MEDICINE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE LAMESTEER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Medicine Lake, Montana

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1983

U. S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM MDL-1983 Photo by: SPB

A

Personnel

1. Eugene D. Stroops, Refuge Manager GS-12 PET 2. Steven P. Brock, Assistant Refuge Manager GS-9 PET 3. Frances K. Larson, Refuge Assistant GS-5 PET A. Kermit E. Bolstad, Automotive Mechanic WG-10 PET 5. John E. Snellman, Maintenance Worker WG-8 PET 6. Carl S. Kampen, Maintenance Worker WG-7 PPT 7. Dennis C. Nelson, Motor Vehicle Operator WG-6 PPT / Reviews and Approvals

(gA ^3/W Submitted by: Date Regional Office Review STUDENT VOLUNTEERS

MDL - 1983 Photo by: SPB

Michael Raassaka Scot Cline YCC SUMMER HELP

Sandi Bolstad Victor Iverson Monica Nielsen Ted Tronson Paul Reuter Robert Kirby

• TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

INTRODUCTION 1

A. HIGHLIGHTS 2

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 3

C. LAND ACQUISITIONS 1. Fee Title Nothing to report 2. Easement Nothing to report 3. Other Nothing to report

D. PLANNING

1. Master Plan Nothing to report 2. Management Plan 3 3. Public Participation Nothing to report 4. Compliance with Environmental Mandates 3 5. Research and Investigations 3

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel 4 2. Youth Programs 5 3. Other Manpower Programs Nothing to report 4. Volunteers Program 6 5. Funding 6 6. Safety 7 7. Technical Assistance Nothing to report 8. Other Items Nothing to report

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1. General 7 2. Wetlands 8 3. Forests Nothing to report 4. Croplands 10 5. Grasslands 12 6. Other Habitats Nothing to report 7. Grazing 13 8. Haying 13 9. Fire Management Nothing to report 10. Pest Control 13 11. Water Rights 14 12. Wilderness and Special Areas 14 13. WPA Easement Monitoring Nothing to report

G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity 15 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species 16 3. Waterfowl 16 G. WILDLIFE (Cont.)

A. Marsh and Water Birds 20 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species 21 6. Raptors 22 7. Other Migratory Birds 22 8. Game Mammals 22 9. Marine Mammals Nothing to report 10. Other Resident Wildlife 23 11. Fisheries Resources 25 12. Wildlife Propogation and Stocking Nothing to report 13. Surplus Animal Disposal Nothing to report 14. Scientific Collections - 26 15. Animal Control Nothing to report 16. Marking and Banding .,>26 17. Disease Prevention and Control 27

B. PUBLIC USE

1. General 28 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students Nothing to report 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers Nothing to report 4. Interpretive Foot Trails Nothing to report 5. Interpretive Tour Routes 28 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations Nothing to report 7. Other Interpretive Programs 28 8. Hunting 29 9. Fishing 30 10. Trapping 30 11. Wildlife Observation 31 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation Nothing.to.report 31 13. Camping Nothing to report 14. Picnicking 31 15. Off-Road Vehicling Nothing to report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation Nothing to report 17. Law Enforcement 31 18. Cooperating Associations Nothing to report 19. Concessions Nothing to report

' I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction 31 2. Rehabilitation 33 3. Major Maintenance 34 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement 34 5. Communications Systems 35 6. Energy Conservation 36 7. Other Nothing,to .report J. OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs Nothing to report 2. Items of Interest 36 3. Credits 37

K. FEEDBACK

1. Lamesteer National Wildlife Refuge 1

/

INTRODUCTION

MEDICINE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge is situated on the glaciated rolling plains in the far northeast corner of Montana. It is located in Sheridan and Roosevelt Counties.

This refuge lies in the highly productive prairie pothole region and has relief typical of the glacial drift prairie with relatively gently rolling plains with occasional shallow depressions. This is basically a prairie refuge located in the transition zone between the mixed grass and short grass prairie. Native brush species consisting primarily of chokechdrry, buffalo berry, and snowberry are common in coulees and sandhill areap. Trees are very few on the refuge and are generally shelterbelt speice^ and occasional cottonwood. J The climate is typical of the northern great plains, with warm summers and cold winters and marked variations in seasonal precipitation. Precipitation averages 12 - 15 inches per year. Temperatures can exceed 100*F in the summer and drop to -A5*F in the winter. Spring is generally the windiest period, with velocity of 20 mph occurring about 15 percent of the time. Winds may occasionally exceed 50 mph during fall and winter with passing weather systems.

The refuge encompasses 31,457 acres which includes 13,546 acres of open water and marsh, 14,354 acres of grasslands, and 3,557 acres of cultivated lands (primarily former croplands). Surrounding private ground is intensively farmed for small grain.

The refuge lies within the Williston Oil Basin, which is one of the most active oil basins in the lower 48 states. Oil exploration and development is widespread on surrounding private lands. No exploration or development has occurred on the refuge.

The refuge was established in 1935 by Presidential Executive Order with the primary purpose being to provide waterfowl production and migrational habitat.

In 1937, a Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) set up camp on the refuge and 180 men began work. During the camp's four years of operation, many conservation projects were undertaken including dams, dikes, shelterbelts and fences. In addition, many of the refuge roads and buildings were constructed.

The 11,360 acre Medicine Lake Wilderness Area was established by Congress in 1976. This area includes the main water body of the lake and the islands within. Also included is the 2,320 acre Sandhills Unit with its unique rolling hills, native grass and brush species. 2.

A. HIGHLIGHTS

The winter of 1982-83 was extremely mild and produced virtually no snowpack. The remainder of the year was extremely dry with only 8.15 inches of precipitation for the entire year. (Section B)

The extensive hydrological study of northeastern Montana ground water resources continued into 1983. (Section D.5)

The Youth Conservation Corp completed it's second very successful year with six enrollees. (Section E.4)

Heavy summer thunderstorms provided heavy run-off in Cottonwood and Sand Creek drainages. The rapid rise in water levels triggered an avian botulism outbreak in Gaffney Lake. (Section F.2 and G.17). /

Breeser Dam was re-worked and riprapped in 1983. (Section F.2 and 1.1),-'

Sayer Bay Dam was completed under contract. (Section F.2 and 1.1)

Experimental no-till winter wheat cooperative farming is initiated on 74 acres of the refuge. (Section F.4)

Rare sighting of a white phase gyrfalcon was made in January. (Section G.6)

Mid-winter white-tailed deer population reaches all-time high. (Section G.8)

Fisheries biologists from Valley City, North Dakota sampled the fisheries populations in late May. Their findings showed a fair population of northern pike. (Section G.ll)

Avian botulism was not as severe-in 1983 compared to the previous year. Only 844 birds picked up compared to 5,050 in 1982. (Section G.17)

Airborne hunting incident resolved with plea bargain settlement of $5,000 fine and forfeiture of two shotguns. (Section H.17)

The new BLHP service building was completed in March. (Section 1.1)

Nine waterfowl nesting islands were constructed on Homestead Lake with force account labor. (Section 1.1) / B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

The year of 1983 could be summerized as extremely mild and dry. The winter months of January, February and March produced no significant snowpack. Temperatures ranged well above normal for these winter months with temperatures reaching A5* on January 12th. The average evening low temperature for January was only 11*F and February was 16*F.

Medicine Lake became ice-free on April 18, which is about normal. The lake was again frozen completely on November 22, which was about two weeks later than normal.

A winter storm, of mixed blessings, arrived on May 12 and 13. This storm with 35 mph winds dropped about 12 inches of very wet snow, 1/1/2 inches of precipitation. This storm arrived just after most small grain fields and DNC fields in the area were seeded. This country was in dire need of some spring moisture and this storm brought it. It produced the majoritV of the spring run-off and brought all refuge impoundments to capacity. However, Canada geese and early nesting ducks were actively nesting and this storm certainly had a negative impact on their success.

Total precipitation for the year was only 8,15 inches, only 57% of the normal 1A.18 inches. The great majority of this precipitation came in small amounts which quickly evaporated.

A low temperature of -A6* F on December 23 and a high of 105*F on July 1A and 15 was recorded for the year. This is a 151* F difference in one year!

D. PLANNING

2. Management Plan

The Fire Management Plan was written in draft and submitted to the Regional Office for recommendations and approval.

The Annual Water Management Plan was completed. This plan includes a summary of 1982 Water Use and recommendations for 1983 usage.

4. Compliance with Environmental Mandates

An environmental assessment for prescribed burning of native grasslands, tame grass fields and marsh vegetation was completed.

5. Research and Investigations

Medicine Lake NR83 - Hydrology of Northeast Montana - Emphasis on Groundwater Development and Conservation.

An extensive hydrological study of northeastern Montana ground water resources was started in 1982 and continued in 1983. This study is being conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. Funding is in cooperation with the local, state, and federal agencies and water users who will benefit from the project. These funding agencies include the U.S. Geological Survey, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sheridan County Conservation District,Sheridan County and several grants. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contributed $A,000 in 1983.

This study has two primary purposes. First, is to inventory all groundwater resources in the area to determine water quality, rate of flow, depth of wells and geologic formation. The second purpose is to evaluate and quantify the groundwater resource of the ancient Missouri River channel aquifer. This aquifer is believed to be the old Missouri River bed which originally flowed from the vicinity of Poplar, Montana, toward the north into Canada, until it was forced by glacial activity to turn it's course towards the south. The sand and gravel deposits of the old channel were buried by glacial till and formed an underground aquifer which continues to flow north. It is believed to be charged by waters of the Missouri River and possibly Medicine Lake itself.

In the past several years, thirty to fifty large wells have been drilled in Sheridan and Roosevelt counties for center pivot irrigation. These well'fe are believed to have tapped the groundwater associated with this aquifer. In addition, similar wells are on the increase in western North Dakota and southern Saskatchewan, which are also believed to be associated with this aquifer.

This study will attempt to show the effects of large scale withdrawal of water from the aquifer and answer questions concerning source, quality and yield of groundwater.

The Medicine Lake Refuge and nine Waterfowl Production Areas sit above this aquifer and may very well be influenced by this buried river channel.

In 1982, the U.S.G.S. continued collecting baseline data on existing wells in the area by monitoring their use and resulting changes in water tables. The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology drilled two test wells in Roosevelt County attempting to locate the aquifer and additional test wells are scheduled for Sheridan County. This study is scheduled to be completed in FY-8A.

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel

There was no changes in personnel or refuge staffing in 1983

Refuge^Staffing Pattern

Permanent Temporary Full-Time Part-Time

FY-83 5 2 0 FY-82 5 2 0 FY-81 A 3 0 FY-80 A 3 0 FY-79 5 3 2 MDL-83 Photo by: SPB

Refuge Headquarters

2. Youth Programs

The Youth Conservation Corp (YCC) program completed it's second year of operation on the refuge in 1983.. The program started on May 31 and was completed on August 26. Three enrollees began on May 31 and three on June 13. The four males and two females were selected from applicants from Medicine Lake High School. Funding was provided from station 1520 funds.

Again this year, the program was very successful in accomplishing many needed projects on the refuge. The general appearance of the entire refuge was improved. The more important and time consuming projects completed included: reposting 90 percent of the refuge boundary, maintenance of existing boundary fence, construction of two miles of new fence, and assisting with daily botulism patrol and clean-up.

Other completed projects included:

Repairing two toilets and maintenance of picnic area. Repair and painting picnic tables. Installation of two cattleguards. Removing dead limbs and trees from headquarters shelterbelt. Assisting with baiting and banding of waterfowl. Removing larger rocks and stones from 3 1/2 miles of road. Removing rocks from fields prior to DNC seeding. Riprapping of two dikes. Assisting with map drafting and office administration. Vehicle maintenance. Assisting with forms and pouring concrete on two slabs. Painting odds and ends around headquarters. Weekly mowing of lawns at headquarters. Remodeling of an old barn. Painting refuge tower steps. Assembling three fire equipment caches. Construction of safety railing in new shop. Installation of steps at #1 water diversion structure. General cleaning of headquarters. Installation and painting of six tour route direction signs.

A. Volunteer Program

A new volunteer program was initiated on the refuge this year. Two volunteers were selected from the Student Conservation Association Program. Scot Cline, a junior from Arkansas State University, and Michael Raassaka, a junior from the University of North Dakota, worked from May 31 through August 19.

Scot Cline completed a study of waterfowl nesting on man-made and natural islands on the refuge. This study determined the waterfowl production potential, hatching success and predation of islands on the refuge. This will become valuable in developing further management and construction plans for additional islands.

