hutchins rio Flinn IIo Kennells Fo Dunham - No. of Temporary Employees :3 4 2 1 2 part tim9 2 2 :3 4 :3 2 :3 :3 2 2 :3 2 3 .3 2 ;;: .' 4 RegUlations pertaining to the special season area. The first deer taken in this area described as open ~o a special deer season oenceled the original 1948 deer hunting licer.seo Registered metal tag courons, to be used for taking the second deer in the special season a rea, had to be obtained at check stations by hunters as they entered this special area. All animals taken were to be tagged irnmed;~tely·after the killo Such animals, properly tagged,!) were to be checked through Game and Fish Department check stations to prove legal possession. All special coupons for the taking of a second deer in this special area and not used were to have been returned to the Game and Fish Department at an official check station by the hunter upon leaving the special area. The special coupcn~ �- 60 ~ as issued for the taking 6f the second deer in this special area, was not valid in any other area or season for the taking of a deer. Unused special coupons were reissued to the hunters re-entering the area for the taking of the second deer during the balance of the period of October 1-12 inclusive. The coupon for the taking of the second deer in this special area was void on October 13. Number of Hunters and Kill~ Checking station records show 20.730 hunters were in the area, a:!:1d had the hunters been normally distributed over the area there would have been 3.72 hunters per square mile. These hunters were not evenly distributed as Table I shows. The northeast part of the Uncompahgre. and the Divide Creek area of the Grand Mesa received the greater part of the hunters. The total kill in the pre-season was 11,768 deer and 52 bear. Seven thousand nine hundred and eighty-seven hunters made kills during the preseason. Success ratio of hunters for the season was 38~53%. This is considerably be Low the success ratio of an average season of 61%. due primarily to the fact that 47.35% of the successful hunters made double kills. Had each hunter obtained.only one deer. the success ratio would have been 56.77%. The kill for the first five days was 75.40% of the total kill. and the kill for the first three days was 54.26% of the total kill. The kill for a normal season is 53.7% for the first week of a season. This is considerably lower than the kill of the pre-season for the first five days. Of the kill for the first five days~ 42.82% were bucks, 41042% doess and 15.75% fawns. These figures clearly indicate that hunters endeavor to get bucks first, then if they were not successful, they concentrated on hunting does and fawns. The regulations for the pre-season stipulated that a hunter could kill a buck and a doe or two does. It would appear that due to this regulation a kill of 59.22% antlerless animals. and 40,78% antlered was made» which is just the opposite of the normal either-sex season. Of all deer killed9 39.40% were one and one-third ~rear old. This indicates that the previous favYn crop in the special pre-season area was very good. as the usual rate of increase is approximately 33%0 �~ 61 - DEER KILL BY UNIT Game Unit 34 Grand Mesa Grand Mesa (No of Delta) Eastside Uncompahgre LaSal West side Uncompahgre San Miguel Dove Creek 42 43 52 53 60 67 Does Fawns Total .Percent of Total Kill 657 675 6 5 2J)270 2~370 35 32 1»263 ID344 570 535 36 33 205 ID028 5 508 184 6 19537 11 5»668 72 3»115 ID289 75 13006 009 48017 061 26047 10095 064 4~799 1,9936 lID768 Bucks Name 5»033 BEAR KILL BY u~IT Game Unit Name Bear Killed 34 43 53 60 Grand Mesa East Side Uncompahgre West Side Uncompahgre San Miguel 11 24 8 9 - 52 36 Bear were killed by hunters who did not obtain deero Wounding Loss and Reason For Hunting In This Area~ In addition to checking hunters in» issuing the tags for the extra deerD and checking the hunters out with or without their game; check stations gathered some very important information relative to wounding loss!)and the reasons for hunting this special pre~season areao In checking the wounding lossD hunters reported they had seen ls056 dead deero This is a maximum figure as the check stations had no sure way to ascertain how many hunter reports covered the same dead deero Alsop 263 deer that had been previously shot were obtain~ ed by the hunterso Four hundred and twenty-five deer were wounded by hunters and not obtainedo These figures show that ~039% of the deer killed were not obtainedo This is below the State average of a regular season of 13076%0 In checking why hunters went into this special season area. it was found that 33% went into this area because they generally hunted there This would be 6.841 hunters that have hunted this area in previous yearso Forty-two percent hunted there due to the early season,p and 25% hunted there because they could obtain two deer on one licenseo From this it is very apparent that an early season is an excellent management tool if a large reduction is necessaryo 0 �- 62 -TABLE I DEER KILL BY CHECK STATIONS Bucks Does Fawns Cedar-edge 36 36 7 79 Delta 841 877 470 2~188 Dove Creek 41 51 18 110 Gateway 32 53 10 95 Glade 160 217 66 443 'Grand Valley 12 10 3 25 Gr-ound Hog 66 57 10 133 Molina 136 104 26 266 Montrose 925 845 450 2,220 Muddy Creek 20 21 14 55 Naturita 182 221 55 458 New Castle 14 20 2 36 North Delta 235 273 70 578 Norwood 291 266 llO 667 Olathe 170 154 64 388 Palisade 37 41 17 95 Paradox 8 3 Placerville 98 91 23 212 Ridgeway 118 166 17 301 Rifle 51 47 16 114 Rulison 4 8 4 16 330 364 123 817 Whitewater 992 4.799 1,108 5,033 361 1.936 ·2,461 11,768 Percentage: 4007 42.8 16.5 station Silt Total 11 �- 63 Submitted by: Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan -------------------------------Wildlife Technician V Title --------------------------------Name Note: Title C. N. Feast, Director Date January 29, 1949 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obt~in permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. ��- 65 STATE COLORADO ---------------------------- PROJECT NO •• DATE PROGRESS QUARTERLY SURVEYS AND I N V EST 4l-R-l January, 1949 ------------~~--~--------- REPORT I GAT ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: 20 Leaders: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Survey George W. Jones, and Claude Eo Vfuite, Jro 3. Report of Progress: Title of Job: Population trends and life history studies. Objectives~ To accurately determine fluctuations in the population of Bighorn sheep in Colorado and to initiate life .history studies on Bighorn sheep which will include investigations in parasitology, studies in lambing success and sex ratio control;.and·successful adaptation of transplanted herds to new environments. Personnel: George if. Jones, and CLaude E. White, Jr. Results: The Tarryall Herd:. Studies in population trends and lambing success are still in progress. As of December 1, the ewe-lamb ratio is 1 lamb :'1.5 ewes. It is probable that this ratio will change upon the arrival of the rest of the Tarryall herd on the winter range. This year rut began on November 11, in 1945 on November ll~ in 1946 on November 4, in 1947 on November 7,a variation of 7 days. In the adjacent Kenosho Mountains rut begins later, on or near November 21. This is probably due to the fact that the majority of the Kenosho herd remains above timberline throughout the yearo During the past quarter 5 sheep heads were picked up in the Tarryall District, 3 ram heads were found on Rock Creek, 1 ewe head in Dry Gulch" and 1 ram head from Indian Creek Canyon. This was the first ewe head found in the Tarryall district in 4 years of Bighorn investigations. �- 66 - The Ten Mile Range~ This herd was last surveyed in 1946. At that time there were 7 ewes and 3 rams , In September there were 13 ewes and 8 rams~ As there are no other sheep in the area this is probably a natural increase of 11. Rifle Hogback: It was determined in July that the Rifle herd was ranging southward from the release point toward low country. In October they were located about 6 miles from Rifle and approximately 10 miles from the release point. They finally settled on a slope immediately above the Holmes coal mine and road, apparently taking no notice of the daily activity around the mine. They frequently graze within 100 yards of the mine shaft. The count at this time was 8 ewes and 5 lambs. Seventeen animals were originally planted, 3 rams, 4 lambs~ and 10 ewes. It is assumed that all of the planted herd were not together at the time they were found and presumed that the group found left the herd before lambing time to bear their young. Further investigation will be carried out during the next quarter to fully determine the status of the Rifle herd. Title of Jobg Experimental salting of Bighorn Sheep Areas. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of mineral salt in reducing the incidence of disease and mortality subsequent to the consumption of mineral soil. Personnel: George W. Jones, and Claude E. lVhite, Jr. Results: On Novembe r 6, blocks of rock salt were placed on the Dry Gulch winter range~ 3 blocks at the head of Rock Creek and Long Gulch. V'fith the establishment of these stations the greater part of the Tarr;yall refuge has salt stations placed at the major crossings and concentration areas. ¥uneral salt, placed at the head of Rock Creek in the fall of 1947~ remained untouched until November. The sheep in that area are now using the mineral salt enough to warrant a continuation of its use. It is hoped that eventually mineral salt can be used with rock salt on all stations. The introduction of"certain salts, particularly phosphorous and calcium, into the diet of the sheep seems to be important to their survival. During the quarter, a heavily used mineral salt lick was located on Cottonwood Creek. west of Buena Vista. Seven head, 2 rams and 5 ewes~ were observed eating the soil in Novembe r, The salt lick was f'ormed when a cut was made through a talus slope during construction of the road up Cottonwood. The sheep have to stand on the roadbed when using the salt lick. Figures 1 and 2 were taken at distances of 6 and 2 feet, respectively. They show the round depressions formed by the muzzles and tongues of the visiting sheep. The lower C horizon is the only part of the bisected talus slope utilized by the sheep. �FIG. 1. SHOWING THE PRIMARY MINERAL LICK ON COTTONWOODCREEK, 8 MILES WEST OF BUENA VISTA, COLO. FIG. 2' SHOWING A SMALLER SECONDARYLICK. �- 67 The soiI is heavy, granular and looks like cement wi th reck included. Samples weretaken from the A, B, and C horizons and are now being analyzed by Dr. Tobisco of the.._QoloradoA. & M. Veterinary Department. Title of Job~ Leader: Management of the Tarryall Closed Area. George W. Jones Results: During the quarter, the 145 square mile area of the Tarryall Closed Area was officially posted. New signs were placed every 1/4 mile with some variance, depending on the terrain. The land now posted begins at the junction of Rock Creek and State Highway 77, southeasterly with Highway 77 to the Junction of Badger Gulch and Tarryall Creek; thence northwesterly to Pilot Peak; thence north with the Park County line to the shaft house; thence northwesterly with Lost Creek to the forks of the North and South forks; thence northwesterly along the divide between north and south Lost Creek to the Kenosho range; thence along the divide of the Kenosha range to the head of Rock Creek and south with Rock Creek to Highway 77. Special attention was taken in placing the signs along Highway so they could be easily seen. During the deer season, 2 fawns, 1 doe, and 1-2 point buck were killed by spotlight along the highway. So far as is known no sheep were lost during the season. Submitted: Name Approved: George W. Jones and ------~~-------------------Claude Eo White, Jr. Title Note: Wildlife Technicians ----------------------------Title: Co N. Feast, Director Date: January 17, 1949 Persons vnshing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department 77 � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/bbee907ac9fcd2d233179402774795d0.pdf fb6a2ed66bf626cf8d85f604babba42d PDF Text Text STATE COLORADO ----- ---------------- PROJECT NO", DATE QUARTERLY SUR V E Y S PRO AND G RES I N V EST S 32-D April, 1949 ----~--~~------------REP I GAT 0 R T ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader:- George Wo Jones 3. R~port of Progress~ Title of Job: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Restoration The trapping and transplanting of Bighorn Sheep Objectives~ To introduce Bighorn Sheep into areas where they do not now exist and to inject new blood into slowly increasing herds throughout the stateo Results: The first deep snow of the 1948-49 season fell in the Tarryalls on February 270 The effects of the storm became evident almost immediately in a marked increase of the sheep along Tarryall Creek (Project 41-R; Tre~d Counts for February)o On February 28 it became apparent that the heaviest trap use would occur at trap #2; near the Sprucetree Campgroundo The trap gate was dropped at 8 aomo on March 3 on 14 head of sheep, consisting of 2 young rams, 8 mature ewes; 2 lambs; and 2 yearlingso When the gate was dropped the sheep immediately charged the rope nett-ing, and acted exceptionally wild; probably due to the short time (2 days) which the sheep had to work the trap prior to the gate being droppedo After the sheep calmed down, 2 men pushed them into the loading chuteo During this procedure the sheep repeatedly hung their horns high up on the netting and had to be lifted offo One yearling ewe partially broke off her right horn at the base; making a good herd marker for future surveys 0 The truck was backed up to the loading chute, the sheep loaded and the 125-mile trip was made to Georgetown; where the sheep were released at 2:30 p.m. in Clear Creek County, Sec. 28-33 T3S-R-74w, at Douglas Mountain on South Clear Creeko When released the sheep left the truck in a group and made their way up the hill to a small herd of sheepo They looked back occasionally but did not graze on the ascent. This was a further indication of the nervousness displayed by the sheep in the trap and during the trip. They were the first sheep that did not lay down in the truck during �-2the trip from the trapping site to the release point. It is definitely advisable to let the sheep use the trap for 4 to 5 days before dropping the gate, if at all possible. With the exception of the yearJing with the broken horn~ all of the sheep were in good condition. There were no apparent injuries or 'any loss of vigor when the sheep were released. Warden Vernon Turner of Idaho Springs assisted during the release. Discussion~ The trapping season for 1948-49 is over. The problems which have arisen during this season make it necessary to change the trapping procedure for the next season. One of the major problems to contend with is the large number of amateur photographers who flock into the Tarryal1 Valley on week-ends during clear weather. These invasions rendered the China Rock trap virtually useless during the past season and have necessitated its removal from view of Highway 77. In addition, the experience derivAd from the past 2 years of trapping has definitely proved the larger trap to be more efficient. Of the 189 sheep trapped to date in the Tarryall area only 56 have come from the smaller trap, the remainder from SugarLoaf Mountaino The best overall size is believed to be about 3/4 of an acre, which is slightly larger than the Spruce Camp and China Rock traps, and smaller than the Sugar Loaf Mountain trap. A reduction in size and removal of trap /1 to Rock Creek is probable if the Sugar Loaf herd does not increase in size rapidly enough for continued trapping. These changes will remove the two most important traps from public accessibility and will undoubtedly increase their efficiency. Submi tted by: Name George Wo Jones and Approved: COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH Dm'ARTMENT Claude E. White, Jr. Title Wildlife Technicians Title Date Note: C. No Feast, Director March 25, 1949 ------------~~~~---------------- Persons wishing to quote from this abstract sho~ld first obtain permission from the Color~do State Game and Fisp Departmento �- 3 STATE COLORADO PROJECT NOG 34-n-4 --~~--~-------- DATE PRO QUARTERLY SURVEYS AND G RES I'N V EST S April, 1949 ------~--~--~~-------- REP I GAT 0 R T ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Wild Turkey Development (Merriams) 2. Leader: Martin L. Burget Assistant Leaders: Earl Ford and Jack Newman 3. Report of Progress: Purpose: The purpose of this project is the restoration of Merriams wild turkey (Meleagris gallopovo merriami) to as much of its former range as possible~ and to build within that range a huntable surplus of birds in the shortest time possible. Scope: History (and much of it has not been written, except on the memories of old settlers) reveals a populated area comprizing many thousands of square miles. On the basis of National Forests alone it covers portions of at least five national forests~ I. Pike National Forest. 2. "The San Isabel National Forest. 3. The Rio Grande National Forest. 4. The San Juan National Forest and combined with this The Montezuma National Forest. 5. The Uncompahgre National Forest. 6. Mesa Verde National Park. Along the southern border of the state it stretches more than 300 miles east and west. ,Along the east side of the Continental Divide the historical area went up nearly to Fort Collins which comprises better than 275 miles north and, sout.h , while on the west section of the state it reached northward from Mesa Verde Park to a place close to Grand Junction. This is a distance of nearly 175 miles. Of course it must be understood that not all of this area was inhabited by wild turkeys. There were altitudinal barriers, park like sections that did not produce any food, and winter conditions through which the birds could not survive. No doubt some of these conditions were responsible for the development of the natural migratory habit of the birds from summer to winter range. Careful observation of flock movements have shown that some of them move as much as twenty-five miles up and back in a single season. �Unless much of the former range can be reoccupied~ a huntable surplus of birds can not be developed. In the preliminary surveys these facts have been carefully covered. First. the availability of a winter food supply of sufficient size to support a reasonable development of birds in winter is noted. Summer range has never been a limiting factor. Water supply is also important. For a range to be suitable there should be a year around water supply. Reservoirs. small lakes, springs, small creeks or ponds all play an important roll in restocking possibilities. Durjng the winter months the turkey likes living water. If there is an open spring they will travel long distances to reach it. The reason for this is two-fold. It forms a supply of water and there are usually greens growing about a living spring that supply tasty bits for their dieto Th~ turkey will get his supply from snow when open water is not available and water supplies are frozen over. The turkeyls feather covering is so constructed that they do not suffer in the coldest weather if there is a sufficient supply of food to keep their body processes active. Another problem in this development program is one of public relations. Although we have a democratic form of government» the problem of sharing our commodities often strikes a rather sharp discord. Most communities are glad to receive, but positively unwilling to give or share. The winter range of our turkey flocks is so near the borders of private property that it is difficult to carry the program forward without some offense to someone. Then some of the turkey range has become too settled to allow restocking at all. This year we began definite work on a principle that is taking hold. It is the idea of introducing fresh blood into the flocks by the introduction of unrelated toms. Most folks see the value at once and the response has been most gratifying. Development of Trapping and Transplanting Techniques~ It is generally conceded that the trapping of adult native wild stock and transplanting it to the wild is the best method of restocking wi Ld turkeys. Such birds are prepared for the problem c!-' seeking .their food in the field and do not run to tame flocks when released. The construction of a trap that will be effective,.and at the same time inexpensive, has provoked a lot of study. The construction of permanent or semipermanent traps requires a lot of time and is an expensive process. This is especially true when the trap is to be used only once, Where traps are to be set up on private land it involves another public relations problem. Most ranchers do not want pens strewn about their pastures. Where traps are to be set up gradually like the ones mentioned by Mosby and Handley, 1943; Ligon, 1946; Sylvester .and Lane, 1946; and William B. Baldwin, 1947, the detail takes up too much time. Then. too, as these men admit. it is difficult to get birds into any form of trap. If the trap fails, the labor and time expended is lost. �- 5 Net type drop traps that have proven successful in Texas are not very practical in a climate as cold as we have in Colorado. These net traps denude the birds a great deal in the process of trapping. When birds are released in Sub=Zero weather they would be subject to a lot of suffering and perhaps many would perish as a result of the exposure. With these facts in mind we endeavored to construct a trap that would be portable in nature and that would be simple to set up. Poles, of course, were out of the question. They are too heavy and awkward to handle. Our present trap, which is proving successful? is made of one-by~four slat gates. There are five slats running· lengthwise with two end bars and two cross bars equi-distant from the ends to make them more substantial. The sides and gates are thirtyfour inches high. The gates running over the top are inter-changeable. All openings between the slats The original structure was 10V X l2i• are 3-3;4". The dressed 1" x 4" are 3-1;4" in width. This makes packing compact and keeps the trap from sliding about in transporta~ tiona Our present trap is 10' x 20v with all gates exactly ten feet in length. The sides and gates are set up and held in pJace by 5" . strap hinges. The bolts were taken out and 4" x 1/4" bolts substituted. The top is held in place by wires or binder twine cut in lengths. The tying is necessary as the birds would fly against them and knock them out of place. The gates are made of 2" x 4" material and bolted with three eights of an inch boltso A slot is formed at each end and a piece of dark canvas is nailed to the top of the structure. This is rolled on a 3/.+"tube and held at the top of the gate by eye bolts set in at an angle to keep them from binding when released. The eye bolts have wires attached that run to the center of the trap on top. Here . they double back through pulleys and are attached to a single wire leading to the blind. If the tension on all wires is carefully adjusted this tripping mechanism will work perfectly. The pulleys we use are standard clothesline types about four inches in diameter. Strange as it may seem a color variation in these traps may mean the difference between success and failure. At first these traps were painted a br~ght light tan~ The turkeys refused to go into them at all. Then we experimented. They were painted a dull light leaf brown and success followed at once. This fall the traps were painted a dark brovm and again the birds were shy. With this color it took from two to five days longer to get the birds to go in than it did with the lighter color. It is our present plan to camouflage paint them in brown and dark green. The first gates of our trap were thirty inches Wide. These fitted into a slotted slide that was twice the height of the trap. Narrow end gates fitted into the outside of this slide to complete the 10v width. The gates were held up by spring cupboard catches. These had a small wire stretched between them over the top of the trap. A trip wire was run from the center of this to the blind with a restraining spring to keep it from tripping accidentally. These gates �-6 worked successfully on several occasions. It was discovered that with this narrow gate some of the birds would become frightened. In their effort to escape they would frighten others before they could find the gate. This was our reason for building the gates the full width of the trap. Trapping Methods: At State Turkey Ranch two permanent pole traps are kept baited throughout the winter. These are both set near a roosting site. Feed is never put out when the birds are in the area. Sometimes this means that the feed'must be put out in the dark or very early in the morning. Outside the turkey ranch our first procedure is to locate a feeding flock of around forty or more birds. If these birds are on private land, permission is obtained from the rancher before trapping operations are attempted. A roosting site or at least a line of regular travel is located. If a trap cannot be set up conveniently at this place a feed lane is put in to lure the birds to a trapping site. If the birds are cleaning a stubble field. the same kind of grain is used for bait. Usually within a week the birds will trail this feed to the trapping place. At the spot where the trap is to be set up any clearing is done in advance. This keeps the birds from becoming shy of extra activity. Occasionally the feed lane will run a full half mile or more. At the trap site the feed should be scattered widely. Any endeavor to save feed is a waste of time. Again. regularity is the price of success. Wild turkeys are creatures of habit. Regularity is o~e of their most staid habit characteristics. Setting up the Trap and Blind: William Po Baldwin. in his article. "Trapping Wild Turkeys in South Carolina", statesg "All ground traps in "New" trapping areas should be built gradually to allay the suspicion of the birds." We will readily attest to the turkeys keen vision, also to their highly suspicious nature. Testing the above advice with Merriams turkeys has caused us to miss several trapping opportunities. So keen is the turkeys vision and so suspicious are their natures that repeated changes in an area is likely to drive them from the area completely • ..•. When the trap'was set up it was set up completely. This includes setting in the trips and blind. It is a shock to the birds to see something in an area today where nothing was in sight yeste.rday. As a rule, the birds will tell you in no uncertain terms on the first morning about this change. However, if it doesn't move and the coloring is similar to the surrounding area, they yield to the' change in a short time. If they refuse to touch the feed in the area again, it is not too hard to move a simple portable trap such as ourso The blind in use is a 7' x 7' umbrella type tent. It is made of' dark green canvas. It is rather surprising but as a rule the birds arenot at all suspicious of this blind from the first. When feed is scattered near it, they will pick it up the first or second day. Even low conversation inside the blind does not seem to disturb'the birds. �-7Feed or bait is placed in the trap immediately upon setting it up. A considerable amount of feed is placed all about it and the blind. As the birds ta~e this outside feeq the quantity is gradually lessened to encourage the birds to take the feed in the trap. As a rule some of the less wary birds will start feeding in the trap within a week. It may be just at the ends at first but they will be clear in in a day or two. Normally a catch can be made in about two weeks from the time the trap is set ~p. AB mentioned alove, the top of the trap is only 34" above the ground. It is true that turkeys fear any obstruction over head. We have discovered in seven years of trapping that turkeys are far more suspicious of a moving shadow than a still one. To place the top of the trap six or more feet high gives the birds that much more space to fly in and bz;uise their heads when trapped. In our traps all of the slats have the edges rounded to prevent injury from sharp obstructions. Since the ends of the trap are a dark canvas. the birds try to escape through the top or sides of the trap. A canvas cover is always at hand to cover the entire trap once the trips are sprung. The birds quiet quickly in a dark place and remain quiet till we are ready to crate them. For banding.an aluminum band 2-5/8 inches long by 1/2 inch wide is used. This band forms a ring just over three quarters of an inch in diameter. It is stamped with a number. the word "Notify" and the name and address of the Department. While this band is a little large for small birds and a little small for large toms it is still satisfactory. Banding is done at the time the birds are placed in the crates. This saves handling them twice. Our crates for hens are 33" long x 24" deep and 21" high. Each crate has two individual compartments. There is a canvas false top with a heavy pad of cotton batting to prevent the birds from injuring themselves. Once the birds are in the crates they are in almost total darkness •. The only light entering the crates comes through a hand hold in each end. These hand holds are four and one-half inches long and one inch vade. Once the birds are caught they are held just,as few hours as possible. We try to make the release the same day the birds are caught, however. we do not release birds in the dark. Release is in an open space so that the birds can fly freely if they wish. They usually do. Under this practice. our losses have been extremely light-less than two percent on more than four hundred and fifty birds. Even some injured birds survived our releases and added to the re~tocking percentages the first year. The birds are hauled in pick-up trucks from the trap to release areas. Our longest haul was made this year from Mancos to the Purgatoire area Northeast of Tr1nidad. The distance was 393 miles. These birds were held in the crates some 28 hours. When these birds were released they were in top conditio~. They flew a half mile before alightingo �- 8 It is bad practice to attempt to feed or water turkeys when in the crates. Almost invariably the turkey develops a highly nervous diarrhoea. Experience has proven that that they do not even consume the grain in their craws during the time of confinement in the trap and crateso This is another reason for moving the birds as quickly as possible. Souring food in the craw might cause digestive gasses that could result in the death of the birds if they were held too long in captivity. Another reason for quick delivery is to prevent a cowing of the birds spirit. The Trapping Season for 1948 and 1949~ There were forty-eight birds feeding in the turkey ranch area on November l~ 1948. It has been 9ur practice not to trap birds unless there were more than fifty in the area. Our feeding or baitmg7rogram was started in late October. This was done to hold any bird~ coming into the area. Earl Ford~ the regular trapping helper~ came in November. Jack Newmanp the regular ranch man$ was to care for the ranch birds. He was also to assist with the trapping outside when needed. Mr. Ford was taken into the Dolores area$ as it was our plan to let him look after the trapping program in that section. The author was to care for trapping tries on the eastern slope. Between sixty and seventy-five birds were feeding in the Lone Dome feed ground. Many flocks were reported allover the area. Howeve r, no turkeys were feeding around the regular Chicken Creek trapping area at this time. At the Lone Dome feed ground the birds were picking up shattered grain in an oats stubble field near by. This field was west of the trapping area and Roosting area. The birds were flying directly to this field for feed from the roost. As a result they refused to take feed for nearly two weeks. It is quite evident that these birds were raised in the area. Dro Lee E. Yeager and the author saw a nice flock of birds about one mile south of the feed area in October. On a second trip to the Dolores section we observed a flock of more than fifty birds feeding in some oat stubble~ These birds were four mi Les Northwest of Mancos.. The ranch owner was a Mr. Smith. He was contacted and arrangements for a try were made. Fall weather throughout the wild turkey range was ext.r-eme Ly mild and open. Trips could be made well into the back country until just before Christmas. During the month of November, only .01 of an inch of rain or snow fell at one time. A trace of moisture came on two other dates. Then in December only .37 of an inch had f~len through the 22nd. On December 23~ .75 of an inch of moisture in the form of wet snow came in a single fall. From that time on through January and well into February we had one of the worst storm periods in the history of Colorado. It did not come the same in all parts of the State. Southern and Western Colorado with the North and East were hit the hardest. Thermometer readings in the southwest part of the �- 9 state fluctuated~onstantly. When storms occurred the weather warmed up and the snow was soft and heavy. When it started clearing the temperature dropped well below zero. There were eleven days in January with minus readings with the 10west~~24 on January 50 The highest reading was a plus 53. In February there were 10 days with minus readings and three of these were -19. These records were kept at State Turkey Ranch. Other locations nearby suffered -40 readings. All game suffered~ and turkeys took their share of the rough weather. There was one redeeming feature in this period for the wild turkeys. The snow that came was heavy, and the cold that followed was sufficient to toughen it up so the turkeys could walk about without sinking too deeply. Heavy crops of persistent fruited shrubs; Rose hips (Rosa spp.); Skunk berry (Rhus trilobata); Haws (Crataegus sppv ) remained well above the snow and formed a type of feed the turkeys could reach. Deer and elk did not fare so well. The heavy snow would not support their weight and they plunged to the bottom. They became completely exhausted before they could reach food of any value. Calls for auxilliary feed came in rapidly •. During the real emergency an extra man was hired at turkey ranch and Earl Ford and Jack Newman were assigned to handle all auxilliary feed as much as possible. They also handled deer feed. assisting the wardens as much as they couldg and in turn the wardens assisted with turkey feed. The eastern slope turkey range was not damaged by the storms. The San Luis Valley also missed the main force of the storms. The weather was so open in some sections it made turkey trapping difficult. They simply would not come in regularly to feed. In spite of this fact three successful catches were made in the eastern part of the state this year. The Trapping and Transplanting Program: As usual the first catch of the season was made at State Turkey Ranch , It consisted of sixteen b.Lr ds, four of which were toms •..They were all caught in the upper trap which was sprung at 7~10 a.mo, The birds w:ere crated and we were on the road by 9:00 a.mo This catch was released on Custer Creek, northeast of Gardiner, Colorado, in Huerfano County. The catch was made on November 139 1948. and delivery was made the same afternoon at 4:00 p sm • .The Second catch of the season was made at the Lone Dome Feed ground in Montezuma County on the Dolores River on December 8; 1948. It consisted of only four birds. There were two mature hens and two juvenile toms. These were taken to the Uncompahgre area and were released on Cow Creek, seven miles northeast of Ridgeway. This area proved to be rather difficult to trap. More than a month was con.sumed getting this reaqy and then the catch was disappointing. Topographically the area is completely ideal. Open weather with an abundance of feed may have been the principal reasons for the condition. The birds came in and fed but only a few at a time. Then when they �- 10 went into the trap it was discovered that all would be male birds. fed at all hours of the day; the catch was made just after noon. They The third catch was made at State Turkey Ranch on December 30. This time seventeen birds were taken and three of these were males. Both traps were sprung on this dateo The upper trap took eleven hens. the lower one took three of each sex. The birds were banded and crated. then loaded on the pick-upo There was some question as to whether the birds could be hauled directly to the place of releaseo This was occasioned by the bad weather conditionso Four hens were added to the Cow Creek plant on the Uncompahgre area. The remaining 13 were taken to the Log Hill Mesa plant area about eight miles northwest of Ridgewayo A dead hen was found in one of these crates so the plant only consisted of twelve birdso This hen was taken to the Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Unit as a scientific specimeno The fourth catch was made in Martinez Canyon» twenty~five miles southwest of Trinidad in Las Animas Countyg on January 130 This try had also been a time consuming experienceo We had worked with these birds for more than a montho At times the birds would not come in to feed for three or four days. Many of the birds continued to be shy of the trap to the very lasto Only four birds were caught. They con~ sisted of three hens and one tom. They were taken at 8~30 aom. They were crated and moved to the Hudson Ranch. about 60 miles northeast of Trinidad on the Purgatoire Rivero The release was made on a side canyon about 2~1;2 miles northwest of the headquarters area at 1~15 pomo The fifth catch was made at the Smith Ranch. 4 miles northwest of Mancos on January 13~ 1949. Eight birds were trapped. One young tom escaped while we were getting into the trap. For this reason only seven birds were banded and taken for releaseo Here again the area had been fed for nearly a month before the catch could be completed. The birds banded consisted of three hens and four toms. According to a plan started in 1945 the toms were taken for the purpose of.cross breeding. Naturally where flocks remain constantly in an area over a period of years. imbreeding causes a deteriQrati6n of a flock. Our endeavor is to off-set this problem by the introduction of new blood lineso The birds were caught at 12:20 p.m., crated, then dismantled the set and packed the trap and equipment for transfer to the eastern slope and were on the road by 2~15 p.m. The trip was made through to Alamosa that nighto The weather turned cold and we could not get into a garage so the birds had to take the weathero Crates were covered the best they could and we left at 6~00a.mo the next morningo Two of the toms were released at the Falk place,six miles south of La Veta.the next morning as breederso These birds seemed stiff' and bedraggled when released. However~ they flew about three hundred yards and one lit in a tall cottonwood treeo The remaining five were �- 11 ~ taken direct to the Hudson Place on the Purgatoire Rivero This time we released at what is known as the Two Story House. Since there were still two toms ~ft in this group we felt it best to divide the releases. The release was surpris,;i.ngly go od , These birds had been hauled some three hundred and nifi~ty-three miles. This is the longest haul ever made in the stateo The birds had been in the crates for twenty-eight hours and when released~ they flew nearly one-half mile before alighting in some big pinon. pines. They were dry and clean; in fact~ they looked much better than the toms released in the morning. The sixth catch was made at the Vorhees Ranch» just north of the Cucharis camps and eleven miles south of La Vetao This trap had only been set ten days. The catch was made on January 199 1949; and consisted of ten birds. Since four of these were toms, one was banded and released at the place as a marker in case of a season. The birds were caught at 7:50 aom. They were transported to the Purgatoire area where the load was divided to make the sexes equal at both plantso Three hens and two toms were released at the Headquarters area, while three hens and one tom were taken to the Two Story House. This made a plant of nine birds at each area. The seventh catch was made at the Falk Ranch~ some six miles south of La Veta. near one of the famous stone walls. These are great rock ribs reaching out like fingers from the foot of the Spanish peakso The harder dykes have withstood the elements while the softer materials on either side have eroded away. The first tryon this flock was made on January 26.1>1949~ at 3:0C)pomo The trips failed to release a.ndthe turkeys were badly scared. The pulleys; a small sheathed type» were frozen and hung the trip wires. Only one pin pulled free in this test. A trip was immediately made to La Veta to pick up some pulleys that would work and they were put in placeo Regular feeding was continued for more than a weeko The trapping try was completed on February 4. 1949. Mr. Jack Culbreath, publicity director for the Colorado G:ameand Fish Department» was on hand to take a complete color movie of this'.cper-at.Lon, The 'birds came in to the feed at the trap at 6lt55 a sm, and the trips were sprting.on twelve birds at 7 :10 a sm, This catch consisted of 10 heris and 2 young toms. Ai'ter covering the trap with canvas, .we waited for better light before catching and banding the birds. The Falks assisted with the work and a Mr. Tom Lloyd. president of the statewide Isaac Walton League of' Denver. also assisted. This plant was made in its entirety in the Hayden Cr-eek area. twenty miles southeast of Salida. The birds were in excellent condition and the release was.made between 3~30 and 4:00 p.m. A final catch of'toms was made at State Turkey Ranch on February 14. 1949. Thirteen birds were caught. Since we had more than enough toms at the ranch and we were short on hens. the hens and one young tom were �- 12 released after being banded. The toms (six in number) were banded and placed in crates so that they could be released in three separate pairs. Each pair contained at least one mature tom. Two were released at the Hayden Creek plant near Salida. Two were released at the Falk Ranch and two at the Vorhees trap site. For the last releases, two members of the Salida Game Club were taken along as observers. These last two releases were made under the breeder exchange plan. Traps were set up at two other places on the eastern slope. One was in Riley Canyon, northwest of Trinidad. The rancher's name was Ray Dochter. The second trap was placed in the Sporleder property in Maverecio Canyon~ west of Aguilar. The weather was too mild and open and the season too late for these last tries to materialize. In the Sporleder place~ while checking near a roost, some strangely colored feathers were found. This indicated some hybred birds. These feathers had a more brownish cast than the straight merriams. In more than eight years of checking, this is the first indication of cross bred turkeys. The author inquired at the Sporleder place and also at a Mr. Robinson'S place near by, and both attest to a light mixture and some light brown birds. However~ they both claimed that no brown or reddish tame turkeys had ever been raised in the area. In a report by Mr. Grady Kendall~ it is recalled some eastern wild turkeys had been shipped to him from Florida in 1936. Part of these had been released at Monument Lake Park. These birds disappeared shortly after release. It had been Mr. Kendall's belief that the caretaker at the lake had eaten the birds. Evidently, some of these birds escaped from the park and mixed with native stock. On several tries~ we were unable to see these birds. However~ we will try again later and if possible collect one of these birds for examination. The original home of these birds was an island off the coast of Florida and it is evident that these birds were the Oceola strain of wild turkey. General Wintering Conditions: Generally speaking,ll the wintering conditions have been good. The one exception was the southwest section. Auxilliary feeding in this section has kept it in pretty good shape. Prospects for food pro.duction this summer are better than they have been since 1940. The heavy .sncwdrew the fro"s·t" out"of the ground. So"far there has been very little"runoff. " Most of the moisture is going into the ground and this wi 11 mean more active springs throughout the summer range. If weather conditions are favorable for hatching and there is not too heavy rains in June~ we see no reason why a season could not be opened this coming fall. j) �- 13 statistical Trapping and Transplanting Record for 1948 & 1949 Season: Catch location' Band Sex Age Turkey Ranch, Novo 13 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 585 586 587 588 589 590 Tom Hen Hen Hen Hen Tom Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Tom Hen Hen Hen Tom Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile Mature Juvenile Juvenile Mature Mature Mature Mature Mature Juvenile Juvenile Mature Mature Juvenile This plant was made in the Custer Creek section of Huerfano County. The location is at the foot of Baldy Peak in the Greenhorn Range and eight miles northeast of Gardinero The type of the area is PinonJuniper with a heavy stand of scrub oak and lesser shrubso Food was abundant and seven turkeys from the Rye plant had already moved into the area. * '" '" '" '" Catch location Lone Dome area, Montezuma Forest, Deco 8 Band Sex 591 592 593 594 Hen Hen Tom Tom Mature Mature Juvenile Juvenilei This plant was taken into the Uncompahgre section on the border between Montrose and Ouray Counties. The area is known as the Cow Creek section. The type is Yellow Pine, Pinion Juniper. There is a heavy understory of oak and associated shrubso Food is abundant. The plant was supplemented with four more hens on December 30. These were taken at State Turkey Ranch. Catch location Band Sex Age Turkey Ranch, Dec. 30 595 596 597 598 Hen Hen Hen Hen Juvenile Juvenile Mature Juvenile .•.* * '" .•. �- 14 Catch location Band Sex Age Turkey Ranch# Deco 30 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 701 Hen Hen· Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Tom Hen Tom Tom Mature I-year I-year Juvenile Mature I-year Mature l-year* I-year Juvenile I-year Juvenile Juvenile** * Died somewhere in transito Sent to Cooperative Unit at Fort Collins for scientific specimeno ** The balance of 600 bands were at Trinidad so we used the next hundred marker for this tomo The twelve live turkeys in this group were released in the Uncompahgre area on a section known as Log Hill Mesa. The men delivering these birds found scratching sign indicating that some of the birds "in some of the former plants in this area had been in ahead of this planto The type here is the Yellow Pine scrub oak association. Complete food study checks are kept in the files of preliminary check and planting recordso * * * * * Catch location Martinez Canyon~ Jan. 8 ~ 1949. Band Sex Age 611 612 613 614 Hen Hen Hen Tom, Juvenile Mature Mature Juvenile The plant was made at the Headquarters area on the Hudson Brother's Ranch, which is located on the rims of the Purgatoire Rive~ approximately sixty miles northeast of Trinidad. The type is Pinon Cedar association. The following plants also went into this area. Catch location Mancos Trap sight, Jan. 13# 1949 Band Sex Age 615 616 617 618 621 Hen Hen Tom Tom Hen I-year Juvenile .Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile �- 15 These birds were delivered at the Two Story House area on the Hudson Brother's ranch. Catch Location Band Sex Age Vorhees Trap Site, LaVeta, Jan. 19~ 1949 622 623 624 630 631 Hen Tom Tom Hen Hen I-year Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile These delivered to the Headquarters area at Hudson Brotherso Catch Location Band Sex Age Vorhees Trap Sitie , LaVeta~ Jan. 19" 1949 625 626 627 628 Tom Hen Hen Hen Juvenile I-year Juvenile Juvenile These were released at the Two story House area on the Hudson Brother's ranch. For this plant our original plan had been to release 20 birds in the area. Under this arrangement we were able to make two plants of nine birds each. Each of these groups had six hens and three toms. ** *** Catch Location Band Sex Age Falk Trap Site, LaVeta~ Feb. 4, 1949 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 (:43 Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Tom Hen Hen Tom I-year Juvenile I-year I-year Mature Mature Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile Mature Mature Juvenile This plant was moved in its entirety to the Hey den Creek area. This area is about twenty miles southeast of Salida and on the west side of the Highway from Salida to Canon City and about four miles west of the Highway. The type is Yellow Pine" Pinon Juniper association and there is an abundance of feedo ** ** * �- 16 Catch Location Band Sex Age State Turkey Ranch Feb. 14, 1949 '644 (;45 (;46 647 648 649 Tom Tom Tom Tom Tom Tom Mature Mature I-year I-year Juvenile Juvenile These were caught for breeders. They were divided into three groups each with a good breeding tom. The release was as follows: C44 and 646 were released at the Vorheestrap sitep 645 and 648 were released at the Falk trapping area, and 647 and 649 were released with the Hayden Creek plant south of Salida. The following numbers were trapped and released on the ground as markers: Catch Location Band Sex Vorhees Trap Site Jan. 19, 1949 629 Tom Juvenile * * ** * Catch Location Band Sex Age State Turkey Ranch Feb. 14, 1949 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 Hen Hen Hen Tom Hen Hen Hen Juvenile I-year Mature Juvenile I-year Juvenile Juvenile The reason these birds were not taken to a plant area for release was:,that we felt we had trapped sufficiently close at the ranch and neede d these for our next seasons development'. We did have more than enough toms, .bu t in 'order to get some of them for breeders we had to trip on others. However, these will give an excellent idea as to the movement of our turkeys at the ranch. The tom Noo 629 was released as the load was going to the Purgatoire and we had enough toms without him. To have moved him to the western slope would have meant carrying him over 24 hours before we could start. It is not wise to hold birds longer than necessary. The total catch for the season was 81 birds. They were divided as follows: Twenty-five toms and fifty-six hens. �1 J FIGURE 1 Slat type trap, la' x 20', with the blind back in the trees. This was a successful set. Ten turkeys were caught three days after this picture W8.S taken. ----------~---.--------------~-"'~-' .. FIGURE 2 Wild turkeys feeding near State Turkey Ranch. mostly young toms. These were �FIGURE 3' A fine young tom banded and ready for the crates. This bird with outstretched wing shows the pointed primaries which are ene of the principal ~arking fe~tures of a young bird. The author is holding the bird. The trap with canvas gate down and the cover canvas trap cover rolled back is at the right of the picture. The crates, showing taller tom crates, are in the center of the picture. ~~. James Falk, rar-cher assistant, has a string of turkey bands around his neck. �FIGURE 4 Loading the last crate int.o the truck to be delivered to the Hayden Creek release area. The sled in the left lower corner was used to haul the birds from the trap site to where they could be loaded on the truck. The mountains in th~ background are part of the CUlebra range of the Rocky Mountain chain. �FIGURE 5 Journeys end. Birds being released in the Log Hill Mesa section of the Uncompahgre area. Jack Newman and Earl Ford are making the releasA. Lower foreground just back of release shows ideal turkey range. Scrub oak mixed with Ponderosa pine and Pinon pine. The snowy range in the background is the La. Salle range in Utah. These are nearly one hundred miles to the west of release area. �- 17 ~ Eight of the toms were released as breeders in established flocks. This is done to build up the blood lines and get better breeding resultso General Summary~ The scope of this program historically and for restocking purposes is rather broado History embraces five National Forests in the state with much adjoining land including Mesa Verde National Parko Winter range is somewhiat narrowed down This$ no doubt, is one of the principal reasons for the turkey migration from summer to winter range and visa versao 0 It will be necessary to restock most of the present available range to build a huntable surplus of trurkeys , Abundant food for winter ranges a fairly constant water supply are two musts in choosing planting siteso· Public relations is a vital part of the programo This is true from the standpoint of protection as well as giving the birds adequate protection once they are in the field In developing adequate trapping techniques for trapping of wild birds in the field$ we have developed a slat type structure that is doing a good jobo (See picture) Permanent type traps are used at turkey ranch and the slat structure on all other types of trapping conditions Our carrying crates are simple two compartment structures with a padded top to protect the birds in transito These are hauled in pickup trucks from trap site to release areaso Birds usually arrive in excellent conditiono It is also our practice to never hold birds longer than is absolutely necessaryo 0 A new technique in public relations and good management is the transfer of good breeding toms into established flockso We try to take eastern slope toms west and visa versao The trapping season consisted of the trapping of some eightyone birdso Eight toms were used as exchange breederso A total of twenty=five toms and.fifty-six hens were caughto Six planting areas were filled as follows~ Two on the Uncompahgre Forest area. two in the Purgatoire River areas and two plants in the San Isabel Forest areao Bad weather conditions made it necessary to distribute more than seven tons of auxilliary feed during the wintero This inclUded wheats barleY9and oats. In the southwest section of the state~ wintering conditions were bado The rest of the turkey area was in excellent condition, �- 18 though we may have sustained some losses. So far as we have been able to determine up to date, the losses were extremely light. Literature Quoted: 1. 2. 3. 4. "The Wild Turkey in Virginia" - Mosby and Handley. 19430 nHisto~ and Management of Merriam's Wild Turkey" - Jo Stokely Ligon, 19460 "Trapping Wild Turkeys on the Kendtucky Woodland Refuge" - Walter Ro Sylvester and Preston W. Lane in The Journal of Wildlife Management for October, 1946. "Trapping Wild Turkeys in South Carolina" - William Po Baldwin in The Journal of Wildlife Management for January, 19470 Submitted by~ Approved: Name Martin Lo Burget COLORAOO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Title Wildlife Technician Title Date Note: C. N. Feast, Director March 31, 1949 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Departmento �= 19 = STATE Colorado --------------------- PROJECT NOo DATE PROGRESS "UARTERLY SURVEYS AND I N V EST 35-D --'------- April~ 1949 ----~--~--~-------- REP I GAT 0 R T ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project: 20 Leader: 30 Report of Progress: Antelope Restoration Robert R. Elliott Assembly of the trap at the new site in Chico Basin~ PUeblo County» was completed December l4~ ready for a "run" the following day as scheduledo It was thought~ that with antelope which had never been run by an airplane» there would be no necessity for building the "loop" as described in the last report. The wings instead were constructed in a Vp and the trucks were held ready to shove the antelope on into the net-pen when they got into the laneo Reversion to this old technique was intended to expedite the program which had been delayed considerably by the failures experienced. earlier in the season. The pilot» Kenneth Bo Milyard~ was able to haze several bunches of antelope toward the trap in the first attempt~ but they showed the same tendencies as the northern herds and split up into smaller groups when they saw the woven wire. Finally~ eleven were put into the pen» and left overnight to settle down. These were loaded the following morning and transported to the Box Ranch transplant siteo The group was made up of 6 bucksp 4 does~ and 1 fawn. None were lost enroute~ but it vms learned later by District Chief Warden Hamilton that one buck died several days after they were released» apparently from injuries received at the trap. Another "run" was made immediately after this bunch was loaded and sent out. About 40 were worked into the wings by the plane~ but they scattered and broke back past the trucks when attempt was made to push them on into the lane. This very plainly showed our mistake in not building the wing with a Wloop" that could be fenced offo Realizing this~ revision of the wings was started at once~ and plans were made to resume operations about ten days later. On December 29s seventeen antelope were trapped and held overnight in the large enclosure formed by the wingso It might be added here that use of two portable radio receiving sets placed in the pick-up trucks �- 20 ee, made for better air=ground communications~ controlp and overall better efficiency in trapping. The next morning~ one doe jumped the 4-foot fance during the process of herding from the enclosure to the net-pen~ leaving 16 antelope (8 bucks. 4 does. 4 fa~~s) Which were loaded and taken to the Saguache transplant site. All were released in good shape~ and although there were several inches of snow. the antelope ran away vvithout difficulty. While these were being transported to Saguache~ the remainder of the crew stayed at the trap and Pilot Milyard brought a bunch of 21 from a distance of about 20 miles straight into the trap. This group was not loaded until the following Tuesday due to a b Li.zzar-d which struck most of the state on January 2~ tying-up all traffic and main road netso After being penned~up for four daysJ)the antelope were quite wild. naturally. and it took nearly two hours to put them into the net-pen from the enclosure 'using three pick-ups. Two jumped the fence. and two more were killed hitting the fence in the lane. The remaining 17 were caughtJ) loaded.!>and transported 400 miles to the Fruita transplant site without further lasso Unprecedented snow in the release area di.dnv t appear to deter the antelope much as later f'o lLow-up checks showed they moved about 4 or 5 miles west and northo Ten days later~ 15 antelope were trapped in about 15 minutes~ they went straight into the trap The idea of making the 'lI'lloop n large enough so that the antelope cannot see one wing from the other side of the enclosure seemed to be paying off. It didn't originate with us. however~ because Wyoming has been employing this technique since last year. At any rate it works. Although .t.hisbunch went into the trap easily. they changed their attitude once inside the cord=net pen. One doe broke her neck hitting the lane fence while going in.!) and a fawn jurnped to the top of the 8=foot netting and fell back~ fracturing spinal and pelvic bonaso It is the one lying down in Figure 1. Fourteen were loadedg (7 buckss 4 does,!)3 fa.wns) and taken to the Box Ranch for releaseo 0 For the ensuing 30 days,!)all routine activities were suspended in order to m.eet emergency conditions brought on by continued snow-stonns$> especially in the north and northwestern parts ·of the state. Prior to the heavy snows , however there were numerous damage complaints from wheat farmers and ranchers which had to be investigated for settlemento In the eastern part of the state» high winds and practically no moisture during the fall and early winter had put most of the winter wheat in very poor cond i tion,!)and when a band of antelope went through the f'Le Ld, nipping at the green shoots,!)they would pull the whole plant cut of the groundo The root system had not become established since much of the loose top soil had bloVfl1awayo Even a chicken could have pulled them out. This condition was the cause for many of the complaints sent in to the Department. Other crops seemed to catch a few antelope forays,!) also~ beet tops.!)which were being used to feed cattle,!)were cleaned up with gustoo $ �~ 21 = True to human nature~ though~ was the change from cursing the antelope to pitying and trying to feed them when the blizzards strucko Calls came in to the main office to do something for the game animals and birdso Losses on antelope were less than was at first expectedo North of Fort Collins~ a band of about 90 or 1009 had been driven down from the Colorado Antelope Refuge by the storm. to the small farms and tracts only a mile from the town of Wellingtono Five fawns were found dead~ 4 of them had suffocated from the wind-driven snow» as autopsies showed ice particles in the nasal passages» throat» trachea» and bronchial tubes~ and one had been shoto Evidently these few fawns had become separated from the main group and just didn't know where to go for protectiono The others had taken refuge almost in a farmer's yard~ less than a mile from where the fawns had diedo This might give a little indication to the storm's Other dead antelope were found as the snow began to leave a bit and travel~ bringing the total in this area to 12--3 bucks and 9 fawnso ~r~~~~;~';~g~~ '--~~"'~~~'-:'~'o;'~"pe;;~d "~:;~-::::flUX of nearly' 1500 antelope~from the Red Desert country» ~presumablY9 in Wyoming~into Moffat County» west of Craigo Seeking respite from the intense cold and snow» these animals drifted south through the Sand Wash and the Little Snake River into the Yampa River Valleyo Most of them crossed the Yampa Rive~ which was frozen over solid» under the bridge at Sunbeam» worked their way around Cross Mountains and came to a halt along Uo So Highway 40» the largest herds locating near Elk Springso The traffic along the highway» moreso than the road itself» presented a barrier to their southward movemento After a trail had been 9dozed on either side of the road to form a runway» several wardens and trappers on snowshoes attempted to drive about 500 acrosso This failed» and it was decided to try to hold them in large groups by hauling hay and salt to these large concerrbr-a'td on spots until one of the Department planes could be brought in to work them southo It was plain to see that the antelope were tired from "bucking" the deep snowg and they were subsisting on a starvation diet of big sagebrush and juniper~ about the only vegetation showing above the snow (Figures 8=12)0 Several dead fawns had been picked up by the wardens» and they were not in good condition at allo There was no fat around the heart» kidney;;»back or rump as is ;J.sually found in a normal healthy antelopes anu the flesh was dark» the capil-/~ laries engorged with blood indicating strenuous exertiono Most of t achs were over half full» but much of the contents was junipero . ~/ (f\;; ~ A few bales of weedy alfalfa were taken out on toboggans pulle d by'men on snowshoes (Figure;; L but the antelope didn't eat ito The question of whether antelope would eat hay or not was quite a point for debate in this area particularly» and the experiment was a mark for the negative~ sLde , Although it didn't prove anything conc Lusf.ve Iy , hauling hay out to the "starving" game was a good psychological maneuver from the standpoint of public relations 0 ..' An estimated 500 to 600 antelope had crossed Highway 40 and headed into Crooked Wash and Wolf Creek basin» both of which are better locations for themo Warden Roland and the writer had put 250 across at Elk Springs» and tracks indicated that at least that many more had crossed at different / . �- 22 timesg usually at nighto The ones which remained began to split up and drift northward again as the weather improvedo If the majority stays until the Yampa River breaksg the antelope population in Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties will be augmented considerably~ and this migration, if it may be called that» will be an event of historical recordo Trapping was resumed again in the Pueblo area February 14g and Pilot Milyard put 72 antelope in the trapJ the largest number to dateD The following morningJ it was decided to split the bunch because that rr~ny antelope would overcrowd the net-penD In the process a one doe jumped the fenceg and another broke her neck hitting the fence. so 19 were chased into the pen leaving the remainder in the enclosureo Another doe died inside the peng and 18 were loadedo Then. as we started back to work"the others in. the.cars crowded them too close, and 48 antelope piled up against the gate fenceD Something had to give, and unfortunately it was the fenceo The antelope took quick advantage and in a matter of a few seconds all 48 were streaking out for the sand hillsg free again~-a very heartbreaking sight for the project leadero Three others. however. were off near the laneo Two were caught and loaded on the truck~ and the other, a doe, died from shock or exhaustiono The twenty were taken to the western slope past Delta on Highway 50: and 17 were released near Wells Gulcho Three had died enroute~ and two more does looked bado All in allJ the plant was a poor oneo This gave an indication that perhaps it was getting late to be handling the does very mucho The three does which had died at the trap were bearing twin fetuses, and upon examinationJ the decision was made definitely to terminate trapping operations for the seasono J The trapping program this year was even less successful than last year» and it seems that we have offered nothing but excuseso That is, probaqly so" but the project leader feels :mUch is being learned about the animals» and that restoration of any wild species is a long tedious jabo They are never brought back as quickly as they were destroyedg but as long as there is a place in the state to put them we will continue to trap antelope in an endeavor to keep the popUlation at the highest level consistenX-with good managemento J D~ta for the season are given below in Tables 1 and 20 TABLE 1 Distribution of Age Groups for Each Transplant Site Southwest of Wiggins: Bucks Does Fawns Total 2 3 5 .... ~ . .>:""', �''i' ..-,~"":"-.";';"";#""-' ~'-'l __ ,,,;. ..., Figure 1. Antelope in the trap. The one lyi.ng on the ground had just injured itself jumping to the top of the eight-foot nettingp and falling on its back. by ��Fi~re 30 -Loading into the trucko It takes more than ~vo man to do thiso as may be seeno �Figure 4. Fawn frozen during blizzard JanuarY,1949 - Larimer County Magpies and golden eagles have been eating the carcass. Figure 5. Antelope buck died as result of storm - Jan.,1949. �Figure 6. f'1I •• This rawn broke its neck- going under the barbed~wire fence during the blizzard. Colorado Antelope Refuge " . -.. .. . Figure 7Q Trapper Davidson and Technician Quick hauling hay.lon toboggan to antelope 1n Moffat County. February 1949 •. �Figure 8. Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) grubbed down by antelope in Moffat County during heavy snow conditions. February 1949., Figure 9,. More sagebrush showing how the antelope pawed through snow to reach the only vegetation available except juniper. �Figure 10. Antelope snow trails and hardhit sage. The sage is not a starvation food for it is eaten at all seasons of the year. It proved to be a life-saver in this instance, however. Figure 11. Juniper, on the 0ther hand, is starvation diet for antelope, seldom taken at other times of the year when other forage is available. �Figure 12. Browse-line on juniper made by antelope. - Moffat County February 1949. Figure 13. Warden Roland with fawn that was just too tired to run anymore. Figure 14. After a little rest and a massage, he (the fawn) was able to follow the others •. �Figure 15. vanter-loss Figure 16. Another fawn -- most of the losses from the blizzard were fawns. �- 23 (Table 1 continued) Box Ranch Transplant Site: Sub-total Bucks Does Fawns Total 5 7 5 1 4 3 11 14 12 9 4 25 Total transplanted: Sex-ratio~ 1033 bucks per doe 04 £awns per doe Saguache Transplant Site: Bucks Does Fawns Total 8 4 4 16 Sex ratio~ 2 bucks per doe 1 fawn per doe Fruita Transplant Site~ Bucks Does Fawns Total 5 8 4 17 Sex ratio: 1 buck per 106 does 05 fawn per doe Delta Transplant Site: Bucks Does Fawns Total 5 12 o 17 Sex ratio~ 1 buck per 204 does The sex ratios are not very well balanced in any of the areas and the doe stre~expecia1ly will have to be brought up in order to get a good fawn cropo �-24TABLE 2 Daily Record of Antelope for Each Catch Date Number Trapped Number Escaped Number Loaded 13 6 11 16 17 14 20 84 Novo 3, '48 Deco 15,048 Dec. 29~'48 Jan. 4, '49 Jano 14,149 Febo 14, '49 17 21 16 72 4 0 1 2 0 49 TOTALS: 150 56 11 Peroentage loss of total number trapped: Num.ber Released No. Killed At Trap Number Died Euroute 5 16 17 14 17 3 0 0 2 2 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 80 10 4 11 903% Submitted by: Approved: Name COLORADO STATE GA1~ AND FISH DEPARTMENT Title Robert R. Elliott ------------------------------Wildlife Technioian By_·~lit~:d:~· -'-Title Date Note~ C. N. Feast, Director April 1, 1949 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department~ �- 25 STATE COLORADO 37 =·R-2 PROJECT N04 April, 1949 DATE SURVEYS REP PROGRESS QUARTERLY I N V AND EST I GAT 0 R T ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project~ 20 Lee.der~ 3· Report of Progress: Game Bird Surveys Harry Jo Figge Work Plan Noo 4 - Job 4 Title: Trapping and banding duckso Objectiveg To trap and band ducks from the main state flyw-ays pursuant to migra.tion studieso Scope~ The South Platte and Arkansas River drainages. Valueg The data to be supplied to the Fish and Wildlife Service will result in better n~nagement of the species within this state. Techniques~ Duck trapping was started on the Arkansas River near Lamar~ Colorado~ soon after the reservoirs~ lakes and pot-holes had frozen~ forcing the ducks to the river. A total of five large feed-lane traps were used. The original feed lane trap was designed by Gurney I. Crawford of the Colorado Stat'3 Game and Fish Department. Traps ranged in size fromlB feet by 36 feet to 18 feet by 54 feet. and averaged from 2-1/2 feet to three feet in height. A feed lane three to four feet wide and extending the length of the trap was located on the bank with a ramp at each end. The remainder of the trap was devoted to the holding pen and was located in the river in quiet water. (See Figure 1). Two traps of this type were used and the three remaining traps were modified to·the extent that the wire partition between the feed lane,and the holding pen was built on an incline so as to rr..a.ke a. ramp extending the full length of the trap. This ramp was constructed with the least hmount of slope possible and yet allow the ducks ample room to swim under the ramp and to keep them from returning to the feed lane. (See Figure 2). �= 26 - Entrances four to five inches -ffide~six to eight inches high9 and spaced four to five feet apart~ were cut in the laDe side of the feed lane, Willow sticks were used to reinforce the sides of the entranceo Additional willows were placed two to three inches from the entrance on the inside of the feed lane to act as stumbling pegs to prevent ducks9 pacing the wire, from'finding the entrance and walking out of the'trap. (See Figure 3.) 0 These pegs were not too effective and a multiple-branched willow was substituted for the stumbling pegs. This willow was inverted when put in place and allowed the ducks to push their way under when entering the trap but would block their way if they tried to leave. (See Figure 4)0 Traps were located from one-half mile to several miles apart» this distance depending upon a constant population of ducks occupying a par~ ticular spot on the rivero Barley was used for bait in the feed lanes» entrances» and around the trapo If the ducks in a holding pen could not be banded before dark» they were fed and the trap was rebaited. If necessary~ ducks could be held for several days in this manner. They remain quiet in the holding pen unless disturbed. A catche~ tube made of one-inch mesh wire netting» four feet wide and 20 feet longswas used to remove ducks from the holding pen. After attaching the catcher to one end of the trap» the workers then moved to the opposite end and carefully crowded the ducks into the catcher tubeo Ducks were held in this compact manner to reduce injury to the birds and make them readily available for banding. (See Figure 5)0 .The band'i.ngwas accomplished by one man removing the ducks from the catcher and two men applying the bands. Ten to twenty ducks were left in the holding compartment to act as decoys. It was necessary to install barbed wire fences around two traps to prevent d~aage by livestock. Personnel:; Wildlife technicians How~rd A. Stiehm~ Willard L. Flinn~ and I. Robert Poley,; trapping specialist. Gurney Io Crawford, wardens Clarence W. Clifton and Gail Boyd. Findings~ Continuous trapping operations from January 13 to February 26 on the Arkansas River resulted in banding a total of 5»037 duckso From Jarruary 12 to March 4, 6»266 ducks were banded on the South Platte Rivero Sixty ducks were banded at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in six days. This time included prebaiting and setting up traps. The following ducks were banded~ f �- 27 Arkansas River SOo Platte River Rocky Mtn. Arsenal / Mallard, males Mallard; females Pintail; males Pintail, females Baldpate; males Baldpate, females GoW. Teel, male 2803 1846 208 158 14 7 1 4004 2259 2 0 0 0 16 22 5 6 4 4 3 5037 6266 60 1 Since this season's trapping was the initial effort along the Arkansas River; daily records of trapping (Tables I and II) were developed to determine if possible the effects of trap l09ation, duck movements and weather upon the volume of birds taken at each of the five trapping sites. Frequent observation of duck movements and duck concentrations over a period of two years has sufficed to locate the areas commonly used by ducks. Except for traps #1, #2, and #5, which t: were placed to take advantage of warm water seeps and thus remain open during prolonged cold spells, it was difficult to weigh the effects of the conditions outlined above. In general, ducks were continually moving up or down the river in flights ranging from onehalf mile to several miles, thus accenting the value of having large quantities of bait as a means of drawing birds to the trapso The numbers of ducks banded ranged from an ayerage of 10 per trap day at trap #3, to an average of 52 per trap day at trap ~o Traps #1, #2, and #4, with daily averages of 40, 52, and 47 ducks respectively, were considered to be producing satisfactorily; whereas trap #3 and #5, producing but 10 and 17 ducks respectively. were considered indicative of comparatively poor trapping. It is believed, however; that trap #5 should be erected again at the present site which is a large warm water seep areao Thousands of ducks flock to this seep when prolonged cold spells freeze long stretches of the rivero Unfortunately. the value of this seep as a short time trapping spot was not recognized early enough to take full advantage of its possibilities during the prolonged cold spell; and recurring cold spells did not materialize. The numbers of banded mallard, pintail, and baldpate drakes were 60029%; 56083%. and 66066%~ respectively, of the total of each of the species banded. It is believed that the sex ratio figures computed from the sample of 5037 ducks is fairly indicative of conditions in the Arkansas Valley and South Platte for the trapping period, except in the case of green winged teal on the Arkansas. and pintails on the South Platte, for which there was insufficient datao Sex ratios shown as males per 100 females were as follows~ Mallard Pintail Baldpate Arkansas River South Platte River 151.84:100 131065~100 200000:100 172024~100 �- 28 The percentage of steadily increasing "repeats" was used as a criterion to signify the close of trapping operationso When the numbers rose above 50% it was felt the time and expense necessary to handle and feed hundreds of ducks already banded became unwarrantedo Analysis and Recommendations~ There were 11,359 ducks trapped and banded in Colorado from January 12 to March 5, 19490 A total of 210 banded mallards (171 males and 39 females) were recaptured on the South Platte River. Most of these were banded in the same area in 1947 and 1948 but all band numbers have not been checked at the time of this report. Some significance might be attached to the fact that on the Arkansas River there was not a single recapture of a banded ducko �- 29 TABLE I DAILY BANDING RECORD BY TRAPS ARKANSAS VALLEY s 1949 Trap No. 1 Date Total Catch Ducks Banded 1-18 1-21 1-24 1-27 2-3 2-5 2-6 2-9 2=11 2-12 2-15 2-17 2-19 2-23 2-24 2-26 35 21 11 114 131 63 86 217 81 50' 225 198 254 281 86 ;:149 35 19 11 104 119 61 72 183 65 41 173 ·140 182 192 56 42 10 12 2 14 34 16 9 52 58 72 89 30 107 8077 9016 30].7 16028 15067 19075 18000 23011 29029 28035 31•. 67 34088 71081 Totals 2002 1495 507 Repeats Percent of Repeats o. 2 Trap Days II 9 8 4 42 18 41 72 73 43 27 69 93 121 55 112 28 25032 37 4004 3]. 22! 1.1.. I! 1403 14 41 51 43 97 34 22 133 79 89 310 45 42 34t 52 9052 o. 4 2i 2.1.. 2f Ducks per Trap Day ti- It 1 2t 1.1.. Ii 2f Ii If 3i~ Trap Noo 2 1=18 1-21 1-24 1-26 2-2 2-4 2-6 2-10 2-12 2-16 2-18 2-19 2-23 2-25 43 36 105 83 298 203 60 96 240 337 183 230 209 106 43 36 102 76 277 146 51 78 199 275 133 155 158 63 3 7 21 57 9 18 41 62 50 75 51 43 00 00 2086 8043 7.05 28008 15000 18.75 17008 18040 27032 32061 24040 40057 Totals 2229 1792 437 19061 4 1.1.. Ii 3f Ii 3i It ~ 31 �- 30 TABLE I (Continued) Trap No. 3 Percent of' Repeats Date Total Catch Ducks Banded Repeats 2=2 2=5 2=10 2=15 2=17 2=19 2=24 9 60 103 88 64 35 38 9 58 94 67 35 28 8 2 9 21 29 7 30 3033 8074 23086 45031 200 78095 Totals 397 299 98 .2-6 2=9 2=11 2=12 2=16 2=18 2=22 2=24 191 185 150 81 161 46 387 186 191 185 124 73 114 33 324 101 Totals 1387 00 Trap Days 11 2.1. 41 4; 1.1. Ducks per Trap Day 08 41 23 21 15 23 19 2 24068 30 10 10 2.1. 26 8 47 13 63 85 00 0., 17033 9.88 29019 28026 16028 45069 It 1901 74 8207 146 3206 22 9206 67",3 1145 242 17045 24! 47 Ii Trap Noo 4 IfT 3t 1.1. 3.1 Trap Noo 5 2-15 2-19 2=23 2=25. 98 31 201 43 92 21 173 20 6 10 28 23 6012 32026 13093 53049 9 3.1. 31. It 10.2 6 49 13 Totals 373 306 67 17.96 17! 17 Grand Totals 6388 5037 1351 21015 143! 350101 �FIGtlRE 1 DUCK TRAP SHOWING RAMP AT EACH END OF THE FEED LANE. FIGURE 2 FULL-LENGTH RAMP PROVIDES EASY ACCESS FOR THE DUCKS INTO THE HOLDING PEN. EIGHT OR TEN INCH SPACE BE'l'WEEN RAMP AND TOP WIRE PREVENTS DUCKS RETURN TO T-RE FEED LANE. �FIGURE 3 ENTRANCES TO THE FEED LANE. ONE WILLOW PLACED ON EACH SIDE OFF THE ENTRANCE SERVES AS STUMBLING PEG. FIGURE 4 WILLOW BRANCHES ,ALLOWED DUCKS TO ENT F.R THE FEED LANE BUr MADE LEAVING THROUGH THE ENTRANCE DIFFICULT. METHOD OF BAITING IS ALSO SHOWN HERE. �FIGURE 5 IN AN EFFORT TO ESCAPE, THE DUCKS CROWD INTO THE OPENING OF THE CATCHER WHERE THEY ARE HELD FOR BANDING. HELD IN THIS TIGHTLY PACKED CONDITION LESS THAN ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT WERE INJURED IN ANY WAY. �- 31 TABLE II DAILY BANDING RECORD BY SPECIES ARKANSAS VALLEY, 1949 Date 1-18 21 24 26 27 2- 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 15 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 25 26 Totals Mallards Male Female Pintails Male Female 41 49 163 97 106 86 179 210 115 93 161 159 215 71 95 193 166 296 102 54 25 2 9 11 8 2 11 24 16 12 14 21 32 32 4 2 1 8 11 3 3 18 27 14 12 5 7 14 18 3 1 2 2803 1846 208 158 64- 3 G.Wo Teal Male Female 1 3 38 25 48 30 51 119 22 38 31 114 134 46 90 122 120 139 80 52 165 . 113 175 55 25 14 39 24 Baldpate Male Female 1 3 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 4 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 7 1 �TABLE II (Continued) DAILY BANDING RECORD BY SPECIES SOUTH PLATTE RIVER~ 1949 Mallards Male Female Date 20 21 146 314 237 198 312 208 167 370 217 189 271 392 183 228 311 22 64 23 26 3= 2 4 8 129 47 13 51 140 127 102 257 124 116 219 151 215 88 171 103 115 152 27 20 48 23 10 Totals 4004 2259 .1-30 31 2~ 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 15 16 Pintails Male Female 1 1 1 2 ROCKY MOUNTAIN ARSENAL2 Date Mallards l\/IaleFemale Pintails Male 'Female 1 1949 Baldpate Male Female c.w, Teal Male 3=2 3 5 8 1 7 7 10 5 2 3 2 3 2 2 4 2 Totals 16 22 5 6 4 4 3 1 This report was submitted by: Female 1 Ho Jo Figge, Ho Ao Stiehm, Wo Lo Flinn and 10 Ro Poleyo $ �- 33 Work Plan Noo 4 - Job Noo 2 - Migratory Waterfowl Title: Waterfowl Population Trends Objective~ To conduct regular, periodic aerial census of Migratory waterfowl within established trend areaso Techniques: The census techniques empioyed in this survey are the same as thoseused in past surveys and are outlined in the Quarterly Report of April .•19480 Personnel: Robert Go Kinghorn and Kenneth Eo ~lilyard Findings: The trend areas covered are listed below with their monthly duck and goose popu1ationso Analysis and Recommendations: Analysis of the two year's trend data indicates a sizeable increase in both duck and goose populations in Colorado during the 1948 and 1949 winter seasono The survey shows an average increase in fall migrant ducks of 88045% for 1948 over 19470 Winter resident ducks increased 34018% for the same periodo Spring migrant ducks increased '8% in 1949 over 19480 8/% Goose populations do not follow the consistent graphic pattern of the ducks and numerical comparison of monthly and annual population differences is more difficulto A comparison of total geese counted in 19~7-48 against total geese counted during 1948-49 shows an increase in the winter goose population of 33081% When considering the duck population graph (Figure 1) it is felt that the similarity of the annual graphic patterns is a significant point in determining the annual trend in populationo Several more year's data should be added to this study .•however, before a definite conclusion can be drawn. The irregular graphic patterns of the goose populations can be . partially accounted for by the sensitivity of geese to hunting pressureo Analysis of the monthly counts clearly shows that during periods' of open season both the total State goose population and distribution is noticeably reducedo Graphic presentation of these data (Figure 2), correlated with the split season of October 7-20 and December 2-15 in 1947 .•and the continuous 35 day season of November 12 to December 16 in 1948 .•demonstrates the inability of geese to build up numbers under intensive hunting pressureo Species composition of migrant and winter populations is noted on the monthly counts» but is not of great importance in Colorado where the bulk of the popUlation consists of ~fullards and Canada Geeseo Significant increases in Redheads .•Pintails .•and Lesser Scaup were noted in the March .•1949 .•surveyo Table 1 shows the distribution of the birds on the trend areas for each of the six months the survey was conducted. The distribution factor is of utmost importance when formulating recommendations for �TABLE I MIGRATORY WATERFOWL POPULATION TRENDS - 1948-49 PLACE PLATTE Oct. 1948 Ducks Geese Nov. 1948 Ducks Geese Barr Horse Crko Milton Latham Eaton Windsor Lake Windsor Res. Timnath Cobb No.6 Rocky Ridge Terry Lindenmeier Curtis Fossil Crk. Boyd Loveland Lone Tree Ish Baller Burches Union Gaynors Valmont Riverside Empire Jackson Prewitt Jumbo N. Sterling Platte River 2~000 2~900 450 2,700 1,100 425 3,800 850 3,600 1,050 300 225 225 60 1,600 2,500 200 800 250 2,900 325 1,800 900 700 300 570 600 6,650 6,400 600 3;920 16~000 4,500 4,400 7p500 4,200 3,000 26,500 125 6,900 75 50 ·400 2,700 TOTALS 50,700 = 94 -82 - - - - - 10 - - - - 58 85 - 108 22 80 - 180 90 85 - - =. - 1,050 15,100 300 300 600 4,500 450 13,000 1,000 6,500 910 3,9300 140 9,500 47 32,000 115 86,000 1,125 13 1,280 - 539 250,065 - 670 Dec. 1948 Ducks Geese 68,000 200 1,000 7,100 2,700 2,700 3,600 1~250 600 300 - 19 140 50 45 - - ..,. - 50 3,700 - 550 3,400 - - 800 8,900 7,200 125 8,800 5,100 62,500 80,200 1,100 2,450 272,675 Jan. 1949 Ducks Geese 900 - - -675 700 -. - - 75 - - - - - - ·1,000 - 7,210 - 1 46 - - - 350 = = 104,180 301 115,090 14 230 = = - - - - Feb. 1949 Ducks Geese 12~700 100 - 600 850 - 24 175 - - - - - - 650 - - - 380 6,200 = = - Mar. 1949 Ducks Geese 3~275 7~000 910 1,800 1,700 950 10,500 2,560 4,300 310 625 500 34 - - 350 - 8 317 114,950 243 62,270 73 - 3,000 - ~ \.>J +:- • 600 44 - - - 1,300 90,470 - = 380 23 6,480 1~600 700 300 1,330 3,450 3,680 1,670 400 5,980 - 33 110 45 30 633 • �TABLE I (Continued) MIGRATORY WATERFOWL POPULATION TRENDS = 1948-49 PLACE ARKANSAS Oct. 1948 Ducks Geese Nov. 1948 Ducks Geese Henry Meredith Cheraw Horse Crk. Adobe Crk. Caddoa Thurston Lo Queen U. Queen Nee Noshe Nee Sopah Nee Grande Sweetwater Two Buttes Arkansas Riv 400 29 8,800 . 92 1,400 350 500 147 1,100 189 600 300 1,200 13 1,350 58 950 1,500 22 5,600 160 300 940 - .. 125 26,650 TOTALS 25,290 SAN LUIS Oct. 1948 Ducks Geese - - - 24 - - 2,200 9 7,000 800 27,000 2,320 - - 15 1,850 36,300 650 90 5,900 90 90 7 1,500 4,000 - - Jan. 1949 Ducks Geese Feb. 1949 Ducks Geese Mar. 1949 Ducks Geese 200 65 26,200 240 6,400 55 175 1,400 160 400 155 60,000 2,400 900 230 3,300 26 3,900 85 3,100 1,100 200 35 55 18,000 4,800 13,200 12,000 1 - 78,430 - 25 500 13,540 429 250 60 3,100 200 23 1,100 1,055 1,200 400 150 425 2,500 740 200 100 970 800 125 Dec. 1948 Ducks Geese - - - - - - 100 120 160 400 - 200 1,900 218 400 9,100 16,875· - -. 675 200 70 180 400 400 - '\J1 -"l I 5,810 710 108,745 7,900 120,175 8,121 98,930 12,286 - Novo 1948 Geese .Ducks 12,740 - Deco 1948 Ducks Geese 6,780 - Jan. 1949 Ducks Geese 3,640 - STATE TOTAIS DUCKS GEESE - October 1948 November 1948 December 1948 January 1949 February 1949 March 1949 82,800 371,550 399,630 217,660 158,015 82,565 1,249 8,470 8,422 12,603 11,583 2,378 39,565 11,340 7,135. 1,250 Feb. 1949 Ducks Geese 3,500 - Mar. 1949 Ducks Geese 13,160 495 �- 36 hunting seasons. It is felt that themost equitable season possible would encompass dates when the largest number of birds are distributed over the widest possible area. Such a season would not necessarily fall during the period of peak State population. A compromise should be made to consider both peak population and distribution. Work Plan Noo 2 - Deviation - Pheasants Title~ Pheasant Habitat Development Objective: To improve and increase pheasant cover facilities in the major pheasant areas of the State. Personnel~ Robert Go Kinghorn Findings & During the quarter, follow-up work was done on plans for cover plantings in the northeast section of the State. Land owners were contacted and field investigations made to select desirable sites and design suitable plantingso Final agreements will be signed and approved in the near future so the areas will be available for spring plantingo Work Plan Noo 2 - Deviation - Pheasants Title~ Storm Loss Investigation Objective: To determine pheasant losses incurred as a result of the severe blizzard that swept Eastern Colorado during the first part of January~ 19490 Personnel & Harry J. Figge, Robert Go Kinghorn, W. Bland Wells, Lloyd Triplet, and 10 Glenn Kinghorn. 4 \ rFf' ~ Finding_§;..-,Several reports have been published on the results of field n~estigations in the northeast to determine pheasant losses. No attempt was,made to estimate the percentage of loss suffered, but conditions Lnd.icabe.d severe losses in Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, and Washington Counties. Moderate losses were also suffered in Morgan, Weld~ Yuma~ and Larimer Counties. Several hundred dead birds were picked up and examined in the course of the'investigations. In almost every case,' the nostrils and mouth of the bird were clogged with ice, which indicated that the birds perished from suffication. Most birds were in good physical condition with some body fat, and there were no indications that starvation was a contributing factor in the losseso The critical lack of adequate winter cover appeared to be an important factor contributing to the severe losses in the blizzard area. Wherever suitable cover was available, losses were observed to be substantially lower than in adjacent barren areas. �rr L- H 1 J " .1 Ii . J I L �ID I I r ' , , ! 12.~!"iiR• '.1 , .. ••=~ .. o ~ z.c .~ )0= z.s:< :....!: ••. o :> u~z ~II: C w W-O • ~ -e .-s::l Ws .. - eo wx i:a •• W II " �- 37 Analysis and Recommendations~ In view of the above findings, it is recommended tbat the habitat development project be encouraged and enlarged to supply the necessary winter cover and prevent a reoccurence of this tragic, excessive winter killo This report was submitted by Robert Go Kinghorno Submitted by: Name Title Approved: Harry Jo Figge COLORAOO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT --------~----~~---------------Wildlife Technician BY_na~I~~Title Co No Feast, Director ----------------~---------------Date April 5, 1949 ----------~--~--~~--------- Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Departmento ��- 39 = QUA R T'E R L Y SUR V E Y S AND PRO G RES I N V EST STATE COLORADO PROJECT NOo 38-R --~------------ DATE April, 1949 REP S I GAT 0 R T ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Deer-Elk-Bear Investigations 20 Leader: 30 Report of Progress: Laurence Eo Riordan Northwestern and North Central Colorado -- Lloyd Wo Searle 10 Location and ~ent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk Job 2 - Location and Extent of Winter Ranges. Objective: To locate and map winter ranges. Techniques Used: Field reconnaissance study trips were made by car and on foot. Deer and elk on their winter ranges were also studied while feeding them from planes. Field glasses and spot lights were used to observe game on their winter range. Findings: This winter, severe blizzards and deep snows forced deer and elk down to winter ranges at the lowest elevations they could reach. Deer were found to be utilizing that portion of their winter range from 6000 feet up to 8400 feet in elevation, while elk were wintering on ranges from 7000 feet up to 9200 feet ranges at the lower elevations received extremely heavy use as prolonged periods of bad weather forced deer and elk to remain longer on these lower ranges than in previous years. Elk, and to a lesser extent deer, caused considerable damage to ranchers' haystacks;' damage being heaviest to stacks not fenced against big game. Analysis and Recommendations: Haystack damage could presumably be reduced by obtaining and delivering the necessary fencing to ranchers prior to the haying season. This would make it possible for the haying crews to fence each stack on its completion. �- 40 110 Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herdso Job 2 - Predation Affecting Deero Objective: dationo To determine extent and nature of deer loss through pre- Techniques Used~ Field traps were made by car, on foot, and by plane to observe and study deer and elk herds on their winter rangeso Findings: This winter deer losses, through predation by coyotes, dogs, lions, and eagles, were approximately twice those of last wintero The deer were much easier prey for these predators this winter~ because severe cold weather, deep snow, and the weakened condition of the deero On one field trip, four golden eagles were observed killing a fawn, and on another occasion, two large dogs were observed in the act of killing a doe they had downo Analysis and Recommendations: The owners of dogs in areas where deer and elk winter should be warned to keep their dogs at home and not allow them to roam the mountains, pursuing and killing gameo If dogs are observed pursuing or killing game they should be destroyedo Job 3 - study of Other Mortality Factors, Winter Loss, Starvation» Disease~ Parasites, Highway and Railroad Mortalityo Objective: To determine the losses to deer herds by various decimating factorso Techniques Used: Field study trips were made by car, on foot, and by plane to determine the cause and percent of loss of our gameo Findings~ This winter, deer losses on railroad rights-of-way and .highway are considerably higher than those of the past two or three winterso The railroads and highways usually follow the main drainages. which are always at the lowest elevations throughout the mountainso These are the same areas on which our deer have been forced to winter, and as a result, numerous deer have been destroyed this wintero Most losses have occured at night when the deer are blinded by the lights of the various vehicles and are run overo We are taking a rather heavy loss of our last year's fawns this winter because of the severe weather witnessedo Analysis and Recommendations: The cause for this heavy loss of -fawns is mainly malnutrition brought on by lack of available f'o od, The heavy snow has kept the deer concentrated on very limited ranges This being the case, the older and larger deer have utilized most of the available browse, not leaving enough in 0 �~ 41 reach of the smaller animals or fawns to supply them wi, th the required foodo The hea-vy snow keeps the deer from reaching other ranges where available browse can be found and consequently the animals die from malnutrition. In the latter part of this past winter, parasites were becoming more noticeable in our deer and possibly additional losses will occur from this cause before spring comeso White River-Eagle River~Colorado River Drainage Areas - Glenn E. Rogers To Location and Extent of Seasona.l Ranges - Deer and Elk Job 2 - Location and Extent of Winter Ranges The hea~J snows starting on December 23, 1948$ concentrated both deer and elk more than in previous vnnters. An unusual amount of wind for this region may have had some effect. Deer and elk were also found at higher elevations than in the past two yearso The sagebrush flats in the center of their range were not being used. II. Population Surveys - Deer and Elk Job 1 ~ Population and Trend Counts Aerial surveys of the following deer population trend areas were completed for 1949~ Piney River Brush Creek ,.Crystal River Piceance Creek 174 10 148 2393 The following numbers of dead deer were counted on these flights ~ Piney River Brush Creek Crystal River Gypsum Creek Piceance Creek 10 4 32 36 16 One dead elk on the South Fork of the White River was observed. Job 3 - Checking Station Surveyo Thirteen checking stations were operated during the regular 1948 big game hill~tingseason~ which began on October 15, 1948. Eight checking stations~ Idaho Springs~ Monarch Pass, Hermosa Creek, Meeker~ 25-Mile Mesa, Rifle, Steamboat Springs~ and �- 42: Ted's P'Iace , have been in ope'r-abd on at the same locations, for five years. Whitewater has.been in operation for three years. The other check stations were placed around the perimeter of the White River National Forest, in order to have a close check on the elk kill in that area. Table I below shows the location of the checking stations, the name of the regular Game and Fish Department employee in charge of the station, and the number of temporary employees who worked at each. TABLE I In Charge Station ~.."- 'V:l'"I ~. .' " \~'~./ o <'J -, "" \ \." " (, :'1' ~. L. w. Searle C. D? Tolman G. Douglas Claude White Al Carlson Paul Gilbert H. Shepherd H. Stiehm G. Sprague Go Steele T. Q,uick I. R. Poley P. Hocker Idaho Springs Monarch Pass Ted's Place Rifle Meeker 25-Mi1e Mesa Hermosa Creek Steamboat Springs Willow Creek Yampa Dotsero Whitewater Newcastle Total 13 Temporary Employees 7 5 3 5 3 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 41 13 Fifty-four men checked through 26,543 successful hunters during the regular 1948 season. Including those hunters checked during the pre-season, a report upon which was included in the January 1949 Quarterly Report of Progress,9 389311 successful hunters were contacted. The primary purpose for operation of checking stations was to gather information concerning the success of the hunt, and data concerning the animals killed. This was done by checking all hunters retuyning from the field,9 cancelling licenses of successful hunters, and recording for successful hunters the following information~ License number,9 sex of animal killed,9 .' J. I location of kill. species kd Ll.e d; immature an.LmaLs killed, '..: ~~N . number of points right and Lef't , beam diameter of antlers, '\ 0__~:0., number and species of animals wounded; dead animals seen, \) whether animal taken was previously wounded, and girth measure"'--\ ments and weight of does in some cases. \.:/ ,.'::-::J '. n) .,'-. �- 43 The crippling Loss Survey conducted in 1948 was the same as was run in 1947. This survey'was repeated to secure a comparison of hunting loss b~tween the two years, and.to check survey biases that appeared in 1947. The description of method used is the same as was applied to this survey in 19470 " Each successful hunter was asked the following questions, the answers to which were recorded by appropriate check marks in spaces provided on the recording form~ 10 Did you wound any animal(s) (deer or elk) other than the one you have here? How many? If so~ do you think the animal(s) was{were) fatally wounded? 20 Had this animal been previously wounded by any other hunter? 3. Did you see any animals (specify deer or elk and Noo of each) that had been killed and left lying in the field? ~~:;> ~<--:~~.<". An effort was made to avoid duplication by recording only once, abandoned animals reported by different members of the same party where it could be ascertained by questioning that they had seen the same animal. The answers obtained from successful hunters were summarized both by individual checking station and for the state as a mole in the following manner~ "'''; " -:./' All deer reported as having been wou1).dedin answer to question Noo 1 above were lumped together. whether the hunter thought they were fatally wounded or not. The elk were handled similarly. Frem the totals thus obtained. the number of each species of animal reported in answer to question No.2 above (the number of previously wounded alllmals)was subtracted. The result of this subtraction was considered to be the number of wounded animals of each species that was unaccounted for. It was assumed that where this number was positive (at several of the individual stations there were no reported wounded animals unaccounted for) the chances were about equal of the wounded animals surviving or of its dying and being seen and reported by a hunter in answer to question No.3 aboveo Therefore~ the number of wounded animals of each species unaccounted for was divided by two and the result added to the number of animals of that species reported to have been seen abandoned in the field in answer to question Noo 30 The percent of crippling loss given is the result of dividing this number by the number of successful hunters interviewed for either species respectively. �- 44 The following example using the figures for all stations for deer illustrated the procedure just described: 428 - total deer reported wounded (Question 1) 66 - No. of crippled deer killed (Question 2) ~Wounded deer unaccounted for 362 divided by 2 equals 181 or 1/2 wounded deer unaccounted foro plus 2175 - Noo deer carcasses reported abandoned (Question 3) 181 2356 - Total crippling loss 2356 22073 - successful deer hunters interviewed equals 10.57%. or. in other words, for every 100 deer legally taken. approximately 11 deer were killed and left in the field. This same process applied to the elk kill shows. for every 100 elk legally taken. approximately 7 elk were killed and left in the field. Considering that 22,073 successful deer hunters and 4.522 successful elk hunters were interviewed, the survey showed that 1.93% of the deer hunters and 2.43% of the elk hunters reported wounding animals that were not bagged. Wounded animals bagged by hunters amounted to 0.29% of the total take for deer and 0.42% for elk. Which leaves 1064% of total deer and 2.01% of the total elk take left in the field wounded. {': i �- 45 ~ TABLE II A SUW\~Y OF THE RESULTS OF A CRIPPLING OR~UNDING --Numberof Successful Hunters Interviewed Deer Elk Checking Station J 5~829 l./J./)., ') 5,286 1,63h 3~239 1~6l0 IO?b 66 265 i , 113 tI'1 ~ 1~377 95 207 916 '}'S7 436 1M? I ~ 1:3 22»073 ;?'J~ Idaho Springs Monarch Pass Ted's Place Rifle Meeker 25-Mile Mesa*. Hennosa Creek Steamboat Springs Newcastle Willow Creek Yampa Dotsero Whitewater o( r tib'yt; fre ,,'fey, A lPf tl * 'A.Oo BoS. Both 610"/~Both E.S. Both EoSo 580 A.O. '"E.S. 33 262 Both :8-.S,. 70U/lf'J-BothE.S>, 2 E.S. E.S. E.S. E.S. 365 229~ (;() Both E.S. E.S. E.S. 855 100 Both E.S. E.S. E.S. 36 E.S. E.So 536 E.S. 208"17E.So b ~ .l. 4~522 9'1 Percent Wounding Loss, No. Carcasses/ Successful Hunters _ De er Elk -, 10.36% 3,\) 15.70% 1028% 1066% 11 .40% Jr.,I'l43.90% 10.90% 13·20% /Q," t;( 10.80% 22.00% 7.20% 5.30% tIS 5 9060% b.'3? I, 2. ~ 10.67% '6, >..lj .3' '1 I 10.8 I~ 8.96% 0·30% I ~q Chl:f-~!',,- 'Ni III 5.1 5.5'1 3.26% 100.00~1a 1.09% 1.31% /I, );> 4079% 3000% 0.00% 9061.+%~,~~ 80 17% 1'1, 31 I " '3 6083% ,,:1, 't c;.? 1'7.10 ~,? o0 Antlered only - Either Sex - Indicates that animals checked came from both types of areas. = r? e h ~ •• Type of Area * Deer Elk LOSS SURVEY Pre-season hunt of two weeks duration on deer gives an exaggerated wounding loss in this areao q~,5 Table 3 below gives a comparison of the results of the wounding loss Survey for the years 19h7 and 1948. The peroentages given are percentages of the total kill for the species in question, or the percentaGe of the successful hunters interviewed. Shown also is a comparison of the over-all wounding loss for the two years for deer and elk. )'11 I\b(~\1V\ I" q IIt, bo~~ TABLE III COMPARISON OF WOUNDING LOSS SURVEY - 1947-1948 Successful HUnters Deer Elk Animals Reported Wounded Deer Elk Wounded Animals Bagged Deer Elk Animals Wounded Left In:Field Deer Elk - -- -- Over-all Wounding Loss Deer Elk 20,,318 1~74o 22,073 4~522 3.00% 1.. 93% 1.51% 0029% 104~~ 1.54% 1021% 2.01% 13·76% 10.67% -1947 1948 -- -- -- -- -1055% 2.43% 0034% 0042% -- 11 .•72'10 6.83% �- 46 TABLE IV DEER AND ELK KILL BY CHECK STATIONS Regular Season 1948 Check Station Report Elk Station Idaho Springs Monarch Pass Ted's Place Rifle Meeker 25-1lile Mesa Hermosa Creek Steamboat Springs Newcastle Willow Creek Yampa Dotsero Whitewater Totals Percentage Cow Calf Total 87 99 3 58 116 161 106 212 41 10 118 94 310 251 18 141 347 1 l48 86 507 41 20 308 89 56 37 136 18 6 113 25 610 580 33 262 704 1 365 229 855 100 36 539 208 1l)501 33% 2,267 50% 754 17% Bull 213 230 12 63 241 49522 Regular Season 194e Check Station Report Deer Station Buck Doe Fawn Total Idaho Springs Monarch Pass Ted's Place Rifle Meeker 25-Mi1e Mesa Hermosa Creek Steamboat Springs Newcastle Willow Creek Yampa Dotsero Whitewater 29755 2J)532 1~308 2J)273 1,067 28 146 696 455 40 101 374 258 2,p360 2,205 270 819 458 28 94 360 735 42 89 419 145 714 549 56 147 85 10 25 57 187 13 17 123 33 5J)829 5,286 1J)634 3,239 1,,610 66 265 1,,113 1,377 95 207 916 436 12,033 5405% 8,,024 3603% 2,016 902% 22»073 Totals Percentage �Males accounted for 59% and females of 41%, including juveniles~ of the deer checked through the checking stationso These figures were approximately reversed on the elk with bulls making up 4l~5% and cows 5805% of the kill checkedo 1110 Forage and Range Utilization Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Use. When snow depths became high enough to cover the sagebrush the past-overuse on mountain mahogany~ oak, service berry~ pinon, and juniper became critical. In the Crystal River area of the Roaring Fork Management Unit~ no browse was available within reach of deer and it became necessary to hire men to cut down pinon, juniper, and oak to carry the deer through. IVo Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds. Job 3 - Study of Other Mortality Factors - Winter Loss, Starvation, Disease, Parasites, Highway and Railroad Mortalityo __ "---- Post Mortems conducted during the past quarter~ 10 Crystal River& Fawn, shot - lung worms. numerouso Full grown bot larva; tape worms; no leg worms; bone marrow, pink, jelly-like; hay and pinon in stomacho 20 Frying Pan River: Aged doe, shot - 1/8" incisors - leg worm numerous and infectedo Full grown bot larva; no lung worms. good condition. oak leaves and twigs in stomach. 30 Piceance Creek: Fawn, clubbed in stockyard - no leg worms; no lung worms; immature bot larve; blood dark; bone marrow, pink and jelly-like§ stomach 100% hayo 40 Crystal River& Fawn, natural death - lung worms numerous; full grown bot larva$ no leg worms; bone marrow pink, jelly-like, hay with few pinon needles in sbomach , »>: Central Western Colorado Paul Gilbert ~ ""'" I. Deer and Elk Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges Job 2 - Location and Extent of Winter Ranges. . /IV No aerial recor~aissance has been made to date in this area. (~,j/' All work done has been done on foot; and due to the heavy snow tV conditions. snowshoes were necessary on most of the winter ranges.' The key areas checked on the east side of the Uncompahgre Management Unit are as follows& �= 48 = The south rim of the Roubideau Canyonp where deer w1n~er herds have congregated in increasing numbers the past wintersn was first checked the middle of Januaryo At that time the bulk of the deer were located around the forest boundary~ the upper limits being about a mile and a half inside the foresto Twelve to fourteen inches of crusted snow covered the area at that timeo This area was checked again on the seventh of Marcho Much of the snow had melted» leaving drifts under the pinon and juniper treeso At that time the lower limits of the deer were about the same as in JanuarYD but the bulk of the deer were between a mile and two miles inside the forest .boundary The lower limits of the deer seem to remain rather constant due to heavy sheep use on the public domain just below the forest boundaryo 0 The Log Hill area near Ridgeway has been supporting considerable deer in the lower pinonso Few deer remained on the south end after the first of the yearo On the eleventh of February a snowshoe trip was made into the Dry Mesa deer winter area, wh i ch lies below Delta in the .Escelante Canyon countryo Snow conditions were such that it was impossible to get rulY closer than three miles to the forest boundaryo Deer at this time were hanging along the sides of the mesa and on top where the snow measured around two feet deepo Deer were numerous along the bottom of the canyono Blue MesaD on the west side of the UncompahgreD was checked February 170 Deer were very numerous in this areaD and haystack damage had occurred in several placeso Reports had been received of deer too weak to stand in this areao The south slopes of the canyons were bare .•howevern on top snowshoes were neededo The snow had drifted leaving about a foot and a half of snow on the sagebrush parks Seventy=five deer were seenD and tracks indicated that deer were thick over this areao Ranchersg reports indicate more deer than usual wintering in this areao 0 The Clay Creek and Craig Point country on the west side of the Uncompahgre was visited on snowshoes on March 80 Snow was quite deep in this area varying from two to three feeto The deer at this time were just on top of the San Miguel Canyon rim and along the bare south slope of the canyon Tracks and browse conditions indicated heavy spring and fall use on top of Craig Pointo 0 Spring Creek Mesa~ above Uravan on the west side of the UncompahgreD showed no deer wintering in the areao On the Cow Creek side of the Uncompahgre east of Highway 550 the deer are quite thick between Ridgeway and Ourayo The deer are down just above the ranches and hay stack damage is occurringo D 9 �The North Fork of the Gunnison River has been checked from the Muddy Junction to the town of Paonia. The only winter concentration of any size was found on Minnesota Creek. Deer were hanging mostly on the south side of the river due to snow conditions. In checking the Crystal Creek area south of Crawford~ no deer were found wintering in the areao A small elk wintering area was located on Crystal Peaka and four head of elk were seen. Several days were spent in the Kannah Creek and Whitewater area of the Grand Mesa National Forest and the adjacent deer winter range. At present the deer have moved out of main Kannah and the North Fork of Kannah Creek. Just where the bulk of the deer are hanging at present is not known. Whitewater is supporting a good many deer just below the forest boundary. All winter range checks have been plotted on management maps for future reference. Job 3 - lligration Between Summer and Winter Ranges. Most of the deer during this period have been on winter range for some time. There has been some movement back and forth on the winter range~ the largest of which is the movement out o£ Kannah Creeko The deer here have apparently just moved around the pointa but are expected back in this area as soon as the fields begin to greeno 110 PopUlation Surveys Job I = PopUlation and Trend Countso No aerial trend counts have been made in this area as yet. It is planned to fly the area in the very near future. III. Foreage Range Utilization. None of the regular range utilization plots have been checked to date; however~ in checking the location and extent of the winter rar~es~ it appears that the deer have hit the steep canyon slopes on the Uncompahgre and Minnesota Creek on the North Fork much harder than usual. Fendlera rupicola were present was heavily browsed. Cercocarpus montanus and Euphorbia spp. were greatly over-used leaving the plants hedged to such an-extent that many will not be able to put on a substantial amount of new growth this spring. Most of the sage plants~ Artemisia tridentataa on these slopes have been grazed repeatedly leaving only stubs. The increase in snow fall apparently forced the deer down on to the canyon slopes in greater numbers than usual. �~ 50 - Job 3 - Food Habits The following stomach analyses were made this quartero Samp Ie Number Species Present. 21 10 2. 30 40 5. 60 7. 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 Pinon (Pinus edulis) Juniper~iperus utahensis) Big Sage (Artemisia tridentata) Serviceberry (Amelanchier bakeri) Mountain-mahogany (Cercocarpus Montanus) Shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia) Mormon-tea (Ephedra'sppoJ Oak-brush (Quercus sppo) Phlox (Phlox caespitoSa) Oregon-grape (Odostemon sppo) Penny-cress (Thlaspi spp:rBuckwheat (Eriogonum sppo) Russian-thistle (SalsOla pestifer) Beggarticks (Lappula sppo Saltbush (Atriplex canescens} Grass (Festuca~ Bromus~ etco) Deer hair (Taken in biting lice & ticks) Traces and Misco Totals 22 23 T T 24 25 T T 708 T T T T .2109 T T T T 10000 100.0 10000 10000 10000 Sample 21 was a buck taken on the south side of the Roubideau River January 18~ 19490 Sample 22 was an adult doe taken on Blue Mesa February 17. 1949. which was carrying one embryo. female, 13 cmo in lengtho Sample 23 was an adult doe taken on Blue Mesa February 17. 1949. which was carrying two embryos, male. 9 cmo. female. 9cmo in lengtho Sample 24. an adult buck, was taken on .Kannah Creek March 9, 19490 Sample 25 was an adult doe taken March 10. 1949 carrying two fetuses, male 2305 cmo; female 2303 cmo in lengtho IV. Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herdso Job 2 - Predation Affecting Deero Predation.offers no problem on deer loss in this areao have been bothering the deer in some areaso Dogs Job 3 - Study of Other Mortality Factorso Apparently deer herds in all areas included in this report are coming through the winter with no more than normal loss--no dead animals have been found as yeto Several fawns have been �- 51 noticed to be in poor condition. All deer herds referred to in this report were affected by the pre-season in 1948. The real value as to the number of deer saved by this herd reduction can only be estimated. The following table is self-explanatory as to the condition of the five samples listedo Sample Number Fat present: Rump Brisket Mesentaries Kidneys Heart Bone Marrow Lung worms Bot larva Biting lice Sucking lice Ticks Leg worm Coyote cysts 21 22 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 25 x x x x x x x ,- _' x x .... _x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Southwestern Colorado -- Harold Ro Shepherd I. Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges--Deer and Elk Job 2 - Location and Extent of Winter Ranges Objective~ To locate and map winter ranges. Methods: Field trips were made throughout the area by car, foot, and airplane Ranchers and Forest Service personnel were interviewed. 0 Findings: Because of the unusally heavy and early snows in the southwest part of Colorado, deer and elk have concentrated in lower portions of their normal winter ranges. In most instances, the range now occupied is but a small fraction of that normally used. The accompanying map, (Figure 1), shows how drastically the elk range has been constricted in the Hermosa drainage from what it was a year ago. According to old Forest Service records, elk have been known to winter as far up Hermosa Creek as East Cross Creek. On February 17, the writer made a survey of the Hermosa Country by �- 52 ..• airplane. With the exception of the tracks of a handful of elk near the mouth of Clear Creek~ there was not a single track marring the surface of the deep snow in all of the area shown on the map~ (Figure i), as range occupied by elk February, 1948. The winter range occupied in February~ 1949, is no more than a tenth of tha.t used by elk on this date in 1948. In the Dolores Unit~ elk have wintered along the south and southeast-facing ridge paralleling the Dolores River. Heaviest concentrations have been near the junction bf Stoner Creek and the Dolores River. But elk have been seen as far down the Dolores River as two miles above the town of Dolores~ and as far up the river as Scotch Creek. In the San Ju~n Unit a new winter deer range has developed in the last two years. This is \he Dry Gulch area. This winters elk in the San Juan Unit have wintered on the At Last Ranchs near the Treasure Guard Station~ and near the Ray Macht Ranch on Fourmile Creek. The elk near the Macht Ranch number 69 animals. Throughout the region~ deer are occupying much the same winter areas as formerly. Their range has not been changed as much as has the range of elk. II. Population Surveys--Deer and Elk Job I - PopUlation and Trend Counts. Objectiveg ranges. Methods~ To make inventories of deer and elk in thei'rwinter Aerial and Ground Surveys Findings~ On February 16~ a total of 391 elk were counted from the plane in the small winter area shown on the map, (Figure I). This number does not comprise the total Hermosa herd. The Hermosa herd has been broke~ up into several smaller groups and scattered throughout the country below HermosaCreek and in the Junction Creek a.rea. In addition to the 391 elk mentioned~ there is an estimated 300 head of deer in the same area. As of January 19 a total of 105 elk had been sexed in the Hermosa area. This sample gave a sex-ratio of 1 buli to 3.44 cows~ and 1 bull to 1.38 calves. It was noted that bulls ran heavily to spikes. As of January 19 a total of 148 deer had been sex-sampled in the Animas Unit. This sample yielded a sex-ratio of 1 buck to 2.60 does to 2.32 fawns. �- 53 A count was obtained of the elk wintering on the Ray Macht Ranch in the San Juan Unit. There were 69 elk in the herd. Of this number, 50 were cows and calves, and 19 were bulls. This gives a sex-ratio of 1 bull to 306 cows and calves. IIIo Forage Job and Range Utilization. 3 - Food Habits Objective: Methods: To find more accurately the food habits of deer and elk. Stomach Analysis Findings: A total of 10 elk and 3 deer stomachs were collectedo The contents of these will later be analyzed and the findings reported upon in detail. Gross examination of stomach contents was m~de and notations recorded at the time of collection •. These gross examinations are of interest. since most of the stomachs came from areas over-browsed to the point of destruction. A conspicuous feature of both deer and elk stomachs collected in the Hermosa area is the extremely woody nature of their contentso Because of the depleted range conditions. both deer and elk have been forced to eat browse that, in many instances. grew two and three years ago. This material, mostly Oak Brush and Mountain Mahogany. appears in the stomachs very much as so much sawdust. Other food items appearinG often and com.prising a sizeable proportion of the total stomach contents are the following: Ponderosa Pine leaves. Pinon Pine leaves, Yucca leaves, Juniper twigs and leaves, apple tree bark and tvvigs. Observations made of the winter range used by the At Last Ranch elk herd showed that the elk had been subsisting almost entirely on Aspen barko The writer estimated that 95% of the Aspen trees where the elk had yarded were barked, most of them so severly it is thought they will d.ie , . Along elk trails. Ponderosa Pine, Oak Brush, and Fir had been severely· browsed. J In another wintering area, about three-quarters of a mile from the first. a bull elk was shot for examinationo This animal was in good physical condition and had some body fat. The stomach of this animal contained nothing but alfalfa hayo This was so in spite of the fact that ample good browse was available. Oak browse had hardly been touchedo Aspens had been barked but littleo The elk shot was out of a herd as large as theane first mentioned, but this herd had been eating hay to the exclusion of browseo Apparently elk will eat hay in preference to browse if it can be easily obtainedo Analysis and Recommendationsg Gross stomach analysis fully substantiates on-the-ground observations that the Hermosa winter range is being destructively usedo The saw-dust-like nature of the Oak and Mountain Mahogany browse found in the stomachs attests �- 54 to the fact that; for lack of anything better. elk have been forced to eat old$ dry» and very woody stems. The presence of much relatively unpalatable Pine and Juniper browse in the stomachs is further evidence of the depleted range condition. Careful examination of the Hermosa winter range in the spring of 1948 clearly indicated to the writer that the range had been overstocked with deer alone for several years. It was thought desirable that the Hermosa deer herd be reduced materially. To this end~ the writer tried to obtain support from local sportsmen for an extended hunting season in the fall of 19480 Eowever-, he was met with unreasoning opposition from sportsmen who maintained that deer were on the verge of extinction. Present range depletion should point the necessity from drastic Hermosa deer herd reductiono IVo Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds. Job 2 - Predation Affecting Deer and Elk. Objective~ To determine extent and nature of deer loss through predation. Methodsg Incidental to other activities~ data were collected on predation. Findings~ Only two authenticated instances of predation were recorded. A lion killed a deer near Rockwood in the Animas Unit. A second deer was found that had. apparently. been killed by coyotes. Analysis: The meagerness of predation records should not be interpreted to indicate that but little predation occurs. Notenough work was done on this job to permit any sound conclusions concerning the. extent of predation. Job 3 - study of Other Mortality Factors--Winter Loss» Starvation~ DiseaseD Parasites. Highway and Railroad Mortalityo Objective~ factors. To determine the losses to deer herds by various decimating Methods~ Animals were shot for scientific examination. Field postmortems were made of deer and elk found dead on winter rangesg and records were kept of the numbers foundo Findings~ Postmortems were made on four deer found dead on the Hermosa winter range. A tabulation of findings on these is a part of this report. All four animals were infested with ticks. Three contained lungworms. Bot-fly larvae were found in two animals. In only one animal were tapeworms found. �- 55 A combination of pheumonia and malnutrition ,caused the death ,'of two deer. Infections resulting from bot larvae and lungworm irritations probably caused the death of one of the four deer. One deer died from malnutrition and old age. Of the four deer examined, three were fawns. be about ten years old. All were males. One appeared to Postmortem examinations were made of five elk found dead on the Hermosa winter area. A tabulation of findings Ls a part of this report. ,All five animals were calves. Two were males, one was a female. The sex of two was not recorded. All five calves were infested with ticks. Four of the calves contained bot-fly larvae. Tapeworms were found in two calyeso None of these calves carried lungworms. The death of all five calves was attributed to malnutrition. No systematic means has as yet been employed to determine the extent of winter loss to deer and elk herds. Since most winter loss occurs toward spring, an extensive survey is planned to learn just what the loss has been after herds leave for summer range. Observations to date, March 14, 1949, indicate that the winter loss of deer in the Hermosa area has not greatly exceeded the normal loss. Most loss has been confined to fawns and very old deer. The loss of elk in the Hermosa area has so far been confined almost entirely to calves. Observations point to a very heavy calf loss in comparison to normal. POSTMORTEM DATA FROM ELK SHOT FOR FOOD PARASITE AND DISEASE STUDIES 1> SPECIMEN NO.1 DATE: February 4, 1949 MANAGEMEl.J"T UNIT: Animas DRAINAGE: Hermosa Creek SEX: Female AGE: Adult, about three years. STOMACH SAMPLE NOo 1 PARAS ITES ~ Ticks, present. Bot-fly larvae, none Lungwo rms none Tapeworms, none found. FOETUS: One male present. DIAGNOSTIC CONDITIONS: No abnormal organic conditions present. Stomach full of Pinon Pine leaves, fruit tree bark, Yucca leaves~ Oak and Mountain Mahogany browse. Browse very woody. Some body fat present. Animal appeared in fairly good physic~ condition. J �- 56 SPECIMEN NOo 2 DATE~ February ll~ 1949 DRAINAGE~ Taylor Creek MANAGEMENT UNIT~ Dolores Age~ Calf, 1948 SEX~ Female STOMACH SAMPLE NOo 2 PARASITES~ Ticksa presento Bot~fly larvae~ 40 present in gular pouch. Lungworms$ none Tapewormss none foundo DIAGNOSTIC CO~l)ITIONS: Stomach contained much Ponderosa Pine and other unidentified woody browse. One incisor was decayedo Backbone very prominent. No body fat present. This animal was running with mother when shot. SPECIMEN NO., 3 DATE: February 21$ 1949 MANAGEME1J-rr UNIT ~ San Juan DRAINAGE: San Juan River SEX: Male AGE~ Adult, about four years. STOMACH SAMPLE NOo 3 PARASITES~ Ticksj) presento Bot-fly larvaej) noneo Lungworms9 noneo Tapewormsj) none found. DIAGNOSTIC CONDITIONS~ The stomach was full of nothing but alfalfa hay obtained from a stack about one-half mile from the site of the kill. This animal had been shot at 4:00 pom., yet stomach was still full of hayo Body fat present. Animal appeared to be in good physical condition. SPECIMEN NOo 4 DATE~ February 28$ 1949 MAlfAGEMENT UNIT ~ Animas DRAINAGE: Hermosa SEX~ Male Age~ Calf, 1948 STOMACH SAMPLE NOo 8 PARASITES ~ _ TicksJ) presento Bot-fly larvae, presento Lungwo rms s none. Tapeworms~ presento DIAGNOSTIC CONDITIONS: Stomach full of woody browse. Body fat present. Fat present in coronary groove. Animal was in fair conditiono �- 57 SPECIMEN NOo 5 DATE~ February 28~ 1949 MANAGEMENT UNIT~ Animas DRAINAGE: Hermosa Creek SEX: Female AGE: Adult STOMACH SAMPLE NOo 9 PARASITES g , Ticksa present Bot-fly larvae~ none Lungworms 9 none Tapeworms~ present FOETUS~ None pr-es errb , DIAGNOSTIC CONDITIONS: The rumen was full of woody browse. The abomasum contained a hard ball of compacted ma.terial~ semicircular in shape. Some body fat present. Fat present in coronary groove. The animal appeared to be in fair physical condition" POSTMORTEM DATA FROM ELK FOUND DEAD SPECIMEN NO" 1 DATE: February 23~ 1949 MANAGEME1>J""T UNIT g Animas SEX~ Male STOMACH SA11PLE NOo 4 PARASITESg" : DRAINAGE: Hermosa Creek AGE: Calf, 1948 I'Lcks , pr e s errt , Bot-fly larvae~ many. Lungworms , none 'I'apeworms , present DIAGNOSTIC CONDITIONS: Stomach filled with very finely pulverized woody 'browse. Abomasum full of compacted material, its walls highly inflamed. Inflamation from abomasum continued along small intestines. No body fat. PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATH: Compaction? irritation of abomasum and small intestines from diet of very woody browse. Malnutritiono SPECIMEN NOo 2 DATE~ February 25~ 1949 MAl'IAGWlENTmHT::. Animas SEX: Female STOMACH SAMPLENOo 5 PARASITES g , I'Lck s, many Bot-fly larvae,\)noneo Lungwo rms , none Tapeworms,\)none foundo 0 DRAINAGE: Hermosa Creek Age: Calf, 1948 �- 58 SPECIMEN N04 2 (Continued) DIAGNOSTIC CONDITIONS: Stomach full of woody browse, many Ponderosa Pine leaves, twigs from apple trees. No body fat present. Bone marrow pinko PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATH: Malnutrition. SPECIMEN NOo 3 DATE: February 25, 1949 11ANAGEIvlENT mnT: Animas DRAINAGE: Hermosa Creek SEX: Male AGE: Calf, 1948 STOMACH SAMPLE NOe 6 PARASITES: Ticks, many Bot-fly larvae, 2 present in gular pouch Lungworms, none Tapeworms, none DIAGNOSTIC CONDITIONS: Stomach full of woody browse. Bone marrow redo PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATH: Malnutritiono SPECIMEN NOn 4 DATE: February 26, 1949 DRAINAGE: Hermosa Creek lvIANAGEMElIJ""T UNIT~. Animas SEX~ Not recorded AGE: Calf, 1948 STOMACH SAl~PLE NOo 7 PARASITES: Ticks, many Bot-fly larvae, 8 present in gular pouch. Lungworms , none Tapeworms, none DIAGNOSTIC CONDITIONS: Stomach full of woody browse. Trace of hay present in stomach. No body fat. Animal in very poor flesh. PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATH~ Malnutrition. SPECIW£_~ NOn 5 DATE: March 2;> 1949 MANAGErv1EJ:IJ~ UNIT: Animas DRAINAGE: Hermosa Creek SEX: Male AGE: Calf, 1948 STOMACH SJUlPLE NOe 11 PARASITES~ Ticks, very many. This animal had more ticks on it than the observer has before seen on an animal. Bot-fly larvae, 11 present in gular pouch. Lungworms;> none. Tapeworms, present small intestines. DIAGNOSTIC CONDITIONS: Stomach full of woody browse. No body fat. No fat in coronary groove. PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATH: Malnutrition. �- 59 POSTMORTEM DATA FROM DEER FOUND DEAD SPECIMEN NOo 1 DATE: February 20~ 1949 DRAINAGE: Hermosa Creek MANAGIDiIENTDNIT ~ Animas AGE: Fawn SEX: Male STOMACH SAMPLE NOo 1 PARASITES: Ticks, many Bot-fly larvae, 8 present in gular pouch. Lung worms, many in lungs, many at juncture of bronchial tube& Tapeworms, none foundo DIAGNOSTIC CONDITIONS: Stomach filled with hay. Bone marrow pink. No fat in coronary groove of heart. No body fat. Lungs inflamed and containing much mucus. PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATH: Malnutrition and pneumonia. SPECIMEN NOo 2 DATE: February 20~ 1949 MANAGEMENT UNIT: Animas DRAINAGE: Hermosa Creek SEX: Male AGE: Fawn STOMACH SAMPLE NOo 2 PARASITES: Ticks~ many Bot-fly larvae~ none Lung worms~ many in lungs and juncture of bronchial tubes. Tapeworms~ non~ foundo DIAGNOSTIC CONDITIONS:: Stomach filled with hay. Bone marrow pink. No fat in coronary groove·.of' hear t , Lungs Lnf'Lame d and containing much mucus,;. PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATH: Malnutrition and pneumonia. SPECIMEN NOo 3 DATE: February 26, 1949 MANAGEMENT UNIT: Animas DRAINAGE: Hermosa Creek SEX: Not taken AGE: Fawn REMARKS: Complete examination was not made PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATH: From incomplete evidence death attributed to malnutritiono SPECIMEN NOo 4 DATE: March 2, 1949 MANAGEMENT UNIT:t Animas SEX: Male STOMACH SAMPLE NOo L PARASITESi Ticks, many Bot-fly larvae, none DRAINAGE: Hermosa Creek AGE~ Estimated 10 years. �- 60 SPECIMEN NOG 4 (Continued) Lung worms» noneo Tapeworms» many in small intestines» many cysts attached to mesenterieso DIAGNOSTIC CONDITroNS~ Stomach full of woody browse, large percentage of contents juniper leaves and Yucca fibero Only 5 incisor teeth remaining» these badly worn so as to expose pulp cavityo Gums shrunken one quarter of an inch away from normal positiono Incisor teeth very looseo No body fato Bone marrow redo REMARKSg When found» animal was near deatih , Animal was shot and postmortem run immediatelyo PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATHg Animal was near death when shoto It is judged that death would have soon resulted ·from old age and malnutritiono SPECIMEN NOo 5 DATE: March 4» 1949 MANAGEMEl~T UNIT:t Animas DRAINAGE: Hermosa Creek SEX:: Male AGE: Fawn STOMACH SAMPLE NOo None taken PARASITES g Ticks~ many Bot-fly larvae» many in gular pouch and several in lungso Lung wormsD present TapewormsD none foundo DIAGNOSTIC CONDITIONSg Lungs inflamed» bot larvae in lungs and gular poucho Lungworms in lungs and along tracheao Bot larvae in sinus; sinus Lnf'Lame d , Stomach full of woody browseD Pinon and Juniper leaveso PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATHg· From infection of sinus and lungso Malnutrition contributary causeo Vo Emergency Feeding of Deer and Elk Herdso Objective~ To hold winter lossaf deer and elk to a minimum and to lessen game damage to crops by supplemental feeding of hayo Methods~ Aerial and ground feeding of hay to game herdso Findingsg Heavy snows did not begin in the southwestern part of Colorado until about the middle of Decemberg but by the first of January snow had become so deep in the high country that elk were forced out of their normal winter range into country usually occupied by deer onlyo The severe winter conditions had the same affect on deer» causing the deer herds to be concentrated in relatively small ,vinter areaso In areas of heavy deer and elk concentrations the range was destructively usedo As good browse became scarcer~ deer and elk made nightly forays to hay stacks .. �- 61 and orchards. Serious and costly damage was done. In the Hermosa area~ one orchard of about two hundred apple trees was completely destroyed by elk. The bark was eaten from trunks and limbs. In many instances~ limbs were completely girdled. (See Figures 5~ 6~7) There is little question but that this orchard has be~n completely destroyed. In an attempt to prevent further damage by game, the Warden ~ervice began night patrolling of areas where damage was most likely to "occur. With shot gUtlsthey~frightened deer and elk from the vicinity of orchards and hay '~'stacks.As pressure of game herds increased-with continued storms9 additional game herders were employed until at one time there were five men employed maintaining a twenty-four hour patrol in the Hermosa orchard section. Patrolling did not succeed in preventing all damage,p"but it did materially decrease damageo By the latter part of JanuarY9 conditions had become so critical that feeding operations were considered neces a i areas of greatest concentrationo~ B9 on January 29 hay was flown by Army plane and dropped to deer 'and elk:herds in the Hermosa winter areao This first plane and planes making later trip~ carried ~~o tons of alfalfa hay. The hay was dropped in !~~~~;~ere. it would aid ~ldi~ g~.r_:_~:_7@--. ~On February 29 Game Department personnel cooperated in initiating a ground feeding program in the Hermosa sectiono A bulldozer was used to plow roads through the snow to open up places where game could be fed with team-drawn sleds and with tractors and truckso One of these roads was plowed up Hermosa Creek for a distance of nearly three miles. Except for a day or two when equipment was broken down,!) daily loads of hay were scattered along the length of this route. In addition,p four other feed sites in the Animas Valley were made avail~ble to trucks by use of the bulldozero Elk and deer were fed baled alfalfa hay at these placeso It soon became evident that" feeding at the last mentioned sites were concentrating too many animals (as many as 200 elk) in one place. This might result in the quick spread of disease throughout the herdso Toop these feeding sites brought the game down along a highway where the danger of traffic accident and crop damage was increased. Also,p game concentrated in one place would lead to localized severe overuse of the rang~. Because of these considerations.!>it was thought advisable to devise arreans of dispersing the herds up along Hermosa Creeko To accomplish this'p a hay trail was maintained with pack animalso Hay was scattered along a trail from the feed sites mentioneda back away from the orchardss to a road up the Hermosa Creekp along which hay was being scattered by trucko �- 62 By these means; the elk herds and a large part of the deer were drawn back away from the orchards and farming sections and dispersed along a three-mile hay trail up Hermosa Creeko By gradually increasing the amount of hay placed up country~ the elk herds were slowly moved from areas where damage was most likely to occur to areas where more browse would be available immediately and later when winter brokeo On March 6» a total of approximately 61 tons of alfalfa hay had been fed to game-herdso Sixteen tons of this amount had been dropped by planeo The remainder had been ground fedo As of March 16» two tons of hay were being fed daily in the Hermosa winter areao As stated in the discussion of Population Surveys» 391 elk were counted within the small Hermosa winter rangeo From aerial observation» it is estimated that there are 300 head of deer in the same areao It is quite certain that not all of this number of animals has been fed at anyone time. Some of the elk have stayed beyond feeding siteso Not all of the elk near enough to feeding sites to take advantage of the hay available have eaten it. This was shown to be true from examinations that were made of stomachs of elk shot near feed groundso When feeding was begun, it was feared that some loss of deer would result from hay compactiono But up to the time of the preparation of this report, no instances of hay compaction were known The absence of compaction may have been due to the feeding of less hay than the animals would have eaten if given the opportunity~ Too» it seems logical to assume that stringing the hay along a long trail may have helped to prevent compaction» in that all animals could get some hayo Therefore~ the chances of anyone animal having the opportunity to "hog" the feed were lessenedo 0 Deer became very tame around feeding sitese They came to recognize the truck bringing feedo At its approach~ they would begin going toward the feed ground, and would stand and eat .rith~ in twenty feet of men scattering hayo Elk» on the other hand» remained quite wary and 'W) uld run away at the approach of the feed trucks~ coming to eat the hay only after the truck had goneo Some hay was fed by the warden service to elk in the San Juan Unite These elk wintered on the At Last Ranch, along the San Juan Rivero Hay was fed to this herd, mainly, to prevent damage to hay stackso Hay was fed for a time to the Stoner elk herd in the Dolores Unit This~ too~ was primarily an attempt to prevent damage to hay stacks .• 0 �t,39N, ! To /)%res T.38N, T,37N, To Mancos IN T.36N, To ELK DISTRIBUTION HERMOSA WI:NTER RANGE Range occupied Feb., 1948 ~ Manco Range occupied Feb., 1949 ~ Fig. 1 T.35N,1I I lin I I I I ,1 �, <; " \ FIGURE 2 Severely browsed Mountain MahoganY, typical of browse use in the Hermosa Winter Area FIGURE 3 Unbrowsed Mountain Mahogany, protected inside a game exclosure. �FIGURE 4 Game exclosure in Hermosa Winter Area provides means of judging degree of range use. FIGURE 5 Apple orchard in Hermosa Area destroyed by elk barking. �FIGURE 6 Close-up of elk barked apple tree. FIGURE 7 Extreme close-up of apple tree limb. Elk have eaten all bark encluding the cambium. �FIGURE 8 Elk calf found dead of malnutrition. ... ,-- .._ ..... --_---- ---.-.- .•.~~ FIGURE 9 A bull elk that becameentangled in a fence. �FIGU?..E 10 Bull elk on Hermosa Vrir.ter Range" .-< FIGURE A game feed site. 11 TTnbroken bales of hay awaiting distribution by pack train. �::fIGURE 12 Deer on feed ground. �Analysis and Recommendationsg It has been shown conclusively this winter that the Hermosa game population is too large for the available winter range. Unless the herds are reduced or more winter food made availables both the bame and the range is headed for eventual destruction. During normal winters» the major portion of the elk feed outside the small area they used this winter~ (Figure 1). The portion of Hermosa Winter range used by elk this winter is usually browsed only by deer. However» use by deer along has in the past several years caused the gradual deterioration of this range. Examinations a year ago showed the presence of much old» dead browse and the absence of new young plants coming on to replace those dead and dying Deer alone~ on this small winter range~ have» so to speak» been I9burningboth ends of the candle toward the middle"o Continued-overstocking can only lead to certain destruction of the browseo This small winter range spoken of is very vital to the existence of the Hermosa elk herdo Although normally it is used but little by the elk during a severe winter» the herds' very survival may be dependent upon this small lower portion of the Hermosa winter range. 0 The Hermosa deer make up only a small part of the total deer population in the southwest portion of the state and even within the Animas Unit. Many deer are confined to the country east of the Animas River. Because of the extreme importance of the Hermosa winter range to the Hermosa elk herd$ it seems advisable to drastically reduce the Hermosa deer herd~ inasmuch as the deer herd has been~ and will continue to be; mainly responsible for overuse of this range. Even during normal years» the Hermosa elk herd has been too large for the winter browse available. The Hermosa elk herd should be decreased somewhat. In an attempt to provide more winter range; the State Game and Fish Department should purchase all privately owned range land in the confines of the Hermosa winter area. As a further step toward provision of additional winter range~ the Department should seriously consider the merit of a game drift fence so placed as to lead migrating deer and elk out of the present very limited winter range and into the lower country south of the Hermosa area. As a precautionary measure» until the Hermosa winter range can be improved or enlarged» provision should be made for the storage of hay at the old sawmill site up Hermosa Creek. This hay» in quantity sufficient to feed the Hermosa. elk herd in case of necessity» should be stored in the summer. This will place the hay where it is most needed in the event that supplemental feeding ever again becomes necessaryo �- 64 It is the vrriter's considered judgement that~ unless measures are immediately taken to bring Hermosa game herds into balance with available winter range, the herds are faced with destructiono Perhaps not this year or the next, but eventually. ~th Central Colorado -- Carwin D. Tolman ~... -_/' 10 Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges Job 2 - Location and Extent of Winter Rangeo Objective~ To locate and map winter rangeso Techniques Used~ Checks were made on snowshoeso The known winter areas were coveredo Comparative densities of deer and elk populations were determined by the relative number of animals foundo Population shifts were recorded in accordance to the tri-zonal method worked out for the Gunnison areaduring the winter of 1946 and 19470 The Gunnison areahas been divided into three major winter range units~ Noo Is Sapinero-West Gunnison Unit; No.2; AlmontEast Gunnison Unit. and No.3; Sargents-Tomichi Unit. Three zones of concentration and range utilization were noted and set up according to elevation. Firidings~ Zone No. 1 (Maximum concentration) (Description of area) The lower line following the Gunnison River at an elevation of 7 275 feet at Dillon Gulch reaching 7,700 feet in elevation at Ohio Creek and 8,000 feet near Almonts following the drainage around to the east side and up the Tomichi Creek drainage, 3 miles below Sargents at an elevation of 8;400 feeto The upper line starting 8,100 feet at Dillon Gulch to 89500 feet on the Tomichi Creek drainage (on both sides of the Gunnison River)o 3 Zone Noo 2 (Normal concentration) The lower line following the ridges at an elevation of 89100 feet in the Soap Creek area and ending at 89500 feet on the Tomichi Creek drainageo The upper line starting at an elevation of 8,600 feet in the Sapinero area and ending at 8,700 feet on the Tomichi Creek drainageo Zone Noo 3 (Minimum concentration) The lower limits of which are, for the most part» spring and fall range. That area above 8,600 feet in the West Gunnison Unit and in the East Gunnison and Tomich Creek drainages above 8,700 feet. In the Gunnison area 15% to 33% of the populations remain in Zone No. 19 (Zone of maximum concentration), throughout the wintero �- 65 II. Population Surveys - Deer Job 1 - Population and Trend Counts Objective: ranges. To..make inventories of deer and elk on their winter Technjques Used: Populations were checked as to location and density during the period of maximum concentration by snowshoefield reconnaissance. TABLE I THE PERIODS OF MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION LOCATION DATE OF CONCENTRATION TOTAL.NOo OF DAYS Unit No. 1 - West Gunnison-Sapinero Dec. 21 to Jan. 26-28 29-31 days Unit No. 2 - Almont East Gunnison Dec. 29 to Feb. 9-11 42-44 days Unit No. 3 Tomichi-Sargents Dec. 29 to Feb. 18-20 51-52 days The period of maximum concentration during the winter of 1948 was 12 to 17 days. The breaking up of maximum concentration followed the breakjng of the snow on tne ridges and the dropping of hay and salt. The period of hormal concentration began in the Gunnison area the last 2 weeks in November. Job 2 - Sex-Ratio Survey - .Deer Objective: To determine sex-ratios on key herds prior to and subsequent to hunting season. Techniques Used: Herds were checked by Jeep �- 66 Findings: TABLE II SEX-RATIO SURVEY ammISON AREA--DATE: DECEMBER 10-24 LOCATION BUCKS DOES FAWlJS Highway 50 (between Iola & Sapinero) Elk Creek Dillon Gulch Red Creek Tola to Powderhorn Powderhorn Valley Almont Triangle Gunnison Valley (Northside) Cochetopa Creek Soap Creek Steuben Creek 25 7 2 23 7 5 82 7 2 13 11 56 24 20 38 14 21 138 29 12 32 31 61 12 22 12 9 14 97 12 5 17 24 Totals 184 415 285 Sex-ratio: 1 buck to 2026 does to 1040 fawns DECEMBER 1-10 SEX-RATIO SURVEY ARKANSAS VALLEY AREA-DATE: LOCATION BUCKS DOES FAWNS Trout Creek, Badger and Running Water Creeks 26 103 47 Sex-ratio .~ 1 buck to 3096 does to 1080 fawns 0 Deer were seen with only one antler on December 24 in the Gunnison areao Antlered bucks were seldom seen in thi~ area by the middle of Februaryo IIIo Forage and Range Utilization Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Use utilization of important browse Objective: To determine winter , specl.eso Techniques Used: Snow trailing--Annual rings wer counted from samples taken at random throughout Zone Noo 1 (area of maximum concentration) so as to determine the severity of utilizationo Zone Noo 2 (area of normal concentration) was checked at randomo Findings: Due to the lack of normal annual growth on all species of browse last summer the Gunnison deer and elk range went into the winter in poor conditiono Zones of normal and maximum �- 67 concentration were over-grazed by domestic livestock. All zones of maximum concentration were destructively over-utilized by the middle of January through deer use. During the critical period~ January 10 to February lOs deer were coming into haystacks. Range studies revealed heavy utilization of cactuss yuccas and the heavy base stems of available browseo From January 28 to February 4s strong winds followed by a thaw opened up ridges in Zone Noo 2 (normal concentration) Hay and salt were dropped along the ridges by plane» and then concentrations in the Wast Gunnison unit started to break up. Later the deer in the East Gunnison unit and Tomichi Creek drainage started to break concentration. Areas were checked where hay and salt were dropped in the West Gunnison and Tomichi units. Utilization of hay was complete and traces of salt were foundo (See Figures 7 and 8) 0- The following charts show degrees of utilization of key range plants on the available browse in Zone No. 1. Dates of study were February 20 to 22 and March 3s 4$ and 5$ after maximum concentration was broken up. Plants are listed in order of importanceo TABLE III Plants Degree of utilization and number of annual rings of stems taken. Big Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata 4-5 years (average utilization) 6-7 years (maximum utilization) 1-2 years (minimum utilization) Oak Brush Quercus sppo 3-4 years (average utilization) 5-6 years (maximum utilization) 1-2 years (minimum utilization) Juniper Juniperus sppo Browse line sharpeneds stems show 3-5 years use. (No reproduction) Cottonwood Populus spp. Browse line sharpened Bitterbrush Purshia tridentata Disappearing from area Plan.ts dwarfed Sedge Use complete Carex sppo Rabbit-brush Chrysathamnus spp Utilization of available plants complete Serviceberry Amelanchier spp. Traces of plants foundo Disappearing from area. (Plants not healthy) Snowberry Symphoricarpas spp. Destructive utilization in Dry and Red Creeks. 1-2 years taken in Dillon Gulch Pricklypear Occasional plants taken by deero Opuntia sppo �-68Zone Noo 2 (area of normal concentration) current useo Past use destructive. Browse shows little TABLE IV Almont-East Gunnison Unit - Zone Noo 1 (area of maximum concentration) Almont Canyon and Gunnison River below Almonto Plants Degree of utilization and number of annual rings of stems taken. Big Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata 4-6 years (average utilization) 7-8 years (maximum utilization) 1-3 years (minimum utilization) over-all destructive utilization Juniper Juniperus sppo Destructive utilization Browse line sharpened (See Figure 1) Cottonwood Populus sppo Destructive utilization Browse showed heavy use Bitterbrush Purshia tridentata Destructive utilization 2-6 years annual growth taken Sedge Carex sppo Use complete Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus sppo Use complete Skunk-brush. Rhus trilobata Destructive utilization 2-3 years average annual growth taken Ribes sppo Destructive utilization 1-4 years average annual growth taken Grasses Complete use in Almont Canyon Area used by mountain sheep~ elk~ and deer On the southern exposures in Almont Canyon considerable competition between elk~ deer~ and mountain sheep exists. (See Figure 5) Active sheet erosion and erosion pavement characterizes this areao The snow was too deep for a check below Almonto In Zone Noo 2 (area of normal concentration) browse shows proper current use. Past use destructive 0 �- 69 TABLE V Tomich Creek-Sargents Unit Noo 30, Zone Noo 1. Areas checked~ Sewalls Gulch (lower), Pole Gulch$ Cabin Creek, Quartz Creek (lower), and Horn Gulcho Plants Degree of utilization and number of annual rings of stems taken Big Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata 3-5 years (average utilization) 6-7 years (maximum utilization) 1-2 years (mjnimum utilization) Over-all destructive utilization Juniper Juniperus spp. Bitterbrush Purshia tridentata Browse line sharpened Destructive utilization 3-6 years average annual growth taken In many areas this plant is disappearing from Zone No. I. Serviceberry Amelanchier Destructive utilization--all live wood taken in some areas. Plant disappearing from Zone Noo 1. (See Figure 3) Skunk-brush Rhus trilobata 1-2 years average annual grovnh taken Snowberry SymQhoricarpos Destructive utilization--annual growth .taken by deer. Most plants show heavy past use (perhaps by domestic sheep) Ribes spp. Destructive utilization--annual taken Carex sppo Use complete Area characterized by active sheet and gully erosion. pavement prevalent throughout. growth Erosion The use on browse in Zone Noo 2 (area of normal concentration) is propero Rio Grande (February 28, Mar-ch 1-2 and March 7-9) Mid-winter utilization checks were started in the Rio Grande elk herd. Only the Goose Creek area has been checked at the time of this writing. Utilization is explained in the following tableo �- 70 TABLE VI Elk Utilization in Goose Creek-Wagonwheel Gap Areao (Elk area of maximum concentration) Plants Degree of utilization and number of annual rings of stems taken Aspen Populus tremuloides Destructive utilization--all available new growth taken Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus sppo Destructive utilization-~all available growth taken Ribes sppo Destructive utilization Willows Salix spp , Destructive utilization on avail= able plantso 2=7 years annual growth taken Snowberry Symphoricarpos Destructive utilizationo annual growth taken Pine Terminal buds taken High browse line Pinus ponderosa 0 2~4 years Occasional Spruce Picea sppo Teminal buds taken Sedges Carex sppo Available plants takeno Figure 6) Grasses Available plants taken (See The heavy concentration of elk in this area started breaking up about March 10 Few elk were seen at the time of the studyo Elk appear to be in poor con,ditiono Job 3 ~ Food Habits Thirty deer stomachs were collected in the Gunnison areao Stomach analysis will be made later when facilities are availableo For snow trailing see tables under Job 10 IVo Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds Job 2 - Predation Afi'ecting Deer Sufficient predation does not exist in the Gunnison or Upper Rio Grande game range for its presence to be a problemo However, its lack might be a factor in the emaciated condition of the �FIGURE 1 Browse line on juniper sharpened by deer use. Gunnison River below Almont. 7IGURE 2 Deer utilization on big sagebrush. Tomichi Creek drainage, Gunnison. Utiliza tion showed 6 to 7 annual rings of growth taken. �FIGURE 3 Deer utilization on serviceberry. TomichiCreek. All live woodtaken. Base of plant Viasunder heavy snowduring period of utilization. FIGURE 4 Completeutilization of big sage on the Tamichi Creek. Such utiliz~tion is common. �FIGURE 3 Deer utilization on serviceberry. TomichiCreek. All live woodtaken. Base of plant was under heavy Si10'V{ during period of utilization. FIGURE 4 Completeut.ilization of bi~ sage on the Tomichi Creek. Such utiliz~tion is common. �FIGURE;; utilization of grass and skunkbr'ush , Almost Canyon-Taylor P.iver area used by deer, elk, and mountain sheep. fIGURE 6 utilization of ~ by elk. Goose Creek, Rio Grande. �FIGURE 7 Area where bale of hay hit the gro und , Upper Tomichi Creek FImmE Traces 8 of hay--shovnng almost complete utilization. upper Torr.i~hiCreek. �FIGTJRE 9 Fawn dying of malnutrition a nd heavy pai-asi.tdsra, Upper Tomichi Creek. FIGURE 10 D8Y1ng fawn (extreme malnutrition). Upper Tamichi Creek. �FIGURE 9 Fawn dying of malnutrition a nd heavy paras i.td.sm; Upper Tomichi Creek. FIGURE 10 D.ying fawn (extreme malnutrition). Upper Tomichi Creek. �FIGURE II Buck :in the Almont area. December and reached its Di,e off started peak dur-Ing late late Ln January. FIGf:RE 12 Fawn in the TOLlichiarea. Showing typical. position of dead deer found. �FIGURE 11 Buck in the AJJ:nontarea. December and reached its Die off started peak dllring late FIGf:R.E late in January. 12 Fawn in the Tomichi area. Shavling typical. position of dead deer found. �FIGURE II Buck in the Almont area. December and reached its Die off started peak during late late in January. FIG tEE 12 Fawn in the Toraichi area. ShavTingtypical. of dead deer found. position �FIGURE 11 Buck in the Almont area. December and reached its Die off started peak during late late Ln January. FIGf;RE 12 Fawn in the TOIilichiarea. Showing typical. position of dead deer found. �- 71 Gunnison deero Normal and sufficient predation is present in the Upper West Elk, Upper Taylor, Upper Tomichi (above Sargents), Cochetopa, and Marshall Creek dr'a.Lnage s , Herds are healthy in those areaso Job 3 - Study of other Mortality Factors--Winter Loss, Starvation, D1sease, Parasites, Highvmy and Railroad Mortality. Objective: factorso To determine the losses to deer herds by various decimating Techniques Used~ A cooperative plan was outlined with Dro Wilford Olsen, professor of Zoology at the'Colorado-Ao 8:. Mo College, for the'purpose of making a study of parasites and diseases of deer and elko The lungss small intestines, liver, gutteral pouchess caecuml) and legs were examinedo Contents were preserved for later examination. The number of parasites are being checked quantitatively. Winter loss was checked in all areas for possible cause of deatho Highway mortality was kept by Game Warden Donald Bensen and Nicholas Eo Kavanaughl) Refuge Custodiano Mro Kavanaugh also assisted in postmortem studies and checks for compaction in deer gathered from haystacks and corralso Time has not permitted a complete parasitological and disease check on all material gatheredo Findings & Winter loss ~ Dead deer were found on winter range as ( f'o Ll.owsa Dillon Gulch 31 Red Creek 8 Dry Creek 6 Gunnison River (below Almont) 17 Tomichi Creek 12 Near highWFly and in yards 386 These 386 animals were in the ratio of one adult to 1.29 fawnso Heavy loss has been reported on the Gunnison River and near the railroad. These areas have not been checkedo Highway kill in all areas of Gunnison totaled 93 deer at the time of this writing. Nine bucks, one and two points, were found at the end of the breeding season suffering from acute contagious Panaphthalmites (Etiological agent not found). All were taken during the last-two weeks in December and the first week in January. Heaviest loss was suffered in the Gunnison area from January 20 to February 17, following the extreme cold spellso Deer "posted" during this period were characterized by heavy parasitism and inflamation of the lungs, small intestines and caecum. Twenty-two deer were examined for compaction from those taken from haystacks. Seventeen were found to have symptoms of compaction. �= 72 - Eastern Front Range of the Rockies -- Gordon Ao Douglas Io Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk Job 2 - Extent of Winter Range~ Rocky Mountain Park Herdo Job 3 - Migration Between Summer and Winter Ranges. Covering the winter range of the elk herd which summers in or near Rocky Mountain National Park~ employees of the U. So Forest Services Roosevelt National Forests and the State Game and Fish Department have shed some light on the movements of these elusive animals. A herd of 80 head of elk was counted from the Lyons Highway on the Crocker Ranch meadows on January 9 by Herman Wilson of the Colorado Game and Fish Department. These animals had moved out of Horseshoe Park after the heavy snows. A few days later3 this herd was gone from the me,adows. It broke into small bunches and moved eastward3 seeking out small spots under boulders and trees which had been blown clear of snow~ exposing an occasional mouthful of grasso To the time of writing, no concentration greater than 50-head have been reported» and those observed by members of administrative agencies have rarely exceeded six head of elk. It is, therefore, concluded that the elk are too scattered to cause extensive damage complaints at the present time. The following is a compilation of all of the important observations of elk made since the beginning of the calendar yearo Number of Animals 50 head 80 head 20 head estimated 10 head estimated Tracks 25-30 head estimated 6 head 5 head 50 head 30 head Date Location Last half of February Jan" 9» 1949 West Fork of Buckhorn Creek Park Hill at head of Muggins Gulch March 10~ 1949 West Fork of Little Thompson River Southwest side of Elk Jan. 209 1949 Ridge Along Lyons-Estes Park Jan. 149 1949 Highway So of West Fork of Little Thompson River Elk Ridge S", of Hell's Jan" 20~ 1949 Canyon Jan. 20,9 1949 Elk Ridge W. of N. Fork of Little Thompson River North Fork of Little Jan. 20~ 1949 Thompson River March 2~ 1949 Cedar Park March 2$)3~4,i49 West of Masonville Southwest side of Buckhorn Creek . Observer Lion hunters and Timber operators Herman Wilson, Game & Fish Department Go A. Douglas and Do Jo Hodges Go Ao Douglas and Do J" Hodges G. Ao Douglas Go A. Douglas and D. Jo Hodges Go Ao Douglas and Do J. Hodges Go Ao Douglas and Do J. Hodges Fo Hyatt, Rancher Stagelman, Merrill & O'Rourke~ UoSoF.So �- 73 It is apparent that at least two herds spotted on their winter range do not summer within the Park propero First is the one located on the West Fork of the Little Thompson River. It summers on the timbered slopes and grassy parks east of Twin Sisters. Second~ the ones reported on Buckhorn Creek summers at least partially north of the Park boundary on Signals Lookout» and Crystal Mountains. Job 3 - Migration Between Summer and Winter Ranges - Deer. Setons in his "Lives of Game Animals»ft discusses migration of Mule Deer» and closes that section with this final paragraph: "But in Manitobas I have seen no sign of such migration. The deer that frequent the Sandhills south of Carberry are» so far as I know» quite stationary, for the obvious reason that there they find plenty of food and covers and not too much snow. They cannot better themselves by any seasonal change of surroundings o. It $ In the foothills that furnish such ideal deer winter range we haves most notably where deer population is the h~aviests a portion of the wintering herd which is non-migratory. In the lower part of the Front Range rugged» brushy hills furnish much browse food. At the same times observation is goods and there is enough timber nearby to offer convenient hiding placeso On such favorable sitess non-migratory herds of does and fawns may build upo This is most noticeable where their natural enemies--coyotes mountain lions and rren--have been least active or numerous. II. Population Surveys ~ Deer Job 1 - Population and Trend Countso Poudre River Aerial Trend The aerial trend area of the Poudre River lierdwas flown and counted on January 15$ 1949$ by Kenneth B. Milyard and Robert Go Kinghorn of the Colorado Game and Fish Department. They reported 214 deer in the area. Population figures since this trend count was begun are as follows~ Year 1946 1947 1948 1949 Number 174 146 143 214 The 1949 count is fifty percent greater than last year's figure» and exceeds any year since observations started in 1946. �IIIo Forage and Range Utilization - Deer Job 2 - Correlation of Game and Livestock Land Use Status. The deer winter range of the Front Range foothills is so ideal for cattle and horse wintering that there is much direct competition between them for all forms of forage. Here it is impossible to gauge with much accuracy the extent of deer utilization on br~«se species~ for cattle rely heavily upon the same plants for winter sustenanceo Job 4 = Utilization and Availability of Browse on Summer Rangeo Summit Lake Flats Elk Exclosure Since the name Mount Evans is not specific for this proposed plot» it has been suggested that it be called Summit Lake Flats Elk Exclosureo It is to be located in an alpine meadow at 129000 feet altitude» and may thus be differentiated from a proposed plot in the Mount Evans Herd's winter rangeo It is planned to complete the installation of this exclosure during the spring. IVo Mortality Factors Affecting Deer Herds Job 2 ~ Predation Affecting Deer. Coyotes were unusually active on the Poudre River during the past winter» aided by the heavy blizzards in the lower countryo Tracks in fresh snow indicated that coyotes were traveling in packs along the canyon road overlooking the herds watering holes in the rivero The concentration of deer was greatest near the river because all shallower water was frozen over by extreme coldo Their cause thus aided» the coyotes were able to isolate more than one fawn and drive it into deep drifts which would hold up the canines» but not t~e sharp deer hooveso Carcasses of deer were more commonly seen than usual. and most of them were in the rivervs ice. On January 17» while the writer was driving up the canyon roadp a coyote crossed the road in front of the pickup carrying two pieces of a fawn. These he dropped in his haste to escape. They were a front foot and a portion of the shoulderp the latter knawed almost cleano Little Hills Experiment Station == Laurence Eo Riordan 10 Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges = Deer and Elk Job 3 ~ Migration Between Summer and Winter Rangeso Objectiveg To determine the extent of migration between summer and winter range of the White River Deer Herdo �~ 75 Method~ It is proposed to trap and mark$ by ear tagging as discussed hereinafter, a representative sample of the deer which winter in (1) The Piceance Creek-Little Hills area, (2) Yellow Creek area$ (3) Douglas Creek area, and possibly other localities within ghe White River drainage basin in an effort to determine where the deer from these various winter areas go for summer range. The need for such a study has been apparent for some time, but the means for making it were unknown until work upon a similar problem was discussed by members of the California delagation at the Twenty-eighth Annual Conference of the Western Association of Game and Fish Commissioners at Salt Lake City, Utah, last Juneo From this discussion$ and from later correspondence with Mro Randal McCain of the California Federal Aid Staff$ the ear tagging technique has been worked out. The plan is to use tubular rivet-type aluminum ear tags with plastic backing in different geometrical shapes and colors to identify deer from different winter'range areas upon their summer ranges. Trapping In the experimental work that has been done on this job, a box-type trap, so designed that it can be taken apart for transportation or storage by the removal of twelve bolts and four nails has been usedo For details of construction of the trap, materials required, and costs, based upon the construction of four unitsg reference is made to the accompanying detail drawing and to Tables 1 and 2s which are summaries of these items respectivelyo For approximately the first month$ all trapping was done with one trap. During the second month, five traps were usedo Traps were baited with bright alfalfa hay and with appleso The hay appeared to be better bait than apples alone. Hay and apples together often worked well. Results~ The work done thus far is of a more or less experimental character for the purpose of perfecting the trapping and tagging technique. It is planned to ·carry on the project on a more extensive basis next winter and in succeeding years until con~ clusive data are obtained. Between February 11$ and April 7$ 1949, twenty-five deer have been trapped$ of which number three were recaptures of animals previously tagged. Eight animals trapped before March 9 were tagged with ear-tags which clip on over the edge of the ear$ the button-type tags having not been received from the manufacturer until that date. Fourteen animals tagged after March 9 were tagged with button-type ear-tags with a two-inch 1~ite plastic disk under the button, and with a 3/4 inch by 1-1/2 inch red �- 76 plastic rectangle superimposed upon the white dist. In tagging the first five deer caught after March 9~ the plastic backing was placed only upon the outside. of the animal's ear. All animals tagged after these five9 had the colored plastic backing placed on both sides of the animal's ear. All animals were tagged in the left ear9 and all of those tagged with the button-type tags and plastic excepting four individuals, had the tip of the right ear cropped. Table 3 summarized the results of the trapping and tagging thus far accomplished. TABLE 1 BILL OF MATERIALS PORTABLE DEER TRAP Lumber 15 pieces 1" x 6" X 10' Native common rough 5 pieces 2" x 4" X 10' Native surfaced 4 pieces In x 81t X 81 Native surface-d ) 2 pieces 2" x 4" X 81 Native surfaced ) 2 pieces 2" x 4" x 10' Native surfaced ) 4 pieces 2" x 2" x 8' Native surfaced ) 1 piece 1" x 6" x 8' Native surfaced 2 pieces I" x 10" x 10' Native surfaced For sides and top For Frame For guides For cleats on gates For drop gates Hardware 12 bolts, machine 3/8" x 4" with nuts and washers 2 pulleys 1-1/2" 2 pieces 1/8" flexible steel cable 10' long. 1 piece 3/16" flexible steel c~ble 2' long with turnbuckle attachedo 2 eye-bolts 5/16" x 2-1/2" with nuts and washers 1 harness ring~ 1" diameter. TABLE 2 Portable Deer Trap Four Traps Item Cost Lumber (sides and top) Lumber (all other parts) Bolts = - - - - - - - Washers - - - - - - - - Pulleys and harness rings - - - - - - Cable and turnbuckles (salvaged aircraft parts)- - $17.40 37.40 Total Average cost of one trapg 2050 .25 2.25 1008 $60.88 $15022 �AI I I I I I I I I I -, r --'~'~'--;f~~-=--=--=: L·; r-- - - -,----- _- -- - - rt"""! ----_._._._r- :.: , :. ~ , I .i•• -------------------F==4~=~t=======~ +====+.:~---~ : ~ I L Ll......+ •..__ - ••• 1- _I ~ _ '-- : 01 ,I .- -I - "0 ,r:: : !: • , , ~ , "F Q ~ f7J , " V " 11 If-: ~ I f-:::: ~ I I <l'\ S: ,IU , , " --. 4r I I f I ., . RP , , s R 'i.. (;) ~ ~ ~ II -s ~ 4- I = ojo: L- I' II .D I , ~ ~ "" ~ ~ ,~ I , : ~ ~ -..!_ " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I.t) ?§Cl .- I( I " I 'II 11 : : + , , ,, I Ie:: :. r-T-, I I : I ,~_-=~~ l== --.~ .•.. I' I I I I t._l_1 '--- I I-: ....... :. �- 77 = TABLE 3 Date Age Mature Fawn 11 Feb 49 13 Feb 49 14 Feb 49 14 Feb 49 14 Feb 49 16 Feb 49 18 Feb 49 27 Feb 49 2 Mar 49 10 Mar 49 13 Mar 49 14 Mar 49 15 Mar 49 17 Mar 49 18 Mar 49 19 Mar 49 19 Mar 49 20 Mar 49 20 Mar 49 21 Mar 49 28 Mar 49 29 Mar 49 30 Mar 49 3 Apr 49 7 Apr 49 III. Syx Buck Doe Type of Tag Clip~on ..Button W/plastic x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 4 5 6 2 recapture 7 8 9 10 5 recapture 11 12 13 14 15 x x x x x x x 2 x x x x x x x x x x x x Tag Number 299 297 298 296 295 298 recapture 294 293 292 1 x x x x x x x x x x Right Ear Cropped x x x Forage and Range Utilization Job 5 - Little Hills Grazing Competition Enclosure Study. Report of Progress~ Experimental Pastures. Approximately one-fifth of the total length of the deer-tight fences of existing enclosures Numbers l~ 2. and 4 was improved by the addition of two smooth wire stays in each panel to fasten the top of the woven wire to the three strands of barbed wire as explained in the last Quarterly Report. Plans for the Second Series of Enclosures~ Reproduction of copies of Plansl Specifications~ and the proposed contract have been completed; the preliminary project proposal has been prepared. and everything is in readiness for the advertising for bidders for the construction of the second series of �~ 78 enclosures along with approximately seven miles of hay-meadow i'enceo Removal of excess deer from enclosures~ In the JanuarYD 1949D Progress Report was described the attempted removal by driving of excess deer from the enclosureso As was reported thenD this operation was practically a total i'ailureo ThereforeD it was necessary to resort to some other means to get the animals out It was decided that the most effective method would be to shoot the animalso Plans were made to obtain the services of a good sized crew in order to accomplish the job in as expeditious a manner as possibleo At the same time~ other plans were made to utilize the operation to the fullest extent possible in the matter of collection of datao 0 On January II» the following personnel were assembled at Little Hills Experiment Stationg Go No Hunter Eo Ko Brown, Co Do TolmanD Po Fo GilbertD Go Eo Rogers, and the writer, all of the Federal Aid Staff of the Colorado#Game and Fish Department. Dro Lee Eo YeagerD Leader of the Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. Dro Wilford Olsen~ Parasitologist from the Zoology Department. Colorado AD & Mo College; William Goosman. District Game Warden of the Colorado Game and Fish Department In addition to the men named above, the following men stationed at Little Hills assisted~ Do Go Lauridson~ Irving Nilson~ George Eo Steele. Hugh Ro Jones~ and Do Fo Pottso g 0 There had been a fresh fall of snow to obliterate all old tracks. and snow depth averaged about two to two and one-half i'eeto Three days were required to complete the operationo During the first two days hunting was confined to pastures one and two which are separated by a four-foot livestock fence which permitted the deer to move from one to the othero On the third day hunting was done in all three of the pastureso The tabulation which follows presents the pertinent information regarding the huntingg f Date· Area Acreage Noo of Men Hours Hunted Deer Killed 11 Jan 49 11 Jan 49 Total 12 Jan 49 Pasture 1 Pasture 2 68 168 5 6 0 12 Jan 49 13 Jan 49 13 Jan 49 * Pastures 1 & 2 Past.ure 4 Pastures 1 & 2 Pasture 4 1 ~ IT 3 3 b 236 118 11 1 00 2 1* 236 118 4 4 4 3 16 7 4 T This deer was shot from the road while returning from lunch~ and was not included in figuring the averageso �- 79 From the data given above~ the following averages have been computedg Pastures 1 and 2:; 11 Jan 49 12 Jan 49 13 Jan 49 All 3 days 2104 acres per hunter; 000303 deer per man-hour of hunting 2104 acres per hunter; 000455 deer per man-hour of hunting 5900 acres per hunter,; 001875 deer per man-hour of hunting 2702 acres per hunter,; 000645 deer per man-hour of hunting Pasture 4: 13 Jan 49 1609 acres per hunter; 00572 deer per man-hour of hunting Some points to be considered in interpreting these figures are that all of the men concerned are experienced hunters of at least average or better than average abilityo Approximately 80 to 90 percent of the ground area of pastures 1 and 2 is Pinon-Juniper vegetative type. approximately o~e-half of the area of pasture 4 is Pinon=Juniper typeo Estimated numbers of deer in pastures 1 and 2 at the beginning of hunt» 10 to 12. pasture 4~ 20 to 240 Altogether~ tv,enty-four deer were killed~ including the one shot from the road in pasture 4~and the one which was crippled in pasture 4 on the third day of the hunt~ and was finally killed on the following dayo As soon as an animal was killed, it was bled in the field and hauled to a dressing station at the headquarterso There it was weighted before dressings again hog-dressed~ and finally fully dressedo These weights were tabulated along with age~ sex~ pregnancy and number of fetuses for femaless occurence of lices ticksp leg worm~ lung worm~ and nose botso Stomach samples were collected$ as were specimens for quantitative determination of infestation by internal parasiteso Mro Co Do Tolman; and Dro Wilford Olsen are together working up the data on internal paracitism as a part of a more comprehensive report which will be completed at a later dateo Mro Lauridson~ Superintendent of Little Hills Experiment Station, will report upon the comparison of live weight» hog-dressed weight» and fully dressed weight along with other data in a subsequent reporto Contracts for sheep and cattle: Proposals for the furnishing of livestock in exchange for their care and pasturage on a cooperative basis have been written» and two livestock growers have agreed to provide the necessary animals for the spring grazing season beginning about April 15, 19490 �~ 80 = Special Report on Emergency Aerial Hay Feeding / ~ - The heavy snow, which was deposited throughout the big game ranges ~uring the last half of December» 1948,1)and which remained in greater than normal depths in most areas until the latter part of Februa~J,!)1949, coupled with a short winter feed supply resulting from last summer's poor growing seasons together presented a situation of near disaster proportions for Coloradovs deer and elk herdso The animals were forced down from their normal wintering grounds in the foothills to the stream valleys which for the most part are privately owned lands used for the wintering of domestic livestocko The Game and Fish Department was beset from all sides by a public clamor for actiono The ranchers wanted relief from the droves of deer» and marauding bands of elk that made nightly forays into their stack-yards to eat and waste their badly needed hayo At the same time,!)~ould be~ sportsmen--in many cases the same ones who had been most critical of the Department's program last fall to harvest a larger proportion of surplus animals--as well as many well meaning sentamentalistsJ) set up a cry for a feeding program to save the starving animalso The Colorado Game and Fish Department had long ago tried and abandoned ground feeding of deer and elk» and was very reluctant to return to this practice which had once been proved unsatisfactoryo Therefore,!)as the demand for action became more insistent, a means of pacifying this demand without resorting to a full scale feeding program was soughto .aJ r .~ ~ /V' _ ( . Mro Gilbert No Hunter» Game Manager of the Department,!)contacted the Commanding Officer at Lowry Field and made arrangements to have United States Air Force planes and crews drop hay on an experimental basis to elk herds in Middle Parko The first such flight was made on January 18,1)19490 The aim throughout this aerial feeding program was to merely supplement the animalsv natural feed supplYIJwhile at the same time enticing them to remain at as high an elevation as the deep snow would permito Two considerations prompted this latter aimo First was the reduction of damage to private property ~ and second Ly', the observed fact that animals which remain at higher elevations,!)eVEn though snow and weather conditions are more rigorous there than at lower e Leva.t i.ons, often survive the winter in much better condition than those occupying the lower portions of the winter rangeso The aerial feeding proved quite successful as an emergency measure,!)and was ultimately extended to supplement the feed of most of the State's i;nportant herds , hortly after the aerial feeding was inaugurated,!)the President of the United Sta~es declared a Disaster Area cove::ing those part~ of the western and m~d-western states that had been h~t by severe bl~zzards, and in the resulting assignment of responsibility for emergency relief operations,!)the Departmentis game feeding was transferred to the Colorado Air National Guard with headquarters at Buckley Field near Denvero �~ 81 - Description of Technique~ The following is a description of the "hay-lift" operation as it applied to game animalso Close contact was maintained by the Denver office of the Game and Fish Bepartment with its men in the fields whereby it was possible to schedule hay drops in various areas on the basis of relative needo Each afternoonl a tentative schedule of drops was telephoned to the Operations, Officer at the air fieldo The Denver office~ through Mro Ao Eo Carlson~ maintained a supply of baled alfalfa hay at the fieldo The Air National Guard handled the loading of the hay on the planeso The planes used were Douglas C~47 cargo planes which normally carried from 50 to 85 bales of 75-p~unds average weight each per loado The crew normally consisted of the pilot~ co~pilot~ navigator~ and two or three "kickers"o In addition to these military personnel~ one man from the Game and Fish Department went on every flight to spot the dropping site and supervise the dropping operation so as to be sure that the hay was placed as nearly as possible in the exact location desiredo The flights usually ran from about two and one-half to four hours in durations depending upon the location of the dropping sitep and upon the weather conditions which often determined whether or not the flight could be made in a direct line or had to follow a round-about courseo Since these flights were intended to serve the dual purpose of providing flight training for the crews as well as dropping hay for the game animals~ the military personnel assumed responsibility for navigating the plane to the vicinity of the proposed dropping siteo In some instances this proved to be quite a tricky operation because cloudy wea"ther often obscured the mountainsJ) and the locations were usually in remote sparsely populated sections with relatively few main highways or other regularly used check pointso UsuallYl> the planes went over the Continental Divide at about l5l>000feet altitudes and continued on to the "target" area at altitudes not under 10»000 feeto As the plane approached the dropping area~ the Game and Fish Department representative or some experienced crew member briefed the "kickers" on the procedure to be used in dropping the hay» and helped them tie the two men who worked nearest the door with safety ropes to prevent their accidentally falling outo At about this time" the lashings which had been used to hold the hay cargo in place were removedo When aerial feeding first beganp the practice was to remove the door completely from the cargo compartment before taking off~ thus leaving this compartment open throughout the flighto LaterJ) this practice was discontinuedJ) and the paratrooper escape hatch or panel was removed just before the drop began" and was replaced again afterwardo This was a great improvement for the crew members who were thereby protected from the icy blast of airJ) the temperature of which was sometimes as low as fifteen degrees below zero centigradeo �82 = Upon reaching the feeding site, the common practice was for the pilot to make one "dry run" over the dropping course to "feel out" the air currents ~ and to allow _the Game and Fish Department spotter to locate the upper limits of the animal's range by their tracks so as to determine the best place to drop the hay. During this and the dropping runs over the feeding area» the Game and Fish Department man rode standing in the pilot's compartment behind and between the pilot and co=pilot in order to be able to point out the exact location for each dropo The pilot used the paratrooper signal bell» ~th which the planes were equipped» to let the "kickers" know when to begin dropping hay and when to stopo An attempt was made to place the hay on bare wind=swept ridges or other suitable spots which resulted in the drops being made at irregular intervals along the runo These short breaks gave the crew time to line up from three to five bales of hay near the door so that it could be kicked out very quickly. Normallyp two or three runs over the feeding area were required to unload the whole plane-load of hayo These runs were made at altitudes of from 150 to 500 feet above the groundp depending upon the terraino As the program developed» a shuttle operation was worked out where= by the loaded planes took=off from Denver» dropped their hay in some area enroute to Grand Junction where they landedo There they were re= loaded for a second drop after which they returned to Denver9 or if time was available» returned to Grand Junction for the third load of hay before returning to Buckley Fieldo The principal areas in which hay was dropped were North Park» Middle Park» Brown9s Park» Gu~~isono and Hermosa Creeko Besides theseo one or more loads were dropped in ten other Locat.i.ons , In al L, 60 flights were made in which approximately 120 tons of hay and a few tons of block salt were droppedo - onsidered from the financial stand=pointo if the cost of the operation of the planes had been charged to the projects the results in game animals saved and property damage prevente~would not nearly justify its costo On the other handp since the planes would have been making training flights anyhow.!)and the principal items of additional cost were for the hay and its handling» perhaps the results justified the project as an emergency measureo At any rate» it is felt that this method of feeding game animals is the most satisfactory that has been used up to the present timeo ____ --. ----Submi tted by s Name Title Approved byg Laurence Eo Riordan COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Wildlife Technician ----------------------------------By _~_.~, ..•.... Note~ -¥--.~_;;;_____ __ Title Co No Feasts Director Date April 159 1949 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Stat~·Game and Fish Departmento �STATE COLORADO ---------------------- PROJECT NO .• DATE QUA R T~_g_ L Y SUR V E Y S AND PRO G RES I N V EST S 40-R-2 April~ 1949 REPORT I GAT ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIF~ RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project~ Antelope Surveys· and Investigations 20 Leader~ 30 Report of Progress~ Robert Ro Elliott Title of Job~ Selection and Survey of Transplant Sites Objective~ To locate suitable areas for transplanting antelope~ and to check on the trend of areas which were examined last yearo Scope: Complete coverage of public lands within the State which would provide desirable habitat for antelopeo Exceptions were made in examining three privately-owned ranches in Las Animas Countyo Time: Surveys were begun July 15. 1948. in southern Otero County~ and were completed August 20~ 1948. at the Little Hills Experiment Station near Mee ker 0 Cooperating Agencies and Groups~ Soil Conservation Service~ Forest Service. Bureau of Land Mariagement~ Colorado State Warden ServiceD Colorado Ao & Mo College~ Izaak Walton League. sportsmen's clubs. ranchers. and other interested individualso The cooperation and enthusiasm displayed by these groups and individuals was of great help and encouragemento Techniques Used~ Activities connected with this phase of surveys and investigations followed considerably the same as last yearo In fact. the location and examination of suitable antelope transplant sites is pretty much a continuous jobo All the areas s~lected last year were checked again to ascertain ~ny change in vegetative complex. land use. stocking rates. season of use~ and all other factors that may affect the success of a plant of antelopeo In addition. new areas to which attention had been drawn by ~orrespondence or which had been suggested by various individuals~ were· surveyed and accepted or rejected for the reasons outlinedo As before. each site examined is handled separately in this reporto The general location of each site is shown by Figure 10 �Findings: Noo 1 - The Hudson Ranch - Las Animas County Location and Size~ This prospective transplant site is situated at the junction of Chaquaqua Canyon with the Purgatoire River, (Figure 2)~ and comprises 40~000 acres~ 27»000 acres of which are deeded$ and the remainder is leased and unallocatedo The ranch is owned by Dro Hudson from Texaso Physical Features and Vegetation~ The topography is rather flat~ but drops off sharply into the rugged canyonso Soil type belongs to the Brown soil group» typical of the shortgrass prairie region~ also dry~ receiving from 13 to 14 inches average annual precipitation normallyo Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) intermingled with Buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) are the predominant grasses, . with a good showing of mid-grasses such as galleta (Hilaria Jamesii)$ some western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii)g and patches of prairie beard grass (Andropogon scoparius)o There is a great deal of snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) yucca9 and tall rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus lanoedatus)g then in the rocky, shallow soil locations. the vegetation graduates from scattered clumps of skunkbush (Rhus trilobata) to an intermixed» rather dense stand of oak brush (Quercus gambelii)g and pino~junipero Land Use» Carrying CapacitYD and Stocking Rates~ This ranch runs only cattle and a few horses, no sheepo At present. the operator carries about 700 head of cattle practically year-long, and no type of deferred or rotational system is used except that during the summer the stock utilize the flats and spend most of their time in the canyons throughout the colder monthso Transplant Considerations~ Since the Purgatoire and Chaquaqua are such deep and rough canyons, they form quite a natural barrier to any movement of the antelope to the north. east» or west. and such a situation as this provides a veritable sanctuary for themo There is only one road leading into the ranch. and that is from the south through the Box Rancho This affords some protection from poaching, and the ranchers in this area are extremely particular about unauthorized traffic on their propertyo Wardens Hamilton and Scott reside at Trinidad and offer added protection for the antelopeo There are a few coyotes and bobcats throughout this section, especially in the canyons~ and although they are not in such numbers as to cause a great deal of trouble predation from these species may have to be guarded against during the fawning periodo g As an inital plant, it is felt that 25 antelope would be sufficient If the introduction is successful, more could be placed on this site in future years. taking care, however. not 0 �to let the total population get above 200 animals» due to the limited area which they could inhabito Noo 2 ~ The Box Ranch - Las Animas County Location and Size~ Just south of the Hudson Ranch and bounded on the west by the Purgatoire River~ on the east by Chaquaqua Canyon~ and on the south by State Highway 1600 This site contains 100~000 acres; 87~000 acres of it is fee deeded lands and l3~000 acres are leasedo Physical Features and Vegetation: Since this is a continuation» the topography» soils climate» and vegetation are much the same as that described for the Hudson Rancho There is perhaps more flat and open land on the Box Ranchs and it presents a natural habitat for antelope 0 A denser complex of mixed short~grass and weeds exists on the pasture land» with rabbitbrush and snakeweed predominating in the preferred list of antelope forageo Land Use» Carrying CapacitYD and Stocking Rates~ Operating this large ranch is a man named Eo Eo FrizellD and his sons» from Kansas They have had the ranch for over 11 years and under sound management» have improved their range considerablyo Generally speaking» the carrying capacity is figured at 40 acres per AUMg which is very conservative stocking» and they run only cattle» along with a working string of about 40 horseso Here again» the same as the Hudson Ranch» no deferred" or rotationa.L .sys tem is employed» but a widespread distribution of the stock is maintained» using the flat» open pastures in the summers and the rough canyon country for winter rangeo From this set=up one can see that conflict between the antelope and livestock» from all viewpoints» would not be cause for concerno 0 Transplant Considerations~ These are identical to the statements given for the Hudson site» therefore. to list them here would be only duplicationo The foreman of the Box Ranch. Mro Joe Lopez» assures that protection will be offered by all employees of the outfit~ and that fullest cooperation with the Department may be expectedo Through mutual agreement with everyone concerned. it was decided that not more than 50 antelope be introduced as a starto This number could be allowed to increase to not more than 300 heado It is also agreed that hunting shall be permitted whenever the Department deems it necessary to have an open season in this area , Noo 3 - Saguache Site - Jackvs Creek - Saguache Countyo This proposed location for transplanting antelope was surveyed last yearg and although none was introduced~ it still remains eligibleo There has been a slight improvement in the vegetative complex~ in that �- 86 the pinque (Actinea richardsoni) has decreased somewhato This may be due to the reductions demanded by the Bureau of'Land Management of the permittees who run cattle in this areao At any rate~ there is a better cover of the more preferred forage specieso Other factors are much the same as reported last yearo Noo 4 - Dissappointment Valley - Sam Aliguel County Gypsum Valley - San Miguel County Dry Creek Basin - San Miguel and Montrose Countieso These three areas were surveyed last year as possible antelope habitat; the first two being rejected at that time for various reasons, and Dry Creek Basin was accepted as favorable» although not of priority ratingo No antelope were transported to this latter site but it remains on the eligible list alsoo Disappointment Valley shows some improvement~ mostly in a greater density of grass$ and not quite so much bare ground as a year agoo Galleta (Hilaria jamesii) and ring muhly (Muhlenbergia torreyi) are the two species which appear to be more abundanto The shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia) and rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) are not grubbed dmvn quite so badly eithero Examination of several 100 sqo fto plots taken at random~ showing the following densities~ Browse Weeds Grasses Total Vegetation Ground Cover 6o~ 15 40% 15 25 20 Bare ground 100% 25 100% This location would make a suitable site for antelope~ but the heavy pressure from sheep and deer precludes taking any action for several years yeto No perceptible change has been made in Gypsum Valley» and since it is of limited area~ would act as an overflow section in event antelope were placed in either area adjacento Noo 5 - The Roubideau Country - Montrose CountYo This area had been recommended for antelope by several people in the Delta-Montrose vicinitY$ so the writer, accompanied by Paul Gilbert~ resident biologist at Montrose made a reconnaissance of ito l Space exists for a small herd~ possibly l50~ but the area between Dry Creek and Roubideau Creek carries at least ten separate sheep and cattle pennits~ to say nothing of the stock driveway which runs almost the length of this sector. The range showed heavy use, �and whereas a few head of antelope would not materially add to its poor condition~ it was the opinion of both examiners to postpone placing any antelope here for two or three yearso Data·obtained-py Gilbert from the Bureau of Land Management Office in Montrose gave the average carrying capacity as 604 acres per ADMo At present~ however~ the range is stocked at 75% of thiso Season of use is April 15 to May 15» and November 1 to December 310 With such a system of management in effect$ the vegetation should make a good comeback in a few years and permit stockingg to a limited degreea with some antelopeo Noo 6 - Point Creek - Wells Gulch Site - Delta Countyo Surveyed last year$ this location was again checked by the writer and Paul Gilberto There has been little~ if anY$ improvement in the vegetation» but it should improve since further restrictions on grazing have been imposed by the Bureau of Land Management~ the administering agencyo As may be recalled from last year's report~ it was recommended that this area be placed last on the list for antelope transplant sites~ due to its proximity to the Kannah Creek deer problem areao After observation~ and from a general concensus of opinions from the resident wardens and biologists. it is believed that this portion of suitable rangeD between Wells Gulch and Point Creek~ is far enough removed from the deer crossing. that interference or con= flict would be at a minimum or even non-existento The number of antelope to be released should not be more than 250 Here they could be kept under strict surveillance~ due to the accessibility of the area, and should there be serious conflict with deer or livestock$ remedial action could be instituted immediatelyo At any rate it would be worth t~ing because the available antelope range in the State is quite limitedo Noo 7 Fruita - Salt Wash Site - Mesa Countyo No change was apparent in thelvegetation or anything else at this site; still hot and dry. and heavily grazed by sheepo The antelope which had been released last January were scattered considerably~ and had not been seen recently by either the wardens or the r'ancher-s , A few fawns (no actual count was made) were observed by Buniger. a rancher near Stove Canyon. so there may be a slight increase this year~ even though poachers did thin their numbers just after they were releasedo Plans at present are to supplement these few with about 50 more this coming fall and winter~ so that the increase will be noticeable~ and the herd will be large enough to sustain itselfo �- 88 No.8 - Little Hills Game Experiment Station = Rio Blanco Count Yo While this particular place» and all the Piceance Creek area, is not suitable antelope country, it was thought that a few could be put along Dry Fork, and perhaps be used in conjunction with the deerlivestock experiments being conducted thereo It would be completely out of the question to attempt establishment of a herd area here due to the extremely high population of deer, which is the White River Herdo The only reason for wanting to bring antelope in, as stated before, is for experimental purposeso Noo 9 - Juniper Springs = Axial Basin Area - Moffat Countyo Suggested on two different occasions for antelope» this location was reconnoitered by the writer and Warden Bill Rolando Without using the plot marker, it was plain to see that the range could not carry any more use than it was being given at presento The area has been grazed heavily by sheep every year andD in addition, supports quite a few horses; it really has taken a beating. Sid Whetstone, district grazier located at MeekerD who is in charge of the administration of this particular area,concurred with the writer and Warden Roland in that no antelope should be released here at the present timeo No. 10 - Cedar Springs Draw - Moffat County. Location and Size~ This area was surveyed at the request of Warden Bill Roland of Craig» and is situated in the Yampa River Valley about 45 miles west of Craig along U. S. Highway 500 The part which was reccnnJitered is only a township in size but there is plenty of surrounding country into which antelope could range. Physical Features and Vegetation~ Topography is generally rough and steep, although the bottoms of the drainages are rather flat to gently rollingD and the hills·are not too rugged and rocky for antelope. The soil here probably is classified in the undifferentiated sierozem and desert group, although that which is closer to the river would more nearly be the chestnut and brown group. It supports vegetation typical of the intermountain shrub region, under. semi-desert conditions c Vegetative associations are mostly big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia), and yellowbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.), along with bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) and grasses including bunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), needle and thread (Stipa comata) and some Poa secundao Along the ridges and higher slopes there are rather scattered stands of juniper (Juniperus scopulorum and J. utahensis). The latter would serve as a carry-over source of forage during heavy snowstorms, such as this region is subject too Land Use, Carrying Capacity, and Stocking Rates: Most of this country is stocked heavily with sheep; one operator runs 10,000 sheep on a spring-fall basis of four to six months, and another �runs about 300 cattle throughout the summer from April 16 to November 150 The carrying capacity", according to the Bureau of Land ~~nagement~ is eight or nine acres per AUMQ Transplant Considerations~ Even though this area is pretty well stocked with sheep and cattle it is felt that a good-sized herd of antelope~ possibly 250» could be carried without serious conflicto The reasons for this. are the comparatively short season of use by sheep and the differenc~ in distribution of use; the generally upward trend of the range» especially in Cedar Springs Draw itself, the availabilii;yof,'surrounding land for overflow,p in 'case the population increases too fast; and the general attitude of acceptance on the part of ranchers and land users. Predators are not a major consideration here due to the fact that sheep men have kept coyotes down in numbers~ and other predacious species such as the mountain lion$bobcat$ and golden eagle are rare to non-existento Protection from poaching is afforded by Warden Roland$ and a community spirit of wildlife conservations especially sportsmen's groupso As a start perhaps 50 antelope could be released in the draw about three miles south of the highway» and be allowed to work farther south or wasta Noo 11 - North Park Site - Jackson Count yo Upon checking this area again» very few changes of any consequence were found regarding vegetation or land useo There appeared to be a slight increase of grasses ip.percent composition» and the sagebrush had more annual growth than last yearo This is due to a voluntary reduction of grazing made by the Bighorn Cattle Companyo The Taylor Grazing land held by this company (38)>000acres) carries an allocation of 2500 head of cattle for 60 days» May 15 to June 150 howevever» the ranch mar~ger9 Waldo Axelson» says he does not run that manyIt is hoped to get antelope in here before heavy snow starts so they may become oriented in the new surroundings without difficult yo This area will support a large herd and should make a good herd areao Noo 12 - Gunsight Pass ~ Middle Park - Grand Countyo Although this site had been surveyed and approved for antelope» the past winter's snow brings in a doubt as to whether the animals would be able to negotiate such deep snowo It may be wiser$ perhaps$ to wait and observe snow conditions a little further than to jeopardize a whole transplant herdo The area could not support a very large population of antelope anyway due to the winter use handed it by deer and elko No appreciable change was noticed in the vegetation» however 0 �Noo 13 - Southern Otero Land Utilization Project - Otero County. After releasing 78 antelope in this location during the past seasonvs trapping operations. it was decided to favor some of the other areas this yearo The land involved in the utilization project can. of course. carry about 200 more antelope quite easily and these will be added gradually as the program progresseso According to Mr. Karn. district conservationist of the Soil Conservation ServiceD no major changes have been made in land use. policy. or ownership within the L. U. Projecto In fact.!)more abandoned farm land is being reverted to pasture. and present pasture land is being improved by strict range management and artificial revegetationo This site remains one of the largest and best transplant areas in the State from the standpoint of managing 0 Analysis and Recommendations~ At the outset of the survey initiated last year. the policy was established that all antelope transplant sites would be located on public lando The reason being.!>of course. that management by the Department could be achieved much more easily without having to deal in personalities of so many separate·private interestso Practically all the public domain that can be classified as possible antelope range lies west of the Continental Divide. and is administered by the Bureau of Land Management under the Department of the Interioro This land comprises about 12% of the total area of the State or 7.8389784 acres (from State Planning Commission and Colorado Water Conservation Board. 1944) but. after the second yearVs survey of the State for antelope habitat. it has been determined that only about half this land area given above is actually suitable antelope range It is apparent. then~ that if the antelope herds are to be expanded. some of them must necessarily be placed on private lando That is the reason the the Hudson Ranch and the Box Ranch. first two sites reported on9 viz •.!> were selected. examined. and approved for antelope restorationo 0 These private land-owners had requested that their lands be examined for the purpose of placing antelope on them. and agreed to the policies of the Department for proper managemento In the opinion of the writer. such deviation from regulation ~d policy. under the circumstances cited.!) is entirely justifiedo Although most available transplant sites have been covered during the past two years. requests for reconnaissance of area. other than those shown in Figure 1 and mentioned in both reports. will be accepted and action taken at the earliest possible convenienceo A more intensive study of range and ecological problems in each transplant area is anticipated for the forthcoming yearo �Cle~~od SpringSI Colorado ~reh 2$, 1950 Attention: At the big _ga."11e me~t:ing lor thea ,&ihitei~iver aational l"orest area <\t Glemwood ~pring3 today the r ollow:L.~g rOCt)romen<t1.tioos wer~ ~e: unit 27 !~ 28 U· .28 (~mger either L~i.s Jr.w.de the raec.:mnE:Ht.'l.t.icn that the; ;tr-.ole area b-e sex if it ef)uld not b~ split in this -way.) u 23 of Vail tass and Hed Sa!Histone either sex 1Ath area east of t..'1<lt to the Cont.inent:.i.l Iii lflde bucks only. A1.1 t.he area w<::st and :routh 'the following e1..1<;areas Wm"1e vot€d to be bunt.ar's big game 8!f!:.asbn~ choice durin~ 'I;,h® coming The length 0.:'- the eeason on coth deer and elk r.mning ff"OQ octoo~r 15 25 inclusive e:~cept. in 2l ·where the.re lifere two votes tor eo 15 - 24 Se"JSCfl. It lIWS ta~nt.ion€.'i1 t.l;at in case of a pre-$<::ason; ff.Ir. ~i.l1etst.,:;ne and Hr. ~tevf.)noon f~!,:vorllad.a c:>ntinuing s easen openin~~;':'::ctobe.r10 and cutting off 10 days on the etXi except in Unit 35. If tins isn't possible, t.ae seascn : to open on the 15th in the special are~a and regular areas 5 days bter. �voce 1;c.&5 t~;ik,el1 ·n! 10 lOT'" 11 (}pjJo$~d. .~ t4_1i tJ.;c.~e .i!~.faV\")T of .~! !\P rill:'; lid.t 1;) .~" •.. t! ;flY'. 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(j.1.Jts·ld·s t,il~ ~\)1~·~mt.vot.ed ;:&$ t~~''t~:b(:~'r, l' -'De~~e'!! )1 ~~~~as.el ·ses~1Cn. ~1,.U Fo!,,~,:gt-clo-s~.i cr·, 'm~te:n with 8..tK.i :~;t~·hit;::t·k.tll~ .~1!l~1· .sll ~ rt en 2~·a~~:9·. ,f"...·· !,~\.~. tl~.~~ ~'i~C~l;·t.i(:nQf _i;:(;J,ll .•.:.:eX"S ?1.,rie-L1~ .H:ar.? al~e;~:t.s.out-aide t._;\~~ ~\02~..st~ ~.:~O:\ir!.=~nDr 1 - .:.:e·~:t:r~::bf:;r 3.1. ��MAP OF COLORADO FFFAr------ -------- ~d".r'\ i \ .""\.. -, • WAlOb, I ~?!"'_ 1_ . £4$~'AI" II., M oOu,,"9' .'" . 01710, 00 . 0.;fi'ollcf} ."'"\,,_. __.... '-IIi ,. ~ , ,.rmonl . \ 1t ~ iI • EAGLE ~- i)_tPHUq (;';;\ oSt:lltJl/ "'" 1t'akoll 001s'/9IrO;~6LE _.r: \ UNW~O ') U'· '" f",.o r' .fI'tI(",f,~ 0"'''1'',"1f.' \ /'. ___ +-; _/OE.LTA' I'VUIfIf~'-'''' ,..../ . I r _ . 001.'1.' '~-'. 0 •••• " • '\. r "w.no , \ I~i 0<1.' ONT.{iisr-'-' 5 ~;N~GUFi-'-' o(,"'.,~", OUI, _~~ 0 ~. _ O"IfEary 0 H"(rdl;:;/~ m.,ON \ ",. ,/ )._,<" ~_ i ./ ~ 0 \. • cror'" !-.., ~, ••~.~,L, 01# ') rt HORrE" 'r'o"I,V/SJ ' o 0',,,. • I' . .I.'/', \. ~,tI"'.s. __________ .).__ . OCh•• . ...._. m, \ ('OHrJl'J \ \"1. '.. I ,./~-._./ --. ~ _L $".'0 0 •. I • <, I . orll'l/tlt". or",.. o",..;.~ ('II",."".. oYrll. If, 001'1.", 0 ..,., " •• ,. oro..' ,.., ••,,, pTRINIOAO ",~/,p -.....0..:.::.. ..• __ ../ lJl>;,I. .:': ,.,,,,,,,", I Ii o~ I ./oJ"_" "_I ,,,"" I :1"",.':;••" , !foe', '01"110 (' t' O,·.,UD. oiu".. '''''"-0 ,/ _f .."",,,,. I, :{:;~/ ,\ P. •• J>lt" I . I oHUrrrDM»">«: ~ r- . -, -~,l''''IUI.s )~"~D • 0"'''' ,.,,,9. ' _,' ("; 0'.'0.1, -::(OCl'd""._tt ...____. cor/fC;ff,llInt:') OOlt,'YSP;.J ou~'"(",, I•• , " ••.•••,.-.. ''''0""""". Hutffl~NO·. I. /N"".'» ,~ , I "~p#S WAl.$CNlJURG r' .~...)...,_ . I• ___..-- ,,('0,"'00 "'" ,.._,. "-. ~ I . / ',(It<<J oo.-".·j.", ,f;OSTIlLA( AnSfl"!o)'\ "........ /' \ • "1 P'·f·· o<i' ~P"'"I 0 S"8"" ,0R,d",,"', {OS""p$UI" ' L._ _J_', _._. CROWLEY 0''''"'' I ALAMo"SA / l' ,/ SPRINGS \/' ',,1\ OG, "") 0'"'''<''' Irco~o-.-'-.-i .,.\ . I •••,., . ,'" 0 .. • 'r-./' j' GRANOE-~-o'T.:-..no""""-'-'\ re·. ,. r~.. .~ " 'PMOSA \, " a.,.1. 0/(,",,'0" ~-",.;.. OS,I... ) I ·_·_I·.J'!I'" oR''''. LAMOSA __ . \@SItV£RCWF,·OI,,.,,, D",;" 0 ~'RIO ">, I I ~ o~t::::.. c::'T "".. 'GUHIIE),'\ , II " w.8y Not acceptable 'at present I ~'. T'''~'C'''' '"'DD'" h.U 0 g~-- 0'0.·,$ \, ' J' N.r'- , .""~I~ •..~~--__~~-•. -- •.---"""J!~ ~",iIO,'" e:z i < co r '" .... ~ l_._~j Y'I!DG'D~·"\Cijft;;t· ..~ . <r , '. Q) ""_'/{"Jp"; i ,,,,,I,,,,. ~MINeRAl" I ~. • r: J....._~G..., JJ,.1f C" ._,f,f'!..ooY,,'" \ ft ~/"t'tH' Ail1H:J1t DIll HI/01/I .6 6'" ,,'''" u, f-pUE8LOtf~.-.-. ._~_.L_/,< ',SAGUACHE OUO"'o" ,SAN ',FREMONT ~innH 1 I I ~M,"U r;l. I • l.. So""", j .,. ~~-~-~ J ",... "'\ ..Ys, II. "ISO". 'D" "!HilfsoAie-·---j ') / _, 1,:pp"@l ",,~-~-~'\ "'0 k: J 1'MtJ".ndAr,A' .;).ryo ",,{h'»p 0 06"'. fElLtFI-""""'" I,(j''''Jt MM '''rio.' O,~,'d. I .,". ) Y"TA ! oN1I,.,. Acceptable Areas @ O/.,JI, ~ C"'" opn", Y,."o @Ti'oLUnfo<l" , ' '~''-''', \ , u .•_\ -1 J ~"''"' LO r.;.;:;;;.._ 1.' ""'. Tu . I;OtiR.iY~ ON",'" 001 ~ I .,l/rNA 0'.. 1 ' ""/;'0 ,.7"'W;S71iN(;roN~TYuM:il·--·--l· 1",~'fI 1 0"""'1' o .thf,_ w"I""A Q!!p.lul III HDir(JK£ PROPOSED ANTELOPE TRJU~SPLANT SITES, 1948 - 1949 .~-~A I I (.-..._ ~.7·" 8U:(.], ".~I , NrROS£ "1, 'I L o/),rj", 0' VER AI/I'D' f r,,,,),,,, I 'I 1 0 r/'.1I111 I_ot! ~ -. _- FIGURE 1 .,1 0,,"'.. 0 _j .._- 0 /IT,,;r~N 0(.,,,11, ' . 6AN • A",It,r.r1 {;HllLiPS 1t ItO 1 .""\ ... "... '::::' "., I ~-, -", Hn><A ~ ••• G J' I~' ("" '~up lor FI('mi,,/ • 0"'''''' S·f"" 0","" ' c: ____'-', "'or.",::_ '<; ~rff"'IDI'It:J-j' .-l... ~ 'Otl.~"~'" 0......... ...._~... ~ i "m", .1 os.•"••......,r'''t '\'''''''~''''!1'',' 0t1:-rH omFRoc~' \ . 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ANTELOPE TRANSPLAlr.' SIT!S. (Ret'. map - H1ghw", .map ot' lou Animas r""eas~ point Box point and iransportat1on Count,. GIIeet ~.) ® RANCH �- 91 Submitted by: Approved by~ Robert Ro Elliott --------------------------------Wildlife Technician Title --~------------------------~-- COLORAOO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Name Title Date Note: Co No Feast~ Director April l8~ 1949 ----------~----~~~~------- Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Departmento ��- 93 STATE COLORADO PROJECT NOo DATE QUA R T E R L Y SURVEYS AND PRO G RES I N V EST S 41-R-l ~-------------- April~ 1949 REP I GAT 0R T ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN W1LDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Survey 2. Leaders: 30 Report of Progress: George W. Jones and Claude E. White~ Jr. Title of Job: Population Trends and Life History Studies. Objectives: To accurately determine fluctuations in the popUlation of Bighorn Sheep in Colorado~ and to initiate life history studies on Bighorn Sheep which will include investigations in parasitology~ studies in lambing success and sex ratio control~and the successful adaptation of transplanted herds to new environrnentso Findingsg The Tarryall Herd~ The annual trend counts and census on the Tarryall winter range was completed by March I. When compared with the 1945-46 trend count figures there is a definite upward trend in the number of yearlings and lambs. Based on a four-month average of ewes and lambs observed during the trend counts of 1945-46~ 49.4% of all the available ewes were accompanied by lambso Figures from the same trend in 1948-49 (Table 1) show that 58% of the available ewes were· accompanied by lambs. The sex ratio in 1945-46 was 1.11 ewes to 1 ram, and in 1948-49 was 1.17 ew:esto 1 ram , The number of rams is slightly down , but the number of lambs is 8.6% greater than in 1945-460 A comparison of these figures with those derived from the.total popu La tdon for the Tarryalls and Kenoshos shows very little variance. Based on the total nUmber of observed sheep (Table 2) the sex ratio is 1.57 ewes to 1 ram, and 56% of all available ewes were accompanied by lambs, a variation of less than 2% on all figures. The final census for the Tarryalls and Kenoshos shows a total number of 786 sheep. However, several small groups of sheep have drifted away from the Tarryalls toward Cheesman Reservoir and �- 94 TABLE 1 TREND COUNT NOo 3 - 1948-49 November Ewes Ra.ms Lambs Yearlings Totals Weather 6 9 13 16 20 2:Z; -' 27 30 28 26 12 22 12 6 32 34 15 24 17 162 14 9 3 26 28 6 10 18 114 83 79 29 156 172 89 134 118 860 Wind Snow Cold Wind West Clear Cold Warm Wind 316 19 32 8 34 38 39 46 52 268 25 45 48 64 34 20 46 35 317 31 30 49 45 42 8 49 24 278 18 31 23 28 26 9 18 21 174 12 17 19 19 20 6 19 12 124 86 123 139 156 122 43 132 92 893 Wind Snow Warm Clear Warm Clear Cold Snow Snow Wind 2 4 8 11 15 18 25 18 16 31 72 10 21 29 182 12 5 12 26 6 '12 5· 58 69 29 82 175 28 77 45 . 505 Snow Wind Cold Wind Warm Cold Wind Cold Win.d Totals 20 38 8 26 19 140 10 8 19 39 4 18 7 105 54 19 34 35 16 22 84 264- 48 27 41 26 21 24 47 234 37 24 4 12 8 4 13 42 97 163 57 115 85 53 79 237 587 Warm Cold Wind Warm Clear Cold Wind Cold Wind Snow Warm Totals 64 72 29 54 E December 4 7 11 14 18 21 23 28 Totals January 14 February 3 7 11 14 18 23 28 Totals 7 28 16 12 18 64 182 �~ 95 - TABLE 2 BIGHORN CENSUS-TARRYALL - 1948-49 Rams Ewes Lambs Yearlings Kenoaho 45 113 48 28 Tarryalls 32 28 17 21 46 22 34 18 48 72 17 21 8 22 56 12 14 7 14 32 Totals 189 307 172 107 Drainage Sand Creek Hay Creek Potato Gulch China Rock Dude Ranch (Results - Tarryall Herd - Continued-Page 93) Wilkerson Pass. Counting these and the sheep which were missed~ the total population for the Tarryall and Kenosho Mountains is between 900-1000 sheep. A large ram~ found dead on Rock Creek on March l~ was taken to Fort Collins. Samples from the lungs, liver, and intestines are being analyzed by Dr. Olsen of the Department of Zoology~ Colorado A. & M. Collegeo The preliminary report revealed several pus sacs in the lung cavity cauSed by a Coryne-bacterium~ extensive areas in the tissue were filled with lung worms~ probably Protostrongylus sppo and the primary bile duct was clogged with fringed tapeworm (Thysostome actinoides)o The Georgetown Herd~ Range conditions throughout the area occupied by the Georgetown sheep are excellent. Because of the conditions which surround this herd it is possible that it will eventually be one ot the largest sheep herds in the state. There is little or no competition from deer or elk and equally little competition from domestic stocko Physi~ally the sheep are almost equal to the Tarryall sheep~ and at the time of the last survey not one sick sheep was noted. The total number of sheep counted for the Georgetown area was 51--10 ratns~21 ewes~ 16 1ambs~ and 4 yearlings..,.-with a sex ratio of 2~1 to l~ ewes to rams~ 76.3% of all the available ewes are accompanied by 1ambss an excellent survival percentage. The day following the·release of the Tarryall sheep~ March 4" a dead ewe was found along Highway 6 by Warden Vernon Turner. Profuse bleeding from the nostrils, hemorraging of the lUngs, and multiple contusions ·of the entire right side and head indicated a car killo A stomach sample proved to be nearly all alfalfa hay and established the ewe as one of the sheep released the day before. �- 96 Samples from the lungs. live~ abomasum..,caecum. and colon were taken for analysis by Dro Olseno This was the second reported car kill in the Georgetown herd in the 1948-49 seasono The ewe was carrying a 3-4 month fetus (female) (Figure 1) which has been carefully preserved for future studyo The Cache La Poudre Herd~ The final population of this herd as of January 1 is 24.., an increase of 8 since their release December 6. 19460 The range is in good condition..,appearing for the most part in better shape than it was in the same period in 1947-480 The herd came together the'first of September and remained together until about the middle of December. at which time they split into 2 groups as before. one inhabiting the Washout Gulch district and one the country just east of Kinnikinnicko _-,"'-- /----- '_____ The Gore Creek Herd~ The Gore Creek winter range is one of the most limited in the state. The sheep are not forced to.but do remain on one cliff-bound hillside a few miles north and east of Minturno The total count on this herd in December was 32 and 14 the last of February. Though forage conditions for the sheep were not critical it was decided to drop hay and salt in the area to offset the threat of further storms. The known winter loss has been l--a yearl ing ram-which was probably a coyote kill. The Mto Evans Herdg A snowshoe trip on Mto Evans from the Grant side revealed the small herd there to be living under the same hazardous conditions as last yearo The fact that they survive at all on the few bare patches of alpine grasses and sedges above timberline gives an indication of the hardiness inherent of the Bighorn Sheepo However..,the Mto Evans herd is not increasing. The total count in February was 27--4 rams. 16 ewes. and 7 lambs or yearlingso They were all in obviously poor conditionG These figures are identical ~~th those of the 1947=48 surveyo They were located on the southeast side of Bierstart Mountaino The Buffalo Peaks Herd~ Buffalo Peaks and vicinity at one time held many more sheep than at the present timeo The western slope of the peaks, normally the best sheep winter range. has been overgrazed extensively in past years by domestic sheep and cattle. resulting in severe erosion and lack of forageo The sheep now on the peaks are inhabiting the northeastern slopes. fairly lowo A snowshoe trip in February revealed 47 sheep--7 rams..,24 ewes. and 16 lambs--giving a sex ratio of 607 ewes to I ram with 66% of the mature ewes accompanied by Lamb s, At the present time there is no problem of forage in the Buffalo Peaks area. However. predation. specifically by coyotes.., is becoming increasingly important as an environmental factor. �FIGURE I A 3 to 4 month old fetus from a. ewe killed by a car near Georgetovm. The hooves are bright yellow FIGURE 2 A bed near Glenwood Springs showing use by both Bighorn Sheep and elk. �FIGURE 3 Typical utilization on Indian Rice Grass (Orysopsis hymenoides) in the Glenwood Springs area. FIGURE 4 Utilization on Mountain Mohogany and Snow berry near Grizzley Creek. �Coyote sign observed under the conditions of new snow indicated far more coyotes in the area than is good for a band of sheep. It is hoped that coyote control measures can be initiated this fall. The Glenwood Springs Herdg The part of Glenwood Canyon most used by the sheep lies between Grizzly Creek on the west and NcName Creek on the east. This area was surveyed shortly after the snow had receeded to the top of the canyon rim. The condition of the range is the worst of any of the sheep winter ranges. The reason for this is primarily a severe confliction between sheep and elk and deer. It is also the first case noted where the association of elk and Bighorn Sheep is so intimate. That country normally considered the domain of the Bighorn by virtue of inaccessibility is being used to a like degree by elk. Numberous cases of elk and sheep using the same beds were noted on and around the cliffso (Figure 2) The main competition between the bighorn and elk is in the use of grasses and grasslike plants. The dominant grasses, (Oryzopsis hymenod des, Agrogyr.)ll spp. and Muhlenbergia spp ,}, have all been virtually stripped in this area, Utilization on Oryzopsis runs close to 80% or 90%0 (Figure 3) Utilization of all browse plant species is complete at all he i ghtia , but varies in degree (Figure 4). Many plants indicate proper use and equally many show severe use~ but seldom does the use reach destruction. The competition between the elk and shee.pthough severe is not yet criticaL However 3 if the number of sheep would come to equal the present number of elk3 a problem area for Bighorn sheep will develop rapidly. On a one-day trip from Grizzly Creek to NoN~me~ 72 head of deer~ 48 head of elk~ and 5 sheep were counted. The. actual number of sheep in the area is approximately 22. The Ouray Herdg Upon completion of the survey of the sheep herd at OUraY3 17 sheep had been located--3~rams and 14 ewes. With the exception of one ram~ all seemed in fairly good condition. They were located from the northern border of the town to the BMA Mine below Lake Lenoreo The dominant forage available to these sheep consists of shrubs3 mainly oak brush (Quercus spp.). Since the survey was made 2 dead sheep have been collected from the Ouray herd. One3 a eweS! 7 years old and pregnant~ (Figure 5)~ was killed by a car and a 5-7 year ram died of unknown causes. Samples from both were collected by Technician Paul Gilbert of Montrose for analysis by Dro Olsen. �- 98 The Taylor River Herd: On February 12, a 13-14 year old ram died at the home of J. R. Ramsey up the Taylor: River. A postmortem performed by Technician C. D. Tolman of Salida, revealed the indirect cause of death to be a severely impacted tooth (Figure 6). Unable to masticate his foo~the ram swallowed it whole, resulting in a primary compaction between the abomasum and d1..J.odenum. The ram was fed native hay fonning a secondary compaction in the rumen and consequently the animal died •• Submitted by: Name Approved by: George W. Jones and COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT --------~~--------~------------Claude E. White~ Jr. Title Note: BY~~~· Wildlife Technicians __ Title Co N. Feast~ Director Date April 18, 1949 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. .:; • � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/c4f10c97c6aad91b3414e9440fbab44f.pdf 9a7df98f4d3beb633739cfbcecbc658d PDF Text Text STATE COLORADO PROJECT NO . 37-R-2 DATE QUARTERLY SURVEYS PROGRESS AND July, 1949 ----~~------------- REPORT INVESTIGATIONS As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Harry Game Bird Surveys J. Figge 2. Leader: 3. Report of Progress: Work Plan No.2 - Pheasants, Deviation T'i.tl.e : Upland Game Bird Habitat Deve Ioprnerrt Objective: To extend and improve upland game bird habitat by developing food and cover pl.arrts., Personnel: Robert G. Kinghorn, Willard L. Flinn, Howard 1. Robert Poley, and Bertram D. Baker .. 4. Stiehm, Findings: A considerable amount of time was spent during the quarter as s.isttng with the Habitat Development Project 59-D. Landowners in the eastern part of the state were contacted and arrangements made for plots of land to develop for game bird cove r, A form contract was supplied by the Department and a lease between the Game and Fish Department and the various landowners was entered into for a period of ten years. The landowners agreed to furnish the land and take reasonable measures to protect and maintain any developments, and the Department agreed to plant and maintain various trees and shrubs on the land during the term of the lease. The development plots ranged in size from one to twenty acres, the largest planting being on the Sand Draw property in Sedgwick County owned by the Department. Plantings were designed and in some cases the land was prepared in advance to assist the planting crew in speeding up their operations. A detailed report on the project is contained in this publication under Project 59-D. �-2Work Plan Title: NtJ,;;2 - Job I Pre'-nesting Objective: study To determine- sex ratio and breeding'Fopulation. Scope: Northern GoloTado - Adams, Boulder, Larimer; Counties. Reported-by: Weld-,'~nd Logan Willard L. Flinn Several changes were made this, year in the 1945. r-outes-; ,-Thesf=changes were made to simplify and reduce the numbe-rvof routes in the .ar-ea , There were eleven routes in 1948 and six this year. It was bel-ieved-that' fewer routes would sample the area sufficiently and make-p-ossib~e several counts on each individual route,' allowing the possibility of-rrrakrng counts under ideal weather conditions. ' The routes were reduced by five. Three were e-lirrrin-ated-~, ,Two routes in Morgan, County, and two others in southern Weld County we,re-incorporated into one in each area. The routes in these areas we r-e=e lers e enough together last year that parts of two routes were made .inte one with nearly compbete -1948 records for the new route. One ormore counbs were-made 'on -eaeh -route-during th~ crowing se-a-son'under-nearly ideal counting cond.ibiorrs, Eae-h r-oute WCEl:f appr0ximately twenty miles in length. Counts began ab-out,one--half--hour before surrr ise; and-stops-of two-minute duration wer-e-made'orre-'Hfile apart. Results of the counts and comparison with last year's'counts-'-f;l-re shown --in-thefoliuwing tab le : 1948••• 1949 Stops Average Ca.lls per Stop 21; 4809 Date Trend Route 1948 1949 1» Boulder Coo 5~7- Noo NCG Nbo 2.)1 Weld Coo. Brighton~likin Trend Comparison In Percent e 4=20 14 410'28) ~ 5-3 20 4JG95)" (42 85) '''' 12037% 22 19 37(63)" 20 20 230.35>.. (29098) 45035L 43(95)° (44 65) + 4808% 16 5 19 13 20(50)0 32040) (23,,14) 41047L 47077)" (44 03) + 90 86% 4~30 & 5-25 4",,21 4=30 Nco J.l1 Weld Co", 4-20 Prospect Valle y 4=21 4~19 5-9 ~ 0 0 c 0 0 �- 3 - (Table Continued) 194e~1949 Date Trend Route 1948 1949 Noo Stops Noo 43 5®19 Larimer COo Nco 5 s Weld Coo Greeley ..•• Nunn Nco 6.1) Morgan Coo Average Calls per Stop Trend Comparison In Percent 4=23 21 2608 27047 f 2053% 4=28 24 20 2408 25000 + 0080% 23 18 19 42000 33000) 4lo78)g (36 60) 22 5=18 5=5 & 5~6 4=26 5-13 0 = 10097% Sex ratio count s were made in' the ar-ea-dur ing=the eal"ly'part of the nesting season.' Results of this courrt indicate a- ratio of 72.&a males to 100·females for-the area. ' Scope: Northeastern, Colorado Reported- by: ",'B~ertram Bake r The six trend routes covered last year in Logan, Phillipsi·¥uma, and Sedgwick Counties were covered again this spring on approximately the sarrre-d.ate-s, Additional sampling was accomplished hy three -new trend routes r-un in Logan, Phillips, and, Washington·eountie&~· The;' report of r-esuf+s follows: �- 4 - Noo of Stops Average Calls Per Stop 4=19 5-12 21 21 22 23 10079 28c>4 1504 1708 - 3703% 4=20 5~1l 21 21. 21 2808 405 901 = 6804% 22097 27030 4••. 23 5-13 23 23 23 23 1204 •.•. 5405% 4-28 5-15 20 20 21 21 8Q92 46000 10(>6 1005 ..,76095% 53076 4-27 5-27 21 21 21 21 2704 3105 = 41(>4% 4=26 5=26 14 14 13 4303 1009 1904 = 5501% No.. 7s Logan Coo Sterling~Prewitt 4-22 5=10 20 21 2201 2208 Noo 8,9Washington COo Platner-Akron 5-3 24 605 l~oo9!)Logan and Phillips Coso Dailey-Cornbelt 4=24 5=14 23 22 1200 1309 Trend Route Date 1948 1949 Noo Ii ~ogan COo Sterling-Proctor 4=19 5~7 Noo 2,9 Logan COQ Pawnee Valley Noo 3s Sedgwick Coo Jumbo-Julesburg Noo 4.l'Phillips Coo Haxtun=Paoli NoD 5~ Phillips Coo Ho1yoke-:A.mherst Noo 6i Yuma Coo Lone Star~Eckley 5-17 4~22 5-15 4-20 5-12 5.•• 3 5=19 5-20 1948~1949 Trend* 906 49 64 0 * Minus denotes downward trend computed from highest average runs of 1948 and 19490 Average calls per stop 1948i 31•• 9 ~ 4 counties Average calls per stop 1949~ 14 •• 9 - 4 counties Average decrease for four counties~ 5507% �- 5 The sex ratio of pheasants seen in the South Platte River Valley in Logan and Sedgwick Counties was 50.82 cocks per lOO'"hens, of a total of 92 birds observed. The sex ratio of pheasants on the corn-wheatpasture tableland in the Dai.Iey through Holyoke area was -66.11 cocks per 100 hens ,. of a total of 201 birds observed. Where it was possible to do so, this observer stopped the vehicle and flushed the-pheasants along the roadside or in adjacent fields. It is believed that the sex ratios obtained are reliable within the limits of the comparatively small numbers observed and the fallacies aris-ing-wit-lr-breeding season observations. Analysis and recommendations: A summary of trend route crowing counts indicates a KE1neraldecrease:in pheasant breeding populations varying from 37.3% to 76.95% with an overall four county drop of 55.710. This is bas-ed upon the assumption that the mortality suffered from severe ha+Lstorrrrs', -blizzards, and predation throughout the year affected both sexes equally. The trend route sampling of the five northeastern counties was designed- to cover representative agricultural land use and cover types. The Sterling-Proctor, Sterling-Prewitt, and Pawnee Valley routes in Logan County, and the Jumbo-Julesburg r oute in Sedgwick Gonnty either parallel or cross the South Platte Valley and margi:na:l-ar~a~ where irrigated crops of alfalfa, corn, sugar beets, barley, potatcres-, and other crops are grown. It is too early at this time to correlate s ea son to. season trends_ with cover, land use, hunting pressure. and other factors ope:rating on the pheasant population in the valley, but the higher calls per stop found in the valley from one to four miles out fr orn-the permanent cover indicates the value of the cottonwood-brush association for emergency winter cover from severe weather conditions. The Haxtun-Paoli and Holyoke-Amherst routes in Phillips County, and the Lone Star-Eckley route in Yuma County show large decreases in the average calls per stop. This indicates the urgent need for permanent cover on these open wheat and corn tablelands. Scope: Arkansas Valley and San Luis Valley Reported by: Howard A. Stiehm Findings: During the period from April 27 through 3une 16, 'twelve cr owirig counts were conducted in nine counties comprising the main por-tions of the Arkansas and San Luis Valleys. �- 6 Trend Route Date 1948 1949 Nco 1» Fremont Coo Canon City Area 4=27 Noo 1~ Pueblo Coo Blende,9 eastward 4-28 Noo 1,9otero Coo Rocky Ford area 4-30 Noo 2" Otero Coo La Junta~heraw 5-1 Noo l~ Bent Coo Las Animas-Hasty 5-6 Nco 1,9 Prewers Coo Grote & northeast 5~7 Noo 2~ howers Coo Holly & southward 5=8 Noo 1$ Baca Coo Juc , 160 & 287 - E 5~9 NOe 2.., Rio Grande Coo Sherman L<>- south 5-26 Nco 19 Alamosa COo SoWo of Alamosa 5-27 NoD Ip Rio GrandeGoo Monte Vista northward 5-28 Noo 1,9Saguache Coo Saguache~enter 6-2 Noo 2.., Alamosa Goo Alamosa = northwest 6=4 Noo I", Rio Grande Coo Del Norte & SoEo 6-5 Noo Ip Conejos Coo :La. Jara = Antonito 6-6 Noo 19 Crowley Coo Crowley~ugar City Noo of Average Calls Per Stop Stops 1948-1949 Trend Comparison In Percent 5•••• 3 5 5 38020 28()20 =- 26 20% 5=5 30 29 40166 ho39 {- 5~11 17 18 10030 29094 +19007 % 5-12 20 20 22010 2604 + 19~47% 5=14 20 20 19,,95 1802 = 4-28 20 20 24045 39055 + 6108 % 4-29 20 20 2065 3025 + 22 64 4-27 20 20 3000 2~25 - 25000% 4 23000 6=12 20 20 201'60 25045 {-2306 % 6-11 9 9 13055 12090 4085% 20 20 9005 6-15 20 17030 20 20 11000 13042 20 15025 20 4809 6-16 5-13 9086 Q 5037% 8055% 0 + 8095% + 22&00% �-7AnalysTs' and'"reco:rn:rrremiatIons: -lr rigated seetaons 'of the' Arkan;s as Rive r Valley from·Pueblo·C·ounty on the west'ihrough Ote-ro, .arrd Prowers Counties to the east show a general-increase-in c r owing counts- from 4.39 calls' per listening stop in Flieblo -CoUntyto 3-9".55' calls p~r listening stop in P'r owe r s County. Exceptions were Crowley County with a crowing index of 48.9 calls per listening stop (highest in the section), and Bent County (1802calls per listening stop) which had-a crowing index lower than bordering counties lying east and west. Five routes in Pueblo, Otero, and Prowers Counties· have shown substantial increases, whereas iris igrrific ant decreases have been indicated in Bent and Baca Counties. The cornbfned data of fhe-Ar-karrsa s Valley area show an increase of 41.05% in the number of calls perdistening stop from 11.86' calls per listening stop in--194&t~)'''16-.7-3'-caHS'p~r listening stop-in 194'9. As a result, it is felt pheasant popuiations-:-are ··up" in the Arkansas Valley. Thatpornon of-Fremont County which lies in the rich .c ul.t.i.v a'te d area surrounding Canon City was found to have a crowing inde x of 28.2 calls per-listening stop, a decrease of 262% from 1948. Crowing count surveys in the San Luis VaUey-indicate· that pheasant populat.ions have increased in Alamosa, Saguac he, and-Rio Grande,;'Counties. The figures s-howthat pheasant calls per listening·stop have-gone from 13.55 in 194&·to 1-5.80' in 1949, an inc r ease of 16.61%. . Scope: Western Slope: Delta Garfield Mesa Montrose East Central: Adams Arapahoe Douglas Cheyenne Elbert Kit Carson Washington Yuma Technique: Crowing count stops were located every two miles. in order that a greater area could be sampled. Crowing counts started one-half hour before sunrise and a two-minute count was taken at each stop. Sex ratios were taken on pheasants se en just after the crowing count was finished in the morning and again that evening. Reported by: 1. Robert Poley �- 8 - Average Calls Per Stop Males per 100 Females 5.•• 25 120.7 23J+ 50 4~21 18c.7 73 4-28 305 1109 74 Noo 4.llGarfield Coo Rifle=Silt 5-28 505 Noo l.llArapahoe & Douglas Littleton to Parker 5-16 909 Noo 2,9Arapahoe Coo Watkins~Byers 5-28 200 Noo 3,9Washington Coo Cope to Anton 5-17 302 100 Noo 4.llKit Carson & Yuma Burlington to Idalia 5-12 703 100 Noo 5.llKit Carson Coo Burlington:;SoW" 5-18 501 200 Noo 6~ Elbert Coo Simla to Matheson 5-11 004 Noo 7~ Cheyenne Coo Cheyenne Wells =South 6-3 109 5.,.9 3304 4900 Trend Route Date 1948-1949 Noo l.llDeltato Montrose 4••• 22 NOQ 2.llDelta County Delta to Cedaridge Noo 3.llMesa Coo Grand Jctno to Loma Noo 8,9Adams Co Rocky Mtno Arsenal 0 4~23 4=19 75 57 60 �- 9 - Western Slope Area: Pheasant range is limited in width and parallels· the'~r~ers and streams 'of 'ihis area. The farm land is irrigat-ed~·amt·rises~:ifn successive mesas from the river bottoms to the foot hfl.ls in Delta;:, Garfield, and Montrose Counties. This broken terrain provides.-exc.eiiJ:ent cover for hath pheasants' and quail. Pheas·ant· range in Mesa'0oUI'I:ty is comparativelyflat; -the cover Lsnot as well distributed"as-~in'theother counties. An in.crease of 10.7 and 8.4 calls per stop was observed in the Delta-Montrose and Grand Junction-Loma trends over the 1~8 trends, respectively. Western slope pheasant crowing counts show an increas-~ over the 1948>counts. No crowing census was taken in the East'Centt13-l area in 1948. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal Study Area·shows,an>il)Icrease of 16.6 calls per stop above the 1948 average of 3'3,A calls: per stop. East Gentral Area: The East Gentral Area is the high pl.arns divide ·between~7f;he Platte River dr arnag-e-and the Arkansas River drain·ag~~ "·T;he'laIId'"U:~e may be divided into-two main'groups--dry land wheat farmirrg··and·p~re. This . area SU.worts· -fewpheasants because of the limited- arrieurrt=ef..su.itab le winter -cover .. Winter cover and its effect on the pheas-ant p0pulat-i~ may be illustrated by the crowing count of the North· B:urlington<tr~nd. This trend crosses the South Fork of the Republican River, where;- e.xoeIl.errt winter cover is available. Growing counts along the river averaged 34.7 calls per stop while the count in the dry land' wh-eat·north and south of the river averaged 7.6 and 7.0 calls, respectively. The river count was not included in the North Burlington trend ave·r~ge of 7.3. This area is greatly in need of habitat improvement. . Scope: Montezuma and La Plaia Gounties Reported by: Harry J. Figge Two ten-mile pheasant crowing trend routes were established and run in southwestern Colorado, one in Montezuma County and one in La Plata Oounty. Heavy rains and wind made it possible to get only one count on each route. It was. not possible to obtain a sex ratio. �- 10 Trend Routes Date No~ 1~ La Plata Coo Average Calls Per StoE 5-11=49 Durango=Ignacio Noo 2~ Montezuma Coo 5-10-49 Cortez-Dolores Analysis and recommendations: All crowing count data must be used as a trend only. Since counts have been made for two seasons. there is insufficient data to; establish a norm or a digression. Nesting success and brood counts will be the important determining seasons and bag limits. factor in Work Plan No.2 - Job 1 Title: Rural and Sta.r Route Carriers Pheasant Roads-ide Census. Objective: To obtain information regarding the distribution tion of pheasants and the sex ratio thereof. Scope: All pheasant areas and concentra- of Colorado 'I'echnique s : Rural and Star Route mail carriers throughout -the pheasant range rrr Colorado conducted a survey of one week's durati0R'9ver their mail routes while carrying on their regular mail delivery duties. The week of April 4 through April 9 was chosen as the most desirable. During this period field conditions as well as the natural be.havi.o.rof the birds facilitated spotting and was determined as mos.t satisfactory to produce accurate data. Cooperators followed ac cepted-p roc edur e which has been outlined in previous reports and thus de errred- unnece s» s.ar y to repeat here. Reported by~ Personnel: Howard A. Stiehm Rural and Star Route mail carriers. Findings: The results of this, the third annual survey by mail carriers, are to be found in Table I. The results of the previous survey [Mar cb.April, 1948) have been recorded also to aid comparison. Reports were received from 199 carriers, the 371 contacted in 38 counties of Colorado. comprising 53064% of �Figure Pheasant MAP OF COLORADO 1 ",,,.... R. OY''Y"IIt8tHl, T""":A"Ri;::;e:---------·"'-· --'' OGI,,,.yr~ ___.... Crowing Count Routes , \ IWElO --' --------~-------------------~ , ~" ILOGAN oN~r,rorcl' I oC.rr oK#I,ff""" oar,,"',. . 1 o/rtol. Purctll·· . 0 6,,('~m.91Nwn 06rJj/stl,,, . -. . ! oJ/~ 1949 ~ !s~ opuiz 0 SIQ ,htMt Nt3A~r,.o [MoRaAN-- '7 L ,,RiOlii.AN~· .&••••~_ , I II .: h . --f-(J r-'-'_'_' . oJlc;'u " I : o#',Shmol'e oCadJt1~,.", .L:.rqN biiA·_·...:._· ,,' '~-1J , I ' IT I i~ w~ r'-'1 J ] Tu ..,..10 ' orbd..,. . ":).9.' CNIICM iOK"".w~.• '''v'iirubiiT' i \ _J_ICRoWiU,::;: .._ .._. ,wN"'''' .v.~",~m !'(~ • IfU4I1or" _.1 fAioNI"(?i:is£' _. , '" N,./"';: OUI, ./ _.-/' ./ 1 - ••.-r .t. --! '! - . 'R"wong SI'8":"" T•• ,.. ,.,y,S', WALS{NBU/I iL _._._' _ .~ , - ••• I .,.._. •••••.l:_._".,,, '.., I.~ .",-.-.. .~ , / '~ ....j. ;;:I I .~ oG.,~",,. 211 !I ,I' . -··r,~.. O"'$U.O oiu#lfl"" 6",,;11110 ••", •• '~";;s;'NT 'itS I """.,<1.' L ~. (' "I'" 7 '.1/ .r.II. or: 0/.,/ o~/,.1 ---------- 0 oK..,..? - I". I ____________ __LI DNc,"A .,.,1, 06 I r,.,nch.,." OK.... ,~-, \ ,""""IJD n ' O~"kh#H ,-, - _.".''''''~ orO" o SI.'/'r,lI, .r,,,,, o/,,,:,,,,,>,,! ohl".". \ _•. _._0.,.,. ._ ~ oNfH oe-,. .1 .,..,.DI --J �- 11 Carriers-drove 56 393 miles and counted 15-51 p-heasant-S"iqxa st~'ltewide 'figure of .Q275 birds per mile tallied'while'drivingo'-The total of 1551 birds, 8-98-cocks and 653 hens', resulted' in a sex 'ratio of 13:1.52 cocks per 100 hens. A breakdown of data for individual counties has be en compiled-in Table L On the basis of individual' county records. Figures I and II were prepared-to' s irrrpfify-exarrrinabicn 'of existing conditions and- at the same time' conform with a' pr-actrce-er-ig inated two years ago. 9 Analysis and recommendations: Card returns: Carrier response in the form of card returns·has--dr-opped-from 60.54% (spring 1948) to 53064% at the present time, a-ddffe re nc e of 6.90%. This return of 53064% represents an al.l=terne-Iow-since the rural carriers survey was originated il.lMarch, 19470 As a result of this condition nine counties were lacking in sufficient data from which to calculate comparative results. . Population Densities: The statewide figure of .0275 birds per mile is 38.48'10 lower than the .0447 birds per mile recorded during the same period one year ago. Thirteen of the 38 counties have shown an increase of birds per mile seen while driving, whereas 17 counties have shown a decrease, two counties indicate no change, one county did not report, and five counties are reporting for the first t irne , Table II has been deve Ioped to give the reader easy access to data showing the percent of Inc r-ease or decrease in pheasant areas of Colorado. The important northeast corner, composed of Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, and Yuma Counties, shows a decrease of 57.32% in birds per mile recorded while driving. In addition, a 28.04% decrease in birds per mile has been calculated· for the area north of Denver in which lies Adarn.s, Ar-apahoe., Boulder, Jefferson, Larimer, Morgan, and WeIR Counties. The San Luis Valley, the Arkansas Valley, and the Western Slope ',' were found to show increases of 103.48'10, 33.14% > and 5601)3%" respecttve ly, In spite of the apparent decrease in pheasant population, which probably resulted from the severe blizzards of the past winter, the northeast remains as the area with the highest popul.atiom . Minor i.ncreases in the pheasant density picture may be seen occurring in irrigated areas on the east and west slopes which were not subjected to severe weather conditions during the past winter pe r i.od, Sex Ratio: A change in the statewide sex ratio from 157.35 males per 100 females in 1948 to 137.52 males per 100 females in 1949 has been noted. �- 12 'IA.BLE I Rural Mail Carrier Census - Summary Sheet County . Miles v48 Adams Alamosa Arapahoe Baca Bent Boulder Cheyenne .Cone jos Costilla 1716 1302 921 2751 708 1932 40:2 936 150 Crowley Delta Douglas Elbert .309 798 El Paso 2370 Fremont Jefferson 690 606 1587 Y-.iowa Kit. Carson La. Plata Larimer Las Animas Lincoln Logan Mesa 1140 44.31 1194 912 1269 2988 2136 Montezuma Montrose 1120 Morga.Tl 1278 Otero 1767 Phillips 942 Prowers 3018 Pueblo 1740 Rio Grande 1146 Saguache Sedgwick 1242 Wasrri.ngton 2292 Weld 5750 Yuma 3564 Total 55113 Birds per Birds '48 '49 mile '48 149 °49 528 1644 756 1692 240 2226 438 942 No return 1587 1458 330 1053 3606 487 618 945 4455 1788 786 1530 1006 1836 2040 ·2230 li58 1605 1635 714 2286 1776 660 240 1476 2436 5904 2982 239 310 174 317 00777 00961 ",0622 00112 .2000 48 20 00090 00068 3 .• 0467 44 No return 12 00122 •• 0076 65 00446 0 GO GO 00028 3 (;0 00036 13 00080 16 (J0116 00329 00049 .3 00049 00286 27 00075 00090 43 00295 00240 43 .0 .,0178 14 co083 4 &0361 00026 3 (>0125 00030 ,,0272 50 00699 35 ,,0131 00168 . 00154 19 00415 48 00232 20 ,,0164 00125 71- 1$0402 100435 71 04363 00995 45 ,,0205 00197 15 ,,0040 ••0091 26 00183 00394 10 00425 00603 89 01924 00551 134 01352 .• 0164 <>0314 97 .0889 195 a0755 56393 2468 1551 31 50 72 18 39 52 27 46 1 14 0 0 19 8 .3 12 131 10 33 16 209 28 26 21 71 401 62 7 21 "'" 41 158 47 19 - 00180 00384 e.0181 40065 .0550 00268 00671 00490 00066 ",0447 Cocks '48 '49 18 22 32 III 26 19 13 9 25 19 24 12 2 14 23 29 1 12 10 Males per 100 females Hens '48 '49 1949 13 18 46 9 14 28 13 23 0 3 3 8 1 15 1150-79 236~17 67,,86 213('>33 650.52 150000 200 •• 00 193033 0 2 44 0 0 9 5 3 8 79 19 47 28 6 29 8 0 0 10 ~ .3 0 14 28 4 52 21 2 21 500000 2090.52 0 0 10 8 2 13 15 22 301100 100000 50 ••00 10'11)69 186,,66 95~45 ~7•... .L~ 4 250floo ':I 33033 16 10 1 3 0 116 20 22 27 93 8 0 28 8 7 14 3 18 12 18 8 34 8 . 9 13 26 50 47 268 32 133 16 27 35 4 11 3 11 18 3 6 68 171 54 189 67 121 101 51 73 191 123 126 00275.1509 898 959 '" II 21 39 29 4 15 78,,57 337~50 171.,43 242086 8L,81 238010 82,,05 55017 2'(5000 73••33 150000 15~.029 4 35 67 46 72 llO'l87 170083 653 137052 lOOaOa �- 13 - TABLE II Birds Per :Mile - By Areas Percentage of Change I Area Miles 1948 1949 Birds 1948 1949 Birds per Mile 1948 1949 Percent Of Difference Increase Decrease 0195 - 28 •. 04 00345 00702 103048 - 539 .1338 00571 54 83 00166 00260 56063 223 237 00175 00233 33,,14 North of Denver (7 counties) 13397 12423 363 242 Q0271 San Luis Valley (3 coilnties) 3384 3246 117 228 Northeast (5 counties) 11028 9444 1476 Western Slope (2 counties) 3256 3198 Arkansas Valley (7 counties) 12711 10161 , e 57632 �- 14 ,San Luis Valley Waterfowl Nesting Study Work Nan No.4',;.. Migratory Job-I: BiTd-s -_ Ducks' and Geese Migration Objectives: To determine spring migration of waterfowl- through the San dates. ' LUls ValleY'by s:r~d_es, sex ratios. C3..Ild Rep'O'rted:-by~Ronald Ryder Techniques: Periodic ground counts on selected rna-r-ahe-s-eend wate r areas made- wlth binoc ula.r s and observations tabulated as- to speeie;;. , and sex. Findings: A-total of seventeen species of ducks and two specie;:; of geese have b"e-en'ohse'rved in the valley since April!. Table~I de-ser ib e s the more important-features in regard to the-spring rr.rigratiorrang, breeding status' of each, species in the valley. Sex rataos=rrr p'cH"enthes~is\,"are those derived' from- sar:p:ples-thought,tocr-sman-·to-b~ reliable I 0 ' MallaTds-, pintails, and 'baldpates .seem- to 1uI:ve .rne're fha'll one distinct spring-flight--throughthe va.l.Iey, Three flights ·seem~apparent. In order of oc cuz-errce-theyare-: (1) birds passing th'],,'0ugh-fcer'tilii-e;;:far north; (2) birds nesting- in the valley; and (3) late arrivals apparently destined for the .hrghe-r-nesting areas surrounding the va.Hey-,-"Theseo'latter birds were observed to rr e-st on water areas in the- valleY'.'fly-to-IIe~i-by farm lands to feed but not to establish territories as were pair-soof}the nesting birds. Flights o-fthese late arrivals did-not"leaveuntilaweek or two following the start of nesting in the valley.' ' Analysis- 'and- reeommendations: - .. -": - 'I'he-znrg-rat ion data presented in Table I is at hest-quite--incomplete as much of the spring migration occurred before the study-we.s undertaken. Initiation of a trapping and banding program .in the 'Yaney would undoubtedly provide more comprehensive migration data. Early in the spring migration food seems to be none too abundant for the north-hound migrants and the valley nesting birds? F:r;esurnably early natural or even cultivated food plants could be encouraged so as to provide more adequate food to better prepare nesting birds £01" the rigors of nesting. Flooded native hay meadows and field crops seem to provide sufficient food for the later arrivals. Protected resting sites for waterfowl seem to be adequat.e, but possibly measures should be taken to quarantee the perpetuation of such sites. �~==========================~==~====~~;;~~~~::~:L.~::~~~~~~i:~li·KE«ITH~~ I ~ --.!'~-------FIGURE I I WYOMnH'~' , '\._ RURAL MAIL CARRIERS CENSUS Fair 1m-II III Poor •. !I: H)-rl Very Poor ~. ~ 1ii' IL.. I Ir' • :;;I . I . ~ Z1 . . .--J 1 !1~MONTiiOSE I· L ''. r I SAGUACHE -, . ~ ~ Mj:lNl ~ ZU~II ~ \ ./\ ,{A ......, ; II 'L • I Ii ~ I ~ 1 III ~ ~ 'LASANIN .Al0GHANDE ) . ( /,.../ '). . // .) ./. . ,/ (1.~ t/ . ~ i 'j ~ // ~.J1 \ ~ <II . ) . ,/' /' 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 MILES TOAS N' M • X Jg. \(;:!..~'::-_ COLFAX 7 . 11- ,....,= NT 1;, o E '" U'~ I C -i r- Z IT! 3: > V LP J: . Ht- » ~ ~ ~ . II I ~. I J I J '. '; :I . H v> • .~ ~ L'_I-' t--1_lLI-. t--Ir; '-1-'1- +-1- . '-h~ , ~ I- ~~ no . .12 i I.-- _ LL,'cIiMARRO,l-- .•..• _•••• _1.- __ .J..-lo- ." ~;¥.. ,__,_ '__I- '-1-.1-1", . r" •••- ._'- > ;1 i' ~ '---;:::;L r" ,_' I RIO ARRIBA 0 \ IT! s m. 1 1J \ . '::, CH VE NE ! I '\ I 1~IIJsA"JUA" -----._---..-7,-------~~-----,--""__---; I \ ,./\.J J CONEJOS \ ._._.___ . .-I-'I-I-i-. t=.t--- ":r:;I-' Il I I _/COSTILLA "~CHULETII \. I ~../HuERrANO . '1~' Iftt'l"'l'llo." b. , r- i-- ._-,- I \. . .l__.~':._ L.-l_._.L.I :t:J:ctl. ~ ..••• ! Cl.J:t:t:P' _J \ ( i ~.I ,- MINERAL'", JUANI't PLATA 1 \..J_._._.--,. I~ '-,. r>. _.-_.~._ ~r-- r _;'. . PUEBLO ~ \.'(SAN j ._._._~.----,/,,,..: r'-'-I' .~.--\ ! IT! I i .\), ) HINSDALE. • I <-. 5o (J) II 1 '1 I" I~ 1: . l-·_·_·_· "FREMOrlT I ':0iiE'S'_'_''''\.._ gJ "-... P:,'NqoLN JZ ._. ~ /. ••..•...ICHAffEE__j. ! Sp;.;MiGUi:L-·-·-·-·~ ~ . ./ ~._. ))\ \ __ : ., ,H"; '-+-1- l.B~ 'TELLERIELPAS i.'::-:J " -" ..,_, '1 " ..•••.•••.•..... "'. 1 . "L," 0 1 \._ I. . ;i o (.J LAKE ( ! = I CREEK l.._ . GUNNISON ~'I: :;' f'-' <. I \ ,CL~R~. \..... . .~K-·-i ~ .J_.-.-.-.~.i.,__/./ i f.i I.. r" DELTA ' '> _""""',. " I~ ..l~ ~PiN'-Ji SUMMIT'\ \ .! I ._./ ./ I "- -_ ......, ., 1 r r ~ 1;;\ <. PITKIN .• ~ , « ~ /I i None • i > p . ) -, I MESA·-·-·-.-.-.-.-y;._ .,. \ -',\_ I z 'laO munmfm I ~ 1- . (\ .......... __..-v.., Good ~ , \ PHEASANT DENSITY MAP Based on Table I (birds/IOO miles) !CH___;r IKIMBAI fWfi lAARA.M!.E.IWEL -. LARIMER --'f"iON' - I r J ~ --I- - - OOCI!..P\. » 0 0 �~--~--~~~~~~~~~-~-~~--~~==.======================~.= FIGURE , WYOMING' I "~A~ II '. .. ILARAMl.E. DEUEL - KIMBALL W LARIMER ..' " RURAL MAIL CARRIERS CENSUS DISTRIBUTION OF PHEASANT SEX RATIO .", \ \ WNA iI I I I I o 50 51 100 \ III 1•..•• --.-.'· .. , ; I ::.: .:::::;....:'.: .... 151 CLEAR [ 1><1 11: .:; •..• ~I < ;;; ~, I ~: ~ ;0 or •... /' ._./....., 'I DELTA . GUNNISON .! \''---' ) " I', CHAmE ."" 1:1 1" ~-.-.-.-J ~, MONTROSE ~ : fiiAiiiiACHE'-'__'_'_' , '-.., r._._II' ~NMiGiiEL-'-O-'-'\ <..., I . Lom·-·-·~.-",,- )HINSOALE. \~~, !';,\ \. (SANJUAN, ). I tlON1EZUrA, ·_'-·-,.{APLATA-·--! ,'" •. •.. ( ~ '! I. "'. ! . 1 ~FREiiiONT-'-' ) .,,/ ;,:,.:..~:.,:-,,' L.-l· ::-" : " . : , .::. :' : ·U ,~'·,..;:::,.:( D' I •• ••• C) ~ , RIO ARRIBA ..' •• n o ~ ,. 1 >- ~I"I zr' "1'1'1 ••> >1"" 1=0 ~ r~N . ~ __ ) /cOSTILLA . - I .__. .J .1 0 ~ L_. _._. I' / .. l g 19 (t' ./'__". COLFAX ::'" z3: ~ o I r:! .,z :'> £"'0 ._ /CsANI \\It rc;> w 1'~ I~ -.-}. \ •• III fpuEBLO \ \ ~5 ;:0 IZ .,. .t_._J . ~ .. 0- ."'-.:....-"HUERFANo\. .01 ._. TOAS I :';-:;-.'-:::-'.=::[ ·~··-··,'I I ' .:: .....! ~ r: !.....!-~....:...!.!_!LL _ \ 1. -- .CIMARRON -------- o ··LA. SANJUAN - --------~.-__ --..__. -+ --NION--WI~Z~::O:5::'O:::20:::30:::':O::5:0::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::":.:Na:~:~:'::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~::::::::::::::::::!JO li:c : .••••••••• • .",...II>• \ [X/ I~ . \~ j -0'1" -. •• '---1 j '\.\USTER , !;c .-« I'"~ , >- nr' '\. o • .......• s~ =;r·-:....:::....::~~_._:...~,. , .... ./""). -, ·". ~ -, J' I!A~CHULETA-'-'r'N-EJ-OS ••••• i: ',::: .: :.: ::'.::: - ~ t' R;hR-AN-- f I' 1 MINERAL"_...... I' . 'ITELLERIELPA ~ i # i../._' ) '., )( . 'I:"·f '.:' ',. :. , .: -: \ .:' ..,.·:....:.. . ')' \. , , ...• (i <, .,:c 'I'" :'. ,', • . . ' , . . . ,i 1 i _j - "-.':.:; J N fiT CARSO~~ ! __....,•.../ ~E f' I ::> " da t ar t ~K-'-i ('../ insufficient ,I .'..' .' . .."'1'.: ..... ' '. .' .., ...: . " .._" '.. ....• .",_ CREEK '\ over 200 -< .. •. ,. .. " , ~.. • .. .. . • • ".. 'I" .•.• " .' f'-' -........~ I' l..._ \_. r-, [. •• .. ' \cii"Lpitfl ~:-'-. IJ ~MIT'\ 200 ...\: .. : : .... : .) -, ir: I ' : '.. : -,... ~ • ,-- I~ JI :. : -.. •.••. ' • : : _ z , I 150 I:; ! ytl."':.' :." \, ''(BouLDER 101 ~ 1111 • .....J •••• : •. " .. " •.•. . 1'\ _._ Z IJ 3: Iu"'~I";~U':"'r' ~:~~ - I Based on Table I (cocks/IOO hens) .•KElT!!.. ~ '15~()'PI~K:'~"~~ U •••. J g b..,. i4I )at 0 �- 15 - TABLE I WATERFOWL MIGRATION AND SEX HATIO 'DATA OBTAIliED FROM APRIL 1 TO JUNE 12,? 1949 Sex ratio Males Apparent Size of Peak of per 100 Females Sample Migration April Status June Status Canada Goose Few flocks early April None observed Latter part of March Lesser Snow Goose Mallard .N,one Observed None observed Abundant Abundant 102 489 Only 7 observed in May Late April Gadwall Common Cornman 108 355 Late April Baldpate Pintail Common Abundant Uncommon Common 106 104 211 255 Early May Early April Rare 119 395 Early April Species Green-w'....nged Abundant teal Blue-winged teal Rare Uncommon (122) 20 Early May Cinnamon Teal Common Common (100) 58 Late April Shoveller Common Common 105 135 Early April Redhead Common 129 Rare 172 22 Early May Ringnecked duck Cornman Rare (144) ? Comments Reported before April 1 Stragglers Apparen tly 3 distinct flights Most common duck on some of smaller lakes Large er-ratic flecks reported in March Two distinct flightsJ nort.hernmount.afn Latest nest.ing duck arriving in valley Numbers appr'ox, same April 1 as June 12 Migrant birds appeared to have more dis= torted sex ratio than nesting birds Same as above Stragglers with scaups ; Grav-id female collected in June �- 16 - TABLE I - Continued Species April Status June Status Sex ratio Males per 100 Females Canvas-back Uncommon Rare (45) 64 Late April More males may have come thru in earlier flights Lesser Scaup Duck Common Rare 198 143 Early May Most common diver in migration American Golden-eye Rare None observed (50) 3 Buffle-head Uncommon None observed (100) 28 Late April In small flocks of 2 to 6 birds American Merganser Uncommon None observed (87) 58 Early April Early flocks dominantly male9 late flocks dominantly female Redbreasted Merganser Rare None observed (100) 2 1- Mixed with Am. Mergansers Ruddy duck Common Uncommon (92) 46 Late April More common on upper Rio Grande than i..1'l valley propero Size of Sample Apparent Peak of Migration Comments Probably more came t.hru in early part of migration �- 17 Job 2: Waterfowl production Objectives: To d'eiermine-byspecies and--r-ep-res'emati-veo{';over types number of breeding pairs and non;.;;breeding indiVidua:rs-,-'c-l,utchsize, fate of eggs, brood- size and'dedmating-fac-LoI s affe-eting"Pfoduction. 'I'echnique s : Sample areas selected on basis of natural-vegetation, wate r distnbution and general land use, including crop-producti:on~nd grazing Production determined by periodical counts-ofbreed;ing pairs, nests, and later on broods on sample areas. All data 'kept"s'eparate by species and cover types. The effects of crop pr oductiorr, grazing and predation, so far as possible, to be determined by systematic field observations. 0 Findings: The following study areas penodically checked for nests: have been set'up-and"are being (1) Hardstem bulrush rna r sh (2) Cat-tail marsh (3) Native range (4)- Natiye' hay meadow (5) Alfalfa (6) Clover (7) Field peas (8) Small grains (9) Potatoes and other row crops (10) Ditches and canals (11) Rivers and streams Nests or broods have been noted in study ar;eas··l:,;2';,3,·10, and 11. The native range study area is close to the cat-tail mar-sohwith a strip of native grasses, sedges, and rushes between the twa. comparable to a native hay meadow in plant composition but not subject to -mowing Of 221 nests, one has been found adjacent to a canal, and 6} on river and streams Many of the latter nests also fall in c abego r ie s, 1 through 0 0 9. Table II outlines the early nesting dates and approximate dates on which broods were known to have hatched for the five species now known to be nesting. Of the 211 mallard nests under observation, 159 may be considered to have complete clutches of known size, 43 appeared to be incomplete, and 9 had hatched when they were located. Table III indicates the numbers of nests having various size clutches. Final data for 88 mallard nests are known, the remainder of the 211 nests were incomplete or still incubating when last visited. Table IV de s c r ibe s the fate of these 88 nests and the 612 eggs they .contained. �- 18 - TABLE II EARLY DATES FOR NESTS AND BROODS Species First·Nesting Date Date First Broods Seen Mallard Cinnamon teal Pintail Shoveller Gadwall April 8 May 3 May 1 May 5 May 6 May 15 (earlier reports) None seen None seen June 6 None seen TABLE III CLUTCH SIZE OF 211 MALIARD NESTS (Average clutch of 159 completed clutches ~ 8(08) Under 6 eggs when Hatched before destroyed$ deserted found~ clutch or at last visit estimated Completed clutches~ known size Noo of nests of eggs Noo 29 28 43 33 18 5 2 1 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 43 9 TABLE IV FINAL DATA OF 88 MA,LT,A.RJ) NESTS AND THEIR EGGS Hatched Nests ,Nests Noo % Eggs Eggs Noo Eggs Eggs % No , % Failed to Hatch 54 Total 34 88 61 4 38,,6 100 413 6704 199 612 100 0 321)6 Predator Deserted Infertile Died in Incubation 134 2109 32 5()2 13 10 2,,1 107 Burned 5 .,85 Unknown Fate .5 08.5 �- 19 - 54"nests known An Average' hood of"7~6S-young is-obtainedior·-the' to have hatched ·some-young. ''Phis c-mnpcrres-fa'Vora:bfy-wr.,t11-the·average clutch of 8~08" obtained for the 159" nests 'hav-ing-cornp-let-e=d1jl-tches" (see Table In). On the other hand, considering all-nest-·a:ttempts'-{8&) of which the- final data' are known. the average rrurnbe r of yeung pel" hen -~ttempting to nest is but 4'.69 .. P're sumabl.y-this figure is 's orrrewha't-Iow a's some hens that were unsuccessful on their first clutch sh()Uld bring? off young on renestings. The numbers of non-nesting females- orr the study a r eas is unknown at this time but appears to be quite low. At any r-ate:;.:·howeyer, the final number of young per female will be significantly Iesp fhari the 7.65 obtained for the 54 nests known to have hatched some .young, The clutch s ize and fate of eggs for th.e ten ne sts- etlrez- than;·mallCl;rds being observed are tabulated in Table V. For all four speeies~"th:e numbe r of nests being ob s er-ved is too small to d.raw any significant'c'Onciusions in regard to clutch or brood size and the various decimating factors affecting nesting success. . Table VI briefly describes all decimating~facto-r& s:o-far ·confronted and al.so-thos e that might likely be encountered.' From··Table IV, it is ..apparent-that to date:-predati0D. is the leading·deeim:ati-ng,£.a~tcl! affe'o ti.ng nesting<su€.ces,s··;·with·desertion, infertility; death-in-inc.uh""tion, and burning, folloWing in approximate ·order •. Much of -the·des~rtion can conceivably be attributed to predation. No attempt will be made at this time to express production by cover type and species on a per acre basis. This will be reserved-Until completion of the ne stirig s eas.on, Too few broods have been-observed after leaving the nest to obtain any idea as to brood survival-fe-1J:e>w.~ing hatch •. ing. TABLE V FATE OF :N"ESTS AND EGGS OF SPECIES OTHER THAN NJALLA.RD Species Noo Cinnamon +eal, n' gU &11 !1l Ii IU of Eggs 7 Fate (J·f Eggs Still incubating at la.st visit 10 10 !U en un IIlI n ,U &11 38 un iU 11 gU Il1l uu eu an 4 lost to predator~ 3 deserted Still incubating at last nsit Shoveller 7 7 7 6 an D_ Gadwall 4 II hatched 4 lost to predator Pintail SIl w DU H8 III 6 lost to predator gO B1I �- 20 - TABLE VI KNOWNAND POSSIBLE DECIMATING FACTORS AFFECTD~G WATERFOWL IN SAND LUIS VALIEY APRIL 1 ~" JUNE 12,9 1949 THEIR STATUS AND APPARENT IMPROTANCE Decima tdng Factors Status Apparent Importance To Date Mammalsg Skunk l3=striped grcsquirrel Most important mammalian predator on eggso Uncommon~ observed in greasewood. UDJrnown» obser~ed in vicinity of nestso Rar-e, r-epor-ted along river UnknOWll9 probably minor except 10callYl> Common~ in more isolated areas. UnknOWll3 signs observed near sites of "egg predationo Abundant wherever watere UnknOYfll9 apparent cause of at least one nest loss Rares> few observed. Unknown~ possible egg predator where foundc Birds;~ Magpi.e AbundantI) Weasel Mink Coyote Muskrat Crow Raven Prairie falcon Duck hawk Golden eagle Bald eagle Marsh hawk Red=tailed hawk Swainsonvs hawk Ferruginous roughleg hawk Ringbilled gulls Abundant throughout valley. 0 Most important avian predator on eggso Uncommon~ found along river UnknOWll9 probably destroy some eggso Uncommon, found No end of valley. UnknOWll probably of little imp ort-ance, Common. Observed pursuing adults9 probably destroys someo Rare. Unknown~ probably too rare to be of importance 0 Common~ less so in summer. Observed pursuing adul ts.9probably destroys somee Rare UnknoWll9 probably too rare -to be important. Abundant in waterfowl nesting) Common. Areas.) ) Cammon. ) No known predation to date, certain ) individuals may destroy some young Uncommon. ) but probably unimportanto ) ) Uncommon. ) j �- 21 - (Table VI~ Continued) Decimating Factors Reptiles:: None known Fish~ None known Man Caused Factors~ Cultivation and mowing Burning Grazing Status Apparent Importance To Date No bullsnakes or other snakes capable of egg predation observed in study areas" Snapping turtles apparently not fOlli~din valley" Probably none present capable of predation No mowing to date. One loss by . trampling reportedo Not of widespread occurrence in study areao Encountered on most uncultivated lands" Wounding losses Common cause of death after hunting season. Poaching Uncommon. Botulism ) Lead poison) Drought ) Not observed" even on smallest youngo Little apparent importance early in nesting seasono One nest mown destroyed; much valuable habitat reduced" Sheep grazing worse than cattle for causing desertion, reducing habitat and rendering nests more vulnerable to desertion or predation. Numerous dead birds found but most apparently pre-nesting season lossesc Few instances knOWll3 not important to date" �- 22 Job-2 - Habitat evaluation Objectives: To determine plant compositions, water-relationships, interspersion of cover and water, and the effects of eultu.ra]:'pr~ctices on waterfowl production . .Techniques: Vegetative comp Iexe s and water fluctuations to' be'-~termined . by mapping and planimetering sample areas. Data for veget~tion to be determined quantitatively by important species. Inter-spee-s ien of types to be determined from rriaps and value of Inte r-spers iorr-to- he verified by' waterfowl use observed throughout the nesting and'young·~l"ea1"it:J.g period. Final evaluation: of various habitats are to be'dete:rmine<i'fro:rn'the observed .effee ts 'of cultural practices such as crop production,:. harvest, irrigation, etc., on nesting success and survival of young. Findings: Table VII shows the distribution of 221 nests of five specie~ of ducks by cover type. Ne s+ing densities on a per acre b.a-s.i s; of"coal"sie, are of far more importance than the simple frequency dis-t-ributions- in Table VII. However; nestil'l:g"'dens-ity dita·wi-ll ..notb-e· critempte-d"uz:rtil-conwletion of the stu.dy.· . TABLE VII ~l][BER OF NESTS BY SPECIES AND COVER TYPES Species Mallard Cinnamon teal Pintail Shoveller Gadwall All five species Noo species Grass and grass= like plants % of species No 0- Greaswood % of NOg species TotaJj_ % of all No. n~sts 680-2 32 24 ll.o4 11 211 2500 1 2 1. 5000 10000 5000 30 13<}6 Hardstem Bulrush % of Noo species l44 1 Cattail % of 15<>2 2500 .3 141) 65 6 0 33 1409 502 1 1 5000 10000 9505 1,,8 3 104 2 09 1 04 13 509 221 10000% 4 �Figure Mallard nest in previous bulrush. I years' Figure Mallard nest in previous growth of hardstem 2 years' growth of cattail. �Figure Mallard nest in previous 3 years Figure Predator growth of Calamagrostis. 4 loss in Calamagrostis, typical skunk type. �Figure 5 Combination burning and sheep trailing that has reduced valuable waterfowl nesting habitat, destroyed at least one nest and possibly caused desertion of others. Figure Mallard carcass, 6 most likely a hunter's loss. �- 23 - Ha:rds-tetrrbulrush (Seirpus acu-tus}evidently is=the -m"O"$t favored ea-r-ly'ne-sbirrg-eover , ·The prev'Ious yeCIT"-s' gTowth"PTovideg'd~nse early cover and the hent' stems adequate bas-e's-"on-whic'h~ to -cerrs-tr-uet ne sis. The- cattails' {TYPhalatifoiia-'and7'I"~'arrgustifcrlia} ar-:e-s=ec:on;d in favor as early nesting'cover~ While the p-reviousyear's growtlfiprovides. earlycover nearly as dense as; the bulrush, down-stems-:and'~lzeaves are . lacking- and the -ducks must build basal platforms fo'r+the-rr+rres t.s, Presumably for this reason, fewer ducks nest- in cattail-compa'red to the bulrush. Grasses (mainly Calamagrostis) and grass-·like:pJ:a-ats (Garex and, Juncus');]JTovide'adequate early cover-where -netvtoe- closely grazed the' p-revious 'year. These plants in native hay-rneadows-as e-too sparse and short-late- in' the apr ing to afford much early nesting 'c-over. Greesewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus), usually with an undergrowtlroLsaltgrass (Distkhlis stricta) or some of the dry-land rushes (Juncus spp.), was the only other cover type on the study areas in whichne:st& ha ve been located. It is the most open type of the fourdrr Table' -VII~ While detailed discussion-on nesting success correlated with-cove» type will not be attempted at this time, it does appear that early-nesting success is the lowest in this latter type. Nests have been reported and observed outside the·official study ar-eas-dn-cove r-types other than those mentioned above ; naEnE;ly,native hay meadows andralfalfa , Nests undoubtedly will-he' found in these types on the study areas during mowing when a -more-intensive search is planned. Water areas in the valley have decreased appreciahly- since the st.art of the nesting season, although heavy rains in early·Ju;ne tended to partially refill many of the potholes and stabilizethe.'levels of ponds and lake-s. Flooding has threatened sorae-rresus-but-not as yet known-to have caused any'egg Lo s s , Discussion of findings relating to interspersion of cover types and- effects of cultural practices on habitat will be r esee-ved until completion of the nesting study. Submitted by: Approved by: Nctm.'e·~ ·H~rrY' .J...Figge ----------+-~---~~~~----------- Title Wildlife 'I'e chrrici.an V Title C. N. Feast, Director ----~--------~----~--------------- Date July 15, 1949 ------~._..~---~------._..--------------~ Nete r- Persons· wishin-g-,to.quote from this abstract should first obta in permis-sian:.from the .Colorado State Game and Fish Department. ��- 25 - STATE······GOLORADO PROJECT July, 1949 DATE QUARTERLY S'U R-¥'E' PROGRESS Y'S' . AND FEDERAL 1. Title REPORT I N V EST As Required 'NO" ·38-R-2 I G A To ION S by AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT elf Pz-oject : Deer-Elk-Bear Inve stdgat ions , I 2:. Le ade-r-r 'Laurenc'e E. Riordan 3.. Report-·of)?rogress: , . . :;~. Nor-thwe-aterrr and' North Gentral,·Color-ado,I. Location and Extent of Seasonal Job 3 - Migration between winter Objective: To determine affechng. .•.···bloyd-··W. Searle Ranges - De-er and Elk and summer ranges the amount of migration and the factors Findings: Deer and elk herds in North and Middle Parks·, arid, in Moffat and Routt counties. have been very slow in their ·migraHng<from winter to summer ranges this spring. Some herds are .fr om. 2·0, ..to 30 days later in their migration this spring as compared w-it-hprevious spring migrations the writer has studied in these areas. Analysis-· and' R:e'Conrm~ndations: The' rea-sons 'for-,this· d'e1:a'Y'~d migr ahon.are .two: First; the'late cold weather that has-~p'l:"'-e-v;p.iled, arid heavy snow remaining; and two, the weakened c onddtdon-ofi-ehe animals from the severe winter they survived. II. Population ~l Surveys - Population Objective: - Deer and Elk Trend Counts To rnake inventories of deer and elk on their winte-r ranges. Findings: Population trend counts in North and Middle Pq_rks, and Route and Moffat counties showed an increase or upwar-d trend in numbers of both deer and elk. The percentages of increase ran from 3% to 1810 0;0. both deer and elk in thes.e areas. �- 26 Analysis and recommendations: This increase in: nurnbe-rs-Ls mostly caused by the hghter hunter:"'take last fall in these paT-iic'ular areas, and also by the relatively norrnal-winter loss which was sustained. III. Forage and Range Wtilization Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Objective: To determine Use winter utilization of·'imporlan-t:,brows-~ species. Findings: Range utilization checks were made in Nor-th and Middle Parks and Routt and Moffat Countie s. The following is, a -br-eakdown ofutilizaiion by game in these a.r-eaa : North P.ark;Pl~tte River utilization pluts 2 and 3 were used severely-by deer; De-laney Butte, utilization plot 'received -light use by deei"'during,the'pa'pt winter. Two utilization plots-in the- Middl-e-Park-winter'-Tan:ge~.rceceived severe to destructive use last winter by ,dee'r.,', In Routt, county the utilization of the lower, or winter r-ange-us-ed by' elkwaE;. found to have been destructively browsed. Some plants 'studied wer~ found to have been eaten back to the seventh or eighth anmral- ring~:dn Moffat County, the, range adjoining Dinosaur National Monument, ,and on, and- adjacent to Diamond MOUI ..ta in was used destructively by deer during the past winter. -' Analysis and recommendations: On the ranges used de-s-tz-uc tdve ly by deer, we have recommended, and the Game and F'iah-Corrirni s s ion has set a two-deer per hunter bag limit for the coming hunting season in an effort to b ring these deer herds into adjuatrrierrt with their available wiriter range. On the ranges used s-ev-e-i';~ly, there will be an either-sex season on deer and elk this- coming big game hunting season, and in the Middle Park area the eLk-s-ee-s-esn will r'un a week longer than in any other area in the state to try to overcome our problems there. With the seasons and bag limits a s set, we should' get relief in the problem areas. White River-Eagle I. River-Colorado River Drainage Areas--Glenn·'~o Rogers Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges -- Dee,!"and Elk Job 3 - Migration between winter and summer ran.ges Meeker deer migration: In 1939,1940,1941,1943, and 1947 track counts of the WhIte River deer herd were made. These track counts were made as the deer rrroved across roads perpendicular to their route of traveL Each day the deer tracks were counted and brushed out during the main period of their migration. By 1948 all roads across their lines of migration were paved or graveled through all or most of their length, making it next to impossible to repeat the total count accurately. , ~ ..... '. �- 27 - This spring it was decided, due to local complaints of a reduced migration, to count the upper three sections on the Flag Creek and Rifle Creek roads and thereby obtain a trend to compare with previous years. These sections (see map) were the same a s had been counted in 1947, so that year shall be used as a comparison. Half of section 2 was counted also, to determine if there had been any shift in the relative numbers of deer crossing on routes at higher elevations to routes at lower elevations. The total count of the 1947 migration was 28,691 deer. Of this number, 24,073 deer were counted in the five sections on Flag Creek, and 4,618 were counted on Strawberry Road. In 1947,· and in previous years, 25% "was added to the total counted to allow for tracks lost through sheep and cattle drives, hard ground, and rains. As surrring this 25% to be correct, there were 35,864 deer in the White R,iver-Piceance Creek migratory herd in 1947. The actual count for the partial survey that was made this year 3,918 animals. This figure represents only a partial count of the originai sur vey plan. In 1947, the counting route was d'ivid.ed into five sectio~s on Flag Creek and one section on Strawberry Creek. This year the attempt was made to establish a trend by counting sections 3, 4, and 5 .on Flag Creek. Besides the difficulty found in counting due to improvement of road beds, three days of counting were omitted at the peak of the migration. WqS Although it is impossible to assign any accurate percentages to the trend of the migrating herd due to the reasons already stated, it is felt very reasonable to conclude that the migration of deer is still operating in approximately the same manner from the Piceance Creek area to the White River country. Supporting this conclusion are the facts that the Piceance Creek meadow count remained constant at around 10,000 and surveys of the Piceance area this summer still do not show deer remaining in any number. In addition, it was believed that a heavier migration may have oc cu.rr ed on Strawberry Creek; and it was reported by Canofax!s on the White River that they saw more deer crossing the River than before, but all in a very short period. In conclusion it is recognized that future work on the White River Migration will have to be concentrated on a deer tagging system coupled with a more extensive census of winter and summer populations in this area. The track count on road crossings is no longer usable due to improved road conditions. �. Whtte ~ I!~ "" 3,,7 mt"/es I N ,.,,~ 1 /' I I ~( :r- - ~ & 4 1 :-'l • 1(\\ OJ •••• ~ (!,. .~ ~~ 01 1 I- ~.~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ( ~~. ~"<S Lt. ). () ~~ ~~ ~. ~ '1. ::to ~ -e-, ,,~ , ~ (\ ~~ ~ ~ (~ I'I!> "1 ~ ~~ ~~ -< (") -. If . If ~ o/G . IV' Ir \ ~ ~~ . rt!1f 1\ f I. e, ~ I ,.. \; :::-....- ~ 4. ).. m //e 5 V e =c; \ 6.S ~~ 1\ A r; ~'c~~H ..--~ la'!$ if, E .s-: ~ "0 ,v ~ <5 1.7 miles ~ ~ "'"" ~ \ .~ \ '\. ~ ~ �- 29 IlL Forage and-Range-Bt il.izat ion, Job 1 Survey of-Winter Hrowse Use. DUTing-·'thepast quarter, twenty·-five utilizatioH"plots'wer;e checked for deer and elk winter use. Eleven remain' to he ehe-eleed at;.'this date. Of the plots- checked; three were on the Dougla:s-'C'teek Man-aoge-'Ipent Unit; five in the'"Ettgl:e River Unit; two in the'Bo'ok-Cliffs"URit,; six in the Roar-ing' Fork Urrrt; four in the Grand Junction Unit-; four in the Lower Ool.or adrr Unit; and one in the Grand' Mesa-'ManageI'pent Unit. All plots checked, exc ept two, showed greater-use tha;n in 1948. This was expected with the heavy snows of the 'pant wi.rrte.r, Plants checked for use and the amount of us-e-ahown-b'y plants eachnranagement unit are listed below. Douglas Creek Management in Unit Destructive Use: Big Sag-ebrush Artemisia ,tridentata Mountain -Mahoga-nY"C-ero€ El'c-a-rputr; montanus Serviceberry Amelanchler baker! ,', Pinon Pine Pinus edulis Jrmiper Jrmiperus utahensis Rabbiibrush Chrysothamnus spp Proper Use: Shadscale Atriplex confertifolia Greas-ewood Sarcobatus vermiculatus Misc. grasses and weeds. The principal change in use on the Unit from the preceding year was on Pinon Pine, Juniper, Shadscale, and Greasewood. All these showed heavier use than previously. Mountain Mahogany; Serviceberry, and Big Sagebrush are of low vigor and produce so small an arnount of new growth that their value to deer is questionable at this time. Eagle River Management Unit Destructive Use: Big Sagebrush Mounta.in Mahogany ~rviceberry Rabb'itb r uah BiUerbrush Purshia tridentata Jurripe r utahensis Skrmkbrush Rhus trilobata Oak Quercus' gUnn1l?onl Proper Use: ,) " Winter fat EUrotia lanata �- 30 Severe Use: Big Sagebrush Juniper Juniperus scopulorum Serviceberry Mountain Mahogany Oak Balsam Root Balsamorrhiza spp_ Heavier use in all areas, except one where the snow-was tQOdeep for deer, was observed on Juniper, Skunkbr.uah, and &ig;!~g,ebrush. Book Cliff Management Unit: Destructive Us e : Serviceberry Oak Mountain Mahogany Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens Rabbitbrush Fringed Sage Atemisia frigida Mountain Maple Acer glabrum Snowberry Symphorl¢ci.rpus sIP_ Severe Use: Big Sagebrush Skunkbrush _ Proper Use: Big Sagebrush Heavier use was found on all plantadnfhi.s. unit. Ex.c~ptionally good growth was found on all plants in __ this az e.a in 1918.,' Roaring Fork Management Unit: Destructive Use: Mountain Mahogany Big Sagebrush Rabbitbrush Oak Serviceberry Juniper utahensis Pinon Pine Bitterbrush Wildrose Rosa spp Severe Use: Oak Skunkbrush Proper Use: Oregon Grape Odostemon spp Ribes spp. Sericotheca domosus �- 31 - Heavier use on all plants, particularly pinen.:.and::junipe-F'; was-ob» served in the unit, the heaviest use being in the,Sn€7'Wm~5':,:Creek (see pictures) and the Crystal River areas. "., . ,.,J' e Grand Junction Management Unit: Destructive Use: Big Sagebrush Rabbitbrush Oak Severe Use: Hop Sage Grayia Shadscale Greasewood Pinon Pine spinosa Proper Use: Juniper Mountain Mahogany Desert Ash Fraxinus anomala Serviceberry Mormon Tea Ephedra spp Haplopappus spp Very little if any change in the us_e.was...f.o.URci,'llL,thisaJ::~·bom:~the preceding year. ' Lc;>;v;.rer Colorado River Management Unit: Destructive Use: Big Sagebrush Mountain Mahogany Serviceberry Bitterbrush Pinon Pine Juniper Oak Rabbitbrush Severe Use: Cottonwood Populus angustifolia Squaw Apple Peraphyllum raniossimum Big Sagebrush Proper Use: Oak Serviceberry Mountain Mahogany Skunkbrush Snowberry Rabbitbrush Pinon Pine Juniper Big Sagebrush �- 32 The main 'char:rge"inus-e orr the unit' from '194g,...-w~5'''J;lotic ed on the elk plot near the forest'boundary. Use on this-~}ot,was r-educed from destructive to proper by one hunting S'eas'on.; Oak-an4' Serviceberry show signs of-partial recovery this' spring. ,It appears that Mountain Mahogany and Peraphyilurri have mad-e--1i:ttle-drno recovery. Destructive Use: Big Sagebrush Serviceberry Mountain Mahogany Severe Use: Rabbitbrush Proper Use: Pinon Pine Juniper This one plot is not enough to judge'this-unit,by. A,very heavy hunting season,' while not-z-educmg-numhers"to'al'lY'l'lotieea'l?le extent, did seem to' help on :range use. ' ,,: During the 'mouth- of'March' a"trip-was'-made--'on'the"£astt1e winter deer range, irrthe Frying- Pan .Rive-r area;with'Ra:ngeT.C,raig"'~er of the White River National: Foresk 'Rang'er'Pender~had~mad,€,j7a:a;;iintensive , study of-this' area"in'1-945. His'helpwas:'desi'Fed,the-re£oroe:"in"ci,etermining if the deer hrowse was-derrpr-ovingor not. ' , ' Mte-r the trip; a -sumrna.r y showed -the following:., Dee,~ numbers were down in this area. Elk numbers wez-e-abouf..the sa~e. There was a-very definite improvement in that pa-rt-of-the"raRg~\, Several new Mountain Mahogany pl.ants- were- found; the-firstthat-l-~have seen on' any deer winter range in the west central regrem -At';l_east50% of the last three years' growth is left on most of the Mountain Mahogany and B'itte rbz-ush, It is possible that the-abe-liahrnent of spring cattle grazing has had a definite bearing on this imp:rovement. IV. Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds On the fifth of May, Ranger Stevenson, U. S. Forest Service; Mr. Thomas, ranchen; and the writer rode the Mount Sopris area of the Roaring Fork Management Unit. This area was where we probably suffered our highest winter loss. During this ride we counted 81 dead deer. This is less than the 128 dead deer that Ranger Stevenson and Mr. Thomas counted on the same ride in this area last year. F'ore s t Rangers Brandenborg and Whitehill report 18 dead elk within one mile of the Camp Graound at the end of the road on the South Fork of the White River. This is the heaviest death loss on elk ever reported in the west central region. �Figure De s t r uct ive use on Oakbrush Management Unit. Figure Sagebrush Unit. 1 on the Roaring Fork 2 dying out on the Roarking Fork Management �Figure 3 General view of range on the Snowmass Roaring Fork Management Unit. Figure area of the 4 Showing height of deer browse line. �- 33 - Two fawns were examined in the Brush Greek' Area' e-i;,the Eagle River Unit. One of these fawns had died -the-night-before it- was' found. The other was run down and killed with a club. Both-de e r showed heavy infestations of bot larva" lungworms, and fringed tapeworms. The 'bcne mar row was a bright--cl-ea-r-re'd' c-alor. -Arr-iTIJ: orripIete stomach exarrrirra+ion-showed green grass, sagebrush-;--and pinon in that order. ' Central Western 1. Location Colorado -- Paul Gilbert and extent of Seasonal Job- 1 - Location Ranges - Deer and Elk and extent of summer ranges. Info r ma'ti oneol.Iec ted -on deer' sunnner-rangeS"-"ha-s'-be-e~'r eco nded and-plotted' on--managem'ent"maps~""-Deer-we'r'e"ha-nging";e>-n'~e'soakbrush zorre-Ionge-r-than usual this sp r-irigr: This- is- als:o~:the-faU"Tange of deer in this-a'rea;' Fall use' was- heavier -than-'us-ua-l"-las-t ye~:~i'1I~;th-i9 -zooe·-tdue to the pre-seas'on w-h-ich-pusneci·the··deer- -down-into~thi9' -zorr~which is thez-ene-that is'hardest-fo-rhunters't9 get into. ' --'-' Elk- were 'still hanging near: the-towrr-of 0uT'ay·theo~st part of .ApriL·' -Ahercl:-of,2:3 were checked on the Gura-y"ba-l1-'p~k~.t4eevesring of--Ap--ril3;-These- elk were hanging very ·c-l'Os-e,ter·the-.·to:w-n,:. of Ouray as-1ate a's--thefi-rst'pa-rt-of May when several·bune-he-s;C'we~ieseen in the Ouray, am:p,hitheater. ,~ c Job 3 - Migration betweefl_·summer and -win~r ranges. The deer as previously stated were slowe.r-g ettdng-back on the eurrrmez- range'thari tis ua.lrth'is year: "I'hey rnoved hci-E-k;as fast as - _,y; snow and new gr-owth would permit. No deer werecse-en;:Qn!top of the plateau the middle of May when this area-was chec ked by plane. Checks made on May 7 in the North Fork on foot, showed only an occasional animal left on the winter range. On April 29, no deer could be found on the lower Escelante Canyon Winter Range; This is also true of the lower end of 'Big Gypsum Valley when it was checked on May 16; however, in the upper part of the valley deer were still bothering crops. Blue Mesa and the adjacent deer left on the winter area. II. Population Surveys Job 1 - Population winter area showed only an occasional - Deer and Elk and trend counts. Some trend counts were flown a little later due chiefly to wint-e'r-probl:e-rrrs in other areas. fhan.rus.uad,this year �- 34 . These trend counts are as follows: DEER: E'ast Uncompahgre Winter and Morr:rte-rMesa- ,,~'-'H~'-4-9i Dry- Me'sa' " 4-549 209 119 West Uncompahgre Blue Mesa , Atkinson Me s a 3-18-49 4-5-49 469 523 3-17-4-9 3-16--49 487 45 ELK: Grand-Mesa Smith- F(fr'k The greatest variance in this -ye-ar+s-counta-ovee=Iasst year is found on Dry Mesa which is 119 this yearcompa'f'ed'~p\390 last year. This year"s count was made much-1ater"and'i;lfu. deer had already's-tarted,t6 drift off of the- concentration area. : III. Forage' and-Range Utilization Job 1 - Survey of br{)wse use. Range studies of winter utilization have been compketed in the following areas: Kannah Creek, North Fork. of the-Gunni son, San Miguel, Blue Mesa, Gypsum Valley, and Escelente Canyon, The Kannah. Creek area and plots which, are loeat-ed"in,!the Grand Me-s.a·Manag.ement Unit were check.ed. Most .of.this a.r·~a has had very heavy past· -use and che-et grass; 'Brom.bI.£r,.tector~; ..i:; invading the- entire *:r'€'a"V'er'Y"rapi-d:ly~ The ..overaHpas."t;,wl:--n.te-'F.&,·i.ltJ,-Se "in'fliis area was sOmeWhat lighter than p-revious '-winter-s';'"--1J.tili~ationis still severe overall and in places destructive. Minnesota Creek in the North Fork. Unit wint.ered m~ny more deer than what the country can carry. The enlarging,w~ter deer herd spread out closer to the town of Paonia than in p-I'-.ev;i<;l;us years. Winter browse use in this area was destructive. The San Miguel or Tabeguache area shows proper areas show severe use probably by cattle. deer use, some Blue Mesa on the west side of the Uncompahgre is still carrying too many deer as winter residents. The winter use on the browse was destructive. It is interesting to note that sage plant-s::;4-rtemisia tridentata, tagged for growth studies in 1945 have been broken or eaten back until all tags are gone. �- 35 Gyp sum VaHey shows evid'enc-e-of 'having "carried' riurnez-ous sheep along with the deer this·pa-stwinteJ:·.· <Ehter:aH,,,,u~-h.as·been destructive in some areas and'lighterin others. The area checked in lower Escelante Oanyon-orr-thes-e-aat- side of the Uncompahgre showed destructive winter use, wh1:c:hwa.s- eh:iefly due to cattle abuse. The upper Escelante plots s howed=s-ever e- use-sheep, cattle, and horses were seen on this area at ttrne=eficheckdng . Taking the entire area, no improvement or decline in the abuse of the Uncompahgre or North Fork could be disting'l:lis-he€L-- It app~ars that the Kannah Greek area of the Grand Mesa may have; benefited some by the special deer season in this a r'e a . . Job 3 - Food Habits. The following deer stomachs were taken on Winter MeS'ay"Mareh.- 21, 1949', while on an inape cti on and Gt.show me trip". .r Sample No. -,27 - 26 75.2 l2.8 '8.8 T 68.1 11.9 14.9 T 2.6 ~6 2.5 T T T 1.1 100.0 100.0 Pci:n:on.-',P-i-;n:us edulis JnniF~T'" -Junip~ru.s, utahensis Big Sageh'r-usfl:· :A:rtemisi-a-M·identl;l.t~ Shadscale Atriplex coPl'eriifolia Thelypodimn ThelYP'~a\um spp Morman tea· -Ephedra spp -Gr-as.s Orizopsis, Agropyron; etc ,. Deer Hall" Trac,es and Misc. Totals T 1.5 Sample nurnbe r 26 was taken from the stomach of an. eight year old doe. This animal had a great nurnb e r of both biting and sucking lice and t.icks which accounts for the high percentage of deer hai r , Sample nurnbe r 27 was taken from a two year old buck. In running the postmortem on this animal, the walls of the fourth stomach, or ab orna strrrr;. was -pin--custioned "with c ac tu.s thorns. IV. Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk. Herds. Job 2 - Predation affecting deer. Predators are very few in this area did kill a few deer near Paonia. and offer no problem. Dogs �- 36 - Job 3 - Study of Other-Mortality Factors. Additional winter loss has been found-only-in,the';Minne$ota Cr-eek area- of ,the North' F'o'rk Unit. 'Winter 'los's'€S=he,re'w~'re-higher than Ias-t yeCF.F-and-probably-higher-,tharr-normai;-'fi:i: othe r a.r-eas , winter loss was no'rmal. The following table is self-explanatory numbers 26 and 2-7'~ as to the condition of deer 26 Fat present: :;Rump ~ Brisket Mesentaries Kidneys Heart Bone Marrow Lung worms Bot larva Biting lice Sucking lice Ticks Leg worm Coyote cysts -Tape worms x x ~- x x x x x x -2.7 x x x x x .:Z x .x x x x BEAR INVESTIGATIONS: Seasonal bear studies were late starting this spring due to other big game studies and the slowness of the bear country in opening up. Job 1 - Food Studies. No data has been collected Job 2 - Observations to this time on bear food studies. and Life Habits. Some time has been spent in Spring Creek basin and along the east rim. None of the bear sign around the s ea s oria.L pond s could be found. The bear beds and dens in this area had not b.een used. The bear areas set aside as more or less trend areas: last year were flown again this year on May 18 and May 19. It was necessary to cover these areas with greater ca r e this spring as catt.le were already scattered over the Uncompahgr-e Plateau, and closer ,.,and more care was necessary to distinguish objects on the ground. In spite of the additional care, no bear were seen. �- 37 - Job 3 - Bear- Livestock Kill Study. The first report of bear predation-was"rec-e-iveci-'ou':June 5. A bear was blamed-for killing two yearlings.' On investigating' the case, it was=found,that-·the carcasses. of. the.dead aniril:~.{3::hq'd already been turned over to the render·ing p-lant; -Ahalf·Cf·da-Y:iwc!i.s spent checking in the vicinity where the bear was"supPl!JS'ed~cr',havebeen hanging and: no tracks or other sign could 'be found. It. is very doubtful if a bear was anywhere near this area. A-report of bear being active in the Cat Can-yon'a-r-eawas -r e c eived- from one sheep man; however, no dama-ge,,-hadc.rccurred. « Checking with one band of sheep along the Sp:ring.'Qreek Rim in the Branson Springs area, all losses so far we-re- blamed on cats. Southwestern 1. Location Colorado -- Harold R. Shepherd and Extent of Seasonal Ranges--Deer Job 3 --Migration Between Summer and Elk and Wint~r Ranges. Objective: To locate and determine the amount of migrations of deer and elk between summer and winter ranges and the fac toe-s affecting. Methods: Aerial and spot check observations. Findings: In the Hermosa area of the Animas·Game"-MaHage:Ep.entUnit, deer· and elk -began-t.o leave the winter raE:-geuf0r'S-1::l!Illne~ -ra-nge about April l . By April 5, some elk were -r-anging-as' far",up--,,?ouniryas the mouthof'Dutch Creek. Deer were s Iower=to-Ie-ave-ehe winter range in numbers than the elk. II. Population Su-rveys --Deer Job I - Population Objective: Methods: and Elk and Trend Counts To make inventories Aerial of deer and elk in their winter ranges. and ground surveys. Findings: On March 24, a trip was made to the deer-elk winter range on the North Fork of Texas Creek in the Pine Game Management Unit. Four elk were seen near the A. Bennett Ranch. Mr. Bennett reported having seen 36 elk a few days before. On April 5 and 6, the writer flew with Clyde P. Matteson on aerial flights over deer-elk winter range in the Hermosa and Pine �- 38 Game Managerrient Units. In the Hermosa ae.ction ; elk- we-re-found ranging up country to Dutch Greek as they followed.·tke"'''ietrea,ting .,the,.eD'l!llftrybelow . snow. Snow was gone from south-facing. slopes:.:J,n Dutch Greek. The elk were ·somewhat. s cat.te.ned at·this·,tirne', and because of much bare ground they were not too eas:il¥~s:~en. 'In an area near the old saw mill site along Her mosa-Gne-ele w:her-~on April 2, a total of 75 elk were counted, only 20 e1:k:'··w.ere·fQUnd April ,5. This indicates the rate at which elk we.ne-znovdng'to summer r ange , In the Hermosa proper winter range, atotal, oLZQ.') ..elk- were. all that could be found. In counting these, the entir~:HerH}osa was flown. On February 16, when the same,herdwaseourtted, a total of 391 were seen. As discussed under .oMorta).ity Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds", this difference in the two figures is due in part to winter loss and in part to the fact that',the later count was made under less favorable snow cond it.ioris than the first. An attempt was made to make a second count of elk in the country between Hermosa Creek and Durango, but the almost complete lack of snow there made counting impractical. A flight was made over the area near the north end of Electra Lake where, during the early part of the winter, a small herd of elk had been seen. No elk or sign could be found. A flight was made to the winter range along the North Fork of Texas Creek in the Pine Gam.e Management Unit where 20 elk were counted near the A. Bennett Ranch. The country along Bear Creek and below and south of Vallecito Reservoir in the Pine Game Management Unit was checked for elk. No elk or sign was seen. On April 2,seventy-iive elk were counted near the old saw mill site up Hermosa Creek in the Animas Game Management Unit. Only seven of these were calves. III. Forage and Range Utilization--Deer Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Objective: To determine Methods: species. Field reconnaissance and Elk Use. winter utilization of important by a browse browse species. survey of key forage Findings: The winter utilization of important browse plants hy deer and elk was determined by examination of established Food Utilization Plots. �- 39 Browse· Utilization in the Animas Game ManageIflent Unit: Four such plots (numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4) are locat-ed in the Hermosa winter range. Two of these plots (plots 1 and 2) we-r-e-established by other workers in 1944. A comparison of t.he-browse-utilization within p.lot-rrurrrber 1 for the years 1945, 1948, and 1949-s hows-u-gr'adual.ly increasing use as will be shown: In the spring of 1945, the browse use by deer and elk in the Hermosa winter range, as -indicated by plot number 1, was proper to s evez edn 1948 it was sev-ere;' and in 1949 the use was judged destructive. In the 1945 examination, one of the plants used severely was currant (Ribes sp.). When the plot was examined this spring, not a single currant bush could be found. The use of juniper in 1945 was proper, this spring it was severe. The examination of plot number 1 this spring showed destructive use to oak brush (Quercus GarnbeIl.ii}, mountain mahogany (Gercocarpus parvifolius), and s er-vrce berry (AInelanchier alnifolia). Juniper (JunIperus sp.), skunk bush (Rhus tnlobata), and pinon pine (Pinus edulis) , had been severely used. No reproduction was noted for any of the key p.lante- mentioned. Many plants were dead in s.tands of oak brush, mountain mahogany, and service ber r-y, . Food Utilization Plot Animas Number 2 indicated general destructive browse use. Oak brush, mountain mahogany, and service berry had been destruciively used and the plants were in poor vigor. Jun ip e r and pinon pine were severely used, but appeared in good vigor. Juniper and pinon pine were severely used, but appeared in good vigor. In stands of oak brush and rnounta in mahogany-there are many dead plants, and no reproduction is evident. Many service berry plants have been eaten nearly to the ground. No seedling jnni.per s are present. Food Utilization Flot Animas Number 3 indicated general destructive use. Key browse plants present are oak b r ush , s kunk bush, wild rose (Rosa sp.}, and juniper. Oak brush and skunk bush were destructively browsed, wild ros.e was moderately browsed, and juniper received severe use. No young plants of oak and skunk bush were evident. Plant clumps of skunk bush had been broken into. Some young plants of wild rose and juniper were present. Food Utilization Plot Animas Number 4 showed generally severe browse use. Indicator plants here are oak brush, skunk bush, grasses, and juniper. Oak brush and juniper were severely browsed. Skunk bush received moderate use, and grasses were properly used. Young plants of oak brush and skunk bush were scarce. There were many dead oak brush plants and many dead branches in live plants. Some new juniper plants were present. From an examination of plots and of the range generally, it is clear that deer and elk have destructively used the Hermosa winter range. At the end of the winier-use by game, the range had a. grubbed �- 40 and hedged appearance. Virtually all available a-nnual.gr-owt:q. had been eaten from rrrosb-kirids of plants growing ·within. reach :of:ga1lle. Even such relatively unpalatable plants as skunk hush; jnnipe':r',~a:ndpinon pine were severely used. Yucca (Yli'Cc-a-baccata)-plants,were nearly exterminated, the plants pulled out of the ground- and·leafc,ba~es eaten. Mountain mahogany was more severely used than any other browse plant. All of the annual growth was eaten. Clumps of plants were broken into and tramped down. In many instances, woody sterns one half inch in diameter, representing seven to ten years-of growth, were eat-en. - Many plants are dead or dying, and no-yO'l:l:Rg .seedl.ings are evident. Oak brush, also, was very destructively used. All available annual growth was taken, and often times woody stems were eaten that- grew eight to ten years ago. Because of the gr.eater. trunk and branch size, oak-br-ush plants were not broken down-as. we1"-e"mountain ma:hogany plants·.···Many· oak ..hrush· plants ..ar.e de-ad-, .aaad many live plants. have--nurrre-r-oue deadcbranc:hes.·'·Seedlings aIid'yol;lngplants are very scarce. Service berry has been destructively used. It is the author's opinion. that at-onetime some few years ago this plant eomprised a large propo'Etion of the available browse, and that -it.hasr-h'ten nearly exte·rminatedby over use. At present, it makesupa-ve17-y;;..s·ma¥ per cent of the tonal. available browse. The plants which remain-a-r-e,;,usually in dense clumps of protecting oak brush. Skunk bush is generally considered poor browse. But in the Hermosa winter area it received moderate t.o destructive browse use, In some instances, plant clumps were broken into. Pinon pines and junipers were heavily used. A distinct browse line is evident on many trees. Some trees escaped with little browsing, while others nearby were heavily used. Trampling by game has left trails and much cut-up soil which will hasten the process of water erosion. Bun.ch grasses and forbs are becoming pedestaled. Plants within game exc Io.sur e s established in the Hermosa winter range in the late summer of 1948 showed marked contrast to those outside. Mountain mahogany plants inside exclosures had a:nnual growth stems eight to ten inches long. On May 4, mountain mahogany plants within the exclosures were nearly leafed out, while those outside appeared much as they did in midwinter. Much the same comparison was true of oak brush and other plants inside and outside exclosures. The difference was so pronounced as to make the �- 41 - exe loaur-es.-s-eern oa-s-es-in the midst of: a desert. That such heavy use of the range as occurred in the Hermosa winter range last·winter; if continued, will completely: d-ermde it of vegetation, is' manifest. )' Brows€, Utilization in the Pine Unit: Three Food Utilization plots were examined in the Pine Game Manage-ment Unit. Two of these, numbers 1 and 3, are in deer-elk winter range on the North Fork of Texas Greek. 'I'he.icther , number is in deer winter range along Bear Creek. 2, Food Utilization Plot Pine Number 1 showed a gener:p_llight to moderate browse use. The key plants in this plot a re hitter brush (Purshia tridentata), .oak brush, fendlera (Fendlera rupi<.::ola) > and g ras.s ea , Bitter brush ha s . born the brunt of the browse load here. Forty per cent of available annual growth had been taken. The plant5::. appeared in good health, and many flower buds were present. Few yourig plants were to be seen, however. . Oak brush is the plant second in importance here as judged by degree of use. Thirteen per cent of last season's annual growth had been eaten. Many plants had not been touched, and new plants were evident. No death loss was noticeable. Fendlera had hardly been touched, for only an occasional showed browse use. Grasses showed virtually plant no ~ame use. Yucca plants were nearly all killed out. Leaves had been bitten off, chewed, and the fiber spit out. Crowns of the p Iants-had been pawed into and dug up. . Food Utilization Plot Pine Number 2 is in deer winter range along the Bear Creek. Here the use given key plants was judged severe. The key plants are bitter brush, smooth sumac (Rhus_,cismontana), wild rose"Oregon grape (Berberis aquifoliu.rn), oakbrush,a.nd poison ivy (Rhu.s--Rydbergii). Bitter brush had been seve re.ly.us-ed.i eighty per cent of the annual growth having been eaten. Pla-nts,):lad been uniformly covered. But few flower buds were present. Some dead plants were noticed, and many live plants c.ontained de ad-b r an.che s , No. seedlings were seen. ��SURVEY OF ELK WINTER LOSS IN HERMOSA WINTER AREA Winter Area----------------------~ Census Area----------------------~ Transects-----------------------Fig. 2 - -- ��- 45 - Elk -Oa.rc.asse-s found in transects---6 Deer carcasses found in trans,ects---19 Elk carcasses per square mile---40.8 Elk carcasses in census area---lOZ Live elk counted in Hermosa winter area February, 16---·391 Indicated per cent of February 16 elk herd lost by .Apxil. 1---2610 It should be noted that the figures for the number of care,asses per square mile were applied only to the 2.5 square mile ce ns'ueia.r e a portion of the total .3.2 square mile Hermosa winter az-e a , 'I'hi s, was done because observations show that herds were concentrat-ed in this smaller lower portion; consequently, greater loss occurred here. To have applied loss-per-square-mile figures to that part of the winter area not sampled would have exaggerated the extent of the loss. As shown in the tabulation above, the survey- indicates- a-de ath loss to that part of the Hermosa elk herd s arrrple d of 26 per cent. In t.he survey, 19 deer carcasses were found. Thes-e were used with elk carcasses in determining the average distance at. which carcasses were first sighted. No attempt is made here-to figure the extent of deer loss, since an accurate base figure was not obtained for deer. Various estimates number the early winter Hermosa deer herd in the area of the study at between 300 and 500 animals. It is recognized that not a sufficient body of data was collected in the survey to make the results statistically accurate. General field observations pointed without question to a heavy winter Lo s s , 'The survey was made to confirm general field observations and to obtain figures that would indicate the probable size of tha.Las.s , This information was needed for game season recommendation rne et ing s , Because of unfavorable weather and the press of other work, a larger body of data was not obtained. General Field Observations Indicating Heavy Deer-elk Winter Loss. Incidental to feeding operations" range studies, etc., a total of 47 dead elk were found in the Hermosa winter area. This is 12 per cent of the 391 elk known to have been in the area February 16. On Apil 5, the Hermosa elk herd was counted again. hyplane. In the area where on February 16, 391 elk had been counted only 209 elk could be found, This indicates a loss of 47 per cent. This figure is probably high because at the time of the plane count snow was gone from. most of the lower part of the range, making it difficult. to see elk from the air. Too, elk were scattering out and working back into high range. Both of these factors would make for error in obtaining an accurate aerial count. �- 46 - While making the April 5 aerial from the plane. count, 2()'dead elk were sighted District Warden Frank Charlesworth burned and buried a total of 58 deer and 43 elk -Eoundnear r'anehe s in the Hermosa winter range. The details of this burning .appear·elsewhe-re-iR-:this report. Incidental to other work, a total of 65 dead deer vre xe found in the Hermosa winter area. This number represents a·loErs of from 13 to 22 per cent of the estimated 300-500 deer in the ar.ea-·Felrruary 16. On April 15, 1948, a total of 130 deer were counted. from the car in driving along U. S. Highway 550 from Hermosa- Greek to. Rockwood , On April 5, 1949, only 94 deer were counted in the same. distance. This indicates a herd reduction of 28 per cent over that; of a year ago. All observations and surveys indicate a heavy winter loss of both deer and elk in the Hermosa area. The loss of elk is at least 12 per cent. Aerial observations indicate a possible maximum loss of 47 per cent. It is felt that the 26 per cent loss indicated by the transect survey is the more reliable loss estimate for elk. Winter loss of deer and eIk in Manag.ement Units othe r than' the Hermosa is thought to ha.ve been only slig.htly above normal. Hermosa Winter Game Loss 13Y S,ex and Age Classifications. As stated elsewhere, a total of 47 elk and 65 deer were found dead. The sex~age perc.e.nti3.,gesare as shown in Figures 3 and 4. FIGURE .1 Sex=age Distribution of Deer Found Dead In Hermosa Winter Area Deer Noo Per Cent· Bucks Does Fawns Total (classified.) Unclassified Total 11 20 10 6 38 70 55 10 65 FIGURE 4 Sex=age Distribution of Elk Found Dead In Hermosa Winter Area Elk Bulls Cows Calves Total NOe> Per Cent 5 10 II 23 .a. 47 67 �Figure 5 Bull elk that got tangled up in fence and died. Figure 6 Front foot of elk caught in fence. �Figure 7 Elk calf heavily infested with ticks about flanks and tail. Figure 8 District Warden Frank Charlesworth and Mr. Riffle equipped to burn and bury dead game. �: ,: ~ •••••••t , ~~",.:'I ..}. L .,. • Figure District carcass. 9 Warden Frank Charlesworth Figure burning deer 10 Mountain mahogany clump browsed and trampled down by deer and elk. Hermosa winter range. �Figure II Destructively used mountain Hermosa winter range. Figure Food Utilization mahogany on 12 Plot Dolores No. 1. �Figure 13 Food Utilization Plot Pine No. 1. Figure Food Utilization 14 Plot Pine No.3. �Figure 15 Food Utilization Plot Animas No.4. Figure 16 Food Utilization Plot Piedra No.1. �Figure 17 Food Utilization Plot Piedra No.2. �- 47 End-'of Feeding Operations: Game' feeding operations described in the previous, Quarterly Report were discontinued April 6. Cona-ide-rdng the extent of the losses- to both deer and elk, it is 'doubtful whether supplemental feeding kept any animals from dying. Mast de ad aniznal s were found near feed gr-ounds . Elk calves, -too -weak-to-starid , were found on feed gr ound s- where hay had been pla-ced ·da~ly fer weeks. It is the writer's judgment, after a long winter of observing and participating in game feeding, that the supplemental ...feed.ing of alfalfa hay to deer and elk to keep them from starving. has little practical value. As a damage control measure, supplemental feeding may have some merit. A two-year old bull was found dead with a front foot caught in a fence. See Figure 5. Carcass Disposal Operations: The great number of flies which hatched in the carcasses of deer and elk became a serious nuisance to Hermosa ...ranchers about the first part of May. It was thought a.dvis abLe- to dispose of the carcasses near ranches to lessen the fly nuisance. Mr. Frank Charlesworth, District Game Warden, devised a means of disposal that proved very effective. With the aid of one helper he disposed of 58 deer and 43 elk carcasses in a period of 5 days. The method was as follows: A five-gallon, back-pump, sprayoutfit, such as the Forest Service uses for fire fighting, was filled with a mixt.ure half kerosene and half old crankcase oil. With one man carrying the pump on his back and the other carrying a pitch fork and shovel" they systematically covered the winter area ne a r ranches in search of carcasses. When..a carcass was found, the litter around it was shoveled away. Then it was sprayed with the oil mixture from the back pump and set on fire. When the carcass had been burned to ashed and bones, a small pit was dug beside it. In this pit were buried the ashes, bones, etc ,; that remained. This proved a very efficient and ne at way of doing the job. In disposing of 101 dead animals, a total of 48 gallons o.f kerosene and 50 gallons of crankcase oil were used. South, Central Colorado ...,,,.. Cor wi.n ' D. Tolm.an 1. Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges -- Deer and Elk Job 3 - Migration Between Summer and Winter Ranges. Objective: To locate and determine the amount of migration elk from summer to winter ranges. of deer and �- 48 Findings: Deer migration in the Gunnison area appea-r-s to-be-confined to gradual seasonal population fluctuat ions , The ma-in body of deer left the winter range late in Apr'i1;however,t-here,-wa%:a partial return to the bottoms' during May. Between May,20 arid .June I the deer left for the higher country, During the routine spring range check fewer deer were seen on the winter range as, compared to the spring check of 1947-1948. Winter and spring vertical migrations of elk in the Gunnison area fluctuated with the depth of the snow except in those areas where artificial blocks were introduced. The feeding. of hay in the Almont-Taylor River area and in the Antelope Creek drainage retarded the movements of those herds. One small group of elk, 36 head of the Dry Greek herd, moved south of highway 50 in the January storm. During the first part of April all but 14 head were driven across to the north side. Traffic interfered with the drive. These 14 head remained on the south side of the road until April 20. Movement of elk in the Rio Grande area fluctuated with the snow depth. Only a partial migration of deer was encountered and Arkansas River drainages. III. Forage in the Rio Grande and Range Utilization. Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Use. Objective: To determine winter utilization of important.hrowse species. Techniques Used: Key winter range was mapped and noted for the following dramages: Uppe-r'Rio Grande, Upper Gunnison, and Upper Arkansas Rivers. Key range was divided into representative range utilization areas. Wherever applicable the established range utilization plots were inc luded in the representative range .uti Hz.ataon ar ea.s, which bisect the winter co.ncerrcr-at.ionareas o£ the drainag.e and included zones of normal and maximum concentrations. Findings: Summarization of representative range utilization.tr.e,nd areas. Elk - April through May, 1949. Upper Rio Grande - Sub Unit Goose Creek 1. . Trend Area No. 1 - McKinney Gulch-GaldwelLGr.eekand Goose Creek-proper, April 9-10. Location (R-lE, T 41 N Sec 19-2025-26-27-28 New Mexico Principle Meridian) commencing at �- 49 loading chutes on the south bank of Rio 'Grande .River across from Wagon Wheel Gap, west along the river to McKinney Gulch, up the gulch to its head, hence the ridge south to Galdwell Creek, hence east along north -al-epe ,of Cal'dwe Il Creek to within 100 yards of road to point of heginning. Also that area along Goose Creek from the hot springs near the mine to the river and 100 yards on each side. 2. General type of ranges: Aspen-Engelmann Sp.ruc e c Iirriax on northern exposures. Southern exposures are 'rib~s, gr.ass and ponderosa pine type bordering willow and ca.r ex. meadows. (Primary Plants) Degree of use Description.of Gonditions. Aspen Populus tremuloides -Light to destructive Destructive past use by Elk-very little growth of young trees . Willow Salix spp .Moderate tive to destruc- Destructive bottoms use in the Ribes spp Moderate tive to destruc- Destructive bottoms use in the $nowberry Symphoricarpos spp. Light to severe Light on the ridges- destructive Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus sppo Proper tive to destruc- On the ridges proper to severe, in bottorns destructive. Cinquefoil P. fruticosa Proper to severe Proper on hills, meadows. Rosa spp Proper Past Proper Heavy use on creek Engelmann Spruce Picea engelmanni Light Terminal Pinque Octina spp Proper Only dry stems Skunkbrush Rhus trilobata Proper Destructive by horses Chokecherry Prunus spp Destructive Only a few in the area Sedge Gares severe use destructive spp (Secondary Plants) buds occasional taken utilization In �- 50 - 3. Soil and Erosi0n: Area has the-appeaz-anoe-ef .r.ec ent sodding by grasse-s;' old·gulleys healing, an-n-ual;weeds-.f.ew; RaNg.€-improving as far as grass range is. concerned. 4.·· .Othe r factors: Snow conditions: Snow was: considerably deeper thIs·year than last--about·42 .inuhe-s-ori :the-flats·~· ·The elk moved on to the meadows and creek bottoms early in the se~n .. This shift in concentration gave the areas of no rrnal icenceritr-atdon a chance to rest. The bottoms along Goose Greek and the Rio Grande River were considerably over-utilized. Trend Area No.2: 1. Locaiion--Pierce Creek (Rl. T 40N. Sec 4-5-8-9-10) (The same factors affected this area as were found in Area. No.1.) Trend Area No.3: 1. Location --Roaring Fork:(R IE, T 41N Southeast corner Sec. 26 North half Sec. 27-28, New Mexico PrincipaLMeridian) Beginning at the Roaring Fork trail where it passes through the Forest Service gate up two miles hence north along bottom of .high bluff for one mile, hence north along bottom of high bluff for one mile, hence east down ridge to point of beginning. Three write-ups were made, one every two miles. 2. General type of range: Numerous aspen and spruce pockets surrounded by rough rocky cliffs.. Area showed little use by game during the winter. Trend Area No.4: Sub- Unit .B'Iue Creek: 1. Trend area was r-eIoc at.ed from Wagonwheel Gap.rto.B'lue Creek because Blue Creek is rnor e representative of .the area. Area represents West and East Bellows Creek, Farmers Creek, and Blue Creek. Location: Blue Creek in that area behind the cab.irrs, on the southwestern exposure beginning at the last cabin to the base of the cliffs, east of cabins down stream one and one-half miles to 3rd cabin from the end. 2. General type of range: Steep southern aspen Umbered pockets. expos.uxea.iadjac ent to �- 51 - '(PrimaryPlants')- DeS'€-riptieE:'e£':-conditions Aspen .Popul.us tremuloides Destructive No youngc'reproduction Chokecherry ,Frunus spp Destructive No- YOUJJ.g Snowberry ,SYnlphoi'ic,arpos Severe to destructive Rabbitbrush' Chrysothamnus r-e'8roduction Destructive spp Skunkbrush, Rhus trilobata Severe Rosa spp Severe Cinquefoil P. fruticosa Severe Wee,ds Moderate Ceanothus fendleri Severe Few plants in area Serviceberry Amelap,chier Destructive Few plants in area 3. Few plants in area to severe spp Soil and erosion: ment~ Soil erosion slight. Area shows range~improve- ,4. General Comments: Area is representative of Farmers Creek, West and East Bellows Greeks and WagonwheeL Gap areas. Trend Areas in Saguache-Gochetopa -- Elk Herds Spring checks of winter range areas made at the time of this writing. are in the process of being Gunnison Herds: In the Gunnison area deer and elk utilize much of the same area, and are combined in the general range s,:u.rnrnarizations. ' Qunnison Deer - Elk, Intermediate zone: The lower line following the ridge at an elevation of 8,100 feet in the Soap Greek area and ending at 8,500 feet on the Tomichi Greek Drainage. The upper line starting at "an, elevation �- 52 of 8,600-feet in Sapinero area and ending at S,70Q.£eet on the Tomichi Greek drainage. Because of the similarity of conditions found in the intermediate zone utilization in all areas was summarized-a&+indicated by the following chart. (Date: April 16 to May 2) Plants Degree of Use De.sc.r.iption...oLconditions Big Sagebrush ..Artemisi?L tridentata Proper to severe Annua.Lgr.owth slight Serviceberry Amelanc}_lier spp Moderate to severe Aspen Populus fremuloides Severe to de st ruc-. tive. In alL areas. ofi.e.Ik concentration Bitterbrush Purshia tridentata Proper tive. Heavy over-use in the west unit. by sheep Snowberry Bymphoricarpos Light to proper Rabbitbrush Chrysothamn.us Gutierrezia Note: spp to destruc- Proper Little annual growth shown Proper All available taken spp plants For report of winter range conditions in zone of rnax.irnurn concentration see Quarterly Progress Report, April, 1949, Pag.es 64-71. Sangre De GrLsto (San Luis Yalley side) For the purpose of this report deer range was divided into four areas with common problems. DAtes [Irrter-rrrrtterrtl.y]May·1 to June 5. Area No. ,l .. -_E)rom Hayden Pass pinon-juniper. to Nor th Crestone Greek. Range type is ~ummarization of. utjlizCj-tipn 9£wi:i:lfer,browse: Uti.Iiza.tdon, is spotty on all browsepiant~. '. Win:t¢r concentration qIily moderately eviderrt in ~ll areas with the exception of Wild Cherry, Rito Alto, and Major Cre~ks. In these areas the.r e is no browse Hne on juniper and pinonpine. Utilizationbn m6UI}.tainrnahog any., (Cerco~arpus. s.pp) showed severe. Almost aII annua.l growth was taken. �- 53 - Areas 'studied '..•South Crestone, Pole Creek. Type of Range: Willow Greek, Seu.th Spanish--Creek, and Pinon-juniper Summarization of utilization of winter browse: Area is uniformly overutilized. Browse line is approaching on juniper and pinon. Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus spp) shows severe over-utilization' app r oac h-: ing destructIve uhhzatlOn. Occasional plants show .fou.r:annual rings taken. Use on oceanspray (Sericotheca spp), Serviceberry{Ar;r:relanchier spp) severe, showing about 300/0 of annual growth remaining. There is a large summer population of deer in this area. Area No.3 - From Mosca Pass to South Zapata Creek (South of the sand Dunes) Date May 24, 25, 1949. General description:. Utilization on all browse species, light to proper. Deer well scattered. A few fresh sign seen in the area indicating some late spring use. Little to no competition with domestic livestock. Area No.4 - Trinchera (Sangre DeCristo Grant) No spring check made as yet. Conejbs River: 1. Conejos River proper checked May 3, 1949. General description: That area from the Fox Creek School to the Aspen Glade .camp ground (southern exposure). Use: Area very much over-utilized. Primary browse plants -cIestructive utilization (see study plot write up). showing 2. Fox Creek: Destructive utilization on all browse species. Four to five years growth taken on mountain mahogany; two years growth taken on skunkbrush. Definite browse line showing on douglas-fir, pinon pine and juniper. Oakbrush destructively ut il i ze d . Range retrogressive as far as browse is concerned. Deer heavily concentrated. No explanation of reason for concentration was seen. Upper Arkansas Area No.1 River drainage. - Poncha Creek to and including Chalk Creek. Type of Range: Steep slopes. Southern exposure heavy growth of mountain mahogany. covered with �- 54 Summarization of Utilization: UtilizatiGIY-sp-otted'. Seve re utilIzation on key browse pI-ants in the Poncha Pass':';cand.South Fork of the Arkansas River drainages. Over-all utilization proper. Area No.2 - North and Middle Cottonwood Creek Drainages. Browse line approaching on pinon pine and juniper. Mountain Mahogany and serviceberry showing proper to destructive use. Range retrogressive. Area No.3 - Harvard, Wapaca, and Morris Creeks (Area not checked) Area No.4 - Four Mile Creek, Bassam Park. Type of Range: Seven Mile Creek, Trout Creek, and Pinon-juniper General depcription of use: Considerable competition between domestic llvestock and deer has existed in the past to such an extent that the presence of game keeps reproduction at a low ebb. Pres'ent use on key range plants is severe. Soil erosion is prevalent throughout the area. Job 3 - Food Habits. Object: To find more accurately the food habits of deer and elk. Thirty-seven stomachs have been tak.en. Analysis are not complete at the time of this writing on the specimens from the Gunnison area, however, during the washing and screening of the stomachs from the Tomichi Creek drainage they appeared to contain a large amount of grass roots and soil. STOMACH ANALYSIS FROM THE A~KANSAS DRAINAGE Date: April 4, 1949 Location: Four Mile Creek Sample No. 35 (Comparisons were made by volume) 60% pinon pine (Pinus edulis) 380/0 fringed sage (Artemisla frigida) 1.60/0 mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus spp) .4% ribes, grasses and miscellaneous Condition of animal: Excellent Date: April 5, 1949 Location: Middle Cottonwood Creek �- 55 - Sample No. 36 52% pinon pine (Pinus edulis) and ponderosa pine (Pinus·-ponderosa) 3310 yucca 14% mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus spp) 1% r ibe s , sedges and traces of other material Condition of animal: Very poor. Job 6 - Quadrat Study of range in utilization plots. Gunnison Area: Fence utilization plots have b.e-eriplanned for Dillon Gulch, Sapinero- West Gunnison trend, East River-Taylor River t.rend=ne ar Forest Service sign and Tomichi Creek area. Work will begin by July 1, 1949. Arkansas Area: Fenced utilization Cottonwood and Trout Creek. IV. Mortality Factors plots will be finished on Middle Affecting Deer and Elk Herds Job 3 Title: Study of other mortality factors--winter -parasites, highway and railroad mortality. Object: To determine loss, starvation, disease, the Ios s . of deer by various decimating fae to r s . .Techniques used: The cooperative plan with Dr. Wilford Olsen of the Colorado A. & M. College, for the purpose of making a study of parasites and diseases of deer and elk. Time has not permitted a complete check of material gathered. Winter loss was approximated by the following methods. 1. Sex ratio and population study areas were used for study 2. Sex ratio checks in the fall were compared with those taken after winter loss was completed. 3. Fawn and adult ratio checks in the fall were compared with those taken after winter loss was completed 4. Population checks for nine sub-drainages were t ake n at the beginning of the winter concentration periods and. afte r winter loss. Percentages of error for this work are not known. A few dying and freshly dead deer were reported June in the Lake Fork drainage. the first week in Los s was as follows: lola - Sapinero trend 6% bucks, 4% does, 5510 fawns. Loss on all deer in the area was app r oxiznate Iy 2310. �- 56 Taylor River-Almont Ar-ea 9% adults 4~'10 fawns , Loss on all deer in the area was approxim~tely 19%. Tomichi Creek Drainage 8% adults 42'10 fawns. Loss on all deer was approximately 18% of the herd. (Approximation was based on 926 deer) Winter loss in the Gunnison area was approximately total herd. Front III. Range of the Rockies Forage 19% of the -- Gordon A. Douglas and Range Utilization Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Use. Poudr-e Canyon: On the upper Poudre plot, big sagebrush i s the most abundant browse plant. Utilization: Proper to s-evere; vigor fair; some reproduction, and evidence of much death loss. Current is the s-econd most evident browse p'Iant, and -is thriving under moderate use. Brtte r-br-ush, the most utilized plant, being more palatable, is receiving severe· to destructive utilization. e A branch of one of these plants was tagged in the winter of and the total length of growth and numbe-r-of stEfIXlsabove the tag recorded. On checking this branch three and-one-shalf years later, the number of stems had increased fr ern seven to s ixte en , but the total length had dropped from 25 inGhes- to 1-2inches. This decrease was caused by the death of the' termirral"'b:r'a!D:ch-e-s-, which is a common occurrence in bitterbrush of this area •. Six other plants, including another b itte rb ruah, two- sagebr-uah, __ :anG4;W10 currant, showed an increase both in number of stems, and in their total length. 1945-1946, The lower plot in the Poudre showed signs of he avy.iaumrne r use by cattle, and proper to severe utilization of current growth of big sagebrush and bitter brush. Currant showed rnode r ate use. Conclusions: Poudre Canyon Plots, bitterbrush - trend downward; I otlier' pnncipal browse plants holding their own or gaining against present browsing. Clear Creek: Lower Clear Creek Plot. One year ago, this plot showed hght to moderate utilization of mountain mahogany. An observation on May 26, 1949, showed the utilization of that species to be severe to destructive. It is most palatable, and bears the brunt of the deer use in the vicinity. Currant showed light use on this plot. A, r-e.ver s.aI of trend has taken place. It is now downward. See Figure 1, which is a photograph showing the contrast between the vigor of mountain mahogany and currant. �- 57 - Upper Clear Creek Plota The trend of this -plot-is downwae-d, as last year, when utilization was rated severe-on ma-hoga-ny,:'pTope-r on currant. This year, currant remains unchanged·,;-while\;m,ahoganY shows severe to destructive utilization. - The onlyirrdi:pations of domestic siock use were signs of a few horses- -on-the,flat,grassiand below the plot. _",Chicago Creek Plots: These plots show severe t.o destructive' utilization of currant, which deer seem to shun in other Ioc al.i.ti.es-, Mountain mahogany shows destructive use. Fresh trampling- has .cut up the' sho-rt-grass -sed, and fresh deer tracks -ar-e nurne r-ous , Soda Greek Plots: The lower plot shows very little use by game or dome-s-tic stock. It is on an east exposure which is not tY]lical deer deer winter range. The mountain mahogany plants show recovery from a severely hedged condition, similar to that of Chicago Greek at present. This damage occurred several yea-rs ago. --S~e Figu:re 2 which is a photograph showing the r-ecovee-y of a -typical" mountain mahogany plant from a hedged condiiion. The upper Soda Creek plot has now started on a downward trl'!nd, a reversal of last year's condition. Mountain mahogan~,-last year was used properly, but this year has had severe use. Bear Creek Plot: As last year, this plot shows destructive use of thimble-berry, severe to destructive use on curra-nt, .and proper to severe use of mountain mahogany. Tracks and sigIliS indicate heavy winter concentrations of elk, and year-long deer utilization. Conclusion: Clear Greek County and Jefferson County obae r-vat.iorrs Indlcate big game increases threaten the survival of the- principal browse plants. Park County Plot: This plot is located on a favoriie deer winter area. Signs of caitle and horses are very scattered. Most of the mountain mahogany on this plot is dead. The remainder shows_d~structive utilization, as does chokecherry, while thimble-berry and wild currant show moderate use. Browse trend is downward. Corley Mountain Plots: Trend upward. On the lower plot, browse and grass show light to rriod e r at;e use, and an upward trend. Hedging which formerly occurred has ceased to e xi s t , Probably it will recur in the near future if the size of the Pike's Peak Closed Area is not greaUy reduced in area. Hunting should De permitted on all except three specific areas; namely, Colorado Springs, Broadmoor area, and the specific improvements of the Colorado Springs water system. The upper plot shows proper to severe mahogany, light use of scrub oak. utilization, 01 mountain �- 58 Currant-C·r·e-e-kP-lo-ts-:.Trend downward. Plot Numbe-r -crre-had=negl.ig lb Ie lIve steck use last -year, and numer·ous-·t-racks·'indic-a;t€d"'thG£t;'deer still fed there' at time of examination on May'2-8'~"This is' yea'l"'7':!ong de e r range. Mountain rnahogarry-shows ;desU-creiive·us-e-;-"T'-himl1rle-berry and scrub oak, proper to severe' use ,-antt'ra1:rbi-tbrusk"severe use. Plot Number two should be permanently aba:ncl:0Red-;··as~it is separated only by a fence in poor repair from a large winter feed lot. Tracks and signs indicate heavy concentrations of both cattle and horses on the plot, and the browse has a squared-off aspect. Job 3 - Food Habits Studies 0 Testing of deer repellent mixtures. Expenmental spraymg of new alfalfa subject to deer browsing has been attempted, but conditions have been too variable to give a fail" test. Mr. Jack Welch of the Fish and Wildlife Ser-vice has two types of repellent mixtures that have been'tested.';ucces·s-fully in other states, principally on garden truck. He is-..ansei.eus to test them further in this state. IV. Mor-ta.l ity Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds. Job 2 - Predation Affecting Deer. An increasing number of dogs allowed to :run at large are killing deer for food . .A. mountain lion hunting party of three men and two dogs on leash was following the ridge west of Fall River in Clear Greek County last March 31, and came upon a track a:t-.firs-tbelieved to be that of a wolL After they followed it a short distance, -the leader saw two dogs, a large Pyrenees, and a smaller Airedale approaching, evidently to investigate the scent of other dogs. Aware from. tracks in the snow that the dogs were running deer, the leader fired at the white one, but his own dog tugged so hard at the leash, he was unable to hold his aim and missed. The dogs quickly disappeared in the rocky, timbered terrain. Soon the party came upon a deer carcass which was plainly the victim of the semi-wild dogs. they were identified as belonging to a man who lived less than two miles away. Though the west exposure of that ridge were bare of snow, there were deep drifts on the east, into which tracks showed the dogs had pursued deer Reports of dogs chasing deer have also come from Boulder Canyon. .e �Figure 1 Extreme contrast between mountain mahogany and wild currant. The latter, on both sides of the picture, is vigorous. Half dozen stunted and hedged plants of mahogany in center of picture. Figure 2 Typical mountain mahogany plant of the lower Soda Creek area showing recovery from former hedged condition. Assurance that plants now destructively utilized will have a change to recover in this manner is essential to their survival as well as that of the deer. �- 59 - Subrrrit+ed by: . Name Title Laurence Approved by: E .. Riordan Wildlife Technician COLORADO GAME AND FISH DEP'l\RTMENT V ----------------------------By __ ~~'~.~----' .. '---.. _. ----:---- Title C. N. Feast, Director ----------------~--------------Date July 26, 1949 ----------~--~-----------------Note: Persons wishing to- quote from this abstract should first from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. obtain. permission ��- 61 - STATE. __ ... _COLORADO PROJECT' NQ~'- 39-R-2 DATE QUARTERLY V E Y SAN SUR PROGRESS DIN I G A.cT .:1 0 N S by F,EDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORArION 1. Title of Project: Wild Turkey Surveys 2. Leader: 3. Report of progress: 1949 REPORT ~ V EST As Required July, ------~~~-------- ACT and Investigations. Martin L. Burget Survival Checks: Due to much heavy and late snow, chec king.was, ..,held·_ha-Gk,;somewhat during the present quarter. Considerable detai)_.11JldeT:~r,qjec;t52-M, (State Turkey Ranch) also held up some .oithe c4~~};ing YV0'rk. Our checks for the quarter consisted of sur.v:ivaLche.cks on such areas as we could reach on foot and ho.r.seb ac.k;.. Natural)y', due to the late winter storms, survival was uppe rrnos t.Ln-our.urrind s , Consistent checks on known roosts as far back as we could-esea.eh has re ••. vealed the fact that losses have been extremely Iow, _So fey-, in field checks, not a single dead turkey has been reporte.d or obse r-ved , A Mr. Denney in the Cherry Creek section, we.st of Hesperus, reported that he found a turkey last fall so thin arid weak he. was able to catch it by hand. His examination showed the bird was. inf~stect with large, grey body Ike. .' ,We have had several reports from the above area.on .s.ick tUrkeys, both domestic and wild. We tried for more than a rnorrthLas't £&11 to isolate one of these birds for obse-rvation and po.as.ible.pc at-cmoz-terri and were unable to get one. Post-mortem on .thr.ee. tu:£keys picked up some years back revealed three d.iffer errt causes of de ath , One had pulo rum disease. A second died of tube r culo s.is •. .T'he, third died of a skull fr-actur-e , Whether this last was c aus edby pr.edato r birds or self-inflicted is not known. Examination of many. lllrdsl-at trapping time has never shown any external parisites 0 " • '. , �- 62 Checking on survival has been limited to west-ern s-1:e~-a-r~s. Because of late storms, it was felt these areas :s-ha-uld-ha::ve 'fi-rs-iJ-a=bten,t.i on, One significant fact has been noted this yea-r-~··In-t-he-'fr;ll: of 1948 a considerable movement to the south wa.s-ebe es-ved-at-bae State- Turkey Ranch and other areas west of the Continental Ddv-ide-,,·This--s-pring, the reverse movement showed clearly. In late Febxua~-y,:-c7,tun.:k~ys-we r e seen working away from the Turkey Ranch. They ne:ve-r'c-ea'tpe ba~k~ In May, a report was received of some 25 birds·thaLmov..eel;~>iatoan area the first week of March. This area is 7 miles northwe:-s-:bef.:--t:n.e Ranch. During the trapping season, a number of birds were tr~;\ banded, and released. Several of the birds moving into the P-ied:r'~aiXea-,-had bands. Thus, positive identification of the flock and_its:mav-~rnent was established. I • As the checking work progressed, the observations ai~d r-epor-ts indicated smaller flocks with a much wider distribution. than, before. This scattering was due to the heavy winter. The tur.keYs.s,hroke...up into smaller flocks and moved considerably in s e ar ch-of-food, This movement will add materially to turkey development. It-is,.,<!es-irable that turkey f~~ks be kept small and widely distrihutech,.ln;tliis way-, the areas will become completely filled and the ne. is-le,s&.-chance, for disease to spread due to starvation factors. . .... i All of the areas checked thus far, with the exc ept.ion. of two, show a positive up-swing over reports of one year ,ag_o.. 'Ehe. a~pv;e areas showed a shor-tage of food and this may be __ th.e z-e.a.s.anfor:.:t4e turkeys leaving these areas. The two areas showing a s-hift-inp.oprrla:ti,;-on e errte r were as fol.Iowa. 1, The Indian Creek and Sawmill Gan~en~s:e~ion south of Dur.ang.o.;and 2.,-.The Hermosa sec.ti.cn.noarth.of Durang;0., ..: There is very. heavyvcornpet it'ion for staple foods. in.hath of'.the se a;p~:~ by deer. Food is abundant northwest of area 1, and_tur.ke.ys._ar,a_xeported in this this area known as Ridges Basin. In the Hermosa_;area,,·:qirqs have moved both east and west. '. Food: It is a.Lrttl.e early to determine actual food.rva.Iue.s., __:W:eathex, of course, plays an important part in food de.ve.Ioprrient.i. A weather chart follows, showing actual weather facto.rs._thus::far.Jtbis season. Inches Moisture: March April May 15 - 31, 1949 1 - 3D, 1949 1 - 31. 1949 1 - 15, 1949 June Temperature: Low temperature follows: from March March 15 - 11 degrees March 18 - 17 degrees March 26 - 19 degrees .88 1.25 3.05 ~14 15 to March 3Lo.c.curxed as �- 63 March March 27 - 14 degrees 31 - 17 degrees Low temperatures from April 1 to Apri13Q..:included: April 4 - 24 degrees April 5 - 20 degrees Temperatures below freezing 1 - 24 degrees 2 - 28 degrees 3 - 31 degrees 7 - 27 degrees May May May May May 8 - 25 deg r e e s May 9 - 29 degrees I . In June fr-o.st occurred occu.rred in .Ma.y;~ £Gll~ws: May 19 - 30 degrees May 20 - 2.7 degrees May 21 - 3) degrees May 2.2..,,=,,,,3·0 degrees May 23 - 30 degrees May 30 - 31 degr;ees twice ear.ly in tp.e month. June 2..":,!. 2.7 degrees June 3 -:-31 degrees In spite of these unseasonable temp.eratw:.es._.eax.J¥"llioemj,:pgs};H~ubs are s.howing good prospective food crop.s. N€)-·:dauht".tll~9:~~ijl:ipnal moisture this season has had some bearing- on. this: cr.()p;,p-~os-pect. Skunk berry, Rhus trilobata, is setting on heavily.·m m-t)s.t··l:U'~.as. A graduate student at the Colorado A. & M. Golle·ge.-··a:t....,..Ef,. Collins, Mr .. Donald M. Hoffman, has been doing some fine work in a;:.-fcpod. study project on wild turkeys. This has been ..carxied on.,UI}:derthe Wildlife Cooperative Unit. He made a complete food a:+.1-aly&i~ on six craws furnished by the author. Mr. Hoffman.Lsc.nose.our- reg1;llar .assistant on field checking work. A chart on the ana,1~.covering this study is on the following page. These craws came from three areas and were gatbered.4uring the months of December and January. Four of the birds..h..at:L~:~ll'poached. One was a transportation fatality and the sixth was a.r..~ fai;Mity. Several interesting facts were gathered in this study ... TJl.e.turkeys had eaten 22 varieties of seeds and vegetable foods. T.here. were four items of animal rnatte r ; It is surprising indeed to Hnd.iany animal . matter in a turkeys craw at this. season of the year. '. :predators: Predator relationship r.emafn.a.Low.. Only .one. coyote ..tr.~ has been s e en: up to date in this. check .. The.r,e a:r.e~:B--:feVl.J)j).h.:c.at t~~k&.Jin the Turkey Rancb.ia.r ea., E:v:en_.eagle~.a.nd,.-Q.w~: I?'e:~_tp..ll.e..c.ru:¥:entr~ted in s.maller numbers this season.' , �COMPILED DATA - 6 Crops - Crop Analysis Food Material Wt. (Grams) (Vol. (co co) Plant Matterg Agosis spp. (mountain dandelion) 026 049 Agropyron sppo (wheatgrass) 003 •. 05 Arctostaphylos uvi=ursi (kinnikinnick) 1019 2019 2021 Avena sativa (oat) 4,,07 Bromus marginatus (mountain brome) 036 067 2000 Equisetum spp , 1'horsetai1) 3067 Hordeum vulgare (barley) 3 •• 28 6003 Lappu1a diffusa (stickseed) 010 018 Ph1eum spp. (timothy) 002 004 Pinus edulus (pinon pine) 016 .29 Poa.9-spp. (bluegrass) 1071 •. 93 Prunus demissa (chokecherry) 006 .11 Quercus alba sppo (white oak) 18.15 9089 Rosa spp:-tr'ose) 032 .59 •. 06 Stipa spp. (need1egrass) 011 12.24 Symphoricarpus racemosus (snowberry) 22.47 Tr. Trifolium repen( (white clover) Trifolium spp. clover) 18024 9.93 Triticum aestivum (wheat) 51.92 95033 Grass leaves 4055 8035 Tr. Unidentified grass hulls = Unidentified leaves 041 075 Unidentified seeds .03 005 Animal Matter 001 001 Ants .01 Beetles 001 .01 Feathers 001 Grasshoppers .01 .01 001 .01 .SEiders TOTALS 10000 183.59 Other Food Itemsg Gravel 33088 99097 Wood 001 .03 m om 100.00 ----TOTALS 33.09 --.-------~-~----~-Crop 1 = 12/19/48 = SegundoJ Crop 2 = 1/8/49 = Mancos,-Crop 3 = 12/12/48 - Monument, Crop 4 = l2/l4/L~8 = Monument, Crop .5 = 12/30/48 - Segundo, Crop 6 = 12/30/48 Segundo - Crops in Which Found 1~3,,4.95 3 1,,3.94,96 1.95 1.95 3.94 1.95 1.115 3 2 293.11495 4.96 3,94J15.96 596 1.13 1.9394 1 1,93.94,95 1,92,95 1.93,,4,,5,,6 3,,4 4 1 1 3 1.92,,3.94,,5,,6 2 ;;;== -~--.-~----.-.- .. ---.~----------~-- -.--~- o- ~ I �- 65 Broods: The season is early for brood observation. .Bz.ood.No, L was"observed at.fhe Turkey Ranchfhe last. we.e.k.oLMay:_with.thir_te.enpoults. Two nests were reperted:'comaining- nineteenand..£o.urteen· e-ggs:,,'l'espe€'l:iv:el-y. 'Both herrs- hatched I qOo/i1 •. The -sur-vi.valof.rthes.e 'poults has. not yet been determined. Two additional hens with broods have- been obse-rveaatAh-e-Tfl:r-~~Y Ranch, but the broods could not be counted. One was observed·hovering her brood in a storm, and the other was observed working into::deep unde r brush. She was soon lost to view • ». .Transplanting Sites: No work has been done on transplanting sites as..y-et.. It was-thQught best to complete work on survival checks on poss.ible hunt.i:;ngareas before making a study of transplanting sites. Submitted by: N-ame Title Martin L. Burget Approved by: COLORADO GAME ..ANLL.E:LShld),EP*RTMENT Wildlife Technician --------------------------~---Title Date Note: C. N. .F'e.aat.,Director --------~~----~~--~------------- August; 8 > .,1949 Persons wis.hing to. quote from this abstract. sho.uld..£,ir.s.LQht.ain.,.~rmission .from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. ��- 67 - ST--A±:E, GOLG~O ----~--~--------- PROJEG,T NQ. DATE R T E R L Y QUA SURVEYS PRO AND G RES S 40-R-2 -~----......;'"- July, 1949 ------~~~~------ R ,E f? 0 R T INVESTIGATIONS As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Antelope Surveys and Investigation 2. Leader: Robert R. Elliott 3. Report of Progress: Title of Job: Population and Trend Counts 0 Objectives: To obtain the number of antelope in rriajoz- herd areas .and trend areas t.hroughout the State. Time: Aerial counts were made from January 17 through",J.anuary. 21, 1949. Count.s from the ground are always made whenever in a, t:r;end area. Pe r-sonne.l: Kenneth B. Milyard, Pilot; Terrell B. Quick,.Observer. Techniques Used: Inasmuch as the project leader wa-s- con.cerned with trapping operations and damage complain.ts during. the time the survey was conducted, Technician Quick was instructed to serve as-ob ae rve r in making the count. Pilot Milyard was familiar with all the·herd areas and employed the usual standard search pattern, while. covering them. The heavy snowstorms during the early. part of Fanuany.fac il.rtated counting antelope from the air, particularly because they'hp.d banded together in larger herds and the snow cover made them e a.s.ie r to see from directly above. Conditions were much more favorable than those last year when the count was made in April. The results b ea r' this out in most instances, as may be seen from Table II, which shows a comparison of annual population counts by area for three years. Analysis and Recommendations: Examination of the data conta.ined in Table II may lead one to think that there is nothing significant shown, but something of the circumstances must be known about each ye ar+s count. For exarnp le-, the 1948 count was made ill'April,·-wher·eas,the �- 68 counting was accomplished during J'anua.ny.Ln 1947 anLiL.,1949-.That explains, fo r the most part, the appar-ent-decrea-&e·,in p:trp:c:t1ationfor 1948 cornpa.ned with 1947. Actually, .a-c.orrrpe-r-i.s-en 'b:etw~·194-7. and _ 1949 would be more accurate. ' Taking each area separately, the difference in figur.e& for' the" Golo:r,-ado Antelope Refuge is due to movement of the ante lope acroS&·til:reiWyo.m.ingColorado boundary. The same is true for the north~a:s-:t;e-:r1): bQl\der herds and the Moffat County herds. Just one snows te r m ma.y'.rnake ..~differ~nce . of severaL·hundred i.n the count rnade- during ..OLl:~ da¥,.< Th..ed:rlie:a:,{,:(j)-f·c.0ur s e ,. to . i s to count the sa-me a.r.ea at exactly the .s.ame ..time.eaep.~~<;Ep;':j:n'bFde:l". get a· ·us·able tre-nd.· Many- cornpl ic at.iona-erste-r- inte·-±hi:&..&&:Hla&t;pe recognized, and management must be flexible. enoughto .t~,p.q:;E~·of.eent-ingencies. There is a definite increase of antelope. in.the.Dickins£m.Remg,e,and,;the Black Squirrel Creek-Chico Basin areas..· Both.of these herds could stand reduction by limited hunting, and recommendations.ha~·.heeyl.·made to .thaf effect. There is a reasonable increase in the antelope popula,tillnAhroughout the State" notwithstanding the limited range available-t(),themfor rrrhab i> t.at.i.on , and the most sound method for handling .this surpihus. from a management viewpoint, is a controlled hunting season. TABLE I ANTELOPE POPULATION AND TREND COUNT January 17-21, 1949 Aerial Area Colorado Arrte Iope Refuge Highway 87 to Highway 85 Highway 85 to Grover Gr-over to Nebraska line West of Wiggins D'ic kirrs orr Refuge and North of Limon South Park . . Black Squirrel Creek and Chico Basin Tota:1 . Note: Nurnb e r ·693 83 297 17 81 591 282 1078 3122 191 antelope were counted south of the Colorado Antelope Refuge just a few days prior to+the aerial count, and they s.hould be added to' the total. . �- 69 TABLE II COMPARISONS OF ANTELOPE COUNTS FOR THREE- YEAij. PERIOD Area Colorado Antelope Refuge NE.BorCler Herds Dickinson Refuge & Vicinity Black Squirrel Creek Moffat Qolinty 548 21-9 230. 534 241 2512-. 1772 693 478 591 10.78 543 3383 In Moffat County for 1949, the 543 were not all resident. Submitted by: Name Robert Title 194.9. 10.0.7 179 369 957 Tota,ls Note: 1948 .1947 Approved by: R. Elliott ----------------------------Wildlife Technician C. N. Feast,. DireCtor Title Date August 9,d949 ----------~~--~-------------------- Note r. Persons wis.hing to quote from this abstract from the State Game and Fish Department. should -first obtain permission ��- 71 STATE CQLORA.,DO -----~------~----------- PROJEG·~ NO;" DATE QUARTERLY PROGRESS SUR DIN V E Y SAN V EST . July, 1949 REPORT I G A·T ION S As Required by FEDERAL AID.IN .WILDLIFE RESTORA:J;ION ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. Leaders: 3. Report Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Survey George W. Jones and Claude E.. White, J'r , of Progress: Title of Job: Population Trends and Life History.studies . ' . . During the week of April 11, a survey of'the Grestone..,Luia·Mp.ria Baca Grant' wint.er range was made,. whi.ch.wa.s.pr.epar.ai.-ar..y.,t.o; a;~t-:ho-rough study of summer range later. During the surrvey; all,po&Soie:lewinrer ranges, from Crestone to Sand Creek on the northern ..edge ofthe- great sand dunes, were worked and covered on foot; The. Fattex.p:,foJ,L.owed consisted of hiking up each gulch to snow line ami &helfing-the hillsides looking for sheep or signs of winter occupancy. The only shee-p'iound were in Pole Gulch jus t north of Sand Creek. Six. she.ep~J:o,ur..narns , and two ewes were located at snow line. No recent sign:was.found far-the r down on Pole Gulch winter range. As so few of the actual population of the Needles herd ..ane.dnhab Itirig the normal winter range, the previously reported the()r..y that:~;hese sheep are ranging higher than is considered normal is proven ... In gezre r al , the sheep winter ranges of this area are in poor condition., ,Utilization of all types of forage may be classed as severe to destructive. This is because most of the main gulches are used as stockdriveways for .domestic cattle and sheep .. This has had little effect on the de e r herds whose physical condition may be classed as good .to excellent. Poaching is a factor in the more isolated canyons. The, hide of a young ram was found in Pole Gulch, which had pr.obab.ly h.e.enkilled during the early part of the winter. The hide and other evidence. as..c.ould be found was.turned over to District Chief Warden Earl Downe.r...who.began an immediate_investigation~ �- 72 Title of Job: Spring Lambing Survey. Cotopaxi: The first lamb of 1949 was reported and located on May 1, just north of Cotopaxi on the Arkansas Rivero This is the·ea=rliest recorded lamb in 5 years of investigations. The fi.r st, Iamb-Located in this. area in the spring of 1948 was on May .10~ D.e.s:pite.i~proved moisture conditions, range conditions in 'th.is area:-:.h:a:~':I!£it·'improved. Georgetown: The survey of the Georgetown herd was made. ... d.uring ..the ..first week in Mayo At this time a total of 31 sheep waa.Loc ated.fzorn .Ernpi.r e to Silverplume. On May 3, 1 lamb was located with 2 matRr~ ewes and 1 two year old ram. They were approximately h.L/2:.mH:~s. wes t of Silverplume. Poudre: The small transplanted herd on the Cache La Eoud.:r.e!liver~had not been located as of the middle of Mayo A sight.r~ec.oxp.by local residents placed part of the herd at Columbine, 25. miles down the river from Home. This is the first time since their re;le-ae:ethat; the Poudre herd have wandered from a given boundary" ar.b~tr~:r:ily placed at the Arrowhead Lodge. It will make the location of this-~rd'"!r.xtremely hard until the breeding season this fall. Tarryall and adjacent areas: The higher timberline areas in the Tarryalls ar-acove r ed by a series of late spring snows. This factor, plus a.s.e,ries: o'fpradically continuous June rains have caused the ewes to lamb at-a.Lowez- altitude than is normal. On May 8, thi:r'teen ewes and four lambs were ob.s.e.nved,on lower Hay Creek, east of the Gold Williams Ranch and OIL lv1a..y-.:?-4'tone lamb was observed between the road and the creek atOva1...:t:!l.c.Ji-,.:~,1:0SS from the rnouzh of Hay Creek. This is the first time a nevdy)).O::J,:":!hJamb. was observed along the road, far from normallamhing ..gT.-O.l.l.ndf': ..•,:y.Qp June 11, seven ewes and five lambs were found in the are.asux..r.o:unding the head of Sand Gr-eek , . Heavy rains since the first of June have imped.ed_px.o..gr,essin the search for lambs and it is believed to have de Laye d.,1~ in some areas in the Tarryall. In any .ca s e , the nor-ma.Ll.amlaing.pafte rn in the Ta-rryalls has changed completely (Figure 1) '.r 0 �Figure 1 Panoramic view of a primary lambing area in the Tarryalls. The area above the line may be considered normal lambing ground. Much of the lambing this year is below this line. �- 73 - The survey in the Tarryalls will be carried on through: July with particular emphasis on the last half of June in an, effort to locate the new lambing areas brought about by the poor,weather"'C'Emditir,;ms. Up to the middle of June ewes and rams both were .Iocate-d thro~ghout the Tarryall winter range up to timberline. Heavy'ewes~-We-r~observed along Tarryall Creek from Sand Greek to the Tarxyall ..River Ranch. In previous years the focal point for lambing was ··X'~ Reck at the head of Sand Creek. As of June 11, the majo.r.ity,oL1..am:hs--',aRci: cori-i centr.ations of ewes have been found north and east of. tp,e,,'Gf.')ld WilUa;m's Ranch., However, with the advent of clear warm we athe-n-the pa.tte r-n should again assume normal lines. On May 27 the first damage complaint ever filed agai.nsf, Bighorn sheep was registered by the Lazy River Ranch in the Tanry'all River Valley. The complaint indicated the destruction of fences said to have occured early in the spring. However, upon investigation it was said fence destruction was a natural degeneration from lack of care in past years ~ Geneva Creek and Collegiate Peaks: On May 17, one lamb was discovered at the he adccf. Three Mile at snow line. In some herds this might be considered ahnorIT),ally high altitude, howe ve r , the topography here renders. .it. normaL for the Geneva herd. A survey of both Chalk and Cottonwood Greeks r-eve-al-edmany ewes and rams feeding on young green grass in the valley bottoms. As of May 17, no lambs were present on either of these drainages. Submitted by: Approved by: Name : ' -..George W" Jones and COLORADO GAME,..AND,_F.l:SH._;D.E:E:AR TMENT Claude'; E..-: Whit'e, 'Jr. ,Title Wildlife T'echnicians Title G. N~F'e a.s.t. Drr-e ctoz- ------~----~--~----._-----------------Au.g.4~ ~1949 ------------~~~--~~--------------- Dat.e.._ Note : Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should,first: from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. 11, obtain,:p,~rmission ��- 75 - STATE .." COLORADO PROJEGT N~.' DATE. QUARTERLY PROGRESS S9-D --~---- . JUly; 1949 REPORT DEVELOPMENT As Required by FEDERAL AID.lN ..WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT ,'.- 1. Title of Project: Wildlife Habitat Improvement 2. Leader: 3. Repor-t of Progress: Program Glenn Kinghorn Game Cover Development: Inspections of existing shelterbelts in Easte.rn.Colorado.following winter storms showed both good and bad. fe.atnz.e.s.io.Lddffer.errt. species of trees and shrubs as cover plants •. It was evident, howeve-r, .that-pl.anbirigs could not he designed to protect game completely from' aueh-s-eve-r.e storms. (Special report and illustrations submitted). Since most areas in Colorado needing cover plantings;a:!!.e.within the 11 to 16 inch rainfall belts, results. of studies at..the ,Akr.on~eriment Station and the Cheyenne Horticultural Field Statdon.wez-e.drnpoz-tant sources of information as to adaptability. Securing suitable planting stock was a problem. The SoiLConservation Service had limited amounts of a few kinds. Colorado. .nur-ser ie s , not having a demand for such material in quantity,.'co~ld:notsupply department needs. R. E. Ford, in charge of the Clarke.,..McNaxy program in Colorado, supplied fair quantities of several species, most of which were grown in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas . .The p irie was secured from the Forest Service nursery at Monume.nt ; Colorado. Recommendations as to desirable equipment varied widely. It was decided to "go easy" the first year--in fac t.f.he whole program this season has been quite largely by trial and e r ro.r., .One...mediumsized Allis-Chalmers tractor was purchased and one wa.s,rented. While they were satisfactory on the "harder" s oil s..Lhe.yd.idmot have, the �- 76 traction for preparing and planting the sandier types of se il,s-, In many cases, however, farmers were so anxious -to get -the sheltel"helts· sia'1'ted that they not only pr-epa r-ed the land ·but pul.l.ed the·-tree-pla-.n:-teT'~with··their own equipment. This provided a wonderful chance- to see-·mai1lY' krrrd-sof tractors in operation under varied conditions. Two low, four-wheeled trailers were purchased. to haul-thetraetors, disc, plow, planter, etc. After 10 days use they had to be returned to the manufacturer for reinforcing. The Lowther tree planter was finally selected for tdaLthis year. It proved very adaptable for most kinds of s.eed.Ling s., Mr. Lowther recommended the 2-inch throat but it is believed that..a 4-.t.-imch throat would be better. It would not only handle the two-year seet#ings with large root systems to better advantage but planter's knue kl.e-swould not be ··barked" so easily on a wider t.hroat. Housing and subsistence for the planting crew were given very careful consideration. A 3-week search for a house trailer-that could be rented proved fruitless. Finally, one was pur-cha.s.ed.Enorna sa-ilor at considerable saving to the department, after he had. us-ed it but a few weeks. This trailer was used as the cook-,shack,c.dining:';l;'oom, and housing for 3 to 4 crew rne mbe r s., One of the crewrnen.fuEnished·his own small trailer and other members of the crew. slept,.in a:l9irge truck which was also used for hauling trees, suppl.ie.s.,..etc., This,wcis.;'borrowed from the Antelope Surveys and Investigations Section. Two half-ton pickup trucks were equipped wifh ele.ct.r..ic-brake controls for hauling the low trailers They were too light for all except hard-surfaced roads. An employee's jeep, e arne in ha.nd.y severaltimes in sandy territory where. the .pickupa. could no.t·ope1"ateo 0 Planting: After .5 weeks delay in assembling planting materiaLs_.and.,~quipment, the crew •"hit the road" for Springfield in the ext.cerne, s.a.u~~~9tern part of the State on April 24. During the next. 4.5. d.a:y.s ..ther,e w.-e1"e: hut parts of 21 da.ys suitable for planting AbnormaJJ.y.hea.vy:ra:in.S:,.mov.iD.g,equipment to new locations. repairing equiprnerrt, .or. haulfng, plau,ti.ngo·.s;tQ..~:fromthe storage cellar in Fort Gollins--all contrihuted.to, the SIQWIi.0WR, of actual planting. 0 It must be said for the planting crew, however. thaLw.hen ... good weather did come all members were willing to work long hours. to .make up for lost time. During those 21 days, 106,625 trees and shrubs we.re pl.anted on 39 . different plots in four counties. Twenty different sp.e.cie..swe/re used-fair quantities of 11 kinds, and test samples of9 more. (See .tab le s I and II. �- 77 - Table I April 27 28 May 3 10 11 11-12 12-14 14=15 18-19 23 24-25 26-28 28 June 1 2 Noo Plantings 400 3 2':)707 7~0 8.0 2000 1000 705 130-0 1000 llo-5 5.0 502 29•• 0 2.5 1100 7•• 0 I 2 2 1 1 2 1 3 2 3 7 3 7 1 4,080 3.'1489 15:;225 8,200 6:1575 9:>270 7,800 7.,994 2,859 3,389 20,762 1,725 7:>540 5,.1!010 150.7 39 106,9625 Place Name Dates Total Seedlings Planted Esto Acres R~ Me McMillin Lamar SoEo Coloo Lv •• Ass in•• Cole Kugel Platteville C",Lo Brattain Platteville Sam.Barclay Platteville Earl. Crissman Platteville Leroy Yount Platteville John Leonard Platteville Jennings Rowan Fleming Marvin Felzien Fleming Wendall Goff Fleming Sand Draw (43-L,)Holyoke Me Ko Shuler Sedgwick Mo Ko Shuler Sedgwick Arthur Co Eden Sterling Table 2 Species and Number Planted Species Number Planted Ponderosa pine Juniper-us scopulorum Austrian pine Colorado blue spruce Siberian (Chinese) elm Hackberry Native-plum Russian mulberry Russian olive Caragana arborescens Rhus trilobata (skunkbrush) Buf'faloberry Cottonwood Nanking cherTY (pro tomentosa) Wild Japo rose (Ro multiflora) Russian golden willow Honeylocust Matrimony vine Snownerry Woodbine 34,435 666 20 Species 24 12 13,589 1,144 11,,938 4,790 13~307 18~308 1,025 3:>855 1.c",S19 48 196 25 1,380 50 290:: 24 �- 78 - Several different patterns of planting were us.ed this. year in an effort to determine what may be best for va rdoue conditions Not as much low-growing material was available as de-sir-ed &0 s-paees in some plots were left for future planting. Care was-·e:x:ecreis-e4in selections of species according to te r-rito r-ie s-o-Le , , ca.rag-ana-~~~t planted close to bean-growing areas because it has been reporiedt0' he; an alternate host for the rednode disease of beans 0 0 .' Not anticipating such a late rainy spring and realizing,that, the planting season should have ended around May 15, seedlmgS"we:1J;"·e·pla·nted closer in the rows than ultimately desired for good sat'vival.·~n drought years. Recent inspections, howe ve r-, show that.a. much higher survival is in the mak.ing than expected, so it may be necessa:.t:y..to<t.):linsome . belis in a year or two. ~lantings at Sand Draw, property of the Department. (Rr.o-ject 43-L), s houl.d have special mention. Several species we ne planie<i,in groups along. the west side of the area and on sma11er.pl.E\.t'£c.he::t7i'le ..~tl "e IllEC ks s s of the p ropos ed lake--io provide dense thickets. .or..gr.Ocv'es· a.-p.d.tolend attractiveness to. the area in case it is ever opened. to xcesid~nts· of-:the community for picnic purposes Two 3-row cr.os&-field··belts .wer-e started as potential demonstrations to farmers of the a:l:'e&-:ef, the va Iue of such plantings, not only for snow traps but as:wildlife cove r . All irregular plantings around the possible h.igb.-wa.te.r; Lina.wes-e rriade to conform with an imaginary road which might he built. in,the>£uture and which, with the aid of two small bridges across necks -of ihe·lq:k_e,would give access to 20 or 25 picnic areas, each accomodating. from' 10 to perhaps 200 people, with suitable parking. spaces close by. 0 It was estimated that a total of 29 acres of the 2..40ac re s in the Sand Draw property were planted, using 20,762 tree a.nd shr-ub seedlings. If dreams materialize, Pine Hill (1565 ponderosa pine), the Russian mulberry (500 trees) and Native Plum, (708. p.larrts] thickets can all be approached by the Hackberry or Cottonwood Dz-ive s , Space was left in numerous places for more low planting.s .to .pxoYide..complete cover for wildlife. Problems Encountered: As expected, few plots were properly pr epaz-edfo r..pIarrti.ng this season but where soil-moisture conditions we.re s ui.tahl.e.fasrme r s were very willing to help in preparation. One man woz-ked,ur:ttA.¥~er midnight to prepare a 10-acre strip through the center of.his fteld so the crew could plant the next day. Only in a few plac.e.s.,..,.espe.cia-~lyazound potential ponds--did the crew take time to prepare plots , . It was very evident thai the success of future pl.anfings, will rest largely on the preparation of land the previous season andi.the placing of snow fence to provide moisture for reasonable survival. Lack �- 79 - of early moisture prevented planting as. planned.in ..the Lo..wer Arkansas Valley while too much late rain prevented ,as :ex.tens.:i:ve·pl~ing in the northeast as had been planned. . . As mentioned above, heavier tractors, pr.eferably:.oLthe crawler type,. will have to be secured if s at'i sfac.to.ny...work.is."t0 ...be-deere on over half the soils of eastern Colorado . . The large 2-ton truck borrowed from the.An.telop..e..Se.c'ti.on was partially insulated and roofed for hauling seedlings b:l!t,~\ev-e:rai-;;thousands of thern had to be thrown away because they heat.e.d a:nd.~deve-lop~d -var ious diseases. To prevent further losses, seedlings ... w:ere,hE3el-edAn/at each stop until planted or taken up for moving to another.locai-ion. Obvlous Ly this was a great extra expense and should be remedied beff1re:~~other . season. Lack of s uitab Ie species, especially the lower typ.es s->proved a handicap in designing the most desirable plantings. for. so.me plots, but ihis can be partially remedied another yeax, it is hoped. ;P,ersonnel: Personnel problems were not as great as might,hav:e,b.een·.expecied. One man took sick after the third week and .anothe.r. resigned. two weeks before the end of the t r ip , Thanks to the reg.ionaLhiolo.gJsi::;, and . especially ··Bud" Flinn and Bert Baker, planting..p,r.o.c,eidecl,o: as usua.l , All biologists helped greatly in selecting andleasin.g-,-.'plat~,; and-gave freely of their time while the planting crew was, iJJ.·tfl,ei:J; :t:yg.i9jJ_s. . The morale of the planting crew remained high. thxoug~ut>th.e season, in spite of bad weather, lost time, etc. This can ...b.eattrihut.e.d·tb a great extent to the good food and plenty of it at the cook s.hack-. aad:{to·the fact that al.l members were housed (even though ..some ?Jept~~.~,.:t,r·~ck) at. the the camp site. They worked and played .as a unit. Incidentally, the cost per meal for food amounted, ..t.o...53·•8 . .f~o.With the cost of 2lf per meal for the cook, the total p..e.r.day._w~iless than $2.25 per rrian-e--and the cost for housing was limit.ed,:tpt.c·ottfige-camp rental for a few nights to provide baths. for the crew 0 " PJans.,·fer NEPxt Season: Se ve r-a.Lc.harige s. and additions·in equipment ar_e..plan.n.epfor next s.eason--in fact for the surnrne r-c-If plots are ...to.he.,p.x.eF~ecLJor spring planting. 'I'he s e changes have be..en.t.Qllche.d,..up_Qn...ah.Q::v.:~:_!l..llt:~w~ll be discussed more. in detail in another report. �- 80 - Arrangements have been made with several Golorad€Lnur~rymen to grow good l.y s uppl.i.es of some kinds of trees for nex;Lse-asen:;"and more progress is hoped for in 'th.is field before fall, &0 thfft'=the:two'-year plants may be more abundant by 1951. Sources of seed from adapted trees and shrubs ar.e. being sought and watched. It is planned to gather as much as needed ..fo.r p1¥lti;ng this . fall and-riext sp r ing , with possibly some c a.r-r'y-ove.r- in theyca s-e .of hit-and -mis s varietie s . Since federal-aid funds can now be used to produce pla::JJ;i-ing..materials, pr-elinniriar-y plans have been made to establish a.nurs:e<rcya-~"'tJre-~,tama:rack Ranch to p roduc e trees and shrubs requiring more, than,:.Qn.et>£~byear to grow to transplanting size. Had litigation notrinte nfee-ed-,'$enTe:'plant~ngs might have be en made there this spring. " An inspection of ,this season's plantings the middle, 0.£ .June " with a s.ide trip to the Ranch, developed the fact,. ho'w.ev.:et,that,,-(~11·butthe southwe st s e ct.i.orr.of the meadow is subject to flooding, S,0,it is; well no pl.ant ing s were made on the cultivated area we sd.of-the r~ch buildings. That area had been flooded a day or two pce.vi.ous-ly; a-Ela',:numexous stagnant pools of water were still visible. Two samples of the water from the wells at the ran.ch ..house were tested by the Colorado Experiment Station chemist, and P:t:9ved to be exceptionally good for that area. The B. coli test was negative and the reaction showed 7.3 pH. See Table III' Checking with the irrigation engineers at the college .•.Ltwas found that this. water is probably coming from a narrow layer of Foxhills 'Sandstone which underlies a strip of land along the aoufb.bank of the South Platte. The chemist reported that this water would be good for .hous ehol.d , livestock and irrigation uses. The problem, however', will be to find it in sufficient quantity for all purposes. It is, p.nopo.sed.rtocdz.i.Ll.xe s t wens at different places along the s.andhi.Il.s bordering, the rne.adows. at the Ranch, in an effort to locate a suitable unde.r-gzound..fl.ow, ,':rhe shallowwell water would undoubtedly run a much higher pH and, not. be ..ao valuable for any proposed uses. Three composite samples of Ranch soils were al.s.o submitted to the Experiment Station for testing. Lab, No. 234 sample, :was..t.a,ken about halfway down the road toward the ranch house-.".jllstche,l,(l.~:;Wherethe road runs down from the sandhills to the rne adows., SampJ...e. No. 233 was taken at the west end of the rne adow-o-a.Iong.rthe road....,~,andwas composed of samples from 6 or 8 spots, 3 oi. which, we.re.csouth of the meadow fence. No. 235 was composed of 6 samples takerrat varying places from the 93-acre field, formerly cultivated, jus.n.wesf of the ranch buildings. the area proposed for nursery development until the recent flood; �- 81 - TABLE III COMPARISON OF TAMARCK WATER VHTH FORT COLLINS CITY WA.TER Fort Collins City Water Supply (Excellent) Tot.al solids Volatile Matter (organic & H20) Organic matter Bacteria (Coli) Reaction (acid=alkaline) Bases CaO lime MgO - Magnesia Na20 = soda Few = Feio U = iron 1-i20 = lithium. Acids N03 = nitrates (toxic) Cl ~ chlorides (table salt) ees S03 = sulphat.es C02 = b~carbonates H2S = sulphides (toxic) Limit of good pota'7 ble water Tamarack Water House Corral 800 50 trace none 6•• 5 - 705pH 332 4 Light Slight Present Light Slight Present none none 200PPM 100PaI 25-75 PPM '05 PBvl trace none trace trace mostly none none 50 PPM 200 PPM 150 PPM none No Trace Light Most No No Light Most 45 PI'M* 20 trace none 605 - 705pH 10 6 * Parts per million 274 44 66 trace negative 703 trace 7"JpH Clear Clear ~~.~ Waters are graded ~ (1) excellent; (2) good; (3) fair; (4) safe; (5) ~~safe This water ahouLd be Good for household use" Good for livestock useo -.",.,-,.--Good for irrigationo Comment.se . Bct.hof these should be good waters for household use , irrigatioTI.I) and .livestocko The corral well seems to be even less mineralized than the house wello J 0 Wo Tobiska~, Chemi.sb, Pathology & Bacteriology Sectio~ �- 82 - Table IV is the laboratory sheet and the agronomist's ·r.eco-mmendations. He also said that an application of '150-0 to lOo.(l·-lh.of agricult}lral sulphur to any of these soils, with the use of irrigation watE;fT" such as' that in existing wells, would quickly remedy the high alkalinity and rna.ke them good nursery soils. A preliminary test showed Cillof these soils to run about 77% sand and 19% silt, classing them as lig-ht,s'a"E:dy loams. Officials of the Highline Electric Association (REA) frotp Sterling and Holyoke were contacted and said they were ready CjUl.d.,:~llling to provide power for any Ranch developments. If de ve.loprreent.s should be made near the western edge of the Ranch, .the .REA line::could be run eastward from the river crossing at the CondonJ1.an£.h,at~comp9-ratively small cost, they said. Experimental Work: At the start of this project it was realized that ..onl.y.a.Limated, amount of information is available as to trees and esp.e.cially..,low.~:l:tr.ul.j).s aci<%flted to the soil and low rainfall conditions of eastern. c.o~()raa:0:. Se.~ral·conferences were held with Dr. A. C. Hildreth, in.c~_g~ oL¢e USDA horticultural field stations in the Great Plains.. ar:,e.a:,-'.:a5.,,;v;re;-ll as with other horticulturists and agronomists acquainted;w:it:b..4iff~rent'phases of the problem. Dr. Hildreth offered to supply from five to perhapS:cas, many as fifteen or twenty plants each of a large number of.tr:e,es ~ shrubs, many of which are not common to the nursery tr.ade, f9-T testing at different sites in the regions to be covered, and e spec.ial.ly at one place where bird and small game reactions to such:~~ could be studied by biologists. At the same time it is pl.anned.rte,?!tu.d..y.;no.ethods of propagating likely looking plants so they may be g.r.own.Ln.quar:J:t£ties if desired. Part of these plants were ready for tra1:!.spl.an.ting: :l;11i5 spring but Dr. Hildreth agreed to hold them for another y.ear ..,..,.o:l" 'until they can be transplanted at a suitable location. A small quantity of seed and seedlings of two ve r-y p.norni.sing lowgrowing shrubs was imported from Canada this apz.ing., in coope r atd.on with Kroh Brothers Nursery at Loveland, where they hawe been planted pending further transplanting. Ten pounds of Sibe.rian,huckth.orn seed was also secured wrth rthe hope that this plant mig.ht.,prove.t<;>make a good •"livestock fence" such as rosa multiflora jap.onica.is doing in less-alkaline soils. �Figure 1 Ponderosa pines spaced 12 by 12 up to 16 by 16 feet, at the Cheyenne Horticultural Field Station, trapped great quantities of snow and gave good cover for birds, while adjacent areas with no cover were bare of snow within a day or two after the storms. �Figure 2 A stubblefield (right), plus junipers, Chinese elms, and ponderosa pines stopped enough snow to provide good moisture for the coming growing season, and also gave excellent protection for pheasants. This scene is near Peetz. �Figure 3 A small native plum thicket (at left) ••slowed up considerably" the heavy January snows at the Akron Experiment Station, and two rows of Ponderosa pine (left center) provided shelter for a large number of pheasants. �Figure 4 Eight and ten foot hedge rows of wild currants (right) piled up snow four feet deep in an orchard and vineyard north of Fleming--good moisture trap for plants, but not much protection for birds. �Figure 5 Three foot strips on the contour were prepared in a sandy pasture in the Lower Arkansas Valley, a plot which is mildly sub-irrigated. An artesian well is about 2,000 feet distant in case the planting needs irrigating during c drought season. Biologist Stiehm is driving the lead tractor. The soil was quite sandy so the tractors were driven in tandem to pull the planter. �· >.,' Figure 6 On the John Leonard farm east of Platteville a IOO-foot shelterbelt was planted on the north and west sides of a quarter section of very sandy soil. The wheat was not disturbed and all but adjoining rows will be left when the planting is cultivated so that a snow trap will cover the soil during the winter and aiso stop sand blowing. �Figure 7 Biologist "Bud" Flinn made his crow counts, reported for breakfast at 6:00 a.m., worked his fulllO or 11 hours on the tractor, and still had time to give "Charlie" his daily exercise. This planting borders a pasture south of Fleming, and is to be extended another half-mile .to the west next season. �Figure 8 This shows the planting crew making a typical planting beside a proposed pond.- Note the crested wheatgrass left between the rows. It is on the Wendall Goff place south of Fleming. Biologist Bob Kinghorn is serious about trying to keep the tractor on contour. �Figure 9 The soil at Sand Draw was quite sandy on the north and west, necessitating the use of tractors in tandem. This view--looking southeastward from the west road--should improve with the years for over 20,000 trees and shrubs were planted there this season. The arrow at the right points to the M. K. Shuler farmstead where the crew camped for a week. The arrow at the left points to "Pine Hill," a closer view of which is shown in Figure 1o. �Figure 10 Winding up the planting of "Pine Hill" on the southeast corner of the Sand Draw quarter section. The seedlings were planted from 3 to 4 feet apart on May 27 after the weather had turned very warm, and it was thought only a small percentage of them would survive. Heavy rains for two weeks following the planting seem to have brought a high percentage of them through. One biologist has already spoken for 1975 timber rights. �- 83 - TABLE IV LABORATORY Game & Fish Department GROWER Colorado ADDRESS Crook? Colorado DATE RECEIVED REPORT OF SOIL ANALYSIS*ANALYST Robert Co Accola DATE REPORTED :Marcy 9~ 1949 28,9 1949 February Percent Percent Soluble Organic Percent popomo Sa..L ts Ma tter Lime Pho spha t.es Lab 0 N,~ vo 233 Tamarack 1211tl 105 Ranch 8 .4 pop.ill Potassium ,.09 4••3 402 1104 301 450 0 234 \I\J 1211tl 802 002 0~99 Ooh 1000 2,,7 190 2.35 is 1216 .09 106 206 lio7 202 346 807 pas~ 800 233 800 REC~~NDATIONSg The pH on these samples is alkaline in reaction. There is not a significant accumulation of soluble salt in any of t.he.sampleso Sample 233 has a good organic matter content while sample 235 tends to be low in organic mattero Sample 234 is quite low in organic mattero The lime content is adequate on all samples. The nitrate tests are low on all samples while the phosphate and pobaaafum tests are adequate. Under irrigation t.hese sc.ils could be expected to respond to the application of barnyard manure and commercial phosphate fertilizero '* Analyses and z-ecomaendatd.cns Extension made in cooperation with the Experiment Service.\) and Soil Conservation Serviceo St,ation,? �- 84 Submitted by: Name --------~--~------------~ Title. ------------------~----------- Approved by: Gl.erm,Kinghorn Wildlife Technician By... Title Note: ~ ,·i ..·· , G.. .N~.~ea&t,. Dire-cto;r . Persons wishing to quote from this abstract. sho.uld.fir.st..ohtauLpermis,pion from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/5c2553c1a49149b27923295a1c155edf.pdf 719553fb2384e7f5b21b2fed2266f9d1 PDF Text Text STATE COLORADO ------~~~~----------- PROJECTS 35-n, 37-Rz 38-R, 40-R DATE QUA R T E R L Y PRO S I N V EST AND SURVEYS G RES O_c_to.:...b;...;e_rJ-!l;...;1;.;.: - REPORT I GAT ION S As required by FEDERAL AID I 1.. Title of Project~ 2.. Aeronautical WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT Progress Report on Aerial Work Leader~ Kenneth Be lvlilyard 30 Report of Progress: Period: July l~ 1948 through June 30, 19490 Personnel: Kenneth Bo Milyard, Aeronautical Technician Clyde P .•Mat.teson, Aeronautical Technician Purpose: To report in detail on each project which r-equi.redt.he use of Game and Fish Department aircraft. Also a detailed cost analysis of aircraft operation for each project concerned •• Scopeg During the past fiscal year a total of 667 hours and 10 minutes were flovVllby both aircraft, utilizing 211 flying days with an average of 3 hours and 10 minutes per day f'Lown , The Game and Fish Department's second airplane was put into service by mid-October, 1948, at which time the older airplane was given a complete overhaul" Our other pilot~ Clyde Po Matteson~ was then selected and was working by mid-December.. One airplane was stationed in Denver for work on the Eastern slope, and the other airplane was stationed at Grand Junction for work in Western Coloradoo Work accomplished, cost analysis3 and area involved is given for each project~ Operational Cost Analysis: The figures shown below are a breakdown of the operation cost for 'each airplane and represent the cost per time flown. These figures include the following data: �- 2 - Tine I'Lown Depreciation Gasoline Oil Storage Maintenance Insurance (, ,_2 ~ U' O' }.)8r ':.l,·'· salary Cessna 140··- 1;3725v Aircraft computed at Only Aircraft $7,,27 'per hour e Cessna 120 II 37257 NC306SN 305 hours 361 hours. 610.0C) 622.00 724.00 615.40 28.80 204.00 349.09 28.00 247.00 hour-) Tot Is Pilots Cessna 140 Lt03•• 36 983.21 347.10 $2.'1217025 ~r2,9~.~ .•71 50 .m,n, ~rl.oo .i,Jer hour. and Pilot ~pll~o27 per' hour 12 per .ai.n, .24 per mi l. Cessria 120 - NC3068N Aircraft unly $8.20 per hour 014 per Iran. -J} Aircraft and Pilot7~ .~~l 7 ..97 per hour .30 per min. The increased ccst for this item is Elttribu-(:,;:::dto flight trai[ling given the new )ilot'H;,ich amount.ed to about \t900.00. Had it not. been necessary to give t[~i3 t:c:'.ining tile cosc wou.Ld have :X;8rl :;p15. 21 per hour-, Analysis and "~ecom,irle~"]datiol1s:In analysing the i'ol'8goir;g figures it is f'ound that the cost of aircr'&ft eupp.l.i.es , parts, and maintenance has increased during the past year. This is ..:x,~rtly at:.tribl:::c::::dto the fact that the second airplane purchase reS"LJ.l ted in :celocation of aircraft and the pilots were not able to do a big portion of their own mainteni::nce and re~Jair wc rk as W2.S the case when aircraft operat.ion.s beGan. It has Deen proven by the older flight service operators that the older an airplane becomeS, the more it costs to maintain and operate. This can be seen by the foregoing cost figures on the older airplane, (Cessna 120} NC3068N) and the: follol'li!:10 cos t i'igLlresfor the same airplane whi.ch are based on t.ot.al, airplane time and total cost per time f'Lown, Cessna 120, NC3068N Total time Depreciation Maintenance, Gas, Cj_l, Storage, and Insurance Cost of Operation from 0 to 450 hours Cost of Operation f'r-o:n 1.150 to %7 hours 3LL7 hour-s, 20 j;linutes ;;;>1,694.00 3,859.00 5.05" E)er h01.!.J~'l 6.55 per houl' �-3The above figures represent a total cost increase of $1046 per hour .. for the time fl~wn over 450 hourso Therefore~ the most economical period of operation has proven to be from zero to about 500 hours. In this respect it is the writeris recommendation that Department ollVlled aircraft be traded just before the major overhaul is needed. This is usually necessary after 500 hours of operation. Then the cost of overhaul coupled with depreciation will make the required amount. to trade for a new a'irp'Lane, Larger Aircraft~ A great need was oxper-Lenced during the past year for a larger airplane. The reason being that during the winter rnonths additional weight must be carried in emergency equipment, warm clothing, etc. In addition to the above, aircraft skiis must be carried in the airplane or sent express in order to utilize some of the landing areas throughout the State. ~nen aircraft skiis were carried in the airplanes it eliminated the available passenger space and frequently caused undue delay on census work as the pilots at times had to fly as far as 200 miles to change from wheeles to skiis or visa ver sa , An airplane with more cabin space wcu.Ld facilitate the pilotjl observer, emergency equipment, and aircraft skiis at all times. Therefore, it is recommended that airplane Cessna 120» NC3068N~ be traded for a four place, light cargo type airplane. It is estimated that a trade can be negotiated for about ~p3,~900.00, which is very good considering the amount of time f'Lown by NC3068N~ Cas sna 120 •• Other advantages of a four place~ light cargo type airplane are as follows~* L Increased performance as only the pilot and observer will be carried during census or survey work; thus leaving space for emergency equipment, skiis, etc. 2.. Easily converted to light cargo type for dropping block salt and concentrated feeds to game herds during the wi.rrter months. 30 More adaptable to photographic worl<:., 4" Better high alti tude performance vvith just pilot and observer, (7S;~ of game census work is done above 8.»000 feet IJiSL) 0 So Longer ca.bin gives better visibility in census work. 6" More horsepower per weight carried than aircraft presently used. to the rear, thus aiding *<::onclusionsbased on actual flight test and tryout on game census work. (Wri tel' used Cessna Model 170 and has flow'll several other models under similar conditions.) Antelope Restoration~(Project Leader: 35-D) Robert R. Elliott. Wildlife Technician 9 �I 4 2ersonnel ~ Kenneth B ~;j.ilyard~ Aeronautical Technician Hobert R ••Elliott, WIldlife Technician 0 ScoEe: Only aircraft operation and cost 'nalysis as related to this project are attempted in this rel')ort.1i:ore detailed information can be obtained from the project leaders quarterly reports covering the same period. Antelope Trapped. Total Time (Both aircraft) Total Time Cessna 120~ aC.3068N Total Time Cessna 11+0., l\J 3725v 'rime per animal unit Cost per aniIn'llurri t Total aj.rplane cost for project 150 19 hr. 20 min. 6 hr. 45 min. 12 hr. 35 min. 7.73 min. per unit $1.. 86 per unit ~279•. 00 Trappino Areas: The first trapping was attempted on the Colorado Antelope }i'.efuge but the anil. Is did not respond to airplane procedure as desired so the trap was moved later in the trapping season to the Chico Basin area southeast of Colorado Springs where better results were obtained. Analysis and B.ecmilrflendation:In this pilot I s opinion, antelope trapping),i th the airplane is the most exacting and hazardous tJ'pe of flying done within the Game and Fish Department. It required the pilot I s u tmost, mental alertne s, pl:.ysicalstar!1ina.~ and lying proficiency. It,requires steep low-speed turns at altitudes ranginG from thirty to one hundred feet above the ground. 'rherefore, it is necessary that airplane and ground personnel be in strict accord on procedure and method as may be required for each trapping operation. In this respect radio contact was established from plane to ground in order that closer cooperation could be obtainedo Lack of experienced air or ground per'sonnej, results in either a high trap kill or losing the animals after they are in the trapo 'The recommendation is that each trapping operation be well briefed and permanent ground persOlmel be employed for the entire trapping season. GaEle Bird Surveys~ Leaderg Personnel~ (Project 37-R) Harry Figge, Wildlife Technician Kenneth 3 Milyard, Aeronautical Technician Clyde p ••Matteson" Aeronautical TechniCian Robert Go Kinghorn, Wildlife Technician 0 Scopeg Aircraft operation and cost analysis as related to this project are shown in following figures. For- more detailed information on this aerial project~ consult the April, 1949, Quarterly Progress Report, Fages 33 to 37, covering the 1948 and 1949 Jame Bird Surveys as writ.ten by Mr. R. G. Kinghorn" Total birds counted by both aircraft: Ducks Geese Total 1,312,220 44,70~ 1,356,925 �MAP OF COLORADO FFrAF----· ---- --COLORADO WATERFOWL TREND AREAS ot$rGy,r oJl(p i I oK~t)I" �- 5 Total timEj both aircraft: Cessna 140, N3725v - 76 hours 30 minutes Cessna 120, NC3068N - 25 hours 35 minutes Total time - 102 hours 5 rrunutes. Time per 1000 units: Cost per 1000 units: 4Jrminutes $1022 Total airplane cost for project~ ~~1,654032 Trend Areas: ;';aterfowltrend areas are shown on the trend map ilmnediately following this project. The duck nesting survey area is also located in the San Luis Valley trend area. Analysis and Reco:mnendations: During the past two seasons of waterfowl census wor-k, r~r. Kinghorn and myself have done 90% of the flying on this aerial project. After So hours of waterfowl census work we checked our techniques and figures by photographing various ')ird concentrations throughout the State. This proved that our counting error was less than 5%. This small error is attributed to three factors. First, pilot and observer were expericnced in aerial observation worko Second, each area was counted by the same personnel on each flight made, thus obtaining a complete visual coverage. The third being that with the same personnel doing the flying time after time the human error element was minirrized and standardized. Final recorrunendationsare to require the same personnel to do the census work and at the same time break in new personnel on smaller areas and increasing the flying involved until the error elements are standardizedo Then in the event the regular observer is unable to make a flight comparable figures can be obtained with other persolmel doing the worko During the past season the other pilot was given the San Luis Valley trend area to work and acquaint himself with techniques used on wat.er'I'owl, census work. It can also be added that in relation to waterfowl census wo.rk , a larger airplane could be used to good advru1tage in training other personnel, as eA~erienced and inexperienced personnel could be carried in the same airplane. Deer-Elk~Bear Leader: Investigations: (Project 38-R) Laurence E. Riordan, Wildlife Technician Personnel: Kenneth B. Milyard, Aeronautical Technician Clyde P. Matteson, Aeronautical Technician Glenn E. Rogers, Wildlife 'fechnician Scope: As deer-elk-bear investigations require the greatest amount; of flying, aircraft operation, number of animals counted~ and cost analysis will be given for each airplaneo �- 6 Cessna 140, NJ725v Cessna 120, NC3068N Total time: 65 hrso 45 min. Total deer counted: 2982 Total elk cou ted: 2355 Total animals counted: Time par animal unit: Cost per anir.E~lU11it: Airplane cost for project: ~33 f ••739 min" ,,17-3/4¢ $946080 Total time: 134 hrs ••30 min. 'fatal deer counted: 2556 Total elk counted: 5404 Total animils counted: 7961 Time per animal unit: Cost per animal unit: Airplane cost for project: 1 min •. o30~¢ $2,421.72 Total time both aircraft: 200 hours 15 mino Total animals, both aircraft: 13,298 Total cost per artimal,urri.t , both aircraft: o25c3¢ Total project cost for both aircraft: $3,368",52 Trend Areas: Big game trend areas are shown on the maps immediately following report of this project. Elk trend areas ar-e shovm first and are 13 in number-, Cessna 140~ N3725V, based in Denver; flew trends 1, 2, and the north side of 4. Cessna 120, NC3068N, based at Alamosa, flying the remainder with the exception of number-s 3 and 11, which were not f'Lown at all. Deer trend areas are shown on the second map with Cessna 140.)1N3725v, flying numbers 1, 2, 11, a_d 12, and airplane Cessna 120, NC3068N, flying the remainder. Analysis and RecoIIlmendations: The Cessna 120 was based at Alamosa during the winter months in order that the new pilot might receive training on game census techniques as given by Mr4 Norman Kraraer of that city. Therefore, .itwas difficult to work in close cooperation as is necessary for best results on game census work.. It was necessary for the Denver based airplane to fly some of theiiest Slope ar eas , (£0 elilninate the necessity of the airplanes from crossing the higher mountain ranges in getting from one area to anotherJ the State was divided as to East or West Slope drainage. This results in reduced travel time ~~d increased ease of operation.. ~t various ti es throughout the counting season the pilots had trOUble in finding observers to do the counting. This is attributed to air-sickness among the personnel who do the flying and on other occasions they were too busy vvith other wildlife work. A considerable amount of research can be done on aerial censu.s methods and techniques, and here again is the need for personnel designated to do the aerial census work. The hWIlcU1error element must be kept at a minim -with the pilots and observers methods standardized before resea en on census methods and t.echntques can advance. This 1''1ri ter Sincerely believes that standardized proced.ures and methods along will greatly increase the Game a d Fish Departrn.entI s aerial census findings. �GAME a FISH DEPT. MAP OF COLORADO --;;Y!;~7n/aO.I' --I W.fll)- - '-" - IJM£"-"-'OF"F"AT ------r. ...,r;..."-----<-..::. '~--",_:T""I-----.-.-. - - ~HH;rord , OC4N , - - ---, o (jrorlel' LOGAiot oK"fr"",n oJ1iJo o8riggs~"le -- \ 1 oK,014 Pure.1I ~;;;;;- I oOoylr j - \ 08,,~Ain!lhom Ne3!1o.r"erO SID ehom • J. [MORaiiii - - I f"zr 6"". 0 wlfAY Aropg~ °CIIIYEHNE -=-,=;~_ l.__.-. f 00p.1 oMo --- ACA ./ _ , oy,lI, l., ._- \ .' ___ oChroMO _________ ._...._ • . \ ~ __ COHNO •• ~ _____) ._\ .-._.. - •..- •~ opl./n, -" . !!-'~ .__ I 0 ~.,\ •... _, _ ~ \ ' <:»: ~...,...'. \ ---.... ____-""",_ .• - _-__-L ___ -- ._,.. ____ •• ~_-----------L I --------------~••••• ••' J ," - MW L -_.--_ ' •} 1,."'" osonPohlo' \ ..,., ,'1_n,O ~. • - .;;,-. "'~ OSlor'" ._' f o Bor. • 0 \ SIonI Icn �GAME S F'SH·DEPT. MAP --------:;v,;7nl.o. OF COLORADO • --rWElP-------;-H;,.;lOrQ l FFW-------- - ....",...."--~ '\LoGA'N--:;.~--~OG?,~m:;:~ oi!,.flin4n OC6".. r-IO ___ J R••.. ' 06raY~r' \ oSl!f" ' I I 000 •• 1' oKIO/(I Pure.II oBr!ggsrl,k \, } ol4ldin.;1M:In N~~ Ho/.9oKr. Slt1.l./tom Ao/'"Ir:,j FRaAN--- ...Jp.6".rw;,SiiiNGToN -TYiJ';.;;r- - - --1' I,,"N,'I S~1t"'H I \ "'~ r»·o wtrA't' -1'8i00i °Cnlr~lINe ii oop.1 __ 'L \ .• ------ 6 ~.-., 0'''''' ·1 0/111111$ • '\8ACA o,._ oO(ri'" ollul' "T"":-_.-" '' 01'00 ., 0 smNGFI£Lf) I I -' \ 0",1J/I ""II,H 0 . • JoJ"'1' OPr/l'htli,ft., \ .,...;19"" ,)'''6'' \ oVII'J,;lI, , or... t ! r-: 'fiat) p",61o =r _____ -\~,-I..L I --- \ ~. .,_ __ ._.. o· - OKII,. \ • I . o(sl·I.... ._, .•• ~. ; --------------------~----------- "" •• oRodt - 'J' I ~." J �- 7 AnteloDe Surveys and Investigations: Leader: Robe:ct :-~.:2';lliott Personnel~ Scooe: ~ (Project 40-R) Keru"1othB" ~lilyard, Aerol1,o.l.:ctic31 T'3cr::nician Clyde P e lliat teson, ,2~eronautical Technician li.obe:ct a. Elliott,iiildlife Technician Terrell Be; Quick, '/iildlifeTechnician Only aircraft operation and cost analysis as related to this project is attempted hereina Antelope Counted: Cessna· 140, N3725V: Cessna 120, TJC3065N: 5,103 49 hours 5 mi.nut.es 47 hours 35 minutes Total tirre~ 96 hours 40 minutes Time per animal unit~ Cost per arumat unit: Total cost for project: Trend Areas ~ Llt, minutes •• 27~¢ ~~1,396018 These are shown on the map following this pro ject .• Analysis and Recommendations: It was found during the last antelope censuS that a snow cover is veF--Jundesirable while the exact opposite is desired for deer and elk work~ Since the antelope census is made tbe latter part of December, or the first of January, there is also deer and elk census work going on during the srune period. It is difficult to correlate snow conditions so ideal snow cover prevails for deer and elk work and at the same time find the lower antelope ranges bare for ideal antelope work. In this respect, the best conditions wer-e selected and the census completed as soon as possible to eliminate snow cover as new storms were in the offingo It was also found that if it becomes necessary to fly into the sun the pilot and observer must look behi.nd them to pick up the animals 'Wnen flying into the sun, an area of one quarter mile on each side of the airplane can be covered. Other'irise~a one-half mile area can be covered on each side of the airplane~ At times boredom is a very discouraging hW11an error as it is someti:,nesnecessaFJ to fly seven or eight hours a day and the half mile strips sometimes extend 30 to 50 miles in length. Under such cond'i, tions, boredom becomes very evident. Also for best results the pilot snonld. hold a consistant al titude and excercise controlled ground sp eed , This system. is just a revised transect method of giving an estimated 50% sample 'Jri thin 0 a given areaeo �- 8Miscellaneous Scoue: Surve TS and Adl1linistrative Cross-Count1'"lT:nights: Flying done in this catagory involves the follo"JIringtypes: All travel required to get from one working area to a.."lother, pigeon surveys, beaver surveys, administrative flights, Law Enforcement work, and terrain studies.. All flying done for the Law Enforcement and Administration Divisions per houro • was reimbursed to the Federal Aid Division at the rate of $7.27 The following is the cost analysis for this catagory: Cessna 14o, ~d725v Cessna 120, l'JC3068N Total time: 102 hours 5 minutes Cost oer hour: $7027 Total~Costg $1,470000 Total tiIlle: 1~.'7hours 25 minutes Cost per hour: $8.20 Total Cost: $2,653.50 Analysis and Recommendations: This type of flying was held to a minimum and yet a great deal more wor'k was accomplished as we were able to do aerial research work on bear, band-tailed pigeons, and beaver. It is estimated that during the next year travel time will be cut conSiderably, thus allowing more time for aerial research work. Conclusion: The past year considerable knowledge was gained on aircraft operation as related to Game Management. The total operation cost exceeded that available ona contract baSiS, but it is doubtful that a contractor could accomplish the a.nount.of "York done by Game and 1<'ishDepartment airplanes if we consider the conditions under Which he would have to operate. It is estimated that during the next fiscal year, cost of aircraft operation will drop to six dollars per hour and the total time f'Lown vvill be approximately 1,000 hours. Submit.ted by~ Approved: Name ----~~~'~--~-=~---------------- Kenneth 13., lv:ilyard 'l'i tIe Aeronau tical Technician --~~~~~~~~~~~----------- Title Date C. N. Feast2 Director O_c_t_o b_e_1_' }5c-";;'---1..:..9....:4~9 _ l\Toteg Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. �ANTELOPE AERIAL TREND AREAS �- 9- STi\'rE COLORADO ----~--~~~------------- PROJECT NOc DaTE QUARTEB.LY SURVEYS PROGRESS AND I N V EST 37-R O~c~t~o_be~r~,~1~9.4~~9_ REPORT I GAT ION S As required by FEDEliAL AID IN YVILDLIFE l1.ESTOilATIONACT 1. Title of Projectg 20 Leaderg 30 Report of Progressg Harry Figge Work Plan NO.2 Title~ Game Bird Surveys - Job 3 Pheasant Brood Survey Objective~ To secure counts of broods in size by age class~ and to determine factors affecting. Scopeg Northeastern Yuma Counties o Reoorted byg Colorado - Logan, Phillips» Sedgwick, Washington.\' and Bertram Baker Techniquesg Brood observations were made by early morning and late evening coverage of all areas in a vehicle. V~ere it was felt that all young birds of a brood could not be tallied directly on the road or crossing the road.ll the Covey was flushed for the count. Flushing and counting may not give absolutely accurate numbers Where heavy roadside cover of sunflowers and other weeds afford escape routes for running rather than by flying. The heavy vegetative growth also greatly reduced the ease of observing the birds along the road right-of-way and adjacent fields o Findings~ Pheasant brood counting was started on June 28 and continued until August 210 A record for each brood observed was kept ShOwing the location of the brood. This enabled the observer to avoid duplication within a small erroro Numerous broods were seen more than one time but enter into the tabulation in Tables I and II only once. Prior to August 5$ a total of 172 broods was observed with a brood average of 6.70 Ai'ter August 5, more mixed broods of different age classes appeared.9 and the same broods were seen more frequently, making routine �- 10 checking of the areas infeasible" The total number of broods observed~ as of August 21$ is 198 with an average of 6036 young per brood (Table 1)0 During the same period a total of 201 pheasant hens was seen, giving an average of 6 ••23 young per hen .• I The s~~ary of broods observed is given in Table 110 vThere it was thought necessary~ the county tallies were further divided into broad land use and topographic areas which from previous investigations indicate a varying amount of homogeneity regarding pheasant populations. Putting the broods into age classes of three week intervals indicates that until the young birds are about three weeks of age our observation techniques are inadequate The average number per brood for the one day to three weeks age class is invariably smaller than the next age class, the reverse of which should be true .• j 0 TABLE I Pheasant Broods By .Counties$ Northeastern County Total No. of Broods Observed !Logan ~edgwick iPhillips Wa hington ty. a 84 25 36 24 29 Colorado - 1949 Average No. of Young Per Brood, All Age Classes 6u8~ 7024 6002 5020 5065 6036 198 Totals -- TABLE II Summary K;ounty !Logan Sedgwick of Pheasant Area or Land Type S. Platte Valley & marginal cropland Tableland Totals S .•Platte Valley & marginal cropland Tableland Totals Brood Observations, Northeastern June 28 ~ A.ugust 21 1 day to 3 weeks Noo of Brood Ave. Broods Colorado - 1949 Broods By A.!~ Classes 6 to 9 3 to6 weeks weeks Noo of Brood Noo of Brood Ave. 'Broods Ave Broods 2 7 608 400 600 32 11 43 7025 6 •• 63 7 09 22 3 25 7004 6.0 6092 1 3 -4 4.0 5033 5.0 6 6 12 7.33 8.33 7.83 3 6 9 7.66 7.33 7.44 r::: -' 0 9 wks & older Noo of Brood A.ve. Broods 9 s.c 9 6.-0 �- 11 - Table II (Continued) Area or Land Type County Sandhills marginal areas Tableland Totals Yuma 1 day to 3 weeks Broods By Age Classes 6 to 9 9 wks & 3 to 6 older weeks weeks No., of Brood No. of Brood No. of Brood A.veo Ave., Broods Broods Broods Ave No. of Broods Brood Ave 1 2 40 5 705 6 33 5057 12 406 Phillips Tableland 3 7 Washington Akron Platner Otis area 5 0 0 0 0 2 300 7 9 15 4.. 14 17 14 608 6.• 33 6047 7.14 7 5028 9 9 3090 5.,27 3 400 Analysis and Recommendations~ The average number of young per brood by counties (Table II) shows that Washington and Yuma County broods average smaller than the northern counties in this block of five. The area around Viray was subjected to several severe wind, rain,\land hailstorms about the time the first and normally larger broods hatched. Heavy local predation might be another cause, but this is purely supposition •• The average of 6,,81and 7,,24chicks per brood for Logan and Sedgwick Counties, respectivelYJl indicates good reproductive success for these counties Until this work has been continued in these areas~ over a number of years~ more definite statements regarding relative reproductive success cannot be made ..• 0 Work Plan No.. 2 = Deviation Title~ Pheasant Nesting Loss Survey Objectiveg To determine the extent of the destruction nests due to hay harvesting operations •• Scooeg and South Platte Valley ~ Logan and Sedgwick Countieso Reoorted by~ -" of hen pheasants Bertram Baker Techniquesg Farmers were interviewed in the field as they were mowing and raking the first cutting of alfalfa for hayo Information asked for included the number of hens they destroyed while mowing.? nests destroyed~ size of the clutches, and the acreage of alfalfa their information covered. It had been planned that personal observations be made during movving operationsJ but difficulties arising from riding on power take-off mowers on tractors prevented making all but a small percentage of the total observations recordedo �-12 - Findings~ Twenty-six farmers were contacted for information. The total acreage of alfalfa covered by the survey is approximately 1,030. In this 1~030 acres~ 10 hens and 38 nests were known to have been destroyed. This gives a veFf conservative figure of one hen destroyed per 103 acres of hay mowed, and one nest destroyed per 27 acres mowed. This data applies to the first mowing only, which started on or about June 80 In addition to the nests of incubated or unincubated eggs that were destroyed.\>this observer found five nests where the hatching had been completed and the young had left the nest. This indicates that the early nesting hens which found dry cover in the alfalfa were able to get their broods off before the late first cutting of hay. Heavy rains and flooding conditions through most of May is believed to have caused the pheasant hens to nest in drier~ more suitable locations rather than the flat, wet hay fields. Analysis and Recommendations~ Jt is felt that the information secured by this survey is accurate only within the limits of data supplied by observers with varying ability in seeing and taking time to watch for birds and nests. If, in the future, a similar survey be undertaken on this size of scale, it is suggested that epartment personnel make an effort to become acquainted with their farmer cooperators and learn who are the better observers. Of course~ the ideal situation would exist if the technician could ride the mower and rake as both are used over the same field. And even then, with heavy stands of hay, nests can be missed very easilyo Work Plan No.2 Titleg = Job 3 Pheasant Brood Survey Objectivesg To secure counts of broods in size and frequency, tennine factors affecting. Reoorted by g Willard and to de- L. Flinn Techniquesg Pheasant brood counts began early in June, although most of the month of June and the fore part of July were devoted to duck brood census. Pheasant brood counts were ma e mornings and evenings, 6:00 a.m. to 8~30 a.m., and 4~30 p.m. to dusk, by driving along roads and counting broods observedo In most cases the broods sighted were flushed~ but when broods of very young birds were sighted they were not scattered. Findingsg The spring of 1949 was cool, with frequent rains, which seem to Pheasant broods were have affected early nesting and nesting success9 observed later this year and the young were hatched later compared with those seen at the same time of year in 1948. Broods remained together and few lestrayllchicks were seen prior to August 10, when season recommendations were made" �Fewer broods -were seen in the area t.his year and the broods wer-e smaLl.er , Unusually severe vvinter storms may have reduced the breeding stock somewhat , and t.he co Ld, '/let spring weabhe r probably contributed to a less successful nesting season" Counts to Aw!Ust 10 showed 67 broods with 340 chicks, giving an average brood of 50070 the basis of the total number' of hens seen and recorded on brood count runs there were 3082 young per hen observed. Compared vrith the figures obtained in 19h5 for Bi'Jproximately the same period the average number per brood ,was 6072 for 70 broods obi;lerved. Thore were no young per hen data taken last yearo 0;;' Counts continued from August 10 to September 10 gave a brood average of slightly under f'Lve young per hen, .indicating a high survival of young birds through the summer. '~10rkPlan NO G Title: 2 - Pheasants$ Deviation Upland GameBird Habitat Developrrr-"Y)t Objective~ 1'0 extend and improve upland game bird f od and cover plantsG I1.eported by: Irving habitat by developing u, Poley Findings: Habitat Considerable time was spent maki.ng contacts concerning the Development Project~ 59-D.Il and proposed planting sites were Lnspecbed» llesidents of the east central area hav-e shown great interest in this projecto Work Plan Hoo 2 - Job 2 Title: Nesting Study Objective~ To determine the extent of nest destruction caused by mowi.ng , 'i'echniques ~ Th(:3 far!ll.'~lonowi.ng the alfalfa in the test fic,ld ViD.S asked to keep an ancur-a't.e count of pheasant nests and henswlu.ch were des t.royed during the mowing opar-a td.on , The field~vas cr-uf.sed af't.e.r the cut alfalfa had been raked i.nto windrows. Findings: A 50-ac:c'8 field containing 40 acres of alfalfa and volunteer and 10 acres of alfalfa was cat on June 24, 25, and 26, and inspected pheasant nest destructiono The farmer reported cutting three nests while mowingo the legs off two hens and destroying After cx'uisinZ the 50 acres of wi.ndr-otred hay, the data shown in Table I was obtainedg wheat, for �- 14 - TABLE I Pheasants and lJests Destroyed by Mowing Noo Nests Noo Eggs No. Hens Noo Juveniles Eggs Not In a Nest 7 74 3 5 3 One of the five juveniles was found with both legs cut off. The other four had been hiding under the cut hay and were mashed by the tractor pulling the hay rake. P~alysis and Recommendations~ In the 50 acre field, 74 eggs were destroyed. In addition there wer-e eight pheasants killed. This is much greater than the Lo es of three nests and two hens which were reported by the farmer. It is difficult for him to observe the loss accurately while mowing, because the movm alfalfa falls backward over the cutter bar covering the nests and birds that are destroyed" Work Plan No.2 - Job 3 Title:: Brood Survey Objectiveg To secure counts of broods in size and frequency and to determine the factors affectingo Scone:: Western Slope and East Central Areas Reported byg Irving Ro POley Techniques;: Trend routes were driven during the last week of July and first week of Augusto When broods were observed they were counted by stopping and allowing the birds to cross the road, or by flushing them if they had ruD for cover" !',indin£;s g Western Slope Area Comparative Average Brood Size, 1948 and 1949 Pheasants Gamble Quail Chukar Partridge Total miles ontrose Trend NOol 1948 1949 4 •• 8 4.0 6.0 154 56 Delta Trend No.2 1948 1949 3.3 4.0 52 Fruita Trend No.3 1948 1949 505 8.35 6.0 5 .• 0 48 52 Rifle Trend No.4 1948 1949 5.0 15 •• 0 4 •• 0 44 �~ 15 TABLE III East Cent.r-a.L Area (no 19LI8 data) Trend Location & Number Pheasant Crowing Index Pheasant Brood Ave .• Miles 1. Cherry Creek-Parker 2..Watkins-Byers 9.9 2.0 300 (6.0 Prairie 44 48 3~ Oope-Arrton 302 chickens) 4~ West Burlington 501 5D North Burlington 703 60 Simla 7. Cheyenne Wells 109 8. Rocky Mountain Arsenal Rocky Mountain ~U'senal (1948) 600 600 64 44 60 6.. 5 6.8 704 40 20 20 .. 4 48.• 5 33.4 Recommendat.aons s It is r-ecommended that brood counts be taken during the last half of August because of the dense cover and unharvested crops earlier in the Slli~~ero Work Plan No.3 Title~ - Job 1 Planting and Farming Objective~ To provide feed plots and grain for migratory birds and for trapping and banding a Reported byg Irving R. Poley Findin~~ The Game and Fish Department received 215 bushels of barley and 292 bushels of -winter wheat from the farm plots at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Three feed plots totaling 51 acres of wheat were left standing in three sections at the Arsenal. It is hoped that these feed plots vdll help reduce the duck depredation in this area •• Work Plan No.. 2 - Job 1 Ti tle~ Rural and Star Route Carriers Pheasant Roadside Census. Objective: To gain information regarding the distribution concentration and sex ratio of pheasants in Colorado; to determine average brood size and frequency and subsequent annual production level among pheasants in various sections of the State. Scope~ All pheasant areas of Colorado. �-16 Techniquesg A roadside driving survey conducted during a period of one week by chosen men wh i.Le carrying on their normal activity of mail delivery. Reoorted by: Howard A. Sthiem Personnel:,: Rural and Star H.outeMail Carriers. Findings: Tables I and II and Figures I and II contain the compiled data which present existing conditions, as reported by mail carriers, over the State's pheasant range generally and for individual counties. One hundred ninety carriers, comprising .50080% of the 374 contacted, submitted report cards. These reports saI~led 37 counties throughout the State (Figures I and 11)0 Carriers drove .53~94.5miles and counted 1,937 pheasants for a state~dde figure of .03.59birds per mile. The total of 638 adult birds, 209 cocks, and 429 hens resulted in a sex ratio of 48072 cocks per 100 hens. Sex ratios at this time of year, however, are probably of little value. Many males are moulting and remain hidden. it breakdmm of data for individual counties has been compiled in Table 1. On the basis of individual county records J Figures I and II were prepared to simp Li.f'y examination of existing conditions. An avera;!e brood of 3.03 birds resulted from counting 1,299 immature pheasants vvhi~h were 67.06% of the 1937 bird total. This figure constitutes ~ decrease of 3.29% from the 1948 figure. Analysis and Recommendations~ Population Densitiesg The statewide figure of .03.59pheasants per mile is 34.01% lower than the 00.544pheasantsper mile recorded during the same period one year ago; and 19.14% lower than the .0444 pheasants per mile recorded during the same period two years ago. It is felt that this reduction results in part, from the ravages of last winter's blizzards but in the main from poor observing conditions. Substantiating cowrnents came from nearly all the cooperating carriers. The poor observing conditions were brought about by an unusually heavy crop of cover which in turn was the result of above normal rainfall in late spring and early summer , Seventeen of the thirty-seven counties reporting have shown an increase of pheasants per mile seen, whereas sixteen counties have sholm a decrease. Four counties, Cheyenne, Costilla, Douglas, and Pueblo, were lacking in data. Table II was developed to give easy access to data showing the percent of increase or decrease in pheasant areas of Colorado. Three areas, the west slope, the San Luis Valley, and the area north of Denver, show increases in the nlli~berof pheasants seen per mile; and two areas, the Arkansas Ilalley and the northeast, show decreases. Spring crowing surveys heralded the trend decrease in the �- 17 TABLE I Rural Mail Carrier Census - Summary Sheet County Adams Al.amosa Arapahoe Baca Bent Boulder Cheyenne Conejos Costilla Crowley Delta Douglas Elbert El Paso Fremont Jefferson Kiowa Kit Carson La Plata Larimer Las Animas Lincoln Logan Mesa :Montezuma Montrose Morgan Otero Phillips Prowers Pueblo Rio Grande Saguache Sedgwick WaShington Weld Yuma Total Total Miles Total Birds Birds per Mile Hens Young Males Per Young per 1949 1949 00147 .1879 14 00061 00043 0 ,,0422 00437 6 ,,0109 00114 1 0 00259 00750 .• 0361 00618 3 (>0131 000 0 ,,0053 00085 1 ,,0000 0 0000 •• 0016 00243 8 .0174 01076 19 ,,000 ,,000 0 ,,0113 00014 1 ,,0104 00054 2 0363 00517 •. 4 .0231 00129 3 00119 00487 12 00687 ,,0117 9 •• 0133 ,,0011 1 00132 ,,0312 4 00050 00009 0 00307 ,,0088 3 ,,1178 00838 12 00107 ,,0034 4 .,0040 ,,0123 10 00295 ,,0363 4 .0175 002.34 7 6 00127 •. 0263 •• 7054 01495 5 0116 2 00141 .• •• 0018 •• 00 0 00044 .0301 4 1 .0500 .0135 18 02706 •. 1402 .. 1505 00826 25 16 00495 00345 •• 000 00413 4 1949 36 1 13 2 2 27 0 2 0 4 36 0 0 4 7 0 12 14 0 10 2 34 2 6 15 11 13 26 9 0 11 3 25 29 31 41 100 females Hen 1949· 1948 .1.949'1948 1949. 153 25,,00 38089 2~OO 41>25 1 0000 00,,00 1..66 1.,00 19 78,,57 46015 0.50 1..46 8,,33 50000 19 075 9050 16 100000 00.00 7.,00 8.• 00 3,,00 11011 2019 52094 59 0 0000 00000 4050 00000 5 100,,00 50,,00 3•• 00 2•• 50 0000 00.00 0 •. 0 00 00000 12 0000 200000 0,,00 3000 1:'1 ~"..!47 66066 52<>78 5033 0 00000 00,,00 0,,00 0000 0 00,,00 00000 3~50 0.00 00 7 66,,66 50.,00 0•• 1075 10 200000 57014 1050 1043 00 5 0000 00000 3066 00 •• 33033 100000 2083 34 3033 26 60 •• 38 64.•29 3011 1086 0 28,,57 00.00 0857 00000 OeOO 40000 11..00 3020 32 00 00.00 0 50000 00000 2•• 88 .5 44.44 150.00 2•. 2050 132 50088 35 •• 29 5068 3••88 0 75000 200000 1050 00000 0 0 00 166 •. 66 2000 00,,00 23 66,,66 26066. 1008 1053 17 200000 63,,64 8000 1055 2,,23 29 42086 46015 1 .• 14 82 27484 19.,23 3,,04 3015 30 18075 22922 1081 31)33 0 9.00 00000 1000 00.00 19 200•. 00 36036 0.,00 1073 1066 5 33033 33033 2033 6096 174 69057 72000 7002 116 68085 86621 5031 4600 98 41079 ,51061 2<>72 3.• 16 0 .• 00 124 3•• 02 9076 0000 ",0359 209 429 1299 1949 1949 1080 203 2 462 870 38 22 1938 18 240 1440 89 1122 0 8 942 0 150 987 24 102 948 0 408 1 723 2388 13 21 579 618 8 1191 58 4191 49 1 870 1476 46 1120 1 1138 10 2124 178 6 1776 16 1302 1158 42 1494 35 1824 48 113 756 4l 3546 1386 0 1128 34 666 9 217 1548 2058 170 4206 145 169 4092 1948 1937 •• 0544 53945 Cocks 1 0 50 .• 66 48072 .3•5•75 3•• 03 �- 18 - Birds Per ~ile - By Areas Percentage of Change Miles Birds Birds per Mile 1949 Percent Of Difference Increase Decrease Area 1948 1949 1948 1949 1948 North of Denver (7 counties) 11100 11184 405 564 e0365 .• 0504 38.08 San Luis Valley (4 counties) 3162 3198 27 53 .0085 .0157 84.71 Arkansas Valley (7 counties) 14575 11112 375 211 .0258 .0190 26.36 Northeast (5 counties) 8394 10578 .1657 847 01974 .0801 59.42 uVest Slope (J counties) 3544 3382 150 .0189 .0386 104.23 67 �i-I : FIGURE I WYOMINGILA.A"~_ ---•• •• ALBANY -- ~wi&M£IIw ~ M . ~.~~~~I".ALL / /; I ) ._~N ( ~IUMMIT \. . "...\ CLEAR -:~EK LAKE .(t, f ./.\ '---....., J'. ,'oru; , ;;- ~ I i ~: ~ ::> I i.. I: :x: I'';;; , )( I:S ~1~MONTiiOsE-'~ ~ ',[SAGUACHE'" '" ' : ,-...,,~'\ "'L ' ~ rlNSDALE )' I , ('SAN JUAN\", ~ J' 711 r . -'-·-,.{A . '\ /,..-1'-.., /r> '-'---"" <, c:::J r'-'-\' : PLATA I' -l <, t 1=0 !:(C: I \ ~ i-._._·_· 'L- .-4 nC oz !;'" ~ z~ ;<~ ~"Q ;; \J \ '.FREMONT 'I '--1_, t' o buE'BLo '..~ '\,CUSTER'-', \ I \. ,/"\. I ._'_ /' - '-. 'L ,RIO GiiAN J \ . , "'~ i'" .-' . I: '\ r;~HULETA-'-'''''''-lco'MS 1 ='" zr0'" \..,./HUERFANo\ MINERAL '---.... I ~(/) 'I'TELLER!ELP ._._,_l,-,·< i . ~ l r;r- ~8 i...!_. 1) " bNM'GUEL-'-'-'-'~ I 1\. 1I -:1 ( ') .'I ii o Ii . -J '--..,_''''-i.~iiMrEE GUNNISON n KIT CARSON . _.-'--._._._,("\... / C:') . -·-·-·-·~PITKIN . \ (J i r II!II-< ''(IoULoE medium (2.53 - 3.53) -1-',-. 2 53) f low below • -, \... insufficHmt data ') .1An-K-·1 :::::======: { I MESA >r - ~ \ high (above 3.53) VIZ71 ~ ~:z: .J ;o------ ......J (\" State average - 3.03 ~ II: ~ 1" ~i ~ :£ r2 \ Based on Table I (young per hen) m\\lllllt1l ~I " Z ~~_!!- ~ loEuEL CHEYENNE . \ ~ ~ , HE B. . \... RURAL MAIL CARRIERS CENSUS REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS I 'WA ) ' A g 0 I r ~0 0 ~ > o o : ~ &I ~ 0' 10 10 30 AO !liD '0 MILES �II FIGURE II '. \ Based on Table I (cocks/100 hens) •• ...• •• • ~ ..i ~ -.••i. / ~;iN~""'...Lj)jI' \, fC~R .'-..II '. ''7.5 'LAKt'"(.•...•/ ----.- "- ' !'';J , '1 : ..•. -._._.--J , zt MONTROS£ ~), \, . . I) , " "P_ciHl._.-......-.J \-_: ...•.• ~wiMiiiii[L-'-'-'-'~ . , I <-- I ';'-'-''-. /-/ \;'\ (SANJUAN, -:,,--.. \. ,,..J -·-'- j ' ..-J. .' "I 't 'L I C:ONEJOS I . "l , • 0 1 10 ·10 '0 ~ 10 oiiAif .' I L.--!._._,~,_, ' 10 MILU RIOMRIIA -.---~.--.- <, .....• !;c: r _._._.-.,. \ ,",CUST£R /"\ ~z ~'" :<:.0 z!l: . ~'V n ! 8" . PUEBLO -, ,- ;~ ~o ~ ~b . zr •••••• n ~.'R£MO..r-·-· 'L-.~ ",/ = •... ". £L PI. j '-:/i1UERFA;io\ J ~HUUTA . \' ,1110 •.GPLAjA-·--.J,'" ( ~ . I'MIN£~''"' ~-.I ! "'-. '\ r-'-'-" . HINSDALE . I •• III "TELLER! CiWf£t~. I .. 0;,- ;8 ./ ••••• ! ..••. ....., "\ s.... 'I I. I GUNNISON <J!. z ·1AR"-·1. ./ I "- -_ ...., ).. r" DELTA • . <, \....~EEK ,.ITKIN I " ;1 ~ I insufficient data ._.r . I ;r .-.-< ) /l.' /'! ' ••• I i ~,iI ~ .r\ _.-..> " 200 < ::x:: I \ 150 : ...~ • I ; « if 100 151 C><J ~ 51 101 11111111111 II: 50 &.....! 'laOULD 11I I I I I I I II I o . Iw. LAHIM£II \.- RURAL MAIL CARRIERS CENSUS DISTRIBUTION OF PHEASANT SEX RATIO f71~1/Ij IIIII III : ~ __ ..!.!_~~?iLA.AMl.E. .J " I I '_' __ . ,~ '-...., ,r' /' LASAN 0 0 Or ~ ~ 0 �- 19 -northeast but indicated a trend increase in the Arkansas Valley. It is believed the contrary results for the Arkansas Valley ShOW1l by the mail carrier surveys can be traced to poor sighting conditions and to a reduced volume ,of data. Reproductiom The average young per hen ratio in Colorado is 3003.. This is a decrease of 15024% fror1 the average 3.575 young per brood in 19480 Fi~~re I presents a comprehensive picture ofreproduction. Reproduction was highest in the South Platte and Arkansas river drainages. Of particular importance is the extreme northeast which includes Sedgydck~ Logan~ Yiashington, Phillips, and Yuma Counties, for this section is shoYv-ingexcellent ability to recupe the losses suffered during the past winterVs blizzard. Counties in the East Central, the San Luis Valley and on the western slope exhibit young hen ratios which are below the State averageo Work Plan No.. 2 = Job 3 Titleg Pheasant Brood Survey Objective;: To secure counts of broods in size and frequency and to determine the factors affecting. ScoDe g Arkansas Reported Blg and San Luis Valleys Howard Ao Stiehm Techniquesg Automobile sighting is considered the most feasible to afford rapid, general coverage of all areas during the desirable morning and evening hours •• Findingsg (i\rkansas Valley) During the quarter 103 broods were noted for an average of 6~3 birds per brood. (San Luis Valley) During the same period, in this area, a total of 31 broods were recorded with an average of 5.8 birds per brood •• Analysis and Recommendationsg (Arkansas Valley) A slight decrease of 1.56% from 6~4young per brood in 1948 to 603 young per brood in 1949 has been calculated for this area. (San Luis Valley) The average brood in this area went from 5.5 young per brood in 1948 to 508 young per brood in 1949 for an increase of 5G45%. There is no apparent reason for the changes .m each area other than a combination of all factorso �- 20 -. Work Plan Noo 4 - Job 2, Deviation Title: Survey of Duck Broods Objective~ To determine in Colorado ScoDe: the duck production in the major duck nesting grounds San Luis Valley, North Park, Northern Colorado farm land. Reported by: Personnel: wildlife References: Willard L" Flinn Willard L. Flinn, Kenneth Bo Milyard, technicians. and all other department July and October, 1948, Quarterly Progress Reportse Techniques: San Luis Valley On July 14 and 15, 1949, an aerial survey was made of the San Luis Valley to obtain a count of duck broods. The total area was arbitrarily outlined as the area in the valley which might conceivably be duck nesting habitato It was then subdivided into five parts, each being different from the others in habitat types, geography, and land use. These are as follows: 10 2. 30 40 5. Rio Grande River Russell Lakes "pot Holes" San Luis Lakes Farm and meadow land Total 76 sq. miles 1005 It 78 II II " It 10 1310 148405 " " II II 11 Each of the above areas was flown and counted individually. Total counts were made in all areas except the farm and meadow land. Here a transect was flown and the area covered was calculated by using the linear distance (113 miles) and a quarter of a mile observing distance on each side of the plane. It was determined that 56.5 square miles or 403% of this area was sampled. North Park Aerial brood counts in North Park resolved to a simple method of flying each of the major strea~s and lakes in the valley proper. Here duck nesting habitat may be said to be in the narrow areas adjacent to these bodies of water. A total count was attempted, but it is believed that due to an abundance of cover, especially along the streams, only a small percentage of the total nwnber of ducks was seene �~ 21 ~ Two separate ground surveys were made in the area to count broods and to determine a ratio of the species inhabiting North Parko Northern Colorado Agricultur~l Lands (South Platte River Valley) The northern Colorado irrigated farm district was flown and ducks and their broods were counted from the airo Ground counts were made also, to determine sex ratios and brood sizeso No attempt was made to obtain a total count nor to determine birds per square mile for projection, A basis has been set.9 however , upon which a trend may be run in the future. Findings~ Effort was always made to sex and determine species while making aerial surveys This VIas usually difficult because of light var-i.at.Lons , cover~ and speed of the plane combined to hinder the vision needed for such close inspectiono The accuracy of sexing was further reduced because nearly gr-own young ducks were indistinguishable from adult females. The species of males can be easily determined under certain conditions~ and Lmpo ssi.b'Leunder other sets of circumstances. Positive identification of females as to species is usually not possible from the airo Mallards predominate in numbers over all other ducks~ except possibly in North Parke Baldpates. shovelers,9 gadwalls and the divers are more abundant there.. Pole Mountain Lake had a high concentration of baldpates. Lake John showed many divers, such as redheads~ scaupj and ruddy ducks. Shovelers inhabited some of the shallow ponds •• 0 Vegetative cover, mainly a heavy gr01vth of willows~ was an inhibiting factor in counting duck broods along North Park strearns,Sboth from the air and on the ground. Ducks are always difficult to see fro:n the air except on open water. The aerial count in the northern agricultural area and in the farm land of the San Luis Valley was low. Here open water areas are few and smalL Observation on irrigation dltches and ponds is restricted by tree;3 and other cover , Aerial Surveyg Avo Young Adults Broods No.Young Per Brood San Luis Valley Rio Grande River Russell Lakes Pot Holes San Luis Lakes lvIeadow& farm land Totals North Park Streams Lakes ! Totals Northern Colo •• farm land 380 291 1691 83 141 EBb 11 12 27 2 5 59 68 .LO '''5 14 28 ~ ~ 957 651 1608 8 -2 11 121 8 Area SampJ.ed 76 sq.,mi•• 5036 5,,66 10.5 II II 91 78 \I 6085 10 II II 7eOO 5 60 1310 II II 6 20 1484o~ sqomio 0 6 II (est) II II It II 57 5000 5.,66 ~,,18 48 II 905 57.,~ 47 5•• 8'( (Undetermined) 40 17 II II �- 22 Ground Survey~ The ground count records show nine broods of ducks were observed in North Park with 57 young, giving an average of 6033 young per broodo Figures on composition by species of North Park ducks are believed not to be representativeo Lack of roads and time allotted to the program prevented observing ducks at close range in the area. Ground observations of duck broods in the Northern Colorado farm land revealed 57 broods with 332 younge The average number per brood is 50820 From additional reports received from areas east of the mountains a total of 99 broods~ with 537 young, averaged 5042 young per broodo Scattered reports from the mountainous of 7020u areas give a brood average The average number of young per brood from all records and reports this year in Colorado is 50560 San Luis Valley Waterfowl Nesting Study Work Plan I'Joo4 - IvligratoryBirds - Ducks and Geese Job 2 - Waterfowl production Objectives~ To determine by species and representative cover types number of breeding pairs and non-breeding individuals, clutch size, fate of eggs, brood size3 and decimating factors affecting productiono Reported byg Ronald Ryder Techniques~ Sample areas selected on basis of natural vegetation, water distribution~ and general land use including crop production and grazingo Production deterrrdned by periodical counts of breeding pairs, nests and broods on sarr~le areas. All data kept separate by species and cover types The effects of crop production, grazing and predation, so far as possible to be determinedc 0 Findingsg Study areas were located throughout sample the following cover typesg (1) (2) (3) the valley in an effort to Hardstem bulrush Cattail marsh Grasses and grasslike plants (4) Brushlands (5) Native hay meadow (6) Alfalfa (7) Clover (8) Field peas (9) Small grains (10) Potatoes and other row crops �- 23 Nests or broods were noted in all cover types except (7), (8)3 (9), and (lO)s A total of 241 nests were located on the study areas during the period from April 1 to September 13 19490 Of this total 226 were mallard nests. Table I gives the clutch size for mallard nests observed. Clutch Size of 226 Mallard Nests (Average Clutdl of 165 completed clutches - 8.• 1) Hatched before found, clutch estimated Complete Clutches~ known size Under 6 eggs when 1 ' deserted c•. es -l-t.royeo, of at last visit No" of nests 29 28 46 3S 19 5 2 1 47 14 No!) of eggs 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 - -- No clutches under six eggs were known to have hatched any young , During the season 1573 mallard eggs wer-e under obser-vatd.on , Fate of 996 eggs is known, while the remaining 577 were not located againo The latter eggs may have been destroyed by some decimating factor although in many instances nests were lost to the observer due to destruction of nest markers~ Table II sUITmlarizesthe final data for mallard eggs under observation. TABLE II Final Data on 1573 Mallard Eggs Classified By Cover Types Cover types Bulrush Cattail Grasses and grasslike plants Brushland lAlfalfa Native hay Total all types Fate known Failed to Hatched Hatch d c1 70 Noo /0 Noo Fate unknown No •• 371 61.,7 156 83.4 230 3803 6 31 16•. 431 107 69 6005 22 36,,7 45 3905 38 6303 19 100.• 0 15 10000 --- 378 38.0 577 -,., -- - -- .. 618 62 0 0 - 39 -, �- 24 TABLE II - (Continued) Reasons For Failure To Hatch Died in Out of Cover Types Predator Infertile Incubation Deserted Nest Fire Mow-lng Flooded No •• % Noo % Woo % No •• 1c1 Noo % No. % No .•% No. e;'Ii> 0 Bulrush luo 18,,310 Cattail 2 101 12 Grasses and grasslike plants 31 27.2 2 Brushl.and 38 63.3 Alfalfa 3 1508 Native hay 3 20 0 0 302 16 6.4 7 207 78 13.0 1 307 5 297 ..• 1 1.8 3 206 9 - - - - - 7.9 - - - - - - 6 1.0 5 207 - - - - - - - - - 16 84.2 - - - 12 BD.O - - .1 5 05 28 208 6 06 - Total all types 187 1808 33 303 26 206 92 9.3 1 -_.-., An average brood of 709 is obtained for 86 mallard nests known to have hatched some young. This compares favorably with the 165 nests having completed clutches (see Table 1)0 Actual brood counts indicate an average of slightly less (see Table 111)0 Thus it appears that with successful nesting pairs an average of 801 eggs were laid, 709 hatched and 7.,2ducklings were still alive at about six weeks (approximate average age of broods counted). However, the nUfllberof young produced for each mallard hen attempting to nest is much less. For 1~.2nesting attempts observed on the study areas for which final fate of eggs is known, only 4.4 young were produced per nest-attempting female •• In addition to the decimating factors affecting eggs as listed in Table II, several others were observed that destroyed young and adult ducks during the nesting season" Approximately 20 ducks were observed that had been killed by highway traffic in the valley, one by a great horned owl~ two by other birds of prey, eight young mallards in native hay mowing and one nesting female mallard i. alfalfa mowing. A female hl.ue winged teal was found that apparently died from starvation resulting from an egg becoming lodged in the cLoaca , An Lmmat.ur-emallard was found that 1ad died from injury received from striking a power line. An adult redhead drake was found dead, cause of death not determined. tion~ Table IV shows the fates of the 16 non-mallard nests under observa- �- 25 TABLE III Average Broods Observed Following Hatching Species No. Broods Observed No. of Young Average Brood Mallard Pintail Gadwall Shoveller Green winged teal Cinnamon teal Blue winged teal Redhead Ring necked duck* Ruddy duck 29 6 4 0 2 2 2 207 39 26 0 13 10 19 702 605 605 ? 605 500 905 509 900 6 •• 6 7 41 3 7 27 46 Average Brood As Indicated By Nesting Observations 7<>9 (86 nests) No hatch observed No hatch observed 1100 (1 nest) No hatch observed 900 (4 nests) No hatch observed 300 (1 nest) No hatch observed No hatch observed * Observed on upper Rio Grande rather than in valley proper .. TABLE IV Fate of Nests and Eggs of Species Other Than Mallard No. of Eggs Species 7 7 Pintail u 7 " 8 II Cinnamon teal n " II II It Gadwall " It Shoveller II Redhead II 4 9 11 6 9 8 7 I! Ruddy duck* ~t- Not 7 11 10 10 5 on official study areas Fate of Eggs 4 destroyed by predator, 3 deserted 1 destroyed by predator, 4 deserted, 2 missing Unknown~ nest never found again. Still incubating (3 pipped) when last visited in hayfield 7 hatched 9 hatched, 2 were infertile 10 hatched 10 hatched 4 destroyed by predator 9 destroyed by mowing 11 hatched 6 destroyed by predator 9 lost by flooding 8 lost by flooding 3 hatched, 2 infertile, 2 died in incubation 5 deserted when water level dropped �- 26 - Skunks and magpies were found to be the worst predators affecting waterfowl production in the valley through their destruction of eggs o Conceivably this predation may have been increased by the predators trailing the observer to nests. Desertion also might have been greater than normal due to observation, although in no instance was there any indication of desertion from this cause Great care was taken to cover all nests VQ th down and debris after inspecting the nests, and no visible markers were left within 20 to 30 feet of each nest. Efforts were also made to avoid making conspicuous trails to the nests. On several occasions skunks were observed wandering through the Russell Lru(es study area apparently searching for nests. One skunk was observed to flush a hen whose nest was unknown to the observer. The skunk immediately started crushing the eggs and lapping up their contentso One coyote and three weasels were also observed on the study areas during the nesting season but their importance was never determined. Q Analysis and Recommendations~ Nesting production was determined on a per acre basis for six major cover types on which ducks were found nesting. No attempt is made to project these nesting production figures for the entire valley inasmuch as accurate cover type maps for the entire valley are lacking and the area sa~pled is too small to give a statistically sound projection. It is thought, however, that a combination aerial census of adult birds early in the nesting season coupled with ground field work to determine species composition, sex ratios and nu~ber of young produced per female could be used to obtain a reasonably accurate estimate of a season!s production. For ex pIe, this year on the study areas 404 young per nest-attempting female appeared to be the production for mallards.. Multiplying this figure by the number of nesting pairs in the valley (obtained by aerial transects) one should have a reasonably good estimate of the number of mallards produced in the valley. Job 3 - Habitat evaluation Objectives~ To deterrnine plant conposition~ water relationships~ interspersion of cover and water, and the effects of cultural practices on waterfowl production. Techniouesg Vegetative complexes and water fluctuations to be determined by mapping and planimetering sample areas. Data for vegetation to be determined quantitatively by important species.. Interspersion of tY1)es to be determined from maps:; and value of interspersion to be verified by waterfowl use observed throughout the nesting and young rearing periodo Final evaluation of various habitats are to be determined from the observed effects of cultural practices such as crop production, harvest, irrigation, etc.; on nesting success and survival of young. Findings: Table V describes briefly the distribution of the 226 mallard nests observed on the study areas. From the planimetered acreages for each cover type, nesting densities were calculated which tend to indicate that cattails are the most favored nesting site, with bulrushes, grasses and grasslike p.Lant.s , bruehl ands , and alfalfa fo.LLowi.ng in approximate order of rank. The native hay and alfalfa acreages were not planimetered but obtained from the farmers concerned. �- 27 TABLE V of 226 Mallard Nests By Cover Types Distribution I No. Nests Cover Type Cattail Bulrush Grasses and grasslike plants Brushlands ..!Ufalfa Native hay Total all types Density Nests per 100 acres A.creage Sampled Rank 37 149 2200 80.,,0 5904 53 6 1 23 11 3 3 226 30003 31209 400 0 580 .. 0 1695.,2 76 3 4 5 6 2 0 0 305 08 Q5 41 - 1303 Fr'om Tables II and V it appears that cattails not only had the highest nesting density, but also the highest percent success. Bulrush, while having a nesting density approximately seven times that of grasses ~~d grasslike plants, has approximately the same percent of success. Brushlands, native hay, and alfalfa had both low densities and low percentages of success. Table VI classifies nests of all species observed according to cover type. Too few nests of species other than mallard were observed to obtain lnuch correlation between nesting success and cover typeo TABLE VI Number of Nests By Species and Cover Types : Grasslands Species Cattail Bulrush No. % No. % & Grasslike Brushlands Native Hay Alfalfa Plants Noo Noo % Noo d ;0 Noo 409 3 - 1 50.0 - 103 3 25.u - - 10.2 11 75.0 5000 1 5000 1 - 50.0 1 50.0 - 38 15.8 153 63.,529 12 .• 0 13 37 1604 145 6509 23 ~allard 3 - Pintail - 1 Shoveller - Cinnamon teal 1 25,,0 1 25.0 2 Gadwall - 3 Roo.O Redhead - Total all species % - - - c! fO 1.3 - - -- - - - - 504 5 2.1 3 102 - - - - �- 28 - Cultural practices in the valley were noted to influence waterfowl production in many ways. Native hay mowing did not occur until most ducks had hatched so comparatively few nests'were destroyed in haying operations. Most areas in native hay meadows that are mowed are completely flooded during the height of the nesting season so the possibilities of nesting there are reduced. What broods hatch in native hay usually move to the surrounding ditches when the meadows are dried prior to mowing. Consequently~ comparatively few yOlli~gducks are killed in mowing. ~nat late nests there are in the hay meadows up to the time of haying usually are located on old ant hills and natural mounds covered with brush. Such spots are naturally avoided by the mowers as they possess but little hay and can break mower parts. Even when nests are destroyed by haying operations in native hay the female usually escapes. Such is not the case in the denser alfalfa fields. In both types of hay a far greater percentage of incubating ducks escaped injury from the mowers than did hen pheasants. Flooded native hay meadows and irrigated grain and pea fields are very important factors in waterfowl production in the valley mainly because they provide feeding areas for both adults and young. Although cattail and bulrush marshes are very important duck nesting habitat.s, small grains, field pea~ and native hay meadows are an indispensible part of the waterfowl picture in the valley. Cultivation, irrigation, spraying, and various other practices practically eliminate potatoes, sugar beets, garden vegetables, and other row crops as possible duck nesting habitats. Small grains are probably of minor value as nesting habitat due to the total irrigation they receive. Most clover fields were grazed by sheep and consequently not available as nesting habitat. However, it is quite possible that a few ducks nest in clover left ungrazed for hay, as they do on dikes in alfalfa fields. Many landowners were found to purposely reduce the better waterfowl nesting cover. Bulrushes and cattail marshes are drained, burned, a~d filled for several reasons. First of all, they are of little value for hay; and,9secondly, they attract muskrats and ducks which cause destruction in various ways. Muskrats cause considerable damage by digging holes through irrigation dikes and ditch banks. Landowners are forced to stop all work and repair the dallage. Often the resulting flooding danages field crops and covers roads. Waterfowl complaints are largely of two sorts. First, waterfowl reduce native hay production in their feeding in meadows" not so much by eating the sedges and grasses, but by tra'llpling~ Patches of fallen and tangled hay cause the mowers delays and sizable amounts of hay cannot be cut. Secondly, ducks feed in pea and small grain fields. Duck depredations started in malt barley and oat fields early in August before the grains were ripe enough for harvest. Pea damage occurs later and can be attributed mainly to migratory birds. At least during the 1949 nesting season, water did not seem to be a limiting factor in waterfowl production in the San Luis Valley. 'ltl1.ile water areas fluctuated noticably throughout the season, at no time were �- 29 any broods observed marooned. Rainfall, artesian flow~ irrigation runoff, and subsoil seepage all contribute to the apparently adequate water supply in the valley. Some flooding occurred along the Rio Gra~de and tributary streams during the height of the nesting season but seemed to be of minor overall importance" Some nest destruction of late nesting redheads was caused by flooding when irrigation water was diverted from native hay meadows into sloughs prior to haying$ Some desertion of nests was observed when a few ponds were purposely drained to reduce duck damage to adjacent fields and to reduce trespassing by duck hunters this coming season. Waterfowl production in bulrush areas3 notably in the vicinity of the Russell LakesJ could be increased by blasting channels so as to increase the amourrt of available shoreline. Numberous areas throughout the valley couId be improved as nesting habitats by flooding. Analysis and RecomIllendations~ Much valuable duck nesting habitat now exists in the San Luis Valley and conceivably more could be created by blasting channels and flooding other areas. However, duck populations in the valley already are of such numbers that considerable depredation to various agricultural crops occur. Until some satisfactory means of' controlling depredations are developed it does not seem advisable to undertake 8.J.'1.y waterfowl habitat improvement programs. Depredations rnight possibly be reduced by urging farmers to harvest their field peas rather than feeding them in the fields. Grain fields might possibly be left standing for the specific use of wat.er f'owl, and efforts made to rally waterfowl from private grain fields 0 Work Plan No~ 4 = Migratory Birds - Ducks and Geese Titleg Trapping and banding ducks Objective~ To trap and band ducks from the main state flyways pursuant to migration studieso Scopeg The San Luis Valley Reported byg Ronald Ryder Techniques~ All birds banded~except two mallards, twelve redheads~ three ruddy ducksJ one gadwall, and one coot, were caught by use of three bait traps. The exceptions noted were caught by hand. A fish seine was also employed in catching the ruddy ducks~ The three bait traps were all the Colorado duck trapJ vrith the ramp extending the entire length of the trap (see Colorado Quarterly Progress Report kpril, 1949)0 Trap No.1 is 401 X 15! with eight entrancesQ It is located on Trite Lake, of the Russell Lakes group. Trap No.2 is 91 X 12' vdth four entrrulces. This small trap is located on a pond on the A. Co Davey Eanch, in the vicinity �- 30 of the Russell Lakes. Trap Noo 3 is located on an ox-bow slough on the N. B. Clarke Farm, north of Alamosa. It is 16' x 12' ,dth six ent.rancaa, A total of 48 man-hours was spent in actual trap construction. Bait consisted primarily of 325 pounds of barley, although 25 pounds each of wheat, oats, ahd corn were tried. Trapping,!ltransportation, and release in other areas as a possible means of reducing duck depredation was experimentally initiated on the N" B. Clarke Farm at the request of Frank Poley, U. S. Game Management Agent, and Earl Downer, District Chief Game Vvarden~ Colorado Game and Fish Department G Catcher tubes sL"llilarto those described in the April, 1949, Quarterly Progress Report were employed. Catching and banding was largely accomplished alone~ although a six-year old neighbor boy frequently assisted in driving the ducks from the trap into the catcher tube. Cloacal examination was employed as a means of sexing mallards and pintails. Separation into age classes was attempted by the presence or absence of the bursa of fabricius and the various plumage differences described in Kortright's liThe Ducks, Geese.'land Swans of Horth America." Findings g A total of 611~migratory waterfowl were ba.Lldedduring the period from August 11 to September 3, 1949. Of this total, 594 were mallards" 3 pintails, 12 redheads, 3 ruddy ducks, 1 gadwall, and 1 cooto Sexing of all species was difficult due to the lack of external sex differences during the summer seasono Male mallards were, with few excepttions, entirely devoid of any green feathers on the head.\)adults being in some stage of the eclipse molt, whereas the young were still in the juvenile plumage. The same situation prevailed in the pintails. The remaining species banded wer-e flightless" feathered young in Which no external sexual differentiation was app rent. Table I gives a daily breakdovm by species and sexo The three traps differed considerably in productivity, largely due to differences in Size, construction, and location. Table II describes briefly the results of the various trapso Trap No , 3 was built mainly to e)..-periment with trapping as a means of controlling duck depredation. Ducks had started feeding in the malt barley fields on the No B. Clarke Farm early in August.. Trap No. 3 was completed by August 20, 1949, and baited with COImnon barley. By September 3, 53 mallards had been caught, banded, and transported to La Veta, Colorado, where they were released at the city waterworks. On September 5, 1949, this trap yielded 21 dead mallards and 2 crippleso From all indications a small dog or coyote had dug under the chicken wire sides of the pen and killed f'or-sheer enjoyment" Sixteen dead mallards and two cripples were found inside the trap, while five were found just outside the trap. Post �- 31 - TABLE I Daily Banding Record by Species and Sex - San Luis Valley, 1949 Date 7-26 8-11 8-12 8-13 8-14 ,S~--15 e-16 3-17 3-18 8-19 3-20 EI-22 0-23 Mallard Male Female 1 23 21 0 / 18 9 31 15 20 Ih 1)-+ 25 21 J--2L!. 7 8-25 8=26 8-27 8-29 8-30 9-3 46 8 20 33 10 16 Totals 361 Pintail H.edhead Ruddy Gadwall Coot 8 3 1 1 12 3 1 1 lv.Iale Female 4 11+ ,0 11 .-~ 9 28 6 12 18 20 12 3 1 1 4 38 10 4 1 8 8 19 233 1 2 �- 32 TABLE II Daily Banding Records by Traps, San Luis Valley, Summer 1949 Tran 1 - Trite Lake Date Total Catch* Ducks 8-11 8-12 8-13 8-14 8-15 8-16 8-17 8-18 8-19 8-20 8-22 8-23 8-25 8-27 8-29 27 36 15 30 19 54 58 20 50 54 68 55 114 56 62 Totals 718 Repeats % Repeats Trap Days Bandable Ducks per Trap Day 27 35 15 28 12 41 43 18 26 26 42 34 84 25 32 -488 0 1 0 2 7 13 15 2 24 28 26 21 30 31 30 230 000 2~8 0.0 6•• 7 2702 24.• 1 25.7 10.0 48.0 51.8 38.• 2 38.2 26.3 55.4 4804 32.• 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 27.0 35.0 15.0 28.0 12.0 41.0 43.0 18.0 26,,0 26•. 0 21.0 34.0 42.• 0 12.5 1600 19 2507 8 6 3 ·10 18 9 51+ 5 7 6 7 8 13 -46 38..5 53,,8 66.7 41.• 1 30.8 59.0 46.0 3 2 2 2 2 3 14 2.7 3.0 1.• 5 5•• 0 9.0 3.0 3.• 9 18 35 -53 0 0 -0 0.0 0.0 0.0 9 3 12 2.0 11.7 4.4 595 276 31.6 45 13.2 Banded -- * Exclusive of decoys Trap 2 - Davey Ranch 8~18 8-20 8-22 8-24 8-26 8-29 Totals 13 13 9 17 26 22 100 Trap 3 - Clarke Farm 8=30 9~3 18 35 -53 Grand total,2 3 traps 871 �- 33 mortem examinations proved that all had been killed by bites on the backs and breastso Three lacked headso Apparently these three heads were all that was eaten of the entire 21 duckso The two injured mallards were released vlithout band.ing, one flying away, the other swimming to cover , Considering this loss as a catch of 22 new birds (one of the dead was a banded decoy), the total catch for the season was 636 migratory game birdso Thus the catch breaks down , 96 5% banded, 302% lost to predators, •.3% captured but released unbandedo 0 Cloacal examination for sexing also revealed the relatively high rate of occurrence of parasitic worms in the lower intestine. Of 567 mallards, in which the presence or absence of visible worms was noted, 152 or 26 ••87& were definitely infestedo Of 567 mallards classified tnto age classes, 154 wer-e definitely birds of the year , the remainder adults or doubtfuls a Anal vsis a::1.d Recomrnendations : Bai t trapping of summer' duck populations for banding proved feasible in the San Luis Valley. From August 11 to September 614 migrat.ory waterfowl were banded, chiefly ma.Ll.ar-ds 3: to Trapping, transportation and release in other areas as a possible means of reducing duck depredations was experimentally initiated~ and although a larger trap and more liberal baiting might help, to date this attempt seems to be of little successe . Although there were no losses due to handling and banding, a 302~b loss occurred when a predator dug into a trap and killed 21 duckso Alterations in trap construction to eliminate the possibility of such happenings is highly advisable for subsequent trapping operationso Banding returns of ducks banded in the valley should provide much valuable information as regards to the actual harvest of Colorado reared ducks" Work Plan No.. 5 - Job 1 Ti tIe ~ Trapping and Banding Objective~ studies" To trap and band bandt.a.i.L pigeons for migration and flyway R.eported b;y~ Clyde P •.Matteson Techniques~ Using the same trap and same general procedure employed during the 1948 investigations (see Colorado Quarterly Progress Report, April, 1948) the pigeons in the Perry Parks. 'Westcliffe, and Salida areas wer-e again sampled", The birds trapped at Per-ry Park were transported to Colorado Springs for parasite examination by Dro rt" Mo Stabler, of Colorado Col1ege as was done last year. No grains other than wheat. we re used for bait. In the placing of bait proximity to flowing water~ l1lh'TI.ber of birds frequ.enting the area~ degree of frequency, and nearness to anticipated disturba.n.cewere j �- 34 taken into careful considerationo Because of inclement weather and certain man-made obstacles at least two places in each of the above mentioned general areas were baited in an attempt to attract the birds for trap9ingo Do S. Fish and Wildlife Service bands wer-e used for all bandingo Findings: Following of 19L~9~ is a record of birds trappe d and banded during the summer Date Place Noo ca tured Recaptures Hepe ts Immat.ur-es 5-14-L9 Perry Park Ranch 2 0 0 5~16~49 5-28-49 7-27-49 7-29-49 Totals Perry Park l~ch Near Westcliffe Near Salida Near- Salida 6 (one escaped) 42 53 23 0 0 0 2 -2 0 1 5 6 -12 --& 148 8 9 0 1 (died' 20 - Natural obstacles to trapping success were unseasonable rain and cold. MaIl-made obstacles included: Absentee ovmership of property necessitating excessive delay in the baiting of an area; horses which were inadvertently permitted access to the corral containing the trap, resu.lting in partial destruction of the trap; 2-4-D spraying of a bait field sown to barley (al though the bait grain was seen to be utilized frequently by doves, no pigeons were seen eating it); and flooding due to haphazard irrigation which forced moving the trap.. It was thought that these obstacles would resu t in complete trapping failure, but resulted only in prolonging the trapping effort in every caseo Dro Robert Mo Stabler's palatal saliva examination of 48 birds showed 31{)26% of them to show positive Trichomonas gallinae reactions. Blood smears were made at this time for future study •• One trapped bird ied~ Since this represents the first loss in 358 birds trapped using the same t-echnfque, it is L"llpossibleto definitely attribute the death to the trapping operation. It was an adult, previously bandedc After its release from the trap it flew about 50 yards and died within an hour.. The bird was frozen to be made into a study skin. In each trapping area at least one opportunity was provided to set up the trap over the bait il.nediately, in one case even before the birds had discovered the bait. (For standard procedure see Colorado Quarterly Progress Report April, 1948) At Salida, not only was the foregoing true~ but the trapsite was approximately 100 yards from a much traveled road. In al_ instancess excepting the latter (Salida),')other than evidencing habitual caution, the birds showed no discernable fear of the trap.. At Salida, however~ they were very nervous, especially whenever a car stopped nearby on the county road or livestock moved in the adjacent field. One other factor that might possibly have contributed to this nervousness was the �- 35 fact that. it is suspected the birds were being shot at in this area. Other tha.TJ.hearsay the only evidence to substantiate this suspicion was a dead bandtail found a half mile f'r om the trapsite., The bird was too decomposed to ascertain the cause of death and so constitutes only circrunstantial evidence. (See picture I). Analvsis and Recommendations: I'lot nearly so many pigeons visited the Perry Park Ranch this year as last. Outside of one large concentration in the Yvetliliountain Valley ('Nestcliffe) most of the l)i~eon group occurrences were small~ seldom exceeding six birds. One large flock (large is construed to mean 200 birds or more ) was observed once at Sal Lda, and other than the flock of about 70 birds t.hat, stayed close to the tr<lpsj_te there 'were only scatt,ered relatively 3,11a11groups , These instances contrast rather sharp Ly wi th last year 1 s group feeding flocks Alt.hough birds wou.Ld break free of these flocks to fly to the high country (presilluably to go to their nest. area) small groups were never found feeding sep2.J.."cd:.:;;;ly. However', this is not too significant since it· is entirely 90ssible that if there were sr;:all groups they might not have C;Oii18 under observationo Since no impromptu study was set up to attempt correlation between V.[8[l.t,her eleUlents and bandtail pigeon behavior pattern, it is impossible to shed factual light on the ot.herwi.se seemingly evider::t pat.t.erri shift obser-ved this past spring and aummer, Other factors, principally food availability and abundance; undoubt-edly l.::Jlayvery decisive roles. 0 It was found that when a f'ew birds of a large flock find bait it is not Long, per-naps a day, before the aggregate wi.Ll, have joined the vanguards, until all the grain has been eaten. This points to the food availability and abundance fact.or .• Some corr;parisons are wort.h noting. Of the total sanp.Le this year; year, and the first immature banded last year was trapped •.. June 20 whi.Le the first immature to be banded this year was trapped May 28. Over a two-year study period this is probably only interesting} not necessarily significant •• 8~U; were immaturos as compared to 14.•8~)~for last It is reCOIill:lSnded that in future trapping, all areas to be trapped be baited at the start~ then wh.en one area has been trapped. the trapper can set up b!lllodiately on ano t.her-, This ii1isllt increase the possibility for a larger and more diversified catch since more areas can be handled within the time limits •• It is further recommended that bandtail pigeon trapping and banding studies be contin'J.ed since trend data is absolutely necessary and does not become significant during the first two or three years •• �- 36 Job 2 Title: Life history (natural and aViary). Objective: Reported by: To study the elements of life history of the bandtail pigeon Clyde Po l,iatteson Techniques: Due to time limitations it was possible to spend only two days on this phase of the field studyo As was the case last year the search for pigeon nests was carried out along the Rampart Range road in the general vicinity of Devils Head, and more particularly the area at the head of Bear Canyon where nests have been located in previous years. The system of searching consisted of two slightly different methods" By climbing to the top of a rock outcrop it was possible to watch for birds flying and~ in calm air~ to listen for their cooing and the relatively rare squeal of the nestling squab.. The other method combined driving along the road watching for perched singles and flying birds (if seen the vehicle was then abandoned) and searching for the nest on foot began. See the Colorado Quarterly Progress Report April, 1948 for a detailed account of nest hunting o Since per'sonne.L could not be assigned (other than to feed and wa ter the birds) to the aviary study at the Game Farm it was not possible to control that phase of the investigationo Findings: Most of this year's nest hunt was conducted in cooperation with Mr" J .•40 Neff, of the Fish and Wildlife Service, and Mr" R. J. Niedrach, of the Denver Museum of Natural History" Pour active nests were found this year by IvIroNiedracho The first of these was fo-u.ndAugust 5 and contained an egg which was determined to have been freshly Lafd , At the time of this Yrriting the squab has become feathered and thence airborne. 'rifO more nests were found, one each on August 11 and 12, each having a fully feathered squab in the branches of the tree eontaining the neste September 2 still another nest was found, this one containi g ar egg e Mro Neff located a nest that~ although unoccupied, appeared to be in the process of being br il t., At the time of this li'IT'iting the nest is still unoccupiedo The ViTTi ter found one unoccupied nest which had the appearance of material having been added to it in a succeeding year. All nests wer-e found in the vicinity of nests fou d in preceding years, that is, nea.r the head of Bear Canyon., During the SUI Her months, beginning about June 1, a total of four eggs were laid~ mostly on the ground~ in the aviary. The second of these was incubated successfully a.1'ld hatched, the squab subsequently taking will60 Nesting material was constantly available and two covered, open �Figure 1 Squab reared at Game Fam Summer, 1949. Figure 2 Remains of Band-tailed Pigeon found dead near Salida, J~, 1949. �- 37 ended. clevated nesting boxes wer-e placed within the enclosure I t was in one of these that the successful egg ,[as laid, and the squab hatched and brooded. Three more nest bOX3S wer-e added as soon as the one was discovered 0 (See Picture in usee II). Analysis and Reco;:mnendations: It was noted by Mr6 Niedrach that at least the first three of the active nests found by him this year were vathin approximately sixty yards of nests found in previous yearso Because of the possibility of the suggested correlation it is recormuended that considerable effort be expended in the following years in order that val.uab.l.e information may be obtained from the nesting in this area. Probably it ',V s fortunate that the aviary was left unmolested except for feeding and wat.er-i.ng , because of the disturbance factor in connection rath possible nesting activit yo However, due to certain unavoidable inadequacies ~ it ,[TaS not possible to deteI'iuine the parents of the squab, the time of laying of the particular egg (and the others), the dates of hatching and significant feather Grovvth~tLle of broodinG, sex of the brooders, and so on& To facilitate study in the future the pigeon study vall mos t probably be l:;oveclo Cooperative assistance has been volunteered in this connection. It is therefore rccoY!l::nended that the Project render, in turn, cooperation in the degree required in order that a controlled study- !.11aybe ;il&v_8 of this species in captivityo Approved: Submitted by: Name Harry J Title Wildlife (0 Figge Technician Title Date _____ Note: C~o_l_~~o __ F_e_a_s~t~,~D~i_r~e_c_t~o~r~ _ O.;...C'-' t.;...o,-b_c,-'r_,,?? j 19L.9 Persons wishing to quote f'r om -t}lis abs t.r-act. should first f'r on tho Colorado StLl_-ce 'Jame and Fish Departnento obt.ad.n permission ��- 39 STATE COLORADO PROJECTNO. ----.:::..:......-=----38-R DATE P R'O G RES QUAR'l'ERLY SUR AND V E YS I N V EST As required October, 1949 REPORT S I GAT ION S by FEDE..'lAL AID IN WILDLIFERESTOIlATICN ACT L Title of Project: Deer=El.k ... -Bear Investigations 20 Leader: Laurence 30 Report of Progress: Eo Riordan Northwestern and North Central 10 and Extent Location Job 1 - Location Objective: -- Lloyd W. Searle of SQ'l1IDerRanges. -- Deer and Elk. and Extent To locate Colorado of Summer Rangeso and map summer ranges. Findings: Our deer in the Middle Park area, which takes in Grand and part of SQmmit Counties, could be found su~ering from the lowest elevations at 7,400 feet to the crests of the highest peaks better than 13,000 feet in elevation.. The majority of our deer in this area utilized that portion of their swrmer range from 8,000 to 12,000 feet in elevationo The elk in this area used that portion of the range from 9,000 feet in elevation upward on which to summereIn Routt and Jackson Counties, which include the North Park area, the deer used that portion of the range above 8,500 feet in elevation on which to summer, The elk in these sectors summer-ed on the portion of the range from 9,000 feet in elevation upward. Analysis and Recommendat.Lonsr There were a number of deer, the majority of which were does, this spring that failed to migrate to the high, country to sumner' with the bulk of the herds These deer that remained on the winter range are not in poor condition, but still do not appear as fat and sleek looking as those on the higher or summer range. Willows along creeks and rivers made up better than half of the diet of these deer which summered on v,inter range. The reason for their ,failure to migrate is net certain, 'but as nearly as can be det ermi.ned , the big 0 �- 40 factor was the severe wi.nt.er these does Lndur-sd, 'which left. them in such a run down and weakened condition that they could not make the regular migration before hav i.ng their f'awns, and after having the f'awns rt.hay could not take the little onos on up to the regular summer range because of their strength and condition. The outcome was that we summer-edqui,te a few deer on our winter ranges. III. ForaGe and Range Utili?ation. Job 2 - COITelation Objective: of Game and Livestock To determine land u.se status Land Use Status .• according to use. Findings: The main area where competition for summer range exists between game and domestic stock is in Iloffat County. Domestic sheep use our summer range here destructively, the deer especially that are forced to summer in this area do not appear to be as fat and sleek as they should be becanse of lack of browse 'where the competition is keen between deer and sheepe Analysis and Recommendations: This existing situation could and should be improved by reducing the numbers of sheep now usf.ng this range by a substantial amount, as well as by r-educ.i.ng the deer population in certain isolated areas of high ooncentration • •Job 4 - Utilization and Availabilityat' Objective: game browse use on summer ranges. To study Browse on Summer Hanseo Findings: In all of the high country or SU1ThJJ.er ranges in the area which includes Summi.t., Grand, Jackson, Routt, and iEoffat Counties, we had an excellent growth of grasses and plants. The newgront.h on OUT browse plants was very good. Analysis and Recommendations: With this Good gr'owt.h our- game an irna Ls have become fat and sleek looking, and the fawns and calves have also done very well. Through the s't.ud.i.es and observations made on this year IS fa1iVTI and calf crop, it appears as t.hough our increase was about normal. '~~hite River-Eagle I. Location Hiver-Colorado and Extent Job 1 - Location River Drainage of Seasonal and Extent Areas -- Glenn B. Hogers and Gordon C. Solomon Ranges -- Deer and Elk of Summer Ranges. Trips Viers made on th.e higher ranges of the Book Cliff, Eagle HiveI', '~Jbit e River, Roaring Fork, and Grand Mesa management units. /'..11 ranges, excepting Alpine, show beneficial effects of increase in winter and spring moisture. �- 41In the Book Cliff and upper Piceance Creek areas, new browse plants are appearing for the first time since our utilization plots were estabLi.shed, Mountain Mahogany is showing the best reproductiono A blight is affecting the vigor of Serviceberry plants and reproduction on these is lowo In the Eagle River Management unit, the parks at the head of Hat Creek are poor to depletedo This area has been restricted from domestic stock use. for fifteen years, and the only possible explanation is early spring use by elko Elk sign was plentiful in this area during the middle of Augusto Nigger Basin shows some overuse on willows in small areas but is in excellent condition in otherrespectso The Lost Solar Creek area of the White River unit showeG destructive use with less deer and elk sign than in 19470 Improper herding and management of sheep on this area is probably the greatest factor contributingto ... destructive use Willows are dead or dying over most of the higher range on this part of the White River National Forest" It is believed desireablethat adjoining elk and sheep exclosures be built in the upper Lost Solar Creek drainage to segregate amounts of damage·by classes of 0 at.ock, An excellent growth on browse and grass was observed on the Roaring Fork and Grand Mesa unitso The amount of use by both game and domestic sfock for the next few years will determine whether these ranges improve or retrogresso If present rates of use by both classes of animals are satisfactory and are maintained, it may take several years to r-ecogru se signs of permanent improvement because of other variables such as the weathero 110 Population Surveys ~- Deer and Elk Job 1 - Population and Trend Counts. It was desired that an evening road trend count of deer be made in the upper White River area between Trapper's Lake and Bufordo Thefirst count was made on June 12, vmen S3 deer were counted. Later counts by William Goosman, District Warden, never reached a figure this higho Counts in the Marvine Peak area were higher than in 1948 but much lower than in 19470 Job 3 Check Station Survey. In cooperation with the State Highway Department the following check station sites were established. Four to be used during the antelope sea~on, September 16, 17, and 18; seven to be used during the Turkey season, October 3, 4, and S; and the remaining twenty to be used during the deer, elk, and bear season, October 15 to October 30, Lnc.Lus i,ve r �- 42 - Antelope I. Sunbeam 2. Canon City 3.• Ault 4. Wellington Turkey 1. La Veta 2. Aguilar 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Sarcillo Pagosa Springs Durango Hancos Dolores Deer 1. Idaho Springs, 2. Monarch 3. Animas 4e Sapinero 5~ Ted's Place 6. Houard 7. Rifle 8. Trout Creek 9. Dam Store 10. Steamboat Springs 11•. 25 Hile Hesa 12. \fa1senburg 13. Meeker 14. Del Norte 15. Sunbeam 16•. Glemwod tel'la ter 17. l.Jhi 18. Aspen 19. Douglas Creek 20. Granite Figure 1 on the follo1fing page is a copy of the check station form to be used this year. Questions 1, 2, and 3 concern the wound-. ing loss survey, breaking the loss down by sex and age of animal. Question 4 is an endeavor to measure hurrtd.ng pressure shifts caused by the bag limit of two deer in some areas. �FIGURE I _. ~-.. i ~-" - - - " CHECK STATICN FORM BIG G.AJ\JE HUNTING SEASON SUPERVISOR SHEET NO. STATION DATE - .. QUE S T ION Location ~ 2 1 3 Beam Points Elk Bear Deer Game :'icenseNon- of Kill Y N NO. Y N Y N F L Diam. Y N Ii R CV B C BD Res. (Drainage) Unit No. I County " 1- 1--..' I-- ---- . .1-- I .- ~uestions: 1. Did you wound any game? your animal wounded before you shot it? 2. '\iI[as Did you see any dead deer or elk left in the field? 3. (Under IINO.rtfor example: 1 Buck , (l-B); 1 Bull, (l-Bull),l Doe, (l-D); etc. h. Did you.hunt in the same a.rea last year? If answer is no J indicate county in which hunter did hunt. Y - Yes; N - No; F - Fatally. Print "TAG" ahead of tag number If Non-Resident> mark "X" in 2nd co'Lumn 0 E �-44The follow'ing information is to be posbed as shown in eaeh check station for the guidance of the personnel working thereat;1l CHECK STATION RUL~S B E Q. Q Q B 1: ,~ Q Q 2 I. Be oourteous and neat: 50% of the Statets hunters are contacted by you and judge the Depar-tmerrt by you" II., Be SURE your i hformation and figures are correct. 1. Don't ~uess on beam diameters~ 2. Be sure kill area is clearly defined. 3.. Report daily kills by telephone on bucks, does, and fawns, bulls, cows , and calves on morning of October 18, 21, 24, 27,and last day. 4. Mail full reports iromediatley at end of season. III. One man should be on his feet faCing traffic at all times. IV 0 Check stations to be Hell marked by si.gns and lighted \<lithat least one outside lighto V. Laws to Hatch and correct use on summons , 1. Non-tagging Summons - Illegal tagging of game Graybook - Section 216, page 104, minimum $25.00 2. Illegal possession Summons - Illegal possession, to wit, "one deer" Graybook - Section 215, page 104, minimum $100.00 30 Misuse of license Summons - Hisuse of license Graybook - Section 216, page 104, minimum $25.00 40 Waste of game - Sec. 79, page 39 Summons - l,-Jaste of game Graybook - Section 215, page 104, minimum $100000 Any Violation, excepting under- sece 216 •. big game, sec. 215; shall be pu.~ishable �~RO"UrT"- ~ I L ~-J ~ •• _ H."n'J~""1 ! I N'mi'!-otlQ 0&,_ 0('"o'<lm6,;"">"\ 0.,:-; . r-H.~~~ ) I :JACKSoir '\.. OA~,.I . I I oou""'q :Ri08i.AN~-·-·--·--O;"~"'"';----l IISI A~ON ~/III"N 0 ofl~ -.ittrl ~, /'R."'II orlll/tll,,. or,ll. ot.,,/ Figure 2 Map of Colorado showing relative areas open to the taken of one and two deer respectively. The area west of the heavy north and south line through the approximate center of the State is open for one deer of either sex. Cross hatched areas open for two deer, one of which must be antlerless. .91::~:t1rqN �The following is a SUTI1'1lary of the method of handling the administration of the two-Deer areas which has been pr3pared for release through newspapers to the public" ItThe taking of two deer is legal only in thea,rea described as open for a'two deer season. No person will be permitted to t ake one deer in one deer area and then take a secoriddeer'in the two deer area. The special tag, as issued for the taking of the second deer in the two deer area, will not be valid in any other area for the taking of a deer 0 The first deer taken in the area described as open for the taking of two deer will invalidate the original 1949 deer hunting license. Registered metal tags, to be used for taking the second deer in the two deer area, must be obtained at check stations as hunters enter the area. Persons within the two deer area flay obtain metal tags from local Game and Fish Department personneL All animals taken must be tagged il"l)nediately after thekillo Animals, properly tagged, must be checked through Game andvFd.sh Department check stations or with local game wardens to establish legal possession of the two deer. No person will leave an area open for the killing of two deer wi.t.h more than one deer in possession without checking 1"litha warden or check station located on Highway 160 west of Del Norte, Highway 50 at Sapinero, Highway 6 and 24 Gast of Glenwood Springs near TIotsero,Highway 82 and Moroon Creek near Aspen, Highway 13 north of Rifle, junction of Highways ,139 and 64 near Rangely, junction of Highways 40 and 318 at Maygelle; Highway 50 near Howard, Highway 24 at Granite north of Buena Vista, H:i,ghway 24 at the top of Trout Creek pass. other check stations within the areas where tags may De obtained or returned are located on Highway 50 at Whitewater, on Twenty-Five Mile Mesa Road near Delta, on Highway 19 near Hermosa north of Durango, or on Highway 50 at Monarch west of Sa Li.da, All special tags for the taking of a second deer in this two deer area and 'not used must be r-at.urned to an official check station of the Game and Fish Department as the hunter leaves the two deer area. Five Days after the close of the season all unused metal tags must be returned to the Game and Fish Department.1t III. Forage and Range Utilization. Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Use Exceptional growth was found on all winter browse species in practically all management units. The only exception was Serviceberry which has been afflicted by blight in a number of areas. Table I shows amount of regrowth on browse plots that were clean cut this spring. These plots were 8 feet square and all plants were cut at ground levelo �- 46 - Plot No.1 Cut April 11, 1942 No. of Plants 7 2 50 4 Regrowth AllguSt 2G, ~19..42 A verage HeLght, Specie,§ Before Cutting No. of Plants Sage (Artemisia tridentata) Oak (Quercus spp.) Serviceberry (Amelanchier. alnifolia) Hountain lvlahogany {Cercocarpus montanus) 2ft. None 2 ft. 4 4 ft. 200 2t ft. None Species Sage (Artemisia tridentata) Oak (Quercus sPp.) Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) Mountain 1,1ahoga.ny (Cercocarpus montanus) Average Height 6 in. ..2+,- ft. Plot NO.2 5 22 12 3 Sage (Artemisia tridenta ta) Oak (Quercus sppv ) Serviceberry (Amelci.nchier alnifolia) l10untain Nahogany (Cercocarpus 2 ft. None 5 ft. 3t ft •. 12 10 c~-ft. None monbanus ) Sage (Artemisia tridentate.) Oak (Quercus sppv ) Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) I,fountainIvIahogany (Cercoc,"-rpus montanus) 12 Sage (Artemisia tridentata) Oak (Quercus spp. ) Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) Nountain Hahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) 3·~-ft. 9 in" in .• Plot He ... ? 2 21 15 Sage (Artemisia tridentata) Oak (Quercu~ spp.) Serviceberry (Amelarichier alnifoUa) Hountain Hahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) 1 ft. Hone .3t ft. 4 :Ct. 45 48 2t ft. 4 2t ft. 6 in. �- 47 - Job 3 - Food- -H~ - One-half ton of salt in fifty-pound pressed blocks was distributed on the Book Cliff sunmer-range , It I-iasimpossible to find any blocks left from the previous year's salting to check for use", Salt placed in the fall of 1948 "TaSf'ound in the Thompson Creek area •. The fact that some salt remained after eight-months use indicates that trhi.Le some salt may be necessary, the quantity used is small. On the 24th of July a flight Has made by the Ccilor2-doAir National Guard ':lith one-half tone of salt for the White River ar-ea, This salt was dropped from a C-47 at 500-600 feet above ground level. The salt was dropped in single 50-pound blocks in three --types of cove r+« '-lillm-ls, open grass parks, and timber. The purpose ...of this c2tperiment is to observe the effect upon game animals. That is, the degree to Hhich it concentrates deer or elk, or. both in each type of cover; and secondarily, the effect of such concentration upon the range 1:lhere it occurs. On August 30 and 31, and on September 1, and 2, Hr. Gordon Solomon made a survey of areas upon l-lhich salt was dropped in the experiment outlined above. -He Hill submit a complete report 1:.ri th maps and photographs at a later date. ltIhite River-Eagle River-Colorado River Drainage Areas - Gordon C. Solo:llon, Adjacent Biologis+, ,-lith Glem1.Rogers. Forage and Range Utiliza ti.C2!!. Job 4-- Utilization and Availability ~ and Elk SUI;JIiler R::mges. of BrmTse and Other Food Snec i.es on Location: Elk SunrrnerRange betvreen East 3l1.dl.Jest Brush Cree]:,~- approximately one mile south and itrest from Mto Eve. This area is deemed as an overutilized summer elk range by the Forest Service. It is appar errb that the ar-ea is overutilized by basing the survey on condition, density, vigor of vegetaticn,and the soil condition .• The area is exposed to the north, nor-thveat-, and northeast" The greatest damage appears to be the early spring use of vegete.tion and the trampling of the soil. On July 12, 1949, the vegetation . vrhd.ch was not trampled Has maki.ng e):;ce11ent gro\,Tth. No fresh sign of e'Lk was seen in the area and only four elk (t1.JQCOHS and two calves) Here observed. Domestic stock is r of perrlitted on the area, and it by the condL tion of the vegetation on the south slopes. is evident �- 48 There are tyroprobable reasons why this area may become a less severe critical swnmer range: (1) Hunting pressure is great enough to reduce, and possible split any large herds which may be responsible for the damage, and (2) The Gypsum Lumber Company on East Brush Creek will be a deciding factor as the cutting progresses up the canyon and adjacent to the overutilized area. Early spring salting on the sout.hern slopes may help hold the herds away from the critical area. Piney Creek and,Meadow Creek Drainage. These areas are excellent grass and weed ranges. This formerly .misused cattle range has been converted to a sheep range. Excellent growth is evident on all plant species. Deer sign is more numerous than elk sign. Twenty-seven timberline bucks were observed at the head of Meado-.'r Creek. .Many does and fawns were seen. Deer were observed feeding in the Meadow Creek Drainage, and Fern Leaf Loveroot (Liquestie1Lllfelicinum) appeared to be one of the preferred plants. Flat TODsWIlderness Area This area is primarily important as a watershed which supplies tbe numerous rivers and lakes. All other uses-range, game, and recreation--are secondary. The maintenance of the natural cover is the best watershed preservative. VHllows and wi.Ll.owuse appe ar to be a reliable indicator for alpine conditions. The disappearance of willows, whether it be by natural means or by the use of animals, indicates a change in site and type of vegetation. Usually, a drier site results from the disappearance of wi LLowa , There are several species of willows on the Alpine and Sub-Alpine areas. The blackleaf willow is preferred by deer, elk, and sheep. The grayleaf is more common and it is browsed heavily in some areas. The game area which is located to the north and wes t of the ridge between 1:3igMarvine Peak and Little iiiarvinePeak was visited. It apps aI'S that early spring use and trampling of the vegeta tdon and soil are the greatest damage caused by the elk. The willows are browsed extensively, but appear in no wor-se condition (hedged and removal of annual growth) than the willows on the combination use areas. An area sout.hwest of Big lliarvinePeak was visitied and large patches of dead or dying willows were observed. The willows have been browsed but a definite change in the site is taking place. Th3 usual �- 49 sedge-grass-weed cornmw.'1.ity is changing to a grass-weed community. Spruce and fir seedlinbs are invading the willow patches. On the Turret Peak Sheep Allotment the wi.Ll.ows are returning. This is because of the fact that a band of nnon-willow eatingtt sheep graze the area. There is' some correlation, apparently, between the winter care of sheep and grazing on the suramer ranges. Deer and elk may influence the return and establishement of the yrillows. Correlation of Ga~e and Livestock Land Use status. Capitol Creek and East Sorris Creek Drainageo Three hundred ffild forty-six cattle graze in the Capitol Creek Allotment. Due to the topography of the area and the habits of the deer and elk, there is little competition for food except in the fall when the game may find it necessary to migrate to their winter ranges sooner than deemed advisable since the cattle have removed most of the palatable vegetation from the early winter or intermediate range. Cattle graze extensively on the bottom lands in East Sopris Creek. Due to poor herding and salting Snowberry (Syrnphoricarpos m.ontanus) has been browsed extensively by cattle. Grmvth on Winter Ranges. South Fork Canyon: A south slope which is located one mile upstream 'from the camp ground was surveyed. The different plants were observed for growth and condition: 1. Serviceberry;: Ma.ny new plants, excellent growth on old plants, 4 to 6-inch leaderso A disease on the leaves of several plants. 2. MoUntain Ash: 3. Scrub Oak: 4. Willows: Excellent growth, and many new suckers. Profuse leaving, browsed heavily last winter. Ney{ suckers, browsed heavi.Ly last winter. 5. Elderberry and Bearberry honeysuckle: 6. Small Ponderosa pine and Aspen: Excellent growth. Damaged from overutilization. East Brush Creek Southwestern e:xposure at the base ()f Mount Porphyry: Upper Slope, Mountain mahogany dominates. Excellent growth on most plants. However, severe hedging resulted from heavy 'winter utilization. Lower slope, Scrub oak and Serviceberry donri.na te , The oak shows profuse leafing. Several smgl.e oak stems are dead or dying as a result of overutilization. Serviceber~J, excellent stand of plants (4 feet to 10 feet in length), suckers are 4 to 6 inches long, and leaders are 4 to 7 inches long. Sage, good growth~ Not much 'winter use , �- 50Disease on Serviceberry: In the Piceance Creek Drainage~ Strawberry Creek area, and the South Fork Canyon area, a disease (possibly a leaf fungus followed by defaliation) is apparent. In certain areas of these drainages, the diseased plants which have been overutilized are dying •. There might be a correlation between the tent caterpillars and the infected plants. Predation: Only one case of predation was observed. A fawn was found at the base of Big Marvine Peak. The predator could not be identified. Predation has taken place at least 48 hours prior to the discovery, which was September 1, 19490 Central Western I. Location Colorado -- Paul F. Gilbert and Extent of Seasonal Ranges -- Deer and Elk Job i - Location and Extent of Summer Ranges. Close attention has been paid to the number of deer observed on summer ranges this quarter. The special pre~season on deer on the Uncompahgre last October resulted in a heavier than usual kill. This showed up very little on the winter range. The areein the Alpine management unit, namely that .country drained by the Cimarron and Blue Rivers, and Cow Creek, shows no decrease in deer on the summer range. This area is adjacent ~o the special preseason area. Deer appear to be more numerous. than usual in this area. On the Uncompahgre Plateau proper, fewer deer have been seen and checked than before the season last year. One stretch of road along the top of the plateau where 108 animals were counted in August, 1948, was checked July 27 and only seven deer were seen. The next day it was rechecked and none were seen. On August 16 the area was again checked and only one deer was seen. This .is not a true reflection of the population now in comparison to last year, as the deer seem to be avoiding the roads where most of the heavy hunting was .done. The oakbrush hillsides, baSins, and isolated canyons are carrying the bulk of the deer herd this year. The Ouray Ampitheater was checked on foot the middle of July. This is a small, rough ampitheater not more than two miles in diameter. At that time deer, elk, and mountain sheep were found to be using the area. This area is also used as winter range by the smne animals. �Figure 1 Figure 2 �'" Figure 3 Figure 4 �-$1 Job 3 - Migration Between Summer and Winter .d.anges. Several areas have been checked where ranchers report deer are already coming, into hay fields. As nearly as can be told, only a few isolated animals are hanging in the lower pinon belt and are making an occasional trip into the hay fields. II. Forage and Range Utilization Job 4 - Utilization and Availability of Browse on Summer Range. It is as yet much too early to see any change in range conditions affected by the i~creased deer kill. A new area of badly ove~Qsed summer range was found along the rim of the Tabequache Canyon, sou"tnweSl:i of Columbine Pass. Here oak brush, Quercus gambelii, has been badly over used and the young aspen stands are highlined. Figure 10 This spring was especially favorable for the starting of new seedlings; many yo~g sage brush, Artimesia tridentata, plants showed up on some of the critical winter ranges, Figure 2. It is questionable if they vvill survive the coming winter's abuse. A good seed crop was produced on the Mountain Mahoganies, Cercocarpus montanus and Cercocarous ledifolius,this fall. Some seed from both species was collected and will be tried in various locations throughout the State for germination and site adaptibility. Job 6 - Quadrat Study of Range Utilization Plots. Two deer quadrat exclosures were constructed this quarter by a traveling State fence crew, one on Lands End and the other on Blue lvlesa on the west side of the Uncompahgre. The Lands End exclosure of 1/4 acre, Figure 3, was constructed just below the old CCC Caffin. No cattle exclosure was constructed here as the Forest Service has fenced the work camp against cattle and it was felt that a cattle exclosure would be a duplication. Green Spruce was used for fence poles after they had been treated with IIOsmosell:, a wood preserving compound. The principal species present are Shadscale~ ~lex confertifolia, Big Sage, Artemisia tridentata, and Greasewood, Sarcoba tus vermicula tus. The Blue Mesa exclosure was placed in a large sage brush park, Figure 4, in an area where Crested Wheat was planted several years ago. There has been some question as to just how much damage in this area can be blamed on the deer and how much to the cattle. The deer exlosure was constructed using Juniper posts; adjacent to the quarter acre deer exclosure, a cow exclosure was constructed of the same size. It is planned to stake out three meter quadrats in each exclosure and a like number on the outside for comparison. Each meter quadrat �-52 will be carefully mapped and checked each year. cover, etcoj' can thus recorded, ~. be III. Mortality Factors Affecting Job 2 - Predation Changer ih density Deer and Elk Herds. affecting deer. No dead fawns were found this year, which would tend to indicate a light fawning losse Losses from preditors, etc., has been negligibleo BEAR INVESTIGATIONS Bear investigations were incidental to deer-elk work this quarter, most of the time was taken up with the fencing project, etc. Job 2 Observation as of Life Habits Only one bear was seen this quarter, and was met at such close quarters that the bear became spooked and no notes could be taken. Bear sign has been less common this year than in the past; however, in the more isolated basins and canyons bear sign is still quite abundant. Up to the first of July bears were still eating a lot of ants, and that with the abundance of green vegetation helped to lessen the few bear complaints. Job 3 - Bear-Livestock Kill Study. The losses from bear this year were lower than usual with more sheep outfits. A damp spring seems to cut down on the bear damage complaints. By July 1, only one case of bear depredation was knowno Bear have already started working on the excellent acorn crop. The acornsand a fair crop of pinon nuts in this area will tend to lessen further bear depredation this yearo Southwestern 1110 Colorado -- Harold RoShepherd Forage and Range Utilization -_ Deer and Elk Job 6 - Quadrat Study of Range in Utilization Plots. Objective: To determine the range recovery in relation to deer and elk use in the winter range. Methods: Exclosures to be established of one-half acre in size on winter utilization study plots. Forage inventory to be maintained by the resident biologist by square-foot densi~,method. Findings: An exclosure is being built in the upper part of the Hermosa winter range near the old saw mill site about three miles up Hermosa Creek from its junction with Highway U. S~ 550. The area is used �-S3severely by deer and elk. The browse is mairllyoak brush and some snowberry, Symphoricarpas oreophilus. The plot will be. one acre. in size. The one-vacr-e, rather than one-half acre, plot size was chosen because of the preference of the local Forest Service officials for a large plot in this important area. Job 7 - Mesa Verde Clip Plot Study. Objective: To determine the degree of use by clipping that browse plants can withstand and maintain their vigor and growth. Methods: Clip plots to be established and fenced from game use. Specific percentages of the annual growth of plants .inside plots to be removed yearly by hand. Accurate and complete records to be set up and maintainedo Findings: The fencing of clip plots in Mesa Verde National Park has been reported upon in several previous reports. But it was not until July and August of 1949 that the last plot was fenced and actual clipping was doneo During the period of this report, IS plots in oakbrush were fencedo All the plots in the experiment were identified vvith numbered stakes, and plants in the plots were clipped. Since the beginning of the project, in the fall of 1947, no complete and detailed description has been possible. Now, after completion of fencing and after the first year's clipping, it is thought advisable to describe the organization of the experiment and give a complete account of the work that has been done on the project to dateo Mesa Verde Clip Plot Project. Statement of Purpose and Methods: The game biologist is handicapped in the making of range appraisals for lack of substantiated data as to the amount of annual growth game maybe permitted to eat yearly from browse plants if the pl&~ts are to produce the maximum amount of forage on a sustained yield basis. The Mesa Verde Clip Plot Project is designed as an experiment, lasting several years, to determine the degree of use, by clipping, that some of the more important browse plants can withstand and still produce a maximum amount of browse. ' Representative stands of oak brush, Quercus Gambeliij mountain mahogany, Cercocarous montanus, serviceberry, Amelanchl~ alnifolia~ big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata, and bitterbrush, Purshia tridentata, were selected and fenced from game and domestic stock use. Clip plots were established inside the large fenced areas. Specific percentages of the annual growth of plants inside the plots will be removed yearly by hand. Accurate records will be maintainedo By �-54 means of photographs, weight of material removed, average length of annual growth, and other data, the effects of varying degrees of browsing will be evaluated. Building the Exclosures: The first work on the project began November 13, 1947, when, under the direction of Harold R. Shepherd, the fencing of exclosures was started. During the month of November some exclosures'in sagebrush, bitterbrush, and 'serviceberry were fenced. In the fall of 1948,'additional exclosures were constructed in sagebrush, bitterbrush, and serviceberry types at Mesa Verde, and exclosures were made in mountain mahogany in the Hermosa winter area. During the summer of 1949, the last exclosure was constructed. This was the one inclosing oakbrush plots at Mesa Verde National Park. The exlosures are of various sizes, depending upon the size of ,the patch of browse available., The fences surrounding the exclosures vary from five and one~half to seven feet high, depending upon the size of the exclosures and type of terrain. The fencing used is 12-1/2 gage woven wire stock fence. This is topped with two strands of barbed wire. Cedar posts were used, and all four corners of an exclosure were braced. Location of Exclosures: Exlosures for oakbrush, serviceberry, sagebrush, and bitterbrush are located in Mesa' Verde National Park. The exclosures for mountain mahogany are in the Hermosa winter area. Sagebrush: There is one exclosure for sagebrush, exclosure No~ I. It contains all 15 plots for that speciesG The exclosure is located along the road leading to the garbage disposal grounds. This is a graveled road which branches off from the main ruin road southeast of Square Tower House ruin. The exclosure is one-half mile from the junction of the service road mentioned and the ruin road. It lies 200 steps to the west side of the road. At this point, too, are several other fenced plots not being used in this experimento Bitterbrush: There are six exclosures for bitterbrush. All are grouped in a small area. None of the exclosures are separated by more than 43 steps. The exclosures are numbered from one to six. They are located on the ruins road to Cliff Palace ruin, and are 002 mile north of the Hemenway House view point. Plots ~re about 45 steps to the east side of the road, out of sight in the junipers and pinons. Serviceberry: There are five serviceberry exclosures, numbered from one to five. The exclosures are located in a group in the northwest part of the park, along the fire service road to Long Canyon. �The fire service road .in\iers.ects the entrance highway approximately 6 miles north of.park heaq.qui;l.rters.Th~ exclosures .are at the head of Long Canyon, 5.9 miles ·from the point where the service road JOJ..nsthe entrance highway •..Thepldts are within sight of the road, the nearest being only 6 feet from the edge of the road • .Several unused exclosures are located along the service road 0.4 mile from the entrance highwayo Oakbrush: There is. one oakbrush exclosure,No ••1. It is located along the same fire service road as are the·serviceberry plotso The exclosure is at the head of Long Canyon, 504 miles from the junction of the service road with the entrance highway. The exclosure is about 15 feet to one side of the road. Mountain Mahogany: The exclosures for mountain mahogany are located near the mouth of Hermosa Creek about 11 miles north of Durango, Colorado, on property owned by Mr. Robert C. Staley. There are four exclosures, numbered from one to four. The group of exclosures are located about one-:quarter of a mile northwest of the Staley residenceo Organization. The Clip Plots: The area inside an exclosure is divided into plots 10 feet square called clip plots. These clip plots are separated by alleyways two feet wide. The boundary of each plot is marked by four wh~te stakes, one for each corner. One corner stake in each plot bears a number-letter combination identifying the plot and indicating the treatment it is to receive. There are 15 plots for each plant species. These 15 plots are divided into three series of five plots each. Each of four plots in a series of five will receive a different degree of clipping. The fifth plot in a series will be termed a control plot; it will not be clipped. One plot in each series will have 20 percent of its total number of annual growth stems removed; anothe~40 percent; a third, 60 percent; and from the fourth,80 percent of the annual growth stems will be removed. As mentioned previously, the fifth plot in each series, termed the control plot, will not be clipped but remain untouched as a means of judging by comparison the effect of clipping on the other four plots in each serieso Plot Number System: Each plot number stake indicates the series in which the plot belongs, its number in that series, and the percent it will be clipped •. Numerals 1, 2; and 3 indicate the three series into which plots are divided •. The letters A, B, C, D, and E designate the five plots in each series. The percentage of clip to which �- 56plants in the plots will be subjected is indicated by the figures 20, 40, 60, 80. For example,' plot number' stakelA .•.. 20 marks plot "A" in series fll" that receives a clip of 20 per r.ent." The control plots are always "Ett plots, and are marked IfE-con.~! Exclosures are identified with signs indicating the species concerned and the number of that exclosure for the specieso Selection of Plots: The percentage of clip each plot will receive was determined by random selection. Numbers corresponding to the plot numbers were written on slips of paper and draYnl from a hat. Data Recorded: Each year, just before clipping, a photograph will be taken of each plot. The picture will be taken from the same position and of the same part of the plot. These pictures will afford one means of judging the effect of various degrees of clipping. To assure that the picture will be taken yearly in the in the same manner, the following proceedure has been established: The plot number stake marking one corner of a plot will serve as a photo hub or the point above which the tripod will be set for taking the picture. For each plot there will be a numbered white stake with a black band at. its top. This stake will carry the same plot number as the ' plot rmmberstake, and will be called the photo direction stake. It will mark the part of the plot to be photographedo The method above will be used only for plots in sagebrush and bitterbrush. Because of the large plant size, a variation from this was found necessary for oakbrush, serviceberry, and mountain mahogany. A single plant makes a plot for these species. A plot number stake will be 'set underneath the plant to identify the plotl# This plot number stake will serve as the photo direction stakeo The black40pped white stake will serve as the photo hub or the point from which the picture is taken. For oakbrush plots, the photo hub stake or black-topped stake will mark the camera Locat.Lon, The camera will be directed toward the plot number stake marking one corner of the plot. When a picture is taken of a plot, a date marker will be included in the picture to positively show when the picture wa.s taken. During the first year of clipping, the date marker was attached to the photo direction; stake. The photo dire 6 tlcm stake with its plot number will serve to positively identify the picture. Prior to clipping: a plot,s ·the average length of' annual growth' stems on that plot will be .recorded; ,Enougpsampleswil14 be taken to assure that the average wiil be statistically accurate. �•••• -57 As the stems are removed from plants in a plot, they 'will'be placed in a cloth sand bag for weighing •. The bags W:gl be tagged with numbers corresponding to the plots. Data on the 'green and air-dry weight of plot clippings to the nearest tentnof a pound will be kept. Detailed notes on the vigor and growth habit of plants in plots will be maintained. Manner of Clip-ping: The annual growth stems will be removed by hand or with the aid of pruning shears. In doing the first year's clipping, it was found that the work progressed faster if the stems were broken off with the fingers than if shears were used to clip them offo Any stem of the current year that has attained a minimum length of one centimeter is considered an annual growth stem. When an annual growth stem is removed, it is removed in its entirety at the point where abscission scars mark the termination of growth the previous season. It has been found during the first year of clipping that the easiest and most efficient ma,nner of removing the annual growth stems is as follows: The person doing the clipping sits down beside the plant. Beginning at the base of the plant at the ground level he determines the lower-most branch and marks this with a piece of white chalk. Then, this branch is followed with the fingers, removing the specified per cent of allDual growth stems one after the other as they are encounteredo For example, if it is desired to remove 40 per cent of the total number of annual growth stems, the worker removes the first four stems encountered on the branch and leaves the next six stems, thus taking 40 per cent of each 10 stems encountered in systematically working from one branch to the next one above. ¥fuen the worker reaches the tip of a branch in his counting of stems to be 'left or .removed, he continues the count at the base of the next branch abovea This systematic procedure is continued until the entire plant has been covered. When work is begun ona main branch it is marked, as mentioned above, with chalk. This prevents uncertainty as to which branches have been workedo This orderly way of working;over the plant from lowest branch to the next highest above, carrying out this procedure to smaller and smaller divisions of the branch to the outermost tips, is simple in practice. It soon becomes automatic, the work goes rapidly, and the worker is able to feel that he is doing an accurate job. �- 58 The described manner of removing annu&l growth stems closely simulates the effect of game browsing, since a few stems are removed here and there over the entire plant. Chance assures that, at times, stems will be removed from the tips of branches; at other times, the tips of branches will be left, but stems more toward the middle or base of the plant will be removedo For most woody browse plants; when the tip of an annual growth stem is eaten the stem dies back very nearly or entirely to its point of o:r-i.gin.New growth originates from a lateral bud at or near the abscission scars separating succeeding growth periods. This would seem to indicate that,insofar as the plant is concerned, no more damage might result if say 60 per cent of the total length of each stem were eaten than if only 20 per cent were removed. Because of this fact, a change was made in the method of clipping from that originally planned and reported upon. Our original thinking bad been to determine the average length of annual growth stems, and then to clip a certain per cent of that average annual growth from the tip of each growth stem. But because of the considerations cited above3 it has been decided to clip all of the annual growth from a certain per cent of the entire number of annual growth stems present on the planto In practice, this latter method has proven to have additional advantages: The tediousness of clipping a measured amount from each stem is avoided, and fewer stems on the plant must be handled, thus speeding theoperation~ The resulting clipped bush more nearly simulates the way it would appear if browsed by game. It seems to the writer that if the principle cited above we~e applied to appraising the per cent of browse utilization of gmne it would result in more uniform appraisals by workers; it would more accurately eValuate the effect on the plant; and it would certainly be a faster method of appraisal than the one usually used. Examination of sagebrush indicates that in most instances, but not all, the seed stalks die at the end of the gro,ving season. If the seed stalks were included with the annual growth stems proper in determining the total growth to be removed, a bias would be introduced. It was thought advisable to go over each plant twice. The first time over, the specified per cent of seed staDcs are removed; the second time, the specified per cent of annual growth stems are removed. This is the method that was followed this first year of clipping. Some plants whose bases occur in the alleyways between plots have tops within the boundaries of the plots and vice versa. A plant will be considered within a plot and be clipped in its entirety only if its base js included within the plot. �- S9 Time of Clippinq: Clipping first hA~an July 19, 1949; the last plot was clipped August 2L; It is felt that little if any stem elongation occurs in woody plants after July 1.. However, it would probably be best to delay the date of clipping as late in the summer or fall as possible. Clipping should riot be delayed until snow, for the work must be done bare-handed while kneeling or sitting on-the ground._ Cold, riumb fingers are not conduc lve to accurate work. Special Treatment of Oakbrush Plots: In selecting a site for oakbrush plots, an area was desired that would contain small; isolated, indivi~ dual clumps of plants. But such a site could not be found either in Mesa 'Jerde National Park or the surrounding national forest. So a site was selected in a-dense, uniform stand of oak.; In: a dense stand of oakbrush, plants spread by underground stemso Many plants, therefore, are connected by these stemso In order to prevent the plants in a heavily clipped plot from borrowing from those in an adjoining lightly clipped plot, a meansof severing the underground stems connecting plants in adjoining plots was needed. Ditching in the alLeyways between the plots was resorted to. A ditch twelve inches wide and six to ten inches deep was dug ; When underground stems were encountered they were cut in two. These ditches will be cleaned out yearly_ Careful examination: showed that the underground stems did not lie deeper than about lOinchesbaow the surface in the rocky soil where the plots are located;,; Personnel: Work on the Mesa Verde Clip Plot Project has been directed by Harold ROo Shepherd, Resident Biologist. Most of the actual work accomplished, this summer of 1949, in the numbering and clipping of plots and the fencing of exclosures was done by Bobby Combs and Charles Smith, wildlife management students from Colorado A. & Mo College, and by Bill Creel of Durango, Colorado. �- 60 Iv"eightand Length of Clippings 1949 Plot Date Clipped No. Mountain Percent. Annual Stems Removed Green Weight (pounds) Air-dry· Weight (pounds) .l.verage Annual Stem Length (centimeters) , 002 0.2 0.2 0.3 12.7 0.7 0.4 O.L. 003 0.5 0 •• 6 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.3 0 •• 2 0.3 0.4 0.2 0 •• 3 0 .