WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Transcription

1 0 WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Tract Name: County: Milam Owner: Manager: Address: Address: Phone: Phone: Objective: To improve and enhance the habitat for white-tailed deer, Rio Grande turkey, quail, mourning dove, waterfowl, and other wildlife. Fawn production and survival (by October) should be at least 0.70 fawns/doe (7+ fawns/ 10 does). Less than 15 percent of the adult buck segment of the deer population should be spikes. Yearling (1.5 year old bucks should have at least 6 points on antlers and field-dress at least 80 pounds. Mature bucks (4.5 years or older) should have at least: 8 points, 18 inch inside spread, antler base circumference 4.0 inches, and field-dress 130 pounds. Adult does (2.5+ year old) should field-dress at least 75 pounds. Is acreage under high fence? Yes( ) No( X ) Acreage: Approximately 827 acres consisting of about 50% native rangeland, 30% Post Oak or bottomland woods (including about 50 acres of mixed elm/pecan woods on Donahoe Creek), and about 20% in improved pasture. About 5 ponds are scattered throughout the property, ranging from 13 acres to about 2 acres. Is property leased for hunting? Yes( ) No( X ) Consultation is with: Owner( ) Lessee( ) Manager( X ) Location of Property: Current Habitat Description: A mixture of Post Oak Woods/Forest/Grassland Vegetation Type (Post oak, water oak, hackberry, winged-elm, mesquite, bumelia, coral-berry, foresteria, deciduous yaupon, red bud, Mexican plum, vibernum, Parsely hawthorn, St. Johnswort, little bluestem, silver bluestem, and three-awn). Overall habitat conditions are good, as the property has not been grazed for about one year. Mesquite grasslands dominate a good portion of the uplands, with a heavy cover of old world bluestem and silver bluestem grasses. Tasajillo cactus and other dry-soil plants can be found on upland sandy soils. Remnant stands of native grasses such as Indiangrass and little bluestem can be found along drainages where protected from disturbance. About 5 ponds are scattered throughout the total acreage, along with natural sloughs along Donahoe Creek, which can attract good numbers of waterfowl. Pecan, elms, hackberry, burr oak, water oak and other mastproducing trees can be found in the bottomland. Bottomland soils are in the Trinity/Frio association - Nearly level, moderately slowly permeable to very slowly permeable, deep, clayey soils, over clayey alluvial sediments; on flood plains. Upland

2 soils are of two types: the Travis/Silawa/Axtell association - Nearly level to strongly sloping, moderately permeable to very slowly permeable, deep, loamy soils over stratified sandy, clayey and gravelly alluvial sediments; on stream terraces, or the Houston Black/Heiden/Branyon association - Nearly level to moderately steep, very slowly permeable, deep clayey soils over marl or clayey sediments. Most soils with less than 3% slopes are suitable for cultivation except bottomland soils that are subject to frequent flooding. Soil tests should be conducted to determine proper liming and fertilization rates before planting. Past History of Land Use and Wildlife: The property has been used primarily for livestock grazing, plus recreational fishing and hunting. Some mesquite clearing along Donahoe Creek occurred in 1989, along with chemical control on the upland "mesquite flats" approximately 5 years ago. Today, large trees show signs of re-growth from basal sprouts, and seedling mesquite are increasing. Prescribed fire can be used to maintain the savannah-like conditions beneficial to quail and other wildlife. Cattle were removed about one year ago to allow the land to rest. A heavy cover of old world bluestem, cane, and silver bluestem dominate the mesquite uplands, with localized pockets of little bluestem and Indiangrass where protected from disturbance. This region of the county was restocked with white-tailed deer in the 1950's and Rio Grande turkeys during the mid- 1980's. Populations of these species have slowly increased in the area, especially on lands bordering the Little and San Gabriel Rivers, and associated tributaries. Since the property was acquired in 1987, very few deer have been harvested. Two or three young bucks have been taken over the years, but the harvest for the season included one doe, one spike, one 6- point, a 7-point and an 8-point buck. Young 6-8 point bucks should be allowed to mature before harvest. Follow the deer management guidelines below. A number of excellent quality, 8 and 10 point bucks have also been observed. The estimated buck:doe ratio is 1:4. Currently, 2 corn feeders