Michael Raassaka completed a study on brood chronology on the Homestead Unit of the refuge. This will become valuable in determining water management schedules for drawdowns in relation to botulism control.

Both individuals assisted with supervision of the YCC program, waterfowl banding, colonial nesting survey, breeding pair transects, raptor survey, aerial goose brood census, fencing, posting and avian botulism patrol.

The program proved to be very successful at this station. The volunteers also seemed very satisfied. Lodging was provided by the refuge in the seasonal quarters. A subsistance payment of $35.00 per week plus travel costs were paid. The refuge share was about $935.00 per enrollee for a 12 week program.

5. Funding

Funding since FY-79 has increased each year, as shown in Table I, however, the rate of inflation has generally eaten away as these increase. The FY-83 funding had a much better ratio total budget to salary and other fixed costs, reaching 76 percent. Out of a total budget of $272,000, a total of $6A,787 remained in operation funds. TABLE I. Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Northeast Montana Wetlands Management District Funding - 1979 to 1983.

Activity FY-79 FY-80 FY-81 FY-82 FY-83

1210 193,000 172,000 203,000 200,000 230,000 1220 13,000 10,000 1240 15,000 12,000 10,000 10,000 12,000 1400 1,000 1520 9,000 1994 3,000 6810 2,500 6,000 7,000 8,000 8,000

Total 211,500 190,000 220,000 231,000 272,000 (86%)* (82%)* (93%)* (82%)* (76%)*-'

BLHP 220,320 135,000 300,000 271,000 121,262

* Percent of total budget utilized for salary and other fixed cost.

6. Safety

The refuge has accumulated 7,670 staff days without a lost time accident. 1 reportable accident occurred when a YCC enrollee, who was mowing grass, got a foreign object - probably grass, in the eye. This required minor doctor's care. A station safety committee was organized this year with three members appointed. This committee meets quarterly and is responsible for developing and overseeing the station safety program.

Staff safety meetings were held monthly. All staff members and spouses attended an advanced first aid and cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPA) course.

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1. General

The extremely dry winter and summer of 1983 had an influence on the habitat conditions of the refuge. A combination of good vegetation growth in 1982 and the lack of winter snowpack in 1983 resulted in above normal residual cover which provided excellent nesting habitat. The volume of spring run-off, from a reduced snowpack,surprisingly enough was sufficient to fill all refuge impound­ ments and even provide for some flushing activity on alkaline areas, to improve water quality.

The refuge grasslands initiated good early spring growth with moisture provided by the May 13th heavy snow. However, this early growth was short lived as drought conditions followed shortly afterwards. Vegetative growth was much reduced from the 1982 season.

Refuge small grain crops, as well as neighboring crops, got a good start with the moisture provided by the spring snow fall and produced a near normal yield. 8.

2. Wetlands

Spring run-off started in mid-February, several weeks earlier than normal and ran through the end of April. This spring run-off was generally slow but steady. All drainages except Lake Creek provided some measureable flows. Spring run-off provided adequate water to bring all impoundments, including Medicine Lake, up to operational levels. Enough water was available to allow some flushing action through all impoundments. This flushing action is important to allow accumulated salts, resulting from evaporation, to be washed out.

Heavy thunderstorms in mid-July provided some relatively heavy run-off in the Sand Creek and Cottonwood Creek drainages. This water came at a critical time when water levels in the refuge impoundments need to remain constant. Rapidly rising water levels seem to initiate potential for avian botulism outbreaks. In an effort to maintain Medicine Lake at a level acceptable for construction of Sayer Bay Dam, this water was held in Gaffney and Long Lbke. This raised their levels about one-half foot. This may have been the cause of a slight botulism outbreak which occurred on Gaffney's Lake.

The refuge went into the early spring water use season with an impoundment deficit of 15,319 acre feet. This was adequately met with a total of 33,681 acre feet being diverted from all tributary streams. Excess water was released into Big Muddy Creek.

The Big Muddy Creek diversion structure was closed on April 22 after Medicine Lake was filled and some flushing action was provided. By closing this structure, heavy silt laden waters from summer thunderstorms are allowed to by-pass the lake and flow down Muddy Creek. Prior to 1980, when this structure was completed, these waters were allowed to enter the lake and deposit a heavy silt load in the west end of Medicine Lake.

Due to scheduled construction work on Sayer Bay Dam in late summer, it was planned not to exceed a lake level of 19A3.02 MSL on Medicine Lake and to further allow the level to recede to 19A2.0 by July 1. The lake level reached a high of 19AA.30 on April 6 and receded to 1943.2 by July 1. By August 31, the lake had receded to 1942.15, which did allow the dam construct­ ion to precede as planned.

A mid-summer drawdown on Homestead Lake was accomplished in an effort to reduce the hazard of an avian botulism outbreak. The lake was drawn down to 1936.0 on July 1 and further reduced to 1934.3 by August 1. This removed water from around the emergent vegetation. This effort seemed to be successful with only 63 ducks being picked up.

Water levels in Medicine Lake were adequate to allow a release of water down Big Muddy Creek in mid-September. This was diverted into Homestead Lake to provide fall migrational habitat. Homestead Lake reached 1934.46 by late September.

In mid-November, following fall migration, water was again released from Homestead Lake to allow the level to recede to a level of 1933.6 feet MSL. This level should be shallow enough to provide a winter kill of the carp pop­ ulation. With the extremely dry late summer and fall, most refuge impoundment water levels dropped one to two feet below operational levels. By the end of the year, the total refuge water deficit reached 18,705 acre feet. This is not extremely high when compared to acre feet deficits of 32,497 in 1981 and 42,309 in 1982 and a normal spring run-off in 1984 will be required to adequately refill all impoundments.

Construction of the Breeser Dam on Sheep Creek was completed in 1982, however, being a new dike, it did settle some during the 1983 season and received some wave action damage. In 1983tthis new dike required some additional work including riprap, work on the spillway, gravel replacement on the surface, and resetting of the riser structure. This new 60 acre impoundment was filled with early runoff and then was drawn down to alleviate damage to the settling dike. This dike, after minimum rehabilitation, is in good condition for the 1984 season. /

Construction on the Sayer Bay Dam was again started in early September,-'kfter almost a year of delay by the contractor. This dam reached completion in early November. The dam will now impound and stabilize water levels on approximately 145 acres of the Lake Creek Inlet bay on Medicine Lake. This bay has an excellent stand of emergent vegetation, however, as water levels receded in Medicine Lake in late summer, these stands were left high and dry. This dam will help stabilize this water level and the impoundment will provide an excellent waterfowl marsh.

Water chemistry readings are taken annually to document changes in water quality. These readings are taken twice each year in all the major impoundments, once following spring run-off and again in the fall after ice-up. Readings are also taken in all tributary streams during major run-off. Salinity in parts/1000 and conductivity in raicromhos/centiraeters are taken using a YSI Model 33 S-C-T meter. TABLE II shows a large decrease in salinity and conductivity in years 1982 and 1983 compared to 1981. This is due to increased impoundment levels and adequate water availability for flushing. Levels of disolved minerals are slightly higher in 1983 compared to 1982. This can be contributed to lower fall water levels in impoundments and slightly less water available for spring flushing in 1983.

TABLE II. Comparison of Water Chemistry Readings From 1981, 1982, 1983, Salinity Part/1000 . r J Microrahos/Centemeter Impoundment Location 1983 1982 1982 1983 1982 1981 Medicine Lake 1A 1.25 1.0 2.0 1300 1200 2050 Medicine Lake IB 1.0 1.0 1.7 1300 1200 1860 Gaffney's Lake 2A 2.0 1.0 2.0 1200 1300 2210 Gaffney's Lake 2B 1.25 1.25 2.0 1400 1350 2290 #10 Lake 3 1.5 1.5 2.3 1600 1700 2520 Deep Lake 4 2.5 2.0 2.9 2500 2125 2830 #12 Lake 5 .75 .75 1.0 1000 900 1530 Katy's Lake 6 3.75 3.0 7.5 3700 3300 7050 #11 Lake 7 2.0 1.75 3.5 2100 2000 3620 Homestead Lake 8A 1.5 1.25 3.0 1575 1600 3400 Homestead Lake 8B 1.5 1.5 10.8 1625 1750 10000

* Taken after ice-up through about 3 inches of ice. A. Croplands

The cooperative farming program on the refuge includes six permittees that farm a total of 70? acres throughout the refuge. Of this total 3A3 acres were in summerfallow and 36A acres were seeded to small grains.

TABLE III. Refuge Crop Utilization

Refuge Share Permittee's Refuge Left Crop Acres Planted Share Share Standing Harvested Spring wheat 253.3 174 79.3 79.3 0

Barley 110.4 68.6 41.8 41.8 0

Total 363.7 242.6 121.1 121.1 0

Considering the extremely dry conditions during the growing season, the refuge crops produced only slightly less than average yields. This relatively good harvest could be attributed to fair soil moisture carry over in the summer fallow, the heavy wet snowfall just after seeding, and timely rains in mid­ summer.

The primary purpose of these cooperative farmed fields is to provide a food source for waterfowl. Resident Canada geese begin feeding on the crops as soon as they sprout in the spring and continue feeding on it until fall when migratory ducks and geese join in to clean up the majority of the grain. What grain is left becomes a critical food source for the refuge's resident game birds and white-tailed deer.

Due to the relatively low amount of annual precipitation, the majority of the farm land in the vicinity of the refuge is in summer fallow rotation. Major crops are spring wheat and barley. With new hardier varieties of winter wheat available, acreages of winter wheat are steadily on the increase. Several minimum-till winter wheat workshops were held in the area this year and local interest and support seems high.

Realizing the benefits of minimum till-winter wheat farming to soil erosion and wildlife, the refuge started an experimental minimum till program on farm unit ML-23. /Hopefully this program will serve as a demonstration to the other refuge cooperative farmers, as well as all local farmers, that this technique of farming is practical. The primary benefit to wildlife would be the additional nesting cover provided by early growing winter wheat and a reduction in dis­ turbance to nesting birds by tillage operations in the spring.

The cooperative farmer of the eighty-three acre ML-23 unit utilized his own Hay Buster no-till disc drill to seed winter wheat into the stubble and standing grain in the early fall of 1983. A total of 74 acres was no-till seeded, while a 9 acre strip will be chemical fallowed in 1984 to control a heavy infestation of perennial weeds.

The local District Conservationist for the Soil Conservation Service and County Extension Agent recommend alternating small grain crops and occasional fallowing to reduce annual and perennial weeds, small grain diseases, and assuring adequate soil moisture to prevent a total crop loss in case of drought. TABLE IV represents the tentative eight year farming schedule on Field ML-23.

TABLE IV. Tentative Farming Schedule For Field #23

Strip No. 1 2 3 4 5

1983 F G G F G 1984 CF WW WW WW WW 1985 WW F F WW F 1986 F SW SW F SW 1987 SW WW WW SW WW 1988 WW F F WW F 1989 F SW SW F SW 1990 SW WW WW SW WW 1991 WW F F WW F Acres 8.83 10.68 13.5 23 26.95

F = Fallow CF = Chemical Fallow G = Unknown Grain WW = Winter Wheat SW = Spring Wheat or Barley Total Acres: 82.96

Establishment of secure waterfowl nesting cover remains one of the major refuge objectives. Conversion of old seeded crested wheatgrass fields to dense nesting cover (DNC) is the primary method of reaching this goal. The spring of 1982 completed the six year program of converting 1,265 acres of old crested wheat- grass fields to DNC.

One 60 acre field, which was seeded in .1981 to DNC and was unsuccessfully established due to drought;, was summerfallowed during the summer, seeded to winter wheat in late August to provide a nurse crop and then late fall seeded to DNC as a dormant seeding. This field is subject to severe fall and spring wind erosion. This technique is new to this refuge and hopefully will reduce spring wind erosion which cuts off newly sprouted seedlings.

The refuge has modified the normal DNC seeding methods commonly used on other areas of the refuge system. Due to the arid climate of the area, the tall wheatgrass, normally seeded in a DNC mixture, has been dropped. Tall wheatgrass was successfully established only in the lower, moister sites of the fields. The refuge DNC mixture now being seeded contains 8 pounds of intermmediate wheat- grass, 2 pounds of Ladak alfalfa, and 1 pound of yellow blossum sweet clover. This mixture is then seeded with 10 pounds of barley to provide a nurse crop. Due to the normal soil moisture, this seed mixture is seeded about 2 inches deep in order to get the seed imbedded into moist soil. This is at least 1 1/2 inches deeper than the suggested depth to plant grass seed. The very loose, sandy soils of this area enable the germinating seed to sprout through to the surface.