• 3 0.1 0.L. 0.5 0 .• 6 0 .•6 0 .•2 001 0 •• 03 0.3 0.L. 0.2 0.2 1407 Mahogany . lA 8-24-·49 . 20 8-24-49 20 3A 8-24-49 20 IB 8-24-49 40 2B 8-24-49 40 3B 8-24-49 L.o lC 8-24-49 60 2C 8-24-49 60 3C 8-24-L~9 60 ill 8-24-49 80 2D 8-24-49 80 3D 8-24-49 80 IE Unclipped control plot 20:;> !.:J Unclipped control. plot 3E Unclipped control plot 2A o.L~ Bitterbrush lA 2A 3A IB 2B 3B In'...• 2C 3C lD 2D 3D lE 2E 3E 7-22-49 7-25-49 7-21-L.9 7-21-49 7-25-49 7-2r;-49 ~-20-49 7-22-49 7-22-49 7~1-L.9 7-25-49 7-25-49 Unclipped Unclipped Unclipped 20 20 20 40 40 LrO 60 60 60 80 80 80 control plot control plot control plot 0.9 0.L. 1.1 1.7 1.2 05 0 0.2 0.6 0.9 0.6 �- 61 Weight and Length of Clippings. . 1949 ' ."- . Plot No. Date Clipped Air-dry Weight (pounds) Average Annual Stem Length (centimeters) 0.2 001 0 •. 3 . 006 006 0.3 0.5 007 007 o~5··. 0.6 0.4 0.1 0.075 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.4 005 0.3 oci4 0.3 4.4 (stem) 1502 (seed stalk) 103 003 0.4 It.5 004 0.4 5•• 0 0.7 007 3.5 0.3 204 0.8 0.2 03 0.7 0.3 0.2 203 0•• 4 005 2.2 0.2 1 •• 4 203 .Percent Annual . Green Weight (pounds) Stems Removed Sagebrush 20 8-15-49 lA 20 2A 8-16~9 20 8-17-49 3A lB 40 8-15-49 2B 40 8-16=49 8-17-49 40 3B 60 8-1.~",,49 lC 60 2C 8-16-49 60 8-17-49 3C lD 80 8-15-49 2D 80 8-16-49 8-17-49 80 3D Unclipped control plot IE 2E Unclipped control plot· Unclipped control plot 3E . Serviceberry lA 2A 3A IB 2B 3B lC 2C 3C lD 2D 3D lE 2E 3E 20 7-27-49 20 7-28-49 8~ 1-49 20 7-19-49 40 7-29-40 40 7-:29-49 40 7-20-49 60 7-28-49 60 7~29-49 60 80 7=26-49 7-28-49 80 8- 1=49 80 Unclipped control plot Unclipped control plot Unclipped control plot 0 �- 62 ,'feigthand Length of Clippings , 1949 Plot No •• Date Clippeg Percent ,Annual Stems Removed Green Weight (pounds) Air-dry Average Amiua1 Weight Stem Length (pounds) (Centimeters) Oakbrush 1A 2A 3A 1B 2B 3B IC 201 3C lD 2D 3D IE 2E 3E 8-11-49 20 8-12-49 20 8-12=49 20 8-12-49 40 8-11-49 40 8-12=49 40 8-12-49 60 8-11-49 60 8.".11-49 60 8-11-49 80 8-11-49 80 8-11~49 80 Unclipped control plot Unclipped control plot Unclipped control plot 0.9 10.2 1.0 2.• 5 203 3.1, 4.1 2.5 3.9 409 2.7 3.1 • 0.5 0.6 0.5 1.3 1.2 1.6 2.0 1.2 1.9 2.6 1.3 1.7 2.8 �-63Annua1--Grovrth-StemLengths 1949 Serviceberry Oakbrush 1.7 1.7 102 2.8 ·2.3 10.9 1.7 "2~6 1 .• 8 .2.,2 1.0 1.7 1 •• 4 2.0 ·3•• 1 1.8 ,2•• 8 10.,6 1.9 ·107 2.7 1•• 4 1.9 2•• 6 ge4 3,,0 4.4 0 8,,2 2•• 5(04 2,,0 503 1f!5 1.0 2.8 L.8 303 2•• 1 1•• 5 5.0 1132 " ,109 2.9 1.2 1 .. 1 3.9 101 208 2.8 100 104 1.1 105 104 2,d 108 14 •• 6 0.9 .403 3.3 3.• 7 7.8 6•• 1 .1.1 203 4 •. 3 3.2 2,.2 1,,0 502 2•. 0 0.,8 25.1 p.,1.2 ~i 305 91.5 83.8 3.9 1.1 2.5 1-.0 2•• 1 1.9 1.8 189 109 200 1 •• 1 1.0 1.7 1.1 102 104 204 1.2 0.8 1.3 1.1 1.0 1.9 1.1 2.4 71,,5 40.8 6 Total: 287.• 2.876 cm. Ave. : 1.7 300 '3•. 0 1.3 1.1 1.5 1.9 205 1.1 1.0 3.2 1.7 2.2 19.6 106 209 .201 1.3 1.4 203 1.0 1.3 1.1 6.1 105 1.8 1 •• 3 11 .• 2 1.4 , 103 1.Lf 1.6 2.P 206 1.4 4•• 1 204 1•• 3 1.3 2.• 1 1.0 1.4 1.2 3.6 1.3 1.3 4.6 1.• 7 3.8 3•• 4 --, 2.3 4.2 1.1 8.4 1.7 1.0 102 1.1 1 .• 0 1 .• 8 1.3 1.7 108 101 11.2 1.7 1.2 1.1 3.1 2,,1 108 1.2 2 8 1.3 6.7 20 203 1.4 1 .• 2 1,,0 2.• 5 1.6 1.0 1$2 4,,5 41>3 102 2.,0 208 105 5.,;6 104 2c:3 1.,3 1 .• 3 46.9 "63•• 9 5200 71.8 0 Total: 234.6 Aveo:' 2.346 cm. 0 2(10 1.6 2.1 205 1.;.4 �- 6h Annual-Growth-Stem Lengths 1949 Sagebrush 21.6 23.8 12.h 8.9 159h 13.6 15 •• h 22•. 0 19(16 (seed stalks) 11.5 17.3 20.5 4&9 20•• 0 8.• 7 16•• 1 Ih.• 7 Sagebrush 1205 20.0 10.• 1 20.7 8.8 10.8 12.• 2 17 .• 0 18•. 8 2201 14.3 1906 18.8 190-2 10 1 21.5 1501 10.8 19.• 4 21<J7 17.3 13.9 20.8 9,,5 17•. 0 22.1 21.8 16,,6 17.7 1102 9.7 7.8 16 6 1404 15,,6 19.9 16;"7 13.8 13.6 1908 13•.7 21,,6 13.• 2 83 1109 18.2 18.8 9.. 0 12•• 6 1801 13.8 20.0 1104 2000 1300 901 21.9 904 1306 16•• 3 1407 1307 18.0 9.-5 1400 18.6 14.6 7,.6 1205 1305 16 4 13Q3 12 0 16.5 18c7 14 e 8 76 1804 15.4 1903 807 17.2 10.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 370•• 2 34206 389.5 Total: 152006 Ave. g 15.206 cm. 418.3 (stems) 2.9 .9.7 6.3 1.8 6.8 2.7 2.9 1.4 h.o 3.3 5.6 5.1 2.4 7.5 2.3 5•• 6 1.5 4.6 5.• 7 3.5 0.6 5.7 5.8 2.8 1.1 6.4 3.7 2.1 3.• 6 3.1 5.8 0.8 2.0 301 1.9 1.2 7.9 4.2 5.0 2.7 61 6•• 0 2.4 4.4 403 4.8 7.3 2.1 7.8 4.1 8.7 201 5.7 2.2 5.3 9.8 11.3 6.1 11.0 3.0 3.9 56 6,,1 5.3 4.4 2.2 1.0 20h 507 68 207 1004 5•. 6 1.5 7.• 7 504 5.1 1.0 2.2 207 10.2 0.9 205 2•. 5 8.1 306 4.0 4.5 1.4 4.3 2.3 4.• 3 2.8 7.1 2.8 7.8 1.• 2 ~ -hl 1.3 106.4 121.2 111.3 96.6 0 0 0 - Total: 435.5 Ave. : 4.355 cm. �-65 Anriual-Growth-Stem Lengths 19~9 Mountain Mahogany Bitterbrush 2~2 26.• 0 1209 25.5 2708 21..2 2500 1804 1708 15.,3 12f>5 10 .• 6 1562 18.• 4 300 5 .. 2 20.• 5 13 0 1302 808 21..1 505 11,.4 3.6 26 0 0 504 13.1 10.4 25.• 6 15,,1 2~7 14.7 1709 1800 46 2103 18 .• 3 4,,5 10.1 2.2 202 7.1 1000 5.• 4 14.9 10.6 13•. 4 13.8 1203 708 0 32.6 15.0 24,,6 1503 23 6 15•• 2 3109 23.7 31..7 27.5 15 0 12.5 1301 27.. 6 25•. 3 1600 14,,6 18.7 16,,2 20.8 18.4 13.•8 12.5 5$9 6,,8 21..,1 61>3 13,,5 2••7 16.5 21+.6 21.1 16.9 5.8 20,,0 7•. 6 6•• 2 4,,0 501 18 2 h.8 1706 15.1 38•.2 2500 3.7 3•.6 14.1 21.8 18.1 6,,6 19 .• 8 19.5 18~9 24.8 12.7 9.9 15.• 9 20.5 7.. 1 14.1 604 26.. 9 9.0 15•• 6 10•. 9 5.6 23.3 1307 2502 904 15.2 5.7 38.6 4.6 3.2 16 3 23.• 5 41.8 1204 11.7 27.2 22.• 4 15.0 2h.2 11"S 25•• 6 16.1 1.5 13.4· 7.• 5 18.4 h•• 6 3305 10.• 3 26.3 28.2 2001 14.• 6 ~ 6.8 5.3 15.0 5.• 6 4.3 6.6 4 .. 5 6.0 433.8 4 430,,0 394•• 221.1 4 356,,7 281.• Total: 146800 Ave.~ 14,,68 cm. 0 0 0 396.1 t.8 0 1406 1504 5•. 4 4..3 4.3 1402 602 6.3 1700 13•.2 2,,2 13,,8 14.7 13.6 11.,6 8v4 -- Total: 1273.0 Ave. : 12.73 em; 2.8 12,,4 6 .• 1 8.. 2 4,,8 S.. l 6,,2 6,,3 96 4•. 9 0 9.. 2 10.. h 800 2.0 9.0 11..9 10.8 2.• 2 8.5 109 3v9 2.•0 14 .. 0 12 .• 6 ,54,,6 227e,S �- 66 -, Iv'.. Upland Caine Bird Habitat Development Objective: To extend and improve upland game bird habitat food and cover plal1tsw by developing Findings: In addition to regularly scheduled deer and elkv[ork, two oheasant food plots wer-e fenced. A form contract, supplied by the Department, was signed by two farmers in the country below Bayfield, Colorado. The farmers agreed to furnish the land and to protect. and maintain any developments, aud the Department agreed to plant food crops and protect these crops by fencing the plots from domestic stock" The local Basin Sportsmen cooper-at.ed in prepaTing the ground and making ac tua), plantings of wheat., barley, rye, etc. VI> Hermosa Game Drift Fence ConSiderable 'work has been done this period on a project for which time was not specifically scheduled in our Plans, Specifications, and Esti1'lates Heference is made to the preliminary survey and planning for a game ch~ift fence in the Hermosa winter area. Several conferences have been hel':iwi t.h GameDepartment and Forest Service officials to general agreement on the purpose of the fence, and to decide on its general location. 0 Final functions: agreement is that '~he fence will be built to serve two 1. I t will help to pr event yearly damage to hay, garden, and orchard crops in the Hermosa section by deer and elk. 2\, During Yv-inters of abnorrilal snow fall, i twill aid in ciriftihg game south into the Junction Creek area wher-e more food w-:Ul be available .• The functions the fence VlTaS to serve and its route was generally agreed upon by local Yarest Service officials and personnel ofonr department concerned; namely, Mr. 3. Kliesf' Brown; ~,!r. l~"obert G idnghornjl l\~r••Ray Peck, and i;,lr •• Harold R. Shepherd. It was agreed that in order to serve the purposes enumerated above, the fence should begin at U. 5., ~Tighway550 above Pinkerton" continue south roughly paralleling U•. 84- Hi.ghway 550: swing west behind the Ben iJarr r;:anch, proceed in a southerly direction past 'fripp Gulch:- and end at U. S. Highway 550 near Falls Cr'2ek. The total length of the f'enc s is estillJatsd at s ix or seven miles. The survey to determine and mark the exact location of the fence is nearly finished at this ,rei tinge It is being done by a registered surveyor Yvith the help of three men who swamp out a path arcng the line of the survey. Q �Figure 1 Enclosure No. 1 for mountain mahogany, containing clip plots. The exclosure is located in the Hermosa area. �Figure 2 Mr. Robert Combs clipping a mountain mahogany clip plot. The white stake is the plot number stake. It marks plot "A" in series "1" that is to receive a 20 per cent clip. The blacktopped stake is the photo-hub stake for plot "Bit in series "1". �Figure 3 Sand bag filled with clippings from a plot. �•••. 67 _. South Central Colorado -- Richard D. Teague and C. D. ,Tolman I.. Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk Job 1 - Location and Extent of SQ%~er Rangeso Gunnison Areag Deer and elk were remaining in the high country, near timberline, during August.. Pilot-biologist Clyde Matteson and. observer Dick Teague .flew upper Soap Creek, Ohio Creek, and Anthracite Range on August- 24, 1949, and noted that the animals were mainly in heavy timbero On August 2.5,1949, upper Perry Creek, Brush Creek!) Cement Creek~ and the north I'ayLor' Park. country were f'Lown, A few elk were seen on the high ridges, but most remained in the heavy timber here also .• Ground observation indicated that as many deer are present in the Soap Creek area as in previous years. In the Cement Creek area,. signs were not as abundant as encountered in other yearso II. Population Surveys -- Deer and Elk Job 2- Sex Ratio Survey. Object: To determine sex ratios on key elk herds prior to, and subsequent to hunting seasono Aerial surveys of the upper Soap and Cement Creek areas, made on August 24 and 2.5,1949, showed that the elk were not tlbunched up". Groups of from 2 to 4 bulls were seen ranging alone. This fact combined with their inhabiting the heavy timber deemed it unwise to attempt further sex-ratio surveying until a later dateo 1110 Forage and Range Utilization. Job 1 - Survey of -I~interBrowse Use. Objectg To determine effect of winter utilization specieso on the important browse Method: Recovery checks are being made on all areasnof maximillnconcentration. Needle Creek, Razor Creek, Cebolla Creek, and the Lake Fork remain to be checked in the Gunnison. Hayden, Middle Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, Ute Trail Creeks, and Aspen Ridge have not been finished in the Arkansas drainage. Measurements of the annual gr-owt.h and the percentage of plants dying, apparently due· to heavy ,anter utilization, were notedo Studies were made after the first heavy frost which occurred in the Gunnison area onA.ugust 21, 1949. This informat~on will also be used in approximating next >,linter' s utilization.. (See Tables 1-16). �- 68 TABLE 1 Trend Area No.1 Range i~covery Check Almont-East River Location: Species of Plant Big Sagebrush A. tridentata Upper limits of area of heavy winter concentration--Almont Percentage of plants dastroyed by winter use (Estimate) 15% Bitterbrush Po tridentata General Comment.s ; '. 2.0 *L.3 ..3*5 *T.S. 7•• 5 F~inged Sagebrush A.. frigida Juniper JuniperL1.sspp. Average annual growth--length Ln inches. triangle General condition of plants Plants vigorous and showing indication of reproduction. Seed stalks numerous. Plants covering about 15% of ~rea. Plants vigorous. Only few in area. Covering 2;b of area. *8.S. 10.0 *V.S. 3 •.0 10J~ Area below browse line showing indications of new growth Sheet and gully erosion present, showing indication of healing. Annual weeds covering about 20% of area. �TABLE 2 Trend No.1 Taylor - Almont area above Wolf's Ranch Location: Upper limits of maximum concentration Percentage of plants destroyed by winter use. (Estimate.) Species of Plant Big Sagebrush Average annual growth--lenght in ,inches. General Condition of plants High on the ridge, showing less than average use~ 10% Area exposed to heavy ranter utilization. Big Sagebrush Bitterbrush None Juniper None Fringed Sagebrush None Big Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus None *T.S ••.8 •• 0 *L.8. 5.0 New Browse line 65 incheso growth below browse line., *S.S. 13.0 *V.S. -3.0 spp. General Comments: Plants vigorous in higher area. Few plants in lower section. Sheet erosion healing. coming in. Few plants in upper area. Plants in lower area not vigorous. Good growth of annual weeds. Grasses �- 70 TABLE 3 Trend Area Ho. 2 East River-Almont-Gunnison River Location: Center of area of maximmficoncentration. Species of Plant Percentage of plants destroyed by winter use. (Estimate) Big Sagebrush 40% Bitterbrush Not known Big H.abbitbrush Average annual growbh-c-Lengbh General condition of plants in inches. 1.5 Plants not vigorous. Few plants left in area. Plants taken to ground during wi.nt.er-, 8.0 T@(en to ground level during winter. Juniper 35% of plants browse lined 74" to 87" and showi.ng no regrowth. 25% browse line 62 to 70 inches showing slight regrowth. General Comments: Annual weeds covering area. area. Range retrogressing. of similarity of conditions. TABLE Sheet and gu.lly erosion throughout Three study areas combined because 4 Trend Area No •.3 Tomich Creek-ivoods Gu.Lch Road 35% Big Sagebrush Small Rabbitbrush 'Chrysoth~~us spp. .Juniper 1.5 Plants not vigorous 5.5 Plants not vigorous 10% Browse line 68" average • Little new grovvth below browse line. Bi t terb:cush *L.S. 2.6 Big Rabbitbrush 11.1 General Comments: Range retrogressive--showing Few plants in the area. Plants vigorous very slow recovery. �-71 'I'ABU: 5 Trend Area No. 4 Steuben Creek -- Intermediate Zone Species of Plant Percentage of plants destroyed by li'rinter use. (Estimate) . Average annual growth:':'~length in inches None Big Sagebrush Plants vigorous. The lim i ted winter browsing in area stimulated grov~h. None *L.S. i.6 T.S. 4.5 Ribes sPE· None *T.S'- 10.1 L.S. 4.7 Skunkbrush Rhus·sEJ2· None *T.S. 11.0 L.S. 3.0 Serviceberry Amelanchier soo. General Condi~ion .of Plants General Corrrrnents:Range showing progress. utilized. Plants vigorous Grasses coming in. Browse not over- TABLE 6 Trend Area No. 4 Steuben Creek -- Area of maximum concentration Big Sagebrush 35% 2 Skunkbrush Ro Trilobata None *T.S. 12 *L.S. 3 Squawberry Ribes spp. None *T.S. 10.7 L.S. 2.7 General Comments: Sheet and gully erosion healing. Plants not vigorous Piants vigorous. Range in very good condition •• �'- 72 ;.. TABLE 7 Trend Area No. 5 Gunnison River -- First branch of Dry Creek Species of Plant . Big Sagebrush Gambell sOak Quercus gambelii Percentage of plants destroyed by winter use. (Estimate) . 30 Average annual growth--length in inches. 2.0 unprotected area 3.8 area protected by snow. Loss of vigor General Condition of plants. Not vigorous. Not vigorous. JUniper 72 inch browse line. Plants showing small amount of new growth below browse line. Serviceberry Loss of vigor 2.0 No Bitterbrush Loss of vigor 7.0 No terminal stems due to hedging. Plants taken to ground level. General Corrrrnents:Active sheet erosion in area. terminal stems due to hedging. P~ants tru(en to ground level. Plants more vigorous in areas protected by snow. Annual weeds are relatively few. �- 73 TABLE 8 Trend Area Noo .5 Gunnison River ..,...:j:.ower Dry Cr~ek Species of Plant Percentage of plants destroyed by winter use. (Estimate) Big Habbitbrush ditterbrush General condition. of plants in Lnches ••·· No terminal s t.ems due to br-owsd.ng , Impo r tarrb species because of abundance None Not determined 11•. 1 Plants vigorous--stimulated by browsing. *3.S. 12.0 V.S. 3.2 Fringed Sagebrush Ribes spp. gr-owth-c-Leng bh .. Ncit vigorous 1.3 unprotected area 3.6 area protected by snow Big Sagebrush Skunkbrush AVli:Jrage annual None Not de bemri ned 2•• 4 Plants yellow; partly deado -i~L.S. 2.5 Terminal stems scarce, averaging about 6 in. of grm~h. Unimportant because of scarcity. General Conunents: Active sheet and gully erosion. Few grasses of any species. Considerable competition with domestic livestock (cattle)o Juniper dying out in the area. �-74 TABIE .9 Trend Area No. 5 GUllllisonRiver--Red Creek; G~ne and Fish Property; above barn. Species of plant Percentage of plants destroyed by winter use. (Estimate) Average annual growth-~length in inches. .General condition of plants Big Sagebrush Where exposed in winter, dying out (about 60%) 1.0 unprotected Not vigorous except in protected areas. Skunkbrush None 4.2 area area protected by snow *T.S. 13.1 L.S. Big Habbitbrush 4~6 Not determined Fringed Sagebrush No tenninal stems due to browsing. Important species due to abundance. Plants vigorous--stimulated by browsing. *S.s. 11.7 v.s. 3.5 Important because of abundance. Bitterbrush Not determined General Comments: Trespass prevalent by domestic livestock; both winter and smmner. Cattle trespass in summer and horses in the winter. Current cattle use. Unimportant species because of scarcity. �TABLE 10 Trend Area Noo 5 Gunnison River, Dillon uulch Species of Plant Percentage of plants destroyed by wi.nt.eruse .• (Estimate) Average annual growth---length in inches •• 1•• 5 unprotected ' area 3.1 area protected by snOWl), Big Sagebrush Big JiabbitbrLl.sh None Not deteillined 12.2 Terminal stems not distinguishable due to over browsingc Important spec i.e due to abundance 0 17.4 Old gr-owth taken to ground by vvinter browsing--new growth vigorouso Not vigorous Gambell sOak Small Rabbitbrush General Comments: Not vigorous .. Browse line 63 inches .• Some new growth below browse lineo Juniper Skunk brush GE)neral condition of plants 3 •• 8 Active sbr.e t and gully erosion. Considerable competition wi th domestic sneepo Annual weeds numerous; grass sparseo �- 76 TABLE 11 Trend Area No. 2 Arkansas River Four-Mile, miles above San Isabel National Forest Gate 2t Species of Plant Percentage of plants destroyed by winter use (Estimate) Fringed Sagebrush None Mountain Mahogany Cercocarpus montanus None Average annu~l growth--length in inches General Condition of plants Pinon Pine Pinus edulis Ribes ~. Small Rabbitbrush Juniper General Comments: Closed this year for first time to cattle grazing. Active gully and sheet erosion; little top soil left. Greater part of utilization by livestock. �- 77 TABLE 12 Trend Area No •.2 Ar-kansas River Four-cii.Le , 1 mile above San Isabel National Forest gate Species of Plant ivlountainll.ia..hogany Percentage of plants destroyed by winter use (Est:L.lla te) Average annual growth--length in inches General condition of plants Area affords protection because of rocks--plants vigorous, previous heavy hedging" None S.S. 15.5 V.S. 201 Fringed Sagebrush Pinon Pine No definite browse line~ lUbes srro , Plants losing vigor--no explanation except plants previously broken into by domestic stock. Juniper No definite browse line •• General Commerrbs r See Table No. 11 TABLE 13 Trend Area No. 2 Arkansas Eiver Four-Hi.Le , at San Isabel National Forest gate on private lando 2vimm ta.ini;1ahogany 15-20% Fringed Sagebrush 8.1 undisturbed annual growth. 1.5 around cropped area Current utilization domestic stock. 3 S. 10.6 1ess vigorous th~Tl in rest of trend area; fewer plants 0 V.S. Pinon Pine Hi bes spp General Comment.se 202 by Some browse line. 100~{ Same comments as for Table No. 11 except this area not closed to domestic stock. �- 78 TABLE 14 Trend Area No. 1 Trout Creek of the Arkansas River Sand Gu.Lche First ridge 1 mile above U. S. Hi.ghway 24 Species of plant Percentage of plants destroyed by winter use. (Estirnate) Average annua.L. growt.h--length in inches. lviountainMan a gany None 14.1 Ribes sPE None General condition of plants Vigorous Unthrifty. ~t6.S. 11.5 V.S. 2.9 Fringed Sagebrush Pinon Pine None No definite browse lineo Juniper None No definite browse line. Ponderose pine Pinus ponderosa General Commerrt.s i Utilization not evident. Area has been closed for 14 years to domestic li ves tcck TABLE 15 Trend Area NOe 1 Trout Creek of the Arkansas .diver McGee Gulch:; near deer exclosure Mountain Mahogany Hone 13G2 Fringed Sagebrush .None s.s. 15.5 v.s. 2.4 Pir:on Pine None Squaw Currant R.ibes spp , None Juniper None No definite browse line. 206 Ponderosa Pine General Comments: Vigorous Thrifty. -I • No definite br-ows-e~lne Utilization not evident. Range generally improving. �- 79 TABLE16 Trend Area No••1 Trout Creek of the Arkansas Hiver Sand Gulch~ above second railroad cut Species Per-cent-age of plants destroyed by vrinter use. of Plant '( ~:' ~ s:v_;J 1- ~. :O,-;.h...•• Mountain Mahogany Fringed General condition of plants ,Average annual growth--length in inches. iat v 'e)' 16.8 Irone Vigorous Sagebr'lsh No definite Pinon ,Pine Unthrifty. None Squaw Currant browse line Juniper' No definite browse lineo Utilization not evident. None Gooseberry rtibes spp , Ponder-osa Pine General Comment.s e See Table No. 1[+ Lateral Stems Terminal stems Seed Stalks Vegetative stalk LeS. T.S. S.S. V.S. l·Jote: 654 samo.Les were taken the Ar~ansas in the Gunrri.son Job 2 - '...'Ol:-rSL3.t"i on of :}am8and 1i vestock Object: areaj 258 samples -Here from area. To det.ermi.ne land use status Land Use ...!?_tatu3. according to use, Arkansas .i:d_vel:" Drainage ~ In the Four-mile and Trout Creek areas of the Upper Arka.,."lsasreiver, an interesting case of range abuse and. rehabi11tation exists. Both Four-Idle and 'rrout Creeks are similar plant aasoc Latd.ons , being p.mon=juni.pe.r t.ype , Cact.Le have been excluded �- 80 from the Four-Mile area for the first time this year, after many years of overgrazing which has resulted in many plants dying out; accelerated gully and sheet erosion, and erosion paY2ment prevalant throughout the area (Tables 11, 12, and 13)~ In contrast,Trout Greek has been closed to domestic livestock use for 14 years. Old hedging of mountain mahogany can be seen, but new and Vigorous growth has made an excellent showing (Tables 14, 15, and 16). In generat this range is improving and numerous species of grasses are corning in. The deer population is more dense in Trout Creek than in Four-Mile.' Gunnison: Domestic livestock afford some competition on deer and elk summer range in the upper Gunnison. Domestic sheep are abundant. in the alpine meadows of UDPer Soap Creek. On upper Cement Creek, cattle were found grazing i'rom the Ganadianzone up into alpine-tundra areas. Sangre de Cristo: During the second week of July, 1949, a gr'ound 1"P_ connaissance was made into the Wagon Creek-McCarty Park Country of the Trinchera Ranch. Poor range management was disclosed throughout the sector,also vnth salting in the bottoms. D~er were seen using the salt licks ot The deer and elk populations of the Trinchera are apparently on the increase due to lack of hunting pressure and competition between them and domestic stock is beComing acute" A problem area is probably developing hereo Job 3 -Food Habitso Object: To find more accurately Methods: Stomach analysis. the food hoilbitsof deer and elk. Comparative quantative analyses of 21 stomachs taken from the Gunnison deer herd duril~g the critical Innter period last year were made. Findings: As follows: Sample No~ 12: Buck, 2}years, February 15, 1949, Upper Tomichi Creek Contents were Big SagebruSh Bitterbrush Juniper Hair & miscellaneous Sample No •.3: Doe, January 96% 1% 1% 2% 5, 1949, Dry Creek Contents were Big Sagebrush Juniper Sedges & weeds Serviceberry 75Jb 23% 2% Traces �- 81 Sample No. 18: Old Doe, February 15, 1949, Gunnison below Almont Contents were Big Sagebrush Leaf mold Sedges Bitterbrush Hair & miscellaneous Sample No. 23: Buck, February 17, 1949, Lower Tomichi Contents were Big Sagebrush Yucca Juniper -Sedges Grasses & grass roots Unidentified Sample No" 11: 50% 25% 6% 3% 1% 15% Fawn Doe; February 2,1949, Upper 'I'omi.chf, Contents were Big-Sagebrush Long leaf Cottonwood Grasses & grass roots -IvIiscellaneous Sample No. 20: 62% 25% 10% 1% 2% 60% 20% 16% 4% Old Doe, February 17, 1949, East Elk Creek Contents were Wild Hay -Sagebrush and Leaf mold 98% 2% Sample No. 15, Doe, February 5, 1949, East Elk Creek Contents were Sagebrush Miscellaneous Alfalfa Skunkbrush Cottonwood Sample No. 31: fibers Traces Doe, March 23, 1949, Dry Creek Contents were Sagebrush Miscell'aneous fibers Grasses Juniper Samp.Le No ••16: 86% 8% 5% 1% 72% 23% 3% 2% Fawn, February 6, 1949, Dillon Gulch Contents were Sagebrush -Juniper Leaf mold -Grasses Skunkbr-ush ,7Q.5% 18% 2% 2% 1.5% �- 82Sample No.4: Fawn, Male, January 5, 19LJ-9, Cabin Cr-eek; I'omi.chi, Drainage 51% 31% 16% 2% Contents were Big Sagebrush Juniper Sedges (Carex spp) Grasses Long leaf Cottonwood Weeds Sample No. 14: Traces Traces bruary 3, 1949, East Elk Creek Old Doe, 1<'e 75% 21% Contents were Sedges Grasses Big Sagebrush Gambells Oak Long leaf Cot.t.onwcod Sample No. 19: 01 2 /0 1% Traces Fawn Doe, February 15, 1949, Lost Canyon 91%, Contents were Big Sagebrush Juniper Sedge Skunkbrush Grasses & Deer hair Sample No. 33: 5;h 2% 1% 1% 1 Doe 12 years, March 25, 1949, Upper I'omi.chi, Creek Contents were Grasses and grass root Rabbitbrush Big Sage brush Snow-berry Deer hair SarnpLe No. 10: Fawn, Male, February Contents were Big Sagebrush Juniper Alfalfa Grasses Annual weeds Leaf mold .Sedge & deer hair Sample No , 27: 93% 4c1 /0 2% 1% Traces 2, 1949, Upper Tomichi Creek 31% 22~'r, 16% 23% 3% 2% c1 3It> Doe, February 2,3, 1949, Dillon Gulch Contents wer-e Long leaf Cottonwood Annual weeds Rabbitbrush Big Sagebrush Sedge & hair 741b 8% r:'eI ::;/0 10% 3% ., �- 83-S&~ple No. 29: FalVilDoe, February 4, 1949, Upper Tomichi Creek Contents ·were Big Sagebrush Leaf mold Juniper Grasses Sedges Long leaf cottonwood Skunkbrush Sample No ••34: 40% 317& 4% 90110 11% 5% Traces Doe 3-4 years, March 28, 1949, Dillon Gulch Contents were Leaf mold 50% Sagebrush 25% Annual weeds 12% Grasses 10% Miscellaneous and fibers 3% Long leaf cottonwood Traces Sample No. 9: Male Fawn, January 15, 1949, East Elk Creek Contents were Sagebrush Grasses & Sedges Leaf mold Alfalfa Juniper Herbaceous cinquefoil buds Sample No. 13: Trace Trace Male Fffi~, February 2, 1949, Pole Gulch, Tomichi Creek Contents were Sagebrush (very coarse) Serviceberry Leaf mold Stipa spp , Long leafed cottonwood twigs bark Sample No. 17: 927~ 5% 2% 1% 87% 12% 1% Trace Trace Trace Doe Fawn, February 6, 1949, Dry Creek Contents were Sagebrush (some seed stalks) Grasses & Sedges 98% 2% �- 84 Sample No~ 32: 2 year old doe March 23, 1949, Tomichi Creek Pole Creek. i ) Contents were G~bbings ) Fibers Leaf mold ).:)oilparticals) Root hairs ) Grass (grubbed close) Juniper 'I'umb.Leweed Annual weeds Job 4 - Utilization Object~ and Availability 98.• 5% 1% 005% Trace Trace of Browse on SUiTIIner Range. To study game browse use on sun®er ranges. During the summer mont.h, field studies of summer deer and elk range were carried out in much of the GWlnison~ Rio Grande, and Arkansas Drainages. In no instance did a scarcity of browse occur on the summer' range. However, the south rim of South Park has not been checked. Job 6 - 9uadrat StudY of itan::::e in Utilization Plots. Object: To determine the r-ange recovery in relation to deer and elk use in the wi.nt.errange. Five exclosures are in the completion stage of construction. These are on l~liddleCot.t.onwcod, and Trout Creek of the Arkansas; below Alinont, and at Dillon G-ulch of the Gunnison; and above Waterts Hanch on Horn Gulch of Tomichi Creek. Plans call for a forage inventory by square-foot density method. Photographic hubs have been established. IV.. Mortality Factors Affecting Deer M.ndElk Herds Job 3 - Study of Other Mortality F'actors--Winter Loss, Starvation, Parasi tes, Highway. and Railroad 1l1cirtali ty •• Diesease, Object~ To determine the losses to deer herds by various decimating factors •• Fresh deer carcasses were reported found as late as early July. Ranchers reported such finds on the Lake Fo rk of the Gunnison and near Jackts Cabins. Students at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory at Got.rd c, Colorado} found a 01.Lckon East River. This last arrimal, was not fresh enough to perform a post mor-tem, A post mortem was run, at the '::'othic Laboratory, on a two-point bucle taken from Cement Creek, August 9, 1949. Possible infection of the blood by toxoplasma was found •• �--85 = Front ?~nge of the Rockies -- Robert Ro Elliott Subsequent to assuming duties as resident deer-elk biologist for the northeastern district on July IJ most of that month was spent in getting orientated in new country 3 contacting district rangers and the district wardens, and becomi.ng acquainted with the new job in general •• Preliminary work and planning was continued on the Summi,t Lake Elk Exc.Losur-eywhi.chis a research project to be accomplished .in cooperation wi th the Arapaho National Fores b, U; S. Forest Service. This work was started last year;; and to date the site has been reconnoitered several tim.es to determine suitabili ty and to pick the exact spot for the fence; the poles have been hauled up to Sunrmit Lake; and a man has been contracted to do the labor. The exclosure should be compLe t.edbefore heavy snow prevents further work" Another Forest Service cooperative job which has been initiated is the est.ab.Li.shmerrt of a deer exclosure in the Poudre Canyon on the Rooseve Lt National Forest. District Ranger Bill Augsbach and the writer recol~loitered several areas around Eggers, but found none that were completely suitable •• Final selection was made on Kelly Flats, a Lee ation just above the Harrows Picnic Ground" Considerable scrutiny was made by several experts, including Dr. Dave Costello;, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station; Ralph Hill, Uo S. Forest Service, [{egion 2 biologist; DroLee Yeager, Cooperative Research Unit, and Professor E ••Wo Nelson, Range Management Division of Colorado A" & 111 •• College. It was generally agreed that this particular site would show what is desired.9 except that there was not quite enough mountain mahogany presento Bitterbrush is the dominant browse species. Further data on this project will be given at a later time in a separate report. Browse studies on both surnmer and w·inter deer range was done in the Redfeather.;>Cherokee Park, Nunn Creek Basin9 Poudre Canyon,llstove Prairie., Lower Buckhorn Canyon, and Rist Canyon areas. 'I'hi.s work consisted mainly of judging past. and present utilization on major browse species, and taking measurements of this year's gr-owth on mountain mahogany 0 The average annual growth of stems varied with each locatio ..:-l., of cour-se, but from what little data that have been gathered thus far, the average is running about seven inches,llwhich is very good compared to last yearls growth .• Investigation was made into a petition drawn up by residents in the vicinity of Allenspark to close- that area, na.'11ely Tahosa Valley, during the big-game season. It was r-ecommended that no action be t.aken this year; and further study wi.Tl,be made to determine whether conditions warrant excluding that sector from hunting next year. �- 86 Note: The following report covers the period from April 1, to September 30, 1949. No report on this phase of work was submitted in July due to the illness of the r~ponsible Little Hills Experimentation III. technician at the time. Station - Laurence E. Riordan Forage and Range Utilization Job 5 - Little Hills Grazing Competition Enclosure StudYQ ExperLrnental Pastures' ao Construction of second series - Fastures 3, 5, 6, and 7e Between one and two month's delay was encountered in the Denver office, as.a result of a legislative investigation of the Colorado Game and Fish Department, in getting out advertisements for bids for construction of the second series of experimental pastures. This work was finally accomplished about May 10, 1949. Between May 10, and ulay 23, numerous prospective bidders were shown the propOSed worko On May 25, sealed bids were received by the State Purchasing Agent for this work. Six bids, ranging from $28,714.84 to $36,221.00; were received. D. P, Brumback and Son of Meeker, Colorado., who submitted the low bid, were subsequently awarded the contract, and began work about June 100 Progress was rapid, and a good job was done by the contractor. At this writing, only minor items ;of work remain to be accomplished to complete the contracto Plans are being made to stock both series of enclosures at the beginning ,of the fall grazing season, October 15, 19490 bo Stocking of the first series-Pastures 1, 2, and 4. Pasture No.1, sheep. On May 4, 1949, fifteen head of ewes were placed in this pasture and were leept there until June 22. The sheep used in the experiment were the drags that had dropped out of two or more herds while these herds were being trailed from their wi nt.er- range in Utah to the lambing grounds near Meeker, Colorado. They were in very poor condition as a result of the rigorous winter that !lad just ended. These ewes began _lambing on Il'lay 7, and finished about l\i[ay 20. Very poor success in hand'l irig the first lambs born was had because the starved condition of the ewes made them indifferent to everything except getting something to eat. In some cases, it was difficult to get them to claim their lambs, and in others, the eyre had only enough milk for one lamb. The result was a high rate of mortality among the Lambs until near the end of the lambing period when the ewes had begun to gain flesh rapidly. Eleven lambs survived until the animals wer-e removed from the pasture. The sheep occupied the .. �pasture which has an area of approximately 68 acres, for a total of 48 days. In other words, the stocking was at the rate of approxtmat.e ly 2.8 acres per sheep month for the spring grazing season, disregarding the use by the lambs • .No .accourrthas been taker:.in the ca.lcuLat.Lon of rate of stocking for 9asture 1 above, or for pasture 2 in the follovdng paragraph, of the fact that at ~E:l_?,-?tsixhead of deer occupied these two pastures together hom about""Hovelnbef"i;" 1948, until Jariuary12, 1949, a period of 75 days;. -,. , ._ . " -'-~ ." ......•... - ..,_ , h .. , -..." •••• " ••••••• ~"" ~.~"'-.~-.,....,."....-. Pasture No.; 2, cat.bLe , On May 5, six head of cattle wer-e placed in pasture No ••2.. These cattle consisted of three range grade, hereford cows and their three 6-months old unweaned calves .• The cattle were removed from the pasture on June 28~ after being therein 55 days. The estimated acreage of pasture No. 2 being 168 acres, this represents a stocking rate of approximately 18.4 acres per cow month for the spring season of use. In calc}llating this figure, the f'o.Ll.owlng asswnptions wer-e made: (1) That the thre8 6-months old calves equaled two grown animals, making the equivaJ.ent of five cows all together. (2) In counting the nwnber of days' use, the day the animals were placed in the pasture was counted, but the day they were removed was not. This same method was used in connection with the sheep and deer in counting the time they were in the pastureso Pasture NOG 4, deero· As has been stated in the April, 1949, Quarterly Progress Report, poor control was had in the matter of stocking the pasture, many more animals having gained entrance than had been planned. The removal of the excess animals was a. difficult task as was previously reported also. These f'ac t s make the stocking record for deer in pasture 4 somewhat lese accurate than are the data for domestic stock in pastures 1 and 2.. As nearly as C9uld be determined by observation and by later calculations, about thirty head of animals entered pasture 4 between .,Qg.!-ober 15, and l~y.e.!l!:ee.r 1, 1948. Eighteen of these were removed by klTling them on January·12·and 13;, On May 8, ten deer were released by opening the gates, and two .rer-e found that had died from natural causes--probably malnutrition occasioned by deep snow and overstocking--during the period between January 13 and· May 80 It was arbitrarily assumed that these two animals died at the midpoint of this period. We have, the..-efore,the following numbers of deer for the periods indicated: 18 for 75 days - 1350 deer days 2 for 135 days 270 deer days 10 for 180 days - 1800 deer days Total: 3420 deer days �..,.88 - Three thousand four hundred and twenty deer days are equal to 114 deer months. The estlinatedacreage of pasture 4 is 118 acres which results in a calculated stocking rate of approximately one acre per deer month • .co Notes on plant use by different classes of animalS Q The first objective of this study as originally out.Ii.ned, is to determine selectivity of plant species by the three classes of animals. Techniques for measuring such selectivity are still in the experimental stage, especially as regards measurement during the spring grazing season while the plants are growing at the same time that they are being eaten by the animals. No intensive work upon this problem has been undertaken as yet, since the major effort of the whole staff has been directed toward building exclosures; and locating, marking, and charting the vegetation within permanent quadrats as a means of determining long-time changes in composition and density that may occur under selective use by the different animals. Intensive technical studies have been further hampered by the fact that up to the present time, a great deal of the work of the t.echnical staff has been that of designing the experimental layout, drawing plans and 1'ITitingspecifications for fencing, supervising, and inspecting the construction work~ etca; all of which is unproductive as far as obtaining reportable biological facts. However, a few notes based upon observation only were made during and at the end of the spring season of use~ The method followed was this: In each enclosure the common plant species were listed under headings of heavy use, moderate use, and light use. Twelve species of grass and grass':"likeplants were so classified; as were nine species of forbs, and seventeen species of browse Many species were only rated in one of the pastures so no direct comparison of the degree of use of each plant species by three classes of animals is possible. 4 ASlunmary of the observations just described is as follows: Of eleven grass and grass-like species listed in pasture 2 (cattle) f'Lve were classified under heavy use; two, moderate use; and four light use. In pasture 1 (Sheep) ten species of grass and grasslike plants were classified as follows: Heavy use, one; moderate use, three; and light use, six. On forbs, nine species were listed in pasture 1 (sheep) and were classified as to use as heav-y, four; moderate, five. For browse species, in pasture 1 (Sheep) ten species were classified: Heavy, four; moderate, two; light, four. In pasture 4 (deer) fourteen browse species were rat·ed: Heavy use, five; moderate use, five; light use, four. �- 89 do Exclosureso Fencing of three exc Losur es has teen completed. One of these loca ted wi, thin pasture 1 and fenced wi. th a sheep-tight fence, measures two chains by five chains and is one acre in area. It is .in the Pinon-Juniper tyPe but partly encloses the head of a small sagebrush swalee A second one-acre exclosure lies within nastilre 2 and is fences wi th a4-wir~.lI barbed-war-e f'ence , It is in a mixed browse type, in an area that was burned at some date prior to 1886~ as nearly as can be determined by questioning early residents of the locality. The composition at present is principally big sagebrush with small amounts of oak,mountain mahogLny, serviceberry, snowberry, and various'small amounts of grasses. The third exclosure, of undetennined acreage, is located adjacent +,n pasture 2, along its east boundary fence. It is located in Pinon-Juniper type on an east facing slope and is fenced with an eight-foot woven-wire fenceG e. Location9 marking, and charting of quadrats. Ten meter-square quadrats have been located and marked in each of pastures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 60 The location of each quadrat was determined by a system of randomization designed to give good distribution with regard to total area of the pasture, different vegetative types, different degrees of slope', and exposure, as well as to eliminate the IIhuman element" as far as was possible" Diagonally opposite corners of each quadrat have been marked by driving fifteen inch angle-iron·stakes into the ground .• The present vegetation within each quadrat has been charted upon a form prepared for that purpose, by a method described as follows: A wooden frame one meter square, inside dimenSions, ltith nine equally spaced, perpendicularly intersecting cross-wires running each way,which divide the enclosed square meter into 100 square decimeters, was constructed. The frame was provided "vi th two adjustable legs to be used on the same Side, or on adjacent sides, depending upon the slope of the ground, in such a manner that the frame was suspended horizontally over the quadrat located on the ground as previously described .. The location of plants in relation to the decimeter squares of the frame was determined by use of a plumb-bob. This location was indicated on a chart either by a dot enclosed in a small circle for· individual stems or groups of stems up to thrseor four, or by sketching upon the chart, the perimeter of the area �.,. 90 .,. on the ground, covered by a vertical projection of larger plants. The chart was drawn to a scale of one to five; or in other wor-ds , the chart of a square meter on the ground, measured twenty centimeters on a side. Plant species encouptered within the quadrat were listed on the same sheet beside the chart, and a number key was used to identify the species name vn th its Loca t.i on upon the chart •• NOTE:, The author acknowledges with pleasure the valuable assistance of the following personnel in accomplishing the work described above: Mr. Donald Go Lauridson, Superintendent of Little PQlls Ga~e Experiment Station,; Mr .•Ross Campbell, and Mr. Robert Brown, Senior Students of .Range Management at Colorado Ao & Mo College, who were paid on a labor basis during the past summer" The following map shows the boundaries of the areas covered by each of the project 38-R resident technicians. The city or tovVl1circled indicates the headquarters of the technician for that district, The techn.icians assigned to the respective areas are as follows: Area _._.- Name 1 Robert Eo Elliott Richard Teague Carwin D. Tolman Harold Ro Shepherd Paul Fe> Gilbert Glenn Eo Rogers Lloyd V{" Searle Gordon C. Solomon 2 3 4 )" 6 7 8 Technicians Teague and Soloman are newly employed and have not yet assLUlled complete responsibility for the area indicated, it having been the opinion of the responsible officers that they should work wi. th one of the more experienced men for a period of lion the job training.1I Submitted Name Title Approved by: by: COLORADO GAME AND FISH DEP ARTIliiliNT Laurence E. Riordan ------~~~~-=~-=~~~----~---Wildlife Technician f!iJly Title Date Note: Co N. Feast, Director ~~T~~0~v~e~m~b~e~r~23~,~1~9~4~9-------- Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Gllineand Fish Deparunent. �"""91 STAl']; C01J.iiJI,JO --------~--~~----- 39-R Oc;tober,t 1949 '0;> '"' rn .l~ .1. ~.~ .G ..•. ;3 S U .!,,, '"'v E »r .) 1. Ii tle 2 •• Project of Project: Leade r r •.J l\. 1 ;". " r .a, f!. "'I. 'r",; D .3. ~.; .~ :L 1£ 3 S ."'~. . I I~- "fv .3 J., I G .:~ .L .. L i.~Vc- .\. lL E r;1 - C f"I-: l~J .L r' o 'llild Turkey Surveys and Investigations j:;Iartin Burbet; Donald Hof'f'man, ~~ssistCi.nt Leader. Objectives: To determine as near Iy as possiblc tion density, and general range conditions. in managemerrt plans. Thts is to G'iid::;; 1~8:?ort of Progress: Job 1 - SUI'vival Checks tl16 kild Turkey Techniques Used: There is no suos t.itut.e for personal observat.Lona in survey and inve.3tiga:t,i ve work.i~hile it is true that no two per-sons \I,-:i..11 ;JGB the same oo ject.s under identical c i.rcumst.ances , y·et the records of ·CViO cil..ceful observers shoul:.i form the basis for estaolishing actJ.al facts. it h&3 b8en noted t}:l'-:l.tfrequently the casual. observer has a distored pa.ctur-e of what. he sees. be '::'~.-~:'3 in ~:Lly~·t, to t.ne e Lemerrt of s'urlJrisG C::~.:L:"~JG'~~ ;")J. t.ne thing obser-ved; In fiel(J.,ro:ck on wild. tJ.rj.ceys f.i e.Ld cl2.sses ax":.; uS8u.'.rhereever poss LhLe to supplement Uliaideci obser'vat.Lon , Fiel(l 1"\8connai3S8J:1C::; i{] not a mer-e t.ervn 3-I)plied to r-CLnl1iTl~ about. in t.he f'Le.l.d, There are a feir fe.cG::; that have D8eD learned about t.urt~ey .aovernent.s , feeding hab'i t.s , nat.ur aI irli:?Y·3.tory actd.vi.ty , and roo;)ti.!"lg 112.bj_t;:;; th:::.t fo:r~t;~ the basis For syste;;i2.tic fL;l::i checks .1~atcr throlld;ll the SU,.l.,;cr :Lontkli3 plays an .impcr-t.ant. part in a turl~c~:yrslife. It, has Deer::. 0 ~)s8rved t:1a;G tLLrkeys visit wat.er-i.ng .p~L:1ees once or' -GY-T:!..ce daj .J_).... ~3(){[le011e l:1::L3 '.·ty'i ttcn that ';:,u.rl:ey hens seldom nes t more than 200 yards from wat.er-, C\i.r oU:3ervation~cl.':,:;;::.ld not S"c..IJIJOr··c t.hi s , It is tr»:...::::,nowever-, tllD.t as e. r;_,l~le ~18[lS rlt3f3-c. 8,-,,-ffj_cie~{ltl~y" close to w-ater that t.hey can fly to it. Because of tnis dcs i.re .:for wat.er, vmter sources such as S9ril1ss, at.r-eame , ponds , etc , , 0·;:;C008 .che checking; grounds. 'i'hus much accur-at,e knowledge of G,::Cl·:ey population dens i ty can be , t· d r··,,....o 1 c.'•.. ...k,. c:'J)' • 00 all1e \000 ~·J.G,l'. ,,8. 1('1(::..0"Q· 0 ,..(~t �- 92 In the early spring, turkey movements and numbers can be checked by tracks in remainin'p:snow patches. They can also be counted in damp spots still remaining. By the volume of tracks and droppings about a water hole some 'idea about flock size can be learned. Roosts are revealed by numerous droppings at the bases of trees. 'I'he regular use of roost trees is indicated by many needles being knocked off the smaller limbs. Much of the sealey bark is also knocked off from pines that are, used regularly. If a roosting area covers an acre of more, and as many as twenty-five trees are used, it is safe to assume that the roost is frequented by at least one hundred turkeys. Such roosts are always near a good food supply. (See Figure 3). In late summer and early fall, tracks are nearly impossible to follow. Since this is a mou.lting period, feathers dropped here and there indicate the presence of the birds. Another method of gaining information is frequent interviews with reliable observers. These include Game Wardens, Forest Ranger, ranchers, and stockmen. Such interviews make it possible to record their actual observations of birds in the field. Wherever possible these reports are checked to substantiate the information. Careful records are kept of all personal observations. a complete cross section of population trends can be made. In this manner Findings: The best time to get a population trend and survival check is in the late winter and early spring. During the beginning of the mating period-determined by weather conditions--the birds stay in fairly large concentrations. They move along well defined routes to feeding areas. As a'rule, they use the srune roosting site for several weeks. In this way it is possible to get an accurate check on numbers when the birds remain close together. There are some difficulties involved in getting these early checks. Roads remain closed in many of trese back ar-ear. Access to some areas can, only be had by snowshoe or ski travel. If distances to these places are great, much time and labor are involved in making the checks. To get the most accurate check, the work should be done while we are still trapping. This season, weather con itions were very adverse at the beginning of the checking period. Gobbling started in mid Februar-y. A bad storm quited things for nearly two weeks. This ,also held nesting activity back to a later date than usual. The real mating activity did not get to its full height until the later part ,ofMarch. Since severe storms had occurred from early January through early March, there v~as a general feeling that our turkey losses would be heavy. This was particularly true in thEf southwestern section of the range. We had a basis of comparison to go by. A severe storm occured in this section in November, 1931. It continued well into 1932. There are also �Figure I Young toms feeding near State Tul'key Ranch. Figure 2 A fine breeding tom, at least three years old. �Figure 3 An ideal turkey roost. Tree at right shows heavy roosting use. The area is in a canyon with a rocky bluff showing at right. The ground cover.is Oak, Pinon, and Juniper. Photo by Dr. Lee E. Yeager. �- 93 from a lilr. Bob Dunham, ItEarly Turkey Historical Not.es , 194611, on the winters of 1884 and 1896. In each of these reports, nu:merous turkey carcasses were found in the springs following each of these years. In 1932 as many as IS and IS turkeys were seen under roost trees. Some scattered feathers also indicated that some of the carcasses had been carried away and eaten by predators. some records As our checks startod we kept a constant watch for evidences of turkey losses. In all of the field checks only one deadrturkey was found. Then a Mr. Coleman near Dolores reported a turkey died near his place. He said the turkey acted sick for nearly a week before deatb. It is evident that this turkey died of so.ne disease rather than from weather factors. Numerous flocks of t.urkeys were observed after the storm period. of these birds were ratber thjn bilt seemed in good physical health. Some Early last fall a movement of turkeys was noted. 'I'he turkeys raised at the ranch left in early September. Others carne in and moved on. This drift was noted all along the south part of the r-ange on the wcscer'n slope. All dur-Ing the early fall and vvinter, turkeys were on the move and the drift was to the south. Then this spring the movementw-as in reverse. Turkeys kept coming through the ranch. Whenever a new flock came in, there was much qucr-reLi.ng among them and the home birds. The main flock remained but the newcomers stayed a few days and drifted north. From observations and reports on the Spanish Peaks area .there was a similar drift in that section also. There VJa,~a co.np.l.at.rrtfrom the Stonewall area t.hat, turKeys were disappearing. This d.l.sappear'ance was credited to poaching. As the birds carne back this spring they scorned to have increased in numbers dur-i.ng the winter .• Survival and brood count-s for that area indicate that there are many more birds there than one year ago. On June 12, 1949" Donald Hoffman was assigned to assist in this turkey wor-k, Donald graduated from the Colorado A. & M. College last spring. He has proven to be excellent help. He has been aas i.s td.ng Yvi"t,nt.ne survival check program and has baen doing special work on foods. One of his reports appeared in the last ~uarterly Progress deport. Survival and Develo ment Checks: To get a complete picture of survival, lNe wi.Ll, check the 1948- ') plants first, then evaluate the older plants by districts. Custer Creek - Gardner District: The turkeys (16) were caught at Turkey Ranch November 13, 1948. They were moved to the area and released at 4:00 p.:m., the same af'bernoon , It was discovered that seven turkeys had moved in from "the lLye area. Turkeys were reported in the district to the east on Ute Cr8eL If the turkeys moved in f'r'orn the Ute area they had evidently moved around the south end of Greenhorn Mountain. 'I'heae �- 94 turkeys stayed in 2)1:'3tty.',',,11 until ear-Iy 3~rln6.i\J·en they broke up 0C~)rl sse:n of t hem, '1'\'[0henSi'iCr,:) 1:''Jpcrt3d '17i:.::::t, of the release area dorl.rlZ t.he winter. This is an excellent tc~rb2;;r f.UT;f.,. TilC;:CU is r oom t'or a lot of deve.Lopnerrt -,,[iI,hout too LLUCh rianzoT of poachi.ng , The aTe::.. is isolated arid i;iOst of "L,~1e range--private and Fores'c--is controlled by a h'. l~lch:insey. into Inc~tin.g g1"'Ot;·IJ-S. S:Lnce that ti~n8 v'8ry' lIttle j..1tlS Goyr Cre8k and L~h:LJ.E}8sa--Uncompahb:ce Plateau district.: Iwo hens and two tomsViiere CC11J.;ht at the 10118 Dome feed ground on DeC8:'lber- 8, 19Lf3. I'hi.s is Ln t?lUOoJo:('c.s Eivsr area. The birds were t.aken directly to t;18 Cow Creek sr ea and J:'8leased near the property of a l'/Ir. Price. Them on December 30, 19).dJ seventeen wer-e caught at the State l'url~ey nanch and deli vered 'co tho ScCIG area. Four hens were released at the same S poc the f:L:cst four had been , The balance was taken to an area across the valley and southwest. of Colona. to be released en Log-hill IjJeE3"c. It was d.i ecover-ed t~}D.l,-:, ·t);~:U ..~l(d~/S t:a.c~ a.lr-eady moved .irit.o t.lri s .place a.1:30. I'he se were from :)}"'.;:1'::'8 3i'.c:de 2.-G::;te fost Office -GTifQ yC&.T'S ago. Log-hill .ieB2. is one of t.he s i.de ;,lesas r'unni.ng east from the Uncompahgr-s Pla.teau. I'he Cow Creek bin. s "reT,; ~3een untd.L spr'Lng, and some yOl.UP ')J.:cds aTe !.'<Jpm't8d in the area t~_~: ..) S'J..;}iJer. Th(::;rewas a report of 51..",.,<0' of t.he se t~r'j~")yG danlaging a ~YD.in field. Thi.s coul d Hot be v8:L ified. Work in ·;.~:Je Log-hill Mesa. did not bring niuch res Jlt.3. There was a 1'0)Ort of 40 bircis, hcollS,'d. t.h young, in the Fish;;:;:;:'Canyon. This area is ad jace.rt to the 1og-hj.ll plant area. Both oi'the,S8 a:ceCl.S have a lot of back country around th(;)II1 ana. t.her-e is little c;:C'e..zing in the a aa, 'i'urkeys wi.Ll, not be l~i3t1J.rbecl unt.i I they have become esta:;lL~hc;d. There is a little logging going OD. near the LOi'Y-hill area. Turkeys do not stay where there is much d.i.stur-banco , ~,jo doubt ..or-e EGtew:l:L V8 reports 'will come in later this fall. 4 I ~:Iudson Brothers--'?Ulo'ie:;:,oire Plants: These plants wer-e ...ade from tilT'-;2 clifferent trappings. TViO areas were planted w.i th nine:)irds for each illanto The areas are about :.L. 3..i:dine ,1°1e8 apart. The :co r-st. cat.ch was of three hens and one t-om t.axen in Li.,:;.rtinez Canyon sou tbweat. of Trinidad. i'he second rele<:L39 "iJI __. o,!~· tttrs~: hens and tlJVQ t.oms t2.1~erl Ln t.he lVla~lcO:3 ar-ea on t.he i"i"o stern 81ope • J :1lain Pllrgatoire Canyon north oi'';ihat is known as the Iwo Story Souse. -'-" ., ., ~ ., ~ ~, Q ,. ,., -'. ~ " ~ 1.9 ·~r' ...ne second 1 cat.en was mane on uanuarJ .1.5, .Lj4>. J.l1Gtl on Janua.:c;y .1.'i, .L>'4, a cat.ch 01" Sf t."Ct/·i(8~yS ';i01.~2 t.aken a.t t.he Vor-he es tI\3-I)j/ill.g area J.18cJ.rLa,Veta. and. moved to the <').1.'0"... 'rhese were divided so that tile plc..;lC;:;and sexes wer-e equa.l , .In lile'~ru{ '"7/ ·;~b.er-anch f'or'eman CQli11"Ce(1 14 t.urkoys ill one flock near the Two Story House, A couple of uays lD.tcq: ~le ses: \:.ight near- the l1eadqlvlrtol s rc;182J,'j8 site. 'Ih.i s wot d 111a~-:':822 tLll'l:ey-s in tbe ar-ea, The Plants wer-e ?:3.de up of only e.i.grrt.een birds. It is possible that [some birds planted low'(~r in the canyon several years !.l:::;o !ld,j Flovedilj;) and joined the present pLant.s , This SU2;1nertwo hens with broods werE~reported in t{d.~J area..:L'~18re is also a report, tha:t, Bald ~cl:.:;183, Ilaliaeetu~ leucoceohalus, areOl'8\rin; on t.he se turkeys. SeveralouncIlss of feathers an2C-s-ome bone s ha.cJ-~;b8~n found al.ong the canyon rbls .1'hc:J8 re:n"':.irw C<,L'e n �- 95supposedly of young turkeys. Bald eagles have been reported before in the canyon and to have been. working on turkeys in a section of the canyon farther down, Hayden Creek--Salida Area: T-welve turkeys wer-e t.aken on the t·ill Faulk place near La Veta on Fooruary 4, 1949. 'I'he group only contained two young toms so it was felt best to add two mature ones to assure breeding stock. These were taken at Turkey 11anch on February 14, and were added to the flock on that date. 'l'h'is flock remained intact until late spr-i.ng, A count of 13 was made severiC"Ll ti:!l8S in that s.r-ea, One of the turkeys might have died or been killed bofore this count was made. This is another somewhat isolated area. There is not much traffic beyond the Forest Camp ground, which is just west of where the release was made. TomH.eleases and ,survival: Four toms were released at the Jim Faulk place near La Veta" and two were released at the Vorhees area. These releases were the result of a well defined plan of introducing new olood into already populated areas. Four of these toms were taken at State 'Iur key li.ac'1ch;two were caught near iliancos. These banded toms were observed repeatedly in the release areas until the breeding season was well underway. Older Plants by Districts: Due to the heavy winter and spring storms, turkeys were found to have scattered a great deal pver much of the south and west sections of the turkey range. Birds were observed and reported in smaller flocks. To a casual observer this would mean heavy wlnter loss., Careful cross checks on all areas coupled with personal observations revealed the fact that there had been a general breakup of large locks earlyo The birds in smaller flocks had gone in search of food and the result was better distrib<J_tion. Many reports were received of turkeys staying in rose and thorn apple thickets for weeks at a time. They moved. f'r om their roosts to the feeding area during the storm p".;r·iod. Three different t imes this last year turkeys left a reg'_llar feeding ar8a. They wandered into adjacent canyons where they found food and neyer returned to the feeding area. As the storm period continued, large flocks of turkeys drifted back into settlements wher-e some feed could be taken to them. Food was supplied wherever birds cou.Ld be fed." All feeding was on a voIunt.ary basis and the practice was discouraGed as Euch as possible. j Montezuma Forest--nOYI ,2art of the San Juan Yarest: This was the nur-sery planting area, as the first trapped birds were released in the mouth of Beaver Canyon in 1942. The first two year's progress in this area was remarkable Tho t.urkeys have developed and. spread. over the entire area in the years that have intervened. irom reports and observations this year the spread and development is wider Ulan ever. A greater wildness in the birds inciicat8s some activity by poachers or predators. We have been unahLe to Get complete reports on some poaching acti vi ty in the area. 0 Turkeys put in lower;v'ebber Canyon and .;:;ast Creek in the M.ancos area have drift.ed east and north to more desirable range. 'I'lri,s was probably due to a short "iya tel' sUPE:rlyand. overcrowding by sheep. In Thompson Park �- 96 the birds have spread and some are reported .Ln the area Imovm as the Dry Side. This is the area facing south and draining directly into the La Plata River. San Ju n Area: The Savr.mill, Canyon and Indian Creek plants have drifted north into the liidges Basin and Lightner Creek. Checks in the area are extremely diff:Lcult due to very heavy cover. In places the oaks are so thick and high that a man can ride through on horseback \In thout being seen. There are some turkeys in the plant areas. They have not incre; SJd as they should. Lightner Creek--though never planted--has a large development of turkeYd. A band picked up in the Lightner Creek area proved the birds had moved in from the Saw-mill Canyon plant. Florida Mesa and the Florida River Canyon are showing good sized flocks all along the entire area. Part of this filling in is from birds that (rifted from Pine Hiver when they became ove"'crowded thereG Some turkeys have also drifted into this area from the Hermosa turkey flocks. The entire Pine 11iver area continues to have a heavy pop Let.Lon of turkeys. This drainage includes East Creek, Red Creek, Two Bear Creeles, Beaver Creek" and Spring Creek. All of these areas have turkeys. The Pagosa Springs district comprising the Piedra Hiver with all its tributaries, the San .Iuan Li.iverand its head waters, Blanco H.iver.?and the Navajo all have turkeys and show good cr'Jps of poults for the present nesting season. Some trips into the back country did not yield too much data., There is so much country to cover 'when in the back areas, it is difficult to get the needed information. All reports are to the effect that there are numerous flocks of tur~(eys in the high country. A recent report was of a hen with seven half grovm poults on Williams Creek, five miles above the upper camp ground, This would be around 9500 feet elevation. San Isabel Forest, Spanish Peaks checks: The Be-dah-Wet Mountain development continues to run high. YV'ehoped to open that area to hunt:l.ngthis year-, In order to do this, we cut the edges where development is just getting startee out of the proposed open area. It was felt that the smaller area liL ited the hunting possibilities. Wi t.h heavy population centers just east. of the area there was a feeling that the opening might cau e too much hunting pressure. lLecent checks and reports indicate a fine crop of poults this year-, In fact, there are beginning to be some complaints from ranchers living near the forest boundaries. It is planned to trap the area for transplanting purposes this fall to relieve some of these problems., �-97'" Checks reveal the fact that the Salida plants have ShOWD. too ll1uch development for the second year. That is, in proportion to the nuruber of birds released in the area. The Canon City-Current Creek-Tallahassee Creek areas show too little. It is evident the birds planted in the Tallahassee Creek area drifted north and helped in the development of the Sal ida Area. The Lower Cotopaxi Cr-eek and Part of lower Badger Creek have flocks of turkeys. It is unlikely that the Salida plants drifted this far south. 'I'hen , too, some of the lower Texas Creek and 'yVestcliffe areas have turkeys. Wh.en the areas are checked the distance from the Oak Creek plants are not too great. Since the birds no longer are found in the Oak Creek area it is reasonable to believe the birds drifted from there to the areas in the -vi[estcliffedistrict. In the Spanish Peaks-Stonewall area there are a lot of young turkeys. Turkeys are reI)Ort8d in numbers in many of the canyons that have not had turkeys in them for years. The LaVeta farmers and Forest .d.angerare very Inl.lch opposed to the coming hunting season. This is unfortunate as the area has been noted for its poaching problems, both on deer and turkeys. Turkeys are abundant around both of the Spanish Peaks and a legitimate hunting season should relieve the poaching pressure. Analysis and Recommendations: The wild turkey program is developing pretty fast. Since an open season is.coming up, we will gain much needed infonn.ation on management problems. Since the area·is divided on rather definite lines of eastern and -vV8sternslope areas, we feel it would be advisable to establish a setup similar to the St.ate Turkey lianch on the eastern slope. If the area had a resident turkey biologist, the work could be speeded up a great deal. Such an area is available on the south slopes of the East Spanish Peak in the area northwest of Trinidad. It is located at the head of Burro Canyon. There is a school section at the mouth of the canyon and a fairly improved ranch farther up.. This would make an excellent deer and turkey refugeo It is believed that the time has come when some real t.urkey trend areas can and should be set up. Iwo ar-eas would be sufficient until the areas can be tested. These would. oe set up, one on each main area. The trend count area should be checked sometdrce in the last half of March each year. SWrJnary: Survival cheCKS on recent turkey plants show high survival. through the winter and into the first mating season.-With one or two exceptions released birds have survived in the transplant areas of Custer CreeK, Cow Creelc Log-hill Mesa, Hudson Brothers area on the Purgatoire i:liver,and at 3 Hayden Creek in the Salida district. The heavy storms on the soathwest tur1cey range caused the birds to spread but 103S8S wer-e found to be light •• A reco;;ll'J'o;Ylcation is offered to 3St up on the eastern slope, a refuge comparable to the State 'I'uz-key .i.~anch on the western slope, to care for the wild turkey progr am in that area. �~ 98 This report is composed from material contained in daily diaries, personal field notes.'land compiled data on Merria.ms Wild Turkey. The diaries are held at the Denver Office of the Colorado G~ne and Fish Department o Other data is filed at State Turkey Rancho Job 2 - Transplanting Siteso Techniques Used: The turkey planting program is entering a new phase of developmenf:- The planting of available historical sites is rapidly nearing completiono There are many requests coming in for turkey plantso Examination of these areas proves many of them unsuited for turkey habitat. Some of the areas will support small flocks but there is little room for real development" The technique used in checking these areas is as follows: J:'irst,a careful examination of available food types is made in the area. If possible, any historical 1actors are looked up, to see if the area has supported turkeys in the paste Second, weather factors are considered. Pood must not only be abundant, but it must be available over the rough Yfeather periods when the birds need it most. Third, roosting sites are examined. These should be near a good food and water supply.. Turkeys need a place to rest and a place to go in case they are pressed by prowling predators. Pourth.9 interViews re held with people within and around the area to determine whether the bi ds will be afforded a maximum amount of protection over the development period" Areas Examined ~ Evaluation Current Creek - Canon City Area: A carefUl re-check of this area revealed four hens remaining from the original, plant made in December, 1947" These were in groups of twoe One pair had moved into the Current Creek section •• The other pair was about four miles from the original plant areao Evidently the toms moved wi. th the main flock up on Badger Creek or into the HillSide section of Cotopaxi CreekG Since these birds were scattered from the planting area before they had time to become established, we feel the area is worthy of another test plant. Our present plan is to release two small flocks near the remaining henso Cotopaxh A request came in for turkeys from an area north of Cotopaxi" This area known as Wolf Creek and Falls Gulch is mid-way between Cotopaxi and Hayden Creeks.. This will be given a more thorough check in the near future" 'furkeys moved into the Cotopaxi Creek-Hillside area last year and are doing fine. Last year's release was in Hayden Creek.. Preliminary checks show the cover types comparable with the Hayden Creek ar-ea, This area could be the connecting link between the two occupied areas •• Kim District - Pintava Canyon: The Pintava Canyon east of Kim was suggested as a planting area. Ex@!unation showed a Pinon-Juniper type canyono The cover is quite scattered. There are a few Ponderosa pines in scattered �_ oq _ // side pockets. Mast crops were almost entirely lacking. There are some springs in the canyon. These make a constant water supply available. The area 1/ as historical range" At best, the area is very limited in development possibilities" On this basis of evaluation we would rate it as fair to poor turkey range. Cow Creek - UncomDahgre District: Careful examination of the Cow Creek area shows t11at a second plant would be justified in the area. The release would be made at the mouth of Lou Creek. This is east and south of the oritsinal plant made last year. Last year's plant was really made in Burro Creek. Another release area could be had in Billy Greek. However , a rancher .i.n that area is opposed to the turkeys being in his area. This would prevent any plants being made at that point at this time. Spring Creek - UncoilloahgreArea: Spring Creek was suggested by Forest Ranger Burton. This canyon, on"the east side of the Uncompahgre Plateau, is peculiar in the fact that.the transition zone is almost completely lacking. The cover type breaks directly from almost solid oak type into quaking aspen, Populus t.remul.of.des , There are a f'ew scattered pines in the area but very little general food.. If the oaks failed there would be little food for turkeys. This is rated as poor turkey range •• Grand Mesa: Last year the west end of Grand Mesa was suggested as a turkey transplanting site. This area is at the head of ViTellsGlllch. It has many desirable fea.tures. The area is about eight miles from the hi.ghway and extends up the 'west face of the Mesa. The nearest settlement is on the north end of the Mesa which is fifteen mile s away" It is probably twenty miles to the nearest active area to the south and west. The area has some drawbacks alsoo It is hard to get to and hard to check. The isolation would leave the turkeys undistrubed. This would be rated as fair r'ange, Green r,lou..l1tain Ar ea e This area is on the east end of Grand Mesa. It lies northeast of Cedaredge. It is not historical range. However, it has most of the good features of ideal range" Food is abundant. Weather factors are favorable. 'I'h.i.e season, mast is particularly abundar.t, It is believed this area is worth a try. The principal problem is the fact that there is no area to tie into. The area wi.Ll. support a cons Lder-ab.l.e development •• Gardner Area: A recent examination of the Gar-dner'area on the head of Williams Cr-eez Lnd.l cat.ee it would stand an additional plant. The area to be planted is six miles west of Custer Creek and farther north. This would tie in with Las t year I s releases. The cover type is Pinon Juniper" The under-acOJ:'J Ls covered wi, th desirable species. There are some of the Lar-gest oaks, evidently ~uecus utahensis that have been seen anywher-e in the st.at.e , I'lri s ar-ea is historical r-ange, nu dson Brothers - Purgatoire Area: n Additional requests have oeen received Brothers for rncr e plants of turkeys in their area.~ije wait and watch the development in the area for another �- 100 year before making additional plant.s. The development. possibilities are rather Limi.t.ed , VVhen the ar-ea to be stocked is Liiai.t.ed to a deep canyon and a few side canyons there is not much chance to build up large flocks. In case of a food failure the birds would be stranded. Trinchera Canyon - Trinidad Area: A request came from a Mr. Newcomb east of Trinidad for a plant of turkeys to be made in the Trinchera Canyon. This is similar to Lhe Hudson area. It is much more llinited. The area has been turkey range in the past. It would rate as poor turkey range. Recommendations: There are terJ.areas from which requests have been received for turkey plants that have been examined with a view toward a possible extension of present stocking. It is believed this work should be carried out according to the possibilities and the desirability of the areao By careful evaluation of the facts discussed above, the areas take the following ordero 10 Current Creek - Canon City area 2. Cow Creek - Montrose area '~Villi"as Creek - Garner area 4. Green Iv'.lountain - Cedaredge area 50 Falls Gulch - Cotopaxi 6.. Wells Gulch - Grand Mesa 7. Purgatoire - Hudson Brothers area 8. Pintava Canyon - Kim 9. Spring Creek - Montrose 10. Trinchera Canyon - Trinidad 3. SmDJnary: Ten areas have been examined for possible turkey plants this year. The areas have been evaluated according to their relative merit and development possibilities. Th yare scattered pretty well over the possible restocking areas of the State. Desirable habitat is narrowing pretty fast. It is believed that the breeding m Ie exchange is a good plan for two reasons: First, it i good for the birds; and second, it is good public relations practice. It is hoped to extend this work during the present trapping season •• Job 3 - Predator Relationship Study. Tech' quesUsed: Predator relationship studies are carried along 'with regu.lar checking du t.Les, .A close observation is made for tracks and other predator sign. "[{henkills are found careful examination of r'ema.insis made to determine the kind of predator rnadng the kill. If the remains have all the larger bones unbroken but cleaned and lying about the area, the kill was probably III .ieby a p reda tor- bird or small mammal , Coyotes, ~ latrans, eat nearly all of a k~ill including part of the feathers. They seldom eat the feet. Bob cats, Lvn ..x rufus, usually scatter a lot of the remains acout , The kill site looks messy. Sometimes they will carry the carcass for some distance, making lots of sign at each place. �- 101 Another met.hod of chec.ci.ng on predator acti vi ty is exa.m.nation of scats. Usua.l.Iy -:~{le:3(3 wi.Ll. show evidence of a kiD .._ '.l.'herewill be bone slivers, parts of faathers, and ends of quills mixed Lrito the scats. Findings: (By areas and species) The coyote was found to be the most active from the number of reco rt.s on this species • Two-areas show a definite in- The skunk , lL.spbitis TrldsO'.rislasvarians, is notably becoming abundant t.hr-oughoub the; t..lI'i~(~Y 1'3.n;;e. 'l'ne sku: ks main predations are found in the fact that the] ro') nesbs and eat young birds. In order to ~i\I'J a «Lear picture of the predator situation this past each area is considered separately. Those areas where 9redatorS\{8re not mentioned or observed ar-e O:-:1itted. 8'33.S0n Mancos Area: Coyot.cs -'dere rC}Jo:ct8d as being numerous in the Chicken Creel'.: clrainace• SO;Li::: Lynx cats are also reported as building up in the ar aa, Dolores Area: '1\[0 :~olien eagles, Aquila chrvsaetos c,,-:.nauenSlS near the i.cne DO'~le, two :'.liles northwest of For r'i.c Canyon. ~ VJe2C ocs'3rved l£ro van Pelt, located f'our' niles northeast, are -:::'00 nany bODcats and coyotes near his place of Dol orea, (,hial~~)tJ.'<';l'8 for good turL8J (~8i!81op> en to uno .:.;oldeTle:"'618 and one long eared ~Seulall Ar-car observed on the Billingt.on J,anch. owl., Asi.o 'uj_lsol1ian,lSs vrer8 l;;r. Li-::.t13, S3cond kace area, stated coyotes wer e numerous :Ln that arOD.c ji.rs~ 3aayanJ Oil North Creek, reported one eagle a3 coev'eral ~iiOu_ntainlions, I"elis hiDpolestes. Hy8 Area e in th'J.t area as -well "';ir. DonC'J.ld .JecKer, two rai.Ies sout.h of Rye, reported mountain Li ons ar-ound h.i s p Lac e , A 1,1'0 Taylor, S'Xf0_8 area as Decker , reported mountain lions J_!l the vicinity. Nucla Area: his area , l'L:'. Eill, There near Pinon, reported coyotes as bei.ng numer'oue Ln to 02 a general builduo of coyotes in the; Coy-ote :30C,:,3 P2.rl~ ar-ea nort.h of l'Ju.cla. Pllrgatoire ni'Js:;::' Ai'ceo: Bald eagles have been reported for Lhe past sev'2Tc~1 years ;:',0::1' -\;'llC ,.:outh of ChD.Cl":'3.CO Carryon. They are reported as worci.ng on wi.Ld turl~ey;3. 'I'h.is Se;::_sons,::v'3ral t.urkeys ware killed in the Hudson :3l~oth8r3 .ii:lC":iCh 8,1'e:3.. These also were supposed to have been -tdlled r)yba'l.d eaglc:s 0 �- 102 - liount in Lion: Ther-e seems to be a definite increase in these great cats in the State. Tracks were seen recently on the Turkey Ranch. Several reports have come in from the Piedra area. 'rhere is also a report of lion activity in the Dolores area. A number of lions were caught in the Beulah district this year, and there are a munber of reoorts of mor-a bei.nz seen. Tracks of a lion crossing in the LaVeta area were noted Las t, January These reports should be checked .more closely. 0 Su.7JllIlary:Coyotes and bobcats are building up in two areas; namely, Mancos and Beulah. There are heavy increases in skunks and lions over the state also. Golden eo.gles are on the increase and there are several reports of bald eagles working on our turkeys. Job 4 - Brood Counts. 'rechniques Used: Brood counts are particularly important in detenn' ning the rC'.te of increase 5.11 wild t.ur'key development. Twomethods of getting these count.s ar-e used. l"irst, personal observations in the field. Second~ reports of reliable observeTs. Again, reports are cross checked wherever possible. l"i~ldings: Since a rather exhaustive report was made in the last Quarterly li:eport on brood counts, this will be more or .Iess of a. confirming report viii th re-checks on certain areas. There seems to be very little difference and western slope br-ood counts this year. Six broods reported '11:1[0 9 poults between the averages in the Dolores area averaged twelve poults broods in the Williams Creek area Pagosa Springs each. Three hi gh br-ood reports These are exceptional. Twenty broods reported per brood. district~ of eastern each. avera.ged in the LaVeta area averaged 18 poults each. as observed by Warden Cordova averaged 10-plus Thirteen broods observed and reported of just under 10 ea.ch. Eighty-eight broo s for all exceptionally good. areas on the west.er-n slope averaged almost ten poults had an average which is These broods were observed in many stages of development from fres:b~y hatched birds to young turkeys weighing up to four or five pounds. �.- 103 'I'here Yit.i.E; b;~::E;~}an '.3.}~C~jptj_oD .a . I olJp()rt:.ll"1i tJr to Ob;5S]':'<;/G J"Ol.Ul:; i)i~'c13 c.t the ranch rccc;~tJ_y. Given below are some observat.Loris with the 2_::rpr-o:d_'::a-c,e dates for t.he :~}l:.r:pose of co-cpari.son, 1 \en with 81 ever. ' 1/3' gr-own poul,ts • 2 heris ';;i t.h twenty--i'our L~ to ;; lb. 90u1 t.s , 3 hens with twenty-seven 2/3 grm·[('.. poul.t.s , ,~,heris Yiit:-.i fOI~1j~{-OrlC pou.lt.s mi.xed 0iz8S., ~i'L1:;j~l-~o gr-own; 2 hens 1frithtw3nty poul.t.s 2/3 grow",. on. T"il}:"'l-:t3:'y~·a:; ·Stol(c:~:y l..~.~ . ..;()t"J. tJj.(::~ n.csti!'1; ac t:i.·v"t o.f brin~inG: off In'(j·:)(::3, <,,,'\6 ",0;:: t of these rl~;;st5.n6 Ln Tfi1ich be 8ho1i'18 Only- thrC:8 ~r{ere pou.ll.s p:ST:"_shod bCl'OTG n~a.ch::'ng DatJ.rity. If t.lri.s rEi. t(: O.:L'cl.::nrclOEJr;:.errb LJ:::1.-:1OV·':·:!.' 2.11 01." tI1G '\~:11~1)~e~/ rc~,nzc, \\]"8 ··i;{o-~_l~~~~ ";:H3 out of t.ur-keys o\rer.(~i:~~L.t.o It 5.3 .~')robaJJJ_~y a fact, t.hat, t.urkcys under' close ()1)~;e:r-\ration ar-e mor-e sU.:·)jf:'Ct to ~rrcd.2.to~· a.ctiv·:' t.y t1.".lELClbil""~i~~ th.::}.:::' Lu:-e; not o;:..)ser·~r8d. It wou.Ld be ·\lal·~lo:J Le t.o O'!:)~3(:~;:r'~\/ohens '.")t~!.;e they }-1.2.":';"'(:; hat.c hed t.o 1.10-G~;)';~ll8 deve.i.op . ~:J(;.riocL$ 'ihis is t.he seeond tiljJ'8 t.hat. such an Lnci.dent VV'cLSreportee} s i.ncc tile p:r·o()~"':~u~.~ \Ic! ..3 {3·cr a.:c·tedo The fir~st Vias =ce.t)G:;:·,tt~joy ,i,fi.re ·v·~-alla.ce.i.n t118 Clri.cken (;1."'881;: ar-ea.• 1~e3ti:~b: Six nests wer-e repor-tc~d t).J.is :}T8El..r. T~!:;TO of t.heae b~;"D. ~,:lr. I(Lh,:1..~1 on '0118 Pietjr8.. 111'18 [.!.C:-~st;3YiCrC Ln the r-ough t.op CJ.f trees t.hat had ooen Logged o f'f One had l~ egg;~.1, t·:..ie Ot.lJ.81') 190 The hen -v:ritl1 11+ hat.ched cOELx)le·~:.ely"~ 'I'he hen lirith 19 hat-ched 17 c The t.vro rernairling eggs wer-e fer·tile tyut for 0 some reason did ~ot hatcho 'Iwo additional '"18stsc:rere reported in the Sa.l Lda Area by i:(anger ~f.ickl<2. Cno nest had 15 eggs 2.:1~ h.atc::.·,l,(;(l 13. Two eggs had 8;";;_lJI"Y-o bud d i d no t. hat.ch , The aecond Y1Gst con:'ELL;'}c(l 13 CG~i8 of lJI!hic11 11 ha'cched, and 'CiV.'·O wer-e i.nfertile V'J:3r,;:: l"'(·-:po:ctcd ()~r '=:Y'CLI)I)er Llinl( t.he aren ..o i-lests wer-e pr-e t ty we.l.L ~__ n tl·].e open. 'I'he se v[ere observed i11 ear-Ly J'ilne. OrH3 nest had 9 sggs DJ'1(~ the (;"[}'1er 7. 1'!8 was not sure ·\Yt~8t:J(;r the hens "~~'erfj;3et:t~11g 01"' not , ~Tc-, dLd (lot d is i.ur'b the eg::;;s or lY.[o ne st.s Ln Uncompahg re OJ be de s i r-ab.l e 'co set up a study em hat.chet80 made at Lnt.er-va.l s of "~lot less than one Obser-va ti oris shou.Ld off br-ooda , '~\[O(:3:-C apar-t , The objec t woul.d '08 t.he (ietGl"r~Urlat.ion of broocl '.teCreclses ... 2•.nd their causes c. Tb.is shoul.d 00 done on sever-a.I broo·:ls wl thin all area. One of' t.hese exper-iraent s CGuL~ be carried on at the Tur;(cy llancll. a compar-at i.ve s cudy t.en '00111 r.s per hen. In a late check series at Tllrkc)7 11igl"1 011 f'a i r-Ly :::.:o"t.l~re ·~)irds. 1'01' all rianch , pouLt. 11\X:'\ibc~::3 I~();1l·::-li.(t8d. ra ther e �-104 Job - 5 - Food Studies. Techniques Used: Food, particularly that food which is available for wild turkeys in the ~vinter' months, is the basis for all development. There is never any food shortage in the SQmffier monthso This study deals particularly with those trees and shrubs that have persistent fruits, or that develop a mast that is avaj.lable to the birdo in the rough winter months. In making checks over the entire turkey range food conditions are constantly observed •• Notes are taken on the findings" These are compared and evaluated_ Findings~ Generally speaking, mast crops are the most i Iportant food for wild turkeys HO'Hever, there are many drawbacks to these staples. Acorns are not at all a SiLl'S crop , Late frosts often destroy the crop almost cOiLlpletely. -i'Vhenthe crop is good the acorns begin falling in September. Competition for them is very keen. As a r'lle there are a great many wormy acorns and these become li'rorthless .for food. 'While a turkey is not adverse to having a little meat in his diet, the wormy nut becomes woody and the food value is lost. A turkey will not pick up a nut that is not good. It is somewhat of a mistery to know how they can tell, but they do. The same rule applies in grain •. Oats that are not filled out remain untouched or dropped. Pines do not produce seed cones every year, and when they 10 competition for the nuts is keen; If snow becomes deep all mast-type crops are hard to get. While some other foods are less desirable they are, none the less, more staple •• 0 There ar-e t:lree shrubs that form a major part in the tllrh:ey i s "winter diet,. These are s.lmnkber:ry, Rhus trilobata; Thorn apple, Crataegus ~".; and the commonwild roses, ~~.. During the severe storElS of the late wirrter-, the turkeys live almost wholly on these shrubs. The fact that the frui ts are l)ersistent give the tu.rkeys food well into March, Numerous reports of t.urkeys staying in rose and thornapple thickets during the heavy snow period have been receivedo At that time mast types coul.d not be reached •• Of course, there a e many other shrubs and herbaceous p.Lant.s that are used by turkeys. Their feedi~g habits are widely varied. They can supply their de 'ires for food on grasses. Even when food of arrimal, origin is at its height;> turkeys use some herbs as variety. The seeds from m st grasses find a 1lray into the normal food supply. Even giant needl gra.ss, Stipa robusta.l' is takenw"hen other feed may be covered by snow and difficult to get", Food Survey~ The .following portion of this report is an analYSis of general food conditions over the state.. Generally most important food species are spotty in production. The food sit ation for the turkey range as a who.Ls can be considered good to fair for the 1949 season. Pi.ne, Pinus ponde~, is producing a good crop of cones in the Mancos district.. ThL) ar-ea hr d a fair crop of cones last season al.so , Many of the dried cones f'rom 1::u3t. season are still persistent "with the newcones mixed in. �..•.105 .•. This is t.he fi!'st time this h",.s been. noted. Pine COrLepr'oc1.uction throughout the other areas of t.he scace is l-;1'8tty spotty •• Oaks} W,uercus s9P-, throughout the turkey range are producing good crops of acorns. .c;xce)tions aloe the Mancos area and parts of the Gardner area , As usua.l, a ve:cy large :l)ercentage of the acorns are wormy. These wormy acorns wake poor turkey feed~ Sku.nkberry isbec~ring heavily in all areas wher'e it occurs. This is one of the more important food species for winter 1'~;~. Skunkb,-"C'r<.r is notably absent in the .h!lontl'ose area. The .8eu1<;1.h,LaVeta, Norwood; and Pagosa Springs ar3c;~sl-l.avG eXC8lyt.iona.lly good crops o.i lJlU-S irn90rtant snrub this season. Pinon p i.ne , Pinus cdu.Li.s , seems to be producing a good crop of nut.s only in the £..:ont1'0:382.r'3:3. cm.s year. As with the Ponder-osa pines r.he rest of t~18 r-ange has a spotty crop of pinon nuts. :::toses }{osa S'Ci;J~, are bearing good cr-one of rose hi.os tl·lroug11ou-c. tIle ,~-.--~. .. ... ., range.flns U.i al.ao an lmportal1"G vn.nter :[ooa. The '3clibl~ pulp Se(;;;flJSt.o Q be a desirable. i t.e.n in the turkey Thornapples, for t s diet. the most part, are bearing good crops this ;yea:r'. .he Norwood ar ea is 2.11 S~~C8pt~~Oll. snowoerrv, Svmphor:i.car:)os spp., is oearing a fa:Lr to gooc~ crop for the general area. ~ 'l'i1-;;--:"ontros8 area has the best crop, wlri.Le the Gardner area has t.he poorest. The diffe:c8i1t ~lp8cies of grasses wni.ch play an important role in the turkeys diet are bearing good crops of seeds. This ru.Le holds except in some privately owned )a~3tures ,which arc; ~lOta.oly overgra.zed. Tile noed.Le gra.sses ~ Stipa §2£. G; bromes , Bromus spp s j Bluegrasses, Poa spp.; tiliiOthy-, PrJ.euril ~o.i and Gr-amas , 30nte: oua spp. are found throughout th", j)1'8Sent range" These are in s~lfficient a:.liountsto~)e :L1portant in the t.urkey" s diet •• The Gardiner d_istric-G 3c;e:nsd to have the.ooore;3t CI'Op of turkey food this seasono 1<'i::<.y·tiwrLi_f) on the r'ange , this cond.L tion may [18.'\]8 given way to better food production. The potential food possibiljjjies ar e geed, ho\"lever~ as most of t.he turkey food species are present. It is tilOU.ght tha.t this is 2.,JOO1' "seed cr-op" year for that area. S1.11Tffiiary: Looki.ng over the entire range the tur~~ey :~'ooclsituation is considerod as fair to goo,-1. Some cr-ops are spotty, whi.Le others are abundarrt.s Wh:\.le there i::; not tho abundance of one year ago , it is sufficient for our presen-::, stock of tur;.,,:eys. Cert,3.i.n areas still show healy overuse by lives t.ocx , 'I'hi s has a tendency to crowd the turkeys back into less us ed areas .• �...;106 Submitted by: Name fitle Approved by: Martin Lo Bureet --------~--------~-------------Wildlife Technician Title Date Noteg C~o~N~. __F~e_a~s~t~,~D~i~r~e~c~t~o~r _ December 1 1949 ------------------~--~~----------- P sons wishing -Go quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Commissiono �-107- S'fA'l'E, COLORADO ----~~~~~--------- FROJEGT NO. DATE t.:.!UA.i.L'l'EliLY SURVEYS PROGRESS AND 40-R ....;0:...;:c:...;t..;;.0...:;.b~er;;..;1;L..;::1:.:::.9;::;4:::_9_...__ ~tE?ORT I N V ~ S T I GAT +0NS As required by FEDEli:Ji.L AID IN VOi'LDLlFE R.ES1'Oli.A.TION AC'I' 1. Title of Project: 20 Leader: Antelope Surveys and Investigations. Gordon A ••Douglas; Assi~tant Leader, C~ois E. Till. 3. Report of Progress: Job 2 - Predator Studies. Objective: Time: -rast To investigate predation on antelope by the golden eagle •• This study was conducted on th~ Colorado Antelope Refuge during the week of June, 1949, and in lJofi'atCounty on July 8, 1949. Fersonnel: Hobert ,d.•• Elliott., Gordon A. Dougl.as, and Clois E. Till. Technique: By means of pickup truck and hiking, nests of golden eagle were reached. The immediate areas were searched for remains of animals upon wh.ich the birds had been feeding. If occupied the nest and any birds present were photographed. Observations: On the refuge, located in the extreme northeast portion of Nest No .•1, (Figure 1), Larimer County, three occupied Y{ests were observed. located in a protected cavity beneath an overhanging rock ledge, contained two eaglets. Above and below the nest were found the hind legs of three young fawns, none the same, all appar ent.Iy from new-bor-n fawns of the latest crop, less than two mont.hs old. Also found here were numer-ous prairie-dog bones~ (Figures 2 and 3). At nest No .•2, (Figure 4), an eaglet had about him in the l1est a dinner consisting of three fat, prairie dogs •• Nest No. 3,·(Figures 6 and 7), subject, of a report by Mr. EIJ,iott in October, 1948, was again occupied, this time by one eaglet. In Moffat County, two nests were obser-ved from. the l\:iaybell-4ial road. They were high on wh.Lte sandstone cliffs about 1/2 mile north of the road �-·108-·, at a place,three or, four· miles south of Juniper Mountain. proved them to be unoccupied this year • Investigation .. Analysis and Conclusions: Finding portions of three young f'awns at one nest seems toru,le out th~·possibility that other animals kill the antelope later found by eagles. It confirms the suspicion that these birds relish antelope meat, but does not indicate how .Large a pronghorn an eagle vvill attack; although th:e newborn antelope are highly vulnerable since they are exposed to the aerial view though they may be skillfully hidden from ground observation by the mother. 'I'he golden eagle is an effective hunter of rodents, which places it in a beneficial relation to manQ Title of Job: Objective: Other !Jortality Factors. To tabulate death causes~ Figure 8. The buck shown was a highway casualty just south of Agate, Colorado. Automobiles do not cause as many deaths to antelope as to cie8r, due to the pronghorns varied habitat and comparatively small nwnbers in this state. Figure 9. This doe was indirectly a highway casualty. Although she wasn't·strucri: by the automobile, 'she was close enough to the road tc have been shot f'r'omit. 'Decomposition was too far advanced to perrnit examination •• Job 3 and 4 - Check Plot StLldy and Selection and Survey of Transplant Sites. Objective: To establish permanent check plots in each antelope transplant site and major herd area for the purpose of making a detailed sbudy of the vegetation, and to provide accurate standards and records from wnich to draw conclusionso Time: July 4, to August 10, 1949. Personnel: Gordon A~ Douglas, project leader; Clois E. Till,' assistant project leader. Technique: Since each plot required.permanent description, and the program was set up to be continuous over a period of years, it was decided to locate one-third to two-thirds of the ten plots per site called for, in order to work those areas from which information Vias most urgently needed. Analysis of these plots would give a hint as to most effective methods of location •• Accordingly, three plots were set out in each of the two major herd areas; namely, Moffat County and the Colorado Antelope refuge in Larimer Co Llllty;and in two transplant areas, the Jack's Creek-Findley Gulch area �Figure 1 Nest Moo 1» located in northeastern corner of Colorado Antelope Refugeo Two eaglets are on the nest. Hind legs of three of this year's fawns were found near this nest. Figure 2 Group of bones collected at Nest Moo 1 The skulls and leg bones are from prairie dogs and rabbits. The large bone is the hind leg of one of this year's fawns. �Figure 3 Two more hind legs from this year's fawn, found at Nest No.1. The six-inch ~~ler gives an idea of the relative size. Figure 4 Nest No. 2 as seen from above showing eaglet and three prairie dogs. This nest is located near center of the Colorado Antelope Refuge. �Figure 5 Another view of Nest No.2. Thie picture shows part of the plains country typical of the refuge. The white horizontal line above center of picture is a road. �Figure 6 Nest No. 3 built on face of loose shale cliff, about thirty feet above the ground. This nest is located in the sourthwestern corner of the Colorado Antelope Refuge. Another view of Nest Noo 3 showing eaglet and some of surrounding country in background. Note: Previous observations or-this nest are written up in the Quarterly Report for October, 1948. �Figure 8 Antelope buck hit by car during past winter near Agate in Elbert County. Figure 9 Antelope doe found about 50 yards from road, about seven miles west of Powder Wash in Moffat County. �- 109 of Saguache County, and the Dry Creek basin-Gypsum Valley-Disappoint."inent Valley area of San ll'iiguel COUl1ty--six and five plots respectively. Observat.ions: (a) Larimer Cou,.'1.t-. Three permanent range plots established were analyzed as follows: The major type 'iras shortgrass. Total density ran from 10}~ to 20;;;" Blue Grama grass (Boute.Loua gracilis) accounted for 45jb to 957~ of the tot.al; 0 to 1+55; was buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides); o t.o 20;~was Carex; 0 to l~~was li:.edThree-awn grass (Aristida longiseta); o to 1/2% was liing ivIuhly grass Cilluhlenbergia "Gorrevi). Traces of the following grasses occurred: Western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii), Six-".,eeks fescue (F'estuca octiflora); Needle and Thread grass (StiDa comata). Phlox (Phlox spp.) m.de u!-,5%Of the total density of one plOt;'ringed sagebrush (,t'i.rtemisia frigida) made up 1% of another. Other herbs present in traces ,,~:ere:--Indi~rheat (Plantag~ ;JU1~hiJ), Sunf'Lower' (He.Li.ant.hus sPE.), LamhIS quarters (ChenoDodimn album), Scarlet globe-mallow (Soha ralcea coccinia), vhld onion r~\lWll ~Pl?.),-·LOCO (Astragalus ~.), StI'Ckseed (Lapp~~--ufloribund,~), Chic weed (Cerastj;yrIl ~nse). Plains prickly pear (~unti8: Dolv.antha) made UD 1/4 of tvro plots, and traces of Snakeweed (Gutierr8~~ia ;-a:-';:~rt::?2.'ae) ocGurre;l.· '--'-' (b) ];ioff&t County.. Three similar plots here provided contrast to the above: ThG pr-i.nci.pal, type was .t3ig Sagebruah, the greatest plot dens i ty, 5 1/27&. Car-ex mad", up 45;~ of the density, Ga.ll et.a (Hilaria jamesii) 976, and June-grass·-O;.(.i·eleria cr-Lstat.a ) a trace; Big Sagebrush (ArterriiSia tridentata) 37%, and SnakeweeCf3:ndGreasewood (~arcobatus. yermiculatus), each-'41/2;r:·The r-ema.irri.ng two plots, wi.th total densities of only 1 •.570 and 1.6%, wer-e cons Lde.red typiGal of th.e greater portion of the heavily used wi nt.er sheep range of the courrty , In one, Galleta made up 94>~ of the density, 'iiestern wheat.gr'aas 1 1/2j~, and Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis h;y.menoides), a t.race , Big sagebrush f'orrned 3/~, Snakeweed 1 1/2%, and rlabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus ) , a t.r-ace, In the other Squirrel tail gr"J.ss \.:>itaEion ~~~tri~yu~i.lc.fe-up 16 1/2ib of the dens.i ty; there v,ras a trace of il"stern wneat.gr-ass, Three SiU'UDS wc:ce present: BiG Sagebrush and :~lreasewood each {Hade33;:;, and Shadeca'Le (AtriDlex confertifolia), 16 1/2% of the density; there was a trace of' "~tiesternrl18atgrass. Three shrubs were present: 3ig Sagebrush and Gree.sewood each made 33ib, and Shadscale (~tr}2~ conf'er-td f'o.l.La}, 16 1/2(''; of the ground. cover •• (c) San Miguel and Dolores Counties ~ In Dry Creek basin, a plot was placed. on an abandoned field, typical of a large area of the ;nost level land whi.ch was homesteaded for dry farming after t.ne first wOI'ld,Yar •. Drouth forced most of the homesteaders to give up. Sheep range is now the principal l and use e liecovery of the p.l.owedar-eas has been very slow. Her-e and there, clumps of Gall.eta or BluE' grama are slowly advancing on the stretches of bare soil between the large shrubs •. Five feet in a hundred 1JVel~e estimated to be covered in this first plot, of which Prickly Pear and Grea.sewood each contributed 4.5%.· Shadscale and Snakeweed each made up appr-ox.i.ma te Ly Sib, and traces of Squirreltail grass, �-110 - Sand dropseed (Sporobolus c~ptandrus), Russian thistle, (Salsola Destifer), and Cheatgrass CBromus tectorum) were presento The second plot in Dry Creek Basin was located in unbroken country not far from the first. I~ was esti ated to have a 20% density of cover, of which 70% was Blue grama grass, 30% Big Sagebrush, and a trace Snakeweed. In Big Gypsum Valley, an abandoned field showed 57b cover, of which half was Winterfat (Eurotia lanata), and half Galleta. - Not far from that location, but on land which had not been plowed, a plot density of 25~~ was recorded, composed of 457b Blue grama, 50% Galleta, and 5?b Hussian thistle, wi tha trace of Lamb t s Quarters. A typical plot in Disappointment Valley showed 10%cover. Half of this was Hussian thistle, 407b Shadscale, and 10ji Snakeweed. Traces were noted of Indian .ii.ice grass, Ga.LLet.a, Winterfat, a id Fringed Sagebrush. (d) Saguache County. On four plots on Taylor 'grazing land north and west of Highway 114 in the Findley Gulch area, and one located a mile wes t of the highway bridge over . iddle Creek, densities ranged from 20% to 35%, the Blue grama made up f'ro,n 87% to 98% of the total cover. Other grasses present as traces were :Mountain Muhly (Muhlenbergia montana), and Western wheatgrass... LambYs Quarters made up 6% of one plot, and appeared. as a trace in two others. Russian thistle made as much as 5% of one total., Also present were Fringed Sagebrush, Stickseed, a'ld Tobacco (Nicotiana .!:2Eo). Shrubs were Snakeweed, Habbitbrush as much as 5%, Winterfat 4lb, Prickly Pear and Soapweed (Yucca glauca). j i\nalysis ano Conclusions: This plot study is just begun, and few conclusions can be dr-a.rn, .•.. The' sites, if nai ed in order of highest to lowest densities, are as follows: Saguache, Larimer, San Miguel, Dolores!, and Moffat. Sui tabili ty of a range to an [;elope is not, howeve r, in direct proportion to the aver a;e density--but to a certain composition. 'Iwen ty-one stomachs, analyzed and on record in the Department, indicate the antelope favors such plants as rabbitbrush, herbaceous sage, species of Astragalus and Ps.oralea, and shad cale, and other herbs. and shrubs. He does eat comparatively Sl11a1 amOlL'ltsof grasso More information as to food habits and stomach samples will be available since these plots give check lists of plants on each area for comparison with stomach contentso Job 7 - Sex-ratio Survey. Objectives ~ To get a pr-e--hunt.fr g season sex-ratio count in the areas to be opened to hunting this year. When this data is compared with that collected at the checking stations, an indication will be given as to whether the herds are left with aoalanced sex-ratio. For examp.Le , if a preponderance of bucks are killed, the sex-ratio might be altered enough to affect the breeding potentia16 �- 111 - Time: The ground sox-z-at.Lo : survey of the CoLor-ado Antelope Ref'uge covers --a-period of about six weexs , from the mid.d.le of July to August 24. 'rne flight over Moffat County was made on August. 12, and over South Park on A~gust 24, 1949. Personne.l r Ground 5J.rvey Colorado Antelope li.efuge: Gordon A. Doug.l.as, and Clois ~. TilL Aerial Survey, Moffat County; Clyde P. lvIatteson, pilot; Clois E. Till; observer" Aed.al Survey, South Park: Kennet.n B. Milyard, pilot; Clois l:!;. Till, observer. Techniques Used: On hra of the ar-eas the survey was made by plane with oot.h the pilot and the observer counting and. sexing antelope. When a group was spott.ed the pi.Lo t would dive and circle until the numoer's and sex were deternined. The areas were flown on .3 ornewha t of a ,;;rid pattern at an a.L ti tude of about 300 feet. The arrima.ls ;;[81'8 classified as bucks, does, and fawns. No attempt was made to '3(]pcH'9.te .}0ijxlings froil! mature antelope beep.use of the li:ci.tc:d ti:rl8 for the ar ea to be cover-ed; The sex of the yearling3 was det(C;rmin3d, bu t t.r.I.s year!::; t'awns 'derG listed only as such, Total flying tir:l8 in l.ioff"Lt County was 5 hOUTS LD ':linutes; in South Pars; it was 3 hours 40 nu.nut.es , At the Colorado Ant,'.:;lop8 ltef'lge the survey was made on t.he gr()'cnj .• I'ru.s \,~~asfC;3.Sii')le here 1.:;~~;callsetJ~:le -v'-egetatiol1 is ncs t.Ly gra:)s, and the f'Lat , 05)(;11 land L'l gsnercllly aC(;Cjssii)le by t.ruck Sex -NO.3 deter':r,i:.led by the use of' binoc~~lars ami a 20X spotting scope cor-rowed from Colorado A. & Me College. CQi,OlUi.DO AN'.r~.LOPE liEi'UGE Date Bucks Total F2wns Does ~... --------.-------------------- 1 6 5 5 23 32 60 21 72 55 148 10 19 21 50 3 13 9 Totals 40 133 122 25 295 Buck-Doe ratio: Doe-Fa-i'vl1ratio: 1:3.3 July 12, 1949 July 13, 191.l9 July 14, 1949 -Ju.Iy15, 19L~9 Augo 17, 1949 .. -.- 12 rJear· Grover 1:0·,92 The above table is an aver age of counts made at different dates only a par-t of the ar-ea , Many of t.he antelope here are included in Table IIe on �- 112 TABLE II SEX-P.ATIO GOUNT - COLORADO ANTELOPE REFUGE AUGUST 18, 1949 Bucks Does Fawns Total 3 2 1 2 1 5 5 2 5' 4 2 1 6 2 10 5 7 4r 4 3 4 2 ;J 2 2 2 3 13 1 12 1 1 1 7 7 1 2 1 17 1 3 4 8 10 8 9 9 17 8 11 9 9 45 91 59 195 Buck-doe ratio: Doe-fawn ratio: 1:2 1:0.63 1 2 8 1 5 7 5 3 5 4 7 9 2 1 3 4 5 4 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 3 1 5 6 1 8 3 3 3 4 1 �- 113 ::TABLEIII AERuU. SEX-BAl.'IO COUNT - MOi?l"aT COUNTY AUGUST 12, 1949 Bucks, 2 1 2 1 Does Fawns Total 7 6 8 15 2 3 12 9 1 6 6 2 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 .5 .- ::; 13 3 1 3 2 4 4 4 3 3 8 3 9 8 15 7 1 2 2 2 4 3 1 8 1 6 2 1 2 2 2 5 3 8 4 11 10 11 3 9 1 1 2 1 96 ----Buck-doe ratio: Doe=f'awn ratio: 11 2 1 23 18 1:4.17 1:0.57 53 172 �- 114 TABLE IV AERIAL SEX-Pw\TIOCOUNT - SOUTH Pll~ AUGUST 24, 1949 Bucks 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Does Fawns 4 7 2 6 2 .9 14 4 4 2 5 2 7 7 3 2 16 2 1 2 8 2 3 2 1 1 II 4 1 4 1 1 11 3 7 3 12 6 2 3 1 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 1 6 3 1 14 66 104 Buck-doe ratio: 1:1..58 Doe-fawn ratio: 1:0.69 3 72 Total 2 9 11 4 13 4 17 22 1 6 1 25 2 3 5 2 1 1 11 9 1 4 19 7 1 1 1 19 2 3 1 1 6 6 6 1 14 242 �-115 TABLE V Comparison of Sex-ratios for Herd Areas by Years 1948 Area 1949 Does/Buck Fawns/Doe DoesldUck Favvns/Doe 2.02 4 .. 17 l.,58 ,63 .. 57 .69 2.59 ,,63 Colorado Antelope ltefuge lioffat County South Park 2.07 .67 8.0 Average for all 5 .•04 .87 077 ' Analysis and Conclusiom The Buck-doe ratios in the preceding tables are not to be regarded as absolute. There are several possible sources of error in making a sex-ratio count in the summer time. First, it is well known that many large old bucks are Lso Lat.ed f'r'om tbe groups, and consequently barder to locate. These bucks are especially hard to see in iioffat County, wher-e the escape cover' is preciominantly Big Sagebrush, A second sJurce of error is that some yearling bucks often run with small groups of does and f'awns, and are mistaken for does unless observed closely. A third source is size of sample taken. A sarnp.l,e which is necessarily small because of lii'lited tire or equipment is not always representative of the whole herdo The Doe-Fawn figures are the ratio of the total number of does to the total number of fawns 88en. 'Many sets of twins were obser-ved, out. no figures wer-e obt.ained as to what percent of the t.ot.al, f'awn crop Viere tvrins. Table V shows a decrease of .16 in t.he Fawn-Doe ratio this year as compared wi.t.h 1948. This decrease was mostly in South Park The 1948 Sout.h Park :fi;llres, however , represent a samp.Le of only '16 ant.e.Lope.• A Larger , ~·r:.Qre r-epr-esent.ato.ve samo.l e VIas no t t.aicen oecaus e of J_iinit.ed time. 0 The total number of antelope observed. dur'Lng sex-ratio surveys this SUJTJmer in all areas was 6090 Of this number , 184, or 30.21/~, were f'awns , '1""· . d· t 'Jry via. I n or-der ,', t.c i::;8'G cne ru s a.ncu.ca ces a oree di ng pot.en t·l,'al, O:Lo aOOU1j tru.e percent of increase of the herds, such environmental factors as disease, predation, poaching, and starvatiop should be deducted from the breeding potential. Because of the year-to-year variability of these decimating factors, no definite set of f'i.gur-e s can be applied at the present time •• J 1 '! t ",' �- 116 Submitted Name Title .Approved by: by: Gordon A e.,.::D:...;o:...;u.:.>g..:l::..:a:;.:s=-_ Wildlife Technician Title Date Noteg Co N. Feast, Director December 5, 1949 ---------~~-~~---- Persons wishilG to quote from this abstract should first from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department •• obtain permission �- 1.17 COLOli.,i.DG STATE -----40-ii. Oct,ooer2 19_4""·9 _ ~ ~ A ~ T E Ii. L Y I N V EST 1. Title of Project: 2 •. Leader: 3. ~eport Ti tIe I GAT ION S i~.nt,e1ope Surveys and Irrves td gat.i.ons ii:.obert ita Elliott of Progress: of Job: . Fawning Studies - Completion riepor-t Objectives: To determine f'awn sex-r-atd.o , number' of f'awns per doe, L;:vm l';ortal··" i ty, and to collect physiological data wh.i.ch may be of use in management. •. Scone e 1-1.11fawn cat.clu.ng and tas.;:Lng oper-at.Lons wer-e confined to the C;oloracio Antelope Hefuge north of Fort Collins. Observations t.hroughout. the r::art'Llri~ tion period were made in the D:i..ckinson :a.efuge near Hugo, and in ths Chico Sasin area southeast of Colorado Springsu Tirne: 'I'he search for 1J.6vfly--boITJ. f'awns '~'Q'a3sta.rte,:1 cturing t.he l~:1'tter j;).::trtof June L June 11 was the last day t nat. faN":)':=;' >ay, but none were j~ound until ",:,,;-~':l'e caught, but f'j.eld observatd ons wer-e corrbLnued until july 10 Techniques Used: The same field me+hods empLoyed for the ,i)b3t tffO Y:::'.3.r;:;1'1,:';1:.(:) follovved again this year, us i.ng a Long-han-Il.ed large di.9-net. to cater] ~Gh3 f'awns after tIle:]!"had been spo t.t.ed f'r'om the t.ruck OJ:"' hor-seback; PaI~-i~5 of the large ~)a[3tures in which the f'awns are born were covered by dr-i.vi.ng par-a.Li.e.L strips o f 75 to 100 feet wi.de, and some cover-a ..t;8 was made sjj'"[i.L-)l~/b3l :cand.c.w. driving us i.ng no particular S,'j.9Tch:.:;attern. An above-normal amount of rainfall t.hroughou.t the spring, and especLa.Lly during the first week of June, made driving across the sogg;y- pas tur-es a.lmost an irrrpossibilityo Saddle hor-ses were used even more t han in the the p.ce'ii.ous years due reo this condition. The Lncreased moisture also encouraged tne gr-owth of tJ:18 vegetation, especially western wheat.gr ass , which in t.ur-n pro-vided better :l.icling cover for the f'awns t.han last year , The f'awns wer-e much more df.f'f'Lcu.l t, to see this year, and several times one escaped being run over by the p.i.ckup only by a startled bleat and quick action on Lt,s p ar-t , �- 118 With the exception of "pulling the sneak,1t figures 1 through 4 show the process of capturing an antelope f'awn, All fawns were caught this year by using the net only; none of them were r-un down with the truck. Although this latter method apparently does not harm them, the soft3 wet condition of the ground precluded such activity" To put it another way, the fawns could outrun the truck on muddy ground. Analysis and Recommendat.Lons e In grouping and analyzing the data from Table I, it may be seen that 8 of the 15 fa~ms caught3 or 53%, were known to be twins. It is entirely possible that some of the others marked as singles could be twins. A sex-ratio survey by a.i rp.Lane later in the summer', but before antelope season, should show how nearly correct these figures are. This figure of 53% twins is a iost the s ne as last year, wh'i ch gave 7 twins out of 13 fawns caught , From this it may be seen that the f'awri-doeratio is le3 f'awns per doe , since the 15 f'awna wer-e produced by 11 does. The sex ratio is not of apparent signi icance; 9 females to 6 males, as compared to 10 males and 3 f'er ales caught last year , Many more samples would be needed to make any definite statement concerning sex ratio •. There was evidence that two and possibly three favrns were lost to golden eagles in the refuge. Legs and other skeletal remains of favrns were found near an eagle's nest which contained two eaglets, but, of course, that is not absolute proof that the eagles killed the fawns. In gener a.L, there is little predation on fawns in this area, probably less than 1%. As suggested before, there is a need for more intensive research work on antelope which could be undertaken by the Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit at Colorado Ae & roo) College in Fort Collins. At such time funds become available for this pr-o jec t., it is r-ecommended that the Department aid in outlining and setting up the field work. The recommendation made both last year and the year before to the effect that motion pictures be made of favrn-catching operations still holds. It is believed that such a visual record would be of great value in public relations work •. Submitted by~ Approved: Name COLOiUillOSTATE G.Ahill AND FISH DEPA.8.;l':i~lENT Robert lie Elliott ----~~~--~~~~~------------- Title Wildlife Tec1mician ----~~~~--~--~-------------- Ti t.Le Date Note: C_o_N F_e_a_s_t_,<--D __i_r_e_c_t_o_r _ October 25, 1949 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. �j:()()T j:AR 2" 10 ~ 5-3/4 ~ 16-.\: 2 9k at 4-5/8 8--3/4 15 at 5-.\: 9-3/4 16 AtlJ: IH"It:lHT TAil 9! 2 GA. 24 III. 21t 7 1 22 19 SEX WEIGHT 6-1-49 A-9 M 6-2 A-10 F ~UE LENGTH AROUND Of \.Inn GIRTH HEAD HIND TOTAL UNr.TH EST. TAG NO. TI=FTH HrAtJ5: X 2 IIC. BUTTon UMB. DRY- STR116Y X 2 IIIC. " lIt1B. DRY BUT Soft 2 INC. " UMB. DRYUD HARD UMB. GONE- HEALED 0' El SINGLE TWIN TRI Pl FT B Er:1lIB KS A-23 X 6-3 A-11 F 9 2 22 21 2 1o.:r A-12 M 1o! 5 21-!" 20 2 1O-'\: at 5k 10 16-3/4 X 2 IIlc. n 6-7 6-8 - A-13 F 2-3 21-k ~sf .1-f4 10 3 4-3/4 9 15;\: X 2 'NC. NOlIE UMB. MY - STR'16Y 7* A-14 1-3/4 S* ~ ~ 15 x 2 IIC. BUTTOIS lIHB. GONE HULlD OUI 6-8 10'4:.. 4-3/4 9-3/4 14 X 2 'IC. " 5 9-3/4 1&! X 2 IRC. NOIE x 2 INC. BUTTOII M 8 3 21-3/4 20Ir - UMB. MOSTLY801' 6-8 A-15 F 7i 3 21t 21 2* 1~ 8-8 A-18 F 100! 4 2~ 21 2* 1~3/4 at at 6-8 A-17 F &.!- 2 21 lei- 2* 9-3/4 ~ 5 sf 14!- 6-10 A-18 M 9! 4 22k 20 2 10:l- 3!- 4-7/8 10 15;\: X 6 'IC. 2 dOo! * 5 9-3/4 16 X 4 'Ie. Nou CUlLED UI' 2 'Ie. BUTTOIIS 1IH1I. aOIE n BUCK UMB. MY U 0 CURLED UI' llf1B. DIY UD STR'UY UMB. DAYAID STRJ.!!!. 1»111. DRYAID 8-10 A-19 F 9 4 22 20 6-10 A-20 F 8 5 2at 2at 2 1~3/4 S! 4-7/8 9i 14! 6-10 A-21 M 10 5 23 • 19k 1-3/' 100! S! 4! sf 16 X 2 'Ie. • 1»11. 101. 6-10 1-22 F 9! 5 23 20 2 1at 3! 4-3/4 * 1e!- X 2 'Ie. • I»1B. lOll 2 1~3/' 4 5 10 1&1 A-11 X 2.le. • 8-11 A-23 M 10 - 10 24 20 Table 1. X DATA ON ANTEWPE FAWNS CAUGHT IN 00 LORADO ANTEWPE REFUGE LARIMm COUNTY - 1949 1»18. IDlE HULED �Figure 1 The antelope fawn as it is found on the prairie a few days after birth. Their color blends well with the ground. Figure 2 Caught. He hasn't moved yet and thinks perhaps whatever is pestering him will go away if he is very quiet. �Figure 3 After realizing that he is captured, makes a commotion. Figure he reallY' 4 Relative sizes of net, man and fawn. �Figure 5 The long, gangly legs make possible a speedy getaway for the fawn. Figure 6 As he leaves, his rump patch sholl'Sup just as well as on an adult animal. Their markings and color are identical to thos of the parents, becoming brighter with age. �Figure 7 A two or three-day old fawn stands about 20 inches high, most of which is made up of legs. Figure 8 One can expect help from all sources. The sheepherder picked up this young antelope. It was onlY 2 da1s old. �Figure 9 Pilot Milyard catches one shortly after birth and agrees that it is much easier than trapping them at an age of 3 to 6 years. Figure 10 A ten-day old fawn is a kicking, squirming, noisy armload for anyone. �Figure II Use of horses makes spotting the fawns easier than from a car or truck. The horse does not scare fawns quite so much, also. Figure 12 A new ear-tag brands this little fellow as a special charge of the Game and Fish Department. �- 119 - STATE COLORADO --~------------------ PllOJECT NO. DATE QUAHTEHLY SUHVEYS PB.OGRESS AND 41-11. --.;.:.;~----- October, 1949 H.EPORT I N V EST I GAT ION S As Required By FEDERAL AID IN YVI1DLIFE RESTORATION ACT l~ Title of Projectg 2.. Leaders: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Survey George We Jones and Claude E. lThite, Jr. 3. Report of Progressg Title of Jobg Surveys of Lambing Success. Objectives: To determine the rate of reproduction sheep herds within the Stateo in accessible Bighorn 'rarryall and Kenosho Mountain Herds: The lanibing survey on these herds began May 1 and reached its peak in June. During this period all of the Lamb.lng areas in the TarrJall and Kenosho Mountains were thoroughly covered on foot. The totals listed in Table I were procured during lambing season and give no indication of lambing success at the completion of the lambing seasono Table I Lambing Area Tarryall River Hay Creek Sand Creek (lower) "viestSand Creek Sand Creek (upper) Rock Creek (lower) Rock Creek (upper) Lost Fork Lost Fork (south) Totals Rams 13 24 12 EI'V"es Lambs -- 1 1 13 4 7 4 15 6 8 2 5 56 5 3 10 7 5 6 5 71 29 ;: �- 120In order to supplement final fiio,'Ures, a survey was made of the Tarryall and Kenosha summer' ranges in August. The total ewes and lambs observed on McCurdy lilountainwas 48 ewes and 37 Lambs , On Hock Creek in the 1\enoshos, 18 ewes and 16 lambs were observed on August 100 This gives a 77~b lamb crop as compared to a mid-llvinterpercentage of 58-60, whf.ch has been considered normal for the Tarryall in preceeding years. This percentage may drop to 60% by mid-vuntero The condition of the Tarryall winter range and SUllJller range is better than in the past two years. The volUIne of forage is greater on both ranges •• This is due PI'· arily to the heavy spring snows and daily rains which lasted until June 12.. Predation is low in the 'l'arryallsbut high in the Kenoshos s Coyotes were observed on numerous occasions. 'fvvicethey wer-e seen actually stalking srna.l.L groups of ewes and lambs. Arra....'1gements are being made to reduce the number of coyotes in the Kenoshos as soon as possible. The Pikes Pe .k Her-dz This year a series of trends were initiated in the area occupied by the Pikeis Peak herd. After a preliminary survey the area was divided into seven trend areas to be covered annually on foot •• (See Figure I). The results of this year's survey are in Table II .• Table II Trend Area Cow Mountain Sheep Mountain Bison Reservoir Putney Gulch Beaver Creek (upper) Crags Beaver Creek (lower) Total Grand Total~ Rams Ewes Lambs Yearlings 33 4 16 47 1 29 20 1 27 13 6 38 90 43 34 8 205 These figures ;ive a ram-ewe ratio of 1:2.37, a lamb-ewe ratio of 1:2.09 or a 47~8% l~~b cropo This percentage is 1002% lower than is considered no~mal for the adjacent Tarryall herdo Beca se of the scarcity of rams and the sm 11 lamb crop special surveys were made concerning predation, range conditions, evidences of disease,and poaching4 P~ge Conditionsg In general, range conditions are very similar to those in the Tarryal in vigor and density of the range plants. Two main differences in the T rryall and Pike I s Peak areas lie in the greater vo Lume of aspen and shrub regeneration in the Pikeis Peak area. Nearly all of the area occupied by the Pikeis Peak herd presents a southern exposure. In addition, the �T.14S. T.ISS. R67W. RSSW Figure 1 This map shows the location of seven population trend areas established on the range of the Pikeis Peak herd of Bighorn sheep. Trend areas are indicated b.1 numbered arrows. �- 121 climatic conditions are much different by virture of the altitudinal variation presented by Pike's Peako During the summer, rain falls on this c..rea almost daily. As a result of these two f2.ctors of exposure and climate the vigor of all vegetative growth is much greater than in the 'I'ar ryal.L, As a result~ the rate of erosion is also slower despite the more severe wounds to the top soil occasioned by mining activities in the past. In general, the range is improving and is not retrogressing. Diseaseg Care was taken during the survey to look for evidences of disease on all sheep observed. No symptoms were observed in the sheep of either external or internal parasites. Special trips were made in an effort to locate carcasses~ especially of rruns, but none were found. The last rrun carcass was recovered at Clyde in June, 19480 Predatiom Local reports indicate the presence of at least one lion in the Bison Reservoir district. He was heard and his tracks were seen on the shore of Bison Reservoir in May, 19490 Coyotes are pr esent' in small numbers. During the survey not one group of ewes and lambs were disturbed by coyotes while under observation. Only one coyote was seen during the sur'ley. At the present time predation is not considered a problem in the Pikeos Peak area. Poaching~ A special survey was conducted with Warden Al Colley in an attempt to evaluate the problem of poaching in the Pike's Peak areao As the investigation progressed it becrune evident that poaching does occur in the winter in the more accessible western areas. At le2.st one person is under suspicion as a poacher in the Bison Reservoir area. However, arrest and conviction is difficulto Poaching is definitely a problem in the Pike1s Peak area and will take some time to eliminateo Discussion~ The primary concentration of Pike's Peak sheep has its center at the eastern edge of Bison Reservoiro This area is easily reached by car throughout the year. The summer range of the herd includes all the ti.mberline areas bounded by Sentinel Point on the north, Bull Park on the aout.h, and the Pike's Peak Hi.ghway on the ass t , Occasionally, groups of r-ams do croas the highway and remain in the Dottomless Pit for some time during the surnmer, An unknown number of the sheep remain in the Bison Reservoir area throughout the sWTrrnerllmore specifically ewes, lambs, and yearlings All areas included in both the winter and swmner range are easily reached by car or jeep., The recent removal of the IviidlandRailroad proyides a good car road through the sheep winter range from f/iidlandto 0 �-.122 Gillette.. With the exception of .5 ranis all of the rams were located on Sheep fuountain, Dison R.eservoir lies at the western base of this mountain. At the time of the survey (mid-July) no ewes or lambs were observed closer than 3 miles of either the Pike I s Peak Highway or the .iifLani t.ou and Pike's Peak Cog Railroad.. By August 20, small groups of ewes with no lambs were observed within a fOLtrthmile of the hf.ghway, Recommendations~ It is recommended that a series of salt stations be established within a four-mile radius of Bison Reservoir. The trend counts just established should be run for at least three years. If the ram census has not increased by that time it is recommended that at least 20 rams be trapped and released in the Bison Reservoir area without benefit of publicity. The Georgetown Herd: A lambing survey conducted on this herd the first of July revealed 18 ewes;> 12 lambs;> and 6 yearlings one mile north of Georgetovm" The area occupied by the sheep is normal winter range for the herdc This census gives a ewe-lamb ratio of 1:0467, which compares not. too unfavorably wi th the 1~Oo,32 ratio last year. There are no problems of range, predation, or poaching hereo The Rifle Hogback: A lambing check on this herd the last of June revealed Ii rams, 24 ewes» and 10 Lambs , all scattered from liio i31anco to the hogback between Zast and Yfest Eifle Creeko It is felt that there are probably more ewes and lambs than this on the hogback. The Gore Herd: Six elves and 3 lar bs were located at .the head of Pitkin and Booth Cr'eeks , In addition, 7 rams, 11 ewes, and .5 Lambs were located at the head of Gore Creek.. This is probably part of the herd that~Qnters near the hi~hw2.y between Booth Creek and Pitkin Creek. Mamm Peake 11 check here in AUi:;-ust revealed 4 rams, 7 ewes, and 3 lambse It is felt this herd is slowly building up. A survey of the peak 3 years ago revealed on~y 4 sheep in that areao The Ten .Jile Hange: Six rams, twenty-two ewes, and eleven 1 nbs were located at the head of the Little Sacramento on Horseshoe Mountain. This may be part of the Buffalo Peak's herdo The Grand Lake Her-ds This is a new herd just located the last of Augusto Although they were located south and east of Grand Lake, high up, it is doubtful if they are part of the National Park herd. The distance to the Park is too great. Seventeen sheep were observed, twelve ewes, and five lambs 0 Sawtooth iVlountains~ Tvmnty-three head of sheep were located between Arapahoe Peak and Wild .datii 1 in the Sawtooth lIiiountainso The herd consj_sted of 10 rams, 8 ewes, and .5 larnbso �- 123 •.• Collegiate PeakS: A special trip was made the first week in September in an effort to locate the sma Ll. herd of Rocky MO'U..'1tain goats which were released on Mount Shavano. After a considerable amount of territory had been covered from Cottonwood Pass north~ 2 of the goats were located at the head of Illinois Creek on the west side of Mount Harvard. They were observed for about 30 minutes, but when an effort was made to get closer they disappeared. However, it is likely that if they are alive the rest of the herd is in the s~ne vicinitye In addition to the goats, 4 head of sheep were observed at some distance from the observero Approved by~ Submi tted by ~ COLORADO GAll/ill: AND FISH DEPALl.TM.ENT Names -E.aude Be Vfuite,?Jr", Ti t.Les .Vlfildlife Technicians By Title Da te Note~ Co No Feast, Director D_e~c~e~m~b~e;;...r~6:..i2~1~9..::4~9_-- Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department~ ��- 125 STATE COLOiiADO PROJECT NO. 6l-R --~~---------- DATE __ QUA R T E R L Y SUHVEYS AND PRO G RES I N V EST S -.::O-:;,c..:.to::,.:b:.:e:.;:.r ~1~9:..:4~9_ REPORT I GAT ION S As required by FEDER.U AID IN WILDLIY.c;.tiESTO.i:~{TION ACT L Title of Pr-ojec t s 2" Leadersg Fur Hesources Survey Hichard Denney, Project Leader; Curt Hammit, Assistant Leader. 3. Report of Progressg Introductiom This project" Fur Resources Survey, was initiated July l~ 1949,:1 to obtain biological data on which to base a sound management program" fOl~ the Colorado Fur Hesource. For several years the Colorado Game and Fish Department has been attempting to regulate fur animal seasons from recomrnendations of State beaver trappers and fur dealers. Although this system has been adequate in certain respects, it has been totally lacking in others •• ActuallYJ) there has been no clear-cut basis for handling a resource which is of value both economically and as a sporting wildlife crop to the people of Colorado •• A conference was held" as a preliminary to field work, with Mr., E ••K •• Br-own, Federal Aid Coord.iriat.or-, and Mr. Gilbert N. Hunter, Game Marlager, to formulate work plans and techniques to be practiced in gathering data on fur animal trends" It was agreed that a reconnaissance of the State was necessary to familiarize the tec~nicians vvith the fur producing areas. An integral part of this reconnaissance was contacting State fur inspectors, beaver t.r-apper-s , game war.... ens , resident. biologists, fur dea.Ler-s , private trappersJ Forest Service personnel, and Fish and Wildlife Service persoYLnel to obtain information on their observations and trapping experiences •• From the information obtained from the above sources, a map of the general distribution and relative abundance of the th~'ee main species under consideration (muskrat, marten, and mink) was plottedo This map served as the basis to later enter these are~s of concentration to select and examine various fur anLmal habitats for suitability as trend plots. In August a two-day mereting of the Predator and Hodent Control Branch of the Fish and Wildlife Service was attended by the project personnelo Present at this meeting were Dorr Do Green, Branch Chief; ¥~.John Gatlin, �- 126 - Regional Supervisor; Mr ••Cates, Assistant riegional Supervisor; Roy Fugate, District Agent; and i'ieldonRobinson of the B.esearch Branch. Feder-al , State, and local poisoning po icies were discussed and new techniques in the use of compound 1080 poison were presented5 'Ihr oughout. this quarter the available literature on muskrat studies by such well known authorities as Paul 10 Errington, Shaler Eo Aldous, Charles Eo Kellogg~ and others was studied. An effort was made to obtain reprints of these studf.es for a permanent reference library •• Ie General Inventory Job 1 -InventoEY of Fur Resources Objectiveg To gain information on the distribution, and economics of fur animals by specieso density, take, trend, Findingsg A record of distribution by species through field reconnaissance, contacts with trappers~ ru1d highway mortality observations has been initiated" As an example of hi.ghway mortality observations, a record and map of all skunks.~ classified as to markings, that have been observed on the highways have been kepto Such data, correlated with field recol1...>J.aissance and trapperse reports~ will in time present a picture of the distribution and relative abundance of skunks in Co Lcr-ado , Much the same method may be applied to other species at certain seasons of the year, such as muskrats migrating when the water in irrigation ditches has been shut offo At the present. tille insufficient analysiso 110 data has been collected to merit Specific Studies on Important Species Muskrat Job 1 ink Location and MaDDing of Habitat in the San Luis? South Platte, Arkansas 2 Colorado,% and Yampa Valleys. Objectiveg Establishment of trend areas in the various fur production centA1;'sof the state for the basis of systematically determining population fluctuations" which is needed for sound management •• Findingsg Tentative sites for trend plots have been located near or im Nort.h Park~ Yampa Valley, White River Valley, Colorado Valley in the Grand Junction vicinity, San Juan Basin, San 1ujs Valley, South Park, Black Lake, Eagle, Grand Mesa3 Gunnison, Arkansas Valley, and the South Platte ValleY6 Approximately 40 plots have been selected at the present time •• �Flots in 211 water s.:<;sG(:;~'l iflE?.:J: :~'~.:-.·~(i IGCG.ti':\L~ 'LL(~_' C1·~~·.l;:Y.:·~:~~d{ ...: ~~t.l.as ".LT; rr:.lJ.. os Y';:'~(;~:.L{·G.:)C.. :;.:>.;T' ;::,~~c11 treuL plo"t/~ Job 2 of TT~;:~.~.ll -----~-----,.-.--.~,--:)'Lt]."·V'S'!' .. ~iin.cil.rlg~:~ ~ .~v '~~-i8 i-,··~:~(:·~t~~(; :-l.t t~L}:C! \-~·r;.I~;·c-: ie« of t'~lE;L:.U.:~:h:l\;:-{t trc.c~·J L:.lcf(. ':-; ':':L,:~,\r:; been run. It. :L.':linten:.i3d th,;.~. ':)l"c' muskr-at, El:'.d. ,.::Lnk,:,loT,'3 bE' :':'LE!. :--j:~"d.-. run ,'1~1.. , \,- In 7:,.,;:' fe:d..1 hC-~.tses ha:'l~,~;~ been cons t.ruct.ed, ·.:;;-;)rin~; ·,-::·_~{:'Il 'che D~.in.lc 3.1)(~: en . .T~in~("lots ·"j'j.:L1 '~·L~.' . " i')r'C8GJ_:~}£: '.!.'tLe field the fcl.Lo"VV-±Ilg (:i.s.t;J.·:3f:L'::~::t ~for i.(~fol"'lnclt:Lci::'.t;: ilS-t:! Sl)ccj ..es Da."Gs .. . . .~l~L '::~' r.: t·:),. () ,~~ 1.•.. ., : ~-'. ~.. ..• .', .... ·t.:, ~,:_\" ..:.: .. ) ~'2 s: .Ci::C ~L·:~~ ~.I. 5::,:~r \) b :'~;;,~:t~'-'T,~. ·:.:.':Lc .,,:'~ -_. '. ,. ." .L.C:·.':L:_ .:~ ::-.l-'~,=~.\.Jr~E; :.. ..::;.... Job 3 - ---'- ., , ~con.OL~~l.C ,... on all :f"ur-anill.!.c ..l t.rend plot.:~ '~~~).(i.·;·~:~~i.ns �- 128 - Marten Job 1 - Life HistorY Study Objective: In cooperation -with the Colorado Cooperative~Vildlife Research UnitJ to gain much needed data on habitat requirernents, reproduction, and other vital aspects of life historyo Findings: To date little data have been obtained on the life history study, but the Research Unit is initiating a study in the .spruce-type forests for th purpose of determining the effect of beetle-killed tim er on the martens and their rangeo Two sight=records of martens vvith litters have been obtained in the field¢ It is interesting to note that one reports a litter of four3 while the other reports a litter of fiveo Job 2 = Det,ermination of Cycles Objectiveg To deter-mi e the occurrence if present" and length of marten cycle in Colorado, Findingsg To dates the main trapping areas in the State have been locatedo Approximately 15 tentative sites for trend plotshave been located in areas supporting good marten populations. These trend plots are to be run during the months of November and December yearlyc Approved: Submitt.ed byg Name Richard No Denney and ------- COLOrtADO STATE GAWiE AND FISH DEPAilTivLENT Harold Curtis Harrlit Title Wil life Technicians --~~~~--~~~~~--------- Title Da te Note~ Co No Feast2 Director O-=-c-=-to~b_e~r___::;3_=_1.L, _1::;;9:...:4::..::9~ _ Persons vvlshing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department •• �- 129 STA'fE GOLOB.ADO PH.OJEC'l' !'IO. DATE 52-lYl-l October, 1949 B.EPOaT 1l.s required by L ·ritle of Project: 2o Leader: 3. Report of Progress:· Basalt ]fountain Deer Winter Range Osca.r Peterson, i1efuge GustoCdan Glenn 'Jl:. Rogers, Technician in charge Qsimpletion Report Work completed upon this project during the 1949 Fiscal Year was as follows: The access road to the property was improved by widening and straightening tfle YI/Orst places,. This roadis steep, narrow, and V1inding, and during the winter 1nonths was almost impassable from mud and snow. The dozer work done upon it has improved the situation somewhat, but additional work is needed to bring the road ap to a safe standard. At the same time that the road work was being done, the bulldozer was used to tear do,~n two dilapidated buildings and to make a general cleanup of the house and barnyard area. The roof of the dwelling on the property was repaired by the replacement of shingles where necessary, and the exterior of the house was given two coats of paint including the roof. The pipeline leading from the spring to the stock watering trough at the barn was dug up and. repaired. Feeding of deer was done on the property during the month of January under Project 58-D, E.~ergency Feeding of Wildlife. Snow averaged twenty inches in depth at the headquarters buildings at that time. Besides the regular feeding program, over-aged scrub oak, pinon., and juniper trees were cut as emergency feed for deer. ill irrigation ditches v.ere cleaned as soon as the frost went out of the ground. iZepairs, consisting of the replacement of part of the �- 130 outlet pipe u.c~der the dam of the reservoir at the head of Toner Creek were made. An old bridge over Toner Creek between the house and the east ~~.e~.u was replaced. Fence repair over the entireproperty was,continued thr9gghout the year. A new gate was built for the norse pasture, and the old fence between the barn and the house was removed. Submitted byi Approvedg Name COLOliADO STATE GAME AND I>'ISH DEPilitT!ilE.tlT Title ___l_·:_._N_._}_''e_'a._.s_'_"i~D_i_x_·e_c_t_.o_r___ Date _ _ _ _...;;..;;..;;.;;;..;.;:;c.....::,;;.<...;;;;,.=c.----Octobei· 25, 1949 Nct e g Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. �- 131 - STaTE COLORADO PROJEC'fNO. 32-D --~~~--------- DATE _---.,;O;..;c....:t...:.o,;.;..be.:: _ PROGB.ESS REPOHT DEVELOPi\iENT As Required FEDERaL AID IN WILDLIFE .o O.L Ii) Title 2" Leader-s's 3.:. Report Project~ By RESl'ORATION ACT Bighorn Sheep H.estoration George We) Jones, and ClaudeE .•White, Jr~ of Progress:: Surnmary l1eport - Iiocky 1;lolli'1tain Bighorn Sheep trapping and Transplantingo Introductiong Project 32-D was initiated in 1945 in an effort to build up natural sheep herds throughout the State and to control the popul.atd.on of the State i s largest and most vigorous sheep herd, Locaced in the Tarryall Iiioul1tainso It is felt that the control of the Tarryall herd might forestall further epidemics such as occurred in 1923-240 The Tarryall herd is the mother herd providing new material for the propogation and establishment of other herds throughout the State. However, if a disease such as hemorrhagic septicemia should ever again become epidemic in the Tarryall herd, it will be possible to qui.ck.ly replace the Tarryall herd by transplanting sheep from other parts of the State" j W1th the end of the 1948-49 trapping season, a total of 139 sheep have been moved from the Tarry-all herd to various parts of the State. The experience derived from the past several trapping seasons has indicated some c;hanges in trap design" specifically in size and location" While these changes may increase the number of sheep caught.9 it is doubtful if the basic efficiency of the trapping technique -will be affected •• The past and present history- of the transplanted discussed individually and in chronological ordero sheep herds vall be �- 132 Geneva Creek~ Point of :d.elease::This herd -VIraS trapped on March 1, 1945, and released in Park County~ Section 29~ T6s Rl2E of the New Mexico Principal Meridian, at the junction of Three Mile Creek and Geneva Creeko The nearest post office in Grant,\)Colorado •• Number and Sex Released and Present Population: Sixteen animals were released,\)3 r~ns~ 8 ewes, and 5 lambso* The present populationj based on a total count in 1947=4~and a partial count in 1948-49 is 310 Obviously~ this count is not representative of natural increase along, but indicates interspersion vii th other sheep already in the vicinity However 9 the nuniber of lambs present does indicate a substantial increaseo An additional plant was ade here on January 16, 1948, in conjunction with a The plant consisted of plant made on Pitkin Creek of the Gore rangeG 7 mature eweso 0 Zone of Release and Present Range: The sheep were released in a typical Ponderosa pine zone area with a southern exposureo The area is broken by many rocky~ steep areas with steep side .;anyonso The area is dominated by a main ridge Inlich originates at the head of Three Mile Creeko The ridge runs north and south providing a continuous, virtually snow-free southern exposure from Geneva Creek to the head of Three tile Creeko The area is noticeably lacking in browse but the understory of grasses is excellent both as to density and composition" The Ponderosa pine zone ends at the head of Three Mile Creek3 glvlng way to forest~covered slopes which rise steeply to timberline" Since the toto.l distance from Geneva Creek to the head of Three Mile Creek is about .5 . i.Les , it is probable that these sheep summe r above timberline some of the to eo However, it is doubtful if these sheep range the short distance north to .Mount Evans as observations indicate absolutely no interspersion with the IvlountEvans sheep herd" Crestone Needles: Point of Release: This group was trapped March 15:/ 1945» and released in Saguache County}) Luis :Maria Baca Grant NOG 43 on Cottonwood Creek., The nearest post office is Crestone, Colorado 0 NQmber and Sex Released and Present Populationg Fourteen sheep were releasedJ 1 ram, 7 ewes~ and 6 lrunbse The present population is urucnoWIlo Zone of Release and Present Range: The sheep were released in a Ponderosa pine zone at the foot of the Crestone Needleso Very little about this herd has been learned since they were released" It is believed that the steep forest-covered slopes from release point to timberline, wrri.ch contain few features of good winter bighorn range, have caused the sheep to �- 133 drift elsewhere. There is some domestic sheep competition above timberline" Dry suwaers causing loss of forage have caused the sheep to range higher than sheep normally doo This plus competition on SUL~~er range has prevented a normal increase of sheep in this areao Mesa Verde~ Point of Release g:: This group 'Has trapped on January 30 ~ 1945, and released on Soda Creek~ Sec. 20)) T34N Rl5W in Mesa Verde National Park. The nearest post office is mancos, Colorado. Nunber and Sex I~eleased and Present Population: Fourteen sheep wer-e planted.') 3 r-arns , 7 e'viTcs, and }..j, Lamos , The present population is approximately 290 Zone of'i~elease and Present Range: The group was released in a Pinon-Juniper typeJ) heavily interspersed with thick clumps of serviceberry (Amelanchier ~o)·and mountain mahogany (Cercocarnus ~o). For reasons not definitely known, t.he, released sheep did not like the vicinity of the release point. Within 6 months after release they appeared on W'eber Mount.ai,nLmmed'i.at.e.Iy east of'Mesa Verde and approximately 9 miles from the release poin!:.. Since then one sight record has been noted within the park when a tourist saw one large ram in the summer of 1948. Recent investigations have shown that the sheep are working the entire circumference of'Weber Mountain and have permanent bed grounds at various points along its edge. 'I'hey have established their winter range on the southwestern side of 1ion Canyon and their surmner range is now on the southeastern or Weber Creek side, irmnediately above the Pearl Haddon Iianch, However , they have been seen at the ext.reme end of 'IieberMountain on the Don Phillips Ranch in the sUl)1~'Ilero'iveber 110untain is nearly flat-topped, ringed with cliffs~ and for this reason the winter and summer range are the same as to altitude and vegetative type. Georgeto rnr Point of'Heleaseg This group was tfapped on October 293 1946,\>and released in Clear Creek County, Sec. 28J T3S R74W on Douglas kountaino The nearest post office is Georgetown.'!Colorado. Nurnber and Sex i?eleased and Present Population: Thirty-two sheep wer-e re·~ Leased, 3 rans , 20 ewes, 7 Iambs, and 3 yeai-Li.ngs , The present popul.atd.on, including native sheep and a second plant made at the same place on March 3;/1949~ consisting of 2 rams, 8 ewes, 2 lambs; and 2 yearlinGS is appr'ox.ima tely 65. . Zone of ~-ieleaseand Present Range: The sheer were released on the open southern slopes of an .:c;ngleman-Spruce-Lodgepolepine zone. The dominant cover on open areas is grass and grass-like plants in good density and composition. Very steep slopes broken by many rocky cliff areas afford ideal protection for sheepo It is believed that this is one of' the finest sheep areas in the State, although generally smaller than the �- 134 Tarryall area" It is probable that at least some of the Georgetown sheep do surmner above timber line ~ however, they are also known to inhabit the normal winter range in the summer-, also. 'I'he sheep have access to either range during winter and summer. Because all of the factors in the Georgetoym area are so favorable it will be helped as much as possible to reach its carrying capacity. It is the one area vvhere trapping operations could continue in the advent of an exterminated or depleted Tarryall herd. Cache La Poudreg Point of Releaseg The sheep were trapped on December 5, 1946~ and released on December 6~ 1946" in Larimer County, T9N R74{f on the Cache La Poudre River. The nearest post office is Bellvue, Colorado. Numb r and Sex Re eased and Present Population~ Sixteen sheep were releasedJ 3 r'ar ;J 6 ewes , 4 lambs, and 3 yearlings. .As of January, 1949, the population is 240 Zone of jie1ease and Present Range: The sheep were released in a Ponderosa pine zone about 3 miles above the Zimmerman P..ancho Since their release they have not drifted more than 5 miles on either side of the release pointo Their ,tinter and s .er range is the Salue for there is no seasonal drift to timberline" Their range is typical of sourthern exposures on the east slope with a fairly heavy overs tory of Ponderosa pine, a scattered lower story of browse plants and an excellent understory of grasses of good density and composition. The area is mostly broken up by canyons and cliffs affording good protection within easy reach of good forageo Rampart Ran e g Point of Release~ The sheep were released on March 5, 1947, in .1£1Paso County, Sece 8-9~ T12S R68W on Catamont Creek in Green Mountain Falls. The nearest post office is Green lVit ••Fallso Number a.nd Sex Release and Present Population: Fourteen sheep were released, 3 rams:; 11 ewes, and 2 lambs.. One ram was killed by a train several days after the release. The present census indicates about 22 aninalso Out of 6 ewes located, 5 had lambs with them,which is an excellent increase" Zone of Helease and Present Range: The sheep were released in a spruce fir zone west of Green lvIt ••Falls:,lthe sheep did not like the area and several days after the release were observed to cross the highway and enter the liampart Hange. Their winter and summer- range is the same wi.t.hno change in 1 titude or vegetative type, Glenwood Canyong Point of Release: 'l'hisplant was made on December 4:; 1947, in ·Garfield COuntY3 Sec , 32, T5S R89vY, between Grizzley Creek and Noname Creek. TJ:B nearest post office is Glenwood Springs, Coloradoo �- 13.5 Number and Sex of Released and Present Pooulationg Seventeen animals were released,l)consisting of 4 rams, 9 ewesjl=and lambse The number of sheep in the area now is approximately 220 4 Zone of P..eleaseand Present Hange ~ The sheep were released in the Sprucefir zone in an area which has been burned. A natural break in the cliffs allowed the sheep to drift north, east., or west from the release po Lrrt •• The sheep h.ave been seen regularly in the winter between Noname and Grizzley Creeks. The SWlwer range of these sheep is not definitely knoWll9 however,? it is su:spected that they might break over into the Elk Creek side of the flattops. Snow fall was exceptionally heavyduring the vanter of 1948-493 with the result that an abnormal number of deer and elk invaded the winter range of the sheep" resulting i.n severe forage competition between the three specieso It is hoped that this condi tion wi.Ll.not be repeated in future wt nt.er-s , Rifle Hogbacks Point of Releaseg This plant was made on JanuarJ 17, 1948~ in Seco 36, -'T48 R94w on the Rifle Hogback at the Claude Rees Ranch on Highway 13 in Garfield Count yo Number and Sex Released and Present Populationg Seventeen sheep were released.\'consisting of 4 rams~ 8 ewes, and 5 lambs. The .tJresentpopulation by actual C01l..71t is 270 (During the same trip 2 rams and .5 ewes were released on the Gore winter range in Seco 1 & 2~ T48 R8oW':/east of Minturn» Colorado" on Vail Pass). Zone of Release and Present Range~ The sheep were released in the Pinon'uniper zone which is typical of the Rifle area •• Since their release the sheep have traveled along the Hogback to the Holmes coal mineo Thei.r present range extends from the coal mine to Rifle Gap , Their wi:~:1ter and summer range is the same as to altitude and vegetative type but vari.es in direction of exposurec Discussiom With the release of the second Georgetown plant in March,9 19495 a. total of 189 sheep have been transplanted from the 'farryall sheep helod Of this total 133 were t.aken from the original trap at Sugar Loaf Moun-, tain and .56 from the Spruce-tree trap. With the reduction in size and changed locat.ion of these traps the efficiency of the technique used in the, trapping program approaches the optimum under present conditions", Under the present t.echnfques a loss of 4 animals, or 2011% of the total trapped.» has been sus'tafned, I'he loss of these animals indicated weaknesses in trap design which have been correctedo G �- 136 The selection of the release points for the various groups was made on the basis of their s.imi.Lar-L ty to optimum conditions on the Tarryall vanter rangeo Access to summer range above timberline was not considered in all locations as it was felt that the resistence of the sheep to their environment would compensate for lack of tlluberline summer range if adequate vanter range was providedo This is true with the Mesa Verde.? Rampart Range3 Poudre~ Rifle~ and to some degree the Georgetown and Glenwood Canyon herds. The winter and summer range of all of these herds are the same as to altitude and vegetative typeo j Usually the sheep remain in the vicinity of and return to the release point during the winters follmving their release There are exceptions to this in the Crestone» Mesa Verde,:/and Rifle herdso The Crestone herd has merged wi th native sheep above timberline and drifted e.l.sewher-e, The Mesa Verde sheep traversed the 8 or 9 miles from their release point to Weber Mountain east of the park and have remained there" The Rifle herd moved 10 or 15 Lules south to Rifle Gap and have remained in the general area of the Holmes coal mineo 6 The location of these small groups of sheep has been difficulto Without exception the planting site is steep and rugged] vvith many cliffs and rocky areas.\)usually surrounded by deep cliff-bound canyons with heavily forested northern slopes" The factor of terrain plus the protective color~ ing of the sheep makes it virtually impossible to locate sheep by planeo Flights over Tarryall in April, 1946J) proved the impossibility of counting the sheep from the airJ and that part of the Tarryalls generally inhabited by the sheep is relatively free of t:L'1lber.The horse is merely a means of transportation to the general area the sheep are inhabiting. It usually takes days of footwork to locate one transplanted herd of sheep., The natur increase of the counted transplanted herds two to three years after thei.r release has been excellent" The increase is from 10 to 20% higher than the Tarryall increasec Critical lvlnter forage conditions have developed in the Glenwood area with the result that the deer,? elk,9 and sheep all concentrated in the area where the sheep were released" Competition between the sheep arid elk was severe resulting in the virtual elimination of available forage in that area~ Under nonnal winter conditions this situation will probably improve" It is the only area in Colorado where severe elk-sheep competition has noticeably occurredo Project 32-D has proven itself to be an excellent means of controlling the popUlation of the Tarryall herd and of establishing new herds throughout the Stateo Although the success of the project in the establishment of new herds cannot yet be fully told~ the results as indicated by the survival and increase of the transplanted herds are excellentc �- 137 Submitted Names by:: __ by~ C010HADO STATE ..:.G..:.e..:.o.:.r .•• g!.:e_-i{..:.c.....:.J..:.o.;.;n..:.e..:.s.....:.an_d~ _ Claude Titles Approved Eo Whitea Jro __ ~·W=i=l.:.d=l=i=f..:.e~T..:.e..:.c~hni~·..:.c=i~a~n.:.s _ Ti tle __ --=C-=o....;:.N..:.o....;:.li...:'e..:.a..:.s;..;t:2$~D.:.i..:.r _ Date Note~ GAl'·iE .aim FISH DEPA::lTliliLT Persons wishing from the Colorado to quote State from this abstr!'1ct should Game and Fish Departmento December first 6 1949 9 obtain permission ��- 139 STATE PROJECT COLOltADO NG. DATE 59~D --~~------------- O...,:c...,:t-=.0_b..:,.er;:,.2<....,;;;;.1 _ REPOH.T PrlOGRESS DEVELOPMENT As required :F'EiJEftAL AID IN 1HLDLIFE of Pro ject.e :"0 Title 2.. Leaderg 3<) Report Wildlife Habit.at by H.ESTOHATION ACT Jmpr-ovement, Glenn Kinghorn of Progressg \ Cover Plantings~ JUl of the spring plantings except two in the Arkansas Va.lley were cultivated twice during the quarter.. Since this operation was delayed so muchJ no attempt was made to clean the areas between rows and drill them to sorghum as originally pLanned , Instead, the extensive gr-owths of weeds; grain~ etcoJ were left for soil cover and snow traps .• AJ_l plantings Ln l'Jortheastern control grasshoppers. Colorado were sprayed wi th toxaphene t·e; Several of the plantings in the Fleming area were fenced and p.Lane az-e underway to fence remaining areas not already fenced along t.he highways (I,:' adjoining pasture landso Vie are not too proud of survival records in some areas and secure better results next season, but, hope t.o p~o~ fit, by nu.stakes Seed Collecting." ?rocessing~ etc , ~ Seeds of several different species of t:;'"Be:; have een gathered, beginning with caragana in· late <.h.!l.y<> Gc;;}d quantities of native pLum and chokecherry were secured and lesser a.mo-L'.n:t,s~;~ several other species" Collection will be made from fall and -,Yin-Ce!·<"'fn3.t1Lring kinds as they are ready •• ~s A s Lx-Lnch hammermill was secured over for depulping andthreshingo from the bird farm and is being i!1[';;;i3 ~~cellent cooperation in seed collecting was secured from severEu. Department emp.Loyees , especially from Paul Gilbert and Harry F'Lgge, W·orkers at the Cheyenne Horticultural Field Station also helped gather two sp ec tes , �_. 140 - Signup for 1950g Sixte,en landowners and several tenru1ts attended a meeting called by the Adams County Agent,? August 2931949, at which time the p'Lantd.ng program was explained and applications taken for contracts •... These are being followed up by the biologist, now that the new contract. forms are available" Similar meetings are being arranged in other counties and it is anticipated there will be a large surplus of applications for 1950 plant~ ings", Many farmers already have their land prepared and are waiting to sign up" Inspection 'l'r:l.;eg The project leader made a tour of important seed-producing sections of the State in search of seed from known drouth-resistant spec i.es , Co Lectd ng was arranged for in most areas and is being followed up by maf.L,.• Insect. pests and dise ses have ruined seed crops of some varieties in many sections of the State" The problem of re-establi.shing browse plants on many overgrazed ranges was Lscussed vrlt,h sever-a departmental workers on the t.rLp, As a r'eeu.Lt, recommendations for a series of small-scale tests have been made to start this fa113 test to determine if it is possible and feasible to attempt reseeding., Miscellaneous ~ A new storage r'oom was rented in Fort Collins and all project equipment is being assembled t.her-e, A Li.t td.e-known shrub or co· all t.ree (an eLder-ber-ry, Sambucus coerulea neo-mexicana) was found gr-owi.ng 65 rm.Les northeast. of Denver-, providing almost perfect wildlife cover 9.S well as lots of f'ood , It was p.Lant.ed in 1917 and has never been irrigated.\' yet sta.nds about '25 feet high, and is an everbearing fruit producer. (See pictures) The coordinator and project leader made a rush trip to Kansas to meet wi,th wi L lifa restoration personnel of the State and exchange . deas , fhl mado I t ti o err l n'THll tr I .' m~~ 1 next spring while on the tripo 'I'ViTO men and some equipment wer-e supp.Lied to Game Control for emergency hauling on t.he -Nestern Slope" Tree p.Lant.Lng was demon trated at the Fremont County IIFarm in a Day" project. at Canen Cityo A tweIve-year- test of .dosajnultiflora jaDonica was discovered at the Cheyenne Horticultural Field Station. l'·ive plants set out in 1937:J along with f:'L76 each of perhaps 100 other species, but only one of the five plants survives today and it is small and chlorot.ic. On the other handjl several other species have come through that test with flying co.Lor's, and espec.l al.Iy 0:C8 seldom heard of~ Rosa laxaj) a native of Turkestan~ height about 8 fto,9 straight..\' vigorous canes up to 1 inch diameter at base first year;; very spiny and dense even though plants were originally planted about :5 ft,,, apart. Appears to be just what we have been looking for as a permanerrt, livestock fence; search on now for seed and seedlings.. Safflower. a comparativelynewnt.roduction to dryland fanning" has proved to furnish an excellent. source of protein feed very attract.i ve to pheasants and ot.nerwildlife. One ton of seed contracted for planti g between tree rows on certain areas where food is somewhat of a problem ,vill also serve as snow �Q?' Above--Honeylooust 20 feet apart---20 feet tall--12 years old---clean cultivation and never an irrigation. Below-Safflower matures at about knee height and furnishes seed high in protein---a delicacy for birds. �32-year-old New Mexican elderberry. • • growing on dry land 65 mi. northeast of Denver •••• Below. It is an ever bearer with flowers, green and ripe fruit most of the summer--very attractive to birds. �- 141 - trapo Jiln Price, rancher in eastern Adams County, presented plan for shelterbelt at south edge of pasture instead of customary north edge because cattle drift away from storms and don't stop until they reach a fence" Shelterbelt 100 to ISO feet from south fence would then provide shelter for them~ Will try half-mile planting for him, with dense shri.lb and evergreen plantings on north for wildlife cover, taller trees eventually to be opened up as shade and protection for cattle.. Sorghum tests in Eastern Colorado indicate new Sooner No\) 8 is stiffer caned and longer standing than Coes or other popular varieties so arrangements have been made to get a small supply for planting between tree rows in certain areas. Submitted byg Approved:: COLOHADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEF.ad,ThlENT Title No t.ee Wildlife Technician -------------------------------- Title Co No Feast, Director Date October 25 1949 ----------------~~--~~~ 9 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permt.saton from the Colorado State Game and Fish Depar~~ento � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/657759ab18fb50af2b9cc9e8a9f3e351.pdf 2b2bea02450443dce111a1adebc0efbd PDF Text Text STATE PROJECT COLORillO HO DATE QUARTERLY PROGRESS o_ ____.::.3~2~-U~ _ January, 1950 REPORr DEVELOPHENT As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE.RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project: 20 Leaders: Rocky Mo~~tain Bighorn Sheep Restoration George l'to .Jones and Claude Ko White Jro .3~ Report of Progress: Title of Job: Trapping and trfu~splanting of Bighorn Sheepo Preparation for this year's trapping at Tarryall began with construction of a new trap,. located in a sha'LLow valley half vlay be tween the No , 2 Trap at Spruce Camp Ground and No , .3 at the China Rock Bridge It will be larger than either the lib 2 or .3 Traps and should, increase the efficiency of the trapping operation considerablyo The design of the neH trap is almost identical to that of the preceeding traps.,. 00 0 The necessity for this new trap arose I-Tit..h_ failure of Trap No , .3 to attract sheep from the large herd which ranges along the creek from Spruce Camp Ground to the China Rock area along the highuay It wasi felt that a neu trap, larger and farther f'r om the hi.ghvay woufd be more effectiveo This new trap vIill be completed and ready for trapping operations by the first of the year , along .nth Traps No , 2 and .30 0 Submitted by: Name Approved: George 1i•• Jones' COLORADO STATE GAHE AND FISH DEPARTIvIENT Claude Eo White Jro Title Wildlife Technicians Title ~C~o~N~o~F~e~a~s~t~2~D~i~r~e~c~t~0~r _ , Date_.---Note: J_an=-u_a~ry~2~6~?~1~95~0~ _ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Departmento r ��- 3 STATE, ~C~OL~O~RAD~~O PROJECT NOo DATE PROGRESS QUlLRTERLY D EVE LOP 34-D=4 Janua~9 1950 REPORT MEN T AS required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION 10 Title: 20 Leader: Martin Lo Burget Assistant Leader: Donald Hoffman 30 Report of Progress:: ACT Wild Turkey Development Object: The development of the 1-4erriatnWild Turkey in the State of Colorado-by trapping adult birds and transplanting them to suitable habitat 0 Findings: During the last weeks of September the last places chosen for wild turkey plants'for the coming trapping season were examinedo Some of these examinations had to be less extensive than preferredo Weather conditions and shortness of time made these brief examinations necessaryo Numerous requests came in for possible Turkey plantso Examination of many of these areas: prove them unsuited for ,dld turkey developrn.ento K request had been w~de for a plant of turkeys in the Trinchera Canyon area south and east of Trinidado This area is a side canyon flowing into the Purgatoire River~ The area in question was about twenty~ive miles from Trinidado The canyon heads near the foot of Fisherr Peak, and Fisher Mesao This mountain is directly south of Trinidad; and has a rather heavy population. of turkeys on both the east and west slopeso The thought behind the request was that' this plant woul.d fill in the link be tveen the Fisher,',:-'eakbirds: and some turkeys that had drifted up the Purgatoire River fram the releases' made on the Roark Ranch near the mouth of Chaquaco Canyon in 19440 Examination of this area shows the follm'ling features: Cover in the canyon is 7ery spar'ce; There are a fe\{ scattered ponderosa! panes., a little monospermai jllll1iper, and an occasional pinon pine e- _ �-4Even seed bearing shrubs -are scattered. There~~aresprings; both inl the The vlater supply is heaVily alka:liJ.je.•.. sides and bottom of the -canYQri SOmedesirable grasses grOw-jji fhe area but they are heavily over-grazedeWild grapes grow quite 'profiisely-in -the dampspo'ts, but 'are not su::r..;.; , ficiently abundant, to support aily consi.der-ab.Iedevelopment of 't.urkeys~ Moreover; tUrkeyS will not -th:i-ive'on a. liinited tyPe diE2to--'WhenDona_1d Hof'f'mancompleted-evaluation of the distrigt, the verdict 1'Tas·_lIve:ry poor turkey range on' ' Q - A, number,of' recent -reciuests~for-turkey plants have resolved theD-selve*, into 'tyPes 'siii:tilar-to-the-Trinchera'area~ -It-is true the area'S Willsuppoft a'fev"l-ttirkeyS; out -tliey',iill'not'stand even a reasonable deveLopment.; -One-such request came from vlildhorse ~ Colorado This'-area is almost bald prairie": -Tliere'are several small plantations of' trees arid' shrubs' in' the -area' but' they are --riot -sufficient to prov.ic~<3 proper cover or 'food 'valne:.:"'. To plant turkeys in such' areas means to care -for them arid'feed-theIO:_as-one would handle tame -flocks.,.' It is our opinion th8.t plan t5 -of -tttr'keys -in such areas -is a' wasbe-of oirds and effort.. FUrtherp it is lacying in good ma_~gementpracticeo 0' Turkey Seasoiu Early in October we had the first open season on wild turkeys in Colorado since the'latter part of the 19th Cerrtury; During the -turkey season just compl.e'tadl,ne,.,.,problems:--',of liianagement'ifere -encount.aredi, For the purpose of getting data seven check stations~were set up~ three o.r:: "lhich were on the 'Eastern S1.ope;;one near 'frinidad~, one near Aguilar; and one at LaVetao There were four on the \lestern Slope; one at Pagosa Springs, one at Durango, one at Mancos~and one at:,Do'lor-es , These stations Here mannedby Federal Aid per-sonne'E,,The WardenService also had severa::> wardens in the field and there was a fine spirit of cooperation in the who'Le setup , Complete-licenae returns from dea'Ier-s-have not been received eAs of January 26~ 1950,9the license division reports the sale and returr, of 517 licenses 0 Based on hunting report card returns JI as of January 26~ 1950, the tctal turkey kill for 1949 season woul.dbe approxiIilately 188 turkeys cThe hu_~tingpressure was muchlighter than anticipatedo There wer-ea number of t4L~gs that developed in this hunt that should. act as a glJideno.st in future. hunts in the Stateo- ,Fi;rst_9there vas con·siderable resistance to the cost of the licensso Second. there was a lot or Unfavorable commenton the use of shotguns~ (If it had been rifles only~ ,-ie wou.Idprobably have had more kick backss.) . To date there have been three reports on Houndedbirds that got aVlay 0. Third)' big gameseason 1-JaSonly a few days mm.y and many of the hunters' felt they could not afford i.-uQ hunting trips so close together~ - Fourth, manyof the ranchers involved were afraid of too muchhunting pressure and posted their lando Tills left. the hunters somevha t confused as how to proceed, Then, the bul.k of the hunters had never hunted turkeys and did not knowhow to go about ito All these factors probably had an affect in producing the light hunting pr-essure ; However,the open season did cause the turkeys to be "spooked" and scattered them into smaller flocks I-lhichwas desireableo �- 5 Recently '~jnile observing a' flock of ttirkeys-a 'charge of dynamite -1.•.as-set . off iri-the distance-;' - The birds Here alerted at 'once and -set tip--a.-regillar gabble So evidently our hunting season was not too much of a loss at th:-::.-c.. 0 Data:' A number of crops-.l:1ere gathered during-the study-da~ ao - Preli.i-ll.riai~Y',,:ror1con these is just report l,rill be made Laber , season to be used as-a: food getting s tar-ted , A full Big -Game' 'Htmtiiig Seasc)ll: -The big' game season took up' the-last Iia.Lf of October; "I·lhile -tIe do not make it a pcdrrt to do a lot' 'of big -game -'chectiiig duririg'-the' season," it' is' necessary- to do a -lot or-patrol \j-ork to-keep- the poachers out-of the' turkeys~ . There-~,ere-not nearlyas many reports poachf.ng this season as bef'of e , 'After the Lurkey season the birds 1:1er8 sui'ficiently ,.rild to keep out of the hunters I'\'lay or" 0 General Trap].)ing Procedure and Results: General trapping preparation:reqUires the l~Gpair and painting of traps and crates This Hark vIas done be tween field trips and checking activity., Trips Here made during October- and ear-Ly November to the possible trapping areas outside the ranch.. Uost of these trips drew b'Lanks as far as turkey flocks we:re concerned , A trip jon early November into the Dolores shoved no birds in the upper canyon and only around t\,'lenty around the Lone Dome feed area , Even in mid November the flocks had not built up IDateriallyo 0 The Mancos area •.za s checked and no birds had come into the Smith Ranch area as yet., The Chicken Creek area had only a fm'l birds Then, trips i.-lere made on the Eastern Slope areas These also shoved that the birds 'Here not at all settledo 0 0 At turkey ranch during October and up to the first week of November approximately six flocks ranged irreeularly on the ranch areao These ranged in size as f'o'lLous r 21, 27, 36, 31, ,!,,4~ and L!Bo In the early part of the month tho flocks Here counted sufficiently often to be sure they Here not repeats of the same f'Locks , Then some of them Here counted on th'~ same day only a feu mi.nut.es ap--rt and on different parts of the rancho Near the end of the month they began bunchang , 1-1hiehis a normal pr oceduz-e, Hare tht;;.n'8;, hundr-ed. Here; counted in a single f'Lock near the 101.;er ranch one af't.er-noon , Harvey Hoyer, r-anch custodian, counted seveJ;lty-'tvlO~at the upper tra.p at one "LlTIe.. Fecd.irig Has started early Ln October There vas a lot of shat ter- gr[~in on the fields so the turkeys fed at the traps Lrr egu'lar ly e They picked up feed but never cloaned it upo 0., Thel'e was a light snou in October, and another about the middle of' November, Aside from this "mather was extremely mild and open , In fact:, it has beon so mild and open that the turkeys have not settled or becoBe established anywher-e, even up to the middle of December •• The turkeys quit taking feed at the Imler trap about November 50 At the upper trap they picked feed only around the trapo nil. November 9 thG following observatd on vas made: v.Jeather has been very mild and open this entire fall. Turkey moveraent s have been unsettled.. \lhile food is not- �6- as abundanf as a year e.gb-at the-ranch 2.rea, it is satisf::,ctoryo The tlsldff'lt- Oli the north sIopes, For this reason all feed- is-- open , - He nave beeri feeding -at the -1"3.n6htraps f'cr aboiif a rnorrbh , 'I'lie feed- is being 'taken iri~egularlyo For about 0l1G veelc now feed has been taken reg'.ilarlY at the iipper-tralj~ -To observe this I left the house at--6:oo a,,-rii.:;-1,{asin the blil'id -five miriutes-later.;; - It Has 6:30 before fu'1.;y turKeys made .sounds , They- came off the roost- at 6:34~ Some fIe,:' -directly to-the meadow"..ou'theas t of the trap area;, the rest joined -them shor-cIy, There vJere -only-t-i;n2i:hty;";one iIi this f'Lock, - They-\-Jere -"spooked" by- something x that- rco1ild -rio ,-see from the- blind They -remained- alert for about tenniinutes -before -going back --to Teeding~ They-were picking alfalfa and shoved rio iildication of-corai:iJ.l{to the trap for f'eed , Left blind- at 7~1+0 a sm, and came ino" Men reported turkeys near trap again at 2:00 pomo o:i:i1y sriou is .a light 0 • Dona Id Hoffman; reglllar to Eastern Slope duties early assistant leader in November, for the project, was assigned. During tne month- of October Hoffmari spent inOst of hf.s tilie 'on check statiol'i duties; taking charge of the Pagosa Springs turkey check station Oct.obef 2 through·- 5. During the interim period to October 12 he helped ~;itli -tra.p and-crate preparation. A.fter the big game season, vhen he SUPCTVised the check station at G1:'anite, Colorado, he obtained f'ur-ther- instructions-on trapping techniques. - He Was t__henassagned to the eastern slope trapping vork, It vas thought that since no t-urkey hunting had been open in the Beulah-Rye area it vou.ld be simpler to trap than the hunted areas 0 Checking trips in that area proved much like those on the Western Slope There had been many flocks seen before the big gaIhe season? but the hunting had "spooked" the birds back-into the timber and they had not returned Careful checking showed much old but no fresh sign. 0 0 Trapping permission was granted in several places --in the Beulah area 1I arid when the birds r eturn , Ttio flocks Here located. One on the Caple place -wesf of" the 3R Rancho There "Jere orrLy' twenty-t\--lO obser-ved in this flock. It \·18.shoped that more woul.d come Ln, Feeding VIas started at once Then a f'Lock of some sixty-ni ne birds "Jere located on the Savage. property near the Cousin Springs ar-ea , This flock -i:18.S feeding in a barley field wher-e there had been a lot of shatter grain. Since these birds roost and I,-Ja ter not far from this field, it Has thought this Hoc:CLd make an ideal trap s i te , Feeding Has started at once , After feed -,-!G_5 taken three days in succession a trap was set up. These birds have fed from the feed lanes leading to the trap and taken feed near the trap almost from the first but constantly refuse to go ino This is understand= able when v18 realize there is an abundance of feed available in the field that can be obtained \'lithout any restrictionso These birds have been observed regularly but they continue to refuse f'eed in the t.rap, Just. at present it is looking more hopeful", 0 �~7'I-lherithings' woul.d.ncf -break right on" the westenl Slope ~-BUrget came to' the-Eastefi'i -Slope' to- as s'i.s't ," "Another good flock vas .Loca'ted" iIi Haverecib' Canyon- "jest of AgUilar; , This' on the 'Spo:rle-der Rancho:" 'Here a:ri.6tlier f'eed ground \.fas-esta151ishedo-'-After feed'-t-m.s taken reiularly,another -trap\ras' set llP~' The same j)r-ciblems 'deve'Loped here that -we'were' havin/fat the-Savage seta Mild wea'ther' ',lith open feed and turkey trapping just do not go togethero is at Donald Hoffman reports a recent observation the 'Savage place as foII01.JS: -"Was':],ri. olind~earl:y;:,::,pa.rked car 'in a:'cove-cif"oak some distance away and 'out of ·sight· of the f'eed.ing ar'ea, The turkeys C3.J."D.e in'to the trap area at '7:25' aomo ' 'Evidently- tliey bad 'been '"jcirkirig" in tlie f'ield bef'or'e coirdrig to the trap They came of'f' tlie field 'to the t.rap, -There ,·jere about forty birds in the' f'Lock , Iiiostly'hGiis~ They cLeazied up 'at b6th-'ends "of the trap-but did not go ino They le:ft at 7:55 aomo They had fed about thirty minutes ,," 0 ' Three days later Ho:ffman ~d Burget'observed-the same':flock":feeding in the trap area at two differel'it' periods :for mor-e than 't,~o hour-s , A.""' change in f'eed may be helping this sitllation~ We'ha-ve been rriiXing about half' ciats 'I.,1i th tile barley~' They seem to like oats better than barley" Barley'is'arather hard feed~ The birds :fed right up to the end o:f the trap but still did not go ino At State Turkey Ranch things are looking a little bettero I quote from three observation records to reveal the problemo December l~ 1949, "Checks at the upper trap last eveninr, indicated some turkeys :feeding in the, trapo I went to the blind at 6:26 aomo I did not hear the turkeys leave the roostso' Weather uas Clear~ temFerature 15 degreeso At 6:50 the' first turkey talk "las heard" Intermi ttently these sounds ver-e repeated~ At 7:15 the turkeys came ino They kept bunched so closely it l;JaS di:fficult to get a count , Repeated countdng gave a top 6f"38,, l\lice they "spooked" as if seeing something I could not" Checking th:s flock indicated a heavy majority of young toms" They fed at both ends o:f the trap Finally one young tom wa.Lked through. After 1$ minutes of feeding they Lef'b going eas t ;" 0 ( , December 2)1 19490 tlHarveyMoyer reported counting :flocks at 42, 489 arid 57 "Ii thin the past f'ev days , He said flocks f'ed at the trap "area until nearly dark" I verrt to the blind at 3:45 p sm , A.t 4:15 p sm, turkeys fle\oT:i,nto the little barley f'LeLd sou'theas t of' the trap~ Here they fed ihtermi ttently until nearly dark" The birds,: "spooked" several Mines during this per'Lcd , '~3.l1d each time they ran into the oak scrub at the edge of the f'LeLd This indica ted ,:ringed predators Golden eagles have been seen regularly near the rancho Finally they left to go to roost~ They moved up through the brush some 300 yards east o:f the trap and did not come in to feed at allo!! 0 0 �r-) o December 3,- 1949-0 - "Observed 2.[;::'.:Ln this morrring , TurkeY::l left l'o061:.s at 6:28 a:Qi:ri~ -This--tirie I counted as they cane in. --There \·jere L;2: Tliere "'l~ere orily 13"-hen8 in -this f'Lock, FinallY 3 birds f'ed iTl the trap-. It vas one -hen' and -tHO-young tons ~ They ",e1'8 nervoua but stayed for several minutes They cane in to feed at 7:15 and left at 7:35.11 0 - -It "\·jould not be practical to trap a breecliil[( f'Lock -fran this 'gl~oupif -it t-rere possible. It o. is too Burly to trap breeding toms'; That 'shcuj.d take- place after the regular h'apping has been-done ~ - A storiii on tlie \·Jestern Slope onDecenbe'r 9~ 10; and 11, b'Ianke ted. the ltTestern Sl01::'8:areas -;,Jith six inches of fl~esh srim.! and the i.,reathor tllrned cold. - A n81~flock of turkeys caine in on December 10 and the t.urlceys cleaned the feed. under the traps at oncc. Since it H2.S necessary to -bring feed to the Eastern S101J8, f'ur Lher' observ-citions could not be I.J8.de ••. A. ca tch should be ready at the ranch shortlyo - Numerous trips areas are available have been taken to locate tral)ping flocks. - Three netr and feeding -\·rill be started at these at once. -An interesting side light 'on the Savage flock is the.t thore are t'\.w or' three Albino birds in the gr-oup, vIe believe it woul.d be vri.se to collect these rather than stand the possibility of developing 8. ~!hite strain of vri.Ld turkeys .• SUInrna.ry Closing checks'on transplanting areas reveal that requests are coDing in from TInny areas unsuited to Hild turkey' development" Huch of October is t.aken up --...,i th preliminary vork on traps II the huntd.ng seasons and ' ig game season; The results of the hunting seasons coupl.edvd th very nild vea ther has held the trapping wor'k to a posi ti ve mirrimum, Four traps are being fed and cared for. Three others are being started. Everything is in readiness when the birds are ready to cooperat.e , 'firo or three Albino turkeys ,·Jere seen in the Savage flocks near Beulah .• Submitted Approved: by: COLORADO STA.TEGAJ.IE AND:BISHDEfiL'i.Tl·'f1i':NT Name_ __.1",,'1a=r...:t,,"i::;;1::=1-=L,-,e,--,B:::.t.:::ll:::~../,;g,,;:' e::,.t""ooc.._ Donald Hoffman Title Wildlif'e Technician BY_~---=(- ~~_I--' _-_ Title_~C~.~N~.~r~'e~a:~s~t~,_D~i~r~e~c~t~o~r~ _ Date __ _.;;.J.;:.a,",n;;;.;u",a~I;;;;.'""Y--,-2;;.6:...;z., -=l""S,-,' 5::,.0::.' _ Note: Persons l-llshing to quote from. this abstract from. the Colorado Game and Fish Departmento should :first obtain permission �STATE COLORADO PROJECT NOo January, 1950 DATE PROGRESS QUARTERLY SURVEYS- A.ND 37-R REPORT INVESTIGATIONS As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORA.TION ACT 10 Title of Project: 20 Leader: Game Bird SUrveys Harry Jo Figge 30 Report of Progress: Uork Plan No" 2 - Job 5., Pheasants:: TitIe: Hunter Check Objective: To find the number and age of the pheasants taken during the open season .• Personnel: Approximately tVTenty-fivemen from the Ga.me~Management Div.ision and Warden Servicep and three:men from Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research UnitQ Appreciation is hereby extended to the Colorado Higrrway Patrol for their cooperation in this project~ Techniques: A check statioITlms operated at the Brush, Colorado "Port of Entry" Novembe~ 6~ and west of Fort Morgan November 7, to obtain hunting data from Horgan, Logan; Sedgwi.ck, Phillips;,i-Jashington,and Yuma Counties ••.. Datia, 'including number of hunters , number of hours hunted, number and age of pheasants killed, and the home county of the hunters were recordod , Age was determined by means of a three-fourths inch leg gauge •• Fi~dings: Datao" Shown in chart, "1947-48-49 Upland Game Bird Check Station Analysis and Recommendations: Very few local hunters were checked through this station" Since the station was locatedJ.on the main highi-Tay leading to Denver and suburbs the majority of hunters checked were city �- 10 hunters Fo~U'hundred seventy~niiie: 'cars, averaging 2,,11hunters each, were checked , Three' huil:d:r?edl 'eighty-five, or 80]6, were from Denver- and suburbs , C'ars fr,OIJl. fifteen states were represented", 0 '. - The' San Luis Valley check station, near Alamosa'., checked through fifty-five cars;. 52•.7% of them local from Alamosa County, 18 2% from Huerfano County, 11%from Las Animas County .• 0 . - -. - The-West,Slope area, with the check station near Olathe in Hontzrose Oourrty, checked'l09 car-sj, 34%wer-e from Mesal.Oounty, 23.•. 8%were local from Hontrose County, and 21%wer-e from Delta County eIt ,ms apparent tnat hunters .rere avoiding check stations whenever ' poas.LhLe-, This accounts for' some of the decrease in the num.berof hunters The greatest factor, however, was the early publicity on the pheasant decrease in the northeast part of the State.. This same publicity somewhat increased the hunting pressure in the Arkansas Valley •• 0 1947, 1948, AND1949 PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA_ ~~- - - ._--Area' Length of Season Year No, of Hlll1ters San Luis Valley 2' days, '47 2 n '48 3 n '49 237 277 157 _709 958 588 76 62 36 181 IS7 155 Arkansas Valley 3 days, '47 '48 3 3 n '49 453 703 997 1958 2751 3975 219 305 289 171 326 349 West Slope 3 days, '47 5 '48 3 '49 238 305 256 847 '1016 766 65 80 50 209 228 172 North 7 days, 7 3 398 1399 832 1112 4860 3387 46 410 125 214 513 439 " " " " " '47 '48 '49 Total hours Hlll1ted A.dults; Juveniles �- 11 - (Table continued) Area Length of Season Year Northeast 14 days., '47 14 II '48 3 " '49 Totals for all :47 Stations "48 149 Noo of Hunters Total hours Hnnted Adults .Juveniles 3008 4289 1211 11609 16522 5087 1028 1987 267 2204 3435 867 4334 6973 3451 16235 26107 13823 1434 2841. 767 2979 4689 1982 PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, Area and ~ar Birds/ Hunter Birds/ Hour San Luis Valley 1947 1948 1949 L08 0899 1026 Arkansas Valley 1947 1948 1949 Percent of Adults Percent of Juveniles. •• 362 026 .,325 29 ••. 6 2409 18.,9 7004 7501 8101 086 090 064 0199 ~229 .161 56 ••.0 48 3 4503 41roO 1016 LO .87 .332 0303 0288 23~7 2509 2205 76~3 North 1947 1948 1949 ~653 .,661 .,68 ~233 019 .• 166 17~7 4404 22 •. 2 82~3 55~6 77 8 Northeast 1947 1948 1949 L09 L264 094 0278 0328 .222 3L8 36.,6 23.4 '6802 63.4 76 6 Entire state 1947 1948 1949 L09 L08 .80 0281 0289 0198 3205 37.7 2709 6705 6203 Slope 1947 1948 1949 0 5107 54,.7 -vTest 7J+~1 7705 0 0 7201 �- 12 Scope: Arkansas Valley Reported by; Howard A..•• "Steihm The check station at Las Animas contacted 61./) hunters •• Hunting Pressure:: An analYsis of 'hu.TJ.ting preasurejshoved that conditions: were fairly comparable to the 1948' season. Locaf, hurrter-s: from P:r"01.:rers-; otero .and Bent counties;supplied 50 ~05% of the himters:; a difference -of 9~10% frOm 59J4% forining the htiritingpressure in 1948. PUeblo Ccurrty,: ",hich normafIy supplies the second greatest sour-ceof hunters, sent 26 •.. 06% of the hunters using the Arkansas Valley areas ~ This figure 'Has a:difference of +1 .•84% from the 24.,22't of last year , Hunters from -twelve other ~ounties, all varying distances fram the hunting areas, were'18.19%'of the total: a difference of +4~82%" Non.•. residents~ from Okl.ahona, Texas, Indiana, and California made up the remaining 5.VO% of the hunters, a difference of +2'.43%.. The local hunters constituted the source of the greatest hunting pressure through most of the thre~day seasono One exception was noted at the Las Animas station the opening day when Pueblo County hunters constituted 38.69% of the hunting pressure, as compared to 27 •• I5% of the hunting pressure from Bent County, which was the local county. kualysis and Recommendations: The percent of juvenile birds in the hunters' bag continued a rise shown one year ago when 51 •. 66% were noted, to 54 •. 6;$ in 1949. It is felt the increase results: from improved hatches in some sections but may be short of the ideal peak due to loss of young birds from a, spring flood in Prover-s County, and to an increase in alfalfa acreageand consequent night mowing. Not too much emphasis has been placed upon the flood as a limiting factor because subsequent renesting attempts voul.d tend to nullify or remedy such a condition. There 1..JaS a decrease of 280.70% in birds per hunter under 1948" The n~ber of birds per hour obtained in 1949 Sh01-leda decrease of of 29.£9% under 1948. Both check stations recorded an improved success ratic on the last day of hunting in spite of unifor.mweather and subsequent uniform hunting condi tions over the three-day period. This improved condition was: attributed to increased efforts on the part of sportsmen. The belief was borne out by numerous statements from hunters, land m..rner~and department persom1elo other variables acted to set off the 1949 season from previ0Us: seasons" Most notable was phenological in nature resulting from a t-t"o-weeksadvancement of the opening date~ At that time, because of the most excellent fall weather, maturing crops as yet unharvested were almost impregnable •. Weather had done Iittle t~,::4teduce the rank growth of weed's and grasses. The same weather had minor effect in bringing about the winter flocking of birds~ �13 WorkPlan ~oo 2 - Job 5. Title: Hunter Check -. Reported by Woo L, Flinn Objective: - To determine 'the number, sex, and age of the phea~ant taken during the open season~ Pez-sonne'LeWo L~ FliInl.,. Robert Elliott, Al Carlson, Phil Hockere- Techniques: Check stations "Tereset up in the area north of Derrver j one Ln 1t1eld.'C-ountyinthe same location as in 1949, one-half :mile east of Hudson, and one in the farming country east of Fto Collins,~ in Larii·ner Cciunty~ - - .. ~ ":~. - -. -_ : ~ - :.~ - - - - .~::.;:: :. , - ,- "Hunters -werechecked at these check stations the -operiiiigday of theseason, -arid. hunters were contacted in the field the following two days of the season" Finclings: HUdson Check station:: Cars were stopped and hunters "mre checked as they left the' Prospect Valley ar-ea , A total of 608 hunters- ,,fere interviewedo They had hunted 2490,h9nrs and obtained 358 pheaaarrbs , Together "villi the follm-i'iilg tuo days -inf'ormation 667 hunters' hurrted 2671 hour-s and bagged 383 pheasants of '.fllich 296 J or 77054% ver e juvenile birds 0 19LJ3 &verage hours per hunter Birds per hunter Birds per nan-hour Percent young birds --3 68 061.4 ,,176 58",7% 0 1949 4000 ~574 ~143 77054% -The Prospect Valley area was heavily c.ongested uith huntez-s, especially on opening day, Throughout hunting hours cars wer-eseen ti~aveling the roads, indicating that a large number of hunter-s spent much of 'their tine road hunting or trying to locate pheasarrbs 11Y driving around, instead of Horldng the f'Le Lds; It is believed this factor In_a.tel~i8.11y aided in b:C'ingingthe kill figu..t'9Sdown, The high per-cent.age of young birds cannot be accounted for here, except that thc spring hatch 1:TaS . considered good, and young birds ar-c thought to have been plentifl1lo . Fort Collins Area Check Station: The Fort Collins area station was opet-at.ed by Robert Elliotto A total of 165 hunter-s Here checked in the area; they hunted 716 hours and obtained 181 pheasants, of ~ihich 143 11e1'O 'j everriLes 0 �- 11;_ - Averae;8 hours per hunter Birds per huribef Birds 'per "man-hour Percent young birds 1948 2~76 ;,.695 :251 191(9', 4~33 L08 ~230 46.0% 86 .6% 0 The follmving table shows the findings by combining the data taken by both check st3.tiol1s this year and compared uith 1948 check s ta t.Lon information' •• Total Adults Juveniles Birds Killed Hours HUJ.1ted HUJ.1ters 667 165 832 Hudson, Ft. Collins 2671 716 3387 87 38 125 383 181 561;. ].948 3~47 0652 .189 55",57% Averae;8 hours per hunter Birds per hunter Birds per man-hour Percent juveniles 1949 4.07 ~677 ,,166 77 83% 0 50 Work Plan Ho., 2 - Job Ti tle: 296 143 439 Hunter check Objective: To determine the numbcr, sex and age of pheasants the open season Q~der controlleu huntingo killed 'Teclmigue: check station. ScoDe: Hunters 'Here required Rocky HOlll1t3.inArsenal Per-sonnel.s Arsenal to register Study Area at eat.abl.Lshed during 0 Rod and Gun Club; reported by Irving R, Po.Ley , Findings:' TABLEI ,---_._- ... --..-- ... -.~".---' ,.•.. Date Ho. of . Hunters; Hours Hunted Adults 11/6 11/7 11/8 146 148 119 Totals: LJ3 547 350 410 1307 73 32 10 115 Daily No oft Juveniles Bag Cripples'. 181 109 71 361 254 141 81 476 45 14 10 69 �- 15 __Table II, uhi.ch f'o'Ll.ovs , shoirs the pheasant; harvest at the Rocky HOUl1.tilri lrserial-for the past three seascns , The Arsena.l area consists of twenty-three square miles, wher-e the hunting is corrtr-o.l l.ed, TABLE II 1948 7 298 1249 156 zi ,0 27 72 00 186 1949 3 413 1307 361 115 '89 476 ~305 0808 ~140 0584 10152 1947 7 89 236 51 Days of Season No;" of Hunt.er-s Hours -HUnted --, JuveiiileBirds Killed AdUlt'Biids'Killed No~ of Cripples Total Bag Plieasants~per hOlIT Pheasants per hunter ~36L~ Ari'increase iripheasants per hunter over the 1948 kill'is noted .• This Has due to better organized drives and hunting methodso \~ork Plan Noo 4 - Job 40 Title: Hunter check Objective: To determine the number, sex and age of ducks and geese killed during the open season under- controlled huntd.ng, Techniques: Scope: Eunters were required to register at established check stationso Rocky Hountain Arsenal Study Aroao Personnel: Arsenal Rod and Gun Club; reported by Irving Ro Poley Findings: The Arsenal opened the duck season on the second day of the gave the'hurrter-sbetter shooting than they vou.Id have received on the first half-day of the seasono ,The,follo1-ling table is a comoar-i.son of the ducks killed at the Arsenal lakes' for 1948 and 1949.• seaaon , wh.i.ch pr-obahLy TABLE III ROCKY HOIDITAIN ARSENAL DUCK KILL SEASONS 1948 AND -19L~9 Year Noo of Dazs No" of Hunters, Hours Hunted Total Ducks Killed Ducks per Hour Ducks per 'Hunter 1948 1949 34 1/2 41+ 361 489 1,144 941 274 474 •. 240 0503 0'750 0969 �- 16 _. Work Plan No.~ - Migratory Waterfowl. Deviationo Title: Management Area Development and Operation Scope: South Platte Management Area Personnel: Willard L. Flinn, Ferd Kleinschnitz, George Steele, Bertram Baker and others. Objective: To determine the numbers, sex and age ratios, and reactions to controlled hlli~tingof ducks by species. In addition, to obtain hunter success figures correlated with factors involving the 1949 migratory waterfowl season. Techniques: The Tamarack and Sedgwick Bar Management areas were again opened to public shooting of waterfowl. Additional river was made available to hunters by improvements made on the west section (Condon-Stewart purchase) lands. Cattle guards, culverts necessary filling, and leveling1 and a Bump-It gate were installed to make the natural roadway passable for automobiles New metal signs were made and placed on the area division points in both the east and west sections o~ the Tamarack-Condon shooting grounds. The check station building, which was constructed and placed at . the entrance to the east section last year, was sided with asbestos shingles. The building served as a place to check hunters in and out of both sections. 0 Department personnel were on duty throughout the season at the check station issuing permits, assigning areas, and obtaining kill data~ The Sedgwick Bar Management area was capably developed by its custodian, George Steele. The property was divided into three areas, with fences and sign placements for directing and controlling the hunterso Mro Steele was on duty at his Sedgwick Bar residence throughout the season, supervising the hunting and obtaining datao Findings: The daily record of information gathered at the Tamarack-Condon and Sed~Hick ?ar check stations follows in Tables I and 110 Table III shows the total ·composition or the kill by species and per-cen tage , Table IV compares the totals of hUnters, nUmbers of ducks killed, and hunter~ success figures for the 1948 and 1949 waterfowl seasons on the TamarackCondon area only. �- 17 TABLE I . TAHARACK-CONDON GAME MANAGEMENT AREA:_ DAILY DATA...•1949 NIGRA TORY H'ATERFOWL SEASON Date Nos> of Hunters: Hours: Hunted 1q/L4 10/15 10/16 10/17 10/18 10/19 10/20 10/21 10/22 10/23 10/24 10/27 10/28 10/29 10/30 4 51 49 3 1 9 8 10 28 55 1 4 1 14 48 200 157 6 1 23 23 20 82 305 1 15' 5 46 149 10/31 11/1 11/2 11/5 11/4 11/5 11/6 6 4 '19 10 L.,. 5 13 8 29 35 22 96 200 11/7 11/8 11/9· 11/10 'II/II 11/12, 11/13 11/15 11/16 11/17 11/18 11/19 85 13 10 5 3 49 35 34 5 5 9 8 8 8 31 19 9 3 148 90 115 7 6 17 18 20 Mallards: M F 8 29 32 1 1 2 1 1 10 28 1 2 4 21 8 2 7 1 16 23 1 .3 1 6 1 10 1 2 2 Others 11 F 1 1 2 9 Pintail 1 14 18 1 1 2 4 3 12 Hooded Merganser Baldpate 1 2 1 5 21 1 2 10 2 3~ 5 Shove'i1er' Pintail ,$hoveller Gadwall 1 1 2 2 1 3 2 Gadl-lal1 1 7 17 6 8 1 1 1 1 I 1 4 6 4 6 :1,712 7 II 4 Game Killed G eW'.,.T'ea1 Species: M F 2 2' 2: 2 2 Lo Scaup 1 Amo Merganser Amo Golden-eye 1 Baldpate 1 J 1 1 I 3; 2; 7' I 1 6 2' 1 1 2 1 I I 8 Pintail Shoveller Gadwall Baldpate' Gadi-lal1 5 6 2 5 ] I �- 18 (Table I Continued) Date 11/20 Noo of Hunters Hours Hunted 35 99 11/21 11/22 11/23 11/24 11/25 11/26 11/27 3 13 3 14 15 45 III 3{ 110 Totals 773 2330 7 14 3 18 57 M F Game Killed G.W. Teal M F Species 4 4 10 Mallards 1 3 12 1 3 3 1 1 5 7 18 11 6 5 268 194 1 5 M Baldpate Gadwall. PintaiJi F 3 1_ 1 2 6 4 101 462 Total each specie 6 Others 2 2 1 Baldpate 83 *15-*18 184 Others 33 *See Table III 679 Ducks - total kill per man/hour 0291 " II hunter 0878 " 68005% ducks killed were mallards (58% males, 42% females) 27009% ducks killed were green wing teal (55% males, 45% females) TABLE II SEDGWICK BAR GAME MANAGEL"vlliNT AREA DAILY DATA - 1949 MIGRATORY WATERFOVlL SEASON Date 10/14 10/15 10/16 10/18 10/19 10/20 10/2110/22 10/23 10/24 10/26 10/27 Noo of Hunters Hours Hunted 8 10 16 47 30 46 10 20 24 10 11 58 11 12 6 4 10 12 3 6 10 4 4 2 Mallards Game Killed. GoW. Teal M F Species M F 10 11 5 2 2 10 1 4 7 3 2 5 6 5 3 2 2 1 J 2 3 Others --_.-1i-. F 1. 7 4 2 2 2 2 Blue wing teal 1 Redhead Redhead 1 Blue wing teal 1 1 �- 19 (Table II Continued) Game Killed Date Hours of Hunters,' Hunted Nco 10/28 10/29 10/30 10/n 11!1 11/2 11/3 11/4, 11/, ' 11/6' 5 7 -8 1 5 3 3 3 " 11 11!f) , 11/13 11/15 ' ,11/18 11/20' 11/21 11/23 ' 11/24 11/25 11/26 2 12 '4 4 2 8 2 2 16 9 ,12 11/27 ' 13 , II/II Totals 5 226 Total each speqie 18 15 19 3 16 12 8 8 ,20 10 4 ,,' 37 18 16 8 35 8 8 Hallards H F 3 1 S12ecies H Bufflehead 1 F 1 1 2 3' 2 5 1 3 1 2 2 2 1 4 3 1 1 GadHall 2 "1 11 4 1 3 28 i 26 33 4 5 4 47 8 2 682 Others GoW.Teal H F 1 Pintail 1 1 1 1 2 Am. Golden-eye ' Am.. Golden-eye 112' 47 159 Pintail. 1 Amo l1erganser Pintail Shoveller Amo Golden-eye 5 11 20 1 1 1 *4 11 Others 31 *S'ecTable III 205 Ducks ~ total kill , 1)300" per man/hour ~907 It :" litinter 77'~56%'"killed were mallards (7404% males, 25 6% females) 150'1%'t1" " green i.J'ing teal {350:5%males, 6405% females) 0 II) �- 20 - TABLE III KILL BY HL'HBERS AND PERCEliJTAGE SOUTH PLATTE HAHAGEl'fEHT AREA. - 1949 ,... Ta.mnrack-G ondon % of Total No. :Killed Kill . upecJ.es :E.il1ard (Anas nl,atvrvnchos ) G. 1-1. t.eal (Nettio; ~arolinense) B. Ho teol (Querquec1u1a discor:s) Gadwa Ll, (Chaul.e.lasmur streperus) Baldpate (IvIarecaaner-Lcana) Pintail (Dafila acuta tzitzihoa) Shoveller (Spatula clypeata) Redhead (Nyroca aner-i cana) L. Scaup (Nyroca affinis) Am. Golden-eye (Glaucionetta clangula americana) Bufflehead (Charitonetta:. albeola) Amo Herg3.nser (Hergus merganser americanus) Hooded Hergo.nser (Lophodytes cucullatus) Totals 462 184 a 8 9 5 L, a 1 2 68,,05 27~.o9 0,,00 1017 1.33 074 059 0000. .16 Sedgi-Jick Dec!' . ~~of No. Killed. 159 31 2 1 0 .3 1 Tctc;_l Kill 77 0 ~)() 15010 l~CC: C:(' " ..J .•J GoOO 1.~~)C .5("' 2 0 r ,oo o ~C(! ..., ;J l~,L~C 1 .50 a .• 29 0.00 2 .29 2 loOC 2 029 a ___h~~L 679 100.00 205 100000 �- 21 TABLEIV TlU:iltRJ.\CK GAllE}'iAUAGEI'ZI';T AREAG_~2·:E KILL AND HU1'JTERSUCCESS FIGlJRES, 1948 AIID 1949 SEASONS 1949 1~016: 2,759.5 641 579 39 Total nTh~bGrof hUnters Total hours hunted Total ducks l~lled Hallard Green l;-lingteal other species Ducks per man/hour Ducks per hunter 5' '773 2,:330 679 /+62 184 33 ~232 ~291 •.878 ~63 In comparing the 1948 and 1949 seasons, ,-Ihich offered 34 1/2 and LI4 1/2 (Octo bez- 14 to I\f ovembcr27, 191.9) consecutive days of shooting, respectively, a sig-.0..ificnnt U~ovenber 12 to December 16, 1948) difference is noted in the composition of the total kill and the number of ducks taken per hunt.er , Whereas the number of mallards (Anas platyrynchos) killed in 1948 :rr;.adeup 93% of the total bag for th:lt seasonJ this species composed only 68% of the total kill for the 1949 803.S0no The E'l"een"ring teal (Hettion carolinense) meantrhd.Le shoved an Lncr-ease of 21.1% in the total kill figures this year over 1948.. This cO;:J.position change of the total bag possibly can be explained: by the fact· th3t due to the uncornnonfy varm and bright wea'ther- throughout this 1949 season tho mallards avoided the river resting bars, and the hunters shot the green 1,Jings, ;Ihich renained along the river in fairly large groups, in an '9ffort to avoid empty bagso-Fever hurrter s spent less time in obtaining more ducks in 1949 over the 1948 season as shown by figtu'8S in Table IIIo. This can be exp'LaLned in pwt by the previ ous'Iy mentioned f'ac t tta t the hunters killed a gr68. ter variety )f species, particularly green vri.ng teal, rather than the more pre-' i'crred and ordil13.rily more abundant mallardo Another factor in the increased hunter success Has the additional river open on the Ta.rnarackCondon areas, a.l.Lcizirigthe alternation of resting and hunting areas in an effort to avoid "burning out" the duckso Lveekend shooting proved to be the heaviest I-lith but light use during the I:Jee1eo' The early morning shootd.ng hours were the best due to the ducks 9 habi ts of ret1J.l"ling to the river and Jumbo Reservo:ir ear-Ly in the morning from the Hoxtun and Dailey corn field night feeding distriQtso Ana.1vsis 8.nd Rec0!!'l'1enda tion: Although the hunter success on the 'I'amar'acloCondon areas shcirod a slight increase this season over the 19L1-~ seaccn , it is believed that the total kill falls far short of the pot.entdai kill th8.t should be effected by a Hiser setting of season dates by the Uo S .. Fish ! �- 22 and Wildlife Service and by additional managementin our Departmento A plan has been suggested previously to prevent "burning out" the" This plan calls for closing, by Commission entire'Tamarack-Condon areaso action,? one of the sections for five days, including all private lands bounding that section on the north. side; opening both sections on Saturday and Sunday; and then closing the other section for five days, leaving the first section open for the second week, and so on throughout the season, " " - The migratory waterfowl season dates should be set to include the _peale.of the migration in Novemberand Decemberwhich has been determined from the Departmentt s Aerial Census Trends This change should increase: the chances for better "duck weather" and avoid the very good weather experienced throughout this past seaso~ 0- Scope: John Martin ManagementArea Techniques: This waterfOi-J1managementarea \-JaS Lnstd.gat.ed , primarily, as part of a program to establish suitable water areas as combinedresting areas and public "V.raterfo"VTl shooting grounds, G.boseshooting was the principal activity, and. thus "V78.S regulated to maintain the area in its dual role of resting site and shooting' ground for geeseo Someduck shooting "VlqS possible uithin the managed area , the results of whf.ch are reported here in Table v." It was not intended to place the hunters under strict surveillance by predesignated hunting spots or lanes of travelo Nevertheless, certain regulations wer-e in force but the hunters were a.Ll.oved free ingress and egress on the shooting groundss Findings: The l.raterfowl season officially opened on October 140 The first geese noted on the area arrived November3 and numbered161 By November 6 their numbers had reached 2110 Thus, the population shoved a gradual increase untzi.LNovember19 their number-swer-e 1080 as shownby aerial count , 0 The first geese were taken November170 Shooting continued sporadi~ cally and ineffectually until the season's close on November27~ when data obtained during the hunting season .showedthat 21 geese had been taken by 251~ hunters in 508 hours for an average of 0041 birds per hour or' 0083 birds per hunter c ., - ,,-, ' . ' Analysis: Comparisonof John Martin reservoir shooting data "Vdthdat-a,from previous years vas impossible in view of the recent inauguration of John Martin as a managedpublic shooting groundo Studies made of the area, before its inception as a: public shooting ground were infinitely more favorable to"V.rard a good hunting success .,ratio than was actually r-ecorded this year , Weather was the limiting f'act.or-, The weather.\)in spite of every manageable effort to improve hunting conditions, so altered waterfo"Tl flight patterns and vJaterfoul population densities that hunting forays "(,Jere relatively fruitlesso �- 23 TABLE V CADDOA PUBLIC SHOOTING GROUNDS (JOIDfl1ARTIN). Game Killed Date 10/16 10/17 No" of Hunters Hours Hunted 4 18 3 4 3 10/23 6 21 10/27 10/28 2 7 :tv1 F 3 14 Iv! F 1 1 4 1 1 6 10/29 10/30 4 5 7 19 5 11/11, 5 12 1/2 3 11/i7 l1/i8 2 5 3 12 1 2 ] Totals 47 113-3/4 13 6 4 4 Ducks - total kill .,,756" per man/hour L 830" "hunter 1 .4 1 , .L 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 8 ? 16 2 1 Go1f,Se"l.1 Pintail Ruddyduck Baldpate Redhead Pintail B~W:..Teal 1 15 14 Species Gadwa.LL (Chaul.eIasmus streperus) Mallard (A1:l;as platyrhunchos po) Redhe9.d (Nyroca americana) Baldpate (Mareca americana) Unc1as::;ified GoW •. Teal (Nettion carolinense) Pintail (Dafila.acuta tzitzihoa) Ruddyduck (Erismatura jamaicensis) B.W ~_Teal(Querquedula discors) Coot (Fulica americana) 86 .• ..~F 2 4 3 11 .~.- - - 1 Baldpate Reahead Coot· Go \VoTeal Redhead Pintail Baldpate Redhead •Baldpate Redhead 2 1 1/4 10/22 others Species ~J);a1:q~~__·-qi3:~\~B:.IT-r Total killed 30 19 2 1 34<>88% 22 09% 10,,4'7% 9030% 9,,30% 5",82% 3049% 2033% 1016% 1 l.i6% 9 8 8 5 3 0 �- 26 - ~JO Date Oct. 14 to 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Nov. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Totals TABLE II BUTTES DAILY KILL RECORD, 1949 Noo of Hunters Hours 3 8 3 8 4 12 2 12 7 13 47 7 3' 13 25 33 50 116 33 2 14 11 25 92 14 5 25 50 41 101 193 53 10 29 43 158 20,) 270 15 53 81+ 180 189 387 472 168 a .I 12 -26 66 89 103 7 25 33 70 96 156 202 114 125 100 185 92 87 122 2095 Hurrbed 1f-OS 439 481 309 271 392 5216 Geese Killed 1 1 Geese observed - Crippled 1 2 4 1 -,' 2 1 3 :3 7 1 5 12 20 12 17 17 12 25 25 1 3 2 ., .J.. 1t 4 41 3 17 39 227 .. 2 3 29 Wardens checking field.shooting reported that 209 hunters killed 47 geese and crippled 13. The number of hours hurrbedHas not obtained Seventeen dead geese Here found on the lq_keand 10 cripples. 0 �- 27 TABLE III KILL BY SPECIES AND SEX ROCKY MOUNTAIN ARSENAL 1949 ·44 Day c: Oct. 15 - Novo 27 Total Ballard (H) Ballard (F) Pintail (H) Pintail (F) Gad'.-Jall(H) Gaq.'dall(F) Baldpate (11) Baldpate (F) l3W Teal (H) B1tlTeal (F) Q:l Teal (M) G\l Teal (F) Cin Teal (M) Cin. Te511 (F) Redhead (li) Redhead (F) Canvasback (N) Canvasback (F) Scaup (N) Scaup (F) Goldeneye (N) Goldeneye (F) Bufflehead (N) Bufflehead (F) Ruddy Duck eN) Ruddy Duck (F)' Narganser An (N) Narganser Am (F) . Harga.nser RB (H) Harganser RB (F) Shoveller (N) Shoveller (F) Coot 159 112 8 28 2 8 1 6 9 6 8 27 o o 14 8 8 19 1 17 1 1 o 2 o o o o o o 4 16 9 474 �- 28 - The 1'1.'-10 Buttes Public Shooting Grounds provided an excellent· , sanctual~f for duckso DtITing the season an estiDated 8000 to 12000 ducks 'Here using the reservo:1r for a resting place Few ducks are killed there, hovever , because they return very high and the hunters have only a fe"',,,. ninutes shooting in the morrrings , Sixteen mallard dr-akes, eight na.l.l.ard hens and fhr-ee pintail hens Here killed on the firing line 0 Q Hunters who used the shooting grounds represented t,,,enty-tJ:l!'ee countics and four states; the greatest hunting pressure coDing f'r omBaca and Prover-s Countd.es; A...'la1ys-isand Reconnendations: In Colorado the goose kill per hunter is steadily droppi.ng, The public shooting grounds pr-ovrde better huntdrig opportunities for the novice goose hunter than he has ever before encountered, but they are' not as successful as the seasoned hurrter <> The primry reason, however, for the decrease in ki.Ll, this year tras the error in setting the mi.gratory 1vaterfovTlseason so ear Iy., It is reco~nended that the goose season in Eastern Colorado start after Nove~ber l~ It is fv~ther recommendedthat the west end of the firing line be extended another three-quarters of a mile to the Hest, that a fourth parking lot be established on the wes t side of the refuge; and that hw addi tional check stations be established on the nor-th side of the reservoir; that a crew of seven men and one cook be used during the season for checkf.ng the shooting gr-ounds; This is in addition to the tvo H2rdens stationed there dlITing the seasono Section 33 ~ To 273, R, 46 W., 1.hich is pas ture land belonging to Andy Osborne, should be included in the refuge boundary .. vlork Plan No.•.4 - Job 2, Higratory Ti tle: Waterfovll population Uaterfowl trends Objectd.vee To eonduct a r-egular-, periodic aerial fl::)I."l 1.ithin. the es tab.La.e.ied trend areas o.: ' . .. census of migratory l.[3.ter- . Techniques: The tecln1.iques 'employed in this survey are.identical outlined in the Quarterly Progress Report of April, 1948 Hith those 0 Scope: Platte Personnel: Valley, Arkansas Valley, and San Luis Valley., \Olillard L<> Flinn-, and Kenneth B, Milyard e- Findings: The bodies of lJater Hithin the trend and the monthly population of ducks and geese on each are listed in the tables be1OlrT 0 �- 29 MIGRATORY WATERFCML AERllL CENSUS TRENDS 1949-50 Place--' Platte Valley 'Octo 21, 1949Ducks Geese Novo 18, 1949 Geese Ducks .. ~ . Barr--LakEf....... .... Horsr.-Creek Reso Latham Res ~ Milton RaSa W66dsReso Hollister Reso Wirids()rRes~ Tiniilath-Reso Black Hollow Reso C'"obbLake" Lakes- North Ftc! Collins FosSil Creek Reso 11JbydLake Ilrifon Res ~.. Walmont Res .. . .... 8,705 2,300 1,910 1,885 975 .'860 3;125 2,150 '360 1,650 -875 1;825 2;325 2,150 705 Riverside Reso Empire Reso Jackson Res~ Frewi tt Res sterling Reso J"tnnboRes,o South Platte River 2,600 3,780 3;680 6,300 1;920 3;500 2t478 Totals 56,058 ' 0 " ,.-,' 0 . 25 16 14;425 1;200 3,195 3;550 2;.350 2,075 4,180 1,740 . .-950 .3;225 1,575 -, 60 96 . -310 9;085 3;200 4,175 Oct~ 22, 1949 29 _]. '·660 5;475 4;650 4~900 2,050 16,600 626 80 90$196· 194 32 4 �- 30 - MIGRATORY WATERFOWL AERIAL CENSUSTRENDS- Continued Place' Arkansas Valley Oct~ 24, 1949-.Ducks Geese TWo Buttes "Res'; Joliii--l.fartiri Res ~ Aaooe GreeK Res~ Horse'CreeK Reso Cnere\{ .Lake Holbrook Lake'· Meredi tIl Lake . Thurston Lake Henry La:ke Eads Lakes eye Res~ Arkansas River 1;940 4;000 1,640 790 565 45 5,320 120 '46o 7,360 .'135 1,015 Totals 23,390 San Luis Valley 25 136 Ducks Geese . '800 5;400 5;,050 5,200 150 '115 14,975 3'100 ,. 1,090 385 80 7,980 76 196 22 .39,866 5y762 . . .. 989 13 26 324 Octo 25, 1949 Novo 202 1949 8,743 5,979 October, Ducks State·Totals ·137 N6v~ 19, 1949--" 88,191 48 1949 Geese 452 34 November, 1949 Ducks Geese 136,041 5))990 �- 31 Submitt.ed by: Name_--=.;Ha.=r..::,r"'-y__::;J,.::o.....::.F=i;j;;;r;""'f{..:::;e _ Title No be Wildlife e Per-sons from by: C OLORAJC STATE Technician Title __ Date February vrishirig to quote this Colorado State Ga.:rrneand Fish f'r-om the Approved abs t should D3partment. tnac ...:C:...."---'I~L •• first 9, Feast Q 1,,"","9.:;..5_0 obtain Director _ permission _ ��.••33 STATE Co.L_O~AD.Q _. PROJECT NO. DATE QUARTERLY. SURVEYS PROGRESS ANn _ 38-R ,_.:::...;;.__::.;;..__--- ~J~a~n~u~a~r~y~9_=1~9~5~O __~_ REPORT INVESTIGATIONS A:.srequired by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORA.TIONACT 10 Title of Project: 20 Leader: Deer~lk-Bear Investigations; Paul Ge Gilbert 3Q Report of Progress: Nor-thwestern and North Central Colorado - Lloyd 101.,. Searle 1. Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges -- Deer and Elk~ Job 3 - Higration betl-reensummer and winter ranges. Objective: To locate and determine the amount of migrations of deer and elk betveen summer and lunter ranges and the factors affectins. Findings: Observations were made on one herd of elk in the HilliaJils Fork River sector of Middle Park 1.nGrand County, which \·re:r-e movi.ug down countrJ September 29. By October 12 the bulk of our deer and elk herds were' on; or using that portion of the range la.l01ID as the Spring Fall range , in North and Middle Parks, Sunnnit, Routt and Moffat, Courrtd.es , In mid October the big gfuLeseason opened and the hunting pressure drove most of the game herds back up country~ where they remained until December" lIe The latter part of the summer and fall this year were very dry, hardly any moisture fell and the ranges dried up early in the high country rrh.i.ch aparently caused the game herds to move down dount.ry, During hunting season storms provided moisture for the game in the high country; and once driven back there by hunting pressure, they remained as long as they could endure the -weather, and find available foodo Population Surveys.-- Deer and Elk Job .3- Check Station Survey. Objective: To determine ki.Ll, trends, age, sex, 'Heights, hurrtd.ng loss, and other pertinent datao �- " I .J.!.{ •. - F;ndings: A. greater portion of this last quar-ter , "Thieh includes October and Novembez 1949, Has occupied in the inst2.11ation and supervision of check stations set up and operated t.hroughout the hunting 80::.80ns,.. SeptenDer Has spent workfng on and supervf.s.ing the .A:lJ~t check station durinG the three-day ante Lope season, throuGh trh.i ch 109 buck, 71 doe, and 2.2 f9.-;-n1 Here checked, making a total of 20:2 antelope. The period froB mid October through the :fIrst week in HOY81l1'0:r 1'TaS s cerrt '.JOrh.'"ing on and supervising the big game check station Located in Edaho Springs.? t.hrcugh -\'Thich a total' of 32,482 head of deer and 4,006 head of ell-: Here checked, of uhich 2,020 T'",re bucks, 2059 Hel~e doss, 663 T.iere fa,.rD.j 142 'fJere bull elk, 132 "lere cor elk, 31 "rere calf e'Lk., Nine head of bear wez-e checked t.hrough t.he Idaho Springs station SO}'il8 :C8checks '"rere Dade at the Idaho Springs station; that lS ;ga12'le chec;:,sd. throlJ.g21 c~,11er stat.io11s 6 G<. In COTI11)9..ri11g these gl~and~total deer- eJJ-::kill checks t:r-~O"L1E)1 "Gn6 Edaho Sp~illgS station ~IitlltIle state deer elk 1r"ill for 19LiX~, 2~;~'I)::.~o:':iIrately 50% of t.he deer and eLk killed in the state of Colorc'.de. c:re br-ought, tI1::-(1)_gh the Idaho Sl)rings 1~''',g game che ck station, :2",zle River-Colorado River Drainage Area[,·-- G1en.."1 E. Rogers' This 1,ri11ter has been eSIJeci2.l1y open 3.TId varm, tlll'loe VG1;_r ligllt SI20~\r falls :,.t 1Iidely- s':::::.ttcrecl illter-:r,~ls--·J_3~·;t '.-~'~:. Cc;-co·be:~;; second 17861::: Ln I,To"\leBoel"', :J..JJ.dDecenbe r IC.. On r:1.rC:1S::'O::~.S fl::'2)1'~_-':::: 8.?J.d ground tl~ilJSover deer and eJ.lc ',·;inter range J to a11Cl. inc=-"L.i_c1i~c.g tIle; f-irs"t 'Heel: in December , deez- 2.11;). ell: ver-e observed from the 10~{el" ]_:!..~~-:,~.:~ of ~t11eir -:.-!i~tsrr~11Geto ti::lbel~lir.:.e on tlleir sunmer ra11C6v. TIllS ~_~-S:~_r:E-? tJ:-.k.'1t deer and. elk are BOT~e dd.sper-sed 110l-J tb::1n at any ct.her t·iTI~e of 7..b.s year for t.his "U'82" or.tljT &-rC8l'Jti:'lg for 2. sligllt eacn StO~2 and t.he bunclring movement, 113S" been observed, Just OJ~ deer and pr~or to the big game season, the ':irs-C of October- $ elk i3,l""d. no-vee..' dC'!:I11 to tIle Lover- part of their surancr r':;..rlG'3 t11:l_~·:YD,{-li]. the spruce zone , This Has probably due to the dry fall and the ET,bsequent drying out of feed in the higher ranges 1,;hi1e the f'eed re:::Eti~:.ed green in the timber co After the first· storm, October 13$ many 0::' these animals !:loved back to higher range .• 0..8el'" both �- 35 110 Population Surveys Job 2 ~Sex-ratio Surveys A pre~season sex-ratio count on elk was started the middle of September. This count was continued into October in an effort to determine the reproductive rate of elk in the wnite River area. The following is a sex-ratio count by flights during this periodg White River Management Unit Flight Bulls -- Spikes Cows Calves Total 1 2 3) 4 5 6 7 8 1 4 2 19 1 3 17 17 1 27 ,17 4 17 26 14 5 178 56 44 11 91 73 15 57 87 123 43 24 624 29% 8 2 Totals 15 19 5 8 100 6 12 5 -2 57 30 20 1 36 41 4 30 40 59 19 9 289 Per cent 16% 9% 46% 8 9 10 11 3 7 9 14 4 33 The sex ratio in this ~ase is 1 bull to 1084 cows to 1.13 calves. This breakdown gives us 36% of bulls were spikes and 64% of the cows had calves follm~ng. Due to the location of the elk in deep timber it~s very probable that some spikes were recorded as cows. It is hoped that the post-season sex-ratio count, when the elk are bunched and against a snow background, will prove or disprove this probability of error. Another factor leading to a suppos Ltd on of error is the bull-cow ratio of 1 bull to 1084 cows even though only one unl.Lmi.t ed season (1948) has ever been held in this area. One additional flight was made in the Divide Creek area of the Grand Mesa Unit. Flights in this area were not completed due to poor counting conditions. A total of twenty-four elk were seen including eight bulls, triO spikes, nine cows, and five claves. It is believed that the pre-season elk sex-ratio counts might be more successful if done earlier. On one flight made in July, elk were observed in groups of over 100 in high, flat, open parks. It is impossible to be accurate in this work at distances greater than 200 feet, which elevation was necessitated by the elk being in rough pockets and heavy stands of timber in Septembero �- 36 One flight of the post-season elk sex count in the Vr.hiteRiver area has been made at the present time. This flight noted 6 bulls~ 7 spikes, 47 cows~ and 35 calves for a total of 95 animalso These sex-ratio counts will be continued throughout January and February as weather permitso .,:,." A number of aerial sex-ratio counts on deer were made dur~g quarter in the lower Colorado River are;;:. this Bucks S;eikes Does Fawns Total Totals 15 70 L8 14 31 33 23 14 6 -254 4 10 10 6 14 2 4 3 1 54 16 146 99 54 179 114 47 64 10 729 17 118 66 32 159 91 34 42 8 -567 52 344 223 106 383 240 108 123 25 1604 Per cent 16% 3025% 4505% 35,,25% Grand Junction Unit Book Cliff Unit Grand Mesa Unit Grand Mesa Unit Lower White River Unit Lower White River.Unit Roaring Fork Unit Roaring Fork Unit Douglas Creek Unit. - This gives a ratio of one buck to 2036 does and 1012 fawnso For all flights~ regardless of area, we have the spike bucks forming only 17% of our total buck herdo This would indicate an unusual loss of fawns the previous year or that the aerial method of sexing deer is inaccurate. If the later is correct the spike bucks were counted as does and the fawn ratd o, 77% of total does, would be ancz-eased, With the difficulty experienced in observing the spike bucks counted~ without perfect flying conditions and without a solid background of snow this inaccuracy seems impossible to avoid. Considering the cheapness and speed of the aerial surveys~ however~ and combining them with a careful use of ground re-checks when sex ratios or reproduction figures appear lopsided~ the airplane is essential for complete cove~age of a large area. Job 3 - Check Station Survey. Due to the inability of the IoB.M. Section to clear the tabulations on the check stations at the time of this publication the data will be submitted in the next Quarterly Progress Reporto �Figure 1 Method of laying out meter square quadrats for deer range study. Figure 2 Juniper tree hedged by deer now inclosed in study plot. �...;. - 37 1110 Forage and Range Utilization Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Use. This fall has been extremely dry, warm, and open. These factors had a direct beneficial effect on deer and elk winter range, the dryness moving the deer and elk down into the greener vegetation ·of the lighter used spruce and aspen zones. This search for greeness led some deer to invade alfalfa fields an~meadows~ doing damage to ranches at higher elevations. In some areas deer appear to be eating newly sprouted green grass instead of their usual dieto This mild, open weather so far has kept the deer and elk well scattered and has helped conserve feed on the critical areas of their winter range. This, coupled with the excellent growing season, should reduce the winter loss for this area. Job 6 - Quadrat Study of Range in Utilization Plots. At the present time three plots have been completed in the Eagle RiverRoaring Fork area. These plots are all approximately one-fourth acre in size. All plots were built in the pinon-juniper, sagebrush type with mixed mountain brush present to some degree. The plots were constructed of two widths of thirty~nine inch woven wire placed on eleven foot cedar posts with two strands of barbed wire on top. All plots were constructed without gates or openings to discourage use. One plot was built on the souV- slope of Hernage Gulch in the Eagle River Unit. The second plot was constructed on the south slope of the Frying Pan River to the west of the Basalt Ranch in . the Roaring Fork Unit. The third plot was placed on a high flat with a southwest exposure to the east of the Crystal River. All were constructed on Bureau of Land Management land with the consent.of the permittee. Every type of plant and.tree showing use in these plots was tagged and photographed in color and black and whiteo General photographs were also taken of the complete plot and fence lines, recording appearance of vegetation inside and outside the plotso White River Deer Herd -- Gordon Solomon 10 Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk Job 3 - Migration Between Summer and Winter Ranges. A migration study of the White River deer herd was started October 8, 19490 The study area consisted of that portion of U. S. Highway 13 which lies between Meeker and Rio Blanco--a distance of approximately twenty miles. The purpose of the study was twofold: (l) To determine the peak of the fall migration, and (2) to find the ratio of fawns to does as an indication of the 1949 fawn crop 0, �- 38 Method~ The counts were made at night between the hours of ten and twelve midnight All deer that could be identified by the headlights of an automobile traveling between 35MPH and 40 MPH were recorded. The counts were made every night up to October 15 and every other night thereafter •• Data on weather, traffic, numbers of bucks, does, fawns, and the number of dead was recorded on prepared forms •• 0 Results: The peak of migrat~on was October 16 (Figure 1).. Migration waS3 slow during the stormy nights. A sharp increase in the migration during the nights of October 11, 12, and 13 may be correlated with the weather at which time it was clear, cool, ca'la, and accompanied by a full moon. There was a steady increase from October 14 to the date of the peak (October 16), and then a regular decrease to October 26 at which time the counts were discontinued. Heavy traffic due to the hunting season and the date of the peak of the migration is coincidental •• A total of thirteen dead were found (9 fawns and 4 does).. The number of dead per count resulting from vehicles was directly proportional to (1) the amount of traffic per day and (2) the increase in the migration. 110 Population Surveys Job 2 - Sex-Ratio Surveys. Of the 268 deer recorded, 5 were bucks, 119 were does, and 144 were fawns Of the 144 fawns, 22 double fawns and 100 single fawns were recordedo The fawns comprise 53% of the total (16% double fawns and 37% single fawns)o The does comprise 44% of the total. A ratio of 1.2 fawns to 1 doe exists. The bucks comprise 3% of the total (Figure 2)0 The percentage of bucks is, apparently, inaccurate. A reliable count was not obtained due to the method used plus the fact that the bucks travel alone and are less tolerant to traffic than either the does or the fawns. 0 Many of the fawns were reluctant in trying to get over or through the fences which were along the highway. To aid the fawns, the does would stand on the desired side of the fence and call to the fawns in a low sheep-like bleat, or coax them by jumping back and forth across the fence several timeso At one time, 5 fawns were seen following a single doe;and another time, 4 fawns were seen folloWing a single doe.. This was during the huntinp' season and, perhaps, the does of these "extralt fawns were killed by hunterso Due to instinct and reluctance in foraging along; the fawns probably attached themselves to the does which tolerated their presence •• ,_, �~ IIt:t" ~ ~~ [1;2 V .~ 18 1)'- V V , V 1_\ t'l \ V U . , It" v 1\ / \ ["'. , ,/ ~l'\II~ t1\' t=t., ~' '\ / '41 ~ ~ 1 I"~ ) r~ I ," ,.,~ / 1La .... V ~ I~ r-, .......• r-... """" """",r- r: 11It .u. X X X X X x 00 0 0 0 0 r ~ ... ~_r r~ - -- - - -~- -I:" ,II [t- -I- 1- jtJ r I j C; r-, ...•.... .l ,to" I.. f 'F- I•.• ,p I' ~ .,. I- I- IIJ I~ 1- 'I' -I- ,... !e;) r- I'Ao !aII' . ...• - "f'" • 4,' D'} V,ry IS r" FIGURE I rl: /}Qfe:Ocfober1949 ~J r--... •...... t- to- ..... . . . . . - ,,~.., " I' ( -- .i!' .1-"'- • ~;..I .~'I:J ----- Migration stud» of the WhifeRiverdeerherd Local/on:M.Ker foRioBlanco on US HighwQY No. 13 WEATH£R LEGeND X x x -lightsnow,coo~c(//m o 0 0 - c/~ar;coo] calm full moon , - clear; cool, calm~no moon TRAFFIC • • • .-lighf - - - moderate ----heavy Observer: 6ordon Solomon �I~ I~ I~ - ��Figure 3 SaIt block in alpine park--light tion. Figure utiliza- 4 Salt block in alpine willow land. Heavy utilization. Denuded area 18 yards to 2.5 yardso Figure 5 Salt block in alpine part. tion. Light utiliza- �Job J - Study of Other Hortality Factors---l'iinter Losf?_. It is a bit early to have any such 1033eso Heather condd.td.ous have been mild!) and no concentrations favoring 'Hinter losses have been found 0 south Central and South Eastern Colorado -- Co D•• Tolmanand Richard Teague 10 Location and Extent of Seascna'l Ranges:- Deer and Elk Job 2 - Location and Extent of Winter Ranges. Ob,ieqt1ve: To locate and map'Hinter range. Nethod~ Checks Here made on foot and from the car , The knownHinter areas •.Jere covered Comparati ve density of deer populations ,.]'ere deterrrlned by the relative amount;of sign present as 'Hell as the number of animals observed" Checks Here also made by reconnaissance by airplaneo 0 Findingsg Gunnison area.. The Gunnison deer herds Here scattered reach~ ing their greatest population density at 9,000 feet in Taylor, East River s and the Tomichi Creek drainages" In the Steuben, Ohf.o , Elk~arJ.d Red Creek drainages, the center of population density llas about 8,000 feet. Deer -~rereremaining well 'vi. thin the upper Limi. ts of their intermediate zone of \·;inter concentration on December15.. Elk \clere found at an elevatioru of from 8,500 to 9J)000 feet in the Red, Elk~ and Soap Creek drairillges on that date" Job..l - Higration Beh·menSurm::ler and \Unter Rangeso Objecttve: To locate and detel~e the'amount of migration of deer a~1 elk between summer'and Hinter ranges and the factors affecting.,. Findings~· (Gunm.son]Migration in the Gunnison is vertical the upper and nri.dd Le limits of the intermediate zone being the primary goal,; early seasonal downwardmovementsstop there and remain until the heavyjzirrter- storms drive them into maximum concenta-atd on;" Deer in- -tb.e Gunrrison area icrereremaining in the intermediate zone as--6f December 15 (Arkansas) Deer are still high in the upper Arkansas, hovever-.somedamage to haystacks is being reported in the BuenaVista and Little Arkansas River drainage areaso In the Canan City area~migration is delayedo Deer control is suggested to handle the animals coming from larrl posted against hQ~ting~ n �... 45 .., 110 Population Surveys - Deer and Elk Job 2 - Sex Ratio Survey The following 0, areas were checked in the Gunnison by air~ Drainage Bucks Does Fawns Almont Tomichi Ohio~ Antelope and Dry Totals 27 29 89 109 92 13 62_ 51 69 260 204 Sex-ratio: 3.77 does and 2095 fawnso 1 buck to Herd composition~ 12~94% bucks 61 48~60%does and 38~6% fawnso Commerrt s s Sex-ratio studies were stopped on December 15 because several bucks were seen with only one arrt Ler , checks on this date revealed a partial segregation of the larger bU9kso Also IIIo Forage and Range Utilization Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Use~ Methodsg Field reconnaissance of condition of browse on the key winter range of the Gunnison and Arkansas river drainages were made on foot and by car,~ in order to determine forage availability for winter useo Findings~ (Gunnison)' Areas of maximumconcentration on the Tomichi~ East River~ Taylor River~ and the lower Gunnison were checked as to availability and rec:Jvery of key browse specieso Big sage (Arteririsia tridentata)!J bi tterbrush (Purshia tridentata.)!J serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifoliaL and black sage (Artemisia novaL showed remarkable recovery on all ar eas , (Arkansas) Preliminary su:rv-eys in the lower Arkansas' (Fremont County L shOWed: extremelypoor- range condf't i ons , Below"-6;500' feet virtual1;w" no primary browse' species occur On' range mountain mahoganyf'Cer-cocarpus montanus) is found; utilization is' ~Cattle remain 'on these depleted ranges throughout the yearo SheAt and gully erosion is prevalent on Oil. Oreek, Cherry Oreek, Cotto:iiweed'-Creek!J and Current Creeko Gullies are as deep as twelve feet in placeso H 0 IVo Mortality 3- .. 'where severe~ Factors Job Study of Other Mortality road mort a lit yo Factors--liinter Loss9 -m:ghwai -and Rail~ �Methodg From observation by Warden James Maloy. Fremont County» e Leveri does and one buck were killed along highways 50_and 115» during the past quarter 0 This is deemed significant in that the presence of the deer possibly indicates year long residence since seasonal migration does not occur at this timeo North Front Range District -- Robert R~ Elliott Io Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges Job 1 = Location and Extent of Summer Rangeso Objectiveg Method~ To locate and map summer ranges of deer and elko Aerial and ground coverageo Findingsg The Laramie River Management Unit (Hoo 7) is almost entirely summer range for the same deer herds that move into the Poudre Unit (No 8) although increasing numbers of deer are-being- 6bservecf year around in the CherokeePark aridRed Feather Lakes areas~ and"fsrther down in the Livermore district whicn is strictly Winter range , High summer range of deer consists mainly of the 'ea.st side or-tlie-MediCine Bow range south to the Chambers Lake -and Cameron Pass courrbry and in the Big South Poudre drainage including the Long Draw areao 0 The Rocky Mountain Park provides both summer and Winter-ranr:e» but a comparatively small number of deer move out or-the Park prior to-and during the big game season; From. the National Park -sc)uth--a_lOfig the Continental Divide to Park CoUnty there is ample summer range;-but tne deer in this _area are not of sufficient numbers to be important or con= sidered as separate herds for managemento Job 3 = Migration Between Summer and Winter Rangeso There was verv little movement of deer from sUmmer range to winter range until after big game sea.sen, Even as late as December there-wer~ few deer in the Poudre Canyon area that had not spent most of'-the suriu:.:ner and falltherso This is due of course to the lack or-heavy snow stormsLn thE" high count.ry, The same is true with the Rocky Mountain NatIonal Park e Lk, The elk were still up near timberline and above by November 28 when the Park Service started their reduction-program; "and on - December 3» the first day of the post season on these €lIko Yery-poor hunter success was realized during the post season, -"It -was thought by the Park Service that their shooting inside the Park would chase more . of the elk out where hunters could get "to themo Such-was :not the case~ however» and many hunters voiced the opinion that their chances would �- 47 have been much better had the Park Service officials not done any sho o't Lng , The movement of these elk. though .•is governed mainly-by the weather. By the end of January there probably will be two to three hundred elk outside the Park. The Mto Evans elk herd had started down as early as October .• ·butnot in appreciable numbers. During the regular season .•October 15-30.• reports received indicated few elk down on Bear Creek and the Evans' Ranch where hunters could get a shot at them. The Pike's Peak herd had moved little. if any. during the aeasonj, and very few hunters had any luck in this area. IIo Population Surveys Job 2 - Sex-ratio Survey. On January 7. 1950.•Pilot Milyard; Warden Mutz and the writer flew the Livermore .•Cherokee Park. and Poudre areas for deer sexftratio and trend counts. There was only a very light snow cover~ and this on the north slopes. Most of the south and west exposures were blown and melted clear. Only tb~ established trend area on the Poudre from Rustic Resort to Stove Prairie Landing was covered very thoroughly, the other areas being flown more or less to see if the deer were moving on down to the winter range, and to get an idea of'their distribution. Table I gives the counts made by sex for each area. TABLE I Locality Bucks Does Fawns Totals Livermore Cherokee Park Poudre Canyon Trend Area Totals 9 85 57 1 151 71 129 176 338 6 4 5 100 20 189 11 From the data above it may be shown that the buck-doe ratio is 1 to 9.. 45, and the doe-fawn ratio is 1 to .68. These figures and assumed ratios, although indicative. cannot be taken as being very accurate due to seve~al reasons. Firstp the mild weather this fall and early winter has tended to retard any general exodus of deer from the high country$'· and they have ·just been stringing down in small groups/, Secondly, these small groups are comprised mostly of does and fawns~ with.the bucks hanging back and trailing down later. By estimation; the area covered by this count is probably 5 to 8% of the winter range used by deero It may be ventured further that a count in March would show a figure , almost double that obtained on this flight. There is one point.to consider from the lop-sided buck-doe ratio, how~yer, and that is that even �following an either sex seascn of fifteen days , the doe and fa1.rnnumber-s appear to stay rllther high.. This should bear out the f'act; that is highly improbable that any given deer herd will be exterminated by hunt> ing under the present system of control and w~nagement practiced by the Departmento Attention also may be directed to the factor that our annual increase figures are quite conservativeo The breeding potential of this particular deer herd is apparently higher than at first reckonedo The reduction program inside Rocky Mountain National Park afforded an excellent opportunity to get absolute studies on sex-ratio of elk from the collection of fetuseso UnfortunatelYJl it was impossitle to get all the embryos from the cows shot$ by fifty were" collected and taken to the laboratory at the Cooperative Wildlife Reserrch Unit$ Colorado A. & Mo CollegeJl in Fort Collinso They were weigheds sexed and preserved for further study at a future dateo Of the fiftYJl 24 were females» 22 were males, and 4 were undetermined due to small size and lack of developmento It was interesting to note the wide variation in size and weight of the. embryos , The smallest embryo taken weighed only 300 grams including the amnions and the heaviest was 310.2 gramss also including the amniono This shows one of two factors possible~ or perhaps both, and that is that the breeding season of theclk is spread over a period of possibly six weeks or moreD and that exceptionally rapid grovnh and development is made by the embryo the first two to three months. The age of the cow and the number of young she has borne may influence that difference in size and rate of development alsoo It is planned to examine the placentas for scars and try to determine if such a correlation holds trueo IIIo Range and Forage Utilization Job 2 ~ Correlation of Game and Livestock Use statusa The lower Poudre Canyon and Livermore areas are the main points of greatest competition for range forage between cattle and deer. Most of the land is Forest Service controlled but the deer illhabit paten~ed land also. It is .on the public land though that the forage -:i.s in the worse condition~ and this is especially true in Hewlett Gulcho The upper Hewlett Gulch allotment of slightly less than 2000 surface. acr es, of which not more than 30% is usable range~ has been carrying 150 head of cattle for a grazing season of 4 to 4i months over a period of three yearso Due to past destructive use by both livestock and deer~ the productive capacity has been reduced drastically on this areao The cattle quickly eat up what little grass there if> in the bottoms.9.then work up slopes exceeding 40% where they should not even set a hoofo By the third month of the grazing season they are working on the browse rather heavilyo Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) is taken first$ and is practically hedged before they start on th~ bitterbrush .(Purshia tridentata). So. by the time the deer get dovm sometime in November or December~ the major browse species are already utilized �- 49 30 to 50% on an averageo With 400 to 500 deer eating on the remaining 50 to 70% for 4 to 5 months, it is no wonder then that mountain mahogany shows 100% or more utilization, and in many places is nonexistent with the vegetative complex going to bitterbrushg squaw currant (Ribes cereum) and lesser species as dominants. As a step toward ascertaining quantitative dat~ on use of various forage species by livestock and deer, the Roosevelt National Forest officials and the Game and Fish Department have jointly constructed a two-acre deer-tight exclosure, and will put in a one-acre cow exclosure next spring before the start of the grazing season. Cooperative studies are being conducted by the two agencies mentioned and the Colorado Ao & Mo College, and willinclude extensive photographing, establishing permanent quadrats for recording changes in composition, density, and vigor of the vegetative complex as well as the amount of utilization of key species by deer in the cow exclosure, and utilization by both classes of animals outside the excLosures , This work was started and the construction of the larger exclosure completed in lieu of the quadrat study of ranges in utilization plots as called for by the work plano Job 4 - Utilization and Availability of Browse on Summer Range. Throughout the summer range of the Poudre deer herd, there is sufficient forageg and no particular problem of overgrazing or con= centration exists. Serviceberry~ willow (Salix Spp.), and aspen shoots (Populus tremuloides) and seedlings. currant .•buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis)~ and some buckbrush (Ceanothus Spp.) make-up-the main summer diet in this area. Heavy snow last winter and continuous spring rains brought on a lush growth of annual and perennial forbs that were taken by d.eer, Utilization on key specLes , mainly service= berrys was moderate to proper in most of the area north of the Poudre River that could be classed as summer range, and in the Bennett Creek area and parts of the upper Little South Poudre there were a few spots where utilization might be classed as severe. Measurements on mountain mahogany were taken in Cherokee Park on the North Fork of the Poudre, in Upper Hewlett Gulch, and near Pendergrass ~Cree1C.l)a~tributaryortn---eLittr-e-Soilth-PoUdre. Current- growth was - -- measured on 30 stems per plant with no distinction between terminal and lateral shoots, nor between seed stalk and vegetative stalk. Averages for each area are given below~ Cherokee Park ••••ooo••o.ooo •••ooo6! inches Upper Hewlett Gulchooo ••o.oo•••••9 Pendergrass Creeko.oo ••o•••• oo•••7 These average annual growth figures are taken from only about 500 measurements, and it is realized that many more separate measurements are necessary to make the figures statistically sound. This start, however, �- 50 gives an indication of what the basis for accurately judging utilization may be. In the spring t after the deer have left these areas for the summer range, the plants will be measured again and the amount of curre!lt growth taken is known exactly in units or percenti' whichever eXDression is desired~ IV. Mortality Factors Job 1 - nunting Loss Other Than Legal Bag. During December two deer were reported hit by automobiles on UoS" Eigb.vmy 287 near the l,,(yoming Li.ne , and one yearling doe was picked up in the Poudre River near Pine-Crest that had its left hind leg shot off, presu.mably during hunting season since the wound was healed oyer. None of the deer was in condition to be examined very thoroughly, a.Ithough ticks and bot larvae were found on the one from the Poudr e, Warden icIutzand the writer found the head and viscera of a twopoint buck that had been poached on George Creek several days prior. S;)_bmi tted by s Approved by: Paul F. Gilbert ------------~-------------------- :'~~l=le Title Noteg Wildlife Technician Title Co No Feast, Director Date March 3, 1950 ---_. Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from Colorado Game and Fish Department. �_ 51 _ STATE COLORADO PROJECT 4l-R DATE QUARTERLY PROGRESS SURVEYS ~ND january, 1950 REPORT INVESTIGATIONS As required by FEDERAL AID IN -wILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title: of Project: 20 Leaders: Rocky Hountain Bighorn Sheep Survey George Wo Jones, and Claude Eo \-Ihite,Jro 30 Report of Progress: Title of Job: Population Trends and Life Histo~"'YStudies; Tarry_ill: The fall and winter on the Tarryall and Kenosha win-ter ranges There haV~30 far,been very similar to the fall and winter of 1947-48 has been very little precipitation of any kindo The first snoy, approximately sL~ to eight inches deep, fell on October 23.. As a result of the lack of precipitation the sheep have not appeared on the Ivinter range in very large numberso It has been noted that "there has been considerable drifting in the Tarryall herd this year. Thirty-eight head of sheep, which normally 1linter in the Tarryall, moved north and east to the Kenosho Peak area Simil~r expansion of the sheep on the Tarryall vIinter range was noted \vith the appearance of small bands in the meadows as far north as the Page Ranch~ In addition, the bfu~dnow icllabiting the Badger Flats area north of Wilkerson Pass has increased until it is estLuated to hold over 100 sheep~ 0 D Rut began normally this year, November 8 It is still in progr:ess but has tapered off considerablyo Some excellent fight pictures were secured by Nro Jack Culbreath and Mro George Andrews on November 10" 0 During the quarter, '-heForest Service conducted an investigation of' the ~arryall and Kenosha winter ranges and as a result no cut in cattle allotments •. ras advf.sed , Hro William Hiers was shown the old 1080 stations on Tarryall and Rock Creeks .• Shortly after the big game hunting season a ram was shot by a rabbit hunter om Badger Flats Warden AI Colley assisted in tfue search but as yet the animal has not been found.. The entire Tarryall area was posted shortly before hunting season" 0 �- 58: MesaVerde: The small band of sheep originally released in Mesa Verde National Park are still inhabiting lfeberMonntain and vicinity. They were seen by ranchers along 1feber Creek at irregular intervals throughout the summer , As the herd has not been seen in one bnnch, the number can only be estimatedo From intervie1'[swith local ranchers lfho have seen the sheejsythe estimated nunber of sheep on the mountain is set between twenty-five and thirtyo They have never been seen in groups of more than seven or eighto The S'oil Conservation Service in cooperation vrl:tha local rancher is planting the bottom of the Mancos River Canyonj. wherever posafbl,e , with a mixture of ye'LLow clover and intermediate wheabgrass , This planting extends from the beginning of Mancos River Canyon to within one and one-half miles of its confluence with Weber Creek at the south end of Weber Mountaino The sagebrush was eliminated by the use of a bulldozer on the flatter areas and drilled'irmnediately afterwardo The sagebrush was not burned but vas piled in r-ows Hand seeding last year indica ted that.the clover plantings will be particularly effective in this area. 0 Crestone: A special survey of the east side of the Crestone Needles was made to determine the extent of sheep distribution in that,area. The area covered includes all accessible canyons to timberline from Sbuth Golony Creek to the Lake of the Clouds trail. No bighorn sheep were observed on this side at alla Heavy utilization qy domestic sheep was noted at timberline throughout the areao The Gore: A summer investigation of range conditions was made in the, area from. the mouth of Booth Creek north to the head of the Pineyo This is domestic sheep range and as a result the understory of grass is excellent throuthouT the area. As a start for future studies on the Gore ivinter range , a forty square-foot rodent-proof exclosure was constructed on the monntainside most frequently occupied by the Gore herd in the wintero J.eservoir and Mto Harvard: Since the release of the Rocky Mountain goats on Mto Shavano there has been but one eye witness report of their location and that was on Mto Harvard. An investigation in October from the Taylor Reservoir side revealed two of the goats between the Unknown Mountains and Texas Creek on the west side··ofMto Barvard ; In addition.to the goat.s, .forty-eight head of sheep were observed' on Mt. Harvard and twenty-four' head were seen above Taylor Reservoiro . The Taylor Reservoir group consisted of four yearlings)) twelve ewes,and eight lambs~ 'j'a7JpJ2 Rifle Hogback: As of the middle of October this herd was scattered from the east Rifle Jnnction to Claude Reese Rancho Eight head were observed late in the evening above the Holmes coal mine 0: Fourteen head, eight ewes, five lambs)) and one yearling,were observed above the Claude Reese Rancho Brush Greek and Glenwood Can;y;on: A. special trip was made into the Gold Dust peak area to determine,'if possible, the altitudinal range of'the Brush Creek herd 0 Though no sheep ~ere found this reveals. that the Brush Creek herd are �- 53 .•. ranging higher than is norma.L, No sheep of the GlemoTOod Canyon plant were seen by the observer, however, a group of twelve were seen by a local sheep rancher at the head of Grizzley Creek_ early in the fallo Submitted by: Name Approved by: George W. Jones. and Claude Eo White Jr, Title. v~~i~l~dl~i~f~e~T~e~chni~~·c~i~an~s~ _ Title. ~C~.~N~o~F~e~a~s~t~,~Di~·~r~e~c~t~o~~ _ Date ~F~eb~rua~=rY~1~O~,~1~9~5~O _ �·~ 54 STATE COLORADO PROJECT 59-D DATE January, ]950 QUARTERLY PROGREaS D :E VEL REPORT 0 P 11. E N T .As requir.ed by FEDERA:L AID 1ULDLIFE 10 Title of Project: 2., Leader-s RESTOR.~TION ACT Wildlife Habitat Improvement Glenn Kinghorn and:John Ellis:" Assistant Leader•• 30 Report of Progress~ Seed co.Ll.ectdng.,cleaning, and planting, the purchase of seedlings. for 1950 planting and the estrblishment of temporary headquarters: at. Fort Collins with storage spa~e for planting stock and equipment occupied the time of the crew during the last quarter of 19490 Seed Collecting: About 500 pounds:of hackberry seed ~s collected north of Sterling, Colorado,. and cleaned ready for p'Larrtd.ng , Seed from several varieties of shrub not in the commercial market ,{ere collected at the CheyenneHorticultural Field Station through the cour-tesy of Dr-, A,;, Gc Hildreth Species included vTere: Sambuccuscoeruleat neo-mexi.cana , Rosa laxw, RhamnuseFJthrocarpa, R~ saxatilis, re special strain of four-wing saltbush, Atriplex canescena, 0 Several collecting trips were made in regions; adjacent to Fort Collins: for Rhus trilobatai. but the seed crop was very poor e, About 300 pounds of Juniperus scopulorumberries vrere collected in Poudre Canyono A special trip Has made to ifyomingon which the crew secured about They1dll yield: from five -to seven pounds; of clean seeds per 100 pounds:of berries ••. 600 pounds-of baffaloberrieso Seeds; of knownorigin which have been purchased so far this season include Juniperus utahensis, pinon pine,and Prunus tomentosao It is planned to purchase someburr oak and Siberian buckthorn seed if it is available 0 Seed Planted: Krrangements were madewith three Colorado nurserymen to plant varying quantities of seed for future use , They included: Hn,ckberry, native plum, chokecherry, Russian olive, Hansenbush, Sand cher-ry; , �English buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) growing 10 to 12 teet high in a single-row windbreak 20 miles southeast of Sterling on the drylands, on the Albert Lindstrohm farm. Notice the Russian mulberry trees in the background • ., .... " < :... " ~ Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) growing 6 feet high as inner planting in windbreak on Albert Lindstrohm farm southeast of Sterling, Colorado. Notice clean aultivation. �LEFT: About $1,500 worth of seed was gathered in Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming during the last three months--processed and stored at headquarters. Over 300 pounds were fall planted and more will be pretreated, stratified, and planted next spring to produce planting stock for 1951 and future years. BELOW: A special de-pulping machine was developed and used to clean seed of several species. �/ - 55 elderberry, Siberian buckthorn, Nanking cherry, and pinon pine. Seeds of buffalo berry, other Asiatic species of buckthorn, and Rosa laxa: are being stratified as fast as they can be cleaned and will be distributed for spring planting~ Headquarters Established: Pending other developments, temporary headquarters for storage of seedlings and equipment were set up at. 630 North Shields.: Stree1:tin Fort Collins~o k cinder tile building 30 x 50 feet wac: rented and a temporary addition 16 x 50 feet constructedo Shop equipment is being assembled to permit the construction of tree,: cultivators and tree planters for Colorado conditionso Seedlings for 1950 Plantings: Considerable correspondence 'i·U th nurserymen throughout the Northern Great Plain$ failed to locate sufficient planting stock for 1950 Pi.. trip~ however, through South Dakota, Nebraska, and Northern Kansas resulted in the location of nearly one-half million seedlings which were later ordered-by requisitiono Species and amounts: ordered are as follmls: 0 Thousands Thousands Evergreens: Ponderosa Pine Pinon Pine Monosperma Juniper Scopulorum Juniper Virgiana 50 2 25 5 25 Broadleaf Trees; Chinese elm Russian olive Hackberry Honeylocust Russian mulberry Cottonwood 135 50 23 5 10 15 Trees: ·· Medium Osage · Native orange Plum · Caragana Siberian ~pricot Chokecherry 10 15 30 2 30 Siberian buckthorn Tatarian honeysuckle Sand cherry Hansen's bush cherry Native currant 10 20 10 15 20 5 · · Shrubs: English buckthorn · A, good supply of evergreens was secured from the Forest Service and fall delivery accepted on 77,000 of them in early December, which will enable planting cr-ews to start operations in Southeastern Colorado early in l'-1archo Miscellaneousg The project housetrailer was loaned to Project 38-R for use on the check station at Tedss: Place during the big game seasono A seed Hacerator, patterned after the South Dakota Experiment Station's development, was built and used with fairly good results in depulping seedo Discs and other tools wer-e cleaned and repaired for the wintero Specifications wer-e prepared for trailers j> trucks, and etc e .: in anticipation of bids A. conference was held ioUth Rocky l.fountainArsenal officials rezarding plans for a demonstration on arsenal land in the spring" Attended a.meeting of" 0 �- 56 the "roadside and parks committee of the Colorado Forestry and Horticulture Association regarding expanding plantings in Coloradoo Held several" sessions ,nth prospective foreman on designing plantings and plairiiirig tours-which it is" hoped -can start early in- -.Ianu.a:ry;"":A tterided a .verY iilterestiJij(meetirig of the South Dakota: Farm Forestry "C6i.mC3X"atHuron, S6titli -nakota; where pl.ans were laid for the production of several miIH::ori"seedlings" each year fOr the next - fi va years, to be used by various agenc Ies in wildlife, shelterbelt, winabreak,:and reforestation plantings in this stateo Submi, tted by: Approved: Name Glenn Kinghorn Title Note: Wildli~e NDFISH DEPARThlENT Technician Title ~C~.~N~.~F~e=a~st~,~D~i~r~e~c~t~o~r _ Date. --::.~..;:;.eb.::;;r::..:uary=._;:;.15.::..:r..., -=1:...:::9~5..;:;.O_ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first from the Colorado State Game"and Fish Department. obtain permission �- 57 STATE COLORADO -----------------------PROJECT NO. 6l-R ----------------DATE _._J_an_u~a....lry~,"__'_1~9=_5.:;.o _ PROGRESS QUA.RTERLY SUR V E Y S .A N D I N V EST REPORT I GAT ION S As Required By FEDERAL AID IN YITLDLIFE RESTORATION 10 Title Of Project: 2. Leaders: Fur Resources ACT Survey Richard Denney, Leader; and Curt Hammit, Assistant Leader 30 Report of Progress: 10 General InventoryJob 1 - Inventory of Fur Resources. Objective~ To gain information on the distribution, and economics of fur animals by spec'i.es , density, trend, take~ Findings: During this quarter our research work was confined principally to the main species under consideration--muskrat, mink, and marteno Due to the fact that very little work has been done on other furbeareps~ and that considerably more information must be obtained on the abovenamed species, a complete inventorY of the fur resources cannot be made at this time 0 Contact was maintained throughout the quarter with trappers in various localities in the State to ascertain fur animal concentrations during the past trapping season. The muskrat season was especially favorable this year due to the warm weather which permitted open trapping conditions throughout most of the Stateo A record of the highway mortality of striped skuDks was maintained throughout the quarter as described in the previous Quarterly Progress Reporto At the present. time. a trapper questionnaire is being printed,. whl.ch, when completed, will be sent to each licensed trapper in the State for information concerning species caught, number t~ken, and average price per pelt. This questionnaire,. along with the annual fur dealer reports~ will yield valuable information on the fu~ take during the past seasono �- 58 110 Specific Studies on Important Specieso Muskrat - Mink Job 1 Location· and Mapping of Habitat in the San Luis, South Platte, Arkansas, Colorado, and Yanpa Valleys. Objective~ Establishment of trend areas in the various fur production centers of the State for the basis of systematically determining population fluctuations. Findings~ Trend plots were established and mapped in: (1) Lake John, near ~alden; (2) Bear River Stillwaters, near Yampa; (3) Phillip's Creek, near Yampa, (4) Carpenter Slough, near Hayden; (5) Shelton Ditch, near Hayden; (6) Ox-bow Slough, near Craig; (7) Crescent Lake, near Trapper's Lake; (8) Perch Pond, near Axial; (9) Johnson Slough, near Delta; (10) Toppas Pond,l!near Montrose; (11) Spring Pond, near Colona; (12) Cortez, Slough.ll near Cortez; (13) Brockish Sloughs, near Durango; (14) Drain Ditch, near Monte Vista, (15) Jordan Lake, near Saguache; (16) Ron's Pond, near Saguache, (17) Drain Ditch, near La Garrita; (18) Edward Slough, near Edwards; (19) Second Pond, near Vail Pass; (20) Gravel Pit, near Hasty; (21) Verhoff Slough, near Hasty; (22) Week's Pond, near Fairplay, (23) Jumbo Reservoir Sloughs, near Julesburg; (24) Fish Pond, near Fort Morgan; (25) Clark's Lake, near Ault; and (26) Minnick Pond, near Fort Collins 0 Several more plots were established, but were not surveyed as it was necessary for the project personnel to assist with big grune check stations 0 Job 2 - Survey of Trend Areaso . Objective: To establish trends of numbers with the "trend" areas. Findings: Inasmuch as this is the initial year of the trend plots, only a description of the plots and the number of muskrats observed on them will be presented here. The main method utilized on trend plots this quarter was the visual count technique, in which count was kept of all the muskrats observed in the study plot during an arbritary length of time, with an effort made to determine which animals made repeat appearances. This problem of reappearance was not encountered when running plots on ditches or streams, but caused considerable confusion on the lake, pond, slough, and marsh plots. On these latter types of plots, the muskrat activity was plotted on a sketch map, with swimming courses and points of appearance and disappear-ance; This plotting of activity routes made it feasible to assume ihat a �Figure 1 Muskrat trend plot in cattail slough near Delta. Figure 2 Drainage ditch in the San Luis Valley used as a trend plot. �- 59 - reappearance at a point of disappearance was possibly a repeat appearance~ although a second animal appearing at the same point of disappear= ance was undoubtedly a new or different individual. The visual count technique was applied in a number of different ways. On lakes~ pondss sloughsl and marshes an observation point was selected from which the entire plot could be observed. On ditches and streams a running observation method was appliedl either by foot or automobileD as governed by the terrain and accessibility. Other methods to be experimented with in the future on ..• uskrat plots are the house counts burrow count~ and a visual count on rivers in the spring by boat. Due to the nature of minks and the low concentrations of populationsg the muskrat and mink trend plots have heen combined. Thus farl the only work on mink has been done in conjunction with the regular muskrat plots. tlut it is hoped that a more adaptable technique may be developed for mink in the spring when they are w~ting and active. A summary of the muskrat-mink trend plots run to date f ollows ~ coincide with figures in Figure 3) (To (1) Lake John~southeast corner. Sections 10-11s T 9N. R 80W~ Jackson County. Elevation 9.000 feet. ApprOXimately ten acres. Principal vegetation~ Bulrush (Scirpus sp.). juncus (Juncus SP.)I reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacia). and blue grass (Pea SPa). Temperature 500 F. Tracks and scat abundant in bulrushes. no houses observed, burrows numerous. indications of feeding on bulrush and slough grass. Muskrats counted a Twenty-four and nine repeats. Mink: One pair mink tracks on bank. (2) Stillwaters on Bear Rivers fourteen miles southwest of Yampa~ TIN. R 87W. Garfield County. Elevation 10.000 feet. Approximately ten acres. Principal vegetation~ Slough grass (Scirpus SP.)9 willow (Salix sp.). and blue-joint reed grass (Calamagrostis canadensis). Temperature 650 F. Tracks and scat abundant, no visible houses, numerous burrows, indications of feeding on slough grass mainly. Muskrats counted; Thirteen and five repeats. Mink~ One pair mink tracks. (3) Phillip's Creek. 2 miles south of Yampa. Sections 23, 26» TIN. R 84W. Routt County. Elevation 7200 feeL Approximately eeven-ct errths mile long. Principal vegetation: Willow (Salix sp;}, slough grass (Scirpus sp;}, timothy (Phleum Spa L wild rose (Rosa sp,}, thistle (Carduus sp., }, dandelion (Taraxacum sp,}, pondweecrrPotamogeton Spa J and blue grass (Foa SPa). Temperature 500 Fa - �- 60 Tracks: fairly numerous, cuttings and slides common, no houses~ numerous bank burrows, indications of feeding on slough grass and pondweed mainly Nuskra ts counted: Thirteen and three repeats 0 0 (4) Carpenter Slough, four miles east of Hayden, Section 6, T 6N, R 87W, Routt Count yo Elevation 6400 feet. Approximately four acres. Principal vegetation: Cattail ('TYpha sp.), bulrush (Scirpus sp.), and adjoining pasture. Temperature 700 F. Tracks numerous, two houses: observed, burrows common, indications of feeding on cattail m.ostly, some bulrush. Muskrats; counted: Thirteen and three repeats. Mink:: One pair of tracks. (5) Shelton Ditch, running one and one-half miles east of Hayden,? Sections 10,3~2~ T 6N, R 8SW, Routt County. Elevation 6350 feet. Approximately one and one-half miles long. Principal vegetation: Willmr (Salix spo-)~ thistle (Carduus sp.}, narrow-leaf cot.t.onvcod (populus angustifolia), ,dId rose (Rosa spv) ~ fire~leed (Chamaenerion sp.),. bluestem wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii), sunf'Love.r(Helianthus sp.), yelloH sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), slough grass (Scirpus spo)" and adjoining pasture. Temperature 450 Fo Quite a few tracks and scat, no houses, numerous burr-ova, in~ dications of feeding on cattail and slough grasso Muskrats counted; Eighteen and one repeat. (6} Ox-bow Slough, Section 12, T 6N, R 9lW, Hoffat Count yo Rlevation. 6174 feet. Approximately ten acres. Principal vegetation: Willow (Salix spo), pondweed (Potamogeton spo), cattail (~ spo), and bulrush (Scirpus spo). Temperatures 750 and 300 Fo Tracks common , some scats, no houses observed, numerous bur+ovs ~ indications of feeding on cattail and slough grass , Slough Has r-un i.11 two sections~ both evening and ea.rly morning. Muskrats counted: Twenty-seven and eighteen repeats (evening) and twenty-one and five repeats (morning)o These figures Hould tend to indicate that the muskrat is more active in the evening and beginning of the feeding period than in the early morning or end of the feeding period, but this fact is yet to be substantiated l..rith more data. ·(7) Crescent Lake, several hundred yards uest of Trapperk Lake, T lS, R 8SW, Garfield County. Elevation 9500 feet. Approximately ten acres. Principal vegetation: Slough grass (Scirpus spo), pondweeds (Photamogeton sppo), and mountain brome (Bromus sp.). Temperatv~e 600 Fo Tracks, scat, and bur-revs abundarrt, no houses observed, indications of feeding on slough grass mostlyo Muskrats counted: Eighteeen and ten r-epeat.s , (Note: One mink vas captured ,,'itha landing net in the small stream between the State cabin and Trapper's Lake, September 21, 1949.) �FFFAT------ ---- ---- MAP OF COLORADO I i I I it Il1Io ••• ".IIIPr N 0 (J /I.I JJ' ".1"'" 0 I rv'k. ,c.•~ r.' i wB, IIIAUII6fqN Jf/.,If-M .'llltfl#"O •• ,JI,n I.1.J " •• hi> S~/'''' ollHlf.y C &/,. •••"" ~ .s_"", C'O. I)r""",,,_ C'o. 0 �- 61 {S) Perch Pond, hro mi.l.es northeast of Axla'l., Section 13, T ),li, R. 9]tI Eoffat Courrty, Elevation 6200 f'ee t , A;'Jproxirnately eight acr-es Principal vegetation! Cattail (Typha sp.), sage brush (Artemisi3. sp ..), firei,-Jeed (Chav.ae::1erion sp.), pondvreed (Potamogeton sp.), bulrush (Scirpus sp.), saltbush (Atriplex spo). Temperature 750 F. j Tracks cornmon, burroHS cor.unon, indications of feeding moat.Ly, Huskrats coimted: 'filelve and five repeats 0 on c:attail 0 (_9] Johnson Sloup;h, four miles 1,rest of Delta, Section 16, T 15S $ R Ill'! ~ Delta Courrty, Elevation 4900 f'ee t , Appr cccl.mat.e.Iy tHO acres Pr-i.ncLpa'L vegetG.tion': Cattail (Typha sp.;, 1'1il10\·" ,·did rose, .pOiSOli.' ivy (Rhus rydbergi:t}'lI arid 'corn "in adjacent fields. Temperature ?CO 1.<\, Q , Sign numerous, no houses observed, indications of fceding cattail mostly (no corn damage observed in the adjoining fields MusY.rats counted: Six and three repeats. on of corn.) (10) TODpa~ ?ond, tlTI.'ee miles southeast of liontrose, 80ction li'~ T ii-SIT; R 9"1·1.9 Hontrose County. El.evat-ion 6400 feet. Approxir;e;t.ely b,ro acres Principal vegetation: Pondireed (Potomogeton spo), 'ui.l,lou (Sali:" spo) ,'squirrel tail (Sitanion hystrix), Hhite sweet clover (Helilot~-" alba), sleepy grass (Stipa sp.), blue grass (Poa sp.), rose (Rosa spo), horsetail (Equisetum sp-:T; sumac (Rhus cismon+.ana), narroH-leaf cottonHood (Popl:tl'iiS'angustifolia), slough gr[lSS (Scirpus sp.) Tsnper,'lture T?o F 0 0 Huskrat tracks and burr-ows COmI10l1, 110 houses observed, indic'2.tioDS of" feeding on slough grass and hor-se'ba'iL, }'luskrats courrced s One and no repeats. (11) ~ring Pond.9 one mile south of Colona, Section 5, T 46N, R 8'\'1, Ouray County; Elevation 6100 feet. App:C'o:,:il,latelytwo acres. PI'inci.p;.ll vegGt,ation~ 1JillmJ (Salix sp.), 1.rild rose (Rosa sp.), l1c.rrou-le:lf C()tt02'l~ iiogd (Populus cmgustifolia), p.igweed (Chi3nopocr:rum album). I'emper-a ture 40 Fe Nuskrat bur-revs rnd sign common , no houses observed, indicati.oIJs feeding on cattail :mostly. 11uskrats courrbed e Four and no r-epea t.s , 0.1' (12) Cortez Slough, tllO miles east 0:: Cortez, Section 30J T 3(,11; R 151,[ ~ Hont.ezuma County. Elevation 6198 feet. Approximately seven aCT8So Pr'Lnc.i.pa.Lveget.at.i.onr C"ttail (Typha sp.), bulrush fScirl)D.s sPo). pig-"rced (r.]l"'l1oDodill.'1l 31bUJ-n), Hhite SHeet clover (Helilotus alba) ,9 rabbi tbrus,h (Chrysothann1u§ sp s }, Temperature 700 F. Huskrat tracks and sign numer-ous, burr-ows numerous , no houses' obscrved , Lnd.i.catd ons of feeding on cattail mostly. Huskrats coun'bsd.s Nine and tHO repeatso 0 �- 62 (13) Brockish Sloughs, seven miles north of Durango, Section 21, T 36:N, R 9H~ La Plata Courrty, Elevation 6198 feet. .\?proximately tHOacres. Principal vegetation: Cattail-(Typha sp.), bulrush (ScirDus sp.), sedge (Carex sp.), mint (Hentha sp.), blue grass (Poa spo), and pondveed (~amogeton sp.). Temperature 700 Fo Tracks and burrO'l.Jsn1.lElerous,no houses observed, indications of feeding on cattail mostly. Huskrats counted: Twelve and repeats numerous due to much activity and confusion in one small slough. (14) Drain Ditch, t\.ro and one-half miles e8~t and tvTOand threefourths miles south of Honte Vista, Sections 21, 28·, 33, T.· 38N" R 8E,: Rio Grande County. Elevation 7600 feet. Approximately three miles long. Principal ve-getatioh": Slough grass (ScirDus sp, }, cattail (Typha sp.), squirrel tail (Sitanion hystrix), willOlf (Salis sps ) ~ soft-stem bul'rush (Scirnus spo), and greasevood (Sarcobatus vermi.cuLat.ua) Temperatures 650 and 40° F. 0 Tracks numerous, some SC9.ts, no houses, numerousburr ovs, indications of feeding on cattail and slough gl~SS. Trend run in evening and. early morning by automobile. Huslcrats counted: T\.rentyin evening and forty-t\w in morning. (15) Jordan Lake, of the Russel1 Lakes, ten miles south of Saguache, Section 30, T 43N, R 8E, Saguache Ccuntyo Elevation 7735 feet. Approximately t'eTelveacr-ss, Principal vegetation: Bulrush (Scirpus spo)!I cattail (Typha sp.), sedge (Carex spo), salt grass; (Distichlis stricta), foxtail (Hordeun jubatum}', pondweed(Potamogeton sp.), and grea sewood (Sarcooatus vermiculatus). Temperature 600 Fo Muskrat tracks and sign plentiful, indications of feeding on bulrush and cattaiL This plot .•. zas the only house counf run to date-o-e Ieven live houses and four wer-eclassified as dead or uncertain. Muskrats count.edx Fourteen "18re flushed from the houses. (16) Ronls Pond, ten milesrouth of Saguache, Section 30, T.43N.?R 8E, Saguache County. Elevation 7736 feet. A_pproximatelyfour acres. Princiual vegetation: BUlrush (ScirDus sp.), cattail (Typha sp.), salt R"rass (Distich-lis stricta), sedge (Carex sp.), and pondweed(pot~~ogeton spo). Temperature 580 Fo Tracks, si.gn, and bur-rowscommon,no houses observed, indications of feeding on bulrush and pond-Heed. Huslcrats counted: Thirteen and seven repeatso (17) Drain Ditch, eighteen miles south of Saguache, Sections 5J 6J T 4lN9 R 8E, and Section 1, T 4lN, R 18, Saguache County. Elevation 7600 feet. Approximately three miles long. Principal vegetation: Cattail, bulrush 9 water cress (Roripa nasturium), grease1-1ood,rabbit brush (Chrv-sotharnnusspo)} salt grass, and willmf. Temperature 400 F. Tracks, scat, and burroHs numerous, indications and bulrush. Huskrats counted: Thirty" of feeding on cattail '.' �- 63 . (18) EdHard Slough, Six-tenths rri.Lc Hest of Ed.•• rards , Section· 5" T 53, R 82,·[, Eagle County. Slevation 7000 f'ee t , Approximately one acre •• Principal vegetation: Cattail (Typha sp ••), slough grass (Scirpus spo)o Temperature 450 Fa Tracks, scat, and burr-ows plentiful, indications of feeding on cattail and slough grass.. Huskrats counted: Eleven and no repeatso (19) Second Pond, below Black Lake on "lest side of Vail Pass, Section 9, T 6S, R 79H, Eagle Oourrty, Elevation 10,000 feeto Approxi.;.. mat e.Iy three acres Principal vegetation: Slough grass (Sc'; ruus sp.), llilloH (Salix sp ••), and pondireed (Potamogeton spo) Temperature 300 F. Q Tracks and sign not evident because of fresh snow;;.burr-ovs numer-cus , indications of feeding on slough grass mostlyo Muskrats counted: Eight and three repeatso (20) Gravel Pit!) just north cf John J.1:artin Reservoir dam, Section 7, T 23S, R L,,9W ~ Bent Courrty, Elevation 3825 f'ee t , A.pproxim.'1.telyone acre. Principal vegetatiom Cattail (Typha sp,'}, tamarix (Tamarix gallica), sagebrush (Artemisia sp.)~ and yucca (~glauca)o Temperature 60° Fo Sone tracks, feeding on cattail no houses observed, burrous mostly •• lv1uskrats counted: common, indications of Six and five repeats o- (21) Verhoff Slough, Seventeen and one-half mies \-lest of L,amar, Section 28, T 223, R 49W, Bent CountYo Elevation 3800 feet~ Appro:zi~ mate Ly tl.1O acr-es , Principal vegetation: Cattail (Typha sp •.), s Lough grass: (Scirpus spo), blue grass (Poa sp.), and salt grass (Distichlis stricta)0 Tenperature 580 Fo Tracks abundant, no houses observed, bur-rows scarce, feeding on cattail and slough grass Muskrats courrted e 0 indications of THO 0 (22) Heek's Pond, four miles:. r or-th of Fairplay, Section 13, T 98, R 77'J, Park CountYo Elevation 9990 f'ee t , Approximately t\JC acr-es , Principal vegetation: Slough grass (Scirpus spo), sedge (Carex spo), and the adjoining native hay fieldso Temperature 450 F. Tracks and sign abundant, no houses, burroHS abundant, indications , of feeding on slough grass Huelcrat.s counted: Fifteen and seven repe3.liS Q 0 (23) Junbo Reservoir Sloughs, beloH fills on south side of dam, Section 19:1 T IlN9 R 47'11,SedgHick Countyo Elevation 3550 feet .• Approximately tvlo acr'es , Principal vegetation: Cattail (T-:rpna spo), bulrush (Scirpus sp.), sedge (Carex sp.), cordgrass (Spartina cJmosL~oides), sunf'Louer' (Helianthus Spe), f'Lr'eireed (Cmmenerion sps }, and snakeve ed (Gutierrezia spo)o Temperature 650 F•• �- 64 Tracks and sign numerous, no houses,'observed, bur-revs:numer-ous , indications of feeding on cattail mostlyo Muskrats:counted: Noneo (This plot may be discontinued later, although the muskrats may have been kept in their burrows by the high wind which was whipping the slough during the observation) (24) Fish Pond, one mile northwest of Fort Morgan Section 36 T L,li, R 58W,MorganCourrty , Elevation. 4150 feet;" Approximately four acres ~ Principal vegetation: Cattail (Typha sp~),slough grass (Scirpus SPa), cotrtonvood (Populus deltoides), bulrush (Scirpus spo), and dock (Rumex spv) Temperature 4£)0 F•• j) j) 0 Tracks and sign abundant, no houses, burrows numerous, indications of feeding on cattail, slough grass, and bulrush~ Muskrats; counted~ Fourteen and eight repeatso (25) Clark$ Lake, two miles east, one mile south of Ault, Section 18, T'7N, R 65W,Ueld County.. Elevation 4300 feet;, Approximately siX acr'eai, Principal vegetation: Cattail (Typha spo), bulrush and slough grass (Scirpus spps.}, dock (Rumexspo); pigweed (ChenoDodium album), alfalfa and cabbage fields adjacento Temperature 4£)0 Fo Tracks and sign abundant, no houses observed, buz-z-owe nunerous, indications of feeding on cattail and bul.rueh; Muskrats counted: One (In spite of ablh~dant sign, only one muskrat was observed,·ti.ndoubtedly due to a cold, stormy ,dnd during the period of observa'td ons } 0 (26) Jliinnick Pond" five miles east and one and one-half mi.Les north of Fort Oo.Ll.Lns , Section 2, T 7N,. R 68W, Larilller Countyo Elevation 5000 feeto Approxilllately five acres.. Principal vegetation: BtLLFash (Scirpus spo), cattail (~ spo), saltgrass (Distichlis stricta), and sedge (Carex spo)o Temperature 450 Fo Tracks and scat abundant, 13,.]0 houses observed, burr-ows numerous, indications of feeding on bul.rush; MUflkratscounted: Eleven and nine repeats 0 Several of the plots run Here not satisfactory and were therefore discarded.. Someplots included in the summaryabove may be discontinued when more desirable plots have been established in the f'irbur-e , ApproxiJn.ately forty or fifty plots should be the inin;mumthroughout the state to characterize the trend of muskrat populations, any number under this woul.d tend to give isolated or localized population tendencies •• The aetna) ~rend in populations will not be ascertained until same plots have been run annually for a 'period of; several years •• the �Figure 4 Muskrat house on one of the Russell Lakes, the only plot on which the houses have been counted to date. Figure 5 View of typical marten winter habitat on the Cameron Pass marten transect. �Figure 6 Tracks of all fur animals observed are recorded on the marten transects, such as these fox tracks. I -.•. Figure 7 The relative abundance of prey speci on each marten transect is recorded from their tracks as in this example of snowshoe rabbit tracks. _ .. _" •... '_'.~ -.- �- 65 - Harten Job 1 - Life History Study. Objective: In cooperation Hith the Cooperative \rJildlife Research Unit to gain much needed data on habitat requirements, reproduction, and other vital aspects of life history~ Findings: . Successful live-trapping of a pair of marten Has carried out vii th the aid and cooperation of Weldon Robinson and Fred Eggert of the Fish and Wildlife Service Research Laboratoryo These animals are being held in captivity and Hill be shown at the International Chinchilla Show in January, 1950, "lith a display of native furbearers presented by Jack Culbreath 0 There is a possibility that the female !;.Till litter in April", if was bred during the w~ting season last July and Augusto These two aninals vull be used to further and life history of the marten~ Job 2 - DE:ternination she our study of reproduction of Cycles. Obiective:': To determine Colorado if presentc the occurrence and length of the marten cycle in F~ndings: The best method of determining a marten cycle, if such exists, is not readily apparento. After considerable thought a marten transect method was developed which He hope ~.rill prove to be satisfactory. It is assumed that~ by obtaining a trend of ~~rten populations in at least ten to fifteen specific localities in the state, evidence of possible cyclic fluctuations Hill be gained" The technique employed in the marten transect method is comparable to the method of determining big game animal trends in Go'Lor-ado , After a reconnaissance of the marten habitat in the state, it was. evident that the Iri.ghway passes wh'i.chHere kept open in the ,,{inter offered an ideal approach to the marten "Tinter habitat, saving considerable labor in gaining the spruce-f'Lr zone by snowshoes These transects wer-e run by two men f'o.Ll.oiri.ng vlell~defined routes, such as forest trails, telephone lines, ridges, or blazed lineso 0 A.record was made of the tracks of all furbearers observed, inclucli.ng marten, "Teasel, fox, and coyote, as Hell as the comparative abundance of the prey species, such as snowshoe rabbits, squirrels, and mice , A.nattem:tJt Has nade to determine the number' of different marten whi.ch had crossed the transect ,vithin the previous two-day period" This Has accomplished '.·,ith one man f'o'Ll.ovring the transect and the other f'o.Ll.owi.ng out marten tracks �- 66 101hichcrossed the transect. Age of the tracks was estimted from the definition of the tracks as wel.l, as the snov and previous Heather conditions. Length of the transects rllil to date has varied from four to nine Only three have been run this "Tinter due to the delayed snovf'a'L'l in the high country,? These transectsy and others to be established in the futures> will be run annually at approximately the same time of year9 mi.Les , ~ summaryof the three transects run to date follo,~~ (1) Rabbit Ears Pass: This transect started at the Pass and ran south toward Buffalo Park folloHing a forest trail for nine miles through a spruce-fir typeo The snow was two days old and the weather fairo Animal tracks'recordedg Marten, t'\-18nty-three; weasel~ forty-six~; fox, four; and coyotey threeo Relative abundance of prey species (rated abundanty common, and scarce): snowshoe rabbits;)) common;sq_uirrelsy abundant; and mice, abundant., (2) CameronPass: This transect started at the top of the Pass and ran along the Michigan Ditch through heavy spruce type for five miles up to Lake Agnes", The snow was five days old and the weather fairo Animal tracks r-ecordeds Martens>tvTenty-one; wease'l, thrity; and coyote, two Relative abundance of prey species: Snowshoerabbits" abundant; sq_uirrels, common;and mice commono 0 (3) Molas Pass; This transect started at Molas Lake and followed the most westerly of the two telephone lines north for four miles through spruce type to the point where the lines.crossed the Silverton highwayo The snow was five days old, '\-lith a light snotr falling at the timea Anlll'3.1 tracks recordedg Marten, nine; and wease]? twentYa Relative abundance of prey species~ Sno1Vshoe rabbitsy abundant; sq_uirrels, common;and m.ices> cormnono Submitted by e A.pproved: Name Richard Denney and COLORADO STATEGAHE ANDFISH DEPlL'1.TBEN':g Curt Hammit BYJ~ Ti t.Le Ivildlife No'tee Technicians TitIe G•• No Feast, Director Date) February 20. 1950 Per-sons ,fishing to quo te from this abstract should first from the Colorado State Gane and Fish Depar-tmerrt , obtain permission � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/8ec508dcbe99223edf00e440afc5d226.pdf 93c8d18583ca439df707f24222b1c70d PDF Text Text QUARTEltLY STATE COLORADO PROJECT NO. ----~------------- DATE April, 1950 R E ?0 R T PI{OGRESS D EVE LOP MEN .. 32-D T As Required by FEDERAL AID IN YiILDLIFE RESTOEATION 1. Title of Project: 2. Leaders: 3. Report of Progress: ACT Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Restoration George W. Jones and Claude E. White, Jr. Completion Report. Title of Job: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Trapping and Transplanting. Results: The Tanter has been extremely open at Tarryall this year. High winds and a small amount of precipitation has caused a complete ctange of range concentrations. As a result it was impossible to complete the yearly trend counts along Tarryall and Rock Creeks. Sheep appeared on the Tarryall summer ranges and in areas in the vicinity of the Tarryall in greater nQ~bers than ever before. In December, 56 head of sheep were observed in Bison Mountain and in Lost Park. Eighty-seven sheep, including 24 rams, 32 ewes, and 26 lambs were observed in Bison and McCurdy Parks in January. In February, 1.'5sheep, which composed of 3 r-ams , 7 ewes, and 5 Lambs, were observed at Wellington Lake east of the Tarryall Mountains. In addition, 38 head were observed in Eleven iid.leCanyon and 27 were observed west of Eleven Mile Reservoir. An estimated 150 sheep spent the winter in the Wilkerson Pass area, . All of these sheep normally winter on Tarryall Creek and most of them will return to spend the summer in the Tarryall and Kenosho Mountains. However, regardless of how beneficial this widespread distribution is to the Tarryall sheep herd, it does not lend itself to successful trapping operations. The entire months of January and February and the first week of March were spent at the site of the four sheep traps on Tarryall Creek. The only sheep to enter any of the traps appeared at, and entered, Tr~p Noo 4 during its construction. None entered the trap after it was completed. �- 2 On March 9 a small herd of sheep appeared at trap No.2 at Spruce Campground and 8 entered the trap. On March 10, ten sheep entered_ the trap and the gate was dropped on them shortly after 8 :00 a sm , During the process of loading the sheep 1 yearling escaped and a three-year old ram broke his left hind leg and had to be killed. The 8 that were loaded, consisting of 2.rams of breeding age, 1 male lamb, 2 female lambs, and 3 mature ewes, were transported to and re~ leased on Brush Creek approximately one mile below the jUnction of East and West Brush Creekso They were released immediately below a group of 9 ewes and lambso However~ the Tarryall sheep bypassed these sheep and continued on up the ridge at a right angle to Brush Creek. They spent the night on a cliff approximately 1-1/2 miles from Brush Creeko 0nMarch 12 the Tarryall received 6 inches of snow. On the.thirteenth of March, 154 sheep were counted on the Tarryall from th~ R~servoir to China Rock. This is more sheep than have been counted si~ce the beginning of winter and gives an excellent indication of the effects of an open winter on the Tarryall sheep herd. Submitted: Approved: Names COLORADO STATE GAME A1m FISH DEPARTMENT ~ George W~ Jones and - .- '_ - - .' .. Claude Eo \Vhite, Jro Titles Wildlife Technicians Title Co No Feast, Uirector --------------~-------------J.iate April 41 19:;0 ----------~--~~~~------------Note: - Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado state Game and Fish Department. �- 3 STATE COLORADO PROJECT DATE QUARTERLY PRO G RES S :NO. 34-D Auril. ~950 ------~~~~~~------- REPORT DEVELOPMENT A.s Jiequired by FEDElLli. AID IN WILDLIFE MSTOF.ATION ACT 10 Title of Project: Upland Game Bird Development 2" Leaders ~ Martin L, Burget, Leader; Donald Mel Hoffman} Assistant Leader •• 30 Report of Progress~ Objectives~ The restoration of the Merriam's 'Wild Turkey to as much of its former range as possible •• Techniques used: The techniques used in this work have been pretty well covered in a former paper. Since our winter was rather light a feeding problem developed" Due to the irregular feeding of the birds3 various types of feeds were tested in order to find a feed that would be more sure of inducing the birds into the traps regularly First.,·a good type of hull barley was usedo When a high resistance to this feed was shown3 Colorado (37) Oats was added to the feed usado This was taken more readily than barley but was not cleaned up. Than a good quality of wheat was added. ~Vhere other feeds were used with the wheat3 the wheat was taken first3 then corn was added. Turkeys have to learn to eat corn as it is not a natural feed.. Once a taste is acquired, it is taken in preference to all ot.her-s , Thi - re--eals the follmving order of preference g First3 Corn; second, wheat; third, oats; and fourth~ barleYa 0 Findings~ The 1949-50 Turkey Trapping and Development period had several outst~~ding features. The first turkey hunting season in more than fifty years opened early in October. A light hunting season was most desireable this early in our development period" There were several reasons for this. First~ due to years of development within the area, coupled with a strong desire on the part of many citizens to see the program succeed, winter feeding had become a general practice. This had a taming effect on the turkeys. Even vdth careful public relations work, it was difficult to control this prac~lce. People were not convinced that the turkeys could maintain themselves under normal lvintering conditions. �Second~ too close contact with ranches and poultry flocks presents a dangerous hazard to all wild birdso Through feeding and watering treatments$ tame poultry develops a high degree of resistance to comm.unica.ble orgarric diseaseso Wild birds have no way of combating these diseases If these diseases and toxins are picked up through poultry flocks they can reach epidemic stages rather quicklYG Since no treatment can be a~~nistered to wild flocks, a high degree of wildness in the birds is desirable.. One of the quickest ways to get this wildness is a hunting season, It ,"('1St not be forgotten that there is still a lot of back courrtry that vo.ll support a reasonable development of turkeys beyond our present stockso 0 Since this was the first hunting season~many}roblems presented themselves Hunting pressure was an unknown quantity~ Many believed a hunting season would destroy the program by killing off all the seed stock, If this were possible, it was felt the answers should be det.ermined at, once , Controlling the hunting pressure were t.hree main f'act.or-s , A hi.gh license fee, a short season (three week days }, and setting the season shortly before the big game hunting season~ All three of these factors tended to throw a rather heavy curb on the possible take of birds.. It was felt that it was better to be conservative than to lament over a disastero A little over 500 licenses were sold with approximately 190 birds taken which presents a success ratio of nearly 40%& This is extremely high for turkeys.. Since there are approximately 8,000 square miles of occupied area, on a deductive basis, this meant only one hunter to each fifteen square miles of occupied territory. Of course", the hunters concentrated around known population centers" As a result9 the birds around the ranches took the heaviest bombardmento ThisJ of course, was desireable and helped to accomplish the desired goal •. 0 Some of the ranchers were so afraid of the results that they posted solido This had a tendency to defeat the purpose of the season in those communities. Strangely enough, sich birds were reported in some of these posted areas. Examination of a dead bird found in one of them indicated the death was a result of poultry cholera infectiono Food study materials in the form of crops were gathered by check station personnel and wardens checking in the field~ This material has been preserved in alcohol or formalin and is in the process of being examinede A complete report on these studies will follow latero The effect of the season accomplished some of the desired resultso The turkeys are noticeably more wild over all of the hunted areaso It is easy to detect the difference between birds of hUJlted and non-hunted areas 0 However, since the hunting pressure was light3 scattering was not suf'f'Lc i.ent., A second result was to make our trapping program more difficulte There are still a good many tame flockse �- 5 Since hunting was limited to the use of shotguns, the possible crippling of birds has been closely watched., Cripples observed could not be attributed to hlmting accidentso There were five cases of wounded birds reported~ These were unable to be traced~ It is quite possible that others were hit that the hunters did not geto It is quite evident that the wounding of birds did not result in heavy lossesQ, Food Factors~ The turkeys went into the winter with an abundance of food in prospect~ Mast crops were scattered but sufficient to meet all demandso Shrubs with persistent fruit.s and seeds were well loaded except in a few scat.tered areaso Wit.h an abundance of food available, the birds were given an opportunity to express their preference for certain food typeso Since the winter has been very mild and open~ the turkeys chose the foods they liked and wantedo The high preference was for mast types9 while the second choice was for grass and weed seedso The usual sustaining foods of the bad winter~ such as Lhor-napp'Le , (Crataegus sppo) and skunkber-ry, (Rhus trilobata)~ were almost completely neglectedo It seems another dry cycle year has been hito This is particularly true of the area east of the continental divideo During the present season supplemental feeding demands have been almost entirely lackingo Moisture in the Spanish Peaka-Stonewal.L area is down to less than two inches for the five month period.\)October through Februaryo On the State Turkey Ranch.\)it was 8001 inches as compared to 12031 inches for the same period in 1948-49., South slopes on the Turkey Range were never covered for more than two or three days., Snow depth was always shallow and the turkeys could dig out their feed wit.h a little effort" 'l'hesefacts)' coupled with the hunting season scare, have made trapping difficulto Wild turkey movements during the trapping season have been eratic In many cases.\)the birds did not come do~~ to their old feed grounds at all The turkeys in many cases never formed a natural feeding habit pattern at al1 One day a large flock would come to feed early and the next day they might not come in at all~ Then they would break up into smaller flocks and come in at various times of the day" Q Q 6 Another deterring i:actor was the almost constant high wind" Because of this~ traps were put into sheltered spots as much as possibleo Turkeys will not feed consistently in high wind if they can avoid ito Watering conditions also played a part in distribution of birdsc Many of the natural watering places dried up , While turkeys will use snow for water when it is available, the light fall made snow scarce in many placeso When the turkeys found an open spring they located near it~ establishing a roosto Tranping Grounds~ Feeding and catches notedc Repeated trips to the western slope trapping areas failed to establish a trap-site other than at the State Turkey Ranch. Development of the eastern slope turkey flocks in pl~~ted areas~ has been rather rapido Early in November, �-6Donald Hoffrr~, assistant leader~ was assigned to the eastern slope duties~ He located several flocks in the Beulah Districtsj southwest of Pueblo in the Wet Mountain range area" Feeding was started at once , lmer. the birds seemed r.o be es tabl.f.shed, traps Yl'"ere set up , 'I'hr-ee feed grounds were set up in several areas farther south in the Spanish Peaks district., Feeding was established at. the Turket Ranch early in October" This w-ork was assigned to the regular ranch custodian~ Harvey Moyer" Turkey movements were so irregular even at the ranch that it was har'd.Lyknown what. to expect" Immediately after the turkey hunting season, var-i.ous flocks observed totaled more than two-hundred birds.. In one week~ this number dropped to twenty-one; then it jlli~pedto a flock of forty-two with only trirteen hens.. The development of a gobbler majority around the ranch is due to heavy trapping of hen birds over a period of yearso However", care must be taken not to trap hens beyond a safe breeding margin in the ranch area.. This has kept the flocks at the ranch on a high productive level.. In this yearls poult crop there was a high male poult predominance~ which added tD our problema As the trapping season advanced the sex ratio shiftedo Male birds flocked up and worked back to higher elevations!) The hen birds came to feed more freely than the males. On the other hand, hens are more trap shy than tomso This is true ill1tilthe mating period gets under way, then bot.h sexes become extremely trap shy" Reports and observations on turkey range indicated an abundan::;eof nearly everywhere. Examination of trapping sites on the eastern slope areas included the followingg bf.rds Beu.Lahs The Beulah district lies some twenty-f'Lve miles southwest of Puebloo It extends over a large portion of the Wet Mountain range and includes the following communities and range between them~ Beulah community and Pueblo Mountain Park~ Wetmore and Hardscrable Creek area, the San Isabel Reservoir and district~ :Lye communi t.y;>and the Greenhorn Mountain area. 'Wild Turkey transplanting was started in t.his area in 1941 (no specific record was kept of the first eight. hens).. It was completed in the fall and spring of 1943-440 There were no turkeys in the area when the.transplanting was.started. Now it is well stocked and a hUnting season is desired a~d recomillended~ LaVeta~ The LaVeta area includes Cucharas Pass~ LaVeta Area~ India~ Creek~ and all of the North Spanish Peaks section and east to the town of Aguilaro This covers the north Apishipa River drainage~ Trinidad;; This area includes all of the South Sparri.shPeaks District e It runs from the south drainage of the Apishipa River and south to the State line. The area then runs from Trinidad wes t to the summit �- 7 of the Cullebra range. It covers the lIonwnent Lake area, Stonewall area, and all the upper drainage of the Purgatoire River •. All of these areas were exrunined for possible trap sites~ There is a gap between the Beulah and LaVeta areas that is being stockedo It is kno¥m as the Gardner district or the drainage of the Huerfano River (orph~D butte) district.. The~e are not enough birds in the area to justify a hunting season at this timeo Trapping and Transplanting: It has been our practice to extend our trapping activities to districts where even transplanted flocks have built up in numbers sufficient to justify the wor-k, Outside of the State Turkey Ranch, trapping in the present season was largely carried on in eastern slope areas\) In the early feeding at the Ranch~ barley was used as the starting feed •..~7hen resistance was sho~~ to barley, oata were added •• One difficulty with oats is that usually there are a number of hulls 1<rithoutgrain even in the best qual.Lty , The birds wi.Ll, not pick up the empty hulls and after feeding in the area for a while the ground looks as if the birds were not eating the feed. This is due to an accumulation of hulls on the ground. 'Wben the birds did not take barley and oats freely, corn and wheat were added to the feed grain •• A strong preference was shoivu for wheat over all other feed types at the rancho The first catch of the season was not made at the ranch until December 22, 19490 This is the latest start that has ever been madeo Two reasons for this were the open weather, and the late arrival of hen birds at the ranch. The eleven birds caught were of nine hens and two mature toms. 'fhe birds were banded and crated, then delivered to the Deer Creek section of the Uncompahgre River, south and east of Montrosee> The turkeys were caught at 3:30 porno, and delivered at 10~30 acmo December 23, 19490 A second catch was made at the ranch at 7:00 aomo on January 9!i 19.50. This flock was of nine birds, eight hens, and one juvenile tome The release was made on the same day about .5~oo pom~' on Williams Creek north of Gardner, Coloradoo A third catch of nine birds was made at the Turkey Ranch on February 9, 19.500 There wer-e seven hens and two toms" These birds were delivered to South Dakotao The area is 1.5 miles west of Custer, South Dakota, in Hell Canyon, This area is part of the Black For-eat and in the Harney National Foresto Release was made on February 10 at 9:30 asm, The birds had been hauled more than seven-hundred mt.Les, but all were in fine condition. The trip was made continuous from the State Turkey Ranch to the point of delivery except for a transfer from the project truck at Denver.. These birds were part of an exchange plan between the Colorado and South Dakota Game and Fish Departments~ �-8Aguila.rl: A. feed plot was st.arted on the. Sporleder Ranch twelve miles livestof Aguilar in Maverecio Canyon late in November , Barley was put in at firsto The turkeys did not take this readily~ so oats were added~ In a short time the birds began taking this rather freely but they did not clean it upo The trap was set early in The birds would feed right December", 1949., Feeding continuedo up to the trap gate but would never go in~ The corn was added as a special incentive", and a few began feedlng in the trap but only in the endso Finally a storm came a~d the feeding pattern changed. On January ll~ a catch of 9 hens was made at this trapG These birds were- caught at 8~oo aomo and taken to the Current Creek section northwest of Canyon Cit yo Birds were released at 4:00 p.m. Burro Canyon: Burro Canyon is in the Trinida.d area some twenty-seven miles nort.hwest on the r-anch of a Mr. Ray Docht.er-, A. flock of more than 100 birds were reported in this a.reao Consent was given to set up a trapQ Examination of the area revealed a large active roost up a canyon above the ranch headquarterso For some reason,:l the birds had left the area just before a feed ground was starteda Some birds remained but not enough for trapping purposesct Sarcillo Canyon: This area is about eight miles west of Burro Canyon and on the ranch of a IvIr4McDonald. More than 100 birds were also reported here and located., Feeding was started in the middle of Decembero The turkeys took this feed at onoee When the catch was made at Sporlederts~ the trap was moved to this area at onceo For some reason~ the birds never fed regularly in the trapo TilO or three were all that would feed within the trap at one timeo Finally~ two hens and one tom were taken on February 240 These were added to bh.. ree toms taken in the Beulah district on February 23.\' and the six birds were used to complete the Dakota plant. Beulah District~ Trapping activities in the Beulah district were started on Nov-ember 8" 1949, by contacting ranchers in the district. and observing in the field in order to locate concentrations of birds large enough to warr-ant.trapping. Alt.hough marry scattered flocks had been seen before and during the big-game season of October 15 through October 31jl during the beginning of trapping actdvf.td.es f'ew flocks of any size were observed~ The ranchers, as a whole3 of the Beulah district were ve~J cooperative both in granting permission to start feeding operations on their land and to permit trapping of birds later •• The f'o.l.Lowf.ng are the main areas wi tl'linthe Beukah district where trapping procedures were at.tempteds �- 9Savage Area: The Savage place is located approximately 2 miles west of Cousin Springs along the Goodpasture-Siloam roado Feed~ ing operations were begun here in mid-November and a portable trap was placed at the feed ground four days latero During this early period, barley was used exclusively for baiting the birds at the trapping siteo Later, oats were used in mixture with the barley and during the later portion of trapping operations corn, wheat, and oats were used in mixtureo The birds showed a marked preference for corn followed by wheat and last oatso Barley proved very ineffective in attracting the turkeyso Several flocks of birds totaling 72 birds remained in this area from the start of trapping procedures until mid-January when the greater portion of these birds moved onto the Purvis place near Beulah, leaving 16 hens and 9 toms at the Savage areao It is interesting to note that as early as December 30, a tom was observed to strut for a brief period in this areao ~vo mature toms were taken on January 26 in order to complete a previous plant. One cripple hen which was later found to have its right leg broken in two places was collected on January 29 and sent to the Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit in Fort Collins for scientific examinationo Two mature toms were caught on February 8 to conclude the trapping activities in this ar'ea, A small flock of 13 hens and several toms still remained in this area at the conclusion of the trapping activitieso Two hens showed a great deal of white in their plumageo The portable trap was disassembled in mid-February~ Purvis Area: A flock of 50-60 birds had been observed on the Purvis place adjacent to the tlfff.n of Beulah on numerous occassions before big-game season (October 15-31)0 These birds left this area and none were observed until mid-January when the major portion of the birds on the Savage area moved onto this rangeo Identification was possible since one of the hens contained a great amount of white in its plumage as had a hen at the Savage area earlierc Feeding operations were begun in early February using corn, wheat, and oats in :nixture for baito In mid-Februaryjl the port.able trap from the Savage area was placed here In just three days time s birds had begun to eat the corn from within t.he trap itselfo- On the eighth day, after placing the trap into position~ five mature toms were caught. Four hens were caught in late February to complete the trapping for the areao 0 �- 14 Pleasant. View Ranch: Much fresh sign had been observed during t.he start of t.he t.rapping operations in the Beulah dist.rict.on t.his During area south of ~eunore without actually seeing the birdso the mid part of December, barley was used in an attempt to draw the birds to see if a count could be made as to the number of turkeys Signs about these trial fe~ding areas indicated there were more birds than the reported 20 turkeys but due to the dist.ance involved in properly tending to the area, it was not thought feasible to continue trapping procedureso 0 IaVeta Area: Feeding was started near the Cucharas Camps on the Jameson Rancho This was soon abandoned, as the birds never came regularly to the feedo Trapping Techr~ques: Stationary traps of small poles seem to have a definite advantage over portable slat type traps. One of the disadvant.ages is the fact that feed grounds do not become permanently established. If the birds are nel~OUS and easily spooked it takes considerable time to get them to settle do~~ in a new feeding areao Permanent traps are set into an area where permanent feed grounds are kept active year after year. These are only practical in an area such as the State Turkey Ranch. Because feeding is kept up year after year, the birds do not have to become accustomed to the presence of the trap each yearo Repeated catches are not too difficu1t under these conditionso j General SUlnmary: One of the high-lights of this year's development program was Colorado's first open turkey season in more than fifty years. Some five hundred hunters kjlled around one hundred and ninety birdso This made a success ratio of nearly 40% which is extremely high for wild turkeyso On a deductive basis this made only one hunter to each of the State1s fifteen square miles of occupied area. Five hundred hunters to eight thousand square miles of turkey range. Heavy food abundance coupled with light wintering have kept turkeys high in their range all wintero conditions Very little supplemental feed was requested. The hunting season and light rdntering conditions have tended to make the t.rapping work more difficult this past seasono Twenty-nine birds were trapped at the Turkey Ranch nine hens were taken at the Sporleder Ranch near Aguilar~ four in the Cousin Springs area near Beulah, nine at the Purvis Ranch also near Beulah, three were trapped on the McDonald Ranc.h near Trinidad!! and three near the Caple place south of Beulah. This made a total of 57 turkeys for the season. Fifteen of these birds were taken to South Dakota on a Game Departments exchangeo j �-' Figure I A sixty year old turkey trap used by the market hunters of the 1890'80 This trap was photographed in the Trinidad area. (Photo by Burget) �Figure 2 Banding a prime tom on the Purvis trap area. (See Text). Ideal habitat in the background. Carrying crate in foreground. This tom was taken to South Dakota. (Photo by Dan fiiggs) �Figure 3 Close up of a prime Merriams Wild Tom. This bird would weigh at least 20 pounds. (Photo by Warden Dan Riggs) �- 15 Plants were made as follows: Eleven birds including two t.oras wer-e taken to Deer Creek" a section of the Uncompahgre River area; ten were taken to the Gardner area and released on Williams Creek: eleven wer e taken to the Current Creek-Tallahasse Creek area northwest of Canon City in a re-plant program; six were taken as a fill-in plant to the Cottonwood Greek section south of Salida" Three breeding toms were· taken to the Sporleder area and a single breeding tom was brought -Co the turkey ranch to help the blood strains there. . . Submitted by: .•. Names Approved by: COLOPJ\.DO STATB G.fljo£ AHD FISH D3PAl1ThlElJ'I' Martin L, Burget ----------~~----~--------------- Donald il;. Hoffman Title Wildlife Technicians -----------------------------------Title c. l~.Feast, Director Dat-e April 10, 1950 Note ~ Persons ·wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department" ��-17 - STATE COLORADO ---------------------- PROJECT nc, -~..;_.----j5-D DATE QUA R T E R L Y PRO G RES ~ EVE LOP MEN S April 1951J REPORT T As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project~ 20 Leader a 30 Report of Progress~ Antelope Restoration Gordon Douglas~ Assistant Leader Co Eo Till The site selected for the first trapping operation of the 1949-1950 season was on the Ingle property about 20 miles east of Colorado Springso The trap and wings were set up in the same manner as in previous, ye a.rs , A permanent barbed-wire fence was used as one wing~ and woven-wire» set up to form a large "hook"» was used as the othero The gate was 110 yards; wide., or one 20-rod roll of wire., Work on the trap was completed on November 14 by a labor cr~l' of three men plus the two antelope technicians •• On November 15 Pilot K ••Bo Milyard made an attempt to drive some antelope into the trap but was unsuccessful.. A group of about 15 animals were driven by the mouth of the trap but could not be turned ino Several obstacles to antelope trapping had appeared.. The plane had experienced difficulty in running groups through the numerous barbed~{ire fences in the-area without losing a part of the animals at each fenceo Also, because of the unseasonally warm weathe~:s the antelope had not bunched up as yet~ and thus had more of a tendency to scatter than usua~o The bottom strand of all barbed-wire fences immediately surround~ng the trap was raised dur Lng the following week- On November 30, Pilot Milyard made another attempt to put some antelope into the trap but again was unsuccessful.. After this it was decided to move the trap over to the border of a large pasture where antelope had been seen on numerous occasions. If the antelope could not be moved to the trap, then the trap should be moved to the antelope .• A different technique was employed at the new locationo The perimeter of a 3/4 section area was fenced vdth woven-wire$ with the trap to be set up within this enclosure" One-half mile on one side was left down as a.gate" �~() 1..0 "r On Decemb ez- 14 Pilot Milyard r-an 47 antelope into the fenced ar ea, . Dur-Lngthe next few days the tra.p was set up and. on December 200 thirty antelope were driven into: the t.r-ap by car's and pd ck-ups , Thes(. srere loaded into two trucks and tran sported to the Saguache tra:p.splant site" Twobuck f'awns were dead on arrivS'.l there.eso the release was 12 bucks , 10 doeso and 6 fawnso The next days December 21» the plane was used to put more antelope into the trapo One of these escaped during loading and 13 were put into the truck" These were transported to the transplant site northwest of Fruitao ~~O bucks died enroute so the release con= sisted of 2 bucksg 5 does» anQ 4 fa~ilso 14 On December 28 ~ Pilot Ifiilyard put 45 more ant el ope into the fenced enclosure" The follovd.ng day he ran anout, 30 of these into the lane leading to the tra.po Vlfhenthis bunch reached the swinging gates of the trap" all but 8 broke back past the cars and out of the. Lane , Within the trap one doe was killed when she hit a gate end broke her neck, The remainir~ 7» consisting of 2 bucks" 3 does» and 2 fawns» were taken t9 Saguache and released in good cond.i t.Lon, Twenty antelope wer-e put into the trap by the plane on December 3')0 These were loaded into the t.ru ck and then an attempt was made to get the 25 still within the fenced area. A total of 9 were driven into the trap but of these were lod when they hit fences and suffered broken necks., As the fEm remaining animals did not make up a truc.k load.g. they were set 4 fl'(>,f$o The antelope in the truck were taken. to Delta and r-eLeased , Propor= heavy losses were suffered in the truck for 7 antelope had died tionally enr out;e , The 13 released were 1 buck, :5 do es , and 7 fawns •• The first week of January was spent in tearing down the antelope trap and rolling up wire0. It was decided to move the trap up near Agate where several large bunches of antelope he.d been Be6llo The proposed tra.pp:ii.ng site near Agate was within the open area of a special three=day antelope Beason held during th.e middle of January., Immediately after the speoial season several days were spent in looking over the area for groups of antelope and cripples. It was found that the hunting season had SOl mat.erially reduced the numbers 'in the Lmmedd a't e vicinityp, and scattered those remainingp that it was not feasible to attempt trapping hereo The trap was then moved up in the northern part 0 f the state about 20 miles west of the +own of Grover , The 18.st days of Jan.uary were spent in fencing the p.erimeter of a 1/4 se~jtiorJ. area thereo On February 2 Pi20t Milyard ran 30 antelope into the fen~ed encLosur e , On February 4.';1 twenty-four of' these were loaded into two trucks and trans= ported to Fruite.c Two does died enroute so the release was 3 bucksg 10 does» and 9 f'awns, AlsoD one doe had been killed at the trap site when the bunch of 30 broke down a lane f'ene e near the swinging gates .of the trap" �- 19 Pilot Milyard put 50 more antelope into the fenced area on February 100 The next day 38 of these were loaded into three trucks and taken_to the western sLop e, Twenty antelope, consisting of 9 bucks , 8 does; and 3 f'awn.s , were released at.Fruitao Sixteen, consisting of 6 bucks and 10 does, were released at Deltao Two does died enroute and 3 were lost at the trap site. _~ter the last bunch of 38 antelope were trapped and removed.. the ones remaining in the area were scattered so that no groups larger than 15 were found. This; plus the fact that the does were gettir~ heavy with young, brought us to the decision that the trap should be rolled up for the season. Altogether, a total of 117 antelope were transplrulted during the seasono The antelope crew and technicians are indebted to the other technicians, wardens, trappers, ranchers~ and college students who contributed time and effort in the running and loadip~ of the antelope; also to Pilot Ko Eo Milyard for his skillful maneuvering of the airplane in herding bunches cf antelope into the fenced enclosureso The project leader, Gordon Douglas, supervised the trapping operations until the first of the year .•at which time he started a survey of the transplant sites to observe the success of the transplanted antelope in becomir~ acclimated to their new homee Assistant Leader~ c. E. Till~ was assigned at this time in charged of the trapping operationso Much valuable trapping experience that is leErned only in the field was gained during the season. The fenced enclosure method, which originated in Texas .•seems to be a sure way of getting antelope, and it is believed that continued use of this method will eliminate many of the present hazards of trappingo Data for the season are given in Tables I and 110 �- 20 - TABLE I Distribution of Age Groups for Each Transplant Site Saguache Transplant Site Date Bucks Does Fawns Total D.ecember 20 December 28 12 2 10 3 6 28 2 7 14 13 8 35 Total " Totals Sex ratio ~ 1 buck per .93 does fawns per doe - .6 Fruita Transplant Site Date Bucks Does Fawns 2 5 10 4 11 .9 22 8 3 20 23 16 53 December 21 February 5 February 11 3 9 Totals 14 Sex ratio: 1 buck per 1.64 does fawns per doe - .7 Delta Transplant Site Date Bucks Does Fawns Total December 30 February 11 1 5 6 10 7 0 13 16 Totals 7 15 7 29 Sex ratio: 1 buck per 2 does fawns per doe - .5 �Figure 1 Reinforcing tl1e lane fence which was broken down when 30 antelope balked at the entr3...T1Ce of the trap. Figure 2 ~~tting up woven wire along a barbed-wire Warden Colley in foregroundo fence. �Figure 3 Antelope crew tying the netting of the trap to the cables. Figure Stretching 4 the netting around the holding pen. �Figure 5 Loading antelope into the truck. �Figure 6 Warden Slonaker and the writer coming out of the squeeze pen with an antelope. �- 21 - TABLE II Daily Record of Antelope For Each Catch. Date ~)lIllber Number trapped escaped D3C. 20 Dec. 21 Dec. 28 Deco 30 Feb. 2 Feb. 10 45 30 50 0 4 0 13 5 9 Totals 172 31 47 0 Number loaded Number released Noo Kilied at.trap 30 13 7 20 24 38 28 0 0 7 13 22 36 4 1 3 2 2 0 7 2 2 132 117 9 15 . 11 . .• ' .•~ Noo .Died enroute .,. ,<' •... 1 ,' '"" • ".' ,~,- Percentage loss of total numb er trapped - 13.9% Submitted by: Approved: - Name Clois E. Till ------- " . ~ ;' COLORADO STATE GA1m.Ju~D FISH DEPARTME~~ Wildlife Technician ------------------------- 'fitle BY_< ~~. '---\-,< ~. ~ __ ==--' __ Title Co N. Feast~ Directol -----------~---------------- Date Note: April 4~ l~~U -------~----~~~------~ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. ��~ 23 STATE COLORADO --------~--~-------37-R. PROJECT NO •• April, 1950 DATE QUARTERLY SURVEYS PROGRESS AND I N V EST REPORT I GAT ION S .As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader: ACT Game Bird Surveys. Harry J~ Figge 30 Report of Progress: Work Plan No", 4 - Job 4 Title: Trapping and Banding Duckso Objective: To trap and band bucks from the main state flyways pursuant to migration studieso Scone and Personnel: South Platte River, Sedgwi.ck, Gurney I~ Cr-awf'ord, So Black, and Lo Kissel; Arkansas River and Lrunar, Howard Stiehm, Ferd Kleinschnitz, Willard Flinn, Wayne Sandfort, Charles Bunn, and Ro Winternitz; Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Denver, Robert Poley; and Conejos River, and LaJara, Bertram Bakerc Renorted by: Harry Jo Figge Value: The data to be supplied to the Uo So Fish and Wildlife Service will result in better managemento Techniques: Modified Colorado Duck Traps were used in all areas.. Barley was used as bait.. In addition, Gurney .Crawford used waste material from corn shelling. This consisted of broken kernels of corn, cobs, and husks" The bait was spread along the river as far as a quarter mile dO'Vllstream. Vmere necessary, traps were fenced from livestock .• Crawford modified the Colorado Duck Trap so that the ducks no longer climb a ramp to get to water in the holding pen. They drop down to the holding pen through an opening about eight inches wide between two strips of woven yure.. One strip of wire is laid on the river bank and projects over the water a foot or twoo A piece of scrap �- 24 sheet metal covered with sand laid over this -wire facilitates the ducks crossing it and dropping down into the water4 The ducks are prevented from returning to the feed lane by the second strip of wire suspended vertically eight inches from overhanging edge of the horizontal strip. (See photograph). The ducks or the bands were marked to readily identify repeats and not miss recording the band numbers of recaptured ducks. The following methods were tried to mark the ducks: Aqueous and alcoholic solutions of picric acid, airplane dope, and clipping the tips of the tail feathers. Automobile lacquer and enamel were tried to color the bands, each station using a different coloro Portable woven wire catching tubes were used at all stations except at the South Platte River Stationg where a long,'stationa~ crate was usedo The crate was built with removable partitions and small doors on the top for easy removal of ducks. Findings: South Platte River, Sedg~ck, Colorado: Clipping the edge of the tail feathers served adequately to mark ducks recently banded and to show recaptures that had been recordedo Since the winter was such an open one, much more baiting was necessary to attract the ducks to the trap. That this additional baiting was successful is shown by the fact that one trap (40t x 651) caught 8,500 unbanded ducks. In addition, many recaptures and numerous repeats were obtained from this same trap. The three traps on the South Platte River netted 5306 ducks per tr<j.pday. �••••,_.~ - ..,.. . ..• .•• ...•..• ~J.,o- .. ~ - ." -;- ;;, ;.1 ~ .', . "...;;.- . ~ '.;J'" . .. l; ,"- • •.. .-: 7 .,. ...•..: •••• , : ,-"·;~r .. .. _ 111 'V_ "". .•';.. ~~~.:, : ~~;"~r »: I "...~- ,.'.. '-. I; ~ ....:. ';;;Y::;::lr2~:/-) ;!).,;:,,-: .~- .,r. ""/~;," ---:\ - .. ~ .':)' ,-'11":'.... . .. ',_ ..• ~:;r'" :J "', .:..,,;JIP; ..... '''''''~''';",,,, ". """"1' ·.~:!!r,.r ·r~:'.••.. ;'-:".~: .~. fi~·.~·/:_-:,~ .j_:;..-.~._." • ~-~I'. :,.-.~~~;~~;~. :.. ... ..•. Figure 1 Crawford's modification of his original Colorado Duck Trap. Note: Willow pegged entrance to feed lane ~~ and sand covered sheet metal laid on horizontal overhanging wire. Ducks do not have to climb a r-amp, Catching is on the upper left hand corner. (Photo by George Andrews) -' . �o Figure 2 Stationary catching crate. Four re~ovable partitions. Small hinged door at top of each compartment. (Photo by George Andrews) Figure 3 Male woodduck. Aix sponsa. Seldom seen or recorded in Colorado. This one trapped on Arkansas River, Lamar, Colorad8. (Photo by Glenn Kinghorn)- �Figure 4 Colorado full ramp duck trap. Note sand bags at base of ramp to prevent river cu~rent from cutting under ramp. (Photo by Glenn Kinghorn) Figure 5 Attaching portable catching tube. Wire wing inside holding compartment funnels ducks into catcher. (Photo by G.Kinghorn) �- 25 TABLE I SPEcr.t!3, SEX, AND SEX. RATIO (WHERE WAFi.RANTED) OF DUCKS TRAPPED AND BANDED BY COLOPJillO GAME AND FISH DEPARTl\/LENT DEC~IDER 12, 1949, TO MARCH 15, 1950 Species & Sex S. Platte River Arkansas River Rocky Mtn •. Arsena.1._ Mallard males Mallard females Total mallards 7,972 4,1L.6 12,118 1,)03 1,889 3,192 1,573 1,071 2,644 389 452 841 11,23"1 702558 18,795 Males per 100 females (19202) (68098) (145094) (86•• 0) (148.68) Pintail males Pintail females Sex not reported 453 541 184 133 172 194 Total pintails 376 994 317 366 (83.73) (138 35) (88••. 66) (93.2) 6 319 Males per 100 females 38 Baldpates Green-winged teal Black 269 A 6 Totals 809 868 376"/.2,053 6 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 Wood Hybrid, pintail x mallard Totals 1 5 Gadwall Canvas-back Conejos River 1 1 12,542 1 4,456 2,968,** *Banded but not sexedc **Includes 667 bands issued to Johnson Neff, Biologist, Wildlife Service_Laboratory. 1,214 21,180 : Uo S. Fish and �- 26 TABLE II DUCKS BANDED BY COLORADO GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT JANUARY~ 1947, TO MARCH 15, 1950 Species 1947 1948 1949 1950 Total Each S~cies Mallards Pintails Baldpate Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal Gadwall Redhead Canvas-back Ruddy Wood Black*Pintail X mallard 3,086 285 17 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 6,490 756 9 27 2 8 0 0 0 0 0 11,605 383 32 4 0 1 12 0 3 0 0 0 18,795 2~053 319 6 0 1 0 1 0 1 3 1 39,976 3,477 377 41 2 14 22 1 3 1 3 1 7,304 12,040 21,180 43,918 Totals 3,394 12 -- * !nas rubripes, AOU No" 133a Reported as Black Mallard. TABLE III SEX RATIO OF MALLARD DUCKS TRAPPED IN COLORADO 1947 1948 1950 1949 4-yr Totals Males per 100 females 2420-9 198069 1670-48 1480-68 Noo trapped and sexed 3,086 6,490 ll,605 18,795 ;,39,976 Percent M.allards of total trapped 90095 88055 96039 88074 91039 The following is the number of recaptures made at each station during the 1950 trapping season: San Luis Valley Rocky Mountain Arsenal Arkansas River South Platte River Total 4 42 65 607 718 �- 27 Arkansas Valley: Reported by: Howard Stiehm For the most part, traps were erected along the Arkansas River, with the exceptions of Traps Noo 6 and Noo 7 which were placed in . Two Buttes Reservoir and John Martin Reservoir, respectively. From December 12, 1949, to February 24, 1950, a total of 4,456 ducks were bandedo Information on the number of each .species banded in the Arkansas Valley can be derived from the following: TABLE I Species Male Female Sex Ratio Males per 100 females Mallard Pintail Baldpate Wood Duck 1,303 453 151 1 1,908 1,889 541 118 68 98 ~~ 100 •• 00 83073 100,,00 127097 · 100 00 Totals 0 · · 0 2,548 - (Grand total of 4,456) Traps Noo 1 to Noo 5, inclusive, were returned to the same locations they occupied the previous trapping season The locations were deemed satisfactory as trapping sites after serving as such for one season; and in addition, returning the traps to their former sites served as a basis for obtaining comparative datao 5 The nine traps were in operation for a total of 458 trap days$ with an average of 9073 banded birds per trap day" The numbers of banded mallard, pintail, and baldpate males were 40082%, 45057%, and 56 .• 13%, respectively, of the total of each of the species bandedo Analysis: A study of the trapping data revealed that weather with its many ramifications was the limiting factor which brought about the marked reduction in ducks banded per trap dayo All other condi~ tions being essentially equal, the absence of ducks in the vicinity of traps No.1 to Noo 5, inclusive, in fact along much of the river, was because waterfowl were using nearby lakes and reservoirso Supporting evidence was recorded at two different periods, January 6 and February 26-29, during which thin ice covered the large lakes and reservoirs. These periods were marked by a decided increase in the number of ducks trapped as they were forced to seek the river for open watero �- 28 -Table IV shows that in the 1950 trapping season there was a 44079% reduction in the total catch, a 48094% reduction in the number of ducks bande~and a 29~31% reduction in the number·of repeats I in Traps Noo 1 through Noo 5, compared to the 1949 season. The percentage of occu~e of repeats went up from 21015% to 27.08%, and a 76066% reduction in the number of ducks banded per trap day. Traps Noo 6 and Noo 7 were placed in reservoirs rather than on the Arkansas River as it was apparent that an expanse of open water served as the greater attraction to the waterfowlo Nevertheless, constantly changing water levels made continued operations impractical, but not before 22.46 and 20085 ducks per trap day had been banded at Two Buttes and John Martin Reservoirs, respectivelyo These were the highest daily banding averages of the area for the seasono Sex ratios have shown a reduction in the number of males per It was deemed advisable to note this occurrence although the cause for the reduction is unknown •. 100 females 0 TABLE II Date Mallards Male Female Pint ails Male Female Baldpates Male Female 1949 Deco 12 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 27 29 31 16 25 9 2 8 28 1 17 39 '10 2 25 1 35 2 24 3 9 12 21 2 11 30 51 1 36 130 55 16 23 8 23 21 38 3 13 83 33 34 37 49 26 43 8 12 22 25 41 55 10 8 3 6 2 3 7 5 4 7 5 3 17 1 12 3 11 2 1 2 16 2 4 2 11 6 4 7 3 6 3 1 4 6 6 3 3 7 15 10 5 7 9 39 1950 Jano 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 22 32 22 20 146 26 64 2 5 Woodduck Male Female �- 29 - (Table 2, Continued) Date :Mal1ards Male Female Jan..10 11 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 23 26 27 28 29 30 31 Feb. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 14 15 16 20 22 23 21 4 26 27 9 27 15 19 9 16 6 113 39 21 106 10 5 4 13 23 36 14 13 41 41 10 41 33 36 17 21 20 17 T.o tals 27 16 51 66 11 53 15 42 13 42 7 106 45 46 130 14 11 4 14 18 42 26 19 40 50 10 30 32 39 15 10 6 9 1,303 1,889 Pintails Male Female Ba1dpates ~Ia1e Female 1 1 4 2 2 17 20 11 14 1 2 13 7 37 25 55 14 14 8 13 6 43 24 57 28 30 8 1 2 2 4 1 3 28 15 5 10 6 1 2 6 2 3 29 8 2 6 2 3 11 22 7 8 1 W'oodduck :Male Female 3 4 2 8 3 2 1 1 4 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 453 541 151 118 1 �- 30 - TABLE III Tra:e No. 1 Date Total Catch Ducks Banded Repeats; Percent" Of Repeats: Trap Days: Ducks Per Trap Day 5 13.8 9 4 2 3 3 4 5 6 6 2 2.89 lJl.5 24.0 1.33 900 8.0 2100 05 100 30.33 8900 42.5 1785 7033 28 2.5 005 8.5 66 10•• 121 1949 Deco; 23.- 69 69 26 54 63 .8 15 12 16 21 25 9 11 15 19 31 46 28 .8 19 11 9 14.81 23.81 7500 37.21 39.62 37.31 9000 84 62 14.15 .17059 26.72 56079 56 0 36036 55.88 780!57 34.62 303 31020 1950 5 7 10 13 1.7 19 21 23 26 27 29 31 Febo 3 8 ,14 20 22 43 53 67 10 13 106 108 116 81 50 22 34 14 26 26 46 48 4 27 32 42 1 2 91 89 85 35 22 14 15 3 17 Totals 971 668 Janet 1 16 0 0 2 2 2._ 3 1 2 -2 3 0 �- 31 - (Table III, Continued) .'Trap; No•.. 2~ Date Total Catch 1949 Dec. 21 54 25 13 1950 Jan. 1 9 22 5 19 7 10) 66 13 58 14 69 17 43 19 56 21 40 23 19 26 76 28 216 102 30 Feb~ 1 39 30 3 5 55 8 ll6 10 33 86 14 16 45 20 22 22 21 24 10 Totals 1,319 Ducks Banded Repeats Percent Of Repeats 54 13 9 21 16 50 47 57 37 31 21 10 63 180 68 8 4 16 73 10 45 24 11 7 875 1 3 16 11 12 6 25 19 9 13 36 34 31 26 39 43 23 41 21 11 14 10 444 4.55 15.79 24.24 18.97 17.39 13.95 44.64 47.5 47.37 17.11 16~67 33.33 79.49 86.67 70.99 37.07 69.70 47.67 46.67 50.0 66.67 100.0 33.66 Trap Days Ducks Per Trap Day 5 4 10.8 3.25 7 4 2 3 3 1 .2 . 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 4 2 2 1.29 5.2 8.0 16.66 15.66 57.0 18.5 15.5· 10.5 5.0 21.0 90.0 34.0 4.0 2.0 8.0 24.33 5.0 11.25 12.0 2.75 3.5 0 12~5 70 �- 32 - (Table III, Continued) 'Irap Noo 3 Total Catch Ducks Banded 70 5 13 14 15 17 21 23 26 27 29 Feb. 5 6 8 10 14 20 22 Totals Date Trap Days Ducks Per Trap'Day 70 7 10.0 4 4 39 9 35 43 80 22 89 40 103 51 42 52 36 10 8 5 4 4 33 9 31 35 63 16 82 31 77 38 34 5 4 8 1 1 2 4 2 3 1 2 7 1 2 2 4 6 2 .8 1.0 40125 9.0 . 3100 17~5 15075 8 0 27~33 31 0:' 38.5 5043 34.0 2400 1605 205 1017 205 742: 630 64 9 84 Repeats Percent Of Repeats 1949 Deco 27 1950 Jan., 1 48 33 10 7 5 6 15038 4 8 17 6 7 9 26 13 8 4 3 11043 18.6 21025 27027 7 87 2205 25024 25.49 19.05 7069 8033 1 1205 112 15 09 0 0 0 0 0 �- 33 (Table III, Continued) Trap Noo 4 Repeats Percent Of Repeats Trap Days Ducks Per Trap Day -13 4.0 12.33 3.0 Total Catch Ducks Banded 32 37 18 32 37 18 61 49 19 14 8 8 28 42 36 43 18 413 56 44 11 9 4 5 19 35 30 29 4 333 5 5 8 5 4 3 9 7 6 14 14 80 8~2 10 2 42011 35.71 50 0 - 3705 32.14 16.66 16 66 32.56 77.77 19037 3 8 14 16 20 23- 19 15 11 13 15 9 17 13 2 2 10053 13033 8 14 3 5 1 6 . 38 46 6066 66 66 0 -3 1•• 41 2_.6 1045 440 3et5 1 0 Totals 82 66 16 19•. 51 32 2 0625 Date 1949 Deco 22 25 31 3 6 1950 8 14 18 20 26 Feb 2 4 7 11 15 20 Jan. 0 Totals 0 0 0 25 6 4 2 6 4 2 3 4 4 5 82 2024 7,,33 2.75 405 066 1.25 9.5 11.66 7.5 7025 .8 4006 Trap Noo 5 1950 Feb. 11 0 12 56 2 4 0 0 �- 34- (Table III, Continued) Trap No,. 6 Repeats Total Catch Ducks Banded 1949 Deco 12 14 16 18 21 23 49 74 27 38 74 30 49 74 27 38 74 3'0 Totals 292 292 1949 Deco 14 17 19 22 31 185 108 141 29 32 185 108 141 29 32 195'0 Jan 4) 2 4 41 14 41 6 8 Totals 550 542 8 Date 0 Percent 'Of Repeats 0 Trap Days Ducks Per Trap Day 2 2 2 2 3 2 24.5 37.'0 13 •• 5 1900 24.67 15.0 13 22.46 TraE Noo 7 .. 5 3 2 3 9 37.0 36.0 70.0 9.66 ·3.555 57414 2 2 2'005 300 1.45 26 20085 �.., 35 ...• (Table III, Continued) Trap Noo 8 Date Total Catch Ducks Banded 109 43 109 43 Repeats Percent Of Repeats Trap Days Ducks Per Trap Day 10 3 2 2 10009 140033 4.0 505 4 2 2 3 3 4 2 6 1 2 1949 Deco 24 27 29 31 8 8 11 11 43 6 230 66 8 11 33 14 38 18 35 22 20 26 84 27 19 146 29 Feb •• 2 25 4 45 60 7 11 53 11 15 28 23 Totals 1,109 38 220 57 27 36 21 13 61 14 119 19 34 52 50 10 24 966 1950 Jan•• 4 3 1 4 143 11~63 4035 13~64 18 18 5•• 26 40.0 40091 27038 26 32 18.49 2400 24044 13033 5 66 9 09 14029 12.89 4 2 3 4 4 8 71 9.;>5 11000 2805 9.0 1200 5.25 6 5 10.17 14.0; 5905 4075 17 O 17033 12~5 2,,5 3 0 13~61 7.• 14 17.24 21043 20 0 21 2 7 4 <1<619 12cO 1057 9.0 17.65 34 2047 5 10 9 6 2 14 9 23 5 27 6 11 8 G 0 0 0 0 Q 0 Trap No.. 9 1950 2 4 11 15 14 29 14 45 13 24 36 1 5 3 9 Totals 102 84 18 Febo 11 0 �--36 - TABLE IV DAILY BANDING l{ECORDBY TRAPS ARKANSAS V~~, 1949 luill 1950 Trap No. •. ..· · .• Ducks Per •. .. Trap •. Repeats · Percent Total .. Ducks .... Trap Day Of Repeats ...• Days Catch .. Banded 1949 1950*: 1949 195o-~:-1949 1950*: 1949 1950* : 1949 1950*= 1949 1950* · · · 1 2,002 971: 1,495 668: 507 2 2,229 1,319: 1,792 875= 437 299 630: 98 413: 1,li.6 333: 2~_2 : 3. 4 .. · 397 ·.. 1,387 742: .·. 37 ..· 34~ 444: 19.61 33•• 66 · · 30 112: 24•• 68 15.09 · · 80:· 17045 19.37 · 24~ 303~ 25.32 31.2 67 16: 17096 19051 .. 171. 2 .... Sub- : total: 6,388 3,527: 5,037 2,572: 1,)51 •. : · 955: 21015 27.08 : 143~ 5" 6 .• · · •.· · 373 82: 306 66: · 292: ..•. 550:•. 292:.. •. 542:•. 8 1,109: 9 102: 966:•. •. 84: 7 •. Sub- : total: · : 2,053: · 0 •. · 1,884:· Grand: : · Total: 6,388 5,580: 5,037 4,456: 1,351 · .. ..· · · 8: •. 143: 18: · 169: :: •... .. lc.45 •. •. 12•• 89 .... · · 17 65 ..· •. 4 8.23 •. · · 1,12Lp 21015 20 14 : 14~ 0 66 : 40~4 10.121 .. · 70 : 52.0 12.5 .. · 64 : 10",0 9.84 ...• 82 : 47.0 4.06 : 32 : 17.0 2.062 .. 314 · 35.101 8.19 13 •.•. 22.46 26 20.85 •. 71 · 13.61 34 2~47 ·.. 13.08 · 458 · 35.• 101 9•• 73 144 •. �· - 37 San _Luis Valley .. Reported by: Bertram Baker Findings: A total of 1,214 waterfowl were banded during the period.from December 27, 1949, through March 4, 1950~ Of this total, 841 were mallards, 366 were pintails, 6 were baldpates, and 1 was a gadwall. Of the 841 mallards, 389 were ma.Les and 452 were females, for a sex ratio of 86.1 : 100. One hundred seventy-two of the pintails were males and 194 were females, for a sex ratio of 8806 : 100. Insufficient data on baldpates and gadwalls prevents making reliable sex ratio determinations for these species. For daily banding totals by species and sex, see Table I. Four recaptures were made. One, a male mallard, is known to . have been banded in the San Luis Valley late last summer. Information is not available regarding another mallard male, a female mallard and a female pintail, all of which were banded elsewhere. The areas chosen for placement of the traps were warm water, icefree wintering grounds for ducks, as past information had indicated. Large flocks of ducks were observed to move into these spring areas during stormy and cold weather. Since the winter was "open," and comparatively mild temperatures prevailed, the ducks tended to scatter in flocks of varying size making use of the open lower Conejos and riio Grande Rivers and their tributary creeks and ditches. Thus, except for periods immediately following snow storms ~d severe temperature drops, the size of the daily catches ran consistently low. Another factor that influenced banding operations was that several farmers in the LaJara district .obtained permits to shoot ducks on pea fields being damaged. It is believed that this gunning pressure made the ducks "spook" from nearby trapping areas even though activity around the traps was kept to a mlnlmum. The daily catch showed an appreciable increase about a month after these damage control permits expired. �- 38 .. TABLE I DAILY BANDING RECORD BY SPECIES AND SEX, SAN LUIS VALLEY, 1949~50 Date Mallards Male Female 1949 Decco27 12 10 28 18 5 29 3 9 30 5 7 8 31 9 1950 Janco 3 II 8 8 13 4 6 6 5 8 6 9 7 4 5 10 8 8 9 3 9 10 4 4 11 8 4 12 8 13 5 7 14 7 7 12 19 9 20 9 3 21 5 7 22 2 7 23 5 4 1 24 7 25 3 5 26 2 4 11 27 4 2 28 5 12 Feb. 1 5 6 2 1 8 3 3 14 5 4 8 5 7 3 9 22 14 13 18 24 14 6 10 15 16 20 26 ~9 8 17 26 18 10 26 18 14 24 27 15 28 22 26 Mar. 1 6 10 2 16 14 22 16 3 21 4 Totals 452 389 Total Ducks: 1,214 Pintails Male Female 3 4 7 4 4 13 12 7 5 1 1 3 3 4 9 6 5 5 4 5 5 7 3 13 14 9 13 8 14 13 9 16 8 12 4 6 II Baldpate Male Female Ga,dwal1 Male Female 1 1 1 10 1 1 1 1 2 3 14 24 19 3 6 8 1 1 1 2 172 194 4 2 l �-39 Work Plan No.4 Title: - Deviation Fluoroscopy of :Migratory Waterfowl Objective: To determine the number of shot that ducks are carrying on their wintering grounds; and to assist in determining the hunters' crippling loss. Scope: Rock-y IJOU"1tainArsenal, Denver, Colorado Coo Derating Agencies: The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Research Laboratory, and the Chemical Corps, Department of the Army. Personnel: Biologists Johnson A.. Neff and Charles Cu Sperry; and Wildlife Technician Irving R. Poley. Reported by: Irving R. Poley. Techniques: A fluoroscopic study of 1,557 migratory waterfowl trapped by the Colorado Game and Fish Department at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Study Area was conducted by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Research Laboratory. Four traps were used--two 36' x 15' Colorado full-ramp-type traps, and two 20' x 10' butterfly-tj~e traps--all of which were located on ditches and lakes that would provide open water during the coldest weather. Upon removal from the traps the ducks were transported, in carrying crates and burlap bags, about a quarter of a mile to an unused guardhouse which had been converted into a dark room for the study. All possible light had been eliminated by covering the windows with black tar paper. A low wattage red light bulb provided the small amount of light needed for handling the· ducks •. Red goggles were worn during preliminary preparations in order that full visibility might be achieved in viffivingthe screen. The ducks were placed in small cotton bags to restrict their movements wIllIe in the fluoroscope. It was necessary to turn the duck several times while in the machine in order to locate the shot. This is exemplified in the three· X-ray pictures of a mallard drake, which is carrying seven pellets" After being viewed, the birds were banded and released. The study was conducted through the use of an army portable-type fluoroscope; Style F-2, manufactured by the Waite Manufacturing Division of the Picker X-H.ay Corporation. For the protection of the operator, a lead covered case measuring 40" x 24" x 1811 was made to entirely surround the machine. The viewer's screen was fastened to a counterbalanced lid which raised to permit the operator to place the duck on a bakelite sheet above the fluoroscope unit ••· �- 40 Findings: Due to the extremely mild weather, the number of ducks trapped was smaller than anticipated. It was also found that more than twothirds of the ducks captured each day had been previously trapped ~~d banded. Table I, which follows, shows the number fluoroscoped centage carrying shot in each of the species examined: and the per- TABLE I Species Number Examined Number With Shot Number' Of Shot Percent With Shot Mallard males Mallard females 817, 422 1,239 112 35 147 191 47 238 13070 8.29 11.86 Total Pintails 181. 123 304 19 23 42 31 35 66 10.49 18.79 13.81 Baldpates Green-wing Teal Geese 3 1 10 0 1 5 14 3 100.00 50.00 Total Ducks and Geese 1,557 195 321 12.52 Total Mallards Pintail males Pintail females TABLE II GENERAL LOCATION OF SHOT Species Front 2/3 of Body Location of Shot Rear Wings 1/3 of Body Head Legs & Neck & Feet 23 4 6 5 0 0 19 3 3 2 1 0 1.70 1.34 1.63 1.52 2.80 1.59 Mallard males Mallard 'females Pintail males Pintail females Geese G.VV•.Teal male 101 26 15 20 5 3 17 5 5 0 31 9 4 5 3 0 Totals 170 33 52 38 28 Percentage of shot by location 52096 10.28 16.20 11.84 8.72 3 3 Av. Shot Per Bird �Figure 6 Portable fluoroscope showing viewing screen raised to allow placing one of the three ducks in the cloth bags on the plate. (Photo by George Andrews) �Dorsal X-Ray of Mallard Ducko Note comparitive location of Shot Ne. 3 and 7 in the three views. �.~ .•. . I 3 , , s ��-41Mallards contained from one to nine pellets; pintails one to five pellets; and geese one to six pellets. The geese examined were all cripples which were recovered at the Two Buttes Public Shooting Grounds. A total of ten of these geese wer-e fluoroscoped, five of which contained shot. Two of the remaining number had broken wings but no visible shot elsewhere. No shot could be found in the remaining birds. It is possible the shot which vmunded them passed through the body. Analysis and Recommendations: The fact that 13070 percent of the mallard males examined carried shot, as compared vdth 8029 percent of the mallard females examined, would tend to show that the hunters prefer the males. -(hile this fact is not verified in the pintails, only 304 birds were exrunined and such a small number could hardly constitute a fair sample. Of the number eXamined, it was found that a larger percentage of pintails than mallards contained shot. -While the findings show that 12.52% of the ducks viewed were carrying shot, it would seem reasonable to assume that most mortally wounded birds died during the time which elapsed between the end of the hunting season (November 27, 1949) and the beginning of this study (February 1, 1950). It is, therefore, recommended that a further study be made irnmediately following the close of the hunting season to obtain more data on the crippling losso Sunnlemental Studies: The Wildlife Research Laboratory Biologists, Sperry and Neff, with the cooperation of Technician Poley, initiated certain studies of the effect of lead shot in the stomachs (gizzards) of ducks in the wildo J:lesultsof this study will be submitted at a later date. Analysis and Recommendations for all Banding Stations: All methods used to mark the duck at the time of banding (painting, clipping, or coloring) takes additional time and labor. The bands can be immersed in thinned enamel when issued to the banders. A different color will be used for each station. This color usually remains visible for over two monthso It appears to be the most practical method of marking recently banded ducks and for recognizing ducks that have traveled from one station to another. In the case of recaptures that have been recorded it will be necessary either to paint the band or mark the bird at the time it is first captured. �TABLE I - Continued MIGRATORY WATERFOWL POPULATION TRENDS~ 1949-50 Arkansas River Valley Mar. 1950 Feb. 1950 Oct. 1949 Novo 1949 Jan. 1950 Dec. 1949 Geese Ducks Geese Geese Ducks Ducks Geese Ducks Geese Ducks Geese Ducks - 196 -- 7,980 10 55,700 10,300 1,200 2,500 9,800 21,300 1,450 16,600 240 - - -- - 38,100 19,350 200 23,300 1,750 28,200 400 7,200 450 6,175 240 800 50 1,200 11,550 430 900 580 700 1,150 150 3,400 450 12,300 300 425 4,800 7,500 2,400 400 175 800 Arkansas River Eads Lakes Two Buttes John Martin Adobe Creek Horse Creek Cheraw Holbrook Merrideth Thurston Henry Dyes 1,015 7,360 1,940 4,000 1,640 790 565 45 5,320 120 460 135 Totals 23,680 324 39,886 5,764 114,165 10,565 123,800 13,170 San Luis Valley 8,743.. 48 STATE TOTALS 88,486 4,52136,286 5,992 336,835 11,237 386,425 14,005 229,660 12,060 149,250 8,980 800 5,400 25 5,050 5,200 150 115 136 14,975 137 - - - - .5,979 29 76 3,100 1,090 385 80 - - 989 13 - 34 5,865 5 44,100 1,200 1,900 6,800 36,900 1,650 13,300 350 10 50 - - 7,300 -- 550 7,900 435 - 550 11,500 - 14,005 - - - 2,200 - 17,650 -. - 35 - - - f!!II g: 82,950 9,605 75,650 7,620 9,180 - 13,350 85 •. �· I ! Jt lU\ I J.Z I 1 LEe I_~"" 1-+H-1-H-t-t-tt'ttITIlLirl .- lD 1 ! \ CJ i 1 I ~4-rt~rtillT.n-ri+ 14 o_ ! rj_ I ��Figure ~ Aerial photograph--13~430 ducks rest on ice and open water of Union Reservoiro �~ t') ..c:: Q) M d o N ... r-f r-f • I I o M OM t Q) ro Q) p:: �- 45 Analysis and Recommendations: The analysis of the duck census trend data for this year shows about the same picture as in 1948-49, except that the fall migration, the peak of population, and the spring migration all lagged approximately one month behind that of last year. The peak of the duck population in Colorado previously has been in December, but this year it came in January, and fell 3.37% below last year's peak. A comparison of the total ducks counted this year shows an increase of 0.7% over the 1948-49 count. The information gathered on goose popUlations gave a more gradual rise and decline in numbers this winter than before. The greatest number of geese in the State was counted in January, the same as last year, with an increase of 9.03%, and a 17% increase of all geese counted in the six month period. Unseasonably warm weather seems to account for the delay for the fall migration of both ducks and geese. No storms occurred and a few of the important bodies of water on the trend were frozen before the January' count was made. Perhaps the lag in the spring migration also may be due to the warm fall weather and its effect on the fall wigration. The weather was not conducive to good hunting during the season. Fewer ducks and geese were bagged than usual. Hunting pressure was comparatively light. The season made no noticeable irregularity in the waterflow picture. ' Although accurate determination of species is usually difficult from the air, the species composition was noted as well as possible throughout the survey. Relatively larger numbers of pintails, greenwinged teal, lesser scaup, redheads, and goldeneyes were identified in the months of October, November, and March. The winter concentration of ducks in Colorado, however, is mainly mallards. Aerial photographs were again made this year at the same time the counts were made. These are used as a check on the counting accuracy of the oilot and observer. In an effort to correlate land and aerial waterfo~l counts, a cooperative survey was conducted December 8, 1949, by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lowry Field Airforce Base, and Game and Fish Department personnel. Aerial photographs were taken of Barr Lake Reservoir by Lowry Field photographers With their equipment. Separate aerial and ,ground counts were made by Game and Fish, and Fish and Wildlife observers at about the same time. It was found that ground counts were lower than the actual count taken from the photographs. All other visual counts checked against photographs indicates that the monthly aerial waterfowl trend counts this year have fallen 20 to 30% below the actual number of ducks and geese present. It is planned to continue to enlist photography wherever possible to further substantiate the margin of error and to increase accuracy of the waterfowl trend census. It is felt that the information on distribution and population density of waterfowl obtained in the aerial census are efficient and valuable tools for recommending and setting hunting seasons. Perhaps a season based on these factors should be set for that time when the best combination of distribution and population existso �- 46 •• Objective: To determine the trends in duck and goose populations monthly aerial survey of principal rivers and lakeso Scope: Northwestern Personnel: Reported by: by Colorado Wayne Wo Sandfort and Clyde P. Matteson Wayne W ••Sandfort Techniques: Three preliminary surveys were made during the months of October, November, and December, 1949, to determine the best routes for aerial survey of waterfowl in northwestern Coloradoo Routes were selected in cooperation with Clyde Po Matteson:.which were best adapted to flight limits and which would provide accurate information regarding monthly migrations and yearly population trends.. A monthly tabulation form has been assembled. This form will be used during a year's trial, after which modifications or changes will be made if necessary. Special trends will be flovm during key months to help "complete the picture" regarding migrations and high altitude nestingo Trend routes, as far as is practicable, will be flown during the same period each month, between the hours of 10:00 aom. and 4:00 p.m., and with the same obs8rver, in order to minimize errors arising from varia tions in techni que. Findings: At the present time data, other than preliminary data, is ava'i.L; able for only one month. This data, tabulated on the "Monthly Tabulation Form," is presented to illustrate the type of form used and the type of information which Will be accumulatedo Although no geese were tabulated during the January aerial census, ground observations disclosed that at least 17 Canadian geese were wintering in the area around Fruitao Farmer reports indicated a possible 150 birds. �WESTERN SLOPE WATERFOWL (Monthly tabulation TRENDS form) Month January, 1950 Pilot --~Ma~t~t~e;..;s~o~n~~~------Observer Sandfort --~~~-=-------- Number Northern Section Yampa and Green Rivers Craig to Yampa Canyon Ladore Canyon to Utah line of Ducks Number of Geese 17 Totais ••• e •• o •••••• Date flown January 20, 1950 Time of day--__.....,1~_:-r11=. 5==p:.=m=.~t~o=~4~:~3~0=p=_.-m=.=====-_ Central Section Colorado and Gunnison Rivers Grand Junction to Palisade Palisade to Delta via: Anderson Reservoirs. & •• Claybough Reservoir. • • • • • KingYs Reservoir •• Del ta to Mack. 0.... • • • • 17 o 351 0 6,078 Totals , • • 6,429 Date flown January 10, 1950 Time of daY---::-3':;;':0:":'5,:r::..;.:p:..!:oC-m-=o~t-o~5::::":0~0-:--p-.-m-_.--__ ~~-L~~ __ ~~~~~ _ Southern Section Gunnison and Uncompahgre Rivers Delta to Hot.cbki.sa (including) • Fruitgrower's Reservoir •• , • Hotchkiss to Montrose via: Reservoir S.E. of Hotchkiss(anonymous). Mahen Reservoir •••••••• Montrose to Delta (including) •.•. ,. Spring Creek • • • 0 • • o • • • 1,476 • 2,858 488 Totals .••• 4,822 Date flown _~Jan~u7a_rv~~ __1_1~,~1~95~0~~ _ Time of day _~9...;.:.:;;.3.;;.0~a..:.;"m;::;.;;... _1:._' 5.:__1_2_::;..;O;..;0;....,.;;.n~. _ o 11,268 o Grand Totals. • • 0 6 • Specials Grand Mesa Lakes Date flown Colorado River Debeque to Rifle. Date flown White River ---~---------------Piceance Junction to Meeker bridge •• Date flown ----------------- ------------------ �- 48 Work Plan Noo 2 - Job 1, Deviation Title: Winter Survival Objective: To determine winter survival of pheasants as influenced by such factors as food availability, climatic factors, mechanical accidents, and predationo ~: Northwestern Renorted by~ Colorado--Garfield, Mesa, Delta, and Montrose counties. Wayne W. Sandfort Techniques: Gener-al, information, regarding land use in the four counties considered, was obtained from the United States Census of Agriculture, 1945. Ten sections were selected in the four counties from which to obtain detailed information regarding game food availability as influenced by treatment of grain stalks and stubbles following harvesto One section was selected in Garfield county, and three sections per county in Mesa, Delta, and Montrose countieso Information on the ten sections was obtained by interviews with 90 farmers. Meteorological reports, believed typical for the major pheasant areas in northwestern Colorado, were obtained from the United States Weather Bureau Station a.tthe Grand Junction airport Temperature and snowfall information was obtained from these reports. I) Ground surveys made in pheasant winter concentration areas provided information regarding losses from predation, starvation, or other causes. Road counts were used to obtain automobile kill datao Findings~ Figures in Table I were calculated from the most recent agricultural census data. This table is presented to provide an index to pheasant food availability as determined by the most important pheasant food source, grain cropso �- 49 TABLE I Grain Crop Land Use, Garfield, Mesa, Delta, and Montrose Counties, 1945 County' Delta Land Use Garfield Mesa Montrose Land area used for crops (acres) -55,401 85,237 59,272 ~70,187 107 8.7 7•. 4 104 19.2 1207 904 7.6 505 702 4.• 9 4.0 505 27 1- 2907 Cropland devoted to various grain crops (percentages): Corn (all purposes) Oats (threshed or combined) Barley (threshed or combined) Wheat (threshed or combined) Total percent in grain crops 0 5.9 9.3 5.1 9•.. 3 29.6 Feed Availability: A summary of data obtained from a January-February survey of ten sections of agricultural land shows that 85.7% of the small grain stubbles were not disturbed by plowing or disking; 1202% of the stubbles were plowed and 2.1% disked. Stalks were left standing, follo~ng harvest, in 82~5% of the area devoted to corn crops; 1100% of the corn was cut for ensilage; 1,7% _cut and shocked; 1.5;6plowed or disked following harvest; and 3.3% was unharvested when the survey was madeo Local meteorological data shows that, except for traces, snow has fallen in only two months during· the winter period extending to March 10" Three inches fell in December and 19.5 inches during January. Above normal temperatures starting February 4 melted the snow rapidly, and since the middle of February there has been practically no snow in major pheasant areas~ Several requests were received for pheasant feed from the Paonia area and from several areas in Garfield County. It is possible that the food situation did become critical in these areas during a brief period extending from January 24 to February 40 Danger of starvation, however, was soon alleviated by warm temperatures. Mortality Observed: General surveys conducted in pheasant concentration areas in Mesa, Delta, and Montrose Co~~tles showed no losses from starvation, freezing, or blizzard suffocation. One hen pheasant was observed in the Peach Valley area which had been killed by an avian predator. �- 50 Three hens and one cock were observed which were killed by automobiles 0 Two hens and one cock were killed on highways in Montrose County and one hen was killed along Highway 50 near Fruitao Analysis and Recommendations: Pheasant survival during the 1949-50 winter season has been very goodo Highway mortality and predation appear to have been causes of minor losseso Light snowfall during the greater part of the winter and readily available food in the undisked and unplowed stalk and stubble fields has prevented food shortageso Title: General Survey Objective: To determine the distribut~on game birds on the western slopeD Scope: Northwestern Colorado--Ouray, Divide, eastern limit •• Reported by: and present status of upland Colorado, southern limit; Continental Wayne W. Sandfort. Techniques: This project, as the title indicates, has broad objectives, and consequently will overlap projects on specific specieso Species to be considered ,viII include the Ring-necked pheasant, olathe quail, sage hen, chukar partridge, dusky grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, southern white-tailed Ptarmigan, and gray ruffed grouseo Information ,viII be accumulated from the literature, from personal observations and surveys, and from interviews ydth local resident~ and personnel in the Game and Fish Department, Fish and Wildlife Service, Soil Conservation Service, and Bureau of Land Managemento Clyde Po Matteson, pilot on the western slope, is assisting with the project, and his observations will be included in the results. Previous work done by biologist Paul Fv Gilbert, project leader on project 3B-R, Deer-Elk-Bear Investigations, on game bird distribution in Delta and Montrose Counties will also be incorporated in the findingso Subsequent to the determination of general distribution, trend routes vall be set up, using census techniques best adapted for each particular specieso This, of courSe, will apply to species for which no present trend survey exists.. An example would be a "Strip Census Method" for determining Dusky Grouse trendso Findings: To date all of the findings are incompleteo General distribution maps, shovving game bird distribution on National Forest ranger districts, have been prepared by Rangers John Stevenson and Robert Lewis on White River National Forest districts, and by Ho R. Hughes on the �~. ~l..•.• ~ ::> Collbran District of the Gr~1d Mesa National Foresto Several surveys of Chukar Partridge concentrations have been made, partial results are presented elsewhere in this reporto Considerable progress has been made on a detailed map showing western slope pheasant distributiono Sight records on most of the species are accumulatingo Initial results will be presented as distribution maps qy specieso Title:: Chukar Partridge Survival Checkso Objective~ To determine the success of Chukar Partridge plants as shown by present populations and population trendsQ Reported by: Wayne Vi 0 Sandfort Tech~iquesg The history of Chukar Partridge plants in northwestern Colorado~ including information on release dates~ release localities, and numbers of birds released, is being studiedo The release sites and present concentration areas are being surveyed through interviews vvith local residents, employees of the Game and Fish Department, and by ground reconnaissance vdth the aid of a bird dogQ Nlli~bersof birds observed anq estimated populations are being tabulatedo Populations in a specific area are designated as increasing, static, decreasing, or extincto Current investigations are being made of Chukar plants on the western slope~ other than those here reported4 Complete area descriptions are being worked out and will be reported at a later dateo Findings: Principal findings to date are presented in tabular form in Table I ..• TABLE I Present Status of Chukar Partridge Plants in Northwestern Area Escalante-Gunnison Rifle (Grah~n Mesa) Peach Valley DeBeque (Coon Hollow) Bostwick Park Shavannah Valley Carbondale (Prince Creek) Cow Creek Grand Valley (Battlement Mesa) Glade Park Gypsum (Blow~out area) Paonia (Bone Mesa) Totals Colorado Noo of Birds Population Estimates Probable Observed (lvlinimumNumbers) Population Trend 61 o 350 60 37 37 12 o 18 6 12 35 12 o o o o o o o o o 116 o o 524 Increasing Increasing Static Static ? Decreasing Decreasing Extinct Extinct Extinct Extinct Extinct �...:52 Analysis and Recommendations~ Results, as presented here, are based on limited data collected during one particular seasono As data is collected in succeeding years and during the various seasons a much more reliable The true populations may, in some instances, appraisal will be possibleo considerably exceed the minimum estimateso The best concentration surveyed to date has developed in the Escalante Canyon-Gunnison River areao The birds range from the Ha Au Smith place in Escalante Canyon to the Gunnison River, one to three miles up the Gunnison and down the river to the Brunner Orchards below Bridgeporto This area is typified by narrow canyons with steep rocky walls& There is a general lack of high vegetation on the sides of the canyono Running water is present during all seasonso Work Plan No~ 2 - Pheasants, Deviation Title: 0 Upland Game Bird Habitat Development. Objective: To extend and improve upland game bird habitat by developjng food and cover plantso Scope: Eastern slope of Colorado Personneh Poley" Reported by: Howard Stiehm, Willard Flinn, Ferd Kleinschnitz, and Robert Harry Figge Technique:, Land o,vners were contacted in selected areas to secure agreements and leases to plant trees and shntbs on their land~ Findings~ About one hundred fifty formal abstracts and agreements lease have been obtained" to The Arkansas Valley has been too dry to attempt planting up to the presento Plans have been made to try fall plantings thereo Technicians report that there is much interest in this program in the dry land farming ar-eas; In the ,irrigated sections where land values are higher there is considerable reluctance to sign agreements for tree plantinge Analysis and Recommendations: To show the best results in the shortest time, areas with good pheasant populations should be planted at the beginning of the program. This is simply allowing the pheasants to show us their preferred habitato �, - 53 .,.. :Mammoth shelter belts should be discouraged in favor of smaller, Clump and gully plantings are low growing, shrub t)~e windbreakso also desirable from the standpoint of farm game species~ Subrnit ted by: Approved: Harry J.. Figge COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT --------~--~~~~-----------Title Wildlife Technician ----~~~~--~~~~--------Name Title Da te Note: C~o_1_~o~F~e~a~s~t~2~D~i~r~e~c~t~o~r _ A..;.;;:p"-r_i_l~2..:..7 ,,,--1~9.::;.5..;:.o _ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Departmento ��- 55 - QUARTERLY SURVEYS STATE . COLORADO PROJECT NOG 38-R --~~----------- DATE April, REP PROGRESS I N V EST AND I GAT 1950 0 R T ION S As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION 1. Title of Project:- Deer-Elk-Bear 2. Leader: 3. Report of Progress: Investigationso Eaul Fa Gilbert Northwestern I. ACT and North Central Colorado -- Lloyd W~ Searle Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges--deer Job 3 -Migration and elkQ Between Summer and Winter Rangeso Objective: To locate and determine the amount of migrations of deer and elk between summer and winter ranges and the factors effectingo Findingsg- Weather conditions and hunting pressure caused our game herds in SQ~lit, Grand, Routt, and Jackson Counties to migrate twice this fall and wintero Early this fall deer and elk in migrati9n were studied and some had migrated as far down. as the half-way mark on their winter rangeso Hunting pressure drove most of the game herds back up country where they remained because of fair weather conditions until the latter part of December and first part of February when they migrated down, and were to be found throughout the entire winter range area. The mild winter witnessed in this area this wint.er made it possible for the game to use the intennediate and summer range well into the winter, and the snow did not get deep enough in the high country -to make food unavailable for the game until December and Februa~J when they made their big migration to winter ranges. This very late migration relieved the pressure and utilization on our winter ranges greatly, and is the big factor in the good condition of our game herds this winter. �- 56 .II. Population Surveys--Deer and Elk Job 2 - Sex-Ratio Survey on Deero Objective: Determine sex ratios in key herds prior to and subsequent to hunting seasono Findings: It was impossible to obtain sex ratios as easily this vdnter as compared to last winter because of the game not concentrating and migrating to winter ranges until late this wintero The follovung figures indicate sex ratios gathered on deero For the Middle Park area, which includes Grand and Summit Counties~ a total of 1,51ru deer were sexed; which consisted of 405 bucks, 687 does, and 418 fawns giving a sex ratio of 1 buck to 1044 does to ;!.ciOJ fawns for this area. The North Park area, or Jackson County, deer were· sexed and a total of 21l included 56 bucks, 92 does, and 63 faYlilsgiving a sex ratio of 1 buck to 1966 does to 1~12 favvns for the North Park Unit9 In'Routt County 111 deer were sexed of which 21 were bucks, 53 were does, and 37 were fawns; which gives 1 buck to 2052 does to .1076 fawns as a sex ratio on deer for the Routt County areao In Moffat County a total of 345 deer were sexed, 86 of which were bucks, 153 does, and 106 fawns, giving- a sex ratio of 1 buck to 1077 does to 1023 fawns for the Moffat County deer herdso According to the figures and studies given above for the areas named, there is an abundane of bucks and there could be an antlered onliy season without disturbing the sex ratio if range conditions would permito As yet, the sexing of elk in this area is incomplete. A complete report of this study willi be submitted in the next quarterly reporto III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 2 - Correlation Objective: of Ga~e and Livestock Use Statuso To determine land use status according to useo Findings: The Routt National Forest for the most part is showing a nice impro~ement in utilization by domestic stock in the last two years This condition is to be credited mostly to the National Forest reduction policy wherever the range is insufficient for livestocko Trespassing by domestic stock is fast becoming a thing of the past on this Forest because of constant patrolling and work on the part of the supervisor and rangers making stockmen observe and adhere more strategically to the rules and regulations of the Forest~ These reductions and restrictions are quite beneficial to our game ranges in this areao Also, plants and grasses are becoming more vigorous, and erosion is being overcome in many places. 0 t. (The above report was submitted by Lloyd Wo Searle) �- 57 Northwestern Colorado -- Gordon C ••Solomon I.. Location and Extent of Seasonal nanges -- Deer and Elk Job 2 - Location and Extent of Winter Ranges. As a result of the winter surveys, it was found that both deer and elk were widely scattered in small groups, and were located from their normal wintering areas to the base of their summmer ranges. Generally, it appears that the animals are more 'numerous in the intermediate areas due to the favorable winter conditions which have permitted them to travel at will, and to secure the prefered species which are available6 Aerial surveys were made of several different areas--Price Creek, Strawberry Creek, Wilson Creek, Little Hills, South Fork Canyon; and Coal Spring Mount.ai.n, There was no evidence of concentrations judging by the location and extent of tracks and animals seen. The majority of tracks and animals were found in areas which harbored preferred foods on the warmer slopes. 110 Population Surveys -- Deer,and Elk Job 2 - Sex-ratio Survey •• --Date Location S,!2ecies Total Male *Nov ••14, '149 Nov. 15, r49 Novo 16, '49 Dec~ 23, '49 **Dec. 13, 149 to Jan. 14, '50 Jan. 19, 850 Piceance Piceance Greys tone South Fork Deer Deer Deer Elk 383 242 359 330 ... 4.. 0 .,· 3~5 3,,0 2.5 1 1 . 3.• 0 · 2.5 · 5~1 1 · 405 Douglas Cro Sleep Cat Deer Elk 681 395 1 " 1 Female Young " ' c 1 · 5,,5 .• 4 .. 9 8.• 0 · 4•• 5 c c Rogers '* - Glenn George Crandall, Cathedral Creek Station ** - All sex-ratio surveys, except the Douglas Creek survey, were made from the air~ The numbers of spikes seen from the air were recorded and the results are as follows: Piceance, 82 bucks, 16 spikes, percentage of spikes, 19.5%, Greystone, 56 bucks, 7 spikes, percentage of spikes, 1205%; South Fork and Sleepy Cat, 59 bulls, 25 spikes, percentage of spikes, 42%. The number of spikes were not recorded for the Douglas Creek herdo It is difficult to detennine the accuracy of the spike count. It was found that if the plane was flying low and slow, and the deer were in open parks, accurate spike counts could 'be.imade , "However-, in the timbered areas, .an accurate spike count could not be obtained. 'No difficulty ,was encoUntered in re;cording the nlJ..'llber os spike elk seen in either the open or timbered areas 0 �- 58 III. Forage and Range Utilizationo Job 1 -Survey of Winter Browse Useo During the latter part of January and the first part of February, surveys of game ranges were made in order to determine, if possible, the amount of utilization by gameo Douglas Creek Survey: Mro Sydney, Whetstonej Bureau of Land Management, Kenneth Fullenwider~ Game Warden~ and the writer made a survey of a portion of the Douglas Creek winter range in the vicinity of Philadelphia Gulch, which is a pinon juniper type with big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) in the open parks as the predominate browse specieso Shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia) and scattered remnants of mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) are also presento Snowfall has been light in this area thus far with approximately 4 to 6'inches of snow on the level from main Douglas Creek to the base of the Cathedral Bluffso Basing the condition of the deer upon alertness, activeness, wariness, condition of hair coat, and the number of dead found, they appear in excellent condition for this time of yearo The deer observed were scattered over a very large area in small groupso A sheep allotment is present in the area which was surveyed •• It is difficult to determine the amount of use for each animal species since there are no study plots in the areao Inferences must be drawn from past recollections and present opinions and not from recorded datao The big sagebrush plants are hedged and prostrate and _fresh utilization by deer was evidento The mountain mahogany plants are utilized approximately 100%0 Factors which must be lmown before a definite management p.Lan can be formulated are s (1) The past history of the area to determine the definite changes which have occurred, (2) The total AoU~MoIS present on the area and the total animal use the area receives, (3) Use by species and by season, and (4) The ' relation between herd reduction and rate of increaseo Oak Ridge Survey: A survey was made of the southeastern section of Oak Ridge to determine the availability and utilization of food specieso At the time of the surveYj the elk had not congregated to any extent on Oak Ridgeo Deer were also present on the ridge 0 �- 59 The 100% range survey method was emp.l.oyed , The follow,:,;'_ .. ·,·· ing results were found for this one section; however, before any definite conclusions can be drawn a more extensive survey is needed for the whole area: Available food species included pinon (Pinus edulis), juniper (Juniperus utahensis), oak brush (Quercus rambelii), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus» big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata), serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), snowberry (Symphoricaryos oreoohilus), wheatgrass (Agropyron ~o), and weeds (trace) 0 Density: 56% Snow cover: 44% Composition Use: Oak brush - 36% Serviceberry - 27% Big sagebrush - 16% Mountain mahogany - 13% Snowberry - 5% Pinon - 1% Grass - 1% Weeds - 1% None to very light None to very light Light to moderate Moderate to heavy None None None None It is believed that if these surveys could be continued from time to time as long as the elk and the deer inhabit the area, a seasonal preference list could be determinedo South Fork Canyon Survey: A reconnaisance was made of the bottomland of South Fork Canyon approximately five miles southeast from Buford.. In the area that was traversed, the only indication of elk acti vi ty in the bottom was the few vallows which showed some recent browsing.. There was no evidence of elk crOSSing the meadows or visiting hay yards in the immediate area 4 Job 6 - Quadrat Study of Range in Utilization Plots. Tenative plans have been formed for the establishment of study plots in the Dougla~ Creek drainage and upper White Rivero (The above report was submitted by Gordon Co Solomon) �- 60 Central Western Colorado -- Paul Fe Gilbert I.. Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges -- Deer and Elk Job 2 - Location and Extent of Winter Rangeso Boundaries of winter ranges have been checked by plane, on the ground by foot~ and by car •• It is quite noticeable the increase in the size of the area used for winter range this year over last year. This was due chiefly to the lack of snow in many areaso It is quite likely that no more snows of importance will occur on the Uncompahgre or North Fork countryo The swmner range will also open up that much sooner •• The first part of February a reconnaissance flight was made into the Cimarron country with Pilot Clyde Mattesone The follovring points of importance were noteds One~ no game tracks were found on Lou Creek or Owl Creek PassQ All migration through these passes took place much earlier, and two, elk from the Big Cimarron were then wintering no higher than the headgate, or forest boundary, and down as low as the Cutler Cut-off Trail •• Job 3 ~ Migration Between Summer and Winter Rangeso Deer in this locality have been concentrated on all the old concentration areas in about the same numbers as last year with no migrations or movement this quartero There have been a few more working down into the meadows in the evenings due probably to the greening up of the grass and other plants in these areas. Elk in the North Fork country are more scattered than usual this year. In counting 267 head, no bunches larger than ten were sighted •• 110 Population Surveys -- Deer and Elk. Job 1 - Pooulation and Trend COUL~tso Observing for Pilot Clyde Matteson this quarter on aerial trend counts resulted in the following information on trend areas listed~ �- 61 1949 Count 1950 Count Uncompahgre West Side Atkinson Mesa Blue Mesa 1,437 992 523 469 1,707 814 508 306 East Side Winter Mesa Monitor Mesa Dry Mesa 445 326 119* 893 311 198 384 DEER TRENDS 1. ** 2. Cebolla 308 267 3. Sapinero 1,671 1,185 167 *** 1,077 1.,077**** 953 156 797 350 267 ELK TRENDS 1. Cochetopa 2. Gunnison East Gunnison (Tomichi) West Gunnison 30 Grand Mesa (Muddy) 4. Smith Fork 45 40 5. Hermosa ? 92*** * Flown April 5 and deer had already started working back resulting in a low counto ** Not counted. *** Attempted to count these areas, but weather and snow conditions made it necessary to call the count off. An attempt was also made to fly Sa1twash trend, but it was called off. ~~ This count included part of the East Gunnison count. The 1949 count has been included for comparison only~ �- 62 Job 2 -Sex-ratio Surveyo An attempt to sex elk in the Cochetopa and Saguache elk herd by plane the last of December was not too successful as snow conditions were poor, and the animals were hanging in the dark timber. In Saguache Park, 94 head were sexed con~isting of 9 bulls, 50 cows, and 35 calves giving a sex ratio of 1.0 bulls to 5~6 cows to 307 calvesG The nQ~ber of animals counted on the Cochetopa to be of any val ue II" III. side was too smalL Forage and Range Utilization •• Job L - Survey of Winter Browse Useo The last of December a trip was made on foot OV3r the lower end of Winter Mesa. Deer were scattered over the entire mesa at this time, and the snow depth varied from seven inches to a foot; which, was the maximum snow depth in this area for 19500 Overutilization of winter browse was still quite apparent. Seventynine head of deer were seen. About the same time, a trip was made on foot up the east side of the Roubideau Canyon. Heavy use was noted'around the forest boundary. A total of 43 deer were seen along the rimo Winter Mesa was visited the second time on March 8 with a group of sportsmen and representatives from other land managing agencies. Two deer were taken on this trip. The condition of these animals accentuated the poor range conditions on this area. A second IIshow me" trip and range inspection was made on March IS when senior scouts were taken up the Escelante Canyon cOlli~tryand on to Dry Mesa. This trip was made in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management •. Dry Mesa was still carrying more deer than the available browse will supporto One trip was ~ade on foot into part of the Minnesota deer winter rangeo Here the deer were numerous, but much more scattered than the two previous years. Some of last year's annual gr~wth was still present--this was the middle of March" Job 2 - Correlation of Game and Livestock Land Use Status. Elk did corne quite low the first part of January. Fifty head were hazed out of the area adjacent to the Marie Scott Ranch. This was done by plane ffi1dmost of these animals never returned, �Figure 1 Food compacted in deer's cheek. this I!laSS. Deer is unable to dislodge �Figure 2 Organisms gain entrance through abrasions, quickly invade surrounding tissue. and bacilli �- 63 as this area was checked several times, and it was not until March 7 tha t eight head wer-e seen in the upper end of this area. For a short period the first part of January, elk were bothering stacks on the east side of the Muddy Creek drainage of Game Unit 420 Job 3 - Food Habits Stomach samples collected this quarter have not been run as IV. Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds. Job 2 - Predation Affecting Deer. No loss found could be contributed directly to predators. More coyotes were observed in the aerial trend counts than usual this year; however, they are still too few to effect the deer herds in any manner. The following table shows the number' of coyotes seen. DEZR TRENDS 1" Uncompahgre West Side Atkinson Mesa Blue Mesa East Side Winter Mesa Monitor Mesa .Dry Mesa 3 o 2 o 1 o 20 Cebolla o 30 Sapinero 1 ELK TRENDS 1. Cochetopa o 20 Gunnison East Gunnison West Gunnison 4 Grand Mesa 1 4. Smith Fork OJ Hermosa o 30 ,. 8 �- 64 Job 1- Other Mortality Factors. Yfinter losses will be lighter than usual this yearo Eight dead deer were seen from the air in flying all the above trends~ Four dead deer were found on the Uncompahgre ground tripso One arrimal,was found on :Minnesota Creek, a full grown doe, that had either been injured by dogs or shot in the neck with a small caliber rifle •• Job k - Parasite and Disease Studyo The following table is self-explanatory as to the condition of the samples listed. Samples 28 and 29 are from Winter Mesa, Number 30 is from Minnesota Creek, and Number 31 is from the Escelante Canyon 0' Sample Number 28 Fat Present Rump Brisket Mesentaries Kidneys Heart Bone Marrow . Lung Worm Bot Larva Biting lice Sucking lice Ticks Leg worm Coyote cysts Tapeworms 29 30 31- ... x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x .... x x x x ..,. x x x x x x x x A four-point buck was found along Uo S. Highway 550 near Ridgway by the Ouray County Sheriff. The animal was too weak to travel so it was shot. Only the head of this animal was examined and it was found to be suffering from what was believed to be Necrotic stomatitis. (The above report was submitted by Paul Fo Gilbert) �- 65 Southwestern Colorado -~ Richard D~ Teague On January 5, 1950, the writer assumed the duties as resident deerelk biologist for the southwestern district~ Since then,much time has been spent in the orientation process of learning new country, becoming acquainted with Forest Service, Grazing Service, and State Game and Fish Contact has also been made with key sportsmen and land ownerso personnelG During the above process, some data has been gathered on the deer and elk herds of the San Juan Basino I. Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges -- Deer and Elka Job 2 - Location and Extent of Winter Rangeso Objective: To locate and map winter rangeso Methods: Field trips were made over the area by airplane, car, railroad, foot, and horsebacko Findings: Due to an unusually mild winter, deer and elk were scattered evenly throughout most of the yrinter rangeo In the Animas Unit, there is one exception, however. The Hermosa drainage was flovm on January 21 with the resultant findings showing elk concentrated up Long Hollow and southeast to Hermosa Pointo From Long Hollow, elk were found up the drainage only to Stony Gulch; even though the south facing slopes were void of snow up to Big Lick Greeko The obvious explanation for this occurrence lies in the severe weather conditions of last wintero With the first snowflake this season, the bulk of the Hermosa elk herd were down within a two-mile radius of the orchard area looking for hay and apple trees to feed on; even though other plant growth was available up the drainageo Along the Animas River, elk are ranging from Elk Park on the north" to the San Juan National Forest Boundary along Highway 550 in the southern sectorc A moderate concentration of elk was observed at the 'confluence of Needle Creek and the Animas River; while a small herd are reported to be wintering above the . Shenandoah Dives Mill near Silvertono Deer are scattered into the Pinon-Juriiper south of Durango, but, judging by past records, are currently ranging higher and northward 0 On Snowball Creek, north of Pagosa Springs, elk are farther south thru~ in previous yearso Local ranchers claim that paneling of hay stacks up country merely forces the elk to seek open stacks lower down. As each successive stack is panelect.s>elkmove on down to the next stack until it is paneled and so on~ �- 66 Again the deer and elk are dispersed over the winter range area of Coal Creek and Dry Gulch west to the Treasure Guard Stationo A small herd of deer and elk that summer near Chama Park in Colorado, across the State line and wint~r on Chromo Mountain in New Mexico~ The boundary of the vvinter range cannot be definedo In the Chimney Rock country, the ]Dwer zone of deer concentration extends along Stallsteimer Creek to Archuleta Creek~ Animals have been found farther south this year than ever before~ District Ranger Ed Bush claims less poaching in the lower reaches of Stallsteimer is the best explanationo The Dolores Unit shows essentially the same picture; a moderate deer concentration along House Creek with the remainder scattered west and south into the pinon-juniper-breaks as far as Utah and New Mexicoo Job 3 => Migration Between Summer and Winter Ranges" Objective: To locate and determine the amount of migrations of deer and elk between summer and vvinter ranges and the factors affectingo Findings: As of this writing~ the last. heavy snow in the district occurred on January 300 Since that date, the weather has been extremely mil do In the Piedra Unit, deer started migration to the summer range as early as February 12; while deer in the AniInas~lJb.it. began the annual up--hill climb about February 200 The animals are lingering in the meadows and feeding on the new, green grass" II" Population Surveys -- Deer and Elk Job 1 - Population and Trend Countso Ob jectd.ve a Meth.ods: To make inventories of deer and elk in their ltvinterranges .•• Aerial survey and ground checks , Findings~ On January 21~ 1950~ the Hermosa aerial trend was flmvuo D~e to the lack of snow on the south facing slopes~ and the heavy timber on the north slopes, census conditions were anything but ideal" A total of 83 elk were counted, but it is felt that this figure does not represent an accurate trend" On this basis~ countd.ng was df.scontdnued, Again on February 16.9 another attempt was made but was .withheld on the same grounds" �- 67 Ground checks, in most areas, showed such sma.Ll, numbers of animals that figures obtained were considered subject to great error and subsequently discarded for trend purposes" Reports from the Hermosa indicate more deer this year than previously. During the early winter months, prior to the presence of the vrriter in the southwest district, deer were heavily concentrated in the orchard area feeding on tree prunings and fallen apples. ~Vhen these delicacies were consumed the anLTtals turned to the, natural browse on the hillsideso Along House Creek in the Dolores Unit, 73 deer were counted on February 22", Aerial counts on. the Dolores elk herd were considered impractical for the same reason given in the Hermosa drainage 0 Job 2 -Sex~ratio Surveyo Objective~ Determine sex ratios on key herds prior to and subsequent to hunting season", Methods: Aerial survey with ground reconn.aissance. Findings: In January 21, 1950, on an aerial survey in the Hermosa, 83 elk were counted consisting of 14 bulls, 46 cows, and 23 calves;; or a sex ratio of 1 bull to 3~3 cows to 1~6 calveso The sex ratio of deer was not obtained as the bucks were losing their antlers shortly after the ~vriter assruned duties in the San Juan Basino III. Forage and Range Utilization~ Job 1 -Survey Objective: speciesQ of Winter Browse Useo To determine winter utilization of im.portant browse Findings ~ A mid-winter check was made on some of the main winter range areas, with the observations presented in the follovdng tables. Plants are listed in order of importance.. Notice the striking contrast in current and past utilization due to the difference in weather last winter and present one. �- 68 - TABIE I DOLORES UNIT - HOUSE CREEK - FEBRUARY 22, 1950 Current Utilization Past Utilization Big sage (Artemesia tridentata) Light Severe No death loss, good seed crop, annual growth goo:d!) Oak brush (Quercus gambelii) Light to proper Light Annual growth good .• Mountain mahogany (Cercocarous montanus) Severe Destructive Plants on way out, annual growth fair .• Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) Destructive Dest.ructive Plants on way out, annual gr-owth poor •• Juniper (Juniperus ~o) Light Severe Browse line definedq Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) Light Light Few plants in area, those found protected by other plant growth .• Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus ~o) Proper Pinon (Pinus edulis) None I'lant Utilized General Observations Used by both deer and jackrabbits" Light No browse line •• Gully erosion~ "ice creern" plants on way out" �- 69 - TABLE II ANIMAS UNIT - :HERMOSA CREEK - JANUARY 20-31 AND FEBRUARY 24-26 Current Utilization Past Utilization Oak brush (Quercus gambelii) Light Destructive Annual growth poor to fair, poor growth near old feed groundsD Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) Light to proper Destructive Annual grovvth fair to good, many plants dying out.s Juniper (Juniperus ~e) Light Severe Definite browse line from past useo Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) Light Destructive Plants dying out, few in Skunkbush (Rhus trilobata) Light to proper Severe to de- Annual growth, fair 0structive .• Pinon (Pinus edulis) None Severe Plant Utilized General Observations ar-eas No definite browse line .• Sweet clover (Melilotus ~o) Probably in diet for varietyo Mustard. weed (Brassica ~o:) Probably in diet for variety., Yucca (Indian banana) (Yucca baccata) Leaves and heart taken **White fir (Abies concolor) Severe None Needles and buds taken exclusively by elk; entire branches stripped of needles., Sheet and gully erosion preval.ent., Entire winter range retrogressive ••ulce cream" plants on ~my out~ **This utilization envolves a small area near Haviland Lake, found by chance •• �- 70 TABLE III PIEDRA UNIT - STATE TURKEY RANCH AND STALISTElIvIERCREEK - FEBRUARY Plant Utilized 15 Current Utilization Past Utilization General Observations Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) Proper Destructive Annual growth fair. Oak brush (Quercus gambeiii) Light Severe Annual growth fair" Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) Proper Severe Annual growth fair, plants losing vigor. Fendlera (Fendlera rupicola) Light Proper Bark eaten extensively along Stallsteimer~ Juniper (Juniperus ~o) Light Severe Definite browse lineo Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus ~o) Proper Not too important in this ar-eas Sheet and gully erosion; rocky sailoTABLE IV PIEDRA UNIT - DRY GULCH - FEBRUARY 142 1950 Plant Utilized Current Utilization Past Utilization General Observations Oak brush (Quercus gambelii) Light Proper to severe Annual growth goode Big sage (Artemesia tridentata) Light Proper Annual growth good~ Juniper (Juniperus spPo) Light Proper to severe Faint browse lineo Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus ~Q) Light Taken for variety Bluegrass:: (Poa EeE ••) Proper On south slopes, new, green growth taken~ Past range abuse by domestic stock" �- 71 Job 3 •••Food Habits,. Objective~ Method: To find more accurately the food habits of deer and elk. Stomach analysiso Findings: One animal has been taken this winter for scientific tiono The analysis of forage is as follows: Sample Noo Sex: Age: examina- ]L Date: January 15, 1950 Drainage: Hermosa Creek of Animas Unit. Buck.deer 3-1/2 years Contents of Rumen: Apples - - - - Oak brush- - - Mountain mahoganyJuniper- Cottonwood twigs Wood fiber - - - - 30% - 27% 20% - - - - 13% 6% - - - - - 4% 100% Analysis: A hail storm pitted many apples last summer in the Hermosa orchard area(t As a result they had little market value and were left on the trees and ground in certain orchardso IV. Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herdso Job 2 - Predation Affecting Deero Objective: To determine extent and nature of deer loss through predation •• Findings: So far, only one lion has been reported this winter. It was seen to cross the highway 3 miles south of Durango and believed to be rang:Lng east into the Florida~ The writer realizes that this song has been sung before; but, there are not enough predators in the district to keep our herds dispersed during normal winterso Everytime a lion is seen, a posse is organized to track down.and kill the animal" Whenever the howl of a coyote is heard, the incident is irnmediately referred to trappers e - �- 72 Job 3 - Study of Other Mortality Factors--Winter 10ss, Starvation, Disease, Parasites, Highway and Railroad Mortality ••. Objective~ To determine the losses to deer herds by various decimating factorso Methods: One animal, a buck deer, has been taken for examinationoQHighway mortality is concluded from figures obtained through district game wardensc Fingings: Listed below is the post mortem data from Sample Noo 10 Sample NOe 1 Sex: Age: Buck deer 3-1/2 years Date: January 15, 1950 Drainage: Hermosa Creek of Animas Unit", Fat Presentg Mesentaries Rump Brisket Bone marrow - healty Heart Kidneys Teeth~ Good Parasites~ Lungworms 1egworms Coyote cysts Ticks - - - - Sucking liceBiting lice Bot larvae- - - - None - - None One imbeded in hepatic tissue, 5 in mesentarieso - Few None None Nine in gutteral pouch. Analysis~ Animal in good physical condition considering general Wi th this arrimaa; the elements had served no undue strain on the physiological processesQ cond.i, td.on of winter· r-ange , Winter loss is only slight~ Only one fawn has been fOQDd of which the death can be attributed to the adversities of winter and its associated hardshipso Information obtained from District Wtrden Frank Charlesworth indicates the folloV'ringhighway mortality in the Animas and Pine Units during the past quarter~ �- 73 1 buck deer (4 point) - - - - - Near Yellowjacket HilL on Highway 1.60'1' 2 fawns - - ~ - - - - - Near Hermosa on Hi.ghway 550. 2'does One near Pinkerton; one near Hermosa on Highway 5500 1 doe - - - - - - - - Near Yellm~jacket Highway 1600- 1 bull elk (6 point) Near Pinkerton (The above report was submitted by Richard D~ Teague) Hill on on Highway 5500 �- 74 South Central Colorado -- Carwin D~ Tolman I. Location and Extent af Seasonal Ranges. Job 2 - Location and Extent of Winter Ranges. Objective: To locate and map winter ranges. Methods: In Gunnison, checks were made on snowshoes and by car. The known winter areas were covered. Comparative densities of deer and elk populations were determined by relative number of animals foundo Population shifts were recorded in accordance to the tri-zonal method worked out for the GWlnison area during the winter of 194~7~ Findings: Deer~ Concentration was later thill1other yearso (Nicholas Kavanaugh, ----refugeCustodiani assisted in this work and kept records in the writer's absenceo) TABLE I PERIOD 01"MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION IN THE GUNNISON AREA - 1950 Date of Concentration Number Of Days Unit No" 1 \ (West. Gunrri.son-Sapfner-o ) February 20-24 5 Unit Noo 2 (Almont-East Gunnison) February 20-23 4 Unit Noo 3 (Tomichi Creek) February 17-23 10 Location The period of maximum concentration the winter of 1949 was as follows: in the same area during TABLE II THE PERIODS OF MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION (For Comparison with 1950) 1949 Location Date of Concentration Number of Days Unit Noo 1 Unit Noo 2 Unit Noo- 3 Dec 21 - JanQ 26-28 Dec" 29 - Feb~ 9-11 Deco 29 - Febo 18-20 29-31 days 42-44 days 51-52 days Q �- 75 - " The period of normal winter concentration began the first week in February in the Gunnison area during the "vinter of 1950. In 1949~ the period of normal concentration for the same areas began during the last two weeks in November~ Elk: Elk showed a period of maximum concentration in the Gunnison of 3-days average compared vnth 27 in 1949~ Information was based on the East Elk-Almont and Antelope Creek herdso Elk remained in the Almont area near the old 1949 winter feeding area several days after they had left in other areaso j Rio Grande: Both elk and deer remained scattered in the Rio GrandeSaguache Creek areas.. The deer were found with the elk and highero Elk in the Wagonwheel Gap and Goose Creek areas moved down briefly during the first week in January 0 III~ Forage and Range Utilization. Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Use •• Objective~ To determine winter utilization of important browse species •• Methods~· Snow trailings were made at r-andom; on foot •• Findings~ Gunnison: Due to excellent moisture conditions, all species of browse went into the winter in fair condition& In the areas of maximum concentration IIIDSt. of the annual growth is taken at the time of this writing~ The deer moved to the northern slopes during late February and concentrated in those areas where the browse had been protected by snow during the winter of 1949Q Periods of feeding were noted in the Gunnison area during ·the last two weeks in February.. Few deer were see!l feeding before 4~00 pomo during the period when they fed all day" In the Tomichi area, deer were feeding much earlier in the day, starting at about 2:00 pomo and continuing until about. 11:00 pom. The elk in the Gunnison are in excellent conditiono Rio Grande: Mid-l~nter utilization checks were made in the Saguache Creek and the Goose Creek areas.. Due to the lack of snow accurate snow trailing checks could not be made. Utilization seemed much lighter than in other years.. Only a few isolated areas of destructive utilization were notedo IV¢ Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds Job 2 - Predation Affecting Deero Only three deer were fOlmd which had been killed by coyotes in the Gunnison areao �- 76 Job J ;;". Study of Other Mortality Factors:--Winter Loss, Starvation, Disease, Parasites, Highway and Railroad Mortalityo Objective: To determine the losses to deer herds by various decimating factorso Records were kept by Refuge Custodian NicholasKavanaugh Road-Kill: and Game Warden Donald Benson3 of all deer killed on Highway 50 and the Taylor River and Crested Butte roadso . ,~ . TABLE III Location Bucks Does Fawns Unit 1 (SaDinero West Gunnison) 4 3 2 Unit 2 (Almont East River) 1 2 1 Unit 3 (Tomichi) 3 5 14 Starvation~ Two fawns were found dead in the Iola-Sapinero with symptoms of ma1nutritiono (The above report was submitted by Carwin Do Tolman) area �- 77 _' Northeastern I~ Colorado -- Robert R~ Elliott Location and Extent of Seasonal Rangeso Job 2 - Winter Rangeo In the northern part of the district, the winter range of deer may be described as the Virginia Dale area, exten4ing back into Cherokee Park, the North Fork of the Poudre from Trail. Creek down and east through the Red Mountain country,. Box Elder Creek, Slab Canyon and out to .the eastern plains. The main Poudre Canyon deer herd winters from about Rustic Resort and Seven-mile Creek down to U; SI> Bighway 2870 The Livermore district is winter range" but for the past several years, deer have been spending the year around on what is supposed to be wintering area only from the forage standpointo This is true with practically all. the rront range deero There is some seasonal movement, but probably less than a third of any herd on the district makes this a reguLar occurrence 0 South of the Poudre River, winter range might be limited to the area east of Stove Prairie, including Rist Canyon, Redstone Canyon, the Masonville country, and lower Buckhorn Canyono Continuing south through Cedar Park and up through the Glenhaven and Devilts Gulch area east of Estes Park, wintering sectors for deer are quite limited, as they are in the Little Elk Park, Little Thompson River drainage, and Sto Vrain drainageso r There is actually little distinction between summer and ivinter range on the eastern slope as concerns the deero The vegetation, of course, varies with altitude; but, as stated before, the altitudinal drift of deer is rather slight, and differentiation of the range into seasonal categories is difficulto At present, the salient points in observing winter utilization are to locate critical areas, where deer use is and has been too heavy, and to recommend remedial measureso II. Population Surveys Job 1 - Population and Trend Counts. The only trend area upon which an aerial count has been made is the Poudre trend, and it was reported in the last quarterly report under sex~ratio determinationso There are a few observations that may be elaborated upon howevero Table I shows the comparison of counts obtained on the Poudre Canyon trend area since 19460- �- 82 - TABLE II ANn..w:.s Bucks ABANDONED IN FIELD Elk Deer Does Fawns Total Bulls Cows Calves Total Unclassi.fied j 350 777 360 1,487 73 135 10 218 198 23.54 52025 24021 100 33•. 49 61•• 93 4058 100 11,,61 �- 83 1110 Forage ru~d Range. Utilization. Job 2 - Correlation of Game and Livestock Land Use St.ituSsa The competition between livestock and game is greater in the southeastern region than in any other part of the Stateo The open dry winters with. a shortage of hay lands leads to year around use of all available range.. Also the presence of many small farms that, are nonsupporting tends to greater ov~se trying to carry enough lives tock to make the place pay 0' This' 'C;veruseplus the short periods during storms when grassis not available compels livestock to compete directly with deer for the remaining browseo The Trinidad area also has a large number of goats that have reduced the browse to such an extent that it can no longer support any other type of anL~als~ Job 3 - Food Habitso With the aid of Warden Maloy, stomach samples from two dee~ were taken during control work in the Canon City area were obtained. One stomach sample from a three-year old buck consisted entirely of dried garden plants--cucumber, squash, onions, etco The other stomach was from an aged doe dying from malnutritiono A preliminary check showed approximately 40% cactus (Opuntia orborescens) wi th the remainder grass and garden products~ The mouth tissue on this aDimal had an ulcerated appearance at the time of examination and upon cleaning the skulL for a spec~en it was found that the upper and lower jawbones were solidly embedded with cactus spineso All deer examined in this area also show an extreme amount of wear on their molars~ cause unYillovvn~ (The above report was submitted by Glenn Eo Rogers) Submitted Name by: Paul Fo Gi1illert ------------~---------------------Title Wildlife Technician ------~--------------------------- Note: Approved byg COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTIv1El'IT By-l~~~~-f---~ Title Co No Feast, Director Da te Apo.;..r_·l_·l~2_2...o!.j!____;;1;;..,;,95::;_0:,_ __ . Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Departmento ��- 85 COLORADO STATE PROJECT NO.....;.____:----41-R DATE PROGRESS QUARTERLY SURVEYS A.N D April~ 1950 REPORT INVESTIGATIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project~ 2. Leaders: 3. Report of Progress: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Surveys and Investigations George W~ Jones and Claude Eo Whitep Jro Title of Job l:t Census Cache La Poudre Herdg The Poudre herd has now expanded its range to include all of that area between Sportsmans Lodge and Rustico This still represents the range of two separate groupsp one from Sportsmans Lodge to the State Rearing Pbnds and one from Washout. GVlch to Rus'bLc , The 1949 total census was twenty-nine,!)including 9 r ams; 9 ewes, 8 lambs,!)and 3 yearlingso This represents an increase of 6 over 1948 and a total increase of 13 or a 44089% increase since their release in .19460 It is noted that the sex ratio over a three~year period has:become eveno Georgetown: The survey of the Georgetown herd was conducted earlier this-y~ar than it had been in the'pasto On the basis o~ past surveys the best time to run the Georgetown trend is in the early fall» pr el' erably 'in October or Novembero The amount of precipitation in the' Georgetown area was subnormal during the 1949-50 season;' as'a result_., by January the herd had retired to the snowline area betWeen Georgetown and Bakersvilleo The open winter had the same scattering effect' on the Georgetown herd as it has had on other herdso The 1949 trend revealed the herd scattered in much smaller groups than last yearo All-age classes of the Georgetown herd exhibited the characteristic vigor and sleekness of healthy sheep~ No sheep were lost by traffic accidents this year.!>however 3 ewes were shot by hunters during hunting seasono The killing of these sheep by hunters has resulted in considerable a.git~tion of sportsmen in.the Georgetown area , They think that the triangle from the junction of Highways 6 and 40 to the top of Berthoud and Loveland passes should �Figure 2 This picture was take~ in January, 1927, and illustrates tameness of the Ouray sheep. the Figure 3 Old rams such as the ORe in the center have not been seen at Ouray for sometime. Picture taken in 1925. �- 87 came down for a day or twoo .In the winter of 1937-38 a few more sheep came down from the wests and attempts were made to feed them grounc alfalfa at State expenseo These sheep then disappeared and no more sheep came down until the early 1940ys at which time small bands began drifting into the Ouray ampitheater from the east sideo No evidence was found to show why the Ouray sheep herd should disappear so abruptly in 1930-310 Although it is knovvn that present day· sheep herds in Colorado are reluctant to eat native hay s it is not believed that this is the sale reason for the disappearance of the Ouray sheep herdo No evidence was uncovered to show an epidemic of either hemorrhagic septicimia br stomach.or lung worms at that tim.eo Forest Service records indicate that the winters of 1929=30 and On this basis it is possible that the Ouray sheep migrated east into the Red Mountain district in 1930 or 19310 1930-31 were mildo The present bighorn sheep herd which exists in the Ouray Ampitheater is neither vigorous nor healthyo Several specimens; which were secured in the 1948-49 winter season~ showed every indication of extreme malnutritiono The appearance of lambs in Ouray herd is a rarityo None have been observed by the authors in the past three yearso The 1949=50 season has been very mild at Ourayo Most of the southern exposures were free of snow all wintero As a result» the sheep that did come down were in good conditiono (See accompanyd.ng picture) Five ewes were observed in Ouray Park on February 39 but again none were accompanied by lambso Recommendations~ The environment of the Ouray amphitheater does not con~ tain the ecological factors necessary for the survival and increase of sheep transported from the Tarryall Mountainso It is not recommended that a bighorn sheep transplant be made into the Ouray areao It is recolmnended that further investigation be made into the problem of lenili= iug in the Ouray areao Job 2 Artificial Salting ExperimentQ The experimental salting of our bighorn sheep herds progressed this quarter at an accelerated paceo It is becoming more evident that the salting of bighorn sheep summer and winter ranges is becoming in= creasingly important in the management of bighorn sheepo The most im= portant effect to date has been in the control of territorial limits~ On a well established salt stations the sheep generally adjust their drift to hit the salt station every 6 to 10 days and in some cases more o f't.en , This gives the worker a far better chance to observe the habits of the sheep and to take a more accurate censuso �- 88 Specific effects on the health and vigor of the sheep have not yet been determined. Some herds in the State are utilizing more salt than otherso The amount of salt taken seems to be specific for the environment. For example~ during this quarter the herd of sheep on Cottonwood Creek~ west of Buena Vista~ used two blocks of salt and started on another. The Chalk Creek herd whose numbers are comparable to the Cottonwood Creek herd and are located 6 miles south, has not used all of one block during the entire quarter. In some instances, liberal salting of an occupied area has failed to stop the eating of dirt on natural salt lickso The Georgetown herd6 which now has 3 major salt stations, were observed eating dirt on an old mine dump during February. (See accompanying picture) Samples of this dirt have been taken for analysis. The areas which were salted this quarter include Georgetown, Rifle, Pike's Peakl Buckskin Canyon (Alma), the Rmmpart herd, and the resalting of many stations in the Tarryall and Kenosho Mountains 0 Submitted by: Names George We Jones and Approved by~ COLORADO STATE GAME AlID FISH DEPARTI\iEllT Claude Eo White, Jr. Titles Wildlife Technicians Title Co N. Feast, Director Date Note~ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. �-- 89 STATE COLORADO PROJECT NOo 59-D --~-------------- DATE QUARTERLY PROGRESS A.••.. p_rl._·1....•2'---1.:....;95:;_0 REPORT DEVELOPMENT As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION 10 Title of Project: 2q Leader: ACT •. Wildlife Habitat Improvement Glenn Kinghorn, and John Ellis, Assistant Leader J.. Report of Progress: Designing planting plots, assembling and building equipment, and acquainting farmers with details of the program occupied most of the first two months of the quarterQ Preparing for and storing seedlings, plus some planting of stratified seeds were added activities during the last month. Plot Designing: Over 300 sites to be planted this spring were visited by members of the crew, notes taken and designs and estimates on materials worked up at headquarters~ All trips were made in conjunction with the regional biologists and tentative routes established for planting crews to followo Equipment: Specifi.cations were prepared, bids secured, and requisitions requested for several items of equipment including: lQc One insulated van installed on a CoOoE •• , Chevrolet. truck-the floor was waterproofed and racks built for hauling quantities ~f approximately 25 different speciese This van was also used to haul seedling stock from Nebraska and Kansas., 20 ~~o dump trucks for hauling tree-planters, disks, etc~ 3~ Two International Harvester tractors--one TD-6, and one TD-9, hydraulic rams, part of bulldozer equipment--were secured to raise and lower special hitches to be built for carrying treeplanting machineso _ �- 90 - 44t One Dodge power wagon, to serve as the service truck for t.he tractors, planting mac~ines, etcG, in the field.. The fourwheel drive will greatly facilitate operation in sand and mud 0 50 ,Two tilt-top trailers--to haul the tractors--to be equipped with electric brakes, etc? 60 One Allis Chalmers Model G tractor for cultivating. A special quick-acting tree-dodger attachment has been designed and will be built soon, to eliminate a great ~~ount of hand hoeing between trees. 70 Four Lowther tree planters •• 80 Steel, black pipe for sign posts and several pieces of small equipment were received late in the quarter~ Seedlings and Seed~ Part of the seedling stock ordered for spring use was received late in March and most of it should arrive 'within two weekso Evergreens heeled in last spring at headquarters were uncovered, bundled, mudded, and stored in shingletow6 About 8,000 currant bushes were graded and tied for spring planting. Several thousand cuttings of cottonwoods, golden willow, tamarix, and lesser amounts of other species were made and stored in the cold room of a nearby nursery. Seed of several species of trees and shrubs were stratified late in January following various types of pre-treatment to determine the best methods of propagationo It was thought they would show little activity until late in the spring, but all except the New Mexican elderberry began sprouting the middle of the month so that they had to go into the ground as quicy~y as possible" No suitable land under over-head irrigation could be secured closer than Cheyenne so arrangements were made wi th the U .S e D e a.., through Dr , AG C ••Hildreth, Director of the Cheyenne Horticultural Field Station, to permit Qur planting them on station ground under over-head. irrigation. That job was completed I~rch 250 After potential planting plots were all designed, a collation of stock needed showed'shortages in several species. Nurseries in the northern Great Plains were contacted and it is hoped sufficient stock may be found to fill up the gaps in most kinds, particularly in native pllli~and evergreens a About 300 ponderosa pine from three to eight feet tall were root pru.ned, preparatory to pulling and burlaping for removal this fallon a share basis with the owner 0 Signs: Steel and pipe for constructing signs and sign posts were ordered but delivery on steel cannot be made until mid-sQ®ner. Tentative designs have been prepared for decal signs. �Rosa laxa, imported from Turkestan, in winter. Taken at Cheyenne Field Station in January, 1950. Height about 6 ft., ve~ thorny, and suckers freely, although not difficult to control. Offers excellent opportunity for selection and hybridizing to eliminate suckering--then we will have a perfect live hedge, hardy, fairly drouth resistant, and a bearer of large hips which attract birdse �Several of the Asiatic buckthorns promise to provide excellent food and shelter for game birds and animals, as soon as they can be grown in sufficient quantity for planting. These pictures were taken in January at the Cheyenne U.S. Horticulture Field Station, to show the branch structure, height, etc. Upper left-Rhamnus spathulafalia, 8 ft at maturity; upper right--R. saxatilis, 8 ft.; lower left, R. dahurica (Siberian buckthorn which we are now using) 8 to 10 ft.; lower right--R. erythrocarpa about 5 feet, but low and wide. There is quite a little variation within species but with some selection, and perhaps 50mB hybridizing, this genera offers great possibilities for foot plants as well as escape cover. The Asiatic species do not harbor disease, so far as known, as does the common buckthorn, Ro cathaI,ticao �- 91 Meetings: Meetings were held with farmers and sportsmen to describe and answer questions concerning the program at the following areas in Colorado: Burdette, Washington County; Lamar and Holly~ Prowers County; Springfield, Baca County; Las Animas, Bent County; Swink~ Otero County; Pueblo, Pueblo County; and the Issac Walten League at Mesita in the lower San Luis Valley~ Three district meetings of County Agents were also attended at which the mader explained the details of projects~ Miscellaneous: A convention of Game Bird technicians and members of the Habitat Improvement crew was held at headquarters in Fort Collins on March 16 to correlate plans for spring and summer activities" The 77,000 evergreens heeled in last fall were covered with evergreen boughs right after the first of the year for winter protection., A carload of fence posts and fence was unloaded and stored at Fleming for use in protecting plantings in that regiono The annual meeting of the State Forestery and Horticulture Association in Denver was attended by the leader and assistant. Several winter pictures of shrubs were taken to show branch structure and habit of growtho Job descriptions were prepared for various crewpositions. Literature regarding big game range improvement was reviewed and a special report will be made on this subject before final plans are made for activities in this phase of the project., Submi tted by: Approved by: Nmne COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPA,R'Y.iif'JEI:JT Title Glenn Kinghorn ------------~~-------------------Wildlife Technician BY~~~· Title Date Note: ._-_ C N~ Feast. Director ----~~~~~~~~~~-----Q Ap;._r_i_1..:.__2_22_,9__..:.;,1::...; _ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain pennission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. ��- 93STATE COLORADO PROJECT NOe 61-R --~------------ DATE QUARTERLY SURVEYS PROGRESS AND I N V EST A.;;,;p..;.r.::.il;;;,2;:......; _ REPORT I GAT ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION 10 Title of Project: 2. Leaders: ACT Fur Resources Survey Richard Denney, Leader; and Curt Hammit3 Assistant Leader 3. Report of Progress~ 10 General Inventory Job 1 - Inventory of Fur Resources Objective: To gain information on the distributionJ take, and economics of fur animals by specieso Findings: Distribution density~ trend, and relative density by species: Mink~ (Mustela vison energumenos) To the extent of our investigations --and field contacts to date there appear to be three major areas in which mink have maintained or increased their populations~ These areas are~ roughly, North Park or the upper drainages of the North Platte River, the middle and upper Yampa Valley, and the upper reaches of the Eagle River drainagec Since the heavy trapping pressure on mink for the years prior to and during the 1943-44 trapping season, the remainder of the State has supported., to our knowledge, a very small mink popul.atd.on , Due to the fact that the greatest percentage of mink trapped have been caught in muskrat trappersi sets3 a fact well supported by raw fur dealers.))the annual increase has been removed and the breeding stock entirely eliminated in most areas of mink habitat throughout the State$ The three areas of more common mink abundance listed above represent regions in which many of the higher mountain streams are virtually untrapped by muskrat trappers because of relative inaccessibility, early freeze-ups, or comparatively low muskrat populations; thus, enabling the mink to increase to a certain extente The population �- 96 Findings~ Approximately one week was spent with Weldon Robinson and Fred Eggert of the Uo So Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Research Laboratory, in the Middle Park-Gore Range area on an experiment to determine how far from green timber clean (unpoisoned) meat stations can attract marten. Access to the marten habitat in this area was facilitated by the use of the Fish and Wildlife Service Call=Air snowplaneo The primary objective of this work was to see if there is a place vdthin the marten habitat that a poison station could be set out without" danger to the marten. The clean meat baits were set out around January 6 in the Rabbit Ears Pass and Buffalo Fark areas, and the study was terminated on March 17. The baits were put out in dense timber where marten were known to be» and by moving the baits short distances toward the edge of the timber bordering a parkj an attempt was made to attract marten from the timbero There were two definite parks where the marten refused to venture.? and one where it is not definite that they did not entero On two occassions they ventured out 25 yards into the parks, but they could not be drawn 50 yards from the timber by the baits" 1wo Robinson states that as yet no definite conclusions can be drawn, but there are strong indications that marten avoid open areas when hunting3 but do not hesitate to cross openings when traveling 0 Job 2 - Determination of Cycleso Objective: To determine the length and occurrence of the marten cycle in Colorado if presento Findingsg A summary of all marten tren~ plots run to date: Rabbit Ears Pass Transect, November 16~ 1949&. This transect starts at Highway~ following the Buffalo Park Forest Service trail3 approximately nine miles southo It terminates in the saddle north of the rock ridge where the trail switch-backs" Two small burned-over areas and an alpine fir-Englemann spruce type lie on this transect& The average elevation of the transect was approximately 10,000 feeto The snow was approximately two-days olrl when the transect was run.? the temperature averaged about 350 Fe, during the daY3 and the weather was clear •• �-97Observations on the basis of tracks were made as follows~ Marten Weasels Foxes Coyotes Porcupines Snowshoe rabbits Squirrels Mice 23 46 4 3 2 Common (relative abundance) Abun-dant Abundant A rough lean-to was erected in the saddle north of the divide This was a two-day transecto where the transect endso Cameron Pass Transect~ November 20, 1949g This transect started at the top of Cameron Pass where the Michigan Ditch crosses the highway, and followed the ditch south to Lake Agnes] a distance of approximately five mileso It traverses a dense Englemann spruce type 0 The average elevation of the transect was approximately 10,500 feeto The snow was approximately five days old when the transect was run and the temperature about 250 Fo] with a clear skyo Observations on the basis of tracks were made as followsg Marten Weasels Coyotes Porcupines Snowshoe rabbits Squirrels Mice 21 30 2 3 Common Abundant Abundant This transect was run in one day by starting at the top of of the pass and going up to Lake Agnes, then down the trail t,o the roado Molas Divide Transect3 December 16, 1949g This transect starts at at Molas Lake~ and follows themost westerly telephone line north to the point where the line crosses the Silverton-Durango highwaYJ running through a predominantly Englemann spruce typeo The approxi= mate elevation for the four-mile transect was 10!000 feeto The snow was five days old, the temperature around 280 Fa, and a light snow was falling when the transect was rune �- 98 Observations on the basis of tracks were made as follows: Marten Weasels Snowshoe rabbits Squirrels Mice 6 20 Abundant Common Common This was a one-day transecto Loveland Pass Transect, December 30, 1949a An unsatisfactory tran~ sect was-rlln on the west side o~Loveland Passo This trend ivill be replaced by one with a more promising marten population in this general regiono Burro Creek Transect, January~, 1950: This transect starts at the Bornes Lake cabin, which is located approximately five miles north of Highway 160 on the West Fork of the San Juan Rivero The transect extends along the Forest Service trail from the cabin to the head of Burro Creeko Dense stands of the alpine fir-Englemann spruce type are dominant along this transecto The average elevation for the five-mile transect was approximately 10,000 feeto The snow was one day old when the transect was run, the temperature averaged about 00 Fo, during the day, and the weather was c1earo Observations on the basis of tracks were made as follows: Marten Weasels Bobcat Snowshoe rabbits Squirrels Mice 10 11 1 Abundant Abundant Common This was a three~day transecto The Bornes Lake cabin was reached the first day from Highway 1600 The second day the tran_ sect circuit was run, vvith the third day utilized in the return from cabin to highway 0 Wolf Creek Pass Transect, January 10, 1950: This transect starts at the ski area north of Highway 160 on Wolf Creek Pass, continuing northwest along the east side of the divide to the first saddleo The transect circles around the basin through the head of the creek east of the saddle, and along the ridge back to the ski areao The dominant forest type was alpine fir-Englemann spruceo The average elevation for the three-mile transect was approximately 11,000 feeto �- 99 ~ The snow was approximately three days old when the transect was run, the temperature averaged about _200 FOj during the day, and the weather was clearo Observations on the basis of tracks were made as follows~ Marten Weasels Coyote Snowshoe rabbits Squirrels Mice This was a on~ay 6 5 1 Common Common Common to scarce transecte Monarch Pass Transect.\)January g~1950~ This transect starts at the junction of Highway 50 and the old Monarck Pass-Road9 contjnu~ ing north on the old Monarch Pass Road to the divide, and north along the east side of the ridge to the Pick and Pan Eodgeo The dominant trees present were alpine fir s Englemann spruce, and lodgepole pineo The average elevation for the five mile transect was approximately 113000 feeto The snow was approximately three days old when the transect was run, the temperature averaged about 00 F~ during the day, and the weather was clearo Observations on the basis of tracks were made as follows~ Marten Weasels Coyote Snowshoe rabbits Squirrels Mice 8 17 1 Common Common Common to abundant This was a one-day transecto Bear Lake Transect.llFebruary 15j 1950~ The Bear Lake transect was intended to be a control area.llbeing in the Rocky Mountain National Park, where trapping is prohibitedo On the basis of this one tripj it appears that some more suitable area within the Park must be selected since no marten sign was observedc Discussion~ On the basis of this winteris marten investigationsj it is very evident that the technique employed must be modifiedo It is obvious that a one-day trip into marten habitat will not neces= sarily indicate the number of marten inhabiting the area3 due to �~ 100 ,~ variable circumstances,; such as t.he marten may be on the outside loop of their hunting circle, they may be denned-up during a severe spell of weather3 or they may have migrated to new territoryo It is intended to run the transects in the future for a period of several days in order to obtain 2!l average which will better indicate the number of marten using a particular areao j As yet no evidences of kills by marten have been observed .• although tracks have been seen indicating that they were pursuing pine squirrels and snowshoe rabbi tso j On several occasions during the return trip on a t.ransect.\) mar-ten, as shown by their t.racks, have crossed our incoming snowshoe trail •• IIIG Publication ~~d Education Job 1"'" Publication of Information on Fur Resources. Objective: To gather existing and currently deterIuned data on fur resources to formulate basis for proper management through public educationQ Progrese s In cooperation wi.th Jack Culbreath, Conservation Educator of the Colorado Game and Fish Department, the fur research persol~~el assisted with native fur animal displays during the International Chinchilla show January 21$ 22~ and 233 and the Colorado Cat Fanciers showJ February 18 and 190 j The species exhibited were~ Roc~y Mountain Marten (lf~rtes caurina origenes).IlMountain Weasel (Mustela frenata nevadensis).lI Black~footed Ferret (Mustela migriDes)j Long~tailed Texas Skul1_k (Meph~tis mesomelas v~i:5).Il Raccoon (Procyon lotor)9 Rocl~ Mountain lvluskr:at(Ondatra zibeth:\.caosoyoosensf.s )s Co.Lo.rade.. Beaver (Castor canadensis concisor)o The exhibits att.racted much,public interest and corrunent Q Game Management Field Meetings~ In an effort to better integrate and correlate the r-ecommendatd ons for trapping seasons in the various sections of the St,ate~ the annual game management field meetings were attended by the fur research per= sonnelo In all~ thirteen meetings were witnessed as per the following schedule:: PueblO', San Isabel National Forest March 9 Monte Vista.., Rio Grande Natd.ona.LFcreat., March·l4.9 _ Delta, Uncompahgre l'~ationalForest. Grand Junction$ Grand Mesa National Forest •• March l5y �!U.H, COLORADO GAilE AND FIELD IlUSKRAT PUEBLO BAN ISABEL IIINK DEPARTIIENT IIEETINGS RECOIIIIENDED PUCE, FOREST, AIID DATE !. FISH FUR IlARTEN SEASONS lI'EASEL BADGER .RACCOON RIliOTAIL FOX , IIARCH 9 IIOV. 1 - VEC. 31 ALSO. ABOVE 6,000 fT.,OCT. BELO. 6,000 FT.,IIOV. CLOSED DEC. 1 .; DEC. 31 CLOSED CLOSED DEC. 1 - DEC. 31 DEC. 1 - DEC • .31 --- - CLOSED DEC. 1 - DEC. 31 DEC. 1 - DEC. 31 (NOT ON FOREST) ---- ---- SEPT. 1 - lIAR. .31 CLOSED ---- CLOSED 1 - .31 1 - 30 IIONTE VISTA RIO GRANDE IlARCH J.la ABOVE 6,000 BELOW 6,000 FT.,OCT. 15 - NOV.1 FT. ,NOV. 15 - DEC.l DELTA <tUNCOIIPAlBJRE IlARCH J.la NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 ORAND JUNCTION 4I()JWID IIESA IIARCH 15 ABOVE 7,000 BELOW 7,000 FT. ,OCT .15 FT. ,NOV .15 - NOV.15 - DEC.15 CLOSED NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 (NOT ON FOREST) DEC. 1 - DEC. 31 (NOT ON FOREST) GUNNISON ilGUNNISON IlARCH 17 ABOVE 8,000 FT.,OCT.15 - NOV.15 CLOSED DEC. 1 - DEC. 31 DEC. 1 - DEC. 31 (NOT ON FOREST) COLORADO SPRINGS PIB IlARCH 20 NOV. 1 - NOV. 30 CLOSED CLOSED DURANGO 4I6AN JUAN IIARCH 20 NOV. 1 - NOV.' 30 CLOSED IIEEKER "IIHITE IIARCH 24 lIAR. 15 - APR. 15 DEC. 1 - JAN. 31 CLOSED CLOSBIl -- - - NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 CLOSED ---- CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED ---- CLOSED -- -- CLOSED DEC. 1 - DEC. 31 NOV. 1 - JAN. 31 CLOSED - -- - CLOSED DEC. 1 - DEC. 31 CLOSED NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 CLOSED NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 CLOSED NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 DEC. 1 - DEC. 31 (NOT ON FOREST) --- - CLOSED RIVER -- -- ---- I I j STEAllBOAT SPRINGS EOUTT IIARCH 27 FORT COLLINS ROOSEVELT lURCH 27 1I0FFAT & ROUTT COUNTIES lIAR. 15 - APR. 15 JACKSON & GRAND COUNTIES APR. 15 - IUY 15 DEC. 1 - JAN. 31 ABOVE 7,000 BELOW 7,000 SAME AS lIUSKRATS FT. ,OCT .15 FT. ,NOV .15 - NOV.15 - DEC.15 NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 NOV. 1- DEC. 31 DEC. 1 - DEC. 31 ---- OPEN OPEN NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 ---- NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 ---- NOV. 1 - DEC • .31 ! I I I I ! i OLENllOOD SPRINGS *llllITERIVER lURCH 28 ABOVE 7,000 BELOW 7,000 FT. ,OCT .15 FT. ,NOV .15 - NOV.15 - DEC.15 CLOSED 3 RANGER DISTRICTS NOV. 1DEC. 31 OTHERS TIED DEC. 1 - DEC. 31 (NOT ON FOREST) IDAHO SPRINGS ARAPAHO IWtCH 29 ABOVE 8,000 BELOW 8,000 FT.,OCT.IS FT.,NOV.15 - NOV.IS - DEC.lS CLOSED NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 IOU'.IIULINQ ARAPAHO IlARCIf 29 NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 NOV. 1- GRAND, SUIDIIT COUNTIES APR. 15 - IlAY 15 * FORESTS IN lIHICH WEASEL TRAPPING IS PROHlBITED ALL DATES ARE INCLUSIVE DEC. 1 - JAN. 31 DEC. 31 - - -SEPT. 1 - FEll. -- -- 28 CLOSED ---- OPEN --- OPEN CLOSED I - NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 ' --- - NOV. 1 - DEC. 31 I �- 101 - March 17, March 20, March 243 March 27, March 28, March 29, Gunnison, Gunnison National Forest. Durango, San Juan National Forest, Colorado Springs.llPike National Forest. Meeker» White River National For-es t , Steamboat Springs, Routt National Forest, Fort Collins~ Roosevelt National Foresto Glenwood Springs~ Vfuite River National Forest. Kremmling~ Arapaho National Forest, Idaho Springs, Arapaho National Forest. For an outline of the recommendations meetings, see Table 10 Colorado Raw Fur Dealers Association as made at each of the Meeting A meeting of the Colorado Raw Fur Dealers Association on February 20, 1950, in Denver for the purpose of recommending seasons to be submitted to the Colorado Game and Fish Commission was attended by fur research personnelo The recommended seasons were based solely on pelt primeness 'rather than on sound biological principles, and are herewith pr-e sent.ed s That~ primarily~ there shall be no split season3 November 1 shall be the earliest opening dateo Muskrat Mink Marten Raccoon Weasel Fox Ringtail Cat All Others Submitted by:- Name Richard and that - November 1 to March 310 - November 1 to December 310 - November 1 to December 3l. - November 1 to January 31. - December 1 to January 31- November 1 to January 31. - November 1 to January 31- Closed seasono Approved: Denney and COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Curtis Hammit Title Wildlife Technicians By _/_~_/ _:::(,.,_( ~' Title Da te _~ Note: --=..!_',_/--- 'C& No Feast,9 Director __ ____;;A...••. p_r_;i....;;1-,5:;....2ii:o--1..<.. _ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Departmentc � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/fe0861274ec44a59eca282c0a3bd46f2.pdf fbb2bf2131074d00a7073b967d5118d7 PDF Text Text STA'rE COLOH.A.DO P~(()JEc..:T NO. 37-R --~------------- DATE _~Ju.=1:;..!y..z.,.....;1=:9:..:::5 _ REPORT PH.OGRESS QUARTERLY SURVEYS AND I N 'V EST I GAT I ON S As required by FED'ERAL AID IN ·vfiLDLIFE RESTORA.TIONACT 1. Title of Project: 20 Leader: Game Bird Surveys HarrJ Jo Figge 30 Report of Progress: Work Plan No.2 - Job ~ Title: Rural and Star Route Carriers Pheasant Roadside Census. Objective: To obtain information regarding the distribution and concentration of pheasants SCO~~ and the sex ratio thereof. All pheasant areas of Colorado. ~chniques: Rural and star route mail carriers th~oughout the pheasant range in Colorado conducted a survey of one week1s duration over their mail routes while carrying on their regular mail delivery dutieso The week of April 3 through April 8 was chosen as the most desirable. During this period field conditions as well as the natural behavior of the birds facilitated spotting and was determined as most satisfactory to produce accurate data. Cooperators followed accepted procedure, which has been outlined in previous reports and thus deemed unnecessary to repeat here. Reported by: Per-sonne.le Howard A$ Stiehm Rural and Star ~t.outemail carriers. Findings: The results of this, the fourth annual survey by mail carriers, are to be found in Table I. The results of the previous survey (April, 1949) have been recorded also to aid comparison. Reports were received from 171 carriers, comprising 89.06% of the 192 contacted in 37 counties of Colorado. Carriers drove 49,940 miles and counted 2,321 pheasants for a Statevride figure of .0465 birds per mile tallied while driving. �- 2· ••• The total of 2,321 birds, 1,396 cocks, and 925 hens, resulted in a sex ratio of 150.92 cocks per 100 hens. A breakdown of data for individual counties has been compiled in Table I. On the basis of individual county records, Figures I a~d II were prepared to simplify examination of existing conditions and at the same time conform with a practice originated three years ago. Analysis and Recommendations~ Card returns: At the time the last correspondence was released to letter carriers, a revised mailing list was put into effect in order to contact those persons who have shown a genuine interest in continuing to carry on the census worko Two cOQ~ties were lacking in sufficient data from which to calculate comparative results. Po~ulation densities: The Statewide figure of 00465 birds per mile is 9009% higher th&l the .0275 birds per mile recorded during the same period one year ago, and 4003% higher than than the 00447 birds per mile recorded during the same period two years ago. Nineteen of the 37 counties have shown an increase of birds per mile seen while driving9 whereas 17 counties have shown a decrease, and one county reported after failing to report last year. Table II has been developed to give the reader easy access to data shOwing the percent of increase or decrease in pheasant areas of Colorado. The important northeast corner, composed of Logan~ Phillips, Sed~vick, Washington, and Yuma Counties, shows an increase of 98095% in birds per mileo In addition, a 126015%i.ncrease in birds per mile has been calculated for the area north of Denver, comprised of Adams~ Arapahoe, Boulder~ Jefferson, Larimer, Morgan, and Weld Countieso The San Luis Valley, the Arkansas Valley, and the western slope show decreases of 67050%, 21~46%, and 18087%, respectjvelyo Since the northern and northeastern sections suffered a severe reduction of pheasants during the winter of 1948-49 it is interesting to note their great powers of recuperationo This has been true even though there was an open season on cock pheasantso Sex ratio~ A change in the statewide sex ratio from 137052 males per 100 females in 1949 to 150092 males per 100 females in 1950 has been noted. �- 3 TABLE I Rural Mail Carriers Census - Swmnary Sheet Males per Birds per 100 Females Hens Cocks Nlile Birds Miles 1950 1950 1949 1950 1949 1950 1950 1949 1950 1949 Count;y: 1949 97 .92 96 22 94 19 190 00777' 01759 41 528 1,080 Adams 300000 3 9 47 12 .0961 .0260 111 158 462 1,644 Alamosa 191067 12 28 23 19 35 00622 .0333 47 756 1,050 Arapahoe 0 6 4 13 4 00112 00022 19 1,692 1,782 Baca 100000 14 29 14 19 28 02000 01167 48 240 240 Bent 90.91 11 8 10 12 21 00090 00145 20 2,,226 1,452 Bould.er 76.47 17 1 13 2 30 00068 00267 3 438 1,,122 Cheyenne 300000 5 15 15 29 20 00467 ,,0212 44 942 942 Conejos 100000 2 2 .0267 4 150 None Costilla 900.00 1 2 10 9 10 00076 00111 12 903 1,587 Crowley 209009 11 21 23 44 34 .0446 00359 65 948 1,458 Delta 100000 2 2 0 0 00066 4 .0 0 606 330 Douglas ' 2 100.00 2 0 4 '1)002800062 3 6l~8 3 1,053 Elbert 66067 12 10 8 3 20 .0036 ,,0100 13 3,606 1,992 El Paso 100.00 8 3 8 3 6 00329 00110 16 546 487 Fremont 0 2 1 1 1 00049 00014 69n 3 618 Jeffer,son 88.89 9 8 13 14 17 .0286 00137 27 945 1,242 Kiowa 137093 58 15 80 28 138 .0090 00330 43 Kit Carson 4,455 4,185 241067 12 29 22 21 41 00240 .0379 43 1,788 1_,083 La Plata 6 233033 14 4 10 20 00178 .0254 14 786 786 Lar-imer' 100.00 8 8 3 1 16 00026 00097 4 Las Animas 1,530 1,654 40.00 15 6 0 3 21 00030 00263 3 1,006 799 Lincoln 125032 28 79 22 99 178 00272 00838 50 1,836 2~124 Logan 200.00 16 8 32 27 48 00168 00230 35 29040 2,088 Mesa II 245045 21 7 12 38 00154 00373 19 Montezulna 1,230 1,020 257.14 14 7 18 34 25 .0415 .0225 48 1,158 1,110 Montrose 218.75 16 11 35 9 51 .0125 .0341 20 1,605 1,494 Morgan 437.50 8 21 35 50 43 00435 .0267 71 1,635 1,608 otero 167027 55 92 39 32 147 00995 •. 1 944 71 756 714 Phillips 1-76•. 19 21 29 16 37 58 .0197 00227 45 2,286 2,556 Frowers 300000 1 4 3 4 00091 .,0063 11 15 630 1,776 Pueblo 200000 9 18 15 II 27 00394 00304 26 888 660 Rio Grande 0 4 6 5 5 0041.5 .• 0085 10 588 240 Saguache 112 133C193 150 35 54 262 00603 .194189 1,476 1,,350 Sedgwick 138076 129 179 67 67 308 00551 .1369 134 Washington 2,436 2,250 150000 60 90 46 51 150 00164 00369 97 5,904 4,062 Weld 195.10 10~ 7'2: 199 301 00755 00744 123 195 2,982 4,044 Yuma 150092 925 56,393 49,,940 l.,.5512,321 .0275 00465 898 1,396 653 Totals �- 4 TABLE II Birds Per Mile - By Areas Percentage of Change Miles Area 1949 1950 Birds 1949 1950 Birds per Mile 1949 1950 % of Difference Increase Decrease North of Denver .. (7 Counties) 12,423 10,614 242 468 00195 .0441 126015 San Luis· Valley (4 Counties) 3,486 238 64 00683 .0222 9,444 10,524 539 1,196 00571 01136 4,656 4,146 148 107 .0318 .0258 18.87 10,161 8,961 237 164 .0233 00183 21046 Northeast (5 Counties) Western Slope C3 Counties) Arkansas Valley (7 Counties) 2,880 67.50 98095 �E ~ i IALBANY ~ FIGURE I ~ i! f;;- a- fl- :: •• IS FillfffIlI R \ III C- I Poo~ - _. , \---_.~ None -Ii! r -.~KE"'('~ c DELTA i. ';;; I. ~\. ~._. MONTROSE.---i \' ).)" " ~ " I: ~I ~ 'OiiU'--'-'~ .-. \r> /\ -'\/SA" ,-1 • I ) HINSDALE I..-J'"'-.. ~ I . . i-+---+.-+-.~~nLt1!ei\ .I... . I Fd'-'-'fONEJOi ~+4~+4~+4-+--~~ ___ RIO ARRIBA I111!MJIIII Mln ffil Ii- • PUEBLO '1 . ._._~_____ \ \' \ ,A'J ' \ •.... n'" 0••I'll "'z ~~ I::: ~." n i 16 - x ~ -'-)' I '>: r /,; ' u 'US ANI /';;;;'1 ~./.#+'-4--1 \ ~ J 1.,~'~~~~~~+4~~b*~~~ . N. ME X. COLFAX I BAI .~ • -( nlC.l ____ •A. :5' ;'" ~o !;c ' "'-:~UEIIFANO ._.-.-- TOAS [p' ~ ~ __~ • ; .•.. I i ~ '1-. I.,RIO L._ GRAND ~ ='" b· I -, MINERAL·....... JUAN! ij . .If'" 0 ~8 !:illl ·'-CU-STE-R-·-·,·-I , +-4-+--f-!-,,'-,,-'-';,f:;,PUTA-I! so '.FREMoN'- -"-"L-._~ "\ C'-'-I' !SANMiGui:L-'-'-'-'~ ..J '---1 I • \_.: I. . rSAciUAciiE·_·-'-·-J ~. 0 ""'''-1 , \ •GUNNISON \...,. ••••.•••.• "'-!.cii'AFFEE n . TELLER ! ELPASI I. li tl'Nq)U L/.~.. i /'-('-. I "'--_ ......, J' i .r· .__ • '1"i. I.i~"'. ( . :c J= ~ :. ( \ \ ~-t- ; :.- z (,PITKIN L • z Very Poor I-OA • 20 ~ ~.- Fair I ::: i: liiyLLLLL m:I+Illlllllllll H1IIIllllllIfill I •.. : :: ~I .- i i . \\ Based on Table I (birds/IOO miles) ... Good ~iI"" 1* i I Ii --jwlL -·"\WiM£iI--_ RURAL MAIL CARRIERS CENSUS PHEASANT DENSITY MAP. - Zo WYOMINGjLARAMIE u -~ �' \ I~' . _.• I WYOMING' 'LB'NY ~wiaMU-----. ~ II FIGURE ILAR'MIE / ~' \ 'T-::"\IOULDER r--r'--rl.. 1 ;t c I II :••• ~ :; ~ '. \. ver 200 ~I ! ; .~,~" :L • "" I . ~. · ,. ._. .'-' . .!. \.1, . l I . " ••.••• / \ ." I \ /'\J' /" .""'~ ) ./cOSTILLA . _._.:...,-._. ._ ./ (. ~" I L--- 0 0 \0 S'NJUIoN---- ZO .0 .0 00 .._-1011lLE' f RIO'RRIBA .....l..-. " •• ---- ' . ...;", ," .' 0 ., •• 0' ~1 " '- 0 ..' . : - '1'- ,~ r.2 n ,~ "- HE EN" I Jlf--'- I.J'~; '-1-" . /, \KI W" - -~COLFJoX'-·--""'--:-" '---- n:V ' ! : ' I rfiE'T·-I-·r-r" ,i ·-IIr-\.eR~~:-.·:-~':1C .' \ • •••.•• " I! " • \:-. •. .' .. • 0 0 0 0 .: ,O,\~ • • • • ••• • I'. : : : .. : .., t· • . . " ,.' -.-"' ~·>---""r.~~~--" ItIi.-.. , 0 • 0 "o,L .0 •• o..!!l ••• ,.. l Z . • i \~ . - s! •~ ~:::~ :; I N. MEX.I\ "II r- 0 II _;r- .-f-'-'- !.' I, :!: ,0..• "'.... S!; c: i E g~ •" E.. t . .......~. I' 0 0 '.. i ~~ / '" /~~ . (/1".-;;-.r' \.CONEJOS ., • . 0( :.:'...':: ':..'.:,~ . " '.. \ruRO-'·~·· I i J r • \C 0 . ... . \ f'LASAN~~' r ' .' • • \. . CROWLEY !'. • ~ .~.-,-,. . ', . ~~ ,. '\.,/Ko.",'~_._.__. ._. . ,/' , I. \ • 0 .' .' ~~ '.CUSTER·-·-'·-' . .RIO GRAN ~RCHULETA ~ •• 0•• . . . ,,0 . 0, . ._,..... I- .....Ir-,\ . ~ ~ , •••••• '. li •••..•••• " .' \,;:.FREMoNT-·-· .L....-) - a'" :z .'•.. .•. . .'\, " .~. VI \' ~ 0 ;: • • . ,.. " ..'~.- ' \' " 0 ' ',' -: •.•. ••• 0; ,oJ' •• •••••• • P~ -< '0 -; , ~ \I. '\ L/ \"iELiiRT'EL \ ---.t'L • ·.'~ . ...!·,--,I: 0 ,. !U"~ .' •••• : ,.'.,;-' o~. '_" .-- -'~' ~' • 'Do'Gi:T' !fLi"iiT'-'-' .-,~ -,-, J I • • ~ . -t' L, riA 1 o • aIIl~111 I .-1."\..,. I -1.A )_._.-1 PLATA .' ._._._ ..' I ,--._._' )HINSDAL£ .."._. ._._._" r-"'" . ...<./...... r )-/\ .." ..• ' !1 b. _.._._. '\.. _ • ~M' ••... -, \ I .I' \, \). \ • ./.'PARK '-'1' ~) . ..•... I.' ISANMiGuEL-'-'-'-'( ii L • I I \.. i.... '1. I1 MONTEZUMA CHAFFEE /-". L..J .'.••• .' I · zI "' •. _._._. _CREEK .I. J-,-.~ GUNNISON I· fc~~',.,jJI ',' (.. I "-. -' L :> f£RSO data '-.-'" "" (...-./ ' . -< 1-0 : \.... \) . insufficient I ~... I: ;;: 5' J-::'-" ~UMMIT·\. o ;.&;;1 I~ • \.. 101 - 150 151 _ 200 I f . ,) ""C-' ",,,,;n.l.' _. ~ r •• . ..... 'J" l~ Ll,_. LI. ... .. ~t.?~_'-"-· , .---.,.: I 51 - 100 l~ I", ••• 0 • -••••.•••• .,~~'.' 1 . , I~ ,_, I" Z 0 a £ ,0 . • 'W!!- 'l ,~PS' . . '-. \ I I><J . > I OEUEL , (\ _._.,v' o - 50 mI KIMBALL , Based on Table I (cocks/100 hens) I "E8.' CHEYENHE __ I~ ~ '\ RURAL MAIL CARRIERS CENSUS DISTRIBUTION OF PHEASANT SEX RATIO :0 I L...,.,.,-_'_L.-, _•••••• ·-~I. l •.iiRO;;------"",,,' oKL" ~ I n o 5;0 > C o �-5Work Plan No.2 Title: Pre-nesting Objective: Scope: - Job 1 Study. To detennine sex ratio and breeding population. Northern Colorado--AdalTIs, doulder, Larimer, -weld, and Morgan Counties. Reported by: Willard r., Flinn Technique: The same routes were used this year in making pheasant crmving counts in Northern Colcrado. Counts began somewhat earlier in the day than before, about 45 minutes before sunrise. Only 10 stops a day were made on each route compared with 20 in previous years, thus splitting the routes in half. This divergence was made to avoid wind and a variety of annoyinG farm moises that often interfere with counting after sunrise. In theory, the change should make no difference in the count, but there may be some reason to believe the count may run slightly higher working under more perfect conditions. Each route was run at least once under good counting conditions. Sex-ratio counts were made simultaneously with and after completing crovnng counts in the morning, and in the evening. All pheasants seen at other times of th8 day were also used in determining the sex ratio. Findings: Each of the separate crowing count routes indicates a substantial increase in the pheasant breeding population over the two-year avera~e, with the exception of the llorgan County route (0.25% increase). 'I'he highest incrpase ~as 5904%, shown in the Greeley area, route No.5. An over ,all picture was obtained by using the total stops and total calls counted on all routes in the area. (Table I) 1m average of 4109 calls per listening stop was obtained, compared 'with a 32.6 average for the previous two yearso On this basis the trend is up a~out 28.5%. Sex Ratio _ Nort.h Central: Sex-ratio figures from the different parts of the area vary somewhat, but there is no extreme variation. The sample included 262 cocks and 481 hens, giving a sex ratio of 54.4 males per 100 femaleso ~~alysis and Recnmmendations: An unusually mild 1vinter, makin for a good survival of pheasants, may be responsible for the increase in the pheasant crowing trend. Cold weather set in much later than usual, and no severe storms occurred in the area to reduce the population. A cool spring and late snows may have some effect on early nesting. Q It is believed that starting earlier in the morning and splitting the routes provides better counting conditions and saves the time lost in re-runninb the routes because of wind and other influences. ��- 7 Scope: Arkansas Valley Reported by:: Howard A. Stiehm Findings: During the period from April 20 through May 25, ten areas in eight counties were sampled for their crmving activity (Table I). The over-all figure thus obtained was 16.96 calls per listening stop_ Sex Ratio _ Arkansas Valley: The sex ratio of pheasants observed in the Arkansas Valley was 64.63 males per 100 females of a total of 405 pheasants observed. Analysis and Recommendations: The over-all figure of 16.96 calls per listening stop showed an increase of 1037% over the 16.73 calls per listening stop in 19490 However , individual county figures showed considerable variance. Five routes were noted as increases and four routes as decreases. otero and Prowers Counties, each sampled by two routes, were calculated to show rul increase over one route sampling one portion of the county and a decrease over the route sampling another portion. The downward trend of 21.99% in Fremont County perhaps resulted from the 1949 hunting season. It was the first open season in an area which is litllitedin size. Considerable gunning pressure from nearby towns was the natural result. Noatteffipt has been made at this time to explain the downward trends show in Otero, Prowers, and Crowley Counties. But it is gratifying to noce that the majority of count.ies exhibit an upward trend in 1950 over the previous two year average (see Table 11)0 �- 8TABLE I Crowing Counts, Arkansas Valley Trend Route Date 1948 1949 1950 No. of Ave~ calls Stops Per Stop Fremont Co. No. 1 4-27 Canon City area 5-3 Pueblo Co~ N0 1 Bl.ende , eastward 5 Otero Co. No. 1 Rocky Ford area Otero Co••Noo 2 La Junta~Cheraw Bent Co. Noo 1 Las Animas-Hasty Crowley Coor'Joo1 :roYlley- Sugar City Coo Noo 1 North on #51 Ki.owa 38•• 20 28D20 22000 -21.99 4-25 30 29 20 4.166 4039 5075 +30.98 4-26 17 18 20 10030 29•• 94 21030 -28.86 4-20 20 20 20 22.10 26•. 4 30 •• 4 +15.15 4-22 20 20 20 19.95 18.2 18.9 20 20 24045 39.55 32.25 -18 ••. 46 5-5 )~-30 5--11 5-1 5-12 5-6 5-14 Prowers COo IJoo 2 5-8 Holly, sout.hwar-d Baca Coo No.1 Jnc. 160 & 287 east 4-21 5 5 5 4-28 Prowers Coo No. 1 5-7 Carlton and northeast 1949-1950 Trend Comparison In Per Cent 4-28 + 3085 5-16 20 5-20 20 20 2065 3025 10040 +220.00 5-22 20 20 20 3.00 2025 601 -J-171 011 20 4809 4-27 20 3207 5-25 20 6.3 20 1+-29 5-9 LI-27 5-13 -33013 �- 9 TABLE II Calls Per Stop Ave. Calls Per Stop Trend C0~parison In Per Cent Trend Route Trend Basis Fremont Co. No. 1 2 year ave" . 33~2 22.00 -33.73 Pueblo Co. No. 1 2 year ave. 4.29 ,.7, + 34.03 Otero Co. 2 year ave. 20.4 21.30 t 4.41- Otero Co. NOt> 2 2 year ave. 24.2, 30.4 + 2,.36 Bent Coo No. 1 2 year ave. 19.07, 18.9 .92 Prowers Co. No. 1 2 year ave. 32.00 32.25 + Prowers Co. Noo 2 2 year ave. 2.9, 10.40 +2,2 Baca Co. No. 1 2 year ave. 2.92, 6.1 .J.132.38 Crowley Co. Noo 2 1 year ave. 48.9 32.7 - 33.13 r 0" 19,0 1 .78 ,4 0 �-10 Scone: Northeast area. --Reported by: Ferd Kleinschnitz Technique: Nine trend routes were cove ed this year in Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washin ton, and Y ma Co ltieso The phea t crooving counts during April were low possibly due to the factors of weather and wind, or very decided lack of spring cover around the farm lands, or the fact that the crowing peak had not yet been reached. Som~ r utes were not covered until May due to unfavorable weather conditions, and repeat runs did not coincide too closely with last year's dates for the same reason. Snows, r-ai.ns, light mi ts, and heavy winds during the early morning of many days made counting impossible or ~ad~ the COlmt so low as tn be of no valueo After several trend r'ou+ea were covered in April, it was noticed that a general drop occurred in the number of calls in the last ten miles of the route. It was decided that more pheasants might be crowing during the first hour of the run than in the second hour. To test this idea the same routes wer-e covered by stopping every alternate mile for ton stops and then reversing the run to stop at the mile points which had been missed" In one instance;> t.he regular twenty stops were made and then by going croGs-country the first seven nJlles of the route were re-covered. The drop in the number of calls was lower for the second part of the run, in some cases quite noticeablyo Sex Ratio - Northea t: Sex-ratio counts were made during April and l.. ay principally during the eveningo Birds were flushed as much as possible to aid in .eeing hens" A total of 616 birds were counted, 346 being cocks and ~.70hens , This gives a sex ratio of 128 cocks per 100 hens or 56% cocks and 447~ hens , The ratio of cocks per hen Ls much higher than last year when the ratio was 50 to 66 cocks per 100 henso Analysis and ~~cmmuendationsg A sunrrnaryof trend route crovdng co~n 8 indicates a general, upward Swing of the male pheasant population Wl tt. quite a 'wide range of increase as compared to last year.. Th'3 crowing counts varied from a prac'tlcally stable count to an increase of 160•.. ).+ per cent" 1'he average number of calls per stop increased from 14.9 in 1949 to 2206 in 1950 or an increase 01 5106 per cQnto The SterlingPrewitt route shows a decrease whic};.is believed to be inaccurate because this route was not repeated under ideal or near-ideal weather conditions. The rather successful brood-rearing conditions of last summer (6 36 young per brood) comblned with the short pheasant season of three daye and a very mild winter all aided in t.heincrease in the number of calls heardo (Table I) 0 It is still believed that permanent winter cover is needed on the wheat and corn tablelands where the potential is so high as to produce increases of 156 per cent (Haxtun-Paoll) and 160 per cent (Dailey Cornbelt) over last year after the population suffered extreme reduction in the 1949 blizzardso �- 11 TABLE I Crowing Counts, Northeastern Colorado Trend Route No. of Ave. Calls 1949-1950 Trend Comparison Date Per Stop In Per Cent 1948 1949 1950 Stops Logan Co., Noo 1 Sterling-Proctor 5-7 Logan Coo, Noo 2 Pawnee Valley 5-17 5-2 21 23 10 28.• 4 17.8 24.9 4-20 21 21 20 28.8 9.1 12.9 5-13 23 23 10 27.3 12.4 20.,6 46.0 10.6 6-1 20 21 10 5-11 21 21 10 53.7 31.5 32.9 + 4.4 14 13 10 43.3 19.4 19~1 Stable 5-12 5-11 Sedgw·ickCoo, Noo 3 5-15 Jumbo-Julesburg 5-13 Phillips COop No•.4 5-12 H~~tun-Paoli 4-28 Phillips Coo, No.5 Holyoke-Amherst 5-3 Yuma Coo, Noo 6 Lone Star-Eckley 5-20 5-27 5-26 5-31 + 39.8 + 66.1 27 .2 Logan Coo:;No.7 Sterling-Prewitt 5-10 21 4-2.2* 20 22.8 18.9* - 17.1* Washington Coo, No. 8 Platner-Akron 5-3 5-23 24 10 6.5 11.3 + 73.8 5-12 22 10 Logan and Phillips Counties, Noo 9 Dailey Cornbelt 5-14 *Poor weather conditions Average calls per stop 1948: 31.9 Averase calls per stop 1949= 1409 Average calls per stop 1950: 22.6 Average increase for 1950, over 1949: 51.6 A.veragedecrease for 1950 ove: 19L}8-49: 0.35 +160.4 �- 12 Scope: East Central Colorado (the area south of Uo S. Highway 36, west of the Kansas State line, north of Kiowa, Crowley, and PuebJo Counties, and each of U. S. Highway 85)0 Reported bl: Irving rt. Poley Techniques: Three new pheasant crowing count routes were added this spring and the previously used North Burlington trend was divided into two separate trendso Findings~ Excluding trends 1 and 2,the average pheasant crowing count is 6013 cocks per stop for the east central area. Table I, which follows, shows the calls, per cent of increase over last year, and sex ratio for the east central area: �- 13 TiiliLEI Crowing Counts, East Central Date Trend Route Ave. Calls Per Stop ~- % of Increase -'-. "/ No. of Stops No. of Miles Males per 100 Females ' , .'-', No. 1 Adams Coo Rocky Mtn. Arsenal 5-9 58.54 19.5 11 11 58.8 No 0 2 Arapahoe & Douglas Counties Cherry Creek 26.81 169.7 11 21 55.5 5-3 No. 3 Arapahoe Co. Sand Creek S.. 27 11 21 100. 5-11 No. 4 Arapahoe Co. Watkins-Byers 2.20 10 19 100. 5-2 No. 5 Washington Anton-Cope 10.0 ' Co. "" 6-1 b.W Ib.d 10 1~ 100. No.. 6 Yuma Co. Idalia 4-21 6.62 15.0 8 15 58.8 No ••7 Kit Carson Co~ North Burlington 4-20 7.85 10.5 7 13 55.5 No •.8 Kit Carson CiVe State line-Burlington 7.33 9 17 100. 4-13 Noo 9 Kit Carson Co •• S.W. Burlington 7020 4101 10 19 100. 4-26 No. 10 Cheyenne Co. Cheyenne Wells-South 5-27 6 •• 40 236.0 10 19 62.5 No. 11 Elbert Coo Simla-Matheson 6-2 1.00 150.0 10 19 100. No. 12 El Paso Co. Fountain Valley 5-12 8.90 11 21 33.3 11 is 4.20 calls. 1949 average of Trends 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 is 5.69 calls 1950 average of Trends 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 10, 11 is 35.5 1950 per cent increase of Trends 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, �- 14 Work Plan - Deviation: Seven coveys of bobwhite quail have been Bobwhite quail (Colinus.sp): located along six miles of the south fork of t.he I(epublican River .• Several quail whistle counts have been taken indicating three to six surplus cocks with each coveYQ At the present time the cover is too dense to obtain better census data .• Prairie chickens (T nDanuchus cuoido americanus) Sharp-tailed grouse Pedioecetes phasianellus cmnpestris): Prairie chicken and sharp-tailed grouse investigations have been limited to farmer ccntacte Several flocks of prairie chickens have been reported along the south fork of the =~epublican and along Landsman Creek. .ooth prairie chickens and ,c:;harp-tail.;;d grouse have been reported this spring in the triangle bounded by Uo So Highways 85, 40, and 240 Mourning doves (Zenaidura macrOl1ra marginella): Mourning dove sight records have been kept; since May 18 in tLe east central ar-ea, Several counts have been made along 11 miles of road paraJ~eling Sand Creek,_ east of Denvero nesults of the counts have ranged from 5 to 28 doves for the 11 milesG One mile of this distance has been walked. on both sides of the road on two separate occasionso A co~~t of six doves one way and nine on the return trip on one occasion, and 7 and 10 doves on the second walking trip was made, which wou.Ld indicate an average of 8 doves per mi Le , The average number seen while driving is 11 doves, or one dove per nule The high count of 28 doves was obtained on a cloudy, vv:indless afternoon from 3:00 to 3:20 pome Q ScoDe: Sa-:1Lu1.s Val ey and Montez1.l.rna and La Plata Count-ieso ReDorted by~3i::;rtraillD e- Baker Findings ~ Trend routes Ln the San Luis Valley were again run with exceptions of the i~and 9 stop routes in 11.ioGrande Count yo Hather t-han run these short r-out.es , a 20 stop route-,'las substituted which samples the Greasevmod-Rabbi tbrush type south of Monte Vista" An additional route was r'un in Cost.illa County, and Experi.rnental lioutt.No e 1 sampled the northern parts of both R.io Grande and Alamosa Countieso One route was added in LIontezurna County in order to sample the bean brOVQng area northwest of Cortezc Three year data for tile areas mentioned can be f'ound on Table 10 Table II shows trends for routes that have sufficient dataG Sex Ratio - San Luis Valley: The observed sex ratio of pheasants in the valley is 63084 cocks per 100 hens of a total of 1,101 birds seen. As could De expectou, local variation,,> in the ratio exist, but none approac1'"led any great degree of abnormality which mibht possibly necessitate a breakup of t e valley into smaller administrative unitsa �- 15 TABLE I Three Year Summary of Pheasant Call Counting, San Luis Valley and Southwestern Colorado; Trend Route No. of Stops Average Calls Per Stop 4-26 20 20 9.5 10.7 4-27 18 21 6.0 12.1 4-28 18 14.7 5-6 20 20 20 11.00 13.42 22.7 5-9 20 10.8 5-15 20 20 19 20.6 25.45 26.1 5-11 20 20 17.3 21.5 6-9 20 20 15.25 16.1 6-7 15 3.1 5-24 20 20 20 9.05 9.86 9.85 5-1 16 2903 Date ,19481949 1950 La Plata Coo No. 1 Falfa-Tiffany 5-11 Montezuma Co. No. 1 Cortez-Dolores 5-10 Montezuma Co. No. 2 Cortez-Lewis Rio Grande Co. No. 1 Del Norte-SoE. 6-5 6-16 Rio Grande Coo Noo 2 Sherman Lake-S.W. llamosa Co. No. 1 Alamosa - S.W. 5-27 Alamosa Co. No. 2 Alamosa-No'No 6-4 Conejos COo No. 1 La Jara-Antonito 6-6 6-12 Costilla Co. NOe 1 San Luis-Mesita Saguache Co. No. 1. Saguache-Center Experimental No. 1 Monte Vista-Mosca Rio Grande & Alamosa Counties 6-2 6-15 �- 16 Sex Rat.io - Montezuma and La Plata Counti6s: The observ-ed sex ratio for Iirontezmna County is 104.88 c cks per 100 hens (84 bird total), and for La Plata County it was 158.33 cocks per 100 hens of 62 pheasants seeno Sex-ratio reconnaissance. counts were made by early morning and late evening auto Tallying was begun !' arch 15 and ended on [ay 24. Analysis and RecQ11lI:lendations:As Table II shows, all of the San Luis Valley trend rontes indicate varying percentages of increase in the number of pheasant calls per stop. Sa uache and Conejos counties have insignificant increases. Ala'1losacounty, with increases of 13.4% and 24.3% over a tW() year and one year average, respectively, shows a subst.antial ~ain. The one Rio Grande County trend backed with sufficient data indicates almost a doubling of population in the area north of the Rio Grande River between Del Norte and Monte Vista. Insufficient data exists for population and Ia Plata Counties. comparisons in Montezuma TABLE II Trend Route Data Analysis - 1950 Trend Route Trend Basis Calis Per Stop Ave. Calls Per Stop (1950) Trend Comparison in Per Cent Rio Grande Co. Noo 1 2 year ave •• 12075* 2207 t 78 Alamosa Coo No. 1 2 year ave •. 23.02* 2601 + Alamosa Coo Noo 2 1703 (1948) 21.5 + 2403 Conejos COo 15025 (1948) 16.1 9.45* 9.8 No. 1 Saguache Noo 1 Coo 2 year ave o ofo 13.4 5.6 •• 402 *This figure obtained by dividing total number of calls for both 1948 and 1949 runs by total number of stops. �-17 Scope: Northwestern Colorado - ~offat, H.io .dlanco, Garfield, Mesa, Delta, and Montrose Counties. Reported by: Wayne We Sandfort Technique: Twenty-four pheasant crowing counts were conducted on 20 established routes in six northwestern Colorado Counties during the period extending from April 20 through May 30. H.outes averaged 20.5 miles per route, giving a total of 410 miles of crowing count routes. While setting up the routes an attempt was made to locate stations at points with minimum n)ise interference. Broken terrain in the majority of Northwestern Colorado pheasant areas causes considerable interference from falling irrigation water. Domestic fowl are of secondary importance followed by sheep, song birds, cattle, and windo Because of the two major causes of interference it seemed inadvisable to establish routes with a set distance between stations. The number of stations per route w~s held to an average of 13-14 in order that routes could be properly covered during the period of maximum crowing 0 All crowing counts were started 40 minutes before official sunrise as designated by the U. S. Weather Bureau Stat; on at Grand Junction. The starting time varied from 4~51 a.m. on April 20 to 4:11 a.m. on May 30. Attempts were made to complete all crowing counts by 50 minutes after sunrise. Favorable counting conditions prevailed during most of the counting period, and. of a possible 41 mornings, accurate counts could have been obtained during approximately 28, or 68% of the morningso CrmYing count data for 1948 is available for only two of the 20 routes run during the current season. Counts were made on two additional routes in 19L9. Present analysis of.pheasant breeding population trends, therefore, can be based on data from only four crowing count routes. Ten of the routes established during the current season are to be run in succeeding years to furnish data for determining breeding population and sex-ratio trendso There willbe one route per county in Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties, and two routes per county in Garfield, Mesa, Delta, and Montrose Countieso Trend routes designated as routes No. 1 and No.2, in 'fable I will be used as the regular yearly trend routes. The additional 10 crowing count routes run during the current season were established primarily for determining pheasant distribution and density, and results from these routes will not be used in determining yearly population trends. Maps, showing pheasant density and horizontal and altitudinal distribution, are being prepared and will be presented at a later date. Pending completion of mapping, the present crowing count data can be used as an index to the pheasant distribution and density in northwestern Colorado. �- 18 TABLE I Crowing Counts, Western Slope Trend Route No. of Ave. Calls 1949-1950 Trend Per Stop Comparison In Per Cent Date 1948 1949 1950 Stops Moffat County No. 1 Maybell-Sunbeam 5-30 14 504 5-3 13 3•. 5 ·4-27 5-12 5-29 5-13 10 10 14 15 14 505 400 2.2 1.6 .6 4-20 5-20 4-24 4-30 4-29 4-26 4-29 5-8 4-28 13 13 13 13 16 16 9 11 8 17 10 3.5 11.9 11.9 10.2 6.1 8,,8 508 3.8 7.5 6.1 .6 4-22 5-22 5-16 5-27 13 13 13 14 14 1807 15•. 5 23&2 80' 5-5 5-15 5-25 5-24 5-23 14 14 14 18 17 13 17 12•. 7 23,,4 20,,9 23.. 0 15.4 21.6 11.1 Rio Blanco County No ••1 White River Garfield County No. 1 Rifle-Silt No. 2 Grand Valley-Una No. 3 Newcastle-Silt No. 4 Rifle-Rulison 5-28 Bridge Mesa County Noo 1 Grand Junction-Loma 4-23 4-28 TO. 2 Grand Junction-Palisade Noo 3 Redlands No. 4 Orchard :Mesa No. 5 Loma-Mack No. 6 ~Vhitewater-Kannah Creek No. 7 DeBeque -27~3 Same Delta County No. 1 Delta-Cedaredge 4-27 Noo 2 Lazaer-Hotchkiss Montrose County No,. 1 Delta-Montrose 4-22 5-25 No. 2 Pea Green Corner-Montrose No. 3 Shavannah ValleY-Colona No. 4 Paradox Valley No. 5 Nucla-nedvale 8.B -10.7 �- 19 Sex ratio data were obtained by two methods: Sexing of pheasants in winter concentrations, and by counting pheasants during a return trip over crowing count routes immediately following crowing countso Winter concentration counts were made on January 27, 30, and 31 during cold weather following snowstormso Counts were made on trend routes only during the period extending from April 20 to May 100 Results are presented in Table 110 TABLE II Pheasant Sex Ratios, Northwestern County Rio Blanco Garfield Mesa Delta Montrose Data from Winter Concentrations Cocks per 100 Number of Birds Hens Colorado, 1950 Data from Crowing Count Routes Cocks per 100 Number of Birds Hens 16 30 48 109 130 67 2.01 95 201 60 96 220 131 103 88 140 ~lalysis and Reco~~endations~ Pheasant populations in northwestern Colorado compare f'avor-ab.Ly , in generals with 1949 number's, .A. 1 e 5 "call per stop" reduction in Garfield county indicates a 2703 percent drop in an already low populationo Public opinion and general observations support the crowing count indication that the pheasant population is lower in thil:> county than in 19490 The pheasant population seems to be holding steady in Mesa County. A maximum count from one trend route in Delta County shows a 2401 per cent increase over the 1949 population. The average of two counts taken on this srune route, however, shows only a 307 per cent increase, and it appears that the population may be about the sarne as last yearo The Delta-Montrose trend route, mostly in Montrose County, shows a 10.7 per cent drop in the crovri_ngcount indexo Another route, established this year, which crosses the Delta-Montrose route, shows practically the same number of calls per stop as shovvn by the Delta-Montrose count in 19490 It is felt that the pheasant population compares favorably with that of last year~ The most accurate sex ratio data is believed to have been obtained by sexing the pheasants in winter concentrationso Insufficient numbers were counted during this season, however, to furnish highly accurate data which would be useful in population formulas. Sex ratios calculated during the early part of the oreeding season runs high to cocks, partly because of a small percentage of nesting hens, and primarily �- 20 - because the hens a:re not as conspicuous and do not show themselves as readily as the cocks during tIns season. Indications are that more accurate sex ratio data could be collected from trend routes by obtaining this data during an approximate period of' twenty minutes before to twenty minutes after official sunrise timeo Deviation Title: Olathe quail population trendso Objectivet To determine the trends in quail populations spring census on established trend routeso ScoEeg Northwestern ReDorted by: Wayne by systematic Colorado - Garfield, Mesa, Delta, and Montrose -i~" counties. Sandfort Techniaucs~ Roadside counts were made of all quail seen while driving pheasant crovv:Lngcount routes. Birds were counted during all initial and return trips over trend routeso Breaking up of the coveys in spring, and weather conditions, are only two of the many factors which may cause extreme variation in visual census data: and a special effort Yd.ll be made to keep dates, time of day, and the kind of weat.hsr- dur-Ing which count.s are taken, as systematic and uniform as possibleo Findings~ Table I presents data collected while driving 61603 miles on 16 trend routes in four northwestern Colorado counties. Olathe Quail Population Index, Northwestern Colora.do~ 1950 Number- County Garfield ~esa Delta ~/;ontrose of Miles Driven 11307 290 ••7 10901 102 •. 8 Number of Birds Seen Birds per 100 Miles 15 170 23 32 13.2 58.5 21 •. 1 3161 Table II shows t.he 1949-1950 trend in the quail population as indicated by very limi.ted data collected from four crowing count routes in four counties.. The data for 1949 were taken by Irving H. Poley. �- 21 TABLE II Olathe Quail Population Trend, Northwestern Colorado, 1949-1950 County Trend Houte Garfield Mesa Delta Montrose Rifle-Silt Grand J'unction-Loma Delta-Cedaredge Delta-Montrose Birds per 100 Miles 1950 1949 8 60 49 28 22 68 27 21 1949-1950 Trend Comparison in Per Cent -6306 -llo8 +8105 +3303 analysis and Recommendations: The preceding data is presented primarily to show the type of data which will be collected while driving pheasant crovving routes during succeeding yearso Although present data is inadequate to show a true picture of the quail population trend, it is felt that systematic census will eventually provide a picture of what the quail population is doingo In 1951 data will be available for eight trend routes and a more accurate appraisal will be possibleo j Data in Table I show Mesa County to have the rdghest density of quail.. Tr~s is probably correct, although it is felt that the index figure may be high in comparison to other counties, primarily because routes were run somewhat earlier in Mesa County" This gave rise to high counts in some instances when coveys were encountered.. Just what the numerical variation may be between counting coveys and single or paired birds is unknow at pr esent , The extreme variation in the trend, as shown in Table II, is felt to be mostly due to inadequate datao After a period of years it is hoped that a norm can be deterrnined from w~~ch population deviation can be calculated .• There may be some possibility of developing a whistling count method, to be carried out in conjunction with pheasant crowing count.s, which would support visual census data and give a more accurate picture of population trend. Submitted Name Title Note: Approved by H_a_r_ry~_J~o __F~i~g~g~e Wildlife by: _ Technician Title C~.__N~.~F~e_a~s~t~,~D~i~r~e~c~t~o~r Da te A;;.;;;u-'-'gu""--s;...t~2"',. Persons wishing to quote from this abstract from the Colorado Game and Fish Departmento should first obtain permission ��Figure Pheasant 1 Crowing Count Routes 1949 · ·i.. ,R.~1] • ' I I I I W, CroW'H1gtl • 11 "... ,,,.,, • ,'_' ,4~7.;,...., I ~ I , '. ._._ r.AN~GIIEL , _. 1.,.,. ..J ~_._ I '1.. p ••••• ._ . DOLO S 'l'fJ CI\. I I OO-.Cr It ~ _. _r~._ '. OV/~""," ,_._. if ,. OtAKFCIn CI'~~;". . 0 •••• I ..•. )SANJ''-N lJ)Il ~/COO ..:»: 1 . I <"'! • /' - - ~ ,, (). I 08.... DU ~ , / _~ / •.L.__ \~l.' j,r) r-: I .• r: IIY,Z ANGO I ._.- 'n / J l __ v ..\.. r ,..,. /. . I . __ / , I. o"l""~,,,) 0'" . _._.J tt V· If' /VtOSTlLLA\. IAMOSA./ . /"..,s "'-, <, J. L-...-- . J . , .... ,,",~ ('OYE.I" 10 • . I" oJ~.I9I>'" 1 \..,."._o/."",,~" I 9. \ , ' •• \ .1,..... "'~P"" . . :r ".,m I • r..~~_ 8~:~:no /" ~'W~' -,,- II~ '-'" '-"'~.' ) ,~'" --------~.----.---=-----~------I '" ~ 0 \ \\ "''$jH .r,,_ .OI"'~ 0--" II Ok_~ ••- 0 I , •••••• • . 0'... lONe,,.,,, • ,,,""'" ------------- L .-' _.-. O~II" --_.- .. '-'-"18ACA r•• "ow .". \ ~ ,~ I oOpflI J.. oE_1 pTfllNIOAO ,,-......... SI'., •.•• 2 '\ • I 061fH161 •. -_. '\ • oYoII. ",.• ,••, 0"''''- c • '/'_'''/ ' ./ • r- I 5 Jt' L,..,.;';;-lffAiV/·>fS· e 1" .• UHNI . lOAf" (' ';::;:, ., ,,'0 I 0 '--- ,'"'" .~~ •••• u •• ' r _. 1",•• -"'" ~IU'J l,e'" /' SI, 100__ ~Or"'.r'_ ':':'.;.<6<>"''') . ~ ->' .~) . c"::J~Sp" r , •• I Ollvl''''''' ---- ''',''''j-... l.. • \ 0,,,:::1---. »< O<;.,II,.,r • 0s~· 'J.7"'9 _.",_, "-'00 "1 01/.#1 I .. /''-. ""SEN'U'. o, • .In l ;,..... .;.....J~. ~~ .~ ... ~,' \ 1 .I 2 .1 / INlff(f," \ . T.AL '''O'·SA· 2. 0"-' I' . 6H1'# HUE 0M.,." •. _,.,,1' \ PIIE~LO "\ /.."-'/"'\ »c••-_ ? '-'1frA'NrJ' t <i \CROWUY !'>-I I o••zr:': .--. .... ",.1"----rJII,;;jp7i-- -' IfCONEJOS..., .. / \.. 1 --_. RIO G~ANDE I \ • --1.-._. -'-'-' M 05""- \ 051"""''' oI'osll. 0 0,,;'1 ct;to.J,." 1 •••• 'Ii ~ , I' 1/,,., \ • w, ••• m .--1 '<,USTEII • \0_""'" I o~::.. '<0 .-D."':~. __ ~'UAEHf ,/ "\.. • ~ "'.1','0' 'J'"'u ' I ./ ~ Y., o'~(J'¥t.ltI I • .,.::::""" ~.".1 /---. -.....""_'#015,,'0 '~EFOE 1I' ' -, 'L }l.' '. ;pJ' .' '\ \', 1'11116.0 •.•. JIofINERAL / OG'~l"'I;;'" v. I ru~';~ 'lMotmz'!ii>4--' ._. -';-,b PlArcl· - j I' 0"'_" .'_~,~'.>:/(... ,._...... , ,; \ .,0< •.).... .I I _f-:) I u»cHUud I . CANOH CITY r ~J-t [pumo 0"""'" . 0 pu,;.o • r'~"M . 'L J'< ~ . COLORADO 5PIIIH6S l / . '"0 '-, I . 1~~Wo Gun"ryo I r:l 'L"~ 50"'" .--.-. II .......,... '-"'. \ ~ WGUACHE' 'S"'~NSOAiE-'-'~ ""'0 '"' • ~ ..,..". '0" '" I .", UIIIIV. I \,;;-;._._.:.:-...._C""O"OO'UI"j, .FREMONT \ L...._. ro ./0 \ ..-., I. • ".d" / """'<j¥> ." j \. OY"'O "'0 \, "'SOH """'1-. J \fURA Y ~ , ~ ,._~, ' 1_' " G,.,." - . .....~,.#rr,..'.''' -...... mTA' """~ ".".._""""" i) 0 oE""<:"~ ~ ou~):um '\' ~ em'''- 8uK, I , ON7'/lOSE._._.J I \~ • ._.-" I ,,_" 0 :;.JrwEN'I" '-::...:.-1 J"I!",J(,1~ 0 •• 00_ I w~ 4o"",. rI ;. I (,..1"", . , ••• .-., Jo--" ,-J - \ _H . • - J"'/I6''G~ 1 .'",,1<- .~. \ ••••••••• ,Ollllor" I ."'./oM """,.~ I ..-L ~ ------ • • ----- J ••••••1 �- 23 STATE QUARTERLY SURVEYS. PROJECT NO 0 DATE July a 1950 PROGRESS AND COLORADO _--::::3~8_-R _ REPORT INVESTIGAJIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN 'WILDLIFE RESTOP..ATION ACT 10 Title of Project~ 20 Leader-s 30 Report of Progress~ Deer-Elk-Bear Investigations Paul Go Gilbert Northeastern Colorado -- Robert Ro Elliott 10 Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk Job 3 - Migration Behyeen Surrnnerand Winter Ranges , Seasonal movement of deer and elk throughout the front range was not as marked this spring and early summer as it was the same time last yearo This is due to the mildness of the weather during the winter which tended to keep the animals scattered and at higher elevations 0 A drift of deer in the northern part of the State, mainly the Mill Creek,Cherokee Park,\)and Hedfeather areas, was noticed in April~ just after a few days of warm weather had indicated an early spring& Several bunches of deer in the Mill Creek area, numbering from 10 to 100~ were. observed by District Warden Mutz and Glen Scott of the Forest Serviceo Later on, about t.he end of.Ap:i:'il and the first part of May,\)the writer noticed little activity of deer in this Locatd.on, and assumed that the movement, such as it was , had been completedo From observations of other qualified persons,\)it appears that Mill Greek is som.ewhatof a IIstopover" or gathering point for deer9 prior to moving back to summer range from 'the lower elevations If this is true, it would make a good trend areai both from the population count and forage utilization viewpoints.,. 0 In Poudre Canyon9 there was little~ if any~ noticeable shift of deero Periodic observations made by the writer, the District Forest Ranger, and wardens, corroborated earlier contentions that �•.•• ' 24 the deer were rather uniformly distributed up and down the primary dramage" There were those deer that remain on winter range, especially in the Livermore area, year ~roundo Some of the ranchers there report seeing the same small groups, or the sa."'Tle individual deer at all times of the year" These animals were thinned out somewhat by last year!s either sex season, but not to the number desiredo As reported upon previously, the browse range in this particular area is in critical condition, and cannot stand twelve months' use by any class of animal See Figu:::'e l.. Further reduction of game is necessary along with cuts in livestock numbers and length of seasono 0 Elk activity was so slight as to almost escape notice" No elk were seen in the Sheep Creek, Boulder fUdge, Trail Creek area until rather late in the spr-Ing, 'I'hi.s small herd stayed in the high country near Black MOlmtain and Bull Mountain, and not so much as a track was seen down along George Creek, wher-e they had mauled the haystacks so badly the vdnter before. The same situation was true with the Rocky Mountain Park elk herd in the Buckhorn Canyon and North Fork of the Thompson Hiver areas" The first report of elk in any numbers came late in the spring, when the cows moved into the lower parks and meadows to bear their cal.ves., , The Forest Service reported elk use in their Pole full study plots, however, and throughout the Elk Ridge grazing al.Lo tmerrt , Observations made on theMto Evens elk herd by Wardens Turner and Forgett.~ District Hanger Lee, and the writer revealed wide scattering from Evergreen up" It seems almost certain now that the main herd has split into possibly four distinct groupsc One bunch has been seen west near the head of the Blue River; some have'moved farther to the nort.hwest into Clear Creek drainage; more seem to be drifting south into the South Platte River area; and~ of course~ there is stil a parent herd in the Bear Creek,Basino A portion of the basin was covered on horseback in May, and 126 elk were counted mostly cows heavy with calf. More· were seen~ but a definite count, could not be made due to heavy timber and brusho The~e indications of wider dis= tribution are good,\)and perhaps with continued lenient hunting seaso!ls~ conditions for the management of this herd may bebettero j IIo'Forage and Range Utilization Job 1 - ~vey- of Winter Browse Useo ,In exanuning the range utilization trend plots located throughout thedistricti it was found that some were no longer useful due to a shift in deer populations, excessive use by livestock, construction of new roads, and resultant increased human activities, and various other reasons" In vtew of this ~ the 'writer discarded some of the old plots, and enlarged others to include range that gave more representative utilizationoTwo new plots were established, one near the �TABLE I Survey of Winter Browse Use by Trend Plots - Northeastern I Plot Name And Number I County Location Vegetative Type I Poudre canyon, No., 1 Larimer IMixed browse IBigbitterbrush sage I Larimer IMixed browse I Big sage= Noo 2 - - - - - - _I __ - Remarks \Utilization* General I Key Browse Species 1950 District - May and June, Range Trend = ILight I Upward ILight I Upward bitterbrush - _I - - -.. - - - - _I - - - - - - - - -- - - - - Clear Creek Uppe r Clear Cr , _ !.o!eE ~~ aE, 9.r~IMi~e::!~r£.w~e_ J ~t.!.~a!!.o[agy- - L~g!!.t - -I - - - _I - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Discarded due to new road construc tion I !!p!.a!:.d _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - - - - - - - - - - - _ I - Chicago Cr.. CJear Cr ~ = Nos. 1 & 2 = ~ = _ = No. 3 ~ = Proper, more Dorm No 4 CJear Cr Pondersoa Pine Mt Maho0'any and _o£.!e~s _ _ _ _ _ _ _, ._ ~i~e::!£r£.w~e__ Qh£.k~ Qh~rEY_ Discarded - too much cattle use. Discarded - not large enough. No serious development yet, but !i~l_b~a£. ~a~c~i~g _ Soda Creek No ••1 No. 2 \DiSCarded, heavy use by horses. Enlarged old Noo 2 about twice ._ £.r~g~n~l_s~z~ •• _ 0 0 0 0 Bear Creek Jefferson Mixed browse Light Mt .•Mahogany - - - - - - _I __ - - - 1- IPark Deer Creek _______ - - - - - - -, - - - - - - Ip.pine - doug. jMto Mahogany ._ £iE. £r£w~e ~sEe~ . Gold Camp Rdo El Paso No. 1 Mt.Mahogany scrub oak P.pine oak brush - - __ _ - - _I 1- - - _I _ - - - _I - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Upward andlLight _ -1- _ Mt ••Mahogany scrub oak - Light - - - - - _1- _ - _1- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Light to proper P.pine - oak Rampart Rng. IEl Paso brush Rdo Definition of terms for judging utilization is as follows~ Light: .ess than 25% of current annual growth taken. Proper:- Not more than 50% of current annual growth taken. Severe: 50 to 80% of current annual gro~~h taken. Destructive: More than 80% of current annual groY~h takeno * - - - - Upward .Discarded, active gravel pit had had cut away part of plot. ~I-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . _1 - - I~p~a:.d_1 - - - - - - - - Newplot - no previous observations About stable Heavy cattle use. Down El Paso Noo 2 - Upward __ . 0 Red Rocks - = CJear Cr. Light Clear crO.~OPine,_juniPer Mt.oM.ahoganY _ ._ _ _ _ _ !f~e::!~r£.w~e__ £h£.k~ Q.h~I'!:.y_ L~g~t ~l~a.: ~r ~ ~ £i~e _-_b~o~s~ ~t-.:' ~a1.:o[a~__ New Plot. N VI. �- 26 Red Rocks Amphitheater just west of Denver, and the other just off Increasing the Hampart Hange Road northwest of Colorado Springso numbers of deer in these areas prompted this action, and it is anticipated that more new plots will be needed in other areas which have shown a build-up of deer recently; the Boulder and Estes Park districts are exampleso Table 1 gives a general coverage of forage utilization by dner on the trend plots during the past winter ~~d springo It is recognized that much of the utilization is attributable to livestock but sinc~ distinction between cattle use and deer use is almost linpossible, outside of exclosures, the total consumption made of the plant is judged, based upon the amount of the current year's growth takenO' This is an estimation, controlled to a reasonable degree of accuracy by the observerls training himself to recognize what the average annual growth amounts tOj and discerning what per cent has been eaten. Measurement of ungrazed stems at the end of the previous year1s growing season provides a basis for determining the average increment a given species will make in a given siteo j Special Report on the Kelly Flats Range Research Study For the past several years, it has been the observation of officials of both the Uo So Forest Service and the Colorado Game and i"ish Department, that there has been excessive use of browse forage plants throughout the winter deer range in the Poudre River areao Since most of this range is utilized by cattle and deer~ plus a few horses, it was decided by both agencies that a range research study be initiated to ascertain just how much grazing is done by each class of animal, and the amount of grazing each key browse species can 1'Vi thstand and still maintain its vigor I) In order to accomplish these objectives~ it was jointly agreed to construct two exclosurpsc On plot would exclude both cattle and deer~ and be approximately two acres in size~ made with woven and barbed wireQ The other exclosure would be one acre in size:1 made of standard four wire fence, which would exclude cattle onlyo A great deal of reconnoitering was done before District Ranger Bill Augsbach and the -writer selected the Kelly Flats area for the site" It is 37 miles west of Fort Collins up the Poudre River Canyon, and off the road about 1/2 mile, accessible by truck or jeep except during periods of heavy snowo The site is in Section 5, T8N, R72W, within the Roosevelt National Fcr-es t., vlrithphysical features as followgo Exposure - mainly north and east Slope - moderate, less than 20% in most places Soil - shallow, rocky; typical biotite and muscovite schistoseoutcroppingso �.- 27 - Elevation - About 7,600 feeto Vegetation _ Ponderosa pine-browse co~~unity, made un of bit terbrush dominantly wi, th mountain mahogany, squaw currant, and wild rose as main associateso The grass cover is the ponderosa pine bunchgrass type, but in a lo~ stage of mixed grasses and weeds (Figure 14) 0 The deerexclosurewas completed-:"'except for a few minor details--in November, 1949, and the cattle exclosure was scheduled to be constructed in the spring prior to June 1, when the cows are turned on the allotment by the permitteeo Officials of the Forest Service3 however~ decided that an existing drift fence, which had been erected in 1933 to delimit the canyon road right-of-way, would serve the srune purpose as a separate plot, and that funds ear-marked for this plot could be used for exclosures elsewhere 0 This was agreeable to the Game and Fish Department~ and work proceeded according to the plan as shown in Figure 130 As may be seen frorr. the char t., there are four situations or conditions from which to worke The exclosure, approximately 305 by 605 chains~ was built astraddle the drjft fence for this purposeo There is the one area within the exclosure on one side of the drift fence which has had deer use only from 1933 to November, 1949, and is now completely protected from grazingo In the other enclosed plotj there has been combined cattle and deer use prior to construction of the exclosure, and all grazing is now excluded. Outside the structure and uphill from the drift fence, there is still deer use only, and combined use again across the drift fence 0 It is anticipated therefore,that these four conditions will give a vade enough scope to show comparisons from the different types of useo Listed below are the data proposed to be takeno 10 Density by species and total density ground cover in grass type based on a 20 foot line transect, permanently markedo At least three such transects vall be placed in each of the four areas. 20 In browse type, average crown diameter, density by species and total density of p.Lant, cover, and average twig length based on the line intercept type of transecto Per cent utilization in plots outside the exclosure will be determined from these measurements using Horrnay's method. One ransect approximately 3 chains long vall be established in each areao 30 Comparisons of growth by photographing permanently marked points at the same time each yearo (Figures 15 through 19)0 40 Ability of key species, bitterbrush and mountain mahogany~ to withstand grazing and yet maintain proper vigor, by series of clip plotso Annual growth will be clipped 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% on separate plantso �- 28 Measurements have been taken on four line transects in the grass type, one in each ar-ea, Naturally they do not reveal anyt.hmg significant yetg since more transects will have to be established to get representative figureso This method of range forage inventory was employed instead of 100 square foot plots because density is gained from actual measurements rather than by estimation as in the latter methode The four browse transects have been set up, and measurements taken of average crown diameter, density qy line interception, i.eo~ measuring those portions of .plants which are directly beneath the wire, and ~vig growth for the past year on one transect outside the exclosure~ All the photo points have been established, and only a few remain to be taken. It is planned that all measurements will be completed and recorded by the end of SWlli~er so that comparisons may be made on data taken in 19500 The study is to last indefinitely until altered or terminated by mutual consent of both participating agencieso The above report was was submitted by Robert RoElliott �Figure 1 Mountain mahogany destructively used by both cattle and deer over a long period of time in the Hewlett Gulch area. The binoculars case gives some idea of comparison. Figure 2 Serious gullying caused by overstocking and overgrazing of cattle. Only 12 years ago this was a small, willow-borde'red s t.ream, with deep, rich, productive soil on either side. Needless to say, the productivity of this piece of land is drastically low. Magnolia grazinb allotment west of Boulder l.1arch,1950. �Figure 3 Squaw currant (Ribes cereum or inebrians) growinG out of old tree stump. Winiger Gulch west of Boulder, 1iarch, 1950. Figure 4 General aspect of Poudre Canyon utilization Plot No.1, showing scattered browse plants, mainly big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and bitterbr~sh (purshia tridentata)o �Figure 5 Big sagebrush in Poudre Plot No.1. Most of the o'Ld plants are thick and dense, but there are quite a few dead branches. Young plants are coming in, but not very fast. Figure 6 Portion of hind quarter of last year's fawn partially buried. Presumably by a cat, since they often bury uneaten pieces of their kill. Poudre range utilization plot No.1, May, 1950. �Figure 7 General aspect of Poudre range utilization Plot No.2, showing variety of t:;roundcover. Figure 8 Bittcrbrush is squeezing out the big sagebrush in places. In front of the clipboard is a vigorous young bitterbrush plant, while the dead and dyin6 branches of the big sage can be seen in the background. Poudre range utilization Plot Noo 2, May, 19500 �Figure 9 example wher-e the bi tterbrush has almost taken the site away from t~'3 big sagebrusho At the left in front of the clipboard is a sage plant in very poor vigor, and on the riGht, the robust gro~nh of bitterbrush is easily notices. Poudre range utilization Plot Ho. 2, May, 1950 Anot.her' Figure 10 District Warden Colley holds a white cloth for background to bring out the low vigor of a mountain mahogany plant which has been browsed by deer. The salt block, of course, is the reason for the close use. RaT'!'lpart Range Road utilization plot, May, 19500 �Figure 11 A closer view of the same plant gives a better illustration of the utilization and poor condition. Figure 12 Many older stems of mounta.in manogany in the Bear C!,p-ekutilization plot are dying out from what appears to be ~ blight. It is not from overgrazing. A ~rolln;; plant may be seen in front of the clipboard, and reproduction is coming in about as fast as the old plants die out. June, 1950. �FlGURE 13. - PPOPOSED PLAN KELLY OF VEGETATION FLATS RANGE POUDRE CANYON 8 FT. WO'llEN WIRE £XCI..O~uIt.E· .8row,,-e TrO/lject"/ / D££R. U~£ ON~Y /~ deer- only / / /q33 TO 19-r9. STUDY 1950 JUNE O££IZ FI<O/Vl NT. O~~ / / \ / \ 'OJ / 0 ocar GRASS T~,tI/IVSECr No . .q / PHOTO'POIIVT\ / No .G') .3 / \_ 8rOW5e. Tron.:;ecf GRA!iS TR,qNSEcr 8AR(3£f)-WIllE DRIFT TRANSECT \ FENCE \ 81./1J..T IN /<133 - X---x )(---1-)( GRASS \ GI(.RS5 T/<?ANJECT ---X MIlHOGIII!IY CuP \ PH0J:. '0 - i7Q1/Vr STU01€S ChTT4£ (JRA:JS TRANSECT TO 8ITT£R8RUS~ CLIPO PJ..01/ /_ t DE£R (.ftE PHOTO-POINT NO\l£M8£~ ICfr9. o NO. S / / pHOrO-POINT /IIO~ I / x--- )(-----+X--x 8rOIU:S~ GRAS:5 ('OVEIl __ TR4NSECr GIH~SS TRANSECT / TRan.st!ct / / V PHOTO-POINT / / (f) No.~ GR,IISS rRAN:5£CT -, UIVI<EsrKICT£O /JND D££~ CRrr~ US£" '\..,,8row.:Je Trqn.sect "il1 combmecl-ust -, ar e a. -, -, -, -, " ,, -, , -, , �Figure 14 General aspect of vegetation inside deer exc10sure with the deer use only side in the foreground. The drift fence which divides the exclosure may be seen in the background. Kelly Flats Range Study, Poudre C~~yon, June, 19500 Figure IS Photo point Noo 1, inside exclosure on side which has had combined use, as evidenced by the mountain mahogany plant less than 4 inches high. Kelly Flats Range Study, Poudre Canyon, June, 1950. �Figure 16 Photo point No.2, inside exclosure. More hedged mountain mahogany. The plant in bloom to the right is a loco (ArHgallus deflexus), and the grass in the backGround is King's fescue. :ngure 17 Photo point No.3, inside exclosure on the former deer use side. The comparison in size of the bitterbrush in front and the bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum) behind it shows what class of animal has been using this portion of the range. Kelly Flats Range Study. Poudre Canyon, June, 19500 �Figure 18 Photo point No. h - inside exclosure on former deer use side. Invasion of cinquefoil, sandwort, daisy, and other less desirable plants starts when the bitterbrush is weakened from over browsing. June, 1950. Figure 19 Phot-o point No , 5, outside exclosure on deer and cattle side. Bitterbrush shows some past heavy use, but most noticeable is lack of grass. Pussy toes (Antennaria) is about the main grollnd cover present. June, 1950. �- 29 ,North Central Colorado I. Jack DeVore Location and Extent of Seasonal nangeso Job 3 - 14igration Between 'linter and Summer Ranges Objective:: To determine the amount of migration and factors affecting. Findings: Over most of the deer winter range the bulk of the deer herds were slow in moving out; however, the ,vinter range area was larger this year due to an unusually open wintero There were no great concentrations vvith the exception of a few areas such as the William's Mountain and Roan Creek units. As many as 410 deer were counted on William's Mountain at mid-day in early May. The contributing factor to the slow movement of the deer herd may haye ,been the exceptionally cold and dry spr~ngo The vegetation in the higher zones is slow due to lack of moistureo 1110 Forage and Range Utilization. Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Use. Objective: To determine winter utilization of important browse specieso Findings: Established utilization plots were checked in Upper, Wdddle, and Lower Colorado River areas, Roaring Fork and Frying Pan River areas. The following table is a breakdown of the checks: Plant Species Upper Colorado River Oak (Quercus gambelii) Chokecherry (Pru.nus~.) Skunkbush (Rhus trilobata) Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) Shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia) Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) Serviceberry (Amelanchier ·.alnifolia) Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnu~ ~.) Big Sage (Artemisia tridentata) Middle Colorado River Severe Severe Lower Colorado River Severe Severe Severe Severe Light Proper Roaring Fork Severe Severe Frying Pan Severe 'Proper to severe Light Severe Severe Destructive Severe to Destructive Severe Severe Severe Severe Severe Severe Proper Severe Severe Severe Severe Severe Severe Proper to severe Snow berry Proper (Symphoricarpus oreophylus Proper Proper Gooseberry (Ribes ~o) Destructive Severe to Severe to Sp.vere to Bitterbrush Destructive Destructive Destructive (Purshia tridentata) Light Light Severe �- 3() - Juniper and Pinon had very light use over all the area, although they show very heavy former use •• Some grasses, such as wheat grasses and rice grass, were used light to proper" Job 6 -Quadrat Study of Hange in Utilization Plotso Objective: To determine the range recovery in relation elk use on the winter and summer ranges" to deer and Several basal area plots were set up both within the quadrats and Without •• All plants within +,he basal area plots were recorded as to height, annual growth vigor, and occurrence o The general appearance of the qladrats interior show a definite improvement from the surrounding area, mainl;y due to the fact that the annual growth is still present on the plants within the exclosures. IVo Mortality Factors Affecting Job 2 - Predation Objective~ Affecting To determine Deer and Elk Herds. Deer. extent and nature of deer loss through predation" Finclings:t Predators are at a rrul1lnlumin this area, although several coyote kills on the Frying Pan Iiiver <> Job 3 - Study of Other Mortality there were Factors" Winter loss this season is smalL The largest number dead on any of the areas checked was six, which were found on William's Moun tain" IVhile in other area s,the vanter loss ranged from none to sever-a.l , Most of these were farms, with the exception of a few old animals<) The greatest mortality factor in this region was highway loss. On Hi.ghway 82 between Glenwood Springs and Aspen, Trapper Bob Terrell, Warden DOl/mey.))and the 'writer estL'1latedapproximately 50 to 60 deer were ki1 ad by automobiles this winter. During the ski tonrnalnent at Aspen Trapper Terrell pulled 14 dead deer in two days f'rcm the hi ghway " Do S", Highway situation existed" The above report was submitted 24, between by Glenwood S}Jrings and Eagle, a similar Jack DeVore., �- 31 Southwestern 10 Colorado -- Richard Do Teague Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges =- Deer and Elk Job 2 _ Location and Extent of Winter Rangeso As noted in the last Quarterly Progress Report~ April~ 1950, such mild weather existed during the winter and spring months, that deer and elk over the entire San Juan Basin were scattered well beyond the confines of former winter range areaso In the San Juan Unit deer and elk were found ranging high above Coal Creek and Fawn Gulch to the eas t., while on the Snowball, elk were found at both higher and lower elevations than in previous yearso Elk were difficult to find in the Piedra Unit~ but many deer remained along highway 160 until May 1,5., As usual» elk utilized the w1.nter range along the North Fork of Texas Creeko However" only 42 head were foundo Throughout the Animas and Dolores Units~ elk. ranged generally from 6,000 feet up to 9~OOO feete During severe winters deer migrate south as far as McElmo Canyon near Sleeping Ute Mountain in the Dolores Unito This winter no deer sign could be found hereo Job 3 _ Migration Between Summer a~d Winter Rangeso An interesting phenological observance was made this spring during the deer and elk migration up the Animas R.iver Valley 0 'Whereever budding oak brush,9 (Quercus gambelii)Jl was found, there also occured the heaviest concentrations of deer and elk, often inter~ mingled feeding togethero As t.he oak brush began budding at a higher altitude the animals would move up , This criteria was found to be effective in timing appraisal of the established Food Utilization Plots (see Job ~ wider Forage and Range Utilization)Q As late as May 24 one bull elk and seven cows and calves were found to be ranging among the aspen and grass parks one-fourth mile below Faviland Lake on Elbert Creek at 8~OOO feet elevationo The Piedra deer migration started about February 12~ reached its peak around April 18 and was complete by May 150 ObviouslY3 migration was slow this spring even though most of the summer range was open in March., 1110 Forage and Range Utilization Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Useo It was difficult to know just when to start judging the Food Utilization Plots this year as many animals remained on the ,vinter ranges a number of weeks after plant grmrGh had startedo Oak brush �- 32 was the last browse species to start growtn, and it was found that by the time this plant began budding the majority of animals had started their vertical migration, so this period of plant grow~h was used to check the plotso Considering the open vanter in the district, utilization generally too heavy; The following summary is referred to: was Table I S~mary Plot Number Dolores Noo 1 Animas Noo 1 NOe> 2 No.. 3 No ••4 Pine Noo 1 Noo 2 No.. 3 Piedra No ••1 1100 2 of Utilization Plot Location House Creeko Hermosa Creek Hermosa Creek" 3/4 ml., No Hermosa Animas River Ne Fork Texas Creek Bear Creek N ••Fork Texas Creek S~ Rocky Mtn" Store State Turkey Ranch Plots - Deer _Composite Degree of Use Severe Proper Proper Proper Light (outer edge winter range) Light Proper Light Severe Severe Job 3 - Food Habitso On U':1Tch .31, a doe was observed onrthe east. side of the Animas River eating ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) needles. and. .terminaJ, grovrth that had been cut off and dropped to the ground by, squirrels" ~NO deer were taken during the quarter for examination. The stomach (rumen) contents show clearly the time of year taken, ioeo, during new grass growth 0 Table II Stomach AnalYSis Stomach Contents Grass (Poa sppo) Leaf mold Hair Wood fiber - Deer Per Cent of Contents Sample No. 2 Sample No , 3 96 97 3 1 3 �- 33 Job 3 _ Study of Other mortality Factors - Uinter Loss, Starvation, Disease, Parasites, Highway and Railroad kortalityo Winter Loss: Death drain on the deer and elk herds from the adversities of V'Iinterwere small this year-s No elk have been found dead from this cause and only two deer fawns have been seen dead in the field. All indications show the fawn survival gbodo On March 9, sixty-one deer were counted in the meadows between Hermosa and Rockwood of wIllch thirty-two were adults and twenty-nine were fawnsQ Parasites and physical Condition: Of the two deer taken for examination, one was hopelessly caught in a fence. This animal, had worn all the hair off the right side of its body and torn the right eye from the orbit in attempting to free hllaselfo Both arJJnals werG taken in the Animas Unite Table III Postmortems Conditions Present Lung worms Bot larvae Biting lice (Mallophaga) Ticks Coyote cysts Adipose tissue~ Heart Kidneys Mesentaries Bone m.arrow Rump Brisket General physical shape ill ghway Mortality: - Deer Specimen Noo 2 (Male fawn) x x (J3) x Specimen Hoo 3 (Female fawn) x x (47) x x x (2) x x x x (pinkish-red) (pink) x x Poor Fair (subcutaneous growth in left groin) Fighway kills were frequent, especially ar-ound the Chi~ney ~ock area of the Piedra Unit. Here an unfortunate situation exists with Highway 160 winding through a fairly heavy deer concentrationo Table IV shows the approximate herd drain from this decimating factor. The ~Titer has record of many animals removed from the highways by local people that are not listed hereo �- 34Table lV Highway Mortality Sex Doe f'awn Doe farm Doe (twin fetuses) Buck Fawn Doe (twin fetuses) Doe (t~~n fetuses) Location of Kill E~ side Animas River Pinkerton Springs Pinkerton Springs Chimney Rock Chimney Rock Chimney Rock "Date 3-28-50 4- 3-50 4- 6-50 4- 7-50 4- 7-50 4-18-50 In addition, tvo cases of poaching loss were recordedo One buck was killed in the Chimney Rock country near the State "Tu.rkey Ranch, and a doe containing twin female fetuses was taken on Florida Mesa o Fawning Report On the evening of February 2Bjl 1 950jlDistrict Game Warden Charles Wanemaker saw two set$ of new deer fawns near the State Turkey Ranch. Warden Wanemaker said these fawns had the spqts , characteristic of very young deer and looked to be about a week old; or born on February 21p This report reached the writer on March 7 and a number of succeeding days were spent trying to locate the fawns without resultso l\. week later (March 14) a completely isolated report was received from Helen Charles and Dean McClellan of Cortez. They saw one pair of new favms (with spots) on February 19, 1950, in Mary Jane Canyon of the Gypsum Val ey in S~! Miguel County some 200 miles to the northwest of the State Turkey Ranch. It is felt that all parties reporting these favms are competant vdldlife observers; however" no actual proof was obtained by them .• ASSuming the fawns went the full term of gestation, they would have had to be conceived around the last of July, 19490 To the0 probing mind, many other interesting implications may be found The above report was submitted by Richard DQ Teague �- 35 West Central Colorado -- H. Curtis Hammit and Paul Fo Gilbert 10 Location and Extent of ~easonal Ranges Job 1 - Location and Extent of Summer Ranges. Jlost of the summer range was still snowed up on the higher elevations of the Uncompahgre for the period of this quarter. The deer were following the snow line back as fast as the vegetation greened up. Job 2 _ Location and Extent of -Winter Ranges , This year the winter range overlapped the summer range in nearly all parts of the Uncompahgreo This was due to the open wintero In some areas the deer appeared to be fewer; however, the area used as winter range was often twice to three times as great as last year, which allowed the animals to scatter out more. In checking the winter ranges, it seemed that the deer herd had split where it borded a cultivated area-·-part of the herd was crowding the ne1' growth on the upper limits, and the other part of the the herd was hanging just around and outside the fieldso Deer were still corning into the meadows as late as the latter part of May, making it necessary for the wardens to do night herding. These areas 5.'1cludedBilly Cr-eek, Cow Creek, lower Cimarron, and parts of the Lilly Lands and Dry Basino In winter areas not bordering hay meadows such as Blue Mesa and Atkinson Mesa, only an occasional track could be found when these areas were checked the middle of Aprilo The deer , all but a few st.r-aggf.er-s , had left for the high count.ry, j A three-day field trip was made, in cooperation with the Utah Came and Fish D9partment~ Bureau of Land Management, and Uo So Forest Ser\rico, and other members of the Colorado Game and Fish Department, along the Utah-Colorado line the first week in May.. The ?urpose of this trip was to check the wj.nter range of the La Sal deer her-ds This herd is unique in that, the deer summer-ing on the east side of the La Sal National Forest winter almost entirely in Coloradoo This trip disclosed that on Viray Mesa which lies partly in Colorado and partly in Utah, the past and present use by both domestic stock and deer to be severeo Carpenter Ridge, lying in Colorado but cat.chi.ng the ct'2iftoff of the 1aSals, showed heavy utilization on t.he b:i!j sage , (Artemisia tridentata), serviceberry, (Amelanchier bakeri), and the oak-;-CQuercus gambelii) The winter range conditions becane i:1,crGasin~l,ywor-se to t.he nor-th, Sinbad Vc;.113Y was the hardest hito Here deer have highlined the pinon, (Pinus edulis), and juniper, (Juniperus utahensis), and the use on the sage and otner plants p~lr-is destructiveo Dolores foint, to the north of Sinbad, also shows 8xtremely heavy use by deero j 0 �- 36 JOb 3 - Migration 13etl"{een Sur.nnerand Ifinter Hanges A rough map was made, Figure 1, on the migration routes of the La Sal deer wintering in Colorado~ The downward migration starts during hunting season the last of October~ Utah's season extending into November, approximately a week longer than Colorado's, undoubtedly tends to hasten the migration into ColoradoG III. Forage and Range Utilization. Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse UseG Deer use on the winter ranges was lighter than usual; however, many of these areas were still carrying too many animals to allow' any appreciable amount of recovery •. Range utilization.checks are summarized as follows: Plot Location Kannah Creek No. 1 Kannah Creek No" 2 Blue Mesa Noo I Blue Mesa Noo 2 Blue lIesa No.. 3 *San Miguel No. 1 San Miguel No , 2 San Miguel Noo 3 GypS1l..'1l Valley NO 1 Gypsum Valley No 2 Minnesota Creek No.. 1 Minnesota Creek No.. 2 Escelante No.... 1 Escelante Noo 2 G 0 Degree of Use Near Browse Ranch Forest boundary 3/10 mile west No •• 3 2/5 mile west Noo 1 3 mi , west Blue Mesa Road 4 nri , below F', S. boundary 107 miles below F. S. BoundaF~ 6 3 miles east of Nucla Gypsum Valley Gypsum Valley 1/4nule NG Dewell Ranch 1/4 mile No of forks of Creek 1/8 ile So Escelante bridge Byers Gulch 0 * Nevu' plot Job 2 - Correlation of liruneand Livestock Severe Destructive Destructive Destructive Destructive Proper Proper Proper Proper Destructive Destructive Proper Proper Proper Land Useo In some of the deer vdnter range areas visited along the UtahColorado line, the competition between deer and cattle was evidento This was especially true on Carpenter Ridge where past abuse had reduced the overall denSity and selection of specieso Blue Mesa, on the west side of the Uncompahgre, is another place where cat.tle were seen eating big sage.. Here also past abuse has left a poor selection of plant species; and when the few desired grasses and plants are grazed, the cattle have no other choice •• �- 37 On Atkinson Mesa, on the west side of the Uncompahgre, a reseeding project has decreased the sage brush range by about 800 acreso The remaining top of the mesa is sheeped by Kermit Hed. Atkinson Mesa is .• ,,"". ., CJ.J...so an aerial trend area. " . . . '.,. . •'.•. '••.. ~~,~. '.' ••.••• _ .•• , .••.•••..••••..•••.•• '14..0..... ,"" •. ~.'.' .. ~~••"' .• .,..-.1- Job 5 - Quadrat Study of Range in Utilization Plots. The Kannah Creek deer exclosure when checked this spring showed a noticeable difference from the surrounding range. As this plot was finished last fall before the deer crune down, this springs check revealed the last years annual grow'th which was almost entirely lacking on the outside plants. Another striking difference was the amount of annual weeds within the plot compared to the lack of cover between the big sage on the outside. Six new meter photo quadrats were established in connection I'd th the Blue Mesa deer exclosure. IVo Mortality Factors Affecting Job 2 - Predation Affecting and photographed Deer and Elk Herds. Deero No losses from predators are knoWTlo Job 3 - Study of Other I.iortali ty Factors. Several dead deer were found on spring range tripso The exact cause of death could not be determined. Judging from the n~~ber of animals found, the winter loss would be below normal. A young buck was taken for a postmortem on Billy Creeko Fat present~ Rump Brisket Mesentaries Kidneys Heart Bone marrow Lung worm Bot larva Biting lice Sucking lice Ticks Leg worm Coyote cysts Tapeworm x x x x x x x x The above report was submitted by Paul F. Gilbert in Comerer's hay meadow It cannot be explained why this animal would have fat on other parts of the body and none on the heart. �- 38 - ( Little Hills Game ExoerL~ent Note: I" Station -- Ross 1. Crunpbell \ Due to the death 0f Donald Go Lauridson, Superintendent, no report from Little Hills in the last quarterly" Location there was and Extent of Seasonal Ranges --'Deer and Elk. Job 3 - Migration Between Summer and Winter Ranges. Objective: To determine the extent of migration winter range of the vThite River deer herd ••' between summer and Method: Deer were trapped and tagged in the Little Hills area by use of box-type traps described previously. Two types of tags were used so that if one tag is lost the deer may still be identified. Tubular rivet-type alw~num tags backed by a white plastic disc 2 inches in diameter and a smaller red plastic triangle was used on the left'earo The right ear was marked with a clip-on cattle tag4 Table I Summaz-y of Deer Trapping At Li ttle H:ul~ During the Winter, 1949-50' M2.ture Bucks Mature does Buck fawns Doe fawns Total 7 84 30 ~ 136 The carcasses of four deer tagged last winter and one !,tagged the prE30eeding winter we:r,e' f'ound, Eight of the' button-type tags were found that'had been torn from the ears of tagged animals" i 0 A number of recaptures were recordedo 'Some of the does and ' fawns ca~e back tLne after time and in some cases made it necessa~ to move the trap to a new locqtion. 1110 Forgage and Range Utilizatiouo Job 5 - Little Hills Grazing Competition ~erimental Pasturesg • f * ~- . J..-).\.' 'oV Enclosure /\'1 - " Plans for the Third Series of Enclosures: surveyed and the pl~s were completed1> the Denver office for reproduction. t: '~" ,\.,c..\vi...