and blinds have been established. Jones property adjoins on the east boundary of the ranch, another TPWD cooperator under a deer management plan. Cooperative wildlife management among neighboring landowners will dramatically enhance wildlife populations and habitats over a large area. A turkey gobbler was observed 5 or 6 years ago, and turkeys are infrequently heard or seen in singles or small groups. Scattered flocks of birds during the spring hunting season can be found on surrounding ranches, an indication that turkeys may be reproducing locally. However, according to local landowners, ten years ago, a single turkey flock would contain over 100 birds. Bobwhite quail were fairly common up until about 10 years ago, but are essentially nonexistent now. Hogs are increasing in the region, and groups of 5-6 are seen together on occasion. Numerous waterfowl use the sizeable ponds for roosting and feeding, along with wading birds, white pelican and osprey on occasion. Many years ago, the Corp of Engineers constructed about 13 small lakes in the area around Davilla, mostly for flood control and possibly irrigation purposes. Today, these lakes serve as habitat for wintering waterfowl, with excellent numbers in a good year. Livestock: The ranch was primarily a commercial cattle operation, leased by a neighbor to the north, across Donahoe Creek. All livestock were removed about one year ago. Some seasonal grazing may be necessary in the near future to remove accumulated forage production, and stimulate forb diversity. Habitat Management Recommendations Vegetation: Prescribed burning is the most cost-effective habitat management technique for the

3 Post Oak Savannah/Blackland Prairie area. Prescribe burn about 20% of upland woodland sites during late November (after frost and leaf drop) through February (before green-up) on a rotating basis, burning each site every 5-6 years to remove old growth and stimulate new growth of browse and forbs (weeds and wildflowers). About 50 acres per burn site would be the maximum size to burn on these particular land tracts. With no livestock currently present, the build-up of vegetation as fuel will produce a hot fire. Prescribe burning of woods shortly after leaf drop, while the litter still contains some air space before winter rains, should be considered. Prescribe burn about one-third of native grass openings each year, burning each site every three years, on a rotating basis, to remove old growth and young, invasive woody growth such as mesquite, locust, and persimmon. This will stimulate new growth of plants that may have become dormant. Pasture burn sites should normally be acres and be burned in winter months, or possibly late summer (late August through September) weather conditions permitting. See included TAEX publication Prescribed Range Burning in Texas for good general guidelines, especially for native pastures. About seven times more insects are usually found in burned native grass areas compared to unburned areas, thus providing much more spring and summer, high protein food for quail and turkey, especially for the young. General burn prescriptions for Post Oak Savannah/Blackland Prairie woodland and native pastures are: 1. Prepare disked bare-ground fireguard around all sites before burning. Disked fireguards, which can include roads and right-of-ways, should be 15 to 20 feet wide. (These disked areas can be planted to winter supplemental food plots between burn years). 2. Humidity should be between 25-40%. 3. Wind speed should be between miles per hour. 4. Always burn into the wind first (backfire) 50 yards into the woods or pasture, then set fire with the wind (headfire). 5. Initiate burns in the morning, after 9 a.m. Consult with TPWD, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, formerly Soil Conservation Service, SCS), or Texas Forest Service, and notify local volunteer fire department before conducting burns. To provide weed seeds (ragweed, croton, sunflower, partridge pea, trailing wild bean, etc.) that are the basis of quail and dove fall and winter diets, shallow disk foot wide strips around the edge of brush and woods after the first freeze. This practice will promote growth of these important forbs the following spring and summer. Livestock Recommendations: If cattle are grazed in the future, use the NRCS recommended stocking rate and where possible, rotate cattle in one herd through 3-10 pastures, letting pastures

