AGASSIZ NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Middle River, Minnesota
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT Calendar Year 1983 AGASSIZ NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Middle River, Minnesota
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT
Calendar Year 1983
U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM 3 5 8 2 1 4 7
PERSONNEL
1. Joseph Kotok .... Project Leader GS 12/8 . . PET 2. Ronald L. Bell . . . Principal Assistant Refuge Manager . . GS 11/5 . . PET 3. James P. Mattsson . Refuge Biologist GS 11/4 . . PET 4. Larry E. Lewis . . . Assistant Refuge Manager GS 9/2 . . PET 5. Beulah J. Wikstrom . Administrative Technician GS 5/5 . . PET 6. Donald F. Schultz . Wildlife Biologist (General) GS 7/1 . Temp 7. Virgil D. Erickson . Maintenance Mechanic WG 9/5 . . PET 8. Conrad 0. Burrell . Engineering Equipment Operator . . . . WG 8/5 . . PET 9. George Severts . . . Tractor Operator . WG 6/4 . CSFT 10. Roy Ruud Tractor Operator WG 6/4 . CSFT 11. Melvin N. Hagen . . Dragline Operator WG 8/1 . Temp
REVIEW AND APPROVALS GOVERNOR'S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (GYEP)
1. Paul Polansky . . 6-13-83 to 8-16-83 2. Susan Olson . . . 6-13-83 to 8-09-83 3. Charlene Fillmore 6-13-83 to 8-03-83 4. Todd Garfve . . . 6-13-83 to 7-28-83
SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SYEP)
5. David Larson 6-13-83 to 8-05-83
VOLUNTEERS
6. Jeff DiMatteo 3-22-83 to 9-25-83 7. Dan Narverud 6-13-83 to 8-17-83 8. James R. Berquist, Jr 5-16-83 to 9-02-83 9. Donald F. Schultz 10-04-83 to 12-31-83 INTRODUCTION
Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge occupies 61,449 acres in eastern Marshall County in the northwest corner of Minnesota (Figure 1). The refuge is situated within the prairie, aspen parkland and northern forest ecotone, an area of interspersed habitat types that attracts a great diversity of resident and migratory wildlife. The primary objective of the refuge is waterfowl production and maintenance.
Before white men came, the area abounded with wildlife. The lakes and marshes teemed with waterfowl and shorebirds. In 1909, the first drainage district was organized in the area to convert the marshes to arable land. The drainage system earned the distinction of being the largest single public drainage project in the United States.
By 1933, approximately 1 million dollars had been expended on the drainage system to no avail. High tax assessments on drainage costs seriously effected landowners, and ultimately the financial condition of Marshall County. To save the County from bankruptcy, the State legislature passed an act absorbing the drainage taxes and authorized the lands to be purchased for the development of Mud Lake Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Mud Lake (later renamed Agassiz) was established by Executive Order 7583 on March 23, 1937 and was purchased at a cost of $6.14 an acre.
The flat terrain varies only 1-2 feet per mile. The watershed ultimately empties into the Red River of the North. The climate is characterized by wide variation in temperatures and late spring or early fall frosts. The average annual precipitation is about 21 inches and includes an average snowfall of 39 inches. Temperature extremes range from -470 to 108°F. The average frost free period is 115 days.
Refuge habitat acreages occur as follows: wetland 40,000, grasslands 4,000, brushland 10,000, woodland 7,000, and cropland 449. The dominant wetland vegetation is cattail. Brushland and woodlands are primarily willow and aspen. The area contains a 4,000-acre wilderness inter spersed with black spruce and tamarac and two bog lakes.
A diversity of wildlife species inhabit the refuge including more than 247 species of birds and 38 species of manmals. Agassiz has the distinction of having the only known resident pack of Eastern gray wolves on any refuge in the lower 48 states. •
Figure 1. Map of Agassiz NWR and general location. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
A. HIGHLIGHTS 1
B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 1
C. LAND ACQUISITION
1. Fee Title Nothing to report 2. Easements Nothing to report 3. Other 3
D. PLANNING
1. Master Plan Nothing to report 2. Management Plan Nothing to report 3. Public Participation Nothing to report 4. Compliance with Environmental Mandates 3 5. Research and Investigations 3
E. ADMINISTRATION
1. Personnel 11 2. Youth Programs Nothing to report 3. Other Manpower Programs 11 4. Volunteers Program 12 5. Funding 12 6. Safety 12 7. Technicial Assistance 14 8. Other Items 15
F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
1. General Nothing to report 2. Wetlands 18 3. Forests 23 4. Croplands 23 5. Grasslands Nothing to report 6. Other Habitats Nothing to report 7. Grazing Nothing to report 8. Haying Nothing to report 9. Fire Management 24 10. Pest Control 25 11. Water Rights Nothing to report 12. Wilderness and Special Areas Nothing to report 13. WPA Easement Monitoring Nothing to report Page
G. WILDLIFE
1. Wildlife Diversity 25 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species 25 3. Waterfowl 29 4. Marsh and Water Birds 36 5. Shorebirds» Gulls, Terns and Allied Species 40 6. Raptors 40 7. Other Migratory Birds 40 8. Game Mammals 40 9. Marine Mammals Nothing to report 10. Other Resident Wildlife 44 11. Fisheries Resources Nothing to report 12. Wildlife Propogation and Stocking Nothing to report 13. Surplus Animal Disposal Nothing to report 14. Scientific Collections Nothing to report 15. Animal Control 45 16. Marking and Banding 45 17. Disease Prevention and Control 45
H. PUBLIC USE