After the DNC mixture sprouts, there still remains a very critical period when the young plants are subjected to the cutting action of blowing sand. An entire seeding can be ruined with one spring wind storm. Once the nurse crop of barley begins to grow the DNC crop is relatively secure.

The refuge now has 2,878 acres of DNC located in 52 separate units. Several of these units are over 10 years old and still provide excellent nesting cover. There still remains 2,208 acres of introduced brome, Kentucky bluegrass and crested wheatgrass that can be converted to DNC.

Robel lines have been established to measure height/density of all our DNC fields. These readings, taken in early spring prior to green-up, reflect the amount of residual nesting cover available. The overall average of these lines were 2.19 decimeters in 1983, up 76% from the 1,67 decimeters in 1982,,1.20 decimeters in 1981 and 2.13 decimeters in 1980. The 1983 robel readings varied from a high of 3.83 down to a low of .92 decimeters. The higher robel readings in 1983 reflects the very good plant growth attained in the 1982 growing season. The excellent DNC cover which developed in 1982 is very near the best nesting cover that can be expected in this area of relatively low yearly precipitation. The very mild winter of 83-83, virtually no snow cover, allowed this cover to remain standing upright into the spring. It should be noted that some of this residual cover was layed down by the mid-May heavy snow storm which occurred after the robel transects were taken. Moisture provided by the mid-May snowstorm started the DNC stands off to a good start on growth. However, this lasted only a short time before extended drought brought these stands to a dormant condition by late June. The previous years growth of wheatgrasses remained standing above the current years growth. The 1984 robel transects will have much lower readings.

5. Grasslands

The refuge contains 14,784 acres of grasslands. The majority of these grasslands are unbroken native grass with 6,079 acres considered in good condition. Another 3,619 acres of native grass are badly invaded with exotic species amounting to approximately 50 percent of the total composition. The main exotic invader is crested wheatgrass. Seeded exotic grasslands make up 2,208 acres, most of which are crested wheatgrass and smooth brome. An additional 2,878 acres are seeded to DNC stands.

The most critical problem facing the refuge is management of the native grasslands. This cool season exotic has been very successful in competing with the refuge native grasslands which are mainly composed of cool season species such as western wheatgrass, blue grama, green needlegrass, needle-and-thread and prairie June grass.

The problem involved with trying to control crested wheatgrass in cool season mixed grass prairie is that both are cool season species. Crested wheatgrass will green-up about two weeks before the native grasses so there is such a short critical time involved for successful prescribed burning. This was the third year of an experimental intensive early spring grazing program. This will hopefully provide a management technique to help control invasion by crested wheatgrass. This technique involves heavy grazing of crested wheatgrass immediately after green-up. This hopefully weakens the plant and allows the later growing natives to out compete the crested wheatgrass. During this early green-up period crested wheatgrass is more available to domestic livestock than are native species.

We grazed 325 cow/calf pairs for a five week period which used 384 AUM's on 437 acres at a rate of $8.00/AUM.

TABLE V. Intensive Early Spring Grazing Units

Units Acres Stocking Rates Dates

1. 80 65 cow/calf 4/18-5/22 2. 78 30 cow/calf 4/22-5/27 3. 70 35 cow/calf 4/23-5/28 4. 120 95 cow/calf 4/19-5/24 5. 89 100 cow/calf 4/20-5/25

At the end of the early intensive grazing season units 1 and 5 which had the highest stocking rate, appeared to best accomplish the intended objectives.

7. Grazing

Season long grazing on the refuge has been continually reduced since the mid 1970Ts. In 1970, sixteen permittees put 642 cow/calf pair on 16 grazing units utilizing 1,142 AUM's. Through attrition this stocking rate has been reduced to the present level of about 933 AUM's. During 1983, six permittees utilized five grazing units and stocked 204 cow/calf pairs for a total of 826 AUM's. One permittee did not graze his unit in 1983 because his cattle were quarantined in Nebraska for the season. The grazing units totaled 5,800 acres. The 1983 grazing season ranged from May 9-through September 15.

Upon completion of the refuge grassland management plan, periodic heavy grazing in either spring or summer is expected to be used to manage most of the grass­ lands. Both grazing and prescribed burning will be utilized as managment techniques.

8. Haying

Twenty-seven acres of old brome and alfalfa mixed grass in the vicinity of the refuge •headquarters were hayed in late July. This area includes two plots within larger fields which are in need of rejuvenation. These two plots are scheduled to be prescribe burned in an effort to remove the ground litter accumulation in the spring of 1984. This should help stimulate the stunted alfalfa. The haying permittee took only the top of the current years growth. This left adequate grass stubble and plant litter to catch winter snows and still carry fire in early spring. The refuge received 13 large round bales as its share of the haying. In the winter of 1984, these will be placed on the ice in refuge marshes to provide secure goose nesting structures.

10. Pest Control

Noxious weeds continue to be only a minor problem on the refuge. The two species of major concern are leafy spurge and Canada thistle. Spraying activities center mainly on infestations along the boundary. Field bindweed is also sprayed for control along the interior refuge roads. Medicine Lake Refuge presently has small isolated patches of leafy spurge. However, the Big Muddy Creek drainage just north of the refuge has a widespread infestation. This drainage is the refuge's main source of water and the potential for spreading additional seed is high. Areas along the Diversion Canal leading into Medicine Lake and the Sheep Creek area of the Homestead Unit have been treated the last three years. Several small patches of leafy spurge have been located in the Sandhills Unit and have been sprayed for two years. Big Island is also becoming infested with spurge. This island located on Medicine Lake makes spraying difficult. It was treated with the use of backpack sprayers this year.

Treatment for control of leafy spurge consisted of an application rate of 2,A-D Dimethalamine salt at 2 lbs. acid equivalent per acre applied with five gallons of water per acre. The plants are sprayed in the flowering stage in early summer and again in early fall. This treatment does not eliminate the leafy spurge but may keep it from spreading. f

It is planned to use "Tordon" in the 1984 season in an effort to control this relatively small infestation of leafy spurge before it becomes more of a problem.

Canada thistle control has been limited to infestations along the refuge boundary.

A total of 23 acres of Canada thistle, 2 acres of field bindweed, and 7 acres of leafy spurge were treated with 2,4-D in 1983.

11. Water Rights

Under the Montana Water Rights Adjudication Law, all water rights filed prior to 1973 had to be refiled before April 15, 1982. The refuge water rights were researched and filed by the water resources section of engineering in the Regional Office. A filing of 30 different water rights totaling 146,715 acre feet of water was made prior to the deadline.

The legal process now requires water courts to review all claims in Montana and issue preliminary decrees. Claimants will then have the opportunity for objections and appeals before the final water decrees are issued. This very lengthy process could drag on for many years before the refuge receives the final decrees.

12. Wilderness and Special Areas

The refuge has two units totalling 11,360 acres, which have been designated as wilderness area. The majority of this area is comprised of Medicine Lake itself, including all the islands. The wilderness boundary is the shoreline of the lake at management water level.

The sandhills unit of the wilderness area includes 2,320 acres of rolling sandhills with native grass throughout and clumps of chokecherry, buffalo berry, and buck brush in the lower sites.

The entire wilderness area has been designated a Class I area under the Clean Air Act. 15.

MDL-1983 Photo by: SPB

Sunrise over the Medicine Lake Wilderness

The refuge Wilderness Management Plan was approved by the Regional Office in 1983.

The refuge also contains four Research Natural Areas. Three areas pertain to native plant communities and one is archeologically involved with Plains Indian tepee rings.

A portion of the refpge, 29,560 acres, has been designated a National Natural Landmark. This was designated such an area due to the exceptional features of continental glaciation that are evident.

0. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity / r The several different habitat types found on this northern prairie refuge provide for a diverse population of wildlife. Numbers of species change drastically with the seasons due to the extremes in weather conditions. During the summer over 220 bird species may be present while in mid-winter we have no more than 15 species. This refuge lies between the transition zone of tall and short grass prairie and attracts species common to both prairie types. Bird species common to the boreal forest are occasional visitors along with several species common to the artic zone. Marshes, shelterbelts, cropland and large water bodies provide both migration and nesting habitat for a vast array of species. 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species

Three endangered species use the refuge during migration. These include the whooping crane, northern bald eagle, and the American peregrine falcon.

Sheridan County, in which most of the refuge is located, has been designated as critical habitat for the whooping crane. No sightings of whooping cranes occurred on the refuge during 1983.

The northern bald eagle is a yearly visitor to the refuge during spring and fall. Winter killed fish in the spring and crippled waterfowl in the fall provide an attractive food source to the migrating eagles. No large concen­ trations of birds were observed this year. Eleven sightings of bald eagles occurred between March 17 and April 21, the majority of these were on the Homestead Unit. Four sightings occurred in the fall between October 30 and November 23.

Peregrine falcons are occasionally observed in the refuge area. On November 10, a biologist with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department reported sighting a peregrine falcon on the east end of the Lake Grade Road, which is about one mile south of the Katy's Lake area of the refuge.

There are no species of birds common to the State of Montana, that are listed as threatened, which are protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act.

3. Waterfowl

The extremely mild winter of 1982-83 allowed about 50 mallards to over­ winter in a small pocket of open water on Sayer Bay. This is a relatively rare occurance on this northern refuge.

Canada geese began arriving in the spring almost a month earlier than normal. Fifteen geese were observed on the ice of Medicine Lake as early as February 13. On February 25, another 1A2 Canada geese were observed on Sheep Creek Dam. Mallards began showing up on February 26 with 12 being observed at Homestead Lake.

Goose production was again surveyed by aerial census of nests and loafing ganders. Total goose nests increased slightly in 1983 to 236. This census was taken on May 2 prior to the late spring blizzard which occurred on May 12 and 13<. This blizzard dropped about one foot of very wet snow and was accompanied by 30 mph winds. An estimated 25% nest abandonment occurred from this storm, which resulted in 177 successful nests with 708 fledged goslings. TABLE VI. Six Year Summary of Canada Goose Nests by Area

AREA 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 Homestead 21 16 5 23 41 35 Main Lake Gull Is. 1 12 4 8 13 23 McDonald's Is. 6 2 4 2 9 12 Brucefs Is. 9 8 2 7 6 0 Young's Is. 7 28 32 14 16 50 Big Island 48 29 81 53 38 22 Remainder of lake 26 3 3 3 8 7 Gaffney's Lake 12 13 2 15 18 20 #11 Lake 39 43 34 45 58 34 #12 Lake 12 12 17 24 16 10 Katy's Lake 7 5 3 2 4 14 Remainder of 17 14 9 11 8 8 refuge j

Actual Count 205 185 196 208 235 244 15% Expansion 31 28 29 31 35 37

Total Goose 236* 213 225 239 270 281 Nests *236 nests surveyed on 5/2/83, spring blizzard on 5/12-13/83 resulted in 25% nest abandonment for an actual 177 active nests.

The fall goose populations reached their peak in September. The resident Canada goose population reached about 1,000 birds in mid-September. The majority of these birds leave this area after the first few days of the hunting season. Only 200 remained after the first week of the season.

The white-fronted goose population was considerably higher than normal with the population reaching 1,700 on September 17.

Early spring run-off in 1983 provided excellent water conditions for breeding pair habitat on the refuge. Breeding pairs increased to 254 pairs (2%) over 1982. Breeding pair habitat was very similar to 1982 on the refuge and in the general vicinity.

The refuse duck production was up only slightly, 2,126 birds (6%) from the previous year. An estimated total of 33,760 ducks were produced in 1983. Our duck production figures are based entirely on our pair count data which samples 20% of the refuge water areas. Production is calculated by using the average productivity rate of 45% multiplied by the average young to flight stage per brood, which is taken from Hammond and Kortright. 18.