4 rest for at least as long as they are grazed. Rotate cattle out of wooded tracts wherever possible beginning in late August (when berries on American beautyberry begin to ripen) on through February - and/or - begin fencing off woods, especially bottomland areas to exclude cattle during this same fall/winter period. This practice will prevent cattle from competing with deer for browse and forbs - American beautyberry, greenbriar, elm, hackberry, yaupon, rattanvine, grape, tickseed clover, etc. - that deer normally require for healthy maintenance and growth. Also, fence off or exclude one or more acres of native pasture in scattered locations to provide tall grasses and weeds for fawn nursery areas and quail/turkey nesting areas. These fences can be constructed of only 3-strand barbwire to discourage access by cattle. The bottom wire (this can be a smooth wire) should be at least 18 inches above the ground to permit deer easy travel under the fence instead of having to jump over. Top wires should be at least 12 inches apart. A single electric wire fence 30 inches above the ground is usually enough to discourage cattle access, but permit deer easy access. Cost of electric fencing, using a solar charger- powered battery, is about one-third cost of barbed wire fencing. Native Grass Restoration: Restore old fields or bermudagrass pastures using native prairie bunch grasses such as little bluestem, Indiangrass, big bluestem, and switchgrass. Use of these species will enhance foraging and nesting cover for upland birds as well as provide cover for young fawns. Mow, burn or graze bermudagrass in winter, then spray at 4-6 quarts per acre 41% glyphosate (Glyphomax Plus or Roundup Ultra) in strips in April or May after green-up. About 10 days after spraying, plant with a no-till drill equipped with a fluffy seed box for native grass seed directly into dead strips at approximately 4 lbs per acre pure live seed. Seeding depth is generally 1/4-1/2 "deep. Beneficial forbs such as Maximilian sunflower, Engelmann daisy, Illinois bundleflower and partridge pea should be added to the seed mixture. If preferred, the soil can be tilled after spraying, and seed can be broadcast, then lightly covered using a harrow or similar implement. Defer from grazing at least 2 growing seasons. Do not burn until third growing season. Shred early in growing season to control unwanted vegetation. Cost share assistance is available from TPWD for this treatment, under the "Pastures for Upland Birds Program". Cover Corridors: Maintain, plant, or allow the establishment of trees, shrubs, forbs, and grasses along drainages, roads, fence lines, or other features to provide wildlife food and cover, a minimum of 30 yards wide. This practice would be especially important where cover is limited in open fields. A minimum length of 100 yards of fence line management per 1/4 mile of fence is generally required to enhance wildlife habitat. Fence lines could be allowed to grow up in brush, while maintaining an access road well inside the pasture boundary. This would greatly enhance cover for wildlife moving between blocks of existing wooded habitat. The idea could be expanded as conditions allow. Farming Practices: Delay shredding or mowing of hay pastures until around the first of July will to avoid accidentally killing of young fawns. Delay haying until mid-late July will protect groundnesting birds. Herbicides: Herbicides should be used according to strict adherence to label recommendations. Selective applications using the spot spraying method with appropriate products and rates is much preferred over broadcast spraying of non-selective herbicides, unless bermudagrass pastures are to be converted back to native grasslands. Spray when plants are actively growing for most efficient kill. Many "weeds" including croton (goatweed) are important to wildlife, so allow some areas to

5 remain weedy, and minimize impacts to non-target plants. Discontinue herbicide applications in selected areas to allow brush to grow up in yard wide strips to connect existing wooded tracts together. This will provide important screening cover for deer and turkey to facilitate movement throughout the property. Supplemental Food Plots /Feeding: Supplemental food plots can be beneficial for summer and winter diets of deer, turkey, and other wildlife, but they are not a substitute for properly managed native vegetation. Summer and winter food plots are most valuable during periods of stress when native vegetation is in short supply due to weather, high numbers of wildlife or domestic animals, or other factors. Long (100 yards plus), narrow (20-40 yards) plots along existing fence lines, roads or other corridors will create more edge and cross more animal home ranges. Many animals prefer to feed along the edges of plots instead of in the middle. Square plots within wooded areas will minimize