Completion Form

2017

Three seasonal technicians were hired during this process; Selena Yardley, Hunter Mecham, and Jennifer Batty.  Hunter was provided a seasonal vehicle through motorpool, Selena already has a DWR permanent truck, and Jennifer used vehicle reimbursements.  From July first through  August 15th, traps were set in Hatch, North Escalante, Hoosier Lake, Mammoth Creek, and Kingston Canyon.  From May 17th through June 30th, traps were set in LaVerkin, Black Canyon, Fish Lake (Bowery Haven), Virgin, Monroe (private pond), and Bicknell Bottoms.  Beavers were taken to the following translocation sites:  Fish Creek and Cottonwood Creek (July-August), Deer Creek, Baker Spring, and Shingle Creek (May - June).

The live traps used were Hancock or Koro style traps.  Each trap was secured with a cable and rebar stake, and baited with gland or lure and vegetation.  Traps were checked each morning, and reset for the following evening.  Before each site was trapped, notes were made about the complaint in a Google Form as well as an Excel spreadsheet for record keeping.  Heather contacted Forest Service, county commissioners, water masters, irrigators, and/or animal control depending on the trapping and release site, to gain support for the activity.  Once a beaver was attained, Heather was called for instruction for which quarantine facility to utilize, which pens within the facility to use for pairing beavers, updates to those relocating if quarantining was extended, etc.

Beavers were fed each day, had water changes done each morning, and mister systems turned on during the day.  Once beavers were caught, arrangements were made with technicians and Forest Service to relocate the beavers.

Beginning in May, all beavers were "processed;" meaning they were given tail transmitters, oxygen levels monitored, identified gender, measured, weighed and given an approximate age.  We hope the VHF tail transmitters will show us survival and movement post translocation.

Heather Talley

11/27/2017 12:37:36