· ~~..... Study. , I,. "",J, '.' (,,t; , , The proposed patureswere These plans were sent to �- 39 Removal of Lxcess Deer From ~nclosures: Since the second series of enclosures was not yet complete when the deer arrived in the first part of October, we were faced with the problem of a large number of deer in these enclosures. There was also a problem of control of deer numbers in the first series of enclosures because the closed area around these pastures was inadequate during hunting seasono Following is a tabulation of the number of deer which gained entrance to the enclosures, according -to the best estimate availableo Table II Estimate,' Number of Deer Gaining Entrance into inclosures Enclosure Type of Pasture Noo of Deer 1 2 Sheep Cattle Cattle Deer Sheep Deer 18 3 4 5 6 & 7 125 80 33 20 Several drives were made in an attempt to remove deer from the pas tur-es, but Pie sncce sa was poor in all but one Lnet.ance , This was in pasture 5 on November 2 when 22 deer were removedo Traps were then used as a means of r-emoval.e Between December 21 and April 5 the following number of deer were removed by trapping. Table III Deer Removed from Enclosures Enclosure Deer Removed 1 &2 10 3 4 68 27 At the tL~e of the spring migration to summer range about the middle of April3 all gates wer-e opened to allow the deer to move out, but many remained in the enclosures. On lEay 11 a drive to remove the remaining deer was attempted in Pasture 4, a deer pasture, with the help of 22 senior Grone Management students from Colorado Ao & 1,1. College. The 22 students were stationed approximately 1--1/2 chains apart and moved in a line from the south to the north of the pasture. Results of this drive were very pooro A total of 30 d~er were seen and of the number, 4 went out of the pasture, I broke its neck when it hit the fence, and 25 broke back through the line. �- 40 "" Stocking of the Enclosures~ The sheep and cattle pastures were stocked according to a plan reported earlier, regardless of the fact that they were already occupied by deero During the fall season,Pastures 1 and 5 were each~ stocked Yri th 14 head of sheep from October 24~ 1949, to December 11., 19490 Pastures 2 and 3 were each stocked with 3 cows and and 3 short yearlings or the equivalent of about 5 animal units from October L7 to December ll~ Spring stocking was delayed approximately 2 weeks beyond the usual date because of a water shortage 0' It was necessary to install stock tanks and haul water to 3 of the'4 enclosures occupied by domestic stockp Pastures 1 and 5 were then stocked with 15 head of sheep each from May 8 to July 10 'rvfOcows and 3 yearlings or the equivalent of 4 animal units occupied pasture 2 between May 18 and July 6" Pasture 3 was stocked with 3 cows, 1 yearling, and one large calf~ or the equivalent of 4 animal units between May 18 and July 60 One cow came fresh in Pasture 3 and had to be taken out on June 21" Use of the pastures during the fall season, 1949~ and spring season, 1950, is summarized in the following tableo Deer use includes the winter season of 1949-50 and spring use up to June 300 Tabel IV Stocking Record from October 5, 1949, to June 30~ 1950 Pasture Acreage Deer mo .• Stock moo A/deer mo .• A/stock mo" 1 Sheep 68 51093 105096 1031 2 Cattle 2a3 168 15070 10 070 3 Cattle 169 681093 15070 025 10 076 4<Deer 118 418017 ,,28 5 Sheep 82 93073 52020 088 1057 6 & 7 Deer 204 151070 1034 " Utilization of the browse plants was quite heavy in several ~ of the pastuz-es , Nle.asurements of:1:,.h~ current seasons, growth were ?takenheforeand after use by de;rj1;lutthlsda:ta has not been anaiyzed" 'B ca,u,s"e, of lant" growth during the periOd, Of, spring use by cattle and E:,.epLutilization is determined by eatdmat.e, A number of observaons were-made in unused areas outside the exclosures to determine « the average "rowth of the main grass specfee , These averages were de term,inedfor each type of site to ,be sampled ,Within the enclosureso Since gro,vth of forbs and browse plants is so much more variable and in most cases the use was light~ it Was possible to determine the \'- growth of the plants to be sampledo ' P" Six plots were selected at random in each pasture used by domestic stock so that each vegetative type would be sampledo More types were present in Pasture 3 so it was necessary to use seven plots. Observations of as many plants of each species as possible �7~blc Estimated T..,r uti1i3ation iT' ?astures Fo11o".'nnc Spring Jrazing ShOYfirlC Frequency of Occur-rence and Season, 1950, Esti;:la~~; :.\'eragePer Cent utilize-tior: of Forage Species b~" Pasture. I Pasture 1 Sheep I'F'"'\...i • Ofl Forage Spe~ies '. I~ Grass & Grass-:;j.ke .c..gropyronir:.erme Oryzopsis h;-,%enoldes Koe1eria cristata poa sppo Stipa comata Carex stenophyl1a Sita!1icn hystrix Agropy~or: smithii Bromus anamo1us E1ymus condensatus Oryzopsis wic!'anthus Bromus tectorum Poa praetensis _ I ~ t- 'J.-'•...~ # -, .l1. 3 2 1 1 2 I - I •.:f...,... •.•.'"-..:.. •..-.~ 2 2 2 13 10 I - - 45 3 2 2 1 1 S. 1 2 2 1 08 0 0 -2 80 20 I 0 0 I 25 0 0 0 r-;::= . I - - i 2 03 .. - I - 1 3 3 2 .. ~ /(. 0 0 0 10 0 0 II bl T 05 3~, 0 ..L .) 33 1 2 45 2 - i 1..• 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 05 4 20 I -0 I 0 4 I I 2 2 0 I 020 1 2 T 0 -3 1 ! 05 2 0 • -":3 4 3 1 - 1 -- - T ... T 1 4 I Ave. % Util. 09 13 3 , I T T 5 1 4 2 - - Freq. of OCC'.lr. 19 33 29 55 69 35 1 - fT' .I. Utile 28 15 - - Ave. ~ -' :) I -I - - I 6 2 - T 7-l,~:! t~~...1 5 5 - 0 60 I 74 - T T I 75 41 - 18 2 1 1. 1 1 ~ v 0 1 I 6 6 7 6 29 42 20 5 6 5 5?. - .•..- 1 1 2 1 1 2 , 0 09 17 25 53 60 20 03 10 10 0 03 5 - ~~- 4 I Pastur:::3 Cattle Freq. of Freq of -I Ave. J, . Occur. Occur 0 Utile % V6.• Util. 5 4 3 3 Forbs pidium fremontii Lupinus spp. Actinea acau1is Eriogonum umbel1atum Achillea lanulosa Agoseris glauca Phlox caespitosa Hedysarum pabu1are Chrysopsis vi110sa Grinde1lia sppo LimL'lllewisii Artemisia wrip.:ht.; i_ Castilleja 1inariaefo1ia EriogonQrn wrightii Pentstemon linarioides I ~ Ioccur , -- ;-\ ",~rJ.-\- ..L Fast; ure 2 :::a ttIc -I Pasture ;; Sheep r •.. f') I 2 03 0 0 I 0 ~ ~ I �Table V - Continued Farage Species - Pasture 1 Sheep Forbs continued Balsamorrhiza sagittata Erigeron spp. ,.. Cercium spp. Heuchera cylindrica Gallium bareale Lithospermum spp. Artemisia dracunculoides Phlox stansburiana Gilia spp , Sphralcea caccinea Pe~tsteman rydbergia """ ~ .--A. 'J.• Browse Amelanchier alnifolia ~rtemisia frigida Symphoricarpos .oreophilus Chrysathamnus viscidiflorus C. nauseosus Artemisia tridentata Purshia tridentata Pinus edulis Juniperus~ utahensis Tetradymia inermis Quercus gambelii Cercocarpus montanus Eurotia lanata lUbes spp , c, (..l,,1..-< ,,"'""C' .,;... .•..... ~~Freq. of Occur. Ave. % UtiL ~ .•.. 1 0 ~ - 1 1 Pasture 2 Cattle Freq. of' Occur. Ave.-% Util. Freq •.af Occuro Ave. % Utile - - J 0 1 1'0 ..• 1 T - 1 1 T T 0 1 - 1 T -~- = ~ .,.. 1 1 30 0 - ~ ~ 1 - - "" - - - - 11 15 03 10 6 2 2 3 2 2 2 03 18 0 0 13 05 33 - -1---- ---, ... -. - 6 7 3 1 4 . 3 1 15 60 T T 2 5 4 2 4 1 2 3 4 0 05 02 - 02. 6 o - .,.- Q T / 02 1 - ... 1 2 4 5 - ~ .~-.- Freq. of Occur. ••••.. -<- 04 0 02 26 05 T 10 o - 0 33 06 02 Q - 3 2 1 20 03 0 1 2 25 13 - 0 - .•.. - - 2 4 J 4 4 2 5 5 4 1 2 2 1 {('51 ~'¢ '1.A*~ frequency of occurrence is meant the number of plots in which an adequate sample was found for a reliable estimate ... Ave. % Utile - .;.. 2 1 ;;:'."'5 Pa,sture 5 Sheep - 1 T /0/, ;" 5 1 5 3 ... -'QI - 0 T Pasture 3 Cattle - - 6.1 33 02 05 16 33 12 18 T 0 T 05 =rJ-~1\.- ~I\) �- 43 were made within a radius of 50 to lQO fee so that a representative sample was obtained. Estimates were confined to spring use but they represent use by a small number' of deer in each pasture as well as cattle or sheep use. Util~zation is quite heav-y on the pr-imary f'or-age species for several reasons: Growth has been below normal because of dry weather, pastures are stoc~ed heavier than proper use 'would call for to show selectivity, and "there is heavy deer use in addition t domestic stock use .• Spring utilization The above report Rogers, was submitted is summarized in Table V on pages 41 and 420 by 110ss 11> CampbeLl., (The )i'I'iter is oneebte to ::.Tessrs. .i.tobert }Ioward, Donald Lauridson, and .1Jauronce io i.liord2.::1for a Lar-ge part of the work reported.) Glenn �- 44liort,rmrest,ern Colorado -- Gordon Solomon I. Location Job and Lxtent of ~easonal nanges Deer and Elk. 3 - Migration Het.vreenSummer and Winter l"anges with Emphfl8is on the Villite lli ver ..Jigratio~q; Objective: During the past few years, there has Supposedly been a decline in the migration of "the w.hite l.hver deer herd which migrate from the winter range in the Little Hills area to the summer range in the Upper White River and its associated drainages., In order to check on the extent and time of movement, from the winter ranc.,~ethis spring, a track count along Flag Creek road,raf)' initiated May ~,-'..950, and terminated May 28, 1950, with counts being made daily" See Figure 1. Method: A portion of li'lag Creek road and a portion of W·est Rifle Creek road which wer-e used for the countd ng strip were divided into four sectors of different lengths dependent upon natural topographic features" 'I'he t.otal distance of the countd.ng strip was approximately 15 mj,leso A jeep tmving a wagon wheel drag, four feet in diamter, was used to obliterate old tracks" l"igure 2" This resulted in a smooth count.ins strip four feet ,vide and 15 :;-ai1es long, The personnel consisted of two men, a driver and an observer. Low speed driving is req i ed of the r' 'i ver in order to aid the observer in attaining accuracy.. The observer places himself on the hood of' the jeep and, vd th two tally counters, records the upcountry or plus trc. ks on one and. the down-country on mi.nus tracks on the other.. This is necessary because it appe rs that before the peak of:nigration tllere is considerable m.illing around and crossing back and forth by the deer-, Re-dragging of the counting strip is accomplished daily concurrent vd th the countingo Each set of' tracks crossing one deor , Ther'~was no difficulty of tracks" the counting encountered strip was recorded as separating each set A dai y record was kept of the tracKs, both plus and minus for each sector. and the total number of plus or up-country tracks See Table l)v A dai.Iv notation was made of the weather and it was found that storms characterized by pre-storm fluctuating -~r..i.nd directions and velocities had a tendency to Lirui, t the movement of the deer-, At the time of' 1:'hetrack count, trend counts were made along Strawberry Creek road and the Meeker-Rio Blanco highway" This was done for ~XlO reasons: (1) to find the peak of migration on these �-45 co areas if the trend method is accurate, and (2) to attempt to determine the errors in the type of trend method which is described in the Quarterly Progre~s Report,J~~uary, 1950, page 38. Findings:: During the spring of 1939, tracks were counted along the Meeker-Rio Bl.anco highway, but due to the bituminous surfacing of this highway shortly thereafter, the counting strip was moved to the Fl.ag Creek road which parallels the Meeker-Rio Blanco highway (Figure 1).. During the springs of 1940 and 1941, trackccountswere made along Flag Creek road and Strawberry Creek road.. The Flag Creek counting strip was then approximately 20 nules in length~ but due to the improvement of the road bed during the last few years with gravel surfacing from Meeker to Sutton1s ranch (approximately 7 miles south of Meeker) the counting strip has been reduced to approximately 15 Due to the limited number of personnel and the time miles in lengthc involved, tracks were not counted on the Strawberry Creek sectoro Two factors which limited the accuracy during the count were weather and sheep trailing along the counting stripo Snow drifts in the vicinity of Upper :Flag and Upper Thirteen Mile Creeks prevented total coverage of the area until May 13, 19500 Prior to this date, the northern section of the strip (sector one and a portion of sector two) was counted from Meeker south to the snow drifts and the southern section of the strip (sector four and a portion of sector three) was counted from Rio Blanco north to the snow drifts.. Snow and rain showers durins the time of counting limited the accuracy, but is believed that only a small percentage of the tracks were missed since pre-storm wi.nd changes had a tendency to limit the movement of the deer. Some portions of Flag Creek road are used for sheep trailing in the spring and fall.. During the days that sheep were trailed on the road» the deer tracks could not be distinguished for the multitude of sheep tracks, thereby IDniting counting accuracy •• Sector two was the most traversed sector of the fouro The total number of deer crossing sector two, a distance of 402 miles» was 5,031 and the peak was reached May 17 which coincides l,ti th the date of the peak for the total andfina~ track counto It is probable that both Thirteen Mile and Fourteen 1I1ileCreeks are the most feasible migration routes which wou.ld account for the heavy concentration of tracks in sector two (Figure 1 and Table 1)0 Sector one, a distance of 204 miles, was crossed by 49224 deer and the peak was reached May 12 (Figure 3)0 It appears that the earlier migrants from the lower portions of the vanter range found this route more suitable than the others.. Sector tlrree, a distance of 6.• 6 miles was crossed by 2,682 deer and the peak for this sector was reached May 17 (Figure 3)0 Sector four, a distance of 107 miles, was crossed by 736 deer and the peak in this sector was reached May 21.. This sector is considered �- 46 to be the upper limit of the migration route and with the disappearance of the snow and the appearance of warmer weather and grm"fth on the food snecies; this sector received a percentage of the late migrantso According to Figure 3, it would appear thCl-tthe r:ri.grantscan be divided into three main groups--early migrants which chose the most feasible low-country routes, mass migrants which followed the main migration routes :i.nthe 'fhirteen Mile and Four-teen Mile Creek areas, and the late mi.grant.swhich chose more of the high-country routes.. The dates for the main migration--early, mass, and l~te~-were from May 11 to May 23~ This would place the length of the major raigration at 12 dayso Extremely early migrants were crossing sever'a.l days prior to l\ilay 11 and stragglers were crossing as late as May 28 at which time the track count was discontinuedo The total number of deer crossing the counting strip from May 8 to May 28 was 12.1>673(Table I).> The following tabulation compares the 1950 track count with the 1940 and 1941 track counts~ Year Sector Number Total 1940 Strawberry Creek Flag Creek .3,944 20,904 24,848 Strawberry Creek Flag Creek 3;944* 4-3,503 27~447 Flag Cree):,: 12,jl673 12,673 1941 1950 * --from 1940 Strawberry count Analysis~ It must be remembered that the 1950 counting strip was only 15 miles in length whereas the 1940 and 1941 count±ngstripswere approxi.matoly 40 miles in lengtho Based upon this fact alone, it would appear that the ]2,673 deer recorded for 1950 is the least known number of migrating deer for the area as a who.Le., There is no way, except by inference, to determine the total number of deer which .grated to the summer- range, but it will suffice to say that there are many more' than the -act.ua.L L -re.cor'dednump~:r" The date of the peak of the 1950 migration was-May 17·as compared to May 12 in 1940 and May 23 in 1941 (Figure 4).. This would indicate that the migration dates vary from time to time, and it is probable that tl-J.e type of winter preceding the migration, the food species preserrt ,and available dur-Ing the winter, and the condi ti on of the deer, especially the does which are heavy with fawn, at the time of the migration are some of the main factors affecting the tLT,e and extent of the migrationo �- 47 - 07 trocKs p~r sector Daily ~~ 'seeror I _7Number ~~: 5,;.c1.'r2-.'.Z IIIl 15ifc7iir 3-~---:limt.'lSrCf~rtJ/.7.7 mi. T()"(J/~ Oi + _ T + + IT-+ + - T+ -+ -:or-.. + ..... - - - - - - - - - - - 398 8 322 lOt) Z.ZZ 226 50 176 20 121 260 g 225 86 139 1#1 o 4- " 14 0 '7 <9 0 8 141 #/-5 0 4-S Itf. 10 131 5~ ~I 5 0 5 .f. 611J II 3S~ 29 32~331 69 2~ 12 0 12 ,4- 13 0 1-' 17 274- 10 Z.f.7 4-1 206 /13 ~g ~4 83~ 12 53~ ~2. "SZ !JB9 77 312 830 13 ~O6 67 339 ~I 387 10~ 8 ~ 9/g II- 351 37 31f if.80 61 ~/9 1010 IS 3DI 42 961 16 ~20 31/-9 565 76 ~89 • 63 357 .5/Q 12.7 1"-' 221 13 1/11J~ 5tf.2 ~7 1232 17 ~73 ,99 33'1601 18 ~/5 160 19 39 ~86I3~S 17 •~?~~Sg 66 ~68 IS' 15~19 ~4Z 71 ~?I ~oo ~7 54S 181 9gB 20 ;f./~ 87 9Z7 488 63 ~5 II 96 I- 19 0 19 ~6 70 3 61 11.0 37 0 B7 % 17 ~~~ I"' 1 I!.,f;" 19 2{JQ 17 183 63 0 6~ 54 193 503 7Z 'f-31 gaD 12 327 1,/01 7 Q4 287 88 17 71 732 22- 151 13 1,12" 931 81 zs» 613 2~ '(O~5 21 Z~7 671 23 14- 9 £,~192 11 175 M(' 1% g~". ~7 c:J 87 - 11-" - - 121 0 1%7 ,06 7 Qg 19 0 19 ,,"11 25 ""II 19 -. ",,11 0 2~ - 0 Sti- 22' 2~ ,,,;., - "UII 29~ 27 (J 61 28 - "qII /llfV. Ilflll - 0 25 0 25 185 9 176 S~ - - ,g 0 19 t1Z 0 ~2 0 0 I~I ~1). 6D73 84.9 "ZI.-# 1'069 ~t)J8,OJI ~8#" 0 "'-t.8Z 7811 50 73(, ~i" s~c'"~s ror. ~l{'+.I .- ~~~,II.',___..,rS,.~,,.,~,..,1;. '/cd J ___ 12","73 0 IGR~Aln • wh~re s 'flee, TABLE I J �- 4$ No attempt was made to determine the location or movement of the deer after they had crossed the counting strip~' It remains to be discovered where the majority of the migrating herd spent the sununero Conclusions: The favorable spring and swmner of 1949 was conduciye to excellent growth on all food species which had suf:ficientvigor up to the time of the growing .season, This, type .of spring and summer combined with a mildwinteJ:' r'educed the ,>Tinterloss by a big margin and resulted in a larger and lle¥bhisji.,~deei,crop as" compared to an average or normal winter season,;. The majQ;t-:i.tyof deer, in this area, were in very good condition for this time of the year and it is believed that the instip.bt .t.o.mi.grat.epresented itself with more force this spring than it would following a comparatively harder and more normal vlinter'ing season, The II1,igration instinct is inherent; however, the urge to migrate is probably directly related to the condition of the animal, and it is possible that the deer may alter their migrating habits someWhat. The proposed hunting season for 195'0nil open the area east of Highway 13, in Rio Blanco COl).nty,to antlered dee:r only.:' It was believed at the time that hunting pr easur a and, more' direc::tly,the killing of does was the main factor r'esponsfbl,e for the decline in the migrationo It is the belief of, the author,thath}m::ti:qgPr:essu;re is a minor factor affecting the migration and that the availability and composition of the vdnter feed'and the condition 'of,the d~er at the time of the migration aretbe main factorso Management cannot be based upon above-normal conditions of extremely favorable springs and summer-s and mild wintersO' Even though the s~~er range may accomodate many more deet than the vunter range, the herds must be managed on the basis of forage production and availability during an average or normal wintering perd od, It is still appar-ent, that a winter feeding shortage still exists in the livintering area of the~ihi te River migra td.rig herdo; 1110 Forage and ltange Utilization Job 1 - Survey Ob.jectd.ve e of Winter Browse Use. To determine vrinter utilization of important browse specf.es , Method: During the latter part 9f April and prior to the regular spring utilization checks, general surveys were made in :;>ectionsof different wirrter- ranges in the northwest aree ,. �- 49 Findings: Location: Oil well area in the Piceance Creek drainage. Date~ April 18, 1950 - 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. pu£pose: To determine amount of utilization, runount of concentration, and to detect any movement in this part of the Piceance herd which inhabit this area part of the winter and early spring. Topography: Sagebrush flat with scattered pinon (pinus edulis) and . juniper (Juniperus utahensis). Climate: No snow cover. beginning to burst. Buds on serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) Edaphic ~ Moist surface soil and puddling of soil evident due to trampling by deer in search of preferred food species. Biotic: There were ap-vroxfmat.e.Iy200 deer on the flat at 11:30 a sm, Six herefords were observed on ridge feeding on new grass. Normally, this area is utilized by cattle during the summer, but it appears that the use by cattle varies according to type of winter. < Vegetative: Wheat grass (Agropyron ~.) approximately 2" tall. Some grazing by deero There appears to be a fair stand of grass between the dominant sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata), but trampling of the soi~ is having a damaging effect on the density and grovvth in this particular areao Serviceberry buds are beginning t.o burst. The utilization up to this t.ime appears to be propet'. The majority of the serviceberry plants~ vmich form a small percentage of the total composition, have been badly abused in the past. Few new plants are appearing from underground stems. Big sagebrushJ the dominant species, showed proper use up to this tiLiso Few new sagebrush plants are appearing. Rabbi tbrush (Chrysot.hamnus spp.) which forms a small percentage of the total composition showed at least 100% utilization up to this tdzne, Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) appeared very hedged and very low in viGor when it was found. It appears to be a semi-remnant in this area. Analysis: Mild weather has permitted free travel which resulted in proper use of the major food species up to this time, but damage to the u..'1.derstory of grasses is quite extensive due to the trampling and the puddling of the soil. It was too early in the season to detect any definite movement from the area. �- 50 Locatd.on e Meeker to Maasadona via Dragon Park road and 11anbelyo Date: April 20-21~ 19500 PUrPose: To check on winter utilization and movement of deer in the different areas" Findings:- Since the major part of the Douglas Creek drainage is utilized by sheep during the winter.\)deer and deer sign was not encountered until the western limit of the winter sheep range was r-eached; Fifty deer wer-e seen along t.ne Dragon Park r-oad, The majority of the f'awns appeared to be in poor cond i td.on, Several deer were observed feeding on the early Ju..l1e grass (Koeleria cristata) in the valleys" The utilization on the browse species is extensive,;)"lc)ut the preferred browse plants-mountain mahogany (Cercocar~us montan s) and serviceberry--form only a small percentage of the tot composition" Location:: Cedar Ri.dge in the vicinity of'lk Springs Date~ April 21,;)19500 Findings:! This area is an example of an excellent browse = grass range in the semi-desert" Bitterbrush is the .na.l.n browse spec.Les , and it reaches excellent height (3ito 41) on the sandy; wel drained soil present in t.his area" This area is ut.ilized bv Rr.c""') in the spring and in the fall,\)but the browse species are in excellent condi td.on, The amount of utd Li.z.at.Lon by deer during the winter is unkno~m2 but apparently~ tins area receives some use by deer" 0 The sandy soil» which is eroded to some ext.ent by the wind .• J.l2..S not been ~amaged by overuse; Loco "':,iongA portion of .Blue Mountaino 12 1950 FIndings:: Spring migration was in progress at the t.ime accorcn ng '::'0 several local people" Apparently there are several residents which inhabi t. the Elk Springs a+ea , Date~ April Locatd.ons Wilson Creek Dat.es April 199 1950 Finding5~ The ill in browse species in this area appear in excellent condition" Hed.ging on serviceberry and mountain mahogany in some areas is disappear ngo Due to the oil development in this area~ there is no large concentrations of deero �- 51 •.. IVo Mortality Job 3 Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herdso Study of Other Mortali t;y-Factors-Winter Loss, Starvation, Disease, Parasites, Highway and Railroad Mortalityo Objective~ To determine the relative loss of the White River deer herd caused by fences and highways along the major migration routes .•• Method: Concurrent wi.t.h the Flag Creek track count, a mortality study Vias made along Strawberry Creek and the Meeker-Rio Blanco highway The type and miles of fence and the type and Diles of road surface were recorded along the two trend routes.. See Figure 5.· Checks were made every other day from May 8, 1950, to May 28, 1950, with number of dead, class of dead, and the supposed cause recordedo Traffic, especially on Highway 13, was noted and recordedo 0 Findingsg During the period from May 8, 1950, to May 28, 1950, six deer (two does and four f'awns) were classified as highway fatalities and two favms were classified as fence fatalities.. The highway mortalities occurred on Highway 13 from Rio Blanco to Nine Mile Gap, a distance of 30 miles, and during the period of concentrated migrationMay 10 to May 15c Traffic was not excessive on the highway during the checking period, but it is believed that the transports which travel on the road at all hours of the night are the types of vehicles responsible for the majority of the highway deathso The two f~ff.ns,· found dead in a four strand barbed wire fence, had, apparently, misjudged the distance and were held fast by their flanks on the top strand •. Analysis ~ Because of the favorable vrinter, the deer--especially the majority of fmVlls--were in good condition for the time of the year ~~d they had attained good size before the migration begano Both types of fences, barbed and woven wire, apparently were not impassable barriers to the deer this springo D~ring the fall. of 1949, thirteen deer (four does and nine fawns) were classified as highway fatalitieso The fall peak of migration was October 14 at which time the highways were heavily traveled due to the hunting seasono It is believed that travel on the highways this spring, during the migration, was from seven to ten times less than travel during the faD migrationo Based upon 12,673 deer which were recorded crossing Flag Creek road, the highway and fence mortality for this one area would vary from 0006% to 001%0 It is quite probable that the s&~e 12,673 deer did cross the Meeker-Rio Blanco highwayo The above report was submitted by Gorden Solomono �- 52 Submit~~d by: Name Paul Fo Gilbert Title Approved ------------------------------Wildlife by: COLOI?A1)O S'l'A'l'E GAtm AIJD FISH DEPAl-tTI.1ENT Technician ._------ Title C4 No Feast, Date Note~ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should from the Colorado Game and Fish :.Department •• Director A_u~gu=:s~t~7.z.,_.:;;,19::..;5:..;O~ _ first obtain permission �FLAG CREEK TRACK COUNT Porly: 6. Spr:ague IJate:/!)50 6SoIoiiJon LEGEND -~-•. I F/agCreeKRoad l?--I U.5.HighwQY 13 ~ Dir(!ction~Concenfration FIG. I �"l ~ e \I ~ ~ ~ .~ \: Q ~ ~ ~ ~ 0 ~ .~ ~ § OC\l \J ~ ~~ = ..Q 0 0 ,,, GOCl77't-,,,, B".Q, Q Q Q Q <3 Q 0 " ~ ~ . �_~-.. I -I 57~ .- 5«' I~ .C::I 'OJ 5Z!. 50. , -1-7.. \.. " { 1; ~ ~ ~ ~ tI-_ ~~ 4Zw 4~ 37__ '" I \ .I :' ', '' , , r\. / " 3D. 27." I .. . Z"" l\ 12! I- 10. If). 7:· ...• 5: I I \ ,r--~ • '\ " ,, , ~ , \ I,' I I' , \ " \ ,, \ ,r\ ~ to- , Ir- " 1.. .•..~ •.•~ ~ ., ,- , " r-.. , , k 'v F''::: t- 1/ .., Q , I,' I Z~ , ,,1\~ : : ilI .\\, \: 7', , ,,• ~\ ,\ ; / ,, , ~ , t . . , : J : I ",\ 1/ . . ~ 17.., : ~, , il . 22; , .' I 25G ~: : Jr- I\. 3::.! • .. ~, \: 3D Q .. I \ n~ I:nJ ~II~I~ ~J ~., i:J1? ~~ " . " I~ ".~ , ''''' __ "" 1/ " \ \ 1\ \ L- 1\ . '- \. t- ••~ 0 ..••• .., ~ " • t-. , ~ Q I) ~ ..• ~"~N ~~~~N~ DakbYc/QYS FLAG CREEl<. TRACK COUNT Oate:MQY 1950 Parfy: G.Sprague G.SOIomon LEGEND I-I 1". ---I Sector I Sector Z 1----I S~cfor3 1----1 S~ctor4 rIG. 3 �J'I ~- /60C 15!JO I~Ov / ''''~O 13'0 ! \ n' 1ZOO I "' 0'0 gOO 8~ ~ -.Q 6~ 600 .:JtJo ~OO ~ ~ i, 400 3~O \ I -~ \ \ , --- --- --.. -- --- r-.. - i\ , \ \ \ , \ .L , I , \ I ~ 1 , i,\ / 1\ I 'Y, Y ~ " ZOO \ I i' \ -,--- , ~! ,I ... - . I 2!JC I I ~I I \ soo <, II 1,/ r ~ \ ' \ " \ 1""- ,/ , IV r. , , , I \ " , I , ! , I'l- \ ~ ,, ~~/' , i \ I, f.-/ t)' i i , , I \ .' I : ,, 450 I \ I .•..\1 " '- "~ ?PO , ~ J \ 1 \, I 1000 800 \ , , \ ~¥ 1100 JO~O 0 \ / I'.. / ~ II~O ~ ~ \ /~\ 12'0 ~ \ I .-- 1300 , I 1400 II) \ I!SO ., 100 \ \ I \ r-, \ \ \ \ I ~O - o '-~-_~~~~~~~.~_QO'N~~~~~~~O' OotehydayS FLAG CREEK TRACK COUNT Date: May Parfy: G.Sp/'agu~ 6.Solomon I LEGEND I /940 frack.counf 1-- -11941 froc/< count r- - - j 19,OfrQc/( count FIG. 4 - I ~-- �Area renClt7YpE Hi. In..~RoacllYpe Ni Dud 7Otald~ ~ Ba,b~d ~--- 34.5 Wire ""5 0 "4Sfrt:lnd5 SlrQwb~,.ry Cn~1< 20m;/~s ~ Wo~n 5.0 Mre \9 1) 0 06 0 6 w mre 33.~2." RioBIQnCD Woven Wire 20 miles 3.7 0 c.,~ ."& ~2FJ .~ Alone ~.8 0 8Qrbecl ~re '" ~ 4strtlnds to to 20 4 es, .§ s IfjQr6ed M~~/(~r 0 ~ lI()n~ Me~/(er 20 0 g.6 0 IA.Sfrt:lnds ~ ~ ql "t" ~ ~ ~ IIine MileGap Wovln Wire IOmiles S).~ 0 NDn~ \as 0 ~D CI) :::J 0 10 %F" - .c: e :;) ~ rQ MORTALITY STUDY Whj"~ Riv~r AreQ Mt:lYI-28~/D50 rlG.S 2 �Figure 1 This big doe collapsed across a low juniper lL~b in a vain attempt to get just a little bit more. Winter Mesa, Uncompahgre Plateau. �Figure 2 Dan Winbourn of the Utah Game and Fish Department on the badly depleated deer winter range in Sinbad Valley on the Colorado-Utah line. �.. .' ..~. ... . . .. . UTAH \ COLO~ADO �- 53- - STATE _....;:C:...;;O..::;L.;;..ORAD~.. _ PROJECT NO. DATE __ PROGRESS QUARTERLY AND SURVEYS 39-R ..:;.J..::;ul::.Yu,"-=1::...: __ REPORT INVESTIGATIONS As required by Y"lillEHAL AID IN VVILDLIF'ERESTORATION 10 Title of Project: 2. Leaders: 3. Report of Progress: ACT Wild Turkey Investigations Martin Lo Burget, Leader; Donald M. Hoffman, Assistant Leader General work on survival checks and other investigative studies got away to a rather slow start this springo There were many duties left over from a difficult trapping seasono The trapping season had been carried right up to the last possible date to try and complete the plants that had startedc The vdnter had been extremely dry and open. This dry condition has continued up to the present time, producing a grave threat to the turkey development in some localitieso Job 1 - Survival Checks Survival checks are not yet completedo So far the pattern is rather checkeredo The effect of the hunting season, some survival factors frmn last season, coupled with dry weather conditions, have made the over-all picture rather difficult to complete. The follovving observations have been made in the areas indicated: Spanish Peaks: The wild turkey population in the Spanish Peaks area remains high with all indications showing an increase of population, over the same period last yearo Small flocks of birds are being seen in areas where they have not been seen previouslyo It is felt that the hunting season last year was advantageous in scattering the flocks and thus reducing their susceptibility toward diseaseo Wet Mountain Area: The bulk of turkeys in the Rye district ranges north of the San Isabel Lake to the Rye Road. There are at present flocks within this area large enough to permit a hunting season this fall. The bulk of this area is almost inaccessible and is well guarded by a small number of ranchers and land-owners. There is some possibility of these land-owners posting against hunterso The Beulah district contains a good population of turkeys at present and it is felt a hunting season would be beneficial to the flockso �- 54 On the Western Slope the turkey population shows a rather spotted condition. There are plenty of turkeys from Wolf Creek Pass west to the Florida River Mesa area. From there west the reports and observations thin outo There are flocks of turkeys all through the area put there less than two years agOe Whether this is due to the storm in January, 1949, disease factors, poaching, or drift of the birds to higher country has not yet been determined. General checks on the areas west and north of there are incomplete. However, the first checks show a satisfactory development. This is particularly true in the Uncompahgre areao Plant made in that area remained in tact up to this ~pring. Table I shows the dead turkeys observed or reported during this quarter's field checks. Post-mortem Examinations~ A total of four birds were sent to laboratories in Fort Collins and Denver for post-mortem examinationso The results of these examinations were as follows~ One bird, which was taken in the 1949 wild turkey season, October 3 through October 5, in Spanish Peaks area, was found to be in such poor condi tion it was collected by Harry Figge and sent to the Vo S.o Fish and Wildlife Service Laboratory in Denver. This bird was found to have no infectious disease. The poor condition of the bird was attributed to the presence of fungus growths o:q.the kidney and hip of the bird, probably resulting from some injury" A second bird, a hen, was found on January 7, 1950, in Mauricio Canyon area in Spanish Peaks area~. This bird was examined by Dro Griner of the Veterinary Department at Colorado AI> & Mo College. Because of the advanced state of decomposition~ he was unable to arrive at a definite diagnosis,,' However~ Dr" Griner stated there was a possibility of fowl cholera, (~o multocida)o A third bird, a hen, was collected in the Beulah area on January 29, in a badly crippled condition. Dro Griner examined tDis bird and found an old fracture of the right tibia with an extensive soft callus development, causing the poor condition it was found to be in. No disease was found in the bird. The fourth turkey, a hen, was found dead in excellent condition near an area where 10-80 poison had been used shortly,before to poison Prairie Dogs. Dro Griner found no indication the bird had taken a~ of the bright yellow poisoned bait, however. The result of his diagnosis showed the follmvingg (a) (b) (c) The neck was broken Extensive hemorrhage in the thoracic cavity--probably from the heart. There was evidence of predatory action on the right anterior portion of the breast and wingo �- 55 - TABLE I DEAD, TURKEYS OBSERVED OR REPORTED Remarks Number Birds Probable Time of Death Spanish Peaks Cucharas River Mauricio Canyon 1 1 Fall, 1949 Winter, 1949-50 Cause of death, unknowno Large tom. Remains found under roosto Cause of death, unknown, North Fork, Trujillo Creek 1 Fall, 1949 Api shipa 5 Fall, 1949 Zarciilo Canyon Zarcill0 Canyon 1 3 Yiinter, 1949-50 Summer,1949 Sick bird found by ranchero Died latero At least two of these birds known to have been sick before dyingo Rancher t.houghsddeabhccausedbbyTox, Rancher bhoughtddeabhceaueed. ,py:foxes or great Horned Owleso Wet Mountain Greenhorn Creek 3 Winter, 1949-50 Greenhorn Creek 2 Winter, 1949-50 1 Area San Juan Devil Creek Thompson Park 1 Winter or Spring 1950 Winter, 1950 Lost Canyon Lost Canyon 1 1 Summer, 1949 Winter, 1949-50 Middle Mancos' 2 Spring, 1949 Beaver Creek 5 Spring, 1948 Cherry Creek, (Lower) 1 Fail, 1948 Rancher thoughtdeath;bf:these Bobcats 0 Cause of death, unknown. due to Young hen. Probable cause of death, Eagle or greathorned owlo Feathers and head found along highway. Probably poached. Cause of death, unknmvu. Found dead in road by rancher. Cause of death, unknowns Two poults e Probably drowned in irrigation ditch. Found by dogo Found dead beneath snow on roadway. Casualties of severe winter. Known to have bean sick before dying. �- 56 Job 2 - Location of Transplanting Sites. Very little work has been done on this and will not be handled until there is a better chance to get more complete food studies of the areas. ~t present food conditions look extremely light. Job 3 - Predator Relationship Study Generally speaking, the predator prob;Lem is on the increase. This is particularly true of bob cats, (Lynx rufus), owls, and eaglesec Eagles and bob cats were particularly bothersome at 'Turkey Ranch this pa,st winter. In early December a letter was received from a rancher in the Four Mile Creek area north of Pagosa Springs stating that bald eagl~s were preying on the turkeys in that area. Table II shows the general predator relationship for the area examined thus far. Job 4 - Brood Counts Strutting and gobbling are the two first indications of mating activity. Toms of the previous year participate in these activities until the season is well advanced. Once strut grounds are eS,tablished, the young toms are allowed to strut and gobble unmolested until hens appear on the grounds. Then the young toms are driven off and mating is taken over by mature toms. "There may be as many as eight strut grounds in the area near a heavy population of turkeys 0 The first indication of the approaching mating season was strutting observed on December 30;11949. This was in the Beulah area and was exceptionally early. The first gobbling was heard at the turkey ranch early in January, and strutting was observed in early February. The main breeding did not get under way until mid-March. A nest of 15 eggs was reported in Burro Canyon;l Spanish Peaks area, around May 1. Another nest of 11 eggs was reported in the Uncompahgre area late in Mayo An att~npt was made to find this for phot.ogr-aphd.ng , but the search was unsucceasf'ul., A brood was reported late in May by Mr. Moyer at the Turkey Rancho The report was of only hearing the young birds.. A second brood report came from the Thompson Park or Cherry Creek area. A Mr. Davis reported seeing four turkey hens with about fifteen poults. This was near the first of June. The poults were thought to be about one week old. It is quite possible that all the poults were not seen. ' It is still too early to get many brood counts this season. Hunting has made the birds more shy and counting is therefore more diff~cUJ.t. Job 5 - Food Studies ActUal food values for the different areas of wild turkey range will be deterIT~ned during the next quarter. At the present time, in some areas of turkey range on the Western Slope, the bulk of the scrub oak trees �- 57 TABLE II PREDATOR RELATIOnSHIP STUDY Locations VillerePredator Concentrations Reported or Observed Bob Cats Great Horned Owl Eagles *Navajo R" *Blanco fto *Piedra H. Pine lie 7oLower Las Al1imas H. Navajo R •• Blanco R. Fourmile Creek *TurkeyCro E"MancosR~ Middle Mancos Ro Thompson Park *Lower CherryCro WoMancosR" Turkey Cr. *Thompson Park EoMancos Ro *Cherry Cr. (Lower) E.Mancos Ro Thompson Park Dolores R. Dolores Ro Upper Dolores River Lost CanyonCro *Lower DoloresRo Jarosa Cro i!ZarcilloQ Coyotes Mtn. Lions Foxes Other EAST SAN JUAN Navajo Ro Blanco R. Piedra Ro FourmileCro WilliamsCr. Wenunencllch Creek Pine Ro Piedra Ro Upper Piedra Re Blanco Basin San Juan Piedra R. Lower LasAnimasRo WEST SAN JUAN W.Mancos Ro Thompson Park DOLOHES RIVEIi Lost CanyonCro Dolores Ro Dolores H., Lost Canyon Or 0 Ringtail Cats~ Lower Dolores SPAnISH PEAKS Cucharas Ro Middle Cro Mauricio Canyon Pass Cro Cucharas R~ *Middle Cro NoTrujill0 Creek *Zarcillo Burro Canyon Santa Clara WET MOUNTUN Muddy Cro Promontory Divide Cousin Springs *y{illiamsCr~ GreenhornCro iK1reenhornCro *Muddy Cro Promontory Divide *Cousin Spgso *Areas of heavy concentrations Williams GreenhornCro Creek Promontory Thompson Divide Park Lower Cherry Creek 0 Wild Dogs Api ship �- 58are still almost bare of leaves& The late frost in the area has frozen the newly formed leaves back twice already on some oaks. The following weather data is taken from State Turkey Ranch records to illustrate the weather conditions thus far this season: Moisture Inches March 15-31, 1950 April 1-30, 1950 May 1-31, 1950 June 1-15, 1950 020 1•• 02 036 ,~42 Total moisture for 3 month period~ 2000 inches Moisture March 15 to June 15, 1949: 5.32 inches Temperature: Low temperature from March 15 to March 31, 1950, occurred as follows~ March March March March March rch 16 19 21 27 28 29 12 degrees 14 degrees 12 degrees 9 degrees 9 degrees' 13 degrees Low temperatures from April 1 to April 30: , April 4 April 5 April 25 9 degrees 18 degrees 16 degrees There was a total of 3 days in the month of April in which temperatures below freezing did not occure, Temperatures as follows~ May 1 May 3 May 4 May 5 l'ay 6 May 7 May 8 May 9 May 10 May 11 May 12 1'ray13 11 ay 14 below freezing for May, 1950, were recorded 26 degrees 30 degrees 29 degrees 16 degrees 16 degrees 23 degrees 23 degrees 16 degrees 19 degrees 26 degrees 31 degrees 29 degrees 26 degrees May 15 May 16 May 18 llay 20 May 21 May 22 May 25 May 26 May 27 May 28 May 29 May 30 28 degrees 30 degrees 28 degrees 27 degrees 28 degrees 30 degrees 28 degrees 22 degrees 25 degrees 28 degrees 30 degrees 31 degrees �- 59 Temperatures below freezing during the first half of June, 1950, were: June 5 June 6 June 8 June 9 June 10 28 degrees 31 degrees 23 degrees 23 degrees 28 degrees It can thus be seen from the above data the weather at the State Turkey Ranch during the past quarter has been adverse toward food bearing plants both because of the small amount of moisture and the low temperatureso Crop Analysis: A total of thirty-one turkey crops was collected at turkey season check stations from successful hunters by Department personnel October 3 through 5~ 1949~ Although the total thirty-one crops could be utilized to determine percent frequency of occurrence of the different food items, three of these contained too little material to be utilized in pe 'cent volwne calculationso The analysis work on these crops was completed during this past quarter with Mro Charles C. Sperry of the U. So Fish and Wildlife Service Research Laboratory in Denver assisting with the identification of those items with which we were not familiar. The followin is a summar-y of the data which is included in Table III: (1) A total of 61 different food items were found in the 31 crops analyzed. (2) Animal matter made up a total of 31% of the total volume of food& There was found to be a total of 559 grasshoppers, or an average of 18t grasshoppers, for each crop examine do These grasshoppers made up almost entirely the total volume of animal matter~ although 15 other kinds of insects were foundo (3) Plant matter composed of 69% of the total volume of food& The grass family was the largest single family represented in this total~ making up 47% of the total volume of foodo Scrub oak acorns was the next largest single item, forming 18% of the total. Kinnikinnic berries and leaves nBde up 2% of the volume with a total of 126 berries for all crops examinedo Dandelion leaves and seed heads and Clover leaves and seeds together made up the remaining 2~ of plant foods. (4) The non-food items found in the crops were composed chiefly of gravel which made up only l~ of the gross volume of matter within the crops. �- 60 TABLE III WILD TURKEY FOOD STUDIES Compiled Data -- Basis 31 Crops* Octo ;, ::J..949,throughOcto,5,.1949 F'ood Items Plant Matter (69%) Family -- Species % Vol. Anacardiaceae -- Sumac Family (Trace) Rhus trilobata --skunkberry leaf portion Trace Asteraceae ~- Composite Family (1%) Ambrosia ~o Giant Ragweed seed Artemisia ~u -probably !o filifolia Sage seed stalk Helianthus pumilus Perennial sunflower seeds Lactuca scariola True Prickly Lettuce seed heads Ratibida columnaris Coneflower seeds Taraxacum officinale Dandelion leaves and seed heads % Freqo of Occur. 3% 3% Trace 3% Trace 10% Trace 16% 3% 1% 36% Boraginaceae -- Borage Family (Trace) Lithospermum ~o Puccoon seeds Trace 13% Capparidaceae -- Caper Family (Trace) Cleome serrulata Rocky Mountain Bee Plant seeds Trace 3% Caprifoliaceae -- Honeysuckle Family (Trace) ~phoricarpus ~o Snowberry berries and leaves Trace 10% Chenopodiaceae -- Goosefoot Family (Trace) Salsola pestifer Russian Thistle stem tips Trace 10% 2% 19% Ericaceae -- Heath Family (2%) Arctostaphylus ura-ursi Kinnikinnic leaves and berries *Three of these crops contained too little material to be used in per. cent vo.Iume calculations. These are, however, included in pert cent frequency of ,occurrence calculations. �- 61 Table III (Continued) Family - Species Fabaceae -- Pea Family (1%) Medicago sativa Alfalfa seeds and seed pods Melilotus ~o Sweet Clover seeds Trifolium ~o Clover leaves and seeds Vicia sparsifolia Blue Vetch leaves Pea seeds cultivated variety Pea leaf fragments Fagaceae -- Beech Family (18%) Quercus spo (Q~ gambelli and ~. utahensis) vYhite oak acorns Gramineae -- Grass Family (47%) Agropyron ~o ¥Vheatgrass seeds and hulls Avena sativa Common oats - grain and hulls Blepharoneuron tricho1epis Hairy Dropseed seed and hulls Bromus marginatus I~gined Bromegrass seeds and hulls Festuca ~o Fescue grass seeds Hordeum vulgare Barley grain and hulls Phleum pratens6 Timothy seeds and seed stalks Poa SPe) ~l~grass seeds and hulls Setaria ~o Bristle Grass (Itil1et) seed and seed stalks Sporobolus ~o Dropseed seeds and hQl1s Stipa viridula Green needle grass seeds Triticum aestivurrl Wheat - grain~ hulls, awns Grass leaves and stems Unidentified grass spikelets % Vo:1.. % Freq. of Occur. Trace 6% Trace 3% 1% 58% Trace Trace Trace 13% 16% 6% 18% Trace 6% 8% 32% 3% 16% 1% 16% Trace 3% 5% 29% Trace 29% 1% 16% 5% 19% Trace 55% 3% 55% 16% 5% Trace 29% 77% 6% �- 62 Table IH" (Continued) % Freq. Family -- Species % Vol. of Occur. Pinaceae -- Pine Family (Trace) Pinus edulis Nut Pine needle Trace 3% Plantaginaceae -- Plantain Family (Trace) Plantago ~o Plantain leaves Trace 3% Polygonaceae -- Buckwheat Family (Trace) Polygonum ~o Buckwheat seeds Trace 22% Ranunculaceae -- Buttercup Clematis ~o Clematis leaves Thalictrum ~. Meadow .flueleaf Fami.Iy (Trace) Trace Trace 3% Rosaceae -- Rose Family (Trace) Rosa ~o Kose leaves, seeds and fruit Trace 6% Saxifragaceae -- Saxifrage Fmr~ly (Trace) lI.ibes~o Wild Currant fruit Unidentified Broad lea.f fragments and stems Unidentified small seeds ¥uscellaneous portions of flowers Trace Trace Trace Trace Food Items Animal Matter (3l,kl) Acrididae Short-horned grasshoppers Carabidae Ground .t3eetles Chrysomelidae Leaf Beetles Coccinellidae Ladybird Beetles Formicidae Ants Gryllidae Crickets Lycosidae 'ifolf Spiders 31% 71% Trace 26% Trace 16% Trace 16% Trace 13% Trace 6% Trace 3% �- 63 Table III, (Continued) % Freq. Animal IVlatter Membracidae Tree Hoppers Pentatomidae Stink Bugs Phalangidae Daddy Long-Legs Spider Pvrrhocoridae Box Elder Bugs Argiopoideae (Superfamily) Small Spiders Diptera (Order) Flies Hymenoptera (Order) Wasps Lepidoptera (Order) Moths Myriopoda (Order) Millipedes Unidentified Unidentified insect larva insect fragments Total % Vol. of Occur. Trace 26% Trace 6% Trace 3% Trace 19% Trace 10% Trace 26% Trace 6% Trace 6% Trace 16% Trace Trace 10% 6% 100% % of Gross Non-Food Items % Vol. Volume Gravel Wood Fragments 1% Trace Total 100% Trace 100% % Freqo of Occur. 77% 13% �- 64 General Summary: Survival checks to date have shown population increases for the Spanish Peaks area and the H.ye-Beulah districts in the 'vvetl.Qountain area , On the 'vV'esternSlope the turkey population shows a rather spotted conditiono There has been a total of 21 dead turkeys observed or reported since Spring of 1949~ This total does not include two birds found dead and sent to laboratories for post-mortem examinationso Generally speaking~ the predators have been on the increase for the turkey range as a whole~ This is particularly true of bob-cats, great-horned owlsj and eagles>% At presentJ food conditions look extremely light... This is attributed to low moisture and prevailing low temperature over the past 3-month period4 A total of thirty-one turley crops collected during the past wild turkey season was analyzed during the past quarter.. Sixty-one different food items were found, showing the birds were quite versatile in their feeding h:ibits" Submitted byg Names: Mart.in L.. Burget Donald Titles~ WilcUife and Approved by: COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEP,aH.TivlENT Ti tle C..:;' o~N..:;· o~:b-='e:...;a-=s:...;tJ.,~D..:i;;.:;r_e:...;c:.. _ l\~., Hoffman Technicians Date Noteg July 19, 1950 Persons wishing to quote from th~'3 abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fi.sh Depar-tment , �- 65 STATE COLORADO PROJECT NO. 40-R --~------------- DATE __ PROGRESS "UAHTERLY A I'J D SURVEYS I N V EST ...:..Jul=y..L,.....;1=.;:9~5~0 _ REPORT I GAT ION S A.s Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION 1. Title of Project&- Antelope Surveys and Investigations 2. Leaders: Gordon Douglas, Leader; ACT Clois Eo Till, Assistant Leader. 30 Report of Progressg Job 1 - Fawning Studies Objectg To detennine fawn ratioj number of fawns per doe, and fawn mortality. Scope: This study was made on the Colorado Antelope Refuge by the project leader, and on the Dickinson Refuge near Hugo by the assistant project leader. Time: Begfnni.ng in the latter part of May, frequent trips into the field were made to search for fawnso Near Hugo, the first fawns were captured on June 1, and the last on June 7. One reliable report was received of fawns being observed there on May 29, 19500 On the Colorado Refuge, the first fawn was captured on June 6, and the last on June 140 Scattered new favVllswere seen, however, as late as July 1, indicating that the study was concluded shortly after the peak of fawn productionj but did not cover the entire parturition period. Cooperationg Local ranchers in both areas were very cooperative ing department personnel access to their lands when contactedo in allow- Techniaues and Conditionsg Due to the rolling terrain of a large part of the Dickinson hefuge, the technique of driving parallel strips up to 100 feet wide could not be employed to advantageo On the Colorado Refuge it was found that quite often the mother doe could be found resting or grazing close to the location of her fawn, and would exbibit a real reluctance to leave the area until approached quite closelyo 1Vhen such a situation was observed, the area suspected was then covered by driving strips about 150 feet wide in the immediate vicinity. �- 66 Most of the mothers exhibited a keen appreciation of the art of camouflage, and used terrain features as well as plant cover to very good advantage in concealing the young fawns. On the Dickinson, most of the does had concealed their fawns in draws and gullies which had to be searched on foot when too rough to drive~ and it was believed that a horse could have been used to good advantage in covering some of the rougher areaso The Hugo area was covered lvith red three-awn grass, (Aristida longiseta), and cactus, (Qpuntia ~o), had practically taken many areas. On the Colorado Refuge, the r'edd.i.ah-cbr-own of the wild buckwheat, (Eriogonum ~o), or cactus, most nearly matched the brown coat of the new antelope, and many of the does chose areas where these plants were plentiful.. othercornplicating elements were ant hills and cow chips, which often closely resembled a fawn, when partially concealed by vegetation .• Analysis of Findingsg Table I indicates that sixteen does produced , the eighteen faWlls captured, or an average of 1012 fawns per doe. Only five~ or 28% of the total, were twins. These figures are known to be low because of the difficulty of observing all the fawns in a given area, because they do not agree vvith figures obtained previously in the same area, and because subsequent observations reveal twins in a spot where only one was taggedo From Table II, it may be seen that 68%, or 11 out of 16, of the total fawns caught on the Dickinson Refuge were twinse It is possible that this figure is low because of the difficulty of locating the young. The sex rat.lO of those captured on the Dickinson was one male to 202 females, and there were 105 fawns per doeo On the Colorado Refuge, the sex ratio was one male to 08 females. On the Dickinson Refuge, a fawn was found dead on June 5, apparently having died at birtho Later, a yearling doe that had died in the birth process was founde- No mortality was observed on the Colorado Refuge., �- G? TA8IZ I Data on Ant.e.Lope Fawns Caught in Colorado Antelope Refuge 1950 t I ,--... :>, . ~\ .£: +> till U) a 0 0 :;z; Q) Wl § m E-t ~ 1--f- >< Q) rI.l I U) co, ~ ~ U) ;!SO +> s:: 0 0 ill ~I H +> .£: on -.-1 --, 1--- I rz.. . +>co +> ~ .-I 'd s:: -.-1 ::r: 0 E-t ....., ~ -1 c: 6 m 11, 800C 7 26000 "l (. 7 H2 F 6025 7 26050 .LV 7 H3 M 6eOO 5 25000 IS ' c' 7 H4 F 6,,00 1 25000 .L..J 8 H5 !M 6,,00 3 25,,75 IS 9 H6 F 9,,00 7 27075 18 9 H7 M 8eOO 7 25075 17 11.j. 12 H8 M 7 00 3 21oi-025 12 H9 F 4000 3 22050 14 12 IUO 111 4000 3120000 14 If,. 00 5 1240~;0 13 tU1 F 4•• >.-' 13 H12 F 7000 1 20 00 ]~ tU3 F 9000 10126050 18 13 13 tU4 M 6000 3124,,5015 14 H15 M 9000110\26o5GI15 14 IU6 M 4050 5 12bOO \16 14 tU7.F 6,,00 5\?6c5o\17 .)\ :.~c:J..l.. "' 7 14 tU8 !M e 50 ::>~ J t._Ll-o._,? •.L. ~•• ' I 0 ~< 0 14 """""_~, - .- .•..,,,.,Ji,,,·""D I H 'd 'd m Q) co ~ .£: +> b.O C\) r£I .£: +> eo ::r: 'E;:j s:: s:: Q) ~ H Q) .£: +> l~ 0 H -.-1 <I! d u3 H _. ------, 1-- s:: .I~ U) s:: ;:j 0 -.-1 0 -.-1 +> .-I -.-1'<-1 'dO -.-1 s:: 0 ~ c> 0 u. h~a.1ed 3e25 15050 11,,25 18.00 x x U. healed 25 3075 5075 10.,00 15050 x Scab 00 3.,505050 9,,0015.25 x Fresh, bloody 0 .3025 6025 8.75 13050 Dry, stringy 25 3050 6 e v""c'n 10025 14050 x Healed 50 x 1)0 .3.,75 6025 9.12 15 .. Healed x ~~ 1025 6.00 9.~O~6000 stringy Dry, x 0 )050 5c75 10025115.00 Dry segment ~O1 1~02~ 5050 9~35 114075 x Dry segment r('l v V -or·ao 5.50, 9.J5fJ·OO x I 00,3050 50501 9c2~ 11.75 )c' Scab Fresh, wet OO'3~50 5~50!10~00 15000 x ry , color ehg. x 75 hoOO 6025 10050 1507~ . DLong, dryinG x 15 •• 0 0 "'0 3G25 6~oo 9050 Scab, color chg x 25 3025 6.,0010050 15.50 Scab x ?5 307516 00 9~75 115000 x Scab 50 ~)2C; 5 ?[~ 10050115.50 00 j.1,,505050 10050 F4. 75 x Scab 0 ,,0 ~ 0 ...•. �TABLE II Data on Antelope Fawns Caught in Dickinson Refuge _ 1950 Tag Date No. Sex Est Age Wt. 6-1 601 F 7 Ibs 2 da 6-1 602 F 6t 2 da Total "Length Heigth Tail 23.t- Ln 19 in , ~ 23 ..•• Hind Foot Head Ear , 2 in 91 '2 J.1'l I- 1 1St 2~ 9=3/4 4 15 x 2 inc None 3~3/4 5=3/4 8-3/4 14 x 2 inc None 3-3/4 5=3/4 8=3/4 x 2 inc Buttons Umbo soft. F 6 2 da 22 19 6-1 604 M 6 2 da 22t 18 6-2 606 M 12 25 20 2-3/4 lot 4t 24 20 2]~ "l' 10 19t 21. 4, lO~ 6-2 607 M 6-5 608 F 9t 9 6-5 609 F 9~- 6-5 610 F 6 6-5 611 M 6 6-6 612 M 12 6-6 613 M 6-6 615 F 6-7 616 F 6-7 617 F 6-7 618 F 8 6t 6 8 9t 1 ~jf 9-3/4 Remarks 2 inc None 603 r""'" I Horns x ,'"'3/48=3/4 -, 2=3/4 9-3/4 I 3~3/4 5 in 8'2in. 14 in 1 6-1 6 da Around Head Girth Sglo Twin Teeth Lt.h. 6 14t 10 17 3-3/4 5t 9-3/4 16 x 4 9i 15t x x Umbo drystringy. Umbo drystringy. Umbo soft. t da 21 18 2~ 92 }-3/4 5t 8t 1321 6~8 da 26t 21 2~ 11 4 6 10 17 x 2 inc Buttons Umbo drymostly gone. 2 inc Buttons Umbo drymostly gone. 2 inc None Umbo drycurled up. 2 inc None Umbo drycurled up. 2 inc None Umbo wetsoft. 2 inc Buttons Umbo wetsoft. 2 inc Buttons Umbo dry. 23 19 '1 2if 10i 3-3/4 5t 9 14t x 2 inc Buttons Umb. dry. 22~ 20 2~ 10 3i 8-3/4 14 x 2 inc None Umbo dry. 9l 15 x 2 inc None Umbo gone. 4 da 3 da 22t " 22~ 19-3/4 21;1" 10=3/4 4 t da 20t 18 2 da 2 da 22 1 1 3 da 2 da 5~ 19 2i 9~3/4 1 5t 9t 15t x 3=3/4 5t at 13t x x 5t 1. 2',;f 10~ 5=3/4 5i ., 4.•. 5 da 5-6,da 22 24 19t 2t 20t '! 2if- lot 3-3/4 5t 1 9',;f 15 x 2 inc None 'Umbo gone. 16 x 4 inc None Umbo dry " 10-3/4 4 5-3/4 9t 0- en �Figure I Securing the Legs of a newly caught; f'awn wi tl1 a "piggin" string. (Photooy George Andrews). Figure 2 Close-up of a pron::;hornfawn. Not.e the relatively large size of t.he eyes, the tvro:nilk incisors, and the small alack spot under the ear rl.enotinga !!lale. (Photo by Georse Andrews). �Figure 3 Measuring the hind leg of a fawn. r.i'his aver-aged about 9B- inches for all f'awns , (photo by George Andrews). Tabulating the data to be used in furthering the management and life history studies of the ~rcnghorn. (Photo by George Andrews). �A plastic ear tag is placed in the ear of a favm. With binoculars, this tag is easily S0en at 1/4 Mile. (Photo by George Andrews). Figure 6 Captured, measured, weighed, tagged, and released. This f'awn doesn't realize yet that it is free aga i.n , (Photo by George Andrews). �- 69 Job 6 - Ponulation and Trend Counts Objective: To obtain the number of antelope in major herd areas and trend areas throughout the Statee Time: January and February, 1950. Personnel: Eastern Slope..,..-K ••Bo Milyard, pilot; Bud Flinn, observer. Western Slope--Clyde Matteson, pilot; and Wayne Sandfort, observer. Techniques and Conditions: The customary search pattern was used. Sandfort photoBraphed a large Moffat County herd, and when this photograph beca~e available, they found it revealed nearly twice as many antelope as they had been able to count in that bunch .• Antelope were more scattered the unusually dry, mild weather. than in many previous \~nters, due to Results:: TABlE I Antelope Trend Count, 1950 425 Colorado Antelope Refuge Northeast Border Dickinson Refuge Black Squirrel Creek, Chico Basin South Park Limon to Colorado Springs Bijou Creek~ Beuck Refuge Lowry Bombrng Etange Moffat Courrty 153 965 1,274 lILt. 78 311 227 466 An.alysis and Conclusions 2 The steady Lnc=ease and large population of the Dickinson .H.ef11·~e and t·he Black SquirreJCreek-Chico Basin areas led to recOIn.."llendations to the Commission for an Jpen season in September, 1950, to reduce nmnbers of antelope thereo As the State's antelope population obser-vatd on Li.kewi.se mcreases , increases, the need for extended For increased accuracy of results it is recommended that trend areas be accurately delineated by adequate description and prominent landmarks. Full-tL~e observers should be employed in order to further standardize techniques and maintain a regular schedule in the face of conflicting demands on the efforts of project personnel. �- 70 Helicopters should be made available to the jobs of population survey, sex-ratio survey, and fawning studYoThe largely non-mountainous character of antelope habitat is especially suited to the altitude limitations of the helicopter, and its low speed and maneuverability are invaluable to observatiORo Submitted by: Names Approved by: Gordon Douglas and COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPAR'fMENT ------------~~---------------Clois Eo Till Titles Wildlife &~'-/ Technicians By -------.. /-_/'\!1_/~<__ ~~(__ .~~ Title Date Note: C\I _ __ /,~ _L --- _ ~C~._N_.~F_e~a~s~t~2~D_i~r~e~c_t~0~r _ J_u~1~y~2~542~1~9~5~0 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Departmento _ �- 71 STATE COLORADO PH-OJECT NO.. 4l-R --~~---------- DATE QUARTERLY SURVEYS PROGRESS AND July, 1950 REPORT INVESTIGATIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project~ Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Surveys and Investigations. 2. Leaders: 30 Report of Progress: George W. Jones and Claude Eo White, Jr. Title of Job: Population Trends and Life History Studieso Lake Cityg In conjunction with the study in progress on the Ouray herd an early spring survey was made of that area above Lake City on the The area surveyed includes the area from Lake Fork on the Gunnisono timberline between the Sunshine Peak and Handies Peak north down the southern slopes of the Lake Fork to Lake San Cristobolo Near timberline the area has been heavily logged in the past with a resultant understory of high altitude shrubs, forbs and grasses, and a scattered overstory of spruce and pineo As the canyon straightens out to a straight north south line, the overstory becomes negligible and gives way to steep hillsides with many cliffs and outcroppings of grey granite ,vith many benches supporting an excellent stand of grasso It is approxllfrately 6 miles from the better sheep winter range to timberline. It was expected that sheep would be found inhabiting the area as the timberline areas are directly across from the Pole Mountain (east) and the Ouray herds (west). However, no Sign of sheep was observed anywhere in the area. The preliminary survey indicates that the area is a good possibility for a planting site. It is the only way to get new blood to the Ouray sheep herd and still provide a well protected winter range. The area is inaccessible to car travel in the winter due to deep snow drifts in the bottom of the canyono Further surveys will be made in this area in the summer or late fall. Crestone: The second spring trip into this area proved unsuccessful. The transplanted sheep which were put here in I~rch, 1945, are definitely not using the lower winter ranges but are remaining on the �- 72 higher slopes at or near timberline. Since it is too far to work efficiently from the west side it was thought necessary to operate from the east side in the vicinity of South Colony Lakes. Several hiking trips to timberline from the west side revealed no sheep from Pole Gulch north to Crestone. However, the snow fall this year on the Sangre De Cristos has been very light and in April there was very little snow at or above timberlineo Chalk Creek and Cottonwood Creek: For two years the sheep herds on these drainages have arrived in the meadow bottoms at approximately the same time and in the same numbers. The number in each drainage has been approximately the same each year. This number is less than half of the total number in each area. In May, 1949, nineteen sheep were observed on Chalk Creek, eight rams, six ewes, and five yearlings. In May, 1950, seventeen sheep, one ram, nine ewes, and seven yearlings were located on Chalk Creek. As indicated by the 1949-50 observations the survival percentage of 80-90% is excellent; in fact, this ratio is higher than that of the herds in the Tarryall and Kenoshos. The total population for Chalk Creek (estimated) is 30-40 sheep. A summer check of the Cottonwood Creek summer range revealed 48 sheep observed on Mts. Harvard and Yale above Cottonwood Creek. Topographical characteristics of these areas prevent a census as high as those secured on most of the herdso The slopes from the creek bottoms rise almost 2,000 feet before leveling off to timberline. In addition, old burns higher up in both of these drainages have eliminated large areas of timber which are comparitively snow~free throughout the winter. The understory of grass, various species of Agropyron, Indian Wheat Grass, Orosopsis I~enoides, and some brome is dominant. Shrub cover on the higher slopes is scarce, but the grass cover is good to excellent from bottom to topo A good many of the Harvard and Yale sheep are breaking west into the Taylor Rivero In view of the snow conditions on the Taylor River side this is not desirable. It is possible that if the new Taylor River Dmn goes through, this situation may change. If not, the Taylor River sheep will be in a terrific concentration with the Taylor River deer and elk herds. One solution wight be a heavy transplant of sheep on Cottonwood Creeko If the transplanted herd likes Cottonwood Creek they will probably show up there every winter, pulling more of the Harvard and Yale sheep down vlith them. Eighteen sheep, two rams, sixteen ewes and yearlings were observed on Cottonwood Creek this year. The ivinter count on rams was seven, which is considered normal for this herd. There is a poaching problem on both sheep and deer on Cottonwood, several sheep have been known to be killed in the last two years and a deer poacher was convicted in early March. For this reason it is suggested that if a sheep transplant is made in this area, strict secrecy be used. �Figure 1 A view of the Long Gulch lambing cliffs in the Kenosho Mountainso �- 73 Title of Job: Spring Lambing Survey The lack of precipitation and the extreme dryness of the range is as bad on Pike's Peak, the Tarryalls, and Kenoshos as it is elsewhere in the southern part of the Stateo Last year it rained or snowed nearly every day of the lambing survey and by mid-June vegetative development (specifically the grasses and forbs) was well under way_ Such conditions have prevailed in the above areas for 3 consecutive years and the ranges have improved enormously in that periodo The effect of the dry season on the Tarryall and Kenosho herds is abnormal only in the earliness with which normal herd movements occurredo The rams split into small bands and scattered early.., During the first part of June these bands could be found almost anywhere in the Tarryallso On Pike's Peak they retired early to the timberline areas of Sheep Mountain and none were seen on the lambing areas the last of May and the first of Juneo The ewes and ~ambs retired to the higher lambing areas and had concentrated by the 'middle of June (Ref~r to Figure 1,> July, 1949, Quarterly Pr-ogress Report)o On the Kenoshos the ewes had concentrated on the higher lambing areas on Three Mile Creek off Long Gulch.., Only one lamb was found on Rock Creek on May 180 During the June surveys no ewes or lambs were found on Rock Creeko Due to the concentration of ewes and lambs, more lambs were tabulated this year than last" and the ewe-lamb :r'atiowas highero (See Table 1)0 It compares favorably with the surveys of McCurdy Mountain made in August9 1949.9 when 48 ewes and 27 lambs were locatedo TABLE I Tarryall and Kenoshos X Rock Hay Creek Long Gulch Three Mile Rock Creek Ewes Lambs 20 13 4 19 4 19 3 3 1 1 19 13 Pikeus Peak Bison Reservoir ,The extremely mild winter in the Tarryalls and Kenoshos also cut down on winter lasso Only 2 carcasses were found this year as compared to 6 in 19490 A ram carcass found on Rock Creek was a natural loss due to old ageo A yearling ram also found on Rock Creek was a coyote killo �- 74 Title of Job: Artificial Salting Experiment. The salt stations placed east of Bison Reservoir on Pike's Peak on January 9 were very successful in holding the sheep farther back from the lakeo As a result, in June these two stations were eliminated and a major salt station consisting of five 50-pound blocks was established one mile farther in the heart of the lambing range. From the results of the original two stations this large station should keep the sheep from appearing at Bison Lake entirely. It illustrates perfectly the effect of well established salt stations on the distribution of a Bighorn sheep herdo The new salt stations established on Chalk Creek and Cottonwood Creek are being heavily used, thus accomplishing the objective which was to keep these herds farther back from the roads in the bottom of canyon and lessening the danger of both poaching and predation. Viarden Vernon Turner at Idaho Springs working in cooperation with the personnel of 4l-R again salted the Georgetovm herd. Some of the Georgetown stations were changed in an effort to prevent car kills by changing distribution patterns. Title of Job~ Predator Control. For the past two seasons it became increasingly evident that the coyote population in the Kenoshos was becoming largero On several occassions coyotes were observed to attack ewes with lambs and even threatening large rams. As a result, in the fall of 1949 worldng in cooperation ,nth District Trapper Charles Ho Vavak, a series of cyanide stations were established in the Kenosho Mountains. These stations covered the 9 mile length of the Kenosho winter rangeso By mid-May a total of 25 coyotes had been picked up at these stationso The results were easily noted during the June lambing surveys. The ewes were definitely less spooky and traveled farther from the cliffs in search of food. The more important results will be noted in the spring of 1951 with a probable increase of yearlings present. ~ITo Vavak did an excellent job and his aid will be enlisted the Kenoshos for another season in 1950-510 Submitted Names Titles Approved by: Claude 1fuite and George Jones Wildlife by: COLORADO STATE GAlIAEAND FISH DEPARTMENT Technicians Ti tle Date Note: for Persons wishing to quote from this abstract from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ....;,C-=o_N-=~~F..:e.:.a.;.;;;s..:t~,--=:;D;.; _ August 2, 1950 should first obtain permission �- 75 STATE __ C~OL_O_RAD=-O PROJECT NO. PROGRESS AND SURVEYS I N V EST 61-R July, 1950 DATE QUARTERLY _ REPORT I GAT ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN -iITLDLIli'E JiESTOHATION ACT 10 Title of Project~ 20 Leader: Fur Resources Survey Richard No Denney 30 Report of Progress: 10 General Inventory Job 1 - Inventory of ~ur Resources Objective~ To gain information on the distribution, take, ~~d economics of fur animals by specieso density, trend,' Findings~ It was our intention to have a report on the 1949-50 trapping season, as compiled from a questionnaire sent to every licensed trapper in the State~ in this quarterly report; but due to the delay in the return of the license receipts to the Game and Fish Department, the information will not be completed and compiled for presentation until the next quarterly reporto 110 Specific Studies on Important Species Muskrat -,Mink Job 1 - Location and Mapping of Habitat Objective: Establishment of trend areas in the various fur production centers in the State for the basis of systematically determining population fluctuations, which is needed for sound managemento Findings: To gain information concerning mink migration, cruising radii, intraspecific tolerance, sex ratios, longevity, density, trapping pressure, and reproduction, a live~trap~ing, tagging, and release or transplant program was initiated this quarter. �- 76 A collapsible vvire live-trap was used, which has a double spring door to prevent the escape of trapped animals after they have eaten the bait~ In each case that an animal had entered a trap, it was still securely there when the traps were run.. These traps were of two sizes: 9 x 9 x 28 inches and 6 x 6 x 18 inches. Further experience with the two sizes in·trapping mink must be obtained before a comparison of the merits of the different sizes could be made with any accuracy, but on the basis of trapping to date the smaller one has mare advantages. These advantages are: The smaller size is easier to handle and camouflage while setting; the mink do not have as much room to move around and fight the trap as in the larger size, and yet, the trap is large enough to contain even the largest mink; and they are small enough to exclude, as a rule, the larger animals, such as skunks and cats, which can readily be caught in the larger size of trap. 'Whether or not the small size of the smaller trap is an advantage concerning the restriction of action and fighting of the mink is debatablec Perhaps the larger trap would allow enough freedom of movement so that the animal would not die of exposure when cold and wet •. The tags which were applied to the ears of the mink released were number-ed serially in duplicate with the letter "14" preceding the number" The tags are approximately 3/8 of an inch long when applied with special applicating pliers,. One tag was attached to each ear, with the idea that in case one of them gets torn out or lost in the underbrush, the other one will, in most cases, still remain attached and allow identificationo To aid in handling the mink and. applying the tags, a sleeve was devised which met with amazing success and allowed tagging and sexing of the mink without actually handling them with the hands , This sleeve was constructed of rabbit wire, with the open end framed with a 9 x 9 inch heavy wire~ and the body of the sleeve tapered dOlvn to a closed, pointed end. The mink were more than willing to run into the sleeve when placed at the end of the trap and the door opened. They would force themselves into the small closed end of the sleeve in an effort to crawl out~ and with the trapper's foot closing the sleeve right behind the mink, it was held motionless in the small end~ allmving one man to do the entire operation. When the foot was removed the mink irrnnediately backed out of the sleeve and was free •• A variety of baits were tried in an effort to find the most successful, and a co:m:rnercially-preparedmink scent was used on some of the sets. The most successful bait used was muskrat; others used vrithout much success were: Wyoming ground squirrel, beaver, jackrabbi t, chicken, spar+ow, and the flesh and internal organs of fish. The scent did not appear to have much effect ~hen usedo The live-trapping was begun initially in the Yampa River Valley around the Steamboat Springs area, and later was carried on in North Park. The last week of April, and practically the entire months of May and June were devoted to this program. �Figure 1 Sometimes animals which were not being trapped for were caught, such as this striped skunk~ which was caught in the Yampa Valley. Figure 2 A cornmon occurrence was to have a muskrat in a trap set for mink. �- 77 Data on the mink trapped,follows: Tag No" I.I - 1. On April 22, 1950, a female mink was live-trapped about one quarter mile east of State Hi.ghway 131 and 8 miles south of Steamboat Springs on a small slough which eventually empties into the Yampa Rivero Bait used was muskrat.. The mink was calm and not excited, but had torn her toenails somewhat in her struggles to get out of the trap.. She was released at the trap-siteo On April 22, 1950~ a female mink was caught in one of the livetraps, but was drowned when the Yampa River CaJ'1eup as a result of the spring runoff during the night.. The bait used was muskrat.. She was pelted, and the pelt will be processed to use as a study skin for the Department •. Tag No ••M - 20 On April 30, 1950, another female mink was caught 8 miles south of Steamboat Springs and one quarter mile east of State Highway 131 on the small slough which empties into the Yampa Rivero The bait used was Wyoming ground squirrel •. She was a little more excitable than the one previously caught at this location, but was in good condition when released at the trap-siteo Tag No ••M - 30 On May 8, 1950, a large male mink was livetrapped on the Yampa River about one quarter mile west of the junction of Uo So Highway 40 and State Highway 1310 The bait used was muskrato He was quiet and calm, and was released-at the"trap-siteo On June 2~ 1950} an extra large male mink was drovmed or died of exposure due to being wet and the snow which was falling at the time He was caught at the junction of the South Fork and the Middle Fork of the m.chigan River in North Par-k, The bait used was muekrat , This mi.nk was turned over to the Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit in Fort Collins for study purposes •• 0 ****-)(Through the experience gained during this fairly unfruitfall period several ideas have been formed.. It is believed that either the fall of the year, or very early spring, would be more ideal trapping periodso Since the fall of the year is the time when the trend plots are run on the muskrats, the early spring, namely February and March, presents the most logical time to live-trap the minko The factors which serve as a basis for this line of reasoning are: (I) the mink are running and mating at that time (February and March) and are still in the lower country, and the females are not holed-up with their litters as they are at this tim~; and (2) everything is still frozen up then and they would be drawn to the baits, whereas now food is plentiful and they are not as tempted to take the baito It is hoped that a much more successful program can be carried on next spring, and that after several years of live~trapping and tagging at approximately the same time of the year, information will be obtained which will allow us to manage the mink on a sound biological basiso �- 78 Marten Job 1 - Life Histo~ Study Objective: In cooperation vdth the Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit to gain much needed data on habitat requirements, reproduction, and other vital aspects of life historyo Findings: As reported in a previous quarterly report, a male and a female marten were live-trapped last November. It was our hope that the female had bred during the last breeding season (July and August, 1949) and would bear kits sometime this April. During the last week of March she bore a litter of unknown number , It was deemed advisable not to disturb her for at least four or five weeks lest she kill the kits~ One kit was seen the first part of April when it passed the hole in the nesting box through which sunlight was streaming.. About the first of May, when it was thought safe to look at the kits without endangering their lives, the nest box was opened and there was no sign of any of the kits. These marten are kept at a mink ranch, and their pens are in the same general enclosure with the mink pens. It is theorized that the scent from the mink in close proximity may have caused the female marten to fear for her young, and as a result, she killed and ate them. It is a well-known fact among marten breeders that the female will kill her young if she thinks that they are in dangero An attempt vall be made to breed them again this summer, and if this is successful, they will be removed some distance from the mi.nk pens , 1950-51 Fur Seasons The sQ~larized recommendations for the 1950-51 fur seasons resulting from the annual ge~e management meeting were presented, defended, and the follm,'ing seasons obtained at the Colorado Game and Fish Commission meeting in Denver on May 22)1 1950: Closed Season: There shall be no open season except or unless otherrase specifically st.at.ed on the following species of furbearers: Beaver Fisher Opossum Otter By virtue of authority vested in the Game and Fish Commission under Section 1, Chapter 107 of Session Laws of 1939, there shall be no open season on mink and fox except as hereinafter and otherwise specifically statedo �Figure 3 A large male mink in one of the live-traps, showing the sleeve, in the small end of which the mink were held and tagged. Figure The female marten, live-trapped kits as described in the text. 4 last November, which bore the �- 79 Open Season: Muskrat: (Above 8,000 fto elevation) October 15, 1950, to November 15, 1950, inclusive, except in the follo.ving counties and portions of counties: ~offat, Rio Blanco, Routt, that portion of Garfield which drains in the White and Yampa Rivers, Jackson, Grand, Summit, and that portion of Larimer whi.ch drains into the Laramie Rivero Muskrat: (Below 8,000 fta elevation) November 15, 1950, to December 15, 1950, inclusive, except in the following counties and portions of counties: Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, that portion of .Garfield which drains into the White:and'Yampa Rivers, Jackson, Grand, Summit, and that portion of Larimer which drains into the Laramie Rivero Muskrat: March 15, 1951, to April 15, 1951, inclusive, in the following counties and portions of counties only: Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, and that portion of Garfield which drains into the White and Yampa R?-verso Muskrat: April 15, 1951, to May 15, 1951, inclusive, in the following counties and portions of counties only: Jackson, Grand, Summit, and that portion of Larimer which drains into the Laramie Rivero Mink: December 1, 1950, to January 31, 1951, inclusive, in the following counties and portions of counties only: Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, that portion of Gatfield which drains into the 'Whiteand Yampa Rivers, Jackson, Grand, Summi.t, Larimer, Boulder, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Jefferson, that portion of Park which drains into the North Fork of the South Platte River, Douglas, Weld, Morgan, Adams, Arapaho, that portion of Elbert north of U , S ••Highway 40 South, that portion of Lincoln north of Uo So Highway 40 North~ Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Washington, and Yuma,. Marten: November 1, 1950, to December 31, 1950, inclusive, except that there shall be no open season on marten in that portion of the White River National Forest which lies north and west of the Colorado Rivero Weasel: November 1, 1950, to December 31, 1950, inclusive, except that there shall be no open season on weasel in the San Isabel, Uncompahgre, Grand Mesa, Gunnison, San Juan, and ~te River National Forestso Fox: November 1, 1950, to December 31, 1950, inclusive, in the following counties and portions of counties only~ Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Summit, and that portion of Larimer which drains into the Laramie River. Raccoon: September 1, 1950, to February 28, 1951, inclusive. May be hunted with dogs and/or guns, day or night, by those in possession of a regular trapper's licenseo � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/77e971915441bc85b09d32de5cec9364.pdf 6d5fdcd139e315f18f69054caceacb93 PDF Text Text STATE QUP..RTERLY SURVEYS PROJECT NO. 31-R ----~~~----------- DATE October, 1950 PROGRESS AND I N V EST As required COLORADO REPORT I GAT ION S by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFERESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: GameBird Surve.1s 2. Leader: 3. Report of Progress: Harry J. Figge Work Plan No.1 - Job 2 Title: Pheasant Nesting Studies Objective: To determine ..the amount ..of neat ..destr.uctio.n. and hen injury or mortality and the peak hatching period. Scope: Northwestern Colorado - Garfiel~,. Me.sa"Delta and Montrose counties. Rezorted by: Wayne.W. Sandfort Methods:. Twomethods were employed in making the nesting study; one being personal. field r.econnaissance and accompaniment of mowers during first hay cutting operations,. and the. other tabulation of data from farmer "hayfield nesting" reports. Personal. surv.e.1S..were made durd.ng t.he cut.ting. of .46 acres of hay in six hayfields.in Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties. Mowers were·acco~panied during. the. entire mowingoperationa,. and data were obt.aaned on hen inj'lllY or mortality, nest density,. cl.ut.ch, size, age of embryo-s, distance of nests.fromfieldborder.s., percent egg fertili.ty~ chick loss, and_lo.cationof nests inrespe ct to the "crease" or "ridge" of the corrugate. The farmer "hayfield _nesting" survey wasac.complished by sele.cting ten representative sections in four_western slope counties. One section "Tas selected in Garfield county and. three sections per county in Mesa, Delta and. Montrose countdaa, "Hayfield. nesting" SUTVe.1 forms were given, in. a self-addressed, stampe.d..envelope, to all farmers on these ten sections prece_ding the first haying operations. �-2Findings.:. The. ne.sting. survey: findings ar.e Jresented separately accor.di.ng .LO. "Personal. Surveylt and nFarmerReports" wLth a table showing.correlation hetween the two survey methods. Personal Survey Approximately 30 hours were spent during the survey. of the 46 acres of hay. Nineteen and! one-hal.f acr.eso.fthe hay were red clover, and 26.•5 acres were alfalfa.. Cutting dates varied from June 15 to. June 28. Nest Data T'tventy-three nests were located in the 46 acres, density of one nest for every t:wo acres. Table I shows the. status first cut.ting operat.ions. giving a nest of nests in.hay.fie~ds._at . .the time of TABLENOo I FATEOF PREP_SANT NESTSIN HAYFIELDS, FIRST~CUTTING HAYING OPERATIONS, NORTIDt-mSTERN COLORADO, 1950 Fat.e of Nest . No.•.of Nesta __Hat-ched successfully bef.ore mowing Destroyed by: Predation Flooding MowersWhilein.t he process; of incubation. While the clutch was still being .laid . . .. Total.s.. ._ ~ of .all Nests 2 1 1 15 4 23 . 100.0 In 16 nestscontaining._.c.omplete.,~utches.,184.eggs.w.erepresent, giving an average.clutch siz.e..of 11.5. Fertility.ch.eck.of.117 showed 109 to .contain. live. emb~o.s,.giv.:ing -93•.2% fertility. eggs Twenty-two nes.ts or 95.7% of the 23 nests ..i'.o.und..dl:U'ing mo-wi. ng operations wer.e Locat.ed ...on .:top of theridge.inthe conrugat.ed fields The one nest located ..in the "crease" or "trough." of the. corrugate was destroyed, prejS,umablyby flooding. �-3MeasureIQent.ofthe dist.ance of ne.sts from the. border. of fields, showedthem to average 62 feet from the. border. The minimum.. distance from the edge was seven i'eet and the maximum. distanc.e. 185 feet. Fifteen. hens were contacted while on nests during fir.st. cutting operations. Nine, or 60%, of these. hens were either injur.ed or killed. Five of the hens lost two legs.,.and fo.ur hens.Lost,..ona.Leg, 'I'hnee.hens were killedou.t.right ...bythe moxensand. the.r emainderwith .bo.th.leg.s lost. and some of those with one1..eg lost probably died. There were 2lactivenests .in the fields ..surveyed, including the two nests which had hatched and ~9 nests where the..cl.u.tch.was.in. the .process of being incubated or _thec~u.tch .wasstilLbeinglaid... .. Since only nine hens were killed or injured from these 2l. active nests, it. is .shownthat 42.9% of the breeding..hens, .w.ith nesbs. e.sta~shed:in.hayi'ie~d.s, suffered from first cutting .haying operations. Three broods were contacted at theti'Tle:of:lIlowl.ng.o None of the three hens -wl.ththese. broods. was injured and only two.young.were knownto have been killed. It appeared that the majority of the.youngbirds got downinto the crease of the corrugate.andescaped. injuryo The peak hatching. fe.riod was determined by data frolll hayfie1d nests and from estimating the ages of broodsobserved.in.bay.fie~ds .••.Embryoswere aged from 15 cLut.chea; chick age. wasestimat.edfrom thre.ebroods., the time when incubationw.ould ..B.tart on incomplete c~utches.was .eat.imatecifrolll four clutches, and additional information. on one. nest was.received ..frolll.a farmer reporting a nest .hat.chingat.the timeo! mowing.a.Data on. 2J nests ..were obtainedfrom.these various.sources. Results showthat .theperiodwhen hayfie~d nests hatched. or would have hatched, was rather ndrawnout" thiss.eason. Table ..II shows the bimonthly break- downin .c~culatedhat.ching. tim.e.oi'.the.23 c1.utches...under consideration. . �-4TABLENO. II CALCULATED HATCHING TIMEOF HAYFIELD NESTS, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1950 Bi-monthty Period Nwnber of Nests June 1-15 Percent of Nests ,Hatched or Calculated as "Would Have Hatched" during ..given Period 3 16-30 5 July 1-15 16-31 10 Totals 5 23 100.0 The peak ha'f;.ching period during the current season in hayfields would have probably occurred during the week. of June 3Q...J~y 6. Fo~ty-eight perc~t.of clutches found. in hayfields.would.have ha~ched d.l.lTingthis week. By agl.ngem'bryos, it was eS.tablished.that some nests. in hal'fields 'WOuld have hatchedas.ear1yas; June 6 and some. asiate' as ..July 25. Sixty-five and two-tenths. percent of theha.v:f.ie1d.nest.sobservedw ould ..have hatched during ..the month of July. . Farmer. Report.s S.~venty-five "Nesting. Study~ ..forms.were.dis..tr.ibuted.t.o.rarmers on the .tenstudy:sections. in .northwest-ern ..C.olorado.... counties •...For.ty-four , or 58.•7%, of the farmers .report.edby September 1. Repo.r.ts..cover.ecL748. acr.es...o.!al!al!.a ....and 135..,s acr.e.s...of. red clover and..other ..hay..types ..•. Of. the: 88J •.5 totaL hay..a.creage.,.125 .•. 5..acres. were in Garfield ..county:,. 36·5.. acres ..m Mesa .c.ounty:"..239...acres ..in.Delta.county and 154. acres..in. Montr.ose county. Seventy:-nine ....and,... fo.ur•.tenthB.p.erc.ent. of ...the ..hay....:was...cut; by .tractor mower.s.. ..m.d.20 .•6%by .horse,...~awn mowers..•.... DetaUed.infor.mation,~ showing variat.1on. ..in.the ..effect of ...the ...t.womowing....metho.ds.,....has ...no.t..b.een..determined at. pres.entaruLwULnot be.pre..sent.ed here. Table ....Ill giVes ...in! ormation ...regar.d1ng ...peak..mo.wing...p.er.iods .... in northwestern.Colorado. �-5TABLENO. III PERCENTAGE OF HAYMOWED BYBI-MOliTIn.Y PERIODS,FIRST-CUTTING OPERATIONS, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1950 B~monthly Period Percent. of Hay Mowed May 16-31 .. 1.9 June 1-15 16-30 41.1 50.0 July 1-15 1.6-31 4.6 2.4 The "PHEASANT SURVEY - (HAYFIELD. NESTING)"form.is ..presente.d to show the ..type .of "Form .useddn ...tha, s:ur.::v:ey...This ...form contzd.ns. inf.ormation by one" of the .farmers.. as..he ..rep.orted it. Break.•. do:wnof thepheasantne.s.ting ..info.rmat.ionob.tained frpm the survey f.arms is,,.not .presented ..separat.ely:. hare.....Principal. resul.ts may be found in _the..f oll.o.wing.... summary•. Tabulation of dat a; concerning.ducknests.,. c.ott.ont.all. rabbit.s, skunks and quail nests, .shcxed ..that. no duck nests war.e".o . bserved during ..the mowing operations.. .One and. fifty""eight.hundredths.:.cot.tontail ...rabbits. "were.injured or kil1.edper 100 acres of hay mowed.. Skunk injury. or. mortality was 0.34 per 100 acnes , Tabulation of quail nests. s.e.en showed.0.•. 57 nests per 100 acres of hay. Summary, Farmer. Repo.rts.~.Personal Survey A summary:of. information" gathered fromth~: .farmer.reports is. presented in. Tabl.e "IV al.ong..:witha .summary.of. pers.ona1. s.ur.::v:.ey information. �-6- TABLE NO. IV SUMMARY, HAYFIELD. NESTING SURVEYS, NORTHWESTERNCOLORADO, 1950 Items.p.er.~OO Acres Young .Killed . Acres. o.f. -Hens Crippled Nes.ts . Nests .....or HBlMowed.. ancLXillad .. .sa.en .. Hatche.d CriPE!ed County Farme.r.R.eports: GarfieM_. 125..•5. Mesa.. 36500 .. Delta. 2.39..0 Montrose. 154.0. Totti. 883.5 Av. 4.•78 ~o.69. 6.27. 11.68 8.•.8,2.. 11.95 . . .7.•97 16.16 .. 6.3Q.. 4..6(L 16.3L 38•.96 9.74 .. 19.47 .6•.68. Personal Survey: Mesa Delta Montrose counties 4600 19.57 50.00 . 4..35 1.•59 L.64 2.•09.... 1-.l4.: .. 2.72 .. 0.00 0.82 1.67 0.•00 0.79 4.35 0.00 ,. . . Cocks Killed or Crippled �-7PHEASANTSURVEY- (HAYFIELDNESTING) County: .....;M:.:;.e;;.;s;.;;a~_ Section: ~ _ Township. 8. ..;..- Range_.._.. _ _ Name: First. Name ... Last Middle. Initia~ Name Address: City Route Number Alfalfa: Date .mo:wingstart.ed ..(lst..cutting) ..~ ..;...;; ......;..••••..• ~...;.;.;..,. __ .;;;.J~un:::.;.;.e....:l~5 .....;. DatemowiDg ...finished ..(lst.cut.tingl . ....;..;;..· ..;:J..;:un=:. ;;;.e...:l:;.;6~ Acres. mowed 18 Method_of ..mo";Wl.Ilg-:;· .....::~..,(~C~h-e-':ck~o-ll!-e'"'li)--T=r-a-c-:.t-o-r. ...;. :.-...;x:::::::-:;H~or-s-e-s-_-:::::::~~~:: Number. of. hens _.kill.ed' ~..::l4~ Number.. of ....hens ..cripped;;.;;, .,,;;.. __ ..;;2:-. Number of nestsseen..;. ...~-..,;--..:::3:....-.....;.~-------.....•.. _---------Number. of ...neaba .hat.ched ...;. . ..;'...... ;.;;. ~."~'--='-._0i~ Number...Of...young.kill.edor._ ..crlpB.led~.:O~..;.;. .. Number ...of. po.clcskille4.,.D.r. cr.ipp~d;;,;,;l;;;;.' __". Other .. Hay: (C~over.,. Timo.thy-.j)-Or.chardGrass, etco) State.typ.eofhay ~.,..C~l:;.;o:;-v;..;e;.;;:r~":,,,,-, --r.•... __.--~ __~~ Date mow.Lng.start.ed.(lst cutting.)T·'· __ ...;Jun=e:.....:l~8 Date mowing. finished.(lst.cut.ting} .;::J.,;;un;,;e.;;...;:1:.;:8;..... ....;;.. Acres. mowed 10 Methodof.mow--:"'jn-g..;;.:;.;;..;.,.(I"::C~h-ec""':k:-"o •... n-e""<l):..--=--:T='r-.a<-c:""'!'to-!l::. ::x:::::::~H-or-.s-e-s- ..-._. -.:::::~~~~::: NUmher~o:fhens ...killed;~;...-_-:::3~ __ -....:.. ...•.•. ----_....:.._-_ NUmb.er.of.. hena ..crippled. __ •.•••.• ~2~ - __ -- ..••... --Number..of ...nests. seen ..~ __ -.=2_--::::__ --••••.• ---.;.... Numb.er_of nest.s ..hatched.;;,;. ;...;....'O"':---=~:-i0------------------Numb.er..of young ...kill.ed. or. crj.pp~ed~Q;..., ...;.,.;. __ .--...;... ....:.. Miscellaneous & Number o£.duck ne.s.ts .... s.een. Number_QfcottontaiLrab.b.its.kill.ed .or._cr.ipple.d .•...;0 Number of. skunks.kill.ed ..or...c,rippled.;.;;.",;..' •.•..••• .-.. __ ....:.._0.;.... Numb.er.o.f..quaiL ne.s.ts ...s.een ';';;' ..,..;..._ ;.. .•.•...•..•..•. ~ O~....:.. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ° Please fill ...o.ut .and.returnwhen .tha .firstcn.tt.ing of .. hay.hasbeen.c.ompleted. _ _ _ �-8- Analysis ..and. Recammendations t. The abject of' making both a pers anal survey and a nfann.er..repart~ survey: was .partly ;tadetermina._the ..possibility af using the i'armer. sUrveyin.lieu..of ..mare tim.e-.!:ansuming .f. ield .w.ark~once a carrectian. factararcorrelatianbetween.the.tw. methods..cauld beestablished. At. present. it. appaana that the. stfarmer.repart" is inadequate in maD\V ways, and.that several days af persanal.surv..ey wilL.prabably furnish more accurat.e and usable data, althaugh .Dlaxe.limited.inquantity. Perhaps the mast useful .information ..abtained fralll.i'..armer. reparts is mawingdates,. whi..ch.in. all probability are accunat.e., Using...this infarmatian as presented. in Tabla ..III and.corr.elatingit w.i.thinfarmati. an in Table II, the neascnf'on .low..hayfield ... pnoductdon .during..tha ..current seasanis apparent, , Ninety-three IE ncenn.of .thellaywas .cuf..befare July l~ whereas, 65.2%.of. the .nests established in hayfields wa.uld..have hatched befare this date.. .Highp.ercentag.esof nests,which.would have hatched befare July. 1, were, ai'.course, al.so__ .destroyed. ", The peak hat.chingperi.od, June..JO•• July 6~ asdet.ermined i'ram hayfield nesta, . was later.this year ..than .wha.t.:wD.u1d.normallybeeXpected. No direct,carrelation .with..othex --p.eakhatching...peria.ds is. posafhl.e...in narthwestern.Calorado. this year., as there is no. similar ..dat.a av.ailable fram previous years. Analysis.af. Tal:)le IV shows.that.a. conderably: larger number..oi: crippled and.killed hens were nated. by the personaLsurv.ey-. method.rthan by: farmers. This can prabably ..be._explajned.br·the f.act ...that alarg.e.numb.er. nafnhens lh ich are contacted andloseane .or.even bath.lags ..ar. f.eat ..afteni'~y of.f.,. apparentlyunhBrmed,.and.unlass the lle'st isact.ually che.cked,a farmer may..cansider the hen urdrijur-ed; Higher.numbers af'...ofher, itemsabservedby.persa.nal surveys are prabably:.the .res.u1t ..af claser abs.ervation..The it.em...an "nests hatched" is .pr.abably.higher on farmer ..reparts. because. of the ..f.act that a nes.t. which waf!.destroyed ...by..lIlOwers .may.loolev.ery:much_.like a. hatlched nest during ..xaking.ap.er.atians.,. unless closely ..checked. Scape:Narth countd.es, cent.ral ..C.alorado., Adams, Boul.dsr; Lardmer., Marganand Weld Techniques.: Farmers ..were. contacted regarding ..destruction afne.stsand hens . killed ..or..injured duringalfalfa.mawingoperationB... Sixte.en farmers returned infarmatian ..an..thefirst.cutting.ai'. 358. acres ...or; alfalfa. Findings: Haying op.eratians..and.phe,asantnesting.acti vitY.apparently did nat caincide this year as ip the past. statement.stathis ..effect were made by many of' the f armerscantact.ed •.. This may be. due..ta.the. peak af the hatch being late. In the 358 acres .afalfali'a.2.7' hens were ki.Ll.ed, 19 hens were crippled and 34 nests wer.e destroy.ed.a.r.expased. �-9- Scope: The San Luis Valley. Reported by: Bertram Baker Acknowledgment: . Acknowledgment_ Ls..gratefully made to Ronald A. Ryder and Ladd G. Frary for data._suppli.edon pheasant Leases from_haying operations on their. duck .nesting.stuqy- areas. Methods:.Farmers :were._contacted.and.asked .to.ke.ep.re.cords of all pneaeant. and. nestlossesduring_.the'£'irst mowing_ ..of_alfalfa. Approximately 100 acres.of ..alfalfawer.e _surveyed personally .by riding the.tra.ctor inowers in order.to che_ckagainst.results ..turnedin_by the .farmerscooperating. Finding: _.All .... dat a. returnedby' farmers Ls. included :with pe.r-sonal, ..findings and those of Mr.; Ryder sinc.ethe.alfalf.a. was sopo.or for most of the acreage that. errors in.mia.sing_.tdz-ds.and.meat.a.were. kept at_ a minimum. No nests were seen by this obs.erver on. ahout.lOa ac.r.esmowed.so it is impossible .to.ohtains correction factor even ..ll. desired.. Stands of alfalfa were thin because of a severe winter kill, suffered. g,enerally throughout the valley. . .. AlLdata.presented._ on native. hay mowingwas suppliedby' A summary.0Lpheasant follows: and nesting. loss. dat.a. ispre.sented Acres. mowed Number.of. henski1l.ed . Number_.of.hens..crippled... Total henc asualties .._... Number.of_nests destroyed .. NumberoL.nests ..hatched Number... of young..killed.or c.rippled .._ Numher.._.of' .. .cccks. kj] 1ed.or...crippled_._ ..__ Total_pheasant.s.kiU.ed .on.c.rdpp'l.edin mcwi.ng736 .acr.es .._..._. Number ...henc asu.a1.t.ies;per ..l00_A...: Numhernests ..destroyed. per 100. A... Number.Juvenile .casual ties...p::r ..1OO_A. •.:.. Work.Pl.anl - Job 3 Title: Obje.ct: Mr__Frary. Alfalfa.. _.. 736 as Native Hay 800 5 6 1 2 11 3 5 11 o 2 o 9 2. o 22..~ -1.5 i.• 5 _ 1 •.2._ 3- 0:4 d.6 o _Pheasant _Brood Survey To determine the trend. of annuaLpheasant reproduction. Scope:. .Northwestern._Color.ado....G.arfield,. Mesa,. Del ta, Montros_e ..counties. �-1"0Reported by: Wayne W,. Sandfort Methods.t.Brood .countswere made, .primarily., on eight, establis,hed trend rout.es in. the four count.Les considered. SeveraL counts were made on miscellaneous" routesJn major pheasant ...areas ..•....Counts ..wer.e. made mostly during optimum counting ..periods" 5:00 .to. 7 :30 a.m., and 5.:00. to 7:00 p.m. Ex.a.ct..times ..dur.ing .. wh~. c.ounts ..were...mad.e..and ..the .mile.age.driv;en were recorded. All.b roods. were flushed with .the aid. of. a dog and the, time of flushing,. numberofb:ii-d.s~ and. estimated age .were.tab.ulat.ed... Several bro.ods. observed. during mid-day were recorded a s miscellaneous counts and they are not used in the ..c al.oul.atd on of broods ..per mile or. bro.odsper hour. Findings ..: Table.s I throughVar.e .seli,',.explanatory and .prasenf .. the. principal brood .•.count. datafr.cm ..f.ournor.thwestern .Color.ado.count.ie.s ...during.;_t he 1950 nesting. season. ' TABLEI. BROOD-COUNT,; HENANDJUVENILEDATA, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO" JULy ANDAUGUST,1950 County Garfield Mesa Delta .. Montrose No. of Broods Counted 9 13 18 .~5 All Counties. -~6S Av. No. Total No. of Young.. ,. No... of Hens of Young per..Brood With Broods 51 5.67 6 68 5.23 12 75 4.17 16 93 3.72 24 287 4.42 .. 58 Total No. of Hensse~n 11 20 57 55 . YoUng p:lr Hen 143 2.01 4~64 3~40 1.32 1~69 TABLEII. BI-MONTHLYAVERAGE BROODSIZE ANDAVERAGE YOUNGPER HEN, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1950 July. 1-15 August . 16-31 16-31 No.. Per Young . . ~o.. Per Young No. Per Young.. No. Per Young County Brood Per Hen . Brood. Per.Hen Brood. Per. Hen. Brood. Per Hen Gari:ie1d6.00. 3.00 5.57 6.50 6.00 2.00 Mesa 4.33 1.63 ..7.00 5.60 5.24 5.25 3.00 2.00 1Jelta. 4.60 0.92 4.00 2.36 Montrose ::;,3,;;.;.71:..:;.;.. __ 0;;,.;.;;..:,7,;;:;;4;..... _...;;2;;;;. .•::;.;50~ __1;;;;..2;;,::5~_.;;;;,;1.;:;.::3o::;.3 __ ..;;;;l;.;..2;;,::5~...;;4~",;;:;;46:;;,;.; ..~ __2.:.;.0;.:7 __ All Counties. 4.09. 1.65 4.57 3.56 4.28 2.18 �-ll- TABLE III. BROODS COUNTEDPER MILE AND PER HOUR, NORTHWESTERNCOLORADO, 1950 County MUes Driven Hours Driven . Bro.ods. Counted Broods per Mile Broods per Hour Garfield Mesa Delta Montrose 126 264 304 131 6.58 14.92 18.67 9.08 7 11 17 19 .0555 .0417 .0559 .1450.. 1.06 0.74 0.91 2.09 All Counties 825 49.25 54 .0655 1.10 - TABLE-IV-_BROODS OBSERVED PER _MILE, ··BI-MONTHLY.PERIODS, Broods per "'.~ NORTHWESTERNCOLORADO, 1950 Mile August July Countz Garfield Mesa Delta Montrose All Counties 1-15 - 16-31 .0201 .0583· .0675 .1633 .0631 .0313 TABLE .10,38 .0261 .0759 .1540 .0791 .0751 v. ESTIMATED BROOD AGES BY BY-MONTHLYPERIODS, NORTHWESTERNCOLORADO, 1950 Number of Broods, Estimated Age .. .in Weeks 1-15 1-3 3-6 6-9 9-12 3 7 1 16-31 1-1~ . .12~1 .0583 in Age Class August July 16-31 1-15 16-31 3 6 1 3 9 1 11 13 2 4 2 �-12Analysis. al d Recomm.endations: Brood counting. during the. current season yielded limited results for.the .amountof time spent. in .countdng, This was partly due to heavy cover of crops and brush in northwestern Colorado azeas ; and. partlybecaus.e of poor reproductive success. July counting...wasextremelydiffic:ul.t, and. it is. believed t hat counts conf',ined to the first three weeks in August wouldproduc.e .suff.icient data for management.ancLshowa t rue. picture of pheasant reproduction. Table IV shows that Aug.ustcounts ..were better than ..twic.e as, pr oductdve as early July counts and somewhat.better than.counts made..in the latter part of July. The cutting of ..small grain cropsand,.the.mowing of,th.e ..aecond crop of hay during August., rem.avesa large amount.of the cropland. c.over and makes broodsm.ore.conspicuousduring this period. Table II shows that there was a general increase. in the. number of young per hen from the. first of July t.o the last. of Augustl. This is to be expected as an Lncr-easdngnumber of breeding hens ane succeesrul., The number o.fyoung per hen durang.Lhe. first part of August_prob.ablyaverages higher than th.enumber of young per hen during_.the.latt.er. part of August because of insufficient data. The numberv.pe r .broodand the number of. young.per hen averaged lowest in Montrose county~ as. shownby Table I. A possible explanation for this is that there. is a.higher .pencenbageof clover hay raised inthis county than in the other countLesconsidered.. As clover hay is mowedlater than alfalfa, more hatched.1:roods ,would be present in this cover. type .at the time__ of mo.wing........ This, being...the caae, high.er.ju.venilemortality would result ..and. con.sequentlybroo.ds_vould..average smaller. in number. Scope: North:"c.entral Colorado Reported by : Willard i.. Flinn Technique: Pheasant brood counts. were started about ..the.firstof ..June and continuerl. .t.hrough.,August. The. cen.suswasmade ..by:. making..,early:.morning and .evening..r.oadaide. count.a, and recording. the numbers and approximate ages. ofall.broodss_e_en ..on.or in the :rr oximi.tyof crowing count routes. AlL adult pheasants ..seen .were also. recorded. Findings:. Informationobtained ...this yearindic.al:..e.sthat .the..peak of the pheasant hatch came..tm "reeks .01' more.later ..than last year..Thi~t is substantiated. by work done by the Colorado Cooperative .Research Unit. This may be attrihuted. to the. cool spring weather., an:Lespecially to a late six-inch snow and cold snap that occurred on May.27. Many.very young birds, estimated at .four. weeks o..f.age or Laaa, have be.enobserved as late �-13a~ September 15. Although fewer broods have been recorded in the area than in previous years, they were seen Ln dncneasdng. numbers during Augu~t and early September this year. This would indicate a successful late hatch. Brood counts were attempted in June, but the time was almost fruitless. Through .June, .July .and.August.a total. of 57 broods were seen wd th 395 young pheasants, giving an. average of'.5 young .P3r brood. The total. hens counted during these runs wB.~109, showing.an average of. 2.88 young per hen. During the. fhnee-monbh period approximat.e1y 1900 miles were traveled in making.brood counts. Scopes San Luis. Valley am Montezumaand La Pl.ata Counties. Reported by ~ Bertram Baker Methods:l Brood counting was. accomplished by slowly (15=-2) m.p.h.) traversing pheasant areas at r.andom . wit.h a vehicle. The two. hours..aft.er sunrise and before sunset proved most productive for the time. spent. Thus mileage figures as recorded in Table I were arrived at from early morning.and late evening reconnaissance trips only , Field reconnaissance.on foot. with the aid of a point.er.dog was tried but proved entirely unsatisfactory. Findings: The results of. brood survey work carried .onf'z-om. July 3 through August 30 are. sumrnarizedinTable I. The threeareasr eported on are geographically separate and have different lam use pat.terns. They al.so shaw defini:te differences. as to repro.ductive success this season. Classifying the areas aaEo relative reproductive .succesaj. Montezuma.County was good" La Plata County was fair, and the four counties of the San Lui~ Valley were poor consideringindicat.ed bre.ading .p-opulationsfrom spring crowing counts 0 A generally late. hatch was indicated by the small.number of brood~ seen in July and also by age estimation of broods seen in August. Eight broods, or approxi.l1lat.elyone half of alLthose seen in the San Luis Valley, were estimatedt.o have. beenhat..ched after July 15. Another eight hatched off between July 1 and July 15. In reference to the footnotes 1/ and 2/ on Table I, .the fi6ures for average number of young per hen are larger.thanthe.average number of young per brood (Average Size of Brocd.)..since. no hens. were seen .in Montezuma County without broods and at least eight young weresingles orin mixed broods, not usable for det.ermining average number per brood. �-14BROODSURVEYSUMMARY FOR THE SANLUIS VALLEYANDMONTEZUMA ANDLA PLATACOUNTIES, JULY..3 THROUGH AUGUST3D, 1950 Ar.ea Survey or Period,CQunty. -- Tot. No. Tot,L.No.•.Av6..,No.•.Tot .• Noo. Broods... .., ,Br.oods Hens.. ..Young..: ....Young." ...Hens. '. Seen Tot.aL.,per Seen. Se,Eln Per' ,with .. , ..Ave. Miles: Mile ..Hen .. ,J3roo<!8... Nn. Size. * 7-3 . 7-15' San Luis Valley . 67 . San Luis 7-16 Valley 11 1-.31 La Plata ... 4.: Montezuma. .'3 8-1 San Luis 8!"15. Valley .'. .4l.. San Luis 8..,16.... Valley 15. 8-3.0 La .Plata .3 Montezuma..... 8.. San Luis Totals. Valley: 194. {Entire, LaPlata 1perio.d)Montezuma il ... 1. .3 .•. .ol49':, • .1 Juv. per Mile .1 , ~aO, 362, .L 3.0 t .. 8.•..0 .3 4,.67. 342 .OQ~ .0087 46, ,-.0217 .1139 58 ...• .051.7 .241.3 •• .0027 .0.027 <14 .0422._ ,2,•.0 4.666 ...,1. 1. .3 36 •.878.0 6, 7 5.14, 44... 8 43\ 2.93.3 2•.333 1/ ,5~.375 ." 8 2... 9 2, 8 9 4.88 .. 219" .3.50 84.., .•.0237 3~e,8.. ' .,. 9.3 . .n82 84. ... 1.6.... ..~8.....4 •.66.. ll90 ....•0l.$0 .0706 . $29, .3 3,.. ..5.00 .. 13.0 ..,.0.033.3 .12.3.3 2.2852/, 12_ 4 .•.08....1.5l..· .•1125 ..3774 5.181, .. ..11. 8,. .16 ... 57 . .. ,,, ... .. 267 •.0260 01.348 ...om .2009 •.0952 .4623 *Bas.ed_llPon.a1.L bx.oo.dsin ..ENidence... ,.i.,e,•.,. .a,~ingl.e,.;}tomlg..s.een;l!one.hrood in evidence. '. 1/ and2/.See, s.e.ction.on ..Eindings ..for .. expla~ti.on.,of ...,diacrepanCT between figures of averag.e number ....of. .young. per. hen ..aruLaverage.brpod sizeo Sco.pe..L Northeast. Reported. and. East Centr.al Az-e~s. Rip. Inti.ng",a.Poley Techniques ..:..,..Tr.end_.ro.utes..were .. dri V:~l,l;!during..the" J.,ast .... week in.June.,..t.hroughout ..J.uly., ..and. the ...li.st ...t.en. d.a.y.s_.of.:Augus.t.•_. When.broods ..were...o.b.ser:v~d they wereco.unt.e.d. by. stppping.and ...alloldng.t_hem. ..to. c~o.s.s..t.he.road, ..or.,.by flushing., i1: ..tb.ey. hmLr#nint.o. co.v.er•....C.Oijnts.:w:~e..made.f..rom...8un...up._to. :91.00 a.m., and from4:00 ..p.•.~~:.untiL.dusk. .. Dat.a.was ..als.o.,.r.e.coxde.d..o.n..mourning doves, cot tonta1ls" ...jack·rabbi.ts., ..and ..pheas.ant.r.oad kill s. '. �-15Findings: Northeast Colorado .. Hens with broods: Broods without .hens. . _._ Total br.a.o.d!Ls.een ... Tot..al....juveniles ...--. per mile Total hens per mile .. Total co.cks per mile Total. pheasants ..'. per mile ..... Total ...doves ... per mile. Total cot.tont.ai~L . per mil.e . Total jack.r.abbi.ts . per mil.e .._ . Tot.al. b.obwhi..te. ..quail. .. Total. hours. TotaL.mile.s. ... .. Total ..pheas.ants. ..pe.r..hour... ..... .. Bro.o.d.A.-v:erage __ Broods ..les.s...t.han ..1O..days old Numb.er_.of'hens.s.een. ..m.thout chicks ... % of hens seen w:lth.outchi.cka -- . Total .noad Jd.lls. . .. (Very. low as, most ..roadkil.Ul ..occur on main highways.) August Total 17.. 37 83 18 47 .S4. 101 250. ·24S.. ~.- 46 1.. .484. ..448." 69 41 495 .467 no .103 .133.075 22 85 382. 30.8... .759 .564.. .080 690 .649 63 .102...040 262.h50.~ .50.7 .824..' 22 n.. .042..... ..020. 712 .670 33 .031 43 37 6 ... ..• ,073 .011. .040 20 5 .15 .. 23 24.. 516. 546.. 1062 16.• 6.. 12.•.. & 14.6 5.•)9. .,.4a5i· 4.9 23 33% .9 •.. 7% 24.5% 5 .14. 19 -, 4. 47 27 �-16Findings.:. (cont1d) East. C,entra1..Colorado Hens with broods .... Broods. without. hens __ Tot.aLbroodsse.en. . Total .juveniles. per mile Total. hens .... per mile . Total ..cocks.... per mlle . Total. pheasants . per mile. TotaL.doves .. per mile TotaLc.ottontails. .. permile ... Total jackrabbits . perroile ..... Total hours . Total miles . Total pheasant.s per hour Brood. averag.e. ..' BnoodaLess ..than ..TO ..days old Number ...of.hens_seen:W1thout chicks % of .hens...seen. without chicks Total ..roa.d..ki11s .. c...' (Very low .asmost. ..road.kills ...occur on main highways .)' .~ 3 1 "4. August Total 21 24 12 36 149 .189 SO .063 64 .081 263 .333 714 .909 11., 32. U9.., 20 ..$63 .035 28.. 22. .050. .096 .15. 49 ..087 .065 166 97 ;.173 . .•.724363351. .649 1.•5.32, 42 .18 .075 .. .078 62. 9 ..llO .. ..•039 26 559 3.•13 5.00 7 229 .23.1 4.03 24 1 1 60 .016 71 .090 33 188 1.91 4.14 - 1 �-17Work Plan 1 - Deviation Title : Survey of Climatologi.cal Factors Object : To. ohtainclimatic ..data .and.determine ..the.c.orre1.ati.on clima.ticfactors and pheasant repro.duction. between Scope: . Northwest.ern Colorado.... Garfie1d, ..Me.sa,.Delt.a,. Montr.ose..count ie s Report.ed.by:.: Wayne..w..•..Sandfort Methods.: Montb17_.weather..reports. were. rec.eived ..f.rom..t.he. n•.S. Weather Bureau Station at the. Grand .Junction ..air. port ..for._the ..period.extending framJ.anuary., ...1.950.,..through . July " 1950... Data ...from.t his w~ther bureau statianis b.elie.v.ed-.t!Lbe. sufficiently .._typicaL,o.fth~ major portion of nor.thwes.tern_.Colorado...pheasant. __ rangestojus:t.ify: ...applica"tion for the. entire area. .. Principalclimatic ..fact.ors,.. including. pre.cip.it.ation,.temperature andUght ..:were,t aken.into. consideration, .. and ..data ..concerning these factors_were .t.ahul at.ed lIumidity.dat.a_ are.~acldng....at.. present. 0. •. Findings: TABLEI CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA,NORTHWESTERN. COLORADO.,. JANUARY".JULY, 1950 Precipitation .. Tot.aLfor Month... Departure Month.. in Inches_fram. Nor..ma1. January· February: '. March_._ .. April May June, July Temperature .. ..Dep.ar.tur.e.% ..of Avo Monthly f:r:om..Narmalpossible Sunshine 1",40. i 0080 23.• 1 0.47 •. 0.11 :"0.34 - 0029 - 003.5 .. - 0•• 39. i 0.39 3403. 0.42 0054 0046. 0.01. 1.00. 41.0. 52.06' 59.l. 1.o.B. 74•.8, .... - 009 of 104. •.2.3 + 0.2 - 2.•0. - 0•• 6_. -2 .•. 8 57 69 68 80 80 94 76 Analysis.. and..Rec.amm.endations.:... .Th~:four ..mQ~ths.o.f...Aprll,_.May:.,June .and July, mo.st...importaht... fro..m. the ..phe.asant. br_eeding..standpo.int..,...~le.r.e. ..in general cooler ..and.drier. than ...normal.. .Two_ kj 11ing ..fr.o.sts .oc.cuzned.xmt.he 25th and 29th Df.Aprll and.dI7.we.atherduring_ this ...m.onth.le.f.t...r.ang.es.in very dry. "c.onditiollo.Below .normaL.temp.eratur.es. during.. May:.r.esu1.ted in slow crop..Qowing ..weather and this. month was the ...four.th ....cons.ecuti.ve month with._below. normal precipitation. The month. of _.Junewasst.ilLvery dry �-18and a low.temperat.ure of 390 on the. 8th of .the month was..a. record low for the .date... The monthol ..July. .averaged. the ..co Ol.e.st .of.aI\V.J:ul.y since 19120 Analysis Qfthe. percentag.e.of: ..pDSSible.sunshine ..o.c.curring..during the period ..fromJanuary:t.hro.ugh. ..Jul7· was. made becaus.e..0£ .the..Significance of light ...in. th.e...development ..of.ph.eas.ant. repr.oductiv.e....Drgans....:Comparisons betw:e.ensimil.arperlods ..in.1949 ..and.19$Q, showed.that ..1-5{of .the. possible eunabdna.nccura-ed, during ..the 1950.s.eason.as ..comp.ar.edt.O 63%. in the 1949 per-Lods. Ac.c.ording...tathis,. nest .estab] j shment...shDuld ..have. oc.curred earlier .this._breeding ...seasonthan.).ast.year..... Nasting. ..studies,. however, showed that.~ was. not .the caae.,.;and f ..actors ..other ...:t.han.l.ight were probably....mar..e.i.n:O-uenti:il,.during. the .current ..seas.ona..,Cool .•--eather and ··low·humjdj ty~ resulting ..from.lack.. of..p.r.ecipita.ti.o~ ..are.,.prQbably more responsib1a for. the 'de1ayedam ..lIbe].owpar." hatch. SANLUIS. VALLEY. WATERFOWL NESTING. STUDY Work...P1.an.No..•.2. - Migratory, Birds,.,...Ducks..and Geese, .JOb.l: Migration Objectives: .. To .determirut spring_migrati.an .of'..water£owl. through.the. Luis_Valley by. spec~ s.ex.r.atiosand dates. Reported.by: San Luis Ronald Ryder Teclmiqu.eru... ,Perio.dic,gr ..ound...counts on..sel.ectedmarshes and .wa.t.er.areas made with. bi~0.c111ars and. observatdons ..t.abulat.edas ..:to..specie.sand sex. Find; ngs..:".... Migration.data.f.or. 1950. are.l.es.s .c.omple..te.than..those.f.or ..1949 due to. the ..mil.der.. spring. .and.a ..ten. day .del..ay...in initiati.o.n...of'.obs,ervations in.19S0 .• ~ation data.Sor ..both. seasons ar.e.at. ..best.incOl\lP~e.te since much.o..t.the.spring ...!light .occnrzed ..bef.oreApril 1. In the ..spring .... of._1949~11 species of .ducks. and..two sp.e.cies .of geese were observed. in ..the V;.Q1ey;.in 1950, 15 species. or ducks and...thr.ee ..speciesof geese were not eds. Table. Idescribe.s.the more...important. features relating to the spring ...migrationandse.x ..ratios of .each species. for the. t.wo.seaso~':'. Sex ratios in parentheses ar.ethose. derived .from samp~es. thought ..too .. smal1...t.o.be.relia ble • . The sex ratiD.sampl.es1.?5.ed are not necessarilyrepresent.ativ,e..of .the ..relative abundance ofe.a.ch. species. �- 19TABLEI SEXRATIOANDSPRINGMIGRATION DATA,SANLUIS VALLEYjI 1949 AND1950 Species Sex Ratio M:100 F .. 1949 . 1950 Size of Sex . Ratio Sample 1949 .1950 Apparent. Peak 'of l-u.gration 19491950 '.--", . . Canada.Goose. late Mar.cn" early March White-fronted Goose (no~abBerved)Str~gglers,May Lesser. SnowGoose .._ straggler.s..May:str.aggler jIJune MaLlarcl_ 102 '108 489 961 late. Apr.il...... ear1y April Gadwall.. 108. 128.. 355' ill. lat.e.Apr.iL ..Lat e April Bal, dpate 10.6 (1l4J.. 211. 41. early ..May",.early April Pintail... . .. _ 104 . (131) 2S5. 78. .early. A.pr.il.1ate March Green"..wingedTeal .. ll9 n6 39S 1.62.. .early ..April ...early April Blue""wlngedTeaL (l.22.). (100.> .2:t.. 1.0 early May early M81 CinnamonT~al::. (100) . (112) 58 .68.. late.ApriL .e.arly April Shoveller.. 105 (130) 13S 76 ,early.. Aprll.late March Redhead ._..129 (111) 112. 39 ear1:y..Hay:.. early April Ring~neckedJ)uck (1.l.4)(150) 22. 30. ? ? Canvasback... (45). (75) 64. 7 late ApriL. early April Scaup Duck. 198 8S 14} 8S. earl.y:May early April Amer.i.c.an Goldel1!-.eye . (50) 3 ? ? Bufflehead (100) (70) 28. 17. .lat.e. April ...late April American Mergans.er. (87) (33) 58. 12 early April ? Red-breasted.Merganser .. Q).·.. . 2. 1.. ? Rudd~LDuckc __ ....;.·,,--_ . (92:}-· ··(92)4.6-·~·--59-··-· ·lat.e.·A.priL:~early May. no Analysis and R~commendations:Itappeared.that. ..a1tho~.the ..1950 spring migrat.ion ..ext.endecl..o:veralonger. period.. ..than. .Ln..1949+ the. p.eak.for most ducks. occnrred muclLearli.er,. this. ..being ...esp.e.cially ..tr.ue...o.f.... the. divers The numbers of Redheads, ..Scaupand ...Gan'.!lB.sback.s ..obser:v.ed.'in. ,April ..and Mev , 1950, were considerably less than noted.in.l9.49 •. Reduc.tion.inthe acreage of surface ..water. this season may.off'er ..apartial explanation....... L.o~al resLdent.a, however, report.edthat .reas.onably good .rughts.o.f.div.:ing ducks occurred ..in Marcho 0 The .extremely.mild "w.1nt.er.of..1949~SO.permit.t.ed..wi.der..Jise of the Valley: 'by: ~ntering.ducks~ and..pr..esumably .... !e:wer. ducks ..m.ntere.d ..south of the Vall.ey.o The.result ..s.e.eme d, to. be.a ..1ess.distinct_migr.at1.on ..of waterfowL this .past,..spring.as ...comp.arecl.to.1949......Flight.s ....a!...Malla.rd..s.,,Pint ails and .Baldpat.es...appar.entlypassed ..thro.ugh...in. .a.mnch.more...1.eis.ur..ely,. fashion in.195.o.o__During..Mar.ch".1950.,.f10cks..o.f..Ganada.Geese...up..to ..5.00...in .number were r.epor.t.edby.r.an.chers. in ..the. vici.ni.'ly"... af ...san.Lui.s..Lak~_ but ..only a few stragglers ..wer,e.not.ed..in ..May ..and..J.une.,..re.spec.tiv.e1.y. .••.... A.pair ...of ducks thought ..to .be.NewMerlc.an...ducks..were...noned...on t he, Spring ...Greek study area. May.16~.195.0,. but ..eU.orts.to ..col1.ect.the ...mal.e..wer.enns:q.ccessful so. no.definite proDf of.the.oc.currenc.e ,of...thi.s .specd.es;may.,be given. �-20Job 2 - Water£owl_Froduction Obj.ectives.:. ...,.To",de.termi De .by ..species ..,.and,repr.esent~u.ye..coyer ..ty.Je.s number ofbr.eeding._:pairs.and ..nolL~.br.e.eding..individua1s.,_.clutch.siz.e.,. fate of eg~. hr.o.od.-sl.z.e...and.d.ecimat.ing-..f.acto.r..s...af.f.ecting ...pr.oduction. T,echDiquAs:.....Sampl.e...al:eas ...s.el.ec.ted_on ..basta ..of.~na:t.lll:aL.vegetation, water .di$tributian.,. ....and ...g.enera1 ..1.and..u.s.e~..incl.udiDg. c..r.op.praduction ..and ..grazi ng • Pr.o.duct1On...det.erm1ned..by..p.eriodic .counts of...hr.eeding padz-s, .. .Ie sts and br'o.e.ds...on .....sam.pl.e.-ar.eas.... ....AlL.data. kept. s.epara.te...by...specf.ea ..andcover types..... .. The...effec:t.s.Qf.crap-pr.od.u.ctian~ ...gr.a.zing...and.predation.,., ...so far as possibl~ ..t.a .be.. det.ennine.d. by systematic field.ob.s.ervat ions. ;, Findingsi ..Nesting._p.airsH:wer.e'Hmu~h.lJlor.e ..abundant .... OD . the ... s..tud;v:.ar.eas in 1950 . than.in-1949+.arui.a.proportionately..lar.ger .number ..of..ne.s.ts ..were found. In.;1949;ll-.22.6.Mall.ar.,Land ..l6..non.,..Mall.ard...du.c.kne.s:t..s ..:were..under. ~Ob.serV8tion• .In. 1950.,..·3,7.o..Mall.ard.and.13, ..non...Mallard.duck. nests. were. s.tudie.d.. . Unf.ortWlB..t.ely.~this. increasednest.ingd.ensity .did.not..apply for the Valley:- ..asa ..whDl.e......Th.e..acr.eag.e....of ...sur.! ace ..:w.ater. throughouti.the Valley was..... co.ns;i.derably.:...Laaa. in __ 195.0 than. in. 1.949., and ..as ...8.. resul t dubks appe.are<Lto....be.lJlOre.concentrated....abollt ..t.he_Ru.s.s.ell. Lakes and, Headl ee Ranch ..stud;y:. ..areas-;j)-' since. __ both ..contedned.permanenn. water.ho.d1es The rather ....1nBc.ceasib1.e.st.rtng.of ..p.ot;..ho1.es...extending. from. the .Rus sell .Lakes ..tQ S.an Lu1s ..LaktLwer.e.gr.eatly reduced ..inar.ea ..thiss~ason and conse.quent~_d;id,not ...produce. ..the.number.s .of.wat.erfo:w1. ..they .did ill 1949. . 0 Tab~ ..;..:rLautl.ine.s theeeU.y .ne.sting d a.tes.and..'dates on" iihich b:roods were ..knomJ..to hav.e..hat.ehed,:r.or «.the...ten ...species ..abs.ervednest~ in the ..Valley ....or ...along_. the.. Upper..Rio Grande. �-21TABLEII EARLYDATESFORNESTSANDBROODS,SANLUIS VALLEY,1949 AND1950 First Species Fir.st..Nesting 1949 April .8 Mallard. . Gadwall .. May-6 Pintail. May-1 Ba~dpat.~ ? Greerl-.winged$e~1. ? Cinnamon or.. BWTeal.I$y.J. Shovel~er ' .~ 5 Red.h.ead.. June 7 Ring.,necked..Dllck 1 Ruddy Duck ? Date Knom . 1950 . April ..1 ? April 17 ? May 26 May 1 ? June 11 .. ? ? Brood Seen or Known To Have Hatched 1949' 1950 May ~5 July 15 July 6 None .seen. July 13 June 17 June 6 .. July. 15 July 1.7 July 17 ~ay 15 July 7 May 29 July 12 . July 12 June 25 July 15 'June 25 •July +8 July 18 The average. clutch. observed.in.1950,. 8.28 eggs.,..is.approximate1y the same as. not.ed, in. 1949, B•• 10, eggs.. Table .ilL summarizes. the.clut.ch .sizes for both seasons •• TABLEIII OLUTCH SIZE OF MALLARD NESTS, SANLUIS VALLEY,1949 AND1950 .Hat-ched or Un~er~:eggs. Complete ..Cl.u:tches of when.d..e.s.troyed, destroyed beknown.siz.e.. des.ert.edor at fore found-Clutch: estimat ed . last visit No. Eggs 6.7· 8 9 .lQll'12.l3 14 .17. No. 1949. 29..211..46 35 ""1.9.. '5.. 2 0.. 1. o 14 47 of 22 Nests 1950 43 49 72 53 34 13 7 21 1· 73 Eggs and Nests (Averagec1ut.ch of 165 complet.ed ..cilltches in 1949--8.10) (Averageclut.chof27$. cpmplete.d clut.c.he.s ..in19?0--8.28) This ..seas.on, . ..finaL.data_.for ...31.0..Mal~rd nest.s. .(.2,599 egg.s.)..was..obtained compar.ed...ta..2.26.Mal..lard..nest.s (1,$73 eggs} 10.1949 •. Table ..IV compares the fate ..of ..Ma" ard".eggs ...bycover ..types .for. the.two season. . �TABLEIV FINALDATAONMALLARD EGGSCLASSIFIED BYCOVER TYPES,SANWIS VALLEY, 1949 AND1950 Cover Types Year Fate unReasons For Failure To HatCh Failed known or Predator Infertile Died in Hatched to hatch uncertain* No. , No. % -Incubation Deserted MowingFire Flooded Noo %Noo %"Noo, ." ¥o._%~_____No.%. No. % No. % No. % ~ ... Bulrush 1949 .371 61.7 230 .38.3 1950 536 49.7 543 5003 431 488 18.4 19 3.~ 434 "40.2 26 2.4 162.7 22 2~b 78 13.0" 61 5.7 cattail 1949 156 83.4 31 16.6 1950 471 68.4 218 31.6 107 71 2 1.1 136 19.7 12 6.4 24 3.5 7).7 24 3.5 52.7 34 4~9 2 1.6 6 3.8 .3"2.6 3 1.9 9 7.9 . . III Grasslands 1949 69 60.5 1950 86 54.7 45)9.5 71 45.3 39 27 31 27.2 6239.6 Brushlands 1949 22 )6.7 1950 9 30.0 38 63.3 21 70.0 12 38 63.3 21 70,0 Native Hay 1949 ·1950 15 100.0 38 100.0 8 3 15.8 13 34.2 Alfalfa 19 100.0 1949 1950 Total,' 19[9 61t3 62.6 378 38.0 alltypes1950 1102 55.3 891 44.7 "5 13.2 ~T7 18818.9 666 33.4 . "5 2~7 . 16 84.2 2052.6 33 3.3 56 2.8 262.6" 49 2".5 92 9.3 100 5.0 28 2.85 20 1.0 *Inc"ludes estirnatedc1utches and nest.s "whichhad been destroyed or "hatched when first nests whien were not relocated for determining final fate. . • ~ I 12 60.0 320.0 606 6 1.0 .5 6.6 found and those �-23In Table IV, the percentage of eggs under "Reasons for failure to hatch" equal the percentage of eggs that failed to hatch rather than 100 per cent. Thus in 1950, 33.4% of 1993-Mallardeggs (for which final fate was determined) were destroyed by predators, as compared to 18.9% of'996iri1949~ This o~' served increase in predation was thought to havebeeu'due'inpart to the increased density of'nests on the study areas and'the'conseqliently greater ' availability of nests to 'predators. Also, there appear-edrto have been an increased predaboripopul.atdon, at least on 'the Russell Lakes s'tudy'area., This locality accounts for most of the 'bUlrush sa.rllpled~The highest nesting success was foUnd in cattail cover (68.4%'hatch, compared to'49~7% iribtilrushl. Most of the cattail cover sampledwasori the Headlee study area Which seemed' to have a much lower predator population than'the Russell Lakes area •. It was urifortunate that sizeable areas of these two coverty-pes were riot obtainable in the Same area and thus subject to the same predator population so that a truer evaluation of their value for nesting purposes might have been obtained. In both 1949 and 1950, the chief predators were 'skunks and magpies. Attempts to separate predation losses by the predators involved seemed to indicate ' skunks destroyed the greabest, number of eggs , They usuaIly wiped out the entire clutches, whereas magpies apparently stole only one or two eggs per clutch. Desertion ranked second in known importance during both seasons. This abandonment of eggs was due largely to disturbances by predators, 'although in some cases, possibly to the activities of the obserVer. Haying operations caused some desertion, although actual destruction'of nests was a more important cause of eggs failing to hatch in haylands. Infertility was a common, although not too important, cause of eggs failing to hatch. "Runt" eggs were included in this category. All eggs that contained embryos or ducklings that were unable to escape the egg shells were included under "Died in incubation." Most such instances were in late stages of incubation and were probably the result of chilling. Noburmng or flooding losses were noted on the study areas durino: the 1950 season. In 1950, an average of 7.4 young was, obtained for the '148 Mallardriests known' to'have hatched wholly or in part. This is substantially lower than the 7.9 average obtadned for 86 nests in 1949. However, consf.derdng the '270' nest attempts for which firial fates of eggs are reasonably' certaih, the"average numbeFofyoungper hen attempting to nest was only '4.0 in 1950 as'com~ pared to 4.4 in 1949. ,For both years, actual brood couritslndicated average broods somewhat lower than those derived from nest evidence. Here again the 1950 average of 6.3 is substantially lower than the 1949 average of '7~2~ From this date it appeared that in 1950 not orilywere the iirltiaTbr66dS smaller ~han thoseof·1949, but a greater loss of young ducklings occurred following hatching. The differences between the "nesting data" brood size and the "field observationttbrood size bein? 0.7 in 1949 and·1.lin1950~ Table V summarizes the brood count data for all species nesting in the San Luis and Upper Rio Grande Valleys." �-24TABLEV BROODSOBSmVEDIN SANLUIS ANDUPPERRIO.GRANDE VALLEYS AVERAGE. 1949 AND1950 Field. Observations NestiEB·Observations No. of Broods No. of Young.Av. Brood . No.•of Nests Av.Broper Nest 1.940. 1950 ..1949.. 1950 1949 1950 19491950 1949 1950 Species. Mallard .. Pintail .. Gadwall .. Shovell.er Gr- Hinged. Teal, Cinnam.qna nd/ or BWTeaL._ Bal.dpat.e ....... Redhead ... Ruddy..Duck Ring,. necked Duck 29 6 4 66 5 13 2 4 All. SEecies._ 6.3 6.4 8.2 4•.8 5.0 86. 148 1 7.9 l. 1100 3 Ll.8. 7.2 207 39 32 6.5 26 _ ..107 - 6.5 19 13 15 6.5 6 23 40 3.4.. 5.8 1 9•• 0 4.0 7 6 5.•9 6.6 9.0 1 300 6.0 1 14. 26.. 3 1. 3 Ll.. 46 27 6.7 700 7.0 4.3 3.0 4 7 2.. .. 2... 02 10S 422 .·... oBS . b.S .ba4 92 1~1 7.9 704 4. 7.4 600 In.addition.t.o the .. decimating ..factorsaffecting. eggs.~ several. ..others observed .that ..des.troyed. y.oung. ar).d.B9-.u1..t. ducks. during ..the nesting aeason; indi.c.at.es ..the ...v.arious. factors. noted. and thell." ..relative importance. were Table VI TABLEVI OBSERVED WATERFOWL LOSSES, SANLUIS VALLEY., SlJ"MMER 1950 Species. . Cause. of Death Dead, -- ...-.... -..-.-.-..-.-.-:Pr~e~d;;;;;at;.;.o...;r;;: ..;.;...;.;C~oll~i::,d~e~d~ ..-lrD..':""·t:-:h~-rCause Not Roal:LKills .Loss . Fence., .etc. Mallard. 24 5* Pinta.il. 1 Gadwall. 1. 1 Shoveller Gr-wingedT.eaL. 1 1 Cinnam.on and/or BWTeal 2 Total All. Species. 2S· 6 .2 *-Including ...two female.s. killed ..at nests. -HThought ..largely.: due..to. hunting and.striking . Determined Cripp1es** 5 2 2 2 5 ..f.ences, 0 etc. Analysis and Recommendations: Predation appears to .have been ...more. pronounced in..1950., probably ...due. .bo .crowding .of waterfowl. about. more permanent waterbodf.aa., In this manner, nests and eggs ..were much.more. availabie ..and easier for predators to find. It seems adrisabl.e. to r'ecommend.the. cr-eatd on of widely scatter.ed nes.ting .sloughs in.. which controlled.water. levels can be maintained. in times of. drought. �~- --...._- -----~-..----------~ ._----- _---. ..•. Fig. 1 - Small port~ble type of duck trap used in the San Luis Valley, SQ~~er 1950. (Note catch box used for removinf, ducks.) Fig. 2 - Skunks are perhaps the worst predator of duck eggs in the San Luis Valley. �-2'5In this manner, it is thought that predation and other decimating factors maybe kept to a minimum. In important waterfowl nesting areas in the Valley it would probably prove profitable from a waterfowl production standpoint to control. skunks and magrri.es ; at l.e.ast in. tim.esof overabundance,of these pnedat.ors such as occurred with skunks in 1950. Job 3 - Habitat Evaluation Objectives: To.determine plant composition,. waterrel.ationships, interspersion. of cover and water, and the. eff'ects .of..cultural prac.tices on waterfowl production. Techniques: Vegetative complexes and water fluctuations., to be determined by mapping.and planimetering sampl.eareas. Data.£.orvegetation to be determined quantitatively by important Sp3cies.. Interspersion of types to be determined.from.maps, and valu.e of' intersp3rsion ..to be verified by waterfowl use ob.served..throughout the, nesting and young rearing period. Final evaluation of various- habitats are to be determined from"the observed effects of cultural practices. such as crop production, harvest, irrigation, etc. , on.nesting success. and survival of young. Findings: Table VII describes briefly the distributio.n.and deilsities of. Mallard nests observed on .the s tudv..areas during. 1949 and. 1950. In 1950, cattail cover appeared.to the most favored ..nest.ing ..site" with bulrushes, grasslands, brushlands, natiY.e.haylands and all.alia follolnng in or-der- of approximate r-ank, CattaiLwas not only most f.avoredin 1950, but had the highes.t..nesting ...success of all types considered (see Table IV). As was mentioned earlier in. this report, most of the ...c.attailcover was on the. Headlee study area, which apparently had. a smaller,.predator population than some of the othersturlyareas. Also, it. hada.morameandering outline ..and was closer to flood.ed stubble ..f'Le.Lde. which supply a good source of feed. These various .r easona may help to explain the. preference waterfowl seemedto have for cattail on the. study areas .consf.der-ed in this investigation. �-26TABLEVII DISTRIBUTION OF MALLARD NESTSBY COVER TYPES,SANLUIS VALLEY 1949 AND1950 Cover Type Acreage 1949 Sampled No. of Nests 1950 1949 1950 Cattail 22.0 22.0 Bulrush. 80.0 80.0 Grasslands 300.3 300.3 Brush.Landa 312.•9 . ·312.9 Native Hay 580.0 800.0 Plfalf.a 400•. 0 180.0 Total, AlL Types. 1695.2 1695.2 Density - Nests per 100 A. Rank 1949 1950 1949 1950 37 149 2:3 II 3 3 94 236· 26. 6 8 0 168.1 186.3 7.6 3.5 .5 .8 427.3 295.0 8.7 1.9 1.0 0.0 226 310 13.3 21.8 2 1 3 4 6 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 Brushlands and grass:l:--ands,while representing extensive types, were relatively unimportant as nesting habitats compared t.O cattail and bulrush. This was most likely due to the lack .of. cover densi tyc aused by. overgrazing and different natural growth. habits of the' plants'includefie . Also' these two types were usually some distance from .open water .and were more readily accessible to avian .and mammalianpredators. Brushkands provided perching and nesting sites for magpies; and, being high and .hUlllmOcky, den sites for skunks. Grasslands. were usually adjacent to brushlands . and therefore also subjected to these two important .eggjr.edat.or-s , The dry, cool spring ..0£.1.950.resulted in.a .greatly retarded alfalfa crop. In addition, much of the alfalfa ,was.spotty due..to. extensive wi nter kill.. This late, sparce alfalfa ..crop and t.heshortage ..of irriga.tion water apparently resulted in few if ..aqv ducks utilizing. this type as nesting cover. No duck nests were found on the al£alfastudyarea. in 1950• e, Table VIII clas.sifies. nests of all .species obaerved. according to cover type. Too few nests of species other. than Mallard were. obs.erved in either 1949 or 1950 t.o obtain. much correlation.betw.e.en. nesting success and cover types used for pesting. �-27TABLE VIII NUMBER OF DUCK NESTS BY SPECIES AND COVER TYPESj SAN LUIS VALLEY 1949 AND 1950 Cattail SDec'ies Grassland Bulrush Brushland Native Hay Aifalfa 1949 1950 1949 1950 1949 1950 19491950 1949 1950 1949 1950 Mallard 37 Gadwall ~ntai1 Cinnamon and/or BW Teal 1 Shoveller Redhead Total All Species 38' 94 149 236 23 2 1 3 97 3 26 11 I 1 3 8 3 I 1 3 2 6 1 1 1 1 1 :3 153 241 ... 29 28 13 7 5 9 .-.-_- 3 Analysis and.Recommendations~. Although waterfowl. started nesting as early, or earlier, this season than lasta vegetative growth was much delayed. Shortage of winter snowfalls reduced runoff" lack of rain and irrigation water, drying winds and cool spring weather all tended to retard the growth of both natural and cultivated types of vegetationo In cattail and bulrush~ this lack of early growth was not so important from a waterfowl nesting standpoint as in the grazed types, hay and croplandso In the fonner, the previous years! growth usually furnished adequate cover , The open winter of 1949-50 permitted heavier than normal grazing of grasslands and brushlands and resulted in a reduction of a!/ailab~eearly nea:\lngcover on grazing and hay.Lands, Job 4 -TraDDing and Banding Ducks Objective: To trap and band ducks from the main state flyways pursuant to migration studieso SCODe: The San Luis Valleyo Reported by: Ronald Ryder. Techniaues~ Most of the waterfowl banded were caught by use of three bai t traps. A few .birds were caught by hands The trap used on Trite Lake was the semi=permanent one used in 1949& That trap.was 40 t X 15' Co:}.orado, duck trap with a full length ramp and eight, enbrances , It was built of 4' width 1'"mesh woven wire sides~ 2" mesh roof,!!andsupported by steel postso �Two portable traps were designed and'constructed esoeciaIly for small scale summer trappingo These traps were au x 4V,built of 2" x 4" mesh, welded wire such as used for'concrete reenforcemento Six 4« x 18" pieces of tn~s wire were hinged together .vith hog rings to make the sideso A4i x 30" ramp was made of the same materiaL The roof consisted of a hi x 81,eiece.of 2" megh woven 'Ivireo Six 24"3 :1'" diameter~ iron rods were us~d for,supporto Each portable trap had three. entrances and one removal exit1 and cost approximately $30000 A relatively large (79 x 20" X 181!) two compartment catch box wa.s used for removing ducks from the Trite Lake trap ,whereas a small (4 B X 181r' X 1811') one compartment catch box was used for the portable traps (see Figure,l)o four different trap si tea were employed during the summer-, Barley was us ad ex= clus~vely for bait in 19500 A comparison of bait and their costs for the 1949 and 1950 seasons appears in Table 90 TABLE IX )'(ATERFOWLTRAPPING BAITS AND THEIR COSTS,S.lN LUIS VAT.T.1<:Y 1949.AND 1950 199 Kind of bait used Pounds of bait used Total bandable ducks caugh't* Pounds per bandab'Le duck Cost oer bandable duck*** Total' ducks hand1ed** Pounds per duck handled Cost oer duck handled Barley 600 834 ~72 $ 0022 .1721 035 $ 0011 BarleY$> corn~ oats & wheat 400 617 065 $ 0020 893 045 $ 0014 *Including returns and losses but exclusive of ducks caught by hand HIncluding new ducksj) repeats and returns" ~osts based on July 13 1950 price for barley, $3010 per cwto 0 Sexing and aging was largely by means of cloacal examination and notation of plumage differenceso Throughout July and during the first half of August much valuable assistance was received from Mr. !.add Go Frary, of the C910rado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit~ Findings~ A total of 817 migratory waterfowl were banded during the period July~I to August 31$ 1950., A species breakdown for the 1949 and 1950 seasons is presented in Table Xo· Table XI gives a daily breakdown by species and sex for 19500 �-29TABIE X. NEW BANDED WATERFOWL,SAN LUIS V~, SUMMERSOF 1949 and 1950 Suecies 1949 1950 Mallard Gadwall Baldpate Pintail Green-winged Teal Shoveller Redhead Ruddy Duck Coot 594 1 788 5 1 3 19 Total, All Species 1 1 12 t i 2 614 817 �~30~ TABIE XI DAILY BANDING RECOBDB! SPECIES AND. SEI!l--SAN LUIS VA.I.IEY.? SUMlil1iER 1950 Mallard Date July 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 M F. 8 2 3 2 2- 4 1 1 1 Z 4 9 1 8 3 10 8 .3 19 20 2 21 9 2 5 7 2 17 42 1 10 13 36 1 5 1 2 19 5 2 5 5 7 4 .3 1 9 4 9 J 9 10 12 13 7 5 12 1 1 14 7 15 4 16 17 18 10 19 19 2 5 1 1 1 2 5 1 1 8 1 13 26 2 6 1 :3 J 4 s . Other Species 2 18 27 28 29 30 31. Augo 1 Pintail -F M 1 F Baldpate 1 M Green-winged Teal 18 14 17 1 F Shoveller 4 1 �~3l'fAHLE XI (Continued) DAILY BANDING RECORD BY SPECIE::;!!.!..JDSEX, SAN LUIS VALLEY, Date Aug.l9 M F S 20 3' 21 27 15 2 17 2J. 22 Other Species Pintail Mallard M F .3 .3 M Gadwal.l.s 2 F 2 23 1 4 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 =---.--., It Coots 17 22 J 14 4 4 6 4 3 12 28 23 1. 41. 19 5 10 148 640 Totals SUMMER 19,0 10 9 The four trap sites differed considerably in productivity~ largely due to their location and the differences in size and design of the traps employed. All trap sites were within a three mile radius of the Russell Lakes» ten miles south of Saguache~ Table XII describes the results of the various traps" Many more repeats were handled in 19,0 than in 1949~ Many individual ducks repeated several times, one drake repeated 36 times~ TABLE XII DAILY BANDING RECORDS BY TRAPS ITES I SAN LUIS VALIEYl' SUMMER 1950 TraE,sit,e _1 =, Slough 1/4 mi.Lewest of '{'riteLake = Portable Trap" Date July 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Totals Total Catch Ducks Banded Returns 11 10 1 4 .3 1 4 1 1 6 7 8 5 2. 5 6 3 4 5 2 >4 33 Repeats %Repeats Trap Pays x Bandable'Ducks per Trap Day 4 .2.3 1 •• 0 4 •• 0 300 400 2.0 300 400 200 2.7 1 2 3303 1 4 1 1 2 57.2 3705 60.0 4000 3303 3 60.0 19 27.4 3 3 2 '2 1 1 1 1 12 �-32= TABLE XII (Continued) DAILY BANDING RECORDS BY TBAPSITES3 SAN LUIS VALIEi:3 SUMMER 1950 TraEslte 2 - Trite Lake,-Semi=pennanent Returns Repeats Ducks Total Date Banded Catch cfuly 12 ""l:, 1 1 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 27 28 29 30 31 Augo 1 2 3 4 S 6 7 8 9 10 12 12 8 18 10 6 6 15 9 7 13 8 3 3 10 S 7 59 11 13 39 13 28 6 20 S 7 1 13 2 1 2 14 IS 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 12 14 71 18 )0 58 24 39 18 40 24 21 12 29 24 9 11 32 27 41 42 38 56 S7 53 52 60 61 73 48 38 45 56 82 30-EQ 'lbtals 1430 2000 1 1 5 6 7 9 SOoO SOoO 3303 SO•• O 5000 1207 6 3303 1 15 19 5000 32.• 8 3705 25.6 6101 4705 7S00 6108 9106 l~803 870S 8909 8107 7107 7004 5806 8100 6507 7108 5404 6908 7808 8106 7702 7206 7500 6302 4808 5306 45,,1 620'5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5705 48 1108 1 1 2 2 3 3 :3 1 3 1 2 9 2 1 1 1 1 10 11 19 18 13 11 14 21 8 9 1 2 1. 23 19 24 34 25 43 31 37 41 49 47 53 36 2 1 2 1 2 2 24 22 30 37 .2 5 ~ ~ 568 40 Bandabf,e Ducks Trap Da.;,!s Eer TraE Dal .,3 900 700 1300 800 3,,0 300 1000 500 700 5900 1100 1300 3900 1300 2800 600 2000 SoO 700 100 1300 200 100 100 400 400 1S00 700 1100 1300 2600 1500 1100 1100 1200 18,,0 1200 14.0 2300 2400 4000l 1500 0000 1 8 8 1S 7 11 13 26 15 11 11 12 18 12 14 23 24 40 Trap" '%Repeats 822 '4 " 804 1 1205 1101 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1., .L 1 1 1 1 1 �-33TA3~ Air (Continued) Trapsit~ J - Pond on Harney Ranch ~ Portable Trap Date . Total Ducks Banded Aug. 19 20 2 2 2l 28 .) 2 ""~~ 1 1 1 29 4 3 h 13 ., 5 2 30 6 31 5 3 1 '!btals 24 Returns Repeats Catch --' -11 %Repeats Trap Bandab1.e Ducks Days ·ner Trap Day 000 000 '2 1 100 . 000 3303 ). 5000 6607 50,,0 8000 5402 3 200... 1 1 o~ 2 •• 0 1 3•.0 100 1.0 101 4 1..3 1100 1.800 70' Trapsi te 4 - Kim~l1ellLake- Portable 'frap. Aug. 8 6 , 9 11 11 10 12 16 18 1, 1 8 20 "'~ ,:}. 14 7 15 9 22 6 11 18 8 16 17 18 20 21 22 11 23 9 8 15 4 2 1 3 1 4 2 25 7 26 2 2 27 11 6 ;; 3 31 6 lbtals 2ll 1 2 :; 1 , o· /0' j.J 2 000 2 3.5 11.1 9.1 1607 2703 506 5000 450' 1 1 1 1 300 2000 500 800 1,.0 400 600 600 1 800 1 '00 200 3303 1 1 1 1 2 1 16.• 7 1. 0.0 1 1 1. 600 26 607 96 8.2 115 ;; 31 1205 000 1407 787 h7 885 5009 1 7, 1 1 1802 2806 000 1802 2 9 1607 0.0 000 6 11 5 2 5 24 29 )0 1. 1 5 6 8 5 28- 1 D 1 1 9.0 5.0 500 7 ('0 oV Totals, All Traps 1719 �TABu.;XVII. RECOVEFUES OF 94 MALLARDS., BANDED IN THE SAN LUIS VAlLEY, SU"MMER 1949 Place Recovered Approxima te Date Number How:Recovered Colorado Shot Duck Season 1949 17 Saguache Coo Trapped for Band SUmmer 1950 Saguache Coo 37 Shot Duck Season 1949 19 Rio Grande Coo II II\! S1 ~ Alamosa COG! 9 n II\l 89 Conejos Coo 3 Trapped for Band 1 Winter 1949-1950 Conejos Co" Shot 2 Duck Season 1949 Huerfano CO$* n Ie Vi n 1 La Plata Co" II II Sf n 1 Gunnison COe II It 1 Boulder Coo "Ii "It tI Ii 1 Adams Coo n n ii n 1 Lake Coo Ie It It ii 1 Nebraska *Banded in San Luis Valley but released at La Veta, Colorado" " Of the 595 Mallards banded in 1949~ 37 or 602% are known to have returned to, or remained at, the place of their banding, 56 or 9~4% are known 'to have been harvested in the 1949 duck seasons all but one in Coloradoo ~~alysis and Recommendationg The use of small portable traps was found valuable for trapping summer duck populations" These traps permit a more flexible type of trapping desirable when waterfowl tend to be scattered rather than concentrated as in vuntero Although still limited in numbers band returns already seem to reveal, some interesting pointso They indicate Colorado harvested the greatest percentage of the waterfowl produced in the San Luis Valley in 19490 This and the atypical migration (to the nO'l"th)apparent in 1949 may have been due largely to the milder wintero Returns in 1950 and following years should help to clarify these points" Limited returns in the summer of 1950 may indicate an appreciable percent of the 1949 summer residents returned to or perhaps remained on their nesting groundso Summer recovery of seven winter banded ducks seems to shed more light on the question of resident duck populations 0 �Work Plan=we.......3 = ,..-.Job 2 ___ Title~ Grouse Brood Counts Objectg: To gain a representative sample for determination of nesting success and annual reproduction6 - Scoi.~'....••(?,.' ~ i-lorthvY6stern Colora.do ~~ed by~ Wayne We> Sandfort Met,hods~ One ground reconnaissance t,rip was made to the summit of Ruby Peak in c.r\i'lllison county for ptarmi.gan, Several days were spent making r~connaissance by foot and automobile in the Gunnison sa2e hen areao Dusky grouse surveys were limited.\)and one t.hree day trip was made on the Gunnison National Forest north of Irwin Lakeo I\.dditionalobservations were made, from a vehicle while traveling through dusky grouse and sharptai1ed grouse areas , !i!ldin2g Findings from grouse surveys are lirnitedo One dusky grouse brood with eight young grouse was observed south of Iola» Colorado 013- sharptailed grouse brood "vith three young was observed on,Uncompagnr'e l\Jat.ional Forest elivide road several, mt.Les north of the Cold Springs ranger stationo 0 The sage hen broods containing seven and eight young.\)respectively.\)were observed near Vulcan,9 south of Iola,9 Colorado., Three pbarmi.gan were observed near the swnmi t of Ruby Peak , One of these birds appeared to be a nearly mature juvenile .• Analysis and Re~en4ations~ Findings are inadequate for making analysis or recommendationso Game and Fish Department perso~~els however 9 report that sage hen reproduction appears to be good this seasono Same favorable reports have also been received on dusky grouse reproduction~ Work Plan h = =Job 1 .;...;;.;;;.;;;;...;;;=;;;.:;..~. TitIe g Quai.l and Fa tridge Population Trend Checks Object~ To determine the population trend of Olathe !9Gambelu,quail and Chukar patridge o Scope~ No thwestern Col@rado = Garfields Mesas Delta,9 Montrose countieso Reported b;p~ Wayne Sandfort Methodsg ~~ail brood counts were mades primarily.\)on eight established trend r'outes in northwestern Col~rado in conjuncti n vd thpheasant brood . counts 0 With one exceptions all quail broods were counted while crossing roadsc Several quail broods were observed off of the regular trend routeso �-:38Chukar broods were counted while checking the various areas in northwestern Colorado. Miscellaneous surveys with a dog were made in the Escalante-Gunnison area to determine the population density of mature or nearly mature birds. Findings: in Table 10 The principal results of quail brood counts are presented TABLE I. OLATHE "GAMBEL" QUAIL BROOD COUNTS, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1950 Count;r Garfield 'Mesa Delta Montrose All counties Total No. Avo Noo Noo of of No. of Hens. Young Totai No ••of Broods ~i:thB~Qgd~ H~n~~~~n CCl.ln:tadc;f:Icn,ng pax::6x:ccd 0.00 1078 3.33 1063 1078 2 12 1 2 IS 96 10 13 119 11 1 2 8000 10.00 60,0 14 7093 Young per Hen 54 3 8 67 Principal results of chukar brood counts are presented in Table II. TABLE II. CHUKAR PATRIDGE BROOD COUNTS, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1950 Escalante-Gunnison Peach Valley Carbondale (Prince Creek) Black Canyon West Portal of Gunnison Tunnel All Areas Number of Broods Total Number of Young 8 79 2' 9 1 3 1 5 Average Number Young pel;'Brood 9.884050 5000 17 5067 8 118 8000 A group of 21 juvenile chukars and two adults were observed in Escalante Canyon on July 11. The birds filed across the road and an accu-' rate count was obtained. It is possible that this group was a mixed brood~ but the age of approximately three weeks and uniformity of size indicated a single brood. Because of the possibility of being a mixed brood~ this group was not included in the brood count data •• �-.39Additional young chukars were observed in areas other than those reported in Table II. Accurate brood co~~ts were not obtained, however. These areas included the Coon Hollow area southw-est of DeBeque, Graham Mesa, east of Rifle, and.the foothills area several miles west of the Uncompa.ghre Store, south of Montrose. Chukars could be readily observed during July and August in Escalante Canyon. Probably the most significant survey, in rega.rd to indication of the population present, was a survey on August 25. Counts from a vehicle and during five spot-checks with a dog over an eight mile route gave a total of 238 birds. These partridges were in 12 different groups with the largest group containing a minimum of 55 birds. Analysis and Racommendat.Lonsr Table I shows that there were a large number of broodless quail hens during July 'and August, and that the quail hatch is probably late and reproduction is generally poor this year. Evidence that quail broods are still hatching was obtained on September 8, when five young quailt approximately one week old were observed at the eastern city limits of Clifton, Colorado. Chukar partridge reproduction appears to be excellent during the current season and young birds were observed in all areas surveyed. Residents of Escalante Canyon report that the hatch this year is the best that they have ever seen. ItlorkPl an No.. 5. .- Band-tail Pigeons. Job 1 Title: Location and Census Scone: Southwestern Reported by: Colorado. Clyde P. Matteson Findings: Observation in the Durango area disclosed the whereabouts of several flocks of band-tail pigeons. Department personnel reported a large flock on Junction Creek near Durango. Together with Teague, ! observed a flock of some 75 birds, 10 miles above Bayfield on the Pine River (from which bunch the 17 were trapped), a bunch of about 25 on a freshly sown grain field near the turnoff into Haviland Lake, and several singles and pairs in the vicinity of the Hermosa Point. The Pine River flock was feeding mainly around a straw stack. These reports are dated during the latter half of May and first several days in June. A trip to Sanborn Park provided the fact that no band-tails had been �-42which probably attract the doves. Concentrations of doves in the irrigated valley areas were ~ost invariablY near a wheat field. Dove data is available for only one season to date and further analysis or determination of a trend is impossible at present. Scope: Northeast and Eastern Colorado. Reoorted bl: Irving R. Poley. Findings: Observations show doves start arriving in Colorado about the first of April!) reaching their peak population during the last week of August, and leave the state during the first tw~ weeks of October. Large conce~trations of doves may be found adjacent to wooded areas and pasture Lands , Ver-;,'" few doves have been observed in the large wheat areas of eastern Colorado. Dove counts have been made while driving pheasant trends, with the aid of a tally counter. This method is not too satisfactory because the observer is lookirlg on the ground for pheasants and pays little attention to telephone lines" thus lr~ssing many birds. Dove counts are greatly influenced by weather conditions. For example: A good count may be obtained on the morning after a cool night" about one hour after sun-up,? as the birds have fed and. are sitting on wires sunning themselves. Or during the first hour of sunlight, they may be found picking up grit along the road. One hundred and thirty-five doves were seen on the road the first hour on a twenty-five mile trend. The second hour, on the same trend, 59 doves were observed sitting on fences and phone lines. A cloudy windless afternoon between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.,? following a very warm morning, is desirable for counting doves. In reviewing U.So Fish and Wildlife Service dove trends, compiled since 1946, the following state population figures were obtained:. Date 3(28-2/22,? 1946 4/25-6/22" 1947 4/15-6/16, 1948 4/17-6/26, 1949 3/27-6/18, 1950 Trend Miles 427 175 Total Doves SSe 479 .870 681 60S .884 .915 775 661 485 393 - Doves~e -1.13 1.153 Reccrxnsndations:. Additional'study is needed to improve the methods of obtaining dove population data. �-43Sc.o~: North Central C.ol.oradoo Reported byg Wo L. Flinn .• Techniques and Findings~ During the months of July and August ceunts were made .ofdoves seen while in the field. These counts were not made in accordance with the trend routes as were the other counts made. All doves seen were recorded. In July3 ,61 deves were counted in 32.69miles .of travel, and in AugustJ) 1+39 doves were seen in 298,7mileso July average was .onedove seen fer each '08 miles. August average was .one dove seen fer each 6.8 mileso Title~ Pheasant Read KiLL Sco~: Nerth Central Celerade Reported by;~: «, r., Flinn Techr~~ues and Findings:: During the menth of July a record was kept .of all. pheasant road kills f.ound on the highways in the area~ It was felt that the number .ofr.oad kills was pr.oportienal to the available c.over al.ong side the highways, and where a r-oad kill was found n.otes were taken of the cover at that peinte ~venty highway kills were .observed in JulY3 eight .ofwhich were killed where the roadsidecever was thin and less .than .one fe.ot high, f.ourwhere the cever was heavy, 18 t.o24 inches high, and feur where the c.over was thick and twe feet .orm.ore in height. Work Plan N.oo 6 - Jeb 1 Title ~ Determinati.on of areas fer Habitat Imprevement; Objective~ Te locate the areas up.on which feed and cever plantings are needed t.of.orm the. basis .of oper-atd.on .ofPreject '9-D •. SceDe: Cestilla Ceunty. Rep.orted by:: Bertram Baker' Methods:. Eight days .offield work. were necessary in August in .order te draw up plans fer fall seeding areas in need of trees and shrubs , Mro Gene Gray,_ .of Preject ,9~D3 assisted in the initial planning by field rec.onnaissance. Fourteen farmers signed agreements fer plantings t.otalling approximately ,2 acres. M.ore c.o.operatersceuld have been .obtained but since the planting .of tree and shrub: seeds fer this area is experimental in nature, 52 acres should be sufficient for a test. The best cultivatien and care should be given t.o impr.ov8 �-44small game animal habitat where moisture Scope: North Central Reported bZ: is at a premiml.llIlo Coloracb W. L. Flinn. Techniques: Considerable time was spent during the quarter contacting farmers and landowners regarding trees and shrubs planted last year and this year on their lands for upland game cover, and in checking and reporting on the condition of these plantings. Areas were also checked for future habitat development, and landowners were contacted regarding the making of such plantings next year. Submitted Name by: Harry J. Figge Title Wildlife Approved by: COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH 7,"'-/ _~·{.,_~_~_-.!-rL_·_-:-- _ Technician By .: J...7,_::SZ_o--r'-...lI...-· " Note: DE:Etl.RTMENT •..... .....-~.,~/. Ti tIe C;;.:o::.....:;N.;.:.~F.::e;;::a:.;;;s..;: r:;..;G;;.:c;..t;;.;:o;. __ Date ~ __ ~D~e~c~em~b;:;.;e;;.;:r~2;.::1~,-1=9~S~O~- Persons wishing to quote. from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department �STATE COLORADO PROJECT NOe DATE. QUARTERLY SURVEYS 38-R October2 PROGRESS AND ----~~~--------1950. REPORT INVESTIGAT.IONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFERESTORATION ACT 1. Titl.e. of Project.g Deer""Elk...Bearlnvestigations 2. Leader-s Paul Go.Gilbert 30 Report.ofProgress8 North.,CentraL Colorado. -= PauL G... Gilbert 10 Location ,and Extent o.f Seasonal Ran&:es--.", .De.er.and Elk. Job 1 co. Loceation and extent of. SummerRanges. Objecti.~~~ . To Locat.e andmap.csummer.. ranges. In checking .summerranges.inthis distric:t~ it was planned to start. at. the west end of .the. district on. the ..Calorado river and W) rk north. Tracks and animals ..seen in that part of the Gore range c north of .the Colorado. River inclic.ates. deer are. quite plen't:J:.ful in this area. . Less.de.er. sign was. s.eenint.he.countrydrained by the South. Fork.of the Col.orada..Riv.erthan ..any.__ of.the.,.ot.h~ areas visitedll Wl ich also, include.s ,t.he.Lit.tle Muddy., ..Cottanl«>od Pass, and Beaver Creek. Job 2 = Locat.iq,n and Extent of Wint~ Objecti!.!:~ Tolacateand Ra~eso ..map.w.i.nter..ranges. Wint.erranges ..that ...hav.e undoubt.edly.b,een ...used by game animals. are be.ing...not edoNo other ...inf.ormation ..has been gathere.d.excepting. on the ..numero.us..fir.es. ..whichha:vebeen set by .'the. railro.adc.ampany ..an the. winter ranges •• �-2- Job 3 - Migration Retween Summerand Winter. Ranges. Objective: To locate and..det.ermine.the. amount.of migrations of deer and elk betwe.en.summer. and. winter ranges andfact.ors affecting same. It has. been felt that .one of the best knownways to get more definite infor.mati.on..on..the...big ..game migratinns.within.the state is through an enlarged trapping ..and tagging program.... Experimental work.was done with.abox ...type trap at the Little. Hills Experiment Station last winter.. AdditionaL.traps .ar.e..being. made at the Hot Sulphur..St.ation andm.ore. trapping.and tagg.ing.... nllbe done on the winter range.s,...overthe state. Deerpredation.on.lettuce. the first week in August. IIL c.r.opa ..in this ..vicinity was.reported Forage. and Rang.eUtilization. Job 4- Utilization Objective: and Availability of Browse on SummerRange. To study game.browse us.e.on summerranges. Plant gro:wthin ~his ar-eafias been retarded bylack.of m.oisture. One point was found below Buf.falo Park where young.reproduction of aspen and conifer has been over-used ancLbeaten.back.o All indications pointed to the damage having been done by d omeatd.c,..stock.which hangs in this area.. . . .The.firl:ding.s.Ln,this repor.t must, be cO.nsideredasindications only as limited time. and other duties as acting project. leader have not made it possible to study any area sufficiently.. Being.in a new district ..makes an additional handicap. (The above report was. submitted by PauLE. Gilbert) �-3= southw.estern .Golorado. ,,-Richard Do Teague I. Location and Extentof.S.easona~Ranges~~Deer and Elko Job 1 ~ Location and Extent of. SummerRangeso In the Herm.osa.wint.er range~.new f.awn.tracks .and sign indicate a few.deer remaining. _throughout._the.yearand.b.earing ...their young on thia.alr.eady. criticaLrange....Ingener.al..g. ..deer ..remained lower than elk. in.the Animas..Unit;; both.mo.ving.higher and higher up as the. summerprogreaaed .due.:to the increased.cies:icc.ation.of. the range and. comp.etition.withdomes.tic l.ivesto.ck.. (See III Forage. and Range Utilizationll Job 2)0 Throughout the. entire ..San Juan B.asi~ .deez could. be, f<:>undin almost any plant as.so.ci.ation..and at ..anyelev.atiollo. .. With elk it is a dif.ferent st..ory... These: less. to~er.ant....anima1.s..rem.ained above domestic stock ...asthey. were. herded to..tbeirsummer range. III .•Forage and Rang.eUtilization. Job 2= Cor.re1ationof.Game and Livestock Land Usestatus.o Poor rang..e. management,is..practiced in early. summerby some cattlemen.intheH.ermosa. drainage... On June. 30 s the. Hermosa..country was. checked .f.romt.b~..Herrnosa.=Animas. River confl.uence..on UP,. beyond South Forko Over=utilization .Ln t.hepast.was. found.~r.om..the frequency of. annual. :weedsand erosion.. Yetl'-.thebo.t.toma.aresal ted ahead of the.cat.t1.e to.dr.aw them.up...country. Around the first .part. of. Augus.t.reports ..reache.d..the wi ter concerning ...t he .:range.abus.e.in ..the..upper_F10rida.drainage.by domes» tic sheep; From August 15 thr.Ollgh.the..l9.~.many.mile.s...of'. the above mentioned high country. were..c.overedby ..horse.o. Areas...hi.t_.the..heaviest are between Logt.ownand. Cast.i11.e.ja Lake~.b.etween_OverlookPoint and Emerud Lake., and onT.ank Mesa. Sheep are in. dire.ct .competiti.o.n withbig.gam.e.beJ.o:w .Casti11eja, eating buds. of alpine. willo:ws...(Sal..!,;. spp.c.}and..c.onsuming.. maIzy" alpine and sub.alpi~e ..:!idldf1owers 0 Near Ovel'lo.okPoint.g variouswi.ldf.~o:wersthat. manvs kneeslI were crushe.dto the groundo had grown to a �-4~ Tank Mesa has probably taken the worst. grubbing. Evidence is quite clear thatthe.sheep herders hav:e.not..heeded the Forest. Ser.vice policy of bedding. sheep. in.onepla.ce .onenight only. About.SOhe.ad of elk are knownto summer around Stag and Tank Mesa; yet~ not, one. fresh .t.rack could be found. Job4.-Utilizati.on and__ Avail.ability of Bro:wseon.Summ.erRange. Below normal. m.oisture.and. a.coldwindy spring ..and.early:summ.er has retardedbro:wsea:nd grass gr.owththis ..year •. A short. rainy: period_.occurred in. the district. during. the first. half ..of July, ..but ..dryness. has predominated since. To illustrate the extr.emedessication. of the range, .therehave been over 60..fore.st fire.s reported in.thaSan.Juan.. Na:tional.Forest:.through the last. of AugustJ)..whereas 36 f.iresoccurredthrough.t.he 1st ..of';Novemb er in 1949. By the1Jli~dle.ofAug1lSt,:. aspen. (Populus.,.:tremuloides.) oakbr.ush..(Quercus gaml,Lelii.Jand,skunkbrush_.(~ trilo.bat.a).le.av.es.had started ..drying up and tu;rning color. -Jot; 6 '-..Quadrat. Study of Range inUtiliz.ation Plots .• A permit. was._obtained..from t.he...Grazing ..Serric.e.t.o. cut post s for thr.e.e.gameexclo.sures.A-The .necessary ..postsha.ve.been. cut ..fr.om Goodman Point'.9west ..ofCortez..,_.and hauled. to the thre exclos.ure sites.. Work has already: started on the plot on House Creek of the Dolor.es.Unit*. and it is cont.emplated.tha t the other twoexclosur.es. near .the..Stat.e.Turkey Ranch on the Piedra and. up. the Hermosa...in.the Anima.s.7'WiIL.be.comple.tedin the near future. A fencing crew.c.onsis.ts of thesam..e men.who.worked.... on the. Mesa Verde clip plats .••... This ..syste:n .was worked.out. to give the. men.as...long.a working season as possib1e a ThetYwi.lLalso ..pos.sibly d.o check station. ..work during the big.game"seasono Job 7 .•. Me.saVerde Clip Plat Study. Work an. the ...clip. p.latsstarted ..Julyll.. ~boutaweek was .spent in repairing ..and.t; ~hten~g.fenc.e., becoming..acquainted with the .clipping,.prac.edure_.and t e chrdquaj, and. checking..Ior. po.ss.ible deer disturbance. or. .ather...animalac.ti.vity." ....Dat.a..bas ...been r.e.c.or.ded ..and photographs taken. Irior. to .c~ippinge.a.ch plot. Locatdng.t,..he plau.g. This second year ofactuaL.clipp.ing startedon ..t r...e.l.8thof July. The ..a1.l.ey-waysbetween .the .oakbrushplots werefulLoIsuckers:o These were. cleaned. out. and.the.root sys.tems.betweenplots re-severed. �-5A refine.dtechniqu.e.was devised in .obtaining ..average.annual growth Instead ...of measuring.lOO .annual . .gr.owth..st.ems.... and..t.henatarf ..clipping the plot~ one man would.start. to clip a plotancL hand. these clippings to a second. man.who..would...measur.e..and. recordthe ..Lengths.; .. A third.man would then sack .andweigh._theclipping.s;; ..putting. required ..dat.a...on the t ag attache.d ..to. the ..s.ack, This.methodassure.s ..a.randolll.s.ampling..of annual gr.owth stems ••..For example"..on.a.a:>.%..clip.,the ..man.do.ing..t.he~clinning remove.s.two stems and.leaves eight.j. et.c. Advantages are found in that the same..stem is. not. m.easure.d.twic.e~and al.so. a.proportinate number.of both lateral and terminal stems. anameaauned ••.... Thialastp.oint. is important since terminal. growth is far. greater.than..l.at.eral.f.ox most..of ...theb.ro.wse sps ciel!J' concernedo 0 Clipping was finished ..on the.9th..of. August.,.but it_ took.several thereafter to tabulate the. dat.a andobtain..air •.dry: weightso days During this second year.ofclipping~. weights Kere. recorded ..in grams (metric) inste.adof. pounds.oThis step.was deemed.ne.cess.ary.... .far..two. reasons; firStSlto put all the dat.ainto the.metric ...systemf.oruniformity.-9- ..and, second, to obtain.more ..accurate.weigh.ts.....The.amo.unt. o.f_pl.ant. growthremov..edin future years ...frolll the ..extensively. clipped ..plot.s ..may:.become so. minnte. that ..a scales calibrated .inpounds.wiIL not ..reil.tea.true._ .accuzate weight 0 Personnel ..whow:>rked.o.n.the.plot.s. are. Da'Ve..Coleman.,... game..management _.graduate$) Colorado A& M.College; Halter Schue.tt~..~oology. senior~ Colorado A & M College; Mike.St.efan of Durango., Colorado. and the writer. (Please s.eeFigure No.»I. - on nOakbrushClip ..Plot.s!' 9'_ F.oll.old.ng Page) �-6.CLIP PLOT DATA - 1950 .. '.~ .... . Plot. ..Date ~ .. . Annual Gzeen .... ~ Air:,!,"pry~....... Average..Anim.al.. St~ Length ,Weight. .100.Samp1es... (CentiIneters) .(grains) . (grams) " Stems No 01i·2ped.Removed Bitterbrush 1A 111g/50 20 2A 20 1/18/50 3A 1/18/50 20 Weight. 136.1 90.7 136.1. . 103.0 ) 6900 ) .. 104.0 ) 14.46 1B 2B 3B 7/'19/50 7/19/50 1/19/50 40 40. 40. 317.5 ~8104 18~00 228.0 ) 127.0 ) 152.0 ) 14.65 Ie 2C 30 7/19/50 7/19/50 7/20/50 60 60 60 180.•0 3~1.5. 158.L7. 142.0 ) 226.0 ) 110.0 ) 15.78 ID 2D 3D 1/20/50 7/20/50 7/20/50 . 80 .80 80 204.1 .272•. 2.. 182.00.. 153.1 ) 224.0 ) 145.3 ) 18.24 ) ) ) 15054 0 IE OontroLPlot 2E 3E " " n n serviceberB lA.=- 7la~50 2A 7/21/50 Jit 1/21/50 -e "T'~ J.D NOne " It 20 20 20 113.4 .. 182.•0 45.4 67.0 ) 111.0;) 44.0 ) 4.77 40 40 40 90.•1 181.4 113.4 81.0 ) 130.0 ) 71.4 ) 5.14 ~o6509 317.05 204.0 540.1 } 185.0 ) 161.0 ) 5.53 431.•0 18100 ~08.8..6 295.0 ) 89.0) 544.0 ) 1.07 ) ) ) 7075 2B 7/24/50 7/24/50 3B 7/25/50 10 20 3C 7/25/50 7/26/50 60. 60 60 ID 2D 3D 7/25/50 7/26/50 1/26/50 80 80 80 7/25/50 IE Control.Plot 2E " 99" n 3E None. It 99 �Figure 1 Oakbrush clip plots showing the heavy new growth of suckers. These alley ways were cleaned out last year and had to be recleaned again. Rows of stakes shows alley way. �-7CLIP PLOTDATA- 1950. % Annual Green. . Air~dry . Plot. Date stems' .Weight ",Weight No ,C1ipp ed. Removed ..(gr.ams) . . (grams) o.akbrush 261.0 ) 20. 498.9 lA 7/27/50. 20. 680..4 364.0. ) 2A 7/27/50., 20 45.3.6 257.0. ) 3A 7/27/~0. Average.AnnuaLStem Length 10.0._, Sampl.es, (Centipleters) 0 1B, 2B 3B 7/28/50. 7/28/50. 7/28/50. 40 952.6 40. ., ,1111 •.3 40. 1723.7 1C 2C 3C 7/28/50 7/28/50 7/28/50. 60 60, 1D 2D 3D 80.., 7/28/50. 7/28/50,., 80 7/1I3/50 ., 80 60 II n " II Sasebrush 1A 7729/50 2A 7/29/50 3A 7/30/50 IB 7/31/50., 163209 1179.4 1814,.4 885.0. ) 61300) ,918.9 ) 6.25 ) ) ) II" II 14•.0., ) 23.0. ) 45.0 ) 2.0.0 (Stems) 5.88 (Seed Stalks) m 45.4 Ll.••O 68,.0,' 40 40 40 ' 136.1, 90•• 1 45.4 85.0. ) 68,.0 ) 35.0. ) 2.44 (Stems) 7•.64 (Seed stalks) 67.0. ) 2.,59 (Stems) 8•.46 (Seed stalks) 32.0 ) 82.0.) 51.0 } 2~83. (Stems) 1•.30 (Seed Stalks) ) ) } 2088 (stems) 1.70. (Seed Stalks) 20 20, 3B 7/31/50 Ie 8/1/50 8/1/50 8/1/50. . 60 60 60 90.7 85.1 90\.7 8/1/50 8/1/50. 8/1/50 80 80 80 41.0. 90.0. . 7504 2D 3D 6.41 8.21 7/31/50 1D 590..0.) ~08.o. ) 764.0 ) 696.4) .. 817.0 ) 2B 2C 3C 16 6.1 ) 1406•.2 1315.0 154202 IE Contro1,P1pt None 2E 3E 8.24 lE contr.ol Plot None II n 2E II II n n 3E 34.1 ) 74.0. ) �-8".. • CLIP PLOT DATA - 1950. .~. ~ .. Green . Air ..• dr;y: .... Average. .Annual Stem ..St.ems ·..Weigb;t.. Weight' Length_lo.o. Samples Removed (grams ) (grams) (CEmtimeter.s) .?lot Date No~ Clipped. Mountain Mahogany' lA. 8/8/50.20. 3A 8/9150. 8/9/50. 20. 20 9.5 1.4.2. 5.3 3.9 ) 9.1 ) 3.7 ) lB 2B 3B 8/8/50 8/9/50. 8/9/50.- 40. 40. 40 10..6 10..6 1Q.6 4.0 ) 500. ) 1700 ) 2.77 IC 2C 3C 8/8/50. 8/8/50 8/9/50. 60 60. 60 1104. 20..1 17.7 8.3 ) 17.0. ) 13.0. ) 2.88 lD 8/8/50. 8/9/,0 8/9/50. 80. 80.. 80.. 59.7 28.4 24.•8 . 38.0. ) 21.0. ) 18.0. ) 2A 2D 3D ) ) ) IE Control. Plot None 2E . It 'n 9t 3E It It It 4.58 GeneraLC.omments: . B~tt~Tbrush jPurshia tridentata). La~t.;.YE?art sclipping ..appeans to have st1mulated:growtl1t . the higher theper.centage ..of._clipthelong.er_. the.current growth. ',: Ser.viceberry.(.Amelanchieralnifolial. Much.rodent ...ac.tivity.,..,..many-plants tur.ning ...y.ello:w ..dueto dessicat.ion..._.Last.year_t,.s. clipping.s.timulat.ed·growth. o.akbrush(Quercus ...gambelii).. actiono Someplant.s ..compl.et.ely_. gir.dle.d. .and,killed by rodent Sagebrus~h..JArtemisia.~t.ridentata}. Last.yaar_ts ..clippf.,ng.§t.imulated growth. �-9General Comments::. (contdnued) J.follnbin m!lhoP'~nv" (.Cerco.carpusmont.anus.}~.Leaves yellowing due to dryl.• ~;:)s; .Lit.'t.lt::<:,.L'ounalittercausing. soiLmoistur.e ..Loasj plants .hnmocked , Most of. clipping .te.rminaLas few lateral stemslo.ng ..enough (lcm...).to clip 0 IV.• Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds. Job.2 - .PredationAffecting Deer. A mountain lion is. reported to heworking.ne.ar the ..town of Mancos in tl:~Dolores Unit.. As yet ..no. predation has.b.een.z-ecor-ded , The..writer ..observed ..two coyotesne.ar. the Ed Painter ranch in the Animas Unit on AugustlL and 12.. The animal seen on the 12th was observed for about ten minutes smelling ..outsome brush xmlv 2Q...o.r 30 feet. fromlive.stock --neither was concerned wit.l:lthe .others presence. Twodead coyotes were found in the high courrcry on August 18; one near th.e head of Virginia Gulc.h and the other near OVarlook Point~ BO~,happeared to have been. killed. byttcoy:ote getters". Job 3 - Study of other Mortality. Fact.ors -- HighwayMortalityo Onl.y:one.high!1N kill has. been found this summer. On July 3~ a.yearling doe in good physic.a1.condition, ..wasf.ound.on. the ..e.ast.side ..of Mancos Hill on Highway160~ v. Hermosa.GameFence. A good. deal of work has been donethil'! quarter on a proposed game fence in the Hermosawinter' area; A l~ne.~ of a little le.ss than thre.e. miies.~ agreed upon by. local. spcrnsmen, landowners.., Fore.s"LServic.e.menand Depar.tmentpersonnel., has been swamped.and. surveyed. Thesurv.ey line.as .well.as ..the fence construction .specifications have..been drawn up. Since .thef.ence wilLcro.ss ten separate" private land sjtes, lease foms were...drawn.up. Nine of. t.he, ten lando:wner.S ..have. already signed the forms;. the other one. is. an absentee owner mo has not returned the signed forms, but. has indicated in earlier. discussions that she is in agreement with the terms olthe lease. .... . Department p.ersonneLre.sponsible. for the f.enc.e..pr.ogr.ess.so..far.,. either through constructive suggestions. or materiaL.help ..are.r ..E.•• Klie.ss BroWIl,9 Gilbert. N.• Hunter" Paul Gilbert" Ferd Kleinschnitz, Clyde Mat.t.esonand Dick Teague. (The ab.ove reportwas.submitted by RichardD. Teague) �-10Central. We.st.ernCOlorado--Harold Hammi t I. Location. and...Extent ..o.f..Seasonal. Ranges,...•. De.er.and Elk JobL .•.Locationand.Ext.entof. 0 SummerRanges• .Observationswere ..made..on.the.. .Lccatdon.iand,...extent of swmner ranges. in. most of. the. Game.Managerumt.Units.. within the. district. Thea.e.obs.ervations ..weremade ...along ...with .a ...genezal. reconnais.sance and or~entAtion. withirL.the ..dis.tricts.inc.e ...ass:uming..dnties. as .resident deer .•. elk.biolo.gist_.on.May 1... Note.s..were taken. on the. deer. and elk observed during ..the.quarter. and theinf.ormation will be added to that obtained.. by.. former ..biol()gist. P.aul-.Gilb.ert ..in ..t.ha ..preparation of maps show:i.ng..t.he .lo.catio.nand. .extent .... of. deer~.elk .summer. ranges. In the .Nor.th End..distric.t of the ..Uncompahgr.edeer ..wereoccupyingthe ..up1'ler portion.of .their. winter.rang.ein ..the. Big and Little Dominguez.areas during. August.... Furtherche.cks ..in this..~oc.ality may as.certain year-around deer usein.the. area ..now considered a deer intermediate range. Deer ...andelk herda, in g enenak.; :were..fo.und...oc.cupying.the zonal rang~ .o.!..the aeascns. However,. there w.ere.t.woexc.eptions... One cow elk spent. the. most parlof the ..sunnner on Oak.HilL.and. adjacent meadows~six miles. south of .Norwood.e.Theanimal. ..did. no..damage and was. not s.een.sinceJuly, so it was..aasumed.rthaf..she. returned to the herds. around ..the Lone.Con~. The other ..exc.ep.tion isa ..smalLelk herd~ possiblytwenty,~ that haveadapt.ed thems.elves.to. the. pinon_juniper type be~o:W.the...Colorado National MonUlJlent..Thes.e.elk.were ..or~ginally a par.t of ..the Fruita Division. herd. which. evidently found c.onditions suitable.for year ...around inhabitancy in.the.ar.ea helow the. Monument. Ranchers. complained of deer. damage t.o onchaz-ds.and..hq ..meadows in the Redlands .anea during .the.first week of Aug:us.t .... aruLother complaints came in.! .rom B.o.stwickPark, CO.Yl.Creek,. and Big..Cimarron areas .during ..the.thirdweek of' Aug~st. �-11. Jab 3 - MigratianBetween Summer.and Winter Ranges•• At the. time ..of.this. writing. there has been...na...marked shift or deer fram .their summer..ranges ta their winter ranges Deer are st.ill high an the.upper limit.s .aLtheir summerranges on the.Uncampahgre.Plateau and Grand Mesao Dry climatic. condftdnns; 'Whichpr.evailed thi~ summer-,may have fa.rced a...few deer .in.th.e~ower summer.rang.e..int..athe ..damage areas ment.ioned above0 . 0 II. Farageand Range Utilizatian. Jab 2.= Correlatian Between Gameand Livest.o.ck.Land.US.eStatus& Throughaut.thequarter recor.dswe.re kept.ondame.stic.livestack numbers which. will ..be used to ..c.arrelate.daUlesticlive.stack.and .game use in the ...di.s.tri.ct... A map showing .t.he land use status an the ~eer and elk rang.e~.is in. pragress " ..: An effart was made ta corrtac+ marzyFarest Service per sonnal., rancher-a, and Bureau.oLLand Managt;".en:t .per::;.o •i• :10.i. .ror ~ccuratedataandame.stic.livestack use of public. and privat.e Lands , Joh.4 - Utiliz.at.ion and Availability; .of.Brawse an .SummerRa~eso Several. deer S)lI!1m.er ..rang es .vl.ere inspec.ted .during ..the. quar-t.er Gene.rallysp.eaking, ..plant. vigor ..and..cur.rent...growth was average ..for most rang.esobservedo Heavy use. by.both.deer and...cattle ..was:found. on the summerrange in .theNorthEnd district of the Uncompahgr-e, Gatt-leg far inexces.s oLpr.oper carrying. capacd.ty, .have utilized as much as 8Q percent of the~available rang.e..gra.ss.es...and.trampling ..by.... cat..tle.i.sf~u:dher induced by the practice of saltingin.the.l.aw.meado:wsandaround ..watering:.fac.ilitieso The heavy deer brawseuse. on the east ..side of this district is further ac= cenbuat.ed hy:..rodents ..(pro.b..ably. mice). girdling ...and .killing ..sever.al. 'species of browse plants ..this. past winter... Plants ..in ..anarea .of .approxim'at.ely six square mi.Leswere girdled. in varying degrees .of..int.ensity:o. On Buck' Springs Mesa as much.cas 25 percent of big sa.geg(Artemesia. tridentat •.~Jwas kille do' Other pl.ant, species girdled by rOdentsweremauntain mahogany9.(Cercacarpus montanus2) servfc eberry J . (Amelan.chier... alnifolia.~ )chakecherry:i (~~ irielanacarp.,,) oak b~s!.lJ (Quercus g:IDi'Selig )aspen; (Po ulus tremuloides,p) willaw,p{Salix sPPo,p)arid_ra.bbitbrush,."tC sothamnus SD' oNa evidence of rodenLVD.rk ansqua.w•• appl.e,(Peraphyllum ramas~:ss.umum, lora.sfound .,in the ar ea., Figures 2 and 3 shaw_typicaLrodentdamage to plants in the ar ea, 0- 0 (Please see Figur.es Nos••2.and 3 on radent.girdling) �-12A trip byhors.eback into ..the ..Little ...Cimarronand.Big Blue areas foundtheelJcsUIIIIller ...rang.e Lngood co.ndition..During.JulY'j 5 bulls, 27 COW8,t and21 ..calveswere .observedLn Big. Park between the Alpine ranger station and. the Littl.eCimarron and. 6. bulls were. seen in Big Willow.Pa.rk.south ofthellpine .ranger ..station. A pack trip was taken into t he San Miguel ManagementUnit elk range. No.evidence_of overutiliz.ationby sheepor ..elk was found .inthe area. The condition ..and.vigor of. the gr.assesand.J5.edg.eswereexcellent throughout the....summer..r.ange.. Only 6.bulls:t4. cows" andIr ..calves were. observed during._the trip but ..plentif.uL elk tracks .indicated.a..possible scattering into smaller ..bunches .~.the heavy-hunting, pnasauze...o.f,past seasons. Elk tra.cks.in t.wo..natamal.paaaes ..indicat.e..there isa ..mixing of. the Dolores River Unit herd. and. the.8an ..Miguel._Uni.t.herd.;... Migration..between the t'WO Units could.e asilyb.e done in the. summer"fa.:L4 and .early .... wint.er in the DuntonPass..area." ...located between .the Lona.Cone.. and Middl.e,Peak, and the area.between1)olores Peak and Wilson Peak. Job 6 •. Quadrat, Study of Range Util:ization Plots. At pres.ent the quadrat studiesof.the ..Lands.End.and.Blue ..Mesa deer exclosures have. not ..been completed.. . The.finished.. studies, wiUb e reported in the nextquart.erly. No noticeable ..change in.vegetation.com_ position, density,. or. vigor is evi.dent ..in.the.Lands End.deer:exclosure. On Blue Mesa a.good.standof cre.sted. wheatgrass~ ..(Agropyron cristatum), is growing .in. both .thedeer and c.attle exckosures , Very few: individual plants of' cnest.ed wheatgrass.can ..be. .f.ound ou.tsidfLthe.exclos.ures. The good stand presentin ..the ..c.attle exclosure.". which..pe.rmits.deer. utilizati.on..at alL times,. would.tend.,to ,indicat.e.. that, deer. take,..very little of the reseededcres.ted.wheatgras.s.. This. may bea f.alseindication as the size of' the cattle ..exc'Lcsur-a.maybetoo ..smal.Lt,o permit normal use by the deer • . III. Mortality Factors"Affecting Deer. and, Elk Herds. Job 2 ..• Pre.da.tions..Affecting Deer. During. the.quarter.no .deen.icazcaaaas ...were i:ound..ar ..r.eported that were judged to .havebeen.ki.ll ed by. predators.. SeveraL.r.anchers. reported seeing mauntain ..lions .this ...s.ummer.and.t.hewriter ...0 bs.erved..a.mountain �Figure 2 Service ber~ branch kil~ed by rodent girdling. Note the twigs which show heavy past and present swnmer deer utilization. (Photo b.r O. D. Tolman) Figure 3 Rodent girdling work causing the death of this big sage plant. (Photo by C. D. Tolman) �-13lion track near. Big. Blue_..Creek._ Sl!veraL cayat,e",tra.cks were observed and twa coyates.,were seenon.Lhe Uncampahgre.~5.te.u. Jab 3 - S~udydafOther~Mortal~W Fac,tors-:- Winter LOSS Starvation,L Dl.sease" Para.sl.tes~ Hl.ghway" ,and RailraadMartai ty. ' t Port.ionaof two fresh. deer carcaseee were found on the Uncompahgre Plateau which ,were the. result of poaching in the area.' On July 12th~ a twa pointbu.ck., was kill£d onthe,.highway, ne_ar,,_Placervill.e_.and,on, July 17th, a four point, huck was.,killed .near theNo~waod br) dge., A doe was killed an the_ highway,near Fruit.vill.e, onAugust, 2l.st.....The.ahove animals were nat ,reachedsaon.enough.,ta perform, a post mortem. It was "reported ,that two bull elk died after becoming entangled in a fence this. spring near the Ground Hog,,Res_ervair_., The "winter fa~m loss waslightthis.year as. .only,four,fawnswe.re,faund ..this.."spring,and summer, One fawn was found on Elk ,Creek above. Somerset..and. three fawns",were found an Trail Creek near Crawford. Bear Investigations Jab. 2.- Observations ,.of,Life Habits. One,female__ hear. and three cubs were seen near, Keith Creek an the UncompahgrePlateau. ' The animals wer,e..traveling ,inta.the. .oak crush, when see~,and,nanates coul.d.ibe taken. Job 3 .• Bear.•Li.vestockKill The"sheeplass.es Study:. frombear.,this,.year, _were_concentr.ated int he Norwoad area. On June 15and_l6~,1)an, He. Hughes.reported that _four, ewes.w,ere killed Creek in .San Miguel.County. Mr. Hughes turned_in a damage claim .for.,$150.00 • by bear between Elk Creek and Fall .AroundJuly, 20th, Dan,H. Hughes,r-epor-t.ed..anobher..bean. kill, fram his oand.Locat.ed .on ,North,Mauntain_in San Mig.ueL.caunty• The.report stated that the herder found 23 dead "ewes and lambs bllt.upon.investigati on .only 2 ewes and a larnbcauld,be f'ounds. Several day,s later ..Mr.,Hughes reparted 93 additianal. she.epwere.killed. by ,b.ear._inthes.ame_,.ax_ea. Investigaticn revealed.that the.losseswere ca.usedbyp.oisonaus_,plant_s. ,Mr. Hughes asked fora .settlementaf_.$7D..OO. One.hearwastrap.p.e.din the area. �-14Mr. Neal Szzy-derof, Norwood reportedonAugus.t4.th.that bear' ki11.ed.2 ewes. and I lamb froDLhis ..band ..near.Wo.ods..Lake..inSan.Miguel County. Investigat.ion.. confirmed hisrep.ort.. Mr. Szzy-de.r. asked. f.or.a settl.anent of $100.00. Trapper.Weekssh.o.t ...one. b.e.ar.in. the area. On AugustI5.th,. ..George. Young.of. Redvale rep.ort.eda.loss.o.f 12 ewes and.3.1.ambsfr.om.his. band ..at ..the ..h.ead..of_.DisapPointment. Creek in. San Miguel County.. Mr.•.Yo.unga.sked.for,.as.ettle.me.nt.,of $hBD.OO.Trapp.er Pat Bennett, oftheFish.and.Wildlife..Servic~.trapped ..2 ...hear ..in.the area. (Theabove.r.eport.:wassubmit..t.e.d.by Haro.ld. C,•.Hammit.) �-15Northeastern. District. -- Robert.li. Elliott I .• Location and Extent of Seasonal R~es. Job 1 --SummerRanges Little change has been noticed ..inmovements .of. elk ..and deer on their summerranges. Early in. the. summer.,.afaw elk estimated by a rancher to number from 40 to 50, were staying ..around DiamondPeak and Green Mountain cl.ose.tothe. Wyoming. line. The.se.are. a part of the herd that generally. runs in the Black Mountain, Bull Mountain and Boulder Ridge.ar.ea e; Actually, there is.small ..diff.erence between winter ..and summer'range used by this partic:ul.ar. group of elk. Reports were received during..the summer ..that elk were in. the Green Ridge area, south of. Nunn.Creek Basin. toward the Laramie-Poudre tunnel 0 After reconnoitering. ..:this.locality f.or.two. days, only scant. "sign" was seen and utiliz at ian. of forage was light... There is.a.possibility.,however, that the el.kmo.v:edwest.into the LaramieRiverdrainag.e and.further to the Medicine Bowrange. Rather thorough coverage. was.made on. horseback of. the ..high country in the Mummy Range, Comanche. Peak, the upper. MayCreekdr.ainage.:of the BigSouth.Poudre, and..the. northern edge.of. RockyMountain National Park. Elk and..deer.utilization.wasobserved. thro.ughout..the. area ..descr-Ibed, and was found to be light to pre-peron willows., except where.combined use had been madeby sheep and.game animal.a, Furth.er...reconnaissance by horseback into upper. parts of the Bennet.t Creek, Lit.UeSouth Poudre, and.Buckhorn Canyonareas ..revealed normal..conditions... Light utilization of key forag.a.spe.cies. and. only occasionalf.r.esh nsign~se'emed to indicate a rather wise. distribution of deer..and elk ..throughout the summerrang.es.. Similar findings were made.in the BearCreek Basin area west of Denver, and in South Park in the ..Ken.oshoMountains area. III.Forage and RaIl&-e Utilization. Job 2 --Correlation of Gameand Livestock. Land Use Status. Since a great deal of public interest has been focused on.land use problems recently, and emphasis placed on range..conditions and management thereof, the writer has becomekeenly aware, through .cont.inuous range inspection trips, of the part that deer and elk contribute toward the need f or an all-inclusive managementplan. A five~day pack trip into the alpine zone west of Fort <hllins for the purpose of examining range onthre.e.Roosevelt. National Forest sheep..allotments dis.closed some conditions that pose a rather' serious situat.ion.FoUr bands of sheep, 1000 per f'Lock.,graz e these. three all.otments, vhich .comprise an area of approximately2l,OOO acres, for a period of 51 days" July 10;to AUgUst)l. Two permittees, each with 2000 sheep, pay l3~ per head per month for the use of this public land. �-16- Past heavy uae of this alpine country by cattle and sheep" combined with the present stocking, although it has been cut somewhatby the Forest Service, has r.educed.f.he vegetation to a point that this area should no longer hec.onsider.ed .... rangaland...Withthe. exceptd.oa of a few small areas, ail thr.eeallotments were~judged to be in. the i'poortl conditionclasa, usingSchwanls~Alpine~Range Score card as a basis. Low vigor.and d.ensityof Kobresia~ tu.fted.hairgras.s.,~ and other desirable ....forage ..plants showed.what. deatructivepast use has. done to the range..The.m.a~tu,.striking.~e.xample ~of.1andmis.us.e.,.ha.w.ev..er~ was..the loss of wUlolrlS.o Repeat.edl1 close.croppi.ng.~.by.she.ep.has ..:virtually.eliminated comple~te..p.atches ..a.f..w.i.ll.o.winwhat.werewet.me.adows. at ...one~t.ime-4~A consequent. lo:w.er.ing.of.the ...water.,-..table".in cneaaed...r.un..,.off,and accelerated er.oaion.with. i.ts.acc.ompany:ingu ..Lcsa.or vitaL top ••. soil .is the. result.o Small rivulettribut.ari.es to ..the ..l.arger. str.eamswere. dryand ...had been for sev~ era! weeks•• Of course; deer and.elk. ..are ..partJ..y .respD.nsible.,. but.not..to such an extent ~.that. the.f.or.aga,. ...especially:willaws.~.is. dy:ing.b.ecaus.e.of.their brows.ing..o. There .was.e:v-idence~.nf ..elk.~and...deer.ut.Uiz.atia.n.on ..lNi llo:w,. aspen, and other ..plants.,. but it .. ..Jolas .very-small ..comp.aredwith_.the.distinct ...grating line made...by. s.heep.arouncl.the.o.ut.er...edgesof.willo.w. patches. Such dis r-egard, and .indi.ff:er.ence ..to:wa.rdcons.erving.the ..basic natural resour.ces~ .(soU •.'wat.er.,~and~.vegetij.tio~J. mighty~ery: easily.le.ad.~.one to con-. clude.uthat.~i.t. wo.u.1..d.~b.e.much.wi.ser.perhaps.to.withdI:a.wthisarea completely f'rom.anyk.i.n.<i~of_grazing.••. ~Why: shoul dH.a.large.,.impor.tant.~water..•.. producing, w.at.er~s.toringare.a.such..as ..thia .be ... je.opardized ..by .a ..smalL.faction of men who derive.p.er.s.onaL.gain ..fr.Ql1L.us.e.o.f the .Land, ....esp.ec.iall.y~wh.en.it is so vitally .ne.ces.saryf.or.~the ...well""being.._of. aevenal, communitie.s... In this respe.c.t.•.proport.ionat.e.reduc.tion5. of. game animal.s.~should..be...made.at. the same time..th.elivestockar.e ...t.aken off 0 J ob..4.,",~.Utlliz.ati.on.and..Avail.abil.i.ty'~of'.Browse...OD-- SummerRange 0 This ...workwas .carried. ou.t.'conc.urr.ently .wi.ththat ..des.c.ribed aboveJ and. aportion~_of.i.t. has.-.baen ..r.ep.orted.. Prac.tically. al1.-.,of.the" summer rangewithin.the.nor~theastern distr.ict ...pr.esents.n.o.problem regarding amount~~and ..aYailabilitya.f.forag.e .•. Ther.e.are ...a. i:ew~excep:t.ions, but they are ..minor...and. :Loc.ally..re.s.tr.ic.t.ed....... Utilization~. ons.erviceb.erry., aspen, and ..willolrlswas:~.light~to .proper~J with.le.ss than. 25% of the current growth be~..ta.keUjt . In. checking a small patch oLwillows along a. line transect, it ..was found ...that. 39 ..stems of .bhe current ye~arf.sgrowth had been grazed, 86_..:were...llIlgrazed, and. 42 twigs ..were "die""back!ior winter..,kille.d. The stems �Figure 4 Crippling loss from the 1949 big-game season. Hewlett Gulch July 1950. �-17that were grazed showedonly nipping .of the buds at the. very tip of the twig. It may.be added al.so that this. check was..made in.an ..area .where game animals. only had been feeding. Reproduction of major browse plants is not what it could be, although the lack of.young plants cannot be attributed entirely to grazing. Job 6 - Quadra.tstudy of Range in Utilization Plots. As reported previously, it was decided to change range examination techniques somewhat,concerning this particula~phase of range ,field work. Instead of using the quadrat. or the 100 square. foot plot. method..of taking range inventory, a line transect system was employedboth. in grass types and browse. The use of the transect "ypeofsampling. was explained in the special report on Kelly Flats Range.study, and therefore. will not be dealt with here.. Quadrat. study Lends itself.bett.erto mapping or charting vegetation with a pantognaphj, and. although ..it.is. anticipated to. use this instrument in somework, general implementation in. a.LL .ut.ilization plots throughout the district will. not be made. IV.Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds. Job 1 = Hunting Loss Other Than Legal Bag. Very little evidence has been; found..ofcrippling .1055., mainly because the wounded.anirua1:_wJ.ll: .often crawl in.betwe.enro.cks.or dense clumps of trees or brush, making discovery rather difficult.. Three deer carcasses, all nice bucks, were found in HewlettGul,c~ during arangeinsp3ction trip during July. Onewas defintely kno.wntobavebeen cripped because of a bullet hole throught he rib case. . (Pl.ease...see Figure No.4) The.other two looked as if they had been shot and lei.tfor acme unexplainable reason. They were both two-point; bucks, and should have been desirable.game, but the. hunter or hunt.ers evidently thought. otherwise,. or else shot a bigg.er buck later. (The above submitted by Robert R. Elliott) �-18Cclcradc.River I. - Eagle. River. Drainage Areae..~.•.• Ja.ck De Vcre Lccaticnand.. Extent.,,-of. S,eas.cnu. Ranges. J.cb.l~ .•.Lo.caticn.an.d.Extent" ..c.fSummer Ranges. Objective: To..Locat.e and.map .summez.ranges. Findings: Ther.e .was.nc.definite ..migraticn ..to the ..summer rangee over. mcst.of.thedis.trictdne."totheexcep.tic.nally.. dry weather this ..summerand .spring"_. Deer. .c.an.."be.f.cnD.cL1n ...larg.e ..nUmb.erscn the edges .c.f..the .winter and ..summer_.ranges.o"In t.he" Raar.ing Fcrk, Crystal River ..and" Frying Pan Dra~ges.the.deer.are .:to. be:+cund in .the in.termedia.te ..zone...bet.we.en,·l.4e.oalcbxush.and ... t.imb.er types; hcwever, in ...the.s.e .Breae. the ..bulk.o.f._the.her.ds ..molted.to ..the higher ccuntry.in ..e.arlyAugus.t...The ..upper. Cclorado ..and Eagle River had a mone.pronounced ..migra ti.on. .t.o..the ..summer_.througho.ut._ .the summer and. on .aeveral; ..o.cc.asicns..these ...deer; ..have.."cr.eat.ed.damag.e.prob1ems to. the or.chazds, and...fields.... ....Elk.withthe.exc..eption ot a few areas ..are s.catt_er.ed.thrcughcut ...their .nonnal ...summer_ ranges. In the Baealt. Mountain and. Red Tabl.es. the. elk have mov.edout cff the summer.ranges intocther.areas ...due...tc ..the ccnatructicn or beetle acceas ..r-oads. and. be.etl.e..spraying... Indic.aticns. show that t.heae, elk moved into the area h.etwe.enEast Bruah.iand..Wc.cdsLake, Lime Park and the Upper Frying ...Pan.; however,. a few small groups mcved.intc. the. g.u1chesadjacent._to_ ..B~salt.Mcuntain and the Red T~.bles.. Fcurbullsandt.wo.ccws ..were. seen ..cn ..upper Cattle Creek~one ccwand calf. near. Copp.ercSpur~...two_hulls oa East Dcwneyand .tracks. showed..a.smal1 ..bunch cn .Taylor Creek_ III~ Fcrageand Range UtilizClticn. Jct> 1 .• Survey cfWinter Thefcl1cwing ..table Browse Use. shows regro.wth c:nclip.plots started •. 1949 •. .The.seplots ..a1l .shox definite regro.wth, with ..theexception.ofP1ot J which ..has been browsed down but .._evidently had.as ..good..growth.as ..the.o.th.er plc,ts. Some new.plants are in the. p1ot_s; ..however,. the mountain mahogany (Cer.ccc.arpUBmORtanus) has, .fai1~~:J:,:()shcwany indic.ation of coming back. by G1enn.Rogers,_AprUll �-19PLOT No.1 < Regrowth August. 20, 1949 No. of Plante; None 22 4 None SO.ecies l~geemi~ia trid~nt~ta) Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) ~ (Quercu~ sPP.) " Mount~in Mahogany (Cercocarpu~ mont.anus) Average Heighh No. of Plant~ 9 30 in. 212 6 in. 1 Speciee Sage Average Height 4 in. Serviceberry 33 in. None 8 in. Mountain Mahogany PLOT"No. 2 None, lQ 12 None 1 ~ Serviceber!:;l Oak MOUnt.ain Mahogagy 12 in. 9 in. 15 20 None. Sa~e se'rv~ce .. b ~ Oak.; MPUntain Mahogany 12 in. Sage Serviceber!;l Qak 1 in. 21 in. 25 .in. 19 in. 22 in" PLOT No. 3 None 48 ~5 4 Sage .. '§Arviceber!Z Oak MOllutain Mahogany J~b 2. .•• Correlation Objective~"To 1 48. 42 42..in. 30 in. of. Game..and.Livesto.ck ..U.se Statu~. determine. land use ..etatw!. ~c.cor.din&~ to use. < Findings: OVer most of the.summer.r.ange.the ..grass.did.no.t a.tt.ain normal, growth due to the lack of moisture; consequentdy the cattle_ ..are. turning to brQwse~.s.a.supplem.ent.for the grass.. Themain.plants ..affected by t.hie. are ..oak br.u.sh.(QuercW!l_¥P-o-).,in the. lower extents oftb.e summer zangea, .elderberry (Samhucue.melanocarpue) and leafy annual.s in the higher country... Thi.sdo ~ ..not, ..cr.eate ...such,..a ..problem. onthe ..sllmmer...range.". but may have a definite ..eff.e.ct.on.the. ..wint.er...r.angeslNh.en.the Ii veatock are' moved down. Cer.t~in. areas. ..on the. Public D.omain..ane badly. abuaed.idue..to sheep grazing ..inthespring ..and. f_Ulo. The upper Color.ado. River.. in .thl!Piney Riv.er. and Dot.sezo..vi$ity .sho.wde.st.r.uc.ti.veuse of. the.primary browse plants_ by sheep , . �J.ob.'It. !"' . Utilization. and ..Avallabi1ityof. Objective ~ . To study game br.owseuse BrOll!Et.on Stur.m:.er Range 0 on summer. ranges 0 studies made.in the summer ranges show .that. al.though.cattle are using. browse p1ants.there is no shortage. of,brollse.plant.s on the summer r.aDges» .the.lack..o.f moisture ..has. had litt~e·effe.ct.on the.plants as a whole. wi.th.. .the. pas sible.. exception of ..s.ervi ceberry .(Am.el.anc.hier .alnof olia) which.isdrying up ani ..st.arting.to. ~o.se.it.sfoliag.e ...in. most areas~ how... ever most serviceb.er.ry. p1.ants. have .fair ..to. g.o.o.d.crap. of berrieso (The above ..submitt.ed.by ..Jack De Vore) Li ttle.Hills and Nortnwest ern Colorado == Ro.ssL.CampbelL.and Eo Rogers Glenn II. POEula.tion Surveyt!l Job 3 .<=' Che.ckingStationo Checking~,st~tions ..are".t.o.be. e8tab.li.s~d. at fourte.en.sites over the. st.at.eo. .The.g.ener.aL form. .and.information .ist.ohe. ..the. same as in previous ..y.e.ar.s..!"c.:~'J:'~ ..sex". ag~,. area ..Yhere.kill.e~ ..poin.~.beam ..diameter, elkcirc.umferene:e. andques.t.ions. •..(1.). Did .you ...hunt ..big.game. . .in.C..olorad@ last year?. (2) Are you ..carrying ..hoth ..de.er..and ..elk ..l.icens.es1 ..is being asked ..the ...hunt.er.s....".Th.e.t.wo. questions ...ar.e..taken ..f.mm..:the..random big game..sur:vey:...and...are...to ...be...used.aa ..a ..check..an..the ..a.c.c.uraq ...oL.th.e survey 0 m.9. For..age..and..RaPge...Utilization .. • .. : .Job .2 =.Sur:v.e;yof. Wint.e1':.Br.owse..Use. Several. t.ripa made .t.ova.riows pmn.s:o,f.. the ..de.er..w1n.t.er..range in the Little.H;i.Us ar.ea to. d.eter.m=4le.r.ange_.c.ondi..t.i..an.. ... Cur.rent.gEo:wth of the primary....f.orage ...spec.ie~Lis. good ..de8pitB ..the.drT ~.~a.son..._The..lIbligptit from. which ..ser:vicBber.ry .aaa ..bBelLsuff'.ering ..£.or..s.ev.eral..y:ears ..seems. to. have di8appe.a~ed.allo1dng.thi.a .s~.eie& ..t.o ..make....a..mare ...normal...growtb..o. On the area Baa who1e.~growth. o.f..browsB..spe.cies .and...r.ang.e. ..COD.di.ti.on.. is about the same asl~s~ yearo Job 2"" Correlation .of .Game.. and .Liv.e.s.t.o.ck ..Land .U.s.eStatus ..• A trip was made in. t.h.e .upper. White ..B.:brer. ..area ..with ..the Fore.st, Service memberll..of ..theF.or.ell.t~rl.s.ory ..boar.d.t.o ...st.ud)t ,ut.i] jzatian.and types of use, on the summer..ra..ng.e... Numer.QUS'Hde.er. ..lIler.e.se.e.n...and ...all.. domestic stock. grazing ..st.u~ ...enclo.aure.a..showed~igD.S·:o.!: ..cl~~r use. =-~ xu... A trip was...81&0..made to:where.:work .. b.eing..done, ..oD.,.spruce bug control toobs.er.vs. '.the ..eff e.e.U...of.the ...bug w.ork...Oll..g.am.e..... .Emept.f or moving the .deer ..and ..elk. f.or.the ...shor.t ..pa.rioda,.. no. .ef.f.ec:tc._WBA ...nat.ic.edo..,. The check atati.orus..co.vering .the ..blig..inf.eA.ed ...areu thia_i'all.sho.ul.d .lIIa.t.ch...f.orskin �-21burna on deer.or other .sigIl8 of chemical hurt •. Ja.b-2 - Litt~e. Hills ..Grazing. Compe.titian...Enclosure Study: 0 "Five quadrats.one ..meter..square. :were.cha.rt.ed. within. each of three exclosures for study purpo.s.eso.ThElseexc~Qsures areappr.oxi.mately one. acre in sizeand ..are ...Locabed .within pasture~ (sheep).ancL pasture ~q) (cattle)., with.thethir.d ..a. de.er +ight.~exclosure ..a.dj.Qining.pasture (two~ These and the .quadrats ...char t ed .l.ast..summ.erar.e..to.b.e. charted every thre.eyears .tod.etel"1!line changes...in.species .... an.d.density.:..over.a period of timeo During .the dry summ.er.the deer. seem.t.o ..hav~ .l.ef.t.the pastures or died. of thirs.t..o. " NO ..f.resh ..deer sign ..has.been.se.en ..in ..an;r of the pastures. since ...about. the .last ,of August 0 Muchwork.was done. on maint.enanc.eof the pasture f.enc.es~ Every hole ..has been ..closed .and... the. wires, tight.ene.d wher.e.necessary.. This is to be a. t.est. yeart.o determine .whether or.notdeer.can.be ..kept out of the pastures with .the.existingtype ..of.f.ence... In..p.as..t.year..s"gates have been left open by fence builders ..or too mu.chspace ..was ..a1low.ed between the top of the woven wire and the fir.s.t barhed.:wi.re...The ..f.enc.e..has been 1mproved.anditisplanne.d. to.lock .all gat.es.during )l.Unting.sea,son. In additioIi,p. t.he..clos.edar.e.aaro.und the. pastnr.es. ...m.ll. b.e..expanded .and well marked. Job 6..••Quadrat Study.of Range inUt.iliz.ation. Plotso A deer.t1ght.exclosur.e.approximately. one. four.th ..acr.e.in. size was constructed .on .CathedraLp~e.eko.The: sit.e.; was chos.~.in ...a.sp.Qt. thought to be typical. of._.mo.st de.er zange condi.tionsin ..theDouglas ...Cr.eek area. . ... Photographs.were taken .from:thecorners: of ~p.e.exc1osure ...and individual plants ...of. the ..primary forage ..sp:3cie.s were.... tagg.e.dand ..phot.ographed. ..'.-' ' ' ... The writ.ers.are .indebt.edto Laurenc.e.EO'.Riordan and. Robert Howard for their. part in. t.he .work reported. (The abo.ve r.ep.ort.was submitted. by Ross Lo Campb.elLand Glenn. E. Rogers) Submitted byg Approved '"';I'" Name Paul F. Gilbert COLORADO STATEGAME ANDFISH DEPARTMENT Title Wildlife. Technician Title Note: Co No Feast? Direct.or. Date November 8, 1950 Persons wishing .to. quotefromthisabs.tract..should ..f.irst.obtain mission from the. Col.o.r.ado ..Game.and F ish Department. per- �STATE COLORADO --~~~~----------- PROJECT NO e _..:::.3~9-...;:.R~ _ DATE QUARTERLY SURVEYS PROGRESS AND O~c~t~0~b~e~r~2_1~9~5_0 _ REPORT INVESTIGATIONS AS required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE rlESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project: 20 Leaders: 30 Report of Progress: Wild Turkey Investigations Martin L, Burget, Leader: Donald MoHo ffrnan Assistant Leader Ob~ectiveS& The re-establishment of Merriams Wild Turke.y Meleagris gallop avo merriami) - to as much of its former range in Colorado as possibleo To establish a huntable surplus of birds within that rangeo Techniques Used& In gathering the data presented in this report the general technique is to gather facts by actual field reconnaisanceo However, since this field study is so broad in scope and so time consuming that considerable reliance is made in the statements and observations of other capable and reliable observerso Where factural behavior factors are to be gathered» deductions are only rnade from frequent and compared ob ser-vatd.ons , Findings &: The Merriam is turkey came through the winter of 1949 and 1950 in top conditiono The fact that mast crops had been rather heavy in the higher elevations in 1949~ coupled with the hunting season pressure, kept the birds back from the highwayso Light snow and moderate weather left the turkeys free to feed a,my from their usual winter r-ange; When survival checks started the birds were hard to locateo It was suggested by some that a heavy loss had been sustainedo When it was possible to get into the back areas this WaS disproven by Large amounts of sign about the watering placeso Heavy recent use about oak clumps and under ponderosa pines indicated use by sizeable flockso ;:)omeof the complaints made by hunters in the field, of a shortage of birris, was completely unfounded, The fact is, the success ratio of hunters ir Colorado was almost double that of any other state with a turkey season and we had only a three-day seasono �-2- During the present swmnerseason a most unusual food problem has developed. DToughtcoupled with very late frosts have kept mast pro~uction at ~ low Leve.L, The effect of this condition remains to be seen durf.ng the coming winter. Job 1 - Survival Checks: A general map is included with this sectio~. This shows turkey plantings ani development since 1940. It must be urxierstood that density of population over same of these areas mayvary considerably. However, the red dots show general location of plantings, while the perimeter shows tha general spread of the birds. This map is not completely accurate. It is included to help visualize the development of the program. (Please see map - Page 2-a) Deer Creek Area8 This area lies southeast of llontrose. Kleven birds were taken at State TUrkeyranch on December22nd and movedas an additional plant in this area The first plant was made on Burro Creek northwest of the present plant. Four birds had movedin from a former plant to the general plant site. The checks on this area were made in A.ugust. A few days after the release, 14 birds were counted together. Later in the spring a large bunch of feathers were discovered in a willow thicket on CowCreek. This bird had evidently been killed by a predator and accounted for the single loss from the flock. 0 The 14 remai.nedintact until April. A.t this time they begai moving back up the creek. Very few birds had been seen in the interim. A report from Trapper 1feeks of Ridgewaylate in A.ugustindicated a flock of around sixty birds, three and one-half miles southeast of the plant site. Food was still abundant in this area. Thorn apples (crataegus), wi th an abundance of rose hips should be sufficient to carry these birds through the winter. Gardner Area: On January 9th", 1950$ nine turkeys were trapped at the turkey ranch and movedto the Gardner area. Release was made on Williams ,Creekabout nine miles north of Gardner. .A. mature tom was trapped at the t;ousin Springs trapsite near Beulah an~ added to this p~ant on January 26th, 19500 Very few reports have been rece~ved fr?m these b~rdso In special field checks the track of only one turkey was found an the general area. It is hoped that somedata can be g~thered.in fall mo~ementsof the birds. The general feeling is, that the b.irda dr~fted back Lnto the primi ti ve area seldom visited by anyone ani for 1;.11i6 reason they have not been s een, �,lARIMER--------__..-;-:__ ,J~CKSON 'oG'.n'yre ,0C.'"~h"~ t /. I CllIrlr I I ,.r cesta • ., t L.__ I II,,-;£: '00,",0"4 ' I -, l.suI'f1:::~ "fond o'I>omDv" 'Y -l "I -- • rampa oP..,monl I I • I , I L '_'_' 11)),--- loA/'A" I oS'''oll "\ " I I oPMI,."vC,/ ~ '-. •Imp"'O' &:;.°c','#" \ ~ hll.•1. ieu ctrr.~,," ~\ ~~.:.:, 01>"."9" 'J . 'I ~"dY('''''-'''''( • \ J "'on ;.- C;'!f!1f r'''OO ~"" . r'DELTA , I ._. ASPFH IvUNNIS NON""''! 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"J\ ...(-c=f,fffAR ~-OE::;r;:,on , I I ~M(""''t r l ' pan", r ~:::,:(;wue Turkey Plants and Development -f""')CP,'lJ'. \"",.,0:. . ~~_" /:=/:'Y I oMo",.. I OncS"" " R-@J<~.. 'o",/~"/KJ ) \01#01,,-.../' ",,,,iI.n. , .,./o ~""d •• I!P" S• • _. #""'o""to oPerth(fm' O(jlf;rt-sl r Pombng [MoRGAN "'",or '"'."O"~ OP/~/NI'''I' 'H~ / WII~ ) :[/,,1,.8r,4'.9'1 I b-iiA' -- _. --. /t:;;;: , G \ Trosero' \W ii"i". '-. l.. ~'~!e.!---:: ' 'oh"n,,'", ':'''''' olf'.jl,more •• " ' 'Rllt/film l [EAGLE \. 'j~rualJ:HU~ "'" . ~ oCl:umSI7 .'""'n~"i!"'.""" ,,,., ~ ~" o· 0 ve•.•. Ro/mt" mEY' Po.' ~err"tJ(/ 6.anh~'< TOPCI>"1Kr"I'IITII'fI oralol'l 'TiiOULOER /It~1 Po4, ~ l 011-;--1 _~ I -; '\ _" d _~H"""",~""gm(}f'l oJ;,,·""l , '\ ''''£Sfes ". 6rondlt7J,,"'\If .0 0 J e oB.oggsdo/. 0 '",,~9/'om SI.1./,om (o",!itld. 0 oLo •.,,,,,,, ' ' I 'I. "S'w J '~'./ ! ,""'--.-' • tpPJJJ",,.~ ~, "J ~GRAND r ~tlk"r~~J Pv,,,11 0 PH'W"o";p I 0"010 oNvnn - -,sE51iW .~:,:, ;",I1,.n' c.oof, I t;;.-:::' _L 1£'""""1 1 -- op"" , .j/~ t,tre,. • <, ~ - (OGAN ------ ,G.om 00"" '''"'~9 ' 5p'''' ~ -- -oK.vff_n d*''''''!t "'Sf, ~ r O'c""" ' \ \. _,,--- a 00",,,/,19 Z "",", \ '-" j '"or~or. TEA OAr sp"'1.S OAIUIII,' _"\.. J-....', I Sldn'./.' I11108--------t.ANCO~,.. ~ ~WAI.~.y - - -----o#".ranl lac." ~ 06'.' '0'"'' ,I \') -----~---! WELD o ,,,S,",O 0.1. o""y' :'~:~t'\ 7 '. ;?S 'or II." I H'''ntIlOflo OM':U~IIt1("'H1 I 'i'-- ~,"." \ \ /loA., -.' , j I MAP OF COLORADO I "'_"(~ -~iiou;:r-----r-A-J'L. FrFAr------ ---- ---- . "_ ,~owrro" ypt'O. L_ .>. . OJOII'SK,;J c ~OijlfjJ,{ o(l1i~~:!>vn'~ 1.,." IP"'o'ti;r;o{osrI£Roc~~ ..1 I! ~ <, '"'.1''' ••" I" I . 1940-1950 ) w"lu••, \~: Dots = Planted Areas .' """I ""'"--~.. -'-1 VI.1TA l' t, (jrNA oTwo4vHr$ 64,,/1,11 0 ow"lsh "f'llS SIo,,;,fjfofl c Rtxll')' �-3- Current Creek Area: On January 11th, 1950, nine hens were trapped at the Sporleder trapsite west of Agui.Lar-, 'rhese birds were movedto Current Creek as a strent~ening pLant, Since the "Original plant madeon Tallahassee creek two years earl~er had been delivered just before a heavy storm nch scattered them, it was felt a strengthening plant might help the developmentin this area. On January 26th, two mature toms were taken at the Cousins Springs trapsite and added to this group of henso The ~n~ nens were at the plant sjte whenthe toms were delivered and the birds were together in less than five minutes after the releaseo Several checks had shownt hat these birds had remained near the planting site until mating season in Mareho Custer, South Dakotag; Under a GameDepartmentexchange 15 turkeys were traded with South Dakota0 These birds were delivered in two loads» one of nine birds on Februa~ 10th, the second load of six on February 25th. Our last report from this planting in the Black Hills section of South Dakotawas that the birds were all alive am doing fineo 'CottonwoodCotopaxi Area~ On February 28th» four hens were caught at the Purvis trapsite near Beulah and movedto CottonwoodCreek near Cotopaxio Then, on March14th» two toms were added to this flocko Several sight records and sometrack reports were made of these birds this spring Muchof this area is primi ti ve and th e birds were not often seeno 0 General Survial (becks: This will include all areas that have not been planted this past season, It would seembest to get at this report in general population centers. These population centers spread through several National Forest areas , Perhaps it would be best to dividetbem into four main sections; two on the eastern slope and two on the western s.Lope , For the western slope area, one will be the San Juan National Forest, and area two» the Uncompahgre National Foresto For the eastern slope, most of the area is in the San Isabel National Forest; however»to get it into block form it is divided into the San Isabel and Spanish Peaks areas. This does not divide the area too finely» but if we use HighwCIiV l60 as the dividing line north and south» it should not be too conrusfng, �San Juan Area t Western Slope There are still several flocks of birds just at the foot of Wolf Creek on the westo This summer they have been reported up both the East Fork and We~t Fork of the San Juan River. Checks revealed flocks on SnoW' Ball Creek, Fo~ Mile Creek and the West Fork of the Piedra Ri.ver , All the head waters of the P~edr~ have shown sign this year. Going from Pagosa Springs south to the Cremo distr1c~ on the Navajo River, there are numerous flocks observed and reported. Recently, . a number of large flocks have been reported down in the lower country on the Navajo and both forks of the Blanco Rivers. A general report is to the effect that not nearly as many birds were on the highway last year. Checks in the back areas showed sign at every possible watering place. Around State Turkey Ranch flocks are normal, , Recent observations shaw birds coming down early this f'al.L, From Turkey Ranch south, there are more birds reported than for many years. The Los Pinos area has a larger population than for the past two yearso The Florida River birds are definitely on the upgradeo They are ranging higher than usua.L, However» some nests are reported at lower levels than other y eaz-a, On the Animas River drainage, the birds are scarcer-, This is probably occasioned by pressure and drifto Lightner Creek has a good flock of turkeys which moved from the winter range in late Karch and early April. There was some uncertainty about the Thompson Park-Cherry Creek flocks but late reports indicate a very good population of turkeys with a heavy increase south of Highway 1600 In the Mancos district reports indicate a decreasing populationo In the Dolores area contacts were made with as many- ranchers as possible. Then the springs and reservoirs were checked for sign. Although the general opinion was that there were fewer birds during the winter and early spring, a careful survey indicated that the birds were well scattered throughout the canyons flOwing into the Dolores river. Good sized flocks were reported last fall and winter in the Dolores River area near Neilsons, in the lost Canyon area, near Turkey Point and in the Hay Camp Mesa area. Flocks in other areas were reported to be smaller, ranging in numbers from 8 to 15. . Going north into the Uncompahgre Forest, the turkeys are reported to be 1n excellent shapeo Reports from the Tabaguache Rims and canyon indicate the turkeys wintered well and that they are well scattered throughout the a:eao .Much.of this ~rea is quite primitive. Checks are hard to get. Forest 1s B1olog t Hill and B1g Game Biologist Paul Gilbert made a trip in February to observ~ the wintering condition of deer. In the head of Clay Creek and at an 7levation of over 9000 feet they found a flock of a dozen turkeys wintering 1n a Thornapple (crataegus) thicketo The birds were in good shape. �-'$Twenty-five turkeys were reported in the head of Escalente CaQyon during the fall of 19490 This is the longest air line move recorded to date. Eastern Slone Checks~ In the Salida area birds were found to be ranging in Bear Creek, Stout Creek; Howard Creek, Red Gulch and Cherry Creek at the time the checks were made , In addition, birds were reportedly seen in Big cottonwood. Creek (Salida area) Badger Creek, Poncha Creek, Little Cottonwocxi Gulch (near Cotopaxi) during the fall and spring per-Lods In the Hillside area several flocks totaling 55 birds were ranging east of Hillside, in the Cedar Ranch areao Few actual counts were gotten in these checks because of the in~cessQbility of most of the area. Turkeys totaling over 50 were seen last fall in Cherry Creek, while 30 were reported ranging in Howard Creek near Calcite during the winter, and several small flocks were known to have wintered near Howardo Survival checks in t~e Canyon City area were started in the early part of August. Small flocks of turkeys have been seen on Currant Creek up until the 1st of June. Later nine hens and two toms were seen on Cottonwood Creekj) (a small creek flowing into Currant Creelr)o Three of these birds, which may be those released on Currant Creek last vdnter, were seen with 16 poults. Two additional hens were reported as ranging in this same drainageo The Wet Mountain Area~ The bulk of the turkeys in the Wet Mountain area ne ar Rye range north of San Isabel or south of Rye along the east face of Greenhorn Mountain. There is an abundance of turkeys in the area all the way fram Rlfe to Beulah and up the North Creek Divide to Wetmore. Then running north from B~ulah, the Red Creek area and Babcock Hole district are well stocked with turkeyso They have buil t up rapidly along Hardscrabble Creek and west from Wetmore to the Beaver Creek areao The Oak Creek section south of Canon City is also filling ino Spanish Peaks ]Qstrict: . The general population trend in the Spanish Peaks area is.on the increase •. ~ocks are more scattered and in smaller concentrations which is a good. condltl0no Substantial gains or improvements have been made in Indian C:eek, Wahatoya Creek, Bear Creek, Cucharas Pasa, Santa Clara Creek Apishapa !~~e: are~, and Trajil~o Creekso Monument Lake and the North Fork ;rea are . W1ng flne br?ods thlS season and the canyon area south of the Trinidad _ Monument Lake highway has always had a heavy population for several years back. �-~The Fishers Peak area is well stocked and the area east of Trinidad on the Purgatoire River has about reached its carr.fing capacity. The area near Higby has built up to around four hundred turkeys which is a surprjsing population because feed seems to be scarce , Then Mesa De Mayo has built up to several hundred birds in the past three year's, This area should be hunted not later than next season; (Please see Map of Wild Turkey Distribution) (General Map - Page 2-a) Job 2 - Transplanting Sites~ Grand Mesa - Recheck& This area known .as the Cedar Edge - Grand Mesa area was recommended last year as a planting area; Since our catch of birds was small we were unable to plant this area last trapping season, It was thought best to survey it again this year to determine food supplyo It is definitely out for the planting this fall as the food supply is too Light , It may $ however» ha.ve possibilities for another yearo The land owner adjacent to the plant site was contacted and he was favorable to helping protect the turkeys until they could develop to a huntable populationo Glenwood Springs - Proposed Area~ Three areas were examined in this vicinity in Augusto Since this area had been tentatively recommended by Mr. Garey Bennett~ of the Fish and Wildlife Service» it was felt that a careful check shoUld be madeo Canyon Creek Area:: The canyon Creek area is about ten miles from Glenwood Springs to the north and westo At the mouth of the canyon it looked very unfavorable, but , as we advanced up the canyon, more of the p:' oper type shrubs were f'ound, Unlike any otbe.r area examined this yearj) there was an abundance of food pr esent , Two main ty~ s of oak, the Utah oak (Quercus utahensis) am Colorado oak (Quercus leptophylla) were found heavy with seed, There were plenty of Thomapples and other shrubs including roses)) all in full productiono Weather conditions were determined as satisfactor.f so this area is recommended for planting this wintero Elk Creek Area&: This area is northwest of New C~stleo The main fork is not satisfactory because of the steep elevations which confines the winter and summer ranges within too small an areao However, a very satisfactory area was located on the West Fork of Elk Creek which is recommended for a small turkey planting this season~ A large t~ of wheat grass and other foods were found in abundanceo �-:7Fourmile Creek Area~ This area lies eight miles southwest of Glenwood Springs. Like the other areas examined inthis district, food plants were in heavy production. Oak mast was particularly heavy and berries and thorn apples were plentiful. The roosting sites are not quite ideal but turkeys will probably adapt themselves quickly to this situation. Heavy planting could be done during the coming wintero .Eastern Slope Sites EYarnined:· 28.!!i~ch !r~_N~aE. Q.0~oE~_ This area was found to be close enough to areas where wild turkeys have been transplanted and in good food years, turkeys could range to Sand·Gulch& A few turkeys have already been seen in this area but lack of good water supply during dry periods is a limiting factor. Food species were of favorable types, but food for the coming winter was not too good. Bruf~ Creek.Area West of Gardner~ Favorable types of vegetation for wild turkey dp,velopment with the exception of scrub oak was found in this areao There is a good water supply. Wild turkeys have ranged here until about four years ago, arrl it was considered good turkey range , Warden Co rdova strongly opposes planting the area, however, because of the possible poaching pressure which he feels would result. It is recommended not to plant this area this yearo Upper Muddy Creek Area~ This area lies approximately four mil.es north of Bruff Creek and roughly resembles Bruff Creek in vegetative types, slope of land, water supply, etc. There is still one sawmill operating in this area, and it is questionable if the birds would be given the amount of protection needed for good development by other land ownerso Wild turkeys ranged in this area until about 10 years ago , It can be considered good turkey range , It is recommended not to plant the area at this tdme, UDDer Huerfano River Area: This area was found to contain great amounts of Skunkberry, Snowberry, Rose, Chokecherry and other scrub-type food specieso Scrub oaks and Ponderosa Pine were not found in any large quantities. The available wild turkey range is limited in extent and would serve best as summer - fall range because of the heavy snows in the area in the winter. Should the birds after planting be forced to winter lower in the Huerfano Valley among the Pinon hills, it is felt they would not receive the proper protectiono It is recommended not to plant this area. (Please see two Photographs - following page) �-8Job 3 - Predator Relationship Study: This program started on the basis of eliminating predators ahead of all planting to give the turkeys a better chance to get a firm foothold in the early period of deve.Lopment., After two years, this had to be abandoned due to a critical shortage of man powero Since that time little has been done on the pr edator problem other than the assistance given through the Federal predator Control and a little assistance through regular Game Department Trapper s , With low fur prices and a high living cost most of the local trapping activity has subsided and for the past two seasons, there has been a distinct rise in the predator population of the state , This is particularly true with two spe cd es, the common lynx or Bobcat and the canmon skunk, The Bobcat preys on the turkeys the year around, taking young and mature .ri.rds , while the skunk is a nest robbero Although predators have never been too much of a threat to the turkeys, their alarming increase may make it necessa~ to do some control work in the near future At State Turkey rtanch last season, the Custodian picked up 13 Bob-cats, 11 males and two femaleso 0 Because of its value and information I repeat a predator table used in our last Quarterly Report and add a second one for this quartero There have been from three to five times as many predator kills observed and reported this year, as any year thus faro It should be added that we urge a more active campaign on the more important predators either through the Department Trapping Staffg or that a predator trapper be hired under Federal Aido (Please see Table I) �• ." e' Figure 1 Turkey tracks across the sands of Blrgatoire river west of Higby. The binocular was used for size comparison. It is a standard 7 x 35 binocular. These tracks are more than six inches across. (Fhotob~y Burget)~ Figure 2 One of the South Dakota leleases. This turkey is getting away to a fast start in cover similar to our Black ~orest. (Photo by Dnkota Wildlife Technician). �-9TABLE NOo I PREDATOR RELATIONSHIP STUDY Locations Where Predator Concentrations lieported or Observed Bab Cats Coyotes Navajo Ro *Navajo Ro Blanco Ro *Blanco R, Piedra Ro *Piedra Ro Fourmile Cr Pine Ro Williams Cro*Lower Las Wiminuche Anirras R •• Cro Pine n, 0 WoMancos Ro EoMancoB R.. Middle Thompson Mancos ROo Park Thompson Park *Lower Cherry Cro Lost Canyon c-, Dolores R.,. Dolores ROo Lost GaIVon ero Cucharas Ro Middle Cro Mauricio CaIliVon Pass Cro Cucharas R, *Middle Cro No Trajillo Cro Muddy Cr-, Promontory 1li.vide Cousin Springs GreatMtno Lions Horned Owl Eagles EAST SAN JUAN Piedra R, Fourmile Navajo ROo Upper Creek Blanco R. Piedra R. *Turkey Cro Blanco Basin Foxes Other' San Juan Piedra R •• Lower LaS Animas Ro WEST SAN JUAN W. Mancos R.,. Eo Mancos R. Thompson Turkey Cro Park *Thompson Park EoMancos R. *Cherry Cro (Lower) DOLORES RIVER. *Lower Ringtail Dolores ROo Lost Dolores ROo Canyon Cr. Dolores CatsUpper Dolores R. Lower River Dolores Ro SPANISH PEAKS Jaroso Cr. *Zar- (Wild *Zarcillo Santa cillo (Dogs Burro Clara Apishapa Canyon WET MOUNTAIN Greehhorn Greenhorn Williams i!1'{illiams Cro Cr. Cr. *Greenhorn Cro Promonotory Thompson *Muddy Cro Divide Park Promontory Lower Divide Cherry Cro *Areas of heavy concentrations �-10- TABLE NO .•II PREDATOR RELATIONSHIP STUDY Areas visited this past quar~er where predators were reported erous include the following: Area Dolores Area Beaver Creek Van Pelts Dolores Hi ver Disappointment as num- Predator Skunks Coyotes Bobcats" Great-Horned Owls)I Skunks Great-Horned Owls, Skunks Cr .• Trinidad Area North Fork Picket Wire Apishapa BobcatsJl Great-Horned Bobcat s, Great-Horned Rye Area Table Mountain Boyds Pine View Ranch r30bcats .tlobcats Canon City Area Currant Creek Cot tonwood Creek (Seabaughs) Hillside Cherry Creek Great-Horned Owls Owls. Owls Bobcats Great-Horned Owls, Skunks BobcatsJlCoyotesJl Great-Horned Salida Area Howard Creek Skunks)l Great-Horned Owls ~rlsJl Coyotes There are several areas in need of trappingJl chiefly for Bobcats.. Areas which would oenefit in this manner include: Ao Lower Dolores River areaJl especially around Nei1sonso Bo The North Fork of Picket Wire and the Apishapa Co Area around Table Mountain Boy.dso Do The Cherry Creek area near Canon City, especially around Roy Wilson'so in Trinidad area , near Rye and area south of ~e around those areas �Figure 3 Here are some of the Bobcats (Lynx rufus californicus) taken at State Turkey Ranch in spare time last year. The eustodian Harvey S. Moyer is standing beside the catch. (Photo by Burget). �-11- JOb 4 - Brood Counts~ This forms one of our more difficult tasks. Much field work is required even to get a few brood counts. The hens are particularly shy and alert and are nearly as secretive with the young poults as they are with the hiding of their nests. Much cooperation has been given this program in the present year and we wish to express our sincere appreciation for this assistance. Wardens, Field men, state Trappers» and interested ranchers have all done a fine job along with Forest Rangerso Some of these men have gone so far in their cooperation that they have kept note books on their observations. An at.tempt is made at verifying all reports as far as possible. In this way a double check is made on the data. Brood counts were made on the Eastern and Western slope areas as follows& A - Thirty-five broods on the Western slope averaged 8.24 poults per brood. B - Eighty broods on the Eastern slope averaged 6.23 poults per brood, Other years this ratio has been reversed with the Eastern slope having the larger number per brood. Ordinarily we believe that a dry spring should have a tendency to increase the size of the broods, but this year has proved the exception. The season was particularly d~ and broods averaged smaller and in many cases were later than usual. This may, in part at l~ast~ be attributed to the severe late frosts. ~ds Reoorted or Observedt ~estern Slope~ Area Cherry Creek Cottonwood Creek Dry Canyon Mud Springs Dolores River Hens 4"" Poults 15 1 12 12 13 1 11 1 11 1 1 12 1 1 (Continued next page please) 4 �-12- Broods Reported or Observed: Western Slope: (Continued) (Please see preceding page) Area State Turkey Ranch Hens Poults 1 1 1 l2 5 6 8 2 3 28 10 11 2 2 Yellow Jacket 1 8 8 72 o Beaver Creek Uncompahgre - Ute 1 2 1 11 Cold Springs 2 16 9 7 Eastern Slope:: Salida Area 16 4 (4 broods average 4 poults per hen) Howard Creek Canon City Area Cottonwood Creek 16 3 (3 broods average 5033 poults per hen) Beulah Area North Creek SOo Hardscrabble Creek Noo Hardscrabble Red Creek Creek 4 4 4 39 28 13 6 8 1 1 1 14 (15 broods average 7020 poults per hen) Rye Area San Isabel Lake Greenhorn Creek Table Mountain St. Charles Mesa 4 3 11 16 2 4 1 (10 broods average 9 4 poults per hen) (Continued next page please) �-13Broods rieported or Observed: (Continued) Eastern Slope.: (Please see preceding page) Area Hens Trinidad Area No. Fork Picket Wire Riley Canyon Zarcillo Canyon 2 5 1 1 Burro Canyon Monument Lake Poults 7 25 3 10 5 15 2 18 2 7 3 13 2 15 1 6 5 (21 broods average 4.66 poults per hen) Aguilar Area Apishipa Noo Trajillo Creek 1 2 24 3 8 (9 broods average 6044 poults per henl. La Veta Area \wahatoya - Bear Cro Road Cucharas .-ti.ver Eo Indian Creek Santa Clara. 2 3 2 4 27 27 24 30 2 23 2 15 3 17 �-14Job 5 - Food Habit Studiesg Food, shelter and water are the three most vi tal factors in game survival In this study on food habi ts, we are facing a most unusual pr ob.Lem, It is quite evident that drouth conditions have occurred in this southwest region quite frequently and we are told that it was drouth years that eventually drove the cliff dwellers from the areao No doubt this is one of the circumstances controlling the abundance or lack of game in the area in times now far back in historyo 0 While this has not been, strictly speaking, a drought year, yet circumstances have tended to make it most unproductiveo These factors are listed below: Wea ther Factors: Tempe rature:t During the period from March 15th to 31st$) a minimum temperature of 15 degrees occurred six times~ From April 1st to 30th, a minimum occurred three timeso temperature perature temperature of 20 degrees Mew 1st to 31stj) ,frost occurred on 27 days , with a minimum of 16 degrees on three occasionso June 1st to 30th, frost occurred on 10 days, wi th the temdropping to 23 degrees on June 8th and 9tho Moisture: From March 15th to June 15th, two inches of moisture fello From June 15th to September 15thj) 3020 inches fello The difficulty in this picture was that most of this water fell in small quantities and was followed by severe frostso High winds occurred almost daily and what little moisture fell was evaporated out of the ground within twentyfour hourso Seed grain lay dormant in the ground and hay crops were damaged severelyo These conditions occurred over most of the turkey rangeo On the State TUrkey Ranch, the turkey foods planted specially to care for the winter needs of the birds in this area are scarcely worth harveatdng , Howeverj) the Russian olives are making an ususual growth and many of the plants have shown as much as twelve to twenty inches of annual growtho A food chart prepared by Don Hoffman is included to show the present food conditions on the eastern slope~ This chart shows that food problems are serious and it may be necessary to supplement the available food to sustain breeding stock for the coming yearo Figure 5 is a photograph of the scrub oak which illustrates the unusual effect of the spring weather on the plant lifeo �I '2 I. J6 Figure 4 A photograph of materials taken from nine crops in 1949 hunting season. Note that Numbers1,2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and x are all herbaceous types. Nwnber 3 is oak mast, while Number 8 is grasshoppers. Almost 50% by volume and more than 50% b'J weight was animal matter. The turkey is the farmer's friend. (Photo by Burget). �Figure 5 This picture tells its ownstory. It shows oak shrubs on June 15th, 1950. It was taken near Vallecito Reservoir north of B~field. Late frost killed the young leaves. There is little chance of these producing mast and t hey will do well to survive. (Photo b.Y Burget). �- 15 Food Availablity Survey - Eastern Slope The food situation for the coming winter season on the Eastern slope turkey range was found to vary from poor to fair. Table No. I has been in included to attempt to evaluate the different areas on the basis of eight separate food types. 'Continued dry weather during the past spring and summer combined with a very open mild winter is believed to have been one of the controlling factors in the development of foods in this areao Ponderosa pine, pinon pine, and scrub oaks were found to be particularly poor in food-bearing possibilities except for small localized areas. A number of both pinon and pondero~a pLne cones had begun to develop earlier, but the majority of these were found to be dead on the twigs. Roses were found to be bearing better than other foods observed, although in many areas this plant does not occur in large quantitieso Skunkberry and snowberry are bearing much more poorly than in normal years throughout most of the area. Of the grass species observed green heedlegrass and dropseed appeared to show the best food-bearing qualities for wild turkeys 0 It appears that in many areas the ydld turkeys will be more dependent upon scatter grain in cultivated fields than during normal years. Late hail storms in the Beulah-l~e areas caused a distinct grain loss to ranchers but should benefit turkeys this winter. (Please see Table Noo III) �- 16 T~LE NO.III- NATUHAL FOOD CONDITIONS - EASTimN S.LOPE _ Ke;l:P - Poor,2F - Fair.zG - Good Area Remarks* Pinon Ponderosa Quercus Skunk Rose Snow Grasses Choke Cones Cones Acorns berry hips berry cherry Canon City '(Poor to Fair generally)* P Currant Cro Cottonwood Cro P P P P Hillside (Fair in general)* Texas Cr-, P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P p p P p P P P P P P P P P F P P P Beulah (Poo~ in general)* Cousin Springs Red ero (Lower) Noo Hardscrabble SOo Hardscrabble North ci-, Babcock Hole (Upper) Rye (poor to Fair)* San Isabel Rdo area Sto ~harles Mesa Greenhorn Cro Table Mountain = Salida (Poor in general)*Cottonwood Cr, Poncha ero Badger Cro (Lower) p Cotopaxi (Poor to Fair)* Red Gulch Cherry Cro Gardner (Poor to Fair)* Custer cr , Williams Cr Pass Cro 0 P P F F F G F F G P P F F F F F P F P F P P P P P F F F F F P P G P P P It' F F F P P G P P F G F G P P P F F P P F F F P F F G F F P F P F �- 17 TABLE NO. 1 (cont'd) Area Remarks* Pinon Ponderosa Quercus Skunk .doseSnow Grasses Choke Cones Cones Acorns berry hips Derry cherry Spanish Peaks (Poor in general)* East Indian Gro Miq.dle Cr•.. P Bear Cro P **£Ucharas rliver **(Kinnikinnic few berries) Santa Clo. ra Mauricio Canyon Traji110 Gr Apishapa P **Jaroso **< erataegus -Poor) **Wet Caryon P **(Crataegus -Poor) P **Zarci110 **(Need1egrass-Fair) *",BurroCanyon **(Ueedlegrass-Fair) **Ri1ey Canyon P **(Needlegrass-Fair and Ponderosa Cones Spotty) 0 Memo: P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P F P P P F P P G F P F P F P P F P P P F P P P P F F F F P P F F P P P P F F P P F F F P F P P F P P P P ** where indicated refer to area directly above F F F F �- 18 GENERAL SUMMARY Survival checks indicate that survival of birds planted last year has been ve~ good. The plant made north of Gardner has disappeared, and it is possible that they may have drifted into a primitive area~ The general development of the various areas is very satisfactory, with the exception of the Mancos area which shows a slight decrease which may be due to poaching. Because of hunting pressure last fall and mild winter conditions, the birds stayed at higher altitudes than their usual wintering areaso The Purgatoire area just east of Higby and Mesa De Mayo have about reached their carrying capacity, and an open season is recommendedo Because of late frosts and dry weather the food supply in most of the transplanting areas is too light to recommend planting for the present seasono If planting was dcne , supplementary feeding would have to carry the birds through the winter mont.hs , Only three areas in the general vicinity of Glenwood Springs are recommended for plantingo Predators are increasing in numbers, due partly, to low fur prices and light trapping. Some control through the regular trapping staff or a special trapper is ne eded; A total of 115 broods were observed or reported with an average of 7 poults per br-ood; This is the lowest average for several year's, Food conditions are very poor over most of the turkey range. culent plants did not produce quantities of seedo Even the suc- Submitted by:: Approved Names: COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Martin Lo Burget and by: Donald Mo Hoffman Titles: Wildlife Technicians Title Date Note: ~C~o_N~o_F_e~a~s~t~j~Di~·~r~e~c~t~o~r _ October 15» 1950 ------ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Departmento �S'riTE PHG·JEC7 NO. hO-R October,~1~9~5~O ~ ilART E R L Y PRO A IIJ D SUR.VEYS '1'::'tIe REPORT I N V G S T I GAT As requireci 10 G F ~ S S _ ION S by of Job 2 - F:ce,Ja-::'or StudieS O·~~~L~~T:.~~;:~.~,," "7:: ixrv·'3sti~"!'2.te p~ed2.tion c oyct.es , G..nr~ 'cot)C;,t S e Tirrle: ~ie8.rT::.n~~e:, ~·.j.t11~'l)ecial 011 ant.el.coe by p;o1.den eag'Les , e~TiphG.sis dur ing ce r i.od f'avns are s r:~~:;].. '.l.• a.:c.C~ G. 1~:1.::.i:~: ~'Te~3i:::~b.fld ~-ee~:ing pl.aces of f~clc:.8n J32,g_1..:;~ lr,JG1:'S sear-ched :Z:J:t~ ;..;.i:~.(;1·~·~;·8T'8_ .71a:Lns AJ_so, t.he pe.l Le t s res'urgi t2.te:~. -i::)r eagLes arid o\·j"~_~S~ .~e:~clC~):2lote scst s ·v·;~y·e exa.rri.ned fo~c t.r e ces c:.':'" ant.eLooe haf.r or i 0 ooneso Th.ree .--~-.~S·:):r·il.~.:.g:sen wer e examined about ten miles east of Ti' Al bright and F;al ning-Le;.-.;i8. the p;round at the t. 0[; of a reared i-lei's this :O:UTW1ero Thcae we:re bc.:~1"'_~?~ ::..::; Dr ~:t2bJ.I.?T of Col.oz-zdo Coll;3ITe :Syp~ninR,ti '.)11 0.:: the nest an.~~~ t)rJ~:~STsa unoez rhe t r ee re\T;:3:::"3.1ed bits of hair a~1_d bOT1CS f'r-orn sn12.11 .•••...•••.. C(j~i.()::"~~:~).G 0 nests 0 0 In1'estigation of the ot.h er- t -eJO nests shot-led the SCi.l112 r esul. ts so fer 28 f::)oG habits are coricr.r-ned, no siens of coyote pr edatd on wer e found al.t.hough sever-al. of these animals i-Jere observed in ant.eLope areas during .t h e summer0 �-2Ana!¥.sis and Conclus.~o~ It is believed that the f awn loss to predators was negligib-:Le this year in district #20 A noticeable increase in thA number of rabbits and small rodents was appar ent., and these buffer species no doubt contributed to the light fawn losso On the CoJ..orado antelope refuge and vicinity, the remains of t ,va newbar,'! fawns wer-e found, but no clue to the identity of the killer could be found" Eagles·are the most likely predator, rarely seen in the area since federal control e- considering that coyotes trappers have attempted are their Golden eag.Le s are commonly oLserved in the vicinity, and wh.i.Le t.he Lr most frequent feeding is uCld0ubtedly on rodents, evidence has been obtained t.h at, they relish antelope meat , The t.hr-ee-year old buck antelope in the photos be.Low was found on a pasture of the i!Farrer: Livestock Comj ny on 10::1e Tree Creek, southeast of Car-r, CcLor-ado s on the rnorning of June :), 1950" Death had pr cbab'Iy come during the PI' evi cus Lat.e af't.er-ncon or night for' there wer e f8K insects about, the car-case , b:::"oating vies negligible, and the mcc.t h2.:.l a fresh appear-ance , The ca l"'C:C.:S s:_~;.,::;.c1_to be t.ur-ned over .i.n order to 8JCpCS e 't'D und in right 8i08,:1 8;3 can c;;; noticed in photos from bloody spot on gr'ound, The lei~t ai-de "l·".fC'.S Lnt act., indica.tirlg that t.h s arrimal, had suf f'er-ed t.h'i.s 'l;jD:~~nd \.J~nile Bli"~"'e 8D.d er-ect., N2rks unmizt.ek2bly made by tal oris lIJere numer-ous on shoul cer s and back The :dght ha111 and loin wer-e eaten a,,;ray and bore 2.nnunera':Jle beak mc:::-ksjl i:.--!_d.~_c;9.t.ing t.hat an ea.gle must have per-ched or. t he back. 0:' t.he r unrri ':e c;:n:t.eJ.ope for 2. feast of the choicest meat 0 0 (1i"··'~·~l.. J: V'w,· ',.,; ·~A._;.· ••• 1 ...,~-:;, '\ II 0 coo 0 0 0 Tho _...... 1''''r, "01 ~" -_ 0 .c ..._ E'aO" '0...... e ...l1-.; mor-e \..T }.r;-..;'.;.. ~;~" c.. hunter .....t:.4J. .•. ,' • v.;... 0 11".·. 1-,.<·-;:=; .sRl dom _ _~ __ _ _~.•• _ .., tesn known to touch dead <J.nimalSoooooThe food of th.8 Golden Eagle corisa st.s of f'avns , rabbits, itJOodchucksj r.'l'aiT':l.e dogs, and gr cund sqt;iT'Y'els among marar;8ls. oo ••• !1 = Pearson (ed ) B:Lr'ds of P,meT}c.'3:1 Vo~_ II Pi::>8:.:'~d4. 0 0 Jeb 7 ~ _~.~_-~._~-="·_=--... Sex-Rat.Lo Sur-vev _~_ "",a'-_"""" Objectivesg To get a statewide sex-rHtio count of the major antelope her-ds , especially in t hose areas to be opened to hunting this year By checking the kill figures against the sex-r-at Lo valuable Lnf'ormat i cn i.s obtained for use in setting future seasonso Also, by noting t.he number of fawns as compar-ed to the total number' of antelope seen, an indic at.ion is given as to the percent of increase of the herd for the year , 0 �Figure 1 Figure 2 Above two photos show a 3 year old buck found on a pasture of the Warren Livestock Company. �-3Time g The sex-r-at.Lo counts ",'ere all made by plane dur i.ng t he period August 22-2Sth Lnc Lus ive , 'I'ot.e.L flying time was 12 hours and 50 minutes. personnel: ~l 81..JYV e;)T PHot:K. Ground Sur vey r Gor-don Douglas. B. Nilyard; Observer; C.E. Till; Techniques Used: S8me eS pc evious YC:2rs--that is, the areas were flown in a grid pattern ';-;:1. th the Li.ne s about. one mi.Le apart. From previous experience it was found that better results were obtained 1::henthe line of .flight Nf::S C:.tright ang.l.es to the sun, and this technique was c:TI:!loyec. this yc ar , An aer i.a'L antelope census made of the intell''st.at e herds of California, Idaho" r~ev8da, and Oregon used a technique very similar to our s , An al. ti tude of 100 to 3') 0 feet lifB s f'Lovm on flat terrain, DuI slightly higher in some areas of South Park wher-e the count.ry is more rUE;ged. The speed vras usually from 80 to 100 miles .c·cr hour ~end "ill flii.:';hts trer e made ear-Ly in the morning. When srrt.e'Lope 1;-;ere spot.t.ed , Pilot Milyard\,~ould put the p'l arc directly over:~cGc('=: c nd bs.nk over so t.ha t a cLose v i eu could be obt.ad.ned , All animals wer-e c Las.ai.f'Led 2.S bucks, does, and f'awns, and no attempt was made to separate ;yearlings from ma t.ur e animals. Because weat.n er and ground con('-itions play an important part in the number- of animals seen, these are Ld s t ed f'or- each ares. TABLENO. "'·ERIAL SEX-RATIO Bucks Does I COUNT - COLOEADO ANTELOPE WGLJS~22,_19$0. :R.Elt'UGE FaTti1S --- Total 123 327 B'J.ck/Dce ratio: Ibe/·Fc~·Jn rB.tio: 132.3 l:O.ec, Flying Time: 2 hours 55 minutes -.';e,1~her: Clear, cloud;y':;c=rt of time, moderate Greund: Dry, 01essland. Terra.in: Low rolling hills and flatlands. ,-rind from east •• �-llT P.ELE NO.. II AEHIAL SEX-P..ATIO COUl'IT AUGUST 23, 19500 j\NTELOPE SOUTH PARK OBSERVED Bucks Does Fawns Total it? 92 77 216 Sex rat:Los: Buck/Doe ratio: Doe/Farm ratio g 1:2 1:o.8L - 16% of Total ~ - - -are - -Fawns - - ,;;.., -- Flying Time: 3 hours 10 minutes itJeather:. Clear "1.ostly , cloudy part of t Lme , Ground g Dry, gr as al.and s -ncat.Iy , spotted w-i th aspen and conifers on .higher ridges and north sl.ope So ~g 'iTc~ryingfrom flatlands to high rid.ges and hills •• (Tabl es c cntd nu ed - f ol.Lowmg page) �T I\BLE NO. III AER.H.L SEX-P...~TIO cornr - DICKINSON REFUGE "-'AUGUS-i 24, 1950. ANTB1~OPE OBSERVED Bucks Does Fa"ms Total 121 199 215 535 Sex r2.tios: Buck/Doe retia: Doa/Fawn ratio: 41% of Total 1 :1.64 1:1.1 are Fawns Flying time: 3 hours h5 m.i.nut.es 1t1ecther: CI«ar , sunny, cloudy for Ground: DrJ, grasslands Terrain: F'I at.Lands and 101·; relling El hor-t fB 0 (Tables hills. c.orrci.nued ~ fol1mdng ~'2ge) riods 0 �Tt\BLE NO. IV AEHIrlL SEX-RATIO COUl'n - CHICO BASIN AUGUST 25, 19500 ANTELOPE OBSERVED --------- Bucks 1 .~",? ~L !':.{ Does Fawns - Total 136 118 381 Buck/Doe ratio: Doe/Fawn r2tiog 1:101 1:0.87 31% of Total are Fawns 3 hour s F~ying ti'tHo; g. \']e&ther~ Clear, sunny, cloudy par-t of time. GrcuncJg Dry ~ rr.ostly s ag ebr-ush with SOIne gr2ss1ancio 7 err-;;: i3~1g 'Fle.t.la.D.cls and Low r oLl.Lng hi.L'l s , ----~ �-7TABLE NO. V TOT1~L FOR ST.t\TE Area Bucks Does Fawns Total 62 1L~2 123 327 Par-k 47 92 77 216 Dickinson Refuge 121 199 215 535 Chico Basi!l 127 136 118 381 Totals 357 569 533 1459 Co.lcrado South Antelope Sex r.at.Lo s ~ Refuge Buck/Doe ratio: Doe/Favm ra.tio: 37% of Total are Fawns (Tabl es continued - f'o'Ll o-d.ng page) 1:106 1: .94 �STATE.__ --~CO~LO;.:;.::.;;.aAD~O----- PROJECT NO.,__ October, 1950 DATE QUARTERLY PROGRESS SURVEYS AND ---=41:::;:;...-~R----- REPOHT INVESTIGATIONS As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Surveys and Investigations 20 Project Leaders: George W. Jones and Claude E. White, Jr. 30 Report of Progress: Title of Job: Lambing Survey Pike's Peak TABLE NO. I Trend Area Rams - Ewes LambS 7 Cow Mountain Sheep M.ountain Bison Reservoir 45 Yearlings 7 2 23 Putney Gulch Beaver Creek (Upper) 9 3 Crags Beaver Creek (Lower) Total 45 79 Grand Total -----liter the second year of trend counts, the Cow Mountain, Putney Gulch and Crags trend areas will be eliminated as trend areas until evidence is found to indicate the presence of sheep in these areas. �-2The results of this year's trend counts compared with those of last year show a lamb crop of 50% as compared with 47.8% and a ram-ewe ratio of 1~lo73 as compared to 1:20090 This year's figures are more nearly comparable to those of Tarryall than the figures resulting from last year's trends. However, there are still fewer r~~ and lambs proportionately than in the Tarryall although improvement is shown. Range conditions in the Pike's Peak area are similar to those which exist elsewhere in the state on sheep ranges. The spring and summer has been extremely dryj with a resultant lack of growth in grasses and shrubs and an early burning of the vegetation in the timberline areas. Little if any effect has been produced upon the distrioution of the Pike's Peak herd. As was the case last year no carcasses of winter-killed sheep were observed during the trend count~o From droppings and tracks observed coyotes seem to be more numerous in the Bison reservoir area than last year. Coyotes were observed twice in pairs chaSing rabbits. The re~distribution of sheep in the vicinj~ of Bison Reservoir has been accomplished by thp addition of the 250 pound salt station above the reservoir Checks made thre months from the date of the establishment of the salt stationo revealed that two of the five blocks placed are one-half gone , The new station vtee placed in an area easily accessiole to the rams on Sheep Mountain as well as the ewes and lambs in the area. As the original salt station at Bison I-teservoir is receiving no use the new station is serving nearly all of the 200 or more sheep on Pikeus Peako The general condition of this herd is excellent. Of all the sheep observed» only one" a very old ram, exhibited symptoms of physical degeneration. The distribution of the Pike is Peak herd remains the same as during the 1949 trend counts All of the rams observed were on Sheep Mountain and ~~e ewes and lambs were scattered from Bison Reservoir to upper Beaver Creek along the ridge which separates Fourmile C eek from Horsethief Park. 0 (Please see }~gure 1) Georgetown A summer survey of the Georgetown area failed to reveal to an accurate degree the summer distribution of the GeorgE'town herd , All timbero line areas from the head of Baird Creek east to Georg town were covered on foot. No sheep were observed and no sign was seen to indicate the presence of sheep in the timberline areas Eight sheep" three rams" three ewes and two y~arlings were observed at a summer bedground immediately above Silverplume Sl~ce.no sheep were observed on the lower winter ranges it is Possible thato the maJorlty of the herd were ranging below timberline. This seems to be borne out by surveys 1'I'OOlpreceding summers "hen 40 to 50 sheep were observed at dii'1'erent tlmes on the wlnter ran es from Georgetown to Silverplume 0 o �Figure 1 A group of twent,y rams on the north end of Sheep Mountain, Pike's Peak. �Figure 2 Shows the shrub cominence Bighorn Sheep Range. on the Gore winter Figure 3 The inside of a rodent-proof lished on the Gore in 19h9. exclosure estab- �-3OuraJ: The study of the Ouray sheep herd and its environment, which began in January, was continued this surrunerwith distribution and range checks above timberline. The fact3 derived from the summer investigations are not in the nature of oonclusions but merely add to the picture as a Yllole of the conditions under the Ouray herd is existing. The area covered includes the timberline country from Handie's Peak ncrth to Courthouse Peako No bighorn sheep were observed during the investigations, and interviews with the domestic sheep herders of Messrso Thaxton, Brown and Fitzpatric of Montrose revealed that they had not seen any bighorns ~n several years. Local residents tell of seeing bighorn sheep in the cliffs of the Ouray amphitheater and between there and Courthouse Peak in the summer. 50 it is probable that the sheep are not summering in the vicinity of Engineer Mountain which lies south of the amphitheatero Engineer Mountain which lies at the head of Henson Creek and Bear Creek and Handie's Peak and Red Cloud Mountain, are all sustaining heavy use by domestic sheep. The vegetation is sustaining severe or destructive use in all areas where the domestic sheep range. Erosion, both sheet and gully, is exhibited in an active degree. Many slopes have been contoured to the destrucof plants and has caused active erosion. Erosion in this area is very rapid once the heavy mat of alpine cover is broken. Search is now underway in Ouray for pictures taken before the grazing of sheep was begun in that areao These piCtures will be used to compare with conditions which exist today. Title of Jobg Food Habits There are certain areas in the state where utilization of the grass and forb cover by sheep may be measured without interference by utilization of deer, elk, or domestic stock. Two of these areas, the Gore and Rock Greek in the Kenosho Mountains are now under study~ During the quarter samples of all grasses in these two areas were taken according to AAA stanuards for use in the development of height volume charts. These charts will be used to calculate the utilization by bighorn sheep on restricted winter ranges in the above mentioned areas. Because utilization on Rock Creek is nil, the browse cover is restricted to scrubby cinquifoil (Potentilla sppo), and scattered currant bushes (Ribes spp.) on the south slopeso The shrub cover on the Gore is roughly three layers (see Figure 2), and consists of big sage (Artemesia tridentata), service-berry (Amelanchier sPPo), bitterbrush (Purshia SPPD), and spiraea (Spiraea SPPO)D (Please see Figure 2) The shrubs on the Gore receive heavy use from deer in the summer and early fall rendering it impossible to measure the shrub utilization by Bighorn sheepD An exclosure (see Figure 3) is rodent-proof and was established on the Gore in 5eptemb~r' 19490 The first significant change within the exclosure is the percent of debrls between the plants. and naturally no density change is expected for some timeD (Please see Figure 3) �-4Submitted by: Names Approved by: George W. Jones Claude Ee ~ite, Wildlife Jro COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Technicians Title __ ~C~e~N~.~~~e~a~s~t~J_D~l~·re~c~t~o~r _ Date Note: Oc~t~o_b~er __l~5~J~1~9~50~ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Departmento _ �STATE.__ PROJECT ...;;C~O.::.LORAD:;;;;:;:::;..;O:::..._ 59-D-2' ----~~----------- DATEJuly - October, 1950 , QULRTERLY PROGRESS REPOR~ DEVELOP14EN'D: As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILD LIFE RESTORATION ACT: 1. Title of Project: Wildlife Habitat Improvement 2. Personnel: Glenn K1nghorn,Leader;JohnC. ElliS, Assistant Leader; Nurserymen: Luber.i;deFreese, GordonSeneff, Eugene Gra,.1,Louis Vidakovich, Clifford MOser, Clyde Holtsclaw, Wilbur Garfield, Francis 14etsger, William E. Vernon. 3. Report of Progresst After two plan~ng and growing seasons, definite progress can be reported in establishing game-cover plots on the dry plains of Eastern Colorado. Over half the 204 plantings made in 1950: and at least two-thirds of the 39 plots started in 1949 can be classed as satisfactory~that is, providing adequate cover ~or gamebirds, and animals. Manyplantings, however-lmust be replanted to provide more complete windbreaks for the landowners. ' AlL in all, the 195n season has been comparatively satisfactory in spite of delays in securin,g equipment, shortageso.fproper.sizes and kinds of planting stock, misunderstandings and neglect of plant- . ings: on the part of farmers and rancnera, drouth in some sections and grasshoppers quite general over the planted areas. Leasing and Design Little difficulty was experienced by the regional biologists in securing leases for plantings on 193: farms. The tena ti ve goal was reached before all of the interested fanners had been contacted, especially ~ Northeastern Colorado. �MOredifficulty was encountered b,y the nurserymen in finding the farmers at homeso that their wishes could be considered in designing the plantings. Equipment Most of the new equipment was received on schedule. Lateness of delivery on the tilt-top trailers~ however~prevented use of four planting machines until Kay 2. Late delivery 01 the ,special ntree=dQdger1t1 cultivators resulted in no cultivatioQ, by project personnel until after weeds.had becomequite large and difficult to handle. Probably the most interesting and labor-saving development in new equap-. ment" except for the tree-dodger" was the two-planter hitches behind the. crawler. tractors. By using two large hydraulic rams which are part of regular bulldo.zer-equipment»the parallel hitches enabled raising or Towering two planting machines at once" including the men and planting stock on themo Original. plans provided for 6, 8, and la-foot spacings petween rows when planted with these twin planters but irrigularities in most fields forced the conclusion that best results; could be obtained with 6' spacing between rows. When only the smaller shrubs are used i~ both rows, such spacing is sufficient~o maintain.proper growth in spite of the limited moisture area available,? 'according to research reports •. Plant.ing Stock Shortages of proper kinds and sizes, principall:y of lower shrubs and evergreens, complicated all plantings this season; It is:believed' one-third or more of the losses can be attr.ibuted to too small seedlings which could not becomeestablished before hot weather set in. As reported in previous repor-ta, 15,,000 evergreen seedlings were accepted for delivery last fall. They kept fairly we][whileheeledcoin through the winter but when removedfran the beds; and placed in the storage room,?even though they were packed in shingle tow.?they began to show color too early 0 The loss of approxin:ia.tely40,.000 evergreens. could have been avoided with refrigerated storageo Additional losses of planting stock were encountered with some shrub and tree species because of the lack of proper storage. It should be noted that the late winter. and sprang of this year ..were.exceptio~ .:warmwhich·-nod9ubt contributed to the early growth and subsequent loss. Cons1derable scleros1s developed in some species, principally the evergreens" chinese elms" and buckthorns. �~An effort was made to get Colorado nurserymen to produce the bulk of planting stock neededbutdhl1 three of them were even remotely interested and only one produced an appreciable number of seedlings. Fortunately Kansas and Nebraska growers had reasonable supplies. of some species in surplus, but evergreens and the shrubs most desired for this t,r.pe of planting were short and are likely to continue on the short side for .a number of years, unless other arrangements are made. Planting Parts of 31 out of 51cl~YS in the field were devoted to planting. crews left headquarters April ~7 and returned June 8. The It should be noted that the extensive amount of travel. required to make plantings in ten counties greatly limited actual. planting tiJne and therefore the amount of planting. On one occasion, after the two twin planters and single plaqter were in the field~ t~e was ~ept on each machine. Out of eleven hours in the field, one. or more planters was actually in operation but 3 hcur-s and 20 minutes during the day. While this was the only time a careful record was kept, there were manyother days consumedentirely with moving equipment. Out of the 193 farms signed up, only 120 were planted with '204 plantings. The other 73 had to be omitted this season beca.use of lack of land preparation, poor preparation of s011.l)lack of proper soil moisture" or plantiilg of other crops when it appeared the planting crews would be late. . The aocompanyingTable (I) summarizes:plantings by counties. A total of 1"012 acres was planted with 361,278 seedlings-an average of 357 trees per acre. During the planting season from .5 to 7 extra menwere needed, mainly to man the planting machines. As the season progressed, it became evident that one more single planter was badly needed to supple.me~tthe second twin planter. Whentwo men quit, no replacements were made. Instead, the crew operated with a single and one twin planter. The insulated van proved. itS worth this season•. -After, making three trips' to N~braska and Kan~sfor ~eedlings,' it bP:t ~b~ ·field crews suppYed from 'headquarters nth siX round trl.PS to Fort Collins. Inabl.ll.ty of the van to be at two or more places at once proved to be a limiting factor in rate of planting. After a pickup was put into service to aid in tree distribution in the field, the rate of planting almost doubled. According to project lease agreements, farmer-cooperators are to culti •.. vate areas between rows except where tbey are 6 or 8 feet apart, which is too �close for the average farm equipment. The Department, in the,same lease, has assumed the responsibility of cultivating in the rows between trees and, where needed" between the narrow rows. Four small Allis Chalmers Model "Gig tractors were secured for thi~ cultivating work but delivery of the special_lttree-dodgernr cultivators was·held up for some reason until the weeds had grown to a height of 12 inches or more. This made it impossible to cultivate more than about one-third of the plantings, and many of them not at all. After considerable adjustment and remodeling, the tree-dodger worked V(~ry well. It eliminates 95% of the customary hand hoeing when properly operated. Details of its construction will be presented Lna special report. Table I = Summar.y 1950 Wildlife Planting$ . County Adams Arapahoe Kit Carson Logan Morgan Phillips S.edgwick Washington Weld Yuma Total 10 Farms Signed Up .Farms Not Planted Units Planted Acres Planted Seedlings. Planted 37 4: 22 10 2 3 72 2 21 348.,.7 2808 122.1. 125,532 10;368 43,956 1 54 9 1 39 16 10 193 1 24 2 0 23 3 5 73 46 8 1 20 27 7 204 18402 32•• 0 8.4 122.0 136 0 3005 1,012.7 0 Average Trees Per Acr. 56,1)312 11,520 9,730 43,920 48.960 ·10,980 36~,,278 356 7 0 Average Acres Per Planting 4.96 % Planned PlantingsPianted 62% The accompanying Table (II) summarizes the cultiva.tionprogram for 19500 Some Poor Cooperationo-=Too high a percentage of this year8s plantings were neglected" both by the Department and by cooperators.,. In numerous ." instances farmers failed to cultivate the areas: between trees even once during the summero In some instances they took fOr 'granted the seedlings were dead when they showed no growth this season. Field eXamination by the leader and �1-- Single-row planters are more maneuverable, especially for short runs (Photo by E. K. Brown). 2--Also for contour plantingB, but they are more difficult to turn and relocate at the ends of rows. (Photo by Cliff Moser) 3--5quawbush (Rhus trilobata) made a remarkable growth in two seasons on the Department's Sand DraW' property north of Holyoke. It promises to be one of the good plants for both cover and "starvation" winter food. (Photo by Kinghorn). 4--Twin planters conserve tractor and manpower but are best adapted to straight-away plantingo (Photo by E. K. Brown). S-The "antelope" truck came in handy for hauling supplies---air compressor, oil and grease, tools, extra tires, welding equipment, wheels, etc. (Photo by Moser). �Top--Five men (four on planters and one tractor operator) planted from 5,000 to 6,000 trees per hour on well-prepa.red land. Note large hydraulic ram (one on either side) used to raise planters by means of parallel hitch. Driver controls rate and depth of planting. Crawler tractors are a "must" in sandy soil. Center and Lower--Tilt-top trailers make possible rapid moving from plot to plot. Hitch raises planters (men and all if necessary) about a foot off the ground. great Ly facilitating Load i ng , (Photos by Cliff Moser) �-<>Shaff~r" Conrad"Weldon.a ,Schul~r" .M ••~." Julesburg (1.949-5and Dr~w) Wedd~1" .P•.9.", Strasburg Yount" M. L,,, Platteville (1949) Zech" Grant" Yuma There are doubtless ,several other farmers on whose places plantirigs were made this year" especially in the Burlington area which" unfortunately" had poor moisture conditions with which to contend, who should be on the above list. Inspections this winter and next spring will determine their eligibility for "the honor list." Spraying Early reports from entomologis~s indicated that freezing weather in the late spring had destroyed most of the grasshoppers in Eastern Colorado. Later reports showed" however, that late hatches were very numerous in some sections" with the result that project personnel had to take emergency measures to attempt to control these pests in newly planted seedlings. Two IOO-ga]lon high-pressure sprayers were purchased and two crews put into the field early in July. Even though spr~ing was too late in same sections" it is felt that m~ plantings were saved from what might have been total destruction. Table III summarizes this work qy counties. Toxaphene was used in this W)rkald~roved fairly effective in nearly all cases. No reports of damage to pueasant.s or other wildlife were received this season but careful watch will be kept in the future, following up the findings of Pittman-Robertson workers in WYoming. Fencing Plantings on 19 farms in three Northeastern Colorado counties were fenced with three-wire barbed wire - a total of Ill! miles in all. While the project agreement with the farmers has provided that the Department will erect reeded fencing" it became apparent that several large crews would be needed 10 ueet all the demands in season. Consequently, at the suggestion of numerous fanners, fencing materialis were distributed by Department crews and t..ba farmers erected the fences around planted areas. This policy will be continued so far as oossible because most farmers are very willing to put up the fences if materials are supplied them. Scarci ty of steel and lack of necessary priorities may limit the amount of fencing which can be done in the future. �-7Table III - Spraying -- 1950 County No. Plantings Est. Acres Gals.Pure Toxaphene Hoppers Adams Arapahoe 9 1 106.5 20.0 28.5 5.0 Heavy Medium Logan 1 1000 2.5 Morgan 3 25.0 7.0 Phillips 5 23.0 5.0 Sedgwick ~ ~7.0 4.5 Weld Washington 15 14 200.0 104.0 18.5 26.0 Yuma 3 19.0 4.5 Totals 52 524.5 102.5 - Sp;ray too late Very little damage done to trees. Medium Caragana hit fairly hard by hoppera Light VerY little damage done to trees. Light Ver.y little damage done to trees. Medium Russian Olive and Caragana hit lightly. Heavy Caragana hit ver.y hard. Medium Most of hoppers concentrated around moist sites. Medium Hoppers not bothering surviving trees. Noteg--Toxaphene used was mix&d according to gov&rnmant formula _ 1 ~ lb. per quart--l qt. dissolved in ,10 gal. water covered about 1 acre. Seed Collecting As the seed of various species ripened during the summer and fall~ efforts were made to collect good supplies, particularly of those kinds which often fail. to produce seed annually. Native plum, sandcherr.r, bu.ffaloberr.y"and Rocky Mountain red.eedaz- produced practically no seed in this region this year. Hence our supplies are lim! ted to)surplus collected last season, Seeds collected so far this season include: 107 lb ••Caragana,arborescens 96 lb. antelope brush (Purshia tridentata) c.s. 823 lb. squawbush (Rhus trilobata) berries 27 lb. Russian olive;-Small seeded 27! lb. Russian olive, large seeded' . 53 lb. special select chokecherr.y (USnl Cheyenne) This yearVs crop of chokecherries is exceptionally good and several hundred pounds of seed will be ga thered as it ripens f> �Other seed available from,last year: includes: 199 lb. native plum 80 lb. honeylocust 18 lb. Engl1.shbuckthorn 14., lb. Siberien buckthorn 40 Ib.4-winged saltbush 10 lb. Ponderosa pine 10, lb. J. scopulorum berries ,., lb. J. scopulorum c.s. 18 lb. J. utahensis 82 lb. pinon pine I, lb. Chinese elm (1950 Washington) 137 lb. Colorado hackberry Small supplies of seed of several other kinds of shrubs and small t::ees were also left over from last year, including two cotoneasters, three Asl.atic buckthorns, etc.; Efforts are being madeto locate supplies of sandcherry, native plum and buffaloberry seed with which to supplement present supplies. Seeds of several rare species, which it is desired to test will be collected later in the fall. in the field, Trips The project leader and Eugene Gray attended the August meeting in the San Luis Valley at which time the possibility of direct seeding of tree and shrub on irrigated land was discussed. Considerable interest was shownand a week's -workin the ,valley, in companywith Biologist Bert 'Baker, "resulted in over 200 acres being signed up for test plantings. This acreage was late~ reduced and is to be planted in October. 'While direct seeding' is not expected to prove desirable on dry lands where the small seedlings cannot be irrigated, this method offers great po~sibili ties of reducing the cost of establishing cover plantings on irrigated lands and greatly increasing the extent of annual plantings. The tree-dodger will be used for both cultivation and thinning, in case thinning is needed. A hUrry-up trip was made by GameManagerHunter and the project leader' in August to inspect deer ranges on 1;.hewestern slope of Colorado. As the re •.• sult of this trip, small lots of. seed of several species of shrubs, plus 300 pounds of yellow-blossom sweet clover will be broadcast on different types of soil in overgrazed areas in an effartto re-establish browse plants. This experimentall work is being carried on with the cooperation of Superintendent Glenn Rogers of Little Hills Experiment;Station •. �-9- Mr. Adrey Borell, Regional Biologist, Soil Conservation Service, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was taken on a tour of several Northeastern Colorado counties in August, to inspect Pittman-Robertson and Soil Con~ervation plantingso Observations were made on several species which ~ll be discussed in a special report on that 'subject. An inspection trip, covering approximately one-third of the 1949 and 1950 plantings was. also made in Au~st with Mr. Carey Bennett, Regional PittmanRobertson Supervisor for the Fish and Wildlife Service, from Albuquerque. Mr. Bennett's official report of that trip contained the following evaluation of the S2 plantings selected at random: "Of the S2 plantings visited, I would classify them as followst 6, or IS, or 11, or 14, or 6, or ll~% Excellent 29% Good 21% Fair 27% Poor ll% Worthless This was done on a basis of approximately 40% survival as fairo Actually if 40% of the tl18es planted survive there will be adequate: cover for pheasants. "Of the '49 plantings selected for inspection all had adequate or better survival and .all showed adequate or better cultivation. "'Ofthe 'SO plantings inspected S7% had adequate or'better su.rvival and 70% showed adequate or better cultivation at time of inspection. "Of the two-fifths which could be classed as a failure approximately half can be charged against the farmer-cooperator. My notes contain such items as "plowed out by farmer,1t "used as turn row in cultivating adjoining field," "heavy grazing," "over-cultivated by cooperator, either covering up or cutting off trees," etc. "One of the basic reasons for the low survival percentages is unquestionably the fact that much of the pine and juniper stock was too small to expect survival and much of the plum. stock was too large •..Satisfacto ry survival of these species was apparent for many of the tracts where proper-sized planting stock was used •. ":Altogether, considering the drough, intensity of grasshopper concentrations, late delivery of cultivating equipmynt, inadequate planting stock, etc. it is surprising that the imidence of failure was not more widespread. With improvement or correction of many of these limiting factors it is believed that this project can be a marked success." �-10The last week of August" the leader and assistant leader went to Albuqlerque for a two-day conference with Regional Fish and Wildlife Service officials. On the way down they spent the weekend searching for seed.of-'several species; growing in the higher a1. titudes of Southern Colorado: and Northern New Mexico. While at Albuquerque, the Soil Conservation Service regional nursery was visited and some valuable tips secured from Glenn Niner, nurseryman, on methods of cleaning and handling various kinds of seed. Grass plots were visited and stUdied, with the idea of selecting something that may be planted between tree and shrub, rows for snow traps and soil.protect~on, thus eliminating annual plantings when sorghum" safflower and other annuals are usedo After leaving Ubuquerque, the U. S. Bureau of Plant Industry Experiment Station at Tucumcari, New Mexico, was Visited. Numerous species not adapted; to Colorado were observed, but of special interest were several species now growing there which can be brown in Eastern Coloradoo They included sand •. cherry, dwarf oaks, squawbush, saltbush, lilac spp., etc. Several coveys of quail were observed, using these plants for both food and cover. Since one purpose of this trip was to locate a potential sandcherry.-seed supply near Springfield, Colorado,'in th~ eXtreme southeastern corner of the State, it wa;s decided to take the shorter way from TucumCari, up through Dalhart, Texas, to Springfield, rather than to return by way of Raton and Trinidad. With the assistance of Mr. Tom Young, project conservatioriist for the Soil Conservation Service at Springfield, a plot of apprOximately 20 acres of sandcherry planted 6 x 8 feet apart 1.5 years ago, was located south and west of Springfield. While no seed was produced there this year, this plot is a potential source of seed for the future. It is also a wonderful demonstration of what sandcherry can and wi11do in the more sanqy and dry areas of Eastern Colorado. These plantS: have gone through four years' of the past lL5 with II"' or less of.moisture. Considering the fact that they were planted in a sand dune .. to begin with, and that they have withstood both drouth and terrific wind erosion, they have served~their purpose extremely well. The last day of the trip was spent at a meeting of biologists and nursery-. men at Co1orado Springs to discuss past and future planting programs in Colorado. The leader attended the annual Soil Conservation Field Day held at Plumfield Nurseries, Fremont¥ Nebraska, on September 14. He was taken.on a two-hour tour of the seedling plots at the nursery where approximately ten million seedlings of different kinds were growing. Tenative reservations for several kinds of' planting were made for the next year's' planting program in Colorado. Like the situation in Colorado, weather conditions, poor and limited seed supplies had seriously limited the quantities of suitable sizes of many species being grown. �Supervisor Young looks over the worst t~low spottt in the l3-year-old planting of sandcherries south and west of Springfield, in the old Dust Bowl area. Notice how the plants, originally 6' by 8', have spread to make an almost solid cover. They have been cultivated yet have grown and produced many tons of food for both game and man, in an area which often has as lmv as 10 in. of ar~ual rainfall. Even though the soil (sand) has been blown away from their roots to a depth of two feet, sandcherries continue to grow. Tom Young of the Springfield SCS office holds the plant while John Ellis, assistant leader of the project, measures the roots. �The Department will. furnish the seed, labor and small items of material needed for this work under the agreement. Rose Crosses.--In suite of rather late start this season, several hundred rose crosses were made. ~The seeds vdll be gathered as soon as they are ripe. So much interest has been shown throughout the country in the use of Rosa multiflora for hedges, often to replace fences, that it is felt some substitution should be secured or developed for multiflora rose in the higher plains region, where it has not proved very satisfactory. Species, of roses used in the hybridization VDrk include: ~ glauca, ~. la.xa" R. rubrifolia, the Ross climber, Austrian copper and ~ multiflora. Over 100 species of roses were planted at the Cheyenne station in 19370 . ~le five plants of multiflora were planted along with five plants of other species, only one plant of multiflora was surviving during the summer of 1950, and it produced only one flower. The pollen from that one fJl.owerwas used for quite a few crosses with the other species. It is the aim of the nurserymen in this project to develop a hardy, stiffstenuned, thorny, rapid-growing, drought-resistC\.nt,and non-suckeri~g rose plant. It may take several years to get the ideal, but it is felt that this work:shou.1d be of value, not on]y to the pl,ains of eastern Colorado, but a.Lso to all of the higher Great Plains region where such a plant is needed for wildlife planting, as well as wind protection, snow traps, and control of soil erosion. . Species of ~-growing Elants, including selections within the species already made by Dr. Hildreth and Dr. fowers, are being observed and seed saved for production of planting stock for tests in various sections of the State. At the suggestion of Dr. Hildreth, specimens of foliage and flowers of several species were sent to the U. S. Bureau of Plant Industry laboratory at Beltsville, Maryland, for true and complete identification. There is so much variation in some species that it was deemed advisable to have accurate identification before proceeding too far with selections and other work. Suffice to say, nothing marvelous has been found to date, though there are several comparatively little-known shrubs which offer considerable promise for both food and cover under the rigid growing conditions of the Great Plains. 1951 Program It has been demonstrated a number of times that survival records cannot be accurate until after the beginning of the second growing season. Tenative evaluations, however, of the past two seasons' plantings indicate that a more concerted effort should be made in fewer counties in the future. As a result of this decision, 195A plantings will be limited to northeastern Colorado, and more time spent on plantings already made to bring them up to par. �Rosa multiflora made a 42-inch spread~ng gro;aithin one season under irrigation (twice). Only a slight amount of chlorosis was evident this first season. ~ ~ showed 36" of well-branched growth the first The Himalya berry produced several canes up to 66.in. long in one season. It may be a good soil binder for banks and the berries may be attractive to wildlife. season under two irrigati.ons~ with no foliage d.iscoloration. �-13Both seasons, planting crews were late in arrlVlng in the northeastern part of the State~ so 1951 planting will be started in that section and all plots signed up to date 1vill be completed before any new contracts are accepted. A more careful system of screening or sifting cooperators will be developed so that better assurance of good care on the part of the farmers and ranchers may be had. Good land preparation will be required, or no plantings will be made. Summer fallow is naturally preferred to assure reasonable moisture supply. If sprL~g preparation must be made, the land must be well worke~ with no large sod chunks or stubble left to clog the planters. Sanqy soil need not be plowed because the planting machines will penetrate it quite well" but the harder soils must be plowed 10 to 12 inches deep to allow the furrow opener sufficient depth for planting. Soil-moisture conditions at planting time must continue to control all plantings. Several plots were planted the past spring where moisture conditions were doubtful, and the results were disappointing in nearly all instances--both the seedlings and labor were lost. Species of plants found most adaptable to date will be used so far as obtainable, and only in sizes demonstrated to be desirable--3/32 inch caliper or larger for shrubs, and 3/16 inch caliper or larger for trees. Effort will be made to plant 10w shrubs of evergreens on the outside of all plantings, and use as few tall trees as possible in the inside rows. Existing shelterbelts in the Great Plains indicate that the trees; of medium height provide equally as good windbreaks as taller trees, require less moisture to survive during drought periods; and make more dense'growth on less moisture. The lower shrubs also provide better food and cover for game birds; and anilnals. This part of the program may require a few years of rather intensive educational YTOrk among farmers and ranchers, but it is felt that they willi be much better pleased with this type of planting after it has developed a few years and demonstrated its ability to survive and show good production, with much less care and moisture. It is also a known fact that it will serve much better the needs of game. With cultivation equipment on hand, this p3.rt of the work can start just as soon after planting as necessar,r--before the weeds have a chance to become es t.ab.ld sh ed., Spraying for grasshoppers or other insects can also be started as soon as the field nurseryman reports the need. �-14As each planting is completed, the farmer will be given a complete list of plantings made in his place, with species, numbers, etc., and also a statement of suggestions for their care. Cultivating crews and the field nurseryman will report any evidence of neglect to the project office so that the farmer1s attention m~ be called to such neglect; either by mail or by personal contact. The field nurseryman will make regular inspections of all plantings, discuss care with the cooperators when necessary, and make careful observations of species, variations under different soil conditions and survival rates which may affect future planting designs. Miscellaneous Three inspection trips were made of the Bonny Dam area in Yuma county, in company with representatives from the Bureau of Reclamation and Fish and Wildlife Service, to decide on suitable plantings for projects to be made on that area. The Bureau of Rcclamation Agronomist and other officials reported to Department personnei in September on tentative plans for the development. Since the project has only temporary headquarters and no permanent storage space, the old powerhouse at Fleming, Colorado, was rented June 1 as a warehouse for storing project fencing and other materials. ~NO 16-foot gates were constructed of heavy pipe and wire at the project shop, for use in erecting temporar,y fenced areas for outdoor storage. Crew personnel assisted County Surveyor Youngquist, of Logan County, in surveying the Sand Draw property in Sedgwick Coun~ preparator,y to fencing •• o. One set of county maps and three sets of duplicates were prepared for use of fencing, cultivating and operating crews ••••A start was made on steel signs to be erected on the planting sites ••••A new seed cleaner, manufactured and patented by the Dybvig Nursery in South Dakota, was purchased. It proved its worth the first day it was used, saving at least three~fourths of the time previously required to clean seeds ••••Three combination corn, pea and peanut drills were purchased and the plates: modified for planting tree seeds in experimental tests to be made this fall in the San Luis ValJe y ••••A p'lant, identification herbarium was started for the use of project personnel, and ultimately to help explain species and t,ypesof plants to cooperators ••••Several pieces of metal-working equipment were purchased or made in spare time at the shop, which will help speed up winter work, such as construction and modification of planting machines, lengthening the tilt-top trailers, shortening the combination hitches, constructing posts and swivels for metal signs, etc. �-15Acknowledgment.--The project leader wishes to acknowledge with thanks the excellent cooperation of all the members of the crew.-which has made this year's work pleasant and fairly successful. With few exceptions, assi~~ents have been carried out as requested. It is this kind ef loyalty to the job, even at,sacrifice of personal time and wi.shes, that wi.llmake the prQJject successful in the future ••a tribute to the nurserymen and a great accomplishement for the sportsman of Colorado. Submitted by: Name Glenn Kinghorn Approved by: _ Title Project Leader Nurseryman 4, with the assistance of the ehtire personnel wOrking on Project. COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Note: ~.~ Title ~C~._N~o~F~e~a~s~t~,L·~D~i=r~e~c~t~o~ _ Date:.~ -=No~v~e=m~b~e=r~'2~4~,~1~9~50~·. _ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission.from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-16STATE PROJECT DATE SPECIAL COLORADO 59-D-2 October, 1950 REPORT "Tree-Dodgerltl Cultivator' By: Glenn Kinghorn The excessive cost of hand hoeing the 1949 plantings led to an attempt at designing a quick-acting cultivator Which would straddle the rows of trees and shrub5, and which would not be too expensive to construct. Since no such equipment was available on the market, the whole project had to start from scratch. Tractive Power.--The first problem was to select a tractor Which would provide clear vision of the rows to;be cuLtivat eds The model G Allis-chalmers:', seemed to be the best suited for this purpose. Dual tires and wheels were tried on the first tractor and th~seemed to have plenty of tractive power, even in the most sandy soil.. Subsequent purchases were also equipped 'Wi. th duals. First Model.--Something with sliding action was first constructed for installation on the two BO-inch tool bars which are standard equipment on the G tractor. U.S.D.A. agricultural engineers L. Jenneke and R. D. Barmington made the first plans, although they had to be modified a little in the actual.work on the model. A nine-inch-stroke hydraulic ram was used, but the continuous opening-and-closing action resulted in excessive wear. As a result, it was decided to find some method of reducing moving parts to a minimum. Second Model.--The specific design for the Rotary-action model was suggested by Mr. Ralph Hurt, employed in the machine, shop operated by Paul Scheidmiller, who made the first working drawings for this model. Mr. Al Myer also gave considerable assistance in designing the attachments needed for transmitting the power from the power-take-off shaft at the rear of the tractor to the hydraulic pump directly to the right of the opera.tor. Power-pak hydraulic pumps producing 4•. 6 gallon of 1000 psi. pressure per minute were installed to operate the cultivator. The rams on this model are 5-inch double-acting Electrol cylinders with chromium -plated piston rods, conventionalO ring packings and honed stainless steel, double-acting cylinders •. These rams, while costing a little more then the original one, gave perfect satisfaction for nearly 30 days, and seemed to be unharmed by the hard use. �Top--"Tree Dodger" knives may be spaced from 8" to 20" apart when open and ccntinue to cut the weeds on either side of t.hc tree while pa ss i.ng around it. Center--When closed and set S" apart, the knives cover a strip 39 in. wide---almost 20" on either side of the row. Note angle of blades is sufficient to let weeds and trash slide through. Upper surfaces of knives are hard surfaced, mald ng them uImos't self'-sharpenirJG as t.hey wear. Lower-Close-up view of hydraulic pump, ram and rotary arms. Note pump at upper r i.grrt , connected to double-action ram "lith hoses. ham is open in this view. Control lever with rubber ~ouct is shown at extreme right-top. �-17The operating principle of this model is very simple. Two a-inch collars with bearings at either end are mourited-:verticci.'Jjjy'on 'the t90I'bar.s)·llr or more Lnchess apart. "'A. shaf.tof lii .dnch steel. extends; verti'cal.lYdosn through them- to the cultivator blades which are made similar' to ordinary duck-foot blades" of stalkcutter steel, at an angle of approximately 75 degrees, so that they will clear easily •. At the top end of these verticaL shafts, a 5-inch piece of l-inch Shelby 1ubling is welded horizontally,and.serves as a bearing for the hydraulic shafts operated by the hydraulic ram in the center. The 5-inch stroke of this ram provides, approximately a 60-degree turn of the cultivator blades! baLow, Thus, with the blades open, as shown in the illustration, trees may be Itdodged1tand the blades closed immediately afterwards for a clean sweep of weeds up to the next seedling. Operation of this implement'1s simple--the shifting either right or left of a start lever controls the hydraulic pressure through the two-way valve attached to the pump. A few hours of experience has enabled four out of five men to do ver.y good work with this cultivator. It is a tedious job, but with three men on a crew" the third man can alternate with the other two" thus giving all some time to rest their' right arms. Just how much of a labor-saving device this may prove to be remains to be seen, but it is estimated that at least 90 per cent of the usual hand-hoeing will be eliminated qy its use. The question has arisen as to~how~::angetrees and shrubs can be handled with this device. If cultivation seems necessary after the seedlings become three to four feet high, the same principle, only with a one-blade cultivator at the extreme edge of the tool bars can be constructed, thus avoiding the need of straddling the trees. �-18SPECIAL REPOR.T A Drill for Direct Seeding of Tree and Shrub Seed By John C. Ellis, Clyde Holtsclaw and Glenn Kinghorn When far more applications for wildlife plantings were received than it would be possible to make with present equipment, many of them 300 to 500 miles apart, the idea of direct seeding was tossed in for discussion. If it would work it would save years in getting shelterbelts established in same of the more remote places ~ere it might be impossible to do transplanting for some time. If commercial nurserymen grow from seed, why can't wildlife nurserymen'? The SCS had tried direct planting years ago, but all planting had to be done by hand-laborious, slow and costly. "Just because it hasnlt been done is no sign it Qan1t be done"---was the motto adopted----then the pros and cons added up: A drill" powered by a tractor would eliminate hand labor. A drill equipped to plant two kinds of seed in the same row would double the chance of getting something started. If both kinds germinated it would give that much more desirable planting. Plantings would have to be made on irrigated land or on land otherwise provided with ample moisture to bring the tiny seedlings through the first year I s growth and get themestablished. On such land the rows could be closer together. If seedlings should be too thick in rows they could be thinned with the "tree dodger" while cultivating. Actual planting would have to be done in the fall if it were not to conflict with the transplanting program in the sprdng; . Many kinds of seeds are customarily planted in the fall in commercial nurseries, thus stratifying the seeds right where they are to germinate, (Many seeds must go through an . after-ripening period of from 30 to as much as 300 days, at low temperatures and under fairly moist conditions, before they will germinate. That is what is known as stratification.) Which seeds could be used under such a plan? How should they be planted? Will farmers want plantings made on their expensive: irrigated land? �Top--One of the A-C Model ttGIt tractors with ccmbination corn and pea pla.nter mounted on the sh,rt too I bars, in raised position. Note the dual wheels and tires which add so much to the traction of these little machines, a necessity in sand. Lower--An original plate at t.r e left and modi f'Led plate (No.I) at right. Note tha.t circular slots are all braved shut on the modified plate to keep small seed from worki~~ through to the ground. (Photos by Kinghorn) �-19One Area Enthusiastic.--At about the time such ideas were being "mulled over," the Culebra Range Chapter of the Isaac Walton League in the lower San Luis Valley asked the project leader to discuss wildlife planting in that -region, in the extreme south central part of Colorado. . Since previous commitments for plantings in the northeastern and other sections of the State would preclude getting into the San Luis Valley for two or three years, the idea of direct seeding was suggested and accepted Qy farmers, with a total preliminary sign-up of nearly 300 aC,res---all in strips from 25 to 75 feet wide and fran one-fourth to a mile long, many of them along ditches and other waste areas, but all where they would have ample moisture •. This is a comparatively new area as regards cultivated' farming. Many of the lands were in sagebrush only a few years ago. The soil is light in most places, hence subject to considerable blowing at times so that windbreaks are needed. Further, the sportsmen down there and the regional biologist maintain that lack of food and cover are limiting factors in establishing a good pheasant population. Thus the stage was set for the nurser,y.mento try what might prove to be a very much more econonncaf, method of getting wildlife plantings established than by the customary method of transplanting seedlings which have to be grown in nurseries, handled and rehandled---all quite costly operations. Selection of Drill.-- Several types of drills were investigated. Planet Junior ,drills, on hand, would not space accurately enough and at great enough distances. Spacing of 5 to 10 inches was the aim for the first tests, hence something along the line of a corn drill was needed, but alL on the market had too large holes for the smaller seeds. Since the project already had four Allis-Chalmers Model "Oft tractors, which have dual wheels for traction in sand, and the motors behind the seat, thus giving clear vision ahead" a search was made of drills which might be adapted to this type of tractor. An A-C combination corn and peanut planter was borrowed from the Johnson Equipment Company" Fort Collins, the plates: modified and tests run with several kinds of seed. After considerable adjusting and changing, plates were made to handle all seeds'which it was planned to use. Regular plates come adapted for corn, pea, bean, peanut, feterita and other agricultural seeqs---all larger than most tree and shrub seeds. For instance, the average diameter of scopulorum seed is 4.5 mm, squawbush 4 mm, ponderosa pine 6 mm, as compared with two or three times that for the farm seeds for which these planters were built. �-20Alterations.--Three corn-and-pea plates were modified to planttwQ kinds of seed at the same time. The peanut plate, with half the slots filled in, will be used for planting clean plum pits only. One plate was made to drill squawbush andllscoptl or ponderosa seed, one for chokecherry and carangana (arborescens), and one for Russian olive and hackberry. Seed plates No. 312030, 4-cell, were used. Both inside holes and outside slots were brazed closed" re-drilled and filed to correct sizes determined by "cut and try.n (See table.) Drill-Plate Adaptations for Combination Planting Plate No. Kind of Seed, Squawbush (a, trilobata) b. I Redcedar (J. scopulorum) cs. W. Yellow Pine (P. ponderosa) Inside Hopper Size of Hole Outside Hopper Size of Slot • • • • •• 9/32 in. :9/32 in. 7/32 in. 1/4 in. Taper • ••• • • • • ••• • • • 1/4 in~ Taper • • • ••• • • • • •• Oorrre.Lof II Chokecherry (P. virginiana) cs. Caragana (arborescens) III Russian olive (E. angustifolia) Hackberry (C. occidentalis) 1/2 in. IV Native plum (P. americana) ••• 0 0 •• •• ••••• peanut plate close half of holes for 12 in. spacing The center holes in the castings were brazed shut to prevent seed from dropping to the base of the hopper from i~ere it would drop through the sprocket holes to the ground. (See photo), If too much difficulty is encountered because of the varying sizes of seed within species, it may be advisable in the future to run all seed through a grader so that uniform-sized seeds can be used in these drills. Larger seeds seem to wedge in the holes and may be cracked by the puncher' or plate., The other extreme would be that only the smaller seeds will' be planted." Roles in plates were drilled to take care of the larger seeds but they may prove too large and thus permit planting too thickly. �-21Spacing distances in the final tests averaged from 7 to 12 inches per seed, which should be ample to get a good stand of either one or the other or both species, with fair germination. To adjust the spacing, different-sized sprockets were used on the main and hopper drive shafts, and then the drill run over canvas to test spacing. The 19-tooth ~procket was finally used on the drive shaft and the l6-tooth on the hopper drive. To guarantee good coverage of the seed so that it will be kept farily moist and at fairly even temperature, the furrowing disks were removed from the front of the ground rig, reversed and attached to the covering frame at angles sufficient to cover the drill rows to a depth of 5 to 7 inches. These ridges will be raked or dragged off in the early spring after the seed is ready to germinate. Results, Later--It may take two or three years to get any definite answers from this project. Seeds may not germinate if moisture and other conditions are not right to stratify them in the ground;---but it seems worth trying. �STATE COLORADO 61-R ------------------ PROJECT NO.. DA.TE QUARTERLY SURVEYS PROGRESS AND October, 1950 REPORT INVESTIGATIONS As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTOHATIONS ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. Project Leader: Fur Resources Studies Richard Denney 3. aeport of Progress: I. General Inventory Job 1 - Inventory of Fur Resources. Objective: To gain information on the distribution, take,arid economics of fur animals by specdes , denSity, trend, Findings ~ Beginning in the spring of 1950, a fur harvest survey was initiated and contdnued.tthrough July by means of postal card questionnaires. Every licensed trapper in the state of Colorado was sent a letter explaining the reason for the survey, to obtain more data on the fur resources of the state, which would eventually benefit the trappers through more biologically sound managementand a postal card questionnaire such as appears in Figure 10 (Please see Figure 1 - Following Page) The return on these questionnaires was greater than expected. A total of 1967 licenses were sold to trappers in Colorado for the 1949-50 season of trapping, to each of whoma questionnaire was submitted.. A total of 620 cards were returned, representing 32% of the licensed brapper-e , Actually, compared to many other state's, the total number of licensed trappers in Colorado is very small. The primary objective of this survey was to compare the data obtained in such a manner, questionnaire, interview, etc', , with that obtained from a s.ystemwhich requires all licensed fur dealers in the state to submit, on Department furnished forms, an inventory of all furs purchased by them, and the amount given for these furs, as well as the trappers I names, addresses, and license numbers. �The br apper" s name Was not requested unless he voluntarily listed it. This was done in this manner- to obtain information from trappers who might otherwise fear a check ..• up by law enforcement officers of the Department or income tax officials~ The data obtained in the questionnaire or interview ~pe of survey necessarily represents only a certain percentage of the total, in this case, 32%0 Many times this informatLm is incomplete; for example, one trapper may give the total arrima.Ls trapped and disregard the income derived from such, whil e another trapper may not give the number but will list the value received. 'I'her-ef'or-e, +be average price per pelt must be determined from only those returns that give both nun ber caught and value of that number. Also, a trappe.r can put down any catch or value that he desires if he wishes to be l.lllpressiveo On the ba...is of a 32% return,? an adjustment factor of the total catch anJ total value for the s tate to calculate 3.125 was required 0 When studying Ta.ble Ijl one must remember that marten and mink seasons were closed for the 1949=>0 fur season, and that beaver are harvested by the state only , Due to these facts and the obvious downward tendency of raw fur pr-Lces , the total calculated value of the harvest for the state is very low and doesnit offer any basis for an ilriication of specific or total populatlons or trends of populations~ Comparatively few species were reported trapped~ and of t.heae, muskrats represented 94083 percent of the animals trapped and 97048 percent of the total value of the fur harves t., TABLENOe 1 Species Heported Pelts Value Average Price per Pelt Adjusted State Total Pelts Value Muskmt. 45.9320 $33»083000 $ 073 141,625 Marten Closed s~ason Mink(Closed) .3 12000 4.00 9 Coyote 84 109020 1030 263 .tlobcat. 69 97,98 1042 216 Skunk 353 250063 .71 1103 Civet 62 22c94 ~37 194 ~(easel 177 145 ll.J .82 553 Raccoon 16.3 140.18 ,,86 509 Badger(Closed) 1 .35 035 3 ningtailed Gat None reported Jackrabbit 506 75090 015 1581 Total 462728 $332937092 1462056 Memo: Comparative tabulation of data obtained from fur dealer trapper quest~nnaires.9 1949-50 fur season, 0 $103,386025 37050 341.• 25 306019 783022 71 69 454,,06 0 438006 1009 237.19 forms and �[THIS SIDE OFCARDIS FORADDRESS) Game and Fish Department Federal Aid Division 1530 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado Trapper Areas 1949-50 FUR SEASON ........................•.•... , Name Address City Trapped Connty _______________ Species . ~Q!!!lli~§ No. Trapped _ . IncOme Muskra t __ $ Mart en Mink Coyo te Bobcat " Skunk, Striped .........•.............................. Skunk, Spotted Wease 1 Rac coon Fox, Red ...................................................•.. Fox, G ray Fox, Ki t Badge r ................•.......................................... Rins'tai 1 Ca t R$)bbi t, Snowshoe Rabbi t, Jack _ Mis·c •.............................................................. Main Co . Sold to : ~ Recommenda t ions for seasons: . . . . . ~. . . . . . . . . . . .......................................................................... Figure 1 An example of the postal card questionnaire sent to egery licensed trapper in Colorado. �To enable the computation of th~ muskrat catch by counties, the areas trapped by county, were requested on the ~estionnaire. Whenever more than one county was reported trapped, the total catch was arbitrarily divided equally among the counties reportedo As can be seen in Table 2, Weld,Montrose, DeI ta, Rio Grande, Montezuma, Conejos, and Mesa counties, in order of decreasing catch, lead by far in muskrat harvesto This does not necessarily represent an accurate picture 9f the major production areas, however, due to the variables and inaccuracies encountered in this type of survey. Such production determination, unless a survey is 100% complete, must be obtained from our trend plots and actual ground observationo • TlU3IE NO 2 G Counties in order of muskrat harvest as reported on returned questionnaires, 1949-50 fur season County Weld Montrose Delta Rio Grande Montezuma Conejos Mesa Larimer Otero La Plata Boulder Logan Routt Adams Saguache Jefferson Alamosa Jackson Gunnison Bent Garfield Grand Morgan Prowers Ouray El Paso Dolores Total Muskrats neDorted 4421 3394 3199 2907 2408 2383 2369 1455 1336 1209 1159 1155 1117 1009 991 921 817 758 753 696 695 575 568 405 396 368 365 County Total Muskrats Reported Sedgwick Arapahoe Yuma Las Animas Washington Pueblo Fremont Archuleta Lincoln Moffat Park Huerfano San Miguel Eagle Denver Pitkin Rio Blanco Custer Chaffee l'.11ineral Clear Creek Lake Hinsdale Sunnnit Crowley Douglas County Unknown 321 309 288 250 215 203 196 193 192 177 175 162 137 125 120 1.14 112 99 97 82 80 80 42 32 25 24 525 Baca, Cheyenne, Costilla, Elbert, Gilpin, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Phillips, San Juan, and Teller counties - catch UnknOWTIo �-LTrappers sold their pelts to fifty-two different fur dealers or their agents~ including several major fur houses outside of the sta~eo As ~ear as could be ascertained from the incomplete and sometimes vague 1nformat10n returned on the questionnaire cards, approxL~ately 30% of the muskrat pelts were sold to out-of-state fur buyerso This is a ve~ high percentage, and mav result from the incompleteness of information in this type of survey, or U it may have resulted from the trappers I efforts to obtain better prices from larger dealers than are present in Colorado A m:::c.:. conservative and likely number of pelts sold to out-of-state dealers is t.ne figure of 10%9 as determined in a more complete survey conducted in 1948 under Feder-al, Aid Project 47~R» and reported on in more detail in a special publication recently released by the Depar-tment., Many of the trappers did not know what company or fur dealer bought their pelts» but referred to them or their agents simply as a "city buyer" or lSanother trapper"o 0 Table 3 represents a comparative tabulation of the data obtained on the 1949~50 fur season by ooth methods discussed previouslyo The information on the fur buyer f'orms, plus the fur exportation permf.ts, represent only those furs wh·ch were sold and not held over for any period of time» while those reported on the trapper questionnaires were those actually caught and doesn't necessarily mean that they have all been soldo It can be seen in Table 3 that a total of 37~651 more muskrats were caught as calculated from the trapper questionnaires than as reported by the fur dealerso Also~ nine mink were obtained by the fonner methodp none by the latter.'/but these figures are questionable since the mink season was closed last year-, I'he following represent the total by which the trapper questi.onnaire results exceeded the catches or pal.t.s sold reported on the fur dealer ferms by spec i.ess skunk, stripped, 1»003, coyote» 257~ weasel» 334; badger» 3; bobcat.'/200, civet cat or spotted skup~~ 190; raccQODJ 421~ and jackrabbit (not reported on fur dealer forms), 1~581o In su~~a~~ a total of 41»649 more animals were reported trapped through the trapper questionnaire survey than through the required fur dealer reportso (Please see Table No , 3 - page following) �-5TABLENO.3 Comnarative tabulation of dat a obtained from fur deal er forms • and trapper questionnaires, 1949-50 fur season SP~~:l:~~_. __ FUICDE1.LER Foill<rs----------V81ue Average Price lJ~~~E .65 Muskrat l03~974 $67,372.• 00 Nerten Closed season Hink Closed season Skunk 100 30.00 Coyote 6 1000 weesel 219 152.00 B2aser Clcsed season Bobcat 16 80-00 Civet Cat 1 00 RAc~con 88 74.00 Fox Closed season Rj'18-:",>:Lled Cat None reported Z,",ckre1:::?~~ ~_2one r~ported 4 ------- ·_--TRAPPER QUESTIONNAIRES Numbery_a_l_u~ .. !~V!!!"ii§·p'rlci 141,625 $103,386.00 .73 37.50 783.22 341..25 454.06 1.09 306.19 71.69 438006 4.00 .71 1.30 9lf .;H .18 .70 1,103 263 553 050 .24 .85 216 194 509 3 0 .35 1.42 .37 .86 None reported 1,,281__ 237._o_1~9 015 146,056 $106,,056.50 Total Memc: * Nay have been holdovers (?) No conclusions may be made at this time on the basis of the data on hand as to which method is nearest the actual catch and value, si nee there is no absolute control luth 1rhich to compare t hem, Both methods have their cbvi ous advantages anrl rlisadvantages. Perhaps it would be feasible to use some combinaticn of or both methods to provide a truer picture of the Colorado fur resourcp" .•• II. Specific Studies on Impcrtant Species Ee&ver Job I - Dptermin2t.ion of Control Objective: To determine the areas transplanting should be done 0 from which to t rap and the areas into which _ �-6Job 2 - Beaver-idldlife ReL::tionships Objective: To determine the effect of beaver on other wildlife and to the area surrounding. Previous to this summer no work had been a ccomplished on these particular nhases of the project, due mainly to therragnitude of the project as a whole and the limited personnel assigned t.o it •. The view looked even dimmer for the project due to the f act that there has been only one technician assigned to it since Nay, 1950. At t.la t time, however, a very satisfactory cooperative agreement was made with the Fur Resources Division of the Department whereby this project furnished the technical equipment and material and the Fur Division furnished the personnel required to carry out the program discussed in the following paragraphs. The project leader wi she s to acknowledge the invaluable work done by the personnel of the Fur Division on this phase. !"indings: It was felt that there was a definite need for more information on the migration, growth rate, and sex ratio of beaver in Colorado before determination of control and the beaver-ldldlife relationships could be soundly undertaken. Since the Fur Division conducts a program of live-trapping and transplanting during the summer season, it was a logical progression to the tagging and measuring of these transplanted beaver. This project supplies the Monel-metal #1005 (3) fingerling tags, serially numbered in duplicate, which are attached one each to both ears of live-trap~)ed beaver These tags are applied ,.• ith special applicating pliers which were furnished to each of the beaver trappers and fur inspectors in the Fur Division. 0 Data sheets, 6 3/4 by 3 3/4 inches, suitable for insertinr, in the small field notebooks, are provided by this project (Figure 2). (Please see Figure 2 - Followi ng Page) These sheets cont.a.i,n spaces for the f'ol.Lowi.ng data: tag number; stream, location, and county where trapped; age; sex; trapper; date; total length; tail measurements; hind foot length; weight; exact location where retrapped and replanted, etc.; and remarks. A letter containing suggested procedures for tagging and measuring the beaver (subject to individual preference and variations) was sent to each trappero To initiate the program the project leader traveled to each of the seven fur districts to distribute the tags, applicators, and data sheets; and to demonstrate on live beaver the actual tagging and measuring procedures. A total of 18 beaver underwent this ordeal in demonstrations throughout the state.(FiGure 3) (Please see Figure 3 - FoLl.owi.ng Page) �BEAVER TRANSPLANTING Tag No. Stream and Location Where Trapped County______ Measurements Total Length Date Trapper 1• ._.. _.. ._._. __.. 2. . _.._..__ _ _._ _ :3 • . '- _ DATA . _.__._. __ __ __.. Age Tail Meas. Hind-foot _.. __ __._._ _ _ , __' __. _ _ ._ . .__...Sex length _._X .. __ _.. -_.. __._._ _ _.. _ x._ ._ _._.. _ _ _ . __ __x._. . ... _ . .. _ Weight _._•..... __ __._.._._ _._._ . --__-- -__--_-_- ._--------------.-.------.--------- Location, Stream, and County where Planted or Retrapped 1. Planted: . .__.. . ... _., .'__'_-_. __-- -.- .--..-----.-.-.---------..... -.----.-----.-. ------.--_---. 2. Retrapped: _. .__.__... _.. . -... --. --..--... -.--. --.--.--.... --... --.--.-..---. -"-'---'--"---' .--.-----.--:3. Re trapped: ... __.__.__. . .---,.----.----------.-.-.-----. -.--.-.-.-.-----------..-----.-- -.-.---------.--.----. ~e~arks on back ~ Figure 2 Oneof the data sheets used in transplanting beaver 0 Figure 3 Beaver No.1), one of the smallest tagged and transplanted, weighed five pounds. One tag is visible. �Figure 4 -' One of the easiest ways to tag a beaver, before removal from the live~trap. Figure S Putting the beaver in a burlap sack before removal trom the live-trap. �Figure 6 Weighing the beaver in the 8a~k Figure 1 Taking the total length measurement on a sacked beaver. �Figure 8 Measuring the length of a beaver tail. Figure 9 The width is measured at the widest portion of the tail. �Figure 10 Measuring the length of the hind foot from the heel to the ~nd of the middle toe nail. Figure 11 ¥:~i~~~h~ sex of a beaver by the external �-7During these dernonst.r-at.Lons it became apnar ent, that one of the easiest and most succeasf'ul, ways to tag the beaver was while it was still in the live-trap, as illustrated in Figure 40 (Please see Figure 4 - Following Page) Another method was to tag them while still in t he burlap sack, after the mes.sur-mg and sexing had been done, and -~men the sack had been rolled or turned bRek until a, y the eyes and nose remained covered. Care was taken in applying the tags so as D8t to hinder the valve action of the ear, which closes when the beaver is under water. The beaver were gener al.Iy sacked while ir: the live-tra.p. (Figure 5), and although some of them struggled quite violently f or a time, they soon quieted down enough tv take the measur ements , (Please see Figure 5 - Follov.ring Page) Ai'ter ack ing the animal he was weighted by means of suspending or; '1 sprinf,~ scale s as in Figure 6" (Please see Figure 6 - Following the sack Page) The flrst. measurement taken Has the total length, from t he tip of the nose OV81~ the back to the distal end of the tail, 'hrl th the beaver in the sack, by 'Tlf:la.:1S 0.:' a 3t3el t.ap e, (Figure 7) (Please see Figure 7 - Following T,3:" 1. meaeur-ement.s refer cnly to the sealey portion take:n at. the :"idest arid t he longest sections" (Figures (Please see Figures Page) of the t pil, 8 and 9) and wer-e 8 and 9 = Fol.l otd ng Page) The length of the hind foot was measured from the butt or heel of the hind f'cct. pod to t.he end of the middle toe nail, as shown in Figure 10. (Please see Figure 10 - Following Page) Detennination of sex was undoubtedly the most difficult operation of entire pro"'edllreJl but ,:.;rasnot actually har-d to determine after some experience in the "'latter. The most generally us ed method was to feel externally for the os penis, which, after some practice is easily located on most male beaver. Beginning at the pel vie bone on the underside of the beaver and working toward the anal opening the cs pe rri s can be palpated, and sometimes even the tube which contains ito �-8- Thls was conMonly facilitated by holding the beaver's tail up, but they had to be turned on their backs to relax the abdominal organs the pressure on the sex organs. 'T'he former method is demonstrated (Please it see Figure 11 - Following sometimes and release in Figure 11. Page) The ages were grouped into kits, one-year olds, two-year olds, and matures, being felt that these categories were simple to determine by observation. Accurate locations were recorded as to where the beaver were planted so that reliable i:nformation can be obtained when they were r et.r-apped as to how far they have migrated or drifted~ A"[lY unusual characteristics or physical differences were entered on the data sheets under "r-emarks" When the beaver had been planted and the data sheets completed, the sheets were sent in to the Denver office at the end of each month nd put in a central filing system. Many of the trappers made duplicate sheets for their own information and fi.Ie s , 0 At this writing only the records for the last half of July and for t he month of August are on hand , A more complete report will be forthcoming in the next quarterly progress report, at Which time all of the data sheets for beaver tagged during Se;Jtember and October will be in. Durlng tht period mentioned above for which we have infonnation, 468 beaver were tagged under this pr-ogr-am, The data sheets have not been fully tabulated and eva.luated yet, but as far as can be determined the smallest beaver tagged and t.ranspl ant.ed by the end of August -weighed two and one half pounds , The rext smal.Le sc beaver were one five~pounder (Figure 3).lI one s.ix-pounder , and one six 3.nd one half poundero The others ranged from these minimum extremes to one beavar we. ghing 65 pounds , It is felt years to obtain progr-am, Subma, tted that this program should be continued for a period of several sound data on which to base an intensive beaver management Approved~ by ~ Nam e Richard No Denne'.! Title Wildlife Technician ~ADO DEPARTMENT •• Title Date Not.e s STATEGAT'1E AlITD FISH __~C~o~N~o~F_e~a~s~t~,~D~i~r~e~c~t~o~r _ o;;..c;....;t;..;o...;.b...:;;e;:;.r_2:;;.:3::...,~1~9..::::;S..:.O _ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract shou1d first from the Colorado State Game and Fish Departmento obtain permission � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/44acc08cd35401fb27ab0aa4a9834c90.pdf 2179947805ae3f94bb6833f978950f73 PDF Text Text rhis bird was bagged on the western slope about twenty miles west of Pagosa Spr'Lngs , It was taken from the StaUsthner Creek drainage and about four miles from the State T-i:lrkeyRancho �Feeding birds at the original trap at Turkey ranch. taken at three thirty P.M. by Martin L. Burget. This photo was �This is another picture of the ideal -turkey range near the Turkey rancho This photo is taken directly north of the preceding oneo The fence is a special use pasture in the National Foresto The composition shows ideal turkey range. Large Ponderosa pines with a fairly close understory of shrubs. These are composed of scrub oak - mostly Quercus gambeli; Skunk berry - Rhus trilobata; Rocky Mountain red cedar - Juniperus scopulorum and a heavy sprinkling of lesser shrubso �This is a close up of a banded hen. Note the band is on the right leg. These birds are powerful and must be held firmly, hence the tense look on the face of the holder. Photo by Burget. �STATE COLORADO PROJECT NO._3~-_D DATE PROGRESS QUARTERLY SURVEYS AND _ January, 1951 REPORT INVESTIGATIONS As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTOFATION 1. Title of Project: 2. Project Leader: 3. Report of Progress: ACT Wild Turkey Development Martin L. Burget Objective: The re-establishment of the Merriamts Wild Turkey to as much of its former range in Colorado as possible, through a carefully organized trapping and transplanting program. Findings: General Activities -- August 15 to September 15, 1950. Some of the survey work, particularly the locating of planting sites for the present year was conducted as late as possible. This was done to make sure a basic food supply would be available in any area where releases were to be made. During a normal year with a fair supply of the most essential foods present, this problem is not too great. This year, however, vdth mast crops almost completely lacking and even the sustaining types in low production, great care must be exercised in choosing any release area. This is true for two reasons: First, where birds are established in an area they know where to look for the available foods and stand a fair chance of survival in spite of the difficulties. Second, if the birds are taken from a low food area and released in an area of similar character, they stand a fair chance of starving before locating a food supply. We have an instance in support of this idea. In 1948 a plant of turkeys was made in the Tallahassee creek area west and north of Canon City. In less than a week a heavy storm caught the birds. The food supply was adequate to care for the turkeys needs but since they could not find it in the deep snow they drifted and separated. Consequently, this flock has never done well. Three hens were found in one flock. A single tom was seen in another area, while two hens stayed separate in another place. These birds were reported several miles apart. A strengthening plant was made in this area last year �-2and improved results have been noted. Considering these adverse factors it was felt best to plant only in areas with an adequate food supply. Other trapping would be done for the exchange of breeding stock. Care of Brood Stock Considering the food problems of the year, some plan to care for the brood stock in case of storms must be made. Consequently food supply depots have been establiShed in nearly every turkey area. Then word was sent out to ranchers where there were flocks that could be cared for, that food would be available if storm conditions developed. They were told this auxilliary food would be furnished and be available at a certain place in the community. The response to this activity has been excellent. Wardens, technicians and Forest Service mell have volunteered to act as agents when necessary. They also have enlisted the aid of local Game clubs to help in case an emergency arises. In low feed periods auxilliary feeding is particularly needed during the later part of February, March and early April. This is the beginning of the mating season and strength is needed if a successful hatch of poults is to be had. By early April'succulents are available and this is excellent food for laying hens. 195aWild Turkey Hunting Season A five day hunting season (the second for Colorado in recent years) opened on September 28th and closed on October 2nd. Real benefits were derived from the three day season in 1949. Th~s came in the form of inducing wildness in the birds and generally scattering them. The Post-season reports on flocks showed smaller numbers to the flock but with flocks in many new places. The number of birds killed in 1949 was negligable, so it was felt a little more liberal season this year might bring out more hunters and still bring greater benefits to the increasing flocks. Many of the personnel of the Department were needed to make this hunting season a success. The response on the part of these officers was splendid. The Warden service put on extra men to help with the checking and enforcement problems. Mr. Harry Figge volunteered to look after the check stations on the eastern slope and several technicians assisted with the roving check stations. A special check sheet was worked out to assist in the gathering of valuable data. A copy of this is enclosed. �TURKEY SEASON CHECK STATION FCRM Address N.:lmu Lico !Ic \' ... ,._.l_._. Il--l- 1---...•.. _-----+ I 1\---' f---.-I-" ._._---_ .._I·· ,__ 1- __ i---+--- . ~-~------. _____ II Hur.t I'ur koy.....~. 'Purkey Kill !--Jii' _49 .19J..1-9 ....j',(l; _ _-=..:..::.. "Te rN,' ,_, ~ ye.... ~ Spur Lcnct~ 'I'cm J. l... • -I- i llema rks . l~c'iticn or OIr Dr'Yi'''''ge LU.l.u. -+ -1---\ +- +-----.----- ..__ ._\---_.. ~--'--'-'---+-"'-'-I-"-_.I ! 1-1- ._+,-.-.-------+-.--~---+---+---lr-----I-----I-----I---------t -+-----~ >--+- - ---.. ,,--- -----'- ~ ~--_-------H - -+ ._.--.-1----+ Wejght _-+-- ,_1_--1--- ~ l.. _ Sex-Age. Present Bi.r ~ d ., I I '.~ _ �-3A new hunting area was opened this year, in the Wet Mountain section west of Pueblo. All field personnel were notified to request turkey crops for food study work. A great many of the hunters were quite enthusiastic about this and responded in a fine way. Check sheet Data findings~ Evidently the hunting was good and success ran rather high if the check sheets are any indication. The hunting pressure was light though much heavier than last year. From the Check Sheets returned ninety-five hunters were checked in the field. Of these, fifty-seven On this basis Of the kiLL were successful. 59% were successful. 43 birds were hens of all ages. Of Toms killed there were ~ Weights of all ages. on 21 first year (birds of the year) hens the average was 6 lb., and 8 oz. per bird. Weights on 20 second year birds *(there m~ be a slight error here due to the inexperience of the checkers) was 8 lb., 14~~. Weights on two mature hens was 10 lbs. each. The smallest hen weighed 4~lbs •. The largest hen weighed lot lbs. Classed as second year. By way of comparison weight I have picked up some of our trapping figures. Identification of sex-age in this manner is about 97% correct. In our trapping weight sheets mature hens range from eight and one half pounds to thirteen pounds. Probably the abundance of food or lack. of it will make a considerable variation in the weight of the birds during different years. �-4Tom Turkey Weights~ Six first year Toms (positive identification) 2t ozs. In two Cases the beards werelmasuredand length. They are definitely averaged 11 lbs. recorded as t inch in first year toms. One bird listed as a second year bird had a beard 6t inches long. This could not be a second year tom. The beards of second year birds are from one to two and one half inches in length. The checkers problem was due to the small spur~ classed as a button. Eight mature toms including the above, had an average weight of ]6 lbs. ~3 ozs. This was 5 oz. above the trapping average of Jl.6! ibs. The largest tom was taken in the Texas Creek section northe~st of Durango. It weighed 20t Ibs. and had a spur 3/4 of an inch in length. The second largest was taken in the Dolores 20 Ibso This also had a spur 3/4 inches longo section and weighed Spur lengths on the eight birds rated as mature.was as follows: Button, ~ in., 3 were ~ in. and 3 were 3/4 in. This measure is taken by placing a thin rule under the spur and gauging with the thumbnail. Reports on the hunting ran very much as they did last season. The first few hours were the best and the first two days showed the heaviest kill during the season. The turkeys, like pheasants and deer, learn fast after the shooting starts. They take cover at once and after the first shooting they may re-assemble once or twice. Follcwing that they hide out and get quiet. They will only respond to calls at long distances if at all. From reports and field trips since the season the birds are now in small concentrations everywhereo Since feed is scarce this year this scattering is desirableo Large flocks would starve where a few can dig out their living. Most of the birds seen up to the 15th of December 1950 seem to be in excellent physical condition. There is no hunting season without some aftermath. Dick. Teague, Wildlife Technician brought in a wounded turkey from the Stallstimer �-5area eight days after the season. This turlcey- a hen - had the left leg broken from shot and most of the tail and half of one wing were shot away. One pellet had split the scalp baring the skull, there were two pellets in one eye, and a heavy purple blotch showed heavy wounding in the side. She was still alive and struggled to get away. The bird was killed and frozen for a later complete postmortem. A total of sixty crops were collected as compared with thirty nine last year. These have been sent to Donald M. Hoffman at Ann Arbor, Michigan for processing. Work Preparatory to Trapping: During the month of October, traps were readied. Enough of the old crates were made ready to take care of the early season. There was some breakage and some of this was re-built. All of the necessary duties were tended at the Turkey Ranch. The Ranch traps were gone over thoroughly and new material was put in where it was needed. Considerable time was spent getting things in order for the winter months. Since both the men were new, the details had to be gone over several times to get things clear in their minds so they would know what to do under special circumstances. Several trips were taken into the field. Each area presented the same sort of problem. The turkeys had not formed into concen~ trations of sufficient numbers to justify trapping. On each trip, key individuals were contacted and requested to act in cases of . emergency. In November these trips were completed and feed delivered to the most likely places and word sent out where the feed could be obtained if needed. Even at State turkey ranch the turkeys did not show signs of building up to any degree. Our last count was forty-six. It has been our practice not to trap where there are less than fifty, so we have not taken any birds from the ranch thus far. On the Western slope, feed was taken to Dolores, to Mancos. and to Bayfield. More will be delivered when needed. Arrangements have been made for delivery of feedt&Norwood and Montrose. On the Eastern slope, feed was delivered to Trinidad, to La Veta, to ~e, and to Beulah. Turkey Trapping to Date: Time was getting late and still there were no good trapping sites open. We had been in the Trinidad area, at Monument lake, in the La Veta section and in the Beulah-Rye area. None of these areas seemed suitable for trapsites. We finally decided to make a try at �-6Beulah and Rye and see what'would happen. Feed was put out at 'the Savage place north of Beulh, at the Caple place north of the 3-R ranch, and another feeding area near Hye on Table mountain. The first flocks of turkeys seen in these areas were only from 16 to 20. It was not very encouraging. Then the feed began to be cleaned up and more was put out with the same resulto By December 10 to lZ, over forty were seen at Table Mountain, 38 were counted at the Savage set and 36 at Caples. The flocks continue to build up to the present and there are two traps now set with one ready to be sprung. One principal thing noticed this season is that the birds are very shy. They are shy of cars, persons, and any changes in their surroundings. They are perfectly ready to take a handout but not' with any strings attachedo A test is being made by putting a trap under trees with completely natural surroundings to see what effect it may have on the actions of the birds. General-'Summa£Y: Late surveys for planting sites showed essential foods very low in most of the areas in the stateo - (The Glenwood area is the only exception.) To place birds from a short feed ar.ea into. another short feed area is to invite disaster. The circum~tances surrounding the Tallahassee plant in 1948 prove this trueo The care of brood stock this season consisted of the establishment of centralized feed stations where feed can be put out quickly'in case of bad stormso Feed has been delivered to most of these areas~ The 1950 hunting season was fairly successful. Birds were well scattered and have stayed separate, which should be a benefit throughout the year. October was pickup month. ill the necessary preliminary' work, including the repair of traps etc. was caught up at the Ranch. Some trips to prospective trapping sites were taken. �-7Turkey trapping so far this season has been mostly searching for places to put traps. Finally, three feeding grounds were established in the Beulah-Rye area where flocks have built up to suitable volume for trapping. Submitted by:: Approved by::, Name: COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Martin L. Burget Title: Wildlife Technician By Note: Title:: C. N. Feast, Director Date February 6, 1951 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �STA'rE COLORADO PROJECT NOo_..::.3..:...7-_R _ DATE Q U II. R T E R L Y SURVEYS AND P R OGRE S S INVESTIG January)! 1951 R E P OR T ATIONS As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project: 20 Leader: Game Bird Surveys Harry .r, Figge 3. Report of Progress: Work Plan No.1 - Job 5 Title ~ Hunter Check Objective: To find the number$ sex and age of the pheasants taken during the open season. Scope: Northwestern Colorado - Mesa~ Delta, Montrose countieso Personnel~ Wayne Sandfort~ Curt Hammit~ Clyde Matteson~ Con Tolman, Jack DeVore$ Glenn Rogers, Dick Denney and Ross Campbell. Reported by: Wayne «, Sandf'or'f Methods: Pheasant check stations were set up at strategic locations in Mesa~ Delta and Montrose counties to check hunters as they returned from the fieldo Three stations~ one in each county~ were operated daily during the regular three-day seasono Two of the stations9 one at Hooveris Corner in Montrose county 3 and one at Delta countY$ were operated at irregular intervals for the remainder of the 15=day seasono All check stations were set into operation at approximately 3:00 pomo and were run until most hunters had returned from the field generally around 5:30 pom. �-2Findings: TABLE I PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, MESA COUNTY, 1950 Noo of Hours Date hunters .hurrted 11/26 87 11/27 6 11/28 ~5~2 145 Adults Daily No. of Pheasants Pheasants Juveniles "bag cripples per hunter per man-hour 323 41 19 2 ~1~68~__ ~15~ 37 78 1 3 ~10~__ ~2~5 4 1 510 48 5 68 106 .90 050 ~.4~8 073 _ .208 55% Adults 45% Juveniles TABLE II PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, DELTA COUNTY, DELTA STATION, 1950 No. of Hours Date hunters hunted Adults 11/26* 132 11/27 76 11/28 64 12;2 62 12/3 175 12/5 17 12/9 41 12/10 77 644 472 241 212 184 562 56 117 248 2092 24 14 4 11 26 2 9 8 98 Juveniles Daily bag 52 39 23 8 28 4 8 23 185 76 53 27 19 54 6 17 31 283 No. of Pheasants Pheasants cripples per hunter per man-hour 10 9 3 1 9 1 1 34 .50 ,,70 042 031 .31 035 .41 .40 044 0135 35% Adults 65% Juveniles *Station on November 26 operated at eastern city limits of Delta, checking hunters from Garnett Mesa and Peach V~ley. Check station located west of Delta during the remaining days checking hunters from the California Mesa area. The kill per hunter during the first day might have been higher had pheasants been checked from the California Mesa areao �-3PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, MONTROSE COUNTY, HOOVER'S CORNER, 1950 TABLE III Date 11/26 11/27 11/28 11/30 12/2 12/3 12/5 12/9 12/10 No. of hunters Hours hunted Adults Juveniles 159 78 60 23 31 101 16 15 36 519 637 298 232 57 98 310 46 38 142 1858 31 16 8 3 6 9 4 1 8 86 88 34 15 6 15 16 1 TABLE IV '9 184 Daily bag 119 50 23 9 21 25 5 1 17 270 No. of Pheasants cripples per hunter 22 11 3 1 11 9 Pheasants 'per man-hour .75 .,64 038 .39 .68 .25 .31 007 .47 .145 .52 32% Adults 68% Juveniles 4 61 SUMMARY - HOOVER'S CORNER AND DELTA CHECK STATIONS, 1950 Date No. of Hunters Hours hunted Pheasants killed Pheasants per hunter 11/20.,12/10 1163 3950 553 .48 Pheasants per man-hour .140 33% Adults 67% Juveniles Table V, which follows, shows pheasant check station data from the Hoover's Corner station for the past four seasons. Data from this station are the only check station data available from northwestern Colorado for previous years. �-4TABLE V COMPARATIVE PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, HOOVER'S CORNER~ 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1950 1947 1948 1949 1950 5 305 Days of season No. of hunters Hours hunted Juvenile birds killed Adult birds killed No. of cripples Total bag 3 238 847 209 65 lIDlm 228 80 3 256 766 172 50 274 308 222 15 519 1858 la4. 86 61 270 Pheasants per hour Pheasants per hunter .332 1.09 .303 1.12 .288 .87 .145 .52 Table VI is pr-esented to give.,an-indication of ,t.he. .. value~.;of.,-, using hunting dogs. TABLE VI PHEASANT HUNTER SUCCESS, WITH AND WITHOUT THE AID OF DOGS, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1950 Method of hunting No. of hunters No. pheasants taken . No. cripples lost With dog Without dog 464 844 167 250 32 68 Birds per Birds crippled hunter per birds shot .553 .476 .125 .119 Analysis and Recommendations: Mesa County: The Mesa county check station was located several miles northwest of Grand Junction at the Copeco corner. This station checked hunters from the most important pheasant area in Mesa count.y--that area lying in the vicinity of Fruita. Check station operators, Jack DeVore and Ross Campbell,checked 62 cars during the three-day season in this areaq Ninety-four percent of the hunters were local hunters. Table I shows detailed kill information. A comp~rison between Table I~ II and III shows that the pheasant kill per hunter during the first three days was best in Mesa county. The reason for this is not �entirely understandable3 as census data and brood count data indicated that the pheasant population in Mesa county was about one-half that found in Delta and Montrose counties. Perhaps the high percentage of local hunters in Mesa county and familiarity with the location of pheasant concentrations aided in the hunter success. The high percentage of adults killed, supports original data which indicated a poor hatch. Delta and Montrose Counties A 15-day pheasant season was set by the Commission in parts of Delta, Montrose and Ouray counties to cooperate with farmers who had reported pheasant damage during the spring and who had requested that some steps be taken to reduce the pheasant population. Spring census data showed that actually the pheasant population had not shown any appreciable increase over previous years and broood count data and nesting studies showed the 1950 hatch to be poor and late. Consequently it was felt that it would not be advisable to allow hen shooting in the area~ as was requested by several groups of f'armer-s'; The 15aaday season was at.Lowed, however , in an attempt to reduce the cock population to some extent. Data indicated that the sex ratio in the area was approximately one cock to one hen and that the harvest of several thousand more cocks would not be detrimental to the pheasant population. Two check stations were operated in the area during the long season to determine the trend in the pheasant kill and to obtain information on the effect of a long season on the pheasant population. Tables II, III and IV show the results obtained from these check stations. Following the first few days of the season» hunting was insignificant in reducing the pheasant population in the area except on Saturdays and Sundays. Sunday hunting greatly exceeded Saturday hunting and it appears that in a season set for a long period of time, Sunday hunting in the western slope area would be the principal factor which would decrease the pheasant population to any significant extent. Hunters from the eastern slope did not come over to the western slope in sufficient numbers to affect the hunting pressure. Data presented in the tables shows that there was not a steady decrease in the kill as the season progressed, but that the kill leveled off after the first few days and remained somewhat stable for the remainder of the season. This can probably be explained by �the fact that the pheasant drifted back to their regular feeding and roosting grounds during the middle of the week when hunting pressure was low, allowing an appreciable kill on the week-ends when hunters again took to the field. The pheasants concentrated somewhat after "thefirst few days iIlf the season in areas offering good protection. Cattail sloughs and washes running from the irrigated sections into the cedar-covered foothills were indicated by hunter interviews and supported by personal observations to be good places to find pheasants. This grouping did not seem to reduce the hunter success to any significant extent $ however~ and after becoming accustomed to the habits of t~e pheasants and by resorting to the use of dogs to flush pheasants from heavy cover~ the kill remained somewhat constant. Following the first three days of the season~ and closing of hunting in Mesa county~ an increased number o( Mesa county hunters appeared in the long-season area. Data from the two check stations at Delta and Hooverus Corner showed that 506 cars were checked during the 15-day season. Fifty-one percent of the cars were nonlocal~ and seven cars from this 51% were from out-of-state. A large percentage of the non-local hu~ters were from Mesa count yo Local hunters were comsidered as those from Delta and Montrose copnties. Table VI shows that the use of a dog in pheasant hunting was rela tively insignificant in increasing the bag or in reducing crippp~.lliip.g loss. This is probably due to inadequate training of the dogs as the result of lack of opportunity. Breeds most commonly observed in the area were Cocker spaniels~ Springer spaniels~ English pointers and Irish setters. Results from check stations and reports from working the area during the long season indicate that in general the season was clean in regard to killing of hen pheasants. No violations were picked up at the check stations or by the wardens. In summary, it appears that the long season was quite well received by the sportsmen and$ in general~ by the farmers. Some farmers did post their property in reaction against the Department for not allowing hen shooting. The hunting pressure was a significant factor in reducing the pheasant population only on week-ends~ particularly on Sundays. Good sportsmanship and general lack of violations regarding hencshootdng prevailed during the season. It is felt that the long season did not hurt the cock population and that actually it will help create a healthier sex ratio for the spring breeding population. �-7It is recommended that serious consideration be given to a two or three week season during the latter part of November and early part of December' during succeeding years. Work Plan No.4-Job Title: 2 Hunter check Objective: To detennine the number of Gambel's (Olathe) quail taken during the open season. Scope: Northwestern Colorado - Mesa, Delta, Montrose,counties. Personnel: Wayne .:Sandfort,Curt Hammi t, Clyde Matteson, Con Tolman, Jack DeVore, Glenn Rogers, Dick Denney and Ross Campbell. Reported by~ Wayne W. Saridfort Methods:: Records were kept of all quail brought through check stationS by hunters dtiringthe 1950 pheasant and quail season. Findings: Findings and data collected from Gambel (Olathe) quail hunters are too inadequate from which to derive detailed information. Nine quail were checked at the check station in Mesa county, one quail at the Delta check station and four quail at the Hoover's Corner station in Montrose county. Analysis and:;~c'omm:eddations: Information regarding sex ratios, age classes, etc., cannot be determined from the 14 quail checked at the three check stations dUring the 1950 hunting season. The fact that 1308 hunters killed only 14 quail is significant, however,as it indicates that hunting pressure has very little effect upon the quail population in northwestern Colorado. Attempts at developing quail habitat to increase the population and subsequent stimulation of interest in hunting these birds may have a place in the management of this species. Scope~ Northern Colorado, including Adams, Boulder, Weld, L~rimer and Morgan counties. Personnel:: W. L. Flinn, Robert R. Elliott, E. K. Brown, Ferd C. Kleimschnitz, Gordon A. Doublas, Wardens Carl Roy and J. A, Colley, and Rocky Mountain Arsenal personnel. Reported by: W. L. Flinn �-8.Techniquest Checking stations were set up in the same location~ as in 1948 and 1949. One, east of Hudson, checked thehunte~s coming out of the Prospect Valley area in Weld County, and the other was located in the farming area east of Fort Collins in Larimer County. A check wallmade at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal b.1Army personnel and the intormation is included in this report. These check stations were ope~ated all of the three days of the open season. Cars returning from the field were stopped and hunters were asked for information regarding number of bi~ds killed, number crippled and lost, hours hunted, and the age of the birds was determined. All of the pheasant range in theNNorthern Colorado area was subjected to heavy hunting pressure during the short season since it borders on the higher pppulation centers. The spring and summer hatch,. though late, was considered satisfactory, and the pre-season sex ratio data indicated more than 100 cocks per 100 ijens. The check .station information obtained show~d higher hunter success than'in the two previous years, but still.not as high as might be desired. It is believed that the great number'of hunters in the field, man.yof whom a~ unable to hit pheasants, is responsible for keeping the average take per hunter below one bird per hunter. Findings: The following summarizes the information taken at the various check stations: TABLE VII HUDSON CHECK STATION A total of 773 hunters were interviewed who hunted in the Prospect Valley area. They had hunted 3204 hours and obtained 502 cock pheasants, of which 166 were adult birds and 336 were young. Four hundred sixty-three birds, or 92.2% were taken the opening day. Average hours per hunter Birds per hour Birds per hunter Percent young birds 1948 1949 1950 3.68 .176 .644 58.7% 4.00 .143 .574 77.54% 4.14 .157 .649 64.8% �-9TABLE VIII FORT COLLINS AREA CHECK STATION The Fort Collins station was operated by Robert R. Elliott, who contacted 322 hunters in the field. These hunters had hunted 1259 hours and obtained 144 adult birds and 179 juveniles, a total of 323 during the three-day season, of which 85.1% were bagged on opening day. Average hours per hunter Birds per hour Birds per hunter Percent young birds TABIE IX 1948 1949 1950 2.76 .251 .695 46% 4.33 .230 1.08 86'.6% 3.79 .264 1.00 55.4% ROCKY MOUNTAIN ARSENAL CHECK STATION Average hours per hunter Birds per hour Birds per hunter Percent young birds 1950 :1947 1948 1949 2.65 .305 .808 70.8% 4.19 .140 .584 83.9% 3.16 3.78 .364 .235 .892 1.15 75.9% 29% The following table combines the data taken at all check stations and compares this information with the 1948 and 1949 information: TABLE X Average hours per hunter Birds per hour hunted Birds per hunter Percent young birds 3.06 .209 .644 63.9% 3.77 .221 .835 ·76.9% 3.97 .201 .799 65.6% �..• 10TABLE XI DAILY CHECK STATION DATA FOR NORTH CENTRAL COLORADO, 1950 Cars Date checked Ft. Collins 11/26 144 11/27 12 11/28 10 Hunters contacted Hours hunted Adult birds Juvenile birds 274 25 23 1144 84 31 112 18 14 145 22 12 257 40 26 29 4 3 213 186 149 760 781 533 ( ( (142 (347 ( ( 274 150 65 27 19 12 R. M. A. 11/26 11/27 11/28 Total Nwnber kill crippled Hudson 11/26 11/27 267 42 677 96 2871 333 145 21 318 18 463 39 43 1 Totals 475* 1643 6537 452 862 1314 138 *Does not include R. M~ Arsenal Scope: Rocky Mountain Arsenal S~udy Area, conSisting of more than 23 square miles, of which 20 square miles are open to pheasant hunting. Personnel: Arsenal Rod and Gun Club Reported BY: 0 I. R. Poley Techniques: Hunters were required to register in and out of the check station. At the check station they were assigned to hunting areas, Findings: Table XII shows the daily pheasant kill at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal during the 1950 pheasant season: TABLE XII Date No. of hunters Hours hunted· No. of .;CriEEles, Daily kill 11/26 11/27 11/28 Totals 213 186 149 548 760 781 533 2074 27 19 12 58 274 150 65 489 �-11Table XnI shows the results of the pheasant seasons for the past four years at the Arsenal Study Area: TABLE XIII 1947 194a 1949 19>0 Days of season Number of hunters Hours hunted Juveniles killed Adul t birds killed Number of cripples Total pheasant kill 7 89 236 51 21 27 72 7 298 ·1249 1$6 30 186 3 413 1307 361 115 89 476 3 548 2074 29% 71% 58 489 Pheasants per hour Pheasants per hunter .305 .808 .140 .584 .364 1.152 .236 .892 A sex ratio count of 82 males to 100 females was taken ten days after the season~ and, based upon two counts~ shows little damage to the pheasant population. Scope: Arkansas Valley Reported by: Donald H. Nolting Personnel: Check stations were operated by technicians Irving R. Poley, Howard A. Steihm and Donald H. Nolting. Assistance was given by Wardens Boyd, Clifton, Gamb.Le and men assigned to their districts •. Reported by: Donald H. Nolting Techniques: Roving check stations were set up in three sections of the Arkansas Valley. These sections included the Lamar area, the Springfield area and the Las Animas-La Junta area. Considerable data was furnished by contacts in the field. Information, including number of hunters, hoUrs hUnted, number and age of pheasants killed~ and the home county of the hunter~ were recorded. Age was determined by means of a three-fourths inch leg gauge. Findings: During the 1950 open season, November 26-28, technicians and wardens checked 531 hunters with a total of 265 pheasants. Two hundred twenty cars were checked, averaging 2.4 hunters per car. �-12TABLE XIV Area 1950 PHEASANT CHECKST~TION DATA - ARKANSAS VALLEY No. of Hunters Total hrs. hunted Adults Juveniles Cripples Lamar Springfield Las AnimasLa. Junta 296 84 1124 394 70 32 81 26 25 11 151 495 21 35 15 Totals 531 2013 123 142 51 TABLE TV 1950 PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA - ARKANSAS VALLEY Birds per hunter Birds perhour % of Adults Lamar Springfield Las ArlimasLa. Junta .510 .690 .134 .147 46.3 55.2 53.7 44.8 .370 .111 37.5 62.5 Entire Valley .499 .131 46.4 53.6 Area TABLE TVI % of Juveniles 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950 PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA - ARKANSAS VALLEY Length of season and 3 days, 1947 3 days, 1948 3 days, 1949 3 days, 1950 ·Nh.; -ot!, hunters Total hours hunted Adults Juveniles 453 703 997 531 1958 2751 3975 2013 219 305 289 123 171 326 349 142 �-13- . 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950 PHEASANT CHECK STATION DA.TA ..•. ARKANSAS VALLEY TABLE XVII Year Birds per hunter Birds per hour % of Adults 1947 1948 1949 1950 .86 .90 .64 .50 .199 .229 .161 .131 56.0 48.3 45.3 46.4 TABLE XVIII % of Juveniles 44.0 51.7 54.7 53.6 1950 HUNTING PRESSURE DATA - ARKANSAS VALLEY Lamar Check Station SErin~field Check Station Origin of pressure No. of hunters Percentage of Pressure Origin of Eressure No. of hunters Prowers 190 Baca 59 65.5 Pueblo 64 Pueblo 6 18.4 Otero Denver Larimer Kiowa El Paso Las Animas Texas Oklahoma 19 6 4 4 3 3 1 2 Prowers Las Animas Jefferson Texas 4 4 2 9 TABLE XIX 16.1 1950 HUNTING SUCCESS BY LOCALITY - ARKANSAS VALLEY Origin of pressure No. of hunters Birds killed Birds per hunter Hours Birds per hour Local Non-local 251 129 128 81 .510 .627 924 518 .138 .156 �-14Ana~sis and Recommendations: (A) Hunting Pressure--A total' of 380 hunters were checked in the Lamar and Springfield areas to determine the origin of hunting pressureo Findings are shown in Table XVIII. Local hunters were the greatest in number, composing 65.5%. The second most important source was Pueblo County, ~ich furnished 1804% of the total hunters. The remcdning 16.1% came from eight different counties an1if). two states. It is significant that Texas hunters showed the second highest percentage in the Springfield areao It appears from these fig.ures that hUnting pressure from Pueblo County has declined from previous years. However, no data was obtained on hunting pressure origin in the Las AnimasLa Junta area, which received the greatest concentrations of Pueblo hunters in the past. This tended to lower the numbers of fte'5lo hunters recordedo When all factors are consf.der-ed, it is not believed that there have been any important changes in the source of hunting pressure. Small roving check stations were used this year in order to get a better check on local hunters. It was thought that these hunters would have a higher success ratio since they were more familiar vd th the countr.y and knew the location of the bd.rds , In a check of 380 hunters this did not prove to be true, since nonlocal hunters met with greater success~ This information is shown in T.able XIX. (B) Kill--In general, hunters in the Arkansas valley met with less success-this season than in ;the three preceding years. There was a decrease of 21.8% in birds per hunter from last year. There was a drop of 18.7% in birds per .houro It is probably that this decrease in hunter success was largely due to the late hatch low production last spring and heavy mortality in cilfalfa fieldso Warm weather during the season also' tended to lower the kill. In addition, changes in check station procedure may have affected the data obtained. Field checks, taken before the hunter had finished hunting, gave conSistently lower figures than check station contacts. It is believed that more accurate figures could be obtained by eliminati~g field contacts and using check stations exclusively. The best success was recorded in the Springfield area. The reason for this is not readily apparent. This section, however, had the least hunters of the three areas checked. Since this area has not had an open season in past years, it/is possible that excessive adult co-.ks supplemented the lowsp~ing hatch. This assumption is baied on the fact that adult birds made up 5502% of �-15the kill in this sectd.on; while juveniles represented in other areas. the major kill In the Springfield section (Baca County), a three-day season on;scallatl quail coincided with the pheasant season. The 84 hunters checked here killed 40 quail. This meant .476 quail per hunter, or .101 quail per hour. Crippled pheasants comprised 16% of 'the total pheasants shoto The crippling loss on quail was low, only 5% of total quail shot. During the three days, a total of 161 cottontail rabbits were checked. This kill was heaviest in the Lamar area. Remarks made by hunters indicated that shooting cottontail rabbits added interest to the hunt. . Scopes The San Luis Valley Personnel: Chief Warden Earl Downer and Wardens Benson, Combs, Downey, Howlett, Schults and Hawker; Fur Inspector W. Nash and Trappers Bond and Cochran; B. D. Baker. Reported by: Bertram D. Baker Techniques: Aid was enlisted from the Warden force operating in the Valley throughout the season in obtaining information from hunters in the field. Late afternoon checking at temporary check stations on the main country roads leading into highway 285 sout h of Alamosa also produced much data in addition to the field checking done qy all personnel. Findings: A total of 412 hunters were interviewed. They, hunted 1312 hours, killing a total of 357 cock pheasants. Of the 357 'pirds taken, 135 were adults (37.8%), and 222 were young (62.2%). This breakdown of the kill indicates that the hatch of young during the summer was relatively poor generally throughout the Valley. Field checking revealed that at least one area,? the Bowen-Waverley triangle in Rio Grande, Conejos and Alamosa Counties, had fair reproduction (70.3% juvenile kill). The above roughly described district is relatively small in comparison to the total pheasant area in the Valley. Also,it can be considered one of the most heavily hunted areas from the numbers of hunters present there throughout the seasono Table XX gives a four-year summary of kill data for the Valley. Table XXI indicates the origin by counties of the hunting prBssure upon the entire San Luis Valley, 1950. �-16TABLE XX FOUR YEAR SUMMARY OF PHEASANT KILL DATA FOR THE SAN LUIS VALLEY Days of season Number of hunters Total hours hunted Total pheasants checked Juveniles Adults Percent of juveniles Percent of adults Birds per h\L~ter Birds per hour TABLE XXI 1947 1948 1949 19>0 2 237 709 257 2 277 3 157 588 191 155 36 81.1 3 412 1312 357 222 135 62.2 95B IBI 76 70.4 29.6 1.oB 249 187 62 75.1 24.9 .362 .B99 .26 IB.9 1.26 .325 HUNTER ORIGIN BY COUNTIES - 1950 Alamosa. County Rio Grande County Saguache County Conejos County 27.4% IB.2% 7.3% 3.2% San Luis Valley Puebl0 County Chaffee County Huerfano County Las Animas County 56.1% 10.0% 9.0% B.5% 7.0% 34.5% Miscellaneous other counties 9.4% 100.0% 37.B .B66 .272 �-17- TABLE XXII PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, NORTHEAST COLORADO'~ 1950 Ntlmber.7.,1 Hours of Hunters Hunted Birds Killed Birds/ Hunter Birds/ Hour Hours/ Man 172 782! 164 .954 .209 4.5 Denver Suburban Hunters 15% 54 239 80 1.4 .33 4.4 Local Hunters 127 417! 155 1.22 .37 3.3 353 1439 399 1.13 .277 4.07 DenveDcHunters 49% 36% Tota.ls �-18TABLE XXIII PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA _ 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950 Area Length of Season Year San Lui.s Valley 2 days, '47 No. of hunters Total hours hunted Adults Juveniles 237 277 157 412 709 958 588 1312 76 62 36 135 181 187 155 222 453 703 997 531 .1958 2751 3975 2013 219 305 289 123 171 326 349 142 238 305 256 1308 847 1016 766 4460 65 80 50 252 209 228 172 417 398 1399 832 1643 1112 4860 3387 6537 46 410 125 452 214 513 439 862 '48 '49 '50 3008 4289 1211 353 11609 16522 5087 1439 1028 1987 267 113 2204 3435 867 282 La Plata County 3 days, '50 75 225 17 30 4334 6973 3451 4222 16235 26107 13823 15986 1434 2844 767 1092 2979 4689 1982 1955 2 3 3 n 1t I' '48 '49 '50 Arkansas Valley 3 days, '47 3 3 3 " n " '48 '49 '50 West Slope 3 days, '47 5 3 15 " " ff '48 '49 150 North 7 days, '47 7 3 3 " " II '48 '49 '50 Northeast 14 days, '47 14 3 3 n II II Totals for all Stations '47 '48 '49 '50 �-19TABLE XXIV Area and Year San Luis Valley 1947 1948 1949 1950 PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA Birds! Hunter Birds! Hour Percent of Adults Percent of Juveniles 1.08 .899 1.26 .87';' .362 .26 .325 .28 29.6 24.9 18.9 j7.8 10.4 15.1 81.1 62.2 .86 .90 .64 .50 .199 .229 .161 .131 56.0 48.3 45.3 46.5 44.0 51.7 54.7 53.5 1.16 1.0 087 .51 .332 .303 .288 .15 23.7 25.9 22.5 37.7 76.3 74.1 77.5 62.3 .653 .661 .68 .80 .233 .19 .166 .20 17.7 44.4 22.2 34.4 82.3 55.6 77.8 65.6 1.09 1.264 .94 1.12 .278 .328 .222 .214 31.8 36.6 23.4, 28.6 68.2 63.4 76.6 71.4 .63 .20 36.2 63.8 1.09 1.08 .80 .12 .281 .289 .198 .191 32.5 37.7 21.9 35.8 67.5 62.3 12.1 64.2 Arkansas Valley 1947 1948 1949 1950 West Slope 1947 1948 1949 1950 North 1947 1948 1949 1950 Northeast 1947 1948 1949 1950 La Plata County 1950 Entire State 1947 1948 1949 1950 �-20Work Plan No.2 - Job No.2 Title: Hunting Season Checks on Species, Age and Sex Ratios. Scope: South Platte Management Personnel: Reported by: Willard Area. L. Flinn and Harold M. Swope Harold M. Swope Objective: To determine the species, age, and sex ratios of the ducks and geese taken by the hunter. Techniques: The South Platte management area was divided into 38 hunting stations. These stations were designated by metal signs plainly visible along the hunters access roads. The 38 areas were available to migratory waterfowl hunters who checked in and out through the area check station. Only by their own request were more than five hunters assigned to one station. Permits to hunt on assigned stations were issued on a first come, first served basis. Permits were valid only on the date issued. Department personnel were on duty throughout the season at the check station issuing permits, assigning areas, obtaining kill data, and enforcing regulations. Findings: The daily record of the information gathered at the check station follows in Table XXV. This table is divided into three parts to facilitate the analysis of data. The first part of Table XXV consists of kill information taken during the first split of the 1950 waterfowl season. Kill data collected during the second half of this hunting season composes part two of the table. The last part of the table gives a compilation of the previously tabulated data to include the entire 1950 waterfowl season. In Table XXVI the composition of the kill by species and percent is given for each half of the season, and for the season as a whole. Table XXVII compares the number of hunters, hours hunted, and hunter success figures for the 1948, 1949, and 1950 waterfowl seasons on the South Platte Management area. The degree and success of utilization of this management area by hunters from several geographic portions of the state is given in Table XXVIII. �-21_ PART I SOUTH. PLATTE GAME MANAGEMENT AREA TABLE-XXV DAILY KILL RECORD FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THE 1950 MIGRATORY WATERFOWL SEASON Noo of Hunters Hours Hunted Game Killed G.Wo. Teal Mallards F M F M 10/7 9 55 30 258 2· 54 38 1 10 2 11 10/8 78 315 24 21 5 4 Date 10/6/50 10/18 10/19 10/20 10/21 6 11 30 20 57 5 5 75 159 0 16 0 5 19 42 10/22 41 144 10/23 0 282 0 1180 8 6 12 1 2 14 31 0 10/9 10/10 10/11 10/12 10/13 10/14 10/15 10/16 .5 10/17 0 3 TOTALS Total each species Game Killed . Others M F SEecies Pintail Lesser Scaup s, W. Teal PiIltail B.W. Teal Baldpate Coot 3 3 1 2 2 5 2 1 1 1 3 2 4 2 1 1 3 5 1 3 1 2 a, We Teal 4 2 2 3 Lesser Scaup Wood Duck Shoveller 3 5 2 1 1 1 1 2 104 74 178 23 25 48 1 1 xII X13 Others 24 xSee Table XXVI 250 Ducks - total kill per man hour hunted per hunter .887 7102% ducks killed were mallards (58% males, 42% females) 1902% ducks killed were green-winged teal (48% males, 52% females) 4.18· Hours hunted per hunter attempt .212 Ii It �-23TABLE XXVI HUNTER KILL BY SPECIES ON THE SOUTH PLAT'lE MANAGEMENT AREA DURING THE 1950 MIGRATORY WATERFOWL SEASON Number Killed Species FIRST Percent of Total Kill HALF OF SEASON Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinense) Pintail (Anas acutaUt~iitzihoa) . Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) Lesser Scaup (Nyroca affinis) Baldpate (Mareca americana) Shoveller (Spatula clypeata) Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) Coot (Fulica americana) 118 48 13 11.20 19.20 5 2.00 .80 .40 2 1 1 1 1 :~sno .40 .40 .40 250 100.00 1,145 Mallard 30 Green-winged Teal Am. Merganser (Mergus merganser americanus) 11 Am. Golden Eye (Glaucionetta clangula 13 americana) 2 Lesser Scaup 1 Coot 94.18 2.48 1.41 1.09 Totals 1,208 100.00 Mallard Green-winged Teal Am. Merganser Pinta,il Am. Golden Eye Blue-winged Teal Lesser Scaup Coot Baldpate Shoveller Wood Duck --+#323 - 18 11 13 13 90.14 4 .21 2 1 1 1 .01 .01 .01 TOTALS 1,458 100.00 Totals SECOND HALF OF SEASON .16 .08 SEASON TOTALS 5 5.35 1.11 .89 .89 .34 .14 �-24TABLE XXVII SOUTH PLATTE GAME MANAGEMENT AREA KILL RECORDS AND SUCCESS FIGURES FOR THE 1948, and 1950 MIGRATORY WATERFOWL SEASONS Comparisons Total number of hunters Total hoUrs hunted Total ducks killed Mallard Green-winged Teal Other species Ducks per man hour hunted Hours hunted per duck Ducks :Qer hunter attem:Qt 1948 1949 1,016 2,759.5 641 579 39 5 0232 4.305 •6~1 773 2,330 679 462 184 33 1950 1,370 4.'1066 1,458 1,323 78 67 0291 .358 2.788 3.431 1.06!d: 0878 . In reviewing the 1948, 1949.'1and 1950 seasons~ which offered 34~ (November 12 to December 16), 44t (October 14 to November 27), and 35 respectively, significant comparisons may be made. During the two seasons when legal 3hootin~ extended into December the m~lards killed comprised ~ 90 of the total kill. In 1948~ when the entire season was scheduled in October and November, IiiaJ.Ia'rds compo'Sed only 68% of the bag. . Despite the fact that clear, calm~ balmy weather characterized the entire 1950 waterfowl hunting season there was a decided increase in hunters success over tre.:twoprevious years More hunters hunted more hours , killing lIlOJre,ducks in less time, than during the two pre~ viorls seasons. The latter half of the 1950 season provided hunters with 83% of all ducks killed~duti~g the entire season. 0 The comparative success of the 1950 season may largely be attributed to the tremendous number of ducks in the vicinity of the management area prior to,9 and during, the:second half of the season. A female wood duck was taken on October 22. species in Colorado are not common. Records of this By referring to Table XXVII it may be seen that Denver hunters were the most successful. Local hunters killed slightly fewer ducks per man, wbile the hunters from the Denver suburbs had the poorest success. �-25TABLE XXVIII SOURCE OF HUNTING PRESSURE AND RELATIVE SUCCESS OF THESE HUNTERS ONTRE SOUTH PLATTE GAME MANAGEMENT AREA DURING THE 1950 MIGRATORY WATERFOYvL SEASON Source of Hunting Pressure Denver Denver Suburbs (Adams, Arapahoe & Jefferson Counties) Loca.I (Includes all other counties represented. Practically all of these'come from Logan~ Phillips, Sedgwick, and Yuma Counties) TOTAlS Number of Hunters Using Area Percent of Total Hunters Using Area 470 154 34% 574 II III 39% 8 746 55 773 53 1,370 100.00% 1,458 100% Total Ducks Killed Percent of Total Ducks Killed Practically all outgoing hunters had a good word to say about the management area made available to them by the.·Colorado Game and Fish Department. Even when kills were poor there was often satisfaction expressed that there was a place to hunt, and that it was just good to be lout!. Several factors may be mentioned which prevented the success ratio figures from being much higher than they were. The weather undoubtedly played the biggest part. The types of hunters encountered on a public shooting ground cannot be overlooked. Many of these hunters are shooting ducks for the first time~ or with very little experience. Often these hunters come out to shoot ducks long after the good morning shooting is over. Still others drift in with only an hours shooting time left in the afternoon, 'just to have something to do'. There is a definite increase in hunting pressure resulting from the spread of good kill reports. The latter statement refers to the tendency for hunters to concentrate in the area after good hunting success has been reported. By the time these hunters reach �-26the field the hunting is usually very poor; therefore these large concentrations of hunters have very limited hunting success. Hunting pressure cannot be discarded as unimportant" but it is contended that the weather during the hunting season has more to do 'With hunter success than does the hunting pressure or the number of'ducks in the state. It should be emphasized that hunter success on a public shooting ground, tgunned' by numerous, inexperienced hunters who just want to be outdoors, cannot be justly compared with success figures compiled on private and leased lands, which are more commonly utilized by the experienced duck h~~ters. Analysis and Recommendation~ It is imperative that the South Platte management area be surveyed and the boundaries be plainly and permanently marked. Adjacent land-owners claim much of the property thought to have been purchased by the state. There is no way to be sure that hunters are given permits to hunt on public land. Conversely, it is very difficult to patrol the area and"~eEp'tbUIrbersA1I1fthoutpermitsoff of what is thought to be in the Management area. The necessity for this survey cannot be over-emphasized. It is almost impossible to keep hunters within the confines of the hunting station assigned to them when no hunting station boundary line marker is provided. The location and delineation of all hunting stations should be plainly marked along the river bottom to keep hunters in assigned areas. Hunting stations have heretofore been marked off on a distance between station basis. It would provide better hunting if all stations were selected so as to take better advantage of the best hunting 'spots' where ducks tend to fly or concentrate. One good decoy site should be provided in every station. It is suggested that the area be opened toppublic shooting of pheasant and cottontail, except that during duck seaeon, and one week prior to it, no pheasant or rabbit hunting be done. There is avery apparent surplus of cocks in the river bottom. Due to the practically impenetrable nature of the vegetation it is doubtful. if any amount of legal hunting could hurt the pheasant or rabbitpopulatiohs. In a section of the state where much of the Departments 'trouble' has come from the practice of' landowners posting their land against hunting it does not seem proper that the state should indulge in the same policy. �After consulting past waterfowl migration recordsjl and weather r-ecords, indications are that a waterfowl season starting around November loth, and running straight throughjlwould provide the best hunting chances in this nort~eastern Colorado areao It may be further suggested in the interest of better hunting that the Colorado and Nebraska migratory waterfowl hunting seasons coincide. When Colorado's first split opened it was reported that the ducks were pouring llnMJNebraska. The Nebraska season opened jus t before the 'end of the first split in Colorado and a marked influx of ducks into no rtheas tern Colorado was noted at that time. By the time the second half of the split season got under way in Colorado the Nebraska season had ended. Once again the ducks were ~eported to have been swarming into the North Platte River in Nebraska. The latter suggestion is made from the standpoint of better hunting without considering the conservation viewpoint. Scope~ Sedgwick Bar (South Platte Management Area) Personnel: Reported by: George Steel, Refuge Custodian Harry Figge Findings: TABIE XXIX Date No. of Hunters: Hours Hunted KILL DATA ON SEDGWICK BAR 1950 SEASON Game Killed Mallards G.W. Teal M F M F Game Killed Other's: Species .36 55 60.4%,3906% Bo Wo Teal Pintail Shoveller 1 Am. Merganser 6 10/6 to 1012.3/50 119 14l 12/19 to 1/5/51 169 69.8% 3002% 160 11.0·' 76 TOTAIS 228 Percent Each Sex 301 Total Killed 231 112 "67.3 3i~7 343. 1 39 1 39 40 9 3 19 �-28I TABLE XXX Ducks per Hunter Ducks per Hour 1st Half 19.50 1.21 1.0 2nd Half 19.50 1.52 1.61 19.50 Season 1.39 1.33 1949 Season .907 .300 TOTAL Ducks Killed 144. 2.58. 402. 20.5. Work Plan No.2 - Job 2 Title~ Hunter check Objective~ To determine the number, sex and species of ducks killed during the season. Techniques~ Hunters are required to register at established check· station. Scope ~ Rocky Mountain Arsenal Study Area: Personnel~ Reported by: Arsenal Rod and Gun Club. Irving R. Poley Findings g The Arsenal opened the duck season the second day of the established season to provide better shooting for the hunters as afternoon shooting is very impractical. Table XXXI is a partial summary of the hunting success for the past three years. The second half of the 19.50season has not started at the time of this report. TABLE XXXI Year 1948 1949 195b No. of days 34! 44 34 No. of hunters 361 489 362 ROCKY MOUNTAIN ARSENAL DUCK KILL Hours hunted 1144 941 647 Total ducks killed 274 474 309 Ducks! .hour .240 .>03 . .431 Ducks! hunter .7.50 .969 .8.53 Table XXXII,\1which follows, shows the 1949 and 1950 duck kill by species and sex~ �-29TABLE XXXII DUCK SEASON, ROCKY MOUNTAIN ARSENAL, 1949-1950 1949 1st half 1950 2nd half 1950 Total season 1950 Nwnber of hunters Hours hunted Length of season (days) 210 565 44 154 350 17 208 297 17 362 647 34 Mallard (M) 22 28 (F) 159 112 8 28 Gadwall (M) 2 (F) 3 8 Baldpa te ell.!) 116 44 1 3 2 1 1 138 72 1 3 5 1 3 (F) It Pintail (M) It It (F) It B.W. Teal (M) (F) G.W. Teal (M) It It (F) Redhead (M) It It II (F) Canvasback (M) (F) It Scaup (M) It (F) GOldeneye (M) (F) Bufflehead (F) . Merganser RB (M) Shoveller (M) II (F) Coot 3 6 9 6 8 27 14 7 27 9 27 1 4 1 7 27 9 8 8 19 1 11 1 Percentage of males Percentage of females 5 1 1 1 2 5 5 4 1 16 1 3 3 9 Totals 28 474 135 174 309 46.3 53.7, 36.3 63.7 71.8 28.2 56.3 43.7 �-30= Work Plan No. 2 - Job 2 Ti tIe ~ Hunter- Check Scope~ Two Buttes Management Area Personneh: Technicians I. R. Poley, D. H. Nolting, and Wardens Ri.ggs, Co Mo Scott and.Hugh Gamble. N. D. Reported by ~ Donald H. Nolting Objective~ To det.ermtne number-a, weights,\J age and.sex of geese taken at Two Buttes during the second half of the open season. to determine hunter success and other datao Also, Method~ and Techniques~ There were no waterfowl killed in the Management area during the first half of the 1950 season. The second half of the migratory waterfOwl season opened with approximately 17,9500 geese in the area. This figure was determined by aeriCi.lcounts and by observation from the ground. Hunters were allowed l7~ days of shooting during th~ second half of the seasono Additional extensions of the "firing line," or waterfowl refuge boundaries were made in 1950. On the south side of the reservoir the line was extended 1.5 miles westward. A new lease with A. Osborn enabled a one mile westward extension on the north side of the lake. These extensions together with an Additional parking area (total of four) provided a much larger area open to hunting than in the past. Data was obtained by checking the hunters at the parking lots after they had finished hunting. A total check was not possible; instead,9 technicians questione~as many hunters as possible in an effort to obtain a representative sample. From these checksa a success ratio of geese per hunter was obtainedo Also, the hunters were tabulated by cars and the average number of hunters per car was obtained. A total count was made of all cars in the four parking lots. Thus.9 by multiplying the average hunters per car times the total cars , a projected figure for total hunters was obtained. Thens applying the success ratio,9 a projected figure for total geese could be found. These projected totals were computed daily. Age of geese was determined by tail feather characteristics. Two or more juvenile feathers marked a bird of the year. Actual weights were recorded and sex was found by cloacal examination •. Findings~ Projected figures show that 1228 geese were killed within the management area by 3491 hunters who hunted a total of 11,833 �-31hours. Projected success figures show that there was a kill of .352 geese per man or .111 geese per hour. An attempt was made to determine the crippling loss. In some cases, a goose will fly a considerable distance after being shot. In addition, hunters seemed reluctant to admit crippling a goose. For these and other reasons, this data m~ not be accurate. However, the crippling factor was found to be .218. Projecting this f'ac tcr' gives a total of 268 cripples. Observations indicated that many of the cripples died. . Warden checks in surrounding fields where geese fed indicated that 2000 geese were killed by an estimated 4500 hunters. Table XXXIII shows daily kill and hunting pressure both by actual check and projected figures. Nine hundred thirty-five hunters were checked in 362 cars, showing 2.5828 hunters per car. Table XXXIV shows the origin of hunting pressure and success by counties for the actual hunters checked. No attempt was made to project these figures. It is thought that significant changes in hunting pressure origin may occur in future years. �-32TABLE XXXIII DAILY KILL DATA Date HUnters checked Geese checked Geese per hunter Total cars Projected hunters Projected kill Dec.19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 86 153 '89 61 57 75 33 29 29 81 64 55 101 91 8 56 19 12 22 15 4 2 2 18 23 9 18 80 33 40 79 .093 .366 .213 .197 .386 .200 .121 .069 .069 ,.222 .359 .164 .178 .879 .804 .701 .608 .891 97 181 96 65 54 87 59 63 63 53 62 60 85 68 41 69 71 78 250 468 248 168 139 225 152 163 163 137 160 154 220 176 106 178 183 201 23.3 171.3 52.8 33.1 53.7 45.0 18.4 11.2 11.4 30.4 57.4 25.3 39.2 154.7 85.2 124.8 111.3 179.1 1352 3491 1228.0 -Jans Ll, 2 41 3 4 5 57 130 46 Totals 1278 TABLE XXXIV 41 481 HUNTING PRESSURE AND SUCCESS BY COUNTIES County Hunters Geese Baca Prowers Pueblo Denver El Paso Weld Saguache Rio Grande Las Animas Douglas Chaffee Otero All other (13) counties Out of states Texas, Kansass Missouri and Oklahoma 433 286 187 160 60 37 15·· 8 8 8 8 8 42 162 106 75 68' 22 15 4 18 0 1278 481 TOTALS 5 0 0 3 6 9 Geese per hunter .374 .370 0401 .425 .366 �-33Tables XXXV, XXXVI, and XXXVII show data obtained on age, sex and weight. Number of geese used in the samples v~, since complete data was not obtained for each gpose checked. It was found that 1.1 adults were killed per jevenile. Sex determination with a denta.lprobe was subject to some error. TABLE xsx» SEX RA.TIOS OF GEESE KIll.ED Males Females Males per 100 females Adults 47 30 156 Juveniles 47 25 188 94 55 172 Totals Table XXXVI shows the maximum and minimum weights recorded. The majority of the geese fall within the 4.5 to 7.5 pound class, which indicates that most of the Two Buttes geese are the Lesser Canada goose (Branta canadensis leocopareia). XXXVI MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM WEIGHTS (pounds) Adults Juveniles Maximum. 9.0 8.0 Minimum. 4.0 Average weights by sex are shovvuin Table XXXVII. It is interesting to note that the total weight of alltthe geese killed in the management area reached 7258 pounds, or mere than 3.5 tons. The average weight of all geese weighed was 5.91 pOQ~ds. TABIE XXXVII Adults Juveniles AVERAGE~iJEIGHTS BY SEX Males Females 6.17 Both Sexes 6.35 5.65 6.24 5.59 5~59 �·-34Again this year, the public shooting grounds served as an excellent refuge for ducks. An estimated 20,000 ducks used the refuge and only four Mallards were observed killedo Analysis and Recommendations~ In general the second half of the 1950 split season showed an increase of three major factors over previous years. i.e.$ numbers of geese using the area, hunting pressure and kill. In addition there was an improvement in hunter success from last year, partly due to the change from last yearis early continuous season to this year i s split season. By checking back through past reports, it:ls;apparent that there has been an increase in the number of geese wintering at Two Buttes Reservoir. This might not be an increase in the total population. Perhaps geese that have wintered on other lakes have been attracted to this reservoir by the proximity of winter wheat , More males were killed than females, and more adults were killed than juveniles. Both of these conditions VI1i. th the increased kilLwould tend to lower the breeding population. It is therefore recommended that a close check be kept on these conditions and their~ossible effects on management plans in the future. For the present, the high kill is desirable since it reduces crop damage on winter wheat fields in the surrounding area. Since the shooting ground is a long term project, it is suggested that the paper and wood~~igns now in use be replaced with metal signso 1he split season was an imprQvement over last year~ both from the standpoint of hunting success and management of the shooting grounds.. It should be continu.ed. However, the phase of the moon should be considered in setting the season. Geese feeding by moonlight result in an increase of crop; damage and decreased hunting success. The season should be set during the dark phase of the moon for these reasons. It is also believed that this would benefi t duck shooting in other areas ; Hunting pressure increased considerably during 1950 over any previous year and reached a peak on opening morning when 468 hunters used the shooting grounds. Hunters were spaced too closely on the line for hunting safety. In addition, it became impossible to determine which hunter actually killed a goose~ and ligoose s teal.Lng" became a problem. Treapass and damage on private lands increased. It is therefore recommended that an improved or modified system of management be carried out in t he ruture , This system should include some way of controlling the numbers and/or distribution �-35of hunters through a central check station. It should, however" be flexible and adapted to slack days as well as to days of heavy pressures It should require a minimum of man power. Submitted Name by: Approved Harry J. Figge Title Wildlife Technician by: COIDRADO STATE GAME AND F ISH DEPARTMENT BY_{~~~¥:~_-_-_ Title __ ----~C~.~N~.~F~e~a~s~t~J~D~ir~e~c~t~o~r _ Date Note: F=-e::..:b~r:...:;u:;;;a;:.ryIl.....,;2:.:3::.i2 _ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Co~orado Game and Fish Department. �PRO QUARTERLY SURVEYS STATE COLORADO PROJECTNO. 38-R ----~~--------------- DATE Janua!y, G RES I N V EST AND As Required 1951 REPORT S I GAT ION S By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFERESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader: 3. Report Deer-Elk-Bear Investigations Paul F. Gilbert of Progress: NOrth-Central Color.ado - Paul F. Gilbert 1. Location and Extent Job 2. Location Objective: of Seasonal and Extent To locate Ranges - Deer and Elk of Winter and map winter Ranges ranges. Prior to big game hunting season elk were still quite high; this is true also for the deer in. management. units 15, 18, 27, and 28, excepting for a few which were d own quite low all summer Long , Eleven days after the close of big. game season the deer began to show up in greatly increased numbers on the winter range. On November 11, forty-one head of deer ~!ere counted down in the rye field across from the Sulphur Headquarters,. and sixteen more could be seen back on the ridge working. down. Since this date the number of deer seen on the lower winter range has varied with the weather. Storms or cold snaps naturally push them lower. At present a 11 of the winter range.s are open and snow conditions vary from bare south .sl.opes to about a foot at t he upper winter range limits e . There is a small wintering. area for deer just east of Dillon on both sides of U. S. Highway 6, that was visited the first part of December. Snow depths were greater in this area, and it will be interesting to see if these deer stay in this area as winter progresses. �-2 Job 3. Migration Between Summer.andWinter Ranges. Objective: To locate andde.termine. the. amount.of' migrations of deer and. elk betweensummerandwinter.ranges. and.f.actors affecting same. No actual migrations hav:ebeen noted in this .anea, Notes. are being kept on deer movements.from t.he summer.to the winter ranges. The direction and crossing.sare being noted.. On November9, a trip into the CottonwoodPass .area after a. new snow disclosed that. most of the deer in this area were. working north. on both.side.sof the pass toward the Colorado River. It was also noted that another crossing existed on the. divide between the Bl.ue, River and the Sheephorn Creek along Highway11. Here some.of the. deer, . out. of the. Sheephorn Mountain count.ry, work north.toward the Colorado.River on the. _east side of the Gore Range. Manydeer had alre.ady movedxnrt of the uppe.r Sheephorn country by December6, arid were wint.eringbetween Stat.e Bridge and Hartman Divideo Twenty-four deer traps have been completed at. the. Sulphur Station, and are being distriputed to all district biologists to be used in a state wide deer tagging program which.will give mo.remeeded information on deer migrations. Twodays were spent at Little Hil1sExperimentStation ..where techniciansand Doctor-s..Rankin..and Gould.experimente.d with Curare drug as an aid in t.r-appfng, This. experiment will. be reported on at a later date. II. Population.Suxveys""Deerand Job 2. Elk. Sex Ratio Surveys. Objective~ Determine sex ratios to hunting season. on key herds prior to and subsequent Sex ratio surveys were started December4 in thelMiddle Park area. Most of the sexing has been done in the evenings and from a car. In areas where sexing could not be done from a car, it was done on footo These are not large samples and therefore can only be used as indicators. Corral Creek Beaver Creek Sheephorn Creek Bucks Does Fawns Total 6 9 10 6 7 16 19 14 25 46 39 81 �The sex ratio for the animals counted on Beaver Creek is 1 buck to 1.55 does to le77 fawns,\)or a fawn ratio of 1.14 fawns to each doe" On the Sheephorn side,\)the sex ratio comes out 1 buck to 205 does to 4~6 fawns,\)or a doe=fawn ratio of 1.84 fawns to each doe. IIIo Forage and Range Utilization. Job.l.- Survey of winter browse use. Objective~ To determine winter utilization of improvement browse specieso Some concern is felt for the deer on the winter ranges in this area should the winter be a severe one. The annual growth produced this year on the winter ranges was short, also the amount of leaves that have fallen from the big sage~ Artemesia tridentata, due to the shortage of moisture is noticeable. Job 3 = Food Habits. Objective~ To find more accurately the food habits of deer and elk. Two stomach samples haye recently been collected from animals killed on the railroad, but they have not been examined as yet. IV. Mortality-FactorsjUfecting Deer and Elk Herds. Job 3 = Study of Other Mortality Factors. Objective~ To determine the losses to deer herds by various decimating factors. Deer have not as yet been forced to hang low on the winter ranges in this area,\)therefore highway and railroad kills have been light The first deer of the season to be killed on the railroad was an eight year old doe on the night of December 12. A postmortem of this animal showed that she was not pregnant. The second railroad kill occurred the night of the 16th when a fawn was hit. Only one animal is known to have been killed on the highway this quarter. One two~point buck was poached in the State Bridge area the night of December 170 0 During big game season a sample of deer meat was received that had been killed in the Woody Creek area. It was infected with Cysticercus ovis which occurs commonly in the muscles of sheep. Several animals were picked up by check station supervisors during �-4big game season that were suffering from a condition known as Caseous.lymphodenitis, a disease of sheep in the Rocky Mountain areao (The above report was submitted by Paul F. Gilbert) �-5Nortbwestern Ij>- Colorado ..•Ross Lo CampbelL Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges., Job 2 - Location and Extent of Winter Rangeso Objectiveg To locate and map winter ranges. Due to the warm» dry fall and early winter» deer and elk have remained well_scattered. Two flights were made during the first part of october; and at this time both deer and elk were seen near the upper limits of their summer range. At the same time deer were known to be drifting down into their winter range. Job 3 - Migration Between Summer and Winter Rangeso Objective~ To locate and determine the amount of migrations of deer and elk between summer and winter ranges and the factors affecting. A migration study of the lllidteRiver herd comparable to the 1949 study made by Gordon Solomon was made this yearo This study consisted of counts along Highway 13.9between Meeker and Rio Blanco, a distance of approximately twenty miles. An attempt was made to compare the migration pattern this year with that of last year. ether objectives were to determine the peak of the fall migration and to determine the 1950 doe-fawn ratio. Every other night during the month of October and the first week of November counts were made between 9~30 and llg30 P.Mo All deer seen on the round trip by the headlights of an automobile traveling approximately 40 MPH were recorded. Spotlight was used to aid in identification of deer traveling in groups. Last year counts were made in one direction only without aid of a spotlight. Besul.t.e s The migration this year did not follow a definite pattern,!) but was erratic. This may be explained by the fact that there were no appreciable storms during the period to hasten the migration to lower country. With warm weather and open range deer were in no hurry to move; Deer crossed less on windy nights than on calm nights. Although the greatest number of deer were observed on a dark night" November I. It was observed that the bulk of the migration occurred during moonlight nights. Traffic seemed to make little difference in the number of deer crossing~ or even in the number of deer killed by vehicles as was the case last year ..men more deer crossed at one time. �-6II. Population Surveys. Job 2 - Sex-ratio Survey Objective~ Determine sex ratio on key herds prior to and subsequent to hunting season. A total of 170 deer were counted during the entire stuqy. and 91 were fawns. Of this total 10 were bucks, 69 weredoesa The buck-doe ratio 1~609 is obviously inaccurate for several reasons. (1) All bucks seen were 2 points. (2) Only two bucks were seen during the latter part of hunting season while the bulk of the deer were crossing. (3) It does not check with aerial surveys made Later-, The doe-fawn ratio was 1~103. This may be considered as a pre-season ratio for the Piceance creek drainage since the deer were coming from an antlered only area where no does or fawns should have been killed. In one case 3 fawns were noticed with a single doe •. Twins were noticed in a number of caseso Post season sex ratios were determined from aerial counts December 6, 7, and 80 Piceance Creek Drainage East side West side Total Bucks 30 Does 13 118 255 43 131 Fawns 154" 127 281 Greystone-Cold Springs Area. Greystone Cold Springs Total 23 79 102 This gives a ratio of 1 buck to 5093 does and 6.53 fawns for the Picean~e creek drainage as a whole. There is a discrepancy in the sex ratio between the east and west side of the drainage that is difficult to explain. The buck-doe ratio on the east side is 1~4~57 while on the west side it is 1:9.00. one possible explanation lies in the fact that a low cloud prevented flying above 8700'feet on the west side and the bucks may have been higher. No segregation was found on the east side, however. Few spikes could be distinguished �v / -1 f C"! --,.." ~ -t I f'\, -c f ...t ,, - '".q N If\: ('\J J �=7= and these were counted' with the bucks these were counted with the doeso 0 It is likely that part of In the Greystone and Cold Springs areas a ratio of 1 buck to 208 does to 2048 fawns was foundo This area did not have the hunting pressure that the Piceance Creek drainage had, This shows up both in the buck=doe ratio and in the doe~fawn ratioo IIIo Forage and Range Utilizationo Job 4 = Utilization and Availability of Browse on Summer Rangeo Objective & To study game browse use on summer rangeso During the latter part of September a three day field trip was made into Moffat County during antelope season, West of Craig in the vicinit.y of Lay there was evidence that deer are moving down into the sagebrush flats in greater numbers than in the pasto In this area sagebrush9 about the only browse species~ had made poor growth 0 In the Cold Springs area growth was only slightly better on browse species although the grass had made good growtho Extensive use by both deer aridantelope was found on water birch~ ~etula Fontinaliso In the Brown1s Park areas where there is little use by domestic stock:; grass had done very wello The dominant species:; needle and thread grasss Stipa comota, had made good growth and many seeds talks were noted, Browse species, however-, made only moderate growth and utilization was lighto Job 6 ~ Quadrat Stugy of Range in Utilization Plotso Objectiveg To determine the ranges recovery in relation to deer and elk use on the winter and.summer r-anges, Pictures were taken of key browse species within a deer tight exclosure at Lit;tleHills near the end oft.he'past growing season, Oomparaal,e.pictures were taken in an unprotected area nearby Figures 2 and J give an excellent example of browse use in the:LttUe Hills area and of recovery under protectiono It may be seen by these figures; that the first year" s protection resulted in an enormous growth while growth the second year was only averageo 0 IVo Mortality Factors Affecting Deer Herdso Job 2 = Predation Affecting Deero Objectiveg To deterniine extent and nature of deer loss through predationo �-8An increasing number of coyotes have been observed in the Piceance Creek area. During the middle of November evidence of a coyote kill was' seen near the enclosures at Little Hills. On December 7, aerial observation was made of a coyote feeding on a fawn about two miles from the Little Hills Station. From the blood stains on the snow in the surrounding area, it was believed that the coyote had killed the fawn--probably with the help of other coyotes. Little Hills Experiment Station--Ross Campbell and Robert Howard Io Loca tion and Extent of Winter Ranges. Job 3 - Migration Between Summer and Winter Ranges. Objectiveg To locate and determine the amount of migration of deer and elk between summer and winter ranges and the factors affecting. Four deer tagged at Little Hills last winter were killed during hunting seaeon, One of these" a five point buck" was killed on Black Sulphur Creek about 12 miles south and west of Turman creek where the deer were tagged. One mature doe was killed in the same draw.where she was probably tagged. Another mature doe was taken north of theVT ranch" about 3 miles east of the place of tagging. The .fourth" a yearling doe when she was tagged, was killed on Seigar Mountain 7 or 8 miles east of where it was tagged. Soon after hunting season this fall 8 box type traps were placed in operation at Little Hills. Since there has been little snow and deer ranges have remained open there has been little success as yet. Deer trapped and tagged this season are listed below: 5 mature does 5 fawns" buck 3 fawns, doe 13 Total In addition one mature doe tagged last year was recaptured. Forage and Range Utilization. Job 5 - Little Hills Grazing Competition, Enclosure Study. Objective~ To determine degree and selectivi~ deer, sheep and cattle in enolosures. of forage use of �Figure 2 'Irypicalbitterbrush plant in Little Hills area. Figure 3 Bitterbrush plant protected two winters. (Photos by Glenn Rogers) �-9A great deal of work was done on the enclosure fences this year in an attempt to keep the deer out. The size of the area closed to hunting around the enclosures was increased and well posted. In addition a check station was placed at the mouth of Truman Creek during hunting season where information was given to hunt.era, The results of these effQrt.swere very encouraging. As nearly as we can determine, only<5 deer gained entranc~.!where they were not wanted. Three of these have already been taken in control work •• Growth measurements were made in all pastures after the growing season. At the request of Laurence E. Riordan, who isanalyzingmeasurement data, 10 point, areas were used in each pasture rather than 6. Tracks were counted at several gates to pastures 4 and to pastures 6 and 7 (still combined) to control stocking with deer. In pasture 4 this method was successful and 9 deer were counted in for the correct stocking. The topography is such along the boundaries of 6 and 7 that gates cannot be located in old travel routes. Sixteen deer were desired in this pasture, but only 9 have gone in and remained in., Gates will be re-opened after each snow until near. '.to the desired number are in the pasture. Since the past growing season was dry and spring utilization heavy in pastures occupied by cattle and sheep, fall stocking was light. Below is the stocking record for the fall season in these pastures: Pasture Pasture 1 - sheep i>asture 2 - cattle Pasture 3 - cattle Pasture 5 sheep No. animals Period Animal days 10 3 3 15 16 Nov. 2-Dec. 9 Oct. 30-Dec.7 Oct •.30-Dec.7 ,Nov. 2-Nov.30 DecD l-Dec. 7 370 114 114 563 A new project has been undertaken at Little Hills Experiment Station. This is a browse and grass nursery to test various species considered for planting in the improvement of game ranges. An initial planting was' made May 17, 1950 of 20 species which were, for the most part, browse species. Two additional species were planted about the middle of June. This fall most of these species were duplica ted and several new species were planted, including eight grass species. The nursery is approximately three-fourths of an acre �-10in size and has been enclosed in a deer tight fenceo Soil on this plot is a slightly alkaline~ sandy loam that supported rabbit brush and Kentucky blue grass under irrigation before it was broken and a good~ firm seedbed was preparedo Following is listed the species tried at little Hills thus faro Species planted May 17 Fourwing saltbush Snowberry Mountain mahogany Winterfat, Native plum Redroot Sandcher-ry... Serviceberry Skunkbush Oak Snowberry Bitterbrush Squaw=apple Apache plume Utah juniper Oneseed Juniper Spiny.hop sage Oldmans wormwood (cuttings) Bunnef * SeveIra alfalfa Atriplex canescens * Symphorocarpus racemosus * Cercocarpos montanus * Eurotia lanata * Prunus americanus * Ceonothus integeramus * Prunus.besseyi * Amelanchier alnafolia * Rhus trilobata* • Q'ii'e'rcus !EE. .Symphorocarpos occidentalis * Purshia tridentata * Peraphyllum ramos±3som .*. Fallugia paradoza * Juniperus utahensis Juniperus monosperma Grayiaspinosa * ~temesia abrotonum Sonquisorba occidentalis 0 * Species planted June 15 Siberian pea tree Buckthorn .Caragana arborescens * Rhamnus-davurica* * Duplicated in fall planting Precipitation for the growing season between May 173 when the inital planting was made~ and September 1 was only 1.60 inches. This came in small showers with the largest July 28 amounting to 024 inches 0 Under these conditions only 6 species made any growth. Fourwiilg saltbush, burnet, and sevelra alfalfa made excellent growth. Bitterbrush had poor germination but the plants that came up made good growth. Apache plume barely made a showing. Out of one hundred cuttings of Oldman is wormwood$ only one grew. This species �-11- has shown promise in Utah and ~ll be given further trial along with most of the other species tried. Several new species not planted in the spring were planted this fall .• New species planted in the fall Leather leafMt. Mahogany Currant Curl leaf Mt.Mahogany Wild rose Cow pea Cercocarpus ~. Ribes ~. Cercoca£pu~ ledifolius Cotoneaster acutifolia ~~o Arctostaphyllus gatula Sambucusracemosa Pt~us melanocarpos Jna:eagnus angustifolia Ceon9thu;:,! velutinus small manzanita ElderbemChokecherry. ltussian olive Redroot Scramble hedge Yellow sweet clover Weeping lovegrass Sand lovegrass Crested wheatgrass Intermediatewheatgrass Blue grama Buffalo grass Kentucky bluegrass Melilotus officinalis Eragrostis c~a Eragrostis trichodes .Agropyron cristatum Agrop;go.n inte;nnedium Bouteloua gracilis Buchloe dacti10ides Poa pratensis Several mixtures of browse ~ grass and yello";Isweet clover were planted this fall outside the nursery iilan abandoned field now infested with cheatgrass. Seed was sown broadcast in areas approximately 20 yards square and disced ino The following combinations were p.Larrteds saltbush 1 Yellow sweet clover, .crested wheatgrass~fourwing n 19 !! , intermediate wheatgrass, Russian olive 2 it n It 3 s weeping lovegrass, Siberian pea tree II II 4 Iin s sand lovegrass, skunkbush n buffalo grass» bitterbrush 5 It " a, blue II grama grass~ chokecherry. 6 " (The above report was submitted by Ross Lo Campbell) �-12Eagle and' Colorado':~RiVIers - Jack H. DeVore I. Location and Extent of Seasonal~ges~ Job 2 - Location and extent of winter ranges. Objectivelt To locate and map winter ranges. Due to the dr,r and open fall and ,vinter there are few deer on the winter ranges proper. With the exception of a few areas, deer are fotL~d on the upper limits of the winter ranges and the lower and central parts of the sa~er rangeso The deer in g~neral are widely dispersed with no concentrations. One of the exceptions is the Roan Creek ~ainage. Throughout the summer~ fall and winter there has been a large number of deer on the winter ranges of this district •. toConsiderabledamage to Alfalfa fields is the result. In this particular area there is a large amount of posted land and a great deal of the area is inaccessable to the average hunter. Job 3 = Migration betweensmruner and winter ranges. Ohjective~ To locate and determine the amount of migrations of deer and elk between summer and winter ranges and the factors affecting. There 'has been no major movement into the winter ranges to date. A slight influx of deer was noted during the rutting season, possibly due to the bucks moving down to the resident does. ,In early December twelve to fourteen inches of snow fell over a period of several days, this caused the'deer to move into the upper winter ranges and the lower summer ranges. Several flights were made after the snow and deer were found from 1000 to 10,000 feet throughout the upper Colorado River, Frying Pan, Crystal River and the Eagle River. Elk r:idges and southern slopes with observed were on the high windswept .. a few sighted in the heavy timber. �110 Population Surveyso .Job 2 - Sex-ratio survelo OQjective: Determine sex ratios on key herds prior to and subse~ quent to hunting seasono Aerial sex-ratio counts were made in the following areas with the following results. Bucks 52. 8 Does Fawns 79 30 46 42 80 46 323 9> 32 Book Cliffs Frying Pan Frying Pan Divide_Creek Piney Brush Creek 23 24 .1Q. 64 42 75 39 Totals 143 347 16 The information above indicates 1 buck to 2.42 does and the doe-fawn ratio to be 1 doe to .93 fawns. Of the total, bucks comprise 17057%$ does 42068% and fawns 39.72%. The assumption that hunters took a large number of fawns is accredited to the low ratio of fawns to doeso Ground checks made in most of the areas flown show 244 a~als checked with 1 buck to 2.56 does and the doe-fawn ratio to be 1 doe to .51 fawns. 1110 ForagE\-and range utilizatio~. Job l~ Survey of winter browse use. Objective~ species .• To determine winter utilization of improvement browse As stated previously there are few deer on the winter ranges; consequently use by deer is relatively light. Although due to the dry summer , cattle in certain areas turned to browse. Plants most affected were mountain mahogany,Cercocarpus montanus, and Oak brush, gu~rcus ~o Measurements of annual growths made on the winter range show the following: Avera~e growth Plant 2" Mountain mahogany 5" Oak 9" Sage Artemesia tridentata 2.l.JI Serv~ce berryAmelanchier~lnifolia. 4 �These measurements are of both the terminal and the lateral shoots. A range check made on Roan Creek indicates, that, although there are and have been many deer on the winter range in this area, the range is in fair to good condition. In order to prevent this area from becoming more of a problem area as to winter range it would be advisable to reduce the population considerably. Job 2 - Correlation of game and livestock use status. Objective & To determine land use status according to use. In areas adjacent to Dotsero and the upper Colorado River there is considerable competition between deer and sheep. A few ins,tances throttgh tfua wtn teI'~ Big:.'. eage , show :iliee.pcin::lireiapr:tng ands, fall. andtea tt:t.e· mountain mahogaQy and serviceberry are the plants most affected. In places mountain mahogany and sage are grubbed to the extent that they are near extinction~ 'A$. stated in Job 1 there is some competition between deer and cabbLe , although this was limited by areas it cili.d have its affect on the present condition of the winter range. Job 6 = Quadrat stugy of range in utilization plots. Objective & To determine the range recovery in relation to deer and elk uSe on the winter and summer ranges. Various checks were made on the exclosures and photographs taken by Glenn Rogers. When these pictures are available they will be used in a future report. IV o Mortali ty factors affecting deer and elk. Job 1 ~ Hunting loss other than legal bag. Objective: To find the relation of the kill to the number of animals killed by the hunter through crippling and various factors affecting. The cow elk was found dead on Four-Mile Creek due to wounds probably received during the hunting season. Also one deer was seen while flying sex-ratio counts~ cause of death unkno'vn. Job 2 -Predation Objective~ dation 0 affecting deero To determine extent and nature of deer loss through .pr-e.- �-15There has been no apparent predation of deer, although there has been a decided increase in the coyote populationv Several cases of dogs chasing deer have been reported and in one instance a doe was killed by a single dog on the upper Frying Pan River~ Steps have been taken to stop this from happening again. Job 3 - Stud]" of other mortality factors. Objectivet To determine the losses to deer herds by various decima.ting factors. It is yet too early to have any winter loss. Several cases of highway kills have been reported by highway maintenance crews. (The above report was submitted by Jack DeVore) �-16Central Western I. Location Colorado -- Harold C. Hammit and Extent of Seasonal Ranges--Deer Job 2 - Location and Elko and Extent of Winter Ranges; Moderate weather with very light snows has made it difficult to check winter range limits or shifts in concentration areas this past quartero With. the aid of available maps and notes, many o.t the winter ranges were che eked, By the second week in December only a partial migration of most deer and elk herds have been completed. The animals remain scattered from the upper limits of their summer range, through their intermediate range, down to the upper limits of their winter range. Job 3 - Migration Between Summer arid Winter Ranges 0 After the hunting season, ending October 31, the deer that had been pushed lower by hunting pressure from the Divide road of the Uncompahgre Plateau, started returning to the upper limits of the summer rangeo By mid-November scattered deer were seen by aerial check as high as 8,500 feet on the east side of the Plateau and 9,500 feet on the west sideo The west side had very little snow with only two to three inches of snow on the east side. On November 17 an aerial check found a few scattered deer on the upper limits of their winter rangeso Dry Mesa, Winter Mesa,' Atkinson Mesa, Blue Mesa, John Brawn's Mesa and the Sinbad Valley rim were checkedo A check on foot on Blue Mesa and Dry Mesa, the first week in December, indicated a heavier shifting to the lower limits of the winter rangeso The lower movement was also indicated by the first damage complaint on fruit trees being turned in during that week from the Happy Canyon area. The open conditions so far have permitted deer and elk to remain longer on their summer and intermediate ranges and should afford some relief to our over-utilized winter ranges. An aerial check on the Muddy Creek elk herd, the last of November, showed the animals to still be scattered from the hunting pressure 0 Several deer were seen migrating from the Kahnah Creek area west across highway 50 to the Dominguez. country A foot check found tracks trailing in a westerly direction along the road from Whitewater to the Endeer ranch. Several checks by plane and foot in the Kahnah Creek extended hunting season area found that the 0 �-17= deer did not migrate around the mesa rims into Kahnah Creek in any large numbers until the first week of December. The hunting success increased to around .5 B.rllmalsper hunter per day during December. Many November hunters did not bag a deer , During the past quarter lumber and materials for the construction of ten deer traps were taken to the Elk Creek rancho Trapping arid tagging sitesbave been located in the Kahnah Creek ranch. Trapping and tagging sites have been located in the Kahnah Cr~eKs Minnesota Creek9 and Billy Creek areas. II.Population Surveys--Deer Job 2 ~ Sex-ratio and Elko Surveyo No sexing was completed on fooi as the deer were scattered to the extent that reliable nilmbers could not be obtained. Only one sex-ra tio on Kahnah Creek was obtained by aerial survey. It is not considered reliable as hunting was still in progress in the area, the early sexing date~ the small number of deer counted» and the short sexing time of less than 15 minutes. This count was made November 10 and a total of 68 animals were counted with a breakdown of 5 bucks, 38 does, and 25 fawns. This gives a sex-ratio of 1 buck to 7.60 does" to 5.00 fawns. III.Forage and Range Utilization. Job 1 - Survey of Winter Browse Use. An attempt was made to measure the current annual growth of the dominant browse species on several key winter deer ranges. Each average length~ in the table below, is an average of the current growth of over 50 measurements on selected typical browse specieso The past summer and fall was extremely dry in this district and little or no growth was found in several winter range areas. An effort' was made to judge the utilization where deer or domestic livestock had already entered the winter ranges. �-18Average Current QroWth 'Brawse Species Per Cent··· ·UtUization .Winter Range BrQwse . Species: Averag~ Growth· Inches CowCreek Big sage Big· sage seed stalks ,. Four-wing saltbush Mountain mahogany Tall rabbit brush 1 3/4 41/4 10 6 15 Black sage Black sage seed stalks Mountain]naliogariy S.erv1ceberry 3/8 11;4 3/8 . 80 Big sage Big sage seed stalks 1/2 . 12 Big sage Big sage seed stalks ~all rabbit brush Skunkbfush 21/2 5 1/2 1 20 11/4 5 Dry Mesa Blue Mesa Lower san lfiguelL Naturita Canyon Big sage Big sage seed stalks TaJ.l rabbit brush Kabnah Big· sage Big sage seed stalkS h 5 10 2..3/4 20, 31/4 3/4 5 . .6,1/4 2· 5 1/4 ". ,. Lerous Creek .Serncebe·rry Oak brush 11/4 Dry Creek Big· sage Big sage seed stalks ··Oakbrush Serviceberry ·tow· rabbit brush 1/2 3 1/2 2; 3/4 2 1/2 1 1/2 3~ 5 10 �=19~' Job2 ---Correlationo'fGame and tivestock Land Use Status. Re':'seeding ExPeriment. Oil Novemoer 24 arid' 28 tl1e' Bureau-'ot taiia-Mciiiagement,:reseeded by airplane 'with no groUnd preparation approximately 884' acres on Winter Mesa.". The•area Was strip-flown' and'spec:LU emphasis was given to the lower more fertile areas. 'OVer 2;375 poUiids of seed were' used making an average of. three·pounds':'tothe. acre~ The reseeding was not straight crested wheat as . 390' pOundifo of sweet clover and 85 potinds'of intermediate wheatgrass'were , mixed, with over 1900 pounds of crested wheat. Tltls'should be' especially interesting from the standpoint that theirpastre-seeding programs on Blue Mesa~ Black Mesa.,9artdAtkinson' Mesa'were done after sage brush eradication with the 'one-way 'plow~ 'The' Bureau of Land Managementis depending upon the Winter concen';';' tration of deer to trample the seed into the grouildo' This'rEi;"'" seed1ng$'if sl,iccessful, may' aliviate some of the deer over";'browsingin the area as crested wheat may furnish some-use in the' spring and fall as well as some use from sweet clover in 'the' spring Also furnish more feed for the cattle that riin on this range. The over~ cost of the z-e-eeedtng program on Winter Mesa was a little less then one dollar per acreo 0 Job 3;-= Food Habitso , ' TWostomach -samples were collEicte.dduring·· ,the quarter·but'· have not been exa.rldned.One' sample was taxen'from'a tWo'yea:r~old buck killed by spotlighters in the CowGreek area··onNovelllber·30. The other sample was taken from a two year old doe killed on the DeBeque Canyon higlnvay by a car November 14. Job6-=Qua.drat:Study0fRange "in Utilization,Plots_ 'The permanentchart-m~ter-q~adratmeth6a"was'emplQye4~o study utilization and plant-succession' ontheinside~ndoiltsideot ..the deer excfcsuree on Kabmih Creek and Blue Mesa~',. HaIp" was' obtairied forthe charting on Kahnah Creek but was accomplished by onemat,'d onBlu.e Mesa. The chart meter quadrat method Works very well""When two men are doing the charting but is costly in time· and 'effort when one man is doing the work. Over seven hours' were spent' charting two, quadrats on Blue Mesa with one man doing the-work"' compar-edto two hours charting two quadrats on Kahriah Creek--Wi th two men doing the work. A quick practical method of studying browse utilization is yet to be developed. �-20:rV~Mortality Factors; .Affecting ,Deer and Elk Herds• . ·t .,' .. , -,- -,' 'I. '., . ,-- Job 1-: HuntingI:'.qss,otherT,hanLegUBag " .lstudy was made"to determine-the wo:ung.i.ng loss"ori'I>iggame bY'"field' checks; letters' t6t-epresentati vas" 6f the vari'o'iis-'land uSEfagencies '(Forest Semce~ S~te Trappers; 'GameWaraens; , Bureau ,of' 'Land Management,'amusoUCoZlservation 'Sernce)~'plus" contacting hunters ,and ranchers. DUplica.tereportswere'check~d and it is 'believed" tha.tthe following dwoundiiig'loss'\:liita.,' Matno"" du.plication. 'It is iinpossible' to" oo~aiiiaccurate·data. over'such an extensive area as was attempted in this report~ ":'It is "recom"; mendedthat a smaller area' which is clearly delimited byfuit;UraJ. boundaries be'w6rke~'by'root and h6rseback'formoreaccurate data. This sniall area. shoUld' be assd.gned'a gamemaria.gement unit number so that the, kill can be obta.ined.' The'woundirig16'ss study area shoUld also have Within a good proportion of 'ill the vegetative types. 'It is believed that intensivestudy'a.rea of'" this type will produce a more accurate woundingloss figure then we now have 0 Thewounding loss was considered to be low this past hunting season, even though tracking snow,was,absent. 'The rough' brushy oak and pinyon-juniper types probably produced the higher losses •. , ,WoundingLoss B,V' Game'" ManagementUnit Game 14ciilagement Unit " GameClass "Drainage 'Foimd. 'Ka.fu1a.h CreekWhitewater 'basin Ra.pid''Creek" Indian Point Unit total Bucks Does FaWns'BUils Cdws>CB:lves 5 3 I 1 1 2 1,;:' 5 4 �-21,Wounding Loss By Game Management Unit Game Management Unit 53 54 62 63 64 65 :":'i':'- Drainage Found", Surface to Tongue West Mudqy Creek Pilot Knob Terror Creek Unit total Bucks 'Does Fa:wns. Bulls J 5 Cows ·Calves 4 1 1 4 5 4 0 0 1, 1. Little Gunnison Minnesota Creek Coal 'Creek Robertson Creek li. J J 1 1 2 2 1· 3; 2 1 Calamity Mesa Campbell Paint B1u~ Mesa. Atkinson Mesa Tabeguache Creek 2. 4· It Unit total 0 Pace Lake Sewemup Mesa Unit total. 1 1 li. 2 3 3 1. 2,,·, 6 Unit total. 1 10 11 Cottonwood Creek Lave Mesa Moore Mesa Little arid. Big DOminguez Escalante Creek Dry Creek 1N Mesa SaWmill Mesa Lag Hill 3'. l. 1. Unit total 12 1 Gunnison Unit total 1. 5 5 lL .1- 1 2: 2 2 1 5 1 lL 1. 1 2 lL 2 2 0 6 . 6 �-22Wounding Loss By' Game Management Unit ame Management Unit 61 68 Di'ai:nage Found· . D'ry Creek BucksDQes ], Fawns .··.B'i1l.ls Cows. .Caives 4 2 2 1. Spec tical Creek Naturita Creek San Miguel Beaver Creek: Lone Cone 12 .. 1. 1 1 Unit total .. 6 8 2 4 1. 1 0 3 1 .. 1 0 1 1 2 0 1 ·'E.'Dallas Creek COw Creek Big Cimarron Onion Creek Billy Creek 2 2 1 1 ·1 1 It Unit total 6 5 5 1 5' 0' 43 44 43 2 13' 1 Grant Total 3 (The above report was submitted by Harold C!. J!ammit.) �=23= Central Western Colorado ==H. Ao Stiehm I.Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges-=>Dee~ and Elk. Joh2 ~Locatioh and Extent of Winter Ranges .• Objective:; To locate and map .'linterrange. Methodg Checks were made on foot and from the car. The known winter' areas were covered Comparative .. densitY or deer' popu;';' ,. Latd.onswere determined by the relative amount 6fsigri present as well as the number cifanimals observedo Checks were also mads b.Y airplane reconn8,issanc 0 0 Findings:; Gunnison area; By December 10,9 following', days of' continuoussnowfa1~ deer herds were 'notedto'be'concentrated iri the upper intermediat~zone (approximately 9;000'feet'elevati6:ri) in Taylor river» East riiTerandTomichi»' 'Steliben,? Ohio;'Elk;"and Red Creek drainages Deer in the Steuben.\>' Ohio,?Elk,\)aIld Red .... Creek drainages were found to",berariging 500 to '1000 feet"higher than one year agos a condition which was believed to be caused py the mild winter' just prior to the heavy show faD ·of ear;Ly Decembero That is,9the relatively shorttilile which'had elapsed since the cessation of snowfall on December 8th to the time the writer and Co Do Tolman were in the areaonDecemberlOthwas" wholly insufficient for the herds to move from higher elevations to the8,?OOO feet elevation in the intermediate zone~ Elk were found at'an elevation of from 8,?500 to 9,9000 feet in the Red,? Elk~ and Soap Creek drainages on that date •• 0 Job 3 =Migration Between,Summer and Winte~ Ranges", Objective:; To locate and determine the am6u.nt of'nrl;grationof deer and elk between summer and winter ranges and the factors affecting. Findin&:!% (Gunnis~m) Big game migrations in the Gunnison can be said to be virtually verticalo Early seasonal downward' movements have as a goal the upper and middle limits' of the intermediate zoriewhere'thedeer remain 'until the heaVywiriter storms .driva them into maxiniwri. concentrationo As of December lOth the maximUlll concentration of deer was 'to be found in the extreme upper intermediat6 zone~ (Arka~sas)Deerwere remairling high in the upper Arkansas drainage andas'fareastwardasthe problem area in the vicinity of Canon Citr. That remaining �portion of the Arkansas valley which extends southward frOm Canon City to the New Mexico line had received ver,i little snowfall and rela tively no sign of deer appeared on the winter ranges. II.Population Surveys --Deer and Elk Job 2 --Sex Ratio Survey -~ Gunnison. The following ,sections ()f :t.~earea w~re ,checl5:~cl by air: Dra:i,nage To:nichi Ohio,lJAntelope Totals Sex Ratio~ Bucks Does Fawns 40 23 63 123 138 100 238 - 87 210 1 buck to 3033 does and 3.78 fawns Herd Compositicn12.33% bucks 41.1% does and 46.58% fawns III.Forage and Range Utilization. Job,! -Survey. of Winter .Browse Use. . . . "i." '" Methods :r ...Field reconnaissan,ce of conditj,'onQfbro,,!.seonthe key winter range of the Gunnison and Arkansas river drainages were made on foot aridb,y car, in order to determine forage availability for winter use. Findingsg It is not to be assumed from the following~tatementa that critical problem areas have become non: existent in the Gunnison area. They do exist and shall for some time until corrective measures bring about defini te improve~~nt in game ranges. Relatively little concern is" felt over'the carry= ing capacity of maximum concenta-atdon areas·'o!'the Glinriisonas compared to 'concentration areas of the Arkansas where acute shortages of moisture were noted as causirig4o% tc)6b% re~" ductions in the cUrrent arinual growth 6fkey browse species. NatUrally the near drought conditions affected cattle range in a siinilar manner with the result that cattle were utilizing the already meagre growth' on browse species to supplement " their own range shortages. In an area such as this where so little differentiation exists between 11vestock Winter-arid . summer ranges, use is so'severe that upwards of 50% die-baCK of browse species occurs. In addition, plant vigor has been �-2.5so reduced that mountain mahogany(Cercocarous rnontanus), for instance, showed an average current growth of ..~79' inches in the Copper GUlch di'ainage,."Keybrowse species" on steep' slopes have been forced by severe to destructive 'utilization to give way to squaw current (Ribes cereum)' anaskunkbusli' (Rhus trilobata). Sheet and gully erosion is prevalent in all major creek drainages within Fremont county. IVQMortalityFactors. i . JQbJ --Stucjy,of. Other Mortality Highwayand~ l~oad Mortality. Factors ,- W'int.er Loss, As, deer r~ach ~he;i;t".congentra.tions'on the Winter ranges sanetimes adjacent to arterial highways~ road':'killsshow a sharp increase. No such mortalities' were noted during the quarterly period report~d here. HoweverJ)periods of inclement· weather during the next quarter; nor -in progress, have resulted in-' gamemortalities which are to be reported on at a later date. (The above report was submitted by H. A.. Stiehm) �-26Southwestern I. Colorado -- Richard D. Teague Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk. Job 1 - Location and extent of s~~er ranges. On September 16, a report reached the writer that a cow and a calf elk had been on the Adrian Locke ranch all summero The sto~ was checked to be true. This ranch is in the Animas River bottom near it's confluence with Hermosa Creek and supports many willows, grass, alfalfa and other pasture. The cow and calf were seen grazing in Mr. Locke's lower pasture with his domestic stock on Sunday, September 10. Both animals were killed during big-game season. Job 3 - Migration between summer and ~nter ranges. Mild fall and early winter weather has been the general rule throughout the district, causing the game to remain high and scattered. No obvious migration exists yet except in the Piedra Unit. Here, around Devil Creek and Chimney Rock, many deer are already contently settled on their lvinter rangeo The Piedra migration reached it's peak about the last week of November. In the post deer season offueAnimas (October 1$ - December 31) hunting pressure has been just steady enough to hold both deer and elk on the higher ridges of Junction Creek, Lightner Creek and the general Hermosa Creek drainage (Figure IV). Little kill is evident, but the post season has shown to be successful in one respect, i.e., animals that would ordinarily be on critical winter range by the first of December are being retarded in their vertical migration. II. Population Surveys - Deer and Elk. Job 2 - Sex-ratio survey. It has been difficult this quarter to sex enough animals for an accurate report. This is due mainly to two factors; the need of the writers presence with the Contractor working on construction of the Hennosa Game Fence and secondly, the bulk of the animals remain out of the observers sight. A complete report will be submitted in the next quarterly report. IIIo Forage and Range Utilization. Job 2 - Correlation of game and livestock land use status. At the lower end of the Hermosa drainage, the Forest Service �R.7W. . .:' --P i :---•. l!' IGURE n: Ali Ii.ili.:i l.iN I ~ PO~T DE:":i.\ ~&~Ol, illtEA OCTOHt.:i.-( 15- DEGB!,iBBn 31 ,.., ~vL!dl~HUl~'.i.'ILG p~\~u':)l.i.i:'.:~ SCAL.E/N MILES o / 234 8 /2 �-27has a stock drift fence which cuts across the main trail. It's purpose is to stop the cattle from dropping into the lower country and roads. It also serves as a "gather up" point in the fall. Under ordinary weather conditions, the cattle drift out of the brush, stop at the drift fence, are immediately picked up by the cow outfits, herded into the cutting corrals near the fence and then taken on down to winter range. However, due to the warm fall weather, the cattle came to the fence in small dribbles.!, The stockmen apparently waited for enough cattle to reach the fence to make it worth their time herding them on down countryo Consequently many cattle were left along the fence for a considerable time before being picked up. In addition a number of horses were left in the area by big game hunters up to the middle of December merely to save on their feed bill. As a result, the range behind the fence for about 300 yards is badly abused. The oakbrush looks like so many stakes driven into the ground and the soil is churned into fine dusto Job 6 - Quadrat study of range in utilization plots. Three deer-elk exclosures have now been completed in the district; one near the State Turkey Ranch on Devil Creek of the Piedra River, one on the Hermosa of the Animas River~ and the third on House Creek of the Doloreso Diagrams have been drawn up '(FiguresV, VI, VII) and pertinent information presented in Table I for the purpose of establishing a permanent record. Photographs are to be taken yearly by the Resident Biologist. All photo hubs and photo=direction stakes have been so placed as to make it possible to take all the pictures at an ~xclosure at one time. That is, all pictures are taken in the same general direction thus ~voiding taking one picture into the sun, one away from the sun and still another at right angles to the light. It is hoped that this system will be time saving and also hold down possible variables of shading Shading can produce an illusion of ground cover density in a photograph. This point is important for each plant or erosion phase photographed within the exclosure» a comparable one is established on the outside for comparison. 0 In general, all pictures will be taken in a northerly direction and up-hill. By taking the pictures up-hill a more desirable perspective of ground cover is attained (Figure VIII). Photo-hubs are cedar posts about four feet tall, while the small cedar photo-direction stakes are about 18-20 inches high. This arrangement was made in order to enable the photographer to utilize each hub as a tirpod. For consistency, each picture is to be taken �-28with the photo-direction stake in the center of the photographic field. Dates and exclosure designation will also be shown in each picture. IV. Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds. Job 1 - Hunting loss other than legal bag. One doe deer and one bull elk are the only animals that have been found dead in the field as a result of gunshot wounds received during hunting season; Most stories of animals left in the field· by hunters, and checked by the writer, did not turn out to be true. Job 3 - Stugr of other mortality factors -- highway mortality. Perhaps another point in £avor of post seasons, aside from the one brought out under Job 3 - Migration between summer and winter range, is that animals are pushed back from the highways thus reducing highway mortality. Along highway 160, four deer have already been killed in the Chimney Rock country, whereas none have been hit in the post deer season area of the Hermosa. v. Hermosa Game Fence. Photographs, history and other data are now being gathered for a special report on the Hermosa Game Fence to be submitted at a later dateo It should be stated here however, that the contract to build the fence was let to Mr. Do P. Brumback of Grand Junction. He has completed approximately 95 per cent of the project to date. �FIGURE V ________________ "~E~R~M~Q~S~~~~\Z~O~A~O~------ ---------------------------------------.. ACCF.SS LADDER ,r'LAT " Tl-:hR1.Ih 7 I~OltTH ~'ACIlW ciLOI'E 1 AOhE :;>OU'21: J!'J.CIlJG ;;)LOPE 0 '.5 WEST ,¥'LCH,G ;:;>LOPE ~ .•. 3ZS' '6 ;:;>CAW: 1 IN.& 50 FT. LEGSl1D: «:~ Pl:lO?O sus o PHOTO-DIRj1~CTIClJ STAKE PHOTO PLAHT S :PHES~!iT: COLPOSI TI01i: O.AL.3Ht;~H 1. SHEET ~ROSION & OJ.":BhUSH B. " " " " 3. GENFoi,LL GliOUlID CO'{~ 4. " 5. l'SNDLER 6. "" 7. JUl;IPEH 8. " 9. It CEA!WTHUS & OU.B1tUSa "" " (Ceenothu8' fend leri ) " JUlJ IP.£li Ct:AlWTliUS POlWEltOSA P n~t; DOUGUS .J!'I.2 vilLlJ IRIS itIBES O~EGOl~ Gi\APE ,iILl) STW.W.3ZH:;Y �FIGURE HOUSE CR. (DOLORES VI R.) DEEh-ELK EXCLOSURE i- ACRE NEV.LY SSTABLI SHED b'OOD UTILIZL.TIOl~ PLOT 2. 7 Iv~I. l!'IWli I~O:.cCHED POST TO DOLORES R. ROAD VIA dTOCK T.P-AIL 't/1 N eo ~ ACCESS LADDER i- AORE EXCLOSURE o " 5 \32./-----~ l-JOT TO SCALE LEGEIW: "'5 PHOTO HUB o P HOTO-D IREC TIm: :3TAKE PHOTO CO~~O::>ITI0l1: 1. BITTERBhUSH, BIG SAGE, OJ>..,ZBRU::>H& SHEET E.hOSIOl~ 2 • Cll<L1EP~F lJTi~. MAHOGANY & ThUE kTN. ..lAHOG-Ll\TY 3. JU.NIPER, O.AK.BhUSH.& CUELLEAl!' 1iTl~. lJAHOGAl~Y (HOLD CA.:..tEHA VEI~TICAL) 4. BIG SAGE, BITTER3RU::>.d & BOTH LTIJ. 1lb-HOGANIES 5. JUNIPER, OAi..3i.\USH, BIT'£EhBEUSH & TRUE LTN. 1l.AHOG.AIJY (HOLD CA1LERA VERTICAL) 6. BIG SAGE, ThUE 1iTn. lJ1HOGldlY & cidEET .:mO::>ION PLA..NT::>PhESEl~T: THUS lvlTN. luA.l:iOGAUY (Cercocerpus montenus) CUHLLUl!' 11.TN. 11AliOGA.NY (Cercocerpusledifolius) BIG BAGE BITTEliBHUSH OAKBRUSH JUHIPEH PIlHOn pnu~ S1lALL ilid3BIT.i3.i.1.USH POIWEROSA PIl~E (GE.NEltAL VICINITY) �}IIGURE PIEDRA DEER-ELK YII EXCLOSUhE TO STATE TURKEY RANCH TOP OF HILL HOAD TO STATE , TURKEY RAIWH o e I 10 9 0 I 8 t ACRE .•. :;: - I' o \ o 4- t (; o t I -~ 141' o \ ~CAL3: 1 IN.=50 FT. 7 LEGElm: "'~ PHOTO HUB o PHOTO PHOTO-DIRECTION STAKE COi.~?O~ITIOl~: 1. JU~IPER & OAKBliUSB 2. POlJDEROSA s. GEnERAL GROD lID COVER 3. BIG SAGE & BITTEliBRUSH 4. JUNIPER & BIG SAGE 5. BIG SAGE 6. POHDEliO::>.A, BIG &. OAKl3RUSH ? SERVICEBERRY. BITTERBHUSH 8. SERVICEBERRY, SAGE OAKBRUSH. &. ]'RI.NGED SAGE Oi~hUSH, &. SHl<~T El~O::>IOl~ OkKBhUSH, BIG SAGE &. TRUE l~Tl~.1;AHOGAl~Y 10. OAKBRUSn, BIG SAGE & TRUE BITTERBhUSH 9. MTl~. l.1AHOGAI~Y Plil~TS P~\ESEIJT: TImE iiTl~. 1\i.?.•liOGAl~Y BITT~hBhUSH .dIG SAGE JU lUPlili OAKBRUSH FRllW2D SAGE. SERVICEBERRY PIlJ.S P UH Ol~ PINB POlWEROSA CACTUS (Opuntle sps ) �FIGURE VIII DIAGRAMMATIC CROSS-SEOTION OF PHOTOGRAPHIO ARRANGEMENT FOR DEER-ELK EXCLOSURES \ \ PHOTOGRAPHIC FIELD \ \ \ \ \ j_ PHOTO-DIRECTION -- - --- - - - - - -- - , \ \ ST~_ \ \ ' �-29TABLE I SUPPLEMENT~\RYDATE -- DEER-ELK EXCLOSURES EXCLOSURE DESIGNATION HOUSE CREEK HERMOSA PIEDRA DATE AUG~ 1950 SEPT~ 1950 SEPT.-Oct. 1950 ESTABLISHED BY'WHOM n, D.TEAgUE R.;Do TEAGUE R ..D~ TEAGUE LOCATION T38N~Rl5W3SecG16 207 mio up Beaver Rim Stock Trail from Dolores Ro road .. ELEVATION Approxo 7,400' EXPOSURE sw T37N;IR9W,Seco34 T34N~R4W,Sec lower side of 14, west from Hermosa Cr. top of hill road between to State Long Hollow & Turkey Ranch Forest Service about 200 ydso Drift fence On shallow knoll, mostly S & SE W & SW SOIL VEGETATION PLANT ASSo 5 10-15 5-10 Sandy-clay with sandrock float Loam with clay predominating Sandy=clay with sandrock float,9shale in vicinity Oakbrush Pohderosa-oak brush Oakbrush, juniper.ll & ceanothus Ponderosachaparral Oakbrush, true mtn, mahogany, bitterbrush, juniper & big sage PRINCIPAL SP .• Oakbrush, curlleaf mtn. mahogany, true mtn. mahogany, juniper, bitterbrush & big sage COMPOSITION & DENSITY EST .. Not worked out Not worked out LIVESTOCK GRAZING 1950 . NO ..HEAD DA.TES USED TOPOGRA.PHY Not wQ)rkedout 2,025 cattle 594 cattle (5~000-10~000 sheep use driveway) 135 cattle June 1-Septo15, May 21-July 15, Spring range only, Spring and Fall about 10 days use only, about total yearly use. 7-10 days total yearly use .. Rolling with Generally steep occasional canyons "Withrim~rocks and mesas. & steep canyons May Lc-Sep t , 15, Spring and Fall use only, about 10 days total yearly useo Mesas, canyons & rim-rock �-30= Northeastern District I• and Extent of Seaaonal Ranges. Location Job 3 - Migration -- Robert R. Elliott between summer and winter range. Up to and throughout the big-game season, there had been no altitude shift in deer and elk herds on the eastern slope. A dry season, extending from about August through December~ kept game animals widely scattered throughout their summer rangeso Some deer, although not in great numbers, appeared in lower country presumably in search of water. Deer were fairly numerous in the Evergreen,Denver Mountain Parks ~ and SW€dEL Gulch areas, also near the Willow Springs Ranch~ south of Morrison all during the summer and early fallo It was necessary for Warden Fargett to execute control measures every night for a period of 8 weeks to prevent the deer from damaging field crops and gardens. Elk were practically unseen prior to and during the big-game season. The small herd in the Black Mountain - Bull Mountain area was well-d~stributed and well-hidden as the kill records reveal. Two elk, a bull and a cow, were "spooked" from the top of Crystal Mountain by Warden Crawford and the writer the day before season opened. There was little evidence of elk in this area adjoining Rocky Mountain National Park, and few were taken here during the season. No reports were received nor any signs observed of the elk which at times use the Winiger Gulch area west of Boulder. Evidence of a few elk was noticed in the Mt. Evans and Bear Creek Basin area while surveying an access road through the Evans Ranch. This herd was scattered rather widely also due to dry weather. Several small groups were working into the meadows around the Evans Ranch headquarters just prior to big game season, but they appareritly beat a quick retreat to the higher, heavily-timbered slopes during season. Similar activities were reported of the Pikes Peak elk. The annuai kill for that unit is never more than eight elk, anyway_ There is evidently some movement of deer, however» in the northern part of the state. Ro G. Kinghorn~ of the Department, and the writer investigated a complaint of deer damaging winter wheat east of Grover, Colorado. The farmer stated that he had counted 120 deer in one bunch, and several other smaller groups. These deer work in from the north out of WYoming and Nebraska, and from the foothills to the west. Although there is little of this Pawnee Buttes area that could be classed as deer ranges, the population has been building up during the past few years, and a regular hunting season is �-31indicated here instead of control measures. , II. Population Surveys. Job 3 - Check Station Survey. The permanent check station at Ted's Place at the mouth of Poudre Canyon, and the junction of U. S. Highway 287 ~ State Highway 14 was placed in operation October 16, 1950, and continued through October 31. Opening date for the eastern side of the state was October 202 1950, five days later than the western slope, hence the reason for starting the check station earlier. A check on the kill in North Park was desired, and all figures shown in Tables II and III are total animals checked at the station regardless of place killed. TABLE II GAME ANIMALS CHECKED AT TED'S PLACE STATION DURING 1950 BIG GAME SEASON - OCTOBER 16 to 31 INCLUSIVE Deer Bucks Does Fawns Total 1002 TABLE III 1004 511 2517 Elk Bulls Cows Calves Total 27 17 7 Bear Total 6 51 COMPARISON OF NUMBERS OF ANIMALS CHECKED AT TED'S PLACE STATION 1949 and 1950 Deer 1950 Elk 1002 1004 511 27 17 7 2517 51 1949* Deer Elk Bear Males 1002 ' 7 Female 1456 13 2 Young 509 Totals 2967 22 3 Bear 6 * 16-day either-sex season - October 15 to 30 inclusive. This comparison is drawn to substantiate the writer's claim that the 1949 either-sex season did not drain the deer population as many residents of northern'Colorad.o vehemently asserted. It is in;"., teresting to note that the same number of bucks was killed both years. The doe kill dropped off somewhat in 1950, but the number of fawns shot quite emphatically shows there was no shortage of does nor a decrease in productivity. A majority of the elk killed came from Nmrth Park, and although an increase is shown for 1950, the state-wide elk kill was down considerable from 1949. �-32III. Forage and Range Utilization. Job 2 - Correlation of game and livestock in land-use status. After the decision was made to relocate a site for the proposed elk range study enclosure at S~it Lake Flats, Howard Lee, of the Arapahoe National Forest and the writer reconnoitered and surveyed an area on the Evans Ranch near Pedee Creeko A plot approximately 400 by 220 feet, slightly more than two acres in area, was staked out~ and construction started in Septembero Due to the urgency of other jobs, however, the fencing was not completed until the early part of Decembero The construction of this enclosure was essentially the same type used on the Kelly Flats deer enclosure in Poudre Canyon. A fence eight feet high made of woven wire to a height of 6 feet 4 inches, and barbed-wire spaced at 5 or 6 inch intervals the remainder, was placed on sturdy wooden posts which were one rod apart. Corner posts were set in concrete and braced in three directions. It is believed that such a fence should present sufficient discouragement to any elk wishing to get at the protected vegetation within the ploto An outline of studies to be made on this cooperative range project has been drawn up, but no measurements of vegetation have been taken yet. It is planned to establish a sufficient number of tran,... sects both in the plot and outside this spring before cattle are turned into the area. A. few horses have wintered along Pedee Creek, but they haven't grazed much in the immediate vicinity of the plot. Observations made earlier in the vrinter showed evidence of moderate elk use throughout, and fairly heavy use in a few small localized spots 0 Data gained from this study may provide a better understanding of the intensity of combined elk and livestock use this particular area will withstand under present conditions. Submitted by Glenn Ro~ers. Job 3 - Checking Station Survey. During the 1950 big game season 15 checking stations were operated in Colorado. They checked a total of 33,649 deer, elk, and bear during the season. Table IV shows a breakdown of the check by station, species, and questions for the 1950 season. Two information questions were asked this year in addition to the usual place of kill, kill, sex age, and double kill. Question No.1 was If Did you hunt big game in Colorado last year". Of the successful hunters interviewed 35.9% did not hunt in Colorado in 19490 �TABLE IV CHECK STATION TO'l'ALS Fawns Total Bulls Cows Calves Total Ques. No.1 Ques.No.2 Yes sNo Yes No Double kill NonResident Deer Station Bear Bucks Does Animas 4 228 174 34 436 158 190 73 421 417 351 359 414 90 481 Aspen 2 246 175 48 469 28 2 0 30 311 190 118 383 59 144 Del Norte 19 421 374 89 884 310 268 84. 662 985 468 706 762 48 330 Idaho Springs 15 2261 167-5 590 4526 204 73 19 ' 296 3186 1517 1088 3642 16 338 Glenwood Spsr.: 22 2024 1466 215 3705 278 13 5 296 2325 1154 1055 2370 633 622 Meeker 3 931 289 78 1298 186 19 1 206 '.:1012466 532 946 0 315 Monarch 15 1206 1373 399 2978 148 178 69 395 2112 1140 1059 2186 23 711 Rifle 1 2127 1228 317 3672 46 9 3 58 2634 1001 608 3117 18 538 SaEinero '. 22 1603 1508 327 3438 132 114 45 291 1541 1168 611 2098 976 1228 Steamboat Sps. 8 658 132 42 832 130 113 39 282 752 348 358 743 19 198 Teds Place 6 1002 1004 511 2517 27 17 7 51 1753 814 301 2314 0 129 25 Mile Mesa 16 671 728 175 1574 'j 1 0 4 725 501 97 1116 413 613 Whitewater 19 1050 956 224 2230 66 42 17 125 1173 610 257 1529 561 532 Pagosa SErings 17 539 561 141 1241 152 110 45 307 901 1312 576 948 260 829 Piceance 0 161 87 273 0 0 0 0 208 71 222 0 16 TOTALS 152 3424 '20035 11222 7796 22690 2856 7024 10.49% 21% Percent % 25 15128 11730 3215 ,'30073 1868 1149 407 50.34 39. 10.69 54.59 33.55 11.86 Question No. I--Did you hunt in Colorado last year. Question No. 2--Do you carry both a deer and elk license. 64.1 82 35.9 25.5 74.5 �-33We had used a similar question in 1949 on our check station questionnaire with corresponding results but did not print the results because of several obvious errors. This is important to game management as an extremely favorable year could place all of these part time hunters in the field at the same time or contrarily decrease the number of hunters the same percentage. This question should be asked another year to discover how much bearing publicity has on non-resident hunters. Question Noo 2 ItDidyoubuy both deer and elk licenses". Of the total successful hunters interviewed 25.5% carried both deer and elk licenses. This gives an indication of the actual number of hunters in the field from the total number of deer and elk licenses sold. Another tabulation showed that non-resident hunters made up 21% of the successful hunters checked through the stations. This is considerable higher than the usual 10% of licenses sold to non-residents and may on some questions give biased answers. It is also interesting to note that in the three years of two deer seasons the hunters making double kills has not yaried over 1%. Submi tted byt Approved by: Name Paul F. Gilbert COLOfu\DO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Title Wildlife Technician Note: Title C. No Feast, Director Date February 19, 1951 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �STATE_ _ c;;;..;o:.;;;LO;.;:;RAD;;;,;·~o_ _ __ PROJECT NO. 40-R DATE _...;J:.can=u;..ary""'"'":....l;:;..95"'1.;;;....._ _ QUARTERLY SURVEYS PROGRESS AND REPORT INVESTIGATIONS As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Antelope Surveys and Investigations 2. Leaders: Gordon Douglas and C. E. Till 3. Report of Progress Job 3 - Selection and Survey cf Transplant Sites. Objective: To locate desirable areas into which antelope may be transplanted successfully. Scope: Complete coverage of public lands and some private lands within the state which would provide suitable habitat for antelope. Yost of the lands surveyed this past sUllllller were privately owned ranches. Practically all of the public land in the state suit-able :for antelope habitat bas been surveyed and written up in previous reports. The ranchers who were contacted had expressed a desire for antelope and had agreed to abide by the management policies of the Game and Fish Department. Time: June 15, 19!,0 to September l, 19!,0. Cooperating Agencies and Groups: Colorado Warden Service, Bureau of Land Management, Soil Conservation Service, Izaak. Walton Leagues, local sportsmens groups, ranchers, and land-owners. The assistance given by these groups and individuals was of considerable help to the Department and was greatly appreciated. Areas Selected and Surveyed: 1. Northern Kit Carson County. 2. Kit Carson County - Penny Ranch southeast of Burlington. �-2- 3, 4, 5, 6. 7. 8, I. II. Kiowa County - Wear Ranch east of Eads, Bent County - south of Toonerville, Prowers County - southeast of Lamar - Ranches of Messrs. Hoffman, Duncan, Oliver, and Lloyd. Bent County - Ranches of Messrs. !ugustin and Sniff. Baca County - Schnaufer ,Ranch and Vicinity. Costilla County" - south of Blanca - lower Trinchera Ranch. Northern Kit Carson County - Ranches of Lloyd Pugh and Harvey Woods. A. Location and size: Just north of the south fork of the Republician River in Kit Carson county, about 20 miles northeast of Stratton, Colorado. Block of land about 6 miles long and 3 miles wide. B, Topography and soil: River bottom and low rolling sand hills. Soil is predominently sandy. C. Vegetation: The upper structure of the vegetation is mostly sagebrush, with scattered snakeweed and yucca plants. Numerous weeds are present, as well as such grasses as blue grama, buffalo, needle and thread, sand dropseed, and bluestem. Range is in general good condition. D. Land use: E. Transplant consideration: The limiting factors to the above site are size, and location irlth regard to nearby wheat fields, The area could easily support a small herd of antelope. However, it is not large enough to support the in~ crease we could expect a few years under normal conditions. With this long range view in mind, it is not recommended that antelope be placed here at the present time. Cattle, mostly in winter. Kit Carson County - Penny Ranch southeast of Burlington. At the request of Dr, Glenn Flatt of Burlington, this land was investigated with Mr. Brown, County Extension Agent, Two areas, one 820 acres, the other 750 acres, were examined. These two sites are surrounded by wheat fields. Because of.these nearby wheat fields, and the relatively small amount of range land, it is reconrmended that no antelope be released here at the present time, III. Kiowa County - Wear Ranch, east of Eads, A, Location and size: The area is in Kiowa County, 20 miles �straight east of Eads, on Big Sandy Greek. It is about 4 miles northeast of Ghivington. The total size is about 7 by 9 miles. about 30 sections. IV. The pasture picked for release is B. Topography and soili ru.verbottom, flatlands, and low rolling sandhills. Soil is sandy. c. Vegetationi Upper structure is sagebrush, low shrubs, and some of the taller weeds. Grasses present are buffalo, blue gra.ma, three awn, sand dropseed, sand lovegrass, and bluestem. D. Land use: Cattle, mostly in winter, with a system of rotation being followed. E. Transplant considerations: The site appears to be suitable for an antelope transplant. It is sufficiently isolated to insure small loss from poaching, and potential predators are at a minimum. The area is large enough to take care of any increase in numbers that we can expect in a few years, It is recommended that about 30 antelope be released here for a first plant. Bent County - south of.Toonel'.'Ville. Warden Gail Boyd of La Junta and the writer looked over the area near and south of Toonerville, and down to Ninaview. Ranchers Watkins of Toonerville and Mr. Jones of Ninaviewwere contacted. Both were interested in securing an antelope transplant. The topography is broken country with small canyons and low rocey hills. The climax vegetation on these hills is pinon-juniper, with grasses dominant in the gently sloping valleys. It is believed that this would be a suitable site for antelope, but that a more thorough examination should be made before any animals are actually released. V. Prowers County, southeast of Lamar - Ranches of Messrs. Hoffman, Duncan, Oliver, and Lloyd. A. Location and sizet About 18 miles southeast of Lamar. The combined acreage of the four ranches examined is about 180,000 acres. This, however, is not in one solid block, nor is it all range land. B. Topography and soil: Terrain is flatlands and low rolling hills. Soil is mostly a sandy loam. �-h- VI. VII. C. Vegetatiom '.lhe clima:it vegetation is shortgrass, with blue grama and buffalo grass dominating. Other grasses are sand dropseed and sideoats grama. Yucca, opuntia, wild buckwheat., wild alfalfa, and low shrubs make up the rest of the ground cover. D. Land uset Mostly cattle, some sheep. in generally good condition. E. Transplant considerationsi Although there are a few wheat fields interspersed through the area, several large solid blocks of range land are present, and it is believed that a good sized herd of antelope could be supported with no great difficulty. ill of the ranchers contacted were interested in securing an antelope plant and would protect and look after arr:, animals released there.. Potential predators such as coyotes and eagles are too few in number to pose arr:, serious problem. It is recommended that a plant of about 30 antelope be released here as a start. Range appears to be Bent County - Ranches of Messrs. Augustin and Sniff. A. Location and sizet About 30 miles southwest of Lamar in Bent County. The actual size was not determined, but one block of about 15 t•o 20 sections of range land was examined. B. Topography and soili Flatlands and low rolling hills. Soil mostly a sandy: loam. C. Vegetationi Shortgrass climax, with blue grama and buffalo grass dominating. Yucca and a few low shrubs, as well as numerous weeds also present. D. Land use: E. Transplant considerationsz A good block of range land here with vegetation and terrain which should be suitable for antelope habitat. ill of the ranchers contacted were interested in securing an antelope plant. Was unable to locate the owners of two of the largest ranches because they were away at the time. Believe these men should be contacted before releasing any antelope. The area as a whole has good possibilities, and as soon as a few of the minor details are worked out we will be ready to go ahead. Cattle mostly. Range appears in good condition. Baca County - Schnau.fer Ranch and Vicinity. �-5A. Location and size: About 8 miles southeast of Campo. Area examined contained 36 sections. this block on three sides. VIII. Other range land! adjoins B. Topography and soilt Low rolling hills and flatlands. varies from sanay to sandy loam. Soil c. Vegstation: Upper structure of vegetation is sagebrush, yucca, and tree cactus, Weeds are russian thistle, wild alfalfa, pigweed, bush morning glory, and sunflower. Grasses are blue grams, sand dropseed, sand love grass, and three awn, D, Land use: E. Transplant considerations: Of the 36 sections mentioned above, 16 are public land under the management of the Bureau of Land Management. These people were contacted and expressed approval of an antelope transplant. Potential predators such as coyotes and eagles are scarce and would not pose a serious problem, It is recommended that about 25 or 30 antelope be released here as a start. Cattle, with a system of rotation being followed. Costilla County - southwest of Blanca. A. Location and size: Area is located about 15 miles southwest of Blanca. It is called the lower Trinchera ranch and is owned by George Stribling. It 'is ·just west of the present Trinchera Ranch. The block of land examined is about 20 by 30 miles, B. Topography and soil: Varies from flat valley lands to low, rocky hills on western side. Soil varies from sandy to sandy loam. c. Vegetation: Upper structure is composed of sagebrush, rabbitbrush, snakeweed, yucca, and wild buckwheat. Numerous weeds, as well as such grasses as blue grama, false buffalo, three awn, and ring muhly are present. D. Land use: A few cattle, and a few sheep in the winter. horses are main users at present. E, Transplant considerations: As a whole the area appears to be a good place for an antelope transplant. It is large enough to take care of an increased herd, sufficiently isolated, Wild �-6and free of any large number of predators, At present there are about 12 antelope in the area which are a part of the original herd, The owner of the land has expressed approval of a transplant, and sportsmens groups in nearby towns have promised full cooperation and assistance in protection of the animals. It is recommended that about 50 antelope. be released at this site, Submitted by~ Name Approved: -------------G. E, Till Tit1 e Wildlife Technician II Note: Title C. N. Feast? Director Date February 24, 1951 Persons Wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department, �.--~~~~~-------4l~ STATE COLORADO PROJECT NO~ DA1~ QUARTERLY SURVEYS PROGRESS JanuarYt 1951 REPORT INVESTIGATIONS AND As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIF".BRESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Surveys and Investigations 2:. Leaders: 3. Report ot Progress: George W. Jones and Claude E. White, Jr. Job 2' . Title of Job: Comparative range analysis for the location of transplanting sites. . Object: To locate transplanting sites. Scop~: In the mountainous region of the State. Value~ Complete analysis is necessary of the transplanting site in order to insure the success of transplant. Methodt Field reconnaissance. Ladore Canyon: An inspection trip to Ladore Canyon was made the first week in December to determine whether ..or not the area was suitable for a sheep transplant. The-area surveyed includes the area;;in Moffat· County wi thin Tovmsbip 7, -8, 9 North, Range 102 West of the 6th Principal Meridiane More specifically i it includes the area limited by acpessibility from the head of Ladore Canyon (Green River) south to Douglas Mountainc. Within this area only three major vegetative types .exist which were considered in an ecological survey to determine the factors affecting the surn val of a band of sheep from the Tarryall Mountains. These types include the Pinon-Juniper J Transition or Ponderosa Pine type, and Mountain Browse. The Pinon-Juniper type gives the greatest percentage of land cover. �-.2- In all areas" accessible to domestic stock the understory consists of serviceberry (Amelanchier SPt) buck brush (Ceanothus SP 0) bitterbrush (Purshia sppo) and big sage Artemesia tridentata In these areas the grass cover dominated by cheat grass (Bromustectorum) with scattered remnants of the original grasses, blue stem wheatgrass and Indian rice graas , The last two of course are dominant in little used areas , The last two types (Transition and mountain browse types) acquire. indi vidu= ality only on the southern exposures of Zenobia Peako Then the transition zone occupies a definite belt from Douglas Mountain north along the sandstone benches to the north=eastern. end of the peak, The mountain browse zone, alternating with large areas of pure sagebrush type exists, primarily above the transition zone on the southern ex"" posures of the peak, . Within the transition zone the browse types; with the exception of sage brush are confined mainly to the northern exposures 0 0 A topographical description of the area includes every conceiva~ ble kind ofexpoS1lre and degree of slope •• On the east side of the canyon the topography is dominated by Zenobia Peak, All lands bounded on the east by the Douglas Rim and the Zenobia.cliffs: (the south side of Zenobia Peak) al.ope gradually west to the canyon by a succession of shallow canyons0 The eastern face of Zenobia Peak is cliffy and abrupt.. All gulches from this face drain east and north into Cottonwood Creek~ which in turh empties; into the Green River approximately two miles from the head of the Canyon.. The north face of Zenobia Peak is equally divided and drains both ways into the canyon proper and gott6nwood Creek<> The entire western face of Zenobia13eak drains into Zenobia Bas.fuq _Zenobia .Basin is. separated. from Ladore Canyonby Limest.oneRidg.e which.follows the contours. of the canyonwest. and slightly south of ZenobiaPeako All lands imm.ediately adjacent to t.he.Ladore Carwonrim;? including Zenobia Basin and Idmast.one Ridge;?lie ..in the Pinon""Juniper type e Grazing status At the presenttimether.e. are. no domestic. sheep being grazed on the eastern. face of. Ladore ..Canyonand Zenobia.Peak.o Cattle are grazed throughout the. accessible parts o.f.the eastern face. including. nearly all of Zenobia Peak, Zenobia Basin and Douglas Mount.ain.11It is extremely douhtfUl if any grazing in this area will. affect any she.ep to he released. in the Ladore CaI1iVonsincethe sheep would probably remain .in.the canyon proper , The Canyonis broken up into manybenchesandledgesnearlyallcontaning an excellent ..stand of wheatgrass and Indian rice gr'asaj, ne.arly all of which is accessible to the sheep and all is inaccessible t.o domestic et.ock, Immediate Results. of the Survey: In all of the. area covered there are only two places meeting all the requirements ofa succ.es.sful .t.ranspl.ant., One is at the VirgUWalker ranch. on the eastern face of Zenobia PeakA In this location the sheep would probably remain.near the release. point unt.il SUII1Iller and then drift around the. north rim to Ladore.Canyonpropero It is possible that the snowmight get too deep her-e, in which case. the sheep could be released at the head of Ladore Canyonnear. the Park ~ervice cabin.o If the �-3river is sufficiently frozen to. support the weight of the track a crossing could be made and the sheep, released on the west side of the rivero. The west side, at this point is superior ecol.ogically. toarzy: other. area ..observed, There are no problems of f.orageorprotection for the .sheepin the..canyon proper. Job 4 Title: . Census of herds throughout. the Stateo Object: To.f'Lnd,the. increase or decrea.seand sex 0.£ the. res.ident. and transplanted herds" Scopeg This sun-ey includes. all bighorn sheep herds 0 Value.: The overall .pf.ct.unein .population is. needed.as..a. basis of management.planso Methods: Fieldre.connaissanceo Parkdal.e Herd: Observati.on were'made on.this herd fromthe ...beginning of the breeding season until.the.first of December., Experience. has proven .that this is the best time to. observe .this herd in c.oncent.r-atdon.; At mo.sttimesof. the year it is difficult to. observe the older breeding .rams..of this herd in any number. The condition of. the range occupied by this herdremains.·.the ...same as in the past years.. There is ~c.tual.ly enoughfo.r.age in this. extremely rugged area to support manymore sheep than exist. there at the present. time" All areas avail .• ahLe to cat.t.Le, including the Little and Big Ho'l,e backco.untry ~ the. flats along the Arkansas,9present a general retrogression in regard to forageo Climatically speaking the area is extremely dry" The area occupied by the. herd presents nearly all southern expnsur-es., This combined.with.the Long periods' between precip~tation resul.t.s in a dry top sollrendering the area suSceptible to a' rapid rate of erosion in the sprdng, Fortunately for thebighorn,9 instinct dictates that he occupy the. most rugged of terrains and. in these ..aneas there will ~ways be plenty-of forage for wild sheep., Competition with deer in this area is negligible. Dur'Lng .Lhe past ten years this herd has been..slowly but surely increasing It has not been det.ermfned.whe.ther or not this increase has been slower than that of. our other ...herds.... The count on the breeding grounds this year was 9 r-ams , 16 ewes~ 13 lambs and 6 yearlingSJ1 a tot-al of 440 0 -. WardenMalloy of CanonCity.9'who has done some excellent. observational work on this hend, counted..a total of 45.in Novernber:.o.Thi.s would.indicate. an 'accurate count. of those sheep:wb.ich'use the river front·'forbre.eding ..purpoaes, It is not considered a :total count. of the Arkansas her-d, .The lamb.cr-op of 8.0.•9% and the biotic productivity for the year as indicated by the number of yearlings is excel.Lerrt., They seem to indicate a rate of increase .equaf, to that. 0.£ our most vigorous sheep herds e �-4Due to the inability to find suitable. locations for salt stations~ this herd .has. not been included. in .the salting. pr-ognam, HO~iIever»distribution checks througho.ut Novemberproduc.ed.solnRexcell.ent Loc.atd.onafor salting stations. The herd will be salted as soon aspossibleo Tarryall and. Adjacent Herd~ If possible. it is ..drier. this year than 1ast on both. the. wint.er and..summ.erranges in the T.arryall.and.Kenosho. Mountains The general. vegetative height in the grasses. is lower.o The maximumheight was. reached. earli.er this year and.they cured. earli.er.". The.amount..of. underground water is 1eas , Normally permanentsprings.are ..disappearing or have disappeared. 0 The extremely t.videdistribution of Tarry-all and Kenosho.sheep is even greater than last. year" This is. a direct resul tof the increasingly . .open win~ ters here during the last threeyears.o Forexample~ 81 head were. observed on Badger Mountain west. of TarryallCreek this yearo This. the larg.est number in one bunch ever observed in this area. Table 1 lists thet.ota .observed. during the. September distribution checks. TABLE 1 Area Rams Craig Peak 21 Black Canyon south Platte Ewes Lambs Yearli~ 14 14 4 I-lountain 12 McCurdyand Bison.Mountains. 21 63 North Peak Long Gulch 19 40 31 24 WigwamGulch 23 21 1.7 14 Total 108 138 103 14 32 Grand Total 423 The total. for the. Tarryall. and Kennshcs gives an excellent 1.ambcrop of 7901%at the end of the summerand a survivaL of. the yearlings of appr'oximately 70%» a 10% loss since last yearo .This can be compared to 30~35% Losaes suf..f.ered during heavy winters in the past., The sheep ..here are in excell.ent condd.td on, �-5Despite the fact that the Tarryall. Clos.ed.area. was poste.d.earlier and more thorollghly thanevel:' befor e , 2··ewes were .kill.ed and a ..lamb was crippled during t.he. hunting . .seasons. Thesesheep ...w.ere kill.ed ...by one group of men, Only the hind""quarters.of ..one ewe were ..takEmo They. w.ere.not.. killed within the closed. area, Because of the. pnesenf tendency of TarryalLshe.ep. t,o winter from Badger. Mountain. southwest. toWilke.rsonPass .a rie.Vl.pr.oblem..of.security is presentedo It is ..pl.anned, that alL of_the ..area i'rolB..the .old. tOWIl. of Tarry-all west to. the Wilkerson Pass.ridge, ..northto Tarryal~ Lake arid. east to Tarry-all Cr.eek be closed.duringthe.1951 hunting aeason, .in.add1ti.on to the landencompass.edby: the. boundaries now in effecto Grantg Ten ewesJl7 lambs. aOO.$ ye.arling.s.were ..obaervedacross from the TurnblingRiver Ranch at. the "old release.point neaz Grant..o.. A1.Lwere in good conditiono . . '. De.er Creek Pass~ Eight rams, 6 ewesJl 4 lambs. and5yearlings ..were observed at Upper Deer Creek Park., This i.s the. first ..recorded. observation of ewes and lambs in.this anea., It isprobab~e ..that they-were part of. the Grant bunch sine.e Deer Creek:.is. just over ..the ridgee BrushCr.eek.at.Eagle~ The first .observation. since 9 sheep. wer.e. released in the vicinity. of the Brush Dr.eek herd in March,p rev.ealed 8rams'!1.l3 ewesJl 9 lambs and 7 yearlings .onLhe ridge ..above.the. rel.easepoint .o: Further checks will be made. here dur.ing.the.wint..er concent.ratdon, Submitted by g Approved by: Names GeorgeWo Jones: COLORADO ~' .A s--. J By ~ Wildllf,e ..Technicians. Jh FISH DEPARTMENT J ,~".- .- .~. Title. __ C,;;.; . :;,..a . ..:N:;;; ..• ::.;;. ...;:;F,..:e::;:a::=s;;:;;t..:. :.,;e;:;,;c;:;,;t.:;,..o:;:r;;..·· _ 2;;...·.,.:;.Dll';;;:;· Dat.e.",;..' _--=J;.;:;B:.:;;n;.::u:;:ary;;l!' ~..-=1;,;;;;O,;£.,.;..;1:;;,:9;.,:;5::;:1;.....;. ..•••...•••. Note~8 Persons :wis.hing.to. quot.e i'romthis ..abs.trac.t ..should ._obtain.permission fr.om the. Colorado Game and Fish.Departmenta " i �STATE COLORADO PROJECT NO 0 DATE PROGRESS QUARTERLY SURVEYS AND --~~-----------61-R JANUARYa 1951 REPORT INVESTIGATIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title 2. Leader:.. Richard Denney 3. Report of Progressg 110 of Proje.ct: Fur Resources Survey Specific. studies on. important specd.e s , Muskrat Job 2 ~ Sury~ Objective: of Trend Areaso To establish. trends ofnurnbers..with the ~tr.end" aneas , Findings: This .year (1950) is the second. year that .the trend plots. on muskrats have. been run~ Due to reduction of project personnel. several wildlife.technicians.from other projects assisted this falL by_. running. the p~ots in their. districts The leader wishes. to. express his appreciation to the fallo.wing technicians for their assist.ance and .cooperationg Paul. GUbert, Curt HammitaWayne.Sandfort,. Dick. Teagu.e.,Jack de Vore, Ross Camphell, and Bert Baker. 0 The main. method utilized on trend plots this. year. was much the .same as the original method descr~b.ed in the .January, 1950, Quarterly Report,. namely, a.visual count, in which count was kept of all the muskrats observ.ed in .the .study plots during an arbitrary length of time, with an effort made to d et.ermine which animals made repeat appearances This. problem. of reappearance was not encountered. when running plots on dit.chesa or streams, but caused .consider.able confusi.on .on,the. Lakej, pond; slough, and marsh.plotso. On these latter types o~ plots, the muskrat activity was.plotted on a sket.ch map, with s:wimming.courses and point.s. of..appearance and disappearanceo This platting of activity routes made .itfeasible to assume .that.a reappearance at the point of disappearance was probably a repeat appearance; although a second animal appearing at the same po.int of disappearance was undoubtedly a new or different individualo 0 �-2- The visual count. technique was applied in a number of. different wayso On lakes, ponda, sloughs, and marshes an observation paint was selected from. which the entire pLot, could be observed.. On ditches and streams a running observation method was applied, either. by foot or automobile, as governed qy the terrain and Bccessibi1ityo A summaryof the. muskrat trend plots fo110wsg run in September-October, 1950, 10 Lake John2 southeast cornero Sections 10",,11, T 9 No? R 80 WJjJackson County El.evation 9JjOOO feeto Approximately 10 acres.o Principal vegetation: bulrush. (Scir us sp, }, reed canary grass (PhaLar-Lsarundinacia) and blue grass (~spo • 0 Tracks and scat abundant. in bulrushes, burrows numerous, indications of feeding on bulrush and slough grasso Muskrats countedg 29 individuals and 12 repeats, up five. individuals and up eight total count ..compared to 1949 dat.a One new house, 0 20 Stillwat.ers on Bear River, 14 mi~es southwest of YampaJjT 1 N, R 87 W, Garfield County0 Elevation 10JlOOO feet.. ApprOximately 10 acr-eas Principal vegetation: slough.grass (Scirpus sp , }, willow (Salix spo)JI and blue-joint reed grass (Cal.amogrostis canadensi~) 0 Tracks and scat abundant, numerous burrows, indications of feeding on slaugh. grass ma.i.nly , Muskrats counted: seven and s.even repeats, down six and do~ four totalo 30 Phillips's Creek~ two. miles south of Yampao Sections 23~ 26J1T 1 Na R 84.Wll Routt County~ Elevation 7,200 feeto Approximately seven tenths of a mi1e.1ongo Prdncapal, vegetation:. wil~ow .(Salix Spa), slough grass (Scirpus. SPA), timothy (Phleum sp , }, wild rose (Rosa sps ) thistle. (Carduus spo.)l/ dandeLfon (Taraxacum sp.o.), pondveed, (Potaniogeton sp , }, and blue grass (~ spo)o Tracks fairly. numerous, cuttings and slides cammon,no houses, numerous bank burrows, indications of feeding on slough grass and pondweed mainlyo Muskrats counted: 12 and four r epeat.a, down one individual and..same total. 40 Carpenter Slough, four miles east of Hayden, section 6, T 6 N,. R 87 W, RouttCountyc Elevation 6,400 f.eeto Approximately four acres.o Principal vegetation: Catt.ai1 (Typha sp, }, bulrush (Scirpus sp , }, and. adjoining pasture 1a nd 0 Tracks numanoua, tID houses observed, burr-ova..common,indications of feeding on cattail.mostly" some bulrush.o Muskrats count.ede one and no repeats, down 12 individuals and 15 total., �-~- 19SZ 195/ 1950 1949 ,----j---C --l-R=S-~±±-r-L .- r=:t'- _:-r=l f-- --+-1--r I e---- ..1=-,~=F+"T-'-' ---\-+ 140 --I--+- . f-. --+- -'- IZO =!= f-f- f--- 100 . r--t--80 -- = 60 40 zo ..+- -t-r- /949I3AS£ o i-_ ...- -- -1- -zo 40 -60 80 I--+- -- 100 -1:l..O -/40 1----- f-+-, 1--\--- f- - f-+-' /60 Figure l.--Yearly variation from the median, based on the sum of increase~ and decreases compared to 1949 data, for individual and ~~l.!!p~~~S seen. �-35.. Shellon Ditch~running ...one and one half miles ~ast. of.Hayden~. Sections Approximately one and..one. half ndl.es.long.... Princip.a1 ... v.~etation: ... willow (Salix sp s ) ~ thistl-e (CarduU3.sp.••. ).9 narrow",leaf cottonwood (popul..us_angustifolia),. wild rose (Rosa SpaL fireweed. (Chamaenerion Sp.•), b~uestem.uwheatgrass CA&ropyron Slnithirr;- sunflower (Heliari.thus sp •.),. yell.o:wsweet.clover (Melilotus officinal.U.)i )Jllough-grass (5Cl.rpUSsp.), and adjoining. pasture land. 10.,. 3~ 2~ T 6 N, R 88. \'l, Routt Gountyo Elevatio.n 6,350 'feet. QUite.af.eN tracks and scat.~. no. houses,.. num.erousburro.ws-l)indications of feeding. on cattailands:Longh grasa-. Muskratscountedg two and no. repeats, down 16 individuals .and 11 total. 6. Ox""bo:wS1ough~ Sectio.n 12.9- T 6 N,. R 91 W~ Moffat County Elevation 6~17li feet.. APproximately 10 acres.. Principal vegetation: .. willow (Salix . sp..•. ), pondloIeed..(!:Otamog.etonsp ..o.),. cattail (;rpha sp.) 11' and bulrush .(Scirpus. sp.). ... .. Q Tracks. common,some scats s. no. houses observed, nilIllerousburrows, indicatio.ns of feeding on cattail. and slough grass •.. Muskrats eount.eds seven individuals ..aneLone repeat.,.do:wn 20.in<:li-virlnals.. and. down 31 total. .. 7. Cr.escent. Lake,.. several- hundred yards west. of Trapp.erta Lake, T 1 5, R 88 W, Garfie~d.Co:unty.a. Elevation 9.,,50.0feet. Approxima:tel:y10 acres. Principal vegetation~sl.augl:lg rass(Sc.irpus ..sp.4-), pandw.e.ed(Eotamageton sp •• )" and, mountain brome..(Br.omussp 0 ) .' .. . . Tracks,. scat~. and. burrows abundant.9 no. houses ohaer:ved". indication:!! of ..feeding ..an..sl.ough grass. mostly.. Muskrats.count.e.d~ l2and ..sixrepeats, down six.i.ndi.vidlla~s and. 1.0 total. .ofAxia1-£)Sectio.n13,_T4.N" R 93 W" Maffat O:lUnty....·KLevatio:p.6,.200fe.et... Approximat.e1.yeight acres , Principal veg.e.tation:.cattaiL(1]J>ha sP")$I- sage brush (Artemisia spo:)~ fireweed Chamaenerion.... sp"....}.pondw.eed(PQtamog~tonr-.sp.•) II.bulrush ..(.scirpus sp •• ), sattbllSh ..(K.t:riplex..sp.•. ),. and blue grass (~ spo). 8.. Perch ...PD~. two .mf.Le.s, northeast Tra.cks.coromon,.burrows. c.oIllfllon,. indicationso.f. feeding.aD, cattail mostly.. Muskrats.. counted2. ..two. and one nepeat., 'dm-ln10. individuals and 14 total.· . 9. Johnsan.Slough$.fo:ur ..mi:les.:west.cr .Delta, .5ectionl6" T~5 S" R 11 W, Delta County.. Elevation 4,.900 f.eet... Approxi..-nat.ely: :twa...acres-. Principal veg.etation: cattail. (~ spa.), willow (Salix sp 0) ,m~d rose (Rosa sp 0), poison ivy (~rydberp.1J ,. and corn ine{lj.ac.ent fieldso .~. Sign. nnmer.ous.s.no nousee obaerved" indications of. f.eeding.a.n cattail mostly (no corn damage.ooserved. in t.he..adjoining fiel.daa! c.orn).. Muskrats aru counted:. .. eight and 1.4. repeat a,. upt'WO indirlduala L13 total. �10" Topp;j~~~ three miles ..southeast of ?".1ontr.ose" Section 4" T 48 N" R 9 W~ }1ontrose CountYo This. plot has been run two years n01'1l' and has been discarded due to insuf.ficient. muskrat, populationo ll~ Sprin~ Pond~ one mile south of Colona,. Section 5, T 46 N, R 8 W~ Ouray CountYo This. plot has. also been run t.woyear.s now and has been discarded due to an insufficient muskrat. population •. 12., Cortez Slough" two mileseast ..of Cortez~ Sect.ion 30g T 36 N, R 15 W, Montezuma.CountYo Ele.vatio.n 6j198 feet.... Approximately seven acr-ess PrinCipal vegetation~ cattail (J;¥pha sp").11bulrush (Scirpus .sp,}, pigweed (Cheng£odiumalbum)g white sweet clover (MelUotus alba); rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spa) •. Muskrat tracks and sign numerous,burrowsnumer.ous-jlnohouses observed~ indications of fe.eding.on cattail mostly., Muskrats. countedg three and no repeats, downsix indiViduals and eight total., 130 Brockish ..Sloughs., seven miles north of Dur.ango, Section 21., T 36N a R 9 W, La Plata County Elevation 6,,198 feet..,. Approximat.ely tw.o acres" Principal vegetation: cattail (::rYP~ sp.), bulrush (Scirpusspo).9 sedge (Carex Spa), mint(Mentha SPA)., blue graas (Poa s.po), and.pondweed ~tamoeet~sPo)G 0 - Tracks and burrows numer-ous ,no houses observed, indications of feeding on cattail. mostlyo Muskrats counted: ... 10 and 12 repe.atsJ) down two individuals and down considerably in total., 14.. Drain Dit.ch~ two and one half miles. east and two and .three fourths mil.es.south of' Monte Vista, Sections 21" 28J1.33, T 38 N.s R 8 E, Rio Grande CountYo. Elevation.7 ,600 feet... Approxi..'11a.tely thr.ee miles Long, Principal vegetationg slough grass (Scirrus sp , }, cattail (1l.p~ spo),9 squirr.eltaiL (~nion gystr.!!) ~ 'Willow Salix SP.o), bulrush--CSCirpu,! spo)~ and greasewoodl'Sarcobatus ~,ermicu1atusio Tracks numerous.,.some acat.s , no houses, numerous burrows, indications of feeding on cattail. and slough g r'aas, Muskrats count.eds nine, down 330 150 Jordan Laket, of the Rus.sell Lakes group, ten miles. south of Saguache, Section. 30, T 43 N, R 8 E, Saguache Countyo Elevation 7$735 feet~ Approximately 12 acres; Principal.vegetation: bulrush. (Scirpus Spe), cattail (!l.Eha sp., }, sedge (Carex SPa), salt gr-ass (Distichlis. stricta), foxtail (Hordeu."Il ,;1ubatum),pondweed (Potamoget.on·sp •.J, and. greasewood (Sarcobatus vermLulatus J 0 Muskrat tracks and sign plentiful, indications of feeding on bulrush and cattaiL This plot is the only house count plot run to date; six active and five inactive houses were counted, down·f.ive active and up one inactive from 1949 dat a , �-516.. Ron's Pond, ten miles south of Saguachell Section 30ll T 43 NlIR 8 Ell Saguache Countyo Elevation 7~136 feet. APproximately four acr-esPrincipal vegetation~ bulrush (Scirpus sp , }, cattail (Typha spo), salt grass (Distichlis stricta)~sedge (Carex sp.), and pond-weed{potamogeton spo)o Tracks~ sign and burrows common~ no houses observed~indications of ll feeding on bulrush and pondweedo Water level is lower than in 1949 due to drain ditch to lake in 150 Muskrats counted s 11 and five repeats, down two individuals and four totalo 170 Drain Ditch eighteen miles south of Saguache, Sections 5~ 6, T 41 Nll R 8 E, Section 1, T 41 N, R 7 E,l Saguache County. Elevation 7,600 feeto Approximately three miles longe Principal vegetation: cattail (~ sp.), bulrush (Scirpus spe), water cress (Roripa ansturium), greasewood--rs~cobatus vermiculatus), rabbitbrush (ChI""~sothamnus Spo)ll salt grass (Distichlis stricta), and :willow (Salix sp. 0 Gi$i!! ' -- Tracks, scat, and.burrows numerous, indications and bulrush. Muskrats counted: six, down240 of feeding. on cattail 180 Edward Sl.ough, six.tenthsof ..a mile west of Edwards.,Se.ction5, T 5 s, R 82 W, Eagle County This slough bas been.run ..the past two years,and was disca.r.dedrue to an insuii'icient .muskrat. population. 0 '. 19. Second Pond~below Black Lake on west side of Vail Pass, Section 9, T 6 s, R 79 W, Eagle County. Elevation 10,000 feet. Approximately three acres. Principal vegetation~ slough grass (Scirpus sp.), willow (Salix sp.), and pondweed (Pontamogeton spo) •• Tracks and sign abundant~ burrows numerous, indic.ations of feeding on slough grass mostlye Muskrats counted: six individuals and. tID repeats,? downtv{) individuals and three total. 20. Gravel Pit, just north of John Martin Reservoir d am, Section 7, T 23 5, R h9 W, BentCountyo This plot was run tm years and discarded due to an insufficient muskrat populationo 21. Verhoff Slough,\>seventeen and one half miles west of Lamar, Section 28, T 22 S~ R 49 w ~ Bent County. This plot has been discarded because it was learned that this slough is going to be drained completely. 22. Week1s Pond, four miles north of Fairplay, Section 13,? T 9 S, R 77 W, Park County.-nevation 9,990 feet. Approximately two acres. The data for 19S0 has not yet been received for this p1oto �-~230 Jumbo Reservoir Sloughs, below fills on south side of dam, Section 19, T 11 N, R 47 W, Sedgwick County. The data on this plot for 1950 have not been received as yet. 24. Fish Pond, one mile northwest of Fort Morgan, Se.ction 36, T 4 N.IlR 58 W, Morgan Count Yo The dat.a on this plot for 1950 have not been received as yet , 250 Clark's Lake, two miles east, one mile south of Ault, Section 1.8, T 7 NJI R 65 W, Weld County. The data on this plot for 1950 have not been received as yete 269 Minnick pondJl five miles east and. one and one halLmil.es north of Fort Collins, Section.2, T 7 N, R 68 W, Larimer County The. data on this plot for 1950 have not been received as yete 0 270 Slough at junction of UPper Piedra Road and Turkey Springs RoadJl north= west of Pagosa Springs on John Carrol nanch.,.. T 36 N, R 2! W.IlArchuleta County. Elevation 8,200 feet. Approximately 305 acres.. Principal vegetationg cattail (Typha spo), pondweed (Potamogeton sp ,}, sedge (Carex SPa), willow (Salix spo), cordgrass (Spartina SPa ), blue grama (Boutelous gracilis), sunflower tHelianthus sp s }, and sweetclover (Melilotus sp ,}, Tracks and scat numerous, .burrows 17 and one active house, indications of feeding on cattails mainlyo Muskrats counted: 11 and 11 repeats. This is a new plot this year. 28~ Reservoir on Corral Creek, Grand County" Elevation 7,,800 f'eet, Approximately one quarter mile long. Principal vegetation: se.dge (Carex sp s }, pondweed (Potamogeton sp.), and bulrush (Scirpus sp.)o No houses observed, muskrats a new plot ·this yearo counted: six and three. r epeat.s., This is Discussion: Only two of the plots run this year show increases in muskrat populations. Fourteen others for which we have data this year show definite declines, both in individuals and totals count sd, Data have not been returned on five plots, and five plots run in 1949 have been discarded due to low water levels, drainage projects, or too few muskratso Figure 1 represents the trend in muskrat.populati.onsbas.ed on 16 plots. The median line represents the original year of the project and the trend plots.· The yearly variations in populations in the trend plots are charted in relation to the base or 1949 data. Thus, it Qan be seen that a total of 123 less individual muskrats were observed on the plots in 1950 than in 1949, also there was a total of. 80 less total muskrats observed in 1950 than in 1949. "-'. -. ,." - .. ..•--, ,.,,~ - -~'-~"'-' .- .. "'-'~" "~'-.-. -.---..... ""-••~ •.•.• -•••.•• - ._-.>,. "'---~"---'-" -- - �-7Since 1949 was the initial year of the trends, it was arbitrarily used as the base or median to obtain comparative trends in successive years. This does not necessarily imply that the population in 1949 was average or normal~and that in 1950 they have become dangerously low. To the contrary~ every indication is that 1949 was a year of high muskrat populations~ and it is possible that. 1950 populations more nearly approach the normal. Several more years of data and research will bear this out, and perhaps indicate cyclic behaviour,9 if presento Even though the leader will be absent for an indefinite period, the trend plots will be continued by wlldlifetechnicians in.t.h.eirrespective districts. Beaver Job 1 _ Determinat:cn of Control. Objective~ To determine the areas from which to trap and the areas into which transplanting.shouldbe done. Job 2 _ Beaver-wildlife Relationships. Objective~ the effect of beaver on other wildlife To determine and to the area surrounding. Findings~ During the summer of 1950 a beaver tagging program was initiated. The project leader wishes to aclcnowledg.ethe invaluable assistance and cooperation of. the Fur Division personnel 1rlhoperformed the live-trapping, tagging, and transplanting .operationss It was felt that there was a definite need for more information on the migration.9 growth rate, and sex ratio of beaver in Colorado~ therefore, to aid in obtaining.this information, this project supplies Monel-metal #1005 (3) fingerling tags, tag applicators~ and data .sheet.s, The tags are serially numbered in duplicate.9 and , to help prevent lossfiOf dat.a, one is inserted in each ear of the beaver. Data sheets include such infomationas:. tag number, stream and location where trapped, countY9 age,9 sex9 trapper, date, total length, tail measurement~ hind.,.footlength9 weight~ definite location where planted, and remarks cD A series of pictures and more complete details on the tagging procedures were published in the last Quarterly Report (October, 1950). A summary of the tagging work done to date since the middle of July, 1950, followso �-8During the approximately three month period, during which livetrapping. was feasible., a total of 584 beaver were. t agged., The sex ratio of these tagged beaver is approximately 1:102, females to maleso During this same period, three beaver died in transit and one died from an unknown cause after transplanting, Table 10 Table lo--FATALITIES AMONG TAGGED BEAVER,SHOWING FROM PLANTING SITE, SUMMER AND FALL., 19500 Tag Number How Killed 49 Hot-IKILLED AND MILES Miles from Planting Trapped Trapped Trapped .Trapped Runover on Highway Trapped Trapped Trapped Trapped Trapped Runover on Highway Died in Transit Died in Transit Died in Transit Unknown 108 198 252 265 .275 304 307 315 317 318 687 773 846 978 Site 14.0 t 1800 . 16., 62 16 0 0 0 loa 100 600 6...0 00, ? in the falLof .1950, two beaver were runover on highways and. nine were trapped· and.peltedo Two beaver which were retrapped in Grand County at the origiT'...aL homesite.s had travel.ed six miles each, through several other colonies, to get back home , .Of the 584 beaver t-agged, over 20 weighed 10 pounds or 1 ess , and 21 weighed over 50 poundso Themaximum.weight recorded was 65 pounds, and the minimum was 205 poundso The average weight appears to be around 38-42 pounds. After more information has been secured a more complete evaluation of the data can be made , This phase of the project will. be continued. by the Fur Divisionruring the absence of the project leader" Submitted by: Name Richard Approved: No Denn~ :OLORADO~:TMENT Title Wildlife Note~ .Technician Title Co No Feast, Director Date Persons wishing.to quote from January 112 1951 this abstract should .. first obtain permission. from the Colorado State Game.and Fish Departmento � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/6d37f79d5b97684cf1ed8d92975f216b.pdf d1a2177babaaa0ff6ba20d189f1471d5 PDF Text Text I~fIJIIII~' ljl~'11II~illiII1~~mrlllill~~lliijll BDOW021337 STATE ~CO~L~O_~~~O~ _ PROJECT 34-D-6 --~----~~----- DATE__ ~A~P_R_IL~,~19~5~1 __ ~ __ QUARTERLY PROGRESS REP,OR~ DEVELOPMENT As required by FEDERAL'AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION,ACT 1. Title of Project: Wild Turkey Development 2. Project Leader: Martin L. Burget; Assistant Leader, Clark Ford 3. Report of Progress: " ..... '. Completion Report Work on this projeqt started on September 15th, 1950. During the early period the work was preliminary. For the most part, the last half of September was spent in getting equipment ready for the 'coming trapping season. The original crates built in the early winter of 1941, were .in, pretty bad shape. They were built of inferior materials and there was no adequate place for out of the weather storage for the summer months. Now, with the building of the new barn we have this dry storage place " available. Then, these crates have been hauled .over the worst type . roads for the past ten years. This has left them in a rather tired state. Materials were purchased for.the building .of new c~ates~ However;; time was lacking tq get these built. There will be some change in design of these new crates, to add to the comfort of the birds and to the efficiency of the wo rk, ' During the later part of September it was necessary to arrange for, the . gathering of important data during the coming hunting season, September 28-0ctober 2. Certain important data were needed for our records. Arrangements were made with Game Wardens and Federal Aid Personnel ,for the gathering of these data. ".'-.; Donald M. Hoffn$n took school leave,beginning on September 12th.: This: made it necessary to procure the services of 'a trapping helper for the season. A Mr. Clark Ford was secured for this work and started on October 3rd. ' �-2It was necessary to orient Mr. Ford to his duties and acqua nf him with the area so that he could cover the necessary area efficiently. Trips were taken.during the early part of October to gather the data from the various men and to look over the turkey areas where trapping and planting might be carried on. These trips covered the territo~ from Turkey Ranch west through the Dolores section to Norwood. A second trip covered tl:leSp~s~ peaks. area and the {3eulah-Rye district west of Pueblo. On these trips several important facts were noted. First the effect and results of the hunting season. It was found that the turke.r season was rather successful for the first two or three hourso From then on it was all work. In most areas where heavy concentrations of turkeys were known to be, the second day of the hunt found them hard to locateo They didn It kill·:allthe turkeys but the remaining birds were wise and wild. This was a desirable feature. In several areas where it had been felt that many ranchers would post their lands solid, community meetings were held previous to.the hunting season to Which these ranchers were invited and general discussion was held. In this way the purpose of the hunting season could be explained. At these neetings colored slides gathered over a period of years were shown. rhis explained the purpose of the program better than words could have done. The result was, that many of these ranchers allowed hunting where hunters came in and asked permission. Since the season, the comments have been very gratifying. There is generally a better spirit of cooperation than ever before. Figures on the hunting are not yet completly'final. However, we have sufficient data to record the following. Approximately 350 turkeys were killed by some 800 hunters. The success ratio was close to 40%. This is phenomihal. The hunting pressure remained lighto However, it built up a little better than fifty percent over a year ago. In 1949 there were 521 .hunters. This type of hunter build-up is desirable. So far we have been unable to get much data oJ:!. hunter accidental kill" or hunting loss. Naturally there is bound to be some loss by wounded birds. Even if this ran up to 15% or even more, the result would not seriously affect the birds development. The second check was on concentration after the hunting seasono Concentrations were almost completly lacking and more than twenty-five birds in a flock were almost impossible to find, even up until late November. This, of course, presented a trapping problem •. It has been normal practice not to trap from flocks of less than fifty birds. Since flocks did not build up it was difficult to locate trapping flocks. This problem has continued throughout the trapping seasono �-3- A third activity of this trip was to locate and secure the assistance of Wardens, Forest rangers, and interested responsible citizens to help in an emergency feeding program. Food availability was extremely law over most of the turkey range. In case of storms we did not wish to Lose a large part of our seed stocko Storage stations were located in most of the populated sections. Feed was left with the instruction that feed could be obtained in case of an emergency, without the need of calling the Turkey Ranch in bad weather periods. In this manner, feed was moved to Trinidad, Rye, La Veta, Mancos, Dolores, Norwood and Montrose. Assurance was given that if more feed was needed it would be supplied if a request was submitted. In most of the areas the winter remained open and very ~ittle feeding was necessary. General wintering cnnditions despite the light IIiastcrops have been generally good. Very few turkeys have come down to feeding areas at all. South slopes, for the most part, have remained open throughout the winter. At first it was thought the turkeys could not winter without supplemental feeding. As the season progressed it was difficult to get known flocks to come to supplemental feed grounds. Even on trapping areas the birds would not develop what might be termed a regular feeding habit. When trips were taken into back areas where turkeys were known to be feeding, oak leaves and pine needles were found raked into great piles. These were at times in ridges more than two feet high. In many cases this resembled hog rooting more than turkeys feeding. From this activity it is evident that turkeys were finding food in these leaves and needles that had remained over a period of one or more years. In examining droppings there was an indication that the turkeys had found succulents throughout the winter. Frequently the droppings were dark green blobs which is indicative of a green diet. Trapping Trapping throughout the winter has been extremely difficult. First, the hunting season broke up possible tr~pping flocks. It was late November before trapping-sized flocks congregated. Once the birds were feeding in an area and the trap was set up, they consistent~ refused to enter the trap. Our first problem with the trap developed in the 19491950 season. It was felt at that time that this trouble was purely local. It worked successfully in other districts but did not work in the Beulah district. Then when the same trap was set up under similar condi t.Lons in a new location as many as six birds were caught in less than three weeks. This season it was next to impossible to induce more than four or five birds to feed even at the ends of the trapo Since a second try for birds is hard to predict we have been shy of trying for less than a planting group in anyone trapping area, at one time. �-4There is always the possibility that released birds maydrift from a plant before more stock can be movedinto the ar-ea, However 9 in one of our release areas this season, three releases were madebefore the plant was complete. The plant consisted of three, two and six birds respectively 0 ' , Because of the difficulties, encountered the traps needed con~tant watching. Actually more,hour-swere spent. in the' blind observing than in any previous year., At first our difficulties were charged to the preVious huntdng pressure. As the, season advanced a trap was set up in an area where no hunting was d~ne but same problem developed. However, after a period of time six birds were caught in this set. If ,the season had not been so far advanced at this time, a different trap would have been set up, at this last ar-ea, This would have definitely decided whether the problem was in the trap or not , It is evident that the weather was the, underlying cause of trapping f'a.i.Lur-e , Never more than five or six inches of snowfell in any of' the trapping areas at a single fall and the depth of snownever' built up to any appreciable degree.. In two or three days most of the snowwas gone except for north slopes. The birds could always get to open food, such as it was. Rather than risk enter": ing a trap they would take off and go eLsewher-e 0 During the entire trapping season the turkeys never developed a con-s sistent, feeding habit pattern.. In one flock of aroimQ,fifty-five birds, they would all cometo feed on one morning at daybreak (6:30 AoMo)oThe next day perhaps twenty would comein at 9:30' or 10:00 AoM..At times from three to ~ight would feed intermittently throughout the day, Then after a few days the entire flock would feed,just before going to roost .. Often two or three groups of from 12 to 15 would feed in the trapo Then as the numberof birds increased at, or around the trap, they becamemore wary and shy.• At State Turkey Ranch the t:urkey flocks never picked up in numbers.as they have in other year-a, Last spring, before the flocks split up for the mating period there were aroUnd eighty birds near ~he rancho Thirtysix or thirty-eight mated and nested in the area.. Whenthe fall and winter flocks increased to around fifty birds, (early January) fo:urteen were trapped and moved to, the Glenwoodar ea , Conditions have always been' such that we could depend on the flocks building up in IEJ.teJanuary and Februar-y, Wenow had around thirty-six birds No increase has occurred since There' have been around forty birds. reported around five miles east of t};leranch on Devil cr-eek, These have never drifted downas they usually do at this season of the yearo There is also a considerable, flock mentioned up the' Piedra River about three miles from Highway160.. These have riot movedto the ranch either 0 0 0 " �)··~p ••.. e -1..... .' " -5During late October several h~~dred were reported up the Piedra Rivero These were scattered in the_Mosca Creek, First Fork, Dudley Mountain,· Horse Mountain and Sheep Creek areas. In a light .linter these birds would winter in the ~orse Mountain area, and along the Cooper Benches. There are many open south-facing slopes in these areas in a normal winter. When the winter gets tough the birds work on to the south slopes of Devil Mountain and Mule Mountain. During the present winter these birds never came in to the ranch area at all. Generally there have been more flocks of turkeys reported during this winter than usual. Then too, these flocks are reported over wider areas than usual. Since the winter has been open more people have been able to get into the back country than in heavier snow years. In this way flocks have been seen and fed that otherwise would not have been observed. Plants It was originally planned not to plant too many areas during the 19501951 season because of the light feed conditions prevailing. Then, aue to the difficult trapping conditions, not all the areas with food in them could be planted. The.following plants were made from the releases and catches mentioned 0 Band 726 727 728 729 730 731 732 733 734 735 736. 737 738 739 Sex .hen tom herr hen hen tom tom hen hen hen hen tom hen tom ~. 2 years juvenile juvenile juvenile juvenile juvenile juvenile 1 year 2 years juvenile juvenile juvenile 1 year 1 year These birds were trapped at the ranch on the morning of Januar,r16th and were transported to Gl.ennoodSprings area the same day. Re'Lease was made in Canyon Creek about seven miles northwest of Glenwood Springs. The legal description of the area is as follows. Range 89 W.-T. 4 S. Section 7 & 18. . __ �-6Plant No. 2 Feb. 3 Sex Age Band hen 1 year 740 1 year .hen 741 742* " 743 tom matUre A. tom (band 742) died in handling and the band was taken off later--see below. This tom.was used as a scientific specimen. mature hen 742 hen mature 744 * Feb. 20 Mar. 5 745 746 747 748 749 750 hen hen hen hen hen hen mature 1 year 1 year mature mature 'i year This plant was broken up into three catches because of diffic'ult trapping conditions. More than two months had been spent in observing the Savage set near Beulah. At one time it is possible that five could have been trapped at one time. The trips were released on six but only four were caught on'February 3, 1951. On the Table Mountain set, human relations figured in a very aggravating way. When we were reaqy to set up a trap the rancher locked us out. After two weeks he was persuaded to let us go back for a try. Stormy weather (light storms) held up the progress of the.work. It was expected at any moment that trespass privileges would be shut off again. On February 20th a desperate try was made for five birds.which were feeding just in the end of the trap but only 'two were caught. After the btz-dswere delivered this trapping was abandoned when we found the entrance gate locked again. . The March 5th catch was made in the Uncomp~hgre area. This is the first trap to be set up in the Uncompahgre since the plants were made in 194445. The trapping here was difficult a.Lso, Then too, the season was getting late and mating activity was developing.which always makes trapping difficult. . This winter's transplants are ~ique in that they were both made in nonhistorical areas. They are the most northern plants made thus far.and are co~sidered a test which may open up much new turkey'range. , The plants will be closely watched in the next few months and years. �-7Plant No~ 2 was made on west Elk Creek right at the Ranger Guard Stationo Legal description is as follows: Range 9IW., To 4 So, Section 2. While the trapping work was short, the time was not lost~ During the waiting periods much of the area around the traps was; surveyed for turkey popula tion.. There have been more flocks observed and reported thus far in the turkey range than for any similar period. Summary Because of weather factors and short feed the trapping season has been slow and difficult this year.. Only twenty five birds have been caught up to the present time.. The hunting season went off very well with around gOO hunters and a success ratio. of nearly 40%. This is exceptionally high.. A new planting area was started this season in the Glenwood Springs district which is not historical turkey range however, examination showed the habitat to be more suitable than some of the historical areas .• Submitted by: Name Martin Burget Ti tIe Wildlife Technician IV .. �-8- STATE C_;..OLO_;;_RAD=...;..O _ PROJECT. 39-R· DATE QUARTERLY SUR V E Y SAN PROGRESS DIN V EST APRIL, 1951 REPORT I QA ~.I 0 N S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. Leaders: Wild Turkey Investigation; Martin L. Burget and Donald Hoffman 3. Report of Progress: Title of Job: Wild Turkey Food Studies Job 5 Reported by: Donald Hoffman Compiled Data--53 Crops* Volumetric Analysis September 28, 1950 through October 2, 1950 Food Items Plant Matter (98%) Family -- Species Anacardiaceae -- Sumac Family (1%) Rhus toxicodendron Poison Ivy fruit Rhus trilobata Skunkberry fruit Asteraceae -- Composite Family (5%) Chrysops is spo Golden Aster seed and seed heads Helianthus sp. Sunflower seeds Lactuca scariola True Prickly Lettuce seed heads ....•. % Freq. «: of % Vol. Occur. Trace 4% ···.·2% Trace 2% Trace 9% 2% 8% �-9Taraxacum officinale Common Dandelion seed heads and leaves Verbesina encelioides Goldweed seed Boraginaceae -- Borage Family (Trace) Cynoglossum officinale Houndstongue dogbur seed Li thospermum sp , Puccoon seeds Caprifoliaceae -- Honeysuckle Symphoricarpus sp. Snowberry fruit and leaves 3% 19% Trace 2% Trace 2% Trace 6% 1% 9% Trace 11% Family (1%) Chenopodiaceae -- Goosefoot Family (Trace) Chenopodium album Lamb's Quarters seeds *Two crops contained too little material to be used in percent volume calculations. These are, however, included in percent frequency of occurrence calculations. Cyperaceae -- Sedge Family (Trace) Care.x.sp. Sedge seeds Ericaceae -- Heath Family (1%) Arctostaphylus uva-ursi Kinnikinnic fruit Fabaceae -- Pea Family (1%) Medicago sativa Alfalfa seed pod Phaseolus ·sp. .Cultivated Bean Robinia neo-mexicana Locust seeds Trifolium sp. Clover seeds and leaves Vicia sp. Vetch leaves Trace 2% 1% 9% Trace 2% Trace 2% Trace 4% 13% Trace 4% �-10% Freq. % Vol. of Occur. Trace 6% Trace 4% 2% "23% 29% 62% 1% 6% Trace 4% Trace 2% 17% 58% Trace 4% Trace 2% Trace 6% 6% 36% Tr~ce 38% 2% 32% 21% 10% 38% 83% Piriaceae -- Pine Family (Trace) Pinus SPa Pine needle fragments Trace 15% Polygonaceae -- Buckwheat Family (Trac~) Poll~onum Spa Polygolium .seeds Trace 9% Geraniaceae -- Geranium Fami~ Geranium SPa Geranium leaves (Trace) Gramineae --Grass Family (88%) ~ Agrostis SPa Bentgrass seed heads Avena fatua Wild Oat grain aridhulls Avena sativa Common Oat gr~in and hulls Blepharaoneur6n tricholepis Hairy Dropseed' seed's Bromus sp. Bromegrass seeds Festuca sp. Fescue seeds Hordeum vulgare Barley grain and hulls Muhlenber~ia SPa Muhly grass seeds and hulls Phleum pra'tense Timothy seed stalks Poa sp. Bluegrass spikelets Gramineae Setaria SPa Bristle Grass seeds and seed stalks SEorobolus Spa Dropseed seeds Stipa viFidula' Green Needlegrass seeds Triticum aestivum Wheat grain and hUlls Grass leaves �i?S % Freq. % Vol. of Occur. Rumex sp , Dock 'seeds Tra,ce 2% Prunaceae --',Plum Family (Trace) Prunus demissa Chokecherry seed Trace, 2% Rosaceae -- Rose Family (Trace) Rosa sp. Rose leaf "Trace 2% Solanaceae __'Potato Family (Trace) So~anum sp, Nightshade leaves Trace " 2% 1% 17% Unidentified Small Rootlets Trace 2% Unidentified Seeds Trace 8% Unidentified ~tem Fragments Tra.ce 4% Unidentified Broadleaf Fragments (Greens) " Food Items Animal Matter (2%) Family, ,Acrididae Short-horned Grasshoppers Carabidae Ground Beetles Cerambycidae Long-horned Beetles Cercopidae Spittlebug Chrysoinelidae_ ~a.f Beetles ��~13% Freq. % Vol. of Occur. Trace 4% Trace 2% Trace 4% Lepidoptera (Order) Larvae and Moth Trace 15% Myriopoda (Order) Millipedes Trace ..2% .. Gastropoda (Class) Snails Trace 6% Trace 2% Dintera (Order) Fly Adults and larva Hemiptera (Order) Bug HymenoEtera (Order) Hymenoptera Oli~ochaeta (Class) Earthworm TOTAL 100% Non-Food Items Bone Fragments ~ including a portion of a mammal's lower jaw 3% 4% Feathers Trace 2% Glass Fragments Trace 4% Gravel and Fine Sand 90% 68% 7% 100% 11% Woody Fragments TOTAL A total of 53 Wild Turkey Crops collected September 28~ 1950, through October 2, 1950, by personnel of the Colorado Department of Game and Fish from successful hunters was analyzed and the results are shown on the compiled data table included. Although the total 53 crops could be utilized to determine percent frequency of occurrence of the different food items, two of these contained too little food material to be utilized in percent volume calculations 0 �'-14Late frosts during the Spring of 1950 combined with low precipitation during the previous winter over the wild turkey range resulted in poor natural food crops and forced the birds to rely a great deal more on cultivated grain than was found to be the case in the series of crops collected during the wild turkey hunting season in 1949 and reported on earlier. Summary 1. A total of 70 different food items was found in 53 crops analyzed. 2. Plant Matter made up 98% of the total volume of food. The grass family made up 88% of this total including cultivated grain (67%) and natural grass food items (21%). The Composite family made up a total of 5% of the total volume including Dandelion (3%) and Prickly Lettuce (2%). Clover leaves, Snowberry, Kinnikinnic, Skunkberry and Unidentified Broad leaves (Greens) each made up 1% of the total volume. Acorns and other mast items were totally absent. 3. Animal Matter made up a total of only 2% of the total volume of food. Grasshoppers averaged 1% of this total with a total of 92 in the 53 crops examined. The remaining 1% was Beetles belonging to the family Scarabaeidae. In addition, there were found to be 24 other animal matter food items -these all traces of the total. 4. The non-food items found in this series of crops was for the most part gravel and fine sand, although bone fragments, feathers, glass, and woody fragments were also found. Submitted by: Approved by: Name: COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Martin L. Burget Title: Wildlife Techincian IV By ~c:o Title: J .L..if. Hart, Acting Director Date: Note: March 28, 1951 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the ColoradQ Game and Fish Department �! i -----, -15STATE COLORADO· .' ~------------------. PROJECTNO.----.,.-...;;..:;.;;......;;;,....---·J2-D ... DATE_· .; _...;;.;A;o;.pn~· o_l,J.:_" .;;.;;.19:;.::5;;..;;;':1;;_ 'QUARTERLY PROGRESS.·.·REPORT D EVE LOP MEN T . As required by I .' ". " , .' " FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFERESTORATION ACT 1. Ti tLe of Project: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Restoration I . :. ~:,::..', 2. Leadez-se George W. Jones and Claude E. White, JI:'. 30 Report of Progress: '" .~ .. ,'.: Completion Report Title of Job: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Trapping and Transplc,mt:i"ng ','" Results: On February 15, 1951, the gate of trap number 4 was d:r9Pped . at 9:15 a,~m. on a group of 15 sheep, which included J yOlfIlE?; r ams of,. breeding age, 8 ewes and 4 lambs. (Figure 1.)·.··· I'hesevsheepwer-e jf'or-ced into the truck and taken to Saguache and released c on. the rim of .:Saguache Canyon in Township 44S Range 82 West of the 6th:Principal ¥eridia.r;. (Figure 2.) ' ..:The sheep remained calm throughout the trip andwere.releasedin.exce1~ lent condition. There 'Were no injuries tp the, sheep although during the trapping operation the gate to the holding pen was broken in two .; places by ,repeated charges of the sheep within the. pen. One ewe escaping through the gate 'caught Technician 'Jones on. the .cheek with a . glancing blow of her horn cutting Mr. Jones '. cheek and .nose to the Clone• . ..