Upland Game Bird Stamp Program

Transcription

1 Nevada Department of Wildlife Upland Game Bird Stamp Program Fiscal Year 2013 June 2012 Photo by David Parker Photo by Tim Torell Photo by Lee Turner

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3 Table of Contents Page Relevant Upland Game Bird Stamp Nevada Revised Statutes... 2 Progress Report on Upland Game Bird Stamp Projects Funded in FY Summary of Proposed FY 2013 Upland Game Bird Stamp Projects (table) Upland Game Bird Stamp Account Budget Status (table) Proposed FY 2013 Upland Game Bird Stamp Projects

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5 Relevant Upland Game Bird Stamp Nevada Revised Statutes NRS Fee to hunt certain upland game birds: Requirements regarding documentation of payment; amount. 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful for any person to hunt any upland game bird, except turkey and crow, unless at the time he is hunting he carries on his person such documentation as the Department provides as proof that he has paid to the Department, for the licensing period that includes the time he is hunting, the fee required pursuant to this section. 2. The provisions of this section do not apply to a person who is under the age of 12 years. 3. The documentation required pursuant to this section must be sold by the Department, and persons authorized by the Department to sell hunting licenses, for a fee of $ The Department shall determine the form of the documentation. (Added to NRS by 2003, 2540) NRS Fee to hunt certain upland game birds: Deposit of proceeds; accounting records; reimbursement of administrative costs. All money received pursuant to NRS must be deposited with the State Treasurer for credit to the Wildlife Obligated Reserve Account in the State General Fund. The Department shall maintain separate accounting records for the receipt and expenditure of that money. An amount not to exceed 10 percent of that money may be used to reimburse the Department for the cost of administering the program of documentation. This amount is in addition to compensation allowed persons authorized to issue and sell licenses. (Added to NRS by 2003, 2540) NRS Fee to hunt certain upland game birds: Use of proceeds. 1. Before the Department may undertake any project using money received pursuant to NRS , it must analyze the project and provide the Commission with recommendations as to the need for the project and its feasibility. 2. Money received pursuant to NRS must be used for projects approved by the Commission for the protection and propagation of upland game birds and for the acquisition, development and preservation of the habitats of upland game birds in this State. (Added to NRS by 2003, 2540) NRS Fee to hunt certain upland game birds: Reports to Legislature regarding program. The Department shall, not later than the fifth calendar day of each regular session of the Legislature, submit to it a report summarizing any projects undertaken and the receipt and expenditure of money and public benefits achieved by the program for the sale of documentation to hunt any upland game bird, except turkey and crow. (Added to NRS by 2003, 2540) 2

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7 Progress Report on Upland Game Bird Stamp Projects Funded in FY 2012 Summary Upland Game Trap, Transplant & Monitoring A successful ruffed grouse capture was completed in the Fall of 2012 in Elko County. Follow-up monitoring is in progress and consists of documenting locations of radio-marked birds and drumming counts. The Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (CSTG) Re-introduction Project has been a long-time in the making. Initial habitat suitability analyses have taken place and coordination with pertinent federal land management agencies, private landowners and permittees is ongoing. Greater Sage-grouse monitoring primarily consisted of capturing and radiomarking individual sage-grouse in various locations throughout the state. Follow-up monitoring is conducted by either ground or air. New technology using Forward Looking Infrared technology was utilized this year to determine efficiency and effectiveness. Ruffed Grouse A ruffed grouse capture and translocation project was conducted during September of 2011 in northern Elko County. A total of 17 ruffed grouse were captured consisting of 2 adult hens, 5 juvenile females, 6 adult males and 4 juvenile males. These birds were translocated from the Bull Run Mountains to the North Tuscarora Range to expand the existing range of the species in Nevada. 3

8 Five ruffed grouse were radio-marked to determine movement patterns and survival of the translocated grouse. A total of 2 juvenile females, 2 adult males and 1 adult female were outfitted with VHF collars. Follow-up monitoring has revealed that the two juvenile hens have deceased while the adult birds remain alive. One of the juvenile females was thought to have been compromised during capture. All birds remained within approximately two miles of the release site. In addition to this follow-up monitoring, a drumming count was conducted on May 9, 2012 with positive recordings documented in 4 of the 19 sites surveyed. The Toe Jam and Rock Creek drainages within the North Tuscarora Range were selected because of the availability of suitable habitat conditions largely due to vast range improvements, primarily as a result of an improved grazing system (rest rotation). An adequate understory and diverse age stand of aspen will be conducive to the establishment of a ruffed grouse population in this area. Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Translocation and Research The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) has been pursuing an effort to reestablish sharp-tailed grouse within the northern Independence and Bull Run Mountain Ranges for several years. This particular project has been difficult to get off the ground, largely due to limited availability of source stock. Coordination with Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) is ongoing to obtain CSTG from source populations in those respective states. At IDFG s request, a 4

9 habitat suitability assessment was conducted during the summer of 2011 with the assistance of the U.S. Geological Survey. The analyses of the data collected suggests that key elements of the habitat in potential translocation sites in Nevada is not significantly different from the habitat currently available to the source population of CSTG in Curlew Valley, Idaho, or is significantly more abundant in the release sites, particularly the NDOW identified release site #2. A research proposal and translocation plan has been developed and a sub-grant is being drafted with the U.S. Geological Survey and Idaho State University to conduct and monitor the results of this project over a five year period. NDOW staff is developing a request letter and support material to provide to IDFG and UDWR requesting approximately CSTG over the next five-year period. It is anticipated that the first release will be conducted during the fall of Greater Sage-grouse Funding from the Upland Game Stamp Program was utilized to purchase radio transmitters, conduct follow-up of radio-marked sage-grouse and to examine a relatively new methodology for surveying leks that involves the use of a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) camera mounted on a fixed wing aircraft. A total of 25 radio transmitters were purchased with Upland Game Stamp funding and will be utilized to radio-mark sage-grouse within the Virginia Mountains located in southern Washoe County. Information collected from these birds will augment an existing research effort that has been ongoing for three years. As of this writing, just over 34 flight hours have been spent conducting follow-up surveys for radio-marked sage-grouse. Project work has occurred in the Pine Nut Mountains, Virginia Mountains, Santa Rosa Range, Simpson Park Mountains, North Tuscarora Range and the Gollaher region near Jackpot. These follow-up flights are instrumental in locating sage-grouse during the winter months. Three experiments were set up to evaluate the effectiveness of using FLIR for sagegrouse lek surveys and consisted of: 1. Simply document numbers of birds on known active locations; 2. Compare FLIR lek counts on known active leks with helicopter survey results; 3. Compare FLIR lek counts on known active leks with ground based counts as well as assess the effectiveness of using FLIR to search areas for undiscovered leks. 5

10 Partial Forward Looking Infrared imagery showing sage-grouse (white dots) on the Button Lake lek in the Owyhee Desert. Eight hours of surveys were conducted over 3 separate mornings using (FLIR) technology. Flights were conducted at an elevation averaging approximately 1,000 above ground level (AGL) so as not to disturb breeding activity and inadvertently flush birds from the lek. This methodology is relatively new and its application is still being tested against actual ground counts to determine accuracy. In mid-april during two separate mornings, 38 lek sites consisting of 25 active, 9 unknown and 4 inactive status leks were surveyed using FLIR. Positive detections were made at 13 active leks and 4 unknown status leks. Further analysis is pending, but it is believed that there is a practical application for this methodology, especially for remote, difficult to access lek locations. The figure above shows a partial image of sage-grouse at a known active lek site in a very remote portion of Elko County. 6

11 Indian Valley Pinyon-Juniper Removal for Sage Grouse Purpose and Need The purpose of this project is to improve sage-grouse habitat in the Indian Valley area between the Shoshone Range and the Toiyabe Range in central Nevada (Nye County, see the figure below). Sagebrush habitat in this area has been encroached with pinyon and juniper trees and removal of these trees will improve breeding and brood rearing habitat for sage-grouse. The project area encompasses approximately 600 acres that will be treated with hand crews using chainsaws. On average, there are about trees/acre. The treatments will reduce the risk of continued invasion by pinyon-juniper, which causes future loss of existing sagebrush habitat. No mountain mahogany or bitter brush will be cut. This project is supported by objectives outlined in the South Central Sage Grouse Conservation Plan (2004) for habitat enhancement. Funding This project is 75% funded by the USFWS s Nevada Sagegrouse Conservation Grant (W- 64 grant) and 25% funded by a combination of Nevada Upland Game Bird Stamp funds ($7,500) and a donation from the Carson Valley Chukar Club ($5,000). Approximately $5,900 of the Upland Game Bird Stamp funds are expected to be spent by the end of FY12 and the remaining $1,600 will be spent in FY13. 7

12 Progress A sub-grant agreement is in place between NDOW and the Great Basin Institute Nevada Conservation Corps to conduct the thinning and removal work. Actual implementation of the project will begin in late May of 2012 and will be completed during July of Key Pittman WMA Food Plots A total of $2,932 of Upland Game Bird Stamp funds was spent on seed. Approximately 60 acres were planted with fall 3-way mix, hairy vetch, and clover as a winter cover crop and to enhance hunter success while hunting the fields on the Key Pittman WMA. An additional 40 acres were planted with ryegrass, tall fescue and Indian rice grass to enhance desirable vegetation in areas where the removal of noxious weeds left areas that were lightly vegetated or bare ground. This project was completed by in-house personnel. Kirch WMA Surrogator Incubator Boxes A total of $6,200 was spent on two surrogator units, chick feed, and propane for heaters in each unit. Both units have been installed and are rearing pheasants on the management area. Each unit has the ability to rear up to 75 pheasant chicks. Pheasants will be released after four weeks, and the surrogators are capable of producing multiple broods during the year. These units will lead to better distribution of upland game birds and increase hunting opportunities on the WMA. 8

13 Kirch WMA Food Plots The upper 40 acres of the Kirch WMA s Dove field were planted with a mix of millet, sunflower, and sorghum; the lower 30 acres of the Dove Field were planted with winter wheat and Austrian winter peas. The Old Place unit was planted with a mix of Japanese Millet, smartweed, and cereal grains. Labor for this project was provided by NDOW personnel and a total of $3,417 was spent on seed for food plots and mileage. Southern Nevada Small Game Water Development Projects Maintenance Activities: The primary objective of the Southern Region s water development program in FY12 was to inspect and perform maintenance on existing upland water developments. Those water developments (also referred to as guzzlers) are cistern-based structures designed to capture precipitation in water-limited environments. While the guzzlers target upland game bird species, primarily Gambel s quail and chukar partridge (Fig. 1), they also are often utilized by a variety of other aquatic, avian, and terrestrial wildlife. From July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, water development staff performed 64 inspections on existing upland guzzlers in Clark, Lincoln, and Nye Counties and performed 43 maintenance procedures during or following those inspections. Most of the maintenance activity included repair or replacement of exclusionary fencing, storage tanks, frames, collection aprons, and 9

14 plumbing (Fig. 2). Additionally, staff identified a need to improve performance of wildlife escape ramps in several units, of which over 150 escape ramps were fitted with corrugated polypropylene mesh. Gambel s quail (Callipepla gambelii) and chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) in the Mormon Mountains of Lincoln County, Nevada, Initial Planning and Siting Activities for New Water Developments: NDOW s water development staff and Game Division biologists have started the initial planning and site visits needed to site new small game water developments that will aide in the expansion and establishment of mountain quail populations in Esmeralda and Lincoln Counties, respectively. Sites are being investigated that would expand an existing mountain quail population from the Sylvania Mountains to the Palmetto Mountains of Esmeralda County. Potential habitat in Lincoln County, including the Clover Mountains, is also being assessed to determine its viability to support mountain quail introductions. Following the necessary NEPA and cultural resource clearances, construction of the new quail guzzlers is tentatively scheduled to begin in the autumn of 2012 (FY13). FY12 Upland Game Bird Stamp account expenditures for the Southern Region s water development program are expected to total approximately $81,

