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1• ' ,'
I ....' .,.. .../ ., . ""'' " ) .. ' . Aerial view of portion of the wintering elk population. 153-10(1/12/79 - JEW)
)
A small segment of the Refuge bull population. Mature bulls made up 19% of the 1978-79 wintering population. 155-3(1/23/79 - JEW) ) TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. GENERAL
A. Introduction ..... l B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions 1 c. Land Acquisition. 3 D. System Status .. 8
II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
A. Construction . .. . • • 8 B. Maintenance ..12 c. Wildfire. . . . .13 III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
) A. Croplands . . .14 B. Grasslands ••. .14 C. Wetlands .24 D. Forestlands . . . 24 E. Other Habitat .24 F. Wilderness and Special Areas. .24 G. Easements for Waterfowl Management •• .24
IV. WILDLIFE
A. Endangered and Threatened Species ...... 24 B. Migratory Birds ... •. .26 C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others. . 31 ) V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION
A. Information and Interpretation. .44 B. Recreation. . .56 C. Enforcement .64
VI. OTHER ITEMS
A. Field Investigations .. . 71 B. Cooperative Programs. . 77 C. Items of Interest . .83 D. Safety •.. •...... 84
,) ) I. GENERAL
A. Introduction
The 24,227 acre National Elk Refuge lies in the Jackson Hole area of northwestern Wyoming. The refuge was established by Congress on August 10, 1912 to acquire, preserve and manage lands for the wintering elk of Jackson Hole. Jackson Hole iR a fault trough surrounded by an extensive system of fault block mountains. While the elevation of the Refuge varies from 6200 feet to 7200 feet, the Tetons to the west rise tp 13,766 feet at the summit of Grand Teton. Thz valley and the surrounding mountains are classic examples of glaciation. Spectacular elevation surges of over 7000 feet, from an intermountain valley to cirque-cut escarpments, and glacial remnants are features that have created a wildlife and recreation area of outstanding ) importance. The National Elk Ref uge lies in a glacial valley and is in the Transition Zone. Soils at the lower elevations are alluvial. generally composed of sandy loam or loam, and are shallow and permeable. The soils at the higher elevations are also loamy but there are considerable areas of gravelly soils and cobble stone on the south slopes and ridges. Sheet and gully erosion is apparent on some of the steeper slopes.
The northern one-half of the refuge is dissected by steep rolling hills. The southern one-half consists of glacial out wash material primarily, with one resistant formation (Miller ) ) Butte rising approximately 500 feet above the valley flnor. There are two major streams flowing through the refuge. The Gros Ventre River forms much of the northern boundary of the refuge and Flat Creek, flowing from east to west, nearly bisects the refuge. As Flat Creek approaches the western boundary 0f the refuge, it turns and continues southward and leaves the refuge at its extreme southwestern corner. Numerous springs emerge from the northern edge of Miller Butte and form Nowlin Creek, which flows to the northwest until it joins Flat Creek.
The refuge lies within Teton County and is bounded on the north by Grand Teton National Park, on the east by the Bridger-Teton National Forest and on the south and west by the town of Jackson and mixed private and Bureau of Land Management lands, respectively.
The climate is typical of high valleys in the northern Rocky .) Mountains. Summers are cool and pleasant and winters are long. Snowfall patterns and accumulations generally form quite a gradient from 6-18 inches on the lower half of the refuge up to 4 feet nn th':' n0rth end of the refuge. Annual precipitation is 15.2 WEATHER DATA 1979*
PreciEitation Tem:eeratures Month Normal Snow{all Max. Min.
January 1.31 1.69 19.96 Jfl -50
February 1. 00 1. 01 12.01 50 -16
March .45 1. 10 1.89 50 -12
April .04 1. 15 Trace 65 5
May 1.13 1. 47 77 16
June .42 1. 76 90 19 ) July .69 .75 89 28 August 1. 09 93 31
September .30 1.26 86 20
October 1. 39 1. 09 77 5
November .49 1.19 3. 70 42 -16
December .16 1. 73 7. 50 51 -17
Annual ° ° Totals 7. 48 15.29 45.06 93 F -50 F (Extremes)
*The weather data listed above were obtained from the Bridger-Teton National Forest headquarters located at the southeast boundary of the Refuge.
) ) inches, with about half received as snowfall. Temperature extremes vary from a summer high of 92°-94° F. to winter lows n ° of 35°-40 F. below zero. Record high is 101 F. and the record low is 52° F. below zero.
Much of the refuge consists of grassy meadows and marshes on the comparatively flat valley floor with the sedges, blue grasses and brome grass being important components of the communities. Near some of the springs and along the water courses, various willows are cornrnon. The flood plain forest, common along the Gros Ventre River, contains blu� spruce, narrowleaf cottonwood, red osier dogwood and balsam poplar as major species. There are extensive areas of big sagebrush north of the Jackson National Fish Hatchery. Foothills are grass covered for the most part with some sagebrush and rock outcroppings. These open areas merge with the steeper, timbered ) mountain slopes to the east where lodgepole pine, limber pine, whitebark pine, Douglas fir, and aspen are found.
The vegetative cover within the refuge is as follows:
woodland - 2,488 acres marsh-wet meadows - 2, 500 acres sagebrush - 4,228 acres grassland - 15,011 acres
B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions
The climate is typical of high mountain valleys. The high ° temperature for 1979 was 92 Fon August 4, while the low was _) ° -50 F on January 1, 1979. Precipitation was less than half of normal with only 7. 48 inches received. Snow accumulations, 45.06 inches, were also less than half of normal. This low water year resulted in markedly decreased forage production on the refuge. Forage that was produced was still available for utilization by the approximately 6000 elk on the refuge at years end.
C. Land Acquisition
1. Fee Title
A brief review of last year's highlights will help shed some light on our current status. In August, 1978, President Carter visited Jackson Hole for a summer vacation. Refuge and Grand Teton National Park inholders aroused the interest ) of the President's personal secretary in their fight against "dictatorial bureaucrats within the Department of the Interior - National Park Service and the llsS, Fish and Wildlife Service" The severity of the winter drove mule deer into old hay sheds in search of food. 158-11(1/31/78-JEW)
)
Not all mortality in winter comes from old age or cold. This spring area has claimed a number of unsuspecting victims. ) 166-1(4/18/79 - JEW) .s
who were taking their lands, their homes and depriving them of their livelihoods. As a result, President Carter intervened and ordered Secretary of the Interior Andrus to personally investigate the question of land acquisition in Jackson Hole. Secretary Andrus immediately ordered a moratorium on all land acquisition proceedings in NER and GTNP until he could visit and determine the necessity of such actions.
Secretary Andrus visited Jackson Hole in November, 1978. At that time he indicated that he was not i� favor of con demnation of developed lands and seemed to favor life use. He did believe undeveloped land should be condemned on the basis of increasing acquisition costs to the taxpayer.
Teton Wildlife Ranch - As a result of Secre.ta.ry Andrus' ) meeting with the Calkins, the Fish and Wildlife Service was ordered, with Director Greenwalt agreeing, to offer the Calkins lifetime use. Mr. Calkins informed the FWS on 9/21/78 that he would have an appraisal made and would not consider talking terms for at least 90 days. On December 28, 1979 (1 year and 3 months from his last contact) Calkins wrote Director Greenwalt and submitted his appraisal. He was now ready to discuss "life tenure basis". He also indicated that he would not "deal with Harvey Willoughby, his Denver subordinates, or those at Elk Refuge Headquarters. " It is our understanding that Regional Office and Central Office Realty now have this offer under serious consideration and will shortly contact Mr. Calkins. Mrs. Calkins has written and submitted an article to Reader's Digest, supposedly outlining the "dast ) ardly acts" committed by the "terrible Feds" against them in the name of land acquisition. Reader's Digest research people have contacted the Refuge, Regional Office, Director, formet Refuge Manager, National Park Service, etc. in an effort to ferret out the truth. It was scheduled for publi cation in January, 1980 and has not appeared in that or the February, 1980 issue.
Two additional lots south of the Calkins property are owned by absentee landowners. The FWS has tried to purchase these two lots, one owned by Mr. Geier and the other by Mr. DeLeva, but they have insisted that they "will build". The FWS filed Declaration of Taking on these two undeveloped lots in 1979. Approval was received from the Secretary of Interior's office and the appropriate House of Representatives committee to pro ceed with the condemnation request.
However, the Senate Subcommittee on the Department of Interior and Related Agencies withheld approval of 11 any declaration of t�ki�g buGcd on "inaccurate and erroneous information supplied them. In September, Mr. Geier constructed a buck and pole fence around his yet undeveloped lot. Mr. Geier has sub mitted an appraisal and R.O. Realty has been in touch with him. It is hoped that we can purchase this tract before he builds.
Teton Valley Highlands - In December, 1978, we acquired 251 acres (218+ acres outright and interest in about 33 acres of the 62. 6 acre common lands) in the Teton Valley Highlands subdivision on the northeastern boundary of the refuge. On September 6, 1979, we purchased an additional lot from Mr. Howard Stirn (Tract 143) of 14. 4 acres. The�e remains four undeveloped, privately owned lots totaling 41 acres. FWS has an option on one of these (Tract 147), a 10 acre tract. Seven lots totaling 76 acres have houses and are our lowest priority for acquisition.
) Teton Valley Ranch - Within the main T.V. Ranch, Tract 122b of about 354 acres has been identified as a major priority for acquisition. At a meeting with the owners in February, 1978, the FWS discussed acquisition plans for the T.V. High lands and the T.V. Ranch. Specifically the possibility of obtaining 11 conservation easements" on Tract 122b was discussed. Before negotiations for this tract could begin, the owner filed a proposal with the Teton County Planning Commission (in March, 1978) for a commercial subdivision within a devel opment to be named Sheep Mountain Resort. The Planning Office described the resort complex as follows:
11 The resort plans reflect 670 condominium units situated ) on the portions of the property which have the least amount of vegetation. A ski trail and horse path is proposed in the open space area surrounding the resi dential clusters. The 300 unit hotel complex which is located in the northwest area of the project consists of one main structure with 9 separate buildings running off to the east. The 3 buildings for employee housing and the two hotel parking lots are southeast of the main hotel. The 10.9 acre commercial site is located at the northern entrance of the project with the 4.3 acre future commercial site south of this. The 3. 6 acre cemetary is placed in the southwest corner of the project. Finally, using a figure of 2. 75 people per dwelling unit, the project could result in an ultimate resident population of 1,842. " ,) The FWS immediately went on record with the Teton County Planning Commission and the County Commissioners in opposi tion to this development. An appraisal update was concluded by the FWS and a preliminary negotiation meeting was held 1
') with the owners about mid-June. Apparently no agreement could be reached and each party agreed to meet again sometime in mid-September. .In the meantime, opposition to the npprovn 1 of the 10 acre Commercial Subdivision of the Sheep Mountain Resort surfaced, not only from the FWS, but from Kelly area residents, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the National Park Service and the Forest Service (Jackson Hole Cooperative Elk Studies Technical Committee) . On September 17, 1979, Phil Wilson went before the Teton County Planning Commission with his proposal to develop 10. 9 acres for local convenience commercial zoning. The Jackson Hole Cooperative Elk Studies Technical Committee went on record as opposing the development because of its potential disruptive influence on elk wintering on the refuge and their migration routes to and from the refuge. Representatives from the agencies involved in.the Technical Committee stressed that the 10. 9 acre commercial ) zoning could not be considered in isolation to the entire Sheep Mountain Complex. Residents from the town of Kelly and from the T. V. Highlands also went on record as opposing the development. After several hours of debate, often heated, the Planning Commission recommended and voted for denial.
Mr. Wilson then took the proposal to the Teton County Commis sioners who overruled the Planning Commission's recommendations and voted in favor of development. The entire scenario was repeated in December when it was found that the first prelim inary plat was not valid. Again the Planning Commission recom mended denial and again the County Commissioners (January 2, 1980) voted to allow development. ' ) The National Elk Refuge now has a strange alliance with the people of Kelly (Grand Teton National Park inholders and generally anti-Fed) as they now favor acquisition of the T. V. Ranch by the FWS! At the end of 1979, we were again negotiat ing with the Wilson's and may have an "Agreement in Principle" soon.
2. Easements
During 1979 we acquired two additional easements on the Hugh Soest Ranch (Tract 125) . The first is a Conservation and Wildlife Easement (Tracts 125cl and 125c2) and Right-of-Way Easement (Tract 125r) obtained from Mr. Soest. This easement is approximately 25 acres and cost $217,924.91. The other easement is also a Conservation and Wildlife Easement and is approximately 5 acres. This tract (152c) was obtained from ) the Mountain States Legal Foundation for $55,000. As with the previous easements on the Soest Ranch, they basically insure that the land remain in agricultural use only. 8
D. System Status
1. Objectives
Land acquisition was discussed in the previous section.
Work projects and equipment acquired under BLHP are covered in the Construction and Maintenance section. BLHP funds were also used in staffing and funding a two-year grassland management study which is addressed in the Field Investigations section. Additional BLHP funds were used in I&R planning which is covered in the I&R section.
Elk wintering population numbers are discussed in the Wildlife section of the Narrative Report.
2. Funding
What can we say - except there never seems to be sufficient funding or manpower to keep up with, much less gain on, the status quo. Station funding for the last 5 years plus FY 80 target funds are summarized in Table 1 .
II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
A. Construction
No significant construction tookplace this year, however, there ) was major rehabilitation and maintenance to some of our facilities.
Refuge Maintenance Complex
The proposed BLHP project to build a new shop complex in a different location was not approved so subsequent upgrading of the present facility was required. This facility has received minimal attention the last few years in hopes that the BLHP project would be approved.