~' .;:. ::. :-'::. . With, the eXistlng construction of this holding,pen,ga.,::te; the gate_swang inward and had to be held, shut against charges of the sheep •. The con-. s t.ruc td on of the· gate has since been changed: to swing. outward and come, to rest evenly against a stout pole, thus the: l>+ow~ gf.the sheep are ...,.;. taken evenly by the pole and not by the 1 or 2 workers formerly necessary to hold the gate shut, ", '_:. ..' ~:. ",:,'; -;: �-16By the time the gate was repaired, baited and reset, the 6-8 inch snow which fell on Febru~ 14 (Figure 3.) had for the most part melted or blown away with ,the wind. As the result, the sheep did not work trap number 4 again. None of the other 3 traps have been worked by the sheep in sufficient numbers to warrant trapping operations. Weather conditions during the trapping season paralleled those of last year-i.e., only one snow fell which was sufficient to assure concentrations on the trapping grounds, and exceedingly high winds throughout the season necessitated constant resetting and repairs on the traps. In addition, cold high winds without snow kept the sheep scattered in the more rocky and cliffy areas, preventing the desired concentration in the less protected trapping areas. The Saguache operation up to the time of release may be termed highly successful. The area selected for the release had been under obser~. vation for two years' and has been found to possess all the desired factors of good bighorn sheep habitat. Hunt.er-control is the one factor which could become a deterrent to final success of the plant. However, it gains no more importance here than in any other sheep area in the state. A study of the increased expansion of the Tarry-all herd during the past 3 winters has now been completed. Though many small herds are utilizing wide areas surro~nding the Tarry-alls and Kenoshos the area most affected~by the expansion and containing the greatest number of sheep lies west of Highway 77 to Badger flats and south from the town site of Tarryall to Highway 24. It was decided that the boundaries of the closed area be changed to conform with the description above. This plan was presented and approved at the combined meeting of the Forest Service and Game and Fish Department at Colorado Springs on March 5, 1951. In general the condition of the Tarry-all and Pike's Peak sheep ranges is similar to the past 3 years at this time. Prolonged drought continues to hold down forage production on the lower winter ranges. The last rut activit.y on the Tarryalls was noted January 31st e . Distribution checks in the Kenoshos in January revealed a high count of 187 sheep in the lower end of Lost Park. This is higher than any previous cOFnt in the Lost Park area. No coyote trapping was done in the Lost Park area this year due to the lack of a state trapper in the area. Eight coyotes were shot and killed by rifle. Several trips were made to,.areas close to Tarryall during periods when the sheep were not working the traps on Tarryall Creek. �Figure 1 The Saguache dropped. transplant herd, 5 minutes after the gate was �Figure 2 The Saguache plant 30 seconds after release. �Figure 3 This picture was taken immediately after the break-up of the 8 inch snowstorm on February 14 in the Tarryalls. The herd to be planted in Saguache was trapped the next morning at 9:15 a.m. �-17A report was received of sheep on the Little Sheephorn at the northeast end of the Gore range. The report was followed up and 12 ewes, 7 lambs and 3 rams were located at the lower end of the Little Sheephorn. This herd has not wintered in this particular drainage in the past. They are probably part of the Gore herd which ~dS been reported at various places in this area in former years. . Two trips made into the area ndw occupied by the transplanted Rocky Mountain goats were unsuccessful. Submitted by: Approved by: Names George W. Jones Claude E. White, Jr.,. Wildlife Technicians Date Note: April 5, 1951 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-18STATE --~------~------- PROJECT NO.. DATE QUARTERLY PROGRESS SUR DIN V E y' SAN V EST 4l-R April, 1951 REPORT I GAT ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: .Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Surveys and Invest.iagtions 2. Leaders: George W. Jones and Claude E. White, Jr. 3. Report of Progress: Title of Job: Comparative Range Ana~sis planting Sites' for the Location of Trans- Job 2 The second full year of field reconnaissance of the proposed transplant area above Lake City was completed in February. A study of the results indicated that this area includes all of the factors necess~ to the success of a sheep transplant from the Tar~all Mountains. Food and water are present in excellent degree. The sheep will have protection at all times as they progress from their winter range to their summer range. (A complete description of the area may be found in the July 1950 Quarterly; One factor present here which most of our sheep areas do not have is an excellent winter range which is virtually inaccessible to car-sand trucks during the winter months. The Lake City now assumed a place at the top of the list of scheduled transplant sites. Job 3: Artificial Salting Experiment During the quarter all areas now included within the scope of the experiment were inspected for salt utilization and the effects thereof. As a result of these inspections 28 blocks of salt were put out on �-19those salt grounds which were lacking in salt. One new station was established at Ouray and 3 will be established on the Cache La Poudre in March. The experiment is proceeding satisfactor:ily in all areas. Submitted by:: Approved by: Names COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT George W. Jones Claude E. White, Jr. Wildlife Technicians Date Note: April 4, 1951 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �I~~illliij)I' ~'llil~II';lli~imf'~~rllifij' II~1 l ' BDOW021341 . i .;,.20. STATE. . COLORADO PROJECTNO. 35-D '.DATE_,,' _.: __ Ma.;;.;;;....;;r;_;,c...,;h"";.... __ COMPLETION REPORT . FOR " .. DEVELOPMENT As required by FEDERAL' AID IN WILDLIFERESTORATION' ACT 1. Title of Prbject: 2. Leaders: Antelope Restoration Gordon Douglas arid C. E. Till ...... 3. Completion Report: The site selected for the first trapping operation of the 1950-1951 season was on Government land of the Central Plains Experiment Station, about 20 miles north of Nunn, Colorado, on Highway 85•. The actual trap si te was one mile east of this highway. An ihi tial reconnaissance had revealed about 75 antelope on this public land and adjacent private land. Another reason' for the selection of this -srt.e was that the, antelope trap was stored at a ranch only 15 ,miles from thi::( pd±nt.·· Dt.Iring November, preliminary surveys in search 'of a trapping 'site were made in the Chico Basin, southeast of Colorado Springs -"-and in, the area north of NewRaymer. A flight over the 'latter, area: revealed oW-ya' relatively few antelope, with these scattered over ~n anea about the size of a toWnship., On December 5, the antelope crew started moving the trap to the si te selected. The next three weeks were spent in putting up the antelope trap, a woven-wire perimeter fence, fixing the .sbake body of the.· . antelope truck, and. collecting miscellaneous materials for the trap.· .' The technique of fencing a quarter section and p.Iacf.ng:the trap within this enclosure was used again this year. The' lane 'and wing ·fences were changed slightly from last y'ear, resUlting in much better results. A diagram of ,the enclosure and antelope trap is shown at the end of 'this report.' ,." �i,~Q .~ .• ". -;~ -21On December 27, Pilot K. B. Milyard put 21 antelope into the 1/4 section with the airplane. While the crew was putting up the boundary fence the plane hazed the 'animals into the holding pen, and then put 16 into the main pen of the trap itself. These were puched into the squeeze pen and loaded out. One buck escap .ed from the holding pen but the remaining four went'into the trap easily and were also loaded. The catch was taken to a point about 20 miles northwest of Wray and released. One buck and a fawn died enroute so the release was 3 bucks, 12 does, and 3 fawns. On January 4 we were ready to go again. In the intervening time another truck had been borrowed and boxed-in so it would be suitable for: hauling antelope. At 9:00 A.M. Pi~ot Milyard put 29 antelope into the 1/4 section, then on into the holding pen •. These refusedto be pushed into .. I . the trap by the plane, so the ground crew, using canvas, literally "seined" them into the main pen of the trap. (This seini'ng operation is described later under tttechmques.lIr) One faWn was lost ''inthe 'trap from a bJ;'.oken· neck and the remaining 28 wer~ loaded' into two trucks. These were taken to the Wear Ranch 20 miles east of Eads and 'released. The transplant consisted of 6 bucks, 10 does, and 12 fawns. On January 9 ~lot Milyard arrived at the tr~p site at 8:00 A.M. He encountered difficulty in finding any antelope near the trap site, but after an'Murs search 13 were located and run into the 1/4 section and holding pen with the plane. tuter, seining these. into the main pen of the trap, the. ground crew loaded 11 into one truck. One buck hit a'lane fence and broke .)itsneck, and one doe that had been shaken up was released at the' trap site. The 11, consisting of one large buck, 9 does, and one fawn, were taken to Wray to supplement the plant made there on December.27. Because of the scarcity of antelope. in the immediate vicinity of th.e trap it was decided to move to a new location •. One area near Hugo, and the Chico Basin, southBast of Colorado Springs were scouted, with the latter site being chosen after it had been surveyed both from the air and on the ground. On January 11, the crew started tearing down the tr,ap. The week of January 15-19, the writer and one crew member, Technician Richard Pillmore, attended a State Wildlife meeting at Gle,IlWoodSprings. ~ January 29, the crew had the trap down and moved to the Chico Basin. A week of cold weather and snow delayed the setting up of the trap, but by February 20 we were ready to go. On February immediately 21, Pilot Milyard arrived at 8:00 A.M. with. the plane and located a herd of 59 antelope. These were hazed up to the �~~~Q .--- Figure 1 Looking down lane to main pen of antelope trap. (Photo by David Fo Costello) Figure 2 \ Antelope in main pen of antelope trap. (Photo by David F. Costello) .. _" �Loading antelope into truck. (Photo by David Fo Costello) �1/~~ ~--' . ..-':.:.~ ' -22"';, 1/4 section before 22 split away from the bunch and ran off. The remaining 37 were put into the holding pen by the plane and were seined into the main pen of the ,trap by the ground crew. Two faWns ,were lost in the trap from braken necks during the laading operatians and the r~maining 35 animals were loaded into. twa trucks. These were, ' transported to. the release point about 20 mile's southwest of Blanca in the San L11is'Valley. " One fawn died enrou te and one was killed dur-, ing the release so the transplant consisted of 14 bucks and 19 does, including fawns. i On February 26, Pilot Milyard put 47 more antelape into.t.he.ho.ldf.ng pen. One buck broke its neck an a baundary fence and 46 were seined into the main pen by the ground crew. The two trucks were loaded with 32 antelape which were taken to. the Hoffman Ranch, 18 miies sautheast of Lamar, and released. The remaining 14 were left in the trap avernight and loaded out early the follawing morning. I'hese were taken to Lamar' ' and with the others. One doe and ane fawn died enroute in the first bunch so. the' tcital plant at Lamar was 20 bucks and 24 does, including , fawns. During this last trapping operation it was noted that the daes were getting fairly heavy with yaung. AlSo., Pilot K. B. Milyard had noticed that the herds seemed to tire much more easily during the hazing runs than earlier in the season. These factors, plus 'same weather that was too. warm to ,be running antelope, brought us to the decisian that we should stop for the season. Altogether, a total of 134 antelape were transplanted at four new sites during the season. The antelape crew is indebted to.Wardens Slonaker af Fort Margan and Al Oooley of Co~arada Springs, John Stevenson and Willis Mansfield af the State Bird Farm, Federal Aid,Caordinator E. K. Brawn, and several ranchers and other interested people far time and effart spent in the running and laading af arrbe.Lope , The antelope crew cansisted af Bab DeGuelle, Alfred Heins, Technician Richard Pi~lmare, andvthe writer. Aritelope Tech,nician Gordon Dauglas assisted materially in the selection of trapping 'sites, transplant and release sites, loading aut antelope, and accampanying'these 'to.the previausly selected release paints. Pilot K. B. Milyard, besides doing same difficult and skillful flying in hazing the antelope into the trap, landed his plane an each accasian and assisted in laading the animals into. the trucks. On the last twa runs, pilat-abserver Dwight Owens was present and assisted also.. �-23Data for the season are given in the folloWing tables: DISTRIBUTION OF AGE AND SEX GROUPS FOR EACH SITE. WRAY TRANSPLANT SITE: Date Bucks Does Fawns Total 3 1 12 --2..: 3 1 18 il 4 21 4 29 Dec. 27 Jan. 9 Totals 1 buck per 5 does. Sex ratio: EADS TRANSPLANT SITE: Date Bucks Does Fawns Total Jan. 4 6 10 12 28 Sex ratio: 1 buck per 1.6 does. SAN LUIS VALLEY TRANSPLANT SITE: Date Bucks Does Fawns Total Feb. 21 14 19 * 33 Sex ratio: 1 buck per 1.36 does. LAhflARTRANSPLANT SITE: Date Bucks Does Fawns Total Feb. 26 20 24 * 44 Sex ratio: 1 buck per 1.2 does. * Included in buck-doe figures. �-24DAILY RECORD OF ANTELOPE FOR EACH CATCH Number trapped Date Number escaEed Number loaded Number released No. killed at tra,e Dec. 27 Jan. 4 Jan. 9 Feb. 21 Feb. 26 Feb. 27 21 29 13 37 47 0 1 20 0 28 1 0 0 0 11 35 32 18 28 11 33 30 ..1!L ..1!L 0 1 1 2 1 0 Totals 147 2 140 134 .5 No. died enroute F 0 0 2 ,2 '0 6 Percentage loss of total number trapped - 7.5% Submitted by: Approved 'by: Name C. E. Till COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Title Wildlife Technician II Date Note: April 6, 1951 Persons wishing to quo~e fromthiSjabstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado State Game and Fish Department. �I~~III11Iijlljllll'llII~lfIilli mrl~flll~1~jlfIlfl~II BDOW021342 _ _------'------- .---- ----- --.. ... --- --_--- - 25 STATE~_-=C..:.;OL::.;O:;..:::RAD=· .:,0 _ QUARTERLY PROGRESS SUR DIN V E Y SAN 37 ":'R PROJECT. NO 0 DATE April, 1951 REPORT V EST I GAT ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION 10 Title of Project: 20 Leader: ACT Game Bird Surveys Harry J. Figge 30 Report of Progress: Work Plan No.2 - Job J Title: Trapping and banding ducks and geese. Objective: Colorado To trap and band ducks and geese from the main flyways in 0 Scope: Sedgwick Banding Stationo Value: The data to be supplied to the Fish and Wildlife Service will result in better management of the species within this state. Personnel: Harold Mo Swope Renorted by: Harold Mo Swope Techniques: The Modified Colorado Duck Trap used most successfully by Gurney Crawford during the previous banding season was r-econabruc'ted for use again this yearo Barley and corn were used as bait. Wast.e material from corn shelling was again used , This material, conef atdng' of cracked corn kernels, cobs and husks, was obligingly procured ind hauled to the trap site by Warden Lloyd Triplett 'and Refuge Custodian George Steele 0 Despite the extremely mild weather there were many ducks along the river There was so much available corn in the fields about l2 miles 0 �_' 26 _ south and east of the trap site that the ducks had to be baited heavily to keep them feeding around the trap. Even then they picked up the corn bait, ignoring most of the barley. Apparently these birds preferred a distant corn food source to ~eeding on the barley at hand. Due to the high percent of banded ducks being caught a small trap was constructed about fifteen miles upstream. to determine whether ducks banded in past years were concentrating around the ,old trap site for "free feeds.1I Trapping was not started until late, Febraury'16, March ,31. and was t~rminated on Findings: A total of 5,200 ducks were captured. This figure includes repeats of ducks recorded,and then released. Clipping tail feathers was abandoned after the,wind literally covered the area with clipped feathers.' Only 795 unbanded ducks were caught. Approximately 800 band number-s were recorded and the rest released after checking the band number's so as to record all those not put on at this banding station in 1949 and 1950. The 800 numbers recorded represented only 235 ducks, showing that each duck averaged about three and one-half trips into the t~ap. 'Using this 800 to 235 ratio as 'a baSis, it may be computed that about 1,300 ducks banded in past years were caught in the trap again this year. App:roximately 85% of these banded ducks were banded at this station during the past two years. The small trap erected fifteen miles away from the old trapping site caught only three perce~t of the 5,200 ducks captur!3d (about 150), but these ducks were all unbanded , This seems to indicate that "feeding" in the same location year after' 'Year tends to bring many of the same ducks back to the specific area where they were fed. Table I gives the number of ducks banded by species and sex. Analysis: From the standpoint of catching unbanded ducks it ;Ls apparently desirable to shift trapping, sites from year to year if large numbers of ducks have been banded at the same station in previous yearso ' The mild weather is thought to have played a part in catching such a high percentage of banded ducks , The, unbanded ducks were able to follow their, normal routine of feeding in nearby corn fields, while the banded,ducks apparently remembered the "feast" made available to them around the trap site in past years. It is evident that much of the interest connected with shooting banded ducks has, been lost here in the northeast. There have ,been so many ducks banded in this area that chances are pretty good that any banded duck killed here was also banded here. The attitude of most of· the sportsmen seems to be, I~y should I send in the band .vhen I know it was put on right here?" �- 27 - TABLE I OF DUCKS BY SPECIES AND SEX BANDED AT THE SEDG~K BANDING'STATION BETWEEN FEBRUA~Y 16, AND MARCH 31, 1951 WMBER Species Percent composition by sex & Sex Mallard males Mallard female's Total.mallards 532 190 Males per 100 female~ 280 Pintail males Pintail females Total pintails 38 26 Males per 100 females 14& Bald.pate males Baldpa,te femaies Total l::Jaldpates _2 Males per 100 females 200 Totals 722 64 6 9 73.68 26.32 100.00 Percent of all· ducks banded 90.82 59:.J•8 40.62 100.00 8.05 67.00 33.00 100.00 1.13 795 56.8 ducks banded per trappi~g attempt. ~GOoOO �- 28 Scoue: San Luis Valley Reported by: Bertram D. Baker Techniques: Two Modified Colorado Duck Traps were constructed at the same sites used last year on Diamond Springs and MacIntyre's Springs in Conejos County. The trap placed on Diamond Springs was 30' x 15' in size with a 15' funnel leading from the holding pen of the trap up onto the dirt bank. This arrangement facilitated driving the ducks into the portable catch box. The MacIntyre's Springs trap 'was 40' x 15' with a partition built in one end. This idea was copied from the 1950 Arkansas River traps and proved very satisfactor.y in getting the ducks into the catch box through the shore side exit gate. The portable catch box is an 1811 x 18" x 4' braced frame, covered with 1" mesh wire netting burlap. A small hinged door is built in the top for removing the ducks. A sliding drop door closes off the entrance of the box. The box is lightweight, and readily portable. Findings: A total of 1,471 ducks were banded and released during the period from Januar.y 31, 1951, through March 10, 1951. The following summary shows the number of each species banded and the sex ratios: Species Male Mallard Pintail Baldpate G. W. Teal Gadwall 656 445 163 107 16 23 2 4 1 a Total Ducks - Female Total 1,101 270 39 6 1 Sex Ratio (Males/lOa Females) 147.39 152.33 . 100.00 100.00 l,ID Fifty ducks were recaptures. Thirty-seven of these recaptures were banded during the winter banding operation of 1949-1950 at the same San Luis Valley station •. The oreakdown of the 37 by species and sex is as follows: . . . Species Males Females Total Mallard Pintail Baldpate 15 3 1 13 5 a 28 8 1 37 �1.0_8-- - 29 The banding data forthe__ remaining six mallard males, five mallard females and two pintail ma~es are not known at this time. Analysis: Mild weather prevailed during the first ten days of February and catches were-smail. Then, from February 11 through,the first week of March the VcUley experienced cooler, Windy weather'with frequent snow squalls. The daily catches consequently,increased in numbers and continued until operations were terminated on March 10. DAILY BANDING ~CORD BY SPECIES AND SEX, SAN LUIS VALLEY, 1951 Date Mallards M F 19 1 1-31 24- 15 2- 1 7 4 2 13 8 3- 63 468 5 12 6 6 8 3 7 12 12 814 --9 10 7 8 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 3- 1 23 13 43 59 9 25 10 23 20 7 10 29 31 20 10 22 42 21 2 20 11 3 31 5 16 6 4 7 19 3 1 7 6 22 37 5 14 8 Pintails M F Green-winged Teal M F Gadwall M F 1 3 1 2 2 3 1 2 1 3 2 2 2 20 4 2 1 20 -14 6 5 Baldpates M F 7 10 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 l 1 18 1 5 6 26 32 9 20 5 13 3 2 1 56 7 12 10 9 20 9 3 12 30 121 9 6 ± 9 5 5 2 1 3 1 1 1 4 9 16 1 13 2 4 6 f ~ 2~ ll~ 1 10 16 8 5 1 Totals6-;::r56r--'44~5--:;-176~3 --:1:-::0~7--2=3~--::1~6-----::2~-"-4------:: __ l~--- Total ducks: 1,417 �i/~_9 -30Scope: Arkansas Valley Reported by: Don Nolting Findings:. All traps were relocated in an area that served as a trapping site for the past three years for purposes of comparison. One trap was located on John Martin Reservoir. The other two traps were on the Arkansas River, a few miles below John Martin Dam. A total of 2265 ducks was banded in the Arkansas Valley during 1951. Of these, 1653 were captured in three traps constructed near Caddoa, Colorado. The remaining 612 ducks were banded at Two Buttes in conjunction with the goose trapping operation which was under the direction of Warden G. I. Crawford. Table I shows the daily record of ducks banded at Two Buttes. Table II presents the data obtained at the Caddo a traps. Trapping began on February 7 with the completion of the first trap and terminated on March 6. Traps were in operation a total of 76 trap days and 21.75 ducks were banded per trap day. The total catch would be somewhat greater due to repeats and recaptures. Analysis: The late·trapping season, accompanied by warm weather was believed to play an important part in the species and numbers of ducks banded. Only one three-day period of cold weather occurred during the entire trapping season. TABLE I. DAILY DUCK BANDING RECORD, T'iiO BUTTES, 1951 Date Mallards Pintails Baldpate Redhead M F M F M M 158 37 93 69 42 55 27 8 1 10 6 2 69 28 6 1 252 Totals 288 166 106 42 9 1 612 F Totals F 1951 2-14 15 3- 1 263 97 �-31- TABLE· II .' DAILY DUCK BANDING RECORD, CADDOA, 1951. Date Mallards F M ilintails Bpldpate M F 'M F 39 5 3 26 11 1 4 1 18 11 G.Wing.Teal F M· . Totals 39 28 15 8 230 73 28 60 95 141 189 215 51 213 84 77 75 12-2 1951 2-16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 3- 1 2 3 6 53 42 15 4 40 45 37 24 12 '68 27 '8 6 21 30 20 6 4 29 24 12 Totals402 4 ·4 -5 50 9 9 6 ::Ll 16 41 99 106 20 69 36 3 2 25 10 31 41 L~9 12 17 8 3 12 - 49 3 4 229 464 217 108 25 Total ducks banded, Arkansas Valley: 2265 ]f) 11 1 9 1 '~9 2 8 2 33 40 16 15 139 67 1653 �-32Sex ratios of ducks banded showed a higher number of males than last year. Data is given in Table I~I. 'IABLE III . MALES PER-lOO FEMALES 1950 SPECIES Mallard Pintail Baldpate Green-winged Teal 68.98 100 83.73 100 127.97 100 None 1951 174 : 100 220 : ioo 468 : 100 207 100 The reason for this great increase in the catches of male ducks is not known. Percentages of each species to the total ducks banded are shown in Table IV. This table shows that there was an important change in the composition of the total catch. This change is thought to be due to the warm, late trapping season. TABLE IV. Percent Each Species Of Total Catch 1950 1951 SPECIES Mallard Pintail Baldpate Green-winged Teal 72% 22 6 None 48% 37 6 9 In comparing 1950 trapping data with that of 1951, a large proportional drop in the numbers of recaptures occurred in 1951. The reason for this is not apparent. The largest catches were made on the reservoir, in spite of wind storms and changing water levels which reduced the effectiveness of this trap. Greater concentrations of ducks used the reservoir during the warm weather and probably caused this larger catch. The traps on the river were most effective during the cold period. However, the majority of the green-winged teal were caught in one of the river traps during warm weather. �-33Title: Trapping and banding ducks and geese - Deviation - Fluoroscopy of migratory waterfowl •. Scope: Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Denver, Colorado, and ~o Buttes Reservoir. Cooperating Agenci'es: The U. S. Fish .and Wildlife Service' Research Laboratory, and the Chemical Corps, Department of the Army. Personnel~ Biologists Gharles C. Sperry and Jphnson A. Neff, and Wildlife Technicians Irving R. Poley and Willard L. Flinn. Reported by~ Irving R. Poley. ' ' Techniques g A fluoroscopic study of 1,413 migratory waterfowl trapped by the Colorado Game and Fish Department at the Rocky Mountain Arsen~l Study Area was conducted by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Research Laboratory. Two traps were used; one 421 x 15il Colorado full-ramp-type trap, and one' 20' x 10' butterfly-type trap. They were located on ditches and l~kes that would provide open water during the coldest weather. Upon removal from the traps the ducks were transported, in pheasant crates~ about a quarter of a mile to a dark room for the study. The ducks were placed in caraboard tubes, closed at one end and· with the open end attached to a leaded rotating handle. This permitted the observer to ,turn the duck and move the tube horizontally without being exposed to radiation. This method was a great improvement over last year's practice of placing the duck in a cotton bag. Arter'viewing the duck~ it was banded and released. \ The fluoroscope April~ 1950. Findings: percentage , used was described in the Quarterly Pr6'gr§ss Report of , Table I"which follows, shows the nwnber fluoroscoped and the carrying shot in each of the species examined during 1950-51. TABLE I. Species & Year '1950 Mallard (M) Mallard (F) Totals 1951 Mallard (M) Mallard (F) Totals 2-Year Totals Nwnber Examined Ducks With Shot .Nwnber Of Shot % With Body Shot 817 422 112 35 191 47 13.70 8.29 147 238 11.86 1148 . 169 ·,:;1:90 46 236 18.08 8.59 . )-lU.'l2 2387 316 1239 741 407 134 35 -47-4 13024 �-34- Number Species Examined & Year 1950 Pintail (M) 181 Pintail' (F) 123 -304 Totals 1951 Pintail (M) Pintail (F) Totals 131 142 273 TABLE I. (Cont I d.) Ducks With Shot Number Of'Shot % With Body Shot 19 23 -42 31 35 -66 10.49 '18.79 9 19 --28 11 '27 -38 6.87 13.38 13.81 .10.26 2-Year Totals 577 70 104 12.13 TOTAIS 2964 386 578 13.02 1950 Mallard (M) 1950 Mallard (F) 1951 Mallard (M) 1951 Mallard (F) 17 6 65 31 6 2 6 .2 12 5 8 2 35.29 33.33 9.23 6~45 ~vo Buttes Geese 43 18 . 45 41.8 Recaptured Ducks: In 1950 a maximum of nine pellets was found in a mallard drake. In 1951 a maximum of six pellets was found in a pintail hen. Forty-three Canada geese were fluoroscoped at Springfield, Colorado. The geese were trapped at Two Buttes Reservoir by G. I. Crawford and transported sixteen miles to Springfield where electric current for the fluoroscope could be obtained. Eighteen of the forty-three geese, or 41.8% carried shot which varied in number from one to nine pellets. Anal sis and Recommendations: Mallard drakes showed an increase of .28 over the drakes found carrying shot last .year. The mallard hens showed a slight increase of .30% over last year. A decrease of 3.40% was noted with both sexes of the pintails. However, the number of pintails fluoroscoped in 1950 and 1951 was too small to be significant. It was reported last year that it would seem reasonable to assume that most mortally wounded ducks died during the two months which elapsed . between the end of the season and the start of the fluoroscoping. This �...... 1..,'- •• '_ .. -35year the two-month lapse was reduced to a two-week period between the end of.the season and the fluoroscoping with no appreciable increase in the ducks carrying shot.· . Two expianations for the high figure of 4108% of the Canada geese carrying shot 'are the tendency of crippled geese to feed at the trap rather than flying out to feed with the. other geese; .and because of the pass shooting at Two Buttes Reservoir the geese are subjected to heavy hunting pressure. It is recommended that this study be continued for the purpose 'of obtaining additional data on possible crippling losses and on hunting pressure. Supplemental Studies': The WiiLdlife Research Labor-atory Biologists, gperry arid Neff, with the cooperation of Technician Poley, continued certain studies of the effect qf'iead shot in the stomachs of ducks in the wild. ResUlts of this study will be submitted at a:later date by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Scope: Two, BUttes Reservoir. Personnel: .G. 1. Crawfbrd, Trapping. Specialist, Donald Nolting and H. J. Figge, Technicians. Reported by: Warden H. Gamble, H. J. Figgeo Technique: A Modified Colorado Duck Trap was used for trapping geese. The trap was built from one small island to another. The feed lanes were on the islands and the holding compartment extended 'from island to island. The posts were driven and part of 'the'wire put on in December. The area was baited several times before actual trapping began on January 1. Many changes were made in the entrances after observation showed that changes were necessary. One of the changes was to build a feed pen 20' x 40' along one entrance end. The two 20 foot sides were open and could be closed by the operator who was hidden in'a blind about 200 feElt away. The final change and the one thought most satisfactory was funnel type entrances into the feed pen about three feet wide and two feet high. Small operiings were 'cut into the holding pen to allow ducks to escape. About 100 geese were left in the hold~ng pen for decoys. Bait was scattered sparsely for about 200 feet from the entrances. Nearer the errtr-ances:the· feed was increased and large amounts were placed inside the <II 1 t " . .'( "- �-36feed lane near the ramp entrances to the holding pen. A total of 23,190 pounds of alfalfa, milo and wheat was used for bait. The only cost was for 6,440 pounds of fourth cutting alfalfa and 6,550 pounds of milo. The 1,200 pounds of weevil-infested wheat was donated by R. R. Rutherford, Springfield, Colorado. As many geese as possible were driven toward the trap in order.to catch new, unbanded geese. The geese were weighed on a spring scale calibrated in pounds and ounces. They were immobilized for weighing by tucking the head under one wing and laying the bird in the scale scoop on that wing. Age was determined by tail feather characteristics. If at least two notched feathers were present the bird was recorded as a juvenile. Attempts were made to check sex and presence of tne bursa fabricius.by cloacal examination. This was discontinued because of the time consumed in evacuating the excreta. Findings: For the first full time attempt at trapping geese the operation can be considered a complete success. There were 645.Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and one white fronted goose (Anser albifrons) banded. In addition, 612 ducks were banded. An albino pintail duck was removed from the trap and given to the Denver Museum of Natural History. Over 200 geese entered the trap after it was first set to make a catch. They then became reluctant to enter. Seemingly, if one of a pair was inside the trap the other would flap his wings and give warning honks and attempt to coax the trapped goose away. Th~ evidenced no fear of the trap itself for they returned each day for feed. Many of the banded geese were recaptured each time the trap was set. Increasing the size of the opening so that two geese could enter the trap side by side seemed to increase the number caught. The open end feed lane worked comparatively well but it was necessary for the operator to remain in the blind many hours each day. Driving the geese on the reservoir toward the trap did increase the number of new geese caught. Five hundred ninety-seven geese were weighed. One goose, an adult, obviously in poor condition, weighed only· three pounds eight ounces. It was eliminated from weight considerations. There were two geese that weighed four pounds each for the minimum weight of geese in good flesh, and one tha t weighed ten pounds' eight ounces for the maximum. Excluding the three and a half pound goose, the average weight of the 597 geese was in the six pound class. . �~A.. t::g. , ':.', Figure 1. Full view of shore to island goose trap. Figure 2. Detail of drop-off near entrances. �Figure 3. Banding operation and view of holding crate. Figure 4. Method of weighing geese. �-37,WEIGHT CLASSES AND AGE RATIO OF 597 LIVE CANADA GEESE , .. '1951 No. of Geese Wei~hed % of Total ' Weighed No. of Adults ~No. of Juveniles % of Juveniles 5% 26 45 19 4 0.5 0.5 7 59 133 77 19 9 10 27 157 269 117, 24' 3 -' 3 2 20 98 136 37 5 0 1 74.0% 63.7 50.5 32.4 20.8 0 33.3 Totals 597 100% 300 297 49.75% Weight Class 4 lb. 5 6 7 8 "~ , " The white fronted goose was a j~venile weighing , four pounds four ounces. , Aging by tail feather cruiracters showed that out of'642 geese checked there were 342 (53%) adults and 300 (47%) juveniles; Weights and age ratios were taken from January 23 to March 7, 1951. All recorded as juveniles are less than one year old. ' Tl1ere were 219 geese checked for the coloring of the feathers on the ventral side of the body. Fifty-six geese, or 21%, showed rust colored bars toward the distal end of'the feathers. Of these 56 geese 32 were adults and 24 were juveniles. They ranged in weight from four pounds eight ounces to nine pounds two ounces. Washing individual 'feathers in soap .and hot water (175?.r.) and in llIyloldid .not, remove or diminish the rust color. ' ' Analysis and Recommendations: By building the~ain portion of the trap in December and baiting in and around it, the geese were accustomed to the structure before actual operations began on January 7. It was very soon discovered that trapping geese was considerably more difficult than trappirig ducks. In fact, the ducks became a nuisance for they ate so much of the. bait that it was difficult to keep the trap baited.; If more help had available perh~ps 6,000 ducks could have been banded. geen In operating duck traps on the same reservoir one year ago it was found that the same ducks, and.apparent Iy it is also true of geese, tend to use the same area on the reservoir each day. This was shom by the fact that after the first few days 6£ banding only repeats were caught. ' Driving other unbanded geese nearer to the trap than where they were �-38accustomed to staying did increase the number of new, Unbanded geese. This practice is recommended in the future for trapping both ducks and geese. If the geese entering the trap are representative of the total population. (14,000) on the reservoir as to weight and age ratio, some interesting questions and' conjectures arise. Do seven pound Canada geese produce seven pound offspring? How much crossing of different sized geese occurs in the vd Ld? Is the difference in size and voice sufficient basis for describing a separate subspecies? Sirice notched tail feathers on geese indicate birds of less than one year old, the probably immature two year olds are included in the adult category. The percentage of juveniles was inversely proportional to weight. That is, higher percentages of juveniles were found in the lighter weights. This probably means that Canada geese continue to grow o;r'put on weight after their first year, rather than that more young are produced qy small geese. Forty-nine-and three-quarters percent juveniles would indicate satis~ factory reproduction and,survival for a goose p~pulation when the check was made in January, February and March, and afte'r r,he close of the hunting season. I There is insufficient nificant. data in the nine and ten pound classes to be sig~ According to Peterson's classification of geese, that is: Branta canadensis canadensis, B. c. occidentalis, B. c. 1eucopareia and B. c. nurnma , the majority of the geese wintering on Twb Buttes Reservoir are probably Lesser Canada Geese (B. c. leucopareia). The rust colored bars on the underside of the geese wintering on Two Buttes Reservoir is a lighter color than the udark chocolate" baring described on the white-checked goose (Branta canadensis occidentalis). It has been assumed that this rust coloring was a stain picked up in migration or on the breeding grounds. Attempts to wash off the color with soap and hot water and with zylol failed. Wdcroscopic examination of these feathers showed pigment granules present. The percent of adults (?7%) to juveniles (43%) indicates that the juvenile rust colored geese might be the offspring of the rust colored adults. A job has been proposed in the Ylork plan to attempt to determine if this rust coloring is an inherited charac'teristic or only individual variation. Because of the difficulty in obtaining mated pairs of geese, it is hoped that a technique in artifi,cial insemination can be developed. There is hope since this is, being practiced successfully in poultry. Perhaps some other questions on the various subspecies of Canada geese can be answered by this method. The bird with the rust' colored' underside that weighed nine pounds two ounces is ,in the weight.class of the common Canada goose (B. c. canadensis). �-39Trapping, banding and checking age should be continued. It would be desirable to sex and take measurements on all geese handled if sufficient could be provided. Submitted by: Name by: Date April 25, 1951 Harry J •. Figge Title Wildlife Note: approved Technician Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �- 40 " __ CO~LO..;.,;._R!..:..:;.!il __ STATE.....;.. PROJECT NO. -.::;....;;:.----38-R '-,Ap'rili, 1951 PATE PRO QUARTERLY SURVEYS ~ND G RES S REP 0 R T INVESTiGATIONS As required by FEDERAL AID IN ~~LDLIFE 1. Title of P.roject: 2. Leader: Deer-Elk RESTORATION ACT Investigations Paul F. Gilbert 3. Report of Progress: North-Central Colorado - Paul F. Gilbert 1. Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk Job 2. Locat Lon and Ext.errt of Winte,r Ranges Objective: To locate and map winter ranges. Deer this quarter have, f'or' the mos-t part, been fairly well scattered in the Hot SUlphur area excepting for a period 'of about fifteen days the first of February when deep snows and temperatures pushed the deer down to the lower limits of the winter range. At this time the 'elk were also forced down onto the deer winter range. The first elk seen on the deer winter range was on February 1 when the temperature reached an official 460 below zero~ At this time, elk were seen on Beaver Creek, Sulphur Divide, and lower ranges adjacent to the Colorado River on the north side. On February 7 an actual count was made of 134 elk. It was estimated that this herd included about 200 head. At the same time, '70 head of elk were counted on Sulphur Divide. This herd was estimated,to include about 100 head. At the present time the upper limits of the'deer-elkwinterrange are opening up fast. Jpb 3. Migration Between Swnmer and Winter ,Ranges. ' Objective: To locate and determine the amount of migrations of deer, and elk between swnmer and winter ranges,and factors, affect;i..ng_ same. �- 41 Deer began moving back to the upper limits of the available range about the lOth of I~ch. It appeared as if orphan fawns and the older animals which were in poor shape were the last to start back toward the summer range. Three deer traps were operated from the 20th of Janua~ up to the 1st of April. Two of them, however, were snowed in for a period of about 30 days during this time. A total of 16 captures were made which included three recaptures. ~vo animals were lost in ex~ periments with Curare. This leaves only 11 animals tagged and released from the Hot Sulphur deer winter range. The following table sQmmarizes the released animals. No. Date Tag No.* Color of Plastic Sex Remarks Recaptured 2/7 Used 1 1/22 802 Red Doe 2 1/22 S03 Red Doe 3 1/25 804 Red Doe 4 2/9 806 Red Doe 5 2/10 807 Red Blick 6 2/12 808 Red Doe 7 2/27 809 Red Buck 8 3/14 810 Red M. Fawn 9 3/16 §ll Red F. Fawn 10 3/17. S12 11 3/26 S13 Recaptured 3/4, 3/9 F. Fawn Yellow Doe -lfNumbersSOl & 805, Curare casul ties Elk first began to bother ranchers' hay stacks about the first of Janua~. This would indicate their movement to the lower country about this time. They started back to the higher count~ much earlier than deer (Februa~ 20). �- 42 II. Population Job 1 Surveys - Deer and Elk Population and Trend Counts .. Objective: To make inventories of deerand_elk in their winter ranges. No counts by plane were made in this district. III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 1 Survey of winter browse use. Objective: To determine 'winter utilization of improvement browse species~ No great amount of time has been spent on winter browse use, due to other duties, however, deer use on the sagebrush Artemisia tridentata and Bitterbrush Purshia tri'dentata in the lower limits of the ~~nter range has been excessive. Job 2 Food Habits. Objective: To find more accurately the food habits of deer and elk. Stomach samples collected this quarter have not been run as yet. IV. Mortality Factors affecting deer and elk herds. Job 3 Mortality Factors. and Railroad Kills. Winter'loss, Starvation, Disease, Highway Objective: . To determine the losses to deer herds by various decimat~ ing factors. The record of highway and railroad kills is incomplete. It is hoped that a more thorough check can be made when time permits. Ten highway kills have been recorded which include two bucks, two does, and six fawns. Those dying from unknown causes include ,three bucks and one fawn for a total of four. Only four railroad kills have been recorded - two bucks and two fawns, which is a very small sample. Job 4 Paz-as Lte and Disease Study. Objective: To find the nature and amount of parasites and disease in deer. Stomach samples were taken from animals killed on highway and railroad that were too old to run a postmortem on. Three field postmortems included the following information. �- 43 DOE 11 Yrs. 137 Ibs. 1 Embryo 1/22/51 Fat Present DOE 11 Yrs. 137 Lbs , 2 Embryos 1/31/51 FAWN 3/27/51 Rump x Brisket x x Mesentaries x x Kidneys x x x .Heart x x x Bone Marrow x x x Parasites Present x Lung Worm Bot Larva x x x Biting Lice x x x Sucki.ng Lice Ticks x Leg WorillS x x Coyote Cysts x x Tapeworms 10 Mo. �-44Northeast 1. District -- Robert R. Elliott Location and Extent of'Seasonal Ranges. Job 3 Migration Between Summer and Winter Ranges. Another relatively mild winter, the second in succession, was experienced throughout the district, and was the most important influence in keeping the deer and elk scattered. Most of the observations made on the deer in Larimer County revealed that there was no concentration on the lower winter range, and that the bulk of the herds we re widely distributed above 7,000 feet elevation. A few deer were seen in the Livermore-Grey Rock Mt. area, but these are year 'round residents. The aerial trend count, made late due to lack of sufficient snow cover, showed also comparatively few deer on the trend area.. Subsequent ground checks substantiated this and also the findings that most of the deer were above their usual winter range, from Rustic Lodge in Poudre Canyon, Pingre Hill, and Seven-mile Creek up to about 10,000 feet elevation. In general, there was no altitudinal shift of any consequence in any of the deer or elk herds throughout the front range area. This behavio~ is particularly favorable from a management viewpoint in that the winter forage was afforded a much-needed respite from grazing. Population Job 1 Surveys. Population and trend counts. The regular aerial trend area was not counted until the early part of February, somewhat late!' than the usual time of middle January, due to the Even lack of snow which tends to bunch the deer and fa9ilitates.counting. at this time, the snow cover was not uniform, and most of the south and west exposures were clear. Pilot Milyard and obse~er Owens counted only 58 deer on the trend area, reportin~ that they were scattered and no large bunches. Numerous tracks in and around the dense timber were reported by the airmen, which indicated to them that there were probably quite a few deer they didn't see. In the Livermore area, which is ep.st and north of the trend area, the aerial observe:cs counted 190 deer. Many of these animal stay in that area yearlong, as was mentioned before. Table 1. - Aerial Counts on Poudre Canyon Trend Area and Tota;t Kill Figures for Larimer County for a Five-year Period. Year .. Count Kill 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 174 146 143 249 176 58 1652 · 1780 2087 · 4989 · 4759 · · · · Type of Season ···.. Antlered OJily · " ·· Either Sex " " 11 n n �- 45 There are so many variable factors such as weather, type of season in adjacent areas, shift of hunting pressure, and others, that there is little significance to be drawn from the data presented in Table 1. The steady increase in kill each year is not acco~panied by any corresponding pattern in trend figures, however, in comparing one year's kill to the following year's count, there seems to be a definite relationship as has been shown by other areas in the state. This correlation indicated that with an increased kill, the trend count for the following year would drop, or rice versa. Such findings are not clear-cut as yet, and are of questionable value in management. Ground counts made by various persons during late winter demonstrated the lack of a concentration in any particular area. Lyle Blincow, a rancher in the Elkhorn Creek area, counted 143 deer from the top of Pingre Hill to the Poudre trout-rearing units the first of March. Warden Mutz counted 22 deer, 8 of which were bucks, in the Slab Canyon area, and later, accompanied by. District Ranger Augsbach, counted 73 deer from Redfeather Lakes to Mill Creek. A short time prior, Clayton Weaver, of the Roosevelt National Forest, Warden . Mutz, and the·writer counted 58 deer along the road in the Cherokee Park area, two of which were pucks. A pr-eponder-ance of fawns and yearlings was noticed also. Warden Mutz and the writer made a spotlight count of deer in Poudre Canyon from the ferest boundary to Rustic Lodge on the north side of the canyon. Only 34 deer were tallied. Several con~erences were held with Pilot Milyard concerning the size and usefulness of the Poudre trend area. It is planned to enlarge the area considerably, and make intensive aerial coverage at regular intervals of time. By correlating aerial counts with kill figures and ground checks on the same unit, it is hoped to determine the reliability of aerial censusing on certain deer ranges. Forage and Range Utilization. Job 2 Correlation of game and livestock land use status. Periodic observations of increasing numbers of deer and claims for damage have led to further investigation. of the game situation in the Chalk Bluffs and Pawnee Buttes area the past few months. This territory lies in northern Weld County along the Wyoming boundary and east of the town of Grover. Practically all of it is deeded land embracing both range and farming operations, and camot, by any stretch of the imagination, be classed as deer range nuw. Prior to the homestead era, with its development of intensive agricultural practices, mule deer and western white-tailed deer alike roamed this country. As man plowed the flat, shortgrass plains and turned cattle into the tlbreaks", the wild aiumals were forced farther west into the hills. Of course, much of the deer, antelope, and bison served as �- 46 regular fare for the homesteaders, who bitterly learned that only an impoverished existence can be eked from small parcels of this broad expanse of dry pralrle. Now, it seems, some of the deer are working back ,to the plains country, using what cover remains along small creeks and washed, broken areas. Part of them range across the state boundary, summering in Wyoming and wintering in Colorado~ A few stay in one vicinity and these have increased to a point past the capacity of their limited range. The S1l1D! of these activities is that there are too many deer, or perhaps more accurately, there are too many human activities which conflict with the habits of deer. One farmer reported over 120 deer on his winter wheat at one time. Naturally, he canlt stand this for many nights. With these thoughts in mind, a great deal of contact work was accomplished in an attempt to get a reaction from the landowners, sportsmen, and others toward opening the north part of Weld County to deer hunting this year. Although there was considerable opposition, many of these people realized that a serious land use problem is developing, and that prompt control of deer numbers is necessary. Hunting on private land is and always has been a tough problem to solve, but the recommendation for an open season, concurrent with the adjacent mountain area, has been submitted, and that is the present status of this situation. �.0 n, ..IL""-:':'~ ,'1 - 47 Southwestern 1. Colorado -- Richard D. Teague Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges Job 2. Loc~~ion and extent of ,tinter ranges. Again, as fo~nd a year ago, the weather has made no undue strain on the physiological processes of our deer and elk. Big game have been free to pick the best available winter range since most south facing slopes are void of snow up' to 9,000 feet, and some even higher. Deer are vdntering nicely in the Animas Unit, from around 8,000 feet near Haviland Lake south into the pinon-juniper below Durango, with no heavy concentrations as found in previous years. On December 27, elk tracks were found at timberline in the upper Hermosa and animals located at the pead of Clear Creek above 9,000 feet elevation. Maximum animal concentration occurred on February 2 in most areas, but lasted only a few days. Along the upper reaches of the Animas Canyon elk were found from Cascade up-stream to one and a half miles north of Elk Park, with maximum concen~ tration between Elk Park and Tenmile. Even one small herd of elk, and a hand-full of deer, are staying above the Shenandoah Mill between Silverton and Eureka. t The conditions are siIDilar in the Dolores, Pine and Piedra Units; that is, the animals are staying high and scattered. Along the Dolores River elk were not found wintering above the sub-drainage Scotch Creek below Rico. Job 3. ¥ugration between summer and winter ranges. A small-scale deer trapping and tagging program was begun in the Hermosa area on February 1, ,vith only four traps in operation. Three were placed behind the Hermosa Game Fence to pd.ck uprthe main Hermosa drift and the fourth was baited at Pinkerton. A good deal of difficulty has been experienced while trapping this wintero Deer have been shy for two reasons; the post season through December 31 kept the animals "spooked up", and secondly, as a result of the post season and an open winter, they have remained high where more forage is available. ,The anticipation of new green grass in the lower elevations brought deer down around the second week of February. Many animals have escaped due to warped doors and Sunday joy-riders turning the animals loose before the traps could be checked. Two deer hit the doors hard enough to knock them completely free of their runners. At first deer would not take hay so apples were used with good resul.ts .untd L, �- 48 the rabbits and squirrels located the "hand-out". Hay is now becoming more effective as the animals become more pressed for feed. Five deer and one calf elk have been tagged so far. The calf elk (Figures 1 and 2) was hauled from the McDonald ranch near Bayfield, and released behind the Hermosa Game Fence on March 1. The calf joined up with Bill McDonald1s C0WS on their summer range in OINeal Park on the Piedra during hunting season last fall. He had probably lost his mother and made himself at home with the domestic cows. It was impossible to make .him leave the herd and he followed the cow outfit all the way down to winter range and feed lots; even going through the squeeze shute during branding operations. Mr. McDonald has been feeding him along with his stock all winter on cow checkers and ground grain. Perhaps this sounds like a good ration for any of our large herbivorous animals, but his long hair ~s deceiving and he was not in near as good a condition as Figures 1 and 2 show. The little bull was getting so handy with his front hoofs that he had to. be moved to an area where he could not re-join domestic stock • .II. Population Surveys - Deer and Elk Job 1. Population and trend counts. On December 27, Clyde Matteson and the writer made a check of aerial counting conditions in the Hermosa and Dolores River. Counting conditions were extremely adverse and only 15 elk were seen; 12 on the head of Clear Creek and three just over the top of Cumberland Basin on the Dolores side. The count was discontinued on the basis that there was too little snow cover. Since that date, there has not been single day this winter which could provide optimum counting conditions. a In the southern part of Colorado, a heavy snow is necessary t9 facilitate aerial big game counts. Five or six inches of snow will last but a few hours on the south facing slopes after sun breaks through. III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 1. Survey of vdnter browse use. Not until February 27 were df;3erfound feeding in the middle of the day on the Hermosa winter range. Absence of game at lower elevations until January reserved the little available forage until late winter. Most other winter ranges of the district have experienced less utilization to date than was found a year ago. The Devil Creek-Stallsteimer-Chimney Rock area remains an ever increasing problem with general heavy utilization. �- 49 Job 3. Food Habits. On February 7, the narrowtgauge railroad, that runs between Durango and Silverton, was used as a means of checking the inaccessible winter range of the Animas Canyon. Since the train moves at very-slow speeds and makes frequent stops for water, much range can be checked enroute~ Casual spot checks indicate that elk are mainly utilizing willows (Salix spp.), aspen (Populus-tremuloides), oakbrush (Quercus gambelii) and various grasses. Heavy' barking of aspen was noted near the confluence of Ruby Creek and the Animas River. IV. Mortality Job 2. factors affecting Predation affecting Deer and Elk Herds deer. The occurrence of predators on the winter range is apparently dependent upon the concentration or dispersion of their prey; and, since the game are not concentrated this winter, very little predator sign has not been encountered. :One case of predation has been reported however.' Tex Morgan, federal trapper of Cortez, found a fawn that had been cut down by coyotes. This incident occurred on Spruce Water of the Dolores. Domestic dogs were running deer in the Tripp Gulch-Hermosa country during the third week of February. No victims of their hunts have been located, and it is doubted that any game animals were killed since they were physicqlly fit to press off attackS. Job 3. Study of other mortality factors -- winter loss, starvation, parasites, hi~hway and railroad mortality. disease, No animals have been found, and few reported to the writer, that have been killed by any of the above mortality factors. Reports have been rElceived that some deer are being killed in the Chimney Rock area. All deer caught in the deer traps were heavily infested ,vith ticks and lice, but were not noticeably weakened.from this condition. Both deer and elk were observed biting, scratching and rubbing themselves. They were obviously annoyed at these external parasites. Late winter checks show fawn survival to be very good throughout trict. the dis- �Figure I Orphan bull calf elk who adopted herd of range cattle after his mother was killed during hunting season. He has lived all winter on cow checkers and ground grain on McDonald ranch near Bayfield. Figure 2 Calf elk went through squeeze shute (in background) with range calves during branding operations This same shute was utilized to remove elk when he became a nuisanceo Ear-tagged" he is now behind the He~osa Game Fenceo 0 �- 50 Northwestern 1. Colorado -- Ross Campbell Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges Job 2. Location and extent of winter ranges. Early in the winter deer and elk moved down into their normal winter range. Early in December mild weather and open range conditions allowed the deer to scatter. After this time deer were found from the lower limits of their winter range to well above the upper limits. The bulk of the deer, however, ranged somewhat higher than normal. Elk were conTined to their lower ranges by deep snow until late in January when they too were able to move higher and scatter out. Job 3. Migration between summer and winter ranges. Deer trapping has been slow this' winter because of open conditions. At Little Hills Robert Howard has trapped and- tagged the following deer to the present time. 19 Mature 2 Mature 13 Fawns, -2. Fawns, 43 Total George Crandell reports the following Cathedral Creek Station. 11 Mature 10 Mature 7 Fawns, ~ Fawns, does bucks doe buck deer trapped and tagged at the does bucks doe buck 34 Total In an attempt to find a suitable drug for use in rendering deer helpless so that they might be more closely examined, initial experiments were con~ ducted at Little Hills by Doctors Rankin and Booth of the Veterinary Department at Colorado A & M College and several members of the department's Federal Aid staff on December 19 and 20. The drug used was Curare which is sold under the trade name of Introcosine. Later, additional experiments were made on fawns only since they are less likely to injure themselves in the trap. Following is a tabulation of the results. �- 51 Tag No •.Age -,Weight Condition External Dosage From Injection Misc. Time parasites unit esti- .estimated mated per Animal Animal on down feet Eound No effect good Dec. 30 176 6 mo. 501bs .05 Date Jan. 3 165 6 mo. 40 Lbs good .06 drug froze in needle at _200Far. No effect Jan. 3 171 6 mo. 50 Ibs good .06 No effect Jan. 5 165 6 mo. 60 lbs good .06 No effect Jan. 14 177 7 mo. 7 mo. .08 Actual 9 min. .09 No effect Jan. 24 165 60 lbs good Actual 66! Ibs good Jan. 2 none ticks Jan. 25 189 Jan. 26 180 7 'mo. 7 mo. 49 lbs 59 Ibs poor biting lice . 11 sucking lice 11 min. fair biting lice ticks 6 min. .09 32 min. Artificial Resp. between 1 hro25 m.Art.resp • & 2 hrs. 3 hr.34m. Art.resp. The experiments were abandoned because it was felt the animals were forced to lie on the snow or cold ground too long. The effect of the drug seemed to vary widely with the dose used, the condition of the animal, degree df fright, etc. II. Population Surveys - Deer and Elk Job 1. Population and trend counts. On January 26 an attempt was made to make'a complete count of the elk on Oak Ridge. Strips were flown along the length of the ridge to get total qoverage. Four hundred nine elk were counted in approximately 2 hours flying time. This is probably not an accurate total count but does include the biggest percentage of the elk present. III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 1. Survey Prelimina~ of winter browse use. checks have been made in several areas to determine utilization �- 52,T' in key areas. Even though deer are ,not concentrated browse species are more than properly utilized in·the Strawberry Creek, Piceance Creek, Douglas Creek and lower White River areas. Utiliz&tion in the Brown's Park area is about proper. On elk ranges, utilization is also too heavy; On Oak ridge utilization is quite heavy on the south slopes but light to proper elsewhere. On South Fork use is heavier than proper on all exposures, with small areas on the south slopes showing almost 100% utilization. Job 5. Little Hills Grazing Competition, and Robert Howard. Enclosure Stuqy - Ross Campbell Following fall use by cattle and sheep, utilization measurements were made in pastures 1 and 2 and started in pasture 3 before work was halted by snow. This work will be continued as soon as the grass is again exposed. Some difficulty was found in stocking the deer pastures. When conditions were such that tracks could be counted, gates were left,open. The following table shows the results of these counts. 6 Date In Nov, Nov. 7 8 3 Date In Nov. 3 Nov. 11 Nov. 12 Nov. 13 Nov. 14 Nov. 15 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Nov. 27 Nov. 28 Nov. 29 Nov. )0 Dec. 2 Dec. 7 Dec. 8 Jan. 5 Feb. 2 2 4 Pasture 4 Out 6 6 9 8 Desired Stocking 2 6 I 5 6 8 10 Boo 3 1 3 1 4 3 3 - Desired S~ocking Pastures 6 & 7 (Combined) Out Total 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 Total 1 8 ,9· 12 11 7 8 8 9 12 13 16 �- 53 As was mentioned in the last Quarterly, 6 deer gained entrance to the dome~tic stock pastures. These were removed and subsequent checks of the pastures under good snow cover has shown them to be free from deer. One deer was taken from pasture 5 on November 3; three deer from pasture 3 on November 4, December 16 and January 5; and one from pastures 1 and 2 on January 2. �'1 ~-;~ •__ -. ,f' - 54 Central Colorado and Colorado River -- Jack H. DeVore I. Location and Extent of Seasonai Ranges -- Deer and Elk Job 2. Location and extent of winter ranges. The winter ranges on all drainages are large in area, although snow is above average. Exceptional warm weather has exposed most of the 'southern slopes and deer may be found as high as 8,500 feet with little or no concentrated areas. Job 3. Migration between summer and winter ranges. Deer were slow in moving to the winter ranges. The most noticeable movelnent occurring during the latter part of December vdth many deer to be found in the central and upper winter ranges. During Janua~ due to many high slopes being exposed a general movement to the higher ranges took place. The deer remained high until heavy snows in February drove them into the lower winter ranges and are at present widespread throughout' the winter ranges bordering the main waterways. Periodic checks on migrations were made on Williams mountain at the mouth of Snowmass creek. The cheCks are ~s follo~s; January 21,18 deer were seen;February 6, 48 deer observed; February 26, 105 observed. These checks are to be continued throughout the spring to determine as near as possible migration dates and concentration peak. Deer trapping to study migrations was commenced in February. Two traps were set on the Frying Pan river near the State Ranch. The method of study is to use metal tags with colored plastic, using a different color combination for each drainage. At present seven deer have been caught on the Frying Pan; these deer were tagged with tags having white plastic backgrounds and red foreground. Eight deer caught on the Crystal were tagged with tags having red plastic background and yellow foregrounds. Observations with field glasses, and with hunter returns, information on migration and intermingling of herds may be gathered. At present eight traps are in operation, all of them set on Basalt mountain. The difficulty at present is access roads to the areas are covered .vith snow and mud. A breakdown of the deer caught shows 6 mature does, 3 mature bucks and 6 fawns. One buck fawn was recaught twice. II. Population Surveys Job 1. To date the deer trends have not been made; these trends will be worked in conjunction with the utilization plot studies. An aerial elk count was made by pilot Matteson and warden Downey on the Frying Pan river. The count for the entire flight was 312 elk with the trend count showing 278 ~lk~ An aerial count was attempted in the Sopris, Capitol and Snowmass creek areas by pilot Matteson and the writer, 19 elk were counted on West Snowmass creek �- 55 at about 10,500 feet. completed. 1110 Due to adverse weather conditions the count was not Forage and Rauge Utilization Job 1. Survey of winter browse use. Due to snow in most areas where utilization studies have been made as yet. Job 3. plots are located, no intensive Food habits. General observations show the deer using big sage Artem~ tridentata, serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia,J.,.mountain mahogany Cercocaryus montanus, Willow Salix spp , oakbrush 'Quercus spp ,, rabbi tbrush Chrysothamus. spp., and in areas where snow has melted, greening grass is being used. Degree of usage is light to proper, but with six to eight weeks possible usage on the plants a more accurate picture of winter usage may be obtained. One stomach sample was taken and is yet to be analyzed. IV. Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk. Job 2. affecting deer. Predation Predation is slight in the district with several possible coyote kills on the Frying Pan'River. Domestic dogs in the Glenwood Springs vicinity are troublesome and several kills may be attributed to them. Job 3. Study of other mortality factors - winter loss. It is yet too early to note any losses due to starvation or parasites. Highway losses on highways ~4 and 84 are on the increase as the deer move down. To date 19 kills have been noted by writer. �- 56 South Central Colorado -- Howard A.. 'Sciehm (Nicholas Kavanaugh assisted with the work in the Gunnison and kept records in the writer's absence). . 1. Location and Extent of Winter Ranges Job 2. Location and extent of winter ranges. Objective: To locate and map winter ranges. Methods: Checks were made on foot and by car. The known winter areas were covered. Comparative densities of deer and elk populations were determined by the relative number of animals found. Population shifts were recorded in accordance to the tri-zonal method worked out for the Gunnison area during the ivinter of 1946-47. Findings: Deer: In spite of the general opllllon that the Gunnison area experienced a mild winter deer were noted to have reached a maximum concentrationl in the East-Gunnison sector by February 13 and remained thus:for 11 days until Februa~J 23. The point of maximum concentration occurred earlier and persisted for ·a longer period than in 1950 when the deer were in maximum concentration for a period of 7 days from February 17th - 23rd. Deer numbers in the critical sectors showed a decline from.the period of maximum concentration (Feb. 13-23) until the present time. Two exceptions were noted, on March 3rd just following stormy, cold weather and again during the period from March 8th through the remainder of March when greening vegetation in draws and along low ridges attracted larger numbers of deer. Deer in the West-Gunnison sector reached their maximum numbers on February 10 a.nd remained at that level for 11 days until Fe~ruary 20th. However, the maximum number of animals reached (40, 1950-51) was below the numbers which are normally considered to be maximum concentration (50, 1948-49). It is believed this resulted from the reasonably mild winter conditions. The WestGunnison sector was similar to the Gunnison area as a whole in that numeroup variations in animal concentrations occurred that followed·closely the changes in weather factors. That is, I'rlththe onset of cold, stormy periods deer herd concentrations would increase in .. direct response to severity of weather. ~c.D. Tolman's Tri-Zonal Method Numerical value relative to average numbers of animals in individual on winter range. draws �- 57 Table II PERIODS OF MAXIlvIm>!I CONCENTRATION IN THE GUNNISON AREA Date of Concentration Location 1950 1951 Total Number of Days 1951 1950 Unit #1 (West-Gunnison) February 20-24 February 10-20 5 11 Unit #2 (Almont) February 20-23 Data inconclusive due to constant shifting of deer herds 4 ? Unit #3 '(Toniichi Creek) February 17-23 February 13-23 10 11 On February 12, 1951 deer herds were noted changing range from the north to south side of Gunnison River in the Iola-Sapinero area. Sector #2 (Almont) showed the greatest amount of fluctuation in its deer herd concentrations. Actually the herds were quite fluid as noted from the fact that they were continually changing range, Figure 3. This continual shift was prompted by t.he.iLack of browse on former critical ranges which at this time were completely beaten down and almost denuded. In :the~past one of the heaviest concentrations of deer has been in the Almont Triangle which is formed by the confluence of the Eaat and Taylor Rivers. Since the severly destructive utilization of browse species by deer and elk during the critical period of the winter of '48-'49 deer herds have favored the range across the East River, however, increased browsing on an already depleted range soon was responsible for its near destruction and the deer herds were noted moving eastward across the Gunnison River to more desirable areas. A smaller degree of shift has been occurring southward across the Taylor River. In Table IV is an account of the numbers of deer found in the Gunnison area during an ae~ial survey on February 1st and 2nd. Elk: Elk began frequenting the lower portion of their winter range in the Al~ont sector as early as December 1st, of the last quarter, and continued to use the area in increasing nmnbers. In other sectors, principally the West-Gunnison a below normal concentration occurred during late December and early January. A recession in the snow cover, however, permitted the animals to mov~ to higher range so that through the latter part of January and the months of February and March very few animals were noted using the known . winter concentration areas. �ill ALMONT TRIANGLE _ •... Critical deer winter area / /' / / / / / / / /./ / ././ I / / / 1/ Deer shifted to this area for. short period. Now a.l-nr:Jst destl'Oyedp Indicates most recent course of herds. , I �1 .••.•... R1 .. '-"''- - 58 The one major exception to the general behavior has been in the Almont-Taylor River Jack's Cabin sector where artificial feeding was instigated to relieve a condition of multiple use by game and livestock. In this area, where the practice of artificial feeding has been attempted in the past elk herds reach their concentration numbers earlier and remain well beyond the time when most elk are moving toward summer ranges. Rio Grande: Snow cover was extremely light in th~ critical areas of Los Pinos, Schrader, Alder, Bear, Blue, Elk, Bellows, Farmers, and Goose Cre~ks with the result that deer and elk were less concentrated than formerly. Elk were found to be ranging quite generally to the very mouth of each drainage. Some deer were found with the elk but generally they were noted to be ranging at, a higher elevation. Southeastern Colorado: Deer: Winter range requirements followed a pattern which has persisted rather-llniformly from year to year. Over the majority of the southeastern front range there was very little inclination among' the deer to concentrate their numbers on critical, vrinter ranges. Exceptions were noted, however, along the Sangre De Cristos in the area from Westcliffe southward, including the Colony Creeks, Muddy Creek, and Bruff Creek; and the Picketwire and the upper Arkansas' Rivers above Salida. Authoritative reports placed the snowfall at higher elevations near the head of the Arkansas River drainage equal to normal; a condition which accounted,somewhat, for the noticable move of deer to winter ranges in that area. Other portions of the Southeast, however, continued to experience an open, snow free winter which allowed deer to roam sillTh~er and winter ranges at vdll. Elk: Herds in the upper Arkansas drainage were not as heavily concentrated but rather were found to be scattered over a more extensive range. It is believed this resulted from shifts brought on by hunting pressures all though other factors as range and natural species behaviors may play an important role. Job 3. Migration between summer and winter ranges. Object: To locate and determine the amount of migrations tween summer and winter ranges and the factors affecting. Methods: Field reconnaissance, tagging on the winter rages. counts on migration of deer and elk be- routes, and trapping and Findings: A program of deer live trapping was put into pperation late dur:ing the quarterly period. Seven deer were trapped and ear tagged for future reference, Table III. Red plastic discs were used to indicate that the animals were trapped in the east Elk Creek drainage on the Sapinero Refuge. �iN? , "~,' •..59 TABLE III II. Date Tag Color Tag Number Sex and Age Doe Fawn Buck 2-10-51 2-13-51 2-22-51 2-22-51 2-22-51 2-22-51 2-23-51 Metal None Red Red Red Red Red 815 x Population Surveys Wei~ht east Elk Creek x 212 450 449 448 447 446 x x x Population Object: To make inventories Methods: Aerial survey with groundchecks. "n II II "n " " II " " " " " x x Job 1. TrapEing Site " It II " and trend counts. of deer and elk in their winter ranges. Findings: Deer: The results of an aerial check in the Gunnison area on February 1 and 2 were as follows: TABLE IV NUMBER OF DEER Sapinero to Gunnison Almont Triangle South of Taylor & East Rivers Gunnison to Parlin Parlin to Sargents Razor Creek Total Job 2. 876 224 1174 798 871 456 4399 Sex Ratio Survey. Object: Determine ing season. sex ratios on key herds prior to and subsequent to hunt- �- 60 Methods: Aerial survey with ground reconnaissance. Field checks were accomplished in a few key drainages of the Gunnison area to facilitate the results of an aerial survey cdmpleted and reported on the previous quarter. See table 5 below. TABLE V DA.TE 12-24-50 12-24-51 12-24-50 12-28-50 12-29-50 12-29-50 Dry Creek - Rainbow Lake East Elk - Sapinero Rzfuge Red Creek 'Pole Creek - Tomichi area East River - Almont (northside) East River - Almont (southside) Total Job 3. RESULTS DOE FAWN TOTAL 4 5 29 19 40 22 8 21 74 37 108 49 10 71 33 70 44 18 36 174 89 218 115 1-2.00 1-4.20 1-2.55 1-1.95 1-2.70 1-2.23 1-.75 1-.476 1-.96 1-.892 1-.648 1-.9 119 297 234 650 1-2.5 1-.788 .. 6 SEX JUVENILE RATIO RATIO Checking station survey. Object: To determine pertinent data. Methods: BUCK AREA kill trends, age, sex, weight, hunting loss, and other Road blocks set up to cover main routes of egress f rom game area. Findings: A special request by the management of the Trinchera Ranch, in the San Luis Valley of south-central Colorado, for a post-season on doe deer honored by the Colorado Game Fish Deoartment. The season was set to extend from December 27th through December 31st inclusive. To gain admittance for hunting purposes the hunters were required to show possession of an unfilled license from the regular! fall, big ga~e season and in turn were given a permit to the ranch area. Accord~ ing to the law enforcement division which supervised the hunt and collected the data the returns as of this date show that approximately 700 permits were issued. Six hundred hunters actually went into the area and removed 351 deer for a success ratio 58.50%. The hunter take was broken down according to drainages as follows: (Indian Creek 119 does, 19 fawns), (Wagon Creek 20 'does, 3 fawns), (Ojito Creek 22 does, 9 fawns), and (Trinchera Creek 128 does, 31 fawns). A wounding loss of 8.55% or 30 deer was established. These 30 animals were comprised of 6 full grown bucks, 9 does, and 15 small bucks (spikes and two points). It was determined from the above figures that a total of 381 deer were removed from the range. III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 1. Survey of winter browse use. �- 61 Objective: To determine winter utilization of important browse species. Methods: Snow trailing w~s employed when possible. Otherwise a history of the use by domestic stock and the study of available signs served to determine source of browsing. Findings: Gunnison: Portions of the three sectors (East-Gunnison, West-Gunnison, and Almont) were checked at random the third week of March following the break up of herd concentrations. Most species of browse plants including big sage (Artemesia tridentata), rabbitblr'Ush (C sothamnus sppo), bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), mountain mahogany Cercocarpus montanus),chokecherry (Prunus spp.), serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), skunkbrush (Rhus trilobata), and snowberry (Symphoricarpos ~.) show 75% to 100% utilization of current annual growth. The one exception was Ribes which rarely had more than 75% of its annual growth removed. Juniper (Juniferus .... ... utahensis), cottonwood (Populus angustifolia), and pinon pine Pinus edulls) were utilized to some extent sharpening the browse line. Range conditions .appeared alarming. Since the extremely destructive utilization given the browse species two years ago the reduced plant vigor coupled with below normal moisture has resulted in below average production of forage. Big game herds were utilizing 100% of current annual growth thus Keeping the already weakened plants in a state of destructive use. Dead wood was evident to a high degree in most every plant and numerous plants were completely destroyed. Rio Grande: It has been judged that range utilization was proper to severe closely bordering on severe in most areas of the Rio Grande. Annual growth on browse plants in the Rio Grande has been much reduced from that shown by average plants of reasonably normal vitality. This factor coupled with the reduced amount of annual growth resulting from below norma~ moisture has created little usable volume of browse for big game. Even the mild winter and general open condition has failed to compensate for and thus ease-off the heavy u~e of browse species on critical winter areas so terribly gutted two years ago. The· Blue Creek area is showing some recovery following the almost complete destruction of browse species by deer and elk in '48~'49. Nevertheless, some localized shrubby aspen stands on gentle slopes exhibited at least 50% of current utilization by both deer and elk. Deer were using the area in good numbers. It is believed that about 6-12 elk have been using the area. Mature aspen in the Goose Creek area showed considerable barking but to a lesser degree than before. However , it is in this area where aspen seedlings and reproduction were receiving the highest degree of destructive use. Bunchgrass (Festuca spp ,) was being used widely. Ribes showed little if any �- 62 use but former destructive very meagre. use has so reduced vitality that recovery is Snow cover in Saguache and Cochetope Parks was light and not uniform and many ridges or high exposures were clean of snow. As a result much more food was available to animals. Aspen had been barked to a light degree in these areas which normally see rather heavy concentrations of animals. Arkansas: Ranges continued in an over-utilized condition where ever destructive use had previously prevailed. A series of field trips were conducted in the Canon City sector with stockmen, sportsmen, and Bureau of Land Management personnel. On and about Rice Mountain and Maverick Ridge mountain mahogany was severly utilized with better than 75% of the current growth removed. It was also noted that there was a large number of dead branches in the mahogany indicating brow$e of low vigor. One high-lined juniper was noted which could be indicative of further over-use, however, not too much emphasis was placed on this case as it was the only one recorded. Browsing on the foot hills of Eight Mile Mountain showed no excessive use on mountain mahogany. In this locality the mahogany had from 75% to 90% of the current growth left. But here also as on Rice Mountain the mahogany was in poor condition with very low vigor as shown by the excessive amount of dead branches. It is believed the lack of vigor could be attributed to extreme use in the past coupled with the past two years of drouth. The light use of browse on Eight Mile Mountain pointed to the lack of deer c,oncentrations during the past mild vdnter. At the same time steep, rugged slopes and wise use by domestic stock were contributing factors. In a section northwest of Canon City encompassing Sommerville Table, Little Hole, Sheep Basin, and Big Hole the mountain mahogany was heavily utilized with no current growth being apparent. Past use was destructive with all the plants showing a very hedged appearance. Moderate to heavy use of Qak brush, pinon pine, and juniper was evident everywhere. It was noticed along the rides that there was utilization on bunch grass (Festuca arizonica) in areas where there were no domestic livestock. Trips into other sectors of this general area revealed similar range conditions in the form of a full complement of over-use signs. It is true that certain small locales spotted here and there were indicative of lighter use primarily thru the factors of terrain and wiser management of domestic livestock. Job 2. Correlation of game and livestock land use status. Object: To determine land use status according to use. �- 63 Me~hods: Field reconnaissance. Findings: The perennial case of transient, wintering elk frequenting ranches on Taylor River and near Jack;'s Cabin was again in progress. On various occasions over the past years some action was taken to alleviate the problem: but relatively the action was of an apparent nature (artificial feeding, Figures 4 - 7). As a net result the situation was aggravated as shown by ever increasing numbers of encroaching animals and their strong tendencies to remain in the spring when other herds were moving to higher ground. The proplem has been recognized by its many ramifications not the least of which was the complexities of public opinion. Nevertheless, if these animals are to exist in a natural, healthy state a number of problems must be examined for a possible solution. First, landowner cooperation. If the landowner could be induced to lend assistance by using haystack panels supplied through the Colorado Game and Fish Department herds might revert to more natural habits. Second the choice of winter feed areas has become habit to the elk. Third, topography of the surrounding country lends itself to the course presently followed by these animals. Fourth, there is a definite shortage of winter range. It may be possible that more positive action is necessary to discourage the use of the area. Job 3. Food Habits. Object: To .find more accurately Methods: Stomach analysis. Findings: Stomach sa,'Ilples of numerous deer are being retained for study. IV. Mortality Job 2. Possibly snow-trailing Factors AffectingDeer Predation the food habits of deer and elk. in winter. and Elk Herds. affecting deer. Three deer were .found which had been killed by coyotes in the Gunnison area. Two of the three kills occurred in the Doyleville-Sargents section. One deer was killed on the Sapinero Game Refuge. Claude Eo ~Vhite, Jr. a Colorado Game :and Fish Departmerit Technician witnessing the kill of a deer by a dog. reported Job 3. Study of other mortality factors -- winter loss, starvation, parasites, highway and r.ailroad mortality. disease, Objective: factors. To determine the losses to deer herds by various decimating �Figure 4. Proposed feeding station. Elk using heavy, black timber in background. absence of snow trails leading to station. Note �~ _f,-;Q ...!i_ .. ~ " '.~:Y -_- ...• . ~.. ' ,: ., _<" .•. . _.~ ~:i~_ Figure 50 An attempt to bait elk to feed station on ridgeo See arrow. Note elk tracks in snow foreground from arrirna.Ls which dropped off hill on right. ~~ �i J Figure 6 0 Elk were not attracted by hay across trail and moved down into valley below Q �1Qn ....._,., . .. ,' ........• _. ...•••. --=----- ..,_,., .~""..'; '<;'_':..it'- . ",./' .-- ..... ..•. :. _.- .•...~ .,' , Figure 70 Elk trail i::J. Figure 60 can be sc:en crossing valley in foregroundo Other trails c an be noted traversing slope in background going to and from green timber on ridge. �- 64 Read Kill: Records were kept by Refuge Custodian, Nichols and Game Warden, Donald Benson of· all deer killed on roads of the area~ Sixty-four animals were recorded as highway mortalities. Starvation: Two does and one fawn were found dead in the Doyleville-, Sargents area with symptoms malnutrition. Submitted Name by: Approved by: COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Paul F. Gilbert --~~~~~~~~----------------- Title Wildlife T.echnician By_~~~,)f.;;...:;....;.._: __ Note: Title _ J~.~ __~:~Ha~r~t~,_A~.C_t_l_·n~g._D_i_r_e_c Date ~~~~y~8L,~1~9~5~1~ ~~ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. should first obtain permission _ �'----". �- 2 - Counties 0 This estimate is proba01y somewhathigh but it was deemed more desirable that way than to have it too low and run out of stock before completing the job. A.t the end of the tables, notation is made of cooperators who have become dissatisfied with the program and who desire and plantings this sea8on~ or cancelled completely. The sketch maps attached of plantings to be omitted from the program show approximate distribution in the counties. Soil Conservation Distriot Cooperation Four members or the project crew attended the annual meeting of the Soil Oons~rvation Service District Conservationists ti.1l6 the in Colorado Springs in Februal"'J at ,rllich proposition of cooperation With 80s Districts was discussed. Several of the district supervisors were anxious to get progral'l1s started in their felt, regions this however" that it would be most season, I twas desirable to limit this year's "trial Inasmuch as the proposition ru.. ?lR to one county. had already been discussed with Washington County workers, that area was selected for the test this season. At a meeting in Akron a. fellY weeks later, vd til the Soil Conservation District supervisors,!)district board members, and the co~~ty agent, planS were laid whereby the farmers are to do the planti.ng under the supervision of the SCS technicians and with the assistance of the county agent. The Department is to furnish iYllro planting machines, a �iV.ll-tdme assistant whose duty it. ·will be t.o help wi"tih care of the planting equipment; maintenance of stock supply, and later, to operate the tree-dodger the pl&~tings clefu~ dmvn the rows. crew memberswill and keep One of the project be assigned to help with planning and design of the TffashingtonCounty 3i tea Ii Leiwer Arkansas Valley Plantings4"- Several meetings ""\'rere held 1..'1 th~ lower itrka .•. nsas V."lley a year ago -(~his sp:t."'ing, at, which time the project program was exp.Laf.ned to quite a large number of farm people.. Poor moisturu condatd.ene at that time prevented any great amount of interest~ thought advisable with the result that to drop any plans for planting it was this spring •. ""--:--:" " Moisture condationa improved last h01"rever,.with the result s·hownearly this aUi1llD.er that considerable spnhg" partieularly and fall, intere:3t was in Prowers County.• Gene Gray met with a group oi the farm people" the county agent, and SCS supervisors Feoruary,. in Lalna.r abo"Utthe middle of at which time so much interest was shown t.hat it was thought advisable to offer them the same proposi.tion as had been offered Wa.sr~ngtonCounty-namely, Department, wOlUd furnish the the equipment and planting stock if they would prepare the land and do the planting. As the result, plantings approy...imately 100 acres of vdld.1ile are to be made there this spring. It is estimated that about 45,000 seedlings will be needed for ':- .- .... -' this area. �~~ Work Plan I,. Job'. II~Desigiling and Mapping Plantings •• , • f .: • •... Alter au of the field r--_ I recor~$ notes had been worked up each proposed planting sketched; on the field or replanting r~U:. --,.~~ ...~,.----- was blanks and maps to serve as guides As each plantin~. is c<Epleted~ a detailed record of it -will be made on ,blanks provided for that purpose , and a copy handed to the cooperator. A sample of tba.t lIwildlife plaIlting record" t>lank is attached at the end of this report. From these final records 'will come the d.etailed records Which will go into the permanent planting , " record books•. :~:.:..~:~=y= __ ~.~:' ';!'.X.:'~·...:'~~__ '-"'_._ WorkPlan I,. JQb III:-4el~c,tioll of Species and Quantities for Planting. ~~- Ei:forts )'(ere begun last :(' , fall to locate suitable _____==.~.-..;;ijF' quantita.es..SE!!;'i7".'~;:~ //"- -,<, ··':-_-:;T of about 1,2 species of trees and shrubs of known value ~.r work. in ~ ..___- -...,.__ •.... ....,.. .... succeas so th",t, we Wemet With only partial eVentually had to run the list -.~~~~i?~~ of species up t~ 20 or mor-e in order to get enQugh of the different sizes-low, medium and tall ••..tQ" approximate our needs. used this year, and their classifications Low-Siberian The species which 'Vdll be are as follow's: Buckthor-n.., Sand cherry ~ Caragana, Squawbush, and l'amariX. and choke ~llerry iii Tall--Haekberry, For tria].-5ibe:rian saltbush.ll buffaloberry " '\ Chinese elm, Golden willow, apricot, May day tree, and black walnut. cottomvoodo cammon lil8;c~ ._~ �Work Plan Ia Job lVf-Advanced Layout and Schedule5 Dates on the schedule for the planting crew were changed .fOUl" tioos., du.e to bad weather" lack of app-roval of sabsistenoe contr'a.ots» eW .•it before the advance crew fi.Ylally 1ient into the rield on AP1"'il 20., accurately the percentage of survival and hence the nu:mberof thsy are not properly prepared. the cooperators will have time in ~.fhichto make pxo8pa.!·ation if they W'i~\l to do SD this season. The advance crew mil also stake a.ll new plantings as 'V1'ellas solid. rows in old plantings wJ:rlch are: to be The advance craw will also nt keep in 'Couch 'in. th the ph Ating crew foreman and keep him infor..med as to the best. roads to folloW' in rei,lching the different planting si.tes,. �- 6 It is ant.icipated .-:..:..:.... that some variation may have tp be made from orig-lnal p'Lane because of poor soil-moisture conditions" farmers 1 inability desire to to get. land prepared.., or their m~{e changes in the original plans, or possibly the desires 'Mf some farmers to be runitted from the program this season as was the case in a few instances 1a~t yearv Everything considered, planting it is felt that tp..is season's program. 71"i11 be far ahead of the past ev·ery respect~ With one year's two years in experience behand them, members of the crew w:i_Ll be able to meeJeemergencies nlO:t'e readily-and alriost every day is an emergency on the planting crew" 'lfnth breakdcmn, r af.n storme, dust storms"poorly planting sit.es, prepared Poor soil""'Il1oisture in over :b.alf this falls etc. etc. conditions 1Y-:.J..l be a serious seascnt s planting area unless problem more rain in April and 11a_y. Those areas which were properly sumaez' fallowed good start last season "lull give the small. seedlings a but they 'will need more moisture if they are to survive throughout the summer, It is interesting that all of the p.Iantd.ng areas included in this are a.Ls 0 included in the rainmaking Colorado. project to note season's yrork for ~Jorthgastern It is hoped tp£,t Dr, :Krick and his associates succeed in. bringing liberal rainfall to ths area. ��..sMiles Lmagth ~ounty & Na~e ,t, Mad. Tall Survival ShoTt Med. Tall. 2OQO 1000 13m 1320 4QO 50 -". ,0 1000 SOO 660 130 200 30 12~O 920 i1.0 1000 200 0 1320 1980 790 40 2370 1000 1180 470 30· 610 So 1000 *Jeyer, E. R. *campoell$ E.•E.· DobJer, J4 F. ,3/8 1/21/2 3/8 :5 :5..-' •• Fe11,At 3~ 7 1320 3960 360 '660 130 5 1760 132.0 260 (01)' 1000 400 264 40 sa 1000 30 980 Qenthe, Hli Gergens F" Gjt 1/4 *3~cobson.•L. Jarnigan, £~ !Ieyer, B. 1/4 Unruh" u. N~ 1/2 1/4 J. 1 ~ch, W:f; Christensen, 11. 6t;.a 2000 1000 660 400 260 530 0 2640 660 10 1320 1000 6, 1200 2640 260 $30 itOO 8OO 660 ~30 260 1.30 60 20 660 10$0 1720 170 1320 528 65 440 19>1 660 :;:;0 1360 790 nBo 7 1 660 1/8 4 1/2 V'&ries , aBQ 660 660 660 132Q 1000 1320 1$$0 .318Q 1600 3la 880 2000 '660 5 1760 1320 5" 1320 c: 1951 1,30 () 440 330 1000 1000 10 SQ 200 400 19$1 7 1320 5 1320 ,280 5 5 1760 5 1760 1320 880 5 liS 7 e~. ';.t,.,_ 'R~. 960 1910 660 1/4 15 1800 nO 880 2000 1/4 1$,0 lOQ()' 7 1/8 2200 75 4h:O Co ZOO 0 264 200 :2 Holmes, .260 93~ 132 llk 1/2 ~3G 660 1951 40 132.0 Bepperly, FlO Hog-an, r. 130 1320 500 5 ;: , llte) 210 ~jo 1320 660 'Fsyerherii, ~J1. ~l'Jk, K. 1/8 2)0 , 110;/ 40 "1;'"'50 -:> Farnik, li:~, ~arshl'tan" It •• *Harshmal'l, 5. 530 . i~,89d5,,200 880 3/8 .3/8 3/8 200 ISe rso 2200 27~') 1/8 1/2 1/2 90 l){) 200 600 0 *DN:l!f, .R. B,. o. 850 50 2200 1/4 *Ftm..1<, }200 19$1 520 264 3:;0 1760 Gl'ostwait, A. Funk-Voney-Funk 1 40 200 3.30 6,640- "1i,lOO , 2,700 2700 s 260 330 8 3/8 Inw, t. 660 15,0 1/2 1/4 '1/2 ~oo 22.00 2200 .5 .'. IJQ 20 19$1 28,270 '1/2 :;,">/~ .~ .1}0 200 ~OO !~OO 1$0 1.320 1/4 1/8 l/ll 1 790,:: 46'> 660 2640 2640 1320 ,, sao. 1320 2000 ;5 so ~80 $00 h60 1.320 600 7 :; 290 1320 7 co. 13aughman, R. R~ Sigler. fl•• W.• Bueohol t~, 'f.., 1320 3/8 1/4 '5/8 5/8 notf, v; 1760 1760 1/2 3/8 '\.",_..J""~' .1' i'"",:0., M ••• l-IORGAtl 1/2 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3/B .LOOAN COUlf1Y ;-~\'idenbac}l, s. Rowln5 s 1/4 Shaal, ~1.,. F" *!rhiesse:n~ ih Tinktrm, R. A. We ? 3/8 *Ra,inbolt $ 11' ,4", Ruet, J~ *Sa:Ller, C • L. 'ruha, 7 1/2 (,li1bert ~q.• ! Shorb Carson 00. cont. .puel!; .Mil .::.- % Est. Rows 440 660 1320 1>$0 1.32 660 1Qoo 3960 1320 .330 1.320 660 660 330 260 200 790 260 70 264 200 13Q 130 2000 .130 330 500 520 hoo 1160 880 90 13.30 210 660 130 70 10 1000 500 200 $0 .30 1320 1000 ':310 70 400 200 80 2$ .930 3170 7$0 1.$0 2380 470 1050 790 440 330 790 150 70 1,0 100 660 200 130 uO "&0 19S1 46 95 19$1 40 1050 880 400 80 200 90 B80 �-z- % Est~ ! Survival Short Med. Tall 480 200 1951 264 35 400 40 660 1180 1580 480 1320 1180 400 35 1760 1.320 260 hO 400 400 2600 800 1951 5.30 790 17.600 13,200 200 180 230 260 80 180 2600 19$1 5000 4000 260 1951 Boo 3500 800 260 2750 660 500 130 Snort MQrgan OOc. Cont •. Johnson. R. 3/8 -t:1{emooli c. 1/2 .3 ;; 660 1760 L.&,1j1.E 3/4 .5 2640 1980 s 2640 1320 1980 1000 200 660 13,200 Longacre, Len~h Ii ~. 1/4 *McFa:¢iand, I).W. lie.ssinger" 3/4 3/8 ~Jin.. Nicklas,jJ Peterson, B. B.5 .Price, A. B. 1 1/2 Rosner, r.j. 1/2 SchaffEU:', c. 2 *Tompk"',f. H~ 1/4 Vancs, lJ., 1/4 Vandy, E. 1/4 2 1/4 Vondy~ if. 1 Weller, F. Wen~21.•.Eo 1/4 3/4 WQsthoff, Nt; F.1 \,iesthoff. R. 1/4 Whi t•.t;~gton Bros 1/1~ ./ •.;fl\1:i;nger, R. 1/4 ;'.:'·',,00 1:0' d $, C•. D~ 1 " ~.. pftrLl,;US co. ifColgla.zier~ II Ferguson, lIm. Fue$z, .M. Qrosha.n$~ H. Leeoh, Ivan L$11'Jis. G. I. Mailander, Leo Miller, RobertsJ) (' v. L.• ~EDGWICK.t CO. Sand Draw 1/4 fi~ Eil' 7 ;; 5 1320 17g600 60 4000 2 .? 7000 5500 1000 r 660 660 660 50 B80 880 1.30 130 130 1132 1951 aBo 1951 880 660 1:30 1951 1951 70 4290 1180 40 1580 2h60 6390 2640 200 1180 1840 .-' .:> ;; ;; 4 8Bo 4000 .5 3520 .5 880 2640 3520 5 5 4 5 .5 5 5 .5 1/4 "" 1/8 1/2 3/8 3/8 1/8 J/8 880 5000 880 3/3 " 1.3 4_, .? .5 .5 .5 :3 3/4 Vari.es 1 Brotemarkleg Eo2 2 Crissman. E. Dowdy, G. 1 3/4 DOWdy8 11.• 1 1/2 ~agans, v. 1/2 1/8 \ -_- " 1/2 Nichols, .5 M~d•. 440 880 880 3520 6160 2640 660 1960 2640 660 660 660 2640 530 330 400 65 3520 2:10 880 1320 880 830 1760 1320 1320 130 50 440 330 130 50 44.0 360 130 70 30 2460 .:330 1840 360 528 30 130 200 130 130 1320 o 440 40 790 0 880 660 130 120 130 40 70 260 200 1951 1100 1:;20 0 1320 1320 .350 1120 1000 1000 266 1000 200 8)880 6,700 1,,070 1680 4270 2140 2700 1400 730 440 330. 66 1320 1000 200 0 5400 3520 2 4175 2310 1980 2800 50 30 2460 50 1540 1060 2400 3080 .3 2 2640 10 880 880 '-..., 3/4 2 2 1/2 6 1320 1760 264 400 1320 530 880 330 60 1050 j 920 790 264 330 55~610 11,840 600 1951 20 5360 70 660 200 200 4210 10,680 /60'. o 880 1000 2 2 660 1000 40 230 1951 1000 660 660 5.30 530 130 11,120 WELD GO. &:i>clay, 5,. X 'fall Row~ County & ..Name 75 60 1040 1150 ~OO 200 50 600 800 460 310 2250 330 750 2100 9,20 650 40 l~l 1951 30 )0 �it Miles (;lo,urt;l & frame _ Lsn@th' r • ~> •• Mad. 4000 8000 6000 .Tall % Est. SllrVivl.il Short Med. Tall 1951 4000 6000 40 3690 1980 780 1300 700 400 .td: Co • Oant • R. Nieholsg n. Sarchett~ $arehett~ R. $srchett» J. 2 i 1/4 2 1/4 1. 1/4 Thomasson, R. 4400 1160 518 1100 880 1100 SIS 3/8 Wal'lle:r', G. Yount, L. 4G 3300 1320 260 40 hBOO 2640 1060 -.•.. 330 19~1 $0 '1430 6So . 260 . 775 330 7000 ,500 lOO€) 1760 i:~20 530 1000 13~O 2 1. X30G 1132 660 6100 1/2 1/2 . Short R-.ollS pO 90 200 Do 1<*. iKJptftsey,. D.l). Kinney, E. H. *Lele<~h..Ivan N.iekel, H. -:~~nzel1l12!n" A. "., S®el1y, R. c" lili.J.i i~ s J. ,! ~_i1·'. 1320 5/8 '7/8 2200 3000 3~20 1;1,0 ·3900. 1190 1951 ~1.h'. 7600 2640 .·.'1980 400 19~ 26ho 1760 260 1320 35 114 1320 . 1200' 1320 1/2- 19$1 1760 1/8 . 3/4 WilliamS~ o. . ):..•••.••.• ,&n CO 3/8 1. 1 isee _ 9(;:0 700 1$00 1100 2250 1900 140 110 380 1951- .3520 2640 :;960 1190 1900 920 ;taO S;'__ 1760 260 440 ·330 70 . Erigleb.aupt" C.. . Jfel.zien, ~Jf. 2 7 aunt, c. 1, ·····'660 22002200 1550 .!} S 1951 -~'~ 660 . .' 15$G) 1/4 s 1. 1700 _ •.. - 1,320 1/2 Varies 318t) 1600 1/2 Lanib~rt" E. 880 1320 1 5/8 '. 5/8 {lott, w. RQ-wan, J. 3 1/2 . '1/4 ~'. ';H~ TOTAL -- BY COUNTE;S FOR PLA nING Arapahoe Kit Carson LOgan Morgan 3, 352Q 8,$80 28,270 9~2ae 11,120 19$1 U6~, 7600 eeo 2,1.4Q 30,2;0 24,9;0 9,440 l'row-srs, lZ,4zg 1,010 53.,~~. 111,1 . 0.. needed 19$1 - ...-h47,840 *PrObable plant or 'Washington. counties )30 260 130 960 1910 4Q· 6,700 trees 1$50 1320 195'l 4.270 22,,920 --... +30 8,880 . 2:,990 260 3:00 1,680 .. 15,400 32$0 1320 1160' 6,070 1.• 100 1$.• 890 $,200 6,080 6,810 5$,610 11,840 260 60 260 0 . mlo 660 1320 220 660 19S1 AND li.E:t>UWflm 400 ·660 260 '-~~' 530 680 1320 2200 Phillips Estimated BaCH!, ':.... ,: ;L~51. :t9S1 S~dgwlek "'leld Yuma -4'"..-'iUoes nctinclude 260 260 4h"ygrt ... :;1:';0 Adams 9440 .30 2~f990 . •• ;u:e!n, E. E., ';$r~1denbaeb, s. 1230 3$ 1k$ 660· 1320 1/8, 5170 200 S3Q 26hG 160 3)Q ~oo 2500 6)0 :390 30,350·24,950 j' Dodg$, .._..•.• 30 19$1 . 6360 YUMA co. Brop:ZYfJ T. 120 1800 9,allli 31520 --200 93Q , 6,080 6,870 �J Adams Co. Melvin» Strasburg, Anderson,9 Coloo .....•• NQt plant.>Gd. Using poison spray in the area. KallSE1\""l$ El"llast.!} DerbY$ Coloe--Pla.nted 195Q!I1. raile, 2 r!iJW plantlng~ Not satisfied with program. Lsea.surs Bros~» Ii",f'8rs, Oolo.•-Planted 1950.l1 1/2 .mile~ 7 If'OW planting. Too In'J.oo erosion frQm y;i..-,.d. S,a."ldy area.s Sho:r-tg Gharless Derby'p Colo.-Plant.Bd to wait for more .favora.ble conditions •• 1950, 1/2 rrdle, Sing1eto:ng J", D., .fr.Jers~ Colq.-Pla.."lt,ed 1'950" 1/2 wileg 2 roW's, •.••'~V:ishes 7 r01lfS ••• Not satisfied with program. Wagner, Same b'righ'ton,!) Colow-Planted satisfied with progra.rnf> 1950, 3 l'J!ile.!) 2 rows, ..•. £~Qt Kit Garson GOe _.: \. Morris, He:rbert~ So.• Star Rt~11 Brush" 0010 ••interested •. Teg"t;l1••m~ 'rhea .•., Eta 2~ F"t" Morgan", Colo.-Jio't l\iot pla,nted ~ No't Pl2-'1ted ee ~lovedg una,'ble to loca.te<A R.:t.• lj) !"to; Morgan~ Colo.--PlO1nted 195o-=-Too d.:ey-soil :not prepared-.iblo:\,led eu..t trees and 'Will l$i'lve'land .falloW •••plant 19$2" Westhoff,? Arthur» properly Discontinued_Plantings. or Prqpos~ Plantings (Continued Next ,Page) �/'- -ifWeld Co. G. L", 513 Ter!'"".>'St • .5I Longmont, Colo••- ••• Planted l'Q th program. Brattain, 1949, 2 mile, 4 ro-lVs - Not satisfied Haller, Nm., Ft. Lupton, Colo.-flot Kugal, Cole, 915 Cellyer St.,. satisfied with program. planted - Not interested. longrrlont, Co.c.-Planted 1949, 1950 Not Leonard, John, 912 Collyer St., 1Qngraont, Colo• -r- ••••l)lanted 1949, 1 mile,t 2 rows - No~(~satisfied "lith program. . Submitted by: Approved by! . COLORADO STATE QAME AND F'ISH DEPAR'f.MENT Date --------------------------------- s :Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract sho1;1ldfirst permission from t~ Colorado Ga.'Il:S and Fish DepartmEmt~ obtain �• o. -: '"3",o ~a.. ,,0 o - I. Q.a. ·0 • o. ..ac > G t- '2 ~ :e 0 :::J Q 0 <t u n: 0 CI) 0 a. 0 ----./ _,_.- 0u ::I: 0.. 0 _. �>j • 0 •• °0 0 0 0 0° 0 0 ADAMS 0 o. °0° 0 0 0 o. o • ARAPAHOE Planted ADAMS e ARAPAHOE COUNTIES COLORADO 0 Proposed - �o o •• o o • 00 o •• o. o 00· o o • • • • o Pr~posccl - MORGAN COUNTY COLORADO PIClntt.ei 0 �o o. o "1J -c~ J!o cQ. 0 cr~ .1••••0 0 -._" c 0 0 0 . a I!l 0, • 0 0 0 .>_ Z :::l 0 0 U ,f;~~ c « z a: _, 0 0 (f) (k • 0 <t: U 0 U f~ �• • • o •• • o o YUMA COUNTY COLORADO e PropostLd • �o • '"'a "" " ~CL ~ o 0 0.0. - •.. o > r ~ 0 00 o -c Ck ~o U...J -0 ~U C!) Q w CI) �.0 ,,~ .. " -0 0 •.• A.C 00 Jo. - 0.a. > f- zo :>0 0<[ ua: o. Z...J «0 l!)U o _.J �> It- E Z 0 ~ ::l Cl __0 -« o o o o o 0 : u Ck ~ _. JOO :s _J o L&..I cn~ o o O· U �WILDLIFE PLANTING RECORDS 11r. _ Dear Sir: Date . _ We have completed the wildlife plantings we agreed to make on your farm with the exception of Your plantings include: . ----- . _ ---------------- -----------------------------------------.-.------- ._---- -------------- .. ._---------------_._--- We hope you like the planting started on your place and that you will cultivate and otherwise give it the necessary care to make it an outstanding success. We shall make every effort to keep the weeds down in the rows between trees, but limited equipment may prevent us from doing as good a job as we should like. Thanks for your cooperation in helping to get this wildlife planting started. Your further cooperation in caring for it should guarantee an excellent windbreak for you and a good place for game birds and animals to find food and shelter. If you have any suggestions to make regarding the planting, cultivation, insect pests, etc., we shall appreciate them. Sincerely yours, For The Colorado Game and Fish Department Wildlife Plantings Section 632 North Shields Street �COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT PLANTINGS I am interested in having one or more Wildlife Habitat Plantings on my farm, legally described as follows: Description of proposed plantings: -:-_ ------- In return for the seedling trees and shrubs of suitable species and SIzesfor habitat improvement, wind protection and moisture conservation on my farm, I hereby agree: I-To lease free of charge to the Colorado Game and Fish Department for a period of 10 years from the date below, that portion of my lands actually planted, plus a reasonable fireguard strip around all sides of the plantings; 2- To cultivate the fireguards and strips between the rows sufficiently to control weed growth and conserve moisture; 3- To fence all plots if livestock is to be run near them, fencing materials to be furnished by and remain the property of the Department; . 4--Never to give away or sell any of the trees or shrubs for any purpose whatsoever, nor plow under or otherwise destroy any trees or shrubs without first securing written permission from the Department; and 5-1 further agree that this agreement shall inure and be binding on my heirs, executors, successors and assigns, to guarantee the perpetuation of all plantings made on my farm under this agreement. I understand that this Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program is being carried out pursuant to the authority provided by Public Law 415 of the 75th Congress, as authorized by Sec. 1, Chap. 106, 1939 Session Laws of Colorado, and specifically authorized by Federal Aid Project 59-D. Attest. Signed~ Date _ ~ _ � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/91f023fb2dd6f9736e466fb9d50f0012.pdf 8bb23bd26a86f1622bd1f650abe745fb PDF Text Text .19S 'STATE' COLORADO --------~~--~---PRO!JECT. 6l-R .' ~~--~--~~--~ ~ •• -. '.-. -: I- DA~ . . JULY, 195L.: . . QUA RTE RL Y 5 U R V E Y SAN . PRO . G R E 55 ',R E P 0 R T. " ' V ~ 5 T I GAT ION DIN As required . " !~ , 5 by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT .. 1. Title of Project: • f'" Fur Resources Study and Bear Investigations 20 Project Leader~ Douglas Lo Gilbert 30 Report of Progress: Int,ooductiom Project 61-R, Fur Resour-ces Study, ..wasinitiated July 1,; .' 1949, and carried through January, 1951. This' project was. then, .'. discontinued as the Leader, Richard No nenney, was called into the ArmedFoz-ces , . On April 1., ..1951, the project, wal3aga.in activa,ted and ;\'ffis.. revised to include the.Bear Investd.gatd.ons as we].l as. Fur Studies,o ~:'." . -,'_,_" Due to the extreme wide range of activities and a territory to be covered consisting of the whole state, it was dElcided to concentrate efforts during the summermonths on bear studies. The fall, winter, and early····· spring months wi.Ll,be occupied with fur research, J:t is fully rejuized, : however~ that it is impossible to completely separate the differe~t p~ses of;wcrk, ' .. , ~ " -,. . ~ Muchof the past three months was necessarily spent reviewing past work done on the project and on preliminary public 'relations work. I. General Inventory Job 10 Inventory of Fur Resources 0 I . . .. - Objective: To gain information and distribution. ;' .,". on populations. and trends ,by species . '. '. .\ ~ _' , ... ..... Findings: A syst~m was inaugurated and,with cooperation of the Field men, will soon be put in operation ... field men:with the Colorado Game.. ' and '"Fish Depar-tment,will carry a nuniber' of; printed forms in notebooks. Each fur animal observed will be checked .on,the.·forms. .Information included .will cont-ain date, observer-, .lo'c.~tio.n,:animal; .number, alive and: :"-.:'_ �- 2 - activity, dead and c~use of death, approximate age, and specific observations. An example of the latter would be a narrow-strtped or broad-stripped skunk. Fur animals to be checked on the forms include muskrat, marten, beaver, mink, skunk, ,civet cat, weasel, coyote, badger, Qobcat, lynx, raccoon, grey fox, red fox, ring-tailed cat, and other. Space was also provided on the forms to check mountain lion and bear. From the above completed forms it is hoped that such information as population trends and densities, species variations, cycles, and rahges for the different animals may be obtained. II. '.Specific Studies on Important Spact.es Mus'krat and Mink Job 1. Location and Mapping of Habitat in San LUis, Pla'tte1 Arkansas, Colorado, and Yampa Valleys. ' Objective: To maintain basis of management. surveys on trend areas in these main drainages for the Firiaings: The 28 sites ~or trend plo~s, as located and described by Richard N. Denney, will be run during the months of September and October. It is hoped tha t prior to that time additional plots can be located. Beaver Job 1. Determination of Control. Objective: To determine the areas fr;om which to trap and the areas intd Which transplanting should be done. Job 2. Beaver-Wildlife Relationships. Objective: To determi:r;tethe effect of beaver on other Wildlife surrounding. and the area ';Findings: The beaver tagging program started by Richard N. Denney was Qontinued during his absence under the able supervision of A. Dead Coleman, Superintendent of Fur Resources. It is planned tc continue the prograni through 1951, and the tagging material has been distributed. During 'the summer of 1950, approximately 700 beavers wete live-trapped, tagged and transplanted. To date, 37 of these tagged animals have been rec~ptured and pelted or released, or found dead. Thanks are due to the Trappers and Fur Inspectors of the Fur Division for the actuaL tagging ana transplanting wofk~ The following table represents information obtained from tagged beavers. �- 3 Tabie l.--TAGGED BEAVER INFORMATION, SHOWING HOW KILLED, LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN CAPTURES, WEJ:~HT CHANGE, AND .MILES FROM PIANTING SITE, SUMMER 1950. Tag Number· Length of Time Between Captures (Days) .Weight Change (Pounds) 49 108 109 127 . 134 144 198 252 263 264 265 275 304 307 308 309 315 . 317 318 413 418 463 470 667 684 687 694 773 778 846 901 956 961 972 973 978 983 57 f 2.0 86 52 56 122 231 220 53 75 34 231 245 67 _. 49 100 80 97 85 How Killed Pelted Pelted Pelted Pelted t· 1.25 Pelted f. 1.75 ..j. 2.5 Pelted Pelted Pelted -.5.0 '..J. 5.0 Pelted .Pelted . - 6.0 -/1.5· Road Kill Pelted - 4.0· Pelted Pelted Pelted Pelted Pelted Pelted Road Kill Pelted 1/ 4.0 Pelted· f9·0 Pelted - 5.0 Pelted 0.0 Died in Trap --....•Died in Transit Di~d in Transit Pelted Died in Transit Pel ted Died in Transit ~leased 0.0 Pelted i 5.0 Pelted Died in Trap Died in Trap Fopnd Dead at Plant Found Deat at Plant Distance From Planting Site (Miles) 14.0 30.0 18.0 16.5 19.5 0.5 6.2 . 16.0 1.0 1.0 --, -~... 6.0 6.0 0.5 5.0 12.0 I 47 42 13 255 1 1 30.0 1.0 Q.25 �-4Twenty-five of the 37 returned beavers have been pelted, four died in transit, . three died in the trap, two were found dead'at the transplanting site, two were road kills, and one was replanted. Of 15 beavers, nirie gained weight, four lost weiiht, and there was no weight change for two. the average weight chahge for 15 beavers, in an average time of 100 days, was a gain of 0.8 pound • •. The greatest di st.ance-traveled was 30 miles, once in 47 days, and again in 86 days. The aveIjage distance traveled for 18 beavers was 10.19 miles. Marten Job 2. Determination Objective: present. of Cycles. To determine occurrence and length of marten cycles in Colorado, if Findings: The eight marten trend plots and stuqy areas as set up by Richard N. Denney will be run during the months of November, December, and January. If possible, several further areas will be established. IV. Bear Investigations Job 1. Food Studies. Object: To determine bears' diet by season and the factors affecting, such diet. ~indings: Five scats have been found and analyzed for food content. ing table shows the results. The follow- �- 5 Table 2.--BEAR SCAT ANALYSIS, SHOWING PATE FOUND, ESTIMATED AGE OF SCAT, AND CONTENT, JUNE, 1951. Scat Number Estimated Date Pinon Nuts Pinus edulis Pinon Nuts Pinus edulis Ants and Ant Eggs FOrmicidae 1 Mb. Caw Parsnip Heracleum lanatum Juniper Berries Juniperus Utahensis Rocks, Trash, etc. Dried Serviceberry Lvs. Amelanchier Bakeri . .Tr·acesand Miscellaneous Total 100% 100% 43.7% 38.2 16.3 1.6 1.0 0.1 100.0% 100 100 3 4-]:-8-51 ·4-18-51 4-19-51 4 4:""25-51. 8 Mo. 5-22-51 19 Mo. 1 2 5 Content Age 19 Mos. 19 Mos. Acorns' . Pinon Nuts Quercus· Gambelii Pinus edulis % % The rocks, trash, etc. can be explained by stating that a majority of·associated scat material was composed of ants and ant eggs. Evidently the foreign matter is ingested by bears while licking up the ants. Job 2. Observation of Life Habits. Object: To gain, by actual observation, activities of bears. aceurat.e data on the daily and seasonal Findings: Two reports of early bear observations were checked. A Durango school teacher reported seeing an adult black bear cross Highway 550 south of Durango, at 8:30 A.M., on February 2, 1951. Another bear was seen by a government official crossing the road near Hesperus on February 23, 1951. This winter activity can probably be atttibuted to the low eleV'ations .where seen, extreme mild weather, and little snow-fall. .....• Three new bear dens were discovered, arid,in' addition to other known deris visited, plus both aerial and ground observations, it was discovered that bears ~merged from winter dormancy the last two weeks in March below 7,000 feet. Above 7,000 feet the emergence date varied from April 1 to May 15. A large juniper tree was located that 'contained a. swarm of bees. A bear had valiantly tried to obtain the contained honey but never succeeded (Figures I and 2). .Why the bear tried to get to the honey from the back of the tree instead of �- 6 thraugh the opening in the front is a question. Annual bear flights were again made over the three areas set aside by Wildlife Technician Paul F. Gilbert. These areas were described in the July 1948 Quarterly Progress Report.· A total of four flight attempts were made. The first attempt was made May 5, but the plane developed and return to the airfield was necessary. engine trouble, On May 7 the second attempt was made. Take off time was 8:15 A.M., and the smallest of the three areas, the Massey Branch, was covered. Weather became exceedingly rough, and contained flying became impractical. Pilot Clyde Matteson and Observer Norman Hughes flew the Spring Creek Area and part of the Tabeguache Area on Ma;r 10. One bear was seen, but before any accurate observations could be made, the animal had df.sappeared into the thick oak brush. The last flight was made on May 21 with the writer acting as observer. Take off··time was 5:00 P.M., and a large bear was sighted in the TaAeguache Canyon at,6:DO P.M., at an .eIevatdon of 8,000 feet. This bear was brown on the underparts ~it~ black across the top of the head, front shoulders, and back. The bear disappeared when the plane circled to make a second pass and was never relocated. A female and a yearling cub were located at 6:30 P.M., at an elevation of 8,500 feet. These two bears were approximately five miles from the first~ Both were light tan in color. Three passes were made at the pair in an attempt to take photographs. After each pass Yhe bears would make for the thick brush with the female herding the cub ahead.· The last bear found was a medium sized, straw-colored bear, and was seen about a miie from the female and cub. This, bear was located at 6:35, at an elevation of 8,500 feet. Before any passes with the plane could be made, the animal had vanished. All of the bears observed were grazing in small parks or meadows when first located, and all of them became startled at the plane. None of the photogra:-·. phy attempts were successful due. to the speed of the plane and trYing to.pinpoint the· picture to one object. Evening flights seem to be the best due to smoother air, which allows closer flying to the ground, ,and also apparent increased bear activity. The writer questionS the feasibiiity of the flights as bear population trends due to the scarcity of the animals. The flights, however, do indicate dates of emergence from dormancy, feeding habits, and species variations as color and behavior. to It was established beyond a doubt that grizzly bears still exist in Colorado. A bear, that was reported as a gr1.zzl.y,was taken by a predatory trapper on August 3, 1950 at the head of the Pine River- near the Rio Grande Pyramid in the San Juan Mountains. Through cooperation with Assistant District Agent �Figure 1. Large juniper tree torn by a bear in attempt to reach contained honey. Figure 2. Close-up of juniper tree torn by bear. �Figure 3. Black and grizzly bear skulls. Note the high, ar-ched profile of the top, black bear skull compared with the flat profile of the grizzly. �Figure 4. Top view of black and grizzly bear skulls. Note the suture difference in the Nasal, Maxilla, and Frontal bones. The skull on the right is that of a grizzly. Figure 5. Bottom view of black and grizzly bear skull. Note the larger, back, upper molar in the grizzly skullo �Figure 6. Front paws of grizzly and black bears. Note the .much longer claws on the grizzly foot. Figure 7. Closed pen usually used in trapping bear. The bait is in th~ back and the trap is concealed in the open mouth of the trapping pen. �Figure 8. Another method of trapping bea.rs. The bait is suspended and the trap placed underneath so the bear wi.Ll, be caught trying to reach the bait. �?0r',Q .~"':.'" -7Leland Bacus of the Fish and Wildlife Service; the skull.and front foot were obtained for study. The skull was identified' as that of a. grizzly by the length of the back, upper molar. In a grizzly this tooth is never less than 1. 25 inches long, and in a black bear ne-ver over 1. 25 inches long (Grinnell, Dixon,' and Linsdale. 1937). The back, upper molar on this skull measured 1.30 inches (Figure 5). The complete dent.a.L'f'ormul.a was I, 3/3; C" 1/1; P.M., 3/2; M, 2/3; x 2= 36. A full compliment of teeth for either black or grizzly bears is 42. Variance usually occurs in the premolars. Identification was further established by the much longer cla.ws on the front foot of the grizzly (Figure 6). The.longer claws will also identify a track as that of a grizzly if the claw marks are showing. The grizzly taken was a-small female, weighing 200 to 300 pounds. This bear was accomparri.ed by two yearling cubs. Hence, two cubs and a male grizzly are in the area. From public reports and personal interviews, there is be;!.ieved to be approximately eight grizzlies left in the San Juan Mquhtains. As there are-only a very few grizzly bears left in Colorado, the Fish ahd Wildlife Service in the San Juan Region has agreed to try to protect them if possible. Job 3. Bear-Livestock Kill Study. Object: To gather accurate data on the amount of livestock the factors affecting. killed Qy bears and Findings: The ,first report of bear damage to livestock was ob April 14;'in the Spanish _Peaks Region •. This case consisted of 'an attack by a 'bear upon a two or three months old calf. Evidently the bear had stumbled upon a small bunch of cattle in early foraging. The calf was not seriously injured, but the tracks in six inches of snow identified the attack as that of a bear , A trap was set, but, the animal never returned. Perhaps the bear went back into dormancy, or ,the fact that a kill was not made was t.he:reason the animal never returned. Another bear kill was reported on April 30, 20 miles south of Monte Vista near Capulin. Four ewes were reported killed, anq the herders stated they had watched the bear eating. Upon investigat:i,oIlit was established that dogs ha.d killed the ewes:l and a pig had been eating on the carcasses. On May 24 a kill was again reported in the Spanish Peaks Region. A three weeks old caLf had been killed by a small bear., .A. traPi,was set on May 28, and a very large bear, weighing approximately 400 pounds was taken. On May 30 the killer was taken in the same trap and weighed about 200 pounds. Two bears, a large female and a small cub were killed on uppe~ Roan Cr~ek, near DeBe que by a sheep herder. Upon questioning, the herder disClosed tnat four ewes had turned up without lambs. The herder then found two of the lambs· that had been eaten upon by bea.rs, and he never found the other two. Upon '.-.'~ �- 8seeing the bears, he shot them both 'without knowing whether the female had been doing the killing. The lambs were too far g9ne to determine the cause of death. Another method of setting a bear trap other than the usual method was encountered. Usually, a triangle shaped pen is built, and the bait is placed ~t the apex of the triangle. The pen is then closed so that the bear must step over a trap to reach the bait (Figure 7). The new method consisted of hanging the bait out of reach with the trap directly under. 'When a bear would try to reach the suspended bait, he would step into the concealed trap (Figure 8). This latter method is more dangerous to both livestock and man as the regularly used trapping pen serves as a warning. It is fully realized that bears do damage to livestock, especially sheep. However, many of the kills attributed to black bears are not justifiable. Bears' are scavengers and readily leave sign around carrion they have feasted upon. It is then understandably hard to impress upon the stock owner: that a bear may not have been responsible. ~rLiterature Cited* Grinnel, Dixon, and Linsdale. 1937. FUr Bearing Mammals of California. Univ. of Calif. Press. 1:61-64, 95-136. Submitted by: Approved by: Name Douglas L. Gilbert Title Wildlife :~~~FISH DEP~TMENr Technician C. N. Feast, Director Date July 2, 1951 Note:' Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �, 9S'IlATE COLORADO ----------~------- QUARTERLY SUR PROGRESS V E Y SAN D ,I N V EST PROJECT NO. 3'l-R DATE JULY, 1951 REPORT I GAT ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE REST~RATION ACT 10 Title of Project: 2. Leader: Game Bird purveys Harry J. Figge 3. Report of Progress: Work Plan No.1 - Pheasants Job 1 Title: Pre~nesting Study Objective: To determine sex ratios and breeding potentials Scope: .Northwestern Colorado - Garfield, Mesa; Delta and Montrose counties. Reported by: Wayne W. Sandfort Sex Ratio Counts Methodsg Spring breeding population sex ratios were obtained during the period extending from April 11 to May 18. Nine hundred nine pheasants, 330 cocks and 579 hens, were tabulated while slowly driving 503 miles through pheasant range in Garfieldj.Mesa, Delta. and Montrose counties. Twenty trips were made requiring 34 hours of actual cen&us work. While countingj all birds were observed for a brief period with binocul~s" unless in proximity of the vehicle. These observations were followed by flushes made with the aid of a dog. Pheasant sex ratio "daily Tally Forms" were prepared to faciiitate recording daba , A sample of this form is given below~ .ResUlts from these forms were transferred to nA.M." and "P.M." summary sheets. PHElSANT SEX RATIO DATA (following) Daily Tally Form �- 10 PHEASANT SEX RATIO DATA Daily Tal]y Form.Time Started ::-------Date Peri-o~d-o-f~D~ay--(~A~.~M~.--or~P~.~M~~)~------Beginning Mileage _ Time Finished County Random~Surv---e-y-r.(R~o-u~t-e-#m)~,----------Ending Mileage----_--------_ Nebulosi ty _ Route Count (Route #) _ Temperature Wind --------Pheasant count by groups Cocks Hens Time of Observation ,Findings: Summary of Sex Ratio C2unts A summa~ of pheasant sex ratio data gathered from various areas in four northwestern Colorado counties are presented in Table I. TABLE r. --SEX RATIO DATA, SUMMARY, NORTffWESTERN COLORADO, 1951 County Garfield Route l~per Area ,and Miles No.of ,No.of-Bird~/ Hens/ Driven Cocks Hens Mile ,Cock Cocks/ 100 Hens 'J 1 56 8 6 0.25 0.75 133 146 '143 284 2.92 1.99 50 50 40 56 1.92 1.40 71 80 43 80 1.54 1.86 54 ~O 27 29 1.12 1.07 93 Valley - Delt'a Co. lirie-Pea:-greenOlathe-Montrose) #3 (Pci.radoxValley) 68 53 49 2Q, 99 25 2.18 2.02 0.85, 1.25 49 80 All Areas 503 330 >il9 1.81 1.75 57 #1 (Rifle-Silt) Mesa #1 (Grand Junction-: Fruita-Loma) #2 (Grand JunctionPalisade) Delta #1 (nelta~AtistinCedaredge) , #2 (Lazaer~Hotchkiss. 'Paonia)' Montrose ,#1 & #2 (Uncompaghre I �-'11 Variation in Observed,Morning and Evening Sex Ratios Data obtained during morning and evening counts were recorded separately. Table II shows the comparison in sex ratios observed during,these two periods. TABLE II.-BREEDING SEASON SEX RATIOS, COMPARISON BETWEEN MORNING AND EVENING. COUNTS, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1951 Route Number and Area County Morning Counts Number of, Cocks per Pheasants 100 hens, Evening Counts Number of Cocks per Pheasants 100 hens Garfield Mesa #1 (Rifle-Silt) #1 (Grand Junction- 10 150 4 100 Fruita-Loma) (Grand JunctionPalisade) 255 47 172 56 39 56, 57 84 95 46 28 87 23 92 33 94 60 18 54 100 88 27 E2 500 52' 409 63 #2 Delta #1 #2 (Delta-AustinCedaredge) (Lazaer-HotchkissPaonia) Montrose #1 & #2 (Uncompaghre Valley ~ Delta Co. line-Pea-greenOlathe~Montrose) #3 (Paradox Valley) All Areas 47 Variation in Sex Ratios Observed During Various Time Periods From observat:i,onsmade wl:rl.le 'counting, it was so:rn:et~esfelt that cock pheasants appeared in the fields earlier in the mornings and remained longer than the hens. The same behavior seemed to prevail in the evenings. If such were the case, observed sex ratios would be lowest some time between early morning ,and late morning~ and between early evening and late evening. Since the actual time of observation and the composition of all pheasant groups, plus individual pheasants~ were recorded~ calculations are possible which should prove or disprove this hypothesis. . �- 12 Table III presen~s observed sex ratio data, by 15 minute periods in the' morning, for all routes. The times of official sunrise were ob~ained from the U.S. Weather Bureau at Grand Junction. -. TABLE III.--OBSERVED PHEASANT SEX RATIOS BY 15-MINUTE PERIODS IN . , RELATION TO OFFICIAL SUNRISEj NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1951 15 Minute Time Periods (Prior to and 'Following Sunrise) No. of Pheasants Counted Observed Sex Ratio (Cocks/IOO Hens) Prior to 16-30 15- 0 14 5 150 40 1-15 48 30 46 47 48 100 56 ,47 75 38 67 Following , 16-30 31:-45 , 46~0 61-75 76-90 91-105 57 75 68 52 53 75 21 18 Ib6-120 121-135 136-leO 5 Periodical Variation in Observed Sex Ratios , Limited Data are available with which to determine the perio~cal variation in observed sex ratios. The following tabulations, recorded from morning counts on the Mesa County area #1, however, show little variation over an 18-d.ay period. Date of Count April 14, April 17 April 20 May 2 Observed'Sex Ratio (Cocks per 100 Hens) 41 52 42 46 Single Pheasants and Pheasant Group Composition Observed Table IV shows the break-down in pheasant group composition by areas during the early breeding season. �- 13 TABLE IV.--PHEASANT BREEDING GROUP COMPOSITION, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1951 Route NumberAnd County Area 0..• 1 0-2 0-3 0- Numberof Groups Observed (Cock-Hen a-o -I 1-2 1-3 1- 1- 1 1-7 i-8 2.".02od. 2-2 - -- -- -,- ---:- - - - - - ---- ~ Garfield 1/1 (Rifle-Silt) Mesa 1/1 (Grand Junction- i Fruita-Loma) 14 112 (Grand Junc~~onPalisade) Delta 1/1 (Delta-Austin .•.. Oedar'edge) 3 1/2 (Lazaer-HotchkissPaonia) Montrose 1/1 & 1/2 (Uncompaghr€l Valley - Delta Coo 1;ine':'Pea-greenOlathe-Montrose) .1 #3 (Paradox Valley) All Areas 18 3 2 :t 3 4 17 21 15 10 11 3 1 1 14 6 .. 1 - 1 2 2 1 - 5 1 1 1 i 11 8 2 2 1 16 10 5 3 2. 5 9 7 2 9 10 13 9 6 7 5 76 74' 50 3 5 2 2 22 20 11 1 2 2 7 4 1 1 a 2 2 1 1 . Analysis and Recommendations: It is felt, in genez-al., that data are 'fuadequate to make highly accurate' analyses cgncerning the taking of sex ratios bY dbseriations during the early breeding season. Us'ing the data which were gathered~ however$ some of the folloWing conclusions can be drawn. Table I shows that the three most important pheasant are'!.::;> ill northwestern Colorado, the Grand Junction-Fruita, Delta-Cedaredge, and Olathe-Montrose~ areas,iha:.v.e,.fair sex ratios, with about one cock to two hens in all Lnstances , . These areas are, in general,' in~ensively farmed and 'observations were made more easily than in the other areas surveyed. Perhaps behavior of the hens', iD. keeping. to the Qrushy areas caused higher observed sex ratios, particularly in the Rifle-Silt, Laaaer=-Paonf.aand Paradox Valley areas; These areas are typified by farming or or-char-dTanda interspersed with sage brush areas. ' Lower observed' sex ratios can generally be obtained by morning counts, as shdwn by Table II. It is felt that the lower sex ratios, given in this table, should be used in: the calculation of spring breeding population indices. �-14Although-results are ,somewhat erratic, it appears that no particUlar time between 15 minutes' prior to and 150 minutes following official sunrise yields lower or higher sex ratios. In general, th~s two-hout-an~-45~minute period seems to give P.mform results, at curate within the limits af the method. Limited data show little variation in observed sex ratios from April 14 to May 2 in Mesa County. , Ta ble IV shows that of 785 pheasant-s count.ed, 47 were hens in 28 groups not accompal1.;iedby cocks and '80 were 'cocks.as individuals or groups which were not consorting with hens at the time' of observation. Assuming that the 28 groups 'of hens wduld sooner, or later be accompani€ld by one cock this would leave 52 or 18.7 per cerrt: of all cocks observed .:mich would not have h;:trem:s and. could pO$'sibly be tE;lrmednon-territorial or nwhipped~out. II It is realized 'that many factors; such as late formation of harems, early nesting hens, hens which do not mate, etc., could influerice this percentage~ The possible significance of this factor, however, in relation to calculation of spring breeding population indices, will be discussed later in this report. Through9~t the sex ratio counts it was found that some birds were missed while making observations with binoculars and some were not seen while flushin~ ,with a dog. A combination of the two methods is therefore recommended to obtain the most accurate data. Crovving Count Check-Route and Phenological Observations Methods: Ii ten-station pheasant crowing count check-route was established in Mesa County along an ll-mile route extending from a pmint northwe~t of Grand Junction to a point north of Fruita. This route was run periodically from March 21 to June 6 on mornings when it ,was felt that near optimum conditio~s prevailed. Cock calls were recorded at each ,station for the regular two, minute period e, All coUnts were started, at 40 minutes before official sunr;ise and were generally completed in approxirilately one hour. ,.Thirteen counts were. taken during the 77-day period. Tempe~ature~ wind, and humidity information were obtained from the Grand Junction Airport, U~S" Weather Bureau Statior., for possible use in correlation with the trend of crowing intensity. ' Because'of'the expense and time :required to run croWing count check-routes it was felt that a study to deterinine if there is a correlation between plant~ development and crowing intensity would be des Ir-ab.Le , If such a correlation exists, the approachi.rlg peak of crowing could possibly; be anticipated by a more ~implified system of plant phenology. ' Several'investigators have discussed the effects of climate on plants and animals. Chapman (1931), in a discussioh of Hopkins I bioclimatic law, gives �,;.,15the main conclusions of Hopkins.: Some of these conclusions are as follows: (1) periodical phenomena of:plants andLanimals are in response to the influence of the complex factors and elements of the climate; .(2) other conditions being equal, the variation in the time of occurrence of a given periodical event in. life activity in temperate North America is. at a general average rate of four days to each 10 lat., 50 long. and 500, feet altitude, later northward, eastwarq and upward in the spring and early summer, and the reverse Ln late summer and autumn. From these conclusions it appears I that' the time,when a periodical event may be expected to take-place 'could be determiried by starting from another point where the time of the event is known. Different conditions would prevail in different localities, but once the chronology of events were worked out, over a period of . several years in a particular Local.Lty, it appears that ;itmay be possible to anticipate the peak of pheasant crowing intensity by observang, for example, the flowering of a species of plants. . Buss (1946) used a modification of this principal in Wisconsin studies when he correlated the time when the ffrst eggs were laid in hayfields with the height of four of the most prevalent hayfield plants. The height of these four plants was from seven to 11 inches at the time the first eggs were laid in hayfields. Hayfield cover was inadequate for nesting for 17 days after· pheasants began laying. Whether a similar correlation would hold true from year to year is a point in question. With this idea in mind, however, .eleven perennial plant species were selected for observation at regular intervals during the· time when the pheasant <mowing cnmt check-route was being .run, With the exception of alfalfa, only one plant of, each species was selected for observation. It was felt that such a selection would eliminate some of the variation between individuals. Five height. ; measurement.s in each of two alfalfa fields along the crowing count check-route were taken as a basis to determine development of this cover. I The species selected for observation included: alfalfa (Medicago sativa), cottonwood (Populus sargentii), black walnut (Juglans nigra), weeping willow (Salix babyl.oni.ea}, wi11ow--common shrub along ditch-banks in the Grand Valley (Salix spp.), common pear (Pyrus communis), common peach (Prunns persica), Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), tamarisk' (Tamarix spps }, rabbi tbrush ( Chrysothamnus nauseosus) and'greasewood (Sarcobatus vermicUlatus) •.· Ten different observations and measurements of the above species were. made during 'the period extending from March 28 :to June 4. Certain phenological occurrences were recorded such as first visable growth, leaf development, flowering and fruit developmerito Only a few of the most significant occurrences will be presented in this report. �.~~.-::".--i;C1 ........ ~ . : ... •... ' .:. 16 Findings: Principal findings from this investigation ar.epresented in Figure l. Analysis and ~ecommendations~ Data in Figure 1 show that the peak of pheasant crowing inten~i~ in Mesa Coun~ was reached around April 24 and remained at a relatively high level until at least the first of June. ;Phenological observations, as presented in Figure 1, show the correlation between plant development and the trend in crowing intensity for the 1951 season. These observations do not allow final conclusions to be drawn concerning the relationship betw~en plant development and crowing intensity from year to year, however. Studies during several seasons will be needed to determine this. In the 1951 season maximum pheasant crowing first occurred at approximate~ the time that alfalfa averaged six inches in height. At the same time the terminal lea! buds were opening on black walnut. This was seven days following the time when pear flowers were starting to open and 27 days from the time the staminate aments were developing on the cottonwood. Fifty-two other observatons of the eleven plant species were made prior to',the time of maximum crowing intenSity,' and are available as a check along with the few observations here reported. , Results from the crowing count check-route seemed to emphasize the necessity of eliminating variable factors, such as weather conditions and time,while making crowing counts to determine population trends. It is therefore recommended that all crowing-count routes be started at a designated tlme, for example, 40 minutes before official sunrise time. It is-also recommended, ' that as far as practicable, 'counts should be made only on cloucUess or near cloudless mornings so that possible variations in crowing, caused by variation in light, would be eliminated. Pheasant Crowing Counts on Regular Routes Methods: Crowing counts were conducted on seven established routes in northwestern Colorado during the period of maximum -crowing intensity. This period" as determined by the Mesa County Check-route, extended from April 24, to the first part of June. Counts were made on mornings when it was felt that,near optimum. conditions. prevailed. For tl1is reason it is'felt that only one,count was necessary for each route. ," Findings: Crowing count data fram the 1951 season counts is given in Table V. Results from previous seasons is also given for compariosn. .••... ~.. " �"0' ~ ~ r.'7 ...:::r-=::.:::-"'r- - Ra I I 7 I 15 ----~~.o (I"~. .~ ~ J4~~--+---~--~---+--~~~~--+---~---+-=~~~~~--~ --r-..:::= .....• ~~ ~ ~ /3 I II I' I U ~ i: II!. I<: I ~<\l I 'I I :::,... I ',I /l1-l-----+----+--+'--+-;-I+--+---+---+--I-+--I------1If---------1I---t\ l5~/O ;;;;Z::::f 9 \.l. ~ c:( l1 \ __ - _._ v;:J ~ , ~17 I I 0 I 17 • e.+ • .. I I 7· 14- 21 • I I I .5 12 /9 • 26 MAY 2. 9 \TUNE FIGURE 1.--PHEASANT CROWING INTENSITY CORRELATED MARCH WITH 31 a8 APRIL PLANT PHENOLOGJES, MESA COUNTY, 1951 �FIGURE 2.-- MULTJ-TALLY COUNTER FIGURE 3.-- MULTJ- TALLY COUNTER SHOWING SOME CF rue DETAILS OF CONSTRUCTION �- 17 TABLE v. -PHEASANT Trend Route CROWING COUNTS:, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1948-.51 Date 1948·1949 1950 1951 Garfield County #1 (Rifle-Silt) .5-18 .5•.5 4.0 3.7 - 7•.5 .5-16 13 13 13 13 3•.5 11.9 11.9 12.9 f 8.4 16 .5:...22 16 8.8 7.9 - 10.2 13 13 13 14 14 18.7 23.2 .17.0 8.8 7.6 -- 26.7 14 14 14 14 13 12.7 23.4 20.9 17.4 21.6 19·7 - 16.7 4-23 4-28. 4-20 #2 (Grand JunctionPalisade) 4-30 Delta County #1 (Delta-Cedaredge) 4-27 .5-22 .5-2.5 #2 (Lazaer~Hotchkiss) .5-27 .5-.5 Montrose County #1 (Delta-Montrose) 4-22 .5-2.5 5-.5 6-4 #3 (~aradox Valley) 1950-51 Trend COniEarison (%~ 10 10 10 5-28 4-27 Mesa County HI (Grand JunctionLoma) No.of Average Calls StoEs ,. Per StoE 5-24 4-28 .,.13.6 - 8.8 An~ysis and Recommendations: U?favorable weather conditions, primarily during the last week in ~; made it impossible to obtain data from four trend routes. These. are located in"Moffat, Rio Blanco, Garfield and Montrose counties. Good counts were obtained, however, in the more important pheasant areas. . With the except~9n of Mes.a County, the number of cock calls per two minute stop shows a general reduction throughout northwestern Colorado pheasant areas. ·This reduction can probably be attributed to two factors, the unfavorable hatch of 19.50 and the 15-day hunting season in parts of Delta. and Montrose Counties last fall. This reduction. does not, necessarily mean a reduction in the breeding potential, however. Spring breeding population indices are presented in the following discussions. �- 18 Spring Breeding Population Indices "r Methods: Kimball (1949) reported formulas which can be used to derive total popu.Ia tion indices. The f'ormu.La.for ·determining an index to the spring breeding population utilizes sex ratios and cock calls per two-minute periods. This formula is as follows: p C I- CH . , = p - Spring breeding population index C Cock calls per two minutes H Hens per cock == Sex ratio data and crowing count data obtained from the various trend areas in northwestern Colorado were substituted' in. this" :'f.oI)Illu4 to>.obtiain the -various, .popu.LatdonilidIi:ces. Lowest cbservedtsex ratios; as underlined in Table II, were used in the calculations. Findings: TABLE VI.--SPRINGBREEDING POPULATION INDICES, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1951. County Route Numberand Area Breeding Population Indices Garfield Ma.sa #1 (Rifle-Sil t ) #1 (Grand Junction- 7.4 40.0 Delta Fruita-Loma) #2 (Grand JunctionPalisade) #1 (Del~a-Austin-Cedaredge) #2 (Lazaer-Hotchkiss-Paonia) #1 (Delta-Montrpse) #2 (Paradox Varl~y) Montrose 22.1 53.9 15.9 54.5 48.j Analysis and Recommendations: Data in Table VI show that breedtng population indices compare somewhatclosely with the potential which is indicated by cock crowing alone. , Calculations using sex ratios provide the more reliable indices, however, and it is recommendedthat these indices be used for determining . population trends in the future. The percentage of cocks without hens, which were observed while making sex ratio counts, may be a'significant factor in debemrlning.aprfngbz-eadfngpopulations. As reported in the analysis of sex, ratio counts, there was a possibility of as many as 18.7 per cent of the observed cocks being non-territorial or "whipped out." , Taber (1949) reported that non-territorial cocks were never- seen to crow, and that they did not court (display to hens) after mid-April. He also. .gave �..•19 results which showed that 27 per cent of 29 .cocks observed on a study area were non-territorial. . Assuming that 18.7.per cent of,the cocks in northwestern Colorado. were nonterritorial .dlringthe breeding season, a di:fferent outlook ,would be thrown on.the calculation of breeding popuiation indices. For example, in the area of route #1, Delta Oourrty , 10 cocks or 33.3 per cent of:all .cocks observed during mor.ning count.s were .possibly non-territorial. If non-te.rritorial cocks do not crow and they do..not court they should' nob be considered in calculation of breeding populations. With the above idea in mind'therewould be '33.3 per cent less breeding cocks in ·the Delta~Cedaredge area than,jwere recorded during morning observations during the Latrter. part of Apri::).. - This would change the sex ratio, as shown in Table II, from 46 cocks per 100 hens ( .2.17 hens per cock) to 3.25. hens per cQck. Using this new sex ratio in calculations, the spring breeding population index would be 72.3 instead of'53~9 as shown in .Table VI. Using Mesa County, route #1, 'as another example, only 16.8 per cent of the cocks observed during morning counts showed possibilities of·being non-territorial. This would give a new sex ratio- 9f 2.54 hens per-cock and a new breeding popu.lation index of 45.6 instead of 40.0. In th~, case of the Delta County trend a 34.1 per cent increase in the breeding population index is shown by the elimination of cocks which have possibilities of being non-territorial. Only a 14.0-per cent increase in the breeding population index is shown by. this elimination in the case of the'Mesa County trend. Providing that accurate information can be gathered regarding non:...territorial cocks; this factor should be considered in deteruning breeding population indices. Further investigation is necessary to determine more accurate ways of obtaining this information. Literature Cited Buss, Irven o. 19460 Wisconsin pheasant populations. Wis. 'Cons. Dept., Madison, Publ. 326, A~46, .184 pp. Chapman, Royal N. 1931. 464 pp. (pp. 222-224). .Animal Ecology. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, Kimball, James W. 1949. The crowing count, pheasant census. Mgt. L3(1):101-120. . Jour. Wildl. Taber, Richard D. 1949. Observations on the breeding behavior of the ringnecked pheasant. The Condor 51(4):153-175. �·'""?i0""\l: /,. l~ ,~ .. ::'" - 20 Multi~Tally Counter The "Multi-Tally" counter, is shown in Figures 2'and 3, was designed for use while running pheasant crowing count trend routes to facilitate the census of cottontail rabbits, mourning doves and both sexes of quail and pheasants. The counter was constructed by seating six, four-digit, Veeder-Root counters in a specially designed holder. This holder was fastened to the dash with two bolts, l-inch long, 3/8-inch in diameter with S.A.E. threads. These bolts were projected through the holes used for radio attachments. The holder was built with 3/8...,inch plywood,_fastened together with l-inch, flathead, wood screws. Metal dividers, used to hold the tally counters, were cut from 24-gauge sheet metal. These dividers were placed iQto slots cut with a miter-box saw which gave a narrow saw kerf. SiK of the dividers were designed with a'slot, 5/16 of an inch deep and 9/64 of an inch wtde. The axles between the re-setting knobs and the tally counter proper were seated in this slot to hold the counters firmly. Sponge rubber cushioning was fastened between the holder and 'the dash of the vehicle to eliminate shock and possible rattling. Scope: Arkansas Reported by: Valley Donald Nolting Methods: Some changes and additions were made to methods used in past years. Sex ratio data was obtained through roadside counts, both during and preceding the crowing count surveys. Efforts were made to flusp the birds whenever possible. Since sex ratios varied throughout the valley, separate data was obtained for the area covered by each crowing trend route. No changes were made in established crowing count methods. One new route was located in lower Baca County. _ Crowing counts were begun April 23 when crowing reached its peak and discontinued May 20. High winds and heavy rains limited accurate counts to one per trend route. Counts considered inaccurate were of value as checks, but are not included in the data. Findings: Results of the 1951 surveys are shown in 'rables I and II. Analysis and Recommendations: In comparing this year's census with that of 1950, crowing counts alone are used. The a~erage figure for the entire Arkansas Valley of 10.91 calls per listening stop in 1951 shows a decrease of 35.6% from 16.96 calls in 1950. As shown in Table VII, all areas except one exhibited a marked dovvnward trend. This exception, Pueblo Count, increased slightly. The new route located in Baca County had the highest cOunt per stop, i.e., 30.84. It is difficult to compare this figure with counts on other routes, since topographic, cover and other conditions in Baca CoUnty are not similar to those found in the valley proper. Tmpoor,late hatch in the q:lr'ing of1950 and the scarci ty of �";:'t;0e::~·' , ,'lc' _. - 21 cover are believed to be the major causes of the population decrease. Some error may be present, since the same observer did not make the surVeys during both years. TABLE VII.--PHEASANT CROWING COUNTS, ARKANSAS VALLEY, 1950-51 Trend Route No. of Average Calls Per·Stop Date - 1951 Stops· 1951 Fremont County, #1 (Canon City area) Pueblo County; #2 (Blende, eastward) CrOWley County, #3 (Crowley-OrdWi-Y) Otero County, #4 (Rocky Ford area) Otero County ~ #5 (La Junta~Cheraw) Bent County, #6 (Las Animas-Hasty) Bent-Prowers Coo, #7 (McClave-Lamar). Prowers County, #8 (Grote & northeast) Prowers County, #9 (Holly southward) Baca County, #10 . (Jcto 160'& 287 -Eo) Baca County, #11 (Walsh & southward) 19050-051 Trend Comparison 1950 5-3 10 8.40· 22.00 - 61.B 5-2 19 6.01 5.75 f 4.5 5-14 24 13.29 .. 32.7 - 59.3 5-1 18 9.33 21.30 - 56.2 5-7 22 10.36 30.4 - 65.9 5';8 21 13.33 18.9 - 29.4 4-29 21 4.90 ---_:. ----- 4-28 20 16~90 32.25 - 47.5 4-27 20· 4.00 10.40 - 61.5 ·4-23 20 2.60 6.1 - 57.3 5-11 19 30.84 ----- (%) ~.." �?0.("" .~··I; ".~ - 22 - TABLE VIII. -PHEASANT Trend Route Area Av. Calls Per Stop (C) Males Females #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 Entire Arkansas Valle 8.40 .6.01 13.29 9.33 10.36 13033 4.90 16.90 4.00 '2.60 30.84 24 48 68 112 12 33 24 4 0 54 23 0 98 140 147 32 51 23 4 0 40 10.91 381 564 2 PRE-NESTING DATA, 1951 Sex Ratio Hens/Cock (H) Spring Breeding Index (p) (p= C f. CH) .740 16.45 15.70* 40.41 29.26 23.95 33.05* 12.47 41.91* 9.92* 6.45* 53.66 1~480 27.06 .958 2.041 2.147 1.312 1.545 *In computing these indices, the sex ratio factor for the entire valley was used, since the sex ratio data of the individual areas were insufficient. ScoEe: " Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma Counties. ReEorted br: Harold Mo Swope. Technicians: For the third consecutive year crowing counts were made on nine trend routes in this northeastern area. Six of these routes were also covered in 1948. Counts were made on two new ~outes this year. The Wray-Vernon trend, set up in 1949 but never censusedy was covered, and a new route was:.. set up near Woodrow, in Washington County. 'The latter was initiated at the request bf the warden in that area because of heavy hunting pressure, and the isolated nature of the small valley. From the first of April until the first of May two trend routes were covered once each week in an effort to determine when the crowing peak was reached. Persistent winds make accurate counting extremely difficult. On the first of �·- 23 May counts were initiated on all routes to insure at least on~ count on each route under favorable weather conditions. Several counts,' or attempts at counts, were made on each route and the highest count used in every case. Ten stops were made on each route with a counting period of two minutes at two mile intervals. Each trend. count was starte_d approximately one-half hour before sunrise and completed wi thin··one hour. Sex Ratio - Northeast: Emphasis during April and the first half of May was placed upon sex ratio counts. Vegetative conditions and courtship activities of-the pheasants was thought to have made these counts fairly accurate, especially with the comparatively large numbers involved. Birds were flushed wi th the aid of -a dog if there was any doubt as to whether all-birds in the near vicinity were seen. Apparent differences in sex ratios were noted throughout the area. This prompted individual sex ratio counts for each trend route area. Counts were made along or immediately adjacent to each trend route. This data is listed in Table IX. Whenever adjacent trend routes produced similar sex ratios the counts were combined to show the same sex ratio for the areas involved. Thus, by referring to Table IX; it may be seen that the Wray-Vernon and Eckley-Lone Star trend routes have identical sex ratios listed. The Haxtun-Paoli, Holyoke-Amherst, and Dailey Cornbelt routes likewise were cO:gJ.bined to give a single sex ratio figure. No sex ratio figure was obtained for the newly founded Woodrow route. The formula modifying crowing trend counts according to existing sex ratio has been used on each crowing index to give a pre-breeding population index. This index may be found in Table IX. -. . Analysis and Re.commendatiQns: Comparison of crowing trend counts over a'period of three years shows an abrupt increase in the pre-breeding cock population •. The average number of calls per stop decreased from 31.9 in 1948 to 14.9 in 1949. Abrupt i~creases to 22.6 calls per stop in 1950, and 35.88 in 1951, have placed the croWlilg trends on a level comparable to the 1948 counts. These figures represent a 58.41 per cent increase in 1950, and 64.64 per cent increase in 1951 over the prevf.ous year. (Table JC). The extremely mild weather encountered during the past two winters may be given most of the credit for the notable increase in bird numbers. Another factor p~obably attributing to their increase is the apparent adaptation of these blrds to a sage-brush habitat. The greatest number o~ calls per stop recorded came from far back in sage brush on the Wray-Vernon trend route. Other pheasant concentrations have been located in similar vegetative cover several miles from �- 24 travelled roads or grain fields. Farmers and ranchers have reported finding nests in these areas. From all reports and indications these birds appear to be year round residents of this sage-brush habitat. The lack of snow during the past two winters has left available food sources uncovered and may partly explain this unusual'situation. Undesirable land use practices and the resUltant dest~ction of practi~ally all winter cover leaves little immediate hope for a stable pheasant population here in the northeast in future years. r TABLE IX.--SXX RATIOS AND PRE-BREEDING POPULATION INDICES IN NORTHEASTERN COLORADO, 1951 Trend Route Sterli~g-Proctor Pawnee Valley Jumbo-Julesburg _' Haxtun-Paoli Holyoke-Amherst Lone Star-Eckley Sterling-Prewitt Platner-Akron Dailey Cornbelt Wray-Vernon Total Average Calls Per Stop 32.67 2:3.54 38.92 53.57 36.50 38.95 26.10 21.10 51.58 55.67 Sex Ratio Total Cocks Hens Observed 118 175 293 li8 216 98 :,:418 193 225 802 321 481 802 321 481 116 227 lU 226 144 370 212 ' ,321 109 ,,802 321 481 ill 116 227 1847 2631 average calls x per stop Pre-breeding Hens/ Population Endexs ' Cock "" 81.02 1.48 1.20 51.79 84.'46 1.17 1.50 133.93 1.50 91.25 1.05 79.85 67.08 1.57 62.25 1.95 1.50 128.95 114.12 1.05 70.00 1.40 4478 Average *Pre-breeding population index = Cocks/ 100 Hens 67.43 83.05 85.78 66.74 66.74 95.69 63.72 51.42 66.74 95.69 number of hens per cock I- average calls per stop 90.86 �- 25 TABLE X.--PHEASANT CROWING COUNTS, NORTHEASTERN COLORADO, 1948-51 Date No.of Average Calls: 1950-51 Trend , Per Stop Gom~arison (%) Trend Route 1948 1949 1950 1951 Stops Logan County, #1 (Sterling-Proctor) 5-7 21 23 10 5-2_ 10 ' 5-25 21 Logan Cbunty, #2 5-17 (Pawnee Valley) -5"';11 21 20 4-20 10 6-3 Sedgwick County, #3 23 5-15 (Jumbo-Julesburg) 23 5-13 10 5-13 ',6-4, 10 20 Phillips County, #4 5-12 '2-28 21 (Haxtun~Paoli) 10 6-1 10 5-14 21 ' Phillips County; #5 5-3 21 (Holyoke-Amherst) 5-27 ,10 5';"11 10 5~29 Yuma County #6' 14 '5':'20 (Lone Star-Eckley) 13 5-26 10 5-31 '5"';24 10 Logan County, #7 21 5':"10 (Sterling-Prewitt) 20 4-22 '10 5-26 Washington County; #8, '5-3 24 10 (Platner-Akron 5-23 10 5-22 , 22 Logan & Phillips 5-14 10 Counties, #9 5-12 (Dailey Cornbelt) 10 5-2~ YUl:IlCi County, #10 10 (Wray-Vernon) 5-23 Washington County, #10 (Woodrow) 10 6-6 5-12 j 28.4 17.8 24.9 32.67 28.8 9~1 12.9 23.54 27.3 12.4 20.6 38.92 46.0 -10.6 '27.2 ,53.57 '53.7 31.5 32.9 36'.50 43.3 19.4 19.1 38.95 22.8 18.9 26.10 6.5 11.3 21.10 13.9 " 36.2 51.58 'I- 31-.20 .;.82.48 .;.88.93 f' 96.95 ,I- 10.94 1-103.93 ' I- ~8.10 .;.86.73 l 42.49 55;67 30.89 ----- �- Z6 TABLE X.--(CONTlNUED) Average " " " Average calls per stop, 1948: 1949: . II 1950: n 1951: "" " " " 31.9 14.9 22.6 35.88 " " increase for 1951, over 1950: Scope: San Luis Valley and Montezuma (Southwestern Colorado). Reported Bertram D. Baker by: 64.64% and La Plata Counties Sex Ratio Determination Methods: Modified roadside counting was employed to obtain the sex ratio, as it was in 1950. A more systematic coverage of the San Luis Valley was accomplished by arbitrarily dividing the valley into five areas, each area to be covered at least once during the week observations were made. The counting of birds over the same road more than once was avoided as much as possible. Three early morning and two late evening routes usually made upavsesk of observations. Data as presented in Table I for 1950 is not absolutely comparable be~~se the foregoing system of counting was not employed in its entirety last year. Findings: The sex ratio of pheasants in the San Luis Valley is 50.5 cocks per 100 hens, as shown on 'Pable XI. Table I is an attempt to show when the greatest number of hens can becobserved. Sex ratios taken at this time would tend to be more accurate. Possibly time of nesting, maximum crowing, and other life cycle factors might be correlated through similar observations made in following years. The sex ratio is 100 cocks per 100 hens in Montezuma sample was 40 pheasants. County. The size of The pheasant sex ratio in La Plata County was 90 cocks per 100 hens. of sample was 76 birds. The size �. _- 27 TABLE XL-SEX RATIO OBSERVATIONS, SAN LUIS VALLEY, 1950-51 Period Birds Seen Hens Totals Cocks 1950 1951 . 1950 195i 1950 1951 April: 1st.week 2nd It 3rd II 87 51 109 64 88 126 156 72 133 135 206 284 243 123 242 199 294 410 55.7 70.8 81.9 47.4 42.7 44.4 77 33 113 124 68' 190' 201 101 303 62.1 48.5 59.4 May: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th It n: " It 60 Totals 417 155 99 490 649 970 63.9 254 62.5 .' 156 96 Sex Ratio Cocks per 100 Hens 1951." .1950 1066 1460 64.3 50.5 Pheasant'Po;,eulationTrend Deterini.ri.ation Methods: Crowing counts were started on May 19 in the San Luis Valley after an eight-stop check route showed a levelling off in crowing ac.tivity about May 15. Following are the results of the check route runs', . , Date -April Average Calls ;,eerSto;,e " 9 11 13 16 18 " 21 It II II " 30 May 2 "5 "10 ."12 . .i9.1 13.0 22.1 24.5 22.6 27.1 25.0 27.6 20.2 27.1 25.5 �- 28 The trend routes were run by the same procedure as has been described in previous quarterly reports. Only one run was made if hearing conditions were rated excellent. If interference was too great the route was repeated until conditions were excellent. Findings:· The results of the pheasant crowing counts made in southwestern Colorado are presented in Table XII. The column headed "Comparison of 1951 to 3-year, average, in percent," is the percentage change in the average calls per stop for 1951 over the average calls per stop figure for the combination of the years listed. The pheasant pre-breeding population indices are in Table XIII. In Montezuma and La Plata Counties less than 100 pheasants were seen, consequently data for these areas may not be statistically sound. The San Luis Valley can be considered a single biological unit as well as a management unit (for pheasants), the most important index numbers are for the entire valley and not for·a particalar county. Analysis: Considering the San Luis Valley (excepting Costilla County) as a unit disregarding county variations, the pheasant population appears to be stable when compared with last year. The pheasant cock population index or average number of calls per stop is 6.58% lower than in 1950. The change in sex ratio counterbalances this deficiency in cock calls "00 .make the prebreeding population index show an increase of 8.73%. The sex ratio samples for the pheasant populations in Montezuma and La Plata Counties are too few to show changes so that the pre-breeding population indices for these counties are of little significance. The pheasant cock crowing index for Montezuma County shows a·net increase of about 9%. Analysis of the individual stops of the two routes in this county shows a substantial increase in calls on the west side of U.S. Highway 160 between Cortez and Lewis. Trend Route #1, which samples the marginal area of pheasant range south of Dolores showed a general decrease in calls per stop through this marginal area. This brought down the average for the route compared to the 1950 run. . La Plata County was samp.l.edwith one route which showed a loss of 4.7% in the cock population index. �-·29 TABLE XII.-~PHEASANT CROWING COUNTS, SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1948-51 Trend Route or Area Sampled Comparison of Av. Calls s»; Calls A.vo Calls per Stop per Stop per Stop 1951 to 3-yr. ., Av. , ' in Percent 148 to '50 1950 1951 Alamosa cs., #1 Alamosa Co., #2 24.0 19.43 .;. - 1.25 19.9 .23.5 Alamosa Co.: Rio Grand Co., #1 Rio Grande Co., #2 23.7 23.3 15.7 Rio Grande Co.,: 18.5 13.3 f. 17.8 15.9 1950-1951 Comparison in Percent 26.1 21.5 .f; 8..4 23.7 - .8 22.7 10.8 .;.23.1 16.7 - 4.8 . - 9.2 - -lB.5 Saguache Co., #1 9.6 7.6 - 20.8 9.85 .- 22.8 Conejos Co." #1, 15.7,· 13.2 - 15.9 16.1 - 18.0 SAN LUIS vALLEY (6 Routes): 16.59 17.76 - 6.58 Costilla Co.,·#l 3.27 3.13 . .;.4.4 (Not included in San Luis Valley total because of small area and pastclosed hunting seasons.) Montezuma Co., #1 Montezuma Go., #2 10.1 19.6 Montezuma Co.,: La Plata Co", #1 ,10.2 12.1 ·14.7 t 33.3, 13.3 f lO.7 - 16.5 .9.02 - .4.•67 �- 30 - TABLE XIII. --PHEASANT PRE-BREEDING POPULATION nIDE! SUMMARY, . SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1950 and 1951 Coun ty or Area No. of Hens Av. No. CallS per Cock (H) per Stop gC) 1950 1951 1950 19 1 Alamosa County (2 routes) 1.56 1.98 Conejos County (1 " ) " " ) Rio Grande Co. (2 It " " ) Saguache County(l " "n " ) SAN LUIS VALLEY (6 " ) .631 " 1.00 Ii La Plata COUnty(l It ) Montezuma Co. (2 .953 1.11 23.7 23.5 16.1 13.2 16.7 15.9 9.85 7.6 17.76 16.59 10.7 10.2 13.3 14.5 Pre-breeding POE' Index 1950 1951 60.67 41.22 42.75 25.22 45.47 17.45 25.97 70.03 39.34 47.38 22.65 49.44 20.4 30.59 Percent C}ia.nge 115.4 ~ 4.6 1 8.5 - 10-.2 1 8.73 1 16.9 117.7 Scope: East central Colorado (the area south of U.S. Highway 36, west of the Kansas State line, north of Kiowa, Crowley and Pueblo Counties, and east of U.S. Highway 85). Reported by: Irving R. Poley. Techniques: Listening stations are located two miles apart with the exception of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal trend route which has listening stations every mile:•..This is done in order that greater coverage of the area may be obtained. Findings; Table XIV; which follows, shows the average calls per stop for each route; the percent of increase or decrease between the 1950 and 1951 censuses; the sex ratios; and the spring popul.atd.on index for 1951. Table XV shows a review of sex ratios taken at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in 1947-1948 and in 1951. .Counts made in·1947 and 1948 were based upon the average of the ten highest counts each-year, with no effort ma~e to flush pheasants that may have been unobserved. �- 31TABLE XIV .--PHEASANT CROWING COUNTS, EAST CENTRAL COLORADO, 1950-51 Trend Route Average calls per stOD 1951 Percent of Change 150 - '51 Males per 100 Females Spring Population Indices 100.5 . #1, Adams County Rky Mtn. Arsenal 63.00 f 7.6 63.5 #2, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties Cherry Creek 18~4 - 31.3 100.0 19.4 #3, 'ArarahoeCo. Scmd Creek 7.72 t 31.7 100.0 8.7 #6, Yuma County Idalia 7.25 t 8.6 100.0 8:25 #7, Kit Carson Co. North Burlington 2.71 - 65.7 100.0 3.71 #8 0 Kit Carson Co. E:astBurlington #9, Kit Gar~on 00. West Burlington 7.1 - 2.7 100.0 8.1 6.1 - 15.2 100.0 7.1 #10, Cheyenne Co. Cheyenne Wells 2.9 - 54.,6 100.0 3.9 100.0 40.3 yillnaCounty Bonny Dam 39.3 Public Shooting Grounds ~., Trend Routes'·#4, Ara:pahoe County (Wai{kins-eyet.s),#5, Washington County (Anton-Cope), #11, Elbert County (Simla-Matheson), and #12, El Paso County (Fountain Valley), were abandoned • .~ �- 32 TABLE XV.' 1948,- 250 miles ,1947 - 250 miles No.in No.in Flock Cocks Hens Flock Cocks Hens 1951 - 100 miles No.in Flock Cocks Hens Males per 100 Females ~82 51 44 39 39 38 32 32 30 30 32 21 18 24 19 17 18 19 11 15 50 30 26 15 20 21 1413 19 15 64 47 46 45 44 39 38 30 26 18 31 26 25 24 24 24 20 19 14 10 33 21 21 21 20 15 18 11 12 8 B*153 S 115 S 96 S 53 49 56 39 41 29 16 97 76 55 24 33 57.7 51.3 74.5 121.8 48.4 417 194 223 397 217 180 466 181 285 *S indicates snm~ background. Sex ratio (males/100 females) Pheasants per mile 1947 87.0 1.66 1948 l~ 1.58, 1951, b3.5'1 4.66 Analysis and Recommendations:. The peak of pheas~t crowing occurred about May 15. A decrease in most of the eastern trend routes ~ay be noted. It is believed that this was cauaed by heavy hunting or poaching pressure. The winter in this area was very mild and probably the loss of pheasants from this cause was neglibible. ' Whenever possible pheasant sex ratio counts should be taken at a time when a snow background is present. This is illustrated by comparing the pheasants per mile figures in 1947 and 1948 with the 1951 figure. Scope: Northern Colorado - Adams, BOulder, Larimer, Morgan and Weld Counties. Reported by: W. L. Flinn Techniques: Crowing counts were made in the same manner as last year. The same routes were used and most of the counts Were started about half an hour before sunrise. Only ten stops, half of one route, were covered in one day's count to help avoid interference by farm noises and winds that often increase shortly after sunrise. One route, Adams County, #7, was not run because weather·or wind made each attempt unsuccessful. Otherwise, every route was run at least once under good conditions. �n.<)!:"''j ,~""" - 33 Sex ratio counts were made on or near crowing, routes following morning crowing counts and in the evenings starting about two and a half hours before sunset. 'Findings: Crowing counts on all routes, except the Brighton route (#2) fell below' last year's figures. The most noticeable was the Boulder County route which declined 34~9% while' the Brighton route rose o:rily3.1%. "On the area as a whole, a drop of 16.7% is found compared with the average calls per listening stop made in 1950, and 6.9% below the previous three-year average. Roadside sex ratio counts were made in conjunction with crowing counts throughout the quarter. Counts made after May l5 show a wide divergence from those counts made earlier because cover in the fields reached a height that hid hens from view, and also probably greater nesting activity resulted in few~hens being observed. Sex ratio .counts made since May 15 consequently have not been used in obtaining the sex ratio figure because'it is believed that these counts do not reflect a true picture of the actual sex ratio. Prior to May 15, ,miles of trayel, 100 hens. These totals 1932 hens 1808 pheasants, of which 1056 were hens, were observed in 964 giving 1.87 birds per mile and a sex ratio of 72.2 cocks per figures combined with'sex ratio counts previously reported and 1300 cocks, and a sex ratio of 67.8 cocks per 100 hens. Analysis and Recommendations: This year's counts show a drop from a steady rise in crowing counts over the first three years. Although the decline is not considered critical, the over-all average is very near the three-year average. Reasons for the decline are not determined, but a somewhat more severe 'winter than in 1950 may have had some effect in reducing the pheasant population and raising the number of cocks per' 100 hens from 54.4 in 1950 to 67.8 for this year. Since the crowing count data that had to be used extended over ,a period of 43 days (April 26 to June 7)~ it is probably true that some of the counts were not taken during the peak of crowing. This impossibility of always making counts within a four week period is one of the weaknesses of ~~e crowing count pheasant census. . , .; .. �- 34TABLE XVI.--CROWING COUNTS, NORTHERN COLORADO, 1951 'l'rend, Route Date Boulder Co. #1-a 5/4 #l-b 6/6 Weld Co. #2...• a #2-b 4/26 5/1 Adams ..• Weld #3-a #3-b 5/15 5/18 Larimer Co. #Ji-a 5/7 #4~b 5/23 Weld. Co. 15-a #5-b 5/29 5/10 Morgan Co. #6-a #6-b ' No. of Stops 10 10 8 10 10 10 8 9 8 10 1950-51 Trend Comparison (%) 1948-50 Average Trend 35.0 46.1 .•.24.0 - 34.9 46.1 39.7 I- 1).9 I- 3.1 38.5 38.8 ..;0.77 - 11.9 25.7 28.8 - 10.8 - 23,2 23.2 33.5 ··28.4 28.5 - 3"5 - 27.2 39.1 ...13.5 - 13.1 - 6.9 - 16.7 37.6 32.4 50.0 43.1 48.0 29.1 30.3 19.9 ., .. 6/4 6/7 Av. Calls· Per Stop 9 10 34.3 33.3 33.8· Ada.llis Co. #7 24.5 ./ 112 34.9 37.6 The 1951 spring population index for this area is 86.2 �- -35 Deviation: Scope: Phenological correlated to pheasant crowing acti.vity. Arkansas Valley Reported by: Object: observations Donald Nolting To compare plant development stages with changes in pheasant activity. Findings: Phenological observations during the spring of 1951 were made in a general manner, attempting to establish a logical basis for future surveys. It was found that study plants should be selected from varied habitats and should meet these three requirements: 1. Wide distribution and abundance. Easily recognized vegetative changes. 3. Extended period of development. 2. In addition, a few plants susceptible to sudden changes in rainfall or temperature should also be included in the list, but recognized as such. Comparative resul ts follow: April 10-25 Pheasants of both sexes easily observed. counts possible. April 23 Pheasant April 26 Alfalfa ~ 2 inches high. American Elm. - Buds beginning to swell., . Cottonwooci - Buds beginning to swell. Lilac -'Beginning to leaf. ,.'. Wheat - Beginning to, II green up." May 1 Alfalfa - 4 inches high. American Elm - Buds swollen. Cottonwood - Buds swollen. Lilac - Half leaved out and beginning Wheat - 2 inches high. May 5 Accurate crowing activity appeared to reach a peak. Alfalfa·- 6 inches high. American Elm - Buds bursting. Cottonwood - Buds hUrsting. Fruit trees - Blossoming. Lilac - Full bloom and 75% leaved out. Primrose - Blooming in some places. Wheat - 4 inches high. t.o bloom. sex ratio �May 10 Vegetation density and pheasant activity such that se~ ratio counts were discontinued. (Nesting hens were difficult to observe. ) Alfalfa - 8-10 in~hes high. American Elm - 1/3 leaved out. Seeds beginning to fall. Cottonwood - 1/4 leaved out. Lilac ~ Fully leaved out; flowers still present. Wheat - 6 inches high. May 15 May 20 Alfalfa - 12-14 inches high. American Elm - 2/3 leaved out. Cottonwoods - 1/2 leaved out. Wheat - 8 inches high. Seeds profuse. Pheasant crowing activity declining. Alfalfa - 14 inches high. American Elm - in full leaf. W6'tt~n;o~~ ~n"f)J! ~lgedout. May 25 Alfalfa - 14 inches high. American Elm. - In full leaf. Cottonwood - In full leaf. Wheat - 10-11 inches high. , .. Analysis and Recommendations: Indications are that a brief table showing the development of a few important plant species will outline the annual phenological cycle. Further study Lsnneeded to determine how closely this cycle can be compared with pheasant crowing intensity and other activities. Work Plan No.1 - Pheasants Job 2: Nesting losses •.Flood damage survey. Scope: Arkansas Valley I Object: .Thissurvey attempts to locate and evaluate the damage to wildlife caused by a severe rainstorm in the lower Arkansas Valley, May 14 and 15, 1951. Information was obtained by questioning residents. of the area and by obser..,. vation. Findings: Springfield was in the center of the storm area with more than seven inches of rain recorded in one night~ Other measurements included: Pritchet, 6.00 inches, Two Buttes, 6.60 inches, ani Two Buttes Reservoir, 5.70 inches. Flash floods in creeks and gullies were the primary causes of damage, although some hail was reported at Springfield. Loss of property and live •... stock was extensive. Damage to wildlife was most intensive along the flooded creek bottoms and low areas. It is significant that much of the suitable �WI ()I LU..A-U p~s Hj_,yt-, U-r- f2tfbv+ \._.,U-/'\}.....\' (jj \V. "-1 <t \" '-\ U-LU ("\:.J I Lj <:fLicl~ lCJ-S/. Pr~et+ 31-RJ 6i(lr>A{ biro ~uft~~S. - 37 wildlife cover of this section is concentrated in the creek bottoms., No loss of adults of any game species was observed or reported. It is possible, however" thai many game bird nests 'were destroyed in the flooded areas. Species affected include pheasants, scaled and bob-wni.te quail and mourning doves. No information was obtained concerning young cottontail rabbits. Game cover was heavily damaged in the creek bottoms. Little damage was done to crops or cover on higher ground. Probably very few nests'or eggs were destroyed in these places. Heavy rainfall occurred in sections surrounding the main storm area. However, undamaged pheasant nests have ~een observed in other parts of ·the Arkansas Valley. Harmful effects of rainfall to game in these outlying areas were slight. Analysis and Recommendat.Lons t " Although it is evident that the .Loss of nests and eggs was severe in the storm center, this damage occurred early enough to perinit many of the birds to rene st. Much of the section which was most sever:ely affected lies outside the areas of game bird concentrations. This may tend to lessen the overall significance of the damage. It is planned to keep a close check on subsequent nesting activity, in order to supplement present information. ; Work' Plan No., 3 - Job 1 Title: Survey to determine the status of the prairie chicken. Object: To locate 'and,map prairie chicken populations and establish trends. Scope: Yuma County. Techniques: The entire pralrle chicken investigation was made by farmer'rancher contacts. The number and general location of .each reported prairie chicken concentration was plotted on a map.l Several of the men contacted agreed to attempt to locate breeding grounds for future s'tudy, Analysis and Recommendation: Five distinct flocks were located and numerous others reported, but not definitely accounted for. The five flocks actually located ranged in size from 35 to 150 birds. The general impression obtained from the investigation was that remnants of· the once numerous'prairie chicken population are scattered over the sagebrush habitat of eastern Yuma County. ,Landowners seem unanimous~ agreed that the ."birds are merely holding their own with no abrupt up or down-fluctuations. Work Plan No.4 - Quail and Partridge Job 1. Title: .Population. trend checks �- 38 Object: To determine the population. trend of Gambel's quail, and chukar partridge. Scope: Northwestern Colorado - Garfield, Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties. Reported by: Wayne W. Sandfort Methods: Roadside counts were made of all quail seen while cmi'vingpheasants crowing count routes. Findings: Only 18 quail were observed while driving 129.2 miles through quail range in northwestern Colorado. This gives an index of 13.9 quail per 100 miles. Comparative counts made during the spring of 1950 showed 72 quail obse~ed in a distance of 213.3 miles or an index of 33.8 quail per 100 miles. Break-down of the population indices by trend route or areas is impracticable because of insufficient data. Anal sis and Recommendations: Limited findings show a possible reduction of " .9 percent in the Gambel's quail population in northwestern Colorado for the 1951 breeding season, when compared with data gathered during 1950. Data are inadequate, however, to draw any positive conclusions. Actually the lower count obtained during the 1951 season can probably be attributed to the fact that fewer counts were made, and those that were made occurrred, generally, at a later date. Breaking up of coveys and early nesting, therefore, probably contributed to the observation of fewer birds during the current season. These findings emphasize the need for systematic census, from year to year, occurring $t the same time in the reproductive cycle of the species. Weather' conditions and lack of time made this procedure partially impossible during the current season, however. Deviation: Title: Chukar prtr'idge nesting study Objective: To determine the nesting behavior and productivity of chukar ~idge in northwestern Colorado. Scope: Escalante Canyon, Delta County Reported by: Wayne W. Sandfort Methods: A general stuqy area was selected which extends from the aonfluence o~ Esc~ante Creek and the Gunnison River for a distance'of approximately e~ght ~les up Escalante Canyon. Chukars are concentrated in this area and a road through the canyon permits easy observations. �- 39 A plot of approximately 160 acres is being used for intensive study. This plot is located on the Nelson Huffington ranch at the mouth of the Dry Fork of Escalante Creek. An aerial photograph was taken of the intensive study area to use as a base for mapping. The photograph was. enlarged to a scale of 1" to 330' or 16" per mile by photographic projection. Periodic surveys are being made in.Escalante Canyon to determine the spring dispersal period, breeding habits, beginning of nesting, nest location, clutch sizes, brood sizes and other information concerning productivity •. Breeding population density was determined by periodic counts on the intensive study area. Breeding pairs and individual· birds were recorded. Records are being kept of species associated with the chukar on this area.. A few nest searches have been made to obtain information on clutch size and nest location. Findings: Spring 'Dispersal On December 5, 1950, chukars in Escalante Canyon were, found in large groups in the vicinity of available food. An estimated group of 300 birds were feeding in a barley stubble field on Musser's ranch on this date. The birds were still gr-ouped on March ~*when two groups containing 12 and 60 chukars, respectively, were obserVed~ During the ne~t survey, on March 16, three pairs of chukars were observed along with one single bird and one group of three birds. Following this date breeding pairs were commonly observed ch.iringall surveys. Findings indicate that the week of most rapid spring dispersal extended from March 9 to March 16. *On March 6 two groups, containing 9 and 7 birds, respectively, were .recor-ded , Spring Population Density Repeated total counts, made on the intensive study area, showed the probable ~resence of a minimum of 17 birds, eight pairs and one unmated cock. This number of birds was observed during surveys on April 20 and May 15. Fewer birds observed on several other counts but it is felt that the maximum number of birds observed most closely approaches the actual breeding population. With 17 chukars present on a l60-acre area, this would give a breeding population density of 68 birds per section. :Actually the''density of the breeding population probably exceeds this, as the birds appear to concentrate more in the vicinity of the lower portions of the talus slopes and along the edges of the fields at the base of these slopes. Although observations are difficult and may be inaccurate, 'birds were never seen in the cedar areas, located at higher elevations on the study area. �- 40 Breeding Behavior The antogonism between cocks, which is usually found in some of the other game birds during the breeding season, does not seem to occ~r as intensely in chukar populations. Although several cocks have been seen to chase others away from the hens with which they are consorting, actual fighting has not been observed and in many cases several pairs of birds have been seen near each other or in groups while feeding. This close association commonly occurred at a period near the height of the breeding season. The calling 0;1:' "chucking" which appears to be uttered only, or at least' generally, by the cock, occurs during several circumstances and probably has a different significance in each instance. When a bre~ding pair of chukar are flushed and separated, short calls are usually given by the cock as if to call back the hen. In other instances the long call heard during the breeding season appears to be uttered only by unmated cocks, much the same as is evidenced in Gambel quail populations. These unmated chukar cocks perch on a large rock or some location where they are conspicuous and call several times. After several calls they run rapidly to another rock and again utter what appears to be their mating call. This call may be described as a series of about 20 calls in rapid succession, resembling a IIchuking" sound. The first four or five calls are generally disyllabic and low in pitch, giving way to perhaps 12 single-syllable calls which start out low, rise in volume then lower again. These calls are followed by about four .cal.Ls which resemble a coarse squeak, Courtship and displaying by the chukar cock appears to be much less conspicuous than that shown, for example by the pheasant. The cocks usually appear more erect and dominant while consorting with the hen, occasionally ruffling their feathers. ,On several occasions they have been seen to run toward the hen with their head'lowered, repeating such short runs several times. This action seems to have a part in the courting activity. Copulation by chukar has not been observed. • Nesting Limited'data is available to date concerning nesting. Calculations by indirect methods, using information on the ov~ development of a chukar hen collected on April 26 and on age of a chukar brood observed May 31, indicate that, egg laying began at least by April 15, however. No nests have been found to date and additional lacking at this time. information on nesting is Analysis and Recomtnendations: The development of large populations and high population denSity, such as have been reported from other states and such as are present in Escalante Canyon, may be partially' explained by the close association and intra-specific tolerance during the nesting season, as well as other seasons. Clutch size,_,_hatching success, and survival of young also play �an important part, however. Upon completion of mapping, location of nests and completion of brood surveys, further analysis of chukar productd.on will be possible. These results will be presented in later reports. Scope: Arkansas Reported by: Valley Donald Nolting Roadside counts of seven wildlife species were taken during the spring of 1951. Species tallied'included pheasants, mourning doves, cottontails, jackrabbits, bob-whi.be quail, scaled quail and chukar-par-tr-Ldge, Pheasant road kills were also counted. Counts were begun March 3 and 'co~tinued through May 20. am Data obtained concerning pheasants mourrring doves are shown in Table XV.II. Counts of other species proved too small to be of significance. However, both scaled and bob-white quail were recorded in most trend areas of the ,valley. Chukar occur in one areanear Rocky Ford. Methods used were not effective for observing rabbit numbers. Pheasan't+r-oad kills were confined almost exclusively to the main hi.ghways, Four cock pheasants and three hens were counted in 269 miles of highway for a factor of .026 birds per mile. No decimation was observed on side. roads. Analysis and Recommendations: Since many of the pheasant roadside counts were taken in concentration areas, early in the spring, this data has limited use in determining relative abundance. Mourning dove counts were taken dur-Ing the early part of .the peak of, the pheasant :crowing season ••,It may be desf.rahIe to delay the beginning of these surveys tep days, since dove populations appear to be higher at that time. Counts on other species should be continued since they provide some general information. However, these counts should be simplified to enable more exactness in the surveys which hold i!top priority ~" " '" ..•. �- 42 TABLE XVII Trend Route Area .1 Total Miles Pheasants Doves Total Birds Pheasants Doves #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 60 30 102 228 139 6~ 132 63 20 22 176 10 30 24 20 22 22 21 21 25 22 23 47 2 146 214 259 44 84 47 8 0 94 21 33 ;40 74 29 35 59 31 8 15 12 Entire Valley 1039 240 945 357 1/1 .#2 113 #4 . 115 Birds/Mile Pheasants Doves .78 .* 1.43 .94 1.86 .66 .64 .75 <* ;* 2.1 1.1 1.6 3.7 1.3 1.6 2.8 1.5 .3 .7 .•53 .5 .91 1.5 *Insufficient data. Scope: East Central Colorado. ReEorted b;V I. R. Poley Five coveys of bob-white quail have been located on the Bonny Dam Management Area. These are in addition to the seven coveys found on the Republican .Riverlast year. Work Plan No. 5·- Morning Doves Job 1 Title: Spring Census Object: To determine spring migration periods and breeding population trends. Scope: Northwestern Colorado Reported by: Wayne W. SGmdfort Methods: Records were kept of all doves observed during April for the purpose of determiriing the peak of spring migration. Roadside counts were made in conjunction with pheasant crowing counts in Garfield, Mesa, Delta and Montrose Counties. �.~-;'./:)-'.( . - 43 Findings: The first 'mourning doves 'in northwestern Colorado during the 1951 season were observed in Mesa County on April 12. At this time three qoves were obse~ed on east Orchard Mesa. The next obserVation was made on Orchard Mesa on April 180 Two observations were made on April 20, one near Loma and the other in Escalante Canyon. Following migration April 20, doves were commonly observed and it appeared occurred during the week of April 23-30. Jack DeVore, biologist area on'April 17. stationed , at Carbondale, reported that the peake of the first dove in that , Limited data, concerrring the dove breeding population, were obtained while making the pheasant'crowing counts. Fifty-one doves were recorded driving 144.2 miles. Calculations, using this data, give a breeding population index of 3504 doves per 100 miles for the four-county area in northwestern Colorado. Analysis and Recommendations: The best dove counting period does'not coincide with the times that pheasant crowing counts are made. Doves were seldom observed until about ten minutes before sunrise, at which time approximately one-third of the crowing count route had been completed. Counting of doves for the remainder of the route, and also making counts during return trips over the routes, would provide the most satisfactory data. Scope: Northeastern Reported by: Colorado Harold SWdpe Mourving doves were observed for the first time this year on April 23., The peak of the migration appeared to start shortly after that date and continued for about. three weeks. Sight re60rds were kept ona mileage basis during the last week in April and the entire month of May. Tableland and river bottom counts were kept separately. Tableland counts produced 596 birds for the 1150 miles driven, or one dove every 1.93 miles. Doves were much more numerous along river bottom roads where 977 birds were counted in 435 miles of driving. This is equal to one dove ~,very .45 miles. ~ Cott0ntails: Cottontail rabbits were seen so seldom, except when traversing river bottom on foot, that roadside ,counts were abandoned. the Scope: East Central Colorado Personnel: Leonard S. Frere, driver for Pacific Intermountain Irving R. Poley. Express, and �-44Reported by: Irving R. Poley. Techniques: . Pheasant and dove trend routes were driven at various times during the daylig~t hours and under varying weather conditions in an effort to obtain population data and to gain information concerning the time of day when the greatest number of doves could be observed. Findings: The first dove observed th:lsyear was on March 24 on the South Fork of the Republican River. This was 19 days earlier than last year. Doves were seen in numbers on the second day of May. Table I shows the doves per mile observed during May and June on pheasant and dove trend routes in the east central area. Table II shows the doves observed by Mr. Frere while driVing between Denver and the Colorado state line on U.S. Highway 40. TABLE XVIII. - DOVE COUNTS . , Miles ,Driven Doves per Mile . 25 2.04 .31 .21 #7, North Burlington 19 19 13 #8, East Burlington 18 .05 Sand Creek Perry Park Daniels Park Simia-W. Bijou Creek W. Bijou Cr.-Franktown Bonny Dam 11 1. 72 25 1.00 14 .92 Area #2, Cherry Creek #3, Sand Creek . #6, Idalia .23 .48 25 25 1.28 19 .73 Above reference to 'fables I and II refer to Tables XVIII and XIX. �- 45 TABLE 1lX.--DOVE ROADSIDE CENSUS, MAY, 1951. , (LEONARD S. FRERE, DRIVER FOR P .I.E.) Date Weather May Clear 4 Cloudy 8 Clear 10 Ft. Gldy. 15 21 Cloudy Pt. Cldy. 24 "Clear 25 26 Clear after rain Clear 29 Starting, Time Total Miles No. Doves Doves per' Mile ' 5 :00 avm.. 5:30 ~ 5:00 " 4:30 " 5:00 ," 6:00 'ff 6:00 It 5:00 " 6:00 " 134 101 101 177 177 177 124 177 177 71 53 162 121 58 199 83 260 117 .53 .52 1.60 .73 .32 1.i2 .67 L41 .66 Totals 1345 1124 .835 AIialysis and Recommendations: By June 1, eight dove nests had been found. This factor should be kept in mind when evaluating the counts in Tables mIl and XIX. All of the eight nests were on the ground. The best counts were obtained in the ear~ morning or following a r-atns torra, Sever-al, good counts were obtained during overcast or ' rainy days. Bandiail Pigeons Bandtail pigeons arrived at the Perry Park ranch about May 1. Eighteen pigeons were obserVed on May 8, and two flocks, numbering'58 and 46, respectively, were seen feeding at the ranch on May 31. Work Plan No.6 - CottontaiJ.;:1Rabbits Job 1 Title: Spring census Object: To determine trends in the cottontail rabbit population. Scope: Northwestern Colorado - Moffat, Rio Blanco, Garfie1d,~ Mesa, .Dal.taand Montrose Counties. Reported by: Wayne W~ ·Sandfort �- 46 Methods: Roadside counts were made of all cottontail rabbits seen while driving pheasant crowing count routes. Seven routes were run during the 1951 season. Routes were not run in Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties because of lack of time. Firidings: Comparative results between the 1950 and 1951 seasons are presented in Table XX. TABLE IX.-COTTONTAIL County. Route Number and Area RABBIT ROADSIDE COUNTS, SPRING, 1950-1951. Miles Driven Rabbits Observed Rabbits' per ~'1~50:'1951 100 miles Comparison 1950 1951 in Percent 1950 1951 1950 1951 18.5 18.5 6 3' 32.4 16.2 - 50.0 49.8 24.9 11 5 22.1 20.1 - 9.1 37.6 ,18.8 0 0 0 0 Same #2, Lazaer-Hotchkiss 48.2 24.1 36.8 18.4 9 1 3 1 18.7 2.7 12.4 - 33.7 5.4 .;.100,0 Montrose #1, Delta-Montrose #2, Paradox Val,ley 24.5 24.5 15.0 15.0 1 7 4 6 4.1 .46,7 161.3 .;.300.0 40.0 - 14.3 230.3 144.2 '35 22 15.2 15.3 Garfield 1/1, Rifle-Sil t Mesa 1/1, Grand JunctionLoma #2, Grand JunctionPalisade Delta 1/1; Delta-Cedaredge All Areas I- 0.66 Analysis and Recommendations: Results in Table xx: show a great deal of variation in rabbit population trends in the various areas. This variation is thought to be largely due to insufficient data, and combined results for all areas probably show a truer picture of the population trend. As indicated by these results,. little change is shown from the spring 1950 to the spring of 1951. Scope: Logan and Sedgwick Counties. Reported by: Harold M •.Swope Te'chniques: Bob-white quail investigations were carried out almost entirely on foot along the;South Platte River bottom. In some cases general location of coveys was obtained through farmer contact, and by listening for the bob-white calls. Usually, however, river bottom areas were covered until birds were flushed. Numbers and location were recorded upon flushing. �- 47 Sex ratios were taken when possible. Analysis and Recommendations: It was found that a sizable bobo-white quail population exists along the river bottom from Hillrose to Julesburg. Fourteen coveys were flushed during the investigation. About ten other coveys were reported but not actually flushed. Covey sizes ranged from 11 to 42 birds. The average per covey was 27 birds. Sex ratios were seldom obtained. Thirt,r-six birds were observed close to assure aa;:urate:~:x!.~g. Of these, 21 were males and 1.5females. I Reports of two quail coveJ$in the sand-hills north of Wrczy were received but the birds were not actually observed. The periodic flooding of the river bottom apparently determines the quail populatiori cycle. After inundation of the river bottom habitat th~ quail population would be expected to be at'a low ebb. During the several years between floodings, if such is the case,' the quail seem to increase rapidly until numerous large coveys are evidenced. It is this 'phase of the puildingup process that the quail appear to be passing through at the present time. If it were feasible to control the river so as to prevent periodic inundation 6f the quail habitat it is possible that these game birds would attain huntable proportions " Submitted by: Name Title Har~~ry~_F~._F~i~g~g~e Approved by: _ c~ By -,/ Wildlife Technician ----~~~~~~~~~~------ Date Note: AND FISH DEPARTMENT • ~-' . ON. Feast,Director July 10, 19.51 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��- 49 - Iiillllllij'ijl~'llilijimlli[iilijii~1 ~iil~iijll BDOW021795 . STATE PROJECT DATE QUARTERLY SURVEYS PROGRESS AND COLORADO 38-B JULY, 1951 REPORT INVESTIGATIONS As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader: ACT Deer-Elk Investigations Paul F. Gilbert 3 . Report of Progress: North-Central 1. Colorado - Paul F. Gilbert Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk Job 1. Location and Extent of Summer Ranges. Objective: To locate and map summer ranges. The upper limits of the deer summer ranges in the Hot Sulphur District were open enough for the deer by the first of June. By this time the snow was gone in the high open parks, arid enough new growth is present to furnish necessary feed. A trip into the upper sectlon of the Williams Fork on May 18 showed no deer sign up as high as the forks. However, on June 7 a late evening trip was made into Buffalo Park on the top of the Gore Range, and several deer were seen to graze out into the park and deer sign was common. Job. 3. Migration Between Summer and Winter Ranges. Objective: To locate and determine the amount of migrations of deer and elk between summer and winter ranges and factors affecting same. No true migrations are known in this area (Middle Park). Everything seems to be a gradual drift from the winter ranges back to the higher country. Deer were still quite plentiful in the wint~r areas through the month of May. In Sheephorn country, which is aD area to be included in a post-season, on April 18 deer were plentiful; by May 29 they were noticeably fewer; and by June 5 the only area in this vicinity that �still seemed to have quite a fe"\vdeer was the lower end of Blacktail Creek. The Blacktail Creek area is supporting more deer than was previously recognized. On Sulphur Divide and Beaver Creek Divide I"1ay15 and 16,9 checks showed that deer were still numerous on the winter ranges. III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 1. Survey of Winter Browse Use •. Objective: To determine winter utilization of improvement browse species. Only two ranges utilization plots are located in l'1iddlePar-k, and one of these was destroyed by a range fire. The other showed severe use. In most sections of the winter deer range bhz-onghout this district the browse cover appears to be losing ground. In some areas deer are the .big decimating factor; in other areas, sheep and cattle add to this destructive use. Job 2. Correlation Objective: of Gar~e and Livestock Land Use Status. To: determine land use status according to use •. It was noted this spring tl:latthe deer on the winter ranges remained lower on those areas where there were no domestic stock. As late as June 4 a bunch of 16 deer were seen·on state land on Beaver Creek where domestic stock run. It seems 'very pr obab.Ie that domestic stock would increase the competition and push the deer back. The latter part of April'deer were coming down into winter wheat fields belonging t.o Hr. Carr at the mouth of the Williams Fork River~ Attempts were made to haze the deer back by shooting high powered rifles and shot guns while night herding.. This did not prove successfuL On May 5 a party of three drove the adjacent sage covered hills as shown in Figure I which was considered successfuL It was felt that the deer moved out in the direction normally taken to the summer range, and several days of warm weather.following t.he drive kept them working back to the higher country and :away from the culti va ted areas.· . . Job 3. Food Habits. Objective: To find more accurately the food habits of deer and elk. Two deer were taken during the deer drive just described, another the following evening in a wheat field a mile to the eas t , Two other animals �r/GUR£ 1. �"'-:51 were killed on highway 40. are as follmvs. Stomach samples an91yzed.for these five animals 10 11 7 8 9 5/4/51 5/4/51 5/5/51 5/7/51 6/7/51 Buck Fawn Buck 11 mo. 23 mo. Buck 23 mo. Ivinter Wheat 29.2 16.7 92.1 (Artemisia tridentata) Big blue sage Oregon grape (Mahonia tridentataJ. . Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva_-ursi) Box leaf l"iyrtle (Pachystima myrsinites) Service-Berry (Amelanchier alnifolia) Willow (Salix Spp.) Chiming bell (Nartensia Spp.)· Penstemon Spp. (Penstemon ~.) Lupine (Lupinus Spp.) Phlox (Phlos caespitosa) Loco (Aragallus·)PP.) Violet (Viola ~. Buttercup (Ranunculus §£E.) Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum) Dandelion (Leontodon ~o) . Hustard (Sophia ~.) Alumroot (Heuchera §EE.) (Siversia Spp.) , Siversia Vetch (Lathyrus ~.) l,vaterleaf (gydrophyllum ~.) 45.2 66.7 2.4 Traces and 11isc. Grass & Grass-like Deer hair 50.0 2.6 .2.1 T 9.8 17.8 T ,25.5 24.3 3.2 8.3 T T 1.2 4.2 T T T T T T 25.1 7.7 T 2.6 T T 4.2 plants Doe' "Doe 10 Irs 11 Yrs. 3.3 16.1 4.2 1.0 T T T 100.0 100.0 100.0 4.0 12.5 4.2 T 100.0 100.0 * Doe number 10 was carrying twin fawns weighing 4 Ibs. 7 oz. and 4 Ibs. The high percentage of deer hair in this animal.'s .stomach is interesting. Some of it was ma.tted up in small balls and had apparently been in the stomach for .some time. Doe number '11 vras carrying only one fawn" a male" weighing The percentage *respectively. of contents is' figured by weights. 5 Lbs , 14 oz. �- 52 IV. lVIortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds. Job 3. Study of Other l"iortali ty Factors, l~inter Losses, Starvation, Parasites, Highway and Railroad MOTtality. Objective: factors. To determine the losses to deer herds by various decimating Postmortems of the five deer;previously'mentioned information. Legwonns Lungworms Bot larvae Biting lice Sucking lice Ticks Coyote cysts Fringed tapeworms , Adipose tissue Rump Brisket I1esentaries Kidneys Heart Bone marrow yielded the following ,5/4/51 5/4/5=l- 5/5/51 10 5/7/51 Buck Fawn 11 mo. Buck, Buck 23 mo. 23 mo. 10 Yrs. 11 Yrs. x x 7 x x x x x x Disease, 8 9 Doe 11 6/7/51 Doe x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x '.' �- 53 Sduthwestern Colorado ~ Richard Do Teague 1. Location and Extent of Seasonal RangesJob 1. Deer and Elk Location and Extent of Summer' Ranges. During the past quarter, both deer and ~lk were found on established summer and intermediate ranges throughout the district. In the Dolores Unit, elk ranged' along the ~'lTest Fork of the Dolores River and Cctrtonwood Creek as early as Harch 23. .Reports'indicate that many elk remained on the south' slopes of the Dolores summer range through the entire winter. Job Z. Location and Extent of Winter Ranges. With the advent of an early spring, the winter ranges of the San Juan Basin were not penetrated by elk to the lower elevation zones. Some animals did move down to the upper reaches of Beaver Rim on the Dolores, and an occasional elk would wander into the southern end of· Haystack Mountain in the Piedra. In general, they did not linger ,long on old established winter range. Two elk cows were found wintering near Haviland Lake, whereas a year ago eight eik used the area. Elsewhere two other small herds were found; one below the Hogback of the Middle Mancos, and the other above Mayday on the La Plata. Small bunches of arrima.Lsare the rule this winter rather than large herds. Deer followed their old custom of frequenting established winter range areas. Concentrati'ons were lighter over most of the district, but two outstanding exceptions were noted. The Chimney Rock country continues to be a severe problem area, and the breaks north of the Glade and south of Disappointment Creek carr1 a heavy burden of game. Job 3. Migration Between Summer and Wi~ter Ranges. By May 6, the majority of deer in the Animas were up-country between 7,500 feet and 8,500 feet. General dispersion ,of animals during the quarter made it difficult to tie down definite migration patterns. Along the Dyke- Devil C.reek - Chimney Rock area, so many resident deer are becoming established that actual dates of migration (for the migrating deer) are difficult to ascertaih. III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 1. Survey of Winter Browse Use. Yucca (Yucca baccata) if often utilized by both deer and elk (Figure 2). �- 54- Elk have been observed pulling entire plants out of the ground. By taking hold of the 'tips of the leaves in their mouths, it is a simple matter for such a powerful animal to dislodge the yucca from the soil. The heart is then eaten. Since the leaf fibres are so tough, deer will chew the leaves until the juices have been extracted and then spit out the ball of f~bres. In the Devil Creek-Stallsteimer winter area, deer use Fendlers bush (Fendleri rupicola) .extensively for rubbing, their antlers. A combination of fairly rough barik and up-right g:rQwing characteristic make this plant ideal for such a purpose. The bark is almost entirely stripped from ~any bushes (Figure 3). . On }fuy 7, deer were observed in the Pine, Pie~ra and Animas still feeding in the middle of the day. ' Two cow elk, seen near Haviland Lake the same day, were resting and chewing_their.cud; they appeared to be in excellent physical condition. ' Utilization by the Glade deer herd, is becoming severe on primary browse species all along the north escarpment of the Glade. Judging of Forage Utilization Plots was started again this year when the oakbrush began buddd.ng , This criteria was found last year to be the optimum time to jU,dge utilization'in the district; i.e., plant growth wasn't too far advanced, yet a large ~hare of animais were off the winter range. '. TABLE~ I. --SUMlWtY Plot Number *Dolores #1 #2 " *,kAnimas #1 #2 ** " #3 "It #4 Pine #i II #2 II #3 Piedra #1 #2 OF FORAGE UTILIZATION Plot Location House Creek Upper House. Cr. (new) Hermosa Cr. PLOTS Composi t.eDegree of Utilization Severe Proper Very light II' n 3/4 mi. N. Hermosa Animas River N. Fork Texas Cr. Bear Cr. N. Fork Texas Gr. S. Rocky l1tn. Store State Turkey Ranch Light II II Proper " II Proper to Severe .Severe �Figure 2. Deer utilization of Yucca baccata on Devil Creek. Figure 3. Fendleri rupicola badly horned by deer. Rough bark and up-right growing characteristics make this plant ideal for rubbing. Photo near Haystack Mountain on Devil Creek. �Figure h. Buck fawn near Pinkerton. Hind quarter eaten on by golden eagle. See Figure 5 for cause of death. Figure 5. Primary cause of death for buck fawn was lesion in trachea (at nail point). Bot larvae action or mispla.ced, course fora.ge probable agent forming this portal for infection. �- 55 *Note-Plot atypical since it is in center of Beaver Rim Stock Driveway. **Note-These two plots now atypical as they are 'Located below Her.mr:sa. Game Fence.;, Only a handful of deer,; and no elk, are using the area. New utilization plots will be established above the fence this summer. Job 2. Correlation of Game and Livestock Land Use Status. Pt. country •. It is A small band of.wild horses range in the l-icElm()-Gooclman doubted that much competition with game exists however, since deer use the area very little except in w~nters of heavy snowfall. Local ranchers kill a horse now and then when they raid wheat fields. Job 3. Food Habits. Two deer were taken this quarter for examination. In addition, rumen contents were,arialyzed from an old doe kilied on highway 160 near Dyke. TABLE II.--STbp~CH Stomach Contents Highway Kill Mortality Job 2. 8 35 35 51 10 5 15 22 #5 8 1 18 9 Factors Affecting Predation - DEER Per Cent of Contents Spec. Spec. #4 83· Grass Juniper Bi tterbrush Hair Winter fat Ponderosa bark Ponderosa needles Firewood IV. ANALYSIS Affecting Deer and Elk Herds Deer On May 6, a single coyote l••as observed "pressing home" an attack on an old doe. The incident occurred in afternoon light about five miles up Bear Creek on the Pine River. Wi thin approximately 150 yards, the coyote gained the needed thirty feet and leaped on the deer from the up-hill side. The impact from the rolling animals smashed a large rotten log. Just as the coyote regain~d poise for the fin~ kill, he heard the writer and slipped into the brush. The old doe was badly shaken and rilissinglarge patches of hair. She was a bony, shaggy, tallow-colored animal; apparently in a grossly weakened physical condf, "lion. �- 56 Job 3 •.. Study of Other l'1ortali ty Factors. Winter loss: The adversities of winter took a light toll of animals this winter. One buck fawn was found dead near Pinkerton, two young (two-year-old) bucks located near Coyote Greek, and one female calf elk on the North Fork of Texas Creek. Cause of death could be determined only on the buck fawn. In this c ase , .a portal of infection was f'ouzd in the trachea. It was an inflamed lesion caused either by bot larvae action (Figure 5) or misplaced, coarse forage. Contributing causes of death were malnutrition and heavY infestations of internal and external parasites. ·Physical condition, parasites and disease: Pinkerton-Flagstaff Trail for postmortem. TABLE III.--POSTMORTEY~ Present Specimen' #4 . (Male fawn) Lungworms x (Postmortem migration) Bot larvae x Biting lice Sucking lice x Ticks x Coyote cysts x (3) Fringed tapeworm Adipose tissue: Heart Kidneys Mensentaries Pink Bone marrow Rump Brisket General physical con. Poor, .infection in trachea Specimen #5 was taken near the - DEER Sp eci.merr' #5 (Male fawn) x x (all sizes) ·x x x x (3) x Very poor, fat all gone �- 57 Highway mortali~: Highway kills continue to be a problem. gives only the kills checked by the writer. Table IV TABIE IV.--HIGHWAY 'HORTALITY - Deer· Sex Buck Buck Buck DoeDoe Buck Fetuses Present Location of xui Date N. of Durango Single Single "" Cr., " Hancos Muddy Chimney Rock II " " " 3...,16-51 -j-l6-51 4-2":'51 4-3-51 4-3-51 4-25-:51 �Southeastern and South Central Colorado - H, A~ Stiehm and R. 'Eo Fillmore I. Location and Extent Job 30 ~at,~pn of Seasoml Ranges -Deer and Elk ,Between Summer and WintE~r _Ranges. Elk - Ln the upper Rio Grande ur-aauage , \.I';"i..I,c; migration was encountered. 'However, on April twenty-first, indications were that the elk had moved from the Farmers ,Creek - Bellows Creek area into Wason Park, possib,ly as early as the first week of April. On the other side of the Rio Grande River in the Goose Creek - Soda Creek area, fresh sign was found on the w~nter range, and four head of elk were seen at an elevation of about 9;000 feet on April twent.Y-fourth. HI.) In the Gunnison area the elk were follmdng the retreating snow line; however, in the Jack I s Cabin area snow in the tilnber was holding the elk on their winter area, as late as Nay fourth and fifth. No check was made on the elk in the upper Arkansas drainage, reported much scattered. as they were Deer - In the upper Rio Grande drainage an active deer migration was observed in the Farmers Creek - Bellows Creek-area on April twenty-first, when sixty-nine deer were counted, nearly all.were: moving toward. nigner elevations. Deer sign was encountered frequently at elevations over 10,000 feet after the eighth of 11ay. In the vicinity of the Sand Dunes National Monument, Ranger Bean reported that most of the deer did not move down on the winter range until the latter part of l1arch after an eight inch snow fall. A large number of fresh tracks in the lower Zapata Creek country were observed on June sixth; although, fresh tracks were few in the Trinchera Creek area two days later. In the Gunnison area deer were moving up into the sUY@er range between April twenty-seventh and May third. �-59 III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 1. Survey of Winter Browse Use. Findings: Drainage Summarized in the follovling table. Check Spe ci.ea Rio Grande Farmers Creek Grasses, Aspen (Populus tremuloides) groves, Shrubby cinquefoil(Potentilla fruiticosa), and Currant(Ribes ~.) Description of Conditions Predowinant use by elk. No competition with stock. USE -- PI1.0PER Seepage Creek (Long Ridge) Elk use with some cattle competi tion. Rwnux and other weeds on shore of Santa ~~ria Reservoir used heavily. Aspen felled for phone lines on Seepage Creek show heavy barking. Grasses, Aspen, and Shrubby cinquefoil USE -- PROPER Goose Creek Soda Creek Pearse Creek Caldwell Creek Grasses, Aspen, Willow(Salix and Rabbitbrush(Chrysothamnus Trout Creek Baley Gulch Grasses, Aspen, Willow, and Shrubby cinquefoil. USE - USE - spp.), ~.) SEVERE PROPER . I1eyers Creek Grasses, Aspen, Rabbitbrush, (Embargo Creek) Mountain mahogany(Cercoc us montanus), White Fir Abies concolor) RoseCRosa spp.), and Skunkbush (Rhus~~a) USE - PROPER Predominant use qy elk but some deer. Shows some recovery 'from destructive past use in bottoms. Elk use. Some aspen reproduction appearing where it had been killed out in the past. Deer use on ridges and elk use in bottoms. Stock (cattle) competition. Some Whi te fir show br-owse line. �- 60 Findings: Summarized in the f'o Ll.owf.ng Drainage Check Species San Fransisco Creek table. (Continued) Grasses, Aspen, Rabbitbrush~ I10untain mahogany, and willow. Descriptions of Conditions Deer, elk, and stock use. Deer did not use normal winter range and mountain mahogany shows recovery from heavier past use. USE -- PROPER Rock Creek Grasses, Mountain mahogany, v.Thite fir, Currant, and Aspen USE -- DESTRUCTIVE Cook.Creek Oak(Quercus gambelii), Mountain (Sangre De Cristo mahogany, Rabbitbrush. Mountains) Deer, elk, and stock use. Concentration area in vi~inity of Forest boundary. Range improves above and below concentration area. Deer and stock use. Use on Iv.Iountain mahogany is severe. USE -- PROPER Zapata Creek Pinon pine(Pinus edulis), Mountain mahogany, Rabbi tbru sh, and skunkbush. USE -- PROPER Trinchera Creek Big Sage(Artemisia tridentata), Pinon, Juniper(Juniperus utahensis), and Rabbitbrush. Deer only. Use apparently becoming severe. Dogwood (Cornus ~.) which is not abundant shows destructive use. Deer and cattle use. Browse line on Pinon and some Juniper. USE -- DESTRUCTIVE Arkansas Trout Creek Skunkbush, Ribes, Hountain mahogany, Four .Mile Creek Pinon, Juniper. USE - PROPER Deer use. Cattle removed 5 years also. Old destrUctive use still very evident. Plants recovering. �_ 61 _ Findings: Sllmmarized in the following table. Drainage ( Contd.nued ) Check Species Arkansas Drainage (Continued) North & Middle Pinon, Juniper, Hountain l19.hogany, Skunkbush, Ribes, Service-Berry Cot tcnwood (Amelanchier aln~folia) •. Creeks USE Bear Creek Hayden Creek Description of Condition Deer use PROPER Hountain l".lahogany, Rabbi t.brush, Oak, Skunkbush, and Ribes USE -- PROPER l10untain mahogany, Rabbitbrush, Skunkbush, Ribes, and Oak. Deer and Cattle use. Fresh sign fairly prevalent. Area receives year around use. Dee~ and Cattle use the year around. Shows some re:covery from past destructive use. USE -- PROPER Copper Gulch Mountain mahogany, Four-winged Saltbush(Artriplex canescens), Ri.bes, and Skunkbush, Cattle use is year around and accounts for majority of use. USE -- DESTRUCTIVE Tanner Peak (Drainages) Mountain l'1ahogany,Ribes, Skunkbush, Service;"'Berry, and Oak. . LIGHT TO PROPER Cooper Mountain (Drainages) A band of range between 8,000' and 9,000' shows evidences of higher deer concentrations. Us~ appeared proper, Below 8,000' and above 9,000' use appeared light. Combined with cattle use. Hountain Hahogany, Ribes, Skunkbush , Ridge tops and open rolling Service-Berry, Fringed Sage(Artemisia topography on mountain top frigida), and Chokecherry(Prunus ~)show destructive use, part.' icularly on Mountain .liahogany , Creek bot toms USE -- DESTRUCTIVE AND exhibit proper use. PROPER Cattle account for majority of use. �- 62 Findings: Summarized Drainage in the following table. (Continued) Check Species Description Mountain mahogany, Oak, Snowberry Currant Creek (Black Mountain (S~horicarpos ~.), Rock Spirea ( ), Ribes, and Unit I & 2) Skunkbuah, USE·-- PROPER Cotopaxi, Table Mountain mahogany, Oak, Snowberry, Mountain, and Ribes, and Skunkbush. Texas Creek. USE -- PROPER AND DESTRUCTIVE South l'iuddy Mountain mahogany, Skunkbush , Ribes Creek and Bruff Snowberry, and Service-Berry, Creek. USE -- PROPER AND SEVERE West Gunnison River East River Tomichi Creek Big Sage, Bitterbrush, Chokecherry, Service Berry, Ribes, Aspen Snowberry, and Rabbitbrush. USE -- SET'l!.RE i} Reported by Claude E. "L-lhite,Jr. See Figure 12 of Conditions No evident change. multiple use. Subject ~~ Cattle concentrated in gully bottoms from whence utilizing and trampling all species of vegetation. Cattle remai.ni.ngon range the year around. On the whole, utilization by deer was proper. Some concentration areas being hit severely. Observed numer-ous deer in fine shape. It was quite evident that a goodly majority of the utilization occurred during the late summer: months when shortages of grass for range stock forced their strong trend t.oward browse species. Additional utilization by game animals contributed to the generally severe utilization of the range. Destructive utilization noted in small concentration areas. Deer, elk, and livestock use. Insignificant annual growth. No noticeable recovery. No reproduction evident. �- 63 Job 6. Quadrat Study of Range Utilization Plots. l1ethods: Exclosures to be establi~hed of one-half acre in size as range utilization study plots. Forage inventory to be maintained by the resident biologist by square-foot density method and photographs. Findings: McGee Gulch: Both inside and outside the exclosure plants exhibited a very definite, old shrubbing level which indicated clearly the time (1946) when cattle were removed from the range. Recovery has been rather uniform since that time. Except for light browsing on plants outside the exclosure no apparent difference was discernable. See Figures 6 and 7. South Cottonwood Creek: From an aspect standpoint ground cover (primarily grasses and weeds) within the exclosure was increasing. Relief from browsing was somewhat evident on Pinon Pine and, Juniper. It was noted that plants within the exclosure exhibited increased vigor which was reflected in the amount of annual growth. Figure 8. . . Upper Tbmichi Creek: -Ground cover of weeds and grasses noted to be increasing markedly within the deer exclosure. Seedlings of Big Sage and Bitterbrush were noted occurring. In addition the overall vigor of the browse within the plot was found to be superior in relation to the browse outside the exclosure. Figures 9 and 10. . East River: A slightly more vigorous condition of the browse plants was thought to exist within the exclosure. Asid~ from that, however, no changes have occurred. The definite lack of response, to protection was believed to result from the critical condition into which the over-all range has fallen as a result of destructive use. Figure 11. Dillon Gulch: IV. Exclosure to be completed during the approaching summer. Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds. Job 3. Study of Other Mortality Factors -- Winter Loss, Starvation, Parasites, Highway and Railroad Nortality. Disease, Eleven deer ca~sses were observed in that portion of the Gunnison area bounded by East Creek and Red Creek for a distance of 8 miles north from U.S. Highway 50. The majority of dead animals lay in the zone which is designated as the critical winter range. It is believed that winter losses .were below normal for the area. Indications were that the animals suffered from malnutrition. Highway mortalities obtained. were known to occur but no semblance of a count could be �- 64 A postmortem was performed fence •. on an adult caw elk 'that was injured in jumping a Date: rmy 26, 1951 l'1anagementUnit: South Fork. Drainage: Rio Grande Sex: Female Age: Adult, old. Stomach Sample No. 1 (over 95% grasses, balance of ~aterials herbacious stems and debris). Parasites: Ticks - present Bot-fly larvae - none Lungworms none Tapeworms - none found Foetus: One male present. Length 35 inches. Weight 30 pounds. Condition: No fat was present on the kidneys, mensentaries, or rump, but was present on the 'heart. The area over the shoulders·a.nd lower neck region was bare of hair as was a small area at the base of the tail. There was a clot .of blood in the tissues of the dorsal cervical region, but did not determine whether or not the neck was actually broken. The distribution of ticks was heaviest at the base of the tail, but not restricted to any particular area on the body. . . > • �Figure 6. Figure 7. Mountain Mahogany (CercocarDus ffi0ntanus)plants in McGee 'Gulch. Five year old level of destructive noted in lower third of plant. use can be �Figure 3. Pinon Pine in South Cottonwood Creek exclosure. This tree is beginning to show recovery from a sharpened browse line. Figure 9. Ground cover within exclosure is increasing. Note the residual, annual growth on plants protected from browsing. �Figure 6. Figure 7. Mountain Mahogany (CercocarDus merrtanus ) plants in McGee .'Gulch. Five year old level of destructive use can be noted in lowEr third of plant. �?~:~1? f~"~ :~,:i Figure 3. Pinon Pine in South Cottonwood Creek exclosure. This tree is beginning to show recovery from a sharpened browse line. Figure 9. Grourid cover within exclosure is increasing. Note the residual, annual growth on plants protected from browsing. �Figure 10 •. Ground cOVJerwithin exclosure is increasing. Note the residual,· annual growth on plants protected from browsing. " Figure 11. Note increased amount of grasses and residual growth in deer exclosure at left as compared to cattle exclosure on right. �" .1 . :"I( .' • ...,.. ..••" •• ~ .• ~ •.• ~ ..._•. _.•...,. . .Jr....-;., Figure 12. Cattle concentrated in gully bottoms the year around. Utilize and trample most existing vegetation. �- 65 Eagle and Colorado River - Jack DeVore I. Location and Extent Job 3. Higration of Seasonal Ranges -- Elk Investigations Between Summer and Winter, Ranges. There appeared to be a marked general movement of deer from the winter ranges this spring •..The first noticeable movement occurring in the upper Colorado River district. This movement was of deer moving from the lower Sheephorn and Piney Ridge to Black l1ount'ain,King Mountain and into the Sunnyside country. This migration occurred in mid-April and observations made in Hay showed very few deer in the area. Due to the intermingling of deer herds in this area, this migration will bear future study. Intentions are to trap and tag and further ascertain the extent of intermingling and movement. In the Roaring Fork, Frying Pan and Crystal River districts, a slight movement was noted in early 11ay and did not become general until mid~1ay when deer started moving into the lower limits of the summer range. At present there are very few deer on the winter range proper. In the middle and lower Colorado River district the deer left the winter ranges in early I'flay, with exception. of several areas. There appears to be a large resident population on the Dry Fork and Clear ForW of Roan Creek. 'These deer remain on the winter range the entire year and cause considerable damage to crops in the area. There is also a resident population building up on the southwest. slope of Basalt 1'lountain. Steps should be taken to correct this before it becomes a major problem area. There was very little noticeable movement of elk, mainly due to the elk staying high during the winter. It was also noted that, there were no large concentrations, most. herds being small and well dispersed with the largest single herd observed numbering 41 head. II. Forage and Range Utilization Job 1. Survey of Winter Browse Use. In conjunction with the utilization plots, general range checks were made. Table 5 shows the results of these checks. It appears that in most areas of the winter ranges deer use on the browse species is no longer a matter of p:ila. t,ability, but a matter of availability. Hountain mahogany (Cercocar-ous montanus) and bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) and in some cases serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)are used destructively throughout the winter ranges. Due to former destructive use on these species there is in most 'cases very little available browse present on these plants, consequently the actual value received Irom these plants appears to be of little significance. In the Piney River area mountain mahogany, bitter brush and serviceberry are near extinction and big sage brush (Artemesia tridentata) is used destruc~ tinty. �- 66 This range due to overuse by deer and sheep appears to be undergoing a general. ground cover type change from browse to grass. At present the grass is low in densi ty and balsam roo t (Balsamorrhiza spp.), death camas (Zygadenus gramineus) and larkspur (Delphinium spp.}are prevalent in the area. Some browse utilization by rodents, presumably rabbits was noted in this area. Figure 13 shows destructive use on snowberry (Symphoricarpus oreo hylus) by rabbits. Earlier obserervations showed destructive use on cactus Opuntia~) which at first observation was assumed to be deer use, but further observation indicated that this was also possibly rabbit use. Checks made in the Wheatley Gulch show elk use on bitterbrush, serviceberry, big sage and elderberry (Sambucus melanocarpa) to be severe to destructive with many trampled areas of big sage.' TABLE V Plant Species Bitterbrush Hountain 1I1ahogany Serviceberry Rabbitbrush '(Chrysothamus spp , ) Big sage Oak brush (Quercus spp.) Upper Colorado -~uddle-Colorado Lower Roaring Fork and Eagle River River Colorado Riv. F~ing Pan Destructive Destructive Destructive Destructive Destructive Destructive Destructive Destructive Severe ,Severe Severe Severe Severe Destructive Severe Severe Severe Severe Severe Severe Severe Proper to Severe Light Light Light Light Proper Light Proper Severe Proper Severe Light Light Light' Light Light Light 'Light Light Chokecherry (Prunus me Lanocarpa ) Light Skunkbrush (Rhus trilobata) Light Shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia) $,evere gt;{fg~~ to Gr-easetcood (Sarcobatus spp.) Snowberry ---(Symphoricarpus spp.) . Wild. Rose (Rosa spP.) E urotia lama ta Winter Fat ~. Proper Proper �- 67 II. Forage and Range Utilization Job 6. (Continued) Quadrat Study of Range in Utilization Plots. Exclosures on the Crystal River, Hernage Gulch and the Basalt Refuge were checked this spring. Hany annua.Ls have filled where bare soil had been and the browse species within the exclosure are starting to show normal symmetry. The Crystal River plot has several vigorous stands of bitterbrush. This plant cannot be found outside of the exclosure with exception to a few inaccessible localities. " III. Mortality Factors Affecting Job 2. Predation Affecting Deer.and Elk Herds. Deer. Losses through predation are neglibible coyote kills reported by trappers. Job 3. Study of Other Hortality ih the district with a few possible Factors The winter loss this year was very light on the winter ranges. 'fawns and several old "age animals were found. A few dead Highway kilis still seem to be the largest single mortality factor. state highway 82 and U.S. 24 from Eagle to Silt are the critical areas for highway mortali~ in the district. IV. Fawn and Calf Report. Hany reports of fawns have been received. The earliest report was l'1a.y 22, and on May 23, fawn tracks were" seen by the writer in Deep Creek Basin. Calves have been seen in the W'oods Lake locality, Cattle Creek and one calf recently bo rn was seen by the writer on Vii-est Divide Creek. An attempt was made to tag this calf, but was discouraged by cal'f:!~s 'mother. The earliest calf report was Nay 27, 19SL " �- 68 Central Western Colorado - Jesse E. 1:Villiams On April 2, 1951, the writer started his duties as resident deer~elk biologist for the Central-vlestern district. Since then much time has been spent in getting acquainted with the district and meeting' Forest Service, Bureau of Land frlanagement, and Game and Fish Department perscnne L, During this orientation period, some data was gathered about the deer herds of the Uncompahgre and Grand Nesa areas. 1. Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk Job 1. Location and Extent of Summer Ranges. To date the author has been unable to go ve~ far into the summer range as the country is still snowed in. In general, the deer are following the snow line back to the higher country as soon as the vegetation greens up. Job 2. Location and Extent of Winter Ranges As far as the author can a~certain, the deer wintered higher and have been more scattered this winter. This is largely due to the light amount of snow in the intermediate and winter ranges, therefore increasing the area of the "winter range., Job 3. IJiigrationBetween Sui:nmerand Winter Ranges. In general, the deer are following the snow line back as fast as the country greens up. However, in the Horsefly area of the Uncompahgre the deer are scattered from the San Niguel River to the top of the'Uncompahgre plateau. On top of the Grand IVlesathe snot .• is still too deep so most of the deer are hanging in the country just below the waiting to get up on top. An interesting change in the normal migration was noted in the Hells Kitchen area where the big fire was last'year. The burned out area seems to be a barrier because the deer go around the burn instead of through it • rim, ~ . •. The migration up Billy Creek ran as usual with the deer causing damage to the hay meadows and making it necessa~ for herding operations at night. Deer herding was also necessa~ on Onion Creek, Cow Creek, and the lower Cimarron which are all in the same area as Billy Creek. Ear tags were issued to field members of the land use agencies to enable them to tag any fawns that they might find in their travels over the country. �Figure 13. Use by rab0its on snowberry in Piney River area. .Balsamroot in foreground, no young sage plants, and condition of big sage brush indicates condition of range. �- 69 III. Forage and Range Utilization Job 1. Survey of Winter Browse Use The winter use by deer appeared to be ..lighter than in previous years but this is largely due to the open winter. In some areas the use is still too heavy to give any appreciable amount of recovery. Table 6 gives the results of the 1951 range utilization check plot survey a.s compared with the 1950 survey. Some of these plots are located in undesirable locations such as next to a sheep driveway in an abandoned prairie dog town and next to a uranium mine where they were blasting all winter. These two plots shoUld be relocated. TABU: VI.-RANGE U'rILIZATION CHECK PLOTS Utilization Location Kannah Creek No. 1 Kannah Creek No. 2 Escalante Canyon No. 1 Escalante Canyon No. 2 Minnesota Creek No.1 14innesota Creek No. 2 Gypsum Valley No. 1 Gypsum Valley No. 2 San Miguel No. 1 San I'1iguelNo. 2 S.n JVJiguelNo. 3 Blue 1l1esaNo. 1 Blue Mesa No. 2 Blue 11esa No. 3 1951** 1950* Severe Severe Severe Proper Severe Proper Proper Severe Light 'Proper Light Severe Severe Severe Severe Destructive Proper Proper Destructive Proper Prope.r Destructive Proper Proper Proper Destructive Destructive Destructive * Survey by Hammit and Gilbert ** Survey by ~illiams Job 2. Correlation of Game arid Livestock Game Use Status. An exclosUre is planned in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management. Part of it will be deer proof and part only cattle proof. From this arrangement, some very interesting data on deer-cattle competition and �- 70 utilization should be acquired. A similar exclosure is already located on BJ,ue Hesaj and the deer have been in the cattle exclosure and have utilized some of the crested wheat grass. There was some doubt as to whether they would jump over into the cattle excLosur-e, The lighter use on the Kannah Creek utiliZation plots is believed to have been partially caused ,by theeocclusion of domestic stock last sumrr~r. However, the vigor of the browse plants is so low that this did not make too m1lch difference in the amount of forage produced for the Winter deer range. Job 3. Food Habits One stomach sample was taken on April 20, 1951 from an eighteen month old doe that was killed on U.S. Highway 550 five'miles north of Ridgeway. The sample has not yet been examined. IV. Mortality Factors'Affecting Job l~ Hunting L6ss,Other Deer and Elk; Herds. Than Legal Bag While. riding on Billy Creek, a fawn was found all wrapped in burlap and tied in a tree. Evidently some hunter had killed and dressed it and then never came back to claim it. Job.'2. Predation :Affecting Deer No actu~l cases of predation have been seen or reported. Coyotes have been :.observed in Kannah Creek and on the Uncompahgre. Their scats have contained . deer hair, but :this is most likely from animals that have died from other causes. Job 3. Study of Other l'10rtalityFactors .• On trips over the district, several dead deer were observed, but the actual cause of death was unknown. The winter loss, as determined from interviews with ranchers and land use agency personnel, was light this year as compared to other years. This was due to the open winter. As usual, the automobile 'took its regular toll of deer. Host highway kills took place along"U.S. Highway 550 between Colona and, Placerville where a migration route crosses thee road. Altogether, 15 head have been killed since the author started working in April. / �Figu.re 14. Figure 15. �- 71 Twofence kills were observed, one in the Whitewater district on the Roubideau River near Winter 11esa and the other Figure 14 and 15 show views of a diseased deer leg. This deer, a buck, had .evidently broken the leg as a fawn;, and the bony growth around the break was natures way o{ repairing it·.· 'I'he iJidividual' who·shot the deer' reported seeing him for several years around his place before he shot him. Northwestern Colorado - Ross L. Campbell I. Location and Extent. of Seasonal Ranges - Deer and Elk' Job 2. Location and Extent of Winter Ranges' Deer and.elk remained well scattered t.hroughout their winter ranges during March and the .first part of April, with no concentration noticed with the exception of the deer on the meadowsin the Piceance Creek drainage • .Job J. l1igration Between SummerandWinter Ranges. Due to open conditions no deer -w-eretrap})ed after Ylarch15. During the migration ·of the WhiteRiver deer herd in May,.a daily track count was made on, the upper part of the Flag Creek road and a short distance on the West Rifle Creek road. This is .the only remaining unsurfaced road crossed by the migration •. For detailed description and illustrations of the method used see the July, 1950 Quarterly. Briefly, an observer. rides on the hood of a jeep and records the tlpcountry or plus tracks arid the down-country or minus tracks by use of tally counters. The counting ~trip is divided into sectors which remain the same each year •. ' A steel wagonwheel four feet in diameter Lsdr'aggedbehind the jeep to obliterate tracks. that have been counted and provide a smooth counting strip for' the following day. Whenrain made the ground too wet .the drag was not used but new tracks were readily distinguished from 'old trcicks. A total of 24,636 tracks were counted as compared with . 12,673 counted last year. (See Table 7) �- 72 TABLE VII Daily May . Total1951 Sector1-2.4¥u. Sector2-4.2Mi. Sector3-6.5Mi. Sector4-1.7Mi. plus Minus Dit. Plus }'"lin.usDit. Plus Minus Dit. Plus Minus Dit. o 8 268 9 232 39 193 101 27 74 0 o 010 541 10 331 28 303 257 46 211 9 o 9 18 o 18 1029 11 675 35 640 402 49 353 29 o 29 7 0 7 939 12 506 16 490 408 12 396 21 o 21 32 0 32 1 , 1096 13 453 42 411 .. 584 72 512 144 6 138 35 0 35 1096 14 534 12 522 537 107 430 102 o 102 44 2 42 1749 15 770 117 653 1038 186 852 186 o 186 63 5 58 1185 16 617 70· 547 559 69 490 108 o 108 40 0 40 1232 17 630 53 577 ,62 37 525.130 o 130 1896 18 756 26 730 715 17 698 375 5 370 98 o 98 1296 19 638 71 567 1158 42 lli6440 5 435 78 o 78 1026' 20 278 29 249 386 7 379 285 7 278 120 o 120 1564 21 549 47 502 736· 66 670 321 11 310 86 4 82 1631 22 397 35 362 840 157 683 462 o 462 127 3 124 2131 23 498 32 466 1062 119 943 627' 9 618 104 0 104 1287 24 218 11 207 619 82 537 438 9 429 114 0 114 1311 25 228 14 214 568 47 521 488 o 488 88 o 88 971 26 282 11 271 294 7 287 292 o 292 121 o 121 706 27 76 0 76 228 17 221 285 o 285 143 9 134 342 28 24 5 19 56 3 53 164 o 164 119 13 106 279 29 37 11 26 71 7 64 126 o 63 o 63 30 6 0 6 15 3 12 79 6 73 83 otals 24,636 8,735 704 8,03111196117910017511T . 58 50531584 13 70 49 .1535 161 126 mud �- 73 During the migration, checks were made in an attempt to deterriune the progress. The migration appeared to be somewhat earlier north of the 'White River. During the latter part of April an influx of deer was not.Lced-on Sulphur Creek north of Meeker. On Yay 9,. several members of the warden ~orce and local ranchers made a drive. in. this. area in an attempt to move the deer on to higher ccuntry. South of' the river, the first tracks were counted May 9 on the Flag Creekroad •. Deer were reported on Fawn Creek May .20and on May 25 one deer was seen above Ripple Creek near the 101 ranch,. w.lrl,.lea total of 37 deer were counted along the road between Ripple Creek and Buford. Although deer were still crossing the Flag Creek road in small. numbers when the track count was dd.acontdmred on May 30, the bulk of the migration occurred between 11ay11 and May 25. The peak was May 19 as compared to 11ay12 in 1940, May 23 in 1941, and May17 in 1950. Three factors limited the accuracy' of the count. There were rains, hard ground, and trailing sheep ; These factors may be considered mor-e or less constant eaGh year. Whenthe track count was initiated it was an attempt at a total count. Later counts are useful only as a trend. In reducing the length of the count and number of days on which the count was made', the effort has been to count during the main part of the migration and much of the distance omitted is not heavily traveled. (Table 8). It may be seen from this summarythat the 'migration: remained :moreor less constant from 1939 through 19470 The abrupt decline was undoubtedly due to the hard winter of 1948-49 with a high death loss and 'poor condition of the. animals. With two consecu ti ve open.winters, the. deer Seelll~:tohave increased in numbers and improved in condft.Lon untd.Lthe' 1951 migration was at least as large as any migration since counts were initiated. ',' ::. .. TABLE VIII. --Su'!'1MARY OF MIGRATION COUNTS Year 1939 1940 1941 1943 1947 1949 Location Highway 13 Strawberl:'y Flag Creek Strawberry Flag Creek Highway.13 Flag Creek Strawbe;rry Flag Creek 1950 Flag Creek 1951 Flag Creek .Tracks Counted ; Len~th of Countin~ StriE 2$ miles 28,180 3;654 20,904 3,944 23,503 10,729 24,073. 4,618 3,918 30 20 20 20 25 20 20 15 '12,673 24,636 15 15 " " " " " " "n Conhting Da;[s 36 36 51 51- 36 23 .:, i " " 14(3 days missed at peak) 19 23 �- 14 - Plot Number Piceance No. I Plot Location 2 miles east Cal. Co. Oil Camp Degree of Use Remarks Severe Piceance No. 2- Collins Gulch Proper Near gas well activity Piceance No. 3 Left Fork Willow Creek .Proper Upper limits winter range _ Piceance No. 4 Proper Little growth available Destructive Old growth mahog~QY taken Sagebrush dying, grass iJilproving Douglas No. I 3.9 miles from Whi te River road West Douglas 6.7 miles above fork of z-o ed Douglas No. 2 West Douglas Destructive Douglas No. 3 Cathedral Creek Destructive South Fork No. I South Fork Campground Proper Riyer bottom South Fork No. 2 South Fork .Severe South exposure The trend plots. on Piceance are not representative of range conditions as a whole. 110st areas on Piqeance Creek are severely used while other areas approach destructive use. Spot checks were made in critical areas in the White River drainage and in other areas where no trend plot is located. The following utilization was found: Location White River near mouth of Piceance Creek Strawberry 'Creek (lower end) Blue 110untain Brown's Park Degree of.Use Destruc ti.ve Destructive Proper .Proper �- 75 - IV. Mortality Job 3. Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Herds. Study of Other Mortality.Factors Winter loss was very light due to the mi.Ldwinter and good condition of the deer and elk.' Highway and fence mortality was frequent along Highway 64 between Meeker and Rangely but actual numbers are not kllown. During the spring migration, 5 deer were killed on Highway 13 arid 4 were killed on Highway 64 between IV1eekerand Piceance Creek. One deer died in the fence along the Flag Creek road near the head of Thirteen Fiile Creek. m. Forage and Range Utilization Job 5. Li ttle Hills Gr-az.i.ngCompetition, Enclosure Study. Utilization measurements following fall use, which were halted by snow cover last December, were completed as' soon as.the grass was' exposed in March~ Measurements in the deer pastUres were completed prior to spring growth in April. . '. Stocking Pasture 4 4 Revision of the stocking records for pasture was necessary after several deer broke through a gate on April 7. The number of· deer could not be ' ascertained until they were removed. Gates were opened when it was first noticed that deer were moving out of the Little Hills area in mid-April. Deer were reluctant to leave the enclosUre and only 5 were counted out between April li and April 24. At this time a "slow" drive was conducted. Six men distributed themselves along the north end of the pasture and moved slowly southward until they reached a point about 10 chains from the south end. The topography of the pasture is such that much of the south fence could be observed from this point. Here the men halted and remained quiet except when a deer attempted to break through the line. For a time the deer watched from behind trees; then they became restless and milled about. Eventually 12 deer went dut while only 3 broke back and remained in the pasture. Gates were closed until April 27 when they were reopened to allow the deer to go out. This was unsuccessful as one deer entered and none went out Another drive on May 4 removed 3' deer and revealed one dead that had died quite recently. 0 Pastures 6 and 7 Gates to pastures 6 and 7 were also opened on April 16. On April 18 a fawn was found dead that was estimated ;to have been dead 5 days. Deer went out and in and as nearly as could be determined there'were only 2 less in these pastures on April 30. Gates were closed at this time and reopened ,Hay 10. Deer again went. out and in so gates were again closed With onl.y 1 deer less. A drive similar to the ones pas ture 4 was conducted May 16 with the help of 13 senior GameYlanagement and Forest Recreation student s w:howere on field in �- 76trip as well as four of the Federal Aid personnel. Five deer were driven out and 3 were known to remain in the pasture. Gates were closed, but reopened early in June and 2 deer went out June 5 leaving ,one deer in the pasture. Only 12 deer can be accounted for at the end of the winter season while IS were counted into the pasture last fall. 'It remains to be determined when these deer were lost. An error could have been made in the track count last fall or this spring when several deer went in and out during a single night. Pasture 3 On April 22 several deer were observed in pa~ture 3, a cattle pasture. It was found that a gully panel had been moved during the runoff following a hard rain of short duration. Deer were thought to have entered the pasture April 12. Since this pasture is large and topography is such that driving is difficult, guns were carried when the drive was made April 246 Deer that attempted to break back past the drivers were shot. Four were driven out and 6 killed during this drive. Four remained in the pasture until May' 16, when 3 were removed and 1 was found that had died recently. In addition one was found that had been dead several months. Periodic checks were mad~ in each pasture during the winter so this deer could not have been in the pasture long before it died. Livestock Use Spring stocking of livestock enclosures was accomplished during May. Following is a tabulation of the number of animals placed in each enclosure. Enclosure Date 1 Hay 12 10 sheep 2 ,Hay 13 3 cows, 1 large calf 3 May 13 3 cos s, 1 large calf 5 'May 12 IS sheep Number and Class of Stock Pellet Count 'On April 16 and 17 a pellet group count was made in the deer enclosures under the direction of four Utah men; Robinette and Gashweiler from the Fish and Wildlife Service, and Julander and Smith from the Forest Service. Federal,Aid personnel participating were Kliess Brown, Glenn Rogers, Robert Howard, and Ross Campbell. The purpose of these counts was to determine the average number of pellet groups deposited per deer day on winter range. Pasture 4 was divided arbitrarily into 3 blocks while pastures 6 and 7 was divided into 4 blocks, depending upon the size and shape of the pasture. Distances between parallel transects wererandomized within each block.' Plots with a radius of 11.77 feet, or l/lbOacre~'''were used and pellet groups were counted and recorded. There was a 'dIstance of chains between each plot along the transect. Direction was It �- 77attained by the use of hand compass and all distances were by pacing. In pasture 4, 1179 pellet groups were counted on 585 plots. In pastures 6 and 7 there were 1075 groups on 850 plots. Since our stocking record is not as accurate as we had hoped it was decided to;withhold information on the number of pellet groups per deer day until further counts have been made. Browse and Grass Nursery May 21 and 22 several species were planted in the nursery. Stratified seed was used in most cases. (See Table 10). Approximately acres outside the nursery were planted using stratified bitterbrush seed. It TABLE X. --SPECIES PLANTED IN NURSERY Purshia tridentata Lonicera ~. Rhus trilo ba ta EJ:aeagnus angustifolia Rhamnus dahurica Caragana arboresens , Prunus melanocarpos Artiplex canesens *Bitterbrush *Siberian honeysuckle Skunkbush *Russian Olive *Dahurican buckthorn Siberian pea tree *Choke cherry ,Fourwing Saltubsh * Stratified Submitted Name se€d by: Approved by: Paul F. Gilbert Title Wildlife ~OLORADO _~~PAR~NT Te'chnician Title Note: ----~~~~--~~~--~-----C. N. Feast, Director Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain-permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��--: RESEARCH CENTER ( J: .:J.b: LI BRAP'ZY t··'" ~..,\ P" I DIVISION OF WILDLIFE P. O. BOX 2287 FORT COLLI NS. CO. 80521 - 79STATE ,.COLORADO ----~----~-------- PROJECT NO. 40-R ----'-~---- DATE 'JULY,19.51 QUA R T E R L Y PRO SUR V E Y SAN D' G RES I N V EST R'E P 0 ~ -T , I GAT ION S As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFERESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. Leaders: 3. Report of Progress:' Antelope Surveys and Investigations Gordon Douglas and Clois E. Till· Job 1. Fawning Studies Object: To determine fawn sex-ratio, of twins, and fawn mortality. number of fawns per. doe, occurrence Scope: This study was made on the. Colorado Antelope Rei'uge.and vicinity by Gordon Douglas. Time: The first fawns were tagged on l1ay 30,' 19.51,. and the last following June 13.. Cooperation: Excellent cooperation was given by local on' the· residents. Technique arid Condi.tions: These were identical to those ..described in the' Quarterly Report of July, 1951, for this area, except for· the more. intensive searching Of the vicinity where, one f~wn was located. i'or _a_.second :fawn. This resulted in a much higher ratio of twins to total fawns, which is regarded as a much more accurate expression of this relationship, as well as is the fawn/doe ratio. AnalYsis of findings: Table I records that 1.5 does produced 6 solitary fawns and 9 sets of twins, or a total of 24 fawns, or' a ratio of 1.6 fawns per doe, Sex-ra tio among fawns was 1 }1 to 1.3 F. -Eighteen of the 24~ or 7.5% were twins. �- 80 TABLE I.--DATE ON A1"TELOPE FAWNS CAroHT ON COLORADO ANTELOPE REFUGE - 1951 " (I) ' . Cil M (I) , (I) +l C1I R ~ " '~ :>.. " (I), bO . +l bO bO}4 r:tl (I); . E-i (I) 'M +l ~ (I) M H ·rl rd E-i ~ ' ,~ < ~ .~ ..c: •......•. Z en :::t r:tl ,'0 +l ..c: ~' 0 E-i bO 'rl (I) ::r: +l 0 0 ..c: ~ ~ ' J;:q ..c:r:. ..c: ~'E t:1 +l ,to M rd ~ ·rl ::z:: +l bO .s '0 r:tl (I) ::q '0 r:tl (I) '0 ~ 0 ~, (I) ::q ..c: +l bO l:! +l ~ :::t ~ M 0 :S (I) (I) (I) H bOS::' g ~ (I) ;:j 0 ·rl +l C) 'M O'M :gCt-tr-f s::.~ § ~ .~ (1)1:-1 'rl ~ d o t:l , '- May 1 F 5.50 1 23.50 2 F .5.00 '1 21.00 3 M 8.00 3 23.00 4M 7.50 3 23.50 15.00 15.00 15.00 15~OO 2.00 9.00 3.50 2.25 8.50 3.~5 2.00 10.00 3.50 2.00 9.75 3.50 4 5M 7.50 6 24.00 14.50 4 6 F 8.25 8 24.50 15.50 4 7 F 9.00 8 25.00 15.50 5 8 M 8.30 7 26.00 16.00 5 9 F 8.00 7 25.00 16.00 5 10 M 7.75 3 24.00 13.00 7 11 M" 8.00 5 26.50 17.00 7 12 F 6.75 5 24.50 16.50 8 13 F 11.5 10 24.00 18.50 8 14F 8.70 7 26.50 17·00 8 15 F 7.70 4 23.50 14.00 9 16 F 9.50 8 25.50 17.50 9 17 F 9.00 8 26.00 17.50 12 18 M 8.00 5 24.50 J6 .50 12 19 M 7.50 5 24.50 J6 .50 13 20 F 10.7 9 26.00 18.00 13 21 M 9.0 5 25.00 17·00 13 22 F 9.5 7 .26.50 18.50 13 '23 M 9.5 7 26.00 ' 18.00 2.5Q 10.00 3.50 30 30 31 31 June 5.00 9.50 13.5 5.00 9.50 13.5 5.75 11.50 16.0 5.50 11.00 16.0 x 2 fresh n x 2 x 2 wet spot x 2 ,n " 6.00 9.50 15.5 ~" 2 2.75 10.00 4.00 6.00 10.25 15.7 x4 2.75-10.00 4.00 6.00 9.75 15.7 x4 2.00 10.00 4.00 6.00 10.00 15.0 x 2 2.00 10.00 4.00 6.00 10.00 15.0 x 2 2.00 9.25 3.25 5.75 9.75 14.5 x 2 x 2 2.50 10.00 4.00 6.25 10.0015.0 2.00 10.00 3;50 5.75 ·9.50 14.5 x 2 2.00 10.$0 4.00 6.00 9.25 17.5 x 2 2.25 10.00 3.50 '5.50 9.50 1~.5 x 2 1.50 9.50 3.50 6.00 9.00 15.0 x 2 2.00 10.50 3.50 6.00 10.00 15.5 x 2 2.00 9.75 'J.50 5.75 ',9.0015.0 x 2 1.75 9.50 3.50 5.50 9.50 14.0 x 2 2.00 9.50 3.50 5.50 9.50 14.5 x 2 2.25 10.25 4.00 6.00 10.25 17.3 x 2 2.00 10.50 4.25 6.50 10.:r51.4.8 x 2 2.00 10.00.3.75 6.00 ' 10.00 16.0 x 2 2.00 10.50 4.00 6.00 ''1025 15.7 x 2 dry "n scab 1I " dry tl tI tI gone dry " " " It ' " "I' l' " �Tagging Policy: 19S1 ear - tags were the riveting button type, stamped "RETURN TO STATE G&F DEP I T DENVER", and bearing a stamped' number from 1 thru 23 inclusive. They were placed on the rear or lower part of the right ear where they would not be apt to catch on fences under which the animal might run. The 19S0 tags were the aluminum clasp type stamped .liTHEWARREN LIVESTOCK COMPANY CHEYENNE WYO", and the letter ''!If', Number 1 bhru 18 were, scratched on the tag with a knife. Job 6. Population' and Trend Counts Object: To· obtain the numbers of antelo;pe in major herd'areas areas throughout the state. Time: August, Personnel: and trend 19S0; January, February, and 11arch, 19S1. K. B. Milyard, pilot; Dwight. Owens and C. E. Till, observers. Techniques and Conditions:' The customary search pattern was used. Due to scattered condition of the Hoffat County herd, attempts to locate any considerable number of antelope there met with failure, and no figures are available' for that area to date. It is believed many of Moffat County1s antelope spend a part of the year in Wyoming, and that is what account-s for their absence'." ' Mr. Hilyard estimates flights. that 4933 square miles were covered on the following Results: TABLE II ~--ANTELOPE TREND COUNT, 1951 Date Flown Colorado Antelope ~efuge Area between Hwys. 87 & 8S East 'of Hwy. 8S to Grover . East of Grover to ,Pawnee Buttes East portion Lowry Bombing Range East of Colo. Springs north 'of Hwy, 24 to Limon; Limon west of Hwy 40 to Byers; Byers to BiJour Refuge Limon to Wild Horse north of Hwy. 40 Bijou Refuge and south of it East and south of Colo. SpringsLimon Hwy. Chico Basin Black Squirrel Creek South Park 3/15/51 . 3/1S/S1 3/30/51 2/24/S1 3/1/S1 281 163 281 3/1 & 3/14/S1 2/28/S1 2/7/S1 S79 1200 18S 2/6/S1 1/24/S1 1/26/S1 8/23/S0 60 686 520 216 91 136 Total 098 �- 82 Analysis and Conclusions: It was seen by comparison with last year's figures, tnat sizeable increases had occurred in many of the herds. Recommendations were therefore made to the Comlnission for another threeday antelope season in September, 1951. Permits to be sold totaled 1850, compared to 1700 in 1950. The trend areas were better described and more clearly distinguished from each other than in previous years. Full-time observers were employed to advantage in 1951. Job 9. Survey of Antelope at Transplant Sites Objective: To study the degree of success experienced by transplanted antelope in adaPting themselves to new environments; to trace their local migrations • Techniques: Ground observation and gathering reports from local personnel of the Department and stockmen. Date of Job: April, 1951. ' Scope: The Delta Transplant Area. Cooperating Personnel: Ray Peck, Gaine¥.tanagementRepresentative; Bob Reigan; District Game Warden; and Jesse Williams, Wildlife Technician. Findings: l1r. Reigan reported the following: Twenty head were seen near the original release point, at the Highway #50 bridge over Wells gulch, and east of the highway. 'They were in two ,herds of nine and eleven. Five were on the Jenkins ranch, which lies immediately west of the main highway, about twelve miles northwest of the release point. Five more were seen near the highway #50 bridge over Kannah Creek. A sheepherder reported five antelope watering at a reservoir just a short distance northwest of the junction of highway #50 and the Mesa County Delta County line. The writer observed four antelope immediately east of highway #50 at a point about two miles southeast of the releast point. �Anaylsis and Conclusions: Forty-four antelope were observed and located prior to June, 1951. All indications were ,that there were others unobserved in the hilly terrain. ;This number was estimated to be 30 head. From 17 planted in 1949, and 29 in 1950, the potential herd, with no losses, would'have increased by July, 1950, to somewhat mpre than 100 animals; 40 of these would be does of breeding age. " Applying an estima.ted 25% loss to cover illegal hunting and predation, does of breeding age were ready to bear fawns in June, 1951. thirty These does would add to the herd, at the rate of 1.,45fawns per doe, about 44 fawns in 1951, resulting in an estimated total nerd of 118 in July, 1951. For the first time since transplants started in this area, there were strong ~ndications of successful adaptation of the animalsto the new environment. Scope: Fruita Transplant Area. Cooperating Personnel: Charles Chamberlain, Bob Reigan, District Wardens; Dudley Jerome, Trapper; IvaI Young, rancher. Findings: Mr. Young and others reported a herd of 40 antelope State Highway #139, between Young's ranch and Douglas Pass. Game seen from This was the largest herd reported to date in this area, and w'as observed within ten miles of the release point near Gar Nesa. ' Five antelope were reported near Palisade, release point. at least 30 miles east of the Nine head were reported to be in the ,vicinity of the, Utah Line north Highway #50. or Antelope reported seen in the vicinity of Cisco, Utah 40 miles west of the Fruits site, were not believed to have come froIliColorado. Conclusions: In view of the difficulty of observfng antelope in this vast desert, reliable reports of a herd of 40 ,were hoth surprising and encouraging to those interested in their,welfare. As in the Delta area, observation difficult, more than the 54 mentioned undoubtedly were, present. Considering the fact that, since 1948, the Fruita area received a total 6f 87 transplanted antelope, losses were undoubtedly great. Continued observations such as are now being made by a rrajority of thelocal residents in cooperation with Department employees will soon tell us if the increase of these herds will 0 ffset the losses. �- 88WEEDS: Blazing Star (Liayris punctata) Fetid Marigold (Dyssodia papposa) Lupine (Lupinus sp.)··· . .Wild Alfalfa (Psoralea tenuifolia) Cowboy1s Delight (Malvastrwn coccinium) Sunflower (Helianthus sp.) Cocklebur (Xanthium commune} Vetch (Astragalus sp.) Pigweed. (Amaranthus t3P.) Kochia (Kochia sp.); Bush Morning Glory .(IPomoea lePtophylla) Wild Onion (Allium recurvatum) (May Evening Star (Mentzelia nuda) Sand Lily (Leucocrinum montanum (May) GRASSES: Blue Grams (Bouteloua gracilis) Red three awn (Aristida longiseta) Ring muhly (MUhlenbergia torre~) Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorwn ) May) Other species of weeds and browse which could not be identified were found. Als.o, in some samples only a few leaves of grass were present, and no positive species identification could be made of these. \ ~. ��Figure ·2. Work table showing sample in glass dish, separating tools, and absorbent paper plates in which the material was placed to dry. (Photo by Ebb W·arren). Figure 3. Sample No. 13.from EI Paso County. The cactus was the tall Tree Cactus (Opuntia arborescens). (Photo by C. E. Till). �Figure 4. An enlarged view of a segment of cactus from samp Le No. 23 below. This is the low Prickly Pear (Opuntia polyacantha). (Photo by C. E. Till) . Browse 4'; \>Jeeds 4'-7. r~2v ~ ~~rr'~ ~ ~tidLl.S , 497c GrdSS GenoaLincoln tOl.urf'j 1 7. Air dned w! 9~15'50 Figure 5. Sample No. 23 from the Genoa area in Lincoln County. (Photo by C. E. Till). �- 89TABLE IV.--EL PASO coUNTY ANTELOPE STONACH ANALYSIS 12 Samples % Composition by air dried weight % .%Unclassified % Vegetation % % % No • type Browse Weeds Cactus Grass Weeds & Browse Other q Date· . ..·.Area 9/15/50 9/15/50 9/15/50 9/16/50 9/17/50 9/15/50 9/15/50 9/15/50 9/17/50 9/17/50 9/17/50 9/17/50 Hammer Ranch Ingle Ranch Ingle Ranch lngle Ranch Bohart Ranch Ingle Ranch si.s-, 1 Grass 4 l2 tr 32 2 Grass 28 13 2 57 3 Grass 1 29 1 56 4 Grass 17 29 3 51 5 Sagegrass Grass 25 16 19 71 9 57 34 tr 7 8 Creek Ingle 9 Ranch Hammer 10 -. Ranch Ingle 11 Ranch Ingle 12 Ranch Ingle 13 Sagegrass Grass 13 58 52 (Pinto Beans 1 2 4 Grass 4 93 95 1 1 2 tr Grass 13 56 31 tr Grass 21 28 51 tr Grass 11 51 38 tr Average' % 13% 46% 19% 1% Occurrence 12 12 8 12 8(Moss) .' 16% 5% l(Beans) l(Moss) �- 90TABLE V.--L1NCOLN COUNTY A~ELOPE STOl1ACHANALYSIS 14 Samples % Composition b.Y air dried weight Date % -. Vegetation % %Unclassified % % % - Br-owse Weeds Gactus Grass weeds & Browse Other Area- No. type 6 Grass Area 9/15/50 Liplon 14 Grass Area 9/15/50 Limon 1.5Grass Area 9/15/50 Limon 16 Grass Area 9/15/50 Limon 17 Grass Area 9/14/50 Hugo 18 Grass Area 9/15/50 Limon 19 Grass Area 9/15/50 Limon 20 Grass Area 9/15/50 Limon 21 Grass Area 9/15/50 Limon 22 Grass Area 9/15/50 Genoa 23 Grass Area 9/15/50 Limon 24 Grass Area9/15/50 Genoa 25 Grass Area 9/15/50 Limon 26 Grass Area Average % Occurrence 9/15/50 Hugo 28 24 47 1 39 57 4 tr 19 75 3 30 70 17 73 20 80 29 69 21 0 0 3 0 0 tr tr 0 0 9 1 0 0 tr 0 0 2 tr 0 0 50 29 tr 0 0 14 86 tr tr 0 0 14 71 9 tr 0 0 4 46 49 1 0 0 23 75 tr 2 0 0 8 70 20 2 0 0 11 84 -2 Q_ 0 17% 69% 13% 1% 14 14 12 14 �-' 91TABLE VI.--PUEBW· COUNTY-ANTELOPE STOMACH ANALYSIS 2 Samples % Composition by air dried weight Vegetation % .... ':-.% .. %Unclassified % % %Date Area No. t e Browse iieeds Cactus Grass weeds & Browse other 1 Chico 28 1 0 0 3 9 Basin ~ppelt .Ranch 1 .' tr 0 5/5/51 Chico 27 Sage-grass 6 93 0 Basin Appelt Average % I~6% 51% 2% 1% Ranch " OccurIlence 2 2 2 2 TABLE VII.--=-}10FFAT. COqN'rYANTELOPE STOMACH ANALYSIS , " !. 7 Samples % Composition by air dried weight Date Vegetation % %_ %Unclassified % % % .Brows'eWeeds. Cactus.Grass' .weeds & Br.owse.Other Area ~No. . -type 9/15/50 North 29 of Cold Springs 9/15/50 Beaver Basin 30 9/15/50 Upper Beaver Basin 31 9/15/50 Beaver Basin 32 North 9/15/50 of Cold ·33 Springs 9/15/50 North of Cold 34 Springs 9/15/50 Cold 94 ShadscaleSage 81 18 1 0 0 26 71 3 0 0 10 89 1 0 0 10. 75 2 0 0 27 . 73 .' tr 0 0 ShadscaleSage 9 89 2 0 0 Bud Sage 94 6 tr 0 0 Average % 37% 00% 2% 1% Occurrence 7 7 7 7 SageLupine Sagebrush Sagebitterbrush Sage- . brush 13 . L '.~. ·~/ .•.· . �- 92TABLE VIII.--AVERAGE PERCENT BY COUNTIES Item Lincoln Pueblo Moffat l3% 17% 46% 37% 16% 1% 46% 19% 4% 69% 13% ' 51% 2% 60% 2% El Paso , Browse Unclassified (weeds and browse) l'1oss Weeds G.actus Farm crops (pinto beans) Grass ___1! _.!! ~ 100% 100% 100% TABLE IX.-TABUIATION Item 1% 100% OF CONTENTS OF 35 SAMPLES , Percent. Occurrence 22% 5% 35 tr 1 58% 13% 35 23 1% 1% 100% 1 35 Browse: Classified Unclassified (weeds and browse) Moss Weeds: Cactus: Farm Crops: , Pinto beans . Grass: �:~nQ· .I_", - 93·DISCUSSION. With the exception of the two samples taken in Pueblo' County, all'of the ,specimens were gathered during the regular antelope hunting season or September, 1950. Therefo:re, thedata present-ed will natura,Uy be indicative of the food habits of the antelope for. that particular time of year only. As availability of forage is a basic conatderat.ton in any food habits study, it might be well to mention the condition of the vegetation at the time the samples were collected. The spring and early sUmmerof 1950 were abnormally dry, and most of the eastern slope received little or no p.recipitation until late summerand early fall.' As awhole, it was a poor growing year for forage, particularly grass. During September, the , available forage was primarily browse, weeds, and cactus, with fairly good grass in the bottoms of some dr~ws which received more moisture •. In analyzing the samples it was ·not difficult to identify the cactus and grass, and these were readily separated. The weeds and browse presented a problem, however, .and without microscopic examination of each small segment, it was difficult at times to separate these.. The data showthat the percent of browse and weeds.varied considerably from one sample to the next. Apart of this variance is admittedly the error in separation. However, the results obtained by averaging the 35 samples should compensate somewhatfar this error, and the final results are believed to be' a' fair representation of the diet,of the antelope in the early fall •. The ':Eab1esshow that for each county the vegetation type is listed. This goes back to the consideration of availabili~ in the interpretation of results of stomach sample analysis. Follo.wing is a discussion of the data for each county listed and a r-esumeof the, results obtained when all samples were addedtogether and averaged. EL P!SO COUN';L'Y: The vegetation of the antelope habitat in El Paso County is primarily shortgrass, with a variety of weeds and half-shrubs mixed in. :In some areas near the southern border the. soil is sandy, and, sagebrush (Artemisia sp.), is domt.nant, Cactus (Opuntd.a sp,'). is: distributed fair;Ly unifori1Uyover the whole area, As.shownin,'Table ,IV weeds comprise :tlW J..a!'gest percent of the antelope's, diet. Fifty-two (52%) .of sample No 1 was a farm crop, pinto beans. No explanation is given for this, except that that particular . antelope musb have, liked beans. T4e animal, a buck, was killed' on the first morning of the season in a pasture adjacent t.o-the. bean field. Of the 35 samples analyzed, this was the only one which contained an agricultural crop. Cactus was found ih B out of 12 samples collected in El Paso County. e. LINCOLN COUNTY:' Mainly shortgmss in'the antelope habitat, with 'a niixture of cactus and halfshrubs uniformly distributed over the whole area. In somelocal areas on the Dickinson Refu.geeast 'of Hugo, the upper structure of vegetation was composedalmost entirely of ..cactus during the summerof 1950. Table V shows that 'cactus appeared 12 out of 14 samples taken. in . " �- 94 PUEBLO COUNTY: Practically all of the antelope in Pueblo County are in the Chico Basin, which starts at a point east of Fountain and runs south to Highway 96, east of Pueblo. In the eastern portion of the basin the soil is very sandy and sagebrush is dominant, with a mixture of forbs and grass. Greasewood (Sarcobat,us sp.) is found at some places along the Black Squirrel Creek bottom. Further west the soil becomes less sandy and the vegetation changes more to shortgrass, weeds, and Yucca. Some parts of this Western sector have been heavily overgrazed, and this, combined with a lack of precipitation, has resulted in severe wind erosion in local areas. The two samples from Puebio County were taken in the spring of 19.51. The sample on March 6 showed 86% browse, 9% weeds, 4% cactus, and 1% grass. The May .5 sample shows a shift from browse to weeds as the principal diet, with weeds comprising 93%:, browse.6%, and a trace of grass. At this latter date, some of the preV'ernal weeds were up, and the antelope preferred these over the dry growth of the previous year. MOFFAT COUNTY: The vegetation type for the area as a whole is sagebrush, with a mixture of weeds and grass. In some areas near Cold Springs Mountain and' Beaver Basin, the taller br-owse plants such as mountain mahogany, serviceberry, and bi tterbrush are found. Most of the stomach samples showed some utilization of this type of forage. GENERAL: As has ,been stated previously, the diet of the antelope is extremely varied so far as 'weeds and browse are concerned.' From one sample to the next, these two classes may change from primary to secondary use. The average for all samples, shown in Table VIII, gives a more basic picture of forage preference. The percent figures for browse and weeds could vary slightly either way because of errors in separation and identification. It is believed, however, that they are close enough to be representative or the antelope's diet in the early fall of the year. Grass was found conSistently, in amounts varying from a trace to about l%~ in all samples. The cactus and grasses were easily ide~tified and separated. The per~ centages for these two are believed to be as accurate as it is possible to obtain, using the air-dried-weight methoq of quantative analysis~ It is interesting to, note -that 'cactus was, found in 23 of the 3.5 samples analyzed, and comprised 13% of the totaJ,.by air-dried ..•. weight. Were the antelope eating it during a dry year because of its greater succulence, or is it a normal part of the ir diet? A larger number of samples, taken at intervals throughout the year, should answer this question. Submi tted by: Approved: Name Gordon Douglas and C. E. Till Title Wildlife Note: Technicians Title C~.-N~.-F-e-a~s~t~,~D-i-r-e-c-t-o~r--~~---- Pate J~u~1~X~1~2~,~,~1~9~.5l~-------------- Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Pepartment. �Ilmifiillililti BDOW021797 . - 95 STATE. . COLORADO PROJECT NO. 39-R DATE QUARTERLY PROGRESS SURVEY'S AND JULX, 1951 REPORT I NV EST I GAT ION S As required by . . FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader: \tlildTurkey Investigations: Nartin L. Burget. 3. Report of Progress: As has been reported previously, food conditions in 1950 were extremely bad. Close watch was kept to discover .what effect this might have on the birds. There was real daJ:1,ger that the birds might die of starvation. Looking back over the records, tpe year 1949 had been one 0 f the· best . food years since the turkey program was started. The only other similar year was 1942. Just precedil'lg·these good food years .there had been. a heavy winter. The winter of 1948~49 had been particularly severe on the eastern slope. Generally speaking, in the spring of 1949 the t.ur-key had sustained light losses ano. the brood crop in the spring of 1949 was the lieaviest in years. The first turkey season held in 1949 showed a light kill and with an abundance of food the winter loss .was neglibible. Thus, the brood success the following spring was quite good. Then" drought conditions prevailed oVer the entire turkey range making the 1!lastcrop extremely light. . In 195o, the hunting kill again was light but instead of flocking into winter concentrations the birds separated and stayed back in the wooded sections. Trips made into the back country Showed that where there had been more than a hundred birds in a flock, the, turkeys had completely disappeared. For this reason it was difficult to find sd.zeab.le trapping flocks. Then it was more difficult to hold them.in an area when small groups did concentrate. . The birds ~ere more wary than usual and spooked for the slightest reason or often for no apparent reason at all. . As the spring advanced birds were more and. more difficult to find. Field checks included a close watch for possible starvation kills but none were found. In much of the turkey range leaves and needles· were scratched �:'1~~ /~ ~-;,''.' - 96 up into piles denoting neath the leaf cover. that some valuable food remained from former years under- In ¥~rch and April, reports came in that birds had been found or t~acks seen in remote sections. These were traced down and the reports verified, but it has been difficult to get a true population status due to the unnatural scattering. Job 1. Survival Checks A ve~ close check has been kept on the Glenwood Springs plant. Since this is completely new territo~, a close watch has been made on any possible movement of the birds away from the original plant area. The West Elk Creek plant stayed fairly well intact. This may have been due to the fact that only one tom was released there. The Canyon Creek transplant split three ways. Two hens and one tom moved west into main Elk Creek about four miles from the point of release •. Another group of three, also two hens and a tom, moved about three miles east and 'one mile north of the Glenwood Springs fish hatchery. It has been impossible to reach some of the other late plants and reports on 'these will be made in the next report. There are four areas that show a definite reduction of birds. Thompson Park some fifteen miles west of Durango.had.been one of the most promising transplants ~de. It was in this area that a definite count had been made on the release and development of fourteen birds in 1944. The flock made a gain of 70 birds in a single year being counted after IlI'Ost:of the danger of winter loss had passed. A second release had been made in Deadman (Spring) Canyon where remarkable development also was recorded. There has always been some reports of poaching in the area done by two families. It was not discovered until after the release that one of these families was opposed to planting the turkeys in the area. Then in 1947 reports on sick turkeys began coming in. Checks on this failed to produce any evidenc~, probably because 'the reports were too late to be of value. In the fall of 1948 a rancher reported a turk~y so weak that he could pick her up. He found she was literally covered with lice which were almost colorless or watery in appearance. However, the turkey flocks showed gain until the spring of 1950. The 13irds are still in the area but they do not show the vigor of former years. Yhncos Area -- This is another district adjacent to the Thompson Park area. From careful study this transplant is suffering from poaching. There'has always been an organized gang of poachers there which formerly worked on deer but in the last few years they have discovered that fried young turkey is pretty good. Something definite will have to be done about this. The Pine River District. ing grounds. The turkeys here are apparently moving to better feed- �- 97 LaVeta Area. A complaint from this area that the birds were thinning out, is probably not true,'since there were plenty of birds there in hunting season, and the scarct ty is pr'obab.lyrdueto .wide scattering in search of food. Preliminary checks in the Dolores area, Pagosa Springs District, and Piedra area show a good population of breeding stock. No checks have been made in the Trinidad or Purgatoire areas so far this season. The Uncompahgre area'is still showing tine development. Job 4. Brood Counts. Brood counts this season were exceptd.onaf.Iy difficult to make. Even at Turkey Ranch we have not seen a single brood so far. There was a heavy February storm and it is possible this retarded some of the nesting activity a bit. In the Glenwood Springs area two broods have been reported, one of eight in Canyon Creek and one of ten in main Elk Creek. Job 3 ~ , Predator and Controlling Activities. Early in January the Acting Ranch Custodian at Turkey Ranch discovered a sick young tom. It was captured and taken 'alive to Fort Collins to the, Pathology Department for special examina.tion. The examination was made by Dr. Walter R. Graham who reported: ."We have isolated a Salmonella~. 'from''the wild turkey which you brought to us for df.agnoef.son January 9, 19.51. Gross lesions also suggested paratypboid in this bird. We also found numerous lice on the bird •. They seemed to be localized on and around the wings, were light in color and had long bodies. As far as I can find out, they are probably Liepeurus gallivaparia, the turkey wing louse." The Salmonella microbe and paratyphoid are closely related to the common pullorum disease found in poultry. A bird (hen) with this disease was isolated at the ranch in 1943. There has been no poultry at the ranch since 1944. Of course, this germ was not necessarily picked up at the ranch. However, it is a good talking point for keeping turkeys away from ranches and poultry flocks as much as possible •. This ~s the first time' that lice have been found at the ranch, although most birds 'caught have been examined for external parasites. The predator problem is becoming more and more acute. For several years the coyotes were at a low ebb, but now they are more active again. Cats (~ rufus californicus) also are definitely on the increase. Of the two, it is believed the cat is the most dangerous menace to the turkey. Numerous reports of kills qy eagles have been made. In one case a rancher reported threE? eagles trailing a flock of turkeys for several weeks and the fl9Ck gradually became smaller. They finally left or were killed off by the eagles. Owls and skunks are -also definitely on the increase. �- 98 It is believed that something definite should be done about this problem. The State Trapping service have been working on the cats, but more of the other predators should be trapped. Job 5. Food Studies It is too early to get an over~ll picture of the food prospects. At the ranch late frosts have again made a definite inroad into the potential mast crop. There has not been a single night iri June that we have not had from one to ten degrees of frost. 'I'he drought, is continuing again this spring. Close examination shows there will be some chokecherries and servf.ce berries, but the skunkberry crop is small and acorn production is still questionable. Grasses seem to have gotten an ea'rly lead and are showing a fair. progress toward a good crop of· seed. Planting sites: There are plenty of planting sites left for the trapping season this coming year. Numerous requests have been received for transpl~ts, but these will ~e left until food prospects are definitely established· Submitted by: Approved: Name : Martin L•. Burget Title Wildlife T~chnician IV Title C~.~._N_.~._F_e~a~s~t~,~D~i~r~e~c~t~o~r __ ~ _ Date __ --~-Ju_n-e__2~9~,_1_9~5-1---- Note: Persons wishing to quote from ·thisabs.tract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department, _ �I~ilillllij'~I~llil~irlilli[iilij~~~1 illillll'~11 BDOW021798 - 99 - STATE COLORADO ----~--~~--~~-- "--__ PROJECT NO ._...:;;41=.,...,-R,..;. DATE QUARTER.LY PROGRESS SURVEYS REPORT I N V EST AND .JULY, 1951. I GAT ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION. ACT 1. Title of Project: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Surveys and Investig~tions. 2. Leaders:· George W. ~ones and Claude E. White, Jr. 3. Report of Progress: Job 3. Artifical Sal ting Experdrnerrt . . One new salt station was estahl.Lehed on the'Arkansas, one on Cha.Lk.Creek, one at Georgetown, and two on the Cache La Poudre River. On the Poudre the salt stations established by ranchers for their cattle were changed. As. a result the Poudre sheep were eating the dirt on the old sait stations. (Figure 3)". One new station rAp-S established on the east ridge of Washout Gulch. In the Tarryalls and Kenoshos, one salt station.on.Rock Creek was changed and two new stations were established on Long Gulch where the heavy concentration of sheep was observed during the winter. The salt on 'the new stations has already been heavily used. ," . . ". .' .. " Salt stations throughout .the Tarryalls will be replenished during the next quarter. Job·5. Investigations Into Di~ease,.Parasites,Food History of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. Habits and Th~Life .', Results '. • .. j TarrycUl: This spring was the. thi.rd succes;sive.late spring in the Tarryall and Kenosho sheep ranges. Severe hail and snow storms continued into. the second week of .June. The 0 nly effect on'the.sheep. has' been to delay migration to the higher sununer ranges on Bison and McCurdy Mountains �- 100- in the Tarryalls and the Kenosha 'Cones of the Kenosho Mountains. By the middle of April the scattered groups of Tarryall sheep which had wintered east to 11 Mil~ Canyon- and south into the Badger'Hourrbadn area had pulled back into the Tarry~lls proper. By the last of April the c~nges in herd size and composition were complete and the resulting small scattered groups of sheep were working the lower areas and meadows for the new green grass • .Asusual during thip·period on the Tarryalls, the shift of the herds from area to area is rapid. With the approach of lambing time the pregnant ewes become nervous and dissatisfied. The ewe's attempts to detach last year's lamb become intensified and as a result small bunches of yearlings may be seen without mature ewes. Single mature ewes then begin working the cliffs hunting a suitable location for lambing. . The earliest lambs were locat,ed on the Tarrjalls and Keposhos during the first week in JV'lay.On the 7th a ewe and lamb were located across Tarryall Creek from the Terhune ranch, and on the 8th a ewe and lamb were located on the eastern cliffs of Long Gulch in the Kenoshos. Both locations were not on usual lambing grounds. Throughout May, fifteen more lambs were located on the Tarryalls in known areas. No more lambs were located in the Kenoshos until the first week in June. At this time six more lambs were located on Long Gulch and 3 l~le Creek of the Kenosha Mountains. ,. By comparing these figures with those from last year it is assumed that the survey, which included the last week in June, was started too early. As a result the lambing surveys on the Tarryalls and Kenoshos have been extended at least one week. Predation stUdies reveal that more control work in the .Kenoshos is necessary_ This work should lnclude all of the Rock Creek area and also the area from the north fork of the Lost Park Creek to the Lost Park Creek proper. The coyote population on the Tarryalls is still low due to the previous control work. . Pikes Pea.k: During- the last or l"iarch,range and distribution checks were carried out on Pike's Peak. The results· showed little deviation from checks of preceding years. Small groups of sheep containing ewes and yearlings aridthree-to-five year o.Lds were observed from Bison Lake north to 4 Mile Greek. As usual, the turnover of these groups in a given area is raptd; However, again" it was noted th,a,tthe numbers of sheep in the vicinitY of the salt stations on Bison Creek was greater than elsewhere in t.hearea. Only two large rams were observed near Bison Lake. The tendency of the rams to stay on Sheep Mountain was again apparent. A strong fluctuation in the numbers and composition of the ram herds on the Clyde winter r-ange is revealed when comparing figures taken during Ma:r:-ch with .those taken in May. On March 21, twenty-one rams were located in four groups found fram Clyde to Cathedral Park. (Figure 1). The composition of the groups rerresented all ages except yearlings. In May a check of the same area �Figure 1. This is one of the ram groups which wintered on the Clyde ~~nter range at Pikes Peak. Figure 2. E'igure 3. In the outlined section of blue gra~a, all of the plant above the root crown has been pulled loose. A pregnant ewe eating dirt on an old salt ground} mile above Kinikinick, on the Cache la poudre. �-101- revealed thirty-four rams, and one very old non-pregnant ewe. Included in one group at Clyae were four yearling rams. This area from Ciyde to 'Cathedral Park is the trend area for the'Clyde Winter range. "The large number of rams located in 11ay were grazing on young green grass along Beaver Creek and Bison Creek which crosses the Corley Highway at Cathedral Park. Periodic lambing checks on Pike's Peak were made from the first of l~y. However, no lambs were found until the week o~ May 21. At this time one ewe and lamb were located on the cliffs near old Woods Lake. No sheep have ever been observed at Wood;'s Lake by the ,writer before. 'It is definite that the sheep do not inhabit this area in the summer or winter, at least in any great number. However, it is a definite lambing ground. One week after they were located this group of ewes and lambs had shifted east into the Beaver Creek area {Gillette). Checks will be made next year in order to determine how early the 'ewes arrive on the lambing ground. In,May, the road to ,Bison Lake was closed and locked by the city of Victor, which will lessen disturbances to the sheep near Bison Lake. Cache La Poudre: Spring distribution checks on this herd revealed a ,normal scattered condition both in the Arrowhead Lodge group and the Kinikinick group. The largest single herd in these groups contained five animals. They were located above the Ault ranch. The herd contined two ewes, two yearlings and one 2-year old ewe. They were on a bed which has become a favorite for the Kinikinick group. Parkdale: A combined distribution check and lambing survey was made from Cotopaxi east to Parkdale during the first week, of Hay. A thorough search was made of the area north of Cotopaxi where an early iamb was located on May 1 l,p.styear, but no sheep or signs of sheep w~re found. Small groups of ewes and yearlings were located at various points ~rom Spikebuck Creek east to Parkdale. All but two of the groups were grazing on young grass shoots near the rivet~ "At 5-Point Gulch, two ewes and two yearlings were observed for 3~ hours eating nothing but the young, tender shoots of blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis). The shortness of the green shoots caused some damage to the _Plant because the sheep must graze c.Ioser- to, the roo,t"crown and thus they pull entire sections ,loose from the crown (Figure 2). Although found. several single ewes were observed working the cliffs, no lambs were Stomach analysis: Four sheep stomachs were analyzed during the quarter. of the stomachs were collected at Ouray and two at Tarryall Creek. Two #1. From ajnabure ewe collected on Uncompahgre Creek, one mile below Ouray • .The sheep',was killed, to prevent further suffering •.'The animal was down with her right foot caught. betwee:n two rocks. �-102 - Grass and grasslike plants..,.. - - ,... - ,... - - - - - - -- - Brov-lse-primarily choke cherry (Prunus ~.) - - ;..- - - - Ribes spp; and fir needles (Pseudotsuga taxi.f'o.Li.aForbs-primarily Odostemon SPD. - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mineral Hatter (dirt)- - - ..., - - ,... - - - - - - 79.7% 10 •.la 4.95% 4.95% 100. % #2. From a mature ewe collected on Uncompahgre Creek, two miles below Ouray. The anLmaI died from pneumonia and lung worm infection caused by extreme malnutrition. Compaction was present in extreme degree. Grass and grasslike plants - - - - - - - - ,... ,... - - - - - ,...99.1% Browse - - - - - ,... -.,... ..,.. - - _ - ..,.. - - - - - - - - - - - .045% chokecherry(Prunus ~.), Ribes ~. and pine needles Forbs, primarily Odostemon ~.- - - - - - - - - - .45 % % 100. From .a. bighorn ram (12-14 year old) .taken on Tarryall Creek. The animal was found probably of· heart failure as no other cause of death was apparent. if3. grass and grass like plants, primarily Idaho fesque-. and mountain Muhly (Festuca Idahoensis) and Muhlenbergia montana) . Browse ..:.. ..•. '- '--. - - - - - - - - - ..•...;. ..•... ;,... '- •..- ...• - Forbs,primarily of the Halvaceae family 90.4% .1% 9.5% 100. % #4. From a bighorn ewe t.aken on Tarryall Creek. members. of the Denver l'1useumof Natural History. The animal was collected by Grass and' grasslike plants- - ..,.. -:- - - - -- Browse, primarily fringed sage (Artemisia frigida) Forbs- - ..,.. - - - .•.- - - '- - - - - - - - - - -- - 89.0% 7.5% _l:2%. 100. % Submitted by: Name George W. JOnE~S and Claude E. White Title Wildlife Approved by: :lORAOO ~ DEPARTMENT Technicians Title C~.--N~.-.-F~ea~s~t~,~D~i~r~e~c~t~or~---- Date __ ~----J~u~1~y~30~,~1~9~5~1 Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department _ � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/1783f46ec3b76072fae9b0ac46b90e2e.pdf d3bcd0c7e7eb8d4327046af4c57f9eba PDF Text Text IjjlliiiilfWm~ BDOW021800 STATE COLORADO --------------------- ,"PROJECT .,,' " '::'1', .:61~R --~~----~------- .. 1951 .I QUARTERLY SURVEYS R-E P 0: R T PROGRESS AND I N V EST I GAT ION RESTORATION ACT S .,As,requir,ed by FEDERAL AID ..IN"WILDLIFE 1. Title of Project: 2. Project Leader: Fur Resources~tudy and Beat- Investigations Douglas' L, Gilbert 3. Report of Progress: " -'" J~ General Inventory , Job L Inventory of, Fur Resources. Objective: To gain'inf-ormation on populatioriS and tr,ends by species and distribution." ".' . Findings: The system whereby Colorado Federal Aid Personnel check the fur animals which they observe a prepared sheet was inaugurated and put into effect, as' of the Tirst 'of July!',1951.· Information gathered is necessarily turned in one or two months late~ therefore9 the write-up ,·<illbe correspondingly .Lat.e •.. A. majori ty of .t he animals observed to date were road-kills. on During the months of July and August, 19519 observations include 34 skunks', a narrovJo.ostrippedskunks, 9 wease Ls ~ 1 mar-ten, 1 mink, 11 badgers, 2 ring-tailed cats, 2 bobcats~ 1 lynxcat~ 3 grey foxes, 8 coyotes, 3 beavers', 9 muskrats and 2 opossums. The 2 opossums were both road-kills, found in Prowers County in very'kastern Colorado. These animals evidently migrated to' Colorado from Kansas along the Arkansas River Bottom. The lynx was seen in Las ~nimas ~ounty near the head-wat-er-s of ·the Purgatoire Riv-er. 'One' of the muskrats observed was' an albino seen sev,eral times in the Red Feather Lakes Country of Larimer County. '.,' br-oad-es t.r-Lpped �- 2 To date such little information has been gathered that no conclusions can possibly be reached. However, the writer feels that the method has definite possibilities in showing population densities and trends, species concentrations and differences, cycles, and ranges. The follovling is the form used for collecting this information. FUR ANn'lAL RECORD Observer Date Loea tion " " ~ , . County ......................• ~ ~ . l1uskrat •••.•• Beaver •••••• Hink •• ! ••••••••• Ylarten••••••• Coyote •••••. Badger •••••••••• Red Fox •••••. Grey Fox .•..Weasel ••.••••••• Bobcat ••••••• Lynx Cat ••••Ntn. Lion ••••••• Stripped Skunk, Black •.•.•Broad •••Narrow. Spotted Sku.p.k .••••••••••• Bear., •••••••••• .Other ..................................•........ ~ ~ . Immature ••..•....•....•..• ~.. Alive. ...................... Acti vi ty ..... ~..•... ~.... ~ Dead ••••••••••••• Cause of Death •••••••• Viature.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. • .. .. RE:£vlARKS: .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .• .... . .~ .... .• •.. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• •• •. •• •• • .. .. .. .. .. • '!'.~ •••• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••.• . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• • SEND RECORDS OF IV[ONTH. • •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ~ •• t! ••••••••••• .. .. .. .. .. .. •• •• •• •• • ~ ••••••• . .. .. .. .. .. •• •• •• • ..... .... .. •• •• •• ~ ••••••••• t: •••• TO DillNVEROFFIC~ AT' END Form carried by Federal Aid Personnel fur animal information. for collecting �The fur, harvest survey ini·tia ted in the spring ,of: 1950 by Richard N. Denney and presented. in the October-, ·1950, Qu,a,.rterly Progress Report is again being car-r-Led on this: year." To constitute: this survey,; postal card queatd.onnai.res are sent tolicen,sed t~appers in Colorado. To .date, approximately 20' per cent return has been obtained. It has been decided,to let this survey run for another month in 'hopes that a larger number of trappers will return the questionnaires. This' survey ,i:8., necessarily later. than last year because of the later spring muskrat trapping season in parts of Colorado. " II. Specific Studies on Important Species .. -. '- Job 1. Location and Happing of Habitat in San Luis, Platte, and YampaValleys. Job 2. Arkans'as, Colorado, Survey of Trend Areas. Objecti ves: To maintai:q_su,rveys .on ;trend, areas, in t.hese main dra.inagea for the basis of management. , ", To maintain trerids" of' number-swi.t1iin the "treri~n.' areas . 0 , Findings: The '28 already'established'muski'at population trend plots are In the process, of bei~g ':r:u.n!t, Adciitiopal plots have, been established and mapped. All of the";iriforina.'tion will be gathered during the months of September and October. Beaver' :'-.r ",_ Job 2. " Beaver-\1ildlife Relationships.. ' '" ~ . . bbjective: To det-ermine the effect surrounding. of beaver on other wildlife and the area Findings: To date approximately 800 beavers have been live-trapped, tagged, and transplaIltedo '; Forty-one of these- tagged animals have been recaptured and pelted, retransplatited, 'or found deadj.. Inf6rmation on 37 of these tagged beavers can,be-found iri ~it,her the January 1951 or the July 1951 Quarterly Progress Reports.' The f'ollowingt~ble represents information returned on four tagged beavers since.JUrie 1951. TABLE 1. --TAGGED BEAVER INFORliltiTIO'N, SHOW:j:NG HOW KILLED,LENGTH O'FTll'1EBETWEEN CAPTURES, VJEIGHT "GHA:tiGll:, AND ,NILES'TRAVEIED FRO'M PLANTING SITE, SUMMER Tag Number 1950 0" Length of'. 'J.';ime Between Captures (Days) , 11 ~85 312 6i5 213 Weight Change (Pounds) How Killed Pelted Pelted Pelted Pelted Distance from Planting Site (Ni:I,es) 2 10' 6 25 �-4Fewer beavers are pelted during the summer months as most of the animals caught during this period are live-trapped and transplanted. Therefore, little final information on tagged animals i9 gathered during the surnrrler. It is expected that after pelting again starts, much information will be returned on tagged animals. Job Completion Report Work Plan No. IV. Title of Job. Objective: such diet. Job No. 1. Bear Investigations Food Studies. To determine bears' diet by season and the factors affecting Findings: Twelve scats and stomach samples were analyzed for food content. The following table shows the results. TABLE 2.--BEAR SCAT AND STOlv.iACH ANALYSIS,. SHOWING DATE OBTAINED, ESTH'lATED AGE, TOTAL WEIGHT, AND CONTENT. No.' Date 1. 6-13-51 Estimated Age Fresh Sample 2. 6-20-51 1 Mo. 3. 6-24-51 1 !vIo. Weight (Grams) Contents .Per Cent ----- Grass, largely Blue Grass Poa pratensis 86.0 . Wool Ovis sp , 3.6 Bone Ovis sp. 3.0 Pachystirna PachystIiiiamyrs iriites'2.0 Douglas Fir Needles and Bark Pseudotsuga taxi folia 2.0 Aspen Wood Populus tremuloides 1.5 Domestic Sheep Meat OVis sp. 1.4 Iv'laggots Unidentified Tr. Traces 0.5 Total 100.0 Poa pratensis 17.4 Blue Grass 63.6 Oregon Grape lv'.iahonia aquifolium 20.3 Oak'Le~ves and Twigs'Quercus Gambeli 5.0 Cow Hair and Bone Bos sp. 4.8 Headow rue Thalictrum sp , 2.5 Ants and Ant Eggs Formicidae 1.7 Hornets ~enoptera 1.0 Curled Leaf Hountain ¥.lahoganyLeaves Cercocarpus ledifolius Tr. Maggots Unidentified Tr. Traces 1.1 Total 100.0 Hymenoptera 52.4 4.1 Hornets 45.6 Beaver Hair and Bone Castor canadensis Juniperus Utahensis 1.0 Juniper Berries Silphidae Tr. Carrion Beetles Unindentified Tr. Maggots Traces 1.0 Total 100.0 �- s r: TABLE 2.--Continued No. Date Estimated Weight Age (Grams ) 4. 6-24-51 1 Mo. 5. 6-24-5i 1,Ho. 14.4 ,Contents Per Cent Hornets HYmen6pter~ 86.9 Rock Squirrel Foot Sciurus ap. 6.2 Oak Leaves & Twigs Quercus Gambeli 3.9 'pinon Pine Nuts Pinus edulis 1. 6 Dougla~ Fir, Needles Pseudotsuga taxifolia 1.4 , , Totfll 100.0 Hymenoptera, 89.7 Hornets ' 8.0 Juniperus monosperma JUniper Berries ,1.2 " Juniper Bark ' Juniperus monosperma Tr. "Pinon Pine Needles ,Pinus, edulis Tr. Bos sp. Cow Hair Tr. Unidentified l'flaggots ,1.1 Traces Totai' _ 100.0 6. 8-26-51 3 Wks. 7. 8-30~51 .2 Wks. 100.0 ----" Chokecherries Prunus virgini~ma 80.0 21.0 ',-Grasshoppers Locustidae" Serviceberries A.melanchier Bake:r'i 15.2 1.8 Ants, Formicidae 1.6 Aspen Buds and TwigsPopulus 'treniU1oides Juniper Berries Juniperus Utahensis , 1....4 ::100.0 Tqta1 80 8-30-51 1 Day 9 -. 8- 30.... 51.. 1 Wk. 10.8~d.;51- 3 Wks. 110B-30-5i '1 Ho. 12.8-30-51 1 Ho. 10.0 5.6 ." , Serviceberries" ::'1lunelanchier Bakeri, Serviceberries Amelanchier Bakeri ,'AnlelanchierBa,keri 1'7~4 Serviceber;ies SerViceberries ' Amelanchier Bakeri 15.1 .8.7 Kinni).{innickEerriesArctostp.p"hjdos "" " " uva-ursi 10000 100.-0 100.0 10000 100.0 Haggot.s found in a scab or stomach sample will identify meat cont.aaned as being carrion or fr:esh. " .... .. ". �-6Job No. 2 Work Plan No. IV. Title of Job. Observation of Life Habits. Objective: To gain, by actual observation, and seasonal activities of bears. accurate data on the daily Findings: What seems to be a black bear record in Colorado was verified by the writer. This bear was taken in the Nt. Blanco area of Southern Colorado by a United States Fish and Wildlife Service Trapper in November of 1949. Several different people confirmed the fact that this bear weighed 665 pounds hog-dressed. The live weight for an animal of this size would be around 800 pounds. The pelt of this animal, as measured by the writer, is 82 inches from tip of nose to tip of tail. Previous to this time, the largest bear ever measured by the writer was 72 inches from tip to tip and weighed approximately 450 'pounds. A small cub was found July 16, 1951 in the East lY'Jancos River Breaks Country of Southwestern Colorado. The estimated age of this animal when found was, five months, and its weight was estimated to be 25 pounds. The cub was ' very poor, and it was thought that the mother was probably killed by sheep~ men as there were many sheep camps in the imme~ate area. The cub was released in Prater Canyon of Mesa Verde National Park on August 8, 1951-. When released, its estimated weight was 45 pounds and estimated age would be 5 months 23 days or nearly 6 months. During the early part of August heavy rains flooded many rivers on the western slope of Colorado. A fieid trip was made into the Upper Cimarron River County after extremely heavy rain. The river had flooded to an extent where many fish were killed. Bears had foraged up and down the banks eating the rotting fish. The carrion eating qualities of black bears were further substantiated in the writer's mind. The second grizzly bear in as many years was taken the latter part of August, 1951. This was not known to be a grizzly before trapped, and had positively killed five sheep. This bear was taken in the StarVation Gulch Area on the headwaters of the Rio' Grande River above Bear Town •.' The exact location is approximately Section 18, Township 40 North, Range 5 West. This is not far from where the grizzly was taken last year (July 1951 Quarterly Progress Report), although the two areas are separated by the summit of the continental divide. Last year the grizzly was taken in the Rincon la Vaca Area of the Los Pinos River Drainage in the San Juan Wilderness Area; Section 11, Township 39 North, Range 5 West. Both bears were medium-sized grizzlies, estimated to weigh in the vicinity of 300 pounds. There seems to be a slight increase in Colorado grizzly bear population. Grizzlies have been tenatively located on the Upper Piedra River Drainage, �";_ 7 Upper Flint Creek Drainage, and on the Upper Vallecito Drainage besides the two previously located areas. ill grizzly sign noticed has been very high, either at timber line or at the headwaters of river drainageso Measurements:were taken whenever possible of bears. Table 3. These are presented in TABLE ·3.-ESTI¥lATED AGE, ESTlflATED \.JEIGHTS,SEX, COLOR, DATE, AND IviEA,SUREI"JENTS OF THREE .'BEARs"'".....TAl\EN'':mOM JUNE TO ~EPTEFlBER, 1951 '. . Date .•. ' Age in Weight in Hind Height at Front Tail' Tqtal Years ,.Pounds Foot . Shoulder Length Length Color (Est.) (Est.). (Inches) (Inches) (Inches)(Inches Sex Phase i25 . 6-13-51 2-3 5-27":'51 113.ture .490 4-, 200 5-31-51 7.5 . 5.5' 23 .,.28 25 '9.6 7 '-5 44' 71 57 Brown Brown Black' M M H Note-Mature consid€?red to be over foUr years •. , ", l?entitioh f~rmulae TABLE 4..--NUMB~, Number of. sE3ve~bearp are present-ed in Table 4. 'AGE, AND'DtNTITI9N OF ,SEllENBEruts, JULY TO SEPTEMBER, 1951. Estimated .Age of Bear (Yrs.) .: Incisors Canines Dentition Pre-l'-'Iolars Molars Total " 1. 2. 3. 4. ,.. ' 6~ 7. 2-3 Very Old 1-2 4 3 Nature 4 '.:'_3/3'" 1/1 . 4/4 . '.4~1/1 '''3/3.' . 1/1,:: ' ..3/4-i· ...1/1 -"",4/4~1 '3/3 1/1 3/3 3/3: .·1/1 ... 4/3- . .. 1/1 '4-1/3 -30 -3 3 1/1 ·4-1/3 2/3 x 2=42 * ~/3-1 x 2=34 ** 2/3 x 2=42 ~HHr 2/3 x.2=38 2/3 x 2=40 2/3 x 2=38 2/3 x 2=38 Note-variance usually occurs in the ,premolars. However, there seems to be little preference as to premolar occurence in the upper or lower jaws. * This bear has a full compliment of teeth_; the first ever encountered by the writer e .: ** Variance here occurjred in the molars. This'was a very old bear, and one second molar was missihg in the lower, jaw.,:·The.remaining teeth were badly wor-n, Tpe. jaw bone had grown to fill; the cavity of the .lost molar (Fig •.. 8). *** Variance here occurred in the incisors. jaw while the normal number- Ls six (Fig. 7). The bear had seven in the lower �- 8Job No. 3 Work Plan No. IV. Title of Jobo Bear-livestock Kill Study. Objective: To gather accurate data on the amount of livestock killed by bear and the factors affecting. Findings: Bears were accused of chasing a horse down an eight foot well in Southern Colorado. Investigation could not disclose exactly what did take place, but the horse might have been spooked by a bear or some other animal passing through the field. A bear had fed upon the horse and met with some trouble in getting out of the well. A trap was set, but no bear were taken. Approximately on l~y 27 a bear reportedly killed two ewes and two lambs on Nuddy Creek 25 miles west of Kremmling. Lupine and larkspur .we re heavy There were approximately 20 sheep dead in the vicinity from in the area poisoning and about 10 sheep dead from lambing, according to the herder. On the same night of the supposed bear kill, one sheep died from plant poisoning on the same bed ground. A trap was set on Nay 29, and a small bear, weighing about 125 pounds and between two and three years of age, was taken on June 13. The fact that a 14 day period lapsed between the time the trap was set and the date the bear was caught plus the fact that carrion was so abundant in the immediate area, lead the writer to believe that bears were not responsible for the death of the sheep. G Two bears •. rer'e taken on Jvlay21 and May 27. in the Spanish Peaks Area of Huerfano County. A small calf had been killed, and one bear was trapped. The other bear was taken in the same area for wallowing in the cattle's drinking spot, hence keeping them from drinking. The trap was still set on June 19, and the writer suggested that it be pulled. . Two bears were taken on Pine Creek in the Lake City Area. The trapper stated that the two killed 14 sheep, one bear accounting for two, and the other killing 12 in one night. Investigation was made too late to authenticate or disprove the report. A very small cub was trapped and killed on Silver Mountain north of La Veta~ This bear we i.ghed about 50 pounds and was trapped for a cow killer. The trapper stated that the cub did not and could not have killed the lJow. Three calves were found dead by a 'rancher in Ouray County, 25 mil~s southwest of Montrose. Investigation disclosed no bear sign around the carcasses. Poisonous plants could not be found in the,are~,but the range was very severely used. A local veterinarian stated that he expected cattle to be pOisoned in the area from oak necessarily taken because of the overused range. A 70 pound cub was taken on Dry Creek west of Montrose where one sheep had been· killed. The trapper stated that this was not the bear that had �Figure 1. .A coyote that had been caught in a trap only to pull the trap and drag to its den. There the trap became entangled and the coyote died. Figure 2. Ii. porcupine that had been ea.ten by a bear. completely peeling the skin back. Note the manner of �Pi.gur-e Signs placed by the United States a tree by a bear trap. Figure A typical 3. Fish and ~Jildlife Service on 4. bear den that VIas used during the past ,",inter (1950). �.... ,' ,', ,< ~~. ~--+----It-'-w~~-~ Figure 5. Bear live trap of the type that is used in Colorado. Note the little door for looking into the trap and the hand rails for lifting the trap into the back of a pick-up. Figure 6. A black bear caught in a number 6 trap. Note how the leg bones have been broken. A number 5 is better suited for trapping black bears as they catch the bear across the pad of the foot, making escape much harder. �Figure 7. A Lower bear jaH "\:ith seven incisors. Figure The normal number is six. 8. Jaw of a very old bear. Note that the second molar is missing, also the degree of i.•ear on. the other teeth. �- 9 done the killing because the track of the killer was much larger. Only the one cub was caught at the trap site. In the same area a 600-700 pound heifer was thought to have been the victim of a bear attack. There were no signs of a struggle in the vicinity, and an animal of this size should have been able . to put up a fight. The carcass, however, had been eaten on by a bear. A trap· was set, but no bears were taken. Three bears were found in the Dry Creek area by one trapping pen, All had. been killed this yearo A stockman had evidently done his own control work. A prominent sheepman in the lVlontrosevicinity had, what he thought, was bear trouble. One or two lambs would be missing every night. None of the animals found would show siggs of having been eaten upon~ which is contrary to a bearos mannerisms. Investigation disclosed that the herders own dog had been doing the killing. In trapping bears~ either a number five or six trap is used. A number six is the largest spring, steel trap manufactured, and was widely used in Colorado during the era of the grizzly 9.onsequently, some are still in use today. The number six is, however, too large to be ideaLl.ysuited for trapping black bears A good bear trap, in proportion to the size of the. animal trapped, is one that catches the animal across the pad of the100t. A number six trap will catch a,black bear above the foot, often snapping the leg bones, making it relatively easy for the animal to tWist loose (Fig. 6). A bear once trapped becomes extremely "trapwise" and when crippled is more likely to become a stock killer. 0 0 Two new methods for killing bears were encountered by the writer. Xhe first consists of a large caliber rifle being set with a str~ng attached from the trigger to a piece of meat or across a traiL When the bear takes the meat or travels the trail, according to theory, he shoots himseJ.f. As can readily be seen, this method is extremely dangerous to oth_er wildlife as well as to livestock and man. The other method is to put grouhd glass in honey put out for bears. There is no need to enlarge upon this inhumane method and the agonies a bear would have to endure before death. Other honey~loving birds and animals would also be killed. Submitted by: Name D_o_u~'g,l_a_s __L_.~G_i~l~b_e_r_t ~--- Title Approved Wildlife Techni~ian ----~~~~~~~~~~--------Da te· Note: s by: September 20, 1951 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��IlfiffMililli BDQW021801 STATE - 11 - COLORADO ----------~--------- PROJECT NO._....;::J~9_-R_..o-.;..; __ QUA R T E R L Y SURVEYS. PRO G RES S I N V EST AND DATE OCTOBER, 1951 REP 0 R T I GAT ION S As required by FEDEl1AL AID IN ~ljILDLIFERESTORATION 1. T~tle of Project: 2. Project Leader: ACT Wild Turkey Surveys and Investigations Martin L. Burget; Donald L. Hoffman, Assistant Leader •.. 3. Report of Progress: Work Plan I. Job I-A: work finished; job completion report attached. ..II Job. 2...,.A: II. " " n II Job 3-A: II II II It II. " Job 4-A: II " It .11 n Job 5: " Proceeding according to .~ ,. .: :. .. schedule Work Plan IL Job 1: Lnac'td.veduring. report period. JOB COl1PLETION REPORT Work Plan I. Title of Job: Job No. lao Survival checks. Objective: To make turkey counts in planted and original areas to determine population status e, Findings: .Survival checks on the Western. slope were made in two., principal periods: Early checks - reported as preliminary checks; and regular. checks later when :the food species were more fully de~ veloped. During the winter period a rather close watch had been kept �12 on wintering and feeding areas. In many localities down as well as in former years. .. . . birds did not come . The d~ wintering conditions and very open winter weather were considered as principal reasons for the absence of turkeys from regular feed grounds. The early checks did not prove very satisfactory. In many of the regular strut grounds, wa~er and ponds had completely disappeared. Close examination of places- where' water vias present did not reveal as much active sign as would be expected. In all cases very active use by-stock, mostly cattle, would prevent the observation of much sign unless it was very fresh. Later checks found the problem even greater. Stock had so trampled the areas about water holes and springs that little sign could be found. Some late rains had partly filled some of the reservoirs. Checks.on numbers of these showed-the turkeys had not yet found them or, at least, they were not using the area. Even general reports were very conflicting. There were numbers of reports by stockmen of considerable numbers of adult birds without poults. One report in the Hesperus area was that from.60 to 75. adult turkeys were banded together without_ any young. Another report was-of about sixty adults in the Florida river area without poults. Two reports in the Pagosa Springs district were to' the: effect that.hens and toms were running together in July. This is not a normal condition at all. Toms, like other male ,.ild animals do run together between mating seasons, but it is unusual for toms and hens to be running together in late season. Pagosa Springs District. Generally this area held up well despite bad wintering conditions. The Blanco River flocks were smaller than one year ago while birds at Confer Hill and Coyote Park had increased. A report of .over one hundred turkeys came in from the Montezuma Mesa area and another of about the same number from the district north of Edith on the Lower San Juan ~iver. East of Pagosa Springs on }'lillCreek, more birds were reported than for several years. l"iorebirds were reported in t.he Snow Ball Creek-Turkey·-Creek area. Piedra-Yellowjacket. The Stallsteimer area shows a definite decrease in the number of birds over last season. There were more turkeys reported in the lower Piedra district north of Highway 160. The Yellowjacketdivide area was .down almost to nothing. The shlilfthere was no doubt due to short feed conditions. The Notch area - west of Yellowjacket - had turkeys early, but none have been seen since. At Turkey Ranch. the flocks were down in numbers. �- 13 Pine River Area. In the Beaver Creek and Bear Creek sections there were a good many turkeys. Around Pine River Dam the flocks were down in numbers. At Red Creek there were few birds seen. Some expressed the thought that the mill crews were working on them. There are not as many birds as in former years in this entire district. Anim~s Drainage - Birds have left the upper area almost completely. In the Indian Creek and Sawmill Canyon the birds have drifted out. This is probably due to short water supply. Even deer show a definite decrease in the district. On Lightner creek the reports were scattered and somewha t contrad.ictory. One rancher reported seeing only tliO turkey hens all spring. Another reported over 20 in the same area. A. sheep camp tender near Bal.Ly Mountain reported 75 in a single flock in mid-July. Florida River. Here most of. the birds were reported in tvlO or three large flocks in high country, higher than normal for summer range. Thompson Park This includes Cherry Creek, Starvation Creek and adjac~nt areas where birds have thinned out materially. The best f~ocks still range north of Starvation Creek and the Railway. Disease factors and parasites are blamed for the lack ot.development in this area. Flancos River Drainage East Canyon was searched without finding sign. Reports were to the effect that the flocks had decreased in numbers for at least two years. Checks showed the birds had shifted and were widely scattered. In an area on the East Mans:os River where birds wer-e supposed to have disappeared complet~ly,.fresh sign and birds were observed. Later reports from this area showed· the birds were ranging in high country, which proved to be correct when checked. Lost Canyon - Hay. Camp Hesa Seven stock ponds have dried up in this area. Others have been partially refilled by recent raj.ns. Turkeys are high in Lost Canyon. One report of sixty adult birds was rr~de in mid-July. Another report of 4 hens wi th 25 poults came from Hay Camp llilesa• The last reporter, hr. Osterfel t, also mentioned seeing various flocks in the area. �- 14 Upper Dolores Canyon. Flocks have thinned out somewhat in thi's area, but are still being reported. The highest flock mentioned. was at Rio Lado whic;tiis pretty high for wintering flocks. O~her flocks have been :rep.ortedon Cottonwood Creek and on Fish Creek. Dolores Canyon. About 175 tur-keys winte'red in the lower Dolores Canyon as compared with nearly 400 a year ago. Some turkeys were drifting back into. the canyon in early and mid-August. A good many turkeys are being reported in the Glade area this summer and fall. This is near the rims of Disappointment Canyon. The Uncompahgre Area. Many turkeys were reported in the Ute area and the Tabaguache basin areas. Checking some of these reports it was discovered that some of these observations were made a year ago. The Clay Creek district has a heavy population of turkeys. Ranchers are wondering when a season will open in the district •. Turkeys are shifting about a: good deal in the Log Hill Mesa and Cow Creek areas. A long Jeep trip was taken in the log Hill Hesa country and only one turkey track was found. The Glenwood Springs Area. This latest planted area was closely watched during late !spring and early summer. Two early broods were reported in the area near Canyon Creek. planting site. One of these was of eight poults and the other of eleven. The birds scattered con;siderably in lliEB:)mating period. Numerous reports of birds being scattered in unusual places came in. Someaf these were checked without finding much trace. One report was made of turkeys showing up on the South Fork of: the White River. Another was a report of birds on East Rifle Creek. A single hen near the release ph ~\]'est Elk Creek tried to Lure some tame turkeys away. The hen was observed durillg a trip to the area but evidently gave up and left the area. There are no late reports of turkeys in the area. made soon. More checks will be Survival checks on. the Eastern Slope were not begun until the latter part ·of June. By this time the b;i.rdswere well'dispersed throughout the area resulting in di·fficult field checking through otJservation and field sign. More reliance than usual, therefore, was placed upon'reports of rachers and other persons liv~ng within the wild turkey area. �- 15 An open winter throughout most of the areas on the Eastern Slope may have a.LLowed many wild turkeys to winter higher than usual. This condition rr~kes it very difficult to compare reported and observed winter populations. Data from field notes during the summer of 1950 have been compared "lith data from the summer of 1951 to establish the following population trends in regard to wintering populations on the Eastern Slope. A. POPULATION TRENDS BY AREAS Soanish Peaks The southern half of the Spanish Peaks had a few more turkeys during the past winter than during the previous winter even with the shortage of foods in this area. The northern half including the area from the Jarosa to ¥nddle Creek shows a reduction in wintering populations over the previous years. Sharpest reductions have been reported in the Chucharas River, Api shapa , and Jarosa drainages where approximately 250 fewer birds were reported during the past winter. Wet Mountain Areas The Beulah-Rye areas have shown somewhat of a reduction in the wintering population. Fewer birds also were seen in the Pass Creek area. The first turkeys seen for some time were reported in the Williams Creek area near Gardner. This was a flock of 25 seen this spring by one of the ranchers in the area. Canon Ci ty-Salida Areas Because of the comparative inaccessibility of much of this area any trend in population has been very hard to secure. In the few cases where comparisons could be made the indication is that the populations have remained stable. Purgatoire River-Mesa de Maya Areas Field checks have shown a rather large reduction in numbers in both the Purgatoire River area around Higbee and tYie Nesa de Haya areas. There has, however, been an increase in the area which these birds inhabit. This may have been caused partly by the shortage in natural foods during the past .v-interseason. B. FIELD SIGN Where possible roosts, watering sites, dusty trails, meadows and other likely places have been checked for field sign consisting of tracks, droppings, scratchings, and feathers to �- 16 substantiate, where possible, all reports r-ecetved , While only a rough indication of the population in an area can be secured using this system, it is nevertheless considered a valuable aid in deterniining trends in popul.atd on, general, the amounts of field sign aS,well as the number of turkeys seen in the different areas substantiated the above population trends.; In C. CRIPPLED BIRDS A total of four crippled birds have been reported from last fallus open seasono These reportedly all occurred in the 'Rye areao Another crippled bird has been reported in the Bear Creek drainage in the Salida area, This was a hen with a crippled wing -- the cause of injury being unknown. \1ork Plan 1. Title of J'ob: Location of transplanting srt.es, Objective~ To locate areas suitable for transplanting tUrkeys. Due to low food production on western slope no areas are recomrilerided for transplanting this season. Even planting sites chosen previously have such low food values that birds could only survive through regular feeding This we do not recommendo The new areas were examined early in Julyo 0 Area No. I South Slope of King Mountain" This area lies south and West of McCoy. The area has an abundance of foo'd plants in a normal year-, This year, mast and seed production is almost entirely missingo The important speCies, 'Oak Pine; Snowberry, Service berry, Roses with a heavy mixture of grasses and weeds are present There is an abundance of water. The 'real drawback to the area is the fact that rooatdrig ,sites are miles from the' normal, food. supply. 0 Area No. II Derby Creek - Oh the lr/estSlope of King l'1ountain, ,This area has possibilities. There is an abundance of food, and water is plentiful. Roosting sites are close at hand; The general tyPe of this area Is Ponderosa Pine.\'Oak, Spruceo In the lower part 'of the area there ar,e many Pinyons and Cedars (Juniperus scopUlorUm). on The principal drawback to the area is, that snow lays heavily the east slopes and flats during the winter months. There are enough south slopes on the Colorado River Canyon to justify a plant in this, area if the Glenwood Springs plant takes holdo There is more food in this district than any observed, this _season. �- 17 A total of five proposed transp~anting sites was checked during the past quarter on the, eastern slope. One area which was checked last summer was rechecked. Areas which proved unsatisfactory as transplant sites are given below with reasons in rather brief form, while areas thought to be suitable as wild turkey range are covered more completely, 1. Bruff, Creek-Upper }luddy Creek Recheck: This area was originally checked last swmner and found to be suitable wild turkey range but not recommended for planting because of possible poaching pressure in the area. A recheck was made during the middle of August. The food in the Bruff Creek area was found to be sufficient to carry a plant this coming trapping season. On checking in the Muddy Creek area, however, it was learned that one rancher who controls most of this drainage was strongly opposed to all wildlife species in the area and would do nothing to protect the turkeys should they range in the ¥ruddy Creek area. Because of the close proximity of the two drainages, it is recommended not to plant either drainage at this time. 2. Tecolote Creek area southeast of Kim: This area which lies on the northeast edge of Tecolote lViesaand approximately 25 miles southeast of Kim on the Bob Kirk Ranch was checked during,the latter part of A.ugusto Tecolote Creek flows into Carrizo Creek near the area checked as a transplant site southwest of Pritchett. This latter area proved much better wild turkey range in respect to vegetative types of the two. No large ponderosa pine are found in this area although there are groups of cottonwoods along the creek to serve as roostso It is thought that if birds are planted in the Carrizo Creek drainage, natural spread Will eventually populate this area. It is, therefore, recommended not to plant this spe cific area at this time. 3. Butte Creek area north of Kim: This ar~a which lies approximately 14 miles north of Kim on G. 11. Russell Ranch was also, checked during'the latter part of August. The vegetation in the area consisted of an almost straight cedargrassland type. There are very few: skunkberry and a few ponderosa pine in groups but no acorns, roses, or other wild turkey food species. It was concluded that wild turkeys would not do well in this area and should not be planted. Description af Area This area which lies, north of Buena Vista within the Buf.fala Peaks �- 18 State Game Refuge lies along Four Mile.Creek .heading near Buffalo Peak and flowing southward running into the Arkansas River above Buena Vista. Vegetative ~ -With Pres.ent Food Conditions The area ranges from' pinon type near Buena Vista to the .area above timberline on Buffalo Peak. Checking from near the end of the -road (Chaffee Co. #?2) a:p.dworking downWard, several rather distinct vegetative types were observed. These are listed below ·with present food conditions and approximate width of belt. a. Upper vegetative zone checked. Aspen Ponderosa pine -- few new cones Douglas fir Snowberry (few) -- fair crop berries Alder Cu:rrants -- poor crop fruit Grasses -- good crop seed Timothy Wheatgrass . Bluegrass Green needle grass Clover b. Second vegetative zone ~- less than l! miles wide Ponderosa pine few new cones Douglas fir Aspen (few) Pinon pine (very few) fair crop cones Mountain mahogany Currants -- fair crop fruit Roses (very few) ;-- fair amount fruit Rabbitbrush Grasses -- fair amount seed Fescue Muhly, etc. Kinnikinnick -.'.. a few berries c. Third vegetative zone -. approximately 3/4 mile:wide Pinon -pine -- fair. crop cones Ponderosa pine (few) -- scattered Aspen (few) . Currants (abundant) -- fair amount fruit Mountain mahogany Skunkberrj (very few) -- fair number barr-tes. .: Grasses generally poor to fair condition -000 ; �- 19 Vegetative d. Types With Present Food, Conditions (Continued) , Fourth vegetative zone -- approximCl.tely 7 miles wide Pinon pine -- good crop cones Ponderosa pine (few scattered) -- fair number cones Red cedar (few) Currants (abundant) fair amount fruit Roses (few) -- bearing good ' Rabfuitbrush Skunkberry (few) -- fair number fruit Grasses -- generally in poor condition on dry slopes but fair in areas BLue gramma Needlegrasses Indian ricegrass Cover While the vegetative cover is far from densE:),in lllostqf the area checked, the natural ruggedness of the area 'with itR st~ep hillsides and canyons and large boulders would afford the turkeys adequate escape cover. Water The presence within the area of both Four Mile Creek and the Arkansas ~iver should give the birds ample watering sources. ,Roosting trees Large ponderosa pines scattered throughout the area should give the birds an ample selection of roosting sites. Conclusion and Recommendations From the foregoing information secured in field checks within the area, it is concluded that the area would suppoJ;'ta limited number of wild turkeys, but a lack of essential food species on the winter, range would limit their development. It is felt that too great a reliance would of necessity be placed upon the pinon and ponderosa pines in the area. Experience has shown these species to be erratic in their nut bearing qualities. 5. Carrizo Creek and tributaries: The area lies southwest of Pritchett and consists chiefly �- 20 of Carrizo Creek with three main side creeks -- Cottonwood Creek, Pintavo Creek, and Te;colote Creek along with numerous sma.Ll.ersd de " canyons. Carrizo Creek, which heads along the east side of Mesa ,de }aya, runs into the Cimarron River in New Mexico. Vegetative ~ With Present Food Conditions Skull Canyon -- a side canyon of Carrizo Creek North Slope Pinon pine -- no new cones Live oak -- fair crop acorns Skunkberry --'a few fruit Yucca Grasses -- fair including Blue and side oats gramma Blue stem Bristlegrass Sand dropseed Weeds -- fair crop seeds South Slope Pinon 'pine' -- no cones Live oak -- good crop acorns Skunk berry -- fair number berries Houn tain mahogany Utah juniper -- fair ntWlber berries Grasses -- same as north slope -- good Weeds -- fair number seeds Carrizo Creek area compares fa~orably with above description. Cottonwood Creek area -- above Dodge Ranch Cedar (Utah and Rocky Mountain-Red) -- fair number berries Oaks (Gambel's and Live) -- very good crop acorns Wild plum -...fair crop fruit Skurikberry -- fair nUmber berries Wild grape -- few fruit' Grasses (various) -- .tair Weeds -- fair crop seeds Chokecherry'-- fair number fruit Hackberry --no fruit Mulberry ,-' through fruiting -- no fruit Pintavo Canyon area " ' " No thorough check was made of this canyon but'from the bluff the vegetation appeared similar to that along Carrizo Creek and Skull Canyon with the exception of the following Pinon pine -- a few new cones ' Ponderosa pine - no nffi~ cones �'-l,._}: .• ,.- - 21 Rancher interviews The~e are at present only four ranchers living within th~ area and three of these control almost the entire area. These ranchers -.-Mr. "VialterDunlap, Iv'lr. Fred Ylizer, and YJr. Robert Dodge _,... were unantmous'ly in favor of introducing wild turkeys into the area and all stated they 'would protect them with the hope they may increase to where they could be hunted in the future. Predators· There are at present a few bobcats ra.nging in the ~ea, very few coyotes, but numerous raccoons according t.o residents.· One golden eagle was observed 'on the prairie area northeast of the area. In general, however, the predator situation: should not hinder wild turkey development in the area to any great extent. Grover C. Jorden, the USF&WS Predatory Animal trapper has been work~ng in this area for the past several seasons arid has kept the predator pressure down. Water Running water can be found year around in Carrizo,· Cottonwood Cr~ek, . Pintavo Canyon and Teeolote Creek according to residents in the area. These creeks are all ruiming good at present. In addition springs can be found in many of the side canyons; so the birds would have an ample supply of water. Roosting trees Groups of tall ponderosa pines while not plentiful in the area can be found scattered along the main canyon walls and at the higher reaches. In addition large cottonwood trees are numerous. Several suitable ponderosa pine roosting sites were observed in the field checks • Conclusion and Recommendation ~. From the foregoing information secured in checking this area it lS conclude~ that the area is favorable as wild turkey habitat and shoul~ recelve one or possibly two transplants during the coming trapplng season for the following reasons~ a. The area compares favorably with the Purgatoire River near Higbee, with this area having better food species and a greater amo~t of vegetati~e co~er. Scrub oak, pinon pine, skunkb~rry,wlld grape, natlve grasses and various weeds are f?u~d.ln goo~ amounts. and the food situation at the present tlme lS consldered fa.lr to good with a good acorn crop in some areas. :'. �- 22 -' b. It is believed the birds would receive the necessary.protection from the land owners in the area. Much' of the area lies within the Carrizo State Game Refuge. c. The water supply was f'ound to be ample. : d. .. " ", . .... Several. groups of large pond~rQsa pine and,many large cottonwoods are found, . in the area suitable for r-oos ts. s ». . . e. Much of the area is inaccessible and exceedingly rough and should, therefore, favor~the wild turHeys • ..If possible, birds taken for the purpose of stocking this area should come from either the Purgatoire River or Mesa de Maya turkey areas because' of the similarity of habitats. 'Work Plan 1. . Title of Job: Job 3a. Predator Relationship Study Western Slope Areas This report is shown.in.Table I b'1drainages. TABLE I. --AREAS SHOWING INCREASES' OR AN OVER ABUNDANCE OF PREDATORS ". . '. .. Area Bob Cat A. San Juan }llillCreek It II Little Blanco No report Big Blanco Bob Cat Wolf .. Creek Pass ,tt II Lower San Juan' .I~ n Four Hile Creek II II B. Piedra Upper Piedra n" Lower Piedra II II Turkey Creek II .' " Stallsteimer Cr. II II Yellow Ja~ket' " " C. Pine River Beaver Creek "n Pine River Dam II " D. Animas River. Lower Animas R. "II Upper Animas. R.." ,II Lightner Creek .'.'"n Florida River .. ".11 Coyote It Mtn. Lion Owls report nII Eagles " Skunks II II II It n Htn. Lion II II II It tI It ." II II II It II .II.: II " 3 seen II II n },ltn.Lion ; .. If II ., •" If .11 II ,. II II . ,',. " .' Other �- 23 TABLE I.--(Continued) Bob .Cat Area Coyote lYltn.Lion n n 'Eagles Owls Skunks, Other E. 11a.ncosRiver " " Thompson Park It East Canyon East IVla.ncos F. Dolores River II Lost Canyon Upper Dolores R. It Lower Dolores R. Granath Hesa n The Glade G. Uncompahgre Uncompahgre N.F. " Conclusions It It It " II " It II II " If It " " It " II " II II " " " " " It It " It and Recommendations There is a general increase in the number of predators, particularly bobcats, lions, and skunks. It is believed that the increase in the number of predators is due, very largely, to low fur prices and lack of local interest in controlling these pests. A more intensive trapping campaign by Department especially on the three species mentioned. personnel is recommended Eastern Slope Table 2 has been included to show areas where predators have been repor-ted or observed as being numerous. As was found during the field checks last summer, the bobcat, ~ rufus californicus, again heads the list. The coyote, Canis latrans,appears to have increased somewhat in the -;'Jet l'1.ountainareas:- It is felt that the common skunk is more numerous throughout the Eastern Slope ~Jild Turkey areas than Table 2 would indicate. Because of the large areas over which both the mountain lions and eagles range, it is difficult to assign concentrations to any specific areas. Much more study is needed to determine the role which each of the predators plays in areas where ,dId turkeys range. �- 24 TABLE 2.--AREAS WHERE PREDATORS HAVE BEEN REPORTED OR OBSERVED AS OVERABUNDANT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING .Area Bobcats Spanish Peaks ¥.tiddleCr. Santa Clara N. Trujillo Cr. Apishapa Zarcillo Canyon Reilly Canyon North Fork Wet Mountain"Area ... Apache Cr. Upper Muddy Cr. 2nd }f.la.ce North Cr. S. Hardscrabble Cousin Spgs. Williams .Cr. Pass Cr. Canon City Salida Area Cottonwood Cr. (Cotopaxi» Howard Cr. Cherry Cr. Red Gulch Turret Texas Cr. Coyotes Predator· Mtn. Eagles Lions x x x x x x Great Horned Owls Skunks ..Other x· x x Foxes x x. x x x x x x x x Raccoons x· x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ." . x Stray cats x Raccoons ... Purgatoire ~ Mesa de Maya Areas Purgatoire R. (Higbee) Chacauco Canyon Mesa de Maya x x x x �- 25 Kills: An unusually large number of wild turkey remains were reported or observed from the past fall-winter season. A total of 50 birds renlains were reported with many of these being verified during this past quarter's checks. The shortage of food during the past fall-winter-spring seasons may have left the birds in poorer condition than normally, resulting in heavier predation than usually. The follm-Jing is a breakdown of .these kills by areas. Spanish Peaks IvliddleCr. Bear Cr. Trujillo Cr. Zarcillo Canyon Wet Canyon 8 2 2 11 2 Rye Area Apache Canyon Best Place North Cr. 1 1 11 Beulah Area Cousin Springs North Cr. 3 3 Salida Area Bear Cr. Hayden Cr. Red Gulch 1 1 1 Kim Area Chacauco Canyon Hesa de Naya 1 2 Of the above, most of the predation was thought to have been done by bobcats although coyotes, eagles and great-horned owls may also have been responsible for part of this loss •. Illegal killing is thought to have been the cause in the death of three of these cases. Only three cases of mortality have been observed or reported which occurred during the summer months. One was a juvenile turkey's remains whf.ch had been eaten by a winged predator in Burrow Canyon in the Trinidad area .and found August ,23. The other tl-w cases were young turkeys found on the North Creek road in the Beulah area by a rancher in the area and thought to have been automobile kills. . �- 26 - Work Plan, I , Titl~of Job: Job 4a~ Brood Counts Objecti ve r To. Locat-e and count the nwnber of young turkeys. Findings: Western Slope Hens Glenwood Springs Area Poults 1 8 1 10 2 hens average 9.0 poults Canyon Cr. Elk Cr. per'hen ' Dolores Area Upper Dolores River Lost Canyon' 5 25 1 4 5 hens averaget6~0 poults per hen" Pago§a Sprtngs Area 2 1 1 Devil Cr. Yellow Jacket Divide Stallsteimer Cr. 7 " 1 14 1 1 3 7 8 hens average 3.75 poults per hen TOTAL 15 hens average 5.2 poults :; per hen ' It Shbuld:be n6ted that only fifteen henS were'observ~d' this se~sonas compared with the thirty-five of the previous year. The ~astern siope this year shows. ~uch better development • .,' "'. . As it has been . noted before:" in an'extrefuely ~, per-Led like, this season, ' the turkey, hens have'difficulty in hatching off their clutches. If the eggs cannot, be mof.sbened just before hatching the inner membrane, of the egg dries down the birds; The young birds cannot pip through this and die in the shells. This.J no doubt accounts for a nwnber of sIllGllbroods shown above. an �- 27 Eastern Slope As in previous years, much cooperation in securing brood counts has been given by W-ardens, State Trappers, Forest Rangers, and interested ranchers. For this assistance we vdsh to express our sincere appreciation. The following is a list of broods reported or observed by areas: Hens La.Veta Area Cucharas River N. Wahatoya Cr. Aguilar Area Santa Clara·· Apishapa S. Trujillo Cr. N. Trujillo Cr. Havricio Canyon Trinidad Area Burro Canyon Reilly Canyon Abbott and Duling Zarcillo Canyon 3 1 1 3 2 10 hens average 5.4 poults per hen 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 hens average 8.7 poults per hen 2 3 2 1 1 2 4 5 2 1 23 hens average 5.Ii poults per hen Poults 22 8 3 16 5 9 12 7 15 4 10 4 15 16 16 9 4 6 15 25 14 4 �- 28 - Rye ,Area " , Greenhorn Cr. Rye~an Isabel" Rd. " Hens Poults ,1 '9 1 1 9 5 i 2nd YUlee Ridge Road '5 ,13 6 hens average 6.8 poults " per hen, 2 Beulah Area S. Hardscrabble Cr. 5 1 6 1 1 1 1 North Creek Boyce Lamberth's 12 5 7 2 14 4 26 11 hens average 6.8 poults per hen ,,' Canon City Area Hillside .. 3 6 Copper Gulch ; ~: 20 24 1 1 ,1 6 :!.. 7 12 hens average 5.7 poults 11 'per hen " Salida Area Red Gulch Howard Creek Hayden Creek "~ '2 30 2 2 1 15 25 6 7 hens average 10~8poults per he~ Mesa de Maya Area Mes_a Purgatoire River Area Higbee 6 46 1 12 1 4 8 hens average 7.7 poults per hen TOTAL 84 hens average 6.7 poults per hen �t; 1----t--4--t--+---t--y-r----;~l / / / ~ -0 ~ Q : ~~ / tl - / 0 til 'i~ II JI ~\-,~'\-+---+--t-V-Vll' -r-i I I t I ~ . '\~V X ~~~-4;'~-+ I\ 'I\~-r--r-j-~~ \ \ \ \ :3-~ !)p•••.. o L 30 ~~.,•• () a ."Ii--o-.o l ,.: 9/ 1, "·elL 1 .l L I s Q-. - - �- 29 General Summary Survival checks indicated some wintering loss in the year. due to short food conditions and possible predator activity •. Some disease factors may have caused some of the losses also. Transplanting sites were not recommended on the Western Slope due to the extremely short food conditions. These would necessitate winter feeding practices which are not recommended. One area is recommended on the Eastern slope. Generally predators are on the increase over the entire turkey range. Brood counts for the Eastern Slope were fairly normal as far as the number of broods counted is concerned. The average brood size is down •. On tp:e.Western Slope, the number of broods reported or observed was less than half of last year with much smaller broods recorded. Submitted by: Name ¥~rtin L. Burget & Approved by; Donald M. Hoffman Title s Wildlife Technicians --------------~--~~~---Date September 26, 1951 ��Co {o. '1ept. G G-Vl1e- q-- Iljjjijilifi~~ r;'s~ BDOW021802 Quu-(t, ProjrC-SJ fe-fr. OJ. - 31 - (q~1 STATE COLORADO --------------~-- ,PROJECT NO., OCTOBER, 1951 DATE QUA SUR R T E R L Y V E Y SAN PRO DIN G R,E S S V EST REP I GAT 4i-R 0 R T ION S As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Surveys and Investigations 2. Project Leaders: G~org~ W. Jones and Claude E. White, Jr. 3. Report of Progress: Work Plan I. Job 1: Inactive during report period. Job 2: Procee~ng according to schedule. Job 3: Reported in July, 1951. Job 4-A: Work finished; job completion report attached. Job 5: Proceeding according to schedule. Job 6: Inactive during report period. JOB CO~WLETION REPORT Work Plan I. Job No.4-A. Title of Job: the State. Census and distribution studies 'on herds throughout Objective: To find the increase or decrease and sex of the resident and transplanted herds. �- 32 Findings7 P:i,kes,p.eakHerd.- An extremely dry summer plus constant disturbance of the sheep by 200-300 Camp Carson soldiers distorted the annual trends made this summer on Pike's Peak. As a result of these factors the total count was lower and the normal distribution pertrE?nd was ,compJ,etely changed when compared with the results of the past two years. TABLE 1. Rams Ewes Lambs Yearlings 1949 38 90 43 1950 45 79 39 ~ ~ 192 205 Totals 1951 52 43 34 18 147 A comparison of. the results of 3 year's trend counts shows little consistenqr- with .the exception of the increase in the number of rams. The decrease in the ewe, lamb and yearling groups in 1951 is not consistent with the number of sheep present, since it is believed that the trend count should run from 190-200 sheep with a normal yearly increase per trend. Unfortunately the disturbance caused by the soldiers was complete over the summer and upper limits of the winter range on Pikes Peak. The prolonged drought in the Pike's Peak area has continued this summer. The few good rain and hail storms which did cover the peak area were too late and too far apart to cause any lasting change in either the volume or vigor of vegetative growth. This extreme dryness has also affected the distribution of the individual herds on Pike's Peak. The patterns of distribution for July show concentrations in areas of the Peak which 'normally contain mostly transient sheep on their way between more frequented areas. This difference in distribution patterns is easily seen when the number of sheep per trend in 1950 is compared with the number per trend in 1951. TABLE II. 1950 R Cow Mountain Sheep Mountain 45 Bison Reservoir Beaver Creek Upper Beaver Creek Lower E L 1951 Y R E L Y 14 4 22 23 9 15 3 7 7 35 13 34 27 4 9 7 45 21 15 �- 33 -The abnormal human disturbance on the P~ak, if it continues,.may force a change of· time in the running of the trend count.s, ; ., Rifle Creek; Investigations were conducted this quarter in the East Rifle, West_Ri,fle, Red Canyon and Flagg Creek areas near Rifle 9 Colorado. Three rams, 8 ewes and 6 lambs were located in Red Canyon and 16 ewes and 7 lambs were located in Rifle Gap_ The Red Canyon herd is a .nat.ura.I.herd with no intercourse with other her-ds, The herd located at Rifle Gap .i.sa transplanted herd, theY,wete, released· at the Claude Reese Ranch, 10 miles north of,Rifle. They traveled south to Rifle Gap and have remained in the near vicinity of Rifle Gap, 3 .mi.Lesfrom Rifle. These sheep, with the exception of the rams, show no desire to travel to the higher parts of the. Rifle Hogback during the summer. The increase since their release is comparable with the increase ·of the Cache La Poudre herd, which is excellent. Georgetown: Distribution checks made on this herd in August showed that the sheep in; this are,a were summer-Ing near timberline. As was the case last summer,'very few of.the, Georgetown sheep spend much time above tdmber-Ltne, Forty-two sheep consisting of 9 rams, 27 ewes and 13 lambs were located' immediately above Gecr-get.own,just below timberline. ., Grant, Haroon Creek, Gore, Castle Creek and Ten Mile Range: These areas are checked eve,ry summer. It has been .f'oundthat these ,timberline herds inhabit. the same general area throughout, July amLA.ugus t when these checks are made. Their numbers and sex-ratio vary greatlyo Little or no increase,is noted frbm year to year. This year at Grant 7 rams, 14 ewes and 9 lambs, a total of 33, were located on 3 Nile Creek. This herd has been supplemented by plants from Tarryall • ._ Fifteen ewes and 8 lalTlbswere located on the south side of Ivlaroon Creek, near timberline. This is the largest group of sheep observed to date 6f this herd. The only sheep observed on Gore Creek this summer were one ewe and lamb. This ewe and lamb spent the maoority of the summer in the area between Pitkin and Booth Creek. On Castle Creek, 3 old rams, 7 ewes, and 3 lambs were observed near timberline. Although this area is checked annually, this is the first bunch of sheep seen here since 1947. On the 10 Mile Range, 3 :r;-ams, 6 ewes and 4 lambs Here located in Buckskin Gulch near AlITIa..This herd may be found in Buckskin Gulch every summer. �- 34With the exception of the Grant herd the rest of the herds listed exist under extremely adverse conditions during the winter. They have little or no winter range which would provide conditions necessary for the survival of the lambs. These adverse winter .. conditions are chiefly responsible for the lack of increase in these herds. Rocky Mountain Goat Investigations: .Numerous trips have been made throughout the quarter in an attempt to locate the goats and evaluate the success of the Mountain Goat transplant in Colorado." Several sight reports of the goats were received from the Henry-Mountain area and one. report was received from Kebler Pass, northwest of Crested Butte. The Kebler Pass report was difficult to check~ If the goats have moved from Mt. Harvard to that area they will be extremely difficult to find. The Henry Mountain area, including Lo~tis Creek,' south Lottis Creek, Gbld Creek; Fairview Peak, Green Mountain, Square Top Mountain and· Fossil Mountain were all investigated on foot. Although the goats could still be in the area no tracks or droppings were found. If further reports come from this area it will again be investigated next summer. The only report by Game Depar-tment personnel was made by Technician George Jones in August 1950. He observed 3 of the goats on the east side of Nt. HarVard. It is 'felt that at least part of the goats are in this area. It will be thoroughly covered on foot and horseback next summer. It is now evident that the location of the plant of goats did not lend itself to good study conditions and much persistence will be required to assure any degree of efficiency in the study. The goat ranges 6f'Montana have since been studied and compared with other areas in Colorado which we feel would be more suitable in the event of any future transplants' Submitted Name by: Claude E. White, Ti t.Le Wildlife NOTE: Approved: Jr. Technicain COLORAD~ . AND FISH DEPARTMENT By.·j~~.·· .... Title C_.__N_.__F_e_a_s_t~, __D_i_r_e_c_t_o_r _ Date O_c_t_o_b_e_r __2~,__19~5~1 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. _ �- 3S STATE .COLORADO, ~~~----~~~-- PROJECT NO. DATE QUARTERLY PRbGRtSS :b EVE LOP 3S-D OCTOBER,.19S1 REPORT MEN, T. As required by FEPERAL, AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. TibLe of Project:' 2. ,Leaders: 3. Antelope Restoration GordonDougl.as and Clois E, Till Report of Progress: WorkPlan I. Job 1: Inactive Job 2.,.,.A: during report period. Work firii~hed; job completion report attached" Job 3; Workfinished; job completion report 'attci'ched., Job 4: Workfinished; job completion report attached. Job S: Proceeding according to acheduf,e, Job 6: Inactive during report period • .Job 7: Work finished; Job 8: Fielo. work finis'hed; completion report being drafted. job completion report attached. Job 9-~: ~ork finished; job completion reporf attached. WorkPlan II. 'Job 1: Inactive during report period. JOB Cbl1PLETION REPORT Work'Plan 1. Title of Job: Job No.2-A, Predator Studies. �,-,3p Object-iye:, To deter~Il,e the amount of predation upon antelope by golden eagl,e 'and coyote • ..•. f Scope:-' This s'tudy was made on the Colorado Antelope Refuge and viqil}ity'~,'.," ' ,,, Time: May'19 - Sept. 1, ..125~ " Personnel: ',.' '; '. ;, Gordon Douglas,,: Techniques and Conditions: N,ests.of t.ge, golden eagle were located, and the immediate vicinity below was searched for traces of antelope bones, In most cases it was impo~sible" to look'direqtly Lnt.o ,the nest because of its location. M~st ~ests were unapp~oacha.ble'''froroab"oveor below, (See photos of three nests an the ,:ItE3fu,ge ill Quarter;Ly Report, for October, 1949, p, 108; Fig, 1 is on its side' by"mistake) ",' " , Findings: Searching the ground 'directly ~e~~ath'the nesis' revealed 'rib' trace of antelape remains in 1951. Nest No, 1 had been ..abandoned, but. only a short distance away was a new nest, with an adult eagle 'perched. close to. it. Nest No, 2 had not been occupied since 1949." No~ J had not been occupied this past- season', . ,' ..' '. " . '~ •.' "", ..f'·~~~,:···-:· .."'.. '_, .. _~.,..~. ~':~..:'~~.' ....:" ..i.~;" . :~:"~" Only ane cayote was reparted in the area; arid his work was almost exclusively aJ;l:.do~~,stic,' l?p.~ep."p'oyp:te;>.-,we~~t r,a,p,e9n ~h~",~.~fug~~~: ' " In addi tion t~r,':t:,h~, :!lE3§t,S c,eIl,UlJlel!.at.-~c:l;,;0E-~ Y,lasf:o.9,Ci:~,d~ ~ev~r~l mi1e9 east of the refuge in Sec. 15; TllN; R69W;on the narth side of an abrupt escarpment averlook:Lng a, prairie dog to;Wq.. ,,' . .~., . . ... ~-.-. .. ". .. . ". ~ ,'_ .', . ' ,' . .' " ".' ',.. Analysis and Conclusions: "Wh,~:Le the,;~e9?ni(v~~:~.;: d:i.,Q., :UP,t; c()I,lClusive,ly decide whether the golden eagle is or is not a serious decimator af antelope, the fallowing' facts, 'RE3ndy,d to, :~~on~~a~~hipi.:: <, ' ", " ; The prairie dog farms, such an ,ideal +ao.d source, far. the: eagLe., and: is so. abundant nowtin the studfeci;' that he pr'obabiy the principal l item in, J,he"eagIe S:diet there,., ,:Beneath. t,p,e:,sandstone ,cl'iffs which; harbar"t:he eagle are often' alluvial fans'iri the soil, "whLch,fonn ideal sites for prairt.~ dog,to~s. Gra)..Ult:! wa~er Ls af~en, quite sh~116w.under such sites,' affording the pre'ciaus" liquid to 'thEi'diggers, but denying it to those animals which live an the surface exc.lusaval.y.. "" " 'area' is Flash flaods irrigate these fans' "c3.nd"s1:+PP9rt :~or~ :pl,al};t. J~rowt~than adjaining areas do. in an average year. This plant growth is the chief' saurce of faod far the rodents •., ...' , . :. ~:._, • : ;.~.' . J'" �- 37In years when the rodents are decimated, the golden eagles might be expected to.be a greater meance to antelope. This season, however, finds both prairie dogs and rabbits apparently more numerous, partly as a result of the unprecedented amount of moisture and its improvement of feed conditions. East Central Colorado Reported by C. E. Till Findings: The eagle's nest in a tall ponderosa pine, located on Albright's property east of Colorado Springs, was active again this year. Two young eagles were present. This nest was examined on two occasions. No antelope remains were found. Numerous pieces of rabbits, both cottontail' and jacks, were scattered on the ground below the nest, and apparently were the main prey of the adult bird. Another nest, located 'on a rock bluff on the Shont's Ranch about 12 miles southeast of Colorado Springs, was kept under,observation. One eaglet was raised here. This nest was examined four times while the young bird was present. No antelope remains were found, and as in the first nest, the principal diet appeared to be rabbits. The nest was made up' of gra'sses, pieces of yucca plants, and ponderosa pine twigs. It was interesting to note that the adult eagle kept bringing in fresh pieces of these'all during the t~me,th,e nest was occupied. Several hard hailstorms occurred,in the Chico Basin in June. Two days were spent in walking through the'sagebrushiooking for possible fawn mortality, but none was found. Three days were spent in 'South Park looking for f'awns and sig ns of predation. One eagle was seen but the writer was unable to find a nest. No signs of mortality were found. Analysis' and ConcLusdons e In antelope District No. 2 it is believed that the fawn loss to'predators was negl.Lgi.b'Lethis year. As was noted last year, ,the small rodents and'rabbits appear tO,be on the increase. Several small prairie dog towns have been iocated, and these show a noticeable increase over last year. It is well that the population of these small mammals is on the uptrend. They will probably serve to some extent as a buffer species, and thus reduce the predator pressure on ant.eLope fawns ~ Summary:' TWo active eagle's nests 'were kept under observation this summer but no signs of predation were found. Frequent field observations were made for signs of coyote kills, but here again, none were found. �_; 38 WorkPlan I. Job No.3. Title Selection and Survey of Transplant Sites. of Job: . _". Objective: antelope ~ To locate desirable antelope transplant be tra~splanted successfully. sites into which Northeast Colorado Personnel: GordonDouglas, local gamew~rdens, and cooperating farmers, ranchers, and sportsmen. Time: ~anuary-September, 1951 . :. ', . Techniques and Conditions: Usually at. t.he request of ranchers or sportsmen, areas suggested were' examinedWith the foll?rnng que.stions in mind: (1) Is the area large enough to support a huntable herd of antelbpe? (2) Are forage and water conditions such as to. support them well? (3) Is ft remote and inaccessible "_ , eri01igh'to discourage poaching? . '. '(4)' Is it primarily graz Ing 'land wilih crops of wheat, beana,..or alfalfa absent or rare with1.n20niilesof the release point? (5) Are the local: peop.Ie favorable' to a plant? . ,,- In order to feel out local reaction, the foilowing petitio~s were circulated amongthe persons most likely to be affected ,by a plant. The form was designed to create a sense of -desiring the p1:ant, to survive, and grow, It was riot difficult to find an enthusiastic individual near each site who knew''the ned.ghbor-s well enoughrto,'cf.r-cul.ate .the .petitidn.~. Since there was always' the ppssibil~ty' of .cr-opuarcagefoll,o~ing a trallsplant sometime, it was believed the petitHms might have a deterrent effect upon damagecla~s. " ,. Findings:' Three areas are r-ecommended s ',; , ' ' . L 'The Sheridan~Heginbotham'ranch'; of 'approximalely 17,000 acres, lies in Phillips and YumaCounties, six to fourteen miles' south of . Holyoke, along State highway1f5l~ The soi.L on this cattle range is .. sandy. There is a limited amount of' farlTlihg;fo'r, corn, and maize feed. The topography v-aries from fla:ts to rough 4ills. ,ll sand sagebrush �December 27, 1950 PETITION "Te, the undersigned antelope landowners are desirous in Yuma County. population of seeing increased If the director of the Colorado Game and Fish Department sees fit to authorize the transplanting of antelope into suitable areas of Yuma County, we agree to the following principles: 1. To cooperate in every T,vaywith those ilTllllediately concerned reestablishment of antelope herds by reporting promptly to the or sheriff any attempt to molest the anlinals. 2. with the local warden We recogniz e t he importance of proper management of game herds, and ~!e~en~ and future la1-Tsdnd Comm~ssion regulations f1mg~~Mli g~r..a~;. :,,---------.--.-----i ... I . N A M E Ii D D RES - 1--. --- 1._.--------_.__. S --~-r-- -- .-- r = A re- r,=; ~ A G if;, ------'-j, ··CRtXDt.· --t----. - .. --_ .. .,. -----·---·----I-I----.~··- II------_,....------ -;-.--~ --- ..--- I '-.-''"1' . I i _._--_._-----!-_._--_._----_ ..__ .. ----------+-. i --....,.....------~-~------_l_---- i [ --------- -.---.~. --------1-·--··-----__.__--1-----·-·- i _:, --+ - ~--·-·----+-I--1- ----,..------------1- - .....•.. - -- - c- --1 --- - - . --_ .... _., ----.---=t. --..--.-----.-.--; __________ ~--~----__ --__ ~---------. ----------+------ --------T +---.---- + L____ _ ..-....----- ... L -..--.-- .._--.-..--..- i 1 '1 -~ : 1 ---I I ~ -i �- 39 type predominates the rangeland. Cactus is common, as are Needle grass, gramma grass, Sand dropseed, and quack grass. Range condition is fair to good. Twenty-five windmills and four water holes provide water. The elevation is 4300 ft., average precipitation 15 inches, and average annual temperature 65 degrees. Coyotes are rarely seen. Eagles are not numerous. The human predation is a calculated risk. Roads are often impassable due to deep sand, a condition which may limit poaching activity. Landowners are'very anxious to give maximum protection to these if planted. It is recommended that 30 antelope be transplanted to this site. 2. The Ray Smith ranch, with headquarters just west of the State highway #59 bridge over the Arickaree River in southwest Yuma County, comprises approximately 14,000 acres in that county. The soil is sandy. Cattle raising is the principal land use. Farming is not intense until one gets several miles from this ranch. Small fields of corn or maize are tilled north and west of that location. The topography is characterized by rolling with several natural water holes. sand hills and flat swales, The native veget~tion is Sand sage type with Silver sage, Gramma grass, Prairie and Sand dropseeds, Little bluestem, and Switch grass; herbs are Sunflower, Mentzelia, and others. Range condition is excellent. Elevation is 4000 feet, precipitation 15", and temperature 65. There are 12 windmills, and 7 miles of running water on the Arickaree. The northeast block, that section of the ranch lying east of Highway #59, has thirteen natural water holes, and contains the proposed release point. Natural predation is expected to be neglibible. Human predation may be encountered, but the immediate transplant site is difficult to get about in all weather coriditio:r#wi thout a 4-wheel-dri ve vehicle. Moreover, surveillance of the pastures is said to be very good. It is recommended ranch. that about 30 antelope be transplanted to 'the above 3. The Geo. E. Huey ranch, approximately ten miles south of Brush, is made up of about 10:,000 acres of land devoted to cattle raising. Th.e vegetation is Sand sage-Cactus type, with Sedges, Needle grass, Gramma grass, and an assortment of weeds present. Range condition is excellent. �- 40. The soil is.sandy, and topography characterized by, rolling hills. The elevation is about 430.0. ft., annual precipitation 15", and average temperature 65. There are. seven windmills. on the ranch •. Pre<Jation is anticipated be very similar to bha t of the other ranches ,described. to ";: It is reconunended that about 30. hea<J of antelope be trallsplanted on this site. East Central and Southeastern Colorado Findings: .First site selected Lo~ation: Lime~tone 'Creek in nor:theastern,Bent,County~ Nearest town: HcClave Nearest ranch: About ,. .. 4 miles Accessibility by r;ad: Spring ~:i..th runni.ng wa:ter is accessible road but much of surrounding country is inaccessible by car. Size: miles Solid block range land:abqut Cl t. some' points ~ by, 6 by 12 n41e~.,.Isw;ider than 6 ..". , .can area support a large number. of .antelope:?·,Yes -,20.0.-30.0.. Location and amount of nearest agricultural land: about 4 ffiiles, occasional plowed fields. Crops: Wheat and row crops. Topography: Flat. lands to low rolling hills. not too far from water~ :. Some of broken country .• Cover: creek bottom, Low hills. Barriers: south. None, with possible Climate: Moderate, Elevation:. exception of irrigation ditches to , with an occasional .: cold winter. 390.0. feet. Water: Kind of development: spring, also,windmills Number of developments: 30. Year-round water? yes, at spring. ~and r;eserv9irs. �- 41 Vegetation: Climax: shortgrass Range condition: Present dominants: Blue gr~ and buffalo grass. generally good. Main forage species present: Weeds Browse Artemesia. sp. Snakexeed . Opuntia sp , Grasse.s "Wild alfalfa Fetid marigold Bull this tle False mallow Astragalus sp. Sunflower Milkweed Cone flower Rocky IVitn.bee plant Blue grama. . Buffalo grass Ring inuhly Red three awn Land Ownership: Lessers are Public? Yes, s'ta.teland under.lease to local ranchers. Henry Rudolph, John Smartt, Geo. McClave, Tom Rose, and Willkie Hamm. Land use: Cattle, these on range spring, summer, and fall. Predation: Coyotes: Human: very few. Eagles: few Possibly some, very little anticipated. Transplant considerations: Is site historical antelope range? Yes Attitude of ranch~rs and local residents: good Attitude of local G,;uneWarden: good Are landowners agreeable to management policies of Game and Fish Department: Yes Suggested number of antelope for transplant: 30 Route of trucks carrying antelope: To Pueblo, then east to Hasty, Colorado on Highway #50. Release point (describe in detail): From Hasty go east 5.9 miles to Mobilgas Filling Station; turn north, go 8.5 miles to second, cattle guard; turn west, go 2.1 miles to gate on left; go through gate, follow road southwest one mile to spring; release at spring. Personnel making survey: Warden Clifton and C. E. Till �- 42 Findings, cont'd: Second site selected. Location: Greek. Las Animas County, south of Purgatoire River on Trinchera Accessibility by road: Nearest town: Trinidad Good to release point, is off main road however. Nearest ranch: 6 miles. Size: Immediate transplant whole much larger.' area is 15 by 20 miles. Potential avea as a Can area support a large number of antelope? yes, 500 easily. Nearest agricultural, land: 10 miles--very little cultivated land in whole area. Topography: Flat lands, small mesas, low rolling hills. Trinchera and Purgatoire Canyons. Barriers: Purgatoire Canyon on north; Johnson and Barela Mesas on west and southwest. Climate: Moderate, with an occasional cold winter. Elevation: 6000 feet. Annual precipitation: 6-7 inches. Water: Kind of developments: Springs, stock ponds, windmills, gatoire River, Trinchera Creek. ' Number of developments: 30 Year-round water? Yes Vegetation: Climax: Shbrtgrass., Present dominants: Range condition: Good in immediate area. Main forage species present:' Browse Snakeweed Mtn. Mahogany Wild buckwheat Weeds Morning ,glory False mallow Wild alfalfa Sunflower Rocky Mtn. Bee plant Pur- same Grasses, , Blue grama Western wheat Buffalo grass RingMuhly .' Red three aWn Land ownership: Private? Yes .• Land at release point owned'by Dave Newcomb. Adjoining land also privately owned--owriers want antelope. Land use i . Class livestock:· of pastures. Cattle":''':'''year...;,round grazing with rotation :>";:.) .• ' Predation: Coyotes: very few. Eagles:' few. Other:' LynX in canyons. Human : shouldn I t be serious, good public sentiment. �- 43 Transplant considerations: Is site historical antelope range? Yes Attitude of ranchers: very goodo Attitude of local Game ~{arden: gcod , ..Sportsmen's clubs: good Are landowners agreeable to management policies of Game and Fish Department? yes Suggested number of antelope for transplant: 75-100 Route of trucks carrying antelope: Via Highway 85 to Trinidad. Release point (describe in detail): From Outdoor theater at east edge of .Trinidad go 5" 6 miles east on Highway 350; take right turn and follow Highway 160 2.200miles to fence gate on left; go through gate and north 402 miles; turn right (east) and go ! mile to windmill and stockpond; release hereo Personnel making survey: Warden Scott and Co Eo Till Analysis and recommendations: It is recommended that about 30 antelope be transplanted to the Limestone Flat site~ and that a minimum of 75 be transplanted in the Trinchera Creek areao The latter site appears to be one of the best potential areas in the state for an antelope transplanto There is a large block of range land surrounding the relatively small area picked for a release site, the country is isolated and not readily accessible by car, water developments are scattered throughout the ar-ea, and the vegetation in similar to that of our present a,ntelope areaso Summa~: Two tentative antelope transplant sites were examined, one in Bent County~ the other in Las Animas county Both areas were recommended for an antelope transplant 0 0 4 Work Plan 10 Job No Title of Job: Check Plot Study 0 Objecti ve e To establish permanent check plots in each antelope transand major herd area for the purpose of making a,detailed study of the vegetation, and.to provide accurate standards and records from which to draw conclusions p.Lan ti. site 0 Personnel: Scope: .. Gordon Douglas Moffat and Larimer County Herd Areas Techniques and Conditions: Three circular plots of one-hundred square foot area were established in each of these herd areas" In 1951, it .. was..decided to convert them .to,.linetranse.cts .. of 50 .f'ee t each, �-44 In Moffat County, plot number 1 was converted to a line transect, using the old center stake as one ter~nal of the new line. The center stake of plot 2 had been removed by parties unknown, and as a result, this plot was removed, as was plot 3, ·to more favorable locations, where line transects were established •. In Larimer verted. County, the old markers were all found, and all plots con- In reading the new line transects, the units were inches. Total length was 600 inches. The number of inches of each plant within the length of the line was totaled. Percentages of each species in relation to total inches of plant cover on the line were calculated .• Findings: (a) Moffat County Sand Wash TRANSECT #1 53.5 546.5 -8.9% inches of plant cover inches of bare ground 91.1% Percent of total Plant cover Grasses & grasslike Carex sp. - - - plants Koeleria cristata - - - Sporobolus cryptandrus- Hilaris Jamesii- - - - 13.6% Herbs Chaenactis sp.Eriogonum sp. Phlox sp. - - Comandra sp. - - - - - - - 7.5% 5.6% Artemisia tridentata- Gutierrezia sarothrae - Chrysothamnus sp. - - - Townsondia sp. - - - - - 47~5% Shrubs TRANSECT 1.9% 1.4% 0.9% 1.9% trace 9.:3% 7.5% 2.8% #2 33. inches of plant cover, 5.5% of total line 567. .Lnche.s of bare ground, or 94..5% of total 1~ne Grasses· Paa secunda - - - - - - - 4,5~4% Shrub ArteIDisia_..5pines_c.ens - - 51.6% �- 45 TRANSECT #3 89. inches of plant cover, or 14.8% of total line 571. inches of plant cover, or 85.1% of total line Grasses Poa secunda - - - - - - Agrop,yron smithii- - - - Oryzopsis hymenoides - - Hord.eum jubatum - - - - - 7.3% .6% .6% trace Herbs Salsola pestifer - - - - - 2.8% Phlox sp. - - - - - - 6.2% Shrubs Artemisia " (b) Larimer County 73.5% 9.0% spinescens tridentata . Colorado Antelope Refuge TRANSECT #1 187. inches of plant cover, or 31.2% of total line 413. inches of bare ground, or 68.8% of total line Grasses ~Quteloua gracilis - - - - 56.8% Buchloe dactyloides 38.4% Muhlenbergia torreyi - - - 2.4% Hordeum jubatum - - - - .5% Carex sp. - - - - - - - .5% Festuca octoflora - .3% Herbs - none Shrubs Opuntia polyqantha 1.1% TRANSECT /f2 125 inches of plant cover, or 21% of total line 475 inches of bare ground, or 79% of total line Grasses & grasslike species Bouteloua gracilis - - - 65.2% Aristida longiseta - - - 13.2% Carex sp. - - - - - - 1.2% Agropyron smithii - - 2.4% Herbs Phlox sp. - - - - - - - 8.0% Shrubs Gutierrezia 4.0% sarothrae - �- 46 TRANSECT #3 216.5 inches of plant cover, or 36% of total line 383.5 inches of bare ground, or 64% of total line Grasses and 'grasslike species Boutelo~a gracilis - - _;- r 52.5% Buchloe dactyloides- - - - - 39.6% Car-ex s p • - - - - - - - - - .4% Agropy,ron smi thii- - - - - .2% Herbs Helianthus annuus- - - - - Artemisia frigida- - - - - - 2.0% 2.3% Shrubs opuntia polycantha Guterriezia sarothrae- 2.1% .9% - - - Analysis and Conclusions: It is signif;i.cant that Artemisia sI;inescens is the predominant plant on transects No.2 & 3 of Moffat County. By its thorny nature, it is practically the only plant winning the struggle against heavy overuse each fall, winter, and. spring by domestic sheep. To encourage the increase of antelope, herds in such critical winter range areas is poor policy. Corrective measures, such as any means of deferring grazing on even a small sa.I!!.pl'e of this public domain, should be taken innnediately by those 'concerned. While soil, r;a;inf,all, anQ,:.otherconditions are not comparable between the two herd areas, the land use is the same. In Larimer County the owner-operators have returned some of their rekard to the land. They 'have constructed range' improvements and put into effect posf ti ve control of the numbers of livestock using a particular pasture. They raise thousands of sheep andeattle, but, at the same time they are see i.ng that the whole place doe sn 't get th~t "Grubbed-down" appearance, for they' krlOW such range does not make thrifty livestock. ," The operators and managers of the public'range in Moffat County owe it to themselves to reinvest something in that larid in the way of improvements. Until we ~ee improvement in the number of forage plants there, and in their growth, and a decrease in the percent of bare ground in a transect, we are only contributing to a bad situation by raising antelope in that area. �- 47 East Central and Southeastern Colorado. Techniques used: Last January at 'a;)TIeetingof the Department biologists, a discussion was held. on the different methods of judging range conditions and trend. It was the concensus of opinion that the line-intercept method shou.Id .be used- wherever posai bl,e , "Previo.us to. thf.s , the ;squarefoot density methbdhas been used by.the antelope technicians.' Host of the states antelope range is grassland, and as the line-intercept method was devised i"or this particular type, it was decid.ed to change to this method of de'ber-mi.ni.ng range' cond.i, tioils., True randomization was not followed in locating the plot sites~ An area:where antelope are· frequently seen was chosen, then the, plot was installed near a section corner or some easily identified landmark; so t:9at it could be readily found on the following years." Two permanent iron stakes were used to mark 'the site. These stakes were set 50 feet apart, and all vegetation along a line stretched between these was measured with a ruler calibrated in .• 1 Lnches , The data were recorded on special forms. In addition to the recorded measurements, a photograph was made of each plot and all pertinent technical data noted on the form sheet. Findings: Table I which follows shows the total density of each plot, the forage classes, and the vegetative type of each plot. TABLE I. --CHECK PLOT" STUDY County Veg. type Plot No. Grass % Compo Weeds %Comp Browse % Comp Total Density .. , El Paso II Ii " it ,'I" ii II Pueblo Bent Average 1 2 3 4 5 1 1 14.11 14.41 It ·20.40 Sagebrush 10.95 Shortgrass 6.17 Sagebrush 4'.05 'Shortgr;3.s$ , 20.92 1.25 -- tr, 15.36 14.41 21.23 29.52 ' 7032 10.45 20.92 .75 3.28 17.03 Shortgrass for all it 13.00 tr -. .tr .3.72, 1.15 .40 .83 14.85 6.00 Findin!:rs: As shown in Table I, the average density for all plots was 17.03%. This would indicate that the condition of the range is fair.l;ygood." A few local areas have better grass and greate r density. There are also local areas where conditions are worse. It is realized 'that a few plots scattered over a relatively large area will not show the exact picture of the range condition. It is believed, however, that these give an indication of the general condition of the range, �:l~l~. "'_ - .,_:. - 48 and a rough idea of the forage classes present. By checking the plots each year we should be able to note the trend, if any. This trend should be 'of more value thari the data from any one particular year • .The table shows that gr-ass is the dominant vegetation in all plots except those in a sagebrush type. Weedscomprise a: small percent of the total in five of the plots, and from field observation, are knownto be scattered over the whole range. Previous stomach sample analyses have shownthat thes~ weeds and browse plants makeup the major portion of the antelope's diet with grass comprising a_very small percent. 'Summary: The average density for all r-ange plots was 17.03%. Gras's, was dominant in all plots' except those in a sagebrush type. Weedswere found in five' out of the seven plots, varying in density from a small percent downto a'trace. Datcaand Reports:: .Drd.gi.nal.. data, on special form sheets are in f.iles of w:riter~ Relating reports of previous years are .Ln Department Quarterly Report publications. ' WorkPlan I. Job No. 7 Title of Job: Sex-ratio Survey Objective: To obtain 'sex ratios of the main antelope herds. Time: June 21 - Sept. 1, 1951 Personnel: ,Gordon Doug.Las , Clyde Matteson; and Mgh't Owens. Techniques and Conditions: The job consisted of ground observations on ten separate days in the Co.Lor-ado' Antelope Refuge and vicinity. In addition, 'pilot Matteson arid observer Owenson July'19 flew over Hoffat County and recprded antelope numbers and sex. Observations: In Moffat County, the aerial per sonne.Lreported counting 185 antelope on July 19. Of these, 23 were bucks, 96 does and yearlings, and.66 fawns. The buck-doe ratio here was!: 4.17; the doe~fawnratio was ,I: .68. ' �- 49 TABLE II. --COMPARISON OF SEX-RATIO FIGURES, 110FFAT COUNTY Year 1949 1:4.17 1:0.57 Buck-doe ratio Doe-fawn ratio TABLE III. 1950 1951 1:4.17 1:0.68 --GROUND SEX-RATIO SURVEY OF COLORADOANTELOPE REFUGE Date 1951 Bucks Does & Yearlin~s Fawns June 21 July 7. 31 15 5 1 29 ],1 3 0 3 J± 12 5 23 5 27 7 12 20 99 III 17 23 25 Aug. 22 23 31 Buck-doe ratio Doe-Fawn rat io 1:1.12 1: .si Fawns made up 21% of the total antelope counted 11 7 14 6 4 12 57 267 �- 50 East Centrai Colorado Techniques Used: Same as previous years-that is, use of airplane with pilot and observer. Trend plots within main antelope areas of .st.ateare flown in grid strips ,crt an-a.Ltdtude of two t.o four. hundred feet. When antelope are sighted the plane goes down near and slightly to one side of the group. In this manner an accurate sexratio count can be made, and as the plane can usually locate a relatively large number of antelope in a short time, the ,final data are believed .bo be representative of the" total,.,' Findings: Table IV which follows shows the sex-ratio count by areas and the average for the state. Table V shows how this year's count compares with that' of last, and Table VI gives the rate of increase for the past four years. TABLE IV. --SEx":'RATIOCOUNT - TOrAL FOR STATE Area Colorado Antelope Refuge South Park Limon-Hugo area (Bijou drainage) Chico Basin Total. Sex ratio: .. Bucks Does Fawns Total 58 36 80 ...22. 116 58 102 101 131 61 131 84 305 155 313 '240 229 377 407 1013 Bucks per doe - 1:1.6 \ Does per fawn - 1: 1. 08 40% of total are fawns. TABLE V. --SEX-RATIO OF HERDS BY YEARS 1950 Area Colo. Antelope Refuge South Park' Dickinson Refuge Chico Basin 1951'." does/buck ,'fawns/doe .86 .84 2.3 2.0 1.64 1.1 1.1 .87 does/buck, 2.0 1.6 1.3 1.8 .fawns/doe 1.1 1.04 1.3 .83 �- 51 TABLE VI.--STATE RATE OF INCREASE BY YEARS Fawns per doe Does per buck· Year Total counted Total fawns Fawns-% of total % increase 1948 1949 1950 1951 299 609 1459 1013 III 184 533 407 37% 30% 37% 40% 59% 43% 58% 67% 0.86 0.63 0.94 1.08 2.2 2.2 1.2 1.6 3380 1235 36%* 57%* 0.88* 1.8* *Average Analysis and recommendations: The tables above show that the buckdoe ratio has not changed appreciably from previous years. This year, however, the percent of increase was greater than that·of any previo'q.s year when this information was ,recorded. A total of 1013 antelope were counted, of which 407, or 40%, were fawns. The 606 mature antelope, increased by 67%, or 407, gives us the total of 1013. The increase of 67% seems high, but no complete explanation is forthcoming. The open winter of 1950-1951 no doubt contribut~d. The writer has observed many more small rodents and rabbits in the field this summer than in previous years, and these buffer species also contributed to reduce the normal predation on antelope fawns. Whatever the total answer may be, it is heartening to see that the animals do have a high repro~uctive potential. During any normal year, and with the buck-doe ratio at 1:1 pr better; it would appear that·an increase of at least 50% could be expected. Summary: A total of 1013 antelope were tallied this year, with an average sex-ratio of one buck to 1.6 does, and one doe to 1.08 fawns. 40% of the total were fawns. The average percent of increase for year was 67%. Work Plan I. Job No. 9-A Title of Job: Survey of Antelope at transplant sites. Objective: To determine the success of transplanted adjusted to their new habitat. antelope in becoming Scope: Wray transplant areas: Kitzmiller ranch and Bledsoe ranch, Northern Yuma County; Delta transplant area, Fruit~ transp~ant are~. Time: August, 1951 Per-sonne.Lr: Gordon Douglas, Bob Reigan, Clyde Matteson, & Dwight Owens. �52 Caaperatian: Fine assistance was given by lpeal farmers and ranchers, not.ahIy I'fJro Finn of YumaCaunty, l"lr. Broughton and :£\rlr. Peeples of Mesa Courrty , Techniques and Canditions: In the Delta area, a harseback trip acrass the Gunnisan'River was made in" or-der'ta search far arrte.Lope' which'were rumared ta have crassed at, ,asite west of the river, Extremely dry canditians made it daubtful if any lif~ cauld survive in the area searched. Na trace .of them was faund. Findings: A buck, twa does, and twa fawns were' lacated in the Iridian Creek-King Creek area just west .of Highway50. In the Fruita area, na recent observatians were made. Lacal apinian di ffered as ta the or-i.gd.nof the antelape seen near Cisca, in western Utah." In the opf.ni.onbfWarden Reigan; they were without questian fram one of our plants narth of Fruita. , This belief was substantiated by the di..:tfic~ty' 01 otherwise, accourrt i.ng far the entire planted number The terrain alfered no natural barz-iez-s between ,th.e rele'ase paint and' Cisco. It :was t.hought 'to .be entirely prabable that they wauld travel as far .as ,40 'miles fram their release paint., ' 0 the Kitzmill~r and the adjacent Conrad ranches, repor-ts have been made of ante Lope fawns .bed.ngseen. _" OIl AnalYsis a:nd Conclusians: The transpi~nt~d anbal.ope seemed: well adapted ta ne:wplaces, but ,were sa scattered .and diff~cult t.?, observe, ,that .only fragmentary .repor-t.swere received. On the basis of the apparent, success .of the large blacks .of sandy land as transplant sit~s, mare such places were being considered far future actiaI}' East Central and Sautheast Calorado Techniques Used: Each transplant site was examf.nedwi.th,the ,local warden. Considerable assistance was received from these men, and appreciation is hereby given for their help.' Field trip~ were madein an effart to lacate the transplanted antelape. Also, local ranchers and ather.interested parties,were.cantac~ed and questianed as to any observation they may have made. Findings: . '.:. Eads, Colarado - Wear Ranch - 28 antelope transplanted. ExaminedAugust 2, 1951 with WardenClifton of Lamar. Observed 2 bucks; 7 .does, and 2 fawns about, one mi.Le .from.ta-anep'lant,,..sit~. "Had .report of �- 53 several antelope being seen further east, also of 3 does and 2 fawns a few miles south. Rnachowner H. C. Wear has given excellent cooperation in sending regular reports of numbers seen and movements of antelope transplanted here. Lamar, Colorado - Hoffman Ranch - 44 antelope transplanted. Examined August 3, 1951 with Warden Clifton of Lamar. Observed 3 bucks orilybut'had reliable report that most of rest of bunch were few miles south of release point. An unsuccessful search was made for these. On August 28, Warden Clifton reported that 15 fawns have been seen this summer by local ranchers. Big Box Ranch - Las Animas County. 49. 25 antelope transplanted winter 1948- Examined August 14 with Warden Scott of Trinidad. Talked to Mr. Lopez, foreman of ranch. He reports seeing 38 antelope last winter and at least 8 fawns with does this summer. The animals have all moved a few miles west and slightly north from the original transplant site. Lower San Luis Valley - south of Blanca. 33 antelope transplanted. Examined August 7th and 8th, 1951 with Technician Bert Baker. ,No actual antelope were observed but fresh sign was found several mi~es south of release point. District Chief Warden Earl Downer of 110nteVista reports that one of his men, Warden Howlett of Antonito, flew the area this spring and counted 39 antelope. 'rhewriter had been told that 9 to 15 antelope were present in this area before the transplant was made last winter, so the figure of 39 is entirely possible. Sa~che - 51 antelope released. Examined August 10, 1951. No ant.aLope seen but several reports were" received as follows: Thirteen antelope are observed regularly just west of Saguache. Five,were seen this summer on Sheep Creek, about 20 miles west of Sagua6he. Two or 3 bucks are seen regularly just north of ,Saguche. A .group of .aboub 40 observed southeast of Vill~grove were reported by Grant Ro ger-s the Bureau of Land Management •. " . of Anslysis a.ndReC~mIn:~ndations:', It is still too early to determine whether all of the antelope transplants will ,'beentirely successful. At all of the areas examined this summer, the antelope appear to be doing well, with some herds faring better than others. Fawns were either seen or reported at each,area, thi~ showing ,that the herds are increasing ,to some degree. It has been observed that the antelope seem to scatter �~ .54 when first released, arid some of' the singles and doubles "have not- yet ....' joined up wit:h the main herd. Because of this tendency of'the aniinals to scatter, ft is- believed that the policy of putting '8, minimumhumber. of about 30 at a plant is sound. . ': ',: Summary: Fi ve transplant sf tes were examined dl,l:tingJ.h.e P?;1?!- s~r •• The antelope, though somewhat scattered, appear to be doing well at each site." ": ", " "" ,,,.. ,.1-,· . ~.: . ~.. " ~'., .. ~.-.~. ..: ... ,', ,.,,', "-,. "_J-: " .'.:;. .. -, ..)~ •.. .. , ..:': ,.. """'J . ':;, :: " ... -_ :", .~, ,,",I.' .:.-.,;..... ..... , " ..... ,"_:: .,' .... ; ';' _".: ' ", ... t: .:Approved: Submitted by: .~. Gordon Dbilglas'ahd __ ~~~~--~~~~--~--- H' tlEPARTIvlENT Name -. Title Wildlife Technicians " Title ~C~.~N~._F~e~a~s~t~,~D~ir~e~c~t~o~r--------. .:.. .~: _~ u- .:'.:,: .. r: ;; c' Date,_'~_O_' c;_t_,_o_b_9_r_8=..,l...· -=1::.::9..:::.5.::;1:....··· ._> _" .,_., I' J:;,~'- Note: -,Persons wish,ing' to quote from this 'absbr-act ' shoufd first IJermission from the Colorado Game' and ;Fish Department. ' obtain .-'. ' , ._.:_ �-55STATE COLORADO PROJECTNO. DATE QUARTERLY SURVEYS PROGRESS AND OCTOBER, 1951 ~EPORT INVESTIGATIONS As required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project! 2. Leader: GameBird Surveys Harry J. Figge 3. Report of Progress: Work Plan I ..,.Pheasants. Job 1: Job 2-A: Inactive durd.ng..report period •.. Work finished;. job compJ,...etion report ..attached. Job 3..,.A: Work.f.inishedj job comp'Latd.on. report ..attached. Job 4:. Inactdve, during report. period. Job 5: IIlacti.ve .durd.ng, .r.epPFt.period. Job 6: Inactive during. report neriod. Job 7: Inactiye during report period. Work Plan II - Migratory Waterfowl , Job 1: Inactive Job 2: In~ct.ive during report period. Job 3: Iriactdv e dur-Lngreport period. Job 4: Inactive .during .report period. d:p.r.i~..r,eport period~ ~ r-, ~ \:}. (J () ~ \J"- Work Plan III - Grouse Job 1: Inactive during. report . Job 2,"Ai' ll0.rk .finished; 37-R period • ,job compl.etd.on.repont, ..attached. �-56- . Work Plan IV .,. Quail Job I-A:. Work Plan and Partridge Work finished; job compl.etd.on report attached. V . ,. Kourning Doves .-_ :-. Job I-A:. Work finished.; Job 2.-A..:_ Work. .finished;_ ..j.ob._completion Job 4",Ag No. dat a, gathered. c. Job..:ccmpl.etd.on.zieponf ..attached. .r.ep.ort .at.t.ached , JOB COMPLETIONREPORT Work Plan No , I Title of J.ob:. Job ...No. 2-A. Pheasant.s.; Nesting Studies. Objective & To det.ermi.ne, the_ ..amount, ..of ...nest, d.estruc.tion injury or mortality and .the peak. ha.t.cbing period. Scope L . Nor.thwe st.ern ..Colorado Reported by: and hen - Mesa county. ~rayr:ie.W•.·Sanfcirt Methods:. personal s..ur·veYs__ were._made .during ..t.he; ...cu±..ting. of 1205 acres of hay in. Me.sa co.unty:...._.One, field. .was..lo.c..at.ed..near __Fr.uita and t he other north. of Loma; Mowers .wer-e, a ccompanfad. duri~.t-p:e errtLr-e mowing..operations. and .dat.a, were. obt.ain.ed ...an ...hen..injury. oz., mortality , nest. densit.y, cLut.ch. siz.e,_ age ..of'. embry.os.,._.dis.tanc..e__ar~ ..ne.st s' from field_.borders., p.encant, egg..fert.ili.ty., ...chfckLossj. and .Locat Lon of II'cr.ea.s.e.... " or ".rl d ge 'II. nes t· s In. respec t ...t 0...the' . ... ..0 f'.. th e. cor. .•• .•.uga t e • .~ Following. raking ..openatd.ons., .. the fields nest.s .no.t. observed. during mowing.. were again co.ver.ed. ,tp locate Ii ...,..: Information....oIl..mowing ..dat.es was ..obtainecL.by ..makf.ng.rrandom surveys during_l,ihich .moxad..and ..unmoxedf'Le Lda ..adjacent ..t.o...thS ...road were . recordedo Findings.: .Approximately ...aix, and, on.e..hali ..honr.a.ware, ..spent during the hayfield. s.ur.vey.. All. .of ..the ...hay:....cu.t._.:wa:L.alfalia ._.MoWingdates were . .June 13 and. June 15. . Nest Data Seven live nests. w.ere .Lo.cat.ed. in the .two. hayfields __sur_y.ey~dl giving a nest .density. of one nest, .for every 1...8 .acnea.. ...Thr.e.e_additional nests were Locat.ed during .rechecks aLthe fields •....:Tbe.s.e..nests had pr esuma bly' been d.estroyed: hy' f'Loodfng.; Two prOinisc.uonSly. Ud.d 'egg s were al.ao .. Loca bed during ...racheck of ..the. fields. �-57In six nests, containing complete clutches, 61 eggs. were found, gava.ng 2 •. Check. of 50..eggs...,sho.w.ecL92..D. percent an average .c'Lut.ch .sLae...of..10 ••. fertility. Nine of. the ten .neabs found during hayfield ...sunzey.a.were .Locat.ed on top of the "corrugate .•11 The one. nest located in ..the. crease ..contained 15 eggs which had been destroyed.by irrigat.ion_ flooding. Measurement of the. distance of nests .from the. bonder. of. .fields to average 112•.7.. feet from the bonder., ·Hen Injury shewed them and Mortality Six. hens were. contacted ..-whiie._ontheir ne.sns__ .dur'Lng,the__fir._st mowing operat ions. "AlL s.i.x, or lOO. per.c.et;lt.,~.:wer.a .killed .•. Fiv:.e .. o.f them lost both their legs .and ..one bad h.er .left Wiilg' cut .andbnoken.,.. The loss of six hens in hay-fields, which contained only .seven activ.e nests, represent.s an 85 percent Leas of .hens inc.ubating .._in.hayfields. Chick Mortality Only one brond :was observed during . .first.,.r.utting __ oparatdnns in the two hayfiel.ds.. It., is believed. .t.hat, .no .chicks were,..contacted. Peak Hatching Period Hatching dates, as. determined by aging ;.embryos_in eggs ...from._six clutches and by..estimating the age of one.ibr-ood.rsh.ich..ha.d._just ..left.,a,hayfield nest, varied from. June 9. to. July __ ?.. Limit.ed_inf.onnEition. indicates .that, t.he peak of hatching .occunred ..during .... the __ week. of', June 24,.,..June30.. Analysis and. Recornrnendat.ionsL .Limited .Lnf'crmat.Lon concerned ,with hay field nestd.ng..success. was. obtained dur.ing, the, .cur rent, season.because of an injury received on June 15.. Some signific.a.nt. __ c.onckuai.onajihowever , can be drawn from. t he data -wh ich were. o bt.ained... .. The.5..e ..data show that the clutch size was of good normal size, fertility was generally good, hayfield nest density was high and hen injury and mo.rtality was again severe. Random surveys showed that about 50. percent of all ..hay .was mowed in the vicinity of Loma by June 15. Around Fruita, 77.8 percent of all fields were cut by June 13.. The f act that large percentages. of. hay were mowedprior to the peak. hatching .period .Lndt.cat.es.rthat, ..littl.e increment to the pheasant popul.at.Loncccul.d.Jae..expect.ed fr.om__ the. hayfield ~ests:. Data from Delta and Montrose c.ounties are lacking." bu.t...there is .a p_ossibility that the occurrence of peak ..mowing.per i.ods was more..conducive to good reproductive success in these counties. The. acute hayfield nesting pr.oblem in Colorado,_ where. large ...acneages, are devoted to this crop, is continually demonstrate.d.year .... af't.er. year__ Efforts should be given to devise .systems of land __ use. which __ would cause.iaome of the �-58pheasants to foreg.o nesting Ln. hayfields. It may. stilL find an. alternative. solution in. the form_.of mechani.cal, super soni,c flus.hing .devi.ces , Scop.e: The San Luis Report.e.d. by: Bertram be .possible to .al.ect.rd cal; or Valley_ Baker Methods~ .. The f'armer. ..report. sur..v.ey. ..:was_abandoned ..this .... year. f.or; obtaining data on hayf.ield ..nes.ting_loss., ..and personal. survBY ..was ..used .exc'Lusdve.Iy , Since early ob.servations. ...of..pheasant.s ..showed a .net.andad ..b.re.eding season similar. to the one experienced, in~l9.S0. al.o.ng..wit.h..a ..g.enerally. poor crop year due. to drouth, it was belie.ve.d ..that. .a..comp.arativ.ely.. l.ow..hayfield mowing. mortality. would. ag.ain ..r.es.TIlt...... Th.er.efor.e..the ...pr.ilite.purpos.e of riding ...m.owers.was .t.o try to find_.a .La rge.ienough.. aampl,e...oL.activa. nest s to permit determination. of the pr obab'Le.cpaak .of...hat.ch. .•....... :.Th.en., ..sinc.a .the raking operati.ons were covered .1.ightly .... at ....best., .. and.._o.nlY-_ the ...mo:wing....co.v:eredintensively, the finaL data on nesting. 1.o.S8 resulted in ..inc.runpl.e_t.e.informationo Findings:: Mower.s were. ridden ..eleven .days.... in. t.he .perrl.nd..from June 27 through July 1.2.0 This two week period.seem.e.d ..t.o.a.c..c.onnt..for ..tha.ma.j.ox :.portion of the first. ..mowing ..of .alfalfa ..he cause t.he ,..day~.the...sUr.1ley. .star.t.ed ..very ..f.ew other farmer s. coul.d ..he .found mowing... .Quit.a a .number..6f...f..ciriner.s.,_..bllt_.~s.till ...t.he minor portion,. were seen mowing .after. July .12..•_ .. Many .f.armers ..in the. valley. have farm flocks of sheep and pasture .. either .all or .pontd.ona, of ..their ...alfalfa acreage to fatten Lambs and keep the bneadars.; Especially ...is ..t.his .±.:r.ue ...of. 1950 and 1951 with. other range. a nd pasture dri.ed. IIp.L .. This ..is... t.he.Lact.on causing scattered. alfalf.a. harvest after __ .t.he. main ..unpaatuned, ..ac..reag.es.have ..been harvest ed, 'sdnc e. early. sheep gnazd.ng .set.s__ ¥C1cth.e ...plant ..growtho . �;..59TABLE 10 -- PHEASANTCASUALTY ANDNESTINGLOSS FROMFIRST..CUTTINGOF HAY, SAN LUIS VALLEY,1951 Type. of- Hay Alfalia Acres mowed Noo hens killed No. hens crippled Total hen.casualties 5.' Clover .5.• Clover ."".Alfalfa Alfalfa .Brome Grass 120 55 4 h 4 Total 'mists examined NQ. young ..killed crippled ... or No. cocks. killed crippled or Total. Pheasant, 3 4 4 3 '0 3 7 3 3 0 3 0. 1 0 l o· 2 0 2 4 6 3 13 0 ·0 0 o O· 0 0 o 15 3 10 Casual.td.e a. casualties/100 mowed (all types). 4.44. naat s <iestroyed/100 types). 225 11 0 8 6.66 hen pheasant 15 acres So 0 Nests: dest.royed by mower: Clutch in Lncubatd.on. ·4' Incomplete 0 clutch Totals 4 Nests probably des.troye.d ..by mower. Nests destroyed by unknown. f act.o.rs. . Total' All Types acr'eaj. .acnea;: or. Lhen casual.ty per or .1ne.st. pez 22_••5 acr as .. mowed (all �-60Nest Data mowing Approximat.ely. 225. aeries of .hay. ..were surveyed. per.sonally.during openatd.ons, .One hundred.t wen.ty. acres. were..:alf.alfa,,_. 55-.were .sWe.at cloveralfalfa.mixt.ure .an d tha .r-emadning .SD_Ber.es-war.e SW.eeL. do:rer. •.alfalfabrame grass mistur.e.e. Of ..a ..total-oLl) ..ne.sts. f'onnd ..during_hczying. oper atd ons , ten were kncsn.. to ..have been ..destra.yed ..by .the.:mow.er.... .. The. ne.s.ting density theref.ore was. one. nest per -,l7 .•.3 acr-es. of. hay~_ "The...kncxn cactdve nest destructi.on. from_mowing was one. nest. per. 22 ..•5 acres. There were si. eggs in. seven. ..complete of 8.7. c'Iut.ches., .. giving .an, aver-age per Hen and Juven~e. clutch Mortality Eleven hens. were .kill.ad.or JIlortally_ wounded ..and ..four. were ...crippled. The total .hen. casualties of. 15 for the 225 acres. mowed.is. a r.atdn ..af. one hen to each, 15 acres of hay. No juveniles. wer_e .. seen killed ..or .cripple.ci.al.though.a. bzaod, .. of.. chicks three days old or less we.r.a.saen. w~e. riding t.he .moxez .in ..the. So acres of clo-ver,..alfalfa,...broma.hay. The farmer. rais.ad.the.sickle_.b.ar through the area in which .the .hen, and brood wer.e._s.ean... The. hen.was.iobserved to reach safe cover before the last .sxat.h.dri the. tllaruV'. was mowed. Peak. of Hatch The seven clutches. of eggs ..found ..in.active naat.s.orene ..cal.cul.at.ed. to hatch within the l.ast t.hr.ee weeks of July. Thr.ee. oLthe _s.even_clll.tches· would have hat-chad, int he ..third ...we.ek,..and two. e ach .Ln .t.he.aecond .an.d....f.ourth weeks. Using. nina.as.the.average.,numhar. per .c.Lut.ch and ..allo.wing ._one..day. be.t,ween end of laying ...and..star.t ..of'. incubation,.. two. of. the. Lhree. incomplete. .clutches would have hatched in the ...latter .parf ..oS...t.ha...thir.d.we.ek..Df_.Jnly •.. It. must be emphasize.d ..that this ..data .is..to-o. meag.er. tn ..enable .. o.ne_. La..set ..the. peak ..of hatch defini.tely. t.O the. week, but .. it might. pQSsib~y ..be . .of..help_if_ ..used in conjunction .with. the ..peak ..of hatch determined .f'r-om aging. ..bnoods. in~·.the brood survey. Scope.: Northeastern. Yuma..counties Colorado. - Logan, ...Phillips.., .. Sedgwick,. Wa~ton and 0 Reported. by: .Harald M. Swope Acknowledgmant :... Ackncxl.edgmenti.Ls gr.at.efully ..made..to. Warden Lloyd K. Triplet for .his abl..e .aaatat.ance ..in..hay.field.. operations ...in ..Sadgwic.k county. �,-61- Methods:: Personal field. .neconnatasance was empLoyed ..wh.ene::v:er_.possible. This includad_.accomp.animent .of.. tha ...mo:wer..and.usal kj ng hehiruLthe rake During ..tha ..e.arly,. _par.t of .the. stud.~.bo.th._o.f.~the abnve ..m.entioned field reconnaissance. methods _.were useddn.t.he. .same...fie:Ldso YfueIL.the_ hay was raked shortly _a.ft_er cutting .., ..walking_ hehincLthe __ r.ak.e._dis.closed ...alJ. of the destroyed nests ..and birds .t.o _the. ehsarver.rt.haf w_er.e ...s.e.en.from._t.he~ mower. In s.everal .instances .ne st.s and. .hens. wer_e__ .dfacoxezed. .whila_Jl~alk:ing the r-ake." that_ were.not . .seen _from.t he mower •... This Ted .t.he. ..ohaenxer to use the IIrake tr.ailing...II __ .methQd.whe.n __ hay: .was'_raked __ the __ .s.ame..day...Lt,was' cut. Several. wind-z-ovs coul.d, be sur:veyed __ .Ln e ach, .pasa __ -thrQJlgh,_th.a ..f'.ield on The foot, t.hua makf.ng.. i:t .possible ..to .. cO.v:er.mora acreaga in_les.s_ :t.:4n. e. evident .dis.a.d.v:antage ..of .this .m~.thod~wa.a the" ..d.if+iculty-- in __ determining clutch size a!.te~ -the ra:k,~ had. pa.saed t.hzcugh. .the nest. . 0 In several. instances data.obt.ained. d.:i.J:actly __ .fr_om...the ..f'armer. .._w.as used. This met.hod .was empl.oyed, only in several. individual_ .cases where the farmer had, a gnaat, personaL int.er.est. Ln.pheasant,a, __and_.where sparse alfaUa __ gro_Hth ..impr.o.ve,d the. accu,r.acy ..of ...obseryations 0 Findings:: A total of '6j2_.ac~es ~were surveyed during _the__fir.st cutting of alfalfa..o,. ,._Gutt.ing_.da'j:,.eavaried_fr.om .Jime l2.__ t,o. Jllly 3..••.... AIi:additional 222 acres wer_e c~Ck.e.d_f'or_.phe.a.sant~ dast.ruct.Lon.durdng .the._sec.orid .cut t i.ng , Second. cutting.. dat.ea. var-Led, ..frollL_Aug.u.st..3. to ..Auguat.l2 ..•........ NQ..p.heasahts or ne.st a were. de st.r-oye d. dunLng.. the . .second, cutting __ on. t.he, .area.. obaezzed However., many young birds were seen escapangEhe mower. 0 Study Tabl_a II ..shows ..the sampled TABLE 110..,.- County Logan Sedgwick Washington Totals Area . acraag_e. and .t.he, .ne.st ..dans.ity. ...by _counti e.s 0 ACRES. SAMPLED_AND ,PHEASANT NEST__DENSITY" FIRST-CUTTING ALFALFA, NORTHEASTERN GOLORADO, 1951 Sampled Acreage' No, of Nests .395 36 172. 19 115 8 682 . Acres per 10.97 9.05 i4.'38 lO.83 _Sixty •... thr.ee .ne.shs __ were: found:':in:.6.a2. .acr-ea. of .alf alfa .cut., ..-giving a ne st density of. ona.inest; ..per 10 •.83 acres.' . ': Nest �~lR.Q ~ _"._:l -62Fate of Nests Twenty-nine of. the .63- nasts ..f'ound hat.ched.Jaef'one .m.a:wers_.destr.oy:ed them. One was abandoned. because of flooding, _and ...the ..nest, _wer.e._ dest.noyed by mowers. Table III TABLEIII. shows..the. ..~ate. of', pheasa~: -- nests. FATE OF PHEASANT NESTSDURINGFIRST_CUTTINGOF ALFALFA, NORTHEASTERN .COLORADO, 19.51 Nest.s Per County .. Logan Sedgwick .. Washingto.n . . Fate of Nest Hatched ..su.c.cessfully before .moID.ng._ Destroyed by: Mowers. Flooding Totals All Nests Percent of All Nests 19 4 .6 29 46.0 16 1 15 2 36 19 8 33 1 63 .52.4 1.6 100.0 In 28. nests ...c.ontaining ...complete ci.ut.ch.ea, _3.08..eggs .were .present..,. giving an average .. number. per .. clutch of. ..1L. F.i.ve. nests. .ccnt.ai.rring ..inc.omplete. clutches were found. Hat.chdng Periods' . Only bri.ef mention wilL be made. of hatching d.a+es , The hatch was thought to have reached leveling off. stage of_.it.a peakas ..mowi.ng.igof...under way. The stage of. i.n.cubation was ..undeterminad.in .fi:v.e of ..the. ..nast.s ..containing completed. c.Lut.chaas. Fburteen of t he. remaining.. 2:3. c.omplat.ed.....clutches would have hatched ...between ..June l6 and ..July. 1.. The.. other. rri.ne ..WQuld have hatched between J.uly 1. and; July 8. Adult. Pheasant....l1.ortality ...and Injury Thirty-six hens were contacted during. mowing... Twenty-one, ..or.. .58.3% of these were killed outright.· Four ot.hens.; or.ll.l%,. were ..injured. Two cocks were also. killed ..duni.ng.i.the first.. ..cutting. Table IV shows...the .. estimated hen and ..nest. destruction. r.esult;i..ng from fir st c1Ltting. of alialfa ..in ..alL_of. ..Logan.,. Sedgwick ...and ..Wasri j ngt.on ...countd.es • Thes.e figures have been projected f.rom al.f.alfa ..acneagaa giv..en..in. Colorado AgriculturaLStatistics. for 1949. '. �-63TABLE.IV. -- ESTIMATEDHEN'ANDNEST DESTRUCTION,FIRST CUTTING, ALL . ALFM.FAFIELDS.~LOOAN,SEDQWICK,ANDWASHINGTON, COiJNT~ES, 19.51 County Field Survey Data Acres Hens Hens Nesta .. . '..... _.Killed ..Inj~_ed .. Destroyed Logan Sedgwick Washington Totals 39.5 172.. 11.5 682 16.' 1.5 2 33 4 4 16 1 21 4 Estimated Pro.jected .D.estruction Acres Hens Hens, Nests .. _Killed. ...Injur.ed .Desbr-oyed 19,400 . 196 3,610 3,130 .26,140 : .,.196 ... 320 '27 543 784 300 54 .196 1,138 Chick Mortality ,. . ,. . Thirty-one chicka .were .killed..... Tw_elve .of_.these ..w.ere. be.t:ween ..one and two weeks of. age Seventeen were. between two and __ thr.ea. .w:eeks. ..and ....t.he, remaining two were from three to. five ..weeks.c Two of the hana ..were killed._:w:ith .sever-a'l, of their brood. 0 Other. Wildlife Six wild. mallar.cLnest.s...wer.e ..des.tr..oyed, .. but ...alLof..the_.hens The cLui.ch average. for. these. six nest.s, was eight eacaped, injury. 0 Cot.to.ntaiLraObit..'l.oss..fr.o.m ..Jn.D.wingu·was_.negli.gibJe.:o. ..~_.JIowav:er..., . .it.was. reported by .workers ..in .tha. Tamarack. natdve., hayf.ields_ t.hat, ..hundr.eds_.of..,_..ttbnnnies It, hid in the. wind ••I'.oWSafter raking ...and :were picked..up ..by. :th~ baler. Analysis _.and..Reccmmendatd.onax.L'Ihe. .l9~_ .haying ..aeasnn, .apparen,.tly .... :was no t as da.sast.nous 1;.0.. wildl.i:[e.~:i,.n__ .Nor:t1lea,s.tern_.CQIQra.dQ ..as.soma ..pa.st..hanvest.s have been. This, suppos ttd.cn has ...been attrihu.tedu.t.o __tRq,,:..f.ac..t.or.sL_.The:.lat.e harvest brought .about, by a wet, cool spring; and ..the spanse.cgncxth . .oL.the ..alfalfa, which provided poor nastd.ng cover •. There w~s. a .g.enanal, .canaensua ..CilD.0U&.- farmer..s .that, pheaaanb.bnccds were· unusually. Jlllm.eroll.S..during ..m.o~ng.,. with a. notic.eable ..lack ...of_la;}dng and incubatil)g hep.s.. .. . Sevent.y~ six .par.cent, ..of .al.L. surveyed. hen .m.ortalit.y. nc.curxed.._w:i:thin a small areaC"in Sadgxi.ck, .county.; . .The ..5ame...area ..r.acei:v..en...exceaai.za ..amnunt.a, ,of..moLst,ure t.hroughout, the ..s.pring __ gr..mdng. .and __ harvesf ..s.easons..o__.~t.is. .thauglrt ..that the frequent dal.ugas .. o.f....rain delayed. phe.asantc.nastdng .. in_.that_l.o_caliz.ed area to coincide _with mowing. . '... :".' . �- 64 A dense crop of alfalfa was harvested during the second cutting. although over 200 acres were checked during this cutting no birds were seen to be hit. Young birds were numerous but usually flushed or ran well ahead of the mowers •. Sixteen broods counted in one ..were 60 acre .field. "' No attempt was made to derive peak hatching dat~s from hayfield data. In general the pheasant hatch did not appear to coincide with the alfalfa harvest. It is thought that a better picture of hatching dates may be obtained from brood counts. Table IV purports only to project the hen and nest mortality from tJ:le personal field reconnaissance data to include hayfield losses in the entire counties involved. It contains all the fallacies of assuming that a sample area is a true representation of the whole. Scope: Arkansas Valley Reported gy: Donald Nolting l~thods: Pheasant nesting data during the first cutting of hay was obtained through three methods. A personal survey of 85 acres w~s made during the actual mowing and raking of the hay. Approximately fifty farmers were contacted and asked to fill in and return "Hayfield Nesting Reports.1I These forms were evenly distributed throughout the area in order·to obtain a representative sample. Twenty farmers reported •. Two alfalfa dehydrating mills agreed to cooperate and some data was derived from this source. Findings: All findings included in this report concern alfalfa hay exc.luatve.ly, All surveys included herein were in fields cut by tractor powered mowers,' with the exception of the dehy<;l.ratingoperations. Personal Survey. This survey included 52 acres in Otero County, 18 acres in Bent County and 15 acres in Crowley County. Of ten nests observed, 80% were destroyed by mowing, 10% were destroyed by predators and 10% were successful. No broods were seen and no cocks wer-e observed killed. An experimental flushing bar was constructed and used during the mowing of 36 acres of hay included in the personal survey. The bar was of simple design in order that the cost of construction could be kept as low as possible. The trial proved unsuccessful and showed that this particular design was of little value in preventing hen mortality. Information obtained during the personal survey is shown in Table V. �- 65 TABLE V. -PHEASANT NESTING DATA ~\PERSONAL SURVEY ,l Not Using , F~ushing Bar U sing Flushing • Bar " Acres 'mowed Nests observed 49 36 .. ,4 (Destroyed 4 (Destroyed by mowing) , 1 (Destroyed by predator) 1 (Successful) 17 mowing) 3 1 Hens .cr'Lpp.Led 1 Cottontails killed,' Jacknabbt.ts .kf.Ll.ed Skunks killed 85 ' by ,.... Hens seen Hens killed ,Total ,1 1 ' 0,,' 10 20 3 4 1 2 3 o 1 2 1 I, .Farmer Reports, , This survey covers 176 acres in" Otero County j .,162 acr-es in Prowers 'County, 98 acres in Bent County and 10 acres in Crowley County. Detailed data is presented in Tabie VI. VI. --PHEASANT .' . T/illLE ., , , , NESTING . DA.':cA.~- FARlJiER REPORTS . .... . '., ..... ' 446 AcrEils ,'mowe.d Nests observed 38 (Destroyed by mowing)33 (Successful} 5 Hens seen Hens"kiiled Hens ,crippled ", ..CocKs 'killed 'crippled Broods seen / Young killed or crippled Cottontails killed J~ckrabbits killed ,Skunks. ki.Ll.ed " ' or 56 "10 6 2' 8 7 46 10 1 �- 66 Dehydrator Reports Reports received from alfalfa dehydrating mills covered 105 acres. There were eight hens seen, no hens killed, three broods seen, 12 young killed, one nest seen and one skurlk killed .. This data is inconsistent with other hayfield reports and points out the difficulty of making observations from the cutting machines. The low hen loss figure is subject to error for this reason. However, use of new selfpropelled machines are believed to have reduced hen decimation. These machines have a rotating flail in front of the cutting bar which flushes the pheasant in many instances. The tractor-pulled grinders had no such flail.··· Combined Data In computing average clutch size, peak of hatch and peak of mowing, personal survey data was combined with farmer report data, where information from the latter source was known to be accurate. Fourteen ne:sts were observed or reported vii th complete clutches. From this sample, the average clutch size was computed to be 9.21 eggs. Information obtained on the peak dates of hatching and mowing are presented in Tables III and IV. A comparison between personal survey data and that obtained by farmer contact is shown in Table V. TABLE VII.--C01~UTED Bi-monthly HATCHING DATES Period June 1 15 16 21 " 22 30 " July 1 15 16 31 " Totals Number .Percent 3 3 5 12 11.1 lLl 18.6 4 44.4 14.8 27 100.0 Number 7 9 11 3 3 Per-cent: ·21.2 27.3 33.3 9.1 9.1 33 100.0 TABLE VIII.--COl1PUTED MOWING DATES Period June 1 -1 It 8 - 15 II 16- 21 II 22- 27 II 28- July 5 Totals �67 TABLE IX~'-':"CO~ARISON; ~IGURES BASED ONITEMSPER100 ACRES "': : '.. '.:' .•. x. Farmer- r-epor-t _. Personal survey : . .. ; Nests Seen Nests Hatched ., 7.4. ,1..1 , 1.2. il.8 . t.. Hens' Hens Killed Seen . 'or Crippled 12.6 23~5 Cottontails Killed or Crippled 3.6 10.3 9.4 3.6 Anal. si$ arid'RecoITlIll,endations:. ..From all .aounces of information it is apparent that the 19 1 first cutting hayfield operations were very destructive to pheasant repz-oductaon, As' shown in Tables VII and VIII 81..8%of the hay was cut before 77 .7%.of the nests. were. hatched or were computed.as due to. hatch .•.. .Hi.gh .Lossea were also. sustained by the breed-. ing hens. Additional losses were caused by predators and other factors. It is -be.Li.eved that the· peak- hatching period was later than normal. This delay was probably caused by numerous rain and hail storms in the valley • . The.personal survey method gives the most useful and accurate information. Results reported by farmers were of primary value in computing peak mow-tng .dates.-. Hovever-,...farmer .reports are also of value for supplying. supplemental information of various types. Work Plan. No~I Job No~'3-A TitIe. oJ ~ob:. . Pheasant. Brood Survey" Objective: Scope: To determine'the trend'oi;: ~nnualpheasant reprodilction. Northwestern Colorado - Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties. - .. -_' ,_ .... Reported by:, ,WayneW. Sandfort ~. . -. Methods: Brood counts wer~ made, primarily, on six established trend routes in the three counties considered. Assistance during some of the counting was given by Dwight E. Owens. Counts were made ih la te .July and August during optimum counting periods, 5:15 to 7:30 :a.m., and 5:00 to 7:15 p.m.. Exact times during which counts were made a.nd·· the mileage driven:were r-ecorded, All broods were flushed with the aid 'of a"d~g and"the time of flushing, number of birds and estimated age were tabulated. '.Several broods which were observed off of regular' trend routes were recorded as "mt.sceLl.aneous observations ~II Data from these counts were not used in'the calculation of broods perrilile or broods per hour. ... �- 68 - .. Findings: The principal brood count data from three northwestern.Colorado counties during the 1951 season are presented in Tables X and XI. Comparison between 1950 and 1951 findings is shown in Table XII. TABLE X.--BROOD COUNT, HEN AND JUVENILE DATA, NORTHvi"ESTERN COLORADO, JULY AND AUGUST, 1951. TABLE XI.--BROODS County Mesa Delta Montrose All counties Total ~Ave. "No , No. of Young per Brood Young 4.89 44 ·5.00 25 -4.38 70 4.63 139 Total No. of Hens Seen 13 10 11 34 YO\J.ng COUNTED PER I'1ILEAND PER HOUR, NORTHwESTERN, 1951. COLORADO, No. of Broods County Counted I:vlesa 9 Delta 5 Iv1ontrose 16 All counties30 No. of Hens With Broods 8···· . 5 9 22 .. l'1iles .Driven Hours Driven Broods Counted Broods per Hile Broods per Hour 119 69 118 306 7.09 4.32 8.12 20.34 8 3 14 25 .0672 .0626 •. 1186 .0817 1.01 0.69 1. 72 1.23 per- 'Hen 3.38 2.50 6.36 4.09 TABLE XII.--COMPARATIVE RESULTS, BROOD COUNT DATA, l"lESA,DELTA AND MONTROSE COUNTIES, 1950-1951. Type of Information Number of broods counted Average number of young per brood Number of young per hen Broods observed per mile Broods observed per hour . .Findings . , :3.950 1951 56 4.21 1. 79 .0672 l.10 30 4.63 4.09 .0817 ·1.23 Calculations using the e~timated age of broods observed in the field showed that nine or 34.2 percent of 26 broods aged probably hatched during the week of June 24 to June 30. Hatching dates, determined by brood-aging, varied from ~hy 25 to August 7. Two peaks in hatching appeared to have been reached during the current season, one occurring during late June �- 69 and early July and the other during late July and early August. The late hatching ,peak proba.bly resulted fromrenesting attempts, mostly by hens evicted fromhayfields during first-moving operations. Analysis and Recommendations: Difficulty in counting a sufficient number of broods to provide an accurate basis f'or- determining reproductive , success was encountered during the 1951 season., Consequently, ,results show considerable inconsistency. The number of young per hen, for example, shown in Table X' for· Nbntrose .county; is higher t.han the average brood size. This fallacy resulted bec~use so~ broods were not accompanied by hens and because a sufficiently large number of broods and broodless hens were .not,c.ounted to .provide data with small error. Generally speaking, the. findings in' Table XII indicate tha:t reproduction during the 1951 season surpassed that of 1950. Broods are shown to .' .average slightly larger Ln. number. The number of young per hen is greater and the number of broods observed per mile and by the hour shows an increase over last year's figures. <... . :-,-,_',~ : Brood· count data obtained during: the .. cur-rent .season do not justify their application in population formulas. Break-down. of results'by areas produces such erratic results .that errors would only be amplified when used in calculation of post-sbreedi.ng populations.' The peak hatching period; as determined by aging of. broods in the field, coincides very closely to that obtained by hayfield nesting surveys, and the week of June 20-June 30 can probably be safely designated as the period of peak 'hatch in 1951. Greater accuracy in brood count data can probably be obtained primarily thr01igh a larger number of counts ~ . It is recommended that these counts be associated with definite trend routes or areas, that they be run at' standard 'times wh.Em optimUm counts can be obtained and that these counts be initiated during the same period in,the reproductive cycle of the species, approximately one month after :the peak hatching period. Scope:. North·central Weld counties. Reported by: Colorado - Adams, Boulder, Larimer, Morgan aIld W. L. Flinn Me'thods: Pheasant, brood counts were made on or in the proximi ty of seven established census routes in north central Colorado. As in the past, brood cou~ts were made with aid o~ dog, in the mornings from 5~30 to 'sun; and between 3:]0 and 6:00 p.m ••. Daily records of broods, number, age, time and location of observations were kept. The .first a �- 70 brood counts were made beginning June 23, and the first brood was seen on that date. This report covers a period through September 8. During that time a total of 94 broods with 524 young pheasants were observed and counted in 2911 miles of travel. During the latter part of I"laya number, of farmers were interviewed and alfalfa fields were investigated to determine the pheasant loss and nest destruction in the first cutting of hay. Fields that were being mowed, or that had recently been mowed were. selected at random in various parts of the district. Findings: Farmer reports on 282 acres of alfalfa mowing and investigation of these fields gave a total of 13 hens, three cocks and eight young birds killed or injured in the mowing process. Fourteen nests were reported destroyed and one nest already hatched was found. By breaking this down, the following figures are obtained per 100 acres: 4.62 hens killed or injured, 4.94 nests destroyed and 2.83 young birds killed. From the ages ot the young pheasants counted, the approximate date of hatch can' be determined, .and the nesting period also may be calculated • .As shown in Table XIII:, the first peak of hatch was during the first three weeks of June, and a second peak shows. up in the first two weeks of July. This information would indicate that the peak of nesting came between the middle of' Hay and the first of June, and a second, or a late peak of nesting occurred the latter part of June. TABLE XIII.-PEEA,SANT Number of Broods 3 15 21 11 5 14 11 7 2 3 HATCHING DATES, NORTH CENTRAL COLORADO. Ha tchtng Date Month Week Hay June June '.June June July July July July August 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st �TABLE .xIv.;..;.:....PHEASANT BROOD.DATA. i ~. •. . L.; .' : Route Cocks .:"" '.i :,. II. III IV V VI 667 .493 . 363 489 403 496 19 .15 12 11 11 9 Totals 2911 77 I Ave.miles -.Per' Brood •'!iens ',''I . Ave.Young Av.Young Per .Br-ood Per Hen , 32 32 36 16 18 25;" 11 16 15 9 92 '156, 45 95 87 49 37.1 19.7 .' 33.0 30.6 26.9 55.1 5.1 . 6~25 4.1 5.9 5.8 5.4 2.42 4.46 1.41 2.97 2.41 3.06 189 94 524 30.9 5.6 2.77 :)8, . 35·,·· , Analysis and Recommendations: The infoIlmation in Table XIV does not show a true picture of pheasant reproduction in north central Golorado without some qualifying remarks. Favorable spring weather occurred in most of the district, and the hatch was considered successful except possibly in northern portions of Weld and Larimer counties and in 1"Iorgancounty. Those portions of Weld and Larimer counties suffered a downpour late in May that seems to have had a serious effect on pheasant reproduction. Two days of r~in, hail and cold weather in most of ~~rgan county about the same time apparently has caused a similar situation. In the case of Larimer and Weld counties, only the northern halves of'the routes are affected. The results of weather are not apparent in Table II since all broods observed were found on the southern parts of the routes where the population is thought to be,better than average. Another situation appears in the Prospect Valley area (Route III), not resulting from the elements but from the method of counting. Early counts in this area seemed satisfacto~, and it was neglected in the last month of counting because of growing concern over the areas just mentionedo With the increase in size of the young birds and the reduction of cover by harvesting, it is felt that later counts would have brought the figures up satisfactorily for Route III. Scope: Southwestern Montezuma Counties. Reported by: Golorado - the. San. Luis Va:)..ley and La Plata and Bertram Baker Methods: The method'used has been described 1950, Quarterly Progress Report. Findings: Table XV summarizes previously in the October, the data from field work conducted for �- 72 broods from July 12 through September 3 in southwestern Colorado. The data were tabulated in the same manner as it was last year. This is an effort to make trend comparisons as accurate as is possible. Four broods of pheasants were seen while the hayfield nesting study was being conducted.· One brood was seen on the return from an evening run. These five broods do not enter into calculations in Table II, but they figure importantly in the following discussion on the peak of hatch. �- 73 -:TABLEXV.- Part 1. BROODSURVEYSUlllv'lARY FoR SOUTHiJESTERN COLORADO, JULY 12 THROUGH SEPTEI'ffiER3, 1951. . ". '. Survey Period . Total Hens' . Seen Area 7/12 - 7/15 'SartLuis' Valley' 7/16 - 7/31 San Luis Valley, Total Ave. No, Total No•. Young·: Young Hens Broods Seen .: Per . With Seen . Hen' . Broods ,'No. Ave. Size 4 43 Hontezuma ce. 2 .' . La Plata Co.' •. . '1 8/1 - 8/15' San Luis Valley 19 8/16 - 9/3 San Luis Valley 29 Montezuma Co. ': ·5 . La Plata Co. .6 Entire San Luis Valley" 95 period .MontezUma Co, •7 7/12 _ 9/3 'La Plata Co. ' T .163 3.00 o ,.631 1.531 " 23 4.60' 2.83 17 -:.673 64 4.143 . 29 17 . 2.44 .12 45 . 1 0 3 10 . '5' . 414 6 4 ',' ' 0 1 1 0 4 11 :5 5 16 6 5 '_" 7.0. 6.0 J.C)' 4.09 4.60 3.40 4.00 4.83 3.40 ~', ,. Total 7/12 7/15 San Luis Va:J:ley 7/16 - 7/31 ., San Luis Valley MontezUma Co. La Plata Co. 8/1 8/15 San Luis Valley 8/16 9/j, ,_San Luis, Valley ".Montezuma· -Co , ' La j~lata Co. _ Entire Period San Luis Valley 7/12 _.9/3 Montezuma Co. La Plata Co. -_ ". ' '0' 1 I Area _ 7' " 2 ' ,BROODSAND JUVENILESSEEN ON VlILEA.GEBASIS, SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO,' ·JULY 12 THROUGH SEPTElVll3ER3, 1951 :- Survey, . Period '_ 6 .' TABLEXV._- Part . 0' ". Miles' 61 251 86 47 209 154 81 85 675 167 132 .' .Broods' Per . 'Mile* . Juveriiles Per Mile ...; . .0039 . ~01l6 ..028 .069 .0191 .0714 .0617 .0588 . .0237 .0359 .0378 .057 ~.292 .284 .200 .095 .173 .129 ,. *Basedupo:n, a,]J_ broods_ in evt.dence-s-a brood in evidence .. .sd.ng.l.e young seen equalling one .. �- 74Peak of" Hatch Results from estimating the age of ail broods seen and then calculating the week of hatching showed primarily that the sample number of broods seen (21 - San Luis Valley) was too small to' be significant. Three broods. hatching in anyone week was the La rges t number, and this occurr-ed in the third and fourth weeks of June, the second and fourth ~eeks of July, and the first week of August. Although the age estimation of broods indicated no. concentration of hatching in one specific week in the period from the second week' of June through the first week of August, the combining of brood data with that of the calculated week of hatching from active nests found in hayfields showed a somewhat more definite pattern of hatching. . . . Of 21 broods seen and aged and 10 active nests examined, five broods and seven nests hatched or would 'have hatched in the last two weeks of July. The combined total of 12 (five broods and seven nests) is about 38 percent of the combined total of 31 (21 broods and 10 nests) and is the be~t indication available as to the peak of hatch •. Analysis: The number of broods and hens that were seen by auto re~ connaissance is too small for use in computing accurate figures for the number of young per hen. Consequently, i11 is thought ,unwise to attempt to calculate post=breedrng- population: indices. Comparison of figures for the broods per mile and juveniles per mile fo'r'the years 1950 'and 1951 in the San Luis Valley and La Pl.at.aCounty b,elow shows slight' increases in 1951,;-It must also be noted that " , . fewer'rn:ileswere covered in the Sari LUi's -Valley in 1951, particularly in the month of July as compared to' i950 (refer to Table XV). Indications of a late hatch in 1951 similar to 1950 caused .the cut back in July survey work and thus influenced final data in favor of more broods and young seen per mile driven. 1950 San Luis Valley La Plata Co I10ntezuma Co. 1951 Total MilE3s BroodS! Nile. Juveniles! Nile . Total Miles 1190 130 151 .0150 .0333 .1125 .0706 .1233 .3774 675 132 167 .B;roods/ . Juveniles! .,Mile lviile .02~7 .0378 .0359 .095 .129 .173 �- 75Montezuma County figures for broods and juveniles per mile indicate a poorer hatch there this year over last year. .'Crop cover in the irrigated sections of the Montezuma Valley was still heavy in late August due mainly to the amount of standing grain remaining to be harvested. Weather conditions for making observations this year.were excellent .so that COUld. not be considered a factor against seeing fewer young birds • .Scope: Northeastern Yuma counties. Reported by: Colorado -Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Harold M. Swope Ivlethods: Field reconnaissance by auto was utilized almost entirely ~ .' .Some.river bottom area was traversed on foot but the method was slow and unproductive. Whenever possible broods were counted while crossing in front of the auto. When circumstances ~d not permit this method the young birds were flushed wi th the aid of a dog. Broods when counted were placed into two categories dependent upon the accuracy. of the count. Broods on whllch near total counts were made were recorded separately from those not completely flushed and recorded. Only when several young were heard peeping or seen moving the vegetation but could not be flushed were the broods placed in the latter category. Brood ages were estimated from these' estimations dates have been determined. approximate hatching Findings: Brood count surveys were carried on from July 3 to September 5. .Approximately 2,010 miles were driven to .count 205.pheasant br'oodso One brood was seen every 9.8 miles driven. Hen andbrood'data are presented in Tables XVI ahd XVII. Table XVI includes the data recorded on all broods. 'Hany of these broods had young that could not be flushed and counted. Datum on only the broods affording complete, or nearly coinplete, count-s is given in Table XVII. �- 76 TABLE XVI. --BROOD COUNT, HEN AND JUVENILE DATA., ALL BROODS INCLUDED, NORTHEASTERN COLORADO, 1951 County Total No. of Hens Seen· No. of Hens With Broods Percent Hen Success No. of Broods Counted Total' Average No. No. of of Young Young Per Brood Logan Phillips Sedgwick Washington Yuma 50 38 31 28. 39 44 33 24 24 34 88.0 86.8 77.4 85.7 87.2 57 38 30 43 37 399 241179 323 271 7·0 6.3 6.0 7.3 7.3 Totals 186 159 85.5 205 1,413 6.9 TABLE XVII.--JUVENILE DATA ON BROODS WHERE NEARLY ALL YOUNG WERE FLUSHED AND COUNTED, NORTHEASTERN COLORADO, 1951 No. of Broods Counted Total No. Of Young Average No. of Young Per Brood Logan Phillips Sedgwick Washington Yuma 45 32 23 36 31 374 229 155 305 254 8.3 7.2 6.7 8.5 8.2 Totals 167 1,317 7.9 County In 135 broods a single hen was present with each brood. Thirty-six broods had both a hen and a cock with them. Cocks alone were seen with six broods, and 28 broods were seen with no adult birds present. Figure 1 plots the curve of pheasant hatching dates by weekly periods. These dates were derived by estimating the ages of 187 broods. . Analysis and Recommendations: The average number of young per brood in northeastern Colorado was found to vary from 6.9 to 7.9, depending upon the roemed of computation. It is thought that the 7.9 average, d~rived by including only broods on which reasonably accurate counts were obtained, is closer to the true average brood size than is the other figure. All broods seen were compiled to derive the 6.9 average, which probably presents a truer picture of the trend, since this is the method used in the past. �... c -t • -t -j , . .~. I l 1'1 :I: ~ .... • �- 77 _. The "true" average brood size was computed to aid in the development of a "Reproduction Index." This index has been derived purely on an experimental basis on the Dailey Cornbelt trend route. The components needed to determine this index are listed in the equation below. Reproduction Index => Hens Per .Cock Crowing Index x x Percent Hen Success x Average No. of Young Per Brood The sample problem involving the Dailey Cornbelt trend route is computed as follows: Reproduction Index x = 51.58 x 86.8 x = 483.55 Theoretically, each area served·by every stop during the crowing trend count .pr-oduced an average of 484 young birds this, .neatd.ngseason. Obviously this figure is only a trend to be used in year to year comparisons. .-".: The smaller number of young per brood in Sedgwick and Phillips counties may probably be explained by the frequent occurrence of severe hail and·rain storms. , -. .." " About 70 percent of all broods aged hatched between June 1 and July 8. There apparently was no well defined peak of hatching, but rather a gradual buildup, a leveling off over a three week period, and a gradual q.~cline. Scope: Arkansas Valley Reported by: Donald H. Nolting Methods: 'Brood counts were, made by automobile in the various trend areas of the tu-kansa$ Valley during 1951. .Ear-Ly morning and evening counts provided most of the data, although several broods were observed in midday. Surveys were made from July 21 through August 26. All broods tabulated herein were flushed and complete information was recorded for each brood. Counts made in the main valley (Pueblo, Crowley, Otero, Bent and Prowers countd.es).pr ovided a sample .t.oo .small to be analyzed by each trend area. These counts, therefore, are grouped together. Numerous broods were observed in Baca county and this area is tabulated separately. �- 78 Findings: Complete findings are presented in the following tables. TABLE XVIII.--PHEASANT BROOD COUNT DATA FOR THE ARKANSAS VALLEY. Factor Main Arkansas Valley Baca Co. 22 42 52.3% 5.63 61 977 .0225 .361 Total broods seen Total hens seen % successful hens Av. No. young/brood Total hours Total miles Broods/mile Broods/hour 36 37 97.3% 5.89 17 286 .1268 2.117 Entire Area 58 79 73.4% 5.79 78 1263 .0459 .743 TABLE XIX.--AVERAGE NUMBER PER BROOD - JULY 21 to AUGUST 26, 1951 Area ¥~in Arkansas Valley Baca County Entire Area July 21 - 31 6.25 5.62 5.93 TABLE XX.--ESTIl~TED BROOD AGES - ¥~N EStimated Age in Weeks August 1 - 13 August 14 - 26 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 6.07 5.71 VALLEY Numbers of Broods in Age Class July 21 - -31 August 1 - 13 August 14 - 26 1- 3 o o o 3 - 6 6 - 9 10 .0 1 2 1 9 - 12 o 7 o 1 TABLE XXI. --ESTIIIfATEDBROOD·AGES - BACA COUNTY IT Estimated Age in Weeks Numbers of Broods in Age Class July 21 - 31 August 1 - 13 August 14 - 26 1- 3 3 1 o 3 - 6 6- 9 9 - 12 5 2 2 4 o o o 8 9 , , �- 79 Analysis and Recommendations: , Pheasant reproduction in Baca County was good, f:rom t~e standpoints of brood sizes and ages, percent of successful hens, and f'requency of observation. The hatch in the main Arkansas valley was only ~airo The frequency of observation was low and there was a high percentage of unsuccessful hens in this area. Average brood size in relatiop to age was good. Cover density was much lower in Baca county than in the main valley. This may partly explain the higher frequency of brood observations in" Baca County. The high numbers of unsuccessful hens in the main valley probabJ._yresu:;Ltedp:r.imarilyfrom hayfield nest destruction. Sto:rm damage is believed to be a secondary factor. Broods of larger average size were seen in Baca.county latter part of the survey period. Title: Hail damage investigations Scope: ~A:r):{ansas Valley during the ., Reported by: .Donald H. Nolting Findings: Field reconnaissance and interview, together with observations .of alfalfa werer used to estimate the damage to during the first cut.td.ng. '"'. ;tb..e pheasant population .. r-esu.Ltd.ng .f'r'om widespread hail storms during the spni.ng of i9·51. .few ,localities .escaped with no. damage reported. Important changes in farm cover composa tion were caused by hail damage -. County Extension Agents in the valley stated that there were large incr,eases of' alfalfa,.:cgrn and milo. due to replanting. This report v :coyers one of tbe .more severe, storms • ...(a) iocati~n: Extensive' damage occurred between Avondale and Swink; observations were made near Rocky Ford on June 14. (b) Crop and cover damage s. Trees .. were stripped completely ba:re. of leaves in some places. Alfalfa was reduced to straws in many spots, matted and seyerely packed in 9~hers. Garden crops were largely' destroyed. Wheat and oats appeared mowed. (c) Wildlife damage: In a survey of 14 acres of alfalfa and 10 .acres of'. grain. (dur'Lng cutting, operatiops afte~ the. storm) sever-al,hens were, flushed and no dead birQ,s were found. One nest was located containing an ~gg laid after the storm. Acti vi ties· of the: hens Lndf.cat.ed that they, had nested in these ,fields or near by, and had had their nests destroyed. Three dead pheasants were seen by a farm~r in an adjacent field. }liscellaneous observations included one dead kingbird and one severely injured magpie. No records were obtained on doves or quail. . , .... . . ,.. .' �r: lliomJD Ce.0+. cf ~CU'\,~ (}Ac\ +tY" _ CYc~(1~r~ r~% ~pcrl-. 60JNL R'OI. i{~ed d~-R_) 1St rd ~()vi6S. - 80(d) General: Flooding occurred in many places and standing . water remained in nesting areas as long as three days after the storm. It is thought that the damage to adult birds was light. Nest destruction may have been significant in many places. Work Plan No. III. Title of Job: Job No. 2-A Grouse brood counts Objective: To gain a representative success and annual reproduction. Scope: Southwestern Reported by: srunple for determination of nesting Colorado Bertram Baker Methods: Late afternoon auto and foot reconnaissance was tried in areas known to have dusky grouse. Two trips were made along the ~pper Rio Grande River with the dual purpose of tallying duck broods and also grouse broods. Parts of the lower Spring and Burnt Creeks near Jasper on the Alamosa River were covered by foot. Findings: .Three broods of dusky grouse were seen near Farmer's Union Reservoir on the upper Rio Grande River. Two were seen by auto reconnaisance and one on foot. The broods were of three, six and four young, respectively, averaging 4.33 young per brood. Richard Pillmore had an opportunity to see two broods of dusky grouse while inthe field on Project 38-R. His counts were for one and four young to the brood. Combining the five, an average of 3.6 young per brood was obtained. Analysis: It has not been possible to obtain ·sufficient data on dusky grouse populations and population trends to be significant. Work Plan IV - QUail and Partridge Title of Job: Population Job No. I-A trend checks Object: To determine the population trend of Gambel's quail and chukar par-tridgethrough systematic census on representative areas , ~: Northwestern Reported by: Colorado - Garfield, Mesa, Delta, Montrose counties. Wayne W. Sandfort <, �- -81 Methods: "'Populatian- trend. checks 'during -the current season were limited. The several investigatians that were carried aut were restricted tachukarpartridge~ _ These investigatians cansisted af field recannaissance by auto. and on foot-of -the Kannah Creek 'and Escalante Canyon areas •. Limited findings, 'indicate good papulations of .chukar in t.he Creek' area. Birds are readily"seen in groups ranging in number-s from several to as high as 45 ~-, Atte:riitrts to 'make a total count of chukar-s iri'.EScalante Canyon .on September, 4 ahoved a total of 76 birds. Activity of local f.armers in,areas where large concentrations of chukars usually occur, however, created unfavorable counting conditions, and the writer is certain that many of the birds present were not: .seen, - Findings: Escal.ant.e A short investigation.for .chukars in:upper_Kannah Creek was carried out on August 17. Two broods were observed along with three adults. The to-tal number of -chukars was' 17 ~Analysis and Recorrunendations: Data are inadequate to draw any conclusions concerning population'trends. It is recommended that arrangements be made to provide time for thorough investigations of this species in the future. Development of significant populations of chukar in northwestern Colarado would seem to justify further and; detailed research with this bird. .' ", 2'. Deviatioh-- Job Ti tle:' ' Brood count s Object: To gain a representative success and annual reproduction. Scope: sample for determination Narthwi:3stern"CnLonado. _..,., Nesa,. Del ta.and Montrase Reported_by:' of nesting counties. Wayne Vi;; Sand fort ":." Methods: Quail brood counts were made, primarily, an six established trend routes in northwestern Calorada in conjunction with pheasant brood courrts, "Several quail broods were abserved off of regular trend routes. . " ',~'. .. ; ,.,.- ~- .. ... Chukar broods were counted while checking Creek areas. the Kannah Creek and Escalante �jOQ .••••• \. ", " .• I~ - 82 Findings: The principal results of quail brood counts are presented in Table XXII. TABLE XXII •. _:--GAI"IBEL'S QUAIL BROOD COUNTS, NORTHWESTERN Countl Ave. No. No. of Broods Total No. of Young Counted of Youn~ Per Brood COLORADO, 1951 No. of Hens With Broods Total No. of Hens-Seen Young Per Hen Hesa Delta Montrose 7 1 1 57 6 6 8.14 6.00 6.00 7 1 0 17 1 1 3.35 6.00 6.00 All counties 9 69 _7.67 8 19 3.63 Three chukar broods were observed during the current season. Two broods on Kannah Creek contained ten and four young, respectively. One brood of three was observed in Escalante Canyon. Scope: Arkansas Valley Reported by: Donald H. Nolting Methods and Findings: Counts of scaled and bobwhite quail broods were made in conjunction with the pheasant brood survey. Findings are shown in Table XXIII. No conlusions are possible from the small sample e~cept to state that quail reproduction was much better in Baca county than in the main Arkansas valley. TABLE XXIII--1951 Factor Total Broods Ave. number young/brood Broods/hour" QUAIL BROOD DATA .i':lain Valle~ Scaled Bobwhite Baca Countl Scaled Bobwhite 3 0 5 6.3 .049 0 0 11.2 .294 , ! 4 14.7 .235 �- 83 Work Plan No. 5 - Mourning Doves Job No. l-A Title of Job: Population Trends Objective:. To determine the.post-breeding population index by systematic census on established trend routes. Scope: Northwestern Colorado - Garfield, Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties. Reported by: Wayne W. Sandfort Methods: Mourning dove (Zenaidura ~acropra marginella) counts were made on six established trend routes in three nonthwestern Colorado counties during August. Both morning and eveiling coUnts w~re taken. Morning counts were made from 5:18 to 7:45 a.m. Evening counts were carried out during the period from 5:00 to 7:t5 pvm, A total of 20 hours and 10 minutes was spent during actual counting time. Counts on trend routes .. _in Garfield county were not" made during the current season beGause of limited time. . , : Findings: A substantial increase in the 1951 post-breeding dove population, when compared with 1950 figures, is shown by data recorded in.Table XXIV. . TABLE XXIV.-MOURNING County DOVE COUNTS, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1950-51· Horning Counts .__ .. Miles Driven Birds.Counted Birds/100 Miles ~950 1951. 1950 1951 1950 1951 195.0-51 trend comparison (percent) Garfield 53.7 Mesa 49.8 342 Delta 66.6 208 . Montrose 53 .4 123 All counties~2~2~3~.~--~~~~~~--~~~----~~--~~----~~~T73 Evening Counts Garfield 35.2 31 88 IViesa 68 .. 6 266 141 362 73.5 97 122 Delta 42.5 60 25.1 52 239 Montrose 53.4 80 58.9 27 51 47 All count~i-e~sl~9~9~.~7~.--~~~r-~~----~~------~r-~~----~~~~--20'7 1 7. 10 237 . 373 *Data from Garfield county excluded in 1950-51 trend comparison. * �- 84 ..., Analysis and Recommendations: Results from both 1950 and 1951 investigations show that approximately twice the number of doves will be observed during early morning counts than during evening counts. The trend in post-breeding population is indicated b.y both counts. Since .a greater number of birds are observed in the morning, however, it appears that a more reliable basis. for determining trends would be obtained from data gathered during this period. The gathering of somewhat uniform data through roadside census of mourning doves indicates the probabl e validity of the census method and it is recommended that a schedule for systematic census be established in all areas of the state. Data obtained on a state-wide basis would be useful in management of the species. A minimum of extra work is. required to make dove counts as these counts can conveniently be combined with pheasant brood counts. In setting up a post-breeding season census schedule the following prqcedure is recommended: (1) confine censusing to the month of August; (2) make counts on established trend routes; (3) confine counting to a definite time of the day (5:15 to 7:30 a.m.); (4) travel routes at speeds not exceeding 20 miles per hour; (5) count only doves which can be seen without leaving the vehicle. In addition to simply recording the number of doves seen, counts could be broken down by flocks, pairs and singles. Weather conditions and location of large concentrations could also be noted. Scope: The San Luis Valley Reported by: Bertram Baker 11ethods: General field observations made on mourning doves indicated that they were present in the largest numbers in the greasewoodrabbitbrush areas adjacent to agricultural ,crop land. It was also noted that while making trips over pheasant trend routes in these areas the doves perched on fence and telephone wires both in the late afternoon and early morning hours. These factors and the difficulty'-of sighting pheasants on the ground while watching the wires led to the decision to use two established pheasant trend routes for dove~. The two routes through and adjacent to brush in Alamosa and Saguache Counties were those selected. The evening hours for making the runs were from 5:00 to 6:30 P.M •• One run was made over each route once during the week, weather permitting. Early morning counting was not done because it was thought more important to use this time of the day for pheasant brood coun.ting. Findings: The results of periodic evening roadside counting of doves over two trend routes are given in Table XXV. �- 85 TABLE XXV. -MOURNING DOVE EVENING ROADSIDE COUNTS, SAN LUIS VALLEY, 1951 - Trend Route Date Week Honth Niles Driven Doves Seen Doves per 100 miles 3rd 4th June 26.2 26.2 84 106 320 404 2nd 3rd July 26.2 26.2" 113 , 107 431 408 1st. 2nd August 26.2 26.2 60 37 229 141- . 157.2 507 381 23'~'5 64 23.5 43 272 183 23.5 23.5 45 55 191 234 23.5 23.5 74 68 315 289 141.0 349 247 Totals for both r6utes298.2 856 287 and Area Sampled Saguache Co. Pheasant Trend #1 (Central Saguache County) " " 11 Totals Alamosa Co. Pheasant Trend #2 (N.W. Alamosa County) Totals 3rd 4th June 2nd 3rd July 1st 2nd August 11 " " . ,", Analysis and Recommendations: .One possibly significant fact can be noted from Table XXV regarding the dove'populations indicated by road counting. Results from 90unting both routes in the 4th week of June, and 2nd and 3rd weeks of July show a nearly constant number of birds seen each time through t.hi.s.per-Lod , Following this period and beginning the first week of August, total counts for the Saguache' County route dropped off and. the Alamosa County route increased. This trend continued through the second week of August. The birds were noted in larger flocks during this latter two .week period and espe cially ne ar old..s.tubble. .....fihliis ... .serring ...as..feeding..gnounds .. • �- 86 Work Plan No. V. Title of Job: Objective: studies. Scope: Job No. 2-A Trapping and Banding To trap and band mourning doves for migration and flyway Northwestern Duration of Project: Personnel: Colorado - Mesa County. August 15 through August 27. Dwight E. Owens and Wayne W. Sandfort Reported by: Wayne W. Sandfort Introduction: Although of secondary importance from the hunting standpoint, mourning doves (Zenaidura macroura marginella) do provide hunting for some individuals in this area~ Further and probably heavier hunting pressure is found along the migration routes of this species. One of the more important dove areas in northwestern Colorado, particularly from the production standpoint, appears to be present in the Grand Valley, Mesa county. Here orchards, principally peach and pear, provide suitable and numerous nesting sites. Interspersed wheat fields provide food, and canals and irrigation ditches furnish an ample water supply. Heavy dove concentrations have been noted in the area just described during the last two seasons. Roadside census data from Nesa county, presented elsewhere in this re:port, show counts exceeding seven birds per mile during August. Detailed information obtained on a route extending from Grand Junction to Palisade showed roadside counts of about 10 birds per mile. Because of the importance of the Grand Valley area as a breeding ground it was felt desirable to initiate a trapping and banding project to determine the migration routes of the birds which breed and are reared in this area. It Methods: The general area miles north of Fruitvale in Mesa county was selected for trapping. Permission t() set up traps was obtained from four farmers and by August 20 seven traps were in operation. Location of Traps Traps were located primarily in areas containing open ground with consideration given to placing them near roosting sites such as telephone lines and dead trees, and also near wheat fields where heavy concentrations occurned ; Pl.acf.ng, ..t.naps .. .Ln.ic.Loae ..prDXimi ty to :wheat..fields ..did �- 87 ._ not seem to be a requirement; however;·and.g06d results. were. obtained some distance away from these fields. Four of the traps were Locat-ed in bare areas along ditch-banks, whereas, three were constructed in a bare area around a corral where sev.eral rows of dead apple -trees. had. been piled. 'we're' 'Three different -types' of' traps' us-ed difririg'operaticmS·.· The principal and most efficient type was constructed with one-inch mesh ; '. netting and 3/8-inch concrete reinforcement rods (see figure 2). The sides cons.i.sted of two pieces of netting two feet by nine feet. Rods two feet and six inches lqng were securely fastened to the ends' of the netting, the extra six inches being driven into the ground. to form the narrow trap entrances and also to secure the trap to the ground: A piece of one-inch netting, ..four feet wide and five and one-half feet long served as the top of the trap. . ;, .,: A second type_of trap was constructed similar to the one just described, the only difference being that the sides were one foot high instead.-of two. .. : ',' ; The third type of trap.w.as constructed by fastening one-inch netting to a wooden frame four feet square and ten inches high. This trap had originally been constructed for trapping chukar , The trap entrance consisted of a small trench dug-under' one side of the frame, this trench 'being cov~red irisid~.· the' -trap with wir~ :r;i~tting. .A general view of this trap is shown in figure 2. on.tfle 'or . - •Operation, of ''rraps_ :: .~.-: Traps were operate.d continuously from August 15:.through August 27. Attempt$ were made to check eachrtz-ap .~t'lea~r:t four times daily., These times were generally 6:00 to 8:QO:A •.}!L.,'10:00 to 11:00 A.IVl., 4:00, to 5:30 PoNe and 7:00 to 7:30 P.M. " i Pre-bai td.ng of trap ~i tea WaS. not carried out •., When traps were con.--. structed the az-ea .ar-ound and wit.hin. t.hemwas baited qu],te heavd.Iy wit;h . wheat for the: first three or four days. After the doves had become.. accustomed to feeding in the area baiting was largely restricted to the entrances and interiors .of ..the. t,raps • -•., -.. . :.- . '.. ~ When checking the tr.aps, -entr-ances were' t;emporarLLy blocked, if. birds were p:r:esent, to prevent their escape while banding was bei.r).g,cCirried out Removal of birds was easily accomplished by the use of a fisherman's "landing net'.'. When turned edgeways the net passed readily through the narrow opening. The birds could then be caught and removed without harm and with minimumeffort. .' 0 ,", .; �._'_." ,.:; - 88 Findings: Detailed records ;of trapping and banding are presented in table nVI. TABLE nVI.--HOURNING Date * DOVE TRAPPING AND BANDING, l;,iESA COUNTY, AUGUST, 1951 Number of Traps in Operation 8/15/51 8/16/51 8/17/51 8/18/51 8/19/51 8/20/51 8/21/.51 8/22/51 8/23/51 8/24/51 8/25/51 8/26/51 3 3 3 4 4 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 8/27/51 4 Number of Birds TrapEed Number of Birds Banded 1 1 1 6 3 14 (2 repeats) 4 9 (1 injured) 14 18 (1 repeat) 27 (2 repeats) ( 6 released)* 1 1 1 6 3 12 4 8 14 17 19 .:»: 6 104 92 /" Six birds released from chukar trap without banding because of difficulty in removal. Attempts were made during the banding operations to age the doves. Appearance of feathers, feet and bill were used to differentiate between adults and juveniles~ Cloacal examinations were impractical under field conditions. Results, probably containing considerable error, showed 40 or 43.5% of the birds to be juveniles. When traps we re placed close to drainage or irrigation ditches, considerable numbers of Gambel "Olathe" quail were caught along with the doves. Fewer quail were caught in traps located further away from these areas. Rock squirrels (Citellus grammurus grammurus) fed on the wheat around all traps. These animals usually dug under the wire-mesh sides, however, and escaped without adversely affecting the efficiency of the trap for catching doves. �4-1-_.>.. C~.. ~ Applying a Band Baiting the Trap (Dead trees in background provided excellent Chukar Trap (also effective roosti~ sites) for catching doves) Figure 2o-Mourning dove trapping and banding" Mesa County" 1951 (Photos b.Y Con Tolman) �f3 ..~~ (~ ..:...( ~.-: - 89 Analvsis and Recommendations: Simplicity of setting up traps and carrying out banding operations seems to justify such a project, and it is recommended that yearly banding be carried out in the Fruitvale area. Pre-baiting of trapping sites for perhaps a week prior to the time traps are set up would probably create conditions more favorable for immediate returns. As shown by data in Table XXVI 65 or about 60% of all doves captured were caugh~ during the last four days of trapping. This was because doves had become accustomed to feeding in the area and were flocking heavily around some of the traps. Use of a trap with sides two feet tiigh is recommended. It is also recommended that cord nettiag be used for the top to prevent possible injury when the birds are approached in the trap. Placing traps away from brushy areas around ditches would probably alleviate some of the interference from quail and rock squirrels in areas where these species are present. Submitted Name by: Approved Harry Figge Title Wildlife Technician Date Note: by: October 10, 1951 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��li~ijij~ijim)m BDOW021805 - 91 STATE COLORADO --------~--------- PROJECT NO. _.=;..:..--------37-R DATE OCTOBER, 1951 .JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS Projeot No', 37-R Title of Job: Waterfowl PROJECTS Work PLan No. 11-: Job No ,:6 •. ,- Breeding Ground Survey in Colorado, 1951 Objectives: As in 1949 and 1950, th~ Colorado Game and Fish Department" attempted in 1951 to determine waterfowl production on some of the major breecjing grounds in this State. In 1949 and 1950, the San Luis and the . South.Platte valleys were studied with the objective of determining waterfowl production; in 1951, the Sap Luis study was terminated, but North Park added to the areas being investigated. The South Platte Valley remains, therefore, the only Colorado .breeding ground for which 1951 data,. may be compared with that for 1950. Techniques:._ South Platte Valley As in the preceding 2 years, the approach in the South Platte Valley was both intensive and extensive. On a sample township, all waterfowl habitats were covered on foot a total of 8 times during 1;,[1e_ br-ood seaso!:!and a good estimate of total production determined. Th~ South Platte Valley proper was studied extensively, wherein th~ 1,407 square miles making up the irrigated portion was sampled-in a randorrd.zedmanner, the sample amounting to 4.97 per cent or a tot~ of 70 square~mi1e study sections. Coverage of these.sample sections. was systematic, and all breeding pairs, lone birds, nests, and broods were recorded. The data thus obtained supplied the basis for estima~1ng iotal pr6d_uct:i,bri ih:-1951.: ..- ,~ -Findings: The information collected in 1951 for the South P:J_atteV~lieybreeding ground is presented in Tables 1 ~ 4, inclusive. ~l '\'- ~ () <:J '\)-.. .~ :,' �- 92 TABLE 1.--WATERFOWL BROODS BY SEPCIES ON TOwNSHIP 7N, R68W, COLORADO, 1950 and 1951 Broods Observed Species Nallard Blue-w. teal Cinnamon teal Green-w. teal Lesser scaup Redhead Gadwall Pintail Unidentified Total Number Broods 62 13 76.55 52 25 ' 16.05 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 '- Production Ave.No. Yg. per Per Brood Square l-iJ:ile Per Cent Total Number of No. of ,Broods ,Young 3 1 Si 82 195o, 1951 . 1950 63.41 30.49 1.22 1.22 1.22 1.22 363 79 305 5.85 165 6.oS 9 6 /' 0 11 1.22 3 8 6 7 100.00 466 508 1.23, 1.23 1.23 3~71 . 100.00 1951 6 1951 1950·· J~51 5.S6 10.08 ' S.48 6.60 2.19 4.60 9.00 0.25 6.00 0.16 0.16 ' 6.00 3.00 11.00 0.08 0.30 8.00 0.22 6.00 O.lS 2.33- 6.00 0.19 0.16 5.75 6.20 12.95 14.11 TABLE 2.--WATERFOWL BROODS BY COVER TYPES ON TOWNSHIP 7N, R6SW, COLORADO, 1950 and 1951. Number Broods Observed Type Number of ,Broods 19511 Lakes, &. Reaervoi.r-s 27 Sloughs & l"larshes '11 Canals 16 Secondary Ditches 14 River 9 Small Streams & Ditches 4 Total Sl Number of Young Production Average No. of Young per 'Per Square Hile Brood 1951 1951) 1951' .1951 19511 . 1951 52 12, 8 3 4 162 66 95 59 60 328 6.00 78,6.00 51 5.31 14 4.21 19 6.66 6.31 6-.50 6038 4.67 4.75 4.50 1.83. 2.64· 1.46 1.67 9·:rk 2.17 1.42 0.39 0.52 3 24 lS 6.00 6.00 0.67 0 •.50 '82 466 50S 5.75 6.20 12.95 14.11 1951! ......•... �- 93 The presentation ln Tables 1 and 2 showS' production both by species and cover types. The mallard was by far the most important; the blue-winged teal a poor second. A total of 7 other species were observed during the 2 years, but even in the aggregate~ represent only a very 'small fraction of the total production. Total production per square mile of approximately 13 birds in 1950 and 14 birds in 1951 was determined for the township; and t_he same species trend held during both years, although blue-winged teal production in 1951 was more than twice that in 1950. Of the cover types represented on Township 7N, R68i,rj, sizeable water bodies such as lakes and reservoirs were most important. Canals and sloughs ranked second in production per square mile when considered over the 2 year period. Secondary ditches, the Cache la Poudre River, and small streams, were fairly important as nesting. Si.tesduring the dry year of 1950, but relatigely un--' important in the wet season of 1951. It is thus apparent tha t precipitation during the nesting and breeding season is highly important in the distribution of nesting waterfowl in the Fort Collins region. In the extensive coverage of the South Platte Valley as a whole, the data obtained are presented in Tables 3 and 4. TABLE 3. --ADULT; DUCKS AND BROODS BY SPECIES DN 19-5QUARE l'liLERIVERBOTTOH S~'}1PLE,SOUTl{ PLATTE RIVER VALLEY, COLORADO, 1950 AND 1951. Number" of Ducks ObservecL . Species Hallard Blue-winged teal Pintail, Cinnamon teal Adults 60 8 Broods 41 3 1 23 3 V Production Per Square Ivlile' ,No.Young 1950 1951 29 2 1 129 18 131 11 5 6.79 0.94 6.89 0.58 0.26 1 Total' 26 32 147 45 147 7.73 7.73 };_! From.19 accurately counted broods (mallard, blue-winged teal and pintail) an average of 4.58 young per brood was obtained. This figure is applied to those broods not accurately counted. �...... " - 94 TABLE, 4.--ADULT DUCKS AND BROODS BY SPECIES ON 51-SQUARE HUE IRRIGATED FARt-lLANDSAl'1PLE,SOUTH PlATTE RIVER VALLEY, COLORADO, 1950 AND 1951. l"iallard Blue-winged teal Pintail Gadwall Redhead Lesser scaqp Cinnamon teal Ruddy duck Baldpate Canvasback No. Ducks Observed l/ Broods No.Young Adults 1951 1950 1951 1950 1951 1950 162 ' 136 28 26 46 75 18 23 13 4 7 3 ,1 2 0 1 10 3 1 0 1 0 5 18 1 1 0 5 2 1 0 5 5 1 1 0 0 6 1 0 0 -1 0 0 2 0 0 Production Per Sguare l"Iile 1950 1951 3.18 0.35 0.12 2.67 0.45 0.20 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.12 Total 111 66 33 35 192 184 3. 77 3.62, 1/ From 15 accurately counted broods (mallard, blue-winged teal and pintail) - an average of 5.27 young per brood was obtained. This figure is applied to those broods not accurately counted. The ,same general trends as regards species noted on T7N, R68W held for the Valley as a whole. Thus, the mallard was the most important and the bluewinged teal a poor runner-up. Pintails, cinnamon teals, gadwalls, redheads, lesser scaups, ruddy ducks, baldpates and canvasbacks were represented during the 2 year period'by very small numbers. ,On both the township and the sample sections, mallards and 'blue-winged teals represented well over 90 per cent of the total waterfowl increase. In arriving at a production figure for the South Platte Valley -- total area of 1,407 square miles -- the data just presented are projected on the following basis: The smaller figure obtained for the Valley proper is believed to be. due to less intensive smnpling than employed on T7N, R68W, where all broods were recorded. The actual production in,the Valley, therefore, -is believed to be greater than indicated, and an average of about 8 birds per square mile is regarde~ as conservative. Thus, Valley-wide production for 1951, considered to be slightly above that for 1950, is estimated at about 12,000 birds. NORTH PARK Figures provided by the Colorado water Conservation Department indicate that the total North Park area, 1,629 square miles, only 6 square miles are �- 95 water area. This includes several reservoirs 'and lakes; 'each less than a section, plus a number of p.otholes and slTiallimpoundments that depend on surface runoff, or are tied in with the network of ditches and streams that make up th~, k~y to waterfowl nesting tn NClrth Park. The 1951 study was limited to the sagebrush plains, and did not include the forested areas at higher elevations. The sagebrush plains, together with the stream valleys within, make up nearly three .... Jourths.of the total area. This sabegrush-meadow type appears to be the, main nesting cover for ducks. Of the 8 sample, areas, 5 are reservoirs or ponds varying from 5 to 320 acres in size. They are almost totally surrounded by sagebrush hills, probably one-fourth of the nesting cover being meadowland within a mile of the impoundment. However, the system of irrigation ditches and streams makes available considerably more nesting cover, both sagebrush and meadow, and in about equal proportions since,the ditches commonly extend along the contours where sagebrush slopes and meadows merge. Only one of these areas, Lake John, has·considerable emergent vegetation. This lake is the main production area for diving species. One area is a square mile of meadow=sagebrush land through which runs the North Platte River. In addition to the river, there are 2 diversion' ditches and several small or erflow pools and' beaver ponds. The water areas here are thickly bordered with small 'willows in dense thickets. Another area consists of a small bulrush marsh of one-half acre surrounded by meadow and sagebrush land in the ratio of 3' to 1, respectively. The Cowdry area, apparently the md"-st'tYPical 'of North Park, consists' of' a series of 4- small pond$ aggregating about 100 acres located in 2 sections about equally divided between sagebrush and meadow'. As on other areas, the impoundments are part , .... of the irrig'a-tionsystem. ' '. Da~a Collected Breeding popui~ti6n counts-were macj.eon the 8 acres from 4 to 16 times during the April 15'- June' 30 period, for an average'of 9 counts per area:, Tables 1 and 2. . . . �- 96 TABLEl.--SPECIES COMPOSITION OF THE DUCK POPULATION, BASED ON OBSERVED NUl"IBERSDURING APRIL 1.5, 19.51 Number Species Ballard Gadwall Baldpate Pintail Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal Cinpamon teal Shoveler Redhead Canvasback L. Scaup Ring-necked Duck Bufflehead Ruiidy Duck Merganser Percent of . Total 2l. 14. 10 • 8. 7. 0.5 l. 3. .5. 1,498 1,001 713 .512 .521 39 80 192 3.5.5 28 1,862 19 4 123 .4 ___11§_ 26. .3 .06 2 .. 2 •.5 7,18.5 100.76 TABLE 2._':"'OBSERVEDSEX RATIOS DURING THE vJEEK OF PEAK NUl"IBERSFOR 11 SPECIES OF DUCKS ON THE COW1)fu.~AREA., 19.51. Week Pairs IVlallard 4/22":28 87 Gadwall 31 .5/13-19 Baldpate .5/13-19 38 Pintail 4/22-28 .5.5 Gr.w.Teal 4/22-28 81 m ,». Teal .5/6-12 6 Cin.Teal .5/6-12 4 Shoveler .5/20-26 6 Redhead 4/22-28 18 CFl.nvasback 4/22-28 0 L.Scaup 4/22-28 .53 Hales 107 3.5 42 73 83 7 4 16 22 Females 89 31 38 61 81· 6 4 1.5 23 Total Ducks 196 66 80 134 164 13 8 31 4.5 4 378 4 237 8 61.5 Percent Percent '!vales Females .5.5 .53 .52 .54 .51 .54 .50 52 49 4.5 47 48 46 49 46 .50 48 .51 .50 61 .50 39 -, �- 97 Data on all observed broods are given in Table 3. It is noticeable that although the Baldpate represented only 10% of the breeding popula trion,it accounted for one-third of the brobds recorded. TABLE -3.--BROOD DATA SHCNlINGAGE CLASSES, NUNBER OF DUCKLINGS PER BROOD, AND THE PERCENTAGE OF EACH SPECIES REPRESENTED, 1951 Number of Broods Class I II III l"lallard 124 47 69 Gadwall 68 16 8 206 50 61' Baldpate Pinta:Ll 31 12 21 Gr.w.Teal 16 4 9 Cin.&/or B1.w.Teal 5 - 3 Shoveler 17 2 6 Redhead 45 4 12 Canvasback 3 1 3 '45 15 18 L. Scaup Ruddy Duck 8 1 6 Unidentified 15 9 2 Merganser 1 - Totals 584161 218 Number of Ducklings Class Number of Ducklings % of Per Brood Broods Totals I II III Totals Obs , 240 753 309 444 92 495 123 36 317 -,'1329 294 376 163 58 96 64 101 24 50 29 1500 654 1999 317 175 6.0 6.6 7.3 7.3 6.5 5.9 5.3 4.8 6.3 6.0 6.4 4.5 6.0 4.6 6.3 7.1 6.3 4.9 6.0 - '13 39 108 14 41 330 21 60 15 - 2 12 380,133 130 49 5 42 78 39 16 3 52 163 411 29 643 96 133 '3· 7.8 4.3 6.4 7.0 6.8 7.3 5.2 5.0 5.0 2.0 4.0 8.4 8.9 7.2 '6.1 5.0 7.0 5.2 4.3 '8.0 3.0 - 0.8 6.5 6.5 3. 6.7 _ 6. 4.1 0.7 8. 6. 2. .5.1 3. O.J. 3.0 6.6 6.3 6.4 Totals 8 25 61 7 78 15 26 1 963 I II III _38431022 1318 6181 5.5 6.0 25. ,9. 33. 7. 3. 8.[ 100% Referring to Table 4, it appears that although nests of the non-diving species were found in IVlay,most broods appeared in late July and early August. TABLE 4.--PERIOD OF PEAK NUI-IDERSOF ClASS I BROODS FOR 9 SPECIES, 1951. Period Number ,of Broods July 16 - 31 August 1 - 15 July 16 - 31 August 1 - 15 August 1 - 15 Au.gu.st 1 - 15 August 1 - 15 August 1 - 15 August 1 - 15 60 28 107 :'; Mallard Gadwall Baldpate Pintail Green-wing Cin.&/orB1.w.Teal Shoveler Redhead L. Scaup 9 9 3 7 26 19 �.•.. 98 Data too limited to be conclusive, was found to indicate that at least one nesting attempt was made per mile of ditch or stream. A high percentage of nest destruction was noticeable, and tentatively attributed to badger, skunk, and probably crows and magpies. Not enough data were obtained on which to evaluate the importance of these factors. Because of the irriga tion sy stem with a relatively cons tant supply of water, the history of forage production in North Park is one of no crop failures, and probably' of no failure in the' duck crop because of drowth conditions. 'Weather c6nditions during 1951 were for the most part favorable for duck nesting. The exeptd.on was a. 3 day PE;riod of snow and cold weather about June L, Although,irrigation water was turned off early in July to facilitate the drying of meadows for mowing, some ditches contained running water or s't.agnarrt pools 'untd L mi·d-August.. This apparently kept these ditches available as, travel ways"for broods moving down to the impoundments. - On the basis of results obtained during this initial year, it is impossible to give the over=a Ll duck production for North Park. However, it is estirriated that production was determined very roughly for sample areas totalling about 30 square miles of the sagebrush-meadow type. On this sample, a total of 963 broods, averaging:6.4 ducks per brood, were recorded. Of these, 584 were Class I broods, averaging 6.6 ducks per brood. While an estimate of total production can be obtained by projecting the brood record on the basis of 1,222 sections' of cover type thought to be represented by the sample area, it seems best at this time to await accumulation of another season I s data, and recheck of the sample areas, befo~eattempting to supply Park-wide figures. a: Prepared by Jack R. Grieb and John H Wampole Date October 22, 1951 Approved by: __~ ,Title: s ~ Dr. Lee .E. ,Yeager Leader , 'Coope ratdve Urri,t A & 11 College Ft. Collins, Colo. _ Approved by: Title: ~----- C_. __ N_. __ F_e_a_s_tL,_D_,_i_re __ c_t_o_r_, __ �('",(0, DJLft- GWYle_ qv~rr~ (r- OJ' I~t ¢- r;s~ OcJ. ('i~1 -- 99 JOB COHPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of. COLORADO Project No. 37-R Title of Job Pheasant Nesting Success on Agricultural Objective: Work Plan No. 1 Job No. 8 --~---------------------~--~--~- Intensive study of pheasant production Land, in Colorado. on agricultural land •. Techniques: The intensive study of the nesting success of ring-necked in northern Colorado is now in its fourth consecutive year. pheasants The East half of Section 35 and all of Section 36, Township 7 North, Range 68 West, have previously been designated as the Timnath Farm-Game Study Area. It is located in north-central Colorado, one-half mile east of Timnath and about 7 miles east and 3 miles south of· Fort Collins in Larimer County. Direct counts of pheasants with the aid of a spotting scope and powerful. binoculars were made periodically in the early morning during April and May to determine the breeding population. Crowing territories were located and the number of hens with each cock·was counted at least twice. An attempt was made during the nesting season to locate all nests established on the tract. Permanent cover was' searched .. at appr-oxfmate'ly'2-week intervals; pastures, at regular intervals; and nests in small grains were located by riding-the combine. During the first, and part of.-the second, cutting of alfalfa the project leader accompanied the mowers to obtain data on hen: mortality and nest destruction. All fields were searched on foot immediately after raking in the-first, second, and third cuttings. Because of the damage done to the crops by the observer, the corn and beet fields were not completely searched. Additional information concerning these two types was obtained from farmer residents. Findings: On the 22 crowing areas located, the number of hens per cock varied from 0-13. This maximum number was observed only once, .. early. in the season, and it is probable that the 13 hens did not stay with the same cock during the whole breeding season. The average number of hens per cock with hens was J.5. Three cocks without hens were observed •. Table 1 shows the estimated breeding popUlation by sexes, and the sex ratio for the area. Table 2 compares the 1951 population with those of 1948, 1949, and 1950. �IJ O"!".c.~ ':l!' :{ .....-( - 100 TABLE l.--PHEASANT BREEDING POPULATION, TI~mATH FAJU~~~ STUDY AREA, 1951 Number of Cocks Number of Hens Total Sex Ratd o Irrigated land Dry Land 18 4 56 11 74· 15 1:3.1 1:2.8 Total 22 67 89 1:3.0 Land Area TABLE 2.--PHEASANT BREEDING POPULATION AND SEX RATIO, TIMNATH FAIil1-ruuv~ STUDY AREA, 1948, 1949, 1950, AND 1951. Breeding POEu1ation POEulation Fluctuation~ Year Cocks Hens Total Cocks 1948 1949 1950 1951 34. 22 20 22 76 59 57 67 110 81 77 89 35.3 9.1 10.0 %' Hens Total 22.4 3.4 '17.5 -26.4' . - 4.9 .. 115.6 . Sex Ratio 1:.2.2 1:2.7 1:2.8 1:3.0 .. BEGINNING OF NESTING The term "ne.s t establishment" as used in this r-epor-t" indicates the approximate date when the clutch was completed. Nesting got off to a very slow start in the spring of 1951. Early nests in permanent cover were not established because of slaw growth and thus poor quality of bhe cover. The earliest establishment date for nests located on the area was May 19. Almost all early nests were in alfalfa. The embroyos of all eggs recovered from nests destroyed during agricultural operations were aged to determine the approximate date of peak nest establish":' ment. The earliest, as stated, was on ~ay 19, and the latest on about July 24. The late dates were probably renesting attempts. The peak date of nest establishment was the 6-day period b~tween May 30 and June 4. A secondary peak of almost equal importance occurred about a week later •. �- 101 AREA OF.NESTING .COVER A.ND NUlYlBEROF NESTS BY TYPES The main nesting-cover types on the tract are listed under 5 major catagories: permanent cover, pasture, small-grain fields, alfalfa, and wheat stubble (fallow ground). Nests are occasionally found in other types, but these 5 are the principal ones used. This 'year no nests were found in any other type. Tables 3 through 13, inclusive, present the information obtaineQ_ on nest location and nesting success in the several types, and partially compare the 1951 data with that for 1948, 1949; and :L950.~ TABLE 3.--PRINCIPAL PHEASANT NESTING COVER-TYPES, NUMBER AND DENSITY OF NESTS, AND PER CENT OF NESTS SUCCESSFUL BY TYPES, TIMNATH FAFU~-ruu1ESTUDY AREA, 1951 ' Cover Type Acres Per Cent of Total Nesting Cover !I Acres Per Nest Nests Successful Per Cent of Nests Successful .2 25.16 1 50.0 Nests Permanent Cover 50..31 6 •.32.. Fallow Ground (wheat stubble)130:90.16.46 Pastures 151. 79 19.08 Small Grains 3/ 277.85 34.93 A.lfalfa 184.60 23.21 0 0 5 46 55.57 4.01 .3 Totals or Ave. 795.45 lCD.OO 53 15.01 9 0 0 60.0 lO.9 5 16.91(17.0) 11 ~I Includes rene sting attempts Includes 170.•66 acres of dryland wheat, 52.00 acres of barley, and 55.19 acres of oats. TA.BLE 4.--NUHBER AND DENSITY OF NESTS AND PER CENT OF NESTS SUCCESSFUL, . .. .S~~L GRAINS, TIMNATH FARM-GAME STUDY AREA, 1951 Cover Type Acres Per Cent of Total Nests Nesting Cover.l!/_ 21.45 _. 1 Dryland Wheat 170.66 Irrigated Land Barley 52.00 6.54 Oats 5~._1~_ .. -_, -"'~-'~~--Totals 277.85 34.93 Base: acres 795.45 !/ .. -- .. .. Acres Per Nest Nests Successful 170.66 1 17.33 3 55.' _ .. 1 -~.- - .. - ..•. -- .-_.~, ........ -•.._ .. 55.57 _I 1 l.. -~--.. - .~ 3 Aug. Per Cent of Nests Successful 100.0 33.3 100.0 60.0 �1100,1 ~'J,,:. - 102 TABLE 5.--PRINCIPAL PHEASANT NESTING COVER TYPES, NUMBER OF NESTS, AND PER 'CENT SUCCESS BY TYPES, TIl~ATH FARM-GaJ~ STUDY AREA, 1948, 1949, 1950, AND 1951 Cover TyPe Per Cent of Nests Nests Successful Nests Successful 1948 1949 1950 195~ JE4~ 1949 1950 1951 1948 1949 1950 1951 Permanent Cover 23 Summer Fallow (Wheat stubble) 7 Pastures 3 Small grains 11 Alfalfa 77 Totals 121 26 9 2 12 ..6 2 0 2 1 1 4 16 0 0 8 14 0 0 3 0 34 28 5 2 14 42 3 6 54 0 0 5 46 84 75 53 1 52.2 23.1 22.2 50.0 0 14.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3 36.4 57.1 50.0 60.0 5 20.8 33.3 0.0 10.9 o 33.3 9 28.1 33.3 6.9 17.0 There were ve~ few nests in permanent cover during 1951. Since this cover should produce the earlier and larger broods, the lack of nests here may have a decided effect on the size of the fall population. During the most of the nesting period permanent cover was thin and short, no material growth taki?g place until the week of August 5-11. Heavy rains fell in the Fort Collins region on the nights of August 2 and 3, and immediately afterward f'encec-ovs and di tchbanks began to make the first heavy growth of summer. Field investigations indicated that very few broods were adversely affected by the rain and resultant flooding. Table 5 shows that small grains were again the most successful nesting cover. The nests in this type are generally second-nesting attempts, but it will be noted that these eggs consistently have a better than even chance to hatch. This fact is not tr~e for any other nesting cover. TABLE 6.--CAUSES OF PHEASANT NEST DESTRUCTION, . 1951 Causes of Destruction Desertion dUB to: Disturbance of hen, nest, or cover by agricultural activities Alfalfa mowing Irrigation flooding Grain binding Grazing TI11NJ\.TH FARI1-GAME STUDY AREA, Number of Nests Destroyed 14 6 1 1 Per Cent of, Nests Destroyed 31.8 13.6 2.3 2.3 22 50.0 �- 103 TABLE 6.--(Continued) . Per Cent of Nests Destroyed Number of Nests.Destroyed .Causes of Destruction 25.0 11 Death of female from: lvlower 22 Physical injury to female by: Nower 25.0 20.4 9 20.1+ 9 2.3 1 Predation (magpie) • 2. '3 1 Unknown 1 Totals 2.3 1 ..2.3 44 100.0 TABLE 7.--CAUSES OF PHEASANT NEST DESTRUCTION, TIMNATH FAfU1-GAfE STUDY AREA, 1948,1949~ 1950, 1951 Najor Causes of Destruction Desertion .(various causes) Hortality of Hen (various causes) Phys. Inj. to hen (various causes) .Predation Unknown Number of Nests Destroyed 1948 1949 1950 1951 Per Cent of All Nests Destroyed 1948 1949 1950 1951 56 33 47 22 64.3 58.9 68.2 50.0 10 1 8 7 11.5 9 9 3 1 .19 ·2 5 5 4 13 1 1 10.4 1.8 10~4 33.9 3.4 3.6 1.8 11.6 i5 •9 7.2 29.5 7.2 2.3 2.3 5.8 . .. ", Totals B7 56 69 44 100.0ffiO 100.0 10000 �- 104 TABLE 8.--NUlvJBEROF HENS FLUSHED, NUMBER OF HENS KILIED, AND NUl"lBEROF Cl{[CKSKILIED, FIRST ALFALFA MOWING, Tll'.JNATH FARM-GAIVJESTUDY AREA, 1948, 1949, 1950, AND 1951 1:/ Year Number of Hens Disturbed Number of Hens Killed or Injured Number of Chicks Killed 1/ 1948 1949 1950 1951 30 5 15 38 .22. 3 12 25 15 31 Some chiCkS prcbab.ty ki.Ll.ed °7 but not.found or recorded. TABLE 9.--HEN INJURY AND DISTURBANCE, FIRST ALFALFA CUTTING, TIMNATH FAJU~GAJ1ESTUDY AREA, 1951 Nower Killed Badly injured (mercy killed) Total Killed 3 7 --=--------=-1-0-- Injured but not killed: Injured seriously (probably died) 5 Injured but probably live _1_0;;__ Total injured Apparently unharm~d -::-::::r __ 1 13 Totals 38 TABIE 10.--PHEASANT 1'10RTALITYAND INJURY, TIl'1NATHFARH-GA.lvlE STUDY AREA., 1951 Killed Injured Tbtals. Cause of Nortality Cocks: :Hens. Jvls. Tractor Mower 1st cutting 10 7 Predator 1 7 Totals 11 14 Cocks Hens ..Jvl,s , 15 . Killed Injured 17 15 8 15 25 15 �- 105 A larger number of hens were flushed from alfalfa in 1951 than in any other year. This was probably a direct result of the low percentage of nests found in permanent cover. Of the 38 hens flu13hed, 8 were not on or near nests. At first it was believed that these hens had been flushed and injured on other nests, but careful checks proved that they could not be associated with any known nests. Of these 8 hens, 2 were killed, 1 was. injured, and 5 escaped safely. During August and early September road-counts were made in the early morning and in the evenings within a 10-mile radius of the Timnath.t;ract. A total of 48 broods were thus located, and of these 32 counts were accurat.e enough to be used to determine brood averages. TABLE~.llr--JULY, AUGUST, AND SEPTEMBER BROOD COUNTS, TIMNATH FARlVl-GAl\1E STUDY AREA AND SURROUNDING TERRITORY, 1951 Area Ti~th Farm-game Study Area Number of Young Per Brood Number of Broods TOtaLNllmber of Young 2 4 5 1 2 1 3 1 1 2 8 5 18 7 10 9 50 Ave • 5.55 2 3 4 5 2 4 2 10 4 7 8 9 10 11 4 4 12 8 50 24 28 16 9 10 22 6 7 10 Totals, Study Area .Area within a 10mile radius of Study Area 6 2 1· 1 2 Totals, surrounding territory 32 Totals, all counts 41 Average Number of Young Per Brood all counts 183 A.ve. 5.7.1 233 5.68 �- 106 The fall population of pheasants on the Area may be calculated by adding the spring population of adult birds to the number of chicks from successful nests, and subt.ractdng the number of birds killed during the nesting season. Thus, 50 (the number of· chicks hatched), plus 87 (the spring population of birds on the study area), minus 14 (the'number of chicks killed), minus 16 (the number of hens killed), equals 109~ .If the chicks hatched were of a 50-50 sex ratio and were killed in the same ratio, the fall sex ratio of the phea.sant population should be 1:1.7. TABLE 12.-~PHEASlNT PRODUCTIVITY LOSS THROUGH LATE SUMMER, TIMNATH FAJil~GA~~ STUDY AREA AND; SURROUNDING TERRITORY, 1948, 1949, 1950, and 1951 E~~s Hatched Eer Clutch E~gs Eer Clutch Youn~ Eer Brood Year Clutches 1948 1949 1950 1951 Y Clutches Average A.verage " Broods Average 26 .45 8.25 64 6.56 9.40 10.22 32 23 6.41 9.39 79 22 5.50 1/ 25 5.88 9.54 5 27 5.68 9.52 5.55 2/ 32 9 The low number of successful nests on the study area, and the fact that these were mostly second nesting attempts, makes this figure unreliable. ~/; The successful nests on the study area again included several second attempts. A. population of 109 on the study area of a section and a half indicates the average fall population for the locality to be 73 birds per section. Table 13 shows the calculated fall population 'per section for the past 4 years. TABLE 13.--CALCULATED PHEA.SA.NTPOPULATION PER SECTION DURING THE FALL, TII1NATH FARM-GAJ"lESTUDY AREA, 1948,-1:949, 1950, and 1951 Old Birds Year .... - ...-.. -~~.' --~ 1948 1949 1950 1951 Cocks· Hens 22 14 13 15 38 34 26 34 Juveniles Total 148 120 15 24 ~08 168 54 73 �- 107 COVER DEVELOPMENT AND TREND Spring measurements show retardation of alfalfa growth in'1951 as compared to the previous 2 years. However, irrigation, beginning about mid-~ay, stimulated growth and by mowing time in June, 1951, height was approximately the same as in 1949 and 1950-. The late start of alfalfa in 1951 would probably have induced! some pheasant hens to seek nesting cover along ditchbanks and other permanent weed areas if the cover on these areas had been sufficient to hide nests. However, since the quality of the permanent cover was so poor over all of the area, the hens appeared to retard nesting until the alfalfa would shelter them. TABLE 14.--AREA. OF P~NT COVER AND PER CENT REDUCTION, GAME STUDY AREA, 1948, 1949, 1950, AND 1951 Year Area in Acres 1948 1949 1950 _,195] 72.69 72.69 68.93 50.31 TIMNATH FARJ'1- Loss in Acres Per " Cent Reduction o o 3.76 18.62 5.17 27 .01 The total area of permanent cover on the Timnath Tract has been shrinking steadily since the initiation. 9f study in 1943. At the present time, no comparison of permanent cQver quality for trl~ 4-year period has been prepared, but when this is completed, it will apparently show as great a decline as the reduction in area, 'shown in Table 14. Prepared by: Approved Jack L. Lyon by: Title: Dr. Lee E. Yeager, Leader Cooperative Unit A & l'1 College Fort Collins, Colorado s Approved by: ---------------------- Title: C. N. Feast, Director ��(L'l~ .A' -109 . '-. I"~ - JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of C~o~l~o~r~a~d~o~ _ Project No. 38-R Work P1ail No. I Job No. 1 ----~-----------~--~-~----~~-------- Title of Job ~L~o~c~a~t~i~o~n~an~d~e~x~t~e~n~t~··~o~f~s~umm===e~r~r~a=ng~e=s~.~ _ Techniques Aerial-cmd Used: ground'reconnaissance Findings: Summer Big Game ranges have varied only slightly over the state of Colorado this season. Drought conditions have existed over much of the far western edge of the state, and particularly in the south'west corner where no rain fell, that could be recorded, from the latter part of Nay, to t.he first of A!lgust., The resultant desiccating.conqition at'lo\;werelevations forced both deer and elk to the higher country, roughly the zone between 10,000 and 12,000 feet •. In the Devil Creek area, in 'south 'riesternCo.Lor-adowhere a,large deer population usually occurs year: around oIiwinter ran~e, very'few animals remained. The ,Devil Creek flow was reduced to only an occlpsiona1 pool of stagnant water.' Elk in this area remained high with the heaviest concentrations being along the continental divide from Hossick Creek and Cimarron Peak east to Red lVIountain. Deer and elk remained scattered .over Illostof the r'emaarn.ng areas. of the western slope of Colorado. Near Meeker,.·on the drainages of Strawberry ana SulphUr Creeks, an unsuccessful attempt was made, to drive the-deer back away from the cultivated fields~ Lci.ter·a'special season of seven. days was held to relieve the situation, but only 157 head were taken out through the three check stations'. The Uncompahgre Plateau has been ve'ry dry this year. The deer ccntd.nued to occupy their normal summer ranges: - in this area they have no other choice. West central Colorado on both sades of the cont.Lneht.a.Ldivide had ideal growing seasons with plenty of moisture. Deerahd elk both remained well scattered. Summary: 1951. No shift in summer rarlges coUid be detected Prepared by: over Colorado for Paul F. Gilbert, Richard Teague, Jack DeVore, Jesse Williams, Ross Campbell, Richard Pillmore, and Jack Remington. �- 110 JOB CQHPLETION REPORT INVESTIQATIONSPROJECTS State of No._ ___.,~. "'-"' ..:;;4~ NO.~--,3,-8...;...:-_R_;_.--,---,--_,..,,_Wor].{ Plan. No•. .1.;_~I I~.._i"'--,-,-~.,..,....,.,:-Job, Project Ti tle Colorado of J ob_.....,..T_o_s....,t_u'""d..:..y-'=g'-'-am.....,;.;.e__,....u...:.s...:.e...:. ....:.o.c;;:f~f...:..o,....r...:;a;.><g~.~.....,;.;.o,."n~s.",umm.....,.....:.e....,r..,......,.r.,,;.a _ Techniques Used: Ground.recljnnaissance, on foot and horseback. Findings: The north.centl:'~ pa:rt .of Colorado with its i<:ieal growing season had no known shortages of summer browse for either deer -.or elk. In' the Colorado River Drainage sufficient moisture fell to result in excellent growth on grasses, browse, and forage species. Utilization checks in this area show heavy elk use of the, following plants, Sneezeweed, Helenium hoopsii; larkspur, Delnhinium ne Lsoni.Lj bluebell, Mertensia bakerii; senecio, Senecio ~.; paf.rrbbr-uahy Castilleja sp geranium,. Geranium sp; lupine, Lupinus sp, s ; ";'," .' Game use on Diamond Hountain, in the past; and this year IS . ., in north' western'Ca'lorado,'has is no exceptd.on -: been excessive UBEl The Uncompahgre Pl.at.eau area stili' shows direct,comp~tition between game animals .and domestd.c .st.ock.. One of the heaviest used areas observed was at the head of the Dominguez Drainage. See. Fig1lr:e 1. Here mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus montanus; serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia; and squaw-apple, Peraphyllum riamosi.asumum; were bhe spec i.ee mqs.t, heavi_ly used. . In some. places the observer. reported, 70 to QO percent of the available forage wai? taken. Some cattle were in the area, but they eoncentratedmore in the bottoms. Last year rodents girdled much of .t.he browse. in this ar-ea, aJ,1 p Lant s so affected have died. The drier conditions in the south west corner of the and elk to use a higher average summer range •. " .. state forced both deer , Summary: Over most of the state the deer and elk fared better than usual, with conditionsgrading ·so~ewhat lower towards the south west corner of the state. Old summer range problem areas still exist and are receiving too heavy use to show any recovery in browse cover. Prepared ~ r-, -s Q-... () r~ ::::t~ _ by: Paul F. Gilbert, .Riqhard I'eague, Ross Campbell, Richard Pillmore, . :. Jack DeVore, ,Jesse Williams, and Jack Remington. �Figure 1. Heavy deer utilization on Mountain Mahogany. (Cercocarpus montanus ) �~~~ .!) J() MAP OF ARE~ SHOWING AERIAL N PHOTOGRAPH 1 LOCATIONS / - .._ / / I ./ I /' t\) I '---_ R74W R,73W R72W R1IW R70W T8N �-111,JOB COMPLETION REPORT ' INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado --~~~~~------Project No. 38-R Work Plan No.· III Job No. 8 ----~~~---------~~------_----~--------- Ti tle of J 0b '_S_ur...;._v...;.eLy __o_f __i;_n_t_e_n_s_i_t.l<oy __o_f __d_e_e_r_,_u_s_e __u...•. p_o_n__..p_r_o_b_l_e_m __ar--.,.e.,....a;-:~,--o_f_. t_h_e:._ __ -,- Roosevelt National Forest -------------------------~~~...;._~~...;._----------------------------...;._--...;._--Introduction The U. S. Forest Service for a number of years has conducted range inventories, and such an inventory is now being made on the Roosevelt National Forest. The purpose of this inventory is, briefly, to determine the amount and quality of suitable range for domestic stock, calculating a figure (forage acre factor) for proper stocking, based on the type of vegetation, slope, soil, and erosion. It ,.•as decided t.hat,within the deer winter'range browse should recedve no " value in computing the forage acre -f'act.or-, :·This allowance, was made because deer use is a difficult factor 'to allow for in evaluafirig a carrying capacity for domestic stock. The deer winter range along the Cache la Poudre River 'comprises a strip about 30 miles long and from 1 to'8 miles wide. Pellet group counts were employed to get some index of deer, use" on this area, and ." information was recorded t.ha t may help in getting a more precise idea of the carrying capacity for deer. , We wish to eXpress appreciation :_andgratitude ,for their excellent cooperation. to the Forest Service personnel Methods After the first few days of field work a simple write-up for recording data. A sample follows: DATE Transect Number 282 284 PHOTOGRAPH July 16, 1951 Pellet Groups SJ,ope Descr. E-l'1 etc. Slope Posit. sheet was devised NU~ffiER BOW 21-l6 Cover Type 5 Ptr PP Rtr RUB RIB Afr STI OPU ---------=------------------Notes Condo fair~ Utile mod, to hvy. Trend stat. ' Some reprod. Rocky, erosive �- 112 Photograph number refers to aerial photos, loaned by the Forest Service, which were used in place of maps in the field. Odd transect numbers were assigned to one observer and even numbers to the other. Each transect consisted of a tenth acre strip 396 feet long by 11 feet wide. All pellet groups within the transect judged to be less than a year of age were recorded. The direction the slope faced, the relative steepness of the slope (G-gentle, M-moderate, S-steep, VS-very steep), and the position on.the slope (B-bottom, L-lower, M-middle, U-upper, T-top) were included. Bottom land transects were included as lower slope and ridge tops as.upper slope in the compilations. Cover types used are Forest Service standard types. This study was concerned with the following types by number: . I-Grassland 4--Sagebrush 5--Browse 6--Grazeable 7--Waste lO--Broadleaf Coniferous Timber It 11 Trees Abbreviations for plants are also ones used by the Forest Service; for instance, Atr Artemisia tridentata, Ptr Purshia tridentata, Cmo Cercocarpus montanus, PP Pinus ponderosa: Notes on utilization,· condition, trend,· etc. were made in each area. The transects were paced off and the width, 5~ feet on.either side, was estimated. A pellet group is the pile of droppings assumed to represent a single defecation. The pellet grollPs were tallied by means of a hand register as the transect was paced' off,. with only these groups assumed to represent the past season's use being counted •. The approximate location, direction, and number of pellet groups for each transect were marked on the aerial photographs. Later they were inked on the photograph so that the tranr sects could be projected onto the range map to be prepared by the Forest . Service. Results The data obtained in this study are summar-i.aed in the following tables: Table I.--BREAKDOWN BY PHOTOGRAPH NUMBERS •. The average number of pellet groups per transect by photograph is presented. From this a general trend toward higher pellet group counts at the upper end of the area is indicated, but is confused by high counts farther down. There has 'been a deCided tendency to count in the· browse types. This is illustrated best by photograph number Brn 24-2, in which nearly all transects were in a browse type when a timber type is .dominant. The smaller amounts of browse . type apparently concentrated deer in the browse type and does not nepessarily mean there are more deer on the south side of the river. The overall average �4/1~_, - 113 pellet groups per transect (12.7) undoubtedly is high for the area as a while. Table II.--BREAKDOWN BY FOREST SERVICE RANGE TYPES. This breakdown of data probably is'the most ind:lcative, and with the acreage of the types should be useful in the calculation of a carrying capacity. The higher number of pellet groups per transect in the Artemisia tridentata types indicates more use in the upper part of-the range, because there is little of this type, if any, in the lower half of the area. Grass and timber types were low; however, along the edge of these two types higher counts were obtained than within the type. Therefore, even the 2.6 groups per transect for grass and 7.0 groups -per transect f or timber -' are high. The browse types give a fairly good indication· of use. When the browse types are combined with the open ponderosa pine and browse an average of 14-.1 pellet groups per transect is obtained. Table III.--BREAKDOWN BY SLOPE. In this table the data are broken down to show the heaviest use with respect to slope, position on slope, and the· direction the slope faces. Indications are that slopes from 20% to 60% are used more by deer than the· more gentle or steeper slopes. Also the upper' and middle or the upper 2/3 of the slope are used more than the lower. Since the bottoms were included in the lower slope compilations and the ridge tops in the upper, both of these figures have been depressed as neither the bottoms or· the ridge tops ever had higher counts than the rest of the slope. 'ObserVations of cattle use by droppings have indicated that cattle used·thebottbms and ridge tops more than deer, and that there was more combined lise on benches. Exposure figures indicate heavier use on the SE-facing slopes and·the SW-!acing slopes. This suggests the possibility that the SE-facing' slopes may receive morning use and the S'~l-facing slopes af't.er'noon use during the winter; however, we have no observations to substantiate this possibility. Table IV.--DEER SEEN DURING THE STUDL"Without attempting to locate deer,· 52 were seen, 7 males, 26 females, and 11 fawns, of which there were two sets of twins. Eight deer were unclassified but believed to be adults. Numerous deer beds were seen but no tally of individuBl location was kept;· however, most of these were on N or W-facing slopes-.- Durimg the latter part of the study when the weather was warm, some deer beds were noted in the bottoms of small canyons, usually in sandy, shaded areas. Discussion Th~ past winter (1950-i951) in this are a-was mild; consequently, the deer did not become as concentrated as usual on the winter range, and a greater number remained at higher eievations. �- 114 TABLE I..:.-BREAKDOWNBY PHOTOORAPH NUMBERS Photo No. Pellet Groups Transects Average BOW 31-26 n 34-90 24-2 " 17-26 "It 21-16 22-52 " 22-54 " 19-26 " "It 17-24 19-24 tt 18-72 AIL 8-34 BOW 16-72 It 16-74 . ", 23-2· 18-74 " 21-14 " AIL 9-38 BCW 24-1 II 1-114 II 23-4 It 20-74 ,1626 ' 632 360 513 885 543 " 681 1229 497 271 610 "376 247 320 164 ' 647 308 390 302 216 139 129 ;64 ,,29' 29 30 53 33 ',42 77 36 , 23 52 32 24 '32 17 ',68 35 54 47 35 27 26 25.7 21.9 18.5 16.7 16.4 16.2 15.9 13.7 11..8 11.7 11.7 10·3 10.0 9.6 9.5 8.8 7.2 6.4 6.2 5.2 5.0 Totals 11,085 ,865, 12.7 Il·1 TABLE II.--BREAKDOWN BY FOREST SERVICE RANGE TYPES pes 1 and 2 4 Avera e 2. 27.6 '" 4A (Atr-Ptr) 4B (Atr) 5 :189.5 900 .536.5 .5A (Ptr etc) 5B (Crnoetc) 6 2988 ,2377 2241 6A (PP-Crno) 6B (PP-Ptr) 6c (PP-Atr) 6n (pp) 7 Totals 809 854 290 288 685 11,210 , .", . .. :.', 72 29 418 26.0 31.0 12.8 '179 ,.239 ' 216 16.7 9.9 10.ti. 66 86 38 26 96 12.3 9.9 7.6 11.1 7·0 1.2.1 " , B78 �""', li5 TABLE III. SLOPE Gentle' 0-20 Moderate 21-40 Steep 41-59 Very Steep 60 Elus NUniber of Transects 134 185 237 54 Number of Pellet Groups 1029 2703 4420 739 Average per Transect 7.4 14.6 18.6 ;1l.8 Lower POSITION ON SLOPE l1iddle UE!:~er Number of Transects 136 239 235, Number of Pellet Gr.oups 1662 3911 3318 Average per Transect 12.2 16.4 13.7 EXPOSURE* N NE E SE S SW W NW Number of Transects 100 29 .115 86 129 2B 72 34 Number of Pellet Groups 735 435 1923 1742 2078 542 902 390 Average per Transect 7.3 15.0 16.7 20.2 16.1 19.3 12.5 lL4 I * The exposures are facing directions, such as N-fa.cing, S-facing, etc. �- li6 TABLE IV.~-DEER OBSERVATIONS--CACHE LA POUDRE W~TERSHED Richard E. Pillmore and Jack D.:Rernington DATE 6/26/51 LOCATION Hewlett Gulch 6/27/51 KelJ&- Flats 2 2 6/28/51 1 mi. W. Kelly Flats 4 1 Bennett Cr.-Pingree Park 'Road 2 7/5/51 1 mi. W. Hewlett Gulch 1 7/6/51 W. of Hewlett Gulch 1 1 7/9/51 Elkhorn Cr. 7/13/51 N. of Poudre-t mi. E. of Rustic. 7/2/.51 1'1 F FAWN UNCIASSIFIED 4 1 F, small, lactating, summer moult not complete. Obs. at 20 yds. 2 1.. 1 1 S. of Columbine l_ 7/16/51 Dadd Gulch 1 7/17/51 Rustic area 7/18/51 Ft .•Collins Rec- . reation Area 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 7/19/51 Black Hollow 1 7/20/51 Junction Little South Poudre 1 1 2 1 Arrowhead Lodge 7/25/51 Stove Prairie Rd. 7/27/51 w. 7/27/51 Narrows Picnic Gr. II " It __.T.o.tal. ,.;' Number of deer bed-s, seen-N & W facing slopes. 1 7/14/51 7/23/51 NOTES Tracks of F with 2 fawns in sand; 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 n ·--7 - _26..... .8 . .>2-deer �- 117 The accuracy of the pellet group count may be influenced by a number of factors. The density and character of t'he vegetation -- A dense stand of high grass or shrubs will obscure some pellet groups while a slope with a sparse vegetative 'cover will allow pellet groups to be wa~hed down the slope. Composition and exposure of pellet groups -- It appears from observations of many pellet groups, during the 'Study, that some pellets are more f:X':i'able than others and disintegrate more readily, also that pellet groups in shaded moist areas decompose faster than,those in a dry situation subject to the direct rays of the sun. For this reason nearly all groups on the shaded, north-facing slopes were tallied, while on the south-facing slopes all groups that showed marked bleaching were not tallied. Droppings resulting from a deerls visit to a salt lick which appeared to be made up of Q(iked adobe, and were impossible to age, were included. Measurement -- The effect of slope and terrain on the length of pace will cause variations in the size of the sample area (0.1 Acre) even though the observer attempts t.o compensate by an extra pace or two. Aging of pellets.,-:--Without a set of standards or a device for aging pellets, discrepancies are to be expected Within the individual observer as well as between di~ferent observers; however, we believe that this personal error tends to average out. Recommendations· for··a future technique based on these limitations are t 1 Measured transects instead of paced. 2 Making pellet counts earlier in the season or if later in season, using the Longer transect of 11 chains by 6 feet. 3 -- Marked check plots in which all pellet groups are removed before the deer come on the area. 4 --Statistically planned project to rea~pe the number transects to the minimum number required for the inforfuation desired. 5 -- Utilization plots designed so that some corelation between pellet groups and browse utilization might be obtained. Prepared by: Richard E. Fillmore and Jaok D. Remington Submitted by: Approved by: Name COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Paul F. Gilbert --------------------------------- Tiitle Wildlife Note: s Technician ~------------------------------ Title C. N. Feast, Director Date November'23, 19'51 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract shoUId l1rst obtaln permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/c0eb76147feef24fc539a10c510cf0c5.pdf 7fbba9b721e7e3f9addafc29235c7a15 PDF Text Text JOB CO¥~LETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS Colorado Project No. W-61-R-2 Work Plan No. I Job No. 1 ------~--------------------- , Title of Job .__~I~n~v~e~n~t~o~ry~~o~f~Fu~r~R~e~s~o~ur~c~e~s~ _ Objective: To gain information on populations and trends by species and distribution. Findings: A system was inaugurated in July of 1951 whereby 'Wildlife Technicians of the Colorado Game and Fish Department would carry a quantity of "Fur Animal Record Forms" in their field notebooks. On these forms they would record all fUr animals seen, the date, county, location, mature or immature, activity, if dead-cause of death, and species differences. Fur animals-to be listed included muskrat, beaver, mink, marten, coyote, badger, red fox, grey fox, weasel, bobcat, lynx cat, and skunk. Bear and mountain lion were also included. It was thought that over a period of time this information would,give indications of population trends, concentrations, individual and species characteristics, activities as to migration, hibernation, breeding, mortality causes, etc. The following information represents the months of July, August, September, October, and November. A majority of the animals recorded were highway mortalities. Of a total of 171 fUr animals recorded, 90 (52.6%) were skunks. Seventy-nine of the skunks, or 87.7 per' cent, were broad-striped: and 11, or 12.3 per cent, were narrow strip€d.. Other fur animals recorded include 16 coyotes, 14 muskrats, 12 badgers, 10 weasels, 9 grey foxes, 4 bobcats, 3 beavers, 3 opossums, 3 minks, 2 ring-tailed cats, 2 martens, 2 raccoons, and 1 lynx. The following table represents the fur animals observed by numbers and months. The heaviest skunk concentrations were on the Western Slope with appro~imately ten recorded for the Eastern Slope of the Continental Divide. There are, however, more Wildlife Technicians located on the Western Slope. La Plata County was far ahead in numbers with 30, while Delta County was second with eight skunks. It was planned to separate the skunks into four classes; broad-stripjed" narrow-strip,ed~_ short-stripped, and black. The confusion was apparent, and finally three classes were decided upon; broad-strip~ed, narrow-strip;eur and black. The drawings in Figure 2 were made from furs seen by the writer. The black and shor-t=s't.r'Lp.ed pelts are very rare in Colorado. IVlanydealers and trappers IIremember)t only having seen one. The narr ow-e tr-i.ped is also fairly SCarce, with the br-oad-ss t.ri.pred skunk being the most common. �, ~ote-The high point for skunks was August with ,decreasing numbers in the earlier and later months. the month when the skunks are probably most active. This is �COLORADO MOFFAT PHILliPS /brtUIeI / broad I nQI'''~W S£OGWICI( LOGAN WELl) 1l0VTT I nnrrcu) MORGAN Il7drrcuJ I YUMA WASHINGTON RIO SLANCO / DreJtffte:! GARFIeLD .5"breJaR' KIT CARSON LINCOLN I nRrrtJW MESA 261'011" , /1~,.,~ecJ I I "'lIr~uJ ' MONTROSE , nR,.,t:JeAJ /6,-0",,, 3brttJllt¥ I ntlncaJ SAN MI(;II£L CHEYEHN~ ~,o",-" I I PUEILO CROWUY , I KIOWA I SAGUACHE PROWERS lENT 'HINSDALE DOLORES LAS ANIMAS MONTEZIIMA 6 brl:'lfd BACA ARCHULETA qhn:uul /-/~t/re~. ~rr()tU d/?t:I brotld- ..5frlp~ed S,Ke//?KS, .6lj c~(/-'?f/e...S'~~/~ - Oec. /95/ �H9 t1re 2. S~~17 tlr (jrqt:/es 01 .sKUllI(' ,r:'t!'lls. £)r-4U;;n?S defiler..,. h"v.s~5, rot/lo'I<i//..s, q"o' /'1?1/Jq't!' /1"14'IYlo'UQ/ /,t!'/I-.s rr4p,P(!-r...s. -rreJl">? �COLORADO MOFFAT LARIMER ROUTT S£DGWICI( lOGAN I WELD 2Cl'¥Dfes /~~e?/<!e 2/(,PCCI"HJ'1.5 PHIi.lIPS \2 Bpd?t!?rs IHtf"zTt:/I It Wt!'~.5el MORGAN WASHINGTON I YUMA RIO 8LANCO I tJ~t?..s.s~ 11811t?fer GARFIELD /HtI1K KIT CARSON LINCOLN M£SA CNUENNE I ;atJ6rQ~ I I (tf)t,'~1'e 1 PlIE8LO CROWLEY· I J KIOWA SAGUACHE SANMIGUEL 2.u;¥~/e.s RIO GRANDE ;Z~flM.s1 I ALAMOSA LAS ANIMAS MONTEZUMA 'Gr~rroxe.(1'..S ,/8t';6ct!rr :3 ,yedSe(s /CD~CTe 2,e),-!f,tk-/' ell rs 8ACA 4&#fer.s ARCHULETA / 8~dp~r l/3tJbCqf- / ~'f/JX / pr/eQ.se/ ryvre 3. rvr t,?/7//nd/s PROWERS 8ENT / Cd!Jrore / Bt1dfer {P1ht!*r Tht:1~ u~V/1KS (f:).6sery~d, P't C'i?vn!/e.s, Jv/r ~ k1")ec~m6e~/9S( �- 3 It is realized that the information to date is inadequate to derive any definite conclusions. The writer believes, however, that information compiled over a period of years would provide interesting as well as accurate and valuable data. Beginning in the spring of 1950, a fur harvest survey was initiated by Richard Denney through means of postal card questionnaires (October 1950 Quarterly Progress Report) -; This survey was again carried out this year, but necessarily later to include the spring muskrat trapping season in some parts of Colorado. A letter of expl'anation acco'mpanied each postal card sent to a trapper. The survey has several objectives: first and primarily, to compare the data obtained through trappers questionnaires with that obtained by the Fur Resources-Division from the fur dealers as required by law; second, to obtain a crosscheck on such information as numbers of furs and average price; and third, to give the trappers opportunity to voice any complaints or suggestions regarding the fur seasons and laws. In the accompanying letter it was made clear that the trapper need not list his name. This was done to obtain information from indiv-iduals who feared a check regarding income tax returns. A total of 1,874 trappers licenses were sold in Colorado during the 1950-51 trapping season. This compares with 1,967 sold in 1949-50. These figures include both resident and non-resident trappers.. On the basis of 922 questionnaires sent; 219, or 23.75 per cent, were returned. Therefore, the data presented represents only 23.75 percent of the total on a basis of 922 license holders. On a basis of 1874 license holders, the card returns represent 11.69 per cent of the total. Using the 11.69 per cent return of total license holders, an adjustment factor of 8.554 must be used to arrive at figures representing the total state catch and total harvest value. Table No. 2·shows the reported and adjusted numbers of pelts and their values for the 1950-51 fur harvest. �- 4 TABLE 2.--REPORTED AND ADJUSTED NU~ffiERSOF PELTS SOLD IN COLORADO, 1950-51 FUR SEASON, BY SPECIES NUl'IIBERS AND AVERAGE PRICE, FROM TRAPPERS QUESTIONNAIRES. Species Pelts Reported Value Ave. Price Per Pelt Adjusted Pelts Adjusted Value (State Total) Huskrat Harten· Hink Coyote Bobcat SkUnk Civet Weasel Raccoon Fox:, Red Fox, Grey Fox, Kit Badger Ring-tailed Cat Jackrabbit 14,020 129 34 10 32 436 7 220 168 4 1 2 3 2 $15:,307.09 2,227"72 600.48 7.17 66.01 420.05 1.75 315~74 196.59 10.00 0.50 5.00 0.67 3.25 $ 1.09 17.27 17.66 0.72 2.06 Ocl96 0.25 1.44 1.17 3.50 0.50 2.50 0.22 1.63 119,927 1,103 291 86 274 3,729 60 1,882 l.,437 34 9 17 26 17 $130,936.85 19,055.92 5,136.50 61.33 564.65 3,593.11 14.97 2,700.84 1,618.63 85.54 4.28 42.77 5.73 27.80 127 5.72 0.05 1,086 '48.93 Total 15,195 129,978 $163,960.85 $19,167.74 '~'.' �- 5 Muskrats represented 92.3 per cent of the animals reported trapped and 79.9 per cent of the 1950-51 fur harvest val.ue, Skunk was second in numbers, with weasel, raccoon, marten, and jackrabbit following in order. Following the-muskrat in total values was marten, bobcat, skunk, weasel, and raccoon, respectively. Regarding the average price per pelt, mink was first, followed closely-by marten'. Other species in order of decreasing average value per pelt "lVerered-iox, kit fox, bobcat,· ring-tailed cat, weasel, raccoon, muskrat, skunk, coyote, grey fox, civet, and jackrabbit • ... "- .- The areas where trapped by counties were requested on the questionnaires. Figure-4 shows the nuniber of muskrats trapped in each county. Held County witlj.2,306 muskrats trapped was first, follow.ed by Rio Blanco with 1,578, Morgan with 1,262, Delta with 1,230, 'Larimer with 1,21], and Park County with 868. Figure 5 shows the number of ether pelts taken by counties. Considering the animals by species, Pitkin County led with 36 martens, Rio Blanco with 20 minks, Morgan with 3 coyotes; Baca with 11 bobcats, Horgan with 337 skunks, Montrose with 3 civets, .Rio Blanco with 110 weasels,Weld with 68 raccoons, Summit 'and Pitkin 'with 2 red foxes each, Fremont with 1 grey fox, Prowers with 2 kit foxes, San Miguel with 2 badgers, Nontrose with 2 ringtailed cats, Grand with 25 snow6~oe hares, and Morgan with 65 jackrabbits. Table 3 shows the numbers of t~ers to take each type of animal. The reported number of trappers is based on the number of cards sent (992) and the returns (219). The adjusted trappers is qased on the total number of trappers' licenses' sold (1,874). Therefore to get the total trappers for each species, the reported number must be multiplied by the correction factor of 8.554. Table 4 represents a comparative tabulation of the information compiled from the trappers que st fonna.iree and the fur dealers reports. The ~nformation representing the dealers reports and exportation permits does not include the furs tnatwere held over'for a time. The information from the trappers que std.onnad re s represents the furs which were actually caught , A tqtal of 17,200 more muskrats were caught as calculated from the trappers questionnaires than reported by the fur dealers. The following represent the total bY-which the' trappers que s t-i.onriad.r'es results exceed the total from the fur dealets teportsbyspecies: -marten,""580; mink, 96; coyote, 24; bobcat, 133; 'skunk,-2,982; civet or spotted skunk, 40; weasel, 1,122; raccoon, 906; fox, 5;badger,'9; ring-tailed cat, 15; and jackrabbit (not reported on fur dealers forms), 1,086. In 'summary, a total of 24,198 more animals were reported from the trappers questionnair.e survey than.froID_r..e.quire.d.fur.dealersreturns. �- 6 'l'ABLE 3.--REPORTED AND ADJUSTED NUIVlBERSOF TRAPPERS TO TAKE EACH SPECIES OF FUR ANH'lAL, COLORADO, 1950-51. Reported Trappers Adjusted Trappers Muskrat Marten 11irik Coyote Bobcat Skunk Civet Weasel Raccoon Red Fox Grey Fox Kit Fox Badger Ring-tailed" Cat Snowshoe Hare Jackrabbit 184 13 16 6 10 19 4 23 17 2 1 1 2 1 4 6 1,574 Total Species-16 309 2,644 Species III 137 51 86 163 34 197 145 17 9 9 17 9 34 51 �COLORADO MOFFAT SEDGWICK 1.06AN WELD ROUTT 2.08 2,3()6 PHILliPS 37 MORGAN I rUMA WASHINGTON /,2~Z RIO BLANCO I /s"78 , 2t:>O EAGLE GARFIELD 84 429 I.INCOLN KIT CARSON II IcHUENNE MESA 126 ~230 6B MCN -f I 73 I SAGUACHE SAN MIGUEL //8 DOLORES MONTEZUMA II.APLAT~ I " I I I \ .: RIO GRANDE 1 __ 368 I I IKIOWA CROWUY' PlIESI.O /0 ,(ST'go 17~ ~-~ Xt"" -.. - ....::.---.~ I f\ l.....--.. 20/ J I-',-ro LAS AIIIMAS I lSENT IPROWERS 1300 1279 IBACA 1 90 ARCHUI.ETA. 184 - /?q(/re~ I Hvs.kr&1/ hClryes? .6~ /71:/~6e/Cf' 1des//b,7/7d/res/ /?S"tJ- /96/. d/1c7 ~V/1//es #tt:JP? ~rA,,~ers �COLORADO MOFFAT HOIITT LAHIMER WELD IM",IC 8H(/r~ 15 RaccoeJl'/s 2 Ct!)q'o/es I WeASe/ -1 5/;"ltnKS / C(V~-f 2~ :5/({MKS f. SEDGWICI( LOGAN tOg' tf"t?CCOt:J/1S 3/fbcct:Jth'?S / u/ellfsd' PHILliPS M;~k MOHGAN 5"~AI6;.&1 :5 ~tlcC#10ns 337 Slf'vn,rS .3 OJ&I.t:J-r~s RIO 8LANCO /10 tYt"ASe.f.5 313o..boff.s 20 H,,,,I<. YUMA WASHINGTON .3 HI;"/( EAGLE ~.Wetlsels GARFIELD KIT CARSON LINCOLN MESA otLT" /O>~ 2.eh CHUlNNE ~3 .:sKUI?~S s-weq,se/s / :5n<'W:S6eu: MONTROSE 30 W&.seIs I C'Vet" 17 Mtl'h:i? It!> .s;,"IA.J.s~()~s /Grtu", I"'I!>}C z R"n?--rq/I~q' cq1S IW~qse/ 3 crver« rc-_~.~._-.~. --1~ 6 & bods 6 SL5unltS ...L I 2/:S9hC'r:JT"S SAGIIACHE 'O.7icPllb6ils ,z.C'''~.~ :?C"V~f"S 8ENT SAN M/GIIEL 28t1dge~.s 'HINS/MLE IPROWERS Z1 t8:tccocws 1()~Knt66;ts 2&bo:rfs / ,~~ I ~PU~E~8~LO~·--------~C~R~O~~~L~E-y-·-'I----~ :z ki f ~){e.s "l.f" re C !5£4.