To seed disturbed locations throughout the Southern Region to avoid invasive species encroachment and bolster Mule Deer habitat. In recent years, multiple projects have occurred to remove Phase III pinyon-juniper trees in locations where bitterbrush historically existed. Now that competition of the evil trees of darkness has been removed, we seek to reestablish bitterbrush plants in those previously inhabited locations.

By increasing the canopy cover of bitterbrush within the project site within two to five percent, the quantity of bitterbrush plants will be increased to a level that will substantially impact mule deer habitat. This project would support the maintenance or provide an avenue to achieve an increase in deer populations to meet current objectives stated in the mule deer statewide management plan.

PJ encroachment has contributed to the declining trend in bitterbrush and the survival of bitterbrush plants. To combat this trend, planting bitterbrush in previous project areas where competition with the Trees of Darkness has been alleviated, will increase the efficacy of the planting project.

Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management plan (2008) The encroachment of pinyon and juniper threatens to choke out understory grass, forbs, and shrubs. Increasing risk of catastrophic wildfire. In order for mule deer herds to thrive in Utah, it is essential that extensive habitat treatments be completed. To address the decline in mule deer habitat throughout Utah, restoration projects are being implemented to target habitat improvement on crucial mule deer ranges that have shifted in dominance to less desirable types or have degraded and provide little productivity. Panguitch lake Deer Herd Unit Mangement Plan (#28) 2015 The mid elevation upland site supports a pinyon-Utah juniper community and is generally considered to be in very poor condition for deer winter range. This community is prone to infilling from pinyon-juniper trees which can reduce understory shrub and herbaceous cover if not addressed. It is recommended that work to reduce the pinyon-juniper cover (e.g. bullhog, chaining, lop and scatter, etc.) should continue in this community. Parowon Front Wildlifre management plan All of the units on the Parowan Front WMA have pinyon-juniper forests that are encroaching on the sagebrush flats and choking out many of the browse species important to wintering deer. Several thinning (lop and scatter) and chaining projects have been done in the past to remedy this problem. However, due to the extent of the encroachment an aggressive thinning policy needs to be carried out on the Parowan Front WMA to improve habitat for wintering deer. Southern Utah Support Area Fire Mangement Plan 2004 which states: Mechanicallly treat to convert pinyon and juniper invasion (condition class 3) into sagebrush/perennial grass (condition class 1 or 2) vegetation types. . Utah's Standards and Guidelines for Rangeland Health which address watersheds, ecological condition, water quality and habitat for special status species National Fire Plan (2000) Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 which state protecting forests, woodlands, shrub lands, and grasslands from unnaturally intensive and destructives fires Utah Wildlife conservation Strategy (2005)

Restoring habitats to a more natural state results in decreases in fire risk. The goal of this project is to aid in efforts to move project area to FRCC 1 from the previous condition of FRCC 2 or 3.

Appropriately vegetated sites assist in retaining runoff and preventing erosion; resulting in higher quality water in adjacent waterways. In addition the previously completed projects have eliminated the trees of darkness from the competition for water resulting in a greater retention of water and aiding in its return to the aquifer as well as decreased runoff.

Projects will be conducted on state, BLM, or private lands that have received prior authorization. DWR will consult within its sections and with other agencies to determine the best locations for reseeding. No NEPA is required for this project.

Seed will be distributed to Dedicated Hunters to conduct the planting (via drill seeding) according to the mapped locations.

Sites will be monitored by wildlife and habitat sections to asses growth of bitterbrush and usage of adult plants. Previous bitterbrush plantings have had 100 foot transects established on sites with planting occuring every foot in order to establish a percent germination and eventually establishment. One or two of these sites will also be established in these project areas. Photos will be taken from point of origin on transect.

UDWR partners with USFS, BLM, and sportsmans groups to identify high quality areas to assist in the creation of better mule deer habitat.

The Dedicated Hunter program would like to continue to work with the habitat and wildlife sections on future projects. It is anticipated that this will become an annual proposal to help aid habitat projects with sites suitable for bitterbrush re-establishment. Future site selection will be informed as we look at success rates on these sites and identify the best suitable sites for future plantings.

Many of these seedings will take place in areas with exisitng grazing permits and help contribute to the forage base available for both wildlife and livestock. Recreational uses of both hunting and wildlife viewing is also high on the sites these plantings will occur. Kane County sites exhibit good fawning range, and may keep a few deer out of private lands and make them available for public harvest. The Millard and Iron County sites are good for winter range; Iron County sites will provide habitat for deer, and Millard County sites will contribute to elk and deer habitat.

07/01/2019

10/27/2021

2022

Seed was distributed to Dedicated Hunters to conduct the planting (via drill seeding) in the mapped locations

Dedicated hunters planted 250 pounds of bitterbrush seed in the mapped areas over the last couple of years. This planted seed will increase the abundance of bitterbrush on the landscape within these areas. This increase in bitterbrush will provided better habitat for mule deer.

The Dedicated Hunter program would like to continue to work with the habitat and wildlife sections on future projects. It is anticipated that this will become an annual proposal to help aid habitat projects with sites suitable for bitterbrush re-establishment. Future site selection will be informed as we look at success rates on these sites and identify the best suitable sites for future plantings.