15 Volunteers from the Boy Scouts of America in the Spring Mountains of Clark County, Nevada, Northern Nevada Small Game Water Development Projects Winnemucca water development staff maintained or rebuilt 36 upland game guzzlers since July 1 st, 2011 and a total of approximately $27,000 of Upland Game Bird Stamp funds are expected to be spent in FY12. This small game guzzler maintenance was performed on 4 small game guzzlers on Blue Mountain that were in need of apron work. There were 2 small game guzzlers maintained on Button Point in need of fence repairs and apron work. There were 2 small game guzzlers on Buffalo Mountain that had their fences rebuilt using pipe rail. Crittenden had 1 small game guzzler completely rebuilt. Hoppin Peaks had 1 small game guzzler fence rebuilt. Majuba Mountain had 4 small game guzzlers that needed fence rebuilds. There were 14 small game guzzlers in the Osgood Mountains that needed apron work. In the Seven Troughs Range, 3 small game guzzlers had the fence rebuilt and 1 additional small game guzzler needed to be rebuilt due to fire damage (see the photograph below). In the Virginia Range, 2 small game guzzler sites were worked on, one site needed apron and gutter work, while another site needed a complete rebuild. There were 2 small game guzzler sites in the Pine Nut Range that needed to be completely rebuilt. 11

16 The Seven Troughs #12 water development project rebuilt after fire damage. Design changes and improvements to facilitate construction and improve wildlife use are always an ongoing activity of the Winnemucca water development crew. Coordination with the BLM, Forest Service, USFWS and volunteer sportsmens organizations continues and also is an important part of the program. Coordination with the US Fish and Wildlife Service included meetings with the Sheldon Antelope Range Refuge staff regarding their Comprehensive Conservation Plan update. Buckskin Valley Vegetation Treatment Project The objectives of the Buckskin Valley Vegetation Treatment Project are to: (1) improve the quality of wildlife habitat in the project area, particularly sage-grouse summer habitat, and (2) reduce the threat of damaging wildfire. The objectives will be achieved by reducing pinyon and juniper (PJ) tree cover and density to improve the health, vigor and production of perennial grass, forb and shrub species. The BLM s Sierra Front Field Office (SFFO) has completed planning and an Environmental Assessment (EA) to conduct this sagebrush improvement and PJ vegetation reduction project. The EA covers management activities to conduct vegetation treatments on 7,000 acres of public land. There are additional acres being 12

17 treated on adjacent private lands. The project area lies within the Pine Nut Population Management Unit (PMU) for sage-grouse. Sage-grouse residing within this PMU are part of the Bi-State population of greater sage-grouse. In 2010, the USFWS determined the greater sage-grouse warrants the protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), but that listing was precluded by higher priority listing actions (USFWS 2010a). To date, approximately 1,500 acres have been treated on BLM-managed lands and on adjacent private lands. The second phase of treatments will be implemented in summer and fall of 2012 on both public and private lands, and targets 2,000 acres. Other activities supported by this funding include an intensive sage grouse collaring and monitoring effort being led by USGS with NDOW and CVCC support. Sage grouse in this PMU have been captured and fitted with GPS enabled collars and their fine scale movements and use of the landscape are being documented. The Nevada Partners for Conservation and Development continues to implement vegetation monitoring within the treatment area and Great Basin Bird Observatory is expanding their monitoring efforts on the project site. Mastication machinery treating Pinyon-Juniper vegetation in the Buckskin Project. 13

18 The total money to be spent from the Upland Game Bird Stamp account by the end of FY12 amounts to $25,000; in addition, a $5,000 donation from the CVCC was spent on this project. Landscape view of phase I treatment area within public and private lands in the Buckskin Valley project area. Spring Meadow Enhancement Project This separately funded project is part of the larger Buckskin Valley PJ removal project. The work supported by the FY12 CVCC donation was used for both PJ removal in the Big Meadows area (see photo below) and for collars to help track sage-grouse in the project area. The full $5,000 CVCC donation was spent in FY12. 14

19 Big Meadow in Buckskin Valley where PJ vegetation has been removed. China Camp Sage Grouse Habitat Improvement Project The purpose and objectives of this project are to restore and enhance suitable sagegrouse nesting and brood-rearing habitat and reduce the fuel load within the pinyon pine stands surrounding these habitats. This is being accomplished through several different treatments, including: removing and thinning expanding pinyon pine within sage-grouse nesting and brood-rearing habitats, restoring potential brood-rearing habitat by reducing the expansion of pinyon pine within the meadow system present in the project area. Pinyon pine found within the project area is categorized in Phases I and II, which does provide for an understory of shrubs and grasses. These pinyon stands are expanding into occupied sage grouse habitat and are located approximately one mile from documented, active lek sites. The sagebrush surrounding these areas provides suitable nesting and brood-rearing habitat for sage-grouse. A related Environmental Assessment and NEPA decision document have been completed by the USFS Bridgeport Ranger District. To date, approximately 1,000 acres in the China Camp project area have been treated. The main focus of the treatments has been to remove PJ vegetation from encroaching on two sage-grouse leks. Additional work is underway on the adjacent private land that will create a larger total treatment area. The funds from the Upland Game Bird Stamp 15

20 program were used entirely on US Forest Service land and have been utilized to leverage additional funding that will allow for the private land work to be accomplished. The Nevada Partners for Conservation and Development continues to implement vegetation monitoring within the treatment area and Great Basin Bird Observatory is expanding their monitoring efforts on the project site. Additional sagegrouse collaring efforts that will utilize funding provided by the Carson Valley Chukar Club are planned buy not yet underway. As of May 31 st 2012, the US Forest Service has used $34,000 of the $40,000 FY12 Upland Game Bird Stamp funds allocated by NDOW and the remaining $6,000 will be used in FY13 after June 30 th A $5,000 donation from the CVCC for this project will be spent in FY13. Area in foreground and background is within the China Camp project area. These areas have been treated and post treatment monitoring is scheduled for late summer

21 Desatoya Mountains Habitat Improvement Project The primary focus of this work is to improve sage-grouse habitat in the Desatoya Mountains. The range has been identified as high quality and high priority sagegrouse habitat. The areas within the project boundaries also contain large acreages of crucial mule deer winter range. The project area is approximately 230,000 acres within the Porter Canyon and Edwards Creek grazing allotments. There are 192,700 acres of the Desatoya sagegrouse population management unit and 34,195 acres of the Desatoya Wilderness Study Area within the project area. The primary project work will be PJ woodland thinning and lop-and-scatter and mastication treatments in areas identified as encroachment sites. Primarily, phase I and phase II woodlands will be targeted for treatments. A number of springs and wet meadows will be fenced to exclude livestock and within these exclosures the BLM will treat weeds and install seeds, bare root stock or willow/cottonwood poles where appropriate. NDOW funds will be used to provide funding for vegetation treatments as well as for the USGS to place GPS collars on sage-grouse in an effort to quantify the birds movements across the Desatoyas seasonally, and to quantify the birds response to the various treatments. The University of Nevada Reno and Agriculture Research Service have large experiments on the private land adjacent to the proposed project site(s) and this project will help provide funding to expand the scope and boundaries of the UNR and ARS work. NDOW has provided significant funding to the private lands for stream restoration, fencing and meadow restoration. This project area has been identified by the Carson City BLM Field Office as a top priority landscape-scale habitat project. The PJ treatment work to be funded by this project has been delayed due to an unforeseen delay in the project s NEPA process. It is highly likely that treatment work will begin in the late summer of 2012 and thus the approved FY12 funding for this project ($34,000) is expected to be spent in FY13. 17

22 This picture shows a typical Pinyon-Juniper encroachment site in the Desatoya Mountains project area. This area will be treated using a masticator. The photo is from the NPCD s vegetation monitoring program and the information collected will be used to assess success. Virginia Mountains Sage-grouse Study Purpose and Need: The purpose of this project is to estimate potential effects of threats to sage-grouse populations and habitat within the Virginia Mountains in southern Washoe County. These effects will be estimated with the use of empirical data that will be collected and interpreted before and after construction of proposed housing and renewable energy infrastructure. The U.S. Geological Survey and Idaho State University have been working in conjunction with NDOW to closely monitor this population. 18

23 Progress: Over the course of this study, 56 sage-grouse have been radio marked. Follow-up monitoring has allowed researchers to determine home ranges and utilization distribution using kernel density estimators (see the figure above). During the course of the study, 38 sage-grouse nests were monitored and nest survival was estimated at 13.5%, which is relatively very low compared to range- wide averages 42%). ( Habitat assessments were conducted at nest sites to determine selection and mean vegetation characteristics at nest sites and random sites. In addition to these surveys, videos were taken at 22 nest sites to identify nest predator species. Ravens (4 occasions), badger (1), coyote (2), bobcat (1) and one weasel were identified successfully depredating sage-grouse nests. Future: This project is proposed to continue for three more years. Recent changes in land use that favor sage-grouse may preclude major developments in key habitat areas. Information gained from this project has proven useful for future habitat conservation and improvement projects. Approximately $4,000 of this project s Upland Game Bird Stamp account budget is expected to be spent by the end of FY12 and another $8,000 is expected to be spent in FY13. Small Game On-line Questionnaire The Small Game On-line Questionnaire Project was developed to provide a more efficient and cost-effective method of getting upland game and waterfowl hunter harvest information. The old method required mailing out a multi-page, paper questionnaire to retrieve the data. Printing costs, envelope costs, postage and return 19

24 postage were all paid for by NDOW. Additionally, an NDOW employee was tasked with entering approximately 11,000 questionnaire responses. Under this project a new on-line questionnaire system was developed. Hunters who purchased upland or waterfowl stamps or privileges received a post-card in the mail directing them to an on-line web page. They were presented with the same questions as the traditional paper questionnaire. Once completed and submitted, their data goes directly into a database. Approximately 8,000 responses have been received in one months time (compared to 11,000 in two month s time with the mailed hard-copy questionnaire). A second notice is planned to go out in mid-may. To date, the project has paid post-card printing, to inform hunters of the new format and the web address for the questionnaire. The cost of the first mail-out was $1,192 and the second notice is estimated to cost $1,040. This estimated total cost ($2,232) is being shared equally by the Duck and Upland Game Bird Stamp accounts and is about $3,600 less expensive than originally anticipated. Strutting Ground Habitat Restoration near Deep Creek Funding in the amount of $7,000 was approved for removal of a rusting D9 Caterpillar and to dispose of other debris left at a site near Deep Creek as well as habitat rehabilitation of the gravel pit. The goal of this project is to protect critical sage-grouse strutting and nesting habitat. Due to staffing shortages the work could not be completed during FY12 but will be completed during FY 13. Mason Valley WMA Upland Food Plots A total of $2,350 was spent on custom upland seed mixtures for numerous upland food plots on the MVWMA. Sorghum, sunflower, Japanese Millet and a myriad of other grasses and grains were purchased for these plots. Mason Valley WMA Pheasants Purchase A total of $500 was spent on the purchase of day-old pheasant chicks. These birds were shipped in four separate shipments and incubated in surrogator boxes for up to six weeks before release onto the WMA property. With only two years under our belts, we are beginning to realize a higher crow count in the spring. 20