TABLE VIII. Duck Production to Flight Stage by Species

Species 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 B-W Teal 9447 5356 8012 6368 8792 7368 5705 3619 Mallard 4877 2840 6138 5185 4702 194 5166 2820 Pintail 1575 2307 2763 1924 4420 2717 2838 708 Gadwall 4382 4249 7983 4672 3603 4641 5771 1890 Shoveler 4213 5177 5376 2346 3359 4471 6852 1350 L. Scaup 4654 3996 3394 4575 2577 3872 1926 1092 Redhead 1615 3326 2119 1471 2142 1570 744 558 A. Wigeon 1547 1772 1951 1879 1457 1480 1656 330 Ruddy 976 1724 491 752 812 1586 384 488 B-W Teal 90 225 928 1273 724 262 1378 294 Canvasback 172 577 851 702 405 270 565 230 Bufflehead 148 55 51 20 61 100 40 C. Teal 21 30 ,1• Ro Neck Duck 64 12 51 27

Spring and fall waterfowl migration peaked at higher populations than the previous year. The higher fall population can be attributed to the drought conditions in northeast Montana resulting in higher concentrations of waterfowl on the more permanent refuge impoundments. The peak of the fall migration occurred the first week of October with 100,150 birds using the refuge. The most abundant species involved were shovelers (19,000), ruddy (18,400), lesser scaup (16,000), redhead (15,000), and canvasback (13,300).

TABLE IX. Comparison of Peak Duck Populations Spring Duck Fall Du. Year Peak Peak 1983 77,400 100,150 1982 30,000 61,779 1981 108,600 296,360 1980 53,500 94,335 1979 30,686 86,246 1978 35,934 64,355 1977 46,960 167,781 1976 38,813 36,012 1975 34,020 127,300 1974 156,024 184,350 1973 / 83,600 206,000 1972 109,000 235,200

Coot production remained about the same as the previous three years with 1,600 being produced.

Tundra swans are found on the refuge only during the fall migration. These birds have been on a steady increase during the lOYO's and peaked at 1,750 in 1979. In 1980, they dropped to 580, followed by 735 in 1981, 300 in 1982, and back up to a peak of 800 swans on November 4 of 1983. These fluctuations may be attributed to available habitat variances during drought years in the prairie potholes north of the refuge. 19.

MDL-83 Photo by: SPB

Fall migrational habitat provided by Homestead Lake.

TABLE VII Waterfowl Production Summary

Total Duck Duck Total Pairs Goose Year Pairs Production Nesting Geese Produc

1983 11,800 33,760 236 708*** 1982 11,546 31,634 213 852 1981 14,322 40,069 225 900 1980 13,949 31,239** 239 956 1979 11,911 33,125 270 1080 1978 11,307 31,531 281 1124 1977 11,953 32,987 213 852 1976 10,660 13,419 175 700 1975 8,730 32,557 240 960 1974 6,470 13,935 134 550 1973 * 20,464 236 944 1972 * 10,591 112 448 * Pair counts not taken. ** Reduced 26% because of drought. *** Reduced 25% due to nest abandonment from spring blizzard. 20.

A. Marsh and Water Birds

Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge has one of the largest white pelican rookeries left in the United States. The pelicans have traditionally nested on Big Island. In most years this large island provides a secure nesting site free from mammalian predation. Occasionally coyotes will remain on the island after ice out, which can cause havoc to the nesting colony. No coyotes were observed on the island after ice out in 1983, resulting in a successful nesting season.

MDL-83 Photo by: Gil Riek

The Big Island pelican rookery is shared by cormorants and California gulls.

All pelican nesting activity occurred on Big Island in 1983. The electric fence on Bridgeman Point was utilized again this year, however, the pelicans choose the more secure island for nesting. In 1982, about half of the flock nested on Bridgeman Point due to the coyote harrassraent on the island.

Total white pelican production was 1,500 birds for 1983. An example of how coyote harrassraent can affect a colonial nesting rookery was in 1979 when only 60 birds were fledged due to a pair of coyotes spending the entire summer on Big Island.

Double-crested cormorants nested on Big Island and Gull Island this year. They abandoned the Bridgeman Point trees this year and apparently followed the pelicans to Big Island. The largest number of cormorants nests, 65, were located among the pelican nests. Another 25 nests were found on Gull Island.

Great blue herons also nest on Big Island, primarily on the top of chokecherry thickets. A total of 22 nests were located on Big Island, and 5 nests on the highway islands. Other marsh and water birds that nest on the refuge include horned grebes, eared grebes, pied-billed grebes, black-crowned night herons, American bittern, Virginia rails and sora rails.

TABLE X. Marsh and Water Bird Production

White Double-Crested Great blue Eared Western Pelicans Cormorants Herons 'Grebes Grebes

1983 1,500 262 90 400 250 1982 2,500 112 80 * * 1981 2,630 920 190 450 250 1980 2,450 900 170 650 400 1979 660 210 50 900 400 1978 60 80 40 .800 400 1977 830 140 50 7 500 500 1976 3,050 325 50 1350 6,00 1975 1,180 80 12 * * 197A 2,300 200 55 250 400 1973 2,400 200 55 450 1000

* No data available.

Sandhill cranes are continuing to use the refuge during migration. This year approximately 1,500 cranes utilized the shallow flooded areas of Homestead Lake in early October. The crane population peaked at 2,500 the last week of October with these birds utilizing Big Island and Bruce's Island for roosting.

5* Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species

Large colonies of ring-billed and California gulls nest on the three small highway islands on the west end of Medicine Lake. These islands collectively total about one acre in size. This year- about A25 ring-billed gulls and 125 California gulls were produced on these islands. This is down significantly from previous years production of over 2,000 ring-billed gulls and 600 California gulls. This reduction is probably due to the heavy mortality which occurred to these species on these islands from a hail storm in 1982 when over 95% of that years production was killed. An increase in the number of gulls nesting on Big Island was noted this year, with 315 ring-billed and 200 California gulls produced.

Other common nesters include the common tern, black tern, Wilson's phalarope, American avocet, common snipe, marbled godwit, willet, upland plover, and killdeer. All of these species are common nesters on the refuge but very little data has been collected.

Franklin gulls do not nest on the refuge but begin concentrating here in large numbers during mid-August. About 30,000 Franklin gulls were present in late August and were observed feeding on the massive swarms of midges that were available. 6. Raptors

Common nesting raptors include the marsh hawk, Swainson's hawk, great horned owl, western burrowing and short-eared owl. The ferruginous hawk and red-tailed hawk are occasional nesters.

The short-eared owl appears to have a cyclic population on this refuge. For some unknown reason, no nests were found on the refuge in 1980. Then in 1981 and 1982 production was very good with many nests observed and short-eared owls were commonly observed along the tour route and entrance road. In 1983, the population again declined noticeably with no nests observed.

Snowy owls, occasionally numerous in some years, were not observed on the refuge at all in 1983.

A rare sighting of a white phase gyrfalcon was made on January 1 and A, 1983 in the vicinity of the refuge headquarters. This apparent same bird was also observed several times in December of 1982.

7. Other Migratory Birds

The mourning dove is a very common nester in the refuge shelterbelts and brush patches. Estimated production was 500 for 1983.

Avid birders come from all over the United States to obseserve such species as the Baird'SiLeConte's, and clay-colored sparrows as well as the McCown's and chestnut-collared longspurs. They also search for the Sprague's pipit which is also occasionally found in the area.

8. Game Mammals

The white-tailed deer is the most abundant big game animal on the refuge. The deer herd on the refuge has shown a rapid increase since the early igOO's. In I960, only 125 white-tailed deer were surveyed in mid-winter. This had built up to 525 animals in 1972 and reached 1,36A in 1981. The increase in total population appears to be directly related to the establishment of many acres of DNC on the refuge during the past 10 years. This rank growth of residual vegetation seems to provide supplemental food and cover which helps support the deer population during the winter period.

The mid-winter aerial census conducted in cooperation with the Montana Department of Fis^h, Wildlife and Parks was flown January 13-1A. With ideal snow conditions, there were 1,453 deer counted on the refuge and adjacent private sandhills. This count showed an all-time peak in the white-tailed deer population.

During winters of moderate to heavy snow accumulation, approximately 75% of this areas deer herd concentrates on the winter range in the sandhills. The refuge sandhill unit is only part of this area but winters a large portion of the total deer herd. At times this exceeds 100 deer per square mile. Another important wintering area is the Lake Grade Flats which held over 200 deer during the winter. This sub-irrigated, moist plant area, has for some reason attracted large wintering concentrations for several years. 23.

TABLE XI. Graph of Mid-winter White-tailed Deer Census

1A00

1300

1200

1100

1000

900

800

700

600

500

1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983

In February a special meeting was held by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks with the landowners of the special sandhills deer hunting unit adjacent to the refuge. This group petitioned the State to conduct a two and a half week deer season in this area rather than the proposed five week season for the rest of the state. These landowners felt the desired harvest could be met during this shorter time frame and they would not have to put up with hunters for the extended time. This request did result in a two and a half week season. The general concensus of these landowners was that the wintering deer population of 1,200 animals on the refuge and sandhills area was the optimum level. They expressed no problems with the refuge hunting program.

The refuge's antelope population has dropped to zero this year. A single female spent the winter on the Lake Grade Flats wintering with a herd of 125 white-tailed deer. When spring arrived she was no longer seen. The refuge population in 1977 was 80 animals but following the winters of 77-78 and 78-79, this herd had decreased to less than 10 animals. The severe winter of 81-82 further reduced the herd to the one remaining antelope.

10. Other Resident Wildlife

Sharptail grouse are the only native upland game bird found on the refuge. The 1983 population of displaying dancing ground males dropped another 18% from 1982 based on 25 grounds surveyed. This is a reduction of 53% over the 1981 survey. The reduction this year cannot be well explained as habitat, nesting and wintering conditions were all excellent. TABLE XII. Male Sharptail Dancing Ground Count Summary

Ground Number 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1 29 16 14 20 20 4 11 2 14 17 18 30 45 40 17 3 16 13 15 26 27 12 9 4 71 44 48 22 20 18 18 5 28 19 17 8 14 * 3 6 35 32 28 33 23 11 9 7 52 28 33 28 19 8 8 8 31 15 27 38 29 15 ,9 9 20 22 14 21 13 7 n 10 48 26 22 24 19 12 7 11 14 5 3 10 6 * / * 12 48 26 37 27 26 14 6 13 7 5 * * * 14 6 * * * * 15 9 19 15 5 5 16 21 28 7 * 17 11 8 7 7 18 6 21 18 17 19 5 * * * 20 30 29 12 14 21 16 16 16 17 22 19 20 12 11 23 6 * * 4 24 16 21 11 9 25 11 6 14

Total 406 270 296 436 430 245 202 * Not Active

The pheasant population on the refuge has shown a large increase since 1978. Pheasants continue to be found throughout the refuge, even in the marginal habitat. The general pheasant population in the entire eastern portion of Montana was high this year. The increasing population on the refuge over the last five years is probably due to the increased acreage of newly seeded DNC. The refuge method of seeding DNC allows the first year nurse crop of barley to be left standing. This abundant winter food source, combined with five foot high sweet clover from the previous years' seeding and ideal nesting habitat provided by already established DNC.has allowed the pheasant to flourish.

The Homestead Unit of the refuge has the highest concentration of pheasants. Virtually hundreds of pheasants can be seen feeding in the adjacent private grain fields.

Pheasant crow counts were started in 1978 in order to collect population data to measure response to the extensive DNC plantings. The counts are made for two minutes per stop with each stop one mile apart. The crow counts in 1983 showed a drop of 38% on one 20 mile route and a decrease of 28% on the 10 mile route. A new crow count census was started on the Homestead Unit in 1983. TABLE XIII. Pheasant Crow Counts (Crows/Stops)

Route 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 Main Lake (20 mile route) 9.A 3.5 17.7 20.A 25.7 16.0 Northeast (10 mile route) A.2 11.3 25.1 30.5 21.9

Homestead (10 mile route) , 30.2

Hungarian partridge still remain fairly scarce on the refuge. Only five coveys were observed on the refuge this year.

No data is collected on reptiles and amphibians although they are an important aspect of this refuge. The pelicans and cormorants feed heavily on the tiger salamander. This area has a good population of bull, smooth green, western hognose and garter snakes.

I1* Fishery Resource

Northern pike and walleye have been planted in the waters of the refuge in an attempt to control the carp populations, as well as to provide a recreational sport fisheries. Since 1978, there have been 1,032,000 northern pike fingerlings and 225,000 walleye fingerlings released on the refuge. The most recent release was made in 1982. No additional releases were made in 1983.

The primary limiting factor affecting the survival of game fish appears to be the lake levels of these relatively shallow lakes during the winter and the resulting low winter oxygen levels. A severe winter kill occurred in the winter of 1977-78 and another in 1981-82.