edge and will lessen the impact to those wildlife species requiring unbroken tracts of wooded habitat (eastern wild turkey winter habitat and certain songbirds). Generally, plots should be one-half to 10 acres in size, adjacent to woods or brush, and no farther than one-half mile apart or one plot per 160 acres. (A football field, 100 x 50 yards is roughly one acre in size). About one-half to 2 acres is a good size for an initial food plot. Use existing natural openings, pipeline/utility right-of-ways, or roadsides to minimize clearing of valuable browse plants and mature mast-producing trees, and for more economical installation of food plots. Approximately 1 3% of total ranch/farm acreage planted in supplemental food plots is usually sufficient. Food plots, especially winter crops, should be out of sight of adjacent landowners / hunters and public roads to discourage poaching. All wildlife food plots should be fenced with electric or barbed wire to exclude livestock or rotate livestock out of the area. Place a heavy wire cage exclosure in each deer food plot to readily see how much forage is being produced (inside the cage) and how much is being consumed by deer (outside the cage). These exclosures need to be about 3 to 4 feet in diameter and 4 to 5 feet tall, anchored by steel or wooden posts. For deer in this part of the state, July through early September is usually the most stressful, especially for young fawns, due to usually hot, dry weather resulting in very little new nutritious vegetation. Providing high protein ( 20%) vegetation such as cowpeas, alyceclover, jointvetch, and/or soybeans during this period can increase fawn survival dramatically and also benefit antler growth. Summer food plots, planted in May, should be planted separately or in combination to forage cowpeas at lbs./acre (Iron-Clay or Chinese Red are good varieties for this area), alyceclover at lbs./acre, and/or American joint vetch (for wetter sites) at 20 lbs./acre when planted alone or 5 lbs. per acre in combination with cowpeas or alyceclover. All of these will provide 20% protein, easily digested feed. Summer plots, planted in bottomland sites subject to more underground moisture than upland sites, are usually more productive. Inoculate the above seeds with a cowpea inoculant according to directions from a local seed dealer. Much or all of the summer food plots sites should be planted to winter supplemental food plots in October, depending on available soil moisture. Mixtures of oats, elbon rye, and wheat are good winter combinations. Elbon rye and wheat are much more freeze tolerant than the popular oats.

6 Establishing separate plots of perennial arrowleaf clover on upland sites in October will not require planting each year if managed by mowing or burning each year after it seeds, usually by end of August. On bottomland sites, not subjected to standing moisture, Louisiana S-1 White Clover is usually the best choice. Over-seed tame pastures with yuchi arrowleaf (upland) or white clover (bottomland) in October at a rate of 10 lbs./acre to make these tame pastures productive for deer and more productive for cattle. Liming and fertilizing all sites as recommended by soil tests available from the local County Agent is highly recommended. See TAEX leaflet L-2457, Supplemental Forage Management for East Texas White-tailed Deer, for additional information on warm and cool season plantings for deer. Planting strips by themselves or in combinations of browntop millet, sorghum, redtop cane, and sunflowers provide feed for quail, dove, and deer during late summer and fall. After seed matures in late summer, partially shred a few strips every two to three weeks to provide birds more access to seeds. In this part of the state, fall and winter moisture cause these seeds to deteriorate rather quickly, benefiting wildlife for a relatively short period. Population Characteristics: White-tailed deer are primarily browsers, feeding on browse (tips of leaves, twigs, and woody vines), forbs (weeds and wildflowers), and to a lesser extent on mushrooms, lichens, sedges, and native grasses. More variety of vegetation available for deer normally results in a healthier population. Fawn production and survival of fawns is heavily dependent on does having a high nutrition diet (16%+ protein) to provide a plentiful supply of rich milk for nursing fawns. A healthy deer population should average at least an 0.70 percent fawn crop (7 surviving fawns per 10 does - in October). In most of the Post Oak Savannah area, a 30 percent surviving fawn crop is the average, a clear indication that something is lacking to prevent these fawns from surviving and replacing deer removed from the population due to natural causes or from hunting. Method(s) Used to Determine Population Density and Composition: 1. Observe browse of browse plants, primarily American beautyberry (French mulberry) and greenbriar species in the fall. Over 50 percent use indicates a shortage of good food available for the deer population. 