25 Proposed FY 2013 Upland Game Bird Stamp Projects Title of Project $ Requested from Upland Game Bird Stamp Account Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Re-introduction $ 25,000 Greater Sage-grouse Research and Monitoring $ 58,450 Ruffed Grouse & Mountain Quail Translocation $ 12,700 Key Pittman WMA Surrogator $ 3,000 Key Pittman WMA Vegetation Control $ 1,300 Key Pittman WMA Farming and Upland Food $ 3,200 Plots Kirch WMA Pheasant Purchase $ 1,000 Southern Nevada Small Game Water Development $ 80,000 Projects Northern Nevada Small Game Water Development $ 38,800 Projects Mason Valley WMA Food Plots $ 2,400 Overton WMA Food Plots $ 2,850 Bruneau WMA, Franklin Lake WMA and Birch $ 3,750 Creek Property Weed Control Sage Grouse Telemetry Project $ 30,000 Total $ 262,450* *Note: the Carson Valley Chukar Club has recently donated $22,400 to help pay for the cost of some of the projects listed above. Their donation is not reflected in the requested dollar amounts above or in the cost estimates in the attached proposed projects for FY13. This donation reduces the requested dollar total to $240,050. The proposals for the FY 2013 projects listed in the table above start on page 23. The impact of these proposed projects on the Upland Game Bird Stamp account balance is defined on the next page. 21

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27 Upland Game Bird Stamp Account Budget Status Balance in the Account at Start of FY 2012 $ 443,022 Estimated Revenue Accrued During FY 2012 Estimated Total FY 2012 Account Expenditures $ 287,310 $ 217,623 Estimated Balance at the Start of FY 2013 $ 512,709 Estimated Revenue to be Accrued During FY 2013 $ 287,310 Total FY 2012 Project Expenditures During FY 2013 Proposed New Project FY 2013 Expenditures $ 56,600 $ 240,050* Estimated Balance at End of FY 2013 $ 503,369 *This dollar amount has been reduced by the CVCC s $22,400 donation discussed on the previous page. The budget information in this table is preliminary, based on estimates from late May of 2012, and is thus subject to change. 22

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29 Fiscal Year 2013 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Proposal (formerly referred to as a Level B project proposal) Project Summary Project Title: Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Re-introduction NDOW Reserve Account Program to Provide Funding: Upland Game Bird Stamp NDOW Project Manager (PM): Shawn Espinosa PM Phone Number and Address: (775) ; sespinosa@ndow.org Total Funds Requested from this Program: $25,000 Funds Requested from Other Sources (please specify by source and include in-kind services if applicable): $75,000 from Federal W-48 Game Management Grant Total Project Cost: $100,000 Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No Project Proposal I. Project Goals and Objective(s). Capture, translocation and/or monitoring of various upland game species remains an important component of upland game management in Nevada. Approval and implementation of this proposal helps assist the Nevada Department of Wildlife s Game Division fulfill objectives stated in the following: Nevada Upland Game Species Management Plan (2008); Upland Game Release Plan for FY ; NDOW s W-48 and W-64 Federal Assistance Grants (Pittman-Robertson). The goal of this project is to establish a self-sustaining population of Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (CSTG) in northeastern Nevada that exhibits long-term persistence. CSTG inhabited 23

30 northern Nevada and were described as abundant in the intermountain west (Bendire 1892) and Elko County (Lindsale 1951). The major objective of this project is to place 250 CSTG within two different release sites within Elko County over a five year period with the hopes of establishing self-sustaining populations of CSTG that offers the potential for future connectivity with populations in southern Idaho. The short-term objective of this project is to capture male CSTG in Idaho and Utah in the fall of 2012 and translocate the birds to the identified release sites in the Independence and Bull Run Mountains. Subsequent to this effort, an additional female CSTG would be captured and placed in areas selected by males during the spring of II. Project Location(s). Columbia Basin Release Site: Located between the Bull Run and Independence Mountains, this release site is characterized by rolling hills with considerable forb cover. A mixture of shrubsteppe and mountain-shrub communities are interspersed throughout the area. This release site is approximately 67 km 2 or 6700 hectares. Bull Run Release Site: Located on the east side of the Bull Run Mountains at mid-elevation above the Owyhee River. A mixture of mountain shrub communities interspersed with riparian corridors dominated by willow, aspen and alder with moderately sized aspen stands in the mid to upper elevation of drainages exists in this area. This release site is approximately 53 km 2 or 5300 hectares. III. Project Description and Proposed Activities. Our translocation efforts would follow the tasks outlined below and the recommendations established within the Guidelines for the Management of Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Population and Their Habitats (Hoffman 2012, In Prep.). The majority of these tasks would be implemented by a graduate student with Idaho State University and USGS staff, who also would be responsible for documenting project results. Assistance with capturing birds for translocation would be made available by Nevada Department of Wildlife personnel. Capture approximately 250 Columbian sharp-tailed grouse over a five-year period (in total) consisting of approximately 60% females and 40% males from areas located in Idaho and Utah; o Capture approximately males trapped on leks in the fall during year 1 (2012). Release approximately 5-10 males during the spring of year 3, 4 and 5 of the project; o Capture approximately females for releases in each of the subsequent spring breeding periods for year 2 (2013), year 3 (2014), and year 4 (2015). Attempt to release an additional females and 5-10 males in year 5 of the project; o Captured grouse should be transported in specially-built boxes with individual compartments designed to house the birds separately and constrain their movements. Line the bottom of each compartment with clay cat litter to reduce contact between feces and the bird s feet. The box should be designed so that it 24

31 can be opened remotely from a distance allowing the birds to walk or fly away without being frightened. Outfit approximately 50% of translocated males released in the fall with radio transmitters and monitor movements throughout the winter and into the spring breeding period. Areas selected by males during the spring breeding period would be considered as focal areas for release of females; Outfit approximately 50-75% of translocated females released in the spring with radio transmitters; Each translocated bird would have a leg band attached; Upon release, the box should be positioned in such a way so as to provide a clear path to escape cover without any obstacles such as fences. Scan the area for raptors prior to release; Females would be tracked 2-3 times per week during the nesting period; Determine nest initiation dates of each female grouse; Identify predators of nests using continuous digital video recording systems from a subset of nests; Calculate the kernel home-ranges of male and female grouse during the nesting season; Identify movement patterns during the nesting season; Within 48 hours of nest fate, measure multiple microhabitat characteristics at each nest site, including total shrub cover, sagebrush cover, perennial and annual grasses, perennial and annual forbs, vertical cover, and horizontal cover (measured at 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 m from nest site); o Place four perpendicular transects centered at the nest and record the percent shrub cover for each meter along the transect at scales of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 m; o In addition place two 20 X 50 cm Daubenmire plots along each transect and one at the nest center where percent cover is estimated and all plants are measured and keyed as annual or perennial; o Use three methods (Jones cover board, Robel pole, and a cover ball photography) to estimate vertical and horizontal cover at each point of subplots and at the nest bowl; Measure the habitat characteristics (field and GIS) at random points that are spatially dependent and independent from the nest site; Conduct multi-scale habitat selection analysis using random and used points; Conduct surveys of badgers, ravens and raptors at nesting and random areas throughout the study site; Determine nest fate of each female grouse and estimate daily nest survival probabilities; Estimate the effects of habitat characteristics and predator abundance on nest survival rates; Estimate the effects of grouse age and body condition on nest survival rates; Track individual birds by ground or aircraft 2-3 time per week during the brooding period; Conduct habitat measurements (field and GIS) at a subsample of brood locations during day and night and dependent random locations for each 10-day interval; Calculate 10-day interval brood survival rate; 25

32 Develop and compare brood survival models that include vegetation characteristics as covariates to identify the effects of vegetation factors; Use aircraft to identify wintering grounds by locating radio-marked grouse at least once per month; Determine monthly survival of radio-marked grouse to determine whether or not grouse experience elevated mortality rates during specific time periods; Determine whether or not there are differences between sexes for monthly and annual survival. IV. Project Timeline. Fall 2012: Capture CSTG males from Idaho and/or Utah in the fall of 2012 and translocate to Nevada. Conduct follow-up monitoring of approximately 25 radio marked males at least twice monthly through March Spring 2013: Capture CSTG females from established leks in Idaho and/or Utah in the spring breeding season and translocate to Nevada. Conduct follow-up monitoring of approximately radio marked females throughout their life cycle. V. Relationship to Existing and Proposed Land and Resource Management Plans. The release site in the Columbia Basin within the Independence Mountains is largely private land. We have been coordinating with the landowner for over a year and recently learned that the property has been sold. Contact has been initiated with the new landowner and an allotment sublease holder. Thus far, discussions have been favorable regarding the re-establishment effort. A letter of request is being drafted for the new landowner to consider. The release site on the east side of the Bull Run Mountains would take place on U.S. Forest Service lands. We have received verbal approval to release CSTG in this area. CSTG are a native species and the release area is within historic CSTG habitats so no additional clearances were requested by the USFS. VI. Existing Habitat and Species Baseline Conditions. A Habitat Suitability Examination was conducted for the proposed release sites within the Independence and Bull Run Mountains during the summer of 2011 by USGS personnel. Statistical analysis of the vegetative data suggest that key elements of the habitat in potential translocation sites is not significantly different from the habitat currently available to the source population of CSTG in Curlew Valley, Idaho, or is significantly more abundant in the release sites. Such elements include more shrub canopy cover in Nevada of shrub-steppe species including sagebrush and more canopy cover of mountain-shrub-steppe species. Release Site 2 has a similar percentage of grass cover as the source site, a similar percentage of forb cover, and a similar percentage of residual cover (Coates et al 2011). 26

33 VII. Measuring Results. See the Project Description and Proposed Activities section for details regarding the monitoring and habitat selection assessment design. VIII. Post release monitoring of demographics and habitat usage is an extremely important element of this project. Similar translocation and habitat use research is being conducted in Idaho by a PhD student. This study is focusing on the use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) habitats by sharp-tailed grouse. We feel that this translocation effort and research on habitat usage within native habitats in Nevada would provide important information to the long-term conservation of the species. Follow-up monitoring of approximately individuals each year over a 5-year period would provide us with a great deal of information regarding the success, or failure of the project and whether or not future efforts to restore the species within its original historic range is feasible. Monitoring and Adaptive Management. See section VII above. IX. Additional Information. The following documents were used while developing this proposal: Nevada Upland Game Species Management Plan (2008); Upland Game Release Plan for FY ; NDOW s W-48 Federal Assistance Grants (Pittman-Robertson); Data Summary of a Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Habitat Suitability Examination between Idaho and Nevada (Coates et al. 2011). Guidelines for the Management of Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Populations and Their Habitats (Hoffman 2012). Wildlife Reserve Account Project Cost and Funding Summary 1. Dollar Amount Requested from This Program $ 25, Other Funding Sources for This Project a. Federal Upland Game Grant $ 75,000 b. $ c. $ d. $ 27

34 e. Total Other Funding Sources (Lines a-d) $ 75, In-Kind Services and Donations for This Project a. Volunteer Time $ b. Equipment $ c. Materials $ d. $ e. $ f. $ g. $ h. Total In-Kind Services and Donations (Lines a-g) $ 4. Total Project Funding $ 100,000 (Add Lines 1, 2e and 3h) Project Cost Estimates Costs to be Covered by this All Other Costs Program 1. Land Acquisition $ $ 2. Personnel (USGS and ISU staff) $18,350 $ 55, Travel a. Per Diem $ $ b. Mileage $ $ c. Total Travel Costs (Lines a-b) $ $ 4. Equipment Items a. VHF Radio Transmitters $2,775 $ 8,325 b. VHF Telemetry Receiver $1,250 $ 3,750 c. $ $ 28