«"""s .2 ::5K(;lnKS DOLORES RIO GNAND~ MONTEZUMA "wet'/se/s LAS ANIMAS SACA 25 Raccoons 8 5KVnJ(.S" t3"bc-er~s :2 c-re>/'es II ARCHULETA. htjd"~5. Fur nqrrt::'sr, t-r~~~r..s (!:)(h~r Tf74/? mV.5.Kr4'~6 1q~ST/~n~/r~s, /9SeJ-/t;5'/' r nVH16ers q/?n CiPQ/7T/es -/;d:1~ �- 7 TABLE 4 -COMPARATIVE TABULATION OF DATA FROB FUR DEALER FORI-1SAND TRAPPER QUESTIONNAIRES, COLORADO, 1950-51. Fur Dealer Forms Value Number Species .." Average lV[uskrat 102,727 $103,530.00 $ 1.01 9,049.00 17.29 l'1arten 523 3,379.00 17.33 }'link 195 0.97 53.00 62 Coyote 1.41 198.00 141 Bobcat 0.71 532.00 Skunk 747 0.41 8.00 20 Civet 1.46 1,110.00 Weasel' 760 1.70 904.00 531 Raccoon 1.49 81.00 Fox 55 0.36 6.00 17 Badger Ring-tailed 1.50 3.00 2 Cat None reported Jackrabbit Total 105,7.80 , 1$118~aSJ.'00 . J Trapper Questionnaires Value Average Number 119,927 $130,936.85 $ .1.09 19,055.92 17.27 1,103 5,136.50 17.66 291 0.72 61.33 86 2.06 564.65 274 0.96 3,593.11 3,729 0.25 14.97 60 1.44 2,700.84 1,882 1.17 1,618.63 1,437 1.83 132.59 60 0.22 26 5.73 17 1,086 27.80 48.93 1.63 0.05 129,978 $163,990.85 This study has now been carried out for two consecutive years. The writer belives that conclusions cannot be made at this time on which method is more accur-ate to'arrive at the actual catch and value. Both methods have easily discernable advantages and disadvantages. Table 5 compares the information Work Plan No. II: compiled over the past two years. Specific Studies on Important Species. Job No. 1 and 2. Titles of Jobs! trend areas. Muskrat and mink - location and mapping Objectives: To maintain the basis of management. of habitat; survey of surveys on trend areas in these main drainages for To maintain trends of numbers within "trendll areas. Procedures: .' Field reconnaissance trail counts, house counts, etc. and cont.ac t , stream survey, burrow counts, Findings: This year (1951) is the third year that the trend plots on muskrats have been run. Due to the statewide scope ,.of.thepro.ject,..rno.stof �TABLE 5.--COMPARATIVETABULATION OF DATA FROM FUR DEALERS REPORTS AND TRAPPERS QUESTIONNAIRES,COLORAD09 1949-1950,1950-1951. Species Fur Dealer Forms 1949-50 1950-51 Number Av. Value Number Value Av. Trapper Questionnaires 1949-50 . 1950-51 Number Value Avo Number Value Av. Muskrat 103,974 $67,372.00 $0.65 102,727 $103,530000$1.01 141,625 $103,386.00$0.73 119,927$130,956.85 $1.G9 Marten Closed Season 523 9,049.00 17.29 Closed Season 1,103 19,055.92 17.27 Mink Closed Season 19$ 3,379.00 17.33 9* 37.50 4.00 291 5,136.50 17.66 Coyote 6 1.00 0.18 62 53.00 0.97 263 341.25 1.30 86 61.33 0.72 Bobcat 16 8.00 0.50 141 198.00 1.41 216 306.19 1.42 274 564.65 2.06 Skunk 100 30.00 0.31 747 532.00 0.71 1,103 783.22 0.71 3,729 3,593~11 0096 Civet 4 1.00 0.24 20 8.00 0.41 194 71069 0.37 60 14.97 0025 Wease1219 152.00 0.70 760 1,110.00 1.46 553 454.06 0.82 1,882 2,700084 1.44 Raccoon 88 74.00 0.8S 531 904.00 1.70 509 438.06 10.86 1,437 1,618.63 1.17 Fox Closed Season 55 81.00 1.49 Closed Season.. 60 132.59 1.83 Badger Closed Season 17 6000 0.36 3* 1.09 0035 26 5.73 0.22 Ring-tailed Cat None Reported 2 3.00 1.50 None Reported 17 27.80 1.63 Jackrabbit None Reported None Reported 1,581 273.19 0.15 1,086 48.93 0.051 (X) Totals 104,407 $67,638.00 105,780 $118,853.00 * Season was closed,furs may have been holdovers. 146,056 $106,056.50 129,978 $163,960.85 �- 9 the wildlife technicians in the state have assisted this past fall by running many of the plots that occur in their respective districts. The leaders wish to express their appreciation to the following technicians for their assis,tance and cooperation: Paul Gilbert, Dick Teague, Jacj{ DeVore, Ross Campbell, Bert Baker, Donald Hoffman, Harold Swope, Donald Nolting, and Jack Grieb. The main method utilized on trend plots this year was much the same as the original method described in the January, 1950, Quarterly Report, namely, a visual count, in which a record was kept of all the muskrats observed in the study plots during an arbitrary length of time, with an effort made to determine which animals made repeat appearances'. This problem of reappearance was not encountered when running plots on ditches or streams, but caused considerable confusion on the lake, pond, slough, and marsh plots. On the latter types of plots, the muskrat activity was plotted on a sketch map, with swimming courses and points of appearance and disappearance noted. More details on determination of repeat appearances ~e discussed in the aforementioned quarterly. The visual count technique was applied in a number of diflferent ways. On lakes, ponds, sloughs, and marshes an cbservat.Lon point was selected from which the entire plot could be observed. On ditches and streams a running observation-method was applied, either by foot or automobile, as governed by the terrain and accessibility. A surr~ary of the muskrat trend plots run in September~October, 1951, follows: I. Lake John, southeast corner. Sections 10-11, T 9 N, R 80 W, Jackson County. Elevation 9,000 feet. Approximately 10 acres. Principal vegetation: bulrush (Bcd.rpus sp.), reed canary grass (Phalaria arundinacia), and blue grass (Poa sp.). Tracks and scat abundant in bulrushes, burrows numerous, indications of feeding on bulrush and slough grass. One ne~ house observed. Rushes appear to be closing in on the open water more from year to year. Muskrats counted: l~ individuals and 8 repeats, representing a 30% decrease over the 1949 data. 2; Stillwaiers on Bear River, 14 miles southwest of Yampa, TIN, R 87 w, Garfield Coun~. Elevation 10,000 feet. Approximately 10 acres. Principal vegetation: slough grass (Scirpus sp.}, willow (Salix sp.), and blue-joint reed grass (Calamogrostis canadensis). Not run in 1951. �-.10 3. Phillips Creek, two miles south of Yampa. Sections 23, 26, T 1 N, R 84 ''Ii ,Routt County. Elevation: 7,200 f'eet., Approximately seven tenths of a mile long. Princ~pal vegetation: willow (Salix sp.), slough grass (Scirpussp.), timothy (Phleum sp.), wild r~Rosa sp ,}, thistle (Carduus sp.), dandelion:(Taraxacum sp.), pondweed (Potamogeton sp.), and blue grass (po.a sp ,}. Not run in 1951. 4. Carpenter Slough, four miles east of Hayden, Section 63 T 6N, R 87 w, Routt County 0 Elevation 6,400 feet. Approximately 4 acres. Principal vegetation: Cattail (Typha sp.), bulrush (Scirpus sp.), and adjoining pasture land. Indications of cutting on cattail. M~skrats observed: peats, representing a decrease of 63% from 1949 datao three and three re- 50- Shekton Ditch, running one and one half mp.es east of Hayden, Sections 10, 3, 2, T 6 N, R 88 ~v, Routt County. Elevation 6,350 feet. Approximately one and one half miles long. Principal vegetation:, willow (Salix sp.), . thistle (Carduus sp.), n~rrow-leaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia), wild rose (Rosa sp.), fireweed (Chamaenerion sp.), bluestem wheatgrass (Agrop~ron srnithi~sunflower (Helianthus sp.), yellow sweet clover (Helilotus officinalis), slough grass (Scirpus sp.),and adjoining pasture land, as well as a few cattails (Typha sp.). Quite a few tracks and scatJ and numerous burrows were observed. counted: three, representing a decrease of 84% from 1949 data. l'1uskrats 6~ .Ox-boW-Slough, two miles south of Craig, Section 12, T 6 N, R 91 IV, Moffat County 0 Elevation 6,174 feet. Approximately 10 acres. Principal vegetation: willow (S'alix sp.), pondweed (Potamogeton sp.), cattail (Typha spo), and bulrush (Scirpus sp.)o , No d.ens or houses or indications of feeding: observed. representing a 100% decrease from 1949 datao Huskrats counted: none, 7. Crescent Lake, several hundred yards 'west of Trapper's Lake,Tl S, R 88 IN, Garfield County. Zlevation 9,500 feet. Approximat~ly 10 acres. Principal vegetation: slough grass (Scirpus sp.),'pondweed (Potamogeton sp.), and mountain brome (Bromus sp.). Tracks, scat, and burrows ab undarrt , no houses observed, indications of feeding on slough grass princjpally. l'1uskratscounted: four and one repeat, representing a total decrease of 82% from 1949 data. 8: Perch Pond, two miles northeast of Axial, ,Section 13, T 4 N, R 93 W, Moffat County. Elevation 6,200 feet. Approximately eight acres. Principal vegetation: cattail (Typha sp .eageibrush (Artemisia sp.), ..fireweed o. ), �- 11 (Chamaenerion sp ,}, pondweed (Potamogeton sp.), bulrush saltbush (Atriplex sp.), and bluegrass (Poa sp ,}, Tracks and burrows common. Nuskrats a decrease of 88% from 1949 data. counted: (Scirpus sp ,}, two and no repeats, showing 9. Johnson Slough, four miles west of Delta, Section 16, T 15 S, R 11 W, Delta Courity, Elevation 4,900 feet. Approxima tely two acres. Principal vegetation: cattail (Typha" sp.), willow (Salix sp.), wild rose (Rosa sp.), P?ison ivy (Rhus rydbergm, and corn in adjacent fields. -Tracks; scat; and "burrows numerous, feeding indications on cattails. Nuskrats counted: seven and no repeats,' showing a 22% decrease from 1949 data. Plots lO~ Toppas Pond and 11 - Spring Pond, both located southeast of Montrose, have been discontinued due to insufficiept muskrat popUlations on which to base a trend. 12. Cortez Slough, two miles east of Cortez, Section 30, T 36 N, R 15 iN, Montezuma County. Elevation 6,198 feet. Approximately seven acres, Principal vegetation: Cattail (Typha sp.), bulrush (Scirpus sp.), sedge (Carex sp.), mint (Heritha sp ,}, blue grass (Poa sp.), pondweed (Potamogeton sp.), white sweet clover (Jv1elilotus albai), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus sp.), pigweed (Chenopodium album) ,mustard (Brassica sp.), and sunflower (Helianthus sp.). Tracks and scat abundaht, no houses observed, burrows in dense growth, feeding indications on cattail and bulrush. Muskrat: counted: four and three repeats, showing a 36% decrease from 1949 data. 13~ Brockish Sloughs, seven miles north of Durango, Section 21, T 36 N, R 9 W, La Plata County. Ele,vation 6,550 feet. Approximately two acres. PrIncipal "vegetation: cattail- (Typha sp.), bulrush (Sciryus qp.), sedge lCarexsp.), mint- (Jv1eritha sp.), blue grass (Poa sp.), willow (Salix sp.), and pondweed (Potamogeton sp ,}, Very-little sign observed, no houses foupd, and no indication of feeding observed. Muskrats counted: one and no repeats, showing a decrease of 92% ".fr6ni. 1949 data. This area was completely burned this spring by the landowner, which may have had considerable effect on the population in such a small area. 14~ - Drain Ditch, twb and one half miles east and" two and three fourths miles south of Monte Vista; Sections 21, 28, 33, T 38 N, R 8 E, Rio Grande County. Elevation 7;600 feet. Approximately three miles long. Principal vegetation: slough grass (Scd.rpus so.); cattail (Typha sp ,}, flquirrel tail (Sitani0E. hys-trix), willow (Salix sp.), bulrush"lSCIrpus sp.•), and greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) • �- 12 Numerous old dens, fair number of active dens observed, and evidence of light use earlier in season on cattail shoots. Euskrats counted: two and no repeats, representing a decrease of 95% from 1949 data. i"luchof this decrease could be attributed to the fact that 1 mile of the ditch is drY9 one fourth mile has normal water level, and about one and three fourths miles is from 12 to 18 inches below normal water leveL IS. Jordan Lake, of the Russell Lakes group, 10 miles south of Saguache, Section 30~'~ N, R 8 E, Saguache County. Elevation 7,735 feet. Approximately 12 acres. Principal vegetation~ bulrush (Scirpus sp.), cattail (Typha sp.), sedge (Carex sp.), salt grass (Distichlis stricta)!) foxtail (Hordeum jubatum),9 pondweed (Potamogeton sp.), and greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) 0 Abundant signs and indications of feeding mostly on bulrushes Seven active and eight inactive houses were observed. Nuskrats counted: five and no repeats, showing a decrease of 64% from 1949 data. One more active house was noted than last yearJ but four less than in 1949. 0 16: Ronis Pond, ten miles south of Saguache" Section 30, T 43 N.'IR 8 E)/ Saguache County. Elevation 7:;736fe~t. Approximately four acres. Principal vegetationg bulrush (Scirpus sp.), cattail (Typha sp.), salt grass (Distichlis stricta), sedge {Carex sp ,)J and pondweed (Potamogeton sp ,) 0 Tracks, sign:! and burrows common, feeding indications on bulrush and pondweedo Muskrats counted~ five and three repeats, a decrease of 60% from 1949 data. Water level about one foot above last yearls leveL 17. Drain Ditch, 18 miles south of Saguache, Sections 5, ~T 41 N, R 8'E, Section IJ T 41 N~ R 7 E, Saguache County. Elevation 7,600 feet. Approximately three miles long. Principal vegetation~ cattail (Typha sp.), oulrush (Scirpus SPa):; water cress (Roripa ansturium) greasewood (§arcobatus vermiculatusO, rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus sp.), salt grass (Distichlis stricta), and willow (Salix sp.). A few scattered tracks at the west end of the ditch in the mud were observed, and numerous old inactive dens were exposed"with no indications of feeding. Nuskrats countedg none, a decrease of 100% from 1949 data. This ditch is dry the entire three miles in length--the first time in the history of the San Luis Valleyo 18. Edward Slough, six tenths of a mile west of Edwards, Section 5, T 5 S, R 82 W;I Eagle County •. ApproxilTlately one acre. Elevation 7,010 feet. Principal vegetationg cattail (~a sp, }, and bulrush (SCir}us sp ,}, as well as adjoining pasture land. Pondweed (Potamogeton sp. and algae in portions of th~ pond. �- 13 Tracks, scat, and burrows common, indications of feeding on bulrush mostly. Huskrats counted: seven and two repeats, showing an 18% decrease from 1949 data. 19. Second Pond, below Black Lake on the west side of Vail Pass, Section 9, T 6 S, R 79 W, Eagle County. Elevation 10,000 feet. Approximately three acres. Principal vegetation: slough grass (Scirpus sp 0), and pondweed (Po~amogeton sp.). willow (Salix sp.), Frozen over and not run in 1951. Plots 20 and 21 have been abandoned due to insufficient muskrat populations. 22. WeekI s Pond, four miles north of Fairplay, Section 13, T 9 S, R 77 itJ, Park County.--grevation 9,990 feet. Approximately two acres. Principal vegetation: slough grass (Scirpus sp.), sedge (Carex sp.), and native hay. The data for this plot for 1951 has not been received to date. 23. Jumbo Reservoir Slough, below east fill on the south side of dam, Section 19, T 11 N, R 47 W, Sedgwick County. Elevation 3,550 feet. Approximately two acres. Principal vegetation: cattail (Typha sp.), bulrush (Scirpus sp.), sedge (Carex sp ,}, cordgrass (Spartina sp.), sunflower (Helianthus sp.), fireweed (Chamaenerion sp.), andSlakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae). Tracks and sign numerous, no houses but burrows numerous. Indications of feeding mostly on bulrushes, al so.sedge and'cattaiJ.J'lus'krats counted: five and nine repea,ts,cornpared to no muskrats observed here in 1949. 24. Fish Pond, one mile northwest of Fort Horgan, Section 36, T 4 N, R 58 W, Horgan County. Elevation 4,150 feet. Approximately four acres. Principal vegetation: cattail (Typha. sp.), slough grass (Scirpus so.), sedge (Carex sp ,),'willow (Salix sp.), ,cottonwood (Popul.us occidentalis), bulrush (Scirpus sp.), and dock (Rume:. sp.). Tracks and sign very numerous, one large house located, many burrows, indications of feeding on slough grass mostly, also cattail and pondweed. Huskrats counted: 11 and three repeats, showing a 35% drop from 1949 data. 25, Clarkls Lake has been abandoned as a muskrat trend plot due to an insufficient muskrat population on which to base a trend. 26. Hinnick Pond, five miles east and one and one half miles north of Fort Collins, Section 2, T 7 N, R68W, Larimer County Elev.ation 5,000 e, f~et~ Approximately five acres. Principal vegetation: bulrush (Scirpus sp.), cattail (Typha sp.), saltgrass (Distichlis stricta), and sedge (Carex sp.). Many tracks and runs observed, as well as one house andat least nine burrows. Twelve feeding platforms located in bulrushes. Muskrats ccunt~d: nine and five repeats, representing a drop of 30% from 1949 data. �-14 - 27.. Slough at junction of Upper Piedra Road and Turkey Springs Road, northwest of Pagosa Springs on John Carrol ranch, T 36 N, R 2!W~ Archuleta County. Elevation 8,200 feet. Approximately three and one half acres. Principal vegetation: cattail (Typha sp.), pondweed (Potamogeton sp.), sedge (Carex sp.), willow (Salix sp.), cordgrass (Spartina sp.), blue grama (Bouteloua gracil is )", sunflower (Helianthus sp, }, and sweet clover (Melilotus sp , ). Tracks" and burrows numerous on upper end, two old houses present but not active, 'feeding indications on cattails. Muskrats counted: five and four repeats, showing a total drop of 50% from 1950 data (this plot was initiated in 1950). Population drop is thought to be due to the fact that 14 were trapped last yearj 12 were killed during the summer due to damage to the dam, and many migrated to an upper pond on the same ranch. 28. Reservoir on Corral Creek, Grand County. Elevation 7,800 feet. Approximately one quarter mile long. Principal vegetation: sedge (Carex sp.), pondweed (Potamogeton sp.), and bulrush (Scirpus sp.). This plot was not run in 1951. 29.' Old Gravel Pit, just below curve in road between Hasty and John Martin Dam, Section 7, T 23 S, R 49 W, Bent County. Elevation 3,82'.5 feet. Approx:i,:'" mately two acres. Principal vegetation: cattail (Typha sp.), bulrush (Scirpus sp.), and tamarix (Tamarix gallica). Tracks, runways, and scat ve~ abundant, one house observed. three and one repeat. This plot was originated in 1951. Muskrats counted: 30. 'Mitote Lake; two miles west of Gulnare (west of Aguilar) in Spanish Peaks area, Section-28, T 31 S, R 66W, Las Animas County. Elevation 6,500 feet. Approximately five acres. Principal vegetation: reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacia).!I dropseed (Sporobolis ~.), timothy (Phleumsp.), sweet clover (Helilotus sp.), and cattail (Typha so.). No houses observed. Muskrats counted: plot started this year (1951). two and one repeat. This is a new 31. South Pond, La Veta City Lake southeast of La Veta, Section 3, "T 30 S, R68 W;Huerfano County. Elevation 6,300 feet. Approximately four acres. Principal vegetation: bulrush (Scirpus sp.), sweet clover (Melilotus sp.), canary grass (Phalaris arundinacia), willow (Salix sp.), and rose (Rosa sp.). . ---- No muskrats were observed on this new plot, most probably due to the fact that the water level was very low when the plot was run. ��- 15 32. East one third of "vJalsenburg City Lake, two miles west ofirJalsenburg, Section 27--;-'f 28 S, R 67 iN, Huerfano County. Elevation 6,C)OO feet. Approximately three acres. Principal vegetation: cattail (Typha sp.), bulrush (Scirpus sp ,}, slough grass (Scirpus sp ~), willow (Salix sp.), sunflower (Helian thus sp.), and pinon pine (Pinus edulis). Tracks common, no houses, several bank burrows observed. Huskrats counted: five and two repeats. This is the initial year of this plot, and the water level is fairly low. Discussion: Muskrat trend plots run during September and October of 1951, on which we have 1949 data to compare with, show a total of 183 less individual muskrats "counted, and a decrease of 222 total muskrats (individuals plus repeats). This" represents a total decrease of 64.71%" from data for the same plots in 1949, which we consider arbitrarily as the base year for comparison. Figure 15 shows the percentage of change for both the 1950 and 1951 seasons in relation to "the 1949 base. A further breakdown of the data reveals that in 1950 four plots showed an average increase of 72.22%, 13 plots showed an average decrease of 69.15%, one plot showed nQ change. from the 1949 data, and one plot shOWed a 100% 'drop. A total ~hange of 33.88% decrease from 1949 was noted in 1950. In 1951 a total of 17 plots registered an ilverage decrease of 64.71%, "three of these plots showing a 100% drop. The above percentages refer only to total. (individuals plus repeats)" muskrat counts. It is still undertermined as to whether individual or total figures.on the muskrat trend plots are the most reliable, so for the three years that the plots have been run data on both categories have been recorded. Total figures a.re solely dependent on the .activity of the individual 'rats observed, for example, two individuals making three repeat appearances each would tally a total of eight~ while the individual tally would be two. Irregardless of such differences, it is felt that with a sufficient number of plots on which . to base the "figures the same general trend would develop. For comparison then, we present the per-cerit ages iof change for the inciividual counts. In 1950 three plots showed an increase of 29.00%, 15 decreased an average of 59."93%, .one of the latter dropping 100%, with a total drop of 45,.11% compared to 1949 data. In 1951 only one plot showecl an increase of 17.QO%, while 15 plots had an average decrease of 60.20%, two; of these having a 100% drop, representing an overall average drop of 55.37%. Five plots have been abandoned to date, mainly because of too small muskrat populations, which were undoubtedly brought about by low water levels, and, in some cases, .drainage projects. Four plots were not run this year due to conflicting duties. Two new plots were established in 1950, and four were iriitiateciin 19510 "A 'graph is kept on each plot with the annual changes in population trends recorded. �- 16 Comparing the annual muskrat trapping season results with the trend figures, we find that there is a general downward trend indicated on the catch also. Based on trapper questionnaires sent out by this project we find that 141,625 'rats were trapped in the 1949-50 season, and 119,927 were caught in the 1950-51 season, representing a drop of 15.31% in the catch in 1950-51. According to the fur dealer reports, 107,143 'rats were trapped in 1948-49, 103,974 in 1949-50, and 102,727 in 1950-51, showing a general downward trend also. The practical implication in this data is that, although the general population trend may be calculated from catch figures, this trend is obtained only after the catch is known, while on the trend plots, the general trend is obtained before that season's harvest, and if dangerously low,the season may be altered to more nearly suit the biological conditions of that year. In other words, there is a more nearly immediate control for setting sound seasons based on trend plots than there is based on past catch r'eco.rds , Work Plan No. II: Specific Studies of Important Species. Job No.3 Title of Job: Muskrat and mink - Economic Relationships. Objective: To study areas of damage to ditches, headgates, and other structures, and to determine the losses in dollars per unit area. Findings to be used in- regulating the take. ,. ~- .,. . Procedure: Field reconnaissance. Findirigs: Damage resulting from beaver and muskrat activities are always very localized. The landowner, whose ditches, fields, or headgates are being flooded, torn out, or in danger of being damaged, sends for one of the State Game and Fish Department Trappers. The animals are then immediately removed and pelted or transplanted, depending on the condition of the pelts resulting from the weather and time of the year. It is very difficult to give a dollars and cents value to damage of this nature, especially that which is only pending. The writer finds that information collected on this job is very sketchy and not abundant enough to compile into a report. Beaver Job No.1 �- 17 Title of Job: Determination of Control. Objective: To determine the areas from which to trap and the areas into which transplanting should be done. Procedure: Field reconnaissance agencies affecting. by stream survey and contact with other Findings: Idaho recently inaugurated a project of 'i{ransplanting beavers by airplane and parachute (Heter, E.iv. 1950). Transplanting beavers by airplane and parachute. Jour. ~vildl. Hgt., 14 (2) 143-147). Their experiment met wlth considerable success, 'and it was decided to try the method in Colorado. Due to many limitations, the first year's operations were necessarily on a very small scale. Thanks are herewith extended to the Idaho Game and Fish Department and to employees of the Colorado Game and Fish Department who helped with the work and made the experiment possible. . .. ' Goloradohas had an extensive beaver trapping and transplanting program for many years. Animals that are doing damage to headgates, ditches, dams, fields, aildstock-watering sites arelive-trappedo They are then transported by means of pickup truck or horse back,to other areas where possibilities of doing damage are lessened. At their new home sites the beaver dams may hold water for future irrigation and aid in flood control as well as impound water for watering purposes for stock and game and for fishing. As Idaho discovered,the rigors of a long pack trip into some of the rnountainout areas often 'resulted in a high beaver mortality rate. They cannot stand the sun is direct heat unless in water, and the handling, jolting, and long periods,without food and water are contributing factors. Some of Colorado's back country offers excellent possibilities for new beaver colonies. The actual planting sites were selected by someone familiar with the area consfdered usually a Department trapper. The trapper involved also delivered the live animals to the airport. j The plane used in Colorado was an all metal Cessna 170 •. · For the actual drop, the right door and the two seats on the right side were removed. The drop-box (boxes) were then set in the place vacated by the seats (Figure 9). The second mail in the plane rode in the seat directly behind that of the pilot, and ata pre-a.rranged signal shoved the box or boxes out of the door. Parachutes used were army surplus.' The box is essentially the same as that used by Idaho, being a suitcase type, 30 inches long, 12 inches deep, and 16 inches wide. Two broad strips of truck inner-tube rubber tacked across the bottom on each end of the box open the "suitcase!! when tension is not keeping it'closed on top. The harness is comprised of 2 ropes, one on each end, which pass through a hole drilled near the top on one side of the box, under, and through another hole drilled in the same. place on the other side. These �- 18 harness ropes also act as hinges. Other holes are drilled in the sides and ends of the boxes for ventilation. (Figures 6 and 7). After the beavers are loaded in the box, the bridle ropes' are pulled together at each end and secured. It was' found that one wrap of masking tape works perfectly, holding the box shut, yet breaking readily when the canopy of the "chute" opens. The tenslon of the opened parachute on the harness ropes keep the box closed until contact is made releasing the pull on the ropes (Figure 8). The ripcord of the parachute is fastened to a long static line, which in turn is .:fastenedto a ring in the planeo This made the opening of the parachute automatic after the box was fastened from the plane. Experiments to perfect techniques and equipment were first made with sandbags. The sandbags were used, making the total weight of box, bags, and harness in the vicinity of 100 pounds, or near what it was estimated two beavers plus the equipment would weigh. It was decided to profit by Idaho's experience and make the plants during the month of August. This is to insure time to provide a food cache for the winter and lessen, chances of migration. It was also planned to drop two beaver of different sexes to a box in hopes that the close proximity upon landing would cause them to stay together and start a colony. The beavers were loaded into the drop-boxes from holding pens at the airport. Two methods of loading were tried. First, putting a rope around the beaver's tails and literally hauling them around. After much struggling, they were duniped into the drop-boxes. The second method simply involved herding the beavers into the boxes which are held at the opening of the holding pen. The second method was much more satisfactory as the beavers were kept from getting unduly excited (Figure 8). On one occasion a two-way air to ground radio contact was maintained. This is extremely useful as wind conditions, ground obstacles, and other information can be relayed directly to the pilot (Figure 10). Elevations or drops varied from 250 to 500 feet. This allowed the pilot to more'orless'pin-point the drop, and also offered ample time for the parachute to open. Higher elevations allow for greater wind-drift, and at lower elevations mountain flying is extremely hazardous. Dropping of preliminary small drift parachutes is recommended to test the winds, especially when higher elevations are necessary. The following table represents the twelve beavers that were dropped in, Colorado to comprise this .expertiment., �Figure 6. A two-point suspension beaver drop-box. This later was supplemented by the one-point suspension box. Note the harness, method of attachment to the parachute risers, and the wide rubber bands across the bottom of the box. Figure 70 A one-point suspension beaver drop-box. This photograph was taken after the beavers had left the box during a successful plant. �Figure 8. The beavers are herded from the holding pen into the drop-box. The harness ropes are then taped together to hold the box closed. Figure 9. The box is then loaded into the Cessna 1700 Note the safety belt fastened around the box. The door has been removed so the box can easily be shoved out. �Figure 10. A two-way air to ground ratio system 1S helpful in relaying such information as wind velocity, variability, etco to the pilot. Figure 11. A box of beavers in descent. The pull of the canopy on the rope harness holds the box closed until hitting the ground and the parachute collapses. �Figure 12. Back on the ground. The white object is the opened parachute. It was noticed that the beavers will slap the Ilchutell with their tail and attempt to dive, evidently thinking it is water of a sort. Figure 13. None the worse for his experience, swims out to investigate his new home. a beaver �- 19 TABLE 6.--BEAVER AERIAL TRANSPLANT IN COLORADO, AUGUST, 1951, SHO\tJINGDATE, NU¥JBERS, SITE, AND REHARKS. Remarks Date Numbers- Site August 22 2 beavers 1 box Campbell Point Lake Uncompahgre Forest Drop successful. Both beavers, however, were males. The females died in the holding pen. These animals left as the plant was checked one week later, probably because both were of the same sex. August 27 2 beavers 1 box Sopris Crees, south of Basalt, Colorado Drop successful, and a mated pair. Fate of plant not known. August 28 4 beavers Poughkeepsie Gulch, near Ouray, Colorado Drop successful. Boxes were jettisoned on two runs, one per run. Fate of plant unknown. Two each sex. August 31 4 beavers 2 boxes Miller Creek, above Basalt, Colorado Drop successful. BQth boxes dropped on same run. Fate of plant not known. Two beavers of each sex. Totals 12 beavers 6 boxes 4ylants No casualties or injuries. It is felt that the last three plants will be success£ul as the sites --were--Tde-a"iiysui"ted and sex ratios were correct. It is felt by the writer that there is a definite place for this operation in the beaver management of Colorado. The cost of the plane for a short time exceeds very little, if any, the cost of packing the animals into the back country when time, cost of equipment hire, and wages of individuals involved are considered. Success of the operation more than makes up for any extra expense incurred. The parachute can usually be salvaged by cooperating personnel and agencies that might frequent the drop area, and they are relatively easy to repack. �- 20 \rJorkPlan II, Specific Studies of Important Species. Beaver Job 2 Title of Job: Beaver-Wildlife Relationships. Objective: To determine the effect of beaver on other wildlife and to the For example, stock watering,'water conservation, fish area·surrounding. production, etc. Procedure: beavers. Field reconnaissance and tagging of department trapped live Findings: In cooperation with the Fur Division, a system was devised in July of 1950 whereby the trappers would tag all live-trapped beavers bef'or'ereleasing them~ It was felt that tbis program would furnish an adequate sample ofbe~vers representing the entire state~ and would give such information as sizes, -weights, migrations, growth increases, and any peculiar differences of the respective animals. Thewrlter would like to acknowledge the wholehearted assistance offered by 'Trappers, Fur Inspectors, and other members of the Fur Division. The monel-metal fingerling'tags are supplied by tl1.is:proj~ct. They are numbered in duplicate and are attached one each to' the ears of the live beavers before release. These tags are attached with special pliers which are also furnished to the reEl'Ppnsiblepersons. The trapper fills out a form for each beaver caught. These sheets are 6 3/4 inche.s by 3 3/w inches, sui table for carrying in the field note books. Space is contained on the sheets for the tag numbers, stream and location where t rapped, county, age, sex, trapper, date, total length, tailliength, tail width, hind foot length, weight, and location where planted oi. re-trapped. Space is available on the back of the sheet for the trapper's remarks. One of these forms is included in the October 1950 Quarterly Progress Report. Since the start of operations (July 1950), a total of 1,253 beavers have been live-trapped, tagged, and released. Thirty-six of these have been re-trapped and pelted or have been found deadoTwenty~two have been live-trapped the second time and planted in ot-her areas. The sex ratio shows 122 malesg 100 females, or 53 per cent males, 44 per cent females, and for 3 per cent the sex was not determined. Sixty-two and one-tenth per cent of the animals trapped and released were mature beavers, 27.4 per cent were two years old, 7.3 per cent were one year old, and 3.2 per cent were classed �- 21 ~ as kits (less than one year old). The age cLaas i.f'Lcat-Lon as listed is probably not representative as usually it is very difficult for a small animal to spring the live trap used and as set by the trappers. Tne average weIght for 1,2.53 beavers was -Gomputed statistically using the formula 'X f c.~. In the formula, represents the mean or x= ,:;c' x N average represents the estimate of the mean, c is the class interval,..z is the sum, F isthe;class frequency, D stands for the deviation from the estimate, and N represents the total number in the sample (1,2.53). Ti:tble7 shows the result s . �- 22 TABLE 7.--STATISTICAL COMPUTATION OF AVERAGE WEIGHT FOR 1,253 BEAVERS, COLORADO, JULY 1950-DEC~~ER 1951. Frequency Distribution of Weights (Pounds) X F Class Mid-point (Pounds) Frequency 5 6 - 9 10 - 13 14 - 17 18 - 21 22 - 25 26 - 29 3.5 7.5 11.5 1505 19.5 23.5 27.5 4 42 35 19 68 94 179 30 - 33 34 - 37 38 - 41 42 - 45 46 - 49 50 - 53 54 ~ 57 58 - 61 62 - 65 66 - 69 70 - 73 31.5 - ( x ) 35.5 3905 4305 4705 5105 5505 59.5 6305 6705 71.5 240 197 178 105 37 28 14 10 2 0 1 N = 1,253 2 - .. = D Deviation from Eis tdmat.e -7 FD F x 6 5 4 .3 2 1 - 28 252 175 76 204 188 179 0 0 fl f197 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 356 315 148 140 84 70 16 0 10 D -1,102 rJ fl,33p 1234 1,253 (total beavers) Largest beaver - 71 pounds Smallest beaver - 3 pounds Range of weight - 68 pouncls = Class interval (4 pounds) ~ = .Estimate of mean or average ~ = Sum X = x f c. x = 31.5 f 936 N FD -N- x = 3505 f 4.234 1.253 c x = Hean or average 1;25'3 x = 31.5 f .748 = *32.248* �23 Twenty-five (45%) of the 56 beavers listed in Table 8 were pelted. Seventeen (30%) were released, six (11%) died in transit from the place of trapping to the planting site, two (03.5%) were road kil~s, two (03.57b) were found dead at the planting site probably due to injuries received in the trapping and transplanting process, and the J'ate for two' animals (03.5%) was unknown. Of 25 beavers, where two weights at different times were taken, 16 gained weight, 6 lost weight, and the weight remained unchanged for 3. The average weight change for the 25 animals was a gain of 2.76 pounds in an average of 137.92 days, or one pound gain in ~9.9 days. The greatest distance traveled was 30 miles, once in 47 days and once in 279 days. The average distance traveled for 26 beavers was 10.44 miles in an average of 109.46 days, or 1 mile in 10.48 days. Hany of the migrations consisted of animals going from the transplanting site back to the place where they were originally trapped. Table 8 shows the data obtained from tagged beavers that were recaptured. Information on many of the beavers that have been retrapped and pelted or released is lacking. Some of the animals died in holding pens, in transit, or at the planting site. Therefore, there would be no weight change or miles traveled listed. TABLE 8--TAGGED BEAVER INFORNATION SHOl'lfING TAG NUI1BER, LENGTH OF THlE BETWEEN CAPTURES, vJEIGHTCHANGE IN POUNDS, FATE, AND DISTANCE FROH PLANTING SITE, COLORADO, JULY 1950 - DEC~villER1951. Length of Time Between Captures Tag Number (DaYs) II 49 89 109 127 134 144 185 198 245 252 261 263 264 265 Weight Change (Pounds) 57 8 .;.2 .;.2 279 52 56 .;. 1 .;.2 .;. 3 49 122 61 231 220 53 0 - 5 .;.11 .;.5 - 6 -- .;. 2 Fate --------pelted released pelted released released released pelted pelted released pelted pelted released released road kill Distance from Planting Site (Niles) 2.0 14.0 30.0 10.0 18.0 15.0 16.5 26.5 1905 0.5 6.0 �- 24 TABLE 8.--Continued Number Days Pounds Fate Hiles 275 292 294 301 304 307 308 309 312 314 315 317 318 403 413 414 418 4-39 463 470 606 615 631 667 684 687 694 773 778 846 901 956 961 972 973 978 983 2453 2801 2803 2952 75 54 87 464 34 - 4 pelted released pelted pelted pelted pelted pelted pelted pelted reletased pelted pelted road kill 16.0 4.5 16.5 "- 41 " 28 231 245 14 67 5 49 ..,- 100 ,,4 80 112 97 85 416 273 359 " 9 " 10 - 5 0 "--7 " 3 47 42 -'-- 13 255 0 " 5 1 1 42 37 63 - 2 ------- 1.0 1.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 005 2.0 5.0 0.5 12.0 1.0 released released released released released released 1.0 released pelted 25.0 died in transit died in transit died in transit died in transit pelted 30~0 died in transit pelted died in transit released 1.0 pelted pelted died in trap died in trap found dead at plant 0.5 found dead at plant -pelted pelted 3.5 pelted pelted 8.0 ��- 25 Work Plan II. Specific ~tudies of Important Species Harten Jobs I and 2 Ti tIe of Jobs: Life Hi.s't.o ry Study. Determination of Cycles. Objectives: In cooperation with the Cooperative Research Unit to gain much needed data on habitat requirements, reproduction, and other vital aspects of~life history. To determine occurrence and length of marten cycles in Colorado, if present. Procedures: Field reconnaissance and study in determined study areas. Locate trapping areas. Collect catch and other data from trappers. Evaluate catch data for determination of cycle. Findings: Due to limited personnel assigned to the project until recently, work on these jobs has not been"completed. Jack Remington, working for the Cooperative Unit at Fort Collins, however, recently completed a Masters Thesis on this species. The trends as set up have not yet' been run to determine population changes. Informatlon concerning the marten catch over the past two years can be found elsewhere in this report. To determine cycles, this study must be conducted This is further stressed by over a period of years for accurate information. the fact that the trapping season for marten has been open only during al ternate years in Colorado. Work Plan III. Publications Job 1 Title of Jobg Publication InvestigffiOns. of information on Fur Resources and Bear dbjective: To gather existing and currently determined data on fur resources and bear to formulate basis for proper management through public education. Procedure: ,Office work accumulating and compiling data for publication work. Findings: Publications during the past six months consist of Quarterly Progress Reports covering the periods from April to July, 1951, and from Augus t, to November, 1951. One article, ItAirborne Beaver ", written in cooperation with Clyde Matteson, Colorado Game and Fish Departinent Aeronautical Technician concerning dropping beaver by parachute, will be published in the Janmry, 1952 issue of Colorado Conservation. This is the official Colorado Game and Fish Department pUblication. Another article, IIHow Bad i,s Bruin", concerning the bear situation in Colorado was published in the July, 1951 issue of Colorado Conservation. �-32 .;.. JOB CO~WLETION REPORT DEVELOP~illNTPROJECT State of COLORADO Project No. W-3>-D-5; Antelope Restoration Work Plan No. I Job No. 8 ------~-----~---- Title of Job: Random Hunting Season Survey Objective: To determine kill trends and other pertinent data. Scope and Time: In the five areas designated as open to antelope hunting on September 14, 15, and 16, 1951. Technique, and conditions: Kill figures were obtained from hunter's return cards. Open areas, referred to by number in this report, are outlined on the attached maps. The principal change over 1950 was the addition of northwestern Weld County, and the division of the former area No.2 at U. S. Highway 85 in or-der'to more evenly distribute hunting pressure. The area 5 referred to was the Lowry Field Air Base Bombing Range, south of Watkins, in Arapahoe County. Analysis, of Findings: Total Li.cense sales were 1,893" arid total kill 1,646, , for a hunters' success ratio of 86.9%~' �- 33 - TABLE I.--KILL BY AREAS .. Area Bucks Does Fawns Total Area 1 100 12 2 114 Area 2 134 118 22 274. Area·3 230 144 31 405 Area 4 . 516 245 44 805 Ar-ea5 39 9 0 48 Total 1019 528 . 99 1646 Prepared by Gordon A. Douglas Approved by: Title Wildlife Technician c. N. Feast, Director Date s Janua~ 17, 1952 �~. �- 34 .... JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO -------------------- Project 1'10. Wor~ Plan No. I Job No. :;a -----------------~------- W-40-R-4, ,Antelope Investigations Title of Job Fetus Collection and Preservation Objectives: To collect and preserve antelope fetuses for study So that more may be learned about the animal's life histo~ and management. Techniques Used: Practically all of the fetuses were collected from does killed during antelope trapping operations the past two years. Two were taken in the late-spring for this study, also for stomach samples and parasites and disease'study. The fetuses were preserved in a formalin solution until time could be found to take weights and measurements. Findings: (see next page) �- 35 .•. ANTELOPE FETUSES 58 .8.2: 3.3: Appr-ox , .age 2.6: 3 mo • F 66 83.2 76.1 8.3: 9.4: 9.2: 3.4: 3.7: 3.6: 2.6: 3 mo. 3.0: 3 mo. 3.0: 3 mo . II • H 22.8 6.2: 2.4: 1.7: 3 mo. 4: 1-5-49 4: 1-5-49 Chico Basin 1'1 37.1 38.8 8.1: 7.9: 3.0: l'1 2.3: 3' mo.';'5 da. 2.3: 3 mo.';'5 da. 10: 1-9-51 10: 1-9-51 Rockport 1'1 F 82.4 61.9 10.2: 9.7: 3".6: 3.2: 3 mo.';'9 da. 2.8: 3 mo.';'9 da. 5: 1-16-50 5: 1-16-50 Agate F F 70.0 65.0 8:9: 9.1: 3.5: 3.5: 2.9: 3~ mo. 2.9: 3~ mo. 6: 1-16-50 6: 1-16-50 Agate H rt F 67.2 68.2 9.1: 9.2: 3.6: 3.6: 2.8: 3~ mo. 2.8: 3~ mo. 7: 2-4-50 7: 2-4-50 Grover I~l It F 145.6: 144.5: 12:3: 11.5: 4.8: 4.7: 4.2: 4 mo. 4.3: 4 mo. 8: 2-11-50 S: 2-11-50 Grover 1'1 tl H 184.1: 164.7: 12.0: 11.1: 5.2: 5.0: 4.7: 1+ mo. 4.5: 1+ mo. 9: 2-11-50 9: 2-11-50 Grover F F 207.8: 189.2: 12.2: 12.7: 5.3: 5.4: 5.1: 4 mo. 5.0: 4 mo. 11: 3-9-51 11: 3-9-51 Chico Basin 1'1 343.6: 353.9: 14.9: 15.2: 5.9: 5.9: 5.9: 5 6.1: 5 1616.Q: 1587.6: 21.8: 22.9: 8.7: 8.8: 13.4: 7 mo. 13.6: 7 mo. No: (cm)Body (cm)Head Weight Sex! ..gr.am.s .. ..,:,c.. length: ..length Area Date 1: 12-29-49: Ingle Rch. : l'l .... (cm)Hind leg El Paso Co 1: 12-29-49: . rt 2 : 12-30-49: 2: 12-30-49: n II II 3: 12-30-49: 12: 5-5-51 12 : 5-5-51 II .. II n II It It rt It n : Chico II rt H H : F Basin Iv! It F 3.l: 3.9: mo. mo. �- 36 \ Analysis and Recommendations: In the above study 11 sets of twins and one single fetus were collected from 12 does. This high percentage of twins is nor mal for the antelope and is in line with findings in oth~r states where antelope studies have been made. The sex-ratio is 13 bucks to 10 does, but the sample is hardly large enough to give a significant figure on this. The gestation period of the antelope is considered to be 240"':250days, or about 8 months. In Colorado the rutting season occurs during late September and early October, and the fawns are dropped in late Hay or early June. The fetuses collected represent on+y 4 months of the 8 month period, out these are so spaced as to show aneor two interesting facts. As in most m~r~als, the greatest gain in weight of antelope fetuses occurs in the last month or two of the gestation period. From weights taken during fawning studies it is known that newly born twins weigh about 5-6 pounds, or 2268-2722 grams each (one pound equals 453.6 grams). The average weight of the f'e'tuaes' collected in early February (about half-way through the gestation period) is 173 grams. This is about 8% of the normal birth weight. Two fetuses collected one month later averaged 350 grams, or about 16% ·of the birth weight. In Hay two fetuses were collected about one month before the fawning period. These averaged 1600 grams, or 737b of the birth weight. I The above figures give an indication of the growth and development of antelope fetuses but should not be regarded as absolute. A larger sample, spread over the entire gestation period, would be required to show the true picture. Summary: Of the 12 sets of specimens collected, twins averaged 92%. was 13 bucks to 10 does~ The sex-ratio Half-way through the gestation period the weight of a Single fetus was about 8% of the normal weight at birth. Seven:....eights of the way through the gestation period the weight of a single fetus was about 73% of the normal weight at birth. Data and Reports: Prepared by Date Original data are in diary and files of writer. C. E. Till November 1.7,1951 Approved by _ COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTHENT ~--------------------------Title ~C~.~N~.~F~e~a=s~t2, __D=ir~e=c~t=0~r _ Date __~ __N~ov_e_m_b_e_r __ 2_0~,~1~9~S_1 Note: s Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission .fr.offi.theGolor.ado .. Game .zmd...FishDepartment • _ �QUARTERLY I N V EST PRO G RES I GAT ION STATE COLOR./lDO ~ROJECT W-3B-R-5 DATE JANUARY, 1952 R E P 0 RTF S PRO 0R J E C T S As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISH AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACTS Ie Title of Project: 20 Leader: 30 Report of Progress: Deer-Elk Investigations Paul F. Gilbert Work Plan Noo I Job 1 - Inactive during report period. Job 2 - ~roceeding according to schedule. Job 3 - Work finished; completion report attached. Work Plan No 0 II Job 1 - 'Proceeding according to schedule. Job 2 - Proceeding according to schedule. Job 3 - Work finished; completion report attached. Job 4 - Proceeding according to scheduleo Work Plan Noo III Job 1 - Inactive during report period. Job 2 - Proceeding according to schedule. Job 3 - Proceeding according to schedule. Job 4 - Inactive during report period. Job 5 - Proceeding according to schedule. Job 6 - Inactive during report period. Job 7 - Inactive during report period. Job B - Inactive during report period. �Project W-38-R-5 ~iorkPlan (Continued) No. IV. Job 1 - Work finished; completion report attached. Job 2 - Proceeding according to schedule. Job 3 - Proceeding according to schedule. ~iork Plan No. V. Job 1 Proceeding according to schedule. Job 2 - Proceeding according to schedule. Job 3 - Proceeding according to schedule. Prepared by Approved by Paul F. Gilbert C. N. Feast, Director Wildlife Technician Date s J~a~n~u~a~ryL_~1~8,~1~9~5~2~ _ �- 37 JOB COIv1PLETIONREPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO ----------~--------- Project No. W-38-R-5; Work Plan No. Deer-Elk Investigations. I Location and'Extent of SW@ler Ranges; Job No.~ Title' of Job: Higration Between Summer and Winter Ranges. Objectives: To locate and determine the amount and patterns of migration between summer and winter ranges; also to ascertain the causal factors . where possible. Scope: This survey includes key deer ranges. Value: Time and magnitude of deer and elk migrations affect the regulation of hunting seasons, and are of importance in formulating a management plan. l1ethods: Field reconnaissance, tagging on winter ranges. counts on migration routes, trapping and . Personnel: Ross Campbell, Northwestern Colorado; Dick Teague, Southwestern Co Lor-ado ; Jess Williams ,1\Jest-central Colorado; Dick Pillmore, South-central Colorado; Jack DeVore, Central. Cblorado; Paul F: Gilbert, North-central Colorado. Findings: The deer and elk in most sections of Colorado began working down on to the winter ranges much sooner this year than in previous years: in most instances this movement was brought on by adverse weather conditions. The except-i ons.; however , were in those areas where the hunting seasons were extended or post seasons were held. Hunters kept the animals pretty well pushed back in these areas while harvesting the surplus animals. The main migration of the White River deer herd occurred between October 3 and October 31. The peak occurred around October 17 as compared with October 22 last year, and October 16 in 1949. The main trapping and tagging operations are at present involving deer of this migration. Twenty-nine deer have been tagged thus far this winter. �- 38 Following is a t.abu.Lat.Lon 0+ tag returns from deer .t agged at Little Hills Experiment Stat ion, and killed this season. Tag Returns Date Tagged Button Tag Cow Tag 118 2-20-50 11-18.,..50 156 23 12-23-49 101 2-13-50 180 223 85 163 2-11...;.50 97 25 12-29-49 113 2-18-50 157 87 175 Sex Where Killed , ' Mature 'doe Thurman Creek Yrlg. buck Thurman Creek Mature doe Strawberry Creek Mature buck Greasewood Creek ,(Yellow Cr. drainage) Yrlg,buck Oak Creek Grand Hogback Yrlg.buck Mature doe Lower Piceance Creek Approx. Distance from Tagging Point 1 mile 2 miles 15 miles 20 miles 100 miles 12 miles 10 miles The extended season in Jackson county in north-central Colorado was for two deer. Throughout the duration of this season, which ended November 16, hunter pressure kept the herds pretty well pushed back. Across the continental divide in Grand county, game management unit 18 was left open until the last of November. Here the deer remained high and scattered until about the middle of the month when snows pushed them well down and the hunters! take inc:reased greatly. Jack DeVore reported deer well down on the winter range in central Colorado around Glenwood Springs by the middle of November. Here a post season was planned to catch the deer after they were down, and a good kill resulted. This was in the Basalt Hountain area. This season moved some deer onto new winter range. Divide and Garfield Creek deer were down in the middle of November and causing ranchers trouble. Farther south in the areas adjacent to the UIfcompahgre and Grand Hesa Nation .... a.L'Fore st,s most of the deervwe re repor-ted down on the winter range by November 23. Biologist Jess Williams of ;this district visited the Sinbad Valley arid found the usual large population of deer in this area.' These deer summer on the La Sal Hountains in Utah, and the majority of tq.em are in Utah during the hunting season. It is felt that this herd should be reduced. In the Kannah Creek area, off of the point of the Grand He sa National Forest, the deer herd migrating around the south end started moving down about the 20th of October; and most of them were thought to have moved into ,the Kannah Creek winter area seven days later. The migration around the north end of the mesa did not really get under way until about the first of November and continued throughout the month. An extended season in this area kept the bulk of the deer pushed back to the upper limits of the oak brush zone. �- 39 In southwestern Colorado, the majority of the deer were established on their winter ranges by December 6. The first wave of migratory deer moved onto the winter range with the mid-November storm that started the movement over the rest of the state. Ground reconnaissance along the East Dolores River on December 17 indicated the maximum deer concentration between Stoner ~nd Rio Lado. Deer that summer between the LaPlata River and Cherry Creek migrate south into the Dry Siding country. This is a migration that isprom:otedby hunting pressure', and usually takes place around the latter part of October. Hunters during the regular season'reported an increase in deer in Alder Creek ~d Bear Creek on the west side of the San Luis valley. The first concentrations of deer in this part of the state began to show 'also around the middle of November. Elk over most of the state remained high and scattered until the midNovember storm hit. This started the bulk of the herds to start working slowly towards the lower country. On December?, 9, and 10, aerial observations in the Hermosa Creek and Junction Creek drainages revea.Led that the majority of the elk were scattered eveniy from 8,000 to 10,000 feet with many animals in the higher elevations wading snow up to their stomachs. It has a;t:waysbeen a matter of speculation as to 'what percentage of the Hermosa eIx herd migrates directly down the Hermosa Creek proper, and what number drift into the Hermosa winter range from the north aiong highway 550. Once the two drifts have met at Hermosa Point, it is difficult to separate them. With the construction of the Hermosa game fence, elk migrating down Hermosa Creek are stopped from mingling wi th the animals migrating south along the highway. Aerial counts turned up a total of 768 elk migrating toward the Hermosa winter range. Twenty-one of these were along highway 550 on the Animas side. Theoretically then, 97 .27% of the Hermosa elk are' behind the game fence. ~vork Plan II Job No.3 Population Surveys Checking Station Survey. Objective: To determine kill trends, age, sex, weight, hunting loss, and other pertinent data useful in management. Scope: Stations to be set up at key points to cover the main deer and elk hunting areas. Value: To correlate kill data with other information management. as a basis for sound �40 I"iethods: Road block stations setup hunting areas. to cover main r-out.es-ofegress for Personnel: One Federal Aid technician in charge of a station with one to ten laborers and a game warden assisting. Findings: Limited license pre-season: An early limited, either sex, deer season was set by the Commission'for the Strawberry Creek, Sulphur Creek area of Rio Blanco and Hoffat counties to open the 16th of September, 1951 for one week. Licenses were limited to one thousand, to be call~d for in person at the Rio Blanco courthouse during a thre,e day period before the opening -of' the season~ When it appeared that ,all one thousand licenses would-not be issued, they were turned over to the checking stations to be given out for the remainder of the season. According to the rules and regulations set by the Cornmissionfor the special season, all hunters were required.to check out their kill through a checking station. Four stations were planned for the area, but after the first day, only three were operated. The only question besides sex, age of kill, and success ratio of hunters, was condition of meat due to early season and possible spoilage. It was also established from check stati6nfigurestha.t a limited pre-season without special inducement, two-deer, gives a lessor kill than any other type of season yet tried in Colorado. On the one thousand permits, only 470 licenses were validated for the hunt. For the 470 validated licenses, there were 157 deer taken for a success ratio of 33.4 percent. Of the successful hunters, 66 or 42 percent were from the towns immediately adjacent to the special deer area. Of the 157 animals .ki.Ll.ed , 92 or 59 percent were bucks, 44 or 28 percent ~ere does, and 21 or 13 percent were fawns. All animals were in excellent condition and no meat spoilage was noted. A number of the bucks, particulB..rlyin the two-point class, still retained the velvet on their antlers. �- 41 TABLE I.--RIO BLANCO COUNTY SPECIAL DEER SEASON Date Sept. liS 17 18 19 20 21 22 Station Lower Strawberry Totals Does Fawns 20 7 7 2 6 10 3 6 0 1 1 1 3 3 0 0 1 1 -1. 10 50 22 11 83 2 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 2 0 0 1 6 0 1 '1 4 4 Totals· 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ' Bucks Upper Strawberry 0 O· Soilage Yes No 12 2 3 33 13 10 4 9 4 �-·42 Regular season: During the regular season for 1951, October 15-31, with one week delayed opening date on the Eastern slope, eight checking stations were operated. This was the least number of stations placed in operation since 1943. The eight stations checked more deer and elk than in any previous years excepting 1948 and 1949 when thirty six a~d twenty stations respectively were operated. The 32,085 deer checked this year is within 1,756 animals of the all time high checked in 1948. The 3,864 elk is within 658 animals of the all time high of 4,522 checked in 1948. Only one question other than the usual aex, age, location, and success of kills, was checked at the stations this year. This question dealt \vith the spoilage of meat that was checked through the stations, and the reason for the spoilage. The answer to the question depended entirely upon the opinion and judgment of the checker. If the meat was ripe~ tne checker questioned the hunter as to the reason. The checker could also list as spoiled, meat that was being transported long d.i.e t.ances in an improper manner. Table II shows station, number of animals checked, sex-age, and number of cases of spoiled meat and probable cause. Work Plan IV Job No. I Mortality Factors Affecting Deer and Elk Hends. Hunting loss other than legal bag. I Objective: To find the relation of kill to the number' of animals lost through crippling and other factors. Scope: All major herd areas. Value: .' Such information helps in prescribing seasons, and interpreting kill data. Hethod: Aerial and ground reconnaissance; Personnel: All personnel, r-egu.La td.ons , adjusting check stations. both temporary and regularly assigned. Findings: Very few animals have been located since hunting season that have died as a result of wounds received during hunting season. Biologists received numerous reports, but too often in checking back it was found that the reports were second, and in many cases third hand, and frequently distorted. Several cripples have been seen in most of the winter concentration areas • It "appears ,.that .mor.e.cripples .. cccnr.cirrpoab...s.e.a.s.on ... area.s. �TABLE II.--REGULAR SEASON CHECK STATIONS, 1951 �CORRECTION It has been found that there were several errors in Table II.--Regular Season Check Stations, 1951 on page 43 of the January, 1952 Quarterly Report. The information presented concerning percentages of bucks falling in the various antler diameter classes,colUInnS 7, 8, 9, and 10, last line,should have been 41.86 instead of 37.36, 37.56 instead of 33.51, 13.11 instead of 11.70 and 7.47 instead of 6.66.. The percentages presented in the table were computed from incomplete check station data. With regard to the section of Table II dealing with the spoilage of meat, there were some discrepancies caused by inaccurate reproduction and crowding of totals on the page. The following is an extract of the pertinent data as it should have appeared in Table II. Station Animas Del Norte Idaho Springs Honarch Rifle Ted's Place 25-Hesa Piceance Total Spoilage Question Yes No 4 849 1 792 22 8654 248 7033 2 7402 6 17'55 1 955 --.J! 4§2 292 27,927 Reason 1 2 3 4 4 1 8 2 4 83 6 159 "8 163 8 2 6 1 101 8 20 The data on the reason for the spoilage of meat is not considered to be very accurate because of variation in manner of asking the questions and in the tabulation of the results, which could not be in all cases reconciled with the number of reports of spoiled meat. The ratio of spoiled meat to unspoiled meat (292 to 27,927) or 1.04 percent spoilage is thought to be a fairly reliable figure. . �- 44 Four cows were killed in a bull area and left to rot, while a young bull was killed in a closed area of the Glade in southwestern part of the State. Poachers began working on the herds soon after they bega~ to concentrate along the main highways, and before the animals began to lose;the:i:r. sUmmer fat. In the southwest corner of the state, a young bull was taken; but only the hind quarters were removed. Prepared Date Note: s Approved by ~~~~_~~~~~ by_~P=-a::.u:::l=--=F:...:.:...-G-=i=l-=b.=.e.::.rt-=__ C. N. Feast, __ J_an~.~u_a~ry~1~5~,~1~95~2~ __ Director Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �STATE Q u, ART E R L Y I N V EST PRO G RES I GAT ION S S COLORADO ----~~--~------- PROJECT W-37-R-5 DATE JANUARY, 1952 R E P 0 R T PRO FOR J E C T S As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISH AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACTS 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader: 3. Report of Progress: Game Bird Surveys Harry J. Figge work Plan No. 1 Job 1 - Inactive during report period. Job 2 - Inactive during report per:iod. Job 3 - Inactive during report period. Job 4 - Inactive during report period. Job 5 - Completion report attached. Job 6 _ Proceeding according to sehedule. Job 7 - Work finished; report'being ,compiled. Work Plan No. 2 Job 1 - Proceeding according to schedule. Job 2 - Work finished; report being compiled. Job 3 - Proceeding according to schedule. Job 4 - Inactive during report period. Work Plan No. 3 Job 1 - Inactive during report period. Job 2 - Inactive during report period. Work Plan No. 4. Job 1 - Proceeding according to schedule. Deviation: Trapping and t.r-ansp Lanting chukar partridge progress. Work Plan No.5 Job 1 - Inactive during report period. Job 2 - Inactive during report period. Job 4. - Inactive during report period. - In �- 45 JOB COHPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS. COLORADO ----------------- Project No.W-37-R-5; Game Bird Surveys. -work.PlanNo. I; Pheasants. Job No.5 Title of Job: Hunter Chackt : Objective: season. To find the number and age of pheasants Personnel: Wayne W. Sandfort, Northwestern Colorado; Harold Swope, Northeastern Colorado; Bert Baker, San Luis Valley; Donald Nolting, Arkansas Valley; Willard Flinn, North-central Colorado; Harry Figge, Project Leader. Scope: Northwestern taken during hunting Colorado - Hesa, Delta, Hont.rose Counties. Techniques: During the 1951 season, pheasant hunting was allowed in four northwestern Colorado counties, with a two-day season in Garfield county, a five-day season in Mesa county, and a 14-day season in Delta and Montrose counties. Three pheasant check stations were set up at strategic locations in Mesa Delta, and Montrose counties to check hunters as they returned from the field. These stations were operated during the first four days of the season in all three counties. Stations at Delta, in Delta county, and at Hoover's corner, in Montrose county, were operated during the second weekend,? December 8 and 9, and during the last day, December 14, to obtain additional information regarding the effects of the two-week season on the pheasant popUlation. j Principal results obtained during the 1951 season are presented Findings: in tables 1, 3, and 5. Comparison of data obtained during the current season with that obtained during previous seasons is shown in tables 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8. �- 46 During the four-day check at Copeco corner in Mesa county, 120 cars were checked of which III or 92.5 per cent were local, 6 or 500 per cent were from some other county in Colorado, mostly Garfield county, and 3 were from out of state. Information obtained at the Hoover's corner and Delta stations shows that 4503 per cent of 369 cars were local, Delta and Montrose counties, and 53.7 per cent were non-local. Four cars were from out of state. Most of the nonlocal hunters were from Mesa county. No detailed information is presented regarding the effects of weather on the pheasant kilL Ideal weather for hunting prevailed during the first f'our' days of the 1951 season, however, and compared favorably with a similar period last year. Snow fell on the fifth day of the season during 1951 and during the sixth day of the season in 1950. The effect of weather on hunting is believed to have been similar during both seasons. Colder temperatures during the latter part of the 1951 season, however, may have kept more hunters from the field than during the latter part of.the ~950 .season, �- 47 TABLE L-PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, HESA COUNTYt 1951 Daily Number of Pheasants Pheasants Number r• .man-hour bag cri les Date of hunters .202 2 90 12 1 131 .139 [36 5 100 259 12/2 .154 0 10 65 25 12/3 .129 1 1 4 11 31 3 12/4 .175 30 71(51%) 69(49%)140 800 267 .TABLE 20-COlvlPARATIVEPHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, IVfESA COUNTY, 1950-51 .Year 1950 1951 First three days First three days Basis for comparison 256 145 Number of hunters 769 510 Hours hunted 50% 45% Juveniles (% of kill) 50% 55% Adults (% of kill) Crippled (%of total,killed 1706% and crippled) . 4.3% 136 106 Total bag 00.177 00.208 Pheasants per hour 00.53 00.73 Pheasants per hunter TABLE 3.--PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, DELTA COUNTY, DELTA STATION,?1951 Number Hours Daily Number of Pheasants Pheasants Date bf hunters hunted Aduits Juveniles bag cripples per hunter per man-hour 12/1 132 511 20 72 92 23 .70 .180 12/2 183 724 22 84 106 15 .58 .146 12/3 21 72 0 17 17 5 .81 .236 12;4 26 89 3 11 14 4 .54 .157 12/8 39 143 6 18 24 4 062 .168 12/9 74 253 11 24 35 7 .47· .138 12A4 17 53 4 9 13. 4 .76 .245 492 1845 66(22%)23508%)301 62 . .61 .•lQ3 TABLE 4.--COIvlPARATIVE PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, DELTA COUNTY, 1950-51 Year 1950 1951 Second and third-days Second and third days Basis for comparison 140 204 Number of hunters Hour'shunted 796 453 82% Juveniles C% of kill) 77% 18% 23% Adults C% of kill) Crippled (% of total, killed 1400% . and crippled) 13.0% 123 80 Total bag 000155 Pheasants per hour 000177 00060 Pheasants per hunter 00.57 �- 48 TABLE .5.-PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, JvIONTROSECOUNTY, HOOVER'S CORNER, 19.51 Number Hours Daily Number of Pheasants Pheasants Date of hunters hunted Adults Juveniles bag crip,eles Eer hunter .eer:man-hour 12/1 138 522 20 69 16 89 .64 .170 .5.5 12/2 ..51 108 412 16 10 39 .133 .5 1.5 12/3 1 0 1 2 .•20 .067 .5 1.5 12/4 6 11 .2.56 43 .73 J .5 12/8 14 .2.5.5 12 47 7 .81 3 1.5 12/9 6 140 45 9 4 .33 .107 12/14 12 1 40 1 J 4 .33 .100 337 1219 54(29%)133(71%)187 .J-53 39 .55 TABLE 6.--COMPARATIVE PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, HOOVER'S CORNER, 1947-48-49-50-51 Basis for comparison Number of hunters Hours hunted Junveniles (% of kill) Adults (% of.kill) Crippled .(% of total, killed and crippled) Total bag Pheasants per hour Pheasants per hunter First three days of the:season 2.56 297 238 169 847 803 766 1167 76% 73% 77% 71% 24%27% 23% 29% 2.51 949 74% 26% 15.8% 16.2% 2.51 222 192 14.5 274 0'.323 0.313 0.290 0.16.5 0.153 1.15 1.49 0.87 0.65 0 ..58 TABLE 7.-- SUYil1lRY - HOOVER'S CORNER AND DELTA CHECK STATIONS, 19.50-51 Number Hours Pheasants Pheasants Date of hunters hunted Pheasants killed per hunter ,eerman~hour 11/26 12/10 (19.50) 12/1-12/14 (19.51) 1163 39.50 .5.53 .48 .140 829 3064 488 ..59 .1.59 TABLE 8.--PW....,ASANT HUNTER SUCCESS, WITH.AND WITHOUT THE AID OF DOGS, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 19.50-.51 .Method of No. of No. of pheasants No., of cripples' 'BJ.rds/, Birds crip. Year hunting hunters taken lost hunter birds shot 19 0 With dog 464 167 32 •.5.53 .125 Without dog 844 250 68 .119. .476 1951 With dog 412 260 47 .631 .181 '~ithQut.dog 684 368 84 •.538. .228 • �- 49·Miscellaneous check station data (Quail and Cottontail rabbits): Limited findings regarding the shooting of Gambel's quail show that twenty-three quail, (10 hens and 13 cocks) were shot by 267 hunters in II/lesa county .• Results from the Hoover's corner and Delta stations show that 829 hunters bagged four quail, (3 cocks and 1 hen). k check for cottontail rabbits was made at the Delta station. only. rabbits were reported shot by 492 hunters. Thirty Analysis of data: Data indicate that hunting pressure was greater in Ivlesa county in19~than during 19.50. Hunting pressure in Delta and Montrose counties, on the other hand, was less during the current season than last year. The reduced hunting pressure in Delta and Montrose counties can probably be explained partially by the fact that the 19.51 season included only two week-ends, whereas, two Sundays and three Saturdays were included in the l.5-day season of 19.50. Asa majority of hunting is done on weekends, the opportunity to hunt on fewer week-end days during the 19.51 season probably determined in part the reduction in the hunting pressure. As shown in table 2, hunter success in Mesa county was not as favorable as it was last year. As indicated by the crowing count index alone, the success should have been greater, as an 8.4 per cent increase in the spring breeding potential was found, however. The number of young per brood wa9 4.89 during August of 19.51, as compared to .5.23 in 19.50. The number of young per hen also showed a slight decrease during the 19.51 season. The unfavorable hatch and the reduced young to adult ratio probably principally determined the reduction in hunter success. Pheasant hunter success, for the season as a whole, was slightly better in the Delta-Hontrose area than in 19.50. This was to be expected as the August, 19.51.brood counts indicated the pheasant hatch was slightly better and the young per hen ratio was higher. As shown in table 7 hunters bagged an average of 0.11 of a bird more per hunter. Data in table 6. A significant point which appears to have been brought out by check station data from stations in northwestern Colorado during the past two seasons is that hunting alone, which is restricted .to cocks , apparently has little effect on the breeding potential and reproduction of pheasants in this area. The hunter success in Hesa county showed a decrease during the 19.51 season, following a three-day season in 19.50. On the other hand, in the DeltaMontrose area, where hunting of pheasants was aIIOWed for IS 'days last year, a sUbstantiar-Increase was shown-in the 1951 kill. --- -- ---- ---- ---- --- ----- -- --- ---- ----. Data are recorded in table 8 in an attempt to determine the value of dogs in increasing pheasant hunter success. No attempt was made to separate the breeds of dogs and to place them into categories as to hunting ability. During the 19.51 season, 18.5 dogs were used by individuals ·or groups of hunters. Partial interpretation of the results in table. 8, therefore, indicate that the use of these dogs by 412 hunters resulted in the shooting of 4.5 (17.3%) more bird$ than would have been taken without dogs and seven cripples (20.6%) were recovered that otherwise might not have been found. �- 50 Scope: Northwestern Colorado - Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick~ Washington, Yuma counties, and a small portion of Horgan county. and Techniques: Additional information was received from check station data obtained by Wardens Lloyd Triplett and Bland Wells working on Highway No.6 east of Sterling. Check·stations were established on Highway No. 138 west of Crook, Highway No. 59 north of Yuma, and Highways No. 6 and 34 east of Brush. Hunters were questioned as to hours hunted)) pheasants bagged, and pheasants crippled but not found. All birds checked were aged by spur measurement. County numbers on auto license plates furnished information as to the source of the hunting pressure. On the third and fifth days of the season field checks were made. Hunters were spread so thinly over the vast area that little information was obtained in this manner. Findings: Table 9, a composite of the entire pheasant season check station data in northeastern Colorado, shows that 538 hunters were interviewed. They hunted 2))227 hours to bag 592 pheasants. This represented 1.1 pheasants per hunter per day, or .27 birds per hOur hunted. It took 3 hours and 45 minutes to bag one bird. Hunters were in the field an average of 4.1 hours per hunting attempt. . �- 51 TABLE 9.--PHEASANT CHECK STlfiTIONDATA, NORTHEASTERN COLORADO, 1951 No. of Hunters Pressure Denver Hunters 46% Denver Suburban _"Hunter's 17% Local Hunters 22% *Hunters, Other Areas Totals Birds Hours Hunted Killed Birds Per Hunter Birds Per Hour Hours Per Nan 248 1070! 295 1.19 .28 4.3 92 36l! 80 .87 .22 3.9 120 444! l:f~] 1.03 .28 3.7 78 350t 94'. .,,:. 1.21 .27 4.1 538 2227 592 1.10 .27 4.1 15% * Includes hunters from Boulder, El Paso, Grand, La Plata, Larimer, Las Animas, Park, Pueblo, Teller, Weld, counties, Colorado, and from Georgia, I'1issouri,and Nebraska. A comparison of check station data during the past five pheasant hunting seasons in northeastern Colorado is made in Table 10. The percent of juveriileand adult pheasants killed during those five seasons is also given in the table. Age determination of 546 pheasants during the 1951 season gave a 75 percent juvenile, 25 percent adult ratio. TABLE 10.--FIVE YEAR SUMMARY OF PHEASANT KILL DATA FOR NORTHEASTERN COLORADO Days of season NUmber of hunters Total hours hunted Total pheasants checked . Juveniles Adults Percent of juveniles Percent of adults Birds per hunter Birds per hour 19h7 J9),8 '19b9 J250 195J 14 3008 11609 3232 2204 1028 68.2 31.8 1.09 0.278 14 4289 16522 5422 3435 1987 63.4 36.6 1.26 0.328 3 1211 5087 1134 867 267 76.6 23.4 0.94 0.222 3 353 1439 395 282 113 71.4 28.6 1.12 0.274 5 538 2227 592 408 138 74.7 25.3 1.10 0.265 �- 52 Approximately 199 vehicles were checked, averaging 2.7 hunters per vehicle. Four hundred and eighty-one hunters questioned as to the birds knocked down but not found acknowledged 98 such cripples. As a matter of interest 215 hunters coming through the Brush check station on the fourth day of the season were asked if many birds were seen during the days! hunt. Those 215 hunters had an average of 1.03 pheasants per man, yet 137, or 63.72 percent, of them acknowledged having seen an abundance of birds. Most of these hunters admitted having enough good shots to have killed their limits. Dense cover, mild weather, land us~ practices calling for vast, unbroken fields, and poor marksmanship are all thought to have prevented the 1951 hunting season kill from noticeably reducing the northeastern Colorado pheasant population. Scope: The San Luis Valley Techniques: Temporary check stations were used to obtain the major portion of the data presented in this repor-t , The station which wassef up on the first day was located on the vlaverly Road near its junction wi th U 060 Highway No. 285. A station on the Henry Road near its junction with 285 was operated the second dayo Both checking points are in Alamosa County near the small village of Star. A small amount of data was collected by checking in the field in southern Alamosa and northern Conejos counties. This data was included with the check station information. Findings: Two days of· checking showed a total of 137 cock pheasants killed by 191 hunters. Eight hundred and twenty hours were necessary for the hunters to obtain the 137 birdso Of the 137 bird total, 90 were juveniles and 47 were adults fora percentage of 65.6 young to 34.4% adults. Table 11 gives a five year summary of kill data, and Table 12 gives the hunter origin by counties for the Valley. �- 53 TABLE l1.--FIVE YEAR SU}'llv.IA.RY OF PHEASANT KILL DATA FOR THE SAN LUIS VALLEY Days of Season Number of Hunters Total Hours Hunted Total Pheasants Checked Juvehiles Adults Percent of Juveniles Percent of Adults Birds per Hunter Birds per Hour 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 2 237 709 257 181 76 70.4 29.6 1.08 0.362 2 277 958 249 187 62 75.1 24.9 0.899 0.260 3 157 588 191 155 36 81.1 18.9 1.26 0.325 3 151 564 142 100 42 70.4 29.6 0.940 0.251 2 191 820 137 90 47 65.6 34.4 0.717 0.167 1950 shows only check station data for uniform comparison. TABLE 12.--HUNTER ORIGIN BY COUNTIES - SAN LUIS VALLEY 1950 1951 Alamosa County Rio Grande County Costilla County Conejos County San Luis Valley 35.8% 9:.9% 0.0% 4.0% 28.3% 7.3% 3.7% .5% Huerfano County Pueblo County Las Animas County 17.9% 11.3% 17.2% 39.8% 49.7% 21.5% 19.4% 10.5% 51.&% 46.&% Miscellaneous Other Counties 1.3 New Nexico California Non-Residents 2.6% 0.0% 3.1 5.2% .5% _-_2.6% '100.0% 5.7% 100.0% �~ 54 Analysis: The 1950 pheasant kill shown in Table XX~ page 16 of the January 1951 Quarterly Report has been changed in Tab e 11 of this report to include only check station data in order that the information be consistent for all years. Table 12 in this report shows the orlgln of hunting pressure by county for ooth the 1950 and 1951 hunting seasons upon the general area arbitrarily called thetStar-Bowen-Carmel triangle!. It is evident that Alamosa County supplied the largest number of hunters and consistently so for both years. Rio Grande County followed all three of the eastern slope counties of ~erfano, Pueblo, and Las Animas in the number of people hunting this area. This is not a true picture because had the checking points been located at the western edge of the itriangleg~ a greater percentage of Rio Grande County hunters most certainly would have been checked. Table XXI in the January 1951 Progress Report bears this out ,-byindicating Rio Grande County a strong second to Alamosa County in supply~ng hunters throughout the entire valley. Returning to the 1951 kill data analysis, the figures for birds per hunter and birds per hour clearly show the increased difficulty in killing the birds and also the low relative abundance of the birds as compared with previous seasons. The 65.6 percent of juveniles is the lowest figure obtained by check stations since that type of checking was started in this area in 1947. Scope s Arkansas Valley Hunting pressure In the Lamar are a, fewer hunters were observed than last year. It is pos sible that poor success in this area last year,caused people to. choose other districts for hunting. Also, the closing of four counties in the Arkansas Valley to pheasant hunting~ may have caused the normal heavy pressure from Pueblo County to seek other areas. In Baca County~ hunting pressure increased. This area showed the highest hunter success during 1950 for the entire Arkansas Valley and this may have attracted additional hunters. A second reason may be the fact that the area was open for both pheasants and Scaled QuaiL Hun ter success The success in the Lamar area seemed to be similar to that of last year and was about as good as pre~season surveys indicated. Warm weather may have reduced the kill somewhat below the expected figure. In general, the low success ratio is attributed to reduced popu.La td.on caused by scarcity of �- 55 suitable nesting cover and high mortali~ in the alfalfa fields. Success in the Springfield section seemed to be lower than expected. Warm weather and dense cover for escape are probably reasons that the kill was not greater. There were 41 Scaled quail and 131 Cottontail rabbits checked through the station. All of the quail were killed. in BacaCounty~ Ninety cottontails were killed in Prowers County and '41 in Baca County. Scope: North-central Colorado Techniques: The check station was set up in the same location as in the past two years - one-half mile east of Hudson. Cars were stopped and hunters were checked during the first and second days of the season. Hunters were checked in the field the remaining three days. The check station formerly operated in the Fort Collins area-was this year due to a shortage of personnel. abandoned Findings: Over the two-day period of check station operation 828 hunters were interviewed. These hunters had taken 492 pheaaant.s caf't.er- huntd.ng 3,326 hours. The five-day season (Lnc'luddng field~.checking last 3 days)' totalled 898 hunt~rs checked who hill).ted 3,527 hours and. bagged 502 birds, of which 380 or 75.6% were young birds~ Of the total bag, 63.7% were checked the first day, and 34~4% were checked the second day. TABLE 13. --PHEASANT .CHECK STATION DATA, illJDSONAREA, 1951 2nd Day Remaining three days '1 (6 186 2 419 1732 409 1594 70 201 65 255 320 .76 .184 54 118 172 .42 ... 107 3 7 10 .14 .048 1st Day Cars Checked Hunters checked Hours hunted Birds taken Adults Young Total Birds per hunter Birds pe r hour TABLE 14.--CO~WARATIVE Average hours per hunter Birds per hour Birds per hunter Percent young birds PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, HUDSON 1948 3.06 .176 .644 58.7% 1949 1950 3.77 3.97 .143 .157 .574 .694 77 0.51% .61.8% 1951 03.92 .142 .56 75 •. 6% �- 56 Analysis: This area, being near Denver, was subjected to heavy hunting pressure, as usual, and for this reason it is doubted that the information presented here is quite representative of the area as a whole. Traffic through the check station was somewhat lighter this year and fewer hunters were checked on opening day. It is believed that being aware of the location, many hunters avoided the delay involved in going through the' check station. An attempt was made to determine the source of the Prospect Valley hunting pressure. Roughly, the check showed that about 55% of the hunters came from Denver, and 27% from the counties surrounding Denver; Adams, Jefferson, and Arapahoe Counties. About four percent were non-resident hunters, and the remaining from other near-by Colorado countd,es . �- 57 1947, 1948, 1949, TABLE 15o--PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA - Fl VE YEAR SUI1I"lARY, 1950 AND 1951 Area Length of Season Year No. of Hunters Total Hours Hunted Adults Juveniles San Luis Valley 2 days, '47 2 " !48 It '49 3 !50 3 n 2 It '51 237 277 IS7 412 191 709 958 588 1312 820 76 62 36 135 47 181 187 155 222 90 Arkansas Valley 3 days '47 '48 3 It It !49 3 !50 3 It2 It151 453 703 '997 531 336 195;8 2751 3975 2013 1337 219 305 289 123 50 171 326 349 142 117 Delta & Montrose Counties 238 - 3 days, '47 It 305 '48 256 3 II '49 II 1308 !50 15 14 t!!51 829 847 1016 766 4460 3064 65 ,80 50 252 120 209 228 172 417 368 North 7 days, 7 " 3 It3 It *5 It-, '47 '48 !49 150 !51 398 1399 832 1643 898 1112, 4868 3387 6537 3527 46 410 125 452 122 214 513 439 862 380 Northeast 14 days, 14 " 3 It 3 " 5 It '47 '48 '49 '50 !51 3008 4289 1211 353 538 11609 16522 5087 1439 2227 1028 1981 267 113 138 2204 3435 867 282 408 La Plata County 3 days, '50 '51 5 It 75 96 225 353 17 29 30 28 Totals for-all Stations '47 '48 '~9 ,0 '51 433u 6&73 ~451 222 2888 16235 26107 82 115 98 11328 1434 2844 767 1092 506 2979 4689 1982 1955 1393 s * Hudson ~ LaLIon onIj. 6 �- 58 TABLE 15 A.--PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA Area and Year Birds! Hunter Birds! Hour. Percent of Adults Percent of Juveniles 1.08 0.899 1.26 0.87 0.717 .362 .260 .325 .280 .16T( 29.6 24.9 18.9 37.8 34.4 70.4 75.1 81.1 6202 65.6 .86 .90 .64 950 051 .199 .229 n61 .131 .125 56.0 48.3 45.3 46.5 30.0 4400 51.7 54.7 53.5 70.0 0.87 0051 0059 .332 .]03 .288 .150 .159 23.7 25.9 22.5 37.7 24.6 76.3 74.~ 7705 6203 75.4 .,653 .•661 .68 .80 056 .233 .:190 .166 .200 0142 ·17.7 4404 22.2 34.4 24.4·· 82.3 55.6 77.8 6506 75.6 1.09 1.264 0094 1.12 1.10 .278 .328 .222 .274 .265 31.8 ,36.6 23.4 28.6 25.3 68.2 63.4 76.6 71.4 74.7 .63 .59 .20 .13 36.2 51.0 63.8 49.0 1.09 1.08 0.80 0072 0.66 .281 .289 32.5 37.7 27.9 35.8 20.6 67.5 6203 72.1 64.2 73.4 San Luis Valley 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 Arkansas Valley 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 Delt~ & Montrose Counties 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1.16 LOO North * 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 Northeast 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 La Plata County 1950 1951 Entire State 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 * Hudson Station only. .l98 .121 .108 �- 59 Summary: 1. Pheasant hunter success was highest in northeastern Colorado where 538 hunters checked had bagged 592 birds, an average of 1.10 birds per hunter. The take of birds per hour averaged 0.27. Hunter success dropped 0.02 birds per hunter from 1950. 2. In the San Luis Valley, 191 hunters were checked with a kill of 131 birds, an average of 0.71 birds per hunter. Birds per hour averaged 0.16. Hunter success dropped 0.22 birds per hunter from 1950. 3. In Delta and Montrose Counties, 829 hunters made a kill of 488 birds, an average of 0.59 birds per hunter and 0.16 birds per hour. Hunter success increased 0.11 birds per hunter from 1950. 4. In the Hudson area (Prospect Valley in Weld County), 898 hunters bagged 502 birds for an. average of 0.56 birds per hunter and 0.14 birds per hour. Hunter success dropped 0.13 birds per hunter. 5. In Mesa County, 267 hunters bagged 140 birds for an average of 0.52 birds per hunter and 0.175 birds per hour. Hunter success dropped 0003 birds per hunter. 6. The hunter success (birds per hunter) in northeastern Colorado has remained fairly uniform tor the 5 year period except for a slight drop in 1949 following a heavy blizzard kill the previous winter. �- 60 70 A short three-day season (1950) in Nesa County did not improve the hunter success in 19510 In the Delta~ontrose area, an increase in hunter success in 1951 was noted following a 15 day season in 1950 • .TABLE 16.--SUFJlIARYOF 1951 HUNTER DATA Hunter Success '50-'51 Comparison Area Birds! Hunter Birds! .Hour Northeast 1010 0.27 -0.02 San Luis 0.71 0.16 -0.22 Delta...;Montrose 0.59 0.16 f,0011 Hudson 0.56 00"14 -0.13 Mesa 0052 0.17 -0003 J;.~ 7L I Prepared by: Date Note: s l'\ /J__ . Har~ Figge Approved (~~----~~~~----------------~~-e~~~~~--~--C. N. Feast, Director January 24, 1952 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission ~rom the Colorado Game and Fish Department. � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/d8ce3fd4da7b861e6d5ef5494c7282a2.pdf c9645ec9cfe8b3aace1c4302d67544ed PDF Text Text JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado ----~~------------II ProJ'ect No. W~39-R-5 Work Plan No. Job No .-.,... --=I~ --~~--~----------------Title of Job. _ ~W=i=ld~T~u~r~k=e~y~I=n~v~e~s~t~i~g~a~t~i~o~n=s __-_T~r~a~p~pcl='n~g~a=nd~~T~r~a=n=s~p~l=a~n~t=i~n _ Objectives: To develop and restore the wild turkey in the areas of the state as determined on this project to b~ suitable. Techniques Used: Field reconnaissance and study of the area to determine the places where a surplus of birds exist, pre bating of the area to concentrate birds in a trap-site, installation of trap, and actual trapping, banding, and moving the birds to release areas • During this year on the Western slope a new problem arose because no trapping concentration of birds was located. Food problems became difficult and much of the time had to be spent in caring for present flocks of birds. It was felt unwise to transplant birds unless food supplies were found sufficient to carry them through without much supplemental feeding. In one case birds were trapped and released within the area to act as markers. These birds were banded so that data might be gathered on life history studies. . Findings: The fall trapping checks were started in early November. No flocks of trapping size were found. In the lower Beaver Creek area seven miles west of Bayfield a flock of seventy-five was reported in late November. In less than a week this flock broke up and only twelve birds remained in the area. There was another flock in the Ute Creek area northwest of Nucla. Before the plans could be completed, storms closed the road and this too had to be abandoned. In early December, heavy storms developed. These continued one after another piling snow to great depths over all of the western turkey range. This presented a new problem. Realizing the shortness of foods, the problem of supplemental feeding had to supersede any trapping plans. II close watch was kept on possible trapping locations throughout the winter but none developed. Eastern Slope: On the eastern slope field checks to lopate wild turkey flocks suitable for trapping were begun during the early part of November. �- 2 In most areas the birds were found to be in small scattered flocks of from seven to twenty-nine birds with an average flock size of twelve to fifteen. Sugarite Canyon, southeast of Trinidad, proved the exception with several good-sized flocks found ranging on the Walton Ranch. It is believed the small size of the most of the flocks may be attributed to the shortage of natural foods and scattering caused by the open turkey season in late September. Trapping -- Sugar-ite _ Canyon On November 28, 1951 a feed ground was established on t.he wal.t.on Ranch iri Sugari te. Canyon using wheat and barley. Regular feeding was continued until December 11, when an experimental chicken wire trap was erected at the feed site. This trap, using ideas offered by Warden C. H. Scott and employing some features of the portable slat type trap worked well in that the birds became accustomed to it readily even though the weather remained fairly open. On December 19 a flock of approximately seventy turkeys of mixed 'sexes came to feed and six hens worked inside. For some unknown reason the entire flock quit this_trapandi'eedarea completely for several days , .. On December 27 at 3:00 P.B. a flock of forty-five turkeys came to the trap and eight hens worked into the trap immediately. These were caught and banded. One young hen escaped from the crate, but the remaining seven hens were taken to the Cottonwood Creek transplant site southeast of Kim and released on December 28 at 9:30 A.M .• Although most of the hens left the Sugarite Canyon trap area after the eight hens were caught, a good number of mature and young toms remained; so it was decided to attempt to catch some toms to complete the above transplant. On January 4- one rriaturetom from a flock of forty worked inside the trap, and baiting using mila maize and wheat was continued. On January 9, two toms fed inside at one time. On January 14, three mature toms fed inside and were caught at 9:40 A.},l. These were released during the afternoon of the same dqy- at the Cottonwood Creek trans plan t site where seven hens were released earlier. Fresh scratchings and droppings showed the flock of herts was still ranging in the vicinity where the release was made. This trap was left in place and baiting'was continued using milo maize and wheat with the hope that one more catch could be made. On February 3 a heavy snowstorm in this area completely blocked the road up the canyon to the trapsite making travel by automobile impossible. Feeding operations were continued at the trap on foot and on horseback until February 26 when �- 3 continued- snows forced the abandonment of this trap. At this time the turkeys remaining in the area were feeding inside the trap once again and another catch could have been ,made had the weather opened up somewhat. The band numbers of the birds trapped at this location are as follows: December 27, 1951 3:00 P.H. Walton Ranch, Sugarite Canyon Wire Trap Band No. -751 752 753 754 755 756 757 758 Sex Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Age 2 yr. 2 yr. 1 yr. 2 yr. 1 yr. 2 yr. 1 yr. 1 yr. Disposi tion: No. 7.53released at trapping site Sugarite Canyon All others (7) released on Bob Dodge Ranch in Cottonwood Creek (Carrizo Creek area) December 28, 1951 9:30 A.N. Cleve Jcndan and Dick Kerr assisting with release. January 14, 1952 9:40 A.H. Walton Ranch, Sugarite Canyon Wire Trap Band No. 759 760 761 Sex Tom Tom Tom' Age Nature Mature lVlature Wt. Spur 19 Lbs, 17 Ibs. 20 lbs. 17 mm. 21 mm, 20 mm. Beard 20 cm. 20 em. 22'em. Disposition: ·Above three toms released on Bob Dodge Ranch in Cottonwood Creek (Carrizo Creek area) January 14, ,1952 4:00 P.M. Lyle Autry assisting with release. Fresh tracks of other turkeys (hens) were seen in vicini~ before releasing toms. Hiddle Creek A trip was made to the,Middlemist Ranch on Middle Creek west of La V~ta on January 8 and baiting preliminary to placing a trap was begun at this time �- 4 using wheat and milo maize. A movement of a portion of the turkeys which normally range on the Middlemist place was noted at this time. Nine toms drifted down the canyon and remained for the rest of the winter two miles below the feed area near a cattle feed lot. A·-portable slat-type trap was erected at the feed site on January 11, and baiting was continued using wheat and milo maize. By January 16 the turkeys remaining at the trap area had worked inside the trap; so it was decided to try for a catch. On the morning of January.20 at 8:00 A.h. ten hens and one mature tom were caught from a flock totalling only fourteen birds. These were banded and released wi th the help of ranch foreman Bill Keefer .• January 20, 1952 8:00 A.:lVl. Middlemist Ranch, ¥uddle Creek Slat Trap Band No. 762 763 764 765 766 767 768 769 * 771 772 773 * Sex Hen Hen Hen Hen Tom Hen Hen Hen Age 2 yr. 2 yr. 1 yr. 1 yr. Nature Nature Hature 1 yr. ~'lt. Spur 16 lbs. 10 rom. Hen 1 yr. Hen 1 yr. Hen 1 yr. Note 770 not used this catch Disposition: All birds banded and released in area. banding and release. Bill Keefer assisting with Trapping -- Other Areas The portable slat-type trap was erected on the S. Caple place south of Beulah on February 5 with the hopes that banding operations could be carried on. New snows in the area, however, apparently caused the small flock of toms to move leaving only a few strays in the area. No catch was made at this location. A new chicken wire top could not be tested thoroughly because of the adverse conditions. Two other feed sites were established in the hopes of congregating birds enough to warrant trapping. I'heaawer-e, on .theJ?ur:v.is ..Ranch.cnaan.. Baulah �- 5 and the CucharasCampsarea south of La Veta. In both cases, however, the birds were very erratic as to visits to the feed ground. Emergency Feeding For a number of years emergency feeding stations have been kept active to care for the birds over heavy storm periods. These stations have been supplied with feed in the form of wheat,barley, oats or other grains. These are released to farmers, members of sportsman's clubs, Rangers, Wardens, and Trappers to be distributed to needy turkey flocks in case of severe storms. This year these stations proved their real value. Nearly three tons of wheat were moved to these stations during the early part of the storm period. In one case, the mountain passes Were closed all about southwestern Colorado for a period of two wE?eks. To get to some of the areas needing feed it was necessary to travel many additional miles. Even then, roads were hazardous and travel difficult. As the snow continued to pile up the feed problem increased. Snowshoes and skis were used. A pack basket was used to carry feed back to needy floc;ks. These trips meant packing back from one fourth mile to five and six miles. Hany willing' helpers eased the problem. Two and one half tons of additional. feed had to be procured to supply all the requests. In many cases r-ancher-ssupplied the needed grain from their own scant supplies without complaint. Feed storage stations were established at Pagosa Springs, Bayfield, ¥mncos, Durango, Dolores; Ncrwoody Nucla,Hontrose, and Glenwood Springs. The last trip into .theseareas showed that most of this' feed had been taken out and was being distributed. During January.and February more than twenty-five flocks were located' between Pagosa Springs and Mancos a distance of 100 mileso This area and the Uncompahgre area were not so hard hit since more food was available for the bi.rds, The snow did not stay on in this area li~e.it did farther south. All flocks that could be reached were checked regularly. Host of these flocks were much on the move which indicated a short food supply •. One flock of seven on Yellow Jacket divide,' on Highway 160 some twenty miles ~ast of Bayfield showed signs of being weak. Their wings were droopy and their actions indicated exhaustion. Twenty pounds of wheat was taken to these birds the first time. Two days later twenty-five pounds was taken in. All of the first feed was gone. Feeding continued at intervals of three to five days. When these birds were obqerved one week after the first feeding they were alert and doing welL This feed was like a shot in the arm. As the south slopes have opened up feeding was abandoned. A flock on Pine River was also r-epor-ted.inbad shape but a check revealed �- 6 them to be in good condition. They were feeding on rose hips and dried chokecherries. This was in January when snow was three to four feet deep on the va~~y floor. However snow was crusting and the bir;is could get about easily. The droppings showed a deep reddish color from the pigment in the rose apples. There were also indications that the birds were finding some greens to mix with their diet; These were picked up in the needles under trees on south slopes. On the Eastern Slope, grain was likewise distributed to a number of flocks during periods when snow covered the gro~d. The help of Trappers.'Bill Kent and Cody Jordan, Fur 'Inspec'torBryan DEmtor,Wardens 'C. PI. Scott and Frank Cordova, and Forest Ranger Hickle and Assistant Ran.ger Honsinger along with many interested ranchers in this area was greatly appreciated. A total of 2900 pounds of milo maize and 1200 pounds of wheat was used in the trapping operations and for supplemental winter feeding. Analysis aridRecommendations An analysis of these reports indicates a very light trapping season. There was considerable time spent in supplying and distributing supplemental feed. This was due to emergency conditions arising from weather and food conditions. From a management standpoint it would seem that emphasis on sustaining present flocks for breeding purposes is more important tha~ the trapping of birds for distribution. Since emergencies do arise, it is believed the raising or planting of plots in favorite wintering areas that could be used by the birds in these emergency periods should be desirable. Such plots would have to be fenced'to exclude stock encroachment. Up to the present, strong emphasis has been laid on restocking. Since the optimum range has been restocked it "fould seem that emphasis on scientific data should come to the foreground in future activities of the project. Data has been accumulating that shows that disease factors, as well as food and cover conditions play an important part in controlling population status. Some studies on these facts should be included in future project plans. It would seem that there is no part of game management more important than range. Last year proved that even range could become untenable due to moisture deficiencies. The re-habilitation of springs could also be incl uded in range re-building plans. �- 7Summary The trapping success was very light during the past trapping season. Three toms and seven hens were released in Cottonwood of Kim. Creek southeast One tom and ten hens were banded and released at the trap site on Middle Creek near La Veta. Heavy storms coupled with poor food production emergency feeding. necessitated much Hore than seven tons of feed was utilized for trapping operations emergency feeding. and Data and Reports: These reports are compiled from personal diaries and field notes, which are retained by the authors or held by the Colorado Game and Fish Department. Prepared by: Martin Lo Burget, Approved. _ C. N--..1east,_ .Dir.ector Project Leader Donald N. Haffman, Assistant Date Note: s Project Leader April, 1952 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��- 9 .JOB Cm1PLETION REPORT INVESTIGKI'IONS PROJECTS State of C~o~l~o~r~a~d~o~ _ Project No._4;;:;;1:;;,....R-".·_-...:::5_. ~Jork Plan No •.;... I~ Ti tle of Job: Bighorn Sheep - Trappin~ Job.No._---=6~ _ and Transplanting Findings: The weather which is so important in the success of our tragping program, was radically different from that of the 3 preceding trapping seasons. Hore snow w.as received with extended cold periods along with longer periods of high winds. A~ a result the distribution of the sheep changed. Trap #4 which promised to be very efficient received very little use throughout the season. Trap #2 at Spruce Camp Ground, normally a spring trap, received all the use this year. The number of sheep using this trap consistently varied from 23 to 88. However, the ram ratio was so small'that it wasn't until the last week in January that the correct sex ratio WaS a~hieved~ On January 29 at 12:15 P.M., 15 head of sheep were trapped in the Spruce trap. The herd consisted of 3 rams (one lamb) and 12 ewes, lambs and yearlings. They were transported to Moffat County and released at Buffalo Jack.Springs, Section 9, T 8 N,R 102 w~ They were released at 6:06p.M. January 30th. The sheep were in ~xcellent condition despite the nightlong stay in the truck. The delay in release was due to the fact that a bulldozer had to be procured to enable the sheep truck to get through the last two miles of snow-drifted road. The group of sheep which had been previously released on the Rifle Hogback moved south to Rifle gap , There they wer-e tamed by a local rancher and as a result they began to eat his hay and he asked to have them removed (Figure 1). A trap was built in the gap, pat-terned after the Spruce trap at Tarry-all.· On February 19 at 8: 00 A.i"'l. the gate was dropped on 23 of these' sheep. Twenty of the:m,including'a to year old ram, were taken Ladore Canyon and released Ln rthe area where -t.heherd was released on. January 30th: . Three sheep, 2 ewes and 1 young ram were taken to the San Antonio Zpo , The 1136 miles were covered in 30 hours, the shee:p arrived in excellent shape. Hay and water were kept in the truck througtDu t the trip. ',-lith the exception of the. plants made at Georg.et.own,the_plant,atLadore Canyon is the largest plant that has been made to date and should be excellent in every respect. �In the 7 years since the trapping program was initiated a total of 244 sheep have been trapped. Nineteen of these were taken out of the state, 16 to Montana and 3 to San: Antonio, Texas. The death loss during this operation has been 3 or 1.25%. Although little can:be done to increase the efficiency of the trapping operation, the trapping at Tarryall has been increasingly difficult. This is due to the increased expansion of the Tarryall sheep herd and their extreme 'sensitivity bo changes in weather.. However, this has been offset to some degree by shifting the trapping sites so that many more successful transplants can be eXPE?cted in the future. Summary Thirty-five sheep were released at Buffalo Jack Springs, YJoffat County in January and February, 1952. FiftEjen were trapped from the Tarryall herd and twenty from the Rifle area. Prepared by: George W. Jones and Approved by ~~~~--~~~~~ C. N.Feast, Director .Claude E. White, Jr. Date Note: 3 'April, i952 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �figure 1. The Rifle Herd most of which was transplanted to LaDore Canyon. �- 11 - JOB COHPLETION REPORT DEVELOP¥iliNT PROJECT State of· COLORADO Project No. W-35-D-5 ; Antelope Restoration Work Plan No. --=--- Job No •__ Title of Job Antelope II --=1:..-__ Trapping and Transplanting, 1951-52 Objective: To develop and restore the pronghorn antelope on sites previously selected as meeting the overall requirements for good development and management. This includes the removal of antelope from .damage areas, over-populated areas, or areas where herds can properly be reduced by trapping. Techniques Used: The trap is the same nne which has been used by the Department since 1947. As in 1950-51, it was set inside of a quarter-section which was enclosed bya 48-inch woven wire fence. One side of this fence was laid on the ground prior to driving the antelope. This procedure was simplified by the use of already existing pasture fences to support the woven wire on two sides of the enclosure. Steel posts were driven to support the other two sides. The ! mi+eof fence laid down had been supported by one of these already existing cattle pasture fences of the 4-wire type •. The lowest wire had been raised at the start of operations to facilitate the crossing under it of the driven animals. Groups of antelope were driven by the plane toward the fence which had been laid down. As they crossed it and ran into the enclosure, the pilot of the driving plane radioed to the ground crew a brief signal. As quickly as possible then, the ground crew erected the section of woven wire, tying it to the posts of the existing fence by means of top wires already in place on the posts. The bottom tying wires remained fastened throughout the pr-ocedur-e, and did not interfere with the temporary flattening out of the woven wire. As soon as the animals were enclosed, the pilot, on signal by radio from the ground crew, maneuvered them into the wings of the trap, and kept them there while a roll-gate of 48-inch woven wire was erected across the open end of the wings. This season, a policy of resting the animals at this point until the following day, or from 20 to 24 hours, was followed. This procedure was believed to have lowered the casualty rate by affording the pronghorns a good rest after the sustained running into the enclosure and wings. �- 12 The following day, the animals were hazed into the trap gently and slowly by means of vehicles about two-thirds of the way to the main gates, and by the crew on foot holding before them 4-foot strips of canvas, for the remaining distance. Care was taken not to excite the animals unduly. As soon as they entered the main gates, these were closed by a system of ropes and pulleys, by a man in a nearby foxhole. The gates were then wired securely shut, and preparations made to load them individually onto waiting trucks, after ear-tagging. Colorado acquired in 19.51 a two-:ton truck with a custom built stake bed with narrow spacing between the slats. The loading door, on the right hand side near the rear corner, is of· steel, not over 30 inches in height, and about 24 inches wide. It raises and lowers vertically by means of a handle near the base, and the edges slide in grooves on each side. It is very quickly opened and closed, and practically eliminates -yhe danger of escape after loading. Rssults: The trap was set up at the Appelt Ranch in Chico Basin, El Paso County, where it had been previously in 1948 - 1949 and 19.50 - 19.51. It was not moved during the season. The trapping season was marked by five unsuccessful attempts and five successful attempts. On three of the unsuccessful days, the wind was simply too high for low flying. On one, the ground happened to be spotted qy small snowdrifts behind each low shrub, and the topsoil was not dry enough to cause the telltale dust to rise from running hooves. These factors made aerial observation very difficult that day. On the last near miss, a band of pronghorns were almost in the trap, but circled just after crossing the woven wire of the outer enclosure, and recrossed it before either ground crew or pilot could prevent it. The first of the successful runs saw 74 antelope trapped. This was the greatest number in the trap at one time since trapping in Colorado started. �- 13 The following tables give most of the information on the season's efforts. TRAPPING DATA Date Number TraPEed Died At Trap Died Enroute N1]Jl1ber Released December 28 January 16 January 28 February 4 February 11 '7.4 38 40 22 39 1 2 1 1 1 :2 3 * 0 0 0 71 33 39 21 38 213 202 * Two of these died shortly after release. Casulties, 11, or 5.4% Lowest {n Colorado trapping history. RELEASE DATA Male Mature 11 Date December Female 35 . 29---------------------Fawns 17 8 Mature 11 71 c. Newcomb Ranch February Fawns 8 6 Mature 1 16 5---------------------1 3 Mature 17 16 Fawns February 12--------------------Fawns 1 33 SE of Trinidad 39 Smart Ranch north of HcClave 21 Ray Smith Ranch NW of Joes, Colo. 38 Augustin and Sniff Ranch SW of Lamar 14 January 29 4 Location SE of ,Trlnldad. Hature 10 January 12 17----------r-----------Fawns 4 7 ' Total �-14Norman Hughes filled in as temporary pilot for all of the trapping work after the resignation of the chief pilot and he is to be commended for his good work. Cooperation extended by the other.divisions of the department, namely the Fish Division in lending trucks, and the Bird Farm in offering helpers, office facilities, and storage space,wt;l.stnstrumental in the success of the program. Antelope trapping in the past season reached new highs. The number of animals caught was greater than ever before and a greater percentage of antelope were transplanted and released in good'condition. Summary: Using the same trap, same technique, and same trapping location as last year, adding a 20-24 hour rest period for the trapped animals, Colorado successfully trapped and transplanted 202 antelope in the 19511952 season. Losses were 11 animals, or 5.4%. A stake truck with a small vertically sliding steel door for loading .greatly ex¢dited the loading of the pronghorns. They were released on 5 separate areas in sout'aaster-n and eastern Colorado. This was the most successful season so far in Colorado. Prepared by Gordon Ao Douglas Approved by: Title Wildlife Technician J. D. Hart, Acting Director Date s April 1952 �- 15 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO ------------------ Project No. W-37-R-5; Game Bird Surveys. Work Plan II: Job 2 Title of Job: Hunting Season Checks on l"ligratoryWaterfowl Objective: To determine the species, age, and sex ratios of ducks and geese taken by the hunter. Reported by: Bertram D. Baker Techniques: The information presented in this report was obtained by personal contact wi th hunters in the field during the first half of the 1951 Nigratory Waterfowl Split Season,October 19 through November 7. An effort was made to be near known areas of hunting before or just at the daily beginning time for shootzi.ng , As soon as shotgun reports were. heard or hunters' cars located the hunters were interviewed. This method of checking was continued throughout the day on opening day and week ends, and on week day mornings until hunters left the field to go to work. Very little afternoon hunting was in evidence on week days because early closing hours prevented local wage earners from hunting after their work hours. Findings: Compilation of the data collected by field checking showed the following hunter success. Tot al hunters checked Total hours hunted Total number ducks killed Number of ducks per hunter Ducks per man/hour 76 173 100 1..31 .577 Table 1 shows a breakdown of the total duck kill by species, sex and age. It is believed that the sample is too small to show sex and age ratios. �- 16 TABLE 1.-- DUCK KILL BY SPECIES, SEX AND AGE - SAN LUIS VALLEY FIRST HALF OF 1951 SPLIT WATERFOWL SEASON A Species rvIallard 14 G. Wo Teal 1 Gadwall 2 Baldpate Redhead Shoveler Males J Total A Females J Total 35 18 18 2 2 49 1 2~ 1+ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 36 4 1 1 1 Totals 85 5 5 2 2 1 100 Analysis and Recommendations! The season opening days of Friday afternoon, and Saturday and Sunday following (October ·19,20 and 21), gave an early indication of the inadequacy of one man obtaining a sound sample of data by field checking. The above three days netted a total of 50 hunters checked, 10 for the first afternoon, and 22 and 18, respectiveiy, for Saturday and Sunday. The above daily totals qf hunters checked indicate that about 20 hunters at the maximum can be contacted on the days of heaviest pressure. The field checking of hunter$ on weekdays is a problem in itself. The majori ty of local duck hunters do not use decoys and after the opening day, little remains for them to do but ttjumpshootll the river channels, sloughs, and drain ditches. It is not hard to realize the difficulty and, more importantly~ the time necessary to find a walking hunter in a heavily wooded river bottom. If hunting is good, and several shots are spaced evenly so that the local area of hunting can be determined, the hunter then may be found only after much time is consumed. The time element is all essential bn week days where the eight b'clock and five oiClbc'k workmen and businessmen have only the earlymorninghoU!l?s to hunt before their wor ..day begins. Three mornings of the first five week days following the opening weekend showed no hunters checked after a determined effort to run them down. Two mornings showed two and three hunters checked. The more easily accessible duck club areas~ e~pecially those used by outof-Valley hunters, are not hunted on week days', Weekend hunting seems the rule with the duck clubs. Scope: South Platte Management Reported by: Hardld No Swope Area (not including Sedgwick Bar). �- 17 Techniques: Same as given in the January, 1951 Quarterly. Department personnel were on du~ throughout the season at the check station issuing permits, assigning areas, obtaining kill data, QUd enforcing regulations. Findings: The daily record of the information gathered at the check station follows in Table 2, 3 and 4. This table is divided into three parts to facilitate the analysis of data. Table 2 consists of kill information taken during the first split of the 1951 ~aterfowl season. Kill data collected during the second half of this hunting season is included in Table 3. Table 4 gives a compilation of the data to include the entire 1951 waterfowl season. In Table 5 the composition of the kill by species and percent is given for each half of the season, and for the season as a whole. Table 6 compares the number of hunters, hours hunted, and hunter success figures for the 1948, 1949, 1950, and 1951 waterfowl seasons. The degree and success of utilization of this management area by hunters from several geographic portions of the state is..glv.e.n.inTable 7. �- 18 TABLE 2·. -DAILY KILL RECORD SOUTH PLATTE ~~NAGEIvlliNT AREA FIRST HALF OF 1951 MIGRATORY WATERFOWL SEASON I Date 10/19/52 10/20 No. of Hunters Hours Hunted 25 72 67 394 10/21 10/22 10/23 10/24 10/25 10/26 10/27 61 3 4 0 8 8 57 220 1 5 0 24 18 219 10/28 10/29 10/30 10/31 11/1 11/2 11/3 Game Killed Ma;llards c,w. Teal 11 F H F Game Killed Others SEecies M 12 Pintail Lesser Scaup Lesser Scaup Gadwall 35 7 20 4 8 8 1 11 F 2 1 1 1 i 10 37 5 2 1 7 4 53 7 1 35 3 2 7 1 66 2 17 14 41 18 105 209],. 76 31 7 2212 18 32 39 74 101 36 46 2'51 150 37 1 10 11 36 19 88 6 4 1 1 2 5 3 11/4 129 466 66 38 14 5 11/5 '27 48 21 8 1 11/6 11/7 32 29 58 51 10 18 2 9 4 2 6 1 2 Shoveller B. W. Teal 1 Shoveller 1 Bal.dpate Am. Gold. Eye Pintail 2 Lesser Scaup 1 Gadwall 2 Baldpate 3 Shoveller Am. Gold. Eye B~ W. Teal Pinta.il 2 LessE;lrScaup Shoveller Am. Gold. Eye Redhead 1 Am. Me:r:ganser Baldpate 1 Ruddy Duck 1 2 1 2 2 3 2 6 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 TOTALS 713 2,211t 695 335 65 47 17 35 1194 Ducks - total kill .540 II per man hour hunted 1.675 !! per hunter 86.26% ducks killed were mallards (67.48% males, 3~.52%females) 9~38%ducks killed were green-winged teal (58.04% males, 41.96% females) 3.10 ,Hours hunted per hunter attempt �- 19 TABLE 3.-DAILY KILL RECORD SOUTH PLATTE },IANAGEMENTAREA SECOND HALF OF 1951 MIGRATORY WATERFOWL,SEASON Date No. of Hunters Game Killed' c,v. Teal Hours Mallards .1:" M Hunted M F 12/14/51 85 164 79 6 4 12/15 12/16 12/17 130 109 22 257 81 370 240 114 44 30 20 47! 10 3 1 1 12/18 12/19 12/20 12/21 12/22 12/23 12/24 12/25 12/26 12/27 12/28 12/29 12/30 12/31 1/1/52 1/2 39 27 25 31 61 49 59 11 23 46 33 43 86 55 16 2 2 8 92 34 60 17 76 37 721. 67 48 163! 12 97 22 103 14 23 10 78 24 98 76 7 31 140! 32 190! 176 123 161. 13 2 1 7 TOTAlS 961 2,252 1,120 426 1 188 13 8 38 17. 23 4 6 9 2 5 16 13 42 4 2 Game Killed Others Species 11 F Am. Gold. Eye Gadwall Am. Herganser Am. Gol-d, Eye Am. Gold. Eye Am. Gold. Eye Pintail 1 2 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 Am. Merganser 1 1 1 2 Am. Gold. Eye Am'.Mergan~·er '1 Am. \Gold. Eye Am. iGo1do Eye Am. Gold. Eye . 2 1 1 1 1 1 27 8 10 10 1,601 Ducks -total kill .711 n per man hour hunted 1;;661 II per hunter 96.56% ducks killed were mallards (72.45%.males, 27.55% females) 2.19% ducks killed were green-winged teal (77.14% males, 22.86% females) 2.34·Hours hunted per hunter attempt �- 20 - TABLE 4.--TOTAL KILL BY SPECIES SOUTH PlATTE. Iv1ANAGEMENTAREA 1951 WATERFOWL SEASON Dates 10/19 to 11/7 No. of Hunters 713 Hours Hunted r2111.' ,2 Game Killed Mallards G.W. Teal F M M F 695 335 55 47 Game Killed -Ot.her-s M SEecies Pintail 4 Gadwall 3 Lesser Scaup 2 2 Shoveller Baldpate 4 Am.Gold.E;ye B.W". Teal Redhead 12/14 to 1/2 TOTALS 961 1,674· 2,252 1,,120 426 27 8 761 92 $5 4,463"} 1,815 F 7 6 6 5 3 5 2 'I R-dddy-Duck 1 Am. Merganser 1 Am. Gold Eye 6 8 Am.Herganser 2 1 Gadwall 2 1 Pintail 27 45 2,795 Ducks - total kill .626 It per man hour hunted 1.669 It per hunter 92.2% ducks killed ~ere mallards (70% males, 30% females) 5.3% ducks killed were green-winged teal (63% males, 37% females) 2.66 Hours hunted per hunter attempt �- 21 TABLE 5. --HUNTER KILL BY SPECIES SDUTH PlATTE MANAGEMENT AREA 1951 MIGRATORY WATERFOWL SEASON Species Number Killed Percent of TotcU Kill 1,030 86.26 112 9.38 11 9 .92 .76 .67 .59 .59 .42 FIRST HALF OF SEASON IvlaIlardCAnas platyrhynchos) Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinense) Pintail (Anasacuta tzitzihoa) Gadwall (Chaulelasmus streperus) Lesser Scaup (Nyroca affinis) Shoveller (Spatula clypeata) Baldpate (Mareca americana) Am. Golden Eye (Glaucionetta clangula americana) Blue-winged Teal CAnas discors) Redhead (Nyroca americana) Ruddy Duck (Erismatura jamaicensis rubida) Am. Merganser (Mergus merganser americanus) Totals 8 7 7 5 2 1 1 1 .17 .08 .08 .08 rOO.OO SECOND HALF OF SEASON 1,546: Mallard Green-winged Teal Am. Golden Eye Am.lv1erganser GadWall Pintail 35 14 :3 96.56 2.19 ,.87 .19 2, 1 .13 1,601 100.00 l1allard Green-winged Teal Am. Golden Eye· Pintail Gadwall Scaup Shoveller Baldpate Am. Herganser Blue-winged Teal Redhead Ruddy Duck 2,576 +47 ;92.16 5.26 .68 11 .-39 8 7 7 4 .29 .,25 .25 .14 2 .07 1 1 .ok .04 TOTALS 2,795 100.00 Totals .06 SEASON TOTALS 19' 12 .43 �- 22 TABLE 6.--KILL R~CORDS AND SUCCESS FIGURES SOUTH PLA TI'E IvIANAGElVIENT AREA 1948-1951 MIGRATORY WATERFCML SEASONS YEAR Comparisons Total number of hunters Total hours hunted Total ducks killed Mallard Green-winged Teal Other species Ducks per man hour hunted Hours hun ted per duck Ducks per hunter attempt 1948 1,016 2,759.5 641 579 39 5 .232 4.305 .631 1949 773 2,330 679 462 184 33 .291 3.431 .878 1950 1,370 4,066 1,458 1,323 78 67 .358 2.788 1.064 1951 1,674 4,463.5 2,795 2,576 147 72 .626 1.597 1.667 The number of ducks killed during the 1951 waterfowl season on the South Platte Management Area was nearly double the number killed in 1950. It more than quadrupled the number killed in 1948 and 1949. The comparative success of the 19~1 season may largely be attributed to the factors that caused the ducks to migrate early, providing good shooting during the first half of the season~s well as the last. Unsettled local weather also did much to boost the kill once the ducks had moved into the area. Hallards again comprised over 90% of the total bag. Once more it was apparent that as the season advanced the proportion of mallards taken increased. �- 23 TABLE 7. -- SOURCE OF HUNTING PRESSURE AND HUNTING SUCCESS SOUTH PLATTE I'1ANAGElvlENT AREA 1950 and 1951 MIGRATORY WATERFOWL SEASONS Number of Hunters Using Area Source of Hunting Pressure Denver Denver Suburbs (Adams, Arapahoe, & Jefferson Counties) Local (Includes all other counties represented) Out of State (Thirteen states re}2resented2 TOTALS Percent of Total Hunters Usin~ Area Total Ducks Killed Percent of Total Ducks Killed 1950 1951 1950 1951 1950 1951 1950 19.51 470 154 492 96 34 11 29 6 574 III 783 159 39 8 28 6 746 1009 .5.5 60 773 1706 53 61 77 1370 1674 147 5 100. 100. 1458 279.5 100. 100. The use of the South Platte Game Management Area by local hunters increased considerably during the 1951 hunting season, as compared to the 19.50season. The number of Denver hunters using the area increased very slightly while utilization by.residents of the Denver suburban areas took a sharp drop. Numerous out-of-state hunters took advantage of this public shooting ground. Some of these hunters were temporarily stationed in Colorado at military posts. Several hundred duck gizzards were collected from hunters at the check station during the last half of the season. These were sent to Frank Bellrose, at his request, to check for the occurrence of ingested lead shot. He reported that only six out of the 292 gizzards examined contained shot. A special effort was made to question hunters as to their reactions toward public shooting grounds. The hunters. questioned were unanimous in their beliefs that such hunting areas were the only answer to the posted and leased land' problem. Hany of the hunters went still; farther, commenting that there was little incentive for them to buy hunting licenses or duck stamps when there was no place for them to legally hunt. Scone: Sedgwick Bar PersQnnel~ Reported George Stt;lele,Refuge Custodian by: Harold 1'10 Swope �- 24 Findings: TABLE 8.--KILL DATA ON SEDffiJICKBAR 1951 SEASON Date Game Killed I1allards' G.W. Teal 1'1 N F F Game Killed Other Species 531 259 119 4 8 Shovell~r Pintail Lesser Scau.p. Baldpate Ring-neck Gadwall 234 765 119 378 39 158 1 5 0 8 No. of Hunters Hours Hunted 10/19 to 11/7/51 196 12/14 to 1/2/52 TOTAlS 84 280 1'1 F 2 1 3 1 2 3 1 1 3 11 563 Ducks - Total kill .736 rt per man hour hunted 2.01 It per hunter attempt 95.20%n killed were mallards (71% males, 29% females) 2.31%lt killed were green-winged teal (38% males, 62% females) 2.73·Hours hunted per hunter attempt Approximately 86% of the hunters using this area came from Phillips and Sedgwick Counties (240 of the 280 hunters). In most cases it was the same group returning time after time to relatively permanent blinds which they had constructed. This may partly account for the comparatively higher success average of 2001 ducks per hunter attempt. Scope: Two Buttes Management Area Reported by: Donald H. Nolting Technique: During 19.51 a system of shooting pits was inaugurated which was controlled through central check stations. Each pit was constructed approximatelytenfeet long, five feet wide and three feet deep, the excavated dirt being piled as a mound on the fztont, border of the pit. These pits were located one-tenth of a mile apart along two lines, the second line being approximately 100 yards behind the first one with the pits staggered alternately. �- 25 Behind the two pit lines, a th'ird or upper firing line was established. The length of each line was approximately 3.5 miles. The location of the shooting lines ~d pits i~ relation to the reservoir and other facilities are shown on the map in the accompanying regulations. During the season a hunter was allowed to use any shooting pit of his choice, providing there were fewer than three hunters already occupying the pit. :'lThen all pits became full, other hunters were required to shoot from behind the upper designated firing line. Upon completion of the hunt, all persons were required to pass through two checking stations. Land use and other factors prohibited the use of the pit system on the north side.of the management area. The firing line established in former years was retained, but all hunters were required to obtain w:itten permission of the landowner before hunting. Hunters were checked at the check st.at.Lons upon completion of their hunt. Aging of the geese was done through tail feather characteristics. Examination of the cloaca to determine sex of the geese was discontinued because insufficient time prohibited accurate results. No geese were weighed this year, since ample informat-ion from this source had been obtained in the past. Personnel at the lake made an effort to check as many hunters as possible. In connection with this, a total count was made of all cars in the seven parking lots on both sides of the reservoir. This and other information gained were combined into the following formul~s for computations of total kill and hunting pressure: (A) (B) (C) (D) (X) (Y) Geese checked. Hunters checked. Average number of hunters per car. Total cars. Projected kill. Projected hunters. X= ACDB. Y= CD, Totals from these formulas were computed on a daily basis. Findings: (a) First half of season: Geese arriving at the reservoir at least 15 days earlier than in past years �- 26 created an unusual situation during the first half of the 1951-52 season. The first migration was recorded on October 25. Ordinarily there are few, if any, geese during the early season. The arrival of approximately 10,000 geese seemed to be coincident with a heavy snow storm occurring November 1. All these factors combined to produce unusually good hunting. Hunting pressure would probably have been considerably greater had advance notice of the goose migration been possible. Computed totals show that 410 geese were killed within the management area by 708 hunters who hunted 1926 hours. Projected success figures show that there was a kill of .579 geese per man, or .207 geese per hour. It has been found that crippling figures obtained by hunter interview are subject to error and tend to be low. However, the crippling factor was found to be .197, giving a projected total of 180 geese crippled. Many of these crippled birds returned to the reservoir and died. A count of 47 dead geese and 35 cripples was made immediately after the close of the first half of the season. Seventeen of these cripples were recovered and released when able to fly. Table 9 "shows the daily kill and hunting pressure both by actual check and projected figures. On a few days when the number of hunters checked was low and incomplete data" available, projected pressure was estimated. All other data was derived from actual hunter contact. Table 9 also gives a da.i.Ly breakdown of the kill on waterfowl other than This list includes 83 mallards, four redheads, six pintail Canada geeseo and two scaup. It isof interest that one white-fronted goo'se was killed during this half of the season. A sample of 174 geese were checked for age. It was found that the adult to juvenile ratio was .811. No banded birds were checked during this period • • �MAP OF THE TWO BUTTES MANAGEMENT AREA N 1 """l t••• ~"'If" A_A ~Ij P~K~· ~ ~ .. ,.(0} r",'@,.mv • •• • r ~ ~ ,/C... "v. /1 ~ \>;.. I 'V ' ""'8 I r.-f£ """ Ullm.ll~~ ~~--- ~ 05(JO~A/ sr». ~~ICN£~1f KEY "" ~.r..... r '..0.-' . . , 8 ••..A.,~Q •- •....•.. ...."" '. " ". ',>-, , ..~ PllAIr A,f61f ",6"" I .,,/ /.' ~#, " " ,. ." •' ->.., •• '4'0 »: .' - @~'-~ II STIf, ..••,P1f~~ I9I1E"f .•• 72 ..• Yellow Line; Pits 50-91 (Signs Yellow & Black) _._._ 1./ _ 10"S~· •..-./&.••• ....••.•'6~, •,.6'" ".,.,/ ....... · zs, - . _., ---25---Red Line; Pits 1-42 (Signs Red & White) L~~~~ j . Upper Firing Line (Line of Steel Posts) • • • Firing Line, North Side • • •• Refuge Boundary �-27TABLE9.--DAILY KILL RECORD (TWO BUTTES) FIRST HALF 1951-52 SEASON (B) , Hunters Checked Date OCTOBER 0 19 20 0 21 0 22 2 2 23 24 0 25 0 26 3 2 27 28 0 29 0 20 4 6 31 NOVEMBER 1 20 2 3 14 3 92 4 .'5 31 6 101 116 7 .» TOTALS . 396 (b) (A) Geese Checked 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0. 0 6 Geese per Hunter' (D) Total Cars 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.: 0 0 0 o· Q.: 0 (Y) Projected Hunters 0 0 O· 3 3 2 2 5 3 2 2 6 (X) Projected Other W.FOW"l Kill Killed 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 3 0 0 0 0 0 4. 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 2 1,500 .'333 0 0 0 0 0 3 6 55 41 71 22 .000 1.000 .428 .597 1.322 .703 .275 0 0 0 63 31 78 82 30 15 20 151 74 186 196 0 15 9 90 98 131 55 81 4 0 0 0 0 1 '254 708 410 95 206 0 Second half of season: Tnesecond':half of the season opened with a heavy snow storm and intense cold. Conditions were such that the geese remained on the reservoir most of the day ,rather than combat the adverse weather. This prevented the large kill which usually occurs on opening d~y. An estimated 17,000 geese were 9n the reservoir during the second half of the 1951 season.' During this period, 783 geese were killed within the management area by 3769 hunters who hunted 11,911 hours. Projected success figures show there was a kill of .202 geese per man, or .066 geese per hour. The crippling factor was found to be .068 per hunter, placing the total at 256. This total is subject to the sources of error mentioned for the first half of the season. Ninety dead geese were counted on the lake at the close of the season. �- 28 From a sample of 1386 hunters checked who traveled in 580 cars, the average number of hunters per car was found to be 2.389 (factor C in the formula). This factor was used in computing totals for both the first and second halves of the season. The species taken during this period were Canada geese and four mallard ducks. Three geese banded at the reservoir a year ago were recovered at the shooting ground. The ratio of adult to juvenile geese for this half was found to be .979 for 586 geese checked. This sample included 290 adults and 296 juveniles. Table 10 shows the daily breakdown of kill and hunting pressure. All checks for thi's part of the season were tabulated separately for morning and afternoon hunting. The results of this division are shown in Table 11. Origin of hunting pressure and success by counties are shown in Table 12. Noticeable changes have occurred since 1950 in connection wi th origin ot. hunting pressure. A comparison between the two years is shown in Table 13. �- 29 TABLE 10.--DAILY KILL RECORD (TwO BUTTES) SECOND HALF, 1951-52 SEASON Date (B) Hunters Checked (A) Geese Checked Dec. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Jan. 1 2 142 253 284 142 100 101 102 81 135 261 133 41 140 173 198 175 191 125 94 78 23 21 66 81 35 85 16 15 71 14 li.!. 7 9 9 34 7 17 37 19 TOTAL 2949 586 Time lVlorning Afternoon TOTAL (X) Geese per Hunter (D) Total Cars (Y) Projected Hunters .162 .083 .232 .570 .350 .850 .159 .185 .526 .054 .105 .171 .064 .052 .172 .040 .089 .296 .202 .077 67 161 141 85 63 63 73 41 73 111 58 42 70 76 93 82 109 78 49 38 160 385 337 203 151 151 174 98 174 265 139 100 167 182 232 196 261 186 117 91 26 32 78 116 53 128 28 18 81 14 15 17 11 9 40 8 23 55 24 7 1573 3769 783 6 Projected Kill TABLE 11.- COMPARATIVE I"lORNINGAND AFTERNOON KILL SECOND HALF 1951-52 SEASON NUmber of Hunters 1828 1121 Number of Geese 310 276 2949 586 Geese Per Hunter .169 .:.246 �- 30 TABLE 12.--S0URCE OF HUNTING PRESSURE SECOND HALF 1951-52 SEASON County Hunters Geese Baca Pueblo Prowers State of Kansas Denver & Vicinity El Paso Washington Otero Weld Boulder All other (28) counties Out of state (10 ~tates) 701 428 382 323 289 168 96 72 38 30 336 86 114 81 51 82 78 15 40 8 13 .7 81 16 TOTALS 2949 586 Geese per Hunter .162 ,120 .134 .'.254 .269 TABLE 13.--COIvIPARISONOF HUNTING PRESSURE, 1950-1951 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 .County Baca Prowers Pueblo Denver EI Paso Weld Saguache Rio Grande Las Animas Douglas All other counties Out of state percent of hunters 1950 1951 34 22 15 13 5 3 1 1 1 1 3 1 24 13 15 10 6 1 100% 100% 1 1 .5 14.5 14 �-' 31 -(c) Combined data: Totals for the entire season show that 1193 geese were killed within the management area. Hunters in fields surrounding the public shooting ground were numerous and enjoyed a high degree of success.. It is probable that at least 1000 geese were killed by approximately 2000 hunters in these outlying areas 0 This brings the estimated total' for all goose hunting in the area to 2200 geese and 6500 hunters. The 4477 hunters using the shooting grounds hunted a total of 13,837 hours with a success of 00266 geese-per hunter. Total crippled was 436. The ratio of adult to juvenile geese was .881. Analysis and Recommendations: In solving existing management problems, the shooting pit method was a definite improvement over the old system. The spacing of the pits decreased the likelihood of hunter accidents and eliminated the crowding of hunters on the line. The method proved flexible and was ~qually well adapted to days of heavy hunting pressure and days of light pressure. On opening morning, the shooting ground handled 385 hunters. Even with this number, few persons were required to make use of the upper firing line after the more desirable pits had been filled.. The wide spacing of the pits made it less likely that two or more hunters would shoot the same goose. Hunters in individual pits soon saw the value of cooperating with each other. As a resul.t., "goose at.ea.l.Lng" was substantially decreased. The written permission regulation eliminated crowding of hunters on the north side of the area. In addition, a hunter was inclined to be more considerate of private property. The check stations functioned well and afforded a means of obtaining the desired kill data as well as furnishing information and instructions to the hunters. However, many hunters attempted, to avoid them and this may become a problem. The unusual occurrence of good hunting during the early season may have affected the overall picture in many ways. In ordinary years, the geese have several days or weeks to become accustomed to conditions at the reservoir before they are hunted. This year they had no such adjustment period. Many hunters remarked that they had never seen geese that were as tame and easy to hunt. This confused attitude of the geese continued until near the end of the first half of the season when, as substantiated by lower success figures, the geese became much more wary. During the closed period (November·8 to December 13) observation indicated that they continued to be wary and suspicious. Thus, the effects of the early hunting may have been carried over and seems to offer one expla-' nation as to the low kill and success during the second half of th~ ~eason. The proportion of juvenile geese killed during the first half was higher than during the second part of the season. Also, no banded birds were shot dUring the first half. Records sho¥ that the proportion of juvenil~/geese was higher for the entire season than it was for the season a year ago. Whether ~his increase of juvenile birds in the. hunter I.shag w:.as .dne t.o"a geed hat.ch .during �- 32 1951, improved ability of the adult birds to avoid the hunters, or some unexplained reason, is not known. It is possible that banding studies may help to answer these questions. Hunters during the first half spent an average of 2.7 hours in the field each day. Hunters during the second half spent 3.1 hours. Incomplete data, not presented here, shows the heaviest kill for the first half was made by morning hunters. Table 11 shows that for the second half the success per hunter was greater in the afternoon. Under normal conditions, the heaviest kill can be expected in the morning. These facts also point out the unusual influences exerted by heaVy hunting during the first half of the season. In view of the evidence presented in the preceding paragraphs, it is recommended that the shooting grounds be closed to hunting during the first half of any future split migratory waterfowl season. During mOpt years this policy would have little effect on hunting, since there would be no geese on the reservoir. During other years" it is b~lieved that closing the first half would improve hun tirtg on the area during the second half. In addi,tion, it would eliminate the expense of operating the shooting grounds duripg the early season. It is also believed that the split season is the most satisfactory during most years and should be continued. The population of approximately 17,000 geese stayed about constant with the previous year. The kill for both 1950 and 1951 was approximately equal. For these reasons, it is doubtful that this year's kill was excessive. The total of 4477 huriters using the management area during 1951-52 was somewhat greater than for 1950. It was also the highest number recorded since the shooting ground was established. The daily pressure remained about equal with 19500 The increase resulted from the longer period that the geese were on the reservoir. Important changes were recorded in hunting pressure origin. As seen in Table 13 there was a ~onsiderable drop in the proportion of local hunters. The largest increases were from out of state and from counties which formerly had very low or no representation. The total number of counties and states supplying hunters increased. This points out an Lncr-eaaed d.nt.ez-es t in goose hunting and in the public shooting ground among non-local hunters since 1950. It would seem logical to expect this influx of novice hunters to lower the success ratio. However, this was not the case; non-local hunter& were more successful than local people. This wide variation in hunter origin figures between this year and last indicates that addition~l increases and changes may be expected in the ,future. For these and other reaspns every effort should be made to purchase the shooting grounds which are now leased by the Game and Fish Department. Only in this way can management programs be established on a permanent basis. �- 33 SUNHARY TABLE Area· San Luis Valley First Half South Platte First Half South Platte Second Half South Platte Total Sedgwick Bar First Half Sedgwick Bar Second Half Sedgwick Bar TOTAL ALL AREAS TOTAL No. of Hunters .Average Hours Hunted Total Ducks Ducks Per Hunter 76 2.28 100 1.31 0.577 713 3.10 1194 1.67 0.540 961 2.34 1601 1.66 0.711 1674 2.66 2795 1.669 0.626 196 2.70 404 2.06 0.76 84 2.78 159 1.89 0.679 280 2.73 ~ 2.01 0.736 3,984 2.74 62426 1.61 0.588 Average Hours Hunted Total Geese Geese Per Hunter 708 2.72 410 0.579 0.207 3,769 3.16 783 0.202 0.066 3.09 1,193 0.266 0.087 Goose Hunters Two Buttes First Half Two Buttes Second Half TOTAL Ducks Per Hour Geese Per Hour -4,477 Summary: 1. Random hunter check by searching for cars or gun reports is difficult and time consuming. 2. Nallard ducks comprised 92.2 percent of the duck kill at South Platte and 95.2 percent at Sedgwick Bar. 3•. Green-winged teal comprised 5.3 percent of the duck kill·a11South Platte and 2.31 percent at Sedgwick Bar. 4. Ten other species of ducks compI,'isedless than one percent each of the duck kill at South Platte. 5. Three shooting spots on one mile of river at Sedgwick Bar yielded 563 birds killed. The main South Platte Area with 15 miles of river (approximate) yielded 186.3 birds per mile. 6. Number of hunters on the South Platte area was 1370 in 1950 and 1674 in 1951 "'[increase 304). Sedgwick Bar showed an increase of 52 hunters in 1951. 7. A system of three firing lines was inaugurated at Two Buttes for goose shootIng in 1951., The two front lines consisted of hunting pits in staggered order. 8. The pit system eliminated many undesireable features of hunter control. 9. An increase of 986 hunters (projected) was recorded at Two Buttes over 1950 though the daily hunter pressure remained almost stable. 10. Total kill(projected) at Two Buttes was 1193 gt3ese in 1951 compared to 1228 in 1950. II. An estimated 2000 hunters in fields in the Two Buttes locality killed an estimated 1000 geese. �-57,JOB CO~WLETrON REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS " State of Colorado Project No.w-38-R-5 Title of Job, Objectives: Work Plan No. Location_and I Job No. 2 -----------------~~---- Extent of Winter Ranges To locate and map winter ranges. Techniques Used: Host of the information reported below was gathered by ground reconnaissance, by car,and onsliowshoes. Findings: Over most of western Colorado heavy snow fall forced deer into the lower limits of their normal win ter ranges. In North and Middle Parks the winter areas occupied through the months of January and February were about one-third the normal winter range areas. March found the snow melting enough to allow the deer to use additional areas of winter range. Snow still covered a good part of the upper deer winter ranges on April first. In the Snowmass Creek in the Glenwood Springs district, deer were found to be using the tall sage in the bottoms, of the draws • .Thi.swas even more noticeable in the Little Hills Experiment Station area. Deer normally do not browse these tall sage plants in the bottoms of the draws; it was thought that the deep snows forced them to turn to these plants or starve. On the Uncompahgre Plateau, deer occupied about their normal winter areas. Hunting pressure on the .Kannah-Cr-eek deer -prob.Lem area (Hunting season extended to January 1.) kept the animals pushed out mostly to the west and north. " Deer in the l'1innesotaCreek wint,er range were crowded into a smaller area than usual and more deer wintered down on Rogers Mesa than usual. In the southwest corner of the state, deep snows forced the deer to move south and west. December produced more actual snow depths in Mesa Verde than has occurred in the past twenty-nine years; and .many of the deer moved south onto the 'southern Ute Indian reservation. Deer damage to hay stacks increased greatly in these areas wheFe deer were so heavily concentrated. �-58Elk also were pushed lower than 'Usual. Eleven head wintered on Animas l'iountainwi thin the city limits of Dur ango , and it was possible to count 157 head on Junction Butte from the town of Kremmling. These Junction Butte elk woukl drop off at frequent intervals and get into the nearby hay stack. An attempt was made to locate the winter range of the Pinon lVlesaelk herd, but without much success. It appears that they must be wintering in the rough breaks to the south. Elk were concentrated on Oak Ridge and the South Fork of the White River which is over-browsed from heavy past use. Analysis: It appears. that in many areas wi thin the state the numbers are still too great to expect to come through a hard winter without a high winter loss. Summa~: Deep snow reduoed the winter ranges over most of the state, and in some areas caused an estimated winter loss of about 30%. Work Plan No. II Job No.1 Title of Job: Population and Trend. Counts. Objective: To make Lrrverrt.or Les of deer and elk on their winter ranges. Techniques Used: Aeria~ Surveys with Ground Checks. Findings: It wa~ planned to fly as many of the aerial trends as possible again this year because of the good snow background and the post season's heavy hunting pressure in some areas. The results are as follows. ELK TRENDS Arapahoe (west side) Co chetopa (Saguache) Grand IvIesa Gunnison -east side (Tomichi) 1-30-52 west side Gypsum 2-8-52 Holy Cross (Frying Pan) Hontezuma 12-14-51 Muddy 1-28,29-52 Piney 2-9-5~52 San Juan (Hermosa) 12-7,9,10-51 Troublesome 2-16-52 Whi te River 1-2,·3,4-52 Sweetwater 2-8-52 Williams Mountain 2-12-52 529 577 389 188 556 69 61 629 389 92 875 148 1,866 147 381 �.' -59DEERTRENDS Cebolla Gunnison Uncompaghre Winter IViesaeast , Blue Mesa west Atkinson Mesa wes't Dry l1esa east Crystal River, .C , 1-31-52 1-31-52 752 1,275 2-14-52 3-8-52 3-8-52 3-14-52 2-8-52 257 236 299 281 135· AERIALDEERAND..ELK CENSUS. i 1948.,. 1952" inclusive 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 529 388 425 290 577 .933 855 276 389 267 487 397 744 953 791 877 629 348 264 875 966 578 .,~1,866 1,382 147 482 Arapahoe (west side) 'Cochetopa(Saguache) Grand lViesa Gunnison Hontezuma: San Juan (Hermosa) "lvhite River - north end Sweetwater, .' .' DEERTRENDS , Cebolla Gunnison Uncompahgre east side west side Crystal River, 788 365 841 413 806 1,624 314 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 .y:early Average 233 308 267 1,472 752 - 1,275 1,000 1,671 l,185 ...; 606 1,282 538 535 135 641 848 247 " .. Yearly Average 408 598 1,264 303 445 893 992 ,814 148 -, 402 733 733 �-60Work Plan No. II Job No.2 Title of Job: Sex-Ratio Survey Objectives: To Determine hunting seasono sex-ratios on k~herds prior to and subsequent to Techniques Used: The data in the foregoing report was collected on field checks made from car, on horseback, and snowshoes, and plane. Findings: Due to early heavy snows over most of western Colorado, deer and elk both moved down on to winter ranges and occupied much smaller areas than usual In the Grand IvIesaand Uncompahgre National: Forests areas, the animals appeared less concentrated than in other parts of the state. 0 '" Most of the sexing began the latter part of November and wlft'econtinued until the bucks and bulls started shedding their antlers. Sexlng was done in both morning and evenings. The following table includes the sex ratio of deer herds over the state • Hel'd Piceance Creek Douglas Creek Grand Junction Area Hot Sulphur Gunnison Trinchera Creek Conejos River Rio Grande Saguache Hermosa Dolores Chimney Roc k .No. Deer 164 815 123 501 151 34 74 303 193 -- Bucks -- 15 113 25 54 26 8 18 66 31,2 Does 78 374 73 2'22 63 12 33 154 89 Fawns 71 328 25 225 62 14 23 83 72 Ratio 1: 5.2: 4.7 1: 3.3: 2.9 1: 2.9: 1..0 1:- 4.1: 4'i2 1: 2.4: 2.4 1: 1.5: 1..7 J:: 1..8: 1..2 1: 2.3: 1..'3 1: 2.8: 2.2 I: 1..5: 1.8 1: 2.7: 1..7 1: 3.0: 3.2 �.•. Deer trails lead to feed yards and hay stacks~ Deer hanging around feed rack(Note dead ones inside). �-61Dick Pillmore made the following.check same area. Bucks A.M. P.l'1~ of morning and evening samples for the Does Fawns 58 116 36 61 The following table includes data collected in the Glenwood Springs elk area. Area Bulls -- Cows Calves Frying Pan Canon Creek Woody Creek Crystal River Sopris Creek 1 0 2 8 1 24 3 8 20 6 17 3 3 9 12 61 Ratio Total 1: 1.9: 1.3 1: 2.0: 1.2 in ground counts by Jack De Vore Yearlings ~ 36 Total 54 7 18 45 13 1 5 6 2 .JL. 27 .• 137 The sex-ratio, disregarding the yearlings, is 1 bull to 5.08 cows to 2.25 calves with yearlings making up 12.4% of the elk observed •. Other elk sex-ratios were made from a p.Lane, made to separate cows from calves. In these counts no attempt was Ratio -- No. Animals Hermosa Dolores San Juan· Williams Fork Blue River Troublesome 879 629 43 381 1 bull: 1 bull: 1 bull: 1 bull: 110.7 cows and calves 7.7 cows and calves 2.9 cows and, calves 7.3 cows and calves 148 1 bull: 7.2 cows and calves Analysis and Recommendations: This particular job will fall under the duties of the District Game Managers in the future. Sex-ratios are an important . phase of game management and should be watched, especially in elk herds receiving heavy hunti,ngpressure. �-62Summary: Post season sex-ratios for various key deer herds'in Colorado varied between 1: 5.2: 4.7 in the Piceance area to a low of 1: 1.5: 1.7 in the Trinchera herd. Both the Hermosa and Dolores elk areas were regulated to a Itbullsonlylthunting season last fall. This may explain the large number of cows and calves for each bull. On the other hand, the San Juan was open for the taking of cow eik by hunters. In the northern part of the state, the Williams Fork-Blue River herd and the Troublesome herd both contained just a small fraction over seven cows for each bull, with a hunters' choice season last year. It is interesting to note that in the Glenwood Springs elk area yearlings made up 12.4% of the elk observed. Submitted by: Approved by: Name Jesse Williams, Jack DeVore, COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Ross Campbell, Dick Pillmore, By Dick Teague and Paul Gilbert Title ----~~--~~~-------=--------Thomas L. Kimball, Director Date A~p~r1~·1~,~1~9~5~2 Title NOTE: s Wildlife Technicians ~------------ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. _ _ � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/1006cbfdd78c22b68541bb2656f023c5.pdf 5d764442d20bab2ff33c01d195322225 PDF Text Text -1- JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado Project No. W-61-R-3; Fur Resources and Bear Studies Work Plan No. ___....;;._____ II Job No. ----"----3 Title of Job ltinlc 1ive-tra2£i_ng and Tagging. Objective: To gain information concerning mink migrations, cruisJng radii., sex ratios, longevity, ·density, reproduction, and other data necessary for proper rr,ink management.' F~ings: The live-trapping program was initiated during the last week in April a.nd carried on throughout May and the first two weeks of June. Trapping was conducted on the Cache la Poudre, Yampa, Laramie, and North Platte River drainages. Collapsible, welded-wire live traps, as described in the Quarterly Progress Report for July, 1950, were used and found to be satis·factory. A tagging cone of one inch mesh chicken wire was used to hold the animals immobile for tagging and sexing. The same ear tags as described in the July, 1950 Quarterly Report were used. Both tags were still in place on one mink recaptured a week after first being tagged, and apparently were not causing the animal any difficulty. Baits used were: Wyoming ground squirrel, marmot, fox squirrel, muskrat, chipmunk, yellow perch, and sucker. Due to the limited number of mink caug'.'lt, no conclusion can be made as to which bait is best. No scent was used during this trapping period. Information on the animals tagged during this study is found in Table 1. In addition to the animals listed in Table 1, a raccoon was caught on the North Fork of the Cache la Poudre River at Livernore. The animal was released after an unsuccessfUl attempt was made to tag it. It is believed that the spring period probably is the poorest tirr,e of year in which to live-trap mink. Some of the contributing factors are: 1--Rising waters caused by the snow melt made it extremely difficult to make a permanent trap set. Streams would rise a few inches to more than a foot during the night, sometimes completely covering the traps. · 2--The warm weather cai1Sed bait to spoil, and made it unattractive to mink. Blow flies also made it difficult in this respect. 3--Natural food appears to be plentiful during the spring period, making bait ineffective. 4--Apparently mink do not travel so much during spring as at some other seasons. Tracks were scarce in all areas covered. Trapping will be continued throughout the year in an effort to determine the best time period for the operation. �-2TABLE 1.--ANIMAI.S TAGGED Tag Number Animal Sex Colo M-5 Ymskrat Colo M-7 Mink Male Colo M-8 Mink Male Colo M-8 recapture lf.d.nk Male Colo M-9 Muskrat - - Colo M-10 Mink Colo M-11 Muskrat Colo M-12 lfnskrat --- Male Colo MA-26 Marten Male Colo MA-27 Male Marten Bait Remarks Date Location tagged in rt. ear Wyo. 4/26/52 Nameless tributary to Cache la Poudre ground only squirrel River½ mi. above Kinnikinick Larimer not eaten Co. 4/29/52 Roaring Cr. trib. to yellow calm during tagging. ran & swam s'O Cache la Poudre ½ mi. perch -aliove trout rearing eaten yds. & into beaver unit Larimer Co. bank den. calm during tagg5/9/52 Rabbit Or. trib. to N. fox Fork Cache la Poudre 2 squirrel ing mi. W ½ mi N Livennore,eaten Larimer Co·. 5/16/52 N.fork Cache la Poudre marmot & tags still in Livermore, Larimer Co. Wyo. gr. both ears. ran approx. 3½ mi. from Sq. eaten for nearest cover ori ca ture site. on release Yampa River 8 mi.Sof marmot muskrat ate Steamboat Sprgs. Routt eaten meat bait! Co. 5/26/52 Small trib. to Yampa R.muskrat nervous and & Wyo. gr excited 6 mi. SE Steamboat Sr s Routt Co. s·. eaten 6 N. Platte R. mi. W Wyo, gr water rose in of Walden, Jackson Co. squirrel trap & almost not eaten drowned 'rat found dead next da. 2 Laramie ,• 1 mi. S af sucker Tunnel Camp Ground, partly Larimer Co. eatep. sucker trap set under 6/12/52 Joe Wright Cr.¼ mi. eaten across creek above Chambers Lake, Larimer Co. sucker 6/12/52 Joe Wright Cr. 3 mi. marten asleep in above Chambers Lake, eaten trap.pelt had gray appearance sheddLarimer Co. in., winter coat. �-3SUJVJMARY 1-~JVri.nk live-trapping was coµducted on the Cache la Poudre, Yampa, Laramie, and North Platte River drainages during the period April 24 to June 12, 1952. 2--Collapsible, welded-wire live traps, a tagging cone made of one inch mesh chicken wire, small metal ear tags, and applicator pliers,were used satisfactorily. Baits were a variety of small mammals and fish. 3-Animals caught were: 3 mink, 1 mink recapture, 6 muskrats, 2 :martens and 1 raccoon. ill but 2 muskrats and the raccoon were eartagged and released at the capture site. No difficulties were encountered in handling, tagging, or releasing. The recaptured :mink moved approximately 3½ miles stream distance in one week. 4--It is believed that spring is the poorest time of year for :Livetrapping mink for reasons of high water, bait spoilage, presence of plentiful natural food, and apparent lessening of travel by the animals. This program will be carried on at other seasons to determine which time of year is best. Prepared by Jack ll.emington Title Wildlife Technician Federal Aid Coordinator Date July, 1952 Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first ,obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department· ��-5JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO ----------~ Project No. W-39-R-5; Wild Turkey- Investigations Work Plan No. ____;:.___ I Job No. ---=---lb Title of Job Wild Turkey - Survival Checks Objectives: To determine population status and trends in planted and original areas. Scope: Western and Eastern Slopes, Techniques Used: Field reconnaissance methods consisting of visual observation of birds where possible; observation of field sign as tracks, scratchings, shed feathers, droppings, roosts etc,; and contacting of interested landowners and other cooperating personnel, The help received in the form of information from State Game Wardens, Trappers, Fur Inspectors, Ranchers, and Forest Service personnel has been appreciated. Findings: a. Western Slope Area Generally speaking, survival checks ·comprise a year around activity, There are many factors involved in controlling and observation of birds and population densities within a given turkey range, Food availability, the presence of available water, density of cover, the volume of recent rainfall, and the wariness of the birds all affect the observation of birds. On the Western Slope this past winter there was more snow and prolonged cold weather than any season since the turkey program was launched in 194l. The general public feeling is that the turkeys could not survive these prolonged periods of bad weather. To show how this feeling is expressed, a ra!l'.lcher in the Yellow Jacket divide area between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs expressed it this way: fflI don't see how the turkeys could survive such a winter, but we have rive hens nesting near our fields this spring.'' Beginning on the Western Slope east of Pagosa Springs and checking west and north the observations were as follows: The turkey population in the Pagosa Springs area is still high, This is attested by both field checks and reports. The winter feeding of deer by snowmobile also showed turkeys well scattered in small flocks throughout the area. �From Pagosa Springs westward the population starts thinning out. Birds are in small flocks and well scattered throughout the range. One flock of 60 and a flock of 27 were reported southeast of Bayfield, though the count could not be verified. When checks were made--late May and early June-lush herbaceous growth and heavy recent showers had blanked out all but the most recent sign. A horse back trip some eight or nine miles up Devil creek from the· turkey raitGh proved disappointing. Only a few tracks and a small amount of dropping signwere found. A trip up the Piedra river trail from highway 16o to First Fork yielded very little sign. There is a report of two nesting hens in this area four miles north of highway 160. High water and heavy snow have made this trail difficult. Checks in the Florida river area to Transfer Park were disappointing. Very little sign was found though there had always been turkeys there previously. No checks were made during the period in the Mancos, Dolores, or Uncompahgre areas. It should be noted that direct observation reaches its lowest point during April, May and June. This is due in part to the fact that the hens are usually setting during the last half of this period. Generally, visiting watering places at this time will yield;a fair amount of sign. This season, water is abundant almost everywhere so it is difficult to locate sign. Many springs, dry for the past several years, have broken out and are flowing heavily. These things, while good for the turkeys, are hard on the observer. The late setting period this season also handicapped obsepvation. The difficulty of spring checldng may be noted by the fact that a full days checking in Big Bear Creek "Pine A.rea11 f~led to reveal any sign of tracks, droppings or feathers. A stock rider was located just as the area was being left who reported seeing six turkeys in the vicinity a week earlier. He also reported seeing smallflocks allspring, and hearing gobbling all about the area, b. Eastern Slope Area It appears at this time the turkeys overwintered on the eastern slope ih good shape with little loss from predators, disease, etc. being noted to date, Thus far two remains have been found and one reported. In most areas the birds were found during the winter in small flocks of from 8 to 25 birds and the flocks were well scattered. In both areas whers the �-7turkey season was held last fall and in areas closed to hunting small flocks were the rule. The weather during the spring period on.the Eastern Slope should prove favorable both for nesting and for natural food crops. There was a good amount of moisture in most areas along with an absence of late frosts generally. Of the seven hens and three toms transplanted in the Cottonwood Creek area southeast of Kim during the past wtsr, six hens and one tom were seen ranging within one :mile of the release site on·May 3, 1952. The other tll'.o toms were reported to be ranging in the vicinity. The location of the remaining hen has not been determined at this time, One aluminum leg band from a young hen was found beneath a cottonwood roost tree on the Bob Dodge ranch. This _band had apparently been caught and pulled off since no evidence of mortality was found in the immediate Vicinity. Survival checks for other Eastern Slope turkey areas have been cqmpleted in the lower Purgatoire River area around Higbee, f~sa de Mayo, Raton l!lesa, and in the Canon City and Salida areas. The lower Purgatoire River area around Higbee is thought to contain approximately one hundred li'.ild turkeys at this time based on reported wintering populations. This includes about fifteen :miles of river bottom. A cottonwood roost tree used during the past winter and early spring of 1951-52 by thirty-five or so wild turkeys was observed. Another flock of fifteen to eighteen birds has been reported on the Dorerty ranch at the mouth of the Chacuaco. ' In the Mesa de Mayo field checks, a good amount of sign was observed especially around watering sites although no· birds were seen. One large flock, of ninetyseven to one-hundred birds was ·observed by Lyle Autry and Warden Preston Steele during the winter on the Mesa. Approximately three. hundred turkeys are reportedly now ranging on the Mesa and a few :more have been eeen on the.,south and southwest slopes of the Mesa, While :much of the Barela Mesa area was inaccessible at the' time of the field checks due to late run-off and moisture, it was found that the turkeys in the area are in good shape. Good flooks were reported along the north side of the Mesa especially in Frisco Canyon and vicinity. Approximately seventyfive birds were ranging in Sugarite Canyon along the south side of the Mesa last winter and early spring. Some field sign was observed in the Fisher's Peak Mesa area. in this area is probably about the same as last year. The population �-8In the Salida-Cotopaxi areas, .field checks .failed to show any sign o.f the wild turkeys in the Ute Trail area north o.f Salida while several .flocks have been seen in the Arkansas Hills area northwest o.f Cotopaxi. It is possible that these are a part o.f the birds originally released in the area north o.f Salida. A .few birds have drifted back into Bear Creek while the area .from Howard Creek to Cottonwood Creek near Cotopaxi has remained at about the same turkey population as that of a year ago, although there has been considerable movement o.f the .flocks in the area. Checks in the Current Creek-Cottonwood Creek-Tallahassee Creek areas near Canon City showed a large reduction in numbers compared with population .figures o.f a year ago, although no dead or sick birds were reported by ranchers. As in the Salida-Cotopaxi area these birds have shown a tendency to move about much more than normal .for some unknown reason or reasons. a. Western Slope Severe wintering conditions on the Western Slope have caused some decrease in population. The Pagosa Springs area still has a high population. All turkeys are scattered and in smaller .flocks than usual. b. Eastern Slope Of seven hens and three toms transplanted in the Cottonwood Creek area southeast of Kim last winter, nine are still ranging near the release site and one remains unaccounted for. Good flocks of turkeys are ranging in the Mesa de Mayo and Barela Mesa areas east of Trinidad. The population in the Salida-Cotopaxi area, has shown little gain or loss over that of a year ago while the population in Currant CreekTallahassee Creek area near Canon City showed a sharp decline. Prepared by Martin L. Burget Donald M, Hof.flllan Date Note: Approved by ~thb-<(?,t:£2,J. _ Federal Aid .Coordinator July, 1952 Persons wishing to quote .from this abstract should .first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department; �-9JOB COMPIETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO ---------- Project No. W-39-R-5; Wild Turkey Investigations Work Plan No. _ _.;::I___Job No,_.---"2'-'b_ _ __ Title of Job Wild Turkeys - Locatton of Transplanting Sites Objectives: Scope: To lecate areas suitable for transplanting turkeys. Western and Eastern Slopes. Techniques Used, Field reconnaissance to determine whether an area will support wild turkeys. This includes food evaluation which can best be done in late summer and early fall wheh most-m.ld turkey winter foods mature, water evaluation, and cover evaluation. Other factors that must be taken into consideration are predator load and landowner sentiments. Fi!!;<:!ings: a. Western Slope: On the Western Slope there are enough areas that have been located and checked to take care of more than a normal years trapping, (See Quarterly Reports, 1950 and 1951). At a later date a careful check of the areas will be made to determine the suitability of the areas. As usual, the most suitable areas will be filled first. At present general indications are that food conditions will be abundant this season. It is still too early to evaluate these areas. b. Eastern Slope: T;,;o different areas within the San Luis Valley were examined by ¥.iartin Burget, District Chief Earl Downer, Warden Phil Hawker and the writer during early:Apr±h '.['hese cons±st~drof {l') tlie 'area.... around the old site of Liberty on thetnorth side of the Sand Dunes National Monument and included the drainages of lll'illow Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Deadman Creek, and Pole Creek, and (2) the Orient Creek area southeast of .Villa G!t'Ove. These areas will be discussed separately. Liberty~· This area consists of land varying from relatively flat areas to steep slopes grading generally towards the west. The vegetation in the lower �-10reaches consisted chiefly of a few ponderosa pine, large amounts of pinon pine and cedar, and good quantities of rabbitbrush, dropseed grass, and Indian ricegrass. In the foothills area, the vegetation consisted of a few ponderosa pine, good quantities of pinon pine, cedar, skunkberry, currants, mountain mahogany, and a few snowberry. Many cottonwoods were found along the creeks. High up on the slopes tli.evegetation was chiefly sp.-uce and fir. Water was found to be plentiful in the .area and should not prove a problem. Serious drawbacks in regard to turkey development were the almost complete lack of grass species in the foothills and upper slopes due to heavy grazing by cattle and horses. The deer population in the area is also too great to warrant good turkey development. One desirable turkey food species not found within the area except for a few widely scattered groups was s·crub oaks. It is recommended not to plant this area at this time. Orient Creek. This area was similiar to the Liberty are'a in aspect and slope. The vegetation consisted along the foothill areas of good quanities of pinon pine, gambel's scrub oaks, currants, ·-mountain mahogany, rabbit.brush, some snowberry, .very few ponderosa pine, and very little grass cover. Higher on the slopes the vegetation was ahiefly spruce and fir with aspen thickets. Water would not prove a problem in the area. Serious drawbacks in this area were the lack of grass cover and the very few ponderosa pine available for use as roosts and food species. Grass species have been found to play an important part in wild turkeys diets. It is recommended not to plant this area at this time. SUMMARY Eastern Slope. Two proposed transplant sites in the San Luis Valley were checked during early April. These were the area around Liberty and the Orient Creek area. Nei~her of these areas was found to be turkey range and should not be planted at this time. Prepared by Martin L. Burget Donald M. Hoffman Date Note: Appro11;ed by Federal Aid Coordinator July, 1952 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �~11JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PRbJECTS State of COLORADO Project No. W-39-R-5; Wild Turkey Investigations Work Plan No, I Job No, 3b, ---------~--- Title of Job Wild Turkeys - Predator Relationship and Decimation Factor study 9bjectives: To study predator load, disease, and other decimating factors and their effect on turkey populations. , Scope: Western and Eastern Slopes. Techniques Used: a, Western Slope: Western Slope techniques include mostly gathered field data, Examination of various animal scats in the field for possible turkey contents has been carried on. One road-killed turkey was examined and measurements were taken. Reports were traced on possible blackhead infection in a flock of turkeys in the Piedra area. b, Eastern Slope: Field sign;s of predator activity found in turkey areas during field checks and local reports from ranchers and other 11).nd owners are noted, In addition, whenever feathers or other wild turkey remains are found durin~ field checks, a careful examination is made to determine, where possible, the age and sex of the dead bird and the cause of death, A total of seven bobcat stomachs collected during the winter of 1951-52 through the cooperation of State trappers Bill Kent, Cody Jordan, Warden Chester M, Scott, and Fur Inspector Bryan Denton were checked to determine if there were arry remains of wild turkeys. These stomachs were all taken within occupied turkey range, During and following the wild turkey hunting season in the fall of 1951, instances where birds had been injured but not found were noted. Two wild turkeys found by Departmental personnel were autopsied during the fall and winter of 1951-52. The writer is grateful for the assistance given by Dr. Walter R, Graham in this study. �-12Findings: a. Western Slope: Predators are very definitely on the increase in the. Western Slope turkey range. Coyotes - Canis lat.rans, have shown a definite increase in the past two years. This occiirred in spite of a heavy poisoning activity on the part of the Fish and Wildlife trappers, Game Department trappers have also been taking a good many coyotes. While there are few turkey kills that can be traced directly to the coyote, the fact that their tracks are plentiful around flocking and roosting areas indicates that turkeys form a part of their diet. The Grey Fcx:, Urocyon cinereoargenteus - is also on the increase. Two specimens taken by the author in Thompson park West of Durango had been classed as swifts. One of the skins of these animals was sent to Doui:Jlas Gilbert, Fur Technician, as a specimen. He keyed it out as a grey fox. In the field, all predator scats are checked for content and possible traces of turkey remains. In this Thompson Park area, a number of fox scats had been examined. In one case quills and portions of broken bone fragments indicated turkey had been taken. Another fa'ct noted in the examination of these scats was that they contained thornapple seeds, skunkberry seeds, and even pine branch tips nearly four inchss long. The needles had been chewed off these. There were also rabbit remains. These foxes were fat despite the hard winter. A flock of eight turkeys had moved into the area last winter and in a few days the number dropped to six. After auxilliary feed had been scattered in the area, no more losses were noted. This of course, indicates that weakness due to short feed is a reason for turkeys falling prey to predators. The Bob cat, Lynx rufus californicus -Is showing a heavy increase throughout the area •. Thereare numerous reports of these large cats invading poultry yards in daylight hoRi;-s during the heavy shows. Recently the Fur Division of the Game and Fish Department set up a special predator trapper for the Western Slope area. His time is to be devoted to the trapping of coyotes, foxe.s, cats and skunks. Skunks have been much on the increase in recent years. Other Decimating factors. Disease and Other: In 1950, a flock of turkeys in the Yellow Jacket divide area that had increased to around 45 to 50 birds, dropped to 12 in a few weeks. During the 1950 hunting season two of these 12 birds were shot by hunters •. They were seemingly in good physical condition and fair flesh, but while dressing one of the birds a large quantity of small grey worms were discharged from the broken caecum. Then the second set of entrails was �-13purposely punctured with the same result. The livers of these birds were also splotched with yellow knots as determined by later inquiry since this information was not brought to light for more than a year. It is evident that these worms were the common cecal worm which is commonly associated with the presence of blackhead. This was undoubtedly the reason for the rapid de~letion of the flock. It might be noted here that, when sick birds are present in a flock the healthy birds drive them off. In early February, 1952, a two-year old tom was killed by acar eight miles east of Bayfield. This bird had moved into the highway area only three days before he was killed. When weighed the bird was a full 10 pounds, Since this carcass was not picked up for at least three days after the kill an additional pound might be added to this weight. This bird had gone through some of the most severe part of the winter without auxilliary feed. There was still SOJ/le fat on the carcass and the bird was in excellent phys:i::.al shape. The right femur bone was broken close to the pelvis structure and the skin was peeled back from the breast. The crop was well filled with Crataegus fruits. A few oats and oat leaves were the only traces of the birds having been on a feed ground. No paras_ites were noted. The foll.owing measurements were taken by Donald Hoffman and Martin Burget: Weight approximately 11 pounds Bill length - 26 mm Spur length 4 :mm Length of middle toe - includes nail - ll cm Length of tarsus 15.3 cm Spread of foot with neils 13.5 cm Total'length tip of bill to tip of tail 43 inches Wing length wrist to tip of primaries 2CJ¼ inches Beard length 17 cm Some data on the presence of the long-wing louse was reported by several hunters, but the information was destroyed by fire. b. Eastern Slope! Field checks on the Eastern Slope wild turkey areas are not completed. Winter-Spring checks have shown the bobcat to be holding its own in most all areas. Raccoons remain fairly numerous along the eastern part of the turkey range. The results of the bobcat stomach analysis work are shown in Table 1. were no turkey remeins found within the series of stomachs. There �-lhOnly three cases where birds were injured bnt not found .1,rere reported for the turkey season during the fall of 1951. Two of these birds were reported on East Indian Creek and one in Burro Canyon. Additional losses from hunting season undoubtedly occurred,. The following are the results of the autopsy studies on the Eastern Slope: L A young tom weighing 4 1/4 pounds was found sick in the La Veta area and caught on October 1, 1951 ,by Warden Gail Boyd, The bird apparently couldn't fly and tried to hide in the brush. The bird was seen to be in very poor condition (see Figure 1) and died in transit to Fort Collins for an autopsy. The autopsy was perf~rmeciOl'JJ.1:Jctober 3, 1951, by Dr. Walter R, Grahalll of the Veterinary Medicine Department of Colorado A & M College, Dr, Graham stated the bird was infested with a large number of tapeworms (Raillietina sp.), The largest n1.llllber of these were concentrated within a small area of the small intestine, No infectious bacteria were.found, although several species of lice were'discovered including the cattle louse Bovicola bovis. This particular louse has been found on healthy birds, however, and probably has no pathological significance. The particular species of tapeworm is thought to be carried by dung and ground beetles according to Dr. Graham, Both of these types of beetles have been found within turkey crops in food habits studies. 2. A young hen was found injured along the highway near Rockreist on South Veta Creek by a passing motorist on January 5, 1951, The bird ·'was brought in by Warden J, Frank Cordova. This bird was also in poor flesh, weighing five pounds, but was not in as poor condition as the previous ·specimen. The bird died the sa:me evening. On examination the bird was found to have died from traUlllatic injuries caused probably by being hit by an automobile along the highway, The right fibula and wing were broken and internal injuries were noted, This particular bird had been injured earlier probably during the past turkey season. An old unhealed lesion was noted in the breast of the bird which probably caused its poor condition and may have been a contributing factor in its death. �Figure 1 Carcass of juvenile tom from La Veta area. which died from infestation of intestinal tapeworms (Raillietina sp.), showing poor condition of bi rd. l'hoto by Donald M. Hoffman �-15TABLE NO. 1--BOBCAT STOMACH LOT NO. 1 EASTERN SLOPE TURJ~Y RANGES A.rea. Stoma.ch No. 1 How Where Col. by .,_,,___D=at_e___ Killed Ta.ken Contents Remarks C. M. Sco-tt Nov.15, -,S-h-o_t.,.... -"""""N~o_r_t_h____C_hi ___ ck_e_n_..-re·-n1'"""a-i.,..ns-·----.:=F"'"'u_,..l..,,.1-.-s-t-om..;;..a;;,..c_h_·.. 1951 Fork including white near feathers and meat Stonewall · (most of' entire volume) Also: Sticks, woodfragments, round stomach worms Bryan Denton Winter St.eel 1951-52 Trap North Fork Veryf"U.11 ·Remains of .1 or . . stomach more rabbits in·. eluding flesh, hair bones and whole hind foot (most of entire -volume) Also: l'ud, sticks 3 c. M:. Scott Nov. 15, Shot Martinez Canyon Stomach had Hair of small very little probably . mammal -(most of within field mouse volume) Also: few sticks 4 A~ c. Jordan Winter Steel 1951-52 Trap . Sugarite Trap debris in- c. Jordan Jan. 20, Steel E. Indian 2 5 Ao 6 Bill Kent 7 Bill Kent 1951 1952 '.Erap Winter Steel Canyon Creek Caple R. 1951~52 Trap 4 mi. So •. Winter Bo:;rce Lambuth R. Steel 1951...52_ Trap eluding sticks; bark, etc. Also: Stomach round worms. Deer hair, flesh, bones (most of contents) Also: Mud, pine needles, etc. Stomach almost full Tom Bobcat Bark sticks and other trap debris Stomach with only small volume Beulah So .. of Beulah Stomach appraximately one-fifth full Stomach empty except for a few stomach roundworms. �-16SUMMARY a. Western Slope Four preda.tors show a definite increase in Western Slope areas; the coyote, the bobcat, the grey fox, and skunks. Fox scats showed turkey content in the area west of Durango. A full time predator trapper has been placed on the Western Slope. A check on possible blackhead infection gave some indication of the disease in a flock of Piedra birds. Examination of a road-killed turkey yielded some measurement data. b. Eastern Slope There were found to be no turkey remains in seven bobcat stomachs taken within occupied wild turkey range during the past winter. Three hunting season cripples were reported on the Eastern Slope the past hunting season. More losses undoubtedly occurred, Of two sick or injured turkeys on which autopsies were performed during the past fall and winter, one apparently died from an infestation of tapeworms in the small intestine and the other died of accidental injuries. Prepared by Martin L. Burget Donald.M, Hoffman Approved by,~4l-':;<P &t{:lL. Federal.!\id Coordinator Jul 1952 --------'=-c..c..--------- Date Not e: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-17JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PRO,TECTS State of COLORADO ---===-"---- Project No. W-39-R-5; Wild Turkey Investigations Work Plan No. _ _ _I _ _ _Job No,..;,__ ___,,4.::b_ __ Title of Job Wild Turkey - Brood Counts Objectives: To locate and count the number of young turkeys to determine flock increase. Scope: Western and Eastern Slopes. Techniques Used: Visual observation of broods where possible and the securing of brood reports from reliable cooperators. Findings: a. Western Slope Mating activity got away to a very late start in 1952. This was due to a late winter and light food conditions. Thus far not a single brood has been seen or reported. b. Eastern Slope No turkey broods have as yet been observed or reported on the Eastern Slope. Two nests have been reported. One nest containing three eggs was reported seen by rancher Dane Black during early May, high on Cottonwood Creek soutljeast of Cotopaxi. A second nest containing nine eggs was seen by Norman Lewis on his ranch on Howard Creek on June 8, 1952, This last nest was apparently being incubated at the time he observed it. SUMMA.RY No turkey broods have as yet been observed or reported on either the Western or Eastern Slope. Prepared by Martin L. Burget Donald M. Hoffman Date Note: Approved b y ~ Federal Aid Coordinator July~ 1952 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��-19JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COlORADO ---------Project No. W-39-R-5; Wild Turkey Investigations State of Work Plan No. I Job No. '5 ---------~--- Title of Job Wild Turkey - Food Studies Objectives: To determine the carrying capacity of certain areas and the requirements of the turkey flocks -within those areas. Scope: Western and Eastern Slopes. Techniques Used: a. Western Slope: Field reconnaissance methods of food evaluation was used. Various species are checked by districts to determine the amount of food value for the year. This is then compared with the need of the turkeys in the area. A five year comparative study is. included as well as an early reconnaissance check of food possibilities for 1952. The developmsnt of a food sampling study techniqus is shown in Table l. b, Eastsrn Slope: During the summer of 1951 a new method for chscking food availability on the Eastsrn Slope wild turksy areas was formulated, The objectives of the method have been: l. To devise a relatively fast, simple, and accurats msthod by which average food conditions for an arsa may be msasursd. 2, To more accurately be abls to compare foods from year to ysar. 3, To study ysarly variation in food producing qualities of different species of plants by areas. The arsas checked consisted chiefly of drainages where wild turkeys have been known to range during the winter period in the past. The check route may be either along a secondary road or foot trail. It was found that starting at the upper end of the strip proved most satisfactory especially in the instances wherein it was possible to drive along a road to make the checks. �-20- Intervals o:f one :mile are recorded separately on a form similar to that on the following page using the following key: No fruit observed on species Species bearing poorly Species bearing fair Species bearing good Species not recorded in check 0 1 2 3 Sample work sheet SALIDA ARE! CHERRY CREEK AUGUST ··9 /'.1951 1 ¥d.le Intervals 1 2 3 4 Average Acorns l l 2:: 2 1 Pond. Pine 2 2· 2 2 2 1 2, 1 l 3 2 Pinon Pine Chokecherry 2 0 1 Snowberry J 0 0 Rose 3 1 3 3 2 1 l Skunkberry l 0 Hawtho:i;n. ... - Kinnikinnick - Grasses 2 1. 2 1 l Weeds 1 1 1 2 1 Food Index 12 Remarks ... Dry weather in growing period; range overgrazed higher reaches. �-21As shown in the chart, the individual species are averaged at the end of the check route and these averages are recorded on a large sheet of paper similar to that of Table 2 on page22. By adding the average food conditions for each species across, and index is secured by which different areas can be compared as to natural food availability. c, During the spring quarter of 1952, a total of forty-six wild turkey crops, one gizzard, and one set of droppings were analyzed using direct volumetric methods in the case of all crops and gizzards. Methods to secure percent frequently of occurrence only were used in analysis of the droppings. Fii:idings ~ a, Western Slope: Generally speaking the food situation was about the same on most of the western slope in 1951, Late frosts for the most part, coupled with a very dry early period prevented much of the food production. In almost all the areas there were small islands where blossoms were not injured by the frost. In these there. was a fairly normal crop, There was a fair crop of the most important emergency wintering foods, These included Crataegi:s spp., Rhus. trilobata, and roses, Rosa spp. There was an extremely heavY crop of chokecherry, Pru.nus spp., overmost of the Western Slope. In come cases on late checks it was noted that some of the food bearing plants dried up due to a lack of moisture to help them mature, This was noted particularly in the Dolores district where roses and skunkberry were particularly hard hit. Some of the roses looked like they had been affected by some sort of blight. Generally speaking the food crop was better than in 1950. There was one difference--there was little or no reserve from 1950 to tide the birds over winter. Competition is always high £or acorns and most of this crop was stored by rodents before the acorns ripened. In the Dolores area, it was noted that fruits developed mostly on tall shrubs, both on oak and thornapple. . Possibly the late blossoms of these more mature trees caused the difference. In the Pagosa Springs district there were a few more acorns and other staple fruits than in other areas •. In these studies a sampling technique was developed to more clearly evaluate the foods within the various areas. Ji sample is included in Table l. �.... 22TABLE 1.--WILD TURKEY FOOD EVALUATION STUDY ** Values(!bundant *(Satisfactory Sample (Poor (Missing Locate Area Start at Specific Area Stonehouse Lower Dclorisis T,rpe 5:top i · J~per Grasses & Weeds Sat. We~ds ... Comment Sat. Sat. Poor Sat. Sat. Poor Poor Poor Poor i:ihus-abund,. · Poor Poor Rhus Poor Sat. Sat. Acorns Poor Roses-sat. Sat., Poor Acorns sate Rhus-abund. Roses- .,. .. '!lo~ood. ti Roses-abund .. Abund. Abund,, Abund. ,A.bund., Mast Berries Oak½ crop small Rhus-sat. Acorns. No pinon Roses - abuta. Oak Pl:r;tQti . conic,s sat.* . . .,,,..,,.--..,-----P=i--no"""· n. . . -----=0,-ak""'··. . . l'fJissing None Stop 2 Juniper ·Pinon Oak. · Rhus ...abund. Stop 3 Oak Oak sat. BoxElde:r . . Roses-abund. Stop 4 Oak sat. Rhus-sat .. Oak Roses-sat. Pinon P:Ii:Jon Missing ~po.or Stop g Stop 6 Jun:!. er Oak Oak Poor Cottn.Wd, Oak Pinon Stop Oak Poor Pinon Missing Juni,r?e,r Acorns Missing Rhus r --"". oak Stop 8 Stop 9 Stop 10 Oak Rose Oak Rhti.s Bottom None Area Roses-sat. Sno-w-berry Missing Dogr111pod rr. Cot,.. Wd. 1. 2. 3~ Randoltl sample 'in occupied winter range. ¥.ea.sure unit - 2 miles - stops every 0 .. 2 mile observe with binoculars. Evaluate principal foods= ma.st types berries ;srasses - weeds. Enough samples will evaluate area. �-23For the benefit of what can be gained from a comparative study, the following is inserted. Comparing . food values for a five year period should give some idea of proportion in the; ·matter of food production. During the period mentioned below the turkey program advanced materially. Two hunting seasons were opened during this period also. Five year comparison starting with 1947: 1947 The spring was late and the summer dry. Food production was fair throughouP, the turkey range. This might be classed as an average year. 1948 This year production was much more favorable than in 1947. duction of food species was well above average. The pro- 1949 A heavy late winter provided much moisture. The spring was favorable and food production was at its peak. For the first time since 1940 the pines produced cones two years in succession - 1948 and 1949. 1950 Heavy late frosts and drowth conditions during the summer almost destroyed all food production over the entire turkey range. 1951 The same general conditions prevailed in 1951 that had held in 1950. The exception was that there was a heavy crop o:I: thornapple and chokecherries. The main difference between 1950 and 1951 was, that in 1950 there was a heavy.reserve crop left-over from 1949, In 1951, this reserve crop was gone. A heavy winter in 1951 and 1952 made auxilliary feeding a necessity. At best, such a program is decidedly limited in its scope. There is a strong possibility that losses were heavy, particularly in the remote areas. Flocks that worked down to where they could be reached were fed. In this feeding program the feed was carried back from the highways and fed in protected pockets. Most of this feeding was done on snowshoes and feed clllt'ried in a·pack basket. Now, in the spring of 1952, food prospects are favorable again. The abundant moisture, nearly siX inches in January alone, leaves crop prospects high though a late frost in May destroyed most of the oak mast prospects in the 7,000 foot belt on the Western Slope. This also affected the skunkberry (~hus). The oaks were just leafing out and blossoms were in full pollen. �-24Following the frost most of the oaks looked like they had been scaled. It was noted this season that there are certain individual shrubs that come on more slowly. These are now in fine shape and showing good mast prospects. The next shrubs to bloom following the frost were thornapples, Crataegus spp. Then chokecherries, Prunus spp. In the higher elevations chokecherry blossoms are at their height.in mid-June. These shrubs will evidently have bumper crops this season. The herbaceous species are lush in growth this year also. The wheat grasses, needle grasses (Stipe), elk sedge, the bromes and gramma grasses are shonng exceptional growth. These all show better prospects than in any year since 1949. In the evergreen group, the Ponderosa pines show good indications of having a heavy cone crop. Roses are just coming in bloom and it is too early to evaluate the prospects. b. Eastern Slope The results of the food availability study on the Eastern Slope by drainages are given in Table 2. The food specimens examined consisted of: 1. One spring crop from a bird found dead in the Cuchares River area on April 24, 1950, by Bryan Denton. For a list of food items and volumes found within this crop see Table J. 2. Five fall crops secured during the hunting season of 1950. A total of fifty-three crops collected during the same period were analyzed and reported on earlier. These five crops had not been received at the time the others were examined. For the compiled data from this series see Table 4. 3, Forty fall crops secured during the hunting season of 1951, These crops were collected through the cooperation of Departmental field men and wild turkey hunters. The writer wishes to express .his sincere appreciation for this cooperation •. Special thanks is due to Mr. Charles C. Sperry of the United States Fish and -wildlife Research Laboratory who gave much valuable assistance in the identification of unfamiliar food items. For the compiled data from this series of crops see Table 5. Photographs of two individual crop contents from this series are .. shown in Figures 3 .and 4. �-25- 4. One gizzard taken from a young hen killed along the highway and secured by Warden J. Frank Cordova. The crop of this bird was empty. For a list of the food items found in the gizzard see Table 6. 5. One series of droppings secured by Martin L. Burget from an old Pueblo Indian Ruin in Yiancos Springs Canyon on July 18, 1951. Since these droppings were old and dry when found, their usefulness to determine food habits during any particular season is very limited. For the results of this analysis see Table?. �-26- TABLE 2.-FOOD !V,!1,ILABILITY CHART SUMNER 1951 Key, No or very few fruit Plant bearing poorly Plant bearing fair. Plant bearing good Species not recorded in area Area -Date 0 1 2 3 Food - 10 Io; I (J) ~ ;i J;l ~ ~ I, pi nish (l) >< ., -" ~ I "i.. ·a ·2 "'"' 'ti"' ~ (1) :- ~ 0 0 g ·rl~ •rl<:: ·r--1a ..l'.:l. 0 ,Iii •• A.. p;: A.. A.. 0 < • ., <ll ,D ~ 0 "' <1l <ll 0 0 o.: 1 2 l 0 0 E. Indian Cr. Bear Cr. 8/3 8/4 0 2 0 2 - - 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 5 6 -- 22 12 10 5 Cucharas R. NJ,Vahatpya Santa Clara Mavricio Can. Mid.Trujillo N.TruJillo Jaros!< Zarcillo Can. 8/16 8/16 8/17 8/18 8/18 8/18 8/20 8/21 0 1 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 l 1 l 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 2 1 3 Wet Canyon Burro Canyon Reilly Can. Longs Canyon Al:>bott-Duling North Ford Wet Mountain Cousin 8.p gs • 8/21 8/23 8/21 7/10 1 0 0 - 02 -0 - 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 l 3· O 8/22 2 2 0 0 0 l 1 1 9/6 2 1 San Isabel Rd. 8/24 Ridge Rd. 9/7 2 2 2 l North Cr. 9/5 S.Hardscrabble 9/5 S.Caple Rd. 9/7 Adobe Dr. 7/30 Williams Cr. 8/14 Pass Cr. 8/:15 3 2 3 3 2 0 1 0 1 8/22 0 - 0 0 0 - ..., 0 2 - 2 2 1 1 1 - 2 0 1 0 3 l l 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 2 2 2 -2 -3 0 0 - - 2 1 l 2 0 2 1 2 - l 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 t) " -"" ,!;J J? ,1::1 ~~ :;3 :<: •rl •ri 8/3 2 2 1 3 2 1 0 Remarks (l) Peaks Middle Cr. 1 0 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 Rating l 0 1 3 - -- - -- 1 1 6 5 2 1 8 5 2 2 10 4 Locust fair. 2 0- 10 5 2 110 4 2 l 14 4 1 '1 15 3 Also few wild plums 2 2 10 7 Late frosts. 2 l 7 6. Foods better above IIIcDonalds. 2 2 10 6 2 2 7 5 2 2 6 5 1 1 7 2 2 9 4 Late frosts. 3 2 11 3 - 219 3 - 2 114 5 1 Late frosts; wej::,worm defol. Late frosts. Frosts; many oak dying. 2 1 8 7 - 1 2 12 7 - 2 112 4 10 2 - 22 1- 12 -- 2 - 13 3- - 21 7 4 Oaks dying in groups. Wild plums fair. Many oaks dying out. Wild plums fair. Serviceberry poor. Oaks dying in groups. Late frosts • �-27TAB:J:;E 2.--Continued · Remarks Canox1 "'E:ity:.Src,.1i.da Tallahassee Texas Cr. 7/30 8/10 1 Copper Gulch 8/10 Cottonwood Cr. 8/6 Hayden Cr. 8/10 Cherr.1 Cr. 8/9 2 1 0 0 2 1 3 l z, 1 2' 1 1 2 l 1 2 1 0 2 l 3 l 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 0 0 l 0 1 1 Purgatoirea.Mesa de Mayo Higbee area 7/2 7 'Mesa. de Mayo 7/27 2 1 0 Average 8/10 8/8 8/8 2 2 1 0 2 0 ~ 0 0 2 l 9 1212 - 3 1 0 1 Stout Cr. Howard Cr. Bear Cr. - 2 - 0 1 -, - ··21144 2 1 8 .5 1 l 12 4 1 1 7 2 1 1 7 4 1211 5 0 -2 1- - - 1 1 - - 1 l 1 0 115 3 1 2 4 2 1 7 0 0 2 1 9 Late frosts, dry weather. Dry weather; heavy grazing; · Heavily grazed. Dry weather. Servi ceberry poor; frosts. Cult?grain good �-27aTABLE NO. 3 Crop No. 38 Eastern Slope - Cucharas River April 24, 1950 (Spring) Tom Food Items Plant Matter Family - Species % Vol. Asteraceae Taraxacum officinale . +la~J ion le~f f'rai;rments Erici~~&Tion seoo neaus Arctostaphylus uva-ursi Kinnikinnick fruit Fabaoeae Trifolium sp. Clover leaves Fagaoeae Quercus sp. · Scrub oak acorn Gramineae Avena fatua Wild oats Hordeum vulgare Barley Grass leaves Pinaceae Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa pine seeds 23% 2% Trace 4% 13% 47% Trace Animal Matter Family Scarabaeidae Scarab beetle Myriapoda (order) Yiillipede fragments 1% Trace Oligochaeta (class) Earthworm TOTAL Non-Food Items Bone fragments (2% of total volume) Gravel (6% of total volume) Trace 100% 25% TOTAL 75% 100% �Figure 1 Group of chokecherry plants - Pass Creek Area; showing effect of late frosts combined with dry wea.ther during past growing season. These are considered the major causes of the present food condit:\.ons on the Eastern Slope Wild Turkey Areas. Photo by Donald M. Hoffman 6/2C/51 Figure 2 Chokecherry twig showing defoliation by webworms - l1iddle Creek Area. A minor factor over whole Eastern Slope Wild Turkey Areas but relatively j_mportant in localized areas. Photo by Donald N. Hoffman 6/26/51 �Figure 3 Contents of crop number 98 killed on Coyote Creek during turkey season in fall o: 1951. Photo by Donald Mc Ho.ffinan Figure 4 Content of crop number 101 killed in Upper Lost Canyon during tu.rkey season in_ fall of 1951. Photo by Donald E., Hoffman �Legend for Figure 3 Items shewn are: Dandelion seed heads 71% Rose fruit 25% Dandelion & grass leaves 1% 4. Wild Buckwheat seeds - trace S. Plant gall - trace 6. 1 grasshopper, 12 leaf beetles, and 7 weevils 3% 7, Non-food items consisting of gravel, bone fragments, and wood fragments (2% of total volume). 1. 2, 3, Legend for Figure 4 1, 2, 3, 4, S. 6. 7, 8, 9, Items shown are: 202 grasshoppers 93% Kinnikinni.'.ck fruit 5% Snowberry fruit - trace Grass leaves 1% Unidentified composite seed heads 1% Snowberry leaves - trace Green needlegrass seeds - trace Holly grape fruit - trace Insects other than grasshoppers including 10 fly pupae, 1 beetle, and l wolf spider. Not shown in photo was a trace of gravel (grit). �-28TABLE N0.4-1'1ERRIAM 1 S TURKEY FOOD STUDIES Compiled Data -- Basis 5 Crops* Volumetric Analysis September 28, 1.950 thrbugh October 2., 19:50 1~00.Titems · · Plant Matter (99%) % Freq. FamiJ,y "'-' Species %Vol. Occur@ of Asteraceae -- Composite Family (3%) Ambrosi.::x tri fida ...... Giantragweed seeds Helianth.us sp. ·· Wild sunflower seeds tac: tuca '1s ca.ri ola T1:'Ur,~ prickly lettuce seed heads Taraxacum of'ficinale ,_ Dandelion leaves Unidentified composite seed and seed head dal?rifoliaceae - Honeysuckle Family (Trace)· ~-~Ph2!:_ic~,eos Spo B,nowt,ier1"'y- i~ruit and seeds Chenopodiaceae -- Goose.foot Family (Trace) £~n~[uiit&.1bU1U · La:mh ts quarters seed ir1ca.ceae - Heath Family (1%) Arctosta;ph;zlus uva-ursi · ••· ·Kinniki.r:t:tick .fl'."!li t Fa.baceae -~ Pea Family (Trace) -"{rM.dentified pea seeds. Germaiacea.e -Geranium Family (Trace) 1% 40% Trace 20% 2% 20% Trace Trace 40% Trace 40% Trace· 20% 20% . "·-~sp. · Wild geranium leaves Gra:mineae - Grass Family (93%) Avena fatua -·tli.Id oats ,Avena sativa ·cultivated oats Blef!h~roneuron trichole;eis Hairy dropseed seeds and hulls Bromus sp .. Bromegrass seeds 1% 20% Trace 20% Trace 20% 2% 20% 25% 100% l.;% 40% Tr&ee 40% (Continued) -~~~-~-~-·- crops collected during this same periodwereanalyzedearlier .. These fiye crCJps.had not been received when the others were .ana.lyzed. . . . . �-29- %Freq .. %VoL Hordeum~~~e Barley grain 5% 40% 20% Trace 40% Trace 20% Trace 80% 19%·· Muhlenbe:t"gia sp. Muhlygrass seeds andseed heads Phleuinpratense Timothy seed heads Secale cereale Cultivated rye seeds of Occur. Setat'ia sp .. Bristlegrass seed heads f>J;?.~,rcbolus sp~ Dropseed seeds and hulls 9%•· . Gr.iss leaves Pi:n.aceae - Pine Family (Trace} · Pinus sp. ·· 100% . Pine needle fragments . Trace Polygonaeeae - Buckwheat Family (Trace) . Polygonuinsp. . Wild buckwheat seeds Wild buckwheat leaves Rosaceae ;__ Rose"c Family (2%) Rosa sp. ---:aose fruti Unident:if'ied broad type leaves (greens) Arrunal Matter ( 1%) Family Acrididae Short-horned grasshoppers 20% .. Trace Trace 2% 6. O,oof 20% 20% Trace 40% 1% ·20% Trace· 20% Trace 20% Trace 20% Trace 20% Trace 20% Carabidae ... 6round beetle Sarco;ehagidae . Blot,rfly larvae Teneb:d.onidae . Beetle (Triboliwn sp~) L~p~~te:t·i t Order J ~ Lepidoptera caterpillar M;:trt opoda (Order) :Millipede· fragment TOTAL 100% TOT.lt 100% lOO~ Non-Food Items Gravel and fine sand 80% �-JOTABLE NO. 5-MERRIAM' s TURKEY FOOD STUDIES Compiled Data --.Basis 40 Crops* Volumetric Analysis September 27, 1951 through October l., 1951 li'ood Items . Plant Matter (86%) %.Freq. Family -- Species . A.maranthaceae - Amaranth Family (Tra·ce) ..ili.xna.ran thus sp. of %Vol~ Occur. Trace 10% 3% 5% · R,edroot pigweed seeds Ana.cardiaceae -- Sumac .Family (3%} Rhus trilobata . Skunl~berr:y""frui t Astera.ceae -.. Composite Family (7%) Ambrosia' trifida Giant ragweed seeds 2% 10% Aster sp ... 4\ster leaves Ca.rduus sp. Trace -"'i'h:tstle seeds Trace. 5% 2% Trace 20% 3% 2% 2.0% Trace 2% Trace 2% Trace 10% Trace 2% Heliahthus. sp~ Wild sunflower seeds Tara:x:acum officinale l)ai1delion leaves Dandelion seed heads Tra~o:eo~on sp. Salsify seed heads Verbesina ·.enceliodes G,,ldenweed seed Unidentified composite seeds and· seed, heads Berberidaceae -- Barberry Family (Trace) -~ BerbtY:c":J.:s repens · Hollyg:rape fruit ~or>agi~~ceae - Borage Family (Trace) ula sp~ ~eed seeds ;Lithos;e~_!'tnum sp~o :.Puccoon: seeds Trace Trace 25% 2% .. 10% (Continued) sM-One crop conta:i.ned too little rnateris.1 to be used in percent volume calculationso The data from this crop is, however, included in percent frequency of occurrence calculations. �-31 ... % Freq. o:f: % Vol. Occur. Trace 2% Trace 7% Trace 2% 0n()S1'l'lOdiU:t11 .sp. False grornwell seeds Brattsicacea.e -- Mustard Family (Trace) · • Garoelina sp .. Ftls?flax seeds and pods Capparadaceae -. Cap·er Family (Trace) Cleome serrulata. Rocky'Mountain bee plant seeds ~~ - Honeysuckle Family (2%} ·S,Y1tTEJ1oricarpo~. sp" Snowberry fruit Snowberry lea.ves Gh,:1riopodilil~ - Goo~efoot Family (Trace) Chenopodium albu:m Lamb's quarters seeds Ericact!;iae ·.,.;,;... Heath Family (J.i.%) ~t~Ilphylus uva-ursi · -·- Kinnikinnick fruit 2% 22% Tt'ace 5% Trace 5% 4% 12% Trace Kinnik:innick leaves Fabac~ae - ... Pea Family (4%) 2 ¥.iedica o sat,i'ira Alf a leaves ·Melilotus sp .. &teet clover seeds ),% · 12% Trace 2% - . cuitivated peas Trace 2% Trace· 10% 3% 37% Trace 15% 2% lo% Trace 2% Pisum sp. · .· Robinia ·neci-mexi cana · . Locust seeds Trifoliu.m sp .. ·. Clover leaves Vicia sp. Vetch·leaves Fa~aceae - Beech Family (2%) QuG'H:CUS sp. Scrub oak acorns Geraniaceae -- Geranium Family (Trace) Geran:iu:m sp. Geranium leaves (Continued) �-32- %Freq. %Vol. of Occur. Trace 5% Bentgrass seed heads Avena fatua Trace 5% W-:Lld oats Avena ~~,,~,,.,-..-- sativa GultivarLc.,d oats Trace 12% 28% 60% Tra.ce 2% Trace 2% ·Trace 5% Trace 5% '.:t% Trace 55% . 2%. Trace .2% Trace· 10% 1% Trace 5% 2% Trace. 12% 4% 40% 2% 40% Trace 21% 1! ~5i2% Grami.neae -- Grass Family (60%) !fQ:,opyron sp • W-heatgrass. seed heads !~o~ sp. Beckmartnia sy~igachne American sloughgrass seed heads Bouteloua sp. 7¼rama grass seed head Bromus sp. Bro:meg:rass seeds ~l;J::"'lllUS Sp" . Wild rye.seeds H6rdeUlll V1J.lgare Barley .. grain Muhlenbergia sp~ 1~u1tLy grass seeds and seed heads Panicum sp. Panic grass seeds Phleum ·£!:.~tense Tin1ot11;;t seeds and seed heads Paa sp • .. Bluegrass .. seed heads Seca1e cereale . Cultdvated rye seeds Setaria sp~ Bristlegrass seed heads Sporobolus·· Spo -~f5i:·ooseed. seeds and hulls StiEa· yiridula · Green ne,~dlegrass seeds Triticu:m aestivum . w1v:>r1t griiin- ze a :tnz,~'"S Corn ·seeds Grnss leaves Unidentified grass spikelet Melanthiaceae ·"'- Bunch-li'.:Lower Family (Trace) Melanthium'. virginicum Bunch-flower seeds Pinaceae - Pine Family (Trace) ·-· · 1rbtes concolor Wh:'Lte fir needle fragments Pinus sp. Pine needle fragments (Continued) Trace Trace .. 2% Trace 2% Trace 10% �-33- %Freq. P~;1;LJ;onace"~e -- Buckwheat Family (Trace) Poly~onum sp. · Wild buckwheat seeds Rosaceae -- Rose .Family (4%) -irosasp. · %Vol. of Occur. Trace 22% · .15% ~ s e fruit and seeds Saxifraisaceae --- Saxifrage Family (Trace) .Ribes sp. ,,~Wild currant fruit Plant galls (insect) Unidentified.broad type leaf fragments (greens) Unidentified flower portion Animal Matter (14%) Family Acrididae Short-horned •·grasshoppers Carabidae Ground beetles Trace Trace · 5% 5% Tra.CB·· 17% Triice 2% 14% ··42% Trace 22% Trace 2% Trace 12% Trace 7% · Trace 2% Trace 12% Trace. 15% 'Ants Trace 17% Gryllidae Crickets Trace 7% Trace 10% Trace 2% Trace. 5% 2% Ce:ramb:y cidae Long-horned beetles Chr'>J l'l (11nelidae - . Leaf beetles • Cicadellidae Leaf:tioppers Coccinellida.e Ladybird beetles Coreidae Squash and. :boxelder bugs Gurculionidae Snout beetles For.micidae Ichneu:monidae Wa:sps Lycosidae Wolf spider Membracidae Treehoppers Muscidae House fly Trace (Continued) �-34%Freq., %Vol. of Occur. Trace 7% Trace 5% Trace 7% Trace 2% Trace 10% Trace 5% Trace 12% Bu.gs· _!!y1TIB110£.!:~ra (Order) Trace 10% Itrmenoptera Lepidoptera (Order) Noth adults, caterpillars, and cocoons Trace 5% Trace 10% Trace 7% Trace 5% Trace 2% Trace Trace. 100% 12% Pentatomidae SbJJl 1d trnd stink bugs 0 Phalangidae D::ctdd_y long legs spiders Scarabaeidae Scarab arid may beetles ~il;enidae · Carrion beetle Tenebrionidae Dark1ing.beetles Coleoptera (Order) BE;;c;L1es DiEtera (Order) l"ly pupae and adu 1 ts Hemi;etera (Order) Myriapoda (Order) 1'l11ipede fragments Arachnida (Class) Sniders Chilopoda (Class) Centipedes Gastro;eoda (Glass) Land srnills Unidentified insects and insect fragments TOTAL Non-Food Items Bone fragments Gravel and fine sand Woody fragments % Freq~ % of Gross , of Volume Trace 1% Trace TOTAL %Vol. Occur. 96% 65% 5% 4% Trace 100% 5% �-35TAB]:£ NO. 6 Gizzard No, 1 Eastern Slope - South Veta Creek Near Rockre&t -- U. s. 160 (Huerfano County) January 5, 1951 (Winter) Hen -- Juvenile Food Items Plant Matter Family - %Vol. Species Rosaceae Rosa sp. ---Wild rose seeds and fruit pulp 100% Unidentified stem fragment Tra.ce TOTAL Non-Food Items Gravel (5% of total volume) TOTAL 100% �-36TABLE NO. 7 Dropping.Sample Lot No. 3 Western Slope -- Mancos Springs Canyon Pueb1o Indian Ruins July 18, 1951 Nllll!ber of Droppings analyzed - 3 Food Items Plant Matter %Freq. of Occurrence Amaranthus sp. Redroot pigweed seed 33% Avena sp. Oat hulls 33% Pinus sp. Pine seed fragments 33% .. Quercus sp. Scrub oak seed coats 33% Rosa sp. -irose seed fragments 33% StiEa viridula Green needlegrass seed coats 33% Zea~ Corn seed fragments 33% Grass leaves (dried) 66% Grass seed coats 66% Unidentified seed coat 33% Non-Food Items Gravel 100% Woody fragment 33% �-37Analysis and Recommendations: Eastern Slope: The food situation for the w:i nter season of 1951-52 on the Eastern Slope wild turkey areas was slightly better than the previous winter. Late frost combined with dry weather during the growing season are again believed to have been the major contributing factors. Defoliation by webwonns in localized areas also played a part (See Figure 1 and 2). The preceding food availability chart has been included as an attempt to evaluate the different areas on the basis of eleven different wild turkey food groups. The method used in this survey has been described earlier, The Purgatoire River-Mesa de Mayo areas showed the poorest food bearing qualities while the Beulah-Rye areas of the Wet Mountains averaged the best food-bearing qualities. The average tor all areas checked using this method was considered as low fair (Table 2). Scrub oaks were bearing fair in most areas checked. There are the usual number of wormy acorns along with competition froni other species using a.corns for food. The acorn crop is, however, improved over that of the previous year. Pinon pine was found to be generally poor in the Canon Cit,y...Salida areas. In the other areas this species was not bearing at all. Ponderosa pine was found to be producing in small aJJ1ounts generally over most of the areas checked. Chokecherry, snowberry, roses, and weeds were found to be from poor to good with an average of poor for all groups over the area checked on the Eastern Slope. Skunkberry, hawthorn, and kinnikinnick along with pinon pine are bearing the poorest of the eleven types checked. The native grasses appeared to be in fair condition generally. It is thought that in order for the method of :f;ood availability evaluation described earlier to be of more value in the future, an abundance rating suffix as a, b, or c should be assigned to each species at the end of the check route. In this wg,y a · .better. o:ver-al;t. picture can be secured. A total of forty-six crops, one gizzard, and one set of droppings were analyzed during the spring of 1952. The results showed: In the one spring crop examined the following food items were found: grass leaves 47%, kinnikinnick fruit 23%, barley 13%, dandelion seed heads and leaves 10%, wild oats 4%, clover leaves 2%, and scarab beetles 1%. A total of five crops remaining from the fall hunting season of 1950 were examined and showed thirty-one separate food items. Few items were found which were not found in the series of fifty-thr.e.e . crops c.oll.ent.ed...dur.ing the �-38period but analyzed earlier. The volume percentages were found to differ some. what from those of the series of fifty-three crops. Eighty-eight different food items were found in the series of forty crops collected during the period from September 27 to October l, 1951, In the thirtynine crops utilized in percent volume calculations, plant matter made up eightysix percent of the total compiled volume and animal matter made up fourteen percent. Important food items in this series (by volume) included cultivated grain 46%, grass other than cultivated grain 14%, grasshoppers 14%, dandelion leaves and seed heads 5%, kinnikinnick fruit and rose fruit each 4%, clover leaves and skunkberry fruit each 3%, giant ragweed seeds, snowberry fruit, and acorns each 2%, and alfalfa leaves 1%. There were a total of 370 grasshoppers.in this series, or an average of 9.25 per crop examined. A total of 59 acorns, or 1,47 per crop were found. Also found were a total of 133 .individua.l members of the class Insecta (excluding grasshoppers mentioned earlier), 5 spiders, l centipede, several millipede fragments and 12 land snails. Toe non-food items consisted chiefly of gravel and fine sand, although bone and woody fragments were also found. The qne gizzard secured during the winter of 1951 was found to contain a large volume of rose seeds and pulp (100%) and an unidentified stem fragment (Trace). The one series of droppings examined from a Pueblo Indian ruin in Mancos Springs Canyon was found to contain particles of oats, pine seeds, acorns, rose seeds, neel:llegrass seeds, corn, redroot pigweed seeds, grass leaves, grass seed coats and an unidentified seed coat. SUMMARY a. Western Slope Since these studies cover one year beginning with July 1st, a comparative study is included. The five year comparative study shows 1947 as an average food producing year. A food evaluation sampling method was devised to test the true carrying capacity of an area, Early food developments are checked and a comparison of food values for 1952 are made, b. Eastern Slope The food situation for the winter season of 1951-52 on the Eastern Slope was slightly better than during the previous winter. A new method was devised for measuring food availability values. A total of forty-six crops, one gizzard, and one set of droppings were analyzed during the spring of 1952. �-39Eighty-eight different food items were found in a series of forty crops collected from September 27 to October 1, l951. In the thirty-nine crops utilized in percent volume calculations, plant matter made up eighty-six percent and animal matter made fourteen percent of the total volume. Prepared by Martin L. Burget Donald M. Hoffman Date Note: s July, 1952 £: Approved by ~ 6 : ~. FederaJ.Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado G=e and Fish Department. ��-41JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO Project No. W-38-R-5; Deer-Elk Investigations Work Plan No. I Job No. 3 ----------"---- Title of Job Migration Between Srunmer and Winter Ranges Objective: To locate and determine the amount and patterns of migration between the su:mmer and winter ranges; also to ascertain the causal factors where possible. Techniques Used: Field reconnaissance, counts on migration routes, trapping and tagging on winter ranges. Findingst Over most parts of Colorado the deer and elk have followed the usual migration pattern back to their summer ranges, that is, working their way back as the snow receded and the existing vegetation greened up. Deer seemed to deviate some from this pattern, however,in the Middle Park area where the winter was a hard one and snow depths crowded the deer lower and held them there· 1onger than usual. Here the deer are not reaching their srunmer range as soon as usual, but are staying longer in that zone half way be·tween the SUlllmer and winter range. Feed is better than usual in this zone this year as the fall use was light. Flag Creek ·Track Count. The study of spring migration of the White River Deer Herd., which is probably the most extensive migration of mule deer in the United States, consists of a daily track count. The Flag Creek Road was cleared of snow early in May. Tracks are counted each morning from the time the deer first start crossing on their migration until the end of May. For detailed description of the method used, along with illustrations, see the Quarterly Report for July, 1949. One·man sits on the front of a Jeep and counts tracks (Figure 1) as the second man drives slowly along the road. Tracks going back are subtracted from those going toward sUJ!ll11er range. A heavy steel wheel about three and one-half feet in diameter is dragged behind the Jeep to obscure tracks that have been counted and· prepare a counting strip for the next day. (Figure 2). The track count is only a trend count. The actual migration area is about forty-five miles wide. The only unsurfaced road perpendicula-r .to the :migration is the fifteen miles used in this count. This fifteen mile ·stretch is believed to take in the heavies·t crossing of the :migration. �-42A total of 20,072 sets of tracks were counted this year $s compared with 24,636 The peak of the :migration occurred May 18, while last year it was The lower·. count> this· year does not necessarily mean that the herd wel is down since rainy weather limited the count to 21 days this year against 23 last year. (See Table 1). last year. on May 19. ~ TABLE 1.-- 1952 FLA.G.CREEK TRACK COuNT ··sector 3 Sector l Sector 2 •Sector 4 Date Daily Plus YJinus Total Plus Minus Total Plus Minus Total Plus NihUS Total Total 0 0 25 17 0 17 0 0 0 0 0 5/8 42 25 28 11 0 65 · 28 0 0 0 11 0 0 5/9 104. 65 2 2 205 100 0 5/10 318 212 14 0 J.4 3 7 97 10 5/11 793 515 2.3 0 0 0 0 10 492 308 · 17 . 291 22 .··o· ·. 22 5/12 s1s··. 477 52 0 0 425 ·399· JI 368 0 106 5dl+ 0 106 8 5/13 710 lOS 0 0 8 9 495 lo6 2 0 136 5/14 1210 555 31 31 29 524 562 }.µ 521 136 18 0 ·258 0 18 5/15 1528 637 67 570 719 37 682 258 256 0 0 5/16 905 246 27 375 256 239 402 7 35 35 0 51 51 5/17 1340 591 19 572 575 62 513 211 7 264 560 ··819 5/18 1909 593 33 0 40 779 ·522· 10 512 58 58 0 518 171 5/19 1826 467 20 447 716 17 699 518 9 162 .· ,/20 953 RAINED OUT ·451 .· 0 . 451 415 0 · 415· 87 0 87 RAINED OUT· 5/21 ·5/22 1727 29() 40 ·2,0 717 . 15 702 ···618 618 0 RAINED OUT 5/23 5/24 2483 424 52 .· 372 937 87 850 1103 62 ·1041 RAINED.· OUT . 513 ·. 0 513 5/25 . 640 5/27 1020 RAINED OUT 519 10 509 445· 0 445 0 5/27 329 169 17- 152 79 0 79 45 45 5/28 .. 669 178 173 176 5 171 260· 3 257 5 ,/29· 410 79 68 ··242 2 240 0 77 68 2 62 0 0 5/30 341 66 156 4 94 94 156 .. 157 0 157 1 19 · 220 0 127 66· 0 66 239 127 53 68 25 29 0 .·O 0 0 ,3 68 25 · 29 · · 20)072 Grand Total . T1"appi);:tg.B11a.··Tagg:it1g··-· Little Hills ...· · Trapping and tagglng · of. anifoals to.· · 1earn :more o.f their. migratfon routes 'Continued this past winter,, The greatest number of deer tagged w-eretrappedat Little Hills .. This operation included 9 bucks; 44 does; .24 doe. fawns; and 15 buck fawns, far a total of 92 animals. Table2 lists these animals by tag numbers. was �Figure 1 One man si.ts on the front end of the Jeep and counts tracks. Figure 2 A heavy iron wheel and chain were dragged behind the jeep to obscure tracks that l'"l:':l,r.o hPP.n counted" �-43TABLE 2 ,Date :thv · -"9 e::,: NovG 30 Dec,, 3 Dec. 3 ,f.,: '..J ,1, Dec" 4 Derc. 4 Dec. 5 Dec~ · S Dec. 5 Dec. 5 Dec. 6 Dec. 7 Dec~ 7 Dec. 7 Dec. 7 Dec. 7 Deco 8 Dec~ 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 9 Dec. 10 Dec. 12 Dec .. 14 Dec~ 1.5 Dec. 16 Dec. 16 Dec~ 16 Dec~ 17 Kind of . Deer Fawn, doe Fawn_, doe Fawn, doe Fawn, buck Mature doe Mature doe Mature doe Fawn, buck Yearling buck Fawn, buck Jvlature doe Fawn, doe Fawn, doe · Jviature doe Fawn, doe 45l · 278 453 280 456 283 452 454 455 460 461 462 287 464 465 466 467 469 Mature doe :Viature doe Fawn, doe Fawn, doe Fawn_, doe Fawn, doe Fawn, doe Mature doe Dec .. .. 281 282 284 285 · .· 286 458 459 Fawn,' buck Mature doe 279 457 Fawn, doe Fawn, doe Fawn, doe Mature doe _.·Mature doe · ·Fawn buck .,,. ' Dec~ 21 ... J!awn, buck Dec., 22 '.Fawn, buck Mature doe Dec~ 22 . Fa:wn, doe Jan .. 10 Jan •. l l Mature doe Fawn, doe Jan. 11 Jan. 12 ·• Mature doe Jan~ 12 ·. Mature doe Fawn, doe Jan. 13 · Ye_arling buck Jan. 13 18 Dec"' 19 Left Ear Round -urag 468 -470 471 ·472 288 291 289 300 90l. 902 904 905 , 906 907 473 474 475 476 477 479 478 481 480 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 491 490 .. (Continued) 903 (tame) �-44TABLE 2 (Continued) Date .Kind·of Deer Jan. Mature .. doe. . }"fature doe lii Jan. 14 Jan. 14 Jan~ 15 Jano 16 Jan. 16 Jan. 16 Jan~ 16 jan .. 17 Jan. 17 Jan~ 18 Jan., 18 Jan. 19 Jan. 19 Jano 23 Jan. 23 Jan. 24 Jan., 24 Jan,. 25 Jan. 26 Jan .. 26 Jan. 27 Jan .. 30 Jan .. 31 Feb~ 1 Feb .. 2 Feb. 2 Feb,. 4 Feb. 5 Feb,. 6 Feb. 6 Feb,. 7 .Mature doe Mature doe Fawn, doe Fawn, doe Mature doe Fawn, buck 11Iature doe . Fawn, doe Fawn, doe Nature doe Mature buck Nature doe Nature doe . Mature doe Mature doe Mature doe Fawn, doe Fawn, buck Fawn, doe M&ture doe Left Ear Round 1:a,g . lt.:LgJ;ht Ear Cattle Tag . 492 493 ·494 495 496 497 498 499 500 1001 1002 1003 1004 100, 1006 (Replaced} 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 Yearling buck Fawn, buck Mattu'e doe Fawn, buck 10:lh Fawn., buck Yearling buck Fam1-, buck Mature buck 1019 1020 1021 1022 Matur'e doe 1023 · 226 Recatch 1015 1016 1018 1001 1002 1003 1004 Mature doe Feb .. 14 Fawn , doe 1024 1025 Feb., 17 Fe$b 17 Feb .. 20 Feb,. 21 Feb. 21 Fawn, buck .. Mature buck Mature buck Mature doe '1026 1006 1027 1028 1029 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 Feb. 22 :Mature doe ¥1ature doe Mature doe Feb. 24 Mature doe Feb,. 22 Feb. 2;; Feb,. 26 Yearling doe f1ature doe 10.30 1031 1032 1033 1034 1035 (Continued) 1005 1012 · 1013 1014 ··1015 �-45TABLE 2 (Continued) Date li'eb, 26 1"'1'lr. 11 Mar. 11 Mar. 13 har. 20 11.lar 22 Vsar. 23 Mar, 23 <> Mar, 25 Kind of Deer Nature doe Mature doe Yearling buck Fawn, buck Mature doe Mature doe Mature doe Yearling doe Mature doe Left Ear Round Tag 1036 1037 1038 '1039 1040 1041 1042 1043 1046 Right Ear Cattle Tag 1016 1018 1021 1022 1019 1028 Trapping and Tagging - Cathedral Creek. The next largest number of animals tagged were trapped by George Crandell on Cathedral Creek. The total number being 57 head, which consisted of 12 bucks; 19 does; 13 buck fawns; and 13 doe fawns. Table 3 lists these animals by tag numbers. TABLE 3 Date Dec. 12 Dec, 13 Dec, 13 Dec, 14 Dec. 14 Dec, 17 Dec, 17 Dec. 18 Dec. 18 Dec, 19 Dec. 20 Dec, 20 Dec. 21 Jan. Kind of Deer Yearling buck Yearling buck Mature doe Nature doe Fawn, doe Mature doe Fawn doe Fawn, doe lf;ature doe Y€arling buck Fawn, doe Fawn, buck Fawn, doe Fawn, buck Fawn, buck Fawn, buck Fawn, buck Fawn, buck Mature doe Fawn, buck Fawn, doe Mature doe Fawn, doe Fawn, buck Cattle Tag No, - 317 316 301 319 306 302 946 908 909 910 911 912 913 914 915 916 917 918 919 920 921 923 922 924 ( Continued) Remarks Very old Later found dead. Large Young Later found dead. �TABLE 3 (Continued) · ·.Da:tei·· .·• · '1an •... ·. . ·-· Feb. 1 Feb. 2. · · Feb. 2 · Feb. 4. Feb. 4 Feb .. 5 Feb.. 5 Feb. 6 . Fawn; doe Mature do.:e ...•.·..... Rema.rks .. 929 Mature buck Yearling buck Mature doe ¥.iature doe 930 9.31 .. Young 932 933 934· . 935 936 Mature doe ' 938,,,·,,· ·:t~ i ' .937 91.il. ¥1ature doe Feb/ 12 F.iature buck Feb. 18 < Mature doe.· Feb. 1.8 Ffu; buck ·· Feb. 19 Fawn, doe Feb. 19 Yearling buck Feb. ·20 Mature · buck Feb. 20 Mature doe Feb. 20 Yearling doe Feb. 21 Mature doe Feb. 21 Fawn, doe Feb. 24 Fawn; doe March l Fawn, buck March 1 Mature doe March 3 Fawn, doe Y.!B.rch 3 Mature buck March 6 Mature buck Total for the season 92~ 928 Mature doe Fawn, buck Feb. 6 'Mature buck Feb~ 7 Fawn:, buck ·· Feb. 7 .• · . · Fawn, buck ..· Feb.,:9 ·.. Mature doe Feb. 10 Fawn, doe .· Feb. 10 Mature doe Feb. 11 Mature buck Feb.·11 CattlEi Tag N,o. 942 943 944 94.5 947 Very old Veey large Very old ......... · .. ·. 948 . Fou.nd dead later. 950 1101 1102 1103 .. yeiy- 1arge ,1104 '1105 1106 1107 1108 1109 1110 llll Very large ::: 57 . ·· Tra;pping and T!¾}Sing - ¥dn:n$$ota Creek. The greatest :i:l.Ulnber ?f' bucks tagged was trapped on 11.ctnnesota Creek under the supervision of Technician Jesse Williams. J:Iere a. total of 44 deer were tagged consj,.si;,ing 9:f' 14 bucks; 17 does; 3 doe .fawns; and 10 buck fawns. Table 4 lists these animals.by tag numbers, and it.also includes three elk calves.tagged in the .Gnnn,se>n:area. �-47TABIB 4 DEER TAGGING DATA . - - - - - - - · ·-·-----Plasti,;;* MetalH ·Ta~ No. Ta No. Location Remarks. Date Sex ,d~,) . Buck·.• fawn --6/')87r::'1 Uncom:pahgre, T lN, One of twins tagged by -im Ranger Stevens Rl6W, S17 II II It 11 II II If If 6/28/51 Doe fawn 848 .Minnesota Creek Repeat-3/18,27. 4/2. 2/14/52 Buck fawn 301 593 If tt 2/14/52 Buck Repea.t-3/11,18~ 302 586 fl 11 2/14/52 Doe 303 559 2/15/52 Doe 304 594 It ff 2/16/52 Doe 305 668 n It 2/17/52 Doe 306 '582 II II 2/18/$2 Buck fa1rtn 307· tf II 2/18/52 Buck fawn 308 2/18/52 Buck 309 572 568 II .. u ·590 It If 2/19/.52 Doe 310 592 H ~ Repeat-3/13. 312 3/4/52 Buck 3/4/52· Buck faw 313· 3/4/52. :Suck fawn 314 566 It II 589 II ti #312 in right ear Very weak, died later 571 ~ It 3/5/52 Buck 315 :349 11 II Repeat-3/29. 3/11/52 3/12/52 Doe Doe 316 tr It 317 564 578 If If Repeat-J/24. Repeat-3/14,18,27, 3L 4/3. 3/13/52 Doe 318 313 fl It 3/14/52 Doe 319 3/14/52 Buck fawn 320 3/14/52 Buck fawn 321 314 11 It 326 It . it Repeat--3/:+5. It It Repeat-3/17. 3/14/52 Buck 322 311 328 If· Ii 3/16/52 Buck 323 380 tr " Repeat-3/22,. 3/18/.52 Buck fawn ,.324 3/18/52 Doe 325 ·. )26 3/18/52. Doe ·321 3/18/52 Buck 383 fl n Repeat-3/19.,22,27,L/2,7. Ji . If It 310 385 381 Repeat..,J/13,15., Died Repeat;..3/16,20. - .)t ' II ti .. " - Repeat-4/8. (Continued) Repeat-3/19,25,27,29. �-48TABLE 4 (Continued) Da~~ 3 20 2 J/20/52 No. Locati6h . Sex Buck Doe Remarks · Minnesota Creek It ..· ti Repeat.:J724. Repeat~4/4. 3/23/52' Buck 3.30 542 It n 3/25/52 331 548 Ir ll 332 538 n 333 591 It n 334 343 It ff 3/30/52 Buck fawn 335 554 ft ff Repeat--4/2,Lft.eye bad 3/31/52 Doe .fawn 391 II It n Repeat-4/1 3)8 392 393 H It It Doe 3/26/52 Buck 3/26/52 Doe fawn Repeat-3/27/28. " .. 3/28/52 Doe 3/31/52 Buck 3/Ji/52 ·Buck 336 337 Large animal. 4/1/52 Doe 309 394 ff n 4/2/52 Doe _...,.~ 397 11 n 4/3/52 .'Doe 341 546 It !I ·plastic tag inside ear 4/4/52 Buck 342 336 If " 4/5/52 Buck 343 388 ft II Repea.t-4/1. Plastic tag inside of ear Plastic tag inside ear Total tagged. 44 ELK TAGGING DATA Date Ii/lf/52 4/11/52 4/11/52 Plastic* Metal-** Sex Tag No. Taglfo .. Location Bull calf · 344 · 399 East .River, 7 mi. above Almont Bull calf . 345 540 Cow calf 398 347 * Tagged in left. ear unless otherwise stated. ** Tagged in right ear unless othemise stated. Description of plastic tag. Remarks �-1.t.9Trapeing and T~~ing - Hermosa Creek. Twenfy-one deer--8 bucks; 11 does; and 2 buck fawns--were trapped this year at the mouth of Her.rnosa Canyon. Two of these a.nilnals, however:; were known to have lost their tags in woven wire fences. Table 5 lists these animals by tag numbers. A red round plastic disc in the left ear was the marking used. TABLE 5 Date 2.:'.7-51 2-23-~l 3-1-51 3-2-51 3-4-51 Jg Sex Doe .. A¥ErTximate Age . 3:;r-42 8 plus . Bull elk calf Doe 8 plus Buck 3} 4½ II ,. Doe Buck Doe l½-2½ ti Buck 7-8 If Doe st ti Buck 3-13 ..:51 1-31-52 II 1f l½-2½ Fawn 5½-6½ Tag No .. 702 703 704 707 708 (Found 4-30-52 torn out on 709 Hermos~Grone.Fence) 710 713 714 717 tt 718 719 Doe II It ff Buck Fawn 720 ~1 722 6 plus , 41 3~2 723 724 3½ 4½ .726 u 11 2-15-52 Jr ,, It 2-16-52 u Doe Buck Doe Buck Doe Buck 41 #"a"*' 2 6 plus 8 plus 4½-5½ If 715 716 2-1-52 2-8-52 2-14-52 Miscellaneous ii 72> 727 727 --· The National Park Seririce at Estes Park trapped and tagged deer again this past winter.. After being tagged,- the animals were then transplanted some d::Lstance ·· from the park boundary.· This operation was carried on to help alleviate an over-crowded condition inthin the park. Table 6 lists these animals tagged~ Colorado Grune and Fish Department tags were used. �TABLE 6 Date 1 23 ··· Kind of Deer ·Button Ta Remarks Buck: 2002 Sawed off antlers 2 79 1/23/52 1/28/52 1/28/52 1/28/52 Doe Doe Doe Fawn Buck 2/1/52 Doe 2006 Buck 2007 796 ·297 ?2000 789 2/15/52 · 2/15/52 Buck Doe Doe Fawn !foe Fawn 2/15/52 3/4/52 Doe Doe 3/4/52 3/4/52 3/5/52 3/5/52 Doe Fawn Doe Fawn Doe Fawn Buck Faw-n J/S/$2 Doe 1/30/52 2/7/52 . 2/12/52 2/15/52 2/15/52 3/4/52 3/5/52 3/7/52 3/7/52 3/13 /52 3/13/52 3/14;152 3/l9/52 3/21/52 3/21/52 3/22/52 3/21+/52 Buck Buck Fawn Doe Fawn Doe Doe Buck Fawn 2001 2003 2004 2005. 2010 2009 2008 2049. 2048 2011, 2012 2013 2014 2017 2016 2018 2050 20l5 2019 798 758 788 786 785 761 759 760 791 793 782 •. 781 ·. 783 ·. 794 790 763 .· 764 .· 784 480 . 446 Buck 2020 . 479 Doe Buck 2022 2:)21 444 Doe Fawn Doe . Doe . 2026. 481 2025 447 D6e :boe 3/24/52 3/26/52 Doe Buck Doe Doe Buck Fawn 438 437 762 Doe 3/24/52 · 3/Jo/52 4/2/52 4/16 /52 2002 488 482 483 · 2023 2024 2028 2029 49J 765 484 768 �-51~ s i s and Recommendations: .. It is pla:nnecl t6 try more group traps in next year ts t'rapping opera,tions. . .The National. Park Serv-ice. used a group trap in their trapping this year; ahd. a fuugh brte 'W'as ttleid· at Little Hills. In cases :where sufficient help is available, a group trap will be advantageous. The single traps will continue to be used: aiso. =~:t:!~fri;~1~~:!i·~i l~~t:~i=~:~:! !: . . 0 animals when sighted on the summer_ range. ·t~:;1;:g:!sd:::;t:a: !~s~~~s~r:d ~n~::i: m:::e ~:n~e:~:a ·. 8 0 6 s~:: Game Fence, and the other below the fence a week latef~ · Both a:.td.mals were witMn a quarter of a. mile of. where they were trapped ·a year ago. The animal ~ 0 :t~ i4"::iei:r~i~it=}iSIS:t~i:\::fre ·· It appears tha.t the cat.tle type tag is the best, and not as easily tdm out •and. lost .as .the . round _button type tag. In some instances both types a.re used on the ;~ie~~{~~;·.·i~~i~~~~~!liD~i~eT±:~:,stl~d==t!~~:i~~~::~~~~bfy:~ o;~:theret~~=·inside · ·. is used .loss ·•·could· reduced· by· puttirig the colored :plastic·· disc ~~· .•a:!~ ~~sE~J~! ~it: t:p"::°:~f~b~~e:-~::'\o~ be· on ;;l!~~!t,4~',:t~:··~~iltt'c~=\~t= ~U:ttip The 19$2 Flag Creek Track.Trend Count totaled 20,072 sets of tracks as compared with 24,636 in 1951. The peak of the :rnigration_varted only one day., May 18 this year; May 19 last year. I.as.t year1 s coili.iting conditions were .:more' ideal., with.less x-ain and therefore two more days of counting. Two h nd.:r d and f~ ft tw d ·····:t· i-1 < tra:p:.:..ped arid t. ged t.his winter and are.·.... sunnn;~zEid .as ;[\:,~ow!:- O ee . . ere• ag.··· Area. ·.. ·. Poe Buck · Total ... •• Bticks . lf > · •.. Fawns · Fa:W1l5 .; · Fawns ·14 .. ~i! ~i~~tkv;·· .· •9 0 o;_; < 44 · . 1,.fi3••.• . •.·.· . 2.·. i~ .· ;i ·····... Total 44 ··92 Cathedral .Creek• . . 12 'lll.? ···o·. l.3. 2·.....· . ·... ·.·• 262. . ·. . 57 . Hermosa Creek. . ... . 8 .·. ' ·· 2l .· (US Park Se·rvice _ _ Estes Park 8 ___ 18_ _. 8_ _ _....... 4_ _ _ 12 _ _ _ _ ___,,______ .38 _ using State G & F tags) TOTAL 51 109 48 44 92 252 �Supplemental Report -52- DEER TRAPPING AND TAGGING IN COLORADO Intnoduction In the winter of 1948 and 1949, Technician Laurence E. Riordan of the Colorado Game and Fish Department initiated a deer trapping and tagging program at Little Hills Experiment Station approximately 32 miles southwest of the town of Meeker. The initial purpose of this program was to <l.etermine extent of migration between summer and winter ranges of the White River herd, which is the largest migrating herd in the state. Traps used are of a portable, box-type designed for catching deer individually. It is so designed that it can be taken apart for transportation or storage by removal of twelve bolts and four nails. Details of construction are shown in Figure 1. For bill of materials used in the construction of each trap see Tables II and III. Tags first used were the clip-on cattle type. Button type tags were later introduced and have been used extensively since. Some deer have been tagged with both types, one in each ear. Use of both appears to increase the probability of tag returns, since some tags are known to be lost. In th';' button type, a tubular aluminum tag rivets into a hole punched through the ear. At first the button was backed by a two inch disc of white plastic with an inch and a half red rectangle imposed on it, The rectangle was later replaced with an inch and a half triangle of the same color. Some variation in color and shape has been introduced in localities other than Little Hills. Application of the button tag, required use of two specially made types of pliers; one for punching and one for riveting. Application of the cattle tag also required a specially made tool. Trapping Techniques Various types of bait have been tried in traps, but alfalfa has proven roost successful. In some cases the bait has to be tied to the trip cable or frame of trap to prevent stealing of it without tripping the trap, when the deer strikes the trip cable above bait, drop gates at each end of the trap fall in place. A two man crew is preferred for tagging the animal, A sliding panel is located on each side of the trap to allow convenient handling of deer from either side. As panel slides back, deer will attempt to escape through opening. It is then caught and held by one man while it is tagged by the other. Release of the animal is best accomplished by moving to the center of the trap and raising the drop gate by means of the cable. In some cases the 8aine deer is caught repeatedly, which necessitates removal of the trap to a new location. �-53TABLE II.--BILL OF ~J!TERIALS POro:'ABLE DEER TRAP LUMBER Lumber 1.5 pieces 1 11 x 6tt x 10 1 Native surfaced - :for sides and top 5 pieces 211 x 4" x 10! Native surfaced - for :frame - - 4 pieces 1 11 x 811 x 8 1 Native surfaced) 2 pieces 2" x 411 x 8 1 Native surfaced) - :for guides 2 pieces 2" x 4" x 10 1 Native surfaced) 4 pieces 2~ x 211 x 8 1 Native surfaced) 1 piece 1 11 x 6 11 x 8' Native surfaced - :for cleats on gates 2 pieces 1 11 x 10 11 x 10 1 Native surfaced - for drop gates Hardware 12 bolts, machine 3/8 11 x 4" with nuts and washers 2 pulleys, 1 ~,1 2 pieces 1/8 11 flexible steel cable 10 1 long 1 piece 3/16~ flexible steel cable 2 1 long with turnbuckles attached 2 eye_;bolts S/16" x 2½" with nuts and washers 1 harness ring 1 11 diameter TABLE III.-COSTS OF MATERIALS FOR PORTABLE DEER TRAP* Lumber ( Sides and top) Lumber (All other Parts) Bolts Washers Pulleys and ,harness ring Cable and turnbuckles (Salvage aircraft parts) $4.)5 9.35 .62 .o6 .56 Total * Costs based on 1948 prices .27 $15.21 �.fl,-§'---------~-'>1 ,~·------~-~+--------~ r ___ ________ __ _ : : r;''""'--,----. _,,, - ... -;,,--------- ,.. ..., -' rr-1 I I ; :_ l@,,,j------------,l,,"",,""•-=l-'\.••~-,~;i..--""""...... ~~-,._,4====*·~~-,!=b==, ! i t i ' ' J_J 4 !-------------~__;=+-----===------==::.;' b.o.------!; ....... 1 ~ - - - - " " - - .. - - - ... ~ - N ' . . - - - - - - - ,. I Q . ~ ,, <ti ~ ' '" I J I I I ' I • ' '' -~~ I I ~ ~ .J.. i.. ~ ~ i l:i II ~ 4-J ii ·S ~~ I Hh ', I 1; ; .,.,,. 'O' ~ _ _ _ _ ,.. _ _ _ . - - - ~ ... , ... ~ - - - . - - . ~ - ...~& I <rJ' \ ~ :: ,. ~~~ .... ~ i.,· ~ ~ ~ ~i,... .,..,..-,,."' ,.- ~~ ,\) -~ 11" f. ...........,."' "') QJ .. . _J.- V) Ij 'Ir I.) .... I, ~ ~ ~8 ~ C[_ -~ ~ I :· ~ 1 I.::: "~,<:::. ~ 4: r't7 ,. ! f ll' ~ ,, �-54Program Expansion Four traps were used experimentally during the winter of 1948-49. As traps proved successful, more were built and eleven were used in the winter of 1949-50. Five of these were used in removal of excess deer from experimental pastures. During the winter of 1950-51 the program was extended to several localities of the state. Trapping locations are shown in Figure 2, The following personnel participated in the trapping program during this season: Custpdian George E. Crandell at Cathedral Creek, Technician Jack DeVore at Basalt, Technician Richard D. Teague at Hermosa, Custodian Nicholas E. Kavanaugh and Technician Howard A. Stiehm at Sapinero, Technician Paul F. Gilbert and Custodian Holmes J. Fullenwider at Hot Sulphur Springs, and Technidian Ross L. Campbell, Custodian Robert L. Howard and Caretaker Gordon J, Denman at Little Hills Experiment Station. Others who have participated in the program at Little Hills are Hugh R. Jones, Patrick R. Burke, and the late Donald G, Lauridsen. For record of individual de.er tagged see Table I. Some tagging has been done prior to this. Forest Service employees tagged an unknown number of deer in the Basalt area during winter of 1937, Complete records of this program are uriavailable. A few deer were tagged by Park Service employees at Estes Park. Date of tagging is unknown. Some summer tagging of deer fawns was done in 1947 in the Gunnison area and on the Uncompahgre Plateau. Also one cub bear was tagged at this time. Tag Returns Two fawns tagged in 1937 by the Forest Service in the Basalt area were killed in 1940 hunting season. One was killed in the vicinity where it was tagged, while the other was killed near Seven Castles, which is not far from the tagging point. Both were four point bucks. Of the deer t~gged at Little Hills Experiment Station, four tag returns were recorded during the 1950 hunting season and seven during the 1951 season. See Table IV. �MAP OF COLOitADO FJG.2 L, CATHEDRAL CREEK 2.,, THURMAN GREEK 3\l> HOT SULPHUR SPRmGs 4. BASALT RANCH AND CRYSTAL RIVER ;. &:PINERO OR ELK CREEK 6. UNCO'.MPAHGRE PLATEAU 1. GUNNISON: LAKE FORK 8-0 HERMOSA 9€> ESTES PARK �-55TABLE I.-DEER TRAPPED_DURINGWINTER OF 1948 &.1949 -· Date Sex Button ·Tag._. _ _- Feb .. 11 Mature doe Feb. 13 Mature doe Feb. 14 Mature doe Feb. 14 Fawn, buck Feb .. 14 Mature doe Feb. 18 Mature buck Feb. 27 Mature doe Mar. 2 Yearling doe Mar. lo ¥1ature doe Mar. 13 Mature doe Mar. 14 Mature doe Mar. 15 Mature doe Mar. 17 Mature doe Mar. 19 Mature doe Mar. 19 Mature doe Ma.r. 20 Mature doe ¥.1a.r. 20 Fawn, buck Mar. ·28 Mature doe Mar. 29 Mature doe Mar. :30 Fawn, doe Apr. 3 Mature doe Apr. 7 Mature doe Cattle 'l'a~r: _-299 297 298 Area -Trapped. _ Thur.man Cr. 296 . It ti ii It it 11 295 It It 294 293 292 ~- It .It It .. tt n lt.. It 1 2 4 5 It ti it '; It . _it It 6 7 8 9 ·u ft if jj tt it It lt It 11 It u lt 10 12 13 14 15 It It .n ft tt tt lt It 1949 &.1950 buck Dec .. 20 Fawn, buck Dec .. 21 Fawn, doe Dec. 21 Fawn, doe Dec .. 22. Fawn, doe Dec. 22 Mature .doe Dec. 2.3 Mature doe .2.8 Mature doe ec •... 30 Favm, buck Dec .. 16 Fawn, rec• Dec .. 30 Fawn, doe Dec. 30 Mature doe Dec. 31 Mature doe Dec. 31 Mature doe Jan. l Fawn, doe Jari. 2 Yearling buck Jan. 2- Mature doe *Dec. 29 Fawn, buck 17 18 19 20 21 22 2.3 24 26 27 28 29 .30 31 32 34 25 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 88 89 90 91 92 93 9k 95 87 Thurman Cr. It ; . tt it tt it Q It It It tt It It 1t ,, ·- It tt lt - tt It ·- l,t n tr ii "II Ji u It It ·n It ll It -- Remarks �-56TABLE I. Continued. 1949·& 1950 Date - Sex Jan,., J Fawn, QUG:k Jan .. 3 Fawn, bu.ck Jan. 4 Fawn, buck Jan,. 4 2 yr. old buck Jan. 4 Fawn, doe Jan. 6 Fawn, buck Jan .. 6 Mature doe Jan. 6 Mature doe Jan. 7 Fawn, buck Jan,. 7 Yearling doe Jan. 8 Fawn, doe Jan,. 9 Fawn, doe Jan. 10 Mature doe Jan.• 10 Fawn, buck Jan. 11 Mature doe Jan. ll Mature doe Jan .. 1.2 Mature doe Jan. 12 Mature doe Jan •. 13 Mature doe Jrui. 13 Mature doe Jan.. 14 Mature doe Jan .. 14 1·fature doe Jan. 14 Fawn, buck Jan. ·15 Fawn, buck Jano 16 Fawn, buck Jan. 18 Mature doe Jan. 19 Mature doe Jan. 19 Fawn, doe Button Cattle 'I'ag < - T-ae 33 .... 3~ 36 37 38 39 40 41 43 50 58 59 61 62 23 Fawn, doe 69 Jan~ 26 Fawn, bu.ck Jan. 27 Mature doe Jan. 27 M:ature doe Jan. 28 Mature doe Jan. 28 Fawn, buck Jan. 29 Mature doe 71 72 73 74 . " 7> 76 77 It It It It 108 It -109 110 tt ti ft· It 111 ft It tt tt u- tt tt tt tt ll It It It It 118 n It ·119 ti: It 120 ... 121_ 123 It u ft It ti ,, tt, It ft II 126 tt It 127 _It lt tt 128 70 It ti tt It 125 68 tt lt .·· 124 63 1t 103 57 56 nu It 55 54 tr . It 113 114 115 i16 117 52 53 ri •tt:. ,' 112 51 rt '. ·n .,. 102 107 48 49 Tlitlrman Cr •.- ti 106 47 65 66 67 Jan. 24 Mature doe Jan. 24 Mature doe /97·, 98 99 101 104 105 44 45 46 Jan. 21 Mature doe Jan .. 21 Fawn., buck Jan. 22 Mature buck Jan .. 22 Mature doe Jan .. ' 9. Area Trapped 129 1.30 131 132 13.3 1.34 135 136 '137· 138 It tt tt '.tt tt . tt It tr rt -· it It tl ll :tt lt ft It tt tt ;lt n Remarks �-57TA£LE I .. Continued 1949 & 1950 ~·'!''""""...,''·"""'-·- .- Date Se:x Button Tas; Jan. ~?9 JYfa~tture buck Jan .. 29 Mi:l.ture doe Jan,. 30 Mature doe Jan., 31 Mature doe Jan., 31 Mature doe Feb .. l Fawn; buck: Feb. 2 Mature doe Feb .. 2 Mature doe Feb., 4 Mature doe 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 87 Feb .. 5 Mature doe Feb .. 5 Mature doe Feb. 5 Mature doe Feb~ 6Mature doe Feb. 9 Mature doe Feb. 9 Fawn, doe Feb .. 10 Mature doe Feb .. 10 Mature doe Feb., 11 Fawn, doe Feb., n. Fawn, buck Feb. 12 Mature doe Feb .. 13 Fawn, buck Feb. 13 Fawn, buck Feb. 13 Mature buck Feb., 14 Mature buck 98 99 100 101 102 Feb.. 15·Fawn, doe 103 104 Feb~ 14 Mature -0.oe Ifeb .. 15;Mature.d6e Feb,, 15 Mature doe Feb. 15 Mature doe Feb. 15 Mature doe Feb, 16 Mature doe Feb. 17 Mature doe Fehe 17 Mature doe Feb .. 18 Mature doe Feb., 18 Mature doe Feb. 19 Mature doe Eeb~ 19 Mature doe Feb. ·19 I11ature doe Feb. 20 Fa:-11..rn, buck Feb$ 20 Mature doe Feb. 21 Mature doe 88 89 90 91 92· 93 94 95 96 97 105 106 107 108 109 110 lll 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 Cattle Tag 139 140 .· 141 142 143 144 145 146 Area Trapped Thu:rmlan Cr,,. It . 11 It it ti. it n II ll tt It It It·.: It tt U, 148 n It 149 150 151 It it 147 152 153 ·154 155 156 157 158 161 ll u It tt It tt It . It n It It. ll tt tt ft It it.· It It Ill ];b2 It It. 163 164 165 lt It It Ii tt ft tt n 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 ll It 1l It tt it It It n n tt ii n· ti It n u It 11 n It It' n· tt tt tt n .. u ~· It - Rem:rks �-58TABLE I. Continued 1949 & 195'0 Date Sex Button Tag Feb. 22 Mature doe Feb. 22 .Mature doe Feb. 23 Mature doe Feb. 23 Nature doe Febo 24 Fawn, buck Febo 24 Mature doe Feb~ 25 Yearling buck Feb., 25 Fawn, doe Feb. 26 Fawn, buck Feb. 28 1-1iattJ.re doe Mar. 3 Fawn, buck Mar. 4 Mature doe Nar. 5 Mature doe Mar,, 5 Mature doe Mar. 7 Nature doe Mar;; 7 Mature doe Mar .. 12 Mature doe Hature doe Mar. Mar. 12 Mature doe Mar. 12 Fawn $ buck Mar. 13 Mature doe Mar. 13 Fa1m, buck Mar. 13 Fawn, buck Maro 14 Mature doe Mar., 14 :Mature buck Mar .. 14 Nature doe Ma:r,. 15 :Mature doe Mar. 15 Mature doe Mar~ 17 Mature doe 1".iar,, 31 1'lature doe Apr~ 1 Nature doe Ap:r. 1 Fawn, buck Apr .. 2 Mature doe Apr~ 2 Faw!l_., buck Apr. $ Fawn, buck .. Cattle Area Trapped .. . i~~·· ThU!'man Cr. 121 122 123 184 !! 185 tl It 123 186 II ll * 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 125 126 127 128 130 131 132 a 11 It l! 1! !t n ft 'tr fl .. ll 1t II It II It II 133 196 134 135 136 197 It 137' 138 139 1,40 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 It It 11 II !I ·u, tt It It 200 205 n !t It tt 206 207 It. n 198 199 l'!'. lt 208 !l It 209' 210 211 ii It 212 213 214 It II It !t n It It ll It !! It 148 149 215 it 220 tt I.I 150 151 152 153 216 rt I! 217 218 219 221 It fl If [l It ti 11 n 154 1950 & 19.Si Nov. 15 Nature doe Nov,. 18 Fawn :, buck 155 156 222 223 Thurman Cr. Ii Remarks n *Button tag lost �-59TABLE I. Continued 1950 & 1951 Date Sex Nov. buck Nov. 19 Fawn, doe Nov. 25 Mature doe Nov .. 27 Fawn, doe Nov., 30 Fawn, doe Deco 3 Mature doe Button Area Trapped Ta 158 159 226 It II 227 228 229 tt It Ii II It It 230 It it 231 232 233 ii t,t ft It u n ti It 16ti 161 162 4 Fawn, buck Dec. 5 Fawn, buck Dec., 8 Fawn, buck 163 164 i6S Dec .. 11 Mature doe Dec~ 13 Mature doe 166 167 Dec,. <cattle Ta:·· l 22 Thurman Cr. It tt u u Dec~ 14 Fawn, bu.ck Dec., 14 Mature doe Dec .. 18 Fawn, doe Dec., 20 Fawn, doe Dec. 29 Mature doe .Dec. 30 Mature doe Dec .. 30 Fawn; 'buck Jan~ 14 Fawn, buck Jan .. 16 Mature doe Jan. 16 Hature doe Jan .. 17 Fawn, doe Jan. 17 Mature doe Jan., 18 Mature doe Jan~ 18 Yearling buck Jan., 19 Fa~m, buck Jan .. 19 Fa'Wn., doe JanQ 21 Ivlature doe 'Jan,. 22 Fawn, doe Jan. 24 Nature doe 168 169 172 1.1 u It 173· It It 174 175 tt u n II 176* II II . ·. u tt 25 Fawn, doe Jan .. Jan., 26 Mature doe Jan~ 28 Mature doe Feb.. 8 Fawn; doe Feb. 12 Mature buck fllar. 2 Mature doe Mar .. 3 Fawn, doe Mar$ 4 Mature doe Mar. 6 Mature doe 1'77 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185· Remarks II II II It It It ti If n at tr It ti It n It II 186 187 it tr II It· 188.·' n Ir 189 190 191 192 +93 n It tt tt VI tt !f. It n It l.94 It lt 195 196 197 It !I It it It,' tt *Tag replaced., right ear �-60 ... TABLE I. Continued 1950 & 1951 Date Mar. b Mature doe Mar .. 13 iv1ature doe Jan.. -5 Ma.tu.re doe -. Thurman Cr.. · ,. . . 199 Jan.. 5 Mature doe >2S1. :, Jan.. 22 Marure do_e Jan. 2~ Mature doe It If. It·. 257 IL., rt lt re. If '' fi:.:· . 261 262 802 tl' .· It ..··· 258 259 260 250 Cath~:dral cf~ .• 255 Jan,. 8 Ma:ture doe Mar. 24 Ira.wn., doe Mar .. 29 Mature dqe .· ~ lf ll ' 256 248 249 . II:· .. Jsn. 6 Yearling buck Jan. 6 ,Mature doe Jan. 9 Mature doe Jan.. 11 Fawn, buck jan.. 11 Faw, doe Jan .. 12 Fawn, buck . .. It 252 25.3' Jan., 6 Mature doe Jan. 6 Faw, doe Mar. 23 Mature doe Remarks Area Trapped Se:x: < ••• n· if tt it It 'ii 238 II tt . 249 250 lt ti II tf . 803 .· Hot Sulphur,: .Spgs. It 11. 804··· It rt: 805* tt tt 806 .· n It 807 :· 808 .. If t1 .. ll It II .. ' 809 ·.· tt It lt If 810 It !I It 811 - !I ft u Mar. 17 Fawn, doe Mar. 26 1-'lature doe 812 .· 813 It It it It It u Feb. 18 Mature doe .501 502 .. Jan. 25 Mature doe .· · Jan~ 31 Maturer doe_: Feb. 9 Mature doe Feb .. 10 Mature buclc Feb .. 12 Mature doe Feb .. 27 Mature buck Mar .. 14 Fawn, buqk Mar. 16 Fawn., doe Feb.. 11 Mature doe Feb. 18 &.ture doe Feb. 20 Mature buck Feb .. 19 tawn, buck Feb. 19 Mature doe Feb. 18 Fawn, buck Feb. 18 Fawn., buck · Feb. 17 Fawn, doe Feb. 17 Faw, doe feb. 16 Yearling doe Jan,. 12 Mature doe J.an. 22 Fawn, doe Jan.... 23 .Mature doe : . It It . It rt Basalt Ranch 503 592 rt tt 'tt rt Crystal River 594 . 595 •· 596 .·: 597 -:•.· 598···. .tt It It It 1.1 if It lt It lt 599 \,. 6oo- tt It 263 264 265 rt lt Cathedral II n. G;. fl n �-61TABLE I~ Continued 1950 & 1951 -··Date Sex Button Cattle . ·Tag·· T . Jan.JO Y(:~arling bt1ck Jan. 31 Mature buck Feb .. 2 Mature doe ·- + p Feb. 2 Fawn, buck Feb., 6 Fawn, doe Feb., 6 Mature buck Feb .. 8 Mature buck Feb .. 8 Mature buck Feb. 15 Yearling buck Feb., 16 Mature buck Feb. 21 Fawn, doe Feb~ 21 Fawn, doe Feb. 24 Mature doe Feb. 27 Yearling buck Mar~ 1 Yearling·buck Har,. l Fawn, buck Mar., 2 Fawn., buck Mar,. 3 Fawn, buck Mar. lOMature doe Mar,. 12 Fawn, d.oe Har .• 16 ]fa.ture doe Mar .. 17 Mature doe·· N:ar .. 18 Nature doe Mar .. 21 Fawn, doe Feb.· 7·ha.turedoe Feb .. 23 Mature doe Mar. 2 Mature doe Mar. 4 Mature buck Mar~ 4 Mature doe 1'1a.r., 13 Mature buck Feb. 10 Fawn Feb., 22 Mature doe Feb .. 22 Fawn Feb. 22 Fawn* Feb~ 22 Mature doe Feb 23 Mature doe Feb., 24 Mature doe Feb.. 25 Fawn Mar. 1 Fawn * buck Mar., 12 Mature 'l"lar. 14 Fa:.-m ~· * * * 234 235 236 . 237 238 239 2~. ... Cathedral Gr. 267 It II 268 II It 269 Ii It 270 271 It II II It 272 lt Ii. 273 tt It it tf u 274 275 234 2.35 It II It II ti 236· tf It 237 u 11· 238 It ii 239 tl It ·240 241 n I.I tt It 242 tt It ·u It tt !t 245 243 244 ···245 rt II 246 tt tt 247 247 fl it 240 241 242 243 . 244 246 702 Hermosa 703 u rt 707 n 108 709 It 71,0 tf 450 449 448 447 446 445 444 443 442 441 Remarks Area Trapped 815 Sapinero - it tt. u n ¼ Sex unknown * Sex unknown * Sex unknown tt tt l1l u: tt Doylville * Sex unknown * Sex unknown * Sex unknown �-62TABLE I. Continued ···. .·· The Following Anima.1s Were Tagged During Summer, 1947 Date Sex Button Tp,g June 21 Fawn., doe June 21 Fawn., buck June 21 F aJi,Tn, buck June 28 Fawn, buck June 14 Fawn, buck Ca.ttle Area.Trapped Tag S(;3 Gunnison 864 865 It 822 It S6o June 18 Fawn* June 30 Fawn, buck June 30 Fawn, buck July 2 Fawn, doe li a62 tt 817 If 861 839 837 June 23 Fawn, buck It * Sex: unknown It . un.compahgre II Miscellaneous Tagging Mar. l* Bull (elk calf) 704 Hermo,sa 838 uncompahgr~ .. Female June 2h* (cub bear) Five deer were tagged at·Estes Park and released i±f,Nor.th St., Vrain Canyon in Moose Park .. The tag numbers were: 436., 495., 497, 435, 428. All were cattle tags. · The sex of ·.these ariifua.ls is unknown. These animals were tagged by Park Service employees. �TRI\.P IN SET POSITION TRAP IN SPRUNG POSITION TRIGGER ASSEMBLY OF SET TRAP �I,. - - - TAGGTiiG DEER WITH BUTTON TYPE TAG RELEASING DEER FROM TRAP ...-• • �TAGS FIRST USED WERE THE CLIP-ON CATTLE TYPE. BUTTON TYPE TAGS 1i'fERE LATER INTRODUCED AND HAVE BEEN USED EXTENSI\IEtI SINCE. �SO:ME DEER HA.VE BEEN TAGGED WITH BOTH TYPES OF EAR TAGS, ONE IN E..s.CH EAR. THIS INCREASES THE PROBABILITY OF TAG RETURNS, SINCE SOME TAGS ARE LOST. �LOCATION OF KILL, DEER TAGGED AT LITTLE HILLS EXPERIMENT STATION ON THURMAN CREEK. �-63LIVE TRAPPED DEER Date !ra;eEed 1-23-52 1-23-52 1--28-52 1-28-52 1-28-52 1-30-52 2-1-52 2-7-52 . . 2;.;.12-s2 .· 2-1, ....52 2-15~52 2-15-52 2-15...;52 2-1, ...52 3_5...;52 Sex l-'1ale Doe Doe Doe Male Doe Doe Doe Male 3-4-52 Doe Doe M 10 Fa7tm Fawn 5 6 6 Male Fawn Male 7 4 Doe Doe .. Fawn 27 J 2005 2004 Fawn ·. Fawn Male··· None 2002 2 4 4 Doe Doe Doe 79 798 758 788 786 2006 2007. ·Fawn·· Doe Ear, 2 Fawn Fawn · Doe Left Ear 4 4 Doe 3...;4...52 3-14~52 3-i9-52 3 7 Male. Male Male Dde 3_5.;.52 3-5-52 3...;7_52 3-7-52 3...;13-52 3-13-52 4 Fawn Male 3-4-52 3...5_52 6 Right 10 761 2009 2008 2049 2048 2011 2012 2013 2014 2017 2018 2050 20;1.S 2019 202n ·2022 2021 2025 2001 2003 2004 785. 796 292 789 2010 759 760 791 793 Location Planted Left hand Creek above Jamestown tt lt It l! II Middle St .. V rian Creek It It It ti II II It fl ti It II n I.I If It It ll . u n. .n II 11 fl ti n Ii< .. , n n tt It II 182 u n It 781 · 7133 794 763 764 784 480 If It II · tr ·n u It It II ti ·ll· It It It It II 11 n n ll It 446 11 !I Ii u Ii It 4~ u It lt It ·tt . It tl n It · 479 438 437 II �-.64- Left Ear ·Date Right Ear Button Tag Cattle Tag Sex Date of Location of Approx. Dist~ Kil.1 Kill From Tagging Tagged . Point .:.-: 6 miles 44 106 Yrlg •. doe 1/7/50 102 164 Mat ...buck 2/14/50 150 107 169 Mat. doe 138 205 Mat. doe 3/12/50 1 118 180 Nat .. doe 2/20/5.o f,5± · · 11 tl 156 223 Yrlg .. buck 11/1.8/50 1 51 n tt (Missing) 85 Mat. •doe T2/23/49 1"51 a Strawberry Crk. 12 miles 101 163 Mat .. buck 2/13/50 r51 · u G:reasewood Crk. 20 miles '50.Sesn. Seegar Mt.. II Blk. Sulphur 15 miles Thurman Crk. 4 miles 50 n Immediate Vicini;ty tt 2 miles 3 miles (Yello Crik. Dr. ) 97 157 25 87 113 ___ 175 Mat. buck 2 yr. Date . Note: ___.........._....._ ' ,2/18/50 _____________ J-glv, 1952 . I .51 I? old buck ' 12/29/49, 1.51 tt Mat .. doe · Prepared by Paul F. -Gilbert 2/11/50 I 51 !! Oak Crk. 70 miles Grand Hogback - 12 miles L. Piceance 6 miles Approved by_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Federal Aid.Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the COlorado Gaine and Fish Department. �-65JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado ---====---- Project No. W-38-R-5; Deer-Elk Investigations Work Plan No. ---=.::.. II ____ Job No. __ __ 4 ::,... Title of Job Correlation of Aerial Trend Counts With Kill Figures. Objectives: To determine reliability of aerial censusing methods. Techniques Used: Intensive aerial search pattern by grid or some other system, and statistical analysis of population, sex-ratio; and kill figures. Findings: No suitable area was found for this study, and wcrk so far done is more of a survey nature. An attempt was made to make a ground-aerial census comparison in one area; deep snows ma.de the check impossible for the ground crew. In connection with the Little Hills Grazing Study reported in work plan III, Job 5, airplane counts were made in the deer pastures where a known number of deer were located. These results are reported under Job 5. Analysis and Recommendations: Different areas over the state are now under consideration for comparison counts. An area must be found that can be checked on foot, and is also safe to check by plane. It is planned to use a snow cat to get the men in position for ground counts, thus making it possible to sample a larger area. Summary: No areas sampled for comparison. Prepared by Paul F. Gilbert Date._ _ __.:;J~u~lyL'2--'1~9~5~2~--------- Approved by_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Federal Aid Coordinator �-65JOB COHPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of ------------Colorado Project No, W-38-R-S; Deer-Elk Investigations Work Plan No. III Job No. 1 ------------- Title of Job Survey of Winter Forage Use. Objectives: To determine winter utilizati.on of important forage species. Techniques Used: forage species. Field reconnaissance and detailed measurements of key Findings: Most of the winter deer ranges in Colorado were heavily used this past Winter. In the southwestern and south central sections of the state, the amount of forage produced during the 19.51 growing season was scant as the result of drought conditions. This resulted in an increased drain on winter ranges in these areas. In the Hermosa area, oakbrush, Quercus gambeli, and skunkbrush, Rhus trilobata, were being taken down three annual growth rings, This represents all the growth put on since the last winter of heavy utilization, i.e., 1948-49, Near Chimney Rock, close competition is found between deer and elk due to the very poor condition of the range, and on Mule Mountain, north of Chimney Rock, deer are taking the slash from recent timber operations in the area. A unique utilization condition exists on Jackson Mountain in the San Juan National Forest where elk utilized ponderosa needles almost exclusively the first part of February, although some oakbrush was available. Department men and local Forest Rangers snowshoed the area and cut down a number of ponderosa trees in order to make more pine needles available for forage. On the Uncompahgre National Forest and adjacent areas where deer winter, the use was still heavy, On Winter Mesa, deer were still found to be using cactus, Figure 1, One stomach sample from Winter Mesa showed 44% cactus. Deer use on Kann:ah Creek and Whitewater Basin has been lessened somewhat by extended seasons in this area. The deer ar~ still present in sufficient numbers tg allow no improvement on range conditions, The ¥iinnesota Creek area was hard hit this last winter because of the long winter and deep snows that forced the deer into a limited and already overgrazed winter range. On top of this, feeding operations concentrated them �-67even more. The utilization adjacent to these feed grounds ran from 100% on up. See Figure 2. In the ¥rl.ddle-Park and North Park sections of the state, deep snows crowded deer down into the very lower limits of their range, ,lnd many animals died from malnutrition. The lower limits of these ranges took a heavy beating and many browse plants were killed. Higher up, the deer worked on top of the crusted snow in an effort to get something to eat; the result was in "inverted browse line 11 on the sagebrush, Artemesia tridentata. See Figure 3. The tops were eaten out and that section below the snow line was left untouched. .Old browse lines on conifers were sharpened as shown in Figure 4. Analysis and Recommendations: Winter game ranges in southern and western Colorado were over-utilized in many areas, as last years drought reduced the amount .of feed produced. More winter forage should be available during the winter of 1952-53, At the turkey ranch on Devil Creek, 6.10 inches of moisture fell during the month of December, 1951. This is nearlY one-half the annual rain fall figure. Experiments on cutting down conifers for emergency elk feed shows that this may be helpful at times.when the an:i.!llals are forced to harig around and under the conifers .when the snow is too deep, Summary: Most.big game winter ranges in Colorado were over-utilized this past winter. Deep sriows in some areas limited winter ranges and increased the winter loss.· Droughts in southern and western Colorado left the winter deer ranges in poor condition before the deer came down. Cutting of conifers may be a method of supplementing deer and elk winter feed under,extreme emergencies. Prepared by Paul F. Gilbert Date____J_u_l~y~~1~9.5_2_.________ 2 Note: s Approved by_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �Figure 1 Cactus utilization by deer, Winter Mesa near DeJ.ta, Colorado Figure 2 Deer on feed ground, l'ri.nnesota Creek near Paonia, Colorado �Figure 3 Inverted browse line on sagebrush caused by deer feeding in deep crusted snow. Figure 4 Old browse lines on conifers were sharpened ny heavy deer use. �-68JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado Project No. W-38-R-5; Deer~Elk Investigations Work Plan No. III Job No. 2 ------------- Title of Job Correlation of Game and Livestock Land Use Status. Objectives: To determine status of land according to existing use. Techniques Used: Field reconnaissance, mapping, and photographing. Findings: Competition between domestic stock and big game exists chiefly in winter areas. New areas are springing up on the summer ranges. One of the most obvious areas of summer competition exists on the Uncompahgre National Forest where deer are in direct competition with domestic stock. In several small areas of the White River National Forest, elk-were found still to be in direct competition with domestic stock. Frequently when sheep move into the high country, the elk move out and onto an adjacent cattle allotment. Over the entire Western Slope, there is an indirect form of competition which exists, and is becoming more acute every year. This is the plowing up of natural deer winter range, see Figure 1, to grow cultivated crops or to be put into crested wheat for domestic stock. Crested wheat contributes little; if anything, to a winter deer range. The greatest starvation losses in Middle Park occurred adjacent to areas where native sagebrush range had been plowed up in the last two years. Analysis and Recommendations: Competition between domestic stock and big game is an increasing problem. In many sections, the deer herds are increasing while the critical winter ranges are decreasing. If these herds are to be maintained in any size, areas will have to be set aside as winter game range. Summary: Livestock-big game competition is continuing to increase. competition exists in some areas on the summer range. This Deer are unable to adjust their winter location to a new area, when the area on which they have been depending is plowed up, Prepared by Paul F. Gilbert Date~----~Ju~l~y~,'-'=1~9~5~2_ _ _ _ _ _ __ s Approved by -------------Federal Aid Coordinator �Figure 1 Arrows indicate boundary of areas from which sagebrush has been recently removed, This is in the heart of the Middle Park deer winter range, Greatest starvation losses occurred .adjacent to this area. �-69JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado Project No. W-38-R-5; Deer-Elk Investigations Work Plan No. III Job No. 3 ----------""'--- Title of Job Detailed Study of Range Forage, by Use of Fenced ~losures. Objectives: To determine rate of recovery of key forage species by separating non-use areas from game use and livestock use. Techniques Used: Enclosures of one-quarter to several acres will be used as study plots. Forage inventory, utilization, and other data to be obtained by the district biologist using the line intercept method and by clipping and weighing, and use of photographs will help show forage conditions also. Findings: The past year two exclosures were built on the Uncompahgre Plateau in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management. See Figures 1 and 2. These two plots are ten acres in size with a one-half acre deer exclosure in one corner. The exclosure on Kannah Creek shows a marked increase in vigor and growth of the big sagebrush. One set of chart pantographs have been completed in the meter square qua.drats in and outside of the plot, Another set will be made the summer of 1953. Permanent photo points are established in this plot and one set of photographs were taken in December, 1950. The Blue Mesa exclcisure established in 1950, shows very little change in the big sagebrush. The vigor and density of the reseeded crested wheat grass, Agropyron cristatum, is higher within the exclosure. Two exclosures were established in theiHot Sulphur area; one on the Sulphur Divide, a quarter-acre in size, was constructed with an adjacent quarter-acre, si:tock exclosure. This set, finished in the fa.11 of 1951, shows no difference to date. Deer were forced out of this area early by deep snows. The second Hot Sulphur deer exclosure was constructed at a lower elevation at the mouth of Beaver Creek. Deer were in this area a part of the winter and used the browse adjacent to the plot very heavily. See Figure 3, A spring check showed how completely the forage on the outside was used. Figure 4. This plot was also established in the fall of 1951. �-70Analysis and Recollllllendations: The establishing of deer tight exclosures on important deer winter ranges gives an excellent check on the,amount of use. a. range receives, Where domestic stock also use,the range, an adjacent lower fenced exclosure allows deer use; but no domestic stock use thereby giving another comparison. Exclosures should be located in all key deer winter ranges. ~~: Two ten acre stock exclosures which included one-half acre deer exclosures were constructed· on key deer winter ranges on the Uncompahgre Plateau this past year. Two quarter-acre deer exclosures, one of which has an adjacent cow exclosure were constructed near Hot Sulphur Springs. Prepared by Paul F. Gilbtl.rt PRELIMINARY REPORT OF !!!§_ KELLY FLATS ~ INVESTIGATION y INTRODUCTION The Kelly Flats study area is located about 35 miles up the Cache la Poudre River from.Fort Collins. It is found in the Redfeather District of the Roosevelt National Forest, and makes up part of the Currie Grazing Allotment. The major purpose of this study is to evaluate the degree of competition between deer and cattle on browse; =a,, concurrently, to investigate the effect of different animal use on the other species of vegetation present. The Kelly Flats area is composed of rolling hills located about one half mile . away from the Cache la Poudre River. The vegetation present is, in general, classified as a Ponderosa Pine - Bitterbrush·-'Bunchgrass Type. However, the pine trees are scattered, and much of the bunchgrass has reverted to the shortgrass stage. The southern portion of Kelly Fla.ts is divided by a dri.ft.fence built in 1933, This fence has excluded grazing south of its line by cattle since that date leaving deer use only. The northern portion has thus been subjected to cattle and deer use at least since 1933, y The U, S, Forest Service and the Colorado Game and Fish Department cooperating. �BRU5HY RIDGE DEER-CATTLE EXCLOSURE T.50N,, R.13 N., N£W MEXICO P.M. 8Afi8£lJ UIRE FENC£ DEER PROOF FENCE ,.. .. .. .. ~ SCALE #INCH= JOO FEET FIGURE I J'E.Wil/lams 1'1<klj .e6, ~.2 �DRY MESA DEER- CATTLE EXCLOSUR£ T:JtN:;~ NEW MEY/CO PM 8ARB£/J WIR£ FENC£ O££R PROOF F£NCE SCALE ~INCH" IOOF££T FIGURE 2 :T.E. 1/11/l!ams Ma!I .26, '.5Z �.t• Figure 3 Photograph taken in winter, showing deer trails in snow around lower Beaver Creek Deer Exclosure. Figure 4 Photograph taken in spring, after snow has gone off, showing lower Beaver Creek Deer Exclosure. �-71In 1949, an exclosure was built straddling the drift fence, with equal portions of about one acre each on either side. This exclosure was built to exclude both ca.ttle and deer. It is located on a slight northern exposure and is. mainly an antelope bitterbrush type. For pur,poses of study, an area equal in size to the exclosure was selected immediately to the west, resulting in a division of the study area into four Blocks (Figure 1). The status of the four Blocks is as follows: Block A, cattle and deer continuous use to present time; Block B, cattle and deer use until 1949, pro'-tected from 1949 to present time; Block C, deer use only from 1933 to 1949, no use from 1949 to present time and Blogk D, deer protected. From this basis, each Block was divided into nine equal plots (approximately 85 1 by 71 1 ), and each plot marked by a wooden stake at the corner nearest the center point of the four Blocks. METHODS Measuring the Vegetation The method used in measuring vegetation composition and density was the Line Transect method. One permanently located, 50 ft. transect was randomly selected in each plot, giving a total of nine transects for each Block, This number was thought to be sufficient both from the standpoint of size of sample, · and time required to measure the transects. The method used in measuring the vegetation was to stretch the transect wire between the stakes above the browse. Then the crown intercept of the live browse immediately under the Wire was measured to the nearest hundreth of a foot. After the browse was measured, the wire was worked down through the browse to the ground to measure basal intercept of grasses and forbs to hundredths of feet. Clumps of plants were bunched up to get the basal intercept. All plants lying within ¼'inch on each side of the wire were measured, resulting in a ½inch belt transect. Single stems of less intercept than 1/100 ft. were given a value of 1/100. The transects were randomly located in each plot in the following manner. The corner of each plot closest to the,center point of the four Blocks was chosen as the starting point. Then two !lumbers were drawn from a table of random numbers, Since the plots were 85 1 x 71 1 , the numbers were limited to O - 85 and O - 21 because the 50 foot transects were counted into the 71' Width, The first number drawn between O and 85 gave the number of feet to be .measured off along the 85 ft. length. The second number between O and 21 revealed how far into the transect to measure from the first point to ascertain the starting point of the 50 ft. transect. The transects were permanently established within the plots. A wooden stake with the transect number marked on it was placed one foot from the starting and ending points of the 5o ft, transects, or a total of 52 ft. a.part. · A �-7212 inch length of 3/4 inch pipe was then sunk by each stake on line with the transect so that the steel. transect stakes were held securely. The actual 50 ft. transect was measured off on the wire held by the stakes, so that it began appro:x:imately one foot from the wooden stake markers. In this manner the site effect of the wooden stake markers. was nullified. The list of equipment used in the Kelly Flats study is given as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. ?. 8. 100 1 steel tape divided into 1/lOOths. 104.wooden marking stakes (1 for each plot, 2 for each transect). 72 12" lengths of 3/4 11 pipe (so steel transect stakes just fit inside). Compass (to line up direction of transects). Small sledge hammer for sinking pipe. Hatchet for pointing stakes. 2 48 11 by 3/4" round steel stakes (actual height determined by height of. the browse). 52 1 length of flexible, fabric-coated telephone wire fitted with 1 11 rings on each end. 5o ft. transect length marked off on wire. Description of Statistical Analysis Given that all variables such as slope, exposure, etc. are equal in all four plots, then the following Analysis of Variance Key-out would reveal: (1) Differences caused by animal use; (2) effect of protection; (3) successional trends in vegetation composition; and (4) effect of protection in comparison with past use. Analysis of Va.riance for a Single Brow:;,e, Grass, or Forb Species Source of-Variation Degrees of.Freedom Total Protection Usage Protection x Usage Re:sidual 35 1 1 1 32 This analysis is based on the Kelly Flats project where there are nine transects in each block or a total of 36 transects in the four blocks, allowing 35 degrees of freedom. �--------------------------------, BLOCK D BLOCK C DEER USE ONLY fRON 1133 TO 1'141, COMPLETE DEER USE ONLY FRON HU13 TO PfU:'.SENT, PROTECTION fRON NOV. 1149. . " . . ff " " ...I ,. . ,... . I 'I BLOCK B i Al I TO 1141, COMPLETE PROTECTION FRON NOV. 1141. "' - 'I. ,. I '' 6 I I I I I I I A!:'i A4 II I I I I I 'I I' 1-------.J!.-------·=·--.. ., ' ' AT : I I I Al ~ DRIFT FENCE I A - I ~- - - - - - !I ........ - - ..... .J.' - - ......... _,...' l CATTLE AND DEER USE - I I AI .' - .• I AI I : I I L--------------_,i~-----~------L-----J BLOCK A O CATTLE AND DEER USE. FIGURE 1.--KELLY FLATS RANGE STUDY. �-73The sum of squares !or each source in the Analysis of Variance is found from the following formulae. = JZ. X2 ·--· L . Total 2., ·.· 2 Protection -· T 36 -=· ·l . '1'2' p Usage 3~ T2 d = ,', . up T2 .... cd 2 - T·· . ~ 18 4. .· 2 = ·. Tpd Interaction 36 2 2 Tud . .j. .,L . T .. 9 ~ .. - SS for Protection - SS for Usage :;. Protected area (exclos~re) Blocks Band D. ·.,, Unprotected area, Blocks A and C. . . . :: Deer side of dri.ft fence, Blocks G and D •• d cd = Cattle - deer side of drift fence, Blocks A a:nd B. pd •$iii Protected deer block, Bloeik D. pcd = Protected cattle -- deer block;·· Block B. ud !!l!l Unprotected deer block •.· Block .C. ucd = Unprotected cattle - deer block, Block A.· p up By this analysis the following things can be determined. 1. Protection.·. Tt can be determined w:hether there is a significant difference, by species,· between the protected and non-protected. blocks .. 2. Usage.. It can be determined whether there is a significant difference, by species., between deer use a_nd cattle ... deer use. J,. Interaction. It can be detemined what effect pa.st use has on the come-back. of the: individual .species that ha:tre· been p:la.c~d·. under protection.· . . . . .. :. .· . . . .- . ·.. . . . . . . Information on sutcessiontrends are determinedf:to:mhothusage and protection key...outs; and depend 100 pe:t cent on the interpretation placed upon each·.·· species analysis. For example it was deterntined that the deer-only blocks contained signii'icantly less blue gram:a than the cattle--deer blocks:, Ob~ viously this is not caused by deer use, but rather by bunch grasses<choking out the blue gramma on the deer side •. This then is truly interpretation o:f the data and requires a thorough knowledge of succession in the area ih ~ich the study is made. �-74The 1951 measurements from Kelly Flats are tabulated in Table 1 of this report. To facilitate discussion, these messurernents are broken down .into their natural classification, browse, grasses, and forbs, It is desirable to point out that little has been learned on the actual influences of animal use at this time; however, future measurements should begin to reveal the trends so tbat the objectives of this project may be realized. Browse The main browse species on the study area i'S antelope bitterbrush, (Purshia tridentata. It is found normally growing in the three Blocks B, C, and D; however, in Block A this species is much more scattered and gives way to a grass type in the lower extremities. It is believed that this is not so much a result of past use as it is of· site conditions., because Block B, which has also been protected from cattle and deer use for only two years, is significantly different from Block A. A possible solution is to use the 1951 measurements as base data and compare all future measurements to it so that future changes may be determined. There are some ru.•guments against this method, namely will vegetation react the same under different site conditions found in Block A. This method needs fu,rther investigation before being adopted. On the basis of this years' data, all that can be saidis.:that the total intercept of antelope bitterbrush in Block A differs significantly from the other three Blocks, and that Block C differs significantly from Block D. This last may bs caused by deer use in Block C. Ribes cereum occurred less frequently than ·antelope bitterbrush, and upon analysis it was found that it did net differ significantly between any of the blocks. Cercocarpul3 montanus occurred too'infrequently to be tested. -Grass Short Grass - Blue Bouteloua graoili.s, is the dominant short grass species in the Kelly Flats area. It is also one of the dominant grass species in the study plots. Block A, the cattle and deer use area, contained significantly more blue gra:ma than the other three blocks. This again appears to be a reflection of the location of Block A~ rather than use; although, heavy cattle use was probably the prime factor in forcing the succession back from climax bunchgrass to the shortgrass stage, and holding it there. There is significantly less blue grama on the deer-only side of the drift fence, caused by the light deer use on bunchgrasses which in turn have crowded out the grama. Future trends in this species will determine more on the effect of use and protection. �-75Bunchgrass -- A total of six species of bunchgrass were found in sufficient amounts on the study plots to warrant analysis. These species are as follows: Sheep fescue, Festuca ovina; mountain muhly, Muhlenbergia montana; needle-andthread, Stipa comata; june grass, Koeleria cristata; bluequnch wheatgrass, Agropyron spicatum; and spike fescue, Hesperochloa kingii. Comparing the total intercept of the above named bunchgrasses, it was deterndned .that interception on the deer only side of• the drift fence was significantly greater than on the cattle - deer side. This could be attributed partly to site but most likely to little deer use allowing the gras,s to approach climax stages .. Weeds The total intercept of 21 genera: and species of weeds were added together to determine difference of weed: occurrence amongst the four Blocks. Thus it was determined that Block A ranked first, Block B second, and Blocks C and D third in the amount of total weed interception. This undoubtedly reflects past animal use. Among the weeds that showed significant difference in intercept between the four blocks are the following: Fri1l!'!.ed sage, Artemesia frigida; Lesquerella; fleabane, Erigeron; and pussytoes, Antennaria. CONCLUSIONS AND SUM!fl!RY In considering the analysis of the Kelly Flats study area, it would be expected that vegetation in Blocks on the cattle - deer side of the drift fence (A and B) would differ in intercept·from the deer side of the drift fence (Blocks C and D) because of past use, Under only two years of protection, however, it would not be expected that blocks on the same side of the drift fence would differ from each other. So that Block A should have the same browse intercept as Block B, and the same for Blocks C and D, because. they have been subjected to the same past use, If they d6 differ from each other then it must be concluded that u there has been conoeritrated use, or that a site difference exists between them. It does not appear to this writer that Block A offers a valid comparison with the other Blocks. It would seem better to select another area close tc the present site which measures up to the same: exposure, site, etc. as in Blocks B, c, and D, and which contains a similar amount of browse as do the other three, So that a more valid comparison of the future effects of cattle - deer use as compared to deer use may be .obtained. As the study exists now, the difference between the Blocks exists independent of the effect of protection or animal use. With a more representative substitute for Block A, it is;believed that a comprehensive study of the influence·of protection and animal use on plant species will be possible. Prepared by__J_a_c_k_R_._Gr_i_eb_ _ _ _ __ Date July 1952 -------"-'--'-'--------- Note: Approved by_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Col:orado Uame and·Fish Department. �-76TABLE l KELLY F!ATS '.LINE TRANS'.ECT MEASUREMENTS/BY_ SPECIES, TO HUNDREDTHS OF FE.ET Block Transect Antelope Bitterbrush., Total .·. a. j Purshia tridentata A 17 .. 61 3.18 . ..OJ B C 28.,43 19.36 . 12.35 20 .. 07 11 .. 71 D 17.80. 18~31 1L69 ,18 .. 44 Q 12 .12 16 .. 38 1 ... 38 so . 70 12.57 12.80 21.04 11.65 15L.58 lLll 18.74 22.41 2.:33 129,.23 10~47 25 .. 16 17.67 . 20.05 163.35 9~35 2.. 50 5.12 23.18 4.20 l6S5 14.92 17 .. 56 18.,28 17.17 .16.12 Ribes cereum A J,.86 . ,' , ,~21 B C .08 D J.83 1.92 J.09 3.60 3~50 4. 16 . 1.9i 20.83 .51 . 35.0l 9.02 . 2,.77 25.38 ··.·. 6.,59 Mountain mahogany, Cercoca:rpus mo:ntanus A C 1.24 .% B 3.17 ~25 D Blue grama, Boutelouagracilis A 8/85. 3.,09 4-89 ,' 3 .. 30· B 2 .. 43 7.,34 C 1.14 · D 2 .,56 J.61 3.99 Sheep fescue, Fe stuca ovina .07 • 72 B .,19 · ... 15 ' C D .• 75 2. rr 2.02 2.47 . 6.,91 l..25 .• 95 5.94 11..97 1.23 . , .07 •06 .o5. 4.. 02 2.25 · ~35 · . . 56· .···•·· 6.$2 .31 ~14 .3.,39 1.25 .57 .,40 .04 ~05 1.24 3.,93 . J .. 02 4. 00 53.,45 31 .. 04 J.72 4.,99 · 1.,34 LBl 4.,76 . 26.67 .67 .73 .89 .. 06 .. .23 .04 7,.14 .. 52 .. 21 4~88 .. 64 "65 ~35 �-77KELLY FLATS LINE TRANSECT MEASUREl:<iENTS, BY SPECIES, TO HUNDREDTHS OF FEET -- Continued. Transect Block l 2 A B ,84 1.28 4,12 3. 74 • 79 C D 2,52 .85 • 78 3.22 Needle-and-Thread, Stipa comata .06 A .23 .27 .12 .28 · B C D .18 .12 .55 June grass, Koelarai cristata ,13 ,28 A B C D ,24 .12 .10 .62 ,13 .86 .16 .26 ,13 ,24 ,87 Tota.l 5 6 .06 ,53 2,99 ,92 ,82 1,07 1.07 l.97 1.77 2.03 ,38 2.16 .10 ,39 .09 ,08 .01 .02 3 Mountain. muhly, Muhlenbergia montana ,59 .56 ,55 2.05 ,13 7 8 9 .46 ,43 2.89 3,59 ,30 .60 ,46 ,17 .07 1.07 .10 2.95 l.63 1.76 .22 2.81 .57 ,96 •77 3,37 2,66 ,49 ,60 ,36 ,57 .6h .16 .24 .10 .84 .os .40 ,32 .07 .12 .24 Bluegrass, Pea secunda A B - •. .11 .02 ,02 C D ,07 ,43 ,37 Bluebunch wheatgrass, Agroptron spicatum A B C D .10 .26 ,09 .2 · .17 ,17 ,25 ,03 .06 .22 ,09 ,03 .04 .88 Spike fescue, Hesperochloa kingii A B C D .60 .50 .~ Bottlebrush squirreltail, Sitanion hystrix A •. , B ,09 20.69 lJ.74 .07 ,32 ,55 ,30 4.36 6,12 .05 1,74 .13 .32 .16 .04 .24 ,45 ,52 .01 .12 ,56 .20 .01 .28 .02 1.90 ,78 .19 .10 ,79 ,07 ,33 .24 1.32 ,19 2,63 1.99 1,00 ,13 .13 .18 ,09 C D .18 •.LS �-78-·:s10ck: · -··-·-··" l 2 ~~?~· a11{btg~.···· 3 ·.. 4 Transect , Total 6 8 -~ . ~,,.~...... Weeds Phlox . 41 .. 68 A B .. 14 .. 05 .26 . .. 08 1.62 .20 .,45 .. 22 .. 60 2.32 .,49 C 1 .. 26 1 .. 42 .. 10 .. 09 .16 3.03 .69' .. o4_ _ _..__ _ _.,c__c..,____;_..;_ .18 .,39 ·-C··'·-•,......,. .........-;...;;_:; .09 _ _ _1.39 _:;;.::.__ D_________,--.-....----~--.........: .36 .. ::.tonecrop., Sedum A ---.. 07 .12 .. 08 B C .. 06 .07> .. 04 ···. ·.D .. 27 .08 ,.91 .. 18 -~ ___ ___________ __ .D , .•.;;;...,_ 32 ..;.._ .. 18 .64 - 1..11 .. 09 C .03 ;;.10 .35. 1.17 .03 .09 .. 03 .06 .19 .···· -~..,___,.,......... .. 20 .10 D,.,l;ehfne:n,·· -···~· ,~..,.,.,. ,_~ '. .. 85 .02 .. 27 .80 .47 .49 .,55 .26 ,,6f .. 25 .24 ..08 .23 ,.28 .04 3.74 ,.47 .11 --------------"'"-----.;......::;.- .1.38 .. ,,1.0() .,OJ, D .,.. >"•71 .24 . 1.75 .10 Ii'ri,nged sage., Ji:rtismesia frit;1:i.da A B .. 23 .04 .02 .02 .17 ,.. 51 .10 .09 .22 2.52 .23 .69 .12 .. 21 .52 .63 .17 . .. 6) . 3.80 .70 =-1~bc 2:93 13 .. 51 .85 6.. 73 $20 l.78 ..80 .17 4. 1? "' ...... 1,l :s C D .. 03 ~06 .03 .01 .06. Fli."·,.,a:si,.,, di;tisy, r~ri.geron "25~~·, A .29 B .. 58 45 L -•~•~ 0 .30 C ol'~;'"d _,o<s~-.,,"''''~'"""~~.._'<>-,"l\.-'M,110 .. .. .... . 15 .12 .30 1°49 .. os ~ tJ~~ ~18 .08 .06 .17 .07 .07 .04 -~-,TI>·'S'<n,,e.,'""'-"cmSO"""~ D .64 .01 .. 93 1.49 .. 61 ~03 .. 47 3.,15 .11 1 .. 46 5.65 ~29 ,.55 .16 1 .. 27 . 05 7.50 .72 . •9h �-79KELLY•FLA.TS LINE·TRA.NSECT.tJEASUREMENTS, BY.SFECIES, TO HUNDREDTH OF.·FEET -- Continued. Block Transect 1 2 L. 3 Pus syto"es,, Antennaria A 7.19 B 6 .. 40 C ,.33 D ,.77 1 .. 21 3.72 1.28 2.,47 Cinquefoil, Potentilla A .03 .. o:5 .. ll . .. 11 .02 B G .37 D .. 02 .Buckwheat, Erio~onum A .01 .09 Sedge, Carex A B C D ?' .. 46 .36 •16 .24 2 .. 98 12,.51 .. 89 . 35 1 .. 98 .46 .. 03 .. o5 .. 26 7 .. 10 .27 .17 .07 .,36 .jl .. 08 .01 6.95 6.. 62 1.,47 .. 69 .. 23 .19 .o4 9 2 .. 74 .. 08 ,.12 .. 17 .. 21 19 .. 42 . 17 ~12 .,47 4,.20 .. 21 .o4 Club moss, Selai:i.rieiia A .14 .. 8!, .. 10 .58 S4 .. 06 .06 .. 02 .,29 ,.28 .. 69 .. 38 .60 .01 ~·26 .27 .. 83 .:,8 ~06 .. 08 .. 25 .. 08 .. 16 .. 18 Lll .• 54 .. 02 .65 .. 14 1.,15 .or· l.73 ;.16 .56 ,.43 .. 21 .. 19 .32 .,10 .02 3.,51 ·1.. 26 4,.79 2.;71 .07 .68 eOJ .. 02 .,Q2 ·. .,98 9.30 1 .. 16 .04 .46 .29 .07 ·7 .. 17 51 ..30 1 .. 04 .. 26 .,1:, .. 15 1.06·· l .. 20 .. Cudweed sag·e, Artemesia_. ~apha.lodes . . $02 A B .34 C .20 D .. OJ . -~.>+-. C D 1.,58 .37 .. 29 .10 ~18 .13 B 4..Jb .. 03 .. 29 019 .. 61 Total 8 .. B C D 5. 6 .53 .:08 1.06 ~02 &]$ 1.,14 L.87 .,77 .42 .$0 .. 48 L.99 3.,4J. 1.71 Haicy gold aster, Chryso12sis ····. A C D .09 .. 45.· ..,09 .,37 B .32 .,24 .55 .18 .08 $06 .11 .D4 .. .04 .35 ~61 ) .. e28 �-80KELLY FIATS LINE TRANSECT ~JEASUREMENTS, BY SPECIES, TO ll1JNDREDTHS OF FEE'.r -- Continued. Block Transect .1 .... 2 Wild onion, Allium A B .02· · C D Unidentified weeds A .02 B C D· .10 ,14 .02 C .12 3 4 5 Total 6 7 8 9 .01 ,02 .04 ,07 ,38 · .02 ,07 · .01 .07 .08 .10 ,03 .11 .09 ,56 .06 .03 .16 ,14 .09 .28 ,02 .02 .o5 .06 .02 .01 .02 .02 ,05 ,55 ,43 1,74 ,07 Ross, ,12 Jl.lumroot, Heuchera .c D .. ,56 .08 ,15 .04 .10 ,32 .27 .16 1.13 .&6 .01 Wild geranium, Geranium . B ,31 ·c ,31 .42 Cruciferae, C .16 ,58 .15 Knotweed, :Pol~onum ·B ,08 .01 C D Aster .01 ,01 ,01 B ,04 ,02 .06 .13 ,13 · Dandelion, Leontodon B C Cactus, Opuntia C D Skull cap, Scutellaria B D .12 .02 ,04 .03 ·C ·B .03 .06 .06 .06 .06 ,12 ,15 .12 ~05 .09 .06 ,02 ,01 .02 ,01 .24 .15 .20 .02 ,04 �-81KELLY FIATS LINE TRANSECT MEASUREMENTS, BY SPECIES, TO HUNDREDTHS OF FEili:T - ,Total Block l 2 Pentstemon .10 .07 .05 9 7 3 .06 .:29 .12 B C D Continued. .• 10 .03 Itchweed, Ccyptantha .06 .07 .03 B C D .49 .ll .14 .11 .12 .12· Sunflower, Helianthella B C D .02 .06 .10 .12 .06 .08 .12 False carrot, Pseudoc~oEterus A .09 B C D .39 ,09 .26 .03 .02 .13 .09 .02 Yarrow, J!.chillea D D .07 ,78 .09 .06 .56 l?hacelia .17 .55 '.42 .12 .12 Fern unidentified @ompositae .10 A D Total :e.rowse intercept Total (tress intercept Total Weed intercept Total " <i .02 .04 594,86 ft. 198.91 ft. :i.7l7.(~1 ft, 971.68 ft. .o~., .o4 .10 .12 �Figure 1 Probable predator loss. Attempting to cover a kill is typical of the cat family. Figure 2 Typical winter loss on the Green Mountain deer winter range. ��-83JOB COYJPLETION REPORT INVESTIGA'rIONS PROJECTS State af Colorado Project No. W-38-R:-5; Deer-Elk Investigations Work Plan No. Job N°"~·~2::;...._ __ IV --------- Title of Job Predation Affecting Deer. Objectives: To determine extent and nature of deer loss through predation. Techniques Used: Incidental accumulation of data concurrent with other work through interviews and reconnaissance. Findings: Predator loss will vary by regions. In no region is it found to be high. Lions are scarce over the entire state. Coyotes appear to have increased slightly over most of the deer range this past year. Bobcats are quite numerous through the winter ranges of the state. In the Glenwood Springs district, deep snows appeared to cause an increase in predation. Several bobcat'kills were observed. Domestic dogs were probably second in line on the predator list from this area. Two fawns were found on the 21st and 28th of January in the Hermosa killed by coyotes. Domestic dogs worked on the deer near Silverton. Several mountain lions were reported operating in the Durango district, but no deer kills could be attributed to them. In the upper Rio Grande drainage, eight predator kills all ,fawns, were examined, Five of these were attributed to dogs, one to coyote, and two to eagles. Eagles are believed to have killed a fawn which was found in the Little Hills area. This area supports numerous bobcats, very few coyotes, and fewer lions. In the Delta district, five kills were found on Minnesota Creek, all of which were attributed to dogs. Coyotes appear to be slightly on the increase here, bobcats are quite numerous ,all through the·, winter ra:ige, and several lions have been reported. In the Middle Park area, predators accounted for .9% of the total winter loss. See Figure 1 following page 96, Most of this loss was caused by dogs killing deer. In checking winter losses in the Green Mountain Reservoir area, one deer was found partly covered up, as if done by some member of the cat family (Figure l)t however, only one hip was eaten which is more like coyote work. No do-gs are in this area. �-84Anaylsis and Recommendations: ·From. all indications, predator loss amounts to a very small fraction of the herd drain. It is worth while to continue keeping data on this subject as it will vary from year to year. Summary: Dogs appear to be the biggest predator to deer on thewinter range. More fawns are killed than grown deer. Eagles may account for an occasional fawn. Coyotes are scarce over most of the deer winter range, but show signs of increasing in some areas. Prepared by_~P~a~ul=-~F~·-G~i=Th=.;:e~r~t______ Date_____J_u_l""y_,,_1__9~52_ _ _ _ _ __ Note: Approved by_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-85- JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of_ ___;C~o~l~o~r~a~d~o--~Project No. W-38-R-5; Deer-Elk Investigations Work Plan No. _ _.=Ic.:::I:::I___Job No. _ _.,;.5_ __ Title of Job Little Hills Grazing Study Objectives: To determine degree and selectivity of forage use by deer, sheep, and cattle in enclosures under various intensities of grazing. Techniques Used: Installation of pasture enclosures of deer, sheep, and cattle during the regular grazing season, and determining the degree and selectivity of use by accurately located sample plots. Findings: Spring Stocking of the Enclosures. During ihe 1951 spring grazing period for catt;le and sheep, pasture 2 was stocked with 3 cows andTiarge\ calTfrom Ma;v 12 until June 29. Pasture 3 carried 3 cows and 1 large calf from May 13 until July 3, except for one cow that had to be removed on June 22, There were 10 sheep in pasture 1 from May 12 until July 2, when 9 of them were removed. The other sheep remained in the pasture until July 9. Pasture 5 carriedl5sheep from May 12 until July 2. Distribution was poor within the sheep pastures and some spots were severely used while other spots were unused. Utilization Estimates Following the spring grazing, utilization was est:tmated using the same method used in 1950. Estimates were made by three different people, averaging the results to reduce bias. Personnel assisting with the estimates were Laurence E. Riordan, Glenn E, Rogers, Robert Howard, and Ross Campbell. Six plots were selected in each pasture so that different types and locations within the pastures were sampled. Plots varied in size with plant density", but were large enough for a good sample. Spring utilization is summarized in Table L Summer Preparations Frequent fence maintenance was necessary during the latter part of July and the month of August because of a series of flash floods. A large,pen type deer !trap was constructed adjacent to each of the two deer pastures. A long wing of the fence extends across a meadow or an alfalfa field. A long trip wire extended from the gate to the road. �Poi.nts were located every 5 chains within each of the deer pastures and in a comparable area outside the enclosures. At each of these points a 1/100 acre plot was cleared of all pellets in preparation for a pellet count the following spring. Hunting season Prior to hunting season a buffer zone around the pastures was posted to exclude hunting, and pasture gates were locked to be sure some unknowing hunter did not wander through ahd leave the gate open. U1rr·1rio season a patrol was made to enforce the closed area and other hunting regulations. A checking station was operated to give the hunters information concerning the closed area and to watch for tagged deer. Fall Stockim; Due to a dry summer, there was very lit-tle growth of forage species. This made it necessary to stock the cattle and sheep pastures lightly during the fall grazing season. Ten sheep occupied pasture 1 from October 13 to November 20 (except for 1 which had to be removed November 15,), while there were 15 in pasture 5 for the same period. Two cows and two calves were placed in pasture 2 on October 12 and removed November 13. Three cows ·with calves occupied pasture 3 from October 11 until November 13. The large, pen type traps were used in stocking the deer pastureso They were successful in that we knew exactly when deer entered, the pastures. A total of 9 deer were counted into pasture 4, and 15 in pastures 6 & 7 (combined)o One more was put into pasture 6 & 7 after one was found dead on December 11. They remained in the pastures all winter and frequent checks were made of pasture fences to be sure that none escaped and no others gained entrance. Two drives to remove the deer in pasture 6 & 7 were made on May 9 and 10 with the help of the game management seniors from Colo. A & M Collegeo These drives met with little success as only three deer went out. Gates were left open and tracks of three deer were counted out between May 14 and May 18. In all, carcasses of 10 deer were found in pasture 6 & 7. At least 6 of these appear to be predator kills by some member of the cat family. The bodY cavity ha.d been opened through the ribs, with heru-t and lungs removedo During the winter, bobcat tracks were numerous and one mountain lion· trackawas. seen.· Most' of·,the· pr.edation .appeared to have occurred during March. In pasture 4, a very successful drive was made by experiment station personnel on May 12. Six deer were removed and only one remained in the pasture. This animal was shot on May 14. Two carcasses were found, both of which had died of natural causes o �-87TABLE 1 AVEaAGE PERCENT UTILIZATION AND B'REQUENCY OF OCCURENCE BY PASTURE "Pasture i Sheep . Pa:~ture .2 Cattle Pa~tu~~ 3 Cattle Pasture 5 Sheep *Freq .. of Ave~ %Freq. of Ave., % Fr.eq...of Ave. % Freq. of Ave. % Fora.g~_S;eecies Occur. Grass & Grass-like Agropyron iherme Oryzopsis hymenoides Keeled.a cristata Poa. canbeyi Stipa coma.ta Carex stenophylla Sitanion hystrix Agropyron smithii Util. Occur. 6 T 6 6 3 6 3 23 Occur. Util. Occur~ Util. 22 5 14 6 T 48 6 31 6 T 6 3 l 6 3 3rt . 37 6 5 6 90 10 4 30 5 0 UtiL 4 3 3 46 26 5 4 2 6 2 0 3 T 2 2 3 7 4 6 3 0 3 T 3 7 2 1 0 2 Brom.us ana:m:olus Elymus condensatus Oryzopsis . micranthus 2 1 .5 1 20 1 2 Forbs Lupinus greenei Eriogon:um tristichum E. umbellatum 3 13 5 6 5 T 2 3 T T 5 T 1 0 3 T 1 75 Achillea lanulosa Penste:mon fremonti Lepidium :m:ontanum Artemesia wrightii Hedysarium pabulare Sli..deran thus spp ~ Sisymbrium spp.. 2 T 1 0 2 50 4 75 2 .5' 4 30 5 0 4 0 6 T 1 5 3 T T 3 T T 18 2 17 2 2 l T 5 5 4 5 4 (Continued) 1s 26 �-88TABLE 1 (Continued) Pasture 1 Sheep Pasture 2 Cattle Pasture 3 Catt.le Pasture 5 She,ap Freq. of A_ve. % Freq.· of Ave,. % Fa:eq. of Ave~ % Freq. of Ave., % ~l5ecies Qccur. IltiL Occur.. Ut:tL Occut'.. Ui:iiL Occur. UtiL Artemesia d;racunculoides Castilleja chromosa Senecio multilobatus Gallium boreale Sphralcea coccinea 4 47 4 2 4 T 5 2 2 T 2 T 1 0 2 T 1 90 6 0 2 5 2 T 2 0 2 0 l .'T 1 2 40 3 7 4 T 5 T 5 T Lithospermum rud.erale Ast:t'agalus cha:maeleuce Linum lewisii Gilia aggregata 5 Gutierrezia sarothrae Browse A.melanchier utahensi;s Cereo carpus manta.nus Symphoricarpos tetonensis T 13 1 3 6 .1 6 T 6 4 6 4 5 8 5 9 3 12 4 5 6 1 6 l 6 1 6 2 5 7 16 6 6 3 5 1 4 14 3 0 3 13 1 0 antisphilitica l Artemesia frlgida 5 A; tridentata 2 E. lana.ta l Que:rcus gambelii .3 Rhus trilobata 1 15 Ch:rysotha.nmus viscidiflorus Co nauseosus Tetrad;ymia canescens Purshia tridentata Prunus melanocarpos Ephedra R:tbes ,spp. . 2 5 T 0 b 0 0 T 3 3 1 5 2 T 2 0 5 T 4 T 2 0 2 ·o 5 6 4 0 T 3 T 2 2 3 l T T T l 15 .1 0 - 4 l 6 1 3 �-89Table 2 is a summary of the stocking record for the past year. TABLE 2 Domestic Stock,, 1951 Pasture -Ac.reage .•Stock Mbnths - sheep 68 Spring 17 .. 0 - cattle 168 3 - cattle 169 1 2 5 - sheep Fall 12~-5 Spring 4. 7 Fall 82 Spring FaJJ. . Acres/Stock }!Ionth ·. 2. 3 3.,2 21.26 4., 7 4.4 18~77 Spring 25.5 Fall J:9 .. 0 1.8 Deer, 1951-52 Acres/Deer Month 4 - deer 118 Winter 51.9 2. 08 6 & 7-deer 204 Winter 62 .. 5 3 .. 26 Utilization· Measu~ements It was not possible to make utilization :measurements of falJ-'1 use until the snaw :melted off in the spring. Measurements were :made in 10 point areas within each of .the 6 enclosures and one comparable a.rea outside. Jack Grieb., department statistician, . has completed his analyses of measurement data for 1949, 1950, and 1951. Several changes in utilization and lliethods of taldng llieasurements were found to be necessary. Testing Census Teclmiques A series· of airplane counts were made of the deer in the pastures. Three counts were made in February under ideal counting conditions.. Three more counts were made· in JilJ.ay under about the vorst possible counting conditions.. Results of these counts are applicable only ,in rough, pinon-j1;1niper country under·· the condi ticms na.'i1ed., Since thtS results are quite consistent, they are thought to be of value,, A st11r,mary o.f. these counts is found in Table 3. �-90TABLE 3 AERIAL COUNTS OF DEER IN THE PASTURES Deer in Pastures Date Deer Seen ... Pasture 4 Feb,. 11 Feb. 14 Feb .. 16 May 2 Viay 5 Ivlay 9 3 3 9 9 9 3 7 1 7 0 0 7 Remarks Flyin~ t:Lm(D 20 min .. 13 n 10 .. " 19 II .. Good snow cover fl II fl II u II II No snow, air rough n It II Ii 1h If II 18 Ii Good snow cover 18 23 It !! fl ii II If n ti 15 I! II It '.Pasture 6 & 7 Feb, 11 Feb. 14 Feb. 16 May 2 lVlay 5 May 9 14 14 14 6 6 0 16 Ji No snow, air rough 6 1 21 22 If n II II II If Ii II !J u 6 6 4 0 Just before the deer were removed. from the pastures, a·pellet count was made~ Plots 1/100 acre in size. a given distance apart on compass lines through the pastures were used., The number of groups present on each plo't were counted and recorded. A number of these plots had been cleared prior to stocking the pastures and these were used as a check,. This helped insure us against counting pellets from previous years... In pasture 4,.· a total of 847 pellet groups were counted on 579 plots.. With know acreage and know-n number of deer days, computations reveal an average of 12 .. J groups per deer day. On 809 plots in pasture 6 & 7, 1248 groups were,couhted. This gives an average of 17,.1 groups per deer day .. Using both sets of data 1;iogether, an average of l4 .. 9 is obtainedo The unusual nwriber pf predators in 6 & 7 might possibly have been a ±'actor in the high nu.mber of pellet groups .. Summaq: Spring and .fall mtockiug with sheep and cattle was done in appropriate pastu±'es .. Two deer :pastures were stocked w.Lth 9 deer and 15 deer, respectively, during the :winter. Ten deer carcaf\ses were found in .one :pasture; six of which appea:red to be .· · predator killSo\ �-91- Su.mmarz: (Continued) An attempt was made to find a correlation of aerial count with ground number by flying the pastures with known number of deer present. ! deer pellet count made in the pastures in the spring showed an average of 14.9 pellet groups per deer day. Prepared by Paul F. Gi]b ert Ross L. Campbell Date Note: Approved by -----------Federal Aid Coordinator July, 1952 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��-93JOB .COMPLETION REPORT . INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of_ Colorado Project No. W-38-R-$'-? -Deer-Elk Investi5ations IV Work Plan No. Title of Job Job No.. ------~3. Study of Other Mortality Factors--Winter ~?*ss 2 Starva.t,io'n, Disease, Parasites Highwav ~ and Railro,<:,d K:i.11s ~ & """'~·-·" ·, Objectives: '. . <\,.,~ ·~~''-·"-· ' - - - ·- ·- · · ··-··-----------------.;,,;....;;- To determine deer losses by various decimating factors .. Techniques Used: Field study and laboratory. examination. Findings: Winter losses of deer and elk varied greatly by areas.over 'the state.. In general, ·snow depths were greater over the entire ~western Slope. The overall.winter losses over central western Colorado was light this, past winter excepting the Minnesota Creek area near Paonia where technician Jesse Williams estimated a loss of 35%. This loss W$.S amplified by feeding operations. Forty-two dead deer of all age classes were counted adjacent to these feed . grounds. Some winter losS3 was .noted along the Uncompahgre River above Ridgeway and in the Sinbad Valley. The two following tables (Tables l· and 2) give the results of ten postmortem examinations made in this areao TABLE 1. POST MORTEM DATA Sam le No.,. 2 Buck 3 Doe 4 Doe Stomach Sam le ·Yes Yes No 5 Fawn No 6 Fa-wn 7 Doe No No 8 Doe Yes 9 Doe 10 Doe Yes No No Fawn Location Ur1con1p,2,hgre Plateau Dey Mesa Winter Mesa North Fork Minnesota Creek· Winter Mesa Winter Mesa Minnesota Creek Minnesota Creek Minnesota Creek Date· Re1:na.rks , .7/~~,6. l ll/2J/51 2/ 7/52 3/ 3/52 3/10/52 3/17/52 3/17/52 3/18/52 3/26/52 4/1%/52 Crippled Found Dead Found Dead Found Dead �-94TABU: 2 Fat Present Rump Brisket Mensentaries Kidneys Heart Bone Marrow Lungworms POST MORTEM RESULTS Sample No. 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 9· 10 11 ---------------X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X' X X X X X X Bot Larvae Coyote Cysts X X X Legworms Sucking Lice X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Ticks Biting Lice X X Tapeworms (common) Tapeworm (fringed) X X X X X X X X X X X x X X X X X X X X In the southwest corner of the state, actual winter die offs were light considering the heavy snow. Here four elk are known to have been lost; two by poachers, one calf died in a fence, and the cause of the death of the fourth was unknown. A total of 15 deer were known to have been lost in this southwest district. This consisted of 6 bucks, 3 does, and 5 fawns, and one unknown. Poachers took 5 animals, predators 2, malnutrition 2, and 1 was found dead in the fence, Table 3 summariees the results of fi,e postmortems from this part of the state, �-95TA.BIB 3 Spec::i.metr Number Date Age Sex #6 1-26-52 Fawn Doe #1 1_;26-52 Calf·. Bull Embroys Fat Present: Rump Brisket l•iens entaries Kidneys Heart #8 #9 2 ....J.4-52 2-15 ....52 Fawn 8 plus Doe Two Doe Buck ..... X X X X Bone ¥1arrow Parasites P~esent: Lung worm X X Bot larve Lice X X X . . Coyote cysts Tapeworm Fawn X X Ticks Leg.worm #10 1... 2s ....52 X ... . .,;,;i, X :_ ..,.... X X X X X X X X X X X ....... X No detailed study was made of the winter loss in the:Winter River deer and elk herds. It is believed that the loss was about average .. Thirty~one dead elk were found by Warden Goosman on the South Fork during the winter. One dead elk was found on the trend area where 17 were found in 1949. Between January l and May 31j a count was made oi' the highway kills on the White River Road between Piceance Cresk and Meeker.. During this period 20 deer were tilled on this 20 mile stretch6 A count of highway kills on Highway 13 between Meeker and Rio Blanco is made coincidental with the migration count during May., Four deer were killed this year as compared to the same number last year~ The greatest winter losses occurred in the North Park and Middle Park sections of the state., Winter here was longer than usual, and the snow depth was greater than normal. In that section of Middle ParkbetweenHot Sulphur and Krerranling, a total of 323 dead an:iina.ls were checked,, .. · These were. divided up as shown in Figure L The heaviest loss occurred adjacent to an area where sagebrush had been cleared off in the h.aart of the winter range. A very thorough winter loss check was made in the Green Mountain Reservoir areao Figure 2. Here the senior game management students from Colo.A & M �-96under the supervision of Professor H. Steinhoff, assisted in checking 16 eight mile strips approXimately two chains wide. The men were strung out a hundred yards apart on the northeast side of the reservoir, starting from the high water line, and working from the upper end of the reservoir toward the lower end. Each man kept track of the number of dead animals found and tallied them as to bucks, does, and fawns. A total of 351 dead deer were found. These were divided as shown in Figure 1, which gives a good comparison of losses of a populated and a non-populated area. The Green Mountain Deer Winter Range checked includes no r!llChes, railroads, or highways, which are found in the Hot Sulphur-Kremmling area. The area · showed heavy.present and past use. Figures 3 and 4. The number of dead animals found by each checker is shown in a graph, Figure 5. The number of carcasses from previous years, a total of 114, most of which appeared to be 1950-51 loss, is also plotted on this graph. The location of the heaviest die-off can easily be seen in both cases. During the 1951 big game hunting season, two diseased animals were picked up at the Idaho Springs checking station. Both of these deer were in the same party and both, .a 2 point buck and a 4 point buck were infected with 6ysticercus ovis, Figure 6. These animals were killed on Sunshine Peak in the Four Mile Canyon area near Glenwood Springs. These animals were not running together when killed. The large buck had cysts throughout the body,while the smaller deer was infected only on the lower part of the hind quarters. An infected doe was killed in this same area in the 1950 big game season. Ana!ysis and Recommendations: Information collected on the 1951-52 winter loss shows a great variance even though the snow depths were above normal over most of the Western Slope, apparently temperatures or range conditions or some other factor plays an important part. If the study of winter loss on the Green Mountain Deer Winter Range can be continued in future years, it should produce some accurate data on deer winter loss in the area where the lower limits are definite and well defined by a man made reservoir; also an area where no losses occur from highway, railroad, haystacks, or fences. This area may be used for ground-aerial censusing checks if it is found that a .. small plane can fly it safely, Summary~ Cysticercus ovis a cysticercal state of the tapeworm Taenia ovis of the carnivores usually characterized by incysting in the muscles of she.ep, has been found in deer killed in the Four Mile Canyon area near Glenwood Springs the past two hunting seasons. �SUCKS DOES FAIIINS Hor SULPHUR- KREMMLING LOSSES BUCKS DOES FAWNS . . . .. GR£'£N MOUNTAIN DAM LOSSES HIGHHAY LOSSES 9.. 6¾ RAILROAD LOSS£$ .,.9% FENCE J..OS3£S I HAY STACK LOSSES PREDATOR LOSSES MA/..NVTRITI ON $1% 9.9¼ I .9% ?;(OX 'I l i ! j ff �,,,. 5 t'"' �Figure 3 Looking down along the northeast side of Green Mountain Reservoir, an arsa free of ranches, where an extensive deer winter loss survey was made. �Figure 4 Mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus montanus, is being killed out by deer on the Green Mountain Deer Winter Range. �NUMBER OF DEAD DEER FOUND �Figure 6 Oysticercus oyis a cysticercal stage of the tapeSpecimen from deer killed in the 1951 hunting season. "'° rm Taenia ovis. �-97Summary: Continued Highways, railroads, hay stacks, and other man made structures increased the 1951-52 winter fawn loss in the Middle Park area about 12%. More than half of the 1951-52 winter loss on the Green Mountain Deer Winter Range occurred within 750 yards of the high1water line. Normally this loss is distributed more evenly back to about 1,500 yards. The winter loss of female fawns appears to be slightly higher than the loss of male fawns. Prepared by Paul F. Gilbert Date July, 1952 Note: Approved by___________ Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing. to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��-99JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado -------'----- State of Project No. W-38-R-S; Deer-Elk Iwestigations Work Plan No. V Job No. -------- Title of Job Dentition and Age-Weight Correlation. Objectives: the state, To determine weight groups by age classes for any given area within 1 Techniques Used: Live trapping and tagging deer, and use of drugs to facilitate. handling of trapped animals. Findings: This winter an e:iq,eriment on deer anesthesia was attempted by Teohni.oian Willia.ms using a sixty pound fawn at the Grand Junction zoo as a subject, The first drug used was Amytal sodium with an intermuscular dose of three grains, enough to knock out an adult human. '.i'here was no evident effect on the fawn. Two more attempts were made using insulin. Excessive a.mounts of this drug in the system produces shock; and then with intravenous injections of glucose, it was thought that one could bring the animal out of shock. At the first attempt, an intermuscular injection of 200 un:i:ts of insulin was given, and fifty minutes later another 200 units were administered. No effect were observed. The second trial, a week later, 800 uni ts were given at 1:00 p.m. 'and four hours later there were no visibleceffects. The following morning, the fawn was found in an advanced state of insulin shock. Attempts to revive it,were made by intravenous injections of glucose, but to no avail. Oral administration of sugar water was tried, but the fawn died immediately afterwards. At Little Hills Experiment Station, live weights were obtained on 31 deer during the winter. Eighteen does ranged from 103 to 162 pounds and averaged 132.5 pounds. Twelve fawns weighed from 50 to 79 pounds with an average of 65.3 pounds. Ons young mature buck weighed 134 pounds. All weights were taken during January and February. One doe and one fawn were caught the second time; the doe had lost 9,5 pounds in one month, and the 'fawn had lost three pounds in two weeks. Analysis and Recommendations: To date no successful method has been devised in Colorado to drug a deer, in order to quiet him for ageing and weighing. A portable box used ·at Little Hills worked quite well in getting animal live weights. Figure 1 and 2. A similar box was used by the Park Service in transplanting deer. �-100- It is planned to get more infor.mation on live deer weights by areas and make a direct comparison -with range conditions if possible. Insulin is not desirable as an anesthesia for deer. It takes too long to affect the animal. Also it is difficult to occlude a vein in the animal so a.s. j:;o bring him out of insulin shock. Sum:mary: Average weight of 18 does caught.at Little Hills was 1,32.5 pounds; fawns, 65.3 pounds. Prepared by Paul F. Gilbert Date July, 1952 Note: Approved by_ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Federal .Aid Coordinator Persons -wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Commission. �Figure 1 Deer weighing box. Deer and box are weighed together, weight of box is then subtracted to get deer weight. Figure 2 Deer being released from weighing box backs out. �-101- JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado Project No. W-38,;.R-5; Deer-,Elk Investigations Work Plan No, V Job No. 2. ---'-------"---- Title of Job Emb~o and Productivity Index Studies. Objectives: To obtain accurate breeding dates and reproduction potentials of de(7r and elk throughout the state. Techniques Used: Collection of fetuses and ovaries for laboratory examination. Findings: Fetuses, or embryos, were collected on various dates throughout the winter. Embryos were taken from a total of 39 does, of -which 21 were found to be carrying twins; 16 were carrying singles, and two were found to be carrying triplets. The non-pregnant animals were not recorded. Several coming two year old does were found to be carrying twins, though most of them were singles. Weights were not taken on all embryos recorded. Thirty-three weights were plotted as shawn in Figure 1 which gives some idea of the rapid growth put on during the last three months. Another graph, Figure. 2, was prepared which shows that the overall length of the animals-or crown to rump length shows a steady increase as compared to a continued growth decrease in head length. During the month of March in areas where snow was deep, it was not uncommon to find a doe carrying a dead embryo, Figure 3. Usu.ally such a doe was eaey to catch and at times appeared to have poor control over her hips, and after traveling a short distance would go down. The embryos in this case appeared to be in various states of reabsorption. It is quite possible that some of them would be aborted. Ana}Ysis and Recommendations! This being the first season that an attempt has been made to compile embryo and fetus data, several factors have been discovered that will be very helpful in getting more and better information in the future. It appears that a deer embryo and fetus grows steadily in length and this is no indicator of condition. Weights on the other hand will vary with the condition of the animal, and probably by areas as well as from year to year; therefore, it may be tied in directly with the severity of the winter and range conditions. �-102Comparisons can l:>e made from year to year for individual herds, and with other herds. Summary: Weights appear to be the best method of determining embryo or fetus conditions, an:i development. Under poor range conditions or a shortage of food, fetus often dies, Most of the weight appears to be put on by the fetus in the last three months before. birth. Prepared by Paul F. Gilbert Date July, 1952 Note: s ---------- Approved by Feder al Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this al:>stract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �01:Efl EMBRYO WEIGHTS JANUARY- JUNE 195,c FIGURE 1.. �11 /6 15 .II 9 8 I JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE Deer mnbryo development show head length and cram to rump or �Figure 3 It was not uncommon to find a doe in poor condition carrying a dead fetus. The fetus in this case appears to be in various stages of reabsorbtion. �-103JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of . Colorado Project No. W-38-,R-5; Deer-Elk Investigations Work Plan No, _ ____:v____Job No. _ _,:.3_ __ Title of Job Food Habits Study. Qbjectivesi To find more accurate data on the food habits of deer and elk. Techniques Used: Stomach analysis; snow trailing. Findings: On June 21 and 22, stomach samples were taken during control work on Roan Creek, A total of ten samples were obtained. The object of this study was to determine the percent of alfalfa present in the stomach, The following tables (Tables 1 and 2)'show the results,oi'these samples. TABLE 1 SPECIES OCCURENCE, ROAN CREEK STO¥JACH SAMPLES Species Alfalfa Grass Blue grass (Poa ;eratensis) Thurber's Fescue (Feetuca Thurberi) Serviceberry. (Amelanchier a1nffoI1a)-· Gambel Oak (Quere:E:s game1i.:i) Mountain. Mahagml.y t Cereo car us montanus) Aspen (Po;eulue tremuloides, Chokecherry (Prumis melsnocarpa) Dandylion (Taraxacum) Green Gent:im7l'riseria) Mules Ear (W ethia~ Pt1ssy Toes Ant,ennaria) Hair Bone Fragments Snail (Gastropoda) Times Occur.ri,JJ.g 5 5 2 1 5 5 3 2 1 5 3 2 1 5 1 1 �TABLE 2 ROAN CREEK STOMACH SAMPLE ANALYSIS Year ling Buck Alfalfa Browse Forbs Grass Hair Yearling Doe Alfalfa Browse Forbs Grass Hair Buck ----:ilfalfa Browse Forbs Grass Hair Doe -Alfalfa Browse Forbs Grass Bone fragments Hair Snail Doe ----:0.falfa Browse Fo:rbs Grass Hair *Avera§e Percent Alfalfa - 55.5% Grams Percent 0.7 77.1 l2 .3 8.8 1.8 4.4 o.5 0.1 Trace 2.2 1.6 2. 2 36.7 26.7 36.6 Trace Trace 4.7 1.0 0.2 0.1 78.3 16.7 3.3 1.7 Trace o.5 0.9 0.2 · 0.2 0;;3 24.0 42.8 9.5 9.5 14.3 Trace Trace 3.8 1.8 61. 7 0.1 1.6 o.5 Trace 29.0 8.1 �-105Additional stomach ru,alysis were made by Technician Jesse Williams. are shown in Table 3. These TABLE 3 STOMACH SAMPLE ANALYSIS No. 3, Die, Dry Mesa. 11/23/52 Rose Apples and seeds, Rosa !!EJ2• Oakbrush, Quercus gambelii Aspen, Popu~ tremyloides Sagebrush, Arte:misia ~PP· Serviceberry, Axrt,ilanchier alnifolia Mountain Mahogany, Cercocarpus montanus Oregon Grape, Mahonia ~ · Chokecherry, Prwms melanocarpa Unidentified browse Lupine, Lupin~~· Unidentified :t"orbs Grass Hair Unidentified Fibers No. 8, Dse, Winter Mesa. 3/17/52 Cactus Pinon, Pinus edulis Sagebrush, Artf',misia tridentata Juniper, ~un~~ utahensis Grass Hair Unidentified Fibers No. 9, Doe, :1-linnei,ota Creek,., )/18/52 Juniper, :Jun:i£1e~ utahensis Sagebrush, Artemi.sia ta;:tdentata Serviceberry, Amel:l:r.chier alnifolia Pinon, Pinus edul:i.s_ Mountair1 Mahogany, Cercocar;eus ~tanus Skunkbrush, Rhus trilobata Fourwinged Saltbrush, ~~ri;elex canescehs Grass Hair Unidentified Fibers Grams Percent 1.9 30.0 o.5 8,0 o.6 0.3 0.1 0.05 Trace Trace o.5 0.1 1.6 o.o5 Trace o.6 13.l 5.5 9.5 4.8 o.8 1.6 s.o 1.6 25.4 o.8 9,5 44,4 18.6 12 .4 3.7 3.0 1.0 0.2 3.1 10.1 3.4 0.7 10.4 6.9 4.2 2.6 0.2 43,9 26.8 J6 .6 1.3 Trace Trace Trace 0.2 0.1 1.5 1.3 o.6 9.5 �-106¥alysis and Recommendations: It is planned to do more work along the line of deer crop damage evaluation. Ten samples were taken in an alfalfa field near Grand Junction, only five of which were analyzed. Percentages by weight gives a very close figure on the stomach contents. Summary: Five stomach samples taken from deer feeding on alfalfa fields showed an average of !i5.S% alfalfa; 25.5% browse; 13.3% forbes; and 2.9% grass. Prepared by Paul F. Gilbert Date July, 1952 Note: Approved by_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-107- JOB COMPLETION fu!."PORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COLQRJIDO ___;...='-"=---- State of Project No. W-37-R-5; Game Bird Surveys. Work Plan Title: Pre-nesting Study, Pheasants. Objective: ~COJ2e: l I Job No. --"------------- To determine sex ratios and breeding potentials. Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma Counties. ~:!Qorted by: Harold M. Swope. I'lethods: Due to the difficulties encountered in making pheasant crowing counts on an unwiedly number of trend routes it was agreed to continue only those routes covering distinct habitat types. In the northeast the n1.llllber of routes were cut from eleven to four this year. The Sterling - Proctor trend route is considered typical of the irrigated valley farm-land, Four routes have previously been maintained to determine population indices in the irrigated valley, The. Dailey - Cornbelt trend route represents the farmland producing corn as the principal crop. Formerly two routes represented this type. Farmland planted almost exclusively to wheat typified most of northreaste:m Colorado south and east of the South Platte River. The Akron - Planter trend r·oute appears to be representative of this dominant crop t,y-pe previously sampled by four routes. It is probabli, that two trend routes will be used in the future to sample pre-nesting populations in the wheat-land because of the large geographic area which this habitat t,y-pe covers. Sagebrush and short and mid-grass pasture adjoining or intermingling cultivated land composes the fourth local habitat type. The Wray - Vernon trend route is thought to most nearly typify this t,y-pe. �-108Each route was covered by ten two l'llinute listening periods at approximately two :mile intervals. Counting was started forty-five to fifty minutes before sunrise. · Sex ratip counts were made in winter and spring .. In the wheat.,. corn, and sagegrass pasture habitat types counts were made during winter concentration of tti~hbirds . During the· spring, sex ratio counts were mad:.e in the irrigated valley between Sterling and Crook as part of an intensive investigation into the pheasant . craving count census method. Extremely cold weather and light drifting snows i.n late .January .and February concentrated the pheasants in timber claims and other cover. These birds were flushed with_ the aid of a dog and counted.. The large ntunbers of birds.; up to ..· 400 in one concentration, made accuracy difficult, but it is believed that · the la:ge sample involved pa:±tiailY.·· compensates f.or this.. Since flushing and counting was done on foot mi.la.ge records are applicable. no Findine: Sex Ratios·· Forty-five concentrations of pheasants, avera.ging 75 birds per group, were flushed a,nd counted,. The total sample of 3,315 birds produced 1,620 cocks and li7S$ hetis.. , This is an average of cocks to 100 hens. ~·a The spring counts :made in the irrigated ?a:lley were, to a large extent, roadside counts.. Winter counts were not :made in the irrigated habitat because the -majority of these pheasants apparently winter in the river bottom cover :and migrate out in the springo:. A total of· 366 pheasants were. counted in 420 ·m.les of driving. 1'herew.er£n201 ]:lens and ,165 oocks, or !:}a co:eks to . loo hens. TABIE· 1 . PHEAS~ SEX RATIO DATA, NORTHEASTERN COLOR.ADO:; 1951...1952 Type of·· Type 1'£. H.!'1,bitat Ocrvered Counted. .· Coeks . · Flusn 3,375 l,b20 . count winter concentrations. firi1a'.iid. fanns Census Total and -~- . Irrigated Spring farms roadsi~e counts Miles 420 F 366 •Hens · · 1,755 201 Cocks Per 100 Hens 92 82 �-109~ Crowing Counts Pheasant crow1.ng count data covering tb@four. routes previously descri.beci is given in Table 2. TABLE 2 PHEASANT CROWING COUNT DATA, NORTHEASTERN COLORADO,. 1952 · . Date Average. ball~ . . _Tl'-~,e_,n_,d_![to~-·u_t_e__Jr:_ _ _. ._..1~,.~ .....lJJi~ ·...~9~0 ...;~J.:9$1 Logan County~· 1rl {Sterling-Proctor) 5-7 ~ '22 ;,----J.. ,19;?. .. . Per t=>to;e . . ·..... . 28 .. 4 17 .. 8 . 24 ..9 32 .. 67 .h8.8 Washington Countq, /12 (Akron-P.Latner) 5-3 6.5 5-23 llo3 21.10 50 .. 1 6-4 Logan & Phillips· Count1:es, 113 · (Dail:ey-Cornbelt) 5-14 13 .. 9 36.2. 51,.$8.· 5-12 5-28 Yuma County 114 (Wray-Vernon) 5-23 6-ll 55.7 6-5 55.67 61 .. 0 ---~--~···--a~---··:~~-u--~~-···...,.···-;·-·-u•-·.·--,,--~-------------""-"-.. . . . . . TABtE·3·. PHEASANT PRE---NESTING DATA, ·NORTHEASTERN COL-OMDO; ·1951-1952 . ---·-A~r ~ Calls Trend Per Stop Ro11te (C) . . ··1· . ·.. Cocks Hens Hens Per .Per 100 Cock Hens (H) .1·. . . . . . Ill . . 112. IJ3 114 48 o 8 50 ~1} 55. 7) 61 .. l~ . ~-··.:. Cocks ·- 165 201 82 L, 22 1,620 1,755 92 1.08 . ............. . :: .. :· .. ·· . .-.· ·· Spring Breeding Index (P) ... (P = C; GB): . . . . . . 1951. :1952 .. Bl .. 02 · 10~ 62 .. 25 104. 2l · 128 .. 95 115.86 114.12 126~88 Total --1:,i.?13~__1i 2.~6 · · ·· · · ·· Average - - . -·-·--91-··.. . -·--.1-..-10......-.. ---··-9-6-.-~9--. ·-··.:-1""""1=,3-.a-2....<-•··.···-- --.-----------.,......a;.,,;;,,..,,.-.. ...c..---- �-110Conclusions: Sex ratio counts make it quite apparent that a large surplus of cooks exist in northeastern Colorado. Thii.i.1may probably be attributed to short hunting seasons in the past and low kill. The pheasant pre-nesting populations have shown a steady increase since the severe blizzard of January, 19l.i9. There are strong indications that p];leasant populations are reaching a satut·ation point in many areas under the present land use. The crowing count on the Sterling - Proctor trend route was made during an intensive study in that area. The route was run Mee each week between the last of March and the first of July. The crowing index of 48.8 represents the · peak count made under 1 ideal 1 conditions during the study. Since it was impossible to run trend routes at the peak of crowing, and under optimum conditions, the Sterling - Proctor crowing index probably shows a distortedly high breeding population figure in comparison to the .other three indices. Arkansas Valley Donald Nolting Methods: Early morning and late evening sex ratio counts were taken during April and the first half of May. In doubtful cases, the birds were flushed to insure accuracy. Counts were separated as to date,. area, time of day, and weather factors. These techniques correspond w.i.th those used during 1951. Changes were not made, because it was believed most desirable to retain the same methods for computing trends. Low pheasant populations in the valley make it difficult to obtain useful samples through the use of other known :meanso Established crowing count methods were continued. Route number five was selected as a check route to determine the peak period of crowiTlg (April 20 ._ May 20), ill surveys were made during the peak period. The number of routes checked was reduced to eight, It was felt that this reduction would enable a concentration of effort in the more important pheasant areas. The high-est count on each route was used for computing the trend. During 1952, a study was begun to evaluate the various influences related to the crowing frequency of individual cock pheasants. Crowing intervals for individuaL. birds were tabulated. All intervals were obtained through actual visual observation. The minimum distance of observation was set at 100 yards. This was necessary since birds seen at closer distances invariably became alarmed at the presence of the vehicle and its occupant. Findings: Results of the 1952 surveys are shown in Tables 4 and 5. 6 outlines significant crowing interval data. Table �-lll- · ..· TABLE 4 PBEASA1IT CROiiING COUN~S;; ARKANSAS VALLEY, 1951-52 ----------·-··-····--~. Trend Rou.'ts · · Fremont County, #l -- ( Canon City area) Dates , • 1952 ' No., of · Average Calle 19$1...:~.2 Trend Sto;es _. . per stoE <cq~;e<_ll',ieon {fil_ .· 1951 1952_ 4-20 8 8.40 8 .. 12 (Blende, Eastward) 5-8 20 6-:0l 6.30 Cro.rley ·County, #J (Crowley-Ordway}· 5-4 . 20 1.3 .. 29 21.65 19 9.,33 13,.60 f46. 4-29 20 10 .. 36 19 .. 80 f-91 5-10 19 13.33 1,5,.6o /.17 S-2 19 16.90 20.60 /.22 30.84 36.80 /.19 ..... . Pu-eblo OOunty :,'IT .a.2 .... Otero., County, 114 (Rocky Ford area) Otero County, #/:Ju (La Junta-Cheraw) l-5 Bent County, #6 (Las Anilnas-Has-cy-) - Prowers. Gou.nty, .#8 . (Grote, northeast) Ba.ca County, #ll :/(Walsha So~;thward} ..•. :.· .. 4~23 Entire · ,····· _, .. • .. ·•·Valle .. Y. ... ........ . ·,;~,: . . ! " ...... 13 .. 55 17 .81 �-112- TABLE 5 PHEASANT PRE-NESTING DATA, 1952 Trend Ave. Calls per Stop Route (C) Ill 8 .. 12 #2 #3 6 .. 30 21.65 13 .. 60 19 .. 80 #4 #5 #6 15.60 #8 20.,60 #11 36.80 Sex Ratio· Males Females '" Spt-ing Breeding Index (.p) Hens/Cock {R) _,,,,.....1<>1, (p ·,:::: C, /. CH) 17 1951 1.24 16.45 1952 21 11 21 l.91 15. 70 43 1.48 18~19 18.-33 53 .. 69 29 4E 49 14 25 60 •w 60 93 37 30 L33 1.89 2.64 63 L,20 1.0$' 368 L47. 4o~41 29.26 Jl.68 23 .. 95 33 .• os 4L91 45~32 27.06 h3"~;i9 53¢66 57.,22 $6e78 75~44 --··"' Enti·re v.,lleY -""---~"";' 250 TABLE 6 AVERAGE CRa,,JING INTERVALS OF INDIVIDUAL COCK PHEASANTS - 1952 ' ---------·----------------------"'-----Size Sample 5 13 18 With Hen Wit):J.out Hen 3 :min., '.18 sec. 2 min., 53 sec. Overall Average 3 .min., 0 sec~ �-113Analysis and Recommendations: Past experience indicates that pheasant pre-breeding survey methods now in use are the most satisfactory from a pra.ctical. standpoint. Available manpower a.1,d equipment, type of habitat, and relatively low populations are local limitations affecting the appli• cation of any method. In considering the crowing count and roadsi.de sex ratio technique, it is realized that certain variations and possible defects . are inherent. However, if the ..:findings are utilized on a strict trend basis, these defects will be cancelled and a true picture of population changes can be obtained. It is recommended therefore, that these surveys be continued as a research and management tool. A comparison of 1952 figures with those for 1951 shaws a marked increase for the Arkansas Valley as a whole. This increase, based on population indices, remained abcut constant for counties having an open season and those having a closed season during 1951. The sex ratio for the entire area showed little change, although an increase in the proportion of cock pheasants was recorded for two counties having a closed season (Crowley and Ote.:ro). Sex ratio data for Baca County showed an increase in the number of bree'ding hens. This improvement is attributed to the open seasons in that county during the past two years. The data P!>rtaining to the'crowing interval study is limited. No definite conclusions are possible at this time, There are indications however, that this interval may be influenced by relative population abundance and may also vary as totlie.:.s:ex ratio, Further study is needed to investigate these and other aspects related to the crowing interval. Phenological observations correlated to pheasant crowing activity. Scope: Arkansas Valley. ,fl_eported )?Y_: Donald Nolting Methods: Phenological studies during the spring of 1951 enabled a selection of seven key plants for this year's study. Plant measurements were recorded at five day intervals. ~~: The main correlations between plant development and pheasant activity were best reflected by three plant species; alfalfa, American Elm and Eastern Cottonwood, The development pattern for these plants is shown in the following list. !pril 5 Pheasants of both sexes easily observed, counts possible. (Continued) Accurate sex ratio �-114April 5 (Continued) Al:Falfa - Dormant Elm - Leaf buds dormant; flowers appearing. Cottonwood - Flower buds swelling. April 10 Alfalfa - l½ inches high·. Elm - Flowers of both sexes abundant; leaf buds dorma.nt. Cottonwood flowers appearing; fema.ls flower buds swe1llng; leaf buds dormant. April 15 - 3 inches high. Elm~ Seeds¼ inch long; leaf buds dormant. Cottonwood - Male aments l½ inches long; Female buds swelling; leaf buds dormant. April 20 Optimum sex ratio counts. Peak of crowing activity reached. Alfalfa - 6 inchEj:s high. Elm - Seeds 3/8 inch long; leaf buds dormant. Cottonwood - f,,ale aments 4½ inches long, producing pollen; female aments 1 inch long; leaf buds dormant. April 25 Alfalfa - 8 inches high. - Seeds 3/8 inch, fully formed; leaf buds dormant. Cottonwood - Male aments 4½ inches long, producing pollen; female aments 1 ½inches long; leaf buds swelling. April 30 Alfalfa 11 inches high. - Seeds mature and falling;leaf buds swelling. Cottonwood aim:mts 4½ inches,1 producing pollen; female aments 4½ inches long; leaf buds broken. May 5 Vegetation density and pheasant activity such that sex ratio counts were discontinued. Alfalfa - 16 inches high. Elm - Seeds fallen; leaves 1 inch long. Cottonwood - Male aments fallen and useless; female aments 6 inches long; leaves 3½ inches long. May 10 Alfalfa - 20 inches high. Elm - leaves 2½ inches long. Cottonwood - Female aments 5½ inches long, capsules swelling; in full leaf (leaves 4½ inches long). �-115May 15 llfalfa - 24 inches high. Elm - Leaves 3½ inches long, fully leafed out. Cottonwood - Female aments inches long, capsules swelling. 5½ May 20 Pheasant crowing activity declining. Alfalfa - 26 inches high, Cottonwood - Female aments 5½ long, capsules swelling. ~JaY 25 Alfalfa - 28 inches high, beginning to bloom. Cottonwood - Beginning to produce cotton. May 30 Alfalfa - 30 inches high, in full bloom. Cottom.cod - Copious cotton p:oduction. Analysis and Recommendations: Tentative conclusions are as follows: Comparison of 1951-52 data shows that stages of pheasant activity, including the crowing peak, occurred on: approximately the same dates for both years. Vegetative development during 1952 was advanced about ten days ahead of 1951, probably due to the mild weather this spring. On this basis, it appears there is no close correlation between pheasant behavior and plant development. The phenological table will enable broad predictions, fairly accurate within one week, which should be an aid in planning census schedules. Scope: Northwestern Colorado - Garfield, Mesa, Delta, and Montrose counties. Reported by: Wayne W. Sandfort Sex Ratio Counts Methods: Spring breeding population sex ratios were obtained during the period extending from April 18 to May 2, Methods for making observations and recording data are discussed in the Quarterly Progress Report for July, 1951. Finding~: Four hundred and twenty-four pheasants, 151 cocks and 273 hens, were observed -while slowly driving 139 miles through pheasant range in Garfield, Mesa, Delta, and Montrose counties. A su.mmary of the sex ratio data gathered from three areas in northwestern Colorado is; presented in Table 7o �-116TABLE 7 PHEASANT SEX RATIO DATA$ NORTRWES1J:IERN COLOR.A.DO, 1952 Route Number and 11 C·''U"'t~if.__ Area - ·-\i....''-·:_.... ___ l-)""-·-. . . . .-·-·- - -·mies --Nurnber o":it Number of B:t'rds per Hens" per Cocks per __ -- Driven Cocks Hens -~---"----""'"····~ JYJile ,,,,_.... ·Cock 100 Hens Garfield #1 (Rifle-Silt) 43 19 29 #1 (Grand JunctionFrui ta-Lema) 40 40 90 66 L.12 Mesa 2.25 h4 Montrose #1 & #2 (Uncompaghre Valley;_ Delta Co. line- Pea Green.;;. Ola.the--Morttrose) . $6 _.,.,.72 . __ ,,,J:5_h_,_,_, ([,,, JJ,_,,,~_l_•.?.1 ____6_0_ _ •••,••~.-e,._ _ _,_,,.,-.•- - - ~ - - - · ~ - - ~ - - - - " " " - - - . . . . : : . . . - , , , ~ ~ · - - · - . . , _ ; : ; , , · , · · · - - · ~ ] ., c;6.'~·___1_.,._81_·._ _ _.5_:5 Crowi:ng Cca11t Check-Route and Phenological Observations ~~4!!. Crowing counts were made on a 1,0~»station check-route in Mesa Countyo FindiniS: from this route were used to deter1nine the peak of crowing i:rttensi ty. Results were correlated with alfalfa growth and othe·r phenological occurrences. See the ~uarterly Progress Report for Ju.1y_9 1951 for a. complete expla.nation of methods,9 and for discussion on the purpose of this: study. !i:n~~~ ~ Data obtai.ned during this phase of _the pre~nesting study show that the peak of crowing was reached about April 16. Following this date, crowing :intensity i:'emairted f@.it"lY consta:tit about the middle of l•ra.,y average calls per st.op varying from 13 • 2 to 15,, 9. fj Me.stsurements of alfalfa height show that development during 1952 was about six days in advance o.f that found 19.51. . Comparison a:f data obtained on the growth or eevei'.al perennicil woody species, irtcludir:g peach, pear:9 cottonwood, w8epihg willow, show little variation in the dev0lopment of these species during the 1951 and 1952 spring sea.sons., Development o.f the staminate aments on cottonwood was about the same for both the 1951 and 195'2 seasons" The a:ments burst through t,he sheath about March 28 .:n 1951 and about March JO in 1952.. This occurrence ,,tad approximately �-11727 days previous to the time when the peak of crow:l.ng was reached in 1951 and 17 days before the peak of crowing in 1952. Pheasant Crowing Counts on Regular Routes ~~: Crowing counts were conducted on three establ:l.shed routes in northwestern Colorado following the date .hen maximUlll crow:l.ng intensity appeared to have been reached (April 16). Counts were made on calm mornings and attempts were made to conduct the surveys under optimum conditions. The count on the Delta-Montrose route(June 3) was made dur:l.ng cloudy weather, with light precipitation at times, and it is questionable :l.f data obtained during this survey can be used in determining an accurate population index. The average nUlllber of calls per stop was found to be 10.3 on this date compared to 17.4 calls per stop on June 4 during the preceding season, It was felt that adjustment of the crowing-count data obtained on the DeltaMontrose ~oute during the 1952 season would be necessary in order to make an accurate appraisal of the pheasant breeding population. Basis for this adjustment was obtained by rr.B.king crowing counts on the Delta-Montrose route and the Mesa county check-route on the 20th and 26th of June, respectively, ~Jndin~s: Surveys conducted to adjustt!:ie,data obtained on the Delta-Montrose crowing count route are discussed in the following paragreph. The count on the Mesa county check route showed that crowing on June 26 was about 33.3 per cent of that found during the peak of crowing. Using this figure as an indication of the percentage of cbck calls h,:iard on the DeltaMontrose route (in relation to maximum crow.i_ng) it is found that the average n1llnber of calls per stop during the period of maximUlll crowing would have more nearly been 20,7 instead of the average of 10.3, found on June 3. Crow:tng count data from the 1952 season are given in Table 8. Results from previous seasons also are given for purposes of coj!lparison. �-118- PHEASANT CROW-ING COUNTS, NORTHWES'l'EJU! COLORADO., 1948-52 --~·"_..,_,,,,,,.~-------------N.,..o-,..-o-f--A-ve_r_a_g_e_C--,a.l-,_,l_s_ _ _,l.,. .9--5=1-_.,..1..,..95"'"2,......,T,...r-en_d,___ ..,.___,._T.,,...re_nd..,,.' ,_R_o_u_L_e_ _ _, ~-J.l_n""-_""t_e_,,_._ _ _S_t_o_p_t1:_,__,_,_J?er :::rl:iop Garfield County No. 1 (Rifle..Silt) 5.,5 4-27 10 10 5--18 5;,..2 10 10 3"7 4-23 4-28 13 13 1948 .5-28 1949 1950 1951 Comparison. (%} 4;,0 3~2 - 1.3,,5 Mesa Cou.nty , No~ 1 (Gra.~d JunctionLonia) 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 4-20 5-16 5-19 3 .5 11.9 13 11..9 12;.9 13 13 13~9 Montrose County Jb 14' No. l (Delta-Montrose) 1948 1949 12.,7 23,.4 14 14 14 1950 1951 1952 20~9 17 ~4 20.7* f 19.0 * Adjusted data Spring Breeding Population Indices Methods! Pheasant population indices were determiffed using the method described the Quarterly Progress Report for July 9 1951, page 180 in TABLE 9 SPlilNG BREE)ING POPUUTION INDICES, NORTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1952 Route Number and A:rea. Breeding Population Indices ~-:::-::~--:t'--_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _1_9-5_1_,_ _ _ _l.,...9.,...5_2_ _,_.,_,,,,,. Ill (Rifle-Silt) 8,,1 Mesa #1 (Grand-JunctionFruita-Loma) Montrose ,#1 (Delta-Montrose) 4o~o 54o5 1951-52 Trend Comparison (per cent) �-119Analysis and Recommendations: Pre-nesting studies conducted during the 1952 season show some inconsistency in the data, due probably to inadequate sampling and sholl'.'tcomings in census techniques. Regardless of these shortcomings, however, some general conclusions can be made concerning the trend of pheasant breeding populations. Breeding populations in the Rifle-Silt area, Garfield county, (Table 9) showed some improvement over 1951, as shown by the' breeding population index. Although the number of crowing cocks appeared to be less, an increase in hens per cock provided a better reproductive potential. Roadside counts support the breeding population index in showing a substantial increase over last year. Mesa county pheasant populations appear to be up with improved sex ratios, higher calls per stop during crowing counts, and a better breeding population index, Roadside counts also showed an increase of 11,3 per cent in the breeding population. The pheasant breeding population in the Uncompaghre Valley (Del ta-Montrose) appears to be about the same as last year. The increase of 101.4 per cent, shown by roadside counts (July, 1951, p.10) is undoubtedly due to inadequate sampling. Results from correlations between plant development and crowing intensity indicate that the peak of crowing was reached about the'time alfalfa was six inches in height during both seasons. Alfalfa development and the peak of crowing activity both seemed to occur approximately six days ahead of last year. Correlation between the1 development of staminate aments on cottonwoods and the peak of crowing intensity show considerable variation between the two seasons. The lapse of time from the date the staminate aments burst through the sheath until the peak of crowing was reached varied from 17 to 27 days, averaging 22 days or approximately three weeks, For practical application in management, it appears that crowing counts may be initiated in Mesa county three weeks after the time thecstaininate aments on cottonwoods break through the sheath or attltla:itime alfalfa is six inches in height. Difficulty in determining a more accurate correlation between plant development and the time pheasant crowing is at its peak arises primarily from difficulty in determining the exact date crowing reaches its peak, Improvemen'I:, of pheasant census techniques may enable a more accurate to be worked out for predetermining the peak of pheasant crowing by plant phenology, �-120Sc?peI Southwestern Colorado 7-San Luis Valley, Montezuma and La Plata Counties. Rei:,2rte4 l>v: Harry J / Figge Data obtained by: Bertram Baker and Rich8ird Teague .Findings: .'.PHEASANT. CROWING COUNTS, SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO, 1948 to 1952 _ _...........~""'--·_A_v__....c... a"""l.t_S_____....A""':v"""".~-C,..:.al..;,.-1-s....p...,e_r__,,S_t_op:.-··........,,1-,9"">"""2_C,,_o_m_p__a.-re_d.,.. ..~t_,.o. . . ,-4-y-·r-._-·-·~-c-:,h_a_n_g_e_.- - Trend Route per stop average;...in percer1t Ciri breeding C9t]nt12t ..... 1tfo 't,9 151 . :l,951 1952 . . :e,opul:non index Alamosa """'"~·-· · 23,, 9 "" .~_.....23--,-713068 · -42 1..µ. Rio Grande 16.4 18.5 5,.47 ;.;.70 · -65 Sag;uache 806 7 .. 6 5.. 5 -26 ~27 Conejos 15' .. l l3e2 . 10 .. 45 -20 -20 I Totals for San Luis VaJ1e"\,· J6 ,J 1<:),,59:....-.......... . . . .13,5 . ..;.43 · .;;,48 Montezuiia7~1~..~..........~~--~._:::l~O~Ql~. :6~·.~~0-9...................:..--·-·~~4~0---------------;.;..._ Montezuma #2 19Q6 1.0*5 -46 :t.aPlata -.,........__.._______'---_10__. . . .2___-_3:;;,..._~o. . . . . . - . -~·-·~-.]_O_ ... . -·- - - - · · - - - - - - - - - - - SEX RATIO Sex ratios were not obtained in Mo:ntezunia and La Plata. Counties. Courrts made 1.n·the Sari. Luis Vill.E:Jyduring the second and :fourthw-eek of April showed So and $4.,8 cocks per hundred hens. The av$rage for that area in 1951 was 50;5 cocks per hundred hens, in 1952 it Was 52 . 5. Size Of sample in 1951 was 349 pheasants and in 1952 it was 459~ . . . :\nalysis: No explanation is known for the apparent reduction it1 t.he Spring breeding population unless the peak period of crowing was :missed, It does not see:m that there coll,ld be nearly a fifty per cent drop in the breeding population when 110 more pheasants were seen during the same J:,ei:iiocl. .in 1952 as in 1951. �-12l- l. In northeastern Colorado, 3,375 pheasants counted in winter showed a sex ratio of LOS hens per cock. Crowing counts on four routes were higher than in 1951 and the breeding index (average) increased from 96.5 in 1951 to 113.8 in 1952. 2. In the Arkansas Valle,', 618 phea.sants were counted in April and May with an average sex ratio of 1.47 hens per cock. Growing counts were higher than in 1951 and thebreeding index (average) increa,sed from 27 in 1951 to 43.99 in 1952. 3. In northwestern Colorado, 424 pheasants were counted mainly in April with an average sex ratio of 1.81 hens per cock, Breeding indices showed an increase of 9.5 percent in the Rifle-Silt area, 13 percent in Mesa County, and 1.5 percent in the Uncompaghre Valley. 4. In southwestern Colorado, the breeding population index was down nearly 5o percent on four trend routes. However, the peak period of crowing may have been missed, 5. Phenological observations in the Arkansas Valley and northwestern Colorado seen to indicate that crowing counts may be started when alfalfa is six inches high for optimum results. Prepared by Harry J. Figge Approved b y ~ ~ Harold M, Swope Federal Aid Coordinator Donald Nolting Wayne W. Sandfort Bertram.Baker and Richar- d Teague Note: Persona wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-'122- JOB CONPLETION Rl!.--PORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COLORADO ----------Project No. W-37-R-5; Grune Bird Surveys State of Work Flan No. Title: Survey of waterfowl migrations and trend in populations. Objective: dates. Scope: II Job No. 1 Migratory Waterfowl ---------------- To determine population trend, migration routes, and Jlligration South Platte and Arkansas River drainages, and the San Luis Valley. Techniques: The census methods employed in this survey are the same as those used in previous years as outlined in the Quarterly Progress Report of April, 1948. Personnel: Reported by: Kenneth B. Nilyard, Norman Hughes, and JackJI. Grieb. Jack R. Grieb. Findings: Introduction: This co:m:prehensive survey of liintering waterfowl in Colorado was initiated during the fall of 1947. Since that time, mid-monthly counts have been carried on each year from October to ¥18rch. The general areas which are covered include the South Platte Valley, Arkansas Valley, and the San Luis Valley. In all, more than 300 miles of river is flown, and more than 40 lakes counted to make this one of the most intensive studies of migration on a state-wide scale in this portion of the Central Flyway. ill information derived from this study during the past five years is tabulated in Table 1. The four-year average given at the bottom of the table is offered as a comparison to the 1951-52 counts, while the five-year average is used to illustrate the location of wintering ducks within the state. These will be discussed under "Analysis of Data." Analysis of ~ Ducks: The 1951-52 state totals of waterfowl numbers given in Table 1 are graphically compared in Figure l with the four-year average, From this graph a number of generalizations may be drawn. Interpreta.tio.ns o_f the graph were ...aided �TABLE 1 MID-MONTHLY AERIAL COUNTS OF WATERFOWL IN COLORADO, 1947-Li.8 to 1951-52 Location October Ducks Geese November Ducks . Geese December Ducks Geese January Ducks Geese 19 7 February Ducks Geese 19 March Ducks Geese ,,..,,..,,,,, South Platte Arkansas 3267.5 6425 San Luis Totals h4315 South Platte Arkansas San Luis Totals Sou·th Platte Arkansas San Luis Totals 5215 ~0700 25290 5810 82800 53580 23680 8743 88486 7 -1115~-f:3 66 10 73400 10_596 6817 105 17 196767 12067 19 190275 103750 90421 - 194 6171 161880 215 233420-· 1194 488 116730 5910 14730 703. 364880 _ 7104 - b05 2D7371 8uo8 2502 12220 4975 301 8121 8422 11~040 98930 3.640 217660 146 4975 5121 633 .. 1250 24$5 60300 83~ 82950 1605 9180 13350 14005 229660 12060 149250 127~ 7620 12603 114950 39565 3500 158015 243 11340 11583 495 2378 "1950 244875 208715 672 - 114165 10565 123800 17650 11337 386325 14055 336835' 82270 7135 13160 82365 317 12286 13170 85 8980 19 1 265000 107680 15$00 379487 353444 4o · 902 179100 1,100 83700 19320 22 8793 271543 2~936; 5690 19360 112845 12735 100Eiio 16024 10Ii89 83790 - 23365 628 12364 62765 11850 39 14950 13031 89565 1222> 83400 2075 2975 170 5220 >h2~ 1952 1951 South Platte 71663 Arkansas 20025 San Luis 74.30 Totals 99118 5'-Year Average _ _- _ South Platte -01483 Arkansas 23903 San Luis 7164 3683 2500 19 O South Platte _ 98800 llrkansas 44095 San~Luis 8620 Totals 151515 ij;Year Average 91779 · t::;als _· 6035 177 4798 19 9 250065 670 ·-272t;7~ 710 1Dii'!h5 7900 120175 6780 12740 1249 - 371550 8570 3996:30 19 9 39886 5764 48 5979 _- 34 452 _ 136286 5992 101TT5L3 50535 473 3800 297825 539 73 J24 5698 10~ 190970 1584 -119970 94002 15061 234673 12 9860 12 4452 492 294B32 16657 _359095 6 192400 115600 581 17047 3085/g 23877 188 176~8~ 1002 381 86552 9046 12 .100?5 30 ~- 59(Y 11185 (/ ltJ805°2 94513 ··-.- 363 107378 14601 64457 375 211237 136089 - 8917 601 161+40 8146 I LJ~5 93244 23432 -,··_,:i:~23 - ::L 0 ~il0.347 .o 155114 7179 6.97 33301-·-w2 ··7191 9625 503 2h3 7006 749 , e:i.:n- 49932 2034 ·1oo"ti · !iL:935 10125. 8073 3408 9405 - "982 3465 300 _ _ I 1--1 ~ I �-124by a migration study conducted at weekly intervals in the Fort Collins area by the writer. This study recorded the movement of ducks by numbers and species, thus filling in species information which would be impossible to record during aerial counts. The following discussjon, therefore, is based primarily on the air study incorporating species information from the ground study. Factors influencing migratfom Before discussing the migration pattern of waterfo,rl in Colorado, it is wise to point out several variables which tend to influence the migration trend counts. These are hunting pressure and weather. During the fall, hunting seasons and frozen puddles concentrate ducks on large lakes and reservoirs, and portions of the rivers, the same areas which are included in the aerial survey. This is undoubtedly the reason for the abrupt upward climb in state totals of duck numbers in October, November, and December. Spring migration i.s not shown as a peak on the fi.gure for several reasons: (1) All puddles are open and ducks well distributed; (2) The ducks are moving through fast and do not tend tc concentrate on large bodies of water; (3) ¥Jigrati.on has not begun for the later migrant species such as gadwa11, shoveller, scaup, redhead, and blue-winged and cinnamon teals. Migration: Duck migration in Colorado usually begins by the middle of October. Many of these early mi.grants are probably locally raised or summer resident birds, and with the coming of cooler weather concentrate on larger bodies of water in preparation for southward flight. Some species, mainly blue-winged teals and ruddy ducks, are definitely moving south in early October. The migration of these species is early and short in duration. The first large flights of northern birds enters Colorado between mid-October and mid-November (Figure 1). On the average, duck populations increase almost 200 per, cent between the October and November counts. Although these flights are composed mainly of mallards, the most common duck in this state, it is found that gadwalls, shovellers, redheads, and sea.ups are at peak migration during November. Depending on weather conditions, these last named species will have largely completed their migration by early December, at least through the northern portion of the state. The greatest population of ducks occurs in Colorado during December. These late flights bring in the bulk of the remaining migrants, and the species composition is mostly mallards with come pintails, green-winged teals, and baldpates in about that order of abundance. After December, the birds remaining in the state are considered as winter residents. Spring migration begins as soon as lakes open in the more northern latitudes. This may be as early as February; and, although not a true migration, seems to represent a tendency of the birds (especially mallards) to remain as far north as there is open water. In Colorado most lakes are open by the first of March, �-125although cold snaps may close them again for brief periods, time that definite northward migration is observed. It is about this Comoarison 2£ 1951-52 com,ts with ~ l.i-year average I The comparison of 1951-52 counts to the 4-year average, as given in Figure 1, reveals little deviation, On the whole, last years' counts fell remarkably close to the average. The greatest deviation occured in the spring, sug;gesting that ducks began their northward movement earlier this year. This same phenomena was noted in the Fort Collins area where the birds not only left sooner, but fewer birds remained in the area during the spring period. In regard to the population trend value of this study, it is realized that varying weather conditions exist each year, and that hard winters tend to push the population further south while mild winters allow them to remain in Colorado. The writer believes, however, that it would be possible to use this census as an index to determine an extreme change in population numbers,. Using this reasoning as a criterion, it is the writer's opinion that duck popula.tions did not differ significantly in 1951-52 1il:th the past four years. Winter duck dis1:ribtit:i.on Colorado! Figure 2 graphs the 5-year average (1947-48 to 1951-52) of duck numbers by months and location. This f~gure reveals that, on the average, the South Platte Valley contains from So to 450 per cent.more ducks than the Arkansas Valley throughout the winter period. These ranges are even more extreme when the San Luis Valley is compared. The reason for the differences in waterfowl populations between the South Platte and Arkansas are two-fold, First, there are more lakes ax1d other duck wintering habitat in northern Colorado so .more ducl&s are counted. Second,it seems that a large portion of the wintering population stay in the northern part of the state, riot only because of habitat or available food, but because of some inherent instinct which induces the more hardy duck species to stay as far north as open water permits, The flat curve of duck numbers found in the San Luis Val:iey indicates a stable wintering population. Either migration is accomplished before October and·after March or there is little migration movement. Banding operations in the San Luis suggests a movement from north to south within the Valley. Further study is needed to verify this point. Geese: The 4-year average of geese numbers (.mainly Branta ca.nadsnsis ssp.) given in Figure 3 shows a rather flat-topped curve indicating that most birds enter the state in November and stay until spring, A slight peak is reached in January, and by :i\iJ&rch more than 50 per cent of the winter residents have left. The comparison of 1951-52 data with the 4-year average reveals many more geese present in the state this past year. Maximum deviation occured in January, the time of peak counts, and was almost 100 per cent above the 4-year average. Geese also appeared to leave for the breeding grounds earlier this year as did the ducks. February and March coU11ts show that less birds were present this past year than for the 4year average. ����IO �-126- Winter Goose Distribution in Colorado: The 5-year averages of goose numbers by location and dates reveals that by far the greatest per cent of geese in Colorado winter in the Arkansas Valley (Figure 4). The fluctuating line of goose numbers counted in the South PJa tte Valley shows that few birds use the area and :most of these are :migrating southward. The two small peaks found iri November and February are undoubtedly caused by :migrant birds :moving to and from the Arkansas Valley. The Arkansas. apparently represents the northward line of winter goose concentrations in this state; but, it should be pointed out that the largest number of geese are counted in the eastern portion of the Valley and these mostly on Two Buttes Reservoir. Goose counts from the San Luis Valley are not included in Figure 4 because the numbers were too to show on the graph, Only one large concentration was counted in the San Luis during the past five years and this occurred in the spring. No doubt this flight was composed almost entirely of migrating birds. Sug;gestions further .i,t~: Because aerial census cannot record the species composition waterfowl, it is recommended that throe additional ground studies be initiated, The location of these should be in the eastern South Platte Valley, the Arkansas Valley, and the San Luis Valley. The addition of species data in this survey would allow closer evaluation of migrant and·wintering populations, and thereby permit mQ11:'.°e intensive management of waterfowl in Colorado. Job lb. Scope: North Park, Colorado~ Jackson County below the timbered areas. Reported by: John H, Wampole Methods: Ground counts of waterfowl were made on sample areas t representative of the habitat of North Park. ough .t to be Findings: April 14 was the first date on which appreciable numbers of duck3 were seen, At this time all but the main roads were still blocked by an unusual accumulation of w:'Lnter snow. The study areas used for migration counts in 1951 were still ice-covered during the 1952 spring flight, Ice remaining in the rivers brought about an overflow of water onto the adjacent meadows, forming hundreds of temporary ponds. This situation apparently was conducive to the scattering of birds rather than to the concentrating found during the flight of 1951, In Table 2 are shown the results of counts made during the week of April 28 - May 3, 1952. �-127TABLE 2 SPECIES COMPOSITION OF 'l'HE DUCK PdPU!ATION A.f'!Ut 28 :.... •MA,Y 3 1952 J) Percent of Totai · Species Gadwall Lesser·seaup 417, 37.,6 27.,0 300 Mallard ·Baldpate 161 14.5 54 ;5~0 4,,9 1..5 65 56 Green...winged Teal Pinta.il Shoveller 5-09 17 Red.head American. Merga....-1ser 10) 10) 9) Ruddy Duck ; · 4)--40. Buffle,-.head 3} '. 2) Blue•win.ged·Teal Cinnamon Teal Canvasback' ·21;I · · 1110 Totals .100 .. 0 Of the 1110 ducks tabulated in ,Table 2., 610' were identified as to sex. The remaining 500 birds (estimated at JOO Gadwall and 200 Lesser Sea.up) were feeding, the Scaups diving, oh one water area., making adefi:hite count uncertain. The sex ratios of seven species are shown in'Table Jo TABLE 3 OBSERVED SEX RATIOS, :APRIL 28 ..., 1:i.Y 3, 1952 Lone S·eecies. Nallard Gad,tiall Baldpate rint a1.·11 Green-winged Teal Shoveller Lesser Scaup Pairs Males 75 58· Jl 19 26 5 17 2 4 .Males Females . 8 1 l 2 ·l 11 l 4 , ;J 2 35 31 Total Total Percent Percent Females ivlaltis .. :h'e:n:iales M;ales ~"'-- 85 76 33 .· . 34 ,32 51 20 JO 26 7 63 59 10 52 58 48 S.3 So 54 59 5:2" 47 50 49 37 46 41 48 l.The rather high ratio of males may re.fleet the early nesting. of this species,. �-128In Table 4·· are · to be found co:tnparative ti.umbet's . of .thirteen species of ducks•.·. observed on eight stidy areas d.tiri:qg early June, 1951.and. 1952. It can be sean . that. the dq.ck population in Nci:t th Park appears_ slightly rip 5,.n 1952, on . .f!e~::1: :rusrrt~o!:~:tr ~sI!n:h~:~t!:fi~:::Jh:t.:~- increas~ in· numbers.·.· ··. ·· 0 •. "r+\BLE 4· ! COMPARISON OF OBSERVED NUMBERS IN THE BREEDING DUCK POPULATION .. . . :rN !Mtr JUN!; 1951 AND 19t2* . ___,Pi;;.:·•· ··-c--·-···~,...··-,.-··•-·:·4·..,._-_,--·;;.;;··... ,,., ... ··..;,.;·-··-····-···-· · .,,,,•._ ..-· ·-· ..._.~--- -;.,_l ·· Pairs -Lone · . . Males· . Males . .· F'eriiaJ.(3S 1951 1952. .1951 19$2 -~·Species · .. ·. !-·-----~... . . 1952·: 1951 ---19$2 .1951 .. . -·-· ·· ·: -·. ~······_:·.+ ··-····· ·· ·,;,·:- }_...,._.-....,··:.--·- - · · - : : .--·. ·-•- ·,..._,, __ _,.,_....,.w·, _ .- - ~ - _._.._ ... . . , _ __ _ ..............;:.. :.. .. 1'otals ..· · 1951· ·1952 •·· >.•·· - ;. ---""""':'I"'- . . . ~.. . . . . . Ma11.ard Gadwall 1) 12 . 93 58 31 17 Baldpate 4 Pin.tail . . Gr.,W.'l'eal Br.Tur.. Teal i 7 6 · 4 · 4 5 19 12 3 Oin~ 1:'eal 5 Shoveller Redhead" L. ·s-caiip .. 22 •· 33 ca.rivas~baok . 2 21 J. 5 ,· 5 1 12 . 12 17 11 _.2 4 .4 3· · 2 1~4> 2 1 · 1 54 l U · 17 . . . > 1. > 29 . 83 ··191 170·· ·123 75 56 ··28 ... 20 ·1 .· 13 .· ... ·.. l . .1 2' l 3 5 1 ,?,§. ~, ;,-2 ~).{ . ...... . .·"' 6 · 2 .· ...· 8····. · ·11·· 18 ~ 1 2 60' .52 Z3 1 · l 6 .... · 4 · l Ring-necked Du.ck. ~d& lJ?:<!k ·7 2 7 ~ .55 · 0 4 10 -14-~ I • ~~~- . 90 · 7· 1 ~,4,~ --~•~• ! ifi!"8i9~i count.!9~e;:31rttid}9~uri~g ~~~ J~rs· :512 ~;riod.....~' ~241· -926 ....~-·-· 0 .. ,:.-. "··}~52 counts 'tiere m~de •. June 9!i io,·· •. and ·_ 11 .. -. . ~1Lt:~~fr£~:~:;~~~~~~li~~:li:!F• over that oi' 195L It this is the situation; brood counts :should show earlier broods (Glass r± and.III) and more of them in late June, as a consequence,; assuming .no more than the usual interference by other decimating factors. Tbis is 'bot-ti:e out, sci tar by brood counts on the a.reia; as shown W the <f6llowi:ng repo:r-t on Job No .. 6. Scope t .. . . .. . . . . Erown' s Park, Mo!f'a.t County, Colorado Personnel; ,John R:.. · Tester, ground surveys, c. P. Matteson and D. E., Owens, ae:t"ial · ccunts. Re;eor:ted by: John Ro Tester. �-129- Methods: The marshes in Brown's Park lie in a riarow strip of river floodpla.i:.1 whose main axis runs from west to east. They are bounded on one side by the Green River and on the other by high hilis or cliffs. Periodic observations were made on each of t.'ie:eight marshes in the park. 'rhe counts were made from the tops of the hills or cliffs nearest each marsh with the aid of a 20-power spotting scope. Observations of this type had to be made when the sun was behind the observer to obtain proper colcring and the least reflection from the water surface. The marshes on the north side of the river are readily accessible and were countsd at weekly intervals, Those on the south side could be reached by boat, and therefore, were counted at 2-week intervals. The waterfowl on the river were observed by making several float trips down the river as far as the entrance to Ladore Canyon, In addition, two aerial counts of the waterfowl in Brown's Park were made during the migration period. Fi~dings: The first waterfowl observed in Brown I s Park were Canada Geese. Several flocks were seen by park residents the first week in April, before the river or marshes were free of ice. The ice went out on Green River on April 7 and the first ducks, mallards, were seen on this date. Aerial counts on April 15 and ~.lay 1 showed 54 and 58 geese, respectively, in Brown's Park. Subsequent ground counts showed approximately 30 to 35 geese remaining in the area. Residents reported seeing flocks of 20 to 30 geese in the park during mid-April, and one flock of 21 was observed by the writer on May 1. From these data it may be concluded that there was a small migration of Canada Geese through the Brown I s Park area during April and early May, Data from the weekly counts on the 4 marshes on the north side of Green River are presented Table 5, Counts on the marshes on the south side of the river were too widely spaced to provide valid migration data. It can be seen from the table that the pintail and cinnamon teal appeared in progressively increasing numbers during the period covered by the counts. The numbers of the other species remained comparatively constant. Apparently, there is· little waterfowl migration through Brown's Park after April 30, Ranchers in the area expressed the opinion that most of the ducks that come into Brown I s Park during the spring migration remain to nest. In similar studies to be conducted in 1953 an attempt will be made to obtain the first counts during the first week in April to determine the nature and extent of the early waterfowl migration in Brown's Park. �-130- TA.BLE 5 BR!l·m 1 S .P!RK:.WATERFCTutrL COUMT. APRIL 27 TO ~AY Jl,9. 1952 - - . ·..-.,.~.,--~il 27 ~o~Maz }~~. 4. :fr·}g·Mal,...~~ ~..;~7·£~8 .- . 24 fria;z 25 - 31 MalLax·d · · ·· · 160 · · 1 3 93 · · 92 · · .· · 1.33 · Gadwall 106 · 154 79 86 · 75 '5 Pintail . 4 Shoveller Green~~ Teal 6 ·s Cinnamon Teal Blue-W 6 Teal Red Head. Lessor Scau.p 15 15 l 3 24 4 10 12 22 22 35 ·4 16 7 18 37 46 O 51 O 6 58 33 6· 38. ·8 2 2 Cl 0 9· 6 O O O Amer. Merganse:e O 0 20 60 O 30 3 Canad.a Goose Coot 26 12 0 102 32 ll6 110 453 561 399 436 576 O 72 12 O Bufflehead Ruddy :Puck · Wood Duck Totals . .. . ...,..,Oo,,"~~C,~lo,,~..,.~~.",.,-,:.,.,,.,,~_,·,:,.--,,,.-.- o 8 O ,-.tJes~~~,,'"':'!-'-"·Sli~>--"'.<'I\W.,M~~,""."".. ; , - . ~ ~ - ,. 9 O 13 1 o 31 ',;J- Entire Yampa. drainage from Stillwater Reserioi.r to the lower end of Lily Scope: f'axk. Rep9!~ed.b;;t: Harold Boeker . . . . Methods:· Field recohriaissance on eleven two-mile study areas. Find!~ti. The Yampa Valley, . lying entirely in .Routt and Moffat Counties in .· Northwestern Colorado is characterlzedby the cottonwood bordered river ;meandel'ing through a comparatively narrow valley,. This valley varies in width from¼ mile in the narrow canyons to several :miles in the more open park.;,.like areas~ The land adjoining the ti ver in much of' the valley is irrigated meadow, dotted With willow-studded o:x.bows, cattail covered sloughs, and numerous flooded de:--' pressions., These scattered water areial.S, with the absence o.f large,1 accessible lakes.9 . cause a highly dispersedpopuiation of :migrating ducks .. ' ' The winte:t-of 1951 and 1952 was characterized by a.ri Uriusually heav:r sncw:fall~ Steamboat Springs recorded 240 inches snow •.. Craig residehts reported record depths, ancElivestock operators in western Moff'at County suffered losses because of the heavy SilOT.NS which covered natural foods Oh the Sheep ra.pges. of �-131Reports from wardens and ranchers indicate that some species of waterfowl winter in the Yampa Valley, especially in the vicinity of the nUlllerous hot springs. Areas of wintering waterfowl are on Phillips Creek aboYe Yampa, Coloredo, on the Yampa river near Steamboat Springs, in the Big Bottoms area below Craig, and at Juniper Hot Springs. Counts made by John Wampole, Game Bird Technician, on open water areas near Steamboat Springs appear in Table 6. They reveal the relativ-e abundance of the various species present during the winter and early spring of 1952, The late spring delayed work on the study area until April 11, at which time there were still several feet of snow on the lev-el. Prev-ious thawing conditions had caused the accUlllulation of small open-water areas in the meadows adjacent to the river. these areas were heavy concentrations of ducl{s of seYeral species. Mallards were very n1llllerous, accompanied by small nUlllbers of gadwalls, green-winged teals, ci.r"namon teals, shoyellers, American mergansers, and Canada geese. Fi.gures recei.ved from Wampole reveal that no great waterf'owl concentrations were obserYed along the Yampa Ri.ver prior to April 14. It appears that the heavy in.flux of' waterfowl into the area took place between April 10 and 14, at whi.ch time extended counts were made on roadside trend plots laid out i.n representati. ve areas of river valley. On April 14 the large rm:mber of ducks that had just moved into the area were concentrated on the few small areas of open water. Later counts made on the trend plots could not be compared with the first because as new water areas appeared there was a rapid dispersi.on of' ducks throughout the Yalley, and although there were more ducks in the Yicini.ty, the nUlllbers could not be evaluated. At no time ctid the waterfowl concentrations haYe the appearance of migrati.ng ducks pausing on their way through the valley. Instead they appeared to be predominantly mated pairs waiting to move into nesting territories. A sexratio was obtained because practically all ducks observed were mated pairs. Varying stages of' runof'f and water accUlllulation, inclucting flood and overflow waters, changed the entire aspect of the areas on whi.ch rnigrati.on counts were bei.ng made, maki.ng daily or weekly comparisons of nUlllbers inYalid or not indicatiYe of concentrations in the :immediate area. Waterf'owl nUlllbers were recorded by species wi.th notes on dates of iarrival, on the roadside trend plots between the dates of Apri.1 18 to April 26. On April 28, eleYen def'ini.te 2-square-mile blocks of river valley were designated as study areas. These areas were selected at random throughout the Yampa valley f'rom Sti.llwater Reservoir to the lower end of' Lily Park, and are therefore a 10 per cent sample of the entire river valley, excluding the Yampa Canyon area. These study areas, counted at regular intervals, were useful in revealing a definite pattern of waterf'owl population and movements. The total weekly waterfowl numbers, by species, found onthe areas appear in Table 7, These fi.gurss representi.ng a 10 per cent sample, can be projected to give approximate populations in the entire Yampa v:alley. �-132T,A.BLE 6 WINTER AND. EWiY SPRING. WATERFOiiL POPULATIONS IN VICINITY OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS) COLOruillO Mal- Am.· · Cai1ada -~at~" . };ard G:o~d _Geese Ja.ri 12 J'an 14 Jan 16 Jan 21 Jan 28 Feb 26 17 11 Am. Shovel...: C:l:1111:= J.::ufflE~- Gad..LfJerg.~G!W. T.... ler ·-,w-~ Pin Teal hea~ wall Scaup 7 l 12 2 20 16 11 23 23 6 11 5 Mar 6 24 13 Mar 4 Mar 13 13 Mar 30 28 Apr 14 337 Apr 19 204 Apr 25 2 4' 5 3 8 l 3 2 1 15 24 13 11 5 35 3 4 4 9 "l. 8 l. 3 20 . ,J..._·. 12 3 8 8 )11 1 18 3 1!1 6 6 4 2 5 .TABLE 7 TOTAL WEIGKLY WATERFOWL POPULATIONS ON EIEVEN STUDY AREAS, YA.MFA ·VALLEY$ SPRING, 1952 . ·,-4 A, t.U ;.'.:I ii) (1] if"'~ C°'"I 't:; t, ,, t:;;. t;;, ~--~ < . 1;;--, ir; . -,-...,,.. ;;;:.:~· -m (U ;,;..-,i· r-""". :::~ -!-:'t 0 >ve' •:;) May 1:.-7 3 May 16-23 l•1ay d.i.-31 June 1-7 Jt1.ne 8--lh 2 128 ll9 May 8-15 14 121 12 146 121 4 1 18 37 20 31 10 44 8 $ l 9 9 3 1 8 13 l 9 3 2 4 14 10 8 (Cripple) l 7 11 10 1:3 4 �-133- 1. Local duck concentrations occur usually in October. 2: The first large flights of northern ducks enter Color11do between midOctober and mid-November. 3. December is usually the month of greatest waterfowl abundance, 4. Duck populations in 1951-52 did not differ significantly from the average of the past four years. 5. The wintering goose population has shown an increase each winter from a count of 5,698 in December, 1947 to 23,432 in January, 1952. 6. Fourteen species of ducks were recorded in spring migration in North Park. The gadwall was the most abundant with the lesser scaup and mallard following in order. 7. In June, 58 pairs of gadwalls, 33 pairs of lesser scaups, 17 pairs of baldpates, and 12 pairs of mallards were present on study areas in North Park. 8. A high count of 58 Canada geese were observed in Brown's Park on Mey- 1. Later ground counts showed 30 to 35 remaining. 9, Fifteen species of waterfowl were recorded in Brown's Park from April 27 to May 31 with mallards, coots, gad.walls, redheads, and cinnamon teal occurring in that order of abundance. 10. Fourteen species of wa.terfowl wel'.'e recorded during the spring in the Yampa Valley. Wintering species included mallards, golden-eyes, merganser, and green-winged teal. Late spring species included mallards, cinnamon teal, blue-winged teal, Canada geese, green-winged teal, and shovellers in that order of abundance. Submitted by__H_a_r....x""7'--,J....._F....i"'g""g_e___ Approved by_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Date_ _ _ _ _J_u_lJy~,_1~95~·2_ _ _ __ Federal Aid Coordinator Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-142JOB CO~lPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado --==='----- Project No, W-37-R-5; Grune B?:-I"d Surveys Work Plan No. __=,_ _Job No. __6-'a"--~ Title: Waterfowl Breeding Ground Survey, 1952, Eastern Colorado Object: To determine the production of waterfowl for each year, and compare it with that of previous years. ScoE!".: The South Platte Valley and the Cache la Poudre Valley. Techniques: Census methods used in each study area. a.re outlined in the body oi' this report under the respecUve study areas. Personnel: Reported by: Jack R, Grieb, Ervin L. Boeker, Norman L. Hughes. Jack R. Grieb. Findings: Introduction: As in past years, the annual survey of waterfowl production in eastern Colorado was continued in 1952. The major breeding grounds of this region are composed of three general areas. These are the South Platte, Cache la Poudre, and San Luis Valleys. The following report will consider only the first two areas mentioned. Tlie Cache Valley~ Information from the Cache la Poudre Valley in 1952 was the continuation of an intensive-survey initiated in 1950. This study involves an area of 36 square miles (Township 7 North, Range 68 '.West) wherein a complete coverage of all water areas is made every two weeks. In this manner permanent duck territories may be located, and other information gained on the movement and habits of breeding pairs and broods. Water conditions in the Cache la Poudre Valley were excellent during the spring period. Heavy winter precipitation in the mountains and adequate spring rains filled all reservoirs to capacity for the first time in many years. This, however, was not reflected by an increase in breeding-pairs. In late June this general area was hit by severe hail and rain storms which killed few birds, but destroyed many nests. It appears that most of these birds will renest. �-143Phenology in 1952 was significantly different from 1950 or 1951. It is believed that the season is advanced 'by about two weeks this year over the last two .. This assumption is :ma.de ori the basis of spring migration counts, and breeding-pair numbers found on the five separate counts of the study area, and backed up by phenologica.l records kept by the Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. These records show that the growth of alfalfa was advanced by two to three weeks, and that alfalfa cutting was two weeks earlier in 1952 as compared to 1950 and 195L A comparison of' the estimated breeding-pairs, by species, in 1951 and 1952 shows that for all species there was a drop in breeding-pair numbers of 17 .. 5 per cent in 1952. (Table 1). The per cent of change given by species in this table is valid for only themallard'and blue--wingedteal beca:use of the sample size involved. Howeiter, it was noted that many more cini.'1alnon teal were in the area this year. Also, there appeared to be as many gadwall pairs on the area this year as last year, but fewer 1-vere estiniated to be nesting here. Examination of Table 2 reveals that only two ty-pes (sloughs and river) had an increase in breeding-pair; numbers in 1952 ~ All other types were dcwn from 22 to 66 percent this year~ No expla.natioh can be given for this phenomena at the present time. To give some somparlson of' production, Table 3 lists th~broods observed during 1950, 1951, and 1952 up to the .first part .or July. This table substantiates the theory- of an a.d"ltanced 1952 season, for even though there wer'e fewer breeding pairs :in 1952, early production was far above previous years. Further study is necessary to determine the final aitcotne of the season and the influence of hail on nests; however, the writers stil:L believe that waterfowl p:roduction in the area will be about 15 per cent less than in the years 1950 and 1951. TABLE 1 ESTIMA.TED·WATERFOWL BREEDING·POPULATION.BY SPECIES T7N,R68W, 1951 AND 1952 ., , , ____,,.-·----------------------'-'-------==P"'"'e_r_c_e_n.t-c1'_an_g_e . _ __ Species 1951 1952 · 1951 to 1952 .· Number. Prs_o_,7s-r-J.-,-:rn-,.1.-.-N"""um...._,b_e_r""'.."- Prs:;;1·:lrii." --·-"'" 103 2 ...8b 82 2.28 21 1 Oo58 17 0.47 0.03 . 0.17. ........,, :4 o.11 ____ ________ , 6 5 ~ Mallard Blue w1 teal Gin., teal Gad-wall o.14 Total_-_ _ _ . 13J.:.... . -----'3;.....~_6h_______i_Oc_l____3.... -_ ._oo_·_____ -20Ji -19"0 ,L4oo .. o ··"--- -~,. .,;J;c..,.3,___.3_ _ _ ____,... �-144.·. TABLE 2 '.i?OTAL ESTIMA'I'ED BRh"'EDING PAIRS BY HABITAT TYPE AND SPECIES, T?N, R68W', 19.51 AND 195? • . -:· Rabitat· ...· · Malla.rd Blue-w. teal Ga.dwall Cinri.~ teal Tota.:t and· ~l Lakes ... and :Ponds . . "~ia.ii::~:.~'-'-·. ~ . ~~~;.;.12~; .· . . '.--s-"".'.·-~~.:~,.._ ..,,,s . r~-=·····=··:;;:__:.;::; ··=:;::;··=··:::-= Bl,ue---w .. teal · Citm~ teal .· .. -~ Tot.it ·ana: 4 1 . 17 75.o oo ..o . .... - St!~ S . .l l .. . 7. .·•·.Aver e· =~~~~~~~~c:=~~===•===~==~~~i?=~~==·~.·· ;. . .~.··:=:::-= · =m;=:~a:========~!'!!= oughs ··. ·' --Percent change ·....... ·... : 1951 , _ _ _l,. . .9. .,. $__ 2_ .• _ _ _ _l!,...;9..,..5..,,.1__t....,.~_1-'9..,..5_2___:;..... ····-·_ _ 17 .· 12 . -- 29 oLJ. . ·.· . · 3 5 /. 66.6 6 4 - 33.- 3 1 O -100 .. 0 27 · · 21 .. - 22 .. 2> ·.· · ..,...·-····!YR_ ...·.....e.... ;,.....,.. ,_._,.,............,,.,,.,..,,.~s,,..,]__ ?:e...,,..ci_e____ s,, Large J.;altes. :· .. <·• ard. . . .. Blue-w. teal CiT~iaie:~d 4 1K . 8 . .· l~ · <00~0 · . ;'.lOOoO .. <:~3~:g '.· . ··. ···4 ··· 3 ·. · ... · 25 .. o .· _Cinn: teal ·0 ' ·· 1 ,£100 .. 0 __,T_.o.....t_a_I....an"'"'---d....,.--··---····..,..20-·. . . _____1,..,5________ 25.,6·------ Drain DitchesBlu.e~w .. · teal··· . Average Yri-1'.ga;=,t:""'t""'on""".=---;""'Ma""'!l~i==a=:r=?d..-.,,.., .. ===·..:i;••.,,. .. ..., ... ,.=·."'"""""""1""""'6,;,,.;,=·. =,;==t,==·=·;: : ;•=;-g;:=:1= Ditches Blue~w.· tsal 2 . o 2 . · Totua.nd ·-· Irriga:tJ.oti Canals Av-arage Malla.rd.· Blue;:,w ~ teal ~tit and········ Ilr- .=~~~= . ==.·_=·:;:,5,,:;,:;2:::::;5;,;,'~·"'~..:,-=·=.. =-=·=-=·.. =·=··=-= ia=:·•.•==:::·· o ·-200.0 lir' .i~-~ ..... - 1A .. ;~ Ave-raige .;. 56,.15 ;.200::i .. 0• . h .. ·,'."" lo8. •. . ·..;, 25,.0 .. ·.. ······ ........ : . ······ . . . . · �-145TABLE 3 DUCK BROODS FOUND ON T7N, R68W, AS OF JULY 6, 1950, .1951, AND 1952 Species · Ave Number of broods 1950 19>1 1952 b number of y·oung:; 19 '0 1951 19>2 ' 1.0 6.66 Mallard Blue-w. teal 2 3 1 14 20 7 11 Unidentified J ----------·-----------------~-·-· -- 7~0 3.66 The Sou:t,h Pla~te Valle1:_: Water conditions in the SouthPla.tt.e Valley closely approximated those found in other parts of the eastern slope .. · Heavy winter precipitation left :many pudclles and filled sloughs and ::reservoirs. During the· late .. sp:ring there was a drought which. dried up some of the .potholes. This drt>ught was broken by severe storms which undoubtedly damaged some nests. In ·· general, water conditions were good½ '-·· ,. . . Study methods in the Valley involve late July ground counts on randomly selected sections.· throughout the Valley proper. Early aerial counts are made along . . the South Platte River during May, and these are used tocletermine the tr~rid in oreeding-pair nuznbers between years~ In 195'1 a Cessna 170 plane with two observers was used, while in 19:52 a·cessria 140with'one observer made the counts$ The two-year summary and comparison of counts is given in Table 4. For convenience, the river was· divided into four sectors, as follows: Areal - Bridge 3 .miles north of Derby, Colorado to Greel:ey, 41 miles~Area 2 - Greeley to F't. Morgan, 52 miles~ Area 3 .... Ft. Morgan to Sterling, 43 miles. Area 4 - Ste:nling to Julesburg, . 68 miles. It should be noted that Area 4 was not flown in 1951 due to high winds and severe turbulence. Further, the comparison was affected by two other ma.jo:r uncontrollable factors~ In 1951 the water level of the South Platte River was lrn.:r in comparison to 1952. Secondly, the nesting. season in 1952; as indicated by intensive studies in the Fort Collins area, was ad11Janced by at lea.st two weeks. This fact alone would partially account for the high number of ducks seen in 1952 as migration was probably still in progress on May J. In 1952, fifty-seven mallard males, in groups of two to four, were obser-ved., To the writer, this indicates that by May 10 nesting had perhaps �-146TABLE 4 COMPARISON OF WATERFOWL BREEDING-PAIR CO.UNTS BY nnmi:, AREAS, 1951-1952 Area I-41 Yrl.les Species fiiiIIi"r~ Teal Ga<iwall Pintail 'rot,al ---, Prs,-Per Total Pairs Inc. Lone Males Pairs 1951 1951 1952 __c;~:;___ __:::.,"*";;.___~~---"~---'~=----"'l9,,,5~2~195l 1952 ·1.68 • 73 19 53 7 l .12 .02 l 0 5 5 l .17 .02 0 l 7 7 2 l l .05 .02 2 0 33 2.zn •79 "67 63 24 9 =============== --- Area II--52 Miles Mallara 69 Teal 26 Gaawall 26 Pintail 0 'fetal 121 • Area IIl--i+::l ~lile 10 3 Mallard Teal Gaawall 34 16 6 51> 100 22 0 0 0 27 27 12 154 3 2 1 28 hO 1.92 • 52 ,52 o;oo. 4''I.', . .08 ,05 ,02 2,96 .57 29 o.. 9.3 .67 3 ,39 ,19 1.s1 .07 .o5 0 0 0 0 .69 12 0 17 2 l 2 2 l 0 16 9 18 65 34 20 10 6 1 .37 0 0 0 0 0 27 .3 .3 0 33 . 0 0 0 0 0 13 9 1 70 2 l 16 ~--=- 'rotal 12 31 1 l 0 33 0 17 8 2 .. ,79 . ---=-----·- Area IV-68 Miles Mallard Teal Gadwall Baldpate 'fotaL 0 0 0 0 0 L7 0 ,19 · ,1.3 .02 l,0.3 · �-147advanced to the point where the males had already left ·their territorie:;i. Table 5, showing the marked increase in the percent of breeding-pairs represented by lone males in 1952, can be used to support the assumption that nesting progress was much farther advanced at the time of the 1952 flight as compared to the 1951 flight. At-this writing (July 10) a ground census of the South Platte River for 1952 has not been made. Therefore, from aerial data alone it is difficult to predict the over-all production in this area for 1952, It does, however, seem reasonable to assume that the same general trends found in the Cache la Poudre study will hold true in the South Platte, so that production will be 10 to 15 percent less in 1952 compared to 195L TABLE 5 PERCENT OF TOTAL ¥,ALLARD BREEDING PAIRS REPRESEN'l'ED BY LONE MALES Percent of -total· breeding pairs represented by lone males ' 1951 1952 rea 1 23.8 76.6 2 31.0 54.5 3 15.0 58.6 4 oo.o 57.4 SUlJJMARY The preliminary 1952 breeding ground survey conducted in the South Platte and Cache la Poudre Valleys reveals that although nesting habitat was adequate there were fewer breeding-pairs this year as compared to the past two years. Quantitative studies in these above mentioned areas show that breeding-pairs are about 15 per cent less in 1952 as compared to 1951. It is believed that this disparity will result in decreased production this year. Submitted by Harry J. 1''igge Date July, 1952 Note: -----------Federal Aid Coordinator Approved by Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-148JOB.COMPLETION.:REFORT. INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS.· State of...... Color~do . : .. ·:.· ......... Project ~o ..."" W-.37..;;R"'."%i ~a.me Bird Su.rveys. Wo:r-k Plan No.·..-~;.;;;-d- · II ~,...-ii!· w· Job No.. Title ,.;,,i-- 6b·::i., · ·· ··1 W~t~i'Ci'Wl Production :Studies ... iw: . John Wampole : Reported :r.1ethods.: ... Grotil:ld counts wer.e :made with. ~mphasis on .brood .observations. Findi~~S,:. Dtldk production, apparently~ is only well begun by Jutte 30 in most . years.. Counts on the study areas i:n 1951 showed only eight broods,. all Class· I, l:zy'. that date.. In contrast, 1952·,;observ::ations .on the _sazne ·~eas. (Table .1) showed s:i.Xteen broods, nine of them being Class I! • . . TABIE i pUCK BROons.6Bss:avEb THROtJGHJUNE,30, 19$2 .• .. ~-. . . ~ t,;o. · .· in June'""-.;9. . .•--:.""'P:""'i_n..,.t . .... ai"""''1,,...- - . - . · ... ·····. s · · · · Est~t~d . ··.:r . 4;_5 days' I I 22 weeks 1 week 5-7 days Da:ts- ·.·· . S~e¢:Les. ;,, ... ;, ,......,,.····....B...r.,,,o_od..,.·..........._....._,.•, .............................--...·.;,;,.C_...l_,,,as,...,.·_s......,......_.................,.....·-·. :._. . ."'..:". '.,... ....,,..·...=>".....g!t'-e..;.:. ....·. -:··:,...,.·•..._ June 24 June 24 Canvas-back Mallard June 24 June 24 J3aJ.dpate .Gadwall June 25 . Ga.wall June 25 Bald:p4te Baldpate Baldpate Baldpate Mallard Jiin,e 25 June 25' June 25 . June 25 June 25 June 2$ June 25 June 25 June 25'- .. :< Can\tas-back Pintail 8 9 9 l ... · · . -8.. I I .I 3. 8 . II 9 8 II 3 8 5 t ·: .4.:..c; ..weeks . 5-7 dll,ys. · II II II Pintail Unidentified 7 II II Unidentified 8 II 4· 2 weeks.· II -----------------------Analzs:7:.~-: Although the duck production is just beginning., it seems apparent a.t this td.me· that the nesting probably commenced earlier than in 1951, md/or the early nesting was more successful. This seems particularly true of baldpate, gadwall, and canvas-back which were found to be relatively late nesters in 195':J. .. �-Jli9Yampa River drainage from Stillwater Reservoir to Lily Park. Harold M. Boeker Methods: Field reconnaissance: Nesting study and brood counts on eleven, two-mile study areas, selected statistically in the Yampa River drainage. Preliminary work on waterfowl production in the Yampa Valley indicates that it is a valuable area for several species waterfowl. The valley, from the headwaters at Stillwater Reservoir, to Craig is especially suited to mallards, cinnamon teals, and green-winged teals. The more rugged, canyonlike area from Craig to the Utah state line provides attractive nesting habitat for Canada Geese. Nesting mallards, however, are found in varying numbers throughout the entire length of the river. Table 2 shows the apparent breeding populations on each of the eleven study areas. Latest ground· surveys, made in the last week of June indicate that the apparent breeding pairs of such species as gadws11s, shovellers, bluewinged teals, and green-winged teals are late nesters or non-producers, as no nests or broods of those species have been observed. The heavy snow accumulation in the Yampa River drainage during the winter and spring of 1952, accompanied by an unusually rapid run-off, resulted in severe flooding conditions on many duck-nesting areas. The Yampa River, w.i th its major tributaries, Wal.ton Creek, Fish Creek, Elk River, Elkhead Creek, F'ortification Creek, Williams Fork River, and the Little Snake River, was at flood stage during the first week in May, destroying or delaying early nesting attempts. This early flood period was the result of the rapid thawing of all low altitude snow accumulations. Cool weather and absence of low altitude snow-thaw permitted the flood waters to recede to low levels from May 10 to May 30. On June 1 the river again approached flood state, and from June 3 to June 12 the Yampa and tributaries were at record flood· stage. This extremely high water. destroyed many duck nests as noted in Table ~,clJ.ti:'.l:ri,roughout the month of June an increasing number of lone females or paire'f vJ. Kfi..i species appeared on the study areas. These birdswere'obviously nesting females flooded off their areas,, �-150TABLE 2 OBSERVED B&SEDING POPULATION ON EACH OF ELEVEN STUDY AREAS BASED ON AVERAGE OF EIGHT OBSERVATIONS ----··----~·-··=·· .------·---·--"-·-----------------SE~c5:e~ ~· ·~ ~ Can. American Cinn B.W. GeW. ~--·Ar_._ea_ _ _..,..G.,...02se Me~~anser Mallard ..Eintail Gadwall .Shoveller Teal ·real Teal L Stillwater 3 3 2. Phippsburg 2 7 Steamboat 3. Springs 2 16 4. Tow Creek 2 10 2 2 12 1 6. Round·Bcittoms I.·· 2 5 l l l 2 .3 1 6 1 1 . ,.. ,:;. 6 l l 2 2 5. Caf'lj . R.a.rtch 3 2 2· 2 8 l 1· 6 2 2 7 3 l 5 1 2 Craig ., 7. Duffy Mt. ..TuriiPer 8. Springs 9, Maybell 10. Cross Mt,· lL Lily Parle . Y.am,pa 12. Canyon ._,-11_,.....__,,,___~____2_ _ _ _ _ _ _.,_ _ _ _ _ ___,________ ,.....-·_ 34 10 71 4 4 3 28 7 15 �-151- . TABm .3 WATERFOWL NESTING STUDY :tNtAMPA RIVER DRA1NAGE Species Study Area Canada Goose Mallard 11 Malla:r-d Mallard 5 Mallard Mallard Malla!'d Mallard Mallard. Mallard Manard Cinnamtm Teal Mallard Mallard Cinnamon Teal .Mallard Mallard Mallard Mallard 3 3 -3 3 3 5 '5 5 3 s 4 8 8 9 5 9 9 Dat.e Found No. Eggs >" 4 May . 14 May 15 5 May 20 May 22 May 22 May 22 May 24 May 24 May 24 May 30 May 31 June June 5 5 June 6 7 June 23 June 23 June Flooded Skunk 9 Yiay May .31 Fate of Nest · · Bullsnake 4 t!agpies., 2 Hatched 6 1 Skunk.· 5 5 Flooded Flooded 6 Skunk 10 7 7 All Hatched Skunk a,ncr Magpie· . Skunk. 1 5 Grazing Sheep Flood 9 Skunk and ¥Jagpie . .3 6 9 7 8 Total 119 Ave:i:-age Nest 6.J/. Percent Hatched 27 Percent Deserted · Flooded 2 infer tile; 7 hatched Hatched 6 hatched; 2 infertile �-152TABI.E 4 • WATERFQWL;BROOJ?S., BY.AGE~ CJ;ASS_,, OBSERVED ON.STUDY AREAS ·Area Can. Qoose ···rr I ""~Thru Jui1e 2.3 · · '' Mallard I .. I I 2 3 4 3 8 4 4 3 1 5 4 4 '6 3 2 Ginn. or . ~ir~ -~e'.ffr1se?' 7/ . B.W •. Teal . . I !1 Pintail I . II - 1 7 l l 1 7 8 9 l l l 1 3 1 2 10 u -'l- - - - ·-2 ~ " Total 2 0 27 __________________ ---·--- 18 , 2 l .,.._ 8 0 I 0 �-153TABIE 5 NUMBER OF WATERF'QrlL PER BROOD;. BY.A.GE·CIASS ·AND SPECIES: . . · . Total··· .· ; .·•· ..... Age Cl,a:ss J3irds .l?er Br6qd •..•. . Br('.)tids . .. Can. Goosa I II Mallard I Total Birds>. ... Average J3rood 3-4 2 7 3,.5 6,4,4,12,6,11,7 31 172 6.6 S.,10.,11;3,2,3,$,? 19 10$ 4,4,5., ?, 9, ?.,2 24 6,?,?,5,5,3,5,1 10;7,8,2,6,6.,8,? 7, 8,? ., 6,11, 6; 6,,? II Ginn. or B..W. Teal I II Pintail ?,9,9·,t,ro,a;? i2,a,6,u 7 4.a ? 1 ? ? 1 ? ? I 12,5 2 17 8.. 5 II 13 ]. 13 13 64* )J8 6 .. §f I ? II American Merganser Total .. * 5 Broods used in determining average, since 13 were unknown as to number .. �-154Table 3 outlines the history of waterfowl nests found on the study areas. The extremely low success of these nests is not entirely indicative of total nesting success in the Yampa Valley. Nests observed on an extensive study as this are primarily those which are poorly ca.~ouflaged, accessible, and easily found predators as well as by the observer. Secondly, many of the nests were found only because they had been previ.ously destroyed by flood or predators. Table 4 reveals the number of broods of various species observed on the eleven study areas. Yiallards are by far the most abundant, followed Cinnamon Teals, American Mergansers, Canada Geese, and Pintails. 'fhe first Mallard brood was observed on May 24, having hatched approximately l week previously. Increasing numbers of broods were observed on successive ,sirr11,m~ the peak of hatching occun•ing during the first three weeks cf June. This preliminary study, as outlined in table 5 indicates that the average nw:nber of ducklings in Class I and Class II broods is quite similar, averaging between 6.5 and 7 birds per brood. Yampa Canyon; from Lily Park to the Utah stateline was not studies by the observer because of its inaccessibility. Boat trips through the canyon by Bus Hatch, riverman from Vernal, Utah, revealed that there were two pair of mallards and 23 pairs of Canada Geese in ·the area. Observations by Hatch on successive trips will aid in evaluating the canyon area for waterfowl production. L Breeding population counts in early June showed little change in total numbers of thirteen species on the sample areas, but fewer pairs in 1952, together with more territorial and non-territorial males, indicating that the nesting season probably was noticeably advanced. 2, Broods recorded through June showed 16 (7 Class I, 9 Class II) in 1952, compared to 8, all Class I, in 1951, on the same study areas. This tends to bear out the supposition that nesting was under way earlier in 1952 and probably was more successful. 3, Gadwall, Baldpate, and Canvasback broods were among those seen in late June, 1952, species not noted unti.l in July, 1951'. The nesting season in North Park in 1952 seems to be two or three weeks advanced over that of 1951. ( Continued) �-155- 4: It is too early in th~ production season to conclude more than that duck production in North Park is starting favorably. 5, Sixteen mallard nests, two cinnamon teal nests and one Canada goose nest were recorded in the Yampa River area. 27 percent of the total number of eggs. Thirty-two eggs hatched or 6. Fifty mallard broods were observed as well as eight broods of teal, three of mergansers, two of geese and one pintail brood. 7. Mallard broods averaged 6. 7 per brooo, teal averaged 4,8 per brood, geese 3,5 per brood, and mergansers 10 per brood. Submitted ·Julv 1952 Note: Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-156JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS· PROJECTS· Work Plan No. --·· .~ Quail and Partridge Job No~ _ _ _l _ __ Title! Poulation G.,'J.d Trend Checks Object: To determine the population t,rend of Bog-white and Sca1ed quail. ScoEe~ Arkansas Valley ~~orte~__,£;}::: Dorntld Nol ting Hethodst Both Bob-white and Scaled quail began to pair off about the first of Ap1i:f'·-this year., Data obtained consists of obser,t$.tions of quail pairs exclusi--rely,. Roadside counts were conducted from Apr:U 1, to May 6 in conjunction with pheasant surveys~ Findings: Quail were obserired in seven trend areas of the Arkansas Valley Re :iuits are presented in Table L b TABLE 1 BOB-WHITE AND SCALED QUAIL INDEX - 1952 'l'rend RoUt.,e Area* 1/1 #2 #3 #h #.5 #8 #r_J. '"''-paI'rs·-oi' · lil:LLes -- Quail Seen Bob-white Scaled Bob ..,whi te . 0 0 0 0 Scaled 20 0 0 0 0 5Li 0 20 10 2 ~~- 27 98 32 20 16 98 14 Quail/ 100 miles Bop"'."'white Scaled 4-·----'--'-0----1.,,..·2·~ 8 O 40.0 2 0 12.5 2 O 2 24 206 * Route numbe,~:::, cor:::"'espond mth pheasant trend routes. 0 lOGO 7.4 10&0 18¢5. 14~3 O 24 .. 5 �-157Analysis and Recommendations: Low populations of quail of both species in the valley make it difficult to obtain data of a significant nature for individual trend areas. An exception is Baca County which has more suitable habitat and a fairly high popul!tion. Shifting the emphasis to more intensive research in this county may be necessary in the. future. Findings show that Scaled quail are approximately half again as abundant·as the Bab-white. It is believed that the index figures for the entire district w.ill be of value far computing future trends. Submitted by Harry ,J, ]'igge July Note: 1952 Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-158JOB COMPIETION REPORT INVESTIGNJ' IONS REPORTS State of Colorado Project No. W-:)7-:,It-5; Game Bird Surveys Work Plan No. Title: V Mourning Doves Job No. lb --------=:C....--- Population Trends. Object: To determine spring migration periOds and breeding population trends forMourning Doves. Sco2:_: Arkansas Valley Jteported 'c:;Ji:: Donald Nolting Methods: Records were kept of all dove activity during April to determine migrati.on dates. When peak numbers were observed, breeding potential surveys were initiated. Two re·gular trend routes passing through representative dove areas were selected for this study. Two counts were made on each route and these began 15 minutes after of:ficial· sunrise. An area near Rocky Ford was chosen for a limited nesting study. Data on the progression of the nesting cycle was obtained at five day intervals from May 10 through June 5. Findings: The first doves were seen at Lamar on April 11 and at Rocky Ford on Apri.1 12. Peak numbers were reached the first week in May and nesting got under way at about that time. Data in Table 1 gives the breeding potential trends. Notes on nesting activity showed considerable variation in the dates of establishment and hatching. All phases of breeding behavior from nest construction through feeding of the young were observed each time the study plot was visited. Data from six nests under periodic observation and spot checks of fifteen additional nests placed the peak period of hatching between May 20 and May 25, Four of the six nests checked were successful while two were abandoned or destroyed. All nests located contained two eggs each, �-159- TABLE 1 MOURNING DOVE COUNTS - 1952 :Miles Trend Route Doves 1951 1952 42 1 .. 6 2 .. 4* 76 3., 7 4. 3* Crowley County, #3 (Crowley-Ordway) 15 25 Otero County,. #4 (Rocky Ford area) 21 99 Total 81 271 20 Doves/Mile 54 * Computed from an average of the two counts~ .Analysis and Recomni.enda.:l:,ions1 It is believed that the. early morning period is best sui tedfor making doYe. counts~ Spring surveys show a high breeding potential; some'What higher than last yet:J:r. Plans have been made to conduct late summer · counts in the same areas to detect probable population increases after the nest- ing season .. Submitted by · Har::r'~ J,. Figge Juli, .1952 Note: Federal Aid Coordinator . Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission f'rom the Colorado Grune and Fish Department. ��-161JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of· Colorado ·---==------ Project No. W-35-D-5; Antelope Restoration Work Plan No. 'I Job No. l -------~--- Title of Job: Antelope Fawning Studies Objectives: · To determine fawn sex-ratio, number of fawns per doe, fawn mortality, and to collect physiological data which may be of use in management. Techniques Used: Herd areas reconnoitered by car both on and off roads. Field glasses used extensively to spot lone does, the principal clue to the locations of young antelope. Suspected locations were searched using car in strips about 100 feet apart. When young located, car was placed to leeward and rear of animal 25 feet away, with motor idling as disii;;raction. Stealthy foot approach made, carrying long-handled hoop net extended. The last few steps were made quickly with rapid application of the. net. · · Frequent observation from points of terrain with field glasses proved valuable in spotting not only lone does, but sometimes young in the act of nursing, as seems to ·be, the custom about midmorning and midafternoon. When caught, the legs were ·tied ·together, and weights, measurements, and other observations taken. Tags of the two-piece round button-,type were insert.ed in the lower portion of the right ear. They bore the stamp "Notify G & F Dep't'., De:river", along with numbers from 24 to 36 inclusive. Findings: Thirteen antelope ranging in estimated age from½ to 16 days were captured, ear tagged, weighed, measured, and released, The first pair was located on May 31 and the last on June 12. Many more were seen but could not be caught. Table· 1 shows that nine does produced four sets of twins and five single fawns. The ratio was 1,44 fawns per doe, Sex ratio among the fawns was 1 male to 0.225 female. Eight of the 13, or 60%, were twins. Number 26 had a coat which was wet with a clear, odorless fluid, and had apparently been very newly born. �-162- Numbers 27 and 31 were not old enough to have broken the usual two incisors through the gums. Number 34 in this respect, was very unusual in that all eight of his incisors had emerged. In southeastern Colorado, fawns were tagged in Chico Basin, the Hugo-Limon area, and northeast of Colorado Springs. See ~able 2. T.ABLE 1 DATA ON ANTELOPE FAWNS CAPTURED ON COLORADO ANTELOPE REFUGE AND VICINITY, 1952 Age_ Est. 'Si:nHind Date No. Sex lbs. Days L 1 nth Height Tail Foot Ear.-Head·Girth .gle Mn Teeth Umbilicus X 2 · Scab 5731 24 M 8.0 4 21.5 16.0 3.00 10.25 3.25 5.50 16.0 H X 5/31 25 F 1.0 4 22.0 15.o 2~75 10 .. 00 J.5o 5.50 14.0 2 1 X 2 Wet 6/J 26 M 7.5 2 20 .. 5 lh.o 2,.50 9.50 3.25 5.50 14.5 ii X 6/3 27 M 8.75 1 22.0 15..5 2.25 10.25 J.5o 5.75 14.5 0 6/5 28 M10.00 8 24.o 17.0 2.75 11.00 3~75 6.50 16.0 X 2 Scab 2 Dry string 6/5 29 M 8.00 4 2LO 16.0 2.50 10.00 3~5o 6.oo 14.0 X 23.0 18.0 2.50 10.75 4.00 6.oo 16.0 X 2 Dry string 6/10 30 M 10.00 8 Iv! 5.75 1 X Scab 6/10 Jl 19.0 14.0 2 .. 25 9.50 3.00 5.oo 13.0 0 X 2 Dry string 6/10 32 F 6 .1'5 l 19 .. 0 14.0 2.,0 10.00 3~25 6.oo 14.o 2 Scab 6/11 33 M 12 •.50 14 23.0 19.0 J.25 10.2.5 4.25 6.25 17.0 X 8 Dry 6/11 34 F 13.75 16 26.0 20.0 3.00 10.75 4.25 6.25 18.0 X F 7 .. 00 1 20.00 15.5 2 2.25 9.50 J.5o 5.50 14.o X Dry string 6/12 35 6/12 36 M 5.50 1 20.0 15 .. 5 2.2.5 9.25 3.25 5.50 11.0 X 2 Scab Tag Wt. SUPPLEMENTARY DATA Section of discovery: Nos. 24 & 25,' 5-lo-66; Nos., 26 & 27, 25-11-67; No. 28, 5-10-66; ·No. 29, 23-11-67; No. 30, 30-ll-68; Nos. 31 & 32, 10-ll-68; No~ 33, 32-11-67; No., 34, 33.-12-68; Nos .. 35 & 36., .30-12-68. �-163TABLE 2 ANTELOPE FAWN STUDY, 1952 SOUTHEASTERN SECTOR Date June 5 June 10 June 10 June 12 June 13 June 13 Tag No. 626 625 624. 627 628 629 N. E. Location Colo. .Spgs. Chico Basin Chico Basin Cliico · Basin HugoLimon HugoLimon Sex Male Female Female FejllB.le Hale Female Weight 7 lbs. 5 lbs. 6 lbs. 7½ lbs. 7 lbs. 7½ lbs. Est. Age 2 days 2 days 2 days· 4 days 4 days 4 days Length 22.1 in. 24 in. 23 in. 27.1 in. 29 in. Height 19½ in. 19 in. 19½ in. 23½ in. 24in. 24 in. Tail 22. in. 2l. in. 2 in. 2 in. 2.1 in. 2 3/4 in. Hind-foot 10 in. 92 in., 92 in., 11 in. 11 in. 112 in .... Ear 4 in. 3 in. 3 in. 4 in. 4 in. 4 in. Head Length 5½ in. 6 in. 6 in. 'I in. 6 3/4 in. 7 in. Around Head 9 in. 9 in. 9 in. 10 in. 7 in. 7 in. Girth 15 in. 15 in. in ... 14- .l2 ... 16 in. 15½'in. 16 3/4 in. Single X Twin Teeth Umbilicus 1 . 1 . 1 .. X x· X X X 2 inc. 2 inc. 2 inc. 2 inc. 2 inc. Dry - Dry - Dey - Dry - Dry - 8 missing l in. long l in. long 2½ ih. long l in. long· 13 in. long 2 inc. .Dry . 1 �-164Analysis and Recommendations: The data does not lend itself to statistical analysis because of the small sample. The importance of the job lies in the possibility of life history studies of knCliiTn-age animals. Also, the accumulated data will, over a period of time, be sufficiently large to afford more valuable comparisons. Next season, this work should be carried on extensively in the Hugo-FlaglerWild Horse triangle, as well· as the present location. The use of a helicopter for this and similar jobs is strongly recommended to increase the extent and quality of ground search at low speeds over plains or possibly a trained bird-dog could be used to advantage. SUM!'il\.RY 1. Thirteen antelope fawns were captured, ear tagged, weighed, measured, and released on the Colorado Antelope Refuge and vicinity between May 31 and June 12, 1952. They weighed from 5.5o" and 13.75 pounds and were produced by 9 does, a ratio of 1.44 fawns per doe. Fawn sex ratio 0.225 female per male; 60% were twins. Two had no teeth thru the gwns, most had two incisors thru, and the oldest had eight. Ages·'.were estimated at from½ to 16 days. 2. Six fawns were captured, tagged, and weighed in southeastern Colorado. 3. The sample is small, but affords opportunity for study of tagged animals o:f known age, 4; The use of a helicopter or a bird-dog is recommended for greater success. Data and Reports: Original data may be found in the_ files of project personnel. Relating reports may be found in Quarterly Report publications of this Department. Prepared by__ Go~rd=o~n;;...;.A~·--D~o~u~gl~a~s:;__ _ July 1952 Note: Approved b y ~ ~ <a£;L Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-165JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado ---------- l'ro j e ct No. w..:35'-D-S; Antelope Restoration Work Plan No. I Job No. 6 --------- Title of Job: Antelope Population and Trend Counts Objectives: To obtain numbers of antelope in trend areas and over some major herd areas of the State. Techniques Used: Coverage by airplane of previously outlined geographical units in parallel strips about a mile apart. A pilot and an observer comprised the crew. Findings, TABLE 1 ANTELOPE CENSUS OF APRIL, 1952 Area Colorado. Antelope Refuge N. of Hghwy. 14 to Wyoming Line between Hghwys. 85 and 87. N. of Hghwy. 14 to Wyoming Line b.etween Hghwys. BS and 155. N. of Hghwy. 14 to Wyoming Line betw,een. Hghwy. 155 and the Stoneham-Kimball road. · N. of Hghwy. 14 to Wyoming Line between the Stoneham-,llimball road and Hghwy. 6 and 113 · ,, S. of Hghwy. 1>4 to Hghwy. 34 between a line thru Camfield and :Kersey -on the W. and the Morgan County line extended on the E. The Kersey.:.Keensburg-Wiggiris triangle. Kiowa-Bennett-Limon triangil.e, including the Bijou and Beuck Refuges. Strasburg-Last Chance-Limon triangle. Colo. Springs-Yoder-Boone-Pu.iblo rectangle. N. of Hghwy. 318 to Wyoming Line W. of the Little Snake River to the Utah Line. (Moffat Co.) . . . . . . Area 7 of 1952 proposed antelope season (South Park). Count 161 150 239 129 260 80 36 297 160 875 424 372 �-166Analysis and Recommendations: It is rather difficult to compare figures for the 1952 count with those of past years because description of boundaries of mamy of the areas counted in the past were not accurately recorded. However, in those cases known to be comparable, the general trend of population seems to be remarkably high when we consider the hunting that has been permitted in the past. In order to overcome the irregular pattern which has characterized the selection of census areas in the past, two recommendations are made. First, let each area be des.cribed accurately, and be of a permanent nature. Second, as discovered several years ago, January and February are usually the better of the first four months of the year for antelope census work, and this fact should be borne in mind when scheduling flights. The figure of 161 on the Colorado Antelope Refuge shows that trend to be the lowest of all, and resulted in a recommendation for a closed season in that area this fall. The area called the Colorado Springs-Yoder-Boone-Pueblo rectangle in the table was formerly called Chico Basin or Black Squirrel Creek. Two hundred and fourteen antelope were trapped and transplanted from the above area during the 1951-52 trapping season. In addition, Bo5 antelope were legally killed from that area in September, 1951. The count last year was 1200 animals. The 1200 must have been at least 2000 more or less last summer to allow a harvest of 1019 and still leave residue of 875 at this time. With the possible exception of one or two areas, most of Colorado's antelope habitat is open enough to allow for a potentially high degree of accuracy in determining total population. At least, the sources of error are other than concealment by ground cover. Aerial census figures for twelve .Colorado areas as determined in April, 1952, _ai.-e_ tabulated~ 1. 2. Accurate description of area boundaries is recommended for improving the value of data. 3. January and February are recommended months for this work. 4. Comparing with last year's figure, the Colorado Antelope Refuge population is down to the minimum, and should be allowed to build up. The Chico Basin herd showed an increase of 85% of its total number in the s=er of 1951. �-167- 5. A high accuracy is possible in antelope census ID rk due to lack of concealment. Data and Reports: Original data may be found in the files of project personnel and in Quarterly Reports of the Federal Aid Division of the Department. Pr~pared by___G_o_r_d_o_n_A_._D_o_ug=la_s_ _ July, 1952 Note: Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-168JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of_....:.C.:;ol=-o::.:r:.;a::.:d::o;_..._ _ _ __ Project No. W-35-D-5; Antelope Restoration Work Plan No. _ ___;I~_ _Job No. 9-b Title of Job: Survey of Antelope At Transplant Sites. Objectives: To determine the success of transplanted antelope in becoming adjusted to their new habitat: to trace their movements from release points. Techniques: Ground observation and information from local department personnel and ranchers. Findings: (a). The release of 39 antelope' made on January 29, 1952, in the Limestone flats area or Smartt Ranch, near McClave, was checked in May, 1952, Rancher Marvin Lamb reported seeing eighteen head 3½ miles north of the release point:. Most of tne "antelope seemed to be moving northward toward Nee Grenda Reservoir. Two were found' dead near·.the release point. (b), The Augustin ranch site, where 38 were released on February 12, 1952, was also investigated, Seventeen were reported four miles northwest of the plant site, Three were seen several miles east of Two Buttes. Several small groups of six, eight, and nine were reported along the north side of Butte Creek. Twenty were reported to be on the Sniff Ranch, six miles northwest of the point of release. · Several does were seen on the sparsely cedar-covered bluffs h miles south of the release point. Warden Clifton reported only one antelope found dead in the area. (c). In the Newcomb ranch area, where 100 were successfully released on December 29, 1951, and January 17, ·1952, antelope were reported scattered over a. wide area. fue1ve were observed on the south side of U. S, Highway 169, where it crosses a branch of the Purgatoire River. Six had migrated to a point eight miles south of the· release point. ·casualties after release were five to date of inspection, in May,· 1952. Two of these had been previously mentioned in the trapping completion report. (d). In the Box Ranch area, northeast of Branson, a check of eleven released on December 15, 1948, revealed that they have remained within 2 to 5 miles of the release point, and have increased in numbers to h5 as of May, 1952. �-169(e). Observations in the Delta transplant area in early February, 1952, by Wayne Sandfort were that six, including two fawns born in 1951, were often seen on the west side of U. s. Highway 5o, about 19 mi. south of Grand Junction, between King Creek and Indian Creek.. He also reported a group consisting of 2 bucks, 3 does, and 2yearlings seen several times abo111t ½mile southeast of the confluence of the Gunnison River and Point Creek. Pilot Matteson and Observer Owens saw 15 antelope near the King reservoir, one mile eas:t of Highway 50, and 20 miles southeast of Grand Junction, at about the same time. '' On April 1, 8 antelope were observed on the diversion ditch about a mile southeast of Claybaugh reservoir, which was dry at the time. Four more were seen near the release point in Wells Gulch, where Warden Reigan reported having seen two bunches of five antelope twice, and one of seven on one occasion. He said that five on the Jenkins Ranch (mentioned in report of July, 1951), were still there. One antelope was killed by deer hunters here last year. ( f) • The Fruita Transplant Area. Warden Reigan had a report from a sheepherder that 30 or more were ranging between the Baxter and Douglas Pass roads early in 1952. Nine head ranged back and forth across the Colorado-Utah boundary some distance north of highway 50. Five head are south of that highway a short distance southwest of Mack. Thirty to fort.,, ranged near the release point. Fourteen more were seen in the heavy sagebrush flat northwest of the release point. Nine of these were seen on April 2. ·· (g). The Bledsoe transplant in northeastern Yuma county was reported to number 18 during the winter of 1951-52, one year after eleven were released. (h). The Ray Smith transplant, near Joes, when checked in April, had lost its young buck, but the others were reported to be doing nicely, and to be still located on the Smith Ranch. Analysis and Conclusions: The preceding partial check of Colorado's antelope transplant areas substantiates previous observations that these animals adapt themselves readily to new areas though they may migrate a few miles or some distance in small groups, When they find conditions to their liking, ahd most important, when they are subject to a minimum of molestation, they tend to remain in relatively small areas. Reproduction is surprisingly rapid. Of the herds reported on, the Box Ranch herd is the oldest and probably the most completely protected of all. The following table details its growth from its known co.mposition_.and .llll.lllbers �-170- at time of transplant on December 15, 1948, through theoretical composition and numbers each year until the known total numbers of Yiay ,• 1952. TABLE 1 ESTIMATED YEARLY COMPOSITION OF BOX RANCH TRANSPLANTED ANTELOPE HERD BY SEX AND AGE.GROUPS Mature Year Bucks Does Yearlin~s Bucks Does Fawns Bucks Does Total 48-49 49-50 50-51 5 5 0 0 0 l 11 5 5 0 1 4 4 19 5 6 4 4 5 5. 29 51-52 8 10 5 5 9 8 45 Known figures are the first line, and the last totalo The remainder are projected on the following basist Reproductive ratio--an average of 1~7 fawns per breeding doe; breeding age 2 years minimum; death loss one buck of advanced age; predation negligible in this area. Size of transplanted herds should be great enough to offset anticipated losses. A number as small as that cited above is sufficient only for a site offering optimum protection. Wells Gulch (Delta) area received a total of 46 animals in three 9eparate plantings; Fruita received 70 in four installments. No accountirig is possible. of the fate of certain of these, nor· are we '.able·, tro; censusthem. in the ·rugged, isolated country with any degree of certainty, but new bands are being.located more and more frequently, which gives indication that a strong, steady increase is occurring • • 1 SUMMARY 1: · Eight of Colorado's antelope transplant area 1 s were checked for progress during the first part of 1952.. Four of these represented .the past season's transplanting, and the four remaining had been previously plantedo Departure from release points ar.d mortality is detailed. �-1712. Some recently-planted antelope were reported as far as eight miles from the release point, and all were scattered in groups of 5 to 18. Certain separate groups of the older areas seem to have adopted limited localities more or less permanently, and are often reported in the same vicinity. 3. Table 1 presents an estimate of yearly composition of the Box Ran ch herd as it increased from 11 head in '48-49 to 45 in 1952. Transplants should be large enough to offset anticipated·losses. Data and Reports: Original data may be found in the files of the Project, and related reports have been mimeographed and distributed as publications of the Department. Prepared by Gordon A. Douglas and Stanley Ogilvie Date Note: Federal Aid Coordinator July, 1952 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/2b0832b0c695834f45272905f1133938.pdf c74223cca4ee9ab95c981a80251c1675 PDF Text Text -1- JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado Project No,_ W-39-R-6 Title of Job Work Plan No.-"'I;;;.,______Job No. _ _;:;l:..:;a;..__ __ Survival Checks - Wild Turkeys Objective$: To make counts in planted and original areas to determine population status. Person..'"lel: Martin L. Burget, Project Leader; Western Slope. Donald H. Hoffman; Eastern Slope. Techniques: Field reconnaissance methods consisting of visual observation of birds where possible; observation of field sign as tracks, scratchings, shed feathers, droppings, roosts etc,; and contacting of interested landowners, Departmental personnel, and other cooperators. Scope: This survey ( Western Slope) covers the following areas: a. San Juan Forest (San Juan and Montezuma). b. Uncompahgre National Forest. c. Portions of the White River National Forest. Findings: More intensive survival checks were made during the months of July and August, 1952. These checks confirmed the earlier report that we had suffered some real losses during the rough winter, and that our survival has dropped well below the numbers of a few years ago. It is evident that the prolonged bad winter weather periods with upward.of four feet of snow on the lovel, had some very depressi.ng effects on wild turkey flocks. This is particularly noticeable over most of the San Juan Forest Area. The following general effects should be noted. a. Scattering. In most of the area the birds are widely scattered. Normally this would be a desirable feature. However, close checking revealed the fact that some of these small flocks were made up of all toms or all hens. This would not be serious had the flocks not been so widely separated. b. Nesting reaction. It should be noted that in the spring of 1945 a nest was discovered in early June on the west rim of the Piedra River in which all the eggs were �-2- infertile. While this hen had evidently not been mated, she still laid a clutch of eggs and sat on them. There is a strong possibility that. if this hen had not been discovered, she would have stayed with the nost till death came from starvation. c. Brood reaction. During this year the brood reports and observations for the area are far below the past few years. This may not indicate an accurate population trend, but deserves some consideration iri relation to the density problemo d. Normal losses. It has been known for years that there was a definite drop in the population trends from April to July. Our best efforts have failed to reveal the cause for this loss. Whether it is caused by loss of nesting hens through the strain of reproduction activity is not known. The fact is there is also a loss in the tom population at the same time. It may be that the problem expressed in item b may be part of the. answer. It should be noted that the turkeys nesting period occurs at the time when natural food is at its lowest level. The toms build up what is known as a breast spunge. This is fatty tissue over the breast area that acts as a reservoir of reserve energy to carry them over the heavy activity of the mating period. The hens feed actively during the mating and· laying· period. However, this food consists mostly of succulent tYPes which are not too strengthening at best. It is evident the hens do not feed regularly during the setting period. Somewhere in this composite picture is the answer to our problem. It may have some bearing on our survival problem atpresent. SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST: .!'.Java,jo River Drainage: The turkey population within this area is fairly normal. This is taken from wintering· reports and observations within the area. There has been a definite shift of wintering centers. This may be due.to food availability or to poaching pressure. There.is an abundance of toms in this area.. Coyote Pa.rk and Coyote Creek: Around seventy-five turkeys have been reported in this area. More than forty were observed during the winter. These birds summer and_raise their young farther wast and north along the south rims of the San Juan River. �-3Big Blanco Basin: There were some good flocks of turkeys reported between Highway 84 and Blanco Basin. A report on some forty turkeys in the basin in February could not be verified. It was reported that these birds were starving in deep snow in the upper basin. A trip into the area by three different individuals on snowshoes failed to show any tracks or other sign. The snow was 4 to 6. feet deep at the time, Natives are skeptical of the report, It is proba.ole that if the birds were seen, they were moving into lower country. Little Blanco River: A Mr, tlacht, resident of the area, reports a normal nun:ber of birds in his area this spring. Checks were made in haying time. Growth was too heavy to yield much sign. Mill Creek: East of Pagosa Springs, Turkey numbers were down. April. A single flock of 16 toms was noted in East and West Fork of the San Juan River. Turk,s,yS were heard gobbling in this area but no birds were observed. There was a report on six birds in late, l Jay between Bruices camp and 0 Born's lake_., Snowball and Fourmile Creelcs - North of Pagosa Springs: Ranchers noted a heavy mov'enient of birds north in the spring in this area, They also claimed to have observed nesting hens - riot nests in the area. July checks yielded little sign. There was so much down timber from the winter storms that most of the area had to be worked on foot. Upper Piedra Area: a. East Fork: Turkeys in area but numbers are down. b. Pagosa Peak - Martinez Creek Numbers much lower than last year. �-4c. Williams Creek: Very few turkeys seen in Williams creek this year. One rider claims the tourists are poaching turkeys in the summer. Fishing pressure is extremely heavy here during the summer months. Thirty one camps were counted in this district on a single trip in July. d. Weminuche Creek: Much the same as Williams creek. Not more than ten birds were seen in this area all summer. No broods were ooserved. Middle ?iedra River: There are birds reported in this twenty-five mile stretch of river, Some sign was observed in the First Fork and Sand Creek sections. It was impossible to check the Horse ,·,ountain and Dudley Mountain area. This is all back country and must be made on overnight trips, Plans to check the area were frustrated by unforseen circumstances. This has always been a good summer range. Devil Creek Ranch and Drainage: Turkey numbers are down both in the number of flocks and the number of birds per flock. The smallest number of resident birds for ten years was recorded this year. The normal build up of birds that occurs from mid November till February just didn't materialize. No fall migration last year through the ranch area was noted, and no spring movement was observed. Spring and summer checks showed some birds in the upper Devil's creek drainage that had not been near or at the ranch. More recent checks showed ti1rke;ys were ranging about two miles north of the old Snow place · near the old Ford branding corrals. When this area was checked in July very little sign was observed. Game sign -- deer and elk -- was plentiful over the entire area. Pi.ne Iiiver Drainage: Yellow Jacket divide shows some turkeys. N\llllbers are down but nesting hens were reported in the area. In the Beaver Creek-Baldy Mountain area estimates were that the turkeys were down at least fifty percent over last years numbers, Birds are so scattered it is difficult ta get·any sort of accurate check. A large migration ta the south was observed last fall. Several small flocks worked north through the same area this spring. Nesting birds were observed through Nay, No turkeys have been seen in the area since that time. �-5Bear Creek: This was ohe of the cradling areas for wild turkeys in this section of the state. ¥,r. Frank Womer and his father protected and fed turkeys here for many years, in the hope they might build up to hunting numbers. In 1944 more than 400 birds were counted in this general area on a single afternoon. At that time th0 district was over-stocked. These flocks broke up and distributed east and west. At present tho flock numbers and size ef fleck concentrations are definitely down. Usually these birds worked up into East Creek for their summering range. No turkeys have been reported in East Creek for two years. This was attributed to short food and water in the area. Much of the stock ranging in East Creek also changed their feeding and watering habits. It was natural to suppose the turkeys had shifted too. When the large concentrations failed to return in the fall, there was some questien as to what happened to them. Vallecito and Upper Pine River areas: Winter residents of the Vallecito resort area reported seeing no turkeys last winter or this spring. Checks around the southeast section of the Dam revealed nesting sites. Then, north of the dam other nesting sites were located. Some gobbler tracks checked at this time measured more than 611 spread from outside toenail to outside toenail. Florida River Drainage: This area has suffered severe losses. All local residents of the district move outduring the winter months. Snowshoe trips into the area last winter revealed more than six feet of snow on the level. In the spring 1951 there were several large flocks in the high range. One of these flocks was composed of more than forty toms. These were on the east 'side of the Ta,coma range. During the present summer season only two hens have been observed or reported. Much grouse sign was noted throughout these checks. of Animas Drainage: These flocks too, have thinned out materially. There are numerous reports of poaching in this district. These reports come from the upper Animas Valley area. A !'Jr. Painter -'- a former Sheriff, claims a regular poaching ring has been organized on deer. He also feels certain that the turkeys have been killed cff by similar methods. There are turkeys on Junction Creek and Lightner Creek but these birds are not developing normally. La Plata itiver: Most of this area is too high for anything but summer range. no reports of turkeys here this spring. There were �-6Cherry Creek - Thompson Park: As was reported in 1950 and 1951, disease played some part in retarding the development of these flocks. Birds and, sign have both been reported during the summer months. As far as is known only two turkeys were killed in this area last hunting season. There is a vast area for development here. A deer hunter last year reported a flock of more than 75 birds in a single flock. These birds were well up on the mountain in late October. Checks south of Cherry Creek and on the 'dry side' have been very unsatisfactory. Dryland settlors in this section are having a rough time. The moment you approach most of them as a Game Department representative they throw up a wall of reserve. They simply won't give you any inforrr.a tion. Numerous turkey flocks have been reported in the area. To get specific de.ta is next to impossible. There are reports of these drysiders living off the land. Naturally they are suspicious when approached. Deer have thinned out heavily in the section -- no doubt turkeys are taking the same course. Mancos River: Flocks here too, have thinned materially. The East Nancos River and Chicken Creek have the heaviest population. A nest was reported well up in th~ spruce belt. Like 1951 the birds were summering high. Considerable.country was covered by car and on foot without picking ·up much sign. Most of the springs and stock ponds have been dry or going .dry the past two seasons. This year the springs were back to normal and the stock ponds were well supplied with water. Naturally the growth was heavy and sign hard to see. Dolores River Drainage: The large flock in the lower Dolores River-Lone Dome area has completely disbursed. This may be the result of hezvy. hunting pressure the past three seasons.. Generally the turkeys show a decrease in numbers over those of the past three years. Distribution is much wider than ;in any former year. Checks in mid-July yielded very little sign of birds. Even deer sign in the area is hard to find. Only one deer was seen in five days of careful checking. Uncompahgre Area: This area includes two main drainages. The east side draining into the Uncompahgre River and the south and west draining into the San l'iiguel River. Doubt was expressed aoout the survival of these oirds during the winter and spring. Summer checks have shown a very wide distribution of these birds. Much back country was covered in the checks. In most cases sign was found at every watering place observed. Reports also confirmed these findings. There has been a general drift of these turkeys to the north. Two years ago birds were reported in the head of ~scalante Canyon. �-7These have shown good development and now there are numerous flocks in the Twenty-five F,esa area also. \vhile the development of the Uncompahgre flocks has not been as rapid as some other sections it has made consistent gains. This area is to be opened for hunting for the first time this fall. Glenwood Springs Area: This area showed a very low development during the first year. The Canyon Creek plant remained stable. The Elk Creek plant almost blanked.out completely. Reports of two turkeys having drifted into the drainage of the 0outh Fork of White River were never confirmed. There is a strong possioility that the light development in this area was due to inadequate transplant because only one breeding tom could be obtained. Numerous trapping attempts simply couldn't overcome this problem. This seasons development looks better. Four broods were reported in the Canyon Creek area. A brood of eight was observed on July 30th. A nest was reported by Trapper Lowry. A re-check was made on this nest without finding it. Factors controlling survival: There are numerous reports of heavy break downs in population densities of wild turkeys in the historical period. Such a oreakdown occurred in 1886 as attested by a Mr. Dunham of Dolores. There was another serious loss in the winter of 1895-96 as reported by the same source. In the winter of 1931-32, turkey flocks that had built up considerably were almost c;ompletely wiped out. These losses were attributed to deep snows and extreme cold. To portray the picture more cloarly it should be noted that in the winter of 1948-49 heavy snow and cold prevailed without incurring heavy losses but there was an abundant crop of mast and of shrubs with persistent fruits to tide the ·oirds over the rough weather. In several cases birds were observed making a trip from the roosting trees to a rose thicket and oack to their roost. It is evident that food availability is one of the most important factors in wild turkey survival. In 1951 there was a reserve crop of mast from 1950. In 1951 food reproduction was extremely low. Then, in the winter of 1951-52 heavy wintering conditions prevailed. Death by starvation and heavy predator loss is a natural sequence to this combination. With short rations naturally the birds drift in search of food. This makes checking difficult. The natural tendency of the sick or weak turkey is to leave the flock when death approa.ches. Strong birds also drive off weak or sick ones. It is also natural for the dying turkey to crawl under some close brush and hide. While close checks have been made few carcasses have been found in the survival surveys. �-8Another condition hindering checks was the frequent recurrence of showers. These have a tendency to blot out all but the freshest sign. Any sign that was found was very fresh. Scope: Eastern Slope Wild Turkey Areas. Findings - Eastern Slope: Survival checks and population trends were reported on in the July 1952 Job Completion Report for the lower Purgatoire River, Mesa de Mayo, Raton Mesa, and the Canon City-Salida wild turkey areas. · This report, therefore, covers only the Spanish Peaks, Wet Mountain, and Hillside areas. The north half of the Spanish Peaks turkey area from ~iiddle Creek east and south to Zarcillo Canyon continued to drop in population considering chiefly wintering populations. The Beulah-Rye wild turkey areas of the Wet Jiiountains also continued to drop in population. In these areas the .cl.ecline in population appears to have been rather sharp. A shortage of natural turkey foods during the past two winters combined with a heavy predator population in many areas were probably contributing factors toward the decline. Predation, disease, and accidental injuries are known to have played a part. In addition, the average brood size during the summers of 1950 and 1951 on the Eastern Slope were 6,2 and 6.7 respectively, This summer's field checks have shown a much better prospect for natural foods during the coming winter in these areas and an average brood size of 6,8 for the area on the north side of the Spanish Peaks and an average of 7 .2 for the Beulah-Rye area. These factors (except for the low average brood size on the north side of the Spanish Peaks) should prove more favorable for the existing wild turkey populations within these areas of decline. The area in the southern half of the Spanish Peaks from Zarcillo Canyon south and west to the Culebra Range appears to have held up very well in wild turkey population. This area along with the mesa and river bottom' turkey areas east of U.S. 85-87 presently rate high in population level compared with most of the other turkey areas on the Eastern Slope. While the adverse factors causing the decrease in the previous mentioned area also have operated in these areas, it is felt by the writer that the protection and cooperation received from land owners, law enforcement personnel, and trappers have been the deciding factors towards this condition. The Hillside area also has continued to hold up well in population during the past two years. A larger population would probably be possible, however, if intensive trapping operations chiefly for bobcats were carried on in the area. The Williams . Creek and Custer Creek drainages which were planted during the winter of 1948-49 and 1949-50 appear to ha.vs barely held their original population. An excess population of bobcats and other turkey predators in the area may have prevented their increase. �-9SUMMARY Turkey numbers in most western slope areas appear to be down compared to the past few years. The flocks are more widely scattered than ever before which may account in part for the appearance of lowered populations. The winter of 1951-52 was extremely rigorous which in combination with a short food supply apparently caused a greater winter loss than has occurred in the past several years. The north half of the Spanish Peaks area and the Beulah-Rye areas of the Wet Mountains have shown rather sharp declines in wild turkey population as compared with a year ago. The south one-half of the Spanish Peaks and the Mesa and river bottom areas east of U.S. 85-87 have held up remarkably well in population. Turkey predators (chiefly bobcats) in the Hillside and Williams Creek-Custer Creek areas should be trapped during the coming winter to allow for a better increase in the wild turkey populations. Prepared by Martin L. Burget Donald M. Hoffman Date Note: Approved by_____________ Federal Aid Coordinator October 1952 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��-11- " JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of_ __;;_C.:.OL=O=RA=D.:.O_ _ __ Project No. _ _,;W~-~3~9_-~R-_6:________Work Plan No.--'I=-_Job.No._2a_ __ Title of Job Objectives: Scope: Location of transplant sites To locate areas suitable for transplanting wild turkeys, Western Slope. Findings: The Grand Mesa - Cedar Edge Site: Still remains open for planting on the western slope. This area has an abundance of food available this year, If birds are available this would make an excellent test planting plot. The Wells Gulch Area: This area is also open. A Soil Conservation road into the area has made it more accessible. The topography of this plant site is similar to successful planting a.reas in the Uncompahgre Plateau. Here too, food is abundant this season. Elk Creek - Glenwood Springs Area: There is a feeling that the Elk Greek plant near New Castle didn't have a fair chance since only one tomwas released in this area. A replant in this area with more male birds is believed to be desirable •. At least a strengthening plant - released on main Elk Creek near the Morr,ison place should be desirable. Food plants with an abundance of mast is available. McCoy: It is still felt best to hold up the McCoy - King Mountain plant till data is more conclusive in the Glenwood Springs area. Scope: Eastern Slope, Findings: Two proposed transplanting sites were checked during the period covered by this report. These areas -- the Hamilton Greek area near Cotopaxi and the Poitrey and Tobe Canyon areas north of Tobe are discussed below. Only the area found to be favorable tnrkey range ie diecul!l!led in detail. One area was checked earlier during thi:, year and reported on during the �-12previous job completion report. a. Hamilton Creek Area near Cotopaxi: Tbis area which lies between Hayden Creek and Stout Creel< and drains into the Arkansas River was checked during the latter part of August. Hamilton Creek is located approximately two miles from Stout Greek and approximately three miles from Hayden Greek as the crow flies. The vegetative types were found to be very similar to those along Hayden and Stout Creeks where wild turkeys have ranged for the past several years. One rancher in the area stated a flock of from 25 to 30 wild turkeys wa.s observed severa1 times in his field on Hamilton Creek during the fall of 1950 although they haven't been seen since that period. Because of the close proximity of this area to already occupied turkey range, no transplanting is recommended ~t,:l;h4,§, :1;:µne. b. Poitrey and Tobe Canyon Area north of Tobe. Descr:i,ption of area: This area comprising the main Poitrey and Tobe canyons and numerous small side canyons drains into Chacuaco Canyon and is owned almost in its entirety by Will McCarty. While wild turkeys have ranged for some time in the Hudson Brothers Ranch area to the north, they' 'have never been known to range within this area according to local residents. VegetatJ.ve Types with Present Food Conditions: The vegetative types were found to be quite similar to those of Alahandra and Doss Canyons on Hudson Brothers Ranch where good flocks of wild turkeys now range except that there. is· more pinon pine and scrub oak in this proposed transplant site. The natural food conditions and types were found to be more favorable in the numerous side canyons and toward the upper reaches of the main Tobe and Poitrey Canyons rather than along where these drainages flow into the Chacuaco, as is characteristic of much of this canyon country. A list of food species with present food bearing conditions are listed below for several distinct areas. a. Slope and rims of a side pocket in Poitrey Canyon: Cedar -- good crop berries. Pinon pine -- good crop nuts. Live oak -- a very few acorns. Gambels oak -- no acorns. Skunkberry -- bearing poorly. Grspe -- bearing poorly. Wild currants -- no fruit. Grasses (various) -- in poor condition. Mountain mahogany. Cactus (Staghorn and Prickly Pear) -- good crop fruit. �-13$ b. Slooe and rims of a side pocket in Tobe Canyon: Ponderosa pine -- a few of these found in pockets, bearing a few cones. Cedar - good crop berries. Pinon pine -- good crop nuts. Scrub oak (gambels and live oak) -- a few acorns. Skunkberry -- a few fruit. Ha,::i<t>erry -- a fair fruit crop. Cactus ~t,,gtior·n and Prickly pear) good fruit crop. Grasses -- fair in canyon bottoms and poor along top and rims of canyon. Mock orange, Wafer ash. c. Along rims where Poitrey and Tobe Canyons flow into Chacuaco Canyon: Ponderosa pine - no cones. Pinon pine -- good crop nuts. Cedars -- good crop berries. Skunkberry -- poor fruit crop. Live oak -- fair crop acorns. Gambels oak - very few acorns. Grasses including unrn1o1 dropseed, green needlegrass, side oats grama-poor to fair. Wafer ash. Mock orange. Cover: The numerous side canyons with steep rocky slopes and with pockets of rather dense vegetation especially in the vicinity of springs would afford adequate escape cover. Water: Water can be found in most of the numerous side pockets and in the main Poitrey, Tobe and Chacuaco canyons in places, While there are no streams that flow year round there are numerous springs and seeps that should afford adequate water. Roost Trees: Large ponderosa pines were found in several places both in the side pockets and along the rim of the Chacuaco, In addition numerous groves of tall cottonwoods are found along the main canyon bottoms. Tall red cedars are also found along the canyon wall. While the wild turkeys prefer the ponderosa pine, they have been known to use the others for roost sites. �-14Predators: There are at present bobcats, raccoons, skunks and a few eagles ranging within the area. There are very few coyotes according to local residents. The predator pressure is probably no greater, however, than in many other river bottom areas where turkeys are ranging at present. Lyle .Autry of the USF&WS Predatory Animal Trapping Service has been trapping this area and is attempting to reduce this predator population. Rancher Interviews: Nr. Will McCarty who owns all of the land within the proposed transplant site stated he would allow hunting on his land when the turkeys increase to a point wherein a season is possible. He has also expressed interest in planting of food plots for the turkeys and other wild game during periods of short natural food crops. SUMMARY: From the foregoing information it is concluded: That the Hamilton Creek area should not be planted because of the close proximity to areas where turkeys have ranged for several years. Also wild turkeys have ranged along Hamilton Creek in the past but did not stay, 1. 2. That the Poitrey and Tobe Canyon areas north of Tobe should be planted as it is possible to do so, Drought conditions in the area have reduced the natural foods; however, the food should be adequate to carry the birds over. Mr, Will NcCarty who also owns land along the north side of Mesa de Mayo where turkeys now range has offered to allow the trapping of wild turkeys from his land to be transplanted to this new area. The use of birds from this area should prove favorable from the development standpoint because of the similarity of habitat and climatic conditions. 3. Transplants on the western slope are recommended at Grand Mesa a.nd Wells Gulch and a replant in Elk Creek. Submitted by Martin L. Burfet Donald M. Hoffman Approved by_____________ Federal Aid Coordinator Date_ _~O~c~t~o~b~er::.,_~1~9~5~2_ __ Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-15JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO -----"'----- Project No. W-39-R-6; wild Turkey Investigations Work No, I Job No. 3a ----------~------ Title of Job. Population limiting studies - Disease, Accident, and___ Predator factors, Objectives: To determine the controlling factors of wild turkey devolopment. Techniques: Field sign of predator aei;1v1r;v found in wild turkey areas during field checks and local reports from ranchers and other landowners are noted. In addition, whenever feathers or other wild turkey remains are found during field checks, a careful examination is made to determine where possible the age and sex of the dead bird and the cause of death. When sick or injured wild turkeys are reported, checks are made to determine wherever possible the cause and extent of mortality. When dead turkey carcasses which are not in an advanced state of decomposition are found or reported, these are autopsied through the cooperation of the Veterinary Medicine Department of Colorado A & M College. Scope: Western Slope. Findings: From the compilation of data since 1941 it is evident that food is the outstanding factor limiting population densities. In domestic poultry which includes tame turkeys, an abundance of balanced foods practically eliminates mortality factors. Then too, parasites and disease can be controlled in domestic fowl by the use of disinfectants, insecticides and medicines either by direct use or introduction in foods. Such methods are impractical if not impossible to use with wild fowl. Since the birds cannot be handled, aside from medication that can be administered through foods, where birds can be concentrated on a feed ground, little can be done. When desirable foods are not available the birds are weakened. In this condition they are more subject to disease and to the activity of predators. �-16Predator Activity: For the past four years predators have been definitely on the increase. This is true of bobcats (L rnx rufus californicus) and foxes (Urocyon cineroargenteus). The coyote ( Canis la trans is more than holding his mm in the face of heavy trapping activity and a poisoning program by the predatory animal control division of the Fish and Wildlife Service. The mountain lion is also showing strong tendencies to increase. The tracks of this great cat have been seen near the turkey· ranch. A stallion was attacked in a highway-side pasture, five miles east of Bayfield in June, 1952. Tracks were observed in Thompson Park in March, 1952. Skunks are also on the increase. .The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) and the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos canadensis) are both on the increase and little has been done to control either of them. There is little doubt that both of these birds play an important part in limiting wild.turkey populations in certain areas of the state. Since a golden eagle was observed killing a large tom turkey near Trinidad, there is little doubt that this may happen frequently. Disease: No actual traces of disease have been noted on the western slope during the present checking period. A sick turkey was reported in Glenwood Springs area in February. La.ter a dead bird was discovered in an irrigation ditch in the same area. Decomposition was too far advanced for the carcass to be of value. Accidents; Frequently while observing birds going to roost they have been heard to give forth a loud yelp, as if injured, Occasionally a bird with a broken leg or wing is observed in or near a flock. Usually such birds fall prey to predators of one sort or another. Scope: Eastern Slope. Predator Relationships: Most all predators of the wild turkey on the.Eastern Slope appears to be holding their own or increasing at this time. These predators are discussed briefly below. Bobcats: This predator appears to have at least held its own even in areas where intensive trapping was carried out by Department personnel as well as United States Fish and Wildlife Service trappers. There is no large area within the· occupied wild turkey range which does not at the present time contain a sizable population of bobcats. This has been determined through observation of field sign, actual observation, and landmmer contacts. �-17~ : The coyote appears to be staging a comeback in the Canon CitySalida turkey areas with reports and field sign showing quite a few of this group of predator on West Creek, Howard Creek, Cherry Creek, Hayden Creek, Cottonwood Creek, and Oak Creek. In the Wet Mountain turkey areas there are quite a few coyotes on Adobe Creek and several other drainages within th8 turkey area. While the population of coyotes in the Spanish Peaks is still quite low, more field and actua1 observations have been made during the past year than previously, showing there may be a slight increase. In the turkey areas east of U.S. 85-87 including i"iesa de Hayo, Raton Mesa, and Purgatoire River and tributaries,,the coyote population appears to be held to a low level by United States Fish and Wildlife Service Predatory Animal trappers. In general the coyote populations throughout the Eastern Slope turkey areas is still fairly low, however. Grey Fox: This group has been reported as being overly abundant in Zarcillo Canyon of the Spanish Peak area, and they are known to occur in many other localities .within occupied turkey range. Raccoons: The population is large in most of the river bottom turkey range east of U.S. 85-87 including the Purgatoire River and tributaries and Carrizo Creek areas. A few of these are known to be working up into some of the foothill wild turkey areas particularly in the Beulah-Rye area. Mountain Lion: A few mountain lion have been reported in the river bottom turkey areas east of U. S. 85-87. Other scattered localities where they have been reported are along the St. Charles River between Beulah and Rye, and in West Creek, Hayden Creek, Currant Creek, and the Hillside areas. Because of the nature of this predator, ranges are very difficult to assigno Skunks: Striped skunks, along with bohcats, are extremely widespread and plentiful throughout most of the occupied turkey range at the present time. The, spotted skunks while less plentiful than the striped skunk are also quite commonly found in occupied turkey range, Within the Eastern Slope turkey range the eagles are most plentithe mesa and river bottom ranges east of U.S. 85-87. The golden eagle is by far the most common. In the foothill and mountain areas west of U. S. 85-87 eagles are quite often seen. The locality of the indtvidual members of this group is also difficult to define because of the large area over which they range. Great horned owls and several species of predatory hawks are knc~n to occur over much of the wild turkey range, No areas of large concentrations of these groups have been located however. �-18Kills: One diseased, one road-kill, and three wild turkeys crippled during the hunting season of 1951 were reported on in the July, 1952 Job Completion Report. This covers additional instances in which wild turkey carcasses or sign have been observed to indicate death of birds since the summer of 1951. A total of 16 wild turkeJS have been observed or reported (excluding those mentioned above), This total is far less than the 50 reported one year ago for the Eastern Slope, One wild turkey apparently injured by a predator but recovering was reported in Zarcillo Canyon. An unknown number of wild turkeys were also reported poached by night hunters from a roost in JVJ.iddle Trujillo Creek last fall. While the exact number of birds killed in this manner is not definite, estimates of law enforcement officials were from 11.i to 20 head killed. The following is a breakdown of these kills by areas: Number Observed Or Reported Probable Cause Of Death 1 (2 yr, Tom) 3 Predator Kill Predator Kill Predator Kill Crippled last turkey season Disease Predator Kill Raton Mesa Sugarite Canyon l (2 yr. Tom) Predator Kill Canon City - Salida Cottonwood Creek (Cotopaxi)· Hillside l 4 Predator Kill Predator Kill Wet Mountain Area Greenhorn Creek 1 Predator Kill Area Spa.nish Peaks Santa. Clara JV.1avricio Canyon N. Trujillo Creel, 2 1 l Apishipa San Pablo Canyon l TOTA,L 16 Of the foregoing predation the bobcat is thought to have played the major role, A shortage in natural turkey foods during the past winter along with periods of heavy snow on the Eastern Slope undoubtedly were predisposing factors aiding the predators. �-19SUMFJ!.RY: Most all of the predators of the wild turkey appear to be holding their population or increasing. There are several wild turkey areas which are at present in need of intensive trapping chiefly for bobcats. These areas include: a, The Williams, Custer, and Turkey Cre,ek areas on the south side of the Greenhorn Range, b, 'fhe Hillside area along Texas Greek, Copper Gulch, and 1Load Gulch. c. The Hudson Brothers Ranch area. as well as bobcats. This area should be trapped for racoon Fourteen turkey kills probably due to predatory action have been observed or reported since the summer of 1951. In addition two more are thought to have died from the hunting season and disease, and from 14 to 20 are thought to have been killed by poachers in one area. Additional losses undoubtedly occurred within occupied wild turkey r~nge. These totals compare with 50 birds known to have died during the period from summer of 1950 to the summer of 1951, indicating fewer losses during this -period of the summer of 1951 to the summer of 1952. No cases of juvenile mortality during the spring or summer of 1952 has as yet been observed o;r reported, Prepared by MarM.n L. Burget Approved by____________ Dona1d M. Hoffman Federal Aid Coordinator Date October 1952 ------""-~"-------- Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department �. �-21JOB COVJPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO --==--=---- Project Ne. W-39-R-6; Wild Turkey Imrestigations Work Plan____~I:::______Job No. ___4~a;;;.___ Title of Job Objectives: Scope: Brood Counts To locate and count the number of wild turkeys. Western Slope. Findings: Brood counts for the western slope have been exceptionally light this season. Only fifteen broods have been observed or reported to date. Brood counts are as follows using the dis.trict method of counting: Pagosa Springs District: broods. No Turkey Ranch Area: July 14th July 17th August 20 September 2 l hen; 1 hen; 1 hen; l hen; 8 poults 4 poults 12 poults 2 poults Mancos District: 1 hen; l hen; S poults 8 poults Dolores District: l hen; S poults Glenwood Area: l hen; 12 poults 2 hens; 5 poults 2 hens; 6 poults l hen; 8 poults Uncompahgr~ i �-22Scope: Eastern Slope. As in past years, much assistancEi has been received in this study from Wardens, Fur Division personnel,, :F'orest Rangers, ranchers, landowners, and other interested personnel. A much larger sampling is possible 'by including the brood count$ of these observers along with brood counts obtained by project personnel tha11 would be the case if O:tl+Y the latter were used<> For this assistance the writer wishes to express his .sincere appreciation. The following is a. list of broods· observed or reported by areas; Hens Poults l 1 7 Snanish Peaks Area: -~-.,--.---""-Chicken Creek Sarauche Cgnyon North Fork Reilly Canyon 1 1 '2 Burro Canyon 2 -1 l 2 Zarcillo Canyon 2 1 'b'ITet Canyon 1 1 1 Niddle Trujillo Creek North Trujillo Creek Mavricio Canyon Santa Gla.ra Bear Creek 1 Cucharas Pass 1 3 l 3 2 3 1 Oak Creek (Pass Creek Area) 9 11 6 18 13 8 6 13 12 12 12 4 2 21 7 30 7 5 14 14 6 l 1 l 11 36 Hens · 260 Pou.1ts AVERAGE: 7.2 poults per hen~ 7 5 · �Greenhorn Range Area: trppc;;tJ1t.a.df Crei~k St;; . c~~fie~ . . Cre~k ··12 ·. l 1 4 5 2cr 5 12 22 i ····.···2 South Hardscrabble l 'l Ridge Road .... No:rth·Q:reek 3 6 1 5. . 1 ·2 7 ··17 2 16 .Hens. . . . . .·..... .... 115 Poul ts . . 7~?jfoul pe~ ... hen .. ·.·•·•· · ts· Hillside Poncha Creek . Hayds# Creek Meadow Gulch ·. ,~a 5Herts . . . . . . . . ·.·. .. . . . >·· ...•.. 29 Poults pbttlts per hen.. · · Mesade·.·.·Ma.;to·.···- Ra.tori···•.Mesa !teas: Mesa de Mayo Hens -·:-~·-. 8...... . 2 1 Jake .tfght Cany&i UpperWest Carrizo Cottonwood Creek (Carrizo) San Isidro Creek Frisco ..Creek . . .Suga:rite Canyon l 9 7 l 9 l 1 ) . 3 3· 29 25 2 .· < . 18 13 2 2 24 . l B l9 Hen~(~·~ ,.-. . 158~·f:S,)u1""'t_s___ 8~3 po11lts per hen. H~ns . 'l'OTAL BRoo:n~""'s___________,.... .. -··_, ,f6 ·· • ·-·· ..- . (Eastern Slope) AVERAGE: ....,, .. : _,_-.-_ 562' P6uits 7 .. 4.poults .;eer hen .. �-24Analysis and Recommendations - Eastern Slope: In the above study 76 hens with a total of 562 poults were observed or reported in the Eastern Slope areas for an overall average of 7.4 poults per hen. Of these 76 broods, ten were counted by the writer. These ten broods averaged 6.2 poults per hen which was considerably lower than the overall average. Most of the poults observed or reported during the present study were of average size indicating few late hatches. This is in sharp contrast to the number of late broods brought off during the 1951 nesting season. Late spring storms during the 1952 nesting season over much of the eastern slope turkey areas undoubtedly caused some reduction in brood sizes; however, indications are that very few whole clutches of eggs were destroyed, The value of supplemental winter feeding of wild turkeys during years of poor natural food conditions with respect to the size and number of broods was well illustrated during the past winter and spring in Sugarite Canyon. In this area feeding operations during the winter of 1951-52 were carried on in connection with trapping operations of flocks totaling about 75-80 wild turkeys within Colorado while other flocks totaling 50-60 wild turkeys below tlie state line in New Mexico existed entirely upon natural foods under poor food conditions, The flocks having the supplemental feed available were seen to be in much better condition in the early spring even though the snow was heavier in the area where they stayed, The broods from the birds which were fed averaged from 8 to 9 poults per hen while the broods from the birds which were not fed were reportedly much smaller and there were a much larger percent of hens without broods in the latter case. On the western slope, a brood, average of 6.1.3 was obtained from a,,count of 15 hens and 92 poults. Data and Reports: Original data from which these reports have been prepared are found in field notes and diaries of the writers. Submitted by: Martin L. Burget Approved by: ____________ Dona,ld M. Hoffman Federal Aid Coordinator Date October 1952 ---------~------ Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Grune and Fish Department, �-25JOB CO¥JPIBTION REPORT State of_--'C""O"'L;:.;ORA=D..:.O_ _ __ Project No. W-37-R-6 Work Plan No._..:.I:.__ _ Job No. _ _..:.2:.::a:.__ _ __ Title of J ob_--'P:..:h:::e:..:a:.:s:..:a::.n:..:tc...:.P:::..r:::..od::.u::.c:..t:.:i::.:o:..:n;;....:;Sc.ctc:u:.::d=i.::.e::.s.:. •_______________ Objectives: To determine the total number of nesting attempts, the number of nests destroyed, the extent of nest destruction by various factors, and brood survival until late September. Scop':': Timnath Study Area. Reported by: L. Jack Lyon. This report covers the fifth consecutive year of study of the nesting success of ring-necked pheasants in a limited area. This seasons work was contiucted under the auspices of the Federal Aid to Wildlife program by sponsoring a student of the Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. The unit originally initi.ated the intensive study and published the results of the previous four seasons. The Study Area: The east half of Section 35 and all of Section 36, Township 7 North, Range 68 West, have previously been designated as the Timnath Farm-game Study Area. It is located in north-central Colorado, one-half mile east of Timnath and about 7 miles east and 3 miles south of Fort Collins in Larimer County. The area was selected because it is typical of the irrigated farmland type in north-central Colorado. Findings: The Pheasant Population: Direct counts of pheasants with the aid of a spotting scope and powerful binoculars were made in the early mornings during April and May to determine the breeding population. Crowing territories were located, and the number of hens with each cock was counted as many times as possible. Table 1 shows the estimated breeding population by sexes and the sex ratio for the study area. Table 2 compares the 1952 population with those of 1948, 1949, 1950 and 1951. �-26TAPXe1i L, -- Pheasant Breecling Population,, Tirn11ath Farm-game Study Area, 1952. Number of Cocks Land A:rea Number of Hens Total ··37 Irrigated land 9 28 Dryland 3 10 Total 12 38 .. Sex Ratio . . 3d L " 13 l : ·),,J 5o 1 . 3.,2 TABLE 2 ~ -- Pheasant Breeding Population and Sex Ratio Ti:funath Fa.rm-game §tudy Area., 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952 :f>opulatiqn Fluctuation J5ock$ mms Total Yea:f - -·· 1948 34 76 110 ~-.:.~ 1949 22 81 )5e3 22 .4 1950 20 59 57 77 9.1 1951 22 67 89 10•;0 19>2 1.2 3s··· 5o 45,.4 .. .. .._ .-._. Sex Ratio 1 2i,2 -26.4 l : 2.7 3.,4 - 4.,9 1 .. 2 .. 8 l?..5 fl5~6 1 : 3 .. 0 -4J~8 1 J.,2 4Jo3 · · .. ···----~~ Pheasant Nestinj:: An attempt was ma.de during the nesting season to locate all nests established on the study tract,. Perma..'1ent cover was searched at appro:x:imil:tely t1r,o""'week intervals; pastures at regular.:i.ntervals; .and nestsin.:small grains were loca.te¢L by searehin,g on> f oqt arid by riding the pomb;ine. · Dufing the .first, a.nd of the second.; qutting of. alfalfa the. wr-iter accompanied the .·· .. mowers to optain data on h"1n m9rtalityand. n.estde$truction~ Ail.fields we~e .searched on footlmmedj_a,tely . aftef raking ··the first and se~orid ~utting, and spot checks were rna9-e :Ln the third cutting. · ·· · .··· ·· part. �-27- to Becal1Se of. p6ssible •damage the·. g±-o~ing crops, ..cBfri arid .beet fie1ds ·. were .• not. completely• searc:l:led., Spot checks were :made in so:me fields, and o:i.d_di.;.; · tional information was furnished by irrigato:rs.. :·.:-...-:···:·.: ··. · The .main he sting cov-{r ~;r~es .. ?n/the . •. S~u.cl;f af~a. are. listed tind&i ?. }najor catago:ries; permanent cover;· pasture/·sma:tr<grainfields; alfalfa and sma11·grain stubble~ Nests are occasionally found in other types, but these.five are the principal ones used .. Tables 3 through 12 inclusive present the information obta.ined cm nest location and nesting success the se-vera.l types, and pa:ttiallycompa.re the 1952 data with that for 1948, 1949., 1950 and 195L TABLE 3. - Principal Pheasant Nesting Cover-types., Number of },'Jests, Number of Nests Successful and Per Gent of Nests Successful by Types, Timnath Farmg~e Study Area, 1952 .. Nu:mbe:t of Nests Permanent Cover 2 Nu:mber of Nests Successful 1 50 .. 0 o.. o Small Grain Stubble . . >·o:o Pastures Small Grain 6 Alfalfa 26 TABLE 4" -- Number of' Nests Established andNti.mber of Nests Successful, Small Gra:Lns, Timnath Far.m-garne Study Area, 1952 .. Cover fype Irrigated Barley Nu:mber of Nests Number of Nests Successful 3 2 .3 1 Per Cent of Nests Su.Ceess 33 .. .3 ------------""'-----·---!'<"6-"' ---------------50 .. 0··.··· 6 .3 �-28TABLE 5 .. -, Principa,l fl'lea,sar1t .•Westin~ Coyer Types, llrynibe:r Qi NEJsts and Per Cent Success by Types; Fam..;ganie. Study .~:real 1948. th:rou~h .J:?52 ... i~:tmnath Permanent Cover Small Grain····. Stubble Pastures Small 11 14> s1~1 so.o 60.0 77 42 33,.3 6 .. o 10,.9 Gra,ins Alfalfa Total It is interesting to note that the . ciata for small grain above show con~istently high success year after year. However, such a small percentag~ 6f hens ne13t/ .· in small gra~ns; as .compared to. alfa.lfa that the effect on tota.l. production is negJ.igible even in a good production yea.r., ·· · TABLE 6 .. - Ca:uses of Pheasant Nest Destruction., Timnath Farm-ga:me Stttdy Area, 1952 .. Causes of Destruction nf~tu:rbanci··o:t her1e;rr@st or i•···· . bY 9-gr:tcuJ.t,µ:ral> aci:.ivities: ·.· .c(;'.)y!2lr Mowing · · ·. · · · · ·· Binding & Mowing (small grain) PlQv1ing Jr},o od.;e:t lJ.. 8 . 6.. 9, ·····1 3 3;.;5 10~3 l 6 20.,1. Pi 9qi,ng ................. . Di tclf c1earii.ng Death of :Female (mower) ......4 Injury to Female (mo1orer) 4 lJ.8 3~5 13.8 Predation: • . · · •· .· · 1'1agpie Crow Total 100 .. 0 �-29- TAB~ .'I•ii c".·. Gaus~~ of . fllealj:l~t i l'l!=lst.JJ.E:1st.:ru91:iiof1, .· '.I'~~th.F'ar-,rn.... game S~y.9,y 1\!'~;a, 19h8 · through· 1952 .. i so':o····· · .· .· · · §i:1····· 15,.9 20 .. 1· lJ;..8 6.,9 29.:5> 2.3 2 .. 3·• 6.. 9 ,... ····: .": T48IE 8,. - l\qJ,mber.of':.Hens·Flushed, ·.Number,:of••Hens kille~•···•·•and•··•Ntunbe,r•••of• Chicks KLlled.11 Fi!"St Ufalfa Momng, Timnath Fam.;.ga.-ine Study Area, 1948 through 1952" Year ~hel'of Hens Disturbed . .... N"wnber. of ~E)~~ . . Killed or . Injured . Numte.r.•. o.; . ¢~±§~~··. ·•. or Inj11:r:ed. ~~ Killed . . . . . . . .•. . . .•. . . •.:. . .),•. ,,3. ,)· · · · · · 12 0 25 38 15 7 9 ~4,B!!, .~~/- :Hen Injury fuid Disturbance, First ilfa.lfa Cuttirigj Timria.th Fam.J game. Studylrea.,·······1952;.. i .·.·.· Number Mower Killed Badly Itljured (mercy killed) · Total Killed Injured, but not Killed IIIJttred.. Seriously. (probably .die) Injttred; but Probably Live · · · · Total: Injured A,:w\areritlf urihim.ea.. 6 .15 - ~ - - _...._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _........_ _ , . _ ............. .- .Total Disturbed A ,,, �-30- 4"1:BU: 1.0., . . ;.;;; Pheasmt Morta.litf ·md ln;faey, Timnath Fa.hn...gmn~ Study· Area.,·· 19;2., dr Motta11t.1 o:r Injur:, . Tractor Mower inJ lat, cut Alfalfa. Juv-.. 2nd cut Alfalfa Totals l 13 6 1 9 4 1 16 5 6 an.~. 'l'ABI.E U •. .....,··· J~, August, Sept13!1lber Brood Counts, Timnat.J;r P'-arm-ga:me Study A:rea: and·Surrounding Territory,> 195? ... · . . .. ·. . . . Number ot Young >per Brood Number of 'l'ot·l:l.:t·· · Broods Young/ 2 2 4 4 15 s r l···· 2 l 4······--···· Area Within a Ten-mile Ra.<U.ns of Study Area 3 1·· ll l 1 . . . . . . . . . . :1 10···. 14 Totals, Su,rrotmding Area . 6 7 8 ·9 �Thf1 fall population of pheasants on the ~rea may be calculated by adding the breedi.ng popuJation to t.he .nnrnber of chi(':ks from succ,,ssful nests, 1 .and tracting birds killed during the nesting season Thr1s, 60 ( the nambt:c1t of ck,'., hatched):: plus SO (ths breeding pc,pulation2. minus 16 ( the number of chicks killed}.t minus {tho pumberqfhen:3 killed), minus cthe number of cocks killed}, equal$ 6L, If the chicks hatched were of a 50"""'.$0 .sexratio and -were k::l.J.1ed :L11 the same ratio, t,he fa11 sex rat,:'Lo of the phea.sa.nt pQpU·· la.tion should be 1 z 1 y; , 9 1. A popu1at1on of DlJ.. on the . ~t,udf grea (l.f' a.. section tmd a half ind.icstf,s the average fall populntior:. for the locality to be 56 birds per sect:i.on.. Table 12 shows the ca.1culated fall popuh.tion per ser.tion for the past .5 ye;3.rs ~ TABLE 12. --~ Calculated Pheasant Population per Sect,ion During the Fall" T:Lrm1,t1:.h Farm-game Study Area, 1948 through 1952, Year 1948 1949 1950 19Sl 1952 Cocks 22 Hens Juveniles Tot,sJ. J8 J.4/:l 120 168 21. 73 14 3h. 15 34 15 26 l3 8 2ca 19 54 56 29 That production indicated on the Timnath Area is not wholly t;y-pica.l of the north-central Colorado region may be shown by comparing brood-count data 1950 through 1952 These da.ta a:re show11 in Table 13., and indicate that pro,... duction was actually higher in 1952 than during the two previous years, '.~Apµ; !:~,' ~- August Brood Counts:, North-central Colorado~ 1950 - 1952, Year Miles Dri,ren 1950 1951 473 l.9S2 367 Broods Seen 22 36 47 500 I t :l_cS . • ·(;t0tr1···d· "-'<· 9 U e. .d. J• · +'.-····· VlieJ:~e.i.Ol'.'e., .th·a ·t· p .Vtlles per Jk:.1od 21,5 13,9 7,8 ··1e· th ·· ··· ·······t· h a~ 1 OS · t·, g;roun · · ····ct· · ' WuJ.. · e p· h·easan S].UCe about 1945, it has· shown some :i.ncrease in production Sihce:1949~ Moreov.er/ ;i.,. this gain has been :made against steadily decreasing habitat and adverse land- use, the primary :reason for which,· is· credited to weather. that genera~ly favored·.· nesting success ihd retafdatiori· Of mo'liirig>at cr:tttdal hatching periods,. · · · · · · ······· · · .......... · ····· ···· ·· ·· · · .... · �--32- SUMMARY: 1. The 1952 breeding population was 12 cocks and 38 hens, a sex-ratio of l to 3.2. 2. The breeding population has varied each year between a high of 110 in 1948 and 50 in 1952, The nwnber of cocks per hen decreased somewhat each year. 3. Alfalfa proved to be the preferred nesting cover in all five seasons and more young were produced in that type because of the greater proportion of nests. /.'. The fall population of the study area was computed at 84 pheasants with a possible sex-ratio of 33 cocks to 51 hens or 1 cock to 1.5 hens. 5. A brood average of 6.6 was obtained from a'count of 32 broods within a ten-mile radius of study area. 6. Although a comparison of calculated fall populations per section of land showed a decrease for the study area, a brood count in north-central Colorado showed· more broods seen in proportion to miles driven than were seen the previous two years, Prepared by___L_._J_a_c_k_L~f_o_n___ Approved by____________ Federal Aid Coordinator Date October 1952 ---"'-"-'-----=---=-------- Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �JOB COJVJPLE'rION iiEPORT INVESTIGA'l'IONS PROJECTS State of_.....::C.::.:01::;0::.:RAD=.::.o_ _ __ No. Title W-37'-R-6 Nesting Studies. Object: To find methods of preventing nest destruction" Scope: Arkansas Valley. Donald H. Nolting. Techniques: A total of 295 acres of alfalfa hay were checked during 1952 to determine nesting losses and in an attempt to devise some plan for preventing these losses. Data were obtained by riding the mowers, walking the fields behind the rakes, and from selective farmer interviews in cases -where the landowner was known to be reliable and interested in the work. Peak mo-wing dates -were derived from notes taken throughout the mowing season. Peak hayfield hatching dates were computed by aging chicks and embryos which were destroyed by the :mowers. This survey included 265 acres in Otero county and 30 acres in Bent county. AH hay was cut by tractor-powered mowers. Of 15 nests sampled, all but one -were destroyed by the mowers. The remaining nest was successful. Two broods were observed; one brood was completely destroyed and the second suffered a 75% mortality. No cocks were observed to be killed. Pe-rtinent data obtained durlng the survey are listed in Table 1. This table also points out a fairly heavy loss of certain other animals, particularly cottontail rabbits. Active nest destruction was found to be one nest per 21 acres, A sample of 10 nests containing complete clutches placed the average clutch size at 9,3 eggs. TABLE 1, - Pheasant Hayfield Nesting Data - 1952. Acres Mowed Nests Observed 295 15 (Destroyed by mowing 14) Hens Observed Hens Kil.led Hens Crippled Broods Seen iGlled or Cr1.ppled Cottontai,ls Killed ''i<1'I'ltmitS Killed Other An::Lma1s, 1Zi;.;:;.J.; :;l;.;:,e. =dc.. ,_______ 35 (Successful 7 3 2 15 37 5 2 House Cats 1) �-34The peak mowing period in the va.lley is becoming increasingly difficult to determine,. More widespread use o.f alfalfa grinders and dehydrating machinery is one factor., These .operations started this year as ea:rly as 1".iay 20 .. A new industr;y involving the extraction of chlorophyll from alfalfa for commercial purposes was iriaugurated this year,. These operations also began at an early date- In general, however, the large part of the hay harvest occurred bEftwee:n May. 28 and June 7 .. A sample of 12 nests and two broods were used in computing peak hatching dates~·· . This in.formation follows in Table 2. TABLE 2.. - Computed Hatching Dates .. Bi-monthly Period May 15-JO June l - 15 June 16 - 30 July 1 > ~.·. ,15 Number Percent 2 . ·.•.·.·• 2 14,,3 14.;3 .f 64.3 7~1 1 . ·.... Totals Analysis: . Consis:t~ntly mildweather.conq.i:tions in .the area were favorable to t:ioth alfalfa growth and phea.sa.11t nesting act:Lv:i,ty.. Both peak hatching and peak mowit1g dates.for 1952 were advanced a.bout ten days ahead of the dates for 1951~ The pe.l.k of mowing 9ccurred previous th.e period wh.en ·the major-i ty of nests were due to hatch; however, early hatches were somewhat more numerous. this year ..... Broods were . also observed ap,d. reporte1 \More frequently this yea:r., No hail storms. with their accompanyingdestructfon to wildlife and cover were recorded~ .·· ln gene:i'.'al, it :ts believed that cur'.rent conditions to were :more favorable for pheasant nesting.success,a1thou.gh high destruction and n1ortali ty continued., · ·· · · ·· · · ·· ·· · · The development of a suitable flushing device for preyenting hen losses continues to be a problem,, Experiments with a. flushing bar during 1951 and observations made this year point out the folloi,ing apparent behavior of the nesting hen,. In most cases, the approach of the tractor and the accompanying noise and disturbance causes the hen to freeze more closely to the nest instead of•• flushing~ The action of the flushing bar caused birds to react in a similar manner,, It is believed that this beht;,Jtior will be difficult to overcome and will oe a deciding factor in the development of any suitable flushing device~ �-351. A survey of 295 acres of alfalfa hay showed a heavy destruction of pheasant hens with their broods and nests, A similar loss was noted for cottontail rabbits. 2. Fa,vc,rabl.e weather factors advanced both the mowing season and the nesting season. Observation and reports indicated that early successful nests were more numerous this year than in the past. 3. A factor to be considered in developing any suitable flushing device is the tendency of the pheasant hen to freeze on the nest when disturbed instead of attempting to escape. Prepared by Donald Nolting Approved by "'"""1",..e'""'d-e-ra-l~A'"'i,..d.,..·""C,...o-o-r""'d'""i-na_t.,..o_r_ Date_____O~c~t~o~b~e~r"-'1~9~5~2=-----c..- Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��-37JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PR.OJEC'rs State of COLORADO Project No. W-37-R-6 Work Plan No. _ _-=I'--_ _ _Job No. 3 Ti.tle._____.;B:.:r:.:o:.:o:.:d:...::S.:u::.r..:..vc;.e-.·c.··_______________________ Object: To determine accurate methods for ascertaining annual pheasant production and the factors affecting. Scope: West-central Colorado: Montrose counties, Personnel: Heported by: Rio Blanco, Garfield, Mesa, Delta, and Wayne W, Sandfort and Dwight E, Owens. Wayne W,. Sandfort. Methods: Methods used during the 19.52 season were modified somewhat from those previously used and, therefore, are presented in detail here, Broods were counted in August during designated times of day, generally between 5:15 and 7:30 a,m,, and 5:00 to 7:15 p . . m,, while driving approximately 20 m,p,h. on designated routes or through designated areas.. All pheasants were observed first with binoculars and then flushed, unless type of cover or location of birds did not warrant this procedure, The time of observation and number of birds were recorded .. Pheasants were classified as:, (1) mature cock, (2) broodless hen, (3) hen with brood, (4) juvenile (including number in brood), and (.5) pheasants (unclassified), sex and age undetermined. The estimated age of juveniles (broods) was recorded and an indication as to accuracy of the count was entered on the daily tally form. An accurate count was indicated only when it was felt that all young had been observed, Information concerning weather and cover conditions was recorded during each counting period-. Several broods and broodless hens were observed off of regular treml routes, These were recorded as "miscellaneous observations., 11 Data from these counts are not used in the calculation of broods per mile, broods per hour, or pheasants per mile, Findings: Eighty-eight pheasant broods were observed during 22 trips in five westcentral Colorado counties from August 11 through August 28. Accurate counts were ootained on .54 of these broods, Fifteen additional oroods were counted accurately at various times and were recorded as "miscellaneous counts,,._tt �-38During the survey j 567 ti.me,, trend routes, requiring 41 hours Jli4,.LOO The principal brood count data from Mesa and Delta counties and t,he eastern part of Montrose county are presented in tables 1 through 6~ Limited infor-rnation was. obtainecl. in Garfield and Rio i3lat190 counties and Montrose county west of the Uncbmpahgre Plateau. Only shoit discussions >of findings in these areas are given~ Brood.Count, Hen .ilnd JuyenileI)a~a, Weflt-central Cqlorado., August, 19,2 • ·. """"''ffl""fl\'i"'"""""""'"~""''tt"""'"t"'/Ji!l:''~ffl=·s=e·--=rn,,""~'li:ffl~C'W""''"'''!'IW7l,....fflll'lWi""""''"'""'"""'"='""''1~-,.. Ngi of B:r-obds Aye., l'Jo,, No of . ·. 'Young per Hens With Young Broods C Counted y County ftJ;~ -.;,,"l'Wt:'~"""ffi 7'U" .. ""'"l"""'"ti"·"'MN ... ''"''\l"'"·b'lt""·!W" Total Brood No. of ·, ~- , , _ · · '" ·-,--.;,, TotalNo" Young b.f . p$r . Heris Seen Hen < _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _........_..___._-.._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _......._ _ _ __...._ _ _ _ _ _. = . ··-..-··. · -· Mesa Delta Montrose COUNTIES _____________________ __ 106 22 18 4"73 21 . 122 b89 5.81 59 309 .5~24 88 26 22 21 59 21_,__ 24 70 Ji;os 4,19. . s~o8 ·4~4l TABIE 2 .. -- l:3:r-9ods Pbsery<:3d.. !>er Mile.an~. ferHqu:r., Morning and. Evening Coun:ti?, West-central Colorado, 1952, J.,/ """~.,;.,_--:··_ .';il~··:·f·:.~.--- __ -~,:_··:·.-:._:.._:~,::··ll,,)._-,-,..<-'~•,:: .." ..':. :. ·:::.:-:::-.. ;: "'"~'Smn · · ...·· . Mile§ > . Hou.rs.... · ~f bods .· Brb6ds Driv,:3n · priven Obse:tved Per:Vti.le County . ,-.. . . . . .,. . >Rt,, . ,__ #1-------------¼~------'--------------Jbt,c..:.·· Mesa · •· Delta ........ LOrtia) . Ift~ #1. (Delta~lustin~ .·........·Cedare~ge). .· Rts,,#1 lfa #'2 (Pea •. • ·. . oi£~~!'.Jt;)a,atfie.....Montrose) Montrbse ALL AREAS .1973 10.,3 · · . .•. 2s······ 26~i •;'69 iJBased on.all broods in evidence -- a single young seen eqliaiiing o:ne ··· brood in. evidence. �-39= TABLE 3., --Broods Observed PerN.il~ central Colorado, 1952 .. · Mesa Hour, Morning C.ounts, West- Jct~~ . Rto #1 (Delta-Austin- Ivlontrose Cedaredge) Rts,. #1 & #2 (Pea·· _.9'reen-Olathe--.Mon~ro se) ALL Ali.BAS .. 254 78.7 6 .. 1 SOe8 3 .. 7 56 ~ 7 4.. 6 19 ~335 · 186 .. 2 ·Jl+.4· $3 .. 285 . • Loma) Delta m 20 ··3~28 > ~276 3"59 · I7l:3a:s~r"on .a11 broods ~n eviden,ce -... a E,ing1e ir~u.~i-se~ equa211n~i ""one ;brood in evidence,. TABLE: 4~ --.Broods Observed 6entra1·colorado, _--- ----~ .Area Cou,nty. . ,~-. ...~-~~"'·"'~-"'-·· .. Delta Rt. #1 (Delta-Aiistin- Montrose Rts. #1 & #2 (Pea Mesa 1-'Iiles Hours Broods . Dfiven Driven . 01J111e:Mr!:id .Pe:t .Mile·. Per Hour Broods 13:roods 53,,1 6 dl3 1 ..62 Rto #1 (Grand Jct .. Loma) Cedaredge) Green--Ola:the-Montrose) 25~4 2.5 l .. 039 .. 40 89., 7 6 .. o 9 .100 ... · 1 .. ~0 ALL AREAS ----~-------~---------------..---168.;2 12ij2 16 J]' Base'ci 6n a11 broods 111 eyiqence ,-- a sine;1e ~oung - ... 095 l ..Jl seen equa111ng one~ brood inevtdence~ TABLE 5. -- Pheasants Obsertred Per .Mile, Morning C6unts; West-central · -····Colorado, 1952.. ;!/ Pheasants.··· .· Miles County . Area ··. Driven obseN~tl·.···· tom.a) Delta< .78*7 115 Montr6Se Rt,, #i (DfJlta4ustin... . . ····.· .• Cedaredge) .. Rts. ii1 & #2 · {Pea 85 '""' 56~7 ..,__,,_ 125 186 .. 2 325 . ALL A~$ ....--,,~'W""''_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. . . , . - ~ - - .- - - · ... l/ :rn61uakS cbcks; hehs, and juveniles~ L46 __ ____ ____~--- 50o8 .Green~Olathe-Montrose ~~-·-· op$ e rv~ d Per Hile ·----------,---------------- -----·""""'"·-··Rt .. #1 {Grartd Jdt . .,;,· ,· Pheasants •. L67 __,_ �-40TABLE 6., ;.;;;.;; Goifrparative Results,. Brood Count Data, }'1esa, Delta, and Montrose Counties; Augu,st, 1950-52,, 1952 Number of broo<:is counted Average number of young per brood Average nmnber of young per hen 30 h~6J 4,.09 Limited.surveys·we:re 6~:rried.Outin the area around Nucla and in Paradox Valley. 'l'wo broods of three and four birds were observed irithe area around Nucla during the evening of August One broodless hen was ·seenQ Residents in this area report that the pheasant population is down and in genera,]. th¢y want a closed sea.~on durin~.~he fall of 1952,. · J9· . · Forty~:fi ve .~lleasants, >irt6l1,1ding nilie niatu.z:e. cocks, 14 juvenil~s, one hen, and 21 1Qirqs (un9].assJ:fied, but :Lncll'.tding a l.arge percentage . of young) . were observed along a 23;;6 mile survey route irz, ParadoxVa1i~y during the morning of Augu,st 20., The high percentage of yout;g,indioates good reproduction .. Residents in the valley favor a closed season, . htJ11JeVe:r. Garfield Gount::e (Rifle-Silt area).: . .. Pheasa.nts were·. difficult to find Tri thfs area;pr6bably because of he,vy cover in uncut . o&t .antl.hayfie1ct8 •.•..•. 5everat hro?cts •.TuTe:re •. otservect, ... however, -avera.girig 5.. .3 young< per brood. Forty.:..four pheasants were counted,, including 34 (77%} young., Residents in the area report generally good reproduction and favor a limited hunting season. Rio Blanco . County (White Rive~. Area)., One survey, a,long it.he Whi~e River Valley from the mouth of Piceance Creek to Rangely, 1,ras made during the morning of Au.gust 16. Thirty-nine phe,asants were observed, i.nciuding 32 (82%) juveniles,. Grouping 6f birds made it difficult t6 determine an average brood size~ Ori~ brogd Of pine, hdwev-er, was seen. Along this same route,; 121 sage grou1:>~ ~rere counted. All sage grouse. were seen in fields between the mouth pf Y?llow preek and. Rangely .. On several occasions · :it was diffj,cult to readily ciistinguish yourig sage grouse from. young pheasants, particularly when their heads c:ould be seen. In the eyent of a himting season in tp,is c1rea, it, appears that · · hutlting of both $age grouse and pheasants should be Eillow'ed to simplify law enforcement. •· Shooting; of .P~easant hens, mistaken for sage grouse_, may present some problems if the shooting.of pll~asants wais rest:rict~d·to only cocks~ �Cover Conditions. Counting of pheasant broods in Mesa, Delta, and }1ontrose ,counties was favored by the high percentage of alfalfa, red clover, barley, oat, and wheat crops that had been cut by the second week of August. As many as 80 fields along a 25-mile survey route contained short stubble and facilitated accurate counting of broods. In Garfield and Rio Blanco cmmties, however, many crops were not cut at the times surveys were conducted. Weather Conditions. Almost daily occurrence of rainfall during the counting period probably influenced considerably the number of broods and pheasants observed. Wet cover caused the pheasants to move to roads and fields containing short stubbles, On several occasions pheasants were on top of bales of to escape conditions in alfalfa and clover crops. Fifty-two pheasants were observed one morning during a survey conducted in a continuous light drizzle and light rain, Analysis and Recommendations: Datll :in table 6 show the steady increase in pheasant reproductive succsss since 1950. Corrparison of findings on "broods per mile" and "pheasants per mile" are not possible because of inconsistency in methods of obtaining data, Based on findings shown in tables 2, 3, and 4, it appears that data., to determine pheasant reproductive success, can be most efficiently and economically procured by confining surveys to morning periods, Counts during early morning were about three times more productive than evening counts, during the 1952 season, Confining surveys to the month of August, about August 5 through August 24, should provide the greatest quantity of useable data in the shortest length of time, Through systematic survey, the "brood count" in itself may provide sufficient data with which to accurately .manage pheasant populations. 11 Bro0ds per and "pheasants per mi.le", in addition to brood averages and the average number of young per hen, should indicate changes in population numbers as well as reproductive success, Special effort should be made to keep dates, time of day, sp,eed of vehicle, and routes uniform, Separa.te analysis of data by morning and evening periods (provided evening surveys are conductsd) should be made, and notes should be kept regarding weather and cover conditions, �-42Northeastern Colorado, Harold M, Swope. Technique: Broods were located almost entirely by auto reconnaissance, A dog wa.s used on the older broods when they could not be flushed otherwise. Broods when counted were placed into two categories dependent upon the accuracy of the count, Broods on which nea.r total counts were made were recorded separately from those which in all probability were not completely flushed, This manner of recording was initiated last year, ¥.dleage and time of sight records were kept in an effort to place findings on a unit production basis, and to determine the daily periods during which pheasant broods were most readily ,seen. Brood counts were not initiated until the last week in July and were continued through the month of August-. Formerly brood counts were made throughout the summer months. Concentrating pheasant brood counts in the month of August is thought to have the following advantages: 1, Finds the great majority of broods at advanced ages, thereby more truly representing the actual production that survives to maturity, 2, Does not disturb and scatter the very young broods., 3, Counts are made after grain (especially wheat) has been cut which tends to force broods to the road-sides, 4, Makes it easi.er to get an accurate count of young per brood because very young birds are comparatively difficult to see and hard to flush. 5, Compacts three months work into one month. Disadvantages of concentrating brood counts in the month of August are. listed below: L The older broods apparently break up into twos and threes, thereby lowering brood averages when counted as one complete brood, 2- Broods tend to group together sometimes confusing counts, 3, It is often difficult to distinguish hens from the young birds, 4, It is difficult to cover all the area and count all the broods desired in one montHs time, �-43Findrn~=··• More broods per unit tim~wereobseried.>d.Ufing-hhe evening counts than dut'ing the :morning counts~.· Morning·observa:tions produced 3,.81 broods per.· hou;r,. Iiver:rin$ COtlfit$. lOcated .f"16 bro6ds perhottr,. . . Bfood cia.ta obtained in sevEni cou.nties :iri no:ftheasterri Colorado is in Table 7. 'rABLE 7.., -- Brood Data and Comparison of Two Pield 'l'abula.tiort Me.thods; · Northea$tern Colorado}' .1952 .. Broods on l-'llhich County . Accurate Oounts<Were Obtained A.11 Brooc;ls Observed NurrlE~" Nu:r11b,2:!i' ot Your1g Per Numb,,,r.· 6t····N1lrrr'6e:1;·· o:c···Y&tuig ~e:r Brood~ Young ·•· · Brood Broods Young Brood Logan 70 Phillips Sedgwick···· 48 ··5'4 Washington 53 Y1l1lla Morgan . . ······ Weld .422 302 . ·399 357 6 .. oJ > 212 .. . . 7 Q39 ·········25 .. ..... 232 6.,74 6~38 . 29 . 9 .. 28 230 7.93 7,,67 6 .. 29 63 402 . 200 ····,.,7r 32 190> 5.,94 35 .· ? ..51 28 14 24 <14. 9 110 184 . . lOT 77 7l86 7,,64 · a.56 / · . Totals . Forty-seven h€ins without . broods were observed whiie the above COU1'.l.t$ were be1.ng ma.de .. Broods•·• per :mile by e:mmty., and ha.bft,a.t types> w.ithiri ·the 9ounty; a.re . giV"en in Table 8• ·. The habit1a.t types referredto are Irrigated valley farnilands, producing mainly alfalfa., sugar beets, corn, and vegetable crops, and the dryland ram are.as {tableland) consist:thg 6£ wheat; corn_, and pasture lands. · ··. · �-44T.A.BLE $ .. - Broods Per Yule and Young Per Bl:"ood by Gollnty and Habitat 'l'ype Within the Cout1ty, Northeastern Coloradoj 1952., County and . Habitat Type. South Platte Valley an Area North (Mostly .6 .. oo Irri •tateid) Tableltmd South of 6 .. 05 Valley 6.,03 Philli.ps County·· . (Dryland) . .. Irrigated Valley.North of Highway # 138 .·.· · 4 Tableland South 6£ HighwaY ll 138 · 7 .. ,52 7,.39. Yuma C6u.nty (Mostly Dey-land) Irrfgated Vall~Y North ' .·.· • . ·. . of Highways # 6 & ..34 · · 10 Area South .· of ·J-Iign.Jays . # 6 & 34. · Morgan County Totals '144 1971 Weld County ( Irrigated and Dryla.nd) .121 · 5.,76 200 5., 71 I f _ 3.24:--·-6-91----19_0-+-_ _ _2_.1_6_1--_ _ ._9_4__ 5_· I 2.,272 �-45Analysis: Phea1ant production in northeastern Colorado appears to be very satisfactory again in 1952. The same was true for the past several yea.rs. Hunting success figures remain low. The question arises -- why then has not our pheasant population multiplied to many times its present number? The answer obviously lies in the winter and nesting losses. Brood counts again emphasize what crowing counts and winter concentration counts have already pointed out; that the bulk of the pheasant population in northeastern Colorado is in the dryland farming areas and not in the irrigated land in the South Platte River Valley as was formerly the case. Scope: Arkansas Valley. Reported by: Donald H. Nolting. Methods: Early morning and evening brood counts were conducted by auto·in the various trend areas of the Arkansas Valley. Broods were flushed when necessary to insure accuracy. Complete information was recorded for each brood observed. More detailed information on methods is contained in the October 1951, Quarterly Progress Report. Counts were also conducted in the vicinity of wildlife habitat plantings made by the Game and Fish Department in order to record any influence on reproductive success exerted by these plantings. Findings: Complete findings are presented in the following tables. Wildlife plantings made during the spring of 1951 near Two Buttes, Colorado were checked briefly. Flood waters during 1951 and the hot dry spring this year, both abnormal in their intensity, had taken a heavy toll of the trees and bushes, Very few were left alive. For these reasons, it is believed the plantings had no effect on pheasant reproduction. No birds were observed in the areas. TABLE 9. -- Pheasant Brood Count Data. Factor Total Broods Seen Total Hens Seen %of Successful Hens Average Number Young/Brood Total Hours Total Miles Broods Mile Hour 1951 SB 79 73-4% 5, 79 78 1263 .0459 .743 1952 39 104 37.5% 4.64 64 806 .0483 .609 �-46-- Estimated Brood Ages,, Numbers of Broods in A,,:e Class :::7 July 24 - August 9 August 10 ... August io - Age in Weeks ' ·;;j( 0 36- l 2 9 12 9 TABLE 11. -- Tin1e Period of Brood Observations" Mornin Minute Relation to Sunrise Evenin? IvJinute Relation 1 ; Number to Sunset ,= 30 to Sunrise Sunrise to /30 · 3 /30 to f60 3 -90 to -60 -60 to -30 -30 to Sunset 11 Sunset to f30 5 f60 to f90 5 3 Number l 6 Ana]ysis and Recommendations~ Several significant conclusions are possible on the basis .of the foregoing data,, Broods observed were primarily of an advanced age throughout the counting period,, This points out the occurrence of an early hatch, shows •this .hatch was. seeminglt ~uc?essful., ... · Young birds of small and intermediate sizes were seldom observed .. Tracing the brood ages backward to their hatching· dates, the majoi'ity of thisyear 1.s prqduction apparently hatched previous to the first cutting of hay,, The destructive intJ.uehces· hayfield harvest operations are heJ.ieved responsible for the absence of' the In Baca Courit;y,; which produces little a was exerted., Again the earliest clutches were successfuL Very hot and dry weather later in the spring adversely affected many clutches. There were two apparent causes" Dryland wheat did not mature hatches~ in many sections and was plowed under, destroying many nests. Also, numerous eggs were found by farme:rs which contained fully developed dead embryos ... 'l'he eggs were seemingly dessicated to a degree that the young were not able to break fro:m·the she.li .. Observation of t>roods per mile and pe:r hour held up closely: witl4 ¢,he previous year .. A decrease was record$d inpez-cent of successful hen$, a:nq.the•a.\rel('age ~::e~:iie;~!::·······~~!e~r~~~; y!:rg~!;~8::I~sf~ea;:~!.• . • ~:~.~~:::!!!~~=i;!:fie!!d . Baca county suffered the most in terms o.:f' expected success~·· serious.. �·_47..., Recording times of observation of the broods shows that. the optimum pi:friod of . observation is.. one. halr' hour before and .~fter •. both $Uh!'l$6. and• sunset• Freque~Clf of qbservatipn dwi.t1cUes\ after- . this pf2oriqd. ili .the morning and. is less previous. to the. evening per.:todm . . ·.· From··the stamip6int 9£ deterroi:nirig·········· broods per :mile, it is important to begin and end counts at the times of day in .relati,ot1. to sunris.e and sunset •. swne "rhe system used in collecting data has b~eri mor,{ period . o:r several y9ar~.~ •· .· . ·. ~1though taitly sinlple . ±~ det.ai1, . .· it 1s .•. believeci thetrend·. figures d,eriyed PY t,his method. are accurate a.nd>give ·a .•. true pie"". ture of pheaSant reprod.uctiv~ success •.· No cha.nges .are reco:rilrnend.ed,, .. Scq12e: ·•·.·.. San Luis V:alley; .. ~~~rted bl: Bertram D$ Baker .. F~ndin~2,: ?f. Follo1ning. ~n taple fo:rm c1.r(:: the .re~11l~s twp/weeks of phea~ant brBod sur-vey.1iJ()J:'kin thEL .San.J,u:Ls VaJ.1ey.. '.i'he . . su!'vey vvas conductE>dinthe same in past years; that is by e,S:riy m~rnin.g and late EWehihg a.Uto reconnai;;Hliance over random routes~ The first survey pe:ri6c1 tan fro:tii .·· Attgust .5 thrq11gh A:ugust 10" >•'l'he ~econd r&~.f:rom ~ugu~t throufsh Aug;ust. manner as 1a. 22~ Th~ t;wq.~:\.gnifica.nt figures fl:re the yqijngper hen and percentage of hens The cover WM ra:nk, but the co:tnparative ease of seeing he11s without young·• to thqse ~ith, E3hoaj.d not. be a:l;t;eri3d., · without broods., .'£ABLE 12~ -- Brood Survey Data, San Lnis Valley, August, 19520 ' "';,.~- ;..~""·-----~------=Aug,,. . 5 - Aug., ""'o"""':r-...··-··-< --""T""'o""t;,;..i$1-1;;t~,,.._ 10 Aug .. 18 - Aug., 22 August p""e_..r...i"""o-d""'. ;t,·""'e"""r~:f... oa""'s-o->f~,·.""'•.·"". -------------..,.,..,.------------------------------,.. TOt&l ff®tis Seen 12 · 23 · Total Hens with Broods Number Hens wi. thout Broods 7 5 T6t~1 Young $@Jen 2:3 lh 9 39., l 46> Average Number Young per Hen . Average Jlumber Y6Uhg per Brood 1..91 3,,2B 2~0 3.,28 PerCent bt Hehs wi tirSufJ Brobds Total Number of Mil.es Broods Per hile JuvertilesPerMile 41.. 66 .. 316~0 e044J · .. 146 �-48- SUMMARY: 1. In west-central Colorado, brood counts indicated an average of 5.24 young pheasants per brood and 4.41 young per hen. This is an increase over 1951 averages which were 4,63 and 4.09 respectively. 2. Counts during early morning were about three times more productive than evening count in west-central Colorado. 3. Brood averages and the average number of young per hen in addition to "broods per mile" and "pheasants per mile" should indicate changes in population numbers as well as reproductive success. 4. Brood counts were made almost entirely during the month of August in northeastern Colorado. 5. During morning counts 3.81 broods per hour were observed. Evening counts produced 5.16 broods per hour in northeastern Colorado, 6, One half hour prior to sunrise to one hour past sunrise, and two· hours prior to sunset until sunset, appeared to be the most productive counting periods in northeastern Colorado. 7. A total of 355 broods, averaging 6,40 young per brood, were observed. 8, Complete, accurate counts were possible on only 143 of the 355 broods, An average of 8.06 young per brood was obtained on these 143 broods. 9. A total of 1,249 miles were driven in counting 355 broods, or 3.52 miles per brood. 10 •.. More broods per mile were seen in the dryland farming areas than in the irrigated valley, 11. The peak of hatch occurred during the week of June 1 to 7, which was one week earlier than in 1951, 12. An average of 4,64 young per brood was observed in the Arkansas Valley as compared to 5.79 in 1951. The broods per mile increased slightly from 0,0459 in 1951 to 0.0483 in 1952, 13, A brood survey in the San Luis Valley indicated an increase from 0.015 broods per mile in 1950 to 0,024 in 1951 and 0,044 in 1952. 14, The average number of young per brood in the San Luis was 3.28 while 2.0 was the average number of young per hen. Prepared by: Wayne Sandfort, Harold Swope Donald Nolting, Bertram Baker Approved by: ,,,..-,-------------Federal lid Coordinator �-49JOB CONPLETION itB:POJ:iT IlWESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO Project No. W-37-R-6 II Job No. 6 ---------·----- ---------- Ti.tle Waterfowl Production Studies To determine through statistically reliable sampling techniques the number of ducks and geese produced on the study areas. ~I Scope: Work Plan No. The Cache la Poudre Valley and the South Platte Valley. Personnel: Reported by: Erwin L. Beeker, Normal L. Hughes, and Jack R. Grieb. Jack R. Grieb. Findings: As in preceding years, the approach in northeast Colorado was both intensive and extensive. On a sample township (T7N, R68W) in the Cache la VaJ.ley, all waterfowl habitats were covered by foot at bi-weekly intervals during the breeding season and a good estimate of total production determined. The South Platte Valley was studied extensively, wherein an aerial trend route was covered three times during the season. The information collected in 1952 for these breeding areas is presented in 'fables 1 to 6 inclt1sive. Cache la Poudre Valley A comparison of' the total territories on the Cache la Poudre study area in and 19.52 shows that for all species there was a 17 • .5 percent decrease in nesting-pair numbers this year (Table 1). 'fhe percent of change given species in this table is valid for only the mallard a.nd blue-winged teal (the only two important ducks) because of the sample size involved. �TAJ:3LE 1. -- Waterf'owl Territo~-:i~s b;" Species, Cache la Poudre Valley, 1951 and 1952 .. 1951 Species Mallard Bl~e w. Teal Ginn.Teal Gadwall Total 1952 Pi::i:rcetit Cha.hge 19.Sl to 1952 103 21 1 -20.4 -19.'0 400.0 6 ...33.3. 3.00 131 • Exa.mination of Table 2 reveals that only two types .(sloughs and rivers) showed ar1 increase ih breeding-pair numbers in 1952. All other types decreased. Tro:tn 22 to 66 percent as compared to last yea.r~ The slough and river increase is believed to have been.caused by the early nesting season which forced t,he birds. choose area.s residual cover such that. fourid types . in- to with as on the vobred; ·n6 other cover·was· availahle·at the begihhing.•of the·nesting season this year.. · · · Production figures' for the study area revea.l<that despite<a. breeding...p/iiir·. deficiendj in J.952/finalpr6ductiori<ofl4 birds per square mile compares favorably with 13 birds iii l.950 and 14 bi:tds in 19$1 (Table 3}. Species contposition remained the same, mallards being by far the most important a11d blue.;;;liinged teals second~ Eight other species were observed du.ring .· the three years but even i.n the aggregate they represent only a very small fraction of the total production. 'l1he llhiformi ty e:xhibi ted in total pro--du.ction during the three-yf$cl!'f)$'.r'idq. isst.rik'.ing and probably significant~ �2. -- Total forrit,ories By Habitat Valley, 1951 and 1952. Habitat Small Lakes and Ponds and Species, Cache la Poudre Percent Change 1951 to 1952 1951 1952 Mallard Blue-w. Teal 17 12 Cinn. Tea:l Total nnd 1 0 -100.0 27 21 -22.2 Species =================- ·-· 3 6 5 4 -29-4 /.66.6 .3 5 58.3 l 1 l oo.o 17 7 -58.8 4 8 O 3 flO0.0 f-300.0 12 19 Mallard Blue-w. Tual Total and Average 12 22 14 22 /.57 .1 Mallard 16 4 0 11 3 l -31.2 -25.o f-100.0 20 15 -25.o 2 0 -200.0 18 6 -66.6 22 18 2 0 -18.2 -200.0 24 18 0 131 108 Mallard Blue-w. Teal Cinn. Teal Total and Average 12 4 75.o -~==============,====== oo.o 8 8 Mallard ====··==·-==''''·-,-,-· Sloughs River - Creeks and Drain Ditches Blue-w. 1'eal Cinn. Teal Total and Average Teal 0im1. Teal ·rotal and Average 2 •-======-====================== 16 6 -62 Mallard Irrigation Ditches Irrigation Canals Grand Total Blue-w, Teal Total and Average Mallard Blue-w. Teal Total and Average �.:' : :. . . / ; . . BROOtrS~: OBSERW , r.:; . : •, :·. ; Sum.her Brooas · ·•••·Percent Total ---,mm5er of Young . Average N"un£:er Young Pro~uction per . . . . . . . . . .· ·. . · . Nmriher .Br®tts . . . .. (> per Br?od ~ ::S9J?,a:fe :~p.e .-.. . i (l9$t) (:r9:Si 1;951. '1950 ; :(95:Lr) J952(.·fQ5.b; ~ 19$i i i9S2 :./:1956 :19si {195?) 1956 ) f9$~ .• 1952 Mallard r,.·. 62 : 54 ::- 13 Blue--.w. ~eal 18 16.l 30..5 22 .. 0 . Ci.nnamon!) T-e.cil . _. -~ Green-w ..\ Teal 19 305 Jti1 5.a5 5.BGi 6.43 · 10 .. oa :a;4s 9)64 165 168 6.oe 6.6oi 6..oo 2 .19 L 4. 66 J~OO \ .1.2· _._ l 1.2 . -- l 1.2 .9 ···.·· .9.00. 0~2$ 6 6~o0 /.· 0.16 t Lesser Sea.up Redhead•••••.·... l Gadwall 1 :· _'. .•r ·.-'.. 1 _::,.;-.-.: Ruddy Duck ;.;.i.. . . .......... • ·.·••2 L.2 i /· l .. . ·: .·. 1~2f '¾. ·..·· :.· . .·····.. 0.14 i ;);so. :. · i /0}25 •s . . ·. >33 2.:n 6~00 s.5<> t).19. 0.16 '.0.• 92 5.00 9/ ::: .. =: 1/ 1.rr •· .· 7 ·•.··· I. .· . . 0.08? :0.:30 0.18···· ··· ...... ··.···...·_· ... .: .. ·. ·•·• · < .: · •·•· ?-1{ \J\ N 0.16 0.22 L s 6.60 6 > i.~ ... rr· '.,.i .1 '.i6 • J.1 6..06 8.00 1.2 .. . .·.· .· J .oo 11...ocf •· • 1.2 ·1 ·. 11 .••. :•1.2 >L2; ·•· · ~- BaldpateC Unidentf.l'ied ·. .- 1 Pintail 6 ::, . ._.:_ : ... : -•.' .•:.. 0)19· ,. :.• Total 81 !A2 82 100.0 160.0100.0 466 508 509 5. 75 6 •. 2Q 6.29 12 .9s :: 14 .11 :i4C14 �-53Evaluation of production by cover types shows that many more broods were produced on the river in 1952 (Table 4), This corresponds to the findings of the breeding-pair survey. Although breeding-pairs were increased on the slough type, production was not greater this year, probably because of a severe hail and rain-storm which filled sloughs and destroyed nests. When considered over the three-year period, sizable water bodies such as lakes and reservoirs were most important with canals and sloughs ranking second in production per square mile. Irrigation ditches and the Cache la Poudre River were fairly important as nesting sites during 1950 and 1952, but relatively unimportant in 1951, Final calculations reveal that 75,9 percent of the breeding pairs successfully produced broods in 1952. This success ratio was much higher than in when only 62.6 percent of the breeding-pairs were successful. No comparative data are available for 1950, South Platte Valley Due to insufficient time and man-power it was impossible to cover the South Platte study sections as in past years. Ra.ther, all information presented here is oased on aerial trend counts for 1951 and 1952, This two~year summary is tabulated in Table 5, and reveals that breeding-pair numbers in 1952 were fewer than in 1951, The comparison is, however, affected two major uncontrollable factors. In 1951, the water level of the South Platte il.i ver was low as compared to· 1952; sec.ondly, nesting season in 1952 was advanced by about 10 days. These facts alone would partially account for the high number of ducks seen :tn 1951.,, because migration was proba.bly still in progress on the date of the plane coverage. Aerial brood counts in 1951 and 1952 show that the earlier 1952 enumeration was much less than 1951 (Table 6). A later count gave totals very similar to those of 1951; however, it is doubtful whether either of the 1952 flights were comparable to 1951 because of phenologj"cal differences between the two yea.rs. General observations in the South Platte Valley tend to clarify the results of the aerial surveys. Without question there were fewer breeding-pairs in the Valley this year; however, it is believed that the excellent nesting and brood-rearing season permitted final production figures to approach those of 1951. �TABLE 4. -- Waterfowl Broods by Cover Types on Township 7 North, Range 68 West, Colorado. 1950, 1952, and 1952. Type .. Percent Total Number Broods Numbeit> ~of . Broc:>ds NUMBER OF BROODS OBSERVED Number of Average Number Yolmg ~ r o o d . >- Production per Square llile 1~01~95'~-~-19>1 . Lakes and Reservoirs 27 52 42 33,3 63,5 51.2 162 328 253 6.00 6.31 6.02 4,50 9.11 7.02 Sloughs and Marshes 11 12 10 13,6 14.6 12.2 78 63 6.oo 6,50 6.30 1.83 2.17 1,75 .Jl i:- 66. 9 19~~-·-n:so~-Ei;-2· I Irrigation Canals 16 8 10 19,7 9,8 12.2 95 51 71 5.31 6,38 7,10 2.64 1.42 1.97 Irrigation Ditches 14 3 3 17.3 3,6 3,6 59 14 19 4,21 4,67 6,33 1.46 0.39 0,53 River 9 4 15 11.l 4,9 18,3 60 19 95 6.66 4,75 6.33 1.67 0.52 2,64 Creeks and Drains 4 3 2 5,0 3,6 28 18 8 6,00 6.00 4.oo 0.67 0.50 0.23 Total 81 82 82 100.0 100.0 100,0 466 508 2.5 509 5,75 6.20 6.21 12,95 14,1114.14 �'l"lLBLE 5~ __, Comparison of Waterfowl Breeding-Pair Counts, South Platte River, 1951 and 19:52. Area I -- 41. Miles,• Derby to Greeley•· Lone Males Total Pairs Species 1952 195'1 1952 ·1951 23 . ··o· 69 30 0 0 7 1 0 l 2~ 2 1 1~68 .12> .17 .· .05 83 33 1952 1951 7 5 1 Gadwall 7 1 Pint~i1 2 0 ~;r-~+-va....,1,-------6.,,,7~---:.9. 16 b 1951 Mallard 53 '.J.'otal Pairs "per. Mile Including Lone Males lb .... ...... 5 l .• 2;;02 .. .· 1952 .73 · ..• 02 .02 . .02 .79 _________..;.______A_r. .e_a_. . _II-·.-_-_,.5..,.2_..,.M_il_e_s'"""'}_.•·••-G...;r_.ee_l__e"""y_._t_o_]_ao_r_t_J_lio_:t_,"g"--a_n_..·.....· ·. ~~,·. .·.--··=··,,_.,,,.;."'--....,.'·:·------··;---,;..-l!allard 69 ~. 9 6.. 10 . ., 31 1 1 12 o 100 . 21 22 3 2 1..92 .s2 .$2 .,42 .o~ Gadwall c_ 2 .0 •·. 27 ~05 Pintail 0 ·1 0 O 0 l . o.oo .02 -To_t_a_l_ _ _ _ _ 12-1-.·-----1-6-·.---3-3--"'--'-"12......--··•-i;:-i;--·--.--2...,,_8.-··------·~ .96-----.5-7.·. - - ==,================================·~. ~-~============·=·==~·==:;··=====;:·=··= Area III -- 43 M:il~S, .