In an attempt to make the shop more energy efficient, a variety of projects were planned. Storm windows, insulated garage doors and new furnaces were scheduled for acquisition. We contacted Regional Office Engineering on July 5, 1979 concerning our needs. Specs for doors and furnaces were supplied by them after much delay. Electric furnaces, it was determined, would be our best bet but a substantial upgrading of the shop electrical system would be _) required. An Invitation to Bid for electrical, heating and light ing needs was finally let in early October. A number of amend ments to the original Invitation delayed awarding a contract until Dcccrr.bcL 4, 1979. The contract was awarded to Clay's Electrical 1 \,,.,.,.../
TABLE NO. 1 NATIONAL ELK REFUGE FUNDING
F. Y. 1210 1220 1240 TOTAL ELK FEED (1) BLHP
1975 0 171, 000 2,500 173,500 32, 184 1976 1, 000 221, 700 2, 000 224, 700(2) 85, 002 1977 1, 000 208, 000 22, 000 231, 000 10, 000(3) 73, 500* 1978 1, 000 249, 700 33,000 283,700(4) 79, 188 0 1979 0 251, 000 33,000 290, 000(5) 55, 855 108, 000* 1980 (Target) 0 249, 000 38,000 287, 000(6) 50, 000 est. 45,600 (1) This represents one-half of total supplemental feed costs . Wyoming Game and Fish Department pays for other half. In 1979 an additional $31,400 worth of feed was donated by the Boy Scouts from their sale of elk antlers collected on the Refuge. (2) Includes 40, 000 added in April, 1976 for purchase of alfalfa pellets in F. Y. 1976 and during Transition Quarter. (3) No supplemental feeding required winter 1976-77. Purchased additional $10, 000 worth of pellets for stockpile. (4) Includes $14,000 Cyclical Maintenance Funds (1220-6.0 and 1240-8.0) (5) Includes $19, 000 Cyclical Maintenance Funds (1220-9. 0 and 1240-10. 0) (6) Includes $30, 000 Cyclical Maintenance Funds (1220-18. 0 and 1240-12.0) * BLHP: FY 77 Cache Creek Pipeline Project FY 79 - of the $108, 000 allocated $62,400 was spent as follows: a. Cache Creek pipeline overrun $20, 650 b, I&R prospectus for proposed visitor center -' $28, 750 c. Force account work - $8, 941 d. Forage study - Bio. Tech. salary $4 ,046
FY 80 - Carryover funds •
• 10
) Service, Inc., of Powell, Wyoming for $13,350 of BLHP funds. At year's end, construction had not yet started.
The old garage door in the carpenter shop was removed and replaced with an insulated wall. In addition, two regular doors (one leading to the outside and the other to an unheated vehicle storage area) were replaced with insulated doors. Storm windows for the shop were purchased and installed by Jackson Paint and Glass Co •• The insulated garage doors were obtained from Raynor Door Co. through Sanders Lumber Co. in September and are scheduled for installation early in 1980.
The shop septic system was in dire need of rennovation. During the past two winters (1977-78; 1978-79) it has frozen and been inoperable until spring thaw. We contacted R. O. Engineering concerning this problem, also. A representative from Engineering ) made an inspection tour and was informed of the problem and the suspected cause. He was further informed of the high ground water level and spring system associated with the shop. The design and specs we received from Engineering for the new septic system were unbelievable. The system was designed for a lot heavier use that we anticipate. During installation we ran into problems at the site designated for the pumping chamber as part of it was under water and placement was in the vicinity of a spring. The specs and design were changed at least twice and if it were not for the ingenuity of Maintenance Staff, it is questionable if it would ever have worked. The money expended on this project was more than if we had had a local contractor do the job for us. We really didn't need inexperienced engin ) eering assistance on this project! TABLE NO. 2 SHOP COMPLEX REHAB Project Cost Funding Septic System 3, 004 Cyclic Maintenance 1,465 BLHP Storm Windows 1,341 Cyclic Maintenance *Insulated Garage Doors 8, 188 Cyclic Maintenance *Additional costs will be incurred in 1980 to install the insulated garage doors.
) n
)
Pumping chamber for Shop septic system - - or is it an IBM silo? This system was designed for much heavier use than we anticipate. 171-2(9/24/79 - JEW)
)
Finishing touches on Shop septic system. Drainfield is in foreground. 171-67(9/24/79 - JEW)
) J Z�
TABLE NO. 3
MAJOR EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION, 1979
Type of Equipment How Acquired Cost/Funding Gas storage tank and pump Purchase - Leonard $1, 802 BLHP Petroleum Company Rollover protective Purchase - Western $5,674 BLHP Structures (3) Equipment Company
TABLE NO. 4
) MAJOR EQUIPMENT EXCESSED AND/OR SOLD, 1979
Type of Equipment Status Amount Utility truck, Studebaker Sold $ 718. 80 Transtar, 1961 (I-54292
Carryall, IHC Travelall, Sold 785. 01 1971 (I-102433)
Pickup, Chevrolet, 19 69 Sold $1027. 00 (I-89120)
Carryall, IHC, Travellall, ) 1968 (I-54323) Excessed (Use as trade-in)
B. Maintenance
A variety of non-routine maintenance was performed in 1979. Aging buildings, structures and equipment continue to demand a lot of time and money to keep operable.
Buildings: With the new Outdoor Recreation Planner on board, the old office became increasingly cramped. Quarters #1 was converted into the Refuge Office in September. A minimum of work was done in Quarters #1 as long range plans are to con vert it back into a residence. In conjunction with this move, ) the old office was converted into a "bunkhouse". A new drain was installed in the wash rack at the shop. This drain has a "settling basin" designed into it and will hopefully 13
eliminate the problem of clogging w:'_th sand. The pump room in the old pumphouse at the shop complex was insulated.
Electric power was installed in Pellet Sheds #3 and //4. The line was laid underground with Refuge personnel digging and backfilling the ditch. Two-thirds of Hayshed #6 was converted into a pellet storage facility. This entailed pouring 69 cubic yards of concrete for flooring and putting up metal and wood siding. The metal portion of this siding was salvaged from Hayshed #9 which was dismantled as it was surplus to our needs. The remainder of Hayshed #6 will be converted after the hay that remains has been used.
Structures: The dike road across Nowlin Creek Pond #1 was completed this year. Approximately¼ mile of road in the Gros Ventre River bottom was upgraded. This road can become impassable during the irrigating season . The main _) refuge road received periodic grading, hopefull for the last year by refuge equipment and personnel. Teton County is sched uled to take over maintenance responsibilities in 1980. The refuge headquarters sign and the entrance sign at the end of Broadway were rehabilitated this year. The signs were sanded, restained and the routed letters repainted.
Equipment: The TD-20 crawler tractor received a new engine in 1979. The engine was one we had picked up on surplus. The Thiokol needed a new clutch and axle this year. This vehicle is a workhorse because of its versatility. It is also old and in need of replacement. The 10-ton pellet trailer was modified to handle alfalfa cubes as well as pellets. Hydraulics were ) also installed to operate the doors. This should be a r�al improvement over the old "pull the chain" method of opening and shutting the doors used in pellet delivery. The cold weather of the '78-'79 winter took its toll on the 20-ton pellet delivery truck. The front axle crystalized and broke during feeding ·operations. The axle was replaced with one we had picked up on excess.
Safety Improvements: Rollover Protective Structures (R0PS) were purchased for the front end loader and the two TD-20's. The R0PS for the front end loader were installed in late 1979 with the two for the TD-20's scheduled for early 1980. c. Wildfire A wildfire occurred on August 20, 1979. The fire, named the ) Romney Pond Fire, was first reported by personnel from Grand Teton National Park and immediately verified by a helicopter crew from the U. S. Forest Service at 3: 10 p.m. Two men were ,4
\ initially dispatched to the fire at 3:15 and upon arrival. requested additional backup and the fire truck. Two addit ional personnel assisted with back pack pump units . The fire was a small one with only an acre burned. Damage was minimal with some grass and down aspen being burned. Total cost was $290.00.
III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
A. Croplands
Not applicable
B. Grasslands
) Jrrigation - The grasslands discussed in this section are pri- ./ marily old brome/ alfalfa fields previously managed for producing hay which was harvested and later fed to the elk during the winter. In total, these grasslands encompass approx imately 2780 acres. In 1979, approximately 1780 acres were flood irrigated. Five irrigators were used in 1979, four on 700 hour intermittent appointments and one was a permanent full time employee. Irrigation begain in mid-May and continued on through mid-September (Table No. S ) , a total of 11.3 days. A below average supply of irrigationwater, in conjunction with below average amounts of precipitation in the form of rain resulted in a decrease in the number of irrigated acres and an overall decline in forage production. ) The irrigation system and methods currently utilized on refuge grasslands is presently being evaluated in an effort to remedy several existing problems. First and foremost is the need to devise a method of recording and maintaining accurate records of water consumption, location of use, and number of acres irrigated. In the past, these types of recordings have been neglected. Prior to the 1980 irrigation season, steps will be taken to install measuring devices, and provide some means of recording this information .
Several other problems encountered include the need to repair several headgate structures and relocate numerous ditches which, through many years of use, have become dilapidated. The inability to hire qualified flood irrigators in sufficient numbers to satisfactorily handle the number of acres we irrigate annually has also been a problem during the past two seasons. The lack of funds is also a contributing factor.
Production - The total amount of forage produced in 1979 was approximately 23% below the previous six year average (Table No. _i_) . Irrigated fields in most cases were - ✓
TABLE NO. -2.
IRRIGATION DATA FOR SEVEN IRRIGATED AREAS ON THE NATIONAL ELK REFUGE
IRRIGATION SEASON AREA BEGIN END DAYS ACRES CFS(l) SOURCE HEADQUARTERS 5-24-79 to 9-16-79 113 241 3. 44 CACHE CREEK NOWLIN MARSH 6-06-79 to 9-14-79 101 500 7.14 NOWLIN CREEK
BEN GOE 5-24-79 to 9-14-79 113 160 2.28 FLAT CREEK
PETERSON 5-29-79 to 7-12-79 44 60 .85 FLAT CREEK
McBRIDE 5-29-79 to 7-12-79 44 122 1.74 FLAT CREEK
PEDERSON 5-21-79 to 8-14-79 86 250 3.57 GROS VENTRE
CHAMBERS 5-24-79 to 9-14-79 113 447 6.38 FLAT CREEK
(1) Based on 1 cf/70 acres - legal appropriation TABLE NO. 6 TONS OF FORAGE PRODUCED FROM 1973 THRU 1979 NATIONAL ELK REFUGE
TONS OF FORAGE PRODUCED AREA 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 AVERAGE 1979 PERCENT OF AVERAGE
HEADQUARTERS 720.8 1223.9 1409.8 1012.4 977.2 985.3 1054.9 655 .3 62%
NOWLIN MARSH 6122.3 6664.2 6969.0 6478 .2 6253.5 8848 .9 6889.3 3832 .5 56%
MILLER BUTTE 390.6 151.8 171.6 209.7 202.4 186.9 218.8 122.7 56%
BEN GOE 312.4 265.3 262.5 346.9 334.9 567.3 348.2 319.7 92% PETERSON 144.0 228.4 241.3 253.7· 244.9 329.2 240.2 280.5 116%
McBRIDE 197.7 208.4 400.9 279.6 269.9 471.0 304.6 167.1 55%
POVERTY FLATS 148.6 113.9 172.2 168.3 162.4 397.8 193.8 148.6 42%
CHAMBERS 427.5 318.1 626.0 564.4 544.9 1243.0 427.5 336.9 54%
PEDERSON 702.3 751.6 842.5 647.3 624.8 548.4 686.1 · 360. 8 53%
NORTH END 2649.5 2817.1 2719. 4 2964.6 2861 .8 2928 .5 2823.5 2970.0 105%
TOTAL 11,815 .7 12,742 .2 13,815 .2 12,946.0 12,497.0 16,482.9 11,821.7 9108.0 77% NATIONAL ELK REFUGE I? UWITro ITATU TETON COUNTY, WYOMING l)(.. •Tl•tNT 0, THI: INURIOII ------"o••-• -· ______R 116W R115 W ,-- c..- ---·--·----
... .. t� T 43 ·L' N N .../�,..+---..--+----+------� .. -f . -
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, T )41 c,�,,f N I -----�
'.f...... "? REFUGE BOUNDARY J. REFUGE MANAGE-r-rENT ARE.AS
:MC l31UlJr, 1. HEADQUARTERS 6. Nao/LIN MARSH POVI:;RTY FLt,13 2·. 1. •1• 101 MILLER BUTTE CHAMBERS 3. 8. BEN GOE PEDr..RSON · - 30 .. 4. 9. I ) \ 5. PETERSON 10. Nl'HTtl .E.ND
I _l ·---31 - .. u. "i MANAGEMENT AREA BOUNDARIES-- R116W Rll5W COWUO Ill TM! OtVIIION 0, REALTY NORTH/SOUTH PORTION BOUNDARYa: uwAS ,_ IUIIVUS IY U. U I AND u1•1w1 SIXTH PRINCIPAL � O!NVIII, COLORADO OCTOIIUI, 1915 Scole ,VJ )
Vegetation produced on dry land site consisted of rabbit brush (Chrysothamnus spp. ), june grass, (Koeria cristata), blue grass, (Poa spp. ), indian paintbrush, (Castilleja spp. ) and eriogonum, (Eriogonum spp. ). Production on this site totaled 124 lbs. /acre. (9/]CJ - DG)
)
) Forage produced on properly irrigated field. Species composition was Timothy, (Phleum pratense) , Brome grass, (Bromus spp. ), and alfalfa, (Medicago spp. ). 1, 450 lbs. of forage/acre produced here. (9/79 - DG) )
.,,,.,
)
Aerial photograph showing the very evident contrast between irrigated and non-irrigated lands. (8/79 - DG)
)
) A little bit of water does a lot of good. The left side of this photograph received waste water once or twice on weekends during the summer; the right did not. Forage produced on the left was twice that produced on the right. ('di /1.J - DG) ') only slightly below their previous years average, while the big change noted was in non-irrigated lands in the southern portion of the Refuge where production was approximately 20% below the previous six year av erage. The below normal amount of precipitation in the form of rain is believed to have been the cause in this drastic decline in forage production on non irrigated lands.