The relatively high water levels of the main impoundments and the very mild, open winter allowed the refuge lakes to overwinter their fish populations this year.

Fishery biologists from the Valley City Fish Hatchery in North Dakota sampled Medicine Lake, Gaffney Lake, and Lake # 12 during the last week of May 1983. They found six different age classes of northern pike in these lakes. In Medicine Lake, northern pike made up 71 percent by number of the catch. They felt the lake holds a strong population of northern pike. Almost all of the northern pike over 3-A pounds which had food in their stomachs had foraged on small carp. The smaller northern pike had empty stomachs. Very few carp were caught, much less than expected, which may show the effects of the two winter kills. They felt the lake lacked an adequate forage fish supply, especially for the small age class northern pike. Their preliminary recommendation was to establish yellow perch to serve as a forage species as well as providing and additional sport fish. They also want to determine the extent of northern pike natural reproduction. Only one walleye (2#.8 oz.) was caught in their sampling nets. 26.

MDL-83 Photo by SPB

Frank Pfeifer, Fisheries Assistance, shows that the big ones are still in the lake.

Frank Pfeifer, Fishery Management Biologist from the Valley City, North Dakota Fisheries Assistance Office is preparing a fisheries management plan for the refuge in 1984.

14. Scientific Collections

This is the second year that the refuge assisted the Denver Wildlife Research Center in the collection of adult red-winged blackbirds.

The result of the first years collection showed 6.9 percent of the 72 birds collected in Montana were marked on Missouri winter roosting areas. This mass marking was accomplished with flourescent paint sprayed aerially over roosting areas. This study is in relation to blackbird depredations in the Dakota's, Minnesota, and southern Canada. / In the second year of study, several million red-winged blackbirds were aerially mass marked at Lake Thompson in southeastern South Dakota. The refuge staff collected 70 blackbirds between May 20 and July 1. No results have been received for the 1983 collections.

16. Marking and Banding.

The pre^season mallard banding quota for the western Dakota's and eastern Montana was 4,000 mallards, 1,000 of each sex and age class. Medicine Lake Refuge was requested to band as many as possible. Walk-in traps and cannon netting was attempted with only limited success. No large concentrations of mallards occurred on the refuge. .

A total of 270 mallards were banded. Age/sex breakdown include: AHY-M - 114; AHY-F - 87; Hy-M - 30: HY-F - 39.

A total of 45 Canada geese were banded utilizing cannon nets. The banding site was located in front of refuge headquarters. Age/sex breakdown include: AHY-M - 5; AHY-F - 17; HY-M - 8: HY-F - 11; L-M - 2; L-F - 2.

17. Disease Prevention and Control

Avian botulism prevention and surveillance was started early this year in an attempt to stay ahead of the problem. Homestead Lake, the hot spot the previous year, was drawn down slowly starting in late June, until all water was removed from around the emergent vegetation. This drawdown seemed to have reduced the severity of the outbreak.on this unit with only 63 ducks and 33 miscellanious water birds picked up. This compares to 3,7,80 birds picked up in 1982 on the same unit.

The colonial nesting islands were visited on July 13 and 28 to pick up any dead birds in an effort to prevent botulism. A total of 132 young pelicans, 95 gulls, and 12 cormorants were cleaned up. Following a severe hail storm at Homestead Lake on August 1, 422 Franklin gulls were picked up.

Heavy summer thunderstorms resulted in Lake #10 raising about one foot. This level was quickly lowered back to the previous level as a preventative measure. However, Gaffney Lake raised about 1/2 foot and this level remained the rest of the season. Gaffney Lake, possibly due to this quick rise in the water level, had more diseased birds than in 1982.

TABLE XLV. Summary of Avian Botulism Loss by Impoundment

West of Impoundment Homestead Katy's #10 Gaffney's Highway Sayer Bay Total

Ducks 69 163 71 252 129 4 688 Coots 14 11 12 19 14 1 71 Pelicans 14 0 3 0 1 1 19 Misc. 26 20 6 7 3 0 62

An intensive search was made of each impoundment at least once a week, using an airb^at. We felt we were successful in finding at least 80% of the infected birds in each impoundment. We were successful in preventing many carcasses from becoming maggot infested.

With the excessively high temperatures of the summer and the history of avian botulism on this refuge, it was felt we were fairly successful in our avian botulism prevention program with only 844 total birds being picked.up. H. PUBLIC USE

1. General

This refuge, located in a sparsely populated area, receives relatively low public use. Except for the recent increase in non-resident upland game bird and big game hunters, most of the public use comes from local residence. A few dedicated birders and refuge system enthusiasts will make a brief visit to the refuge, but this would be less than 200 visits per year.

An estimated 4,500 public use visits occurred on the refuge in 1983 with over half of these visits being involved in hunting or fishing.

5. Interpretive Tour Route /

The refuge maintains a fourteen mile, self-guided tour route. The route has ten information stops that deal with varying subjects ranging frorrl' past history to present management techniques. A total of 1,400 visits were recorded on this tour route. Four conducted tours were given to school and scout groups involving 108 individuals.

The refuge headquarters has a small museum which displays historical items relating to past Indian occupation and early settlement. Also displayed is a collection of mounted birds commonly found on the refuge. Also at refuge headquarters is a 100 foot observation tower offering a panoramic view of the refuge. These two visits are incorporated into stop number one on the tour route.

7. Other Interpretive Programs

The refuge was the host for the annual cooperative Federal and State Interagency Wetlands Workshop held in May. Approximately forty people from throughout the State of Montana attended this two day workshop. A tour of the refuge wetlands and habitat projects was conducted along with a tour of the Northeast Montana Wetlands Management District.

Refuge personnel are active members in the Dagmar Rod and Gun Club. Refuge programs and policies are discussed at the bi-annual meetings of this influential, area wide group. Other organizations attended^with brief discussions presented on refuge programs,.included the Medicine Lake Commercial Club and the Plentywood Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

The refuge staff conducted a five week Hunter Safety Course at the refuge headquarters. A total of 12 students attended the five evening sessions and a Saturday morning field day. The refuge has been hosting hunter education since 1964. MDL-83 Photo by: SPB

Automotive Mechanic Kermit Bolstad assisting with handgun shooting at the Hunter Safety Field Day.

8. Hunting

A significant change occurred this year in hunting pressure on the refuge. In the past the majority of the hunting pressure came from local residents. This year, primarily due to more liberal bag and possession limits on pheasant and deer, the majority of the hunters seemed to be non-resident.

The general increase in upland game birds in all of eastern Montana resulted in an increase in the daily bag of pheasants to four cocks per day and a possession limit of sixteen pheasants. This change in possession limit made it more attractive to travel to Montana for an extended pheasant hunt. A large number of hunters from North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada huntecj, the refuge and adjacent private land.

Interest in waterfowl hunting remained very low again this year. No high concentrations of ducks occurred in the open hunting units this year. There was continued high interest by locals directed toward hunting the refuge Canada goose population. The vast majority of this hunting takes place on adjacent private grain fields. This goose flock generally leaves this area after about a week of intensive hunting pressure.

The central fiyway portion of Montana had a new game bird to hunt this year with the issuance of 500 permits for tundra swans. Each permit holder was entitled to one swan. Only limited interest in hunting this species occurred on the refuge resulting in about 25 visits and about 10 birds harvested. In a continued effort to increase the deer kill during the hunting season, the refuge cooperated with the State of Montana in conducting special hunts. The "A" and "B" tag system remained in effect again this year. The "A" tag permits the harvest of either sex white-tailed deer. The "BM tag is good for an antlerless white-tailed deer. Thus a hunter can generally harvest two deer. This program started in 1979 with 100 "B" tags available for Unit 641. In 1983, there were 300 "B" tags available plus 200 non-resident "A" tags and unlimited numbers of resident "A" tags.

The refuge again cooperated with the State of Montana on the special walk-in hunt in the sandhills. Our portion of the sandhills (2,300 acres) is wilderness area and requires walk in hunting only. In 1980, the adjacent land owners requestea their land in the Sandhills (36 square miles )/be set up into a special-hunting unit requiring walk-in hunting only. The State has administered this special hunt and the area has been open to unlimited public hunting since 1980.

The refuge again cooperated with the State on four deer hunter check stations located on and near the refuge. These stations were operated opening day and the following weekend to obtain hunter and harvest data. During the three days, 516 hunters were checked with 85 deer. The 85 deer consisted of 34% yearling bucks, 31% mature bucks, 20% does, and 15% fawns. Hunter success was only 16% for these dates. However, with a two and a half week season, excellent weather, an extremely high deer population, it is reasonable to assume that the season success was much higher.

Total hunting visits for the year were 1,610, which represents a 17% increase over last year. In response to the high pheasant population, upland game bird hunter visits reached 785, up 22% from the previous year. Only 240 visits were made for pursuit of migratory game birds.

9. Fishing

Sport fishing success was again very low this year. Late spring brought a few local fishermen out to try their luck on Medicine Lake, but with little success, interest dropped off quickly. Fishing visits dropped to 1,185 in 1983, a reduction of 39% over 1982. This can be compared to the 4,260 visits in the peak year of 1981.

With access to fishing areas restricted to designated travel routes and the restrictions of outboard motor use on.the wilderness area of Medicine Lake, there^ is very little wildlife/people conflict. Most of the fishing is down on shore very close to the five access points on Medicine Lake. There is also very limited boat and shore fishing on Gaffney Lake. Heavy winter ice fishing pressure has occurred in the past, but this was also greatly reduced and results only in limited wildlife conflicts.

10. Trapping

Interest in trapping on the refuge has continued to remain very low. Only two trapping permits were issued for six available units. Fifty muskrats, 2 beaver, and 2 fox were trapped.

The refuge trapping program allows trapping of muskrat, primarily as a management tool to relieve damage to dikes. Similarly beaver are removed to reduce plugging of water control structures. Mammalian predators are removed as an aid in predation management. The permittee trapper is allowed to keep 100% of the pelts.

11. Wildlife Observations

The refuge receives numerous visits from bird watchers from throughout the nation. They primarily come to search for the ground nesting sparrows that inhabit the transition zone grasslands.

Observation blinds are provided for public use to view the displaying ritual of sharptail grouse on their dancing grounds. Interest in using the photo blinds remains very low.

1A. Picnicking

The refuge maintains a fishing access with limited public picnic facilities along Montana Highway #16 on the west end of Medicine Lake. This area provides facilities for about 100 picnickers per year.

17. Law Enforcement

With relatively low public use associated with the refuge, enforcement has not been a major problem. An active enforcement program is used as a preventative measure. This year no violation notices were issued on the refuge.

Two incidents, occurring adjacent to the refuge, were referred to the State Warden. One involved shooting a hen pheasant and the other was a hunter shooting a deer for another member of his hunting party.

The airborne hunting incident, which occurred on the refuge in December 1982, was finally resolved in December of 1983. This case involved two subjects which were aerially hunting coyotes on the lake shore of Medicine Lake. They were apprehended when they landed on the refuge to retrieve a wounded coyote they had shot. The airplane, 2 shotguns, and two coyotes were seized. The U.S. District Judge preferred not to hear the case before a jury trial and requested the Assistant U.S. Attorney to plea bargain for settlement out of court. In the final settlement., the defendent plead guilty and received a six month suspended sentence, was fined $5,000 and forfeited the two shotguns. The airplane was returned to the defendent.

!. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction

The new service building was completed in March of 1983. This $250,000 BLHP funded project provided a BO'xTO' heated shop and storage area, along with SO'xSO1 unheated vehicle storage area. This service building has been a great asset in the maintenance of equipment. Prior to this building heavy equipment has been worked on outdoors or in two small garage stalls in the old service building.

The new BLHP funded Sayer Bay Dam was finally completed. The project, started 3^.

in late summer of 1981, was stalled due to contractor problems. The original contractor defaulted on the contract after partial completion. The bonding company was responsible for selection of a second contractor to complete the project. The final project cost, including the reduction of $4,900 in liquidated damages paid by the bonding company, was $180,000. This new dam will impound and stablilize the water levels on one of the shallow inlet bays of Medicine Lake. This impoundment will create a manageable 170 acre marsh.

MDL-83 Photo by; SPB

Construction of the Sayer Bay Water Control Structure.

The newly constructed force account Breeser Dam project was completed in 1983. This 1,600 foot low level earthen dike was started in 1981, but due to severe winter weather was not rip-rapped. High spring run-off coupled with wave action breached the dike. It was reconstructed in the fall of 1982. In the spring of 1983 it was riprapped, spillway reworked, and the riser tube reset. This new impoundment will create a new 60 acre marsh on Sheep Creek in the Homestead Unit.

