ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION STRATEGIC SQUIRREL MANAGEMENT PLAN MAY 24, 2001
STRATEGIC SQUIRREL MANAGEMENT PLAN Prepared by The Small Game Team Wildlife Management Division Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Fred Ward (Chairman) Rick Chastain Eddie Linebarger David Long Kenny Vernon Rick Fowler Brian Infield Randy Guthrie 2
PREFACE This plan was developed by seven wildlife biologists employed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and one wildlife biologist working for Quail Unlimited, a private organization. Ms. Charlene Risner and Ms. Julie Farris at the AGFC Calico Rock Regional Office are due our appreciation and thanks for the help and assistance with manuscript preparation and review. The Wildlife Management Division staff and other interested parties and individuals provided guidance and information for the plan. The primary purpose of this plan is to provide long-term direction and management for this wildlife species. Without a good vision and scope for management of a particular species, projects and schedules are often diverted and fail to get accomplished. Hopefully, as this document covers a several years period, it will permit the assignment of personnel and resources to accomplish the strategies and objectives as proposed. 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION History...5 Range and Distribution...5 Current Population Status...6 Problems/Limiting Factors...6 Significance of Resource...7 STRATEGIC SQUIRREL MANAGEMENT PLAN Squirrel Management Goal...8 Statement of Squirrel Management Objectives and Strategies...8 Objective I...8 Strategy A...8 Strategy B...8 Strategy C...8 Strategy D...8 Strategy E...8 Strategy F...8 Strategy G...8 Strategy H...9 Strategy I...9 Strategy J...9 Objective II...9 Strategy A...9 Strategy B...9 Objective III...9 Strategy A...9 Strategy B...9 Evaluation...9 Literature Cited...10 APPENDICES A. Priorities for Squirrel Plan Objectives... 11-12 B. Harvest Rates for Squirrels...13 C. Regional and Statewide Comparison of Hunter Success Rates for Squirrels...14 4
INTRODUCTION HISTORY The gray and fox squirrel in Arkansas have been recorded as a primary game species for many hunters quarry as far back as the earliest settlers in the state. Although it is believed that the indigenous Indian populations didn't subsist off of squirrel, due most likely to the abundance of large game species, the rodent found its way into many hunters game pouch (Holder, 1951). This became especially true as bison, bear and deer populations began to dwindle in the early days of farm settlements. There have been time periods recorded of extremely dense squirrel populations and then substantial declines from year to year (Holder, 1951). This suggests that, historically, populations have always experienced great fluctuations due to the abundance of food and climatic conditions and not loss of habitat, although today the decline in hardwood forests plays a major role in population densities in many parts of the state. Direct correlations are found between squirrel population levels and the previous year's mast production. Although little has been done to actually manage squirrels in the past, there have been seasons and bag limits set, several years of research into hunter use and success rates along with mandates of den tree retention on forested acreages in management plans. The first bag limit for squirrels was set at 15 in 1917 and reduced to the current 8 in 1927 (Holder, 1951). The Commission has conducted various research projects into squirrel reproduction and use of nest boxes in the past. However, it remains unclear just what actually can be done to manage squirrels besides providing mature hardwood or pine-hardwood stands and the retention of active or potential den/cavity trees within a forest. RANGE AND DISTRIBUTION Three species of tree squirrels are indigenous to Arkansas. They are the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans), the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), and the gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). The fox squirrel and the gray squirrel are the two species of squirrels that are hunted as game animals in Arkansas. Each of the three species of tree squirrels naturally occurs in all 75 counties of the state. This plan will only deal with the two species (fox and gray squirrels) that fall under the current mandate for management of game species by the Game and Fish Commission. Although historical records show a tendency of the gray squirrel to prefer dense contiguous blocks of hardwood and pine-hardwood forests and the fox squirrel to prefer more open upland woodlots, both species will co-exist in similar habitat conditions (Schwartz, 1981). In this case, one or the other will tend to dominate the site. Being arboreal mammals, the distribution of squirrels throughout the state is primarily dependent upon the amount of forested acreage within a given location. The distribution of squirrels is relatively more consistent, according to food availability, in the contiguous forested acreages of the mountainous and coastal plain regions of Arkansas, whereas, the prominence of row cropping in the Delta has rendered many areas of this region void of all forest cover. What once were large, uninterrupted expanses of bottomland hardwoods has, through time, given way to other more profitable land-use practices. 5