2. Incidental sightings of bucks, does, and fawns - July through the first two weeks of gun season. 3. Spotlight count of deer, using same established route each year, will be used to primarily determine population trends of total animals. Count 3-5 times between August 1 through September 15 each year. Notify local game warden before any spotlight counts are conducted. 4. Use age, weights, and measurements of harvested deer with respect to age classes as stated in overall objective of these recommendations. Recommendations for Harvest or Other Use: For quality bucks, as stated in part of the objective, harvest no more than 20 percent of available bucks each season. These should be primarily mature, quality 4.5 year or older bucks with a minimum of 8 points and an 18-inch inside spread as

7 previously described, or 1.5 year old bucks that have only spikes or 3 points (cull bucks). The better forked antler 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 year old bucks should be allowed to attain sufficient age (usually years) to reach their full antler and body size potential. Harvest of antlerless deer should be based on the results of on-going habitat observations and annual population surveys. Results of surveys should be forwarded to the TPWD biologist in charge for harvest recommendations and issuance of any needed antlerless permits. Other Species: Bobwhite quail, dove, and wild turkey are desired game species to have in the area, as expressed in the overall objective. The land management techniques that have been recommended primarily for the deer population can benefit these game birds also. These are: prescribed burning, disking, cattle rotation or exclusion from woods and certain native grass areas during certain periods, and supplemental food plots. Waterfowl: The primary surface feeding ducks for the area include mallard, pintail, green-wing teal, wood duck, gadwall, wigeon and shoveler. Snow goose, white-fronted goose and Canada goose will also frequent the area during the winter months. Important waterfowl food plants include pondweeds (submerged aquatic plants), duckweeds (small, floating plants), smartweed, millets and other grasses. Japanese and browntop millet are warm season grasses that have special value to waterfowl. Plantings are made to coincide with the hunting season. Broadcast seed at a rate of 20 pounds per acre on mud flats from late spring through July. Plants generally mature in days. Cultivated grains such as wheat and oats are also important items in the diets of wintering ducks and geese. Maximum growth and production of waterfowl food plants can be achieved in shallow water less than 3 feet deep. The ideal situation for the management of ducks would be to manipulate water levels in an impoundment. Water should be drawn down during the spring and early summer to expose shallow water areas for planting or natural seedling germination. The slope of the impoundment at the water's edge is an important consideration during draw-down. A draw-down of one foot should expose at least 10 feet of shoreline for best results. Water levels should be raised very slowly after seeds have germinated and rootstock has made new growth. Many additional factors need to be considered for a successful waterfowl management program. For more details on providing food and cover for waterfowl, contact the local TPWD biologist. Nongame Wildlife: Eastern cottontail, swamp rabbit, fox squirrel, and other small mammals, songbirds such as eastern bluebird, purple martin, eastern meadowlark, and white-eyed vireo, reptiles such as northern fence lizard and ornate box turtle, various amphibians such as bullfrog, and many other nongame species make up the vast majority of the common wildlife in the state, yet rarely are these animals considered in an overall wildlife management plan. While providing habitat for some of these animals can be accomplished by following the procedures described above, exceptions exist for specialty species that are tied to specific habitats, are water-dependent, or have some other special life requirements. These include certain nesting and migratory songbirds, various amphibians, beneficial insects such as the monarch butterfly, and others. For example, leaving standing and downed dead timber provides foraging, nesting, and denning habitat for numerous cavity nesting birds, mammals and reptiles. Providing nest boxes and brush or rock piles will create supplemental nesting and essential escape cover where it may be lacking. Insuring access to surface water by creating bare ground patches next to stock ponds will attract numerous bird species and other wildlife. Most importantly, native plants that produce nuts, fruits, and seeds should be established and protected in order to offer a season-long food supply, which is essential

