his is a special project that consists of several great partnerships in and around Sevier Valley. This project will allow public access to 130 acres of upland and waterfowl habitat for hunting, viewing, and educational experiences in the Sevier Valley. Richfield City, UDWR and SFW, partnered together to reestablish an area that is critical for upland game and waterfowl. This project will consist of planting cover crops for game birds, creating additional flight pens, spraying noxious weed species within the WMA, along with raising baby pheasants to adulthood. Project will also consist of irrigation practices to improve existing vegetation and habitat that is present. Winter habitat is limited and the need to create a food source is critical to over winter pheasants and waterfowl species. We are in need of open space for additional hunting opportunities for residents of Sevier County. We hold youth hunts on the WMA's for young hunters to get them involved with shooting and upland game hunting, SFW is a great supporter of this and has continued to help secure the future of hunting through working with the youth in Sevier and Wayne Counties.

The objectives of this particular project consist of restoring critical year round habitat for upland game and waterfowl. This will consist of reseeding areas of the property that will provide added food source and cover, types of shrubs, grain crops, forbs and grasses will be planted, annual kochia will be utilized for additional cover on site. Additional objectives will include the renovations of an existing shed to be modified to raise pheasants and quail. This shed will need a lot of work to make sure it is secure from predators (raccoons, skunks, red fox and feral cats) in the area and is provided with running water and food sources along with the construction of flight pens as the birds grow and develop. Maintaining a parking lot will need to be made to allow access for the public during hunting season. Water irrigation is critical for this project, the cement ditches will need to be cleaned out annually to allow water distribution to the crops and reseeded areas of the property. Additional fence maintenance will be needed to keep livestock from entering the property.

Threats to this project would be invasion of noxious weed species; such as White Top, Scotch Thistle and Curley Dock. We will be very pro active in treating for these species, we have been and will continue to work with Richfield County Weed Dept. to have them help us maintain and spray for noxious weed species on our WMA's. We also worked last spring with the Sevier County Fire Warden to remove older stands of sorghum that had a lot of residue present on site to allow for us to continue to plant and work the soil. Information taken from the Sevier County resources Management Plan pertaining to Noxious Weed Issues: OBJECTIVES a. Noxious weed infestations are documented, mapped, and being actively managed. b. The public is aware of noxious weeds and educated about how to manage noxious weeds. c. The county works cooperatively with private, municipal, state, and federal partners to locate and manage noxious weeds. POLICIES 1. The county supports the control of Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) that infests the Sevier River and its tributaries. This species is a monoculture in many areas, reducing biodiversity and native forage plants (carex and grasses) and limiting access to the river for livestock, wildlife, and recreation. 2. Cooperate with the local Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) and be an advocate for the area. 3. Support the Sevier County Weed Board, Conservation District, and Weed Spray Supervisor in controlling invasive species and noxious weeds. 4. Control noxious weeds and poisonous plants in cooperation with land users and state and local agencies. 5. The county supports comprehensive weed management that reduces or eradicates seed sources for noxious weed infestations. 6. The county supports efforts to secure the agricultural commodities and aesthetic beauty of the county against weed infestations. 7. The county supports wildfire suppression efforts through weed control. 8. In compliance with Utah Code 4-17-4, the county has a weed board to manage noxious weed control within the county. DESIRED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 1. Remove noxious and invasive vegetation along rivers and streams, followed by revegetation. 2. Federal agencies protect public lands bordering private lands from predatory animals, rodents, noxious weeds, and vectors. 3. Agencies should prepare and implement plans for controlling predatory animals, rodents, insects, and noxious weeds in accordance with the practices advocated by the Utah Department of Food and Agriculture and Department of Wildlife Resources. 4. Restore native plant communities to reduce the need for ongoing exotic or invasive plant management. 5. Control and reduce noxious weeds and poisonous plants using integrated pest management techniques and strategies, including the use of herbicides, biological control agents, and mechanical or hand treatments. 6. Treat areas that contain cheatgrass and other invasive or noxious species to minimize competition and favor establishment of desired species.

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 Sevier County Resource Management Plan in the Documents Tab which gives goals and objectives towards natural resources as they pertain to Sevier County.

With this project fire and fuel loading is not an issue as it pertains to the location of the property, this property is located east of Richfield UT, and is comprised of irrigated crops and dry land vegetation. Fire may not 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 Richfield City to the west and Glenwood to the east, property is surrounded by homes, buildings and livestock sheds and corrals. Fire and 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. We were able to reduce older stands of sorghum by working with the Sevier County Fire Warden to conduct a burn plan on the property in 2017, everything went well we just needed a little more wind to move the fire through the cropland residue. If we need to remove older age class vegetation we will continue to work with FFSL to make sure the proper paperwork and information is completed before we conduct the burn . We will also coordinate with Richfield City to make sure all information is relayed property as we lease their property within this agreement.

Water Quality and Quantity for this project can be explained in the fact that we do have approximately 32 shares of water that we use for irrigation purposes for crops that have been planted that will provide cover and food for the upland game and waterfowl species. The water quality will be enhance due to the amount as it will be utilized for growing crops and allow for the water to re-enter the water table and recharge the aquifer, quantity will be added as the reduction of soil erosion, and run off is limited due to planted vegetation on the WMA. We are actively seeking additional water rights through Eric Anderson (UDWR Water Right Master). Eric has help us out immensely in obtaining water rights for us and helping with the Temporary Water Right filings each year.