35 d. $ $ e. Total Equipment Costs (Lines a-d) $ 4,025 $ 12, Materials a. $ $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Material Costs (Lines a-d) $ $ 6. Miscellaneous Costs a. Fixed Wing Telemetry Survey $2,625 $ 7,875 b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Miscellaneous Costs (Lines a-d) $2,625 $ 7, Total Costs to be Charged to This Program $ 25,000 (Add Left Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 8. Total All Other Costs to be Funded by Other Programs $ 75,000 (Add Right Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 9. Total Project Costs $ 100,000 (Add Lines 7, 8) 29

36 Other Funding Considerations Why Does Your Project Need to be Funded by this Program? This project is an example of what the Upland Game Bird Stamp program was created for: protection and propagation of upland game birds. Project funds from this program would also be used as a source of state matching for the Federal Upland Game Grant. Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No If Yes, Which Federal Grant Would the Matching Funds be Used For? The Federal Upland Game Grant (W-48 PR) 30

37 Fiscal Year 2013 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Proposal (formerly referred to as a Level B project proposal) Project Summary Project Title: Greater Sage-grouse Research and Monitoring NDOW Reserve Account Program to Provide Funding: Upland Game Bird Stamp NDOW Project Manager (PM): Shawn Espinosa PM Phone Number and Address: (775) ; sespinosa@ndow.org Total Funds Requested from this Program: $58,450 Funds Requested from Other Sources: $46,000 ($37,500 from the Federal W-64 Nevada Sagegrouse Conservation Grant and $8,500 from the BLM s Bishop Field Office) Total Project Cost: $104,450 Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No Project Proposal I. Project Goals and Objective(s). The goal of this project is to assist with the continuation of a number of monitoring efforts ongoing statewide. Some of these projects are portions of research efforts while others are preproject (land use development) monitoring to determine seasonal use patterns and habitat selection. Additionally, telemetry information obtained from sage-grouse throughout Nevada may very well be used to inform a statewide resource selection function model for the species. Objectives of this project vary; however, for the purposes of this project, we anticipate capturing up to 50 sage-grouse and placing radio transmitters on these birds during the fall of 2012 and spring of Greater sage-grouse monitoring would consist of additional monitoring needs in the Virginia Mountains of southern Washoe County as part of a larger research project and for 31

38 assisting with monitoring efforts in the Mount Grant PMU within the Bi-State Sage-grouse population. In addition to this work, we are also interested in the use of forward looking infrared (FLIR) remote sensing technology to remotely count and document activity for sage-grouse leks. The objective here is to conduct approximately 3-4 flights within potential suitable sage-grouse breeding habitat to identify lek locations previously unknown. II. Project Location(s). Virginia Mountains Research Site: This site is located in the Virginia Mountains located in southern Washoe County just west of Pyramid Lake. We have supported a research effort being conducted by USGS at this site for the last three years. This area includes the Virginia portion of the Virginia/Pah Rah Population Management Unit. Mount Grant Population Management Unit: This area is located in the Bi-State Sage-grouse Population and is largely located in Mineral County; however, there are some portions of this PMU in Lyon County. The PMU includes the Wassuk Range, Nine Mile Flat, China Camp, Aurora and Mount Hicks area. FLIR Lek Monitoring and Searches: This tool would be employed in PMUs where we currently have limited knowledge of lek locations, but suspect there to be several more leks than now known. A good example of this is the Desert PMU located in northwestern Elko County where two flights are being conducted in April of This survey would essentially be a trial run using the Forward Looking Infrared technology to detect lek location. The first flight would be conducted to survey known active lek locations and a second flight would be conducted within a previously identified polygon where sage-grouse breeding activity is suspected, but is currently unknown. Aerial Lek Survey: Each year, the Nevada Department of Wildlife conducts aerial lek surveys across the range of the species in Nevada to document activity and lek size for those leks that are high elevation and difficult to access from the ground. Fixed Wing Telemetry Surveys: These surveys take place on a monthly basis across the range of the species in Nevada depending on where radio-marked birds are located. III. Project Description and Proposed Activities. Virginia Range Research Project: Identify habitat during the reproductive life-stages of female sage-grouse using multiscale analysis (measurements from field and Geographical Information Systems); Estimate nest and brood survival rates in relation to selected vegetation parameters at multiple spatial scales and predator abundance. Extensive predator surveys would be conducted to develop a predator abundance index by species for each nest. 32

39 Identify predators using continuous digital video recorders with miniature cameras. Unambiguous identification of predators is important to fully understand interactions between the predator community and habitat characteristics. Identify the direct and indirect effects of the transmission lines and other energy related infrastructure on selection of areas for nesting and brood-rearing and on population vital rates; Identify seasonal home-ranges and movement patterns by sex and age. Distinguishing between habitat types during different life-stages. Furthermore, understanding areas used for late-fall and wintering would contribute to an understanding of sexual segregation and identify important feeding areas for congregated broods before departure to wintering grounds. Estimate seasonal and annual survival rates by sex and age. Mount Grant Habitat Delineation: Identify seasonal use areas and determine movement patterns between these seasonal use areas; Estimate nest and brood survival rates in relation to selected vegetation parameters at multiple spatial scales; Identify seasonal home-ranges and movement patterns by sex and age. Distinguishing between habitat types during different life-stages. Furthermore, understanding areas used for late-fall and wintering would contribute to an understanding of sexual segregation and identify important feeding areas for congregated broods before departure to wintering grounds. Utilize information collected from radio marked sage-grouse within the Mount Grant PMU to inform the proposed Bi-State Conservation Planning Tool (CPT) developed in the Bi-State Sage-grouse Conservation Action Plan (2012). Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) Lek Detection: A fixed wing aircraft outfitted with a thermal imaging camera is utilized to detect birds on leks from approximately 1,000 feet above ground level (to avoid disturbance). Pilot studies are currently ongoing through Brigham Young University and the University of Idaho. We would like to contribute to their effort by providing funding for either the rental of the thermal imaging system for one week or necessary flight time to conduct the surveys. We are proposing to conduct approximately four flights using the FLIR camera to detect lek activity and attendance rates at known leks as well as determine the efficacy of the tool for detecting leks previously unknown. Two flights would be conducted over areas containing known active leks and two flights would be conducted over areas expected to be sage-grouse breeding habitat, but where no leks have been identified. Areas surveyed with FLIR with known leks would be compared to both ground and aerial (helicopter) survey results to determine effectiveness of the tool. Sage-grouse Aerial Lek Survey: Each year, NDOW utilizes a contracted helicopter service to conduct aerial lek surveys. At a time of year when NDOW helicopters are often utilized to conduct spring deer surveys, it is 33

40 important that NDOW have the opportunity to utilize a contracted aerial service to augment lek survey duties. Fixed Wing Telemetry Survey: Fixed wing telemetry surveys are normally conducted by a contracted aerial service provider (Owyhee Air). These flights are conducted once per month in a predetermined circuit along with other species that may be radio-marked in a given area. Data collected from these flights greatly augments existing databases and are especially important for the winter months, when access to certain locations can be difficult. IV. Project Timeline. Capture efforts would be conducted in early fall of 2012 and during the spring months of Follow-up of radio marked individuals would take place throughout the fiscal year. FLIR work would be conducted during the spring breeding season of Aerial survey work (helicopter lek counts) would be conducted during the spring breeding season of Fixed wing telemetry surveys would be conducted throughout the fiscal year, with emphasis on locating radio-marked birds during late fall, winter and early spring periods. V. Relationship to Existing and Proposed Land and Resource Management Plans. Information gained from the proposed monitoring efforts can help further refine BLM designated Preliminary Priority Habitat (PPH) and Preliminary General Habitat (PGH) that is applicable to existing sub-regional EIS processes. VI. Existing Habitat and Species Baseline Conditions. Not applicable as this is a monitoring project, although there are some instances where vegetation data would be collected to assist with determining habitat suitability for the species and habitat selection versus random sites. VII. Measuring Results. Virginia Range Research Project: This project has provided the Nevada Department of Wildlife with a substantial amount of data relative to sage-grouse habitat selection, adult survival rates, nest initiation rates and success, and nest predator identification. A progress report is available for the project from USGS and the graduate student working on the project, Zach Lockyer, is expected to complete his thesis this year. A new graduate student would be working on the project over the next three years. Some habitat enhancement work is expected to occur over the next couple of years within the Virginia Mountains including sagebrush planting in areas affected by wildfire within the Spanish Flat/Vinegar Peak area. Continued monitoring of this population would help determine the effects of certain habitat enhancement efforts. 34

41 Mount Grant Habitat Delineation This project is designed to more accurately understand habitat usage within the Mount Grant/Bodie Hill PMU complex. Currently, use has been documented in the upper elevations of the Wassuk Range near Mount Grant proper, Nine Mile Flat, along the East Fork of the Walker River near the state line, near China Camp and the Aurora/Brawley Peaks area. Little is understood regarding seasonal habitat usage and movement between seasonal habitats. This project would help clarify these issues. In addition, spatial and temporal data derived from radio-marked individuals would help inform a resource selection function model being developed for the Bi-State Sage-grouse Population by the USGS. This was a major component of the recently completed Bi-State Sage-grouse Conservation Action Plan. FLIR Lek Detection: The design of this project is such that we would be able to determine the effectiveness of the technique relatively quickly. Comparison of ground or helicopter survey counts during expected peak activity periods versus counts obtained using the FLIR tool would help determine the efficacy of the tool. Additionally, the detection rate utilizing the tool would help Game Division determine whether FLIR technology is useful for documenting new leks in the future. Fixed Wing Telemetry Surveys: These surveys greatly increase the strength of our dataset and can assist with the development of a resource selection function model being developed by the USGS. Additionally, beyond locating radio-marked sage-grouse, these surveys allow us to determine monthly survival and understand critical periods. VIII. Monitoring and Adaptive Management. See section VII above. IX. Additional Information. The following documents were used while developing this proposal: First Edition of the Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Plan for Nevada and Eastern California (2004); NDOW s W-64 Federal Assistance Grants (Pittman-Robertson); 35

42 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Cost and Funding Summary 1. Dollar Amount Requested from This Program $ 58, Other Funding Sources for This Project a. Federal Sage-grouse Grant $ 37,500 b. BLM Bishop Field Office $ 8,500 c. $ d. $ e. Total Other Funding Sources (Lines a-d) $ 46, In-Kind Services and Donations for This Project a. Volunteer Time $ b. Equipment $ c. Materials $ d. $ e. $ f. $ g. $ h. Total In-Kind Services and Donations (Lines a-g) $ 4. Total Project Funding $ 104,450 (Add Lines 1, 2e and 3h) 36

43 Project Cost Estimates Costs to be Covered by this All Other Costs Program 1. Land Acquisition $ $ 2. Personnel $ 12,500 $ 37, Travel a. Per Diem $ $ b. Mileage $ $ c. Total Travel Costs (Lines a-b) $ $ 4. Equipment Items a. Radio transmitters (ATS) $ 2,700 $ b. Radio transmitters (BLM) $ $ 8,500 c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Equipment Costs (Lines a-d) $ 2,700 $ 8, Materials a. Trapping supplies $ 1,000 $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Material Costs (Lines a-d) $ 1,000 $ 6. Miscellaneous Costs a. Aerial survey (FLIR Owyhee Air) $ 11,200 $ b. Aerial survey (El Aero Services) $ 11,550 $ c. Aerial survey (Fixed Wing Telemetry) $ 19,500 $ d. $ $ e. Total Miscellaneous Costs (Lines a-d) $ 42,250 $ 37

