The need for this project is to reduce rubber rabbit brush to enhance the Annabella WMA through reducing the canopy cove of brush to make it safer to hunt upland game birds for the Public. Over the last several years the rabbit brush has become very tall and hard to get through within this WMA, we have had concerns that hunters are not seeing each other and that poses a hunting and safety concern that may injure or kill someone if something is not done in the future. This rabbit brush will be thinned out with some areas being left for cover for pheasants, doves and quail but a majority will be removed allowing for perennial grasses to flourish and respond leaving food and cover through the native vegetation that hasbeen established.

Project will address the need to remove a overburden of older rabbit brush within the Annabella WMA, by removing a majority of the rabbit brush we will see a increase of the WMA by hunters especially young hunters. As the WMA is right now it does get alot of use but the percentage of the hunters can't get around and finding the birds makes it difficult, do to the overwhelming issue with rabbit brush.

Threats are that we continue as we are going having additional increase in the rabbit brush and making it hard for the public hunter to enjoy, it becomes an eyesore to the UDWR as an WMA, and we continue to have an area that is not being utilized by the local hunters and the general public. Other threat would include the invasion of noxious weed species that are hard to control due to the fact we can't spray them id we cant see them. We have a big issue with White Top and Thistle and some areas that have Knapweed present. Removal of the rabbit brush would allow us to get a better handle on the weed issue and work closely with the Sevier County Weed Dept. Other risk include the human safety risk and sending young hunter into that area to hunt, smaller kids and adults can't see each other and it poses a safety risk of someone getting seriously injured even killed due to not being seen while hunting this WMA.

In working with Management Plans I have included the following: 1)To increase upland game and waterfowl habitat in the Sevier Valley that will allow sustainable pheasant population in the area. Continue to provide open space for the community and surrounding areas. 2) Increase public access for hunting purposes of upland game and waterfowl, increase hunter retention and recruitment. Youth hunting and mentoring programs for young hunters. 3) Increase additional areas to raise pheasants through the "Day old Chick" programs. Increase awareness for WIA programs for adjacent landowners. 4)Control Invasive weed species that are damaging to wildlife habitats in the area by working with Sevier County Weed Dept. 1.) As stated in the Richfield and Annabella WMA Plans, the purpose of the WMA is to provide good habitat for upland wildlife and waterfowl. As stated within the WMA plan; the main habitat objective is to conduct mechanical and natural treatments to provide improved upland and waterfowl habitat. This treatment will aid our efforts to achieve that objective. 2)The objective of Utah's upland game management program is to provide recreational hunting opportunity for sportsmen within the limits of the annual harvestable surplus for each species. The most recent upland game report shows decline in harvest of both ring-neck pheasant and California quail. This project will improve habitat for both. 3.) The Sevier County General Plan states; Hunting and fishing are integral parts of the culture and lifestyle in Sevier County. At certain times of the year virtually all of the economy of Sevier County is focused on hunting, fishing and related seasonal activities. This project will increase habitat for upland game, thus increasing hunting opportunities and economic growth in Sevier County 4.) The Utah Strategic Plan for Managing Noxious and Invasive Weeds states; after invasion by an aggressive weed species and subsequent successful control/management activities, the objective is to return the site to a desirable species composition, if possible. This project will restore these sites to a desirable species composition. Utah does not have a management plan for pheasants. However, in general, this project supports objectives found in the UDWR Strategic Plan. The Utah Upland Game Annual Reports show a decline in pheasant hunting and hunters, especially since 1979. The National Wild Pheasant Conservation Plan identifies hunter participation as an important component in pheasant conservation and long term support of hunting in general. **I have uploaded the UDWR Pheasant Habitat Requirements in the Image and Documents Tabs which will give additional information and management suggestions on habitat use and value. California Quail: California quail thrive in brushy areas where they have ready access to water. They need dense brush where they can escape from predators, but prefer more grassy, herbaceous cover to nest in. Seeds, grains, berries, and especially clover make up their diet. They can actually live without water if they can eat enough moist, leafy greens-but in the desert that is very uncommon. **I have uploaded the UDWR Wild Turkey Management Plan in the Image and Documents Tabs which will give additional information and management suggestions on habitat use and value. **I have uploaded the UDWR Chucker Management Plan in the Image and Documents Tabs which will give additional information and management suggestions on habitat use and value. I have uploaded the UDWR Monroe Mountain Deer Management Plan in the Image and Documents Tabs which will give additional information and management suggestions on habitat use and value for Mule Deer.