· .. Morgan to Sterling Mallard 34 12 6 17 29 .93 > •• 67 Teal 16 2 1 . l J .39 .07 _Ga_d_w_a_l_l_ _ _ _ _6_··...._~-...._·_z. . . ._____._2_·_ _-·__o __. .•·---"-----~--2_··- ~ ~ ·...."___•..,.1_9_ _____..._~~Q:5 Total ;;6 16 9 18i 34 Area IV ;;,._ 68 Mi1es, Sierling :to Julesbll!'g Mallard '.Peal 10 ·. 1.51 •79 ;!/ 20 27 . 47 ·. 10 }i · 13 ~19 ·. 3 9··· .13 Jadwall 6 .69 _1_,._....,.__ _...__,_.....o_·---'···'""-····_.___._-,...·. . . _.__,_ _1_···_. - - - - · - - - - - - - · - · - - J 0_2_ __ ·. JJ 70. l~ 03 ;;.1:,1;;:;:,.)======· ·-=..,,·;j::;_",-'.C'~~·;;:..:0:,:::!·- . ~"':;:::"·=.,;;:::.. ==:;;;;;;::::::;··==·::::-::::::.··:::;::"-==··:::;::.==============c:::::::=::=•'.•i::::•··=-~·~~-====="":::::·= .. ~:1 i\.r,, .:v was not flown in 1951 dne t.o h:igh 'Winds arid sevcn:·e turbulence. _1::i_a1_.c_,,tp_a_t_e_ _ _ __,..c_ _ _ _ _ _• . T'o· :.;::l 1 10 �-5&.. TABLE 6., -- Aerial Brood Counts, South Platte River, 1951 and 1952 .. _______ ---.----"'"'.-......-- ----------- "'"~"_,_.....,._. Area .. ....... .,._ Numbe.t,df Bt-qOd.$ ·······•·19!:;f · .·. 19t2··'-s•·"""':""'>""";""-.......'-=lfud... ¥.lid- Early lf.Jid- Mid.;. Early July July Ati£?:ust . July Jjf o ... ;j!i · ·..., ,_ _,,,;,;;.;;;liwo,o"" . :No* _,:12.> 2Youniz/Brood ·. ,,. . . ,,;,;;,;,,.1.,.;;,,,•• Mid- Early . t -"''''""'-•""•'•""'".....,,,,.,_,,,,,,_. · · - ·. " ' " S S 0 _ _ , . . ~ ' - ~ ' ~ ' 7 ' . • 4 4 Denver - Greeley Greeley,- Fort Morgan Fort Morgan - Sterling ·7 Sterling .... Julesburg 16 3 2 10 12 15 Total 21 31 31 19 14 24 91·· 2 4 4 . 148 95 . 159 . ,.1 . . ·.. : - · : : : ~ - ~ ~ . 1 ~ ; . ~ ~ ~ _: Br9wn 1 sPark,Moffat County, Colorado. 11.opox·tnd t:y: John R. Tester Fil1ding?: B:reeding...pair counts in BrownJs Park were initiated on 1\pril 2?; 1952, al though migrating birds we:t-e ,still coming.into t;he area. /These counts were terminated the week of June 1-7 •• By this date many of: the males had banded together, and some broods were seen~ 'fable .7 illustrates the form used to record the data: from the breeding pair counts~ •,A. separate form was kept for each species oi1each of the 8 study areas. After th1:> final count, an estimate of the· total nttniber of breeding pairs of each species on eacli lake was made by . studying the figures in the colutrlll headed 11 IndicatedBreeding Population!!~ The breedi:ng population believed to be present on each lake is shown in . Table 8. · · · · · ·. · The first broods, \see11 on May were those of idanada geese. The first duck broods ,were seen. May Goose, ma.llard, and pintail bro,ods were common early- in the seaaon, while redhead and teal broods predomtnated ::ui:ter~ •· The la:r-gest number of broods was seen the ~re$k of J'uly 1j.;;.19,. Back...dating indicates the approximate peak hatching period to have been June21·to July,5e The last broods -were seen the week of August lQ-16., The brood data obtained is presented.in Tables 8 and 9.. · on 2,8 ... �~ABLE 7. -- Sample Form Used to Record Breeding Pair Counts in Brown's Park., Colorado, 1952 .. POPULATION DATA FORM Species_<_·•______M_a_l_l_a_t_d_ _ _ _,...__ _ _ _study Area_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ N_um_b_e_r_··_6__________ 17 1/0... April27 -- .··21 1/1- 37 2//1- ·• . 47 ·•· 4 Ma:y '.3 lt;y 4 ~··10 l 14 lfay 11 - 17 3 s. 6 8 S/ 0/1- ·2.;.,;0- i Total Total Females 4 4 4 15 15 16 30 8 5 8 13 14 '~;8· 14 22 19 ii') 2:t 28 _:.:-:_:.: 2 9 ·. . ~:· --:.:.:·: .-.- .. ·· 14 Jl:ll:1.a :L, :- '.!· . . . 11 .. l/ Lone Males ~- tone females ,.·. . .·. · Indicated "67 Tota.I Ooserved Breeding Populat'.ion Population Males. . ... >···· . J.6 . ·.·•· · · J;i. .·. y Pairs ., > ··• lf!> Two or more m~l~s with one fefuale (courting party) ',/ ......T:wo . . or mo.re males ..... "(j/ Iti.dicated breeding population is determined by adding the numbers of lone males, pairs, courting par.ti~s; and Ione··. females.···. Estimated breedi~ng>populati':on: on this i!i:tea is sixtee.npairs ···•· 0 �TABLE_!., -- Breeding Pairs and Broods Observed on Each Study Area in Brown's Park, Colorado, 1952. No~ T Study Area A {I) ·····rl H 'd •rl ((l 'Cl bl) b:() i::, .. W •rl ':J;;i· (fj 'd : No~ 4 3 No,. bJ) !lO Species··· No. 2 .i:: [f.) ·:·.r-1 H "Cl •rl !)) ' ·:· . 'Cl 0 0 H ~ •rl ·w ~o [f.) "t:1 •rl 0 0 "ti •d (IJ H··· 'tl •rl 0 'd •rl (l) nl H JXl CQ H 5 4 15 10 Pintail 3 ... Gadwa11 18 3 Shoveller 3 1 Teals 11 l 2 l 10 4 2 2 3 Redhead 12 .3 3· 1 ;15 12· 1 2 4 Ruddy Duck 3 2 .... 2 4 1 1 JJnidentified .;:,;,,.,, ···:.:f 7 2 70 27 0 ~&! --~- Canada Goose :Mallard Totals ' ... H 0 ....0 Cl) .A., p:;:, (D k ~ p::i·· PQ·.....• 10 ID 2 3 r:q Q) qj t-l IJ}f:\., H CQ CQ 4 'Cl 0 ,,, 0 &! CQ (fl cO i:; (I) b.O ;::::· ff) (I} 'D •rl >-~ (I] •rl H 'd ,,4 J,4 'O •rt 'd H CQ ID .. ·CU © tt.., H ••.•.••••.• J:Q 0 0 CQ i:-t 'd •rl ()) ,;tj iJ) A.. 0 0 H ID, 4 5 7 12 10 16 11 ... 1 3 l 1 30 22 10 6 3 25 4 94 H ,,,,,,,:f:l'.:l• H b.l) ~ !)) 3 5 1 4 2 i 18 Q) Q) !)) 1 1 3 1 'D •rl ..., 7 2 16 15 C1l Cl.. •..i:c1 .... ' - H CQ s ,.. '4 21 16 ·-- 3 2 --e-:: 3 1 5 9 5 L .. 33 ;' 6 7 10 d:_; 21 5 - .... 3 -.· 1 25 14 11 ~ a:, f 1 2 30 Q) Q) 0 0 3 ··-- 2 57 No. 8 Nd; 7 5 38 39 . �It is apparent that all the breeding pairs of each species on each lake were not observed when one notes that the number of orciods of some species exceeded the number of breeding pairs believed to be present in the area, Due to the extremely dense cover on most of the marshes it was not possible to locat,e all the br•eeding-pairs or all of the broods present at the time of observation, At present the differences in the breeding~pair-brood ratios for the different lakes must be attributed to inconsistent observation techniques necessitated the topography and to ff10.rcmc:es in the vegetative cover ori the areas. Further research is planned which may reveal the actual prcportion of pairs and broods which were seen during any one coverage md during the entire breeding season, Therefore, the production figures presented in this report are the minimum for the area, On thi.s 1$-square mile sample, constituting 100 percent of the watarfowl nesting ground in the Colorado portion of Brown's Park, the breeding~pair density was 19.6 per square mile. Brood density was 13,8 per square mile, giving l,4 pairs of M.rds pcir brood for the Production, expressed number of young produced per square mile, was 96, 7. The indicated production for the entire park was thus l,l.51 young. No mammalian predators were seen by the writer in the park, but residents reported seeing civet cats and mink in the vicinity of the river. }Jagpies were seen occasionally throughout tho riverbottom and adjoining marshes. Several great horned owls nested in the park and may have preyed on ducks, although no duck remains were found at the nest sites. Scant remains of one mallard were found near the shore of area Number 1, but it was impossible to determine the cause of death. The only other sign of predation was in a mallard nest where several were broken, possibly magpies. No poaching was discovered and probably none occurred in the area, as only one· family lived in Brown's Park during the summer ( the rancher was a deputy sheriff). There are no roads near the marshes so road kills were non-existent, Before waterfowl nesting started the Green River overflowed its banks due to unusually heavy snow cover in the lower elevations and flooded much of the bottomland in the park, This forced the ducks to seek higher ground for nesting and averted much nest loss due to flooding when the secood period of high water reached the area. Ideal weather prevailed throughout the breeding season, Each of the eight ma.rshes in Brown's Park has all the requirements of ideal waterfowl habitat; food, wa.ter, cover (both emergent and shoreline), and loafing spots, No recommendations for management can be made from the present study, �TABLE 9 .. -- Observed 'Water.fowl• Pa:trs and) Brdods, Bi-0~ 1~ Species >Percent ;Breeding > Pair~ : > of Tt>tal Nmnbel ot / Broods -:---- Canada Goose 2.1 Mallard 121 ·.·.· • • • 38.8 • . •.• ... 4.S •· · Pintail 14 Gadwall" 60 :::. ,·.. · .. ,· ... 19.2 •· Percent.'. .dr Total .: Number 6:t: . /.Youn_g : _._ _ 17···· :-.· Paz:k,) Coloiad'.ol 1952. !/ 8.0 f 10 9 .· · :·:. :-···· ·:· · ... 662; ?go h~t / :66 4~) 5$ Shoveller 7 2 .• 2 > <L ~5> (r Teals h9 .. 1$. 7 f ii 31 11.4 283 Redhead 35 •·••.11 .. 2 ·. ia •. . Ruddy Duck 5. 1.6 ....7 . . . Unidentified 0 ... .-_ .. ·::::- ·. ·. •. • 23 131 ·:::. .:.:~. -> .. -.1/ 100.0 i,;··: Duplicate~:ro.bds el:iminil.ted~ · · · 212 >-:· i/·· '.· . :1~6 t . 6. -r~~r 3d, 3T :.-· ·:,> ·-·5~j\ ·• · 10~:9} 156, ·.. 6~8 .. 312 .• • . Totals ·. . . 7,.4 · • 1,496 ·... \ 1.. l ~ 0 t �Scopei Yampa River drainage from Stillwater Reservoir to Lily Park. M<tthodsi Field reconnaissance: Nesting study and brood counts on eleven, two-mile, study areas, selected statistically in the Yampa River ur,hl.L11~,s"• Personnel! Reported by: Harold M. Beeker. Harold M. Boeker. Findinr,;:;~1 The Yampa River, frequently called the Little Bear, is a long narrow floodplain and canyon extending from the headwaters on the White River plateau to its confluence with the Green River in µorthwest Colorado. It flows in a northerly direction for 30 miles, then bends abruptly westward, draining the northwest corner of Colorado, It is characterized by the cottonwood bordered stream meandering through the valley which varies in width from ¼mile in the narrow canyons, to about 10 miles in width.shortly after its emergence onto the floodplain proper, west of Steamboat Springs. The water table along the entire non-canyon portion of the valley is high, and development of sedge and cattail mal'sh is extensive. The land adjoining the river :i.n much of the valley is irrigated meadow, dotted willow-studded oxt>m,s, cattail covered sloughs, and numerous flooded depressions. This habitat constitutes the waterfowl breeding grounds found in the region. Studies in the Yampa,River area.were begun in April, 1952. Sampling is on the basis of eleven two-mile strips at 20-mile intervals, along the 220 mile length of the Yampa River between its headwaters and the lower end of Lily Park. Each strip is one m:i,le wide. This 22-square mile sample constitutes a 10 percent sample of the valley area. A brief description of each of the eleven study areas is found in Table 10. Weather Data-Northwestern Colorado The winter of 1951 and 1952 was characterized by an unusually heavy snowfall. Steamboat Springs recorded an excess of 240 inches. Craig residants record depths, and livestock operators in western Moffat County suffered tremendous losses because of the heavy snows which covered natural foods on the sheep ranges. The late spring delayed work on the study area until April 11, at which tinre there were still several feet of snow.: on the level. Previous thawing conditions had caused accumulation of small open-water areas in the meadows adjacent to the river. Varying stages of runoff and water accumulation, including flood and overflow waters, changed the entire aspect of the areas on which waterfowl counts were being made, making daily or weekly comparisons of numbers invalid or not indicative of concentrations in the immediate area. �--62 ... .£.~131E 10. -- Description of Study Areas in Yampa River Vi,lley .. " Average Approximate Width of bajor VegetaElevation Va.:Lley in tion 'I';;-rpes Name of Area Principal Land Use Miles l Stillwater 9800 1 Meadow grass, Recreation sedges, willow r Grazing(cat~le) spruce ...fir, I Asoen·· 2 Phippsburg 7900 .· · · . 2-3 Native Hay (Brome, ... Hay Pro,;.. Redtop, Timothy):, dttction, ·. Sage, Oakbrush/ Service berry .· l Grazing, . (cattle-sheep) - - - -.·.-:-;-;··"r.~M:/·-g:_a_t_··----->·_7..._2....0-0-..-.. ___5_-6_·_ _ _N_a_t_lv_e_···. ~~~(CLot) ··Hay ProL~ t~!t;f:sa!:~1~al~. c~::t1:)azing Brush. Servicederry·. I . , . . ~ ·· 'Willows, vi)titoxtw1)od .· ··. Cattail~, Bulr~s¼, Oil Production 6800 -~*&~;~~~shjl, ~i!!!)g{ Cattle- . Wi.Llows, · Cotton-- wood ··-~-------------------------Carey Ranch 6$00 Native Hay, Hay Production "W'heat, Sage, Grazing (Gattlesheep) Farming Bulrush 6 Round Bot toms 7 Duf.fey Mountain 8 ··Juniper Springs . . 9 5800 ,Sage, :J?i:nyon- 5700 Native Hay . · _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _J_u_n_iP.,_.:_er:_______._ . ,,.-,~---· ) . Maybell · 5600 .·· . 6...8 .· : ,_···. . . Native Ray Production ·1jC't1d111:t (ca~tle) Hay, A1~ Farming .• falfa., •. S~d~e'~ . I-fay Fro.duction I Bulrush, C~ttai], Gl'azing (cattle- I Gross Mountain 5500 1/12 , ~~~::1j Juniper -------4-_..., . . . . ---4-----.. ,. . ., 5400 4-5 !a:~~:;~ion .· . .. ! Lily Park I ! - - - - - - - - · · · ·--··1""' Grazing (cattle) ' �-63The heavy snow accumulation in the Yampa River drainage during the winter spring of 1952, accompanied by an unusually rapid runoff, resulted in sevc,re flooding conditions on valuable duck-nesting areas. The Yampa River, with its major tributaries, Walton Creek, Fish Creek, Elk River, Elkhead Creek, Fortification Creek, William's Fork, and the Little Snake River was at severe flood stage during.the first week in May, destroying or delaying early nesting attempts, This early flood period was the result of rapid thaw:i.ng of all low altitude snow accuinulations, Cool weather and absence of low altitude snow-thaw permitted the flood waters to recede to low levels from May 10 to iJJay 30, On June 1 the river again approached flood stage, and from June 3 to June 12 the Yampa and tributaries were at record flood stage. On June 6 headlines in the f'anipa Valley ~lashes, Craig's weekly newspaper, read as follows, "Yampa Hlver a.t iHghost Levels in History; Denver and Rio Grande Tracks Wa,shed Out," George Wilson, long-time resident of Moffat County, reported that the 1952 water level was the highest experienced since 1909, During the last week of June and first wee!, of July, good showers fell throughout the Yampa Valley. Mid-July was very hot and dry, but duri.ng the last·week of July and of August much rain and cloudy weather occurred~ These frequent and excessive rains severely interrupted hayi.ng operations throughout t,he entire area, The first alfalfa cuttings were made.during the last week of June. Haying began on irrigated meadows on July 18, and the first ripening fields of wheat were combined on August 12-ll+, !!'.~terJowl Production Surv~ Waterfowl production in the Yampa River Valley was ini.tiated on April 27, when first breeding-pair counts were made, The first survey of the eleven study areas revealed many ducks, predominately mallards, on early established territories. Successive breeding pair snrveys were made at weekly interva1s until mid-June at which time it was impossible to recognize territorial birds. Each of the study areas was waJ.ked systematically on successive surveys. All waterfowl recognized as part of the apparent breeding population were recorded on a form indicated in Figure 1. Nesting territories of various species were drawn in on field maps of each study area, New maps were used on successive coverages, therefore a final accurate analysis of the total breeding population an each study area was made possible by tabulating all areas where males or breeding pairs were observed on·consecutive surveys, The apparent breeding popula.tlon and production on each of the study areas is shown in Table 11, Table 12 shows the breeding population and production by species, on all of the study areas. �Table 13 outlines the history of 19 waterfowl nests found on the study areas. 'rhe extremely low success (27%) of these nests is not entirely indicative of.total nesting success in .the Yampa Valley. Nests observed during a study as extensive as this are primarily those which are poorly camouflaged, accessible, and as easily found by predators as by the observer. ;;econd1.y, several bf the nests were found only because they had been previously destroyed by flood or by predators. In addition, it must be noted that nests under observation are·more susceptible to predation than are nests which are left undiscovered, Extreme flood conditions in the Yampa Valley during early June destroyed many duck nests (Table 13}. Throughout the month of June an increasing number of lone females or paired ducks of all species appeared on the study areas, These birds were obviously nesting females flooded off their areas"' The fate of 119 waterfowl eggs under observation during the summer of 1952 is indicated in Table 14, �Date Study Area No., April 28 -----3 tooation Area begins due West of road junction U, S, 40 and Colo, 131 at bridge ove:r Y%mPa, about 4 miles South steamboat Sorings,, "''"'""-· Elevetion_______________Vegetation types Wide gentle valley in irrigated meadow. Much willow growth and some cottonwoods. --------------- Size of River: Width 3 ft Depth Type of channel Very meandering • Stage of rwmff__v..,..er.,:z.....h..i_.r,,.i:h"-----"'-·-· Turbidity of water Murky, slightly muddy. Erosion "e;:y j.ight, good sod covering. _ _ _ _ _ _,_._____________ !$ Remarks: Area bas muvh etandj pg overt:1 ow water, MaPY willow thicket§ along dr?&-4ntJtge areas. So,~e sloughs along railroad traek~. Cottonwpods ,along much of river bank. ?'lgure 1 1Nate:rfowl P:roducticm Form �-65FACTORS AFFECTING WATERFOWL: Decimating faotors~nk 1 mink, dogs, cats, hawks. Harrassing factors much of river, Stock grazing, gravel industry, railroad follows NESTING INFOfil'll\.TION: Location on Map___________________________ Description of L o c a t i o n c - . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Species______________________________ Position of Nest -----~----------------~---- ---------------------------- Type of Nest De tai 1s of Construction and Camouflage________________ ----------------------- Fate of Nest Each Visit ------------------------------Nest Destruction --------------------------- Nesting Success TOTAL NUMBER WATERFOWL Pairs Mallard G. W. T. B. Iii. T. Cinno T. Gadwall Pintail Geese Coot Others ON AREA (by species Territory Male l �-66TABLE lL ···- Wa ter_fowl Production or Each of Eleven Study Areas', 'Yctztfpa River Valley, 19$2~ Approximate Elevation Breeding Pairs Brodds • . Percent Success --r---·· .8 . pi"":s..,. ,t_tJ.,. ~l.,. w.,. ra.,. ,t_e_r_.____-1-,..--+9....s_oo.,...-,..-.,...,..,---r-,--,..,--,..,-1_0_. r'· ._..7..,90_o_·.··_ .. _ _ _ _ _ _2_1_·····._·_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _,._1__ 4_. _ I'1,;_...;,,;,.;;...,;.,;;;..........;...,.,.~.~---+-- 1~...;.;;......;;............,_;;.;,_,;:;~----4--.¼-7200 l'I'ow Creek 6800 26 23 82~14 . . 20 100.00 .18 :':fotals 5500 0 0 -~..;:;.;; ;5400 5 5 100 .. 00 191 140 �'!'ABLE 12. -- Waterfowl Production by Species 1n Yampa .ltiver Vl:;;lley, 19$2 .. : ·.. ... ======. .. .·. .. ·. .. ·_. . :. . . ·. .· :·:.. . :·· =N'.ur~t;;:tB~~-li-~'~1-.[)~..,..~---··~·-=h~~·nt''";.. ....""j;~;r%rit'*~Tbe'r-·tr=~Average Number ::::;,._::;:._,=,,, Species Pairs Per Brood Total Broods Total Success Young .,4.98 93 66.li.J 88;:57 ··611 14.14 17 12.14 62.96 87 12.57 14 - 10.00 $8.JJ 77 .· 5.50 6~28 8 s~11 66;66 ,67 ·•· 8.32 2.09 2 1.43 50.00 11 6.28 4 2.B6 ...;_-.;:...:..- 14 ~,_....,,- 14 · .·._ 7 .00 ··-- ... .Mu11ard Gim;Dmon Blue~· ,inged Teal 27 Cinnamon Winged Teal 1',snerican ~::::!{?:ans er 12 Pintail __________ _____________________ _______ Western Canadian Goose l2 _;.,;,.. C_T_d_-v_,:a_I_l___- - - - - - - - - - • ··_4_______2_.09 33.33 ,.,o . 3.40 _, __O _ _ _ _ _ __ 2 1 •• 43 Unident:~fied ---- Shoveller 3_:.··====1=.5=7===0=======-=--=-=-=========== -"·"-·-·""""_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.,..,,....._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __,;;..._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~--...c.--~.c...._........_ ___ 1001'00 :wo.oo 881 6.29 & -·J l �·-68TABLE lJ., _.,.. Waterfowl Nesting Study in Yampa River Valley, 1952~ . . i:/~"'~>=>"'!"';'W'h<hWi~'.tjl,S~,,"',0• . . Study Area Wo C. Goose Mallard. 11 Mallard Mallard 5 Mallard Mallaz•d Hallard ... Malla.rd Mallard Malla.rd. Mallard 3 Date Found Skunk •·. .Bullsnake · 4 Magpies, May 20 J J 3 ¥.iay 22 1 ,skunk May 22 ¥.tay 22 5 Flooded Flooded ·6 Skunk All Hatched · <S h:unk and . 1'1.tagpie Skunk Grazing Sheep Flood Skunk and 5 ·s 5> 3 ;2 Hatched May 24 May 24 ¥1ay 24 May 30 ·· Hay 31 8 9 5 June 5 June p June 7 9 June 23 Total Flooded 3 Cinnamon Teal • Mallard Fate of Nest May 5 5 4 Mallard Number Eggs May 14 May 15 Cinnarnoh Teal • Ma.1lard Mallard Mallard· Mallard V,'~.~\S 8 9 May 31 June 5 June 2J 5 10 7 7 7 :5 •.9 . . Magpie DeseI"ted 3 6 9 ,7 8 . Flooded >2 Infertile, 7 Hatched · .· Hatched 6 Hatched; 119 Avera.gs Nest 6,S Percent Hatched 27 Percent 2 Infertile �...69TABLE 14. -- Fate of 119 Waterfo'W'l Eggs Under Observation, Surnrner, Ha.tched ......... .,............--··--- 26.89 Aoandoned 2.,2 Infertile Destroyed Predators Slrunk Bull snake Magpie 48 Stock . Tram_Eling 7 60,,00 5.88 T.~~J3.L-£~ 1-5.~ -- Earliest O:b_served _D-at,e of~ Hatc·h for Va_rious Species_, ·y_~p=a·:.: ·River V<?J.lley, . . 1952.• Mallard Ma 21 Cinnamon·· and/or ..Blue-winged .· Teal Green-winged . Teal , Nay 25 ·········--~·------..---·---·------- �-70Waterfowl Brood Studies The first brood, seen on May 2(;,, was that of a mallard with six young, I'hey were hatched on or about lfay 21. Cinnamon and/or Blue.CWinged Teal, American Nerganser, and Canada Goose broods were first seen several days later. Table 15 shows approximately the earliest date of hatch of the various observed. The number of Class I broods seen on each of 9 successive brood counts, at two-week intervals, is revealed in Table 16, The largest number of Class I broods was seen during the week of June 20, Backdating indicates the approximate peak hatching date to be on or about June 15. A second hatching peak occurred on approximately July 20, since a large number of Class I broods were seen during the last week of July, This second peak is believed to be the result of extensive re-nesting by ducks unsuccessi'ul in early attempts due to predation, flood, or accident. TotaL waterfowl production, by species, on the observed study ereas is shown in Table 12, 1'his table reveals that mallards were the most abundant as well as the most successful species in the valley, Other species of moderate importance were Cinnamon and/or Blue-Winged Teals, Green.CWinged 1'eals, and American Mergansers. Shovellers; Gadwalls, Pintails,, and Canada Geese were present only in small numbers on the stndy areas. Waterfowl Movements During the early spring breeding-pair counts, 12 pairs of Canada Geese were apparently establishing nesting territories on the various study areas. By early June most of these geese had left the area, and final production figures show that only 4 broods were hatched on the study area, Few geese were seen on the Yampa River during the summer, but on August 12, the date on which wheat harvesting began, they were reported flocking into the area, An inspection of the William's Fork Canyon on August 15 revealed a flock of 42. On August 16, a total of 38 were seen in the vicinity of the Carey Hanch west of Hayden; and on August 20 approximately 200 were seen in the rlig and Round Bottom areas southwest of Craig. Duck breads were hatched on almost every Small water area, They remained on these small puddles, streams, and seep areas until these places dried up, or until the broods approached the flying stage, at which time they tended to move toward larger, more permanent ,wat,er areas, During July and August, concentrations of over 100 ducks of various sizes and species could 'be found on many of the large bulrush~covered sloughs, Canyon Areas Yampa Canyon, below Lily Park, was not included in the sample of the Yampa m . ve,r Valley because of vast distances and the inaccessibility of the during the summers of 1951 and 1952, State Game and Fish Department personnel made boat trips through these canyons. Accurate observations were made on these trips, which are useful in predicting waterfowl production within these precipitous caeyons, �-71On June 26, 1951 a boat ax.pedition headed by Bus Hatch of Vernal, Utah, floated throu.gh Yampa Canyon from Lily Parle t;o Pat's Hole, it recmrd of all wlldlife observation~ was made and reported on by Gilbert N, Hunter, On the trip from Lily Park to the Charles Hantle Ranch, 20 mBture geese and seven goslings were seen. Twenty-two geese were nesting in the Castle Park area, which is part of the Mantle Ranch, and six geese were observed between Castle Park and Pat's Hole. TABLE 16, -- Number of Cla:ss I Broods Observed on Each of 9 Consecutive Coverages. Class I Coverage A, Merg, Mall. w¢c--, Cinn. /B.W, T, G,W,T. Goose Pint. l11ay 26,,_ _ _-,_l_ _ June 6 6 June 11 4 June 23 Total l l l l 2 2 9 l 9 ,_11_____ 2 _ _ _ _ _4~_______1_ _ _ _ _ _ 26 July '5 7 July 18 11 l 8 4 l 16 August 1,_ _1__3_______ 1_ _ _ _ _1______-"'3_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _-'1;;;J;.8'- ___________________________.... August 14 5 August 28 l Total 67 2 , l 6 14 3 10 l 3 8 4 l 100 During the spring and early summer of 1952, Bus Hatch made waterfowl observa-, tions on his several trips through this canyon. In mid-May 43 mature geese were seen on the riirer, most of which appeared to be mated and establishing nesting territories. Several goose broods were found on each of the sucoesD' ve trips made through the area. A June count of 5 broods was the greatest nu,rnber observed on any one trip. �-72.-. Decimating Factors U, S, Hi.ghway 40, paralleling the Yampa River for 45 miles, is an important decimating factor affecting waterfowl. During the spring and s1llll!ller of 1952, · 40 dead ducks were found in the Yampa Valley. Of this number 31, or 77.5 percent were killed on the highway. Mallards, not only because of their abundance, but because of ·their habits, were most seriously affected, accounting for 93.6 percent of all highway kills. Mallards move about considerably on the ground. It is not uncommon to see them walk across the highways where they are hit by fast moving traffic. In the Yampa Valley, especially between Steamboat Springs and Craig, a great percentage of waterfowl-nesting cover is found in small ditches, sloughs, and streams adjacent the highway, Nesting cover of this type appears to be very attractive to mallarcls, for their broods can be found on almost all such areas, Many of these areas dried up as a result of drainage or drought, and as the broods moved across to new cover many of the hens and their young were killed, Duck loss by predation, although not as apparent as loss on the highway, did not appear to be a major factor. Preda.tors were present, but not in great numbers,. A list of those observed included minks, skunks, feral cats and dogs, eagles,. hawks, and great-horned owls, Some poaching may have occurred; however, none was reported or observed. Table 17 shows the species and the age-group most seriously affected by decimating agents present in the Yampa Valley. North Park, Colorado. John H.. Wampole. Methodst Ground counts wers ma.de on sample areas thought to be representa.tive of the habitat in North Park. Iri comparing the brood counts for 1951 (Table 18) and 1952, it is apparent that for 1952 there was an increase of about 13% in number of broods and a.bout 15% in number of ducklings over 1951, based onobservednumbers of twelve species, In terms of species percent (Table 19), Mallard, Gadwall, Baldpate, and Lesser Scaup were the four major producers during both nesting seasons, While the Ba.ldpate again ranked first in 1952, the observed numbers had dropped noticeably from those of 1951. Green-winged Teal and Lesser Sea.up showed substantial increase in numbers seen on the study areas, �. ; ., .. . ... - . . . ·.. . . . ·. TABLE 17.. Decimati:r1g Factors by Species and Age Group_, ~ampa River Valley, 1952. t--------------+----,--------------t-r-----------------------------.,...-·--" -~ -~·----·-·-·-.--··. i.t~.~~~:-~.~· · ~~_2_______ . c::::'i) Species ~·:: -=--: ·: · .•.. ,. •. ... ____A_g..,e_c_l_a_ss,....._ _..,...._ _ _ _ _-r'::·_i>_e_:c_~ ..•••. / . . ...~o~dside c·,. ... a. ... i,v.",., Ml~~-.2..:Dog- .. Total W11,vk.....,. _u_h,_.kn_··.•·_o_'Wt_1________--1 i•··.; >dinnit&b:n and/or < \ 13!~.e;~;#f~ed ·'teal l 2 ... ,: ·, . . . !!,e;l,,d_pat,~,-,----,..,,,...J.!--~-1------J.=....;....,......,_;;;;l...;.··--~-------...;;...--4...;.._~......."""',--1.;..;;;..,-.......~~-"""""+-...;··._1..;......;;....-+..+··"-·.·,···~·1....,.,. .,;.~....._.-,,;.i ··••;tte.1,_'______a_ . 7........._ . ·. ·:__1___..'_. ,:. _18_.·.::._•..,.........l_i--"3_1_,_·_·;+ .. ·_·._·......t_?.=;,_ _2_;._,: ·..........· __2___,·._·:,·._ . .•. 4_.,.·._··_· · ...........__..... 4o_. . _...........,. :.:.c..... • _.:...... �'!'ABLE 18 •. -- Waterfowl Brood Counts by Spec:les on ·the North Park Study Arerus., Golora,do, 1951 and 1952,. _ _ _ __;B;;.::;r.::;_9.:.qd:;;;.:s:.._:.O.:.b-s:;:..;e;;;;;r.;..:.v.:.ed;;::.,..,~l;.:;.;95::::..:l;.;___ Class I i'.l · ,~rs,. Class TI D. ,, A · ve;. B "~r-_ D • Ave. _,___ _ _ _-,,...____B_r..,..o_o-:-d_!>......o;;..,b_s___er....,V'_...e_d"""_,·-··1....9.....5_2_ _'""'""'."·'--· Class IH. ._ ·.a·.·;.,,.··· Totals '.v. .rs." ·.I). Ave..-.... D... A .. Class l Glass II Class III - ...._ . Mallard Bo 502 (}adwa,.;n 49 .368 7S 13 97 7 .5 Ba;Jid~iit~ 6~3 . 26 174 6 .. 7 42 264 6.3 148 940 6~4. 6 29 4.8 68 494 7.3 : .... . . .. ~ 83 548 6.6 33 215 6.$ 51 322 6 ..3 167 loft; 6 .. S 47 298 6.3 16 100 6.,J 5 28 5.6 68 426 6.,J . . 14i 92Jf 6j) j9 240 6L2 35 2J3 6:7 i:21$1]97 655 . 117 '·:772(6~6-· 29: 201 6.9 34 '233 6~9 ieb12o5 6.7 Pit1~ail ...............a1 ...lO;L 5.. rn Gr"'....w.Teal .. ~~~~~~1:,fF< ~if~~ 9.)46 .,{1 13 64-4,.9 -43 21, 5.o . ,;i5 . . -88+5•9 6.o~ 3 •..21 7;0 'C3 •·· 28 9.J : • 9 54 9 61 6. 8 2 7 .. li'.15-9- 19-116 6.1 3 :J.J Ii.3 > 6 L1 6.8 I,c,sser Sca:up 25 220 ... .... ,, .. , ..... '"" A. Merganser 3eo 2 2.0· ······:!i 6 ................... , .... , .. ,-- 29 4,B ............ ·· .............. , ... . 40 302 7,,6: 17 140 8.2 6 . 42 J ..o 12 79 ' 6. 6 .. 2 13 6-5 :.<:··: ... 35 230 6-.6 14 96 7.0 23 171 7 ,,4 1 6 6.o 16 Bo s.o 106 131 l 6.1 803 4063 619 10 76 7 .. 6 67 518 7.7 1 7 7.0 3 20 6.7 3 J.O 5 20 4.,0 6.5 ········· 6 43 7.2 41 349 8.5 3 3.0 108 ·l .... ---- .. -.-,. l 6,, 7 2554 8 a.o s li6 5)2 :ii '2ii+21·····. Sci '·s1.i6jU'.: 6T 579L5 . . . •9 62 6 .9 ····23 170 7.4 1.i 2~· -a;a · -11 /8:3 ts s 34 6.a Ct Jo 1 •.s 20 141 r~L 8 .. 6 10 66 8.6 Unidentified 10 Sh '1 . ,, 2. 14 7 .~o 6., 26 147 5.7 5a. 300 . 5.9 < . Canvas-hack 10\ 65 64 159 :6.6 . . 6 35;$.. 8 13 . 78 6,.o 4.3. 272 6.J iiii 7l~ 4 ii! 1:0 15 103 6,'9. 2 Redhead 'I'otals Totals Br. I). Ave. Br . I). /iv. Br. D. Av .. ~ ·.i..,. 385 6~6 . 6.6 2557 179 138 6.9 1168 '72 499- 6.9 6,, 5 L.682 702 6.7 -----·-::==========================::t:tt:============·q=. ==-··::::···-==-=-=-:.·:-=--=-=-=-=-====·-- 'r �~,~is ~ Raf.erring to Table 18, it is riot:icieable'thatbh the sis !;;,here is difference opser1J"ed.. tl.umb~rs of eU,he r .broods or. du.cklhtK:l ~ The inct-ease shows .up for i952 ,·. the .numbers Of Class TI anct TI! B:roods .... seen., ·· 'this apparently reflects the greater succMs of earlier nesting ,,.h,;.,...".·"'"' in in 1t~tle . . . . -;•. . ste6ie$.·.Petcieni of. 6'6.setN'ed. Brqods,. N,ot~~ Pa.,rit,. d016r~d.c), ····19$1 ····.·.·.··and lQ52. 1951 Nuiib:ijfr of .__.:·:_:lla-:rt;·en.t-: J)f JUa . Nal:ta::1.·d · 68 Gadwall .~t>i•·.····,···· Baldpate P:nta.:l_l Gree11~1:1iriged' -w Per:t:;ti;·;it"'.'Q:£ Total .•..· Broods<>· rea:C . ,8l/or C Teal Shoveller Redhead C~mras ...back 4.3 if§ 6>··· l.5 .31 3.,3 2,,8 ·9)5 > l~ Merganser l i43 Les13er'··Scaup···.······ Ruddf Duck 4 . 41 Uni.dentif'.ied 16 Totals 619 . 99~88 100~07 702 SUMMARY: ~~- .---.- .......................................... ,........... . ... . 1952 L The bre,ding-p~:i.r population on irrigated :).~nd i:n ~he Cache la Valley was about 17 percent lower than for thepre6ed.:Lng Excellent nesting and brood-rearing conditions, however$ bqqsted i'inal production to that of 195L year~ · · · f;; 2 ,, Final production figures were strikingly 1.m:Lform three yea.rs being 13 bird.a per squa:re mile in 1950 and 14 each in 1951 <,illd 1952 ... > 3,, Nesting success was 75~9 percent in19.$2 and 62.,6 percent in 1951,. ... brootj. s:Lte ip pache la. P¢11tiris 'Was 6~ 29,. .· �-764, Aerial surveys in 1952 on the South Platte River trend combined with general field observations revealed a large cr,3a.c,e in breeding-pairs, but only a small decrease in final production from 1951. 5, In Brown's Park, 96,7 young per square mile were produced. The brood average was 7.1 6, On the 11 study areas, constituting 10 percent of the Yampa Valley, a final breeding-pair density of 8.7 per square mile was observed. Brood was 6.4 per square mile, giving 1.36 pairs of birds per brood for the sample, Nesting su<t:'<l'®i!li!I was 73,29 percent while average brood size was 6,29. 7. The J.""'"!J"' study areas were selected at random. They represent a true 10 percent sample of the entire Yampa Valley between Stillwater Reservoir and Lily Park. It is possible, therefore; to project these figures to give a total production for the valley as a whole, The projected figures, derived on this basis, indicate that about 9,000 waterfowl were produced here in 1952, This figure does not include the ducks produced on the numerous tributaries, lakes, sloughs, and beaver ponds lying within the Yampa River drainage, since these adjoining types were not studies systematically, Frequent observations on these outlying areas, however, indicate that total production in the Yampa drainage is very much greater than the figure given above, 8. In North Park, a total of 619 broods with 4,063 young produced an average cf 6. 6 young per brood in 195L In 1952, a total of 702 broods were recorded with 4,682 young, an average of 6,7 young per brood. 9, The baldpate a.nd mallard produced the largest percentage of broods. Prepared by: Approved by: Jack R. Grieb John R, Tester Federal Aid Coordinator Harold M. Beeker John Wampole Date Note: October 1952 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department, �-77JOB CO!fiPLKTION HEPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJiCTS ----------- State of COLORADO Pro,iect No. W-37-R-5 Work Plan No. _ __:I;;..;;Ic.--_ _ _Job No, _ _8:...._._ _ Note: Completion Report for Last ~'iscal Y e a r · - - - · - - - - - - - - - - - - Title Comparison of aer:i.al and gr01::nd waterfowl counts on breodi21g--pairs ~and broods, Object: To determine the accuracy of aerial census methods. To determine if correction factors could be evolved for use in correcting aerial counts to give ground totals. Scope: The Cache la Poudre Valley, tforth Park, and Brown I s Park. Personnel: Kenneth B. M.lyard (1951), Erwin L. Boeker, Norman L. Hughes, Clyde P. il.tatteson, Dwight Owens, John 1L Testor, John H. Wampole, Wayne W, Sandfort, and Jack R. Grieb. §eported by: Jack R. Grieb. -~= INTRODUC'.rION ·rhe use of aircraft in determining continental waterfowl breeding popula.tions and production has become well established dnring the last few years. Them is no question that such a census method is cheap and practical, especial.Ly where large areas need to be covered and manpower is limited. In 1951, a cooperative study was initiated between the Co.Lorado Uame and l"ish Departmerr~ and the Colorado Cooperat,ive -Wildlife Research Unit for the purpose of determini.ng the accuracy of such a census method and its adaptabi l:!.ty t,o Colorado conditions. JI. further objective was to determine if correction factors could be evolved for use in aerial waterfowl connts, so that aerial cou.nte could be adjusted to give ground totals, In 195'2 the study was enlarged to :include North Park and Brown's Park so that this report considers three areas. It is recognized that the results of this study would not be appljcable to nther areas except in principle. Grateful acknowledgment is made t.o Dr. Lee E, Yeager, Leader, Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, who orie;ina.Lly concai.ved the jdea of this study, and for help and advice throughout its course. �-78- Trllo CACHE LA POUDRl, VALLEY The Cache la Poudre study area is composed of Township 7 North, llange 68 wast, 6th Principal 1v1eridian, Colorado. This area conk:ins a total of 65,5 miles of waterways, in the following breakdowm irrigation canals, 25,9 miles; irrigation ditches, 12,0 miles; creeks ,ind dra:i.n ditches, 20.2 nrUes; and river, 7,4 miles. There are 63.4 acres of sloughs and mar!!has, and 869,7 acres of irrigation reservoirs and natural lakes, both totaling 933,1 acres. The area is divided by the Cichei la Pot1dre River, which runs diagonally northwest to southeast. It is further drained by several streams emptying into the main river. Land-use consists of intensive agriculture. Most of the land is under irrig11tion, with only a small part of the more hilly portion farmed by dry-land practices. Princj_pal crop types consist of alfalfa, small grains, sugar bee-ts, Blld cor!l, Waste areas are few and scattered, and 11 cleau farming" is practiced by most farmers, This involves burning of weeds aloug irrigation ditches, fence rows, aud roadsides during late fall, winter, and early spring, The shortage of residue cover is met in part by early-growiug alfalfa, grass, and weeds. 1'ab1e 1 lists and descrilles the types found on the study area. TA.1JLE 1. -- Description of Habitat Typos Found on the Study Area, ·-··-·---------------------------------Habitat Type Description Large Lakes Small Lakes and Ponds Natural lakes or irrigation reservoirs, 300 surface acres or larger, Lakes smaller than above, including small ponds or pot-holes. Slough Shal.low water bodies coutaining emergent vegetation. H.:i.ver As normally defined, Creek As normally defined, [rrigation Canals Irrigation waterways over 8 1 wide, whose general function is to carry water long distances, mainly to irrigation reservoirs. Irrigation Ditches Irr5.gation waterways less than 8 1 wiae, whose general funct,ion is to carry water to the fields, DrHin Diteh0s Small water11ays whose f1mctim1 is to carry underground wat"r away from the fi,d.de. --------------------------------------- �&,ethods Accurate comparison of air an,i c:round breedin;i-pair counts depends a great deal on oompletil coord:Lnati on between the air cmd gr01md teams. dec,msa the Caci1a la ?oudrt3 study area is .,oe,, c,:•d ce,: t;.1.·al.iy in tho n,irth-to-~outh migration path, a count of total breeding-pairs suoh as th:: t t,ciksln furtllor north i.wuld not revi,a.L how many pat t'G would ilctua.1.ly stay to nest on t,he lire21o It is necessary, therefore, to count ,mJy those pairs whieh have aet up, or are attempting to set up, territ,o?:.les, 'l'his moans that only :·,hose pairs which are fountl by themselves and not in the company of other pai.rn, in addition to lone males or lone females J ean be count1.2.d as reµrt:,sant..ing a territory. Thus, training an aerial observc1r to recognize these thin,;r, would be an important part of any techniqu0 wllL,h may evolve from this study. Ground Surv,,ys The waterfowl breeding population on the townsh.l D was determined by a sed es ,)f counts initiated during the first part of Apr·il. All waterways on ,iacti section w,n•e walked imd all water bodies i,cann, ,<1 with a epotting scope at t1rn-week intervals, Only those pairs which had apparently established territories were tallied and their location plotted on a map of the section. Sections w0re worked in similar order for each (:ov,n·age. 0 Timo of observntions appears to be important bec:.iuse farmers wor1c1ng in tbc-dr f:i.alds oftcm flush birds from thoir ·chos,,,n territ,ories. for this reason worl< was co:1fined to early morning hou.rs ( rmm·ise to about ni.n8 o 1 olock) and late afternoon (four o 1 clock Lo sunset)., Aerial Su1:veys Aer:i.al breed:i.ng-pa:i.1· and brood counts were obtained by flying along each J.1?rigation ditch or atra1,m, and around eaoh lak,01. Al.ti t.udes and speed!! varied, but averaged around 100 feot and 60 mi1Bs per hour indicated ,,ir speed, respectively. During breeding-pair counts, ducks were recorded by habitat type, species, and, where possible, sax, thus perm:i.tting a closuir evaluation of air an,1 gro,md resuLts. It w,as fo,llld impossible to obta5n accurate species identification of broods from r,he air; therefore, only the nmnber of young 1,ere recorded. Two aircraft were used during the course of this problem. The first was a four-place Cessna 170, and the second a two-place Cessna 140. The altern:i L•J use of either craft did not seem to influence the number of birds oountt+d, but :Lt was noted that it was much easter to obsPt'~e from the smaller plane beoouse of structural differences. �-BoCovering the study area both on the ground and in the air permits comparison of the two counts, By dividing the ground count by the comparable air count the air-to-ground ratio of the coverage can be established, The average ratio of several coverages may then be statistically tested by means of a contingency table and the chi-square test to determine whether the air-toground ratio was reasonably consistent between: coverages, With a calculated chi-square value less than the tabular value of chi-square ,5, it may be concluded that the average ratio is a good fit, and could be applied to future aerial counts to obtain an accurate estimate of the numbers actually on the ground, Results A total of five flights were made in 1951 and six in 1952 on the study area, The data thus derived emphasize tl1e efficiency of aerial as compared with ground work, During spring counts it required roughly 35 man-hours to cover the study area adequately on the ground, By comparison, only one hour and 15 to 30 minutes flying time was needed for comparable aerial coverage, During the brood-counting season, after all ditches became filled with water, ground coverage time jumped to an average of about 86 man-hours for the two years, and air time to slightly less than two hours, Breading-Pair Surv1ty Aerial breeding-pair counts in the Fort Collins area are best taken during late April, May, and early June for it is during this time that most territories.are still active. The total counts of territories for both 1951 and 1952 are tabulated in Table 2, This table also lists the air-to-ground ratio for each coverage and gives the results of the chi-square test. Thus it was determined that the average air-to-ground ratio found each year was consistent being 2.23 for 1951, and 1.52 for 1952. This implies that in working with a large study area similar to the township it would be possible to adjust aerial counts by means of genera.). correction factors such as those given above. The differences between the 1951 and 1952 ratios were caused by using different air observers each year,, This will be discussed later, In 11.nlillyzing the various habitat types to determine whether the individual types also had a. consistent rat:i.o, it was found that four types in 1951 were consistent - large lakes, small lakes and ponds, irrigation canals, and irrigation ditches. In 1952, five types showed a consistent ratio -- irrigation canals, irrigation ditches, river, creeks, and small lakes and ponds (Tsble 3), The other types not mentioned above had too much variation between coverages to be consistent. Therefore, those areas wherein the ratio was found to be consistent it would be possible, given the same observer, to multiply the results of an air coverage of a given type by the ratio for that type to obtain an estimate of the ground count. As can be noted in Ts.ble 3, the ratio not only varies in size between the two years, but also some types which were consistent one year were not consistent the next. 'Xhie can also be attributed to the difference in observera" �1951 < ===··=·-=··=··~~=====~~~====·=··=-=-=-=·=·-=·=·-=·=·=·.~=···=··====== A.1 ,~ II i Air· lil; Ground Mid May 78 161 Ground VII ·· Late June 64 .13.h & V!lI (8.v~rage) ior Groll.nd II Average Ratio = .. Chi·~·sqn.are 8487 Good fit - averS<.ge :ratio may be used,. Chiisquare S ;;;; L386 ·. . . " " " ~ . ' t " " - · ~ - - · ._,..,. _ _ _ _-,--_______,,•._ ....~ .. ~. -·-··--·-·.-.... -·-·•"·-·~ 1952 Air I: G1~ound I Late April 96 149 L,5.5 Air II: Ground III Early May 86 130 1.51 Air III:: Ground IV Late May 67 119 1~78 .lir : IV: G1° :mnd V Early June . 71 104 le46 Bo ·.··.l.,}J .... ,A,ir 1 Y: .· t1r011nd VII Early July .... Average Ratio Chi . ::squarEl 0hi-Eiqua.re 6$ = l3;357 .. 704 (food :b i i::. .... average r<:1.tio may be uq:ed~ . . ... . 1 �:.r,t, was determined that' :ih 1951;; pa:Lrs oh d.raih ditches were most diffi9:u,lt to see, while those on irri,gatd,o.t1 can.:ils were easiest obsel'.'V'ed,, In 19:>2, drains,,were again the most difficult al",Eia to 1:ihse:r"\ie; however, th:l,s yea,r 8ma11,· 1akes and ponds afforded ea:siest •. observations., .. It.· appears that aerial counts on small,lakesandponds can tally more than ground counts, hence the :teasofr for a rat::i61ess than l in Table 3. The general tfe11d for both ;y·e:ars was tllat a.eria1 counting was easier on those areas where . high-gro,ving vegEitation wa,s not present to interfere with the actual obse:rvatfons/ and . :most diffipult per111ar1ent,.cqver- as . . tit:ru.ns, riy13r5, and creeks" . . . . pn . . -t.he.. ·.hal)ii:.ats . .w:ttµ\11ea.yy .. . . .. TABLE J.,, -- A.ir to Ground Comparison of Counts by Habitat Types 1951-19;,2 .. lr.arge Lakes , . I 2 ~36 I . l l,:-82 ~mall Lakes c.:!d rands ' t::::::::: ::::.. ::;: ! ..· ~922*. LJ86 .,2QHw ·.•. J.)57 ;;838* 1 ..386 3..357 ~197*> >> 1~386 ~l'\a:tn Ditches 7,,81 2 , 76 ~ver 5.27 1.60 2~366 Insufficie t Data. :·,··, L81 · Insufficie t Data ~1ough.- 2 6=-,. .,._:... ,._;Af~. ·)lj,i . 3,351 .·,_··, _.-· 'r.J:ceeks " . .·.·.·.···2/'.366 (JDF) i.~386···(2DF) - · Good <Fit- Average ratio can be Sources of Variation Between Two ' " "Years ''~. . ,,. . . . . . , , . .A.s mentioned previtvlisly;'<thJ ai:r. . io-gt-6tinclJ•ati6 difi'~rea. between th§ two. years .. Thie was apparently caused by using a different·observe:tf6r each yea,.r,. The first year all aerial obse:rv:i.11g was done,,by thewriter., while the second year 1 s observations were made by Erwin L .. Boeker. The writer had perviously done no aerial counting of waterfowl a:nd had very little flying experience. Mr., Beeker, on the other hand, is a capable pilot with experience in aerial census" Obvibusly, experience is one of the prime factors in the differences bet-w-een the ratios obtained for each yeara �-83-It ts potrnible to point out where experience helps in counting. '37 referring to Table 3, it may be ssen that, without exception Mr, Boek:!ir' 11 "ir-t,o-ground ratfo for each lmbitBt typ,] wiis much smaller than the writer's; ho,mver·, t,he differenceB w,ire larger on those ·t;ypes with heavy cov<1r as river, creekn, and dr8ins, Therefore, it is pos11ibl,~ to conclude that an experienced observer will soa ,m even grflater percent of bird1i on thrise types with dense covet' than ·1r.':L11 a,n in13Xpt:~r:i. enced observer" Experience altw 1ilays an important part j.n observine a Ll speci os of d1icks ., Tb:Ls is smphasized by Table h wl!lch shows the percent of ground-couni,ed epecies seen from the air, Although the difference between maUard--11.ke ducks was not great for the two years, only 8 percent of the teals W8!:'e observad in 19;;1 ;.s cnmpared to 59 ,,erc,mt in 1952, T.A.BLE 4, Comparieon, by bpecies, of JUr-to-Ground Obsorvation of Ducks, 19'jl BY!d J.952, Year 195l 1952 Percent of' Ground-counted Birds seen from the Air Ma.llard-like Teals --"'-'-· 55 64 8 59 Brood Survey Tha a.erial brood count study for both 1951 and 1952 revealed that the airto-ground ratio was not consistent between coverages, This was checlced wi t,h the chi-square test resulting in a calculated chi-square value larger than the tabular value of' chi-mquare ,5, Th0refore, it is acknowled 1,"'d that aerial brood counts on :Lrrigated land in the Cache la Poudre Val ,Ley cannot, be corrected to compare with ground counts. Neither may these data oe used for year-to-year trend purposes, as fluctuation in the number of' oroodo eounted per coverage was not necessarily caused by more or .less broods oeing present on the ground,, Table 5 compares air and ground estimates of' average brood sizes for 19 1, l and 19S2 showing that for both years the differences were slight, Tlw srnaLLer deviation between air and ground esttmates in 1952 was attr:icuL,.+d to the more experienced observer for that year, �-84'l1A.Bm 5~ - Comparison of Air and Ground Average Brood; Sizes, 1951 and 1952,, Numbel::' Broods 21 59 27 Number Young 112 J48 149 Average Brood Size 5.,33 38 5.52 5°90 Only accurately counted broods are included from comparable ground counts. NOHTH P:Aiti _ . . , , . _ . , ....,;i.;.,;,··· ·- A total of six :flights weremadei~Nor't;hF&rk irt 1952 for the purpose of comparing aerial and grou.nd ci6unfs 6:t waterfowl breeding-pairs and broods" J:iesults of these flights revealithat correlation of<breed.i.ng---pairs betwEieh aerial and ground counts was impossible because of the difficulty in distinguishing tei'ritorial ,pairs of the ducks, especially divers, with equal :ability from both the ai:t and ground position. The North Park area differeci ft":qm t.he Ca.che la Poudre Va.lley in t.ha:tthere were mariy more species of breeding ducks present so accuracy became lost ih the interpretation of what constituted a territorial pair., The experience gained from four brood flights pointed out that there were three main variables 'W'hich definitely irifl,ienced the 1952 study~ These were: {l)Failure to walk the perimeter of all lakes resulting<in incomplete ground counts on some study areas; (2) Difficulty of counting some ::rt;µey areas from the ground; and (J) Interpretation between air and ground observers as to what constituted a class Ill brood~ The last item is very ::. mpo:,tant and need$ <further explanation., Late in the brood season .~hen , ' the class III broods• make up ,a large portion of the total broods on the study areas, it is often difftcult to distinguish between: the class III broods which are beginning to fly and loafing adults which generally group togethar. Con$idering the dafa ::iJ;, appears that it is much easier to pit::k out the late class III broods from the air position because the a,ir observer is looking do:wn ori the brood instead Qf across it as does,, the ground observer.. This inf'luence,s the counts by giving the air Ccmnt an opportunity to record more broods,. �-B5-l'lecau.ae of t,he variables 1:Lsted abOT<ci, the 19;i2 data from North Park is c,.mfnsing and therefore will not be tr'tlated in this preliminary 1,r:i te--up, Rather, :l i, wLll be included w:l th the 1953 completion report, Incoinplete tests i.nd5 cate that the correctl.on of aerial count,s to correspond to [;!'(lll!ld counts is possible. 'the followtng List of reconm1endations is offored so that a better and stronger study may be undertaken in North P,irk next year: 1, Intensive counts aro necessary on all study areGts so t,hat ground broo,1uounts wi.11 moro closely approxilllate the total number of broods actm,lly present on the area. To effect this all lake perimeters should be walked, It is recommended that Lakei John be e:Lirninated from the study areas unl0iss some method can oe found to obtain a good brood count. 2,,_, The air study should begin in late_ June and continue to mid-August.-~ J.erial ancl p;round counts to be made at bi-weekly interv1Jls. 3, .lt.ddl.tional samples of other habitat types as irrigation d:it,ches and st,reame should also be included in a future atudy. 4. As a matter of interpretation, class III. broods should be count,!ld as s11ch as long as they maintain their family formation. All broods ahtHlld be cal.lied by age-class , BIIOWN 1 S PARK Comparison of one pr0lirninary breedi11g-pair ground and aj r count in tb5 s western Colorado Park revealed no consistency between the two types of counteL, Aerie] census of pairs appears to be very difficult due to s0varal factors, First, territories were not well defi.ned for all duck epe,1ies; and eecond, birds were difficult to observe in l,he slough types which nu,de up a large percentage of the Brown's P,ark habitat, Four duck brood flights were made at bi-weekl.y intervals in t,he Park, 'fable 6 lists the totals of the flights and compares them to si.milflr ,:round couflt,i Disr'egarding the first flight where totals were too small to be t,Mted, the final tl'u·oe flights, with an asreruge air-to-ground ratio of L27 ,iere fulmd to De eignlfi.cantly consistent (chi-equara equals 1.258; chi-square ,r:; equals .L,386, 2 D.F'.), This means that air totals may be 00Pi'1•ctnd to esttmate ground count totals by multiplying them by 1,27, Analysi.,; of comparalJle air and gr0und ·orood--.,counts hy age-cl,rns a1;d numbe2· nf you.ne; per brood revealed that thc0se two types of census rr.,trwds did not alw«ye tally the samo broods, This :indicntes Uiut ground count.a see onJ.y a certain percentage of the total broods actually pr-:sent on tho 1,1i;i1dy areas. Thus there would be little value hi corre<.,tin,; aer.ial c,,,unt,s to correspond to ground counts unless it wns kn0w what pm•cent of -t.he t,utal broods the ground counts repr,!sented �-86'l':t\BLE 6 .. · ...."' Comparison of Aerial and Ground Count$ by .Coverages Brown! s Park,>19$2. ·. · Number B~o6ds obsef\red Results Air Coverage . Date . 6/8-14 . 7/13-19 J8 . Ratio· Ground/Air ··... . b~ 78 --!;-------6i2;:715=--------..;;------------~----;;--·----------i:10______ III IV 24 7/27-8/2 Chi-square equals l .. 258 Chi-square ...5 equals L:389; 2 D.F. 43 1.,13 l ..58 38 ·Good fit, :t-atio maybe applied,. Comparison of average duck brood sizes counted during aif aiSH. ground cdu.nts revealed a small descrepancy.(Taple}}. These differences appear to come :tro1u two sources., First, speed of tne plane and derisi ty of cowit• contributed to the difficult;v .. of cou.hti.ng br9?qs.oy·. ~r;.secon.dly, i.s..• oel1eved that the same broods ."Were nQt, alway.s . tall.ied .between ~i,r aiid ground·. counts. in a . respective coverage,; .. .. . . . .. ... . . . it TABl,E J ......... Gompari$on pf.Air ~nd Ground Average Duck Brood ,$izes, Brown is.· Park, 1952 ~ ·· 1/ Coverage···· Method Ground••.·· Air Diff e.:rence •· · This . fabie donside.rs ari brodcts tx:rutl.t~d ch:iring air and g.roun.d coverages II.,. III, ahdIV,. �-87Data from cu0rial and ground coun.t.s of goose b:roods we.re too small t.o ba teated. It 1tas notlld, howe,'l'er, that on the average more broods wertl obeerved by ajr than by ground. lleeo~1mmdstlons are that, this study should be continued in 1953,, The first fliglrta abo11ld bEi made in early ,June with a total of four flighte dnr·ing the'! 11umn1ar, In t,his 1nam1ur lt will bu po11eibla to cheok tbe average rat.lo between ;'f¢i¾Urs, SUMNiRY: ] , A troined observer is essential t;o the success of aerial waterfowl cenatie s1rnh as described. 2, Aerial counts of breeding-pairs on irrigated land types can be correeted to com,pare to ground counts, but the ratios batween aerial and ground broodcounts W!lre not consistent" Therefore, correction factors cannot DG usecl to adjuet aerisl brood,-counts. ). One more yoar of study is necessary on the Cache la Poudre t~ml'lhip to determine if the differences in the average air-to,-gt·ound ratl,o for breedingpairs betwE,aa 19.':>l and 1952 were due mainly to the e:xperhmce of the ou<1erV'era, or t,o inherent diffElrences between the t,wo years. 4. Aerial breeding-,pair counts cannot be corrected to give ground connLs in North Park and Brown's Park. l!oweV<!,I) aerial brood countc1 may be eorroutod t,o ground counts lu Brown's Park. North Park pre)iminary data oould not te evaluated for t,hi.s factor, but it is believed tilat further study wlli show that correcti.on factors may be used, 5. Further study is necessal'y in both North Park and J:lro'Wl'.l I s Park in accordance with the recommendations given under the rAspentive headjn 6 s. Prepared by: Approved by: Jack R, Grieb Date NolAH October, 1952 Persons wishing to qu,ote from thia abstract should flrst obta i,n permission from the Colorado Gan;e and Filll1 Departman't,, ��-89,JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGiTION.5 PitOJEC'rS State of__J_OLO_RJ.D_O_ _ _ __ Pr·oject No. W-37-~ ____Work Plan No, __I_V________,Tob No. __1__, 'ri.Llo _ _ _ _G_,0_•1_1a_u_•s_S_t_,u_u_'i_e_s~,'-Q:~·u_a_i_l_,m_d_C_h_u_k_a_r_P_a_r_t_r_i_d~g~e_.• _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ODject: To determine methods for obtain:Lng the population trend of c:tmkar p1:1rtridge. §.?_2l \1/eet-central Colorado, t::scalante Canyon. l'.ethods: Ghulrnr partridge surveys, to determine census techniques, were l'i.mited to an eight-mile leni;th of Escalante Canyon (confluence of c:::icalante Groek and the Gun:n:Lson River to the H. A, nca.pt. 11 Smith c:ijbin), One survey was c:onductHd on i.uguat 26, 8:04 a.m .. to 11:55 a,m. A o;:,mplete coverage of the valley area was atta~tad, with areas of heavy cover and areas not visible frclm the ro,atl being ehecked with a bird dog, 'l'his method is the same as that ,follewed during the 1950 and 1951 censuses, A nd.ntmum count of 256 bj..rds was obtai.ned during the thi:i,:ie heur and SJ rnj nute survoy, Birds were found in nine different groups; min:iJnum numbers in groupe ranging from four to 116. Birds were flushed from the follewing t;vpes of c0ver: (1) roadside, (2) oat stubble, (3) alfalfa, (4) brash (raboithruoh and sagebrtrnh type), (5) pe,-,r:h orchard, (6) slldan grass, ('/) corn, and (cl) tall grass ( species unidentified), Comparative rtis,ilts for the 1950, 1951, anci 1952 c;,,mrnses nt'A given in table 1 .. TA._q!~ . ±' -- Chukar Partridge Census,Escalante Canyon, 1950-19~2, Date of Census J.ug11st 25', 19t;o Seipt,einber 1.i, 19~1 A.u.guet 26, 1952 Number of .tlirds Count,,d 238 76 2S6 �-90Ana aia mid Recommendatiomn Findings during the 1952 census show that a sufficient number of birds are in the Escalante Canyon area to allow removal of some of the birds through trapping and transplanting without harm to the colonies present. Considerable variation in population numbers, during the past three s0asons, is shown in table L This variation is undoubtedly greater than that which actually occurred" It is recommended that a minimrun of three counts be conducted annually to provide an average number which will be more valid in determining the true population trend. It is suggested that counts tie conducted during the second and fourth weeks of August and during the first week in September. Arkansas Valley _Reported by: Donald H, Nolting. Methode and E'indinga: Quail brood counts were made in conjunction with pheasant studies. Counts made on routes which were considered quail habitat, were designated as such. These counts furnish the data pertaining to broods per mile and broods per hour. Findings follow in table 2. ~ · -- 1952 Qua.il Brood Data. Factor Scaled. Quail Total Broods Avarage Number per Brood Total Miles 'l'otal Hours Broods per Mile Broods per Hour J.7 8.8 586 37 .029 .45 Bobwhite Quail 13 11.30 586 37 .022 .35 �-91A~~and Reoo1mmmdati~: Direct trend comparieom, are difficult due, to tho small sample oht,aimid durini; 1951. It is evident, however, th&t the hatch was much improved over laet year, Best success was in Baca County. Dz•ought conditions did not hinder reproduction in any noticeable way, The present census system seems bsst from a practicQl etandpoint; it givee data whi.ch wi]l be cf value in developing improved methods, and it is recommended for continuation .. Appr-oved by: Prepared by, Wayne Sandfort Dona.id Nolting ~ Coordinator Date October 1952 --------~~~---- Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain pernd.ssi.on from the Colorado Ga.me and Fish Department, ��-93INVES'I'IGATIONS P.ttO~lE:C rs Ot~cti,,e: To dc1t,.;:rmine the nestlng success antl pt'odu.ction of chttkars and GEtmhel' s q..>Jai1 and the factors affecting. Scooe: _ _. . , . _ Garfield~ Mesa, ;Jolta, • and Nontrose coimties .. Colorado: .,7 1~1et,-h-cds: .. *"0+......,,;..:...-x:· Quail broods were counted while making counts of pheasant brood.s. Chu},sr hroodi:! 'Wl:,'.r,'l observed while making s:ul:·v-e;;rs in the Eay1:ri:::md Angel .d:1-.ne)1., B.i.,i.ck · Ct.r;y::m, au.d Escalante Canyon ar·eaJ:10 'i'he pr:i.nc:ipal results of quai.1 brood counts are presented in Table 1.pa1,atJ_·,v"1;; r-e-sults .for 19.50, 1951, and 19$2 are given in ·rable 2 .• __ 'PA.BL:!£_,,_ l. - , C0m- Gambel I s Q11a"i.l Brood Ccn;mts, 'west-central Colorado."' August. 1952. ~ Number of . Totai • Average Number Number of · Broods . • Counted 0$ Y~ung !oung p~r B1:"ood• .,,,,_1·~-~--;,...;....~,-~,.,;,;....~..;.;..~:·,.;,_··--3 ·.· .... · Crarfleld 4.33 N~lsa 6~07 14 Delta 2 · 5.50 2 3.50 Number .· of' .. .Tot.;i.l •.. Hens Nt.unber ·. of . •. with·.· Hens Seen · pa!'· Hen Broods .-..,._...-.--,.......-;.....,;....:.....-.....···.;,;..,......;,,~.~--··-, ·. 3 4°33 21 · 4.10 ·.i, ·.· l+ ·2·_- 'Jt' I;~:;;1 ·~---..;;;,.J __ - - ~,33_ -,31· �TABLE 2.-....... Comparat.1ve Results; Quail Brood Count Da:ta, West-cent,ral Colorado, 1950-·1952 .• · •..- - . --~!j!-. Type of Inf'orn1ation ···19>0: counted - .·. 1~ Number 6t broods Average number of young per broo<i ·..·.. . •.. Avera.ge -number of young per hen >···.· ..·. ···· ··· ~ti;g~~~: •~-.1952 -·---~----~ <9 : 7#67 7,9') ·. ·.· < 1.78 · : 3;63> ]'ourteen chukar broods were observed· <iu:r:i.ng .· July lard. .from t:hese coµnttS a;r~ ~'.lft?tlr:L?t 1!.a~l~ .:3.- ./ 21 · .•· · 5,,57 ····3/rr August, .1952 , 1":t~di~gs ~--·· Number of Area Broods Total Number· of Young Avetage Number Y-0u:ng per ,f,±>¢1<>!i ---------------------,-·----·.. -·'93> ---------·-···~·-1~ 8~45 :;:::~:n~~~~h ·.14."..-·-----·-2118.s. . .,.<. __.....,....._• ._a-"'8.,,4J.ijJ?.: ............. > . ... ·· ··(Gunniso:n River) .ALL AREAS -----~------- -·~-;,_" Du.ring one surv-ey 'in the Black Can.yorit 2'7 'ehukars we~~ set:in/ ir.tcltiditig two adults and 25 young~ · ·~=t~~t··::tt!!!;~~!!~=·· ~~~~::t::~!:rn:. ~:~~t~~~b~t~-t:!~:~~!~o:~:1t~r:ig. . .. s1..1rveys on JuJg 8 and. July 16, ::t.27 <ihuka,rs we:i:-e counted and :aged in Esca ... li:i;r1·~e Canyon~ Twenty-nine birds wer.e adul.ts and 98 were juveniles, giviri.g a figure of 3 •.38 young pe~ adult~ · · �-95- Findings from ohukar and quail production studies indfoate exoeLLent reproduction in ootn theee species for the 1952 ssason, Further investigations are na.,ded to check the accuracy of deter1u:Lni.ng reproductive success .Ln ohuKars dtiring tho month of July. Correlation of ftn.lings jn Ju.Ly with those obtained during trs.pping operations may indic;ite tho v&lidi ty of the method. jpproved by: Prepared by: _J![ayne_ Sandfort ~'edaral Aid Coordinator Date Not10: O~obar1 195"'"2_____ Persons wiehing to quote from this abetrac t should first obtain penrd.11sion from the Colorado Ga1ne and l"itSh Department., ��-97JOd COHPIZTION llEPORT INV:&STIQATIONS Pll.OJEC'l'S State of ---COLOl/ADO Work Pl1m No. IV Job No, 5 ----------"'---- Pro,ject No, W-.37-R-6 Title Location of Tranapla~n_t_S_'i_t_a_:,_·,_________________ ObjfJctive: To locnte areas aui:table for development of chukar popL1L9 t.\ uni'!. Sc~: •est-central Colorado. JV1ethode: Fio1d rooonnaissance. Comparison with established range. No new areas were selected for tran!!plsnting chukars dur:i ng the l\1:,2 seiison. Present plane are to release a minimlllll of 50 birds in the lower r.ennah Crne,( zn·eih This area was selected as a transplant site in 1951 aad was giv,m a pprovsl during a survey by parsonnel from the Fi.eh and iiild.life th,r1riee. ii:fforts wilJ. oe made to deve.lope a good colony of chukars :l.n ~h.i:i sreli be.''ore dietributing birds in othar localities. Description of the lover Knnnah Creek aroa is given in tha ',iuart<!rly .tlaport. for Apr•i), 1952, PP• 44-46. Prepared by: Approved by i Wayne S£tnd:fort October 1952 --------"---~'-------- Date No t.e1 Persons wishing to quote from thi.s ab8tract shoCild first obtain perniission from the Colorado Game and fiish Departn;ant. ��dove activi t,y w,1re cont:Lnued throughou.t, mado on V"1,,C,,,L,,,.c>UID'•4 trend . when pqurrr,s "'1£,1'.'$ mad(!, in the and 14 .. • Comparative results ar,11 lvliles �-100Ana. eis and Recommendations: As pointed out in the table, the occurrence of dovee per mile at least doubled after the nesting season. This indicates favorable reproduction for thl.s llpecies for 1952. Detl'lrm:ination of an average date for the conclusicn of the peak nel!!ting psriod should be of value for setting seasons. Northeastern Colorado lieported by: Harold M. Swope. Findin 4s: It wall difficult to place counts on a dove per mile basis. The majority of the birds observed were in concentrations. Many miles were traveled and few doves obssrved over much of the area but the concentrated numbers spread over• the total milos covered show 1,507 doves counted in 1,249 miles drivon. 'rtlia ia an average of l. 21 doves per mils. fi:ec()lranenda tione: Jf a nwnber of dove co110Gntration arees were selected, and counted each year on a trend route basis, more accurate indices to dove populations might be ootained, From a management standpoint it may be mentioned that nearly all doves during the past three years, have migrated out o.f the northeastern Colorado aroa by September 20th, It would. seem wise, therefore, to start the dove huntjng season on the first of Septembw and continue it for only two weeks. The unnecese;rily long season provides hunters with few additicnal doves yet it c.reatel!! a law enforcement problem when young pheasants of reputed palatebili ty .frequent the roadsides. West Central Colorado Methods: Regular counts at the same time of' day long established routes. See Quarterly Report for October, 1951, page 83, for detailed description of methods. Findings: Data recorded in table 2 indicate that tho post-breedi.ng dove popuhitlon in northwestern Colorado is very much the same as the average or l1mean 11 for the last two years. �-101TABie.:\ 2. - . -, Mo·.1rn 1.ng Dove Crn.;,nts, t-i,"'st-centr;,L Cu1orc:do, :1,; .12 (with . 19$0.~ 1951, ,,md 19~? trend c:omparison) • -·--·--- ..,....m:.,:.:~-m,.;:;;.;;:.:~-=,-=,::y~ MORNING COUNTS -if.re·s-·Bi.rda · 1952___.,.,---··-··-·· .- - · 195G1-.S1 h,ian 1950-5].. l''rea.n and 1952 TrenJ Counted Birds/loo Miles Birds/100 .hiles Compa.rison {;f;) ·-?-J_l_ _ _ _1_3_9....__--3-i:i-:1----:. 5L.~ 7 Gounty Garfield Mesa ·20. ; : 97 .. 8 454 464 51.i,O - 14.i Delta ftontrose 50~8 149 138 293 354 - 17.,2 243 168 /. Lt4.6 339 /,, oo.6 88 255 - ,:?.J f 21 66 f.J65.2 Driven 56 .. 7 """""'"''-"~kmnss~,-..,...,,-,..,,"~'"'"'"~--- ~LI~ COUNTIES 225 .,5 769 341 EV:t~NING COUNTS Ga rfj.,,J.d 40.1 72. 'I 17 hon'tr:se 89.7 2?~ ·29 1_s;7 ALL GOUNT:ES 22?~9 428 2>,;4 42 309 114 175 188 166 -- :n"J 16 •'·.~i) I ...... ~ Approved by:. NotE,: Pers.an:1 wishing to quote from this abstract should first obta.in p(,r:mj '',sion from t.:he Colorado Gam.s, and F:i.sh Dep1rtn:,cnt,, ��-103JOB COMPLETION n;,;poaT INVES'fIGATIONS PROJECTS State of___C_O_:.L_O_RA"'D_O_ _ __ Project No, W-37-H-6 V Job No. -------- Work Plan No. __ 2-3 __;;;,_-"-- Title of Jot; Banding and Nesting Studies. -....::.===..;;......;;....-.:..;;._-""'---'-...:...C=--'----------------- 0b j e2 t: To band mourning doves for migration and flyway studies. Sc..9~: Western Colorado - hesa County. Pernonnel: ~eported by: Dwight ;;.. Owens and Wayne W. Sandfort. Wayne iii. Sandfort. l:fo'thods: hourning dove nestlings were banded from nests located in a pear orchard consisting of 518 trees, 418 mature and 100 young trees. This orchard, owned by Luther Buck, is located two and one-half' miles east of Grand Junction. Banding was carried out in conjunction with nesting studies, which were initiated May 10 and terminated September 9, ..1952, All nests were checked twice a week. Nestlings commonly were banded when seven to ten days old. Three-h1mdred and thirty-one doves were banded during the investigation. Records of banding are given in Table 1. !ABLE 1. -- lfourning Dove Banding, Mesa County, 1952. Date Number· of Birds Banded 5/26/52 7 'J/30/52 6/ .2/52 6/ 6/';,2 6/ 9/52 6/13/5:e 6/18/52 6/?3/52 6/27/52 6/Jo/52 7/ 3/52 7/ 7/52 to oe continued next page. 8 33 26 26 9 15 10 21 8 18 17 �-104- 8< 7/10/52 7/14/52 7/19/52 15> 7/21/52 7/25/52 13 7/31/52. 17 · 8/ 8/52 8 13 ·B/15/52 8/18/52 8/22/52 9 9 10 9 4 7/28/52 8/ 5/52 9 5/11/52 8/25/52 2 R/->9/r:;2· \j_ 4·_,, 2 # . . 'I'OTAL DOVES .· BANDED Studies indica.ted that juvehi!es s1.focesstully left the nests after being Danded; except ·1:n ·One fnsfanCe·liheir a y6u.ng tiiith ba.n.d number 513··/7531:iXJ· was found dead in the nest.. · in 'rhe number of. doves . banded in . one orchard .lncJ.icate the. heavy nesting certa.i.n af'eas of Mesa County.. Banding of ypu.ng from nests provide inf orm.ati:on on the exact origin of the birds and should pI"ovide valuable data for determination of flywa;ys and migrations~ · · · · A limited Mourning dove trapping and banding project was carried out during 1952.. Trap sites were located near the Rocky Ford cemeta:r·y. This secluded .i1',:1:.) offered excellent nesting opportunities for the birds and supported a ·. dense population.. Ttfo portable traps, three feet squa.re by one foot h:teh were used~ Each trap had one entrance~ The birds exhibited a high degree oJ 110.il'ity for escape from the traps once they were caught. Experimentation showed that a tux1nel type entrance of 1 11 mesh wire, about six inches long and high enough to admit a dove easily., produced the best :results~ . fo:e traps were located on bare soil near suitable roosting trees. Wheat was used for bait. No attempt was made to pre-bait, although this practice is redo.rnmended for future ope:rationso Each trap was checked at least tw:Lce d.::rd.ly and this pra.utice helped to :tncrease the total catch. :P1acin5 a contalne:c near the trap to furnish water for the birds also in.crea.aad ·U1e c:atch. fi'o:.,;; squir..:•els 'were a nuisance by stealing th~ bait ii:i!ld frightening th,:i b:i:r-i:.ts away afte:r bei.ng ca11ght in the trap. �:most Tr,apping 13 ., \ J.J.J 0 l 0 1 1 0 1 l 4 J 20 success from Trapping Development henef:tcial .. Approved Donald No1ti:ng """""'''"Ai - --«<=--'''"""'''''"' 0 9 4 of :methods � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/9de0c386b8d4575146bc930a9cd43063.pdf 13edd53c5c474e33e2ec599e371eae3d PDF Text Text -1- JOB COl-1PLETIONru;PORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO ------~~~--- Project No. w-35-D-6 Ti t.Le of Job: Work Plan No. I Job No. 3 ------~-----------~----------- Selection and Survey of Transplant Sites. --------~~~~~~~~~~~-~~~~~~~~~----------- Objective: To locate desirable sites on public land wherever possible, which antelope can be transplanted successfully. into Findings: The Sheridan-Heginbotham ranch in Northern Yuma County (see Quarterly Report of October, 1951), and the Walter Partch ranch, southwest of Yuma, are recommended for transplants of 30 animals each. In addition, all the sites planted last season should be added to in order to hasten their establishment. The Walter Partch ranch is located 8 miles south of Yuma on High •. lay 59, 2! miles west, and l! south. It is composed of 2240 acres of land. Twelve of }~. Partch's neighbors have expressed their desire to have antelope once more in the vicinity. The group controls a total of 32,460 acres of land. The area could. support several hundred antelope. Scattered fields, mostly of row crops, are dispersed among rolling sand hill pastures. The only barriers are sand hills. The elevation is 4,000 feet, average annual precipitation and average temperature 65 degrees. Water developments around water. are windmills and water holes. 15 inches, There is year- Sand sage is the range type. Cactus, needle grass, grama grass, sand dropseed, and switch grass are found. Range condition is fair to good. Land use is cattle ralSlng. The site is historical antelope range. The ranchers, game warden, local sportsmen and general public are all in favor of introduction of antelope into the area. �-2Analysis and Conclusion: The area of the Partch ranch meets all the requirements It is second in priority only to the Sheridan ranch. of a good antelope area. Summary: Two new areas are recommended for transplants ishing of recently planted areas. of antelope, as well as a replen- Data and Reports: Field data are in files of writer. Approved Prepared by__~G~o~r~do~n~A~.~D~6~u~g~l~a=s~ _ Date Note: ~J~a~n~u=a~ryLL,~l~9~5~3~ _ hy ~R6:R~ Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract shoUld first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-3JOB COV~LETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO ------~~~~-------- Project No • W.;.,.-..:3:..;::5_-_D_-_6 Work Plan No • Title of Job: I:...- J ob No • 4.:...- __ Check Plot Study. --------~~~~~~~~--------------------------------- Objective: To establish permanent check plots in each antelope transplant site and major herd area for the purpose of making a detailed study of the vegeta.tion, and to provide a.ccurate standa.rds and records from which to draw conclusions. Personnel: Northern Colorado, Gordon Douglas; Southern Colorado, Stanley Ogilvie. Findings: Line-intercept plots or transects were established and observed according to the method described in previous reports. (a) El Paso, Pueblo, and Pa.rk Counties: Heavy livestock use occurred on the El Paso and Pueblo County locations, in addition to severe drouth last summer, causing considerable range depletion. In Park County, four new check plots were established. The Bent County plot was discontinued. (b) Plot 1 of Larimer County was discontinued. The following tables show the results of the study expressed in percent of the transects covered with vegetation, and the breakdown of the total percent density into the three forage classes. TABLE 1. % % ct fO % Plot No. Gra.ss 1951 1952 Herbs 1951 1952 Shrubs 1951 1952 Density % 1951 1952 Density Change Moffat 1 2 3 1.58 2.50 1.25 1.10 2.42 0.94 0.66 0.00 1.33 0.54 0.00 1.30 6.66 5.00 3.00 3.00 12.25 12.00 8.91 6.64 5.50 5.42 14.83 14.24 -2.27 -0.08 -0.59 Larimer 2 3 18.32 25.04 33.60 57.40 1.67 1.54 1.42 1.42 0.83 1.08 0.67 1.17 20.82 27.13 36.22 59.99 1-23.77 County "L6.31 �...4TABLE 2. % % 1.25 1.08 15.36 12.13 4.14 3.58 14.85 11.50 - - 15.00 29.52 24.84 7.32 8.83 .40 1.35 6.00 4.87 -- 10.45 8.22 -2.23 -- 0.75 1.51 3.28 2.98 17.03 13.86 -2.52 0.78 0.73 4.95 0.16 9.16 9.54 15.08 11.02 1 2 3 4 5 14.11 11.05 14.41 14.13 20.40 14.57 10.95 9.20 6.17 5.25 tr tr 3.72 1.15 1 4.05 1.90 AVERAGE 13.00 9.33 lEI Paso Pueblo No. % Total Densitv % 1951 1952 Herbs 1951 1952 County % Shrubs 1951 1952 .Graaa 1951 1952 - - Density Change - - 14.41 14.13 0.83 0.43 21.23 - - -3.23 -0.28 -6.23 -4.68 11.51 NEW PLOTS Park 1 2 3 4 AVERAGE Analysis ., 1.63 tr 0.45 0.16 7.35 8.81 9.68 10.70 -- -- -- -- 9.13 0.56 1.56 11.20 and Recommendations: (a) A comparison of density between 1951 and 1952 from Table 2 shows a decrease of 2.52 percent from the 1951 figure for average percent. density change. Only one transect showed an increase. This was an increase of 1.51 percent on the O~c r App~lt .anch ~n ~l raBO County. For 1952, shrubs increased to show increase. .78 percent over 1951. This was the only forage class Average density of the four new plots in Park County was 11.20 percent. Because of the hot, dry weather occurring before the test plots were checked, one cannot conclude as to the amount of depletion due to livestock use. (b) The Moffat County plots showed a lowering of plant density on an already sparsely covered range. Contributing greatly to this condition was grazing of range which was up to 95 percent bare ground, undergoing rapid sheet and gully erosion, and offering little opportunity for seedling germination. �-5The Larimer County plots, #2 and #3, showed moderate to heavy gains in grass density. This was largely due to. the presence of buffalo grass on a very favorable site, spreading rapidly above ground under good moisture conditions. Summary: (a) The average vegetation density of the six El Paso and Pueblo County plots this year was 13.86 percent, a decrease of 2.52 percent from 1951 •. Four new check plots, established in Park County, showed an average density of 11.20 percent. (b) The Moffat County plots showed small decreases in density since 1951, while the Larimer County plots showed moderate to heavy increases. Data and Reports: Data is recorded on form sheets with photos, and are in files of writers. Previous years' reports are in Quarterly Reports. Approved by ~~ Prepared by__~G~o~r=d~on~A~.~D~o~u~g~l~a=s~ _ Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator Stanley Ogilvie Date Note: Janua~, 1953 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��Ilii\lMiiiiii BDOW021868 -7- State of JOB CO~~LETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COLORADO --------~--~------- Project No ._--.,..;W..:...-....:3:..:::5_--=D_-..:..6 __ ~Work Plan No •__ I;;;...Title of Job Antelope J ob No •__ --.:::8 _ Checking Station 'Survey. Objectives: To determine kill trends' and to collect data of value in physiological studies. Techniques: For the first time, the aaa i st.ance of organized sportsmen was solicited in collecting stomach samples during the open season of November 7, 8, and 9, 1952. Through a plan of close cooperation with the department, sportsmen's organizations donated three hundred paper cartons to the project. In area 9, where sale of permits was on a first-come, first-served basis on November 6, a carton and letter of instructions was issued to each permit holder. In areas 3, 4, 5, and 6, however, since permits were already in the hands of hunters as a result of a drawing held several months previously, notices in the press informed these hunters of the availability of cartons at a few strategically located depositories within the hunting area. Letters of instructions stressed the procedure to be followed in collecting, identifying, and turning in the sample. In the attempt to secure returns of ear-tagged heads for use in dentition studies, it was decided at the time of the drawing for permits to enclose in each envelope \.ith the license a small mimeographed slip outlining the desire to obtain such heads, reasons therefor, and instructions for preserving specimens and notifying the Department. To determine kill trends in areas 1, 2, 7, and 8, hunters' return cards were used. Kill figures of the November season, held in areas 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9, were not available at report time. Findings: Of the three hundred cartons distributed, were returned with stomach samples. approximately 100 Three 29-month known-age lower jaws were secured and preserved as a result of the notices enclosed with the mailed licenses. No buck antelope were observed or reported which had yet shed the horn shells as of November lOth. During the September season, 678 antelope were killed on an issue of 775 permits, for a success ratio of 87.77 percent. �-8Analysis and Conclusions: Although only a few hunters failed to give any clue of the location of their kill, and the enterprise was considered unusually successful considering the haste with which it 'vas put into effect, it has been suggested that this difficulty may be dispensed with in the future by issuing cartons with a brief form stamped or printed on the lid, calling for the desired inforrr:.ation. The enclosure of notices with the license, when mailed, requesting cooperation by the hunter in some phase of research,. has been found to be of positive value. Such processes obviously can be varied widely to suit the need of the occasion. _The desire to cooperate varies with the individual, but for one who adamantly re~ fused to turn over any part of his animal, there were three who took pains to comply in the dentition stuqy. The November season was set for the first time largely to accommodate stockmen of east-central Colorado who did not like it ear~ier because they had so many more cattle on the ranges prior to November. One reason this later season had not been made in previous years was a fear that the buck trophies would be impossible to find, due to the annual shedding of the outer covering of the horns. This fear proved to be unfounded however, and the temperature at that time was more conducive to the keeping of meat than that of August and September. Summary: Hunter assistance accounted for the collection of approximately 100 antelope stomach samples and 3 known-age lOHer jaws during the last half of a split antelope season. Kill during the first half was 592 antelope on 775 permits, success ratio of 87.77 percent. No horn shedding was observed to have taken place prior to November 10. Data and Reports: Kill data is filed with the Game Management Division of the department. Other information from files of writer and other project assistants. Submitted by: Approved by: Gordon A. Douglas Date -------- Note: January, 1953 y-L~~~ ~~ _ Laurence E. nlordan Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this ahstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �ANTELOPE AREAS 1952 SEASON AREA NO.2 300 Permits Sept. 13, 14, 15 �ANTELOPE AREAS 1952 SEASONS �-9- S ta te of__ JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS ---.:.CO.=,:L=.:O:.:.RAD::;=..O.::....__ Pro ject No ._.....:W:.... -....::3~5:.....-.::.D_-.::.6 Work Plan No • I Title of Job Survey of Antelope at Transplant Objectives:' To determine the success of transplanted adjusted to their new environment. Findings: On September an telope • Job No ._--=-9 _ Sites. antelope in becoming tU-a. 19, Hughes and Ogilvie flew in search of transplanted I\. ~(a) In the Joes area, one mile north of the Arickaree River, and 3 miles east of Highway 59, they located twelve antelope: 1 buck, 6 does, and 5 fawns. (b) In the area north of -v'iray,they found one buck east of Highway 51. West of the same road, at a point 3 miles west and 15 miles north of 'wray, they found a doe and three fawns. Five miles west and 13 miles north of Wray, they saw 2 bucks, 2 does, and 3 fawns. L (c) Stripping the area between Highways 63 and 287, six miles north of }1cClave, to the Nee Gronda Reservoir, they found 3 bucks and 2 does ten miles northeast of Hasty, one buck 10! miles northeast of Hasty, 7 bucks 15 miles northeast of that town, 6 bucks, one doe, and one fawn 15 miles north of Hasty, and 3 bucks 10 miles north of Ft. Lyons. (d) In the Newcombe Ranch area southeast of Trinidad, Warden C. M. Scott made a ground survey of the area in November, after learning that the aerial survey had failed to locate any antelope. He reported that he found most of the antelope in the area adjacent Picketwire Canyon rim among the cedar and pinon trees. to the He counted one band of forty-one near a pond in the north central part of the Dave Newcombe pasture. Seventeen were noted farther north in a timbered draw. Nine others were in the timber on the W3st side of the pasture. One doe and one fawn vlere by themselves in the central part of the pasture. Five bucks were in a pinon-juniper area near Salt Creek. Another band of fifteen antelope were located in a pasture south of Highway 160 belonging to ltrs. Mock of Trinchera. On the Clarence Newcombe property he found a total of 24. Six of them were east of the release point beyond Alkali Creek. The others were in groups of seven, nine, and two, and were scattered from the original transplant site south to near Highway 160. Evidence of good reproduction rate was indicated by the location fawns in both locations, both singles and tvlin fawns. of several �-10(e) None were found in the Augustin Ranch area southwest of Lamar. Analysis and Recommendations: (a) The twelve observed near Joes represent less than one-third of the potential herd. This transplant was short of bucks, the one mentioned above beiniS the only one of breeding age. Consequently, if further investigation shows that the herd is widely split, perhaps some effort to introduce more adult bucks should be made. (b) Twelve observed north of "v[rayand largely west of Highway 51 indicate that the Kitzmiller ranch transplant of 1950-1951 is probably doing well. As far as is known, the Bledsoe herd, which was reported to number 18 during the winter of 1952, is some distance east of Highway 51, and was not located on this flight. (c) The directions of migration of the HcClave herd have been northeast and also northwest. Individuals of this transplant could possioly have made contact with those of the 1950-51 transplant to the Wear Ranch, Brandon, Colorado. The 23 sighted represent more than 50 percent of the 39 transplanted to this region in 1952. Recommended are more frequent and extensive aerial observations. (d) The failure of the aerial survey to locate the antelope of the Newcombe Ranch may be due to the timbered nature of part of the land, and it is recommended that ground surveys be used as a check in this and possibly other transplant areas. Need for closer cooperation between the district warden and the flying personnel in such flights is indicated. (e) The Augustin herd has scattered and moved to points south of its release point, but not all yet located. Hore extensive surveys are recommended. Summary: On September 19, 1952, a flight over five antelope transplant areas located 100 antelope on four of them but none on one. No failure was yet indicated, although extensive migration was taking place, which called for more thorough searCh'j?:i Prepared by Gordon A. Douglas Date January, 1953 Note: tLe;:~ Approved by ·~.,u~ Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-l~JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO ----------~-------- Project No. Work Plan No. W-35-D-6 Title of Job ~I~ Job No. l_l _ Occurrence of Antelope in Timbered Terrain. Objective: To study those instances where antelope have chosen timbered habitat, to investigate the degree of competition with deer for forage, and describe how this timbered habitat differs from the traditional. Scope: South Park Area. Techniques: Periodic field trips were made to different habitat types at different times of day. These were made so as to observe antelope in their natural state. Findings: The antelope range in South Park varies in elevation from 8,000 feet to the slopes of Black Mountain, 11,656 feet hight. The Park area consists of two main vegetative types, first, the open range, related closely as to forage class density to that of the antelope's traditional range, and second, the timbered area consisting mainly of pines, juniper, and aspen. The latter type offers a larger variety of weeds and browse. A total of 312 field trips were made during July and August to determine preferred habitat at different times of day. The results are tabulated in Table 1. TABLE 1. I FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE OF Al~TE10PE IN SPECIFIC HABITAT~ SOUTH PARK , Type Habitat Meadowland Open Range Scattered Timber Thick Timber ;; Early A.M. (5-9 A.H.) Late A.M. (9-Noon) Early P.H. (Noon-4 P.M.) Late P.M. (4-Dark) 12 39 18 15 9 88 16 6 10 78 9 7 9 49 11 12 �-12During the month of July, the antelope were found to frequent the timber more than during August, when they began to group together and tended to remain on open range. The writer observed five cases of antelope feeding at the timber's edge, and when frightened, running through the timber to open range on the opposi te side. . The competition between deer and antelope for forage in South Park is believed to be practically non-existent, at least during the swmner months. Only six dee:r were observed during the period, and two of these could have been repeat observations. On August 20, at 6:30 A.M., a herd of 7 antelope was observed browsing in company with a buck deer. When disturbed by the writer, they ran up the slope together to the edge of a timber grove. The deer ran into the timber, and the antelope followed the timber edge to a high slope and then dropped out of sight. Between July 1 and September 1, sight records were made of feeding habits of 464 antelope. The records show that, of the vegetation cropped during their feeding periods, 80-90 percent consisted of browse and weeds. This compares closely with results obtained by stomach analyses made on antelope from Pueblo, Moffat, Lincoln, and El Paso Counties. (Quarterly Report, July, 19.51.) A doe antelope, in mid-July, was seen cropping leaves from a young Aspen. observation was the only one of its kind made during the study period. This Recommendations: Three months during the summer season is hardly enough time to make a complete study of this type. It is recommended that studies during different seasons be carried on to give a broader picture of antelope occurrence in timbered terrain. Their seasonal movement during the winter storms should also be recorded. Summary: South Park antelope prefer open range, but have been observed in scattered timber and thick timber also, especially in early mornings. In July, when the instinct is to scatter rather than band together, there is more use of timbered areas than when congregation is the rule. When frightened, open country. the deer seeks the cover of timber, while the antelope prefers The antelope's preference of browse and weeds over grass may make the vegetation associated with the timber types very attractive to them. Food habits studies should be eXpanded in this area. Data and Reports: Submitted by: Field notes and data are retained in the author's files. rft?~ Approved by ~LR Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator Gordon Douglas Stanley Ogilvie Date ~J~a~n~u~a~r~yL,_1~9~.5~3~ _ �-13- State of COLORADO Project No. w-61-R-3; Work Pl?~N~ 1 Title of Job Objective: JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Fur Resources and Bear Studies Job No. 1 Inventory of Fur Resources. To gain information butions. on populations and trends by species and distri- Findings: On May 27, 1952, it became apparent that a sizeable population of opossums (Didelphis virginianus) is present in some areas on the western slope of Colorado. A female opossum was caught by Wayne Sandfort and Douglas Gilbert on the above date. The animal was captured on the J. C. Baughman ranch about 1t miles northwest of Grand Junction. Five young, each about It inches long, were in the marsupial pouch. From a review of the literature and observation of the size of the young, it was deduced that the first breeding date for opossums in this area is during April and May. The young in this case were about two weeks old (Figure 1). In comparable areas of this elevation and climate, opossums usually have two litters per year. Scats and other signs in the area indicated several families in the same general vicinity. The first record of opossums on the western slope is in 1920, when one male and two females were released by John Hart, now the Assistant Director of the Colorado Game arid Fish Department. This plant was made in.the Carpenter Wash area northwest of Grand Junction. Successive plantings were m~de in 1930 and again in 1940 in the same general areas. In October of 1950, a family of half-grown opossums was found on the same J. C. Baughman ranch. The present populations undoubtedly stemmed from these plantings. A far greater population of ring-tailed cats (Bassariscus astutus) than was known was found to exist in the Grand Junction area (Figure 2). Many sight records were obtained and several animals were taken by local trappers during the trapping season. Two of the animals were caught after killing two turkeys on a ranch near Grand Junction. Records of ring-tails were made by other Department personnel in the DeBeque and Glenwood Canyons, and in the vicinities of Nucla and Norwood. One large male wa:,? killed in the upper Williams' Fork area out of Granby at an elevation approximating 9000 feet. This is a very unusual record, since the ringtailed cat is thought of as a species occupying only low elevations in Colorado. Their nocturnal habits generally cause population estimates to be much lower than they should be. �'..i · TABLE 1. lMonth FUR ANIMALS OBSERVED IN COLORADO, JANUARY--NOVEMBER, Muskrat Striped Skunk Marten Badger Coon January Coyote 1952. Mink Spotted Weasel Skunk Gray Fox BlackBob Footed Cat Ferret 2 February 2 March 5 1 April 24 4 May 4 9 2 2 1 5 6 2 1 1 June 4 7 July 4 12 1 1 19 3 13 1 < 19 r) 9 6 September 8 16 3 1 2 October 17 10 3 1 INnvp.mhp.l" lR ] ] Totals 81 16 11 27 1 31 1 August 69 Total 4 S 1 1 19 t) b, ~8 1 1 32 31 1 10 9 6 4 21 2 1 1 237 I �Figure 1 Five young opossums in the marsupial poucho Female caught near Grand Junction, May, 1952. Figure 2 A COlorado ring-tailo �-15It is possible that ring-tails are extending their range to higher elevations on the western slope as the raccoons are on the eastern slope. Raccoons are now quite numerous above 7500 feet,along the Poudre and Big Thompson Rivers, and their tracks have been seen near Chambers Lake above. 9000 feet elevation. The observations of fur animals made by Wildlife summarized in Table 1. Technicians during 1952 are The time of the spring migration of muskrats is indicated by observations on that species made during March, April, and May. Road-kills of muskrats were especially numerous during April, and some of them were found a great distance from the nearest water. The over-land migration apparerrt Iy is linked with mating season activities and local over-populations. The black-footed ferret vJas a road-kill seen in eas tern Weld County near the South Pla.tte River. Ferrets never have been abundant, and are now thought by some to be nearly extinct in Colorado. If time permits, an effort will be made to determine the present status of this rare weasel. Records of the rare and uncommon fur animals are very desirable, and it is requested that all sight or historical records of the following animals be turned in to fur research personnel: I---Fisher (apparently no record for Colorado). 2-~olf (thought to be extinct). 3---0tter (no recent record). 4---Wolverine (thought to be nearly extinct). 5---Black-footed ferret (rare). 6--Canada lynx (rare). 7--0possum (uncommon). 8--Ring-tailed cat (uncommon). 9---Spotted skunk or civet cat (uncoinmon). 10---Foxes (red, gray, kit). ll---Mink (rare in some areas). l2---Raccoon (records for western slope needed). The fur harvest survey was carried out again by means ofa postal card questionnaires. A total of 1596 trappers licenses were sold in Colorado for the 1951-52 trapping season. The total has dropped steadily for the_past three years; in 1949-50, 1967 licenses were sold, and in 1950-51, 1874 viere sold. This drop in license sales is attributed to the low prices received for raw furs. Questionnaires were sent to 1434 license holders, and 376 (26%) were returned. Table 2 shows the reported and adjusted (calculated) numbers of pelts and their value for the 1951-52 trapping season. �TABLE 20 REPORTED AND ADJUSTED NUMBERS OF PELTS SOLD BY COLoRADO TRAPPERS, 1951-52 FUR SEASON, BY SPECIES NUMBERS A~J.AVERAG~ PRICE. Reported Pelts Reported Value Ave. Price per pelt Adjusted Pelts Adjusted Value (,StateTotalJ 21~466 $19,792.61 $ 0.92 91,337 $84,030.04 ~ink 84 1~242.00 14.79 357 5,280.03 Coyote 8 8.37 1.05 34 35.70 Bobcat 2 4.00 2.00 8 16.00 Skunk 188 138.26 0.74 799 591.26 Civet Cat 5 2.25 0.45 21 9.45 Weasel 62 68.90 1.11 263 291.93 Raccoon 119 103.12 0.87 526 457.62 Gray Fox 1 4 Kit Fox 1 4 Badger 1 0.25 0.25 4 1.00 191 20050 0.11 812 89.32 Species Muskrat Jackrabbit Gray Squirrel Total 5 21 94,190 $90,802.35 �TABLE 3. COMPARATIVETABULATION OF DATA FROM FUR DEALER FORMS AND TRAPPER QUESTIONNAIRES, Fur Trapper Number Questionnaires Average Value Number Dealer Value 74,223 $64,490 $ 0.87 91,337 $84,030.04 $ 0.92 Mink 182 2,250 12.31 357 5,280.03 14.79 Coyote 13 11 0.87 34 35.70 1.05 Bobcat 57 86 1.51 5 16.00 2.00 Skunk 262 217 0.83 799 591.26 0.74 14 6 0.46 21 9.45 0.45 312 421 1.35 263 291.93 loll Species Muskrat Civet Cat Weasel 469 Raccoon Forms Average 1951-52. 693 1.47 526 457.62 :-. -J 0.87 I 7 Gray Fox Kit 5 10 4 Jackrabbit Total Squirrel 4 4 Fox Badger Gray 0.64 \ 0.38 - 4 1.00 0.25 812 89.32 0.11 21 75,552 $68,189 94,190 $90,802.35 - • �-18The importance of the muskrat in the Colorado raw fur market is well shown by this table, for 97 percent of the pelts, and 92.5 percent of the value we re made up of this one species. Out of the total of 1434 trappers who received questionnaires, 1146 (80%) trapped muskrats. Table 3 represents a comparative tabulation of the information compiled from the trappers questionnaires and the fur dealers reports. As was shown in previous comparisons (Quarterly Report, January, 1952), more furs were calculated to have been caught by the trappers than were reported by the fur de~lers. The difference probably represents the furs that were shipped from the state in quest of higher prices. The trappers who shipped muskrats, minks, and coyotes apparently received better returns than those who sold them within the state, for the average price reported by the trappers for these animals was higher than on the fur dealer forms. The reverse appears to be the case with skunks and raccoons, for the trappers' average price was lower than the dealers' price on these animals. Prepared by: Approved by: ~~.i ~ Federal Aid Coordinator Douglas Gilbert Jack Remington Date Note: January, 1953 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �COLO DIV WILDLIFE RESEARCH CTR LIB 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 BDOW021872 ..l9JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of__ -=C..:;,O.::.LO=.:ftA=D..:;,O _ 'Project No. W-61-R-3, Fur Resources and Bear Studies. Work Plan No. 2, Specific Studies on Important Species. Title of Job Location, Mapping, Job No. 1 _ and Survey of Huskrat Trend Areas. Objective: To maintain surveys and trends of numbers within trend plots in the major habitats and drainages. Procedures: Field reconnaissance, house counts, etc. stream survey, burrow counts, trail counts, Findings: The muskrat trend plots have been run for four consecutive years; the plots and methods used were described in Quarterly Reports, January, 1950 and January, 1951. Assistance given this year by Paul Gilbert, Don Hoffman, and. Dwight Owens is gratefully acknowledged. Out of 28 active trend plots, 24 were run in 1952. Table 1 represents a comparison of the counts made on 19 plots run in both 1951 and 1952. Fourteen of the trend plots have been run each year for the four years of the study (Table 2.) Using the 1949 muskrat counts as a base, figure 3 shows the variations in numbers of muskrats counted for the three succeeding years. The graph may be indicating that there isa cyclic fluctuation in muskrat numbers, such as has been noted in Canada. To actually determine this point will requlre many more years of study. Prepared by: Approved by: Douglas Gilbert Jack Remington Date January, 1953 Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �TABLE 1. Plot No. COMPARISON -C-ounty OF MUSKRAT TRE~ID PLOT COUNTS, 1951, and 1952. Individuals 1951 Total Individuals Repeats 1952 .~ Total Remarks for 1952 Repeats 1 Jackson 15 8 23 10 2 12 W-1. ter .LeveL low. 4 Routt 3 3 6 11 23 34 Eating submerged vegetation. S Routt 3 0 3 10 1 11 6 Moffat 0 0 0 4 0 4 7 Garfield 4 1 5 23 31 54 8 Moffat 2 0 2 8 S 13 12 Montezuma 4 3 7 2 0 2 Very low population. 13 La Plata 1 0 1 7 2 9 Eating submerged 14 Rio Grande 2 0 2 22 0 22 15 Saguache 5 0 S 3 0 3 water level back to normal after very low in '51. Apparently over-trapped. 16 Saguache 5 3 8 9 5 14 17 saguache 0 0 0 4 0 4 23 Sedgewick 5 9 14 4 2 6 24 Morgan 11 3 14 15 9 24 26 Larimer 9 5 14 8 4 12 27 Archuleta :; 4 9 13 15 28 30 Las Animas 2 1 3 0 0 0 31 Huerfano 0 0 0 4 0 4 32 Huerfano Totals S 2 42 7 123 0 0 0 81 99 256 Population T.al(AArA~ high in Trapper's vegetation. '," .0 I 127 Population rising after dry di tch in 19c)1. Apparently over-trapped. , �TABLE 2. COMPARISON OF COUNTS ON 14 MUSKRAT TREtD PLOTS FOR 1949-50-51-52. 1952 1951 1950 1949 Plot No. Rats Repeats Total Rats Repeats Total Rats Repeats Total Rats Repeats Total 1 24 9 33 29 12 41 15 8 23 10 2 12 4 13 3 16 1 0 1 3 3 6 11 23 34 5 18 1 19 2 0 2 3 0 3 10 1 11 6 8 1 9 7 1 8 0 0 0 4 0 4 7 18 10 28 12 6 18 4 1 5 23 31 54 8 12 5 17 2 1 3 2 0 2 8 5 13 12 9 2 11 3 0 3 4 3 7 2 0 2 13 12 0 12 10 12 22 1 0 1 7 2 9 0 22 14 42 0 42 9 0 9 2 0 2 22 15 14 0 14 3 0 3 5 0 5 3 0 3 16 13 7 20 11 5 16 5 3 8 9 5 14 17 30 0 30 6 0 6 0 0 0 4 0 4 23 0 0 0 3 0 3 5 9 14 4 2 6 24 14 8 22 7 0 7 11 3 14 15 9 24 Totals 227 46 273 105 37 142 60 30 90 132 80 212 , , ro •..... ~ �- tt +-I r- t '+-+ R=H~- -ttl.L +-t- ; --+- I 40 , I , _1... , 30 I 20 1 OJ bJl s:: 10 , ClI G OJ hO ••• fI-, 0 I , '" ClI ~ s:: , I OJ o J... , -10 8! I"\, ~,: ~c IC' I.,. -20 I , ~ ICo -30 .UliJ I •• -40 u 'I b- -50 f-~~ r""I '~t.•....•.~ -60 - -70 +1- -t- I - 1 -I- I -- -~1-~- 1950 f- 1951 - - - ,-1-1- 1952 Figure 3 - Yearly percentage variation from 1949 base. MUSKRAT TREND PLarS L_ I �••23JOB CO¥~LETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO Project No. W-61-R-3, Fur Resources and Bear Studies. Work Plan No. II, Specific Studies on Important Species. Job No. Title of Job Economic Relationships of Muskrats. 2~ _ Objective: , To study areas of damage to ditches, headgates, and other structures and determine the losses in dollars per unit area. Findings are to be used in regulating the take. Also t.odetermine whether a spring or fall open season is best for economic returns. Procedure: Field reconnaisance, contact, and steel trapping in study areas. Findings: Through a review of 62 references on muskrats and contact with trappers and fur dealers, Table 1 was constructed showing the primary reasons for and against both fall and spring open seasons. The problem is---IIWhen can we get the greatest economic returns (the most muskrats and best~muskrats) without depleting the resource?1t The factor5 that must be considered are: 1. What is the muskrat population, and how many can be taken annually without depleting the breeding stock? 2. When are the skins most valuable? (a) Time of primeness. (b) Time of largest sizeo (c) Time of damage due to intraspecific strife (fighting and mating)o (d) Time of loss of primenesso 3. When are trapping conditions best? (a) (b) (c) (d) 40 At high elevationso At low elevations. Time of freeze-up, thickness of ice, etc. Time of thaw. How much winter-loss is there, and how can it be considered in setting the season? �TABLE 1. PRI~.ARY ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FALL AND SPRING OPEN SEASONS ON MUSKRATS. FALL Advantage------Disadvantage 1 - Large catch 1 - Mostly unprime SPRING 1i:a:vantage - DlsaCIvantage skins. 1 - All prime skins. 2 - Saves some winter loss. 2 - Average size of skins small. 2 - All skins large. of breeding stock and interference during mating season. 2 - Winter loss. 3 - Improves condi- 3 - Low market. value. 3 - Easy trapping. 3 - Skins damaged from possible. tions for survivors. 1 - Reduction mating activities. -, 4 - Easy trapping. 4 ~ High waters freeze up early and "weather sometimes unfavorable at low eleva t.Lons , :) - Catch can be made in ditches that dry up later. 4 - High market vJlue (except for damaged skins ). :) - Water usually remains open after thaw. 6 - Better time for law enforcement. 4 - Waterfowl and mink mortality. :) - Very late season in high elevations. ~ f �FIELD FORMS USED IN COLLECTION OF DATA ON MUSKRATS CAUGHT DURING FALL VS. SPRING SEASON COMPARISON. (a) Date Temperature Time Low High On Line Fleshing No. of Sets Ice Cover Cloud Cover Precipitation Remarks Fmbryos4 Remarks (b) ~~uskrat Number Date Place Sex Weight Age 1 Condition 2 pelt3 Damage ( os,') II (1) Age---mature (2) Condition---condition of animal (poor, fair, good), based on amount of body fat, appearance, etc. (3) Pelt---percentage • I\) \f' or immature, based on pattern of primeness metho~ (4) Embryos---counted of primeness. in spring-caught females. J �In an attempt to determine which open season is best for Colorado, a study was initiated during October, 1952, on two small study ar~as. One of the areas was located at about 4000 feet elevation and the other was at about 7500 feet to take into consideration the effects upon muskrats of differences in elevation. Each area was divided into two plots as equally as possible considering the muskrat population. One of the two plots on each area was trapped during the fall season (October l5--November 30 above 7000 feet) (November l5--December 31 below 7000 feet). The remaining plots: will be trapped during the spring season, following which the data collected during both seasons will be compiled. It is planned to carry on this study for at least two years. Prepared by: Dougla.s Gilbert Jack Remington Date Note: January, 1953 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-21JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of" PROJECTS COLORADO Project No. W-6l-R-3; Work Plan No. II Title of Job Fur Resources and Bear Studies Job No.~ Beaver Life History Studies Objectives To determine the life history factors affecting Procedure: Field studies and accumulation tagging by beaver trappers. management. of data resulting from cooperative Findings I In a letter (July 29, 1952) to the seven Colorado Fur Inspectors, Superintendent of Fur Resources Dean Coleman asked their opinions as to the success of the beaver ear-tagging operations. All seven stated that the project has not been successful, and only one wanted to continue the present method of tagging. Reasons given for the lack of success wereJ l--Only a very small percentage of tagged beavers was ever found again. 2--Almost all tagged beavers that were recovered had moved great distance~ from the planting sites, some of them right through good habitat. The trappers believe this migration is sometimes caused Qy the ear-tags. 3--The ear-tags sometimes irritate the animals, causing them to shake their heads, scratch at the tags, wander overland, and thereby become easy victims of predatorso 4--Many of the ear-tags were torn out by scratching. 5--The extra handling involved caused some beavers to die. However, two of the men gave strong evidence in support of the idea that untagged beavers also move great distances when live-trapped and transplanted. Perhaps it is not the tagging that causes the "disappearance" of beavers, but the trapping, handling and moving to a strange habitat. Four of the fur inspectors were in favor of continuing some kind of tagging other than ear-tagging. As a means of checking the movements ~transplanted beavers, and also to determine the success of the present transplanting operations, some tagging must be continued. Therefore the project leader is beginning a stuqy of methods of tagging other than with ear-tags. Approved by.-~a~~ Federal Aid Cooi Prepared by:: Douglas Gilbert Jack Remington Date ~J~an~u~a~ry~,~1~9~53~ _ tor ��COLD DIV WILDLIFE RESEARCH CTR LIB ~ 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 BDOW021875 -29JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Sta te of COt,ORADO Project No. W-61-R-3; Fur Resources and Bear Studies Work Plan No. rr Title of Job Beaver-Wildlife Objective: Job No.~ Relationships To determine the effect of beavers on other wildlife and to the surrounding area. For example, stock watering, water conservation, fish production, etc. Procedure :' Field reconnaissance, Findings: stream surveys, a nd colony studies. During August, 1951, four aerial transplantsof beavers were made (January, 1952, Quarterly Progress Report). These were the first of their kind in Colorado. or these four plants, three were successful in establishing new colonies. The fourth, in Campbell Point Lake in the Uncompahgre National Forest, was unsuccessful--not because of injuries, but because both of the animals dropped were males. The females had died in the holding pen the night before the drop. After these four drops, this method was offered to the Game Management Division and the Fur Resources Division as having a definite place in beaver- management in Colorado. Successes of the operation more than made up for the expenses incurred. The Colorado Beaver Research Assoctat.Len was organized during the latter months of 1951, wherein interested land use agencies, in cooperation with the Colorado Game and Fish Department, U. S. Forest Service, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, are collaborating in determining the effects of beavers on other wildlife, livestock forage and water, water conservation, fish production, timber production, and erosion. Attempts will be, and are being made, to obtain and report significant biological and ecological findings; and where these findings can be associated with recognized management principles, such applications will be made. Prepa redby : Approved Douglas Gilbert ------------~~~~~~~~--------Jack Remington Date Notet by~~/J~ ~Q..~ - Federal Aid Coordinator January, 1953 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ~ ~ ��JOB CO~~1ET(ON REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO Project No. W_-_6_1_-_R-_3~,_Fu __r__R_e_s_o_u_r_c_e_s __a_n_d __B_e_a_r_S_t_u_d_l_·e_s ------------------Beaver-Wildlife Work Plan No. Title of Job _ Relationships II Job No. Sb ------~~-------------~~----------------------------L~o~c~a~t~l~·o~n~o~f~S~t~u~d~y~A~r~e~a~s~. _ Objectives: To locate small watersheds with and without resident beaver, same to be as close together, as comparable, and in as many replications as possible. Streams with resident beaver must hold colonies and dams of varying ages. Scope: William's Techniques: Thorough coverage of watersheds on foot and horseback; recording of information on characteristics of thase watersheds. Findings: The North Fork of the William's Fork River, from the old town of Leal (now a hay ranch and sawmill site) to the headwaters, was selected as the beaver-occupied study area. This stream contains dams and ponds varying in age from 1 year to more than 30 years. In general, the older beaver workings are found in the lower section of the watershed, at an elevation of 8900-9200 feet, with newer workings further up the stream to an elevation of about 10,500 feet. The length of this watershed is about 13 miles. The floodplain varies in width from a few feet to about 3/4 mile. The predominant vegetative types are willow and willow-sedge. The slopes above the flood plain are covered to a large extent by a second-growth "burn forest" of lodgepole pine, aspen, and varying mixtures of the two. Only near the headwaters are there found sizeable stands of lodgepole pine, spruce, and fir which do not show the effects of fire. Fork River Drainage, Grand County. The South Fork of the William's Fork River, from its confluence with the North Fork (about 1 mile upstream from Leal) to the headwaters, was selected as the non-occupied, or. check, study area. This watershed, while not entirely free from beaver influence, is believed to approach this desired condition as nearly as is possible in nature, while still remaining comparable to the beaver-occupied study a.rea with respect to terrain, �-32stream gradient, and elevation. The lower portion of this stream, at an elevation of'8900 to 9400 feet, is practically free from be3.ver occupancy; the dams and cuttings are found further upstream. The length of this watershed is about 11 miles. The width of the flood plain compares with that of the beaver-occupied area, but the vegetative types thereon are entirely different. On the check area, the predominant vegetative type is a virgin stand of spruce and fir, with a few lodgepole pines and alders. Sma.ll parks of bog birch and sedge are found. Willows are practically non-existent except on the upstream pond sites. ~he fire history of the control watershed differs from that of the beaver-occupied watershed in that the headwater area has been burned over while the downstream section has remained free from fire. Prepared by William Date H. Rutherford January, 1953 --------------~--~~------------ Note: Federal Aid Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should. first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-33JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO Project No. W-61-R-3, Work Plan No. II Beaver~ildlife Relationships Job No. Sc --~------~~~~~~~--~~~--~~-~-----~------- Title of Job Fur Resources and Bear Studies. ~M~a4p~p~i~n~g_0~f~S~t~u~d~y~Ar~e~a~s~. _ Objectives: To map, and determine acreages for all types, in both beaveroccupied and check (unoccupied) watersheds. Scope: William's Techniques: Surveys, using chain, compass and abney level; scale mapping ba.sed upon these surveys and upon aerial photographs, computation of acreages by use of planimeter. Findings: Extensive use of aerial photographs and a st~o~ope, furnished by the District Forest Ranger, Hot Sulphur Springs, was made to locate the exact boundaries of the flood plain and the differing vegetative types. Cultural improvements and natural changes occurring since the aerial photographs were taken wer-e established by chain and compass survey- From these sources, a base map of the entire study area was completed. Fork River Drainage, Grand County- Flooding of much of the Lower' section of the beaver-occupied watershed by the beavers resident thereon resulted in water to permit mapping of this area. As ·too deep and too extentliv.:; a result, complete figures for the acreag0s of the vegetativ~ types have not been obtained. It is planned to complete this mapping during the winter, after the ponds have frozen over. Prepared by William H. Rutherford Date Note: ~J~an~u~ary~,~1~9~5~3 Approved bY~~ _ LaUrence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��-35JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of_-.:;.C..:;.OL~O;:..;.RAD~..::;..O _ Project No. W-61-R-3 Work Plan No. II - Fur Resources and Bear Studies. Beaver-Wildlife Relationshins of Wildlife Job No. -..:...~--Sd Title of Job Determination Species Present on the Study Area. Objectives: To determine, in quantitative terms, by species, all wildlife and livestock resident on, and using, various types on both beaver-occupied and check watersheds. Scope: William's Techniques: Fifteen minute observations, plots. Findings: Observation plots were established at close to ! mile intervals on both watersheds. The major criterion for location was not at exact intervals, but rather at the site which commanded the best view. A total of 26 plots on the beaver-occupied stream a.nd 22 plots on the check stream was established. The form used in recording animals seen on these observation. plots is shown in Figure 1. Fork River Drainage, Grand County. mornings and evenings, on sample Until completion of vegetative type mapping, the data gathered from the observation plots cannot be correlated with types on an area basis. Consequently, the figures cannot as yet be projected to give an indication of the wildlife population present on the study area. Tables 1 and 2 show the difference in numbers of animals. seen on beaver-occupied plots and on check plots. Prepared by William Date ~Ja=n~u~a=ry~,_=1~9S~34_ _ Note: H. Rutherford Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-36TABLE 1. ANIMALS SEEN ON BEAVER-INFLUENCED Plot No. and Location 1 -North 2 -North 3 -North 4 -North Elevation Number of Observations AM PM 3 4 3 4 3 4 3 4 Fork Fork Fork Fork 8905 8925 8940 8950 5 -North Fork 8975 3 4 6 -North Fork 9000 3 4 7 -North Fork 9050 3 4 9 -North Fork 9175 2 3 Il-North Fork 12-North Fork 9285 9325 2 2 3 3 14-North Fork 9600 2 3 I5-North Fork 24~North Fork 2 -South Fork 9800 11000 9015 2 2 3 3 3 6 -South Fork 7 -South Fork 8 -South Fork 9250 9330 9340 • 3 2 2 3 3 3 9 -South Fork 12-South Fork 9350 9710 2 3 3 2 16-South Fork 19-5outh Fork 10250 10520 3 2 2 J 3 OBSERVATION PLOTS. Animals Seen AM PM 1 squirrel, 1 songbird None 1 squirrel, 3 songbirds None 1 squirrel, 4 songbirds None 1 squirrel 1 beaver, 1 muskrat, 2 mallards, 2 squirrels, 5 songbirds 2 beaver 2 beaver, 2 muskrats, 1 mallard, 3 songbirds 1 deer, 1 squirrel, 1 beaver, 4 musk6 songbirds rats, 9 mallards, 1 OW teal 1 songbird 2 squirrels, 3 songbirds 1 squirrel 1 beaver, 2 squirrels, 1 redtail hc.wk 1 weasel,4 songbirds 1 oeave r, 1 songbird 2 squirrels, I squirrel, I song5 songbirds bird 2 squirrels, 1 squirrel 9 songbirds 1 squirrel,2 songbirds 1 songbird 6 songbirds 7 songbirds 2 squirrels, 1 beaver, 4 songbirds 4 songbirds None None 1 songbird 6 songbirds 1 deer, 2 songbirds, 6 songbirds 2 squirrels None 5 songbirds, 1 mink 1 squirrel, None 35 songbirds 12 songbirds 3 songbirds 1 squirrel, 2 beaver, 1 muskrat 1 songbird 4 songbirds Average Number of Animals Seen Per 15-~linute Observation: AN 0.04 beavers 0.00 muskrats 0.00 ducks 0.32 squirrels 1.81 songbirds 0.00 mink PM 0.00 hawks 0.00 marten 0.02 weasels 0.00 coyotes 0.00 eagles 0.04 deer 0.13 beavers 0.12 muskrats 0.19 ducks 0.12 squirrels 0.72 songbirds 0.02 mink 0.02 hawks 0.00 marten 0.00 weasels 0.00 coyotes 0.00 eagles 0.00 deer �... 37TABLE 2. ANI¥~LS SEEN ON NON-INFLUENCED Plot No. and Location 8 -North Fork Elevation 10-North Fork 9100 9240 13-North 16-North 17-North IS-North 19-North 20-North 21-North 22-North 23-North 25-North 26-North Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork 9350 9S50 9910 10060 10250 10535 10590 10770 10SS5 11110 11240 1 -South Fork 8970 3 -South Fork 9075 9140 9200 94S0 9590 9870 9930 10140 10330 10390 10795 10900 10950 4 -South Fork 5 -South 10-South ll-South 13-South 14-South 15-South 17-South lS-South 20-South 2l-South 22-South Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork OBSERVATION PLOTS. Number of Observations AM 2 2 PM 2 3 3 3 3 Animals Seen PM AN None None 3 1 squirrel 3 songbirds None None 1 songbird 3 songbirds 2 songbirds None None 1 deer, 3 songbirds None 3 3 2 squirrels 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 1 beaver, 1 coyote None 1 squirrel 1 songbird 1 songbird 3 songbirds None 1 squirrel, 1 songbird None None 2 songbirds 4 songbirds 1 songbird 2 3 2 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 None 1 squirrel, 2 songbirds None 2 squirrels None None None 1 songbird None 1 songbird 3 songbirds 2 deer, 4 songbirds 3 songbirds 4 golden eagles 2 squirrels, 1 songbird 1 squirrel None None 2 deer None 4 songbirds 1 marten None 1 songbird 9 songbirds 7 songbirds 7 songbirds 2 songbirds Average Number of Animals Seen Per l5-¥ri.nuteObservation: PM 0.02 beavers 0.00 muskrats 0.00 ducks O.OS squirrels 0.38 songbirds 0.00 mink 0.00 hawks 0.00 marten 0.00 weasels 0.02 coyotes 0000 eagles 0.02 deer 0.00 beavers 0.00 musknat s 0.00 ducks O.oS squirrels 0 .• 61 songbirds 0.00 mink 0.00 hawks 0.01 marten 0.00 woase.Ls 0.00 coyotes 0.05 eagles 0.05 deer �In order to further clarify the data presented in Tables 1 and 2, the number of observations, without regard to time of day, has been divided into the number of animals seen, without regard to species. These average figures are presented in Table 3, both for beaver-occupied and ~9n-occupied plots. A clearer picture of the role of beaver ponds in influencing the occurrence of other wildlife is thus obtained. TABLE 30 AVERAGE NUMBEu OF ANIMALS SEEN PER FIFTEEN MINUTE OBSERVATION Beaver-Occupied 1.71 Plots Non-Occupied 0.67 Plots BY TYPE. �-39_ FIGURE 1 BEAVER INTERRELATIONSHIPS FORM PROJECT 61-R Station No. Stream -------- ~------------ Plot History and Description Location: Upstream from Wray's Ranch mi. Height above streambed ----- ft. Distance from marsh/water ft. Direction faced • Elevation ft. Type: Water %; Sand/gravel "----- %; Marsh %; Willow/alder % ; -Pine/spruce %; Alpine meadow ~%; Other '%. Size of Plot: Total length ft. Length along stream ft. Width ft. General shape _ ----- Width of flood plain Adjacent Timber and Terrain: East Vegetative type West Vegetative type ft. Remarks ----- ------------~ ------------------Slope Slope _ _ _ _ Fire History: Beaver History: Station Observations ~/ ~ <;)'l:- Weather 7 Animals Observed / . "," ~'''l rtl!IJr/h71i1~1 4 ~ ~ I.b~ ~'-1, U < .$ 0 ~ ~" , / i. Vj J I '" " " Remarks ��I .•4lJOB COI1PLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of COLORADO Project No. W-6l-R-3, PROJECTS Fur Resources and Beap Studies. Work Plan No. II -- Beaver-Wildlife Relationships. Se ----~---------- Title of Job Determination Objectives: To determine, in quantitative terms, by species, annual production of all important wildlife on both bea.ver-occupied and check watersheds. Scope: William's Techniques: Where practicable, litters and broods on the study area were located by covering the area on foot. It was found that duck broods were the only ones which could be enumerated satisfactorily in this manner. For the other species, a determination of the number of young cannot be made vJithout the projected figures for the population level, which will be based upon the acreages of the various vegetative types. These vrill be obtained upon completion of mapping. In all cases where young were observed, attempts were made to keep bhem under observation and thereby learn their fate. Findings: Ducks inhabited, used and nested near beaver ponds to the complete exclusion of all other water types. On June 28 the first brood, 8 newly hatched mallards, was found. These young were kept under observation until July 16, the date on which they were last seen. On July 18 the hen was observed swimming alone in the pond and quack~ng incessantly. She was still present on the following day, but had left the pond by the afternoon of July 20. No indication of the nature of the disappearance of the young could be found. A brood of 5 mallards in age class II was found on July 17. By the time these had reached age class III, the number had decreased to 4. The number remained 4 until the time of flight. No more broods wer":3found until August 21, on which date two r.ia.l.Lar-d broods, one of 3 and the other of 4 young, both in age class III, •.;erefound. Both of these broods remained at these numbers until the time of flight. Extensive coverages failed to reveal the presence of any other broods on the study area. Although Several large beaver ponds occur on the upstream section of the oeaver-occupied watershed, at altitudes of 9S00 feet and over, these higher ponds were found to be devoid of duck populations. The highest altitude at which ducks were found was 9000 feet. Prepared by William Date of Annual Wildlife Job No. Production. Fork River Drainage, Grand County. H. Rutherford January, 1953 Approved by ~rt: ~ Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��Ii~lillll~'ijl~llil~imlli[im~iijlrl~illllijll BDOW021880 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COWRADO ----------~------~-- Project No ; W-61-R~3, Fur Resources Work Plan No. II - Beaver~ildlife Title of Job Determination and Bear Studies. Relationships. of Vegetative Job No._.· __ ~5~f_· _ Production~ Objectives: To de termi.ne, In quantitative terms, by plant groups,' the forage pr-oductd.on, on valley areas affected by water levels for both " , .beaver-occupied and check str-eams , Scope: William's Techniques: Transect, sample plot and other quantitative II!easurements. Speci-:fically, the method used is essentially a line transect along " ,which intercepts of forage are. measured, wi tli samples of vegeta':' '"tion being taken at intervals. This technique thus ,measures both composition and production~ " .' .. . Fork River Drainage, Grand County. Three transects at each beaver pond site are, established; one at the inlet of the pond and at a right angle to the .axi.sof the stream, one at and, parallel with the dam, and one ,50 feet below the dam at a right angle to the axis of the stream. . ..... For,m~asuring vegetative composition, the vegetation. intercepts along the line are measured. Two coverages, one for browse species with the line elevated above ground level, .and one for.herbaceous species with the li~e at ground level, are needed. The total intercepts of each species are then applied to the formula: totciJ.intercept length . transect length ,= % composition. For measur-Ing vege~ative production of grasses and gras}3-like species, 50-foot intervals are established'on the'line transect. 'The closest plant to each of these intervals is then sampled ,by using ai' square foot plot~ The average height of vegetation within the plot is determined, then the leaves and stalks are cut off and counted. The multiplication of average height by number of stems gives a growth index which is then multiplied by 4 to convert the figure to square foot units of expression. The growth index is then multiplied by the percentage composition on the transect to give the production index. �For measuririg vegetative production of browse species, a 1 square foot plot is used. The lengths of current annual growth stems in the plot are measured to the nearest 1/10 inch and totaled.. This figure is divided by the number of stems in the plot to determine the average current annual growth. The stem density, total current annual growth and average current annual growth for each plot on the transect are added and divided by the number of plots to obtain transect averages. The averaged figures for all transect means in one ecological type will give the overall means for, that type. The production index, or the figure used for comparison with the mean figures of transects in other ecological types is obtained by multiplying the perQentage composition of each species by its mean total current annua'L growth per square foot. In determining the length of transect to use in beaver-occupied areas, lodgepole pine is used as the indicator" species. This tree is easily killed by flooding, therefore the edge of a stand bf lodgepole pine marks, in most cases, the boundary of the area of beaver influence. Transects on non-occupied (check) areas are then established where the width of the flood plain is generally the same as that of' the beaver-occupied study area. . At the beginning of the study, several ar-eas were selected as potential study si tes for forage production on the' beaver-occupied watershed. . On July 1, cattle were placed on a large portion of this watershed, leaving only two of these sites ungrazed. The potential study sites were se.Iected on the basis of the age of the ponds, giving a series of ponds hav.Ing"a large spread in ages. The two pond sites which remained ungrazed, and were finally used for study, are a 3 year old pond on a previously unoccupied site, and an old pond of undetermined age, but certainly over 25 years old., Two check sites were then selected which compare favorably with the two beaver.,..occupiedsites as regards terrain and width of flood plain. Findings: Tables 1 and 2 show forage production of the four study sites selected. Forage is listed in two groups, br-owse plants and grasses and grass-like plants, rather than qy species. On the beaver-occupied study sites, the only browse species present is willow; and the principal grass-like plants are.sedges of ,the genus Carex. Also, present, to a limited extent, are several species of grasse~, principally redtop, Kentucky bluegrass, alpine bluegrass, Thurber fescue and Idaho f'es cue • On the check study sites the, few, shrubby plants which can be classed as browse are alders. ,'. The, grasses and gr-ass -Ltke plants pr-esent. are the same as those, on the beaver-occupied study sites. Analysis: The value of the production index figure is of a relative nature It is convenient to use in comparing the forage production on different areas. oril.y, �TABLE 1. BROWSE PRODUCTION ON BEAVER-OCCUPIED Watershed Study Site Transect Number and Location 1 -Inlet (New Site) 2 - Dam Total Intercept Length Compo Average Total CAG Length Average CAG Length Average ProAverage Stem duction PI for Density Index Area 262 48 links 18.3 293.0 in. 3.8 in. 67 53.6 18 links 10.4 156.2 in. 3.2 in. 50 16.2 o links 0.0 0.0 in. 0.0 in. 0 0.0 27 links 5.3 311.9 in. 2.9 in. III 16.5 . 1126links 24.2 251.3 in. 2.2 in. 102 60.8 78 links 26.0 221.0 in. 2.1 in. 113 57.5 1 link 0.6 23.7 in. 1.7 in. 14 0.1 o links 0.0 0.0 in •. 0.0 in. 0 0.0 2 links 1.3 19.4 in. 1.4 in. 14 0.3 11 links 2.5 420.6 in. 3.6 in. 118 10.5 10 links 2.5 171.4 in. 3.0 in. 57 4.3 12 links 2.4 222.9 in. 4.3 in. 52 5.3 173 23.3 links ·rl ~ g'8 C)~ C) 0 3 - Below 48 Dam links 1 - Inlet I l..c H-P ill H po % Transect Length links IJ 'd ill,--... AND CHECK WATERSHEDS. 2 513 links' 0 ,(Old Site) mZ ill•.•..••• ~ 2 - Dam 521 44.9 links 3 - Below 300 Dam 1 - Upper .links 161 1 links (Upstream) 2 - Middle 120 ,--... ~ 0.1 links ~ 3 ~ Lower H 0 ~rr.. 148 links C) ill..c 1 - Upper B~0 ........ h45 2 links (Downstream) 2 - Midd'le 388 (/) links 3 - Lower ---- ---_ .. _------ 492 links - - ----- ----- ------- 6.7 ----- .i'- :~::+ 4Zl �:;,~ :.tJ TABLE 2. PRODUCTION OF GRASSES AND GRASS-LIKE PLANTS ON BEAVER-GCCUPIED AND CHECK WATERSHEDS. Watershed Study Site Transect, Number ana Location 1 - Inlet 1 (New Site) 2 - Dam "d Q) ·rl ,....., §'~ o 0 OJ'r.. 9..c: H.j-) Q) H . > 0 qj~ 3 - Below Dam 1 - Inlet 2 (Old Site) 2 - Dam Q) ...._.. iI1 3 - Below Dam 1 - Upper 1 (Upstream) 2 - Middle ,--.. ~ H 3 - Lower 0 -UJ'r.. Q)..c: t5~ 0 U) •••..•... 1 - Upper 2 (Downstc-ea-n ) 2 - Middle 3 - Lower Transect Total Length Intercept Length 262 links 173 links 48 links 513 links 521 links 300 links 161 links 120 links 148 links 445 links 388 links 492 links % 13 links 5.0 Average Average Average .Stem Total Plant Plant Height Density Height 11 115.7 in 6.3 in. 15 links 8.7 312.7 in 11.0 in. o links 0.0 Compo 0.0 Growth ProAverage Index duction PI for Area Index 277.2 14.0 40 1760.0 153.2 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 301.6 157 links 30.6 199.9 in 7.7 in. 32 985.6 154 links 29.5 127.4 in 10.1 in. 16 706.4 .190.8 132 links 44.0 201.4 in 12.6 in. 16 806.4 354.8 19 links 11.7 154.0 in 22.0 in. 7 616.0 -7t;-.0 17 links 14.2 141.0 in 21.0 in. 7 588.0 83.6 14 links 9.4 88.5 in 17. 0 in 6 408.0 38.4 29.Slinks 6.6 113.5 in 16.5 in. 8 528.0 34.8 25.5links 6.6 145.8 in 15.8m. 8 505.•6 33.2 32 links 133.6 in 15.0 in. 8 480.0 30.8 6.5 55.7 282.4 I 64.7 32·9 f �~Q.r '-.:": -41.FIGURE 1 VEGETATION SURVEY FIELD FORM Forage Group_. ---------- __ ------------~-Date--------------------Location and designation of study area~.~ ~ Transect number and location _ --------------------------------------------- Transect length _ Tally of intercepts_" _ Grasses and grass-like plants: Average height of vegetation in'each plot Number of leaves and stems in each plot --------------------------- ------------------------------ ~rowse plants: Tally of CAG stems by length in each plot ---------------------------- L_~. �,..48- It is readily apparent from Table 1 that browse production on the beaveroccupied watershed is far "greater than on the non-occupied watershed, and considera bly greater on the old pond site than on the new pond site. Since the only browse species present on the study area are those associated_with a high water table, the reasons for this are obvious. On the beaver-occupied watershed, the ponds hold the water table at a relatively constant level which has resulted in the killing of coniferous species formerly present in the valley bottom. Browse plants have taken the place of the killed,conifers. On the check watershed, the water table fluctuates with stream flow'and is high for only a few weeks in the spring. Browse plants are found only along the stream banks; the rest of the valley bottom is covered with a dense pinespruce-fir forest. There are many conifers present on the new pond site which have not as yet been killed by flooding. The browse plants which have become established on this site are small and young, while those on the old pond site are large and old. Cutting of these large plants by beavers results in the sprouting of ntiIDBrousannual growth stems from the root crowns. Table 2 shows that, in general, production of grasses and grass-like plants is higher.on the beaver-occupied watershed than on·the check watershed, but that production on the new pond site is lower than on its comparable check site •. There is also a large difference in production between the new pond site and the old pond site. This is explained by the fact that the new pond site is still in a process of ecological change. The stream has not yet deposited fine sediments in the-pond area and the valley bottom is made up largely of coarse gravel which supports a relatively sparse growth of grasses. The difference in production between the two check sites is explained by the fact that grasses are found only near the streain. There is about the same amount of grasses and grass-like plants on the tvlO sites, but since .the flood plain is wider at site #2- than at site #1, the transects are necessarily longer. The lines run at site "#2 transect q. greater amount of coniferous forest than those run at site #1; ,consequently, the percentage composition of grasses is lower on site #2. ,This is reflected in the production index figures. Prepared by William Date J_an_u_a_ry~,~._1~9~5~3 _ Note: H. R,utherford Approved bY~~ Lau:rencexiordan Federal Aid COQrdinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from· the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO Project No. W-61-R-3, Fur Resources and Bear Studies Work Plan No. II Title of Job Objective: Job No.6 Determination of Life History and Cycles in Marten. To determine the vital aspects of life history and the,occurence and length of the marten qycle in Colorado, if present. Techniques: Copied after the method used in Colorado to determine big game trends, eight marten transects were established on high mountain passes in 1949 bw Richard Denne.r. These trend areas were covered during the winters of 1949-50 and 1951-52. During the winter of 1950-51 the transects were not covered due to personnel shortage. These eight trends have been greatly modified since their origin. Some have been changed, others added, and some dropped. Equitable data, therefore, has not been, and will not be obtained until the areas are well established' and have been covered for several consecutive years. The t.echni.que used is V'ery simple, as the transects are covered on snowshoes (Quarterly Report, January, 1950). All arrlma.Ltra cks along the transects are noted, some for abundance only. Attempts are made " to stabilize the length of time between the previous snowfall and the time of covering the transect. Other variables, such as the date, age of the tracks, and experience of the observer are taken into consideration. For safety reasons it was deemed inadvisable to cover the transects alone. Therefore, appreciation is extended to the following technicians who accompanied the writers on the transects: Jesse Williams, ~ck Teague, Dick Denney, and Paul Gilbert; to John Testor, wildlife student and to personnel of Rocky Mountain National Park. ' Findings: A summary of observations obtained from the transects follows: Molas ~vide Transect--January 30, 1952. This transect starts at Molas Lake and follows the most westerly telephone line north to the point where the line crosses the Silverton-Durango Highway. The elevation is approximately 10,000 feet, and the transect is about three miles long, requiring about 2! hours of snowshoeing. �Findings: (continued) The snow was about three days old and very soft, making travel difficult. The sky was clear, there was little wind, and temperatures varied from) to -10 degrees F. Dominant vegetation is alpine fir and Engelmann spruce. Marten Weasel Fox Squirrel 3 1 1 33 Snowshoe rabbit Porcupine Grouse Mouse 44 3 1 17 Monarch Pass Transect --February 1, 1952. This transect starts at the junction of Highway 50 and the old Monarch Pass Road, runs north on the old road to the top of the divide, and north along the east side of the divide, dropping down to Highway 50 at the Pick and Pan Lodge. The snow was one day old and soft. Elevation was estimated at 11,000 feet with lodgepole pine, alpine fir, and Engelmann spruce the dominant vegetation. This transect approximates five miles in length and required four hours of travel. The weather was foggy and windy, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees F. Marten Weasel Squirrel 6 8 12 Snowshoe rabbit POrcupine Mouse 28 2 12 Wolf Creek Pass Transect-.February 4, 1952. This transect starts at ski area on top of Wolf Creek Pass and goes northwest along the east side of the divide to the first saddle, circles around the basin through the head of the creek east of the saddle, and along the ridge back to the ski area. It is believed that this transect should be relocated. Dominant vegetation is alpine fir and Engelmann spruce. The snow was about three days old and well packed. Weather varied from clear to cloudy with temperatures around 30 to 45 degrees F. Elevation is estimated at 11,000 feet. This transect required three hours to cover and is about three miles long. Marten Weasel Fox Bobcat 3 1 3 1 Snowshoe rabbit Squirrel Mouse 13 7 7 �Findings: (continued) Odessa Lake Transect--February 10, 1952. This transect follows the trail from the Forest Inn to Odessa Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. This transect was set up as a check transect for the others as trapping is not allowed within the Park boundaries. The dominant vegetation is alpine fir and Engelmann spruce. The length of the transect is about three miles, but four miles of walking is required to reach the starting pointo Elevation is estimated to be 10,500 feet. Snow was about four days old with a total time of 10 hours required for the round trip. Much coyote sign was seen at lower elevations between J3I'inwoodLodge and the Forest Inn. Marten Weasel Squirrel 28 4 67 Snowshoe rabbit Porcupine Mouse 48 1 8 Rabbit Ears Pass Transect--February 12, 1952. This transect starts at Highway 40, follows the Buffalo Park Forest Trail south, and ends on the south side of the old burn before dropping into the canyon. Dominant vegetation is lodgepole pine, alpine fir, and Enge}mann spruce. Snow was one day old and a light snow was falling at the time the transect was covered. Temperatures were from 5 to 10 degrees F. Elevation is estimated at 10,500 feet. This transect was shortened from the previous year so that it could be covered in one day. Present length approximates five mile s, requiring eight hours for the round trip. Marten Weasel Badger Coyote Bobcat Fox 27 3 1 2 6 Grouse Squirrel Snowshoe hare Porcupine Mouse 7 27 33 3 8 18 Cameron Pass Transect--April 1, 1952. This transect starts at the top of Cameron Pass where the Michigan Ditch crosses the highway and10llows the ditch south to Lake Agnes, a distance of approximately five miles. Dominant vegetation is Engelmann spruce. The average elevation is about 10,500 feet. T he snow was two to three days old at the time the transect was coveredo The weather was clear and mild. �-52Findings: (continued) Marry marten signs were seen at lower elevations. have caused a slight downward movement. Marten Weasel Fox Coyote 4 rare 1 5 The deep snows may Squirrel Porcupine Snowshoe rabbit Mouse Common rare common rare Table 1 represents the accumulated data derived from the marten trends. During the winter of 1949-50, 63 marten tracks were seen as compared with 43 observed during the winter of 1951-520 The Rabbit Ears Pass transect was the only one that showed an increase in the number of tracks. As was stated before, these transects will have to be stabilized and covered for several years before the information can be considered as accurate Each transect will be covered at least twice this winter (195253) to obtain a better coverage. 0 It has been the practice in Colorado to have open seasons on martens every other winter. Due to the lower p:-ice of raw furs (which has resulted in less trapping) and the relatively small number of men who trap martens (approximately 100), it may be possible to stabilize the harvest and, perhaps" increase the harvest by opening the season every wint er British Columbia, through a system of registered trap1ines, has been able to keep its population of martens at a high level even though trapping takes place every winter. A large part of Co1orado1s marten range is never trapped, even in years of high fur prices--it is just too difficult to get into during the winter. Rocky Mountain National Park also is not trapped, since it is a federal refugeo It is possible that these untrapped areas produce an overflow of martens into the surrounding, trapped areas. 0 In an effort to determine how far martens travel (and, indirectly, to determine the value of refuges such as Rocky Mountain National Park), a live-trapping and ear-tagging program was started during parts of June, July, and August, 1952. Ten martens were tagged within Rocky Mountain National Park and 13 were tagged in the vicinity of Cameron Pass in Larimerand Jackson Countieso �Table 1 - MARTEN TRANSECT DATA REPRESENTING WINTERS OF 1949-50 and 1951-52 Snowshoe Transect and Date Marten Weasel Rabbit Squirrel Mouse Porcupine Fox Bobcat Coyote Other Molas Divide December 16, 1949 January 30, 1952 6 3 20 1 abundant Grouse 1 Monarch pass January 12, 1950 February 12 1952 8 17 6 8 Wolf Creek pass January 10, 1950 February 4, 1952 6 3 Cameron Pass November 20, 1949 April 1, 1952 21 4 Rabbit Ears pass November 16, 1949 February 12, 1952 23 27 common 44 common 33 17 3 1 - - common common common 28 12 -2 - - 1 12 5 1 common common common 7 7 -3 -3 1 13 -- 30 common common abundant common abundant rare 3 rar3 1 - 2 5 46 COl'Ml.On abundant 3 33 abundant 8 6 3 2 .27 rare 2 3 4 18 1 J Loveland Pass December 30, 1949 Burro Creek January 6, 1950 ----------------Bear Lake February 15, 1950 --------Odessa Lake New transect February 10, 1952 , \.1"\ W Transect covered, but found unsatisfactory. Not covered in winter of 1951-52, discarded. 10 11 abundant abundant common 1 Transect not covered in winter of 1951-52, discard~e~d~d~u~e~t~o_=le~n~gt~h~.~ Transect found unsatisfactory. Not covered in winter of 1951-52, disc~~ded~. 28 4 48 67 8 ---- __ ---- -- _ -- __ -- __ 1 q �-54Table 2 --MARTENS TAGGED IN COLORADO, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, 1952. Bait Date Ear tag Sex Location Number Sucker-eaten MA 26 Male Joe Wright Creek near &:12-52 Colo. 14 brid e. Sucker-eaten Male Joe Wright Creek under MA 27 foot bridge near Chambers Lake. Trout head Female Lake Agnes trail-halfMA 29 &:25-52 and entrailsway to the lake. eaten. Trout head Male Draw near Colo. 14 MA 30 and entrailsdirectly across valley from Lake Agnes trail. eaten. &:27-52 MA.31 (rt. ear only) 6-27-52 MA 30 (recapture) MA 32 7-9-52 MA 30 (recapture) 7-10-52 MA 33 7-10- 2 MA 3 Joe Wright Creek under foot bridge near Chambers Lake. Male Caught in same setseemed almost tamehesitated to enter ta i coneMale South side of Joe Wright {:reekat upper end of Joe Wright Reservoir· Male Caught in same set (third time). Female Joe Wright Creek near Colo. 14 orid e. Male west side of Cameron Pass Male 0 Male 7-107-11-52 7-24-52 MA 40 '4 mile south of west side Cameron Pass. Female Draw near Colo. 14 direotly across from Lake Agnes trail. Female South side of Joe Wright Creek at upper end of Joe Wright Reservoir. Say Ground Squirr'eleaten. Say Ground Squirreleaten. Trout head and entrails-eaten. Remarks Caught in mink set Caught in mink set. Lactating Photos in trap and tagging cone on snow. bank Lactating Left area by same route when released. Asleep in trap. One ear tag loosening, other OK. Large maleMarmot-eaten dropping 1eft in tra • ' Marmot- part- Kept over•.• ly eaten. night, fed, released 7-11- 2. Marmot- partly eaten. Marmot-partly eaten. *Snowshoe hare- Not lactating pi rtly eaten. Say Ground Squirrel not eaten. ~oad-kills Asleep in trapblind in right eye-not lactating-one canine pegged. �Figure 1 Marten in live-trap. Figure 2 Marten in tagging cone. �-55Table 2--continued Date Ear tag Number MA: 41 1-25-52 Sex Location Male Joe Wright creek under"'foot bridge near Chambers Lake. Suckereaten. Say ground squirre1not eaten. Say Ground Squirreleaten. Bait 1-25-52 MA41 Female South side Joe Wright Creek at upper end Joe Wright Reservoir. 1-11-52 MA 31 Female Rocky Mtn. Natl1 Ground Park boundary on Squirre1Stor~ Peak trail. eaten. caught in same location. 1-18-52 1-15:52 8-21-52 Female MA 31 (recaEture ~ Male MA 39 MA 43 Male MA 44 8-21-52 MA (rt.ear Female MA4 Female Onl-i~ Park boundary on Stormw Peak trail. Fern Lake (RMNP). Fern Lake Meadow mouseeaten. .wMuskrateaten. *Muskrateaten. (recapture) MA 1 Male 8-28-52 MA 48 Male Fern Lake 8-28-52 MA 41 Male Caught in same location. Forest Inn Female 8-29-52 MA 43&44 Male Male Male *Muskrateaten. *House cateaten. *House cateateno Caught in same location. Caught in same location. Caught in same location. *road-kills Remarks Resisted very little- acted sick-drank much waterregurgitatedabdOJll.inal scent gland prominentEhoto. Wild-not 1actating-abdominal skin gland prominent-tick on back. Not lactating. Went to water and drank upon release. �-56Table 2--continued Date Ear tag Number 9-10-52 MA 51 MA Sex Location Male Milner Pass road cam 0 Chapin Pass trail--l mile no rth of Fall River Road. 2 Male 9-12-52 MA 53 Male 9-12-52 MA 51 (recapture) Male Bait Frozen horse meat-eaten. Frozen horse meat-eateno Remarks Tagged and released at Juncti on of Chapin pass trail and Fall River Road. Fall River *Raccooneateno Canyon--l mil~. below Willow Park. Caught in *Raccoonsame Lo cat.tcn, eaten. ii"oad-kills Collapsible, welded-wire live traps were used successfully for bait, but care had to be taken to cover the bait with sticks or rocks so that the martens were required to enter the traps to get it. (Figure 1). A few martens stole the bait through the sides and 'tops of the traps until this precautio~was taken. The traps were inspected every day, and any mart~ns caught were hazed into a chicken wire tagging cone and tagged in both ears. (Figure 2)0 The cone held them almost immobile, and very little difficulty was experienced in the tagging operations~ All martens were released at the place where they were caught immediately after' tagging (except for one). This animal was held in the trap an extra day and night, fed and watered, and released the following morning in good condition. Of the 23 martens tagged, six were recaptured in the same locations as the original capture. Two of these six were recaptured twice--apparently they do not "wise up" too well to traps. The ear tags were still in place on all of these Teca~ tures, one of which was caught again almost two weeks after' having been tagged. A record of all martens tagged in 1952 appears as Table 2. Trappers have been contacted to be on the look-out for tagged animals, and it is hoped that some tags will be recovered from the November-December, 1952, open season. Prepared by Douglas Gilbert Jack Remington Date Note~ Approvedby ~e ff, ~ :;;aurence E. Rfor'dan Federal Aid Coordinator January, 1953 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �I~~llrll~'~I~'ljil~lrlilli~~rl~~~ijl ~~fllr(~11 -57- BDOW021882 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO Project No. W-6l-R-3, Fur Resources Work Plan No. II Job No._7.:.-.._ and Bear Studies Title of Job Tagging of miscellaneous species and introduction as needed to populate other areas. Objective: To obtain information on species present in areas, movements, populations, and characteristics; also to stock areas void of certain fur animals. Findings: A proposal was made by project personnel to live-trap and tag raccoons on the eastern slope, then to release them in suitable locations on the western slope. Permission was not granted due to the possibility of damages to crops near the planting sites. Pr epa red by Douglas Gilbert Jack Remington Date Note: Approved by of new specie~ ~6:~ Laurence E. llordan Federal Aid Coordina tor January, 1953 persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��1 -59- State of JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COLORADO ----~~~~----- Project No •.w-6l-R-3, Work Pian NOe Title of Job III Fur Resources and Bear Studies Job No.1 Extent of Bear Ranges in Colorado. Objective: To locate and map bear ranges in Colorado as to concentrations, bear, and grizzly bear ranges. black Findings: According to kill figures for the past three years, the bear population of Colorado is remaining relatively stableo Figure 1 shows the numbers of bears reported killed by Colorado hunters during the 1946 to 1951 big game seasonso Figures were obtained from the game management lists of the Colorado Game and Fish Departmento From this graph it might be deduced that the bear population in Colorado is on the increase despite the drop in the 1951 killo This drop can be attributed to the early, hard winter of 1951-52 when the bears entered hibernation much earlier than usual. Figure 2 shows the bear kill in Colorado, by counties, for 1951. Figure 3 shows the black bear range in Cblorado and the comparative concentrations. It defintely has been established that a remnant of the grizzly population still exists in Coloradoo Two grizzly bears were taken by predatory animal trappers in the San Juan Mountains during the past two yearso The present population in Colorado is estimated to be between 10 and 20 animals. Figure 4 shows the areas where grizzly bears are now found in Colorado, also the probable areas that may be inhabited by this wilderness species. Summary: Practically every wooded area in Colorado is inhabited by bears. Populations are seemingly increasing, although last year's kill was down due to early hibernationo The greatest kill of bears in 1951 was made in Gunnison County with 58 animals. Archuleta and Montrose Counties follow in order with 55 and 48 animals, respectively. Prepared by Douglas Gilbert Date ~Ja....;n;.;.;ua~ryll-4., ....;1_9~5;.:;3_ Approved by ~Ae ,e6~ •• aurence E. Eiordan Federal Aid Coordinator Note;: persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Co19rado Game and Fish Department. �r. /000 qso 900 850 800 75"0 700 650 6('0 550 530 500 1-~o 4IJO 35'0 300 Zso 2170 /50 /00 s» 1'146 /rjf7 /'l"&/vre i . 701q/ ~e4".s re,Porleq k///ed Ir? Glorado durll?? 6/(1 9t:1me s~lf/Is"n~ /946 - S2. �joFPAT ..·_ ....-_ .._ .... .2 I • Hfure Colorado oear /01/ ror Iq$/ b/tj 'lame sea son/ by CO/./nhes. l'J ���19~3 I~~II~I~'ijl~'~il~lrlilij~~i~~rlilrl~rllli~11 BDOW021884 -61JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO Project No. W-61-R-3, Fur Resources and Bear Studies Work Plan No. III Job No. 2 Title of Job Food Studies. Objective: To determine the bears' diet by seasons and the factors affecting such diet. Findings:' One bear scat was picked up:"in the Carrizo Creek Area on the Las Animas and Baca County line in southeast.ern Colorado. This scat was very unique because of the material it contained. The contents showed prickly pear cactus frUits (Opuntia sp s ) making up 90 percent and cheat grass (Bromus tectorum) making up the other 10 percent. One other scat was analyzed for content. This scat was found on the Land's End Road of Grand Mesa. Contents were as follows: Poa pratensis LUpinus sp , Formicidae Locustidae 63% 10 10 17 100% During the years of 1948 to 1952, 48 bear scats and stomach samples were analyzed for content. Table 1 shows a breakdown of the information obtained in this stuqy. Blue grass Lupine pods Ants and ant eggs Grasshoppers Table l.--FOOD ANALYSIS OF 48 BLACK BEAR STOMACH SAMPLES AND SCATS, BY BULK, COLORADO, 1948-1952. Serviceberries, leaves, Amelanchier Bakeri and twigs Formicidae Ants and ant eggs Mud-sticks-wood-rocks-etc. Hymenoptera HOrnets Oak acorns, leaves, and Quercus Gambelli twigs Poa pratensis Blue grass Unident~f~ed Maggots n II Miscellaneous grass Heracleum lanatum Cow parsnip Sheep meat, wool, and Ovis sp; bone (domestic) ~rus sp. Pea Vine Douglas fir needles, twigs, Pseudotsuga taxifolia and bark 26 27 25 13 23.65% 8.45 7.90 5.80 12 10 9 8 8 4.55 3.20 0.65 1.15 8.60 6 6 4.15 1050 6 0.35 �-62Table 1. (continuted) Common Name Pinon pine nuts, needles, and twigs Deer meat, bone, and hair Aspen buds, twigs, leaves and bark Juniper berries, twigs and bark Carrion beetles Blueberries, leaves and twigs Dandelion Kinnikinik berries, leaves, and twigs Lupine pods and leaves Engelmann spruce bark, twigs and needles Chokecherries, leaves, and twigs Cow meat, bone, and hair (domestic) Hawthorne berries, leaves, and twigs Cheat grass Meadow rue Dogwood berries, leaves, and twigs Pachystima Grasshoppers Horsetail Bone Wheatgrass Aster Yellow pine cones Bedstraw Prickly pear cactus fruit Oregon grape berries and leaves Squirrel (foot) Bone (small bird) Mountain mahogany leaves and twigs Traces - - - - - - Total number of food items Times Occurring Percent Pinus edulis OdOCOileus hemionus 6 5 6.70% 1.95 Populus tremuloides Juniperus monosperma Juniperus Utahensis Silphidae 5 0.10 5 4 0.70 0.20 Vaccinium sp , Taraxacum spo 4 4 0005 0.10 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Lupinus sp. 4 4 6.40 0.10 Picea Enge1manni 4 Trace Prunus virginiana 4 2.90 3 0075 Crataegus sp. Bromus tectorum Thalictrum sp. 3 3 2 0.45 1.65 0.45 Cornus sp , Pacbystima myrsinites Locustida-e Equisetum sp. 2 0.10 0005 2.10 0.35 Trace Scientific Name 2 2 Agropyron sp • Aster sp , Pinus ponderosa Galium sp. Opuntia sp. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Mahonia aquifolium Sciurus sp. Unidentified 1 1 1 0050 0.15 'rTace Cercocarpus ledifolius 1 3:35% - - - - 100.00% Unidentified -41 n It It n 0.95 'lJ%'a ce �A further breakdown in the main food groups is as follows: Table 2.--FOOD OF COLORADO BEARS, BY MAIN GROUPS, BASED ON Table 1. Group Percent of Total 64.55% Plant material 17.20 Insects 7.90 Miscellaneous (wood, mud, rocks, sticks, etc.) Animal material (hair, bone meat, decayed and fresh, 7.00 domestic a rrl wild) 3.35 Traces (all groups) 100.00% It is easy to see that vegetable material makes up the bulk of the bears' diet (64.55%). The one most important constituent is serviceberries (23.65%). Animal material, excluding insects, makes up only 7.00 percent. The amount of animal material~ and, consequently, the amount of livestock damage done by bears can seemingly be correlated ~th the amount of vegetable food available, as vegetable foods are possibly preferred. When vegetable foods (such as mast and berries) are unavailable, the bears are forced to take animal foods. A large percentage of t he animal food consumed is carrion from animals killed by poison, predators, or other causes. To prove the scavenger characteristics, one instance was reported wherein a large deer carcass was half eaten qy a bear when the hunter left his kill to get a horse to pack it out. Another instance was noted qy a writer when a trapped female bear carcass was completely eaten qy other bears, one of which undoubtedly was a yearling cub of the dead female. Bears also cleaned up many of the winter-killed deer in the Mule Mountain Area of the Piedra River drainage in the San Juan Mountains. Summary: The bear is definitely an omnivorous animal with vegetable rnaterial constituting the bulk of the diet (64.55%). Animal material, excluding insects, makes up 7.00 percent of the dieto Part of this is carrion and not freshly-killed meat. These figures were derived from 48 stomach samples and scats of black bears collected during a four years' period. The diet is extremely varied and includes berries, grasses, leaves, twigs, needles, nuts, acorns, cactus, various forbs, various insects, meat, bone, hair, mud, and rocks. The diet varies with foods available. During spring, early summer, late summer, and fall, vegetable foods dominate; during the midsummer months when lush vegetation, acorns, and nuts are not available, the bear necessarily turns to animal foods. Prepared by Douglas Gilbert Date Note: January, 1953 Approvedby ,~ Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��lijjjjlii~iil'~ BDOW021885 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO Project No. W-6l-R-3 Work Plan No. III Title of Job Fur Resources and Bear studies Job No •....L..,. Observation of 'Characteristics and .Life Habits. Objective: To gain by-actual observation accurate data on the physical teristics, daily and seasonal activities of bears •. Findings: The actual weight of a two year old female bear killed on October 17, 1951, was· 118 -pounds , hog-dressed. The hd.desand head of this animal weighed 27 pounds (2208%), and meat weighed 91 pounds (77.2%). A large male bear was disposed of at a local zOOo This animal weighed 225 pounds and was known to be 12 yeard oldo It measured 78.5 inches from tip of nose to tip of tail, had a hind foot length of 8.5 inches, a tail length of 5.5 inches and stood 38 inches high at the front shouldero This animal was atypical, however, as its entire life was spent in the zoo. charac- An effort was made to locate a hibernating female during the past winter. Four previously located dens were visited, and in addition, four more dens were located. In all instances, the dens had been used at one time, but none were occupied the past winter. These dens varied from well-dug holes and deep, natural caves to a shallow over-hang at the base of a cliffo There seemed to be no pattern in regard to aspect or elevation. The earliest report of a bear or bear sign being seen in t he spring of 1952 was on April 27, when a track was seen on Roan Creek northwest of DeBeque. Several other reportsfrom ranchers, plus one bear seen from the Game and Fish Department plane, fixed emergence from hibernation dates as April 15 to May 1, 1952, below 7,000 feet; and May 1 to May 15, 1952 above 7,000 feet. The later dates of emergence can be attributed to the extremely long, col~ winter of 1951-52. Every district game management meeting held preparatory to the annual management meeting where the seasons are set was attended. Much discussion was carried on at each meeting regarding the present and proposed bear seasons. In addition to the fall bear season running concurrently with the deer and elk seasons where one bear is allowed on each deer and/or elk license, a spring season was recommended and, in most instances, unanimously passed. Dates of this spring season, as recommended are from April 1 to June 1. �-66Findings: continued It was recommendedthat the use of dogs be allowed for the spring season only, and that license fees should be about $2.50 for resident or nonresident hunters'. It was also recommendedthat cubs less than one year old, or a female followed by cubs le ss than one year old will not be killed. . Summary: Bears emerged from hibernation one month later this year than last. This was the result of the prolonged winter. District managementmeetings were attended and a spring season was recommendedand unanimously passed. Prepared by: Douglas Gilbert Dates January, 1953 Note: Approved by: tuieneeE: ~~~ Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first from the Colorado Gameand Fish Department. obtain permission �-61JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COLORADO State of Project No. W-6l-R-3 Work Plan No. III Fur Resources and Bear Studies Job NO.~ Title of Job Age Determination of Bears. Objectives To devise some method of determining the age of bears through skull and tooth characteristics. Findings: Although an effort was made, no accurate method was discovered for aging bears. The best criterion seems to be a combination of skull size and tooth wear. Size of the skull alone will not work as age is not the sole determinant of size. The practicability of this job was questioned, therefore little time was spent on it. Summary: A combination of skull size and tooth characteristics seems to be the best criterion for aging bears. Little work was done on this job as practicability was questioned. Prepared by: Douglas Gilbert Date: ~J~anu~a~ry~,~1~9~53~ _ Approved by: ~~ Federal Aid Coordinator Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game a nd Fish Departmento ��lij'jli~Miiiji BDOW021887 -69JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO ----~~~------ Project No. W-6l-R-3 Work Plan No. III Title of Job Fur Resources and Bear Studies Job No.-2... Economic Relationships of Bears. Objective: To gather accurate data on the amount of livestock factors affecting. Findings: The amount of b~ar damage, especially to sheep, seems to hinge on the amount of natural food available. Damage is very light during the spring and early summer months when the tender grass and shoots are available. At that time the bears are just out of hibernation and the most easily digested material is the first taken. During the hot, dry summer months, especially the months of July and August, the damage to livestock reaches the peak. Vegetation is coarse and dry, and berries and mast are not yet ripe. Therefore, the bears turn to available animal foods for sustenance. The bear is a lazy, slow animalo Sheep are the most abundant animal, and take the least effort to pursue and ,kill. Hence, the flocks suffer. The chokecherries, servi.ceberr-Les, and acorns are ripe during september and October, and the bears again turn to their natural foods. killed and the Perhaps the proposed spring season will somewhat alleviate the damage situation. The hunting during April and May might sufficiently reduce the population and serve to instill the fear of man in the remaining animals so the presence of a sheep-herder will protect the flocks. The method is at least worth trying. Another advantage of the spring season is that the bears would at least partially "pay their own way". Revenue derived from the sale of bear licenses could be marked for paying of bear damage claims. All bears are not killers. Ranchers in the Roan Creek area reported seeing a bear walk through a herd of cattle and not look right or left. The same was reported with a herd of sheep in the Lake City region. Yet, a bear has been known to kill as high as 18 lambs from one herd in a single night for the mere joy of killing. Bears are not particular concerning their diet, as was shown elsewhere in this report. Carrion suits them as well as does fresh meat, and the bear need not expend the effort to kill the animal. �-70Findings: continued Because of these scavenger qualities, the bear is blamed for killing many animals that die of poisoning, other predation, or natural causes. Hence, many damage claims are turned in where the bear was not at fault. This also makes it easy to wilfully falsify a damage claim and very difficult to verify the authentici~ of a bear kill. The trick in identifying a bear kill is investigating it as s con as possible. The time element is the critical factor. The kill must be investigated before signs of the struggle are gone and the animal is badly deteriorated. The earliest verified bear damage for 1952 was on or about July 26th. Two lambs were killed in the Douglas Pass area. A trap was set, but by August 14, 1952, the bear had not returned. On August 4, 1952, a bear killed four ewes, one lamb, and a registered buck in the Dry Creek area southwest of Montrose. At the time of writing this report the bear had not been caught. other reports that were not substantiated include an instance where a bear reportedly stampeded a herd of sheep causing some of them to drown in a nearby river. In two cases bears were seen in t he areas and reports of damage were turned in before any harm was done. There is an increasing tendenqy to emplqy dogs in the taking of predatory bears. This method has been advocated since investigations started. It is much more selective than trapping. Dogs will pick up the bear's track at the kill, and only the predator will be taken. In trapping, all of the bears in the area may be caught before the killer is taken, and once trapped, a bear cannot be released when the conventional steel trap is used. A tantalizing bait is as readily taken by one bear as another. Summary: Bear damage is light when natural vegetable foods are available in spring and fa110 July and August are the worst months for bear damage as the lack of vegetable foods makes the bears turn to animal foods for sustenance. The tendenqy to use dogs in the taking of predatory bears is increasing, as this method is more selective and only the predator is taken. It is understandably difficult to impress upon a stock-owner that bears may not have killed an animal they have been feeding upon when bear tracks and other signs are abundant. It is believed that the proposed spring bear season is a step in the right direction to reduce damage claims and to make the bear pay his own way. Prepared by: Approved by: Douglas Gilbert Date: January, 1953 Laurence E. Eiordan Federal Aid Coordinator Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Departmento �-71JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS state of PROJECTS COLORADO Project No. W-61-R-3 Work Plan Noo III Fur Resources and Bear Studies Job No. 6 Title of Job Parasite and Disease study. Objective: To find the nature and amount of parasites and diseases in Colorado. Findings: Little was accomplished on this job due to the lack of extensive laboratory materials and work needed to accurately conduct a parasite and disease stuqyo For a study of this type, it is necessary that a freshly-killed bear be used before parasites migrate and the effects of disease are erased. of bears The usual condition of the bears when obtained for study is far from fresh, and usually in various stages of decomposition. Material must be fresh before accurate parasitological and pathological studies can be made. The diet of bears and humans is not greatly different, and tooth decay is common for both. Prepared by: Approved by:: Douglas Gilbert Date: January, 1953 Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator CJ <, 4l cG <J ::t~ Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��-73JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COLORADO State of Project Noo W-61-R-3 Work Plan NOe IV Title of Job Fur Resources and Bear Studies Job No. 1 Publication of Information on Fur Animal and Bear studieso Objective: To gather existing and currently determined data on fur animals and bears to formulate basis for proper management through public education. Findings: The following publications are the work of Project W-6l-R psr sorme'Ls Douglas Gilbert l--"Fur Animal Research and Managementin Colorado" (read by Dr••Lee E. Yeager at the Northwestern Wildlife Conference held in Pullman, Washington, May 13, 1952). 2--Copy and photographs extracted from Quarterly Report, October, 1951, were published in an article "HowInnocent Must a Bear Be," in the April, 1952, National HumaneReview. 3--An article and several photographs were used as a feature Grand Juncti on,. Colorado, "Sentinel". story in the Jack Remington l--ItFood Habits, Growth, and Behavior of Two captive Pine Martens" appeared in the February, 1952, Journal of Mamma1ogy. 2--Cover story on weasels for the January-February, 3--ItThe Future of Fur-bearers" vation. 4--tIMountain Marauder--the rado Conservation. Prepared by: Douglas Gilbert 1953, Colorado Conservation. in the January-February, 1953, Colorado Conser- Pine Martentt in the January-February, 1953, Colo- Approved by Jack Remington Date: January, 1953 Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��State COLORADO --~~~~~-------- Project No. W-37-R~6 January, 1953 Date QUA R T E R L Y PRO G RES I N V EST I GAT ION S S R E P 0 RTF PRO J E C T S As Required by FEDERAL AID IN FISH AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACTS 1. Title of Project: 2. Leader: Game Bird Surveys Harry J. Figge 3. Report of Progress . .I Work Plan I: Pheasants Job 1: Pheasant Crowing count; inactive during report period. Job 2: Pheasant production and nesting; inactive during report period. Job 3: Brood survey; inactive during report period. Job 5: Hunter check; completion report attached. Job 8: Evaluation of habitat improvement projects; inactive during report period. Work Plan II: Job 1: Job 2: Job 3a Job 6: Job 7: Job 8: Migratory Waterfowl }ftgration studies; proceeding according to scnedule. Hunting season checks; completions report being drafted. Trapping and banding; inactive during report period. Production studies; inactive during report period. Evaluation of production; inactive during report period. Comparison of air and ground counts. Proceeding according to schedule. 0 R �Work Plan III: Job 1: Grouse Population studies; completion report attached. Work Plan IV: Quail and Partridge Census studies; inactive during report period. Job 2: Production studies; inactive during report period. Job 3: Chukar food studies;proceeding according to schedule. Job 4: Predation studies; proceeding according to schedule. Job 5: Transplant sites; inactive during report period. Job 6: Trapping and transplanting; proceeding according to schedule. Job 7: Experimental habitat development; proceeding according to scheduleo Job 1: Work Plan V: Job 1: Job 2: Job 3: NOTE: Hourning Doves Population trends; inactive during report period. Trapping and banding; inactive during report period. Production studies; inactive during report period. Completion reports attached for last fiscal year, Project W-37-R-5 as follows: Work Plan I: Job 9: Evaluation of oheasant crowing count method •. Work Plan II: Job 7: Evaluation Submitted by: of waterfowl production. Approved by: Harry Figge COLORADO STATE GA.!'lE AND FISH DEPT. Wildlife By__ ~ Technician ~-=~~ Laurence E. Riordan Title Federal Aid Coordinator Date January, 1953 _ �-75JOB COivjpLETIONREPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO Project No. W-37-R-6; Game Bird Surveys Work Plan No .•__ I~ __ Job No. __ Title of Job ..::.5 - Hunter Check Object: To find the number, sex, and age of the pheasants open season. Scope: -lriesternColorado: Reported by: Hethods: hesa, Delta, and Montrose taken during the counties. Wayne W. Sandfort Open seasons for hunting pheasants in northwestern Colorado were as follows during the 1952 season: Garfield county, 2 days; l"1esacounty, 7 days; and Delta and 1'1ontrosecounties, 15 days. Check stations were operated in Nesa" Delta, and Hontrose counties during the first three days of the season. Additional checking was done at the delta station during the second weekend , Stations were set up be tueen 3:30 and 4:00 P .H. and checking was done until the majority of hunters had returned from the field. Information was obtained on the number of hunters, the county they were from, the length of time hunted, and the number and age of pheasants taken. Information on weather and cover conditions were obtained from notes recorded throughout the season. Information on weather was supplemented by data from the Weather Bureau Station at Grand Junction. Findings:' Principal information on the kill of pheasants is presented in tables. Discussions on the source of hunting pressure in various areas, the possible effect of length of season on the kill of pheasants, and the weather and cover conditions during the hunting season are given under appropriate headings. Niscellaneous information on the bag of quail also is included. Information on kill of pheasants.--Information obtained during the 1952 season is presented in tables 1, 3, and 5. Comparison of data obtained during the current season with that of previous seasons is shown in tables 2, 4, 6, and 8. �-76- Date 11/15 11/16 11/17 Year Table l--PHEASANT CHECK S'rATIONDATA, H8SA COUNTY, 1952 No. of Hours Daily Birds per Birds per hunters hunted Adults Juv. bag hunter man-hour 93 332 15 33 48 .52 .145 76 249 9 19 28 .112 .37 25 64 6 3 .36 9 .141 194 645 30(35%) 55(65%) 85 .44 .132 Table 2--COIVlPARATIVEPHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, NESA COUNTY, 1950-52 1950 1951 1952 Basis for comparison Number of hunters Hours hunted Juveniles ( %of kill) Adults ( %of kill) Total bag Pheasants per hour Pheasants per hunter Date 11/15 11/16 11/17 11/22 11/23 First three days of season 145 256 194 510 769 645 45% 50% 65% 55% 50% 35% 106 136 85 00.208 00.177 00.132 00.73 00.53 00.44 Table 3--PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, DELTA COUNTY, DELTA STATION, 1952 No. of Hours Daily Birds per Birds per hunters hunted Adults Juv. bag hunter man-hour 128 524.00 19 1.17 131 150 .286 117 459.00 5 69 74 .63 .161 19 50.25 1 13 14 .74 •. 279 28 96.50 3 19 22 .79 .228 62 194.50 7 24 31 .50 .159 1324·~-25 354 35(12%) 256(88%) 291 .82 .212 Table 4--COMPAHATIVE PHEASANT CHECK S'rATION DATA, DELTA COUNTY, 1951-52 Basis for comparison Number of hunters Hours hunted Juveniles (% of kill) Adults (% of kill) Total bag Pheasants per hour Pheasants per hunter First three days of season 336 264 1307 1033 80% 89% 20% 11% 215 238 00.164 00.230 00.64 00.90 �-77CORNERz Table 5--FHEASANT CHECK STATION DATAl r~ONTROSECOUNTY~ HOOVER'S Birds per Birds per Daily Hours No. of Nan-hour Hunter Bag Juv. Adults Hunted Hunters Date .259 1.10 87 70 17 336.0 79 11/15 .153 .50 26 35 229.0 9 70 11/16 .136 .57 8 4 4 59.5 14 11/17 .208 .80 30{23%} 100\77~) 130 624.5 163 1952 Table 6--COHPARATIVE PHEASANT CRECK STATION DATA, HOOVER'S CORNER, 1947-52 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 Year First three days of season Basis for comparison 163 256 297 251 169 238 Number of hunters 625 766 1167 949 803 847 Hours hunted 77% 77% 71% 74% 73% 76% Juveniles (% of kill) 23% 23% 29% 26% 27% 24% Adults C% of kill) 130 222 192 145 251 274 Total bag 00.290 00.165 00.153 00.208 00.313 00.323 Pheasants per hour 0.80 0.87 0.65 0.58 1.49 1.15 Pheasants per hunter Table 7-- SUE}1ARY- HOOVER'S CORNER AND DELTA CHECK STATIONS, 1950-52 Number Hours Pheasants Pheasants Pheasants Date of hunters hunted killed per hunter per man-hour .140 .48 553 3950 1163 11/26-12/10 (1950) 12/1-12/14 (1951) 829 3064 488 .59 .159 11/15-11/29 (1952) 517 1950 421 .81 .216 Source of hunting pressure in various areas.--As determined by check stations, hunters from 22 counties in Colorado and four other states hunted in western Colorado during the 1952 season. Discussion of hunting pressure is given for the two major areas in western Colorado, the Delta-Montrose counties area on the east side of the UncompaghrePlateau, and the Nesa county area. }1ESA COUNTY Local hunters, primarily from Grand Junction, comprised 96.4 per cent of the total number of hunters checked. Five hunters, 2.6 per cent of the total, were from other counties on the western slope (Garfield and LaPlata). Two out-of-state hunters, one from Utah and one from Texas, also hunted in Mesa county. �1 -78Delta-Hontrose Area A total of 517 hunters were checked in the Del ta-l'iontrosearea. Less than one-half (43.5%) were local hunters, 54.0 per cent were from other counties in Colorado, and the remaining 2.5 per cent were from out-ofstate. The majority (60.6%) of non-local hunters from Colorado came from Mesa county. This represents 32.7 per cent of the total number of hunters. A small percentage (4.8%) of the Colorado hunters came from the eastern slope. The best hunting success was experienced by out-of-state hunters, who averaged 1.0 bird per hunter per day or 0265 of a bird per hour hunted. This success, however, is calculated from a small sample of only 13 hunters. Local hunters, from Delta and Montrose counties, averaged .79 of a bird per hunter or 0237 of a bird per man-hour. Non-local. hunters from Colorado averaged •.82 of a bird per hunter or .200 of a bird per hour in the field. Effect of the length of season on the kill of pheasants.--During th~ past three seasons, the hunting of pneasants has been allowed for a relatively short period of time in }Iesa County, and for a long period of time in the Delta-Montrose area. Data are given in table 8 to show the correlation between these hunting periods and the corresponding kill of pheasants. Area Mesa County Table 8--KILL OF PHEASANTS CORRELATED WITH LENGTH OF SEASON, Iv;ESA COUNTY AND DELTA-!ViONTROSE AREAS, 1950-52 1/ Length of Season Pheasants killed Pheasants killed Year (days) per man-day per man-hour 1950 1951 1952 3 5 .73 .53 7 .44 .208 .177 .132 Delta-Hontrose l/ 1950 1951 1952 Basis for comparison, 15 .61 14 .64 15 .90 first three days of season. .166 .164 .230 Weather and cover conditions.-Ra.in or snow fell during 10 of the 15 days of pheasant hunting. Precipitation, mostly snow, occurred during the first four days of the season. Light rain and snow fell during the morning of the opening day in both the Delta-Hontrose and Mesa county areas. Little precipitation occurred in the afternoon, however, and conditions for hunting generally were good. During the second day of the season, 1.6 inches of snow fell in Nesa county whereas, the storm was very light in the Delta-Hontrose area. Lightprecipitation occurred in both areas during �the third and fourth days. Another snowstorm occurred in Eesa county during the last day of the season (7th day), with 1.3 inches of snow falling. Temperatures declined steadily during the hunting season. During the first week of the season, maximum daily temperatures averaged in the 40's, and during the second week maximum daily temperatures did not rise above freezing. Cover conditions were good on the western slope, which is never really lacking for suitable cover. Above normal precipitation during August and favorable growing conditions up until the latter part of October ma.y have resulted in somewhat better growth of l.oIeeds and grasses, especially in the generally drier, non-irrigated areas. l"liscellaneous check station data.-Thirty-eight quail were bagged by 194 pheasant hunters in 11esa county. Only 43 of these hunters were in parties that had bagged qua.il. Four quail were shot in the Delta-Montrose Discussion: area by 517 pheasant hunters. Hunting pressure, as determined from information obtained at check stations, decreased in both the Mesa county and DeltaMontrose areas during- the 1952 season, as compared to 1951. The success of hunters substantially increased in the DeltaNontrose a.rea and was considerably less in the Mesa county area. As shown by data in table 8, the conclusion can be drawn that either some factors other than hunting are responsible for the decline or increase of pheasant populations or else a long hunting season is favorable for the increase of pheasants. In the Del ta-l-iontrosearea the success of hunters has been increasing steadily despite a two-week season for the last three years. The kill, birds per hunter, this year showed an increase of 37 percent over last year and an increase of 69 percent over the kill in 1950. In Mesa county, on the other hand, where short seasons, three, five and seven days during the 1950, 1951, and 1952, respectively, have been allowed, the kill has been decreasing, with a decrease of 17 percent when compared to last year, and a decrease of 27 percent when compared to 1960. It is the writer's opinion that stormy weather lowered the kill in Mesa county, whereas, a very favorable hatch and more favorable hunting conditions, in respect to weather, favored the kill in the Uncompaghre Valley area of Delta and Montrose counties. It is entirely possible, however, that the longer seasons, and the killing of at least a few more of the surplus cocks provides more winter food for birds remaining and is favorable for better breeding in the spring, thus increasing reproductive success plus success of hunters. The fact remains that the success of hunters has been increasing with a two-week hunting season, and it appears +hat, consideration should be given to longer hunting seasons or to longer shooting hours in the management of this species. �-80Scope: Northeastern Colorado Reported by: Harold M. Swope Techniques: Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma counties; a fifteen day phesant season in 1952. Hunter success data was compiled at established check stations along highways. Check stations were not operated on week days because of the extremely light hunting pressure. Week day hunting pressure was nearly all local. Icy highway conditions, considered too dangerous for traffic stoppage, prevented the collection of hunting success information during the second week end of the season. Findings: Table 9, a composite of the entire pheasant check station data in northeastern Colorado, shows that 453 hunters wer-e interviewed. They hunted 1,563 hours to bag 444 pheasantso This represented .98 pheasants per hunter per day, or .28 birds per hour hunted. It took 3 hours and 25 minutes to bag one bird. Hunters were in the field an average of 3 and one-half hours per hunting attempt. Table 9--PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, NORTHEASTERN COLORADO, 1952 No. of Hours Birds Birds per Birds Hours PY'~R8urp, hunters hunted killed hunter per hour per man Denver Hunters 229 182 773 .80 .24 3.38 51% Denver Suburban Hunters 19% 85 283 .87 74 026 3.33 Local Hunters 20% 92 328 110 1.20 034 3.57 Hunters, Other Areas 10% 47 179 78 .• 44 1.66 3.81 453 1,563 444 028 .98 3.45 Y Y Includes hunters from Boulder, Douglas, El Paso, Larimer and Lincoln counties, Colorado, and from Nebraska, New Henco, Illinois and Texas. Table 10 compares the pheasant kill during the first tlrJOdays of the season with the kill made the last day of the season. �-81Table 10--COMPARISON Date Nov. 15 & 16 (First and second days) OF FIRST 'r-WOAND LAST DAY'S KILL, PHEASANT SEASON, NORTHEASTERN COLOHADO, 1~52 Birds Per Birds Per Birds Hours No. of Hour Hunter Killed Hunted Hunters .32 1.22 409 1,284 33~ Nov. 29 (Last day) Totals 118 279 35 .30 .13 453 1,563 444 .98 .28 A comparison of check station data during the past six pheasant hunting seasons in northeastern Colorado is made in Table 11. The percent of juvenile and adult pheasants killed during those five seasons is also given in the table. Age determination of 434 pheasants during the 1952 season gave a 69 percent juvenile, 31 percent adult ratio. Table 11--SIX YEAR SU}W~RY OF PHEASANT KILL DATA FOR NORTHEASTERN Days of season Number of hunters Total Hours Hunted Total pheasants checked Juveniles Adults Percent of juveniles Percent of adults Birds per hunter B'irds per hour 1947 14 3008 11609 3232 2204 1028 68.2 31.8 1.09 0.278 1948 14 4289 16522 5422 3435 1987 63.4 36.6 1.26 0.328 COLORADO 1952 1951 1950 1949 15 5 3 3 453 538 1211 353 1563 2227 1439 5087 592 444 1134 395 298 282 408 867 136 138 113 267 68.7 74.7 71.4 76.6 31.3 28.6 25.3 23.4 1.10 0.98 1.12 0.94 0.284 0.222 0.274 00265 A crippling loss of 18 pheasants was reported by 224 hunters an average of 008 birds crippled per hunter. questioned for Analysis of data: It is significant to note that only 20 percent of the hunters checked were local hunters. Actually this group constitutes a much greater volume of the total hunters than 20 percent. Only a small proportion of local hunters pass through check stations returning from the field to their homes. The ones that do are mostly from the larger towns. Landowners and residents of small rural communities are almost excluded from check station data, yet post season checks show that these sportsmen have by far the greatest hunting success. A post season check of 71 hunting attempts made by landowners and residents of small rural communities showed a kill slightly over 2 birds per �-82hunter attempto These figures were obtained verbally. They came from reliable sources but were not included in check station data. If it were possible to check a large number of these local hunters during the hunting season the kill ratio would undoubtedly be considerably raised. An average recorded kill of 1.22 birds per hunter attempt during the first two days of the season and .30 birds during the last day emphasizes the invulnerability of the cock pheasant to hunting pressure. Brief post season sex ratio checks indicate that the pheasant hunting season in Colorado did not remove enough cocks tb show a significant difference from the pre season sex ratio. .. Scope: San Luis Valley Arkansas Valley North-central Findings: Data obtained by Bert. Baker Data obtained by H.. Pil1more and J. Stevenson Data obtained by H. Figge and A. Heins With only two men it was not possible to check hunters on a main highway. Consequently only 82 hunters were checked on county roads in the North-central area. There is no known reason, however, why this data should not be valid. Data obtained in the three areas is shown in Table 12. �-83Table 12--PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA - SIX YEAR SUl1¥ARY, 1947, 1948, 1949 1950 1951 and 1952 Area Juveniles Adults Total Hours No. of Length of Season Hunted Hunters Year San Luis Valley 2 days, 1947 2 days, 1948 3 days, 1949 3 days, 1950 2 days, 1951 7 days, 1952 237 277 157 412 191 256 709 958 588 1312 820 1056 76 62 36 135 47 51 181 187 155 222 90 136 Arkansas Valley 3 days, 1947 3 days, 1948 3 days, 1949 3 days, 1950 2 days, 1951 7 days, 1952 453 703 997 531 336 188 1958 2751 3975 2013 1337 730 219 305 289 123 77 171 326 349 142 117 41 Delta & Montrose Counties 238 . 3 days, 1947 305 5 days, 1948 256 3 days, 1949 1308 15 days, 1950 829 14 days, 1951 517 15 days, 1952 847 . 1016 766 4460 3064 1950 65 80 50 252 120 65 209 228 172 417 368 256 North 7 days, 1947 7 days, 1948 3 days, 1949 3 days, 1950 5 days, 1951 7 days, 1952 398 1399 832 1643 898 82 1112 4860 3387 6537 3527 274 46 410 125 452 122 10 214 513 439 862 380 45 Northeast 14 days, 1947 14 days, 1948 3 days, 1949 3 days, 1950 5 days, 1951 15 days, 1952 3008 4289 1211 353 538 335 11609 16522 5087 1439 2227 1284 1028 1987 267 113 138 127 2204 3435 867 282 408 282 Totals for all Stations 4334 1947 6973 1948 3451 1949 4222 1950 2888 1951 1378 1952 16235 26107 13823 15986 11328 5294 1434 2844 767 1092 506 330 2979 4689 1982 1955 1393 760 So �-84- Area and Year San Luis Valley 1.947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 Table 12 Continued-PH~SANT Birds! Birds! Hunter Hour CHECK STATION DATA Percent of Percent of Adults Juveniles 1.08 .899 1.26 .87 .717 .73 .362 .260 .325 .280 .167 .177 29.6 24.9 18.9 37.8 34.4 27.3 70.4 75.1 81.1 62.2 65.6 72.7 .86 .90 .64 .50 .51 .60 .199 .229 .161 .131 .125 .148 56.0 48.3 45.3 46.5 30.0 65.0 44.0 51.7 54.7 53.5 70.0 35.0 1.16 1.00 .87 .51 .59 .90 .332 .303 .288 .150 .159 .230 23.7 25.9 22.5 37.7 24.6 23.C 76.3 74.1 77.5 62.3 75.4 77.0 .653 .661 .68 .80 .56 .65 .233 .190 .166 .200 .142 .20 17.7 44.4 22.2 34.4 24.4 18.0 82.3 55.6 77.8 65.6 75.6 82.0 1.09 1.264 .94 1.12 1.10 1.22 .278 .328 .222 .274 .265 .32 31.8 36.6 23.4 28.6 25.3 31.0 68.2 63.4 76.6 71.4 74.7 69.0 1.09 1.08 .80 .72 .66 .79 .281 .289 .198 .191 .168 .206 32.5 37.7 27.9 35.8 26.6 30.0 67.5 62.3 72.1 64.2 73.4 70.0 Arkansas. Valley 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 Delta & Montrose Counties 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 North-central 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 Northeast 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 Entire Sta.te 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 < �-85Summary: 1. 2. Hunters bagged an overage of 0.44 and 0.81 of a bird per hunter in the Mesa county and the Delta-Montrose areas, respectively, during the 1952 seaS0n. This represents a decrease of 17 percent in the kill in Mesa county and an increase of 37 percent in the Delta-Montrose area, when compared vIi th La st year's figures. Sixty-five percent of birds checked in Nesa county were juveniles, whereas, 88 and 77 percent of the bag were juveniles in Delta and Montrose counties, respectively. 3. The majority, 96.4 percent, of hunters in Mesa county were local hunters. Hunters checked in the Delta-Montrose area were 43.5 percent local and 5400 percent from other counties in Colorado. Most of the non-local hunters, 60.6 percent of the non-local hunters were from Mesa county. 2.5 percent were from other states. Only 4.8 percent of the hunters in this area came from the eastern slope. 4. The kill of pheasants in Mesa county has shown a steady decrease during the past three seasons, despite limited hunting. Success of hunters has shown a substantial increase in the Delta-Hontrose area where seasons of 15, 14, and 15 days have been al.Loved during the past three years. 5. Precipitation fell during 10 of the IS days of pheasant hunting in west-central Colorado. Generally more severe storms in Nesa county, when compared to the Delta-Hontrose area, may be partly responsible for the decrease in the kill of pheasants in the Grand Valley area. 6. Thirty-eight quail were bagged by 194 hunters checked in Mesa county. Four quail were shot by 517 hunters in Delta and Montrose counties. �-86SUIll>1ARY OF 1952 PHEASANT HUNTING SEASON DATA 1952 PHEASANT HUNTING SEASON DATA COHPARED TO 6 YR. AVR. (1947-1952) Percent Adults Percent Young Birds Hunter Birds Hour Hour Success Area 6 yr.av. 1952 6 yr.av. 1952 yr.av.19 2 yr.av.1952 Comparison San Luis Valley 30 27 70 73 .90 .73 .253 .177 Arkansas Valley 48 65 52 35 .68 .60 .173 .148 Delta & Montrose 28 23 72 77 .66 .90 .188 .230 .;... 22 North-Central 32 18 68 82 .69 .65 .183 .20 h 09 Northeast 33 31 67 69 1.14 1.22 .308 .32 ..;.. 005 Entire State 34 30 66 70 .81 .79 .233 .206 _ 11 --.30 Submitted by Approved by Harry Figge COLORADO GAME & FISH DEPARTlvlENT Wayne Sandfort by ~------~~~~----------Laurence E. Riordan Title Federal Aid Coordinator Date January, 1953 Harold Swope Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-87JOB COIvJPLETIONREPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of COLORADO --------~-------- Project No. W-37-R-.5; Work Plan No. Note: PROJECTS Game Bird Surveys I Job No. 9 --~---------~------- This is a completion Title of Job Evaluation report for last fiscal year. and statistical analysis of the pheasant crowing census method. Objective: Reported by: To effect refinement of the existing pheasant crowing count technique by statistical methods to insure greater reliability in determination of breeding populations from year to year. Harold Swope and Jack Grieb Study Area: The irrigated South Platte Valley north and east of Sterling was selected as the area in which to initiate the pheasant crowing count study. This area was primarily chosen for two reasons. First of all the irrigated valley was the original habitat of the pheasant in northeastern Colorado. Seoondly the area was accessible to the base of field operations in Sterling. The valley agriculture consists mainly of alfalfa, sugar beets, corn and small grains. Figure 1 is an outline sketch of the study area indicating ten listening stations. Techniques: the The study area was divided into ten listening stations selected to minimize listening interference from farm houses, road intersections, telephone lines, etc. Approximately two miles separated each station. Stations three and eight were designated as 'control' stations. The entire ten stop route was counted two mornings each week, on Tuesdays and Fridays when possible. Single station counts were made on each of the two control stations one morning each week, Schedule called for station three counts on Saturdays and station eight counts on Tuesdays. �1 -88All crowing counts were made during two minute listening periods. Listening interference was recorded when it occurred. Each study morning an attempt was made to be in the field before pheasant crowing started. A thermograph was housed on station three during the entire study. (Plans also called for a thermograph on station eight but the instrument failed to function properly.) A barograph and a p~ecipitation gauge were permanently placed on station number five. Charts were changed and all instruments read and/or serviced when necessary. Wind - A windometer was placed at ground level to record the wind velocity during each two minute listening period. The instrument was engaged as each listening period began and disengaged at the end of the two minutes. Temperature - A mercury thermometer was placed at ground level during each stop. Temperatures were read and recorded after every crowing count. Light intensity - Both incidental and reflected light were measured with aG E (type PR-l) light meter immediately following each counting period, as soon as there was enough light to register on the meter. The meter was held at chest level and pointed directly towards the east to record reflected light. Incident light readings were taken in the same manner, pointed towards the west, with the incident light attachment on the meter. Relative humidity - Relative humidities were measured on stations three and eight with a sling psychrometer. Single station counts. Crowing counts on single stations were made at ten minute intervals from the time crowing began in the morning until it tapered off to a few scattered calls. Heterolgical and other data was collected during the single station counts in the same manner as for the ten stop counts with a few exceptions. Wind - In addition to the windometer used during the two minute periods an anemometer was set up during the entire morning listening cycle. The average wind velocity over the entire study period was thus recorded. Relative humidity - Humidities were taken every half hour in the same manner as mentioned before • �~ Z ~ ll\ " ~ ~ ~ -t\ '" ~ .,'" 0 " '......e ..-. " i j; ~ .... ~ q: ~ ~ 0 ~ i; It ~ .•. '" ! 0 Q: :... V 0 ::! 'It 0: "I r-I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ H r:r.. " �-89Pheasant crowing observations - During the intervals between listening periods attempts were made to visually locate individual cock pheasants and determine the time that transpired between each of their successive calls. The necessity of remaining in the irrunediatevicinity of the station made this difficult. It was often possible, however, to locate cock pheasants with binoculars and measure the interval between their calls by noting their wing flapping which characteristically follows each call. A number of pheasants were observed and their call pattern recorded in this manner. Sex ratio counts and mapping of cover type and quality were also performed during the course of the study. Such a tremendous aInount of data was collected during the study, however, that it is not possible to evaluate it all at the present time. Findings and Analysis: Results from all sources, including the main study in the Sterling area of the South Platte Valley and accessory studies in the Fort Collins area of the Cache la Poudre Valley, reveal many interesting things about the pheasant crow-count technique in Colorado. Figure 2 graphs the number of calls counted by dates on the single stations and lO-stations route in the Sterling viCinity. It should be emphasized at this time that data gathered from Station 3 is not good because of uhdue interference caused by the drilling of an oil well within two miles of the station site. However, from this figure it is obvious that no two counts were afmi.Lar during the 1952 crowing season. Even on the single stations where the possibility that the population was more nearly equal between counts, the number of calls recorded between dates varied conSiderably. The curve of calls from the lO-station route was much less variable than from the single stations, probably because the lO-station route was a larger sample than the single stations. Unquestionably, not only is there a great deal of variation between dates on the lO-station route, but also between dates on each station of the route. The variation is caused by a great 'many factor.$which will be discussed later in this report. Seasonal Crowing Intensity.--The seasonal crowing activity of pheasants in the South Platte Valley begins towards the latter part of March and ends, for all practical purposes, ,in Ju;lyo The data graphed in Figure 2 shows that the average number of calls per station from the lO-station route levels out somewhat ini\.pril, May, and -June , although there is considerable fluctuation during this time. The averages of the five highest counts each date from station 8 shows a decided peak in call intensity falling in late April and early May. Comparable data from Station 3 reveals a peak in late May; however, counts from this station were influenced, as stated before, by oil well drilling interference. �-90Daily Crowing Intensity.--By placing the data from the single station counts on the basis of 10-minute intervals from sunrise, it is possible to establish and average curve of pheasant call intensity during the morning period throughout the spring crowing season (Figure3). There is very close agreement between the curves of stations 3 and 8 revealing that pheasants seem to consistently follovl the same pattern of day-to-day crowing activity. On the average, pheasants begin calling about 60 to 70 minutes before sunrise and'rapidly build up to a peak at 30 to 40 minutes before sunrise. From the peak, calls gradually taper off until 90 to 100 minutes after sunrise when crowing stops 'except for a few sporadic calls. At no time during the morning period does crowing level off. This means that no two counts during the morning are comparable. Pheasant Crowing Interval.--An accessory research project was initiated in the Fort Collins area for the purpose of studying the crowing habits of cock pheasants. The data for this project was gathered by Mr. Boyd Evison, a game management student at Colorado A & H College, under the auspices of the Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. The idea of the project vias to locate one cock early in the morning and follow him through his crowing routine recording the time of each call and noting all additional activities. In this manner three fullmorning observations were obtained as well as several partialmorning counts. The three good counts have been separately graphed in Figures 4,5, and 6 so that individual examination of the behavior of each cock can be made. These graphs reveal some of' the reasons for the .curves given in Figure 3. Normally it appears that a cock "viII begin calling sporadically early in the morning raptdly reaching· a level of call intensity which he maintains while the hens are being attracted. This undoubtedly causes the peak in the curves (Figure 3) when the procedure is repeated amongst many cocks. When the hens are attracted into his territory, another cycle of the daily routine comes into being which is calling plus strutting and plumage display. Naturally the rate of calling slows down because of the additional activity_ As the morning progresses, the interval between calls gradually becomes greater and greater until they are very sporadic. Actually the daily routine is influenced by many variables. Any moving object entering the immediate vicinity seems to disturb the cock. It was noted that proximity of another cock, especially if he came close to or entered the territory would cause a great deal of fluctuation in the interval of calls. �it ~~ i -:, ! -I , 1 ~~: ' , , - .• "";,..;p 'I~ : :Ill.~;: 1"" 1. T. ~: ' ,j'" ...:, ~t ; t t ' : : ; .. -~: I j :;t"1-:;i ;::':1::: I I :, ll: ;;:;:I ; j ;.. : : :;:; I 1 I, ~' l ," , ' + 1,_ ~-+'·rt" i t " j ~ !I : .: ~:. jill 1 11, ; -, J , 't ' I' '.' -r r -",~" :~ ~: ; d}l: ' .. :~:: -t' ~' :t~tl'~'~ ; r-JR' . ~., I +- ri I i + r H-!~It, l t l' j l l l +l ' ~ f-~t t-~' , !! ~ "j, L I, P'l' t ,- l If : '. ·-H 1I!, I ' 1 I 1 {' ' J . L: -t > t; t. • I ; i it: l ,t, II [1---1,'-;11-+ 1- II!;; 1.,.Il~1 - nl' f:: l-ni-t'I'IJ;~"ir-lA ;r~:":;L r 1-l--lt . if'r1t /\/1'r'.1 ~;l~,~;.~t W .' tiq' i-iKt f+'I '·1 t I V l~ i : : !~ ;: j, ~ J lr~+rltl 1t' 'It\.j' '" 1~1 I ' 1'~ :- ; ;': r i i;..;~; • :;:' , IIi 1-' j' t ~l 1t rl " i i!, l' titf-t 1 •~t : ~ j; - 1 -.4'11" I! 't: ~', -, j I; t 1 I ' 'I:'t t; -I , - ~ i 1: t I - !r - , I I ! ,if I I r 1. j \' 1 '1- , ::,~ I. ++--B---jl-+-l i---A-++--l f t I I ~ !+ : : ~--t t-+-' -I-.r -1-1 -i ' : !- , rt f i}-tlj' ~L-~j'r , . - 1:L! :: Jt4..t: 'ldj; L rtl 1fl±EiEE t r 1 I~ --- - l- --- -Tt f-\-I, j<,~~~m+-w hi-.r [1< r..', l' . ~ ! 4 Y- - Pr-~ - -- ~ -- - - t+ t,' t ~.I"'-I'" ~~. -lj:-:t' "~, l "r -~ l,·.·. H-Ht.86._ I'. mmm ~;" _ lr.... 1 I j I t- ' V I ~ -N...l----l++H ""'-J---l'---.-t--H i l'l, - - +--rl---t--+-1-!+Ht- ~ .... t; r-.. 'i" l r fll:, j,\ I.t !\ , �r-r-r-r-t-r-t-r- ++- -' I~ 't , !, i, -W-t-' I ! .Ll.-'-t~.' -I-~ 5:.c~Fttt-=f! t+t-,:"'h-:::i.+l- p f -f-l- h ,-' I, ,-I I ~-I- -, ~j ffi~ Ll-H-H-H+tttW- If '.J i~ FF4T-Hi tiTl....,:,.. l;- '..1-1 UTI r FIGURE AVERAGE NUMBER OF CALLS BY lO-MINUTE 3 INTEHVALS, STATICNS 3 MID 8, 1952. l_ , �Cock moving across field toward 2 hens Gock reaches hens Cock chasing another hen Cock moving away from hens Cock picks up another hen Moves back with hen to other hens h -r-r , ,- ,H Ii lit C~I , ' ,, , Rm t" I ~, _ ~ LL' 'i Iffi-l T • t.LW.,L '" ' I, rrrrrrrrrrrrr FIGURE 4 RECORDED CALLS FROM ONE COCK PHEASANT, T7N, R68W, SEC. 17, APRIL 27, 1952. .J �Hen enters area. Cock follows Second hen comes into area Sunr-i.se Wind coming up Cock joins third hen Sun behind cloud~ Sun out again Sun again behind clouds Cnly 2 hens now H' T iTT r-l FIGURE RECORDED CALLS FRO~ll ONE COCK PHEASANT, 5 T7N, R68W, SEC. 18, MAY 4, 1952. �Two hens fly in A second cock close Sunrise Busy getting one of hens moving Crossing field after one hen Second hen crosses field rr i j+FFF!+ -4-L: rl -j -, J_i I FIGURE 6 RECORDEDCALLS FROM ONE COCKPHEASANT, T7N, R68W, SEC. 17, MAY 15, 1952. ..l) �-91Considering 163 calls from 5 cocks tallied during the early morning period before the time the calls became variable-about 1 hour after sunrise -- the average interval was 2 minutes and 32 seconds (Kimball, 1949; 11 cocks and 81 calls, 2 minutes 54 seconds). Factors Influencing Pheasant Crowing Activity.--There are many factors which singly or in combination affect in some degree the crowing activity of pheasants, or the ability of the observer to hear pheasant calls. Because of the interrelationship existingbet.ween these factors, it is very difficult to 'measure'and test their ind:ividual influence on the number of calls countedo The following discussion treats each factor measured during this study separately and attempts to evaluate its effect on pheasant crowing activity and/or the observer's listening ability. Temperature.--Early in the spring when temperatures are normally low, crowing intensity is also low. The question then is whether crowing intensity is low because of the temperature .or because of the physiological trend in the sexual cycle of the pheasants. As shown before, the pheasant breeding period begins in late March and continues into July with high points olthe curve falling between late April and early June. The graph of average daily temperatures given in Figure 2 shows that temperatures in the early spring were steadily rising. This gradual increase continued until early June after which a leveling off intot.he 'sumrnernormal occured. A great amount of deviatJ.on between the average daily temperature and the number of calls counted begins to. occur after t.he second week in June. Thus it appears that after the summer level has been reached temperature does not seem to exert any influence on the number of calls given by pheasants. By compution of the correlation co-efficient (r) it ca.n be proven that the average number of calls per trend route varies directly with the average temperature per trend route taken at the' same time t,he counts were' made, (April to June) (r equals .726). Also, the average number of calls per trend route varies directly with the average daily temperature for the 24 'hour period directly preceding the count (r equals .846) (Table 1). Data from station 8 corroborates this idea, for the computed,correlation co-efficient from the comparison of the average of the five highest counts with the average temperature taken with these calls gives an r value of .931 (Table 2). This simply means that mornings with low temperatures usually give lower counts than mornings with high temperatures. It should be pointed out, however, that since the tests were run only during the early spring when both temperature and sexual a.ctivity are on the rise, the strong direct correlation as evidenced by the �1 -92correlation test results may simply show the similarity between the spring season and sexual cycle of the pheasants. Despite this, it was noted that during periods of unusually cold weather, generally accompanied by a storm, the number of calls were less than could normally be expected. TABlE 1.-Correlation of the Average Number of Calls per Trend Route with the Average Temperature Taken While the Counts were made, and the Daily Average Temperature for the 24-hour Period Directly preceding the Counts. Date 1952 Average No. Calls per Trend Route 4/2 4/7 4/14 4/18 4/25 4/28 5/2 5/9 5/23 5/26 5/30 6/2 6/6 6/9 23.1 36.7 33.2 34.3 37.9 46.9 54.0 45.0 36.9 52.7 44.0 51.3 58.0 45.0 U Average Trend Route Temperature FO 24.4 36.3 2901 35.8 40.7 47.1 40.0 47 .• 9 51.4 49.5 49.9 5207 54.0 56.6 Average Daily Temperature FO 34.6 58.4 41.5 54.0 57.1 69.0 58.7 59.0 60.5 6965 69.2 7009 77.5 71.4 Correlation between Calls and Av. Temp. - r equals .726. Correlation between Calls and Av. Daily Temp. -- r equals .846. U Stations wi thin the trend route with undue interference have been eliminated from the average. TABLE 2.--Correlation of the Average of 5 highest counts by Dates, Sta.tion 8 with the Average Temperature. Temperature Date 1952 3/29 4/23 4/29 5/6 5/13 5/20 r equals Calls 26.4 48.0 79.6 93.7 84.0 54.8 .931 FO 24.8 30.1 42.3 47.0 4].3 41.3 �? -93Precipitation.--At several time during the spring, rain and snow accompanied by cold temperatures resulted in extremely low counts. During one trend route count, a brief shower on two stations substantially decreased the number of calls from these stations according to the trends of the day. Thus it appears that trend routes should not be run during periods of stormy wea.ther. Nebu16si-tY.-On the basis of rather limited information, it appears that pheasants begin to crow later on cloudy days, and consequently crowing is prolonged. This does not seem, however, to influence to any great degree the number of calls it is possible to count during the morning period. It simply means that counts should be started slightly later in the morning. W:Lndo-Wlnds of high velocities probably reduce pheasant calling by forcing the pheasants to seek shelter; however, the pheasant crow-count technique is not concerned with these because the trend routes would not be run on days of this type. Winds of lower velocities, however, apparently affect the hearing ability of the observer more than the behavior of the pheasants. The problem, therefore, is to determine what velocities, in terms of miles per hour, would prevent the using of the morning's count for trend purposes. Results of the study showed that wind velocities of 2 m.p.h. and above influenced the, number of calls it was possible to hear. Fewer calls were heard as the velocity increased. It was noted that counts with slight gusts of wind reaching 2 and 3 m.p.h. were not seriously affected, but that a steady wind averaging 4 or 5 m.p.h. seriously reduced the effectiveness of this techniqueo This means that the route should not be run on mornings when the wind velocity exceeds 4 m.p.h. Barometric Pressure.-A rising or steady barometer during the to the count resulted most often in higher counts of calls~ Likewise, a dropping barometer usually resulted in fewer calls being counted. This phenomena cannot be evaluated or explained at the present time. 24 hour period previous Mechanical Listening Interference.--The main limitation of this study was the amount of mechanical listening interference encountered in the South Platte Valley. Heavy trucks and other vehicles plus trains traveling in the center of the Valley seriously hampered listening ability of the observer. Noises from the drilling of an oil well, birds, barnyard fowl, humming wires, and even a frog were also contributing factors. The success of this technique apparently hinges partially on location of the route in an area where listening interference will be at a minimum. �-94Discussion: Results of the data collected during the 1952 study period in the South Platte Valley indicates that the pheasant crowcount technique is variable. This is not meant to imply that in other areas with uniform populations and less mechanical listening interference the technique should no t be valid. However, in the South Platte Vally where a diversity of pheasant habitats occurs, which includes close proximity to a river bottom, irrigated lands, and dry lands, it is possible that there was not a uniform population present along the trend route. Also, the detrimental influences on the number of calls counted caused by truck and train noises, combined with the natural factors as wind, rain, and temperature practically excludes this method as a desirable technique for determining the trend in pheasant numbers in this area without some alteration which can take into account the variability between counts on djfferent dates on the same area. It is believed that the technique may be greatly strengthened by the use of several statistical tests which will take into consideration the variability between counts on the same area when year-to-year or area-to-area populations are compared. These tests will consist of a simple 'Student's' hypotheses 't' test or the analysis of varianceo In order to make the pheasant crow-count technique conform to these tests it will be necessary to cut down the number of different trend routes and concentrate on fewer routes by running thern more often. To illustrate the use of the 't' test, 5 comparable counts were taken from both stations 8 and 3. It is assumed that the .pheasant population has remained consistent on each station during all five counts and it is desired to test whether these populations are different between the two stations. As it so happens we are not sure there is a difference in population even though many more calls were counted at station 8 because of excessive listening interference encount~red on station 3. Naturally the ,t, test cannot evaluate this factor. This must be done by the-observer. Table 3 lists the data for this test and shows that calculated t is larger than t.lO( t equals 4.1, t.lO equals 2.132). Therefore, it can be concluded, for the purpose of this example that the pheasant population is greater in the vicinity of station 8 than it is near station 3. Now this test would be-equally applicable between years as between stations, and the variability encountered between counts on the same station within each year is considered when the two -populations are compared -- something that cannot be done by any other analysis. It should be obvious that in order to use statistical tests, it is imperative that all variables except the one under consideration -- in this case the pheasant population -- must be reduced �1 -95or controlled to a m~nlmum. Therefore, the following list of suggestions are offered in conducting the pheasant crowcount technique in Colorado. 1. The trend route must be selected to eliminate as much as possible the mechanical interferences encountered along major highways. Therefore, the route should be located at least 5 miles from such a highway, and further if practical. Table 3.--Comparison by It' Test of Pheasant Populations Between Stations 3 and 8 Average of five highest counts from each of five dates. Station 3 32.4 Average of five highest counts from each of five dates. Station· 8 48.0 23.7 79.8 19.2 88.6 51.6 85.0 19.8 54.8 Total 146.7 356.2 Hean 29.34 71.24 Standard Deviation 12.08 16.56 Calculated t equals 4.1 ---------- t.10 equals 2.132 2. There should be no more than 10 stations per route so that most stations can be worked during the morning period of greatest calling intensity. 3. Onite basis of the data collected in the South Platte Valley, counts can be taken from mid~April to mid-June. 4. Routes should be run at least 4tifuesduring the above mentioned period. If more than one route is being worked they should be run alternately. In other words, the first count should be taken on all routes, then the second count of all routes etc. All routes must be run the same number of times each year. �-96- 5. The observer should be on station No. I at 70 minutes before sunrise, and he should remain on this station until the calls have become regular before recording the first 2 minute count. 6. Extreme caution must be used in approaching each station of the route. Car doors must not be slammed and all noise should be kept to a minimum. After the station has been reached it is advisable to wait about one minute before beginning the count. 7. Counts should not be taken with wind velocities exceeding 4 m.p.h. 8. The routes should not be run in misty or rainy weather; or when an unusually 9. cold morning is encountered. If undue interference is encountered during the 2-minute count, another 2-minute count should be started immediately on the same station. RECQ}11VJENDATIONSFOR FURTHER STUDY It is believed that at least one more year of study is necessary so that ideas and theories evolved during the present year may be further tested. To this end it is recommended that the study be continued in 1953 in the tableland area south of Sedgwick where it is also proposed to evaluate the effect of cover plantings on wildlife. Thus the crow-count study may serve a two-fold purposeand evaluation of the technique and the evaluation of cover plantingo LITERATURE Kimball, James W. Journal Wildlife Submitted by: CITED 1949, The Crowing Count Pheasant Census Management 13: 101-120 Approved by: Harold Swope COLORADO STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTHENT Jack Grieb By ----~L-a-u-r-e-n-c-e-=E~.-=Ri~·-o-r~d-a-n-------------- Title Date Note: Federal Aid Coordinator ----------~~------~~---------Janua~ 1953 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-97JOB COI-IT'LETIONREPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of Project No. Note: PROJECTS -=.C.,:.OL:::.O:..:RA..:.:::D:..;:O---W-37-R-5 Work Plan No. II Job No. 7 ----~~--~---------~~-----------~----- Completion Title of Job Report for Last Fisca.l Year-, The Evaluation of Waterfowl North-Central Colorado. Production on Irrigated Land in Objective: To evaluate the number of duck broods observed on one coverage of a study area to give an estimate of total production of the area. Scope: Township 7 North, Range 68 'west, located approximately one mile east of Fort Collins, Colorado in the Cache laFoudre Valley. Personnel: Erwin L. Boeker, and Jack R. Grieb. Findings: INTRODUCTION A census of waterfowl is as essential to the proper management of this resource as inventory is to a successful business. It is necessary to evaluate the yearly waterfowl pr oduc td.on so that fall hunting recommendations may be promulgated to save brood stock for the coming year. .In this manner the sport of wildfowling is perpetuated. The administration of waterfowl resources, in the United States, is carried on by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its main management tool is a cooperative breeding ground survey conducted by Fish and 'wildlife Service personnel, various State Conservation Departments, and the Canadian WiJ,.d.lifeService. The .vast area necessary to cover in both the United States and Can~da has brought about the use of new techniques in census methods. These techniques consist mainly of observations on randomly selected transects and study areas. In most cases the transects are covered once or twice in the early spring to determine breeding pairs, and several times during the rearing season to determine production. This quantitative survey method appears to have filled most of the gaps in a proper system of production evaluation. However, like any other newly developed technique, there stil). remains the need for basic research to effect further standardization of field methods. This need for more intensive study was perhaps best pointed out by Stoudt and Davis (1948'), whose studies, conducted in the north-central United states, indicated rather low production in terms of number of pairs required to produce one brood. They outlined the following program as necessary for further study: �-981. Select sample census areas within spring breeding ground survey transects and check once a week or every ten days for changes in numbers of nesting pairs ••••• 2. Run two or three brood counts at 3 or 4 week intervals in order to cover the span of the brooding season. 3. Run brood counts on regular transects and compare with sample areas to see if counts run appreciably lower. Nesting studies of one form or another are definitely necessary if we are to determine the cause of the apparently low production of broods in certain areas. (Stoudt and Davis, 1948: 135). These recommendations reveal the need, and form the basis, of the problem under consideration by the writer. It is the purpose of this study to evaluate production in the north-central portion of Colorado by means of brood counts; and, concurrently, to give insight into the possible sources of ,error brought about by basing production estimates on orily one or two inventories, referred to as coverages in this study, of breeding-ground survey -transects. The study area is located in the Cache la Poudre Valley near Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado, (Township 7 North, Range 68 West). Land-use of this 36-square mile area is mainly irrigated farming which is typical of river valleys in the eastern part of the state. Methods: The waterfowl production on the area was determined by a series of bi-weekly counts or coverages lni Hated in late-I'1ayand ending in late-August. Sections in the study area were worked ina similar order for each cov~rage. O:;:-iginal decisions on sequence were determined largely by the disposition of the water course or lake to be walked. Often it was found most convenient to cover sevsral sactrons at one iim~, WAlli g down one di bch and back on another. All field work was confined to earlymornihg hours (sunrise to about nine o'C?lock) and late afternoon (four o'clock to sunset). The actual mechanics of observations were standardized for all observers in an attempt to eliminate as much as possible the error resulting from the use of different techniques by various workers. Each waterway was carefully walked with the observer attempting to see the brood before he was observed 'in order to obtain an accurate count of the young. ,This r-equrr-es a thorough search' of each stretch of stream or ditch as it comes into view. If species identification could not be made at this time then the hen was flushed. takes \Vere thoroughly scanned from one or several vantage points by means of a 20-power spotting scope. The perimeter wac also walked to observe those broods skulking in shoreline vegetation, which woul.d not be discernible unless flushed upon the lake. �1 -99Observed broods were located by water area and section. Duckling age was estimated by weeks, and classes were based on the criterion contained in Table 1. Age by weeks was usually es'tablished by duckling size and degree of plumage development within each age class. The species of each brood was also recorded. By these standards--age, location, and species--it was possible to determine the identity of the brood, a precaution against repetition in counting accurately the total number of broods produc~d on the area. TABLE 1. Age Classification in Ballard and Blue-winged Plumage Development (Hochbaum, 1944). Class Approximate Age in Weeks ,Mallard Blue-w. Teal o -.2.5 I 0-3 II 3 - 6 2.5 - III 6 - 9 5- Eliminating 7 'l'ealDucklings by ," Plumage ,:Development Complete downy. Contour-feath.ers present. Contour feathers _ fully developed. Bird beginning to fly .• Sources of Error. For an adequate analysis of data by statistical methods, it is necessary to eliminate, so far as possible, all sources of error other t.han those actually to be tested. These sources inherent. in this problem have been broken down into the following three components: (1) Error resulting from observers walking different sections each coverage. Elimination of this source requires that the same observer walk the same section each coverage. (2) Error rElsulting from working one section in the morning and another in the afternoon. This error is eliminated by alternately walking the sections in the morning and afternoon each successive coverage. 0) Error resulting from using more than one observer. Use standardized procedures for all observers. Results: The analysis of waterfowl production in regards to number of young produced by species and habitat types, etc ,, has been previously given in Q:uarterly Report, October, 1952. Therefore, this report will not dealwith .. that phase of the study. Rather, it will be concerned mainly with the theory and establishment. of a census technique for irrigated land types. It is probable that the results of the present study would not be completely applicable to other areas which differ in lat.itude and longit.ude. However, the basic principles of the technique should hold true for land types similar to that of the study area. The main duck species on which the following data was gathered are the mallard and blue-winged teal, in t.hat order of abundance. �-100Brood Chronology: Broods were observed during all six coverages in 1950 (June 13 - August 31), the last eight coverages in 1951 (Nay 23 - August 24), and the la?t seven coverages in 1952 (June 1 - August 27). By back-dating the age of each new brood as it was observed, an estimate. of the hatching cycle was obtained. Figure 1, a graph of the cycle by weekly intervals for the three years, shows that on the average about 90 per cent of the broods in the Fort Collins area hatch' between the last of lJlayand the last of July. In 195o, most duck broods for any single week were hatched during the week of July 9 - 15; however, in 1951, the peak was about three weeks earlier (June 17 - 23). The year 1952 differed from both previous years in that the,re was an early hatch, with two small peaks occuring May 18 - 24 and June 15 - 21. The 1952 curve is relatively flat when compared to 1950 and 1951 indicating that a similar number of clutches hatched each week instead of being concentrated in several weeks. This was probably caused by a severe hail-storm in late June which destroyed some nests and broods. Thus, the peak was flattened out and renesting probably provided the later broods which made the curve nearly level. All of these things influenced shown La ter-, subsequent brood observations as shall be Brood Observations: The production of the study area in 1950, 1951, and 1952 was 81, 82, and 82 broods, respectively. The number of new and repeat broods (those seen before) was recorded for each coverage. This information is listed in T~ble 2. The observation of broods for the three years.was very similar. Comparing Coverage I in 1950 to Coverage VII in 19.51,and Coverage VI in 1952, and so on through the subsequent counts for each year, it is seen that brood observations for the three years exhibits the same trends. The percent of the total number of broods produced was lowest on the first coverages,building up to a peak during the mid-summer cover-age s and falling off during the latesummer coverages. Most broods were observed during the third week in July for 1950 and 1951, and the second week in August for 1952. It is significant to note, however, that these made up only about 40 percent of the total broods produced on the area each year. Thus, on a one-coverage survey of a given area it would be impossible to determine total waterfowl production of the area. �I I. •• i 1 ; i ll" . " 1.. I ! , , "II , l-+-- : i-I I, t - " I!I tit I' If' 1 . I I ,; ~rt ... 1. J 1 •••• . . i :1'~! , . ~'j j '~l' , I'" I, ,I I ' . t r : tl ~~~Lm-l' ~l'ift~ t~ rtH-\ :-hUitllrdH~i '1-i ~ t -j- f- 1 f- , 1- -l-T+ 1- e- ; _J t \1 T r r I- - - -f lJ __ I_J i "-'" '~r-.:.. l tI - n il~ ,..••,.•••;"-1 ~ 1 ~I I- I-- - I ~-~ - ~ l. ~, I.; ~ t •• 1- l__~'t-dl~t -~_r- I[J rl1--:-1: '1.+-+ ~!D 1+1_ -+_L ,-, Hi - ·1•••...j...:.L "t- -1 ~t~lL 1-- -+-1- -1-- r-r-r ':'-18= ::r H t" !-c- r - ~ f =-t~ ~,,~ ~~ -H-l-H-+r-"~-t r-r- -4-1-1' r I ~J I- + +- - 'i ,~ ti, ~T~ -H -Ii -\ -i- --- -+-i• i1~' f1., •...1-1 , . Ll., - +-1,-+~..., ' + - + I-. tH -1 ---- 1 -,-+ IHt - til f ji[ i~' rm+iHf'4J ii:; • ~jl i ~ --=, ~:. I~, : .: I d-L i.: lJ:_~{-+t:i.r ,_. I.~-t- ~-i ; 1;'.[: ~ : r'1 + :-+ J ~S~ . ~ \;-~"1 11L 11' j'~ - t I+- t I r i--I- - +~-i' - l1Il-~' : ~ ~t ~ 1'i,1 tti ~.. Ll ~I f~Ti ';; :-~Jt; -:1- ~ i .rt lI _lr r -1-1--1 i -1+ ~ +t -+ 1',L ++ 1-- . r- rr P-!+ ~ -~ tt~ I i. , .;Tf~ i �TABLE 20 Broods Observed By Coverages on T7N, R68W, North-central Colorado> 1950, 1951, and 1952. Coverage Number 1950 1951 1952 V V Number of Broods Observed Dates Total Repeat Broods New Broods Of Coverage . 1952 1951 1950 1951 19~0 1950 1951 1952 19~0 1951 1952 5/23 S/l1 0 0 1 4 6 -30 -6/12 VI VII VI II VIII VII III IX VIII IV X IX 1j XI X I VI XII XI 6/13 -29 7{311 -17 6/15 -21 7/.2 -6 6/15 -21 6/30 7/3 7/17 1/16 7/14 -18 -20 -21 7/26 7/27 7{27 -31 -'8/3 -31 b(ll 816 -15 -9 8/21 8/25 -27 -24 ~/i4 ~~/~J 1.2 4 4.9 3.7 3 0 3 % Total Number of Broods Observed 195~ 1950 1951 1952 9 5 12 0 2 0 9 7 12 11.1 8.5 11..6 12 9 11. 0 1. 5 12 13 19 14.8 15.8 23.2 14 23 16 5 6 7 19 29 23 23.5 35.1. 28~0 25 18 14 7 15 11 32 33 25 39.5 1.0.2 30.5 14 11 13 7 IS 16 21 26 29 25.9 31.7 10 28.1. 29.3 7 10 4 16 35.1. ~ o I-' 11. 6 23 24 12.2 I' .z':l. �\~ TABLE 3. , of observing all Broods on the Study Area during any Coverage, 1950, 1951, and 1952. Probabilities Comparable Coverage Number Number Of Broods Observed Number of Broods Available 1) Probabili ty of Seeing All Available Broods 1950 1951 1952 1950 1951 1952 1950 1951 1952 Dates Coverage 1950 1951 1952 1950 1951 1952 ?J I VII VI 6/13- 6/18- 6/186/29 6/21 6/21 --- 7 12 --- 32 37 --- II VIII VII 7/3- 7/2- 6/307/11 7/6 7/3 12 13 19 53 49 51 .226 .265 .373 III IX VIII 7/17- 7/16- 7/147/21 7/20 7/18 19 18 23 72 63 62 .264 .268 .371 IV X 7/27- 7/26- 7/27IX 8/3 7/31 7/31 31 33 25 75 70 58 .413 .471 .431 V XI 8/4- 8/6- 8/11X 8/14 8/9 8/15 21 26 29 62 68 50 .339 .382 .580 VI XII 8/15- 8/21- 8/25XI 8/21 8/2L~ 8/27 Totals and Averages .219 .324 23 24 10 59 63 33 .390 .381 .303 106 121 118 321 345 291 .330 .351 .405 11 The number of broods available to be seen was determined from Figure. ?J The number of broods observed on Coverage I, 1950, was too small to warrant calculation. ~ o r I'\) �-103Probability of Seeing Total Broods on an Area at Any Given Time. As experience was gained on brood observations over the three year period, it became increasingly evident that it was impossible to see all the broods that were actually present on the area during anyone coverage. By estimating brood age when first observed, and back-dating to determine when they were hatched, a rough estimate could be made of this number. The results of these estimates are tabulated in Table 3. Probably the most important data in this table indicates that the average probability of seeing all broods actually present on the area at any given time was .330 in 1950, .3S1 in 1951, and .405 in 1952. The differences in average probabilities between the three years are believed to be caused by a difference in water levels and weather conditions existing each year. It should be' pointed out, however, that since the progression is steadily upward this may suggest that the observers were increasing their efficiency in making these types of surveys. Also, a dog (springer spaniel) was used on the 1952 counts to flush broods. On several occasions, the writer had passed over broods which were subsequently picked up by the dogo The totals and averages of Table 3 are broken down in Table 4 into results for the three age class groups. III 1950, the probability of observing Class I broods was as good as observing Class III (.424 and .417 respectively). A more definite pattern was established in.1951, wherein it was most difficult to observe Class I broods and progressively easier to observe the older broods up to age Class III (Class I, .262; Class II, •.358; and Class III, .447). The 1952 results were exactly opposite to .1951, for it was far easier to see Class I broods that Class III (Class I, .538; Class II, .486; Class III, .183). �TABLE 4. Average Probabilities of Observing All Available Broods By Age Classes, T7N, R68w, 1950, 1951, ar.d 1952. Age Class Number' Broods Observed No. of Broods Available '1'0 he Observed Probability of Observing All Available RrOOc1!'l 1950 1951 1952 1950 1951 1952 1950 1951 1952 I 42 32 49 99 122 91 .424 .262 .538 II 24 43 52 126 120 107 .190 .358 .486 III 40 46 17 96 103 93 .417 .447 .183 106 121 118 321 345 - 291 .330 .351 .405 TOTALS AND AVERAGES ~ f- �1 -105Discussion: The evaluation of total brood production, based on the number of broods observed on one coverage of the study area, involves the use of the percent of total number of broods observed by coverage in past years, and the number of broods seen in comparable coverages during the present year. Thus the following discussion will consider first the estimates of total production for 1951 based on the results of the 1950 study; and secondly, the estimates of total production for 1952 based on the combined results of the 1950 and 1951 studies. The total number of broods produced in 1951 is estimated by dividing the number of broods seen on any coverage that year by the percent of the total broods obtained during a comparable coverage in 1950. The formula for this is n (1) Est. of N = p where: Est. of N = the estimate of total production for the year. n - the number of broods observed on one coverage in 1951. p = the percent of total broods observed on a comparable coverage in 1950. Example: In Coverage X of 1951, 33 broods were observed. The percentage for the comparable coverage in 1950 (Coverage IV) was 39.5 or expressed as a decimal .395. Then the estimate of the number of broods that would be produced in 1951 was Est. of N ;: 33 .395 83 broods Actually this estimate is very good, for True N, as known in this case, was 82 broods. An estimate of the total broods produced has little value unless it is known what confidence can be placed in it. For this reason the confidence limits were calculated for each estimate. To.calculate these 1irrli t.s it is first necessary to determine the Standard Error of the Estimate (~., ). This t;st. of N is done by the following formula. �-106,,-_ 1 V Est. of N p J (Est. of N) (pqf ~ (Est. of N) (pq) p2 J = where: By placing! q (.Est. of N) ill (2) p. = 1 - p. under the square root, the piS cancel, leaving p .. ... . .9.. Th:iswill be p smallest when p is largest,so that the·standard error will be smallest for the coverages shos lng the highest percentages of the total brood production. The 95 percent confidence Est. 0f N - 26:. Est. of N limits may now be determined by the following formula. < True N < Est. of N + 2cr;; Est. of N Example: By continuing the example of FORMULA 1: O"'Est. of N = (83) J (.665) .395, 126.99 11.3 = then 83 - 2 Complete 11.3 c True N ~ 83 60 < True N cios +2 11.3 or 60 broods < Total broods produced L.. 106 broods calculations for 1951 coverages are given in Table 5. The final step in the evaluation of total production is to convert from broods to ducks. This is done by mUltiplying the estimate of broods by the average brood size for all species, obtained during the current year of observations. Thus, the average brood size for 1951 was 6.2young per bro~d •. This -gives an estimate of total duck production, for Coverage X, of 514 - 140 ducks. �TABLE 5. Estimated Broods Produced in 1951 Based on Observations from 1950. Comparable Coverage Number 1950 1951 Number Broods Observed by Coverage in 1951 (n) Percent of Total Broods Observed By Coverage 1950 (p) Estimate of Total Number of Broods Produced in 1951 Comment on the Estimate 95 Percent Confidence Limits (Broods) - (N) r VIr- 7 11.1 63 poor 18<-N <108 II VIr-I 13 14.8 88 good 43 <N <133 III IX 29 23.5 123 poor 83 <N «::163 IV X 33 39.5 83 good 60<N ,,(106 V XI 26 25.9 100 poor 73~N <.127 VI XII 24 28.4 84 good 55 <:'N L.113 Total Number of Known Broods Produced in 1951 Equals I 82 (True N). b -.J I .J �1 -108•.. With the addition of another year's research on this problem, it is necessary to alter slightly the foregoing formulas. Obviously the confidence limits for estimates are in need of revision. Even for good estimates these intervals are much too large to be used. However, continuation of the study will reduce the intervals, for then greater confidence can be placed on estimates based on averages. FORl1ULA 1 now becomes Est. of N = where: FORMULA 2 n (4) p n the number of broods counted on the coverage in question (as before). p the average proportion of total broods observed for comparable coverages in past years. becomes cr;:~.of N = (Est. of N) (q) P where: q = 1- p M = the number of yews Determina.tion of confidence before (FORMULA 3). (5) of research. limits is done by use of the same formula given An actual example of the above formu1a.ewlll not be given because of their Slmllarity to the previous example. However, the estimates of N for each 1952 coverage with confidence limits are given in Table 6. Examination of Tables 5 and 6 show that estimates of the total number of broods produced were not always reliable. Furthermore, it is obvious that 195t estimates were far more accurate than those for 1952~ Confidence 1imi -ts for 1951, with but one exception, always included "True Nit within their ranges. "True Nit in 1952, however, was not included in the. confidence limits of three out. of si4 trials. This was due partly to smaller confidence limit.s in 1952, but mainly to other factors which influenced the basic estimates of "True Nit. Estimation of total waterfowl production on the basis of the number of broods counted in a single coverage of an area is understandably hazardous. On the basis of the data at hand, it is felt that the chances of some variable affecting the results of anyone coverage, thus influencing the production estimate, are good. This appears to be a result of one variable, or a combination of variables, acting to influence the individual estimates. The variables that have been recognized are as follows: �TABLE 6. Estimated Broods Produced in 1952 Based on Observations from 1950 and 1951. Number Broods Percent 01 Total Observed by Broods Observed Comparable in By Coverage Coverage Number Coverage 1952 (n) Ave. 1950 &: 1951 1.95C 195: 1952 (13) Estimate of Total Ntmlber of Broods produced in 1952 (N) 74.6<N <.169.4 124 poor 87.0 <N <161.0 29.4 78 good 58.8 <..N< 97.2 25 39.8 63. poor 49.4cN 29 28.8 101 poor 78.8<.N Q23.2 10 28.8 poor 22.2 LN <47.8 12 9.S 122 II VIII VII 19 15.3 III IX VIII' 23 IV X IX V XI X VI XII XI 95 Percent Confidence Limits (Broods) poor VI I VII Comment on The Estimate - L.76.6 , 135 ~ Total N~~ber of Known Broods Produced in 1952 equals 82 -- (True N) 'f �-110(1) Breeding Chronology. The cycle of nest construction, clutch establishment, and hatching, may differ in calendar dates from year to year. In 1950, 1951, and 1952, the bulk of clutches hatched during the same period •. The peak hatching dates were, however', about three weeks earlier in 1951 and 1952. This advance in peak date seemed to be negated by a difference in water levels during the three years, which in turn affected the manner in which the different brood age-classes could be observed. This is explained under the next variable. (2) Water levels. The level 0f water in reservoirs and sloughs may vary from year to year. Noreover, run-off in the upper reaches of the Cache la Poudre drainage is not the same each year, and this directly affects the amo~t of water stored by impoundments in the Fort Coliins region. It appears that the older broods do not require escape cover to the same degree as young broods (Table 4). Thus, low-water levels in 1950 and 1952 did not offer easy access to escape cover to young birds making them as easily observed as older bires. High levels in 1951 made it easier to observe the older broods, for escape cover was available to the young. During the peak observation period for broods, late July and early August of each year, those observed in 1950 and 1952 wer-e composed. mainly of young ducks, whereas, in 1951 t.hey were mainly older ducklings. Therefore, the difference in peak hatching dates appeared to ·be nullified somewhat by the difference in observation of age classes during the three years. (3) Dates of coverage. For various reasons, coverages· are often made at slightly different dates each year, or it may require different lengths of time to cover the area from one year to the next. The 1951 and 1952 coverages took, on the average, less time than in 1950, due to increased manpower and experience the last two years. The affect of these variables on the number of broods observed each coverage is not known. (4) Weather. Adverse spring weather may destroy many early nests, thus disturbing the entire nesting cycle. Extended rainy periods, late spring snowstorms, and early summer hail-and-rain-storms may cause nest desertion, destruction of eggs, or decimation of broods. Such a snowstorm occurred May 25, 1950. This storm possibly was the reason for the late peak hatching date observed that year. On June 26 and 27 of 1952, severe hail-and-rainstorms hit the Fort Collins area. The result of these storms, coming in the middle of the nesting season, appears to have altered the entire nesting pattern. In general, the 1952 season started out very similar to 1951, with a very early hatch. With the coming of the storms, the normal pattern was disrupted and many nests and broods were thereby destroyed. One of the reasons, no doubt, for seeing so few Class III broods late in the summer. After this storm, the cycle more closely resembled that for 1950, with more young than old broods being observed. Thus, the 1952 season resembled both 1950 and 1951 in some respects. �-111- Variables, other than those given, undoubtedly exist, but if so they were not recognized in this study. However, the writer believes that a continuation of this project for at least one more year will tend to average in all variables so that their influence on production estimates will become of minor importance. Management Implications. The main part of this report has been devoted to the theory and mechanics of estimating total waterfowl produc-tion on a study area on the basis of one or several coverages of the area during the breed:l.ngseason. Despite inaccuracies in estimating total production in 19,2, it is thewriter's opinion that this type of census method is worthy of consideration in determining waterfowl production on irrigated land in eastern Colorado. The following is proposed to show how such a technique may be applied, and to answer the main question advanced by Stoudt and Davis (1948) given in the "Introductionlt of this report as to why it apparently took so 'many pairs to produce one brood. Given: that the general nesting cycle is known for waterfowl on irrigated lands in eastern Colorado; also, that it is known approximately what percent of total brood production can be observed at any time during the brood sea"':' son. It is then'proposed to estimate total production on a delineated area (irrigated portion of the South Platte and Cache la Poudre Valleys) by means of' two separate coverages of randomly selected sections throughout the area. The estimate of total production will thus be calculated for each coverage by means of formulae given in this report, the final estimate being an average of the two. This average, Wi th confidence limits (Formula 3) provides an estimate of total production on the sample sections., The results of the sample will then 'be projected to give total production for the area. It should be fairly obvious from the data previously presented that it "lould be impossible to observe total brood production on anyone, two, or even three coverages of an area or trend route because: (1) It is impossible to see all broods that are actually on the area at the time the 'count is made-actually, on the average, only 30 to 40 percent are observed; and (2) the breeding cycle is such that the total production of the area is never represented on the area at anyone time. The combination of these two factors made it Lmpo sad.b'Le,during the three years 6fthis study, to see more than 40.2 percent of the total broods produced on the best coverage of anyone year. Thus, if total production is desired, it must be estimated from the number of broods observed during several coverages of the area. �.•.• 112SUWlARY: 1. The major purpose of this study was to evaluate waterfowl production in north-central Colorado by means of brood counts; and to give insight into the possible sources of error involved in basing waterfowl production estimates on only one or two coverages of a sample area. 2. This investigation was conducted on Township 7 Nor-th, Range 68 West, near Fort Collins, Larimer County, Co'l.or-ado , during the summers of 1950, .1951, and 1952. Broods were counted on a series of bi-weekly coverages of all lakes, streams, and irrigation waterways found on the township •. Broods were tabulated by species, number of young, age, and location so as to' determine whether the brood had been seen before. 3. The majority of clutches for the three years hatched during June and July. The peak hatching dates differed each year as follows: 1950, July 9-15; . 1951, June 17-23; and 1952, May 18-24 and. June 15-21.. 'l'henormaJ.breeding cycle, in 1952, seemed to have been disrupted by severe.hailstorms occuring June 26 and 27. 4. Observations revealed that it was impossible to observe a11broods produced on the area in any single coverage of that area. Most broods, during the three year period, were observed in late July or early August; however, it is significant to note that the broods involved made up ~mly about 40 percent of the total brood production. 5. The average probability ofseeirig all broods actually on the areadu.ring any coverage was .330 in 1950, .351 in 1951, and .405 in 1952. When water levels in reservoirs or sloughs were low all ages of broods were observed with equal ability. Conversely, when water levels were high it was easier to observe older broods, because escape cover was then more available to younger broods. 6. Formulae are given for estima ting waterfowl product.ion from the number of broods observed on one coverage, and for setting confidence limits for these estimates. 7. Management implications of the study are discussed by showing application of the technique and ariswering the main question raised by Stoudt arid Davis (1948) as to why it took so many breeding pairs to produce one brood on trend routes in the north-central United States. �-113- Literature Cited: Hochbaum, H. Albert. 1944. The canvasback on a pralrle marsh. American Wildlife Institute, Washington, D. C. 201 pp.'illus. Stoudt, Jerome H., and Floyd H. Davis. 1948. 1948 waterfowl breeding ground survey north-central region. In Waterfowl populations and breeding conditions - summer 1948. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Canada Wildlife Service, Special Scientific Report 60: 123-148. Approved by Prepared by Jack R. Grieb Date ~D~u~e~J~ul~y~,~1~9~5~2_ Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��-115JOB CO¥~LETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO ------~~~-------- Project No. W-37-R-6; Work Plan No. Game Bird Surveys III Job No. 1 --~~~---~------- Title of Job Surveys to determine the population .Scope: Northwestern Reported by: Findings: status of grouse • Colorado John Wampole, Harold Boeker and John Tester Roadside counts were made in areas where sage grouse were reported to be most numerous. These counts revealed separate flocks of 35, 31, 31, 20, 12, 8, and 6 for a total of 143 birds seen in 5 days of observation. An attempt was made to locate sage grouse flocks by an intensive ground coverage of various habitat areas. In 2 days of survey flocks of 4, 3, 17, and 7 birds were flushed from sage brush adjacent to alfalfa fields. Other areas, such as water holes, weed patches, and sage flats revealed only fresh tracks and droppings, indicating the presence of birds. A total of 173 antelope hunters were questioned about the number of sage grouse they had seen while hunting. Host of these men had been in the area 2 or 3 days. The findings from this check are as follows: 1. 39 hunters saw 741 sage grouse, for an average of 16.4 per hunter. 2. 134 hunters saw no sage grouse. 3. Average number per hunter, 4.3 sage grouse. Eleven Game and Fish Department personnel working in this same area reported as follows: 1. 7 men saw 83 sage grouse, for an average of 11.9 per man. 2. 4 men saw no sage grouse. 3. Average number per man, 7.6 sage grouse. �-116Sage grouse brood counts were made by John Wampole in North Park in 1951 and 1952. Data from these counts appear in Table 1. Table l--SAGE GROUSE BROOD COUNTS, NORTH PARK, COLOR.ADO, 1951-52 No. of No. of Average No. Year Broods Young per Brood 1951 27 109 4.04 1952 18 95 5.28 made by Wampole during the summer of Table 2 shows the weekly observations 1951. The figures are roadside counts of the total number of grouse seen. No effort was made to determine or eliminate duplications, so the apparent value of this data lies in the disclosure of the sex ratio and adult-young ratio. In addition it can be seen from this table that there were many non-nesting hens appearing in flocks during the months of June, July and August. Many of these may have been hens whose nests were destroyed or abandoned. On September 17 an evening check on several small alfalfa fields northwest of Craig revealed 51 sage grouse wi thin a half-mile radius. An early morning check on the same area several days later showed a count of 86. This concentration suggests that desirable conditions can cause an influx of birds from adjacent areas. Few grouse were observed during mid-day, however, with the aid of a dog several small flocks were flushed from the sagebrush bordering alfalfa fields. Evidently the·birds do not stray far from these choice feeding areas during the day. It is apparent from these observations that the birds favor this type of habitat during the early fallo With the advent of cold weather and killing frosts the birds abandon the alfalfa and move to the sage-covered ridges where they spend the winter. �-117Table 2--ROADSIDE COUNTS OF SAGE GROUSE IN NORTH PARK, COLORADO, 1951 Sex or Age not Total Young Determined Females Males Date arch 152 152 25-30 April 1-15 131 66 17 48 16-30 May 1-31 June 22 22 1-7 15' 73 58 8-15 46 46 16-23 25 95 26 24-30 44 July 29 8 14 7 1-7 18 183 128 37 8-15 83 29 54 16-23 12 49 13 24 24-30 Aug. 13 74 2 50 1-7 9 19 7 7 8-15 5 5 5 16-23 83 14 54 15 24-31 Sept. 75 75 1-7 Analysis and Recommendations: Insuffient data. Prepared by Approved by Harold Boeker COLORADO STATE GAlvJE& FISH DEPARTIlENT John Tester By Date ------~La-u-r-e-n-ce~E~.~Rl~·o-d~a-n-------- January, 1953 Title Federal Aid Coordinator ��, :....,} ../Y" STATE COLORADO ---------------------- PROJECT NO. DATE PROGRESS QUARTERLY I N V EST I GAT ION W-38-R-6 January, 1953 REPORT S PRO FOR J E C T S As Required by FEDERAL AID IN FISH AND WILDLIFE Tittle of Project: Leader: RESTORATION ACTS Deer-Elk Investigations Paul F. Gilbert Report of Progress: Work Plan It Job 3: Location and Extent of Seasonal Ranges. Migration between summer and winter ranges; proceeding according to achedu.Le, Work Plan II: Population Surveyso Job 3: Job 4: Checking station survey; completion report being drafted. Correlation of aerial trend counts with ground counts, sex ratios, and kill figures; proceeding according to schedule. Work Plan III: Forage and Range Utilization. Job 3: Job 5: Job 6: Job 7: Study of range forage in enclosures; proceeding according to scheduleo Little Hills grazing stu~y; proceeding according to scheduleo Nutritive content of browse plants; personnel not available for study. Mesa Verde clip plot study; completion report attachedo Work Plan IV: Mortality Factors" Job 1: Hunting loss; no field work accomplisheda • �Work Plan V: Job 1: Job 2: Job 3: Physiological Studies. Dentition and age-weight correlations; proceeding according to schedule. Embryo and productivity index studies; proceeding according to schedule6 Food habits study; proceeding according to scheduleo Work Plan VI: Damage Studies. Job 1: Job 2: Job 3: Job 4: Methods of evaluation and prevention of damage; proceeding according to schedule. Emergency deer feeding experiments; proceeding according to scheduleo Experimental water development; no field work initiated as yet. Evaluation of past and future emergency winter feeding; proceeding according to schedule 0 Submitted by: Approved by: Paul F. Gilbert Wildlife Date Technician ~J~an~u~a~ryw,~1~9~5~3 _ Title Federal Aid Coordinator --~~~~~~~~~~~~-- �\lllllr~iill BDOW021894 -119JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PnOJECTS State of COLORADO Project No. W-38-R-6; Work Plan No. III Job No. '7 ----------~~~-----------------------~----------- Title of Job MesaVerde Deer-Elk Investigations. Clip Plot Study. Objective: To determine the degree of annual growth removal by clipping that browse plants cariwithstand and still maintain their regular growth-habit and vigor. Technique: Key forage plants within fenced plots are being clipped to simulate different intensities of grazing. Accurate records are being kept and statistical analyses made of the results obtained. INTRODUCTION This is a report of the work accomplished and data collected during the summers of 1951 and 1952. Also, an analysis is made of the results of the study to date. FIELD NETHODS Summer 1951. In 1951, work on the project began June 25. On that date a crew began the task of repairing and tightening fences, building new exclosures, repairing or replacing plot stakes, grubbing out suckers and underground stems from the aisles separating oakbrush plots, and examining plots for evidences of rodent and insect activity. New plots, following the same standards established for existing ones, were established to provide plots which will receive a 100 percent clip. Three of these plots, designated IF, 2F, and 3F, were established for each of the five plant species in the study •. Seeds were collected, when available, from each of the plots in the study Germination tests were later run on the seeds to determine if the removal of annual growth from the plants being studied has any effect on the germination of their seeds. The germination tests were made by .Hr. Frank C. Bell of the U. S. Forest Service for~~. C. H. Wasser, Dean of Grazing and Range Management, ColoradoA. and N. College. 0 �-120Soil samples from each of the plot sites were analyzed by Dr. Vern Cole of the Colorado A. and H. College to determine phosphate availability. Clipping in 1951 was begun August 8 and was finished September 15. Summer, 1952. Work on the project began July 15.. During the first two days, photographs of the plots were taken, and the crew of two men (later increased to three men) was taught the methods to be used in clipping the plants and recording the data. Clipping was begun July 17 and completed September 10. The same standard methods of clipping and recording data were used in 1952 as were used the previous three seasons, with this exception: Instead of obtaining 100 annual-stem measurements distributed among the three plots of a given percentage clip, 100 annual-stem measurements were obta::rnedfrom each plot of the study. Not all of the crew's time between July 15 and September 10 was spent clippingo During this period, considerable maintenance work was done on the project. For example, alleyways between oakbrush plots were cleaned of new growth, fences were repaired, and plot stakes reset or replaced as needed. The woven wire fence surrounding the oakbrush plots was badly in need of repair, for heavy snows of the preceeding winter had broken posts and even the wire itself. Again this year as last, seeds were collected from plants within the plots. Germination tests will be run and reported upon at a later date. Findings: GE~rrNATION TESTS Data of the results of seed germination tests ere those furnished by Mr. C. H. Bell, revised in form only for inclusion in this report. Species Tested.. During the summer and fall of 1951, seeds of the following browse species were collected from plants within the Nesa Verde Clip Plot Study: Big Sagebrush, antelope Bi tterbrush, Serviceberry, and M()Untain }!ahogany_ Germination tests were run on the seeds collected to evaluate the effect of various intensities of clipping upon the germination of seeds produced by the species involved. The number of seeds of each species available for testing, dates of collection, and other pertinent information will be found in Table I. �-121Results of Germination Tests. Seeds of sagebrush were collected October 30, 1951 and another collection was made on November 8, 1951. There was some doubt as to the maturity of the seeds in the first collection, and for that reason the later one was made. Separate germination tests were made for each collection, and the results of thE;3setests are shown in Tables 2, 3, and 4. Because of the small quantity of seed available for testing, the information gained from the tests is inconclusive. '!'herewas a wide variation in the results of the tests conducted by the standard technique of moist chamber germination. Moist chamber tests of seeds collected October 30, 1951 (Table 2) sho•. : that seeds from plants clipped at an intensity of 20 percent had a higher germination percentage than those of plants which had not been clipped. Clipping of any intensity appears to stimulate germinative energy in the seeds, out when the chi-square test is applied only the clipping intensity of 20 percent shows a significant increase. The sand flat tests of seeds from the same source clearly indicate that clipping of any intensity increases the germination percentage of the seeds. Table 3 shows the results of similar tests made with seeds collected November 8, 1951. There are even wider variations within tests in this group. This series of tests are more unreliable than the first for two reasons: 1. Seeds having a high germinating percentage immediately after maturing tend to lose viability rapidly. 2. Both in the moist chambers and sand flats of this series mold appeared rapidly, while during the first series no mold was detected at any time. This may indicate that the seeds collected at the later.date were infected by some mold or fungi which had fruited during the intervening period. The above reasons are substantiated somewhat by the results shown in Table 4. These were' check tests run on a portion of the seed collected October. 30, and it is apparent that the germinative percentage was reduced, po~sibly because of lapse of time. No mold appeared in connection with these tests. �-122'fABLE 10 SEEDS TESTED. (1) Species ( ~) % Clip (3) (5) 5"4) Date No. Avg. Collected Seeds Vol. Per Seed TIll Artemisia tridentata Purshia tridentata Ame1anchier alnifolia Cercocar,eus montanus a 20 40 60 80 100 10-30-51 II " " " " II 0 20 40 60 80 100 11- 8-51 297 198 198 198 198 297 (6) Avg. Wt. Per Seed gm (7) 9 6 --- (8) (9) No. No. of 'I'reatof Seeds ment Tests per of Test Seeds 6 6 ----.. I 6 9 r 0 33 33 33 33 33 33 None It "" "- II '" "" 6 6 6 6 6 33 If 33 33 33 11 " 198 198 198 ·198 198 198 100 8- 9-51 6 1 6 a 7-31-51 90 90 75 90 .0044 .0103 .0033 .0104 .0067 .0125 .0066 00127 5 5 5 5 18 18 15 18 100 100 100 96 100 100 .0096 .0064 .0057 .0059 .0067 .0090 4 4 25 25 25 It 4 24 II 4 25 25 20 60 80 a 20 40 60 80 100 II If II " " II It 7-20-51 II II " It II " -- -- - 4 4 33 33 " It " - - '1 II - Moist sand days at 34 If " , II , "~ " II '. " n If, " (2) Percent of current yearls growth removed by annual clipping, 1949, 1950, 1951. (5) Volume computed by measuring volume of water displaced by dry seeds and dividing by number of seeds. Volume and weight of Artemisia tridentata and Purshia tridentata and volume of Cercocarpus montanus were not determined due to lack of necessary equipment for precise measurements. �-123TABLE 2. RESULTS OF GERHINATION TESTS SAGEBRUSH, SE~DS COLLECTED OCTOBER 30, 1951. 30-DAY TEST, TEST ENDING JANUARY 13, 1952. (2) No. Germinating Test Nos , % #2 113 Avg. Clip IJI (1) 0 20 40 60 80 100 a 20 40 60 80 100 30 32 25 31 32 29 24 33 31 33 33 33 (3) . (4) % Germi!;lation 26 31 30 26 30 30 26 30 33 31 27 27 27.3 31 29.3 29.3 29.7 28.7 . Test Nos. #2 #1 #3 Avg. MOIST. CHAMBER TESTS 83 79 91 79 91 94 94 97 89 91 100 76 89 94 79 94 82 90 91 97 82 87 88 91 25 33 33 33 33 33 24 33 33 33 33 33 2h.3 33 32.3 33 33 33 SAND FLA.T TESTS 76 73. .74 73 100 100 100 100 100 94 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Std. Dev. (5) ( b) Std. Chi-Square Error Compar-ed with Mean 0% Ciip . 1.89 1.34 .58 .82 3.31 2.32 2.36 1.67 2.05 1.45 1.25 .88 (2) 33 seeds each test. (4) Plus or minus value: (5) Plus or minus value. (6) Chi-square value of 3.841 or larger is significant. 5.952 .854 .854 2.100 .630 �-124TABLE 30 RESULTS OF GERMINATION TESTS. SAGEBRUSH, SEEDS COLLECTED NOVEHBER 8, 1951. . FEBRUARY 12, 1952 30 DAY TEST.~ TEST ENDING reI) (2) 0) (4) No. Germinating % Germination % Test Nos. Test.Nos. Std. Clip #1 #2 113 Avg. 7/1 #2 #3 Avg. Dev. MOIST.CHAMBER TESTS 0 28 26 31 28.3 85. .79 94 .86 2.05 20 27 25 24 25.3 82 76 73 77 -1.25 40 26 25 26 25.7 79 76 79 78 .47 60 21 31 26 26.0 64 94 79 79 4.08 80 29 28 24 27.0 88 85 73 82 2.16 100 19 21 17 19.0 58 64 52 58 1.63 . - TESTS oAND F r.,AT 79 82 82. 81 91 88 91 90 76 73 85 78 85 88 82 85 76 85 76 79 64 55 91 70 .47 .33 .47 .33 1.70 1.20 .66 .47 1.41 1.00 5.10 3.61 3.274 .278 .566 .126 3.282 (2) (4) (5) (6) 33 seeds each test. Plus or minus value. Plus or minus value. Chi-square value of 3.841 or larger is significant. 26.6 29.6 25~6 28.0 26.0 23.0 ,. 2.694 2.174 1.700 .596 33.522 26 30 25 28 25 21 27 30 28 27 2) 30 [ro) 1.05 .88 .33 2.82 1.53 1.15 0 20 40 60 80 100 27 29 24 29 28 18 m Std. Chi-Square Error Compared with Mean 0% Clip TABLE 4. RESULTS OF GERHINATIOI~TESTS SAGEBRUSH, SEEDS COLLECTED OCTOBER .30,-1951. 30-DAY TEST, TEST ENDING FEBRUARY 20, 1952. - T2) Nd. Germinating % Test Nos. Clip 111 #2 #3 Avg. 1(1) 0 100 15 21 4 25 8 26 9 24 (2) 33 seeds each test. -: 0) % Germination Test Nos. #1 1#2 if3 Avg. . SAND FLAT TESTS 45 12 24 27 64 76 79 73 (4J ~fJ. Chi-Square Std. Error Compared with (6). Dev. l~l:ean 6% Ciip �1~ -125TABLE 5. RESULTS OF GERMINATION TEST. SERVICE BERRY, COLLECTED JULY 31, 1951~ 60-DAY, SAND FLAT TEST, ENDING A?RIL 2, 1951. 1(1) (2) % No. Seeds Each Test 18 18 Clip 0 20 60 80 IS 18 TABLE 6. (3) No. Germinating Test Numbers 111 #2 #3 #4 10 7 7 14 7 9 9 10 5 16 .8 8 16 9 6 11 !i ~4). ercent Germination Test Numbers #5 12 10 8 14 Avg. 9.2 9.0 6.8 14.2 #1 56 39 47 78 1f3 So #4 44 ~~ 53 89 33 89 50 40 61 #2 39 STATISTICAL DATA. SERVICE BERRY GEffilINATIONTESTS FROM TABLE 5. Clip Standard Deviation I- or - Standard Error of Nean I- or - Chi-Square* Compared with 0% C1in 0 ::>0 60 80 1.72 1.09 1.17 1.83 .86 .55 .29 .92 .027 3.240 15.262 ~ *A value of 3.841 or larger is significant. #5 67 56 53 78 Avg. 51 So 45 79 �-126Bitterbrush. Only six sound seeds of bitterbrush were delivered for testing. These were stratified in moist sand for 62 days at 34 to 42 degrees F and were placed in a sand flat for germination test on February 2, 1952 •. Test was concluded April 2, and at that time none of the seeds had germinated. Serviceberry. Seeds of serviceberry were stratified in moist sand for 62 days at 34 to 42 degrees F. Germination test in sand flats was started February 2 and was concluded April 2, 1952. Table 5 shows results of tests. A study of Table 5 reveals by inspection that the seedsffom plants that were clipped to an intensity of 80 percent show a much higher germinative percentage than those from plants of all other treatments. The chi-square test as well (see Table 6) also shows there is a significant difference in the results of tests of those seeds from the control plants as compared with seeds from the plants clipped to 80 percent intensity. It is interesting to note that seeds from the plants clipped to an 80 percent intensity were the heaviest of all the seeds tested. When the seeds were removed from stratification flats, the following numbers had germinated: for planting in the sand 0% Clip-39 20% Clip-40 60% Clip-50 80% Clip~68 Mountain Nahogany. The seeds from this species were molded when removed from moist stratification. Only one seed germinated during the 60-day period of the sand flat germination test. The seed which germinated was one of the group collected from plants which had been clipped at an 80 percent intensity. SOIL ANALYSES Soil samples collected from the Clip Plot sites in 1951 were analyzed by Dr. Vern Cole, Colorado A. and 11. College Agronomy Department, for phosphate availabilityo Phosphate availability was measured by extraction with a 6.511 sodium bicarbonate solution at a soil/water ratio of 1/20 at pH 8.5. �-127- TABLE 7. RESULTS OF S011 ANALYSES. Soil Site Mountain mahogany (Hermosa) Bitterbrush (Hesa Verde) ~Hesa Verde) Oakbrush Nesa Verde) Sagebrush Serviceberry (Mesa Verde) pH -Available Phosphorus 7.5 7.0 7.8 7.2 7.3 37# P205/A 66# 11 161# "It 170# 196# II~ - Condition Low l1edium (not limiting) High High Very High - As shown by Table 7, the only soil which might be considered deficient in phosphorus is from the mountain mahogany plot site in the Hermosa area. CLIPPING DATA Clipping data for the years 1951 and 1952 are presented follow: in the tables which �-128TABLE 8. CLIPPING DATA 1951 BITTERBRUSH Plot No. *lA *2A *3A Date Clipped 8-11-51 8-13-51 8- 8-51 Per Cent Annual Stems Removed 20 20 20 Green Weight (grams) Air-dry Wt. (grams) Per Plot Per Plot Avg. None None " " II 40 40 40 *lC *2C *3C 8-10-51 8- 8-51 8- 9-51 60 60 60 *lD *2D *3D 8-13-51 8- 9-51 8- 8-51 80 80 80 *IF **2F **3F 8-13-51 8-10-51 8-11-51 100 100 100 lE 2E 3E Control Control Control None None None " It . " Average .176 II " " Avg. ". . *lB 8-10-51 *2:3 8- 9-51 *3B 8- 8-51 -. Average Length Annual stems (100 Samp. cm) . ". " " ".. ".. " " n II .164 .162 Jt ~ " ". .180 . " 3.2 1.0 2.1 " 1.5 0.3 0.9 .252 .190 *All annual growth stems were less than one em in length, therefor they were not clipped. **Very few annual growth stems were over one cmin length. year of clipping for 100% F plots. This was the first �-129TABLE 90 CLIPPING DATA 1952. BITTERBRUSH Plot Date No. Clipped Green Weight Air-dry Weight Per (grams) (grams) Cent Annual Per Stems Per Avg. Avg. Plot Removed Plot Average Length Annual Stems (100 sam::>lesem) Per Avg. Plot 2A 3A 7-22-52 7-21-52 7-19-52 20 20 20 140.8 173.1 104.5 151.9 50.7 94.8 178.2 10.737 95.4 9.265 10.088 10.030 IB 2B 3B 7-23-52 7-19-52 7-18-52 40 40 40 264.6 515.9 345.7 418.9 126.3 200.3 394.3 12.203 197.0 14.686 10.033 12.. 307 lC 2C 3C 7-23-52 7-19-52 7-17-52 60 60 60 161.5 328.9 548.3 386.2 271.7 281.4 140.6 13.969 191.2 8.838 11.403 lD 2D 3D 7-21-52 7-17-52 7-18-52 80 80 80 483.6 1002.1 998.1 881.0 494.2 316.6 643.0 10.716 431.4 -----9.329 10.022 IF 2F 3F 7-24-52 7-22-52 7-22-52 100 lOO 514.5 1007.0 1775.5 1374.7 689.4 643.4 1341.7 12.351 615.7 13.203 9.419 11.657 lE Control Control Control None None None 8.842 12.123 11.347 10.770 lA 2E 3E 100 ----- �-130TABLE 10. CLIPPING DATA 1951. SERVICEBERRY Plot No. lA Date Clipped Per Cent Annual. Stems Removed Green Weight (gra!l)s) Air-dry Weight (gram~) Per Plot Avg. Per Plot Average Length Annual Stems (100 sample em) , Avg. Average 2A 3A 8-31-51 8-30-51 8-28-51 20 20 20 89.5 48.8 33.4 57.2 57.6 28.3 17.0 34.3 3.34 IB 2B 3B 8-31-51 8-30-51 8-30-51 40 40 40 62.2 30.9 53.1 48.7 43.1 19.4 33.0 31.8 2.66 IC 2C 3C 9- 1-51 9- 1-51 8-28-51 60 60 60 196.4 201.8 123.5 122.3 173.9 126.2 73.1 107.2 2.89 ID 2D 3D 9- 1-51 8-31-51 8-29-51 80 80 80 635.0 122.2 157.8 305.0 408.0 73.5 90.6 190.7 4.36 IF 2F 3F 8-29-51 8-27-51 8-2'7-51 100 100 100 100.9 77.3 115.8 98.0 5609 42.5 63.0 54.1 2.90 IE 2E 3E Control Control Control None None None 3.12 General Observations: Some rodent damage was observed in plots lA, 2B, 3C, lD, 3D, and 3Eo �1 '1 -131TABLE 110 CLIPPING DATA 1952. SERVI CEBEHRY Plot No. Date Clipped Per Cent Annual Stems Removed Average Length Annual Stems (100 samples cm) Per Avg. Plot Green Weight (grams) Air-dry Weight (grams) Per Plot Per Plot Avg. 10.135 27.0 9.348 6.515 40.9 Avgo .. , lA 2A 3A 8-14-52 8-22-52 8-19-52 20 20 20 56.8 38.4 55.3 ~O•.l. 29.3 22.1 29.6 IB 2B 3B 8-13-5'2 8-14-52 8-22-52 40 40 40 18.8 68.2 -134.2 73.7 8.8 36.3 77 .8 lC 2C 3C 8:""12-52 8-13-52 8-19-52 60 60 60 167.4 196.3 130.2 88.0 164.6- 94.6 68.5 4.657 83.7 12.537 1.988 6.394 ID 2D 3D 8-12-52 8-13-52 8-22-52 80 80 80 94.5 159.4 480.5 244.8 47.3 82.8 244.0 8.072 124.7 14.690 1 9•031 10.597 IF 2F 3F 8-15-52 8-15-52 8-19-52 100 100 100 61.5 23.1 376.7 153.7 36.2 13.9 210.6 86.9 3.700 4.354 7.087 5.047 lE 2E 3E Control Control Control None None None 5.19 2.603 3.509 3.767 13.7 6.326 8.058 8.666 -- 9.361 - General Observations: All plots of Serviceberries were heavily infested with rust. The rust covered the berries; few seeds'matured. There was a very light berry crop on the plants clipped 100 percent. �-132TABLE 120 CLIPPING DATA 1951. OAKBRUSH Plot No. Date Clipped Per Green v/eight ~ir-dry Weight Cent (grams) (grams) AnL10ua1 Stems Fer Per Removed Plot Avg. Plot Avg. Average Length Annual Stems (100 sample em) Average "' 1A 2A 3A 9- 7-51 9- 6-51 09- 6-51 20 20 20 396.9 444.6 341.5 394. 394. 1B 2B 3B 9- 8-51 9- 5-51 9-10-51 40 40 40 1246.6 1102.4 1672.9 1C 2C 3C 9- 6-51 9- 7-51 9- 7-51 60 60 60 ID 2D 3D 9- 5-51 9- 8-51 9- 5-51 IF 2F 3F P-E 2E 3E 240.8 297.8 222.4 253.6 6.29 1340.c 750.0 662.6 1001. 7 804.7 6.28 1107.0 1034.4 1987.0 1342.E 669.4 604.4 1255.3 843.0 7.98 80 80 80 1484.3 692.4 1395.7 1190.E 935.3 441.2 730.5 702.3 8.65 9.... 4-51 9- 4-51 9- 3-51 100 100 100 1375.5 1824.8 171408 876.0 1638.'; 1104.7 1003.4 994.7 6.86 Control Control Control None None None 8.92 General Observations: Grasshopper damage was noted in plot 2B. in plots ID, IF, 2F, and 3F. A little rodent damage was evident �-133TABLE 13. CLIPPING DATA 1952. OAKBRUSH Plot No. Date Clipped Per Cent Annual Stems Removed Green Weight (grams) Air-dry ·weight Average Length Annual Stems (gram~) Per Plot Avg. Per Plot Avg. Per Plot Avg. 875.2 lA 2A 3A 9- 5-52 9- 5-52 9- 5-52 20 20 20 711.6 1184.2 729.8 404.1 524.2 412.3 3.685 446.8 3.129 3.679 3.497 IB 2B 3B 9- 4-52 9- 3-52 9- 4-52 40 40 40 1016.7 1894.6 1478.0 20'32.4 880.3 1456.5 2724.7 6.239 1117.8 4.040 4.361 4.880 lC 2C 3C 9-~-52 9- 3-52 9- 2-52 60 60 60 1871.2 1037.2 1837.6 2314.6 1001.9 1785.3 3235.0 2.895 1274.8 5.557 7.608 5.353 ID 2D 3D 9;..1-52 9- 2-52 9- 1-52 80 80 80 1189.7 2198.4 1171.4 1866.6 676.7 1226.1 2230.0 7.894 1030.8 9.431 6.624 7.983 IF 2F 3F 8-27-52 8-28-52 8-29-52 100 100 100 1701.2 3195.8 3892.4 3329.1 1988.1 1737.2 289901 5.183 1808.8 6.572 8.169 6.641 IE 2E 3E Control Control Control None None None 4.578 4.218 3.761 4.185 �-134TABLE 14. CLIPPING DATA 1951. SAGEBRUSH Plot No. Date Clipped Per Cent Annual Stems Removed Green Weight (grams) Air-dry Weight (grams) Per Plot Avg. Per Plot Avg. Average Length Annual Stems (100 sample em) Average lA 2A 3A 8-24-51 8-a4-51 8-23-51 20 20 20 0.7 207 29.4 10.9 0.3 1.0 13.9 5.0 1.86 (Stems) 4.81 ($eed Stalks) IB 2B 3B 8-20-51 8-20-51 8-23-51 40 40 40 39.3 33.7 60.2 44.4 22.9 19.8 35.0 25.9 2.03 (Stems) 4.20 (Seed Stalks) lC 2C 3C 8-21-51 8-25-51 8-:-25-51 60 60 60 93.4 21.5 45.3 53.4 53.9 11.8 25.9 30.5 2.08 (Stems) 6.07 (Seed Stalks) lD 2D 3D 8-22-51 8-22-51 8-21-51 80 80 80 42.8 89.4 66.2 66.1 23.0 56.6 39.0 39.5 1.99 (Stems) 4.40 (Seed Stalks) IF 2F 3F 8-14-51 8-15-51 8-18-51 100 100 100 61.• 7 118.9 58.7 79.7 39.4 75.4 39.0 51.2 IE 2E 3E Control Control Control None None None 2.23 (Stems) 4.89 (Seed stalks) 1.80 (stems) 5.07 (Seed .,sta1ks) General Observations: All plots of sagebrush were.infestedwith sage galls caused by the gall midge Diarthronomyia artemisiae. These galls rarely become numerous enough to interfere very much with plant growth. �-135TABLE 15. CLIPPING DATA 1952. SAGEBRUSH Plot No. Date Clipped Green Weight Per (grams) Cent Annual Stems Per Avg. Removed Plot Air-dry Weight (grams) Per Plot Avg. Average Length Annual Stems (100_samples em) Seed Stalks Stems Per 'Per Avg. Avg. Plot Plot 425.5 4.864 191.8 184.2 282.4 2.439 6.219 471.3 16.595 4.507 i6.053 17.027 18.434 918.0 703.5 567.5 729.6 464.6 3.344 409.0 402.9 4.343 6.583 335.1 16.533 4.756 16.787 12.660 14.661 60 60 60 806.6 746.5 781.6 453,,2 4.086 '/78.2 423.9 438.1 4.160 3.643 437.2 16.306 3.963 15.169 16.168 17.029 8- 4-52 7-31-52 7-30-52 80 80 80 713.7 867.7 667.1 749.5 422.4 3.475 464.2 415.7 4.542 360.6 3.833 12.350 3.950 17.040 13.330 10.600 IF 2F 3F 7-24-52 7-25-52 7... 26-52 100 782.8 100 1224.9 1070.8 100 1204.7 4.063 567.2 680.0 644.8 4.445 687.4 4.717 ------------- IE 2E 3E Control Control Control No Clipping No Clipping No Clipping lA 2A 3A 8- 7-52 8- 6-52 8- 5-52 20 20 20 326.6 315.0 635.0 IB 2B 3B 7-30-52 7-28-52 8- 5-52 40 40 40 lC 2C 3C 8- 4-52 8- 7-52 8- 8-52 ID 2D 3D 3.534 4.922 4.596 4.408 ----- 17.541 4.350 13.994 16.045 16.601 �-136TABLE 160 CLIPPING DATA 1951. MOUNTAIN~~HOGANY , Plot No. lA Date Clipped Percent Annual Stems Removed Green Weight (grams) Air~dry Weight (grams) Per Plot Avg. Per Plot E.verage Length Annual Stems 100 sample cm) Avg. Average 2A 3A 9-14-51 9-13-51 9-12-51 20 20 20 6.6 3.4 1.0 3.6 4.9 3.1 0.8 2.9 2.44 IB 2B 3B 9-14-51 9-13-51 9-12-5'1 40 40 40 12.8 8.1 21.7 14.2 8.6 5.9 14.4 9.6 2.85 lC 2C 3C 9-15-51 9-15-51 9-12-51 60 60 60 7.8 8.4 8.3 8.1 4.5 5.9 6.8 5.7 2.73 ID 2D 3D 9-14-51 9-13-51 9-12-51 80 80 80 37.2 19.0 9.4 21.2 23.9 12.0 7•. 2 14.3 2.89 IF 2F 3F 9-11-51 9-11-51 9-11-51 100 100 100 87.5 23.8 23.7 45.0 59.7 15.2 15.0 29.9 2.82 IE 2E 3E Control Control Control None None None 2.63 General Observations: Because of extremely dry weather, there were many yellow, withered leaves on most of the pla.nts. �-137TABLE 17. CLIPPING DATA 1952. HOUNTAIN YlAHOGANY Plot No. Date Clipped Per Cent Annual Stems Removed Green Weight (grams) Per Plot Avg. 41.2 41.2 26.0 34.4 19.6 26.6 12.717 ·7.632 9.790 10.046 221.2 68.8 134.9 227.2 11.141 143.6 1l.827 15.966 12.978 313.4 230.4 301.6 63.0 14~261 10.747 198.3 8.529 11.179 255.2 268.1 173.8 12.9 8.621 12.038 151.6 8.863 9.840 369.0 32l.5 268.1 107.4 11.284 232.3 9.369 13.619 11.424 1A 2A 311. 9-10-52 9- 9-52 9- 9-52 20 20 20 39.8 52.7 31.3 IB 2B 3B 9-10-52 9- 9-52 9-9-52 40 40 40 106.1 213.9 343.6 lC 2C 3C 9- 9-52 9- 9-52 9- 9-52 60 60 60 370.5 478.9 90.8 ID 3D 9-10-52 9- 9-52 9- 9-52 80 80 80 412.8 279.0 73.9 IF 2F 3F 9- 8-52 9- 8-52 9- 8-52 100 100 100 509.3 435.6 162.1 IE 2E 3E Control Control Control None None None 2D Air-Dry Keight [\Average Length Annual Stems (grams) (.l00samples em) Per Per Avg. Avg. riot Plot , . .13.136 11.542 18.378 14.352 �-138TABLE 18. DISTRIBUTION HIGHEST HONTHLY PI?ECIPITATION DURING PERIOD 1948-1952, NESA VERDE NATIONAL. PARK. Months lYear Jan. Feb. Har. Apr. May. June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. 1948 2.oE 2.73 1949 4.15 2.1: 1.77 2.80 2.04 1950 1.76 1951 1.93 2.03 1952 2.4c 4.76 TABLE 19. PRECIPITATION MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK 30-YEiffiHONTHLY AVERAGES. It-Ionth Snow (Inches) January iFebruary lMarch !April !May June July lAugust September October November December* Rain (Inches) Total Precipitation (Inches) 0.75 1.70 2.05 1.62 1.95 "1.87 1.38 0.99 '0.75 1.70 2.05 1.86 1.49 1.01 1.74 .- 18.7 18.6 14.2 4.3 0.4 0.2 1.0 5.2 17.0 - *Figures for December are from 29-yea,r average. Average precipitation over past 29 years was 18.58 inches. The yearly precipitation for the period 1948-1952 is as follows: 1948-15.55" 1949-20.63'~ 1950- 9.46~ 1951-16.95" 1952--13.38~ through, November. �-139Analysis and Recommendations: EFFECT OF CLIPPING ON BROWSE PRODUCTION From the data collected since the beginning of the study in 1949 it is not yet possible to determine the degree ofannua1 growth removal by clipping that browse plants can withstand and still maintain their regular growth-habit and vigor. However, it is believed that the data ~ indicate a trend which will become more evident in the next year or two. The reaction of the browse species to different intensities of annual stem removal has been graphed. This has been accomplished by establishing, for the three plots of a given percentage clip, a norm of growth production based on their production in 1949 in relation to the production of the three plots of the same species recelvlng a 20 percent clip. Production in the years 1950, 1951, and 1952 was graphed to show increase or decrease in relation to the established norm. This is independent of the increase or decrease due to variations in preCipitation. The results of the analysis should not be considered conclusive, but they may indicate a trend~ In addition to the effect of clipping on browse production, the data show the fluctuation in browse production resulting from fluctuations in yearly precipitation. A fall and winter of high precipitation results the following spring in increasing total vleight of browse produced and in increasing the length of annual stems. This has been true of all species in the study. Bitterbrush. Browse production of plots clipped 40, 60, and 80 percent dropped steadily from their norm in 1949 to a low in 1951. Production in 1952 increased over that in 1951 but was not as high as the norm in 1949. Serviceberry. Browse production of'plots clipped 40 percent increased above the norm in 1950, was equal to the norm in 1951, and was greater in 1952 than in 1950. Browse production of plots clipped 60 percent increased sharply above the norm in 1950 and leveled off in 1951 and 1952 at a point below that in 1950 but above the norm of 1949. Browse production of plots clipped 80 percent increased sharply aoove the norm in 1950 and 1951, dropped off in 1952 but to a point above the norm in 1949. Oakbrush. Browse production of plots clipped 40 percent decreased below the norm in 1950, increased above the norm in 1951, and decreased to the norm in 1952. Browse production.of plots clipped 60 percent decreased below the norm in 1950, increased above the norm in 1951, and decreased below the norm in 1952. Browse production of the study. of plots clipped 80 percent decreased steadily each year �-140Sagebrush. Browse production of plots clipped 40 percent was not affected by the first year of clipping, increased sharply above the norm in 1951, and decreased below the norm in 1952~ Browse production of plots clipped 60 and 80 percent decreased about equally below their norms in 1950, increased sharply above their norms in 1951, and fell off sharply to below their norms in 1951. }fountain Mahogany. Browse production of plots clipped 40 percent decreased below the norm in 1950, increased a little above the norm in 1951, and sharply above the norm in 1952. Browse production of plots clipped 80 percent showed a sharp, steady rise each year of the study. EFFECT OF CLIPPDfG ON mlOi1JTHIN LENGTH OF ANNUAL STEMS .. Species 1950 Bitterbrush Serviceberry Oakbrush Sagebrush /Mountain Nahogany Stimulated Retarded Stimulated Negative Retarded ~sponse 1951 Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative 1952 Retarded Stimulated Stimulated Negat.Lve Retarded The effect of clipping on the length of annual sterns has been erratic. Because of lack of moisture, 1951 was a year of little or no growth for all plants in the study. Photographic Datao Each year prior to clipping, a photograph was taken of each plot in the study to show year-by-year changes in the growth-habit and vigor of the plants. An examination r;f this collection of photographs shows no evidence that any of the plants are dying or have become noticeably changed in growthhabit because of heavy clipping. EFFECT OF CLIPPING ON SEED GERVliNATION Bitterbrush. No seeds of bitterbrush germinated. Serviceberry. Plants that were clipped to an intensity of 80 percent produced seed of a much higher germinative percentage than those from plants· of all other treatments~ Also, seeds from plants clipped to an 80 percent intensity were the heaviest of all seeds tested. �-141 Sagebrush. Clipping of any intensity appears to increase germinative in the seeds produced by the plants. }fountain Mahogany. Only one seed germinated. to an 80 percent intensityo energy This was from a plant clipped SUMMARY: 1. Nesa Verde Clip Plot Study d.ata collected in 1951 and 1952 has been presented, and an attempt has been made to analyze the data accumulated since the beginning of the study in 1949. The analysis has been attempted primarily to indicate whether the study is beginning to show results which might indicate a trend. The results to date are thought to be inconclusive. Accumulation of additional data may show the ana.lysis made herein to have been in error. 2. To generalize, the data collected thus far in the study seem to indicate that when some browse plants are subjected to the yearly removal of a large percent of their annual growth, they may either be stimulated to the production of greater growth than normal for a few years and then falloff rapidly in production, or production may irnmediately decline 0 3. The yearly removal of a large percent of the annual stem growth from browse plants may for a time stimulate the plants to produce seeds of higher germination. 4. The study to date has not shown whether yearly removal of large percentages of annual growth from the browse plants in the study will kill them and, if so, how long it will take. Approved By: COLORADO STATE GAME & FISH DEPARTMENT Prepared by Harold R. Shepherd ~~~ederaiAidCOorInator Richard Teague Date Note: January, 1953 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/aaf49e75412bd71e0e41e6fa855a5391.pdf 76a2cf8fcc8f738669fcc8bc6a2bad87 PDF Text Text 1 I~~lllllli' ~I~'llil~irlilli~~m~rl~1 rlllll[II~11 BDOW021895 -1- Sta te of__ JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS ...:C:.,:o:;,::l:.:o.::,r.:;a.:;do=---- Pro ject No ._W;...-_4..:..1.;.;.-_R_-...:5;...-._B_i.lOlgh_or_n..-;S;...h_e....;e;...,.p~S_u_rv_e.. Work Plan No. ------I Title of Job Note:. Lambing Job No. -------1 Study and Predator This is a completion report Loss to Lambs for calendar year 1952. Objectives: To determine the number of lambs in relation to the ewes from the tirr:eof birth throughout the summer, and to find out the effect of predators during this period. Techniques Used: Field reconnaissance at the lambing grounds during the lambing season, with continual sight records being kept during the summer. Findings: The earliest sight record of lambs was made on May 2, in Buena Vista Canyon when two lambs were seen, and the latest sight record was made on June 26, when nineteen lambs were observed at the Long Gulch lambing cliffs in the Kenosha Mountains. A total of 195 lambs were observed at the following locations: 78 67 19 9 6 1:'--..... l'l'j \)-<J ~ ~ r 5 2 2 2 2 2 1 Tarryall Herd Pikes Peak Kenosha Mtso Castle Peaks Rampart Range Cottonwood Creek Buena Vista Canyon Eleven Mile Canyon BuCkskin Gulch Booth Creek Saguache Texas Creek " Saguache: On February 15, 1951, fifteen sheep, consisting of 3 rams, 8 ewes, and 4 lambs were trapped at Tarryall and released at Saguache. On July 25,1952, two lambs were observed with three ewes on Benny Creek. �1~? -2Pikes Peak:' Over a four year period the July trend has shown a slow but steady increase in the ewe-lamb ratioo 1949 1950 1951 1952 1: .47 1: .49 1: .78 1: .94 Although this area was covered quite extensively on foot throughout the summer only one dead lamb was found in the vicinity of Woods Lake. It was not a predator kill. During the past two summers a small band of domestic sheep have been grazing in the Bison Creek area., and a coyote control program has been carried out quite extensivley to protect the domestic sheep. No coyotes or signs thereof have been observed in the sheep range this summer or fall. On July 10, a domestic lamb was observed with a group of twenty-four ewes and lambs lying about on a rocky outcropping. When distrubed the lamb followed the wild sheep for a distance of three-eights of amile across and down a ravine. The mountain sheep proceeded up a cliff which stopped the domestic lamb at the base~ After t~ing vainly for about five minutes: to follow the wild sheep up the cliff it turned and r-an down the ravl.ne , On several occasions a pair of Golden Eagles have been .-observed flying above ewes and lambs in the Pikes Peak area, and at no time were they seen trying to attack the sheep. The sheep did not become alarmed nor show any signs of concern whatsoever. Analysis and R~cornmendations: The finding of the two lambs on Benny Creek bears out the fact that thorough range analysis for the location of transplanting sites can result in the release of sheep into an area in which environmental factors are favorable to a population increase. On comparison with figures from previous years the ewelamb ratio has shown no marked increase in areas where coyote populations are allowed to go unchecked. Since on the Pikes Peak range an increase in the ewe-lamb ratio of •• 55 percent has been found since coyotes have been controlled, it is recommended that coyote populations be controlled on bighorn sheep ranges. �Figure 1 Ewes and lambs at the lambing cliffs in the Kenosha Mountains. Photo by ,Ebb Warren ;'j �-3It is felt that eagles are not an environmental influenoe on Bighorn sheep, and should not be eliminated from the fauna in Bighorn sheep ranges. Summary: A total of 195 lambs were found on twelve different sheep -ranges throughout the state. An increase in the ewe-lamb ratio. of .55 percent was found over a four year perd od on Pikes Peak due to a vigorous coyote control program. Coyotes are a deterimental influence to lamb survival, but eagles are not a limiting factor. Prepared by: Approved by: George W. Jones Clifford A. ¥~ser Da.te April, 1953 Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain persmission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��-5JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado ----~~-----------Bighorn Sheep Surveys Project No. W-41-R-5 Work Plan No. I Job No. 2 ---------~~--- Title of Job Comparative Range Analysis Transplanting Note: This is a completion for the Location of Sites. report for calendar year 1952. Objective: To locate and analyze transplanting of sheep from the Tarryall herd. Techniques si tesfor the release Used: The sites under consideration were covered on foot and by automobile in order to get a general description of the area in regard to size, shape, topography, elevation, drainages, amount of snow during the winter, and land use by domestic livestock. Forest Service grazing maps were consulted in order to determine the grazing status of the area. Findings: Heavy snow depth on the Gore Range the past two winters have kept the sheep on the rocky outcroppings above the slope where a rodent-proof enclosure was established in September, 1949. To date there has not been enough utilization in the vicinity to determine any density change in the vegetation. Crosier Mountain: During August 27-29, a proposed transplant site in the Big Thompson Canyon was inspected: General Description: The area surveyed is roughly oval in shape, and includes that part of Larimer County wi thin Township 5 north, Ranges 71-72 west. Crosier Mountain (elev. 9500) is the highest point of land, and is situated almost in the center of the area. It is bounded on the north by the North Fork of the Thompson River, on the eas t by the town of Drake, Colorado, situated at the confluence of the Big Thompson and the North Fork of Thompson Rivers, on the south by the Big Thompson River, and on the west by an area of free use land controlled by the city of Estes Park, Colorado. The area is approximately nine �-6miles long in an east-west direction, and four miles wide in a north-south direction. The entire area is comparatively free of snow during the winter months. Grazing Status: The area has been closed to grazing by all types of domestic livestock for the past five years, and from present indications will remain closed indefinitelyo At the present time a small herd of elk remain in the area the year around. and a large number of elk from the Rocky Mountain National Park utilize it for winter range. According to the range forage map of the United States Forest Service there are only six sections, out of a total of twentysix sections, which are classed as actual grazing land. The remaining twenty sections are composed of private land. Forage Types: The predominate grass cover is Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis. Other grasses in varying amounts are: western wheatgrass, Agropyron smithii; mountain rnuhly, Muhlenbergia montana; and cheat grass, Brornus tectortim_" Browse plants are not predominant. There is a small amount of mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus montanus; and larger amounts of bitterbrush, Purshia tridentata; chokecherry, Prunus spo; and wild rose, Rosa sp_ The northern slopes are quite heavily timbered with Lodgepole Pine, Pinus contorta. Almost the entire area is rough and broken with talus outcroppings and ledges containing good stands of grass which would be readily accessible to sheep_ Recommendations: From an esthetic standpoint a transplant of mountain sheep would be desirable as a tourist attraction, but due to the very limited size of the area it is doubtful that a transplant from the Tarryall herd would remain in it for any lengthy period. The summer pressure of civilization would probably drive them into the more remote t!mberline country which is readily accessable in the adjecent Rocky Mountain National Park. Analysis and Recommendations: It is recommended that no mountain sheep be transplanted in the Big Thompson Canyon. Summary: A sufficient number of transplanting sites have been compiled during the past five years to more than take care of the limited number of sheep which can be trapped at Tarryallo Prepared by: Approved by: George W. Jones Clifford A. Moser Date April 1953 Note: Persons wishing to quote from the abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. �-7JOB COMPLET,ION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of Colorado Project No. W-41-R-5 Work Plan No. I Job No. 3 --~-------~-- Title of Job Note: PROJECTS Bighorn Sheep Surveys Artificial Salting Experiment This is a completion and Mineral Requirements. report for calendar year 1952. Objective: To find whether it is possible to attract sheep from the alkali beds, an.d t~.control their movements. Techniques Used: Fifty pound blocks of white salt are placed at strategically located salt grounds in various herd areas throughout the sta.te. Throughout the year field observations are made of the use of thesal t , Findings: It is quite evident that salt is an important item in the diet of Bighorn sheep, particularly in those timberline areas lacking in minerals. There are no figures of the rate of consumption, but it is va.riable in different areas. In areas where natural mineral licks are situated the establishment of salt stations have curtailed the rate of use of the natural licks, but has not stopped that use entirely. Individual sheep in the Pikes Peak herd are still observed eating dirt on occasions in spite of the excellent salt station established there. The station on Pikes Peak is one of the best examples of herd control by the establishment of salt stations. Prior to the salting experiment the sheep were quite numerous around Bison Reservoir because of a salt station established near the caretaker's house. These sheep became quite tame, and many pictures were taken of the sheep by the residents of Victor and Cripple Creek. In June 1950, a major salt station consisting of 250 pounds of block salt was located four miles from the reset'Voir. As a result the sheep are now remaining in a more inaccessible area, and it is very infrequently that a sheep is observed in the vicinity of Bison Reservoir. �-8The salting experiment has now reaohed its full expansion, and will remain relatively constant unless any new areas are found where the placement of a block of salt would be beneficial to the sheep. SALT STATIONS--1952 Amount-Lbs. Location SO Bison Mountain 100 McC~rdy Moutain "X" Rock 100 Cottonwood Creek 200 Chalk Creek 100 Cache La Poudre 100 Kenosha Mountains 50 Pikes Peak Brush Creek 50 Buckskin· Canyon Amount-Lbs. 100 50 50 50 50 50 250 250 250 50 Location Geneva Creek Cottonwood Creek (stolen) Rampart Range Georgetown Gore Range Glenwood Canyon Rifle Hogback Parchute Creek Recommendations: It is felt that due to the present success of the salting program it should be contd.nued indefinitely wi th white salt being used instead of red mineral salt or the sulphurized variety. An experiment should be started in 1953, to determine the mineral requirements of sheep, and the percent of consumption per month in various areas. Summary: Salt stations are an important factor in the control of the movements of Bighorn sheep, and minerals are an important requirement in their diet. The establishment of the salt station on Pikes Peak lured the sheep a distance of 4 miles to more inaccessible groundo A total of 1900 pounds of white block salt has been put out at various stations throughout the state in 1952. Prepared by: Geroge W. Jones Clifford A. Hoser Date· April 1953 Approved by: �-9JOB CO~~LETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado Project No. w-41-R-5 Bighorn Sheep Surveys Title of Job Census and Distribution Work Plan No. Note: Studies on Herds Throughout the State I Job Noo 4 --~~-----~---- This is a. completion report for calenda.r year 1952. Objectives: To find the increase or decrease and sex of the resident and transplanted herds throughout the state. Techniques Used: Field reconnaissance by automobile, jeep, foot, and horseback. Annual trend counts are made in established trend areas .• Findings: In general the sheep population is on an upward trend with certain herds remaining stable or showing Cl- slight decline. This decline in certain herds is due to environmental conditions rather than a lack of forage caused by overpopulation. Because of the limitations of winter range, particularly in those herds along the Continental Divide, it is doubtful that they will increase to the extent where hunting would be feasible except on a limited permit basis. Tarryall: Unfortunately, trend figures for the Tarryall were incomplete this year because of the extremely mild weather which caused the sheep to remain back from the trend areas. Pikes Peak. Another dry summer, plus marked disturbance by soldiers from Camp Carson has concentrated practically all the sheep into three of the five trend areas. This concentration made an excellent count possible"in July. Table 1 shows the trend from 1949 through 1952. Pikes Peak Trend Count. 1949 Rams 38 Ewes 90 Lambs 43 Yearlings 34 Total ~ Table 1- 1950 45 79 39 29 192 1951 52 43 34 18 147 1952 45 103 97 52 297 �-10Saguache 8 The third week of July was spent coveM_ng the country around Saguache attempting to obtain an accurate count on the fifteen sheep which were released on the rim of Saguache Canyon February 15, 1951. Due to the nature of the topography only limited vision was obtained which resulted in a count of only seven sheep; two of these were lambs indicating that the sheep have adapted themselves to their new surroundings. Taylor Canyon, which is approximately seven miles long, and runs in a northwest direction from its confluence with Bear Creek, is the route of travel from Trickle Mountain on Bear Creek, to the Cochetopa Pass country. The north side of the canyon is rimrock, and affords an excellent migration route between summer and winter range. The seven sheep Were observed on Cochetopa Pass in the rocky area where Benny Creek crosses Colorado 114. Table 2 is an up to date list of actual sight counts comprising the majority of sheep in the state. Number 27 297 30 42 57 36 44 14 12 23 32 8 27 32 50 30 31 14 14 36 14 11 8 50 32 41 28 Table 2-Herd Location Geneva Creek (Grant) Pikes Peak Texas Creek (Parkdale) Cameron Pass Arapahoe Pk. to James Pk. Skagway Canyon Crestone Wemuniche (head of) ~uartz Creek (Summit Pk.) Lake Fork (North Branch) .Mt. Ouray (NE side) Near Hanson Telluride San Luis Peak The Needles Emerson Mountain Cimarron Creek (head of) Mt~ Blanca Sunshine Peak Cr'es tone Peak Mt. Zirkel ¥..:ica Lake Quaker Mountain Taylor River South Castle Peak Matchless Mountain West Elk Mountain Counts, 1952 Number Location Mount Evans 27 Georgetown 69 Cache La Poudre 29 Grand Lake 17 Eleven Mile Canyon 65 Cotopaxi 12 27 Mesa Verde (Weber Mt.) 17 Wolf Creek (West Fork) 8 Trinity Peak (NW Slope) 12 Red Mountain 21 Nt. Sneffe1s 'Wilson Peak 14 22 Pole Creek Mountain 27 Black Canyon of Gunnison 10 Dolore.s Rive r 26 South River Peak 42 Uncompahgre Peak 21 B~anco Creek(SooFork,head 18 Stony Pass 8 Horn Creek 22 The Dome 15 Buffalo Ridge 6 Ladore Canyon 26 Gold Creek (head of) 18 Crested Butte 16 Sandford Creek (head of) 12 East Soap Creek of) �-11Mt. Shavano Cottonwood Creek Brown Creek Echo Canyon Gunnison Peak Sheep Mountain (Marble) Maroon Peak and Lake Castle.Creek (head of) Mt. Massive Ten Mile Range . Sheep Mto (Four Mile Cro) Mt. Holy Cross (Tumble Creek) Mto Jackson (East slope) Grizzly Creek (Gypsum) Rifle Hogback Parachute Creek (head of) East Marvine Creek Rim Mt. Powell (South side) Byron Peak Devils Thumb Mt. Craig Bald River Ridge Rocky Mt. Nat. Park Wilkerson Pass Rampart Range Mt. Elbert Ten Mile Creek Sheephorn Mountain Rifle Park Mt. Sopris Casite Peak 20 48 19 28 12 37 16 24 9 11 12 22 17 21 31 6 4 17 15 16 5 4 200 32 25 9 21 25 12 18 32 32 46 36 21 23 11 13 22 14 18 47 34 6 28 6 4 32 16 10 9 20 19 786 14 7 19 50 4 14 16 Chalk Creek Ouray Peak Eight Hile Creek (head of) Little Cimarron Sheep Point Avalanche Grizzly Peak Hagerman Creek Mt. Harvard Creek (head of) Weston Pass Buffalo Peaks (Tumble Cr.) Brush Creek (Eagle) Lime Creek East Elk Creek Beaver Creek Roan Creek (head of) Gore (South Pine Creek) Grays Peak James Peak Paiute Peak (Cascade Cr.) Lome Commanche Peak Tarryall Pin Pick Fish Nountain Horseshoe Mountain Blue River Trappers Lake Mamm Peak Snowmass Summary e To date a total of 3797 mountain sheep have been counted in the mountainous regions of the state with an average of 33 sheep per herd. Approximately seventy-five percent of these sheep range on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. Sex ratio records are incomplete, but from available figures there is one ram for every 1.54 ewes. Prepared by: Approved by: George W. Jones Clifford A. Moser Date Note: April 1953 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game an~ Fish Department. ��-13JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Sta te of_--:C:;.:o~l~o;.;;:.r..::a..::d.:;.o _ W-4l-R-5 Project No. Bighorn Sheep Surveys I Job Noo '5 -~------~----- Work Plan No. Title of Job Note: Study of Mortality This is a completion Factors report for calendar year 1952. Objectives: To determine the losses in sheep herds by various decimating factors. Techniques Used: Field autopsy is made whenever possible, and sick or recently dead sheep are taken to the Veternary Department of Colorado A. & M. College located at Fort Collins. This is done concurrently with other work. Findings: Geneva Creek: During January, 1952, fourteen sheep consisting of six rams and eight ewes were found dead on'Geneva Creek. Two of these sheep had been killed with a 022 caliber bulleto On February 2, a yearling ewe was taken to the Colorado A. & M. Veterinary Department where autopsy disclosed that hemorrhagic septicemia was responsible death of this animal. for the Brush Creek: On April 28, 29, eight sheep consisting of -four rams and four ewes were found dead on Brush Creek. Cause of death was attributed to starvation. Normally these 'sheep come down to the bottom of Brush Creek to feed and participate in the rut, returning to the higher elevations at the close of the rutti.ng season. An unusually heavy snowfall this winter trapped them at the lower elevation, and they found shelter in an unexposed area at the base of some sheer cliffs. As the snow pack continued to build up the sheep were virtually trapped in small open pockets by snow, and were unable to return to the open wind-swept ridges where they normally winter. As the small amount of available forage was consumed starvation set in with the resultant death of the eight sheep. These sheep were native to the area, and were not part of the sheep which were transplanted there from Tarryall. �-14Pikes Peak: With the advent of winter a serious outbreak reaching epidemic porportions has come upon the Pikes Peak herd. As of December, eight sheep are known to have died of this epidemic. A considerable amount of time has been spent in the area attempting to collect a diseased animal for clinical autopsy. On November 13, a sick ewe was located above Woods Lake, but due to the nature of the terraine and snow conditions it was not obtained. On November 14, at 11:40 a.m., a two and one-half year old ram was picked up in the vicinity of Cathedral Park which had died shortly before. The carcass was taken immediately to Dr. Griner at the Veterinary Department of Colorado A. & M. College. His report is as follows, Postmortem Diagnosis: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep_ Lungs: Anterior ventral lobe,s consolidated and congested, Lungworm larvae observed microscopically in secretion in bronchi. Dorsal foci of bronchopneumonia. Spleen: Thysanosoma actihioides found in duct. Stomachs: Abomasal parasitism, Ostertagia sp. Intestines, small: enteritis, Nematodirus Postmortem Diagnosis: Pathological Hyperemic Diagnosis: Pnuemonia Verminous sp. (verminous) parasitism. Pneumonia. The causative organism has been temporarily Protostrongylus sp. identified as On September 8, a three year old ram was killed by a mountain lion on Bison Creek. The ram had been partlally eaten, and the carcass was covered with refuse in the manner characteristic to the lion family. Mr. Archie McGregor of Cripple Creek, obtained dogs from a nearby ranch and took them to the area where the lion was jumped. These dogs had had considerable experience on lion hunts in the Sangre De Cr:Lsto range, and ran the lion all of that day and into the night before the chase was given up. No further reports of lion depredations have b~en heard of in the areao Tarryall: One four year old ram was found on Tarryall Creek. Upon examination a .22 bullet wq.s found lodged in the lung cavity. �-15Analysis and Recommendations: Predation is a negligible factor in the herd drain. It is recommended thav a thorough study by inaugurated into the causes and effects of disease. Summary: Thirty-one sheep were found dead during the winter. of these, three were shot with a .22 caliber gun, one was killed by a predator, eight died of malnutrition, and nineteen died of disease. Prepared by: Approved by: George W. Jones, Clifford A. Moser Date Note: April, 1953 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��liii~ijiliMlmn BDOW021900 -17JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado Project No. W-41-R-5; 2; Work Plan Bighorn Sheep Surveys Mountain Goat Study Job No.--=l~_ Title of Job Mountain Goat Census and Survey Objectivest, To determine the adaptability of mountain environment for possible future management. goats to Colorado Techniques: Reconnaisance was made on foot to above timberline many times during the summer and fall in the Collegiate Range of mountains (Chaffee county) and the Elk Mountains (Pitkin county) in search of the goats which had been released in 1950. Several areas where goats were rumored to have been seen were especially checked. Findingsr No sight records nor even any definite signs of goats were found in the high mountain ranges extending from near Salida to the vicinity of Aspen. Therfore, it is unknown if any of these animals have survived. Prepared by: George W. 'Jones Da te ....;;A:::.p::.:r~i=l.z.., ....:1:.:9;,:::5~3 __ Approved b,.: ~~t;;;;~~:'i:c50r~ Federal Aid Coordinator ��-19JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of__ C.::.;::;ol::;o:::;;r:...;a::;d::;o=------ Pro jec t No ._-...:W.:...-...:3~9;..,-..;:.R.:...-6..:;..:.:_W...;.l;:;;· l;:;;d~T;;..:ur.;;;..;:.k:..;;e.Jt.y--:;;I:..;;nv_e_s.:...t.;..;i;;.;g~ t..;;;i;..;.o_n __ s_ Work Plan No. II Job No. 1 -~~---~---- Title of Jobg Trapping and Transplanting of Merriam's Wild Turkey Objectives: To develop and restore the wild turkey in suitable areas of the State and to band some wild turkeys in their home ranges to serve as markers to determine movements, longevity, etc. Techniques Used: a. Reconnaissance transplanting This job involves several phases as follows: of the areas to determine where surplus birds exist for purposes or where sizable flocks exist for banding studies; bo Pre-baiting of the area with grain to cause a trapsite c. Installation of trap and continued d. Observation of trap to determine e. "Springingll of trap and (1) banding ing to release area or (2) banding for markers. concentration; baiting; workability and suitability and crating and release Findings: Western Slope. Three principal restocking filled in the western section of the State. of trap; of birds and transportof turkeys at trapsi te areas remain to be Area I: The Uncompahgre Area. This is a large plateau area lying between the drainage of the San Miguel River on the south, the Colorado River on the north, the Uncompahgre and Gunnison Rivers on the east and the Dolores River on the west. This area is rich in uranium ore and supports a rather extensive lumbering industry on part of it. There are large portions of the area and especihlly the edges of it that are comparatively isolated. Ylining was not too important when the wild turkey restocking program was started. However, it has picked up materially in the past few years. Access roads into the area have made part of the area easier to reach but have increased the problem of successfully restocking it with turkeys. Most of this plateau is extremely rugged" which contributes materially to its value as a possible turkey restocking area. Shrubs of the most important species are abundant along these rims while the weather factors give a fair assurance ofa constant food supply. �-20Wild turkey plants were made starting in 1944 and 1945. Development of these plants has been fairly consistent. The turkeys have drifted considerably, some ranging as much as 35 airline miles from the release area. Winter checks indicate that some of these turkeys have drifted into rather inaccessible areas where food, water and climatic factors are suitable. This area has very little agriculture to concentrate the turkeys around grain fields. For this reason the birds will always be very difficult to hunt. There is nothing but water and natural food to concentrate the turkeys in a given area. This area was opened for hunting for the first time last fall. Few birds were taken for the above reasons men tdoned , Trapping: There are some bordering areas in this district that still need filling. It was hoped a flock of birds could be concentrated in the Ute area to pick up one or two catches for release. Feeding was started in November. The turkeys only came in at irregular intervals. Most of the feed was picked up the Stellerts jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) and other small birds. Eighteen to twenty-five was the largest number of turkeys that could be concentrated. This, we felt was too small a number from which to trap. After more than two months of effort it was felt best to abandon the try. Area II. Grand Mesa: The Lands End area on the northwest corner of Grand Mesa was one of the original Game Department planting sites chosen for stocking wild turkeys about 1936. This plant did not succeed for two reasons. The birds released were not true wild stock and there was much local interference. The ranchers of the area felt the birds should be handled like tame turkeys. Shortly the birds became crossed with tame turkeys and became barnyard inhabitants. The Grand Mesa is rated as being one of the largest flat-topped mountains in the world. The climatic conditions around Grand Mesa is highly varied. It runs from desert or semi--desert on the west to heavy timber stands on the east and south. Because of the many lakes it is heavily used as a recreational area. On the south there are some areas that would support a fair population of turkeys. 'Like the Uncompahgre the usable range is heavily grazed by stock and portions of this mountain carry a heavy population of deer. There is no previous turkey history for this area but a careful range study shows most of the desirable features of good turkey range. An area west of Cedaredge was chosen in 1949 as a site for a test plant,but has not yet been planted. Area III. White River National Forest. This was the first non-historical area to be tested in Colorado as a turkey planting range. It lies north and west of Glenwood Springs and north of New Castle. The main drainage is the Colorado River. Specific drainage is Canyon Creek and Elk Creek. The first plants were made in the Canyon Creek and Elk Creek sections early in 1951. Development in Canyon Creek got off to a slow start in 1951. The birds seemed restless. This indicated they were not completely happy in their new environment. In Elk Creek the birds were planted with only one tom. Evidently something happened to him. There was no development recorded in 1951 or 1952. A try was made to correct this problem in the winter of 1951 and 1952 but due to bad winter conditions no birds were trapped. �-21Trapping: On February 5th 1953 five birds were picked up to supplement this plant. They were released near the Morrison place on main Elk Creek where four of the original hens still remained. Two of these released birds were fine toms while three were hens These birds were trapped in the Pagosa Springs district.. Helease was made on February 6th. 0 Trapping Notes: .A total of five trapping areas slope during the 1952-53 trapping season. were set up on the western Area Noo 1, The Ute area. This is just off Colorado highway 90. After hro months of effort without results, the area was given up , more than Area No.2, Bluebird Bine area. Six miles east of Bayfield. Some forty birds were ranging in this area near the highwayo Feeding was started for a trapping and oand.Lngtry. These birds came iJ'"lirregularly for about three weeks , They finally left the feeding ground and drifted south to the slopes of the H D range. This area uas inaccessible so the try was abandoned. Area No.3, Snowball-Fourmile area. It was reported in November that so ne 40 to 60 t.uz-keys were ranging in this area. Checks in early December showed only about 20 coming into the feed yard at Ray J:ulacht's. Then an intensive check in the a rea on snowshoes showed that the original flocks were still in the area. The roost about one half mile ",rest of the l1acht home show-eduse by a large number of birds. After Mr. Nacht consented to a trapping attempt in the area a feed Lare was run from where the birds were feeding in the next canyon to the proposed trap site. It took more than a month to get these turkeys to come regularly to the feeding area. Even then, their movements were quite irregular. In late January a trap and blind were set up. On Feb. 5th a catch of seven birds was made s : Five of these were taken to the Elk Creek Area north of New Castle while two, one tom and one hen, were banded and released in the home area. The toms taken in this catch were mature birds with the most richly-colored rose shins of any birds taken to dat.e , While a scale was not available to weigh them, a fair estimate would place them at between 18 and 20 pounds each. The two birds released in the area will serve as markers to gather flock movement data 0 Area 4, Conifer Hill area. A. feed ground vJ as established in the Conifer Hill area about fifteen miles south of Pagosa Springs, this was also set up for banding. Very little is known as to the movement of turkeys from one area to another. This banding operation was arranged to endeavor to get some data on flock movements and sex age factors. While the feed was picked up fairly regular at this feed ground, the movements of the birds never became consistent. No birds were ever observed at the feed groundo Tracks indicated a fair sized flock and a number of large toms in the area. After working the area for over two months without getting a consistent pattern of activity it was decided to abandon the project. Area No.5, State Turkey Ranch. The two traps at the Turkey Ranch have been kept active throughout the trapping period. Flocks built up to around forty birds. It has been a rule not to trap from a flock at the ranch of less than fifty birds. While under normal conditions in the fall it would have been safe to trap from a flock of forty, the past two years have not proven normal. In late November the flock split nearly fifty-fifty and one portion left for parts unknown and have not returned. This is not a normal behavior pattern. �1/ -22In the early years of the program splitoffs might occur but they would return after a few days afield. Then, during the fall and spring migration period, several hundred turkeys would move into and out of the ranch area. Enough of these birds would stay to keep the ranch flocks at about one hundred individuals. Since 1949 this concentration has not occurred, perhaps caused Qy hunting pressure 'or due to heavy losses in the winters of 1948 and 1951. At one time in February a report of nearly two hundred birds crossing U. S. Highway 160 and going north about one mile east of Chimney Rock Post office was made. Of course these figures were considered to be exaggerated as careful checks showed nothing to indicate that number of birds., Trapping~ On February 12th at the upper trap at the ranch the tripping mechanism was sprung on ten turkeys. All the birds were banded and all but two released in the area. Two young toms were taken to the Macht place and released as breeder exchange. BAND DATA ---~-- Catch No. 1 Band Noo Sex Age 901 902 903 90 905 906 907 Hen Hen Hen Tom Tom Hen Tom I-year I-year I-year Mature Mature Mature Mature Data Released in area Released in area Catch was made at 2~00 P.M. Birds were transported Qy Jeep to New Castle area. Release was made the following day at 10~20 A.M. Birds were all in good condition. Catch No. 2 Band Noo Sex Age Data 101 102 103 104 105 Tom Tom Hen Hen Tom Hen Hen Hen Hen Tom Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile Mature Juvenile Juvenile Juvenile Moved to Macht place Moved to the Macht place 106 107 108 109 10 All these birds except the two young toms Nos. 101 and 102 were released at the Turkey Rancho This banding operation was for the purpose of gathering flock movement and sex-age datao �Figure 1 Fourmile Creek set north of Pagosa Springs showing close-up of blind wi th trap in distance. Photo by H. Lo Burget Figure Close-up of trap 2 in Fourmile Creek north of Pagosa Springs. Photo by H. L. Burget �Figure 3 Fresh turk~ trails in new snow. Hat is used as comparison for track size. Photo qy M. L. Burget Figure 4 Success Story. Photo taken on February 26, 1953, shOwing seveh of the turk~s in the Utah plant. Birds released October 15, 1952. Sixteen birds in area. Photo qy M. 10 Burget �t Figure 5 The portable slat-type live trap in sheltered position beneath Colorado blue spruce. Cucharas Hiver - Winter 1952-53. Photo Qy D. Hoffman ? �-23General Factors controlling trapping activities. In the summer of 1951 drowth conditions were severe. Food production was at the lowest point in eleven years. This low food production year was followed by the heaviest winter snows since 1932. Unfortunately, mast crops and other important food species were in fair abundance above 9,000 feet and turkeys were feeding in these higher altitudes when the heavy winter broke, thus trapping many of them in areas too high for even normal wintering conditions. The result was heavy losses inmany instances. These birds could not be reached except on showshoes. Even snowshoe attempts to reach and feed the birds were frustrated by repeated heavy storms. In the summer of 1952 mast and fruit crops were heavy. l'flast was scattered but staple fruits such as thornapple (Crataegus spo) service-berry (Amalanchier sp~),chokecherry (Prunus spo), and rose berries (Rosa sp.) were abundant. Many of these fruits remained persistan t •. rh'Lch made it easy for the birds to reach. Wintering conditions throughout the winter of 1952-53 were light. While the turkeys made a real comeback in the summer of 1952, the natural foods were so abundant that it was next to impossible to concentrate them wi-th baiting.. They show a definite preferance for natural foods when they are availableo It has always been considered that natural distribution of any game species is superior to artificial methods. In the southwest section the turkeys have done a good job of filling in many choice areas but in two cases this natural movement has proven disastrous. However, in the overall picture the distribution has been good. Predators continue to take a rather heavy toll of turkeys both in natural and artificially stocked areas. Findingsg Eastern Slope. Mesa de Mayo-Jake Light Canyon. Field checks to find turkey flocks large enough to be trapped were begun shortly after the wild turkey hunting season during the latter part of September. One flock consisting of several hens with their broods totalling twenty-five head •. re re found ranging in Jake Light Canyon on the north side of Mesa de Mayo. This flock has bothered rancher Ben Lane considerably during the past fall. It was decided to make a try for this flock and baiting with wheat was started on October 8, 1952. The portable slat-type trap was placed in position on the same day. Due chiefly to the shortage of natural foods in the area, by October 13, 1952 twelve turkeys were seen feeding inside the trap. An early morning observation was made on the following morning, the weather cold with a brisk wind. The sky clouded over soon after daybreak. The flock of twenty-five came to feed at 9g30 A.M. and nineteen were caught at 9:40 A.H. The trap was tripped from a pick-up truck parked nearby .• �-24The band numbers of the birds trapped at this time are as follows: October 14~ 1952 9:40 A.H. Portable slat-type trap., Band No. 770 774 775 776 777 778 779 780 781 782 783 784 785 786 787 788 789 Ben Lane Ranch, Jake Light Canyon Mesa de Mayo. Sex Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Hen Tom Hen Hen Tom Tom Tom Tom Hen Tom Tom Age ·2 yr. Juv. Juv. Juv. Mature Juvo Juvo Juv. Juv. Juv. Juv. Juvo Juv. Juv. Juv. Juv. Juv. Dispositiom All the above birds except, No .•789 (total of 16 head) were transported by motor vehicle to Moab, Utah with Martin L. Burget assisting. In Moab, Ut.ah, Dan Winbourne, Clifton Greenhalgh, and Lynn Nielson of the Utah Game Department were contacted. With the assistance of these men the sixteen turkeys were released in Castle Creek approximately thirty miles northeast of Moab at 10~JO A.M., October 15, 1952.. This area lies along the north end of the La Salle Mountainso The group of turkeys was transported to Utah u,nder a pre-arranged trade agreement. All birds were released in good condit-ion" *Number 789 (a juvenile tom) was banded and released at the trapsi te in Jake Light Canyon because of lack of transportation space. In addi td.on, two wild turkeys were injured in the trapping operation due to inexperienced help in removing the birds from the trap. These two had to be destroyed and are being used for scientific study skins" Following the above catch of turkeys the slat·-type trap was left in position and baiting continued although only seven turkeys were present in this area at the time. It was known that other flocks of wild turkeys were ranging in nearby canyons, however, and it was feared this small flock of seven would again bother the rancher. Immediately after the catch of turkeys was made, these remalnlng turkeys appeared shy and spooky of the trap but by October 22, 1952 the flock of three young toms (one banded) and four hens were again feeding around the trap. Soon thereafter this small flock abandoned this trap except for an occaslonal visit and were again ranging near the ranch headquarters. �-25On November 7, the experimental chicken-wire trap was erected lower in the same canyon and baiting started at this site since the flock had entirely quit the slat-type trap. On November 14, 1952 the young tom banded and released on uctober 14, 1952 was observed to feed inside the chicken-wire trap but up until December 2, 1952 only this one turkey would enter the trap_ The remaining six turkeys never became accustomed to feeding inside the trap. By this time the flock had become quite restless and would often bypass the trap to feed around the cattle f'eed.ing grounds below Lane's ranch. This flock disappeared shortly after Thanksgiving Day and were never seen again during the remainder of the winter. One mature tom and three hens were seen ranging in the canyon on December 17, 1952 by Ben Lane but these are not thought to be from this original flock. Mesa de Mayo-Smi th Canyon, On December 2, 1952 the chicken wire trap was disassembled in Jake Light Canyon and moved about four miles west to Smi th Canyon. This canyon also lies along the nor th side of Hesa de Mayo. At this time there were t!pproximate1y thirty wild turkeys including four mature toms in this area, the flocks having built-up from a total of four bf rds counted before Thanksgiving Day (November 27) Heavy snowstorms during the latter part of November helped concentrate the birds from several small flocks ranging along the mesao 0 Ten wild turkeys including three mature toms and seven mature hens were caught on December 10, 1952 at 1:30 P.H .•from a flock of twenty turkeys which came to feed. These were immediately placed in separate burlap bags to prevent their injuring themselves on the wire top and sides of the trap. The trap was tripped from a window in a small building used for the storage of o~~ cake for cattle feeding o?erationso The band numbers of the birds trapped at this time are as follows~ December 10, 1952 1230 PoM. Portable chicken-wire Band No. 790 791 792 793 794 795 796 797 798 799 Ben Lane Ranch, Smith Canyon, IYIesade Mayo trap_ Sex Tom Hen Hen Hen Tom Tom Hen Hen Hen Hen Age Mature .Mature Mature Mature Mature Mature Mature Mature Mature Mature irJeight 20 pounds 11 pounds 12 pounds lot pounds 192 pounds 19 pounds 12 pounds 11 pounds 12 3/4 pounds 10 1/4 pounds �-26Disposition: All ten turkeys were transported via motor vehicle to the pocket area of Poitrey Canyon on the McCarty Ranch north of Tobe, Colorado, and released at 8:4.5 A.M. on December 11, 19.52. Vernie McClennin assisted with the release. All birds were in good condition. A feed ground was established at the time of release and the turkeys were still ranging in the vicinity when the last check was made in the area during the early part of March, 19.53. The chicken wire trap was left in the Smith Canyon location and baiting continued wi th the hope that the flocks would build up to a point where another catch for transplanting purposes could be made. Heavy snows closed the road to the trapsite during early January but feeding in and around the trap was done by rancher Ben Lane along with the regular care of his cattle in the area •• By January 12, 19.53, flocks totalling only 21 head were found to be feeding in and around the trap. With this small number of turkeys in the area, it was decided to band as many as possible and release the birds at the trapsite for markers. On January 13, 19.53 the trap was tripped with ten turkeys feeding inside but only five were caught. These birds .. were sacked in individual burlap sacks to facilitate securing data and to prevent their injuring themselves within the trap. The band number of the birds trapped at this time are as follows: January 13~ 19.53 7:40 A.M. Portable trap. Band Noo 809 810 811 812 813 chicken-wire Sex Tom Hen Hen Tom Hen Age Mature 2 yr. Mature 1 yr. Mature Ben Lane Ranch, Smith Canyon Mesa de Mayo Weight 19 pounds 101..pounds loi pounds 13~ pounds 102" pounds Beard 16 1/4 cm. .5 cm. .51.. li12 cm. cm •. Spur 11 rom. button Dispositiom All five birds were banded and released at the trapsite as ma.rkar-s, The trap was disassembleu. and removed from the area after this catch. Due to the shortage of natural food in the area, grain was left in Smith Canyon for use in supplemental feeding during the remainder of the winter. Approximately thirty wild turkeys were seen in this area on Ylarch 7, 19.53 indicating an increase in numbers since this banding operation was carried out. The assistance of rancher Ben Lane during the feeding and trapping operations in both Jake Light and Smith Canyons is greatly appreciated. The long distances involved in travel along with other duties of trapping and feeding �1 ., -27in other turkey areas on the Eastern Slope made it necessary to remain away from these trapsites frequently. In such instances, Mr. Lane put out grain for the turkeys making the trapping operations quite successful in the a rea, ¥dddle Creek~-La Veta Area~ Feeding operations preliminary to trapping were begun on the Andreoli Ranch on Middle Creek on December 20, 1952 while trapping operations were continued in the Mesa de 1-1ayoarea. At, this time there was a flock of seventeen head ranging on the Andreoli Ranch area. Because of the small size of the flock, it was decided to attempt to make a catch to band and release as many wild turkeys as possible •. Feeding operations were continued until the turkeys became more or less regular in their habits of visiting the feed-groundo On December 30, 1952 the portable slat-type trap was 'erected above the ranch headquarters and baiting with wheat and barley continued. The flock became accustomed to the trap readily and by' January 1, 1953 four or five turkeys had fed inside the t.r-ap , On January 5, 1953, nine turkeys were caught including four mature toms, one juvenile tom, and four hens. A light snowfall helped considerably in making the catch possible so soon after the trap was erected. The trap was tripped from a partially enclosed cattle shed. One peculiarity noted on the turkeys caught was in the differences in length of spurs, as noted below •. The band numbers of the birds trapped at this location are as follows: January 5, 1953 11:45 A.M .. Andreoli Ranch, ¥dddle Creek Huerfano County. Portable slat-type trap •. Band No. 800 801 802 803 804 805 806 807 808 Sex Hen Hen Hen Tom Tom Tom Hen Tom Tom Age 2 yr. Mature 2 yro Mature Mature 1 yr. 2 yr. Vlature Hature Weight 9! pounds 10 pounds 8! pounds 18 pounds 19! pounds 13 pounds 10 pounds 19 pounds 17! pounds Beard Spur left right 9mm~ 16 cm. 24 em. 5 cmQ 4mmo. Button 9mmo 8mm. Button 24 cm. 15 em. 7mmo 5mm. Button 4rom. Disposition: The above nine turkeys were banded and released at the trapsite as markers with the assistance of rancher Gino Andreoli. The trap was disassembled and removed the same dayo �1 -28This flock3 although more shy than before trapping, returned to the feedground the following day and fed intermittently at this site for 8bout two weeks , When the weather became quite warm they left and at least a portion if not the entire flock were seen about two miles up the canyon on Middlemist's Ranch on January 30, 19530 Identification was possible by the bands on the older toms. Cucharas River-La Veta Area. A flock of twenty-six wild turkeys were first reported to' be ranging on the Stevens Ranch area below Cucharas Camps on December 17, 19520 Permission to trap and band turkeys was granted by ra.ncher Stevens on January 24, 1953. A good trapping site was Loca ted and two days later the portable slat-type trap was erected in a sheltered posi_··· tion beneath a. large Colorado blue spruce. (See Figure 5). 'Baiting with wheat and barley was contd.nued, Four turkeys were seen to feed inside the trap on January2B, 1953. During this period and along into the early days of February the weather remained warm and open with a greening of some gra.ss on exposed slopes 'l:heflock became very irregular in their feeding habits and would skip several days at a time before returning to feed. 0 Alight snowfall occuring in the area on February 6, 1953 and a heavier snowfall of about ten inches on February 9, 1953 caused the turkeys to depend more upon the grain around the trapsite than before. The location of the trap beneath a large blue spruce kept most of the snow from the trap area and thus made snow removal from inside the trap unnecessary. The first attempt to make a catch at this site was made in the. afternoon of February 11, 1953.. When the tripping wire to the trap was pulled, however, no pins pulled due toa faulty trip wire connection. The second attempt to make a catch was made early in the morning on February 12, 19530 The extremely cold weather, caused the heavy grease on one of the four pins to hold fast and the eight or nine birds which would have been caught escaped. FollOwing this unsuccessful attempt, the old grease was cleaned from the four pins with gasoline and powdered graphite was used in place of the grease. This was found to work much betterg The band numbers of the birds trapped at this time are as followsg February 14, 1953 Portable slat-type trap" Band No , Sex Hen Tom Hen Tom Hen Hen Hen Hen Age 2 yr. Juv. Juvo Juvo Juvo Mature 2 yr. Juv. B14 B15 B16 B17 BIB B19 820 B21 1l:00 A.Mo Steven I s Ranch" Cucharas River, Huerfano Weight 9.1.pounds 13t pounds B2 pounds II pounds 6.1.pounds lot pounds 9~ pounds 6t pounds Beard Spur 6 cm. Button None Button 15 cm. Co. �-29Disposition~ All eight of the above turkeys were banded and released at the trapsite for markers. The last birds was released at 12:00 noon. One sick turkey hen was observed in this flock shortly before making the catch. Two· days were later spent in attempting to locate this birds wi th no success •. Analysis and Recommendations: Over much of the Eastern Slope turkey range, winds are quite common. It was observed during the preceding trapping season of 1951-52 and also during the 1949-50 season that the use of a tent for observations at the trapping site often disturbed the turkeys feeding around and inside the trap when the windwas blowing. '!'hismade, the turkeys more wary. In all cases this year either a motor vehicle or an object which the birds had become accustomed' to such as cattle sheds or cattle feed storage buildings have been used for this purpose. It is thought by the writer that .these worked much better tha~ the use of tents since the turkeys appeared to become more readily accustomed to the trap in most cases. Two unsuccessful attempts to make a catch at one site in the Cucharas River area during extremely cold weather showed the value of using powdered graphite to lubricate the trap pins over the use of heavy grease. A successful catch was made using the graphi.te, While both the portable chicken-wire and portable slat-type live traps were used during this trapping season, it is still thought the chicken-wire covering of the first should be replaced with another type covering which is less severe on the turkeys. By placing each turkey in a burlap sack immediately after making a catch, serious injury was prevented with this trap_ The portable slat-type trap worked very well in all cases where it was used this season. One advantage of using the burlap sacks for individual turkeys was the ease with which much valuable data could be secured in the way of weights and measurements. The use of whole wheat and barley in baiting the turkeys into the traps worked effectively during this trapping season.in areas trapped. Summary: 1. Seventeen turkeys were trapped on the western slope. Of these five caught in the Pagosa Springs district were taken to the Elk Creek area north of New Castle. Two of these birdsvsre banded and released in the trapping area as markers. The transplanted birds consisted of two mature toms and three hens. These were added to birds remaining from the plant made in February, 1951. 2. .A second catch of ten birds was made at the State Turkey Ranch. Eight of these were released at the ranch and two toms were taken to the Pagosa Springs district to introduce new genetical lines in these flocks. �-303. A total of fifty-one wild turkeys were trapped during the 1952-53 season on the Eastern Slope using two types of portable live traps. Of these, thirty-four were trapped along the north side of Mesa de Mayo and seventeen in the 1a Veta areao 4. Sixteen turkeys including six juvenile toms, eight juvenile hens, one 2 year old hen, and one mature hen trapped from Mesa de Mayo were transported to Utah under a pre-arranged trade agreement. 50 Three mature toms and seven mature hens were transplanted from Mesa de Mayo to Poi trey Canyon north of Tobe. 60 A total of six turkeys were banded and released at trapsites de Mayo area •• 7. A total of seventeen in Mesa turkeys were banded and released at two trapsites in the 1a Veta area. 80 Two turkeys (a young tom and a mature hen) were trapping casualities. Data and Reports: This report iscomplled from personal diaries and field notes, which are retained by the authors or held by the Colorado Game and Fish Department. Approved by: Prepared by s Martin 1. Burget COLORADO GArviEAND FISH DEPARTMENT Donald M. Hoffman By--~------~~--~-----Laurence E. Riordan Title Federal Aid Coordinator Date April, 1953 Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. Noteg Reference to Mesa de Mayo in this paper should read: Mesa de Maya �-1 li~ili~ljii~i! BDOW021902 -31= JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS Colorado ----~~~~--------- Project Noo W-39-R-6; Wild Turkey Investigations Work Plan Noo II Job No 2 --~~-------~----o Title of Job~: Supplemental Winter Feeding Objectives: To preserve seed stock in case of severe wintering conditions. To hold wild turkeys away from intermingling with domestic poultry or away from trouble areaso Techniques Used:' The establishment of feed stations and use of grain distributed by project personnel and other cooperating personnel. Findingsg Western Slope. Jo Stokley Ligon in his book I~History and Management of Merriam's Wild Turkey" makes the following significant statement (P. 63 Par.l) "It is not_too much to expect in time, when game management reaches a higher degree of perfection, that key wintering areas for turkeys will be protected from grazing so that normal seed crops of annuals <'IUdgrasses will be permitted to mature" Such perfected management will no doubt include in some localities the planting of oats and other grains to be left standing for the benefit of winterin turkeys In fact, the establishment of food patches is one practical solution of the supplemental feeding problem." In this paragraph it would ra ther seem that Mr Ligon was speaking in a prophetic trend. 0 0 As noted previously food production in 1952 was very favorable over most of the southwest turkey rangeo However, it has been the practice of project personnel to supply strategic wintering areas with supplemental feed. This feed is stored in convenient places so that it is available on short notice. In most cases, wardens, forest rangers and interested ranchers are alert to special needs, and will care for emergencies as they arise. When emergencies do not arise, the feed is put out in February and Ma.rch to give the turkeys added strength for mating activit yo This method has proven highly successful program. throughout the wild turkey development In the present period-winter of 1952-'53-1ittle supplemental feeding was needed. However, feed in the form of barley and wheat was stored at Durango, Pagosa Springs, Thompson Park, VlanCOS, Dolores, Norwood, Montrose area (at Olathe) and Glenwood Springso The grain needed for this storage was grown at the State Turkey ranch this past season. For this reason no supplemental feed was purchased in the southwest this yearo �-32Despite light wintering conditions a constant che ok sas kept on the wintering flocks. In many cases the birds remained well back from the highways, which is desirableo In the Bluebird mine area more than forty turkeys left a regular feeding area and wintered farther south in a Crataegus thicket. This showed a strong tendency toward and preference for natural foods which is highly desirable All trapped birds were in prime condi tion .• 0 Findings: Eastern Slope. During regular fall field checks of food availability on the Eastern Slope turkey areas some interesting comparisons were made. It was found that the mountain turkey areas including the Spanish Peaks, Wet Mountains, and Canon City-Salida areas would require little supplemental winter feeding except under excessively heavy snow conditions. On the other hand, the mesa and river bottom turkey areas east of U.S. 85-87 showed a distinct shortage of needed natural foods. Drought conditions during the past two years in this latter area are considered to be the principle cause. Because of this condition, it was decided to concentrate the winter feeding activities chiefly in the turkey areas east of U .S.. 85-87. A total of three tons of whole wheat and barley have been used during the past fall-winter se~son on the Eastern Slope for trapping and supplemental winter feeding activities. Of this grain, two tons were secured from the State Turkey ranch west of Pagosa Springs and one ton was purchased locally. In addition, one-half ton of wheat purchased locally is being held in reserve for possible late storms in this area. As in previous years, much cooperation has been received from other Departmental men in the field, Forest Service personnel, Federal trappers, and interested ranchers. Without the help of these individuals much less could be accomplished with supplemental winter feeding activities. The writer wishes to express his sincere appreciation for this help. The main areas which received supplem:ental feed during the past fall and winter consisted of: Mesa de Maya, Spanish Peaks, Beulah-Rye areas of the Wet Mountains, and the Purgatorie River area near Higbee. In conjunction with supplemental feeding and trapping operations, much valuable data can be secured by making counts of wintering concentrations.. During the winter the birds are often grouped into flocks which are often quite easily located and counted. For this reason, as much area as possible is covered along with trapping and supplemental winter feeding operations to secure popUlation status data.. The information secured during these counts will be compiled with data secured during the regular spring-summer field checks to secure an over-all picture of popUlation status. Analysis and Recommendations: Western Slope.. As an emergency measure in case of heavy winter storms or prolonged storm periods, winter feeding is a necessity for sustaining the breeding stock. It is believed that the planting of exclosure plots in Wintering areas that can be fenced against stock would fill a long felt need in the wintering of wild turkeys, although turkeys this season have shown a highly developed preference for natural foods as against even the feeding of highly palatable grain feed. �-33Analysis and Recommendations: Eastern Slope. In the La Veta area, feeding operations on a small scale were carried on in order to keep wild turkeys from ranging with domestic poultry flocks during periods of food shortage. This was found to work well in most cases. In the Trinidad area, Warden C. M. Scott carried on supplemental feeding operations to keep flocks of wild turkeys from ranging too near to trouble areas such as mining camps. This procedure has also been found to work in most cases , In cases where feeding operations are done without wishing to trap in the area, it has been found that by scattering the grain over a wide area the feed will last longer and will not concentrate the birds nearly as much as would be the case if the grain were placed in one small area. The use of food plots planted to grain or other wila turkey foods has not yet been tried in this area. Several possible sites have, however, oeen located. It is hoped that at least one' of these will be planted to grain during the coming spring. Summary: I. Emergency winter feed in the form of wheat and barley was stored in Durango, Pagosa Springs, Thompson Pa.rk, Mancos, Dolores, Norwood, Olathe, and Glenwood Sprdrigs , When this grain is not used for, or needed for: .emergency feed it is fed in February and March to provide extra vitality during the mating period when natural foods may be sca.rce. 2. Constant checks have been maintained through the winter periodo 30 A total of three tons of wheat and barley were used in trapping and supplemental winter feeding activities on the Eastern Slope during the 1952-53 season. 4. Mesa de Maya and the river bottom turkey areas east of U.S. 85-87 had the lowest natural food production and received much of the grain distributed. 5. Other main areas where feeding was carried on included the Spanish Peaks and the Beulah~ye areas of the Wet Mountains. 6. Feeding to keep wild turkeys away from domestic poultr.y flocks and away from populated areas was carried out. Data and Reports t This report is compiled from personal diaries and field notes, which are retained by-the authors or held by the Colorado Game and Fish Department. Approved by: Prepared by: MartinL. Burget Laurence !. Riordan Donald M. Hoffman Federal Aid Coordinator Date: Note: April, 1953 Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��G 10. 1>~fr. G t- h's'~ l)-Wt«- QJe:.Ile.-rt., Pt'"OJrt:.r! ~~. Ap~ L Iq ~3 -35JOB COHPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO Project No. W-35-D-6; Antelope Restoration Work Plan No. I Job No -~-- Title of Job Food Habits o 5-C Objectives: To compile more usable information on antelope feeding and food habits through stomach analyses and observation. This particular study was aimed at analysing all available information to determine more accurately the relationship of antelope competition to cattle and sheep range use and to winter wheat f'a rmfng , Techniques Usedt Antelope stomach samples are taken from animals which have met with death thru accident, legal hunting, or special collectiono The material is taken by opening the rumen, or paunch, the largest of the antelope's four stomachs~ From it is removed about a pint of the contents, which is placed in a suitable container, such as an ice-cream carton, and freezing or otherwisl:!preserving until analysis can be made. In analysis, the material is thawed and washed thru screens which allow the small, unidentifiable material to pass away, and retain the larger segments of plants~ These are examined under water, and like kinds removed with tweezers and piled on a paper plate to dry, grouped according to browse, cactus, wee ds, grass, or miscellaneous. Area of origin, and other pe:ctinent information is retained and written on the plate. When completely air dry, the sample components are weighed and volume percent of main forage classes calculated. A. list of species identified is made a part of the record. Acknowledgement: Appreciation is hereby expressed to those who assisted in all the preparatory work for thisreport~ To Go N. Hunter, Al Carlson, and Joe Penfold for distribution of cartons in the recent season; each newspaper editor and locker plant owner and game warden who helped with collecting, assembling, and storing samples; Drso Beckman and Yeager, who arranged �-36laboratory space and facilities; all the students who ran the samples; Stan Ogilvie and his wife, who were in on all phases from the field to the laboratory; Bob Elliott, who canvassed the States by mail for applicable date; and Smoky Till, who did valuable abstracting of references and supervised the laboratoryo Status of the Pronghorn in Coloradog The Pronghorn Antelope, (Antilocapra americana), is increasing in Colorado today as a result of coyote control measures taken by the Fish and Wildlife Service, coupled with the protection offered by good enforcement of the State game laws" The population, estimated at 1233 by Nelson (1925), rose to 4000 by 19390 (Wallace) 0 As of December 31, 1948, it was estimated by the State game manager at 82000 Today, five years later, five seasons have been held with a view to taking the annual increase, and the population is approximately 95000 The restoration of these animals by live trapping and transplanting has established antelope in 15 areas of hIstoric range, IIfringe areas" to the presently well populated spotso From these nuclei, herds are expected to develop which will greatly exMnd the present huntable population" The majority of Colorado's antelope, possibly ninety (90) percent, are found on the Great Plains which comprise the entire eastern half of the Stateo Here vast areas of prairie support cattle and sheep ranches varying from a few to many sections in sizeo Much of the flat land, however9 is devoted to the raising of wheat by farmers in both small and large-scale operations" The resulting land pattern of extensive pastures interspersed by wheat fields during the winter has suited the needs of the antalop~ 'W~lL Under this arrangement, seasona migration over long distances, as is the case with antelope in California and Oregon, is not at all necessary" The shortage of open range is not a limi tdrig factor of the antelope, except that public opinion is against increases where winter wheat is grown" History of Antelope Food Studies in Coloradog Early in the Pittman-Robertson program, workers such as Kautz, Wallace, Lauridsen!) and others made a start on antelope food habits stUdies" This began in 1941 and continued until early 1942, and again in 19460 Much of this work was not published, and the purpose of this report is to summarize it and any other unpublished work, and to tie it all together with more recent efforts" The fin ings of other States are also to be included where applicableo �-37Kautz and others collected 20 stomach samples in 1941 and 1942 in the Limon-Hugo-Boyero area and the Colorado Antelope Refuge. Lauridsen analyzed three samples collected in September, 1946. Thirty-five samples collected in 1950 and] 1951 were analyzed and reported on by C. E. Till, and are not repeated here, but may be found in Colorado Quarterly Report, July, 1951, page 86. Late in 1952, a drive to collect a greater number resulted in the issuance of quart cartons and letters of instruction to hunters during the November open season. From 300 cartons issued, the return was 97 samples, an unexpectedly high return, indicative of a spirit of cooperation among the Colorado nimrods. This report summarizes the analysis of the 97 huntercollected samples, a backlog of 47 collected previously by the author and Mr. Till, and the 23 unreported records of 1941-46, for a total of 167 samples. } Need for Antelope Food Habits Investigation: Farmers, ranchers and hunters are all interested in the antelope's food habits. The farmer believes he may be sustaining some crop loss from antelope, but is uncertain.' The rancher may believe the antelope steals forage from his livestock. A true picture of the monthly, seasonal, and annual diet is imperative to determination of the exact relationship of antelope to range land and farm land.' in Color?do. Explanation of Reasons for Grouping System Used: Several States have summarized the analysis of antelope stomach samples on a seasonal basis, for it is obvious that seasonal fluctuations exist in feeding habits. However, a sufficient number of samples of adequate chronological distribution have not been collected in Colorado to make practical such grouping at this time. Therefore, the plan must be to carry on the collection and analysis toward a goal of possibly 50 samples representing each area for each month of the year. Whenever the number of samples in particular area or month is obviously inadequate to lend significance to conclusions which may be tentativelv drawn, this fact is readily apparent in the group-ing used, and steps may be taken to make the sample adequate without discarding any of the valuable data which has been accumulated. ~--- �DovjlG..s, Go~J4I11'\ A· 1'1S-3. Af'\T~/orc.. r, Job 5"- cIt' (':)J. h~b;"'s. ,/,91'3, pl'()~~rJ ~t. ~ r~sfor"c.}"o~. Cof ~. ~ p- A Proj. W-3S-o-, r. G ",-""to .- h'r/"', -38- The samples are broken down into arbitrary geographical units in order to limit the number of variables to be considered. The map of the 1952 open seasons shows the areas into which the samples have oeen grouped in the tables. In most cases, the majority of samples came from a 1952 hunting season area. The most important exception is the Colorado Antelope Refuge, not opened to hunting in 1952. Area 8, northwestern Logan County, was opened after the printing of the maps, and so does not appear on the same map. Com etition Between Cattle and Antelo e~ Buechner 19 7 states that it takes 904 antelope (average weight 90.) pounds) to equal the average weight of West Texas cattle (850 pounds). "Antelope consume only about twenty-five (25) percent of forage utilized by cattleo Since the animal unit equivalent is 904 antelope to one cow, it takes four times as many antelope, or 38, to consume as much cattle forage as one cowolt The Competition Between Sheep and Antelopeg The same author sets the figure of competition between sheep and antelope at about forty (40) percento However, the fact that antelope consume Cactus, Bull Thistle, Cocklebur, Pingue, Aconite, Greasewood, Vetch and other .poisonous plants on our ranges would seem to make them really welcome on sheep ranches. Effect of Antelope Use on Overgrazed Rangeg "Extensive areas in southeastern Oregon that have been so longover-grazed they will not support even domestic sheep will carry a limited number of antelope, and gradually improve in forage, general vegetation, and carrying capacity" (Bailey 1936)0 Regarding the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge of Oregon, Einarsen (1948) states, "After its creation, grazing by domestic animals was prohibited as a restoration measure, and, although three or four thousand antelope used the range, their effect on the vegetation could not be detected. It soon became apparent that controlled grazing by domestic animals was advisable because the fire hazard, resulting from dry grass in a country where lightning storms are common, jeopardized the entire refuge .It �t -39Amount of Grass Eaten by Antelope: Ferrel and Leach of California (1952), state that the amount of grass eaten by antelope is negligible. This scatemerrt has been borne out by the recent Colorado analyses. The average volume percent of grasses in 167 samples was one (1-) percent. The percentage of grass found in most stomach samples is so small, except in early spring, that it indicates the possibility that grasses are taken unintentionally, while the antelope is in the process of cropping other plantso -Mason (1952) states in this connection that, in Oregon, "Green grass represented slightly over one percent of the total diet, while dry grass made up but one-half of one percent. The total consumption of grass and forb species that are preferred by domestic livestock is extremely limited. Direct competition with domestic livestock for individual plant species is slight, and evidence indicated that substantial increases of antelope numbers can be -maintained on this range without conflicto" Amount of Browse Eaten by Antelopeg _ The average volume percent of browse in all 167 samples was 27.6 percent. It is taken heavily at all times of the year, often depending upon the availability of weeds. In California, the spring diet of the pronghorn consisted of 63.6 percent browse, 34.8 percent forbs (weeds), and 1.6 percent grass; the fall diet 46.9 percent browses> 52.1 percent forbs, and 1.0 percent grass. In the winter, the figures became 95.8 percent browse, 203 percent forbs~ and 109 percent grass. 5.agebrush comprises 92 percent of this winter browse. (Ferrel & Leach 1952). This heavy trend to sage is reflected in the frequency shown by Wormwood and Sand Sage in our samples 0 Amount of Weeds Eaten by Antelope~ The average volume percent of weeds in all 167 samples was 31 percent. This indicates that practically as much of this class of plants is taken~ yearlong as browse. j Einarsen (1948) statesp "Plants do not have to be abundant to provide good pasturage for antelope.1i Have you ever watched an antelope feed on pasture in __ the Wnter? He moves from one weed or small shrub to another, and simply doesn't let the weeds get much growth. Noxious weeds, poisonous weeds, and those causing mechanical injury to livestock are common items of antelope diet. Spines are no deterrent to the pronghorn when he decides to eat a plant. The spiny plants consumed on the largest scale are �-40the cactus plants. The Limon-Hugo";Boyero samples (Table 1) show the greatest amount of cactus consumed, with northeasternEl Paso County (Table 5) second, and .4\.rea 5 third in amounr. of cactus in stomach samples. Cactus occurred in 44.7 percent of the 167 samples reported on. Volumes of cactus among the individual groups of samples varied from less than 1 percent to 94.4 percent. The average volume percent of cactus was 7 percent. Another spiny plant found was Bull Thistle, a,close relative of the Canada Thistle, which is one of the primary noxious weeds of the State. Another was the Cocklebur, a pest on sheep range, since burs injure the wool, and also during its seedling stage, when the plants are very poisonous, expecially to pigs. The Yarrow, or ~lfoil, if eaten by dairy cows, imparts an unpleasant taste and odor to dairy products. This plant was found in one of the stomach samples. Also found was Pingue, or Rubberweed, the indigestible fibers of which may cause intestinal impaction and death to livestock, especially to sheep, if eaten excessively. Vetch, or Astragalus, at least two species of which are poisonous to cattle and sheep, and Loco, poisonous to horses, were found in 43.7 percent of all the samples. Also there was Monkshood, or Aconite, which is poisonous to sheep and horses, and Globe Mallow, which Thornton and Durrell (1941) say, "is said to be somewhat injurious to cattle and hDr0:3es." Greasewood, altho not found among these samples, has been noted in samples from South Dakota (Hill, 1943; Bever 1948), and from Wyoming, (Baker and Wrakestraw, 1952). It has been known to poison cattle and sheep. In view of the difficulty of identifying many plants in the digestive process, it is reasonable to assume that many other poisonous and noxious weeds are consumed by antelope. The value of such animals on livestock ranges can scarcely be overestimated when one knows what they eat. Weeds decrease crop yields by competing with cultivated plants for water, sunlight, and soil nutrients. One of the most troublesome, common, and well-known of noxious weeds is Bindweed, or Wild Morning Glory. This plant is very persistent and difficult to control, and removes much land from profitable cultivation each year, yet it is a favorite food of the pronghorn. Recently, the author, while requesting permission of wheat farmer Narvin Schall, of Stratton, to erect small antelope fenced exclosures on his winter wheat field, was quite surprised by his unexpected reaction. He was quite willing to allow the plots to be built there, but was quite concerned lest one or more of them might be located around a 4 or 5 acre low spot in the field, where a moderately heavy bindweed infestation �-41existed. "I want the antelope to be able to get to that bindweed", he said, "They seem to like it and are keeping it under control for me." In his studies in western Texas, Buechner (1947) found that antelope keep down undesirable weeds such as the cutleaf aplopappus, (a close relative of which showed up in quite a few of our Colorado samples), paper flower, and goundsel. Although we have no information on the paper f'Lowe r, the groundsel or senecio, is quite abundant in the State. He continues, I~ith our present knowledge of the forage habits of the antelope, it can be shown that these animals are an asset to the cattle rancher, rather than a liability." In another article (1950), the same author mentions four poisonous plants eaten by antelope in the Trans-Pecos region of Texase They are: Locoweed, Peavine, Wdoly Senecio, and Paper Flower~ Snakeweed was found in 61 percent of the 167 samples recently analyzed in this State. It was shown to be eaten more often than any of the 72 different items identified. It is not a desirable plant to have, not being readily eaten by livestock, but increasing noticeably on over-grazed pastures. Ferrel and Leach (1952) recognized such a peculiarity in the feeding habits of the pronghorn in stating, IIMany of the important forbs utilized by antelope are not palatable to sheep or cattle, and many such forbs are indicators of over-grazing by livestock.~ ••••.The source of many complaints, undoubtedly, is the rancher who observes these large animals on his range and assumes that the antelope are consuming food needed by his livestock., Amount of Winter Wheat Eaten by Antelope~ The average volume percent of winter wheat in all samples was 33.4 percent. Although the antelope which frequent winter wheat fieldshave a tendency to live on it during the winter, by no means all the antelope of the eastern plains have any wheat nearby, and apparently do not miss it. The largest single herd in the State, in Chico Creek basin of northeastern Pueblo County, are miles from the nearest wheatfield, and would not attempt a walk of over 5 miles unless driven by heavy snows, which are almost unknown in that area. Experiments are under way to attempt to determine the actual effect on grain yield of antelope use of winter wheat in this State.. If we are successful in getting the antelope to return to a field which they ordinarily use very heavily, after a few innocent looking 2.5-acre woven wire exclosures have been scattered about upon it, we may have some figures by harvest time next summer. �-42Table 1. Average Volume Percent by Forage C1asses- Area 4 Browse 79.6% actus ...... 26% _--._-- <.> 3 Samp1es- Hugo- May, 1941 Browse 61. 7% 1 Samp1e- Boyero- June, 1941 \ Browse 77% Grass 21.5% 4 Samp1es- Hugo- October, 1941 1 Samp1e- Hugo- December, 1941 Browse 96% Cactus 39.2% ass 1 29.5% 1 Sample-Big Sandy CreekSept., 1946 19 Samp1es- Area 4- November, 1952 �-43Tahle 2. Plants Identified PLANTS IDENTIFIED in Samples of Table 1, and their Frequency SCIENTIFIC NAME % FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE Browse :; Sna.keweed Wormwood False Buckwheat Rabbitbrush Sand Sagebrush Gutierrezia sarothrae Artemisia dracunculus Eriogonum sp. Ch~sothamnus sp. Artemisia filifolia S6 2S 23 23 Cactus:' Opuntia sp. 40 Weeds::: Loco and Vetch Wild Alfalfa Sunflower Russian Thistle Gromwell Aster Globe-Mallow Ground Cher-ry Bull Thistle Evening Primrose Borage Family Bindweed Lambsquarte rs Knotweed Cocklebur Astragalus and Oxytropis Psoralea tenuiflora Helianthus sp. Sals ola kali Li thospermum sp , Aster sp , Sphaeralcea coccinea Physalis spo Cirsium Spe Oenothera sp. Boraginaceae Convolvulus SPe Chenopodium SPe Polygonum aviculare Xanthium sp, Grasses: Blue Grama Grass Indian Rice Grass Buffalo Grass Needle-&-Thread Grass False Buffalo Grass Ring Muhly Bouteloua. gracilis O~zopsis hymenoides Buchloe dactyloides Stipa sp , Munroa squarrosa Muhlenbergia torreyi 10 sp , 16 14 10 10 10 7 7 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 10 4 3 3 3 3 �-44Table 3. Average Volume Percent by Forage Classes- Area 5 11 Samples- Area 5 November, 1952 2 Samples- Black Squirrel Creek September, 1946 Browse 51.3% 29.8% Winter Wheat 50.3% Table 4. Plants Identified in Above Samples, and their Frequency PLANTS IDENTIFIED SCIENTIFIC Browse: Snakeweed False Buckwheat Wormwood Sand Sage Rabbitbrush Gutierrezia sarothrae Eriogonum sp. Artemisia dracunculus Artemisia filifolia Chrysothamnus sp. 54 15 15 15 Cactus: Opuntia sp. 31 Weedsr Loco, Vetch Sunflower Gromwell Wild Alfalfa Aster Fringed Sage Rubberweed, Pingue Oxytropis, Astragalus Helianthus ~ •• Lithospermum sp. Psoralea tenuiflora Aster Artemisia frigida Hymenoxys sp , Grasses:' Blue Grama Grass Buffalo Grass Bouteloua gracilis Buchloe dactyloides 38 Triticum 46 7 Miscellaneous: Winter Wheat Mushroom NAME % FRE~UENCY OF OCCURRENCE 77 sp. 31 15 15 15 15 7 7 7 �-45Table 50 Volume Percent by Forage Classes-Area 6 & Northeastern El Paso Co. 12 Samples- Northeastern El Paso County- September, 195~ 13 Samples- Area 6 November 1952 "-Cactus 2.2% & a trace Grass Weeds 58% Table 6. Plants Identified in Above Samples, and their Frequency PLANTS IDENTIFIED SCIENTIFIC NAME: % FREQUENCY ""OF OCCURRENCE Browse: Snakeweed False Buckwheat Sand Sage Wormwood Rabbitbrush Mountain Mahogany Gutierrezia sarothrae Eriogonum .sp., Artemisia filifolia Artemisia dracunculus Chrysothamnus sp. Cercocarpus sp. 76 CactusX': Opuntia spo 20 Weedst Loco, Vetch Sunflower Wild Alfalfa Gromwell Fringed Sage Aster Peavine Nightshade Globe Mallow Pepper Grass Grasses:: Blue Grama Grass Needle-&-thread Grass Buffalo Grass Ring Muhly Mis cellaneous: Winter Wheat Sorghum Oxytropis, Astragalus Helianthussp. Psoralea tenuiflora Lithospermum sp. Artemisia frigida Aster sp. Lathyrus sp , Solanum sp , Sphaeralcea sp. 1epidium sp. Bouteloua gracilis • Stipa spo Buchloe dactyloides Muhlenbergia torreyi Triticum sp, Sorghum sp. 40 32 20 8 4 sp. 64 24 20 17 12 8 8 4 4 4 48 8 8 4 36 4 �-46Table 7. Average Volume Percent by Forage Classes- Area 3 14 Samples, November, 1952 72.8% - Grass 1.2% Weeds 3.4% Cactus 1.2% Table 8. Plants Identified in Above Samples, and their Frequency PLANTS IDENTIFIED % FREQUENCY OF SCIENTIFIC NAME OCCURRENCE Browse: Snakeweed Sand Sage Rabbitbrush Gutierrezia sarothrae Artemisia filifolia Chrysothamnus sp 64 Cactus:' Opuntia sp. 21 Weeds:, Loco, Vetch Wild Alfalfa Bull Thistle Oxytropis, Astragalus sp. Psoralea tenuiflora Cirsium sp. 29 7 7 Grass: Blue Grama Grass Boutelouagracilis 3 Miscellaneous: Winter Wheat Sorghum Triticum sp. Sorghum sp. 93 7 0 71 21 �-47Table 9. Average Volume Percent by Forage Classes- Logan County Area 11 Samples from Area 8 Winter Wheat 76% Table 100 Plants Identified in Above. Samples, and their Frequency NAI1E % FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE PLANTS IDENTIFIED SCIENTIFIC Browse: False Buckwheat Wormwood Snakeweed Rabbitbrush Sand Sage .Eriogonum spo Artemisia dracunculus Gutierrezia sarothrae Chrysothamnus sp , Artemisia filifolia 54 36 Cactus: Opuntia spo 91 Weeds:: Loco, Vetch Fringed Sage Aster Haplopappus Ground Cherry Wild Alfalfa Sunflower Russian Thistle Oxytropis, Astragalus Artemisia frigida Aster sp , Hap.Lopappus sp. Physalis sp , Psoralea tenuiflora Helianthus sp. Salsola kali Gras ses r Blue Grama Grass Buffalo Grass Bouteloua gracilis Buchloe dactyloides 9 18 Miscellaneous: Winter Wheat Triticum 100 sp , 27 9 9 sp. 45 27 18 18 18 9 9 9 �2 7 -48Table 11. Average Volume Percent by Forage Classes- Colo. Antelope Refuge 10 Samples- January 1942 Grass Table 12. Plants Identified in Above Samples, and their Frequency Plants Identified Scientific Name % Frequency of . Occurrence Browse: Rabbi tbrush Shadscale ~ Skunkbush ~M A ?. Chrysothamnus sp. Atriplexsp. Rhus trilobata 80 80 10 Cactus: Opuntia sp, 20 Weeds: Fringed Sage Thistle Family Goatsbeard Sunflower Bastard Toadflax Bladder Pod Phlox Artemisia frigida Compositae Tragopogon sp.• Helianthus spo Comandr-a sp" Lesquerella sp. Phlox sp. 50 Grasses :Blue Grama Grass Western Wheat Grass Tumble Grass Bouteloua gracilis Agropyron smithii Schedonnardus paniculatus 20 10 Sedges: Carex sp" 10 Miscellaneous:: Winter Wheat Triticum 10 60 10 10 10 10 10 40 �2 -49Table 13. Average Volume Percent by Forage Classes- Colo. Antelope 32 S~ples- September, Refuge 1949 Cactus, Grass trace Table lLo Plants Identified in Above Samples, and their Frequency PLANTS IDENTIFIED SCIENTIFIC Browse: Snakeweed Wormwood False Buckwheat Mountain Mahogany Serviceberry SnQwberry Skunkbush Chokecherry Gutierrezia sarothrae Artemisia dracunculus Eriogonum" ep , Cercocarpus sp. Amelanchier" alnifolia Symphoricarpos sp. Rhus trilobata Prunus demissa Cactus :: Opuntia sp. Weeds: Loco, Vetch Sunflower Wild Alfalfa Russian Thistle Fetid Marigold Blazing Star Evening Star Oxytropis, Astragalus Helianthus sp. Psoralea tenuiflora Salsola kali Dysodia papposa Liatris punctata Mentzelia nuda Grasses:' Blue Grama Grass Bouteloua Miscellaneous r Winter Wheat Triticum sp. % FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE NAIv'lE gracilis 84 47 28 9 3 3 3 3 59 Ep. 75 56 28 13 3 3 3 31 3 �-50Table 15. Average Volume Precent by Forage C1asses- Co1o~ Antelope Refuge i One Samp1e- April, 1951 - Table 16. 2.5% Browse (Snakeweed~ Wormwood) 2.5% Grass 3rama 2.5% Cactus Average Volume Percent by Forage Classes- Area 7 2 Samples- September, 1952 Browse 63.5% Rabbitbrush Weeds 36.5% Also present: Fringed Sage Mountain Muhly (trace) Lichen �, -51Table 17. Volume Percent by Forage Classes of 29 Samples taken from Undesignated area during the open season of November, 1952 Grass 0.1% Table 180 Plants Iderltified in Above S~ples, PLANTS IDENTIFIED and their Frequency SCIENTIFIC NAME % FREQUENCY OF .OCCURRENCE. Br-owse e Gutierrezia sarothrae Artemisia dracunculus Eriogonuin sp. Artemi,si-atridentata Artemisia filifolia 52 38 Ca.ctust' Opuntia sp. 62 Weedsr Loco, Vetch Wild Alfalfa Bull Thistle Haplopappus Fringed Sage Sunflower Gromwell Sand Cherry Oxytropis, Astragalus sp. Psoralea.tenuiflora Cirsium·sp., ,Haplopappus sp. Artemi,sia-frigida Helianthus sp , 11thosperroiimsp , Physalissp. 52 Grasses:: Blue Grama Grass Buffalo Grass Bouteloua gracilis Buchloe dactyloides 11 Miscellaneous: Winter Wheat Lichen Sorghum Triticum sp. 86 Sorghum sp. 3 3 Snakeweed Wormwood False Buckwheat Big Sage Sand Sage 35 11 7 7 7 7 3 3 3 3 3 �1 -52Table 19. Plants Identified PLANTS IDENTIFIED in All (167) Samples, and their Frequency SCIENTIFIC % FREQUENCY OF NAME OCCURBENCF Browse: Snakeweed False Buckwheat Wormwood Sand Sage Rabbitbrush Saltbush Big Sage Serviceberry Snowberry Chokecherry Mountain Mahogany Yucca, Soapweed Skunkb rush Wild Rose Gutierrezia sarothrae Erigonum sp •. Artemisia dracunculus Artemisia filifolia ChrYsothamnus sp. A triplex ca.nescens Artemisia tridentata Amelanchier alnifolia Symphoricarpos occidentalis Prunus demissa Cercocarpus sp. Yucca glauca Rhus trilobata Rosa sp. Cactus: Opuntia sp •. Weeds: Loco, Vetch Sunflower Wild Alfalfa Fringed Sage Aster Gromwell Russian Thistle Bull Thistle Blazing Star Evening Star Haplopappus Globe Mallow Peavine Ground Cherry Rubberweed, Pingue Bastard Toadflax Nightshade Knotweed Sage Beard Tongue Poverty Weed Abronia Purslane Tansy Aster . Monkshood Lambs qua rte rs Oxytropis; Astragalus Helianthus s p, Psoralea tenuiflora Artemisia frigida Aster sp , Li thosperroum sp, Salsola kali Cirsium sp. Liatr:l.spunctata Mentzelia nuda Haplopappus sp. Sphaeralcea coccinea Lafhyrus sp , Physalis sp , Hymenoxys sp , Comandra sp. Solanum sp. Polygonum sp. Salvia reflexa Pens temon sp , Monolepis sp. Abronia sp , Portulaca oleracea Machaeranthera sp • Aconi tum sp , Chenopodium sp. 61 29 29 16 15 6 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 45 sp. 44 20 16 8 7 6 5 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 �Z ? -53Table 19. (Continued) PLANTS IDENTIFIED SCIENTIFIC NAl1E % FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE Weeds~ (Continued) Bindweed Borage Family Evening Primrose Goatsbeard Peppergrass Bee Plant Fetid I-1arigold Yarrow Yellow Sweet Clover Cinquefoil Figwort Phlox Bladder Pod Cocklebur Prickly Poppy Convolvulus arvense Boraginaceae Oenthera sp. Tragopogon sp. Lepidium sp , Cleome serrulata Dysodia papposa Achillea millefolium Melilotus officinalis Potentilla sp. Scrophularia lanceolata ,tJhloxsp .• Lesquerella sp , Xan thium sp , Argemone intermedia 1 1 1 1 Grasses & Blue Grama Grass Buffalo Grass Needle-&-thread Grass Ring JY".tu.hly Western Wheat Grass Indian Rice Grass False Buffalo Grass Tumble Grass Bouteloua Gracilis Buchloe dactyloides Stipa comata Muhlenbergia torreyi Agropyron smithii Oryzopsis hymenoides Munroa squarrosa Schedonnardus paniculatus 26 4 Triticum sp. Sorghum sp. Medicago sp. 46 Carex sp. 1 Miscellaneous 8 Winter Wheat Sorghum Alfalfa Pinto Beans Carex, Sedge Lichen Moss Mushroom 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 �2 ' -54- Average percentage of plant types by month in antelope diet based on 167 stomach samples �2 Figure 1 Separated Stomach Samples drying on rack in laboratory. �(Jl Q) (Jl ~ co Q ~ ..d o co N cr a t) H Q) .r-! 0 r-l g, Ii. o, Q) .p Q ~ Q) g. .r-! Q ..d o Q) 8· �z- ec1ctus 38 % Grass (+(,dce) r"'1le R 11th fJ Pc $0 Co P1t~ r t.U 5 Figure 3 �~enoa L l"CO'" tOL( Y A Figure 4 �sa.C(e.b\'"\A$ " l'\e e't 1 5', (A e Figure 5. Antelope Stomach from Chico Basin - Note amount of Browse 9/50 �2 -55REFERENCES Bailey, Vernon 1936. The mammals & life zones of Oregon. N AIDer Fauna, No. 55 USDA Bur BioI Survey Baker9 Theodore, & G. F. Wrakestraw 1952. Food habits studY of antelope. Wyo G&F Corom Qtrly Rept. Apr-Jun '52 pp7-20 Bever 5 Wendell 1948. Food habits of antelope in northwestern So. Dak. S D Dept of Fish, Game & Parks mimeo rept 10 pp 19490 Antelope crop damage study in western So. Dak. S D Dept of FG&P Qtrly rept Oct-Dec 148 pp 4-8 Buechner, Helmut K. 1947. Range use of the pronghorned antelope in western Texas. Trans 12th N AIDer Wildl Conf 12: 1950. Life history, ecology, and range use of the pronghorn antelope in TransPecos Texas.AIDer Midland Naturalist 43(2')::257-354 Mar '50. 1950. Range ecology of the pronghorn on the Wichita Mts. Wildlife Refuge. Trans 15th N Amer Wildl Conf 15: Couey, Faye Mo 19m. Antelope foods in southeastern Einarsen, Arthur S. 19480 The pronghorn Montana.J~ 'WJldl Mgmt 10(4) ::367 antelope and its mgmt. Wildl Mgmt Inst Wash., D.C. 238 pp Ferrel, Carol M09 and Howard R. Leach 1952. The pronghorn antelope of Calif. with special reference Calif Fish & Game 38(3h285-293 Jul '52 to food habits. Hi.Ll., Ralph 19430 Antelope food habits study in northwestern Service, Denver , CoLo , ·5pp So. Dak. Unpubl US Forest Kautz, Lorin Go 1942. Report on the antelope survey, volo 2 Colo. G&F D~pt '41-142pp 7-9 1942. Analysis of twenty Colo. antelope stomachs. Unpubl rept Colo. G&F Dept 8pp Lauridsen, Donald G. 1946. Analysis of three Colo. antelope stomachs. Unpubl rept Colo. G&F Dept lp Mason~ Ellis 19520 Food habits and measurements Nelson, Edward Wo 19250 Status of the pronghorned of Hart Mt. antelope antelope J Wildl Mgmt 16(3): '22-'24. USDA Bull 1346 64pp Rouse, Charles H. 1941. Notes on winter foraging habits of antelope in Okla. J Manml 22(1):57-60 Feb '41 Seton, ·E.T. 19290 Lives of Game Animals. New York. �-56Shaw, W. M. 1952. Letter of Dee 10 '52 to Robert R. Elliott, Colo. G&F Dept. Unpubl Springer, Leonard M (Ed.) 1950. Proe 2nd ann 4-state antelope meeting, Lakeview, Oregon, Jan 24 '50 mimeo 14pp. pp4-8 Terwilliger, Charles Jr. 1946. Food habits of antelope. Unpubl rept Colo. A&M College Forestr.y library 24 pp Thornton, B. J., and L. W. Durrell 1941. Weeds of Colo. Bull 406 Colo. Exp. Sta. Colo. A&M College Fort Collins pp 5-7, 42-43 Till, C. E. 1951. Antelope food habits study. Colo. G&F Dept Qtrly Rept July '51 pp 86-94. Wallace, Herbert S. 1939. Preliminary antelope survey, Colo. vol. 1. Colo. G&F Dept Rept. Jul-Aug '39 facing p. 26 �-57Summary:: 1. One authority is quoted for the belief that 38 antelope will consume as much cattle forage as one cow based on animal weights and types of forage taken on range land. 20 The amount of competition between sheep and antelope is given as 40 percent or 2.5 antelope will consume as much sheep forage as one sheep. 3. Winter wheat is taken where available year and by a part of the total herd. for part of the 4. Antelope are a factor in controlling many noxious weeds which are harmful to cattle, sheep, and horses and many plants are eaten which are unpalatable to domestic stock. 5. In Oregon, it was found that range land so overgrazed that it would not support domestic sheep, would carry a limited number of antelope and gradually improve in forage, general vegetation, and carrying capacity. 6. The 97 samples for November show an average percentage of winter wheat varying from 37 to 76 percent in different sets of samples. The lack of a similar number of samples from other months of the year tends to accentuate the use of winter wheat for this month. This same data indicates that browse, weeds, and cactus comprized from 24 to 63 percent of the November diet where winter wheat was present in the diet. 70 Considering the other data available, more than 90 percent of the diet is browse, weeds and cactus from April to October on any range in Colorado and probably is similar during the winter for antelope living on range pasture landso 80 The amouht of grass eaten by antelope is negl~gible. In Colorado, it ranged from 0.1 percent to 3 percent in winter samples and from 2 percent to 8.7 percent in May and September samples. 9.. It is apparent that an adequate number of stomach samples for each month of the year is necessary to show a more complete picture of the average diet. Prepared by: Approved by~: Gordon A. Douglas Da te_....:A;:op;;..;;r;...;;i;;;;;l",-' .....;1;;;;..:9:...::5;;.;::3~__ Note: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. ��-59JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of Project Noo PROJECTS Colorado W~38-R-6; Work Plan Noo Title of Job: Deer-Elk Investigations II Job No. -~~3 --~~--Checking Station Survey Objectives: To obtain pertinent datq. relative to kill trends, age, sex, weight, and to recover tags and heads of tagged deer. Techniques Used: Road block stations were set up at eight different locations on main routes to and from key hunting areas. This year District Game Managers were placed in charge of all but the Piceance station: Federal Aid Personnel assisted at all check stations. Findings: The same number of big game check stations were operated this year as in the 1951 big game season. The regular season ran from October 15 through October 31 for both deer and elk over most areas of western Colorado, and the season was set to open on the greater portion of the eastern slope of the continental divide October 20 and to continue through October 31. High fire danger and several active forest fires caused a delay of 16 days in the opening of the season on the east side. Rumors of plans to close other sections of the state due to fire danger seemed to make many hunters restless, and probably had an effect on the kill as well as the delayed opening for those who had already started their hunting season vacations •. A total of 29,127 deer were checked this year which was 2,958 below last years check of 32,0850 The elk season was antlered only state-wide with 300 licenses to be validated for either sex in parts of Rio Blanco and Garfield counties. The high fire danger also affected the opening of the elk season on the eastern slope, and caused restlessness among the hunters over the entire state. A total of 1,078 elk were checked through the checking stations as compared with 3,864 checked through in 1951. The Piceance Checking Station was located as before at the mouth of the Dry Fork of Piceance, also referred to as Turman Creek. This station1s chief purpose was to check the kill and watch for tagged animals in that area adjacent to the Little Hills Experiment Station. A total of 494 deer and 6 elk were checked through the checking station:' this year as compared with 530 deer and 18 elk last year. Tougher hunting conditions this year were reflected in lower total kill and a lower percentage of bucks in the kill. Forty-three and a half percent of the kill this year through the Piceance station were bucks, while last year it was 5506 percent. The,percentqge of does jumped from 34.1 percent last year to 42.1 percent this year; and fawn kill rose from 10.3 percent to 14.4 percent. The state average of kills checked this year was 15.2 percent fawns; 45.8 percent bucks and 39.0 percent doeso �.. 1 -60Two questions were asked hunters this year besides the usual sex, age, location, and success of kills.. These weret 10 How many elk did you see while hunting?, and 20 How many days did you hunt? Whenever there appeared to be a chance for duplicate counts these animals were disregarded. The results were that a total of 22,964 hunters questioned hunted a total of 88,09505 days. The total number of elk seen was 25$077. The average number of elk seen per hunter was 1.09, and the average number of elk seen per hunter day was .28. Table 1 shows number of animals checked, sex, and age. The average successful elk hunter hunted 309 days. The number of bear checked this year was 184 compared with 126 in 1951, and 152 ~n 19500 TABLE 1 Station Bear Bucks Does Fawns Total Bulls Animas 3 228 159 47 434 94 94 391 34 581 426 197 1,204 234 234 594 Idaho Spgs.42 3,578 3~326 1,329 8,233 335 335 1,103 Monarch 45 2~019 2,052 714 7,485 154 154 2,321 Rifle 18 4,737 L~,243 1,613 109593 215 228 2,799 Ted's Place 6 1,355 261 94 1~710 24 24 58 3 722 Del Norts Cows 2 Calves Total Non-Resident 1 25 Mesa 36 619 698 357 1))674 3 Piceance 0 215 208 71 494 4 2 Totals 184 29~127 1,,063 1.4 1 9806 103 .1 Percent 13))332 11.1'373 4,422 4508 39.0 1502 6 1,078 7,988 Analysis and Recommendations~ The information collected by the big game check stations in Colorado this year shows that the total kill was lighter thanlastyear * 3 roughly six percent on deer and a drop of about. 72 percent on e Lk, Tougher hunting conditions this year were reflected in the lower total kl.LL, It was also found that the percentage of bucks checked, 45.8 percent was lower than it has been for the past three years, and the percentage of fawns: 15.2 percent checked was higher than it has been over the past three~year period •• * Not.e~ Final projected figures based on check stations and card returns show a kill of 73,109 deer which is a drop of only 2025 percent from the 1951 season. The better kill was due to post season success. �2 -61Hunters finding hunting harder this year were apparently taking more fawns to fill their bag. The percentage of does checked remained about the same. It is only natural that the elk kill would drop when a bulls-only season is offered. This would be due chiefly to the decrease in success ratio and the decrease in the total number of elk licenses sold. Summary: 1. Eight big game check stations checked a total of 29,127 deer and 1,078 elk for the 1952 big game season. The same stations checked a total of 32,085 deer and 3,864 elk the previous year. 2. Of the deer checked this year, 45.8 percent were bucks, 39 percent were does, and 15.2 percent were fawns. The elk season was a bulls-only season with the exception of a small area where 300 licenses were validated for either sex: fourteen cows and one calf were checked out of the areao 3. High fire danger made it necessary to close some areas to hunters and to delay the opening date in others. Extremely dry weather over the entire state undoubtedly contributed to the reduced kill. Approved by: Prepared bY2 Paul F. Gilbert Wildlife Date Technician ~pril, 1953 Laurence E. Riordan Title Federal Aid Coordinator ------------~~--~~~~~----- ��lirlliiMilj~~ BDOW02190S -63JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of Colorado Project No. Work Plan PROJECTS W-37-R-6; Game Bird Surveys II Job No. 2 --------------- Title of Job: Hunting Season Checks--Canada Scopet Two Buttes management Geese and Subspecies. area. Reported by: Harry J. Figge. Data obtained by: R. Fillmore, R. Chapman, L. Sparkman and L. Thompson, on Game Management labor payroll. Techniques Usede See Colorado Quarterly Report, .April, 1952 p , 24. s,tations operated by three men employed on Game Management labor. Check Findings: The 1952 season was from 12:00 o'clock noon October 20 to one hour before sunset December 18. Check station figures showed that 4,873 hunters killed 939 Canada geese on the management area. They hunted a total of 18,948 hours for an average of 3.9 hours per hunter per day. The average kill per hunter day was .192, or .05 geese per hour. There were 834 geese checked for age by use of notched tail feather characteristics. Results obtained showed 442 (53%) were birds of the year or young. Weights were obtained on 363 geese. Chatillion spring scales with scoop were used. Weight to the nearest ounce was recorded. The average weight was 6.81 pounds. The lightest goose was three-and three~uarter pouhds,and the heaviest was nine and three-quarters pounds. Table 1 shows complete weight class data. TABLE 1:' CO \n ~, G CJ ::t~ 1. WEIGHTS OF 363 CANADA GEESE KILLED DURING 1952 SEASON--TWO BUTTES RESERVIOR. Weight in Pounds 3.75 4 5 6 7 8 9 No:;'of Geese 1 31 115 131 64 16 5 % of Total Weighed .} 8.5 31.7 36.1 17.6 4.4 1.4 From check station and warden field checks it is reasonable to assume that not over 2,000 geese were killed out of the 18,000 that wintered on Two Buttes Reservoir. �2 -64TABLE 2. SIX YEAR SUMMARY OF GOOSE HUNTER CHECK AT TIiO BUTTES Year and No. of days of hunting PUBLIC SHOOTING GROUND. ACTUAL CHECKS ONLY. Hunters Hours Geese Geese per % Hunted Checked Checked Young Hunter 1947 14! 515 1,288 215 1948 34~ 2,652 7,205 645 1949 44~ 2,095 5,216 35 1;278 1951 39 1952 59! Geese per Hour 0417 0167 48 0243 .087 227 40 0108 .0435 4,332 481 50 0376 .111 3,'345 10,035 792 44 0237 0079 4,873 18,948 939 23 .192 .049 14,458 47,024 3,299 0228 .07 J.950 6-yro Totals and Avo Analysis: According to the average weights of Canada geese shown by Nelson and Martin in the Journal of vlildiife Management, Vol. 17, No.1, page 18, the majority of geese wintering at Two Buttes Reservoir probably are Lesser Canada geese (Branta canadensis leucopareia), since 67.8 percent weighed from five to seven pounds Using weight as the only criterion, 8 or 9 .percent could be classed as Richardson's (s, co hutchinsi).,or even. 'cackling geese (B. c. minima), and about 24 percent as Common Canada geese (B. cO canadensis). Several of the smaller geese' had noticeably short billso This adds weight to the possibility that some might be cackling geese. Unless arbitrary figures for weight and measurements are selected it is not possible to designate the 0 subspacass for these geese as a groupo ' As the number of hunters has increased the success ratio has tended to decrease. Hunters traveling long distances hunted more hours than those who lived nearby. Thus many hours of hunting were recorded when the hunters were merely sitting or dozing in the pitts. Summary~ During the 1952 waterfowl season of 59~ days, 4,873 hunters wer~ checked at three designated check stations on the Two Buttes public shooting grounds. They obtained 939 geese for an average of 0192 geese per hunting attempt. This was an increase of 1,528 hunters over 19519 but the total number of geese shot probably did not exceed the number shot during the 1951 season. Prepared bylt At:> proved by:t Harry J. Figge ~ddu/~0,~ Laurence E. Sordan' Wildlife Technician Title Date April, 1953 Federal Aid Coordinator ----~--~~~~~~~~------ �-65JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of Colorado --~~~~~----- Project Noo W-37-R-6; Work Plan No. Title of Job: Scope: PROJECTS Game Bird Surveys II Job No. 3 -------------~-Trapping and banding ducks and geese. Two Buttes R~servoir (Arkansas Valley)o Personnel: Gurney I. Crawford, Alfred Heins, Willis Mansfield, Reported byg Harry J. Figge~ George Andrews, R. D. Chapman, John Stevenson, Preston Steele and Lou Vidakovich. Harry J. Figge and Gurney 10 Crawford. Techniques! Some changes were again made on the goose trap as shown in Figure 1. The 20 foot opening for the geese to enter made it necessary to have a man in a blind to run up and close the opening when ~ll the geese were in the catch pen that would go in. The blind was built out of the stock pile of bait. This consisted of baled alfalfa, bundles of kaffir and sacks of grain. The entire trap was camouflaged with willow cuttings and dead trees. Fourth cu tUng alfalfa and kaffir were fed at the trap site for 40 days before a catch was attempted. Construction work on the trap was stopped at 2 :00 p. m, each dayo Feed was then scattered in the catch pen and for 500 feet away from the entrance. Thus the geese were allowed to feed each evening while the trap was being built. Twenty tons of bait were used. This consisted of five tons of the fourth cutting alfalfa, five tons of bundled kaffir corn and ten tons of kaffir and milo thrashed grain. Steel posts were used for support. Two inch mesh woven wire formed the side~. Cotton netting was used for the top of the catch pen. The ramp was built of boards and covered with gravel. A curtain of woven wire three feet in front of the ramp hung vertically from the top of the trap to wi thin a foot above the water served to keep the geese from flying out of the holding pen. The ramp with the curtain in front of it served as a one-way entrance to the holding pen. Since lack of time prevented banding ducks, three small openings were made at water level in the holding pen to allow them to escape. Driving all the geese on the lake toward the trap site was practiced. After one catch was made sufficient time was allowed to get large numbers of geese feeding near the trap before another catch was attempted. Patience was an important factor. �-66To ca.tch the geese for banding they were driven into the four compartment banding crate, which would hold about 40 geese at a time. The geese were bandedj/ weighed and checked for notched tail feathers to designate age. Four men were used during the banding operation on the first catcho One man caught and subdued the geese by tucking the head under the left wingo The second man put on the band. The third weighed and checked age and called the results to the fourth man who recorded the data. Holding the geese for the bander proved to be fatiguing. Consequently on the second catch two sizes of aluminum tubes seven and eight inches in diameter were used. The geese were pushed head first into the tubes, leaving the legs and tail protruding. The tubes were weighted with lead so that they took the place of the scoop on the scales. The scales were checked for balance and accuracy at the beginning of banding each day and occasionally during the day. Approximately every tenth goose was held in a crate for fluroscopic examinationo The others were released at the trap site with the exception of three that were taken to the State Game Farm and Research Laboratory for further study. The geese in the crates were taken to the State cabin on the lake shore, fluoro~ scoped for lead shot and released. For this purpose the geese were stuffed into loosely woven cloth tubes with a drawstring on both ends. A metal frame was built to hold the Cloth tubes open while the geese were being sacked. A portable 110 volt A.C. generator was used for power" Each goose was viewed from three positions for about three seconds in each position. Dr. E. R. Kalmbach9 U. S. Fish and Wildlife Laboratory~ furnished the fluoroscopic equipment. Representatives of the Picker Xray Corporation gave instructions and advice for the operators safety. Findingsg At times as ma~ as 13,000 geese were feeding on the peninsula where the trap was located. Up to 2s>000 geese were inside the 80' x 2501 catch pen before the top was in place. After the top was on, the geese were reluctan t to enter on clear days" !vlild,overcast days produced the largest catches. In two catches 1996 geese were caughto The first catch had 1,9001 and the second 995. A totaL gf lj476 Canada geese and aubapecieB (Branta canadensis) and two lesser snow geese (Chen hyperborea hyperborea) were banded. There . were 153 recaptures that had been banded at Two Buttes Reservoir by the Colo~ rado Game and Fish Department during previous years and one that must have been banded at some other station. Table 4 shows the number and age when banded of recaptures. In the second catch there were 361 repeats that had just been banded" One six pound albinistic Canada goose was banded out of the first catch. It was caught again in the second catch. Pictures were taken and it was releasedo The smallest goose weighed three pounds and 15 ounces. It was in good condition and average flesh. The largest weighed an even ten pounds. The average weight of the 577 young geese was 5077 pounds9 and of the 901 adults 6.21 pounds. The average weight of the 1~478 geese was 6.03 pounds9 and for the 148 adult recaptures was 5063 pounds. Due to a two year drouth and the resulting crop failures feed in the vicinity of Two Buttes Reservoir was short. All of the geese had a little less fat than in previous years" This was apparent during �2 -67the hunting season. However, there was no significant change from previous years in the percentage of geese falling into the various weight classes. Table 3 shows the weight classes and the age ratio. It again happened on several occasions·that when a goose was banded and released it would fly to the far end of the holding pen and wait until one certain goose was released. The two would then flyaway. Two or three flew to the top of the holding pen and tried to get inside. There was a 10 percent decrease in the percent of young geese trapped compared with both 1951 and 19520 TABLE 3. Weight Class 3 4 5 6, 7 8 9 10 Totals WEIGFIT CLASSES AND AGE RATIO OF GEESE BANDED--1953. No. of % of No. of % of No. of Youn~ Adult Total Youn~ Geese 4 93 395 704 240 38 3 1 1478 0.3 6.3 26.5 47.7 16.3 2.6 0.2 0.1 100.0 1 32 184 445 197 38 3 1 901 75 65.5 53.4 36.8 17.9 0 0 0 39% 3 61 211 259 43 0 0 0 577 None of the 154 geese recaptured during the 1953 banding period had notched tail feathers. All were 'adults'. Forty-one of the recaptures were originally banded in 1951. This was 6.03 percent of the 643 geese banded that year. Out of the 1,277 banded in 1952, 113 or 808 percent were recaptured at the same location this year. When these geese were originally banded in 1951 and 1952~ 85 were young and 68 adults. Of those banded in 1951, 19 were young and 22 adults. Of those banded in 1952, 66 were young and 46 adults. A summary of these data are shown in Table 4. Year Banded TAB;r.;E4. DATA ON 1953 RECAPTURES. Number % Total Total Number Young Banded Recaps. '53 Banded Number Adults 1951 643 41 6003 19 22 1952 1277 113 808 ~ 4~ Totals 1920 154 8.02 85* 68* *Age not known on one goose when banded. During the hunting season it appeared that the geese being shot were lighter in weight due to the feed shortage., It is recognized that wildlife species generally lose weight as winter progresses and that daily variations do occur �-68before and after feeding and drinking. One goose that had a full feed in its gullet was found dead on the lake shore. The full length of the esophagus and the proventriculus (13 inches) were distended with kaffir. Air dried this grain weighed 85 grams, or approximately three ounceso This, doubtless, represented a maximum volume for one meal. Probably variations up to eight ounces are not significant. Weight data on 140 recaptures on which weights were obtained are shown in Table 5. So TABLE Age When Banded WEIGHT GaIN OR IDSS COlVlPARED TO WEIGHT WHEN ORIGINALLY BANDED IN 1951 AND 1952. Gained Lost f lb. 2 lbs. 1 lb. 1 l'b.+ f lb. :;. + t7 No. Significant Chan e Young 25 18 2 5 1 29 Adult 18 4 2 5 5 26 Totals 43 22 4 10 6 55 In this report the term adult is used to designate all geese more than one year old even though it is recognized that this group contains many 2 and 3 year old geese that are 'sexually immature. The term young is used only for those geese having the notch or V in their tail feathers left by the natal down. The tota.l number of geese fluoroscoped for shot was 148. This was 1107 percent of the total number of recaptures and geese caught for the first time. Out of the first 36 geese fluoroscoped only two geese with one shot each were found. This wa.s a much lower percentage than subsequent checks showed. Possibly this was due to several factors, among which might have been lack of adjustment of the operator's eyes, too much light entering the Itdark room," or insufficient current supplied to the Xray tube. Final data used are t'h-9S-e that were obtained after these factors were corrected. These data are shown in Table 6. There were 26 (23.2%) of the 112 geese fluoroscoped after corrected techniques that showed one or more shot in them. TABLE No. of Shot 6. GEESE CHECKED FOR LEAD SHOT - FEBRUARY, 1953. AGE SHOWN IS AGE WHEN BANDED. Barried t~3 Banded '~2 Banded I~l Totals Yo -A. Y. A. Y._. A. 0 1 2 30 4 3 45 9 5 4 2 2 4 0 6 14 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 Totals 30 60 7 2 Percent 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1. 0 0 0 0 86 16 7 1 1 1 76.8 14.28 6.25 .89 .89 .89 6 2 1 112 100.00 0 �• • , , i V\lVV'V'MN_ feeJ/r/.j . 8tAl'ldiYl5 ettf'f'Q. •••ce " , , , ; fe Y\ " f 'J Z" jV/e~it 2 a &4'41e chicl(el1 Il i/O' , W"Y'~ lOP 20' --·~~?~~~~------, -f x' ~ • jO' 1 Re:.'"'"~ Pen. • ";'~3\J. 1 1 t 1 ~~ ~ 1 CottDl1 ~m .[Wi~' l1e.sh Sides j( I (R~p I I ~ I I foOf fiS/J.'I'e / - R-Sd<s I I d ,,-,Z TRAP Ii I I ~ ISO/ C OLORAIJO GOOSE 1 Ne.t rop /1 lJ,sljIJeJ by G.I.Crawf&H"j , (\) ~ �.' ' ., ~----~ ····,1 CI) 1 -> (I) r-1 r-1 (I) 0.. ..j.J (\J I 0 (I) H ;:l bJ) .r! r::o.. 0 .c CI) ....::t r-1 :S .r! ;;: (I) UJ 0 0 ('J �Figure 3 Goose with upper mandible shot off Photo by Lew Mathews i'~ ., �N Figure 4 Catch of 1,001 geese in holding pen Photo by George D. Andrews ��-o (J) ~ OM ~ (J) (I) (J) ~ ~ °rl '0(1) r-i ;.: o (J) ..c:..c: ~ C'I1 M ;.: O~ ~ ~~ .0 EB sS SA., s:: 0 orl ..c: C'I1 r-f 0 ~ (J) (I) :::> �Figure 7 Sacking goose for fluoroscoping Photo by George D. Andrews f\J ., ~ �-69A picture of the Xray plate of the goose with 14 shot in it is shown in Fig. 2. These shot apparently are an accumulation from more than one hunting season for the original Xray plate shows the humerus and femur with old calcified repairs while the second break on the femur is in the process of calcification. There appeared to be three different sizes of shot in the bird though this is difficult to ascertain when the shot has been flattened on impact. There were a number of geese that showed evidence of having been shot. Some had prima.ry wing feathers shot off. Among those that were fluoroscoped and no shot seen were three that had been hit on the bill. One had only aU-shaped notch on the left lateral side, one had a quarter inch notch at the tip of the bill, and the third had the upper mandible shot off just anterior to external nares.. The dried tongue can be seen curled up in the picture •. Fig. 3 shows the head of this third goose. Table 7 shows the location and number of shot seen in the 26 geese. Head Neck 4 < 49873023 7327~ 7l±622 73469 73628 }4222 50823250 23089 23065 23420 23340 23894 23963 23917 23946 23775 23611 ?~702 23500 23670 23642 -23682 23582 23559 23598 23271 <,... Pectoral Muscles r ~. Abdomen "./ .Pelvis Thi~h .Leg ~;.; ( Foot (~'.' 1 1 1 1 2 *R-l 2 1 1-1 1-1 1-1 1 1 1 B...6 R-1 R-1 2 2 R-1 1.-1 1 1 1 R-1 1 1 R_l 1 1 *R - right L - left B - both tYJ 7. LOCATION AND NUMBER OF SHOT IN GEESE FLUOROSCOPED TABLE Band No. 2 1-3 R-1 R-l 1-1 B-5 R-l -- �-70Analysis: It appeared as though 50 percent of the geese using Two Buttes Reservoir could have been trapped by the methods used this year if time and personnel had permitted. At various times six department personnel of other divisions assisted. The 1,996 geese were handled with no more ~nJur.r to them than a few broken toe nails. The same cannot be said for the operators. Mr. Crawford had his scalp punctured through a heavy corduroy cap by one blow of a goose I swing. Trapping, aging and banding in the future should show whether or not the 10 percent decrease in young is significant. The total number of geese using the lake was about the same as last year. The geese checked for age during the hunting season showed a 9 percent increase in young over the figure for 1951. Perhaps this indicates that a larger percent ofyoung are shot. However, on the geese fluoroscoped in which shot were found this ratio was 45 young (40%) to 67 adults (60%). On the total geese banded these figures were 577 young (39%) to 901 adults (61%). Addi tional trapping and banding along with checks of total popUlation might give an indication whether or not these figures are valid for the entire flock. The only significant weight changes among the geese weighed this year were that for the first time in three years of banding there were no young geese in the eight, nine or ten pound classes. Some increase in weight apparently occurs after their first year. From the results of the fluoroscopic study it appears as though 20 to 25 percent of the geese wintering at Two Buttes have been wounded. It is apparent that geese are difficult to kill and they can live with a number of shot in themo It would be valuable to know what effect this wounding might have on reproduction. Summa£y~ I. There were 1,996 geese caught in two catches. New banded geese numbered 1,478 Canada geese and subspecies and two lesser snow geeseo One hundred-~ifty-four were recaptures and 361 of the second catch were repeatso 20 The smallest goose, an adult, weighed three pounds and fifteen ounces. The largest, also an adult, weighed ten poundso Average weight for all geese was 6.03 pounds. The average weight for young geese was 5077 and for adults 6021 pounds. 3. On 140 recaptures that had been weighed when banded, 69 gained from to two pounds each, 16 lost from one-half to one pound, and 55 changed less than one-half pound. one-hal.r 4. Out of 112 geese ,checked with a portable fluoroscope, 26 (23.2%) had one or more shot in them. Some other geese showed wounds but no shot remained .• 5. The flock composition was 901 adults (61%) to 577 young (39%) in a total of 1,478 geese handled in banding while in 1951 the age composition was almost equally divided. Prepared by~ Approved bYI ~ Harry J. Figge ~.-£ '/' « » 7':1c:{t: (/." "__ ;1 _ k .I?.A urence E. Riordan Wildlife Technician Title Date April, 1953 Federal Aid Coordinator �-71JOB COIvlPLETIONREPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of ~C~ol~or~a~d~o~ _ Project No. W-37-R-6; Work Plan No. PROJECTS Game Bird Surveys. 2 II Job No. -------------- Title of Job: Hunting Season Checks on Species, Age and Sex Ratios. Objective: To determine the species, age and sex ratios of :the ducks and geese taken by the hunter. Scope: South Platte Management Area. Personnel: Harold H. Boeker, Albert Alcorn and Harold at Sedgwick Bar. Reported by: M. Swope; George C. Steele Harold M. Swope. Techniques: See Quarterly Report, January, 1951, p. 20. Department personnel were on duty throughout the season at the check station issuing permits, assigning areas, obtaining kill data and enforcing regulations. Duck gizzards were randomly collected with the permission of the hunters • .A thermograph, barograph and annemometer were used to measure and record daily temperatures, barometric pressures and wind velocities. Findings: The daily record of the information gathered at the check station follows in Table 1. Table 2 gives the composition of the kill by species and percent. Table 3 compares the number of hunters, hours hunted, and hunter success figures for the waterfowl season from 1948 through 1952. The degree and success of utilization of the management area by hunters from several geographic portions of the state is given in Table 4. Maximum, mi.nf.mum, and average daily temperatures, daily units of change in barometric pressure, and total miles of wind daily were all plotted over daily hunter success. No positive correlation could be detected between the meteorological data collected and hunter success on a ducks per hour basis. �1"1 -72- Date 1'0/20/52 10/21 10/22 10/23 10/24 10/25 10/26 10/27 10/28 10/29 10/30 10/31 11/1 11/2 11/3 11/4 11/5 11/6 11/7 11/8 11/9 11/10 11/11 11/12 11/13 11/14 TABLE 1. DAILY KILL RECORD SOUTH PLATTE MANAGEMENT AREA, 1952 MIGRATORY WATERFOWL SEASON GAME KILLED GAI"lE KILLED No. of Hours Mallards G. W. Teal Others Hunters Hunted M F M F Species N 29 41 18 20 21 42 74 5 8 0 8 15 28 92 68 119 27 87 55 161 176 10 17 6 18 3 8 5 5 17 18 21 75 152 12 7 11 8 12 29 5 11 109 251 41 117 21 19 50 2 3 7 1 13 13 12 10 23 5 4 13 12 4 9 15 3 4 11/15 100 174 19 11/16 11/17 11/18 11/19 11/20 11/21 11/22 11/23 145 21 31 19 30 41 92 82 208 25 68 35 62 130 331 230 8 15 29 27 32 49 84 61 11/24 11/25 11/26 11/27 11/28 24 24 14 31 50 70 76 40 42 98 47 70 38 49 48 21 12 10 19 13 73 271 2 1 3 Baldpate Pintail Baldpate Baldpate 1 1 2 , ..L 101 Gadwall Baldpate Gadwall Am. Herganser 3 1 1 1 1 1 5 14 10 4 19 ~3 7 7 3 3 8 15 1.3 10 21 42 40 11/29 2 1 5 8 21 14 5 10 37 111 8 43 11 10 31 44 4 7 2 12 3 4 9 1 F 51 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 Lesser Scaup Am. Merganser Baldpate 1 Am. Merganser Am. Merganser 1 Pintail Am. Merganser Redhead 1 1 1 Baldpate Baldpate Am. Merganser Gadwall Am. Merganser Baldpate Pintail Gadwall Am. Merganser 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 2 2 1 1 �2 2 -73- NQ. of Hunters Hours Hunted 11/30/52 12/1 12/2 12/3 12/4 12/512/6 12/7 12/8 12/9 12/10 12/11 12/12 12/13 12/14 12/15 12/16 12/17 12/18 55 4 11 5 20 9 57 67 25 12 8 18 29 40 54 22 16 15 32 TOTALS 1,986 Date (TABLE 1.-- CONTINUED) GAME KILLED G. W. Teal Mallards Species M F Am. Merganser 1 1 4 Gadwall 4 Am. Merganser 1 1 M F M· 103 6 28 26 52 19 139 243 74 31 22 40 62 129 91 35 30' 26 66 22 13 2 4,787 1,198 2 6 9 17 8 53 30 31 12 10 5 22 19 38 8 2 16 GAlVJ.E KILLED Others 13 7 30 14 7 2 5 5 11 4 15 5 2 F 1 Am. Merganser Am. Merganser 3 583 1 1 Am. Golden Eye Am.• Merganser 24 2 2 Gadwall 1 Am. Merganser 1 9 25 20 1859 Ducks - total kill per man ho~r hunted .388 " per hunter .936 II 95.80%.ducks killed were mallards (67.27% males, 32.73% females) 1.78% ducks killed were green-winged teal (73.73% males, 26.27% females) 2.41 hours hunted per hunter attempt. TABLE 2.--HUNTER KILL BY SPECIES SOUTH PLAT TE MANAGEIvlENTAREA 1952 MIGRATORY WATERFOdL SEASON Number Killed Species 1,781 Mallard (Anas p1atyrhynchos) Green-winged Teal CAnas carolinense} 33 20 American Merganser (Mergus merganser americanus) 10 Baldpate (Mareca americana) Gadwall (Chaulelasmus streperus) 7 Pintail (Anas acuba tzitzihoa) 5 Am. Golden Eye (Glaucionetta c1angu1a americana) 1 Lesser Scaup (Nyroca affinis) 1 Redhead (Nyroca americana) 1 TOTALS 1 859 Percent of Total Kill 95.80 1.78 1.08 .54 .37 .27 .05 .05 .05 100.00 Hunters observed that teal were farbelow their usual numbers along the river during the season. Check'station kill figures on green-winged teal apparently support their observations. �-74TABLE 30--KILL RECORDS AND SUCCESS FIGURES SOUTH PLATTE·:MA.NAGE11ENT AREA 1948-1952 MIGRATORY WATERFOWL SEASONS YEAR 1948 1949 1950 1951 Comparisons Total hunters Total hours hunted Total ducks killed Mallard Green-winged teal Other species Ducks per man hour hunted Hours hunted per duck Ducks per hunter attempt 1,016 2,75905 641 597 39 5 .232 4.305 0631 773 2,330 679 462 184 33 1952 1,370 4,066 1,458 1,323 78 57 1,674 1,986 4,463.5 4,787 2,795 1,859 2!)576 1,781 147 33 72 45 .358 .626 0388 20788 10597 20575 10667 1.064 .936 .291 30431 .878 TABLE 4.--S0URCE OF HUNTING PRESSURE AND HUNTING SUCCESS SOUTH PLATTE :MA.NAGENENTAREA. 1950-1952 NIGRATORY WATERFOWL SEASONS Number of percent of Total Percent of Source of Hunters Total Hunters Duck Total Ducks Hunting Using Area Using Area Killed Killed Pressure 1950 1951 1952 1950 1951 1952 1950 1951 1952 1950 1951 1952 Denver 470 492 512 34 29 26 574 783 476 39 28 26 iDenver Suburbs 154 96 223 11 6 11 111 159 187 8 6 10 iiLocal 746 1009 1162 55 60 59 773 1706 1109 53 61 60 77 89 5 4 147 87 5 4 1674 1986 2795 1859 100. 100 • iiiOut of State TOTALS 1370 100. 100. 100. 1458 100. .~Includes Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties • .77Includes all other counties in the state. lllFourteen states represented. Additional information was obtained from hunters in regards to crippling loss, shots fired and quipment used. Hunters acknowledge firing an average of 3088 shots per hunting attempt, or about four shots per duck killed. They reported crippling a total of 244 ducks that could not be found. �-75Twenty-six percent of the 813 hunting parties used decoys. Duck calls were used by 16 percent of the hunting parties but many hunters confessed to not knowing how to use the call. Less than 6 percent used dogs to retrieve their birds •• Forty-five different makes of shotguns were used with Winchester, Remington, Stevens, Westernfield, Browning and Ithaca being the most popular, in that order. The pump type action was by far the most common, followed by the automatic and double-barrelo Three-fourth of the hunters used a 12 gauge , Most of the rest used a 16 or 20 gauge. Shot sizes 4, 5, and 6 were almost exclusively used. The area was open to pheasant and quail hunting during their established seasons. The taking of cottontail rabbits was allowed only during the afternoons of pheasant season - until the close of waterfowl season •. Eighty-three phea.sants, 40 quail and 308 cottontail rabbits were checked through the station. Hunters reported seeing an abundance of wildlife but experienced difficulties in harvesting it. Nearly two hundred duck gizzards were collected during the season for a food habits study by Harold Boeker .• Date Oct. 20 to Dec. 18 TOTAIS TABLE 50..;.-KI11 DATA ON SEDGWICK BAR 1952 SEASON No. of Hours Mallards Hunters Hunted M F Other Soecies 352 352 312 312 264 264 Total Kill Ducks per hunter Ducks per hour Mallard kill 93 Green-wing Teal Shoveller Pintail. Am. Merganser Gadwall 1. Scaup 4 5 4 2 1 1 17 93 374 ducks 1.06 1.20 95.45% of total Analysis and Recommendations8 The fall migration of waterfowl. in 1952 was an unusual oneo Northeastern Colorado received tile flow of southbound ducks so gradually that it was difficult to deterrDine when the flight did arrive. Many hunters, looking for the usual abrupt arrival of vast flocks of ducks, didn I t believe the birds came through in their usual numbers this year e �-76When the main flight of ducks did 3.rrive their da.LLy behavior was puzz Li.ng , For three weeKS a.uring the middle of the season the birds were observed feeding in cornfielcis between 10:00 A.H. and 3:00 P.M. They apparently followed no dependable sechedule during the entire season. On numerous windy, snowblown days, when the hunter could usually expect the best in duck hunting, very few birds were moving. Yet on some warm, balmy days there were concentrated duck movements and good hunting success. It was noted that ducks often started moving into the river between 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. Few hunters stuck it out until then but those that did often had fair success. The factors causing such erratic behavior in these usually predictable game birds are not definitely known. Food conditions may have played a part. Climatic conditions possibly had some effect. We might do well to turn out attention to the terrific hunting pressure to which the birds are subjected along their fall migration routes. Is it feasible that duck hunting has reached sucha magnitude that this pressure is beginning to influence the behavior pattern of the birds more than natural occurrences? Are hunters actually educating the birds to the point where future harvests will be progressively reduced? Perhaps shorter seasons and later evening shooting hours will be necessary to secure a proper har-vest , Forthcoming waterfowl seasons should supply the answers. Summa!y: 10 A sixty day waterfowl season produced a kill of 1,781 mallards, 33 teal, 20 mergansers, 10 ba1dpates, 7 gadwall, 5 pintail, and one each of lesser scaup, redhead, and goldeneyeo 2. The percentage of mallards was 95.8 percent of the total kill. 3. On the main portion of the South Platte Management Area, 1,986 hunters spent 4,787 hours for a kill average of 0.936 ducks per hunter and 0.388 ducks per hour~ 40 At Sedgwick Bar, 374 ducks were killed by 352 hunters in 312 hours. This kill average was 1006 ducks per hunter and 1.20 ducks per houro Prepared by s Approved by~ Harold Swope Laurence E. Riordan Date Note~ April, 1953 Title Federal Aid Coordinator ----------~------------------ Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Departmento �-77- S tate 0 f__ llliPORT I~vESTIGATIONS PROJECTS -.:..C~ol:::.o-=-r:...a;;.;.d;;.;.o';"'----l.i..:..' _ Project No. W-37-R-6; Game Bird Surveys Work Plan No" III Title of Job: Surveys Objective: JOB CONPLETION Job No. 1 ----"--'- to determine the population To locate and map grouse populations Scope: Yuma County. Reported by: status of the Prairie Chicken. and establish trends. Harold 11. Swope Techniques: Prairie chicken concentrations were located by farmer (rancher) contacts. Ea.ch farmer contacted was asked the following questions: 10 Apprcximately on your proper~? 2. how many prairie chicken have you consistently How many acres of land do you manage (owned or leased) in this vicinity? 3. How many of these acres are cultivated, acres are in grass? 4- Have you noticed an increase during the past several years? and to what crop, and how many or a decrease in prairie chicken S.. Have you made ar.w recent changes in farming practices cultivated land, reduced stocking, or water development? 6. Have you observed any destruction predators, or by other causes? Range condition noted of prairie numbers such as reseeding chicken or their nests by and grass species present were noted whenever time permittedo Booming ground surveys were conducted to check on population estimates and to obtain,sex ratio counts. In several instances blinds were constructed and observations made from within. NOre often observations were made from a distance with the aid of field glasses. Regurgitated pellets, thought to be golden eagle, were found under numerous isolated windmill towers. Some of these were collected for future analysis. Contact was maintained with the Soil Conservation Service district office to determine trends in farm and ranch management. �-78Figure 1 shows the approximate location of the known grouse concentrations" Findings: Farmers contacted owned or leased a total of 113,980 acres of land. The agricultural utilization of t ht.sLand during the spring of 1952 was as follows: 107,035 acres Grass land Corn Alfalfa and clover Other (Cose, wheat, rye, millet, sudan) Cultivated land Total 3,790 acres 2,185 It 970 II 6,945 " 113,980 acres Through farmer contacts, and observations, 2,835 prairie chickens were located on the total acreage given above. This represents an average of one chicken to 38 acres of land. Care was taken not to duplicate counts of chicken flockso Nearly every farmer contacted agreed that the prairie chicken had made rapid gains during the past three years" Several thought numbers had doubled in the past year. Several thousand acres of cultivated land had been reseeded to grass in the past five years by the farmers contacted. Another 800 acres was scheduled for reseeding in 1952. Crested wheat and sandlove grass were most commonly used for reseeding.. Reduced cattle stocking to allow blow-outs to heal and desirable grasses to return to overgrazed range was found to be a common practice The Yuma County Soil Conservation Service apparently took a leading role in this restoration program. 0 Several persons had found dead grouse, with the cause of death unknown; Two farmers had observed hawk kills made on flying grouse. Frank Scarpella, district game warden in Yuma counts, reported finding a nesting hen being crushed to death by a bull snake~ Personal observations accounted for the feathered remains of nine cpicken but positive cause Qf deaths was unkno~n Booming ground sex ratio counts proved to be difficult due to the daily and seasonal fluctuation of 'visiting' hens. 530 chickens were observed on booming ground in April and Hay wi th a tabulated sex ra tio of 1 male to 077 females. The number of birds on the 20 booming grounds censused ranged from 8 to 73, averaging 26.5 Simultaneous use of booming ground territory by pralrle chicken and cock pheasants was observed on several occasions with no apparent conflict or intolerance. Nearly every farmer voluntarily stated that pheasants were too numerous in the area and causing crop damage. Pinnated grouse appeared to be wary of avian predators. Whenever a hawk or eagle approached the booming grounds grouse were quick to cease activities and depart. �2'" .•. ,,- ,,, , ", / I (, - I I - .••...., ". \ " , I . I \ I I 'I I ,, \ \ I \ , .•. ". "\ ,.• ' , " , •.... , " I " ". / \. " \. " "./ \ / \ I \ I I / \ { r I , / r t 1 - .. / I t , t / tJ \ / I _ •.." ( I \ ,,- \. " .•I { \ • -' / \ I I I '\ ,I I / I \ I (' { ,. I • ( / I -- .. •..,, I I -"--- / - -- " / I ').7 .I r , ., , ...•.•. ". ,I I" - •• \ I / " I I I ",. I �-79It was consistently observed that the pra~r~e chicken inhabited the bettermanaged ranges which provided a ground cover of mid-grasses and a gro~nd litter. Analysis and Recommendations: The density figure of 1 grouse to ever,y 38 acres of land is undoubtedly high for the entire range. Chicken concentrations were initially located by 'leads' from Soil Conservation Service, county agent, and Game and Fish Department personnel, and interested land-owners. This approach resulted in a survey of some of the best prairie chicken habitat with a comparatively small amount of the poorest. In addition, the flocks of chickens located were not confined to the farm acreages to which they were attributed. Actually their entire range probably traversed several ownership boundries in most instances. It was impossible to contact more than a small percent of all persons owning land inhabitated by pinnated grouse. The occur-rence of prairie chicken in eastern Colorado is not restricted to the area delineated in Figure 1. Sizable groups of these birds have been observed in Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick and Washington Counties, and are known to occur in other counties to the south and west. The Yuma County area does provide the largest, continuous expanse of adequate prairie grouse habitat in eastern Colorado. Plowing of the original grass sod has restricted the range of the pinnated grouse in eastern Colorado. Subsequent land use, especially livestock grazing practices, apparently controls the abundance of this grouse species on their remaining grassland habitat. A limited amount of cultivation, with the resultant production of small grains, probably benefits the existence of the prairie chicken. It was apparent on the study area that properly grazed range supported much larger grouse populations than did overgrazed range. The grouse appeared to increase or decrease with certain of the grass species. These climax grasses in the county include big bluestem (Andropo on furcatus , little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius), switchgrass Panicum virgatum , sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtip~ndula), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum spy, and needle and thread (Stipa comata). Prairie sandreed,grass (Calamovilfa longifolia), and Indian rice grass (O~zopsis hymenoides) may also be indicators of proper range use and/or prairie chicken abundance. Other grasses common the area include blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta), saltgrass (Distichlis stricta), blowout grass (Redfieldia ilexuosa), bead grass (unknown), squirrel tail (Sitanion sp.), stinkgrass (Erogrostis cilianensis), panic grass (Panicum sp), tickle grass (Agrostis scabra), buffalo grass (Buchloe dact~loides), ring muhly (Muhlenbergia torreyi), sandhill muhly (¥ruhlenbergia pungens , sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus), red threeawn (Aristida longiseta), and cheat.gr-aesbrome (Bromus tectorum). The listed grasses are merely a few common to .. the area and do: not constitute a complete list. ' The farm and rangeland areas of Yuma County support a larger pheasant population than does any other eastern Colorado area of comparable size. This mutual and simultaneous use of the land by pheasants and prairie chicken gives little credence to the common belief that the pheasant was responsible for the decline of the chicken. �-80Much additional study is needed to ascertain the specific ecological association of range flora and pinnated grouse. It is recommended that study be continued to determine these associations and that trend survey methods be employed to record population changes. Predation studies might also add valuable information to the investigations. Summary: 1. Farmers contacted owned or leased a total of 113,980 acres of land in the spring and swmmer of 1952. 20 A total of 2,835 prairie chickens were reported or observed on the surveyed acreageo particular 3. A density figure of 1 bird to 38 acres was obtained for the area surveyed. 4. Grouse counted on each of the 20 booming grounds surveyed ranged from 8 to 73, and averaged 26.5 birds per booming ground. 5. Sex ratio counts made on the booming grounds showed 1 male to .77 females but are not thought to be reliable. 6. The area also supports large pheasant populations. No conflict was observed stemming from simultaneous use of the land by pheasants and ,grouse. pr-ai.r-Le 7. Nearly every farmer contacted was firm in his belief that the chicken have made sizable gains during the past three years. 8. restricted crops. Grouse on booming grounds displayed a fear of avian predators. 90 Prairie chicken range in eastern Colorado has obviously been by the plowing up of their natural grassland habitat to plant grain 10. Grouse abundance within their remaJ.nJ.nghabitat is apparently determined by land management practices. There are definite indications that pinnated grouse increase or decrease proportionate to the increase or decrease of certain grass species. The dominant grass species present are largely determined by the grazing of livestock. Prepared by: Approved by: Harold M. ~:v-ope Laurence E. Riordan Date A~p_n_·l~,~1~9~53~ _ Note: Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. Title Federal Aid Coordinator �ci: v~rt.G~e. ~F.'s.~ Q VLlU i:e..rj Pn!)jYC:.-S S ~e.rIl~1- ,4Fo'\' L I9 -81- «3 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of Colorado Project No. W-37-R-6; PROJECTS Game.Bird Surveys Work Plan No.·_,;;;.IV~ __ Job No._.....:6::--_ Title of Job: Objective: Scope: Trapping and transplanting To increase the range and numbers of chukar par-t.Hdge , West-central Personnel: Quail and Chukar Partridge. Colorado Wayne W. Sandfort and Dwight E. Owens. Techniques: Short discussions of the methods used in trapping, obtaining miscel!aneous information, and holding chukar's are given below. Trapping: Several areas in Escalante Canyon, containing heavy concentrations of chukars, were selected and baited with wheat several weeks preceding trapping. These areas primarily were in secluded spots among rocks on the sloping sides of the canyon. First traps were set into operation on October 29 in areas where birds we re feeding regularly. Traps were operated continuously until December 24. Sixteen small traps and four large traps, (see Quarterly Report, April, 1952, p -.48) were used during trapping pperations. Traps were checked once a day in the afternoon. Birds were removed from the trap by hand. Obtaining miscellaneous information and recording data: Chukars were sexed by the presence or absence of spurs. Measurement of the bUI'sa of fabricius (for use in aging birds) was made with a stainless steel probe. Depth of the bursa was recorded in millimeters. A special table was constructed for holding birds during this measuring. (Figure 1) All chukars were weighed on a scale accurate to one-tenth of a gram. Weights were converted to pounds and ounces. Macroscopic examination for parasites was made, primarily under the wings and thighs, and in the cloaca. Notes were kept on injury, molt, crop contents, and miscellaneous information. An example of the form used for recording data on individual birds is shown below. �-82Bird No. 120 Year--..;....:;.-1952 ---- Sex Male (definite) Age Immature ------- Dept of Bursa (mm.) Weight (gms.) 67200 Parasites None observed Injury' Region around nostrils Holt 19.0 {I lb. 7.70 ozso) - slight None Crop Content's' 1. full --~--------------------- Captured--::---:-l_2,--/2_0..:../...::.5_2~ Trap No, _ 16 ---~~ Removedfrom trap lu35 P.M~' ---~~~~--~-~----- HiscellaneousInformation:' 'Bird banded, checked, and released in canyon on road below trap at 4~50 P.Mo Holding birds: A specda.l. pen was constructed during the f all of 1952 to hold chukars until sufficient nUmberscould ,be captured to forma release group. (Figure 2) Dimensions of the pen are as followsg six feet 'wi,de, 10 feet long, 'and five feet hl,gh.~, The inside walls are lined with burlap. A two-inch mesh cotton -netting is s t.retched near the't()p of the pen to prevent birds from flying up and hitting the top.' A removable canvas t.arp protects the chukars from rain and snoe, Birds were provided daily with wheat and water while in the holding pen. Findings: Trapping. The various findings presented in the following discussions. from the 1952 trapping season 'are Operation and Success: Trapping was carried out continuously for 56 days. Twenty traps were used a total of 812 trap days. Six of the traps operated for 149 trap-days, however, did not catch birds. j During the trapping per Lod, 127 chukars were captured. Twenty-five of these birds were banded and released in Escalante Canyon near the trap sites. Seven chukars were recaptured, three of them twice. �Figure 1 Examination table used while measuring the bursa of fabricius in chukars.. (Wing nuts on bolts permit blocks to be firmly and quickly fastened around legs of chukar. Museum specimen used for demonstration purposes.) Figure 2 Chukar holding pen �-83The greatest number of chukars captured in a trap at one time was 10, and the largest catch for one day was 14. The efficiency of the trapping operation can be determined following table. from data in the TABLE l.--EFFICIENCY OF TRAPPING OPERATION, ESCALANTE CANYON, 1952 Number of Number of Number of Birds Trapping period Trap Days Birds Captured 1/ Captured per Trap-Day November 1-15 159 26 .164 210 16-30 54 .257 December 1-15 16-24 280 163 24 23 .086 .141 ENTIRE PERIOD 812 127 .156 1/ Does not include re captures. In general the large traps were more efficient in catching birds than small traps. Fifty-three chukars were captured in the four large traps, averaging .305 of a bird per trap-day. Sixteen small traps caught 74 birds, an average of .116 of a bird per trap-day. Location of the traps, however, was partially responsible for trap efficiency. One small trap caught an average of .326 of a bird per trapday, and the best large trap caught .435 of a bird per trap-day. A.s could best be determined, no chukars escaped from the large traps after once entering the inner compartments. At least nine chukars, however, found their way out of the small traps. An average period of 9.6 days passed between the time the traps were set up and the first chukar-s were captured. Mortality and Disturbance: Three birds died during trapping operations as a direct result of being caught in the traps. No evidence was found where birds were captured by predators while feeding around traps. Death of two chukars apparently occurred from fright or some nervous condition, as described in the Quarterly Report for April$ 1952. These birds were seemingly uninjured when removed from the trap and death occurred shortly after their removal , preceded by a reaction resembling paralysis. One chukar was eaten by a red-tailed hawk, which was caught in the trap with the chukar. Disturbance by Cooper's hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, and great horned owls also was observed during trapping. A Cooper's hawk and a sharp shinned hawk were captured in a chukar trap at the same time. The hawks apparently were investigating the trap for reasons other than molesting chukars, however, as no evidence of chukar injury or mortality was found. �Short posts, with steel traps set on top, were placed near chukar traps in some of the areas of heaviest chukar concentrationo A Cooperis hawk was caught in one of these trapso Great horned owls were noted in the vicinity of chukar traps in the evenings on several occasionso Traps were checked at 7g00 FoMoon the 16th of November, following pheasant check station work, A great horned owl was on the ground by a trap containing nine chukar-s , . Several of the chukar s has injured their heads and wings moderatelY9 apparently in attempt to escape from the trap and the owl. Pinon jays created some disturbance around t.raps , Harmful effects were related principally to their eating ba't and to general nuisance in removing them from traps Sevenby-cri.ne jays were captured during tl'apping operations; 37 during the first part of Novembers 29 during the last half of November~ and 13 during the iirst 15 days in Decembez-, All but seven of the jays were captured in the large style trapso They usua ly were readily able to find their way out of the smaller t.r-apa, . 0 Disturbance from traffic in Esc ...ante Canyon adversely affected the c a tchof chukars in traps near the road. Traps in the more secluded spots caught the 'most birdso Miscellaneous Informa:tiom This Lnf'or-matd.onincludes the various ratio.9 age, weight,9 parasd tea, and physical abnor-ma.Lf.td.es , data on sex Sex Ratiog: Based' on the presence or absen e of spurs onIy , 59 hens and 68 cocks were captured,? 'giving a sex ratio of li5 cocks per 100 hens. Difficulty was encountered in sexing six birdso In four of the cases the birds were relatively young, and it was difficutl to tell' a spur was forming or if the birds were hens with a slight y raised sp r scale. In the other two cases chukars were captured which poaseasedwe.l.L eveloped spurs J but the spurs were much smaller in diameter and more pointed than the commoncock spur-, It was felt that these birds may have been hens , although they were classified as males , Weights of the two chukars also indicated that they may have been henso Agelr As determined by measurement of the bu sa f f'abr-Lcdus, 77 02 percent of the CfiUkars captured were juvenile and 2208 percent were adults. The juvenile birds included 49 cocks and 49 henso Nineteen of the mature birds were cocks and 10 were henso Measurement of the Bursa provided an accurate method for aging chukars during the 1952 season. In no case was L re question as to age of the birds. The bursa averaged lS.8mmo in depth in a L immature birds", varying from 15.5 to 24.0 mIno" The depth of the bur-sa in mature birds showed variation f'r-omn) to 805 mmO.9 averaging 103 rom. Seventee of the 29 mature birds possessed only a "bursal scar"; and eLeven possessed very shallow bursas which appeared usually as small vestigial ijpits'~o The opening of the b r-sa, which was 805 mm, in depbh, appeared to be partially cl.os ed, . .. . Data in Table 2 show the change in the depth of the bursa of fabricius immature birds by two-week periods during the trapping periodo in. �-85TABLE 2.-DEPTH OF THE BURSA OF FABRICIUS IN IN}JJATURECHUKARS OF BOTH SEXES BY 'IW"O-WEEKPERIODS, NOVEHBER AND DECEr-'.iBER, 1952 Two-week Period Average Depth of Bursa (mms) November 1-14 19.6 15-28 19.2 November November 29 thru December 12 18.1 December 13-24 17.2 Weight: Weights of chukars, captured during the 1952 trapping season, are given in Tabel 3. Weights of chukars (without crop contents) were derived by deducting an average of 1.27 ounces for the crop contents. This figure was determined from weights of crop contents obtained during the 1951 season. TABLE 3.--CHUKAR PARTRIDGE WEIGHTS~ ESCALANTE CANYON, , NOVEBBER 2 TO DECEI"lBER22, 1952 49 10 Minimum Weights Ibs.ozs. 0 13.08 1 1.97 Maximum ,Weights Lbs , ozs. 1 4.70 1 4.67 Average Weights Ibs. ozs. 1 1.56 1 2.94 Without Crop Contents Average Weights Ibs. ozs. 1 0.29 1 1.67 Immature Mature 49 1'9 1 1 1.03 2.21 18.67 1 11.06 1 1 5.37 6.18 1 1 4.10 4.91 (all ages) (all ages) 59 68 0 1 13.08 1.03 1 1 4.70 11.06 1 1 1.80 5060 1 1 0.53 4.33 127 0 13.08 1 11.06 1 3083 1 2.56 Age Number of Birds Female Female Immature Mature Male Male Female Male Sex .ALL BIRDS Parasites:- No external parasites were observed by macroscopic methods; 127 birds were examined. Physical Abnormalities: The upper mandible of one immature female chukar extended (hooked) over the end of the lower mandible for a distance of six rom. This extended portion of the upper mandible broke off, however, while the bird was in the holding pen, and except for a slight notch, where the extended portion broke off, the bill of the chukar appeared normal. �-86In one case the tenth (inner) primary on both wings of an Lmma'ture, female chukar appeared deformed and about one-half the normal length. About one inch of the ends of the shortened r'achi.seswere wavey in appearance and without webso Holding and Releasing: Chukars were held satisfactorily in the burlap-lined pen until they could be released. In one case cannibalism occurred. The bir~ subject of the attack, was immediately removed, however, and no casualty resulted. Data on the four relases made during the 19.52 trapping season are given in Tables 4, .5, 6, and 70 Information on trapping and banding in Escalante Canyon are presented in Table S. TABLE 4o--CHUKAR TRANSPLANTING, Type of Information Locali~ where birds were trapped •••.••.• DRY CREEK RELEASE, 19.52 Data Escalante Canyon, in the vicinity of Bert Shreeves ranch. Period during which birds were trapped o ••. November 2, 1952 to November 18, 19.52. Date of Release November 19jJ 19.52 Locality where birds were released, .••.•• 2.3 miles above the Rupert Seago ranch, east side 0 f the canyon. Number of birds released 30 (14 cocks and 16 hens) 0 •• • • • • 0 • 0 • '0 0 • •• 0 • 0 • 0 •• ,0 •• 0 0 • 0 0 • 0 • •• • • • • •• •• 0 TABLE .5o--CHUKAR TRANSPLANTING, Type of Information Locality where birds were trapped. HORSETHIEF 0 0 •••••• Period during' which birds ~re trapped o • CANYON RELEASE, 19.52 Data Escalante Canyon, in the vicinity of Bert Shreeves and Nelson Huffington ranches. ....November 2, 19.52 to November 30 19.52 December 1, 19.52 Horsethief Canyon, in area known as Crow Bottom, south of Macko 30 (1.5 cocks and 1.5 hens) 0 j Date of release • .. • " " • " o •••••• Locality where birds were released Number of birds released 0 o. .. . 0 ••••• 00 TABLE 6.--CHUI(AR TRANSPLANTING, Type of Information Locality where birds were trapped 0 •••• Period during which birds were trapped Dates of release o • 0 I> Number of birds released o ••••••••••••• •• • •• KANNAH CREEK RELEASES, 19.52 Data .• • •.•• Escalante Canyon in the vicinity of BertShreeves, Nelson Huffington, and Kelso Musser ranches. o •• • •• • • November 2, 19.52 to December 17, 19.52 e December 9, 19.52 (17 b;irds) December IS, 19.52 (17 birds) .. • Kannah Creek Canyon, 3/4 of a mile from its confluence with the Gunnison River, on Walter Simineo ranch. 34 (17 cocks and 17 hens) .. 00000_ Locality where birds were released • ••••• o • . 0 �-87TABLE 7,,-CHUKAR TRANSPLANTING, Type of Information Locali ty where birds were trapped " COON HOLLOI"l(DE BEQUE), HELEASE,1952 Data Escalante Carryon in the vicinity of Kelso Musser rancho Period during "Which birds were trapped December 17, 1952 to December 21, 1952 Date of release December 22, 1952 Locality where birds were released Coon Hollow, 1 mile south and li miles w es t of De Beque on the Ed Finley place¢ Number of birds released • • • • 6 ( 3 cocks and 3 hens) 0 • • • • • • • • • e 0 • •• • ~ • 0 ••• • • • • • • • •• • " " • 0 • • • • • TABLE 8,--CHUKAR TRAPPING AND BANDING, ESCALANTE CANYON, 1952 Date captured Sex Age Band Number Date Released 12/17/52 12/17 12/17 12/17 11/28 11/28 11/28 11/28 11/28 11/29 11/30 12/4 12/4 12/6 12/11 12/12 12/18 12/20 12/21 12/21 12/21 12/22 12/22 12/22 12/22 Male Male Male Male Female Hale Hale Male Female Male Female Female Female Male Male Male Male Male Female Male Male Hale Hale Female Male Immature Immature Immature Nature Immature Immature Immature Immature Immature Mature Immature Immature Immature Immature Immature Mature Mature Immature Immature Immature Immature Immature hature Immature Immature 7138 7139 7140 7141 7143 7144 7145 7146 7147 7148 7149 7150 7151 7152 7153 7154 7161 7162 7163 7164 7165 7166 7167 7168 7169 12/18/52 12/18 12/18 12/18 11/28 11/28 11/28 11/28 11/28 11/29 11/30 12/4 12/4 12/6 12/11 12/12 12/18 12/20 12/21 12/21 12/21 12/22 12/22 12/22 12/23 �-88Discussion~ Findings from the 19.52 trapping operations show that trapping in the future can be carried out efficiently and economically, providE3d similar concentrations ofchukars are present. As shown by data in Table 1, the operation of 20 traps throughout the month of November could produce a catch of at least 12.5 birds. The presence or absence o f epurs generally Ls a good method for sexing chukar-s, Dissection of b.i.rds , which can not be accuz-ate Iy sexed by spurs, may be desirable to show the sex of birds with various spur conditions. Such information would be valuable in future sexing of live birds. Data show that the bursa of fabricius is resorbed only slightly during a period extending from the first of November until the latter part of December and that the depth of this appendage is a good criterion for separating birds of the year from mature birds. Surveys show that chukars released in Horsethief Canyon and Kannah Creek last season are remaining near the point of release and breeding satisfactorily. Supplemental plants were made in these localities this season to hasten development. The Dry Creek Canyon area was surveyed during the summer of 19.52 and was found to be an apparently desirable locality for chukars. This area will be watched closely~ and if successful development occurs it will indicate that many other similar areas will be sui table for the development of chukars. Three pairs of chukars were introduced into a colony of about 2.5 chukars in the Coon Hollow area in an attempt to stimulate development. The twenty-five chukars were banded and released in Escalante Canyon to provide information in future years on movement and longevity of life. It is recommended that trapping and transplanting be continued in the future with releases being confined to the most suitable areas in the state. Summary s 1.. Twenty chukar traps were operated a total of 812 trap-days during a period extending from October 29 through December 24. 2. Three birds died during trapping operations; two apparently from fright soon after being removed from the trap~ and one from predation by a redtailed hawk. 3.. Cooper's hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, red-tailed hawks, and great horned owls were observed around or in chukar traps. 4.• A total of 127 chukar s were captured. .59 hens, giving Sixty-eight a sex ratio of 11.5 cocks per 100 hens • were cocks and .5. As indicated by the depth of the bursa of fabricius, 77.2 percent of the chukars were birds of the year and 22.8 percent were adults. Little resorption of the bursa in juvenile birds occurred during the trapping pez-Lod, 6. Exclusive of crop contents, female chukars averaged one pound and 0 •.53 ounces in weight~ and the males one pound and 4633 ounces. The average weight of all birds was one pound and 2•.56 ounces. �-897. lined No external parasites were observed 80 Chukars were successfully pen until they could be released. by macroscopic held in a specially methods. constructed, burlap- 90 Releases of birds in new localities were made as follows: (1) thirty birds (14 cocks and 16 hens) in Dry Creek Canyon southwest of Olathe, (2) thirty birds (15 cocks and 1.5 hens) in Horsethief Canyon south of Mack, (3) Thirty-four chukars (17 cocks and 17 hens) in lower Kannah Creek, and (4) six birds (three cocks and three hens) in Coon Hollow, southwest of De Beque. 10. Prepared Twenty"';five birds were banded and released in Escalante by: Approved by: Wayne W. Sandfort ~~R~ Date __ Note: ...;;AA.p.::..;rl::..:·l::.i!2~1~9.5::..::3~ _ Title Canyon. Federal Aid Coordinator --~~~~~~~~~~~~--- Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. obtain ��-91JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS Colorado state of Project Noo Work Plan W-37-R-6; Game Bird'SUrveys Job No. 3 v -""----- Title of Job: Objecti ves e Scope: PROJECTS Mourning Dove Nesting and Production Studies. To determine the nesting success and production and the factors affecting. of mourning doves Orchard areas, Mesa county. Personnel: Wayne Sandf'or t., Dwight Owens. Techniques used: This investigation was conducted in two separate phases. One phase included intensive study ina single orchard to obtain specific information on periods of nest establishment, average clutch size, peak hatching dates, location of nests, the extent of renesting, causes of nesting loss, and net production for a single cover type on a limited area. Pear orchards were known to be'used considerably for nesting by doves. Because of the probability of obtaining sufficient data for determining reproductive phe~ nomena by study in this cover type, one' pear orchard, ccmprd sdng an area of 4.53 acres and containing 518 trees, was selected for intensive study. Routine surveys in this orchard were started on May 10 and continued until September 9, 1952. All active nests were checked twice a week during this period, with individual information being kept on each nest. Intensive searches for new nests were conducted once a week, although these nests were recorded if found during other surveys" Information on individual nests was used to derive data for "nesting records. II A sample of the "Mourning Dove Nesting Record" is shown in Figure 10 In addition to routine checking of nests, 331 fledglings were banded prior to their departure from the nest. The report of banding operations is contained in the Quarterly Report October, 1952, p. 103. Checking of nests was facilitated by a small, circular mirror mounted on an eight-foot pole. (Figure 2). Reflection of the contents of the nest, in the mirror, allowed speedy and accurate observations to be made. As 100 nests or more were checked during single surveys, conducted at the peak of the nesting season, observation by other methods would have been impractical. In a small percentage of the cases, dense foliage and location of the nest made it impossible to check the nest with the mirror; a step-ladder was employed in these cases. �Date 6f hat.chtng : Number of eggs hatched Numberof eggs unhatch-e""::d------------------Reason why eggs d:ld not hat-ch "-- ~~~----~--------------- Date young left the nest Number of young leaving ·-:-t':""h-e-n-e-s-t-:---------NUmberof young not leaving nest Reason why yo~g did not leave n-e-s~t====~~~~ _ ~ If destroyed: Date of destruction Cause of destruction Numbe r of eggs destroyed:.-..-:::--,-__=--.,...,..-----Embryo age if in process of incubation Numberof young destroyed _ Approximate age of young (days) ------------------------ --~----------------- -------~(days) Ba.nding data: Date banded ..Approximate-.·-a-g-e-o-f=--y-o-u-n-g===-=-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--_days) Band Numbers -=( ------------------------------- Miscellaneous remarks8 -- Field notes on reverse side -- Figure 1.-- Mourning dove nesting record. _ �Figure 2 l'lirrorobservation aid, used during mourning dove nesting study, 1952 �---- N£ST e-srAaL1S~MENT HATCU'HQ - 70 ~ ,, \ ,, \1 ,,, ~ • .55 --• V , ,,:,V• , -\.. • 4S ~ I r! :340 ·,•• . • ~ \ ," \. I ,35 o 1\' ,,., \ I • f:i 30 \ I tb .•, •• • I • ,• 1: ~ 25 20 \ ~ ~'" ~\ \ ", \ I IS I 10 I ,, 4 o / ~' , -'S ~ ..~tJ RPlflk Figure 3.--Bi-monthly '•.. !: • \, ",\ \ , I -, "- 1-16 /'-.31 MAY trends of nest /-15 16dO O-LlHIi" I-IS IG-rJ/ JUI.Y establishment Y'No accurate informa.tion available on dates Accurate inforrrnti.on available on hatching hatchedo ~ ", ,, 1-15.-- IC-.al I-IS RUGUS'T" Sf!!Pr. and hatching, 1952Y' of establish:nent for 52 clutches. dates for all clutches successfully �-93~ Measurements of the height of the nest and the distance of the nest from the trunk of the tree were made with the pole to which the mirror was attached. The pole was calibrated in feeto The second phase of the nesting s-tudy was carried out in an attempt to obtain an indication of total production in orchards and production by orchard type. For this study, random samples were taken in principal orchard types, including apple, pear, peach, cherry, and apricot. One apple orchard and two orchards of the remaining four types were selected for study. Twenty trees in each orchard were checked periodically to obtaip an indication of total production. Records of nests were kept in a manner similar to that used in the intensi vestudy. Findings & Principal findings from the two phases of this investigation presented under appropriate headings in the following discussions. are Intensi ve Study~ Description of area& The pear orchard used for intensive study, is located two and one-half miles east of Grand Junction at an elevation of approximately 4J1600 feet. This orchard is 308 feet wide and 644 feet long, covering an area of 4 •.53 acres. It contains .518 trees" of which 418 are mature The remaining 100 trees are small, and were not suitable for nesting by doves. j 0 Two varieties of pears are grown in the orchard9 Bartlett and Keiffer9 Keiffer pear trees appeared to provide the most desirable nesting sites because of their heavier branches and denser foliage. Over half, 2.53, of the trees in the orchard are of the Keiffer variety. All but one of these trees are mature. The study area was bounded by pasture on the west, alfalfa, corn and an apple orchard on the north, an untended pear orchard and weed patch to the east, and a drainage ditch, telephone lines, and farm-land to the south. Humari disturbance in the orchard during the nesting season included periodic irrigation, mowing of grass and weeds under trees,? spraying during three periods (May 17-18, late June and early July, and August 4), thinning of fruit, -which started during late July and continued in early August, and picking of frUit, Bartlett variety, which started August 13. Possible predators observed on the study area included magpies These predators were not common. and a house cat. Breeding Population: Early migrants arrive in Mesa county during the first half of April. When the first survey of the study orchard was made on May 10, nesting was well under waY9 and a large number of breeding pairs were in the orchard. The number of doves, and the relatively dense and continuous nature of the foliage on the area made it impossible to determine the breeding population accurately by direct counts. An indication of the breeding population was obtained, however 9 by the total number of active nests at the height of the breeding periodo These totalled'about 104, indicating a minimum of 104 breeding pairs or 208 doves on the area. �-94Nesting behavior: Nesting behavior includes the various activities of nest establishment, egg laying, incubation, desertion, and hatching. These activities are discussed ih the following paragraphs. Nest establishment: Establishment of the first nest occurred about April 17. The last nest was started about August 11. As shown in Figure 3, the peak of nest establishment occurred during the first half of Mqy. When two clutches were laid in the same nest, the length of time which elapsed between establisrunent of the clutches averaged 40 days, the minimum being 26 days and the maximum 83. The majority, 61 per cent, of second clutches, however, were initiated within 29-35 days after establishment of the first clutch. In nests where three clutches were laid, an average of 30.5 days elapsed between establishment of the first and second clutches and 3l.L. days between the establishment of the second and third clutches • .IA. total of 237 nests were found on the study area. These nests contained 317 clutches. One clutch was laid in 163 (68.8%) of the nests, two clutches were laid in 68 (28.7%) of the nests, and three clutches in 6 (2.5%) of the nests. Egg layingg First eggs appeared almost immediately upon completion of the nest. Two eggs commonly were laid, the clutch being completed in two days. Accurate information, concerning'size of clutch, was obtained on 298 complete clutches. Six complete clutches (2.0%) contained one egg.;' 289 (97.0%) two eggs; and three (1.0%), three eggs. The number of eggs found on the study area in nests during the entire season totalled 624. A few eggs probably were laid and destroyed before they were found. Incubation: Incubation generally appeared to start as soon as the first egg was laid. The development of the embryo in the first eggp therefore, was about one day in advance of the embryo in the second egg of the clutch. Consequently, one young usually hatched one day prior to the other. Incubation was completed in about 14 days. Desertion: Desertion of nests occasionally occurred. Known causes of desertion included partial destruction of the nest by wind and spraying. Repeated disturbance by the observer may have caused doves to abandon their nests in several instances. Hatching~ The first instance of hatching occurred on May 10 and the last Ap,gust 27. The peak of hatching occurred during the period of May 16-31. (Figure 3). �-95A total of 433 (69.4%) of the 624 eggs laid in nests hatched successfully. The hatching success of eggs in first, second, and third clutche:s was 72.5, 59.3, and 63.6 percent, respectively. Three young were successfully hatched from eggs in one clutch. Location of nests: All of the 237 nests established on the study area were located in trees. Three of the nests were built in old robin's nests. Thirty-four nests were constructed in pear trees of the Bartlett variety. These nests were located in thirty-two, 19.3 percent, of the 166 mature trees of this variety. Two nests per tree were constructed in two trees. The remainder of the nests, 203, was found in 166 trees, 65.9 percent of the 252 mature trees, of the Keiffer variety. Two nests were found in 35 trees and three nests in one tree. !n terms of the total number of clutches laid in a tree, 105 trees contained one clutch; 72, two clutches; 16, three clutches; and 5, four clutches. Irrf.erms of nests per tree, 'mature trees of the bartlett variety contained .205 nests per tree and mature trees of the Keiffer variety, .806 nests per tree. The average height above the ground for all nests was 10' 2" and the average distance out from the center (trunk) of the tree was 4' ]It. Mortali ties: Considerable loss of eggs and juvenile birds occurred during the nesting season. Seventy-three clutches, containing 135 eggs, were completely destroyed. The exact cause of destruction was difficult to determine accurately in many of the cases. General classification of the causes of destruction, however, shows that 53 eggs, 39.3 percent of the total number destroyed, wl3re left in abandoned nests. Thirty-five of these eggs were infertile or unincubated and 18 contained dead embryos. Fourteen eggs, 10.4 percent of the total in clutches which were completely destroyed, probably we r-e blown from the nest by wind or knocked out during spraying operations, 60 eggs (44.4%) were destroyed by unknown causes, six (4.4%) were destroyed when the nest fell from the tree, and two (1.5%) were lmocked out as the dove was .forced from the nest by the observer. Fifty-three clutches were partially destroyed, at least one egg of the clutch remaining and hatching successfully. Fifty-six eggs were destroyed'in these clutches. The causes of destruction of 42 eggs, 75.0 percent of the total number lost, were undetermined, 5 eggs (8.9t~)were infertile, 4 (7.1%) were knocked from the nest as the dove was flushed, 3 (5.4%) contained dead embryos, 1 (1.8%) was knocked from the nest by the observer, and 1 (l.8t;) was abnormally small and probably infertile. A total of 379 eggs in the. remaining 191 clutches all hatched successfully. �-96From 624 eggs laid in the 317 clutches established on the study area, 433 young were hatched. A·tota1 of 351 young left the nest successfully. Of .the eighty-two young which did not leave the nest, 67, 81.7 percent of the total, were destroyed by unknown causes, 8 (9.8%) were probably destroyed by spra.ying and its effects, 3 0.7%) died in the nest, 3 0.7%) fell from the nest or were knocked out, and 1 (1.1%) was accidentally knocked from the nest by the observer. Production: The productivity of the mourning dove on the study area for the period from April 17 to September 9, 1952 is summarized in Table 1. TABLE l .• -5UMIvIARIZED RECORD OF MOURNING DOVE PRODUCTIVITY ON 4.53 ACRES OF PEAR ORCHARD FROM APRIL 17 TO SEPTEI1BER 9, l'lESACOUNTY, COLO. 1952 Total active nests ••.•••••••••••••••••••••••• Total nesting pairs y Clutches attempted ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Clutches hatched Y Eggs laid ., Oo ••••• • •• ,. •••••• Oo ~ ••••••••••••••••••••.• hatched Nestlings. raised.............................. Successful nestings 3/ ••••••••••••••••••••.•• Nestlings raised per-active nest............. Nestlings raised per nesting pair............ Eggs 0 •.•.•.•.••.••.•.• 0 •.•.••••.••.•.•.•.•.••.••.•. 237 104 317 244 624 ·433 351 201 1.48 3.38 11 Recorded from highest number of nests active atone time on the area. 2/ One hatched egg in the clutch representing a hatched clutch. A successful nest is one from which at least one young is fledged. 11 Extensive Study: Shortiy after initiation of this phase of the nesting study it was apparent that the sample, taken in each orchard type under study, was insufficient to give accurate information regarding mourning dove productivity. Tirre was not available, however, to conduct a study on larger areas. Consequently, information obtained from extensive studies are of value only in providing an indication of production and in providing suggestions for possible future studies. A summary of the findings from this study is given in the following paragraphs. Four dove nests were found in the sample of 40 pear t rees , No young were produced from these nests. 'When comparing these findings w.L th the findings from the intensive study, it is apparent that the method of sampling was inadequate. Young doves were noted in nests in pear orchards, used for extensive study, but none were found in the trees selected in the 40-tree sample. Two dove nests were located in the 40-tree sample in two peach orchards from which two young were p'roduced. Miscellaneous observations made in peach orchards indicated that young doves may be produced in about one out of every 50 mature trees. �-97Cherry orchards appeared to be the most desirable cover type for nesting doves, next to pearso Six ,young were produced from four nests containing eight eggso These nests were located in the 40-tree sample of this cover type. No nests were observed in the sample of 40 apricot trees and no dove nests were observed in other trees in these orchards" Open, upright branching, characteristic of these trees, does not provide desirably nesting sites for doveso Four young were produced from three nests in 20 apple trees. Apple orchards are scarce in the valley and production in this orchard type is relatively insignificant. Because of shortcomings in the extensive survey methods, no attempt will be made to dete rmi.ne total production by major orchard types. General observations and field data, however, indicate that dove production is greatest in pear orchards, followed by apple, cherry, peach and apricot. Discussion: Findings from this investigation show that nesting by doves in Hesa county will extend over a period of approximately 117 days. Nest establishment reaches its peak in the early part of May and the peak of hatching occurs about two weeks later, during the latter part of May~ Fi ve young, 1.4 percent of the total number of doves produced on the area, were still in the nest when the dove hunting season opened on September 1, 19520 It is felt that an indication of the trend in mourning dove production may be obtained by making two surveys each year in the orchard used for intensive study. These surveys would include determination of the number of active nests and the number of eggs and young in these nests. These surveys should be made on the same dates that surveys were conducted during the 1952 nesting studyo Comparison of results obtained during the intensive study in 1952 with those obtained in succeeding years should give an indication of the change or trend in dove production. Changes in the age and variety of the trees in the orchard would have to be considered. Recommended dates for these surveys are June 2 and July 30 In order to obtain accurate information on dove production by orchard type and total production in orchards of Mesa county, it appears that study in a sample of several hundred trees of each type would be necessary. Surveys would have to be made at least bi-weekly. Conversion of findings to indicate total production could be accomplished only when the percentages of trees of the various age classes were known. These percentages would have to be obtained by personal interviewo Total numbers of trees of all ages could be obtained from agricultural census figures. In view of the problems involved in conductin'g an accurate extensive survey in all orchard types, it appears that full time would ha.ve to be devoted to the study, thus making it unfeasible under this project. �-98Summary: Intensive study. 1. The mourning dove nesting study was conducted in a pear orchard containing 518. trees and covering an area of 4.53 acres Only 418 of the trees were mature and suitable for nesting by doves. 0 2. As indicated by the maximum number of active nests on the area at one time, the breeding population consisted of a minimum of 104 pairs of doves. 3. A total of 237 nests was found on the area. 317 clutches. These nests oontained 4. The peak of nest establishment was reached in the first part of May. The first nest was established about April 17 and the last about August 11. 5. Renesting attempts and second clutches usually were started within 29-35 days following establishment 6. Six-hundred and twenty-four of the preceding clutch. eggs were laid during the nesting season. 7. Two eggs were laid in 97.0 percent of the clutches. 8. Incubation was completed in 14 days. about a day prior to the other. One nestling usually hatched 9. The peak of hatching occurred during the period of May 16-31. clutch hatched May 10 and the last August 27. 10. A total of 433 eggs hatched successfully. one clutch. The first Three young were hatched from 11. All nests were built in trees. Pear trees of the Keiffer variety appeared to be preferred for nestingo Trees of this variety contained .806 nests per mature tree. Trees of the Bartlett variety contained .205 nests per mature tree. 12. The average height of all nest was 10 feet and two inches. 13. Egg losses totalled 191. The following causes of loss were determined: left in abandoned nests, 27.7%; blown from tree by wind or spray (probably), 7.3%; nest fell from tree, 3.1%; knocked from nest by dove, 3.1%; infertile, 2.6%; dead embryo, 1.6%; knocked out of nest by observer, 0.6%; abnormally small egg, 0.6%; and cause of loss undetermined, 53.4%. 14. Four-hundred and thirty-three young hatched from 624 eggs. A total of 35i young left the nest successfully. Causes of juvenile loss included: spraying and its effects (probably), 908%; died in the nest, 3.7%; fell or was knocked from nest, 3.7%; accidentally knocked from nest by observer, 1.1%; and undetermined, 81.7%. 15. An average of 1048 nestling was produced per active nest and an average of 3.38 nestlings per nesting pair. �-99Extensive study: 10 Random samples, composed of two tirJenty-tree samples, were selected in pear, peach, cherry, and apricot orchards for study to determine the productivity of doves by orchard type and for orchard areas in general. One sample of 20 trees was selected in one apple orchard. 2. Results show that sampling was inadequate regarding total production. to obtain accurate information 3. General conclusions indicate that pear orchards provide the most productive sites for doves, followed by apple, cherry, peach and apricot orchards. Data and Reports2 Original data is on file in the writer1s Prepared by: Wayne W .•Sandfort Date Note: ~A~p~r~i=lL2~1~9~5~3~ _ field records. Approved by~ ~#eL~ taeneeE.RiOr Title an Federal lid Coordinator Persons wishing to quote from this abstract should first obtain permission from the Colorado Game and Fish Department. � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/c790bf8bf4f799055d43bfe0c7b71755.pdf b698a2bfbea3b4a2a060a23ee605e022 PDF Text Text -1- REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado State of No. W-39-R-6 WildTurkeyInvestigations Plan No. I ------ Job No. Project Work JOB COMPLETION Ti tIe of J 0b__ 1 b ...;W.;..:i:::l::...:d=--Tu-=r.=:k~eYI!..-S::...:u:.;;r:..v...;i::...:v:....:.al=_ Objectives: To make counts in planted population status. and original areas to determine Techniques Used~ Field checking to determine population status data consisting of visual observations of birds where possible! observation of field sign including tracks, droppings, roosts, etc. and contacting of interested landowners and other cooperating personneL The assistance received from Departmental field men, ranchers, and Federal employees is of great advantage. Findings: Western Slope. Most of the areas of the Western Slope had a preliminary check and show satisfactory survival. Weather and road conditions at the time the checks were made in the Uncompahgre area were extremely dif fi cu.l, t and' much 0 f the back area rema ins to be checked. In all of these checks with one exception, the spring popula.tion showed up better than the fall checks indicated. 'I'he re are two things that may have contributed to this unnoticed buildup_ First, there wa.s a heavy production of desirable food in 1952 over most of the range. Second, very mild wintering conditions did not crowd the birds down in the fall and early winter where they could be observed. Most of the early checks were made on foot which is a slow process .• Often the only indication of turkeys in an area is a few droppings~ tracks, or freshly dropped feathers. However, ranchers, forest rangers, and game wardens have helped greatly in giving information about where the turkeys were ranging. Whenever possible, these reports have been checked and cross checked. For example, a rancher in the Ynddle Fork of the Mancos River reported that he had heard gobbling somewhere in the canyon. With a turkey call that afternoon .seven strut grounds were located in about two hours. Two of these areas were visited and turkeys were observed in each. . �-2South of Pagosa Springs: The Navajo river drainages show a population of about sixty birds in three main flocks which is a definite increase over the past two years. It should be understood that these are only observed or reported flocks. Conifer Hill had flocks comprising some thirty-five birds while in the Big Blanco river area checks are incomplete. Little Blanco showed an increase, double the population reported in 1952. This is the first year that this area has shown an increase since 1948. At ¥lill Creek three flocks in this area showed an increase over 1952. There are several more small flocks on which no count could be made. In the South Pagosa area an uncounted flock was present and another flock at Eight-mile hill. For the first time in years, a flock (of 17) was found at Four-mile hill. North and east of Pagosa Sp'rings; West Fork of the San Juan: This area was checked in ~~y when tracks were noted and the large droppings indicating nesting hens were also found. Seventeen birds including three '.large toms were reported in }1ay, while the Born I s lake caretaker has not seen my birds. East Fork area: This area was still snowbound at the time the checks were made. Turkey Creek: A small flock of eight or ten turkeys wintered here. This is a small increase over a year ago. Snowball-Fourmile area: Two good flocks of turkeys ranged in this area. One of around thirty-five birds and the other in two groups comprising more than fifty birds. This is a large increase for the area. Pagosa Springs: Six or seven turkeys ranged down to the city limits during the winter. Upper Piedra: Near the McDonald ranch some twenty-five turkeys ranged at intervals. Late in May tracks and dropping sign were reported well up on the middle fork of the Piedra. Roads were impassable on Weminuche creek ar-ea at the time of the check. Upper Piedra cutoff: A flock of turkeys reported to be 35 in number wintered about four miles north of Highway 160. Seven large toms were observed here in Novembero Turkey Ranch area: Only thirty-four birds came into the turkey ranch to stay last falL Grain left standing for the birds to harvest was only partly taken. There were numerous reports of birds southeast of the ranch and north of Highway 160. There were also reports of birds in the Washington Flat area south of Highway 160 and east of Stallstimer Creek. In February a large flock of birds was reported crossing the highw9V one half mile west of Chimney Rock post office from the Chimney Rock area. Reporters estimated the flocks at around 200 but this could not be verified. Evidently the birds were working back up on ,Hule Mountain. Several good flocks were reported in the Mule MOuntain area in hunting season last falL These flocks varied from around ten or twelve to fifty. In hunting season two good flocks were ranging about five miles up Devil Creek from the ranch though a trip on snowshoes into the area in December failed to locate the wintering groundso The middle Piedra from Highway 160 has not yet been checked. �-3Notch Area: A few turkeys were fed north of the Ponderosa Products Mill during the winter. Good flocks were observed and reported north of this area during the late summer and f'al.L, Evidently these birds did not come down for the winter. Archuleta Canyon: This area, five miles south of Highway 160 and west of bhe Piedra river is prime turkey range. A fisherman reported twenty-two turkeys nea.r the mouth of the canyon in ApriL Yellow Jacket Divide: No turkeys camet:in on the east side of the divide during the winter. A report of some forty birds in late April was made in the Beaver Creek and Baldy Mountain section. They were feeding on a small patch of alfalfa. About the same number were reported wintering on an oat straw stack north of here in January. Bluebird Mine Area: More than forty birds wintered here and south. They moved north in late Mar-ch , A report of over fifty birds in the area in late May could not be substantiated. It is not normal for large flocks to range together this late unless they are all toms. Checks in the area did not yield enough sign to prove the presence of this number of birds 0 Pine River Area: Five flocks wintered along Big Bear Creek comprlslng some seventy-five birds. Checks on Little Bear creek had to be abandoned because of high winds. A. rancher reported around twenty-five. An earlier check had indicated more. Sixteen were reported above Vallecito Dam by a fisherman in early June. There are also birds near Red Creek .• Florida River: The populat:i!onis down in this district. There are very few birds reported. None were observed on three trips into the area. Animas River: Two trips were taken into the area south of Durango known as Sawmi.Ll, Canyon, Indian Greek and Ridges Bas.i,n, These trips did not yield information. However, two reports of turkeys have been made since. One of these was a hen -with pou.Lt.s , Evidently there are some birds still left in the area. There is a lot of primitive pasture area in this district that could support a considerable flock of turkeys. North of Durango: The only district yielding sign was Junction creek. This· flock does not show much development. A heavy population of bobcats in the area may be part of the reason for slow development. Thompson Park - LaPlata River Area: In late winter a flock of around forty turkeys was reported ranging in the Fort Lewis College pasture north and east of the college buildingso Checks in the area this spring have not shown any turkey activity. In the Thompson Park area the turkey population is definitely down. Some residents think the turkeys are all gone. Three separate reports from Mancos residents who had not talked together confirmed seeing a flock of around forty birds north of the McCabe ranch. On our last trip through the area a rancher reported a kill �-4in his upper fields. Investigation showed the turkey had been killed by a winged predator within the two week period just preceeding the find. The bird was a hen and may have '!Deennesting in the area. In traps set by the author, eight bobcats were caught by ranchers in this area during the winter. Mancos Area: Turkey flocks have built up materially in this district since a year ago.. Nearly sixty wintered in the Muddy Creek district north of Mancos. A flock of more th ai fifty were reported at Millwood ( an old siding northeast of Mal cos ) near Lost Canyon. There were good flocks in Chicken Creek in late fall and early spring. A flock of forty-six ranged within two miles of the city limits for about two weeks. They were roosting near the air port and fed around a spot where grass continued to grow throughout the mild winter. There were other flocks reported but these could not be verified. Hay Camp Mesa - Lost Canyom In late October more than one hundred birds were reported in the head of Lost Canyon but was not checked. Spring checks in this district show signs of turkeys at rather high altitudes. Dolores River Areag This area had one of the best developments in the state in former years. Now, however, the Dolores River area northwest of the town of Dolores seems to have blanked out. Investigations hc;ve yielded little information. There are some turkeys on Granath Mesa and a few in the Turkey Flat area near Horse Camp Spring. The Uncompahgre Areag Ea.rly checks in the Clay Creek-Sandborn Park area show good popUlations.. Flocks of from six or eight to around fortyfive birds are reported in several places. An early check in May showed sign nearly everywhere.. A hen, evidently setting was observed. Close checking showed plenty of fresh sign but failed to locate a nest or more turkeys. In the Cow Creek section the turkey numbers seem to be down. Scattering seems to be the main reason as birds are reported in many places. The Glenwood Springs Areag This plant has shown signs of vigorous development. Spring checks indicate more than one hundred birds in the area. The best development is in Canyon Creek. Twelve birds were reported about two miles up South Canyon Creek in April. This is south of the Colorado River. After planting five new turkeys in the main Elk Creek section in February where only two turkeys were known to be ranging, the flock picked up to twelve, counted on Easter morning. Beyond these actual observations and reports there is an encouraging feature. Foods were so abundant and wintering conditions so mild that it is quite likely that many flocks wintered in back areas where observations could not be made. �-5Findings: Eastern Slope. Observations on wild turkey flocks during the past winter and early spring showed most turkeys over-wintered on the Eastern Slope in good shape with few losses from disease, accidents, or predators noted to date. Thus far one sick turkey has been observed and nine remains have been observed or reported which may have been predator Kills. The snowfall during the past winter was not excessive in most turkey areas. Survival checks have been completed to date in the Cottonwood CreekCarrizo Creek transplant area in Las Animas and Baca Counties, in most of the Huerfano County turkey areas, in Fremont County from Bear Creek (Salida) to Oak Creek (Cotopaxi), and in the Currant Creek-Tallahassee Creek transplant area, and in the Silver Creek and Poncha Creek areas of Chaffee County. Survival checks in the other turkey areas on the Eastern Slope have been begun but will not be completed until the end of the summer period. Cottonwood Creek - Carrizo Creek Area: (Las Animas and Baca Counties). This area which was planted with ten wild turkeys during the winter of 1951-52 had increased to only sixteen turkeys by the past winter. The rems.ins of two mature hens killed on their nests during May 1953 were observed. It appears that a 'predator control program aimed t-oward the thinning of raccoon, bobcat, and grey fox populations is needed in this area. Huerfano County: Survival checks have been completed in all areas except Bear Creek, North Wahatoya Creek, and the Custer Creek,-Williams Creek transplant area. Winter counts and reports show the population has increased over the previous winter. Four turkeys have moved back into the Pass Creek area. F~emont countr Field .checks have been made from Bear Creek (Salida) to Oak Creek Cotopaxi) along the drainages flowing into the Arkansas River. The population figures secured shew a decrease in population of approximately one-seventh in this area. A heavy predator problem exists in the area although few remains of killed turkeys have been observed or reported. A poaching pressure has been building in this area for the past several years an:l may be the major controlling factor. In the Currant Creek~Tallahassee Creek transplant area a population of.forty birds has been recorded for the past winter. This compares with an estimated population of forty-six during the previous winter. Here again a heavy predator problem eXists. The poaching pressure along with logging operation disturbances in the area are probably the main reasons for the downward trend in turkey populations. 'Teller County: A report of a small flock of turkeys now ranging about three miles southeast of Skaguay Reservoir on East Beaver Creek drainage has been received from Mr. Grant Rogers of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. He stated three turkeys were seen and more heard in this area. The source from where these birds drifted in is not known. �-6"" Chaffee County: Approximately fourteen turkeys w~re ~oun~rang;ing on Silver and Poncha Creek areas during the spring. Two turkeys on ,Silver Creek were found 'ranging in the Lodgepole zone andapparently,feeding on kinnikinnick berries on May 7, 1953. Trapper Bobl'fiinksaw tracks of a flock of around 12 head, on Poncha 9reekabout this same time. No sign o:t" the turkeys planted in the Ute trail area north ,of Salida has been found during the past two years. An occasional lone turkey is seen by residents of the area but it is thought that most of these birds moved outo Summa£Y - Western Slopeg Food conditions on the western slope were very good in the fall of 1952. Bird numbers though down from the heavy storms of 1951-52 showed strong recovery during the summer of 1952. Spring checks are even more encouraging than they were in the falL A few areas show down trends but for the most part they are highly encouraging. The Glenwood Springs checks this spring indicate a popUlation of more than one hundred turkeys in the area. Summary - Eastern Slopeg A heavy predator popul atd.on of raccoons,bobcatsp and grey foxes are thought to be holding the turkeys in the Cottonwood Creek-Carrizo Creek transplant area from increasing. The turkey populations in those areas in Huerfano County which have been checked thus far show an increase over that of a year ago. A reduction in turkey populations in the Fremont County areas from Bear Creek to Oak Creek has been found. A reduction in populations in the Currant Creek-Tallahassee Creek transplant area from that of a year ago has also been found. Heavy predator popul at.Lons alon'g with poaching pressure and disturbance of logging operations are thought to be controlling factors in these areas. A report of a small flock of turkeys being seen in a new area near Skaguay Reservoir in Teller County Gas been received. Approximately fourteen turkeys were found to be ranging in the Silver Creek-Poncha Creek areas of Cha.ffee County this spring. Prepared by Martin L. Burget ----------------~--Donald M. Hoffman Date J_u_ly~,_1~9~5~3 _ Approved by Laurence E. Riordan Federal AldCoordinator �-7JOB COl1PLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS' COlorado --------------~----- __~ Project No. ____~ W-39-R-6 Work Plan No. ~~ -L Investigations ~~ __~ Wild Turkey 2 b Job No. I' ------------------------------- Title of Job: Location of Wild Turkey Transplanting Sites Objectives: To locate areas suitable for transplanting turkeys as a means of developing a wider range of distribution and increasing the flocks to maximum carrying capacity. Techniques Used: Field checks to locate suitable areas for transplanting turkeys and by tabulation of such factors as roosting and nesting sites, protective cover, water, and quality and quantity of food. Findings: Western Slope. The season is so late and food values so uncertain up to this date that no checks for transplanting sites have yet been made on the Western Slope proposed areas. Checks to be made in August and September will be much better. Findings: Eastern Slope. Several areas on the Eastern Slope remain to be checked as transplant areas. The late summer period when food values can be determined is the best time to check possible transplanting sites. No areas have, therefore, been checked during the present period on the Eastern Slope. Prepared by Mart:Ln L: Burget Donald M. Hoffman Date ., ~!T~1JuJ?¥~,~J~95~3~----- Coordinator ��-9- Sta te of __ Project JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS C.;:..o.;:..l=.o.;:..r=-a=-d.;:..o=_ No.~W~-~3~9~-~R=--~6~ ~W~i~1~d=__T~u~r~k~ey~I~n.;:..v=_e=_s=_t~i~g~a~t=-i.;:..on~s.;:.. Work Plan No._' --=1=-Title of Job Wild Job No. __ Turkey Population dent, and Predator Objectives: velopment. To determine ..,;:2:-..;,;;b _ Limiting Studies - Disease, Acci- Factors the controlling factors of wild turkey de- Techniques Used: A careful check is made for predator sign in occupied turkey range. This includes identification of tracks and examination of scats to identify the remains of turkeys. when dead turkeys are found a careful examination of the carcass is made to determine if possible, the cause of death. Coupled with this, inquiries are made of ranchers, game wardens, trappers and forest rangers concerning their observations in the field. When disease factors are found the remains are sent to the Colorado A & M College Pathological department for help in determining uncertain conditions. Findings: Western Slope. It is evident that disease factors in the development of Wild Turkey flocks could become a serious threat. For this reason it has been the practice to control as much as possible, the introduction of any unhealthy stock into the field. Since there has been a sharp decline in the flocks in the Dolores river area, repeated efforts have been made to determine the cause. More than two hundred birds were in the canyon as late as March; 1951. In the fall of 1951 only a few small scattered flocks came in. As the heavy winter of 1951-52 advanced the turkeys ohou.Ld have been driven into the canyon for shelter and there should have been older birds tha,t knew of the feeding places to lead the younger birds in. However the flocks did not build up. It is believed that if birds remained on Glade Mesa in heavy wintering conditions, it would be practically impossible for them to survive. Close checks in the canyon and on the mesa since this' time have failed to reveal carcass remains or other clues to show what happened. A rancher in the area, a Mr. Neilson claims he purchased turkeys (pen raised wild stock) from a New Mexico Bird Farm for release in the area. Where this bird farm is located or who owned it remains pretty much of a mystery. So far, this seems to offer the only clue to the problem. If these birds were carriers of black-head, the flocks could be decimated in a few weeks. It still seems hardly feasible that such a condition �-10could exist, without some sick birds being found or the remains of dead birds being picked up somewhere in the area. Only once in the history of the Colorado wild turkey program did a similar condition arise. This was in the Yellowjacket divide area in Archuleta county. It took two years to dig out the facts there. Then they came purely by accident. A ranch woman dressing two turkeys for some Denver hunters reported that the turkeys had quantities of small gray worms in the cecal section of the bowel. Normally disease has not been important in the Colorado wild turkey development program. No sick birds have been reported to the author duri~g the present checking period. 4ccidentst No accidental kills have been reported during the present checking period. Bobcatst During the present year a more intensive program of using steel traps has yielded a considerable number of these bird eaters. The stealth of these cats make their efforts more effective on turkeys than any of the other four footed predators. Lion:' There have been more reports of lion on the western slope areas during the present year than any year since the turkey program was started. There 'were reports of lion being seen on the Navajo River; the Snowball ar-ea north of Pagosa Springs; four reports and observations came from the Turkey Ranch. Another lion was reported in the r1iddle Piedra. One fought a stallion in a pasture five miles east of Bayfield. Tracks were observed several times north of this pasture during the early winter. A repor-t of a lion came from the Hermosa (section north of Durango and another from the Sawmill canyon area. Thompson Park reported three; I"lancosreported two and the Dolores River one. Lobo wolves were reported in the Pine River area north of Bayfield. Foxes: Gray foxes are 'showing up almostever,ywhere. They have increased heavily in the past three years. Some of 'their scats have been checked ,..showing turkey quills and bone fragment. Skunks: Skunks are increasing at an alarming rate. effective in. turkey nesting areas. Only three predator pres.ent period. These predators are kills have been observed or reported during the Kiil No.1. A bobcat killed a turkey in the corral of l1r. Ray Macht north of Pagosa Springs in February', After the bird was killed it was carried about two hundred yards and abandoned. The only marks on the carcass were in the small of the baJJk where the cat had bitten the turkey. There were no bones broken. This was a first year hen and was qui te thin •. There was no food in the crop, so it was evidently pf.cked up early in the morning just after leaving the roost. It weighed five �-llpounds and five ounces. Post mortem examination did not show any s~gns o~ disease. It has been noted that timid birds frequently do not get their share of food. Evidently this was the case here. Birds trapped in this area later were .Ln fine physical shape. A steel trap was set in here. On the first night a bobcat weighing twentyeight pounds was taken. Two days later an eight and one half pound kitten was also caught. Then, on successive days seven skunks were caught. Kill No.2. In early :tvIarch a turkey hen was picked up in the Chicken Creek area northeast of Nancos. The kill was not more than three days old. It was made by a bobcat. The story was clearly told in the snow. The flock of some thirty birds had fed into the area. 'The cat was hidden in a large low growing pinyon ~ree. It waited till the flock fed past, then leaped on one of the "last birds to pass. The struggle lasted for about sixty feet. Feathers were strewn all along this trail. Four times in this distance the turkey had been down but managed to get away briefly. The carcass had been scratched along the back and finally bitten in the small of the back. The right thigh bone was broken about an inch from the hip joint. Evidently this cat was not hungry as not a single ounce of the flesh had been eaten. This hen in very good physical condition weighed 12 pounds and four ounces. It was two years old. The crop was full. No supplemental feeding had been done here so this crop should give a good idea of how the birds were feeding in this area. Traps were set in this area also and a rancher picked up three cats, In mid-Maya. turkey kill was reported in Thompson Park. Evidently this turkey, a mature hen, was killed by a great horned awl. No bones were brokm. All the meat had been stripped from the bones and only part of the bones had been separated. Findings: Eastern Slope. The population below under the separate headings. limiting factors are discussed Disease: One sick turkey hen was observed in a flock of twenty-six on February 14, 1953 on the Stevens Ranch in the Cucharas River area. This bird appeared very droopy and did not attempt to eat. Two days were later spent in the area trying to locate this sick turkey wi thout success. One juvenile turkey was accidently caught in a steel trap in a bobcat set on the Hudson Brothers Ranch by a Federal trapper. This bird was thought to have been diseased becaused of its poor condition when found by ranch foreman Laddy Waller and secured by Warden C.H. Scott. The turkey was caught about November 15, 1952 and the number of days it was in the trap is not known. It was alive when found but weighed only four pounds according to Warden Scott. This turkey was taken to the Colorado A & M College for a post-mortem. The report was as follows: "Dr. Miller posted the bird and could not find anything that would indicate disease of an infectious nature. The intestinal tract and stomach were entirely devoid of food, and the emaciated condition indicated that the bira had probably starved to death." �-12Accidents g Two instances of wild turkeys being crippled by firearms have been reported. 1'1r. L.C. DeWitt states he saw one of the light colored hens,which normally ranges on his ranch along North Creek in the Beulah area, with one leg shot off during deer season last fall. This area was not open to turkey hunting last fall. Mr. Reitzus on North Trujillo Creek in the Spanish Peaks area stated two turkeys were crippled without the hunters finding them during the past turkey season in the area •. Predati"om Predation of wiIdturkeys in the Eastern Slope, areas during the past winter appears at this time to have,been rather small. .PI.. mild open winter in most turkey areas may have been an aid in this .:respect. The population of bobcat-s and skunks has remained high over the turkey areas. Raccoons and grey foxes are numerous in the mesa and river bottom areas east of U.S. Highway 85-87. Coyotes have been kept under control in mosta.reas and are not thought to be bothering much. The following cases of wild turkeys which are probable have been observed or reported during the winter-spring predator period: kill The remains of a turkey was found along the top of the mesa east of Sugari te Canyon by Warden C.M. Scott and technician Hoffman. These remains including only a few bones and feathers were very old so the cause of death could not be determined. It appee red that predators had eaten upon the carcass. Four carcasses were reported found in the 'westCreek area last. winter by Jimerson while trapping bobcats. He stated he thought these were killed by bobcats. A carcass of a juveniJ.e hen was brought in by r-ancher Sporleder's dog in Mavricio Canyon, He thought the turkey had been killed by a bobcat. Two turkey carcasses were reportedly found in the Middle Carrizo Creek (upper) south of Kim by rancher Tony M:aeso Bobcats, coyotes, and. grey foxes are found in this area and may have been the cause of death. One old mature tom found along the Cucharas River by Warden J. Frank Cordova on May 20, 1953 is thought to have .beena predator kill since part of the. breast. had been eaten. The specific predator could not be determined•• Nest Predationg One nest which reportedly contained ten eggs was found by rancher Dick Kerr in the Cottonwood Creek-Carrizo Creek transplant area southeast of Kim on May 10, 1953. This nest was placed about ten feet from running water at the rocky point of a, ridge' near a clump of wild grape, skunkberry, .and hackberry thicke to The mature hen was ki.Ll.ed on the nest by a predator but the eggs were left undisturbed for several days. '. The eggs were all found broken and the shells were scattered around the, si teon Nay 26. Fresh raccoon tracks seen near the nest shortly after the hen was killed along with the nearness to water would indicate. the raccoon was to bl.ane , although bobca~s and grey foxes also range in the area. Magpies·may have eaten the eggs after the hen was killed •• �-13- A second nest which had been broken-up by a predator and the mature hen killed was found in the same area on Nay 26, 1953 by the wri t.e r-, The number of eggs could not be determined because the predation had occurred some time beforeo This nesting hen had selected a pocket in the dirt bank about twenty-five feet from running water for its nesting site.. All the eggs were broken and feathers of the hen were scattered over a wide area. The predator had carried the hen across the creek and eaten upon it on the north bank. Fresh raccoon tracks indicated the probable predatoro Analysis and Recommendations: While it is not completely known how effective skunks are in limiting our bird population, it would still seem proper that some investigations should be made and controlling measures taken. If field investigations give a fair picture of predator relationship, predators are not too important in wild turkey deve'l.opnent., One thing should be kept in mind. The present year has been very favorableo Under adverse conditions the predator problem picks up at an alarming rate. • As a recommendation it might be a good idea to have a Federal Aid Trapper to assist the regular trapping force in cOQtrolling the cat populationo Low fur prices and the high cost of food and clothing have largely stopped the trapping by farm boys; of any of the more active predators. Then, there is an idea that the federal trappers are taking over complete control of these animals. Since there has been a breakdown of turkey flocks in the Dolores River flocks, it would be well to spend a little more time in gathering data into the causes and effects of this rather sudden slump. Summaryl Decimating factors do not seem to be too important in this yea?s turkey activity. Diseases can be a serious threat in turkey developmento There is a possible example in the disappearance of the birds in the Dolores Canyon area. Among the important predators there is a heavy buildup of bobcats and skunkso Foxes are also on the increase in the Western Slope turkey range. Three turkeys have been reported killed on the western slope. 