1. General 47 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students 48 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers Nothing to report 4. Interpretive Foot Trails 48 5. Interpretive Tour Routes 48 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations 48 7. Other Interpretive Programs 49 8. Hunting 50 9. Fishing Nothing to report 10. Trapping 55 11. Wildlife Observation 56 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation 56 13. Camping Nothing to report 14. Picnicking Nothing to report 15. Off-Road Vehicling Nothing to report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation Nothing to report 17. Law Enforcement 57 18. Cooperating Associations Nothing to report 19. Concessions Nothing to report
I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
1. New Construction 59 2. Rehabilitation 60 3. Major Maintenance 60 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement 5. Communications Systems Nothing to report 6. Energy Conservation 7. Other 62 Page
J. OTHER ITEMS
1. Cooperative Programs 62 2. Items of Interest 63 3. Credits 64
K. FEEDBACK 65 A. HIGHLIGHTS
The second field season of a Canvasback and Redhead productivity study was completed. Forty-two canvasback and 131 redhead nests were located. (Section D.5)
The third and final season of a graduate study to evaluate the response of Agassiz Pool to a drawdown was completed. (Section D.5)
The Eastern gray wolf pack produced 6 pups in 1983. (Section G.2)
Botulism occurred for the second consecutive year killing an estimated 500 ducks and 300 shorebirds. (Section G.17)
Hunter success during the deer season was estimated to be near 50 percent Thirty-six parties of moose hunters harvested 35 moose. (Section H.8)
A new control structure was built on Northwest Pool. (Section 1.1)
B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
The weather in 1983 was anything but normal. Temperatures were above normal at the beginning of the year and below normal at the end. Precipitation was above normal, snowfall below. Snowpack in early 1983 was significantly below normal.
January, February and March temperatures were 13, 11 and 70F above normal respectively, whereas snowfall during the same period totalled 14 inches. The maximum snowpack of 6 in. was 10 in. below the 16-year average.
On 13 February, the thermometer reached a high of 54° and the early stage of spring break-up were evident. Precipitation in the form of rain fell on 26 February and 5 March. Water began flowing in the Mud River, Kelly and Arches spillways, Webster Creek and Ditch 11 on 6 March. Snow had completely disappeared by 12 March.
Sub-freezing temperatures through the rest of March slowed water move ment until 4 April when water began flowing in Ditch 11 and the Arches spillway. The last sub-freezing temperature was recorded on 25 May.
Although temperatures were near normal in June and July, precipitation was well above the 16-year average, evidenced by 5.65 in. recorded in June. Most pools remained at or above approved levels throughout the summer. August was hot and humid. The 1983 high of 980F was recorded on 7 August. About 4.8 in. of rain fell during the same month, nearly 2 inches above normal. Rain 1n September and October provided continuous runoff, recharging all pools and completely saturating soils. Precipitation fell on 12 of the first 16 days in October.
The first sub-freezing temperatures occurred on 22 September and the first snowfall on 12 November. A warming trend melted this snow, but another storm brought a blanket of snow 10 days later. All pools froze up near or at the proposed levels for 1984.
In mid-December a record-breaking cold spell brought 9 consecutive days of sub-zero weather and the coldest day of the year, 19 December, when the temperature dipped to -310F. The National Weather Service records show that this December was the coldest in 100 years!
A summary of 1983 temperatures and precipitation is found in Table 1.
Table 1. Temperatures and precipitation for 1983
Temperatures 0F
Month Max Min Snowfall (in.) Precipitation (in.)
January 40 -25 5.2 0.28 February 54 -30 3.6 0.70 March 53 3 2.7 2.40 April 73 17 2.5 0.56
May 76 22 0 1.72 June 89 35 0 5.65 July 95 38 0 3.26 August 98 46 0 4.74
September 94 25 0 3.14 October 66 18 0 2.85 November 60 5 9.2 1.19 December 26 -31 7.0 0.39
Totals 30.2 26.88 3
C. LAND ACQUISITION
3. Other
Since completing a trade with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 1981, we have no plans to change the existing refuge boundaries. We are in the fortunate position of having no inholdings.
D. PLANNING
4. Compliance with Environmental Mandates
Draft Environmental Assessments were prepared for the station Fur Management and Fire Management Plans.
5. Research and Investigation
Canvasback and Redhead Productivity Study
This was the second year of a study designed to gather baseline information on canvasback, redhead and other overwater nesting ducks at Agassiz NWR. Objectives are to 1) develop an inventory method to census canvasback and redhead breeding populations, 2) determine nest success of canvasbacks and redheads and major factors influencing their production, and 3) to evaluate duckling mortality and determine the net productivity of canvas- backs and redheads at Agassiz NWR.
Don Schultz was hired as a temporary wildlife biologist to assist with all phases of data collection and to prepare a progress report. Field work was conducted between 26 April and 29 August. Methodology included conducting aerial and ground breeding pair counts, determining nest success and site evaluation, conducting brood counts and night brood banding (Figures 2-7).
Breeding pair estimates were derived from 5 ground and 3 aerial surveys conducted between 25 April and 19 May. Estimates indicated populations of 300 and 600 breeding pairs of canvasbacks and redheads, respectively.