With this project fire and fuel loading is an issue as it pertains to the location of the property, this property is located southeast of Richfield UT, and is comprised of rabbit brush, Russian Olives and Salt Cedar along with dry land vegetation. Fire may be an issue due to the location, but there is a chance due to the nature of local farming practices in the spring that the risk of fire could happen. This would be one case as private landowner's conduct seasonal burning of crop lands to reduce old vegetation, clean ditches, and fence lines. Communities at risk will be Annabella Town to the south property is surrounded by homes, buildings and livestock sheds and corrals. Fire and the reduction of heavy fuels can be beneficial to this WMA if utilized properly, reducing old vegetation, creating new young grasses, forbs and shrubs for upland game birds and waterfowl which would create mosaic patterns across the landscape. If we were able to reduce older stands of vegetation we would ask for assistance from the Sevier County Fire Warden to conduct a burn plan on the property

Water Quality and Quantity for this project can be explained in the fact that we do not have any shares of water that we use for irrigation purposes within this WMA. All crops that have been planted that will provide cover and food for the upland game and waterfowl species are done on a dry land type system where we depend on the fall and winter moisture to allow for them to be successful. We do have the Sevier River that runs on the edge of the property providing access for wildlife in the area. With the removal of the rubber rabbit brush we expect to see additional forage for cover and habitat by reducing the rabbit brush therefore the native and seeded grasses and forbs will have additional water to take up and survive. The quality of water will be improved as the understory will fill in and not create additional soil movement due to the presents of rabbit brush.

Treatments will be addressed by the Project manager working with Monson Shaver (UDWR) on making sure the under takings are surveyed, this will be done in house with the use of Monson. The mowing aspect of this project is exempt from SHPO Consultation. Most of this WMA has been previously disturbed and may not require a survey.

The method of choice will be to use a wet mower as we have done in the past to remove and apply a herbicide chemical as the mowing takes place. This will be done with a wet mower and the chemical Tordon 22K and a surfactant. We would like to have this project take place in the fall of the year and the if we see a need to inter-seed in the area we can accomplish that also. We would like to keep some areas with cover associated with the WMA, but removing a large percentage would be necessary to achieve our goal for improving the upland game hunting and recreation of the Annabella WMA.

Monitoring of this project will consist of photo points, before and after photos of the property and rabbit brush before and after treatments, also showing food plots for upland game and waterfowl birds. Raising of upland game birds such as Ring Neck Pheasants, and or Quail and release of pheasants on the Annabella WMA Property, survey for post season and winter survival surveys on pheasants on the property. We will be involving local schools, BSA, FFA chapters on different projects associated with outdoor recreation/wildlife science. We would continue to monitor the return of rabbit brush and utilize a spot spray detail to help keep it in check after the mowing has occurred. Continue to have support from local and state SFW and DU Chapters to help with the rehab process on the Annabella WMA. We have worked with local DH to help trap these WMA in doing so we are hopeful to reduce the amount of predation on the released pheasants and chuckers. The Sevier County Commissioners have also added additional funding to help remove raccons, skunks and red foxes within the valley.

Partners for this project would include but not be limited to the UDWR, local and state chapters of SFW and DU. Sevier County Commissioners and Sevier County Weed Dept. Other partners such as the local FFA and BSA chapters can be involved in helping out with the habitat restoration efforts along with the SRO Dedicated Hunter Program as we would need assistance in maintaining this WMA.

Future Management of this WMA will require to keep up on the property, making sure all fences are looked at, and all gates are workable and closed during all times keeping trespass cattle out of the WMA. Work diligently on needed repairs as we see fit, continue to spray for noxious weed species and working with the Sevier County Weed Dept. Other Management Plans would be to work with local adjacent landowners on being a good neighbor, making sure proper signing is in place, and working with the community on making this WMA a place where everyone is welcome. Continue to protect the habitats that are critical for upland game and waterfowl, planting species that will sustain cover, and food plots for year around survival.

Domestic Livestock may be used in the future to graze the WMA property to reduce old vegetation allowing for improved production of seeded plant species along with natural vegetation to be improved. If grazing is warranted on the WMA, UDWR will work with the Southern Regional Office along with the State Office to put together a grazing management plan for the area that can offer local producers the chance to graze the property in a timely manner, accomplishing the goals and objectives that will benefit upland game and waterfowl species.

04/23/2019

06/03/2019

2019

Final methods for this project included the use of a Wet Mower that would provide the chemical across the cutting blade and kill the Rubber Rabbit Brush as it was being treated. UDWR contracted this project out with High Mtn Nursery. We mowed approximately 76 acres of Rabbit Brush on the Annabella WMA. Polygon where flagged and then treated with the chemical, we used Tordon 22K, Brushrhap and MSO as the prescription. Some of the treatment areas look really good while others are coming back. The project did have a seed planting aspect, we purchased the seed last fall (2018) from GBRC and it will be planted this fall (2019) on the WMA. The areas that will be drill seeded will be disked up and planted.

This project was put together to remove rubber rabbit brush from the Annabella WMA. With removal of the rabbit brush we will allow for increased production and cover of grasses and forbs to sustain upland game species in the Sevier Valley. Using the wet mower is one advantage of reducing the cover of the rabbit brush while treatment occurs at the same time. The key to this treatment is timing and chemical application rates. We had areas that we could move faster through and areas that went slower, the key is speed of machine and rate of chemical to put down. Overall the project was a success, but the need to budget in some follow up is a lesson we learned. Originally we wanted to treat in the fall of the year but it turned off too cold and we would freeze up the equipment. We opted to do a spring treatment to find out the results. We are looking to inter-seed this fall in areas that need additional seed, to help establish cover for upland game.

Future Management of this WMA will be for UDWR employee to follow up with spot treatment of the Rabbit Brush, some ares are showing signs of regrowth. This will be done with a spot spray ATV type system or a had held system. The same chemical will be used and additional time will be involved for the follow up.