Utilization - Forty-two percent of the National Elk Refuge had a 50% or greater utilization of forage produced in 1978 (Table No . ...].). The Chambers area, Poveirty Flats area, and Peterson area received the heaviest use, 60 - 80 percent (figure 1) . Nowlin marsh, Miller Butte and the central portion of the North End area received fair amounts of utilization, 20 to 40 percent. The extreme north end of the refuge, the head quarters area adjacent to town, and the areas of the Nowlin ) marsh adjoining the highway received the least amount of util ization, 0 to 10 percent, due to heavy deep snow and human dis turbance respectively. Total utilization across the refuge was decreased due to early heavy snow accumulations and a thawing freezing action resulting in the inability of the elk to reach existing forage due to an ice layer.
Prescribed Burning - Prescribed burning was not included in management treatments in 1979. At least one and possibly two burns are being planned in 1980. One burn is planned in the Nowlin marsh area in a dense stand of Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) , and the second in the North End area in a dense stand of sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata) . ) Prescribed burning has proven to be an effective managem�nt tool in the past. In 1977, a 225 acre prescribed burn in sage brush resulted in 64 percent increase in forage production (Table No. s) . The second season (1978) following the burn, forage production increased another two percent. In 1979, pro- - duction fell off approximately 22 percent. A decrease in forage production is expected in each year following the burn. The life expectancy of this type of burn is approximately 8 to 10 years, based upon other burns previously done under similar conditions.
Range Rennovation - Approximately 50 acres of old brome/alfalfa stands were rennovated and seeded to russian wildrye (Elymus junceus) in May of 1979. Preliminary findings indicate that due to inadequate seed bed preparation, an unneces sarily long period of time will be required for the seedings to become established. On approximately 20 acres, quack grass, ) (Agropyron repens) has invaded the site which may make it even more difficult for the russian wildrye to compete. Z.I
TABLE NO. 7 PERCENT FORAGE UTILIZED ON THE NATIONAL ELK REFUGE CY 1979 FORAGE UTILIZATION PERCENT NORTH PORTION SOUTH PORTION REFUGE
UTILIZATION % ACRES % ACRES % ACRES 0 to 10 48.2 6743 7.6 783 31.0 7526
11 to 20 4. 3 602 0 0 2.5 602 ) 21 to 30 9.3 1300 23.5 2421 15.3 3712 31 to 40 22.3 3119 19.3 1989 21.1 5108
41 to 50 1.4 19 6 7.6 783 4.0 979
51 to 60 9.3 1301 0 0 9.3 1301
61 to 70 0 0 21.0 2164 21.0 2164
71 to 80 5.0 700 21.0 2164 11.8 2864
)
) z.. z
;t' ...:
)
Field work involved rotary cultivation of the desired acres twice and planting the grass directly behind the second cultivation. A combination of loose soil and seed planted at an excessive depth may have resulted in poor seeding establishment. 168-7 (5/18/79) JEW
)
)
1979 field renovation near the maintenance shop. Approx. 31 acres were seeded to Russian Wildrye at a rate of 10.5 pounds of seed per acre. 166-3 (4/26/79) JEW Z3
) TABLE NO. 8
INCREASED FORAGE PRODUCTION ON PRESCRIBED BURN IN SAGEBRUSH NATIONAL ELK REFUGE
YEAR NON-BURN AREA BURN AREA PERCENT INCREASE LBS/ACRE LBS/ACRE
1976 460 448 1977 435 1184 64
1978 839 1200 30 ) 1979 470 940 50
)
) C. Wetlands ·, ) No Activity D. Forestlands Approximately 10% of the National Elk Refuge has a forested cover type. Coniferous forest comprises a small portion of the total while deciduous species make up the remainder. Quaking Aspen, (Populus tremuloides) , found in small isolated clones, constitutes the bulk of forested lands. The aspen stands on the refuge are over-mature and in many cases decadent. Several clones have been lost from the ecosystem and others are on the verge of being lost.
In 1980, several small plots will be established in aspen clones in an effort to evaluate clear cutting as a management tool to encourage regeneration of these stands.
E. Other Habitat No Activity F. Wilderness and Special Areas Nothing was done at the Miller Cabin Historic site this year but protection. We have no word as to the future of this site but improvements have been considered in the Refuge I&R Needs Assessment. The initial planning stages for the I&R program, however, place rehabilitation and restoration of this facility in a very low priority. G. Easements for Waterfowl Management Not applicable ) IV. WILDLIFE A. Endangered and/or Threatened Species
_ Bald Eagles are a common sight on the refuge during the winter. Population numbers fluctuate with the average number of 6 using the refuge. During the 1979 Christmas Bird Count, twenty (15 adults and 5 immatures) were observed in the stand of spruce south of Romney Pond.
Whooping Cranes were sighted a number of times this spring in Teton County. One was observed at Bondurant on April 16, in company with Greater Sandhill Cranes. A Whooper was observed the next day, April 17, in Bondurant, again with Greater Sandhill Cranes. This bird had a yellow and red leg band. On April 18, Garvice Roby, Biologist with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, ,) observed a Whooper on the South Park feedground with some sand hills. The South Park feedground is approximately 6 miles zS
)
)
) Typical aspen stand on the National Elk Refuge. Note the lack of regeneration and the dec�dent appearance of the clone. (9/79 - DG)
) -) south of Jackson. One of the summer students had a possible observation on June 14, south of Signal Mountain in Grand Teton Nationa l Park. If the Greys Lake NWR experiment proves success ful, these unique birds may become a regular spring visitor to Jackson Hole.
B. Migratory Birds
1. Waterfowl:
Swans: The 1979 midwinter Trumpeter Swan Survey was con- ducted on February 26 on the refuge . Three adult swans were observed at the shop ponds. One adult had a reddish-orange neck collar with "H-6" inscribed on it which indicated it was from the Grand Prairie Region of Alberta, Canada. Six swans had been observed on the Refuge just 20 ) days prior. Twenty-nine swans were counted during the 1979 Christmas Bird Count but it was not determined if these were all Trumpeters.
Trumpeter reproduction was finally successful this year. A nest was established approximately 150 yeards off Highway 26/187 south of the KSGT radio tower. This pair was first observed on May 15 and appeared to be incubating. An observer saw one adult and two cygnets at this site on June 26 and we observed the same on June 27. On June 28 there was nothing at the nest site but two adults and five cygnets were observed in the marsh 200-400 yards eastof the nest site. An inspection of the nest on June 29 revealed the remains of at least 3 eggs and 2 intact but addled eggs. Of 7 eggs laid , 5 were hatched. ) This pair with the 5 cygnets were observed most of the summer. Some ti.me i.n September, two of the cygne.ts were lost . At yeAr 's end , three of the cygnets were still alive � Recent studies in Yellowstone National Park have revealed that some cygnets die just prior to fledging from unknown causes..
A second pair of Trumpeters began nesting in Pierre 's Pond between May 9th and May 15th. These birds were still nesting in early August when we kicked them off the nest.. Two eggs were found but were addled. We speculate that perhaps the eggs had chilled when the water level in Pierre's Pond rose after an act of vandalism caused the water in the South Park Water Users ditch to back up and spill into Pierre 's Pond.
Ducks : An estimated 210 ducks were produced to flight in 1979. There were 33 broods observed with 164 ducklings. ) Shoveler and Common Goldeneye production was down from 1978 but all others increased, some significantly, or remained the same. (See Table No. ..2._) ,,,, ·F . ', ',,° '
)
) This pair of Trumpeter Swans nested and hatched 5 of 7 eggs and fledged 3 cygnets on the Refuge. 175-12(10/11/79 - JEW)
)
)
"Wildlife and people" meet on the south end of the Refuge. This family of four cygnets showed up in early October. 175-2(10/11/79 - JEW) TABLE NO. 9
BREEDING PAIR AND BROOD OBSERVATION DATA , 1979
Est. No. No. Broods No. Ducklings Average Species Breed Pairs Observed Observed Brood Size
Mallard 20 4 20 5.00 Gadwall 44 20 101 5.05 Pintail 2 1 6 6.00 G.W. Teal 14 1 6 6.00 Cinnamon Teal 22 3 8 2.67 Redhead 0 0 0 0 Ring-necked 5 4 23 5. 75 C. Goldeneye 1 0 0 B. Goldeneye 1 0 0 c. Merganser 3 0 0 Breeding pair counts were conducted for the second year using help from the Jackson Hole Bird Club . The count WAS conducted on May 19 with most or ou r regular speries well represented. Involving th e Bird Club has benefitted the refuge two ways - manpower assistance and better community relations.
Geese : Canada Goose production remained the same as last year with an estimated 30 goslings reaching flight stage. Nests were observed at the pond just north of the shop ond (2), Flat Creek (1) , and Pierre's Pond (2) . There may have been a nest !'!round Miller Springs. A lone bird was observed here during the nesting season. Spring peak popu lations of 41 geese were observed on May 19. Fall populations peaked at 175 on October 16 , 1979
2. Marsh and Water Birds :
Greater Sandhill Crane populations peaked on April 17 when 40 were observed on the refuge. Three pair were observed using the refuge most of the summer. One pair nested some where north of the KSGT radio tower and successfully fledged 1 young. Another pair with 1 colt were observed in the vicinity of the shop. We suspect that these too nested on the refuge . The first sighting of Greater Sandhill Crane on the refuge in 1979 was April 2 and the last was September 20 .
An Eared Grebe was seen on April 26 at the shop onds. Eared Grebes have not been seen on the refuge since 1975.
) 3. Shorebirds , Gulls, Terns and Allied Species :
Several species appeared on the refuge after a number of years absence. Nine Avocets were observed on August 8, 1979. They were last seen in 1975 . A Long�billed Dowitcher was seen on lower Flat Creek on May 9th. The last recorded observation of this species was 1973. The first Long-billed Curlew of 1979 were seen east of the YCC facility on April 15 . On April 26 twelve were seen west of the shop. We have been unable to find any nests but assume nesting occurs. We did not observe any young of the year this year. Long-billed Curlew were last seen on July 20 , 1979 .
1979 saw the return of the Franklin's Gull to the NER . Fifty were first observed on July 22 in the irrigated fields south of the shop. They stayed for two weeks before moving ) on. This species was last reported in 1974. TABLE NO. 10 DUCKS PRODUCED TO FLIGHT ON NATIONAL ELK REFUGE (1972-1979)
SEecies 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 Mallard 50 50 120 50 75 50 15 40 Gadwall 75 80 210 150 140 100 100 Pintail 10 5 70 10 G.W. Teal 20 20 20 25 45 50 10 Cinnamon Teal 60 60 125 60 25 100 25 35 Shoveler 10 5 5 Redhead 20 10 20 5 20 Ring-necked 5 4 6 8 10 5 15 c. Goldeneye* 40 B. Goldeneye* 5 20 20 12 20 Ruddy 15 5 20 10 4 Unidentified Duck 20 TOTAL 260 245 539 241 324 390 210 210 * There may have been an error in identification and/or record ing between these two species. 31
Four Ring-billed Gulls were seen on November 7 at the Nowlin Creek Ponds. They have been absent from the refuge since 19 73. 4.
There were two first time sightings recorded this year. On May 9, 1979, two Pigeon Hawks were observed. One male was seen in North Gap and one female north of Jackson National Fish Hatchery . On the same day a Broad Winged Hawk was seen northeast of the fish hatchery , Sharp-skinned Hawks, not recorded since 1973 were observed on May 9 at Pierre's Pond and on July 20, chasing Brewers Blackbirds at Refuge Headquarters. A Cooper's Hawk was observed at the north end of the refuge by the T.V. Highlands. This species was last recorded in 1975 . ) Prairie Falcon sightings were frequent in 1979. First sighting was on Poverty Flats on April 7 and the last sightin� was on November 10.
Another first this year was the sighting of Snowy Owl on March 5. This bird was observed flying over the sleigh ride concession . The severity of the winter apparently resulted in this unusual southern movement and subsequent observation .
5. Other Migratory Birds:
No significant population changes or observations this year. ) c. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others 1. Game Mammals:
Fall migration for the 78-79 winter began in late November. On November 21, 1978, 51 elk were on the refuge and by November 26, 1978, 1500 were here. Three days later, November 29, the number had swelled to 4000 and by December 14 we had in excess of 7000 elk. There were approximately 7500 elk on the refuge at the end of 1978.