Of 42 canvasback nests, 32 were active when found. Using the Mayfield-40 percent method, corrected nest success for 30 active nests followed to termination was 53 percent. Twenty-three (77%) of these nests hatched, 6 (20%) were depredated and 1 (3%) was abandoned. Eighty-seven percent of 30 active nests were parasitized by redheads. The number of canvas back eggs hatched in parasitized nests was only 49 percent of the number hatched in unparasitized nests. Parasitism by redheads decreased canvasback production at a rate similar to the 47 percent nest failure. Figure 2. A flushing hen canvasback indicates that a nest is nearby. 5-83 JPM
Figure 3. Ma redhead doin* her thing. 7-83 JPM Figure 4. A sample of 50 ducklings were web-tagged while still in the egg. 7-83 JPM
Figure 5. All web-tagged ducklings successfully hatched. 7-83 JPM Figure 6. Tail feather implicates common crow as predator on this redhead clutch. Mink and raccoons are primary predators of diver nests. 7-83 JPM
Figure 7. This cube was used to quantify degree of vegetation density as an index of nest concealment. Redhead nests were concealed twice as well as canvasback nests. 7-83 JPM Of 131 redhead nests, 101 were active when found. The corrected nest success for 91 active nests (not including those deserted due to investigator disturbance) was 47 percent. Sixty-four {70%) of these nests hatched, 15 (16%) were depredated, 9 (10%) were abandoned and 3 were unsuccessful with cause of failure unknown. Six of the abandoned nests were inundated. Forty-eight of 91 (53%) active redhead nests had redhead eggs in different stages of development, indicating conspecific parasitism.
Active overwater nests of other species located included 12 ringneck, 13 mallard and 10 ruddy duck. Nest success for these species was 60, 54 and 13 percent, respectively. Three lesser scaup nests were also found, but success was not determined (Figures 8 and 9).
Figure 8. Male lesser scaup photographed in Madsen Pool. 5-83 JPM Figure 9. The first of 3 lesser scaup nests found in 1983. Agassiz is at the southern tip of the breeding range in Minnesota. 6-83 JPM
Night!ighting from an airboat to capture ducklings for banding was done on 22 nights between 11 July and 29 August. Bands were placed on 230 canvasbacks, 495 redheads, 381 ringnecks and 22 lesser scaup. Recapture data indicates that very little overland travel occurs by ducklings class II or older.
A detailed report is contained in A study of canvasback and redhead productivity at Agassiz NWR, 1983 Progress Report, by Donald F. Schultz and James P. Mattsson.
The third and final season of a graduate study to evaluate the response of a large, semi-permanent marsh to drawdown was conducted by University of Minnesota graduate student, Jeanine Vorland, and refuge personnel. The study area, Agassiz Pool, is the largest of 18 impoundments at Agassiz NWR. The pool was dewatered in 1980 to facilitate re-establish ment of emergent and submergent vegetation for the purpose of increasing diving duck production. Prior to drawdown, the 5,850 ha impoundment contained approximately 5,440 flooded ha of which 3,920 ha were open water, functioning primarily as a resting area for migrating diving ducks. The one-year drawdown and subsequent reflooding of Agassiz Pool resulted in re-establishment of emergent vegetation on all but approximately 300 ha of the impoundment. This study was initiated in June 1981 to study the effects of reflooding on the marsh community of Agassiz Pool. The primary objectives of this field season were to: 1) measure the response of vegetation to managed water levels; 2) monitor the marsh bird response; and 3) monitor selected water parameters. The goal of the study is to develop long-term management strategies for Agassiz Pool to maximize its potential as marsh habitat.
Vegetation and marsh bird surveys were conducted using study areas and methodology developed during field seasons I and II. In brief, transects were established within stratified vegetative communities in 1981 and were sampled during the growing season.
Vertical infra-red color photography (scale 1:15840) was used to map gross vegetational patterns for 1982 and 1983.
The amount of open water in Agassiz Pool in 1983 is approximately 300 ha, or less than 10 percent of the area that was open prior to drawdown giving the pool the aspect of a closed marsh. However, preliminary results of the point-count vegetative data suggests that the cover to water ratios in the main pool basin are approaching the hemi-marsh (50:50) condition. While not a typical hemi-marsh, characterized by dense cattail stands interspersed with pools of open water, the structure and density of vegetation is little impediment to wildlife, while providing important cover, substrate and food for marsh fauna. In contrast, the northwestern and northeastern traditional stands of cattail are shallower and dominated by two-year old hybrid cattail (Typha glauca).
The dominant emergent on Agassiz Pool is lake sedge (Carex lacustris). This species is considered to be a shallow marsh species and was severely stressed during the growing season by the realized water regime. Due to its importance as emergent cover, late summer partial drawdown has been employed to increase survivorship of this species. By this method, sufficient populations of sedge were retained to provide substrate for nearly all overwater nesting species found on Agassiz Pool.
Softstem bulrush, abundant in 1981, has largely disappeared. Hardstem bulrush densities increase somewhat, primarily in non-traditional stands, but both species were damaged by an insect leaf borer during the growing season.
Reed grass (Phraqmites communis) stands do not appear to be expanding and will likely be reduced with continued inundation. Traditional dense 10
stands were the only sites of Black-crowned night heron nesting colonies found on the refuge in 1983.
The dominant breeding species on Agassiz Pool was the Franklin's gull. A single 600-ha colony containing an estimated 35,000 birds (down from 50,000 in 1982) was located in the central portion of the pool. Young gulls suffered extensive mortality during heavy rains and subsequent flooding in late June.