CURRENT POPULATION STATUS Recent statistics of forested acreage s (17.2 million acres) in the six physiographic regions of Arkansas does not reflect enough detailed information by which to estimate the population of gray and fox squirrels in this state. Squirrel numbers and the available food supply are closely related. The number of young produced seems to be regulated in part by the food supply available during the preceding winter. A wooded area with ample food throughout the year and enough den trees may carry two squirrels per acre, whereas an extensively forested area with few nut-bearing trees and a shortage of den cavities might contain only one squirrel per ten acres (Mosby, 1969). Without more detailed and up-to-date data concerning the resource and associated habitat types, any quantifiable statements regarding population figures would be speculative at best. PROBLEMS/LIMITING FACTORS There still remains the need for current, detailed information by which to answer the questions of squirrel hunting's popularity, population densities from year to year and how much time and expense our agency should spend on this small game species. It will be difficult to measure the success of our attempts to manage this resource without knowing the amount we currently have and how it is being used. The following is a brief discussion of the problems associated with squirrel management in Arkansas. 1. Several areas of improvement exist in promoting the management of squirrel habitat. Public demand for proper habitat management techniques for squirrels is not being met. Both public and private landowners are in need of an increased supply of information and technical assistance on habitat enhancement and incentive programs available for assistance. 2. Participation in squirrel hunting is decreasing. The availability of squirrel hunting opportunities is in need of being more thoroughly publicized. It is becoming increasingly important to publicize the value of youth involvement in squirrel hunting to help develop an appreciation for the outdoors and the environment. 3. Nuisance squirrel problems are increasing as the number of human dwellings increase. Greater efforts are needed in disseminating information to the public on nuisance squirrel management and in contacting nuisance animal control specialists. 6
SIGNIFICANCE OF RESOURCE The demand for squirrel hunting has historically been high (Holder, 1951). Many adult hunters were introduced to the sport of hunting in the squirrel woods around the state and even today it provides an excellent avenue to spur a young person's interest in outdoor recreation. From 1981 to 1990, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission conducted hunter bag check surveys during the fall squirrel season on a statewide and wildlife management area basis. Data were collected from the field on reproduction, age and sex ratios along with hunter use information like hours spent hunting, method of kill and the amount of "take". The data (Table 1) indicate a significant demand for the resource, particularly during the first couple of months of the season (Fowler, 1990). An annual comparison of hunter success rates (Figure 1) throughout the survey period from 1981-90 indicates a kill per hour in the range for 0.5 to 1.5 (Fowler, 1990). Squirrels are cited as formerly being the game species that is most hunted, but are now shown to be in second place as a result of a significant decrease in the number of squirrel hunters. Surveys in 1980 showed 275,400 squirrel hunters in Arkansas spent 2,765,000 days hunting. 1985 figures show a count of 235,000 hunters and 2,399,000 hunting days. Another survey in 1991 showed a continued decline as 116,700 hunters spent 1,097,000 days hunting. This results in a 58 percent decrease in the number of squirrel hunters and a 60 percent decrease in days of hunting (National Surveys Fish and Wildlife Service). 7
GOAL TO MAINTAIN VIABLE SQUIRREL POPULATIONS AND REVERSE THE TREND OF DECLINING PARTICIPATION IN SQUIRREL HUNTING. STATEMENT OF SQUIRREL MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES Although squirrel populations have remained relatively high, hunter participation has gradually decreased over the past few decades. The decrease in hunter numbers appears to be within the younger generations that are being attracted to this particular sport. Intensive educational efforts need to be directed toward the youth to make them more aware of the recreational benefits that squirrel hunting and associated activities such as camping provides. I. Objective: Improve the management of squirrel habitat on private and public lands. Strategies: A. Increase public awareness of proper habitat management techniques for squirrels by conducting training sessions and workshops for professional personnel and private landowners. B. Provide technical assistance to private landowners by writing habitat management recommendations for squirrels on lands enrolled in the various private lands programs. C. In conjunction with the Information-Education Division, develop a brochure containing guidelines for the implementation of habitat enhancement practices for squirrels. D. Use both state and federal (Conservation Reserve Program, Forest Incentives Program and Stewardship Incentives Program) land conservation programs to implement hardwood reforestation and protect existing bottomland and upland hardwood timber stands. E. Promote beneficial timber management practices by providing active examples of diverse healthy stands of pine, mixed pine/hardwood, and hardwood timber that includes regeneration, retention of den/cavity trees, and old growth components on Commission-owned WMA s. F. Increase awareness for maintaining/improving drainage on private and public owned lands with existing levee systems and areas that historically have been prone to flooding to prevent loss of hardwood timber stands. G. Encourage beaver control measures on private lands, Commission-owned WMA s, and other public lands where timber productivity and vigor are being adversely impacted by prolonged inundation. 8