The supplemental feeding program began December 26, 1978 and was exceptionally early as a result of severe weather conditions (see 1978 Narrative Report) . Elk were supplementally fed for 106 days with the program terminating on April 10, 1979. Baled hay held in storage for several years was used to reduce ) the expense. Feeding pellets for the entire period would have been extremely costly . A total of 1210 tons of baled hay was fed for a 45 day period from December 26, 1978 to February 9, 1979 . Alf�lf� pellets were fed intermittently, beginning January 10 � during the hay feeding operation to reduce elk depredations on hay sheds and to ensure sufficient feed when hay feeding operations brokedown. )
)
Sunrise on herd consisting of mostly bulls with Tetons in background. Note bull at far left with only one antler. This guy is early as elk generally start dropping an tlers in mid-March. 155-11(1/23/79 - JEW) )
)
Mature bull elk showing effects of scabies infection. Seriously infected animals freeze to death. 154-9a(l/17/79 - JEW) Hay held in storage for a number of years was fed initially during the supplemental feeding period to offset the cost of pellets and to utilize the hay while it still had some nutritional value. 154-10(1/17/79 - JEW)
)
The severe winter resulted in this - - Elk and Rison broke through fence surrounding hay shed and helped themselves to what was available . J 160-7(2/9/79 - JEW) - �-:::!',... .) .✓.. \
)
Loading operations at hay shed for supplemental feeding. Note condition of hay in foreground after elk "broke in". 162-3(2/22/79 - JEW)
)
) Hay storage shed showing effects of elk damage to stacked bales. 160�-5 (2/79 - JEW) .35
)
Alfalfa pellet loading operations. Pellets are 3/4"xl½-2" sun cured alfalfa cut and pressed into pellet form. 154-6 (1/17/79 - JEW)
)
. .. c'-� •• .:..•...... =--·' " ;. �, -- ◄ i· i
The 20 Ton Kenworth distributing alfalfa pellets. Where once it took 6 men all day to feed baled ) hay, it now takes 1 man 4 hours. 164-4 (3/26/79 - JEW) Total pellet feeding began FebD1ary 10, and ended on ) April 10, 1979. A total of 1822 tons of alfalfa pe llets were fed. The 10-ton trailer was used at McBride , while the 20-ton truck was used on the remaining areas (Poverty Flats , Nowlin Creek and south of Miller But te) . Due to heavy snows restricting mobility of the pellet truck , elk feeding was restricted to rather small areas.
The Annual Elk Classification Count was conducted on February 23, 1979, from 8: 15 - 12: 00 a. m. with an air temperature of +15°F and overcast skies . Personnel from the refuge, Wyoming Game and Fish Department-, U. S. Forest Service, National Park Service and several outfitters , part icipated . 7,828 elk were on feed. Herd composition was 4,347 cows, 14 34 calves, 1, 503 mature bulls and 544 spike bulls. An additional 130 unclassified elk were on the - refuge but not on feed for a total of 7,958 elk on the ) refuge . In addition, an aerial census conducted by Refuge Manager Wilbrecht and Wyoming Game and Fish Biologist Roby found 594 unclassified elk innnediately adjacent to the refuge . These elk alternate being on and off the refuge and brought the total census to 8,552 animals.
Elk winter losses were slightly above average (1%) with 157 or 1.8% of the wintering population succumbing� This was probably due to the severity of the winter. Cripples, the very old and the very young made up the bulk of these.
Spring finally came to Jackson Hole and by the end of May the spring migration from the refuge to calving and sunnnering areas was almost �omplete. Once again we had approximately ) 150 head of elk summer on the north end of the refuge. The majority. of these were spike bulls • Fall migration began in earnest in late November with the arrival of about 600 elk. Elk continued to trickle in and at years end we had approximately 6,800 elk on the refuge .
A moose survey conducted in January, 1979, found 20 moose in the Gros Ventre River bottom which is the northern boundary of the refuge. As a result of the severe winter, increased numbers of moose moved into Jackson to take advantage of food supplies inadvertently supplied by townsfolk (i.e. - hedges and ornamental shrubs). Mule deer use peaked at 3 9 on April 6, 1979 in the Gap area and on Miller Butte. Also, on April 6, 1979, 20 Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep were seen on the east boundary of the refuge in the Curtis Canyon Area. Pronghorn Antelope ) were extremely rare this year with only one lone doe observed southwest of the McBride crossing of Flat Creek on December 27. This is marginal Pronghorn habitat to begin with and the severe wlnter of 1977-78 decimated the small population that found • ,.,,. , .J r ,. .-...... ,_...... ,. ,:_' •t, 1·, � ..... ) .::.... - . ' .... . __,,; . :.- �·=--�, ... . - ,,:ill, �·- ··· .· �� -� .· ••• . .; ; .'Y':P";...-.!.t-":.:1,,;. ..
Two young bulls "square off" over who's going to eat what and where. This type of aggressive display is seen more often in cows . Bulls generally use their antlers to dissuade others from coming too close. 157-10(1./23/79 - JEW)
�•• ·�• � �-,1,. ,/1' ,l, '(.,.,,, )
...
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, \. ..
This fine bull was one of 13 elk that died suddenly ) on January 13 , 1979. 7 bulls , 3 cows and 3 calves died of what we suspect was bloat from some bad hay . 152-7 (1/8/79 - JEW) .3(,�,.... ,
)
This "motley" crew of F&WS, FS, NPS, WG&F, and outfitters conducted the Annual Elk Classification Count in February. 161- (2/23/79 - JEW)
)
) Annual Elk Classification Count. Elk are spread out on feed lines and the truck passes back through them , splitting the herd. Each individual is assigned a seg!!!ent of the herd to count (l.e. mature bulls, calves) . 162-8 (2/22/79-JEW) its way into "The Hole" . Bison numbers peaked at 33 ,'.'.l nimals ) on March 22, 1979 , just prior to returning "home" in Grand Teton National Park. One calf died on the refuge during the winter from unknown causes. The carcass was found during the annual Boy Scout antler pick up. This fall, December 15, 1979, 31 Bison had decided to return to the refuge to winter.
2. Other Mammals:
Porcupines must have had a good year in 1979 . They appeared to be particularly abundant in the Gros Ve�tre River bottoms . We have no data with which to compare, but they were much more frequently observed this year than in the past.
3. Resident Birds: ) On May 21, forty-two Sage Grouse cocks were observed on the lek at North Gap. The conspicuous absence of hens probably indicated that nesting had begun. Birds were still numerous at the end of the year with 43 seen in Long Hollow on November 23, 1979.
4. Other Animal Life:
The effects of "fly fishing only" regulations on the Cutthroat Trout population of lower Flat Creek were mon itored for the fourth year in 1979 in cooperation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The work this year con centrated on population estimates of cutthroats in lower Flat Creek NER. On April 24, 1979, the study section of ) Flat Creek was electrofished. Cutthroats captured were marked and released. The section was again electrofished on May 1, 1979, and spring population estimates made using the Peterson Index with Bailey modification method . Ten of eighteen marked fish were recaptured. A fall population sample was collected in the same manner as the spring sample with the section first sampled on October 11, 1979 and again on October 18, 1979. Eight of twenty-eight marked fish were recaptured in the fall sample . Results are summarized in Table No. 1�
)
I .. -) ) _ .. _.. _____ �._ ..., .. Bison - frosted as a result of -40°F temperatures. This expanding population summers in Grand Teton National Park and has been wintering on the Refuge for the, last few . years. 159-4 (1/31/79 - JEW) ) ) Elk are not the only animals who enjoy alfalfa pellets. Bison often move elk off feed lines and eat the pellets themselves. Picture taken from Poverty Flats looking north/northwest at the Tetons. 159-1(1/31/79 - JEW) 41 TABLE NO. 11 CUTTHROAT TROUT POPULATION ESTIMATES FOR FLAT CREEK NATIONAL ELK REFUGE, 1979 Studi Section Per Mile Date Size N s CI (0. 95) N CI (0. 95) 5/1/79 Z 7" 37. 6 5. 45 26-49 54 38-69 " c:::.7 25.6 4. 50 16-35 36 23-49 TOTAL 63. 2 9.95 43-84 90 62-118 10/18/79 " � 7 62. 2 13. 20 36-89 89 51-127 <.7 " 19.6 7. 41 5-34 28 7-49 TOTAL 81 .8 20. 61 41-122 177 58-176 ) N = estimated number in population s = standard deviation CI = Confidence Interval (95%) The April 24, 1979 and October 11, 1979 electrofishing (marking run) data was used for age structure and trend indicators and compared to previous years in Table No. 12 . TABLE NO • l2_ SUMMARY OF POPULATION SAMPLING BY ELECTROFISHING AFTER INSTITUTION OF FLY FISHING ONLY REGULATIONS FLAT CREEK - ELK REFUGE STUDY SECTION ) /\ Year Date n N/mi Av. Lt. Lt. Range Date n N/mi Av. Lt. Lt_: Range 1976 5/12 100 12.6 3. 2-22.3 10/22 72 9.0 3. 2-21.0 1977 4/20 101 10. 6 3. 6-22. 2 10/17 190 7. 1 3.0-19 .1 19 78 4/28 67 9.5 3.1-21. 2 10/18 41 11 .4 3.7-20. 8 1979 4/24 30 90 10. 8 3. 6-21.7 10/11 56 117 8.0 2.4 -21. 7 It should be noted th at the sample size of 56 trout (or 117 per mile) on 10/11/79 represents a production of ab out 127 pounds per acre. Trout streams in northwestern Wyoming with good production levels have between 350-450 pounds per acre. The age structure of th e population summarized in Table No. 13, was ca.lculated using the length-frequency method . The larger percent of mature fish in th e spring sample reflects spawning activity. The fall sample more ) closely resembles an expected population curve. TA BLE NO. 13 ) AP PROX IMATE AGE STRUCTURE FROM LENGTH-FREQUENCY DA TA, 1979 Age Group (%) Date --II --III IV v+ 4/24/79 13 7 30 17 10/11/79 18 18 9 6 Spawning mature fish continued their downward trend and there was a conspicuous absence of young ir{ the spring sample. No organized creel census was conducted in 1979. Use appeared to be nearly the same as last year from cursory observations. Tree revetments were placed in the study ) section on a "goose neck" and a slumping bank in July, 1979, by YCC. In addition to stabilizing the banks, they provided much needed cover for fish. The tree revetment areas accounted for 30% of the fall sample numbers and doubled the amount of young fish in the population. The importance of instream cover was amply illustrated. A Stream Improvement Plan will be initiated in 1980 by Wyoming Game and Fish and FWS. An abstract of a paper summarizing the response of the Cutthroat Trout population in lower Flat Creek to fly fishing only regulations is appended to the Narrative Report. The paper was prepared by Wyoming Game and Fish personnel who are cooperators in the study. ) _) ) Confluence of Nowlin Creek with Flat Creek. ) Silt in Flat Creek comes from South Park Water Users diversion of Gros Ventre River water. It's a wonder we get any Cutthroat Trout reproduction in Flat Creek. 170-7(5/79 - JEW) J ) V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION A. I&R Planning The elk refuge I&R and Visitor Center planning effort has proceeded successfully in 1979. This was a year of initial planning. The "Communications Needs Assessment" (mentioned in the 1978 Annual Narrative Report) was produced and evaluated. It determined, through various alternatives, which type of communication facilities were desirable at the elk refuge. The consultants recommended a new visitor center to be located near the Jackson National Fish Hatchery which would serve both refuge and fish hatchery. They also recommended moving the winter sleigh ride terminal to the west side of the refuge and possibly incorporating it into the visitor facility. An underwater stream profile chamber was also proposed. ) In late April and early May, 16 copies of the "Communications Needs Assessment" document were delivered or mailed to local and area-wide individuals, organizations and agencies. Public meeting notices and summary sheets were also sent out as well as news releases to local and state newspapers and radio stations. A public involvement meeting was held on May 30, 1979, at 7: 30 p. m. at the Jackson State Bank. Eighteen participants gave their input and expressed their reactions to the proposed visitor facilities as stated in the assessment. The Refuge Manager gave an introduction and stated overall objectives of the proj ect, and the consultants from Concept Design Associates of Salt Lake gave a slide presentation of the various alternatives, including the suggestive alternative. Nine written responses were received ) in addition to comments received at the public meeting. All comments were evaluated and the maj ority supported a visitor center near the fish hatchery. One comment supported a visitor center on the east side of the refuge and several favored lesser developments or none at all. A follow-up letter summarizing our findings was sent out in September to those who attended the meeting or gave written comments. We have made a concentrated effort to keep the public informed of each phase of our planning. As a result of our meeting and generally favorable public reaction, I&R planning continues for a combined visitor center - headquarters office complex near the Jackson National Fish Hatchery. It was decided that landscape, site analysis and building design planning for the facility would be done in-house by the archi tectural/engineering staff based in our Regional Office. The ) interpretive and exhibit design planning would be contracted . View toward south showing southern portion of Refuge with Gros Ventre Mountains, Snow King ski area and Jackson in distance . Jackson National Fish Hatchery, Flat Creek, Hatchery housing and north/south highway 26/187 in foreground . The new Visitor Center-Headquarters Complex is proposed to be constructed just east of the Fish Hatchery (site is marked with an arrow) . The site will afford visitors an uninterrupted 180° view of the Refuge. 