Diving duck nests located included 31 redhead and 8 canvasback. Unfortu nately, many nests of redheads, ruddy's and grebes were destroyed when water levels rose approximately 40 cm in late June following heavy rains (Figure 10).
Figure 10. Redhead nest in sedge located in Agassiz Pool. "Eat out" around nest caused by female adding to nest during rising water levels. 7-83 JPM 11
The water quality information has not been summarized. The marsh remains fresh (specific conductance less than 500 umhos cm -1) and circumneutral to slightly alkaline.
The management plan for 1984 is to maintain a summer pool elevation of 1138.2 (50 cm mean depth) between 21 May and 21 July. The objectives of this regime are: 1) to gain maximum wildlife benefits from the mixed-emergent habitats re-established during drawdown; and 2) to increase the number of small openings, loafing and nesting sites in areas of dense vegetation by favoring healthy muskrat populations.
E. ADMINISTRATION
1. Personnel
In 1983, no personnel changes of the permanent staff occurred. There were two conversions in position classification, however. Both Equipment Operator Burrell and Administrative Technician Wikstrom were converted from permanent part-time to permanent full time. Mr. Burrell had a 39 hour/week appointment and Ms. Wikstrom had a 50 week/ year appointment.
Four temporary positions were filled during the 1983 field season. Area residents George Severts and Roy Ruud were again hired as tractor operators from 2 May-30 September to work primarily with the farming program and roadside mowing. Donald Schultz was hired as a temporary Wildlife Biologist (General) to assist with the second year of the diving duck study. Melvin Hagen was hired as a dragline operator from 2 May-18 November for the Kilen ditch cleanout project.
3. Other Manpower Programs
Five area youth, ages 16 to 19, were employed through C.E.T.A. and worked a total 1,303 hours from 13 June-16 August. Four were employed under the Governor's Youth Employment Program and one under the Summer Youth Employment Program.
These employees accomplished many labor-intensive tasks during the two months of employment. Duties included weekly lawn maintenance and trash pickup, maintenance and repair of I&R facilities, maintenance of propane exploders, several painting/staining projects, repair of the lagoon slopes and straightening and repair of refuge signs. Several of the youth were also used to assist with biological activities such as nest searching, vegetation control, and banding site preparation. 12
They were a definite asset to our program and were especially appreciated when they departed and left the responsibilities of lawn care to the permanent staff!
4. Volunteer Program
Four individuals served as volunteer workers during the year. Jeff DiMatteo, St. Cloud State University, served from 22 March through 25 September; Dan Narverud, University of North Dakota (UND), served from 13 June until 17 August; Jim Berquist, UND, served from 16 May until 2 September; Don Schultz, University of Minnesota, served from 4 October through 31 December.
A total of 2,500 hours were contributed by these individuals in a wide variety of work areas. Approximately 70 percent of their time was spent on biological activities such as waterfowl census, deer pellet courses, sharp-tailed grouse and sandhill crane census, waterfowl nest searching, vegetation sampling, wolf radio-tracking, and waterfowl night!ighting and banding. Other duties included general maintenance, carpentry, clerical and report writing. The importance of volunteer contributions to the refuge operations cannot be overstated.
5. Funding
In FY 1983, the initial planning allowance was $310,000 but by January the allowance was reduced $9,000 to $301,000. This reduction amounted to only 2.9 percent. The FY 1983 allowance was also 3.1 percent less than the FY 1982 budget. Fiscal year 1984 reductions were even more dramatic, 12.2 percent below FY 1983 (Table 2). Outwardly these re ductions appear insignificant; however, at the station level the cumulative effect of these reductions all but eliminated discretionary dollars. A funding reduction of 18 percent between FY 1982 and FY 1984, coupled with inflation, leaves little more than a minimum funding level of operation.
All programs are being impacted by these funding constraints. Although the ARMM's program will provide construction money, it contributes no additional base funding for management activities and facilities maintenance.
Any further reductions in station funding levels will require some dramatic adjustments in future station operations.
6. Safety
Agassiz has completed another year without a lost-time accident bringing the total hours since such an accident to 68,136. The last lost-time accident occurred on 21 August 1979. Table 2. Agassiz NWR Funding Pattern (OOO's) - FY 1980-1984
Fiscal Year
Funding Source 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 (revi sed)
Migratory Birds (1210) 270.0 253.5 252.0 256.0 Mammals/Non-Migratory Birds (1220) 38.0 25.0 35.0 35.0 Interpretation/Recreation (1240) 38.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 Endangered Species (1400) .8 .8 .75 Expenses for Sales (5820) 3.0 3.0 3.0 Refuge Operations and Maintenance (1260) 264.3
Total Planning Allowance 349.8 292.3 310.75 301.0 264.3
Fire Rehab, (equipment 5300) 55.4 Fire Rehab, (construction 5300) 16.8 BLHP 248.0 ARRM's 50.0
Grand Total 597.8 292.3 310.75 374.2 314.3
* Subactivities discontinued 1n FY 1984 14
Ten formal safety meetings were held and many informal, safety-related discussions occurred on the job. The entire permanent and temporary staff, as well as all youth enrollees and volunteers attended the meetings.
Four hours of defensive driver training refresher were completed by the permanent staff and temporaries received two hours. Topics included speed, intersections, safe vehicle spacing distances, passing and seat belts. A total of 10 hours of refresher training has been offered the past 3 years. No vehicular accidents occurred despite 57,400 miles driven in 1983.