1lll three were hens. Two were killed b.y bobcats and not eaten, a, third was killed by a winged predator. Losses through predation, disease, and accidents do not appear to have been excessive during the past winter and early spring periods on the Eastern Slopeo One sick turkey hen was observed during the winter on the Cucharas River area. One turkey was caught in a steel trap in a bobcat set by a federal trapper, and three turkeys were reportedly crippled from firearms. Two of these were hunting season casualties. The population of bobcats and skunks remains rather high throughout the wild turkey ranges on the East ern SLope , Raccoons and grey foxes are common east of U.S. Highway 85-87. A total of nine turkey rema.ins have been observed or reported. These are thought to have been the result of predator activitychiefly bobcat kills during the past winter - spring period. �-14Two instances where mature hens were killed on their nests were observed in the Cottonwood Creek-Carrizo Creek area southeast of Kim. In both cases raccoons appear to be to blame although bobcats and grey foxes are also found in the area. In one case, the predator killing the hen did not bother the eggs immediately, while in the second case it could not be determined if the predator killing the hen had also broken the eggs. Prepared by Martin 1. Burget Donald M. Hoffman Date J~u~1~y~,~19~5~3~ Federal Aid Coordinator _ �-15- State 0f JOBCO¥~LETION REPORT IWVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS C.:;..o:..;l=.o.::..r.::..a.::..d=.o.::.._ Wild Turke,v Investigations Project No. W-39-R-6 Work Plan No. I Job No. 4 b ----~-----------~~------------- Title of Job Wild Turkey Brood Counts Objectives: To locate and count the number of young turkeys. Techniques Used: In gathering brood data every possible source of information is checked. Visual observations are the most desirable source. However, a close tabulation is kept of all brood reports. Then, where the number of poults has been observed, this is recorded also. Brood counts can be made until the birds are four or five months of age. Under binocular observation they may be separated even later than this. Findings: Western Slope. Only one brood has been reported on the Western slope up to June 15th. This brood was observed by a Mr. Brown in the Porter section some five miles southwest of Durango. Mr. Brown and a sheep herder saw the hen and heard the poults but did not see the young birds.' They thought it best not to disturb the hen. This is the first time turkeys have been reported in this immediate area. The first week in April, Warden Ivlangusof Norwood and Technician Burget were checking in the Sandborn-Clay Creek area. A hen crossed the back country road just ahead of the car. Her tail was fanned out sidewise and she ran in a zig zag manner. This is normal behavior for hens with broods or nesting hens endeavoring to lead an intruder away. The area was closely searched for more than two hours. Large fresh droppings that were still moist were found. Other type fresh droppings were also found indicating other turkeys in the area. No ne st was loca ted and no other turkeys were observed •. From observations this year, :it:wruld seem that nesting and hatching are both quite late. This may account for the low brood observations up to this time.' Findings: Eastern Slope. No turkey broods have as yet been observed or reported on the Eastern Slope. The following data regarding pre-nesting season and nesting season activity from the Eastern Slope area has been abstracted from notes made in the field by the writer. Pre-Nesting Season Activity: During the early part of April, 1953 observations indicated the wintering flocks had begun dispersing. At this time groups of two to eight hens were seen wi th lone toms. The time of spring dispersal of wintering flocks came this year near the time when Pasque flowers begcn blooming over the turkey areas. Portions �-16of two day ( April 2 and 3, 1953) were spent in Smith Canyon on the north side of Hesa de Mayo observing pre-nest,ing season be havior. A flock of five mature toms, and approximately twenty-five ot.ne r turkeys (including mature hens, young hens, and young toms) had ranged in this area during the winter. April 2, 1953, I arrived at old trapping site at 12:30 P.M. and fed a little grain to hold birds in vicinity so observations could be made. Pi flock consisting of two mature toms, twelve hens, and two juvenile toms came to feed at, 1:00 P.M. The flock came in with a great deal of gobbling and calling back and forth. The older toms had acquired their colorful iridescent nuptial plumage' through wear of the feathers. The flock fed for about one hour, during which times none of the toms struttedo All of the birds in this' flock appeared much more alert and nervous thanduring the winter period. The two mature toms appeared tolerant toward one another and toward the hens but whenever one of the juvenile toms would come near, these old toms would chase the young birds off The two mature toms fed for short periods and would then raise their beaks to a high, angle and go into partial strut. ' 0 At 2:00 P.M., another flock consisting chiefly of second year and juvenile toms came to feed. Immediately much activity took place wi th the, two mature toms going into a full strut and much fighting and chasing of the other toms occurred along with a great deal of gobbling and calling. At this time, one of the mature toms appeared to be dominant and would start to strut much more ,than,the other. On several occasions, a couple of second year toms f'ought , This fighting was quite fierce wi th the birds often jumping into the air (sometimes jumping four feet off the ground) and beating one another with their wings. ,The noise of beating wings could be heard for some distance. During these periods of fighting the hens and remaining toms would stand around and watch with much gobbling and calling. ,The use of spurs by the fighting toms could not be determined. During this fighting period, little or no feeding was done by the other turkeys. When a younger tom would come near the mature toms, the dominant male would chase it away and the other tom would follow the first. Eventually the fighting quieted somewhat and the whole flock drifted toward a clearing to the east. The two mature toms appeared to lead the flock at this time. The mature tom that appeared to be the dominan tone began strutting in the clearing and seven hens stayed nearby • The second mature tom ranged nearby but rarely strutted. The remainder of the turkeys drifted into the brush. During this period, much gobbling of the toms and calling of the hens occurred. ' 1\ tom was heard to gobble off to the north some distance away. No matings were. seen to occur at this time. The writer left the area at 4:00 P.M. �-17.April 3,1953, I arrived at old trapping site at 6:45 A.M. and putout a little more grain to hold the turkeys nearby for observations. Atthe time of arrival, three mature toms, three juvenile toms, and approximately thirteen hens were ranging near the feed ground and one mature t.omwas seen strutting. The flock came to feed and fed for about one hour wi th little breeding season activity noted. When the flock finished feeding, they remained in the immediate vicinity resting preening, and loafing. There was very little fighting between toms, and no strutting during this peri cd. The group .of hens, young toms, and one mature tom rested while two of the mature toms moved in wide circles feeding, returning to the other turkeys at intervals. At 1:00 P.M. the two mature toms which were the more active of the three old toms present began strutting and calling back and forth and the entire flock moved to the south about 100 feet. Here the two mature toms established their strut grounds and strutted until 2:00P.M ••with groups of hens resting nearby. The third mature tom which appeared to take no interest in these activities, drifted off Lnto the brush. The strutting was quite vigorous. Later, one of the two mature toms drifted off with his harem of hens while the other remained nearby. On one occasion, a group of three hens drifted off from this tom and soon a second year tom came along and immediately began strutting near the hens. He strutted for about ten minutes when the mature tom approached him. Immediately the second year tom ceased his strutting activities and wandered off. The one remaining mabur-e tom with his harem of seven hens drifted off at 2:00 P.M. At 3:00 P.M. one mature tom with a harem of five hens returned with much gobbling and calling between this group and other groups in the area. Soon several other small groups came in. At this time three mature toms strutted nearby while the hens and younger toms fed for a short time at the feedground. Soon one ~f the older toms led the whole flock down the canyon a short way and much gobbling, calling, and strutting of old toms occurred. This continued until 4:15 P.M. when the flock was seen to be headed toward a watering site. No. matings were seen to take place. The writer left the area at 4:30 P.H. Nesting Season Activity: Hay 1, 1953~ By this period observations of lone hens indicated nesting activities had begun. The laying of eggs was probably well under way in most turkey areas. These observations were also confirmed by field observations made by Warden Scott. May 20, 1953, the first positive indication of incubation of eggs was found on this date in the Hayden Creek area. The number of very large droppings found indicated this hen had been incubating at least a week. Summary: Eastern Slope. Pre-nesting season observations in the Nesa de Mayo area on April 2 and 3, 1953 indicated that of three mature toms seen, one appeared to be dominant, one a sub-dominant male, while the third appeared to take little interest in pre-nesting season activities. A second year tom was seen to strut briefly near three lone hens until a mature tom interferred. Younger toms showed much fighting among them- �-18selves but were quickly chased off by the older males when coming near. No matings were seen to take place. This period marks the break-up of winter flocks and the starting of establishing strut grounds by the breeding males. Harems of 5, 7, and 8 hens were noted with single mature toms. Indications of nesting hens were observed by Hay 1 and positive indications that a hen was incubating eggs was found on Hay 20. Prepared by _--.,;JIi:.:,1a::;r:...t:.;i;:.:n-=-.L..;:.-=B.=u::..rs.g.::..e t=--__ Donald M. Hoffman Date J..;:u~1~y~,..;:1~9~5~3~ Federal _ Aid Coordinator �r t -19- Staw of ~C~o~l~o~r~a~do~ JOB COY~LETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS _ Pro ject No. _W.;,:._-..:::3..::..9_-R:..:.-_6.::..W.....:i:;;;1:..:.d.;....-T....;ur;;;;...:;k:..:.e~y_I_n..;..v..;..e. o.n.. ... s;;..Work Plan No. -....:::...-----"--I Job No. Title of Job __ ~W~l~·l~d~T~u:..:.r~k:..:.e~y~F~oo~d~S:..:.t:..:.u:..:.d:;;;i:..:.e~s _ Objectives: To determine the carrying capacity of certain areas, and the requirements for successful stocking and development of those areas; to determine turkBy food habits through crop analyses. Techniques Used: The normal procedure is to cover regular trends in occupied turkey range. The areas checked consisted chiefly of drainages where wild -turkeys have been known to range during the previous winters. The check route may be either along a secondary road or foot trail. It ws.s found that starting at the upper end of the strip proved most satisfaCtory especially in the instances wherein it was possible to drive along a road to make the checks 0 Findings: Western Slope. Due to changing conditions and weather variations it is difficult to select what might be called an average food year. On the western slope a very mild -ivinterwas followed in February and early March by openspringlike weathero Then unseasonable cold weatImer with heavy late frosts followed. Most of the fruit blossoms were destroyed by temperatures in the ti-Jenties or lower. In many Cases the Quaking Aspen, Oaks, and other shrubs were not in leaf as late as early June. In a few instances where oaks had started they were frozen completely back. At the Devil Creek Turkey ranch the important shrubs as Oak,'JkunkbruBh, Serviceberry and Hawthorn were late in blooming. For this reason these may stand a fair chance of making a 'crop of m.e,sto It is too early to evaluate the possibilities of food production at this time. In 1952 there was a bumper crop of almost all important types except Pine. As late as the present May food samp.Les were gathered from persistent fruits remaining on the trees and shrubs. There were literally hundreds of bushels of Hawthorn and Chokecherry that had dried to raisin consistency and remained on the trees through the wintero There were numbers of instances where the turkeys left grain to feed on the richer and sweeter fruits. Due to shortness of time the crop analysis of some thirty crops gathered on the Western Slope in hunting season last fall has not yet been done. ' �-20TABLE 1.- FOOD AVAILABILITY Key: CHART S{IM1'EER FALL 1952 Rating Area Date Plant bearing good Species not recorded 1 2 Food . H >=! >=! H !>:. .r! .r! (!) H p... p.. ..t:: H Cf.l . Q) C) Q) Cf.l C) !>:. Q) .r! rl H (!) >=! H >=! >=! Q) H .r! to >=! ~ >=! Q) H 'd 0 ..!x: ~ (!) >=! 0 >=! >=! 0 0 Cf.l 0 ..!x: ..t:: .r! .r! S c.., 'd (!) (!) u: Cf.l § Cf.lC\l -£ I~ 1& In' ~ ~7{ I~ I~ I~ l;::l l~I~ ~ 3 Remarks ..!x: !>:. Q) S panisn Peaks Middle Cr. E. Indian Cr-, Bear Cr~ Upper Cucharas R. Lower Cucharas R. No Wahatoya Santa Clara Mavricio Canyon Mid. Trujillo Api:;>hipa Jarosa Zarcill0 -Canyon Wet Canyon Reilly Canyon Burro Canyon Abbott & Duling North Fork Wet Mountains San Isabel Road Ridge Road North Cr. S. Hardscrabble $. Caple Road Cousin Springs Adobe Cr. Williams Cr. Custer Cr. Pass Cr-, Rating o No or very few fruit Plant bearing poorly Plant bearing fair >< Q) 'd O..!x: C) o (!) 5 1~8 7/24 7/25 7/28 7/25 7/25 7/27 7/29 7/'5J 8/4 8/7 8/7 8/8 8/12 8/13 8/13 8/14 8/14 11023 2 1 - 0 2 2 14 1 0 0 2 3 3 0- - 2 2 13 2 0 - 0 1 1 0 - - 3 2 9 1 0 - 1 3 3 - - 1 2 2 13 2 0 - 3 2 2 1 - - 2 1 13 1 0 0 1 2 3 1 - - 2 2 12 2 2 - 1 1 3 - - 1 2 1 13 1 3 1 - 2 0 1 - - 2 1 11 3 2 1 2 0 3 1 1 1 2 2 18 J 2 1 - 2 - 3 0 - :"'23 13 2 2 0 1 - 3 0 - - 2 2 12 1 3 1 - - - 0 - - 2 2 9 2 3 0 2 - 2 - 0 - 2 3 14 2 j 1 0 0 0 0 - 1 2 2 11 1 j 0 0 - 1 0 - - 2 2 9 2 2 0 1 2 3 0 - - 2 3 15 2 ,2 1 0 1 3 0 - - 3 2 14 8/18 8/18 9/8 9/9 9/8 9/9 7/22 8/19 8/19 8/2 3 1 - 2 2 3 0 1 2 2 2 18 5 3 1 - 1 1 2 - - 1 2 2 13 5 3 3 - 1 2 2 0 1 - 2 2 16 7 2 3 - 0 2 2 0 3 - 2 2 16 5 2 3 - 0 1 1 0 - - 2 2 11 3 2 3 - - 1 0 1 - - 2 2 11 3 2 3 2 0 0 0 1 - - 1 2 11 3 3 0 2 011 1 - - 3 3 14 4 2 1 2 - 1 0 - - - 2 2 10 2 2 1 1 2 3 3 0 - - 2 3 17 5 4 5 4 5 3 4 3 4 4 5 4 5 6 4 5 3 5 Locust poor n fair to good Locust fair to good Locust good Cult. grain good Serviceberry poor Heavy Webworm defol. �-21TABLE- 1. FOOD AVAILABILITY Key: CHART SUMMER FALL 1952 Rating No or very few fruit Plant bearing poorly Plant bearing fair o Area Food 1 2 Date ?, (!) (!) H H Remarks ;:., ~ (I) ·rl rl o (!) s:: s:: s:: (!) s:: s:: H ·rl (!) ~ H n, ..c: H ~. (!) H ·rl (I) (I) o (!) 0 ~ (!) ..c: (I) (I) (!) E0 '0 s::0s:: ~0 ~0 (!)(I) ~s:: ~ ·rls::s:: cd(I) ,DH § p.. ·rl H 0 ·rl o p.. r73 0 ~ rx.. ::.:::: . <Xl • 5 ~ U) ~ CJ Canon City-Salida 2 110 1 0 1 ~ - 1 2 Currant Cr. 9/10 Tallahassee Cr. 1 1 0 - 3 2 1 - - 21 9/10 Texas Cr. 8/20 3 1 3 1 -2 2 - - 2 2 8/22 Cottonwood Cr. 3 0 3 1 122 - - 2 2 Hayden Cr. 3 0 302 1 2 0 - 2 1 8/22· Cherry Cr. 8/21 3 1 32 1 3 1 - - 2 2 Howard Cr. 8/21 3 0 1 0 1 2 1 - - 1 1 Bear Cr. 303022:3--22 8/21 West Cr. 8/21 3- 2 0 1 ~ 3- - 1 2 Lower Purgatoire - Mesa de Mayo - Raton Mesa Higbee Area 8/25 - - - - - - 0 - - 1 2 Hudson Bro. Ranch 8/6 1 - 0 0 0 - 2 - - 1 1 Mesa de Mayo 102---1--11 8/27 Jake Light Can. 8/27 1 2 1 - - - 1 -- 2 1 Sugari te Can. 9/11 3 1 - 0 21 - 3 - 3 2 AVERAGE Rating 3 Plant bearing good Species not recorded ·rl 1"1'0 <+-t xo~ (!) o • (!) s:: o..c: (!) '0 H zo 9 7 11 4 16 4 16 3 14 4 18 10 17 12 4 3 4 2 3 9 5 5 8 - 15 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 2 12 4.3 Cactus & Cedar fair Gen. Observaii on " II " II Locust poor �-22Analysis and Recommendations - Eastern Slope.. One major use for theinformation secured in this type of survey is in planning the necessary winter feeding operations for the coming winter. Conclusions that may be drawn from Table 1. are that the Spanish Peaks, Wet Hountain, and Canon City-Salida turkey areas would require little supplemental w:L.'1.ter feeding during 1952-53 except under excessively heavy snow conditions when natural foods could not be reached. On the other hand, the 11esa de }'layoand river bottom turkey areas east of U.S. Highway 85-87 show a distinct shortage of needed na tural foods and should receive supplemental feed. The difference in moisture and other weather conditions probably played the largest part in differences in food bearing qualities between different areas .• Thus, most of the mountain country west of U.S. 85-87 on the Eastern Slope had good amounts of moisture during the winter and spring of 1951-52 and few late frosts,. although the summer months were fairly dry. On the other hand, the areas where the natural food conditions are the poorest had very little moisture during the winter of 1951-52 and alsoli ttle moisture during the spring and summer of 1952. The frosts in this area during the late spring were also few.. The best natural food bearing conditions were found in the Wet Mountain and Canon City - Salida are as , The Spanish Peaks area rated about the same as the average for the entire area, while the turkey areas east of U.S. 85-87 rated by far the poorest. Scrub -oak was found to be bearing good crops of acorns in all of the Canon Ci ty - Salida areas except the Currant and Tallahassee Creek areas. In the Wet Mountain area, the acorn crop was fair to good while in the other areas it was mostly poor to fair.. Ponderosa pine was bearing good crops of new cones in many scattered localities, particularly in the Spanish Peaks and Wet Mountain 'areas, although the average for all areas was poor , Pinon pine showed the best crop of nuts in the Canon Ci ty- Salida area while other areas averaged poor to fair. Chokecherry, Snowberry, Rose," and Skunkberry all were found to be bearing good in certain scattered localities, although the average for all areas was quite low. Hawthorn and Kinnikinnick, because of their small distribution within the food trend routes, averaged very low. Where found, however, these groups play a large part in the winter diet of wild turkeys. The natural grass and weed groups averaged fair generally. Moisture conditions along with stock use caused the native grass condition to vary a great deal in different areas as would be expectedo Food Habits Study Through Crop Analysis. Methods Used and Acknowledgements: Eighteen fall crops secured during the hunting season of Sept. 25, through Sept •.28, 1952 were analyzed using a direct volumetric method. These crops were collected through the cooperation a.f Depa.rtmental field men and wild turkey hunters in the mesa turkey areas east of U.S. 85-87. The writer wishes to express his sincere appreciation for this cooperation. Special thanks are due to Mr. Charles C. Sperry of the U.S.F. & W.S. Research Laboratory in Denver who gave much assistance in the identification of unfamiliar food items .• Findings: Eastern Slope.. The results of this analysis work is shown in Table 2 •. Photographs of two individual crop contents from this series are shown in Figure 2 and 3. �Photo by Ebb Warren. Figure 1. Crataegus succulenta -- Showing heavy fruit of this Colorado hawthorn. �~ ·-0 Z. .IJ , 1i l>.tt :. ~ 4 '.,. > . ·t I 5i Photo. Figure .' by D.l-.i. Hoffman 20 2 Phot.o , by D.1;"l.--Hoffman Figure 3., �Legend for Figure 2: Total contents of crop number 149, from a juvenile hen on Frisco Creek, Sept. 25, 1952. Items shown include: % Vol. (1). 36 Acorns 63% (2). 32 Gra.sshoppers 30% (3). 10 Land snails 5% (4). Timothy seeds and seed heads 2% (5). Plant trace items (dandelion leaf fragments, clover leaves~ grass leaves, and buckwheat seeds). Trace (6). Animal trace items (one lady beetle, one ichneumon wasp, and one daddy long-legs spider). TOTAL • Trace 100% Legend for Figure 3~ Contents of crop number 153 (other than trace items) from a juvenile tom in the Mesa de Nayo area, Sept. 26, 1952. Items shown include~ % Vol. (1). 220 Grasshoppers 95% 11 Darkling beetles 3% 2% 3 Mormon crickets TOTAL 100% Trace items not shown on photograph include one composite type flower, ball ca.ctus seeds, panic grass seeds, dropseed seeds, grass leaves, one hawthorne seed, unidentified stem and root fragments, one robber fly, one tiger beetle, one mantid~ three spiders, three moths, and bone fragments. �-23Table No. 2 NERRIAM'S TURKEY FOOD STUDIES Compiled Data -- Basis 18 Crops Volumetric .Analysis by D.M. Hoffman All crops from Eastern Slope Mesa Area -- Sept. 25, through Sept. 28, 1952 Food Items Plant Matter (40%) % Vol. % Freq. of Occur. Family -- Species I.piaceae -- Parsley Family (Trace) Angelica sp" Angelica seeds Sium cicutifolium Water parsnip seeds Trace Trace !steraceae -- Composite Family (Trace) Aster sp" Aster Ie af Helianthus sp. Sunflower seeds Lactuca scariola True prickly lettuce seed heads Taraxacum officinale Dandelion leaves Dandelion seed heads Tragopogon spo Goatsbeard seeds Unidentified composite type flower Trace 6% Trace 6% Trace 11% Trace Trace 55% 22% Trace Trace 6% 6% Boraginaceae -- Borage Family (Trace) Li thospermum sp , Puccoon seeds Trace 6% Brassicacea.e -- Mustard Family (Trace) Camelina sp" False flax seed pods Trace 6% Trace 17% Trace Trace 17% 6% Trace 6% Cactaceae -- Cactus Family (Trace) Cactus viviparus ( Mamillaria vivipara Ball cactus seeds Caprifoliaceae -- Honeysuckle Symphoricarpos sp. Snowberry fruit Snowberry leaves ) Family (Trace) Caryophyllaceae -- Pink Family (Trace) Silene sp" Catchfly seed pod and seeds (Continued) �-24Table No. 2 (Con It) % VoL Family - % Freq. of Occur. Species Fabaceae -- Pea Family (Trace) Thermopsis spo Golden banner 'leaves Trifolium spo Clover leaves Vicia spo Vetch leaves Fagaceae -- Beech Family (29%) Quercus SPe 282 Scrub oak acorns Scrub oak leaves Gramineae -- Grass Family (10%) .Agrostis Spe Bentgrass seeds and seed heads ~vena sativa . 17 Cultivated oat grains Bromus marginatus Bromegrass seeds Calamovilfa spo Sandreed spikelets Elymus spo Wildrye seeds Festuca. elatior Meadow fescue spikelets Hordeum vulgare 3 Cultivated barley grains Panicum sp, Panic grass seeds Phleum pratense Timothy seeds and seed heads Poasp" ---Bluegrass spikelets Sporobolus Spe Dropseed seeds 'Stipa viridula Green needle grass seeds Grass leaves Ma1aceae -- Apple Family (Trace) Crataegus Spe ,Hawthorne seed (Continued) Trace 6% Trace 33% Trace 33% 29% Trace 72% 17% Trace 17% Trace 6% Trace 6% Trace 11% 4% 28% Trace 28% Trace 6% Trace 6% 3% 77% Trace 11% Trace 33% 2% 11% 1% 94% Trace 6% �-25';' Table No.2 (Con't) % Vol. % Freq. of Occur. Polygonaceae -- Buckwheat Family (1%) Polygonum sp, Wild buckwheat seeds 1% 61% Ranunculaceae -- Buttercup Family (Trace) Clematis sp , Clematis leaves Trace n% Saxifragaceae -- Saxifrage Family (Trace) Ribe;:asp s Currant fruit Currant leaves Trace Trace 6% leaves broadleaftype broadleaf type stem fragments root fragments Trace Trace Trace 22% 39% 17% 57% 88% Asilidae 4 Robber flies Trace 17% Carabidae 15 Ground beetles Trace 44% Chrysomelidae 1 Flea beetle 9 Leaf beetles Trade Trace 6% 33% Cicadellidae 11 Leafhoppers Trace 28% Cicindelidae 6 Tiger beetles Trace 28% Coccinellidae 2 Lady beetles Trace 11% Coreidae 2 Box-elder bugs Trace n% Family -- Species Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified 6% .&lima1 Matter (60%) Family Acrididae 1804 short-horned grasshoppers (Continued) �-26- .. Table No. 2 ( Con't ) Family -- Species % Vol. % Freq. of Occur. Formicidae 4 Ants Tra.ce 22% Trace 6% Ichneumonidae 22 Ichneumon wasps Trace 44% 1;y:gaeidae 1 True bug Trace 6% Mantidae 5 Mantids Trace 17% Membracidae 21 l'reehoppers Trace 33% Pentatomidae 3 Stink bugs Trace n% Trace 6% Scarabaeidae 1 Dung beetle 6 Scarab beetles Trace Trace 6% 17% Silphidae 5 Carrion beetles Trace 22% Tabanidae 1 Horsefly larvae Trace 6% I'ene brionidae 32 Darkling beetles 1% 33% Tettigoniidae 13 Mormon crickets 1% 33% Araneida (Order) 17 Dadqy long legs spiders 18 Misc. spiders Trace Trace 39% 44% Coleoptera (Order) 1 Beetle larvae Trace 6% Hydrophilidae 1 Hydrophilid Sarco;ehagidae 1 Sarcophagid beetle larvae (Continued) �-'Z(- Table No. 2 (Con't) , l Family -- Species % Vol. % Freq. of Ocrur. Diptera (Order) 2 Fly adults 4 Fly eggs 2 Fly larvae Trace Trace Trace 11% 6% 11% Hemiptera (Order) 1 Bug fra.gment Trace 6% Hymenoptera (Order) 3 Hymenopter wasps Trace 17% Lepidoptera (Order) 4 Caterpillars (larvae) 13 Moths (adults) Trace Trace 11% 28% Chilopoda (Class) 2 Centipedes Trace 11% Gastrotoda (Class) 16 and snails 1% 28% Oligochaeta (Glass) 10 Earthworms Trace ll% TOTAL 100 % Non-Food Items % of Gross Volume % Vol. % Freq. of Occur. Bone fragment s Gravel and fine sand Wood fragments Trace Trace Trace 10% 80% 6% 44% 6% TOTAL 10% 100% �-28Summary~ Eastern Slope. Seventy-seven different food items were found in the series of eighteen crops collected by Departmental personnel during the period from Sept. 25 through Sept. 28, 1952. These were all secured from the Mesa ar-eas east of U.S. 85-87. Plant matter made up 40% of the total compiled volume and animal matter made up 60%. The high percentage of insects and other animal matter is rather uni.que to date. The food availability checks ( See Table No.1) conducted during the summer - fall of 1952, for these areas showed a distinct shortage in most wild turkey plant foods. Important food items in this series included short-horned grasshoppers (.57%), acorns (29%), grass seeds and leaves including wildrye,. timothy, and needlegrass seeds and miscellaneous grass leaves for the most part (10%), wild buckwheat seeds (1%), darkling beetles (1%), Normon crickets (1%), and land sn~ils (1%). There was a total of 1804 grasshoppers in the eighteen crops. or an average of 100.22 per crop examined. In addition, there were 231 other members of the class insecta or 12.83 insects other than grasshoppers per crop. There were 28 other member of the animal kingdom (other than insects) in the series of crops including 2 centipedes, 16 land snails, and 10 earthworms. A total of 282 acorns were found in this series or 15.66 per crop examined. Cultivated grains were a.lmost completely lacking with only 17 cultivated oats and 3 barley grains being found in the series. These items made up only a trace of the total compiled volume. The non-food items consisted chiefly of gravel arid fine sand although bone fragments and wood fragments were also found. Prepared by Martin 1. Burget Donald M. Hoffman Date ...:.J~uly, 19.53 Federal Aid Coordinator �-29JOB COl'lPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of ~C~ol~o~r~a~d~o~. PROJECTS; _ Pro je ct No. _W;.:;.· __~39::.-_.....:R-::......:6=-__ ~W:.;.1::.:·I~d~T:...:u:::r~k:...:e",-y--=In:::v..;..e.:;,.s.:;,.t:...:i~ Work Job No. __ II ------- 2::;.,· ..... b=- Wild Turkeys - Necessary Winter (Experimental Food Plots) Plan No •. Title of Job: Objectives: conditions. To preserve wild turkey _ Supplemental Feeding seed stock in case of severe wintering Techniques Used: Locating food plots compr1s1ng approximately one acre each in good turkey wintering areas. Cultivating these plots, seeding to usable food species, and fencing to 'oxcludedomesT,1c stock ••. Findings: Western Slope. It is the opinion of a good many game biologists, that some form of winter supplemental food plots for game species is a necessary step in good game management practice. As early as 1945, this idea for wild turkeys was expressed by J. St0kely Ligon. It should be born in mind that most of the natural wintering areas for game have been destroyed or altered through settlement, agriculture and grazing practices. For this reason it is feasible to suppose that wintering ranges should be supplemented by some form of winter food plantings. These should be fenced in a manner to exclude stock but still available to the wild species of the area. Another fact that should be noted is, that in this manner, herds and flock movements could be largely controlled, thus eliminating many damage complaints. For wild turkeys there are many desirable wintei:ing areas that are away from farmers fields and poultry yards. With this ~n mind, a series of exclosures were planned both on the eastern and western slopes of Colorado. As a start the plots were to enclose approximately one acre each. These are to be planted to food species that the turkeys can harvest in rough weather. After considerable discussion it was felt best to use a highly attractive tYFs food for the first year or two to attract the birds to the area. Then if necessary, to add supplemental feed as the plantings became depleted. Later, as the birds became concentrated in the areas, a heavy producing, more staple type would be planted. In addition, adjacent plots would be added to concentrate the birds within a given area for the winter. It.. Hr. Charles Rogers, who is interested in wildlife in general and in wi:"'d turkeys in particular, and owns property in Lost Canyon, offered the free use of a plot in the canyon. This area known as IIPyle FIa tIt had a rich wild turkey history. It was the childhood pioneer home of Harry Pyle, now Justice of the Peace in Dolores. He was only a small boy when his parents moved here and homesteaded this parcel of ground. He is now nearing eighty years of age. When told of our plans to create a wintering area in this canyon he said, �-30"Turkeys ranged in this area by the thousands in the early days. II He is looking a long way back, and childhood memOries are' strewn with exaggerated ideas of early experiences. Nevertheless the area was probably well stocked with turkeys in the early days. ' Figures 1 and 2 show the area after planting but before fencing. The plot contains approximately one acre. Iti~ planted to oats which are highly attractive to turkeys. The canyon Figure 2 contains a large secret cave in which the Pyles hid during an Indian massacre raid in the 1880's. Fortunately the Indians did not find them. Many of their neighbors were not so fortunate. in' Findings: Eastern Slope.. A one acre plot of ground in Zarcillo Canyon on the John SakarisonR.anch northwest of Trinidad has been secured asa test plot in this study (Figure 3). This plot lies wi thin good wild turkey country, although the turkeys have wintered in other areas sin.ce 1950. Some birds have drifted back into Zarcillo Canyon each spring. Flocks totalling approximately eighty turkeys wintered in this area during the winter of 1949-50. Twenty-eight turkeys drifted into the area this spring and have remained to the present time. The main purpose of this plot will be to determine if a small plot of standing grain will hold the turkeys during the coming winter. The food plot with favorable moisture conditions should give some data in this matter. To date, the plot has been plowed to oats by Rancher Sakar Lason and awaits fencing. A shipment of steel posts and wire is expected soon and a. stock-tight fence will .be used to exclude domestic livestock from the food plot. The total cost of the plot will be determined as soon as the fencing is completed. 11 one acre.plot on the Sakariason Ranch in ZarcillQ Canyon has been selected to determine whether a small plot of standing grain -Will hold turkeys which normally move out of this area for the winter period. To date the plot has been plowed and planted to oats and awaits f'ericf.ng, A one acre plot on the westerri slope was located in Lost Canyon near Doloreso It was also planted to oats for standing feed next winter. Summary: Prepared by Martin L. Burget Donald M. Hoffman Date J~u~1~y~,~1~9~5~3~ -- Federal _ Aid Coordinator �Figure The "Py Le Flat" rugged features winter food plot of the canyon. 1. ar-ea in Lost Canyon. Note the �Figure 2. This picture looking more nearly east shows the canyon that sheltered the Pyles in an Indian raid in the 188o's. The cave, almost completely hidden by growth lies one fourth mile up in the canyon. �-~-.. ." -"";. .. - - --- Photo. by D.h. Hoffman Figure 3. Dark area in center ShOHS location of a one acre plot in Zarcillo Canyon to be used as wild turkey experimental food plot. �-31JOB CdNPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS Colorado Project No. W-38-R-6 Deer-Elk Investigations --~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~-----------3 Work 'Plan No. I Job No •• -------Title of Job Migration Between Summer and Winter Ranges Objective: To locate and determine the amount and patterns of migration between sumre r and winter ranges; also to ascertain the causal factors. Techniques Used: Field reconnaissance, and tagging on winter ranges .• counts on migration routes, trapping Findingsg Because of a relatively mild winter in 1952-53 over the entire state of Colorado, the deer were slow in moving down to the winter ranges. The greatest concentrations occurred during January and February; however, at no time were they crowded down to the lower limits of their winter ranges in great numbers, or for a long period of time. The return to the summer ranges was earlier. Since it was a light winter and since the deer were not concentrateCl to any degree, it was deemed advisable to trap and tag deer in only a fevJ areas this winter.. As soon as the valley bottoms and fields began to green up there was an increase in the number of animals seen for a short time; some alfalfa damage was reported and in the ¥uddle Park area there was a noticeable increase in highway kills during this period. Flag Creek Track Count: The same methods were used this year that have been used in the past. There was more snow on Flag Creek than usual, making the ~ob of clearing the road more difficult. Three days with a bulldozer were required to open the road. Tracks were counted daily in the early morning hours to avoid as much interference as possible from traffic, sheep trailing, etc. The counter sits on the front of the jeep counting tracks as the driver moves the vehicle slowly along the road. Tracks going back are subtracted from those going towards summer range. A heavy drag prepares the counting strip for the next count. The track count is made from the time the deer first start crossing the Flag Creek road until May 300 The same 15 miles of road are used and the same sectors that have been used in the past. Weather is the biggest variable that must be considered. As most of the deer cross during the evening hours, rain during the night or early morning may erase some of the tracks. Afternoon rains are helpful as they keep the ground from becoming too hard for tracks to show up. Both this year and last year there were many unfavorable rains. �-32This year a total of 23,603 sets of tracks were counted in 19 days, as compared with 20,072 last year in 21 days (See table 1). The peak of the migration occurred May 15 this year as compared with May 18 last year, and -May 19 in 195'1.. The higher country, sectors 3 and 4, was slow in opening up-and the peak occurred later there. Total numbers were also down on these sectors, and it is believed that a,part of these deer crossed lower and that part have yet to cross. Trapping and Tagging - Little Hills. Trapping w'as slower this year due to the mild, open winter. Nine of the individual type traps were kept baited and were watched daily from November until March. Only 23 deer were trapped, including two recaptures that ,were tagged in previous years. The 21 deer,tagged'this year included 6 mature does, 8 buck fawns, and 7 doe fawns. (See Table 2.) Most of these were placed in the experimental pastures and were driven out during May. Trapping and Tagging - Southwestern Colorado. Deer were trapped and tagged in four localities within the southwestern part of the state during the wiriter of 1952-53. These localities were Mesa Verde National Park, Weber Canyon south of the town of Mancos, near the mouth of Hermosa Creek north of the town of Durango, and at the State Turkey Ranch near Chimney Rock SYore. Those who assisted with the trapping were Park Service personnel at Mesa Verde; District Chief Warden Clyde Slonaker; Trapper Allison Masori;Wildlife Technician Martin Burget; Experimental Farm Assistant Clark Ford; and Wildlife Technician HaroldR. Sheperd. Some difficulty w~s experienced with the operation of the wire trip mechanism. It was found that deer would oftdfi succeed in robbing the trap of bait without springing the trip. Some experimenting was done to find away Of preventing this. Park rangers at Mesa Verde devised a plywood platform, higher in the middle, which wa's placed over the trip wire, tent fashion. The free ends of the platform rested on a piece of plywood on the ground and they were free to slide along it. Any pressure on the platform caused it' to collapse and release the trip wire. Hay used as bait was sprinkled over the top of the platform. This device appears to have merit. Another and similar imp:rovement was tried with success by Shepherd; He draped a burlap sack over the trip wire, tent fashion, and pegged the four corners to the ground with long spikes. The leafy alfalfa hay used as bait was sprinkled on top of the sack. Pressure anywhere on the taut aack was applied to the trip wire, springing the trap. This device worked very well, completely aliminating bait robbing. It was at first thought that snow falling on the sack would spring the trap, but this did not occur. Most snowfalls on top of the trap instead of sifting into it. It was found that the standard trip mechanism sometimes gives trouble. Occas i.ona Hy the T-shaped wire which pulls the release cable from the two nails which secure it'will become entangled in the cable or the cable will be pulled off one nail but hang up on the other and fail to release. A modification of the trip mechanism was hit upon which is much simpler than �-33the standard trip, and which is virtually lIJechanismis illustrated in Figure 1. foolproof. This modified trip The Park Service found that heavy plywood doors work better in the traps than doors of one inch lumber. Plywood doors are not broken by deer attempting to escape, and they do not warp and bind as do the standard doors. Because of the mild winter, feitJdeer were available to trap; and because there was ample food, it was difficult to entice them into traps with bait. After trapping was discontinued at Hermosa, four nuisance deer were trapped near Hermosa Creek in the Animas Valley. Two of these were tagged and all four were hauled to the Florida River country and released. Standard portable deer traps were used. There were five traps at Mesa Verde, two at Hermosa, two in Weber Canyon, and two at the State Turkey Ranch. Colored plastic discs were used (Figure 2) for visual checks on ta.gged animals 0 Trapping and Tagging - Cathedral. Creek: George Crandell, in charge of the Cathedral Creek Station, was detailed most of the winter to the Little Hills Experiment Station and therefore did not do any trapping when the bulk of the deer were down. The deer tagged are listed in Table 40 Tag Returns: A number of tags from previ ous trapping and tagging operations were obtained during the big game season. In some instances, only the general area of the kill was obtained rather than the exact location. In some cases the hunter was not sure where he made the kill, or the location of the kill was not reported when the tag was returned and the hunter could not be relocated. Jesse E. Williams, Technician in charge of trapping and tagging in the Minnesota Creek area, had riders report having seen three tagged deer on the summer range. One on Terror Creek ten miles northwest of tagging area; one on Cascade Creek ten miles southeast of tagging area, and the third was seen on Anthracit Creek sixteen miles northeast of the area where the animal was tagged. �-34TABLE I - 1953 FLAG CREEK TRACK COUNT Sector 1 Sector 2 Sector 3 Plus Minus Total Plus Minus Total Plus Minus Total Sector 4 Plus Minus Total Date Daily Total 5/7 32 32 o 32 0 o 0 o o o o o o 5/8 89 82 20 62 50 23 27 o o o o o o 5/9 348 240 17 223 124 9 115 1 o 1 9 o 9 462 MUD AND SN(W 2 43 o 43 2 o 2 5/10 STORMED OUT 5/11 826 5/12 1742 1037 373 5/13 9 364 482 20 17 1020 742 65 STORMED OUT 5/14 214 BROKE DOWN 5/15 2923 1760 5/16 5/17 184 40 1720 1134 14 170 36 4 32 12 o 12 107 1027 121 o 121 62 7 55 107 307 26 o 26 17 o 17 56 1020 192 12 180 MUD STORMED OUT 748 485 5/18 5/19 o 2 87 398 414 STORMED OUT 2720 155333 5/20 1520 1076 STORMED OUT 5/21 2677 1481 30 1451 1030 62 968, 258 o 258 MUD 5/22 1908528 o 528 677 42 635 613 o 613 132 o 132 5/23 1463 355 10 345 551 0 551 495 o 495 72 o 72 5/24 685 185 o 185 246 11 235 237 o 237 28 o 28 5/25 1313 351 17 334 429 '7 '422 489 11 478 82 3 79 5/26 1624 211 21 190 664 27 637 658 17 641 170 14 156 5/27 1704 457 33 424 833 87 746 419 o . 419 115 o 115 5/28 521 232 7 225 328 39 289 STORMED OUT 7 o 7 5/29 581 248 19 229 267 56 211 109 o 109 32 o 32 735 179 17 162 23.9603 Grand Total 276 27 249 263 o 263 61 o 61 5/30 �CABLE Figure I. Modified trip mechanism. z . Figure 2. Tagging deer In trap. �'-35Date TABLE 2 - LITTLE HILLS TRAPPING AND TAGGING Left Ear Round Tag Right Ear Cattle Tag Kind of Deer Weight Feb • 3 Mature Doe 513 1274 145 Feb. .6 Fawn, Buck 510 1275 62 Feb. 12 Fawn, Doe 1064 105a 66 Feb. 14 li5 Recat eh Feb. 15 Mature Doe, (Old.) Mature Doe 1067 1046 Feb. 16 Fawn, Doe 1065 1047 Feb. 22 Fawn, Doe 1063 1076 . 71 Feb •.22 Fawn, Buck 5li 1077 59 Feb. 23 Mature'Doe 1051 1053 131 Feb. 24 Fawn, Doe 1052 1201 61 Feb. 24 Fawn, Doe '1053 1041 63 Feb. 26 Fawn, Buck 1059 1078 67 Feb. 26 Fawn, Buck 1062 1095 70 Feb. 26 Fawn, Doe 1054 1083 48 Feb. 26 Mature Doe 151 91 136 Febo 27 Fawri,Doe 1057 1088 72 Feb. 27 Fawn, boo 1056 1094 49 Feb. 27 Mature Doe 1054 1081 l4l Har. 1 Mature Doe ·1061 1089 124 Mar. 7 Fawn, Buck 1078 1078 69 Mar. 8 Fawn, Buck 1084 (Sick) 121 Mar. 16 ··MatureDoe 1090 1079 52 I~ar. 22 Fawn, Buck 1079 1045 153 149 �-36TABLE 3 -- DEER TAGGED DURING WINTER OF 1952-1953 SOUTH-WESTERN COL01tADO Button Tag Cattle Tagging Remarks ¥larker Tag Site Date Sex 3/28/53 Buck, 3 year 821 red 1314 Animas valley Released in Florida valley 1313 Animas valley Released in Florida valley 1306 Hermosa Creek Trapped 6 times 1308 Hermosa Creek Trapped 2 times 1309 Hermosa Creek Trapped 2 times 1311 Hermosa Creek Wrong color by mista.ke 1310 -Hermosa Creek triangle 4/16/53 Buck, 2 year 822 red triangle 1/8/53 ... Doe, fawn 815 red disc 1/26/53 Doe, mature 816 red disc 2/6/53 Doe, mature 817 reddisc 2/13/53 Doe, mature 819 yellow disc 2/9/53 Doe, fawn 818 red disc 2/13/53 Doe, mature 820 red 1312 disc 12/9/52 Doe, mature 2101 red Mesa Verde disc 12/11/52 Doe, mature 2102 red Mesa Verde disc' 12/13/52 Doe, mature 2103 red Mesa Verde disc 12/13/52 Doe, mature 2104 red Mesa Verde disc 12/15/52 2105 red Mesa Verde disc 12/22/52 Buck, fawn Released in Morfield Canyon 2106'red Mesa Verde disc (Continued) Caught 7 times. Released Morfield Canyon Mar. 11, 1953 �-37Date Sex 12/28/52 Doe, fawn TABIiE 3 Button Tag l1aIker 2107 red disc 1/11/53 Doe, mature 2108 red disc 1/12/5'3 Doe, mature 2109 yellow disc 1/13/53 Doe, mature 2110 red disc 1/13/53 Doe, mature 2111 red disc 1/15/53 Doe, mature 2112 red 'disc 4/22/52 Doe" mature 2151 white disc 1/19/53 Buck, fawn 2152 white disc 1/21/53 Doe, fawn 2153 white disc 2/1/53 Doe, mature 2154 white disc 2/1/53 Doe, fawn 2155 white disc 2/9/53 Buckj f'asn 2156 white disc 3/1/53 Doe, 2 years 2157 white disc 3/5/53 Doe, fawn 2158 white disc 3/7/53 Doe, mature 2159 white disc 4/2/53 Doe, mature 2160 white disc (CONTINUED) Tagging Cattle Site Tas; Remarks IvIes a Verde Nesa Verde Mesa, Verde Mesa Verde Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Can. 2/14/53 Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Can. 1/25/53 Turkey Ranch Turkey Ranch Caugh t 5 times Turkey Ranch Turkey Rench Turkey Ranch Turkey Ranch Turkey Ranch Turkey Ranch Turkey Ranch Turkey Ranch Caught 3 times �-38TABLE 4 - CATHEDRAL CREEK TRAPPING AND TAGGING 1952 - 1953 Date Kind of Deer Dec. 14 Mature Doe Dec. 20 Mature Doe 227 1113 Jan. Mature Doe 257 1114 Jan. 8 Fawn, Buck 202 1115 Jan."18 Mature Doe 230 1116 6 Round Tag No. Cow Tag No. Remarks 1112 East Douglas East Douglas �-39TABLE 5 Tag Number Round Cow Type • 1952 HUNTING SEASON TAG RETURNS Sex and Age Tagged Location Date Location of Kill 53 115 Mature doe 1/13/50 Thurman Cr. Gas wells area 3-6 miles 79 140 ~lature doe 1/29/50 Thurman Cr. Gas wells area 3-6 miles 62 124 Mature doe 1/19/50 Thurman Cr. Gas wells area 3-6 miles 123 185 Mature doe 2/23/50 Thurman Cr. Gas wells area 3-6 miles Nature doe 1/15/52 Thurman Cr. Thurman Creek 2 miles 4/2/50 Sulphur 18 miles 495 152 218 Matwe 61 123 Mature doe 1/18/50 Thurman Cr 1043 Yearling doe 3/ /52 1009 _Mature doe 1/24/52 Thurman Cr. Strawberry Cr. 20 miles 668 Nature doe Cr. 2/16/52 ¥linnesota Cr. IV'linn. 7 miles 326 385 Hature doe Cr. 3/18/52 Ninnesota Cr. lliJinn 16 miles 335 554 Fawn, doe .3/31/52 lliJinnesotaCr. Dry Gulch 5 miles 304 594 Mature doe • Cr. 2/15/52 ¥linnesota Cr. lliJinn 4 miles 2019 446 Fawn, buck 3/7/52 2003 788 Fawn, doe 1/28/52 Estes Park 8! up S. St. Vrain Cr. 2001 758 Mature doe 1/28/52 6 mLE. Near Copper Ocean Mine. doe Thurman Cr. Creek 0 Gas wells area 3-6 miles Thurman Cr. Gas wells area 3-6 miles N. St. Vrain Mouth of Big Thompson Raymond 243 243 Fawn, doe 3/12/51 Cathedral Cr. Cathedral Cr. 3-5 miles 245 245 Nature doe 3/17/51 Cathedral Cr. Clear Cr. Mtn 345 540 Elk, spike bull 4/11/52 nrnont Joe Eccher Ranch 399 344 Elk, calf bull 4/11/52 Almont Brush Or-, 18 miles �-40Analysis and Recommendations: Deer tra.pping and tagging in Colorado was very slow this year chiefly because of the open winter. The deer were late in coming down to the winter ranges, earlier in returning to the higher summer range, and at no time were they heavily concentrated. One experimental canvas trap was constructed at the Hot Sulphur Station, but never set up. If conditions are favorable, experimenting and trapping with mass traps will be done this cOming season. Summary: The 1953 Flag Creek Track Count extended over a period of 19 days and totaled 23,603 sets of tra.cks as compared with 20,072 sets counted in 21 days in 1952; and 24,636 sets counted in 23 days in 1951. The peak of the migration this year occurred on 11ay 15, as compared with Hay 18 last year, and May 19 in 1951. The higher count this yeaT in fewer days would indicate that the herd numbers were slightly above last year. Prepared by __ ~P~au~l~F~.~G~i~l~b~e~r~t _ Date Approved July 1953 ----------~~~~~----------- Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-41JOB COMPLETION REPORl' INVESTIGATIONS State of Colorado ----~~~~---------- Project No. PROJECTS W-38-R-6 Deer-Elk Investigations ~~~--~------~~~~~~~~~~~~- Work Plan No. II Job No. 4 -----------------~~--------- Title of Job Correlation of Aerial Trend Counts, Sex Ratios, and Kill Figures. Objectives: To examine the accuracy of aerial counts by determining whether aerial counts are indicative of the number of animals actually present on the ground. To test the difference in counts between different planes, pilots, and observers. To determine if a correction factor can be obtained to correct aerial numbers for ground totals. To determine the effect of different habitat types and snow cover conditions on the above. Acknowledgments: Grateful appreciation is extended to Professor J.V.K. Wagar and DouglasL. Gilbert of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, School of Forestry and Range Management, Colorado A & M College, for help, and permitting students to cooperate in the first and third ground drives. We are .al.sograteful to the students who assisted on these drives. Grateful appreciation is also extended to U.So Forest Service Personnel who helped on all three drives and their assistance in furnishing much needed equipment. Study Areal Junction Butte, located in lI.d.ddle Park near Kremmling, only study area used this year. (Figure 1). was the Techniques Used: A total of two aerial counts and one ground count were made at three different times during the winter period. One aerial count was conducted by each of the two planes (Super-Cub and Cessna 170') during the morning, and the ground drive was initiated as soon as the aerial counts were finishedo To facilitate total deer population counts by ground, aerial photos and mosaic maps were used in planning the drive. Every other driver had an aerial mosaic on the first drive, and three radio observers using grided mosaics were stationed at vantage points around the perimeter of the area. Thus, deer attempting to slip out of the area in front of the drivers could be recorded. The resulting data were tested by means of a contingency chi-square test for association. table, and the Findings: All pertinent data from this study are listed in Table 1. Ground counts of deer numbers varied from 158 the first count to 55 on the third and last count. It is felt that the second count of 76 deer was very low, caused undoubtedly by the small number of drivers available for this count. Aerial counts by both planes also decreased from the first to the last trial. �-42Comparing the Super-cub counts on the first two trials of 112 to 68 respectively with those of the Cessna 170 for the same two trials (88 to 58) it is found that 1.6 less deer were counted by the Super-cub during the second count as compared to the first, and 1.5 less deer by the Cessna. These consistencies definitely point out the possibility tha.t each type of plane will count a certain percentage of the animals actually present on the ground, and also that the second ground count was undoubtedly lowo Table 1. -- Results of the Air and Ground Correlation Junction Butte, 1953. Date 1953 Date Est. % Snow Cover Counts of Deer, First Count Second Count Third Count 2/3/53 3/13/53 4/8/53 80 30 15 44 Ground Crew Number of men Direction of count Time required Deer counted S to N 3 hrs , 158 12 W to E 3 hrs. 76 26 S to N 2t hrs , 55 Super-cub Time required Deer counted 1 Hr. 10 IvJino 112 35¥lin. 68 45 ¥lin. 24 Cessna 170 .Time required Deer counted 23 Min. 88 40 Hin • 58 33 Min. 0 It is not possible to prove, by this study, that the Cessna 170 will always count fewer deer than the Super-cub even though all indications point that way. The reason is that there are +oo many other variables which may be influencing the difference in counts between the two planes. Thus, there may be a difference in counting ability between the two aerial crews, or the fact that the Super-cub counted first during the two most reliable trials could possibly account, for some of the difference in the counts by the two aircrafto Air-to-ground ratios for the three tests are listed in Table 2. This table also summarizes the results of the chi-square test. These results show that nothing can be claimed as a result of these data. It cannot be stated that the ratio is consistent nor that they are significantly different b~tween coverages. This definitely points out the need for further study on a more controlled basis. �t Figure 1. Junction Butte, located in Middle Park near Kremmling, is less than a mile from a landing strip which makes it ideal for correlation studies of aerial and ground countso �-43Obviously, aerial counts do not approach the actual number of animals present on the ground. On the basis of these data, the Super-cub counted from 1.12 to 2.29 times less deer than comparable ground counts, while the Cessna varied from 0 deer counted the last test to 1.31 times less deer on the second test. Table 2. -- llir to Ground Ratios of Deer Counts, Junction Butte, 1953. Coverage Super-cub Cessna 170 I 1 : 1.41 1.12 1 1 2.29 1 : 1.79 1 : 1.31 5.969 2 D.F. 2."058 1 D.F. II III 0 0 equals -y:2.. .. ". .5 " .5 005 .• .05 " " ~The 1 degree of freedom equals It II It 2 1 " II II 2 " " " " " " Y. .455 1.386 3.841 5.991 Cessna counted 0 deer on the third coverage It is possible to point out some of the reasons for the poor results obtained in this first year study as follows: (1) Ground counts were not run in the same manner nor with the same number of men each coverage; (2) Snow cover conditions were different between the three counts; 0) The last coverage was made too late in the spring when there were not enough deer to furnish good results; and (4) Flying conditions during the last two coverages were poor because of high. gusty winds and occasional snow flurries. Recommendations for Further Study: The following recommendations are offered to effect a better and stronger analysis of this research problem. These recommendations are based on the Junction Butte study area, but are applicable to other areas which may be selected. 1. The air and ground comparisons must be made during the winter concentration months of the year. When the deer begin to move out of these areas, especially when only a few deer (less than 100) are left on the concentration area, then it is useless to attempt correlation. Thus, comparisons made too early or too late in the winter have little value. 2. Since future plans of the aerial division include the use of only the Super-cub on deer and elk trend counts, then it is proposed that all flights be made in this craft by both crews. �-443. A total of six flights (three by each crew) should be made prior to each ground count. These should take place at the rat e of two a day, one in the morning and one in the evening with crews alternating morning flights. Aerial flights should begin at least three days before the proposed ground count, and several observers should be stationed at vantage points around the perimeter of the area to determine whether any deer are pushed out by the aerial counts. 4. There should be a miminum of two series of comparisons. number would be three involving and three ground coverages. The ideal a total of nine flights by each crew 5. The study area must be flown in the same general manner as the regu·lar deer and elk trend routes, otherwise the results of this study would not be applica.ble. 6. The area must be counted in the same mamler from the ground each time.·. Sufficient man-power must be used so that accurate ground counts are obtained. The Junction Butte area requires a mimimum of 25 to 30 men. 7. Finally, it is realized that the results of the Junction Butte study are probably not applicable to other vegetative types, and further study will be necessary to determine what differences, if any, exists. It is believed that if the above recommendations are followed, so that future air and ground comparisons can be conducted in a uniform manner" then it will be possible to test the data for the following things: (1) Consistency of ratio or percentage of deer counted from the air as compared to the ground; (2) Difference in counts between the aerial crews; (3) Effect of difference in amounts 0 f snow cover on the number of animals counted by air; and (4) Difference between morning and evening counts, if any, or the effect of continuous air activity in an area on :population counts. Sex ra.tios were made in the Piceance. CreekJ Dry Fork, and White River areas in November and December of 1952. A total of 802 deer were sexed. A breakdown of the counts are as follows. Little Hills Triangle 5 B 24 D 27 F Dry Fork 24 74 82 Piceance (upper) 18 48 55 Piceance (lower) 31 66 88 36 105 119 114 B 317 D 371 F White River �-45The breakdown shows approximately 2.76 does to 1 buck, and loll doe. fawns to 1 Composition of the herds sexed in percent shows 14021 percent bucks, 39.52 percent does, and 46.25 percent f'awns, Aerial counts were made of the deer in the pastures at Little Hills again this year. (Table 3). Flights were made at different times of the day to determine which time gives the best resultso Table 3 -- Aerial Counts of Deer in the Pastures Date Time of Day~ Deer in Pastur-es s Deer Seem Flying Time: Remarks Pasture • 3/18/53 7:15 A!v1 14 5 10 Min. 3/18/53 5:00 PM 14 o 9 3/24/53 2:30 PM 14 3 10 Min. 50% snow cover, sunny, Min. 0 50% snow cover, overcast 15% snow cover, sunny Pasture 6 3/18/53 7:15 AM 6 6 10 Min. 50% snow cover, 3/18/53 5:00 PH 5 o 7 Min. 50% snow cover, 3/24/53 2:30 PM 6 o 10 Tvlin. 15% snow cover, sunny overcast sunn Pasture 7 3/18/53 7~15 AM 3 2 8 Min. 3/18/53 5:t00PM 3 2 \7 }lun. 3/24/53 2~30 PM 3 2 10 Min. 50% snow cover, sunny 50% snow cover, overcast 15% snow cover, sunny At Little Hills Experiment Station the deer pellet count experiment. was tried again this year. Plots 1/100 acre in size at given intervals along compass lines were used as has been done in the past. One hundred square foot plots were taken simultaneously, but the 1/IOOth acre plots are thought to be more reliable. A number of the plots had been cleared prior to the stocking with deer. Since the deer were in the pasture only 3 to 5 months, pellets of the year were easily distinguished. In pasture four 549 groups were counted on 505 plots, in pasture six 317 groups on 345 plots, and in pasture seven 191 groups on 309 plots.. With knownacreage and stocking records accurate to the �-46deer day in two cases and within a very few days in the third, computations give an average of ll.7 pellet groups per deer day in pasture four, 22~4 in pasture six, and 14.6 in pasture seveno Last year, using the same procedure, samples in different pastures gave 12.3 and 1701 groups per deer day. Two' possible sources of error are a variation between deer in desiccation rate, or inaccurate or inadequate sample. Of these two, the latter is more likely. Summary~ The results of this investigation may be briefly summarized by stating that generally poor results were obtained during the first year of study. Actually nothing can be proved on the basis of the data gathered~ for statistical-tests show that the ratio of air to ground courits were not consistent nor significantly different for either plane between coverages. It appears that the Super-cub is the best plane for this tyPe of work, and the numbers counted by this craft were always more than that counted by the Cessna: however, the same crew always flew the same plane, and the Supei-cub counted first on the two most reliable trials. These latter two mentioned factors may account for some of the difference in counts between the two planes and crews 0 4 Reasons were given for the poor results obtained in the first year of study and recommendations listed,to effect a better and stronger analysis of future studies 0 The use of pellet group counts to determine deer numbers appears with the information so far collected at Little Hills Experiment Composi tion of deer herds sexed in the Piceance 39052 percent does and 46025 percent fawns. questionable Stationo area was 14.21 percent bucks, The early morning flights over the deer pastures brought the most reliable results. Even so, the counts were not as consistent as those made/last year with 100 percent snow cover. o=-=R:,::i::..:o:.:r:.:d::,:a::.::n _ Pnepar ed by _--::..P.:::.au=l::;:.....:F-.:o:..-G..::i:;;:;l~b..::e.;;.r...;;.t _ Approved by_-=1=a:.::::u=-r~en:::c~e:::...:E=-" Date July, 1953 Federal Aid Coordinator �-47JOB CO~~LETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of Colorado Project Noo W-38-R-6 Work Plan Noo Title of Job III PROJECTS Deer-Elk Investigations Job Noo 3 Detailed study of range forage by use of fenced exclosures. Objectives: To determine the rate of recovery of key forage species by separating grazing use of livestock and game by means of exclosures. Techniques Used~ Exclosures of one-quarter to several acres have been and are being constructed by the Federal Aid Division of the Colorado Game and Fish Depa.rtment, sometimes in cooperation with other land use agencies. These are checked each year and the differences within the plots and on the outside are notedo Findings~ Game exclosures have been established in the various big game ranges over the stateo Most of them have been established on key winter ranges In checking them this spri~g the following information was collected. 0 The Crystal River exclosure located near the Thomas Ranch shows excellent recovery on the key browse species with bitterbrush,9 Purshia tridentata being the outstanding specieso The range conditions adjacent to the plot show destructive use both present and pasto Throughout the area there is a cactus infestation, and little or no annual growth on the browse species present. The Basalt Refuge exclosure shows excellent recovery on all browse species, mountain mahogany, CercocaI'J3usmontanus and big sage, Artemesia tridentata being the outstanding species. The general range condition outside the plot shows destructive use, former and present. Browse plants have hedged appearance with little annual growth present. The Hernage Gulch exclosure located near the Williams Ranch on Brush Creek shows excellent recovery on all browse species within the exclosure with mountain mahogany the outstanding species.. The range condition outside the exclosure shows destructive use, former and present. Browse plants outside are badly abused" Mountain mahogany plants have had all available forage utilizedo The over-all aspect of the Kannah Creek exclosure shows a definite increase in vigor, especially sagebrush, inside the exclosure. The grass density is increasing both inside and outside with the vigor and density remaining equal between the twoo �-48The Blue Mesa plot is somewhat slower in recovery, but there is a marked change in the vigor and density of the crested wheat grass, Agropyron cristatum with the greater density showing in the deer-proof plot. The density was somewhat less in the cow-proof plot, and was still lower on the outside .• Brushy Ridge. and Dry Mesa exclosures, 1951, show no changes as yeto which were built in the fall of The Piedra exclosure which was established in 1950 near the State Turkey Ranch in southwestern Colorado shows a taller and thicker grass stand within the plot, an increase in density, and a greater number of forbes. The browse inside the exclosure is losing the hedged appearance. The House Creek Deer-Elk exclosure located on House Creek near the town of Dolores was also established in 19500 The greatest noticeable change here is the increase in grass density inside the exclosure. Hermosa exclosure No. 1 located at the lowfilrend of Hermosa Creek was established in 1950.. Improvement in plant condition and denSity is evident inside the exclosure for only browse plants. Hermosa exc.l.osure No.· 2 is located (16 mile above the Forest Service Drift Fence on Hermosa Creek. The browse within the plot still shows the evidence of heavy past use" The grasses generally are more abundant inside the exc.Lo'su.re than outside. The Parshall Divide exclosure was established increased amount of litter within the plot. in 1951.9 and shows only an The Beaver Creek exclosure located on lower Beaver Creek near the Hot Sulphur Station, shows a noticeable increase in litter, more vigorous big sage l1ithin the plot, and also an increase in grass denSity. Other plots located in the Gunnisbn and Salida regions were not checked this spring" Analysis and Recommendations: Most of the big game range exclosures over the state show a marked difference in denSity and vigor of important p.Larrt species. It is planned to have a data folder made up for each exclosure established~ all pertinent information and records will be contained within this folder. This will make it much easier for the person checking the area to tell what is taking place. (Figure I). Summary: Winter big game ranges in Colorado are in better condition this spring than in the previous year. Over-use of browse species is quite evident in most areaso Prepared Date by _P;;..a:...u:.::.:l::.-F....:o~G..;;:i:.::.:l....:be..:..;..r..;;..t Approved by ......;L:...a~u:.::.:r:..:e:.:n:.:c:...::e:..... _ July, i953 Federal Aid Coordinator �-49- Figure __ 1 COLOHADO GAlv'iE AND FISH DEP1Rn'lENT EXCLOSURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Size. . . . . • Acre Date Es t.ab.ld.shed , • • • .Game management unit number. . . . ... .. .. . . . . . . . . . . Cooperating agencies. Name of Exc Losur-e , 0 0 0 e • 0 • •• 0 • • • • • Cow proof •••• Average Annual Frecipitation. Location ••• • 0 , •• 0 0 0 • •• • • • • • • • S. • • • • • T. • • • · .li. . . • • • • . . Slope. . . .' . . • • • • • • • • Soil Type • • • .Degree and Exposure. . .. . . . . . • • Type of Domestic Stock using Range . . . . . . . . . . . •••Season • • • • • • • Land Ownership. t • acre Deer proof •.•• Acre 0 •••• • 0 General Vegetative • • • Game Animals using Range. Estimated • 0 type ••• Outside Range Conditions. Other Wildlife • • • 0.00 • • 0 • • 0" • • • • • • ' 0 • • • • • • • • • .Elevation • · . . ... . . . . . • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • 00:>. ' • • • • • • % • • • 0 Estimated • o • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• Bare Ground or Rock. • • • • • •• .% Browse Plants Present and Condition Browse. Weeds Present Weeds and Condition • • • • • • • • • Grasses. Grasses Present and Condition . . . .% • • • • % • • • • • • •• Use reverse side ~or other important information. Attach: 1. Hap (i" or ~Jt scale) showing plot location. 2. Mq.p (single section) showing detailed location as near as possible. 3. I~p of exclosure showing location of all plots, transects, photo hubs, etc ••, related to the exclosure. Show Game and Domestic • . . . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Season. • . . . . • • Species Present. Total Density. o • • stock use history, if available, on reverse side. •% ��-51JOB COHPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS Sta teof PROJECTS Colorado ----~~~~~----------- Project No. __W~-~38~-_R~-~6~ ~D~e~e~r __-~E~lk~I_n_v~e~s~t~i~g~a~t~i~ons~ Work Plan No. Job No. III ----~~~--------- Title of Job Little Hi=·=l=l~s_G~r~a~z~i~n~g~S~tu~qy~ _ _ Objectives~ To determine degree and selectivity of forage use by deer, aheep, ru,": cattle in enclosures under various intensities of grazing. Techniques Used~ Installation of pasture enclosures for deer, sheep, and cattle during the regular grazing season, and determining the degree and selectivity of use by accurately located sample plots. Findings: Spring Stocking of the Enclosureso On May 15 ten yearling sheep were placed in pasture 1, and 15 in pasture 5. These sheep were removed on Jurie 23.. Pasture 2 was stocked with 3 cows and 3 calves from May 16 until June 21 when 2 cows and calves were removed. The other cow and calf were taken out June 22. Four cows and 3 calves were placed in pasture 3 where they remained until June 21, when 2 cows and 1 calf were removed. One cow and calf were taken out on June 22, and the remaining cow and calf on June 25. The purpose of this shorter spring grazing season was to allow more concentrated use in the fall so there would be measurable differences between the before and after grazing measurements. Spring use appears to be hard on the preferred plants in the pastures. Even under moderate use the grass in the cow pastures is declining in vigor and weeds in the sheep pastures are decreasing in abundance. Foilowing the spring grazing, utilization estimates were made by Jack De Vore and Ross Campbell at six different points wi thin each pasture. When there were differences of opinion, these were compromised to reduce bias. (See Table 1) Three hurdle plots have been placed in each pasture utilization during the 1953 spring grazing season. as an aid to estimating �-52TABLE 1 -- AVERAGE PERCENT UTILIZATION Forage Species . Grass & Grass-l1.ke PasturE;;1 Sheei *Freq. of Ave. Occur. Util. AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE BY PASTURE Pasture 2 Cattle Freq. of Ave.' % Occur. Util. Pasture 3 Cattle Freq. of Ave. % Occur. Util. Pasture 5 She~ Freq. of Ave. % Occur. Util. �-53Table 1. (Cantt) Pasturec-1 Sheep Pasture 2 Cattle *Freq. of Ave. % Freq. of Ave. % Utile Utile Occur. Occur. Forage Species Forbs Agoseris glauca Senecio sppo Gilia·aggregata Erigeron spp. Castilleja chromosa Balsomorrhiza sagittata Hedysarum pabulare Artemesia frigida Ga.llium bore ale Eriogonum tristichum Linumlewisii I Lepidium montanum Heuchra parvafolia Circium sppo vErysiroum asperum ~ .. Pasture 3 Cattle Freq. of Ave. % Utile Occur. T T T 1 6 4 3 0 58 1 0 5 22 3 2 5 4 40 0 1 3 5 27 2 0 2 T 3 1 0 0 3 6 6 1 5 4 3 0 1 1 3 0 0 2 0 2 1 4 5 5 3 6 51 38 4 6 3 T 3 27 Pasture 5 Sheep Freq. of A.ve. % Utile Occur. 21 0 1 5 2 2 0 20 3 T 2 T 2 0 3 0 3 35 1 T 2 12 2 0 3 5 5 0 22 52 6 T 6 1 6 T 6 2 4 11 4 2 2 8 4 10 6 0 6 0 5 T 6 0 6 3 22 T So 5 2 5 4 4 18 11 5 2 20 15 5 T 6 T 5 T 6 1 3 3 3 1 4 4 3 3 T 2 T T T 0 0 5 1 1 0 70 1 2 6 3 2 1 5 1 5 1 5 T Browse Amelanchier utahensis Cercocarpus montanus Artemesia tridentata Chrysothamhus viscidiflorus Co nauseosus Symphoricarpos tetonensis Purshia tridentata Quercus gambelii Pinus edulis Eurotia lanata Tetradymia canescens Ribes SEE- T T 0 48 0 T 5 T 0 0 0 �-54the summer of 1952 the- division fence between p-astures~ is amounted to three_ _eriment Sta 10nISersonnel; ourths of a ml e of deer-tight fence The quadrats that were established in 1949 were charted again ..... - this time by Robert StevJart and Charles Hurd, Game Management students from Colorado A & M College. Many of the quadrats showed an i:ncrease in density, especially in the deer pastures. A second area outside the pastures was laid out for comparison with the deer pastures. Staked plots in the deer pastures and in one area outside were cleared of pellets in preparation for the pellet count that is made each year following the deer use .. Summer 'W::lrb 0 - , - Fall Stockin of the Enclosures: Ten sheep were placed in pasture 1 and fifteen in pasture on October .. Except for one sheep which got sick a:nd had to be removed November 6, all sheep were taken out November 20. Both pastures 2 and 3 carried 3 cows and 3 calves from October 3 until November 17. -.. The exception here was one cow which refused to go into pasture 3 until October 50_ Considerable difficulty was experienced in getting deer into the deer pastures. it. few were trapped in the large, group traps adjacent to each deer pasture, but mos t, of the deer were caught in the box type traps and transported to the pastures Sixteen deer consisting of 1 buck, 5 does, and 10 fawns were placed in pasture 4 between Deco 3 and February 270 Four fawns died, three of "which were located within a few days of the time they died. The fourth was not located until the deer were removed from the pastures so its death date had to be" estimated. All deer were removed from the pasture between May 8- and ¥~y 30. Six deer consisting of 1buck,:; ·4 does, and 1 fawn were placed in pasture 6. There was no loss and all deer were removed between Hay 9 and Nay 18. Pasture7 received 3 deer consisting of 1 buck, 1 doe, and. 1 fawn on December 16. They remained in the pasture until May 29 when 1 was driven out. The other two went out on Nay 31.. 0 TABLE 2 -- 1952 Stocking Record Summary Stock Months Acre/stock Pasture Acreage 1 sheep 68 spring fall 13.0 15.2 2.41 2 cattle 168 spring fall 3.6 6.1 17.32 3 cattle 169 spring fall 4.9 5.9 15 .• 65 5 sheep 82 spring 19.5 fall 23.5 Deer Months 1.91 AcreS/deer Mo. 4 deer 118 winter 42.6 2.77 6 deer 109 winter 17.6 6.19 7 deer 95 winter 1605 $.76 Table 2 contains a summa:ry of the 1952 stocking records. Moo �-55Utilization Heasurements: Heasurements i-veremade on fifteen point areas in each of eight pastures before and after the fall grazing. This is a tedious, time consuming process. The before grazing measurements were made during the latter part of August, the month of September, and the ea.rly part of Oc tobe r , The after grazing measurements were made between April 13 and May 230 Assistance came from the Federal Aid Divison, Education Division, Game Management, and Law Enforcement. Following is a tabulation of the man hours spent in making the after grazing measurementso One hundred sixteen man hours are considered the mimimum time when all crews are made up of one man experienced in measuring and one man who can write rapidly. Table 3 ~- Man Hours Used in After Grazing Measurements ~an Hours Pasture Number 5 250 1 2 144 116 136 3 10 128 11 124 4 116 118 6 Malysis and Recommendations~ It appears that spring grazing in the pastures at Little Hills is hard on the preferred plants, such as the grass in the cow pasture and the weeds in the sheep pasture For this reason a shorter spring season should give more of a measurable difference between the before and the after grazing measurements. What was carried as one pasture (6 & 7) last year has been separated, and are now two separate deer pastures of 109 and 95 acrese 0 Summary: Spring and fall stocking of the sheep and cattle pastures was done as planned. Spring use was lessened over last year. Three deer pastures 4, 6, and 7 were stocked with 16, 6, and 3 deer respectively. Pasture 4 is the only one that had any Los s , Four fawns died in this -pasture , Utilization measurements were made on fifteen point areas in each of eight pastures before and after fall grazing A total of 1132 man hours were required to complete the after grazing measurements alone. 0 Prepared by Date Approved Paul F. Gilbert ----~~~~~~~~------July, 1953 Laurence E. Riordan------Federal Aid Coordinator ��-57JOB COIVJPLETIONREPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of C~o~l~o~r~a~d~o~ ~ PROJECTS _ Project Noo _W~-~3~8~-~R~-6~ ~D~e~e~r~-;E=1=k~I~nv~e~s~t~i~g~a~t=i~o~n=s Work Plan Noo __ Title of Job .:::.IV~ Job No. Study of Other Mortality Disease, Parasites, Objectives: Techniques 3 Factors -Winter Loss, Starvation, Highway and Railroad Kills. To determine deer losses by various decimating Used~ _ Field study·and laboratory factors. examinations. Findings: During the 1952 big game season a number of cases of "sheep measles" were found in deer by a locker plant in the Grand Junction area. This parasitic disease of sheep, goats, and deer seems to have become more prevalent; or at least is being recognized more readily, than in previous ye~rs. Because of this "outbreaklt a study was initiated on the Dry Fork of Roan Creek where during the 1952 big game season 20 known cases pf sheep measles were found 0 The following is an excerpt from the 1942 Yearbook of Agriculture, "Keeping Livestock Heal thy, II pp, 873-84, and it gives a good account of the life history. "Cysticercus ovis, the bladder worm responsible for "sheep measles" is most commonly found in the heart or diaphragm but occurs not infrequently in the muscles of mastication and the tongue and sometimes in other locations in the muscular systemo It may occur in the lungs9 the walls of the stomach, and the wall of the esophaguso This is a small, oval bladder worm with the head and neck invaginated about midway between the ends - - - - -. Sheep and goats become infected by swallowing the eggs produced by the adult tapeworm in the intestines of dogs and voided together with segments containing eggs on pastures or elsewhere. After the eggs are swallowed, the shells are digested and the embryos, armed with six hooks, penetrate through the wall of the intestine and reach the liver with the blood stream. They pass through the liver into the veins and thence to the heart. From the hear t , they pass by means of general circulation to those parts of the body in which they are found at post mortem examination. They develop into mature bladder worms in about 2! to 3 monthse - - - - - - demonstrated that muscle cysticerci found in sheep were the larvae of To ovis a tapeworm of dogs not transmissible to man, and he also showed that muscle cysticerci of sheep, instead of being rare, occurred in a large number of sheep slaugh teredo II �-58There is a conflict in the method of infection because in a conversation wi th Dr. O.W. Olsen, parasitologist at Colorado A & M College, he described the mode of transmission as follows: The tapeworm eggs are jngested by a soil mite where they form into cysticercoids. The soil mite is then ingested by the deer, sheep, or goat in grazing and the cysticercoids develop into the cysticerci found in the muscles. In deer most of the cysticerci have been found in the loin and hindquarters. The major purpose of this study is to determine the extent and vectors of the parasitic disease of sheep and deer, Cysticercus ovis, as it occurs in the Roan Creek area. Other areas in the state where some infection exists are located on Figure 1, but the main study is being made on the Dry Fork of Roan Creek. In that the number of deer that are infected is not definitely known, and this number may be rather low, it was decided to use the vectors of the disease namely coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and dogs to determine the extent of the parasitism. These animals are believed to be the hosts of the tapeworm Taenia ovis of which Q. ~ is the cysticercal state. "Coyote guns" were set out in the Dry Fork drainage, but the trapping program was not very successful because the guns were out during the animals breeding season and coyotes are difficult to catch at this time. Because of this only one animal was caught. Another specimen was obtained from the Piceance Creek area. Five bobcats were trapped. The intestinal tract of the animals caught were taken and examined in the laboratory for parasites. The nematodes and cestodes obtained from this examination were preserved and sent to Dr. Olsen for positive identification. Plans had been made to "worm" the dogs in the area, but the ranchers involved were not in favor .of this. A bladder worm infection showed up in some deer taken in control work in the Paonia area. Technician Jesse Williams thought the cysts to be that of C. ovis and fresh samples were taken to :Colorado A & M for experimental-reeding. Upon examination of the cysterci, Dr. Olsen tentatively identified them as Cysticercus krabbei not Q. ~ These cysticerci look exactly alike in their gross appearance, but the difference between them lies in the size and shape of the small hooks on the rostellum of the larvae. C. krabbei has never before been reported from Colorado. It wa.s originally found in lUaska and Iceland in caribou, but has been found in deer in Oregon and Taenia krabbei was found in bobcats in Michigan. The results of the examination of the tapeworms obtained from the animals trapped, and from the experimental feeding are not available in that Dr. Olsen has left the country and was unable to examine the material before he left. During the 1950 hunting season, one case of C. ovis came out of the Fourmile Canyon - Sunlite Peak area. and two more-camefrom there during the 1951 season. Then during the 1952 season, 20 cases were reported from the Clifton Locker Plant just east of Grand Junction. All of these animals came from the Dry Fork and Kimball Creek drainages of main Roan Creek. No doubt there were more cases than were overlooked by other locker plants in the area. Then in connection with deer control in the Paonia area the 8 cases of C. krabbei were found. Note E'igure 1. �MAP OF COLORADO (MorFAr-------------- - -~iiO"UTr--!jACKsON- I ~ '\.. : , . ~ j 0." ,. PlIrul/ i [MOMiiiV- - ~ ' LRio-s,·:.----------------.l---·l I \ 1 o" eoID o8riggso(l/e 0 611~,f;nghomSIo ~hom Ne$II'!Ym~'O r·r cesra I ~ 011&0 #•••' •••••• ; ! I I ~ oK,vlIITUIn o(ol(f,;;h~;,~ - -L -~ , Nom"Io.O , OAII,1I1 • oDul11k,y °Ah.s.lI'tMO : '~N~ 0",~n6"'Y <; (j' ~.9'" o '1(11,," AIffIoH 0 J oRs ••••w.8,.. FC~{V o IYv~17 o , I \ -I- _._.\ , '- I ./c .~~,~.. '1"7:;::""'o~ .fiii{,;--/ " I.. Oom••yv" .." IT , .,z.- ht n,,' : . rC ='- • ~ ,_\:~", ,_.J _N 01" ' '0 _._." _, l.o/ll>.Y@ ~.,-,,_' . ' '0 __ 1"'-/' ,,,.Goot:__' , / ~_"'" .""'$0 ",.....vo ••.~'(' """';"j I _____ ~ " ______ ~/ , "_,,r,-, M I' ElHORTT 'RIO(jRANOC-'~'~ ,. DU~N60l 0'" ..,.~ ___ • ____' eee d.tlOSO.J /.,I ",N ,6 >-, " 'ICQ. '/1 r.......' / _k.. ,' __________ us ",. ' -' .- (7--1,·,,' " r""""' "~) " f'i, •••,N! " ) ••• , . (' / ('. - OF .-' ,., ••• _- __ 0 i"'._._. 1 .' -' ,- ,_ o sr .•.• O",d'f "~ ' ,....' I, "I'L ~i"s"b".nl,.!.',,$1 'i ." 1 - ,;:/;1: ,.,,-- c",ur ••• .? rfl ~ \ I ' .- : ' •.•••• - ,- ,- - ,,,,-' 1 '_~_N ~ ,I" \ I••' '" : . ,",,"i ,-_. ,.,~ ,oCompo II .~,,- """"II' - -"'" ,...., •••••.• \ ••••'0' _-----------1. ----------07,;",h,,0 I .----- ' ,- \ ~1'8;'CA'-' -----_.-.' • '.,-, -r:': .N. r,.- CJ lJ':y····.~.-.- oAy" o."om' m ANT'" ,_. ••( ...L _ \ •.•••. .~,-: PROW£, S "' 0""./ I ~ " ••••00_. ,,\v' --' ,_~,,,",;-'I ~"'M' _ _ ",," ~q:.() I ._,_.- '--'r' 1 V I(RA 88£1 '/'~ ,,=./ \ o~ so' F/GU.RE '''':,,':::' ...,\ ,~, ,~ .. II<w",,1 <>,,,,.or Ti.,,,, oo.",,'on ••• srneuso ,,,. _._.- 'F'-·---·_" I I ,~-.. ..,.. c ' N, corava I' DI S T RIB (J TION CYS TICER I'1AP C ' ,0 "IS !AL~'3~'-'--) ,N ''' _' CHEYENNE -! - _ . /610"'8~" l,)\ _ ~_ \ __________ .,_ / ~ ,_ CYS TIC ERe ",", •• ' EJO-·_·-·1....' "1/. us -{f"I_-.'L "I •r·i,;4 PLA· I (Meo. f. $p'so ~ 1"*'"" .-1-. .,," II 0":;.,: •.. ' '''.0' '~-'--M'.~1V1 ~ , . ' , ' ' .N. ._.j , ' ./ "r' ,..---,/) ~L' <r ,~.' . oAdm.-n v ~M '-'''L''w .-.~i .....'rf,N"'J'.~ :;,. '..1" r-:-' .)J.N A,CO ••••• l COIOIIAOOSPIIING$ Pod. I' '! ""r..4. .' I '"~, L' ..",,10''''0,,' ••• /. ••••• ec esso i' '1 ,='" ,~".,.." =1' _. . 1.'0 'I 1,.,/..."".. ''',~~ "'"_ ..:;'r"'"' - , ••pm". == 0 ' rra.e« -"'~ ,~, <,; l,. J' P6~"'" ._._,L.J'\ ''''''''''''''''T.-.J ""_~O \' -.-, ._ ,_ ' . '" ~"_) " ___ J_ , _ •. '~~' C:o"I, oedo,""I ~ J 0 I -...." _, • P'>;;;; -::':\' />. ' r too, Cf\ . . _. , MONTf:Z'f7ij,qif· •, UNN,,>m'-''1 "",n 0 : ~'_'"iG7li'i-'-'-'--)"1.., : .. '<. , o,,"!!.F._._. I oPo,;::;, ', O~. r , CD , ._._ I J I �48 FIGURE "1'1 GREEN ~ MOUNTAIN WINTER /fo 2RESERVOIR LOSS .36 ~ ~I JZ ~ ~ I Z8 ~I 24 ~ ~I , ZO /95/-$2 ~51 TOn'L $ CQI /6 ~ ~ IZ 8 1/ 0 ,. ../, -/00 "\ '--',.......... " \...'1 " - ---- --'''''' ,/" ,;-- ' -: , / ~ 'I" I\/'< / \, ..•. . ----..... .,.,. .....,................... ..•. _----, , ", <,'" I V \ /9.50-51 111 TOTAL -----...... /9.52-..5.3 -- ..------ /9 TOTAL 2.00 .300 J/OO 500 600 700 800 900 1000 /100 IlOO 1300 1'100 1500 1600 /700 YARDS 8ACf{ FRO/1 HIGH hIAT£R LINE �r -59The overall winter loss throughout the state was lighter than usual this year. In most areas throughou-t the st.abe, highways and railroads accounted for most of the animals found. 'I'he winter loss check which was initiated last year in the Green Mountain Reservoir Deer Winter Area,9 was run again this spring. Here the senior game management and recreation students from Colorado A & lYI College, under the supervision of Professor Douglas L, Gilbert3 assisted in checking the sixteen eight mile strips two chains wide. The men were strung out the same as last yearJ a hundred yards apart on the north side of the reservoir. Each man kept track of the number of dead animals found and tallied them as to bucks, does, and fawns. A total of 19 dead deer were found (Figure 2) as compared with 351 for last year. This loss consisted of five bucks, five does, and nine fawns. Observers this year were also asked to keep track of the number of last year's winter kill they found so that this figure could be checked against the 351 actual count. The last year's dead animals found totaled 294, which shows that approximately sixteen percent were missed. Paul Gilbert counted the loss on the sixteenth strip again this year, and it is believed that at no time was he more than two hundred feet off the same line followed last year. The 1951-52 count. for this strip was twenty-one dead animals. This year's check count for the 1951-52 loss for the same observer was nineteen9 a difference of nearly fifteen percent. Analysis and Recommendations g Jesse E. Williams plans to continue the study of Cysticercus ovis and Cysticercus krabbei. This work will start early enough in the fall so that the trapping program will not coincide with the coyotes breeding season, and it is hoped that valuable knowledge of the disease, its vectors, and its extent can be obtained. After this information is accumulated, some method of control may be initiated; but until- the basic facts regarding these particular parasites are obtained, no recommendations can be attempted. Information collected on the Green Mountain Reservoir Deer Winter Range shows that the winter loss this past season was extremely light. This study will be carried on several years. Summaryg Cysticercus ovis and Cysticercus krabbei have been found in several new areas of the western slope of Colorado. The extent of the infection has not as yet been determined. The winter loss check of deer on the Green lViountainDeer Winter Range was much lighter this year with 19 as compared with the counts of 351 last year. This year the 16th man counted 520 live deer that broke around him to the right as compared with 263 last year. A check count against the 1951=52 loss of 351 made this year netted only 294 carcasses. A check count on strip No. 16 netted only 19 of the original 21. Prepared by Date Paul F. Gilbert Approved by __ L_a_u_r..:.e,;;;;n..:.c..:.e~E..:.._R.. Federal Aid Coordinator ��-61JOB COl'JPLE'l'ION BEPOHT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS Colorado ----~~~~~------------ Project No. W-38-R-6 Work Plan No. V Ti t.Le of Job. Objectives: in state. Deer - Elk Investigations Job No. Dentition To determine 1 and Age-W'3ight Co:.::r:...:r:...:6:..,:1::..a::..L..:..:' o:..:n:.:::s=-_ l::.." weight groups by age classes for any given area Techniques Used: Live trapping and tagging deer, and use of drugs to facili ta te handling of trapped animals. Findings: Twenty-one deer consisting of eight does and thirteen fawns were weighted at Little Hills by use of a v~eighing box. The does ranged in weight from 121 to 153 pounds, with an average of 137.5 pounds, while the fawns weighed from 48 to 72 pounds with an average of 62.2 pounds. 'Ihese weights were all obtained in February and Har-ch , Last year the does we i.ghed averaged 132.5 pounds and the fawns averaged 65.3 pounds. Several deer were vJeighed when they were removed from the pastures. One old mature doe was in such poor condition that she was run down and caught. She had lost 32 pounds in three months. Although she was released, she died within a few days. Three others, two fawns and one doe weighed within a few pounds of their original weight. An item of interest is the fact that the lightest fawn put into the pastures survived and the four other heavier f'awns died. Analysis and Recommendations: Nothing was done this season on the use of drugs. All the animals we i.ghed were caught in the individual traps, and weilShed with the use of a weighing box. Twenty-one deer were weighed this year a.tLittle Hills Experiment Station. Thirty-one deer were weighed last year. Summary: Deer weighed this year at Little Hills Experiment Station consisted of twenty-one animals, eight does ranging in weight from 121 to 153 pounds, averaging 137.5 pounds. Thirteen fawns ranged from 48 to 72 pounds with an average of 62.2 pounds. The does "\.,eighed during a mild winter (1952-53) averaged five pounds heavier than those weighed during the previous harder winter. The average weight of the fawns is tied in directly with the condition of the does. Fawns carried during the milder winter of 1950-51 and born in June of 1951, averaged three pounds heavier than the ones carried during the horder winter of 1951-52. Prepared Date by Paul F. Gilbert Approved Laurence E. Riordan ----~~~~--~~~-----------July 1953 Federal Aid Coordinator ��-63JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado ----~~~~--------------Project Noo W-38-R-6 peer - Elk Investigations --~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~------------------ Title of Job Job No. v Work Plan No. Embryo and productivity ~2 Usedg Collection _ Index Studies Objectives~ To obtain accurate breeding of deer and elk throughout the stateo Techniques nationo ~ dates and reproduction potentials of fetuses and ovaries for laboratory exami- Findings~ Fetuses or emb~os were saved whenever possible. A total of 27 does were posted. Of this number 11 were carrying twins, two were carrying at.ngl.es , two were not pregnant, and one was carrying triplets. Twenty-four embryos were weighed and recorded. These have been plotted on the graph in Figure 1 against the previous years weights and curve. Six embryos weighed in Marc.h averaged 21.5 ounces. Eight embryos weighed in April averaged 2~12 ounceso Eight fetuses weighed in May averaged 29 ounces. Analysis and Recommendations~ In comparing this yeaJs unborn fawn weights with last years for the same two months, it was found that the poor condition of the does and the hard wim"er showed a marked difference in unborn fawn weights. In lliJarch, 1952 the average embryo weight, out of fourteen weights~ was 12 .• 5 ounces; or nine ounces lighter than the average for the month of March, 19530 The differences for the month of April was not so great. The average of five ~ril, 1952 embryo weights was 21 ounces, as compared with the 1953 April weights of 24012 ounces. There were insufficient May~ 1952 weights to compare with the average of eight May, 1953 weights of 49 ounces. Summary~ Hard winters have a definite growth retarding effect on the unborn fawns. From what information has been collected, the month of ¥~rch appears to be the critical one. The pre-natal fawn per doe ratio in the Paonia area was 107. Approved by Laurence E. Riordan Prepa red by _-=-P=.au=l=-.::F:...;o=--::G:.;:i:=l=b.=e;;:.r.=t----_ Date Federal Aid Coordinator �,. T -+- + + +rt 17, ++ , I F.l6UR£ 1 ��, -65JOB COMFLETIONREPORT INVESTIGATIONS Sta te of __ Project Noo ...lCo.LlQ.L.lI..lQJJr;.;,,;a:2.l.d.l.l.o.l.-. PROJECTS ~ W-38-R-6 Deer - Elk Investigations --~~~~----~~--~~~~~~~~~------------------ Work Plan No. VI ------ Title of Job Methods of Evaluating Job No. 1 and Preventing Deer and Elk Damage to Crops Objectives: To determine methods of lessening or preventing deer and elk damage to crops and methods of accurately determining the amount of loss that may take place .• Techniques Used: .Field studies in areas where ~amage occurs. Growth ana yield to be determined by the use of fenced and unfenced plots in alfalfa fields. These plots to be sampled by clipping and weighing and height measurement in meter square quadrats. Findings~ A study was ini hated by Technician Jesse Williams in a critical deer damage area located on the Dry Fo:rk of Roan Creek.. Two quarter acre deer proof enclosures were placed in the alfalfa fields at the time the damage was starting on Hay 8, 1952,. Ten meter square plots were located on the inside and on the outside of each of the tWo encl.osures ;- The hay around one of the enclosures was out before Williams had a chance to do any clipping. The plots in and around the other enclosure were clipped the same time that the field was mowed. The material obtained was weighed immediately after clipping and again after it was air dry. This data is recorded in Table 10 The data was also analyzed statistically and this analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the grazed and ungrazedplots~ and also showed that at least 60 meter square plots would be necessary for a valid statistical analysis. The wet weight difference between grazed and ungrazed was 1 pound 4·ounces which figures out to be 50600 pounds per acre more in the ungrazed alf.a.lfa. As was stated before)a statistical analysis of this data showed no significant difference or in other words that these figures will not prove to be valid under-a statistical analysis. In addition to the clipping arid weighing study~ the exclosure was sprayed in strips using the two standard repellents "Goodrite Zip" and "Diamorid Lit-in recommended-and in . double strengths. One strip was not sprayed as a central. Due to circumstances beyond the author's control.9 this spraying was done too late in that ,the alfalfa in the plot had started to dry up so no change or difference between the strips could be detected after the fence was taken down. Evidently the deer preferred the younger.9 greener hay as compared with the more mature alfalfa in the plot. There was some use of the sprayed al.f'al.f'a, but it was light .• �-66Table 1. -Weights of Clipped Alfalfa uitAZEI) Plot UNGRAZED Wet Weight Air dry weight 1 1 lb. 6 oz. 4 Ibs 3 oz. 1 Ib 3 oz. 3 Ibs 8 oz. 2: 10 oz. 1 Ib 8 oz. 15 oz. 2 Ibs 10 oz. 3 12 oz. 1 Ib 9 oz. 12 oz. 1 Ib 12 oz. 4 14 oz. 2 Ibs 6 oz. 15 oz. 2 Ibs 8 oz. 5 1 Ib 0 oz. 2 Ibs 4 oz. 15 oz. 2 Ibs 4 oz. 6 1 Ib 1 oz. 2 Ibs 15 oz. 11 oz. 1 Ib 11 oz. 7 15 oz. 6 oz. 1 Ib 2 oz. 3 Ibs 2 oz. 8 1 Ib 1 oz. 2 Ibs 12 oz. 1 Ib 0 oz. 2 Ibs 15 oz. 9 14 oz. 2 Ibs 5 oz. 14 oz. 2 Ibs 6 oz. 3 Ibs 0 oz. 15 oz. 2 Ibs 4 oz. 25 Ibs 14 oz. 9 Ibs 6 oz. 24 Ibs 10 oz. 10 1 Ib TOTAL 9 Ibs 15 oz. 2 Ibs Air dry weight Wet weight o oz. Analysis and Recommendations: It appears that-a study of this type Will take more i:rimethan what was available, also an area sho1.lldbe selected where the rancher will cooperate. For this reason, it is planned to put one of the fields at the state-owned Basalt Ranch back into-alfalfa; and if possible get a student on part time to take care of the study. SUliImary: Deer damage to alfalfa was checked on one ranch on the Dry Fork of Roan Creek. The dry weight difference of the amount of alfalfa hay producedon the grazed and the ungr-azed areas figured out to be 227.7 pounds per acre. The use of a deer spray repellent was tried too late to show any difference. Prepared by __ P:..a;;;.;u;;;;:l:..~F...:; •.....:.G.=;il;;;.;b.:..e:.:r:...:t=--__ ...:-Approved by Laurence E. Riordan Date -.;J...:;u;;;;:1:s..,y.z..2 -.;1:;.::9...:::5~3_ Federal Aid Coordinator �-67JOB CONPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS Colorado Deer - Elk Investigations ~~~~~--------~~--~~~--~~~~~~----------------- Project No.. W-38-R-6 Work Plan No., VI Job Noo 2 Title of Job: __-=E=m~e~rgg~en=c~y~D~e~e=r~F~e~e~d=i=n~g~E=xp~e~r=i=m~e=n~t _ Objectives: To determine methods of efficiently supplementing a deerts winter diet to distribute herds more widely for damage prevention, and for winter emergencies 0 Techniques Used: The part of Hermosa Creek drainage extending from U.S. Highway 550 upstream for a distance of about 7 or 8 miles is deer and elk winter range. During severe winters, the area of winter range available to game "is reduced by deep snow to a small fraction of the normal wintering area. In such severe winters, game animals have destructively used the browse available to them and, lacking sufficient natural food, have invaded orchards, . haystacks, and meadows to do damage amounting to thousaridsof dollars. In an effort to lessen winter losses of game animals and to prevent damage to cultivated crops, costly game feeding has been resorted to with doubtful beneficial results. The Hermosa winter range is an oakbrush, mountain mahogany, juniper, ponderosa pine type in which oakbrush provides most of the browse available. Much of the oakbrush is in old stands that have grown so big and tall that most- of the annual growth material is out of reach of game. Consequently, it is of Ii ttle value to game except as cover. If a way could be found to replace these over-age oakbrush stands with young stands, in effect, many- acres of productive winter r-ange would be created.. In sufficient quantity, the" additional browse range would help to reduce winter losses, range overuse, and damage to agricultural crops. The Hermosa Browse Production Project was initiated to investigate the possibility of replacing such over-age stands of oakbrush with young stands. A site for the project was selected by Technician Harold Shepherd in the Hermosa deer-elk winter range on U.,S. Forest Service land about 2 miles upstream from U.S. Highway 550. See map, Figure 1. Here there is a dense stand, several acres in extent, of over-age oakbrush that, because of its size, provides but little browse for game. However, it is in an area used much by both deer and elk. Wi thin the stand of oakbrush were laid out 17 parallel strips 20 feet wide and of varying length, depending upon the topography. See Figures 2 and 3. On September 15, 1952, two men began clear-cutting the oakbrush in alternating strips, thus leaving strips 20 feet wide uncut between cut strips. The cutting was done by �hand with axes, Figure 4. Strips were laid out on the contour as a deterrent to erosion, and as the brush was cut large limbs were lopped off, and they and the trunks were distributed'length-wise of the strips, Figures 3 and 50 Distributed in this fashion, it is believed the slashings will help check water runoff.\>catch snow, collect debris, and further the accumulation of litter; besides f'ur-thcr-i.ng the production of second-growth oakbrush. It is expected that the cutting of the oakbrush will result in abundant new growth as second-sgr-owth from the stumps and as new shoots from the underground stems. The uncut strips of oak will provide cover while the cut strips are growing. When the cut strips have grown up to second growth it is planned to cut" the remainder of the uncut strips. It was also expected that limbs of the cut brush would provide some browse for game the first winter. To provide a means of better judging the extent to which the cut and uncut strips will bebrowsed by game, an exclosure was built to include a portion ofa cut and an adjacent uncut strip. This exclosure was completed June 2, 1953. See Figure 2 for its location. Findingsg Strips of oakbrush totaling 9,594 feet in length and 4.4 acres in area were cuto The cutting period extended from Hay 15 to November 30))1952. It required 680 man-hours.\> and was paid for at the rate'of $1.50 per houro Total labor cost of cutting amounted to $1,020.00; or $232000 an acreo During the most of the winter, branches of the cut brush were covered too deeply with snow to provide browse. But as they were bared of snow in the spring, many of the twigs were browsedo Analysis and Recommendations: It is too early to tell if the project will be successful in producing more browse on areas of cut-over oakbrush than was produced on the same areas before cutting$ and no conclusions can be drawn as to whether strip cutting of oakbrush would be effective'in reducing winter losses and mitigating damage to agricultural crops. Axe cuttinlt of oakbrush might be too expensive to be practical on a large scale operation. However, the use of power chain saws or bulldozers would likely reduce the clearing cost to a fraction of that reqUired for axe clearing, and make the per-acre cost low enough to make large-scale clearing operations feasible. It is recommended that during the fall of 1953, more strips be cleared, some with bulldozers and others with chain saws, to obtain data on the relative costs of the various clearing methods and their effectiveness in inducing second-growth sprouting of oakbrush. Summary~ I. The Hermosa Browse Production Project is an experiment to indicate the possibility of increasing the amount of browse available to deer and elk in restricted winter range by strip cutting over-age oakbrush, there by reducing winter los ses , mitigating damage to agricultural rops and winter range. 2. An area of 404 acres of oakbrush was strip-cut by axe at a cost of $232.00 per acre. �F i9.t. HERMOSA BROWSE PRODUCTION PROJECT LOCATION t R.9W. T37N T36N. ,II. R. 5'1t~jlfz"'q' J<H1fZ, /95"-5 �BROWSE HERMOSA PRODUCTION PROJECT Fig. 2. .. . .. .:.:..:. ::'.:'. ::: :,:.:::: ',~,,,:'.. : .... •. .• " '. . ... " •. .. ......" : ...... •. •. •. .. " • .... ". corral ~~Jj ~'1~6~~~~~~~~=== '~'J . . , '. • ~ •••••. • • •••' 'J' (' ". '"l ( "6 ' .' , .... ', I •. . .' l . . . , . .... · t · ,~.,..: .",. l' , - , .... '. ••~ •• " '. . .. . . .. . . . .. "".. .. " .• .. .. . . .. .. .. .•. ' ,'"r; ." rtJ .. ' .' ' . ... ' .. '~. 'l:: ', '.if'. ". ,_.'. i· '6~ : .• •. .• . .. .. .• . .,'. .. .. .'.." .. . _ : ••. . , Exc!Osu..rfll ' \ - ....• '\ 10',. so' :. \ ', • ...' , ,\ . \ \ , -' " '-\ ~>,. . (\J ..... •.... lj ,\ ~ ,\ \\ :. :.: {fl7cuf " oal<6ra.sh oCu.! Oa.1r6rt.(sh .slrt'pS SCClle- r: 200' --- \,.(,."'_ \''\ \\ , ' ., -AI . , .G~f(.·/~ " 5.27, T.37N,R.9W •• flJ? sh~pherd JUI'?(Z '" ,\ LEGEND /95'3 , . , . . ' �Fig. 3. View of cut and uncut strips, June 1953. �Fig. 4 Fig. 5. Cutting oakbrush Strip after cutting �-693. Game used cut browse the first winter after cutting. 4. Other methods of clearing by the use of chain saws and bulldozers would probably reduce clearing cost to a practical figure.. Experiments to determine relative costs and effectiveness of various clearing. methods are proposed for 1953. 5. Final results of the project will not be evident for several years. Prepared by Date Paul F. Gilbert Approved by July, 1953 --------~~~~~--------------- Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-71- State of Project Work JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado ----------~~~~---------Number Plan No. ° Ti tl e of J b.__ ~W~-_3~8~-_R_-6~ ~D~e~e~r_-~E~1~k __In~v~e~s~t~i~g~a~t~i~o~n~s _ VI Job No , 4 --------~---------------------=~----------------- =E~v.::::a=l.::u.::::a..:;tl::.· o.:.:n:..::......:o:.,;f::.. ...;P;.,..:a:;:,::s:..t:....;&:....;F...:u:..:t:..::ti:.:.r.::e-=E,:;;m Objective: To collect and evaluate all available information the Colorado Game and Fish Department's recent winter feeding relating to activities. Techniques Used: The available information was assembled for the various areas of the state by interviews of letter with the Department personnel concerned; also with others who had an active part in, or observed, the feeding operations. Findings: The winter feeding done during the hard. winter of 1949:-50 was reported on by Wildlife Technician Glenn Rogers under project 58-D, January, 1950" .\ Emergency Storm Disaster Feeding of Wildlife, If and will.not be covered under this job. This writeup is not cC>.mpletely~state-wide as some did not report in 1951 and 1952. Paonia - Minnesota Creek Area ---Technician Jesse Eo Williams. The data in this report is taken from an interview with the warden; Arthur Rogers, who has been concerned with the Paonia -JlfJinnesota Creek f'eedd.ng program since its start in 1938. At this time hay was fed, but in 1939 the feeding of cull apples that were given to the department by the packing houses in Paonia was started. There was an estimated population of 1,200 deer on Hinnesota Creek when feeding operations were begun. This population built up so that in the winter of 1941-42 the estimated population was 3,500 animals, and during that winter 300 tons of apples and 18 tons of loose hay were fedo Special feeders were used to hold the apples. Despite the feeding operation, the population dropped off, but built back again in 1947-48 when the population was estimated at 2,000. Ten tons of apples were fed during this period. It was during this period that apples and peach tree prunings were used. in the feeding program. The peach prunings were readily taken by the deer, but the apple. prunings were too coarse. This program was abandoned after the one year trial. The winter of 1950-51 was quite a hard one as far as the deer were concerned. Seven tons of baled hay, three tons of apples, and one~ and onehalf tons of deer pellets were fed, but despite this feeding there was a heavy winter loss and an increase in dead deer was noted in the areas adjacent to the feed grounds. This last winter of 1952-53, 6,500 pounds of apples were fed despite the fact that it w.asa light open winter. �-72The range on Jl1innesotaCreek is and has been destructively utilized for many many years. There is practically no ground vegetation or litter, the pinons and junipers were highlined and the browse plants are dyingo This continued destructive multiple use by deer, sheep, cattle, and horses has destroyed the vegetation and caused overall erosion to the extent that it is doubtful if the range will ever recover, at least within a lifetime. Middle Park -- Technician Paul Fo Gilbert There was no winter feeding of deer or elk, other than the hay lift; in Hiddle Park during the hard winter of 19.51-.520 There was only a small amount of hay, 60 bales, (2 tons) dropped by plane. These were dropped on the Blue Ridge and Junction Butte south of Kremmling, on winter range occupied by both deer and elk. Three bales were found the following spring intact, apparently having fallen in deep snow and were not available to the game animalso Southwestern Colorado Technician Harold RoShepherd The winter of 1951-52 was severe and long. Snow began accumulating early in the winter, and in the Dolores River countrv remained at a depth of approximately five feet in the deer-elk winter range ~reas for a period of about four months. The amounts of snow on "the gr-ound averaged less in the Hermosa and Pagosa Springs winter range, but throughout the big game winter ranges there was much more snow than normally, and the game was f'or-eed down into a relatively small part of their normal winter range. Deer and elk soon had used a large part of the browse available to them in their restricted range and were becoming a threat to stacks of hay and orchard crops. As is usual during severe winters, sportsmen and others seeing game spilling over the crowded winter range into ranch and orchard country, and seeing the inevitable thinness of some of the animals, thought the game herds were on the verge of starvation. Consequently, there was the usual agitation for the Colorado Game and Fish Department to feed the game. The department, influenced by public pressure and the wish to keep game off ranch and orchard areas and prevent consequent claims for damage 'tohay and orchard crops, began a feeding program.. Feeding was done in three general areaslt at Hermosa, near Dolores, and near Pagosa Springs. The accompanying maps show the locations.of feeding sites within these areas. Dolores Area. In the Dolores area, feeding was done above the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Dolores River..,about ten miles up the Dolores River above the town of Dolores. Both deer and elk were fed on the East Fork of the Dolores, but.only elk were fed on the West Fork of the Dolores. Department personnel estimate that there were about 7.5 elk fed on each fork of the river. An estimated 200 deer o~ the East Fork came to the feed grounds Feed plots were located where game w~s concentrated along both forks of the river. On the West Fork, feed plots were scattered from just below Cottonwood Creek to Paradise.Hot Springs, three miles below Dunton. On the East Fork, plots extended from $toner to Montelores. Plots were Located along roads leading up the two streams named, 0 �® FEED GROUNDS Dol 0 re s Ri v er Showing 1951-5~ Win't e r Feed{ng Range Sites �-73Feeding began in January and continued into ApriL The feeding was done by game department personnel Fred Bo'LLan, Harry Terrill!! and Ellsworth Holcomb. Hainly, baled alfalfa hay was fed. The general practice was to haul. the hay to the feed grounds on trucks~ and scatter it over the snow. Game was fed on one fork of the river one afternoon and on the other the next afternoon, so that the game received feed every other afternoon. During the winter, 7t tons of alfalfa hay were fed to approximately 150 elk and 200 deer for a period of about 2~ months. The rate of feeding was about ~ pound per animal per day. Sixteen blocks of salt were put out for the game during the course of the winter. The cost, actual and estimated, of the feeding operation is as follows: Alfalfa hay, 7t tons $750 Salt, 16 blocks 16 Labor, 400 man-hours 540 Transportation 500 Total $1,806 Estimated total cost of the feeding operation is $1,806 or $5 per animal fed during the winter. It was the opinion of local department personnel that!! "there was no damage or prospects of damage involvedll in the decision to~feed the Dolores game herds. The feeding was first begun by the Dolores Rod and Gun'Clubo After it was begun and the game had been concentrated by the feeqing1 it was too late to stop. The department felt it had to continue. Browse was destructively used in a band 300 yards wide surrounding the perimeter of the feed grounds because of the extremely heavy use to which it was subjected by the many deer and elk attracted to and concentrated in the feed ground areas. Eight dead deer and two dead cow elk were found on the feed grounds. No data is available on the total winter loss in the area. The department employee in charge of the feeding operation believes it was not successful. Hermosa Area. Feeding in the Hermosa area was begun January 23, and was continued until about April 18. Department personnel.concerned with the feeding were George Gaylord, Dick Teague, Allison Nason, and temporary labor. Other reasons were involved, but the threat of damage to hay stacks and orchards was probably the primary reason for fee.ding. The locali ty near the mouth of Hermosa Creek contains many valuable or-chards, and on the many small ranches are numerous hay stacks which are a temptation to deer and elk during severe winters. The department has been plagued wi~~ damage claims from that section for years. In the attempt to alleviate game damage to the orchards,? the department constructed a game drift fence which provides a partial barrier to deer and elk that funnel down into the winter range immediately adjacent to the orchards. The fence has acted, also, to drift the game along it to little-used range farther south. The location of the fence in relation to the orchards and feed grounds may be seen in the accompanying map. �-74Before feeding was begun, it became necessary on January 6 to employ three herders to keep elk out of hay that was put out for domestic stock by ranchers in the Animas Valleyo Both day and night herding was resorted to, and dogs and shotguns were used to frighten the game. But even shotguns and dogs were not always effective in driving the game back from hay stacks. wnen approximately 65 elk drifted into the orchard area east of the gam~ fence9 numerous attempts were made to drive them ou~ of the area, but without success. Starting January 23, a feeding program was begun which was designed to hold game away from areas where they might do damage. Five feed grounds or feeding sites were established during the period of the feeding operation, located as shown on the accompanying map. All except one of these were above the game fence. Feeding site Number 1 was accessible by jeep truck a.fter a.way through the snow had been bulldozed up the Hermosa Road for about two miles. In the vicinity of this feeding site, there were an estimated 500 elk and 300 deer. From 6 to 12 bales of hay a day were fed here. Approximately 65 elk and 100 deer were fed four bales of hay daily at feeding site Number 2. The hay was carried by pack train back into the Hermosa Cliffs area away from the orchards, and scattered'. At feeding site Number 3, four bales daily were fed to about 100 elk and 75 deer. The hay was brought in by pack animals. At feeding site Number 4, feeding was discontinued Narch 1 because the game left it for other feed sites. Pack animals were used to deliver four bales of hay per day to an estimated 150 elk and 75 deer at feed site Number 5. 1\ few elk and about 100 deer were fed 3 bales per day at feed site 6. In addition to hay, about tons of South Dakota deer pellets were fed during the latter part of the winter. These were scattered with the hay, sparingly. It During the winter, 67 tons of alfalfa hay were fed to an estima ted 800 elk and 650 deer at the rate of about 3/4 ton per day, or a oout 1 pound per animal per day. Total cost of the operation is as follows: Bulldozer work $ Alfalfa hay, 67 tons @ $60 4,020 Deer pellets, It tons Labor Transportation 700 160 3,376 336 Total $8,592 The cost of the feeding operation winter .. amounts to about $6 per animal for the �R.9W. R.8W. -- FEED GROUND ORCHAROS Hermosa Winter Ronge Showi ng 1951-52 Feed ing Si tas �~ FfEO GROUND Pagosa Spr i ngs Wi nt er Range Showing 1951-52 Feeding SUes �-75Pagosa Springs Area. Winter feeding in the Pagosa Springs locality was confined to three general areas as shown on :the accompanying map: along McCabe and Fourmile Creeks north of Pagosa Springs, and along th~Little Blanco River southeast of Pagosa Springs. Feeding was done by department personnel Charles Vavak,Dick Teague, lliison-Hason,and volunteer help. Feeding was begun February 2 and continued through Harch 26, 1952. During the period game was fed, the snow depth ranged from four to eight feet. The feed grounds were 10cated back in the foothills on game tra.ils. Feed was hauled to the grounds with a Sno-Cat, and bales of hay were broken and spread in a feed ring as cattle are often fed. The hay was a mixture consisting- of alfalfa, sweet clover, oats, barley, and some wild sunflower. The deer and elk ate the hay readily and did not waste any of it. The practice was to feed in the mornings when most of the game wouid consume the feed, four to eight bales of hay being scattered on the grounds at a time. Salt was not fed. It was estimated that 140 elk and 35 or 40 deer were fed in the .Pagosa Springs locality. .Hay in the amount of 10,390 pounds, or about 5-; tons, was fed during the winter. Since this amount of hay 'Vlas fed to 180 animals during a 53-day period, the feeding rate averaged about one pound per animal per day. The cost of the feeding operation was as follows:. Hay, 10,390 pounds at $55 per ton $285 Labor, 148 man hours 200 Transportation 130 Total- $ 615 The cost of the feeding on a per animal basis amounts to about $3.40 for the 53 day pe~od. One calf elk was the only game animal found dead on the feed grounds. It was the opinion of Warden Vavak that feeding "was a great help to game , . mostly elk, in this area. Winter losses we re ihe'Ld down to a minimum. Damage to hay was prevented to a great extent. If the game, mostly the elk, had not been held on these feed rings, the department would have been paying out far more for hay damages than the amount paid for hay bought and expense of feeding. If 1'Irr~ Vavak feels that the hay mixture used is better for game than any straight hay. No data is available to indicate what the winter loss "laB in the general area where feeding was done:.,but the personnel interviewed were of the opinion that it was not excessive. AnalysiS and Recommendations: Deer feeding in the Paonia - }linnesota Creek had consisted chiefly of apples and fruit tree prunings for the past thirteen years. During the winter of 1951-52, game was fed in three general areas wi thin the San· Juan Basin. The decision was a consequence of local public pressure coupled with the desire to prevent game damage. Feeding was begun in the latter part of January and continued into the first week of April. �-76In all areas in the southwest except the Dolores, those in charge considered the feeding in 1952 to have been successful in at least lessening game damage. In no area was the winter loss of deer and elk reported to be much above normal. In the Hermosa area the winter loss of deer was thought to have been about 15%, and that for elk. about 12%. However, since the estimate was based on general observations and not on a survey designed to determine the extent of winter loss, the estimate may be considerably less than the actual loss. It seems doubtful that the feeding program lessened the winter loss, for losses were reported to have been no greater, if as great, in areas where feeding was not done. The per animal cost in 1948-1949 was high, about $14, as compared vlith a cost of $6 per animal in the same area in 1951~1952o The severe cold may have been the principal cause for the greater number of deaths in the winter of 1948-1949 in the southwest part of the state. The game may have required more heat energy than the depleted browse afforded, thus resulting in the large death losses of that year. To substantiate the temperature differences in the two winters, U.S. Weather. Burecu records were consulted. They show the following facts about the Durango weather for the two years: During the period of December through April, the average depth of snow on the ground was 14 inches in 1951-1952; and 13 inches in 1948-1949. During the winter of 1951-1952, there were 20 days when it was below zero; while in 1948-1949, there were 36 days of below zero weather. In this earlier year, there was one entire week of below zero cold, and one day of this week was 270 below zero. Another factor which may account in part for the lighter death losses in 1951-1952 in the Hermosa area is the game drift fence wh.i.ch acted to drift game south where more browse was available. As a damage prevention measure, winter feeding m9Y have some merit, depending upon the particular circumstances involved. But even for damage control, in most instances the cost of the feeding program would be greater than the damage it might prevent. Too, even though a feeding program was justified from the standpoint of damage control, the localized browse destruction causes damage to the range that takes years to repair. If feeding is done, it should be done in a manner that will spread the :reed over a large area. Feed yards or grounds should be avoided. Spreading the hay along game trails with pack trains, Sno-Cats, and trucks in such a manner that the game is drawn back away from areas of possible damage seems to be the most effective manner of feeding to prevent damage to orchards, hay stacks, and pastures. This also makes for less concentration of game, and should help to hold down disease and localized range destruction. Summary: In the Paonia-Hinnesota Creek areas it is recommended by Technician Jesse 'Williams that feeding be abandoned. There is no sense,in concentrating the animals on 8...'1 already destructively utilized range. It shou.Ic,:); pointed out that deer herding and control methods are still necessary in this area despite the feedingo The damage claims are still being turned in. �-77Winter feeding of deer and elk was done in three general areas wi thin the San Juan Basin of southwestern Colorado during the winter of 1951-1952, namely Hermosa, Dolores, and Pagosa Springs. Kinds of feed have been baled alfalfa, oat hay, hay mixtures, and salt. deer pellets, Higher death losses of game during the winter mf 1948-l949 than during the winter of 1951-1952 in the southwest were probably due primarily to the extreme cold. Winter feeding of deer and elk probably does not mitigate winter losses; it may increase them. Winter feeding may have, in s:ome specific instances, trol measure. Prepared by merit as a damage con- Paul F. Gilbert .Approved by Laurence ~. Riordan --~~~~--~~~----------., Date J_ul~y~,~1~9~5~3 _ Federal Aid Coordinator ��-79JOB COMPIE TION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS Colorado ------~~~~~----~--- Project No. Work Plan N0. W~-~7~2-_R~-~1~ __ .~C~o~0~p~e~r~a~t~i~v~e~E~xp~e~r~im~e~n~t~a~l~B~i~g~G~a~m~e~R~an~g~ 1 I " Job No. ----------------------- Title of Job: ~I~m~p~r~o_v~i~n£g~._G_e~r~m~i~n~a~t~i~o~n~o~f~B~r~o~w~s~e~S~e~e~ _ Objectives: To determine what mechanical, chemical, ments will improve the germina.tion of browse seed. and climatic treat- Findings: A. Storage Conditions 1. Hountain .l:'iahogany (Cercpcaryus montanus) seed was ga.thered in 19.51 and stored at room temperatures in both sealed and open containers. Seed from the same source was a.lso stored in sealed containers at temperatures from 370 to 44oF. The seed was later germinated in vermiculite at temperatures of 6.50 to 77°F. Table 1, which follows, indicates that sealed storage at room temperatures of around 6.50 to 77oF. is a better method of storage than either open storage at room temperatures, or sealed storage at 370 to 44°F. Table l--A comparison of the percentage germination of mountain mahogany seed after one year of storage under three different conditions. Percentages are averages of 4 lots of 100 seeds each for each treatment. Typebf storage Sealed:, ordinary room temperatures Sealed, 370 to 440 F. Open, room temperature Germination percentage 47.0%* 14 •.5% 24 •.5% *Statistically, the sealed storage at room temperature is significantly different from the two other treatments on a .0.5level of significance •.. Sealed storage at 370 to 440 F. and open storage at room temperatures are not significantly different from each other. �-80From the results in Table 1 it can be seen that no special refrigeration will be needed for proper storage of mountain mahogarw seed. It is apparent that the use of sealed containers would be the recommended way of handling mountain mahogany seed, and these containers may be stored at ordina~ room temperatures. The Woody-Plant Seed Hanuall prepared by the U.S. Forest Service has only this comment on the storage of mountain mahogany seed: "One lot of C.'montanus seed still retained high viability after d~ storage for 5 years-in burlap bags in a warehouse." Figure 1 shows that although ge~mination in the laborato~ continued for more than 90 days, most of the germination occurred within 40 days after planting. For some reason the germination of the mountain mahogany seed 0 stored at 37° to 44 F. was delayed beyond this period of 40 days more than seed stored at room temperatures. However, for all practical purposes, it appears that germination tests of mountain mahogany seed need not be continued longer than 40 days. 2. Fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) was stored under the same set of treatments as for mountain mahogany, and germinated in vermiculite at room temperatures. From Table0 2 it may be seen that sealed storage at room temperatures of ar ounc 65 to 750 F is a better method 0 f storage than either open storage at room temperatures or sealed storage at 370 to 440F. 0 Table 2-A Comparison of the percentage germination of fourwing saltbush seed after one year of storage under three different conditions. Percentages are averages of 6 lots containing 50 seeds each for each of the treatments. Type of storage .. Germination Sealed, ordinary room temperatures Sealed, 370 to 440 F. Open, room temperatures ** These figures are significantly percentage 2203%** 11.3%** 2.3%** different at the .01 level of significance. The Woody-Plant Manuall contains the follOWing statements concerning fourwing saltbush. IlThe seed should be stored in a dry place ••••One lot germinated 19 percent after 9 year in dry open storage.1t Forest Service 1948. Woody-Plants cellaneous Publication No. 654. lU.S. Seed Hanua1. U.S.DoA. ¥lis- �Figure 1 THE DAlLY GERMINATION ·OF MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY SEED AS INFLUENOEDBY STORAGEOONDITIONS Eaoh Graph Repres.nts A. Open Storage, the Germinatio~ Out of 200 Seeds Room Temperature , "' , I S '.'i • c:I ~ ,.. •• ,=M, Number of Days from the Start £ B. s:I o Sealed Storage, Jd • of the Test , I 1 , , , ~ • , •• rd Room Temperature •••• , r ... - iii ~ _. I' 1: Jd : , I , ,. l'tl I: , , I I, I~ It. TIJ I , , I I I I III rc:J C) C) rIl 1M II o ~ ! Number of Days from the O.Sealed Storage, 37°- , , " I Start of the'Ten 44° F. -- .- 7l:i -.- • so 0- . - .. : • .Wc-[J:~ ,=-.:-~ , -::.,, ',I.-~ "''"1. Number of Daye trom the Start 1 "." .. : . .~ ~ of the Test .. - J ~j I TIJ • " ,. �Figure 2 DAILY GER1vlINlTION OF FOURWING SALTBUSH SEED AS INFLUENCED BY STORAGE CONDITIOl'S Eaoh Graph Represents the Germination out of 300 Seeds A. Open Stora~e, Room Temperature 7(j I- I- s~ l- i- • •• 0 !l~ Number of Days from the Start of the Test B. Sealed Storage. Room Temperature lO_ ~s "0 I l- • • i- 0' l- N Number of Days from the Start of the Test c. Sealed Storage, 370 - 440 F. tfD I I S 0 • 2( '.!C Number of Days from the Start of the Test �-81From the results in Table 2 it would be recorr~ended that fourwing saltbush be stored at room temperatures in sealed containers. However, the results of the Forest Service appear to indicate that wherever such storage is not practicable, open storage at room temperatures would not seriously reduce via bili ty of the seed. The apparent discrepancy between results of the Forest Service and those shown in Table 2 is not readily explained. There was consistence among the 6 lots of seed for each treatment which were used to get the average germination figures shown in Table 2, and this consistence resulted in highly significant statistical differences in viability due to treatment. It is recommended that further testing be made on storage methods of fourwing saltbush. Figure 2 shows that most of the germination of fourwing saltbush seed occurs within a period of 30 days after planting, under laboratory conditions. The seed of mountain mahogany and fourwing saltbush have appendages which cause difficulty in planting the seed through ordinary seeding equipment Hammermilling appeared to offer a solution to this problem. Seeds of these two species were sent to the Soil Conservation Service nursery at Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they were harnmermilled according to the following specifications& Soe~ie8 Ooerating Data Rotor Speed . Hammer speed, outer edges Screen l'leshSize Cleaning Percent (by wt.) 4-wing Ssltbush Nountain Mahogany 1500 r.p.m. 65 ft./sec. 1080 r.p.m. :i inch 48 1/2% 47 ft./sec. 3/16 inch 39.0% Germination tests were run immediately upon return of the seed, and also a year later. The seed was stored open at room temperatures. Table 3 shows that hammermilling actually increased the germination of -mountain mahogany but had no real effect upon the germination ofi'ourwing saltbush when tested immediately. However, after the hammermilled seed had been stored for one year, there was a definite decrease in viability of mountain mahogany, but an increase in viability of fourwing saltbush. Table 3-- The effect of hammermilling upon the germination of mountain mahogany and fourwing saltbush seed. Results for mountain mahogany are based upon 400 seeds and for fourwing saltbush upon 600 seeds. �-82-- Species and Length of Stora.ge Percerita'e Germination '----rIammernu.uea Deed Non-nammermlllea Mountain mahogany Fresh seed Stored one year Fourwing saltbush Fresh seed. Stored one year *The differences in germination ficant at the .05 level. 20.5% 8.5% 15.0%* 24.5%* 17~0% 14.7% 2000% 5.3~ due to treatment are statistically Seed signi- A.bout 23 percent of the mountain mahogany seeds were crac'ced by the hammermilling process. Germination tests were made on seed that had' been sorted into uncrackedand cracked lots after the seed had been stored open at room temperatures for one year. Table 4 indicates that cracked seeds were partially viable, but did not germinate as high a percentage as' the uncracked seedo Table 4--Comparison of the viability of cracked and uncracked hammermilled mountain mahogany seed. Each lot contained 200 seeds. Lot Percentage Cracked Uncracked germination 9.5% 19.5% -. -- Hammermilling can be recommended as a method for removing the appendages on mountain mahogany seed or the wings of fourwing saltbush. However, it is important that only as much mountain mahogany seed be treated as will be planted during the current year, since viability appears to drop off sharply after one year of storage. Since ordinary hammermilling·tends to crack some of the mountain mahogany seed, and thus decrease its viability when stored, other methods might be used more successfully for removal of the appendages. B. Chemical Treatment Seeds of both mountain mahogany and fourwing saltbush were soaked in a 0.2% solution of potassium nitrate for a period of four hours. Germination tests were then made in the laboratory. There was no increase in germination of either mountain mahogany or fourwing saltbush seed due to the use of potassium nitrate. It is recommended that the use of other chemicals be tested for the purpose of improving the germination of browse seed. �-83Go Pre chilling and Water Soaking 1. Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). It is ordinarily reconunended that Russian olive seed be stratified by placing in moist pea.t moss at 340 to 380 F. for 90 days. However, in lieu of this, it has been suggested that some of the dormancy could be broken by soaking the seed in water just prior to pianting. One lot of Russian olive seed was soaked for a period 6fl}-hours' and 45 minutes in ordinary tap water and then tested for gerinination, while another lot was tested for germination with no prior treatment A third lot was stratified for 113days. $ Stratifications proved to be far-the best treatment. Soaking the seed did improve the germination somewhat, and also speeded the germination process. Results are shown in Table 5 and Figure 30 Table 5-Comparison of the germination of Russian Olive seed as influenced by prior soaking or stratification. Type of Treatment Control, no treatment Soaked in water Stratified 113 days Stratification Number of Seeds Number Germinating 400 300 300 31 56 223 is reconunended for breaking % Germination 7.75% 18.67% 74.34% the dormancy of Russian Olive seed. 2. Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata). One lot of bitterbrush seed was placed in wet peat moss in a refrigerator which maintained temperatures between 370 and 440 F. Another lot which had been stored dry over winter in a shed which was not heated was tested for germination with no other treatment .• A large percentage of the seed which was stratified at 370 to 440 F. sprouted in the refrigerator by the end of a 45-day per:-iod. The seed was being stratified for spring plantings, but was rendered nearly useless by the premature sprouting while in the refrigerator. The seed which had been"stored dry but exposed to cold winter temperatures germinated only 2.5%. It is r-ecommended that bi tterbrush seed be stratified at temperat ures closer to freezing than were used in the above reported instance. Tests should be made to determine the critical temperatures and length of time for stratification. Tests of the unstratified indicate that cold dry storage will not break dormancy of the seed of bitterbrush. �-843. Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) Local,.(Colorado) seed was gathered and.divided into two lots. One lot WaS stratified without removal of the seed from the frui te , while the other lot was stratified after the seed was removed from the fruits. The seed was stratified at 370 to 440 F. At various intervals some of the seed was removed from stratification and placed in vermiculite for germination. The results of these tests are shown in the following table. 0 Table 6--The effect of various lengths of time of stratification on both pure seed and fruits of serviceberryo Length of Stratification 86 days 87 days 118 days 119 days 113 days Number of Seeds Number Germinating Percent Germination 300 300 300 300 200 10 0 8 0 1 3.34% 0.0 % 2.67% 0.0 % 0.5% (pure seed) (seed in fruits) (pure seed) (seed, in frui ts ) (pure seedjl I1ont.) .. It is apparent that the best way to handle serviceberry seed is to remove it f'rom the fruit. However, even with this treatment, the germination re- . ."surts in this test were extremely' Los , 'It is recommended that further study be made in attempt to secure better germination of serviceberry seed. D.. St'ldies of Germination Techniques " There appeared to be no standard techniques for the testing of the germination of fourwing saltbush. It became apparent in preliminary work that there was considerable variation in the percentage germination depending upon the conditions under which the seeds were placed. AccordinglYJI two different p.ermination media. were first tested. In one case!) the seed was placed in vermiculite and maintained moist during the germination period. In another case9 the seeds were placed in cotton in a covered petri dish'and maintained moist during the test. The results are shown in Table 7. Table 7--A comparison wi ng saltbush. Media Vermiculite , Cotton in petri dish of germination media for four- Number of seeds germinating out of 50 20 24 20 26 15 Average Germination 45% 8 10 20 27% % �Figure 3 THE DAILY GERMINATION OF RUSSIAN OLIVE SEED AS INFLUENCED BY PRIOR TREATMENT A.. Seed Stra.tified tor 113 Days a.t 400 F. 300 Seeds Tested ~ A .s=o ~ ..-IW i Numberot Days in the Test ~ ~ co ., B. I'd e CoDl::;ro1 Lot, No Prior Treatment;. 400 Seeds Tested tIl ~ o r..t) j l2i Numberof Days in the Test C•. Seed Soaked in Water for 13 Hours and 45 Minutes Prior to the Test. 300 Seeds Used ,C)j I J .. _.- -- - .- S 0 ~ -y -- -1-1 ... • II ~ . • • I~ M • H �-85It also became apparent tha.t the temperatures at which the seeds were kept had an effect upon the percentage germination. Tests were there...,. fore run with seed of fourwing saltbush at various temperatures. Vermiculite was used as the germination media. The results are show in Table 80 Table 8...;-The effect of various temperatures the germination of fourwing saltbusho Germinating temperature upon Average percentage germination for 4 lots of 40 seeds each. 400 F. 0 59 Fo 680 F. 3.5% 45.0% 48.0% -. In another series of tests, fourwing saltbush and mountain mahogany were germinated at fluctuating temperatures. In one case, the temperatures fluctuated with variations which reached the extremes of 58° and 830 F. The other set of seeds were kept in temperatures which fluctuated between the extremes of 62° to 77° F. The fourwing saltbush seed gave a statistically greater percentage germination under the latter conditions of less extreme f'Luc tuatd.ons, There was rio statistical difference in the germination of mountain mahogany under the two different conditions. Table 9--The effect of temperature ranges and variation upon the germination of fourwing saltbush and mountain mahogany. Species Fourwing Saltbush Mountain mahogany Temperature Range Average Ninimum Temperature 58-83° F. 62-77° F. 58-83°0 Fo 62-77 F. 650 F -65° F 65° F 65° F Aver. l'1aximum Temperature 770F 71° F 77°F -710F Percentage Germination 10.5% 18.4% 21.0% 26.0% Fourwing saltbush should be germinated at nearly constant temperatures of around 60° to 700 Fo Poor germination resulted from the use of very low temperatures, and also from temperatures which fluctuated as much as 250, reaching a maximum of 83° F. Nountain mahogany .did not appear to be quite as sensitive to temperature fluctuationso Vermiculite is recommended as a better germination medium than cotton in petri dishes. The vermiculite used in these tests is the ordinary aggregate used in mixing wall-plaster. It provides a completely sterile growing medium. The vermicUlite sold for the finishing grade of aggregate appeared to be somewhat superior to coarser grades in maintaining the proper moisture content. �-86Summa.ry: 1. Sealed storage at room temperature was the best method of storing the seed of mountain mahogany. 2. Sealed storage at room temperature was the best ;method of storing fourwing saltbush seed. 3. Hammermilling mountain mahogany seed definitely increased the germination the first year. However, if the seed was kept fora year" the viability dropped· noticeably. 4. Hammermilling seed of fourwing saltbush did not change the germination the first year. After one year of storage, the germination of hammermilled seed tested higher than seed with wings. 5. Hammermilling of mountain mahogany seed cracked 23 percent of the seeds. This cracking possibly aids in the first year's germination, but also allows a greater deterioration of embryos when the seed is stored for one year. 6. Potassium nitrate did not increase the germination of mountain mahogany, or- fourwing sal tbush seed. 70 Soaking Russian olive seed in wa.ter increases the germination, but stratification results in much greater improvement in germination. S. Bitterbru.sh seed sprouted in the refrigerator after 45 days of stratiThe seed should be stratification at temperatures from 370 to 440 Fo, fied at tempera.tures nearer freezing,9 and examined periodically 0 9. Serviceberry seed did not germinate to any extent in any of the trea.tments. The maximum germination was 2.67%~ which resulted from 11S days of stratification. 10. For the germination tests of fourwing saltbush, it is recommended that vermiculite be used as the medium, and that the seed be kept at nearly constant temperatures of between 600 and 700 F. Data and Reports g Some of the findings of this report were previously published in the following articleg "Germination of pig game browse seeds, n by Raymond M. Housley," in Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit Quarterly Report, Volume 5, Number 39 19520 These data are in the files of the Unit at Fort Collins. The data on tests made during the school year 1952-1953 are in the files of the Forestry and Range l1anagement Section, School of Forestry and Range ~funagement, Fort Collins. Prepared by: Donald F. Hervey Project Leader Approved bys Laurence E. Riordan Federal .lid Coo rdinator Raymond Jo Boyd Research Assistant Date ~J~ul~yL,~1~9~5~3~ _ �-87JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of Colorado ------~--~----------- Project No. __W~· __~37~ __ R__~6~ Work Plan No. Title: PROJECTS 2 G_am~e~._B~i~r~d~S~ur~v_e~ys~-------------------- --------------------- 1 Job No. Survey of waterfowl migrations Objectives: To determine population gration dates. ~d trend in populations. trend, migration Scope: South Platte and Arkansas River drainages, Valley. routes, and mi- and the San LUis 'l'echniques: The census methods employed in this survey <ire the same as those used in previous years as outlined in the Colorado Quarterly Report, April, 1948, p. 1. Personnel: Norman L. Hughes, Erwin L. Boeker, and Jack R. Grieb. Findings: Introduction: This comprehensive survey of wintering waterfowl in Colorado was initiated during the fall of 1947~ Since that time, midmonthly counts have been carried on each year from October to ¥laXch. The general areas which are covered include the South Platte Valley, Arkans?-s Valley, and the San Luis Valley. In all, more than 300 miles of river are flown, and more than 40 lakes counted to make this one of the most intensive studies of migration on a state-wide scale in this portion of the Central Flyway. All information derived from this study during the past six years is tabulated in Table 1. The five-year averages given at the end of the table are offered as a comparison to the 1952-53 counts, while the six-year averages are used to illustrate the location of wintering ducks and geese within the State. These will be discussed later under "Analysis of Datan• Analysis of data: Ducks: The 1952-53 State totals of waterfowl numbers given in T~ble 1, are graphically comp ared in Figure 1 with the five-year averages. From this graph a number of generalizations may be drawn. Interpretations of the graph were aided by a migration study conducted at weekly intervals in the Fort Collins area by the writer. This study recorded the movement of ducks by numbers and species, thus filling in species information which would be impossible to record during aerial cotints. The following discussion, therefore, is based primarily on the air study incorporating species information from the ground study. �Table 10 -- MID-MONTHLY AERIAL COUNTS OF WATERFOWL IN COLORADO, 1947-48 to 1952-53 Location October Ducks Geese November Ducks Geese December Ducks Geese January Ducks Geese February Ducks Geese 1947 South Platte Arkansas San Luis Totals 32675 6425 5215 44315. 1948 7 116550 1366 10 73400 10596 6817 105 17 196767 12067 190275 103750 3800 297825 473 5698 617L 108845 50535 2500 161880 177 4798 4975 1948 South Platte Arkansas San Luis Totals 50700 25290 5810 81800 539 250065 710 108745 12740 1249 371550 53580 23680 8743 86003 South r:l-atte 98800 Arkansas 44095 San Luis 8620 Totals 151515 670 7900 8570 272675 120175 6780 399630 301 8121 8422 115040 98930 3640 217660 317 12286 12603 114950 39565 3500 158015 208715 672 114165 10565 14055 336835 11337 244875 123800 17650 386325 1194 265000 902 591.0 107680 15100 15500 22 7104 388180 16024 179100 83700 8793 271593 8)5 13170 71663 20025 7430 99118 243 11340 62270 7135 13160 82365 633 1250 495 2378 11583 14005 40 19320 19360 137530 82950 9180 229660 2455 1605 13350 12060 1951 60300 75650 13350 149250 1275 7620 85 8980 83790 23365 5690 112845 628 12.364 39 13031 62765 11850 14950 89565 2075 2975 170 5220 33301 9625 7006 49932 782 503 749 2034 1951 South Platte Arkansas San Luis Totals 5121 146 4975 1950 73 90421 194 324 39886 5764 48 5979 34 452 136286 5992 1950 215 233420 488 116730 14730 703 364880 6035 3683 2502 12220 1949 1949 South Platte Arkansas San Luis Totals March Ducks Geese 105 190970 1~8~ 375 94002 15061 12 9860 12 492 294832 16657 1952 119970 601 234673 16440 4452 6 359095 17047 (Continued) 192400 115600 581 308581 445 23432 0 23877 93244 51523 10347 155114 697 7191 243 8131 I co co a �Table 1. __ MID-MONTHLY Location AERIAL COUNTS OF WATERFOWL IN COLORADO, 1947-48 to 1952-53 October Ducks Geese November Ducks Geese January Ducks Geese December Ducks Geese )J . February Ducks Geese March Ducks Geese 1953 1952 South PIa tte Arkansas San Luis Valley Totals - Continued 732 139790 104550 11968 80 13600 25794') 12780 196620 136120 16550 345290 202 20236 54 20492 218180 77900 10550 306630 1733 8036 642 10411 ~ 168052 _94513 8146 270711 363 14601 0 14964 107378 49351 7179 163908 1006 10125 3408 14539 44935 8073 9405 62413 982 3465 300 4747 184538 95094 7876 287508 336 15540 9 15885 129538 55061 7853 192452 1151 9707 2855 13713 44935 8073 9405 -62413 982 3465 300 4747 267 21 266970 64123 98000 12 6691 6528 371498 Five Year Averages South Platte 61483 Arkansas 23903 San Luis Valley 7164 Total Aver:age 92550 188 176285 381 86552 12 10025 581 272562 1002 211237 9046 136089 8917 30 10078 356243 590 11185 6 11781 Six Year Averages South Platte 61483 Arkansas 23903 San Luis Valley 7164 Total ~verage 92550 188 170202 381 89552 12 10621 581 270375 957 208801 9533 136094 38 10189 10528 355084 536 10389 7 10932 11 Planes in Denver to be traded, no counts made. ~ No counts made because of other duties. 21 Geese coming into reservoir after counts made - most were out feeding. & .£J ~ , , �-90Factors influencing migration: Before discussing the migration patt~rn of waterfowl in Colorado, it is wise to point out several variables which tend to influence the migration trend counts. These are hunting pressure and weather. During the fall, hunting seasons and frozen puddles concentrate ducks on large lakes, reservoirs, and portions of the rivers, the same ~reas which are included in the aerial survey. This is undoubtedly the reason for the abrupt upward climb in State totals of duck numbers in October, November, and December. Spring migration is not shown as a peak on the graphs for several reasons: (1) All puddles are open and ducks well distributed; (2) The ducks are moving through fast and do not tend to concentrate on large bodies of water, (3) Migration has not begun for the later migrant species such as gadwall, shoveller, scaup, redhead, and blue-winged and cinnamon teals. Migra td.ons Duck migration in Colorado usually begins by the middle of October. Many of these early migrants are probably locally raised or summer resident birds, and with the coming of cooler weather concentrate on larger bodies of water in preparation for southward flight. Some species, mainly blue-winged teals and ruddy ducks, are definitely moving south in late September and early October. The migration of these species is early, and short in duration.. The first large flights of northern birds enter Colorado between mid-October, and mid-November (Figure 1). On the aVerag@, duck populations increase almost 200 percent between the October and November counts. Although these flights are composed mainly of mallard, the most common duck in this State, it is found that gadwalls, shovellers, redheads, and scaups are at peak movement during November. Depending on weather conditions, these last named species will largely complete their fall migration by early December, at least through the northern portion of the State. The greatest population of ducks in Colorado occurs during December. These late flights bring in the bulk of the remaining migrants, and the species composition is mostly mallards with some pintails, green-winged teals, and ba.ldpates·in about that order of abundance. After December, the birds remaining in the State are considered as'winter residents .• Spring migration begins as soon as lakes open in the more northern latitudes This may be as early as February; and, although not a true migration, seems to represent a tendency of the birds: (especially mallards) to remain as far north as there is open water. In Colorado, most lakes are open by the first of lvarch, although cold snaps may close them up again for brief periods. It is about this time tha.t definite northward migration is observed~ 0 Co arison of 1952-53 counts with the five- ear average: The comparison of 19 2~ 3 counts to the five-year average, as given in Figure 1, reveals that duck movement was generally later this year. This appeared to be caused by unseasonably mild weather in the late fall and winter which did not force the birds down to their normal wintering grounds. This condition appeared to be general in all parts of the Central Flyway. The result ���-' j ~- �FIGURE 4. -- GOOSE NUMBERS COUNTED IN COLORADO, 1952-1953, COMPARED TO THE FIVE-YEAR AVERAGE. ��T �· -91was a peak in January instead of December as is customary. General observations showed that mild winter and spring weather stimulated early migration to the breeding grounds. This is not shown on the graph because the Harch flight was not made. In regard to the population trend value of this study, it is realized that varying weather conditions exist each year, and that hard winters tend to push the population furtter south, while mild winters allow them to remain in Colorado •. The writer believes, however, that it would be possible to use this·census as an index to determine an extreme change in population numbers. Using this reasoning as a criterion, it is the wr:iter's opinion that duck population in Colorado did not differ significantly in 1952-53 from the past five years. Winter duck distribution in Colorado:. Figure 2: graphs the six-year average (1947-48 to 1952-53) of duck numbers by months and location. This figure reveals that on the average, the South Platte Valley contains 96 percent more ducks than the Arkansas Valley and 1405 percent more ducks than the San Luis Valley throughout the winter period. The reason for the differences in waterfowl populations between the South Platte and Arkansas are two-fold~ First, there are more lakes and other duck wintering habitat in northern Colorado, so more ducks are counted. Second, it seems that a large portion of the wintering population stay in the northern part of the State, not only because of habitat or available food, but because the hardy duck specf.es will stay as far north as open water permits. The flat curve of duck numbers in the San Luis Valley indicates a stable. wintering population. Two slight peaks are found in November and February which are probably caused by some migration movement. Banding records in the San Luis Valley suggests a movement out of the Valley north and east to the Platte and Arkansas Valleys. The six-year average curve of all waterfowl numbers in the South Platte, Arkansas; and San Luis Valleys is graphed in Figure 3. Since this is the last year of the complete winter inventory by mid-month periods, all future counts made during check months can be compared to this curve. Geese: The five-year average of goose numbers (mainly Branta canadensis sap ,) given in Figure 4 shows a rather flat-topped curve indicating that most birds enter the State in November, and stay until spring. A slight peak is reached in January, and by ~~rch more than 60 percent of the winter residents have left. The comparison of 1952-53 data with the five-year average reveals more geese present in the State this past year. .Although the figure shows a low count for December, this can be attributed to the fact that the geese were out feeding when the December count was made. Following the high peak in January, the February count was a good deal lower than average indicating that the geese had~egun to leave for the breeding grounds earlier than usual. �-92Winter Goose Distribution in Colorado: The six-year averages9f goose numbers by location and dates reveals that by far the greatest percent of geese in Colorado winter in the Arkansas Valley (Figure 5). The fluctuating line of goose numbers counted in the South Platte Valley show that few birds use the area. The two small peaks found in November and February are undoubtedly caused by migrant birds moving to and from their wintering grounds. The Arkansas appa.rently represents the northward "line or-major winter goose habitat in this State. It should be pointed out that the largest number of geese are counted in the eastern portion of the Arkansas Valley, and these mostly on Two Buttes Reservoir. Goose counts from the San ·Luis Valley are not included in Figure 5 because the numbers were too small to show on the graph. Only two large concentrations were counted in this area during the past six years, and these both occurred in the spring. No doubt these flights were composed almost entirely of migrating birds. Figure 6 gives the final graph of goose numbers for the Arkansas, South Platte and San Luis Valleys. This graph is based on the six-year average of all counts. Scope: Yampa River Valley, Northwestern Reported by: Colorado. Harold M. Boeker Techniques: Systematic field reconnaissance on eleven two-mile study areas of the Ya.mpa River valley. In addition, regular observations were made on three reservoirs or lakes lying within 5 miles of the Yampa River. Findings: In April of 1952, eleven definite two square-mile blocks of the Yampa River Valley were designated as study areas. These areas were selected at random throughout the valley from Stillwater Reservoir to the lower end of Lily Park, constituting a 10 percent sample of the entire valley, excluding the Yampa Canyon. These study areas, counted at regular intervals during the spring of 1952 and 1953, were useful in revealing a definite pattern of waterfowl populations and movements. The total weekly migration counts, by species, for the two years are revealed in Table No.2. In 1953, as in 1952, no great waterfowl concentrations were observed along the Yampa River prior to April 8. It appears that during both years the heavy influx of waterfowl into the area took place between April 10 and April 20. Canada geese, however, were reported moving into the lower valley area during the first week in March. �-93The phenology of the spring of 1953 was as much as one and one-half to two weeks later than the spring of 1952. The light snow accumulations and the retarded runoff caused by the cold spring resulted in dry conditions in the valley in 1953. Nany sloughs, potholes, and oxbows that were flooded in 1952 were dry or nearly so in 1953. Occular estimates indicated that the total waterfowl habitat in the Yampa Valley in 1953 was reduced by as much as 30 percent since a year ago. In 1952 two severe flood peaks were observed in the Yampa River Valley. During the first week of May the river reached flood stage. During the first week in June it crested again, reaching the highest flood stage ever recorded in the valley. In contrast, the runoff in 1953 was moderate and belmJ normal. The river was high and turbid during the first three weeks of June, cresting on June 18. At no time did it flood extensive areas of meadow. In 1953, to facilitate the study of migration, three lakes, lying within 5 miles of the Yampa River were observed at regular intervals. Figures from these lakes, revealed in Tables 3, 4, and 5 indicate a small but definite migration through the valley, by several waterfowl species. Ruddy ducks, scaups, redheads, green-winged teals, and eared grebes showed a definite pattern of migration. In addition, gad•. ral.Ls , baldpates, pintails, and mallards exhibited migration to a lesser extent. Analysis and Recommendations: Varying stages of runoff and water accumulation, including flood and overflow waters, changed the entire aspect of the study areas on the river on which migration counts were being made, making daily or weekly comparisons of numbers invalid or not indicative of concentrations in the immediate area. In 1953 three lakes lying near the Yampa Hiver were observed. Figures from these lakes disclosed a small but definite migration through the valley by several waterfowl species. �Table 2. -- Total Weekly Waterfowl Populations on Eleven Study AreasJ Yampa River ValleY9 1952-1953. 1952 1953 April May May May Species 28-30 June 1-7 June 8-15 16-23 24-31 1-7 April April May 8-14 May 8-12 June 20-26 4-8 18-23 1-6 Can. Geese 14 23 26 24 14 12 4 10 11 15 23 16 Mallard 91 146 128 119 121 146 121 152 239 247 180 179 G.W. Teal - 21 23 17 18 20 10 56 54 50 30 6 C ./B 11 44 67 45 45 36 45 14 32 32 32 23 A. Mergapser 6 11 4 8 9 9 3 14 32 26 16 9 Shoveller 2 13 22 5 3 1 1 12 4 4 14 4 Gadwall 2 4 11 4 8 13 9 15 8 14 12 4 10 6 5 0 VY. T¢'al May Baldpate - - 2 - - 2 - 29 6 Pintail 2 9 5 1 - 4 - 25 18 3 - 1 - - - - - Redhead - - -. Scaup - 13 - 4 - - - - 9 2 Canvasback - - 2 Coot - 14 10 8 7 11 10 2 8 6 4 Ruddy - - 2 - 1 4 I '0 .r=i �-95Table 3. __ Waterfowl Yugration Figures, Elk Mountain Reservoir Steamboat Springs, 1953. Mallard Ruddy G.W. Teal C./B.W. Teal Coot Baldpate Gadwall Shoveller Redhead Scaup Eared Grebe April 27 50 12 10 12 4 May 4 46 40 8 2 12 2 6 23 8 4 May 15 35 8 18 7 2 10 l5 1 May 25 50 28 June 1 30 24 12 36 10 6 40 26 38 2: 6 26 2 6 6 Table 4. __ Waterfowl Migration Figures, Temple Reservoir Hayden, 1953 Mallard Pintail G.W. Teal C. Teal Shoveller Redhead Scaup Ruddy Eared Grebe Aprilt27 64 16 2 May 5 86 6 24 4 2: 4 12 68 May 15 36 2 2. 6 6 34 May 25 70 8 8 12 8 16 4 4 June 3 16 2 3 4 2 Table 5. __ Waterfowl IftgrationFigures, Schrader Reservoir Craig, 1953 Apr. 17 Apr. 24 Apr. 27 May 1 May 9 May 15 May 22 May 30 106 58 107 125 123 109 80 160 Mallard 8 4 12 24 Pintail 2 2 12 2 12 122 G.W. Teal 6 10 4 6 6 6 C./B.W. Teal 2 6 2 Shoveller 2 2 2 4 4 4 2 Redhead �-96Scope: Brown's Park, Moffat County,'Colorado. Reported by: Techniques John R. Tester. Used: See Quarterly Report, July, 1952, p. 129. Findings: Water levels were considerably lower in 1953 than in the previous year. Three of the eight marshes in the park were completely dry, four were very low, and only one was at the same level as in the spring of 1952. Despite this decrease in habitat, more ducks were found in the area the second year of the study. The first waterfowl observed in Brown's Park in 1953 were mallards and green-winged teals. Several flocks were seen on Green River by park residents the last week in February. Canada~ Geese moved into the area the following week. Portions of Green River were free of ice at this early date due to the mild winter. In 1952 the ice did not break up on the river until April 7. The mild weather in JlfJarch and early April brought scattered flocks of ducks into Brown's Park, but subsequent snow and cold delayed the main migration. The first observations by the writer were made the week of April 5 _ ll, three weeks earlier than in 1952. A total of 398 ducks and 42 geese were seen during this period. The data from this and subsequent counts are presented in Table 6. Migration data for 1952 are also given in this table to facili ta.te comparisons. It can be seen from the table that many of the species tend to move into Brown's Park gradually, and that most of these ducks remain in the area during the breeding season. This seems to corroborate the opinion of the local ranchers; who believed that there was little migration of ducks out of the area'in late spring. The American mergansers, green-winged teal, shovellers, and coots exhibited a definite migration pattern; their numbers building up to a peak and then dropping as the birds moved farther north. Analysis: Movements of the various species of ducks in Brown's Park could be checked with a fair degree of accuracy since most migration activity was confined to the Lake s and marshes. The Canada geese in the park spent much of their time loafing on the inaccessible sand'Qars in Green River; therefore, counts of this speciE$ show a large variation. Peak numbers of those species showing definite patterns of migration were present during the following periods: American merganser Green-winged teal Coot Shoveller - April 19 - 25 April 19 - 25 May 3 - 9 May 17 - 23 �-97Table 6. - WATERFCML MIGRATION, BROtlNtSPAHK, 1952 - 1953 Apro 27-May 3 1952 May 11-17 l"Iay4-10 May 18-24 May 25-31 Mallard Gadwall Pintail Shoveller Green4V. Teal Cinnamon Teal Blue-Wo Teal Redhead Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Ruddy Duck Wood Duck Amer ~ Merganser Canada Goose ;Goot 160 106 5 4 6 8 0 72 12 0 0 0 0 20 60 143 154 15 1 24 10 12 33 8 2 9 0 0 30 120 93 79 15 3 4 22 6 38 2 0 6 0 3 26 102 92 86 22 4 7 18 0 51 0 0 8 0 0 32 116 133 75 35 16 37 46 6 58 9 0 13 1 0 37 110 Totals 453 561 399 436 576 Apr. 5 - 11 1953 Apr. 19--::-25 May 3 - 9 May 17 - 23 Hay 31 June 6 403 ll3 40 16 44 49 0 0 0 0 0 Mallard 207 33 Gadwall 0 Pintail 0 Shoveller Green-W. Teal 29 22 Cinnamon Teal 0 Blue -We Teal 0 Redhead 0 Lesser Scaup 0 Ruddy Duck Amer. herganser 55 42 Canada Goose 0 Snow Goose 10 Coot 149 58 20 22 171 26 4 19 12 3 97 47 1 18 282 43 27 37 98 13 13 326 69 8 51 24 27 10 5 II 8 14 3 23 0 260 2 0 0 42 0 162 398 647 826 732 Totals 20 0 8 693 �-98Scope: South Park, Park County, Colorado Personnel: Ladd G. Frary, ground counts, ErwinL. aerial counts. Reported by: Ladd G. Frary. Boeker and N::>rmanL. Hughes, Techniques Used: Migration data were obtained from weekly field observatc.ocs of all large water bodies and principal rivers. A combination of field and aerial counts was used to determine the waterfowl breeding popula tion. Findings: The area known as South Park is the largest of Colorado's three mountain parks. It lies 60 miles southwest of Denver and is approximately 50 miles long and 25 miles wide. In appearance it resembles a short grass prairie type interspersed with rolling hills often covered with aspen ~d bristlecone pine. The elevation of the Park ranges from 10,000 feet near Fairplay to approximately 9,000 feet at 11 Yule Reservoir. Agriculture is limited to cattle grazing and wet meadow hay. Since this area is within the Denver and Colorado Springs watershed, irrigation of the meadows is limited to the months of May and June. This is the period of heavy runoff from the melting snows in the high mountains. The principal river is the South Platte which drains to the southeast. It is a meandering stream, bordered by sedge meadows. Three large reservoirs are found within the limits of the Park. These are Antero, 11 Ydle, and Tarryall. The first two are owned and operated by the City of Denver and have fluctuating water levels. Tarryall Reservoir is controlled by the Colorado Game and Fish Department for public fishing and, therefore, has a stable water level. Weather Conditions: The winter of 1952 and 1953 was considerably dryer than the previous winter. Precipitation during the nine winter months from September to May was 9.05 inches as compared to 13.85 inches the winter before. This low amount of precipitation and the dry summer of 1952 resulted in many of the lakes and potholes being d~. The snowpack in the mountains, which affects the flooding of the meadows, was also below normal. Waterfowl ~ligration: Waterfowl migration counts were initiated the first week of April, at which time the migration had already begun. ¥lany of the large lakes were still partially frozen and nearly all of the small lakes froze at night and remained so during most of the day. An attempt was made to identify all ducks as to species. This was nearly impossible when ducks were occupying the middle of the large reservoirs, and when high winds, which are common in the area.!>produced exceedingly rough water. As a result:, several of the weekly counts contain large numbers of unidentified ducks. The peak popul.atdon was observed during the third week of April and large numbers of ducks remained until the first week in Hay. At this time the small lakes and streams were free of ice and many of the ducks began to scatter. -Table 7 shows the weekly migration May in South Parko counts, by species, during April and �-99Table 7. -- Waterfowl Species Counts by Species in South Park, Park County, Colorado. Spring, 19.53 Apr. 1-.5 Apr. 6-11 Apr. 13-18 Apr. 27..;. Apr. 20-2.5 Nay 2 Nay 4-9 Nay 11-16 1 0 220 180 205 45* 11 0 34 0 0 2575 1405 .' 102 391* 98 97* 375 0 4 1093 740* 160 10 40* 0 92 3 14* 1500 686 7.50* 1.53 115 29 283 34 10 1098* .545 81 0 12 20 228 233 0 157.5 611 670 147 13.5* 38 322 4.5 1&* 1012 .571 79 0 2 39 265* 4.59* 2 1586 282 247 89 124 .59 83 41 10 562 468 26 0 0 58 207 1..5 2 463 302 2.55 86 135 .50 74 49* 10 397 425 1.5 14 1 82* 160 21 0 321 5494 6124* 5852 .5999 2736 2397 Nallard Gadwall .Pintail Baldpate Shoveller Green W. Teal Blue 1.J Teal ;Cinnamon Teal Redhead Lesser Scaup Canvasback Ringneck Buffl-ehead Ruddy Duck AIDer. Nerganser Coot Canada Geese Unidentified 935 .51 27.5 10 2 336 0 3 394 175 298* 50 15 0 18 20 7 1.50 1559* 138 140 .5 5 Total 2739 0 • rugration 37f:M " * Maximum Count Waterfowl Breeding Population: Waterfowl breeding population counts began the second week of May, following the termination of migration observations. All areas were systematically walked or observed with the aid of a spotting scope. Waterfowl, recognized as part of the apparent breeding population were recorded. Aerial counts were made on a portion of the South Platte River. These figures were/extended to determine the breeding population on the remaining portion of the river. Only ducks actually seen,with the exception of those on the river, were included in the counts. These figures therefore, are considered to be very conservative. Table 8 shows the total territories Park. by habitat type and species in South �-100Table 8. -- Total Territories by Habitat Type and Species, South Park, Park County, Colorado. 1953. Small Lakes Large Lakes Mallard Gadwall Pintail Cinn. Teal Blue W. Teal Green W. Teal Shoveller Baldpate Redhead 54 17 6 40 12 2 4 4 4 Total 100 Species Summary: 6 4 1 Arkansas, Sloughs 32 14 4 4 10 1$ 11 3 8 7 4 2 2 5 4 85 94 Creeks & Rivers 1'1eadows TOTAL 94 3 8 22 242 9 8 2 2 2 46 2 28 25 30 18 16 13 13 124 28 431 South Platte, and San Luis. 1. This study includes mid-monthly counts - October through March - of the South Platte, Arkansas, and San Luis Valleys. In all, more than 30d miles of river are flown, and more than 40 lakes counted, to determine duck and goose numbers. 2. Fall duck migration usually begins by the middle 0 f October. The first large flights of northern birds enter Colorado between mid-October, and mid-November, and peak populations occur on the average in December. Spring migration begins as soon as lakes open in the more northern latitudes, generally in late February and early l~rch. 3. Duck movements in 1952-53 were generally later than the five-year average. This was apparently caused by mild fall and winter weather in the northern states and provinces, and resulted in a. January peak in duck numbers. Mild winter and spring weather also stimulated early migration to the breeding grounds. 4. On the average, the South Platte Valley contains 96 percent more ducks than the Arkansas Valley, and 1405 percent more ducks than the San Luis Valley throughout the winter period. 5., Geese enter the ~ta.te in large numbers in November, reach.a peak in January and begin spring migration in late February or early Narch. By far the greatest numbers of geese occur in the Arkansas Valley, and these mostly on Two Buttes Reservoir. The· Arkansas apparently represents the northward line of major winter goose habitat in the State. �-101Surrnnary: Yampa Valley. 1. Waterfowl migration in the Yampa River Valley is difficult to evaluate because of the highly dispersed nature of the available water areas. 2. In 1953, as in 1952, the major influx of waterfowl River Valley occurred between April 10 and April 20. into the Yampa 3. Canada geese were reported moving into the valley during the first week in March in 1952 and 19530 4,. A small but definite pattern of migration was observed amongst ruddy ducks, scaups, redheads, green-winged teals, shovellers, and eared grebes. In additiongadwalls, baldpates, pintails, and mallards exhibited migration to a lesser degree$ 5. During the two years the peak of the migration during the first two weeks of May. passed through the valley 6. In contrast to the excessive flooding during the spring of 1952, the spring runoff of 1953 was moderate and below normal. Summary: Brown's Park. 1. Several species of ducks tend to move into Brown's Park gradually and many of them remain for the breeding season. 2. The peak of migration occurred the week of the }'iay 3rd to 9th. 3. The American mergansers, hibited a definite migration Summary: green-winged pattern. teal, shovellers, and coots ex- South Park. 1. Seventeen species or subspecies of migratory waterfowl were recorded in South Park. The mallard, redhead, gadwall, lesser scaup, and coot occurred in greatest numbers in migration. 2 ~ The waterfowl were present or passing through in maximum numbers during .April. A difference of only 630 birds is shown between maximum and minimum ,counts in the four weeks of April. 3.. The breeding territories established showed the mallard to be the most common, with the gadwall, blue-winged teal, pintail, and cinnamon teal in that sequence of importance. Prepared by Jack fl.. Grieb Harold M. Boeker John R. Tester Ladd G. Frary Date July, 1953 App roved by Laurence E. Riqrdan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-103- State of __ JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS ..:C:.,:o::,:l;.::o:..:,r.=a.::,do=------ Project No. __W~-3~7~-~R~-~6~-----~G.=am=e~B~i~r~d~S.=u~rv~e~y~s~---------------------III ----~~------------ Title of Job: Surveys to Determine Objectives: Scope: I Job No. Work Plan No. the Population Status of Sage Grouse. To locate and map sage grouse populations and establish trends. Gunnison and Hoffat Counties. Personnel: Persons who participated in actual field work are as follows: Bert Baker, Donald Benson, Hal Boeker, Dick Denney, Clyde lV".atteson,Dwigl).t Owens, Bill Roland, John Tester and Wayne Sandfort •• , Techniques Used: Surveys were conducted during the period extending from April 15 to May 2. They were directed primarily toward locating strutting grounds andcounting,sage grouse on these grounds. Special attention was given to counting the total number of cocks, with little time spent coun~ing hens. The number of hens on a particular strutting ground was difficult to determine accurately, appeared to vary considerably, and use cf such numbers would appear to provide data of little value in determining trends in popUlations. Strutting grounds were located by the following methods: (1) Interviews and trips with persons familiar with the sage grouse areas, .(2) Early morning surveys with a vehicle, stopping periodically to listen. for booming, and (3) Aerial surveys. ' Findings: Principal discussions. findings from this study are given in the following Ground Census: 'A total of 617 cocks was counted in six areas in Gunnison County, and 200 cocks were counted in six areas in Noffat County , A general breakdown of the number of cocks by strutting grounds is shown in Table 1. In some cases it was difficult to determine whether sage cocks in a particular area were on a single strutting ground or whether there were several strutting grounds. For purposes of this report, the smaller groups of strutting cocks within an area are considered as one unit. Aerial Census: Two flights were made with a Piper'PA-18 airplane to investigate the possibilities of locating sage grouse strutting grounds from the air. One flight was made in the Gunnison area by Dwight Owens and the writer on April 21. During this flight, extending from 4:45 ~o 8:00 A.M., it was difficult to locate known strutting grounds, excep"j:. when Sl;lchgr()unds were in open meadows. Strutting cocks among scattered sagebrush were difficult to see. It appeared that the cocks were easier to see prior to sunrise, before shadows from shrubs intermingled with those of sage grouse. �-104Two strutting grounds were located in IvloffatCounty from the air by Clyde P. Matteson and Dwight E. Owens on ¥.Jay1. Both strutting grounds were in open fields. TABLE 1. County MAXIHUM NUl'lEERSOF COCKS OBSERVED ON STRUTTING GUNNISON AND MOFFAT COUNTIES, 1953 Location of strutting ground GROUNDS, Haximum number of cocks observed Date of maximum count Gunnison Ohio Creek Razor Creek Doyleville (W. of Sawmill) Needle Creek Basin Woods Gulch Gold Basin Sub-total 517 41 26 21 8 4 April April April April April April 17 16 16 16 16 23 617 Moffat Big Gulch Big Gulch (Updyke Ranch) Timberlake Round Bottom Dry Lake area Lay 74 28 26 45 25 Sub-total 2 200 TOTAL 817 April 30 APril 30 I"Iay2 May 2 May 1 May 1 Discussion: As data are not available from previous years, comparisons to show population trends are impossible • Reports from individuals in both .Gunnison and l'loffatcounties, however, indicate that sage grouse have increased some in recent years. Patterson (1952) reported that sage grouse strutting ground censuses in Wyoming proved to be very accurate in representing male populations and were invaluable as indices to yearly populati on trends. Limited findings from this preliminary survey in Colorado indicate that strutting ground censusing would provide valuable information for use in management. It is recommended that such censusing be expanded in future years, with the selection of a sufficient number of strutting grounds in each major sage grouse area to provide accurate trend data. Covering major grouse areas with a vehicle and on foot in early mornings during April and early l~y should serve to locate a considerable number of strutting grounds. Use of an airplane to Loca te strutting grounds appears to work fairly well in some cases. Further investigation is necessary to determine the possibilities of aerial census. , �-105Summary: 1. Surveys were conducted in Gunnison and Moffat counties from April 15 to May 2 to locate sage grouse strutting grounds and establish trends. 2. Strutting grounds Ivere located by interviews and trips with individuals who knew of strutting grounds, by early morning survey on foot and from a vehicle, and by aerial survey. 3. Strutting grounds were found in 12 areas in Gunnison and Moffat Counties. A total of 817 cocks were observed on these grounds. 4. Two strutting grounds were located by aerial survey. The possibilities of aerial census were not fully determined. 5. It is recommended that strutting ground census be expanded in future years to obtain accurate information for determining population trends. References: Patterson, Robert L. 1952. The Sage Grouse in Wyoming. Sage Books, Inc., Denv-er, Colo. 341pp. Prepared by v.~fa~y~n~e~W~.~S~a~n~df~o~r~t~ Approved by Date J...;u;.;.;;l~yJ.,~19'_o;:5;..::3~ _ - Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-107JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS Colorado ----~~~~~---- Project No. W~-~3~7~-_R~-~6~G~am~e~B~i~r~d~S~ur~v~e~y~s~ Work Plan No. -------------------- Ti tJe of Job: Nesting IV am Job No. _ 2 ------------~--------------- Production Studies. Objectives: To determine the nesting success and production and the factors affecting. ~: West-central of chukars Colorado. Techniques Used: Surveys were conducted during June in hayfields in Escalante Canyon, Delta County to determine the extent of chukar nesting in this cover type. Farmers that had mowed hay were interviewed regarding the presence of chukar nests. Hayfields were traversed on foot following the raking of hay in attempts to locate nests. Findings: No chukar nests were located wh ile surveying approximately 10 acres of alfalfa. Interviews with farmers indicated that no chukar nests were present in an additional 25 acres of this cover type. AnalYSis and Recommendations: The intention originally was to survey all hayfields in Escalante Canyon to determine the extent of chukar nesting in this cover type. Time permitted checking on foot of only three small fields, plus interviews with farmers regarding nesting in an additional 25 acres of hay. Some of the hayfields that were checked were near heavy chukar concentrations. The absencE. of nests indicates that chukars are not particularly attra.cted to hayfieldsfor nesting. Summary: Thirty-five acres of alfalfa in Escalante Canyon were checked by personal survey and interviews with farmers for chukar nests. No nests were located. Prepared by Wayne W. Sandfort Date Jul~y~,__:.;;1~95::;.:3=-_ Approved by Laurence E. Riordan Federal 'Aid Coordinator .....;.."----- ��-109- State of JOB CO¥~LETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado ----~~~~------ Pro ject No. _W:.:.-....:3~7:....-.:.R:..-..::6 --.::G.::am;;.;;;e.::;..,..:B:.:i=r..::d~S.::ur::...v.:...e~y~s~ _ "Work Plan No. _______ V Job No~ ~3~~---- __ - __ -- Title of Job.~: __ ~N.::e.::s.::t.::in~g_a~n~d~P:.:r:.:o:.:d~u:.:c~t~i:.:o.::n~S..::t.::u.::d.::i.::e~ ~ _ Objectives: To determine the nesting doves and the factors affecting. Scope: Orchard success and production of mourning areas, l1esa County Techniques Used: Intensive investigations were conducted on the mourning dove study area in Mesa County on June 5, and July 3, 1953 to obtain data for comparison with that obtained on June 6 and July 3, 1952. The intensive study was conducted in a pear orchard, located two and one-half miles east of Grand Junction at an elevation of approximately 4,600 feet. The orchard covers an area of 4.53 acres. It contains 518 trees of which 418 are mature and are considered as suitable for nesting by doves. Findings: Principal findings from this study are given in Table 1. TABLE 1. - COM? ARATIVE DATAl, MOURNING DOVE NESTING, MESA COUNTY, COLORADO, 1952-1953 Yea.r Date of Survey No. of nests No. of No. of Total located eggs young (eggs 1952 June 6 95 94 79 June 5 1953 110 166 40 Number and young) 173 206 1952 1953 128 162 July 3 July J 68 88 75 102 53 60 .'Analysis and Recommendations: Comparative data for June, as shown in the preceding table, indicate an increase of 19.1 percent in production during 1953, when compared with 1952. Data obtained during July shows that production in 1953 was 26.6 percent greater than in 1952. A summary of all four investigations shows an increase in production of 22.3 percent during the current season. The relatively large sample of nests, eggs, and young studied during both nesting seasons should give a fair indication of the trend in production. Although the study area is limited and production may fluctuate considerably, because of local influences, findings on this plot are believed to give some indication of the reproductive success in·the orchard areas of Mesa County. �-110Summaryt A total of 368 eggs and young were found in 198 mourning dove nests on a study area in Mesa County during two surveys in 1953. Only 301 eggs and young were found on the study area dur:ing the same periods in 1952. Thus, an increase of 22.3 percent in production is indicated during 1953, when compared with 1952. Prepared Date by Wayne W. Sandforl ---.:J:...:u=l~yz.., .....;1~9..:::.5.:::.3 _ Approved .. by Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-111JOB COIvJPLETIONRE:PORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS Colorado ~----~~~~---------- Project Noo __ ~W~-~3~5~-~D~-~6_· ~ __ ~An=~t~el=o~p~e~R~e~s~t~o~ra~t~i~o~n~ Work Plan 1 Job No , ~------~~--~~-------- Title of Job~ _ 1 ~F~a:..:;wn=i:::n:!i1.g~S~t..:..u=dy~ Objectives: To maintaip records on annual production, to determine fawns per doe, fawn sex ratio, and to collect physiological data. _ ratio of Techniques: As in previous years, the method has been to locate the newborn fawns by noting as precisely as possible the location of a lone doe, then searching the terrain surrounding this point systematically and minutely for young. In the past, this search has been accomplished with the aid of a slowly moving car, on foot, or mounted, depending upon the nature of the terrain and the height of plant cover. This year, for the first time, a trained German Short-hair bird dog was used in south-central Colorado to assist in. locating the young. Another innovation was the car~ful flagging of the doe's location before she was flushed. This greatly aided in orienting the search for the fawns. The dog's ability to cover grGllUndrapidly and efficiently with keen eyesight and sense of smell were definite assets leading to a greater degree of success ir revealing the hiding fawns. AS before, a long-hand1ed hoop net was used to capture the fawns after discovery. Findings: In Area I, made up of the Colorado Antelope Refuge and vicinity, in northeastern Larimer and northwestern Weld counties, Gordon Douglas processed seven fawns from June 2 through June 15. In area II, tagging was started in the Dickinson Refuge by Stanley Ogilvie ~nd his wife, Beverly~ Because of unusually rainy and foggy weather there It was completed in Chico basin and on the Engle and Banning~tewis ranches' south and east of Colorado Springs. Six fawns less than an hour old were captured, still wet and very wabbly on their feet. Nearby were the remains of the embryonic sacs. In these cases, birth had occurred on bare spots of ground. �-1l2TABLE 1. -- DATA ON ANTELOPE FAWNS CAPTURED ON COLORADO ANTELOPE ~ REFUGE AND VICINITY , 1953 , ,.--... (J) Q) ~ ctl . S 'M ~ ...cl 0 ~ ~I b.O -> (J) (::q ...cl Q) 'd ctl o ...cl Q) ~ ~ 'M '-'" ...cl ~b.O ~ Q) 0 0 ~ ..c b.O t.-! 0 ..c t.-! rl 'd ~ eo ~ Q) 'd ctl Q) ..c 'd § (J) ...cl Q) rl (J)...cl qj 'E-i 2 37 F 9i 8 days 25 17 2 10 4 3 38 F 9 8 days 27 16! 2! 10! 3t 5f 10 3 39 F 8! 7 days 25!17! 2~ 10 4 6 4 40 M 8l 7 days 25 18 2l1014i 6 10 16 9 41 M 7t 4 days 24 16 2 5} 10~ 15! 9 42 M 6t 4 days 24t 15! li 10 3:i 5~ lOi'13a· x 2 Scab 15 43 M 7 6 days 25t 18 2% 10% 4t ~ c:x: eo H 'M ctl E-i ~ 'M ::r:: ~ ctl (::q 9! 3t H 6 4 6 0 ~ ~ 'M 'M CJ II) 9t 15 x 2 9~ 16 x lot 15 x x H S :=> " It S25, TllN;R67W -. 34 10 68 ~ Scab II " II 2 Dry, stringy 3 " It 2. tt 11 10 66 tt " II n It tt 1 x o 0 2 Dry, stringy 16! 1 ctl ,D JS E-i x 0 ~ 'M ::;j 'J 'M Q) ::r:: 'M rl ~ eo ~~ ~ ~ 'M Q) Q) b.O Q) ~ o 'M ~. 'M ::;j 2 It 8 �Figure 1 The exact location wher-e doe antelope was last seen undisturbed is marked with a flag. �Figure The bird dog often aided 2 in revealing the .concea.Led f'awns , �-113TABLE 2 -- DATA ON ANTELOPE FAWNS CAPTURED ON REFUGE AND SOUTHP.STERN EL PM 0 COUNTY DICKINSON ,-... 'U CI) Q) Q) .£: m 0 s:::: .,-1 +> C"\ . •.. is .,-1 1.1\ CJ',. r-I '-' +> 0 z .£: CI) ~b.O ~ .,-1 Q) mQ) .£: +> ~ .,-1 Q) Q) ::r: m E-! .,-1 5 636 M 6~ 4 da. 22 14 2 9i ::l I-;) eo m E-! ><i Q) (f) b.O <It ~ It 5 630 F 7~ 4 H .,-1 'U +> b.O s:::: s:::: b.O .£: -g '+-i en Q) mQ) .£: '+-i r-l ::r: H s:::: m Q) P='l 'U 0 -> 0 0 H CI) ::l s:::: ::l .£: ~ b.O 0 H H <!l +> .,-1 s:::: .,-1 d (I) Q) Q) ~ E-! .~ P +> m 0 0 H 10 15 x 2 2t1 wet v 24 16~ 2~ 9~ 3~ 6~ ~ 15 x 2 tI 3~ 7 8t 15 x 2 3" n 2~ 10 3~ 5 9 15i x 2 It 11 y Y 1 hr. 21 15~ 2 9 7 632 F 6 "" 8 633 F 7 '1 .1. 514 da. 26 15~ 2~ 9!I3:~ 9i 15 x . 2 8 634 M 8 1 hr. 25 15~ 2 8~'; 32 22 17 1. 6t 102 15"" 1 ; 2 7~ 3i 7 9~ 14 10 637 F 7~ 4 da. 24 16 2 9i 3i 7 9t 15~ x 10 638 M 7~ 5 " 25~ 16i 2i 9 3~ 7 12 639 M 7 21 hr. 25~ 20 l! 9~ 3i- 5 9 14~ x 12 640 M 7~ " n 15 641 M 7 4 da. 25i 17 25 21 ]j -- Dickinson Refuge s/> Ingle Ranch }/ -- Chico Basin y-- Banning-Lewis R. 2 x %14 10 3i 5~ 10 13 21 9~ 3i 6 9 14 x I' It 2 l~ttdry x It 26 17 It .£: +> s:::: 0 .,-1 3~ 6 7 631 F 6 8 635 M 7 .~ 0 .,-1 r-I .,-1 CI) 2 3~;'wet tt 2 It }/ y 1/ 2 1~1tdry 2 1." 4 y 11 Y " x 2 2~!t wet x 2 11 2 litdry It l:J Y �-114Analysis & Conclusions: The tables show that 13 does produced 6 sets of twins and 7 single fawns. The ratio was 1.46 fawns per doe. The sex ratio among the fawns was 1 male to .8 female. Of the total of 19 fawns, 12 or 63% were twins. The peak of fawn birth this year appeared to be somewhat later than in previous years. There may possibly be a correlation between average daily temperature immediately preceding parturition and the statewide peak of fawn production. Until the sample is much greater than we are able to secure with present methods, this hypothesis must of necessity remain unproven. The importance of successful location of antelope fawns by a dog should not be underestimated. There are those who claim the newborn fawn gives off no scent. If this is true, how long does this condition prevail? It certainly can no longer be true. after the animal's first waste byproducts reach the ground. This and the fact that the mother usually remains close to the young for two or three weeks would tend to impart her strong scent to the young and to the vege t.at.Lonin the vicinity. Summary: Nineteen fawn antelope were processed in Colorado during the 1953 parturition period. A bird-dog was used successfully in locating the young tor the first time in this state, injecting doubt into the old belief that they are scentless. Estimated ages ranged from ~ hour to eight days, weights from 6 to pounds. Flagging the last undisturbed location of the doe, to more accurately establish a. focal point for intensive fawn search was an innovation. The study covered June 2 through June 15, 1953. The ratio was 1.46 fawns per doe. Sixty-three percent of the fawns were twins. 91 Prepared by Gordon Douglas Approved by ----~~~~~~~---Stanley Ogilvie Date July, 1953 Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinat~r �-117JOB COI'lPLETIONREPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of Colorado -----------------------Antelope Restoration Project No. W-3.5-D-6 Work Plan No. ----~.---------------- 1itle: PROJECTS I Job No. .5 b Parasites and Disease --------~~~~~~--~~~~--------------------------------------- Objectives: Bypos~mortem examination, to locate and identify a~ parasites, external and internal$ or any diseases and causative organisms, and to determine their relative importance. Techniques: Post-mortem examinations were performed on 7 antelope collected in the southeast sector of the state. A check list was followed as each post-mortem examination was made. Figure 1 shows a sample of "Par-asat.ea am Disease Check-List." Examination of all the material to date, is not completed. This report includes only the finished work. The techniques, howeyer, are. given for the preparation of all material for laboratory examination. Time consuming establishment of field and laboratory techniques delayed· considerably the actual findings. Future efforts will be devoted principally to findings. This job was carried on in conjupction with other physiological studies. Preparation of l1aterial for. Laboratory Examination: Blood Samples: Three blood films were made from each animal. fixed, stained, and set aside until later time. They were Fecal Samples: Fresh pellets were removed from each animal's colon. From each sample approximately I gram of feces was added to water to make a_ liquid; the liquid material was then passed through a tea'strainer. Atest tube was half filled with strained fecal material and sugar added to fill the tube within tinch of the top. The sample was then centrifuged for J minutes at speed-of 1,.500 revolutions per/minute. The top layer of liquid was then removed'and examined under a microscope for parasite eggs. SmalLIntestina12 Abomasum Contents~ The small intestines plus the last stomach; abomasum, from each sample were carefully split and rinsed in a container of water. After contents settled,· the water was teemed off and the sediments collected and preserved in bottles for later examination. Intestinal Parasite, Egg Identification and Egg Count: From the concentrated small intestinal and abomasum contents of eac~ specimen, five random samples (Ice) were examined by microscope. The adult parasitic worms, if found, were identified. The eggs, if present, were concentrated by means of the flotation metliod, identified and counted. �-118PARASITES AND DISEASE Post - l10rtem Check List ANTELOPE Figure 1. Spe cimen No. • Date .. .. • • • • • • • Location (exact) • • .. .. • • • • . .. Sex • • . .. . • Age (approximate). • Embryo. • • • • • • • • • • . • .. . • .. . • • ·.. • Condition. ••• • • .. • • • .. • • • • •• • • • • • • • · . . .- . . .. . • • • • • • • • • • . . . . ... • • •• .. • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • Measurements, wts, .. .• • • ·, • • • Examinat ions: · ... Nasal lYIargin• • • • • • • • • • • • • • Trachea • • • .. • • • • • • • • • Bronchi. • • •• •• • • • • • • • •right •• • left. '.', • • • • • • • Lungs , • • • • • • • • • • •• • • •• • • • • Rumen •••. ., Reticulum. ~ Stomach---Omasum •• • • • • • • • • •• *Abomasum. • • • • • • • ••• ·. ·.. · ·. . . . . . . . . . '. . .. ·. · '. Colon. • • • • • • • • • • •• • •• ••••• • • •• • S. Intestines. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Liver. .•.•• .•• .•• • • • • • • • • .. • •• •• •• •• • .. •• • *Blood •••••• o. •• •• • • • • .. .. •• • • •• • •• •• •• .. • •• • • • *Fecal Sample.. ••• • • •• •• •• • • • • • • .. • • • .. Legs (hoof or leg worm) .• •• • • • .. •• .. .. •• •• •• • •• •• .. . .... ...... External Parasites. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Abnormalities. • • ••••• • • •• •• • •• • •• • • • • Disease Condition. • • •• • • • • • �-119Findings: Specimen 1 a, approximately .Lewis ranch - east of Co.Lorado bprings. out the body cavity. 'The small intestinal 2 year o..Ldbuck, collected on 8anningTne adipose tissue was abundant through- abomasum examination Haemonchus contortus 8 eggs per /..LO-cc-- showed: Nemato aes 2 eggs-p-e-r'/l-'--' 0 cc The eggs of the above parasites 1vere also found in the fecal examination. The respiratory system, liver and upper stomachs sho•. red no evidence fections. No external parasites wer-e found. of in- Specimen 2,.!L yearling buck, collected on Banning-Lewis ranch. The animal's condition was good. No evidence of parasites or disease was found. Specimen 3 A, 2 year old buck, taken April 20, on Ba.Th.'1.ing-!.ewis ranch. The fat tissue was abundant throughout the body cavity. The small intestinal.abomasum examination showed e Haemonchus contortus per/IO cc 50 eggs NematOdes 100 eg-g-s"';""-p-e-r"""l/r":'l"::::O The fecal examination also revealed the eggs from the above parasites. The respiratory system, liver and upper stomachs showed no infections. No external parasites were found. This anima], before collection, appeared to be stiff and slow in physical movements.. The post~mortem examination showed no physical bruises, internal djsease, parasites, or malformation, that could affect the· animal's health. The stomacn pouch contained a quantity of green, dry, food ma.terial- mainly new growth of chokecherry,Prunus melanocarpa. Dr. Braley, D.V.M., reported a similar condition in calves. The explanation, by Dr. Braley, was that the antelope gorged himself on early spring plants. Arnong the plants was chokecher~. The mixing process of the digestive juices with new growth of chokecherry during the process of digestion, caused the liberation of small quantities of cyanide gas, toxic to the animal. Specimen 1 B, 3 year old barren doe, collected Nay 7, on Banning-Lewis ranch The adipose tissue was abundant throughout the body cavity. 'The small intestines, abomasum examination revealed: 0 Haemonchus ~ioeggs contortus per /10 cc Cestode~ (unidentified) Eggs from the above parasites were also found in the fecal examination. other evidence of disease or parasitic infection was found. No �~120"" This Mlimal suffered frozen ears during the early spring cold spell. The ears were stiff and brittle. The top 2/3 showed dead tissue and could. easily have been broken off. Specimen 2 B~ approximately 3 year old buck9 collected on Ingle ranch al.ong Williams Creek. The animal's condition was good. The small intestines, abomasum examination showed: Strongyloides ~. 2 eggs per/IO cc Haemonchus contortus Beggs per/IO cc Fecal examination also revealed eggs from the above parasites. The respira~ tory system, liver and upper stomachs showed no infections. A wood ticks Dermacentor andersoni, was found on the neck of the animalo Specimen 3 B, yearling buck, collected on Banning":Lewis ranch - west of Sandstone Cliff. The animal was in good condition. No infection of parasi tes or disease was found. Specimen 4 B, approximately 2 year old buck, taken in the Chico Basin area. The animal f s condition was fair. The small intestines - abomasum examination revealedg Haemonchus contortus 100 eggs per/lO cc Cestodes Abundant H. contortus eggs were also found in the feces. tional pa;asites were found. (unidentified) No disease or addi= Appreciation is expressed to Doctor Robert "Stablers head of Biology Department~ Colorado Collegej) and Doctor Edward Braley~ DoVoNoj) for assistance in seeking techniques and aiding in microscopic examination. Analysis and Recommendation~ The density of parasitic infection in the 7 specimens examined was very low to non-existent.. The poisoning present in the antelope which gorged on early spring chokecherry plants, is believed by the author to be only a temporary ailment. It could, however cause the animal to become ~asy prey for predators. The seven samples collected were within a 40 mj::"sradius. mens from herds throughout the state should be examined. In the future, speci- Summary e From 7 antelope examined, .5 contained alimentary tract parasites. All of the infected animals harbored Haemonchus contortus, 2 contained unidentified nematodes, one unidentified cestodes and one Strongyloides ~o A buck antelop~ was found to be sick from cyanide gas~ caused by gorging on ear~y spring plants. Prepared by Date Stanley Ogilvie Approved by ------~~--~--~--------July, 1953 Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-121- Sta -00 of __ JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS .-.:C:.,;o::.;:l:;,;:o;,.:;r,.:a:,;;;d:,;;;o----- Project No. w-35-D-6 Antelope Restoration Work Plan No. I Job No. ---~~---------- 5 d Title: Dentition Objective: span •. To accumulate and Other Life History Studies factual data on age class characteristics and life Techniques: Lower jaws of antelope were collected during hunting seasons and at'other appropriate times. Horns were also saved in case of bucks. These were cleaned and preserved. Typical specimens representing the five most apparent development stages between the mouth of all milk teeth and the fully permanent mouth were photographed and placed in logical sequence. Horn development was correlated. Antelop tagging during fawning studies was carried on as rapidly as possible in order to establish a pool of known-age animals in certain herds. Hunters were notified of proper procedure upon taking a tagged antelope. Findings: During the Noyember, 1952 season, three 29 month-old tagged heads were obtained from hunters.. These enabled accurate descriptions to be given of the dentition, and they were found to most closely resemble the fourth classification previously mentioned. Variations were minor. One had three sets of permanent incisors, and the third set in the other two specimens was still in some stage of the process of replacing the milk teeth.. The fourth, or corner set of incisors was still in the milk stage. Premolars. were all permanent, tho not all fully erupted; in one, the third permanent premolars bore a cap 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick, which was composed of the remains of the milk premolars. ~olars were all permanent and fully erupted, showing little wear. Analysis and Conclusions: Five principal classes of dental development can be distinguished from birth to the full mouth of permanent teeth. The fourth class has been pegged at 29 months by this study. On the basis of this discovery, we may approximate the age of the full perm~ent mouth at three years. Further returns and study are necessary to accurately determine the age of the intermediate classes. Additional classes based on degree of wear in the mouth of permanent teeth will have to be established in order to cover the remaining life period. Summary: A group of antelope lower jaws were collected and grouped according to tooth development. Five subdivisions were made. To date, known-age jaw returns have pegged the fourth group at 29 months of age. The full permanent mouth, or 5th class, is estimated at three years. Further. classes must be established covering the period after 3 years of age. Prepared Date by G,:;.o;:,;r:,.:d::.:;o:::n:.....::D;,:::o:..;:u:,!;lg::;l..::a::::.s----..:Approve by Laurence E. Riordan J~u~1~y~,~1~9~5~3~ _ Federal Aid Coordinator �Photo by C.E. Till Figure 1 Lower jaw of 29 month old antelope. Incisors: All permanent except 4th set. Premolars: Permanent, nearly all eyupted. 3rd about 1/32" lower than 1st molar. l"Iolars: All permanent, fully erupted, little wear. �-123JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of C.:....:..ol=.o.:..r.:..a.:..d=.o~ _ Project Noo w-35-D-6 Work Plan No. I ----------------- Title of Job~ Survey of Antelope Antelope Restoration Job No. 9b at Transplant Sites Objectives: To determine the success of transplanted antelope in becoming adapted to new surroundings; to trace their movement from release points. Techniques observers. Used~ Aerial and ground observation; information from local Findings: The Smartt Ranch near McClave was flown on March 24 by Hughes and Ogilvie. Thirty-two antelope \vere counted. The original plant was 39, made on Jan. 29, 1952. This is the best count .obtained on this herd. There are probably more in the area than were spotted on the flight. This transplanted herd is now considered to be doing nicely. The Newcomb transplants east of Trinidad were flown on l~rch 25 by Hughes and Ogilvie, locating 74 antelope. Previous to t.hLs , Game Warden Scott counted 64 antelope in the Dave Newcomb, Clarence Newcomb, and Box Ranch pastures from Trinidad to the Booster Station on February 8. This site appears to be very suitable, ani the animals are getting along well. Game Warden Clifton reports that the transplant made on the Augustin and Sniff Ranches southwest of Lamar has scattered widely. Here 38 were released on February 12, 1952. Clifton reports two located ten miles vlest and one mile south of Lamar, and ten more located about twenty miles south of Caddoa , The whereabouts of the remainder is unknown. Two plane trips in the area located none. Further investigation into the suitability of the whole general area should be made prior to any further releases. The Hoffman Ranch transplant southeast of Lamar, where 44 were planted on February 26, 1951, is reported to be progressing well by Game Warden Clifton. On the Ray Smith Ranch near Joes, where 21 an tel ope were released on February 5, 1952, Boeker and Ogilvie counted 16 from the air on April 3, 1953. Earlier, on January 13, 1953, a barren 4-year old doe was found freshly killed on a farm just north of Goodland, Kansas. All ear tag identified her as one of the antelope transplanted to the Ray Smith Ranch. She had cut her throat on a fence, and showed evidence of being chased by dogso This doe had wandered 90 miles from the transplant site. A possibili ty of unbalance in the sex ratio 0 f the herd may account for her barren condition. Immediate search for evidence of reproduction should be made. �-124Three reports of the antelope transplan ted to the Stribling Ranch south of Blanca were mentioned by District Chief Warden Earl Downer during the past winter. The largest number seen was 31. Although observation is difficult in this area; the herd is probably increasing. The plant was made on February 21, 1951, and 33 were released. Game 'warden Scarpella reports counting 11 antelope on the Bledsoe Ranch north ofWray la.st winter. On May 19, the planes located 3 in the area. Further i~vestigation in conjunction with that of the Smith Ranch is recommended. In the vicinity of the Kitzmiller Ranch area, where 16 were planted on December 27, 1950, 28 were reported currently by Warden Scarpella. Eight were counted on Hay 19 from the air by Hughes and Ogilvie. This herd is increasing nicely. Delta or Wells Gulch area scattered widely. Fifteen were reported south of Escalante near a big bend of the Gunnison River. Near Claybaugh Reservoir, 9 more were reported, two in Wells Gulch, and six on Indeer Ranch, for a \S total of 32. This area received its first load of 17 antelope in February, 1948, then 13 more in December, 1949, and 16 in February, 1950, a grand total of 49. While 61 wer-e accounted for here in the spring of 1952, and only 32 a.year later, the reliability of reports is not great enough to make hard and fast conclusions possible. There is no evidence of heavy loss which might cause such a discrepancy. There is great possibility of overlapping observations. While a distinct desertion of the area immediately 1--' surrounding the release point has occur-red, three or four perma.nent locations J £_.,. 'It G, seem to have been adopted. These are the vicinity of Claybaugh Reservof r-, the Indeer Ranch, and the east side of the Gunnison River in the vicinity of Escalante and Point Creeks. The entire area is heaVily grazed in winter and spring by thousands of sheep which push the antelope into the few small places which remain outside their range. Antelope have been known to survive on an area in Oregon which was overused to the point of not producing enough feed to support domestic livestock of any kind. But not even the pronghorn can eat bare soil, which is the ultimate outlook for much of the Delta transplant area. It is heavily overused as a winter feeding area for.domestic sheep. The vegetative cover has deteriorated until only the spiniest and most unpalatable shrubs form the greatest part of remaining plant life. The level of available nutrition is so low that protein supplements must be fed on the range to the sheep. This practice causes heavy trampling and extra-close utilization of availahIe forage. The ultimate result is range wi th a billiard table aspect which offers no plant life of any description to grazing animals. Its principal value is the doubtful one of a perfect setting for soil erosion. If this trend were irreversible, there would be no object in discussing it. Policies permitting such abuse are shortsighted and ultimately harmful to both sheep and antelope grazing. Deferment of grazing on par-t of the area every other grazing season is a necessary goal. �-125Although the planned three-year period for observing transplants has expired in this case, investigation should be continued until a trend is established. A trip to the Fruita transplant area early in April failed to locate even the nine which were seen near the release point in 1952. However, Von Wakefield of the BLM in Grand Junction reported seeing eleven between Hunter Wash and Big Salt Wash from the Farmer's Mine road. Glenn Braithwaite of the same office saw a lone buck from U.S. Highway 50 north of the State Line Store. Summary: A spring, 1953 survey to determine the success of certain the more recent antelope transplants; indicated the following: 1. Ten areas checked, 2. Five considered using air and ground observation. doing well, 3. Small herds were difficult five somewhat doubtful. to locate due to limited and vast, rugged terrain, as well as possible dispersal numbers of sheep and unfavorable sex ratios. Prepared by __ observing time, by excessive ..;;..G,;;.or;;..;;;;do;:.;n~D:..o:..u::.!ga:l:..;a:..;s;;,.-. Approved by· Laurence E. Riordan Stanley Date of July, 1953 Ogilvie Federal Aid Coordinator ��-127- State of JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado ----------------------------- Project No. W-35-D-6 Antelope Restoration --~~----------~--~--------~~--------------------~ Work Plan No. I Job No. ----~--------------- Title of Job: Investigation 10 Into the Effect of Antelope Use of Winter iVheat Crops. Objective: To determine the variation in yield between two parts of a field of winter wheat, one of which is subject to a known intensity of antelope use, the other which is protected from use by any 'hooved animal. Techniques Used: Permission was obtained from three wheat farmers in eastern Colorado to set up the same experiment on each of their farms. Sites were chosen in areas of heavy antelope use on the farms of Harry Hill, located 2! miles south of Carr, in northwestern Weld County, WID. Sirios, located 13 miles southwest of Roggen in southeastern Weld County, and Marvin Schaal, located 6 miles south of Arriba, in Lincoln County. The verbal agreement on these places was that the project was to be permitted to erect three 2! acre rectangular woven wire exclosures on a winter wheat field which had potential antelope use. These plots were to be harvested separately from the remainder of the field, a proposition which we came to believe would make the agreement rather objectionable to the farmer, altho the job did not progress to harvest time. Weekly flights over the areas were used to check on average use by antelope, after rapid construction of the plots immediately following seeding. Findings: Due to unfavorable fall moisture conditions, neither of the two Weld County fields produced crops. On these two, the spirit of cooperation exhibited by the owners was much better than on the remaining place, where, altho a good stand was obtained, the owner became disillusioned as to the value of the experiment, and requested the removal of the plots. There was no choice. Analysis and Conclusions: In the future, this job should be set up with the greatest possible control of all factors. One location per year over a longer period .vill not introduce as many difficulties as were eXperienced last year. Control could be exercised by renting a field and owning the crop, by contracting the farming for the crop or a share of it. Only by such interest can the necessary control over harvest be maintained. Another possibility is to transplant a small band of antelope to a field which has been fenced so as to hold them within it. This would control the most elusive factor, that of use. �-128Summary: Crop failure and poor cooperation caused negative results on three widely separated winter wheat fields where experimental exclosures were constructed to determine effect of antelope use on winter wheat yield. It is suggested that future investigations into this problem should be conducted on land leased and crop ovmed by the project, in order to be able to exercise complete control of the harvest. The possibility of enclosing a small transplanted herd in a field with the exclosures should not be overlooked. Prepared by G~o~r~d~o~n~D~o~u~g~l~a~s~ Stanley Date July Ogilvie 1953 Approved by L_a_u_r_e_nc~e_~_E~._R_i_o~r_d_a_n----- �-129JOB COMPLETION REPORT IWifESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado ------~~~~----------- W-35-D-6 Project No. Work Plan No. ____ ~I~ Title: Supplemental Antelope Restoration Joo No. 12 Food Patch Planting Objective: Investigation into the possibility of preventing alfalfa crop damage by antelope through the use of supplemental food patch planting. Techniques, Findings, Analysis, Conclusions, & Sunrrnary: In searching for suitable locations for this job in the Fountain Creek Valley of El Paso County and the Owl Creek drainage of northern Weld County, it was discovered that antelope concentrations did not coincide closely enough with alfalfa fields to make such investigations practical at this time. Prepared by Gordon Douglas Approved by ------~~~--~~-----------__ Date ...:,.S...:,.t...;anl:.:: __ ey Ogilvie July 1953 ----------~~~~~~--------------- Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/eb2b3e23595ac3e09d59cb5e857f26e6.pdf 8e1321e87484314a569466f0f6a2d21f PDF Text Text - 1- JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATI()NSPROJECTS State of Colorado Project No~ W-39-R-7 Work Plan No" Wild Turkey Investigations I Job No 2 -------------------------------~-----------------o ______ ~ __ ~ __ ~ __ ~A__ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ Title of Job. Location of Transplanting Sites (Merriamts Turkey) _ Objectives: To locate within historical and prospective areas suitable places for transplanting wild turkeys .• Techniques Used: A careful field check is made on proposed planting sites to determine the suitability of the area. The following factors are considered: a. food species present, b , extent, or size of area and amount of south slope, c~ suitable roosting sites, d. availability of water, e~'nesting cover, f6 predator populations, g. weather factors, and h. public relations. Findings: Western Slope. Wells Gulch _ Grand IvlesaArea: Re-examination of this area during July shows that sheep have grazed the range to the point of destruction •. It is felt that this area is untenable at present and should be left for later checks. Green Mountain Area - Cedaredge: This area still shows good possibilities for a planting site. Ail food plants 'are carrying good crops of mast, berries and seeds in the present year. If possible this area should be planted this year. Fourmile Area _ Glenwood Springs: This area still shows possibilities. In four years of examination of this area, foods have been in high production each season. The principal draw-back to the area is that t.he slopes face east and north. Snow piles up rather deeply in part of the area. Since the plants· in Canyon Creek and Elk Creek are doing well, it is believed Fgurmile Creek is a good experimental possibility. \S- ~South \n ~ ~ a ~ ~ Slope of KingJ.ltIountain: This area is still a strong planting possibility. Rifle Creek _ Book Cliffs Area: A request for a turkey plant in this district came from the Isaac Walton League at Rifleo Examination of the area shows heavy oveT use by iomestic stock. A great maw of the sustaining food types for winterlng the birds ar~ completelY missing. A more careful check of the area will be made at a later date. For the present at least, the area is not suitable for turkey pla.nts. �- 2 - Findings: Eastern Slope. Rampart Range Area: This is a rather large area in Douglas and El Paso Counties lying along the east slope of the Rampart Range from Jar.re_Canyon south to the Honument area. The area described above is approxiJrlately 24 miles long by 10 miles wide. In addition to this area checked, more useabl.e turkey range ·;i·s found to the nor-th, west and south, making an overall possible turkey range of approximately 12 townships. Vegetative Types: The vegetative types along Gove Creek in the Perry Park a~ea are given to illustrate the type. The lower r~gion which would serve as wintering range has good quantities of ponderosa pine, scrUb oak, chokecherry, sumac, roses, snowberry, kinnikinnic, hawthorne, skunkberry, grasses, and weed species. In addition to the above, white fir, Douglas fir, hazelnut, dogwood, mountain ash, wild plum, and currants are also found. Noving upward, the vegetative type changes into a ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, aspen type with an understory of scrub oak, chokecherry, mountain mahogany, rose, low juniper, kinnikinnic, currant, grasses, and weeds. Along the upper reaches of the Rampart Range at elevations of 8500 to 9000 feet, the vegetative types vary from a straight lodgepole pine type to a mixed fir-Douglas fir-ponderosa pine type. Both of these types have large amounts of kinnikinnic and should serve as suitable summer range. Foods: The food production in the area during the present season was found to be ample with a heavy acorn crop, a few ponderosa pine are bearing cones, and the fruits of hawthorne, chokecherry, snowberry, kinnikinnic, and other turkey foods are plentiful. The grass species in the area are in good condition. (}wnership: Nost of the proposed transplant area lies within'Pike National Forest. This area has been largely devoted to watershed and recreational uses during the past years with no cattle grazing being done on National Forestland. The Perry Park Ranch which has been a licensed game refuge in past years lies along the lower reaches of the area in possible wintering territory. Rancher Interviews: The foreman of the Perry Park Ranch, YJr. Nelson Warren, was contacted and he was very much interested in having tU:r'keystransplanted into the area. He stated the owner would allow hunting if the birds increased to a point where a season could be justified. Recreational Use of Area~ The one main drawback of the area lies in the heavy automobile traffic on the main roads surrounding the area. This traffic along the Rampart road, Jarre Canyon road, Herman Trail road, and the Perry Park road is composed chiefly of summer sight-seeing vacationers. The area. between these main roads is largely isolated, however. �- 3 Past Histor.y: The area is historical range with approximately fifty turkeys reportedly ranging in the area up until about twenty years ago according to Forest Ranger Ray Johnson. Water: The water supply would be no problem in the area with several live creeks running through the area. Roosts: Many large ponderosa pines and cottonwoods the area~ Roosting sites were found to be ample •. are scattered throughout Cover: The dense stands of shrubs and trees along with the natural ruggedness of the area would afford plenty of cover. Predator Populations: This factor along with poaching was thought by Ranger Ray Johnson to have exterminated the early population of wild turkeys in the area. The present population of predators is not thought by Ranger Johnson or Wardens Mutz and Colley to be excessive at the present time. Bruff Creek - Muddy Creek Area: This area was again checked after the rancher who had strongly opposed transplanting turkeys into the area had sold out to a more sympathetic individual. The area itself is rather limited due to the limited wintering range. It extends from North Huddy Creek south to South Greaser Creek along the east slope of the Sangre de Cristo Range west of Gardnera The area is about one township in size. Vegetative Types: The vegetative types in the area are suitable for wild turkey development. The lower wintering areas have a ponderosa pine - pinon pine type with the usual understor.y of skunkberr.y, snowberry, and roseo Scrub oak is entirely absent in the area. Moving upward, the type changes to a Douglas fir-white fir-aspen type suitable for summer rangeo Other Factors: Previous checks during the summer of 1950 and 1951 and reported on in the Colorado Quarterly Reports, October, 1950, P~ 7 and October, 1951, P •.17o, showed the other factors to be suitable for wild turkey deve.l opment., Plum Canyon: A request for turkeys has been received from Mr. Rose in Plum Canyon north of Villegreen. The area lies within the southeastern droughtstricken region.. It is felt by the writer that no more stocking of areas in this region should be done until the drought breaks. Field checks in the area were not made because of this reason. Summary~ If birds are available for stocking purposes the following areas should be stocked this season. Green Hountain - east and south of Cedaredge; the Fourmile area southwest of Glenwood Springs; the south slope of King Mounvain west of burns and southwest of McCoy. Two proposeo areas in the Grand Mesa and Rifle districts are not suitable for turkeys at this time because of heavy over use by domestic stock. �-4The Rampart Range area has been rated as good turkey range and should receive at least two plants within the area checked. One good release site is the Perry'?ark Ranch. More prospective turkey range was found surrounding the area for possible future transplants. If birds are planted in the area, the northward range of the wild turkey on the eastern slope·will be greatly extended. The Bruff Creek - Muddy Creek proposed area has been rated good wild turkey range. No obstacles toward planting birds now remain in the area. Because of the limited extent of the wintering range, however, it is recommenlied that the Rampart Range receive priority. The Plum Canyon proposed area should not be planted at this time because of the drought in the area. Field checks have not as yet been made in the area to determine its suitability. Prepared by Martin L. Burget ----------------~------Donald M. Ho.f.fman Date :October, 1953 Approved by Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �Ijrilj'j~ilil~ BDOW021948 -5JOB COMPLETION REPORT . INVESTIGATIONS State of . PROJECTS Colorado ------~~~~-------- Project NO$ W-39-R-7 Wild Turkey Investigations 4 Work Plan No. I Job No. ------~----------- Title of Job: Wild Turkey Brood Counts --~--------~--~~------------------------------------------ Objectives: To locate as many nests and broods as possible. To determine the general survival of poults for each season and the relativ~ importance of various factors affecting poult survival. Techniques Used: Visual observations are the most desirable source of brood count information although a close record is also kept of ail brood reports from other individuals. Findings: Western Slope. In checking broods, personal observations are superior to reports. Normally the observer takes more time to make a complete check of his findings. However, due to multiple duties during the brood season, numerous reports must be relied upon. Reports of game wardens, forest rangers, and interested ranchers are highly appreciated and add much valuable data in carrying on this work. Observations and reports on western slope broods came late in the season. In fact, only one report came in before the first of July. Because of the open winter and an abundance of food in the field, the turkeys nested higher than usual. The first gobbling was heard in mid-February. Strutting and some quarreling started in late February but a sharp. cold spell_put off the mating activity until later. Most of the toms at the Devil Creek Ranch were young birds and mating activity did not get well under way until late March or early April. In March most of the Turkey ~~ch flocks left for higher areas. They still came in for feed occasiona....lybut were not observed regularly after April first. From April until July 31st turkey observations were at a minimum and even inquiries yielded very little information. . When the poults did show up they were nearly half grown. In recent checks numerous flocks of young birds are so well developed that it is difficult to distinguish the poults from the hense In late August and early September turkeys came down in considerable numbers. There are more turkeys at the turkey ranch at present than have shown up this early for several years. �- 6 _ Broods for the year as follows. Pagosa Springs - San Juan Area: Turkey Ranch Area: Hens Poults Hens 3 1 2 1 -7- 21 14 15 9 1 3 3 4 11 -W- Poults 7 26 29 34 9Q 8.4 poults per brood average 8.8 poults per brood average Pine River Area: Uncompahgre Area: Poults Hens Poults 1 8 1 3 3 24 31 15 46 1 4 9 18 41 19 Hens 2 5 14 3 5 1 11 124 sr- 8.84 poults per brood average 7.9 poults per brood average Mancos-Dolores New Castle Area: Elk Creeko Area: ., Hens Poults Hens Poults 1 2 6 3 12 8 1 1 1 12 14 47 23 T 29 92 7.75 poults per brood average 9 8 9.9 poults per brood average Glenwood Area: Eleven hens with about one hundred poults were reported in Canyon Creek by fishermen. This will not be counted in totals. Hens Poults -31 30 9 1 12 1 5 1 1 8 6 16 -9- ~ 1 9.5, poults per brood average �4' - 7These tabulations show 67 broods counted with a total of 573 poults. parison with previous years is shown below. 1950 1951 1952 1953 Brood counted 35 15 15 67 A com- Poults per brood (average) 8.51 5.2 6.13 8.5 Brood observations have always been higher on the eastern slope than they have on the western slope. No doubt this is due" in part, to the heavier type cover on the western slope range. Findings: Eastern Slope. In order to gather enough brood counts to secure a good overall picture of reproductive success on the eastern slope, reports from many observers are included along with counts made by the writero Assistance was received from Wardens Chester Scott, Leo Broux, Dan Riggs, Trapper Albert Jordan and Rangers Sykes and Cummings. In addition,.reports were received from many interested ranchers throughout the turkey areas. The following is a list of broods observed and reported by areas: Spanish Peaks Area North Fork Hens Poults 3 16 29 22 6 9 7 9 4 South Fork Wilkins Creek Longs Canyon Wet Canyon Zarcillo Canyon Burro Canyon Reilly Canyon Jarosa Canyon 3 1 3 2 1 1 3 2 4 9 10 36 8 10 6 17 28 4 Mavricio Canyon Santa Clara Cucharas Pass E. Indian Creek 1 2 1 2 2 4 5 2 4b AVERAGE: 27 17 15 6.2 poults per hen. ~ �-8 Greenhorn Range Area Hens -- Table }lountain Muddy Creek S. Hardscrabble Creek 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 North Creek 2 Poults 16 14 8 12 20 7 6 2 8 21 10 10 3 11 8 27 2 2 1 2 2 3 27 l83 Canor.City-Salida Areas Hens Poults Oak Creek 1 1 3 8 7 S. Caple Ranch AVERAGE: 6.8 poults per hen. Texas Creek AVERAGEt 7.2 poults per hen. T a- 3'b Mesa de Maya.-Raton Mesa-Lower Purgatoire River and Tributaries Mesa de Maya Jake Light Canyon Middle Carrizo Creek Higbee Smith Canyon Poitrey Canyon Alhandra Canyon AVERAGE: Poults 1 2 1 1 12 16 89 Hens 6.9 poults per hen 4 11 15 1 6 2 1 1 1 11 18 8 12 8 9.6 poults per hen. TOTAL BROOD COUNTS (Eastern Slope) AVERAGE: Hens 610 Poults roo �...9A comparison of the reproductive success on the eastern slope for the past four seasons is shown below. 1950 1951 1952 1953 Broods Poults per brood (average) 80 84 76 89 6.2 6.7 7.4 6.9 A slight decrease is shown in the average nUmber of poults per brood in comparison to last year. It is recommended that brood studies be carried on in the future to correlate reproductive success with temperature, moisture and humidity. Summary: The increase in brood observations and brood sizes on the western slope indicates an upward trend in population. Sixty";:'sevenbroodswere observed or reported during the summer of 1953 with an average of 8.5 poults per brood. In the three previous years, the average number of poults per brood was 8.51 in 1950, 5.2 in 1951 and 6.13 in 1952. On the eastern slope, 89 hens with a total of 610 poults were observed or reported for an overall average of 6.9poults per hen. Hens observed without broods are not included in this average. Most of the poults observed were of average size indicating the number of late hatches was not excessive. In the three previous years, the average number of poults per brood was 6.2 in 19;D, 6.7 in 1951 and 7.4 in 1952. Prepared by: Date Approved by: IVlartint. Burget Laurence E. Riordan Donald M. Hoffman Federal Aid Coordinator ~O~ct~o~b~e~r~,_~·1~9~53~_ ~ ��COLO DIV WILDLIFE RESEARCH CTR LIB 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 BDOW021949 - 11 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS Colorado ------------------------- Project No. Work Plan No Title of Job W-39-R-7 0 Wild Turkey Investigations I ----------------------------- Job No. s Wild Turkey Food Studies ----~~~~~~~=-~~~----------------------------- Objectives: To continue the examination of turkey crops and dropping analysis· to accumulate data on food types utilized in relation to available plant foods; to compile information on the yearly reproduction of plant seeds, fruits and mast as affected by annual climatic variations; to use information on quantity and quality of food and availability for appraisal of specific ranges for restocking plans or feasibility of trapping operations. Techniques Used: After the mast and food crops are fairly well developed a complete survey is made on permanent trend routes or areas and data recorded. An evaluation of quality and quantity of foods available is made to determine the carrying capacity of the winter range. Findings: Western Slope. Last spring western slope food prospects were so uncertain that no evaluation could be made. It was noted that a cold late spring had held back the blossoms on staple foods such as oaks, hawthorn, skunkberry and serviceberry. During the summer these staples have put on a heavy crop of nuts and fruits with but few exceptions. Pine and pinon cones are scarce while other items, such as roses, grasses and.forbs produced fruits and seeds in large quantities. A general resume on foods for the western slope follows: San Juan Drainage: Little and Big Navajo Rivers Ponderosa Pine Pinon Pine Juniper Oak Hawthorn Skunkberry - Rhus sp. Roses Grasses and Forbs T,-l.t..-!-,lp. None II Heavy production Fair, somewhat spotty Heavy production 11 11 " " Excellent_production and Bi):rBlanco Rivers About the same as the above �- 12 Mill and Coal Creek Ponderosa Pine None Pinon Pine " Juniper Heavy production Oak Good II Hawthorn Heavy It If tI Skunkberry-Rhus sp. Roses " II Grasses and Forbs Excellent.production Snowball, Fourmile and Turkey Creek Ponderosa Pine Pinon Pine Juniper Oak Skunkberry Roses Grasses and Forbs None If Heavy production Very scattered II If Heavy production Excellent production Piedra Drainage: Head waters of Piedra - Williams 'Ponderosa Pine Pinon Pine Juniper Oak Hawthorn Skunkberry Roses Grasses and Forbs Creek, Weminuche, Devil Creek, Stahlstirner Creek Few scattered cones None Heavy production Fair to good - somewhat scattered Heavy production 11 11 " " Fair to good Pine Drainage: Beaver Creek, Big and Little Bear Creek, East Creek, Pine River, Vallecito River" and Red Creek. Ponderosa Pine Pinon Pine Juniper Oak Hawthorn Roses Skunkberry Serviceberry Amalanchier sp , Grasses and forbs Few scattered cones .None Heavy production Good to excellent Heavy production II If Extra heavy production Very poor Fair to good �- 13 Throughcut the south west this pattern carries in the Florida drainage, the Animas drainage,Lightner Creek, all the Dolores drainage except the west side of the Uncompahgre Plateau ,,;herethe oaks are nearly fruitless but roses are exceptionally heavy fruited. On the east side of the Uncompahgre the oaks are bearing good crops of mast. In the Glenwood Springs area there is a heavy crop of all types of foods. This has continued for a period of four years. One turkey crop was analyzed which may be fairly representative of a winter diet in a completely isolated area. The crop contents were obtained from a turkey killed by a bobcat on Chicken Creek north of Mancos in February, 1952. Analysis % of volume of crop contents 54 Hose hips 51% 20 Utah Juniper seeds 10% * Elk Sedge - Carex geyeri 12% 5 composite seed heads - Aster sp. 4% Composite seeds - Aster sp. 4% Trifolium and Purshia leaves 8% 2 Pinon needles Trace 1 Skunkberry Trace seed 11% *if- Gravel Total 100% * The first time Juniper seeds to be found in Colorado stratified and the seeds cracked open. crops. These had been All cover material had rotted of'f", ** There was more gravel in this crop than the total volume of gravel found in 18 crops taken in turkey season on the western slope last falL Eastern Slope. Continuing with the method of food production evaluation begun during the summer-fall period of 1951 on the eastern slope, a chart is included to show food production by important plant species and areas (Table 1). It will be noted that the I;1esade Naya and river bottom turkey'areas ~est of U.So 85-87 rated much lower than the remainder of the turkey areas. This can be attributed to a general drought in the areas which is now in its, third year. It has been found in the past that planning of winter feeding operations can be accomplished using this type of study as a basis. Thus it will be necessary to �-14- Area TABLE 1 - FOOD PRODUCTION CHART SUMMER - FALL 1953 (Eastern Slope). Key: Rating Rating No or very few fruit 0 Plant bearing fair 2 Plant bearing poorly 1 Plant bearing good 3 Dat e F 0d ~ ill H ~ S::Hi; ·rl ·rl Q) p...t::H ~ I~": UJ ill C) 'rl HillS:: H s:: s:: ~ UJ C) Q) oH·rl~ ill s::~ lD .t::·rl UJ H'D ill -fJ s:: UJ ~ o s:: os::~ ~0 UJ ~ s:: (1j H C) 0 ·rl s:: 0 <!!p.. p.. kf) ~ ~~'rlH CI) ~d ~ § Spanish Peaks Middle Creek 8/14 300 2 2 3 1 - - 2 1 E. Indian Creek 8/4 3002321 - 1 2 2 Bear Creek 7/27 3 0 0 3 2 1 0 3 2 Cucharas River 8/28 302 2 3 0 0 2 2 Santa Clara 7/28 3 0 0 3 2 3 1 3 2 Mavricio Canyon 7/29 2 0 0 011 2 - - 1 2 Mid. Trujillo Creek 7/29 30022 0 - - 2 2 Apishapa 8/12 303 0 3 0 - - 2 3 Jarosa Canyon 8/3 3 0 0 3 002 2 Wet Canyon 8/3 3 001 1 1 0 2 3 Reilly Canyon 8/13 300 0 2 2 2 Burro Canyon 8/12 3 0 0 2 2 3 North Fork 8/13 3 001 3 3 1 - - 2 2 Abbott Creek 8/27 301 1 2 2 0 - - 3 2 Wet Hountains San Isabel Road 8/6 302 3 211 1 2 2 Ridge Road 8/6 3 0 1 0 3 - 1 - 3 2 North Creek 8/21 3 0 0 2 211 - 3 2 S. Hardscrabble Creek 8/7 3 0 1 2 201 - 3 2 S. Caple Road 8/21 3 0 1 111 - - 2 2 Adobe Creek 8/7 2 0 0 2 2 1 - 1 2 Pass Creek 8/14 2 001 2 3 0 2 3 Canon City - Salida Tallahassee Creek 9/3 2 1 013 21 - - 3 2 Currant Creek 9/3 3 001 311 - - 3 2 Texas Creek 8/20 3 1 011 1 3 - 3 3 Cottonwood Creek 8/20 3 0 1 1 2 1 - 2 3 Hayden Creek 8/19 301-121--21 Cherry Creek 8/19 30030 2 2- - 2 2 Howard Creek 8/19 3 001 1 3 0 - - 2 2 Bear Creek 8/19 3 001 1 3 1 - - 2 3 Mosher Creek 8/20 3 - 0 - 2 2 0 - - 3 2 Lower Purgatoire River - Mesa de Haya - Raton Mesa Sugarite Canyon 9/2 3 0 - 1 2 2- 3 - 2 2 Higbee 9/4 - - - - - 0 - - 1 2 Alhandra Canyon 9/6 o 0 0 0 0 0 1 - - 3 3 Mesa de Maya 9/5 000---0--21 Jake Light Canyon 9/5 o00-0-1 --11 Cottonwood Creek 9/5 1 - 0 0 1 1 1 - - 3 2 AVERAGE 3 0 011 2 1 0 0 2 2 r--l 'g '"d ~ Q) Ct-! o~ '"d s:: Q) C) • ill O.t:: H :zoo 14 16 14 14 17 9 11 14 10 11 9 10 15 14 7 3 5 5 5 5 6 5 5 5 5 17 13 14 14 11 10 13 5 5 7 5 3 3 5 15 14 16 13 11 14 12 14 12 5 6 3 3 4 3 3 4 3 15 3 7 3 3 9 12.0 4 5 5 3 Gen. Obser. " II " " " "4.5 " It �{~.,-- ( - 1.5 distribute supplemental feed in this areas during the winter of 19.53-.54 in order to maintain the populations present in the areas even with a normal winter. The mountain turkey areas are in a much better condition in regards to natural food production during the summer-fall of 19.53 and should require little supplemental feeding with a normal winter.. The Canon City-Salida turkey areas averaged highest in food production with the Wet Mountain areas a close second" The Spanish Peaks area averaged the same as the average for all turkey on the eastern slope. One trend route in the Raton Mesa area (Sugarite Canyon) rated high. Scrub oak was found to be bearing good crops of acorns in most all areas except in the Mesa de !-1ayaand river bottom areas east of U e S. 8.5-87. In many of the mountain areas the acorn crop was exceedingly heavy! Ponderosa pine and pinon pine were found to be bearing very small amounts of,new cones and added very little to the overall £ood picture" Chokecherry, snowberry, and skunkberry averaged poor crops of fruit over the entire area though some areas were fair to good. Roses, grasses, and forbs all were found to be producing fair crops of foods on the average. Hawthorn and kinnikinnic again rated very low because of their limited distribution in the wintering areas checked" Table 2 is included to show food production on the eastern slope. Table 2 -- Natural Food Production Period Summer-Fall Summer-Fall Summer-Fall 19.51 19.52 19.53 trends over the past three years Trends - 19.51 Through 19.53 - Eastern Slope .• Index No. of Trend Routes Average No.. Miles/Trend 9.4 12.4 12.0 37 4 •.5 4 .•3 4..5 41 36 Recommendations: It is thought by the writer that ty continuing the present food production study over a number of years, a good ~omparison of natural food production by years can be secured and important data can be gathered for use in planning supplemental winter feeding operations. Some improvements in the food evaluation method have been visualized but in each case the method would become more complicated and in this respect unworkable during the short period of time when the food checks must be run. It is believed that the present type of study should be continued for this reason .• Swmnary: Generally over the western slope food species are in fair to good production. This could be called a normal food year. Foods are sufficient to care for turkey flocks unless severe snow storms cover them too deeply. A survey shows all important species, except po~derosa pine and pinon pine pr()duced good crops of mast, fruits and seeds. �- 16 Natural food production on the eastern slope during the summer-fall of 1953 was found to rate somewhat lower than that of a year ago but should be sufficient in the mountain turkey areas west of U.S. 85-87 with a normal winter. Because of continutng drought conditions in the Mesa de Maya and river bottom turkey areas east of U.S. 85-87, some supplemental winter feeding will have to be done during the winter of 1953-54 to hold populations at the present level. . Prepared by: Martin L. Burget Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan --~------~--~-----------Donald M. Hoffman Date: O_ct_o_b_e_r~, __1_9_53~ Federal Aid Coordinator _ �-17JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS Colorado --~~~~~--------- Project No. w~61-R-4 Fur Resources and Bear Studies Work Plan No. .....;;;'---1 Job No. .....;;;1•...... Title of Job -- Fur Harvest Survey Objectives~ To gain information from trappers concerning the numbers and value of muskrats, martens, foxes, bobcats, coyote?, minks, weasels, and skunks caught during the trapping seasono The data will be compared with the annual furdealer reports. Such information also is useful in fur animal management for setting proper trapping seasons. Techniques Used~ Post-card questionnaires were sent to a statistically acceptable sample of the licensed trappers and the resulting information tabulated on numbers and value of fur animals caught. Findings go The sales of Colorado trappers I licenses continues to drop For the last four seasons, the totals have been 1949-50,1,967; 1950-51, 1,874.; 1951-52, 1,596; 1952 .•• 53, 1,448. Much of this drop results from the low prices being paid for raw furs, while at the same time employment is at a high level, and wages are high. Not many men are nOVJ willing to work as hard as a trapper must, and still get only eighty (80) cent s or Le ss for a muskrat s about $12 .00 for a marten or mink, and much less for the other fur-bearers. In the Durango area, the drop in license sales Lsipar-td.a Lly the result of a scarcity of fur animals, notably marten and minko Intensive predator-poisoning campaigns have been blamed Qy local trappers and fur-dealers for this scarcity of fur. 0 This year a post-card questionnaire (revised from previous cards) was sent to every other licensed trapper. This 50% sample gave contacts with 724 trappers, 196 (27%) of which returned useful information. Many trappers sent interesting letters along with their cards, expressing opinions on the seasons and trapping conditions in general. Table 1 shows the reported and adjusted (calculated) numbers of pelts and their value for the 1952-53 trapping season. A comparison of the fur-harvest data for the last three years (Table 2) readily Show9 how fur prices and numbers of animals caught have dropped. Since 1950 the number of animals taken has dropped about one-half, and the value of the harvest has dropped to about one-thirdo During the 1950-51 season, 119,927 muskrats were trapped, and brought an average price of $1.09. During the latest season (1952 .•• 53), only 66, 130 muskrats were caught, and sold for $0080 average. �-18Approximately 12% of the reporting trappers sold their furs outside the state. They received a lower price for fall muskrat pelts, but did much better on their spring skins (Table 3). Out-of-state fur-buyers vary widely in their evaluation of Colorado muskrats. Table 4 contains data received from trappers who reported their income from muskrats shipped to our-of-state buyers. The average price varied from $0.51 to $0.95 on fall pelts, and from $0.72 to $1.16 on spring pelts. A comparison of the annual Colorado fur-dealer report with the trapper questionnaire report may be seen in Table 5. Colorado trapping pressure is concentrated into two distinct areas. The northcentral counties of Larimer, Weld, and Boulder contain over 23%, and the westcentral countie sof Delta, Montrose, and Mesa contain almost 20% of the states r trappers The following list contains the percentages of resident trappers in the top 11 counties: 0 Larimer--ll.23% Weld----- 8.16 Delta--7.14 Montros e- 7.14 Rio Grande---5.6l% Mesa---------5.6l Boulder------4.08 Garfield-----4.08 Fremont---3.58% Gunnison--3006 Routt---3 •. 06 The muskrat continues to be the most important fur-bearer harvested by private trappers. Muskrats contributed 98% of the total number of pelts, and 89% of the value for the fur season 1952-53. Recommendations :' It is quite apparent that there is an inadequate harvest of fur animals at the present time. Of course, the only factor that would cause a great increase in that harvest would be a substantial increase in the price of raw furs, something which is beyond our control. However, it is possible that liberalized trapping seasons, as long as they are still biologically sound, might help increase the take of fur animals. Longer seasons would allow the trappers who are still operating to cover a wider territory and catch a larger number of animals. It was recommended by project personnel that a marten season be held again this year, instead of only every other year. With only about 350 martens caught last year, the trapperB aren't even touching the harvestable surplusa Perhaps an ex- tension of the marten season through the month of January would help increase the harvest. Almost 300,000 muskrats have been taken in one year within the state without any apparent harm to the basic population. Only about 66,000 were trapped during the last open season. Just as the deer may over-populate a range, it is also quite possible for muskrats to over-populate their "rangen Food for muskrats is one of the most important limiting factors in this state, and with inadequate harvests, it is probable that they are over-using t he available forage. It is recommended that longer open seasons be allowed on muskrats, not to open much earlier than the present fall season, or to close later than the present spring season, but to extend more into the winter months. Perhaps an open season throughout the winter would allow a proper harvest. 0 �-19TABLE 1. REPORTED AND ADJUSTED NUMBERS OF PELTS SOLD BY COLORADO TRAPPERS, 1952-53 FUR SEASQN, WITH VALUE AND AVERAGE PRICE Species Reported Pelts Reported Value Ava· Price per pelt Muskrat (Fall) 13,956 $11,622.71 so.es 51,689 $43,417 •• 44 3,899 2,618059 0067 14,441. 9,698048 Marten 97 1,165050 12 002 359 4,316066 Mink 32 396.57 12039 118 1,468051 Weasel- 90 107010 1.19 333' 396066 Raccoon 28 33085 1021 104 '125037 Skunk 25 22035 0089 93 82077 Bobcat 4 12000 3.00 15 44044 Fox 4 3.60 0.,90 15 13033 Badger 2 2010 1.05 7 7.35 67,173 $59,550033 Muskr:a~ (Spr.) Totals Adjusted Adjusted Pelts Value (Statewide ) (Statewide) �~ ~ it TABLE 2. NUMBERS OF FUR ANIMAL PELTS AND AVERAGE PRICES RECEIVED BY COLORADO TRAPPERS; 1950-1953, FROM TRAPPER: QUESTIONNAIRES Species Number Av. Number 1952-~3 Value Av. $130~956085 $1.0~ 91.331 $84,030.00 $0.92 66,130 $53,115.92 $0.80 ' 359 4,316.66 12.02 1950-51 Value 1950-52 Value Av. ~ Number r Muskrat 119,927 Marten 1.103 19,055.92 17.21 Mink 291 5,136.50 17.64 Coyote Bobcat Skunk 86 61 •. 33 274 Weasel CLOSED 357 5;2'80.03 14.79 118 1,468.51 '12.39 564 •. 65 0.72 2.06 34 8 35.70 16.00 1.05 2.00 None reported sold. 3.00 14 44.44 3,729 3,593.11 0.96 799 591.26 0 •. 74 93 82.77 0.89 1,882 2,700.84 1 .• 44 263 291.93 1.35 333 396.66 1.19 0.87 526 457.62 None reported soLd , 1.00 0.25 4 104 15 7 125.37 13.33 7.35 1.2l 0.90 1.05 Raccoon ,1,437 60 Fox Badger 26 Ringtailed Cat 17 Jackrabbit 1,086 , 1,618.63' 1.11 132.59 1.83 22 5.73 0 •• 27.80 1063 None reported sold. 48.93 0.05 812 89.32 0.11 None reported sold. , None reported sold. 0.25 2l 9.45 0.45 None reported sold. Civet 60 14097 TOTALS 129.978 $163,960.85 94.190 $90,802.35 67,173 $59,550.33 • I'\) '( �-21TABLE 30 AVERAGE PRICES RECEIVED BY REPORTING TRAPPERS FOR MUSKRATS SOLD IN AND OUT OF COLORADO, 1952-530 SOLD IN COLORADO No. Trappers No. Average Reporting Pelts Price Received SOLD OUT OF COLORADO No. Trappers No. Average Reporting Pelts Price Received Fall Pe.Lt s : 84 8,013 $0 •• 84 11 657 $0078 Spring Pelts· 36 2,407 $0067 6 318 $0093 TABLE 40 AVERAGE PRICES RECEIVED FOR COLORADO MUSKRATS SOLD OUTSIDE THE STATE, 1952..• 53. FALL MUSKRATS Noo Trappers No. Average Reporting Pelts Price Received SPRING MUSKRATS Noo Trappers No~ Average Reporting PaLt.e Price Received Sears""Roebuck Des Moines 2 194 $0095 Sears-Roebuck Chicago 2 85 $0091 2 50 $0072 Sears-Roebuck Kansas City 1 67 $0074 1 108 $0.97 Taylor St. Louis 2. 117 . $0055 1 89 $1016 Frontier New York 1 29 1 58 $0.72 1 13 $0.75 $0051 Siriger New York Unknown Companz 2 114 $0091 �,,1 TABLE 5. COMPARATIVE TABULATION OF DATA FROM FUR DEALER FORMS AND TRAPPER QUESTIONNAIRES, 1952-53. Species I TraEEer Questionnaires Average Number, Value Fur Dealer Forms Average Value , Number 66,130 $53~115.92 $0.86 4,316.66 12.02 1,468.51 12.39 Muskr~t 89,023 $71,341.00 $0.80 Marten 413 4,147.00 10.04 Mink Coyote 948 13 13,492.00 7.00 12.31 0.53 Bobcat 103 9i.oo 0.88 14 44.44 3.00 Skunk' 492, 471.00 0.96 95 82.77 0.89 Weasel 630 712.00 1.13 333 396.66 1.19 Raccoon 690 758 00 ' 1.10 :104 125.37 1.21 Fox 33 11.00 0.33 Badger 14 8.00 0.57 Ringtailed Cat Jackrabbit None reported bought. No report Civet 5 0.70 TOTALS 92,368 $91,040070 . 0 359 118 None reported sold. - - 15 13.33 0.90 7 7.35 1.05 None reported sold. None reported sold. 0.14 None reported roLd , 67,173 $59,550.33 , - I N N I �Another possibility of increasing the fur harvest somewhat would be in education of the public (and especially the school kids) as to the value of trapping as recreation. It is a fascinating, healthful, profitable sport, and it is believed that more people should be introduced to it. Summaryt Fewer trapping licenses are being sold every year in Colorado. Last season's total was 1,448. Low prices for raw furs is the main cause. In at least one area, a scarcity of fur animals, blamed on predator-poisoning activities, is said to have resulted in low license sales. Post-card questionnaires were sent to 724 trappers, and 196 (27%) answered. Data compiled from the questionnaires showed s 1~67,173 pelts were taken during 1952-53, with a value of $59,5500 2--Muskrats contributed 98% of the total number, and 89% of the total value. 3--Fall muskrats (51,689) brought $0083 average; spring muskrats (14,441) brought $0067 average. 4--Since 1950, the number of furs taken has dropped about one-half, and the value has dropped to about one-third. 5--Trappers who shipped muskrats out of the state received a lower price on fall pelts, but a much higher price on spring pelts. 6--Trapping pressure is concentrated in the LarimerWeld-Boulder and the Delta~Montrose-Mesa county areas. To increase the present inadequate fur harvest, it is recommended that; (8) the marten season be opened every year and extended one month through Januar,r, (b) the muskrat season be lengthened into the winter months, and (c) the public be educated to the recreational values of trapping. Prepared by: Dateg Jack Do Remington October, 1953 Approved: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-25JOB COMPLETION INVESTIGATIONS REPORT PROJECTS State of Project Noo w-35-D-7, Job Noo Work Plan Noo ~ Title of Job~ Antelope Restoration .3 --------------------------------------------- Selection and Survey of Transplant Siteso Objective~ To locate desirable sites into which antelope can be transplanted successfully. Findings~ Saguache County~ Orient Area, south of Alder on the west side of U.S. Highway 285, extends south to Rito Alto Creek. The elevation is approxmately 7?800 feeto The total size is about 27 by 6 mileso Over 30 percent of this area is administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The topography is flatlands and rolling hills extending east to the Sangre De Cristo Range. The vegetation is shortgrass climax, with blue grama grass dominating the grasses and rabbitbrush, sage, yucca and low shrubs the browse. Weeds are moderately abundant. The range in general is in fair condition. Year-around springs are the water source in this area. cattle raisingo The land use is The site is a historical antelope range. The ranchers9 game warden~ local sportsmen and general public are in favor of obtaining antelopeo The area could support two to three hundred antelope. Saguache Countyg Curtis Ranch = Hot Springs, located 23 miles west of Saguache. 1~e total area is about 6 square miles. The range at this site would include only Curtis and Forest Service land. The elevation ~s 89000 feeto The area consists of flatlands and rolling hills; the water supply, yeararound springs. The land use is cattle at a light stocking rate. Shortgrass is the range type. Blue grama and mountain muhly are abundant, with the upper structure ofraooftbrush, sage and low shrubs. Weeds are plentiful. The range condition is good to fair. This area is a historical antelope rangeo All people concerned, rancher, game warden and general public are in favor of obtaining antelope at this site. This area could easily support several hundred antelopeo Prepared Date by Stanley Ogilvie October, 1953 Approved by Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �\ �-27JOB CO},jpLETIONREPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of Colorado Project No. _W~·~_~3~5=_D~ __7~; Work Plan NOG Title of Job~ PROJECTS :I ~A=n~t~e=1=0~p=e_R~e~st~0=r~a~t=i=o~n~ Job No. 13 Antelope Barriers. Objective~ To study the types of possible barriers, the antelope. Techniques~ _ Field reconnaissance and their influence on in Park County. Findings: Park County was selected to make this study because all conceivable antelope barriers are represented. Only stationary barriers were concerned. List of potential barriers: Fence (woven-wire, 7-strand barb-wire.) River Highway (paved) High mountain range Fence~ Because of the antelope instinct to go under objects, fences with the bottom strand of wire close to the ground are significant. Two types of these fences studied were the 3611 woven-wire with 3-strand barb-wire on top and the 7-strand barb-wire with the bottom strand 3 to 6 inches above the ground (Figures 1 and 2). From a total of 16 miles of sample strips of woven-wire and 7-strand barb-wire fence studied during the month of August, forty-one possible crossings were found or 2.6 openings per mile. During this month the fence was probably in its poorest condition because of summer soil erosion. Early in the spring repair work is done to hold sheep and newly born pure-bred calves. Two buck antelope were isolated for almost 2 months during the spring in a 460 acre pasture on the Hartsel Rancho This pasture is enclosed on three sides with woven wire and the f'our-t.h side with 7-strand barb-wire with the bottom strand 3 to 6 inches above the ground. The author later found a dead buck that attempted to cross through this 7-strand barb-wire fence and became entangled in the wire strands (Figure 3). ~ River: No personal observation was made by the author of antelope crossing rlvers. State Trapper Davidson of Craig, reported seeing 22 antelope swim across �-28the Yampa River sJuthwest of Craig during the month of July, 1952. Their point of crossing during this month was 150 feet wide with a water depth of 4 to8 feet. Several reports were received of antelope wading the Snake Rivero Highway (paved): Antelope were frequently seen, by the writer, crossing U.S. Highway 24 east of Hartsel~ Two highway kills west of Hartsel, have been reportedo High mountain range: During the winter of 1951-52, about 212 antelope from the South Park area crossed over the high mountain range in the Cameron Nountain area bordering the south edge of South Park and moved along the Arkansas River north of Salida (Figure 4). Early in the spring these antelope returned to the Parko Analysis and Recommendations: The problem of antelope barriers is of little concern. Low stranded fences, however, should be considered when selecting future transplant sites~ Summary: Of the potential barriers studied, the low stranded fences act as a true barrier during the spring months only, and a partial barrier after sum~er soil erosion. Prepared by Stanley Ogilvie Date October~ 1953 Approved by Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �~ ..........•..• ~ Fig. 1. sheep. Woven-wire fence, antelope proof, used to hold Fig. 2. Barb-wire, 7-strand, lowest strand ground, makes antelope crossing impossible. 3-6n above �Fig. 3. Buck antelope died after becoming entangled 7-strand barb-Hire. in the Fig. 4. The high mountain range, bordering South Park, over which antelope migrated to the Salida Area. �C/O' 1) 2f~' G~~ Q.Jc~r. Pr<),1- Art. q-·h's~ OJ- 1?S-3 Oct. 19S;J -29JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of C~o~l~o~r_a_d~o Project No. W-37-R-7 _ Game Bird Surveys Work Plan No. 4 Title of Job: Location Objectives: PROJECTS 5 Job No. of Transplant Sites To locate areas suitable for development of chukar populations. Techniques Used: The "Rating Sheet for Chukar Range" was revised. Information and notes were recorded on areas that appeared desirable for chukar development. The better areas were stUdied intensively and given a rating, as determined. by the chukar range rating formo Findings: The revised "Rating Sheet for Chukar Range" is presented below. This form is changed considerably frbm the one previously devised, and it is believed that it provides a much more accurate means of selecting and evaluating chukar range. Considerable variation in the requirements or conditions necessary for chukar range makes it difficult to devise a mathematical means for making highly accurate evaluations. Additional revision of the rating form probably will be needed as more is learned about the habits and requirements of chukars. This form, however, should aid persons, unfamiliar with chukar range, in selection of desirable release sites. The various qualifications were derived from the 1rnowledge of present chukar colonies in Colorado and from suggestions and reports received from other states. RATING SHEET FOR CHUKAR RANGE Area surveyed Surveyed by Date Rating Major item El.evat.Lon e Ac Above 8,000 0 Bo c. D. 00. 000 0 ." 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 Subdivision 5 f'eet .•..0000 .••••••••• 0 ••••••.. 0....... 7,000 to 89000 feet .•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 6,000 to 7,000 feet •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Below 6,000 feet ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• SUB-TOTAL •••••••••• 1 4 6 10 �- ------- - - ..c- -------;- ,--- v -- _,t"'.............. •.••••.,. v 0 9 •• 9 0 •• B. Shrubs and trees generally lacking, short grasses and forbs present, some brushy vegetation in draws and along watercourses •••••••••••••• C. Low-growing shrubs (sagebrush, greasewood, saltbush,· skunkbush, or scattered pinons and cedars) along draws and watercourses and scattered on slopes SUB-TOTAL 000000000000000000000000 ••• 0.0 00 ••••• ••• 00 Q 0 0 ., 0 • '0 -0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 .0 10 ••• Food o 5 Ao Generally lacking, field crops absent, cheatgrass, ricegrass, green feed, rare •••••••••••••• 0 0 6 0 caree, field. crops absent, scattered cheatgrass-and ricegrass, cheatgrass seeds partially smut infected, small amount of green feed along watercourse Co Field crops present, green vegetation along watercourse, small amount of natural feed (cheatgrass and ricegrass) in country sur- 0 o 0000000000000.0000000.0000 rounding farmland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 •. 0 0 0 (10 0 0 0 '0 • 0 0 • • •••• 0 ••••• .• • • • .• • Do Field crops absent, green vegetation (Equisetum, sweet clover, etc.) along waterways, cheatgrass and ricegrass common to abundant 00 ••••••••••• • • 2 •.• 0. 7 9 �-31RATING SHEET FOR CHUKAR RANGE Area surveyed ---------------- Surveyed by --------------- Date Rating Major item Subdivision Eo Field crops ( alfalfa, oats, wheat, or others) present, green vegetation along waterways, foxtail scattered among field crops and along irrigation ditches, country surrounding narrow valley containing abundant cheatgrass and ricegrass .. Oo.Oo •••••...•••.•.•.••.••.••. 4o......... 10 -..:.--- SUB-TOTAL V. Water • ••••••••••• 110 5 •••••••••••••••••••••••••• A. Lacking ,...................................... 0 Present B 0 COo Sp ring i» Irriga,tion 0 •. " •.•.•.•.•.•.••.•.•.•.•. water 0"" " • •. •. •. •. • •. •. •. • •. •. •. •. •. •. •. •. •. • •. • •. •. •. •. •. • •. 0 • •. .• •. • •. •. •. •. •. •. •. • •. •. •. •. •. • •. •. •. • • •. •. •. •. •. •. •. • Do 'River .00.................... E. Creek or small stream ••••••••••••.••••.••...•••••••• SUB-TOTAL VI. Snow conditions ••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4 11. South facing slopes usually covered with snow during mid-winter •••••.••..••••.•.••.•••....••• B. Snow may cover terrain to considerable depth during most severe winters, open during normal winters ". 0 ••. " •. • •. • •. •. •. • •. • •. •. •. • •. •. •. •. •. •. • •. •. •. •. •. •. •. •. •. •. •. •. •. •. C. South-facing slopes open during mid-winter, . snow melts shortly after· falling ••.••••.••• ~•••...•• SUB-TOTAL VIIo Human disturbance-possibility A. Probable ••• ~•• of poaching, o............... 6 8 10 ......:...-- 0 .5 10 --- etc •• 4 B. Occasional .• '•..•....... 00........................... C. "Lacking or nea.rly so ...••..••.•...... 6.............. SUB-TOTAL VIII. 5 1 6 10 ...;..:..-- Vertical extent a.nd character of range ••• 3 11. Generally single plane along side of canyon or mesa, with level areas on top and bottom, slopes shallow, not exceeding 50-150 feet in 'elevation .. 0 0................................ B. Slopes partially broken, mostly on single plane, but extending upward 150 feet or more •••••••• 3 7 �-32RATING SHEET FOR CHUKAR RANGE Date Surveyed by Area surveyed Rating Major item Subdivision Co Series of steep, rocky slopes, separated by relatively level benches, slopes extending 500 feet or more upward from main watercourse SUB-TOTAL IX. of rocks • 3 A. Steep clay soil with small rocks or shale Type B 6" Sandstone 0 0 •• 0 ••• 0 •• 0 • c. Lava ••••••••..• D. Granite ••• 0.0 0 0 • 0 ••••••• It ••• 0 0 ••••••••••••••••••••.••••••••••••• I> •••••••• 0' • • • • • 10 • 4 0 ••••••••••••• 6 8 ' ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••• 10 0- •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• SUB-TOTAL X. Accessibility must water) (along watercourse •••••••••••••• A. lw'Ia,in hi ghw ay Bo Secondary C. Secondary 0 ••• 0 0 0 • where birds 00 ••••••••• 0 •••••• 0 3 · ••••••• 0 0> • •••••••• • •. 2 ••••••••••••••• road (heavily used) road (occasionally used) ••••••'••••••••••••••• 0'" D. Trail s only • 0 •• 0 •• 0 •••••••.••.••••••••• •••.•••••••••••••••••• 0 4 6 10 •••••••••••••••••••• SUB-TOTAL XI •. Predators • 0 !It 0 ••••• A. Abundant B. Common • Co Rare •••• 0 0 0 •••• 0 0 • 0 0 0 •• 0 0 •••••• •••••••• 0 eo ••••• •••••••• 0 o· •••••••••••• 0 •• 2 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• lit • 0 ••• 0 0 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••• 2 5 10 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• SUB-TOTAL XII. Horizontal extent of range A. 0...• 1 miles B. 1-2 miles •••• 0 ••••• 1 00 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••• c. 2-5 miles 5 miles and up 60. D. 0 •••• 0 ·••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••• ••••• 0 01 ••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• SUB-TOTAL TOTAL 2 6 8 10 �-33Items I-XII represent the various qualifications or conditions that should be considered when selecting chukar range. Each of the major items are described or sub-divided in various ways that suggest the degree to which optimum conditions are attained. These sub-divisions, designated by capital letters, A, B, C, etc., are given a numerical rating that represents their relative value under each major qualification or condition. Furthermore, each major item is given a rating number, 5 through 1, which represents its relative importance in the over-all picture of habitat requirements. Thus, a rating of I-D would mean that the range is below 6,000 feet elevation. As chukar populations appear to show best development at lower elevations, the maximum score of 10 is given. Also, as chukar popUlations are largely controlled by conditions existing at different elevations, altitude is believed to be of primary importance in selection of range, and the top score of 5 is given the major item, ltelevation.1I A rating of I-D receives a score of 50 (5 times 10), the maximum that can be obtained for this chukar range qualification. As the horizontal extent of range is believed to be of minor importance in establishing chukars, a maximum rating of XII-D receives a score or only 10. If calculated by means of the rating sheet, optimum chukar habitat would receive a score of 450. Although some exceptions may occur, it is believed that mlnlmum requirements for suitable chukar range will exist only if the sub-divisions under the first seven major items are rated at ~abOve:Rating subdivisions'under the remaining fivernajor items,-below 5, would not necessarily mean the area is not chukar range, but would indicate the range is of poor quality. In summary, perhaps it should be stated searches for chukar release sites should be confined principally to rough, steep, rocky country at low elevations, where sagebrush or other low-growing shrubs are found and where there is a sufficient amount of food in the form of cheatgrass, field crops, or ricegrass. Water must be present. Two areas were selected in which to release chukars during the 195354 trapping season. One of these areas was the DryFork of Piceance Creek in the vicinity of Little Hills Experiment Station, Rio Blanco County, and the other Plateau Canyon, Mesa county. Rating of the Little Hills and Plateau Canyon areas are given in Table 1. �-34Table l.--CHUKAR RANGE EVALUATION, LITTLE HILLS AND PLATEAU CANYON, 1953 Little Hills Plateau Canyon Rating* Score I"':'C II-C III-C IV-E V-E VI-B VII-C VIII-B IX-B X':"C XI-B XII-D 30 30 50 50 50 20 40 21 18 18 10 10 TOTALS Rating* I-D II-D III-C IV-C V-E VI-C VII-B VIII-C IX-B X-A XI-B XII-D 347 See rating sheet for chukar range for explanation Score 50 50 50 35 50 40 24 30 18 6 10 10 373 of rating code. Analysis and Recommendations~ It can be determined from information in Table 1 that themain short-comings in chukar range in the Little Hills area are its relatively high elevation, 6,147 feet, with possibility of heavy snowfall during winter, and the partial lack of rugged terrain. Food and water are plentiful. The presence of tne experiment station and the lack of disturbance in the area should favor development. Selection of the Little Hills sight for release of chukars was made partially to investigate the possibilities of establishing birds in that general type of country. If successful, it will indicate the.t many of the tributaries of the White River, and other areas in Rio Blanco and Moffat county,may be desirable for chukar releases. Very good conditions for chukar development appear to exist in Plateau Canyon.. The principal, and about the only major, short-coming in the habitat is the highway that parallels Plateau creek for about 12 of the 15 miles of desirable chukar range. Two small side canyons, coming into Plateau canyon from the south, contain water, are on the opposite side of the creek from the highway, and should provide a considerable amount of range for development. Ranchers, contacted, are highly in favor of having birds released in the canyon and are willing to cooperate in protection of the birds so that they may become established. �Figure 1. -- Dry Fork of Piceance Creek, 2.9 miles above Little Hill~ Experiment Station. Dense stand of cheatgrass on south-facing slope in foreground. �Figure 2. -- Plateau Canyon. Greasewood, sagebrush, and cottonwoods along Plateau Creek. Sagebrush and scattered cedars on slopes. Figure 3. -- North side of Plateau Canyon, 13.5 miles above Colorado Hiver. Cheatgrass abundant on more productive slopes strewn with lava boulders, in central portion of picture. Sandstone rim-rock in the background. Alfalfa field in foreground. �rc. -35Summary: 1. 20 Prepared Date The revised rating sheet for chukar range is presented and explained. Two areas, the Little Hills area and Plateau Canyon, were selected from a number of localities and intensively surveyed in preparation for release of chukars during the 1953 trapping period. by Wayne W. Sandfort ----~----------------------October, 1953 Approved by Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-37JOB CO~PLETION INVESTIGATIONS Sta te of __ REPORT PROJECTS ..:.C,,:.;ol::.o..:.r::.a::.d::.o=-_ Project No , W-37-R-7 Work Plan No. ~~~~-------- Title of Job Trapping Objectives: To band mourning Scope: 2 Job Noo V and banding doves for migration and flyway studies. Orchard area - Mesa count yo Dwight Eo Owens and Wayne W. Sandforto Personnel: Techniques Usedg Mourning dove nestlings were banded from nests located in a pear orchard consisting of 518 trees, 418 mature and 100 young treeso This orchard, owned by Luther Buck, is located two and one-half miles east of Grand Junction. Banding was carried out in conjunction with nesting studies. Nestlings commonly were banded when seven to ten days oldo Findingsg Seventy-one doves were banded during the investigation. of banding are given in Table I. TABLE 10 - MOURNING DOVE BA~mING, Records MESA COUNTY, 19530 Number of Birds Banded Date 6/5/53 6/23/53 7/3/53 25 17 29 TOTAL DOVES BANDED 71 Analysis and Recommendations~ Although only a small number of birds were banded, it is felt that the results are satisfactory for the few hours devoted to the study. Results indicate that a large number of nestl~ngs could be banded in the pear orchards of Mesa county if time and personnel were available. Summary~ Seventy-one nestling doves were banded in one pear orchard in Mesa county during June and July, in conjunction with nesting studies. Prepared Date by Wayne W. Sandfort Approved O"-c_t_ob_e_r-"2:..-l~9.:::;..5=_3 _ by Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��I~~II~lli'ijl~'llil]irlil~~~mijrlill~i I~I~II BDOW021956 -39- -State of JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado Pro je ct No. _W:.:._.....:3~7:..._..:.R;...._..:..7 __ G;....am.-.-:e~B_i_r_d_S;...u_r_v_e.::..y Work Plan No. -...;..-:....--II Job No. Title of Job 6 W~a..:.te~r~f~o~w~l~P~r;....o~d;....u;....c;....t..:.i..:.o_n~S~t_u..:.d;...i..:. -------------------- Objectives: To determine through statistically reliable sampling techniques the number of ducks and geese produced on Colorado breeding grounds" Personnel: Jack R. Grieb, North Park, South Platte Valley, and Cache la Poudre Valley; Harold M. Boeker, Yampa River Valley; John R. Tester, Brown's' Park; Ladd G. Frary, South Park and White River Plateau; and Erwin L. Boeker, San Luis Valley. Findings: The following completion report includes information gathered from all waterfowl breeding areas in Colorado. These data have been combined into one report to -give a statewide picture of production for1953¢ A complete description of study areas is given in Colorado Quarterly Report, October, 1952, pp" 49-76. Methods: Survey methods used in 1951 and 1952 were retained in 1953, except where physiography and size of area necessitated modification. Thus, the general procedure was determination of the breeding population and production, chiefly by breeding-pair and brood counts on randomly selected samples for all breeding grounds surveyed. The data so obtained have been used in estimating total breeding populations and production. A SU~~RY TABLE I.--Waterfowl Breeding OF SAMPLING Breeding Grounds 1/ Breeding-pairs ground and aerial AND AREAS Areas and Samples, Area Total sq. mil> North Park 611 South Platte Valley 1407 Cache la Poudre Valley 343 Yampa River Valley 220 Brown's Park 15 White River Plateau 360 San Luis Valley South Park METHODS IS GIVEN IN TABLE I~ Colorado, 1953 Sampling Sample sq. mi.. Per cent of total 55 900 70 36 22 15 5~0 10~5 10.5 -100,,0 5.0 18 Aerial Ground Ground Ground Ground Ground Aerial Ground Method ~ and Aerial and Aerial and Aerial and Aerial and lone birds recorded by species and cover types in both coverages. Vehicle employed for ground travel; inaccessible �-40areas walked. Cessna 170 and super-cub planes used for aerial work, crew consisting of pilot and observer. Identicgl forms used for recording data in both methods of coverage. Weather and Water Conditions: Climatological data and phenological records indicate that Colorado experienced a mild, dry winter resulting in smaller accumulations of snow in the mountains this year. Runoff, when it did occur, was about two weeks later than normal and much reduced. The effect on waterfowl, especially on the western slope was twofold~ (1) The birds could not reach their usual nesting areas in the higher elevations until later, because of late storms and delayed runoff; (2) there was little flooding, and consequently fewer destroyed nests, resulting in a smaller number of birds renesting this year. The eastern plains were affected differently. There, the mild winter and early spring were generally favorable to the early movement and nesting of ducks. It is believed that nesting was earlier this year than for the past five years as a result of these conditionso Water levels were generally low in reservoirs, sloughs, and streams throughout the State. Intermittent potholes on the eastern plains, which in wet years furnished additional nesting habitat, had no water this year. Although not disasterous, this statewide decrease in water resulted in reduced production for all areas in 19530 Discussion of Data: This report on waterfowl production will, perhaps, be confusing because of the two types of information that have been gathered this year -- trend data, and total production estimates. Some areas in the State still remain to be surveyed on the basis of total production; and, therefore, the only information obtainable from these areas is a yearly comparison of production on a trend basis. For this reason, each breeding ground will be discussed separately, and all known production will be briefly summarized at the end of the reporto North Parkg This high mountain park, consisting of approximately 611 square miles,-rs-located in the north-central portion of the Colorado mountains. During the past summer, an attempt was made to determine the best waterfowl census method for this area. To accomplish this, a series of four flights of randomly selected transect routes, and two ground counts of selected areas over all habitat types represented in the Park were made. Comparison of these methods has revealed that~ (1) Aerial breeding-pair counts are satisfactory; (2) aerial brood counts are unsatisfactory; and (3) ground brood counts will give a better estimate of production than aerial brood counts if a good sample of each habitat type is taken. The following report is based upon an aerial breeding-pair count and a later ground brood count. Admittedly, the sample on which the brood estimates were made is small for some habitat types; however, future plans for study in this area include an increase in the size of sample, and the determination of correction factors �-41for time of season to adjust counts for total production. Estimates of total 1953 production in North Park reveal 5/>75pairs, and 3,736 broods with an average brood size of 6.12 resulting in the production of 22,864 young. Breeding-pair success is, thus, indicated as about 66 percent. No comparison of total Park production is available for past years. Species composition of observed broods is presented in Table 2. This list compares favorably with past years, showing that the baldpate is again the most common producer with mallards secondo Table 2. --Species Compos~tion (Not projected) No. Young Average Brood size Per cent composition of identified young 60 36 22 22 10 4 4 5 3 360 219 133 131 65 24 22 21 16 6.00 6.08 6.05 5.95 6.50 6.00 5.50 4.20 5.33 36.2 22.0 13.3 13.1 6.5 2.4 2.2 2.1 1.6 No. Broods Species Observed Broods, North Park, August 4-6, 1953. Baldpate Mallard Gadwall Pintail Green-wo Teal Canvas-back Scaup Shoveller Redhead Blue-w. or Ci;nnamon Teal Unidentified 1. 6 00 6.47 .6 73 y 6 472 Totals 240 1469 6.12 100. 0 Total Estimated Production North Park 3736 22,864 6.12 0 y Y Lake John counted by air - no species identification (57 broods). Y Based on ground counts August 4-6, 1953, projected by habitat type and corrected for time of season when count was made. South Platte VaLley: The South Platte Valley, located in the nortlteast corner of the State, is composed mainly of habitat types typical of irrigated lands. Total land area under consideration amounts to 1407 square miles, of which five percent or 70 square miles were intensively studied from the ground. �-42Resul ts from aerial breeding-.pair COUt'1ts, al.ong the South Platte River this spring, indicated about 50 percent more pairs in the area this year than during a comparable count in 1952. This striking increase did not carr.y over to the production of young.. Apparently, the early surplus of pairs was forced to nest elsewhere by the decrease in habitat noted during ground eurveys , Projected totals from the ground survey show that 1953 production for this area was approximately 1,187 broods, with an average brood size of 6.7 young. Thus, it is estimated that 7,953 young were produced in the irrigated portion of the Platte Valley this yearo No comparable data are available for 1952; however, past studies indicate that current production is lower than usual o Cache la Poudre Valley: The Cache la Poudre Valley is located east of the foothills in northern Colorado.. Land use in this area is mainly irrigated farming; however, there are numerous lakes, reservoirs, and sloughs interspersed throughout the Valley.. Total area of the Valley has been estimated at approximately 343 square miles, of which 36 square miles were intenSively studied by ground and air methods for a sample of 1005 percent. Spring breeding-pair numbers for 1953 (1601) were found to be about 56 percent greater than 1952 (1029), (Table 3).. This increase was caused mainly by greater numbers of mallards and blue-winged tealso However, brood counts revealed that the increased breeding population did not result in higher production.. Final figures indicated a decrease of 005 percent from 1952 (4821 young, 1953; 4850 young, 1952)0 This slight decrease was attributed to reduced habitat caused by lower water levels in all cover types which ultimately resulted in a definite decrease in nesting success for all species (46 4%, 1953; 7509% 1952) .• 0 Table 30--Comparison Waterfowl Breeding-Pairs and Production Cache la Poudre Valley, 1952 ~nd 1953. Species Noo Breeding-pairs 1952 1953 Mallard Blue-wo Teal Cinnamon Teal Redhead Gadwall Pintail Baldpate Ruddy duck Unidentified Totals 781 162 48 1181 295 19 lOt 67 29 38 1029 ----_ 1601 ...•.. by SpeCies, No.. Broods 1952: 1953 Noo Young 1952' 1953 Production Per sqo mio 1952 1953 515 172 3306 1029 9064 3000 543 133 19 19 9 9 19 57 29 781 743 3506 829 229 114 48 86 67 314 4850 10.22 2042 .67 033 143 014 .25 019 092 042 4821 14014 14.06 �-43~ Comparison of 1953 production with that of past years shows little difference between years (Table 4). This uniformity exhibited in total production during the four year period is striking, and probably significanto In an area such as this, which offers a variety of cover types for nesting ducks, it'is possible that a saturation point can be reached in production" Analysis of the data indicates that there.is a change in the nesting pattern by habitat types from year to year which seems to correspond to the difference in seasons. For example, Table 5 shows that the largest decrease in production between the two years occurred on lakes and reservoirs~ and river; the types that would be most affected by a lack of water during the nesting and brood rearing seasons. Table 40-- Comparison 6fWaterfowl Production in the Cache la Poudre Valley, 1950, 1951, 195Z, and 19530 Year Number of Broods Number of Young Average Number Young per brood 1950 1951 1952 1953 772 781 781 743 4441 4841 4850 4821 5.7 6.2 6.3 6.5 Cache la Poudre Valley, Colorado Table S.--Waterfowl Broods by Cover Types, 1952 and 1953. Production Average number Number of Number of per square mile young pe r brood Type Young Brood 1952 1953 1952 1953 1952 1953 1952 1953 Lakes and ,Reservoirs Sloughs Irrigation Canals Irrigation Ditches River Creeks and Drains 400 343 2409 2304 6.02 6.71 7.02 6.72 95 124 600 838 6.32 6.76 1075 2.44 95 76 677 537 7013 7.07 1097 1.57 29 143 76 105 182 904 457 571 6.28 6.32 6.01 5.44 .53 2.64 1.33 1.67 19 19 78 114 4.10" 6.00 .23 .33 Total 781 743 4850 4827 6.21 6.49 14.14 14.06 �-44Yampa River Valley: The Yampa Valley is a long narrow fl()od plain and canyon extending from the headwaters of the Yampa River on the White River Plateau to its confluence wi th the Green River in northwest Colorado.. The Valley varies from one-fourth mile in width in the canyons to about 10 miles in width shortly after its emergence onto the flood plain proper above Steamboat Springs., The water table along the entire non,..,canyonportion of the Valley is high"and development of sedge and cattail marsh is extensive.' This habitat, plus the oxbow, drain, and meandering stream areas, constitutes the waterfowl breeding grounds found in the region.. " Waterfowl production in the Yampa Valley was observed on a variety of water types. These diverse water areas were divided into six distinct categories: (1) river - 8000 percent of total water area; (2) oxbow _ 3.69 percent 'of 't6tal 'water area; (3}-9oJ7percent of total wa.ter area; (4) pond '-:1,.45 percent of total water area; (5) overflow area- 3009 ,,, pe rcerrt of: :total ~ater area; and (6) dr(3,inarea, - 2.40 percent of total water area .• River flood plains, with,the accompanying oxbows , sloughs, and marshes have accounted for most of the waterfowl broods produced on the plains area dur-Ing the years of normal or low rainfall. Previous Colorado studies have revealed that rivers, streams, and drainage ditches were fairly important 'ashestihgsi tes dUi'i!lgt.he=dry year of 1950, 'but 'relatively' unimportant in the wet 'season 0',£'"1951.,' 'other' observers ag.ree that rivers, streams,and drains assume greatest importance to waterfowl production where there are few marshes ~dpotholes,and where .dr'oughf cOl).ditl,onsare pr-eval.snt, , """ The mild dry winter resUlted in drought conditions in the Yampa Valley during the spring and summer of 1953'01 Many marshes, sloughs, ponds, and overflowa.:reas, thatwere brimfUl'ih 1952, were dry, or nearly so;' in 19530 'OccUlar estimates indicated ,that the totai l.953waterfow1 habitat in the Valley wa.s reduced by as much as 30 percent, compared, to the 1952 levels. This decrease in water area resulted in a changed waterfowl distribution on the various water types represented in the Yampa Valley. Table 6 reveals waterfowl production (total broods) observed, by species, on each of the six water types The river, oxbow, and drain areas produced a greater percent of the total broods during the dry year ()f1953 than during the 1952 season. On the other hand, those water areas most seriously affected by drou.ght,including marsh, pond and overflow areas, showed a consequent decrease in the percent of total broods produced in 19530 0 Spring breeding-duck populations ',werefound to be about 15 percent less in 1953 than in'1952. This diffe'rence occurred mainly in the decrease of breeding pairs of cinnamon, b1ue-winged,'andgreen"'winged teals.' Projection of figures obtained on the study areas revealed a total of �-451500 breeding pairs, with a subsequent production 1,030 broods, resulting in 69 percent breeding-pair success in the Yampa Valley in 1953. Average brood size in 1953 was 605, resulting in a total production of 6,690 young, compared to an average brood size of 6.3 and a total production of 8,670 for 1952 (Table 7)0 This gives a decrease of 23 percent in duck production between the two years. Table 6o--Comparison of Production by Water Types, Yampa River Valley, Colorado 1952 and 19530 Total Percent Total Percent Broods Total Broods Broods Total Broods water Type 1952 1953 River Oxbow Marsh Pond Overflow Drain 50 7 15 '13' Totals 140 34 2l 27.7 1502 3309 405 701 1106 31 17 38 5 8 13 2403 15.0 35.7 500 1007 903 112 Goose production, on the other hand, was significantly increased in the Yampa Valley in 1953. The production figures from 1952: indicate that 40 broods and 136 young were produced, compared to the 1953 production of 90 broods and 540 young. Average brood size for Ca.nada geese rose from 304 per brood in 1952 to 600 per brood in 19530 The increase in number of broods and birds per brood in the Yampa Valley in 1953 resulted in an increased goose productton of 927 percent over that of 1952. This 'increase was largely the result of favorable conditions on the nesting grounds, of which moderate spring runoff on the Yampa River played a major part. It may, however, reflect the decrease evident in adjoining areas such as Brown's Park, the Green River, and the Yampa Canyon area. Production, Yampa Valley, Colorado,1952 and 1953. Table 7o--TotalWaterfowl ProductL on No. per sq.' mi. Noo Young No. Broods Breeding-pairs Species 1952 1953 1952 1953 1952 1953 1952 1953 Canada Goose Mallard Cinnamon and Blue-w Teal Green-w.Teal Am. Merganser pintail Gadwall Unidentified Geese Totals Ducks 120 1050 130 1060 40 930 90 760 140 6110 540 4750 .64 27.77 2045 21059 270 240 120 40 40 140 120 100 20 40 170 l~g 20 870 170 670 110 120 1790 130 1500 340 140 1030 100 1~0 1 0 540 6690 3.95 3050 3).05 .50 to 60 30 110 20 30 20 105R 06 4.68 .45 077 .73 2.45 30.41 20 1360 90 1030 140 140 8670 .64 .64 39.W. �-46In addition to waterfowl production in the Yampa River Valley, an attempt was made in 1953 to evaluate production on the irrigation reservoirs lying within a five mile radius of the riverQ A random selection was made of four reservoirs, approximately 50 percent of the total number of this type. The four reservoirs studied during the 1953 production season were: 1. Schrader Reservoir -- Approximately 12 acres in size, located in Breeze Basin, six miles southeast of Craig, Colorado. A shallow reservoir with much aquatic vegetation, the majority of which is Polygonum spp. The shoreline is long and irregular, surrounded by dryland wheat fieldso 2. Gnat Hill Reservoir -- Approximately 10 acres in size, located in Breeze Basin, eight miles southeast of Craig, Colorado. shallow reservoir barren of vegetation. All water drawn out for irrigation by late July. The shoreline regular, bordered by sagecovered hills interspersed with wheat fields. A 3. Temple Reservoir -- Approximately 20 acres in Size, located five miles south of Hayden, Colorado. A relatively deep reservoir, with sloping shoreline, much of which is exposed as a mud-flat when water is drawn out for irrigation. The shoreline is regular, bordered on three sides by sage flats, and on the fourth by meadow. 4. Elk Mountain Reservoir -- ApprOXimately 20 acres in Size, located nine miles northwest of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. A shallow marsh-like reservoir, containing dense growth'of bulrush (Scirpus spp.). The shoreline is irregular, surrounded by sage-covered knolls and fields of wheat and barleYQ Table 80 -- Waterfowl Broods Observed on Four Reservoirs, Colorado, 1953" Yampa River Valley, Brood Observed Species Ballard Green-w~ Teal Cinnamon Teal Pintail Gadwa~l Baldpate Redhead Scaup Ruddy Duck Unidentified Total Coot Elk Mountain Average Brood Size 9 3 1 2 5 19 5 2 2 3 4 6~5 706 8.5 7.8 6.5 9.0 7.3 5.7 809 63 26 19 702 58 5 .• 0 22 Schrader Gnat Hill Temple 3 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 3 9 9 3 5 18 0 Total 4 8 1 3 3 9 4 �-47A total of nine waterfowl species were found producing on these reservoirs during the 1953 breeding season. Mallards were the number one producer (Table 8), followed by ruddy ducks, gadwalls, and green-winged tealso Several broods of redheads, scaups, and baldpates were found, whereas none were found on the study areas in the Valley during the two years of investigation. A total of 58 waterfowl broods were observed, with an average of 7.2 birds per broodo In addition, 22 coot broods averaging 500 birds per brood were recorded. This gives a total production of 415 ducks and 110 coots on the four reservoirs. Assuming a 50 percent sample, there were 830 ducks and 220 coots produced on irrigation reservoirs lying within a five mile radius of the Yampa Rivero Brown's Par-ks Brown's Park is primarily a heavily grazed, sagebrushcovered, mountain park, bisected by the Green River. It is located in extreme northwest Colorado, and both the Park and River extend into the adjoining State of Utah. Waterfowl habitat, in Colorado, is limited to the flood plain area along a 15-mile stretch of the river. Since this bottomland averages about one mile in width, available waterfowl nesting ground consists of approximately 15 square miles. Cattail and bulrush marsh, flooded hay meadows, and willow-bordered streams characterize the waterfowl habitat found in this regiono Weather and water levels in Brown's Park appeared to be the most important factor influencing waterfowl production. The winter of 1951-1952 was extremely severe and marked by heavy snowfall in Brown's Parko Warm weather in early April caused a heavy local runoff which filled the nia.rshesbordering the river. Early in May, the Green River began rising, reaching a peak on May 8. This peak, caused mainly by melt water from the drainage of the river in southern ~oming and northwestern Utah, was reported as unusual by local residentso The high water lasted only three days, but the river overflow was sufficient to fill the marshes in the flood plain to capacity for a second time within a month. On June 11, Green River again crested, this time from" melt water from its headwaters in the Wind River Mountains in Wyomingo This peak, which was similar to the first in height and duration, flooded the marshes for the third time. No moisture fell in Brown1sPark from late April until late July, when several heavy cloudbursts brought the water levels of the marshes back to their previous heights. It can be seen that adequate water for ducks and geese was present in all of the lakes throughout the 1952 breeding seasono The later part of the summer was hot and dry, and by mid-September three of the marshes were completely dry and the remainder had less than half as much water as during the early summer , Little snow fell in Brown's Park and the surrounding mountains during the winter of 1952-1953. Consequently, local runoff was negligible and the Green River did not crest until June 17, when the melt water from the �-48Wind River Mountains flooded the marshes adjacent to the river. Previous to this date, three marshes were dry and four were nearly dry. Only Hog Lake, Area Number 6, maintained its water level throughout the season. After the river receded the water levels in all of the lakes except Number 6 dropped rapidly and by August 1 five were completely dry and two were very low. Although no springs were visible in Hog Lake, it is believed that they were responsible for maintaining the water level.. No heavy rains fell in Brown's Park in the summer of 19530 The results of the breeding~pair counts for the two years are presented in Table 90 The increase in breeding ducks in 1953, despite the decrease in ~vailable habitat, would seem to indicate larger populations returning from the wintering grounds. However, this increase in breeding-pair numbers did not mean increased production. Table 9 shows a large decrease in the number of broods produced in 1953. This may be partially attributed to the fluctuating water levels on many of the lakes in the Park the second year. It is believed that these changes in water conditions disrupted the breeding cycle of many pairs and caused a cessation of nesting. Early in the nesting season, the pairs were scattered throughout the entire area and most had established territories. As the lakes dried up the birds abandoned their territories and nests and congregated on the few marshes still containing water. The ducks remained here until the river flooded the lakes in mid-June, at which time they again spread over all the available water areas" While concentrated, most of the ducks were observed loafing and feeding in large flocks; however, some territorialism was noted. After their dispersal the majority of the pairs continued loafing and feeding in flocks. Apparently the urge to nest had been destroyed by movement and close contact with other birds. The average number of young per brood for all species for the two years of investigation was 7.1 and 703 respectively. The average brood sizes for each species varied little between the two years" Total duck production in the Park was 61.6 percent less this year than in 1952. Only 657 young (43.8 per square mile) were produced in 1953 compared to 1711 (114.07 per square mile) in 1952 (Table 8). Goose production, in Brown's Park, showed a large decrease in 1953. A total of 18 broods and 109.gos1ings were observed in 1952, compared to 9 broods and 51 goslings in 1953, for 53 percent decrease in young this year -- (Table 9). Waterfowl production is influenced by many factors, some of the most important being weather, predation~ and livestock. The actual effect of individual limiting factors in Brown's Park could not be determined. The remains of one mallard were found on the shore of area Number 1 in 1952. No other definite evidence of predation or death of birds from other causes were observed during the investigation. Magpies were abundant in the Park and may have preyed on duck nests. Skunks, weasels, muskrats, minks, badgers, great-horned owls, and ravens were the other predators seen in the vicinity of the marshes. �-49Table 9 -- Total Waterfowl 1953. Species Canada Goose Mallard Pintail Gadwall Shoveller Teals Redhead Ruddy Duck Unidentified Totals Goose Duck Production, Breeding-pairs 1953 1952 Brown's Park, Colorado, 1952 and No. Broods 1952 1953 No. Young 1952 1953 Production per sqo mi. 1952' 1953 21 121 14 60 7 49 35 5 0 12 196 15 43 20 79 11 8 0 18 110 12 11 1 45 22 8 32 9 32 10 3 0 34 3 0 8 109 805 79 67 1 340 157 44 218 51 233 79 22 0 262 24 0 37 7.27 3.40 53.66 15.53 5.27 5.27 4.47 1.47 007 22.66 17.46 10047 1.60 2.93 14.53 2.47 2l 291 12 372 18 241 9 90 109 1711 51 657 7027 3.40 114.07 43.80 Mowing of hay meadows in late July and August each year may have caused some loss of late nests. Spring and summer grazing in the Park was light both years and had no apparent effect on production. Other man-caused decimating factors, such as poaching and lead poisoning, were not observed. It is believed that weather was the most important factor influencing the decrease in 1953 production. Fluctuating water levels followed by drought caused many nests to be flooded and/or abandoned. The entire breeding cycle seemed to be disrupted by these changing water conditions. This decimating effect could be partially controlled by proper management of the marshes in the Park. ~bundant water for the maintainance of optimum water levels in the lakes is available from the Green River and inlet and outlet ditches to the marshes could be easily constructed. Although Brown's Park is not large in comparison with most breeding grounds, waterfowl production on a square mile basis is excellent. Every effort should be made to prevent drainage of the present habitat. White River Plateau: One of the more important breeding areas in the State is the complex of high-country streams, lakes and beaver-dams. When it is considered that there are about 20,000 square miles of National Forest land in the higher elevations of Colorado, it can be readily understood that production, no matter how small per square mile, could become considerable when projected over this vast area. �The study of waterfowl on the White River Plateau was initiated purposely to determine, in at least one area the amount of production for the high altitudes Although it is not considered typical of all high-country types, the 6 8 young produced per square mile in 1952 and the 6.1 young produced per square mile in 1953 on this area emphasized that the potential from this hitherto unstudieQ type could approach 100,000 young annually. 0 Q Table 10 lists the results from the 1953 study, and compares it to that of 1952. During the 1953 season there was a decrease of 17 percent in breeding pairs which was borne, for the most part, by green-winged teals. This reduction in breeding population was partially compensated for by an increase in the number of young per brood. Production for 1953 was 10 percent below that of 1952. This means that 2,180 young were produced on 360 square miles of comparable type rather than 2,440 as in 19520 Table 100 --Comparison of Waterfowl Pairs and Broods on the White River Plateau, Colorado, 1952 and 19530, Species o Breeding-pairs No Broods No Young 1952 1952 1953 1952 1953 1953 Production per sq. mi. 1952 Mallard Green-w Teal Lesser Scaup 480 100 440 20 20 380 60 360 20 2040 400 2080 100 Total 580 480 440 380 2440 2180 1953 6.1 A comparison of production by water type, shown in Table 11, reveals that most of the ducks preferred the small lakes and ponds, which constituted the majority of the habitat~ The large and small lakes and ponds showed a decrease in production in 1953 while the young produced on beaver ponds increased. This was due to the lateness of the season which left many of the large bodies of water frozen until early in June while the beaver ponds, located on streams, became ice-free in M~6 Table 11-- Waterfowl Production by Water Types on the White River Plateau, Colorado, 1952 and 19530 Large Lakes Ponds and Small Lakes 1952 1953 Beaver Ponds Total 1952 ·1953 1952 Broods 1953 1952 1953 Mallard Green-w .•Teal 60 40 280 60 220 20 40 100 380 60 360 20 Total 60 40 340 240 40 100 440 380 Species �-51San Luis Valley: In general, water levels in the San Luis Valley were f'ar below those present in 1952. This can be attributed directly to the low amount of winter precipitation on drainages entering the Valley as compared to 1952. Consequently, nesting habitat was greatly reduced, and nesting pairs were found to be concentrated on permanent water areas. Results of the 1953 aerial survey are given in summary form in Table 120 Unfortunately, no measured data are available for the 1951 count, when low water levels were present in the Valley as a. result of a prolonged drouth. The 1949, 1950, and 1952 results are given for comparison. A gross comparison of 1952 and 1953 production shows a decrease of approximately 43 percent in 1953. The average number of young per brood shows a decrease of 18 percent. Beyond a doubt, the low water levels resulting in limited nesting habitat, are responsible for the decrease in production. Table 12.--Comparison of Production 1952 and 1953. Year Number of Broods 1949 1950 1952 1953 57 100 115 81 in the San Luis Valley, 1949, 1950, Number ()fYoung Average Number of Young per brood 6.20 5.22 7.03 5.73 353 522 809 462 South Park: Intensive studies of waterfowl production, and the establishment of permanent aerial transects will not begin in this area until 195u. The only information available from South Park this year, therefore, is the results of a preliminary ground survey and one aerial census of breeding-pairs. These are listed in Table 13, revealing that at least 431 pairs will currently attempt nests in the Park. This is believed to be lower than past years, due to less water area in the Park in 1953. Table 13-Total Territories by Habitat Type and Species, South Pa.rk, Colo. 1953. Species Mallard Gadwall Pintail Cinnamon Teal Blue-w. Teal Green-w Teal Shoveller Baldpate Redhead Total Small Lakes Large Lakes 54 17 6 6 40 12 2 4 ttt 100 ~ 5 85 Sloughs 32 14 10 15 lt 2 Creeks And Rivers 94 3 8 Meadows 22 2 ~ 2 2 124 28 2 fr 94 Total ,431 �~ {j ".J Table 14 -- Summary of'Colorado Duck and Goose Breeding-Pair and Production Surveys, 1952 and 1953. Total BreedingPairs. Area _____ Pairs per sq. mile Total Estimated Broods ~_--.:19~5_2 __ 19::...::5~3___=1=952 1953 1952 1953 Average Brood Size Total Young Produced 1952 1952 1952 1953 Production per sq. mile 1952 1953 6.1 6.7 6.5 6.5 7.3 5.7 22864 -7953 -4850 4821 14.1 86.70 6690 39.4 1711 657 114.07 2440 2180 6.8 37.4 5.6 14.1 30.4 43.8 6.1 DUCKS --- North Park 903 -5675 -3736 1.0' 1. South Platte Valley 1187 Cache la Poudre Valley 1029 1601 3.0 4.6 781 743 Yampa Valley 1790 1500 8.1 6.8 1360 1030 Brown I s Par-k 291 372 19.4 24.8 241 90 White River Plateau 580 480 1.6 1.3 440 380 South Park 431 San Luis Valley 7Y -- ~- -- -- Y --6.3 6.4 7.1 5.3 --- GEESE Yampa Valley Brown's Park 120 130 .5 21 12 1.4 .6 .8 40 18 90 9 3.4 6.1 6.0 5.7 140 109 540 51 .6 7.3 2.5 3.4 Geese Total and averages 141 142 .7 58 99 4.3 6.0 249 591 1.1 2.5 .6 Y Results of aerial trend counts. 2/ No estimates of'total production are available at this time. I Vl. ro I �Summary~ A mild winter in Colorado resulted in decreased snow cover in the higher elevations of the State. Late storms occurred over the State in April and May. These storms had little effect on the eastern slope breeding areas, but delayed breeding activity in western slope areas by one to two weeks. Eastern slope nesting appeared to be the earliest in the past five years. Water levels were generally low in reservoirs, sloughs, and streams throughout the State. Intermittent potholes on the eastern plains, which in wet years furnish additional nesting habitat, had no water this year. Although not disasterous, this statewide decrease in water resulted in reduced production for the State in 1953. All data gathered in 1952 and 1953 are briefly summarized in Table 14. From those areas which have data for both years, it was estimated that there were 3;690 breeding~pairs of ducks in 1952 compared to 3,953 for the same areas during the current year. This is an increase of about eight percent in breeding-pairs over 1952. However, brood counts on the same areas revealed that production was down about 19 percent between the two years (1952 --17,671 young, 1953 --14,348 young). This reduction was caused by a definite decrease in water area which vitally affected the extent of available nesting covero Considering the six areas from which estimates of total production were possible, it was determined that those areas produced an estimated 45,165 young ducks this year. It is not possible at this time to determine what percent of total this figure represents. Estimates of goose production in the Yampa Valley and Brown's Park, for 1952 and 1953, .show sizeable increases in the number of goslings produced this year. Although breeding-pair numbers were not different between the two years, nesting success was much better, and more goslings were brought off per brood in 1953. Final estimates of goose production reveal 591 goslings in the Yampa Valley and Brown's Park, in 1953, compared to 249 in 1952, for an overall increase of about 137 percent. Prepared by: Jack Grieb Approyed by~ Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator Date: .October, 1953 ��4 -55State of Colorado ------~---------------- Project No.W-37-R-6 .Game Bird Surveys --~~--------------------------~----------~. Work Plan No. II Job No. -----'-8 ----------- Note: Completion Report for Fiscal Year Title: Comparison of Aerial and Ground Waterfowl 1952-1953. Counts of Breeding Pairs and Broods •. Object: To determine the accuracy of aerial census methods. To determine if correction factors could be evolved for use in correcting aerial counts to give ground totals. Scope: The Cache la Poudre Valley. Personnel: Kenneth B. Milyard (1951), Erwin L. Boeker, Norman L. Hughes, .Jack R. Grieb .• Introductiont Comparison of air and ground wate'rfowl counts Ivereqonfire d to the Cache La Poudre study area inl953 because of concentraticinin ocne r areas on establishing permanent sample routes, and determining 'best methods for t.he yearly census of production. Therefore, studies were not continued in North Park and Brown's Park as in 1952. It is hoped that future work in North Park, particularly, Ivill allow further comparison of air and ground counts to strengthen the estimates of breeding-pairs and production from this area. The same study dnG met.hods used during pas t years in the Cache La Poudr-e Valley wer-e retained again in 1953 to determine, principally, whether the average air-to-ground ratio varies between years for the same observer. A,coHJpleteaescriptionoi' ar-ea and methods is gi venin the Coloraelo Quarterly Heport, October, 1952, PP. T7-iJO~ RESlfLTS Breeding-pair Survey: Aerial breeding-pair counts in the Fort Collins area are best taken during late April, Nay apd early June, for it is during this time that most territorles are still active. The total counts of territories, by coverage, for 1951,1952 and 1953 are tabulated in Table 1. This table also lists the air-to-ground ratio for each coverage, and gives the result of the chi-square tests. Thus, it was determined that average air-to-ground ratios found each year were consistent,being 2023 for 1951, 1.52 for 195'2, and 1.43 for 1953. Since the 1952 and 1953 study was conducted by the same observer, then it was desired to test whether a. significant difference exists between ratios �-56for the same observer between years. This 'was done by the. lit" test comparing the 1952 average (1.52) with that of 1953 (1.43)'l'esulting in t =, .728, toOl= 3.707 (6 degrees of freedom). Thus, there. was no significant difference between counts made by the same observer for the two years. Combining the two year ratios gives an" average ratio of 1.49 which can be used in correcting breeding~pair counts for this particular observer. The difference between the 1951 and 1952-53 ratios were caused by using different air observers. This .. will be .d.i scusaed later. Table L --Comparison of Air and Ground Counts by Coverages, 1951, 1952, and 1953. Comparison Date Observed Territories Air Ground Ratio Ground/Air 1951 Air II; Ground IV Mid-May Air III; Ground VII Late June and VIII (average) Air IV; Ground IX ¥lid-July 78 64 161 143 2.064 ,2.093 40 101 20525 Average Ratio Chi-square = .8487 Good fit - average ratio may.be used. Chi-square .5 - 1.386 2:n.r'.. Air I; Ground II Air II; Ground III Air III; Ground IV Air IV: Ground V Air V; Ground VII Late April Early May Late Nay Early June Early July 96 86 67 71 60 149 130 119 104 80 1.55 1.51 1.78 1.46 1.33 Average Ratio Chi-square= 1.704 Good fit - average ratio may be used. Chi~square .5- 3.357 4 D.F. �-57Table l.--Continued.--Comparison of Air and Ground Counts by Coverages, 1951, 1952 and 19530 Comparison Date Air I; Ground I Late April Air II; Ground II Mid-May Air III; Ground III Mid-June Observed Territories Air Ground Ratio Ground/Air 115 93 1.49 1053 1028 171 142 77 60 Average Ratio Chi-square = .765 Good fit - average ratio may be used. Chi-square .5 = 1.386 2 Do Fe Average Ratio 1952;... 1953 1049 Chi-square = 2 690 Good fit - average ratio may be used. Chi-squat'e =.5 - 6 346 7 D. F 0 0 0 The various habitat types were further anlyzed to determine whether individual types also had a consistent ratio. This analysis revealed that four types were consistent in 1951 and six types were consistent for 1952 and 1953 combined (Table 2)0 Therefore, on those types wherein the ratio was found to be consistent it would be possible, given the same observer, to multiply the results of an air coverage of a given type by the ratio for that type to obtain an estimate of the ground counto As can be noted in Table 2, the ratio not only varies in size between the two years, but also some types which were consistent one year were not the next. This can also be attributed to the difference in observerso The general trend for all three years of study was that aerial counting was easier on those areas where high-growing vegetation was not present to interfere with the observations (small lakes and ponds, large lakes, irrigation canals and irrigation ditches); and most difficult on the habitats with heavy permanent cover (creeks and drains, river, and sloughs) 0 �4 -5tL Table 2Q -- Air-to-Ground Comparison by Habitat Types, 1951 compared to 1952-1953. Average Ratio Ground/Air Habitat type 1951 Chi-square calculations 1952-53 1951 1952,...53 x2.5(2 DF) x2 x2 .5(7 DF) 6,,346 X2 Large Lakes Small Lakes & Ponds Irrigation Canal.s Irrigation Ditches River Creeks and Drains Sloughs 2.. 36 1.48 .712* 1.386 14 .. 15 1.82 1.36 .96 1.35 .922* Q.838* 1.386 1.386 6.274* 6Q346 4.797{f. 60346 2.30 5,,27 1.54 1.80 .197* 1.386 Y Y 4.254* 1.875* 4.351 (5 DF) 6.346 1/ 2:-96 2.09 2025 1/ 1.932 1.386 .92& 5.988* 2.366 (3DF) 6.346 * Indicates a good fit -- average ratio YInsufficient data. U can be applied. Sources of Variation Between 1951 and 1952 - 53. As mentioned previously, the air-to-ground ratio differed between 1951 and 1952-53. This was apparently caused by using a different observer for each of the two trials. The first year all aerial observing was done by the writer, while the. second and third counts were made by Erwin L. Boeker. The writer had previously done no aerial counting of waterfowl, and had very little flying experience. Mr. Boeker, on the other hand, was capable pilot with experience in aerial census. Obviously, experience is one of the prime f'ac t.or-sin the differences between the ratios obtained for each year. It is possible to point out where experience helps in counting. By referring toTable 2, it may be seen that without exception Mr. Boeker'S air-to-ground ratio was much smaller than the writer's for each habitat type. However, tIhe differences were larger on those types with heavy cover as river, and creeks and drains. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that an experienced observer will see an even greater percent of birds on those types with dense cover than will an inexperienced observero Experience also plays an important part in observing all species of ducks. This is emphasized by Table 3,· which shows the percent of groundcounted species seen from the air. Although the difference between mallard-like ducks was not great for the three years, only 8 percent of the teals were observed in 1951 as compared to 59 percent in 1952, and 58 percent in 1953. �-59- Table 3.--Comparison, by Species, of Alr-to-,GL'ound Ooservation of Ducks, 1951, 1952 and 1953. Percent of ground counted birds seen from the air Mallard-like Teals Year 1951 1952 1953 8 55 64 59 58 62 Brood Survey: The aerial brood count study was not continued in 1953 for results from 1951 and 1952 revealed that the air-to-ground ratio was not consistent between coverages. Analysis of the 1951-52 data by the chi-square test resulted in a calculated chi-square value larger than' thetabula.rvalue of chi-square .5. Therefore, it is acknowledged 'that aerial brood counts on irrigated land in the Cache la Poudre Valley cannot be corrected to compare with ground counts. Neither may these data be used for year-to-year trend purposes,as'flu.ctuation in the number of broods counted per coverage was not necessarily caused by more or less broods being present on the ground. Table 4 compares air and ground estimates of average brood sizes for 1951 and 1952 showing that for both years the differences were slight. 'The smaller deviation betwe.en air and ground. estimates in 1952 was attributed to the more experienced observer for that year o Table 4o--Comparison of Air and Ground Average Brood Sizes, 1951 and 1952. 1951 1952 Air Ground ~ Air Ground Number Broods Number Young Average Brood Size 21 112 59 348 27 149 38 221 ~o33 5.90 5.52 5.81 ~ counted broods are included from comparable Only accurately counts. :!:/ ground �4 1 -60Summary: 1. A trained observer is essential to the success of aerial waterfowl census such as described. 2. Aerial counts of breeding-pairs on irrigated land types can be corrected to compare to ground counts. 3. Aerial counts for most habitat types can be corrected for ground totals. . 4. The same observer will count about the same percentage of total birds from the air each year. 5. Experienced observers will observe a greater percentage of birds on types with dense cover than ineXperienced observers. 6. Experienced observers will observe a greater percentage of teals than inexperienced observers. 7. Aerial counts of broods on irrigated land types may not be corrected to give ground totals. 8. Aerial counts give accurate estimates of average brood sizes. Prepared by: Date: Jack Grieb --~------------~----- October, 1953 Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/38fe373fa3a621e9a6b70685417b5024.pdf 28f64f4269ad84f35d24bc35785b1ad2 PDF Text Text JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS Colorado 7 --~~------Job No. ----~------ II Project No._W:.:.-.....;3;;:;..;7"--.:;..R::,...-.:;..6----Work Plan No. Note: Completion Title of JQb~ Report for fiscal year 1952 - 53. The Evaluation of Waterfowl North-Central Colorado. Production on Irrigated Land in Objective: To evaluate the number of duck broods observed on one coverage of a study area to give an estimate of total production of the areao Scope: Township 7 North, Range 68 West, located approximately one mile east of Fort Collins, Colorado in the Cache la Poudre Valley. Personnel~ Jack Ro Grieb. !I Findings: INTRODUCTION A census of waterfowl is as essential to the proper management of this resource as inventory is to a successful business. It is necessary to evaluate the yearly waterfowl production so that fall hunting recommendations may be promulgated to save brood stock for the coming year. In this manner the sport of wildfowling is perpetuated. The administration of waterfowl resources, in the United States, is carried on by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its main management tool is a cooperative breeding ground survey conducted by Fish and Wildlife Service personnel, various State Conservation Departments, and t he Canadian Wildlife Service. The vast area necessary to cover in both the United States and Canada has brought about the use of new techniques in census methods. These techniques consist mainly of observations on randomlY selected transects and study areas. In most cases the transects are covered once or twice in the early spring to determine breeding pairs, and several times during the brood season to determine productiono ~~ ~ Q (j ~ The author greatfully acknowledges the cooperation of Harold M. Swope, Erwin L. Boeker, Ladd Go Frary, and Boyd Evison, who assisted in the collection of data throughout the course of this project. Special appreciation is expressed to Dr. Lee Eo Yeager, Leader, Colorado Cooperative Wildlive Research Unit, for encouragement and guidance in this work. �-2This quantitative survey method appears to have filled most of the gaps in a proper system of production evaluation. However, like any other newly developed technique, there still remains the need for basic research to effect further standardization of field methods. This need for more intensive study was perhaps best pointed out by Stoudt and Davis (1948), whose studies, conducted in the north-central United States, indicated rather low production in terms of number of pairs required to produce one brood. They outlined the following program as necessary for further study: "1. Select sample census areas within spring breeding ground survey transects and check once a week or every ten days for changes in numbers of nesting pairs. 2. Run two or three brood counts at 3 or 4 week intervals in order to cover the span of the breeding season. 3. Run brood counts 'on regular transects and compare with sample areas to see if counts run appreciably lower. Nesting studies of one form or another are definitely necessary if we are to determine the cause of the apparently low production of broods in certain areas." (Stoudt and Davis, 1948: 135) These recommendations reveal the need, and form the baSiS, of the problem under consideration by the writer. It is the purpose of this study to evaluate production in the north-central portion of Colorado by means of brood counts; and, 'concurrently, to give insight into the possible sources of error brought about by basing production estimates on only one or two inventories, referred to as coverages in this study, of breeding-ground survey transects. The study area is located in the Cache la Poudre Valley near Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado, (Township 7 North, Range 68). Land-use of this 36-square mile area is mainly irrigated farming which is typical of river valleys in the eastern part of the State. METHODS The waterfowl production on the area was determined by a series of bi-weekly counts on coverages initiated in late-May and ending in late-August. Sections in the study area were worked in a similar order each coverage. Original decisions on sequence were determined largely by the disposition of the water course or lake to be walked. Often it was found most convenient to cover several sections at one time, walking down one ditch and back on another. All field work was confined to early morning hours (sunrise to about nine o'clock) and late afternoon (four o'clock to sunset). The actual mechanics of observations were standardized for all observers in an attempt to eliminate as much as possible the error resulting from the use of different techniques by various workerso Each waterway was carefully walked with the observer attempting to see the brood before he was observed in order to obtained an accurate count of the young. This requires a thorough search of each stretch of stream or ditch as it comes into view. If species identification �-3could not be made at this time then the hen was flushed. Lakes were thoroughly scanned from one or several vantage points by means of a 20-power spotting scope. The perimeter was also walked to observe those broods skulking in shoreline vegetation, which would not be discernible unless flushed upon the lake. Observed broods were located by water area ,and section. Duckling age was estimated by weeks, and classes were based on the criterion contained in Table 10 Age by weeks was usually established by duckling size and degree of plumage development within each age class. The species of each brood was also recorded. By th~se standards -- age, location, and species -it was possible to determine the identity of one brood, a precaution against repetition in counting accurately the total number of broods produced on the areao Table 1. -- Age Classification in Mallard and Blue-winged Plumage Development (Hochbaum, 1944) Mallard Blue-w. Teal I II 0 - 3 0 3 - 6 2.5 205 5 III 6-9 5 7 Eliminating by Plumage Development Approximate Age in Weeks Class Teal Ducklings Complete downy. Contour feathers present. Contour feathers fully developed. Bird beginning to fly. Sources of Error For an adequate anal.ysis of the data .by statistical methods, it is necessary to eliminate, so far as possible, all sources of error other than those actually to be tested. These sources inherent in this problem have been broken down into the following three componentsg (1) Error resulting from observers walking different sections each coverageo Elimination of this source requires, that the same observer walk· the same section each coverage. (2) Error resulting from working one section in the morning and another in the afternoon. This error is eliminated by alternately walking the sections in the morning and afternoon each successive cover age., (3) Error resulting from using more than one observer. Use standardized procedure for all observers. RESULTS The analysis of waterfowl production in regards to number of young produced by species and habitat types has been previously given in Quarterly Report, October, 1953. Therefore, the present report will not deal with that current phase of this study. Rather, it will be concerned mainly with the theory and establishment of a census technique for irrigated land types. It is probable that the results of this study would not be completely applicable to other areas which di~fer in latitude and longitude. However, the basic principles of the technique should hold true for land types similar to that of the study area. The main duck species on which the following data were �-4gathered are the mallard and blue-winged teal, in that order of abundance. Brood Chronology: Broods were observed during all six coverages in 1950 (June 13 - August 31), the last eight coverages in 1951 (May 23·- August 24), the'last seven coverages in 1952 (June 1 - August 27), and the last six coverages in 1953 (May 18 September 3)0 By back-dating the age of each new brood as it was observed, an estimate of the hatching cycle was obtained. Figure 1, a graph of the cycle by weekly intervals for the four years, shows that on the average, about 90 percent of the broods in the Fort Collins area hatch between the last of M~ and the last of July. In 1950, most broods for any single week came off during the week of July 9-15; however, in 1951, the peak was about three weeks earlier (June 17-23). The year 1952 differed from both previous years in that there was an early hatch, with two small peaks occuring May 18-24 and June 15-21. The curve for that year was relatively flat when compared to 1950 and 1951 indicating that a similar nuplber of clutches hatched each week instead of being concentratea in several weeks, apparently caused by a severe hail storm in late June which destroyed some nests and broods. Thus, the peak was flattened out, and renesting probably provided the later broods which made the curve nearly level. The 1953 hatch began earlier than any of the three former years with a small peak M~ 10-16. The peak hatching date occured during the week of June 14-20 wi th the curve in general approximating that of 19510 The hatching observations cycle for each year had a direct influence on subsequent brood as shall be shown latero Brood Observations: Production of the study area in 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1953 was 81,82,82, and 78 broods respectively. The number of new and repeat broods (those seen before) was recorded for each coverage (Table 2). Comparison of these data by comparable coverages for the four years reve~s that brood observations throughout the season exhibits the same trend each year. Thus, the percent of total broods produced was lowest on the first coverages, building up to a peak during mid-summer, and falling off during late summer coverages. Most broods were observed during the third week in July for 1950 and 1951, and the second week in August for 1952 and 1953. It is significant to note that these never made up more than 4002 percent of the total broods produced on the area each year. Thus, on a one-coverage survey of a given area it would be impossible to determine total waterfowl production of the area. Probability of Seeing Total Broods on an Area at any Given Time: As experience was gained on brood observations over the four year period, it became increasingly evident that it was impossible to see all broods that were actually present on the area during anyone coverage. By estimating brood age when first observed, and back-dating to determine when they were hatched, a rough estimate could be made of hatched broods by weeks of the �r- ••• ~ I---+A--+-+-++--+--+--+-++-+ 1.~.~~~~H-~-+~~~++++++++~~I~~~~~~H-H-~-I-+,--f1-+~T+~~~~~~-H-r~~~rr+ J m -1 I, ~]ii -r-r - +--- -+-H-+--+__f__jI-+++-+-~++--++-I-++--+-+-t-+-H:..-'!---ir+-bIf+ 1- • -t-- r-r- ~f-~ -~.t---+_+__f__j--+-+-+~~++-+~_+_+++_l -j-r- ~+--l-+-+-+--+ -I-++-+--+--l-+-+_++-I---l--+d-~l-+ .T-fi: Ill' ".., t-- •••• t--- ~ .~ tl ~ "" '-++-+++-f- - , i J::-r.~_ f- - - ..·-r--1 .----1'-+-I--+--I--+++-l-+++++~_..J__++++____N+__l_l_l_+_1'-~ "'" :-i , -!--+---I---+-l fo~ .~ ..-"f-!- +-+~-t-t+++-t-t++-I-t-&~41H:!:I-4-t-+-+-H-t-+-++I--foIiF+~-t-H--H r- I ~i-~i-- tH- . - . I ~+ J H - f- !-/-- - .+-- +- DIE~N - - -f- CO. +" - -. NO. .f- 375 k.£ It ""l'\: U' I" I':: IIf' It. ~ ~ I"r It H It It' w D1 i"f ~'1 LL - ~. -~a~~++++++~~H-f-+-~~~+_+~__+4__+__+44++++++~~~~~~ -~+-~~f-f-I_+~~~r.+---~~--+-++--f--j--+-+-++-l-+-+---++-l~+-I-++-+-+-++-H~~-H-+-++-~~l-+-+-+--+--l- jJ. Ff= '-t-+++4--+__+_+-+__f__j--+-~4r~~~--+-~~--+-+-+--f--j--+-~+--f--j--+-+-++-l--+-+++-l-+-~~~~~~+-+~~++~t-+---f -+4-f-+---+--+__f__jl-+-++-+-~~+--+~~~~~+L4·~+++~--+-t-+++~--+-++--f--j--+-~~~+-~d-~-~+-f-t-+~-+-~~-H~+++--~+,... r\. 1-+++-+-H---+-++4-+--H- 1-++-+---+-+-++-+-+--1--- --!-- EUGENE �Table 2.--Broods observed by coverages on T 7 ~, R-68-W, North-c3ntral Colorado, 1950-1953. Number of Broods Observed ___________________________________________________________ Dates of Coverage Coverage Number Total Repeat Broods New Broods % Total Number Broods Observed 1952 11-9531950 1951 1952 I,1-9531950 1951 952 953 1950 ~951 952 ~953 ~950 1951 1952 953 950 951 ~952 953 1950 951 II V V VI t$/23 ~/1 ~/18 5/30 6/6 ~/22 1 6/12 6/17 3 6/13 ~/18 6/18 b/22 VI I VII VII 23.5 3504 28.0 32.1 11 12 32 33 25 23 39.5 40.2 30.5 2905 15 16 9 21 26 29 30 25.9 31.7 3504 38.5 14 6 23 24 10 7 15 21 7 16 V XI X VI 8/14 8/9 8/15 ~/13 14 11 13 VI XII 8/15 8/21 8/25 8/21 8/24 8/27 7 10 4 8/4 8/6 8/11 ~/11 Total Broods Observed 25 11 18 IX V 8/3 Broods not observed on specific coverage 23 14 7/27 7/26 7/27 ~/24 7/31 7/31 r,,/28 25 X UII 29 7 IV XI 19 6 16 7/,177/16 7/14 ~/13 7 5 23 IX 9/1 9/3 7 0 5 2 81 82 82 78 14.8 15.8 23.2 28.4 29.3 12.2 13 6 I 2 11.1 8.5 4.6 20.5 19 18 14 III 16 13 5 14 3.7 12 4 9 102 4.9 3.8 12 0 12 VIII 3 7 0 16 4 9 2 II VIII IV 7/21 7/20 7/18 ~/15 1 0 3 0 12 7/3 7/2 6/30 7/11 7/6 7/3 0 0 5 II 6/29 6/21 6/21 r:>/24· 9 0 3 4 16.7 I Cl I �Table 3.-- Probabilities Comparable Coverage Number 1950 I of observing all Broods on the Study Area during any Coverage} 1950} 1951,1952 and 1953 Dates of Coverage Number of Broods Observed 951 P-952/Jl953 1950 1951 /1952 1953 VII VI III II VIII VII , Number of Broods 1/ Available 950 /1951 P-952 P-953 1950 ~951 1~/,13'6/18 ~/,18'~1,22 6/29 6/21 6/21 6/24 71,3 71,2 6/,30 7/11 7/6 7/2 3./ 7 12 12 13 19 16 Probability of seeing all Available Broods 952 953 1950 Y 32 37 53 49 51 33 951 952 1953 3./ ",219 .324 .485 .226 265 .373 III IX VIII IV 7/17 7/16 7/14 7/13 7/21 7/20 7/18 7/15 19 18 23 25 72 63 62 48 .264 .268 .371 .521 IV X IX V 7/27 7/26 7/27 7/24 8/3 7/31 71131 7/28 31 33 25 23 75 70 58 56 .413 .471 .L31 .411 V XI X VI 8/4 8/6 8/11 8/11 8/14 8/9 8/,158/13 21 26 29 30 62 68 50 59 .339 .382 .580 .508 VI XII 1~/,1518/21 1~1,25 8/21 8/24 8/27 XI b3 9/1 9/3 VII -, Totals and Averages 106 24 , 10 59 63 33 (j~ \ .390 .381 .303 13 37 .351 121 118 107 321 345 291 233 .330 .351 .405 • 459 ----------- !I Calculated from basic data used to plot Figure 1. V The number of broods observed on Coverage I, 1950, was too small to warrant calculation. �Table 4.-- Average Probabilities Age Class of Observing All Available Broods by Age Classes, T 7 N, R-28~W, 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1953 Number Broods Available be Observed 1/ Number Broods Observed 1950 1951 1952 1953 to Probability of Observing Available Broods 1950 1951 1952 1953 1950 1951 1952 1953 I 42 32 49 33 99 122 91 79 .424 .262 .538 0417 II 24 43 52 55 126 120 107 97 .190 .358 .486 .632 III 40 46 17 19 96 103 93 67 .447 .447 .183 .283 106 121 118 107 321 345 291 233 .351 .351 .405 .459 Totals and Averages !I Calculated from basic data used to plot Figure 1. t ~ t �-8season. The results of these estimates are tabulated in Table 3. Probably the most irrrportantdata in this table indicates that the average probabili wof seeing all broods actually present on the area at any given time was .330 in 1950, .315 in 1951, .• 405 in 1952, and .459 in 1953. The major differences in average probabilities between the four years are believed to be caused by a difference in water levels and weather condit~ons existing each yearo It should be pointed out, however, that since the progression is steadily upward, this may suggest that the observers were increasing their efficiency in making these types of surveys. Also a dog (springer spaniel) was used in 1952 and 1953 to flush broods. On several occasions the writer passed over broods which were subsequently picked up by the dog. The totals and averages of Table 3 are broken down in Table 4 into results for the three age class groups by years. These probabilities were not consistent between each year. One year (1951) it was easiest to observe Class III broods, while it was easiest to observe Class I broods the next (1952). It is believed that ability to observe broods is related to climatic and physical conditions on the study area each year such as water levels, brood cover, changes in land use, and weather conditions throughout the brood rearing season. These will be discussed later •. DISCUSSION The evaluation of total brood production, based on the number of broods observed on one coverage of the stuQy area, involves the use of the percent of total number of broods observed by coverage in past years, and the number of broods seen in comparable coverages during the present year. The following discussion will consider, first, the estimates of total production for 1951 based on the results of the 1950 study; and secondly, the estimates of total production for 1953 based on the combined results of the 1950, 1951, and 1952 studies. The total number of broods produced in 1951 is estimated by dividing the number of broods seen on any coverage that year by the percent of total broods observed during a comparable coverage in 1950. Formula for this is: Est. of N Where: Est. of N = the estimate·of = p!1 total broods produced (1) for the year. n = the number of broods observed on one coverage in 1951, p = the percent of total broods observed on a comparable coverage in 1950. Example: In Coverage X of 1951, 33 broods were observed. The percentage for �-9the comparable coverage in 1950 (Coverage IV) was 3905 or expressed as a decimal, ~395o Thus, the estimate of the number of broods that would be produced in 1951 was: Est.. of N = 33 .~ 83 broods Actually this estimate is very good, for True N, as known in this case, was 82 broods •• An estima.te of the total broods produced has little value unless it is known what confidence can be ulaced in it. For this reason the Standard Error of the Estimate (Est.;f N) was calculated for each estimate and used to determine the confidence limitso This is done by the following formula: _ Est • of N - 1 p ~Est ••of N~ ~pq} = ~Est. of N) (pq) p2 = (Est ••of N) q (2) P Where: q = I-p By placing 1 under the square root, the pIS cancel, leaving P q. p This will be smallest when p is largests so that the standard error will be smallest for the coverages showing the highest percentages of the total brood production. The 95 percent confidence limits may now be determined by the following f'or'mul.a s Est. of N-2 True N (3) Est. of NI2 Est ••of N Est. of N Example: By continuing the example of FORMULA 1: Est. of N = (83) - ,,60S 0395 11..3 then: 83-2 • 1103 True N 83 = 2 11..3 60 True N 106 or 60 broods Total broods produced 106 broodso �-10- Complete calculations for 1951 coverages are given in Table 5. The final step in the evaluation of total production is to convert from broods to ducks. This is done by multiplying the estimate of brood numbers by the average brood size of all species, obtained during the current year of observations. Thus, the average brood size for 1951 was 6 2 young per brood" This gives an e,stimate of total duck production for Coverage X of 514 i 140 ducks. 0 With the addition of more years research on this problem, it is necessary to alter slightly the foregoing formulae. ObViously, the confidence limits for estimates are in need of revision. Even for good estimates these intervals are much too large to be used. However, continuation of the stuqy for four years has made it possible to reduce the intervals by allowing greater confidence to be placed on estimates based on averages. FORMULA 1 now becomes: Est" of N "" (4) n p Where:- n = the number of broods counted on the coverage in question (as before). p = the average percent of total broods observed for comparable coverages in past years. FORMULA 2 becomes: Est. of N (Est~of N) sp M Where:- q = 1 = pM & the number of years of study. Determination of confidence limits is done by use of the same formula given before (FORMULA 3)0 An actual example of the above formulae will not be given because of their similarity to the previous example. However, the estimates of N for each 1952 coverage with confidence limits are listed in Table 6. Examination of Tables 5 and 6 show that estimates of the total number of broods produced were not always reliable. Furthermore, it is obvious that 1951 estimates were far more accurate than those for 1953. Confidence limits for 1951, with but one exception, always included "True N" within their rangesc "True N" in 1953, however, was only included in one out of four trials. This was due partly to smaller confidence limits in 1953, but mainly to other factors which influenced the basic estimates of "True N". �Table 5.--Estimated Broods Produced in 1951 Based on Observations from 1950 Comparable Coverage Number 1951 1950 Number Broods Observed by Coverage in 1951 (n) Percent of Total Broods Observed by Coverage 1950 (p) Estimate of Total Number of Broods Produced in 1951 (N) Comment on the Estimate 95 Percent Confidence Limits (Broods) I VII 7 11.1 63 poor 18 N 108 II VIII 13 14.8 88 good 43 N 133 III IX 29 23.5 123 poor 83 N 163 IV X 33 39.5 83 good 60 N 106 V XI 26 25.9 100 poor 73 N 127 VI XII 24 28.4 84 good 55 N 113 I ~ ~ I Total Number of Known Broods Produced in 1951 Equals 82 (True N) �Table 6.--Estimated Total Broods Produced in 1953 Based on Observations from 1950,1951, and 1952. Comparable Coverage 1950 1951 Number of Broods Observed by Covage in 1953 1952 1953 (n) VII VI III 16 II VIII VII I Percent of Total Broods Observed by Coverage-Avg.1950, 1951, am 1952 Estimate of Total Comm~nton Number of Broods the Estimate Produced in 1952 (~) 11.4 95 Percent Confidence Limits (Broods) (N) 140.0 poor 102 N 178 17.9 III IX VIII IV 25 28.9 86.5 fair 69.7 N 103.3 IV X IX V 23 36.7 62.7 fair 56.7 N 68.7 V XI X VI 30 31.0 96.8 fair 88.4 N 105.2 VI XII XI 23.3 J I-' t-:) J VII 13 Total Number of Known broods produced in 1953 equals 78 (True N) �-13Estimation of total waterfowl production on the basis of the number of broods counted in a single coverage of an area is understandably hazardous. On the basis of the data at hand, it is felt that the chances of some variable affecting the results of anyone coverage, thus influencing the production estimate, are good. This appears to be the result of one variable, or a combination of variables, acting to influence the individual estimates. The variables that have been recognized are as followst (1) Breeding chronology. The cycle of nest construction, clutch establishment, and hatching, may differ in calender dates from year to year. In the four years of the study, the bulk of clutches hatched during the same general period; however, the peak hatching dates were different each year. In some years this difference seemed to be negated by a difference in water levels between years, which in turn affected the manner in which the different brood age classes could be observed. This is discussed under the next variable. (2) Water levels. The level of water in reservoirs and sloughs may var,y from year to year. Moreover, run-off in the upper reaches of the Cache la Poudre drainage is not the same each year, and this directly affects the amount of water stored by impoundments in the Fort Collins region. It appears that the older broods do not require escape cover to the same degree as young broods (Table 4). Thus, low water levels in 1950,1952 and 1953 did not offer easy escape cover to young birds, permitting much eas~er observation. Also, low levels the last two years particularly could have forced old broods to move to large reservoirs where they would be easily confused with molting adults. This could be the reason for the low probabilities for observing old broods in.1952 and 1953. During the peak observation period for broods, late July and early August of each year, those observed in 1950, 1952, and 1953 were composed mainly of young ducks, whereas, in 1951 they were mainly older ducklings. Therefore, the difference in peak hatching dates appeared to be nullified somewhat by the difference in observation of age classes during the three years. (3) Date of coverage. For various reasons, coverages are often made at slightly different dates each year, or it may require different lengths of time to cover the area from one year to the next. The 1951, 1952 and 1953 coverages took, on the average, less time than in 1950, due to increased manpower and experience the last three years. The affect of these variables on the number of broods observed each coverage is not known. (4) Weather. Adverse spring weather may destroy many early nests, thus disturbing the entire nesting cycle. Extended rainy periods, late spring snowstorms, and early summer hail and rainstorms m~ cause nest desertions, destruction of eggs, or decimation of broods. Such a snowstorm occured May 25, 1950 •. This storm possibly was the reason for the late peak hatching date observed that year. On June 26 and 27 of 1952, severe hail and rainstorms hit the Fort Collins area. The result of these storms, coming in the .middle of the nesting season, appears to have altered the entire nesting pattern. In general, the 1952 season started out very similar to 1951, with an early hatch. With the coming of the storms, however, many nests and broods were destroyed and the normal pattern was disrupted; �-14one of the reasons, no doubt, for seeing so few Class III broods late in the summer. After this storm, the cycle more closely resembled that for 1950, with more young than old oroods being observed. Weather in 1953 was very mild and dry especially during the. winter and spring. No destructive storms were experienced during the breeding season with the result of a very early nesting. The hatching chronology curve for 1953 was very similar to that of 1951 (Figure 1). Variables, other than those given, undoubtedly not recognized in this study. CONCLUSIONS exist,. but if so they were AND RECOMMENDATIONS It is obvious that the described census method has several weaknesses, most important of which is that it is based on the assumption that the same percentage of total broods produced can be observed duri:p.gthe same generciJ. calender dates each year. Such is not the case due to inherent differences between year-a, During the four years of study, no two year's were exactly alike Different water levels existed, damaging storms disrupted the breeding pattern, or mild winter ahd spring weather permitted earlier nesting some years, all of which Singly, or in combination made each year different from any other. 0 Despite these yearly differences, it is possible to draw several conclusions which have a direct bearing not only on this particular census methods, but on most other brood census methods used at present by the Fish and Wildlife Service and cooperating agencies. These are listed as follows: (1) It is impossible to observe all broods actually on the area at the time the count is made because of inherent difficulties in brood observations (actually, probability calculations show that it is possible to see only 30 to 50 percent of total broods on the area). (2) Total production of a given area cannot be observed from one or two coverages of the area because the breeding cycle is such that all the broods produced in the area are never represented on the area at anyone time. (40.2 percent of total production was observed on the best coverage of any of the four years)o (3) Trend routes or areas counted at similar time each year may not give an accurate picture of yearly trend because of differences in hatching cycles and ability to observe broods from year to year. (4) Counts made in the early brood season varied a great deal more from year to year than counts during the height of the brood season. Thus, the most accurate brood counts are taken during late July and early August in eastern Ool.or'ado; (5) The author believes that this study gives the most accurate means of correcting data for total production on irrigated land types in eastern Colorado. �-15The above conclusions, it is believed, also answers the main question advanced by Stoudt and Davis (1948) given in the "Introduction" of this report as to why it apparently took so many pairs to produce one brood. The writer recommends that this census method be continued on irrigated land in Eastern Colorado. This can be accomplished by selecting random study sections throughout the area and making two complete coverages of each area, each year. Correction factors which represent averages of the four year intensive investigation are listed in Table 7 for each week of the brood season. The final estimate will be an average of the two coverages, and if confidence limits are desired, these may be calcul~ted by means of formulae given in this report. Even with the previously mentioned irregularities in this census method, it is the writer's belief that this method is the most economical and accurate possible for irrigated lands of eastern Colorado. Table 7. Correction factors by weekly intervals, eastern Colorado, 1950-1953 averages. Date Percent of Total Broods should Observe on a Coverage This Date irrigated land types, Correction June Third Week Fourth Week July First Week Second Week Third Week Fourth Week 1709 2308 Y 2907 34.9 5.6 August First Week Second Week Third Week Fourth Week 3309 Y 32.9 23.3 19.7 2.9 3.0 4.3 5.1 September First Week Y 4.2 3.4 2.9 6.2 Y Estimated from the average of preceding and succeeding counts. Factor �-16SUMMARY 1. The major purpose of this study was to evaluate waterfowl production in north-central Colorado by means of brood counts; and to give insight into the possible sources of error involved in basing waterfowl production estimates on only one or two coverages of a sample area. 20 This investigation was conducted on Township 7 North, Range 68 West, near Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado, during the summers of 1950, 1951, 1952, and 19530 Broods were counted on a series of bi-weekly coverages of all lakes, streams, and irrigation waterways found on the township. These were tabulated by species, number of young, age, and location so as to determine the total number of broods produced on the areao 30 The majority of clutches for the four years hatched during June and July. The peak hatching dates differed each year as follows~ 1950, July 9-15; 1951, June 17-23; 1952, May 18-24 and June 15-21; and 1953, June 14-20. The hatching cycle each year had a direct influence on subsequent brood observations. 40 Observations revealed that it was impossible to observe all broods produced on the area in any single coverage of the area. Most broods, during the four year period, were observed in late July or early August; however, it is significant to note that the broods involved never made up more than about 40 percent of the total brood productiono 5. The average probability of seeing all broods actually on the area during any coverage was 0330 in 1950, .351 in 1951, 0405 in 1952, and .459 in 1953. When water levels in reservoirs or sloughs were low, all ages of broods were observed with equal ability. Conversely, when water levels were high, it was easier to observe older broods, because escape cover was then more available to younger broods. 6 Formulae a.re given for estimating waterfowl production from the number of broods observed on one coverage of irrigated land types in eastern Colorado, and for setting confidence limits for these estimates. 0 7. At least four variables were found to influence production estimates as follows: breeding chronology; water levels, dates of coverages; and weather. These, singly or in combination, had a direct bearing on the number of broods that could be observed each coverage. 80 Conclusions are listed and recommendations given for application this census method to future Colorado waterfowl surveys. of �-17LITERATURE CITED Hochbaum, H. Albert. 1944. The canvasback on a prairie. America.n Wildlife Institute, Washington, 201 pp. illuso D. C. Stoudt, Jerome Ho, and Floyd Ho Davis. 1948 1948 waterfowl breeding ground survey north-central region. In Waterfowl popula.tions and breeding conditions - summer 1948. Uo So Fish and Wildlife Service and Canada Wildlife Service, Special Scientific Report 60: 123-148. Prepared by: Jack R. Grieb Date: ~J~an~u~a~ry~,~1~9~54~ Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-19JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS state of PROJECTS COLORADO Project Noo W-37-R-7; I Work Plan No •• ----- Title of Job Game Bird Surveys Job No. --.::..---5 Hunter Check ----~~---------------- Objectiveg: To find the number, sex and age of the pheasants during the open seasono Scope ~. Northeastern taken Colorado Personnel~ Jack Grieb, Bob Stewart, Wayne Sandfort, Clois Till, Howard Tanner, Don Smith, Lee Yeager, Hal Boeker, Irv Boeker and Harold Swope e Techniques Usedg Field checks were made and a roadblock set up on highway Noo 6 at Fleming, Coloradoo All contacts were made in the dryland farm area where all-day hunting (one-half hour before sunrise to sunset) was permittedo Each hunter was asked how many hours he hunted and how many birds he killed or crippled. Morning and afternoon kill data were recorded separately. When time permitted hunters were asked for their opinions on all-day hunting as compared with half-day hunting Birds were aged with pheasant leg guages. 0 Findings~ Hunting pressure in the vast farmland areas of Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma Counties was so light that even on weekends very little information could be obtained from field checks To secur-e the desired information a roadblock was set up. It was intended that this roadblock be maintained during each of the four weekends of pheasant season. This schedule was complied with only during the first two weekends of the season.. Icy highways prevented stoppage of traffic on the third weekend. Insufficient personnel were available to block the highway on the last weekend. 0 ~ ~, f'fJ Bob Stewart continued field checks during the last two weekends. results of these are included in this report. The <s-- o () ~. e-. The kill data collected during the 23-day pheasant season are presented in Table 1. A total of 602 hunters was contacted during the four weekends. These hunters reported spending a total of 3,550 hours in the field to kill 770 pheasantso A few more hours were spent in the field by hunters prior to noon than after noon. Hunter success was also slightly higher during the morning hourso Hunters averaged 1.28 birds I~mllllij' ~I~'llil~irlilli[ii~[~il]llil[I'~11 BDOW023715 �-20per hunting attempt and 0216 birds per hour hunted. Fifty-eight percent of the birds checked were classed as juveniles (birds of the year), 42 percent as adults. The reported ,crippling loss of 88 pheasants represented an average of .15 crippled birds per hunter. TABLE I--PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATAz NORTHEASTERN COLORADOz 1953 No. of Hours Birds Birds Per Birds Per Birds Date Data Hunters Hunted Killed Hunter Hour Crippled Collected Checked AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM Nov. 7 & 8 Totals 437 Nov. 14-15 Totals 130 Nov. 21-22 Totals 22 Nov. 28-29 Totals 13 TOTALS 602: 1340 1299 321 302 2639 623 395 399 794 58 57 62 119 29 18 87 30 6 24 4 30 4 .69 073 1.42 .43 .24 .23 .47 014 .90 41 31 .24 72 .15 7 .15 9 16 .82 .27 .31 .21 1.09 .28 - .31 .31 :- .13 .13 1823 1727 400 370 '770 3550 .66 .61 .2Z .21 1.28 .216 38 50 88 Seven consecutive years of pheasant hunter check station data has been compiled in northeastern Colorado. A summary of these seven year totals is given in Table 2. TABLE 2--SEVEN YEAR SUM¥MRY OF PHEASANT KILL DATA FOR NORTHEASTERN COLORADO 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953; Days of season 14 14 3 3 5 15 23 Number of hunters 3008 4289 1211 353: 538 602 453 Total hours hunted 11609 16522 5087 1439 2227 1563 3550 Hours per hunter 3.85 3085 4.20 4.07 4.14 3045 5.89 Total pheasants checked 3232 5422 1134 395 592 444 770 Juveniles, nUmber 2204 3435 867 282 408 298 447 Adults, number 1028 1987 267 113 138 136 323 Juveniles, percent 68.2 6304 76.6 71.4 74.7 68.• 7 58.0 Adul ts, percent 3108 3606 23.4 28.6 2503 31.3 42.0 Birds per hunter 1009 1026 1012 0094 1010 0098 1.28 Birds per hour 00278 00328 00222 0.274 0.265 00284 0.216 �-2lThe source of the hunting pressure sampled, and the success attained by each group, is shown in Table 3. Seventy-five percent of the hunters checked reside in Denver or its suburbs. These hunters accounted for 74 percent of the birds killed. Local h~nters (nearly all from Sterling) composed nearly 13 percent of the total and bagged 12 percent of the pheasants. The remaining hunters" 12 percent of the total, came mostly from Fort Collins.llColorado Springs" Boulder and Sidney, Nebraska, and took home 14 percent of the total birds checked. TABLE--SOURCE U) Source of Pressure Denver and Suburbs LOcal HUnters Hunters, Other Areas Totals OF HUNTING PRESSURE AND RELATIVE SUCCESS, NORTHEASTERN COLORADO 1953 Birds per % of Birds % of Total Birds No. of Hunter Killed Killed Hunters Hunters 1.26 572 74 75 453 79 13 89 12 1.13 70 602 12 100 109 770 14 100 1.56 1 28 0 Discussion~' Once again attention is brought to the fact that practically no hunter information was obtained from the resident landowners or other sportsmen residing in local rural communities. Thirteen percent of the hunters checked were local but nearly all of these came from Sterling or towns of similar size. This failure to contact, the rural hunter has little effect on the year by year comparison of check station data. It does, however, distort the picture of the seasonal kill. Many of the rural hunters who know how to hunt the wily pheasant, and have complete access to the land, report limit kills day after day. It is nearly impossible to contact these hunters in the field between the time they kill their birds and return to their homeso Such information can hardly be recorded from subsequent conversations. The recorded sex ratio of 58 percent juveniles and 42 percent adults was somewhat surprising. This represents the highest proportion of adult birds in the seven year hunter bag check record in northeastern Colorado. One of several factors could be responsible for the high proportion of 'adult birds in the bag check. Poor production of young birds last spring would contribute to such a distorted sex ratio, but brood counts revealed that the 1953 pheasant crop was one of the best on record. It is possible that morning shooting enables hunters to harvest more of the old roosters that normally eluded them. �-22The most plausible explanation appears to be that during the past several seasons we have failed to properly harvest our cock pheasants to the extent that old birds now make up an abnormally large proportion of the male populationo The tremendous spring breeding populations (measured by pheasant crowing counts) lends credence to this suppositiono The average number of birds killed per hunter attempt was the highest of the seven year recordo At the same time the number of birds bagged per hour hunted dropped to a new lowo This was as anticipated. The additional time spent in the field made a higher total kill possible but at the same time resulted in a diminished return per hour. Such a success pattern has long been recognized in the hunting of most game birds and animalso The average hunter spent a little more time in the field in the morning than he did in the afternoon. He also encountered slightly better success in the morning. Nearly all of the hunters questioned stated that they liked the all-day hunting because it at least gave them the opportunity to be in the field after their game. A sizable group of resident landowners expressed enthusiam, or indifference, when asked for their opinions on morning hunting. No open opposition was voiced. As always there were dissatisfied hunters but most of them were at least able to see birds this yearo It is safe to conclude that the average hunter judges not only the pheasant season but also the entire pheasant population by his own hunting success. Scope~ West-central Colorado Mesa county - Data obtained by Jesse Williams and Clyde Matteson. Delta county - Data obtained by Douglas Gilbert, Richard Teague, Dwight Owens, and Wayne Sandfort. Montrose county - Data obtained by Dwight Owens, Samuel Jacobs, and Kenneth England. Techniques Usedg Open season for hunting pheasants in western Colorado were as follows during the 1953 seasong Rio Blanco and Garfield counties, three days; Archuleta, LaPlata and Montezuma counties ,.seven days; and Mesa, Delta, and Montrose counties, 23 dayso The season in all areas opened November 70 Check stations were operated in Mesa, Delta, and Montrose counties at permanently established locations during the first three days of the season. Additional checking was done at the Delta station during the last three Sundays of the season. Stations were set up by 3:30 PoMo and were operated until the majority of hunters had returned from the field, generally about 5t35 PoM. Information was obtained on the number of hunters, the county they were from, the length of time hunted, and the number and age of pheasants takeno Information on weather was obtained from the Uo So Weather Bureau Station at Walker Field, Grand Junction. Findingst Principal information on the kill of pheasants is presented in tables. Discussions on the source of hunting pressure in various areas, the possible effect of length of season on the kill of pheasants, �correlation of hunter success with population indices, and the weather conditions during the season are given under appropriate headings .• Miscellaneous information on the bag of quail, cottontail rabbits, and ducks also is includedo Information ~ kill of pheasantso -- Information obtained during the 1953 season is presented in table 1, '3, and 50 Comparison of data obtained during 1953 with that of previous seasons is shown in tables 2,4,6, and 70 Table lo--PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, MESA COUNTY, 1953 Birds per Hours Daily Birds per Noo of man-hour hunter hunted Adults Date hunters Juv •. bag il/7 11/8 11/9 97 119 19 235 32200 37700 4405 74305 30 66 36 12 21 9 1 1 2' 40(45%) 49(55%)89 1951 .68 018 .11 038 Year 1950· 19 2 Basis for comparison Number of hunters Hours hunted Juveniles (% of kill) Adults C% of kill) Total bag Pheasants per hour Pheasants per hunter First three days of the season 256 194 145 645 510 769 65% 50% 45% 50% 35% 55% 106 136 85 00,,177 00.132 000208 00044 00053 00.73 0205 .056 .045 .120 1953. 235 743.5 55% 45% 89 00.120 00.38 Table 3--PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, DELTA COUNTY2 1953 Daily Blrds per Blrds per Hours No. of hunted Adults: bag hunter man-hour Date hunters Juvo 11/7 11/8 11/9 11/15 11/22 11/29 110 95 26 70 61 43 405 39905 33400 6505 25905 151 .• 5 115.0 132500 18 74 92 11 43 54 6 2 8 21 7 28 19 4 23 3, 7 10. 45(19%) 170(81%) 215 ' 084 057 031 031 .38 023 054 .230 .162' .122 .108 .152 .087 016~ . �-24Table 40 Year COMPARATIVE PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, DELTA COUNTY, 1951-53 1951 1952 1953 Basis for comparison Number of hunters Hours hunted Juveniles (% of kill) Adults (% of kill) Total bag Pheasants per hour Pheasants per hunter First three days of the season 336 264 231 1307 1033 799.0 80% 89% 80% 20% 11% 20% 215 238 154 000164 00.230 000193 00.64 00090 00.67 Table 50--PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, MONTROSE COUNTY, HOOVER'S CORNER, 1953 Noo of Hours Daily Birds per Birds per hunters Date hunted Adults Juvo bag hunter man-hour 11/7 11/8 11/9 82 94 17 193 29505 29300 4100 62905 15 24 2 51 67 66 42 1 3 III00%) .94(70%)136 082 070 018 070 0227 0225 0073 0216 Table 60--COMPARATIVE PHEASANT CHECK STATION DATA, HOOVERiS CORNER, 1948-1953 Year 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 Basis for comparison Number of hunters Hours hunted Juveniles (%of kill) Adults C% of kill) Total bag Pheasants per hour Pheasants per hunter First three d~s of the season 169 2.56 297 251 163 19J 803 766 1167 949 625 62905 73% 77% 71% 74% 77% 70% 27% 23% 29% 26% 23% 30% 251 222 192 145 130 136 00.313 000290 000165 000153 000208 00.216 1.49 0087 0065 0058 0080 0070 Table 70--8UMMARY--HOOVER'S CORNER AND DELTA CHECK STATIONSz1950-53 Number Hours Pheasants Pheasants Pheasants Date of hunters hunted killed ,Qerhunter per man-hour 11/26~12/10 1163 3950 553 .48 0140 (1950) 12/1-12/14 (1951) 829 3064 488 059 0159 11/15~11/29 (1952) 517 1950 421 081 0216 11/7-11/29 (1953) 598 1954.5 351 059 .180 �-25Source of hunting pressure in various' areaso -- Hunters from 25 counties in Colorado and from three other states hunted in western Colorado during the 1953 season, as determined from data obtained at three check stations Discussion of hunting- pressure is given for the two major areas in western Colorado, the Delta-Montrose area on the east side of the Uncompaghre plateau, and the Mesa county are~o 0 Mesa County Local hunters, primarily from Grand Junction, comprised 9308 percent of the total number of hunters checkedo Four hUnters, 108 percent of the total were from other counties on the western slope (Routt and Garfield)o Nine hunters, 4.0 percent of the total, were from eastern slope counties (Lake, EIPaso, Denver and Logan)o One out-of-state hunter, from New Mexico, also hunted in Mesa County. Delta-Montrose Area A total of 598 hunters were checked in the Delta-Montrose area. Half of these (50.3%) were local hunters, 48.7 percent were from 22 other counties in Colorado, and the remaining 100 percent were from out-of-state (Utah and Minnesota).. About half (50~5%) of the non-local hunters from Colorado came from Mesa County. This_represents 2406 percent of the total number of hunters. A small percentage (407%) of the Colorado hunters came from eight counties on the eastern slope. Effect of length of season on the kill of heasantso -- For a three-year period prior to the 19 3 hunting season, the hunting of pheasants was allowed for a relatively short period of time in Mesa county and for a long period of time in the Delta-Montrose areao Although long seasons (23 days) were allowed in both areas during November,1953, any effect of variations in the length of seasons should have been rel'lected in the kill during 19530 Data are given in table 8 to show the correlation between these hunting periods and the corresponding kill of pheasantso Table 8o-KILL OF PHEASANTS CORRELATED WITH LENGTH OF S,EASON, MESA COUNTY AND DELTA-MONTROSE AREAS, 1950-1953 1/ Length of Season Pheasants killed Pheasants killed Area Year (days) per man-day per man-hour Mesa County 1950 1951 1952 1953 3 5 7 23 073 .53 044 038 0208 0177 0132 0120 1950 1951 1952 1953 15 14 15 23 061 064 090 ,,67 0166 0164 ,,230 0193 Delta-Montrose Y Basis for comparison, first three days of seasono �-26Correlation of hunter success with population and reproduction indices.Information is presented in table 9 to show the correlation between various population and reproduction indices that were obtained throughout the breeding and reproductive period, and the hunter success. Table 9.--KILL OF PHEASANTS, CORRELATED ~TH POPULATION AND REPRODUCTION INDI.CES, MESA COUNTY AND DELTA .... MONTROSE AREAS, 1952-53 Year Area Type of Information 1952 Kill of Pheasants Birds/hunter/day Birds/hour .44 1953 1952-53 trend comparison (%) Mesa County , •• 132 .38 .120 Indices to populations' and reproductive success Spring br'eeding population index 1/0 e • •• 45 •• 2 Averag; Noo young/hen 4 •• 08 Broods observed/mile "1973 38 •• 4 3.73 .1468 -25.6 .81 .216 .• 59 .180 -27.2 -16 •• 7 Indices to populations and reproductive success Spring19reeding population index!t 0 .. • .•• .55.3 Average No. young/hen 5.08 Broods observed/mile •• 1913 42,,1 2.56 .0806 -2309 -49.6 -57.9 0 Delta-Montrose 0 0 area Kill of pheasants Birds/hunter/day Birds/hour 0 1 •• •• 0 •• -15.0 - 8..6 See Quarterly Report July,1951, page 18 for method of determining Spring Breeding Population Index •• the Weather conditions.--Good weather prevailed throughout the majority of the hunting season in western Colorado. Temperatures were above normal for 16 of the 23 days of the season. Maximum daily temperatures were above 50 degrees for 15 days9 rising to the high sixties during the warmest period.. A mild rain and snowstorm occured during two days prior to November 7 and created cool weather for the first three days of the season. One storm occurred during the season bringing approximately 3 e 3 inches of snow (008 inches of water). Below normal temperatures occurreifor five days during the stormo Snow was on the ground for six days .• �-27Miscellaneous check station data.--Thirty-nine Gambelis quail were bagged by 235 pheasant hunters in Mesa count Yo Only 34 of these hunters were in parties that had bagged quail. The check of 598 hunters in the Delta-Montrose quail were shot. area showed that six Gambells Twenty-one cottontails were checked at the Mesa county check station and 55 in the Delta-Montrose area. Three mallard ducks were brought through the check station in Mesa county and 18 mallards and one green-winged teal through the Delta station. Discussion:' Generally pleasant weather prevailed during the 1953 pheasant season~ and more hunters were in the field in west-central Colorado during the first three days than during a similar period in 19520 The daily hunter success, however, decreased in all areas. This was as anticipatedo Spring breeding population indices and information obtained on reproductive success indicated that the kill would be lower in both the Mesa and Delta-Montrose areaso As shown in table 9, the spring breeding population indices, the number of young per hen, and the number of broods observed per ~ile all indicated either a lower breeding potential or poorer reproductive success. These indices showed considerable variation in indicating just how much lower the pheasant population was and how much lower the hunter success probably would be. This variation undoubtedly is due in part to lack of sufficient volume of data from the various counts. The fact that these indices apparently did show the true trend in the pheasant population, indicates their value for use in pheasant management. The kill of pheasants has shown a steady decrease in Mesa county for the past four years although relatively short seasons were held for three years prior to 1953. In Delta and Montrose counties, where seasons have extended for two weeks or longer, the kill showed a gradual increase for three years and then dropped considerably during 19530 As stated in previous reports, it appears the length of season, under present bag limits (3 cocks) and shooting hours(Noon to 5~oo P.Mo), has little appreciable effect on the pheasant population, and some other factors are causing major changes in the population. It would be desirable to continue surveys for at least one more year to further substantiate or to refute this belief. Summary: Checks of pheasant hunters were possible in only two areas during 1953 because of limited personnel. The summary of findings from these two areas is given below. �-28Northeastern Colorado 10 Hunting pressure was very light in the dryland farm areas of northeastern Colorado. Highway check stations had to be substituted checks to obtain an adequate sampleo for field 2. The 602 hunters checked hunted a t0tal of 3,550 hours to kill 770 pheasantso This represents 1.28 birds per hunter attempt or 0216 birds per hour hunted. Eighty-eight birds were reported crippled and not found. 30 The average kill per hunting attempt was the highest on record in northeastern Colorado. The average kill per hour was the lowest on record. Hun ters this year reported near-Ly 6 hours spent in the field for each hunting attempt compared to a previous high of slightly over 4 hours. 4. Fifty-eight percent of the pheasants checked were juveniles, 42 percent adults. birds. This represents an abnormally large proportion of adult 50 Seventy-five percent of the hunters checked were from Denver or its suburbs. Thirteen percent were local and 12 percent came from other areas. Very few landowners were contacted. 6. The majority of the hunters expressed their desire to continue allday hunting in future seasons. West-Central Colorado 10 Hunting pressure was slightly greater in west-central Colorado during 1953 than during 19529 influenced principally by more pleasant weather for hunting. 20 The 235 hunters checked in Mesa county hunted a total of 74305 hours to bag 89 pheasants. This represents 038 birds per hunter or .120 birds per houro The kill in Mesa county has shown a gradual decrease for the past four years. In terms of birds per hunter it dropped 12.5 percent from last yearo 30 A total of 598 hunters were checked in the Delta-Montrose area. These hunters bagged 351 pheasants in 1954.5 hours, giving a success :ratio of 059 birds per hunter or .180 birds per hour. The bag per hunter dropped 27.2 percent from last yearo 40 The percentage of young birds in the bag by counties was as follows: Mesa county, 55 percent; Delta county, 80 percent; and Montrose county, 70 percent. A reduction in the percentage of young birds in the bag occurredin all three counties. �-29- 5. Most of the hunters in Mesa county, 93.8 percent, were local hunters. Only 5003 percent of the hunters in the Delta-Montrose area were local residents 0 6. Changes in the pheasant population in western Colorado, as determined by the kill of pheasants, show no direct correlation with the length of the season. 7. Population and reproduction indices showed considerable variation indicated generally what the fall hunting success would be. but 8. Thirty-nine Gambel's quail were shot by 235 hunters in Mesa county. Six quail were shot by 598 hunters in Delta and Montrose counties. Prepared by Wayne Wo Sandfort Harold Mo Swope Date~ January, 1954 Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-31JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of_....:C:.,:O:,::L;.::,ORAD:.:;::· :.,:0;..... _ Project No. W-37-R-7: Game Bird Surveys Work Plan Noo--....:;:.:::.:;.....-III Title of Job Job No •.Deviation Hunter Check on Grouse Objective: To find the number, sex, and age of grouse taken during the open season. Scope~ North Park Willow Greek Pass - Harold Swope and Louis Vidakovich. Cameron Pass - Jack Grieb and Claude White. Moffat County - Harold Boeker and John Tester. GUnnison County - Douglas Gilbert, Richard Teague and Wayne Sandfort. Introduction:'! Job was not set up in the Work Plan for conducting a check of grouse hunters due principaliyto the fact that no grouse season was anticipated at the time the plans and specifications for game bird surveys were prepared. Following surveys to determine grouse numbers and reproductive success, it was apparent that a short season would be desirable. A. one-day season was set for Sunday,September 20, 1953, in all lands lying west of U. S. highway 87, except Routt county. The shooting hours extended from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.:M.(MST).. The season was opened on all grouse, with a daily bag and possession limit of two birds. After the season was set, it was felt obtalning information on the kill of grouse during the first season since 1945 would be highly desirable. Preparations'were made and hunters were checked in the three major sage grou~e areas; North Park, Moffat county, and Guhnison county. Techniques~Used: Check stations were set up at points where it was felt a sufficient number of hunters could be contacted to obtain reliable and representative data on the kill of sage grouse. Stations were established. beloW-Willow Creek.Pass, where Highway 125 junctions with Highway 40 north of Granby, at Cameron Pass to check hunters from the North Park area, on the Great Divide road at an intersection one mile north of Cedar Mountain to check hunters in Moffat county, and on the Ohio Creek road at an interdection one and one-half miles north of State Highway 135 to check hunters in the Gunnison area. Ii~lmlli'~I~'llil~irlilli~ii~~iil]~rlliiijll BDOW023714 �-32stations were operated from 9:00 A~Mc to 6:00 PoNo in Moffat county, ~nd from 11 ~15A.,M" to 61'30 :?"M~ in Gunnison county" Operations at Willow Creek and Cameron' Passes were initiated at about l:OOPoMo All hunters were stopped and information was obtained on bhe number of hunters, the total hours hunted, the number, sex, and age.of birds that were killed, and the number of birds crippled" Miscellaneous information on the exact drainage or area where some of the sage grouse were killed was obtained at the Moffat county check station" Miscellaneous weights also were obtained at the Moffat county and Gunnison county check stationso Although check stations were established primarily to obtain information on the kilT of sage grouse, quite a num~er of dusky grouse was brought through the Willow Creek Pass and Gunnison county check stations" Miscellaneous information on the kill of these grouse also was obba'i.ned , Some reports were obtained on the kill of sharp-tailed grouse and ptarmigan., These reports are mentioned irithe following discussionso Findings~' Principally because of lack of experience in handling grouse, all personnel at check stations found the sexing and aging of birds slightly confuSing, although considerable reference work had been done prior to the season to learn how to obtain this information. Although many of the birds were listed in the unclassified column, information that was obtained on sex and age is believed to be reasonably accurate" As both dusky and sage grouse w~re checked, it is believed desirable to separate the findings by species" Findings also "are separated by areas, since the three localities where checking was done represent somewhat distinct sage grouse unitso Miscellaneous information is given on the kill of sharp-tailed grouse and ptarmigan" SAGE GROUSE General Check Station Information North Park" - Persons in only two out of 52 Cars that were stopped at the Cameron Pass check station, had been hunting grouse" The remaining 50 cars contained fisherman or sightseers" A total of six hunters were checked that had hunted eight hours and obtained eight sage grouseo The two parties of hunters were from Denver and Larimer countieso A considerably larger volume of hunters was encountered at the Willow Creek Pass stationo Thirty-two hunters were coritacted that had hunted sage grouse~ These hunters bagged 46 birds, giving a success ratio of 1044 birds per. hunter. �-33Twenty birds were classified as males and 16 as females. These 36 birds included twenty-one adults and 15 juveniles. Two birds were not classified as to sex or age. Moffat countYo--Ninety-seven sage grouse hunters were checked at the Moffat county station. These hunters were in the field for 217 hours and bagged 127 birds. This gives a success ratio of 1.31 birds per hunter and .59 of a bird obtained per hour of hunting. All bi.rds were classified as to age. young and 33(26.0%) were adults. These data show 94 (74.0%) were Classification of 51 birds by sex showed 26(5'1.0%) were males and 25(49%) were females. Three birds were reported as crippled, giving a crippling loss of 2.3 percent. All of the hunters checked in Moffat county were local residents Moffat county)~ (from A partial check indicates that most of the birds being brought through the Moffat county check station were bagged in the Big Gulch and Great Divide areas. Some birds were shot in the Timberlake area and in the vicinity of Midwqy Hall and Jackrabbit Springs. Gunnison countY.-A total of 156 sage grouse hunters were checked at the Ohio Creek check station in Gunnison county. These hunters were in the field for 566 hours and bagged 221 birds. This gives a success ratio of 1.42 birds per hunter and .39 of a bird per hour. Classification of all birds as to age shows that 136(61.5%) were young and 85(38.5%) were adults. Classification of 183 birds by sex shows 96 (52.5%) were males and 87(47.5%) were females. Fifteen birds were reported crippled, giving a crippling loss figure of 6 •. 4 percent. Hunters from Gunnison county comprised 72.4 percent of the total number o~ sage grouse hunters. Eighteen percent were from east slope counties (Chaffee, Pueblo, Adams, and ElPaso), 4.5 percent were from western slope counties other than Gunnison (Mesa and Montrose), and 5.1 percent of the hunters were from out-of-state. �-34Table L~--SUMMARY, SAGE GROUSE HUNTER SUCCESS, 1953 Total No.. of Hours Birds per Birds per Area hunted hunters bag hunter .man-hour North ParkY Moffat County Gunnison County 32 97 1,56 All areas 285 217 566 46 127 221 1.44 1.31 1.42: 394 1.38 .59 ~39 IJ Data from Willow Creek Pass Station, only. Weights Weights of sage grouse were obtained only at the Moffat county check station. 'rwo young cocks averaged three pounds and six·ounces in weight. Three adult hens averaged three pounds and.O.67 ounces, and four young pirds (unclassified as to sex) averaged two pounds and four ounces. DUSKY GROUSE General Check Station Information Willow Pass area.-Dusky grouse hunters checked at the Willow Pass station sought their birds in the area between the check station and the Passo Thirty hunters were checked with a total of 21 grouse. This gives a success ratio of .70 birds per hunter. Most of the dusky grouse hunters said they saw quite a.few birds, but apparently were unable to shoot a sufficient number to fill their bag limits. Most of the grouse were completely dressed, with only the breast and legs saved when they were brought through the check station, making it difficult to obtain accurate information on sex and ageo Fifteen of the 21 grouse checked were unclassified as to sex and age. Four were classified as adult males, one as a young male, and one as a young hen. Gunnison county.--Eighteenhunters checked at the Ohio Creek station, Gunnison county, had hunted a total of 66 hours and shot 17 dusky grouse. This gives a success ratio of .94 birds per hunter and .26 of a bird per hour. Hunters checked at the Ohio Creek station had obtained their birds near Baldwin, Milk Creek, Carbon Creek, Blackberr,r Creek, and in the upper Ohio Creek drainage. Similar conditions were encountered at the Ohio Creek station, in regard to dressed birds, as at the Willow Pass station. Classifications were made, however, on sex and age of birds. Five birds were classified as adults and 12 as youngo Six birds were classified as males and three as females. �-35Birds per man-hour 21 30 Willow Pass" Gunnison County 18 BOTH AREAS 48 66 .26 17 38 .79 Weights Weights of dusky grouse, obtained at the Ohio Creek check station, showed tha t two adult hens weighed two pounds and four ounces and two pounds and two ounces~ averaging two pounds and three ounces. . One young hen weighed one pound and 13 ounces and two young (unclassified as to sex) weighed one pound and eleven ounces and two pounds. SHARP-TAILED GROUSE The only report received by the writer of sharp-tailed grouse being killed was received second-hando This report indicated that one of the wardens had checked several hunters on the Uncompaghre Plateau with an aggregate bag containing three species of grouse - sage, dusky, and sharp-Eat.Led; Sharp-tailed grouse probably were killed in other instances, PTARMIGAN One warden report indicates that three ptarmigan were shot on Mt. Evans near Denver~ but only one was retrieved. Discussion:" Contrary to somewhat popular belief prior to the season that grouse were almost gone, most hunters in all areas were pleased and in some cases amazed at the abundance of birdso The failure of hunters to obtain the full bag often was caused Qy their inaccuracy in shooting. Hunting pressure on sage grouse was greatest in the Gunnison area and least in the North Park areao Reports from North Park indicate that pressure was much lower than expected and actually it was difficult to find a sufficient number of hunters from which to obtain adequate information on hunting successo Even in the Ohio Creek area, Gunnison county, where hunting pressure probably was greatest, the harvest of sage grouse was insignificant in comparison to the number of birds presento The 221 birds checked at the Ohio Creek station is believed to represent a large percentage of the total number of birds killed. In this same area 517 cocks were counted on strutting grounds during April, 1953, indicating that the population during the hunting season probably numbered in the thousandso �-36Information obtained on dusky grouse indicates that hunting pressure on these birds was considerably less than on sage grouse. Apparently some hunting of sharp-tailed grouse and ptarmigan was done, but probably had an insignificant effect on these speCleso Experience in checlcingsage grouse shows that use of the sternum ~n aging birds and gonads for sexing would give the most reliable data. It is recontinended that only birds with entrails removed be used to obta.in information on sexo The 1953 season indicated there is considerable potential provided by grouse in Colorado for provision of additional and continued bird shooting" It is recommended that census of sage grouse on strutting grounds, establishment of routes for counting broods and determining reproductive success, and the operation of stations to check hunters be continued to further effect proper management of sage grouse. Initiation of studies on dusky grouse would be desirable. Summary~ 10 A one-d~ season on all grouse was held in Colorado on September 20 in all areas west of Highw~ 87, except Routt County. The daily bag and possession limit was two birds. 2. statio~s were set up to check hunters in the three major sage grouse areas; North Park, Moffat County, and Gunnison County" 3. Hunting pressure was light in all areas. The greatest number of hunters (156) was checked in the Gunnison area, followed by Moffat County (97) and North Park (32). 40 Hunter success, in terms of birds per hunt~r was very similar for all areas, being 1.44, 1031, and 1042: in the North Park, Moffat County, and Gunnison County areas, respectively. 5. Sage grouse hunters in Moffat County obtained .59 birds per hour, while those in the Gunnison area shot only .39 birds per hour. No information was obtained on success per hour in the North Park area. 6" Information on age of sage grouse indicates that 74.0 percent of the birds Killed in the Moffat County area were young (birds of the year), whereas, 62.5 percent were yoUng in the Gll!l!lison area. Insufficient information is available from the North Park area to determine the percentage of young in the bag. 70 Average weights or sage grouse, obtained at the Moffat County station, are as follows: . young cocks, three pounds and six ounces; adult hens, three pounds and 0.67 ounces; and young birds (unclassified as to sex), two pounds and four ounceso �-378. One-hundred percent of the sage grouse hunters checked in Moffat Coun~y were local hunters. The majority, 72.4 percent, hunters in the Gunnison area were local residents. of sage grouse 90 Forty-eight dusky grouse hunters were checked at the Willow Creek Pass and Gunnison County check stations. These hunters had bagged 38 birds for a succe~s ratio of .79 grouse per hunter. 10. Average weights of dusky grouse, obtained at t he Ohio Creek station, Gunnison County, ~re as followst adult hens, two pounds and three ounces; young hen, one pound and 13 ounces; and two young \ unclassified as to sex, one pound and 13., ounces. II. Miscellaneous reports indicate that some sharp-tailed some ptarmigan were sbot. grouse and 12. Use of the degree of hardness of the sternum for aging and gonads for sexing provided the most accurate field methods for obtaining these datao 13", Gensusing birds on strutting grounds, counting broods along established routes, and continuation of hunter checks are recommended for aid in proper management of sage .grouse. Studies of dusky grouse would be desirable. Prepared by: Wayne Wo Sandfort Date: January, 19,4 Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-39JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO Project Noo W-3'-~7i Antelope Restoration Work Plan Noo_. I ~Job No. ~8 _ Title of Job~ Hunting Season Survey ----~~~~~~~~~~------------------ Objective: To determine kill trends$ sex, crippling loss, and to provide specimens for physiological studieso To study problems of hunter access to public landso Techniques Used~Analysis of hunter ret~rn cards; aerial flights over hunting area; pre-season reconnaissance of selected hunting area to determine land status. Findings~ Two hunting seasons were held during the year 19530 First, Jan~ary 23 to 25 inclusive, and the second, September 2, to 27 inclusive The open areas are outlined on attached mapso 0 For the first time in this state three areasj 12,13 and 14, were open for the taking of bucks only during the September seasono January Hunting Season Kill by Areas Area 1'"""' 2 3 4 5 Bucks Does Fawns Total 139 tfl 179 32, 100 34 129 235 78 3 3 8 10 4 209 89 316 570 182 jJb'b' 52: TOTAL ~ >43 2tr �-40September Hunting Season Kill by Areas Area -r 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 (bucks only) II 13 Ii 14 15 l~ 17* TOTAL Bucks 127 40 246 190 185 74 69 309 113 70 267 32' 173 25 91 64 12 --20-a'7 Does -w Fawns 6 128 63 107 47 19 147 56 24 166 3 28 13 11 8 38 33 Unknown 883 23 10 3 15 Total 176 49 402 266 303 129 88 479 179 97 448 32 1 173 25 132 99 12 1 120 -3090 3 2 Crippling Loss~ Aerial flights were made over the Dickinson Refuge the second d~ of the January,1953 season to count the dead and crippled antelopeo Two=way radios were used to direct ground crew in locating the crippleso A total of 16 dead and 19 cripples, caused from wounds obtained during the first and part of the second day of the season, were counted. Summary: The kill during the January season was 1366 on 1500 permits, success ratio of 91004 percento For September season, 3090 were killed on 3446 permits, for a hunters i success ratio of 89008 percent , A total of 16 dead and 19 crippled antelope were counted in the Dickinson Refuge the sec()ndday of the January 'seasono * Areas not shown on attached maps - Area 16, Lowry Airforce Base; Area 17, Pueblo Ordnance Depot. �JANUARY 1953 ANTELOPE AREAS January 23, 24, 25, 1953 AREA 81 250 Licenses AREA 82 100 II AREA 83 350 II AREA 84 - 600 II AREA 85 - 200 II L IMPORTANT: landowner. Permission 2. No antelope shall be taken, pursued, wounded or killed during the night (one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise). 3. No antelope shall be hunted or killed with a weapon capable of chambering a cartridge substandard to the following specifications: Having a bullet of less than 70 grain weight or with a rated impact energy at 100 yards from the muzzle of less than 1,000 foot pounds; or with a steel or hard-pointed bullet; or with a semiautomatic loading rifle capable of discharging two or more shots by one continuous pull on the trigger; or with M-1 carbines. 4. Every holder of a 1953 antelope license must return the r-eport form attached to the license not later than fifteen (15)days after the close of the season herein specified. Report must be made even though no game is killed. to hunt on private property must be obtained from No person shall shoot from a public highway. 6. IMPORT ANT: Open areas do not include any National monument, park, military reservation, or any defense project area closed to the public by law or proclamation. �£)0£- HORNS' /~AR EL Y i tI;;1v/if tr--I< TIIAIV FAR8 . ~ FOR BEl I"ER /-/{/!V/7N{T- NEXT.Y£A~ /-IAA?VEST StlRRt/S 8tJeKS' [J/IS YG4P �" . • 0 'I s~£ ~ l l T~ ,A·;·'Fi.i::t.M 1953 ANTELOPE SEASON Eilher Sex, Sep I . 251027: , inclusive. o::r:m Bucks 0n1y, Sept •25 t027, inclusive. Id:dddJ 13 14 I':; ~ No. of permitted OJ Area Number. Licenses. �LICENSE SALES - DATE AND PLACE OF SALES 1953 Resident Colorado Antelope licenses will go on sale at 9:00 A. M. on the following dates, and at the places in Colorado and to the extent listed. All sales are under the jurisdiction of the personnel of the Game and Fish Department and all license fees are payable in cash, certified check, or money order. These licenses shall be sold on a "first come, first served" basis, and shall be valid only in the area designated thereon and during the dates specified by this Regulation and Order. Licenses shall be limited to one to a person. August 23, 1953--Area 1, Moffat County Court House, Craig, 63 general public, 62 landowners; and City Hall, Rifle, 75 general public. Area 2, Moffat County Court House, Craig, 12 general public, 13 landowners; and City Hall, Rifle, 25 general public. Area 3, Natural Gas Building, 1000 9th Avenue, Greeley, 150 general public, 150 landowners; and Grover Community Hall, Grover, 75 general public, 75 landowners. Area 4, Sheriff's Office, Logan County Court House, Sterling, 150 general public, 150 landowners. Area 5, Sheriff's Office, Morgan County Court House, Fort Morgan, 175 general public, 175 landowners. Area 6, CityHall, Limon, 75 general public, 75 landowners. Area 7, Elbert County Court House, Kiowa, 50 general public, 50 landowners. Area 8, City Hall, Hugo, 250 general public, 250 landowners. Area 9, City Hall, Limon, 100 general public, 100 landowners. August 30, 1953--Area 10, basement of EI Paso County Court House, Colorado Springs, 50 general public, 50 landowners. Area 11, basement of Annex, Crowley County Court House, Ordway, 250 general public, 250 landowners. Area 12, Commissioner's Room, Pueblo County Court House, Pueblo, 25 general public, 25 landowners. Area 13, Huerfano County Court House, main floor, Walsenburg, 25 general public, 25 landowners; and Otero County Court House, main floor, LaJunta, 38 general public, 37 landowners; and Las Animas County Court House, Clerk's Office, Trinidad, 38 general public, 37 landowners. Area 14, Las Animas County Court House, Clerk's Office, Trinidad, 13 general public, 12 landowners; and Otero County Court House, Commissioner's Room, LaJunta, 13 general public, 12 landowners. Area 15, Court Room, Chaffee County Court House, Salida, 75 general public 75 landowners. Important Note:--50o/a of all antelope permits for these areas shall be reserved for bona fide resident landowners or lessees, upon whose lands antelope range or graze, residing in the hunting areas hereinafter described. "Landowner" or "Lessee" shall, and, within the meaning of this regulation, does mean such person or persons whose name or names appear on abstracts, deeds, titles, leases or conveyances. Members of families of "Landowners" or "Lessees" shall be permitted to purchase antelope licenses in these areas in the same way and manner as the general public. Any share of landowner or lessee permits not sold on or before 12:00 o'clock noon, on dates shown above, shall become a part of the public sale. Any unsold licenses after August 31, 1953 shall be available for purchase at the Game and Fish Department, 1530 Sherman Street, Denver, Colorado. �Figure 10 Two year-old buck, tagged at the age of 2 days in the Dickinson Refugeo �.~ - u·s. 24 FIGURE 2 PARK" COUNTY 1953 ANTELOPE SEASON AREA 15 Sca.le. o In Mdes 1 LEGEND 4 �-41Hunter Access to Public Lands. Techniques: The south half of Park County, located in the 1953 hunting area 15, was mapped to show posted "No Huntdng '",non-posted and public lando Landowners were contacted previou~~y to find out if they intended to p ermit hunting. The maps were distributed among Game and Fish Department personnel working in this area so they might aid hunters in locating non-poste,d land and landowners to obtain hunting permission. Accessible roads to the operi areas were also included in this information. Findings::" In the total area, 42,760 acres or 23 percent is private land posted "No Huntingtt:,44,800 acres or 26 percent Federal land, 30,080 acres or 18 percent state land and 55,680 acres or 33 percent is private non-posted land (Figure 2)0 Analysis and Recommendations: The information in area 15 concerning location of posted, non=posted, private~ public land, and accessible roads proved valuable both to game wardens and antelope hunters. Work of this type should be carried-on where posted lands existo in the other hunting areas Summary: In Park CountY,;2rhunting area 15,7 there were 100,480 acres or 59 percent on the Laiid open to hunt-Ing; private or leased State land.\>posted fiNo Hunting", made up 41 percent or 72,840 acreso Prepared by Date Stanley Ogilvie Approved January, 1954 --------~~~~----------------- by Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��r CoL.o. "DEPr: OF G7AME T~H. TAl\,). QUA.RTER LY rRO~~.s$ ~E PI. l qSL{ -43JOB COMPLETION INVESTIGATIONS State of Colorado Project No.. W-41-R-6 REPORT PROJECTS Work Plan No. I Job No. 1 -----------~~--- Ti tIe of Job._...;L=am=::b:.:i:.:n.::g~S;.;:t~u~dy~a:::n=d::....:P:..:r:..:e:..:d::.::a:..:t..::o.: _ Objectives~ 10 To determine the number of lambs born in relation number of ewes in the Pikes Peak herd .• to the 20 To determine the survival of the yearly lamb crop. To show annual trends of lambing success; to learn survival of lambs to yearling age, and general herd trends for management. 30 To determine the predator effects, if any, upon the lamb population .• Techniques Used~ From the beginning of lambing season through September two trend areas were covered on foot once a month with counts of the actual number of lambs seen being recorded. Findings: At the beginning of the severe die-off due to heavy lungworm infestations it was felt that the spring lamb crop would suffer accordingly. As theiambing observations progressed, it was found that the lamb survival was indeed very lowo Table 1--1952-1953 Tarry-all 1952 1953 78 --r- Lamb Counts Kenosha 1952 1953 19 21 Pikes Peak 1952 1953 """7l'l -2 Pikes Peak--This area was covered quite extensively by foot and horseback but no dead lambs were found. The first sick animal, a ewe, was reported to us on November 11, 1952, by Warden Frank A. Colleyo Tarryall-- The first sick sheep was seen in this herd during January,1953. Of the many dead ewes examined, only one was found to be carrying a foetus. Figure 10 Kenosha--This was the third in succession of the sheep ,herds to be hit by lungWorm outbreak with the first signs of sickness being noted on july 23, 1953. Dead and dying lambs were observed in the close proximity of their dead motherso �Table 2--1953 Lamb Counts. Location Number Tarr,yall Mountains Kenosha Mountains Pikes Peak Texas Creek Brush Creek Cottonwood Creek Buffalo Peaks Gore Range Ten Mile Range Grizzly Creek 1 21 2 3 3 4 21 2 2 7 Analysis and Recommendations~ By taking the three herds (Pikes Peak" Kenosha and TarryaU) into consideration the span of the lungworm outbreak was in effect during the entire period of gestation from conception to parturition. In those animals stricken by the lungworm during the early periods> conception either did not occur or reabsorption took place. In those animals which were unaffected by the outbreak during the period of gestation (Kenosha) lambs were born which later died. Unfortunately, from an investigative standpoint, none of the lambs which were found alive were collected for examination to determine if they were harboring a lungworm infestation. Consequently it is not known whether the dead lambs which were found died as a result of lungworms or as a result of other causes such as malnutrition or starvation. summa~~ Due to an outbreak of lungworm infestation, lambing success was almos negligible in the Pikes Peak, Tarr.yall and Kenosha sheep herds. In those areas only 24 lambs were seen this year as compared to 164 seen in 19520 Prepared by Clifford Ao Moser George Wo Jones Date Januar.y2 1954 Approved by Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-45- JOB COMPLETION INVESTIGATIONS State of Project Ti He REPORT PROJECTS Colorado NOQ W~41-R-6 of Job Work Plan Noo ---=---I Comparative Range Analysis Transplanting Siteso for the Location Job NO. __ ...;2~__ of Objectives: To locate desirable transplanting sites in areas throughout the st~te where sheep transplanted from the Tarryall herd would be insured of optimum conditions for survival and increaseo Techniques Used: The sites under consideration were to be covered by automobile, horse or on foot in order to get a general description of the area. The main points to be considered were: size of the area involved, topography, elevation, drainages, maximum snow depth in winter, land use by domestic livestock and forage typeso Findings: Mountains, Because of the heavy die-off among the sheep in the Tarryall trapping operations were curtailed for the presento Recommendations: sizeable numbers Prepared by Until the Tarryall trapping operations Clifford Ao Moser sheep herd builds up again to should be suspended. Approved Date _J;;..an..;.;.;;,.;u.;.;;.a;.;;.ry~2 ....:;1;;;.::9..:::5..;;:4~ _ by Laurence E~ Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-47- State of JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado Project NOe W-41-R-6 Title of Job Artifical Work Plan Noo_--=I=--__ Salting Experiment Job No.:.._...:3~ __ and Mineral Requirementso Objective~ To determine the percentage of salt utilization by bighorn sheep and to determine the percentage of weathering of the saltblockso Techniques Used: At each of three locations two blocks of salt were placed side by side in an area which was accessible to sheep only& One block was accessible to the sheep and the other block was placed in a screen enclosure that was inaccessible to sheep but exposed to full weathering conditionso Monthly weights were taken to determine the percentage of actual sheep utilization as opposed to weatheringo Findings~ Georgetown9 Cache La Poudre and Pikes Peak were the three original locations chosen for this experimentQ The Pikes Peak location was subsequently dropped when it was decided that,the information gained would not offset the cost in time and money that would be requireq to record monthly weightse Table 1 shows the amount of salt used by sheep both by weight and percent of a fifty pound salt blocko Analysis and Recommendations~ Preliminary investigations into the use of phenothiazine indicate that it would be advantageous to experiment with mixtures of salt and phenothiazine to see if any suitable control measures could be developed which would control lungworm infestationso Summary~ Monthly weights taken over a ten month period showed that the salt placed on the Georgetown sheep range was used at an average of 108 pounds per month while the sheep in the Cache La Poudre used 201 pounds per montho - �-48Table 1 - Sheep Use of Salt CACHE LA POUDRE GEORGETOWN Sheep use by pounds Sheep use by % 000 1.0 3.0 1.0 0.0 105 I., 0.0 1.0 000 2.0 4.0 5.0 300 000 2.0 000 4.7 1005 1501 12.0 3.5 05 4.5 1.5 25.• 2 1.0 Sheep use Month Weathering by pounds by % vleathering by pounds Sheep use by pounds 000 105 05 .,5 2.0 000 305 I., 100 4.5 000 7.7 3.4 02 12.8 500 3.5 13.2 05 0.0 2., 105 10.6 6,,8 1 Prepared by Date Clifford Ao Moser January\, 1954 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Approved by '- Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-49JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of __ C.;:.,.o:,;;l;,.:o:...:r:,.::a;,.::d;.:,.o _ Work Plan Noo_---...:I=Title of Job Census and Distribution Job Noo~__...,;4~ _ Studies on Herds Throughout the State Objectives~ To determine the increase or decrease and sex ratio of resident and transplant herds throughout the stateo Techniques Used~ The areas where sheep herds are present are covered by automobile, foot and horseback and records made of the actual numbers of sheep seen. Findings~ Because of the demands made upon Project personnel during the summer months in connection with the first bighorn sheep season in Colorado and a department movies very little work was done on this job. ~ache La Poudre -- The figures in the following table were gathered Allen Anderson and Larry Meanss students'at Colorado A & M College. are as of March~ 19530 Qy They Table Ls -Cache La Poudre Sex Ratio Counts. Group 10 Aul t Ranch and Larami e Tu.c:Ulel 2. Kiunikinniek 3.•Washout Gulch Total Ram Ewe Yearling Young Total 3 5 5 3 16 2 7 2 7 4 4 2 3 10 21 12 14 13 8 47 Wallace Creek Divid6--On June 19 1953~ District Ranger H. R. Hughes, saw 'five nead of sheep on Kilnball Creeks near Wallace Creek Divide and about one-hundred feet below the road from Kimball to Wallace Creek. Signs in the area indicated that they had been in the area all spring. Four ewes and one ram were sighted but Mr. Hughes feels that the entire number wtlre not seen. Qeorgetown-- On February 9~ 1953~ a total of sixty-nine sheep were counted BY the author along U.S. Highw~ 6 (Georgetown)o These are broken down into the following groups: rams 16~ ewes 24, yearlings 12 and lambs 17. As far as is known this is the highest count recorded for this herdo I~~ll~ll~ijl~ll~il~\illlij~m~I~~~I]fIi lijf~11 BDOW023723 �-50Saguache - OnMaY20,,1953.1l Technician Jack Remington saw two rams and one ewe, ten miles east of the town of Saguache. Pikes Peak -- For some unexplainable reason the Pikes Peak herd has become S'O"thoroughly scattered that it is doubtful that accurate population counts will be available for some time to come. Table 2.--Pikes Peak Trend Counts. 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 Rams 38 45 52 45 6 Ewes 90 79 43 103 2 Lambs 43 39 34 97 2 Yearlings 34 29 18 '52 o ,Total 205 192 147 297 10 Warden Frank A. Colley has counted a total of twenty-three rams from the Pikes Peak area and has seen some of the sheep as far east as the Camp Carson Military Reservation. Tarryall and Kenosha -- Technician George W. ~ones estimates that thirty sheep remain from the Tarryall herd and fourteen sheep are left in the Kenosha herd. Spring Creek ~ On February 17, 1953, a total of twenty-six sheep were counted on.Spring Creek above the Ramsey ranch. These are broken down into the following: rams 11, ewes 9, yearling b. Glenwood Canyon --On February 23, 1953, five rams, six ewes and five lambs were observed in Glenwood Canyon above the hiway department buildings. �-51SUmmary: L. The Cache La Poudre herd consisted of twelve rams, fourteen ewes$ thirteen yearlings and eight lambso This is the highest count ever made for this herdo 20 Other herd counts were as follows: Wallace Creek Divide -- One ram, four ew~so Georgetown -- Sixteen rams, twenty-four ewes, twelve yearlings, seventeen lambs. Saguache -<Two rams, one ewe. Pikes Peak --TWenty-nine rams, two ewes, two l~bs. Tarryall - Thirty sheep (Estimated) 0 Kenosha -Fourteen sheep (Estimated). ~pring Creek -- Eleven rams, nine ewes, six yearlings. Glenwood Canyon- Five rams, six ewes, five lambs. 30 The Pikes Peak trend count dropped from a high of 297 sheep in 1952 to ten sheep in 19530 The count above includes twenty-three rams seen by local warden" Prepared by Clifford Ao Moser Date __ Approved by J_an_u_a.....:ry~,'--1;.;.9...:;.5...:.4 _ Laurence E •.Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��L~ \ 0 ])~r Ge-wte. t-h'sh Q U 6-( r~ P("l):(e. H lZercr r fe... -53- A-i,(. 'b'Jt's.;~~ ~Vl. State of «c« JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado Project No. Title of Job W-41-R-6 Work Plan No. Study of Mortality v I Job No. --~----------- Factors. Objectives~ 10 To determine the Losses in sheep herds caused by, disease and parasites. 20 To see whether susceptibility another, particularly is more prevalent among one age group than among lambs, and whether losses can be prevented. Techniques Used~ Field autopsy1s were conducted by department personnel and members of Colorado A & M College Zoology and Veterinary staff whenever possible. Six dead sheep were taken to the veterinary department autopsy laboratorY where complete autopsys were undertaken by veterinary personnel of the college. Arrangements were made with Dro Lo Ao Griner to analyze all lung tissue collected during the 1953 bighorn sheep season. In connection with this, jars, formadelhyde, and gauze for stomach samples, were prepared in field kits and issued to each sheep camp supervisor with instructions for the preparation and collection of lung and stomach samples. Findings~ In the present day history of Colorado1s bighorn sheep herds there have been three periods of increase and decline--the first being at its height in 1885 and resulting from an outbreak of scabies and market hunting 0 ~he second outbreak in the early 1900ls was repeated again in the winter of 1923-240 These declines were said to have resulted from hemorrhagic septicemiao The decline, which apparently began in the fall of 1952 and took a heavy toll of Pikes Peak and Tarryall bighorn sheep during the following winter and spring, has been diagnosed as caused by verminous pneumonia. Dr , Lo A. Griner of the Veterinary Department at Colorado A & M College, Fto Collins made the diagnosis from some of the infected animals which be was able to examine and autopsyo Heavy infestations of the lung nematode involved have been identified as Protostrongylus stilesi Dikmans 1931 by Dro O.W. Olsen of the Colorado A & M Zoology Department. I~~lllrllij'~I~'llil~iililli~~i~~~~1 ~flilili~II BDOW023718 �-54Verminous pneumonia is characterized by a cough, rapid respiration, weakness, emaciation, rough shaggy coat and sometimes anemiao Sheep suffering from diarrhea have also been seen. In some of the animals examined which were heavily infected with lungworms, solidified areas sometimes involving almost an entire lobe of a lung were found. Some animals were found to have parts of the lungs fused solidly to the thoracic cavityo References to this parasite as a decimating factor in bighorn sheep herds have been made by Dikmans (1931), Marsh (1938), Honess (1942), et al. There are many references to the pathogenicity of lung nematodes belonging to the genus Dictyocaulus in domestic sheep and cattle; and Cowan (1951) has attributed epizootics in deer of southern Vancouver Island to Dictyocaulus viviparouso Generally lungworms become serious as a result ef poor range conditions or inclement weather resulting in malnutrition associated with some degree of over crowding; however other conditions may also be of great importance, such as the effect of multiple parasitism, the rate of transmission of the lung worm, and fluctuations of the intermediate host populations or conditions favoring survival of eggs and larvaeo An intimate knowledge of the life history of the parasite and the ecological conditions which favor the transmission of it, as well as the determination of pathology or pathogenicity, and recorded occurence of Protostrongylus stilesi are essential to the best future management of the bighorn sheep in Coloradoo It is reported that Shults and Boev (1940) found that the larvae of Po stilesi developed to the infective stage, after 40-60 days, in snails of the following genera, Fruiticicola, Cathaica, Ena, and Parachondrula, while Protostrongylus unciphorus larvae developed in Pupilla This reference has not yet been examined, but apparently they were dealing with lungworms of domestic sheep in Kazakhstan. Hobmaier and Hobmaier (1930) investigated the life cycle of ProtostrongylUS rufescens and found that larvae of this species developed to the infective stage, after 12-14 days in the snail Helicella eriatorum, and that snails suitable for Muellerius capillaria larvae could not be infectedo Gerichter (1951) investigating P. rufescens life cycle in the Levant, found snails of the genus Helicella suitable hosts; however, development to the infective stage required 46-49 days to reach the infective stageo 0 Our studies on the life cycle of Protostron~lus stilesi are not yet completed, and the following account is merely a preliminary summarization of our observations. Bighorn sheep apparently become infected by ingesting snails during the course of their feeding which contain the infective stage larvaeo The small size, abundance and distribution of two species of Pupilla together with the feeding habits of bighorn sheep would make their chance ingestion �-55ver,y likelyo These sheep have been observed to paw the ground then eat some species of alpine vegetation right down to the surfac~ of the ground, and while snails could not be found at this spot they were collected within a quarter , of a mile. After being released in the digestive tract of the host the larvae probably reach the lungs after penetrating the intestine, by way of the lymphatics and blood streamo Lymph moving through the blood vessels finally reaches the large lymph vessels one of the principle ones being the thoracic ducto Through this duct the l~h (and any of the hair lungworm larvae which it happens to contain) passes into the large veins of the heart and on into the lungs through the pUlmonar,y arteries. Once in the lungs the larvae pass through the capillary vessels and by active migration reach the bronchial tubes and other parts of the respiratory system. Here the lungworm larvae develop to sexual maturity, mate, and the female df.schar'ges the eggs. The eggs hatch and the larvae, known as first stage larvae, make their way to the throat of the bighorn host where most of them are swallowed, pass through the digestive tract, and out of the sheep in the feces. Some may leave by the mouth of infected sheep in respiratory discharges which are coughed out. This coughing is due to heavy mucous secretions in the respiratory system caused by the breakdown of the lung tissue. Some of these larvae are coughed directly onto the ground while the remainder are passed out of the body in the droppings of the sheep. The uhprotected larvae are quickly killed by dessicationo Honess (1942) reports that droppings of bighorn sheep kept in a paper bag and exposed to atmospheric conditions in an outbuilding still contained living lungworm larvae aft~r more than 15 months; furthermore, these were still referred to as first stage larvae. Artificial infection of various species of terrestrial snails has been attempted, and a few hundred snails. have been examined directly when found on the range of infected bighopn sheep. Larvae obtained from the droppings of bighorn sheep by the B~erman Technique were placed in flat-bottomed dishes (Stender Dishes) in a small amount of water, then the snails were placed on the bottom of the dishes and allowed to crawl about until all moisture had evaporated. This is essentially the method reported used by Gerichter, (1948). The larvae do not appear to attempt to penetrate the snail until the moisture is nearly gone. The viability of this parasite is remarkable in that in clear water they may remain alive for more than one year. Hobmaier and Hobmaier (1930) indicate that larva utilize the mucous glands of the snail foot in gaining entryo �-56Snails were examined after the shell had been picked off, by placing them between two microscope slides in a little water and pressing them together, then examining under the low power of compound microscopeo Many of the snails were first subjected to artificial pepsin digestion before pressing between slides~ especially the larger specieso Infective stage larvae, so far, have only been recovered from two species of pupillid snails, Pupilla blandi and Pupilla muscorumo Many of the latter species so closely approach Pupilla hebes that positive identification is doubtful in many cases, but some fairly typical P musCorum have been observed" These species in aggregate range from under 6,000 feet elevation to over 12,000 feet elevation, with P blandi being more characteristic of the lower elevations and P muscorum of the high elevationso Within the tissues of the snail the Infective stage larva will be found enclosed in a brown, cuticular sheath with transverse striations which are very marked dorsallyo This sheath is very similar to that described and figured by Gerichter (1951) for Protostrongylus rufescens. It appears from~bservation that the infective stage larvae is only released from this sheath by digestive action or mechanical means" The larva move about some within this sheath, but become as active when released in water as the first stage larvao Gerichter(1948) reports snails retaining living infective stage larvae of lung nematodes seventeen months ~ter being infected" A single larva was found in an immature Oreohelix strigpsa depressa 22 days after exposure to larvae, but subsequent observations indicate that this larva may have been dead" Additional attempts to infect this species have been unsuccessfulo A single living larva was recovered from a species of Vallonia, and this larva was still of the first stage, but appeared to have undergone some growtho Additional work will be done with this genus .• In the snails of the genus Pupilla the larva become larger and more granulation is observed within their bodieso A larva observed in a specimen of Pupilla"blandi ten days after being infected was observed to move about within the snail apparently feedingo It appears that the ecdysis giving rise to the second stage larva occurs after about thirty dayso The adult wo~s are described by Cowan(1951) as being from 3/4 to 1 inch long, and about the diameter of a fine human hair, and are brown in coloro It appears possible that some of the larvae might pass through the pulmonary capillaries into the systemic circulation and set up an infection in a fetus, which might have something to do with the paucity of lambs observed in the Pikes Peak areao �-57Pikes Peak--In November, 1952, Mr. Ray Phillips of the Forest Service, while on-!ield work found a sick ewe in the vicinity of Woods Lake at the western edge of the Pikes Peak sheep range. This ewe was in such poor condition that Mr. Phillips was able to approach close enough to hit on the head with a rock in order to kill it. The carcass was taken to Colorado College at Colorado Springs where subsequent diagnosis determined that heavy infestations of lungworms, Protostrongylus stilesi, were responsible for the emaciated condition of the animal. This was the first report of sickness among the sheep on Pikes Peak. Table 1 shows the age class of twenty-eight dead sheep found on Pikes Peak, while Table 2 shows the mature sheep loss from Pikes Peak, Tarryall and Kenosha sheep ranges. Carefut checking on the ground has frevented any duplication of numbers. An expression of thanks is extended to Warden Frank A. Colley for his work on the sheep in the Pikes Peak region last winter. Table I-Age Cl~ss of 28 Dead Sheep from Pikes Peak Total (1 - 3) Mature (4 - 9) Ram 7 9 16 o Ewe 4 12 5 3 Total 11 28 3 * All in 8 to 10year class. All rams seen by department men during sheep season in the Pikes Peak area were classified as from 3 to 7 years of age. The kill included three 6 year old, one 5 year old and two four year old rams. Y01lllg Ram Ewe Total Table 2-Mature Pikes Peak 24 24 48 Sheep Loss from Pikes Peak, TarrYall and Kenosha Tarryall Kenosha Total 16 157 197 126 32 182 48 379 Table 3-Lamb and Yearling Loss from Pikes Peak, Tarryall and Kenosha Pikes Peak TarryalJ Kenosha Total 9 93 ----~~~~0~--------1~0~2~~--Yearling Lamb o 0 18 18 9 93 18 120 �Although students of Colorado A & M College and members of the game department participated in two dead sheep counts on the Tarryall range the majority of dead sheep found on Tarryall and all of the Kenosha count were compiled by Technician George Wo Joneso The following is his report on the Tarryall and Kenosha Mountains bighorn sheep die-off: "The sheep started dying on the Tarryall from lungworms starting January 26, 19530 It hit each individual herd working seventeen miles northwest ~ong Tarryall Creek taking 37 dqys to reach the last herd on the west end of the sheep rangeo To date, we have found 157 rams, 126 ewes and 62 yearlingso Twenty-one of the 157 rams were yearling rams making a total 345 animalso The death included all age classes from yearlings to those 14 years of ageo The first death noticed on the Kenosha Mountains was on July 230 This included 32 ewes, 16 rams, and 18 lambs making a total of 66 sheep found dead in this areao1t Cache la Poudre~Three sheep, a lamb, a yearling and a mature ewe were found dead on the Cache la Poudre.. Unfortunately the lamb and yearling were not found in time to perform an autopsy~ but Game Manager Clois E •. Till took the ewe to the veterinary department of Colorado A & M College where the cause of death was attributed to verminous pneumonia as a resul t of heavy lungworm infestationso Glenwood Canyon--Two mature ewes and one old ram were found dead in the rimrock of-Glenwood Canyon. The cause of death was undetermined,but the immediate vicinity was noted to be in an extremely over-utilized conditiono If overuse of range and over-concentration of animals are indeed the prime cause for heavy buildups of parasites this area is a good example of the first condition.. It is strictly a mountain sheep range with some deer use" Figure 39 4 and 5 Ll.Luat rate the degree of overuse of this rangeo Georgetown-- On January 14, 1953, the author found a five year old ram in a mine cabin above Georgetown" The cabin was situated in such a manner on the hillside that the back edge of the roof jutted up against the slope of the hillside.. The sheep had walked out on the roof of the cabin and the rotting timbers had given away causing the ram to- fall Lnsf.de , Death probably resulted from a broken neck for the end of one horn was broken as if it had become hooked on a timber during the fall. The stomach was full and there were heavy layers of fat remaining on the carcass" There were no signs of a protracted stay in the cabin which would have normally been in evidence if the sheep had been in the cabin long enough to starve to death. �Hunting Season Lung Survey--.Table 4 and figure 11 show the results of the survey conducted on the sheep which were killed during the 1953 bighorn season. Thirty-four lungs showed evidence of lungwormo Out of 59 sheep killed~ 47 sets of lungs were examined by Dro Grinero Of the sheep lungs examined 74043 percent were carrying lungwormo It is of interest to note that out of the fifteen areas in which sheep were killed only one, the lower Arkansas, showed no evidence of lungworm, and that area 18, Buffalo Peaks~ was one-hundred percent infected. Clinical Diagnosis--The following clinical autop ies were performed at the veterinary department of Colorado A & M College by Dr. Griner and Dr. Millero NOe 52PIOo8o Age--two years, maleo Lungs--anterior ventral lobes consolidated and congested; lungworm larvae observed microscopically in secretion in bronchio Dorsal foci of bronchopneumonia. Gall bladder--Thysanosoma actinioides Intestines~ small--Eyperemic Postmortem Diagnosis--Pneumonia found in ducto enteritis, Nematodirus spo (verminous) parasitismo Histo-pathology--Lungs: Peri-bronchial leukocytic infiltration and hyperemiao Purulent exudate in bronchi, some alveoli are atelectic and contain serum and fibrin while others show alveolar emphysema. Alveoli contain eggs and larvae of lung worms. Some are also seen in the small bronchioles. Pathological Diagnosis--Verminous pneumonia. NOe 53P92o Nasal Cavity--white Trachea--white Lungs--many Age--six years, femaleo frothy exudateo frothy exudate in trachea and bronchi. miliary abscesses along the ventral margins of both lungs. Pleura--adhesions between visceral and parietal pleura over affected areas of lungs, some adhesions opened a~ pleura pulled apart. Peritoneum and Cavity--one bladder cyst in right supra-renal another in omentum. tissue, Liver--numerous fringed tapeworm found in common bile duct and gall bladder. Intestines,small--fringed Postmortem tapeworms in duodenum. Diagnosis--Verminous pneumonia. �-60Histo-pathology--Lungs~ peribronchial infiltration of leukocytes and bronchiectiasisc Some alveoli also contain leukocytes, congestion. Many areas show emphysema as evidenced by rupture of alveolar walls. Numerous larvae and some adult protostrongylus stilesii are observed~ Eggs are also observed in the alveoli. Liver: central congestion with few cells showing fatty degeneration. One large bile duct contains section of a tape worm. Small focal areas of hepatitiso Kidney: Pathological Focal areas of interstitial Diagnosis--Verminous Noo 53P269o congestion. pneumoniao Age--2! years, female. Skin and external--Externa Pericardium--Purulent pleuritiso nephritis, covered with tickso exudate covering serous surface - extension Lungs--Verminous pneumonia with abscesses throughout lung tissue. Pleura--Purulent exudabe , Stomachs--Slightly from hyperemic in rumen. Postmortem Diagnosis--Verminous abscesses •• pneumonia with secondary pulmonary Histo-pathology--Lung: Extensive fibrinous pleuritis. Many alveoli contain edema~ leukocytes and blood. Extensive fibrosis of atelectic pulmonary tissueo The Bronchi contain a purulent exudate. Focal areas of necrosis containing numerous neutrophiles and bact.er'La, Areas of compensatory emphysema. Many alveoli contain bacteria and polymorphonuclear leUkocytes. Nematodes observed in alveoli •• Pathological Diagnosis--Verminous pneumoniao No. 53P3l2o Age--ten years, male. Trachea--hyperemico Pericardium--BYdropericardiumo Lungs--Apical lobe adhered to pericardial sac; broncho--pneumonia apical, cardiac and diaphragmatic lobes; atelectasis on all lobes; lung worms and abscesses; lungs adherent to pleurao in �Figure 1. First stage larvae" as passed in the droppings of bighorn sheep. Figure 2. Infective stage larvae as recovered from snails of the genus Papilla 50 days, after infection. Photos by Clifford A. Mosero �Figure 3. Figure 4. ~oto. by Clifford.f\. Moser. Unwiseuse of salt resulted in this denuded area. Bed ground adjacent to Salt Block. �Figure 5. Mature ewe found,between Balt , block and bed ground. Figure 60 One of tpe maQY trop~ heads 108t during the recent die-off at Tarryall. Photos by Clifford Ae Moserc �Figure 10 A few of the bighorn sheep picked up during the die-off at Tarry-all. Figure 80 Extremely emaciated condition of infected sheep is illustrated above. This animal died four hours after picture was taken. Photos by Clifford A. Moser. �Figure 9.' Autopsies by Dr. Olson at Tarryall, February, 1953. Figure 10. Close-up of infected lung being sectioned by Dr. Olson. Photos by Clifford A. Moser �Figure 11. o - No Sheep Killed. Lungworms Present. DIIIJ No Sample Taken. § No Lungworms Present. �•••••• NO. OF UNITWHERE_KILLED,_~ 8 NO 106 108 204 211 109 121 122 212 125 139 141 143 145 146 141 150 151 156 182 185 186 187 188 190 191 192 193 194 195 197 199 ~ ~ 213 218 220 221 222 224 225 X 234 237 240 241 247 248 255 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 Sheep killed. No sample taken. Lungs examined. No evidence of Lungworm parasitism. Lungs examined. Lungs diseased and lungworm parasites present. by Dr. L. A. Griner, Veterin~ Department, Colorado A & M College. �Figure 12. Eye of blind bighorn ram from Gore Range. Cause of blindness diagnosed as infectuous conjunctivitis. Photo by Douglas L. Gilbert �-61Pleura--Pleuritis, Peritoneum extensive, fibrinous. and cavity-Tapeworm cysts. Liver--Tapeworm cysts on liver; also tapes in bile ducts. Spleen-Nodules on spleen; stomachs--Cysts between rumen, omasum and reticulum. hemopoesis. Postmortem Diagnosis-Verminous pneumonia. No.53P363. Skin and external--Poor Trachea--Filled Age-seven years, male. condition. with thick tenacious mucus. Pericardium--HYdro-pericardium. Lungs--Consolidation of anterior ventricle portions of lungs. small focal areas of consolidation and emphysema, Pleura--Adhesions to lungs Liver--Contained tapeworms. Numerous HYdrothorax. Gall bladder-Tapes. stomachs--Abomasal Postmortem worms. Diagnosis-Verminous pneumonia. Tissue Received--Lungs, and liver. Histo-pathology--Liver: Section contains a tape worm in a biliary duct. Lungs: Multiple foci of atelectiasis and fibrosis surrounding the bronchi that contains numerous neutrophils. Many alveoli and Some foci of alveolar edema and bronchi contain a purulent exudateo atelectiasis chronic infilmatory processes and foci of necrosis and bacterial invasion are abundant. Nematodes are seen in the alveoli and bronchioles. No. 53P585. Skin and External-Rupture No parasitism. Uterus--Uterus Age--two years, female. of cornea; loss of humoral fluids and lens. contained placental membranes. �-62Brain~Laceration over right petrous temple, ear, and eyeo cornea and loss of humoral f'Luf.ds , Postmortem Diagnosis--Trauma Rupture of and metritiso The following report of a blind bighorn sheep is by Douglas L6 Gilbert of the Education Divisiong-: "The state Game and Fish Department bighorn hunting camp was established on September 1, near Pitkin Lake in the Gore hunting areao On the d~ of establishment Ted and Angelo Pappas, in charge of the domestic sheep in that area, pointed out a blind bighorn onthe nearby hillsideo The next d~(September 2) this blind sheep was captured and the trouble diagnosed by Game and Fish personnel, the sheepmen, and a cattleman as common pinkeye (infectuous conjunctivitis)o The sex of the animal was male, and the age was established at two and onehalf years by the annual rings on the horns. Both eyes were filmed over with the heaviest coating being directly over the pupil. The sheep was doctored with Franklin's pinkeye compound, a medicine in yellow powder form, and the sheep was then picketed where water and grass were accessible. The following day (September 3) marked improvement could be seen. The film or coating over the eyes appeared smaller and less irritation was discernible Treatments were then continue~o The same day the sheep broke the picket rope and was still totally blind as it nan headlong into trees and rocks. The animal was again caught and picketed. That evening he became entangled in the picket rope and was found dead about 5:00 P.M. A post-mortem was run with the following results. 10- No external parasites of any kind were foundo 2 The animal was badly bruised from running into obstacles and falling off of cl.Lf'f's , 30- General physical condition was fair as there was still a small amount of fat around the heart and the bone marrow was white and mealy. There was, however, no fat on the mesenteries. 4.- Throat bots were not found. Coyote cysts were found on the mesenterieso 6.- Lungworms were not f'ound, 7.- Liver parasites were not found. 80- Neither tapeworms nor any type of stomach parasites were found in the digestive tracto 90- Specimens were taken from the lungs and liver as per the instructions of Clifford Moser and Doctor Griner. These were preserved in formaldehyde. 100- Specimens of the coyote cysts were preserved. 11 Oneeye (the worst of the two) was pz-sserved, 120- A stomach sample was taken from the rumen and preservedo 0 0- '0- 0- The remains of the carcass, including head, hide, and feet, were buriedo The preserved samples were sent to Denver by Warden Tom Chapman. It is very possible that the pinkeye was contracted from domestic sheep that were in that areaolt �-63Fecal examination--The detection of lungworm disease in the living animal requires special technique. In domesticated animals feces for examination can be obtained directly from the rectumo In dealing with bighorn sheep the procedure for obtaining feces was to keep a particular animal under observation until defecation occurred. The pellets then were collected in a jar as quickly as possible and taken to a laborator,y for examination. Preparation of the speciman for examination was as follows: 1 Place one pellet, slightly mashed, on a microslideo 2.- Using a medicine dropper pl~ce several drops of water on the pellet •• 3.- Place the slide in a warm situation; in a sunny window, ~ext to a microscope substage lamp, etc., until the larvae have migrated into the fluid. Add water if needed" 40- After teh of fifteen minutes remove the fecal ball with forceps and examine the remaining fluid with the microscope. 0- The Baerman Technique is useful for experimental purposes or when only a small quantity of lungworms exist. Use a funnel, equipped with rubber hose and stopcock, and a strainer to hold back the feces. Place the feces in the funnel above the strainer and add water. Allow to stand for one-half hour or longer (a week-end is all right if the water level is kept up). Then drain· off the water from the neck of the funnel, and examine under a microscopeo Sometimes it is necessary to centrifuge it, and examine the sediment. The larva itself is easily recognized by the tail with its minute, spikelike, dorsal indentation. It is usually coiled, and the cuticula shows ver,y fine transverse striations. The lengt~ of the embyro is 300 to 325 microns, and the width is 16 to 20 microns. Mollusca~In connection·with possible control measures of lungworms the following species of snails have been identified by Dr. Tyler A. Woolley of Colorado A & M Collegeo Zonitoides arborea. Range--All of North America. This species and Vitrina alaskana are the most widely distributed snails in this region. Both species are found from the base of the foothills to timberline 0 Discus shimeki cockerelli. Range--Utah, Usually found above 8,000 feet. Discus cronkhitei. and northward. Euconulus Mountains Colorado and New ~xicoo Rang\f--Utah, Montana, Nevada, California, Oregon, fulvus alaskensis. Range--extends southward in the Rocky to southern Arizona. Found chiefly at higher elevationso �-64Vitrina alaskanao Range--at Colorado~ Central California considerable altitudes in New Mexico, Utah, and north to Alaskao Sucinnea Americao avarao Range~North Common under wet logso Puppillidaeo This large family of minute snails which live under decaying leaves~ and other vegetable material~ is of world-wide distributiono This family appears to be quite common on various sheep ranges from 9,000 to 12~000 feeto Oreohelix strigosa. depressao Range--8outhern Idaho to northern Arizona, Colorado and New ~xicoo This is the characteristic snail of Colorado with their bleached shells being found over the dry mountain sides. The type locality for this species is near Durango$ Coloradoo A ·favorite habitat is the edge of limestone talus made up of medium sized rocks, and overhung with busheso Snail species collected. in the Pikes Peak area and identified by ':Cechnician Ro Eo Pillmore are as followso Oreohelix strigosa depressao Considered unsuitable as intermediate host for ~o stilesi--frequently abundant in limestone areas of the foothillso Euconulus fulvus al.askene.Ls , No infection noted in the relatively few individuals of this species exposed--wide spread, foothills to slightly above timberline--no concentrated density note do Retinella spp. few individuals Zonitoides widespread Frequently collectedo associated with Zonitoides arboreuso Apparently refractive from foothills to timberlineo Po arboreus but relatively stilesi larvae--abundant and Vitrina alaskanao Have not been able to keep this species alive in. laboratory. Widespread and frequently abundant in cooler siteso Deroceras laeveo Poor success in keeping this species alive in laboratory. Wide spreaa-up to timberline but never collected in large numbers. Discus cronkhiteio Apparently refractive to Po stilesi larvaeo below about 10,500, frequently collected in large numberso Discus shimeki cockerellio under aspenso As for Do cronkhitei, Widespread but at higher elevations Succinea avarao No infection noted in the relatively exposed -- Frequently abundant but not so widespreado few individuals �-6.5Gastrocopta pellucida Williams Can , hordeacella" Few living speciniens collected Pupilla muscoruroo . Some Pupilla hebes may be included. Artificially infected with P. stilesi Larvae , Collected up to over 12,000 feet elevation from about 9,000, locally very abundanto Pupilla blandi. stilesi larvae. very abundanto Artific~ly infected and naturally infected with~. Collected from 6,000 feet to nearly timberline, locally Vertigo sppo Species most frequently collected is V. concinqula, other species also, widespread and abundant but not collected in large numbers. No infection noted in the few individuals exposed. Columella alticola. Two or three specimens collected. Vallonia Vallonia Vallonia cyclophorellao albula. gracilicosta A larva recovered from one individual of this genus, which will be given more attention for the various species are widespread and locally abundant. C:i:onellalubricao Probably locally abtindanto refractive to P. stilesi. Widespread and ( . Analysis andRecommendations~ Whether anything can be done to prevent these periodic heavy infestations of parasitism among our sheep herds remains to be seen. No system of management yet devised will completely control parasites, and it must be remembered that when dealing with a parasite which requires an intermediate host the gravity of the problem quite often depends as much on fav)rable conditions of the environment -, as on the presence of the parasite itself. Preliminary investigations into climactic condft Lona-of the parasitized areas seem to indicate that temperature and precipitation may play an important part in the intensity of lungworm outbreaks. Experiments with mixtures of phenothiazine and salt should be conducted to see if any means of control might be worked outo Summary~loOf the six dead mountain sheep which were taken to the Veterinary Department of Colorado A &M College, five had died of verminous pneumonia caused by heavy infestations of the hair lungworm Protostrongylus stilesi. Field autopsy by Dr. Olson on four other mountain sheep indicated that heavy lungworm infestations were responsible for the death of animals. 2. A total of .58 dead sheep were found on Pikes Peak, 66 on Kenosha and 34.5 on Tarryallo 30 A lung survey of sheep killed during the first bighorn sheep season in Colorado indicated that 74043 percent of the sheep lungs examined showed evidence of lungworm parasitismo 40 A preliminary account of the life cycle of the lungworm is given. �-66Literature Cited Cowan~ 10 McTaggart 19510 The -diseases and parasites of big game mammals of western Canada Proco 5tho Arnio Game Convention, Province of British Columbia Game Depto ppo 37-640 0 Di.kmans, Go 19310 Two -new lungworms from ruminants of North America with a note on the lungworms of sheep in the United Stateso Proc , Uo So Natd , Mus e 79(18):1-4 Gerichter, Che>·· s, 1948~ Observations on the life history of lung nematodes using snails as intermediate hostso Amero Jouro Veto Reso 9(30)gl09-112 19510 studies on the lung nematodes of the sheep and goats in the Levant , Parisi tology II~184-1880 Hobmaier~ Adele and Hobmaier, Michael 19300 Life history of Protostrongylus (Synthetocaulus) Proc Soc Exp Bti o.l, and Med.. 28 :lSt>:158 0 0 0 refescenso 0 Honess,·Ra.lph 19420 Lungworms of domestic sheep and bighorn sheep in Wyoming. Univo of Wyoo Agro Expo Stao Bullo Noo 255~ 24ppo Marsh, Hadleigh 19380 Pneumonia 214-2190 in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Jour. Mammo 19: Shults, Ro Eo So and Boev, So No 19400 Issledonvania nad tsiklom razvitiia legochnkh gel'mintov podsemeista Synthetocaulinae ovets Kazakhstanao Trudy Kazakho Nauchno-Isslo Veto Insto 3:227-2500 (An investigation on the developmental cycle of lungworms of the subfamily Synthetocaulinae in Kazakhstan sheepo) Reference in Cheatum, Leonard 19480 A contribution to the life history of the deer lungworm Leptostrongylus alpenaeo 83 ppo Doctoral Dissertation University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Micho Prepared by: Clifford Ao Moser Approved by: Laurence Eo Riordan Richard Eo Pillmore Date: January, 1954 --------~~~~~~~-------- Federal Aid Coordinator �-67- State of REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado --~~------------ Proiecf No~ W~41-R-6 Title JOB COMPLETION Work Plan Noo --..;;;;..--I Job NO._...;6=--_ of Job_-=..Tr:..a:.:lp.:.!p.:..:i:.:ng~-=an:::.:::d:.....:.T:..ran:::::s:.!p:.:l:.:an;;:;,:...;tg~h:.:o:....:r ..... n:...-.;.S ..... h..... e~ep!i:..-"""";:""__ Objectives~ 10 The primary goal is to develop and restore the bighorn sheep on sites previously selected as meeting the overall requirements for good development and managemento based 20 The ultimate goal is a huntable on a limited number of ram permi.t a, population of sheep, Techniques used: In early winter the trap or traps to be used are repaired, if necessary, and-baited with salt and ~falfao Contingent upon herd movement and weather conditions any sheep trapped are transported by truck to predetermined planting siteso Findingst Due to the serious outbreak of lungworm parasitism with the resultant die-off, no trapping operations were undertaken during the trapping per-Led, Recommendations: No trapping operations will bejnaugurated during the winter of 1953-54 with the possible exception of the collection of one or two live animals for clinical diagnosis by Colorado A & M Collegeo Summary~ No sheep were trapped Prepared by: Clifford Date during Ao Moser ..... J_a:....:nu ..... a_ry~,~1~9~5~4 the winter Approved _ by~ of 1952-530 Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator Iiillllllij' ~I~'llil~jrlilli~ii~[iil]~~llfijll BDOW023717 �Rigure 1. Figure 2. Mountain sheep foetus found in group of sheep autopsied by Dr. W. Olson. The only ewe from Tarryall found carrying a foetus. ,i Photos by Clifford A. Moser �Figure 1. Enclosure site on Sheep Mountain. Pike's Peak bighorn sheep range. Figure 2. Type of country covered on way to enclosure site. Photos by Clifford A. Moser �-69JOB COMPLETION INVESTIGATIONS State of REPORT PROJECTS Colorado --------------- Project No. Title of Job W-41-R-6 Work Plan No. I Job No. 7 ----~---------------~-----~--~----Comparative Range and Stomach Analysis. Objectives: To determine through field observations and analysis of stomach samples, the food habits of sheep, and the palatability rating of the plants involved. Techniques Used: Stomach analysis--One of the requirements made of each successful applicant for a bighorn sheep permit was that a suitable stomaqh sample be collected from the animal killed by the hunter, and turned over to department supervisors for preservation in a cheesecloth bag. Analysis of these stomach contents will be reported on in a subsequent report. Enclosure--More easily accessible enclosure sites were numerous, but it was decided after surveying potential sites that one site on Pikes Peak was the most desirable from the standpoint that it was utilized both as summer and winter range, and involved a crossing between two preferred areas of use. The first problem encountered was the means of finding a way ,to transport fencing material into the area (Figure 2). The idea of dropping the material from a Cessna 170 was soon proven ineffectualo Fortunately the 35th Quartermaster Pack Company, stationed at Camp Carson, Colorado, was willing to donate one and one-half platoons of men and mules to transport the enclosure material to the site. This trip required six days, round trip, and involved the use of sixty-three pack mules. Photo hubs were established on the one-quarter acre plot, and pictures were taken, but lack of time prevented the establishment of grass and browse transectso Recommendations: If a suitable site can be located on the Georgetown sheep range a second enclosure should be constructed as early as weather conditions permit. I~mllllij'~I~'llil~irlllli~lii~~~~1 ~~illiiijil BDOW023772 �-70Summary: The first of three enclosures was completed on June 18, 1953 on Sheep Mountain on the Pikes Peak sheep range. The small size of the plot, one-quarter of an acre, was necessary due to the16cation of the enclosure site and type of terrair which was necessary to traverse with materials for the enclosure. Prepared by: Clifford A. Moser Date: ~Jan~u~a~ry~,~1~9~5~4~ Approved by: Laurence _ E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-71JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of "'KS~' Vc..pt. ~~ Colorado. PROJECTS QJHr~ P,..). ~t, 1 ~~----Job No. ------- Work Plan Noo II Project Noo W-61-R-4 Title of Job Muskrat Population Trend studyo Objective: To determine the trend of the muskrat population within the state in order to assist in setting the proper trapping season. Techniques Used: Counts of muskrats and muskrat houses at dawn and dark on specific trend areas located in the major muskrat habitats, such as the San Luis Valley and the White River drainageo Findings: Twenty-four of the 28 active muskrat trends were run this past yearo A new trend (Noo35) was established on the Tamarack Ranch, Logan Count Yo Generally, the muskrat population is as high or higher than it was last year. However, in a few areas, notably the San Luis Valley and the Trappers Lake country, the muskrats are down in numbers. In the San Luis Valley the water level is ver,r low, and the muskrats are crowded into small areas with insufficient food supply and not enough water for safety from predatorso The drouth and consequent crowding of muskrats has led to a large-scale migration, and many muskrats are being killed on the highways (and probably by predators) in their 'search for better living conditionso Road-killed muskrats are noticeable in many other parts of the state, for the present drouth conditions are not confined to the San Luis Valley. The Trappers Lake trend (near the head of the White River drainage) showed an amazing drop in the number of muskrats seen. When the area was observed in 19527 23 different muskrats and 31 repeats were seen, giving a total of 54 sightingso This year (1953) the plot was observed one d~ earlier in the fall, and at the same time of d~, but not one muskrat was seen! Weather conditions were the same except for windo In 1953 it was calm, and in 1953 a gusty, 10-20 mph wind was blowingo It is not believed that such a wind would cause all muskrats to remain in their dens until after darke If there are muskrats on the trend area, they did remain in their dens until it was dark, for the observer watched until there was not enough light to distinguish a swimming animalo If there are no muskrats on the area, then they have either moved out for some unknown reason, or have all been killed by predators, epidemic disease, winter-kill, or some unknown factor. Iijilillllij'ijl~'llilijjrli"i[~i~~ij~1 ]~illll'~11 BDOW023728 �Table 1.--Comparison of Muskrat Trend Plot Counts, 1952 and 19530 Plot No. 1 2 County Jackson Garfield Rouff-~--9 fi Routt 5 Routt 6 Moffat ,--Garfield --8 Moffat 12 Montezuma IJ~- La Plata 14 Rio Grande n 15 Saguache 16 Saguache 17 Saguache 22 Park 23-~---~SedgeW:i.ck 24 Morgan 26 Larimer 27 Archuleta w- Las Animas---31 . Huerfano 32--- .Huerfano r-- 19)2-----~--Individuars-Repeats Total 10 2 12 0 0 0 1 10 11 23 34 10 1 11 4 0 4 23-------31 - 5 8 2 0 7 2- ~~ - ~--~------O~ 3 0 9 0 16 14 4 2 15 9 8 4 13 15 0 0 4 0 0 0 Totals 182 114 3 1953 Individuals Repeats Total 10 - 4 ~ 14 . u--J-----~-5 6---1 7 14--17. 31 2 0 2 14 -5 19 0 0 0 11--H)~-m--27 0 0 0 2 1 3 1 0 1 .. . 3 o-~ Li-- -------.- - .------ 54 13 ~-------- --9--------------22- 30 6----------~-- 24. 12 0 4 0 296 ---ro------I5 B 9 0 9 6 rr::: 0 5 ~--1 126 - 0 -(3 -30 0 0 2 11 3~--n ---9 23 36 0 0 1 .6 ~~_m_ -------5 107 233 --,i I\) I �Table2.--Comparison of Countson 14 MuskratTrendPlotsfor 1949-50-51-52-530 * 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 Plot Rats Rep. Total Rats Rep. Total Rats Repo Total Rats Rep. Total Rats Rep. Total 1 4 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 16 1723 24 24 9 IJ 3 18 1 8 1 18 10 125 9 2 12 0 42 0 14 0 13 7 30 0 0 0 14 8 33 16 19 9 28 17 11 12 42 14 20 30 0 22 29 1 2 7 12 2 3 10 9 3 11 6 7 0 12 0 0 5 0 0 0 Sum 227 273 105 37 IS 46 3 12 0 0 1 41 1 2 8 5 18 1 15 3 3 7 0 4 2 4 1 2 5 5 0 5 11 142 60 3 3 22 9 3 ,16 6 3 8 3 8 0 9 3 0 14 14 10 2 11 23 10 1 4 0 23 31 8 5 2 0 7 2 22 0 3 0 9 5 4 0 4 2 15 9 30 90 132 80 3 0 0 1 0 J 0 0 0 23 6 3 0 5 2 7 1 2 5 54 13 2 9 22 3 14 4 6 24 10 4 14 17 2 0 14----5 0 0 11 16 0 0 2 1 1 0 3 0 6 10 8 0 0 0 9 2. 14 31 2 19 0 27 0 3 1 3 16 8 0 11 212 80 135 12 34 11 4 55 I Gl I *Repeats �-74Food and water conditions apparently are the same as in previous years, so there is no obvious reason why the muskrats would move outo There are minkss weasels~ coyotes, and foxes in this trend area, but, from what is known of predator=prey relationshipss it is almost impossible for predators to completely "clean oub" a prey popul.atd.on, Therefore, that possibility has been ruled outo No dead animals were found on the trend, but only a basty examinatio~ was possible in the time availableo The pond is at an elevation of about 9500 feets and winters usually are severeo Last winter was reported to have been deficient in snowfall, and it is quite possible that the pond in question, being Shallow, froze to the bottom before a protective blanket of snow had accumulatedo If that were the case, the muskrats would be unable to reach their food supply (in this pond, underwater vegetation), and would starve to death. Another possibility, especially where muskrats were concentrated as much as on this trend, is that of epidemic disease.. It would have been possible for a killing disease to sRread through the entire population, since they were living in a relatively small area" Whatever the reason for the lack of muskrats on this one trend, the effect was to lower the total trend figures enough to indicate a great reduction in the state-wide population.. When one trend, such as this, has enough influence to give that indication, then it is quite evident that there are not enough trends spread throughout the state to give a good sampleo Jack Grieb, Statistician, has agreed to analyze this job to determine the validity of the sampleo The graph depicting yearly percentage variations will not be drawn until after Mro Grieb has analyzed the datao Table 1 shows a comparison of muskrat trend counts for plots observed during both 1952 and 1953& Table 2 shows a comparison of 14 trend plots run in 1949-50-5l~52 and '530_ Recommendations: The muskrat population is about the same as last yearo From the fur harvest survey it has been determined that there are not enough muskrats being taken, so with the populatio~ holding as it is, the animals should be able to stand a long trapping season. An extension of the present season into the winter months probably would not harm the basic population •• Summary: Twenty-four of the 28 active trend plots were run this past year" Generally, the muskrat population is about the same as shown by the trends last yearo In two areas the population is down substantially--in one case because of unusually dry conditions, and in the other case probably because of winter-kill. Prepared by~ Jack Do Remington Date January, 1954 Approved by Laurence Eo Rio~dan Federal Aid CJordinator �-75~ JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of Project Noo Colorado W-61-R-4 Title of Job6 PROJECTS Dft.pt Go..\~ .--Hr"'. Q"'....,.t~ ftoj"f4.pt, Work Plan Noo "'f~ .I'1.r'l 2 Job No. 2 --~---------~---- ~M~u~s~k~ra~t~T~r~a~p~p~i~n~g~.S~e~a~s~0~n~S_t_u~qy~o _ Objectives: To determine whether a fall or spring open season is best on Colorado muskratso Procedure~ Steel-trapping in fall and spring on selected stuqy areas. Collection and comparison of data on primeness, value, size, age, sex, number of embryos, and conditioll of muskratso Findings~ During the month of October, 1952, two small study areas were established in northern Coloradoo Each p19t was located on property owned by the Game and Fish Department, one of them along the South Platte River at Tamarack Ranch near Crook, Colorado. The elevation of this area is about 4,000 feeto Part of this low stuqy area is shown in Figure 10 The other plot is on the old Zimmerman Place near the Cache la Poudre River Trout Rearing Pounds at about 7,500 feet in elevation (Figure 2). Each area was divided into two plots as equally as possible considering the muskrat population. One of these plots on the high study area (Cache la Poudre River) was steel-trapped during the fall season (October l5-November 30 above 7,000 feet). The low area plot (South Platte River) was trapped during the season assigned for elevations below 7,000 feet (November l5-December 31). During the spring, the remaining plots were trapped--the low area during the period March l5-April 15, and the high area duning the period April l5-May 15. The trapping, skinning, and fleshing operations were done (as nearly as was possible) as an ordinary trapper would do them. The traps used were #1 Victor "Stop-losst! type. The typical sets were drowning sets made in bank den entrances and on feed-beds. The pelts were "casedlt, and dried fur-side in on wire drying frames. Mro Jo E. Isenhart, of the Isenhart Fur Company, 1552 Blake sto, Denver, was kind enough to bid on each pelt as if he was actually buying them from a trapper. A record of the following data was kept for each animal caught: number, date, place, sex, weight, age, condition, primeness, damage, and number of embryos (spring-caught females only). For each trapline run, the following data were collected~ date, number of traps set, time on trapline, time skinning, estimated high and low temperatures, estimated ice cover, cloud cover, and precipitation. All the data so gathered is presented in Tables 1,2,3,4,5,6,&70 �-76A total of 67 muskrats was caught during this first year of the study A typical mistake was made in over-estimating the muskrat population, and therefore limiting the study to too small an area. It is believed that the sample still is of adequate size to be valuable. Twenty muskrats were trapped from the high area and forty-seven from the low area. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate part of the catch from each areao The rocky, mountain-streams offer poor muskrat habitat, and populations are relatively low in the high countryo This was the case on the Poudre River study area, 0 Thirty-two of the muskrats were females and thirty-five males. The smallest (a female) weighed ~8t ounces, and the heaviest was a 39t ounce female. Twelve of the 35 fall muskrats were mature, as determined by the pattern-of-primeness methodo Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an immature and a mature pel to All of the spring-caught animals were adjudged mature. Condition of the animals was based on the amount of fat present and the general appearance. Three categories were used: good, fair, andpooro Tre fall-caught muskrats were in much better condition than those that were caught in the spring. They were grouped as follows: fall muskrats, 26 good, 9 fair, 0 poor--spring muskrats, 5 good, 27 fair, Opooro Primeness was estimated as the amount of pelt-surface (to the nearest 5%) that had reached the Li.ght-sco.Lor-ed, prime condition. Fall pelts from bo.bh elevational areas ranged in primeness from 30-80%, with a high area average of 55%, and a low area average of 51%. Almost all of the spring pelts were completely prime. The low area range was 90-100% (Ave.99%), and the high area range was 85-100% (Ave. 98%)0 Damages resulting from the skinning operatio~ and from fighting were recorded. The former were unimportant in this stud~. However, the pelts that were damaged because of fighting brought down the average value, especially for the spring skins. The spring-caught females were examined for signs of breeding, and the embryos were counted when they were visible to the naked eyeo The first female to be found in breeding condition was caught on March 19, 1953, on the low area. The first embryos (1, about one-half developed) were discovered on March 31, 1953. One-third of the spring-caught females had embryos visible to the naked eyeo Undoubtedly, others were pregnant but the' small embryos went unnoticedo Under a column titled "Remarks", such items as the following were recorded~ collection of reproductive tracts, unusual appearances (missing feet, warbles, etc.) of muskrats, and other animals caught in the trapso �Figure lo--Part of the South Platte River Muskrat Study Area, Dec.,1953. Correction Figure 1. below Figure 2. above of Figure 2.--Part the Cache la Po~dre River Muskrat study Area, Octo,1952. �Figure 3.--Part of the catch from the Poudre River study area, fall, 19520 Figure 4.--Part of the catch from the Platte River study area, fall, 1952. �Figure 5o--Pelt of immature muskrat Platte River study area, fall, 1952. ·Figure 6.-Pelt of maturemuskrat., Platte River study area, fall, 1952. �-17Analysis: This study has been conducted for only one year. However, certain findings are conclusive enough to be reported on at this time. There is a scarcity of food plants, and especially the high quality muskrat food species (cattail, bur~reed, etc.) in both of the areas selected for this study. This condition is typical of the majority of the muskrat habitat in northeastern Colorado. The primary cause of the muskrat food shortage in the low area (Tamarack Ranch) is the direct competition for food by heavy concentrations of ducks. In the high area the shortage of available rood can be attributed to the rocky character of the streambed and pond bottoms. There is not enough soil present for rank growth of aquatic plants. The high ratio of immature animals in the catch indicates a high winter mortality, for neither area has been trapped for at least three years. This study indicated that the winter-loss is high in the muskrat range that extends into the high mountains. On the Cache la Poudre River area, sixteen muskrats were caught in the fall. During the spring season, on an area that was equal to the fall-trapped area (according to estimated muskrat population), only four muskrats were taken. Tracks t1 slidesf', and other signs indicated that the population was very low following the winter season. Another point brought out by this study is that a split season, based on differences in elevation, is justified in Colorado. The pelts taken at 7,500 feet starting October 15th, were more prime than the pelts taken at 4,000 feet. The average primeness for the high area pelts was 55%, and that for the low area pelts, 51%. The pelts taken at 7,500 feet were as ready for harvest by October 15th as the pelts that were trapped after November 15th at 4,000 feeto The split season that was in effect during the 1952-53 season (October 15-November 30 above 7,000 feet and November 15-December 31 below 7,000 feet) appears to be well correlated with the degree of primeness for muskrats in northeastern Colorado. (Refer to figures3,4pS, and £0) A factor that probably is more important than generally recognized is the catch of migratory waterfowl in muskrat br-aps , Many are killed, and many more are badly crippled in steel traps each yearo Even in this limited study, three ducks were caught during the fall trapping, and six during the spring trappingo These results indic4te that the spring muskrat season is the most detrimental to migratory waterfowl. Other animals caught in the traps were~ fall season, one raccoon and one beaver; spring season, two raccoons and one turtle. Late spring seasons can be harmful to the breeding population of muskrats, as was brought out by the number of trapped females bearing visible young. More than one-third of the spring-caught females were visibly pregnant. Spring seasons for northeastern Colorado that extend beyond March 31st in the low elevations, and beyond April 30th in the high elevations can be harmful to the breeding stock. �No e Date Place Poudre' l----rolI, 2 ___ TCJ.ble 1_0 Muskrat Cat ch , Fall, 19520 Se£-Wt'll'~~Age* Cond s " - Prime* Damage* M 19f I F 50% 10/15 « M 10/16 « M 4 10/16 It M 5 10/16 « F 6 10/16 « M 7 10/16 « F B 10/17 " F 9 10/17 it M 10 10/17 It F 11 10/18 « M 12 10/19 It M 13 10/19 •• M 14 10/19 " F 15 10/23 -It F 16 10/23 " F 17 11/~2 Tamari3.ck F 18 11/19--« F 19---11719 It F 20 11/19 fI F 21-- -11119 It F ~2 11/20 " M 23 11/20 it M 24- -11121 it M 25 11121--It F 29_~~~_-11721 it M 27----II72r tt M 28 .. 11/21 « M 29 .. 12110~-' It F .JQ . :J.-2~Q__ It F J1- ---12710 It M 32 12/1:J.-------tt----"]' 33 12/11 It M 34 . 12/12--_.It .. M »12/12 « F 3. n U 19 32 22t 23241 35. 20~ 331 35 24 24 22i 22 32j 18 24~ 37~ 31 31 36 25 36 31 27 26 27 39 26 26_ 30f 24~ 30 27_ 282 I F M G I F I I G F M I F G M G M G I I F G I G I G M I G F I M G G 30%"« 70% 60% 60% 40% 80% 60% 50% 50% 60% 60% 60% 60% 50% 40% 50% 80% 80-% 80% 70% 60% 70% 30% MG. M G M G I F M G I I G G I G I M I I G G I G I M I I #WT.-oz. Age-Immature & Mature Condo- P-poor, G F-fair, = 50% 50% 40% 40% 40% 30% 30% 40% 50% 50% G-good Remarks afternoon It 1 sm. cut scars- old scars It it sm, cut 10 dorsa-l sm , cut center ventral 1 raccoon~ 1 beaver 2 mallards ~ en I smo cut near fro leg 'tiO% G G F G G Embryos caught early 1 mallard sm. cut lower r ••side ' Prime-est. to 5%. �Table 23 Muskrat Catch~ Spring9 1953 NQ....Date ~ 3/18 37···· 3]18 J8~ Place Tamarack •• j9 375:8- - •• 3 8 40 3/19 " 41 3/19 " tf-- " sex, Wto* M M F 29~ 25~ Age* M M Condo* G F F Prime* Damag~Embrvos 100% it --MM F •• M F 32 29 29} 27i M M F F •• •• F 23~ M F " M •• Remarks 1 gadwall 1 mallard none visible coi!t::cted one testicle old scars-in breeding condo collo ovaries-infected 1. hind leg new cuts none visible " ~ '\0 I �Table 3.--Trap1ineData, Fa11~ 1952~ Cache 1a Poudre River Study Area Date Time skinning No. sets Est. temp. Est. ice Est. cloud Est. Table 4o--Trap1ineData, Fal13 19523 South Platte River Study Area. Date No. sets 11/18/52 50 Time on Time Est. line skinning temp. (hours) (hours) low-hi 0 4r Est. ice cover trace Est. cloud cover 50% Esto precipo about·~ of 14" snow left from I co o I 11/17 11719/52 49 3t ... ·-Z 11'20752 11/21/52 37 0 4z 1 If If IIT25/.52 11/26/52· 12/9/SZ 12/10/52 12/11/52 12/12/52 10 0 31 31 39 0 2 1 .5 2¥ 3 I; 0 0 0 1 1 ~ 23--- II 25% •• clear""" thick enough 100% to walk on. It' clear""'" " " 10-30" 50%" 10-30 II clear""" 20-40" " 20-40" 100%!" so:ne' snow left "Ii " """ "" "" ,_ •• new snow �Table 5--TraplineData, Spring, 1953, South Platte River Study Area. No 0 sets Date Time on Time Esto line skinning Temp. (hours) (hours) Low-hi 0- 25 3 0_ 3 1~ 25-/.",..... ~ 130- 60 2 1 30--2 0 35- 50 2 Est ice cover 0 Est. precipe 75% clear ? ;a 50% clear 100% wlndy 0 3/17/53 3/18/53 25 32 3/19/53 j~ 3/20/53 3/30/53 0 11 3/31/53 21 2 1 35- 60 4/1/53 4/2/53 23 13 3 1 2_ 2! 40- 65 clear 3~·--~-----=75=r.;%"------"""h"""· 4/'3/53 4710 53 4/11(53 0 1'('. 0 1 3 1 i 35- $0 30- 40 25- 35 7 0 1 ?n .. Est cloud cover ----- t."!"::! f'p none 50% trace 100~ !ttin places 100% tt warm rain showerswindy rain showerscleared g-;"h-:-t-s-n-o-w-' --snowing-Windy snoWing-Windy Table 6. TraplineData, Spring, 1953, Cache la Poudre River Study Area. No. sets Time on Time Esto Est. ice Est. cloud Est. Date line skinning tempo cover cover precipo (hours } (hours) Low-hi 5/6/53 18 3 0 30- 50 i" in places 50% . some snow left ~~~~~S36 ·5/9/53 0 5114/53 5 5/15/53 0 ~ f 1 2 1 i 0 0 none 30- §o 30- 65 " If ti I co r-' I �Table 70~-MuskratTraplineSummary, 1952-1953. Poudre-Fall Trap-nights Hours on trapline HoUrs skinning Muskrats cauglit Trap-nights/muskrat Females in catch Visibly pregnant females Avoembr os/female Matux;emuskrats Avo weight (ounces) Condition 275 35 77 16 16 7 0 0 25.5 9 good 7 fair )0;";50%U ... 55%' Platte-Fall 247 29 19 13 10 Platte-6pring 177 23 ----I2 11 28 6 13 4 (31%) 7~ 13 females Poudre-Spring 82 . u 2 4 21 2 1 (50%) 8 (2 females. 28.~ 0 good 4 fair 85-100% 98% 1 duck 30;..80% 90-100% 51% 99% Jducks .5 ducks 1 raccoon 2 raccons 1 beaver 1 turtle Grades and prices Igeo- - - - -lpLIO (4) - - - - - $1025 . (3) - - - - $1.00 offered (Jo Eo med. - -.- 075 (1) - - - - .80 (8) - - - .60 Isenhart Coo sm. - - - _. .35 (8) - - - - .40 (6) - - - .35 Denver kits - - - - .20 (3) - - - - .20 (2) - - - damaged- -.- - - - - - - - - Av. price offered $0053 $0~68 $0.46 Total income 8~55 12~95 13.00 Income/hourof effort $0.20 $0.36 $0.38 Range and average in .estimatedprimeness otner animals caught I 0:> I\) I (1) - - - (12) - - -$0•. 60(4) (12) - - (3) - - - $0.60 $2.40 $0.17 �Although the spring-caught pelts were almost completely prime, they brought a lower average price. Lower demand for muskrat pelts at that time of year by the fur industry results in a lower market value. In addition to the lower demand, the spring pelts show more damage, and are cut down in value becaus,e of it. In this study, 35 fall pelts averaged 61¢, while 32 spring pelts averaged 48¢. Income per hour of effort for the entire period of this study was figured to be 30¢. It is readily apparent that the modern trapper is not going to get rich quickl However, the recreational value of trapping was not brought out in this study, and is an important consideration. The results of this investigation indicate that the spring muskrat season should be discontinued, and the opening dates for trapping in northeastern Colorado should be October 15th above 7,000 feet, and November 15th below 7,000 feet. The following reasons are given. l-Spring seasons reduce the breeding population. 2-Spring-caught pelts bring lower prices due to damage and less demand on the market. 3-Muskrat populations are reduced by winter-loss, and should be harvested before that loss takes placeo 4-Many ducks are caught during spring muskrat seasons. 5-The pelts taken above 7,000 feet elevation are as ready for harvest by October 15th as those taken below 7,000 feet on November 15th. Summary: Two small muskrat study areas were steel-trapped in northern Colorado during fall, 1952 and spring, 19530 Fall-caught muskrats (35) were compared to spring-caught ones (32) as to sex ratio, weight, age, condition, percent of primeness, damage, number of visible embryos, and value. Results of the study suggest the following recommendations: (a) that the spring muskrat trapping season be discontinued, and (b) that the opening dates for northeastern Colorado be October 15th above 7,000 feet elevation and November 15th below 7,000 feet elevation. Prepared by~ Jack D. Remington Date: Approved January, 1954 ------~~~~~~~------ by: Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-85- State of JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVES~IGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado Project No. W-61-R-4 Work Plan No. ~I~I~ Title of Job. B~e~a~v~e~r~~~il~dl==if~e~R~e~l~a~t~i~o~n~s~h~ip~s __ ~J~o~b __N~o~.~5~c_ Mapping of study Areas Objectives; To map, and determine acreages for all types, in both beaveroccupied and check (unoccupied) watersheds. Scoper William's Fork River Drainage, Grand County. Techniques: Surveys, using chain, compass an& abney level; scale mapping based upon these surveys and upon aerial pho~ographs; computation of acreages by use of planimeter. Findings: A base map of tbe William's Fork b~aver ecology study area was completed during the summer of 1952'. As reported in the Colorado Quarterly Report, January, 1953, p033, vegetative type mapping was to be completed during the winter months, whell ice on t he beaver ponds would allow the entire area to be traversed. This mapping was completed in March, 1953, and subsequently, the acreages of the various types were computed. Table 1 lists these acreages for both the beaver-occupied watershed and the check (unoccupied) watershed. Table l--Acreages of vegetative types on valley bottoms, William's beaver ecology studY areao Types Hay meadow LP~-S W-S LP ES-AF-LP Stream Rxo Beaver Ponds S-G ASp-LP-S-G Key to symbols: Fork Watershed Check Beaver-Occupied (South Fork) (North Fork) 15303 127.9 37004 329.5 120.7 17409 540.1 24.4 13.2 13.8 7.5 42.0 907 45.7 803 309 LP-Lodgepole pine; W~illow; S-Sedge; ES-Englemann Spruce; AF-Alpine fir; Rxo-Rocks,sand and gravel; G-Grass; Asp-Aspen. . Prepared by: William Date: ~J~an~u~a~r~y~,~1~9~54~' _ Ho Rutherford ,'" Approved I~flmllij'ijl~'ijil~jrlilli~~i~[~~1 ]~~III'~II BDOW023727 by: Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �R77 UPPER W R7SW FOR K WILLIAM GRAND TOWNSHIPS 3&4 COUN Y, SOUTH, RANGES RIVE R COLORADO 768-77 WEST, 6 P.M. SCALI 1953 OCTOBER, LOCATION eNOT IN TO COLORADO SCALE) o l' +- T LEGEND VALLEY FLOOD PLAIN VEGETATIVE TYPE STREAM OR ACTIVE BOUNDARY AF WATERCOURSE BEAVER ABANDONED o V E GETATI BOUNDARY c;:;r-- POND BEAVER POND .,. RIDGE AL LP- LODGEPOLE ASP- ASPEN W-WIL PINE OW I-SEGE -;0 ROAD 7'- G- HORSE GRASS TRAIL -1-- BRIDGE BARBED IN - _ WIRE FENCE E OBSERVATION STATION AND ELEVATION R 77 W R 76 W , �-87- state of Project JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado Noo -W-61-R-4 'Work Plan No o_::.I::.I Title of Job. -=B;.::e..:;;a;.;.:v.;;.er:;...-W...:..:..:il::;:;;..:dl;;;:;;.;;:i;;::f o::.n_s::.hi_·..a;p_s __ J_ob_N_o_o.;......,:;5_D_ Determination of Wildlife Species Presento Objectives~ To determine, in quantitativ~ terms, by species, all wildlife and livestock resident on, and using, various types on both beaveroccupied and check watershedso Scope~ William's Fork River Drainage, Grand Count Yo Techniques: Fifteen-minute observations, mornings and evenings, on sample plotso Mapping of these plots by vegetative type to determine sample area size. Findings: Observation plots were established at close to ! mile intervals on both watershedso The major criterion for Locatd.on wa,s not at exact intervals, but rather at the sita which commanded the best viewo A total of 26 plots on the beaver-occupied stream and 22 plots on the check stream was establishedo The form used in recording animals seen on these observation plots was reproduced in Colorado Quarterly Report,January, 1953, p , 390 Tables 1,2 and 3 show the difference in numbers of animals seen on beaveroccupied plots and on check plotso Tables 4 and 5 show the acreages of various vegetative types and total plot acreages on beaver-occupied plots and on check plotso In order to compare the number of animals observed on beaver-influenced plots with those observed on non-influenced plots, it is necessary to consider the plots on the basis of area. All observations were converted to number of animals seen per unit area(one acre, in this case). Tables 6 and 7 present these converted datao Only beavers, muskrats, ducks, deer, squirrels, and songbirds are listed, as these are the only animals observed in sufficient numbers and on sufficient plots to yield data which are reliableo These data were then statistically analyzed, using Student's Generalized HYPothesis and test (t test), to determine whether a significant difference exists between the number of animals observed per acre on beaver-occupied plots and on non-occupied plotso The results are presented in Table 80 Muskrats and ducks are not listed because, since none were observed on non-occupied plots an analysis was unnecessary. It can be stated without question that ' populations of these animals center around areas of beaver influenceo �-88Beavers ar~ not listed, again because no analysis-was observed away from their ponds. needed. None were No significant difference in songbird populations canbe determined, probably because of the wide variation in numbers per observation. A significant difference in squirrel populations exists; that is, squirrels are more numerous on non-occupied plots. This is tobs expected, since these animqls are inhabitants of coniferous forest types, and since beaver occupancy generally results in death to coniferous stands. Although an analysis was made, the data on numbers of deer observed are too few to warrant such treatment. Significance was approached, and since the averages for beaver-influenced plots were considerably larger than for non-influenced plots, a possible population difference is indicated. One herd of elk, containing 3 bulls, 14 cows and 10 calves, summered on the check watershed.. The cows and calves were observed once on an observation plot, and 1 bull was observed once on another plot. A few elk tracks were seen on the beaver-occupied watershed, but no animals were observed, It is believed that not more than 6 elk were present here, and that these were transient in nature. Two cattle-grazing permits on National Forest lands, one on each of the two watersheds studied, are offered annUal~~ During the summer of 1953, the permittee on the chec~ watershed chose not to graze cattle on this range, but instead, grazed them on private property situated within the study area on the beaver-occupied watershed. Consequently, the check watershed sustained no livestock during 1953. From July 1 to September 20, 18 cows, 2 steers and 1 bull ranged on National Forest lands on the beaver-occupied watershed, and 21 cows, 11 calves, 10 steers and 2 bulls ranged on private property on the same watershed. �Table l--Animals Plot Noo and Location seen on Beaver-Influenced Number of Observations Observation Animal s Seen AM PM AM PM Fork Fork Fork Fork 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5-North Fork 5 5 6-North Fork 6 6 7-North Fork 9-North Fork 5 5 5 2 beavers,l mallard, 1 muskrat, 22 songbirds 15 songbirds, 2 squirre~s 30 songbirds,3 squirrels II-North Fork 5 5 16 songbirds 12-North Fork 14-North Fork 5 5 5 5 3 songbirds,2 squirrels 15-North Fork 5 5 24-North 2- South 6- South 7- South 8- South 5 5 5 5 I-North 2-North 3-North 4-North 5 Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork 5 5 9- South Fork :s :5 12-South Fork 16-South Fork 5 5 19-5outh Fork 5 5 5 Plotso 5 5 5 5 5 9 songbirds 7 songbirds 10 songbirds 8 mallards9 1 deer, 26 songbirds9 .5 squirrels 9 songbirds 9 songbirds~2 squirrels 1 marmot 7 songbirds, 2 squirrels 14 songbirds 1 songbird 2 songbirds,2 squirrels 12 songbirds 1 deer,2 squirrels, 1 hawk 4 deer, 2 songbirds, 2 squirrels 9 songbirds, 2 squirrels 1 deer~ 1 hawk,13 songbirds 10 songbirds,2 squirrels Average number of animals seen IE r 15-minute 2 songbirds 1 beaver, 1 songbird 7 songbirds 4 mallards 9 4 songbirds, 1 squirrel 1 m&llard, 13 songbirds 8 beavers, 7 mallards, 14 muskrats, 27 songbirds 2 deer, 9 songbirds 1 beaver,lmuskrat, 5 squirrels,2 songbirds, 1 weasel 4 beavers,l muskrat, 6 songbirds 1 songbird,l squirrel 1 beaver, 13 songbirds 1 songbird, 2 squirrels, 2 porcupines,l weasel 5 songbirds 3 deer,l songbird 2 songbirds 1 beaver9 3 songbirds 1 deer, 3 songbirds 4 deer, 1 grouse, 3 songbirds 1 songbird, 1 squirrel 5 songbirds 3 beavers, 16 songbirds observation: AM 0002 beavers 0001 muskrats 0008 ducks 0.,25 squirrels 2,,13 songbirds 0002 hawks PM 0000 weasels 0007 deer 0000 elk 0001 marmots 0000 porcupines 0 00 grouse 0 0018 beavers 0015 muskrats 0011 ducks 0009 squirrels 1,,18 songbirds 0000 hawks 0.02 weasels 0009 deer 0000 elk 0000 marmots 0002 porcupines 0001 grouse �-90labl~ 2--Animals Plot Noo and Location 8-North Fork 10-Nork Fork l3-North Fork l6-North 17-North 18-North 19-North 20-North 2l-North 22-North 23-North Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork 25-North Fork 26-North Fork 1- Soubh Fork 3~ South Fork 4- South Fork 5- South Fork 10~South Fork ll-South Fork 13~outh 14~South I5-South 17~outh 18-South 20-South 2l-Bouth 22~South Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork seen on Non-influenced Number of Observations observation plotso Animals Seen AM PM AM 5 5 1 songbird 9 songbirds~ 4 squirr~ls 1 songbd.rd, 1 squirrel, 1 porcupine 1 songbird,\llsquirrel 5 songbirds,\l2 squirrels 4 songbirds~ I squirrel 6 songbirds 3 songbirds 8 songbirds 2 songbirds 3 deer$ 2 songbirds 5 5 5 5 55 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 55 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 PM 1 deer,\llsquirrel 1 songbird, 2 squirrels 4 songbirds, 1 squirrel 1 squirrel 1 songbird, 2 squirrels 1 songbird 2 songbirds 23 songbirds 11 songbirds, 1 squirrel 3 songbirds 2 deer, 5 songbirds, 1 squirrel 7 songbirds 4 songbirds 2 squirrels 1 songbird,\l1 squirrel 2 deer,l songbird, 1 hawk 1 songbird, 1 squirrel 1 songbird, 1 squirrel 4 songbirds,\llporcupine I deer, 10 songbirds 1 songbird 2 songbirds,2 squirrels 8 songbirds, I squirrel None 4 songbirds, '1 squirrel 4 songbirds, 2 squirrels 3 songbirds,l grouse, 1 weasel 2 songbirds, 1 squirrel 2 songbirds 8 songbirds, 2 squirrels 1 elk,\l9 songbirds 6 songbirds 13 songbirds,\ll squirrel 13 s~ngbirds 13 songbirds 3 songbirds 1 songbirds, 3 squirrels 3 songbirds, 3 squirrels 6 songbirds 6 songbirds,2 squirrels 24 elk, 8 songbirds 11 songbirds 7 songbirdso Average number of animals seen per 15-minute AM 0 •• 00 beavers 0 00 muskrats 0 00 ducks 0014 squirrels 1004 songbirds 0000 hawks 0001 weasels 0003 deer 0.01 elk 0000 marmots 0001 porcupines 0:.01 grouse 0 0 Table 3~Average Number of Animals Beaver-Occupied observation: PM Plots 0000 beavers 0.,00 muskrats 0000 ducks 0016 squirrels 0085 songbirds 0001 hawks seen per 15 minute observation 0000 weasels 0.,04 deer 0018 elk 0000 marmots 0001 porcupines 0000 grouse by plot type. Non-Occupi~d Plots �-91Table 4--TYPe Acreages on Beaver-influenced p1otso Types Plot ES-AF-LP 1-NF 2~NF 3-NF 4-NF 5-NF 6-NF 1-NF 9-NF 11-NF 12-NF 14-NF 15-NF 24-NF 2- SF 6-SF 1-SF 8-SF 9-SF 12-SF 16-SF 19-5F 0022 LP 0.03 0005 0~76 0046 0032 0010 0008 0009 0036 0015 0020 1084 ~-S Water stream Ponds 0014 1003 0024 0024 0031 9000 0065 1042 3084 0048 0041 0.12 2090 1013 0.45 0006 L01 1033 0051 0062 3.26 16000 9013 0041 0011 2000 0011 0001 1002 0009 0030 0093 '0003 0019 0.013 00;1 0001 0003 0006 0001 0026 0053 0028 0008 0004 0033 0011 0050 1.10 0010 2034 ASP-LP-S-G S-G RX Total 0.85 1052 0048 0016 0042 11000 1001 0018 0.06 3001 6081 0025 2010 1042 3012 1041 0.08 0.40 0099 0020 0004 .0013 0'1'10 1086 2016 0030 0.21 1015 0.13 1.01 0033 4009 16.60 13041 0.01 0002 0.09 0048 0019 Key to symbols: ES-Englemann spruce; AF-Aline fir; LP-Lodgepo1e pine; W-4Vil1ow; S-Sedge; Asp-Aspen; G-Grass; Rx.-Rocks, sand and gravel. �-92Table 5--Type acreages on Non-influenced plots. T Plot ES-AF-LP 8-NF 0.06 0009 0012 0006 0015 0005 0006 10~NF 13-NF 16-NF 17-NF 18-NF 19-NF 20-NF' 2l-NF 22-NF 23-NF 25-N'F 26-NF I-SF. 3-SF 4-S1' 5-SF 10-SF II-SF 13-SF 14-SF IS-SF 17-SF 18-SF 20-SF 2l-SF 22-SF 0006 0030 1023 LP W-S 0.20 0010 1060 0.87 2.18 0011 0020 0 •• 14 0.19 0023 0025 0.11 1015 0018 0028 0.34 0022: 0.14 0.05 0035 0.27 0.79 0095 0029 3.66 0.50 Water stream Ponds 0.06 0.09 0.12 0004 0004 O.Ol 0001 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.11 0008 0004 0.05 0.05 0.10 0.14 0.28 0.07 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.11 0005 0003 0.17 0006 es Asp-LP-S-G &-G 0.24 0.28 0.09 Rx. Total 0.04 0.20 0.07 0.08 0.06 0.03 0.02 0001 0.02 0005 0.16 0.62: 0.31 0018 0025 0.09 0.09 0053 0.33 1073 1053 3049 1.20 0.34 0 •• 33 0.33 0060 1 •• 92 0.61. 0.33 0.43 0 •• 56 1009 1.08 0038 3.94 1087 0.25 1.05 0.29 0 •• 09 0003 0.04 0.23 0.24 0.07 0.01 0.04 0.03 0.05 0.03 0.11 1.02 Key to symbols: ES-Engelmann spruce; AF-Alpine fir; LP-Lodgepole pine; W-Willow; S-Sedge; Asp-Aspen; G-Grass; Rxo-Rocks, sand and grave10 �Table 6o--Animals observed per acre on Beaver-Influenced plots. Plot AM Beavers PM Total AM Muskrats Total PM I-NF 0066 0066 2-NF 3-NF 4-NF 5-NF 6-NF 0018 0.73 0091 0009 1.27 1036 7-NF 0033 0033 --- 0033 0033 9-NF 0.15 0.15 0058 0058 Il-NF 12-NF 0.27 0.27 14-NF 15-NF 24-NF 2-5F 6-SF 0046 0046 7-SF 8-SF 9-,SF 12-5F 16-SF 0.22 0022. 19-5F AM Ducks Total PM Deer AM PM Total AM Squirrels Son~birds PM To;tal PM Total AM --- --- ----- --- --- --- Totals 0018 3025 3.43 0.09 1.75 1.84 110BU 5027 17011 1031 ---- 1031 6•• 59 1032 7091 2038 ·2038 0.09 0063 0.72 1098 1098 1.98 --- 1098 0.98 1.63 2061 --- --- 0.74 0037 loll 0054 0.27 0081 1042 1042 1.42 2084 1.42 ---- -- 15000 15.00 --- 1.08 1074 --- 1.74 --1087 0.93 2.80 1.08 0.87 0.87 L74 3.74 3.74 7.48 0006 --- 7065 1070 4061 0066 20083 14059 34020 5027 21042 30094 2000 2.45 14.85 8091 9078 0066 2034 0.88 loll 0037 2.43 3.53 4.97 0071 14.14 5005 5.00 5.00 1.08 1.08 5055 1.39 2061 1.86 2.79 2.19 0.24 0.78 0.30 0074 1019 0049 0.24 0.73 0006 0015 --- 0.15 9035 5.37 35042 39047 52036 4.45 23076 1004& 3022 1048 5096 5068 19.19 10.00 2016 I 6094 ~ 2061 I 4.65 2043 1.08 1092 11.93 8028 20.21 7.40 21.59 28.99 17058 6018 23.76 157~53 90.32 247.85 �Table 7--Animals observed per acre on non-influenced plots. Plot 8-NF 10-NF 13-NF 16-NF 17-NF 18-NF 19-NF 20-NF 21-NF 22-NF 23-NF 25-NF 26-NF l-SF 3-SF 4-SF 5-SF 10-SF 11-SF 13-SF 14-SF 15-6F 17-5F 18-SF 20-SF 21-SF 22-5F Totals IM~--- --- 1.96 0.29 ---- Squirrels Deer PM 6.25 Total 6.25 PM ---- 6.25 3.22 3.23 5.56 8.00 ---- 6025 9.68 6046 11012 16.00 11.11 --- 3.00 3.00 -~ 0;;65 0.65:_ 5.88 3.00 5.88 3.00 11.76 6.00 1067 1004 1.67 0.52 3.34 1056 ---- --- 3.58 6.99 5.36 3.00 6.99 8.94 ---- 1.86 2.63 ---- 1.86 2.63 55.16 55.19 110.35 6046 3.23 5056 8.00 11.11 1.31 -- 6.00 3.27 0.29 6.00 3.00 2.25 7.31 Total AM 9.56 AM 6~25 14.51 3.23 5.56 20~00 44.44 66~66 5.67 24.00 1.16 1~30 2.87 0~83 5.88 24.00 Songbards. ~ Total PM ---- 1.61 12.91 4.00 11.11 22.22 43.39 33.00 1.73 3.27 2.01 3.34 ---- 6.25 16.12 16.14 5.56 24.00 55.55 88.88 49.06 57.00 2.89 4.57 4.88 4.17 5.88 27.00 3.00 8.34 2.60 11.48 15.00 6.98 19.66 7.76 11.12 55.26 6.08 10.67 6.67 2.08 4.92 6.00 4.65 14.30 2.26 5.56 34.21 3.29 6.94 3.00 3.00 1.67 0.52 6.56 9.00 2.33 5.36 5.50 5.56 21.05 2.79 3.73 317.24 208.66 525.90 ---- I ~ I �-9$Table 8--Results of statistical analyses of Wildlife observations, Beaver-occupied plots vs .•Non-occupied plotso x Occupied Plots l/.. Non-Occupied X t to05 Remarks 11.750 0.076 1.645 40250 7.728 00141 10645 AM 0.,790 20043 1.753 10645 Squirrels PM 0 ••296 20,044 3.004 10645 Deer AM 00415 00083 1.392 10645 Not significant. Not significant. Significanto Significanto See Deer PM 10028 0.502 00722 10645 S;eecies Time Songbirds AM 70287 Songbirds PM Squirrels lJ y Rlots 1/ y See y In ail cases, 3t is the average total number of animals observed per acre, per pl.ot , Data too few to provide a reliable analysiso Indication of significance exists. Summary: 1.. This study was conducted by making systematic time interval observations on sample plots, and by mapping the plots to determine sample area size. 2,. Observation data were converted to number of animals seen pe r acre on sample plots.. These converted data were then statistically analyzedo 30 The popultion density of beavers, muskrats cantly larger on beaver-influenced areas .• and ducks is signifi- 40 The population density of squirrels is significantly larger on noninfluenced areas. 50 No significant difference could be determined for songbird populations. 60 Data on deer observations were too few to provide a reliable sample, although a population difference in favor of beaver-influenced areas is indicated. 70 A herd of 27 elk summered on the check watershed. A maximum of 6 elk is believed to have been present on the beaver-occupied watershed. 80 In 1953, no cattle were placed on the check watershed, cows, 12 steers, 11 calves and 3 bulls ranged on the beaver-occupied Prepared by: William Ho Rutherford Date: ~J=an=u=a=ry~,~1~9~5=4~ while 39 watershed. Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan _ Federal Aid Coordinator ��-97- state JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS of Colorado Project No. W-61-R-4 Work Plan Noo_---.:I=I=- Title of Job_---::D:::.:e::..:t:.::e::;:rnu.~·;::n=a~t=.i.::;on=-:o:.:f::.....::A::.nn:::.::u:=al:::_W;,;. .... ·o.n_· ... _ Objectives~ production sheds. Scope: :::.B:.:::.e::::a..:.ve:::.:r::..:-:.::w::.:il:::.::dl::::.:if:::.:::e-Re::: __ J,;.,o;;.,;b;;...,.;;N;;.,;o;.,;:.:. __ To qetermine, in quantitative terms, by species, annual of all important wildlife on both beaver-occupied and check William's Fork Riirer Drainage, Grand water- County. Techniques: Where practicable, litters and broods onthe study area; were located by covering the area on foot. It was found that duck and grouse broods were the only ones which could be enumerated satisfactorily in this manner. For the other species, gross estimates based upon sample plot observations must be used. In all cases where young were observed, aftempts were made to keep them under observations and thereby learn their fate. . Findings: Ducks inhabited~ used and nested near beaver ponds to the complete exclusion of all other water types. Five broods of mallards, containing 7, 6, :4,4 and 3 young, respectively, were hatched on the beaver-occupied watershed, all at altitudes of 9,000 feet and under. Only 4 of the brood of 7, and 2 of one of the broods of 4 survived until the time of flight. All other broods remained at their original numbers until the time of flight. A total of 19 young mallards was produced on this watershed. Since grouse broods normally have much greater mobility than duck broods, and since their cruiSing radius is not limited to c~rtain habitat types as in the case- of ducks, attempts at determining the annual production of these birds become difficulto Observations of all broods seen were recorded, but no way of determining whether the same brood was seen more than once, or whether they were actually produced on the study area could be formulated. However, all broods recorded were on the study area proper (the valley bottom) when seen, and consequently, can be considered to have been produced in part on the study area. It is assumed that all were produced on the watersheds studied. For this reason, the data will be presented as originally gathered, to provide an index. Six broods, containing 5,4,2,2, and 2 respectively, totaling 18 young grouse, were recorded on the beaver-occupied watershed. Four broods containing 6,4,3 and 2 respectively, totaling 15 young grouse 'were recorded on the check watershed. I~~ll~II~~I~'~ll~lrlll~~iiijl~~~1 ]Ilillll~ll BDOW023721 �-98A total of 17 active beaver colonies occurred on the beaver-occupied watershed, and a'total of 4 active colonies was found on the check watershed. Using a figure of 4 as the average number of young per colony, as has been used by investigations in the past, approximately Q8 young beavers were produced on, the beaver-occupied watershed during 1953, and approximately 16 were produced on the check watershed. Nearly every active beaver pond and several abandoned ponds supported muskrat populations The population level of these animals, however, was very low, especially at higher altitudes. It is believed that not more than 8 ponds on the beaver-occupied watershed and 1 pond on the check watershed actually produced muskrat litters. A'minimum estimiite of 30 young muskrats on the beaver-occupied watershed and 4 on the check watershed is made. 0 Approximately 16 young deer were present on the beaver-occupied watershed, and 7 on the check watershed. Ten young elk were observed on the beaveroccupied watershed, and none on the check watershed. In view of the large cruising radii characteristic of these animals, these figures can in no way be correlated with beaver influence, since in all probability, their range extended beyond the study area. No attempt will be made to estimate the annual production of smaller mammals and birds, as the data at hand are far too variable "to warrant any assumptions. Summaryt 1. This study was conducted by censusing litters and broods where practicable, and by estimating annual production in other instances. 2. A total of 19 young mallard ducks was produced on the beaver--. occupied watershed, and none~n the check watershed. 3. A total of 18 grouse was recorded on the beaver-occupied watershed, and 15 on the check watershed. 4. It is estimated that 68 young beavers and 30 young muskrats were produced on the beaver-occupied watershed, and 16 and 4, respectively, on the check watershed. 5. Data on big game (deer and elk) and small mammals and birds do not justif.y assumptions as to their annual production. Prepared by: William Ho Rutherford Date : Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan J_an_u_a....,:ry::...,!'--1-=-9.:;..54..:.._ Federal Aid Coordinator �JOBCOMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado Project No. w-61-R-4 Title 8 --~---Job Noo-------- W:arkPlan Noo" ,2 of Jobo__~B~e~a~v~e~r_T~a~g~g~i=n~g~S~tu=dy~' ------------- Objective: To determine the movementsof live-trapped and transplanted beavers. This Lnformatd.onmaybe used to evaluate the practice of livetrapping ~d transplanting as a managementprocedureo Procedure~' Accumulation and analysis: of data on ear-tagging that has already been done by state trappers. Also to exp~riment with other tagging methods, such as tatooing and branding, in order to find one which will be acceptable to the trappers, and to continue tagging by that methodo Findings: Records have been collected of the movementsof 25 more beavers that were recaptu~d after being tagged. Table 1 shows the Lnf'o rmatd.onthat was listed for these animals, plus a record of one more recapture on which the distance movedwas not available. These records supplement those in Table 8, Colorado Quarterly Report, January; 1952, 9023 and bring the total number of beavers on which movement,data are available to 59. Of these, only 5 stayed in the places where they wereYfplantedn• The rest movedvarying distances up to 30 stream miles, and the average movementwas 805 miles. No detailed study of different methods of tagging has been done. "However, two methods were tried on dead beavers, and it is possible that they could be used in actual transplariting operations. Mr. A. Dean Coleman, Superintendent of Fur Resources, is enthusiastic over a tattooing outfit" that he has tried on the webs of the hind feet. Small holes are punched with numerous needle-points in the shapes of letter~ and number-a, These holes are then impregnated with a permanent, dye , The other method wast~ punchholes in the webs with a large-size paperpunch. An identific~tion-code for 'approximately 100 different animals could be developed for this syabem, ",' Analysis and ReconUnelldations~ Someof the state trappers are continuing to eaZ"..;.tagtransplanted beavers, and each' wint'Sr they recapture a few more of t:te tagged, ones. A "bodYof useful :iiiformaiion has been slowly accumu'Lat.Lig , Therefore, it is; important that this study be continued if managementof the beaver is to benefit. �Table 10-- Records of Tagged, Transp1anted~ and Recaptured Beavers Since January, 19520 Trapper Jerome No. 1324- Sex. F Hood 1324 F Jackson I308-----F· Hood 1308 F Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson 1791 1791 1792 1792 1791 1791 M wto Age 23 1 28 Date 2 - -- -.5S--~'-- M M M M M .65 5 Wilson- -- 1792- ---M------Wilson M 1792 Jackson Hood 1317 1317 M M 38 35 3202 M Waldron 2818 M Waldron Waldron 2818 2820 Ii' - Waldron 2820 F M 3/10/53 Mesa 9~26/51 Mesa 3/14/53 Mesa 97277.51 spring '52 Larimer Larimer Cow Cro 4/10/52 5 772752 mat. 1/13/53 50 mat0 779752 40 mat 0 -mat - - --45 0 mat 0 ... 10/3/52 7/9/52 9/1/52 Mesa Mesa Above town of Whitewater 4 Abov e town of Whitewater Fish Cr0 10/1151 TIist. (miles) Gunnison Ro Whitewater Bridge Larimer Larimer Larimer Larimer Larimer Larimer mat 0 Where Caught Where Transplanted Gunnison R. Whitewater 871.57.51 9/27/51 B/15/51 9/27/51 9/27751 spring '52 Pa.Irn~--~-32a2----Y-~--~Li9~-mat;;--Palm 7/8751 County Mesa 5 Black Canyon Q'r 5_ Black Canyon Cro 5 Fork Big Thompson Ro 15 No Fork Big Thompson Ro 15 0 Fish Cr 0' Cow Cro No Gunnison Ro Whitewater ~ Kannah Cro Whitewater area 3~ Larimer--- Redst:6neCr , Vo Weaver Ranch --. Redstone CrG Larimer F. Simianer Ranch ~ Tenmile c-, SUmmit Officers Gulch Tenmile Cro Summit Tenmile Cro Summit Officers Gulch W. Tenmile Cr Summit Custer Ranch 40 cp, �Table lo-(Continued) Where Caught Where Trapper No. Sex wto Age Date Jackson Hood 1305 1305 F F 30 35 Terrell 1153 M 45- mat. 8/9751- Terrell 1153 M 49 Jerome 464 ..... M . 48 Hood 464 F Terrell 2 County 9/27/51 Mesa 4/9/52 Mesa 5 Pitkin mat e. 7/31/52 Pitkin maf, 816ff50 Mesa .'I'r'anep.Ianbed Disto (miles) Gunnison Ro Whitewater Bridge Kannah Cr. Whitewater area 3~ Frying Pan n, Bear Cro Tuttle Ditch Snowmass Cr. 24 Coloo Ro Mesa Lema'nist Coloo Ro Fruita Dist. l~ Frying Pan R Rock Fork Gross Fish Pond 26 No Carbondale Frying Pan R Natl. Foro Land Cerise Ditch 22 King Cro stafford Ranch 3 Blue Ro Upper Blacktail Cro Upper Blacktail Gr. 0 Upper BIack-EailCro Upuer Blacktail Cro 0 Upper Blacktail Cro Upper Blacktail Cro 0 Upper Swan Cr. Swan Cro Bridge 12 Head King Cro Yust Fish Ponds) 11 Little Beaver Cr Upper Blacktail Cro Upper Blacktail Cro o 0 8 4/11/52 Mesa 298------jr --20 1-- 1718751 Pitkin Terrell 298 F 24 1 12/2/51 Pitkin Terrell 295--- M 37 mat. 7/11751 Garfield Terrell Waldron Waldron 295 M 43 19'----F--40~ 197 F 50 mat. 12/27/41 Garfield mat~ -----r95OGrand mato 11/21/52 Summit Waldron Waldron Waldron Waldron WaTdron Waldron Waldron Waldron Waldron Waldron 2931 --F-----.JO--mat~4/51 Grand 2931 M 35 mat. 1/7/53 Grand, 2910F 50 mat~7/12/51 Grand 2910 F 44 mato 1/20/52 Grand 909 M .- 45 mat.,7Ill/51-Grand 2909 F 48 mat , 11/8#52 Grand 2808 M 40 mat. 9/9/51 - swiunit 2808 M 40 mat 6/6/52 Surnrni t 2804---- nF~2 mat,••.. 9/17)1 Grand 2804' F 40 mato 5/2/52 Grand 911 F----22--2 - 7/14/51 Grand 2911 M 55 mat. 1/29/53 Grand 50 _u_ 0 n---u 0 0 , :'::J >t ',~( �Table 1. (Continued) TraEEer No. Jerome 472 Hood 472 Sex wt. Age Date, Count;r Mesa M 18 l~ 3/4/52 2906 F 42 mat. 7/7/51 Grand Waldron 2906 M 50 mat. 11/3/52 Grand Waldron Waldron 2936 2936 M M 50 38 mat ; ,8/8/51 'Grand mato 6/10/52 Grand 2251 M 45 .4 8/26/51 Ho.gue 2251 M 45 4 5/5/52 El Paso -where Caught Disto (Miles) Colo. R. Palisade ,area Mesa Waldron Hogue -where Transplanted Upper Blacktail Grand Valley Canal 8 Cr. Lower Blacktail Cr. Blacktail Cr. 8 8 Mid Blacktail Cr. Pass Cr. Pinney Ranch ~ 15 Beaver Lake Club Carrolls Lakes Club ? 0 N I �-103•.• Summary: Twenty-five more records of ear-tagged, recaptured beavers have been added to bring the total to 590 Five of these 59 stayed in the places where they were "planted", and the other moved varying distances up to 30 stream mi.Lee , The average movement for all wa's 805 miles. Tattooing and punchi~g of the hind-foot webs have been tried as alternate methods of taggang , Prepared by e Jack Dg Remington Dabe e Approved by: January, 1954 ------------~~~~~-------- Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-1<1.5 ••• JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado Project No. W-61-R-4 Work Plan Noo 2 Job Noo 9 --~---------~------- Title of Jobo __ ~M~a=r~t~'e~n~T~a~g~g=i~n~g~S~t~u~d~y~ _ Objectives~ To determine the seasonal and annual movements of martens. Also to determine whether or not martens are produced and move out of refuges in great enough numbers to increase the fur harvest in the areas surrounding such refuges. Procedure~ Live-trapping, ear-tagging, and follow-up of tagged martens by means of continued live-trapping and collection of tags from private trapperso The operation is tobs carried on inside and outside of Rocky Mountain National Park; Findings: Two small study areas of approximately one-shalf square mile each were live-trapped this yearo One was near Ouzel Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, 2 miles airline distance from the south boundary line at an average elevation of about 9,800 feeto The other study sectio~ was located near Red Deer Lake, Middle st. Vrain Valley, 2 miles airline distance from the south boundary line at about the same elevation. These areas (approximately 4 miles apart), were roughly comparable as to habitat, and trapping conditions were controlled so as to be the same in each area. Trapping was begun on July 14, 1953 on the Ouzel Lake area, and completed on July 25tho The Red Deer Lake area was trapped in a comparable manner between July 30th and August 9, 1953. Notenough traps were available, and the areas were too far apart to trap simultaneously. Sixty-seven trap-nights were amassed in each areao Fish was used exclusively for baito Sardines were used one night in both areas when fresh fisb was not availableo For the rest of each trapping period, heads and entrails of fresh trout were usedo One female marten was observed for about one-half hour one evening, cacheing fish entrails in rotten logso She would prowl the lake shore, find the entrails left by fisherman, then carry them a short distance to the rotten logs, dig a hole and bury them. The traps used were National wire live-traps that have been described in previous Quarterly Reports. Thirty catches of 13 different martens were made on the two study areas. Two were live-trapped in other areas, and information on them is recorded in Table 1 along with data on the 13 from the study sections. When this was. written, no ear-tags from this year's project had been recovered from private trapperso During the trapping season of November and December, 1952 I~iIIllllij'~I~'llil~irlllli~ii~[~~1 ]~illlf~11 BDOW023729 �-106Table I--Martens live--trapped and tagged in Colorado, July, August, and September, 19530 Date Ear tag number Sex Location 7/3/53 11A 30 M 7/14/53 1« 54 F Just N Oo.Lo, 14 3t lid N-L Agnes i mi E Ouzel L M. Ditto Bait Pine Squirrel Trout heads & entrails M " " M M F :: ~ .. (R) . MA 57 (L) 7/24/53 7/25/53 7/25/53 MA 54 (L) MA 57 (R) tI tI M i M F Ouzel L campgr 0 Ouzel r.-:w side " M M f ini E Ouzel L Ou~er L campgr', " tI tI tI tI " " " M tI:" M Ouzel L Campgr-, F ~ mi E Ouzel L. MA 58 1. tI 2 " tI tI II " " " II " " canned s·ardines· trout hds & entrails F tmiNW M miEo Ouzel-Lo .mi E Red Deer L M F M LM M F M St. V timber " camp tI" tI" " "tI tI" tI miE Red Deer L M St. V. timber c "" If tI tI reca oin 10 min. recap & retag in Rear Ma 57 small who tuft hair on flank recapture " Tagged at Wild Bas. Rang. Sto pics by M. Johnson reca ture died after release pelt & skull RMNP recapt,¥,e recapture recapture " " " " " " tI " " fI M M Tagged 6/26/52 Recapotwice-'52 caught wi thin t hour " " 7/21/53 Remarks reca ture "n " mi S " " Fool Cr-Fraser For.--frozen horse meat " �Figure l.--Ouzel Lake study area, Rocky Hountain National Park, summer, 1953. Figure 2o--Nale lViartentagged 6/25/52 and recaptured in same location on 7/3/53/. �~l07two of the 23 martens that were tagged the previous summer were caught Qy a private trappero Mro Hugh Str~it, working at the Neptune Timber camp on Joe Wright Creek, Larimer County, caught 7 martens during the 1952 seasono Two of these were males, tagged with numb~rs MA 33 and MA 34. Both animals were tagged on July lo.,1952, and caught during the month MA 33 was trapped about ~ mile from where it had been tagged. of Decembero MA 34 was trapped about 5 miles airline distance from the place of tagging. One male that was tagged on June 26, 1952, was recaptured twice during that year in the same location. o.n July 3, 1953, more than a year after the original t~gging, he was captured again at the same place. o.nly one tag remained in place. In the 1953 stuqy, 8 different martens were caught 18 times inside Rocky Mountain National Park outside the park" 5 different martens were caught 12 t~meso These figures indicate a higher population of martens is present inside the National Park where no trapping is allowed. 0 Summary: 1. The marten live-trapping for two yearso and tagging study has been conducted 2. Fourteen more martens were ear-tagged during 1953, bringing the total to 370 Most of them were caught in and near Rocky Mountain National Parko One marten that was tagged in June, 195z, was recaptured in July, 1953, in the same placeoTwo martens that were tagged in July,1952, were caught by a trapper in December, 1952, one ~ mi aw~, the other 5 miles (airline) away 0 30 Martens are easily captured in the summer in livetrapso 40 Parts of fresh fish, as well.as almost any fresh meat, are excellent bait. 5. The baited end of the trap must be covered to prevent the martens from removing the bait from the trap through the wire sides without entering the trapo 6 Martens can be ear-tagged and small, metal fish-tags. 0 easily, using a chicken-wire cone 7. They can be held for at least 2 days in the live-traps with no apparent harm being done to them. 80 Trapping losses were relatively of 37 died upon release from the trap. 9. It would be possible by this method. lighto o.ne marten out to stock areas deficient in martens �10.. The tags remained i~ place for more than one year in at least one instance. 11. Recaptures of tagged martens indicated that they return to the same places many times~ and evidently have a fairly definite f1hunting circui tH' •• 12. Catches of more than one marten in the same place show that more "Gban one marten follows the sanie IIhunting circuit", or at least parts of the same route. 130 Recaptures of many martens in the same places within short and long periods of time indicate that some of them occupy a relatively small rangeo This is especially true for the females •• 14.. This study indicates there are no far-reaching migrations of martens out of refuges such as Rocky Mountain National Parko The farthest movement recorded was five miles airline distance in a period of six months. Where the habitat is good, apparently there is no tendency to move great distances. Prepared by! Jack D.Re~ington Date: J_an_u_a_ry~,_1~9~5~4~ _ Approved by: Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-109- State of JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado w-61-R-4 Project Noo Title of Job Marten Population __ Work Plan No ._...;2~_ Job NOo_...:l:.;:O;... Trend Study Objectives~ To determine the trend of the marten population within the state in order to assist in setting the proper trapping season. Procedure~ Continuation and appraisal of the present system of winter track counts on specific routeso Also to try another indirect population trend method based on a summer count of marten scats per mile along definite sections of trails in -marten habitat. Findings go All but one of the established marten trends were run during the winter of 1952~53o Two new trends were established during the year, those at Berthoud Pass and the Fraser Experimental Forest. A description of each follows~ Berthoud Passg--November 4, 1953, 2 P•. Mo New snow fell the night before. Ten inches of snow on top of pass, none in places near bottom of trend. Starts at Berthoud Pass Lodge and follows telephone line down to the north and west approximately 3 miles to big switch-back where old road joins present road. Fraser Experimental Forest::-November 3, 19530 8 AoM.-Noon. 0-5 inches snow" 8 days oldo November 4, 1953. 8 AoM.-Noono 1-6 inches snow, new. Trend starts at the Lower Fool Creek gauging stat:4on, proceeds to the left around the "Figure 8it trail, and returns to the gauging station. Distance is approximately 4 miles. The counts of marten tracks were down substantially as compared to those made in previous yearso Two major reasons are suggested~ l.--The counts were made after an open trapping season. Most of the martens caught during the season are taken near the main highways, and the population is requced in these areas. Most of the trend routes are near the main highways, and track counts are reduced accordingly. 2 0-- There is a tendency for some martens to move to slightly lower elevations in the late wintero All of the trend routes are located in the higher portion of the marten range. They were run relatively late in the winter, and it is believed that this migration pattern had an effect on the numbers of tracks present. �Table 1. Trend and Date Molas Divide March 12,1953 Monarch Pass March 11, 1953 Wolf Creek Pass March 12,1953 Cameron·Pass March 5, 1953 RabbI~ Ears Pass not run in 1953 New Trend Berthoud Pass January 15, 1953 November 4, 1953 Odessa Lake January 7, 1953 New Trend Fraser Expo Foro November 3, 1953November 4, 1953 Track Counts on Marten Population Trend Routes, 19530 Weasel Snowshoe Rabbit Squirrel Mouse 5 .82 197 22 1 11 95 1 32 33 2 25 Marten 1 1 Porcupine 6 28 4 6 Grouse 1 1 2 rreer~22 Grouse-38 Badger-2 4 23 41 Grouse 1 4 9 9 7 51 2 31 Common---abundant--common 29 Other 6 10 1 Coyote 1 14 23 Fox 6 28 344 157 244 303 3 o 1 o . bo , �Obviously, each of the marten trends should be run many times during the winter to eliminate as many of the variables as possible. Considering the weather conditions and the time available, this would be impossible for one man to accomplish. No work was done on the proposed indirect population trend method baseq on a summer count of marten scats per mile of trail. Table 1 shows the track counts made on the marten trend routes for the year 1953: Analysis and Recommendations: Before continuing work on this job as it is set up, it is recommended that an intensive study be conducted on two areas, one on which trapping study would be to determine how many'times during one winter a trend route would have to be run to give valid data and useful population trend figures. Summary: A summary of the marten trend route data is presented Prepared by: Jack Do Remington Date~ J_an __u_a_ry~,_1~9~5~4 _ Approved by: as Table 1. Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-113~ State of JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJEOTS Work Plan Noo 4 Colorado Project Noo w-61-R-4 Title of Jobo Publication of Information Job Noo_--=l=--__ on Fur Animal Studies. Objectives: To gath~r and publish existing and currently determined data on fur animals as a basis for proper management through public education0 Procedure: Office work accumulating and compiling data for publication. Findings: A sixteen-page pamphlet, "Fur Bearers of Ool.or-ado"; containing descriptions of the commercially valuable fur animals and a section on fur animal management, was written during 1953 by project personnel. It was published by the Education Division of the Colorado Game and Fish Department primarily for distribution in the Colorado school systeIT).o Three articles concerning fur animals were published in the JanuaryFebruary, 1953, issue of "Colorado Conser-vatd.on]", They were: (a) the cover story on weasels, (b) tiThe Future of Fur-bearers", and (c) "Mountain Marauder-the Pine Marten". An article entitled "Letts Manage Our Fur-bearers" appears in the January-February, 1954, issue of Colorado Conservation. Three recent sightings of rare black-footed ferrets have been reported in response to a short article (Colorado Conservation, May-June, 1953) asking for information on them. These three bring the total recent records to five, which indicates the ferret is not in immediate danger of extinctiono The five records are from widely-separated parts of the state, and from the western slope as well as the eastern slope of the continental divideo Prepared by: Jack Do Remington Date:_· Ja_n_u_ary~L,_1~9~5~4~ Approved _ by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �JOB CONPLi!irION illiPOHT INVESTIGATIONS PROJBCTS state of Colorado --..~~----------- Project Noe. vJ-37-R-6 '1'1tIe of Jobl I Job NOe--.I _ anal;Y,~i8of tho pheas:omL Evaluation and statistical . _ cr-osd.ng Objective. Uork Plan No. count census method. To effect refinement of the existing teohnique by statistical pheasant crowing count..: methods to insure greater reliabilit,y in determination of broeding population from year to year. FindingS I During the spring of 1953, study attempts were made on some torty mornings. Due to rain, snow, cold and 'Windon all mornings except. two, t h0 crowinJ counts. were inadequli. te for a statistical analysis. Therefore; there are no data to be reported for this job in this project Prepared bYI Date. e..o8------ __ Ha,;.-r;;.;o;,;l;,,od •.•. ,,.;;S;,;,;w .•• January. 19$h Approved by segment. Lauronce E. Riordan Foderal Aid Coordinator " .. ,.~ "" i:~."~)I::~:~' "" .. .. , 1:> ,~ -,;...•. • " ,: ,-,.;' ..~, ). � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/87cec4cd59bd4000412dc54c01b0ce4c.pdf 8b55a57be66571aa845ae304189e2940 PDF Text Text JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS Colorado ------------------- Job No. 2 W~37-R-7 Work Plan Noo II -----~-----~~--~----------Title of Job: 'Hunting Season Checks on Waterfowlo ------~--------------------------~-------------------- Project Noo Objective: To determine the species, age and sex ratios of the ducks and geese taken by the hunter. Scope: South Platte Management Areao Pel-sonnel: Hugh Jones, Bob Stewart, Harold Swope; Rex Taliferro at Sedgwick Baro Techniques: Department personnel were on duty throughout the season at the check station issuing permits, assigning areas, obtaining kill data and enforcing regulationso Findings: The daily record of the information check station follows in Table 10 Table 2. gives the composition gathered at the Tamarack of the kill by species and percento Table 3 compares the number of hunters, hours hunted, and hunter success figures ror the waterfowl season from 1948 through 19530 The degree and success of utilization of the management area by hunters from several geographic portions of the state is given in Table 40 Hunter kill information collected on the Sedgwick Bar is given in Table 50 The taking of deer, pheasants and quail was allowed on the South Platte Management Area during their established'seasonso Cottontail rabbit hunting was also permitted during the pheasant seasono bo <, '::f... ~ () () ~ \J' Ninety-three bi~ game hunters checked in and out of the management area during the three days deer season, October 24, 25, 26, with 65 deer-, An additional 400 hunters checked into the area specifically to hunt rabbits, quail and pheasantso These hunters have not been included in any of the foregoing tableso Sixty-five pheasants, 98 bobwhite quail, 552 rabbits (cottontail) and 5 squirrels were brought out through the check stationo I~~llll~r~I~ljil~lililli~ji~i~~III~~lliijll BDOW023737 �-2- Talble 1. Daily Kill Record-South Platte Management Area, 1953 Migratory Waterfowl Season. Date No. of Hours .Hunters Hunted Game Killed Mallards G. W. Teal F F M . M 10/20/53 10/21 1l: 26 20 57 10 14 6 8 1 1 10/22 10/23 10/24 10/25 10/26 10/27 10/28 10/29 10/30 10/31 31 20 37 25 3 14 8 10 3 25 63 29 125 48 7 39 22· 2l 6 55 19 4 5 6 3 4 3 7 2 3 8 2 3 2 2 1 3 1 3 11/1 51 93 I} 5 11/2 11/3 11/4 11/5 11/6 5 17 47 12 24 32 37 63 56 82 9 8 6 3 18 4 3 2 7 11/7 78 230 10 7 60 185 24 15 11/9 11/10 11/11 6 18 69 37 5~ 202 9 11 17 1 ,3 12 11/21 10 13 71 57 10 8 18 49 28 69 *Sex not obtained. 