Nine small waterfowl nesting islands were constructed by force account on Homestead Lake. These AB'xBl'xb' islands were constructed by hauling dirt fill and rock riprap onto the ice. The islands should provide permanent, secure nesting locations for ducks and geese. MDL-83 Photo by: SPB

Nine waterfowl nesting islands on Homestead Lake were constructed over the ice.

2. Rehabilitation

Force account remodeling of the refuge office building neared completion in 1983. Four garage stalls were remodeled into a conference room, an office room, and a storage room. These rooms were additionally insulated. The entire office was carpeted and draperies installed on all windows.

Several rooms in both refuge quarters were carpeted. Styrofoam exterior insulation was added for energy conservation to the outside walls of the basement of Quarters #2. New storm doors were installed on Quarters #1. Installation of steel siding on the office building was also completed.

One mile of interior refuge fence was removed and replaced near Long Lake. The labor was provided by YCC and Student Conservation Volunteers. Another 1/2 ifiile of boundary fence was removed and replaced by force account in the Lake Grade Flats area.

About 90% of the refuge boundary was checked and reposted with current boundary signs. This was also accomplished by YCC and Volunteers.

Approximately one mile of the Gaffney Lake vehicle access road was totally reshaped and graveled by force account.

The refuge tour route was improved and made safe for travel by adding an additional section of cattleguard to two existing cattleguards. Two coulee crossings were improved. A dangerous dip was removed in one coulee by placement of a four foot culvert and raising the road. The dike crossing on Lodahl's coulee was widened by about five feet. 3. Major Maintenance

An International F-766 farm tractor was overhauled and a new engine block installed. This tractor has continually overheated and generally run poorly. This completed overhaul will now provide a tractor for use during nesting cover rehabilitation.

Several miles of refuge roads were spot graveled in the fall. The cracks in the headquarters asphalt court yard were routed out and filled with a special "Seal Master" filler. This seal is supposed to remain pliable and not recrack.

4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement

Fire pre-suppression funding provided several pieces of badly needed equipment. In 1983, we received a Chevrolet one-ton, 4x4 pickup with a 200 gallon western slip on fire pumper. Also received was a D-8 caterpillar with 43lade, winch and scarifier.

MDL-83 Photo by: SPB

Fire pre-suppression funding provided the 1 ton, 4x4 and slip-in pumper. MDL-83 Photo by: SPB

This new D-8 caterpillar is a welcome addition to our equipment fleet.

A Jeep Cherokee 4x4 was received to replace a 1979 Jeep Cherokee. A Chevrolet "Malibu" station wagon was received to replace a 1974 Plymouth Valient.

A Honda" 185',' three wheeled all-terrain cycle was acquired to replace an old Honda"90"trail bike. This new three wheeler proved to be very useful in completing waterfowl breeding pair transects, checking and maintaining boundary fences.

A new 15 foot aluminum Panther airboat with a water cooled, 8 cylinder, 220 horsepower engine and trailer was acquired this year. This piece of equipment will greatly improve our botulism patrol and clean-up program.

A snow plow was acquired and mounted on the new Chevrolet one-ton 4x4 pickup. This yill be utilized for clearing the headquarters court yard, entrance road, and access to winter project work sites.

Two surplus property snowmobiles were acquired from Red Rock Lakes NW Refuge. One is a 1974 Mercury and the other a 1977 Artie Cat.

5. Communications System

The headquarters communication radio system received severe damage when an apparent direct lightening strike hit the antenna mounted on the observation tower. Repair of the damages cost $1,350.

A new mobile radio unit was installed in the 1983 Chevrolet one-ton 4x4 pickup. 30.

6. Energy Conservation

Remodeling of the headquarters office building over the last two years has lowered the consumption of heating oil required to heat this building. Replacing four large, fiberglass, uninsulated garage doors with a well insulated wall, storm windows, and two walk-in doors has helped the most. Added insulation in the ceiling, insulation of all exterior walls, carpeted floors, and draperies has additionally helped lower heating oil consumption.

J. OTHER ITEMS

2. Items of Interest

Refuge Assistant, Frances Larson received a 20 year pin and certificate of appreciation from the National Weather Service for her dilegent effort in recording weather on the refuge.

MDL-83 Photo by: SPB

Refuge Assistant Frances Larson has been logging refuge weather for 20 years.

Refuge Manager, Gene Stroops received a well earned $250.00 incentive.award for his efforts and accomplishments regarding management changes in the grazing program at Red Rock Lakes NW Refuge.

Maintenanceman, John (Jack) Snellman received his 10 year length of service award in April. MDL - 83 Photo by: SPB

Barney Schrank, Chief, Division I, MT. WY, presented Gene Stroops with a $250.00 Incentive Award

3. Credits

Assistant Manager Brock wrote the report, Manager Stroops edited and Refuge Assistant Larson typed and arranged the report.

K. FEEDBACK

L. OTHER LAMESTEER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Wibaux, Montana

The 800 acre easement refuge is located 20 miles southeast of Wibaux, Montana, and is 160 miles away from the headquarters of Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The distance factor makes visits, much less biological record keeping, very difficult on this satalite.

The easement status of the refuge concerns only the water and the hunting rights. The upland continues to have a history of overuse from cattle grazing and the landowner has set up a sprinkler irrigation system. The water for this system is supposed to come out of the reservoir which is perfectly legal but he has to abide by our permit stipulations. The permit, which goes by graduated water elevations (based on historical evaporation rates), allows him to irrigate when there is excess water. The biological potential on Lamesteer Refuge is quite low, it is however still valuable as wetland habitat in this semi-arid part of the state. The capacity of the reservoir has decreased by 60% over the years and accelerated land use practices in the area will only increase the siltation rate.

If the area was purchased outright, hatitat manipulation could be carried out to make the area a better producer of wildlife. The purchase price, however, would probably be prohibitive considering the limited wildlife values that could be realized.

New water rights were filed for the reservoir and Lamesteer Creek.

The refuge was opened to public hunting for the first time in 1981. Since there was no way for us to enforce the hunting closure, we felt that it would be better to have it open and let the landowner control the access. The fact that the area is now open to hunting will have little change on the wildlife populations.

Manager Stroops inspected the area on May 11. He found water levels within 4 inches of the spillway. The dam, concrete spillway and riprap all seemed in good condition, A waterfowl pair count was made revealing the following pairs: 3 Canada geese, 14 blue-winged teal, 11 shoveler, 1 redhead, 5 gadwall, 3 wigeon and 5 mallards. Also observed were 8 cormorants and 25 coots.

On April 1, 1983, the ranch where Lamesteer NW Refuge is located was sold to a Mr. C. R. Finneman from Beach, North Dakota. He had no plans for irrigation out of the reservoir in 1983. This ranch was again sold during early November and the new owner is now Mr. Don Parsons from Wibaux, Montana. A personal contact to discuss water management on this easement refuge, with the new owner, is planned for early 1984. l10CTH€MT€Rn moniflnfl UJGTLOnD/ UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE - • - - • - - —-

The fall migration reaches Its peak with as many as 75,000 mal lards, pintails, teal and scaup by the middle of September. Grebes, herons, sandhill cranes,ki I Ideer, willet, yellowlegs, dowitchers, avocets and gulls find food, water and a place to rest here. Even the extremely rare whooping crane has been known to use these marshes on its migra­ tions between the Gulf of Texas and Its nesting ground in the Wood Buffalo Park of Canada.

The Wetlands of Northeastern Montana are part of the famous pothole region extending nearly 2,000 miles across the Prairie Provinces, through north­ eastern Montana, the Dakotas and into Minnesota.

About 90 percent of the duck production of the North American continent takes place in these great marshes. Unfortunately, during the last 100 years in the United States, half of this land has been drained or filled for farming purposes. More than one million acres have been lost since 1943! In 1962, Congress enacted a law which enables the government to use funds from the sale of duck stamps for the purchase and preservation of such marshes. At the time this folder was published, in 1972, some 6,665 acres had been purchased in northeastern Montana. While these valuable marsh­ lands are intended primarily for ducks and geese, other wildlife—as well as mankind—also benefit.

Fenced and ungrazed, native grasses and thick clumps of bulrushes and cattails are returning. These, along with the refuge plantings of other grasses and legumes, provide much-needed pro­ tection and habitat for waterfowl, sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridges and pheasants. Muskrats, nearly gone for many years, are currently making a comeback. Antelope and whitetail deer now have an unmolested place to rest, feed or water.

Northeastern Montana's rolling hills are made up of a series of moraines, glacially carved ridges ten to twenty miles long whose valleys, or coteaus, contain innumerable potholes. These small lakes and ponds effectively trap a maximum annual pre­ cipitation of thirteen inches. Temperatures vary widely during the year with summer highs reaching 100 degrees and plunging to 40 below during the long winters.

For further information, please contact:

Wetlands Manager Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge Medicine Lake, Montana 59247 DOMINION OF DIRECTIONS TO NORTHEASTERN MONTANA WATERFOWL PRODUCTION AREAS

DANIELS COUNTY

Directions from nearest- town

Town: Area: Directions and mileage:

Flaxville —1— 1 mile west 100 acres Scobey —2— 8 miles north, 2 miles east, 2 miles north, 1 mile east and 2 miles north 38 acres Scobey —3— 8 miles north, 2 miles east, 2 miles north, 1 mile east and 4? miles north, 5 mile east 507 acres

SHERIDAN COUNTY

Directions from nearest town

Town: Area: Directions and mileage:

Comer town —4— 2 miles west, li miles north 113 acres —5— 2 miles west, 5 miles north, 1 mile west 30 acres —6— 2 miles west, 5 miles north, 1 mile west, imile south 148 acres -7- 2 miles west, 4 miles north, li miles east 542 acres —8- 3 miles east, 12 miles north, imile east 26 acres —9-. 3 miles east, 4 miles north 183 acres Dagmar -10- 2 miles south, I mile east 13 acres -11- 2 miles south, 3 miles east, 1 mile north, 2 mile northwest 160 acres — 12— imile north, 3 miles east, 2 mile south 16 acres — 13— 2 miles south, li miles east 196 acres — 14— 2 mile north, 4 miles east 154 acres — 15— 22 miles north, 5 miles east, limiles north 20acres -16— 22 miles north, 5 miles east, 6 miles north, 1 mile west 846 acres — 17— 2 mile south, imile east 320 acres Dooley -18— 6i miles north 19 acres -19— yi miles north 55 acres —20— 5 miles north, 1 mile east, 1 3/4 miles north 46 acres —21— 5 miles north, 1 mile east, 22 miles north 20 acres Homestead —22— 1 mile west, imile north 4 acres Westby —23— 3 miles west, 52 miles south 207 acres —24— 5 miles south 9 acres —25— 6 miles south, 2 mile west 1,032 acres —26— 1 mile north 308 acres —27— 1 mile north, 2 mile west 40 acres —28— 5 miles north 70 acres —29— 6 miles north, 3/4 mile west 120 acres —30— 8 miles north, imile east 259 acres —31— 1 mile north, 2 mile east, 62 miles north 218 acres —32— 1 mile north, 2 mile east, 52 miles north, 1 mile west, 2 mile south 78 acres —33— 3 miles west, 3 miles north, 2 mile west, 1 mile north 105 acres McCOUC COil• • V -34— 3 miles west, 3 miles north, imile west, 4 miles north, 3/4 miles west 49 acres -35— 3 miles west, 3 miles north, imile west, 4 miles north, 1 mile west 54 acres loofion

ROOSEVELT COUNTY

Directions from nearest town.