Other safety meetings related to falls, the effects of cold and heat on the body and physical well being. A CPR refresher film was shown and techniques reviewed. Five staff members currently are certified CPR card holders.
Several safety hazards were identified during the year and immediately corrected. A small ramp was installed at the step from the conference room to the hall to prevent people from tripping or falling. "Watch your Step" signs were placed at this point and at the doorway to the back bathroom. A grab bar was installed in the walkway between the crew- room and back bathroom.
Back-up alarms were put on the Hough loader, GMC dump truck, firetruck and grain truck. Crash helmets were purchased for the 3-wheelers and protective pads put on the front handle bars.
A tour was given to the Grygla Volunteer Fire Department to familiarize them with the headquarters and maintenance center buildings, access roads and gates, location of chemicals and flammable storage. They are presently under a fire protection agreement with the refuge.
The annual safety summary and checklist was completed. No problems were noted. The Station Safety Plan was revised in April to reflect all the recent changes in facilities and safety equipment. All staff members, volunteers, and summer youth reviewed the Plan.
A combination burglary/fire detection system was installed in the office, 5-stall and 3-stall buildings in June. The system is connected to the local sheriff and Grygla Volunteer Fire Department.
All public use facilities were inspected and no problems encountered. No hunting accidents were reported to the refuge during the deer or moose seasons; however, a local radio station did report that an individual "hunting at the Agassiz refuge" shot off a finger on opening day of the deer season.
7. Technical Assistance
Biologist Mattsson completed his second year of a 2-year term on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society. In 1983, he 15
prepared a management outline for the Greater Prairie Chicken in Minnesota.
Mattsson also served as a member of the Management Committee of the Wetlands, Pines and Prairie Audubon Sanctuary in Polk County. He was a member of the sanctuary manager selection committee and is providing guidance on wildlife census techniques for the area.
Mattsson continues to be a member of the Bald Eagle Recovery Team. There were no formal meetings in 1983. The final recovery plan was approved by the Director.
Mattsson spent one day in July with Jan Green, a contractor with the Department of Natural Resources nongame program, discussing the status of colonial breeding birds at Agassiz.
Assistant Manager Lewis provided technical advice to 14 local farmers during the waterfowl depredation season. They were instructed in the safe and proper use of the propane exploders issued to them.
Project Leader Kotok took an airboat to the Thief Lake Wildlife Management Area and spent one day with Area Wildlife Manager Jerry Maertens assessing the status of overwater nesters in July.
8. Other Items
Project Leader Kotok presented a check for $104,378 to the Marshall County Treasurer in March as part of the Service's annual revenue sharing program. Although a supplemental appropriation was authorized to cover the short age in the revenue sharing fund, the check amount represented 91 percent of the full amount due.
In May, thirteen employees from the U.S. Forest Service (Chippewa National Forest) visited the refuge to become acquainted with refuge philosophies, management practices and to exchange ideas. Five returned for 2 days in July to assist with nest searching in the Agassiz Pool study (Figure 11).
A Canvasback/Redhead Strategy meeting was held at the refuge headquarters in May. Attendees included Jerry Serie, George Swanson and Harold Duebbert (MPWRC), Dick Toltzmann, Glen Sherv/ood and Bob Getting, Regional Office, and Todd Eberhardt, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Future research study needs of canvasbacks and redheads, as well as potential funding sources were discussed.
In July, Bates Littlehales from Washington, D.C. and photographer for National Geographic spent a day photographing wildlife. The photos will be used in a 200 page book to be published by National Geographic Magazine. Figure 11. Members of the Chippewa National Forest wildlife staff spent 2 days assisting with nest searching efforts in Agassiz Pool. 7-83 JPM
An Institutional Award was presented to Project Leader Kotok in July by the National Weather Service in recognition of 25 years of weather observations by the Agassiz staff.
Petter Wabakken of Solo, Norway, a biologist who is studying wolf den and rendezvous sites, visited the refuge in August. The wolf pups at the rendezvous site on the refuge were very accommodating and gave him his first look at a wolf in the wild (there are only 5 wolves in Norway!).
In August, site maps, photos and some preliminary information was collected and submitted to the Regional Office for the proposed restoration of Elm Lake. This was in response to a Ducks Unlimited request for potential wetland restoration projects in the United States.
Two ecologists from Sweden, Tomas Hertzman and 01af Pehrsson, accompanied by Regional Biologist Glen Sherwood, visited Agassiz in October to observe the wetlands, wildlife and management practices.
Biologist Mattsson gave a seminar in November at the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center entitled "The Status of Diving Duck and Impound ment Studies at Agassiz MWR". While there he also attended a meeting with the Diving Duck Management Team. 17
Biologist Mattsson coauthored an article entitled The bald eagle in the northern United States, pages 41-66 in BIRD CONSERVATION: NUMBER 1, a new publication by the U.S. Section of the International Council for Bird Preservation (ICBP).
Administrative Technician Wikstrom was awarded a quality step increase in December for her outstanding performance in administration the past three years.
The East Marshall County Association of Townships (East Valley, Agder, Cedar and Whiteford) filed a law suit against the refuge regarding easement rights to three refuge roads. This law suit was generated when the refuge spent $144,000 to rehabilitate 3 miles of the north boundary road in 1979. The townships have not improved or maintained any of these roads since the establishment of the refuge but claim they still have the rights to access. A motion has been made, by the Solictors office, to dismiss the case since ownership of these roads was involved in the original condemnation proceedings in the mid-SO's.
