SRO FY21 Upland Game Tree Lines
Project ID: 5380
Status: Completed
Fiscal Year: 2021
Submitted By: 11
Project Manager: Lynn Zubeck
PM Agency: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
PM Office: Southern Region
Lead: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
WRI Region: Southern
Description:
Plant trees and install new waterlines to improve upland game habitat on SRO WMA's.
Location:
Upland and Waterfowl WMAs in Southern Region (Pahvant, Clear Lake, Topaz, Redmond, Bicknell, Richfield, Annabella)
Project Need
Need For Project:
The Upland Game Wildlife Management Areas provide important habitat for Upland game. To increase populations of upland game and improve recreational hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities on the WMAs there is a need to provide additional cover and forage. Tree lines provide both cover and forage for the wildlife there. Several years of planting trees and installing drip lines has continued to improve the upland game habitat and we need to continue to meet habitat and wildlife objectives for the WMA.
Objectives:
1.) Increase hiding cover and forage productivity through installation of new tree lines. 2.) Increase recreational wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities by creating better habitat. 3.) Increase thermal bedding cover for wintering mule deer
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?):
With any land disturbance there in some risk of invasion by undesirable plant species. Reseeding with a desirable seed mix post project will greatly reduce that risk. There is also some risk that the planted trees will die. Similar project to this have been done for multiple years and we have be successful in growing and establishing tree-lines. The methodology has proved successful in years past and we anticipate that it will continue to be.
Relation To Management Plan:
WMA management plans call for installation of additional tree and shrub lines to help improve upland habitat. Additionally the plans note the limited availability of public access for upland hunting in the region and these WMAs provide some of the few remaining public access points. Improving this habitat increases the quality of this public access opportunity.
Fire / Fuels:
N/A
Water Quality/Quantity:
N/A
Compliance:
UDWR State Archaeologist will complete cultural clearances for disturbed areas.
Methods:
A grader will be used to gouge trench for installation of drip line and trees. The trench will then be back-filled. Drip line will consist of 1.5" PVC with 5/64" hole next to each tree. Trees will be planted in holes lined with chicken wire to protect roots from gophers. Labor will be completed by habitat seasonal's and full time DWR staff.
Monitoring:
As trees are planted, grow, and mature, they may have different water requirements. This new drip system will provide for those needs. Project success will be monitored with personal observation and photos.
Partners:
Dedicated Hunters and Sportsmans Groups.
Future Management:
Annual evaluations help determine the success of planted trees and drip lines. Any maintenance required will be done by DWR seasonal or full time staff. Habitat assessment will occur annually to determine where the expansion of new tree lines should occur.
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources:
These WMA's are currently not grazed. An annual assessment will be conducted to determine if grazing could be used as a tool to help achieve habitat goals and objectives. These WMAs are used extensively for recreational purposes such as hunting and wildlife viewing.
Budget WRI/DWR Other Budget Total In-Kind Grand Total
$12,000.00 $0.00 $12,000.00 $0.00 $12,000.00
Item Description WRI Other In-Kind Year
Contractual Services Excavation Contract to install drip line and trees. $2,500.00 $0.00 $0.00 2021
Materials and Supplies Trees, PVC, Chicken Wire, and other necessary materials. $9,500.00 $0.00 $0.00 2021
Funding WRI/DWR Other Funding Total In-Kind Grand Total
$12,000.00 $0.00 $12,000.00 $0.00 $12,000.00
Source Phase Description Amount Other In-Kind Year
Habitat Council Account QHCR $12,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2021
Species
Species "N" Rank HIG/F Rank
Chukar R3
Threat Impact
Invasive Plant Species – Non-native High
Mule Deer R1
Threat Impact
Invasive Plant Species – Non-native High
Ring-necked Pheasant R3
Threat Impact
Brush Eradication / Vegetation Treatments High
Ring-necked Pheasant R3
Threat Impact
Invasive Plant Species – Non-native Medium
Habitats
Habitat
Not Listed
Threat Impact
No Threat NA
Project Comments
Comment 01/14/2020 Type: 1 Commenter: Keith Day
Lynn: Tree rows will also provide habitat for non-game birds (nesting, foraging, stop-over), raptors (nesting, perching, winter roost) and small mammals. Question - do you find chicken wire (I suppose you use 1") effective for very long? Would hardware cloth last longer and better exclude gophers? Keith
Comment 08/17/2021 Type: 2 Commenter: Daniel Eddington
This is just a reminder that completion reports are due August 31st. I have entered the expenses in the Through WRI/DWR column on the finance page. Please do not make any changes to numbers in the Through WRI/DWR column. Any "Through Other" or "In-kind" expenses will need to be entered by the PM or contributors. Update your map features and fill out the completion form. Be sure to click on the finalize button on the completion report when you have your completion report ready to be reviewed by WRI Admin. Don't forget to upload any pictures of the project you have of before, during and after completion. If you have any questions about this don't hesitate to contact me. Thanks.
Comment 08/26/2021 Type: 2 Commenter: Alison Whittaker
Gary - A few questions came up as I was reviewing the report. If you could add this info that would be great. Did planting occur at any particular time of year? Or were trees planted year round? What type of trees were planted? Thanks.
Comment 09/02/2021 Type: 2 Commenter: Alison Whittaker
Thanks for making those additions. I have moved this project to completed.
Completion
Start Date:
07/01/2020
End Date:
06/30/2021
FY Implemented:
2021
Final Methods:
Backhoe or other tractor used to install drip line and plant trees along tree line. Drip line consists of 1.5" PVC with 5/64" hole next to each tree. Trees are planted in holes lined with chicken wire to protect roots from gophers. Seasonal Technicians assisted in the completion of the project.
Project Narrative:
By continuing to install additional tree lines these WMA's are seeing great improvements in upland habitat. Previously planted treelines are maturing and beginning to provide good cover and quality habitat for upland birds. It's anticipated that each years planting will continue to grow and improve overall habitat on the WMAs. This year the majority of the trees have been used at the Pahvant WMA with a smaller portion going to Clear Lake and a handful to Bicknell Bottoms. Planting occurs year round as opportunity allows, but is most concentrated in the spring and summer. Some of the species used include Russian Olive, Easter Red Cedar, Sumac, and Buffaloberry.
Future Management:
There is no grazing on our upland game WMAs. The WMAs are managed solely to provide quality upland game habitat and recreational hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities. Irrigation/drip lines will be regularly monitored and maintained as needed. Tree lines are revisited every year and holes where trees did not establish are replanted.
Map Features
N/A
Project Map
N/A