170-1,la,2 (5/ /79) JEW A meeting with Terry Cacek (Proj ect Coordinator from the R.O.) and Hank Drake (Engineering - R.O.) was held in Jackson on Au gu st 20-21 to discuss preliminary site plans and vis.it th t' proposed site. On September 27, 1979 a bid for the "Interpretive Prospectus For Planning And Design Of Communications Media for the National Elk Refuge And Jackson National Fish Hatchery" was accepted and awarded to Felix S. Gula Associates, Inc . of New York C.ity, New York . A meeting with Felix Gula, an associate of his, Terry Cacek and Chuck Olson (Architect - R.O.) was held in Jackson on October 10-11 . At this time the planning team looked at potential visitor center sites and was briefed on the interpretive prospectus obj ectives and scope of work . By December 12, 1979, a document entitled "Facility Design Obj ect ives for Proposed Wildlife Visitor Center" was prepared by Chuck ) Olson and Hank Drake, and a draft interpretive "Prospectus" was prepared by Felix Gula Assoc .. After refuge personnel reviewed and commented on the documents in December, a meeting was to be held on January 8-10, 1980 concerning these two preliminary plans. The "Interpretive Prospectus" is basically to include management obj ectives, a visitor profile analysis, analysis of visitor experience on site and establishment of communication design criteria. The "Facility Design Obj ectives" will define the facilities, including visitor center, sleigh ride terminal, stream profile chamber, offices, hatchery and analyze surroundings and facility relationships. At this stage the facility and exhibits designs have been prepared independent of each other . In the next stage of the planning, the exhibit and facility ) design planners will be producing schematics. As part of the total elk refuge visitor center and I&R process, we are planning to establish a cooperating sales association to sell interpretive items and books and enhance the I&R function. This sales association could be established through a loan from the Grand Teton Natural History Association, serving Grand Teton National Park, or by joining them as an affiliate . The refuge could establish its own cooperating association at a later time. These alternatives are being examined . A cooperating association could also serve as the "middle man" contractor for the sleigh ride concession as the Jackson Jaycees do under the present contract. Such an operation with a co-op . association and sleigh rides could begin prior to the completion of a visitor center through the assistance of the GTNHA. It could take place at the expiration of the present Jaycee sleigh ) ride contract in April, 1981. This type of arrangement is being explored. Our Outdoor Recreation Planner has met with GTNP Chief Park Naturalist and GTNHA Business Manager about the possibilities of joining or receiving assistance from the GTNHA ) for a refuge co-op association. We are also exploring the possibility that the National Wildlife Refuge Association could become involved with refuge co-op sales associations . B. Information and Interpretation 1. On Refuge Although visitation to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks dropped somewhat during the summer of 1979 due to the energy situation, the total visitation to Jackson Hole did .not suffer apprec::i.ably as visitors to the area stayed longer instead of passing through. The visitation to the refuge increased from that in 1978. The total number of visits to the refuge in 1979 was 410,381. Table No. 14 shows monthly and yearly visitation comparisons for a seven ) year period. Table No. 15 summarizes public use activities on the NER for the calendar year 1979 , listing number of visits and total activity hours. The Wyoming Highway Information Center located on the main highway north of Jackson and on refuge lands received a total visitation of 145 ,488 during 1979. The building con tinues to be operated by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce which has made the Center its base of operations. A survey conducted by the refuge YCC crew in July showed that only a small portion, possibly one-fourth of the visitors to the Center view refuge lands and the elk exhibits. There are four exhibit panels on two exhibit boards located on the upper level of the information center. They are outside on ) a covered deck overlooking the southern portion of the refuge. The exhibits are of a metal - photo type design with graphics and script. They describe elk migration , elk range and life zones' or communities, elk natural history and some history of the refuge. With a new Elk Refuge visitor center , a larger proportion of visitors to Jackson Hole will have an increased opportunity to receive the story of elk, the refuge and wild life of Jackson Hole. The sleigh ride concession continues to be the most unique and valuable visitor experience on the National Elk Refuge , as far as interpretive and aesthetic values. During the 1978-79 winter 18,356 persons took this tour. This was in spite of the many days of extremely cold , sub-zero wea ther; some days of -40 to -20! Table No. 16 gives a summary of visitors who participated in the elk sleigh rides. ) Brad Luton and his wife , Joanne , continued to operate the sleigh ride concession under Turpin Meadow Ranch , Inc. They operate as a sub-contractor to the Jackson Hole Jaycees who hold the sleigh ride concession contract. The facilities TABLE .M ) I NATIONAL ELK REFUGE TOTAL VISITATION YEARLY/MONTHLY COMPARISONS 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 JANUARY 3,849 3,944 4,581 7,935 5,538 8,689 22 , 203 FEBRUARY 8,681 7,337 7,175 7,919 6,400 10,568 23,115 MARCH 9,353 7,258 8,377 9,073 6,650 '14,897 25, 627 APRIL 5,617 5,895 3,209 7,885 6,600 5,902 20,891 MAY 9,840 10, 141 12,861 15,009 16,400 18,022 29,352 JUNE 32,540 22 , 536 37,529 45,330 214,000 42,704 47,317 JULY 71,730 17,245 111,835 53,099 46,000 70,952 69,029 AUGUST 138,063 26,335 150,888 60,121 59,000 74,276 72,231 SEPTEMBER 37,022 16,480 28,422 20,811 24,200 35,892 49,824 • OCTOBER 16,861 14,338 20,641 8,100 7,000 16,541 25,301 NOVEMBER 11,836 14,470 16,004 7,600 6,000 29,101 13,484 DECEMBER 4,743 4,229 8,343 4,000 3,200 20,637 11,967 ) Yearly Totals 350,135 150,208 409,865 246,882 400,988 348,181 410,381 ,) TABLE NO. 15 NATIONAL ELK REFUGE ,SUMMARY OF PUBLIC USE ACTIVITIES - 1979 Activity and Description Number of Visits Activity Hours A. Interpretation 1. Wildlife Tour Routes - Conducted: Sleigh Rides 19, 065 19, 065 2. Visitor Contact Station: Wyoming Highway Information Center and Refuge Headquarters Office 147,440 36, 583 3. Interpretive Exhibits - Self Guided: Bulletin Board Exhibits at Refuge Entrance and Headquarters 4,140 198 4. Other On-Refuge Programs: Talks/tours to school and other groups 425 1, 251 B. Environmental Education 1. Students and Teachers: Use of Environmental Study Area 258 1, 270 C. Recreation - Wildlife Consumptive 1. Hunting Resident Game - Elk - Gun. 750 5, 947 2. Fishing - Coldwater 523 900 D. Recreation - Wildlife Non-Consumptive L Wildlife/Wildlands Observation - Foot: Joggers and hikers on Refuge Road 8, 860 4,430 2. Wildlife/Wildlands Observation - Vehicle: Vehicles on Refuge road and highway pullouts 216,430 28, 172 3. Photography: Bird Blind Use 5 15 E. Recreation - Non-Wildlife 1. Picnicking: Wyoming Highway Information Center North Park Picnic Area 16 , 675 8,286 TOTALS 410, 381 106 , 102 TABLE NO. 16 NATIONAL ELK REFUGE ELK SLEIGH RIDE CONCESSION ANNUAL SUMMARY YEAR ADULTS CHILDREN CHILDREN SCHOOLS/GROUPS VISITOR EXPENSES INCOME (6-12) (0-6} Free Free or Discount TOTAL 1966 1895 558 est. 500 2593 5159 2921 1967 3125 734 1607 5466 4729 4638 1968 2618 665 821 4104 5437 4426 1969 3905 807 1111 5823 3816 6510 1970 3670 712 1110 5492 5586 6039 1971 3285 602 748 193 4828 2272 5572 1972 3190 536 616 261 4603 2915 5449 .1973 6277 1248 1585 164 9274 5125 10515 1974 4554 701 887 88 6230 5355 7444 1975 5794 813 726 34 7367 6518 9326 1976 6934 833 206 530 8553 9418 15616 1977 4130 488 488 150 5256 7198 8921 1978 15790 2323 2330 275 20718 17020 34111 1979 14324 1855 1855 322 18356 16204 30931 :.. ·.,o: ••••• •U"'"•"•• . _ o.. •OS> and operations were the same in 1979 as they were in 1978. Cost of rides is $2. 00 for adults, $1.00 for children 6 - 12 years old and free un der 6. Schools and special groups are free. The rides run from 10 a. m. to 4 p.m. daily on a continuous basis. Statistical details on the 1979 sleigh ride operations are as follows: 1. Average number of people on sleigh rides per day: (averaged for one month) Adults: 170 per day Children: 21 per day 2. Peak use duys during week: Saturday , Sunday and Holidays Busiest months: February and March 3. Maximum number of people hauled: ) March 10 (Saturday) : 604 people March 11 (Sunday) 579 people 4. Number of sleighs: Brad currently has 5 sleighs. Has only used maximum of 5 sleighs per day on the two busiest days mentioned above. Most week days 2 sleighs are used unless there are special group reservations. Most weekends, 3 to 4 sleighs are used. Only 1 day that no sleighs were used due to road closure. Elk can tolerate 5 sleighs with no problems. ) 5. How many people per sleigh: Maximum number: 18 Minimum number: 1 In the fall, 1979, the Jaycees awarded the Lutons a revised sub-contract which directly named Brad and Joanne Luton as the concession operators instead of the previously named Turpin Meadow Ranch, Inc. The Refuge Manager and Outdoor Recreation Planner had a meeting on November 19 with the Jaycees and Brad Luton and discussed the future refuge I&R and Visitor Center plans. At this meeting , the plans to include sleigh ride operations in a visitor center on the west side of the refuge was explained . We expressed our intention to Jaycees President Rick Hollingsworth, not to renew the Jaycees contract in April, 1981, due to our desire ) to have direct involvement with the sleigh ride concession ourselves. We would do this either through a FWS contract or a cooperating association . In this way any franchise fees can be directly utilized to aid refuge I&R operations. sz. ) ) Horse-drawn sleighs carried 18, 356 visitors to view the elk during the winter of 1978-79. The rides offer Refuge vis itors a unique experience to closely observe and photograph the elk and to learn about elk and the National Elk Refuge . (12/79 - JMG) ) S3 In December, the re fuge hired a seasonal intermittent interpreter (Bio-Aid) , Marilyn McElheney. She will work part time (approximately 80 hours) on the sleigh rides in January, 1980 interpreting to visitors and compiling data. She will write a report which will give us inform ation on the feasibility of full time interpretation in the future. The refuge staff gave talks and tours to various groups and gave radio and TV interviews on the refuge. Table No. 17 is a sunnnary of these activities in 1979. The Jackson Junior High School is located adjacent to the Elk Refuge along its south boundary. An environmental education program is conducted by the school on the refuge Environmental Study Area which has direct access from _the school. The area receives most of its use during the months ) of May , August, September and October. It is an ideal setting near the school and is utilized by teachers and students as a "backyard" classroom. This sunnner, the bulletin board exhibits at the refuge headquarters and at the entrance to the refuge road were upgraded with regard to artistic design and narrative. The new visitor information displays included pictures of elk and swans and included information and regulations which visitors to the refuge should and want to know. The bulletin boards are changed periodically to include seasonal activity information on hunting, fishing, sleigh rides, etc . A preliminary inventory of all refuge signing was wade as ) the groundwork for revision of the refuge sign plan. Sketches were made of all signs, including the wording. Publications in 1979 consisted of a supplement hunt inform ation sheet which was inserted into the hunt brochures. Hunt brochures left over from 1978 were used in 1979. A draft for a new brochure entitled "Elk of the National Elk Refuge" was done and this handout will be produced through the R. O. A total of $1825 has been obligated for production. This leaflet will answer many of the questions the refuge receives from sleigh ride and year round visitors. 2. Off Refuge The refuge staff responded to over 750 inquiries in 1979. Directly or indirectly there were over 20 news releases of ) local, regional or national significance. Refer to Table No. !J for a description of talks, tours and/or personal appe--;;ances made by the refuge staff in 1979. Press releases were issued to the Jackson Hole News; Jackson Hole Guide; KMTN FM radio, Jackson; KSGT AM radio, Jackson; Casper Star Tribune; High Country News, Lander, WY; and the Wyoming TABLE 17 NATIONAL ELK REFUGE TALKS, TOURS AND/OR PERSONAL APPEARANCES - 1979 DATE ACTIVITY PARTICIPANTS BY 01-18-79 TV Interview KVTV, Salt Lake City Wilbrecht 03 15 79 Radio Interview Art Sechrest Wilbrecht Outdoor Program Bloomington, IL 03 19 79 Talk Teton Science School Ryan 05 18 79 Talk/Tour Colorado State U. Ryan Wildlife Students Robbins ) 05 30 79 Talk/Public Meeting Local Citizens/ Wilb recht Agency Representatives Area Office, Regional Office 06 79 Talks/Tours YCC Participants Staff 07 02 79 Talk/Tour River Meadows Boys ' Ryan Camp 07 09 79 Talk/Tour River Meadows Griffin 08 06 79 Talk/Tour River Meadows Griffin 08 07 79 Talk U.S. Forest Service Wilbrecht ) Educators Seminar College Professors 08 13 79 Talk/Tour River Meadows Grffin 08 14 79 Talk U.S. Forest Service Wilbrecht Educators Seminar 09 18 79 Talk/Tour Brainerd Technical Ryan and School Students Griffel 10 30 79 Talk/Tour Jackson Hole High Griffin Students 12 18 79 Interview/ CBS for Charles Wilbrecht filming Karault Report Griffin ) 12 26 79 Radio Interview KSGT - Jackson Griffin on sleigh rides ) Bulletin boards at Refuge Headquarters (left) and Refuge road entrance (below) are strategically located to answer visitor questions about the Refug1 and give information on seasonal activities and ) regulations. (7/79) JEW; JMG ) fl l I 1J.it�i11� Outdoor Reporter, Buffalo, Wyoming. Posters concerning hunting and endangered species were distributed to local sporting goods shops, the Post Office, etc. Refuge personnel are involved in a variety of community activities. Some of these include Jackson Fire Department, Civil Defense, Rotary, Jackson Hole Bird Club, and Jackson Hole Alliance for Responsible Planning, as well as attendance at local public meetings. C. Recreation 1. Wildlife Oriented: The 1979 National Elk Refuge hunting season ran for seven ) weeks (51 days) ; from October 20, 1979 through December 9, 1979. See Table No. 18 , Elk Hunt Summary, 1979. The season was divided into two parts with any elk being legal for the first two weeks (October 20 through November 2) and antlerless elk only for the remaining 5 weeks (November 3 through December 9) . The intent of this variable season was to harvest a "resident" population of elk that summered on the north end of the refuge, 90% of which were spike bulls. One-hundred twenty permits per week (40 permits valid Saturday and Sunday; 40 permits valid Monday and Tuesday; and 40 permits valid Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) were issued at public drawings at Refuge Head quarters. Drawings were held at 3:00 p. m. on Fridays , October 19,26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; and December 7. Less than 120 people participated in the first four drawings ) because of a lack of elk. Permits that were not issued on Friday were issued the following work week (Monday -Friday) on a ,first-come-first-served basis at Refuge Headquarters. The least number or people participating in a drawing this year was 6 on November 2 and the most was 286 on November 23. Forty-two elk were killed during the first two weeks of the season (33 the first two days) . Thirty-three were harvested by hunters. Nine additional elk were crippled, of which hunters salvaged 5. Twenty-three of this 38 "legal" take were spike bulls. One-hundred eighty-one elk were killed the last six teen days of the season. The total kill for the 1979 National Elk Refuge hunt was 280. Twenty-nine of these were crippled animals and nine were illegal. Twenty-three of these crippled or illegals were salvaged ; fifteen were not. ) Additional permits were again issued this year in an attempt to keep 40 hunters in the field. These permits were reissued when refuge personnel confirmed kills in the field. Permits TABLE 18 ELK HUNT SUMMARY , 1970 - 1979 DATE TOTAL PERMITS TOTAL HUNTER ILLEGAL CRIPPLING SALVAGED TOTAL COMMENTS HUNT ISSUED HUNTER TAKE LOSS CRIPPLES/ KILL DAYS DAYS ILLEGALS 15 70 21 178 155 7 162 Any elk 1971 21 180 53 10 68 Antlerless 1972 21 238 56 3 6 65 Antlerless 1973 14 160 73 4 2 79 Antlerless 1974 14 162 48 1 49 Antlerless 1975 18 177 139 139 Any elk 19:76 18 107 0 0 Antlerless (1) 1977 32 481(52) * 614 190 13 17 6/12 220 Antlerless 1978 42 639(32)* 679 185 9 33 16/4 227 Antlerless 1979 51 1024 (67)* 1053 242 7 31 17/16 280 Any elk (10/20 - 11/2/ 79) Antlerless (11/3 - 12/9/79) Non-resident hunters (1) Open winter. No legal elk present on Refuge until after season. · ..:__. ___ :_:_ __ --:-,,....