Assistant Manager Bell received a Suggestion Award for suggesting the use of plastic reflective tubing on cable gates.
Training sessions, workshops and meetings attended by refuge personnel in 1983 are summarized below:
K0T0K
Wildlife Resource Programmatic, Minneapolis (member of Programmatic Planning Team) Law Enforcement Refresher, Minneapolis Annual Work Plan Session, LaCrosse, Wisconsin
BELL
Alternative Agriculture Workshop, Fargo, North Dakota Law Enforcement Refresher, Minneapolis
MATTSSON
Banding Workshop, Paducah, Kentucky
LEWIS WIKSTROM
Law Enforcement Refresher, Minneaplis Federal Women's Day, Minneapolis Report Writing, Minneapolis Small Purchase Correspondence Course Administrative detail, Refuges, Washington, D.C. Office Management/Communications Minneapolis 18
F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
2. Wetlands
All pools reached approved summer elevations for the first time in many years. Seven pools were at or above approved elevations on 1 January and the remainder had attained this goal by 1 June (Table 3). Approxi mately 25,681 acre-feet of water were in storage at the beginning of the year.
Above normal temperatures in January, February and March caused early water movement and runoff. Some melting occurred after rains on 26 February and 5 March. By 6 March, ice in pools was beginning to break up, ditches were flowing and pool levels rising. However, sub-freezing temperatures thereafter slowed water movement until early April. Pools were ice-free by 15 April.
Most pools remained at or above approved levels throughout the summer due to above normal precipitation; however, water levels in Tamarack Pool dropped considerably due to evaporation.
Two pools were held in partial drawdown during the summer. Middle CCC and Webster. Exposed mudflats and shallow areas received extensive use by shorebirds, waterfowl and other water birds (Figure 12).
- -r- . • r. r- v - -1 Figure 12. Waterfowl and shorebirds made extensive use of mudflats and shallow areas in Webster, Middle CCC and Tamarack Pools. 8-83 JPM Table 3. Summary of 1983 Pool Elevations
As of Approved Actual Summer As of Pool 1 January Summer (1 June) 31 December
Tamarack 1142.9 1142.5 1142.5 1142.1
Northwest 1140.9 1141.0 1141.2 1140.5
Agassiz 1138.9 1138.2 1138.4 1139.2
Madsen 1140.6 1141.0 1140.8 1140.7
Parker 1139.6 1140.0 1140.1 1139.9
Headquarters 1141.0 1140.5 1140.7 1140.9
East 1144.0 1143.5 1144.3 1144.8
Pool 21 1146.0 1146.0 1146.2 1146.5
Middle CCC 1141.1 1141.0 1140.3 1142.7
Lower CCC 1143.7 1144.5 1144.4 1144.3
Mud River 1141.8 1142.5 1141.7 1141.7
Webster 1141.3 Drawdown 1140.0 1139.8
Kel ly 1144.3 1145.0 1145.5 1144.8
Thief Bay 1142.9 1143.0 1142.9 1142.7
South 1140.5 1141.5 1141.7 1141.8
Dahl 1146.8 1147.3 1146.9 1147.3
Pool 8 1140.6 1141.0 1140,9 1141.0 Overwater nesting conditions were excellent. Attempts were made to maintain stable pool elevations during periods of runoff, particularly during the nesting season. Flooding of nests did occur in Agassiz Pool (Figure 13). At lower water levels, the gauge reading at the main control in this pool does not accurately reflect water changes in the main basin. Despite an increase of only 0.3 feet at the gauge, pool levels increased nearly 1.5 feet. This problem will be corrected in 1984.
Figure 13. This ruddy duck nest was one of many flooded by rising water levels in Agassiz Pool in late June. 7-83 JPM
By October, pools were recharged by late summer and fall rains. Over half of the pools froze at or near the approved elevations for 1984. At the years end, 26,501 acre-feet were in storage, A total of 142,338 acre- feet were discharged, the most since the 1979 flood.
The Mud River control structure was repaired this year. Water had eroded under the base of the control and along the outlet tube leaving a large 21
void under the control. A concrete collar was poured around the base and wing walls, grout pumped into the void and the entire area tamped with dry material (Section 1.2).
The Kilen ditch was cleaned using special fire presuppression funds appropriated by Washington. This 2-mile ditch rehabilitation serves as a firebreak and also improves the water supply to the Olson Lakes and Thief Bay Pool (Section 1.2).
Minimal snow depths during the winter provided the opportunity to swath and bale cattail. This was done to open up large, monotypic stands of cattail, to provide resting and loafing areas for waterfowl and to provide nesting sites on bales and windrows. Approximately 24 acres were swathed and baled in Headquarters, South and Parker Pools (Figure 14) Bales were distributed to Agassiz and Madsen Pools, as well.
Figure 14. Cattail was swathed and baled for goose nesting and to create temporary openings for breeding pairs. 2-83 LEL
The openings were used by early migrating ducks and geese and by resident breeding pairs. Several mallard and goose nests were found on the bales and on windrowed cattail (Figures 15 and 16). Muskrat and mink burrowed into many of the bales placed in deeper water. Figure 15. This cattail bale was used for nesting by Canada geese. The opening was used by spring migrants and by breeding pairs. 5-83 JPM
Figure 16. A few swathed cattail areas that were not baled were used by nesting mallards. 5-83 JPM 23
Two studies were ongoing in 1983. The third and final field season of a study of the vegetative and wildlife response to the drawdown and reflooding of Agassiz Pool was completed. The second year of a productivity study of canvasbacks and redheads was conducted to determine population size, nesting chronology, distribution and nesting success of these two species. Detailed summaries of both studies are presented in Section D.5.