H. Work with commercial timber companies in predominately pine timber regions to encourage the retention of mast-bearing oaks, hickories, mulberries, and dogwood trees along streams, drainage s, and other hardwood sites and encourage the protection of den trees and snags from harvest, control burn and logging operations. I. Utilize biological staff to provide input during the Forest Plan Revision process to influence the management of approximately 3.5 million acres of National Forest Land in Arkansas. Emphasize the need for timber management practices addressing long-term general forest health that includes hardwood regeneration, expanding use of fire to regenerate hardwood stands, providing a forest resistant to invasive defoliating/boring insects, and maintenance of an old growth component. J. Utilize biological staff to coordinate with other managers of public lands (COE, NPS, USFWS, State Parks, TNC) to implement timber management practices on their lands which are beneficial to sustain squirrel populations. II. Objective: Increase participation in squirrel hunting. Strategies: A. Publicize the sport of squirrel hunting with its liberal seasons and bag limits plus the value of youth involvement. B. Provide a squirrel hunting forecast through the Information-Education Division. III. Objective: Address the nuisance squirrel problems that occur on public/private lands. Strategies: A. Provide depredation permits where appropriate. B. Provide informational assistance on trapping and nuisance animal management. EVALUATION Monitor annual population trends and human interactions with the resource. A. Develop an annual mast survey B. Develop an annual squirrel hunter survey 9
LITERATURE CITED Fowler, N. Richard. 1990. Small Game Hunter Bag Check Annual Report. Arkansas Game and Fish Comm. Little Rock, Arkansas. 52 pp. Holder, T.H. 1951. A Survey Of Arkansas Game. Arkansas Game and Fish Comm. Little Rock, Arkansas. 155 pp. Mosby, Henry S. 1969. The Eastern Gray Squirrel. Extension Division, Cooperative Extension Service, Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Blacksburg, Virginia. 11pp. National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation - Arkansas. U.S. Dept. of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 1980. 75 pp. National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation - Arkansas. U.S. Dept. of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. 75 pp. National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation - Arkansas. U.S. Dept. of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 1991. 71 pp. Schwartz, Charles W. 1981. The Wild Mammals of Missouri. University of Missouri Press and Missouri Department and Conservation. Columbia, Missouri. 356pp. 10
APPENDICES Appendix A. Priorities for Squirrel Plan Strategies. Strategies Highest Priority Objective I: Improve the Management of Squirrel Habitat on Private and Public Lands. Strategy C: In conjunction with the Information-Education Division, develop a brochure containing guidelines for the implementation of habitat enhancement practices for squirrels. Strategy I: Strategy H: Strategy B: Strategy A: Strategy E: Strategy J: Utilize biological staff to provide input during the Forest Plan Revision process to influence the management of approximately 3.5 million acres of National Forest Land in Arkansas. Emphasize the need for timber management practices addressing long-term general forest health which includes a current lack of hardwood regeneration, expanding use of fire to regenerate hardwood stands, providing a forest resistant to invasive defoliating/boring insects, and maintenance of an old growth component. Work with commercial timber companies in predominately pine timber regions to encourage the retention of mast-bearing oaks, hickories, mulberries, and dogwood trees along streams, drainage s, and other hardwood sites and encourage the protection of den trees and snags from harvest, control burn, and logging operations. Provide technical assistance to private landowners by writing habitat management recommendations for squirrels on lands enrolled in the various private lands programs. Increase public awareness of proper habitat management for squirrels techniques by conducting training sessions and workshops for professional personnel and private landowners. Promote beneficial timber management practices by providing active examples of diverse healthy stands of pine, mixed pine/hardwood, and hardwood timber that includes regeneration, retention of den/cavity trees, and old growth components on Commission-owned WMA s. Utilize biological staff to coordinate with other managers of public lands (COE, NPS, USFWS, State Parks, TNC) to implement timber management practices on their lands which are beneficial to sustain squirrel populations. 11
Strategy G: Encourage beaver control measures on private lands, Commission-owned hardwood timber stands WMA s, and other public lands where timber productivity and vigor are being adversely impacted by prolonged inundation. Strategy D: Strategy F: Use both state and federal (Conservation Reserve Program, Forest Incentives Program and Stewardship Incentives Program) land conservation programs to implement hardwood reforestation and protect existing bottomland and upland Increase awareness for maintaining/improving drainage on private and public owned lands with existing levee systems and areas that historically have been prone to flooding to prevent loss of hardwood timber stands. Objective II: Increase Participation in Squirrel Hunting. Strategy A: Strategy B: Publicize the sport of squirrel hunting with its liberal seasons and bag limits plus the value of youth involvement. Provide a squirrel hunting forecast through the Information-Education Division. Objective III: Address the nuisance squirrel problems that occur on public/private lands. Strategy A: Strategy B: Provide informational assistance on trapping and nuisance animal management. Provide depredation permits were appropriate. 12