�. ( �·· / ) The hunt drawing on Friday afternoons attracts a variety of people who seem to enj oy the social ) aspect of the gathering as much as drawing for a Refuge elk permit . The group listens to Assistanl Manager explain the hunt history and regulations. 173-2(11/16/79) JEW ) were issued on a first-come-fir3t-served basis at refuge headquarters during the week and at the west parking area during the weekends and holidays. Few elk remained on the refuge after the first week of the season. Moderate weather prevailed for most of the hunting period with elk migration to the refuge beginning around November 10 but not becoming significant until about November 21 . The Refuge Hunting Permit was revised this year (see example) . Boxes to indicate if the hunter was a resident or non-resident were added to assist the Wyoming Game and Fish Department with state-wide hunting data collection. Also included this year were boxes to check if a bull or spike were harvested as any elk were legal for the first two weeks . The reverse side of the permit was franked so ) that hunters who "forgot" to turn their permits in could mail them free of charge. Even with this added conven ience, 98 individuals failed to return their permits. A new field identification tag for cripples and illegals was produced and implemented this season (see example "Seized Elk Kill Tag"). The tag is in three parts; the top portion is numbered and attached to the animal. The middle portion is kept as a refuge record and the bottom portion is detached and given to a hunter to identify and claim a specific kill. This tag helped personnel to collect data on the number of cripples and illegal kills, their sex and location and whether or not they were salvaged. ) Fishing continues to be a popular but limited activity within the refuge. The most popular and successful time is at, the beginning of the fall season, usually the first couple of weeks in August. Fly fishing only is permitted along a 3 mile portion of Flat Creek from August 1 through October 31. Fishing was allowed May 26 through October 31 on Flat Creek northeast of that portion mentioned above. An estimated total of 523 fishermen spent 900 activity hours fishing on the refuge this year. The refuge has been receiving many requests for professional filming. We drafted an information sheet and addendum to the filming application which we believe will clarify questions about filming on the refuge and will make the application ) procedure clearer. {c-<{ Some of the professional photographers requesting use of ) the refuge in 1979 were : Wolfgang Bayer Productions, Inc. National Geographic Thase Daniel, free-lance photographer John Armstrong, CBS Stouffer Productions John Greengold, free-lance photographer Wilderscenes, Jerry Ferrara Columbia Pictures Mccann-Erickson, Inc. Steve Maslowski Films. We have also been receiving numerous requests for acquisition of elk antlers and elk. Various universities have requested pieces of elk antler for course work in "flintknapping", a ) prehistoric lithic (stone tool making) technology. The refuge has provided pieces of antler but prior to doing so, the non-profit educational use of the antlers is verified. Requests for elk have come from Swan Lake State Park, Iowa, wanting "zoo" specimens, an Indian tribe, and from a private museum firm wanting specimens for mounts/bones and parts for a public museum in Japan. 2. Non-wildlife Oriented: Picnicking is a popular activity at the North Park of the Wyoming Highway Information Center. Many visitors traveling north-south along the main highway west of the refuge stop to picnic here. The grounds accounted for 16,675 refuge ) visitors in 1979. The main refuge road which begins on East Broadway St. in Jackson is becoming more and more popular as a "jogging" trail. As development in Jackson increases, so are demands for close at hand recreation space. Joggers run from town or park on Broadway and can run for as many as 18 miles along the refuge road. Joggers can be seen at any time of day and during any month of the year. It is estimated that as many as 100 people may run on the road in a day . Over 8,000 people ran on the refuge in 1979, totaling over 4,000 activity hours. Thus far the refuge has had few problems as far as jogger conflicts with wildlife and traffic/sa fety situations on the roadway. D. Enforcement ) Federal cases on the elk refuge were handled through the U. S. Magistrate, and State cases through Jackson Justice of the Peace. A legal intern, Ms. Linda Sandreto, was assigned to work with local Federal agencies through the U.S. Attorney 's off ice in Cheyenne, She assisted the refuge in legal matters including our road jurisdiction problem, land acquisition matters, and court cases . She worked with the Outdoor Rec reation Planner and Refuge Manager and served as a "legal link" be tween the refuge and U.S. Attorney's office. As mentioned in the 1978 Narrativ e Report, the local U. S. Mag istrate had ruled that jurisdiction over the roadway passing through the refuge to National Forest lands was undetermined. As a result, no traffic or speeding violations on the refuge were prosecuted in 1979 . In an attempt to finally resolve this matter, a statement regarding law enforcement jurisdiction on the road was included in a cooperative agreement contract with Teton County . This written agreement is an easement for a County roadway right-of-way over government lands . The refuge has pro prietary jurisdiction within its lands and as such can enforce Title 50, CFR on roadways within its authorized boundaries. Hill climbing has been a problem in 1979 and three cases were brought before the U.S. Magistrate . Closed area signs were placed just off the refuge road adjacent to Miller Butte in an attempt to deter off-road vehicle use. The refuge continued to issue more warnings than citations in 1979 and implemented a written courtesy warning tag to hand out as a supplement to the pink forms (see example) . A summary of violations processed by the refuge in 1979 is listed on Table No . 19. This does not represent the total number of warnings since documentation of all warnings �•!as not ) complete. Peak law .enforcement activities occur during the hunting season (October 20 - December 9) when five commissioned law enforcement officers alternated hunting patrol. Week-day patrol varied depending on number of hunters and typically was one vehicle patrolman who checked hunters and parking lots. On weekends patrol consisted of 2 horse patrols and 1 vehicle patrol. The hunt is the only time of the year when a regularly scheduled patrol occurs on the refuge . The violations shown in Table No. 12.__ were issued by refuge law enforcement personnel and, in a few cases, by State of Wyoming personnel. The refuge was patrolled regularly during the hunting season by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and although only one hunting violation was originated by them, a total of 10 hunting violations were prosecuted in the State Justice of Peace Court. The refuge ) maintains excellent rapport with the personnel of other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies . ) ) The tracks from illegal off-road vehicle use scar the landscape and will be visible for years to come. All hillclimbers which are apprehended are prosecuted as mandatory appearances before the U. S. Magistrate. 169-2(5/ /79) JEW ) V U.. S. FISH. & WILDLIFE SERVICE This courtesy tog hos been Issued to encourage DATE friendly cooperation and good compliance with regulations. It carries no penalty and is not retained os a permanent record. Exten11ating circumstances LOCATION which may have been a contributing factor have been taken into consideration before issuance. Your VEHICLE REG. NO. STATE YEAR cooperation helps us to protect people, the �98and roadways and to maintain safe, clean and convenient NAME conditions for the benefit of all. Members of the Fi5h & 'ilflldlifc. Service are selected ADDRESS and trained to perform their duties In a courteous OBSERVATION and professional manner. We invite responses from you, the public we serve, if we are not achieving that OFFICER. goal. TABLE 19 NATIONAL ELK REFUGE SUMMARY OF VIOLATIONS - 1979 TYPE OF VIOLATION TOTALS ORIGINATED BY DISPOSITION 1977 1978 1979 State Refuge Warnings · citations pd. Court (Amounts) (Amounts) Trespass (animal) 4 35 27 27 15 12(215) Trespass (people) 50 107 65 65 58 7(175) Trespass (vehicle) 12 20 15 15 10 5(125) Trespass (vehicle - hill climbing) 4 4 1 3(100) Trespass (camping)* 55 39 22 22 20 Disturb. WL (on foot, ski) 2 7 7 5 1(50) 1(50) Disturb. WL (vehicle) 2 Disturb. WL (aircraft) 1 Hunting - Illegal kill (bull elk) 1 1 4 1 3 4(400) Enter hunt area without permit 1 2 2 2(500) Hunting in closed area 5 1 Hunting - special regulations 2 2 2(30) Improper tagging 1 1 1(30) Hunting - over limit take 2 2 1(200) 1(100) Hunting without license 1 1 1(200) Firearm in closed area 3 3 Fireworks/explosives 3 3 3 Spot lighting 3 3 3 Fishing in closed area l· 1 1 1 Fishing with improper gear (fly fishing only) 2 2 Speeding 4 74 1 1 1 Careless Driving 2 Improper licensed vehicle 2 5 Opr. MV w/out license 3 5 5 5 4 !(suspend) (cont 'd) TABLE 19 (cont.) NATIONAL ELK REFUGE SUMMARY OF VIOLATIONS - 1979 TYPE OF VIOLATION TOTALS ORIGINATED BY DISPOSITION 1977 1978 1979 State Refuge Warnings Citations pd . Court (Amounts) (Amounts) Opr. motorcycle w/out light 1 Opr. motorcycle w/out helmet 8 Unlawful parking 4 4 4 Littering ** 5 2 2 2 1(25) Consume alcholic bev. - underage 2 1 1 1 Interfering w/officer of the law 1 Sexual intercourse along public road 2 1 Destruction or removal of property 1 1 1 Unauthorized fires 1 1 1 155 308 174 2 172 128 29(820) 14(1380) * One is pending; one was voided *'i: One is pending ?O Most hunting violations were purposely turned over to the State. for prosecution since they seem to be handled better by the State Court than by our local U.S. Magistrate. As a general rule, fewer violations have been dismissed and fewer fines reduced in State Courts. The State officials have been most cooperative in this effort. The Refuge has proprietary Law Enforcement jurisdiction with the State and the State of Wyoming law enforcement agencies have full enforcement authority within the refuge. Refuge personnel primarily enforce 50 CFR on the refuge and roadway easement and call in County and State officers to assist in other law enforcement matters. Most citations issued were paid through Central Violations Bureau out of court. Of a total of 46 citations issued, 4 were taken to the U. S. Magistrate's Court and 10 to State Justice of Peace Court by State Wardens. In one important case, a refuge officer apprehended two individuals who were known poachers in ) the area. They were hunting on the refuge without refuge permit or State hunting license. They were prosecuted in State Court. There was also a Federal case involving a coyote, shooting. The case was taken to court under Title 50 CFR 32. 2c; Hunting, killing, wounding, $250, as appeared in our fine list. The U. S. Magistrate would not accept this since it was not clearly explained in the CFR. The case was then amended and prosecuted under 50 CFR 27. 51, Disturbing Plants and Animals, $50. This is the highest fine listed for destruction of wildlife. We are currently working with the U. S. Attorney and District Court to resolve this fine list discrepancy. We would like to have 50 CFR 32. 2(c) stricken as it appears in our fine list and have 25. 51 increased to a $250. 00 fine. ) During 1979. the station purchased a light bar with red rotating beacon and amber warning lights for use on one pickup truck. Silhouette targets and ammunition were also purchased for fire arms practice and training. 1-1 ) VI. OTHER ITEMS A. Field Investigations The wildlife management study, "Quality and Quantity of Elk Winter Range and the Minimal Wintering Requirements of Elk on the National Elk Refuge" conducted by Denver Wildlife Research Center Biologist Robbins continued in 1979. Forty pregnant cow elk and twenty calves (born in 1978) were trapped, weighed, and placed in study pens in early February, 1979. Blood samples were collected from all sixty elk for laboratory testing for brucellosis. Starting February 6, 1979 and continuing for 70 days (April 18 and 19, 1979) these elk were fed alfalfa pellets every other day at the rate of 10 pounds of pellets per elk. During the 70 day period no elk died. ) When the feeding trial terminated, the elk were reweighed. Cow elk lost an average of 6.7% in body weight. These elk averaged 496. 2 pounds in weight at the start of the feeding trial and 462. 9 pounds at the conclusion. The range in weight loss was from 0. 5% to 15. 4% (one cow lost 27. 4%, however, she was injured and was unable to chew normally.) The twenty calves (born 1978) lost an average of 10. 5% in weight during the 70 day period. These calves averaged 273.3 pounds in weight at the start of the trials and 244. 1 pounds at the end. The range in weight loss was from 4.6% to 20. 7%. At the conclusion of the feeding trials, the 20 calves and 20 cows (18 pregnant) were placed in larger 10-acre pasture� and ) held until early August. The remaining 20 cows were fitted with "radio collars" and released. The elk held in pens were observed to (1) record any mortality; (2) ob tain weights from newborn calves and (3) identify new calves and their mothers. The 18 ·pregnant cows produced 18 calves. Average newborn calf weight was 32. 6 pounds. Range in calf weights was from 23 pounds to 45 pounds. Four calves and one cow died during this phase of the study. Two of the calves died as a result of being trampled by cows. One calf, with a newborn weight of 37 pounds, died during a week of snow and rain from pneumonia. The last calf , born on July 13, 1979, weighed 23 pounds and did not survive. The cow mentioned earlier with an injury that precluded chewing also died. The elk wearing radio transmitters were "tracked" from the refuge to their various summer ranges, monitored throughout the summer ) and then "tracked" by radio back to the refuge in the fall. Data were obtained on (1) migration routes, (2) overlap of ranges between elk, bison and domestic cattle, (3) calving areas and (4) times of migration. ,. ·7. ,:,-,... ) Elk trapping operations. Elk are baited into the corral trap in background and then cut into small holding area in foreground. 156-8(1/23/79 - JEW) ) ,,.-.._-•�·· ..,, ) Elk are moved from the holding area into th e chutes shown here. They are tagged, aged, blood samples taken, cows pregnancy checked, weighed and then c:ith.:::;: put into study pens in background for ratiCln level studies or released. 