The town of Mendon winters a significant population of turkeys within the residential parts of town. This causes depredation issues for the residents and also the wildlife staff of the DWR. This project will provide an area for the turkeys to loaf and forage above the town. Phase two has already generated a lot of support from the residents. As these plantings are expanded across the Cache valley the goal will be to have enough habitat that turkeys will not be such a problem in the towns. The town of Mendon has banned feeding the turkeys which helps with this projects success. The NRO depredation staff has noticed a reduction in the number of turkey problems in town as well.

To create a winter food source for turkeys above the town of Mendon that will hold the turkeys out of town. Improve relations between the UDWR and residents of these towns thus gaining permission in the future to expand these plantings into private fields and holding even more turkeys out of town. Reduce the amount of calls that DWR depredation staff have to field for turkey related incidents.

There is the threat of the plantings not being successful. There is also the threat of the plantings not working to keep the turkeys out of the towns and increasing the turkey populations which will result in increased negative turkey/human interactions. This has not been the case in the first two phases though.

Utah Wild Turkey Management Plan 2014 Goal A. Maintain and Improve Wild Turkey Populations to Habitat or Social Carrying Capacity Objective 2. Increase wild turkey habitat, quality and quantity, by 40,000 acres statewide by 2020. Strategy d: Conduct habitat improvement projects in limiting habitat(s). Goal B. Minimize Human-Wild Turkey Conflicts Objective 1. Decrease the number of chronic material damamge complaints per 100 turkeys by 25% by 2020. Strategy f: Improve habitat to draw wild turkey populations away from conflict areas. Objective 2. Decrease the number of chronic nuisance complants per 100 turkeys by 25% by 2020. Strategy e: Improve habitat to draw wild turkey populations away from conflict areas. NWTF Utah Wild Turkey Strategic Plan - Improve the quality of wild turkey habitat throughout Utah. Use conservation permit and NWTF national project funds to target habitat improvement projects on public lands. Division of Wildlife Resources Strategic Management Plan: -Resource Goal: expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat. -Objective 1: protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state.

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The areas where plantings occur have been previously disturbed by farming activities and this projects phase one. NEPA is not required.

In early spring once the ground is ready to be worked the area will be seeding with the tri grain mixture with a no till drill. In the fall crabapple and other fruit bearing trees and shrubs such as snowberries and rose will be planted adjacent to the fields. Purchasing the plants at the end of the year seems to be very cost effective as they were 50% off.

The Mendon city council will report on turkeys numbers in town along with the UDWR area biologist and depredation specialist. The success of the potted plants and trees will be monitored by the NRCS Logan field office/DWR and watered if needed.

The NRCS North Logan Field office will help plant and water. Local landowner D. Larson will plant the grains. Dedicated hunters help with watering and planting as well.

These plants will be monitored and watered as needed by residents of Mendon. In the winter of 2016/2017 turkeys have been observed in the grain fields. There are still turkeys in the town of Mendon but seem to be less and working with the city and law enforcement to prevent feeding of turkeys in town and and to haze remaining birds out of town if needed.

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05/10/2018

05/12/2018

2018

The seed mix was purchased from Steve Regan in Logan and planted by a local farmer into the field. It was planted early May. He used his new no till drill and the results are promising. No shrubs or trees were planted this year as the nursery didn't have any.

The field was planted with a no till drill on 5/10 and 5/12. No shrubs or trees were planted this year as the nursery didn't have any.

Continue to plant the field in grain and peas. I am working with another nursery to grow some fruit bearing trees and shrubs that will be in protective biodegradable containers. It seems that the loss we have had has been from the roots being girdled by rodents. Hopefully this will lead to better survival in future plantings.