In late August, an estimated 500 dabbling ducks and 300 shorebirds died from botulism poisoning in Tamarack Pool (Section G.17). This was the second consecutive year botulism mortality was documented on the refuge.
3. Forests
Above normal temperatures and below normal snowpack during the winter permitted the rotary mowing of 137 acres of willow. Mowing was begun on 15 December 1982 when ice would first support the equipment and continued through 3 March 1983. Mowing was done to create openings in large blocks of willow and to affect brush normally inaccessible to equipment in the summer due to moist soil conditions. Most of the mowed areas were within units proposed for prescribed burning but poor weather conditions pre vented fire from effectively consuming mowed debris.
Nineteen woodcutting permits were issued for fire-killed aspen in the Middle CCD woodlot and in the northwest corner of the refuge. Permittees were allowed to harvest a maximum of ten cords of firewood. There is no interest or market in commercial timber harvest in the immediate area.
4. Croplands
A. Conventional Farming
Spring weather conditions were conducive to small grain planting. Seventy- seven acres of barley and fifty-two acres of oats were planted and inter- seeded with red clover. Above normal precipitation during the summer had a negative impact on the growth and maturity of the grain. Most fields had poor stands of oats and barley and yields were estimated at 10-15 bushels per acre. The red clover seemed to do quite well.
Soils remained saturated throughout the summer and early fall. Summer fallowing was accomplished on some fields but only 55 acres of winter wheat were planted in drier sections of the agricultural units.
The year 1983 was the initial phase of a 25 percent reduction in the conventional farm program. In 1982, the refuge was mandated by the Area Office to reduce acreage in active cultivation. At that time, 325 acres were being farmed. In June 1982, 55 acres in two fields were planted to a permanent browse of reed canarygrass and white dutch clover. However, the seedlings were flooded out in one field and 22 acres were disced down in August 1983. The remaining 30-acre field was clipped in 24
early August and received heavy use by migrating Canada geese. Several red clover fields will be maintained as permanent browse and will be dropped from active cultivation in 1984.
• In August, approximately 1,015 bushels of oats were transferred to Agassiz from DeSoto NWR for use in the mallard banding program.
B. Koist Soil Farming
The lower water regime in Agassiz Pool the past 4 years has reduced the level of water in Ditch 11 precluding any flooding of the units. Manage ment of the Golden Valley and Goose Pen moist soil units was minimal in 1983. Units were maintained as dry uplands and some conventional farming was done in the south end of each unit.
Twenty-two acres of oats and 21 acres of barley interseeded with red clover were planted. The best stands of small grain on the refuge were found in Golden Valley. In August, 25 acres of winter wheat were pi anted.
9. Fire Management
Approximately 3,705 acres in eight different units were prescribed burned in the spring. Another 25 acres burned after a local landowner had ignited a roadside ditch adjacent to the refuge. Wet weather conditions in September and October precluded any fall burning.
Overall burns were spotty and fire carried only through well-drained uplands. Warm temperatures in early March melted all snow by the 11th. Only 0.85 in. of precipitation was recorded from 10 March to 9 May. But despite the lack of moisture, temperatures remained cool, humidity was high and soils were still saturated from the previous fall.
Two of the eight units burned had no previous fire history; Ditch 1 and Webster Creek uplands. In another unit (the Mud River/Webster uplands) a firebreak was mowed along the north boundary during the winter and disced as the ground frost went out in the spring, this unit last burned during a wildfire in 1973.
In Madsen Pool, fire carried across the ice and top-killed some willow along upland and wetland edges. Over 600 acres burned, the most in this unit since 1972 and since higher water levels have been implemented. This technique will be attempted in the future in other units with similar habitat conditions.
A fire management plan and environmental assessment was completed in December. This was a revision of the 1972 plan and was done in accordance with the Refuge Manual. Seventy-three thousand dollars was alloted to Agassiz in FY 1983 as a result of a request from Washington in January 1982 for funding needs for fire presuppression. Sixteen thousand dollars were obligated for the Kilen ditch clean out and $56,400. for an all-terrain vehicle. The ditch rehabilitation was completed in November (Section 1.2). A Bombadier Muskeg with two-250 gallon water tanks was ordered and is scheduled for delivery in January 1984.
10. Pest Control
A total of 32 miles of roadsides were sprayed with Weedone 170 to control the invasion of willow and other woody vegetation. No aerial spraying was accomplished.
Picloram was applied to 6 acres of leafy spurge in 17 locations. Spurge is considered a noxious weed in Minnesota. Six areas were treated with Pramitol 5 PS for bare ground control. This included the Pool 8, Madsen Tamarack and Thief Bay water control structures and airboat launching sites on Agassiz and Thief Bay Pools.
No cropland spraying was done in 1983 primarily due to the lack of funds
G. WILDLIFE
1. Wildlife Diversity
The manipulation of nearly 40,000 acres of wetlands, distributed in 18 impoundments, contributes significantly to the tremendous diversity of wildlife species present on Agassiz.