All areas of this project have been previously disturbed due to existing farming practices, the need for a Culture Resource Inventory in not warranted at this time.

Methods will include general farming practices that will consist of early spraying of noxious weeds, spraying all vegetation where reseeding efforts will take place. Ground will be disked up and prepared so planting can occur; shrubs will be planted in the areas to provide the best habitat for the upland game and waterfowl. Fencing will be done to secure property boundaries, general building and construction practices will be provided to build and develop flight pens to raise pheasants and quail. Water will be used through cement irrigation ditches allowing water the delivery system to the seeded areas.

Monitoring of this project will consist of photo points, before and after photos of the property and structures, also showing food plots for upland game and waterfowl birds. Raising of upland game birds such as Ring Neck Pheasants, and Chuckers to be released on Richfield WMA, Annabella WMA and Redmond WMA's. We also send birds to Wayne and Millard Counties to be released. Survey for post season and winter survival surveys on pheasants are conducted on the WMA properties along with other locations in the Valley. During release of the pheasants we band the pen raised pheasants and chuckers to determine survival we seen in the field. We will be involving local high schools, BSA, FFA chapters on different projects associated with outdoor recreation/wildlife science.

Partners associated with this project include Richfield City for leasing the UDWR the property, UDWR for allowing it to become another great WMA located in Sevier Valley where the public can come and enjoy upland game hunting. SFW for their partnership last year in making this project happen and funding the project of building flight pens, purchase of pheasants, feed, and materials associated with raising the birds to maturity. Local chapter members from the Sevier and Wayne County Chapters, the many Dedicated Hunter's who have work on this project from the beginning and have taken ownership in seeing this project through. We have also leased water for the crops from local landowner who have been great to work with and have enjoyed seeing the response of the property due to irrigation. We have had two Eagle scout project associated with this project in the form of building additional transport boxes and a kiosk that was built to display information about the project in a whole and the many donations that have been made through the local business to make this project and WMA a success.

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, replacing and installing slide gates in the irrigation ditches preventing water from leaking out, 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. Other uses of the resources will pertain to the non hunting community, bird watches, and those enjoying to walk around the WMA's looking at the abundance of Wildlife Species located in these areas. Additional opportunities are available for local school classes to enjoys the outdoor's, watching wildlife, studying upland and riverine habitats entice learning from these areas that students can learn from in a field setting.

07/01/2020

06/30/2021

2021

Final Methods for this project was to complete the second (2) year of a new five year commitment, this will provide a facility to raise ring-neck pheasants and chuckers for Sevier and Wayne County SFW Chapters. We were able to raise birds for release on the local WMA's and WIA areas in Central Utah. Raising the birds consisted of providing feed and water for them along with improving the Richfield WMA to allow for additional cover and forage for the birds. These practices included filling feed bins and water totes. We also work with many different landowners to secure a water lease. We also secured the property in a lease from Richfield City that provided the land for the flight pens along with the WMA. We have worked with several Dedicated Hunter to allow them to help us out while doing positive things for wildlife in return. We raised over 2,000 pheasants this past year and had great success in recruiting new upland game hunters which will benefit the UDWR in the future as we retain hunters for future generations. This spring we planted an additional 3.25 acres in 84 day corn for the pheasants and other upland game birds and waterfowl in the area. The 84 day field corn that would provide additional cover and forage for the pheasants in the fall and winter months. It has matured well this year other than a few trespass cows that set it back by eating the tops (if it was elk UDWR would be paying for the damage) and we are looking for the long term sustainability of the planted grasses to provide valuable cover and forage for pheasants and upland game bides in the future

Over the past seven (7) years this project has been a staple in the Sevier Valley, UDWR and SFW have worked together on making this a success. Over the course of this year we where able to work with a lot of great supporters who are interested in upland game hunting and seeing additional rooster pheasants back in the Sevier Valley. SFW conducts a youth day hunt within the Annabella WMA where we provide the Ringneck Pheasants for young hunter to get a start in hunting upland game. We also supply additional birds for the general season Pheasant Hunt as well as the UDWR youth hunt that takes place in October. This project has been working jointly with UDWR and SFW and we have had success since day one. Great support from the regional office as well as the UDWR SLO and funding through the Habitat Council along with Richfield City has made this a great success story for many years to come.

Future Management of the project will consist of overseeing and maintenance for the flight pens as well the Richfield WMA. This would include cleaning of the water tanks, brooders and making sure all flights pens are secure and free from damage. Future management would also include water the WMA that provides feed and cover for the upland game birds in the area. We have a public parking lot we keep free of weeds and debris and make sure that it is clean for the public to access. In addition to the WMA we work with Sevier County Weed Dept. to make sure we spray for noxious weed species in the spring and fall of the year to help prevent the spread to other properties. We continue to work with DH Hunters on helping them with fulfill their obligations to the program by getting them involved with the catch and release of the pheasants. This is a great project and we are appreciative of the funding we are provided each year for this project.