44 7. Total Costs to be Charged to This Program $ 58,450 (Add Left Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 8. Total All Other Costs to be Funded by Other Programs $ 46,000 (Add Right Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 9. Total Project Costs $ 104,450 (Add Lines 7, 8) Other Funding Considerations Why Does Your Project Need to be Funded by this Program? This project reduces the burden on limited license dollars and all of the requested funds are utilized as match for the Federal W-64 Nevada Sage-grouse Conservation Grant. Greater Sagegrouse are of concern because they are considered an indicator species of overall ecosystem health for much of the sagebrush shrubland in Nevada and are being considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No If Yes, Which Federal Grant Would the Matching Funds be Used For? The Federal Sage-grouse Grant 38

45 Fiscal Year 2013 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Proposal (formerly referred to as a Level B project proposal) Project Summary Project Title: Ruffed Grouse & Mountain Quail Translocation NDOW Reserve Account Program to Provide Funding: Upland Game Bird Stamp NDOW Project Manager (PM): Shawn Espinosa PM Phone Number and Address: (775) ; sespinosa@ndow.org Total Funds Requested from this Program: $12,700 Funds Requested from Other Sources: $5,940 ($2,970 each from the Carson Valley Chukar Club and Nevada Chukar Foundation) Total Project Cost: $18,640 Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No Project Proposal I. Project Goals and Objective(s). Capture, translocation and/or monitoring of various upland game species remains an important component of upland game management in Nevada. Approval and implementation of this proposal helps assist the Nevada Department of Wildlife s Game Division fulfill objectives stated in the following: Nevada Upland Game Species Management Plan (2008); Upland Game Release Plan for FY ; and NDOW s W-48 and W-64 Federal Assistance Grants (Pittman-Robertson). 39

46 Ruffed Grouse Translocation and Establishment The goal of this project is to maintain and expand healthy, self sustaining ruffed grouse populations within suitable habitats within Nevada. The overall objective as identified in the Nevada Upland Game Species Management Plan (2008) is to increase the distribution of ruffed grouse by 20% in Nevada by Mountain Quail Translocation and Establishment The goal of this project is to maintain and expand healthy, self-sustaining populations of mountain quail throughout the range of appropriate key habitats identified in Nevada. The objective of this project is to establish mountain quail in at least 25% of identified suitable unoccupied habitat in Nevada by 2017 (Nevada Upland Game Species Management Plan). II. Project Location(s). Ruffed Grouse Of the release sites identified in the Upland Game Release Plan for FY , two sites are considered high priority for the Game Division in terms of establishment including the Pine Forest Range in Humboldt County and the Snowstorm Mountains in Elko County. The Pine Forest release would likely be conducted on private lands located in Boyd Basin. If possible, an augmentation of the 2011 release at Toe Jam Creek, Tuscarora Range would also be conducted. In the Snowstorm Mountains, ruffed grouse would likely be released in the upper South Fork Little Humboldt drainage on NDOW owned property. Due to logistics and source stock availability, it is likely that only one release would be conducted during the fall of Depending on the number of birds captured, it is likely that birds would be released at either the Snowstorm site or, if only a few birds are capture, an augmentation of the 2011 Tuscarora Range release would be conducted. Mountain Quail There are six release sites identified within the Upland Game Release Plan for FY for mountain quail including four release sites in Lincoln County, one in western White Pine County and an augmentation site in Storey County (Virginia Range). The priority is to establish mountain quail populations within suitable habitat within Lincoln County, particularly in the Clover and Delamar Mountain Ranges; however, obtaining mountain quail from a source stock which resides in similar habitat conditions (China Lake Naval Weapons Station, Ridgecrest, CA.) has been difficult. If conditions are not conducive for a capture at China Lake NWS, then mountain quail would be obtained from Oregon for release into White Pine County (Buck Mountain). III. Project Description and Proposed Activities. Ruffed Grouse We propose to capture between ruffed grouse either from Oregon (utilizing a contracted capture vendor) or Nevada (using NDOW personnel) and either work towards the establishment of a population of ruffed grouse in the Snowstorm Mountains in western Elko County (if number captured is >18), or Pine Forest Range depending on access conditions; or augment an existing 40

47 population in the Toe Jam Creek area of the Tuscarora Mountains. The Toe Jam release was conducted in the fall of 2011 and consisted of 17 birds and a recommendation contained within the 2011 Ruffed Grouse Translocation Completion Report to augment this release with an additional 15 ruffed grouse. Mountain Quail We propose to obtain approximately 100 mountain quail from Oregon through the use of a contract capture vendor. Capture attempts within Nevada could occur for translocation purposes if conditions are conducive to a successful effort. Mountain quail would be held over at the Mason Valley WMA during the winter and early spring for release in late March or early April when habitat conditions in terms of forage availability are optimal. IV. Project Timeline. Ruffed Grouse Fall 2012: We are hoping to translocate between ruffed grouse to at least one of the release sites described above, or augment last years release in the north Tuscarora Range by November of Mountain Quail The most conducive time to capture mountain quail from China Lake Naval Weapons Station is during the late summer/early fall period. If mountain quail population numbers are deemed adequate, capture operations would commence during August and September of A subset of individuals would be radio marked to determine survival rates post release. Because of the small size and light weight of radio transmitters for mountain quail, battery life is limited to approximately six month, thus follow-up would also be limited to this period of time. Radio transmitters are expected to last on surviving individuals until February or March of V. Relationship to Existing and Proposed Land and Resource Management Plans. Ruffed Grouse The proposed release sites for are either on private lands (Pine Forest) or NDOW owned property within the Snowstorm Range (South Fork Little Humboldt). No further clearances are proposed at this time. Mountain Quail A BLM Categorical Exclusion is required for the release of mountain quail within Lincoln County. According to the Upland Game Release Plan for , a categorical exclusion is in place for these releases, but needs to be verified with the field biologist before proceeding. VI. Existing Habitat and Species Baseline Conditions. Ruffed Grouse Ruffed grouse in Nevada are extremely dependent on aspen and mixed aspen-conifer stands. The understory community within these stands is also important to supporting various life stages of ruffed grouse. Availability of water, either in the form of riparian areas or springs, is also necessary. When evaluating areas for ruffed grouse establishment, these factors are 41

48 considered along with the size of aspen stands and juxtaposition with other aspen communities. This allows movement between stands and potential connectivity corridors between populations. Mountain Quail Several factors of habitat condition and structure are evaluated when considering suitability for mountain quail. Mountain quail occupy niches within various ecosystem types from the Mojave Desert to Pacific Northwest conifer forests. Some key elements across the species range include understory condition, multiple canopy layers of overstory including shrubs and trees, and topographic relief. In Nevada, dense riparian corridors with species such as currant, gooseberry and wild rose; willow, alder and aspen canopies; and pinyon and juniper dominated slopes adjacent to riparian areas offers mountain quail with suitable habitat conditions. Another key consideration is snow depth during the winter months and the expected length of time snow accumulation is expected. In an Idaho translocation study, Gillette (2009) found that monthly snow accumulations >6.8 cm (approximately 2.75 ) led to higher winter mortality. Therefore, it is important to select release sites where mountain quail can access lower elevation sites, with suitable habitat characteristics, and avoid snow accumulations as much as possible. VII. Measuring Results. Ruffed Grouse We anticipate radio-marking approximately 6-8 individuals from the release complement to determine dispersal and survival rates post release. Individuals would be monitored both from the ground and from the air utilizing Owyhee Air services. Results of these efforts would be incorporated into a Ruffed Grouse Translocation Access Database. Mountain Quail A subset of mountain quail (20-30) would be radio-marked prior to release. These birds would be monitored at least twice per month over the useful life of the transmitters (approximately 6 months) to determine monthly survival rates and, potentially, cause of mortality. VIII. Monitoring and Adaptive Management. See section VII above. IX. Additional Information. The following documents were used while developing this proposal: Nevada Upland Game Species Management Plan (2008); Upland Game Release Plan for FY ; First Edition of the Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Plan for Nevada and Eastern California (2004); NDOW s W-48 and W-64 Federal Assistance Grants (Pittman-Robertson); Data Summary of a Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Habitat Suitability Examination between Idaho and Nevada (Coates et al. 2011). Guidelines for the Management of Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Populations and Their Habitats (Hoffman 2012). 42

49 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Cost and Funding Summary 1. Dollar Amount Requested from This Program $ 12, Other Funding Sources for This Project a. Carson Valley Chukar Club $ 2,970 b. Nevada Chukar Foundation $ 2,970 c. $ d. $ e. Total Other Funding Sources (Lines a-d) $ 5, In-Kind Services and Donations for This Project a. Volunteer Time $ b. Equipment $ c. Materials $ d. $ e. $ f. $ g. $ h. Total In-Kind Services and Donations (Lines a-g) $ 4. Total Project Funding $ 18,640 (Add Lines 1, 2e and 3h) 43

50 Project Cost Estimates Costs to be Covered by this All Other Costs Program 1. Land Acquisition $ $ 2. Personnel $ 11,700 $ 3. Travel a. Per Diem $ $ b. Mileage $ $ c. Total Travel Costs (Lines a-b) $ $ 4. Equipment Items a. Radio transmitters (ruffed grouse) $ $ 1,440 b. Radio transmitters (mountain quail) $ $ 4,500 c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Equipment Costs (Lines a-d) $ $ 5, Materials a. Trapping supplies $ 1,000 $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Material Costs (Lines a-d) $ 1,000 $ 6. Miscellaneous Costs a. $ $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Miscellaneous Costs (Lines a-d) $ $ 44

51 7. Total Costs to be Charged to This Program $ 12,700 (Add Left Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 8. Total All Other Costs to be Funded by Other Programs $ 5,940 (Add Right Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 9. Total Project Costs $ 18,640 (Add Lines 7, 8) Other Funding Considerations Why Does Your Project Need to be Funded by this Program? This project is a good example of what the Upland Game Stamp was created for: protection and propagation of upland game birds. Funds from this program also can be used for state matching purposes on the Federal Upland Game Grant. Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No If Yes, Which Federal Grant Would the Matching Funds be Used For? The Federal Upland Game Grant (W-48 PR) 45

52

53 Fiscal Year 2013 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Proposal (formerly referred to as a Level B project proposal) Project Summary Project Title: Key Pittman WMA Surrogator NDOW Reserve Account Program to Provide Funding: Upland Game Bird Stamp NDOW Project Manager (PM): Ron Mills PM Phone Number and Address: (775) ; rmills@ndow.org Total Funds Requested from this Program: $3,000 Funds Requested from Other Sources: $0 Total Project Cost: $3,000 Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No Project Proposal I. Project Goals and Objective(s). The goal is (through the purchase and use of a surrogator) greatly increase the survivability of upland game bird hatchlings to five weeks of age when they would be released. Currently predation has had a significant effect on their survival. II. Project Location(s). This project is located at the Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area located in Pahranagat Valley in Lincoln County. Key Pittman WMA is composed of a total of 1,332 acres, including two reservoirs and two wetland impoundments with seven identified habitat types. 46