28 36 192 159 35 23 85 152 78 188 6 1 13 10 5 3 7 122 49 91 1 .F B. Wo Teal Gadwall Ruddy Duck Wood Duck Pintail 3 1 1 1 1 Pintail Wood Duck 2 1 ~ 11/8 11/12 11/13 11/14 11/15 11/16 11/17 11/18 11/19 11/20 2 Game Killed Others M S:eecies 2: 1 2 16 5 1 6 32: 16 37 B. W. Teal Gadwall Pintail Baldpate Baldpate 1 3 2 1 1 2 1 1 Pintail 1 B. W.Teal Pintail s, W. Teal Baldpate Gadwall Pintail Shoveller Lesser Scaup Gadwall 1 Gadwall Lesser Scaup Canada Goose 6 1 1 1 2 1 2· 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 * 2 1. BoWo Teal Gadwall Gadwall Pintail Canada Goose Redhead Am. Merganser 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 ~ �_.~ 1Q ~4-"_,,,,"'_JJ -3Table 1. Continued •• Game Killed Mallards. G. W. Teal F M F M No" of Hunters Hours Hunted 11/22/53 101 575 122 49 11/23 15 '52 24 7 11/24 11/25 11/26 11/27 11/28 27 26 57 44 89 B5 100 96 171 290 15 29 21 5 32 8 14 9 4 27 91 5 14 18 43 14 79 62 7 42 15 26 17 31 68 213 16 20 42 160 46 171 217 10 132 33 51 39 130 132 Date 11/29 11/30 12/1 12/2 12/3 12/4 12/5 12/6 12/7 12/8 12/9 12/10 12/11 12/12 12/13 12/14 12/15 12/16 12/17 12i18 6 23 27 30 21 Totals 1,2:21 46 2. 4 9 42 10 30 17 13 3 21 19 37 18 29 7 2l 16 17 Pintail 1 Gadwall 1 Pintail Redhead 1 Am. Golden Eye 1 Amo Merganser 2 Pintail 1 Am. Golden Eye Pintail 2. 1 1 1 Baldpate 1 Gadwall 1 AmoMerganser 1 2 5 6 7 13 7 87 80 39 3 2_ 8 4 ~,~22 1,,110 1d.7J 1 1 Am..Merganser 2 Am ••Golden :eye 1 Am"Merganser Pintail 17 lQ i,675 Ducks - total kill per man hour hunted 0299 " per hunter .867 " 94051% ducks killed were mallards' (70012% males; 29.88% females) 1 61% ducks killed were green-winged teal (62.96% males, 37004% females) 2090 hours hunted per hunter attempt. 0 F 1 21 4 1 2 3 11 31 12 23 52 2 Game Killed M S:eecies Others 1 1 1 1 28 *lJ. 33 �-4Table 2. Hunter Kill by specf.es, South Platte Management Area, 1953 Migratory Waterfowl Season. Percent of Total Kill Number Killed Species 94.51 1.61 1.13 .65 .42: .42 .30 .24 .24 .12 .12 .12 .06 .06 100.00 Mallard (Anas p1atyrnynchos) 1,583 27 Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinense) Pintail (Anas acuta tzitzihoa) 19 11 Gadwall (Chaulelasmus streperus) Blue-winged Teal. (Anas discors) 7 American MergaRser (Mergus merganser americanus) 7 Baldpate (Mareca americana) 5 Am. Golden Eye (G1aucionetta c1angula americana) 4 Lesser Canada Goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia) 4 2 Lesser Scaup (Nyroca affinis) 2 Redhead (Ny~oca americana) 2 Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) Ruddy Duck (Erismatura jamaicensis rubida) 1 1 Shoveller (Spatula c1ypeata) Totals 1 675 Table 3. Kill Records and Success Figures, South Plate Management Area, 19481953(:-Migratocy-Waterfow1Seasons Year Comparisons Total hunters Total hours hunted Total ducks_- killed _Mallard Green-winged teal other species Ducks / man hour hunted Hours hmited per duck Ducks / hunter' attempt 1948 1949 1,016 773 2,330 2,759.5 641 679 462 597 184 39 33 5 .232 .291 4.:305 3.431 .631 .878 1950 1951 1952 1953 1,986 1,674 1,931 5,599 4,463·5 4,787 2,795 1,859 1,675 2,576 1,781 1,583 147 27 33 72 65 45 .626 .358 .388 .299 2.788 1.597 2.575 3.343 1.064 1.667 .936 .867 1,370 4,066 1,458 1,323 78 57 �-5Table 40 Source of Hunting Pressure and Comparative Success, South Platte Management Area, 194B - 1953 Migratory Waterfowl Seasonso SOURCE OF HUNTING PRESSURE OUT OF STATE LOCAL DENVER DENVER SUBURBS Year Noo of % of NoD of % of Noo of % of Noo of % of Hunters Hunte~s Hunters Hunters Hunters Hunters Hupters Hunters 1950 746 1951 1,009 1952 1,162 1953 947 55 Noo of Ducks % of 60 59 49 Ducks 154 96 223: 224 11 585 34 29 26 30 11 12 77 89 175 No of Ducks % of Ducks Noo of Ducks % of Ducks NoD of Ducks 470 492 512 6 5 4 9 % of Ducks 1950 574 39 111 8 773 53 61 783 28 159 6 147 5 1951 1,706 476 26 187 10 87 4 1952 1,109 60 471 28 213 13 159 9 832 50 1953 * Includes all counties in state except Adams, Arapahoe, Denver and Jefferson. Table 50Kill Data on Sedgwick Bar 1953 Seasono No. of Hours Mallards Date Hunters .. Hunted M F October 20 to December 18 Totals 489 489 Total Kill Ducks per hunter attempt Ducks per hour hunted Mallard kill 1,105 1 105 398 398 169 169 Other Species M F Green-winged Teal Gadwall 7 3 2 3 579 1.18 .52 97093% of total (70019% males, 29.81% females) Discussion: The decline in hunting success during the 1953 migratory waterfowl season cannot be attributed to the lack of ducks in the area. The aerlal migration counts made by Game and Fish Department personnel sho~approximately 36,OGO ducks on nearby Jumbo Reservoir during the middle of November, In mid-December 47,500 ducks were counted on the same reservoiro Once again the mild, bal~ weather, which seldom forced waterfowl off the larger reservoirs, may be credited with the comparative lack of hunting success. 9 �Hunting success on the large public shooting ground cannot logically be compared with succeSs on the Sedgwick Bar Property. The Sedgwick Bar is a small tract that possesses the characteristics of a privately leased area. Many of the same experienced hunters return day after day to p~anently established blinds and decoy spreads. On the larger area the ma'jority of the hunters are inexperienced and unfamiliar with the area to which they are assigned. Very few of these hunters use decoys or attempt to construct blinds. Despite the mild weather of the 1953 season there were many limit kills made by the few seasoned hunters that did utilize the public shooting ground. Summary: 1. The sixty day waterfowl season produced a total kill of 1,675 duc~s and geese. This included 1,583 mallards, 27 greenwinged teal, 19 pintail, 11 gadwall, 7 blue-winged teal, 7 American mergansers, 5 baldpates, 4 American golden eye, ~lesser Canadian geese, 2 lesser scaup, 2 redheads, 2 wood ducks, 1 ruddy duck and 1 shoveller. 2. Mallards composed 94051% of the total kill. Of these 70.12% were males, 29088% females. 3. On the main portion of the South Platte Management Area 1,93r hunters hunted ~,519 hours for a kill average of .867 ducks per hunter and .299 ducks pe r hour. 4. Approximately 50% utilization of the area is by local hunters (from surrounding counties). About 30% of the hunting pressure comes from Denver. The remainder reside in the suburbs of Denver or come from-out of stateo The hunting ability of these1geographic groups I of hunters appears to be very nearly the sameo 5. Ninety-three big game hunters killed 65 deer on the area. Four hundred smaIl game hunters checked into the area to hunt cottontail rabbits, pheasants and quail. These hunters bagged 65 pheasants, 98 bobwhite quail, 552 rabbits and 5 squirrels. 6. At Sedgwick Bar, 579 ducks were killed by 489 hunters in 1,105 hours. This represents 1018 ducks killed per hunter attempt and .52 ducks killed per hour hunted. Prepared by:_ _;;.;;H.::;a.;..ro.;;.l..;;.d_Sw~0:...lp._e;..._ __ Approved by:: Laurence E. Riordan Datet ~~._Ap~r_il l~9~5~4 _ Federal Aid Coordinator �-i 00 ~.L....;,{~ -7JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATION State of Colorado Project NOe W-37-R-7 work Plan No~ Title of Job: Objective: Scope: PROJECTS II Job No 3 ---------------------------------~------------o Trapping and banding ducks and geese. To trap and band duck and geese for migration history informationo Two Buttes Reservoir Personnel: and life (Arkansas Valley)o Gurney I. Qrawford, Wayne Wo Sandfort, Harold M. Swope, Irving Ro Poley and Harold M. Boekero Techniques: The Colorado goose trap, designed by Warden Gurney Crawford, was constructed at Two Buttes Reservoir during the last part of December, 1953. The trap, as modified from the original design, was rectangular in shape and measured 160' x 80' x 7'. It consisted of only one compartment, the holding pen as previously used being omitted. The entire trap was of chicken-wire construction with the exception of the top. For this purpose 12,800 square feet of inch fish netting was usedo Removable netting allowed the top to be left open during baiting period and the top could be covered in a few hours'time when necessaryo It The trap was constructed near the site used in previous years' operations, although the low water level in the reservoir necessitated its location adjacent to the present water line. During the last two weeks of December, 1953, work was done on the framework of the trap. The area was cleared of all trees, brush, and weedso Beginning on January 1, 1954, the area in and around the initial trap framework was baited with milo grain, milo bundles, and fourth-cutting alfalfa hay. After January 1 work was continued at the trap-site during the forenoons leaving the area undisturbed during the afternoons. Geese were rallied toward the baited area at approximately 2:00 Po M. each day to get them accustomed to the trap. The afternoon periods were utilized in rallying geese and hauling feed from the field where it was purchased. �-8The feed used during trapping operations in Table 10 Table L. during 1953-54 is tabulated Feed used in trapping operations, Two Buttes Reservoir, 1954. Kind of feed Units Total Weight Milo grain Milo bundl:es Alfalfa hay 10,000 pounds 2,000 bundles 90 bales 10,000 pounds 30,000 pounds 6,000 pounds In addition to the area within the trap, an area. about 200 yards in extent fanning out from the main entrance was baited. Feed trails were run out onto the ice to entice birds from their resting spots to the trap site. On January 1, 1954 the geese (population of approximately 12,000) were rallied to· the trap siteo They settled on the ice in the vicinity of the baited area but did not feed. The following day they began following the feed lanes, and on January 3 a total of several thousand geese were feeding in and around the trap structure. The number of" geese feeding in the trapping area increased daily during the first 10 days of January, however, by January 11 the total popuIation on the reservoir decreased to 8,000 birds. stormy weather during mid-January caused a change in the feeding habits of the geese, enabling large concentrations of ducks to move in and clean. ~up the bait. By January 20 the resident goose flock numbered only 5,000 birds, and by the end of the month, when the proposed catch was:·to be made, the f'Lock numbered about 500. These remaining birds were wary and difficult to hold on the baited area. The wintering flock of approximately 16,000 geese which normally use the Two Buttes Reservoir was present at the lake during the hunting season. During the 'latter part of December several thousand were seen on the lakes in the vicinity of Eads, and,Qy mid-January this flock had built up to 12,000· birds. This population shift from Two Buttes Reservoir to the lakes near Eads may be the result of several .influenceso A severe drought in south-eastern Colorado during the summer of 1953 caused a shortage of available food for the geese. The isolated fields which may have provided feed were equipped with scaring devices, and other suitable fields were patrolled continuously by farmers and ranchers to prevent depredation loss by the geese. The flocks were rallied with guns, aerial rockets, and bombs. In addition to the shortage of feed and the harrassment by landowners,the daily herding and rallying on the lake may have helped to evacuate the resident flock to t he new wintering area. �1?//j_ A_~_ . -, .~:._ -9In view of the great amount of time, equipment and bait expended in the preliminary operations, a trapping attempt was made on the small flock of geese remaining on the lake on February 1. The trap was covered with the net, the area was baited, and the entrances opened. Two observers were stationed in a blind approximately 100 yards from the trap entrance. At 2~30 P.Mo the geese were allowed to enter the trapping area. The small flock fed around the trap, but the birds were too wary to enter the gates. Shortly after sundown several hundred ducks entered the trap, causing the geese to be less wary. A total of 39 geese entered with the ducks, and were trapped by the observers. A second trapping attempt was made on February 2, however, the activities of the previous day had scared the birds. Only two geese were caught along with another group of mallardso A total of 386 mallard ducks were trapped, banded, and released at the trap site on February 2. Information gathered during this operation app ears in Table 2-0· Table 2. Summary of mallards banded at Two Buttes Reservoir, February 1954. GrauE Males Females Total. Total ducks handled Per cent handled 278 7200 108 2800 386 100.0 Total ducks. banded Per cent ~ded 257 7008 106 2902 363 100.0 Total ducks recaptured Per cent recaEtured 21 ·91.3 2 8.7 23 100.0 A total of hI geese (Table 3) were taken to the State Cabin where they were sexed, aged, weighed, banded, and f'Luoz-oacopeds A summary of the fluroscopic study (Table 4) reveals that an unusually high percentage of the trapped geese contained body shot. -,In 195Y (Quarterly Report, April, 1953, p , 68) approximately 25 percent of the floroscoped geese revealed shot in contrast to the 7302 percent observed in 1954. This suggests that the sample was not representative of the total. flock, but was made up of crippled birds which were partially dependent upon bait for sustenanceo 2, �-10Table 30 Subject Summary of Canada geese trapped at Two Buttes Reservoir, 1954. Males Juveniles Adult Noo geese trapped 10 Percent total 24.4 Average weight (lbs) 5 •• 0 NQ. with shot 7 Percent with shot NQo of recaptures Percent recaptures 11 2608 5.1 7 Adult Females Juvenile 14 6 14.6 408 4 3402 503 12 ;,' 0 3 Total hI 100 •• 0 5.1 30 73.2 3 7.3 The average weight of the hI Canada geese checked in 1954 was 5.1 pounds, with very little variation between the various sex and age groups. A total of 30, or 73.2 percent, of the geese handled contained shot, ·accounting for the poor body condition and the light average weight. The majority of the crippled geese carried only one or two pellets, however, one goose was found with six pellets scattered throughout the body. It must be emphasized that the small sample of geese handled during the 1954 season does not give an accurate indication of the Canada goose flock wintering in south-eastern Colorado. Analysis and Recommendations: During recent years the wintering population of Canada geese in southeastern Colorado was found on Two Buttes reservoir. This flock usually arrives at the reservoir during the month of November, and stays in the vicinity until late in February, when the bulk of the flock begins the migration to the north. The 1953-54 period was characterized by a severe food shortage in the vicinity, and a scarcity of npen water on the reservoir. These factors, in addition to the constant harrassment o~ the flocks by farmers and ranchers, resulted in a gradual but complete population shift from Two Buttes Reservoir to the lakes in the vicinity of Eads, Colorado. During the month of January, 1954, the goose population on the reservoir decreased from approximately 12,000 birds to a flock of only 500 Lnddvd dual.a, To prevent a.recurrence of the past unsuccessful trapping attempt at Two Buttes, a thorough survey of food and water conditions should be made prior to the construction of the Colorado goose trap. A practical and economical solution to the problem of trapping a relatively mobile goose population would include the adoption of the cannon-net trap. This method is used successfully by several states and would allow for a rapid change in trapping schedules and siteso ��-12Summary:: 1. Initial construction of the Colorado goose trap at Two Buttes Reservoir was started during the last part of December, 1953. 2. By Januar,y 10, approximately the vicinity of the trap site. 5,000 geese were feeding in 3. A shortage of food, as well as ather unknown factors, caused a population shift of the geese from Two Buttes to the lakes in the vicinit~ of Eads. 4. The total catch of geese at Two Buttes during the winter of 1953-54 was 41 birds, three of which were recaptures. 5. A fluoroscopic stuQy of the geese revealed ·that 73.2 percent were crippled birds containing shot6 6. A summary of the sex and age ratios ot the 41 geese revealed that 21, or 51.2 percent were males, and 24, or 58.5 percent were adults. 70 The average weight of the geese examined in 1954 was 501 pounds compared with 6.03 pounds per bird in 1953. 8. A total of 363 mallard ducks were caught and banded at the reservoir. Of this number 257 were males and 106 were females. In addition 21 mallard males and two females were taken as recaptures. 9. The use of a cannon-net trap may be successfully in the taking of Canada geese in south-eastern Colorado. Prepared by~ Harold M.Boeker Date:: April, 1954 employed Approved by~ Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �D~r. GCJt>'t~ ~ Q \)~A'. fvo:J' 4r. -13JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATION atate of PROJECTS Colorado Project No , . _W-37-R-7;- Game Bird Surveys W~rk Plan IV, Chukar Partridge Job No. 1 ---------~--------------~~-------~-------------- Title of Job: Objectives: Census Studies To determine methods for censusing chukar partridge. Scoper' West-central Colorado (intensive work in Escalante Canyon). Techniques used: Intensive work was conducted in an eight-mile length of Escalante Canyon (confluence of Escalante Creek and the Gunnison River to the H. A. "Capt.aan" Smith cabin, Delta county). Complete coverages of the valley area were attempted, with areas of heavy cover and areas not visible from the road being checked with a bird dog. Censuses were conducted during three perLods of the day as follows: 7:00 s, M. to'10:00 A.M'~, 10:00 A. M. to 3:00 P.M. and 1:00 P~M. to 6:00 P.M. Only one count was made during each of the above periods, because of the limited amount of time for this work. Counts were made on August 14, August 17, and August 26 for the early morning, mid-day and afternoon periods, respectively. Info~ati~ recorded during the counts included: (1) time birds were 6bserved,(2) numbe-r of birds in bhe group, (3) type of cover birds were occupying, and (4) flushing distance (when avail~ble). Additional census studies included a study of signs (d~oppings and tracks) to determine comparison of signs made by the chukar partridge, Gambel~s quail and the ring-necked pheasant. Findings: Limited findings were obtained during this study. Information is presented, however, that is of some value in drawing general conclusions on the best periods for censusing chukars and how'to determine their presence. �-14Census studies - Escalante Canyon. Findings from three surveys, made in Escalante Canyon, are presented in Table 1. Table 10 .Counts of Chukars During Various Periods of Day, Escalante Canyon, Delta County, August, 1953. 1 August 14-/ (Morning) Date and Period of Day 2 Au~st IJ -/ (Mid-day Time of observation No. of chukars counted Time of observation 7:01 7:09 7:25 7:35 7:50 8:00 8:15 8:40 9:09 10:12 10:27 (started) 5 20 10 20 25 2 12 6 5 (finished) 105 12:34 1&35 2.54 Total 1/ 2/ 11 No of chukars counted (started) 15 (finished) Total 15 3 August 26-/ (Afternoon~ Time of observation 1:45 1&52 2:28 2:35 2:50 3:27 3040 3:49 4:02 4:37 4:40 4:52 4:55 5:05 5:20 No of chukars counted (started) 30 7 20 11 21 24 19 2 5 16 16 19 30 (finished~ Total220 Majority of alfalfa not mowed. Considerable disturbance in valley area by mowing of alfalfao Little disturbance from agricultural activities. Cover types used·by chukars -in-Escalante' Canyon. A summary of-the types of cover being used by chukars in Escalante Canyon during August shows that eight groups were observed in alfalfa fields, six groups in peach orchards, four groups on rocky slopes with scattered greasewood, sagebrush and cedars, and one group each in pastur~, corn field and roadside covero One group was observed in an abandoned field, barren except for scattered Russian thistles. �..<],0.0 . ~- •• ~. I .--"_":!:. -1.5Flushing distance: Chukars often were in motion when observed and in most instances did not flush, but ran to the nearest rocky slope, which they immediately began climbing. Some of the birds that did flush would run for several to 100 feet or more before flushing, making it almost-impossible to obtain information on the flushing distance. Occasionally, birds seemed reluctant to flush when approached by the bird dog and would run to the side or circle behind the dog as he went past. Chukar signs - tracks and droppings: Although chukars usually are not associated with other game birds in west-central Colorado, they occasionally are found in the same area as pheasants and the Gambel's quails. Measurements were taken of the middle toe (with claw) of several chukar partridges, collected for food habits studies or captured during trapping operations, and of several Gambel's quails shot during the open season. Findings show that the middle toe.of mature or nearly full grown female chukars will average 5200 rom. in length (two specimens), and that of mature or nearly full grown males 53.7 mm, (seven specimens). Average length of the middle toe of five mature female Gambal t s quails was.' 38.0 mID. The average length of five mature male Gambel's quails was 38.8 mm. No measurements on pheasants were obtained. The droppings of chukars are readily identified. They generally are fibrous in appearance and texture, averaging about 28 mIDo in length and five rom. in diameter (when dry) and are characterized by the white urate on one end. Chukar droppings are larger than those of the Gambelis quail_; and cOnsiderably smaller than those of the pheasant. The location of chukar droppings alone, often among rim-rocks and along canyon walls, gives a definite clue for their identification. Arialysis and Recommendations: Results of census studies in Escalante Canyon show that chukars may be observed readily along strBams within their range near mid-day during hot, dry periods in late ~ummero Findings from the three surveys indicate that afternoons are the best time for observing chukarso Variation in cover conditions and disturbance from agric~tural activities during the three surveys, however, make accurate analysis impossible. General information from surveys in other areas of west-central Colorado indicate that both early morning and afternoon periods are suitable for chukar census. The 23 groups of chukars, observed during the three surveys in Escalante Canyon, ranged in numbers from two to 30 birds, averaging 14.7 birds per group. �-16Although chukars were found predominately in cover consisting of agricultural crops, this circumstance' may be due more to the fact that these crops characterize the valley where chukars must come to water in Escalante Canyon, and the birds naturally are associated with these crops, rather than to the possibility that chukars are dependent on crops for their food and cover. General information indicates that chukars do consume considerable amounts of waste grain, foxtail seeds and leaves of alfalfa in Escalante Canyon. It is recommended that work on this investigation be discontinued, and that additional information needed for census of chukars be obtained during adaptability and survival checks. Summary: 1'. Census studies were conducted in Escalante Canyon in an attempt to determine the best period of day for censusing chukars. 2. Maximum numbers of chukars were observed during the period extending from 1:52.P.M. to 5:05 P.M. Insufficient data was obtained, however, to draw definite conclusions regarding the best time for censuso Cover conditions and disturbance from agricultural activities varied during the three counts and probably influenced considerably the numbers of chukars observed. 3. Chukars are associated with agricultural crops in Escalante Canyon and usually were observed in these covers. This association, however, may be due to nearness of these crops to the watering sites for chukars. 4~ Chukars are reluctant to take to the wing unless closely approached, preferring to use their legs to carry them to protection among the rocks on the nearest slope. 50 Chukar tracks and their droppings are readily distinquished from those of other game birds with which they may be associated, and are of considerable aid during census work$ Prepared by: Wayne W. Sandfort Approved by: April, 1954 ----------~--~~~~--------- Date:' Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-17JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATION State of PROJECTS Colorado --~~------------- Project Noo W-37-R-7: Game Bird Surveyso ----~--~~----------------~~--------------------------2 Work Plan IV, Chukar Partridge Job No. ----~~---~------~----~~------------------------Title of Job: Nesting and Production Studies. ----------~----~----------~----~---------------------- Objectives: To determine the nesting success and production chukars and the conditions affecting production. Scope: Escalante of Canyon, Delta County. Techniques used: Six surveys were made in Escalante Canyon during the period extending from June 19 to August 70 Counts were made from a vehicle and on foot of adults and juveniles to determine the percent of adults and juveniles in the population. Intentions were to conduct a second phase of study consisting of aging birds during trapping operations, and obtaining a post-reproductive period adult-juvenile ratio. ComparisDn of results from the two phases of study would have given some indication Of the value of the two methods in determining reproductive successo Only three chukars were captured in Escalante Canyon during trapping operations, however, and no information was obtained on the post -reproductive period adult-juvenile ratioo Observations were made to determine any factors that were affecting nesting success and production. Findings: Results from this study are limited to data obtained during the reproductive period. Brief discu.ssion will be "given of the adult-juvenile ratios obtained during surveys in June, July and August, and of the average brood size. Miscellaneous notes will be given on the effect of mowing of hay on chukar nesting success. Adult-juvenile ratio. Data in Table 1 shows the gradual increase in the number of young chukars in the population as the reproductive period progresses. A survey was made on August 14 to obtain additional information on the number of young and adults in the population. At this time, however, it was becoming difficult to separate the young and adult birds, and information from this survey is not recorded here. �-18Table 10 Date Jurie 19 June 24 July 1 July 2' August 7 Composition of the Chukar Population on Various Dates During the Reproductive Period, Escalante Canyon, Delta County, 1953. Number of adult chukars Number of chukars counted 17 66 101 96 83 Number of young chukars Composition of Eopulation %adults %young 10 33 63 66 63 7 33 38 30 20 1.43 1.00 1.66 2.20 3.15 59 50 63 69 76 bl 50 37 31 24 Noo of young per adult Average brood size: Attempts were made to obtain counts on single broodso the habit of chukars in assembling in groups, however, made it difficult to obtain this information. In many cases there was question as to whether a group of young birds, apparently of the same age, was a single or multiple brood. Examples of the composition of chukar groups are shown in Table 2. In these counts the young of each group appeared to be the same ageo Factors affecting nesting success. Interviews with ranchers in Escalante Canyon indicated that only one chukar nest was located in 14 hayfields (alfalfa). The nest was found by Bert Shreeves Jr. while mowing the first cutting of hay. An undetermiried number of eggs were broken. Six eggs were hatched by a domestic chicken at the Bert Shreeves Jr. ranch. Five chukars survived and remained in the vicinity of the ranch for about eight weeks after which they apparently left to join groups of wild chukars in the vicinity. No information was obtained on the effect of predators on young chukars. Table 2. Counts of Adul.t Chukars and Broods, .Escal.arrte Canyon, 1953. Number of young chukars in group Number of adult chukar-s in group (appearing as same age) 1 2 o 0 0 0 • e" .• 3 •••• 1.0, 2G 0 0 ~- • ..0 '4t • • • 0 ••• •• 00"0 00000.000 •••.• •••• o Q •• 8 0 • 0 • • 0 • 0 2ooooo.0 • 0 • • • • e> • •• o ., 0 0 • •• 0 •• 0 •••••• Q ••• 0 • 00 0 • 000 •• Q 0 0 0'0 0 10 16 9 8 0000 •• ~ •• 0 0 00.GO~O 1:5 17 10 20 3 • 0 0 0 0 • • 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 • 0 • 0 • • 2 0 0 0 0 • • • 0 0 • • • • • • • • • • 7 0 15 14 12 0 ~~ •••• oo.ooooo ••••• 1 . • • • • 4 • .00 2 • • 0 2 •• 40 • 00 ••• • • 0 • 0 • •• 0.$00 •••• 0 0 • 00 5000.00 6 Totals 000 o • • 0 0 0 000 00. 0 ••• 00 • eo. • • oo 0 0 • 0 0 0 • 000 0 4 0-0.000 •••• 17 0000 • 0 • 00. 0 • 0 • • • 0 0 000 • 0 • 0 7 • 4 9 190 Average number of young par groupo 1l.9 �-19Discussiont Information obtained during this study indicates that surveys to determine chukar reproductive success should be confined to the approximate period of July 25 to August 7. Counts made during the first part of July or earlier would not be accurate because of Unhatched birdso Accurate information would be impossible to obtain after the first week in August because of difficulty in distinguishing young from adultso Data obtained on August 7 indicates there were 3:15 young per adulto Information obtained by aging trapped birds during October and November" woUld have given some indication of the accuracy of this figure. It is recommended that studies be continued during 1954 to test the accuracy of the young per adult ratio obtained by counts during late July and early August. Additional study of brood sizes and congregation hatching would be desirable. of broods shortly after If the figure of 1109 young per group, shown in Table 2, indicates a near accurate single brood average, correlation can be made with the number of young per adult figure of 3.15 to give an indication of the number of non-breeding and non-successful breeders in the population. If the brood averages was 11.9 young, the number of young per breeding adult would have been 6000 Nearly 50 percent of the chukars in Escalante Canyon, therefore, may have been non-breeders or unsuccessful breeders during the 1953 seasono Although the~e is considerable area for nesting by chukars on the cul td.vabed land in Escalante Canyon, they seem to prefer the rocky slopes or other areas for nesting. Summary: 1. Six surveys were conducted in Escalante Canyon during June, July and August to determine the percent of adults and young in the populationo 20 A second phase of this study, aging of trapped chukars and determination of the age ratio for use in correlation with findings during the reproductive period, was intended but was impossible because of unsucce ssf'nl., trapping at.tempt.s , . 3. A steady natural increase in the percent of young chukars in the population occurred up to the first week in August. A figure of 3.15 young per adult was obtained during a count on August 7. 40 By the second week in August, it was impossible to accurately distinguish young from adult birds in some instances. 5. Difficulty was encountered in obtaining an average brood size, because of occasional congregation of chukar broods shortly after hatchingo 6. A figure of 1109 young per group of birds, appearing as the same age, was obtained and may be close to the actual single brood size average. �-20- 7. Correlation of the number of young per adult and the average brood size (accepted as accurate in this instance) indicates that about 50 percent of the chukars in Escalante Canyon were nonor unsucceasf'ul, breeders during the 1953 season. 8. Chukars seldom nest in agricultural crops within their range in Escalante Canyon. Prepared by: Date: Wayme W. Sandfort April, 1954 --------------------~--- Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-2lJOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS state of Colorado Project No. Work Plan PROJECTS W-37-R-7; Game· Bird Surveys 6 IV, Chukar Partridge Job No. -------'------------~.--~----------------------- _A ~ Title of Job: ______~~~ Trapping and Transplanting Objective: Scope: Personnel: _ To increase the range and numbers of chukar partridge. West-central Colorado. Dwight E. Owens, Russell Owens and Wayne W. Sandfort. Techniques used: Trapping operations were conducted during the period extending from October 29, 1953 to February 18, 1954. Trapping was started in Escalante Canyon on October 29 and discontinued December 15. Traps were set up in lower Kannah Creek on November 23 and operated at intervals until December 18. On January 17 traps were set up in the Little Peach Valley area, where approximately 60 chukars were regularly observed, and operated at intervals until February 18. Intentions were to obtain a minimum of La wild chukars to build up breeding stock at the Colorado Game Farm in order to raise birds for release in suitable areas of the state. Additional birds that were captured were to have been released in new areas in western Colorado. Traps, described in the Quarterly Report, April, 1952, p. 48, were used during the trapping operations. One attempt was made to drive chukars into a net inihe Little Peach Valley area on February 5. Findings: Trapping of chukars was very unsuccessful. Although considerable numbers of birds were present, food and weather condi tions were unfavorable for catching the chukara , .Rairifall,, occurring during the fall of 1953, was favorable for germination of cheatgrass seeds and other seeds, and abundant green vegetation was present in the chukar range. In addition the winter was extremely mild and snow never was of sufficient depth to cover up food for an extended period of time. Chukars occasionally would feed around the traps, but didn't show as much interest in the bait (wheat) as during previous years. �-22Two males and one female were captured in Escalante Canyon. One of these birds was killed by an unidentified predator after it had entered the trap- The other two birds apparently were badly frightened and suffered severe head injury from flying against the trap. One of these birds died in captivityo Two chukars were trapped successfully in lower Kannah Creek. All five birds captured were immature. Two were females and three were males. Males weighed 624.1, 580.8, and 66409 grams, and females weighed 47101 and 515.3 grams. Two males, banded with numbers 7170 and 7173, and one female, banded with number 7172, were released in lower Kannah Creek on March 3, 19540 An attempt was made to drive chukars into a net in Little Peach Valley on February 50 A cotton net, approximately 15 feet wide and 75 feet long was placed among greasewood in a draw above a group of approximately 46 chukars. The ch~ars'apparently were disturbed by activity in setting up the neAt and would not run up the draw as anticipated and intendedo Discussion: Inability to capture wild chukars during a mild winter and during a period when abundant natural food was available, indicates that improvement of trapping methods is needed under these conditions. The use of a "Cannon Netlll may be the solution. Use of such a device may eliminate weeks of baiting and checking traps, and also would eliminate the danger of having predators kill or frighten chukars that had been trapped. Summar.y: 10 Chukar trapping activities were conducted at intervals during the period extending from October 29, 1953 to February 18, 1954. 2. Trapping operations were very unsuccessful, due to abundance of natural food and mild weather. principally 30 Five chukars were captured. Two of these birds died as the result of injuries caused directly or indirectly by an unidentified predator. 4. Three birds were released in lower Kannah Creek on March 3, 19540 5. Use of a "Cannon Net" for experimental wild chukars is recommended. Prepared Date: by: Wayne W. Bandfort trapping of Approved by: Laurence Eo Riordan A~p_r1_·1~,~1~9~5~4 .._ Federal Aid Coordinator �.. _ ..... _ :l-"~ ~, . -23JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado W-37-R-7; Game Bird Surveys. ------~--~~----------------~~-----------------------Work Plan IV, Chukar Partridge Job No 8 --~~---------~----~~----------------------------Project No. o Title of Job! Adaptability, Survival, and Population Objectives! (a) To determine the adaptability chukars released in new areas. (b) To determine the population Checks. and survival of of chukars in all areas of the state. (c) To compile general information covering habitat selection, shelter requirements, food preferences, general habits and the effects of weather, predation, and other mortality factors. (d) To evaluate the environmental to t he increase or decrease of the species. Scope! factors in relation Entire State. Techniques used! Intensive surveys were conducted in Montrose, Delta, and Mesa counties during August and September to determine the numbers of chukars remaining in areas where wild birds were released, and to determine approximate numbers of chukars in areas where the birds have been established for several years. Surveys were made in all areas where wild chukars were released during 1951 and 1952. Intensive surveys, to determine chukar populations in areas where they have been established for some time, were confined principally to Delta and Mesa countieso These surveys were completed for Del"ta county only. Surveys were made by trips with a vehicle, on foot, and in some instances by boat into all known chukar areas in Delta county. Observation of birds and signs (tracks and droppings) were used to obtain information for estimating chukar populations. Interviews with local ranchers and other persons, having knowledge of certain areas, provided additional information. During all surveys and interviews, notes were kept regarding chukar movements, cover and food requirements, and other information of value in determining the reasons for adaptability and survival of chukars in the various areas. �/-~"-"9 ~1I,' _', ' ..""tt.:.:,,· ~·'·· -24General notes were kept on chukar numbers observed throughout 1953 and during the early part of 1954 to supplement information obtained during intensive surveys conducted in late summer, 1953. Findings: Information is given in the following discussions on the adaptability of wild chukars, released in new areas, and the population and distribution of chukars in other areas of western Colorado. Adaptability and survival of chukars released in new areas. Wild chukars, trapped in Escalante Canyon, were released in four areas in western Colorado. during 1951 and 1952. The following information is presented to show the results of this activity. Dry Creek-Montrose County Thirty chukars were released in this area on November 19, 1952. Birds were released 2.3 miles above the Rupert Seago ranch on the east side of the canyon. Information obtained after this release is very limitedG Reports indicate that at least a portion of these birds moved downstream to the Seago ranch by springo Several reports were received of chukars in this vicinity during March, 1953. No chukars, however, or signs of chukars, were observed by the writer. An intensive survey was made on August 20, 1953 during which the canyon area was closely checked from a point approximately one-half mile below Seago's ranch, upstream approximately miles to the release siteo No birds or signs were found. 2t Dwight E. Owens, Aerial Observer, checked the Dry Creek area on September 4, 1953, starting at the release site and going an estimated three miles upstream. Five chukars were seen about miles above the release site at 2:30 P.M. This observation shows that at least some of the chukars survived from the Dr,r Creek release for approximately months, and also indicates they may prefer the more rugged terrain farther up in this drainageo Checks will be made during the summer of 1954 to obtain additional information on the status of this release. It 9t Lower Kannah Creek-Mesa County Fifty chukars were released in the lower portion of Kannah Creek approximately one-fourth of a mile below Walter Simineo's cabin and about three~fourth of a mile above the confluence of Kannah Creek and the Gunnison River~ Releases were made as follows: 16 birds, January 2, 1952; 17 birds, December 9, 195L; and 17 birds, December 18,1952. �Chukars have been observed regularly in lower Kannah Creek since the original release. At least one clutch hatched successfully during the first breeding season. Two adults and eight young were observed near the point of release by Mr. Simineo during August, 1952. A minimum of 21 birds were· observed during, September, 1952'by~. Simineo. Following releases during December of 195~, chukars have spread out considerably. Birds have been reported approximately miles above the point of release, on Kannah Creek, more than a mile up the GUnnison River from the mouth of Kannah Creek and in the Uniweep Canyon area approximately three miles up the canyon from U. S. highway 50. It A minimum of 54 chukars were flushed on June 29, 1953 by the writer near the mouth of Kannah Creek. A. larger percentage of these chukars were young, appearing to'be from 2 to 4 weeks old. In summary it may be stated that chukars appear to be well established in the lower Kannah Creek area. Some of the birds have remained near the point of release and others have moved several miles into new areas. Horsethief r: Canyon-Mesa County Fifty-one chukars were released in Horsethief Canyon during 1951 and 1952. Twenty-one birds were transported into the Canyon by boat on December 9, 1951 and released on the north side of the river 2t approximately miles upstream from the mouth of Salt Creek. Thirty chukars were released on the property of Rudolph Johnson in the area known as Crow Bottom on December 1, 1952. This release was about three-fourth of a mile below the original release. Reports of these chukars have been limited, principally because of difficult access to much of the area. Reports, however, have been received of 18 birds on the Ogden ranch, about three miles downstream from Crow Bottom. Rudolph Johnson has observed chukars several times since their release. On January 15, 1954 he repo;rted he thought the birds were doing well in the area' and wanted some more birds released to speed up development. He saw two broods during the summer of 1953, one brood with about 15 young. A survey by boat was made by Dwight Owens and the writer on September 14, 1953. One chukar was heard calling and considerable tracks, droppings and dusting areas were observed about two miles above Crow Bottom on the south side of the river. Tracks and droppings of·chukars were observed in several localities along the sand-bars downstream as far as Crow Bottom. . �-26Future surveys will be needed to determine the status of chukars in Horsethief Canyono Extent and ruggedness of the terrain in the area make it difficult to obtain accurate information on populations. At least some birds have survived from original releases and some reproduction has occurred. Coon Hollow (DeBeque area) Mesa County Six chukars were released on the Ed Finley ranch southwest of DeBeque on December 22, 1952 to supplement birds already in the areao Effect of this release on the number of chukars is unknown. Mr. Finley reported about 25 birds in the area on August 28, 1953, but these chukars may have all been original stock. Population and location of chukars in Delta county. Information in Table 10 gives the location and numbers of chukars in Delta county during August and September, 1953. Distribution of these birds is shown in Figure 1. Table 10 Chukar Populations and Distribution, No. of birds observed during survey Delta County, 1953. Maximum No , of Estimated minimum birds observed number of birds in area during 1953 y Area Li ttl e Peach Valley Black Canyon Near Delta county line Near mouth of North Fork Red Carlyon Smith Fork Gunnison Riiler Angel t s Ran.ch Below Angel's Ranch Redlands Mesa Oak Creek Tongue CreekEscalante Canyon Gunnis.on River Hargrave's Ranch Broughton's Ranch Little Dominguez Creek Well's Gulch 2/ Totals Y ~ - _j 12 85 85 15 3 0 45 25 3 0 45 25 III 14 31 60 7 220 III 14 31 60 7 220 III 14 50 200 100 260 8 0 13 27 ~bb 8 8 15 15 27 973 0 13 27 b49 3 3 60 Minimum numbers based on surveys, signs (tracks and droppings), information obtained during interviews. and Chukars in the Well's Gulch area were experimental birds placed in the vicinity of a California type Gallinaceous Guzzler. �o 10 HHRRAI SCALE 20 30 4{) I I I OF MILES ® GRAND ;JUNCTION :!t!!1.!.!1..~ I.- GRAND E "'Il\\\ ~ I iF' iO: i:n .r,~j.::' :1 € E ., ~s ·1 t.u.llJIJ'- ~ r i 1Jt tJ.tlr.1!" d'lll..IJ),AJlllJ.1U 'UJ UJ.1'I.L!.' UUJ,JI U1ll. u..;w • I I I, LEGft.m I, •.•.•..••.• APPROXIMATE 80UNDARf OF RANGE I C.---:l ::f.:~;:~WI;: CONCENTRATION FIGURE 1.-- CHUKAR PARTRIDGE DISTRIBUTION, DELTA COUNTY) 1953 AREAS ~",l ; .A '].\" �-27Chukars of Delta County are found in four general areas as follows: (1) Black Canyon area comprised of the lower portion of the Black Canyon, Red Canyon, Smith Fork, North Fork of the Gunnison River, the Gunnison River for approximately six miles downstream from the mouth of the North Fork and Little Peach Valley, (2) Redlands Mesa area, (3) The Tongue Creek, Oak Creek area, and (4) Escalante Canyon, Gunnison River and Little Dominguez Chukars within these four general areas seem to move considerably and areao appear to have definite migration patterns in some instances. The Well's Gulch area of Delta County, mentioned in Table 1, and designated on the map in Figure 1, is an experimental area where the establishment of chukar populations, through the provision of California-type gallinaceous guzzlers, is being tested. Detailed descriptions of the location and distribution four general areas of Delta County are given belowo of chukars in the Black Canyon Area This whole chukar group is believed to have originated from the Little Peach Valley releaseo Birds range in Little Peach Valley from the Jack Alexander cabin, along the greasewood bordered creek, to a point at least one-fourth ~e south of the Adams' rancho Birds often are observed among the adobe hills extending to rocky canyons east of the Little Peach Valley road. Chukars from Little Peach Valley apparently moved eastward over the cedar and sagebrush covered slopes to the Black Canyon. Here they became established in a park-like area along the Gunnison River owned Qy Floyd Wilcox and located near the mouth of Red Canyon. A few chukars worked their way up Red Canyon and evidence of chuk~rs can be found about two miles above its mouth. Sagebrush and cheatgrass is abundant in the bottom of this canyon, although cedars grow profusely on both sides and extend down to the valley flooro There probably are few chukars in the area between the mouth of Red Canyon and Smith Forko Sheer walls of the Black Canyon extend to the water in maqy places and leave little range for chukars. Smith Fork Canyon is sheer-walled for about one mile above its confluence with the Gunnison River, after which it broadens and forms a valley containing some agricultural crops. Excellant chukar range is present from the point where the valley widens for several miles up the canyon. Boulders and. rocky out-croppings are present among the sagebrush, grease~ood,cedars and cheatgrass which are common on the hillsides. Water is plentiful in Smith Fork. �154••• .:c,_ .• _u-rc.- -28The canyon walls are sheer and chukar range is poor for about a mile down the GUnnison River from the mouth of Smith Fork, then the Black Canyon widens and chukar range again appears to be good.. The west side of the canyon contains considerable amounts of cheatgrasso The east side is relatively barren except for small Russian thistles and scattered annual and perennial grasses. Large boulders and scattered cedars are present on-the slopes that terminate above in rim-rocks •• Willows, greasewood, sagabrush and skUmkbush (Rhus trilobata) predominate along the edge of the river.. Horsetail (Equisetum spo) is common along the river banks and moist plac.ese ~ater is taken from the Gunnison River about one mile above its confluence with the North Fork of the Gunnison River. This water is used to irrigate approximately 160 acres of pasture land owned by Raymond Angel •. This.land lies on the south side of the Gunnison below the mouth of the North Fork •• During the fall chukars occasionally are observed in large numbers around this rancho Hillsides on both sides of the river are relatively barren of vegetation in the vicinity of the ranch.. Chukars fly across the river from the ranch and find retreat among the rim-rockso Chukars have been reported along the North Fork of the Gunnison River for a distance of approximately one mile above its confluence with the Gunnison. Ran&e is poor in this areao Both sides of the canyon are relatively barren of vegetationo Chukars range along the Gunnison River for several miles below the Raymond Angel ranch. The hillsides on the sputh side of the river are rocky and rolling with some cheatgrass and saltbush. The north wall of the canyon is steep, relatively barren and terminates in rim-rocko Chukars in this area are usually found among the willows and skunkbush that border the river •• A minimum of 300 chukars were present August and September, 1953. in the entire Black Canyon area during Redlands Mesa Area Observations and interviews indicate that chukars range along the lava boulderstrewn south side of west Redlands Mesa, mainly from Lawhead Gulch, east of Robert Holt's farm, to the John Burett farm and Dry Creek on the west end of the mesa e Reports indicate that chukars occasionally range as far east as the east end of the Clair Hotchkiss ranch, up Lawhead Gulch to the Ralph Kent farm, up Dry Creek for perhaps a mile from the Redlands Mesa road crossing,. across Dry Creek and Current Creek to the east end of Antelope Hill, and occasionally to the east side of a small mesa known as Stratton Mesa, below the west end of Redlands Mesa. Springs, seeps and small ponds are present along the south side of Redlands Mesa and provide abundant water for chukarso Skunks, bobcats, foxes and magpies are reported to be numerous and may take a heavy toll of chukars. �Figure 20 Chukar partridge range near the mouth of Red Canyon in the Black Canyon area, Delta county. This countr,y represents some of the best known chukar range in Coloradoo Figure 3. Close-up view of chukar range in the Black Canyon, Delta county. Note abundant, heavily seeded cheatgrass in the foreground Saltbush (Atriplex ~.) growing on talus slope of granite rock in the blackground. �Figure U. Chukar range, Delta count Yo Sagebrush, cedars and cheatgrass among scattered boulders and roc~ out-croppings on the slopes of Smith Canyon, li miles above the Gunnison River. Figure 50 Chukar habitat on small tributary of Oak Creek, Delta county. Vegetation, principally greasewood, sagebrush and saltbush. Small lava boulders on hillsideso Grand Mesa in the backgroundo �-29- Lava rock, greasewood, sagebrush and cedars provide excellent cover. Birds are believed to work mainly near the top of the mesa, coming into fields to feed in the early morning and evenings. The chukar population in the Redlands Mesa area during August and September probably totalled at least 50 birds. Tongue Creek-Oak Creek Area Chukars in this area mayor may not intermingle Their range is characterized by the sides of mesas, with agricultural crops along the Valleys atthe foot of the mesas and also on the mesa tops. The Sides of the mesas are strewn with relatively small lava rocks. Sagebrush, greasewood, rabbitbrush, willows and skunkbush are the characteristic shrubs growing on the slopes. Numberous seeps and small marshes are found along the hillside in the Tongue Creek area. 0 Chukars range along the slope on the east side of Tongue Creek from a point due west of Eckert, south for approximately two and one-half miles. Birds are observed regularly by farmers at the foot of the slope, along the Tongue Creek valley, and also by farmers along the west edge of the mesa, above this valley. Birds probably are dependent on agricultural crops in this area for their main source of food. Oak Creek is a tributar,y of Tongue Creek, its mouth lying approximately one and one-half miles west and one-half mile north of Eckert. Chukars appear to concentrate in the Oak Creek valley area during late summer. At other times of the year they prob~bly are widespread, reports indicating they range over Jackrabbit and Doctor's Mesas, lying soath of Oak Creek, and also on mesas lying north of this valley. Reliable reports indicate the birds migrate several miles to the Hell's Kitchen area and other rough countr,y below the Grand Mesa. Abundant cheatgrass is found in this area and may provide suitable chukar habitat, provided water is availableo Observations, plus a number of enthusiastic reports, indicate the number of chukars in the Tongue Cr.eek, Oak Creek area during August and September, 1953, totalled at least 300 birds, with.200 being associated with the Oak Creek range. . Escalante Canyon, Gunnison River, Little Dominguez A~ea Chukar populations in this area originated from plantings in Escalante Canyon. Birds from this canyon spread along the Gunnison River and into the Little Dominguez area. �-30Chukar s in Escalante Canyon range from the H ••Ao "Captainll Smith cabin eight miles downstream to the confluence of Escalante Creek and the Gunnison River. Birds are associated with agricultural crops along most of the canyon area, At higher elevations, at the upper end of tha canyon, sagebrush, greasewood, saltbush, and rabbitbrush are common. Slopes become much more barren on sides of the valley toward the lower portion of the canyon. Mesas, on both sides of Escalante Canyon, contain considerably more natural food for chukars (grasses) than the steep slop es of the canyon, Chukars occasionally range several miles up the Gunnison River from the mouth of Escalante Canyon, and more commonly are found along tha Gunnison for approximately 10 miles downstream, extending into Mesa county in the vicinity of Bridgeport. Li~tle Dominguez Creek enters the Gunnison River just above Bridgeport. Small numbers of chukars have been observed in this canyon, and reports indicate large groups may be in the area during some periods. Range in this ~ocality somewhat resembles that in Escalante Canyon. No agricultural crops, however, are grown in Little Dominguez Canyon. Chukars are found along the Gunnison River in small numbers. They appear to move up and down the river, perhaps searching for a suitable spot to live. Range for chukars along the Gunnison, above and below the mouth of Escalante Canyon, is poor. Canyon walls are relatively barren and the canyon is surrounded by relatively barren range. Skunkbush, greasewood, willows and rabbitbrush line the sides of the river. Chukars are observed more commonly in Escalante Canyon than in other areas of Delta county, principally due to a road that runs the length of the canyon where chukars range, and because water and perhaps agricultural crops concentrate birds near this road. NUmbers of chukars observed in the Escalante Canyon, Gunnison River and Little 'Dominguez area during August and September, 19?3, totalled 2980 Population and location of chukars in Mesa County. Surveys for chukars in Mesa County are incomplete. ,./£ summary of information obtained to date, however, is given in Table 20 " �1~q _~~ -31Table 2. Chukar Populations No. of birds observed during survey Area Coon Hollow (DeBeque area) Bridgeport Upper Kannah Creek Lower Kannah Creek (including Gunnison River in vicinity of mouth of Kannah Creek) 2/ Uniweep Canyon (East Creek y Horsethief Totals and Distribution, Canyon 2/.. 4 Mesa County, 1953. Maximum No of birds observed during 1953 0 4 Estimated minimum number of birds in area y 0 47 0 47 25 42 60 13 54 70 0 0 16 0 ,121 16 25 238 64 Y Minimum numbers based on surveys, signs (tracks and droppings), and information obtained during interviews. 2/ Population of chukars developed through release of wild birds that were trapped during 1951 and 1952 in Escalante Canyon, Delta County. Discussion: Surveys in areas where wild birds were released indicate that chukars are established in at least one area. Some birds have remained in the other areas and indicate that success from these releases may be attained. Future studies will be needed to determine the final outcome of these releases. Intensive studies to obtain information on the distribution and numbers of chukars were completed for Delta county and partially completed in Mesa County. It is recommended that these studies be continued to cover other chukar areas in Colorado. Findings in Delta county indicate that established groups of chukars confine their movements to four general areas. Movement from one specific location to another, within these general areas, probably is determined by seasonal weather and food conditions. ..; c:.:~ �-32Summary: 10 Surveys were conducted in west-central Colorado to determine the development of chukar populations from wild birds. released in new areas, and to determine the number and distribution of chukars in all areas. 20 Chukars have remained in the three areas where major releases (30) birds or more) were made during the 1951 and 1952 seasonso Good development has occurred and chukars appear to be definitely established in one area. The status of birds in the other areas is not accurately known. 3. Intensive to determine surveys were made in Delta and Mesa counties the number and distribution of chukars. 4. Chukars were ..found in 15 localities in Delta county. A total of 566 birds were observed in different groups during August and September, 1953. 50 The estimated minimum number of chukars in Delta county during August and September was 976. This estimate was based on birds observed, tracks and droppings and numerous. interviewso 6•. Chukars in Delta county are believed to confine their movements to four general areas. Birds from certain localities probably move to other localities within these general areas. Seasonal weather and·food conditions probably influence this movement. 7. Incomplete surveys in Nesa County indicate a minimum of 238 chukars were present in six localities during 1953. 8. Future studies are recommended to determine the development of chukars in new areas and to obtain additional information on the numbers and distribution of chukars in established populationso Prepared Date : by: Wayne"W. Sandfort A.;;;,:p;_r_;;;;il;::L., ..,.;;1:;.:.9...::;,5,;;;:;4 _ Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-33JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado ----~~~~-------- State of Project No, W-37-R-7.; Work Plan I~V~,~~C=h~uk==ar=_~P=ar~t=r~i~d~g~e~ __ ~J~ob~N~o~.~ Title of Job: Objectives: Game Bird Surveys .• ~9 _ Banding Studies To obtain information on chukar movements and longeVity. Scope: "West-central Colorado (intensive study in Escalante Delta county. Canyon, Techniques: . Procedure during this study was to consist of banding a minimum of 25 chukars in various parts of Escalante Canyon during trapping operations and releasing these birds at the trap site; these birds to provide information on movements and longevity if captured during succeeding years. Chukars were banded and released during the 1951 and 1952 seasons in Dr,y Creek, lower Kannah Creek and Horsethief Canyon. Observations were made of chukars at close range with binoculars in lower Kannah Creek on November 23, 1953. Findings: Only three chukar-s were captured in Escalante Canyon during the 1953 season. No birds were banded or released and no returns were obtained from birds banded during the 1951 or 1952 season. Twenty-four chukars were observed -in lower Kannah Creek on November 23, 1953. Ten of these birds were accurately checked for bands with the Only one of the chukars was bandedo These were aid of field glasseso approximately 3/4,of a mile above the point where they were released. Summary: 1. This investigation was relatively inactive during 1953 because of unsuccessful trapping attemptso No band returns were obtained from three chukars captured in Escalante Canyon. 2. Observation of a banded chukar in lower Kannah Creek indicated a movement of approximately 3/4 of a mile from the point of release. Additional observations showed nine birds were not banded, indicating some reproductiono Prepared by: Date: Wayne Wo Sandfort Approved by: April, 1954 --------~~~~~~------- Laurence E. Riodan Federal Aid Coordinator Iij~rllllij'~I~llil~jrlilli[~i~~~~II~il~I'ijll BDOW023736 ��JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS state of Colorado Project Noo 1 W-39-R-7 Work Plan No.. II ----~~--~-----------~----Job No ---------- Title of Job , o Trapping and Transplanting Merriam's Wild Turkeys Objectives: To develop and restore the wild turkey to all of its optimum or near optimum ranges determined by present standards. To create wherever possible huntable surpluses of wild turkeys. Techniques Used~ (I). Selection of trapping areas according to presence of surplus birds, or need for removal from inhabited sections, or need for banding and release in same area. (2). Areas are pre-baited before trap erection and baiting is continued until birds enter trap freely. (3) Trap doors are dropped from an observation post in convenient blind or vehicle. (4) Turkeys caught are banded and transported release site or released at trapsite as markers. to Introduction: Following the hard winter on the western slope in 1950-51 there was a general feeling that turkey losses had been pretty heavy. Very few dead birds were reported or observed in survival checks over the area. Then tracks in nesting areas were not as plentiful in the spring of 1952 as they had been earlier. "Whether the birds had drifted from their usual haunts, spread out or perished was unknown. As was reported before, two areas, Dolores River Mesa and Thompson Park showed little sign of turkey activity. In the fall of 1952 there was an increase in the number of birds and the number of flocks available for hunting. However, the turkey hunting pressure that year was not sufficient to even stir the birds up or cause any appreciable scattering. In the fall of 1952 foods were very abundant and it was neztto impossible to concentrate suitable-size flocks for trappingo Despite generous big game hunting seasons deer continued to show signs of increasing in certain areas. Within these areas available food was reduced due to heavy utilization of browse by the deer. Turkeys naturally dri~ted to areas that were less affected by the heavy deer concentc-atdons, This was true at the Turkey Ranch where the birds, in their fall migration, moved through the ranch but did not concentrate there as they had in former years. I~~lllllli' ijl~'llil~iII1l1i[~i~i~~1 ~iillll'~11 BDOW023740 �-36Observations in the summer of 1953 showed the turkeys had made a strong comeback Broods counted and observed doubled any former year on the western slope but during the fall it was noted that many of the flocks were ranging in areas not frequented before. As an example the Dolores area showed a strong build-up of turkeys but they no longer ranged in the canyons as they had before. 0 Trapping season sign and concentrations 1953-54. When the trapping season opened in November turkey concentrations were plenti~. More than one hundred birds were ranging in the Turkey Rancho Repeated observations showed a majority of young toms in these flocks. There were more concentrations checked in the fall of 1953 than ever though "t1hef'oqds, while sufficient, were much below the 1952 level. As a result ~f.this the turkeys were constantly on the move. The winter remained open. At no time during the winter was there more than one South slopes opened up quickly and foot of snow on the bottom landso the turkeys had little trouble finding plenty of food. A feed ground was set up on Mill Creek east of Pagosa Springs. This area had been heavily hunted, so a trapping attempt was made for banding purposes only. After only a few feedings the birds moved on and never returned to this area. Findings: Turkey Ranch Trapping. Regular feeding was started in early October. Flocks varying in size from twelve to fifty fed into the trap area irregularly at first. Observation at the roost showed that a good many birds were present but were not utilizing the trap feed. By late November and early December the flocks began feeding through the trap regularly with over sixty birds presento Occasionally birds were seen east of the ranch and west of it also. Several times a flocks of some forty birds were reported in the Stallstimer Notch area southeast of the ranch but still north of State Highway 1600 Other flocks were reported south along stallstimer Creek and nearly to the state line. Normally a sex ratio of almost perfect proportions could be made at the ranch at any time desired, or so we thought. The . trap was readied and trips tested on January 4, 1954 and later that daya cqtch of twenty-one hens was made. Ten of these hens were selected for a transplant while the rest were banded with marker bands and released. While the banding and releas:ir.g process was going on a flock of over twenty toms came near and gobbled and: fussed for ten to fifteen minutes before finally leaving. The ten hens for the plant were.banded with numbers 908 through 917. The released birds were banded with the one hundred series bands III tl::!rough 121. �-37The crated birds were released the next morning at Surface Creek on Green Mountain which is about eight miles from Cedaredge. There were two mature hens, three one year old hens and five juveniles in this transplant. On January lOth, Clark Ford caught 3 fine young toms and three' hens. The hens were released but the hen with band number 124 broke a thigh bone in the trap and died soon afterward. The toms were crated and driven directly to Cedaredge for release but unfortunately one of these died just as he was released fromthe cr-at.es , These two turkeys were the first casual ties on the w~stern slope in three years of trapping work. Both carcasses were preserved and sent to the University of Colorado at Boulder for study skin purposes. Beaver Creek Trapping:: A complaint from the Beaver Creek area, seven miles east of Bayfield, was the incentive for trapping operations in that area this year. Permission to trap on the Monger place was obtained. This made trapping a little easier to reach than on the complaint area. A trapping site was selected and feeding started around Thanksgiving. The Monger boy was hired to assist with feeding. This trap could not be given full time as there were other trapping areas that needed attention also. As soon as the turkeys concentrated -around the trap area a trap was set-up whic~ included a tent blind. There were forty-nine turkeys in this flock by actual count , Close observation of this trap was made for eighteen days. The turkeys fed around the trap and individuals birds fed into and out of the trap repeatedly. There was never a trapable flock that fed in at one time. Various tests were made to relieve the shYness but none of them ever did much good. The birds quit the trap area around January 1st. During December there were signs of mating activity, the toms quarreling a lot and some of their heads showing deep redo Strutting also was noted frequently. This was the first time this type of activity had been noted this early in the year by the writer~ There was one hen in this flock that showed signs of being .a tame hybrid. She had heavy wattles (loose skin beneath the chin) but her behavior was extremely wild. Four Mile Snowball Area. Feeding was started at the Ray Macht feed ground aroundthe middle of December. Because traps were being used elsewhere, one was not available ,till mid-January. When the trap was placed the birds began feeding into it rather quickly. Forty two turkeys was the largest number observed here at one time. On January 28th five turkeys were caught and banded for release as markers in this area. Birds were banded with numbers ranging from 125 through 1290 Two young toms Nos. 127 and 129 were crated and taken to the Turkey Ranch as exchange breeders. �-38Confer Hill Trapping Try. This area is some 20 miles south of Pagosa Springs. So far as is known no hunting has occured in this area in regular hunting season. Game Warden Charles Vavak reported that more than fifty turkeys were feeding in this flock. He volunteered to assist with the feeding and trapping work. Feeding was started in December with Warden Vavak taking feed in about twice or three times per week. First observation of the flock showed considerable activity and that there were fifteen large toms in this flock. As the work progressed the large toms moved up out of the area. Since all portable traps were in use a trap for the area was not available till January 29th. At that time a trap with blind and all necessary equipment was set up. A check on January 30 showed all feed had been cleaned up both in and around the trap. The unpredictability of turkey behavior around a turkey trap provides an interesting sidelight. These birds were strictly wild and plenty spooky at the approach of humans, yet with a trap set up in a rather wild situation and a tent blind nearblf, these turkeys went into the trap and cleaned up all the feed the first day it was in the area. By way of comparison, the Beaver Creek birds were in a comparatively domestic situation. They saw humans every day. Still these birds were cagey about the trap and consistently refused to go in. It is possible that available food in the .area made some difference. In Beaver Creek food crops during the year were heavy while in the Confer Hill area they were only fair to good. However, from past experiences it is evident that foods available are not always the deciding factor. an February 4th eight turkeys were taken which included three fine young toms. One of these was taken to the Macht ranch and released on an exchange basis. The remaining seven turkeys were moved to Rifle Creek northeast of Rifle and close to the proposed new hatchery site. Again, bad luck followed us. A fine young hen died just as she was being released at 8:00 A.M. on February 5th. Her toes had become entangled in the wire mesh on the bottom of the new crates. This defect will be remedied Qy placing solid bottoms in these crates at once. A second catch was made at this trap on February 18th when six hens were caught, banded and released in the area as markers. Canyon Creek-Glenwood Springs area. Two feed grounds were established in the Canyon Creek area. Turkeys came freely to both of these at first. In one case the turkeys left the area completely with feed on the ground before a trap was available. In the second case the birds came to the trap the first morning and seven of them went through the trap. This could be determined by tracks in fresh snow that fell the previous night. For some reason these turkeys never visited the trap site again. There was no indication that the birds had been II1spookedll in any manner at this trap site. The trap was left set for a month, then picked up and stored. �-39Banding Data. Area: Date January 4th, 1954. Turkey Ranch Remarks Sex Age Band No. hen juv~nile 908 .mature hen 909 j~V'enile hen 910 hen I-year 911 mature hen 912 hen I-year 913 hen I-year 914 juvenile hen 915 916' jtrvenile hen juvenile 917· hen These birds were moved to the Cedaredge district. juvenile hen ill juvenile hen 112 juvenile hen 113 hen I-year 114 hen I-year 115 mature hen il6 mature hen il7 hen mature heavy 118 .I-year hen 119 120 hen I-year 121 he~ I-year These birds were banded and released as markers at the turkey ranch. This is done to gather life history data. Area Turkey Ranch 122 123 124 Date hen hen hen January 10, 1954. juvenile mature mature Died-Inj'Qred .in trap. Nos.112 and 123 were banded and released at the ranch as markers. tom juvenile 918 tom juvenile Died at 919 Cedaredge. 920 tom juvenile 918 and 920 were taken to Cedaredge and released. 124 and 919 were taken to the Colorado University at.Boulder for Museum specimenso Area - Fourmile-Snowball Date January 28, 1954. 125 hen mature 126 hen .mature .127 tom juvenile 128 hen mature 129 tom .juvenile Bands 125,126, and 128 were released as markers in the area. Bands 127, 129 were young toms and were crated and taken to the state turkey ranch as breeders. �1··e;:? ......al_. •. -40Area Date, February 4, 1954. Confer Hill Band 921 Sex tom Age ju;venile Remarks Released at Macht ranch-Fourmile area. 922 tom juvenile 923 hen juvenile 925 tom juvenile Died at Rifle creek. 926 hen juvenile 927 hen mature 928 hen juvenile Birds were taken to Rifle Creek and released on February 5th. (925 was held for Kansas University but mice got into crate and destroyed it.) Band Sex Age Remarks 130 hen I-year 131 hen I-year 132 hen juvenile 133 hen I-year 134 hen juvenile 135 hen mature These birds were trapped, banded and released in the area as markers 0 Wardens Vavak and Holcomb assd st.ed.dn the trapping of birds at the Ma.cht place on Fourmile Creek. Warden Vavak assisted on the Confer Hill trapping w6rko _ Clark Ford assisted with all trapping work on the western slope during the year. Experimental Plantings. Experimental plantings up to the present have shown gratifying progress. From data gathered over a period of years there are indications that considerable range in Colorado can be stocked with turkeys. The turkeys planted in experimental range in Colorado have shown a high adaptability to environment." Probably weather factors, if foods are abundant, will be the controlling point for determining planting sites. Where deep snows persist for long periods on south slopes the birds would not be able to sustain themselves. .. Findings~ Eastern Slope. Mesa de Maya Area. Preparations for trapping were begun in the Mesa de Maya area in early October, 1953. At this time there were only thirty turkeys ranging in Smith Canyon so it was decided to attempt to make a catch, band the birds, and release them at the trapsite. The portable slat-type trap was erected on November 3,'1953. Later observations at the trap showed the majority of the turkeys were not coming to the trapsite to feed as only seven were seen regularly. Heavy snows with high winds ih this area closed the road �Figure 1. Figure 20 Mature toms feeding near trapsite in the Mesa de Maya area. January, 1954. �Figure 3. Crates at release site before releasing the wild turkey hens. West Plum Creek, Rampart Range. March 2, 19540 Figure 4. A hen flying from crate at West Plum Creek release. March 2, 19540 �-LJ.to the trap site so that further observations could not be made until early January when thirty turkeys were found ranging near the trapsite. The flock consisted of approximately one-half old mature toms and the remainder hens. An attempt to band was not made a.t the time since it was thought an attempt would be made to secure hens elsewhere and use some of these surplus toms for transplanting purposes. Throughout the winter, rancher Ben Lane was very cooperative in feeding the turkeys at the trapsite along with his cattle feeding activities. The month of February, 1954 was for the most part very mild in the area with the result that the flock had split early with some of the turkeys leaving the area. By the time a try for toms was made in early March, after securing enough hens for a transplant from Santa Clara Creek only three mature toms and nine hens were found ranging at the trapsite. One of the mature toms waS caught and relEi\a~edat the West Plum Creek transplant area on the eastern slope of the Rampart Range west of Larkspur on March 7, 1954. This tom weighed 22 and 1/2 pounds and was in very good condition. Santa Clara Creek. During late January, 1954 a large flock of hens and young were located on Santa Clara Creek and permission to trap enough hens to make a transplant was secured from rancher Pete Nardine. Feeding was started on January 29, 1954. The first count of the flock wa,s made in the area with sixty-two turkeys being counted. The experimental chicken-wire trap with the top covered with 1/8, inch minnow seine was erected at the feedground on February 14, 1954. Subsequent observations showed the turkeys would not feed inside the trap because of the movement of the minnow seine with the wind. The minnow seine was removed on February 20, 1954 and the turkeys began to feed inside. Nine hens were caught on March 1, 1954. These turkeys were taken to the West Plum Creek release area west of Larkspur on the aaat ern slope of the Rampart Range and released on the morning of 11l.rch2, 1954. A snowstorm in the area prevented their beihg released on the afternoon of March 10 The following table shows the band numbers and other data of the turkeys transplanted on the eastern slope area: �-42Table 1 Trapping Site. (Pete Nardine ranch). March 1, 1954 Date and time Band No , Santa Clara Creek Sex Age 8~00 A.M. Spur (mm) Weight (lbs) Beard (cm) 822 823 824 825826 827 828 829 830 Juvenile Hen 9 1/2 Mature 10 Hen Hen 2 yr. 9 Hen 2 yr. 9 1/2 Juv.eIiile Hen 9 Juvenile Hen 9 1/4 Hen Juvenile 10 Juvenile Hen 8 Juvenile Hen 9 Release site' - West Plum Creek, Perry Park Ranch. Release Date and Time - March 2, 1954. 10:00 A. M. Assisting with release - Warden Colley and foreman N. Warren. Table 2 Trapping Site. Mesa de Maya (Ben Lane ranch). Date and time. March 7, 1954 7:30 A. M. Band No •• Sex Age Weight (lbs) Spur (mm)' Beard (cm) 831 Tom Mature 22 1/2 23 23 Release Site - West Plum Creek, Perry Park Ranch. Release Date and Time - March 7, 1954, 3~30 P. M. Assisting with release - foreman N. Warren. other Areas. Checks throughout the fall-winter periods were made in the Spanish Peaks and Beulah-Rye areas in order to locate other flocks large enough to warrant trapping. Several other sizeable flocks were located, however it was thought inadvisable to trap these sites because they are in the areas where the heaviest turkey hunting pressure has occurred during the past open seasons. The past turkey season along with two big game seasons over most of the eastern slope turkey areas apparently kept the birds from concentrating as early as usual and made them much more wary. �-43Band Return. One band used in banding studies was secured during the past wild turkey hunting season by Wardens Boyd, P. Steele, and Griffino The band (No. 809) was from a mature tom banded on January 13, 1953 in Smith Canyon on the north side of Mesa De Maya. The tom was killed by Carol Holder of Rocky Ford on October 2, 1953 on the southwest rim of Mesa de Maya above the Dick Loudan-ranch approximately five airline miles from the banding site. The tom weighed 19 pounds when banded and reportedly weighed 20 pounds when killed by the hunter. The band reportedly fell off the turkey while the hunter was carrying it to his car and he had to return to find the band. Observations on transplanted birds which have been banded before releasing indicates the turkeys may not carry the bands as long as desirable for life history studies. One band was found beneath a roost near a release site in the Cottonwood Creek- Carrizo Creek area in the spring following the turkey1s release. Close-up observations on these turkeys during the following w.llterafter their release failed to reveal any of the birds carrying bands 0 Recommendations: Eastern Slope. Trapping operations on the eastern slope during the past fall-winter period have indicated there is a distinct need for an area to be set aside to furnish stock for future transplants. This situation has arisen because of the difficulty in securing permission to trap birds from flocks which have contributed birds for the wild turkey open seasons. Summary: Observations and reports indicated that tUrkeys were plentiful on the western slope in the fall of 1953. Open weather with scattered food supplies kept the turkeys on the move over most of the area. Four feeding grounds established as possible trapping grounds did not produce because of the open weather; one in Mill Creek, west of Pagosa Springs, one on Beaver Creek east of Bayfield, two in Canyon Creek northwest of Glenwood Springs. A total of forty-five turkeys were trapped arid banded on the western slope. Twenty-seven atthe Turkey Ranch, five at the Macht Ranch on Fourmile Creek, and fourteen at the Confer Hill trap site south of Pagosa Springso Of these, twenty were moved to two transplant sites; one near Cedaredge, the other on Rifle Creek, and three toms were moved as exchange breeders. The rest were banded and released at the trap site as markers to gather life history datao Development of plants in non-historical areas indicate the possibility of extending the turkey range considerably in Coloradoo �-44Nine hens (from Santa Clara Creek) and one mature tom (from Mesa de Maya) were transplanted to West Plum Creek along the eastern slope of the Rampart Range west of Larkspur during early March. A need for the establishment of an area on the eastern slope to supply transplant stock in the future is indicated if both open seasons and transplanting activities of wild turkeys are to be carried on. One band from the trapping season the previous winter was recovered by Department Wardens from a successful wild turkey hunter in 'the Mesa De Maya area. The bird ( a mature tom) was killed approximately five miles southwest of the banding site. Prepared Date: by: Martin L. Burget Approved by: Donald M. Hoffman ~A~p~ril~·~1~1~9~5~4~ _ Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator! �-45JOB COMPLETION INVESTIGATIONS REPORT PROJECTS State of Colorado --~~~~~----------Project No. W-39-R-7 II Job No,_ 2 ------~-----------Work Plan No. --~~------------Title of Job~ Supplemental Winter Feeding --~~~~----~----~~~~------------------------Objectives: To preserve residual flocks in areas affected by short feed and severe winter conditions. Techniques Used: Grain (wheat, barley, oats, or corn) is distributed either by project personnel or interested cooperators to t~r~ey flocks where field checks indicate there is a need for supplemental winter feeding. Supplemental feeding on the western slope for the year 1953-54 has been extremely lighto Light wintering conditions with plenty of feed in most areas has kept calls for feed at a minimum. However some feed was supplied to regular feeding station areas in case the grain was needed. 500# of grain was stored at Mancos Ranger Station. 600# were taken to Warden Bollan at Dolores. 800# were left with Warden Mangus at Norwood f or the Norwood Ute Pass area. 500# were taken to Warden Cox for the eastern part of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Trapping feed in the various areas used up approximately one ton of feed, and no record is kept of the feed used at the Turkey Ranch. Feeding is earr-i.edon there throughout the winter whether trapping is done or not. All of this grain was raised and harvested at Turkey Ranch. Wardens have ably assisted in this supplemental feeding program and Forest Rangers in some cases have carried the work on, where wardens were not close enough to do the work. A total of 6100 pounds of whole grain consisting of 4200 pounds of barley and 1900 pounds of wheat have been utilized during the past fallwinter period for trapping operations and supplemental feeding on the eastern slope. Of the above total 2000 pounds was secured from the Devil Creek Turkey Ranch. ,Eight hundred pounds remained from the previous year, and the remainder was purchased locally. I~~II~II~'~I~'~ll~lrlil~~~i~I[~~1 ~~illli~11 BDOW023744 �-46The majority of the grain was distributed in the drought-stricken turkey areas east of Uo So 85-87 for both trapping operations and supplemental winter feeding. A large -amount was also used in the Spanish Peaks area while a lesser amount was used in the Beulah-Rye The assistance received from interested ranchers and Departmental personnel with this work has been appreciated. Prepared Da te : by: Martin Lo Burget Approved Donald M. Hoffman by: Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator A;;....pr_il_......;15::;_.,'---"-1~95;_4..:......_ areas. �-47state of Colorado --~------~7,~~~ Pro ject No ._~,......;W......;,---=3:...::5""";-'::'~-f;j=:...' 7 Work Plan No. Title of Job. 'L; _A......;n_t_;;e...::l..:"opo;..e_..;;,R_e_s_t_o_I'_a_tl_· o_n --~----,---,-_ II Job Noo 1 ----------------------~---------------~-----Antelope Trapping and Transplanting, 1953 - 540 Objective: To develop and restore the pronghorn antelope on sites' previously selected as meeting the overall requirements for good development and management. Trapping to be done from areas where herd can properly be reduced. Techniques Used: The trap constructed this 'year was patterned from the same style used in 1951-52:with the exception of a minor change, the corners in the trap wing fence were "rouilded-out" instead of at right-angles (to prevent corner pile-up of the antelope) 0 This year, as in the past, the antelope were hazed into the trap and then into the trap wing with an airplane and left overnight to rest. The following day the pronghorns were driven slowly by the ground crew into the main trap, hand-caught, ear-tagged and loaded for transporting. A two-ton truck was used for transportation. It was provided with a special built, stake bed with narrow spacing between stakes and covered across the top with a tight canvas. Results: The trap was set up again this year on Appelts Ranch9 southeast of Colorado Springs, and remained there throughout the trapping season. The trapping operation began earlier this year than in the past. The first trapping was made November 18, 1953, the last February 4, 1954. It was found that earlier in the season the weather conditions were more desirable for flying and pregnant females were handled easier during trapping and loading, causing less injuries to the does and/or fetuses. The warm weather during most of the trapping season is believed to have influenced the antelope to remain in small herds, resulting in smaller catches. A total of 195 antelope were trapped in 8 trappings with an average of 24.3 antelope per catcho From the total trapped, 182 (96 does, 86 bucks) were successfully released in 6 selected plant sites. The casualties resulting from trapping and transporting totaled 13 or 606% (8 died in trap, 5 during transporting). I~ill~lli'ijl~'~il~jrlll~~~i[I[~flll~il~I~11 BDOW023739 �-- . '<'"l~r::..~ ~L.. $ -48A Supercub "135", smaller lighter type airplane, was used this year for the first time to drive the pronghorns into the trap. The planes maneuverability plus the ability to ':maintainflight at a slow speed and the skillful piloting of an experienced man in hazing antelope, aided the efficiency of the trapping success. Again this year the writer found experience was important to determine how hard the pronghorns could be pushed before needless casualties resulted. The State of Oklahoma received a plant of 19 animals, 12 does, 7 buc~, in a trade for channel catfish. These animals were transported to an area 12 miles southeast of Guymon and released. Distribution of Age and Sex Groups for Each Site. Lamar Transplant Site: Prowers County, Durham Ranch, 20 miles southwest of Lamar. Date: November 19, 1953. Bucks Adults .Fawns Totals 5 2 -7- Does 3 2 --S Total 8 4 12 Sex ratio: 1 buck per .72 does. Curtis Transplant Site: Saguache. Date: Saguache County, Hot Springs, 23 miles west November 24, 1953. Adults Fawns Totals Bucks Does Total 1 2 5 -0- 4 -0- 3 9 12 Sex ratio: 1 buck per 1 doe. Orient Transplant Site: east Villa Grove. Date: Saguache County, Everson Ranch, 8 miles south- December 11, 1953. Februar,r 4, 1954. Adults Fawns Totals Bucks Does 7 16 3 1<) '2:L 5 Sex ratio: 1 buck per 2.1 does. T.otal 23 8 31 �Antelope slowly being pushed from the trap wing into the main trap by ground crew. Figure 1. Ear-tagging antelope before loading. Figure 2. �1 .r:;.Q ~- " . -49P:dtchett -Transplant Si te:: Baca County, Bakers Ranch, 12 miles north- west Pritchett. Date: December 14, 1953. December 21, 1953. Adults Fawns Totals Bucks Does Total 14 11 25 10 39 21 ~ 60 ~ Sex ratio~ 1 buck per 1.4 does. Kim Transplant of Kim. Date: Site:' Las Animas County, Dunlap Ranch, 8 miles south January 19, 1954. Bucks Does Total 12 15 13 16 Adults Fawns Totals 3 28 15 27 43 Sex ratio: 1 buck per 1.8 does. James Transplant Burlington •.. Site: Kit Carson County, 40 miles south of Dabe r January 19, 1954. Bucks Adults Fawns Total 2 o ~ Sex ratio: Does J o "3'"" Total 5 o --s- 1 buck per 1.5 does. This transplant was made to supplement a small herd already existing at this site. Acknowledgment: Grateful appreciation is extended to the Bird Farm workers, John Stevenson and Willis Mansfield, for their devoted assistance in each of the trapping operations; to Technician Pillmore, who assisted several times in loading antelope; to Norm Hughes, whose uncanny piloting of an airplane hazed the pronghorns into the trap; and to Alfred Heins, my assistant, who participated in all phases of the work, from building the trap to the planting of antelope. �-50Grateful -appreciation is also extended to the Fish Division for lending trucks whenever needed. Summary: 1. The same style trap,techniques and location were used this year as 1951-52 trapping season. 2. A Supercub "135tl, smaller-lighter type aircraft, used this season for the first time, was found more effecti~e in hazing the pronghorns. 3~ The earlier trapping season, November 6 to February 4, resulted in better trapping weather and less harm to the pregnant does. 4. A total of 195 antelope were trapped in 8 trappings (24.3 per catch). Successfully released, 182 (86 bucks, 96 does). The -casual, ties resulting from trapping and 'c,ran~plantingwere 13 or 6.6%. 5. The State of Oklahoma received a transplant of 19 antelope. Prepared by: Stanley Ogilvie Appr~ved by: Laurence E. Riordan --------~~~--------- Date: A~p_r_il~,~1~9~54~.~ _ Federal Aid Coordinator . ( �-51JOB COMPLETION INVESTIGATIONS REPORT PROJECTS COLORADO State of --------------------- Project No. Ti tl e of J 0b Job No. W~72-R-2 5 --------~----------- H::.a::.b:.;i::.t:.;a::.t:..' -=f:..:a:.;c=-t:..:o;.:r;.:s~a;::f.::f...:e...:c...:t.::i:.:n~g_n:.:.a.: r_al....::._b_r_ow~s;...e __r_e..:;p_r_o_d_u_c_t_i_o_n..;... Objectives :' To determine what combination of environmental allows and prevents natural reproduction of various browse factors species. Techniques Used: Information was obtained from 20 plots in each of the experimental pastures at the Little Hills Game Experiment Station to determine t he effect of grazing by different types of animals upon reproduction of serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis , bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), and mountain mahongany Cercocarpus montanus). Information was a.lso collected to see if there might be a correlation between reproduction of these shrubs and such environmental factors as presence or absence of shade, litter, other plant competition, and the type of soil in which the seed appeared to have germinated. The plots were mechanically spaced throughout the pastures. The vegetative cover was recorded by the point observation plot method (square foot density). Each plot was circumscribed on the ground by means of a chain with sharpened steel pins attached to each end, making a circular 100 square foot plot. Wi thin each plot the number of the above browse species of the mature plants was recorded. and seedlings of each Findi.D.g.s::A. The effect of environment upon seeding occurrence. A sUmmary of data on the environment of mountain mahogany seedlings encountered on the plots indicate~ that shade conditions varied from no shade to wholly shade, with no definite pattern of occurrence. In all cases, competition from nearby plants was negligible. In all but two instances, there was a mulch of dried leaves or pine needles where seedlings were present.' In two instances, the seed appeared to have germinated in the duff layer, but in all others the seedbed was a sandy shally loam. Similar environmental conditions were found for the few seedlings serviceberry and bitterbrush encountered. <::) ~ ~ ~ I'he effects of kind of animals of browse plants. B. and degree of of use upon the occurrence' .... �-52The results from the counts on browse plants are given in Table 1. Table 1. The Number of Seedlings and Mature Plants of Three Browse Species as Influenced by the Kind of Grazing Animal and Degree of Use on Pastures at the Little Hills Game "Experiment Station. Number of Plants Present· 20 Plots per Pasture Serviceberry Mountain Mahogany Seedlings ~ture Seedlings Mature Bitterbrush Seedlings ?1atur~ Spring 1948 1. Moderate Sheep Use· Fall 1949 5. Moderate Sheep Use 3 0 31 23 3 0 69 56 0 9 4 6 Spring 1948 2. Moderate Cattle Use Fall 1949 3. Moderate 'Cattle Use 12 19 25 24 0 0 83 0 1 0 58 7 13 30 26 1 0 81 0 3 10 332 0 37 0 55 0 1 3 26 0 54 0 1 1949 .4. Moderate Deer Use 1949 6 Moderate Deer Use 0 Many years 10 Many years li. 0 Moderate Cattle & Heavy Deer Use Moderate Cattle & Heavy Deer Use 70 The differences in number of seedlings or mature plants between types of use are not statistically sigrtificant. However, the table does show sorre interesting comparisons in the ratio of seedlings to mature plants, and in the total number of mature plants of each species present in the pastures. It can be noted that there are more serviceberry plants on the plots than bi'tterbrush or mountain mahogany Yet very few seedlings of serviceberry were found. It was noted that the serviceberry plants were reproducing rather vigorously through vegetative shoots. It has also been noted 'that serviceberry does not consistentlY produce good seed crops, apparently being more sensitive to climatic factors than associated browse plants. ' 0 Mountain mahogany appears to be more consistently present throughout the pastures at Little Hills than does bitterbrush. Thus it would be apparent that the Little Hills Station is situated in the lower portion of the transition zone between mountain mahogany and bitterbrush ranges. On the plots, bitterbrush and. mountain mahogany tended to be much less ass@ciated than did bitterbrush and serviceberry, or mountain mahogany and serviceberry. Serviceberry was so consistent in its occurence that it was associated about equally with either mountain mahogany or bitterbrusho 2 �-53C. The -effect of the direction of surface exposure on the occurrence browse species. of No statistically significant differences were found for the effect of direction of the exposure of the: site upon the presence or absence of mountain mahogany, bitterbrush, and serviceberry. Perhaps in other areas where there are greater.north and south slope contrasts, differences in the occurrence of these species on the two slopes might be not i.ced, The experimental pastures which were ,studied have predominantly east, west, and north exposures, with relatively few south exposures. Recommendations: Experimental plantings should consider further the effects of plant competition and mulch upon seedling establishment. This ecdI'ogical study of natural browse reproduction should be extended to other areas with some special attempt being made to include more .seedlingJ3 in the study plots. Summary: On the Little Hills Game Experimental Range, successful natural reproduction of mountain mahogany, bitterbrush, and serviceberry was found to be associated with the presence of leaf or needle litter. Natural browse reproduction competition. occurred where there was little or no plant The kind of animal grazed, or degree of use, did not prove to be a distinct factor in affecting the occurrence of browse plants on the experimental area. There was no real difference in the occurrence of these browse species on east, west, or north exposures. However, there was not a good comparison between north and south exposures in the pastures studiedo Prepared by: Donald F. Hervey Project Leader Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator Raymond Boyd Research Assistant Date: April 15, 1954 ------~--~~~~~~------------- ��-55JOB Co.MPLETION REPORT ,. DEVELOPMENT state of· Co.Lo.RADo. Project No.. W-59-n-5; Work Plan No. ----------------------~- Ti tIe t Wildlife· Habitat Iniprovement. .I Establishment PROJECT Job No. :..L .. -----~~~------ of food, .nesting arid cover plots. o.bjectives: To plant or supervise the planting, secure the maintenance and protection of 800. to 1,000 acres of new wildli£:e plantings in eastern Colorado. To secure the maintenance years. and protection To assist game bird technicians areas as selected. of plots planted in previous with intensive studies in evaluation Procedures s Each regional nurseryman has the following responsibilities under the supervision of the project leader and assistants: a. Check all potential p'Lantd.ng sites -- be sure they are ready for 1'953· planting. 1. ., Check soil moisture depbha, 2. Gh$ck soil reactions in low or dubious sites and adjust species lists to conform wi th findin:gs. 3. Complete all designs and species lists, with stock available, by February 1. ready for coordination Supervise plantingo 1. Supervise and assist with packing, distribution planting stock on each cooperator's and heeling in of place. 20 Supervise·and assist with routing of all planting machines assigned to his region, to facilitate most rapid and successful planting season. (Each region will have one nurser,yman assistant to aid with planting and planter distribution.) 3. Secure signed contracts with all cooperators at time of planting, or when seedlings are delivered, giving each cooperator a copy of the agreement. I~~II~lli'ijl~'~il~\rlil~~~i~li~~1 ~lliI~iijll BDOW023743 �4. Keep accurate records of species and numbers of each used on all plantings, on 'forms provided, 5. Supervise and assist replanting crew when in his region. 6. Plan and push the Vo1O rk in his region in an effort to have all planting completed by May 15. Co Follow-up work (not including eValuation)~ 14' Visit all plantings in his region (1949 to date) especially the newer ones, encouraging clean and early cultivation to control weeds and conserve moisture, immediately after planting is completed. Watch for and report any disease, insect or rodent problems. Encourage and insist on fencing all plots from livestock. 2. E~e'ct and maintain project signs where desirable for site designation and public information, 3. Make frequent visits to all plots to encourage good care. �-57SUMMARY OF PLANTING - 1953 SEASON Total Experimental I* II III 5 6 4 15 4 135 69 43 247 8 Units (ziew) 139 63 68 . 270 8 Units :(old)· 53 35 12 100 -19~ 98 80 370 8 Seedlings p1ante4 (new) 142,012 103,515 87,171 332,698 7,381 Seedlings rep1?Jlted 52,340 53,520 10,500 116,360 Acres planted (new) 330.0 253 0 216.0 805.0 Acres replanted 122.0 132.5 31.5 285.5' Ave. size (acres) new 2.1 401 3.2 3.0 202 Ave. seedlings/ acre -(new) 430 408 404 413 410 Aveo re~dlings/ acre (replant) '428 405 333 408 194,352 157,03, 97,671 449,058 Counties Ooeperato.rs .. -. All units Total '·seedlings·planted . 0 4-H C~ubs 24,440 GRAND TOTAL 480,879 'c, * Region'Number 17.5 7,381 �-58- Region I Logan Phillips Sedgwick Washington Yuma Total Number of Cooperators 23 22 25 64 1 135 Units -New- 22 23 21 67 6 139 Old 7 7 14 25 New 60.5 39,5 60.5 145.5 Replant 24 •• .5 7,5 17.5 72.5 Average Area New Plantings 2.8 1.7 ~9 2.2 Acres Average seedlings per acre New 471 400 429 426 Replant 398 397 4231 429 28,465 15,795 25,980 61,912 9,740 2,975 8,475 31,150 38,,205 18,770 34,455 ,93,062 Seedlings New Replant Total seedlings: planted 1953 53 24 330.0 122.0 4.0 411 2.4 430 428 9,860 142,012 52,340 9,860 194,352 �-59·REGIONII Arapahoe Larimer Boulder .5 3 3 1 69 3 3 a 2 1 63 26 3 4 1 1 35 185 33.5 li.5 9.0 14.0 253 96.5 7.0 15.0 12.0 1.5 132 3.6 10.0 3.8 4.5 10.0 Morgan Adams 52 5 New 52 Old New Weld Numbers of Cooperators Units Acres Replant Average area New plantings 4.1 Average seedlings per acre New 406 404 417 410 417 .. Replant 411 391 41o. 354 360 ••• 405 Seedlings New. 75,340 13,545 4,8~.5 ];,695 5,840 200 103,515 40,340 2,240 6,150 4,250 540 Total seedlings planted 1953 115,880 15,785 11,045 7,945 6,380 Replant :, Total 408 53,520 200 157,035 �REGION III Kit Carson Costilla. Lincoln Prowers Total Number Cooperators 17 23 2 1 43 Units New 18 40 9 1 68 Old 10 2 New 46., 141.0 18., Replant 27., 4.0 - Average area (acres) New plantings 2.,8 3.,2 2.0, 10.00 3.lS Average seedlings per acre New 383 406 44l 396 404 Replant 326 38, - New 17,,80, 57.240 8,,160 Replant 8,,960 1,540 26,,76, 58~780 Acres Seedlings Tqtal seedlings planted 1~53 12 10.0 216 31., 333 3.•960 87,,171 10,,500 8,,166 3.•960 97,,671 �11 ::QO ___ -61- REGION I Plant Spe cd.es by Counties Planted, 1953 Logan Phillips Sedgwick Washington Caragana 1980 585 2625 5905 Sandcherry 6365 1675 3?9.5 6701 2,640 20,67? HoneYSuckle 4165 3485 3935 5618 ..1,760 18,963 Lilac 2310 360 2070 2475 Squawbush 6270 2605 3620 21,931 Ponderosa Pine 3430 ·2805 3220 10,701 150 460 Siberian Apricot Yuma Total 11,095 7,215 2,640 37,066 20,156 610 18,824 Siberian Crab 1845 1595 3530 11,854 Chokecherry 4195 1·470 2740 5112 Plum 2420 390 3560 4284 Siberian ~ 1965 2605 3300 10,461 Gotto*~C?od 840 935 290 Hackberry 1210 760 745 6100 Russian Olive 2-70 120 200 810 1,400 220 200 420 620 1,725 Willow Buffaloberry Total 940 165 38,205 18,770 34,455 93,062 . 1,760 15,277 10,654 530 18,861 2,093 530 9;860 9,345 194,352. ".._" •••• #A �-62REGION II Plant Species ~ Adams Caragana lJM.690 5andchercy Arapahoe Counties Planted, 1953 Boulder'.:Larimer Morgan Weld Total 1,540 955 -2,480 26;615 36,280 660 '~85' 490 5,705 7,440 200 660 180 8,680 9,720 330 660 100 2',400 3,490 Squawbush 1,320 1,325 100 1,620 760 14,775 19,900 Ponderosa Pine 2,150 660 100 375 2,260 22,040 27,585 Siberian .. Apricot 440 125 660 1,225 Siberian Crab 200 940 9,825 10,965 Chokecherry 220 440 760 1,790 3,210 1,210 480 1,090 4,365 7,145 395 430 1,525 5,910 8,660 130 635 975 1,875 Honeyeuckl.e . Lilac; Plum Siberian Elm 400 Cottonwood 135 Hackberry' 330 395 210 1,590 3,325 5,850 Russian Olive 630 440 455 1,500 7,700 .10,725 Willow 450 1,350 185 1,985 Buffaloberry 250 730 980 Total 11,045 7,945 200 6,380 15,785 115,680 �Gooperators furnish tractive power for planters operate them, plus furnishing and usually. help in plantingo �Twoyears growth at Sand Draw. 1950-52._ �Two years growth of planting at Sand Draw. 1950-52. �Thre~ years of development at Florian farm' south of Akron 1951-53. �Squawbush seedlings (Rhus trilobata) at Nursery, 1953. (Courtesy Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.) l r= !' ~ i:J �r- c~,:> fi{~"'l Small R. Mo redcedars (Juniperus scoptUorum) made' excellent growth at the nurser,y in 1953, after being severely hailed in 1952. (Courtesy Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.) �REGION III Plant Species by Counties Planted, 1953 Kit Carson Costilla Lincoln Prowers Total Caragana 3125 10,260 1,420 600 15,405 Sandcherry 4390 6655 560 550 12,155 Honeysuckle 3145 7120 930 460 11,655 Lilac 2390 3740 645 200 6,975 Squawbush 2200 3140 900 300 6,54Q Ponderosa lline 3275 8960 100 12,335 Siberian Apricot 715 50 6 771 Siberian Crab 1205 58.30 Chokecherry 7,035 400 220 620 Plum 2310 525 330 400 3,565 Siberian Elm 2650 2900 350 400 6,000 200 300 500 Cottonwo()d Hackberry 670 2160 1,100 300 4,230 Russian Olive 640 1940 230 200 3,010 W.illow 50 1710 225 250 2,235 Buffaloberry 950 950 Cord Micropbylla 1940 1,940 Lombardi Poplar 1750 1,750 Total 26,765 58,780 8,166 3,960 97,671 �-64- Summary: By adding 332,500 seedlings in 270 new units, totalling 805 acres, during 1953, the five-year totals were brought up to 3541 acres (965 plots "averaging 3.67 Ao each) About 12 6 psr-cenb of all plantings have been lost through drouth or lack of care by farmerso One hundred old plantings were Lmpr-oved by farmers who hand-planted 116,,360 seedlings on 285 Ao 0 Durd.ng" the year over 0 100 plots averaging half an acre in size twere planted by 4-H club "members, Boy Scout, FFA" and Young Sportsmen's groups-a total of 24,440 aeedl.Lngs , Most of this planting was carried on in "' cooperation with the Oolorado A & M Extension Forestero ~ile moisture conditions were above normal before and during planting season~ there was little or no rainfall during the remainder of the year, with the result that many plots suffered unless they had exceptionally good' cultivation and care. Rabbits were bad in some areas About 65 gallons of repellent were distributed in the worst areas. Tarpaper and cardboard were wrapped around the seedlings by some farmerso. Systematic follow-up work in which every planting was visited one or more times during the growing season, h~lped materially in better care throughout the 4 regions. . 0 Prepared by: Glenn Kinghorn Project Personnel and all Approved Date by: Laurence Eo Riordan A_.p.__· r_il_:_' _1=5..1(.,....,;1...;..::9..:;,5.....:,4 _ " �SUMMARY OF FIVE PLANTING SEASONS, 1949 - 19~3. Seedlings Planted Replants & Replacements '49 106,625 Acres Re- New Ne~ Farms Acres ·PMlced Plots Replaced New Plots Total Cost ---- ----- ---- 14(7) 150 .• 7 39 $ 31,428.16 $467.68 '50 361,278 ---- ----- ----- 120 1012.7 204 126,419,,83 142.04 '51 318,120 166,004 442.1 117 98 693.7 158 93,402.98 209.70 '52 319,261 54,987 131.8 27 160 879.3 294 70,839.96 97.03 '53 332,698 116,360 285.5 100 247 805.0 270 *$ 68,383.17 88,,24 Cost Per A,cre I 0- \11. I Tot- a1s-],437,982 859,,4 337,.351 244 639 354104 965 $J90,474 .. 10 Plowed Out Other (Plot) Losses Net Acres Net Plots Net Seedlings '49 2 19(41) 6702 18 50,149 Plots Lost - - - - - - - - -12.61% '50 7 26 890. 171 291,638 Ave. Per Acre - - - - - - - 372 Seedlings '51 5 23(171) 44409 130 249,593 Ave. Cost Per Acre - - - - $134031 '52 '53 0 3 37(241) 0 730.1 775. 25-7 267 Ave 0 Size - - - - - - - -- Totals 297,695 321z998 17 105 290702 843 1,181,073 3.67 A. 1Lost by Drouth * Est. 12 moo 1".1 . ;_">', j;J·1J ~ ', ��-67State of Colorado ------------------~- Broject Noo W-59-D-5; 'Wildlife Habitat Imprqvemento Work Plan ______________ Title: ~ _L~~~~ I • Job Nov 2 _ Evaluation of Plantingso --~----~----------------~~------------------------------ Objectives: °To determine the rate of survival of the different species used in wildlife plantings, over a period of 3 to 5 years, for use in future selectionso Proceduresg Survivcii plots were established in 19510 In 1951, every planting had"a survival plot, but the job pyraJiJidedso qui-'bklythat it became °Lmpoaafbl.e to do it rf.ght , The department statistician, studying records from one species, found that data taken from fif~een to seventeen percent of each year's plots, selected by randomization, would give statistically sound results, so that policy was adopted in 19520 Tl:\us, as soon as possible ~fter planting, a random plot 100 yards long, includi:ag ail rows, was inarkeq.off with wire ;:>takes,referenced at fence lines, aad the: number of seedl.Lngs planted recorded by species in the planting record books" ·0 Iii 1953, Ln order to Locabe these survival plots as soon as possible after planting, the regional. nurserymen were asked to establish the current year's plots in their respective regionso Thus, the survival data for former years could be obtained before the weeRs could make the cQunting 'of the su!'Viving seedlings inaccurateo This work was accomplished and the data were I'ecorded in the planting record bookso From this data, the survival percentages were computed, by species, for all counties included in the planting programo Various reports on the planting season were consolidated and summarized ° for the project leader" Similar daba w~re given to the project leader concerning survival, by species, for plantings of former year s , Summaries -- Survival Percentages 1950 and 1951 Plantings - survival taken in 1952. Number of seedlings in sample plots - 49,7460 Percentage survival by species fQr all counties (9) - 6907%0 Number of plots sampled by r-andoraf.aatd.on -65,0 1950. and 1951 Plantings - survival taken in 19530 Number of seedlings sampled -- 49,7460 Percentage survival by species for all counties (9) - 49095%0 Number of plots sampled by randomization --650 1952 plantings - surVival taken in 19530 Number of seedlings sampled -- 58, 8500 Percentage survival by species for all counties (9) - 55 6%0 Number of plots sampled by randomization -340 0 I ~~Iilillij'ijl~'~il]lrlilli~m~~~ill~illll'ijil BDOW023752 �-66Survival - Trees Planted 195o - 51 (Figures in % for 2 years) Adams Arapahoe '50-1 '52 Chokecherry 38 Sandcherry 62 Sioerian Elm" 77" Russian Olive 46 American Plum 81 Mulberry 'Russiall, Carag~a" 53 Lila.c~, 61 Honeysuckle 60 Hackberry 49 Squawbush 69 Siberian Buckthorn Ponderosa pine Siberian Crabapple Juniper (Seop) Ave.. by County 59.6 36 45 ~9 60 25 '50-1'52 N 72 0 60 62 f i g u r e 20 50 50 42 44 plowed Kit Carson Logan '50-1 '52 '50-1 152' '50-1 '52 90 95 82 64 84 58 91 46 74 66 52 68 73 72 8 75 8 67.0 36 38 52 61 45 56 81 60 34 64 44 86 90 76 66 58 42 40 33 93 28 25 90 12 36 u 34 74 64 90 t 75 24 46 42.1 64.7 Washington 0 71.9 61.• 1 69.0 54.0 62.. Weld Yuma SurVival by ~pecies '50-1 '52 '50~1 ''52 82 63 72 78 68 56 56 62 99 69 13 64 11 65.1 41.3 7809 5609 7700 6508 63.0 5205 ,68.3 4903 7 6300 -45.• 8504 6509 61.0 50,,0 66.• 7 5903 46~1 33 6 75'03 67~0 '7603 3605 55 .• 5 24•. 0 46.• 0 '50-1 '52 '50-1 '52 ' '50-1 '52 Ave ••by County 51 76 82 0 Phillips Cnokecherry 50 Sandche rry 8~ Siberian Elm 7-6 RUssIan Olive 65 American Plum 38 Russian Mulberry Caragana 92 Lilac Honeysuckle Hackberry -'69 Squawbush Siberian Buckthorn 59 Ponderosa Pine' Slberian Crabapple Juniper (Seop)' Morgan 29 43 70 49 52 63 79 133 72 82 50 63 72 58 64 68 88 64 27 73 48 100 95 100 59 80 61 50.7 81.0 ,62.7 91 93 84 85 75 63 98 29 61 47 40 34 37 73 84.1 45.9 70 67.4 5400 4709 0 �-69Survival - Trees Planted 1952 (Figure in % for 1 year)'. Adams Arapahoe 1952 Chokecherry Sandcherry Siberian Elm 'RUssian Olive 1 American Plum RUssian Mulberry Not Caragana enough to" .Lilac sample Honeysuckle Hackberry Squawbush Siberian Buckthorn Ponderosa Pine Siberian Crabapple. Siberian Apricot Buffaloberry ., Cohokecherry Sandcherry Siberian,Elm Russian ,Olive American ,Plum Russian Mulbe.rry earagana Lilac. Honeysuckl,e Hackberry Squawbush Siberian Buckthorn Ponderosa Pine Siberian Crabapple Siberian Apricot Buffaloberry 1952 Costilla Kit Carson Logan Morgan 1952 1952 1952 1952 14 68 62 100 26 75 56 5 66 70 63 .71 48 87 54 22 28 94 36 81 49 77 78 ;89 Not enough 39 to sample Not enough to sample Phillips Sedgwick Wash~gton .Weld Yuma 1952 1952 1952 1952 1952' 1952 79 74 78 60 70 79 95 42 40 29 27 43 60 63 63 44 31 48 62 86 52 97 90 69 62 100 41" 62 74 . 12 28 18 42 24 34 59 78 31 12 23 56 94 Survival 89~Q 6405 6008 4502 5308 48~O 56':'6., 8201, 3904 46•. 7 1200 bl .• 7 6709 6403 64,,0 �-70Gener~ Observationst Numerous; conclusions might be dra.~ from the above figUres but it is felt tkat two years' work does not "'gj.veample evidence of the value of species ia many cases. Most species have not been sampled in sufficient numbers to make results significant. Averages are simple and will be weighed before final resUlts are detemned. 'Further refinements are being made in techniques which should help in interpretations. Rl1Ssian nrulberry, Siberian and English buckthorn were discontinued in the list of species last year, even before the evaluation figures were compiledo Cbokecherry, native plum and others of the genus Prunus soon gave indicatidn that they are not tolerant of 'high'alkaline soils, hence their use has been limited for two years to deep soils testing nearly neut ral , . These figures indicate that the old reliable hackberry can 'be used "too far Southt1, hence other species"are now used in its place in some areas. Several other species could have been listed in the above tables but the number of samples was too limited to make the figures of value. They will be included in later reports. Prepared by: F. A. Metsger App roved by: Glenn Kinghorn Date: April, 1954. --------~~~~~~--------- LaUrence· E. Rio rdan Federal Aid Coordinator �-71JoB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS 'S.tateof Colorado P..roject~o. W-79-R-l' Work Plan. ~I~ Ti tIe of Job. ; .Wildlife Habitat Improvement; Studies. ~Jo~b~··~N~o~o_,' ~l~ ~ __ .Study New. and Rare Woody. Plants. Objectivesr To study propagation methods and adaptability ~o eastern Colorado growing conditions, of species of trees and shrubs offering possibilities for improving wildlife plantings. Techniques Used: Seeds secured:' By purchase from Canadf.an Experiment Stations, and private nurseries; from U. S.•.. seedsmen; .by collection from Mandan and Cheyenne UqDA exp eriment st.atd.ona,the Black Hills, and various places in Colorado. Species selected: for potential drouth resistance wildlife cover,u food, nesting and escape cover. Accession book and card file established Cards formors details. and possibilities to keep permanent for recorda, Seeds mostly' clean when secured but others were cleaned as needed. Cutting tests made on all doubtful ones, and all were treated witb S~ergon~ All species requiring stratification (according to reference books) were put into sand, peat or vermiculite in refrigerator (s~cured ia iate January) and held at 32 to 4l degrees and 75% relative humidity. Proved too high so thermostat was reduoed to 32 to 34 degrees for l~st 45 days of period. Severci.lspecies were germinating in early March 1953 so were plaoed in plant bands for lac~ of suitable outdoor space. Lack of facilit~es at shop for right care brought on bad cases of'damping off. Tried Dithaile·Z78 with but moderate success as control. Several species lost were filled in with seedlings grown by Dr. Hildreth at Cheyenne USDA Horticultural. Field Station. Nursery Planting started Mqy 17 -- as soon as title to the new nursery area was secured. Planet Jr. hand garden drill was found most satisf~ctory because it could be adjusted for all sizes. and quantities of seeds except largest, .and they were hand plantedo Eaoh species was marked accordiI:lg .to its accession numbez-, �-72Narnial nursery care was gdven all planting throughout the summer, ~ncluding irrigation, cultivation, hoeing fertilization, spraying whSn needed, etc. Field Planting of testplots was limited because of lack of planting stock. Three plots were started - one south of Genoa, one south Cif Akron, and one south of Ft. Morgan. Species used included: : Caragana pygmea, . C~ micropeylla,"Cocylus americana, Cotoneaster acutifolia, 'C. int~gerrima, Prunus manchur-Lcajand Syringa villosa. Others will be added as they become available. Fall Plantings: k number of specd.eswere fall planted in 1951 in t~e old nursery, ridged "(as in common nursery·practice) and raked off in late spring as germination started. " Findings:" Fall Plaiiting: This.practice, quite common in the East and Midwest, did not prove very "successful here. It is thought that the stratification requirements (length of time at 32· to l.Jl degrees with high humidity) of most species are not capable of attainment outdoors in this climate, . hence treatment under controlled conditions, followed by spring planting, seems more desirable and safer. Following are notes on results of this trial: S;29cies Malus manchurica Germination 1952 1953 none poor Prunus spinosa poor none Prunus maacki fair none Prunus manchurica (select) excellent none Prunus tomentosa (Cheyenne) ." .. C:cataegus succulenta poor none poor fair Lonicera maacki none none Prinsepia sinensis fair none Remarks Too wet during flood and hail. Too wet during flood and hailo Too wet·during flood and hail. Seemed to withstand flood. Seemed 'to·withstand floodo· Hot winds took seedlings. Too much flood and hail. Went chlorotic and died Tilia mongolica none" none 'l Rha.mnus erythrocarpa none none ? Rhamnus oleoides none none ? " �-73- qpecies Germination 1952 1953 Salllbuccus racemosa none .fair Sambuccus neo-meXicana Prunus n~~a (tenella) fair fair none good Crataegus ambigua Syringa josikea Syringa Villosa Syringa p res tonae Syringa Vulgaris Rhamnus dahurica Malus columbia none none none none none poor good none none none none none fair none tatarica excellent none Prunus americana Prunus beaseytl Prunus'melanocarpa poor' poor fair poor none good Rhus trilobata fair good excellent fair Purshia tridentata fair none C~tis occidentalis good good Fraxinus l~ceolata good good Lonicera Elaegnus angustifolia Remarks" Hot winds took June 12-150 Drowned' outo Tendency towq.rd chlorosis" '1 Too weto Too wet" Too weto Too wet" Very',chl.o.rotd.c , Late "freeze cut stand-also h~ilo Good results" - hail cut stand" Field mice took pits" Field mice took seeds', Good results (hail cut stand) .• Good results (hail cut stand) .• Good results (hail cut stand) Fair results (hail cut stand) Freeze and hail cut stand" Hail cut stand 0 0 -. As. noted under "Remarks" for the first 19 species, most of them suffered considerably because of their location during the severe hailstorms of late JUne, followed by heavy rains. This particular plot was under water for roost of the next two dayso The last 11 species were planted on the west side of the field, on higher ground, and, while they suffered from the hail, they were not flooded" They were hurt more from the hot winds the middle of June than the low-lying plote None of the genus Rhamnus from Cheyenne (USDA.) proved worth further study, especially since the bUckthorns have been "frowned onf! by the department .• What happened with the lilacs is still a mystery" They offer too much possibility for dryland planting to discard them yeto They are grown from seed successfully in more humid climates so it is evident we are doing something wrong, or not at all$ �-74The hawthorns -- one of the best-looking prospects of all -- are proving very difficUlt to grow •..... The .seedl.Lngs seem particularly del.Lcate , Those . growing in heavy weeds (which we couldn't get to when planned) seemed to do.better than those in the open~ Thus it may be that they will require shade during the first month or two. What seedlings were saved have been transplanted to the new nurser,y. . It is very interesting to note that the prunus species -- manchurica and tenella (formerly nana) -- went through all t~e pail, flood and hot ~winds and still made a good showing, We have had: enough of the first species to put a few into some field testplots, and hop,e for some of the second one by next season. Both produce plenty of fruit, are nonsuckering, and provide quite dense cover. They seem to be very winter hardy 0 It is felt that results obtained with most of these species during the twa years are not truly representative of their capabilities so most of them will be tried further in the new nursery, under better growing conditions and (we hope) without hail and hot winds, which are rare in this region. Summar,y of length of stratification, notes on germination and rate of growth of 1953 seedlings. Spe.cies stratification (days) Shepherdia argeIitea Sambuccus pub ens ,Poi;.entillapodocarpa Caragana micropby11a Crataegus durobrivensis Caragana aurantiaca Tharmopsis lanceo1ata Prunus pennsylvanica Co~Ius americana Quercus macrocarpa Rosa Laxa .. Syringa Vil1osa. ,.. ~:dnga josikea Syringa prestonae . Syringa japonica Malus manchurica Malus columbia Pyrus ussuriensis Tilia mongo1ica Lohicera maacki Lonicera xy10steum 66 128 128 128 128 127, 127 128 128 120 128 120 126 125 0 125 120 126 120 125 120 Germination (standl Growth fair none none excellent good good none none none none excellent none none none none fair fair fair good none none good fair stand o· ?' ? good ver,y satisfactor,r good looks promising very satisfactory none ? none ?' none ? none ? good promising hone ? hone r none ? none ? fair ver,y pi"omising fair very promising good chlorotic none hot winds took none ? none 1. '0 �-75Stratification (days) Specie~ Cr~taegus succul.errta Crataegus spp 0 Aes.culus octandra Caragana pygmea Caragana micropnylLa Lonicera alpigena PheI16dendron amurense Ce.rcocarpus ledifolius Oezcocarpus iIitricatus AmeJ..anc(lieralnifolia .Caragana Tidy , ~riffirits vetch El6j?hant grass Car,yopteris mongoliensis ~J&dastris amurensis *Gem.sta spp 120 o 126 o o 120 126 120 50 117 o 70 o o 70 70 Germination (stand) none none none excellent excellent none none none poor none good good good, g(;>od good good Growth none 1: none none ?' good very promising g6~d very pr-ond.sf.ng none none ? none '? iittle ~ none ? good promising good damping off took good hoed out by mistake (replaced by rpld) good promising for nest good damping off took good damping off took ?' ?' No .i.ttemptwas made to deteI'Illinegermination in percentageso Equipment for accurate weighing and other needed facilities were not on hand and it was. not deemed necessary to buy bhem, By recording results as a commercial. nurseryman might do, it is felt that they can be interpreted eas~y by nur~erymen if and when that is advisableo Thus -- ratings of excellent, good; fair and poor have been used for both germination and growth the first yearo " Under f1remarks" almost every species might have a paragraph explaining something .as to its behavior but those will come lat~r if the spe.cies seem to warrant that much attentiono Some-species remained in the stratification media longer than recommended because we had no' place to plant them, while others should have been put into the refrigerator 30 to 90 days earlier had it been availableo Those species marked with asterisk began germinating at 41 degrees so were planted in plant bands and held in the shop, later. to be lost from damping offo The refrigerator temperature-range was then reduced to 32 to 34 degrees for the remainder of the season to prevent growth of other species. an None of the 19.53 test plantings except Caryopteris mongoliensis grew, to useable size the first season, Doubtless more growth would have beeri secured with some kinds had they been planted earliero It is also possible that a number of species will show much better germination the second·spring so no seeds were disturbed during the seasono Some species with fair germination the flrst year may get too la:rge.the second season. A lot of question marks, under "remarks" bother us .•They indicate there is a lot we don't 'know about these"plants, and the reference books don't seem to be of much help. 0 �-76It is' possible that the restriction of the range of temperature in the refri€?;.Srator adversely affected some specd.es, If so, that can be remedied when w.eget the storage cellar because its temperature and humidity' . '\IlL11 be approximately the same as those first used in the. refrigerator. Thus we c~keep the refrigerator for the more restricted species, and place the wide-range species in the cellar. Any'specie~ which shows chlorosis at the nursery will be abandoned because most aastern Colorado soils carry a higher pH than those at the nursery. ROse RYbrids: As noted last year, all seedlings from the rose crosSBS were takehto the CheyemieUSDA Hort. Field Station for increase. In June 1953, .four z:coted' cuttings of the R~ laxa glauca and two of the 'R.; laxa rUbrifolia crosses were transplanted at the nursery in isolated spots. They will be grown to fruiting so that seeds maybe secured, planted and th~ procesS of final selection started. Aiiatysis and Recommendations: Very little analytical work can be done until sufficient seedlings can be grown for trial in testplots. Right now the problem with several species seems to be "how to germinate and grow into useable s~ock~" More c.areful control over length and temperature of stratification are indicated ~s possible solutions. Varying depths of planting also offer p'ossibili ties. . SwilInary: Sever~ outstanding successes and as many almost total failures have resulted from o_perations of the experimental nursery at Ft. Collins during 1953. Some of the, rarer caraganaa, hawthorns and crabapples have been grown with comparative ease and will be ready for testing in several sections of eastern Colorado next year. Trouble was experienced in' geminating lilacs and some of the native plants. stratification are to blame. a nuniberof species, notably the It is probable that methods of FaJ.I planting was not found to be reliable practice during two years of work at the nursery, except.with a few species. St1:"atification and sprillg. planting seem to give better stands. ( . ( TWocrosses of species roses are about ready to produce seed, after which it will be possible to start final selection of a hedge rose adapted to Colorado' soils and climate. Prepared by: John C. Ellis Glenn Kinghorn Date ! A.;;lt;.p_r:I.;;;.·l,;;,o,:,... . .::;.1~95:;..:4;:;_ __ Approved: "Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-77JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS 'State of Project Colorado No. Work Plan ; Wildlife W-79-R-l Habitat Improvement Studies. 2 I Job No. --------~----------------~--~------------------------- Ti tle of Job: __ H;;.;;_e.;..r.;..h_' a.;,.;c;..:e....:o •... u;.;;.s~Sp>:..e.;..c.;..l..;..· e.;..8.;..; _ Objectives: To study propagation methods and test adaptability of promising species in eastern Colorado, particularly on dry and san~ sod.Ia., for use by wildlife as food, cover and nesting cover. Techniques Used: Secured seeds of various legumes from SCS experimental plots at M9.ndan, from the Colorado Experiment Station, the ~erisiori Agronomist at Colorado A & M, and from other interested individuals. - Applied for samples of seed and/or clumps of grasses at SCS nurs-ely at Albuquerque, N. M. (Seed all gone but did get clumps of 2~ grasses in Februa~ 1954.) . N. D. USDA Exp. Station; Planted seeds of 25 legumes at nur-sery Mly Ii (a-rter title- to-land was secured), in 24-inch rows 4 feet apart and 100 feet long, using Planet Jr. garden drill. Should have been planted earlier ,so, 'to simulate spring rains, we, sprinkled entire bed for two hours, applying about .44 inch of moisture. Last of June all rows were thinned, leaving one plant every 7 inches. No more irrigation water was applied. Herbaceous P~an,ts-.in Dryland Species Testplot at Nursery or Variety IDiiz6ma alfalfa Nomaq,.alfalfa StaffOrd alfalfa Sevelra alfalfa Talen alfalfa Ranger aLfalfa , Du Pui t.s alfalfa Narragansett alfalfa Williamsburg alfalfa Arizona Chilean alfalfa Buffalo alfalfa Semi p~atinsk alfalfa Virginia clone alfalfa ..:... 1953. Species Lespedeza or Varie~ spp. (Okl~.) Medicago medi~" . Medicago sativa (N.D. se.l, ). Medicago falcata Medicago falcatus (?) Petalostemon purpure~s Petalostemon candid~s Lathyrus tuberosa Lathyrus sylvestris Lotus corniculatus Cassia fasiculata Lespedeza daurica shim~dae COLO DIV WILDLIFE RESEARCH eTR LIB 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 BDOW023742 �-78Pi~nted'sniaII plot~, C3.veragi!lgh~f an acre, of Stafford, sevelra~ Ndmad and rhizoma alfalfa at Well~ngton Refuge last week of May, ~n compara"tively 'dry soil. Rows were planted 24 inches apart.. About.,5 lb. par A. Brillion drill was used. Findings: All seed plots at the nurser,r showed good germination and very good growth They were about 6 inches tall the last week of June when they were thinned. Growth continued to be good all suminer, even though -there was no, rain of consequence. It seemed to be an exceptionally good seed year. About 25 lb. of seed was harvested from the plot, threshed in a neighbor's machine, and it will be used for further field tests on dr,rlands. 0 Only Stafford and sevelra alfalfas', planted at the Wellington Refuge, showed fair germination. This was undoubtedly due to the fact that ihe land had not been summer .f,aJ.lowed(only about a foot of soil mdisture was available at planting time), and there was no rain of consequence after planting. AnaJ,yais and Recommendations: The tastplots at the nurser,r did ver,r well the first year, probably due to having good soil moisture from the previous year's irrigation. The, water-bearing gravel is at least 10 feet deep so that it is highly .i~r6hable that roots penetrated that far the first season. They may, .however-,get that deep the second or third year, and if the water table should. :rise to its maximum from the present 17. feet. (according to the Co.l.o,EXpo Station report), it might partially nullifY the experiment. More kinds ef legumes will be secured from the Extension agrenomist and otiher- sourcea next spring for further planting. Other testplots will also be established out in eastern Celerado as soon as good coopezaboz-s are found who will give preliminary plantings very good care. Preliminar,r plantings have been planned for two qr three -private farms and two state properties next season .• The. field of «grasses for nestingcoverll is being explored .• It is believed that a good bunch grass with plenty of lew foliage, quite tall and drouth resistant, yet one which will not sucker and spread allover the place, might be acceptable to' many farmers for planting 'i:?etweemthe taller trees in wildlife plantings, or perhaps in separate rows 'at the inner edges of windbreaks. If they are not too palatable to livestock, they might suffer less browsing .• Pheasant nests have' been obsE;lrvedat the Refuge at the base of grass, and weed clumps, especially where foliage is heavy near the ground. It sheuld net be toe difficult to reproduce such conditions on many dryland farms, and in spots which will not be melested. �-79Summary: Twent.Y~five different kinds of alfalfa and other legumes were planted in lOO-foot rows at the experimental nurser,y to test their resistance to drouth, their winter hardiness, and eventually to select the most promising species to offer to dr,yland far.mers for seed production as a means of providing more good nesting cover for pheasantso Several bunch grasses are also under consideration for the same tests and purposeso Prepared by: Glenn Kinghorn John Co Ellis Date A.o;.p_r;_il...;...· ,:...-.1~9.:....54.;;.._ _ Approved by: Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/defd958576079d443efa390933745e0c.pdf ec201fdea69b57efd7d30da7aac5da69 PDF Text Text JOB COMPLETION INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of __ C;;..o;.;;l;..;o:..;;r...;.a ... d...;.o _ Project N04__~W~-=6~1~-~R~-~4~ _L;~Fur~·~~R~e~s~o~u=r~c~e~s~S~t~u~di~'~e~s~ _ Work Plan Noo -L·~J~ob~.~N~o~.~ ~2 ~2~ Title of Job.~~M~u~s~k~r~a~t~T~r~a~pp~1=·n~g~S~e~a=s~o~n~S~t=udy~ _ _ Objectives: To determine whether a fall or spring open season is best On Colorado muskrats. Procedure: Steel-trapping in fall and spring on"selected study areas. Collection and comparison of data on primeness, value, size, age, sex, number of embryos, and condition of muskrats. Findings: The same study areas and methods were used this year as during the previous seasoh. (Quarterly Report January, 1954). A total of 56 muskrats was caught during this second year of the study. Twenty-five of them were taken in!the high-elevation area, and 31 in the low area. Thirty were females.·and 25 were males. One muskrat was almost completely destroyed in the tr~ by a raccoon, and no data were obtained on 'that one animal. The smallest muskrats taken this year were 4 males and 1 female weighing 19 ounces eacho The heaviest was a male weighing 47! ounces. Only 8 of the 30 fall-caught muskrats were mature. All spring rats were adjudged to be mature animals. In the fall catch there were 13 muskrats in good condition and 17 in fair condition. The figures for the spring catch were: 17 good and 8 fair. The percrent of primeness for the 13 fall pelts from the low area ranged from 25 to 90, with an average of 71 percent. Fall pelts (18) from high area ranged from 20 to 90 percent prime, and averaged 37 percent. ' Spring pel ts ranged as follows: low area (18), 40-100 pe rcent, average 93,_percent, high area (7), all 100 percent prime. The first female muskrat found to be in breeding condition was caught on March 2, 1954. Five of the eleven spring-caught females definitely were in breeding condition, but no embryos were visible to the naked eye in any of the five. One mallard hen was caught in a trap during the fall season. She was released with a broken leg. During the spring trapping, 6 ducks were ~aught -- 4 of which drowned. The other 2 were released with broken legs. Two male raccoons were caught in the fall, and one female raccoon carrying fiv~ embryos was taken in the spring trapping. �-3Recommendations: (1) Winter-loss of muskrats is at least 50 percent of the population, especially in some of the higher portions of the muskrat range. This loss is due primarily to inadequate food supplies. When trapping pres~ure is light, (as it is at present) this loss probably is necessary to keep muskrat numbers in line with the available food. When fur prices rise, and trapping pressure increases, open seasons should be confined to the fall and winter. This would allow the spring survt vors to bring the popul.atd.onback, insuring a harveababl.e surplus for the following fall. (2) Spring muskrat pelts are larger, are more prime, and are somewhat more valuable than fall pelts, although many skins are damaged in late seasons by fighting. Trapping is easier and slightly more profitable in the spring. From the trapperst standpoint, spring open seasons probably are the most deSirable, although the effects of continued spring seasons might change this idea considerably. (3) Many pregnant and breeding female muskrats are caught during late spring seasons. It would be biologically wise to close any spring season by the end of March in the lower elevations and by the end of April in the higher elevations to protect the breeding stock. Considering the heavy winter-loss in the higher elevations,it would be good management to cut out the spring season entirely and set the fall season early enough to insure a good harvest before winter "sets in"l• (4) Many ducks are drowned and crdpp'Led in muskrat traps during spring open seasons. In this study, three times as many ducks were caught in the spring as in the fall. To protect breeding ducks, muskrat trapping should be confined to fall and winter. Aclmowledgement: For help in establishing the market value of the muskrat pelts in this study, I would like to thank Mr. J. Eo Isenhart of the Isenhart Fur Company, Denver. All pelts collected in this study were turned over to the Fur·Resources ..DiViSion, Colorado Game and Fish Department for sale at public ,auction. �Table Nos fute 32 3/2 33 34 35 3/2 3/2 3/9 3~9 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 4"4 3 9 3/9 3Z9 Place Platte Cond s-s Prime* Damage Embryos M. Q_ .. _ it 35 36f 37! M M G G .....;9::..::5:-95 95 warbles- in breeding upper rt. hind condo leg it M 47 M G 100 it F 29 M G 95 in breeding. condo it M 40 M G ~, M 39 F?Sf M 402 ..-M M M G F G 100 100 40 100 M F lOO~----~-' M M M M M F G G' 100 " it ~ it It It ~ '46 3/30 47 4E 3/30 ~ 3/31 I_I 49 3/31 It 50 51- 4/27 L727 Poudre-- 52 ~ II M 30 F F M M 2r 3~t 4 2' 28 M. 40! F 24 M 32 F 2")M 42 M M M M F G G 9::> G G F -] M G t.t slb 5/6 ~ ~ M M F S/6 M 28[ 56 !.' 34f M M M M F '! F 3'3 M F 39, Age* = Imrnature and Matureo caught caught _ i coon5 embryos in breeding condo hen gadwall-released female --~--~- ~_.~--=._" -~ 6yraC'COOn~- -, - .=-.-~-~ .. cuts from fight1n"g-'--' -------.--hen gadwal~L = reieased ------~~----.~. warble near left front leg hen gadwall - drowned = collected hen mallarddrowned - collected --~ny 90 .~-:=,~ .._,.=--~.::. lob ·-.......".1"""0~0~~----~~· 100 cuts around Condo* ~ Poor~ Fair~ - male redhead-drowned-collected unlmown duck eaten from trap 9r- -.~ 5/6 - 95 . -G----~90 Remarks -- 90 G ) 32 33 '- '5j 54 Wto*=ounceso 1954 Age* 3/11 »~7b Spring, Wt* ti 3/11 Catch, Sex F F F 3/10 3/10 3/11 ~ 2, Muskrat -.=.=~~,.=-~. 100 hofe- left in breeding fr legs front leg cond 0 100 in breeding cond 100 100 Goodo -_.~~~-~ 0 - - -' ~ Prime* Esto to 5%0 (I .~---. ~-~= -_. n """ �Table 5, Traplinej1!tring, Date No. Sets Time on line (hours) 3/1 12· -------2----3/2--------0 If 3j8 2l-----2 J79 26 4 3710 29 ----~ 1954,South Platte Time skinning (hours) Est. Temp. lo.-hi. Est. Ice cover 0 20 5--10 50-60 50-60 50-60 trace 1 0 2 1 3Ill -0 2 1 45-50 3/1$ 31012 3/29 3/30 11 1~ 0 4$-$0 4 1~ 3 0 ~ 30-40 2$-30 3731 0 13 River Study Area. Est. cloud cover Est. precipitation 1ft-2ft none. windy, storm approaching trace 1fton ponds snowing snowing, 2-3" on ground -I Table 6, Trapline Data, Spring, 1954,Cache la Poudre River Study Area. Date No. Sets 4/26 4~27 10 0 8 9 5)5 56 o Time on .line (hours) 2 Time skinning (hours) 3 0 2 Ii 50 50 50 60 1 0 0 2 0 Est. temp. 100- hi. 1 Est. Ice cover Est. cloud cover Est • precipitation 1. ost 2 traps -- raccoon and beaver raJn showers ! -..J ! �Table 8. -- Muskrat TraplineSummary, 1952 - 53 and 1953 - 54 Two Fall Seasons Trap-nights .. -----~Hours on trapline Hours skinning _~__________ Muskrats caught Trap-nightsper muskrat-----12 Females in catcfi Mature muskrats Visibly Pregnant females_______ _ Females in breeding condition ~______ Average wefgfit----Counces) Condition Range in estimatedprimeness Average in estimatedprimeness Other animals caught Grades and prices offered (Jo Eo Isenhart Co. ) Average price offered Total Income Income per hour of effort 795 10 204' 66 (data ..on 65) --_ .. _------ -_ ... _- ... 36 (out of 65) 20 (out of 65) 0 O. 2 2 39-good 26-fair 20-90% 50% 4 ducks 3 raccoons 1 beaver large (13) $0.75 to $1.25 medium (15) 0.50 to 0080 small (23) 0025 tc $0040 kits (14) 0010 to 0.20 damaged $0049 32015 0026 Two Spring Seasons 402 "2 22 57 ------7 26 -57 S 11 (at least 31 22-good 35-fair 40-100% 95% 12 ducks 3 raccoons 1 turtle (19) $0090 to $1.00 (20) 0.60 (14) 0.30 to 0.35 (4) 0.20 to "$0061 34085 0039 0025 -b I �-11- (9) The average price offered on all fall pelts was $.0.49; on the spring pelts, $0.61. Total incomes were: fall--$32.15, with an income per hour of effort of $0.26; spring--$34.85, with an income per hour of effort of $0.39. Again,here is evidence that spring trapping is easier and more profitable for' the trappero (10) The total catch of ducks in the traps in the fall season was 4.. In the spring, 12 were caught. Most of those were drowned, and the rest badly crippled by the traps. Considering the number of muskrat trappers operating during the spring open season,the catch of breeding ducks in steel-traps is probably rather high. Prepared by:_---.;..Ja...;.c.;..k.;.....;;D:...:.:.....;;.Re.:..;;.-Il1J. ... ·_n.:.::.g_to.;..n~ Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Date:, ~J~ul~y~,~19~5~4~. _ Federal Aid Coordinator ��-13COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGA.TIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado Project No •.J!.=39-R-1 Work Pl:.:!an~e:No~·~-----'I::__ _,..;J::;o::,:b;;_::N~o::.•..:l::....________ Title of Job Wild Turkey Survival Checks techniques Use~ Field check:ng to determine population·status data comi:i.sting of v:isua.1 observation of birds where possible; observation of field sign including tracks, droppings, roosts, and recording information from interested landowners and other·cooperating personnel. The assistance :received from Departmental field men, ranchers, and Federal employees is of g;i:-eat advantage. Findinge: Western Slope Survival Checks - 1953- 1 54, Checking the survival of wild turkey flocks is a year around activity. In the fall and winter the turkeys have a tendency to drift down into lower. altitudes. Unless snows are very deep this is the best period to make thorough checks on the survival of the b:i.rds. It is during the fall and winter that most of the turkeys are observed, both by technicians and laymen. Often in the :fall where the ranchers are close to the forest and near to water and roosting sites, the turkeys drift into the .fields and pick up large quantities o:r grasshoppers, beetles and some of the drop grain wasted during harvest. At State Turkey .Ranch there is a.n excellent opportunity to observe. the movement of the birds. At the ranch there is a fairly sta;ble or stationaey population deterl!lined by frequent counts of the birds that use the area. When new flocks move in, this count shifts and considerable quarreling is noticed. It seems that the turkeys have a rather well defined idea about the authority of keeping a certain feeding area under control. If these new birds remain in the area the new count becomes rather steady. :l:f not3 the number drops back to the original count. Another method of determining the movement of new flocks is observe the change in sex ratios within the flock. Nornially the.movement of birds into the area is composed of hens with poults. Old toms seldom stay in early wintering f.l.ocks. Other than in mating season, the mature toms seem to prefer to range eepar~tely. Some of the broods have more gobblers while other broods may be predominantly hens. Careful observation will reveal the shift in population by change in sex ratio 'Iii thin feeding flocks at the traps. �-14- LtJ~:;·\.rr:)'1 j J~. ~:C)1:)01'1. �-15areas of Dolores Canyon and Thompson Park have made considerable developmento In the summer of 1952 there were numerous reports of flocks of hens running together without broodso Of course, it was possible that these were early broods that had matured. Close checks of these conditions did not yield much informationo In the summer of 1953 this pattern shiftedo Reports of broods came from allover the range. Later fall and winter checks verified these reports and showed an excellent development for the year. In the Dolores Canyon area it was felt that these birds had moved rather than perishing. However, this could not be provedo In the fall of 1953 flocks began showing up on the Mesa near the head of Beaver and Turkey Creekso The day before the turkey season opened, Warden Bollan counted more th~ seventy between House Creek and McPhee Park, a distance of less than eight miles. A check of the stock ponds showed that many more birds were using the area. Among the flocks observed was some 14 or 15 big tomso These birds had long beards and must have survived the storms of 19520 At least there was some justification for the theor.y that the birds had movedo Checks in Thompson Park also yielded more information. During the past two open winters the turkeys did not come in to the feed grounds at all, but deer hunters reported seeing turkeys and sign over much of the high country last fall. Highway workers reported seeing turkeys and tracks, personal checks around watering places yielded sign, and other verified reports showed that several good flocks were using the areao The plant of 11 hens and 2 toms made at the foot of Green Mountain near Cedaredge came through without any evidence of loss. The birds have remained close to the release area. Three of the birds crossed. a small ridge into Milk Creek not far from the release area. A rancher claims this group is composed of two hens and a tomo However, Game Warden Fullenweider believes both toms are with the main flock on Surface Creeko The Canyon Creek-Elk Creek plant near Glenwood Springs still shows high survival. Continued winter checks in the area indicate a higher count than the fall estimates. Also four flocks have shown up south of the Colorado Rivero ~e plant made in the Rifle Falls area on Rifle Creek remained together and ~n the plant area until mid-Aprilo Then they drifted back into the hills and have not been seen sinceo Some interesting side lights on survival are shown by movements of turkeys from original planted areas. During the early winter in the Glenwood Springs district the first report of turkeys having been seen on Garfield creek was made Later reports confirmed the development and also the number in the flock. Later there was a report of a flock on Alkali Creeko 0 �- Ol // '\ 1yJ \\ 'j \\ ..c: I=l OM ~ 19 N I=l 0 .~ 18 CIS +> oM o, .~ 17 OJ ~ p.. ri ~ ~ 16 15 14 I 21013 / 18030 lla:>infall / \\ \\ / \\ / \\ 7 \\ I ~ / / / I / / Figure 1 -- Weather and Food Factors Western Slope Area ~ / ?' / 13091 \V / / I \ I / / \ I / / \ ~ I ! \ 13 / I ,, ,, , ...• *unknown/ // I..- o "- I I l 20 I & Jan. in Dec Food Developme nt 21 1', 10045 inches Heavy late Frost ~ 22059/ 22 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 Rainfall ~ Above Normal Rainfall but Records dest royed. �- ~- ,~, , - ., , , - .- 6000 / 5500 5000 /' 4500 4000 /' !~te V V \ '\ \ Base LOBS \ abO~ 40 percent 3500 3000 / Note: Cpmpare this ~hart with V .> Food abunda [loe (Fig.l) Figure 2. Turkey Population Trends Western Slope Area / t-. -..l I �Since Alkali and Garfield run together forming Garfield creek, the first thought was that the two flocks were simply one flock moving from one area to the other. Since that time repeated reports indicate that there are two flocks in the area. Last year a flock of twelve turkeys were reported in South Canyon Creek. This was after the beginning of mating season and it was s~ppose~ that this flock was composed of young toms that had been driven off from the mating ground. Repeated visits to the area failed to bring any confirming report or observation. The area was checked thoroughly in the fall without finding any ~urkey sign. Ranchers in the area also said they had not seen any turkeys in the valley. In February 1954 a report came in of sixteen turkeys located at almost the same point as the previous year's record. Several later reports confirmed this observation. In ~ Warden Bogart reported seeing two hens and a tom on Cr,ystal River near Chair Jllbuntaiu. This confirms ealier reports that turkeys were in the Crystal River area. All four of these reports confirm the fact that turkeys have moved south from the original planting areas in the Glenwood Springs districto The first three reports indicate a movement of no more than eight or ten mileso The last one is over twenty miles airline from any releaseo Strangely enough~ mo st of these areas have north or north and east. facing slopes. :~ow we have a report of sixteen turkeys on the little Cimarron River south of the Gunnison and not far from the community· of Cimarron twenty miles east of Mmtrose. This is nearly all north s ope nd is in a bad wintering area. The only place these birds could have moved from would be the Cow Creek-Deer Creek plants, a comparatively long move. For the past five years there have been reports com.ing in of flocks of turkeys in the Creede district on the headwaters of the Rio Grande River. Now the flock has split into two parts with subsequent Lncr-eases These birds are wintering at a high altitude w.here winter conditions are.sev~re though they do have south and east slopes to work on. The only place these birds could have moved in from would be to cross the continental divide from Beaver creek, north of the West Fork of the San Juan River. 0 The Uncompahgre Plateau is a difficult area to checko The very rugged character of the district and the lack of roads will probably keep it rather primitive. Interest in uranium at present is opening portions of the western part of tre plateau but this is some of the more arid part and is not too important to wild turkey development. The plateau is completely inaccessible in winter so that checking can be done only in late spring.\)sU1llD1er and early fall. The absence of any agricultural activit,r in the area keeps the turkeys in a. comparatively wild situationo .Naturally.\) they follow the food and water trails and seemingly appear and disappear at willo Even cowboys (cattle grazing is the principal activity) seldom observe the turkeys AI though the field checks in 1953 were satisfactor,y, the hunter kill for the last two seasons has been very small. ., 0 �-19Recommendations: Sustaining the turkeys over rough periods both of drouth and storms, is an important step in flock management. At present the planting of winter food plots is a step in this direction. There are two drawbacks to this plano First, the development of these plots is a slow process, and they may be affected by the same condf.td.ons that affect the t.urkeys , Second, under very severe conditions the plots are inadequate to meet the need. Winter feeding as practiced at present doesn't meet the need either. However there is a plan used by the Pennsylvania Game Department which is given credit for much of their wild turkey developmento The plan centers around the development of winter feeding stations. Used cable or wire drums are gathered and mesh wire is nailed around these so that a hollow space is left inside the outside rimso This space is filled with ear corn in the fall. The drum is then hung between supporting trees at a height to compensate for deep snow. As the corn is taken from the cobs at the bottom of the feeder the top weight moves it forward so that food is available until the cobs are cleanedo Occasional visits through the winter to remove the cobs and replace a fresh supply takes care of the feeding problem. af course these stations are used by other birds and deer as well as the turkeys Generally, the turkeys get the greatest benefito Eastern Slope .. Findings: A graph showing turkey population trends on the eastern slope from the winter of 1949-50 through the winter of 1952-53 is given in Figure 3. The basis of this population trend graph is a population index determined by field checks (by the writer and cooperating personnel) throughout the year but using the wintering population as a baseo In the fallwinter period the writer makes population counts in as many turkey areas as possible along with the live-trapping and supplemental winter feeding work. During the remainder of the year, Departmental and U.SoF.S.fie1d men and many land owner contacts are made and reports of additional wintering flocks are secured. The information is then analyzed so that wintering populations for as many separate areas as possible can be determined. This information is then recorded on permanent file cards by areas. The help received in the form of reports from the above mentioned persons has been apprecf.ated, 0 All birds observed and field sign found by the writer during the springsummer period during field checks are noted and records maintained. This information serves as a cross-check in population. The populations for the separate areas are then totalled to secure an overall population index for the wintering period. The population index is not intended to imply total turkey population for the eastern slope area but should serve to show a trend. It is realized that the population index must be lower than actual populations since not all birds winter in areas where they. can be readily found and countedo Then too, an extensive survey such as thlS cannot possibly account for all birds because of the large area on the eastern slope to be covered and the time element involvedo �-20- Figure 300 1\ l. Population Trends -- Eastern Slopeo -,<, <, ...... ••••••••••••••• ~ 2000 Winterir g Period PopuJ ation Index 1949-]950 2970 1950-]951 2516 1951-1952 2462 1952-1953 2338 100)0 o 1949 - 1950 1 950-1951 Wintering 1 951-1952 Period 1952-.•. 953 �-2l- Figure 40 Turkey Hunting Season Data 1949-19530 Year Eastern-Slope Kill 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 84 208 180 91 138 278 351 Key: /.... ,/.... ..••., ,// ,/ /' ,/ /-'. ,.,r -"'-" »:" . 519 773 654 279 653 0 ,/ / -- / / .••...••... /' ..........,/ •.... / / .•••..•••. / •.•.....•..... ~ ••....... / '" / .' ~ "// ..' ••••••••••... ~ 1952 1951 Year Information Courtesy Game Hgmto Division 1950 -/ ,/ .•." 0' 1949 188 358 243 •••....... ,/ ,/ Total Licenses Sold Total License Sales. - - - - - State-wide kill. .--Eastern Slope kill. ---. ,/ State-wide Kill 1953 �-22The downward trend shown in this graph is probably caused bya co~b~nation of factorso The foremost factor involved is ~robablY drout~ ~onditlons throughout southeastern Colorado Factors whlch n~rmal~y Ilffilta population have also taken their toll (see Job 3) In thls reporto 0 The one large area that has proven to be an exce~tion.to.this ove:all downward population trend is the turkey areas lYlng Wl thln Las AnlIDas County This area has either held its own or increased in population during the period of study. Here again this is probably the result of a combination of factorso The quality of the range as turkey habitat is very higho Then too, the cooperation received from land owners and Departmental personnel in the area has been very goodo These factors have tended to counteract the adverse factorso 0 Survival checks and population trend counts are normally not completed until the end of summer for the preceeding wintering period because of reasons stated earliero For this reason, no population trend index has been computed for the winter of 1953-540 A graph showing wild turkey hunting season data and trends from 1949 to 1953 is included in Figure 40 Survival checks in the different turkey areas on the eastern slope are discussed below for areas in which checks have been completed since September,1953o Fremont County 0 The population in this rather extensive area consisting of drainages flowing into the Arkansas River from Bear Creek to Texas Creek and the Current CreekTallahassee Creek drainages continues to show a decl.Lne , Only appr'oxfmat.aIy one-half as many turkeys (175) were thought to be wintering in this area compared with a wintering population in 1950-51 of 345 birdso It appears at this time that if the turkey population is ever to increase to a point where an open season may some day be possible in these areas, predator control work will have to be done" Several instances of poaching pressure in the area have been reported during the past few years" In additiop, intensive logging operations in the Cottonwood Creek-Talla~assee Creek areas are proving detrimental to wild turkey increase" ~e flocks which ranged on the old Seabaugh ranch prior to intensive logging operations in the vicinity have apparently moved out or disappeared entirely" Pueblo Count Yo This area conSisting of the Beulah-Rye turkey ranges also continues to show a drop in population compared to a population of a year agoo A wintering population of 207 birds has been observed or reported for this,areao �-23Custer County. The bulk of the turkeys in this area are found in the South Hardscrabble Creek-Babcock Hole area. The wintering population was qonsidered to be approximately the same as during the previous winter although fewer birds were observed or reportede The difficulty in obtaining counts in the Babcock Hole area resulted in the lower count. Chaffee County. More turkeys were reported in the Ute trail area north of Salida last fall than were thought to be in the area. Whenever turkeys are seen in this area, they are usually on the move rather than locating in any specific locality. A few turkeys are still ranging in the Silver Creek-Poncha Creek area. Another small flock has been observed near Poncha Springs by a resident during the past winter. The population for the area is small at the present time. Huerfano County. While field checks are as yet incomplete in these areas, it appears at this time that the wintering population north of U.S. 160 was only slightly below that of the previous winter.. A few more turkeys are showing up in the area to the south of U. s.. 160. Turkeys are again working back into the Pass Creek area and a few are,reported on the upper Huerfano River area. Otero County. Field work is incomplete for this area. Las Animas County. Las Animas County contains the bulk of the turkey population on the eastern s~ope and thus these areas play an important part in the over-all population plcture. Field work for these areas is incomplete at this time and will be reported on in the next report period. Recommendations: Eastern Slope. It is recommended that the present method of determining population trends should be continued in order that needed information may be secured and the method tested further. �-24Summary~estern Slope. Normally weather conditions control the survival of wild turkey flocks in Colorado Graphs are shown indicating the relationship of turkey populations with food and weather conditionso 0 The survival of turkeys in 1953-1954 was high. A number offlocks have drifted from the original planting areas, thus increasing the distribution. These include four areas south of the Colorado ]iver in the Glenwood Springs area, one in the Little Cimarron area north of the Gunnison ~d two i~ the Creede district. Last year's plants have stayed close to the release site. The Dolores River and Thompson Park problem areas have shown a tendency to come back in the past two years. A plan is suggested for winter feeding stations for turkeys which has been used successfully in the State of Pennsylvania. Summary-Eastern Slopeo K popUIatlon trend study carried on for the wintering periods of 1949-1950 to 1952-1953 shows the over-all wild turkey population on the eastern slope has declined although Las Animas County which comprises the bulk of the wild turkey population on the eastern slope either held its own or gained in population. Data gathered since September, 1953 shows the wild turkey population in Fremont and Pueblo Counties is declining. The population in Custer and Huerfano Counties is considered to have remained stable compared with that of a year ago. Field checks are incomplete for Las Animas, Baca and otero Counties. Prepared by: Martin L~ Burget Approved Donald Mo Ho f'fman Date~ ~Jul~y~,_1~9~5~4~ by: Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator _ �-25JOB COMPLETION INVESTIGATIONS state of Project REPORT PROJECTS Colorado No. ; Wild Turkey Investigations W-39-R-7 Work Plan No. -=I-- ~·~J~o~b~N~o~.~ ~3~ _ ::.i.::.se.:.a.:.s.:.e.;;..,~A.:.c_c_i_d_e_n_t __ Ti tl e of Job ._-=:.P~op~ul~a~t.::~::.:· o~n~L:!.:i::Illl.:::·::.:t::::i::.:n~g~S:..:t::::u::.:di=·:.::e:.::s __ D::.· Predator Factors. Objectives: To determine the controlling within occupied and planted range. factors of wild turkey development Techniques Used: Field checks are made for predator sign in occupied tur~ey range. When dead turkeys are found a careful examination ?f the carcass ~s made to determine, if possible, the cause of death. Dropp~ngs (scats) and stomachs of predators are examined to determine if turkey remains are_ present. Inquiries are made of ranchers, Departmental field men, and forest rangers, concerning their observations in the field. When diseased carcasses are found these are sent to Colorado A & M Veterinar,y Dept. to determine pathological factors. Findings: Western Slope. From finding during the present period, July 1, 1953 to June 30, 1954 it is evident that diseases, accidents and predator factors are largely controlled by weather coriditions. The past winter proved to be very··mild with an abundance of food present and not a single sick bird was observed or reported during the checking period. It seems that predation is also at a low ebb during such periods. While predators were abundant there were no" indications of predators molesting the turkeys. Evidently other foocBdere easier to obtain and they left the turkeys alone. Predator Factors~ Predators, especially skunks and foxes are still increasing over most of the western slope turkey range. A predator trapper has been working in the Cortez area and in Dolores canyon. He caught a great many bobcats, foxes and skunks from this area and in Mc Elmo Canyon.which has not materially benefitted the turkey as yet but has aided the quail and pheasant population. A federal trapper (Fish and Wildlife Service) in Pagosa Springs reports more than eighty bobcats trapped in the area east_and south oK Pagosa Springs this past winter. This has evidently been a real help to the tllrkeys ~n the area. Actual checks in the a rea from Pagosa Springs west to Bayfield, showed a heavier population of bobcats than usual. More animals were seen and more tracks counted than for a number of years. Also it is believed that skunks may be on the increase because of the apparent greater riumber of road killso �-26- On the Uncompahgre Plateau also, the skunk population seems to be building up , Numerous complaints have been received in the Glenwood Springs area about a heavy population of bobcats all along the canyon rimo Recommendations:: The addition of two or three trappers who could devote their entire time to catching skunks, bobcats and foxes should certainly help the pheasant and turkey population of the state. Findings:: Eastern Slopec Studies of population limiting factors on the eastern slope turkey areas were began in the fall of 1949 and have been carried on to the present time 0 Table 1 is included to show the number of observed and reported instances in which disease, acciaents, predation, and poaching are thought to have played a part. The table covers a period of four years from September 15, 1949 through September 15, 19530 It is realized that the tot~ losses from these limi hng factors are undoubt.edl.y much 1 arger than those Li.st.ed, Figure 1 illustrates graphically the instances in which disease, aCCidents, predation, and poaching have been observed or reported by years~ It will be noted that the losses from all causes appears to have been higher during the period from September 15, 1952 to September 15, 1953 than in any of the previous three yearso Much more evidence was gathered during the summer months of 1953 to indicate a greater loss of turkeys through limiting factors for this 1952-1953 period than was expected earlier. Most of the losses apparently occurred during the winter-spring periodo The follOWing instances have been observed or reported since last Septembero Crippled Bd.r-ds , Five crippled birds have been observed and one additional crippled bird has been reportedo These were observed in Santa Clara Creek, (2) ana South Hardscrabble Creek 0)0 Rancher Ben Lane has rep9rted 9ne in Smith Canyon (Mesa de Mayo)o All of the above were seen or reported after the open season last fall and it is probable that wounding during the open season is the major causeo One carcass of a wild turkey was found by . rancher Reitzus on North Trujillo Creek shortly after the last open season. This would also indicate wounding during the open season. �Table 10 - Poaching Predation Accidents Disease1 Year Population Limit±ng Studies - Eastern Slopeo Incidence of Disease, Accidents, Predation, and other Factors Observed and Reported. Cri ppIea-CrIppled Birds Birds which died Possible Predator Kills Nest Predation Kills Crippling Hunting Casualities2 Cause of Total Death Unknown Dying Cripwi thout pIing hunter finding 9 to ~ to 9/15/51 9/15/51 to 9/15/52 2 9 1 to . 9/15/53 1 2 5 0 1 9 0 0 0 0 0 6 21 4 1 10 28 0 4 0 4 2 3 56 2 0 1 14 0 17 0 4 0 0 38 0 I ro -.J I 4 Includes sick birds Other than legal take 0 2 30 2 18 3 3 0 0 62 �-28Figure 10 Population Limiting Studies --Eastern Slope. Number of Observed and Reported Instances of Disease, Accidents, Predation, Poaching, and Other Population Limiting Factors by Yearso 9/15/49 to 9/15/50 9/15/50 to 9/15/51 9/15/51 to 9/15/52 9/15/52 to 9/15/53 �-29Accidents: Ore turkey apparently killed along the South Hardscrabble automobile was reported b,y a rancher in the area. Creek road by an Poaching: One mature tom which was illegally killed during big-game season by a deer hunter was found by the writer in the Santa Clara Creek area in October, 19.53. Predation: Twelve instances of possible predation on wild turkeys have been observed or reported. These occurred in the Table Mountain area el}, East Indian Creek. area (1).1 Burro Canyon (2), Cousin Springs area (I)" and Vlest Creek area (7). One field observation regarding predator activity in wild turkey range is taken from field notes as follows: On October 29, 19.53 while observing a flock of thirty-nine turkeys feeding in a cultivated field on Santa Clara Creek in the early afternoon, a coyote was seen to appear from the south near the flock and move around the flock a short way and then move up the field toward the west. The coyote stopped from time to time to look back at the flock but never attempted to catch any of the turkeys. A second coyote appeared at this time and crossedfrom the south side to the north side of the field above the turkey flock and moved off toward the first coyote. Neither of these coyotes attempted to catch any turkeys even though the first coyote was only approximately twenty feet from the nearest turkey at the time he first appearedo The flock of turkeys was noticed to be ver,y alert at the time the first coyote appeared and the flock appeared to stay alert while the coyotes were nearby but they did not leave the areao On later checking the fresh tracks of the coyotes, I found these were probably fully grown animals rather than pups. Two.predator stomachs taken in wild turkey range in the Mesa de Mayo area were examined during the present report period. These are listed belowo Date taken Predator Sex Contents Oct. 10, 19.53 Raccoon Female Trap Debris Nov • .5, 19.53 Raccoon Female Empty �-30Recommendationst One rather large area is at the present time in need of predator control work if the present wild turkey population is to increase to a point where an open season may some day be possible. This area lies within Fremont Count.Y consisting of the drainages flowing into the Arkansas River,from Bear Creek to Texas Creek" Particular emphasis should be placed on the Hillside and West Creek - Cherry Creek areaso Summary: Western Slope" During the present checking period there has been no observation or reports of sick turkeys or accidental kills on the western slopeo It appears that weather factors and diseases in turkeys are closely associated. Among the predators, foxes, bobcats, and skunks are on the increase. The skunk is considered an important predator during the nesting period and when the poults are smallo Additional trappers for these predators should benefit both turkeys and pheasantso Summary: Eastern Slope" Data gathered in a limiting factor stuqy on the eastern slope over a period of four years from September 1949 to September 1953 indicate that predation was the most important single factor during this periodo The other factors in their order of relative importance were found to be poaching, disease, accidents, and casualities resulting from the open season (other than legal take)" The stuqy was based on instances of both observed and reported limiting factorso It appears that the losses from all causes were higher during the September 1952 to September 15, 1953 period than in any of the previous three yearso 15, Instances September of observed and reported limiting factors for the period of 15, 1953 to the present time (June 15, 1954) have also been outlinedo Prepared by: Martin Lo Burget Donald Mo Hoffman Date ! Approved by: Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator J.;,..ul=y..L,...,;1::..;9:...::5;,.;:4::...-. __ �-31PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado Project No. W~-~3~9~-~R~-~7 Work Plan No. ~I~ ~; __W~il~d~Tu~~r~k~e~y~I~n~v~e~st~l~·g~a~t~i~o~n~s _ ~J_obNOo ~6~· _ Title of Jobt__~P~u=b~l~i~c~a~t~i~o~n~o~f~W~il=·~d~Tur~·~k~e~y_=In=f~o~r.m~a~t~i~o~n~o _ Report of Progress: Preliminary work on the publication of turkey information has consisted of gathering notes and pertinent materials together.. Historical data have been gathered and the second revision is ready for examination. A complete outline for the life histor,y chapters has been prepared and part of it has been writteno The first draft of maps has been prepared and a number of pictures to illustrate the publication have been gathered. Information on management is on hand but no outline has been prepared as yet. Summary: Considerable data are on hand for the preparation of this manuscript but only a small portion has been written to dateo It is expected that it will be completed in the next segment of the projecto Submitted byt Martin Lo Burget Date: July, 1954 Approved by: Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-33JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS Colorado Project No. , Wild Turkey Investigations W-39-R-7 Work Plan No. Title of Job. ~I~I~ ~J~c~b~N~0.~ ~3 ~W~in~t~e~r~F~o~o=d~P~i~o~t~s~. _ _ Objectives: The utilization of winter food plots to assist turkeys through heavy wintering periods without the assistance of hand supplemental feeding. Techniques Used: Locating important flock wintering areas on National rorest or private land. Fencing, preparation, and seeding plots of approximately one acre each to persistent food species, shrubs, or grains. Seasonal checks on development and use of the plots are made. Findings: Food Plot No.1. The food plot in Pyle Flat, - Lost Canyon produced a heavy crop of oats last year" See a'ccompa:nyingphoto , A conservative estimate set t~e production for the year at 100 bushels. During the wirtter of 195.3-1954 the turkeys only visited the plot a few times. Late in the winter deer came in and cleaned the plot thoroughly. This year the plot was again plowed, harrowed and seeded to oats. Food Plot No.2. This new plot is in the Muddy Creek district some five miles northwest of the town of Mancos. It is located in an isolated area. The plot comprising a little over an acre is surrounded on three sides by pinon and junipertbreaks~. Turkeys have been using this area as a wintering ground for the past six years" This year there were close to one hundred using the area. Mr. Hawkins has voluntarily fed these flocks to keep them from wandering into settlements where they would be molested. Since this plot is regular farming ground and Mr. Hawkins has been receiving an income from it the plot was leased. It has been fenced with a four wire fence. At first the plan was to plow and seed to wheat but early this spring the plot had a better stand of wheat (volunteer) than could have been. gotten from seeding it so it was left to stand. Recommendations: One of the problems involved in development of this type plot is that of getting machinery into the area. Where it can be hired locally it is much cheaper than trying to transport State equipment into and out of the area. l?lots on the Forest would require hauling machinery into the area to work it. Economically, this-might prove too costly for an adequate number of plots. It is recommended therefore that whenever possible local equipment should be hired for servicing these plotso �-34Findings: Eastern Slopeo Plots developed for use during the next winter on the Eastern Slope include one each in Las Animas County (Zarcillo Canyon), Huerfano Count,r, (Pass Creek), and Pueblo County (Cousin Springs)o Zarcillo Canyon - Las Animas Count Yo The one acre plot established during the spring of 1953 was planted to oats and fenced with a four wire, steel post, stock proof fence with the assistance of rancher Sakariason in 19530 Observations were made from time to time throughout the fall - winter periodso The plot produced a fair amount of graino The ntunber of turkeys ranging in the vicinity of the food plot was twentyeight generally throughout the winter period although at one time apprQximately seventy turkeys ranged in the areao This over-wintering population was the highest since the winter of 1949 - 1950 when a flock of eighty turkeys left the area. An abundance of waste grain in adjacent fields resulted in the test ,food plot with its standing oats being used lightly during the past wintero On several occasions the flock was reported to feed near the plot but only occasionally fed insideo During the past quarter (spring 1954) the plot has been planted to a mixture of oats and smooth bromegrass with the cooperation of rancher Sakariason. Observations will be continued to determine usage by the turkeys during the coming wintero Cousin Springs - Pueblo Count yo The use of a three and one-half acre plot on the Norris Ranch was secured for an experimental food plot during the spring of 19540 This plot which is already fenced was planted to a mixture of oats and smooth bromegrass on April 10, 1954 by rancher Norriso l'he plot is in good turkey habitat lying east of the Savage ranch where a large flock ranged until the last few yearso Pass Creek - Huerfano Count yo A one acre experimental food plot on the William Schmidt ranch was fenced and planted to oats during May, 19540 The plot was established to help bring back the numbers of wild turkeys in the area to former abundance and to hold the turkeys as much as possible aw~ from the main travelled highway. This plot was fenced with a four wire, steel post, stock proof fence. �Food Plot Noo 1, Western Slope. A fine stand of oats. Photo. by M. L. Burget �-35Expenditures of experimental food plots - Eastern Slopeo Since the one plot established during the spring of 1953 (Zarcillo Canyon) was not completed at the time the last report was written, the original cost of this plot is listed below with the expenditures for the work on all plots during the past quarter. 1953 1 Acre plot Zarcillo Canyon - Sakariason Ranch. 65 steel fence posts and 3 rolls barbed wire 100 pounds seed oats 4 days labor @ 8.80 Total for 1953 $ 79.05 4000 35.20 $ 118.25 $ 118.25 1954 1 Acre plot Zarcillo Canyon - Sakariason Ranch (fenced 1953)0 100 pounds seed oats 15 pounds bromegrass seed 3 days labor @ 8.80 $ 3090 3022 26040 $ Total for 1954 3 1/2 Acre plot Cousin Springs - Norris Ranch (no fence requiredalready fenced by rancher). 400 pounds seed oats 85 pounds bromegrass seed $ 15060 17028 32.88 Total for 1954 1 Acre plot Pass Creek -William 65 steel posts 3 rolls barbed wire 100 pounds seed oats 3 days labor planting ~ 8.80 14 hours labor fencing ~ 1010 Total for 1954 Total Cost 1954 Schmidt Rancho $ 48.10 20.85 3090 26040 15040 $ 114.65 $ 114065 $ 181005 �-36SU1ll1llary~ Plot Noo 1 on Pyle Flat in Lost Canyon produced a good crop last year. It was used by turkeys only lightlyo Deer cleaned it up this spring. Plot Noo 20 A second plot on MUddy Creek NoWo of Mancos was started this springo A good stand of volunteer wheat was left to matureo The plot was fencedo Local labor should be employed whenever possible as it will save a great deal in actual expenseo to work these plots Observations at the one acre experimental food plot in Zarcillo Canyon established during the spring of 1953 and planted to oats showed the highest number of overwintering birds that has been located in the area since the winter of 1949- 19500 An abundance of waste grain in surrounding fields played the largest part in holding the birds during the past wintero The food plot itself was used lightlyo This plot has been planted to a mixture of oats and smooth bromegrass for the coming wintering period. Two additional food plots were established during the past quartero These are a 3 1/2 acre plot on the NOrris Ranch in the Cousin 'Springs area and a 1 acre plot on the William Schmidt ranch on Pass Creeko The Cousin Springs plot was planted to a mixture of oats and bromegrass and the Pass Creek plot was planted to oatso Prepared by: Martin to Burget Approved by: Laurence Eo Riordan ----------~--~~-----Donald Mo Hoffman Date: ._J_ul~y~,~1~9~5~4~o Federal Aid Coordinator _ �-37JOB COMPLETION INVESTIGATIONS State of REPORT PROJECTS Colorado Project Noo W_-_41~-_R_-~7 Work Plan No 0 •••. __ Title of Jobo _L;__ B_l~·g~h_o_r_n __S_h_e_ep~S_u_rv __e~y_s -...;;;I~ _ 4...:.- Job No._. _ Census and Distribution Studies on Herds Throughout ------------------------------------------------~~------the State. Objectives: 1. To determine the resident and transplanted the increase or decrease and sex ratio of sheep herds throughout the state. 2. Attempt to establish a method of aerial census which would be less time consuming than the present ground counts. This is contingent upon the availability of an airplane and pilot. Techniques Used: The areas where sheep herds are present are covered by jeep, horseback and foot and records made of the actual number of sheep seen. Comparisons will be made with past records for trend purposes. Findings: Because of an extremely mild winter the sheep were less concentrated on the winter ranges that were checked. Cache la Poudre -- The following on December 17, 1953. count was made by Jack Remington and C. E. Till Place Rams Ewes Lambs Total Roaring Fork Foote's Cabin Aults Cabin 4 5 4 2 2 11 1 Total 8 9 4 21 3 Georgetown On March 26, 1954, a total of twenty-seven These were: 5 rams, 13 ewes and 5 yearlings. Empire Empire. 9 1 sheep were countedo On February 4, 1954, 11 mature rams and 1 ewe were seen east of Gore .-- On March 26, 1954, 5 ewes were sighted. �-38FaIl River -- an May 5, 1954, 1 four year old ram and 3 ewes were seen between Fall River and Empire. Tarryall -- During the winter one ~roup of 14 sheep were remalnlng in the vicinity of the canyon below SprUce Camp Ground and another group of 9 sheep were located directly east of Sugarloaf Mountaino One old ram was seen on Sugarloaf. Kenosha Mountains -- Nine young rams were seen above Lost Park during the latter part of February, 1954. Buffalo Peaks -- On May 12, 1954, the department pilots flew in the area and counted 71 head of ewes including one lamb. A ground count on May 18, 1954, disclosed 59 ewes and 2 lambs. Seven rams were seen on lower Wildhorse Creek. Due to the unavailability was undertaken. Summary: Winter the mild winter. of the department airplane no work on aerial census counts of sheep were low due to wider distribution On eight areas checked, 113 rams, 31 ewes, eleven young (yearlings lambs) and 23 undetermined sheep were counted. Prepared Date : by: Clifford A. Moser Approved by: ..:;.J.;;;ul~Y:...J:,_1=.,;9~5:.::4:._ Laurence during and Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-39JOB COMPLETION INVESTIGATIONS State of Project WorkP'lan REPORT PROJECTS Colorado Noo Noo Title of Job. ; W-41-R-7 --.:;I:...-__ Trapping Big Horn Sheep Surveys ..;;.J..;;.o_b_N~o,;... 6 "-- __ and Transplanting _ of Bighorn Sheep Objectivest At the present time trapping operations will be limited to only those animals which Colorado A & M College may require for study purposes. Techniques Used: It was intended that trapping operations to the present trap site east of Tarryall Lake. be confined Findings~ No requests were made by either the Veterinary or Zoological :Departments of Colorado A & M College to trap any sheep for study purposes, and if such a request had been made it is doubtful whether an animal could have been collected due to the very few sheep remaining on the Tarryall range. Only two groups of sheep, consisting of 9 and 14 animals respectively, were seen during the winter, and neither of these were ever in the vicinity of the traps. Summary: No sheep were trapped during the winter of 1953 Prepared by:. Clifford A. Moser Date ~ J_ul--=-y,,", _1...;,9..;;.5...;,4 Approved _ by: - 1954. Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��JOB COMPLEI'ION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado Project No. ~W~-~3~7~-;R~-~7 Work Plan No. ~I~ Title of Job: Evaluation ~;~G~am~e~B~i~r~d~S~u~rv~ey~ ~P~h~e~a~s~a~n~t~~J~ob~N~o~.~ and Statistical Analysis l~ _ _ of the Pheasant Crowing Count Census Method. Objectives: To effect refinement of the existing pheasant crowing count technique by statistical methods. To insure greater reliability in determination of breeding populations from year to year. Techniques Usedt Crowing counts were taken in accordance with the procedure outlined by Kimball (1949), with several major modifications to meet the requirements of this particular study. An attempt was made to measure the male pheasant crowing intensity as affected by weather, time of day, and time of year. To eliminate variables, alternate daily counts were made at two individual stations throughout the months of April, M~, and June, 19540 These stations were located eight miles apart in excellent pheasant range. Two-minute counts were made at 10 minute intervals during the period from 90 minutes before to 90 minutes after sunrise, daily as weather conditions pe r.mitted, Location ofWorkr Daily counts were alternated at two individual stations. Station No. 1 was located one mile south and two miles west of Amherst; station No. 5 was located six miles north and three miles west of Holyoke, Colorado. Results of study:: Intensive crowing-count investigations were initiated after crowing intensity reached a plateau in mid-April, through June 15, 1954. During this time period only 14 daily counts were made due to unfavorable weather conditions. The climatic conditions of northeastern may be summarized as follows: Colorado during the spring of 1954 Temperature: The spring of 1954 may be regarded as late and cold in northeastern Colorado. Temperatures averaged well below seasonal norms. A thermograph near Holyoke recorded seven days of freezing temperature in M~, with the lowest reading of 160 F. on May 3, immediately after a late spring blizzard. The latest freezing temperature was recorded on June 3. �-42Precipitation~ A total of 3.2 inches of moisture has been recorded at station No.1 during the course of the study Six inches of snow fell during the last two days of April, resulting in a rather severe blizzardo Small showers fell at intervals throughout the season, however, on May 16 two inches of rain were recorded. Several miles south of the station as much as four inches of rain fell in one-half hour •• 0 Wind: During April, May, and June the average daily wind velocity was 805 miles per hour , High and gusty winds were the main limiting factor in obtaining the desired number of daily crowing countso Counts could not be made accurately when winds were in excess of three miles per hour. Crowing Intensity: Time of Day: In Figure 1 is a graphic presentation showing the effect, of the time of day on pheasant crowing intensity. Counts were initiated 90 minutes before and terminated 90 minutes after sunriseo The average number of calls heard at these 10 minute intervals during the course of 14 counting days reveals that the crowing intensity reached a peak approximately 30 minutes before sunrise. This is in variance with findings of Kimball (1949), Taber (1949),and Klonglan and Kozicky (1953), however, inspection of the crowing intensity curve reveals that crowing intensity approaches the maximum approximately 50 minutes before sunriseo It remains at a relatively high level until approximately 20 minutes after sunrise, at which time listening interference becomes a definite limiting factor. This listening interference is an aggregate of noise produced by meadowlarks, crows, dogs, cows, and farm machines. Information obtained from the single station counts reveal that crowingcount trend-routes (10 stations at two-mile intervals) should be run during the I'trend-count interval". The time required to run a 10 station route is approximately 60 minutes, corresponding to the "trend-count interval" extending from 50 minutes before to 10 minutes after sunrise. Time of Year: Figure 2 reveals that pheasant crowing intensity reached a plateau in mid-April, and remained at a relatively high level until mid-June, at which time counts were terminatedo The daily figures for April 17, 23, and June 10 are questionable, as they were made with wind velocities in excess of five miles per hour •• The seasonal crowing intensity is obviously affected by various factors .. In addition to daily variations in temperature, wind (Table 1), and precipitation, it is influenced by broad factors such as phenology of the season, amount or intensity of nest destruction and renesting,and changed sex-ratios. �-43- Trend Count Interval 100 90 "0 0 .,-I 80 H &! 70 Q) "§ ~ •.-1 60 ~ c-t 40 x -- Listening Interference =r 50 H & 30 (/) r-! r-! 20 '" 10 (.) • z0 00 10 - 0 10 20 .t Sunrise o 60 70 0 90 + Time of Day (minutes) Figure 1. Mean influence of the time of day on male ring-necked pheasant crowing count at a single station on 14 mornings, Phillips County, Colorado, Spring, 1954. �-44- 100 '0 0 oM ~ 90 80 Q) n, . 70 s:: oM ::or 60 N ~ Q) So p.. (I) ...-l ...-l cU (.) 40 Station No. 1 30 Station No. 5 • 0 20 z • 10 ~ ex: 16 20 2 April 28 14 May 18 2 215 June Time of Year Figure 2. Average number of calls heard during two-minute periods at single stations number 1 and 5, Phillips Count.y,Colorado, Spring, 1954.* * Includes only calls heard during trend-count interval (SO minutes before to 10 minutes after sunrise). �-45Table 1. Average Number of Calls Heard at Single Stations, as Influenced by Time of Year and Weather, Phillips County, Colorado, 1954. Date No. of Station *Ave. No. Calls Wind Velocity Minimum Temperature Sky 4/17 1 42 5.5 34 Clear 4/23' 1 34 8.0 49 Cloudy 4/25 1 65 2.3 50 Cloudy 4/26 1 84 3.0 51 Clear 4/27 5 87 2.5 39 Cloudy 5/4 1 99 1.0 36 Clear 5/5 5 87 0.3 41 Clear 5/2I 1 83 2.0 49 Clear 5/22.: 5 76 4.8 47 Clear 6/1 1 92 3.0 46 Clear 6/3 5 96 3.5 32 Clear 6/8 1 79 3.0 37 Clear 6/9 5 81 4.0 47 Clear 6/10 1 41 5.0 50 Clear * Including only those calls heard during the trend-count interval (from 50 minutes before to 10 minutes after sunrise). �-46The seasonaJ. crowing-intesity curves drawn in Figu:t'e2, for stations 1 and 5, show a high degree of correlation. The fluctuations shown b.v these curves are the result of interrelated climatic and biological factors not fully understood by the author. Climatic Influence: Repeated mornings of intensive study on pheasant crowing-count stations revealed that wind exerts the greatest climatic influence. It may not directly affect the crowing intensity, however, it prevents the a~e"C"Ounting of those calls produced. The sffect of temperature on crowing intensity is not fully understood. Investigators suggest that optimum temperatures are between 40 and 60 degrees F. Table 1 reveals that the two highest average counts (99 and 96) were obtained in northeastern Colorado when temperatures were 36 and 32 degrees, respectively. Low temperatures may imp~ove audibility under certain conditions, thus enlarging the census area. Roadside Pheasant Count t The pheasant roadside count was initiated on May 5, 1954 over a 23 mile route. At. uniform spread of 25 miles per hour was maintained, and all pheasants seen were recorded by sex and group association. When weather permitted this route was traveled twice daily, two hours after sunrise, and again two hours before sunset. The purpose of this study was to check the variation exhibited in the observed number of male and female pheasants seen during morning and evening periods, and on consecutive dayso An attempt was also made to interpret the actions of the two sexes as the nesting season advancedo This study did not serve as a sex-ratio indicator, as no effort was made to stop and flush hens hidden in dense vegetation. A pre-nesting sex-ratio of 1 male to 1.3 females was obtained on counts of 1,000 pheasants in northeastern Colorado during the spring of 1954. This sex ratio is very similar to the ratio obtained during the first morning count on the roadside trend. Ana~sis of the roadside count revealed that the number of observed males fluctuated to a lesser degree than the femaleso The number of lone cocks remained quite constant during the study. Numbers of cocks with hens decreased conSiderably, while hens in both categories decreased markedly as the season progressedo The decreased numbers of observed hens could be due in part to dense concealing vegetation, however, the majority were probably absent because of nesting duties. �-47Table 2. Variations in the Roadside Count of Pheasants on a 23 Mile Route in Phillips County, Colorado, Spring, 1954. Lone Cocks Cocks/ Hens Hens/ Cocks Lone Hens Totals 5/5 20 20 15 19 39 35 *84 P.M. 10 6 5/6 A.M. P.M. 15 21 12 14 14 31 1 3 42 69 A •• M. 16 18 14 17 23 34 7 5 60 74 Date A.M. 80 5/1 P.M. A.M. P.M. **- 5/17' 20 13 28 3 64 5/18 A.M. P.M. 13 12 24 1 -50 5/20 P.M. 21 14 -- 24 1 60 5/21. A.M. P.M. 17 24 14 12 21 26 1 3 53 65 9 11 18 2 40 5/22 A.M. P.M. 5/24 A.M. 11 18 11 18 14 23 '·3 3 39 62 12 4 6 1 23 6/1 A.M. P.M~ 6/3 A.M. P.M. 8 8 6 8 10 10 2 0 26 26 6/7 A.M. P.M. 18 4 5 1 28 A.M. P.M•• * 5/5 A. M. Cocks per road mile ---------1.52 Hens per road mile -------- 2.13 Pheasants per road mile --- 3.65 Sex-ratio, Cocks/hens ----- 1:1.4 ** No counts made during these periods due to un~avorable weather. �-48Recommendations: Recent similar pheasant crowing-count studies conducted in Colorado should be summarized into a composite study with conclusions drawn. The peak of crowing intensity, daily and seasonally, and the effects of weather should be well known. If further crowing-count studies are to be made, emphasis should be placed on learning the role of non-territorial cocks, sex-ratios, and total densities on the intensity of pheasant crowingo Summary: 10 The spring of 1954 was late and cold in northeastern Colorado. A rather severe blizzard on May 1, and a heavy cloudburst on May 16 may have affected pheasant populations and crowing intensity levels. 2. High winds are the most important limiting factor in crowing-count investigations in northeastern Colorado. 30 Crowing intensity reached a plateau in mid-April, and remained high through mid-June. 4. Crowing intensity reached a peak approximately 30 minutes before sunrise, however, the trend count interval (hour of greatest number of calls) extends from 50 minutes before to 10 minutes after sunrise. 5. A pre-nesting sex-ratio of 1 male to 103 females was observed in northeastern Coloradoo 6. The pheasant ~oadside count revealed that the number of observed males fluctuate to a lesser degree than the femaleso Prepared by t Harold P.r.. Boeker Date: July, 1954 Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator Literature Cited Kimball, James W. 1949. The crowing count pheasant census. Wild. Mgt. 13 :101-120. Jour. Klonglan, E. D. and E. L. Kozicky. 19530 Variation in two spring indices of male pheasant populations, Stor,y County, Iowa. Jour. No. J-2192, Agric. Exp. Stat., Ames Iowa. pp. 660-664. Taber, Richard D. 1949. Observations on the breeding behavior of the ring-necked pheasant. Condor, 51(4):153-175. �-49JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of_~C..;;;OL;;;;;O;;..RAD..;.. .. ;.;;..:;..0 _ Project No. ~W.~-~3~7~~R~-_7~ Work Plan~. ~;__ G~am~e~B~i~r~d~S~u~rv~e~y_. __ --------- ~I~~,__ ~P~h~ea~s~an~t~s~~Job Title of Jobg;Evaluation No. of Habitat Improvement ~8~ Project. Objectives: To determine the effect of tree and shrub plantings species, with particular emphasis on the pheasant. sCj1e:princiPallY northeastern Colorado - _ on game counties of Logan, Sedgwick, Phd lips, Yuma and Washington. Techniques Used: Introduction The wildlife habitat development program, Project W-59-D, was commissioned to provide more food and cover for game birds and animals. Initiated in 1949, and operating on a large scale for five years, this project has resulted in the planting of a total of 1,438,oOOtrees and shrubs in 14 Colorado counties. The operation of this project is based on a cooperative agreement with individual landowners.. If interested in securing Game and Fish Department plantings, they designate the land area to be used,which in turn controls to some extent the design of the plantingo The Game and Fish Department has supp]jed the nursery stock and planting equipment, and in the first two or three years did the actual pla~ting, and provided fencing materials. In addition to furnishing the land, the owner must agree to prepare the soil prior to planting, and maintain the planting through cultivation and care during the first few years of growth to aid in the survival and establishment of the nursery stocko Methods of Evaluation Realizing the importance of evaluating the effects of cover plantings on wildlife, a detailed plan for procuring information on the various effects of these plantings on wildlife was prepared in 1952 by Jack Lyon, Jack Grieb, Harold Swope and Harry Figgeo This study, as proposed, included the selection 6f two townships, one of which was to be intensively planted and the other left in its natural state. These areas were to be selected so that: (1) they were typical of the over-all land types in the tablelands, and (2) they were as nearly alike as possible, especially in their ability to produce pheasants and hold concentrations of wintering birds. �-:;0The two townships were selected and activities were initiated to procure pre-development information, and plans were made to follow through with routine checks and studies as development of plantings in the one township progressedo Difficulty in obtaining a sufficient number of agreements with landowners, to provide the necessary number of plantings in the township to be "treated", however, caused a general stalemate in operations and subsequent impossibility to evaluate the effect of habitat plantings by this methodo Observations and field checks at various planting sites were made by Harold Swope in conjunction with his work as game bird biologist in northeastern Colorado during the period extending from 1950 to 19540 Additional data collected by Swope, pertaining specifically to the general annual pheasant populations in tableland areas, recover.y of pheasant populations following the severe blizzard of 1948-49, nesting problems in dryland wheat areas, the hunter kill during the open season, and difficulties in hunting pheasants in the open tableland cover, were particularly helpful in anticipating the behavior of pheasants under existing conditions, and the benefits that could result to these birds and to hunters through the provision of suitable covers 0 Hoping to obtain more specific information on the effects of habitat plantings on game populations, an intensive study was undertaken in March, 1954 b,y Harold Boeker and Harold Swopeo A three-day trip also was made on March 29-31, 1954 b,y Laurence Riordan, Harold Swope, Harold Boeker and Wayne $andfort to inspect plantings further. The actual evaluationof' the habitat development program was accomplished by field inspection of 200 randomly selected planting sites, appraisal of existing plantings during a snowstorm, and a careful analysis of existing entriES in the planting record books , Particular attention was given to plot location and deSign, species selection, maintenance and care, and overall attractiven.ess and benefit to game specieso Findings: Information obtained during this investigation indicates that some revision in present work on habitat development for wildlife is necessary if we are to obtain desirable results and benefits for both wildlife and sportsmen. Shortcomings in the nresent habitat development program, a summarization of needs for wildlife in northeastern Colorado, and difficulties in harvesting birds under existing cover conditions are presented in the following discussions. Appraisal of Habitat Plantings Survival of trees and ehrubs has been poor in more than 75 percent of the plantingso Many plantings must be classified as failures. Total replants have been made in many instanceso �-51Inability to establish trees and shrubs has resulted from a variety of causes, including poor moisture conditions, poor preparation of the soil (including planting in sod), inadequate cultivation, inadequate protection from grazing animals, poor soil conditions (including sandy or alkaline soils), and inadequate protection from rabbits. Much of the difficult,y in establishing plantings has originated from lack of cooperation from farmers on whose land the plantings were made. 'Plantings that are established appear to possess several qualities or characteristics that are undesirable from the standpoint of wildlife. These are as follows:: (1) The narrow width of plantings permits snow to drift into the entire planting during relatively light snowfall, if strong wind accompanies the storm. Evidence of this drifting is shown in Figure 1. (2) In plantings showing good survival, the cooperators have usually given close care and clean cultivation. This results in removal of weeds. Ground cover, necessary for wildlife, is almost lacking, as evidenced in Figure 2. (3) Some plantings are located where little or no benefit to wildlife may result. These include plantings in short-grass areas, definitely not pheasant range, and attachment of plantings to existing windbreaks in proximity to farm buildings. Plantings in the sand-hills area probably are unnecessary, as considerable cover for game already exists. (4) Plantings have not included sufficient amounts of low-growing vegetation, or plants that form thickets, such as plums or suckering varieties of other vegetation. Chinese elms have not been topped to encourage dense shrub-like growth. Sorghums, legumes or small grains have not been incorporated in any of the plantings. Present desirable effects of the plantings for game are related primarily to weed growth within the plantings~ not to the trees and shrubs. Needs of Wildlife in NOrtheastern Colorado In habitat development work we should, of course, give primary attention to the needs of wildlife and design our developments to fit these needs. The following discussions show the primary needs of pheasants in northeastern Colorado. �-52Dry-farmed areaso -- Studies by Harold Swope show that pheasants in dryfarmed areas in northeastern Colorado counties are thriving where only wheat is growno The high stubble, left after combining, appears to provide adequate cover during normal winters. Food is abundant in this$ubble. Additional findings by Swope indicate that pheasants recovered to abundant populations in two years following the severe blizzard of 1949. Further studies in northeastern Colorado show that considerable numbers of pheasants and their nests are destroyed during fallow disking of stubble in springo In summary, the greatest needs for wildlife on dry-farmed lands are~ (1) Suitable winter cover (only during severe blizzards of long duration)c Food, closely available to protective cover during these storms, would be desirable It is, however, emphasized again that pheasants recovered to abundant numbers in two years following heavy mortality during a severe blizzard. 0 (2) Nesting cover that is not disturbed during fallow disking. This need may not be particularly urgent because of numerous nesting sites in green wheat. Irrigated land. -- Studies by the writer show that mortality of hen pheasants and destruction of their nests during the first cutting of hay is by far the most serious population depressant on irrigated lands. Winter cover is lacking in some areas. Problems in Harvesting Pheasants in Northeastern Colorado. Data collected by Swope show that pheasant populations in the dry-farmed areas are considerably greater than on irrigated lando Harvest of pheasants, however, is easier in irrigated areas where ditches, corn fields and other covers concentrate the birds. In sections devoted to dry-land wheat, most hunters are reluctant to walk the large stubble fields and pursue birds that often fly out long distances ahead of them. In dry-farmed areas, therefore, it appears that the greatest problem in pheasant management is not to increase the population of birds but to effect better harvest. A graph prepared by Harold Swope (Figure 3) indicates how hunter kill has remained relatively stationary while over the same period pheasant populations have increased approximately 340 percento The graph also shows the rapidity of the pheasant recovery after the blizzard of 19481949 under existing cover conditions. There was little apparent difference in residual populations ~nd rate of recovery between areas having few or no tree plantings (south of Highway 6 between Fleming and Nebraska border) and those with relatively numerous plantings (north of Highway 6 between same boundaries) 0 �Figure 1. -- In narrow plantings the area of dense cover becomes an area of snow accumulation during blizzards. Figure 2. -- The successful, well cared for plantings are of no real value to game species, as beneficial ground cover is lacking. �-53Effecting a better harvest may be possible would concentrate the birds. through provision of cover that 350 * Percent 300 Increase over 200 1949 Figures 100 HUllfER KIL.L 36 17 1950 1949 1951 1952 1953 Figure 3.-- Pheasant population increase and corresponding hunter kill, northeastern Colorado dr,y farmland area, 1949-195~ Recommendations:The following points are submitted as suggestions for the type of habitat development or maintenance in northeastern Colorado which, in the writer's opinion, would be most beneficial to wildlife and sportsmen. (1) Purchase or lease tracts of land (10 acres or larger) that are already "wild lands" containing desirable cover, a t present readily used by wildlife. This t.Ype of area would take years to reproduce. Purchase of such tracts would give us complete control of the development and management of these areas. Food patches could be planted adjacent to existing covers. Sportsmen could hunt in these areas without trespass. * Population figures taken from an average of all crowing counts in area. �-54An example of this type of area is Gilbertts"Grove located near Haxtun, Section-9, Township 7 North,Range 45 West" This area contains consiuerable growth of trees, plum thickets, and weedso Water is presento This grove of trees is wide enough that snow would not drift over the entire area during a severe stormo (2) Purchase or lease undeveloped tracts of land in northeastern Colorado (10 to 40 acres) in areas of good pheasant populationso These tracts of land should contain basic requirements or potentialities for development as suitable habitat for wildlife and,wildlife harvest. These requirements would include location adjacent to public roads so that tracts would be accessible to sportsmen without trespasso The areas should contain water, although this is not absolutely necessary" Within the tracts of land over which we would have complete control, we could experiment with various methods of providing good cover, particularly for pheasantso Points to be considered in these experiments should include~ (1) Determination nesting period" of the best type of cover for pheasants during the Pheasants nest in low-growing herbaceous vegetation, not in shrubby thickets or groves of treeso Consideration should be given to natural, non-noxious weed growth and to legumes. during this phase of experimentation. The advisability of having trees in plantings should be investigated, since trees may provide a haven for magpies and actually be detrimental to nesting by game birds" (2) Determination of desirable types of winter cover" Pheasants prefer low-growing dense ground cover, such as heavy weed patches, sweet clover, plum thickets, willow thicketss sorghum patches, sage brush, etco~ for cover during winter. Plants which sucker and spread into thickets are particularly preferred. Attention should be given to drifting of snow and facing of plantings in respect to prevailing winds. A check should be made on how wide plantings should be to prohibit snow from drifting over the entire planting. Planting of vegetation in strips, pruning to encourage lowe~more shrub-like growth, and use of snow fence to stop drifting snow and pile it on certain portions of the planting to provide moisture, should be given considerationo (3) Determination of the type of winter food most suitable for wildlife" Experimentation on this phase should include use of corn, sorghums, sunflowers, sweet clover, small grains and perhaps certain shrubs, which bear desirable fruit. Placement of food plots in relation to cover which would protect them from drifting snow should be consideredo �-55It is recommended that our habitat development work be confined, initially, in areas of greatest pheasant production potential. These areas are found in Logan, Sedgwick and Phillips counties and in the northern portion of Yuma and Washington counties. We should purchase or lease land and obtain complete control so that we may establish covers primarily for wildlife and so that sportsmen m~ have areas in which to harvest birdso It is recommended that in initial phases of this work we confine our activities to a maximum of 12 plots in good pheasant range or range with good potential for pheasantproductiono Areas should be at least 10 acr€ s in size. Existing "wild lands" should be included in this experiment along with areas with good potential for developmento Various types of development should be tested on the different plots in order that we may determine the best and most economical development for wildlife. For example, one plot should include trees, another no trees. Perhaps one plot would be a continuous stand of sweet clover or sunflowers, or perhaps a combination planting of low-growing shrubs, sorghums and legumes. From this experimentation we should be able to evolve sound habitat development methods that could be applied to much of our pheasant range. Summary:1. Present habitat plantings sportsmen. are not fulfilling the needs of wildlife or 2. It is recommended that lands be purchased or leased where habitat can be developed specifically for wildlife and so that sportsmen can harvest game within these areas. 3. Suggestions are given for an experimental approach to the development of suitable habitat. Prepared by:-Wayne W. Sandfort Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Harold M. Boeker Federal Aid Coordinator Harol d M. Swope Date: J_ul~y~,_1~9~5~4~. _ ��-57JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO --~~~~~---------- ~W~-~3~7_-~R~-~7 Project No. Work Plan Noo Title of Job:~. ~I~I~ ~;__~Gam~e~B~i~r~d~S_u_rv~ey~o_ ~9~J~o:.b_N~o~·~. _=I W~a~te~r~f~o~w~l~Mi~·~g~r~a~t=i~o~n~S~t~u=di=~=e=s~o Objective: To determine populations (numbers and species) utilizing study areas of North Park, and dates of migration peaks. Procedure: _ _ the Field reconnaissanceo Value: To determine the value of these waterfowl areas during the spring and early fall migration, such data to constitute a partial basis for determining waterfowl population trends in this region. Scope: Six study areas representing lakes of various sizes in North Park; Cowdrey Lake, Small Cowdrey Lakes, Lake Johna Delaney Butte Lakes, Pole Mountain Lake, and McFarland Reservoir. Work Schedule: April I - May 15, 1954. Findings: TECHNIQUES Six study areas representing lakes of various sizes were selected in North Park. These lakes were counted with the aid of a 20-power spotting scopea and a multiple tally recorder at approximately one week intervalso Although an attempt was made to record each species with respect to males, females, and"pairs, this method soon proved impractical due to high winds which prevailed during this period making it more difficult to obtain accurate counts Consequently, birds were recorded by species, and ocular estimates were made as to the percent of ducks paired. 0 STUDY AREAS The following lakes were selected on the basis of size, location, and availability: Cowdrey Lake, located in the northern part of North Park; Small Cowdrey Lakes, also located in the northern portion; Lake John, found in central North Park; Delaney Butte Lakes, slightly south of Lake John; Pole Mountain Lake, lying in the southwest corner; and McFarland Reservoir in the southeast part of North Parko �-58DISCUSSION Results of the North Park migration study based on six selected areas are summarized in Table 10 According to residents of the area the break-up of ice from lakes and streams occurred earlier this year than normalo Consequently, this permitted an earlier movement of ducks into the regiono It is conceivable that such an early break-up might result in an early production peako Actually, it is doubted that there is any mass movement of migrant birds through the Park to areas in Wyoming and farther north, with perhaps the exception of scaup and redheadso It-appears that the majority of the birds moving into the area will remain as resident birds and attempt to nest; or, if they do move on, this movement will be directed into the high-country surrounding North Park where waters remain frozen until later in the yearo A summary of the movement by each species is discussed separately below~ Mallardo This was the first species to arrive in appreciable numberso They were observed utilizing streams more than any other species, which is probably significant for their comparatively low numbers on the study areas. With the opening of more water areas and the flooding of meadows the mallard population became dispersed throughout the Park making it difficult to determine when a peak population for the region was reachedo Pintailo -No large flights of pintails were observed on any study area, This species, like the mallard, become distributed throughout the Park, but utilize small lakes and dikes more than streamso Gadwall.-This group progressively increased their numbers throughout April, apparently reaching their peak population in early Mayo Their preference of alkali lakes could well result in an unproportionally high count of this species, as several of the study sites were alkali lakeso Baldpateo-- The baldpate population showed very little fluctuation during the period of migration countso They were consistently found in small numbers on practically all study areaso Lesser scaupo-- This species was one of the most common ducks found in North Park until the middle of Mayo The major part of the scaup population was concentrated on a few large lakes along the western foothills regiono Redheado-The redhead population was very similar to that of the scaup, with the possible exception of somewhat earlier decline in numberso This group along with the scaup appear to be the principal migrants through North Park 0 Green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, cinnamon teal, and shovellerso-These species were found in such small numbers that it was impossible to determine any pattern or evidence of migrationo �-59Table 1.-- Summary of Migration Figures on Six study Areas, North Park, Colorado, Spring, 1954. Species April 15-18 Date April 19-21 May 3-6 Mallard 656 718 694 Pintail 177 132 187 Gadwall 450 332 621 Baldpate 147 161 189 89 65 75 Lesser scaup 423 494 490 Redhead 446 534 299 Shoveller 12 31 56 1 2 5 Cinnamon teal 8 5 2' American merganser 2 0 0 2,407 2,674 2,218 Green-winged Blue-winged Totals teal teal Prepared by: Roger Kirkman Date: July, 1954 Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-61- State of JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COLORADO --------------------- Project NOo ~W~-~3~7~-~R~-~7~ ~G~r~o~u=s~e __ ~;__G~am~e~B~l~·r~d~S~u~r~v~e~y _ Work Plan. ~I~I~I Title of Jobr Surveys to determine the population ObJective: Scope: ~~J~o~b~N~o~~ ~l _ status of sage grouse. To locate and map sage grouse populations and establish trends. Gunnison, Saguache and Moffat countieso Personnel: Richard N. Denney, William I. Roland and Wayne WoSandforto Techniques used: Surveys were conducted during the period extending from April 3 to April 24, 1954 to count sage grouse on strutting grounds that were located last year, and to locate new groundso Special attention during this survey was given to counting the total number of cocks on strutting grounds. New strutting areas were located by early morning and stopping periodically to listen for booming. Findings: tables Principal surveys using a vehicle findings from this study are shown in the following 0 Data in tables 1 and 2 indicate that a decrease in the breeding cocks has occurred in 1954 when compared with 19530 This decrease appears to be relatively insignificant in the Moffat county area and appreciable in the Gunnison and Saguache counties area. It should be pointed out that time for this project was limited during 1954 and did not permit routine checking of certain strutting areas to determine the peak of strutting activity. It is ver,y possible, therefore, that counts were made at a time other than the peak of strutting~ (This is borne out by data collected by Dick Teague on Ohio Creek in Gunnison county, which indicated that the counts, submitted in this report for the Gunnison - Saguache area, probably were made at a time following the peak of strutting)o Only one count was made on each strutting ground during the current season, whereas, several counts were made on most grounds last year, with the maximum count being used as an index for determining future trends in the population numbers. ThiS, of course, would favor a greater count in 1953 than in 19540 �-62Table l.--Sage grouse strutting ground census, Gunnison and Saguache counties, 1953 - 54. Maximum number of Date of maximum 1953-54 trend cocks observed count comparison Location of strutting ground y 1953 1954 19~3 (percent) 19~4 1. Ohio Creek (Gunnison Co. ) ~17 301 Apr.17 Apr. 23 S.E.~ Sec. 22{ Sec. 23, N.Eo4 Sec. 27,Sec. 26, E.t Seco 35 and S.W.~ic. 36, T51N, RlW. .2 Sec. 1, T50N, RlW, W.t Sec. 6, T50N, R1E. S.W.l 2. Needle Creek Basin (Saguache Co.) Near jct. of Secs.17, 18, 19 & 20 T48N, R4E" 21 14 Apr.16 April 240 3. Razor i.Jreek(Saguache Co.) s.t Sec. 14, T48N, R3E. N.t Sec. 23, T48N-,R3E •• 41 47 Apr.16 Apro 24 4. Doyleville (W. of Sawmill) (Gunnison county) Sec. 10, T48N, R3E. 26 13 Apr.16 Apr. 24 5. Woods Gulch (Gunnison Co.) N.W.i sse , 16, T49N, R3E. 8 11 Apr.16 Apr. 25 6. Gold Basin (Gunnison Co.) Et Sec. 14, T49N, RlW •• 4 0 April 23 Apr 0 24 617 386 Total - 37% Y Location designated by section, township and range to permanently record approximate location of strutting grounds. Actual location may vary slightly because of difficulty in determining exact location of grounds on a map and because of yearly change in exact strutting site. �-63Table 2o--Sage grouse strutting ground census~ Moffat county~ 1953-54. Date of maximum 1953-54 Maximum number of trend count cocks observed comparison 1954 1953 1954 Location of strutting ground !I 1953 (Eercent~ Grounds located in 1953 1. Big Gulch (Beckett1s Ranch) Center Sec. 1, T7N, R92W. 28 19 Apro 30 2. Big Gulch (large strutting 74 69 Apr. 30 April 13 3. Lay NW~ Sec .•31, T7N, R9.3W 2 1 May 1 Apr. 3 4. Round Bottom (Fuhr Gulch) NoWo Sec. 28, T6N, R92W S.Wo . Sec. 21, T6N, R92W 45 34 May 2 Apr. 13 50 Timberlake(Lee Forshee Ranch) S.t Sec. 11, TlON, R92W. 26 26 May 2 Apr.14 25 200 37 186 May 1 AEro15 Apro13 grounds) SoWol Sec. 15, T7N, R92Wo NoW.'! Sec e 22:,T7N, R92Wo l 6. Freeman Gulch Wot Sec. 35, T6N, R96W. SUB-TOTAL Grounds located in 1954 7. Big Gulch (.9 mile below large strutting ground) SoEo~ Seeo 17, T7N, R92W -7% 32 Apr.13 80 West of Craig 8 miles south 1 mile Center See.. 3, T6N, R92W 4 Apro13 9. North Fork Big Gulch (west jct. county roads #3 and 23 April 14 10. Great Divide (705 miles S.E. of Great Divide on county road #5) 22 Apro14 11~ Deception Creek Intersection of Secs. 19, 20, 30 and 29, T6N, R95W. 31 Apro15 115) wt Sec035, T9N, R92W �-64- Table 2.--8age grouse strutting ground census, Moffat county, 1953-54. -- Continued. Maximum number Date of maximum 1953-54 of cocks observed count trend Location of strutting ground !I 1953· 1954 1953 1954 comparison (percent) Grounds located in 1954 12. Sunbeam (George Nichol's 16 Apro3 ranch)_ S.W.i Seco 14, T7N, R96w. 130 Sunbeam (south George Nichol's Ranch) Seco 27, T7N,R96wo SUB-TOTAL TOTAL 25 Apro15 13 200 338 Location designated by section, township and range to permanently approximate location of strutting groundso record Recommendations~ It is recommended that an intensive survey be inaugurated to establish a system for determining accurately the yearly changes in the sage grouse breeding numberso This would require the full-time work of at least one individual and would include accurate mapping of sage grouse range, and establishment of trend areas (townships or larger) wherein annual counts on strutting grounds could be madeo It is recommended that once such a system is established personnel of the game bird survey project conduct routine checks on designated strutting grounds to determine when the peak of strutting has been reachedo When the peak has been determined, it is recommended that field personnel throughout sage grouse range conduct routine counts (probably a minimum of three counts) on strutting grounds within the established fttrend" areas; following directions as established by the individual setting up the census systemo Use of the airplane during original'work should be considered. Plans have alrea~ been made to establish the system for censusing grouse as outlined aboveo sage Pending establishment of an accurate system for censusing sage grouse, it is recommended that annual counts be continued on strutting grounds, designated in this reporto In order to procure more reliable data, it is recommended that a minimum of three counts be made on each strutting area, as near as possible to the peak of struttingo In the Gunnison-Saguache counties area it is recommended that the following strutting ground or groups of grounds be counted in a single morning: (1) Ohio Creek, (2) Needle Creek Basin, Razor Creek, Doyleville and Woods Gulch and 0) Gold Creek Basino In Moffat county it is recommended that the following grounds (as numbered in table 2) be censused in a single morning: (1) 1, 2, 7, 3, (2) 4, 8, (3) 5, 9, 10, and (4) 11, 6, 12, 130 �-65Summary: 1. Surveys were conducted in Gunnison, Saguache and Moffat counties from April 3 to April 24, 1954 to count sage grouse cocks on known strutting grounds and to locate new grounds. 2. Cocks were counted on six grounds, located in 1953, in Gunnison and Saguache counties, and on six grounds, located in 1953, in Moffat county. An additional seven grounds were located in Moffat county. 3. A totaL of 386 cocks were observed on grounds in Gunnison and Saguache counties and 339 on grounds in Moffat coUht,r. 4. Comparative data indicate a decrease of seven percent in cocks in Moffat county and 37 percent in the Gunnison-Saguache counties area. Surveys were not intensive enough, however, to draw accurate conclusions regarding the trend in the breeding population. 5. Recommendations are given for inauguration of a system for accurate census of sage grouse and for conducting this census. Suggestions for continuing sage grouse census on known strutting areas, pending establishment of a more accurate census method, are given. Prepared by: Wayne W. Sandfort Date: July, 1954 App roved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ���-67JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS Date of__ ...:C:..;:O:=L:.:;;.ORA:::::;;:D:;.:Q:...... Project No. __ ~W~-~3~7~-~R~-~7 PROJECTS _ _L;__ G~am==e~B~i~r~d~S~u~rv~e~y~ Work Plan No. ~IV~ Title of Jobo ~F~o~o~d~H~a~b~i~t~s~S~t~u~d=i~e~s ~i~C=h=uk==ar~P~a=r~t~r:..::i~d~g~e_L;~Jo~b~N~o~o~~3 _ Objectives: To obtain basic information during the various seasons of the year. Scope: _ on the food requirement _ of chukars Black Canyon Area, Delta Count,ro Techniques Used: Monthly trips were made to the Black Canyon area during the period extending from July.9 1953 through May.9 19540 Dwight Eo Owens assisted with the study during several of the surveyso The area surveyed included that portion of the Gunnison River Canyon which lies in the Access vicinity of the confluence of the Gunnison River and Red Canyono to this locality is afforded by driving to the Little Peach Valley area east of Delta and then to the west rim of the Black Canyon.. Although evidence occasionally was present of chukars frequenting the west rim of the canyon, the area where chukars concentrate consists of a park-like area~ mostly on the west side of the Gunnison River proper.. Access to the park is provided by a foot trail.. The trip from the west rim of the canyon to this area of concentration requires approximately one and onehalf hours of hiking., This particular area was selected for intensive study on food habits ofchukars because of its remoteness from agriculture and the opportunity it presented for study of the food habits of this species under wild conditions., Attempts were made to collect one chukar for crop analysis during each survey in the areao Notes were kept on the number of birds in the area.9 evidence which showed recent presence of chukars, general food conditions~ weather conditions and evidence of predatorso A standard form was used to record information on the birds collected .• Findings: General information obtained during this investigation is recorded in table 1 .•As this study is to be continued for one more year, specific information on percentages, number, etco of the various food items is not included here but will be incorporated in the final reporto �-68Table 1. -- Monthly food conditions and consumption Delta County, July, 1953 to May, 1954. Sex Male by chukars, Black Canyon area, General food Information on collected birds conditions in Weight of Crop contents area bird ( ( eneral information Abundant, 1 • Principally segments of the stems of Horse- heavily seeded cheatgrasso tail (Equisetum sp.). Also, ricegrass seeds, Horsetail plentiful along leaf fragments of skunkbush (Rhus the river. trilobata), beetles, shoots of wheatgrass. 8/31/53 Female Immature 202.5 Principally horsetail stem fragments. Also insects and cheatgrass seeds. Food condi tim s good. Cheatgrass, perennial grasses dry but with good seeds. Horsetail abundant. 9/30/53 Male Immature 538.5 Principally cheatgrass seeds. Also ricegrass seeds. Cheatgrass abundant in locali ty where birds were collected. 10/31/53 Female Immature 313.5 Entirely cheatgrass seeds and green leaves of cheatgrass. Cheatgrass sprouting following fall rains. Green shoots app rox, one inch high. 11/27/53 Male Immature 455.3 Entirely cheatgrass seeds and green leaves of cheatgrass. Abundant green cheatgrass, one to two inches tall. Cheatgrass seeds plentiful. 12/17/53 Male Mature 61'.3.9 Principally green leaves of cheatgrass. Also leaf segments of perennial grasses. Green cheatgrass abundant and conside rabl e amount of this feed exposed among patches of snow. �-69Table lo--Monthly food conditions and consumption by chukars, Black Canyon areap Delta county, July, 1953 to May, 19540 Information on collected birds General food Date conditions in of survey Sex Age Weight of Crop contents area bird gms , (general information) 1/30/54 No bird collected Abundant food present in the form of green cheatgrass and cheatgrass and ricegrass seeds. 2/23/54 No bird collected Food conditions excellant with large quantities of perennial grasses, green cheatgrass and cheatgrass seedso No snow on groundo 3/19/54 No bird collected Droppings indicated that chukars were conSuming large quantities of green feed •• Green cheatgrass and rice grass shoots abundanto 4/29/54 No bird collected Cheatgrasstwo to three inches high.. Good food conditionso 5/29/54 No bird collected Cheatgrass headed out and starting to dry upo Ricegrass greener and headed outo Food conditions appeared to be good but chukars apparently were widespread and only occasionally were coming down to the river in the locality that was surveyedo �-70Analysis: Findings are incomplete regarding year-around food consumption by chukars in the Black Canyon area. Information to date, however, indicates that chukars consume a greater variety of food in the summer than during the fall and early winter. Data indicate that these birds prefer the stem segments of horsetail (Equisetum spo) to dry seeds, which are abundant, during the summer months. There appears to be a distinct preference for green feed during winter months and the presence of such food for chukars probably is an important factor to consider in selecting potential chukar range. Summary: 10 The food habits of chukars were investigated in the Black Canyon area during the period extending from July, 1953 to May, 1954. 2. Six chukars were collected and their crop contents analyzed. was obtained on general food conditions during the eleven-month Information period. 30 Crop contents of chukars that were collected indicaUdthat these birds consume a greater variety of food in the summer months than during the fall and early wintero 4. Horsetail chukars (Equisetum collected during sp.) was the principal the summer months. food consumed by 50 The diet of chukars consisted of cheatgrass seeds and green leaves of cheatgrass during the fall months and during early winter. 6. There appears to be a distinct preference during Prepared Date: the winter by chukars for green feed monthso by: __ W.;.;.:;;:ay;:..;n:;;;.e.:.....;W;.;...:.. •...;S:.;an:;;:,;;.;d:;;;.f:.;o:.;r;.;t~_ Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan July, 1954 Federal Aid Coordinator �-71JOB COMPLETION REPORT IIfVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO ------~~~~----------- Project No. W~-~3~7~-~R~-~7 ~;~Gam~e~B~i~r~d~S~u~rv~ey~ Work Plano ~I~V~------------2,~C~h~uk~ar~P~a~r~t-r-i~d~g~eL;--J~ob __N~o~o~__ ~4 Title of Jobo Predation Objectives: To investigate _ _ studieso predation on chukarso Techniques used: Observations of predation on chukars were made in conjunction with other chukar investigations in west-central Colorado. Additional information was obtained through a report from Nelson Huffington, living in Escalante Canyon, Delta count.vo Findings: Several cases of predation or attempted predation were observed or reportedo These are discussed below: Case Nool on chukars - 9/1/530 Nelson Huffington reported he had seen a slim, slate-colored hawk attempting to catch a chukar for the last three mornings in the vicinity of the Capt. Smith cabin, Escalante Canyono He did not actually observe the hawk catching a chukar. Case No. 2 - 9/4/530 The remains of a chukar were found under a skunkbush on the Raymond Angel ranch located on the Gunnison River near its confluence with the North Fork, Delta count yo The chukar had been dead for some time and it was impossible to determine the cause of death. Location of the carcass indicated that the bird may have been killed, and dragged under the bush, by a mammalian rather than an avian predator. Case Noo 3 - 11/17/530 Twelve chukars were observed at 3~15 Po Mo in a "froze" position along the road near the Kelso ~sser ranch in Escalante Canyono Upon stopping the vehicle, the birds flew approximately 30 yards to sagebrush cover at the bottom of a small rocky knoll. As the birds alighted a sharpshinned hawk flew toward the chukars and pursued them among the sagebrush. The hawk became alarmed, apparently because of the presence of the observer, and flew a short distance away to a cottonwood tree. The chukars ran up the slope, at which time they were again pursued by the hawk. The hawk was frightened away by the observer before it had captured a chukar. �-72Case No. 4 - 11/19/53. At approximately 2:00 P.M., a Cooper's hawk flew from the carcass of a male chukarwhich was lying in the road approximately one-fourth mile below the Capt. Smith cabin, Escalante Canyon. The chukar has been killed only a short while previously.IQcation of the carcass indicated the bird may have been killed by an automobile, but death from this cause was improbable. The few observations, here recorded, indicate that accipiter hawks molest chukars and probably are a factor in reducing chukar populations. Findings during chukar trapping operations (Colorado Quarterly Report, April, 1953, pp. 83-84) also support this contention. Determination of the actual affect of these hawks on development of chukars is difficult to determine. Other predators, less conspicuous in their activities, may exert a far greater influence. Actually, however, it is believed that predation on chukars is a normal environmental factor, and that ordinarily its influence will not seriously affect development if food, cover and other habitat requirements are suitable. Recommendations: Insufficient information is available to make sound recommendations concerning the advisability of controlling or not controlling predators within chukar range. As stated above, it is believed that predators do not seriously affect development provided habitat requirements are fulfilled and populations once are established. Predator eradication may be advisable in localities where new releases are to be made. Removal of accipiter hawks should be considered in such a campaign. Summary: 1. Predation on chukars was investigated in conjunction with other chukar partridge studies in west-central Colorado. 2. Four cases of predation or attempted predation on chukars were observed or reported. Three of the cases involved accipiter hawks. One chukar probably was killed by a mammalian predator. 3. It is believed predation on chukars will not seriously affect chukar populations once the birds have become established, provided other factors of habitat are suitable. 4. Predator new populations. a campaign. control may be advisable while attempting to establish Control of accipiter hawks should be considered in such Prepared by: Wayne W. Sandfort Date·: July, 1954 Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan --~~~~~~~~==---Federal Aid Coordinator �-73= JOB C01~LETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of --~::..:..:;~~-Colorado Project Noo Work Plan Title of Job Antelope Restoration w-35-D=7 l~ _ Job Noo 1 Fawning Study Objectives: To determine ratio of fawns per doe, fawn sex ratio, and to collect physiological datao Procedure: Close observations at regular intervals in the major ante~ lope fawning areas during the parturition period. The young are captured by using a long-handled net, ear-tagged, weighed, measured, then released., Findings: Fawning studies during the past season were concentrated in the three counties of El Paso, Larimer, and Weldo The Colorado Antelope refuge and surrounding areas in Larimer County received the greatest attention, and the Briggsdale and Nunn areas were worked in Weld Countyo In El Paso County, activities were largely confined to the Ingle Ranch and Chico Basino For some unknown reason, the start of the fawning season in El Paso County was delayed about 10 days this year., Pregnant does didn't start to segregate from the herds until June lOth, and the first fawns were not found until June l2th~ An investigation of official weather records during the past rutting season revealed that the only abnormal climatological condition was the extreme scarcity of precipitation. In the northern district, consisting of Larimer and Weld counties, the fawning season commenced much earlier than in the southern districto Although the first fawns were not tagged until May 31st, an antelope tagged on June 2nd was judged to be 10 days o.Id, thus placing the start of fawning season sometime during the 3rd week in Mayo The success in capturing and tagging fawns this past season was very good 'J.Wenty-threefawns were tagged in the southern district and 26 in the northern9 An analysis of the tagging data shows that 19 sets of twins were encountered along with 13 single fawns, or 70 per cent twinso 0 �-74The occurance of twins is actually much higher than this, the error being in the failure of project personnel to find all the fawns belonging to each parent doeo Strong evidence of this is indicated by the fact that in seven instances where new-born fawns were found, all were twins" The sex ratio of fawns tagged in the southern sector was 64:100, while that in the northern sector was 117:100, giving an over-all sex ratio of 88:100 •. Three sets of twins were found in the northern district that were less than one hour old.. In one instance, a doe gave birth to a fawn (No. 47) while she was under observation.. Surrounding vegetation prevented the actual observation of the birthprocesso When the doe was first obse~ed, fawn No •.48 had been born and was stumbling about trying to balance itself on its four legs~ The doe was lying nearby on her stomach with her neck extended and her head on the ground (a very unusual position for an adult antelope).. No contractions of the abdomen were evident. Although the doe knew she was being watched from close range, less than 75 yards, she ignored the observers. Within several minutes, another fawn was on the scene~ The doe then got up and walked about 60 yards away" Here she stayed until her fawns were approached. She then moved out to about 100 yards and remained there while her fawns were being taggedQ The youngest fawn was extremely wet and its hind quarters were still enclosed in the birth sac" For this reason the fawn was not measured or weighed. Four instanees were observed where the parent doe was nursing These obserVations were made at the following hours: 7:20 A.M•. , 12:35 P.M., 1:30 P.• M., and 3:05 P~MQ In one case, both fawns were observed nursing simultaneously, after a three~hour absence of the doe. 9 Two cases of fawn mortality and one instance of fawn injury were noticed~ A search of an area that a doe was reluctant to vacate yielded the remains of one fawn, including part of one hind leg and some hair. 'The fawn, estimated to be 3 or 4 days old, had been killed within the last 24 hours. The only evidence to indicate possible causes of death were some coyote tracks at the scene. Fawn Noo 56 was found in very poor condition 24 hours after it was tag~ ged, and within 100 yards of the tagging site. From its condition, emPty stomach and too weak to raise head, it was apparent that this fawn had been abandoned by the doe, although an isolated doe that was assumed to be the parent was observed in the immediate vicinity. The fawn was taken into captivity and force fed diluted COWlS milk. It died the following day of a congested right lung, in spite of medical attentionQ �-75TABLE 1 -- DATA ON TAGGED ANTELOPE FAWNS CAPTURED IN LARIMER AND WELD OOUNTIES, COLORADO, 1954. !I Date Tag No" Sex Weight (lbs.) Age (est.) Length (Body) Tail Hind Foot 5/31 44 F 5 1/2 2 days 21 1/2 2 1/4 9 3/4 3 5/31 45 M 7 3 days 22 3/4 2 1/4 10 1/8 3 1/)-1. 6/2 46 F 11 1/2 10 days 25 2 10 5/8 3 1/2 6/3 47 F 9 7/8 3 1/8 6/3 48 M 6 30 mi.n, 22 3/4 1 3/4 9 7/8 3 1/4 6/4 49 M 7 1/2 5 days 22 5/8 1 3/4 10 3/8 3 1/4 6/4 50 M 6/4 51 M 7 1/2 3 days 22 1/2 2 10 j/8 3 1/2 6/5 52 F 7 3 days 23 2 1/8 10 3 1/4 6/7 53 M 9 1/4 45 mi.n , 22 3/4 2 1/4 10 1/2 3 3/4 6/7 54 F 8 1/2 30 mi.n , 23 1/4 1 3/4 10 3/8 3 1/2 6/7 55 M 8 4 days 22 1/4 1 3/4 10 3 1/2 6/7 56 M 6 1/4 4 days 20 3/4 1 3/4 9 1/2 3 1/8 6/8 57 F 7 1/4 2 days 21 3/4 2 10 3 5/8 6/8 58 F 7 1/4 4 days 22 2 1/8 9 3/4 3 1/4 6/8 59 M 8 4 days 23 1/4 2 1/8 9 7/8 3 1/8 6/11 60 M 9 1/2 8 days 24 2 10 3/8 3 1/2 6/11 61 F 8 1/2 6 days 22 3/4 2 3/8 10 1/8 3 1/2 6/11 62 F 7 1/2 10 min" 22 2 10 1/4 3 1/2 6/11 63 M 8 10 mi.n , 22 1/2 2 10 1/2 3 1/4 6/12 -64 M 9 1/2 8 days 23 3/4 2 5/8 10 3/4 3 3/8 6/14 65 M 6 1/2 3 days 21 2 1/2 9 1/4 3 6/14 66 M 8 1/2 3 days 22 1/2 2 1/2 9 5/8 3 6/14 II y 5 mi,n, Ear 2 F 10 3/8 9 1/2 10 days 24 3 3/8 All measurements in inches. By tooth numbers, lower jaw only; I, incisor; PM, premolar; M, molar" 67 �-76TABLE 1 - DATA ON TAGGED ANTELOPE FAWN8 CAPTURED IN LARIMER AND WELD COUNTIES, COLORADO, 1954. -- Continued No~ Head Head Girth Twin Dentition Umbilicus Location Length Circ. 2/ Dry, 6 in. 828 T 8N R63W 14 1/8 # 45 11 44 5 1/2 9 45 5 7/8 9 13 7/8 #44 None 46 5 7/8 9 7/8 17 1/8 Yes lI,3PM 47 53/4 48 5 3/4 8 7/8 13 3/8 # 47 49 6 9 5/8 14 1/4 # 48 II 50 ? ° in•. 828 T 8N R63W Dry, ° in. 816 TI0N R68W Wet, Wet s16 T 7N R60w None Wet, 5 in. 816 T 7N R60w lI,3PM Dry, 3 in. 836 TlON R68W 826 TI0N R68W ? 51 5 3/8 9 7/8 14 1/8 # 52 lI,3PM 52 5 3/4 9 1/4 15 53 6 9 1/8 54 5 3/4 55 Dry, 1/2 S18 TI0N R68W ° s18 TI0N R68W 14 3/4 # 54 lI,OPM Wet, 5 8 3 TIIN Ro8W 9 5/8 13 3/4 # 53 lI,OPM Wet, 5 8 3 TIIN R68W 53/4 8,7/8 13 5/8 # 56 11, l&2PM Dry, 3/4 812 TlIN R68W 56 5 1/2 8 1/2 13 1/4 # 55 OI,OPM Dry,O 812 TlIN R68W 57 5 3/4 9 1/4 13 1/4 Wet, 3/4 835 TI0N R68W 58 5 5/8 9 1/4 14 3/8 # 59 l1,3PM,lM Dry, 2 811 TllN R68W 59 53/4 8 5/8 14 Dry, 3 811 TllN R68W 60 61/4 93/4 16 1/8 ? OI,OPM,OM Dry,l 811 TIIN R68W 61 5 3/4 9 3/8 14 1/2 ? lI,3PM,OM Dry, ° 8 7 TI1N R68W 62 5 5/8 9 14 1/2 # 63 l1,3PM,OM Wet, 3 835 TI0N R68W 63 6 9 14 3/8 # 62 OI,OPM,OM Wet, 2 1/2 835 TI0N R68w 64 5 5/8 10 15 3/4 65 5 5/8 8 7/8 13 66 5 1/2 9 1/2 15 1/4 # 65 lI,3PM,lI Dry, 1/4 820 T 8N R63W 67 5 7/8 9 15 5/8 Yes 816 T 7N R60w # 51 lI,OPM ? OI,3PM # 58 OI,3PM Wet, ° 835 T 8N R63W # 66 lI,3PM,OM Dry, 2 820 T 8N R63W ? OI,OPM,OM Dry, II; 1,2,3 Dry, 1/2 PM; 1M �-77= TABLE 1 - DATA ON TAGGED ANTELOPE FA'V-lNS CAPTURED IN LARIMER AND WELD COUNTIES, COLORADO, 1954. -- Continued Age (est. ) 7 days Length (Body) 23 1/2 Tail Hind Foot Ear 68 Sex Weight (lbs,.) F 8 1/4 2 9 7/8 3 1/8 6/17 69 F 8 7 days 23 1/2 2 1/8 10 1/8 3 1/4 No~ Head Length Girth Twin Dentition Umbilicus Location 68 5 3/4 Head Circ" 9 3/4 14 3/4 # 69 lI,3PM91M Dry, o Ln, S19 T 8N R63W 69 5 3/4 9 112 14 7/8 # 68 lI,3PM,lM Dry, o in. S19 T 8N R63W Date Tag NO$ 6/17 �-78TABLE 2 -- DATA ,ON TAGGED ANTELOPE FAWNS CAPTURED IN EL PASO COUNTY, COLORADO, 1954.. Date NOQ Sex Y , Age Height Length {Bodl) Tail Hind Foot Ear 31/2 Weight (lbs••) (est.,) 6/12 642 F 8. 4 days 17 27 3 10 6/12 643 F 8 1/2 4 days 22 30 3 10 1/2 4 6/13 644 M 7 4 days 20 24 1/2 3 6/13 645 M 8 4 days 23 27 6/13 646 F 7 3 days 24 1/2 27 2 1/4 10 1/2 3 1/4 6/14 647 F 8 1 hro 17 25 2 8 1/2 3 1/2 6/14 648 F 7 1 hr. 16 26 2 7 3 1/4 6/15 649 F 7 3 days 22 27 2 1/2 10 3 1/2 6/15 650 F 7 1/2 3 days 23 23 1/2 2 1/4 10 3 1/2 6/15 651 F 6 3 days 24 23 2 3 1/2 6/18 652 M 6 2 days 23 27 1/2 2 1/2 10 1/2 3 6/18 653 F 9 3 days 22 1/2 27 6/18 654 M 8 3 days 24 28 1/2 2 11 6/18 655 F 9 4 days 22 30 1/2 2 10 1/2 3 1/2 6/18 656 F 9 4 days 22 1/2 26 1/2 2 1/2 10 1/2 3 1/2 6/18 657 F 7 1 hro 24 27 2 10 3 1/4 6/18 658 M 6 1 hr .• 21 1/2 24 2 10 3 6/22 659 M 7 2 hrso 19 24 2 10 1/2 4 6/22 660 F 5 2 hr-s , 20 23 2 1/4 9 1/2 4 6/22 661 M 7 1/2 4 days 21 25 2 10 3 6/22 662 F 7 2 days 18 1/2 24 2 10 3 6/23 663 M 6 1/2 2 hrs, 15 1/2 23 1/2 2 2 hrso 17 6/23 664 M 61/4 1/ All measurements in inches •• 24 10 3 1/2 2 1/2 10 3 1/2 10 2 1/2 10 1/2 33/4 2 4 9 1/2 3 1/4 9 u By tooth number; multiply by two to get number of teeth. 3 �-79TABLE 2 -- DATA ON TAGGED ANTEIDPE FAWNS CAPTURED IN EL PASO COUNTY, COLORADO, 19540 -- Continued No •. Head Length Head Circo Girth 642 6 10 15 1/2 Yes 643 6 1/2 10 16 Yes 644 5 1/2 9 1/2 15 1/2 645 7 9 646 6 647 Umbilicus Location Dry, 1/2 Ingle Ranch 1 Incisor Dry, 1/4 Ingle Ranch Twin Dentition 2/ None Yes None Scab Chico Basin 17 Yes None Scab Chico Basin 10 15 1/2 ? 1 Incisor Scab Chico Basin 6 1/2 10 15 Yes 1 Incisor Wet, 3 in" Chico Basin 648 6 1/4 9 14 Yes 1 Incisor Wet, 5 inQ Chico Basin 649 5 1/2 10 1/2 15 Yes 1 Incisor Scab Chico Basin 650 6 10 15 1/2 Yes None Scab Chico Basin 651 6 9 16 ? None Scab Chico Basin 652 7 9 1/2 15 ? 1 Incisor Dry, 1 in~ 653 7 10 16 1/2 ? 1 Incisor Dry, 1 in •. Ingle Ranch 654 7 10 14 1/2 ? 1 Incisor Dry, 1/4 Ingle Ranch 655 6 10 1/2 16 1/2 Yes 1 Incisor Dry, 1/2 Ingle Ranch 656 6 1/4 10 17 1/2 Yes 1 Incisor Dry, 1/2 Ingle Ranch 657 5 3/4 9 16 1/2 Yes 1 Incisor Wet, 3 in., Ingle Ranch 658 6 9 1/2 15 1/2 Yes 659 61/4 10 16 Yes 660 7 9 1/2 13 3/4 Yes 661 7 10 14 ? 1 Incisor Dry, 2 in .• Ingle Ranch 662 5 1/4 9 1/2 14 ? 1 Incisor Dry, 3 in .• Ingle Ranch 663 6 10 14 1/4 Yes 1 Incisor Wet, 4 in •• Ingle Ranch 664 6 9 1/2 15 1/4 Yes 1 Incisor Wet, 1 ino Ingle Ranch None Wet, 4 inQ Ingle Ranch Ingle Ranch 1 Incisor Wet, 3 in. Ingle Ranch None Wet, 1/2 Ingle Ranch �Fawn No~ 50 received a dislocation of the lowest joint in one of its front legs while being captured for tagging purposes. It was tagged and released without taking any measurements or weights. The following day it was observed nursing and in apparent good condition e~cept for the injured leg, which it was walking on with a pronounced limp. A golden eagles nest on the Colorado Antelope Refuge was checked twice during the fawning season without finding any evidence of fawn predation, even though this nest was close to an area well populated with fawns. Fawning data are enumerated in the previous tables, one for each districto Summary: Forty-nine fawns were captured and tagged during the 1954 fawning season, including 23 males and 26 females, giving a sex ratio of 88:100.. There were 19 sets of twin fawns and 13 single fawns found, giving an occurrence of 70 percent twinso Expressed as a doe to fawn ratio, these data indicate at least a 1:1.59 relationship. TWo instances of fawn mortality were encountered~ An assumed coyote kill was found and another fawn was abandoned after it was tagged, dying of a congested lungo The fawning season was about 10 days later in El Paso County this year than usual .• Prepared by S_t_anl~~e£y~O~gl~'l~v_i_e _ Approved by _-.;;;;La..;,; ...;,;u __ r..;,.en;.;;c.;,..e,;;;...;E;;;.;,.o ;.,;R..;,;i;;;.;o;.,;;r;.,;d; Robert L~ Hoover Date: July, 1954 Federal Aid Coordinator �JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVES TIGATIONS PROJEC'IS State of --------Colorado Project No •• Work Plan Noo Antelope Restoration W-35-D-7 Job Noo 1 Title of Job: 5a Fetus Collection and Preservation Objective: To collect and preserve antelope fetuses for studYQ Complete data are needed to fill gaps for a continuous and representative series of fetuses by months Q Procedure: One or more does will be taken each month for information under jobs 5a, 5c and 5d from October through MaYo'Ihe fetuses will be photographed, weighed, measured, and preservedv Findings: Six doe antelope were collected for fetus study during the past yearo Five of these were shot for post-mortem purposes and the other one was a trapping fatalityo A yearling doe collected on April 5, 1954, near Cornish, Colorado, was barren and showed no evidence of abortion The remaining five does were pregnant and were all carrying twin fetuseso Data collected from these fetuses are enumerated in Table l~ All fetuses were preserved except numbers 13959 and 13973, which were too large to be preserved with facilities available. Since these samples were not preserved, the following additional data were collected: 0 Sample No.,13959 -Mns Male: scrotum evident; black cheek patch present; 1st pair of incisors through jaw and about to erupt gums, some of premolars and molars in same degree of development; pelage completely covering body; tips and bottoms of hoofs softo Female: same as character~ istics for male except for sexual featureso Sample NOQ 13973 - Twins None of incisors appeared to be through the jaw bone, some of the molars and premolars had broken through the jaw bone, but not through the gums; pelage completely covering body; tips and bottoms of hoofs soft" �TABLE 1 -- DESCRIPTION OF ANTELOPE FETUSES COLLECTED IN COLORADO DURING THE 1953-54 PREGNANCY PEtrOD Sample No. Date A,ge Twin of Doe 1/19/54 13955 13958 Location Chico Basin 4/16/54 Briggsdale 4/21/54 Wellington Mat. Yr •. Mat. Yes Yes!! Yes Sex Weight (Grams) Head Hind Foot Ear 6 ) M 80 •.5 12t2 6.4 4 •• 1 --- 3 1/2 M 81.9 10.7 644 794 31.2 32.4 4.2 12.8 14.3 --- M F 5.6 10~2 10.9 4.3 5.1 3 1/2 6 6 1/2 F 1121 3376 3178 2752 2667 36.5 56.5 52.1 52.1 52.4 11.7 14.8 14.3 13.5 13.7 15.7 24.5 24.5 23.0 23.0 5.8 7.9 7.4 7.5 7.2 13959 5/18/54 Mat. Yes F M 13973 5/18/54 Nunn, Colo. Mat. Yes F F Nunn, Colo. Body Approx. Age (M0 Length (Centimeters) 6 1/2 7 1/2 7 1/2 7 lL2 7 1/2 I co ro !! Other twin was shot-up badly and was not collected. I �Data collected this year substantiated previous beliefs on the occurrence of twin fetuseso All fetuses colleoted this season were twinsg Considering all data in department files, including analyses of 19 pregnant does, 18 have contained twin fetuses and one had a single fetuso These data yield a twining occurrence of 9407 per oento The age at which does first breed and the number of young the first pregnancy seem to vary. Yearling does have been found to be barren., to contain one fetus, or to contain twin fetuses" 'Theonly single fetus pregnancy in department reoords is for a yearling doe. Analysis: It was very apparent from the samples collected during ~~e 7th and 8th months of pregnancy that development during the last phase of pregnancy is mainly an increase in size of the fetuses, most characteristics being well defined by the start of the 7th month of pregnancyo Like most mammals, fetal growth becomes increasingly rapid at the termination of pregnancy. It appears that yearling does mayor may not breed When they breed, they may have single or twin fetuseso Twin fetuses appears to be the rule in mature does" $ Summa!y: Of six antelope does processed, five were carrying twin fetus~ es and one yearling was barreno Compiling these data with those collected in previous years, a twining occurrence of 9407 percent is in~ dicated~ The only record of a single fetus was for a yearling doe, while other yearlings have been found to have twinso Development in fetuses has been achieved by the time the parent doe is six month through preg= nancy, changes in the latter two months being mainly the increase in the size of fetuseso Prepared by: Stanley Ogilvie Robert Lo Hoover Date: July, 1954 Approved byg Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-85PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJEC''IS State of Colorado ------- Project No., w... 35-D-7 Work Plan Noo 1 Title of Job: Antelope Restoration Job Noo 5b Parasites and Diseases Objective: By post-mortem examination, to locate and identify any para= sites, external or internal, or any diseases and causative organisms and to determine their importance in the perpetuation of the specieso Techniques: The same check-list for performing post-mortem examinations and preparations of material for laboratory examination, was followed as described in the Colorado Quarterly Report, July, 19530 Fecal samples, small intestinal plus abomasum contents, and infected tissue when found, have been collected from 5 major herd areas during hunting seasons, and by authorized department personnel. Report of Progress: Collected material is being processed by the author in the Biology Laboratory, Colorado College. Assistance is being donated by Doctor Stabler,Colorado College Biology Department; Doctor Braley, DoVoM~, and several graduate students at the college" Assisting in identification of adult parasites are members of the Animal Pathology Department, U .•S. Department of Agriculture, Denver" It is the intention of the author to develop a gastro-intestinal parasite density trend from each of the major antelope herds. This is being accomplished by collecting sample representatives from the major herds and by counting, with aid of microscope, the numbers of concentrated parasite eggs, as to species, from each intestinal tract content. Since the actual number of parasites present have a marked influence on the eggoutput, increase or decrease of parasitic infection as well as parasitic density can be determined" Due to the resignation of the project leader and necessary orientation of a new technician to the various aspects of the fieldwork during the past several months, sufficient time was not available to complete the laboratory examinations of the collected materialo Prepared by: Stanley Ogilvie Date: July, 1954 Approved by: Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of --..;...:..;:;;.;:...;;;..;~-Colorado Antelope Restoration Project No •• W-3,-D-7 Work Plan NOQ 1 ----~--------------- Title of Job: Food Habits Job No~ ,c Objective: To learn more about antelope food preferences, and to gather food habits data for ever,r month in the year for a complete picture of the annual diet of antelope~ Procedure: Collection of at least ten stomach samples each month and making laborator,r analyses of their contentso 1he volume composition of the various food types is computed after washing and air drying the samples •• Findings: Forty=one stomach samples have been collected and evaluated since this job was last reported. These were collected during hunting seasons from hunter kills and .cripples, from animals killed during damage control work, and from animals killed especially for the collection of scientific datao Analyses of these stomach samples are listed in Table 1 •• The ranges in composit~on, the average percent composition, and the percentage of occurrence of the various types of foods are listed in Table 20 Although it appears from the data presented that winter wheat constitutes a large portion of the diet, the fact that these samples were not collected in a random manner must be considered in evaluating the data Thirteen of these samples were collected during a special hunting season that was designed to reduce crop depredations in the Limon-Hugo ~reao Of these thirteen samples, 11 contained large quantities of wheat •. In six of the seven ~aining samples where wheat occurred, the animals were killed by department personnel in areas where critical damage to winter wheat fields was alleged to be occarr-tng , 0 �TABLE 1 -- ANTELOPE STOMACH ANALYSES, EXPRESSED AS PERCENTAGES OF COMPOSITION OF VARIOUS TYPES OF FORAGE Y Sample Date Location _.- -- Forbs Browse Grass Cactus CroEs Item % 52.• 6 Wheat T T Wheat 89.4 T Wheat 85.• 7 T Wheat 80.. 0 T Wheat 97,.2 T Wheat 91.3 T Wheat 64.7 - Wheat 7B.5 - T Wheat 97.1 46.4 14.6 14.6 - 33.4 - 20.8 Wheat 45.8 - 9.6 - 6,8 Wheat 83.6 T 45.4 T 54.5 ---- 1 1/ /53 .Limon, Colorado T 87.5 T 12.5 2 1/ /53 Dickinson Refuge 26.3 21.0 T 3 1/ /53 Dickinson Refuge T 10•. 5 - 4 1/ /53 Limon-Hugo area 14.2 T 5 1/ /53 Dickinson Refuge 10.0 10.0 6 1/ /53 Limon, Colorado 2.7 T - 7 1/ /53 Dickinson Refuge T 86 8 1/ /53 Limon-Hugo area 17.6 17.• 6 9 1/ /53 Limon, Colorado T 21.4 10 1/ /53 Dickinson Refuge T 2.8 11 1/24/53 Boyero, Colorado 24.4 12 1/25/53 Limon, Colorado 13 1/25/53 Limon, Colorado 14 2/15/53 8 - Miscellaneous Item % Y. Determined from air-dried weights, amounts of less than 0.1 percent recorded as traces. y Animal collected in crop damage control area. & co I �TABLE 1 _~ ANTELOPE STOMACH ANALYSIS, EXPRESSED AS PERCENTAGES OF COMPOSITION OF VARIOUS TYPES OF FORAGE. ~~ Continuedo Miscellaneous Crops Forbs Browse Grass Cactus Location Date Sample Item Item % % 1A 4/ 9/53 Banning-Lewis Ranch 1L9 1403 - 2A 4/20/53 Banning-Lewis Ranch 28 2 9 21.8 50.0 3A 4/20/53 Wo of North Pump Ranch 22.6 22 .• 0 40.0 lL4 IB 5/ 7/53 Banning-Lewis Ranch 44~3 12.0 2700 16.7 2B 5/15/53 Hammer'i s Ranch 8707 6.9 7.4 3B 5/19/53 Bannl.ng-Lewi.s Ranch 21.0 21.0 44.8 4B 5/21/53 Chico Basin 18.7 6.3 75.0 1D 8/ 6/53 South Park :31.8 36.4 31.8 lE 9/25/53 South Park - 93.4 6.6 2E 9/25/53 South Park 21.5 71.4 7.1 3E 9/26/53 South Park - 67.0 33.0 4E 9/26/53 South Park - 97 .4 - 26 1F 10/ 1/53 South Park - All - - 2F 10/ 2/53 South Park 16.0 84,,0 3F 10/ 3/53 South Park - All 4F 10/ 4/53 South Park T All 5F 10/ 5/53 South Park - All 6F loL 6L53 South Park - All - Wheat 13.2 & - '0 I Q T T - 73,,8 ~ Lichen T �TABLE 1 -- ANTELOPE STOMACH ANALYSES, ElCPRESSED AS PERCENTAGES OF COMPOSITION OF VARIOUS TYPES OF FORAGEo -- Continued. Sample Date Location Forbs Browse Grass Cactus - Crops Item % 99.9 13945 1/14/54 S22 T12S R52W T ---- T ---- Milo 13946 3/ 6/54 Wellington 17 •. 0 T 3/ 6/54 Wellington 6.4 ------- Wheat y 83.0 13947 ------- Wheat y 93.6 13955 4/16/54 Briggsdale 7.2 3~6 0.9 "Wheat y 88.3 13956 2/25/54 Carr ---- ---- ------- ---- Wheat 13958 4/21/54 Wellington 1.6 20.8 ---- 8.6 Whea t ?/ 69.0 13959 5/18/54 Nunn 92.0 4.8 3.2 ---- 13960 5/24/54 Wellington 77.2 5.5 T T 13973 Average 5/18/54 Nunn T y Miscellaneous Item % Hair T Lichens T Insects T All Wheat y 22.3 , '0 77.8 10.0 12.3 T 16.5 34.5 8.6 5.2 f 35.3 �-91TABLE 2 __ RANGE OF PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION, AVERAGE PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION, AND PERCENTAGE OF OCCURRENCE OF VARIOUS FOOD TYPES IN 41 ANTELOPE STOMACH SAMPLES .FQod TYPe Range of Composition Average Composition Occurrence Forbs 0 ~ 92.0 16.5 75.6 Browse 0 -10000 34 •• 5 90.2 Grass 0 - 75.0 8.6 5307 Cactus 0 - 540' 5.2 5102 Crops !I 0 -100 0 35.3 4604 0 !I Mostly winter wheat Summary: Forty-one antelope stomach samples were collected and analyzed from various regions in Coloradoo lhese samples contained 16.5 percent forbs, 3405 percent browse, 8.6 percent grass, 5.2 percent cactus, and 3503 percent cultivated crops, mostly winter wheat. Collections made in crop damage control areas during the winter months made the percentage of crops in the diet seem unusually high. Prepared by: Robert Lo Hoover Stanley Ogilvie Date: July, 1954 Approved by: Laurence E,.Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-93JOB COMPLETION REPORT DEVELOPMENT State of COLORADO Project No.__ ~W~-~3~5~-~D~-~7 Work Plan Noo Title: PROJECTS ~l~ ~;__An~t~e~l~o~p~e~Re~s~t~o~ra~t~l~·o~n~ _ ~ __ ~J~o~b_N~o~o~ ~5~d _ ~De~'~n~t~i~t~i~o~n~an~d_O~t~h~e~r~L~i~f~e~Hi~·s~t~o~ry~.·~S~t~u~d~i~e~s~. _ Objective: To accumulate and life span, factual data on age class characteristics Techniques: Lower jaws of antelope were collected during hunting seasons and at other appropriate times. Horns were also saved in the case of bucks. Typical specimens representing the five most apparent dental development stages between all milk teeth and the fully permanent mouth were placed in logical sequence. Horn development was correlated. Antelope tagging during fawning studies was carried on in order to establish a pool of known-age animals in certain herds. Findings: only one known-age, tagged head of a 15 month-old animal was obtained during the September hunting season. The dentition of the lower jaw consisted of all milk incisors with the exception of the first set and they were permanent. All the premolars were still in the milk stage. The molars were fully erupted, showing little wear. An extensive campaign on fawn tagging this spring, resulted in 49 tagged fawns. It is hoped, from this large number of tagged, known-age animals, that the five classes of dental development can rapidly be filled in. Analysis: Because this is the first 15 month-old jaw recovered, additional jaws will be necessary to confirm this age group. Assuming that this lower jaw is from a typical 15 month-old animal, it would therefore represent the 3rd class of dental development. Prepared by: Stanley Ogilvie Date: Approved 0,1: Laurence E. Riordan July, 1954 Federal Aid Coordinator �JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of ~C~ol~or_a_d_o PROJECTS _ Project Noo __W~_~35~_~D~ __7~ ~;~~An~te~1~o~p~e~R~e~s~t~o~r~a_tl~·o~n~~ _ Work Plan Noo ~I~ ~·~J~o~b_N~o~.~ Title of Job: =S~u~rv~ey~o~f~A=n~t~e=l~o~p~e~a~t~T~r~an~s~p~l~a~n~t~Sl~·t~e~s~.~ _ Objective: To determine the success of transplanted becoming adjusted to new habitato ~9~ _ antelope in Techniques Used: Ground and aerial surveys to determine herd movements or stabilization for three years after transplanting and noting fawn increase 0 Findings: Because of adverse weather conditions this spring, dust and sand storms especiallY./field work was ver,r difficult to accomplish, and much of the work had to be postponed to a later date. This in turn affected the results obtained in that the larger concentrations had started to break up, thus making the antelope harder to locate from both the ground and airo Transplants which were surveyed appear below, along with a brief account of their respective past histories. These data are condensed in summary form in Table 2 at the end of this section. Baca County. Pritchett Transplant PastHistory~ In December of 1953, two antelope transplan~ consisting of 60 antelope (14 bucks, 9 does, 11 male fawns, and 10 female fawns), were made approximately 18 miles northwest of Pritchett, Colorado. Present Status: A follow-up study in the spring of 1954 revealed 57 head of antelope within 6 miles of the release point. These were in four b.unches; 30 head 6 miles northwest of the planting site; lIon the Hall's Ranch, 2 1/2 miles to the northeast; 5 head 5 miles east; and 11 reported to be on the McClean Ranch, 3 miles south of the release site. District Game Warden Preston Co Steele reports two does and one buck died soon after release. These losses were undoubtedly caused by injuries incurred during trapping and transportation. Although released in a drouthstricken area, these animals appeared to be in good conditiono �-'95Bent County. Augustine-Sniff Transplant Past History: Thirty-eight antelope, including 17 bucks, 16 does, 1 male fawn, and 4 female fawns, were released on February 12, 1952, on the ranches of Messrs. Augustine and Sniff, 30 miles southwest of Lamar" Colorado. Aerial surveys in 1952 and 1953 failed to locate any of these animals. A ground count in 1953 yielded 12 widely scattered antelope. Present status: Surveys of this transplant made in the spring of 1954 were much more encouraging than previous findings. Thirty-nine antelope, all within 5 miles of the release site, were located in a combined aerial and ground census. Twenty-eight were observed one mile north of the Colorado Interstate Gas Compressor Station, 8 head one and one-half miles south of the Augustine Ranch headquarters, and 3 head two miles east of the same headquarters. One doe antelope was reported lost due to poaching. Although these animals are in a severe drouth area, they seem to be suffering no illeffects from the drouth. Smart Transplant Past History: Thirty-nine antelope, consisting of 11 bucks, 14 does, 8 male fawns, and 6 female fawns, were released on the Smart Ranch, 6 miles north of McClave, Colorado. Three of these died soon after release. Aerial counts in 1952 and 1953 revealed existing populations of 24 and 32 head, respectively. Present. Status: An aerial census of this transplant in the spring of 1954 showed 36 head of antelope in four bunches (3,4,9, and 20) within 6 miles of the release point, mostly to the west and north. In addition, District Game Warden Clarence W. Clifton reports a herd of 11 animals have become established on the Tree Top Ranch, 9 miles to the northwest. Analysis of the above data indicates a 27 percent increase for this transplant. There have been some losses in this area from poaching. Warden Clifton reports that at least 4 animals were poached during the past year. Costilla County. Blanca Transplant Past History: On February 21, 1951, 33 antelope (14 bucks and 19 does, including fawns) were released near La Sauses, Colorado. Thirty-nine were counted in an aerial count by District Game Warden John Howlett in 1951, and 31 head in the winter of 1952-53 in a ground count by Chief~arden Earl Downer. �-96Costilla County. Blanca Transplant (Cont.) Present Status: A comfuination air and ground census of this transplant in May, 1954 showed a total count of 35 antelope, with a sex ratio of 24:1000 These antelope are pretty well confined to an area bounded by the Rio Grande River on the west, Colorado Highway No. 136 on the south, the San Luis Southern Railroad on the east, and Trinchera Creek on the north. It is very evident that this herd is not increasing as it should, only a 9 percent increase in 3 years. There is rather strong evidence to indicate that poaching is the limiting factor in the increase of this he rd; Del ta County Well's 0 Gulch Transplant Past History: Forty-six antelope, 12 bucks, 27 does, and 7 fawns, were released in Well1s Gulch during 1949 and 1950. The following maximum counts were recorded in years after the releases: 1951, 44; 1952, 48; and 1953, 32. It is evident that this herd is not increasing as it should. Present Status: Parts of four days were spent in the Well's Gulch area trying to locate all the animals existing in this area as a result of the transplant. The antelope were in small bunches and widely scattered. A list of observations and reports considered to be reliable appears in the following tableo Several damage complaints have arisen because of this antelope transplant. The animals have eaten and bedded down in an alfalfa field on the King Ranch. Some cynical persons operating a sheep ranch on the headwaters of Point Creek think we should have a season on antelope now II ••• before they get out 0 f hand like the deer fl 0 Considering field observations of department personnel and the reports of one sheep herder, and eliminating possible repeats, it appears that there is a minimum of 55 head of antelope in Delta County as a result of the Well1s Gulch transplant. This is a net increase of only 20 percent not allowing for a loss of 3 animals killed on the highw~ and one accidently shot for a deero Although the required three year followup study on this transplant has terminated, additional study is needed to learn what is hindering this herd from normal increase. Poor range condition caused by over-use of domestic sheep is evident but is not believed to be a limiting factoro �in the Vicinity of Well's Gulch for February and March of 1954 Table l--Antelope Observations Date - Feb. 1954 26 Reported by Owens Male 3-13-54 Location Observations Feinale Fawn 2 3 2 2 2 3-15-54 of U. S. 50 one mile east of U. So i mile east of U. S. 50 Indian Creek drainage, 1 2 One mile north of the confluence of Point Creek with Gunnison Ri ver One mile south of the confluence of Point Creek with Gunnison River Between Salt Wash and Point Creek, east 0 f U. S 50 3 One-quarter 0 mile southeast of Windy Creek Bridge on U. S. 50 4 Between Escalante Canyon Road and Well's Gulch, west of U. So 50 5 Reported by sheep One-half mile east of Campbell's herder Total 50 2* 2 1 i mile west of King Crk. Bridge on U. s. 50 One mile south of Wellis Gulch and i mile east One mile north and Indian Creek drainage, 1* 3-15-54 Between Kannah and King Creeks, Eo of Uo So Highway 50 55 * Eliminated from the total count because of likelihood of being possible repeatso ranch house 0 I .'0 ~ �Las Animas Count yo Newcomb Transplant Past Histor,y: During the winter of 1951-52, 104 antelope (21 bucks, 47 does, 21 male fawns, and 15 female fawns) were released on the Newcomb Ranch, east of Trinidad, Coloradoo Five of these animals died soon after they were released. A ground count in 1952 gave 113 head, while an aerial count in 1953 yielded only 74 animalso Present Status: An aerial census in the spring of 1954 counted 87 antelope in 8 groups, all within 7 miles of the planting site. A group of 6 had crossed the Purgatoire River and were observed in the vicinity of Van Bremer Arroyoo Warden Chester MoScott reports that an additional group of 11 animals has moved approximately 7 miles west of the release point, across U.S. Highway Noo 160, and has settled in this area. Kim Transplanto Past History: On Januar,y 19, 1954, 43 antelope, consisting of 15 bucks, 12 does, 13 male fawns, and 3 female fawns, were released 8 miles south of Kim, Colorado, on Black Mesa. Present status: An aerial investigation in the spring of 1954 showed a survival of ail 43 animals. These were in groups of 8, 9, 12, and 14, and were all located with 8 miles of the release point; the movement mostly has been to the southeasto Mesa Count yo Fruita Transplant Past History: Seventy antelope were released northwest of Fruita, Colorado, between January 7, 1949 and February 11, 19500 Counts by game and fish department personnel revealed 54 animals in 1951 and 88 in 1952. Although none was observed in 1953 by departmental observers, a report of 35 seen between Grand Junction and Fruita near the Book Cliffs was received. Present Status: Antelope from this transplant have spread considerably to the east and west of the point where they were released. They have been seen as far east as Palisade, Colorado, and as far west as Price, Utah, 150 miles from the release point. Most of the animals, however, are staying between Loma, Colorado and the Colorado-Utah border, south of the Book Cliffs, and north of Uo S. Highway 50. There is a minimum of 104 antelope within this area. District Game Warden Dudley C. Jerome counted 62 animals in one herd on Douglas Creek in February of 1954. Soon afterwards, another individual counted 42 antelope in one group just west of the Colorado-Utah border and north of Uo So 500 On March 14, 1954, 7 head were observed on Little Salt Wash within one mile of the Book Cliffso �-99Mesa County. Fruita Transplant-(Conto) This herd has suffered some mortality since planting that has not been reported previously. Three antelope died soon after they were released, four were poached, and five were killed by coyotes the same winter they were planted, when they were trapped in a snow-filled arroyoo Since most of the land involved in this transplant area is public domain, antelope damage complaints have been at a ver,y minimum. Because of this and other reasons, this area has great possibilities as an antelope areao When one considers the known decimation that occurred soon after these antelope were planted and their present numbers, it is evident that this transplant has nearly doubled in size. It is ver,y likely that there are more than 104 antelope inthis vast area, but just how many more is hard to saY$ Indications are that this group of transplanted ahtelope have established themselves, and further checking is believed to be unnecessar,y at the present time. Prowers County 0 Durham Plant Past Histor,y: On November 19, 1953, a release of 12 antelope was made on the Durham Ranch, 20 miles south of Lamar, Colorado. Composition of this plant was 7 bucks, 5 does, and no fawns. Present Status: All 12 animals were located in April 1954, although they had moved about 6 miles to the southeast on to the Hasset Ranch. This movement was undoubtedly caused by the severe wind and dust storms accompanying tmdrouth in this area. In their present location, they have procec td.on from the wind and appear to be in good condition. Saguache County. Curtis Transplant Past Histor,y: Eleven antelope, including 2 does, 6 male fawns, and 3 female fawns, were released on the Jim Curtis Ranch, 23 miles west of Saguache, Colorado, on November 24, 19530 Present Status: All eleven were located during a ground survey on March 4, 1954. They were in one group and had moved 1 1/2 miles to the east, across Squaw Creek Mr. Curtis reports that this group has never been more than 4 miles from the release point. o �Saguache County. (Cont.) Orient Transplant Past History: During the winter of 1953-54, 30 antelope (7 bucks, 16 does, 3 male fawns, and 4 female fawns) were released 8 miles southeast of Villa Grove,Coloradoo Present Status: Field investigations in early 1954 revealed a complete survival of this release ••They were in three groups,numbering 8, 10, and 12 animals, each. The group of 8 had moved 6 miles to the west, across U. S. Highway No. 285, and appeared to be well adjusted to this areao The remainder of the animals were within 3 miles of the release site, all having moved southward. Yuma Count yo Bledsoe Transplant Past History: On January 9, 1951, 11 antelope (1 buck, 9 does, and 1 fawn) were released on the Bledsoe Ranch, northeast of Wray, Colorado. This transplant has done rather poorly for unknown reasons. During the winter of 1951-52, 18 antelope were observed. Eleven were seen the following winter. Present Status: Rancher Bledsoe reports seeing-14 antelope in one herd 9.5 miles north and one mile east ofWray, Colorado, during February of 1954. He observed two mature bucks in the herd and claims that at least three fawns were born last summer. To the best of his knowledge, there are no other antelope on his ranch. One-half day in this area on March 2, 1954, failed to reveal a single antelope. On March 22, 1954, the area was covered from the air very intensively, with the same negative results. It should be pointed out, however, that the choppy nature of this sand-hill country makes observation difficult, even from the air •• Joes Transplant Past History: On February 5, 1952, 21 antelope (1 buck, 16 does, 1 male fawn, and 3 female fawns) were released on the Ray Smith Ranch, approximately 9 miles north of Joes,Coloradoo An aerial survey of this area on April 3, 1953,revealed 16 antelope present. This represents the maximum count obtainable for this plant since its release. �-101Joes Transplant - (Cont.) Present Status: On March 3, 1954, 20 antelope (3 bucks and 17 does) were observed 7.2 miles north of the Arikaree River on Colorado Highway No. 59 and one-half mile east, within one mile of the release point. Ear tags were visible in the ears of three does in this groupo A ground search of the Robbers Roost area (7 miles east and 10.5 miles north of Joes,Colorado) on March 4, 1954, failed to locate any antelope, although 19 were observed here on February 28, 1954, by Donald Thompson, local rancber. Realizing the possibility of this reported herd being different from that observed March 3rd, an aerial survey was thought to be warranted. An aerial count of the Arikaree River drainage north of Joes, Colorado, on March 22, 1954, revealed the herd observed March 3rd, plus the reported herd in the Robbers Roost area. This herd numbered 20 head (5 bucks and 15 does) and was located 8 miles east and 1 1/2 miles south of Abarr, Colorado. Calvin Jones, a rancher living 11 miles south of Laird, Colorado, reports two doe antelope staying on his ranch. These were first observed with a buck in November of 1952. The male antelope disappeared soon afterwards and the does have remained barren. These animals are assumed to be stragglers from the Joes Transplant since there is not another antelope which would have access to the present location, which is 32 air miles east-northeast of the release point. Only one of these does could be located during the aerial census of March 22, 1954. All the above observations indicate that there is a minimum of 41 antelope, with a sex ratio of 24:100, in the Arikaree drainage in yuma County as a result of the Joes plant. This represents a net increase of 105 percent, in spite of the adverse sex ratio when released. Kitzmiller Transplant Past History: On December 27, 1950, 18 antelope (3 bucks, 12 does, and 3 fawns) were released on the Kitzmiller Ranch, approximately 12 miles north and 3 miles east of Eckley,Colorado. Two died shortly after release. Twenty-one were observed in 1952 and 28 in 1953. Present Status: District Game Warden Frank Scarpella reports counting between 38 and 42 arttelope while doing damage control work the latter par-t.' of February , 1954. These were seen 18 miles north and 5 miles east of Eckley, Colorado. On March 2, 1954, 32 antelope were observed 16 miles north and two miles east of EckleY4 An aerial census on March 22, 1954 revealed 33 antelope (9 bucks and 24 does) 15 miles north and 4 miles east of Eckley. These antelope seem to be confining their activity to within 5 miles of the release point. �Ki tzmille r Transplant (Cont., ) Warden Scarpella reports one antelope out of this herd died of gun shot wounds during the past year. A dead doe antelope was found during the aerial census, but it was not possible to determine cause of deathe Several damage complaints have arisen over crop depredation by these antelope, mostly on winter wheat. Fortunately, herding has prevented the filing of any monetary claims. It is evident that this herd is well established and further checking of its status is believed to be unwarranted at this time. Analysis and Conclusions:' Of the nine older transplants checked this year, only three seem to be increasing as they should; these include the Frti:i~ J oes, and Ki tzmille r transplants, which showed increases of 94, 95, and 133 percent respectively. The remaining older plants showed slight gains ranging from 3 to 27 percent, except for the Newcomb plant, which has decreased 6 percent. There is rather strong evidence to indicate that poaching is a marked limiting factor in the Blanca and Smart transplants. A survey of the six new transplants made during this last trapping season reveals nearly complete survival of these releases, the only exception being those released in Baca County, where 3 animals died soon after they were released. Otherwise, all the other animals were located and appeared to be in good condition, in spite of drouth conditions in some areas. Summary: Data collected during the past year are summarized in table form (Table 2) on the preceding pages. Of the nine older antelope transplants checked, three showed great increases in number, 5 indicated slight gains, and one decreased slightly in number. In some cases, poaching is taking part of the annual increment of the herds. Of the six transplants made this past trapping season, there has been complete survival except for three animals that died soon after they were releasedo Prepared by: Stanley Ogilvie Robert L. Hoover July, 1954. Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-105PROGRESS REPORT DEVELOPMENT State of PROJECTS COLORADO Project No. Work Plan No. Title of Job: W-35-D-7 -=I ; Antelope Restoration ~·~J~o~b_N~o~.~ =l~O _ Investigation into the Effect of Antelope Use of ----------~------~----~~~----~--~~----~~-------Winter Wheat Crops. Objective: To determine the variation in yield between two parts of a field of winter wheat, one of which is subject to a known intensity of antelope use, the other which is protected from use by any hoofed animal. Report of Progress: A suitable location containing necessary requirements has not been discovered as yet to develop this job. Additional work was halted because of the extremely dry winter which later developed into serious drouth throughout most of the eastern plains wheat area. It is probably fortunate that a study plot was not set up because the findings might have been nullified by the drouth. Prepared by: Stanley Ogilvie Date: July, 1954 Approved by: Laurence E~ Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-107- JOB COMPLETION INVESTIGATION State of COLORADO --------~~---------- Project N09 W.~-~3~8~-~R~-~7 Work Plan NOo ~I~ REPORT PROJECTS ~;~D~e~er~-~El~k~·I~n~v_e~s~t~i~g_at~l~·o~n~s~ _ ~J~o~b_~No~e ~3 _ Title of Job •.:....~M:.::l:::· g:2,;r:...:a::..t:.:i:.:o:.:n::....:B:..:e:..:tw:.:.:..:e~e~n~S~umm;:;.:::.:~ n::..t:...:e:..:r:...:·~R:.:an;.;,;;;;sg~e; _ ObJectives: To locate and determine the amount and pattern of migration between summer and winter ranges, also to obtain effects of such factors as hunting pressure and range conditionso Techniques: and tagging Field reconnaissance, on winter rangeso counts on migration routes, and trapping Findings: With a mild winter and below average snow cover over all the winter deer ranges of Colorado, the deer remained scattered over the winter and intermediate ranges& The lack of snow cover in the higher country allowed the deer and elk to get back on their summer ranges earlier than usual 0 ' In the southwestern part of the state, the Mud Creek-McElmo DiVide country is an important migration route of deer which move through the Mesa Verde Park to and from seasonal ranges. There was much less activity in this area than usual this year. Trapping and Tagging-8outhwestern Coloradoo During the winter of 1953-54, deer trapping was done in four localities within the San Juan Basin. These were the State Turkey Ranch near Pagosa Springs, Hermosa Creek north of the town of Durango, Mud Creek near Mancos, and Mesa Verde National Park. Those who took part in the trapping program were Park Service personnel at Mesa Verde, Clark Ford at State Turkey Ranch, Bill Fischer at Hermosa, and Harold Shepherd. In all, thirteen standard portable deer traps were usedo There were five at ~sa Verde, two at Mud Creek, four at Hermosa, and two at the Turkey Ranch. The only place that trapping was successful was Mesa Verdee Elsewhere, deer were scarce in the vicinity of traps. Those few that were present showed little interest in any bait that was offered. The unsuccessful trapping elsewhere than in the park m~ have been due in great part to the later starting date outside the parko Trapping in the park was begun the first part of November and was continued through March. �-108During this period 44 deer were caught, but 22 or half of these were caught duririg the month of Novembero Elsewhere, trapping was delayed, except for nuisance deer in the Hermosa area, until the latter part of December. In order that deer once caught and tagged would not continue to be caught and thus monopolize the traps, park officials had them taken to other parts of the park and to adjacent areas outside the park for release. One nuisance deer was caught at Hermosa and released on Texas Creek north of Bayf;leld. Table 1 lists the deer tagged in the San Juan Basin during the winter of 1953-54. Trapping and Tagging - Little Hills. Twelve traps were used during the winter with fair success. Thirty deer were tagged, and six additional animals were trapped that were tagged in previous years. See Table 2. Part of these animals spent the winter in the experimental pastures at Little Hills, and were driven out in the spring. Eight fawns were tagged on summer range by Jack DeVore on Park Creek in the South Fork of the ~te River drainage. See Table 3. The deer were moving into the South Fork area in late May and early June, 1953 and in most instances were not grouped in any appreciable numbers. Mostly the bucks were singles or pairs; the does were usually accompanied by yearlings; and the movement into the summer range was gradual. October 13 showed the deer starting out of the summer areas into the lower countr,y. This seemed to start with a cold snap and a sleet storm which stayed several days. Fawning was observed in the Park Creek and South Fork vicinity. The earliest fawn seen was on June 18, and fawns were seen daily throughout the month. Eight fawns were tagged, one of which was killed during the big game season. This fawn had traveled approximately 50 miles and was killed near the Little Hills Experiment Station on Piceance Creek. Trapping and Tagging - Gunnison. Under the supervision of Bert Baker, eight single-type portable traps were employed at seven different general areas. Single traps were located north of U. S. Highway 50 at Dillon Gulch, Red Creek, Moncrief Ranch, East Elk Creek, Dr,y Creek, and Willow Creek. Two traps were located about a mile apart on 2nd Dr,y Creek, both north of Highway 50. Second cutting alfalfa grown on the Sapinero Management Area was used for bait. The first deer was caught December 11, 1953. Trapping ceased on Februar,y 26, 1954, after nearly daily attendance from early December on. �-109It soon became apparent that the trap doors would not withstand the vigorous escape attempts of the deero New ones of plywood were cut out and oil finished to replace them. All doors which were not replaced during the season were replaced as the traps were brought back in for summer storage. All traps were equipped with the modified trip mechanism described in the Quarterly Report/July" 1953, P. 34. The pin and double-peg system was tried at first on.a few traps until fouling became too common an occurrence. These were then removed in favor of the modified mechanisIDSNhich worked very efficiently. A total of 53 deer were tagged at the trapping sites. Deer were caught repeatedly after the initial tagging. These "repeats" totaled 24, making an over-all total of 77 times that deer were handled. Tagging schedule information is listed under Table 4. One deer was lost in trapping. This deer was a doe fawn which had stunned, ~ruised, and skinned itself so badly fighting the Red Creek trap that It was shot. A partial post-mortem examination was run on this animal and is reported under Work Plan IV, Job No. 3. Trapping and tagging held up until about January 20 when milder weather appeared. From then on, until operations at the end of February" "repeats" dominated the catch, and the numbers of deer caught which could be tagged dropped rapidly. Snow cover was never a serious factor influencing the availability of feed; however, persistent low temperature prevailed until mid-January. This latter factor probably accounted for the fairly good trapping results because the deer were looking for better rations, qualit,y and quantity, to counterbalance the effects of the cold weather. Trapping and Tagging - Cathedral Creek. George Crandell, in charge of the Cathedral Creek station, spent a good part of the winter assisting at the Little Hills Experiment Station; and was unable to put in a full trapping season. A list of deer trapped at Cathedral Creek is shown in Table 5. Trapping and Tagging - Rocky Mountain Natal Park. The U. S ••Park Service carried on a deer trapping program to remove excess deer from concentration areas on the east side of the Park. Deer released on the Little Thompson drainage returned to their home area, a distance of 18 to 25 miles. None of those planted in the Lyons area have returned. Table 6 lists the deer tagged with Colorado Game and Fish tags by the Park Service at Estes Park. Kannah Creek -~tewater Basin. This report is primarily interested in the effect that hunting pressure has on the migrating deer herd in the Kannah Creek -Whitewater Basin area. The area was picked and observations were made by Jesse wrllliams for study because a number of post season hunts as well as liberal bag limits have been held in the area. There are also game damage complaints from this locality. Table 7 gives the average counts during the past years as related to type of season, bag limit, and current range utilization. �-110Table 7 tends to showthat when the hunting season bag limit and time is reduced there tends to be a build up in deer numbers. However, the data given in the table is not conclusive, and the study should be continued for several years •. White River Elk Investigationso Observations by Jack DeVore connnenced on the White River, June 9, 1953. At this time, the elk were i~ the process of their migration from the wintering areas to the summer' ranges. The cows were found in upper extents of the winter ranges in the calving grounds 8' this area is principally a mixed browse and aspen type Small groups composed of yearlings were also found in this area. The bulls were higher in the lower spruce and upper aspen pushing the snow line. The latter part of June showed the elk starting to herd, with cows, calves, and yearlings making up these herds .•As yet no large bulls were observed in these newly formed herds. The pattern of this movement from the South Fork wintering grounds show the elk moving up the South Fork to Lost Solar Creek and Park Creek and on up these drainages to the Flattops proper, with perhaps a larger part of the elk wintering in this area moving up the south side of the South Fork into the Patterson Creek and Wagonwheel Creek drainages. Large herds of elk were observed the middle of July in Lost Solar Park and Johnson Park, Evident ··ly these elk had reached the sunnnering areas. These herds were composed of cows, calves, yearlings, and bullso It is Mro DeVore's opinion that the majority of these elk moved in from the Oak Ridge and the North Fork wintering areas with a few moving in from the South Fork Canyon; however, further study is needed to confirm this." Figure 1 shows the winter areas and summer areas with approximate migration routeso 0 Local Movements on the Summer Range. The first of the local movements observed was a movement from the large open parks to smaller parks in the heavy spruce standso This movement started in early August with the herds breaking up into smaller groups and the bulls separating from the groups. The moving in of domestic sheep seemed to have some effect on this change of areas. The larger bulls moved off by themselves into the heavy timber near boggy sites where wallows were present; it was also noticeable that they were starting tomb the velvet from their antlers preparator,y to rutting season.. Toward the end of August the cows, calves, and yearlings moved into the heavy timber on the Flattops and under the rims of the Flattops This period seemed to be the most difficult time of the year to see elko In early September a slight movement was noted in the timber when the elk connnenced to gather for the rut.. The first bugling was heard September 90 Shortly after this, small groups were observed composed of a single large bull, cows, calves, and yearlings with the exception of spike bulls which were remaining solitary. Bugling was heard through the month of September and early Octobero Toward the latter part of October, there was a general grouping and a slow movement down to the intermediate ranges due to several days of snowfall.. This movement was interrupted with the opening of the hunting season which scattered the elk, and moved them into the heavy timber on the top and under the lims of the Flattops. 0 �\ I co f-J I FIGURE WHITE I RIVER ELK RANGE SUMMER WINTER ru . ( " '. �FIGU RE 2 1953-54 ELK WINTER RANGE BLUE RIDGE HERD -19- �-111Table 1 -- Deer Tagged in Southwestern Date Sex Colorado--1953 - 1954. 3 -53 Buck, fawn Button Tag Marker 2114 red disc 11- 7 -53 Doe$ fawn 2115 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfie1d Canyon. 11- 8 -53 Doe, yearling 2116 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyon. 11- 8- 53 Doe, fawn 2117 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfie1d Canyon. 2111 red disc Mesa Verde Retake 11- 11- 9- 53 Tagging Site Mesa Verde Remarks Released on Wilden Ranch Nov ••8 •• 0 11-14- 53 Buck, fawn 2118 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyon. 11-15- 53 Doe, mature 2108 red disc Mesa Verde Retake, Tagged 1-11~53o Released Wilden Ranch 11-15-530 11-16-53 Doe, large 2119 red disc Mesa Verde Released on Wilden Ranch. 11-18-53 Doe, mature 2101 red disc Mesa Verde Retake, Tagged 12-9~52o Got away 11-18-53 e 11-19-53 Doe, fawn 2120 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morefield Canyon. 11-19-53 Buck, fawn 2121 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyon. 11-21-53 Doe, fawn 2122 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyon. 11-2l-53 Doe, mature 2102 red disc Mesa Verde Retake.. Tagged 12-11=520 Released 11-21-53 Wilden Rancho �-JI12Table 1 -- Continued. Date Sex Button Tag Marker Tagging Site Remarks 11-22-53 Doe, mature 2104 red disc Mesa Verde Retake. Tagged Released 12-13-52. 11-22-53 Wilden Ranch. 11-23-53 Doe, yearling 2124 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyon. 11-23-53 Doe, yearling 2107 red disc Mesa Verde Retake. Tagged 12-28-52. Released 11-23-53 Morfield. 11-23-53 Doe, yearling 2123 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyon. 11-24-53 Buck, fawn 2125 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyon. 11-28-53 Buck, fawn 2126 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyon. 11-29-53 Doe, large 2127 red disc Mesa Verde Released on Wilden Ranch. 11-29 •.. 53 Doe, yearling 2128 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyon. 12- 9-53 Doe, large 2129 red disc Mesa Verde Released on Wilden Ranch. 12-12-53 Doe, large 2130 red disc Mesa Verde Released on Wilden Ranch. 12-12-53 Buck, 2-point 2131 red disc Mesa Verde Released on Wilden Ranch. 12-14-53 Doe, large 2132 red disc Mesa Verde Released on Wilden Ranch. 12-14-53 Doe, fawn 2133 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyon. �-113Table 1 -- Continuedo Date Sex Button Tag Marker Tagging Site Remarks 12-17-53 Doe, large 2134 red disc Mesa Verde Released on Wilden Ranch. 12-22-53 Doe, fawn 2135 red disc Mesa Verde Released on Morfield Canyon. 12-29-53 Doe, large 2136 red disc Mesa Verde Released on W~lden Ranch. 1-22-54 Doe, large 2137 red disc Mesa Verde Released on Wilden Ranch. 1-23-54 Doe, fawn 2138 red disc Mesa Verde Released on Morfield Canyon. 2-11-54 Doe, fawn 2139 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyon. 3- 5-54 Doe, large 2140 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyon. 3- 8-54 Buck, fawn 2lll red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyon. 3-15-54 Doe, large 2142 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Wilden Ranch. 3-30-54 Buck, fawn 2143 red disc Mesa Verde Released in Morfield Canyol? 11-11-53 Doe 2154 red triangle Hermosa Creek Texas Creek release. 2- 2-54 Doe, young 132l- cattle tag Hermosa Creek Released at trap site. 2- 23-54 Buck, yearling 2161 white disc Turkey Ranch Released at trap site. 2-25-54 Doe, prime 2162 whits* disc Turkey Ranch Released at trap site. * Had been tagged before but tag tore out; may have been #2152. �I _I _, )I ! I , e J Ie . ,I", -114Table 2. -- Little Hills Deer Tagging 1953 - 54. Date Sex Left Ear Round Tag Right Ear Cattle Tag Weight Pasture 12-29-53 Buck, Fawn 516 1558 54 4 12-29-53 Buck, Fawn 517 1572 74 4 12-31-53 Doe, Fawn 518 1561 72 4 1- 2-54 Buck, Fawn 519 1574 63 7 1- 5-54 Doe, Fawn 520 1562 71 7 1- 9-54 Buck, Yearling 52l 1570 125 7 1-22;..54 Old Doe 522 1571 120 7 1-23-54 Doe, Prime 523 1569 148 7 1-25-54 Buck, Fawn 524 1563 77 7 1-28-54 Old Doe 525 1564 128 1-28-54 Buck, Fawn 526 1565 62 1-29-54 Doe, Fawn 527 1566 71 1-30-54 Doe, Prime 528 1567 132 1-31-54 Buck, Fawn 526 1565 58 (Recatch) 1-31-54 Doe, Prime 90 150 137 (Recatch) 1" .' !: ('7 / ., '. \ .•.• �, (;. I 1_.' c f .') /-,.,f/ '" !'" -115Table 2 - Continued. Date Sex Left Ear Round Ta~ .Right Ear Cattle Tag Weight 2- 4-54 Buck, Fawn 529 1573 68 2- 5-54 Doe, Fawn 530 1531 53 2- 8-54 Doe, Mature 98 158 154 2-10-54 Doe, Prime 531 1536 135 2-14-54 Old Doe 532 1532 125 2-2l-54 Buck, Fawn 533 1529 63 2-24-54 Old Doe 534 1530 108 2-26-54 Buck, Fawn 535 1527 75 Z-25-54 Buck, Fawn 536 1528 79 3-14-54 Old Doe 1007 11-24-54 Doe,Prime 1095 11-25-54 Doe,Prime 12-10-54 Pasture (Recatch Feb. 24 wt. 60 Ibs) 131 (Recatch) 1551 135 6 461 288 163 6 Buck, Yearling 1066 1552 111 6 12-10-54 Doe, Fawn 1068 1575 91 6 12-10-54 Doe,Mature 1069 1553 145 6 12-11-54 Doe,Mature 1070 1054 125 6 12-15-54 Doe,Fawn 1071 1555 53 4 �-116Table 2- Continued. Right Ear Cattle Tag Weight Pasture 1072 1556 111 4 Doe, Mature 1074 1082 -156 4 12-27-54 Doe, Old 1075 1557 146 4 12-28-54 Doe, Fawn 1076 1559 80 4 12-28-54 Buck, Fawn 1077 1560 69 4 Date Sex Left Ear Round Tag 12-15-54 Buck, Yearling 12-19-54 Table 3. -- Fawns Tagged During June, 1953--Park Creek. Cattle Tag No. Area Tagged Buck, Fawn 714 Park Creek 6-19-53 Doe, Fawn 1090 Park Creek 6-19-53 Buck, Fawn 1059 Park Creek 6-19-53 Doe, Fawn 1068 Park Creek 6-20-53 Doe, Fawn J486 Park Creek 6-21-53 Doe, Fawn 1220 Park Creek 6-21-53 Buck, Fawn 1093 Park Creek 6-30-53 Buck, Fawn 1222 Park Creek Date Sex 6-18-53 /!, �-117- Table 4.--Deer Tagging - Middle Gunnison River Area Winter 19.53 - 19.54. Date Tagged Sex and Age Cattle .Tag Number Trap Site Remarks 12/il/53 Doe, Fawn A 801 E. Elk Creek Repeated once. 12/12/.53 Buck, Fawn A 802 E. Elk Creek Repeated twice. 12/12/53 Buck, Fawn A 803 E. Elk Creek 12/12/.53 Buck, Fawn A 804 2nd Dry Creek 12/13/.53 Doe, Mature A 805 E. Elk Creek 12/14/53 Buck, Yearling A 806 Dillon Gulch 12/14/53 Doe, Mature A 807 2nd Dry Creek 12/i4/53 Doe, Mature A 808 2nd Dry Creek 12/14/53 Buck, Fawn A 809 2nd Dry Creek 12/16/53 Doe, Mature A 810 E. Elk Creek 12/17/.53 Doe, Mature A 811 Dry Creek Repeated once. 12/18/53 Buck, Mature A 826 Dry Creek 4 point. 12/20/.53 Buck, Fawn A 827 Eo Elk Creek Repeated 6 times. 12/21/53 Doe, Mature A 812 Dillon Gulch 12/2l/.53 Buck, Fawn A 828 Dillon Gulch Repeated twice. 12/22/.53 Buck, Yearling A 813 2nd Dry Creek 2 point. 12/22/53 Buck, Mature A 829 E. Elk Creek 3 point. 12/23/.53 Buck, Yearling A 814 Moncrief Ranch 2 point. 12/28/.53 Doe, Fawn A 815 Dillon Gulch 12/28/53 Doe, Yearling A 816 2nd ])ry Creek Repeated once. 2 point; Repeated once. �-118Table 4. -- Continued. Date Tagged Sex and Age Cattle Tag Number Trap Site Remarks 12/30/53 Buck, Fawn A 817 Dry Creek Repeated 4 times. 12/31/53 Buck, Fawn A 818 2nd Dry Creek Road-killed 1/10/54. 12/31/.53 Buck, Fawn A 819 Dry Creek Repeated 3 times. 1/4 /54 Doe, Fawn A 820 Dillon Gulch 1/5 /54 Doe, Mature A 821 Willow Creek 1/7/54 Doe, Mature A 822 Bed Creek 1/7/54 Doe, Mature A 823 Dillon Gulch 1/8/54 Doe, Mature A 824 Dry Creek 1/8/54 Doe, Mature A 825 Dillon Gulch 1/11/54 Doe, Mature A 830 Red Creek 1/11/54 Doe, Mature A 831 Willow Creek 1/11/54 Doe, Fawn A 832 Red Creek 1/12/54 Buck, Fawn A 833 Willow Creek 1/13/54 Doe, Mature A 834 Red Creek 1/13/54 Buck, Fawn A 835 Red Creek 1/13/54 Buck,Yearling A 836 Dry Creek 2 point. 1/18/54 Buck, Yearling A 837 Red Creek 2 point. 1/19/54 Doe, Mature A 838 2nd Dry Creek 1/20/54 Buck, Yearling A 839 Willow Creek , Left ear cropped. Spike; rt. ear notched. �-119Table 4. -- Continu~d. Date Tagged Sex and Age Cattle Tag Number Trap Site Remarks 1/2l/54 Buck, Yearling A 840 Red Creek Spike; repeated once. 1/22/54 Doe, Fawn A 841 Dry Creek Repeated once •• 1/22/54 Doe, Mature A 842 2nd IDry Creek 1/23/54 Buck, Fawn A 843 Willow Creek 1/25/54 Buck, Yearling A 844 Dillon Gulch 1/27/54 Buck, Fawn A 845 Red Creek -1/27/54 Doe, Mature A 846 2nd Dry Creek 1/28/54 Buck, Fawn A 847 2nd Dry Creek Old, brokenmouthed. Repeated once. 1/28/54 Buck, Mature A 848 Willow Creek 2-3 points. 2/18/54 Doe, Mature A 849 Dillon Gulch 2/18/54 Buck, Fawn A 850 2nd Dry Creek 2/20/54 Buck, Mature A 851 Dillon Gulch 2/20/54 Doe, Mature A 852 2nd Dry Creek 2/21/54 Doe, Mature A 853 Dillon Gulch Spike. Very poor condition, Antlers shed within wk. �-120- Table 50 -- Deer Tagged at Cathedral Creek - 1953 - 1954. Date Sex 12/ 6/53 .Cattle Tag Button Tag Doe, Mature 1117 231 12/ 7/53 Doe, Mature 1121 290 12/ 7/53 Doe, Mature 1123 225 12/ 8/53 Buck, Yearling 12/ 9/53 Doe, Fawn 1120 236 12/10/53 Doe, Mature 1118 273 12/12/53 Buck, Fawn 1125 225 1/9 /54 Doe, Fawn 1126 259 1/24/54 Doe, Mature 1119 261 1/29/54 Buck, 2 Yr. Old 1128 1/31/54 Buck, 4 Point 1129 1/31/54 Doe, Mature 1130 263 Cattle Tag Button Tag Remarks Tagged as fawn 1/8/53. Recaptured 12/11/54. Table 6,-Deer Tagged, Estes Park. Date Sex 2/14/54 Doe, Fawn 775 South St. Vrain 2/15/54 Buck,Fawn 774 South St. Vrain 2/16/54 Doe, Fawn 773 South St. Vrain 2/17/54 Doe, Mature 481 Big Thompson 2/17/54 Doe, Mature 772 South St. Vrain 2/21/54 Doe, Fawn 771 South St. Vrain Planted �-121- Table 60 -- Continued. Cattle Tag Button Tag Planted Date Sex 2/22/54 Buck, Fawn 770 South sto Vrain 2/23/54 Doe, Mature 776 South Sto Vrain 2/24/54 Doe, Mature 482 Big Thompson 3/4/54 Buck, Fawn 779 South st. Vrain 3/5/54 Doe, Mature 778 South Sto Vrain 3/10/54 Buck~Fawn 780 South St. Vrain 3/13/54 Doe, Mature. 798 Big Thompson 2002 Table 7.--Deer Numbers as Related to Hunting Pressure, Type of Season, and Current Range Utilization. Number of 'Deer Type of Season Current Range Utilization Location Date Browse Ranch Spring, 1948 180 1 Deer, Either Sex, October 11-31. Destructive Sommerville Ranch 3/12/52 36 2 Deer, Either Sex, Octo 15-Dec.3l Destructive Sommerville Ranch 3/3/52 38 2 Deer, Either Sex, ProperSevere Octo 15 - Dec. 31 Browse Ranch 4/6/53 45 2 Deer, E~ther Sex, Oct. l5-Dec. 31 SevereDestructive Sommerville Ranch 12/15/53 48 1 Deer, Either Sex, Oct. 22 - Novo 9 Proper Sommerville Ranch 4/4/54 105 1 Deer, Either Sex, Oct. 22-Nov. 9. Destructive Browse Ranch 4/6/54 125 1 Deer, Either Sex, Oct. 22-Novo 9 Destructive Browse Ranch 4/22/54 47 1 Deer, Either Sex, Oct. 22-Novo 9 Destructive �-122Table 8.-1953 Hunting Season Tag Returns. Tag Number Button Cattle Sex & Age Date Location Location of Kill 950 Buck, Yearling 2/19/52 Cathedral Creek 1112 Doe, Mature 12/14/52 Cathedral Creek Corral Creek 101ft. (Yellow Creek Drainage) East Douglas 5 Mi. 147 214 Doe, Mature 3/15/50 Thurman Creek Thurman Creek 2 Mi. 78 139 Buck, Mature 1/29/50 Thurman Creek Thurman Creek 2 Mi. 153 219 Buck,Fawn 4/ 2/50 Thurman Creek White River 5 Mi. 489 Doe, Mature 1/12/52 Thurman Creek Thurman Creek 1 Mi. 492 Doe, Mature 1/14/52 Thurman Creek Thurman Creek Thurman Creek Thurman Creek Parachute Creek 30 Mi. Thirteen Mi. Cr. 39 Mi. Tagged 1023 1003 Doe, Mature 2/6/ 52 1027 1007 Buck, Mature 2/17/52 1038 1021 Buck, Yearling 3/11/52 714 Buck, Fawn 6/18/52 Park Creek 775 Doe, Mature 2/14/53 Released 3 Mi. SW Lyons 1 Mi.. Mgmt Area 23. 15-30 Mi. Sheep Creek 12 Mi. 1 Mi. above Longmont Dam. 772 Doe, Mature 2/17/53 Released S,,5t. Vrain 2158 Doe, Fawn 3/7/53 Turkey Ranch Wi thin 1 Mi. from Turkey Ranch. 2159 Doe, Mature 2/1/53 Turkey Ranch 2106 Buck, Fawn 12/22/52 848 Doe, Mature 6/28/53 Buck, Yearling 2/9/53 Rock Store Mesa Verde 3/4 Mi. No of U.S. 160, Hdqtso Mud Creek U.S.F. S. John Brown Canyon S 17,T51N, R 16~ near Gateway Unit 77. Turkey Ranch Mi. N. Wms ••Cr'k,Camp G" Doe 3/18/52 Minnesota Creek" 2156 325 Thurman Creek 310 Unit 20 near Lyons" t Mi. N.Chimney It �-123Elk-Middle Park. Approximately a week was spent traveling by sno-cat over the elk winter range on the Blue Ridge in Middle Park. This is thought to be one of the largest elk herds in the vicinity of the park, and is the one that causes the greatest amount of damage during extremely hard winters. Figure 2 shows the approximate boundajyof the 1953-54 wintering area. This was a very open winter. The south slopes remained open and relatively free of snow to the top. On the north slope, or Williams Fork side, olliy a limited area was used as elk winter range. Tag Returns. Tag returns have been slowo Hunters probably in some cases never notice the tags. More often, however, they fail to report them. Table 8 gives the known tag returns for this past season. Recommendations. It is recommended that tagging operations continue and be increased where time and labor permits. It would also be desirable to have more weights of animals for growth comparison in relation to feed conditions. In the Kannah Creek-Whitewater Basin area, it is planned to get more counts especiarly in the winter and early spring. The elk study on the White River elk herd will be continued to secure further information and to check that which has already been collected. Summary. In spite of a very open winter, 162 deer were trapped and tagged this year. They were divided as follows. Bucks 3 Does 16 Fawns 26 Total 45 Cathedral Creek 3 6 3 12 Little Hills and Park Creek 2 22 15 39 Estes Park 0 6 7 13 Gunnison 12 20 21 71 20 71 Ib2 Southwest 53 The Flag Creek track count was not run this year due to legal technicalities. The deer migration into the Kannah Creek~Whitewater Basin area has been held back by the prolonged seasons and liberal bag limits that have been in effect for the last several years. A liberal 1953 .season has caused the deer to start moving back into their old wintering grounds on Kannah Creek. Prepared by: Date: Paul F. Gilbert Bertram D. Baker Ross L. Campbell Jack DeVore Harold R. Shepherd ~J~ul~y~~,~1~9~5~4 _ Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-125- State of JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS Colorado ----~~--~-------- Project NO. ~W~-~3~8~-~R~-~7 Work Plan NOo ~I~I~ Title of Job: ~2__D~e~e~r~El~k~I~n~v~e~s~t~l·g~a~t~i~o~n~s~ _ ~J~o~b~N~o~o ~3 ~~ _ Checking Station Surveyo ----~~~~~~~~~~~~----------------------~ Objectives: To obtain pertinent data relative to kill trends, age, sex, weights, and to recover tags and heads of tagged animals. Techniques Used. Road block stations were set up at different locations on main routes to and from key hunting areas. In 1953 District Game Managers were placed in charge of all the Piceance station, and Federal Aid personnel assisted on various stations over the stateo Findings: The 1953 big game season was covered by 20 check stations, which included 12 additional stations over the 8 permanent trend stations that have been operated in the same Locatd.ors for the past several years. The reason for the additional stations during the 1953 season was to collect as much information as possible on the various types of seasons. With the inform~tion collected the Game Management Division can better evaluate the effects of the different types of seasons. Deer seasons in 1953 included archery preseason; antlered only; either sex; two-deer; and multiple licenseo The seasons were set to open October 15 on the eastern slope. Most of the deer area was to close October 310 Elk season was antlered only state wide with a total of One thousand forty-one of these were 2475 either sex validationso successful. This season was set to open October 15 on the western slope, with a five day delay on the eastern slopeo The closing date was set to be October 310 Due to extremely dry weather and a high. fire danger, both elk and deer seasons were delayed and ran from October 24 to November 9, with the eastern slope and the western slope opening together. Several small post season areas were allowed. A total of 36,671 deer, 2,151 elk, and 99 bear were checked this year. The Piceance check station was set up as before, at the mouth of the Dry Fork of Piceance. This station was a straight Federal Aid station set up to check kill out of this immediate area and check for tagged animals. �-126Eight hundred sixteen deer and two elk were checked at the Piceance checking station during the 1953 season, as compared with 494 deer and 6 el~ in 1952, and 530 deer-and 18 elk in 1951. Of the 816, 372 were bucks, 334 w~re does, and 110 were fawns. Percentagewise the kill breaks down to 45.6 p~rcent bucks, 40.9 percent does, and 13.5 percent fawns, as compared with 43.5 percent bucks, 42.1 percent does, and 14.4 percent ,fawns in 1952. One hundred seventeen non-resident hunters brought deer through the checking station. One hundred twelve multiple licenses were checked, with some hunters having as many as five. Only 19 second deer were brought through the station from the 2-deer area in the Colorado River drainage. Three tagged deer were killed on Dry Fork and information was obtained on these. The questions asked this year to hunters checking through the stations showed 3,737 elk hunters hunting 17,43005 days saw 49,171 elk, which means an average of 2.82 elk seen per hunter day, or an average of 13.16 elk seen per hunter. Table 1 shows the number of animals checked by stations. Recommendations: The total 1953 big game kills were; deer 72,375, elk 5,299, bear 322. This represents a decrease in the deer kill over the past two years, and a slight increase over the bulls only elk season of 1952. The deer kill this year was made up of 55.2 percent bucks, 36.3 percent does, and 8.6 percent fawns as based on hunters report cards. Animals checked through the check station included 4703 percent bucks, 38.6 percent does, and 14.1 percent fawns. The percentage of doe kill usually remains about the same from year to year. Easy hunting years appear to be reflected in the bucks and fawns; that is during a year of hard hunting more fawns are taken and fewer bucks; while just the opposite appears to be true when hunting is easier. Summary:: I. Seventeen additional check stations were operated this year making the total twenty-three. A total of 2,151 elk, 36,671 deer, and 99 bear were checked. This is the greatest number of deer ever checked through check stations in Colorado. 2. The percentage of bucks, does, and fawns checked are shown below. Year Bucks Does Fawns -- Total. 1951 50.7 3702 12.1 32,085 1952 45.8 39.0 15.2 29,127 1953 47.2 38.6 14.2 36,671 �-127Summary-Continued. 3. The special Piceance check station, which has been operated the past three years to check the kill and check for tagged animals out of the area adjacent to the tittle Hills Experiment Station, also showed an increase in the number of deer checked. Year Bucks Does Fawns Total 1951 34•• 1 10.3 530 1952 42.1 14.4 494 1953 40.9 13.5 816 4. Check station reports showed that during 1953 the average elk hunter hunted 4.66 days, saw an aver~ge of 13.16 elk or 2.82 elk per day. This was checked with the total elk hunters report card which showed the average elk hunter hunted 5.6 days, saw 12.07 elk or an average of 2.14 per day. 5. A total of 2,475 elk licenses were validated for either sex animals. One thousand one hundred forty-one,,' or 46.1 percent of these were filled by the hunters taking either a cow or a calf. Station Bear Bucks Does Table No.1. Total Fawns Deer Bulls Cows 1. Animas 5 226 133 22 381 156 2. Del Norte 8 705 529 125 1357 3. Idaho Spgs 30 3603 2632 878 4. Monarch 9 1046 598 5. Rifle. Calves Total Elk 83 13 252 418 94 13 525 7113 398 102 22 522 233 1877 202 28 5 235 7 3527 3796 1368 8691 79 27 5 III 6. Ted's Place 3 1282 1449 624 3355 18 5 2 25 7. 25 Mesa 5 321 402 220 943 1 o 2 3 8••Piceance o 372 334 110 816 2 o o 2 9. Greystone o 47 40 15 102 o o o o �-128Continued - Table 1. Station Bear Bucks Does Total Fawns Deer Bulls Cows Total Calves Elk 0 138 41 3 182 1 0 0 1 11. Grand Jctn. 1 129 94 17 240 12 4 1 17 12. DeBeque 2 1030 933 496 2459 10 0 0 10 13. Rangely 0 647 364 102 1113 0 0 0 0 14. Montrose 9 549 424 204 il77 20 2. 0 22 15. Whitewater 7 668 570 229 1467 46 13 4 63 , 16. Naturita 6 399 390 120 909 0 0 0 0 17. Placerville 3 498 420 182 ilOO 34 2 1 37 18. Uravan 0 148 157 55 360 0 0 0 0 19. Meeker 2 1547 474 89 2110 265 56 4 325 20. Lorna 2 422 347 107 876 0 1 0 1 21. Mt. Evans 0 17 23 1 41 13 39 10 62 .75.69 20.61 3.70 10. Artesia 47.24 Percent Total Prepared by: 38.59 14.17 99 Paul F. Gilbert Glenn E. Rogers Date: July, 1954. 36,671 2,151 Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-129COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO --~~~~~-------- Project NO.__ ~W~-~3~8~-~R~-~7 Work Plan NO.~.. ~;__ ~D~e~e~r~-~E1~k~I~n~v~e~st~l~·g~a~t~i~o~n~s~; _ ~I~I~ ~Job No. ~4~ sex ratios, pellet group counts, pre-season _ and post season sexing, winter loss, trend checks, trend counts, sexratio counts to determine big game numbers. Objective: To determine the reliability of various censusing methods and to provide game management with better methods of estimating trends in herd numbers and total population of herds in the state. Techniques Used: Intensify aerial search and other methods used and statistically analyze information collected. 1. Sex-Ratio counts to be made by pl.are and from ground. 2. A series of plots were established in the deer pastures, where a known number of deer were present and pellet groups were used as a method of censusing. 3. The winter loss trend check was run again this spring with student, assistance. 4. Flights were made on the deer pastures as planned. 5-. Winter Mesa was used as a testing area for airplane trend testing. 6. Junction Butte aerial-ground comparison was run twice. Findings: Gunnison. A total of 525 deer were sexed and aged by Technician Bert Baker in the Gunnison district north of the Gunnison River. Of this number sexed, 100 were bucks, 200 were does, and 225 were fawns. As derived from the above tallies, the sex and age ratios are 1:00 bucks: 2:00 does: 2.25 fawns. All bucks were classified as to antler point numbers as follows: Spikes and Two Points Three Points Four Points or larger Numbers 38 6 56 100 Percent 38 6 56 100 �-130Little Hills.. One aerial count of the deer in each deer pasture at Little Hills was made April 16 by Clyde Matteson in the supercub with A. M ••Greer as observer. The air was good, but there was no snow cover. The results are tabulated as follows: Aerial Count of Deer in Pastures Deer Seen Flying Time 22 5 16 minutes 9:dO A. M. 13 7 16 minutes 9:10 A ••M. 6 3 10 minutes Deer Present 4 Time of Day 9:10 A. M. 6 7 Pasture No. The pellet count was made again this year in cooperation with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service Great Basin Experiment Station in Utah. One hundredth acre and one hundred square foot plots were randomized along compass lines as has been done each year for the last four years •• Although results are not consistent between pastures, they are consistent between years in each pasture. One possible source of error not considered until this year is the fact that our acreages for the pastures may not be accurate. Fenceline plots were kept separately this year to see if deer concentration along the fence caused a sampling error. There was no appreciable difference in the number of groups per deer day when these plots were included. Using the hundredth acre plot data without including the fenceline plots, this year's count revealed 13.5 groups per deer day in pasture 4, 20.1 groups per deer day in pasture 6, and 15.9 groups per deer day in pasture 7. White River Elk. Population checks were made throughout the summer and fall •• All elk observed were counted and consideration was given the possibility of duplication. Of the 1300 elk counted during the season, 594 were chosen for the basis of the following herd composition and sex-ratio data. Bulls Cows Calves Total 74 357 163 594 12.5% 60.• 1% 27.4% 100% The sex-ratio arrived at was 1 bull to 4.8 cows; this ratio includes yearlings, large bulls, and cows. A post season aerial sex-ratio was made on the South Fork and Oak Ridge in late December with the following results. Bulls 8 6.6% • Cows Calves Total 67 47 122 54.9% 38.5% 100% �-131This ratio shows 1 bull to 8.3 cows. The pilot and observer reported that all bulls observed were either spikes or two point bulls, possibly due to the fact that the winter was extremely open and the larger bulls were higher and in the timber. In conjunction with the herd composition and the sex-ratio study, a ratio of calves to total herd was taken. Of the 594 elk sexed, 163 or 27.4% were calves. It may be interesting to note that of a large herd numbering 169 elk, 58 or 34.3% were calves, another herd of 136 elk, 39 or 28.7% were calves. Observations made during the rutting season showed the elk in small groups composed of a single bull and 3 to 4 mature cows with calves and yearling females. In several instances three point bulls were seen with harems. During the rut, spike bulls were off to themselves. In one instance a spike attempted to join a group, but was discouraged by a large bull. It is the writer's opinion that the intention of the spike was to join his mother who was.possibly in the harem rather than to take part in the breeding. Smith Fork Elk Trend. In order to check a variation in elk trend counts, the Sm th Fork Elk Trend was used as a study area. Five flights were made over this trend by Pilot Clyde Matteson and Observer Dwight Owens. The results of these flights are shown in Table 1. Date Dec. 16 Dec. 28 Dec. 30 Dec. 31 Jan. 2 Average Total Elk Counted 116 148 169 160 136 ~.6 Table 1.-- Smith Fork Elk Counts Length Bulls Of Flight 12 35 24 32 29 2b.4 1 Hr. 40 Min. 1 Hr. 45 Min. 2 Hrs. 5 Min. 2 Hrs. 5 Min. 2 Hrs .15 Min. 1 Hr. 58 Min. Time of Flight 10t35 3&35 10:15 10:30 10:10 - 12:15 5:20 12:20 12:35 12:25 Winter Mesa Deer Trend. Nine separate flights were made by Pilot Clyde Matteson and Observer Dwight Owens on the Winter Mesa deer trends. See table 2. Observer Owens felt that the continued flying of this trend had a tendency to push some of the animals off of the Mesa. On the first January 5 flight and the January 6 flights, the light was very poor. On the last flight, the light was only fair. �-132Table 2.--~inter Mesa Deer Counts Total Deer Counted Bucks Length Of Flight Time 1. Dec. 15 100 11 30 min. 10dO 2. Dec. 23 172 8 30 min. 4:00 4:30 3. Dec. 24 146 12 25 min. 7dO 7:55 4. Jan. 4 108 6 20 min. 4:00 4:20 5. Jan. 5 38 5 20 min. 10:45 - 11,55 6. Jan. 5 122' 9 30 min. 4~00 - 4dO 7. Jan. 6 34 4 25 min. 10d5 - 11~00 8. Jan. 6 79 11 25 min. 3.55 -- 4:20 9_•. Jan. 7 57 4 30 min. 11:00 -- lidO Date 0 f Fli~ht ~ 11:00 .Junction Butte Air and Ground Correlation Counts. With the assistance of Professor_ Harold Steinhoff and his Wildlife Conservation students from Colorado & M College, two ground counts were made on Junction Butte. The original'plans were to make three counts with the ground crew and nine counts hy plane; however, due to a lack of concentration of the animals on the winter ranges, the third count was called off. It had previously been determined (Quarterly Report, July, 1953, pp. 43), that fewer than 100 animals in the area made it useless to attempt any correlation. x: Flying conditions were poor for all flightso There was almost no snow cover, and high winds prevented the pilots from ge.tting close enough to the ground for a good count. Green Mountain Reservoir Winter Loss. Prior to running the Green Mountain Winter loss trend this year, an area a half mile square, 160 acres, was surveyed out on a south 30 to 50 percent slope. Patterning afterW. L. Robinette, ttMethod for CensusingWinter-Lost Deeru, 100 burlap sacks filled with brush were scattered throughout the area. Forty of these were checkered sacks and 12 were marked as bucks. The sacks were placed in spots where dead deer would normally be found, that is in the bottoms of the small draws, south exposures, underneath juniper trees, etc. No attempt was made to spread them evenly over the area. �-133~ Table 3. -- Junction Butte Counts Date Ground Crew Number of Men Direction of Count Time Required Deer Counted First Count Second Count 1/16/54 2/13/54 38 S to N 2i hra, 49 33 S to N 2 hrs. 22 Super Cub #1 (Norman Hughes) First Count Time Deer Counted Second Count Time Deer Counted Third Count Time Deer Counted Fourth Count Time Deer Counted 35 min. None 35 min. 12 48 min. 14 45 min. 9 42 min. None Super Cub #2 (Clyde Matteson) First Count Time Deer Counted Second Count Time Deer Counted Third Count Time Deer Counted Fourth Count Time Deer Counted 46 min. 19 47 min. 17 52 min. 31 47 min. 23 46 min. 9 47 mi.n, 15 �-134Following the placing of the sacks, 14 survey lines were run at regularly spaced intervals selected at random. These lines were run up grade, down grade, and on the contour.. The average sight distance for all treatments was 28.67 yards. Analysis I Sack Count - Hot Sulphur Springs 1954 Test of significant difference between sight distance of the three trials: LX = 266433' C = (6336)2 .••40144896 = 181651 221 1. 221 Total 266433 - 181651 = 84782 2. Treatments (2206)2 + (2264)2 t (1866)2l- C 77 82 --or 63200 + 62508 f 56160 = = 181868 - C = 217 Source DF S5' MS-: F Total 220 84782 385 .54 Treatments 2 217 108 .15 Residual 118 83465 707 In testing the average sight distance between the three trials of the sack stucty area, it was determined by analysis of varianceL made by Jack Grieb, statistician, that no significant difference exists (X 28076 yrds, f 015 with 2 and 118 degrees of freedom). = = �-135Sack Count-Hot Sulphur Springs 1954 Analysis II Test of significant difference between numbers of dead deer observed on three trials of the study area. UP BACK 7 12 17 CONTOUR o o 9 7 4 2 4 4 10 4 8 7 7 5 1 9 7 7 2: 3 4 4 o 1 2 5 4 6 9 10 5 2 5 8 6 7 4 1 2 77 82 62: 221 C - 48841 - 1162.8 I of squares for: Total - 1679.0'" 1162.8 - 516.2 Trials = 16497 ... C - 1178.3 - C 14 = 15.5 Analysis of Variance Source DF 55·, Total. 41 516.2 Trials 2 Within 39 MS F 15.5 7.75 .60 500.7 12.84 No significant difference The three trials of the study area were tested to determine whether differences existed in the number of sacks counted each trial. The results were no significant difference (f = .60 with 2 and 39 d.f.). Odd and even transects were also used to estimated total sacks. �-136Sack Count - Hot Sulphur Springs 1954 Analysis III Area ~ mi. x ~ mi (160 acres) 100 sacks Up or headed north Average sight distance - 28.65 ydso Width of strip - 28.65 x 2 - 57.30 yds. Length of strip - 880 yds. Total strip sample - 880 • 57.30 yds. - 50424 sq yds or 50424 - 10.42 acres 4840 Total of 14 strips Total sample thus 10.42 .14 = 145.88 acres Total dead deer counted Projection of data: = 77 77: 145.88 = X:160 145.88X 12320 X- 84.4 estimated total deer. = S = l/N \IN X2 _ ( X)2 ::1/14 V 14.661 - (77)~ = 1/14 V 9254 - 5929 1/14\1 3325 1/14 • 57.6 S = 4.1 Confidence Limits: X - t. 05< Md + t.o5 • S 5.5 - 2.1 • 4.1 <M 5.5 - 8.6< M = 5.5 + 8.6 - 301(,M 14.1 = Using even positions UP Average sight distru;tce= Width of strip 64.10 • 880 1282 40 = 32.05 = 32.05 • 2 = 64.10 yds. = 56408 sq. yds. • 7 - 394856 = 8~.58 acres 4840 �-137Sack CO:unt- Hot Sulphur Spr'Lnga1954 .AnaJ.ysis III- Continued. Observed 40 deer Est. totaJ. deer = 40: 81.58 - X: 160 81.58 X 1:1 6400 X 78.5 deer = Range 13-1 = 12. 2' 6 Variable not too accurate - poor estimated. Using odd positions UP Average sight distance = 921 -;r= 24.89 yds. Width of strip 24.89 • 2 = 49.78 yds. 7 strips totaJ. 49878 • 880= 43806.4 ·7= 306644.8 sq. yds. 4840 63.36'acres Observed 37 deer Est. totaJ. deer - 37: 63 .• 36 - X: 160 63.36 X • 5920 X - 93.43 deer (sacks) Range 1:1 3-7 a 4 = 2 Est. 2' Good estimate ver,v accurate not too variable. Sack Count-Hot Sulphur Spring&. 1954 AnaJ.ysis IV Down Average sight distance - 27.61 yds. 27.61 • 2 = 55.22:yds strip Total strip sample 55.22 • 880 = 48593.6 sq. yds. For 14 strips 48593.6 • 14 = 680310.4 sq. yds. or 140.56 acres Total dead deer counted = 82 Total estimated dead deer on 160 acres - 82: 140.56 = x:160 140.56x= 13120 X- 93.34 deer �-138Sack Count-Hot Sulphur Springs 1954- Analysis IV- Continued. = 1/14\/14.646 - 6724 S 1/14 V 2320 1/14 • 48.1 = 3044 X = 5.86 S Confidence limits 5.82 - 2016 0 304h<M<5082+2.16 • 3.44 - 1.61< M<13.25 Sack Count-Hot Sulphur Springs 1954 Analysis V = 60.20 Total area 60.20 • 880 = 52976 x 14 - 71.a.664 = 153.2. acres Strip sampled 30.10 0 2 4840 Dead deer observed 62 Total est. S # 62:153.2 = x.reo 153.2)( = 9920 X - 64.75 = 1/14 \/140372 - 3844 - 1/14 \/1364 1/14 36 9 0 = 2 64 0 Confidence limits 4.4 - 2.016 e 2.64<M<4.4+2016 0 2.64 - 1.3< M<1001 �-139The comparison of sex ratios on the sack count are as follows: Treatment From Sample Up 1 Buck: 9 Does 1 Buck: 8.33 Does Down 1 Buck: 4.48 Does 1 Buck: 8.33 Does Contour 1 Buck: 4.63 Does 1 Buck: 8.33 Does 1Buck: 5.48 Does 1 Buck: 8.33 Does Average Known Counters also kept track of the number of chec~ered sacks found, with the following resultsl Treatment From Sample Known Up 38.9 40% Down 42.7 40% Contour 53.2 40% All 44,.3 40% The results and comparisons of the 1954 Green Mountain Dead Deer Count is shown in Figure 1. The same observers used on the sack count were also used on the Green Mountain count where a total of 17 transects were run. A separate analysis was made for each year of the Green Mountain Dead Deer Count using the sack count sight distance of 28.67 yards as follows: 1952 Green Mountain Dead Deer Count Total live deer observed = 263 Total transects = 16 Total dead deer = 351 Area sampled - 8 mi long and 1600 yds wide or 14080 yds x 1600 _ 22528000 sq yds or 4654,acreso Sample - (Using sight distances from sack count (1954). 28.67 x 16 - 458.72 yds x 14080 yds = 645877.76 sq yds or 1334.5 acres x 2 = 2669.0 acres. Total estimated dead deer _ 351: 2669 X : 4654 2669 - 1633554 X = 612 = �48 Figure 1. 44 Green Mountain Reservoir Winter Loss 40 36 32 28 24 1951-'52 = 351 ~ g 20 I 16 12 8 o / 4 ..•....•.•.. ./ /' ......•.. /. o '- - ~ - -~. •.•.••• •••.,.. • ." ••• .•&.. 30.0 600. 700 ~ 100 -- 200 " ••••• """.. 400 500. -. 9 •• CI.~ 800 . . .-.--;...••. ;---...•. · · -_ 900. 1000 -"" ..- /' 110.0 1200 I Yards Back from High Water Line -:--.. ••• !...Jo __ .e C 1300 •• -.~ 1400. 1500 •• 19c'2-i 5'3= .> 19 19;3-' 54= 12 1600. 1700 �-141- 1953 Green P.buntain Dead Deer Count Total live deer observed Total transects = 714 = 17 Total dead deer counted - 20 Area Sampled Sample = 4654 acres = 28 67 x 17 ••487.39 • 14080 = 6862451.2 sq. yds. or 1682' acres x 0 2.= 3364 Total estimated dead deer 20: 3364 = X:4654 3364 :x - 93080 X = 27.67 or 28 dead deer 1954 Green Mountain Dead TIeer Count Total live deer observed •• 1094 Total transects _ 17 Total dead deer counted: 12 Area sampled •• 4654 acres Sample = 3364 acres Total est. dead deer = 12: 3364 ..1.: 4654 3364&- 55848 X ••16.6 or 17 deer Estimates of total dead deer were the most accurate in 1952 when the largest number of dead animals were found and the least accurate in 1953 and 1954. Recommendations: Bert Baker, technician in the Gunnison district, suggests that the best sex ratio counts can be made early morning and late evening, using two men, and no repeat in the same area. �-14:2Observer Owens feels that one of the big factors determining the number of deer counted from the plane is the light conditions. Fewer animals will be seen when shadows are soft or lacking. Also repeated counts on small trend areas tend to shove the animals out of the area. The Junction Butte counts will be made again this coming winter if conditions are ~uch that the deer will be pushed into this area in such numbers as to warrant a count. The sack count made in 1954 should be repeated in the actual area where the Green Mountain Dead Deer Count is made for a better comparison. The 1953-54 winter loss for the Green Mountain area was calculated to be 105 percent as compared to 308 percent for 1952-530 Range conditions and ·animals counted would indicate, along with these winter loss figures, that a larger harvest is necessary in this area to hold the deer down. Sunrrnary: Deer pellet group counts made at Little Hills revealed 1305 groups per day in pasture 4, 20.1 groups per day in pasture 6, and 15.9 groups per day in pasture 70 Ground sex ratios of the White River elk herd based on 594 animals which includes 74 bulls, 357 cows, and 163 calves is 1:00 bull to 408 cows, and 046 calves to every cow. Five hundred twenty-five deer sexed in the Gunnison area consisted of 1900 percent bucks, 3801 percent does and 42.9 percent fawns, with a sex-ratio of 1:00 bucks, 2:00 does, 2:25 fawns, and 10125 fawns to every doe. The Smith Fork elk trend was flown five times in 17 days. The average count of 145 6 animals varied from 115 to 160 with the number of bulls varying from 12 to 35, and averaging 26.40 0 No correlation between the Junction Butte Air-Ground this year due to too few animalso Sack Count Summary Up Grade 1. No strips 2. Average sight distance 3. Size of area 40 Sample 5. Sacks observed 6. Total Sacks est. 70 Total Sacks present 80 Standard deviation Count was possible Down Grade Contour 14 14 14 28.65 160 A 145.9 A 27 61 160 A 140 6 A 82· 30.10 160 A 153.2 A 62 64••7 100 206 77 84.4 100 401 0 0 93;3 100 5.9 It appears that the contour trial is not too satisfactor.y, but further replications are necessary to prove this. �-143A three year comparative follows: summary for the Green Mountain Dead Deer Count is as Year Live Deer Observed Total Est. Dead Deer Calcula ted % Winter Loss Kill from Previous Fall in this Unit 1952 263* 612 69.9 771 1953 714 28 3.8 240 1954 1094 17 1.5 496 * Emphasis was not placed on counting live deer in 1952, thus percent of winter loss is unquestionably too high. Total area _ 464 acres. Prepared by: Paul F. Gilbert Da te : Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator J.;...ul--::.,yJ..,....;1;;;;.;9;..:;5;..;;4:;....__ ��-145JOB COMPLETION INVESTIGATIONS State of Project REPORT PROJECTS COLORADO No. Work Plan No. Title of Job. W~-_3~8~-_R~-_7~ III ~;__ D_e_e~r_-~El~k~I~n_v_e_s_t~i~g~a_t~i~o_n~s _ Job No. 3 Detailed Study of Range Forage by Use of Fenced --------------~~----~~----~~~----------------------Exclosures. Objectives: To determine rate of recovery of key forage species by separating grazing use of livestock and game. Techniques: Exclosures of various sizes are being used as study plots, forage inventor,y and utilization. Findings: In the Gunnison district under the supervision of Bert Baker, a acre game partition of the Dillon Gulch exclosure was constructed in the late summer of 1953. The ~ acre livestock exclosure at Dillon had been established in 1949, but the game portion had never been completed after work had been started on it. i The Woods Gulch game-livestock exclosure, located on public domain, was established also in late summer of 1953. However, the game portion of this exclosure had defective corner posts and bracing. Therefore, in M~, 1954 it was enlarged and reconstructed in a rectangular shape in place of the triangular form it had been built in originally. The B.L.M. cooperated in the construction of this exclosure. The Horn Gulch game exclosure, located on Nati~nal Forest land, was found badly in need of repair. The posts along the northside and at the northwest and northeast corners were replaced with treated posts, these corners were rebraced, and the barbed and woven wire put bacm up. This was done in October of 1953 just prior to the big game season. The replacement of the remaining untreated posts is planned for later this summer. �-146- Exclosure Location Dillon Gulch NWi~iSEi Acres Livestock Proof Approxo 3 mioEo, 03 mi. north of Sapinero Horn Gulch Acres Total S 26 T 49N R4w Woods Gulch Acres Game Proof swiswiNEi S20T 49N R 3 E Approxo 4 mioEo, Mi. north of Parlin It l i 7.77 "2 1.32 * s15T 48N RUE. Approx. 8.7 mio Wo Highway Maint. Bldgso at Sargents * On National Forest land: will be tied with Land Survey corners later. No intensive forage utilization studies have been made on these exclosures as yet; however, it is planned this summer to attempt to adopt the Parker method to study of the Woods Gulch range reseeding area, outside as compared to inside the exclosureso Photographs and composition lists and densities will be made on the Dillon Gulch and Horn Gulch exclosures when more advanced seasonal vegetative growth will permit easier identification of the plants. A new exclosure was built on Douglas Creek by Ross Campbell in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management with a ten acre sheep tight fence and a half acre deer tight fence. This exclosure is located in one of the heaviest deer concentration areas in the state, and in an area where the use is extremely heavy. Examination by Harold Shepherd of the exclosures in the San Juan Basin~ the House Creek, Hermosa No. 1 & 2, and the Piedra showed no measurable change from 19530 However, since construction in 1948 and 1950/plant density has shown a marked increaseo The hedged appearance on inclosed browse plants is becoming less noticeable" Jesse Williams examined the four exclosures in the Uncompahgre-Kannah Creek area, and completed the necessary write ups for the final report which is to be written up at a later date. Forage densitlf had increased noticeably from the time of construction in the older plots" �-147In the Middle Park Exclosures, there was a noticeable difference between the inside and the outside when spring observations were made. Although it was a very open winter, deer use was heavy in areas adjacent to these exclosures. Three additional deer exclosures with adjacent livestock exclosures have been surveyed, and will be constructed in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management. Recommendations:' It is planned to continue recording the data on information sheets on all old and newly constructed exclosures preparatory for a final report. Summary: In spite of a very open winter, deer ranges adjacent to the established exclosures showed heavy use in most cases. Prepared Date : by: Paul F. Gilbert Bertram Baker Ross Campbell Harold Shepherd Jesse Williams --..;.J_ul ...• y:...c,'--1.;..:95 •.. 4.:...--__ Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-149- State of REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COLORADO Project No. VorkPlan JOB COMPLETION No. W_-~3~8_-_R_-~7 III ~;__ D_e_e_r_-_El __k__I_n_v_e_s. t_~~·g~a_t_i_o_n_s_ • Job No , 5 ~----------~----------~------~----------.-..------~---Title of Job. Little Hills Grazing Study ----~----------------~----~---------------------------- Objectives: To determine degree and selectivity of forage use by deer, sheep, and cattle in enclosures under various inten-sities of graatng, Techniques: Installation of pasture enclosures for deer, sheep, and cattle during the regular grazing season, and determining the degree and selectivity of use by accurately located sample plots. Utilization estimates were made in each livestock pasture at six different points representing different forage types and locations. These points remain the same from year to year. Hurdle plots, moved each year, are of great value in making these estimates. Stocking of the Enclosures. Both sheep and cattle were placed in their respective pastures on May 15, 1953. Ten sheep occupied pasture 1 until J1ll.y1, while 15 sheep were in pasture 5 until the same date. Pasture 2 arid 3 each carried 3 cows and 3 calves until their removal June 26 from pasture 2, and June 27 from pasture 3. . Tbe same numbers of sheep and cattle were used in the fall stocking. Sheep were placed in pastures I and 5 on October 1 and removed November 200 Cattle occupied pasture 2 from September 30 until November 22, and pasture 3 from September 30 until December 7. Deer pastures were stocked at the approximate rates of one, two and three acres per deer month. This was the first yea:r that it was possible to stock all deer pastures according to a pre-determined rate. Group traps with manual trips were used at each deer pasture. These were checked at least three times daily; once at dawn, again in the late evening, and after dark with spotlights. A group trap that could be tripped by the deer was also used to goad advantage. Supplementing these group traps, deer were transported from the 12 individual traps until the desired stocking rate was obtained. Twent,r four deer were trapped into pasture four between November 15 and December 310 During this same period, 13 deer were placed in pasture 6. Pasture 7 was not completely stocked until January 25. �-150Considerable time and effort was spent in removing the deer during the latter part of April and the. first week in May.. Five separate drives were made with 5 to 12 men in pasture 4, totaling 134 man hours spent. Nineteen deer were driven out, 2 were shot, 2 were found that died during the winter and one that died after our drives began. In pasture 6, three drives were made with 7 to 10 men utilizing 78 man hours. Eleven deer were driven out, 1 was shot and the remaining deer evidently got through the fence into pasture 7. Three drives were made in pasture 7 with 8 to 15 men totaling 92 man hours. One deer was driven out, 6 killed including one from pasture 6 and two evidently died during the winter but were never located. Table 1 -- Summary of 1953 Stocking Records •• Stock Months Acres stock Month Pasture Acreage I-sheep 68 Spring Fall 15.7 16.7 2.09 2-cattle 168 Spring Fall 4.2 5.3 17 68 3-cattle 169 Spring Fall 4.2 6.8 5-sheep 82 Spring Fall 23.5 25.0 Deer Months 4-deer 118 Winter 102.5 6-deer 109 Winter 64 •• 1 7-deer 95 Winter 26••2 0 1.69 Acres/deer Month Summer Work. Two new exclosures, each 1 acre in size, were constructed. A deer tight exclosure was built in pasture 4 and a cattle tight exclosure was built in pasture 30 Ten quadrats 1 meter square in size were charted in each of three exclosures and in two unfenced areas that are used for comparison with the fenced pastures. Necessary fence maintenance was done, along with construction trap and remodeling of an existing group trap. of a new group �-151- Third Series of Experimental Pastureso The third series of experimental pastures is nearing of pasture 8 for cattle and pasture 9 for sheepo Findings: Spring Utilization completion consisting Estimateso Generally speaking, grass species were used quite heavily in the cow pastures~ while weeds showed the heaviest use in the sheep pastures. Both sheep and cattle used certain br?wse species to var,ying degreeso See table 20 Fall Utilization: No measurements were made last winter because of the great amount of time requiredo Since there was snow on the ground at the time the stock were removed from the pastures~ utilization estimates were necessarily postponed until the snow melted offo MaQY species had weathered to such an extent that it was impossible to determine the amount of utilization that had occurredo-.!~_ est.~mat~l'3 .011 i:.h~gr<a.ss species were consf.s tent, with th,EL$pringestimates, showing the comb:i,neduse for spring and.fal.l almost double the spring use , Weeds have dried to such an extent by fall that thei are of Iittie forage value. The only browse plants showing much fall use were the two species of rabbitbrush in both cattle and sheep pastureso As this was a good seed year for pinon trees~ sheep spent a great deal of time eating pinon nuts •• Estimates of deer use were made immediately after the deer were removed from the pastures this past springo Six plots per pasture were used in the same manner as for the spring estimateso (See table 3) Rodents are beginning to be a factor since the grass is unused and affords excellent cover-, MaQY bi tterbrush plants in pasture 4 have been completely girdled and other partially girdled by rodentso Recommendations~ A new system of measurements is needed for determining rall utilization.. A system whereby tagged stems will be measured has been planned and will be used on a tria1 basis in 19540 Meanwhile our system of utilization estimates should be continued.. A new system of stOCking has also been planned~ with one series of livestock pastures stocked heavily, one properly stocked~ and one used dually with proper use by both livestock and deero The deer pastures should be stocked light, medium and heavy. �./ ' .':' /~f /./.... :;>. Table 2.--Average Percent Utilization and Frequency of Occurrence bl Pastureo Pasture 3 Cattle Pasture 2 Cattle Pasture 1 Sheep Freqo 0 Ave. Freqo of *Freq. of Ave Occur. Util Occur. Utile Occur Forage Species 0 ,', -, I Pasture ~ Sheep Ave. Freqo of Utilo Occur 0 0 Grass & Grass-like Oryzopsis hymenoides Agropyron inerme Carex eleagnus Bromus tectorum Poa spp. Sitanion hystrix Koeleria cristata Stipa comata Agropyron smithii El~ condensatus Forbs Oenothera sppo Lupinus greenei Chrysopsis villosa Sideranthus sppo Artemesia wrightii Ao dracunculoides Ao frigida 'Gutierrezia sarothrae Eriogonumumbellatum Penstemon caespitosus Po fremontii Achillea lanulosa - 6 T 6 49 6 45 6 13 6 3 6 35 5 25 6 3 4 1 6 35 4 35 3 5 1 5 5 28 2 3 0 40 2 6 20 16 5 5 5 38 2 T 3 0 4 39 3 7 ~ \Jl. 5 5 1 19 4 5 T 38 5 5 2 56 6 6 1 28 11 5 4 4 23 4 T 4 1 1 T 3 4 1 T 5 1 3 1 4 4 2 3 6 4 2 1 10 24 0 2 1 8 0 2 T 0 90 T 3 4 4 6 6 2 1 6 2 3 0 5 0 T 6 3 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 5 3 3 3 4 2 0 2 0 T 22 9 0 1 3 T T 5 5 2 6 5 2 2 6 5 4 0 0 9 16 3 15 T 4 0 T h - 0 3 - 25 0 7 0 I'\) I �, ) . (. Figure 1.-- Tagged buck killed near Little Hills Experiment Figure 2.-- Heavy use in experimental cow pasture Station. at Little Hills. �Figure 3.--Hurdle plots are a great help in estimating utilization. 'Figure 4.-- Sheep utilization on mountain mahoganyo �Table 2. (Continued). Pasture 1 Sheep Forage Species Sphralcea coccinea -Cryptantha spp. Agoseris glauca Senecio spp. Gilia aggregata Erigeron spp. Castilleja chromo sa Balsomorrhiza sagittata Hedysarum pabulare Gallium boreale Eriogonum tristichum Linum lewisii Lepidium montanum Heuchra parvafolia Circi um spp , Erysimum asperum Crepis acuminata ~e Amelanchier utahensis Cercocarpus montanus Artemesia tridentata Chrysothamnus vicidiflorus C. nauseosus Symphoricarpos tetonensis Purshia tridentata Quercus gambelii Pinus edulis Eurotia lanata Tetradymia canescens Ribes sppo * Freq. of Ave.% Occur. Util. Pasture 2 Cattle Freq. of Ave.% Occur. Util. Pasture 3 Cattle Freq. of Ave.% Occur. Util. Pasture, Freq.of Occur. Sheep Ave.% Util. !:.~ 3 3 1 1 3 1 2 5 25 5 15 29 0 T 5 4 3 4 4 4 2 0 T T 0 T 0 0 3 0 1 2 3 1 2 1 1 3 2 3 0 1 T T 0 T 0 2 1 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 1 0 0 T 0 0 40 25 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 2 2 1 3 0 4 3 2 7 0 6 4 3 10 13 0 8 2- 4 2 1 0 0 0 6 - 6 6 1 27 0 5 3 6 6 11 4 5 5 6 1 5 6 12 3 4 4 T 4 4 0 4 0 0 4 T 3 2 4 0 * Number of plots in which a sufficient sample occurSo - - T 2 5 0 7 - 6 6 3 4 4 2 2 1 T - 0 T 4 T 13 - 0 1 T T 0 1 0 2 3 T 4 1 0 45 3 0 4 1 1 1 5 2 2 0 3 0 2 2 1 1 2 1 0 5 5 6 6 3 6 5 3 5 0 4 1 T 10 2 50 38 0 19 13 T 37 0 0 T 50 T 50 0 9 33 T 34 0 0 0 T t. xn \..U I �-154Winter Utilization by Deer--Showing Average Percent Utilization and Frequency of Occurance by Pasture. Pasture 7 Pasture 6 Pasture 4 Freq. of Ave.% of Ave.% Freq. % *Freq. of Ave •. Util. Occur. Utile Occur. Utile Occur •• Forage Species Table 3. Amelanchier utahensis Cercocarpus montanus Pur~hia tridentata Ar~emesia tria:entata Chrysotnamnus vecidiflorus Co nauseosus SympFioricarpos tetonensis Quercus gam6elii P~nus ea:U1is Ribes spp. Berberis re12ens Artemesia dracunculoides Tetradymia canescens Juni12erus utahensis LeEidium fuontanum A~roEyron inerme OryzoEis hymenoides 6 21 6 10 6 23 6 45 6 31 5 27 5 68 6 58 4 42 6 45 6 33 4 25 5 4 1 ::r 6 2 30 65 4 3 17 23 6 T 6 T 6 0 6 2: 5 T 6 'T 6 2 3 T 5 0 6 1 3 T 6 0 10 0 6 T 5 0 3 T 4 T 5 0 0 25 T 4 3 6 0 7 T 0 6 T 0 6 0 5 2 6 6 0 6 3 Summary: The livestock pastures were stocked as they have been in the past. Deer pastures were stocked at the approximate rates of 1,2, and 3 acres per deer month. These rates were expected to be light, medium and heavy, bQt none were heavy because of an increased amount of plant growth. A great deal of time and effort went into trapping deer into the pastures them the following spring. .Ln the fall and in removing Utilization was determined by estimate in all cases, including fall grazing by livestock and winter browsing by deer. Prepared by~ Ross Lo Campbell Jack DeVore Approved by: spring and L~a_u~r~e~n~c~e~E~o~Ri~·o~r~d~an~ _ Federal Aid Coordinator Date : --=J;.:;ul:::y:!....,~1:.::.9;::.;54~-- �-155- State of Project Work JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COLORADO --~~~~~-------No •.•. " W:.:.-:::::.3~8-...::R::-:::.7!....... --Z.;_::.D.::.e.::.er=--..:.El::::::.:k::......:I::.:n::. _ Plan No. ~I~V ~J~0~b_N~0:..:.~ 3~ _ Title of Jobo~~S~t~uqy~o~f~o~t=h~e~r~M~o~r~t=al~i~t~Y~F~a~c~t.::.o=-r::.s_-~W:..:l::.:·n::.t:..:e;;.; _ Starvation, Objectives: To determine Disease, deer losses Parasites, Highway by various and Railroad decimating Kills. factors. Technique: In areas where Cysticercus ovis is being studied, as many deer as possible were examined by Jesse Williams. Vectors of the disease were studied. All parasites found were identified by Dr. O. W. Olsen of Colorado A.&M. Throughout the rest of the state other losses were notedo Findings: Winter loss was extremely light over the entire greatest loss from natural factors occurred in the Douglas In the Gunnison natural causes, Portion state. The Creek areao area Bert Baker reports a ver.y light winter loss from but a highway loss of 42 deer divided as follows: 50 ofU. So Highway I. Gunnison to Parlin 5 2. Parlin to Sargents 9 3. Gunnison to Iola 2 4. Iola to Sapinero 26 Number Total Field post-mortems shown in table 10 were run on five of these animals of Dead Deer Found 42 with the results as Jack DeVore, working with the White River elk herd, found no dead animals due to winter loss, with the possible exception of one old age cow and a calf. At the time these animals were found, they had been dead So long that it was impossible to determine the cause of death. The last of March following a bad dust storm a sick adult doe was found by Technician R. L. Hoover in Black Hollow in Weld County. The animal was shot for a post mortem. Both eyes were cemented shut with a mixture of dust and mucous. The mouth and nasel passages were inflamed and dust coated. �-156It is believed that this deer would have died as cattle in this same area had died from similiar ailments brought on by the same dust storm. Cysticercosis. As in 1952, a number of deer infected with Cysticercosis or "Sheep Measlesfl showed up during the 1953 big game season. This parasitic disease of deer is becoming more prevalent9 or at least is being recognized more readily than it has been in the past. Table 2 shows the location of known Cysticercosis infection from deer during 1953 and 1954. Table 1. Results of Partial Post Mortem Examinations. Specimen Number Date Age Sex Embryos Fat Present Rump Brisket Mesenteries Kidneys Heart Bone Marrow Parasites Present Lungworm Bot Larvae Tapeworm Roundworm Heart Stomach Lice Ticks Leg worm Cysticercus ovis te'iiUicollis 3 1/10/54 4 1/28/54 2/9/54 2 l! F Fawn M Fawn F Fawn M 1/ 1/ x x x x F x x x x * * * * * * * x x y Key: x present - not present no check * 5 2 1/5/54 1 1/2/54 21. x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x * * * * * * * x Biting x * x None found; uterus in condition of early pregnancyo �-157Table 2.--Cysticercosis Cases from Deer 1953-1954. Reported by Date Location (Where Killed) Remarks 1. Mesa County Health Dept. 2. Mesa County Hunting season Health Dept •. II 3. Mrs. McLaughlin " tt 4. Mrs. McLaughlin 1f 5. Clifton Locker II· 6. Clifton Locker tt 7. Clifton Locker '8. Clifton Locker "II 9. Clifton Locker fI 10. Clifton Locker fI 11. Clifton Locker 12. Charles Lumley D.V.M. 11 13. Curnow Locker tI 14. Curnow Locker II 15. Curnow Locker 16. Jesse Williams • It 17. Jesse Williams 11 18. Jesse Williams 11 19. Jesse Williams tI 20. Jesse Williams 11 21. Jesse Williams tt 22. Jesse Williams 23. Jesse Williams tI II 24. Jesse Williams 25., Jesse Williams It 26. Jesse Williams fI 27. Jesse Williams fI 28. Jesse Williams 12/15/53 " 29. Jesse Williams 30. Jesse Williams 1/28/54 2/ 5/54 31. Jesse Williams 32. Jesse Williams 33. Bert Baker 4/ 4/54 6/10/54 1/ 7/54 II " " II II: II II " II: \I \I fI II If tt " II· It tI " \I tI " \I tI tI Between Meeker & Rifle Unknown Douglas Pass Unknown Piceance Creek Roan Creek Roan Creek Pinon Mesa Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Roan Creek Roan Creek Roan Creek Roan Creek Piceance Creek Piceance Creek DryFork, Roan Creek Unaweep Canyon Dry Fork, Roan Creek Whitewater Basin Dry Fork, Roan Creek Gunnison Area Curnow Locker II " II If fI It " \I 11 II Palisade Locker tI \I II " Clifton Locker II fI " " Post Mortem II It! " It " fI II " " II The above table shows a very small percentage of the animals that were actually infected with the disease as the parasite is quite small and can be very easily overlooked. This is further evidenced by the fact that out of five deer thoroughly examined by the author, five were found to be carrying the cyst.. In order to make a thorough examination one has to section �-158the entire skeletal muscle system of the animalo The number of cysts found in the five post mortem examinations varied from two to 22, depending mostly on the age of the animalo The older the animal the more likelihood of having more cysts, however, a fawn shot in 1953 was very heavily infected with the diseaseo Other deer have been seen where the number of cysts in the animals has numbered in the hundredso Figure 2 shows a typical cyst as it would appear on the outside of a muscleo This type is the one that would be seen when one would make an external examination of a carcasso Figure 1 shows typical cysts as they show up when the meat is sectioned or sliced upo Cysticerci were located in all portions of the musculature of the animalso They were found in the neck, shoulders, loin, tenderloin, and always in the hind quarterso The heart, diaphram, and masseter muscles were examined, but no cysts were found in these areaso The cysticerci are more commonly found in these areas according to the literature but the author has not found this'to be true in any of his examinationso Considerable time and effort has been spent in a study of this parasite because, in reality, very little was known about ito The cyst in the deer was known to be the larval stage of a tapeworm and that was about all The cysticerci had been tentatively identified as both C ovis and C tarandi but technically one could not positively identify the cysts from the cysts alone as the adult worm carries the distinguishing characteristicso These are not discernible in the cysto Because of this fact it was deemed advisable to obtain the adult tapeworm so that a definite identification could be madeo In order to accomplish this it was necessary to obtain a dog, worm him and then feed him cysts taken from a deero The dog was wormed with 11Nemu ral II and three days later he was fed eight cysts taken from a deer killed 12 hours beforeo A cat was treated similarly and was fed four cysts from the same deero Fifty-three days later seven mature adult tapeworms were recovered during post mortem examination of the dogo These were preserved for later examinationo The following day the cat was examined but no worms were found in ito 0 Before this successful experiment was completed a cat had been previously wormed and fed cysts from a deero This experiment was done at Colorado A & M College with Dro O~Wo Olsen cooperatingo The cat was marked with a collar and tag and the student attendent was advised to inform Dro Olsen in the event anything happened to ito The cat died and the student discarded it without letting anyone knowo The experiment as a result was a total loss. The species of the tapeworm genus Taenia are among the most difficult to identify and because of this fact much advice and assistance was given the author by r», 00 Wilford Olsen, Head, Zoology Department, Colorado A & M College, Fort Collins,Coloradoo More assistance in the identification of the tapeworm material was given byDro Charles LoDavis, Uo So Department of Agriculture, Animal Disease Research Laboratory, Denver, Colorado, and Dro EoWo Price, Animal Disease and Parasite Research Branch, Beltsville, Marylando It was through the assistance of these men that identification of the tapeworm was made possible and the author wishes to thank them very much for their helpo �I l.lll ~LLUll L ' I NF'\.'v ANn 1i REBUILT M Ie ROC:;COPES 5' 2 '5; .. L 4' Figure 1.- C. tarandi , 1 L1 LL U L1UJ 1 1 1.1 I ~w AnD R E £3U (L T M ic R05CClPES TH 566 Figure 2.-- Cyst as it appears on the outside of a carcass. �Figure 3-- Taenia krabbei Moniez, 1879 obtained by experimentally feeding a dog cysticerci taken from a deero �-159Both Dr. Olsen and Dr. Price advi~ed.that in most respects the specimens were that of Taenia krabbei Moniez, 1879. (Figure 3)0 Dr. Olsen states that he has studied the specimens carefully and found that they fulfill nearly all the description of that species, and that a further study is . being made.. Taenia krabbei has never been reported from Colorado but has been found in Alaska and Iceland in caribou. The primar,v host of the parasite is listed as the dog, Canis familiaris, with the secondar,v host as the caribou, Rangifer. The adult tapeworm is located in the small intestine of the primar,v host while the cysticercus is found in the voluntar,v musculature of the secondar,v host. Its life histor,v is as follows: Eggs produced by the adult worm in the intestine of the primar,v host are picked up by the secondar,v host in contaminated food or water. In the digestive tract an embryo is released and makes its way into the musculature and heart of the host arrimal., Here it develops into the larval stage known as Cysticercus tarandi. (Figures 1, 2). On ingestion of this bladderworm by the pr-imary host the caudal vesicle digests and the head develops segments forming the strobilate worm. (Hall, 1920). This species has been found in deer in Oregon and in a bobcat from Michigan (Olsen). The tapeworm is not transmissible to man in that it is not listed in the species that have been found in man (Belding, 1942). Now that it is known what particular parasite we are dealing with the next step is to work out its life histor,v. This work is now in progresso Another dog has been prepared and infected with cysts taken from a deer. An attempt will be made to experimentally infect domestic lambs and a deer fawn with the eggs obtained from the dog. Arrangements have been made with the Federal Meat Inspector in Denver to trace shipments of sheep from the Roan Creek area through the packing houses to check for cases of cysticercosis. The ultimate result of a study of this nature is to provide some answers to questions that may arise should the sportsmen become more aware of it and also there may be some way of combating the disease.. However, much more research is needed before this can be attempted •• In connection with the cysticerci study another parasite was found and identified. This was Sarcocystis spPo The parasite is characterized by a long tubular sack lying between the muscle fibers in the skeletal musculature of the body.. These sacks or flMiescher's tubes" as they are called are full of many thousands of sickle-shaped spores. The author has found the Miescher's tubes to be around three millimeters long by one-half millimeter wide and others have been smaller than this. This parasite has been found in birds, reptiles, horses, hogs, sheep, swine, mice, seals, monkeys, opossum, antelope, and in man. Infection can be produced in mice and guinea pigs by feeding flesh or feces containing spores. In most species there appears to be no apparent damage to the host animal. Infection from this parasite has been found in man, but human infection is rate, and since it giyes rise to no symptoms it is not readily discovered except at autopsy (Belding, 1942). �-160Since its discover.y the past fall the author has found Sarcocystis ~ in 15 out of 15 deer examined for it. No doubt it has been overlooked for a number of years as the Miescherts tubes are quite small and inconspicous. California in one publication states that 68 percent of their deer herd in the state is infected with this parasite (Longhurst, Leopold, Dasmann, 1952). Recommendations: The parasite study will be continued to learn the life cycles, the primar.y and secondar.y hosts, and the magnitude of the infection should it be necessary to attempt a control program. Summary: The parasitic infection of Cysticercosis is being recognized more readily than it has been in the past. A dog was successfully infected by experimentally feeding Cysticercus krabbei taken from a deer. Another parasite, Sarcocystis~., was found in deer and appears to be quite prevalent. Bibliography 1942 Belding, David. Textbook of Clinical Parasitoloty Centur.y Co., Inc. D. Appleton- 1920 Hall, Maurice C. "The Adult Taenoid Cestodes of Dogs and Cats and Related Carnivores in North America." ~.~. S. National Museum. V 55, pp 1-94. 1952 Longhurst, W. M., Leopold, S. A., Dasmann, R. A. "A Survey of Calif-ornia Deer Herds, Their Ranges and Management Problems." Game Bulletin No. California Department of Fish and Game. San Francisco, California. £. Prepared by: Date: Jesse E. Williams Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan --~~~~~~~~-----~J~ul~y~,~19~5~4~ _ Federal Aid Coordinator \ �-161- State of JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COLORADO Project No •• W~-~3~8_-_R_-_7~ Work Plan No._. V Title of Job: Objective: in state. ~; Dee_r_-_El k__I_n_v_e_s_t_i~g~a_t_i_o_n_s _ ~o_J_o_b __N_o~.~ l _ D~en~t~l~·t~l~·o~n~an~.~d~A~g~e~~~e~i~g~h~t~C~o~rr~e~l~a~t~l~·o~n~s~o~ _ To determine weight groups Qy age classes for any given area Techniques~ Live trapping and tagging deer, and use of drugs to facilitate handling of trapped animals by personnel at Little Hills Experiment Station •• Findings: Thirty six deer were weighed this winter (1953-54) at Little Hills. Their weights were reported on page lI4along with their tagging records. The sixteen does ranged in weight from 108 to 163 pounds, averaging 136.7 pounds. Seventeen fawns averaged 6709 pounds, weighing 54 to 91 pounds. During the hard winter of 1951-52 the does weight averaged 132.5 pounds, and fawns averaged 65.3 pounds, while in 1952-53, a mild winter, does averaged 137.5 pounds and fawns averaged 62~2 poundso Two fawns were recaught and weighed again during the wintero These had each lost a few pounds. Two fawns and two does were reweighed when they were removed from the pastures in the spring. One fawn lost 2 pounds and the second gained 9 poundso One doe in her prime had gained 3 pounds while an aged doe had lost 24 pounds. Recommendations: Deer weights are extremely should be weighed for an adequate sample. variable so a large number Summar,v: Thirty six deer weighed at Little Hills Experiment Station consdsted of 16 does, 17 fawns, and 3 yearling bucks , Does averaged 136.7 pounds, which is practically the same as last year since both were mild winters Fawns averaged 5 ••7 pounds heavier than last year, 67 ••9 pounds, substantiating the theory that fawns carried during a mild winter are heavier than those carried during a hard winter •• 0 \ Prepared Date : by: Ross L. Campbell Approved byg Laurence Eo Riordan J_ul_.-"-y"',_1....:9;,.,:;5....:4~ __ Federal Aid Coordinator ��-163- State of JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COLORADO Project No. W._-~3~8_-_R_-~7 Work Plan No. Title of Job ~;__ D_e_e_r_-_El __k__I_n_v_e_st_l~.g~a_t_i_o_n_s _ v 2 -------------------------'------------------------------Embryo and Productivity Objective: To obtain accurate breeding of deer and elk through the state. Techniques: Index Studies. ------~----------------~-------------------------------Collection data and reproduction of fetuses and ovaries for laboratory potentials examinationso Findings: An insufficient number of fetuses were examined this year to be plotted on a curve as has been done in the past. The open winter resulted in fewer than the usual number of post-mortems. Recommendations: Weights of unborn fawns taken in post-mortems can further sUbstantiate the weights and information collected in the Dentition and Age-Weight Correlation Study, where average live fawn weights" are compared to get the actual effect of different winter and range conditions on deer. Summa~: Due to a light winter and fewer posted animals only four fetuses were weighed. These weights will be used in the final reporto Prepared by: PaulF. Date: Gilbert J_ul~y~,~1~95~4~ " Approved _ by: Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-165- State of'__ JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS ...;C;;.:O;.;;L:.::O,;;.;;RA;.;;D:;;.;O~ _ Project Noo ~W~-~3~8~-~R~-~7 Work Plan NOo, v~ Title of Job. ~2...;D~e~e~r~=~E=I~k~I~n~v~e~st,;;.;;l~·g~a:;;.;t _ ~J~0~b_~No~.~0 ~3 _ Food Habits Study Objectives: To find more accurate data on the food habits of deer and elk by areas. Techniques: Stomach analysis and actual observations a post grazing examination. of feeding elk with Findings: Three deer stomach samples from the Mud Creek viCinity near Mancos were analyzed by Technician Harold Shepherd. The results of these examinations are shown in Table 10 Actual observations, made by Technician Jack DeVore, on the vast area comprising the White River elk summer range indicates that there appears to be no shortage of desirable elk food in areas observed. It may be interesting to note that in the Marvine closed area where there is no livestock use, the vegetation is more vigorous, and with the exception of grasses, is more dense. The abundance of weedy plants such as bluebells, Mertensia ~,and senecios" Senecio ~, is also noticeable. On the flattops proper, there is in some instances a loss of vigor and general dying off of the willows both the palatable spec Lea, false l.apland willow, Salix psuedolapponum, and the alpine willow, Salix ~ The reason for this is not entirely knowno Utilization by' elk on the summering areas' seems to be a matter of taking a bite here and.a bite there with no apparent damage to any species, as only the stalks of most plants are taken. In the South Fork Canyon proper, heavy past use is apparent on some speCies, possibly due to winters with unusually heavy snowfall when the elk were driven down into these areas. The past year's ut£lization shows a more favorable aspect due to a milder winter allowing the animals a wider distribution. Oak brush, Quercus gambelii, being the most abundant and available seems to take the brunt of elk use, with chokecherry, Prunus melanoca:r'p£sp next in order of abundance and availability. Observations on browse recovery shows numerous suckers on the oak, current growth on the twigs, averaging eight to ten inches. Chokecherry also showed excellent growth and some seedlings were noted. Serviceberry, Amelanchier utahensis,had some 'current utilization; although this plant is not as abundant as some, some young plants were seeno Big sage, Artemesia t~~dentata, is abundant in the river bottom, but has had little or no past o~e~utilization with exception �-166Table l.--Deer-Elk Stomach Analysis--Mud Specimen Noo 1-53 1-54 2-54 Species Deer, doe Deer, 2-ptobuck Deer, mature buck Date 3-28-53 3-5-54 1-2-54 Location Mud Creek near Mud Creek near Mancos,Coloo junction U. s, 160 Mancos, Colo. Time of Day Night 8:30 aomo 8:00 pomo Cause of Death Hit by auto Shot for s ecimen Hit by auto Collector Holcomb H. n, Shepherd Ho Ro Shepherd Analyzed by Harold Ro Shepherd Big sage 70% Grasses 14% Pinon pine 12% Juniper 4% H. Ro Shepherd H" R" Shepherd Grasses 50% Big sage 44% Juniper 6% Pinon pine trace Big sage 34% Pinon pine 33% Juniper 32% Grasses 1% Pinon Juniper Serviceberry Squawapple Mtn. mahogany Sagebrush Rabbitbrush Bitterbrush Fendlera grasses Pinon Juniper Serviceberry Squawapple Mtno mahogany Sagebrush Rabbitbrush Bitterbrush Fendlera grasses Pinon Juniper Serviceberry Squawapple Mtno mahogany Sagebrush Rabbitbrush Bitterbrush Fendlera grasses Analysis Vegetative Composi tion of Site Creek Vicinityo -f Mo east Mesa Verde Natl. Park �-167Table 2.--5outh Fork Winter Range Utilization Species OakQuercus gambelii Serviceberry Amelanchier utahensis Chokecherry Prunus melanocarpus Sage Artemesia tridentata Rose-- "Rosa SEE. Bitterbrush Purshia tridentata Dogwood Cornus sppo Willow Salix spp. Aspen Populus tremuloides Boxelder Acer negundo tonicera Lonicera involucrata Hawthorne Crataegus ~o Spruce Picea en~elmannii Past Use Present Use Occurence Heavy Heavy Proper Heavy Abundant Occasional Heavy Light Abundant Light Trace Abundant Light Trace Abundant Light Trace Occasional Heavy None Light None Light Light Abundant along stream Abundant along stream Abundant Light None Abundant Light None Abundant Trace None Abundant Severe None Few Trees �-168Table 3o--Food Habit Chart. Species Preference Period Used Festuca ovina poa ~o Phluem 2EE.o Agoseris 2EE.o Frasera ~o Circium ~~ Eriogonum 3?£.o Geranium EE£o Senecio spp •. Heraculum ~o Lupinus ~. Pedicularis ~ Mertensia .. ~ Trifolium ~ Helenium ~o Lappula 2EE.o Sambucus ~ Epilobium ~ Helianthus ~. HYdrophyllum ~ Phacelia 3?E..!. Penstemen ~. Smilacina ~o Gentiana ~. Delphinium ~o Vaccinium 3£. Arnica. ~ Juncus ~o Bromus~o Actea ~o dilia ~ Pteridium ~o Lathyrus Veratrum ~o Vicia ~o Viola ~ Rudbekia ~ Danthonia 3£. Ranunculus ~ Salix ~. Deschampsia ~ Bistort ~. Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Slight Slight Slight Slight Slight Slight Slight Slight Slight Slight Slight Slight Trace Trace Early Summer Early Summer Summer Summer Summer, Fall Summer Summer, Fall Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer Early Summer Summer, Fall Summer Summer, Fall Early Summer Early Summer Summer Fall Summer Summer Fall Summer Early Summer Early Summer Summer Summer SUmmer Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer, Fall Summer Summer Summer,Fall Summer �-169to some stands which are on the more open slopes. browse species which showed past or present winter Table 2 shows a list of use. Qbservations on food habits were made by checking areas where elk had been seen feeding. These checks were made prior to domestic stock use of the area, and blf spooking the herds from an area where they were feeding; also by checking areas where there was no livestock use, and the only utilization was by elk. Certain species seemed to be preferred at various periods throughout the spring, summer, and fall; also some of the plants seemed to be used through the season and not preferred at any particular period. Due to the constant moving of the animals, it is difficul t to determine all the plants used. Table 3 shows plants as to preference and period of use. Recommendations~ Three stomachs are too small a sample from which to draw any accurate conclusions. The elk's diet on the White River range appears to be quite varied, and there seems to be no shortage of desirable elk food in areas observed. More work will be done with elk food habit studies. Summa~: Three stomach samples from Mud Creek near Mancos tend to indicate that big sagebrush, Artemesia tridentata, is the chief item in the diet of the deer of this vicinity. Considerable amounts of grass were taken in Janua~. The Mfuite River elk were not forced down onto their past abused winter range this year. No areas were found on the summer range where elk use was considered excessive. Prepared by ~_--=.J..::a.::.ck:.;;....;D::.e::.V.:..o:.:r.:..e:.._ Approved by: Laurence Eo Riordan Harold R. Shepherd Date : Federal Aid Coordinator ....:.Jul~y.z.,...,;1=.:9~5:..::4:....._ __ ��-171JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATION PROJECTS State of._--=C;..:O=LO.::.:RA~DO-=_ Project NO. W~-~3~8~-~R~-~7 ·Work Plan NO •. ~; __ ~D~e~e~r~-~~~k~I~nv~e~s~t~i~g~a~t~i~o~n~s _ V...:;I;;,... Job NOo. -.,;;l~ _ Title of Jobo Methods of Evaluating and Preventing Deer and Elk Damage to Crops. Objectives: To determine method of lessening or preventing deer and elk damage to crops and methods of accurately determining the amount of loss. Techniques: Due to objections from ranchers on having exclosure plots setup in their alfalfa fields, it has become necessar,y for the Game Department to plow up and reseed a field to alfalfa at the state-owned Basalt Ranch. This part of the stuqy will be continued next year. Counts were made at intervals on the Latham Ranch as a trend of deer used. Findings: During the early pre-season for archers on the Dry Fork of Roan Creek, an attempt was made to eValuate the effect that these hunters had on the numbers of deer in the alfalfa fields. The following table shows the results of counts made at night before, during, and after the early deer season. Table 1. Effect of Archer,y Hunters on Deer Numbers, John Latham Ranch, Dry Fork, Roan Creek Date August 10, 1953 August 11, 1953 August 12, 1953 Number Counted 242 288 254 August 13, 1953 238 August 14, 1953 August 15, 1953 August 16, 1953 August 18, 1953 August 30, 1953 138 113 150 242 260 September 8, 1953 September 11, 1953 September 23, 1953 October 4, 1953 318 240 136 246 Remarks Average of pre-season counts 255 Saturday, season opened Sunday Thst hunters left Sunday Average of counts during season 181 Winqy Average of post-season counts 235 �-172Recommendations: It is recommended th~t in an area where i't is desirable to control an overpopulation of deer, some other method besides a prearchery season be used. Summary: 1. Studies of deer damage to alfalfa will have to be done on a field set aside for that purpose until a better system is worked out. 2. An archery season in a small area has some effect in keeping deer pushed back, but it appears to be of little value as a management tool. Prepared Date : by: Paul F. Gilbert Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ..;.J..;..ul.;;::y~':.....::;.;19:..::5;....;4"-__ �-173JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO Project No. Work Plan No. W-38-R-7 ~V=I ; Deer-Elk Investigations ~.~Jo~b~N~o~o __ ~ 2_· Title of Job:__ -=Em~e~rgae=n~c~y~D~e~e~r~~~e~e~d~i~n~g~Exp~~e~r~im~e~n~t~ _ _ Objectives: To investigate the possibility of increasing the amount of browse available to deer and elk in restricted winter range, thereby reducing winter losses and mitigating the damage to agricultural crops and winter range resulting from insufficient browse. Introduction Throughout most of Colorado, oakbrush is an important food of deer and elk, and in some winter ranges in the southwestern part of the state oakbrush is the principal winter food. Near Durango, Colorado, the Hermosa Creek deer-elk winter range area is typical of the oakbrush, mountain mahogany, juniper, ponderosa pine type in which oakbrush provides most of the winter browse available. During severe winters the amount of winter range available to game in the Hermosa country is reduced by deep snow to a small fraction of that used during normal winterso During such winters, game animals have destructively used the browse available to them, suffered severe losses, and lacking sufficient natural food, have invaded orchards and haystacks where they have done damage amounting to thousands of dollars. In many other parts of the state, also, deer and elk herds have damaged crops for lack of sufficient natural food. In an effort to lessen winter losses and to prevent damage to cultivated crops, costly feeding of domestic stock feeds has often been resorted to with doubtful beneficial results. In the Hermosa winter range and elsewhere much of the oakbrush is in old stands that have grown so big and tall that most of the annual stems are out of reach of game. Consequently, it is of little value except as cover. ~ny acres of productive oakbrush winter range could be created, in effect, if a way could be found to replace over-age oakbrush stands with young ones. In sufficient quantity, the additional browse range created would help reduce winter losses, range overuse, and damage to agricultural crops. The Hermosa Browse Production study was initiated to investigate the possibility of replacing such over-age stands of oakbrush with young stands by strip cutting to get second~growth. The first report on this project was published in the Colorado Quarterly Report, July, 1953. �-174Techniques: The project is located on Hermosa Creek about 2 miles upstream from Uo S. Highway 5500 See map, Figure 10 Within a stand of over-age oakbrush were laid out 17 parallel strips 20 feet wide and of varying length depending upon the topography; see Figure 20 On September 15, 1952, 2 men began axe cutting the oakbrush in alternating strips, leaving strips twenty feet wide uncut between ('ut stripso Strips were laid out approximately on the contour as a deterrent to erosion; as the brush was cut, large limbs were lopped off and they and the trunks were distributed lengthwise of the stripso The slashings were distributed in the manner described to retard sheet erosion, catch snow, collect debris and further the accumulation of litter. See Figure 3. To provide a means of better judging the e~ent to which the cut and uncut strips are browsed by game, an exclosure forty by fifty feet was built to include a portion of a cut and an adjacent uncut strip. It was completed June 2, 1953 and is shown in Figure 100 See Figure 2 for its location •• During the winter of 1952-53 several trips were made to the project and notes and photographs were taken to record the activity of game within the strips and, especially, to observe to what extent game browsed the tips from the cut brush. On September 9, 1953 plots were· established in axe-cut strips and uncut strips. Ten plots were staked out each twenty feet squareo Of the 10 plots, 5 were placed in axe-cut strips and 5 in uncut strips as shown in Figure 20 The plots, termed yield plots, were established from which to obtain data on the browse yields from axe-cut and uncut oakbrusho During the period September 10-17, all of the annual stem growth available to big game within the plots was clipped and weighed. In the case of browse in axe-cut strips, all growth of the season was removedo See Figure 70 In the case of uncut brush, only those stems of the current growing season were removed which were available to big game. In determining which stems were and which were not available to game because of their height above the ground, observations were made to see how high game had browsed oakbrush in the vicinity. It was found that 6.5 feet was as high as game normally browsed unless permitted to reach higher by reason of some unusual feature of the topography. This figure was used in determining what was available browse in uncut oakbrush. So, from plots in uncut strips all annual growth stems were removed f'r'om the ground level to 6.5 feet above the ground. This included all sucker stems. Clipped material was bagged, weighed, and hung up in an open shed to airdry. Air-dry weights were taken April 30, 19540 �-175Bulldozing Oakbrush To learn if over-age oakbrush can be removed by bulldozer more cheaply and as effectively as with axes, several strips of brush were cut by bulldozer on February 24 and 25, 1954. See Figure 8. As had been done with the axe~ cut brush, cut and uncut strips were made to alternate and parallel one another. Strips were made approximately twenty feet wide. The bulldozing was done in the manner in which it most likely would be done under actual. management conditions. That is, the operator was Shown the area of brush in which strips were to be cut and he was told to go ahead and cut parallel strips approximately twenty feet wide alternating with uncut strips, and he was requested to place them on the contour as much as possible. The bulldozer had a blade ten feet long. The blade was raised to clear the ground about 6 to 10 inches. Two swaths were made in the same direction on each strip so that the cut brush would lie down and not bunch up. When the bulldozing was being done there were only scattered patches of snow on the ground and the ground was frozen during the forenoon on each day. Findings: Nine strips of oakbrush totaling 9,594 feet in length and 4.4 acres in area were cut by axe. The cutting period extended from September 15 to November 30, 1952. The cutting required 680 man-hours and was paid for at the rate of $1050 per hour. The total cost amounted to $1,020 or $232 an acre. During most of the first winter after cutting, branches of the axe-cut. brush were covered too deep with snow to provide browse, Figure 4. But as they were bared of snow in the spring,'many of the twigs were browsed. During the first growing season after axe-cutting, the cut strips produced a heavy growth of sucker sprouts. M::>stof the new growth occurred as sprouts from the old stumps. However, in addition, there were some sprouts from underground stems. These suckers grew as much as 2 feet long the first season, Figures 6, 7 and 10. DUring the first winter (1953-54) that the second-growth oakbrush was available to game it was eaten readily and by the following spring was taken nearly to the ground as is graphically shown by Figure 10. This is a picture of the exclosure taken F~y 21, 1954. It shows part of an axe-cut strip outside and inside the exclosure. Inside where the browse was untouched there is a heavy growth, whereas outside where game browsed all fall and winter hardly any browse remains uneaten. All of the yield plots in axe-cut strips except one produced appreciably more available browse than did adjoining plots in uncut oakbrush strips, Table 1. The 5 plots in axe-cut strips yielded a total of 22,058.1 grams of air-dr.ybrowse, whereas the 5 companion plots in uncut brush yielded only 14,516.8 grams of air-dry browse. The productionaf available browse was thus 1.52 times as great in axe-cut strips as in uncut strips. Expressed in pounds yield per acre, the axe-cut strips yielded 1,059 pounds of air-dr.y browse per acre as compared with 697 pounds available browse for the uncut strips. �-176- Table 1.- Effect of Hand Cutting on Yield of Oakbrush Browse Available to Big Game First Year After Cutting;Yields Are From 20~Foot Square Plots. Uncut Oakbrush Hand-cut Oakbrush Plot No. Green "Weight Grams Air-Dry "Weight Grams Plot No" Green "Weight Grams Air-Dry Weight Grams U 2A 3A 4A 5A 7,579.5 7,132.3 8,615.3 11,419.9 4,588.7 4,104.9 3~6230 2 5,26704 6,484,,9 2,57707 lB 2B 3B 4B 5B 3,456.9 4,413.5 5~650,,9 6,499.6 5~32304 20926604 2,493.0 3.937103 3.9398.9 2,98702 Totals 39,335.7 22,05801 25.934403 14,516.8 Twenty-seven strips having a combined length of 8,645 feet and an area of 3.97 acres were cut with a bulldozer. The cost amounted to $100,,000 This included 7.5 hours of dozer work at $8000 an hour and $40000 for moving to the job. On a large job the cost of moving to the job would be no more than for a small one so that the per acre cost would decrease with the size of the job, and the cost of moving to the job would become a negligible component of the total cost. However, using a total cost figure of $100000, the cost per acre for cutting oakbrush amounted to $25.18. If the charge for moving onto the job is deducted from the total9 then the cost per acre is reduced to $15.110 The bulldozer did not cut the brush as smoothly as axe-cutting is able to do, Figure 9. Some of the very small brush merely bends without breaking as the blade passes over it. This is probably desirable for it is the large over-age brush that produces little available browse. Some of the brush with trunks 4 or 5 inches in diameter bent over and cracked but did not snap completely off. In other instances, larger trees pulled out by the roots. Best results were obtained early in the morning when the ground was frozen and brush was brittle. Then the bulldozer blade snapped nearly all the brush before it. The bulldozer could not do a good job in snow or steep slopes for lack of traction. As was true of the axe-cut brush, deer browsed the twigs from the tops of bulldozer-felled brush. Tracks indicated that deer went up and down the cut strips searching out the choicest browse from among the felled brusho �HERMOSA BROWSE PRODUCTION PROJECT LOCATION Fi9ure t )/ t R.9W. T3TN. T3'G N. /I. R. ~"ep"erd j,{,qY,195"4 �BROWSE HERMOSA PRODUCTION PROJECT Figu.re 2. LEGEND .. ... •. •. "...... .•. .. ...:..... .•. .." .. .• . .. . ..: .. .•. ........ •. ..... . .. .•. .. " .. II kShep/'erc:/ Mdy 1954 .' . �Figure 3.-- Axe-cut strip just after cutting October 2,1952. Trunks of brush concealed by lopped-off brancheso r Figure 4.- Axe-cut strip, January 22, 19.53. Host of cut brush is covered too deep with snow to provide much browse. Game could have made better use of cut brush if limbs had not been cut-off. �Figure 5.--Axe-cut oakbrush strip first spring after cuto Note placement of trunks and topped-off brancheso Figure 6. -- Axe-cut strip September 10, 1953, showing secondgrowth at end of first growing season after cutting. �Figure 7.-- Yield plot after clipping, upper left hand corner. Lower right-hand corner shows unclipped second-growth brush outside plot. figure 8.--Cutting oakbrush with bulldozer. Note raised blade. �Figure 9. -- Bulldozer cut strip at time of cutting. Note that brush was not laid flat as with axe-cuttingo �Figure 10.-- Exclosure with axe-cut strip inside and outside it. Photographed May 21, 1954. Note how deer and elk have eaten all second-growth oakbrush outside exclosure. The amount eaten during previous winter and spring can be judged by the luxurious growth protected from game on the same strip inside the fence. �-177Analysis and Recommendations: Axe-cutting of over-age oakbrush in strips increased the production of browse available to game the fir-st growing season after cutting. The yield of available browse was 1.52 times as great in cutover areas as in adjoining uncut brush. It seems likely that the yield from cut brush will increase progressively in the next several years. The tops of felled brush provided browse that was used by deer and elk the first winter and spring after cutting. The new sucker growth which grew from brush stumps was readily eaten by deer and elk during the second winter after cutting. To get best usage of felled brush it should not be cut up but left to stick up above the snow where game can get at it. The study has not demonstrated whether strip cutting of oakbrush is effective in reducing winter losses and mitigating damage to agricultural crops for during the study there hasn't been a winter severe enough to test it. However, it seems likely that in critical winter areas of oakbrush range enough strip cutting could be done to mitigate winter losses and damage to crops. It remains to be seen if cutting brush with bulldozer will result in increased browse yields. However, it seems likely that it will produce results similar to axe-cutting. If so, the per acre cost of $15.00 to $25.00 would probably make strip-cutting feasible as a management tooL To learn how browse yields will be affected 2 and 3 years after cutting, yield plots should be established in axe-cut and bulldozed strips and yield data obtained for the next three years. There are many sites too steep for a bulldozer to work effectively, and it does not work well in snow. For this reason a one-man, powered brush cutter might prove the best means of strip cutting. There is now on the market such a brush cutter. During the fall and winter of 1954 additional strips should be cut with this device and cost figures and results compared with axe and bulldozer cutting. Summary: 1. The Hermosa Browse Production study is an experiment to test the possibility and feasibility of increasing the amount of browse available to deer and elk in restricted winter range by strip cutting over-age oakbrush, thereby reducing winter losses and mitigating damage to agricultural crops and winter range. 2. An area of 4.4 acres of oakbrush was strip-cut by axe at a cost of $232 •. 00 an acre. 3. The twigs from the tops of felled oakbrush were eaten by deer and elk. 4. Axe~cut strips produced a heavy growth of sucker sprouts from brush stumps the first growing season after having been cut. �-178Summary-Continued. 5. Second-growth oak in cut strips was readily eaten by deer and elk. 6. Yields of available browse were increased by strip cutting the first growing season after cutting. The axe-cut strips yielded 1))059 pounds of air-dry browse per acre as compared with 697 pounds for the uncut strips)) a production of 1.52 times more browse on the cut stripso 7. An area of 3.97 acres of oakbrush strips were cut by bulldozer at a cost of $15.00 to $25.00 an acre. 8. Production data is not yet available for bulldozer-cut strips 0 9. Additional yield plots should be established and production data obtained on axe-cut and bulldozer-cut strips for 2 more yearso 100 Additional strips should be cut with power brushcutters and production data for this method. to get cost 11. It has not been demonstrated whether strip cutting of oakbrush is effective in reducing winter losses and mitigating damage to agricultural crops. 12. If bulldozer cutting of oakbrush results in increased browse yields)) as now seems likely, this method of cutting may be feasible as a management tool. Prepared by: Harold R. Shepherd Date: July, 1954 Approved by: Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-179- State of JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COLORADO Project No. W~-~3~8~-~R~-_7~ L;~D~e~e~r~-~El==k~I=n~v~e~s~t~i~g~a~t=i~o~n~s _ Work Plan. ~V~I~ L.~Jo~b~N~o~o Title of Job. ~3 _ Experimental Water Development. ----~~----~----~----~~~~--~----------------------- Objectives: To determine the effect of water developments ments or distribution of deer. on the move- Procedure: Springs to be dug out, small concrete dams were to be placed on bedrock in pastures at Little Hills, and ordinary stock watering ponds to be constructed with earth dams in areas where feasible. Track and pellet group counts to be made to evaluate the use of these sites. Findings: The spring under observation by Technician Jesse Williams on the John Latham ranch was dug out, but no water developed. Areas are being checked at present to determine if a big game guzzler would be advantageous. In the southwest, Harold Shepherd located a spot where damp sand indicated the presence of water. No true development other than this was done. The small amount of water there made available was quickly found by deer and readily used. Five small concrete dams were constructed, as shown in Figure 1, in the pastures at the Little Hills Experiment Station. These were made by constructing a concrete dike six to ten feet long on bedrock to hold spring runoff and rain water for deer in the pastures. Recommendations: This year being much drier than it has been for years, will make it possible to choose spring developments that appear to be more stable. It will also show where deer will be in the greatest need for water. Summar,v: Small concrete dams constructed on bedrock in the deer pastures at the Little Hills Experiment Station have saved hauling much of the water. Spring runoff and rains tend to keep them alive. Tracks indicate that deer use this type of water much more readily than they do artifical tubs. Prepared by: Date : Paul F. Gilbert ---=J:..::ul~y.L, ..:1::.:;:9..::;:5.;:::4 Approved _ by: Laurence E. Riordan ~;.:;...-Federal Aid Coordinator �Figure 1.-- Experimental water development used in pastures at Little Hillso �-181JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO ~W~-~7~3~-~R~-~2~ ~ Project No. Job No. ~?,~,I=n~t~r~o~d~u~c~t~i~o~n~~o~f~Ex~~o~t~i~c~G~am 1 Ti tle of Job. Importation and Liberation of Spanish red-legged partridge. A shipment of 150 Spanish red-legged partridges was received in Denver on April 14, 1954 and was transported by truck immediately to the Colorado Springs game farm. One hundred twenty birds were, taken to southeastern Colorado the same day by Harry Figge and released the following morning on the ¥dzer property in Cottonwood Canyon, Section 313 Township 33 South~ Range 50 West in Baca County. This is the location where 40 birds were released in December, 1952. At that time a total of 95 birds were released in three groups, the other two being within less than six miles airline of the othero Mro Figge reports that both he and Preston Steele, local warden" have seen birds in the creek during April, May, and June but no tracks were seen or observations made of the birds by a party of four men including Dro Gardiner Bump on July 14. During discussions with Dro Bump" it was agreed that no more birds would be placed in the Carrizo Canyon area unless it is found that there is a base flock that has stayed in the vicinity from either one of the two plantings. A new area was located in the eastern foothills of north-central Colorado which resembles the topography of the native habitat of the Spanish partridge and which has an interspersion of small wheat fields. It is planned that 200 birds will be planted in two closely associated spots to test the suitability of habitat for survival and will provide an opportunity to compare the adaptability and survival of the birds in two somewhat different environments 0 There are 40 Spanish partridges being held at the Colorado Springs game farm for breeding purposes as an insurance against possible total loss of the released birds. At the present time there are eight young Spanish partridges being raised which were obtained from eggs laid by adult birds held in pens since December, 19520 At such time as a sufficient number of pen-raised stock for breeders is obtained, the 40 wild-caught birds will be released in a suitable transplant area. The costs for trapping in Spain, local feeding and care" veterinarian fees" export permit, air transportation, and quarantine charges amounted to $1,022.15 in 1952 and $1~156052 in 19540 The 119 birds received in 1952 therefore cost $8.58 per bird and the 150 received in 1954 cost $7.51 per bird. The cost for the total number of 269 birds was $7098 per birdo �-182Summary: I. Ninety-five Spanish red-legged partridges were released in three groups within a radius of six air miles in Carrizo Canyon vicinity in 1952G Twentyfour birds (10 now alive) were retained as breeders at the game farmo 2. One hundred twenty birds were released on April 15, 1954 at the site of one of the former releases. Thirty birds were retained at the game farm. 3. The wild-caught partridges at the game farm will be released in a suitable transplant site as soon as sufficient pen-raised stock is on hand to insure future egg production. 4. A new transplant site has been located land habitat of the Spanish partridge. which closely resembles the home- 5. The two shipments of partridges cost $8.58 per bird in 1952 and $7.51 per bird in 1954. The combined costs of both shipments shows an expenditure of $7.98 per bird. Prepared by:_~F,;:.._C,;;.;;,. •...;Kl:;;::.e~1.~· n;,;;.;s;;...c~hn~i;;...t;.;;z;....__ Approved by: Laurence Date: __ ------~J~ul~y~,~1~9~5~4----------- E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �Comparison of chukar partridge (in center) with two Spanish red-legged partridges. � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/775581795486cb7cd5e07a0497291662.pdf 5c087b571e22df451330c1dc91ebe135 PDF Text Text ~jJ,'.__)-_ JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS state of COLORADO ----~--------------- Project No. W-72-R-2; Cooperative Experimental Big Game Range Revegetationo Work Plan No. I Job No. 1 -------------------------------------------------- Title of Job~ Improving Germination of Browse Seed. --~~~--~---------------------------------------------- Note: This report is for fiscal year period 1953 - 54. Objectives~ To determine what chemical and climatic treatments will improve the germination of browse seedo Findings: A. Chemical Treatment Seeds of mountain mahogany (Cercoca ·us mont,anus), bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), fourwing sal.tbush Atriplex canescep.s)~ and servd.cebarry (Amelanchier alnifolia) were all treated with concentrated sulfuric acid for different periods of time. All of these seeds have hard seed coats, and it was thought that the acid might breakdown the coats, and allow gases and moisture to enter the seeds more readily, thus improving germination. 1. Mountain mahogahy seed was soaked in sulfuric acid for varying periods of time up to 90 minutes at 10 minute intervals. The seed was washed after soaking up the acid~and then placed in redwood flats filled with vermiculite. The seed was covered to a depth of one-half inch and kept moist. Germination tests were made in a room which had an average maximum temperature of 72040 F. and an average minimum temperature of 67070 Fo The best period of acid treatment under the conditions of this experiment was 60 minutes (Table 1)0 The germination from seeds so treated was 51.5 percento This was a highly significant greater germination than obtained wi th seed soaked for 40 minutes or Le as, 20 Seeds of bitterbrush were soaked in concentrated sulfuric acid for varying periods of time to observe i:rry effect on the germination by the acido The greatest germination was obtained from seeds which had been soaked in acid for 50 minutes. There was a highly significant increase in germination from seeds which had been soaked 40 minutes or lesso There was also a highly significant drop in percentage germination from. seeds which had been soaked longer than 50 minutes. These figures were true on both the one percent and five percent level of significance CTable 3)0 I~~lmllij' ~I~'~il~jrlllli~~i~[~~1 ~~illliijil BDOW023771 �-2- Table 1 __ Summary of Germination Tests on Mountain Mahogany Seed Soaked in Sulfuric Acid for Varying Periods of Timeo 1 Number of Seeds Germinating Total Replications 1 0 2 1 3 Ii 0 0 1 2 0.50 Average .. Percent Germination 100 10 6 4 5 6 2l 5025 1005 20 11 8 10 13 42 10.50 2100 30 17 23 14 10 64 16.00 3200 40 18 18 13 11 60 15000 3000 50 30 2l 19 17 87 2l.75 43.5 60 23 26 29 25 103 25075 5105 70 25 23 2l 10 79 19075 3905 80 22' 11 19 16 68 17000 3400 90 18 2l 24 22' 85 21.25 4205 Minutes in Acid Average 1 Germination Based on Four Replications of 50 Seeds Each Least Significant Mean Difference for numbers of seed at the 005 Level is 7.38, and 9.40 at the .01 Level. The length of the germination period for the non-treated lot of seed was 40 days. The seed treated 'with aci.d, for 60 minutes completed its germination in 28 days, producing 92.2 percent of this germination within a period of 2l days (Table 2) . Table 2 -Minutes in Acid Comparison of the number of days required to complete germination of acid treated mountain mahogany seed. Total Number Germinating Out of 200 o 2 10 20 30 40 21 42 64 60 Day Last Seedling Emerged Emer-gd.ng in_2l 40 55 52 . 51 56 Days or Less 50.0% 3004% 6109% 6702% 50.0% Percent of Seeds �~3= Table 2--Continuedo Minutes in Acid Day Last Seedling Emerged Total Number Gerrninating Out of 200 Percent of Seeds Emerging in 21 Days or Less 50 28 SO 60 70 80 90 39 39 32 The length of the germination period of the control lot of seed under the condition set up for this experiment was 47 days~while seeds treated with acid for 50 minutes completed germination in 57 days (Table 4)0 Ho~ever, 8302 percent of the acid treated seeds emerged in 21 days or less. as compared to 50 percent for the untreated seedso Table 3 -- Summary of germination tests on bitterbrush seed soaked in sulfuric acid for varying periods of timeo 0 1 1 Number of Seeds Germinating 1 Replications Total Average a 3 4 1 0 2 0 0050 10 14 18 14 16 62 15050 3100 20 27 34 27 28 116 29000 5800 30 39 33 34 34 140 35.00 70,,0 40 30 25 22 21 98 24050 4900 50 40 41 44 42 167 ·41075 83.5 60 38 43 38 38 157 38025 76,,5 70 32 42 38 45 157 38025 7605 80 25 35 27 20 107 26075 5305 90 33 34 31 37 135 33075 6705 Minutes in Acid Average Percent Germination 10 1 Germination based on four replications of 50 seeds each Least significant mean difference at the 005 level is 5072 and_at the 001 level, 70290 �-4Table 4 __ Comparison of the number of days required to complete germination for acid treated bitterbrush.seeds. Minutes in Acid Total Number Germinating oUt of 200 Day Last Seedling Emerged o 2 47 62 116 140 98 167 157 157 107 135 56 58 59 57 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Percent of Seeds Emerging in 21 Days or Less 50.0 61.3 58.6 65.0 66.):. 8302 77.2 58.0 43.0 ~. 60 60 59 80.7 3. Seeds of fourwing saltbush were also soaked in acid to compare the effects of the acid on the germination. The maximum germination obtained from acid treated saltbush seed was from seed which had been soaked in acid for 60 minutes. I'hez-e was a highly significant increase in germination over the germ~nation produced qr 40 minutes in acid, and a significant increase in germination over 80 minutes in acid (Table 5). However~ short periods in the acid seemed to reduce germination below that of the control lot of seed. ~fter 40 minutes in acid the germination began to increase up to a peak at 60 minutes~ whereupon it dropped off rapidly. Table 5 -- Summary of germination tests on fourwing saltbush seed soaked in sulfuric acid for varying per-Iods of time. Minutes in Acid 1 1 Number of Seeds Germinating Total Average Re}21ications 2 3 4 0 10 20 30 5 2 1 2 40 0 3 50 60 70 80 90 6 4 10 5 10 2 5 2 3 4 1 0 4 1 0 7 7 6 2 5 9 7 5 1 8 1 1 1 2 11 9 4 2 0 21 9 3 8 5 28 31 24 2l 8 5.25 2.25 0.75 .. 2.00 1.25 7000 7075 6~oo 5.25 2.00 Average ~ercent Germination 10.5 405 1.5 4.0 2.5 1400 1505 12.0 10.5 400 .. �1 Germination significant significant based on four replications of 50 seeds each Least mean difference at ~he 005 level is 2021 Least mean difference at the .01 level is 2081 Cutting tests upon -the seeds showed the potential germination of seeds soaked in acid for 60 minutes and of the control lot to both-be 57~0 percent. Potential gerriiination is the sum of the percent of germinated seed and the percent of sound seeds remaining at the end of the germination period. The germination of the control lot of seed was-IOo' percent, while the germination of the seeds that were soaked for 60 minutes· in acid was 15.5 percent. This is a highly significant ;increase in germinationo In comparing a germination percentage of ·i505 with the potential germination of 57 percent it is apparent that seed dormancy has only been particlIly brokeno Further investigations are needed to increase 'the germination of sal tbrush. The length of the germination period for· the control lot of seed was .. 24 days, while a 60 minute soaking in acid produced a germination period of 15 days (Table 6)0 Table 6 - Comparison of the number of days required to complete germination of acid treated saltbush seed. Minutes in Acid Total Number Germinating Out of 200 Day Last Seedling Emerged o 2l 24 10 20 30 9 3 40 5 28 21 13 20 13 8 50 60 70 31 24 80 2l 90 8 Percent of Seeds Emerging in. 21 Days or Less, 95.2: 100.0 100•. 0 10000 100.0 .. .. 2}; 96 4 15 16 2.5 19 100•• 0 100.0 9502' 10000· 0 40 Seeds of serviceberry were soaked in sulfuric acid to see if it was possible to break the dormancy of these seeds. Because of the extremely hard coats on these seeds they were soaked for 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 90 minutes in acid. No germination resulted from any of these treatments. The potential germination exceeded 80 percento �-6Bo stratification Only three of the species under consideration required stratification. Results will be discussed separately for each species. I. Bitterbrush seed was stratified in moist peat moss which had a pH of 3.1. The temperatures inside the moss ranged from 310 F. t~ 410 F. with an average maximum temperature of 35.60 F. and an average minimum temperature of 3103? F. These temperatures are safely within the limits recommended by the U. S. Forest Service. Analysis of the data showed that the best period of stratification based upon pe rcerrtage germination, was 49 days to 70 days" Differences in germination obtained from lots of seed exposed to seven, eight$ nine, and ten weeks in stratification were not statistically significant (Table 7)0 Table 7 - Summary of germination tests on bitterbrush seed stratified for different lengths of time. 1 Number of Seeds Germinating Days in Stratification 1 ReElications 2: J Ii Total Average Average Percent Germination 0 1 1 0 0 2 0.50 1.0 7 0 1 2 1 4 1.00 200 14 1 3 2 3 9 2025 405 21 27 26 26 20 99 24.75 49.5 27 14 27 22: 21 84 21000 42.0 35 32 29 34 38 133 33025 66.5 42 32 37 35 29 133 33.25 66.5 49 39 34 40 44~ 157 39025 78.5 55 40 40 38 38 156 39.00 78.0 63 43 39 42 38 162 40.05 8001 70 4J4; Ll Ll 39 165 Ll.25 82.5 1 Germination based on four replications of 50 seeds each Least significant mean difference at the .05 level is 3,,72anQat the .01 level it is 4.75. �=7= After 49 d~s in stratification the seed began to sprouto This fact points out the difficulties involved in using stratified seedo It also indicates that stratification must not exceed the optimum period. for that lot of seed. The germination of the control lot of seed was one percent$ while the germination after 70 days of stratification was 8205 percento Cutting tests of the seeds showed that the potential germination of the control lot was 82.5 percent while the potential germination of the seed which had been stratified for 70 ~s was 8605 percent (Table 2)0 j Table 8--Comparison of the number of days required to complete germination for stratified bitterbrush seed. Days in Stratification 0 7 14 21 27 35 42 49 5·5 63 70 * Total Number Germinating Out of 200 Day Last Seed~ ling Emerged 2 40 59 41 57 20 2J 21 50 27 15 15 4 9 99 84 133 133 151: 156* 162* 165* Includes those seeds which germinated Percent of Seeds Emerging in 21 Days or Less 5000 5000 8809 9700 10000 9805 10000 9904 9801 10000 10000 during stratificationo 2. Seed of mountain mahogany was stratified under the same conditions as bitterbrush seed. Analysis of the data obtained indicated that the best period of stratification appeared to be four weeks or longero A period of five weeks was significantly better than a period of three weeks on a one percent level of significanceo Howevez-, the four week period was not different from either the three week or the f~ve week period at either the five percent or the one percent level of significance (Table 9). At the end of nine weeks in stratification,9 hovevsr-, a large portion of the seed had begun to sprouto The length of the germination period of the control lot of seed was 40 dayso The lot of seed which was stratified 63 days completed its germination in 14 days (Table 10). �-8Table 9--Summary of Germination Tests on Mountain Mahogany Seed Stratified For Different Lengths of Time. Number of Seeds Germinating I Days in Stratification Replications Total Average Average fercent Germination 100 0 1 0 2 1 3 0 4 1 2 0.50 7 1 5 5 3 14 3050 700 14 5 13 13 8 39 9075 1905 21 18 13 19 19 69 17025 3405 27 31 21 20 30 102 25.50 5100 35 30 38 40 35 143 35·75 71.5 42 37 36 36 31 140 35.00 70.0 49 32 33 35 38 138 34.50 69.0 55 34 36 29 37 136 34•• 00 68.0 63 39 37 37 35 148 37.00 74.0 .. 1 Germination Based on Four Replications of 50 Seeds Each Least Significant Mean Difference of numbers of seeds germinating at the .05 Level is 21.23, and at the .01 Level it is 27.10. Table 10-Comparison of the Number of Days Required to Complete Germination of Stratified Mountain Mahogany Seed. Days in Stratification Total Number Germinating Out of 200 0 7 14 21 27 35 42 49 55) 63 70 2 14 39 69 102 143 140 138 136 148 142- Days Last Seedling Emerged 40 50 48 37 57 25 25 17 12 14 12 Percent of Seeds Emerging in 21 Days or Less 50.0 85,,7 84.6 92.8 89.2 99.3 9903 100.0 100.0 100,,0 100.0 �~~Qq ~\'_I: -93.. Seeds of serviceberry were stratified in the same manner as mountain mahogany and bitterbrusho Dormancy in these seeds seems to be very hard to break, and long. periods of stratification are needed to increase germination. The best perlod of stratification was 112 days" The germination that resulted from this length . of stratification was 6105 percent (Table 11)0 The germination of the control lot of seed was zero percento Table ll--Summary of Germination Different Lengths of Timeo Days. in Stratification Tests on Serviceberry Number of Seeds Germinating 1 Total ReElications 2 Ii 1 3 Seed Stratified .Average for Average Percent Germination 0 0 0 0 0 0 000 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 000 0 28 0 0 0 0 0 000 0 43 0 0 0 0 0 000 0 57 0 0 0 0 0 000 0 70 2 0 2 2 6 105 300 84 5 4 8 3 20 500 1000 98 13 14 10 7 44 1100 22:00 112 25 35 33 30 123 30075 6105 1 Germination Significant Significant Based on Four Replications of 50 Seeds Each Least Mean lIlifferenceat the 005 Level is 5025 Least Mean Difference at the 001 Level is 7004. _ Cutting tests on the control lot of seed showed a potential germination of 82.0 percent, while the lot of seed that was stratified for 112 days had a potential germination of 7805 percento The standard treatment to break dormancy of mountain mahogany and bitterbrush seed has been stratificationo If comparison is made of the best results obtained from the acid treatments, and from stratification, it appears that stratification will give somewhat better results for mountain mahogany seed, •. ~; _." �-10but no better results than acid treatment for bitterbrush seed (Table 12) •• By cutting all non=germinated seed at the end of the germination. tests to determine the number Which were sound~ it was found that the actual germination_of acid-treated and stratified seed was close to the potential germinationo Table l2--Actual and Potential Germination of Two Browse Species Under Various Treatments. Percentag$given are the average for 4 replications of 50 seeds eacho Treatment No Treatment Mountain Mahogany Actual Potential Germination Germinationl Bitterbrush Actual Potential Germination Germination LO stratification for optimum period Sulfuric acid treatment for optimum time 1 Potential germination is the sum of the percent of emergence and percent of sound seed remaining at the end of the germination testo Actual field trials ,Jill be necessary to deterniine the true value of acid treatment on mountain mahogany and bitterbrush seedo For mountain mahogany~ it has the advantage of removing the plumose tails and eliminating the need of stratification. For bitterbrush it would eliminate the need of stratification. It would be of great value if stratification could be eliminated and thus prevent the danger of having a considerable amount of the seed sprout during stratification~ or reduce the extreme amount of care necessary in handling seed after removing it from stratificationo The data of Table 12 indicates a difference in the potential germination of the mountain mahogany seed used in the three different treatmentso Actually~ the seed was all drawn from the same lot. It is possible that the acid reduced the potential germination by destroying some of the embryoso Further checking' on this particular point should be made. �40 was The length of the germination period for acid treated bitterbrush seed 57 d~s, while the control lot of seed had a germination period of 47 dayso 5. The maximum germination of fourwing saltbush seed which had been soaked in acid for 60 minutes was 1505 percent, while the control lot of seed had a germination of 1005 percento 6. The length of germination period for saltbush seed that was acid treated was 15 d~s while the control lot of seed had a period of 24 dayso 70 Seeds of serviceber~ did not benefit from a period of acid soaking .• No germination was obtained from either untreated or acid treated seedo 80 The best period of stratification was for bitterbrush seed used in this test The temperature inside the stratifying medium were 310F to Bi tterbrush seed began to sprout after 49 days in st-ratificationo 49 dayso 410 F 0 9.. The length of the germination period for the control lot bitterbrush seed was 40 days, while stratified seed needed only 15 days to complete germinationo 100 Mountain mahogany seed that was stratified under the same conditions as bitterbrush had a germination of 74.• 0 percent aiter 63 days of stratificationo Howeverj) some of the seed began to sprout after 63 days in stratificationo 11.. The length of the .. germination period of the control lot of seed was 40 d~s, wqile the seed that was stratified for 63 days completed its germination in 14 dayso 12. Serviceber~ seed germinated Prepared by~ Raymond Jo Boyd Research Assistant 61..5 percent after 112 days in stratificationo Approved byg: Laurence Eo Riordan Federal 'Aid Coordinator Donald F Hervey Project Leader 0 Date .October2 1954 ��-13PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Colorado Project Noo W~-_7~2~-~R~-~2~ -- __ ----~;--~C~oo~p~e~r~a~t~1~·V~e~Exp~~e~r~i~m~e~n~t~al~ _ Big Game Eange Revegetationo Work Plan Noo I Title of Jobo~ Objective: ~--~--Job Noo ~2 T~1ID=·~e~o~f~r~e~s~e~e~di=·=n~g~b~r~o~w~s~e~o To determine the best time of year for seeding certain browse spe c'i.es , Work has been concentrated in the fenced nursery areas at the Hot Sulphur and Sapinero Management Areas and the Little Hills ~eriment Stationo In September, 1953, counts were made of seedlings on all plots planted in the fall of 1952 and spring of 1953, to determine the amount of survival and emergence during the summero Counts had been made in June to determine emergenceo In June, 1954, the same plots were again checked to determine winter survival and del~ed germinationo In order to get a replication-in-time, browse seedings were again made in September arid October, 1953, and April, 1954 in all nur-ser-tea, Seedling counts were made in June, 1954, to determine emergenceo The plots have been hand-weeded each summer to facilitate counting of the browse seedlings and to give them maximum opportunity for establishmento Prepared by: Donald Fo Hervey Date: October, 1954. Approved qy~ Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator I~~llllllij'ijl~'llil~irlilli~ii~~~~1 ~fIiI[fijll BDOW023775 _ _ �-14PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of COLORADO ----~~~~---------- Project Noo W_=~72_-_R_=_2 PROJECTS ~2~C~0~0~p~e-r-a-t~i~v~e~Exp~~e_r~im~e~n~t~al~~ __ ~ Big Game Range Revegetationo YIlTorkPlan Noo Title of Job~ I Job No 3 ----------~------------~~~~~------~~--------~ 0 Fertilizer» browse fungicide~ o and rodenticide treatments in reseedingo Objectives~ To determine the effect of treating browse seed with fungicides and of treating the soil with various fertilizero Seedings of 5 browse species were made at the 3 nurseries in October.l)1953, and April.l)19542 using nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer, and fungicidetreated seedo This was a replication of similar treatments made in the fall of 1952 ang spring of 19530 Seedling counts were made in June and Septemberj 1953j and in June.l)19540 When it became apparent that rodents had taken many of the browse seeds planted in April» 19532 at the Hot Sulphur Nursery» it was deemed necessary to include a rodenticide treatment in the testso Donald Spencer of the Fish and Wildlife Service was contacted and he agreed.to try tetramine on seed of the browse species which we were us ing , He ran these tests during the winter2 1953=1954.1) and determined that tetramine did not harm the browse seedo He fUrnished material to treat seed for the Hot Sulphur Nur-sery, Prior to planting» Nels Kverno of the Fish and wildlife Service live=trapped and banded the mice present in the nursery area Both tetramine=treated and untreated seed of bitterbrush were planted in April.ll+9540 Following planting» Paul Gilbert again trapped along the same transectso 0 Rodent activity caused a heavy loss of seed this year at both Hot Sulphur and Little Hi.Ll s , Apparently prevention of seed-Lees -to rodencs is going to be one of the most important steps in direct seeding of browseo ~ \"'- ::::t- (j' () <:) ~ ~'-- Prepared by~ Donald Hervey Approved by ~__ L_a_ur_e_n_c_e_E_o;;..._Ri_·_o_r_d_a~n~= Date ~_~ __ Federal .Aid Coordinator ...;;.O...;;.c_to.;;..b.;...e;.,;;r"'.ll:,:;1~9;;..5.;;;:;4,_,.~~ �-1.5PROGRESS BEPORT IWVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO --~~~~--------- Project Noo ~t~·~Co~o~p~e~r~a~t~i~v~e~Exp~' ~e~r~im==e=n~t=al=- W_-_7~2_-_R_-_2 _ Big Game Range Revegetation. Work Plan No. I . Job No.. 4, --------~------------~~~~---------=---------- Title of Job: Reseeding Methods. ----------~~------~----------------------------------- Objectives: To determine reseeding methods that will give the best results in artificial seeding of browse species. At Little Hills, reseeding methods were tested in scattered rabbit-brush stands ori an alluvial fan in the valley bottom. Seeding was done with the garden tractor planting attachment into: (1) Plowed contour furrows,; (2) Plowed and harrowed ground; and (3) Disked and harrowed lando At the Sapinero Management Area, planting was done in an old field which had only an annual, weed cover Plantings were made Lnto e (1) Plowed contour furrows; (2) Plowed. and harrowed ground;: and (3) Di:rectly into the old field with no soil preparation. Due to the extreme dzyness since planting, it is doubtful if many seedlings will emerge this yearo 0 At Hot Sulphur, planting was done in an old field which had become covered with sage brush and which had some remnants of a crested wheatgrass stando Plantings were made into:: (1) Plowed contour furrows;: (2) Areas plowed with an offset disk; and (3) Areas on which a roto-beater had been used to remove much of the sage brush. All of these plantings were done in April,19.54o Prepared by: Donald Hervey Date: ------oc-t-o-b-e-r~,-1-9~.5~4~ __ ~---- Approved by: ./ Iiilillllij'~I~'llil~iilllli[~i~[i~1 ij~illliijil BDOW023779 Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �1:1.·: ..:.1,: ..~ -16PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of COLORADO ------------------------- Project Noo W_-_7~2_-_R_-_2 ~-----------,~· PROJECT __ C~o-o~p~e-r-a-t-i-v_e_·_E_xp~e_r_im __en_t_al _ Big Game Range Revegetationo I Job No , 6 __________ ~-------__----L-~~~~--------~---------Title of Jobs Seedling survival under browsi.ng by deer , ----------~--------------------~~~----~----------------- Work Plan Noo Objective: To determine to what extent seedlings of various species of artificially seeded browse plants may be browsed by deer and still surviveo The plantings made under Job 4 were duplicated inside and outside the exclosures at Little Hills and Hot Sulphur. Conditions were such that plantings could be made only outside the exclosure at Sapf.ner'o , Information from these plantings will be used to determine the effect of deer_use on browse plantingso Prepared Date:_· by: Donald Hervey o_ct_o_b_e_r~2 __1~95~4_. Approved _ by: Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �oJ· lC;rr -17JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of COLORADO --~~~~~------- Project Noo W-37-R-7 Work Plan Noo Title of Job: Note: PROJECTS 2 Game Bird Survey .; _ ~I~V~. ~,~C_h~uk--ar~P~a-r-t-r~i~d~g~e~2_.~Jo~b~N~0~o~-------7~_ Experimental Habitat Developmento ----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~------------------ This report is for fiscal year period 1953-540 Objective~ ehukarso To determine methods for improving and extending the range of Scope: Well's Gulch area, Delta count.y and Prairie Canyon area, Garfield count Yo Personnel: Well's Gulch unit #1 Well's Gulch unit #Z Prairie Canyon unit Clif Greenhalgh (utah Fish and Game Oomm, ) Clyde Po Matteson Dwight Eo Owens Jesse E. Williams Wayne Wo Sandfort George Eo Gaylord Dwight Eo Owens Jesse Eo Williams Wayne We Sandfo-rt Marion Co Coghill Douglas 10 Gilbert Alfred Giles Dudley Co Jerome Dwight Eo Owens Jesse E. Williams Wayne Wo Sandf'orf Cooperating Agency: Bureau of Land Management Techniques Used~ Introduction Data obtained from chukar partridge surveys in west-central Colorado indicate that development of these birds in certain areas is restricted or rendered impossible because of the absence of watero Although there are a considerable number of areas remalnlng in the state where water is present and which appear suitable for chukars, it is felt that experimentation with water developments is desirable to explore the possibilities for development and extension of the, range of this species in the futureo Ii~lillllij' ~I~'llil~irllli~~m~]jl ~mI~fill BDOW026145 �-18In order to determine the value of artificial water developments in extending the range of chukars, sites were selected and-plans were carried out f~ the construction of three California-type gallinaceous guzzlers. Selecting Sites for Water Development Sites selected for water development are located where no chukars are found at presento The areas appear to contain all requirements for chukar r~~ge wi th the exception of water During the selection of··sites for water development, particular attention was given to placing these units on government lando 0 Construction of Gallinaceous Guzzlers Excavating, placing concrete forms, pouring concrete and fencing was conducted according to routine procedure by Game and Fish Department personnel Ready-mix concrete greatly facilitated construction of the three units. Minor road construction was required to provide access to the guzzler site in one areao Rough, rocky terrain, desirable for chukars, presented some difficulty in access to the sites and in excavating for the water basins. Blasting materials were required to remove rocks during construction of two of the units. 0 Preliminary Experimentation with Chukar Development Thirty game-farm chukars, eight weeks old, were placed in the vicinity of the first guzzler constructed in the Well's Gulch area. These birds were banded-on the right leg and placed in two holding pens on the guzzler on August 26, 19.53. Holding pens were arranged so that both groups or birds could obtain water from the guzzler and so that one group of birds could be released prior to the other. With one holding pen removed, the released chukars could water readily at a portion of the guzzler entrance, as well as those remaining in the holdLLg peno Seven chukars were released at 3~OO PoM. on August 27 and nine additional birds-at 7~.5o AoM~ on August 29. - The remainiIlg birds were released on September I_at 4~oo PoM. Wheat and poultr,y feed were kept in the vicinity of the guzzler for several weeks. Findings: Findings from this investigation are limited principally to description of the guzzlers and their location. Some information is available on the use of one guzzler by young, game-farm birds placed on the unit in August, 19.53. Data, available at present, are presented below. Experimentation with Chukar Development Holding chukars on the watering device in two pens appeared to work very well. When the first group was liberated they flew to the near--by slopes and draws. Within a few minutes both the chukars that had been liberated and those in the holding pen were calling loudly, and those outside returned to the guzzler in a short while. When all chukars were liberated, they returned regularly to the guzzler, and available information indicates that they watered several times daily. The birds appeared to be at home in the area and fed along the slopes and draws, ranging several hundred yards from the watering unito �-19Table 1.--Information pertaining to gallinaceous guzzlers constructed in 1953 and 1954 for experimental chukar developmento Guzzler Number Type of Information 0 • •• •• " • 0 • • Q •• Delta SEt of NEt SecolO,Tl4S, R97Wo Delta NWt of SE ; Sec.3 Tl4S, R97W~ Specifications and Description of Guzzler Size of apron (sq•• fto) 220 230 Size of skirt (sq.• ft.) .•<> • 16 15 Total of collecting surface (sq. ft.} .•.•.••••.•.• 0 246 235 Capacity of water basin (galso) .• 703 703 Nl40W Direction Unit faces ••.•• e East Coating on concrete apron Hydropel Hydropel(H20 miscible .asphalt) $265.00 Approximate cost of unit !/ $205000 Dimension of exclosure 40' x 40t 40' x 60' 0 0 •• 0 •• 0 •••• •••• 0 Area in exclosure (sqoft.) T,rpe of fencing in exclosure 0 0 0 0 #3 (Well's Gulch)(Well's Gulch)(Prairie, Canyon) Location of Water Development County •." Specific location 0 #2 #1 0 0 0 0 o· 0 0. 0 Garfield SEt of-NWt Seco 6,T8S, RlO4Wo 225 15 240 703 N820E Hydropel. 2,400 1,600 $190000 38t (two sides) One side 241 _ and one side 35' 1,12l Split cedar posts, 32" wooven wire, one strand barbed wire Same as #1 unit 0 Same as #1 unit •• 0 Description of site where Guzzler is Locabed., Elevation .•.•.•0 •• Principal type of rocks " • 0 0 •• 0 6,000 ft" 5,800 ft•• Lava boulders Lava boulders 5,100 ft" Sandstone boul.d-. ers and rimrocks Cheatgrass; ricegrassfi wheatgrasses, horsetail. 0 Main source of feed • •..• 0 Main types of vegetative cover .•" • 0 0 0 0 0 0 " Cheatgrass Cheatgrass ricegrass Cedars, salt- Cedars,sagebush,sagebrush .• brush, Greasewood, sagebrush, saltbush, cedars, serviceberryo �-20Table lo--Information pertaining to gallinaceous guzzlers constructed in 1953 and 1954 for experimental chukar developmento--Continued Guzzler Number #1 #2 #3 Type of Information (Well's Gulch) (Wellis Gulch) (Prai.rie Canyon) lOti-15ft Annual ppto (appr-ox, ) Wildlife now in area (game species) Mourning doves.))cottontail rabbits Sheep Novol - Apro 30 Livestock use in area Dates of use by livestock Land status Individual holding grazing permit Address of permittee 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o JoSo Hoffman J So Hoffman Same as #1 unit Geo rge Co Annis 749 Elm_Av~o Grand Jcto,llColoo 7/22/53 6/17/54 6/27/54 Cottontail rabbits" mourn-. ing doves (probable), chukars as specified in discussions Chukars, mourn= ing doves, rabbits~ No information No information 747 No 1st PoCo Box 116 Montrose" ~scellaneous Information Date unit placed in operation Known use by game 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 81B Mourning doves; Mourning doves.llcotton- cottontail rabbits tail rabbits Sheep Sheep Novol - Apr .• NOVelS extending to 6 wkso 30 to 2 mos , , depending on ppto Also, latter part Apro to May 150 BoLoNo 1011-15" 0 0 Coloo 0 Anticipated guzzler use of Anticipated date for chukar partridge use Spring.ll1955 Chukars mourn= Chukars,llmourn= ing doves, Lng doves, . rabbits a cottontails.)) possibly Gambells "quailo . j Spring.ll1955 Spring.))1955 y Does not include labor and transportation provided by Game and Fish Depto Exclosures not completed on units 2 and 3~ �Figure 1.- Well's Gulch guzzler No.1, Delta county. Constructed during July, 1953. Figure 2.-Looking east from Well's Gulch Guzzler No 1. Cheatgrass abundant. Cedars, sagebrush and saltbush providing cover. Rocky out-croppings may not be present in sufficient quantityo �Figure 3.--Well's Gulch guzzler No.2, Delta count,y. Constructed during June, 1954. Figure 4.-~Looking north from Well's Gulch guzzler No.2 Cheatgrass abundant. Some ricegrass present. Terrain more broken and rugged than in vicinity of No.1 unit. �Figure . 5.- Prairie Canyon guzzler" Garfield county. during June" 1954• Conat.rucbed ( F~gure 6.-Looking east up side'canyon from Prairie Canyon guzzler. Cover" food and topography believed to be excellent for chukar development in this area. �Figure 7. ( Figure 7A.-Chukar Partridges at Well's Gulch guzzler No.1 September~19530 �=21= On September 12~ 17 days after the birds were placed in the area~ between 25 and 29 birds still were watering at the guzzler6 One bird was found dead on this dateo The crop of the bird was full of feed •• The watering unit was not checked again until September 21~ at which time the chukars appeared to have left" They have not been seen in the vicinity of the guzzler since , On November 24~ 1953 a local cattleman reported flushing three chukars about one mile north of the water development •• Analysis and Recommendations~ Three water catchment basins have been constructed in areas that appear to have potential for development of chukar partridge populations.. Informationto date indicates that conditions in the Well's Gulch area m~ not be suitable for chukar developmento Abundant cheatgrass is present~ however.$!and failure to hold ver,r young game-farm chukars in the area may have been due to causes other than suitability of habitato Present plans are to place 50 chukars (25 pair) on each of the Wellvs Gulch guzzlers and 100 chukars (50 pairs) in the Prairie Canyon area during ~arly March$' 19550 Food conditions at this time of year should be excellento The placement of breeding birds in the area should aid in obtaining reproduction and use of the watering units by birds r-ear-edd.n""thewild" This would appear to be the best approach in establishing chukars in the experimental areas" Absence of rqads or difficult,r in construction of roads to provide access to sites for water development for chukars appears to be an important factor to consider in this type of projecto Use of plastic guzzlers and asphalt collecting aprons should alleviate the necessity of using heavy construction equipment and permit water development in areas otherwise inaccessible" Summa.ry~ 10 Three California type gallinaceous guzzlers were constructed for experimental development of chukar- partridge popul.atd.ons; One unit was completed during July of 1953 and two units in June,$)19540 . Two. units are located in Well's Gul.ch, Delta county and one unit iri Prairie Canyon~ Garfield county 0 . . 2~ Preliminar,y experimentation with the water developments involved placing 30 game farm chukars,lleight weeks old~ on a guzzler inWellUs Gulch in August 26~19530 These birds remained in the area for at least 17 dayss then apparently left.. During the period they remafned, they seemed at home in the draws and slopes surrounding the watering unit and watered dailyo 3" Future experimentation will involve placing breeding birds in the vicinity of the three watering units during early March~ 19550 This activity should give a good check on the possibilities of establiShing chukars through the use of gallinaceous guz al.er-s , Prepared by~ Wayne W" Sandfort Approved by~ Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-23JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECT State of COLORADO Project Noo ~W_=~3~7-_R_-~7~ --~; G~am~e~B~ir-d~S~u~rv~ey~- Work Plan NOo ~V TitIe of Job : ~P~o£.Pul.:;;:· :::;.a:::;.t.;.:;i~o:..:.:n;;_;;;,T.:.r.:.:en:::;.d~s:__ _ Note: ~2~~M~ou~r~n~i~ng~· ~D~ov~es~~~~J~o~b_N_o~o~ ~l~ _ ~ This report is for fiscal year period, 1953 - 540 Objective: To locate trend routes and count the doves along these routeso Techniques Used~ Mourning dove call-road counts were conducted on 11 routes during the period extending from May 26 through Jurie 8, 1954~ (Additional counts in Colorado were made by Fish and Wildlife Service personnel 0 ) These counts were conducted in cooperation with the Fish and Wildlife Service and followed directions as issued by Mro John Co Gatlin, Regional Directoro Information obtained was forwarded to Mro Harold So Peters of the Fish and Wildlife Service for use in his anal.yat.a, The number of cooing doves heard by three-minute periods was recorded at twenty stations along the 20-mile survey routes. The total number of calls, as well as the total number of doves calling, was obtained. Records were kept of the doves seen during the time stopped at each statd on, Doves also were counted while driving the one-mile distance between stationso Data on weather, and local official sunrise time also were recorded during the surveyso Findin~s~ .. Data obtained during this study are summarized in Table 10 Table lo--Summar,r, mourning dove call-road counts~ 19540 Average Total Calls Calls'Per. Dove Total Doves .Seen 703 0 305 201 5.0 504 409 1406 300 403. 1103 39 277 225 0 229 62 146 140 153 510 3 13 68 1549 25 141 506 ~ ~ :::t-- csG <J ::::t-- \? Location of Route Date of (County) Count Garfield 6/.3/54 Jackson - - -? Larimer 6/7/54 Larime r..Ji eld 6/7/54 Mesa 5/26/54 Montezuma 6/4/54 .' 6/7/54 Montrose Phillips 5/27/54 Weld 6/8/54 Yuma 6/8/54 Yuma & Washington 6/4/54 TOTALS (All routes) AVERAGES (All routes) Observer Doves Heard VaYne W 0 Sandfort Roger Kirkman Jack Ro Grieb M. G. Sheldon Dwight Eo Owens Wayne Wo Sandfort Dwight Eo Owens Harold Mo Boeker Mo G. Sheldon Don Smith Harold Mo Boeker COLO DIV WILDLIFE RESEARCH 31 0 86 29 29 26 31 35 1 3 6 CTR LIB 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 BDOW023783 5 29 10 58 17 25 1 3 .7 0 .194 18 _ �-24~ Analysis and Recommendations: Jlburning dove call-road count-s were initiated during the Spring of 1954 and data are not available from previous yearso It is impossible, therefore, to make comparisons to determine the trend in the mourning dove breeding populationo It is recommended that counts be continued on established routes during following years to obtain information that may be of value in management of this specieso Summary: 10 Mourning dove call-road counts were conducted on 11 routes in Colorado in cooperation with the Fish and Wildlife Serviceo 20 Averages for all routes show that 25 doves were heard per route (20 stops - three minutes per stop) These doves called 141 times during the 60 minutes of listening; an average call per dove of 5.6 for the three minute periodo An average of l8 doves were seen on the 20-mile routeso 0 30 Counts should be continued in future years to obtain comparative for use in mourning dove management. Prepared Date : by: Wayne Wo Sandfort A.pproved by: ••••.. 0_c_t_ob_e_r ....• 2~1~9.::..5...:.4 _ data Laurence Eo Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �-25JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO Project No.__ ~W~-~3~9~-~R~-~8~ ~,~W~il~d~Tu~r~k~eY~I~n~v~e~s~t~i~g~a~t~i~o_n_s_ Work Plan No. I ; Job No. ----------~--------------~~--~-----------------2 Title of Job. Location Objectives: of Transplanting Sites (Merriam's turkey). To locate suitable habitat for transplanting wild turkeys. Techniques used: A careful check is made of proposed planting sites to determine the suitability of the area. Important factors for consideration are: food species present and quantity available; extent of area and isolation from unusual human disturbance; sui table roosting sites r availability of water;; nesting cover; predator populations; winter and spring weather conditions;: amount of south slope exposures for winter range; and the interest of the local public in having turkeys in their general area. Usually there are a good many requests for plants of turkeys .from various individuals and Department employees. All requests are filed and when possible the areas are carefully examined preferably in late summer. Findings: Western Slope. This has been a difficult year to even suggest a turkey transplanting site on the Western Slope area caused by the effect of the heavy June frost and the very dry season that followed. This condition was general over most of the state. Throughout the western slope range foods are extremely scarce above the 6,500 foot level. Even the rose haw crops (which is a late blooming shrub) has been reduced by at 1 east 50 percent. There are some suggested planting sites that still hold some possibilities. Wells Gulch: This area is suffering from late frost and drouth. Heavy winter overgrazing by sheep has cut the most valuable food crops in the lower areas to a minimum. There are some pinon nuts and acorns on the I arger oak clumps that sheep could not reach. Above 6,000 feet there is little food. It might be worth trying an experimental plant and then keep a close tab on the birds and their movements. �Divide Creek: This area has been proposed by several sources as a turkey planting areao The area lies south and eastof Silt, Colorado in Garfield county. Like the areas around Glenwood Springs, it is non-historical. The area is isolated except that it is summer range for stock and is an excellent deer range. It has not been overgrazed like ma~ of the proposed areaso Close examination showed the following plants presentt oak, pinon pine, chokecherry, roses, hawthorn, snowberry, squaw currant, juniper, cottonwood, spruce, grasses and forbs •. The prinicipal drawback in this area is the scarcity of good roosting sites. Turkeys were reported in the east fork of the creek last fall, also on the head of South Canyon Creek, the two drainages being separated by a single ridge Since these turkeys moved into this site from the Canyon Creek plant, it is felt a supplemental plant in the area would be advisable. 0 Several planting sites have been suggested in the area north and west of Rifle, Colorado.. King Mountain in the Burns district is still open , There are also suggested areas north and east of Glenwood Springs close to the Colorado river that could be filled in •. The plant made at Cedaredge last year split up and drifted during the early spring. Since then no data has been obtained on the movement of these birds.o No further transplanting is contemplated until the fate of these birds can be traced. Upper Surface creek: This area lies north and east of the plant last season. The habitat association is made up of the following plants: quaking aspen, roses) snowberry, serviceberr,y, chokecherry, current, cottonwoods, grasses, and forbs. The principal drawback to all this south Grand Mesa area is the absence of good roosting sites The pinon, juniper, oak brush type changes to the spruce association abruptly with very few pines showing up in the area anywhere. The cottonwoods growing along Surface Creek c~on are narrow-leaf types and do not make suitable roost trees. The reason for this is that the limbs stand at too sharp an angle for comfortable perching. Oak is the predominant shrub and there are few of these large enough to be used as suitable roosts •. o The turkeys on Surface creek and Milk creek ha,1.e not been observed since spring How far these birds have drifted is not known. Until more data is gathered no further stocking will be recommended for this area. 0 �-27Findings: Eastern Slope: The transplant area checks made during the present report period are discussed below: Hillrose Area: This area lying along the South Platte River approximately six miles northeast of Hillrose was inspected on April 13 and 14, 1954. Vegetative Types: The possible turkey area is limited to a strip 1/4 to 1/2 mile wide along the river bottom. The vegetative types of the area are t.rpical of the eastern river bottom landso The only tree species foUnd in the area was cottonwood. Shrubs are plentiful and form much of the cover. Most of the shrubs are, however, low growing thus limiting the amount of cover available for turkeys. Shrub species found were willows, snowberr,y, roses, and currants. The remainder of the cover is made up of grass species and weeds. The grasses include cheatgrass, wild rye, dropseed, saltgrass, and Indian Weeds found include cockleburr, curly dock, mullein, and ricegrasso sunflower along with others. The cover in these bottomlands would be poor for turkeys although it is good cover for pheasants and quail. Land Use: The area is one of intensive irrigated farming right up to the bottomland edgeso The bottomland is all grazed with portions heavily grazed by domestic. cattle. There is a relatively large human population in the area with dwellings found on both sides of the rivero The area is ver,y accessible. Drawbacks: The main drawbacks to the area are the very limited useablA range along the river bottom, the insufficient amount of cover in the area, the intensive agricultural practices along with a relatively large human population, and the accessibility of the area. For these reasons, it is recommended the areashould not be p Lant.ed, Apishapa Refuge: This area consisting chiefly of State-o.vued land along the main Apishapa river southeast of Walsenburg was inspected with Warden J. Frank Cordova during late August, 19540 The area checked consisted of the main Apishapa and several side canyonso �Vegetative Types: Pinon-cedar breaks are found along the canyon rims of both the main and side canyonso Ponderosa pine, staghorn cactus, and grasses (chiefly blue grama) are also found in these areas. Within the canyons, the food species and cover were found to be much better in the side canyons than along the main Apishapa. The main Apishapa river canyon is rE?latively barren with only pinon pine, cedar, cactus, and grasses observed. The sides of the canyon are very rocky and quite steep. In the side canyons where more cover is found the species include: cedar, ponderosa pine, pinon pine, mountain mahogany, skunkberr,y, mock orange, and grasses. Water: There is permanent.water along the main Apishapa River with several springs in side canyons observed and reportedo Food Values: The amount of food available to turkeys during the present period is very small. Turkeys would probably move out of the area during periods of low food production such as is being experienced in the area at the present time unless food patches are developed. Predators: According to Warden Jo Frank Cordova, there is a relatively high population of bobcats in the area .• These should be reduced before turkeys are introduced into the area. Roosts: There are plenty of large ponderosa pines in the area to fulfill this requirement. Rampart Range area~ The transplan~.on West Plum creek is progressing satisfactorily.· More of the Pike National Forest areas can be planted if this trial area proves suitable» however, there is much private land surrounding the National Forest area which is posted land. It is thought by the writer that more studies in the area should be made before planting more turkeys. �-29Recommendations~ It is recommended stated earliero that the Hillrose area not be planted because of reasons It is felt that the Apishapa river area could be developed for turkeys with the establishment of food patches and reducing the predator load. Future transplants in the Rampart Range area should await further studies to determine suitability of the area •. Since the food conditions are critical over most of the state it is recommended that trapping for transplant purposes be held at a minimum. It is felt that care of the birds and the exchange of breeding stock is more important than planting new areas. Summary~ Western slope: There are two areas that can be stocked with turkeys this year on the Western Slope. There are others that could be filled. However, any areas planted will have to have a regular supplementar,y food supply to carry them over until the spring food supply develops. Eastern Slope:: Three areas were checked during the present report period. The Hillrose area is believed to be unsuitable for wild turkeys. The Apishapa Refuge with proper development work could be made favorable,; however, under present conditions~ no transplants of turkeys should be made. No more birds should be transplanted in the Rampart Range area until further studies are made •. Under present drouth conditions recommended for planting. Prepared on the eastern slope, no new areas are Approved by: Laurence Eo Riordan by ~ Martin Lo Burget Donald Mo Hoffman Date~ Q_c_to_b_e_rd2 __1~9_54 Federal Aid Coordinator _ ��-31JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS sta te_....;C;...;O.;:;;LO;.;;.RAD....;;.;;;;...;,O _ Project NOo~.__ ~W.~-~3~9~-~R~-~8~ Work Plan Noo ~r~· Title of Job, Brood Counts _L;__ W~il~·~d~Tu __r_k_e_y_I_n_v_e_s_t_i~g~a_t_i_o_n_s ~;~J~ob~N~0;...;o (Merriam's 4~ _ Turkey) Objectives: To locate as many nests and broods as possible. To note rate of increase. To determine the general survival of poults for each season and the relative importance of various factors affecting poult survival to autumn. Techniques used~ Checks in-the field are started both for nests and hatched broods as early as possible. Since observations by trained personnel are superior to that of untrained individuals, all reports are checked for verification where possibleo When broods are located they are followed as closely as possible to note the survival and causes for any losses that occur. There are many assistants however that bring in valuable reports and observations. These are game wardens, forest rangers, interested sportsmen, and ranchers. The tabulations of these observations form a basis for management plans. Findings: Western Slope: winter flock observations on the western slope were indicative of a strong rise in population trends throughout the turkey range. Due to the mild winter of 1953 - r54 pre-mating activity showed up as early as late December and early January. Foods were plentiful and easy to get. For this reason Winter flocks broke up in turkey flocks were hard to hold any whereo February and early M3.rcho The turkeys drifted out of the Turkey Ranch earlier than usual and few turkeys have been seen there since. A student assistant, Mr. John HoVetterling was secured to do swnmer checking in this area. Because of the turkey movements he has found it difficult to gather brood data. Therefore, brood counts on the western slope are far from conclusive. It should be noted that summer range of wild turkeys in all western areas is principally on forest lands. The bulk of the turkey range on the eastern side is on privately owned lands. SOIDe of this is on large land holdings. The more open character of the range on the eastern area is conducive to a heavier brood observation also. \lfi'lliiMli~1 BDOW023791 �- '4°""0 _. _., .. - ~ _' -e ,], '.-~ _ -32Brood cuunts by Districts: Area Hens Poults Pagosa Springs 4 21 4 1.5 2 12 2 18 3 16 1 7 _2._ 38 Total 19 127 Average 6.7 Upper Piedra II .59 2 9 1 Total Turkey Ranch Lower Piedra Total Dolores - Mancos Total ~ 8 7b Average 6.14 2 12 1 8 2 4 1 8 1 4 1 .5 1 .5 3 2.5 --:rr Average 6.0 4 36 2 1.5 2 17 1 II 1 10 9 -mr-Average "'T2 8.8 �-33Brood counts by Districts-continued. Area Hens Poults _Glenwood SErings District ~- early June count •• Total Pine River Area Total Western 3 1.5 2 20 1 13 2 .l:.L 8 63 Average 8. 1- 10 Z 30 2 17 1 il. 1 00 * poults small could T 51 not be counted -~ Slope Totals 68 476 Average for area 7.0 It should be noted that not a single brood was reported in the Uncompahgre areao Here too, good flocks were observed in the winter and spring but due to its extensiveness it is difficult to locate broodso Analysis and Recommendations: ~e the counting of broods is a valuable function and carries some scientific information concerning development, it w0uld seem that the principal importance is a game management function. It has been the thought of the Project leader and Assistant leader that more time during the summer months should-be used in closer observations of broods, hens, and the controlling factors on wild turkey development. At present there is a lot of lost motion in traveling long distances to carry out this brood count study. Either more help should be supplied or the function distributed to the Department personnel and the leaders allowed to concentrate their work on the more important areas. �Lt?5 .~.I .•••• "~ -34As in previous years, much help in determining reproductive success has been received from other Departmental fie~d men and interested ranchers in occupied wild turkey range , Departmental personnel assisting during the present brood count period include Wardens Chester Scott and J. Frank Cordova. Fur Inspector Bryan Denton, and Trappers Albert C. Jordan and Bill Kent. By including counts made by the writer along with orood counts made by other interested individuals, a better sample is secured for the entire eastern slope turkey range than would be possible in using only broods personnally counted. The assistance received in this study has been appreciated. The following is a list of broods observed and reported by areas: Spanish Peaks Area: Hens -I- North Fork South Fork Duling Creek Lorencito Canyon Chicken Creek Saruche Canyon Burro Canyon N. Trujillo Creek Mavricio Canyon Santa Clara Creek E. Santa Clara Creek Cordova Pass Cucharas River Echo Canyon Eo Indian Creek N •.Veta Creek Average I 2 1 2 3 2: Poults 1 7 7 7 6 12 4 4 21 3 21 1 1 6 1 12 1 2 18 23 5 3 40 1 1 2 12 7 11 45 7 3 .22.· 5 19 1 1 ~Hens 2 10 ~Poults 6.5 poults/hens. Wet Mountain Area S.. Hardscrabbl e Creek North Creek Muddy Creek Upper Huerfano River Hens Poults 2. 1 14 2 15 1 4 24 --y- 3 10 Hens Average 7.2:poults!hens. 9 6 ""72Poults �-35Arkansas River Area: Hens Poults 2 1 13 Oak Creek (Cotopaxi) Howard Creek THens 6 19 Poults 6.3 poults/hens. Average. Mesa de Maya - Raton Mesa - Lower Purgatoire River Areas. Poults Hens Jake Light Canyon --y6 6 1 Smith Canyon 1 3 Cottonwood-Carrizo Creek 1 9 1 1 Sugarite Canyon Frisco Creek Sweetwater Creek Tobe Canyon Higbee Area 5 3 25 1 2 18 2 1 1 1 1 1 Alhandra Canyon 8 1 11 7 3 9 14 10 6 6 1 4 1 7 1 5 1 2"4""Hens 8 170 Poults 7.. 1 poults/hens. Average. Rampart Range Area: w. Pl.umCr. Hens 2 ~Hens Average. Total Brood Counts (Eastern Slope) Average Poults L1 ~ 24 68 Poults 13.6 poults/hens. 91 Hens 7.1 poults/hens. 647 Poults �fl ?ry. _.!:\. '. '~.. .) Effect of Flood on Hens:t During late July, a flood from heavy rains east of Trinidad came down the Purgatoire river~ ranchers in the Higbee area reported a strip of land approximately one-half mile wide was flooded in the area. Mr. W. Wo Zimmerman, a reliable source of information in this area, reported that he and several other ranchers pulled four live turkey hens from the flood waters near a wide curve in the main channel above the Higbee bridge. Several other live hens were seen but couldn't be reached. He stated the wild turkey hens were completelY exhausted but after resting awhile they wandered off. He, checked the turkeys over arid said their breasts indicated they had been settingo In addition, three dead hens were pulled from the water in the main channel and two more dead turkeys were found along the main irrigation ditches in the area according to rancher Zimmermano One of these carcasses was examined by the writer a month later. The large number of hens apparently caught in this flood and the time of year it occurred would indicate the hens were probably attempting to hatch a second setting of eggs after being unsuccessful the first setting. Much of the nesting cover in this type habitat is found along the river bottom where a flood of this intensity can be dangerouso The total effect of this flood on turkey populations in the area is not known at this time but indications are the loss may have been large. Life Histor,r Studies: The drift downward of birds sumrrering at higher elevations in the Spanish Peaks apparently began during the middle part of October in 1953.. Turkeys began coming down from the rims of Mesa de Maya to their regular wintering areas about the same time This movement toward wintering areas began wi th the first cold spells and light snowfalls. Usually the first heavy snowfalls on the eastern slope which generally occur in early November find the wild turkeys ranging in their favored wintering areas. This was the ,case last falL 0 Some wild turkeys spend their summer and winter periods in the same general locality rather than ranging higher during the summer. The wintering flocks of wild turkeys in the Mesa de Maya area were observed to start dispersing with the warm spring-like weather in late February and early March, 19540 The break-up of wintering flocks in the mountain areas apparEmtly did not occur until J!lid-Marcho Several mating groups consisting of mature toms and hens were observed in the Spanish Peaks area in April but the first positive indication of an incubating hen was observed qy the writer during the latter part of May. �Figure 1. Wild turkey nest in Cottonwood Creek - Carrizo Creek transplant area broken up by a predator (probably raccoon). The hen which had located this nest near a rock ledge was killed either on or near the nest. Spring, 1953• . [ Figure 2. Closer view of the above photo showing broken eggs. The foliage is mostly wild grape and young hackberry plants. �-37In addition, RancherW. T. west in the North Fork area reported finding one nest with six eggs and another with eight eggs during the latter part of May. The first brood reported was one seen by Rancher Donley on S. Hardscrabble creek during the second week of June. The writer saw three broods during the last week of June. The poults in two of these broods were too young to fly while the poults in the other brood were estimated to be at least a month old. One hen with a brood too young to fly attempted to distract attention from her young by going through a crippled hen act and calling to the poults to hide. Several other persons have reported seeing hens act in this manner while the young are too small to fly. Summary~ Western Slope. Mild winter conditions and abundant foods during the winter of 1953 -'54 caused early movement of the turkeys to higher than usual nesting areas. A student assistant was supplied to make the brood counts during the summer months 0 A total of 68 broods with 476 poults for an average of 7 poults per brood were seen. It s~ould be noted that more than one third of this total was picked up in the past three weeks - as the turkeys began moving down from the high countryo It is suggested that the brood coUnt be delegated to the Department personnel or that extra help for this work be supplied to the project. There is much important data that needs to be gathered by the project that cannot be touched under present conditions. Swmnary2 Eastern Slope •• During the present study period, ninty-one hens with a total of 647 poults were observed or reported in the eastern slope turkey areas for an overall average of 701 poults per hen. Hens observed with no broods are not included in this average. A number of poults, both observed and reported, have been very small indicating a larger number than usual were either late hatches or possibly from a second settingo A late July flood in the lower Purgatoire River area from Trinidad southeast may have resulted in a large loss of hens. The total effect of this flood is not known at this time. Observations slope area. concerning life-history Prepared by:Martin L. Burget Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Donald M. Hoffman Date~ studies are given for the eastern O_ct_o_b_e_r~,_1~9~5_4~. _ Federal Aid Coordinator ��-39- State of JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS COLORADO ----------~------------------ Pro ject No o__ Work Plan Noo __;_W;_-..::;3~9....;-R~-_8:__ ---,_W_il..;.· ..;..d_Tu_r_k..;.ey::__I_n_v_e_s_t_i:::::.ga_t ..•. l_· o_n_s _ I Job No 5 ~--------~------------~------~----------~------------- Title of Projecto o F~oo..;..d~S..;..t..;..u..;..di~·..;..e~s~o;__ _ Objectives: To continue the examination of turkey crops and dropping: analysis to accumulate data on food types utilized in relation to available plant and animal f'oods , To compile information on yearly reproduction of plant seeds, fruits mast as affected by annual climatic variationso and To use information on quantity and quality of food availability for appraisal for specific ranges for restocking plans or feasibility of trapping operationso Procedure: After the mast and food crops are fairly well developed a complete survey is made and recordedo Crops are collected during the hunting season. These are examined and char-ted, Any birds killed by accident or predators are examined and where possible the crops are examined for content. An evaluation of foods available is made in the fall to determine the carr,ying capacity of the winter range and to determine where supplemental feed· is needed •• Findings~ Western Slopeo Again climatic conditions have made deep inroads into western slope turkey ranges On recurring days low temperatures prevailed at State Turkey Management Area and all the western slope range for that matter. Ranch records show the following~ June 7th, 21 degrees; June 8, 26 degrees; June 9, 24 degreeso At Pagosa Springs the temperatures were about the same~ June 6, 26 degrees; June 7, 21 degrees; June 8, 25 degrees; June 9, 28 degrees etco At Norwood in the Uncompahgre area they ran even lower~ June 6, 28 degrees; June 7, 19 degrees; June 8, 24 degrees etc. At Glenwood Springs temperatures were also quite lowo Most of the important shrubs, oak, thornapple, sktmkbercy- and others were in flower at the time and were destroyed by these frostso Even roses, a later blooming shrub and important for winter food, were affected by these heavy frostso 0 �To endeavor to make a food evaluation of the area is practically useless. There are great blocks of the oaks which were killed back almost completely. Many of the hardier plants still showed the effects of this frost some three months later. See plates. In preparing this report a brief resume of the exceptions will give the picture more clearly than the working up of an evaluation graph. At state turkey ranch a few of the early blooming oaks showed some acorns after the froste Later~ very dry weather caused these to drop off. Roses that are considered one of the most staple crops are deeply cut. On a trip over Devil Mountain in late August even bear scats showed they were foraging only on grass and roots. Late rains have helped the grasses and These are producing some seed. forbso For some time the pines seemed to be producing a fair crop of cones. Recently many of these are showing signs of dying prematurely. It appears that the late rains came too late to benefit this crop. There are other areas showing some food~ particularly at lower elevationso Cedaredge has good crops of food at lower elevations~ Upper Pine river had a fair crop of acorns~ serviceberry and chokecherry. Mesa Verde park has a fair crop of food species. Dolores river in the lower areas has foods. There are pine cones~ pinon cones and some serviceberry and skunkberry 0 In the Glenwood Springs district where there has not been a food failure in the past five years, the seed crop is quite low. Supplemental Winter Feeding plan:t Since the winter feed is short the present plan is to supplement this with winter feeding stations at strategic points on the range. Cable reels are being secured for the purposeo These are being supplied by Rural Electric Associations, Electric Companies and hardware stores. When mesh wire is attached around the rims these reels can be filled with ear corn and hung between trees. The center hubs will be suspended on pipe rOds, or smooth round wood poles between trees and above the ground high enough so that the turkeys can reach them in snow per-Lode As the corn is taken from the bottom of these reels they become lighter on the bottom than the top. This will cause them to turn bringing down a fresh food supply. The food can be replenished from time to time as needed and the empty cobs removed. This type of feeder has been used by Pennsylvania with apparent successo It appears worth a good try and will be better and faster than developing winter food plots. 0 Crops Analysis:t This type stuqy is somewhat biased because most of the crops have been gathered in the regular hunting season. This of course, limits the study to one period of the year. However3 it is felt that a study developed from �Figure 1. Oak shrubs more than two months after the June frosts still showing dead leaves that have not recovered. Figure 20 This south facing slope cove red with dead oak. shrubs was photographed in August to show the disasterous effect of late frostso �-41crops taken over the entire year ~uld also present a strong variation due to food conditions at the time, or during the year that the study was taken. Crops taken during 1953-54 winter would shaw one type of feeding activity. Foods were plentiful and the winter was open. Crops taken during this coming winter, regardless of wintering conditions would show an entirely different food pattern because of the scarcit,y of staple foods •• A dropping analysis study is slow and ..the identification of food fragments extremely difficult. Without the employment of a full time laboratory technician dropping analysis is hardly feasible. In most of these studies material checked is only a small part of the sample taken from an area. For this reason it is not a true picture of food conditions even at the time the samples are taken. The following tables cover two years crops that were collected on the Western Slope. The first table is for the year 1952 and contains some 20 crops. The second table is data from only 15 crops collected in 1953. Both sets were taken in seasons during the last part of September and the first days of Octobero It should be noted that eastern and western slope charts vary considerably due to the different type of ground cover. The crops taken in 1952 were allowed to dry and remain dr.r until time could be spared to separate them. The crops for the 1953 season were quick frozen and kept in a locker until they could be separated. The items were still fresh in these crops and were both simpler to handle and the identification was easier. The largest crop in the 1953 series was of an 18 pound gobbler taken on stahlstimer creek. It contained approximately one pint of materials. The percentages of food items are volumetric in character and were separated on a formula worked out by Mr. Charles Co Sperry of the Fish and Wildlife Laboratory in Denver. Mro Sperry identified some items that the authors could not classif,y. For his able assistance and council we are most grateful" Table 1.The following are food materials from 20 crops collected on the western slope in the 1952 hunting season. Plant foods represent 56 percent of the total volume Family Species Asteraceae - Composite family Aster seed heads and seeds o Volume in Percent 3 Frequency of occurrence. Percent �-42Family Species Helianthus Sunflower seeds 0Tragopogon ~ .Salsify seed heads Saladago Ambrosia trifida Ragweed seeds Lactuca scariola True prickley le ttuce Volume in Percent Frequency of occurence percent Trace 10 Trace 10 Trace 10 Trace 10 Trace 1.5 Trace 10 Trace 1.5 Trace 10 Trace 1.5 2 10 Trace .5 Trace 10 Trace .5 Caprifoliaceae Symphoricarpos spo Snowberry fruits and seeds Fabaceae -- Pea Family Thermopsis sp Golden banner pea leaves Trifolium sp., Clover leaves and seeds Vicia sparcifolia Purple vetch leaves ~ Fagaceae - Beech family Quercus sp . Oak acorns Geranium Family Fremontii sp , Cranes bill geranium Gramineae ~ Grass Family L..-'j ~ Avena fa tua ' .'// Wild oat Avena sa tiva cultivated oats Agropyron smi thii blue stem wheat grass Hordeum vulgare cultivated barley Phleum 'alpinum Alpine Timothy seeds and. heads Phleum pratense Timothy seeds Muhlenburgia writii Spike muhly Oryzopsis hymenoides Indian rice grass seeds Stipa robusta Tall needle grass 6 '30 2 .5 ? 1.5 Trace 10 Trace .5 2 .5 �-43;" Volume in Percent Family Species Stipa viridula Green needle grass Triticum spo Cultivated wheat Frequency of occurence Percent Trace 20 35 55 Trace 40 Trace 5 Malaceae - Apple Family Amalanchier sp 2 dried serviceberr.r fruits Trace Rosaceae Rosa sp , ~se seeds hips and leaves 4 10 SalidMf~~'Whiow family Silax spo Willow leaves Trace .5 Animal T,ype Foods 44 percent of total volume. Family Volume in Percent ~ /~lygonaCeae - Buckwheat family , Polygonium spo j Wild buckwheat seeds ) \ \\ ~ PTunaceae Prunus species 1= Chokecherr,r stem 0 Frequency of occurence Percent Acrididae Shorthorn grasshoppers 44 45 Caribidae Ground beetles Trace 25 Chrysomillidae Halticidea externa (Lear beetle) Trace 15 Coccinellidae Lady beetle- Trace Formicidae 1 ant Trace 5 Trace 10 Gastropoda (Class) 6 land snails �-44Animal TYPe Foods- continued. Family Volume in Percent Penta tomide II stink bugs Tettigomidae 5 Mormon crickets Inorganic matter Gravel Frequency of occurence Percent Trace 10 Trace 100 5 100 65 Table 2 Food Items from 15 crops collected in the 1953 turkey season on the Western Sl.ope , Plant matter represents 79 percent of the total volume. Family - Species Anacardaceae - Cashew family Rhus trilobata ~ree leaved sumac Volume in Percent 3 Frequency of occurence Percent 27 Asteraceae Latuca scariola True prickley lettuce seeds and heads .~i Taraxicum officinale Dandelion leaves Tragopogon pratensis Salsify seed heads and seeds 33 7 Trace 13 Caprifoliaceae Symphori carpos sp Snowberry fruits Trace 7 Cuperaceae - Sedge Family Carex geyeri Elk Sedge leaves Trace 7 2 19 Fabaceae - Pea Family Trifolium sp Clover leaves �-45Volume in Percent Family - Species Frequency of occurence Percent Fragaceae - Beech Family Quercus sp. Oak Acorns 19 Graminaceae - Grass family Agropyron cistatum Crested Wheat Grass seeds 13 Agropyron Western smithii or blue stem wheat grass seeds ~ 7 4- 7 Avena sativa Cultivated oat seeds 5' ',7 Blephoroneuron tricoleopsis Hairy dropseed seeds and chaff 5 13 Hordeum vulgare Cultivated barley seeds and hulls 4 7 Oryzopsis sp Indian rice grass seeds Trace 7 Phileum pratense Timothy seeds and hulls 1 ' 7 Avena fatua Wild oat seeds Sporobolus sp Dropseed grass seeds & 13 Tri ticum sp . Cultivated wheat 10'., 38 stipa viridula Green needle grass seeds 12' . 13 Animal Matter represented Family Acrididae Shorthorn grasshoppers 21 percent of the total vol~e. Volume in Percent 16 Frequency of Qccurence Percent 45 �-46Frequency of occurence -Percent Volume in Percent Family Carabidae 3 ground beetles Trace 7 Chrysomellidae Hal tica extema 64 leaf beetles 3 13 Elateridae 1 Click beetle Trace 7 Formicidae 1 ant Trace 7 Tenebrionidae 3 Darkling beetles Trace 7 Tettigomiidae 1 Mormon cricket Trace 7 Coleoptera (order) 1 beetle larvae Trace 7 Diptera (Order) 1 fly Trace 7 Nemobius 1 leg of cricket Trace 7 2_ 13 ~hysa --89 water snails Total Inorganic matter Gravel 3% of general volume 100 100% A large gobbler taken in Stallstimer area on October 3, 1953 had ~ crop full of food which represented approximately 1 pint~ It contained the following 444 Rhus Trilobata fruits (Three leaved sumac ) 15% Largequantity of Dropseed grass seeds _ Sporobolus 34% Crested Wheat grass seeds (Sporobolus sp) 35% Salsify seed heads (Tragopogon sp)2% Clover leaves (Trifolium sp) 4% True Prickley lettuce seed heads (Lactuca sp) 2% Indian rice grass seeds (Oryzopsis sp) Trace l-kernel of wheat (Triticum sp) -Trace 309 Pieces of sand and gravel representing 8% total volUlIle 0 100% �-47Findings:::Eastern Slopeo Food Production Continuing with the method of food evaluation developed during the summer of 1951 on the eastern slope, table j. is included to show natural food production by important plants and groups in the different areas. A 'continuation of drouth conditions throughout the eastern slope turkey areas and several late frosts were probably food production in this area. the major factors affecting The turkey areas north and south of the Arkansas river from Canon City to Salida were found to have the best food prospects of all the eastern slope areas checked. Some drainages in this area had plentiful food although the area as a whole averaged only fair. This area should not need any supplemental winter feeding considering the turkey populations existing in the area. The lower Purgatoire river and Mesa de Maya areas again were found to have the poorest prospects for natural food production. Severe drouth conditions have resulted in ver,y little mast and berry production although late rains have helped the grasses and weeds.. A fair crop of cactus fruit will undoubtedly be utilized by the turkeys during the coming winter. Supplemental winter feeding will probably have to be carried on in these areas. The food production in the Spanish Peaks and Wet Mountain turkey areas was found to range generally from poor to low fair with a few drainages showing sufficient~ood to carry the turkey populations through the coming winter. "'Nastegrain from farming operations will undoubtedly help the flocks over~Wiriter. Some supplemental winter feeding may also have to be accomplishedo Scrub oak was found to be bearing a poor to fair crop of acorns generally thoughout the areas checked with the exception of some of the Arkansas river drainages which had good crops of acorns .• Ponderosa pine, pinoh pine, chokecherry, snowberry, and skunkberr,y were .found to average poor in the amount of food produced. Rose fruit averaged slighly better .• Grasses and weeds were found to be fair throughout the area.. Late rains throughout the eastern slope areas undoubtedly helped these groups but came too late to help most of the other food species. Kinnikinnick distribution and hawthorne again averaged ver,y low because of their limited in the area checked. �-48Food Habits Through Crop Analyses. Thirty-four crops secured during the wild turkey season of October 2; through 5$ 1953 were analyzed using a direct volumetric method. Of these, tnirty-one were from the eastern slope mountain area and three we;re from the mesa areas east of U. So 85-87. One gizzard from the mesa areas was also analyzed. These crops and gizzard were collected through the cooperation of Department field men working during the past turkey season ••· Special thanks are due to Mr. Charles Co -Sperry of the UoSoF. & W e So Research Laboratory in Denver, Colorado, who gave much assistance in the identification of unfamiliar food items. The total number of early fall crops analyzed to date is 181. This includes 123 from the eastern slope mountain areas, 37 from the western slope mountain areas$ and 21 from the eastern slope mesa. areas east of U. S. 85-87. Future efforts in securing crop samples for food habits work (for the early fall period) should be confined to areas where. insufficient crops have thus far been gatheredo Thus on the eastern slope, crops should be collected in the areas east of U. S. 85-87 during the coming turkey season. Tables No ••4 and 5 are included to show food items and percentages found in the two series of crops analyzed during the present report period. Table 3 •• Food Production Key~· No or very few fruit Plarits bearing poorly Plants bearing fair Chart Summer 1954 (Eastern Slope). Rating Rating o 1 Plants bearing good Species not recorded 3 2 No. Miles Date Area Spanish Peaks YLiddle Cr Eo Indian Cro Bear Cro Cucharas Ro 'Santa Clara Mavricio Canyon N. Trujillo Cre Apishapa Jarosa Canyon Wet Canyon Reilly Canyon Burro Canyon 0 Food Species of Grou 20--12 8/13 2 0 211 1 2 0 - 1 2 2 8/13 1 001 8/i6 1 1 - 0 0 2 0 - 1 2 1 8/16 o 1 - 2 1 3 0 - 1 2 2 8/10 o 1 - 0 2 0 2 - - 2 2 8/14 1 1 1 - 0 0 1 - - 2 1 11123221-12 8/3 8/4 1 1 0 2 - 3 0 - - 3 3 210 2 - 3 0 1 ~ 3 3 8/4 8/9 2 200 0 l - - - 2 3 8/3 III - 0 - 0 - - 1 2 8/10 1 1 0 0 - 0 1 - - 2 3 (Continued) Index 11 10 8 12 9 7 16 13 15 10 6 8 checked 5 5 5 5 4 5 4 5 5 6 5 5 �-49Table 30 Food Production Chart Summer 1954 (Eastern Slope).- Continued. Rating Rating Key: No or very few fruit o Plants bearing poorly· 1 Plants bearing fair 2 3 Plants bearing good Species not recorded No. Miles of Grou Area Index North Fork /9 Abbott Cr. 8/15 Wet Mountains San Isabel Rd. 2 2 13 8/7 1 1 - 1 3 2 001 Ridge Rd. 8/5 1 0 - 1 0 2 - - 1 2 2 9 North Cr. 8/12 2 0 - 0 2 1 1 1 ~ 1 1 9 S. Hardscrabble cr. 8/12 1 0 - 0 2 2 - 1 - 2 2 10 Caple Ranch 10 8/12 3 0 - 1 201 - - 1 2 Pass Cr. 12 3 0 - 0 2 2 8/14 11111 Arkansas River Tallahassee cr. - - 1 2 8/~ 0000101 5 Currant cr. 11 8/6 3 0 1 0 1 1 2·- - 1 2 Texas cr. 8/11 1 001 - 2 3 - - 2 2 11 Cottonwood Cr~ 8/19 2 0 211 3 2 - - 1 1 13 Hayden Cr. 10 8/19 2121011--11 Cherry cr. 18 8/18 3 3 3 1 1 2 1 - - 2 2 Howard cr. 13 8/18 2 0 211 3 1 - - 2 1 Bear cr. 16 3 0 201 3 3 2 2 8;2-7 Mosher cro 8/11 3 0 211 1 2 - - 2 2 14 Raton Mesa Sugarite Canyon Road washed out-Trend not run. Lower Purgatoire River - Mesa de Maya Higbee 8/21 - - - - - - 1 - - 1 1 3 Poi trey Canyon 8/23 000 - - - 0 - - 3 1 4 Mesa de Mayo 8/22 000 - - - 1 - - 2 2 5 Jake Light Canyon 8/23 o 0 0 - - .-0 - - 2 2: 4 Cottonwood cr•• 8/22 1--12-1--33 11 AVERAGE 1 1 1 1 III 002 2 11 checked 5 5 5 7 5 3 5 5 5 3 3 4 3 3 '4 4 gen. geno gen. gen. ~en. Cibser. obser. obse r-, obser. obser •• 3.9 �-50Table No.4. MERRIAM'S TURKEY FOOD STUDIES Compiled nata -- Basis 31 Crops* Volumetric Analysis by D. M. Hoffman All crops from Eastern Slope Mountain Areas October 2"' through 5, 1953 Food Items. Plant Matter (93%) Family -- Species Volume Percent Frequency of Occurrence Percent Amaranthaceae --Amaranth Family (Trace) Amaranthus SPe Redroot pigweed seeds Trace 16 Anacardiaceae ~ Sumac Family (Trace) Rhus toxicodendron Poison Ivy fruit Trace 6 1 13 Trace 23 6 Asteraceae -- Composite Family (8%) Ambrosia trifida Giant ragweed seeds He1ianthus SPe Wild sunflower seeds TaraXacum officinale TIandelion leaves Dandelion seed heads Tragopogon sp. Wild sal sify seeds 1 39 32 Trace 10 Boraginaceae -- Borage Family(Trace) Lithospermum sp, Puccoon seeds Trace 13 Brassicaceae -- Mustard Family (Trace) Camel ina sp., Fal se flax seed pods Trace 3 Capparidaceae -- Caper Family (2%) Cleome serrulata Rocky Mtno bee plant seeds and seed pods Caprifoliaceae . Honeysuckle Family (1%) Symphoricarpos spo Snowberry fruit 1 Snowberry leaves Trace (Continued) * Two crops contained too little material to be used in percent calculations. These are, however, included in percent frequency calculations. 6 16 10 volume of occurrence �-51Frequency of Occurrence Percent Volume Percent Family -~ Species Carduaceae --Thistle Cirsium spo Thistle seeds Family (Trace) Trace 3 Cupressaceae--Cedar Family (Trace) Juniperus scopulorum Rocky riountain juniper 1 eaves 'rrace 3 .Cyperaceae--Sedge Fa.rrOJ_y (Trace) EM6ptiOrUm sp Cotton grass seeds Trace 3 Ericaceae-Hea:th Arctostaphylus Kinnikinnick Kinnikinnick 6 26 Trace 3 Trace 3 2 10 Trace 3 h 45 Trace 10 7 16 Trace 3 Trace 13 5 29 25 42. Trace 3 Trace 3 Trace 3 Trace 3 0 Family (6%) uva-ursi fruit leaves Fabaceae=-Pea Family (6%) Lupinus· sp •• Lupine seeds Medicago sativa Alfalfa leaves Robinia neo~mexicana Locust seeds Trifolium spo Clover leaves and stems Vicia spo Vetch leaves Fagaceae-=Beech Family(7%) Quercus sp. Scrub oak acorns (74) Gramineae=-Grass Family (62%) Agropyron smithii Western wheatgrass seeds Agrostis sp , Bentgrass seed heads Avena fatua ;Wild oats Avena sativa Culto oats Blepharoneuron tricholepis Hairy drop seed seeds Bouteloua gracilis Blue grama spikelets Bromus carinatus Mountain bromegrass seeds Bromus margLnatus Margined bromegrass seeds (Continued) �-52Volume Percent Festuca elatior Meadow £escue seeds Hordeum vulgare Barley Muhlenbergia sp , ~y grass spikelets Panicum sp , Panic grass seeds Phleum pra tense TimotQy seeds and seed heads Poa spo ~luegrass spikelets Secale cereale Rye seeds Setaria spo Foxtail grass seed heads Sporobolus sp e Dropseed seeds and hulls Stipa viridula Green needlegrass seeds Triticum aestivum "Wheat Grass leaves Frequency of Occurrence Percent Trace 6 10 Trace 48 4 10 1 13 Trace 3 Trace 3 5 39 Trace 29 1 16 Trace 11 90 6 23 Pinaceae--.--Pine Family (Trace) Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa pine needle £ragments Ponderosa pine seeds Pinus sp , Pine needle fragments Trace Trace 3 6 Trace 3 Polygonaceae--Buckwheat Family (Trace) Polygonum spc Wild buckwheat seeds Trace 42 Rosaceae--Rose F~ilY (1%) Fragaria sp e Wild strawberry leaves Trace 3 Rosa sp , ----rosefrui t Rose family leaves Salicaceae-Willow Salix sp , Willow leaves 1 Trace 3 3 Trace 6 Trace 3 Trace 10 Family (Trace) Saxifragaceae--Saxifrage Ribes spo Wild currant fruit Family(Trace) Plant galls (insect) (Continued) �-53- Fruit Volume Percent Frequency of Occurrence 'Percent Trace 10 Unidentified (Undeveloped) Unidentified leaf fragments. Trace 6 Unidentified woody stem fragments Trace 13 6 39 Carabidae 8 Ground beetles Trace 10 Chrysomelidae 1 Leaf beetle Trace 3 4 Leafhoppers Trace 13 Coccinellidae 2 Lady Beetles Trace 3 Coreidae 5 Squash bugs 2 Box-elder. bugs Trace ,Trace 10 6 Curculionidae 1 Snout beetle Trace 3 Foi'micidae 4 Ants Trace 10 Trace 3 Lygaeidae 1 Chinch bug Trace 3 Ichneumonidae 9 Ichneumon wasps 1 Ichneumon larva Trace Trace 6 3 Trace 3 Trace 3 Animal Matter (7%) Family Acrididae 60 Short-horned grasshoppers .Cd.cade'l.Lddae Hydrophilidae 17 Hydrophilid beetles Membracidae 1 Treehopper Pentat.omidae 1 Shield bug (Continued) �-54Volume Percent Phalangidae 2 baddy longlegs Frequency of Occurrence Percent Trace 6 Scarabaeidae 1 Scarab beetle 2 Scarab larvae Trace Trace J Tenebrionidae 1 D~rkling beetle Trace 3 TIliptera.(Order} 1 Fly Trace 3 Diplopoda (Class) 1 Millipede fragment Trace 3 1 19 spiders Gastropoda (Class) 122. Snails Total. Non-Food Items Bone fragments Gravel and fine sand 6 100 % Percent of Gross Volume Volume Percent Trace Trace Total 96 4 100% Frequency of Occurrency Percent 3 77 �-55Table No.5 ·MERRIAMtS TURKEY FOOD STUDIES Compiled Data -- Basis 3 crops Volumetric Analysis by D. M. Hoffman All crops from Eastern Slope Mesa Areas october 2 through 5, 1953 Food Items Plant Matter (77%) Volume Percent .Frequency of Occurrency Percent Asteraceae - Composite Family (W-%) Erigeron spo Daisy seeds Helianthus spo Wild sunflower seeds Trace 66 Cactaceae--Cactus Family (1%) Mamillaria viviparus Ball cactus seeds Opuntia arborescens Staghorn cactus seeds Trace 33 1 66 Trace 33 1 33 24 33 Trace 33 Family--Species Ericaceae--Heath Family (Trace) He~h family leaves Fabaceae~ Pea Family Trifolium spo Clover leaves Vicia sp, Vetch leaves 66 (25%) Gramineae-=Grass Family (10%) M~enbergia spo Muhly grass spikelets Sporobolus sp , Dropseed seeds and hulls Stipa viridula Green Needlegrass seeds Grass leaves 1 66 Trace 9 lao Polygonaceae-Buckwheat Family(Trace) Polygonum spo Wild buckwheat seeds Trace 66 Saxifragaceae--Saxifrage Ribes spo Wild Currant fruit Trace 33 Unidentified 33 Family (Trace) leaf fragments (Continued) �-56Volume Percent Unidentified Animal Matter Frequency of Occurrency Percent woody stem· fragments (23%) Acrididae 104 Short-horned 13 66 Trace 33 Trace 33 Trace 33 Trace 33 1 66 Curculionidae 4 Snout beetles Trace 66 Mantidae 1 Hantid Trace 33 Scarabaeidae 71 Scarab beetles 3 66 Tenebrionidae 23 Darkling beetles 6 66 Trace 100% 33 Volume Percent Frequency of Occurrency Percent 100% 100% 66 grasshoppers Asilidae 3 Robber flies Cerampycidae 1 Long-horned beetle Cicadellidae 1 Leafhopper Coccinellidae 1 Lady beetle Corelidae 58 Box-elder bugs Tettigoniidae 1 Mormon Cricket Total Non-Food Items Gravel and fine sand Percent of Gross Volume Trace Total �-57Food Summary - Western Slope: GenerallY foods available are very scarce on the western slope due to heavy late frosts. A plan for using cable reels and placing ear corn in them for supplemental feeding this year is under way. The -western slope crop analysis charts represent two yearsl checks and include 36 crops. Some pictures are included to show the effect of the frost on many oak shrubs Some of these are killed completely back to the roots. 0 Thirty eight different foods are represented in the 1952 crops and a total of thirt,y five different food items are shown in the 1953 series. More crops are needed to complete the studies and more general information on turkey foods throughout the year should be classified to be representative of foods taken by the turkeys. Summary: Eastern Slope: A continuation of drouth conditions along with late frosts throughout the eastern slope turkey areas resulted in generally poor to low fair natural food production in most of the thirty-four areas checked. Some areas are thought to contain sufficient food for wintering turkeys during the coming season while other areas are definitely short of available foods. / \ Some supplemental winter feeding will undoubtedly have to be accomplished in the lower Purgatoire River and ~sa de M~a turkey areas due to low natural food production. The Spanish Peaks and "Wet Mountains turkey areas were found to have generally poor to fair food production although some drainages averaged much better. Wasie cultivated grains are usually available in most of the wintering ranges in these areas. A total of 78 different food items were found in a series of 31 crops collected in the eastern slope mountain areas by Departmental field men during the open season in 1953. Plant matter made up 93 percent of the total compiled volume and animal matter made up 7 percent. A total of 26 different food items were found in a series of 3 crops collected in the eastern slope mesa areas by Departmental field men during bhe open season in 1953. Plant matter made up 77 percent of the total compiled volume while animal matter made up 23 percent. One gizzard containing this report period. Prepared by: chiefly staghorn cactus seeds was also analyzed Martin L. Burget and Approved Donald M. Hoffman Date: o_ct_o_b_e_r~, __1~95~4~ by: during Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator _ ��-59JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO ----~--~------------ Project No. ~W_-~3~5_-~D_-~8 ~~A~n_t_e_l_o~p_e __R_e_s_t~or_a_t_i_o_n _ Work Plan No. I Job No~ 3 --------~--------------~------~----------~------------- Title of Job: Selection and Survey of Transplant Sites. ----~~~~--~~~~~~~~~--~~~------------- Objectives: To locate desirable sites into which antelope may possibly be transplanted,successfully~ Procedure: Determination of livestock and game competition, where applicable; examination of range, listing plant species, range condition, soil types, accessibility and availability of water; determination of agricultural damage potential, land ownership and attitudes of local residents. Findings: During the past seven years, a good many transplant sites have been inspected and recommended for planting by project personnel~ For various reasons unknown to the present project personnel, some of these sites were never planted, nor were they later rejected as transplant sites. Tn order to clarify the records, all such transplant sites were resurveyed and either rejected or recommended for planting this winter. Several new sites were also surveyed. A list of all these sites and the action taken appears in Table 1. Of 13 sites surveyed, all but three were rejected. However, it is possible that three of these rejected sites may later become suitable for transplanting. The area west of Cowdrey, Colorado, Jackson County, formerly sheep range had very few forbs and over-utilized browse. Now that use in this area has changed to cattle, a recovery of forbs and browse is expected. Such a recovery would make this site suitable for antelope. Monogram Mesa, located in Montrose County, is being intensively worked by uranium interests. Should these activities cease, this area would be worth reconsidering as a possible transplant site. Sand Dunes National Monument would become suitable for antelope with a few water developments. Such developments are included in the work plans for this monument. · ">. �-60Table l.--Antelope Transplant Sites Surveyed in 1954. Action Taken Remarks Rejected Antelope now occupy this area in huntable numberso Recommended Release 30 head. Rejected Inadequate Recommended Release 20 to 30 head. Rejected Possibili ty of crop damage. Rejected Antelope Rejected Too much uranium activity. San Dunes National Monument Rejected Inadequate Schnaufer Rejected Antelope from Pritchett Plant have moved into this area. Sheridan-Heginbotham Ranches-Yuma County Rejected Possibility Southern Otero County Land Utilization Project Rejected Antelope now occupy this area in huntable numbers. Walden Rejected Inadequate forage and sheep proof fences. Recommended Release 30 to 40 head. Site Name and Location Cedar Springs Draw--Moffat County & Washington Claypool Ranch--Yuma Counties Cowdrey Area--Jackson Elkhorn Basin--Park County County George E. Huey Ranch--Morgan Hudson Ranch-Las Animas County Monogram Mesa--Montrose Ranch-Baca Area--Jackson Westcliff County Area--Custer County County County County The following areas are recommended trapping season: for transplanting forage present. now occupy this area. water available. of crop damage. during the current Elkhorn Basin Location: This basin runs south and east from Como, Colorado, to Glentivar, Colorado (Figure 1). �-61Size: This basin is approximately 16 miles long and averages five miles in width. Topography: A combination of rolling hills and flat land compose the terrain of the basin (Figure 2), with elevations varying from 8,300 to 9,100 feet. This is typical of antelope-populated areas in South Park. Water: A year-around ponds and springs. water supply is available in the form of stock Vegetation: This is a climax short grass range in fair condition. Blue grama and mountain muhly are the dominating grasses. Rabbitbrush and sage are common, with other browse species present but less abundant. Weeds are plentiful. Land Ownership: The land is controlled mostly by private interests. Land Use: A rotation method of cattle grazing with a light to moderate stocking rate is practiced. Past History: Early market hunting is said to have been responsible for the extermination of native antelope in this area. However, there is still a group of 12 to 14 antelope on the Quelland Ranch seven miles south of Como, Colorado. Attitude: Landowners, the general public, and the district game warden are agreeable to an antelope transplant in this area. Recommendations: Westcliffe A plant of 20 to 30 animals is recommended for this site. Area. Location~ This area runs south from Focus, Colorado, almost to Gardner, Colorado" bordered on the west by the Sangre De Cristo Range and on the east by the Wet Mountains (Figure 3)0 . Size: The total antelope range would include 70 square miles. Topography: This area is composed of rolling hills intermingled with flat land, ranging in elevation from 7,800 to 8,200 feet (Figure 4)0 ~ater: Water is provided by two, possibly three, year-around and numerous water retaining ponds. running springs Vegetation: This is a fair to good shor-t grass range, with blue grama and mountain muhly being the chief grasses. Weeds of various species along with such browse plants as rabbitbrush and sage are abundant. Land Ownership: Private lands constitute the major portion of this area. �-62Land Use: A rotation system of summer and winter grazing by cattle with a light stocking rate is generally practiced. Past History: This is historical antelope range. Attitude: All persons concerned are eager to have antelope established in this area and are willing to help protect them. Recommendations: It is recommended that 30 to 40 animals be released on this site since several hundred antelope could easily be supported. Claypool Site. Location: This site is approximately on the Yuma~ashington County line. 10 miles south of Yuma, Colorado, Size: This area contains 76 sections with plenty of room for further expansion. Topography: characterize 4,300 feet. Rolling sandhills interspersed with some flat land the topography of this region. The average elevation is Water: Wells pumped by windmills and gasoline engines provide water in this area on a year-around basis. Vegetations: This is climax sand-sage range in fair to good condition, with numerous species of forbs and grasses. Land Ownership: Approximately one-fourth of the land is state owned, the remainder being deeded land. Land Use: Year-around cattle grazing on a rotation system is the chief Some land in the east half of this block is cultivated for the land useo raising of feed. Past History: This is historical are occasionally seen. antelope range on which a few antelope A tti tude: The a tti tude of local resident landowners and the district game warden is favorable. In fact, a landowner petition, representing 32,400 acres of owned or controlled land, asking for an antelope transplant in this region called this area to the attention of project personnel. Recommendations: A release of 30 antelope is recommended for this site. �ANTELOPE RANGE I· eo • e ••• 1 Figure 10 - Elkhorn Basi~ proposed transplant Figure 20 - Looking west into the basin, site. 6 5 miles north or Hartsel. 0 �\ \ ~\(Vi.? ~ - \ 1 • • ~'\I\\ ~ ~ll-:: * • , • . # • , ~~/\\~ ~\ . • ~(~ "' '.:::::' 'l/I/' ) ,,( ANTELOPE RANGE ,.. ::.: ·1 Figure ). -Westcliffe Figure proposed transplant siteo 4. - Looking south Sheep Creeko �-63In addition to the above recommended areas, it would be desirable to supplement a transplant made at Hot Springs on the Curtis Ranch (Saguache County) last year that contained only 6 bucks and 6 does. This area has a great potential and should be well stocked with a nucleus population as soon as possible. Another 15 animals could well be spared for this area. Summar,r: Thirteen locations were inspected as tentative antelope transplant sites during the past year; 10 were rejected and three were recommended. Reasons for rejection included natural influxes of antelope from established herds, possible crop damage, intensive uranium mining activity, and inadequate food and water. Some of these rejected areas may be considered at a later date if existing conditions change. An additional plant to supplement a small release on the Curtis Ranch,in Saguache County was also recommended. Theabove recommendations call for the trapping of at least 95 head of antelope this season. Prepared by: Robert L. -Hoover Approved Stanley Ogilvie Date: October 1954 ------~~~~~~------~- by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-65JOB COMPLETION INVESTIGATIONS State of REPORT PROJECTS· COLORADO Proj ect No ._....,-_ _;W_;· ;__4:.;:1=--...:..R=--...:..7 ·~; _.....:B_i....::g=".h_o_r_n_..;:_S_he_e_;p'--S_u_r_v_ _ 1 T ; Job No. ------------------------~------_------------_ Title of Job. Lambing Study and Predator Loss to Lambs. ---~~~~~~~~--=-~~---~_;_-~~--__:_----------- Work Plan No. Objectives~ 1. To determine the number of lambs born in relation to the number of ewes in the Pike's Peak, Georgetown, Tarryall, Kenosha, Arkansas and Buffalo Peaks herds. 2. To determine the survival of the yearly lamb crop. To show annual trends of lambing success, to learn the survival of lambs to yearling age and general herd trends for management. 3. To determine the predator effects; if any, upon the lamb populationo Techniques Used: During the lambing season through September, sight records were kept in order to determine the annual lamb crop. The areas under observation were covered by foot, horseback and jeep. Some of the areas were covered more than once and in these areas the highest counts were used. Findings:: Table 1. 1952, 1953 and 1954 lamb counts. 1952" Tarrya11 Kenosha Pike's Peak Georgetown Arkansas River Buffalo Peaks Tarrya11 Kenosha Pike's Peak Georgetown -Arkansas River Buffalo Peaks 1953 -121 2 8 3 21 7'D 19 67 Table 20 Survival 1953 lambs 1 21 1954 T"" 1 3 7 2. 79 from lamb to yearling, 1953-1954 yearlings in 1954 Z 2. 1 2 8 9 3 21 I~~lmllij'~I~'llil~irlllli~~i~~i~1 illiI~II~" BDOW023803 * 22 �_ "L{-t:z:o ;-y J. .. : -66Analysis: In the Buffalo Peaks area, a count of 79 lambs was made along with 134 ewes (all ages including yearlings) indicating a lambing success of 5809 percent in relationship to ewes. In the same area, a count which classified yearlings showed 44 ewes and 22 yearlings indicating a lamb production and survival of 1953 lambs of at least 50 percent in relationship to ewes seen. These counts, of course, have value only for trend purposes since total counts of the herds are not obtainedo " Despite discrepancies which occur in some areas, it is felt that annual lambing trends can be used as a means of management. The time and cost of making good, complete counts of lambs precludes the possibility of obtaining total counts in several areas. As shown in Table 2, the number of lambs seen in 1953, in the Georgetown and Buffalo Peaks areas, is less than the total number that survived to the yearling age class. Summary: In the six areas under observation 56 lambs were counted in 1953, and 96 lambs were counted in 1954. The survival from lamb to yearling age class was 64.28 percent for the six areas studied. Prepared by: Clifford A. Moser Approved October, 1954 --------------~~~~--- Date:- by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator �~1JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS State of PROJECTS COLORADO ------~~-------- Project No. ~w~-~41~-~R~-~7 ~;~, ~B~ig~h~o~r~n_. ~S~h_e_e~p __Sur __v_e~y~s~ _ Work Plan No. I • Job No. 7 ------~------------~------~--------~-----------Title of Job. Comparative Range and Stomach Analysis. ----~~~~~~--~~~~----~--~--~-----------Objectives: 10 To determine through field observations and analysis of stomach samples the food habits and palatability rating of the plants involvedo 2" To compare the percentage of plant species in the range with the percentage in the stomach samples in order to determine the preference for various plant specieso Techniques Used: Stomach samples-- During the 1953 sheep season a sample of the stomach contents was placed in a cheesecloth bag, washed, and air driedo In analyzing these samples the material is washed through a series of screens which retains the larger parts of the plants while allowing the small, unidentifiable material to wash away. The remaining parts are then placed in water and grouped according to browse, forbes and grass. Vllien completely air dried the samples are weighed and the volume percent of the three forage classes are determined. A list of the plant species which are identified are included as part of the record. Photographic transects-- The photographic points were established along a 200 meter line with the meter square plots being at ten meter intervals along the line. The quadrat was placed over the location stakes so that the lower right hand corner of the quadrat was against the location stake. The quadrat was painted with silver paint in order to make it stand out in the photograph, and all photographs were shot at an oblique angle of approximately 30 degrees in order to obtain good definition of the outline of the plants being photographed. The number 1 transect was shot in a direct line with the marker stake following it with the camera being held in a position horizontal to the slope of the hill. This indicated on the print the difference in the degree of the slope of the hill. The number 2 transect was shot by placing the quadrat parallel with the slope of the hill and photographing from below. Neither of the transect were laid out in a straight line, but changed direction according to the terrain and vegetative composition to be photographed. Findings: Stomach samples--The stomach samples have not been completed this time, but will be reported on in Januaryo at Photographic transects-- After complete stu~ of the area it was felt that due to the topography of the sheep area, accessibility, and the movements of the sheep themselves, a better long range study could be made by means of a series of photographic transects rather than a fenced enclosure. �lt~1 ~,. ..-.:._ -68Two photographic transects were established on the south facing slope of Douglas Mountain, Georgetown, Colorado, during September, 1954. The number 1 transect is marked at the beginning with a white painted post, and the number 2 transect is marked at the beginning with thirty foot spruce tree with the lower branches cut off. Transect No.1, NWt, Section 33; T3S;J Ro74 w.• ZOo Transect No. 2,2 SW?t, Section 5; T4S;> Ro74 Wo 1..' I �-69Pike's Peak enclosure--SW! Section 36, T.15 S, R. 69 w. The following list of plants identified-in the enclosure was compiled by Dr. D. Harrington. GRASSES FORBES--Continued. Calamogrostis purpurascens Agropyron scribneri Festuce ovina Trisetum spicatum Bromus ciliatus Poa rupicola Poa longiligula or Po fendleri Agrostis idahoensis Polemonium delicatum ? Draba aureum Draba streptocarpa ? Castilleja occidentalis Crepis runcinata Saxifraga rhomboidea Sedum stenopetalum Smilacina stellata Gentiana sp. Lychnis drummondii Cerastium arvense Valeriana (just outside) TREES Populus tremuloides Pinus aristi ta .'PiCe"a engelmannii SHRUBS Potentilla fruticosa Ribes Juniperus communis var montanus Salix glauca var glabrescens Salix planifolia Rhubus strigosa FORBES - ( Penstemon virens Penstemon whippelianus Pedicularis parryii (utilized) Schillia lanulosa Epilobium angustifolium Cercium sp.(wooly) Solidago decumbens Arenaria fendlerii Potentilla pulcherimma Frage ria sp , Taraxicum-2 sppo (utilo) Artemesia spi thamnia ? Antenaria umbrinella ? Allium reticulatum ? aymenoxys grandiflora SEDGES Carex spp. Luzula multiflora Summary~ Two photographic transects consisting of twenty plots each were established on Douglas Mountain, Georgetown, Colorado, during September, 19540 A complete list of the plants within the Pike's Peak enclosure was compiled by Dro D. Harrington in July, 1954. Prepared qy: Clifford A. Moser Date: O_c_t_ob_e_r~,~1~9~5~4 _ Approved by: Laurence E. Riordan Federal Aid Coordinator ��-71.... JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of COLORADO ----~~~~--------------Project Noo W-37-R-B Game Bird Survey ----~------~----------------~----------------~------Work Plano II ~ Migratory Waterfowl Job No , 3 ----~~~~~~--~~--------~----------------~-------Title of Jobo Trapping and Banding Ducks and Geese" --~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~------------Objectives~ To trap and band ducks and geese for the purpose of obtaining migration and life history informationo Scope: North Park (Jackson County)o Personnel: Ken Baer, Ed Wellein and Dick Droll of the Fish and Wildlife Service; Ferd C" Kleinschni tz, Mo G. Sheldon, Roger Ki~1ana~ Ronald Ao Ryder and Jack Grieb" Introduction Drive trapping activities were undertaken on lakes in North Park during the week of August 9-14, 1954" Because of the early season this year, so that a majority of the birds were flying by this date, and unfamilarity with this technique, an insufficient sample of the resident duck population was obtained" Therefore, it was decided that several weeks of bait trapping would be attempted in an effort to gain a more complete sampleo The bait trapping duties were carried on by Rc A. Ryder and Ro Lo Kirkman~ The following report is divided into two sections: the firstj listing the results of the drive trapp