156-9(1/23/79 - JEW) . ' ·7�•:1••• <" Results of the forage samples collected in 1977 and 1978 and sent to the National Resources Ecology Lab in Colorado State University and to the Colorado Division of Wildlife for analysis were received in 1979 . Interpretation of the results are still ongoing at year's end. A wildlife management study, "Forage Production on Dry and Irrig ated Lands For Elk Winter Range Improvements, National Elk Refuge" , was initiated in June, 1979 by Dave Griffel, Biological Technician. The two-year study, financed by BLHP, is designed to evalua te present management practices occurring on the National Elk Refuge, a� related to forage production for elk winter rpnge, and recommend treatments for providing optimum forage production. The principle study objectives are to evaluate the present flood irrigation systems and methods and investigate the feasibility of a change over to sprinkler irrigation systems. The study will ) also evaluate the nutrient value, palatability, and production potential of existing forage species and the potential for intro duction of new species of forage on existing and potentially irrigable acres. During the course of the study, the,advantages and disadvantages of range fertilization and optimum rates of application will also be evaluated. Based upon data collected through each of these objectives, tq e principle investigator will recommend treatments and systems for optimum forage pro duction based upon cost/unit of production and maximum "carrying capacity" obtainable for the entire refuge under average winter conditions. Several aspects of the study were conducted during the summer of 1979. Several weeks were spent evaluating the present flood ) irrigation system and four problems were identified as needed improvements to the system. The first three had to do with the ditches. On several lands, too many ditches has been identified as a problem. Many of the ditches on the irrigated fields, ,through the natural process of erosion and mechanical cleaning by man have become excessively deep and unnecessarily wide, making it difficult to distribute the proper quantity of water across the vegetation. Other irrigated fields presently utilize contour ditches. Here a change to a straight ditch system would improve the water spreading capabilities and distribution. The fifth problem deals with manpower. Too few irrigators are hired due to lack of sufficient funds to properly irrigate the number of acres we try to manage. In June of 1979, fifteen one-quarter acre plots were established to evaluate the feasibility of range fertilization. Ammonium ) nitrate at a rate of 160 pounds per acre was applied to the fifteen plots. Ten of these plots were located in irrigated fields and ) the remaining five in non-irrigated dry lands. No significant increases in forage production was noted on the ferti lized pl ots. This may have been due to the late application date of the fertilizer . It is also highly probable that due to the age of these old stands of brome/alfalfa, the nitrogen was not util ized due to the inability of the plants. In 1979, substantial accomplishments were made in obtaining pro fessional assistance from the Soil Conservation Service. The SCS made several visits to the refuge during the 1979 field season. One visit involved conducting an indepth soil survey of approx imately 240 acres of irrigated grasslands being considered as a potential site for converting from flood irrigation to a sprinkler irrigation· system. During the winter months of 1979-80, their engineers and economists will compile a feasibility report· including a cost/benefit analysis on this project. The SCS also ) provided assistance in identifying the primary problems associated with forage pr oduction on the refuge. In general, the principle need is for rennovation of the old brome/alfalfa fields which the refuge presently irrigates. It is the recommendation of the SCS that new grass species be planted which are better adapted to the refuge situation, that is, to produce standing feed for the elk to utilize during the winter months. With SCS assistance, the National Elk Refuge hopes to rennovate 200 acres of the old brome/ alfalfa stands in the spring of 1980. In conj unction, the SCS will provide assistance in the design and implementation of improved irrigation systems on these fields as they are rennovated in the future. Forage production and utilization was sampled across the refuge ) in 1979. The results of these sampling efforts are discussed in detail under the Habitat Management - Grasslands section found elsewhere .in this report. ·Predator Scent-Station Response, a wildlife management study conducted by Mark Sweeny of the Utah State University Co-op Unit , was continued in 1979. Response to five scent presentation modes over a four-day period was monitored. Final results have not yet been received. Work on the wildlife management study, Population Study of Canada Geese of Jackson Hole was interrupted this year due to personal problems encountered by the principle investigator. A new investi gator is scheduled to continue the work in 1980. The wildlife management study, Chemistry of Weathering of Volcanic ) Rocks by Ronald Antweiler of the University of Wyoming continued for the second year. Objectives of the study are: .- ) ,1 Snow accumulations prior to elk trapping necessitated use of heavy equipment to clean out trap and study pens. 152-lOa (l/8/79?�: 'ift - JEW) '=·.'h:- : ) ) University of Wyoming student Ron Antweiler drilling through volcanic ash in conj unction with his study on Chemistry of Weathering of Volcanic Rocks . 169-10(6/19/79 - JEW) 1. To determine the nature of the chemical reactions between water and volcanic glass. 2. To relate the compositions of springs and streams to the chemistry of rock alteration . 3. To compare the results of this study with earlier conclusions based on stream water analyses. 4. To determine how vegetation affects both the water chemistry and alteration process. 5. To either substantiate existing models for the chemistry of the weathering process or to create a new one, to be used as a springboard for understanding how water reacts with different types of rock. Field work will continue through the summer of 1980 with a final ) report due December, 1980. A wildlife management study, Comparison of Collection of Ecolog ical (Baseline) Data in Wilderness and Natural Areas by the Forest Service, Park Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service was initiated in 1979. Principle investigator is William Newmark of the University of Michigan. The study involves reviewing both national and regional policy toward the collection of ecological (baseline) data and a case study in which both past and present ecological studies in wilderness and natural areas are reviewed. The proposed benefits of the study include: 1. A greater knowledge of what studies the Park Service and Forest Service have conducted which would be applicable ) to an ecological baseline description. 2. Where their def iciencies lie and what studies would be needed to fulf ill these deficiencies . 3. Determine if the knowledge gained would be benefic ial in the management of the National Elk Refuge . The study is scheduled for completion in 1980. A wildlife management study, Geological Field Investigations in the National Elk Refuge was conducted in 1979 by Anthony and Cathy Barnosky of the U.S. Geological Survey. The study was sponsored by the U.S.G.S. and the University of Washington and involved the collection of paleontological specimens from outcrops of the Colter Formation and Teewinot Formation. An analysis of ') the fossil plants and vertebrates will permit a detailed recon struction of the environment and climate during the period just preceeding the Teton uplift. 77 An Ecological Inventory of Vertebrates of the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming was another wildlife management study initiated in 1979. Objectives of the study include: 1. Review files of the National Elk Refuge and compile information on the vertebrates. 2. Determine current distributions and abundances of vertebrates utilizing sight and sign where possibl e. 3. Conduct site-specific sampling for some of the smaller vertebrates (i.e. insectivores, rodents•, chiropterans, amphibians and reptiles) . 4. Ascertain ecological characteristics of habitat, historical trends in numbers, distributions and similar ) information on the vertebrate fauna where possible. 5. Gather as much new information as possible on food uses and reproductive biology from snap trapped shrews and rodents. This study will supplement and expand existing information on the vertebrates of the NER. B. Cooperative Programs A six week resident YCC Camp held for the eighth year on the NER was operational from June 16 to July 28, 1979. The camp consisted of 18 enrollees and 6 staff. The YCC program continues to benefit the refuge and the enrollees. · Completed work proj ects for the ) 1979 NER YCC Camp are listed, below. 1. iepair and signing of big game fence which forms refuge west and south boundary. 2. Section of buck and rail fence or north boundary repa1red. 3. Dismantle and remove fencing and fence posts from old horse pasture at YCC complex and at Pellet Shed #4. 4. General clean up of refuge which included removing old fence posts and wire and clean up of old dump sites. 5. Litter pick up of highway turnouts on U. S. Highway 187 twice a week. ) 6. Renovation of elk study pens. 7. Haul approximately 200 tons nf old baled hay from th e Chambers shed and stack at various locations on the north end of the refuge. This is done in an attempt to hold elk in this area as they migrate into the refuge in the fall, thus saving critical winter range for later use. 8. Trenches dug and backfilled for underground telephone lines at refuge headquarters. 9. Stream rehabilitation - tree revetments on Flat Creek to provide bank stabilization and instream cover. 10. Two enrollees assisted Outdoor Recreation Planner Griffin with a public use survey by counting numbers of vehicle8 and people using the refuge at various locations. 11. All YCC enrollees took a multi-media First Aid Course. Some things never change. Again this summer we were confronted with the same old problem of insufficient funding and manpower ) to run our resident YCC Camp efficiently. The authorization to hire only 6 staff (2 additional YACC enrollees to be used as staff were promised by the R. O. Youth Programs Office but never materialized) resulted in a large amount of overtime worked. In creasingly the YCC hierarchy is expecting resident camps to function with minimal staffing and funding. On one hand we are instructed not to pay overtime while on the other we are not allowed to hire sufficient numbers of staff to alleviate working excessive hours. Youth Programs was informed of our problem a number of times this summer through memorandums, telephone conversations and personal contacts. Ms. Bekki Benefiel from C. O. - YCC spent a week here ) in July and observed the situation first hand as she was put to work as a crew leader. The matter came to a head at the end of camp when the YCC staff decided to submit a claim for compensation for overtime hours worked to YCC. We believe the "straw that broke the camel's back" was requiring the staff to pay room and 'board while not paying overtime. In the past staff looked at housing and some subsistance as compensation for the overtime they put in. At year 's end their claim was still going through channels. A YACC crew from the camp at Glasgow, Montana spent three weeks here renovating the YCC facility. The YCC dormatory received a badly needed new roof. The old stairs in the interior of the dorm were ripped out and new ones built and new outer doors and windows were installed. The crew was commended for a job well done. The refuge participated in the Cooperative Education Program by ) employing Co-op Ed Student John Brooks from October 1 until the end of December, 1979. John was exposed to a variety of jobs and situations at National Elk Refuge and his o;;erall performance was good. We were fortunate in getting John in that he had already made a commitment to a wildlife career by completing three years of college course work in wildlife at the University of Montana. John has returned to the U. of Montana to finish his schooling and hopes to work with the Fish and Wildlife Service after graduating. The annual antler pickup by the Jackson District of the Boy Scouts took place on April 28, 1979. A total of 1853 antlers weighing 8, 793 pounds were collected, along with 13 skulls with antlers. This exceeded the 1978 haul and set a new record. The refuge staff picked up many of the antlers as a security measure during elk supplemental feeding operations. The antlers were bundled into 355 lots, ranging in weight from 7 - 50 pounds and containing from 2 to 10 antlers. The average lot contained 5 antlers and weighed 25 pounds. These were on an average slightly heavier than previous years. During the pick up and bundling and weighing, 125 boys ·and ) 37 volunteer leaders worked a total of 534 hours. The auction was held on May 19, 1979 at 10: 00 a.m. There was a great deal of interest at the auction in the quality of the antlers and bidding resulted in the highest total sales ever: $51 ,566. 15. Prior to the auction the antlers were stored at refuge head quarters and at Wyoming Studios warehouse. Wyoming Studios again sawed the bases of the old antlers, which amounted to a small pickup load. The bases were sold at the auction and the old antler material was donated to the Town of Jackson to maintain the arches at the Town Square. ) Under our Special Use Permit provisions, the Boy Scouts get the first $7,500 and the Fish and Wildlife Service (General Fund) gets 25% of everything over that . This year the F&WS received $11, 016.54 as our share of antler auction sales. The Scouts realized a net profit of $40, 549.61. As was mentioned in the 1978 narrative report, there has been consid erable disagreement concerning the large amount of money going to Scout projects. Local people, including State personnel have voiced opposition to this and have indicated they believe the money should be returned to managing the elk, such as purchasing supplemental feed. In 1979, to remedy this situation, the Scouts agreed to donate a portion back to the refuge and they purchased $31,400 worth of alfalfa pellets. The $31, 400 purchased approximately 350 tons of supplemental elk feed. In this way, a large portion ) of the funds raised by the Scouts from the antler sale were recycled directly benefiting the Jackson elk herd . Besides the $7,500, an additional 5% of the net profit went to Scout 0p"c>1"eti nns. A total of $51,566. 15 collected at the 1979 Boy Scout Antler Auction. Bidding is lively as antlers sell for an average of $5 to $6 per pound. All bidders are required to register prior to bidding and are assigned a numbered card for identification. 167-3(5/18/79) JEW _) An average bundle contained 5 antlers and weighed 25 pounds. ) Under terms of the Refuge Special Use Permit, 125 Boy Scouts and 37 volunteer leaders worked a total of 534 hours to collect, bundle and weigh antlers for the annual auction in Jackson Town Squar�. 