54 III. Project Description and Proposed Activities. This project consists of the purchase and use of one surrogator. The surrogator provides for all of the needs to hatchlings (usually up to 5 weeks) including food, water, light, warmth and protection from predators. The young birds imprint on that location and generally stay in the vicinity. The surrogator would be used for up to three, five-week cycles annually. Currently the Gambel s quail population fluctuates between three and five small coveys annually. It is believed the survival of eggs to the point of hatching and the first few weeks following the hatch is limited due to the predator base found on the management area. With the assistance of a surrogator up to 375 five-week old quail would be released annually. Chukar were present on the management area in the past. Chukar have not been seen or heard for the past few years. Once the quail population has been augmented, a batch of chukar (approximately 100 birds) would be released annually to re-establish the chukar population. Currently there is very little interest in hunting quail due to the low numbers, although several phone calls each year are received asking about hunting opportunities for these species. IV. Project Timeline. The surrogator would be cycled three times annually beginning in March and ending in June. It should be cool enough to leave the surrogator exposed for the first two cycles on the Nesbitt Unit then the last cycle can be completed in the shade of the trees on the Frenchy Unit. These units are self contained and personnel requirements should be minimal. V. Relationship to Existing and Proposed Land and Resource Management Plans. NDOW will maintain healthy, diverse wildlife communities that satisfy mankind s desires for diversity, knowledge and enjoyment and meet our responsibility to maintain species diversity at the local, regional and global scale (NDOW Strategic Plan). VI. Existing Habitat and Species Baseline Conditions. The current quail population on the WMA consists of three to five coveys. There has been no chukar observed for several years. The upland and food plots should be able to sustain a much larger population of both species. VII. Measuring Results. Results would be measured by hatchling survival into the hunting season. It is expected that many more coveys could be established as survival of the hatchlings is improved. VIII. Monitoring and Adaptive Management. Populations are monitored on a weekly basis throughout the year. Release location and numbers could be altered following each release along with noted survival. 47

55 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Cost and Funding Summary 1. Dollar Amount Requested from This Program $ 3, Other Funding Sources for This Project a. $ b. $ c. $ d. $ e. Total Other Funding Sources (Lines a-d) $ 3. In-Kind Services and Donations for This Project a. Volunteer Time $ b. Equipment $ c. Materials $ d. $ e. $ f. $ g. $ h. Total In-Kind Services and Donations (Lines a-g) $ 4. Total Project Funding $ 3,000 (Add Lines 1, 2e and 3h) 48

56 Project Cost Estimates Costs to be Covered by this All Other Costs Program 1. Land Acquisition $ $ 2. Personnel $ $ 3. Travel a. Per Diem $ $ b. Mileage $ $ c. Total Travel Costs (Lines a-b) $ $ 4. Equipment Items a. Surrogator $ 2,050 $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Equipment Costs (Lines a-d) $ 2,050 $ 5. Materials a. $ $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Material Costs (Lines a-d) $ $ 6. Miscellaneous Costs a. Quail Chicks $ 700 $ b. Feed and Propane $ 250 $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Miscellaneous Costs (Lines a-d) $ 950 $ 49

57 7. Total Costs to be Charged to This Program $ 3,000 (Add Left Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 8. Total All Other Costs to be Funded by Other Programs $ (Add Right Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 9. Total Project Costs $ 3,000 (Add Lines 7, 8) Other Funding Considerations Why Does Your Project Need to be Funded by this Program? This project s purpose is to enhance upland game populations. It would also help provide state matching funds for the Federal WMA Grant. Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No If Yes, Which Federal Grant Would the Matching Funds be Used For? Federal WMA System Grant 50

58

59 Fiscal Year 2013 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Proposal (formerly referred to as a Level B project proposal) Project Summary Project Title: Key Pittman WMA Vegetation Control NDOW Reserve Account Program to Provide Funding: Upland Game Bird Stamp and Duck Stamp NDOW Project Manager (PM): Ron Mills PM Phone Number and Address: (775) ; rmills@ndow.org Total Funds Requested from this Program: $2,600 total ($1,300 from each program) Funds Requested from Other Sources: $0 Total Project Cost: $2,600 Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No 51

60 Project Proposal I. Project Goals and Objective(s). The objective of this project is to control 125 acres of undesirable vegetation on the Key Pittman WMA. This would be accomplished by applying herbicides to noxious/invasive weeds in upland, riparian areas, parking lots, food plots, rights of way, and to undesirable emergent vegetation along shorelines, ditches, wetland units, and boating access points. Herbicides are utilized to control noxious/invasive plants in order to restore high value plant communities. Wetland habitats are most productive when in a mosaic of 70% open water and 30% vegetative cover and having an edge effect with a mixture of cattail and hardstem bulrush, grasses and bare ground. Aquatic labeled herbicides will be used to treat these areas. Control of undesirable vegetation on ditches, boating access facilities, parking lots, and right-of-ways will facilitate water management, improves access for sportsmen, and the aesthetics of the WMA. II. III. Project Location(s). This project is located within the Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area located in Pahranagat Valley in Lincoln County. Key Pittman WMA is composed of a total of 1,332 acres, including two reservoirs and two wetland impoundments with seven identified habitat types. Project Description and Proposed Activities. The annual vegetation control program consists of the treatment of noxious/invasive weeds through application of herbicides with ground-based equipment. 1. Hoary Cress (Cardaria spp.), Phragmities (Phragmites ssp.) would be treated in the spring and summer of 2013 by applying Weedar 64 or Habitat from UTV, tractor boom sprayer or backpack sprayer. These species occur primarily in cropland, fresh emergent wetland, alkali desert scrub, urban and wet meadow. 2. Water control structures, roads, right of ways, boating access points, parking lots, and HQ grounds would be treated in 2013 with glyphosate or Weedar 64 during the spring and summer from UTV, tractor boom sprayer or backpack sprayer. Control of undesirable vegetation in these areas is essential for improved water delivery to impoundments, reservoirs and food plots, and for improved public access, reduction of fire hazards and to control invasive nuisance species such as puncture vine, cocklebur, and American kochia. 3. Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) would be treated in May with the herbicide Poast. Johnsongrass was recently added to the state noxious weed list and can be found along roadsides and in some of the food plot fields on Key Pittman WMA. Treatment would consist of boom spraying the heavy infestations and spot spraying individual plants. 4. Emergent vegetation found on the lacustrine habitats would be treated with aquaticlabeled glyphosate in mid to late summer with the use of backpack or portable sprayers and applied by boat or with the Utility Terrain Vehicle. Wetland habitats are most productive when made up of a mosaic of 70% open water and 30% 52

61 vegetative cover with an edge effect made up of a mixture of cattails, hardstem bulrush, grasses and some bare ground. These herbicide treatments would achieve or maintain this balance. Treatment of emergent vegetation in these areas would improve feeding, resting, nesting, and brood rearing habitat for waterfowl and improve public access. 5. Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and salt cedar (Tamarix ramosissima) would be treated with aquatic-labeled glyphosate or Garlon from spring through early winter months depending on time constraints. These species are located in the fresh emergent wetland and wet meadows. This treatment consists of an herbicide application to seedlings and regrowth (sprouts). Both species are very aggressive and detrimental to these key habitats. IV. Project Timeline. The Key Pittman WMA Vegetation Control program is an ongoing, habitat management activity. Please see proposed activities above for the timing of treatment for each type of targeted vegetation. V. Relationship to Existing and Proposed Land and Resource Management Plans. Annual vegetation control is identified in the Key Pittman WMA Conceptual Management Plan. The desired outcome is: Wildlife habitats are in good ecological condition, capable of supporting a diverse array of wildlife species. The Plan goals include: Habitat is the key to the success of all wildlife populations. Effective habitat is an integral function of the Department of Wildlife. NDOW will preserve and protect quality habitats and enhance deficient habitats. The objectives identified include: Maintain, protect and enhance wildlife habitats on wildlife management areas by applying good science and best management practices through implementation of Comprehensive Management Plans on all WMAs (Comprehensive Strategic Plan ). VI. Existing Habitat and Species Baseline Conditions. This project would target 125 acres of undesirable vegetation on the Key Pittman WMA. All noxious weeds identified by the Nevada Revised Statutes (Chapter 555) will be treated. Other invasive, undesirable species and wetland emergent species would be treated as prescribed in the Key Pittman WMA Conceptual Management Plan. VII. Measuring Results. Sites treated with herbicide would be evaluated after application of herbicides to determine the effectiveness of the timing, method, and chemicals chosen for the treatment. Effective treatments are expected to exhibit a significant die-off of targeted vegetation after treatment and reduced regrowth the following growing season. VIII. Monitoring and Adaptive Management. The Key Pittman WMA Vegetation Control program is an ongoing, habitat management activity. Results of vegetation treatments in FY13 would be evaluated for their effectiveness. The results of this evaluation would determine what treatments would be used in subsequent years. Approach, application and herbicides used would be modified as the post treatment evaluations warrant and as new herbicides are developed and become available. 53

62 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Cost and Funding Summary 1. Dollar Amount Requested from This Program $ 2, Other Funding Sources for This Project a. $ b. $ c. $ d. $ e. Total Other Funding Sources (Lines a-d) $ 3. In-Kind Services and Donations for This Project a. Volunteer Time $ b. Equipment $ c. Materials $ d. $ e. $ f. $ g. $ h. Total In-Kind Services and Donations (Lines a-g) $ 4. Total Project Funding $ 2,600 (Add Lines 1, 2e and 3h) 54

63 Project Cost Estimates Costs to be Covered by this All Other Costs Program 1. Land Acquisition $ $ 2. Personnel $ $ 3. Travel a. Per Diem $ $ b. Mileage $ $ c. Total Travel Costs (Lines a-b) $ $ 4. Equipment Items a. $ $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Equipment Costs (Lines a-d) $ $ 5. Materials a. 20 Gallons of Weedar 64 $ 460 $ b. 16 Gallons of Ad Spray 90 $ 310 $ c. 32 Gallons of Spray Indicator $ 900 $ d. 7.5 Gallons of MSO $ 140 $ e. 7.5 Gallons of Poast $ 720 $ f. 2 Gallons of Foam Buster $ 70 $ g. Total Material Costs (Lines a-d) $ 2,600 $ 6. Miscellaneous Costs a. $ $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Miscellaneous Costs (Lines a-d) $ $ 55

64 7. Total Costs to be Charged to This Program $ 2,600 (Add Left Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5g, 6e) 8. Total All Other Costs to be Funded by Other Programs $ (Add Right Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5g, 6e) 9. Total Project Costs $ 2,600 (Add Lines 7, 8) Other Funding Considerations Why Does Your Project Need to be Funded by this Program? The purpose of noxious and invasive weed control on the Key Pittman WMA is to maintain and enhance wetland habitat with waterfowl as the primary beneficiary. Also, state law requires all land owners (including NDOW) to control noxious weeds identified on the state noxious weed list. The funds spent on this project also can be used for state matching purposes. Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No If Yes, Which Federal Grant Would the Matching Funds be Used For? WMA System Federal Grant 56

65 Fiscal Year 2013 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Proposal (formerly referred to as a Level B project proposal) Project Summary Project Title: Key Pittman WMA Farming and Upland Food Plots NDOW Reserve Account Programs to Provide Funding: Upland Game Bird Stamp and Duck Stamp NDOW Project Manager (PM): Ron Mills PM Phone Number and Address: (775) ; rmills@ndow.org Total Funds Requested from these Programs: $6,400 total ($3,200 from each program) Funds Requested from Other Sources: $0 Total Project Cost: $6,400 Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No Project Proposal I. Project Goals and Objective(s). Goal: The goal of the project is to provide protection and enhancement of desirable wildlife habitats, promote hunting and watchable wildlife opportunities on the Key Pittman WMA. 57

