The need for this project is to reduce rubber rabbit brush to enhance the Annabella WMA through reducing the canopy cover of rabbit 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 walk 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 has been established. In the spring of 2019 we completed around 85 acres of rabbit brush mowing and would like to complete some additional acres. Along with completing additional acres of mowing in this phase of the project we have existing fence lines within the WMA that are overgrown with rabbit brush that need to be removed. This removal will reduce the eye sore of old fence lines, pieces of cement ditches and the overwhelming concerns of having people, dogs and wildlife caught in the fences. The removal of fences will be done with small skidsteers, or mini-excavators to remove and haul away the materials.

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. Several types of shrubs, grain crops, forbs and grasses will be planted, annual kochia will be utilized for additional cover on site. Maintaining public access will need to be improved by installing walk through stiles at certain locations of the WMA, this will allow access for the public during hunting season. Additional fence maintenance will be needed to keep livestock from entering the property. In addition the removal of an additional 34 acres of rabbit brush this year in critical areas will play a major role in making the property safe for the public and more enjoyable hunting an recreating opportunity. We would also like to remove some interior fencing that is associated with the north side of the property. This would consist of removal of 5,700 feet of old fence line that have been part of the property for many years, with public access these fence pose a safety hazard as you cant see them while hunting or recreating due to overgrowth of vegetation around them.

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. We are also looking to remove existing fence lines within the WMA, with the use of an mini-excavator and other equipment as well. These existing fence lines are over grown with rabbitbrush and hard to see while hunting or recreating on the WMA. They pose a threat to the public, hunting dogs, and wildlife that use the Annabella WMA on a yearly basis.

In working with Management Plans we 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. UDWR RESOURCE GOAL: Conserve, enhance and actively manage Utah's protected wildlife populations. **OBJECTIVE R1 Increase, decrease or maintain wildlife populations, as needed, to meet the objectives in our management plans. **OBJECTIVE R2 Maintain existing wildlife habitat and increase the quality of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state. ***OBJECTIVE R3 Increase our knowledge of crucial fish and wildlife habitats and migration patterns. ***OBJECTIVE R4 Decrease risks to species and their habitats through integrated implementation of the Wildlife Action Plan, species recovery plans, conservation agreements and other management plans (species, AIS, disease, etc.). ***OBJECTIVE R5 Manage sensitive species populations to prevent them from being federally listed as threatened or endangered, and work to delist those species that are currently listed. ***OBJECTIVE R6 Decrease vehicle collisions and dangerous wildlife encounters for people who live, travel and recreate in Utah. ***OBJECTIVE R7 Decrease the number of wildlife-related incidents -- including property damage, crop depredation and threatened or endangered species listings -- that negatively affect private property owners.

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 Arie Leeflang (UDWR) on making sure the under takings are surveyed, this will be done in house with the use of Arie. 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. As for the removal of the interior existing fences we would like to rent some equipment to help with this aspect. We would like to rent a mini-excavator or bobcat to remove the fencing materials. With the equipment we would be able to pull out the existing fence and haul it way. Other options would be to hire a contractor to do the work or work with a Dedicated Hunter that may have the equipment to do the work for the UDWR.

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. We will continue to address the need for improved nesting cover and winter feed forage that will be available to upland game, water fowl and mule deer. Many people enjoy the WMA for not only hunting but recreational opportunities, sight seeing of migratory birds, and long evening walks along the Sevier River.

07/01/2022

07/30/2023

2024

Methods for this project included the removal of older age class Rabbit Brush on the Annabella WMA with the means of a deck mower attached to a John Deere 5400 Tractor. This application was completed by a seasonal or full time UDWR employee in the summer/fall time frame. Once the areas are treated future follow-up application of a chemical herbicide mix of (Tordon 22K and Latagio) will be applied through a ATV tank sprayer. UDWR worked last summer with a local Dedicated Hunter to remove all interior fencing and old net wire, posts garbage etc. The Dedicated hunter used his personal equipment to load the material and haul to the landfill. We will continue as needed spraying of the rabbitbrush in the future, this plant is hard to control and the need to always stay on top of it is a critical step in controlling the spread of this brush species.

This project was implemented on the Annabella WMA located southeast of Richfield, Utah in Sevier County. This WMA has a lot of activity in the fall with upland game hunting specifically ring-neck pheasants. The UDWR along with SFW (Sportsman for Fish and Wildlife) allow for pen raised pheasants to be released here, in the fall of the year. SFW holds a youth day shoot for over 50 young or first time hunters on this WMA. The need to remove old wire and debris along with the reduction/removal for older extremely tall rabbit brush was a must. The removal of the taller rabbit brush was a need to reduce the amount of safety issues associated with young hunters not being able to see when shooting. As for the debris and old wire fences that same is aspects apply, the young hunters would trip on them or fall or get tangled up in the wire fencing while hunting. This created a real safety issue for the general public, but mainly first time hunters and young kids with less experience in hunting upland game. The partnership with SFW and the UDWR/HC made this project successful, the DH Program also provided much needed help in removal of the old wire and debris on the WMA. This WMA is critical for upland game birds, waterfowl and resident mule deer in the area, the public uses the WMA extensively in the fall and spring.

Future maintenance will be on behalf of the UDWR and the Habitat Restoration Biologist/Wildlife Biologist to help control increasing rabbit brush within the WMA. The need to reduce the rabbit brush allows for increased bunch grasses that provide necessary forage for upland game and waterfowl within the WMA. Some rabbit bush is sustainable and will provide cover and protection from predators and winter weather, along with hiding and nesting cove. The opportunity to provide hunting access for young hunters within our WMA is critical, by removal of old tall rabbit brush provides a safe opportunity for hunting and allows hunters to see each other while in the field.