Town: Area: Directions and mileage:

Froid —36— 3 miles west 179 acres As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has basic responsibilities for water, fish, wildlife, mineral, land, park, and rec­ reational resources. Indian and Territorial affairs are other major concerns of America's "Department of Natural Resources." The Department works to assure the wisest choice in managing all our resources so each will make its full contribution to a better United States—now and in the future. , — -

ITERIOR--PORTLAND. OREGON National Wildlife Refuge 5 HISTORY return of the wet cycle comes an increased growth of Marsh and water areas of the refuge attract a quarter aquatic vegetation and invertebrates, both a prime million waterfowl during the spring and fall migration. Medicine Lake is located above the ancestral Missouri food source for waterfowl. Blue-winged teal, gadwall, shoveler, lesser scaup, ruddy River channel which originally flowed north to the The refuge contains a series of impoundments, water and mallard occur in significant numbers, while pintail, Hudson Bay. The last glacial activity forced it to turn control structures, and canals. These structures and wigeon, redhead and canvasback occur in lesser num­ its course to the south as the glacial sheet moved down canals are used to maintain optimum water conditions bers. Some of each of these species remain to nest on from Canada. When the massive sheet of ice receded, for waterfowl needs. When adequate water flows are the refuge and produce up to 30,000 ducklings each year. it left a blanket of glacial till resulting in rocky rolling available, fresh water is circulated through the pools The refuge has one of the largest white pelican rook­ hills with numerous wetlands and marshes. and marshes to maintain and improve water quality. eries left in the United States. This magnificent white In times past, plains Indians frequently used this Management of the refuge grasslands is aimed at bird with its 9-foot wingspan can commonly be observed area as a campsite while pursuing migrant buffalo herds providing the highest quality waterfowl nesting cover soaring over the refuge during the summer. Big Island and waterfowl flocks. Many of the surrounding hills possible. Nesting cover has been established on 2,800 provides a safe sanctuary for this colonial nester. Over contain rings of stones that mark locations of ceremonial acres of old farm fields. 2,000 pelicans are generally produced each year. sites or campsites. Neighboring farmers grow grain crops on 350 refuge The refuge islands provide secure nesting sites for The refuge was established in 1935 by Presidential acres each year. The refuge share, approximately 25%, other colonial nesters including double-crested cormo­ Executive Order. This order set apart 23,700 acres for is left standing to provide a food source for many species rants, California and ring-billed gulls, and great blue Sharp-tailed grouse: USFWSphoto wildlife conservation. Subsequent acquisition increased of wildlife. herons. Grebes, and many other marsh and shore birds the refuge to the present size of 31,457 acres. nest in the vegetation and on the shoreline of the lakes. UNIQUE PRAIRIE HABITAT In 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) set WILDLIFE Late October brings thousands of sandhill cranes to up camp on the refuge and 180 men began work. During the vicinity of the refuge for a short stop on their way Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is the camp's four years of operation, many conservation Restoration of a breeding population of Great Basin south. The refuge is located in the migrational corridor situated on the glaciated rolling plains of northeastern projects were undertaken including dams, dikes, shelter- Canada geese was initiated in 1938 and supplemented for the endangered whooping crane. This rare species Montana. This refuge lies within the highly productive belts, and fences. In addition, many refuge roads and with releases of additional birds up to 1957, Today the makes occasional visits in the spring and fall. prairie pothole region which extends from southern buildings were constructed. resident refuge population of Canada geese is in excess Canada through northeast Montana, the Dakotas and The 11,360 acre Medicine Lake Wilderness Area was of 1,000 birds with annual production of about 900 western Minnesota. The region contains many thou­ established by Congress in 1976. This area includes the goslings. sands of small wetlands which produce over 50 percent main water body of the lake and the islands within. |p;v*r-ji of the waterfowl originating in the contiguous United Also included is the 2,320 acre Sandhills Unit with its States. Medicine Lake NWR lies in the mixed grass and unique rolling hills, native grass, and clumps of choke- Canada goose: USFWS photo short grass prairie transition zone. Marshes, shelterbelts, cherry, buffalo berry, and buck brush. C.J. Henry croplands, grasslands and large water bodies provide both migration and nesting habitat for a vast array of MANAGEMENT wildlife. The refuge consists of two units comprising 31,457 Medicine Lake and its surrounding water impound­ acres. The north unit contains the 8,700 acre Medicine ments are dependent on runoff provided from spring Lake as well as eight other small lakes. The Homestead snowmelt and heavy summer thundershowers. The Unit consists of the 1,280 acre Homestead Lake and two main tributaries are Lake Creek to the northeast adjacent uplands. and Big Muddy Creek to the north. Both drainages The refuge staff is also responsible for management have the potential to provide massive floods during of the Northeastern Montana Wetlands Management spring runoff following heavy winter snowpack. District, consisting of 40 separate waterfowl production Drought also occurs periodically in this region. Being areas totaling over 9,000 acres in a three county area. entirely dependent on precipitation, the prairie potholes These areas have been acquired and are intensively commonly become dry. Though large-scale drought managed primarily for waterfowl production. An can be devastating to waterfowl populations, this additional 7,500 privately owned wetland acres within drying of wetland basins is very important to maintain the district are also protected from burning, fill and the productivity of the wetlands. Nutrients that are drainage by perpetual wetland easements with private accumulated in dead plant matter decompose in the landowners. presence of oxygen and return to the soil. With the Ring-necked pheasants are commonly seen along the VISITORS WELCOME refuge tour route. The roosters are often heard crowing during the spring mating season. Pheasants find the Opportunities for wildlife observation and photog­ heavy grass, alfalfa and grain mixture (which is seeded raphy are plentiful. A self-guided auto tour route for waterfowl nesting cover) to their liking and popu­ through a scenic portion of the refuge is open from lation numbers have risen significantly as more cover May 1 through September 30. The months of May and was developed. October provide the most favorable opportunities for White-tailed deer also find these stands of seeded observing the varied wildlife. grass and brush-covered coulees to their liking. A late Picnic facilities for day use only are available on the evening drive through the refuge will reveal one of the west end of the refuge. largest white-tailed deer populations in northeast Portions of the refuge are open for hunting and Montana. fishing in compliance with State seasons and regulations. The prairie grasslands provide a summer home for All of the waterfowl production areas are available for many prairie birds. Among them are the burrowing wildlife observation, hunting and trapping. Maps and short-eared owls, lark bunting, Baird's and Le- explaining the hunting and fishing units and special Conte's sparrows, chestnut-collared and McCown's refuge regulations are available at the refuge head­ longspurs, and occasionally the Sprague's pipit. In quarters. early spring, sharp-tailed grouse begin their elaborate Refuge headquarters is located one mile south of the courtship ritual on the numerous refuge dancing town of Medicine Lake and two miles east of State grounds. Male grouse will strut and stomp with wings Highway 16. Additional information may be obtained outstretched, attemtping to attract a female. from the Refuge Manager, Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Medicine Lake, Montana 59247.

Pelicans and cormorants: USFWS photo Whitetail deer: USFWS photo

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Department of the Interior

RF6-61530-1 Printed Sept. 1983 Medicine Lake

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Fishing Brochure FISHING MAP AND REGULATIONS

MEDICINE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ROOSEVELT AND SHERIDAN COUNTIES, MONTANA

i. . |( " # I N f J 1 , ' .. . •^ ^ > c-r I

6-/^

Fishing Area A—Open for fishing Nov. 15—Sept. 15. Trespass on islands and use of motors prohibited.

Fishing Area B—Open for fishing Aug. 15—Mar. 31. Boats with motors (15 hp. maximum) and bank fishing permitted on entire area.

Fishing Area C—Open for fishing Nov. 15—Mar. 31. No vehicle access in this area.

Refuge Boundary Bank Fishing Area—Medicine Lake

S HERI DAN CO General Regulations: All fishing will be in accordance with state regulations. No open fires or camping allowed on the refuge. Vehicle use will be restricted to graveled roads and marked fishing trails only. FISHING INFORMATION

Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies on the heavily glaciated rolling plains of extreme northeastern Montana, between the Missouri River and the Canadian Border. It was established as a waterfowl refuge in 1935, under the management of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Department of the Interior. In addition to providing a stopover for migrating birds, it also serves as an important breeding ground for waterfowl and many shorebirds.

The refuge consists of two tracts. The north tract contains several impoundments, including the 8,700 acre Medicine Lake proper, five smaller lakes, and numerous potholes. The smaller south tract has a single impound­ ment, the 1,280 acre Homestead Lake. Overall, 40 percent of the 31,457 acres comprising the refuge is lakes and ponds, 58 percent is rolling prairie and meadowland, and two percent is in farming plots.

Fishing and hunting are allowed on the refuge in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations. Further information dealing with seasons and regulations may be obtained at refuge headquarters.

The Service has worked in cooperation with the On behalf of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to increase Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, we wish you game and fish populations on the refuge. Although good fishing! northern pike and walleye were native to the area, their populations have been increased using a stocking program in an effort to control the large carp population on the refuge. The public fishing program that has developed as a result of the stocking success should provide plenty of outdoor opportunities for all people. Your support through observation of refuge regulations is greatly appreciated.

For further information, contact the Refuge Manager, Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Medicine Lake, Montana 59247

Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of a system of refuges administered by the U.S. Fish and U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Wildlife Service and is dedicated to the preservation and DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR conservation of wildlife. The financial base for this system was established in 1934 through the passage of the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act. This Act requires waterfowl hunters to purchase an annual migratory bird or "duck stamp." Funds collected from duck stamp sales have been used to purchase numerous refuges that provide habitats necessary to sustain a variety of wildlife for both hunters and nonhunters to enjoy. Birds of the Medicine Lake NATIONAL

WILDLIFE ' ' REFUGE

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Medicine Lake, Montana EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS: Seasons: s s F w S —March-May S —June-August Wood Duck o r o Greater Yellowlegs •Redhead c c c Lesser Yellowlegs F —September-November •Ring-necked Duck u 0 u Red Knot W—December-February • Canvasback c c c Pectoral Sandpiper • Lesser Scaup a c a Baird's Sandpiper Common Goldeneye u u Birds nesting on the refuge are preceded by a •. Least Sandpiper Barrow's Goldeneye r 0 Dunlin • Bufflehead u o c Short-billed Dowitcher Symbols indicating seasonal abundance of each White-winged Scoter r Long-billed Dowitcher •Ruddy Duck a a a Stilt Sandpiper species are as follows: Hooded Merganser 0 o Semipalmated Sandpiper a—abundant certain to be seen, very numerous Common Merganser o u Western Sandpiper c—common should see in suitable habitat Red-breasted Merganser 0 u 'Marbled Godwit u—uncommon might see in suitable habitat VULTURES, HAWKS, EAGLES, FALCONS; Sanderling o—occasional seen only a tew times during a season Turkey Vulture 0 0 o • American Avocet r —rare seen at intervals of 2 to 5 years Goshawk 0 o 0 Black-necked Stilt Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 o • Wilson's Phalarope Northern Phalarope The following bird list is in accordance with the 5th Cooper's Hawk 0 0 •Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 u Herring Gull A.O.U. Check-List as amended. New names are used in • Swainson's Hawk c c c • California Gull Rough-legged Hawk o o u • Ring-billed Gull • Ferruginous Hawk o 0 o Franklin's Gull s s F w Golden Eagle u u u u Bonaparte's Gull LOONS: Bald Eagle u u Forster's Tern Common Loon o 0 Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge is situated in • Marsh Hawk c c c 0 • Common Tern Caspian Tern the transition zone between the tall grass prairies of GREBES: Osprey r r Red-necked Grebe r r r Gyrfalcon r • Black Tern North Dakota and the short grass prairies of central • Horned Grebe c c u Prairie Falcon u u u u DOVES: Montana. The varied habitat, which includes marsh, • Fored Grebe a a u Peregrine Falcon r o r • Rock Dove native grasslands, and shrublands, provides nesting •Western Grebe a a u Merlin 0 0 •Mourning Dove . • Pied-billed Grebe c c c American Kestrel u 0 u areas for a myriad of waterfowl, shorebirds, and small CUCKOOS: PELICANS, CORMORANTS: GROUSE, PHEASANTS, PARTRIDGES: • Black-billed Cuckoo passerines. The refuge is also an important flyway • White ppjicon a a a •Sharp-tailed Grouse c c c c OWLS: • Dnyble-crested Cormoront a a a • Ring-necked Pheasant c c c c migration stop for the "far north" nesters such as Screech Owl "Gray Partridge u u u u whooping cranes, sandhill cranes, whistling swans, and HERONS, BITTERNS, IBISES: 'Great Horned Owl the boreal forest nesting warblers. , • Great Blue Hf>ron c c c CRANES, RAILS: Snowy Owl Great Pgrpt r Whooping Crane r r "Burrowing Owl • Rlnrk-rrnwnpd Night Hpron c c u Sandhill Crane c a Long-eared Owl The following bird list contains 221 species and is • American Bittern c c u • Virginia Rail u u u •Short-eared Owl White-faced Ibis r r • Sora c c o based on refuge observations made since 1935. At GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS: Yellow Rail 0 r r SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS; • Common Nighthawk least 98 different species are known to nest on the "American Coot a a a o Whistling Swan . . . u c Chimney Swift refuge. Spring migration of most birds is well under . •Canada Goose a a a SHOREBIRDS, GULLS, TERNS; Ruby-throated Hummingbird White-fronted Goose u c Semipalmated Plover 0 o way by mid-May and fall migration generally starts KINGFISHERS, WOODPECKERS: Snow Goose u c Piping Plover 0 0 u around September 1. Any season of the year is 'Belted Kingfisher Rose' Goose o o • Killdeer a a c •Common Flicker excellent for observation except during the winter • Mallard a a a o American Golden Plover r 0 Red-headed Woodpecker Rlnrk Durk o r o Black-bellied Plover 0 o months when the Montana Hi-line can be quite Hairy Woodpecker ... • Gadwall a a a Ruddy Turnstone r o inhospitable. Downy Woodpecker • Pintail a a c • Common Snipe u u c • Green-winged Teal c c c Long-billed Curlew o r o FLYCATCHERS: The refuge has been a favorite of people who are "Blue-winged Tea' a a c 'Upland Sandpiper c c c • Eastern Kingbird "Western Kingbird interested in ground nesting sparrows—but waterfowl . • Cinnamon Teal . r r r • Spotted Sandpiper c u u ...•American Wigeon c c c Solitary Sandpiper r u Say's Phoebe and marsh birds provide the greatest attraction. • Northern Shoveler a a a • Willet c c u Willow Flycatcher s s F w