66 Objectives: 1. Provide roosting, resting and feeding habitat for mourning dove, quail, cottontail rabbit, mule deer, waterfowl, and other wetland/water dependent game and non-game wildlife species; 2. Maintain food plots for upland game, waterfowl, big game and non game wildlife species; 3. In conjunction with the long-term noxious/invasive weed control program, establish desirable vegetation in areas made vacant by the removal of weeds and enhance existing habitats not impacted by weeds. II. Project Location(s). This project is located at the Key Pittman WMA located in Pahranagat Valley in Lincoln County. Key Pittman WMA is composed of a total of 1,332 acres, including two reservoirs and two wetland impoundments with seven identified habitat types. III. Project Description and Proposed Activities. A variety of seed will be sown in areas along the edges of the reservoirs and impoundments (left vacant by the removal of weeds) and in the established food plots. 1. A mixture of Indian Ricegrass, Japanese Millet, Annual Rye and Tall Fescue will be sown into areas left vacant through weed control activities. Seeding is expected to occur in the November to February timeframe. 2. Japanese millet, sunflower and sorghum will be hand broadcast along portions of the shore line of the impoundments and reservoirs. This seed mixture will provide feed, cover, and nesting opportunities for quail, mourning dove, waterfowl, mule deer, cottontail rabbit, and numerous non game species acres of food plots will be seeded with a variety of cereal grains, legumes, and forbs. These food plots are utilized by mourning dove, quail, waterfowl, sandhill cranes, herons, mule deer, small mammals and song birds. In early spring, wheat, barley, oats, cereal rye, hairy vetch, clover, annual sunflower, Palmer s penstemon, and rocky mountain beeplant will be drilled (inter-seeded) into the existing cover crop. During late August the fields will be strip-mowed to improve dove access and hunting opportunities. In early October the remaining standing vegetation is mowed, disked and drilled with a variety of seed including winter wheat, oats, barley, cereal rye, hairy vetch and clover to provide a cover crop. IV. Project Timeline. The proposed project is planned to occur year-round. The project description above outlines the time line for this project. V. Relationship to Existing and Proposed Land and Resource Management Plans. Annual vegetation enhancement and maintenance is identified in the Key Pittman WMA Conceptual Management Plan. The desired outcome is: Wildlife habitats are in good ecological condition, capable of supporting a diverse array of wildlife species. The Plan goals include: 58

67 Habitat is the key to the success of all wildlife populations. Effective habitat is an integral function of the Department of Wildlife. NDOW will preserve and protect quality habitats and enhance deficient habitats. The objectives identified include: Maintain, protect and enhance wildlife habitats on wildlife management areas by applying good science and best management practices through implementation of Comprehensive Management Plans on all WMA s (Comprehensive Strategic Plan). VI. Existing Habitat and Species Baseline Conditions. This project would target 80 acres of vegetation currently containing monotypic stands of noxious/invasive weeds, selected shore areas of impoundments and reservoirs and 60 acres of irrigated food plots. The project area provides feeding, resting and nesting areas to a variety of resident, seasonal or migratory game and non-game species. VII. Measuring Results. Success would be measured by the increase (above baseline) of wildlife use, hunter success, public use and positive public feedback. Public use and waterfowl use is closely monitored and documented. Upland game, mule deer and small mammal populations are also monitored. The trends noted would provide an indication of the effectiveness of this program. VIII. Monitoring and Adaptive Management. Following the seeding of the various areas the establishment of the desired vegetation is noted and evaluated. In addition, the response of the wildlife to the seeding will be monitored as well. This criterion is evaluated and adjustments (to the seed mixes, timing, irrigation schedule, seed bed preparation and chemical treatments, and application methods for noxious/invasive weed control) are implemented in the following years to optimize the effectiveness of this project. 59

68 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Cost and Funding Summary (Estimates Should Be for Fiscal Year 2013 Only) 1. Dollar Amount Requested from This Program $ 6, Other Funding Sources for This Project a. $ b. $ c. $ d. $ e. Total Other Funding Sources (Lines a-d) $ 3. In-Kind Services and Donations for This Project a. Volunteer Time $ b. Equipment $ c. Materials $ d. $ e. $ f. $ g. $ h. Total In-Kind Services and Donations (Lines a-g) $ 4. Total Project Funding $ 6,400 (Add Lines 1, 2e and 3h) 60

69 Project Cost Estimates (Estimates Should Be for Fiscal Year 2013 Only) Costs to be Covered by this All Other Costs Program 1. Land Acquisition $ $ 2. Personnel $ $ 3. Travel a. Per Diem $ $ b. Mileage $ $ c. Total Travel Costs (Lines a-b) $ $ 4. Equipment Items a. $ $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Equipment Costs (Lines a-d) $ $ 5. Materials a. Seed $ 6,400 $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Material Costs (Lines a-d) $ 6,400 $ 6. Miscellaneous Costs a. $ $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Miscellaneous Costs (Lines a-d) $ $ 61

70 7. Total Costs to be Charged to This Program $ 6,400 (Add Left Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 8. Total All Other Costs to be Funded by Other Programs $ (Add Right Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 9. Total Project Costs $ 6,400 (Add Lines 7, 8) Other Funding Considerations Why Does Your Project Need to be Funded by this Program? Upland game bird and duck stamp funds provide the best fit for this program. We also need a source of funding for state matching purposes. Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No If Yes, Which Federal Grant Would the Matching Funds be Used For? WMA System Federal Grant 62

71 Fiscal Year 2013 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Proposal (formerly referred to as a Level B project proposal) Project Summary Project Title: Kirch WMA Pheasant Purchase NDOW Reserve Account Program to Provide Funding: Upland Game Bird Stamp NDOW Project Manager (PM): Marcus Jones PM Phone Number and Address: (775) ; mzjones@ndow.org Total Funds Requested from this Program: $1,000 Funds Requested from Other Sources (please specify by source and include in-kind services if applicable): $0 Total Project Cost: $1,000 Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No Project Proposal I. Project Goals and Objective(s). The goal of this project is to enhance upland game populations on the Kirch WMA. This project is also aimed at attracting more upland hunters to the sport and onto the WMA as well as trying to garner interest from youth hunters. II. Project Location(s). This project would be located at the Kirch WMA 63

72 III. Project Description and Proposed Activities. This project involves the purchase of pheasant chicks for the Kirch WMA pheasant program. In 2012, two Surrogator incubator boxes were purchased for the purpose of wild pheasant population enhancement on the area. A surrogator would be used to incubate up to 4 batches of pheasant chicks annually and it is expected that each year would consistently see better returns from crow counts as well as hunter success on the area. The project would provide more hunting opportunities to our constituents with a minimal investment. IV. Project Timeline. The surrogators would be cycled 4 times annually beginning in April and ending in July. With the 2 surrogators in production, approximately 520 total pheasant chicks can be incubated in that time. V. Relationship to Existing and Proposed Land and Resource Management Plans. NDOW will maintain healthy, diverse wildlife communities that satisfy mankind s desires for diversity, knowledge and enjoyment and meet our responsibility to maintain species diversity at the local, regional and global scale (NDOW Strategic Plan). Promoting hunting opportunities is an objective of the Kirch WMA Conceptual Management Plan. VI. Existing Habitat and Species Baseline Conditions. Existing habitat is present to support an increase in upland game bird populations on the WMA. VII. Measuring Results. This program would evaluated on an annual basis by the number of survived birds on the area as well as any natural reproduction documented. Evaluation would also be done by surveys documenting hunter use days on the area and the number of bagged birds. VIII. Monitoring and Adaptive Management. Populations are monitored on a weekly basis throughout the year. Release locations and numbers would be considered following each release along with noted survival. 64

73 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Cost and Funding Summary 1. Dollar Amount Requested from This Program $ 1, Other Funding Sources for This Project a. $ b. $ c. $ d. $ e. Total Other Funding Sources (Lines a-d) $ 3. In-Kind Services and Donations for This Project a. Volunteer Time $ b. Equipment $ c. Materials $ d. $ e. $ f. $ g. $ h. Total In-Kind Services and Donations (Lines a-g) $ 4. Total Project Funding $ 1,000 (Add Lines 1, 2e and 3h) 65

74 Project Cost Estimates Costs to be Covered by this All Other Costs Program 1. Land Acquisition $ $ 2. Personnel $ $ 3. Travel a. Per Diem $ $ b. Mileage $ $ c. Total Travel Costs (Lines a-b) $ $ 4. Equipment Items a. $ $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Equipment Costs (Lines a-d) $ $ 5. Materials a. $ $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Material Costs (Lines a-d) $ $ 6. Miscellaneous Costs a. Pheasant Chicks $ 750 $ b. Feed and propane $ 250 $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Miscellaneous Costs (Lines a-d) $ 1,000 $ 66

75 7. Total Costs to be Charged to This Program $ 1,000 (Add Left Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 8. Total All Other Costs to be Funded by Other Programs $ (Add Right Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 9. Total Project Costs $ 1,000 (Add Lines 7, 8) Other Funding Considerations Why Does Your Project Need to be Funded by this Program? This project s purpose is to enhance upland game populations. It would also provide state matching funds for the Federal WMA Grant. Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No If Yes, Which Federal Grant Would the Matching Funds be Used For? Federal WMA System Grant 67

76

77 Fiscal Year 2013 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Proposal (formerly referred to as a Level B project proposal) Project Summary Project Title: Southern Nevada Small Game Water Development Projects NDOW Reserve Account Program to Provide Funding: Upland Game Bird Stamp NDOW Project Manager (PM): Cody McKee PM Phone Number and Address: (702) ; cmckee@ndow.org Total Funds Requested from this Program: $80,000 Funds Requested from Other Sources: An undefined amount of in kind services (primarily volunteer labor and equipment use) is typically provided by volunteer sportsmen s groups and other volunteer organizations to help install new water developments; some in kind services may also be provided to help with the Gold Butte resource inventory project. Total Project Cost: $80,000 Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No Project Proposal I. Project Goals and Objective(s). The southern Nevada small game water development program has the following goals for FY13: A. Install new small game water developments (also referred to as guzzlers) into suitable mountain quail habitat where there is a lack of water. B. Perform routine inspections and maintenance on as many small game water development units as possible. C. Implement a monitoring program using motion activated cameras to improve our understanding of wildlife use, diversity, health, and how wildlife use changes with different types of guzzler designs. 68

78 D. Initiate and complete the first phase of the Gold Butte resource inventory project in Clark County. This project is being designed to inventory, protect, restore and monitor approximately 21 natural springs and seeps in the Gold Butte study area that can provide important habitat benefits to both game and non game species. II. Project Location(s). Routine inspection and maintenance activities will take place throughout NDOW s Southern Region (Clark, Lincoln, Nye and Esmeralda counties); new guzzlers that will benefit mountain quail are being sited in Lincoln and Esmeralda counties; guzzler wildlife use monitoring activities will take place at a number of representative units in different parts of the Southern Region; and the Gold Butte project is in Clark County, near the Arizona border and surrounded on three sides by Lake Mead and the Colorado River. III. Project Description and Proposed Activities. The four different types of small game water development project tasks that would be partly funded by the Upland Game Bird Stamp account in FY13 are summarized below. The Upland Game Bird Stamp funding requested in this proposal would pay for 25% of this work, while NDOW s Federal Water Development and Maintenance Grant would pay for 75% of the work. A. Siting and Installing New Water Developments NDOW staff is in the process of siting new small game water developments that are intended to benefit mountain quail. Two regions are being assessed; the first region is the Palmetto Mountains of Esmeralda County. This region is a top priority because it is believed new water developments in this mountain range can help expand an existing population of quail living in the nearby Sylvania Mountains. The second area, the Clover and Delamar mountains in Lincoln County, is also being analyzed for potential sites that can support quail after they have been translocated and established. This work is being coordinated with the Mountain Quail Translocation and Establishment Project being conducted by NDOW s Game Division (which is described in a separate Upland Game Bird Stamp project proposal in this document). In addition to mountain quail, the new water development sites will also benefit other species of quail and chukar, in addition to a wide range of non game species. This work will be coordinated with BLM biologists and all NEPA and cultural resource clearances will be completed before installation activities begin. B. Conducting Routine Inspection and Maintenance Activities NDOW s southern water development crew annually inspects, maintains and makes minor repairs to 75 to 100 small game guzzler units per year. Maintenance activities typically performed under this task include: removing brush and debris, taking pictures, documenting local habitat conditions and evidence of wildlife use, installing trail cameras if available, confirming UTM s with GPS units, tightening fences, rebuilding fences, adding fence stays clips, fixing gutters, downspouts, end caps, pipe, patching tank, replacing lids/ramps/tanks, cleaning tanks, checking water levels, marking/patching/rebuilding apron and painting burned aprons. Corrugated polypropylene mesh (also referred to as geomesh) material is sometimes added to escape ramps if the ramps have become too slick from wear over time. 69