8 for all wildlife. For more information on providing food, water, and cover resources for nongame wildlife, contact the local TPWD biologist. Feral Hogs should be controlled by shooting and live trapping whenever possible. Most success at this usually occurs during the winter when feral hogs are traveling more to find food. In addition to rooting up pastures, feral hogs compete directly with deer, turkey and most other wildlife species that rely heavily on acorns and other hard and soft mast for winter food. Deer also tend to avoid areas when feral hogs are present. Coyote Control may be necessary when and if coyote numbers increase to "above normal" numbers to prevent excessive predation on fawns when they are most susceptible, especially from April through July. As coyote populations are difficult to determine, the ratio of coyotes to deer can be a "rule of thumb" to determine when coyote numbers should be reduced. About one coyote per deer may be considered a "balanced" ratio. When more than this number of coyotes is estimated from your observations, control methods should be employed. The optimum time for coyote control to reduce impact on fawns is from January through March, before coyote pups and fawns are born. Trapping and calling/shooting are usually the most productive and selective control methods. Coyotes from adjacent properties may soon fill the void created by removal of coyotes on your property. Contact your county agent or Texas Wildlife Services (formerly Animal Damage Control Service) for information on setting up a coyote control program. Imported Red Fire Ants: Although the magnitude of the effects of imported fire ants on wildlife populations are not known, ground-nesting birds (quail, turkey, various nongame birds), reptiles (lizards, snakes) and mammals (rodents, deer) are effected by fire ant activity both directly and indirectly. Foraging ants are attracted to moisture associated with young, vulnerable animals. Hatchlings and newborn animals are stung repeatedly, causing permanent injury or death. Indirectly, fire ants remove insects and certain vegetation that serve as food for wildlife (TAMU 1996). To protect native wildlife or their food base, treatment of at least 10 acres or 10% of an infested area per year, whichever is more may be necessary. Be aware that a beneficial, native Texas fire ant exists in the state, and actually helps control imported ants by competing with them for food and space. Thus, the indiscriminant use of broad spectrum pesticides may actually accelerate the spread of imported ants. Many pesticides are toxic to non-target organisms (particularly to aquatic organisms) and may directly or indirectly affect game species if not used properly. Use products specifically for fire ants, and comply with pesticide label instructions. RECORDS MANAGEMENT: Good record keeping is very important in achieving the objective of producing and maintaining a healthy population of deer and other wildlife. Records must be reported on forms provided by TPWD for spotlight counts, incidental observations, the age, fielddressed weight, and complete antler measurements of harvested bucks. Upon receiving this information, TPWD biologists can make recommendations concerning ongoing habitat and population management. COMMENTS CONCERNING ANY FEDERALLY LISTED SPECIES: None of these recommendations would be detrimental to any federally listed endangered species that may occur in this area. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATIONS AND CO-OPS: The creation of a wildlife management association with adjacent and neighboring landowners will greatly enhance any management that you apply to your individual ranch, and is commendable. The adjoining Jones

9 Ranch has been under a TPW management plan for about one year. Texas Parks and Wildlife personnel are available to assist in forming multi-landowner cooperatives, but leadership must remain at the local level. Individual Preparing Plan: Tim Siegmund Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 102 Nagle Hall 2258 TAMU College Station, Texas (979) (979) Fax Tim.siegmund@tpwd.state.tx.us Date