Least Flycatcher o u Blackpoll Warbler Western Wood Pewee 0 o Ovenbird LARKS, SWALLOWS: Northern Waterfhrush • Horned Lark a a a a MacGillivray's Warbler "Tree Swallow u o u Common Yellowthroaf • Bank Swallow a a u • Yellow-breasted Chat • Rough-winged Swallow u 0 u Wilson's Warbler • Barn Swallow c c u 'American Redstart • Cliff Swallow a a u • House Sparrow Purple Martin r r As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the MEADOWLARKS, BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Department of the Interior has basic responsibilities for JAYS, MAGPIES, CROWS: • Bobolink Blue Jay r • Western Meadowlark water, fish, wildlife, mineral, land, park, and •Black-billed Magpie c c c c •Yellow-headed Blackbird recreational resources. Indian and territorial affairs •Common Crow c 0 c • Red-winged Blackbird are other major concerns of America's "Department of CHICKADEES, NUTHATCHES, CREEPERS: Orchard Oriole Natural Resources." o o o o • Northern Oriole Black-capped Chickadee The Department works to assure the wisest choice in Red-breasted Nuthatch r r • Brewer's Blackbird Brown Creeper r • Common Grackle managing all our resources so each will make its full • Brown-headed Cowbird contribution to a better United States—now and in the WRENS, THRASHERS: u u o future. • House Wren GROSBEAKS, FINCHES, SPARROWS, BUNTINGS: c c c •Long-billed Marsh Wren Rose-breasted Grosbeak PLEASE NOTE: •Short-billed Marsh Wren u u u Black-headed Grosbeak We would appreciate your help! If you observe birds •Gray Catbird u u o Lazuli Bunting that are listed as rare to the Medicine Lake National 'Brown Thrasher c c o Dickcissel Wildlife Refuge or if you notice unusual concentrations THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS: Evening Grosbeak or activities of birds on the refuge, please report the • Robin u u u Purple Finch Swainson's Thrush o o Common Redpoll following information by letter or telephone to the Veery o o o 'American Goldfinch Refuge Manager: o. o Eastern Bluebird Rufous-sided Towhee Your name, address Mountain Bluebird u • Lark Bunting Townsend's Solitaire r r • Savannah Sparrow date, weather, exact location • Grasshopper Sparrow KINGLETS, PIPITS; Golden-crowned Kinglet r • Baird's Sparrow species, number of birds Ruby-crowned Kinglet o o • LeConte's Sparrow Sharp-tailed Sparrow distinguishing features and/or Water Pipit o u 'Vesper Sparrow • Sprague's Pipit o o o • Lark Sparrow activities WAXWINGS, SHRIKES, STARLINGS: Dark-eyed Junco o o When in doubt as to any refuge regulations, Bohemian Waxwing o Tree Sparrow o o contact a refuge officer. Cedar Waxwing o • Chipping Sparrow o Northern Shrike o •Clay-colored Sparrow o 0 o Where to write for current regulations and Loggerhead Shrike Brewer's Sparrow u u u o information. • Starling Field Sparrow VIREOS, WOOD WARBLERS, WEAVER FINCHES Harris' Sparrow Refuge Manager Solitary Vireo o o White-crowned Sparrow Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge Red-eyed Vrreo o o o White-throated Sparrow Medicine Lake, MT 59247 Warbling Vireo o o o Fox Sparrow Black-&-White Warbler o r o Lincoln's Sparrow Orange-crowned Warbler o o • Song Sparrow U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Nashville Warbler o o McCown's Longspur • Yellow Warbler u u 0 Lapland Longspur Yellow-rumped Warbler o o • Chestnut-collared Longspur Black-throated Green Warbler r Snow Bunting

RF6-61530-2 GPO 832 -749 October 1981 • 5 16 17 16 15

20 22 23 24 19 20 24

COUNTY ROAD LAKE GRADE

MEDICINE LAKE30 29 28 27 26 7 miz CREEK

LINE TEL- POWER REFUGE HEADQUARTERS 34 et r

GOPHER POINT N ! BR1DGERMAN, POINT / (YOUNG S ISLAND

MEDICINE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE HUNTING MAP AND REGULATIONS 1 ;Xv*v>>*wXv>> PUBLIC HUNTING AREA !3 18 | • PARKING LOT 1 , iiitiiiiiii' 1 BIG GAME RETRIEVAL ROAD

- PUBLIC HUNTING AND FISHING ACCESS 24 19

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SCALE IN MILES All hunting activities will be accordance with the Montana State seasons and regulations.

Shooting into or retrieval of game from closed portions of the refuge is prohibited.

Vehicles may be used only for retrieval of big game on marked retrieval roads (11:00 A.M. to sunset the first two days of the season, sunrise to sunset to remainder of the season). Operation of motor vehicles off of designated routes is prohib­ ited.

Use of motor vehicles is prohibited in the hunting areas north of the Lake Grade Road, Sandhills Wilderness Area, and the area west of the Sandhills.

Overnight camping and open fires are prohibited on the refuge.

Predator hunting is permitted in the public hunting unit. Other portions of the refuge are open for predator hunting from December 1 to March 31 (predator hunting map is available at refuge headquarters). Predators to be hunted are fox, skunk, raccoon, and coyote only. Use of dogs and artificial lights are prohibited.

Contact Refuge Manager: Phone (406) 789-2305 MEDICINE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SELF-GUIDED AUTO TOUR WELCOME to Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge. You are invited to take the self-guided auto tour and learn about the refuge and its wildlife. There are 10 designated stops along the 14 mile route which usually takes a minimum of one hour. You will see different animals during different seasons. Early mornings and late evenings are best for viewing any time of the year. Bring your binoculars and bird identification book or stop at the headquarters for a list of birds that can be found on the refuge. The numbered sign posts along the route are keyed to the following numbered paragraphs. Please do not disturb the Sharp-tailed grouse, USFI/VS photo wildlife. Those who follow you want to see wildlife too. PLEASE DO NOT LITTER. Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge is on the western edge of the mixed grass prairie. The prairie extends from northern Saskatchewan, across eastern Montana, through the Dakotas, and into Minnesota. Geologically, the area is young. It was scraped relatively flat by the huge ice sheets of the Ice Age. Thousands of small lakes and "potholes" were created throughout the area when buried chunks of glacial ice melted. These small bodies of water, fed mostly by spring snow runoff, provide extensive breeding areas for hundreds of thousands of waterfowl. Dozens of other species of waterbirds and upland animals also enjoy the protection and habitat offered by the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge. HEADQUARTERS - OBSERVATION TOWER Refuge headquarters is open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you visit the refuge when the office is closed, please feel free to make inquiries at any of the residences. Mounted birds and antiquities are on display in the office. The 100-foot tower at the headquarters offers a panoramic view of the refuge. The tower gate is locked for safety reasons, but a key can be obtained at the office. Please limit groups in the tower to 5 or 6 persons.

NESTING AREAS This thick stand of vegetation is one of many stands of dense nesting cover planted on the refuge. Dense nesting cover is a mixture of alfalfa, sweet clover, and slender and tall wheatgrass. It provides the best protective cover for upland nesting ducks such as mallards, pintails, shovelers, and others. Some ducks nest as far as 2 miles from the nearest water. Without adequate protective cover, raccoons, foxes, and skunks can prey heavily on duck eggs and severely limit duck production. The high pheasant and deer populations on the refuge are the result of such good habitat.

FARMING FOR WILDLIFE Several hundred acres on the refuge are farmed through cooperative agreements with local farmers. Most of the grain is left in the fields to provide food for thousands of migratory waterfowl and help reduce crop depredation on neighboring farmers' fields. The grain also provides an excellent winter food source for resident birds and deer. These practices, coupled with good vegetative cover, allow local wildlife populations to survive the severe prairie winters and increase their numbers. The harvested grain is used as bait in goose and duck banding operations.

COULEES Throughout the refuge there are low drainage areas like this one called coulees. They are frequented by numerous birds and animals that seek shelter and food, especially in the winter when cold winds sweep over the low native prairie. Grazing is allowed on some refuge areas, such as this pasture, as a substitute for fire and buffalo grazing that originally kept the prairie vegetation vigorous.

MEDICINE LAKE OVERLOOK From this hilltop you can see most of the 8,700-acre Medicine Lake. Looking east, you can see native prairie bordering the lake. Sharp-tailed grouse prefer this type of vegetation. Fluge herds of buffalo roamed the area, and the Plains Indians held their encampments here. With a little imagination one can visualize the great herds and dramatic buffalo hunts. All of the main lake including the islands is now in the Medicine Lake Wilderness Area. Years ago, the lake was much smaller. A water control structure was placed in the outlet to raise the level of the lake.

TEEPEE HILLS Plains Indians frequently camped on these hills and the refuge is rich in Indian history and artifacts. Walking over the hills, you can find rings of stones that mark the locations of ceremonial sites or campsites. Many old buffalo bones can still be found along the lakeshore attesting to the great numbers of these animals. Please observe and take only pictures. It is against refuge regulations to collect artifacts.

THE MARSH This marsh provides nesting areas for water-oriented birds and diving ducks such as grebes, redheads, coots, ruddy ducks, and others. One might see an American bittern or great blue heron stalking its prey. Yellow-headed blackbirds and black terns nest in the reeds above the water. Take a closer look and you may see muskrats or an occasional mink. This is an excellent location to listen to the calls of the different marsh birds. Listen carefully. Flow many can you identify?

PONDS AND POTHOLES The prairie areas throughout Canada and the north central States are dotted with thousands of small lakes and ponds called "potholes." Many hold water only in the spring, but this water and abundant vegetation are keys to the breeding success of great numbers of waterfowl. In more permanent potholes, such as this one, you can see tall bulrushes, sedges, cattails, and submerged vegetation which are excellent sources of cover and food. The numerous insects and aquatic organisms in these areas provide important protein for nesting females and young ducklings.

TREES FOR WILDLIFE Look carefully and you may see deer in the distance. Here is an excellent place to stretch your legs and walk to the tree grove 175 yards to the west. Most trees in this area are not native but were planted to act as "shelterbelts" for wildlife. Some trees such as Russian olives also provide excellent winter food for birds since the fruit remains on the trees throughout the winter. Just beyond the grove is the lakeshore where you may see many forms of bird life. The muddy shorelines also provide a record of the past night's activities. Perhaps you will find mink tracks, a log cut by a beaver, or the leftovers from a raccoon's dinner. How well can you read nature's handbook?

Tour stop number 10 is optional. To reach it, follow the tour route back to the gravel county road and turn left. This will bring you to the paved county road which will lead you to Medicine Lake. Go south on State Highway 16 to the lake where a turnout is provided for observing the gull islands.

GULL ISLANDS Several large islands and many small ones are located in Medicine Lake. California gulls and ring-billed gulls compete successfully for nest sites. Great blue herons and double-crested cormorants share the larger islands with as many as 3500 white pelicans. The smaller manmade islands provide nesting areas that are preferred by Canada geese. The refuge produces approximately 800 geese every year. This completes the auto tour. We hope you enjoyed your visit. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Department of the Interior RF6—61530—10 January, 1979