79 C. Monitoring Wildlife Use at Water Developments Upland guzzlers are commonly constructed to improve densities and distribution of specific species inhabiting the surrounding landscape. However, several non target species often utilize those sources but remain undocumented, especially in remote areas. Furthermore, we also need to learn more about game species use of water developments. A standardized approach to monitoring wildlife use of upland guzzlers in Nevada using motion activated cameras is being developed. Beginning in FY13, we plan to use remote sensing technology to 1) document use of those sites by all local wildlife species, 2) evaluate overall effectiveness of specific water developments using an index of species richness and diversity, and 3) contrast those indexes within and between the 2 major desert ecosystems of Nevada (i.e., Great Basin Desert and Mojave Desert). Our primary objective will be to improve our understanding of species distribution in Nevada, especially in areas infrequently visited by the general population, as well as by NDOW biologists. Data collected also will be used to better locate and design future water developments. Improvements in digital technology over the last decade have increased the applicability of using remote sensing cameras to evaluate various parameters related to wildlife ecology. In areas known to attract wildlife, such as permanent sources of water, remote sensing cameras can aide in the documentation of the presence and abundance of local inhabitants, as well as provide one of the only tools to detect rare and endemic species. Given the large quantity of water developments in Nevada, logistical constraints of battery and memory card replacement would prevent the distribution of remote sensing cameras at all sites. In collaboration with NDOW s Game Division, we will focus our camera deployment efforts in areas that provide important insight into local species composition (i.e., those areas where species use is relatively unknown). Water developments in Nevada are often constructed as series, such as ranges, containing 5 or more developments. We will deploy < 5 cameras within all series identified as important, totaling no more than 50 cameras. Additionally, we will not evaluate water developments in wilderness areas because the construction of camera mounts in those areas would require approval from the land administrator. In areas of high human activity, the placement of lockboxes retrofitted on 2 galvanized pipe will be necessary to prevent the theft and vandalism of cameras. In remote areas, with low human activity, cameras will be mounted on standard 6 fence posts. Each camera and mount will be positioned for a clear view of the access point (i.e., drinker) to capture actual water source utilization by wildlife. Each camera will also require external batteries and large capacity memory cards to minimize site disturbance and frequency of camera inspection by biologists. Upon collection of camera data, photos with unique datetime stamps will be linked to their corresponding water development in a statewide water development database, which is currently under construction. Individual photos will be partitioned into species present, composition, sex (if possible), and age class (if possible). Using standard statistical packages, we will calculate species richness (i.e., total of unique species) at each site, as well as the Shannon Wiener Diversity Index, which incorporates both species richness and evenness (i.e., total number of individuals of each species). We will then compare 70

80 species richness and diversity among water developments in each series, among series, within and among years, and between ecosystems. D. Gold Butte Resource Inventory The Gold Butte region is in eastern Clark County, near the Arizona border and is located on land that is surrounded on three sides by Lake Mead and the Colorado River. This area receives lots of off highway vehicle and other types of recreation use including hunting, and may become a new BLM managed National Conservation Area along with new designated wilderness to be managed by the BLM and/or National Park Service (NPS). Meanwhile, approximately 21 natural springs and seeps are located in this area and have been degraded by previous and ongoing livestock and wild horse and burro use. These water sources are used by a number of big game, small game and non game species. A non game species of concern found at some of the springs is the Relict Leopard Frog, a Candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Clark County is interested in transferring its water rights to these springs and seeps to NDOW for wildlife protection purposes. NDOW is also in discussions with other owners of these rights (the BLM and Nature Conservancy) about their use for wildlife protection purposes as well. NDOW is developing and implementing the first phase of work in the Gold Butte region, a Resource Inventory Project which will document wildlife use, existing habitat conditions including flow rates, restoration opportunities and other important factors at the spring and seep sites. The inventory and survey work will be coordinated with the BLM, will commence this summer and will likely include the installation of v notch weirs or other flow measuring devices. All data collected will be documented and incorporated into a database being developed by NDOW. Subsequent phases of Gold Butte related work are expected to consist of various water rights amendments and filings, ongoing seep and spring monitoring and data collection, and the planning and design of a wide range of spring and seep restoration actions that will benefit the many different types of wildlife species found in the area. Much of this work will likely need to be coordinated with, and incorporated into, related BLM and NPS planning activities. For example, new NCA and wilderness area Resource Management Plan(s) (RMPs) will need to be prepared by these agencies if Congress, as expected, passes legislation establishing a new NCA and wilderness areas. IV. Project Timeline. All work will take place during FY13. The installation of new guzzlers that would benefit mountain quail will likely continue into FY14 since the related NEPA and cultural resource clearances will likely not be obtained in time to complete construction activities by the end of FY13. Ongoing maintenance and repair work will continue indefinitely. The monitoring work described above along with the Gold Butte project are both expected to be multi year efforts. 71

81 V. Relationship to Existing and Proposed Land and Resource Management Plans. All of the work described in this proposal will be compatible with existing and related BLM RMPs (in the case of the two RMPs that cover Lincoln and Esmeralda counties, respectively), and the future RMPs that will likely be developed by the BLM (and perhaps NPS) for the new Gold Butte region NCA and associated wilderness areas. VI. Existing Habitat and Species Baseline Conditions. NDOW s Southern Region includes both Great Basin Desert and Mojave Desert ecosystems and their associated vegetation communities and geographic features. Habitat conditions vary greatly and a large number of wildlife species benefit from small volume water development sites in this Region, including chukar partridge, California valley quail, Gambel s quail, mountain quail, mourning dove, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, foxes, bobcats, coyotes, bats, golden eagles, badgers, skunks, frogs, toads, hawks, falcons and passerine birds. VII. Measuring Results. The success of this program will be measured by how many new water developments are installed, how many existing units are maintained and/or repaired, and how much useful monitoring data is collected and incorporated into NDOW s related database. The success of the Gold Butte project will not be determined until local springs and seeps are restored and protected, following the inventory, water rights and planning and design work to be conducted during FY13 and 14. VIII. Monitoring and Adaptive Management. The monitoring approach of the southern Nevada water development program was summarized in Section III C. above. Data gained from monitoring will not only be used to help site and design new water developments, but will also influence habitat restoration, game and non game species management activities of NDOW. 72

82 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Cost and Funding Summary 1. Dollar Amount Requested from This Program $ 80, Other Funding Sources for This Project a. $ b. $ c. $ d. $ e. Total Other Funding Sources (Lines a d) $ 3. In Kind Services and Donations for This Project a. Volunteer Time $ Undetermined b. Equipment $ c. Materials $ d. $ e. $ f. $ g. $ h. Total In Kind Services and Donations (Lines a g) $ Undetermined 4. Total Project Funding $ 80,000 (Add Lines 1, 2e and 3h) 73

83 Project Cost Estimates Costs to be Covered by this Program All Other Costs 1. Land Acquisition $ $ 2. Personnel $ 45,000 $ 3. Travel a. Per Diem $ 3,500 $ b. Mileage $ 2,500 $ c. Total Travel Costs (Lines a b) $ 6,000 $ 4. Equipment Items a. Trail cameras $ 3,000 $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Equipment Costs (Lines a d) $ 3,000 $ 5. Materials a. Flow measuring devices $ 5,000 $ b. Geomesh $ 2,000 $ c. Screws & misc. supplies $ 1,000 $ d. $ $ e. Total Material Costs (Lines a d) $ 8,000 $ 6. Miscellaneous Costs a. Helicopter flight time $ 18,000 $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. Total Miscellaneous Costs (Lines a d) $ 18,000 $ 74

84 7. Total Costs to be Charged to This Program $ 80,000 (Add Left Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 8. Total All Other Costs to be Funded by Other Programs $ (Add Right Hand Columns from Lines 1, 2, 3c, 4e, 5e, 6e) 9. Total Project Costs $ 80,000 (Add Lines 7, 8) Other Funding Considerations Why Does Your Project Need to be Funded by this Program? The work conducted by the small game water development program directly benefits upland game birds, increases related hunting opportunities for Nevada s hunters, and is thus a good use of Upland Game Bird Stamp revenues. These expenditures are also used to help meet NDOW s state matching requirements for the Federal Water Development and Maintenance Grant. Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No If Yes, Which Federal Grant Would the Matching Funds be Used For? Federal Water Development and Maintenance Grant 75

85 Fiscal Year 2013 Wildlife Reserve Account Project Proposal (formerly referred to as a Level B project proposal) Project Summary Project Title: Northern Nevada Small Game Water Development Projects NDOW Reserve Account Program to Provide Funding: Upland Game Bird Stamp NDOW Project Manager (PM): Clint Garrett PM Phone Number and Address: ; ctgarrett@ndow.org Total Funds Requested from this Program: $38,800 Funds Requested from Other Sources: $25,000 from the Nevada Chukar Foundation (NCF) and $10,000 from Pershing County Chukars Unlimited (PCCU). Additionally, an undefined amount of in-kind services (primarily volunteer labor and equipment use) are provided by these groups and other volunteer organizations. Total Project Cost: $73,800 Would Funds from this Program Be Used for State Matching Purposes? Yes No Project Proposal I. Project Goals and Objective(s). The primary goal of small game water development (or guzzler) projects is to expand small game populations into suitable habitat where a lack of water is the limiting factor. These types of projects benefit a number of small game and upland game species, including: chukar partridge, Hungarian partridge, mourning dove, sage grouse, California valley quail, mountain quail, Gambel s quail, and cotton tail or white tailed rabbits. In addition to these target species, guzzlers are used by a variety of fur bearing and non-game species, including eagles, hawks, falcons, passerine birds, squirrels, chipmunks, bats, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, badgers, skunks, frogs and toads. Water development projects also help mitigate for lost and/or fragmented game and non-game habitat resulting from human disturbances such as urban sprawl, 76

86 highway/freeway construction, power plant and transmission line development, mining, livestock grazing, wild horse and burro use, etc. Another goal is to evaluate as many small game guzzlers with a helicopter as possible for inspection and maintenance purposes in NDOW s Western and Eastern Regions. As of there are 944 small game guzzlers within NDOW s western (737) and eastern (207) regions. Money is the limiting factor for maintenance activities; realistically, we hope to evaluate up to 400 small game guzzlers, primarily from the air with some conducted on the ground. Approximately 100 of these will likely require minor repairs and other maintenance work. As an ongoing evaluation project from year to year, minor maintenance needs will likely diminish on a yearly basis. II. Project Location(s). The project area encompasses 13 counties within northern Nevada: White Pine, Elko, Lander, Eureka, Pershing, Humboldt, Churchill, Washoe, Storey, Carson City, Lyon, Douglas, and Mineral. Below is a map of the small and big game water developments in the project area. *triangles are small game guzzlers 77