355 total bundles were sold. 167-1(5/18/79) JEW 81 Due to the increased national publicity the antler auction is receiving in newspapers and magazines, the refuge is receiving numerous phone calls and requests from around the country. Many people want to get more information about th e auction and to who and for what amounts the antlers are sold. Others want to obtain special permission to pick up antlers from the refuge as the Scouts do under Special Use Permit . Requests of this nature have come from individuals, groups and even consulting firms. Most questions regarding who purchases antlers and prices are referred to the Boy Scouts . We believe that as the amount of money raised by the antler auction grows, so will the number of inquiries and requests to collect them. Also, the administrative and law enforce ment headaches will increase. In 1979 there were several incidents where large quantities of antlers were stolen from the refuge. In early March, ) 700-800 pounds of loose antlers and a few heads were stolen from the tin shed near the research lab. The shed was un locked at the time. The shed was then locked and within a few days a second break in was attempted. This time the thieves did not make entry. In mid-}Jarch 200-300 pounds of loose antlers were stolen from the basement of the old Miller barn. Several days later, a second unsuccessful attempt was made to break into the upper part of the barn. In another incident , a pickup load of loose antlers (approxi mately 180 pounds) was confiscated from two individuals who had trespassed north of the Izaak Walton League sign. At least three other sets of antlers and heads were stolen ) from the refuge near Nowlin Creek and the sleigh ride boarding area. The total estimated weight of stolen antlers in 1979 was approximately 1200 pounds valued at approximately $7, 000 . More preventive measures will be implemented in the future although most maj or thefts occurred at night when no refuge personnel were on duty. For a number of years the jurisdiction of the main refuge road has been in dispute with both the refuge and Teton County claiming ownership. After a long year of discussions and negotiations with Teton County concerning the road right-of way , an easement agreement between the County and refuge was signed in December, 1979. The agreement primarily turns over year-round road maintenance operations, including snow removal, to Teton County. Speci fically , the document grants the County a perpetual easement for the operation, maintenance and improvement of the existing road right-of-way across a portion of the National Elk Refuge. I The purpose of the right-of-way is to provide access to ) and from the refuge for private land owners within the refuge and east of the refuge and for the general public.. The agreement pertains to that section of the main refuge road from the refuge entrance on Broadway St. , to the entrance of the Teton Wildlife Ranches subdivision. In the past , main tenance of this section of road, excluding some snow removal, had been handled by the refuge. The County made an annual payment to the refuge for road maintenance and snow removal from Quarters 3 to Twin Creek Ranch to accomodate inholders and County residents east of the refuge. Provisions of the newly signed agreement not only provide for all maintenance activities of this portion of roadway to be handled by the County but also establishes the lawful speed limit of the road at 35 mph. It also clarifies the refuge 's authority to enforce refuge regulations including ) traffic laws within the limits of the right of way. The annual meeting of the Jackson Hole Cooperative Elk Studies Advisory Council was held June 8, 1979 at Bridger Teton National Forest headquarters in Jackson, Wyoming. The Technical Committee met on May 25, 1979. Reports and recom mendations of the Committee were presented to the Advisory Council on June 8. The Committee recommended that: 1). future meetings of the Jackson Hole Cooperative Elk Studies Advisory Council be held in April. 2) . The Committee endorsed concepts and directiPn of ) Elk-Logging-Roads Management Guidelines and recom mended Advisory Council endorsement also. 3). Five wilderness area range study exclosures be com pletely removed as they are not consistent with wilderness values and the present value derived and condition do not justify continued maintenance. The Advisory Committee accepted the recommendations and discussed the concern of County development decisions that affect wildlife. The discussion between the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the National Elk Refuge regarding numbers of elk to be wintered on the National Elk Refuge continued. Wording on whether the number 7,500 should be the "maximum","average", or "goal" was discussed. The WG&F will discuss the matter ) further with the F&WS after they have considered the F&WS proposal of considering 7,500 as a target goal. ,, 1'Bi3 c. Items of Interest Training Refuge personnel attended several training programs as follows : Ryan Refuge Law Enforcement Training Course, 3/19 - 4/13/79 (160 hrs) FLETC, Glynco, GA. Pape Refuge Law Enforcement Refresher Training Course, 5/21-5/25/79 (40 hrs. ) FLETC, tlynco, GA Griffin Law Enforcement Training Course, 6/4-6/9/79, (40 hrs. ) Grand Teton National Park, Moose, WY ) Griffin, Wilbrecht Better Resource Management Through Planned Communications 6/11-6/15/79 (28 hrs. ), Denver, CO Wilbrecht Workshop on Research on Wildlife Refuges in Region 6 - Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds Program, 8/9 - 8/10, Ft. Niobrara NWR, NE Watsabaugh Administrative Workshop, 11/28-11/29 Billings, MT. ) Other: Our new Outdoor Recreation Planner Jim Griffin came on board at National Elk Refuge on June 3, 1979. He will be involved initially with our planning efforts for the new I&R facilities 'and will coordinate public use and law enforcement on the Refuge. Jim had previously been employed by the National Park Service and was last assigned as a Ranger/Patrolman at Grand Teton National Park. Prior to that he served as District Naturalist at Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. He brings with him six years career experience in the areas of interpretation and protection. Biological Technician (Wildlife) Dave Griffel also came on board at NER on June 3, 1979. Dave was hired to conduct a two year study on forage production and utilization on NER. Dave's previous experience included working for the U. S. Forest Service J and Bureau of Land Management as a Biological Technician. While employed with the Forest Service, Dave worked on a bear-livestock interaction study. He also prepared a report for Regional ) approval on essential habitat for the Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf on the Targhee National Forest. Dave 's work with the BLM involved collecting wildlife inventory data for preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement on grazing. Engineering Equipment Operator Roial Teuscher retired on August 31, 1979. Roial came to work on the National Elk Refuge in January, 1968 and was a hard-working, dependable employee. During his tenure, Roial received an Incentive Award for the design of a tool used in an improved method for feeding baled hay. We all wish him the best of luck. D. Safety Several accidents and incidents occurred at National Elk Refuge in 1979. Two accidents involved temporary elk feeders. One ) was a back injury and the other a knee injury. The knee inJury involved cartilage and ligament damage and resulted in surgery and compensation. A permanent full time employee got a splinter in his hand while unloading lumb er. The splinter had to be cut out and the finger stitched. In another accident, another perm anent employee sprained an ankle during a law enforcement appre hension. One accident occurred to the visiting public in 1979. An individual received a broken leg when she fell off the sleigh ride. The concessionaire 's insurance covered costs. No accidents to the using public occurred as a result of the ) Refuge Elk Hunt, however, one individual suffered an apvarent mild heart attack. } _) Report Credits: ) Ryan compiled and wrote most of th e report except th e following : Griffel - III. B. Grasslands D. Forest Lands Griffin - V. A. Information and Interpretation B. Recreation C. Enforcement Ryan/Griffel/Robbins - VI. A. Field Investiga.tions Griffin/Ryan V. B. Recreation (Wildlife) VI B. Cooperative Programs Wilbrecht/Ryan I.e. Land Acquisition ) D. System Status Clerk Alberta typed the report. ) ) ,· '' { \,,.,.. \_it ,· . '\. / APPENDIX 1 ABSTRACT The Cutthroat Trout Population Response to Fly Fishing Only Regulations On A Portion of Flat Creek Within The National Elk Refuge. Fly fishing only regulations were imposed on Flat Creek with the 1976 fishing season. The season opening date was established as August 1, to protect spawning activity and waterfowl nesting. Population samples were collected during April and October. The Spring• sample was designed to monitor trends in the spawning population. Mature males and spent females were dart tagged to monitor seasonal movement and the impact of harvest on mature fish. Trend information indicated fewer spawning fish in the stream each Spring since 1976. The size range remained relatively constant indicating essentially the same age structure. ),, Approximately 47% of the sample was made up of mature trout each year, indicating a decline in spawners from about 47 to 14 fish in four years. The Fall sample was intended to establish trends of recruit ment and measure harvest impact on catchable size fish. The number of fish in the samples has ocillated wiqely. This is attributed to flow regime and the associated electrofishing efficiency. The size range of sampled trout remained fairly constant through 1978. Young of the year trout were noticeably more abundant in 1977 and 1979. Harvest and use was measured through three years of creel census data. The tendency of fly fisherman to practice catch and release was noted . Approximately 70-85% of caught fish were released. The number of creeled fish increased with angler use, but not in direct relationship. Use nearly doubled during the second season of the regulation and remained near that level in succeeding seasons. Harvest was about ) 0.1 trout per hour. Catch rates varied between 0.38 and 1.52 trout per hour, depending on flow regime. The data collected does not demonstrate a.positive population response to special regulation. The decline in the spawning population was attributed to the cessation of Stocking at the time tackle restrictions were instituted, thus reducing replacement of mature fish. The mortality of catchable size fish was about 30% between Spring and Fall samples in 1976 and 1978. In 1979 the Fall sample of catchable size fish was about 1. 3 times greater than the Spring sample. However, tree revetments were placed in the stream to stabilize critical streambank situations, thus providing additional cover. The population increase appeared to be keyed directly to the addition of instream cover. Ralph Hudelson - Fisheries Biologist Wyoming Game and Fish Department ..\CT INFO -· MGR --- -- .. A MGR - -- _ P. U. SI C --- CLK F. MA :! ------Mr-:df --··------!vCi.1AN ·-·-· - --- ) [vi. M;\f�- --- i/. -· �- . ,...... ) } ✓- ' I --t:/").. f I ..I I . "'r NATIONAL ELK - l 9 7 9 HUNT SEASON §. I IiI R A 1. l Ii f.Q B. M A T l �:L - Publ ic hunti ng of elk on the Refuge is permitted ;t through December 9, 1979, unless the Area 77 season s - Any elk may be hunted during the period from November 2. - Only antlerless elk may be hunted during the period fro through December 9. A special Refuge permit is required in addition to elk hunting license. - Appl i cants for a special permit must have a hunter or a current hunter safety instructor card. - One hundred twenty (120) special permits will applicants each week by a drawi ng. - The drawings will be held at Refuge headquarters at 3:00 p.m. on the fol lowing Fridays: October 19, 26 and November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. - Permi ts will be for three hunt periods each week - 40 permits will be val id for Saturday and Sunday; 40 permits valid for Monday and Tuesday and 40 permi ts valid for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. - It is the responsibility of hunters to report all accidents and - crippled animals to Refuge personnel . Permits will be revoked in the event of improper hunter conduct or viol ation of Refuge regulati ons and can r�sult in denial of future privil eges on the Refuge. Violation of hunting regulati ons can result in a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, or both. - If you have questions or need additional information contact Refuge headquarters : National El k Refuge, P.O. Box C, Jackson, Wyoming 83001 Phone (307) 733-2627 FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR Providing wildlife related recreational opportunities such as hunting is but one of the management objectives of the National Elk Refuge. Refuge areas open to hunting are designated on the enclosed map. Special hunting regulations listed in th'is leaflet are necessary to avoid conflict with other refuge objectives. Please review these regulations prior to hunting! . . . --· _··______·'�'-.. c_/· -- __ :_,_ ·-� ·-=------"' -,_· - - UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE National Elk Refuge Rll6W Rll5W / ....,,. . T �t T 43 4�. N N 43• 39' ··•-6---- 1, T 42 42 N N 24 .... ---- - 36 T T 41 41 LEGEND N N - REFUGE BOUNDARY - AREA OPEN TO HUNTING @ ROAD JUNCTION I!] PARKING AREA VICINITY MAP ----28-i Scale in Mllu . N i ____3s ____ ----!&------31 ---- Rll6W Rll5W uo••o• 110•34• 1/2 2 SCALE IN MILES SB ational Elk . Refuge Jackson, �yoming SPECIAL REGULATIONS As the Nation's principal conservation agency, National (Special Permit Area No. 77) the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands re in effect and will be/;'I' enforced. 1, and natural resources. This includes fostering , be shot. You may not hirget your rifle, practice shoot or shoot at or · the wisest use of our land and water resources, or bird. I Elk i protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the ,e Refuge hunting are!a is only through the main gate of Refuge environmental and cultural values of our on. i national parks and historical places, and ii in the hunting area is prohibited except as noted below, in "Retrieval providing for the enjoyment of life through I , outdoor recreation. The Department assesses ' Refuge ts ay accompany spe al permit holders but only permit holders are our energy and mineral resources aridworks to � t assure that their development is in the best Jackson, Wyoming 9 firearm. ,1 I . interests of all our people. The Departmentalso area must wear fluoretcent orange exterior garments. has a major responsibility for American Indian 3d only in the three desl1gnated parking areas. No camping in parking reservation communities and for people who i live in island territories under U.S. administra jios are not allowed in) hunt area. tion. !\ II RETRIEVAL OF KILL: I , . , mters in getting their tlk out of the hunt area, several r:nainRefuge i 1, follows: Ii For further information write to: I earest main loop trail. iReturn to parking lot. Refuge Manager till be open to vehicle travel beg�nning at 4:15 to dark. National Elk Refuge 1 Box C inter and helper may be in vehicle. Rifle must be unloaded, cased or Jackson, Wyoming 83001 1ot accessible to occJ:pants of vehicle. around and returri' orisame trail. Driving off designated trails will :respass. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE may not transport other hunters into hunt area! DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 1ditions make trails slI' ippery and subject to vehicle damage, the 'al'I S. :r II