The 10,000 acre Agassiz Pool complex has and will continue to provide a tremendous diversity of habitat types as a result of the 1980 drawdown. Some of the unique species present are documented throughout this report
The key to maintaining wildlife diversity at Agassiz is habitat manipu lation, principally by use of fire and water. Maintenance of early successional habitats benefit a wide range of species, both terrestrial and aquatic. The refuge strives to maintain these habitats for the benefit of the 247+ species of birds and as well as approximately 38 mammalian species ranging from timber wolves and moose to fisher and shrews.
2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species
Peregrine falcons were observed 4 times between 27 April and 19 May. On 19 May, an adult peregrine struck a drake gadwall during a courtship flight. The only fall sighting of a peregrine was on 22 September. Fourteen bald eagles were observed between 15 February and 14 April. Seven immatures were noted in Agassiz Pool on 14 April perched on muskrat houses and in willows just east of the control. Twenty-three sightings occurred between 12 August and 22 November.
The recent establishment at Agassiz of Eastern gray wolves (Canis lupus lycaon) adds a new dimension to the fauna of the area, particularly tfTe predator species complex. Wolf production was documented for the second consecutive year, making Agassiz the only national wildlife refuge with a resident pack of Eastern gray wolves. (The irony of this fact is discussed in the Feedback Section).
A discussion of key events follows:
11 July - Rendezvous site located in Middle CCC Pool. Site is on ditch spoil on east side of North Gate Road one-quarter mile north of the cross ditch between Lower and Middle CCC Pools, Site vegetation is brown and matted compared to adjacent vegetation which is tall, rank and green, indicating the site has been used for some time. Human howling enticed 4 curious pups to emerge from vegetation in full view only 25m away (Figure 17).
Figure 17. Four of the six pups that used ditch spoil for rendezvous site along west edge of Middle CCC. 12-7-83 RLB 27
12 July - Six pups observed and photographed at rendezvous site.
20 July - Fish and Wildlife Service trapper Tom Meier, assisted by refuge staff, captured and radio-tagged the alpha female (#861) and a yearling female (#863) (Figure 18). Both wolves were trapped 2 miles from the rendezvous site at the south end of Pool 21. A female pup was also trapped and released after blood samples were taken and ear tags were attached (Figures 19 and 20). Unfortunately, wolf #861 had her collar pulled off by another wolf within one week.
Figure 18. This yearling female wolf was caught and radio-collared (#863) 2 miles from rendezvous site. The alpha female was also caught and radioed (#861) on the same night and in the same site. 20-7-83 JPM 28
Figure 19. FWS trapper Tom Meier taking blood sample from female pup caught the same night as #861 and #863. 20-7-83 JPM
Figure 20. Biologist Mattsson preparing to release female pup. This pup weighed only 23 lbs. and was too small to wear a radio collar. Jeanine Vorland 8-83 25 August - Wolf #863 was captured and euthanized at a sheep depredation site (Prestebak farm) about 3 miles south east of the refuge.
27 August - Captured and radioed 2 pups (#865 and #867) at the Prestebak farm. Both pups were released back in the refuge.
4-6 October - Radio collars #865 and 867 (both pups) found near Prestebak farm; both had been removed (slipped over heads) by another wolf.
8 October - Unmarked female pup captured and euthanized* at Prestebak farm.
*Note - Depredation trapping policy states that pups must be killed after 1 September, but not before.
Despite the unfortunate sequence of events, ie., the loss of 3 radio collars and euthanizing 2 pack members at a depredation complaint site, much useful information was gathered. During the two years that wolf activity has been monitored, insight into the inter-relationship of wolves, coyotes and foxes at the refuge has been obtained. Prior to the establishment at Agassiz of a wolf pack in winter 1981-82, coyotes were numerous and red fox were scarce. Since then, coyotes have all but disappeared from most of the refuge, whereas red fox have increased substantially, particularly in areas of former high coyote densities. This is an example of the exclusion/tolerance relationship of these 3 canids. The effect of wolves causing an increase in red fox numbers by excluding coyotes (which limit red fox numbers) has obvious implications relating to waterfowl nest success, ie., more fox - more nest predation!
3. Waterfowl
A. Ducks
Migration phenology was about normal. Mallards were first to arrive on 25 March followed by common goldeneyes on the 29th. By 21 April, all expected species were present. A male cinnamon teal, rare at Agassiz, was observed in Parker Pool on 2 May.
Habitat conditions were considered excellent at the onset of the nestin season, with the exception of Tamarack Pool. This pool was held 0.5 ft below normal approved elevation and water levels dropped rapidly due to high evaporation. Agassiz Pool contained numerous diver nests, but heavy rains in late June resulted in a 1.5 ft. rise in water levels and subsequent flooding of many nests.
The breeding pair survey was flown 17 May. Indicated pairs totaled 6,423, compared to 7,056 in 1982. Production was estimated to be 10,440, down from 14,918 in 1982.
Problems associated with counting ducks at Agassiz seem at times to be overwhelming. In theory, methodology used are sound and comparable to methods used at other production areas. In practice, the methods fall far short of precision and serve, at best, as very rough indexes. The largest source of error in censusing ducks at Agassiz is visibility bias. Visibility bias is inherent in all phases of survey work, both in the air and on the ground. We attempt to count breeding pairs using a twin engine Cessna Skymaster that cruises at 115 mph. Ground counts are made along a quarter mile wide, 37-mile transect that surveys a disproportionate amount of ditch habitat that undoubtedly misrepresents certain waterfowl species. For example, mallard pairs are distributed throughout all vegetation communities, including dense willow and flooded sedge, where they are very difficult to see from either the ground or air. As a result, this species probably is grossly underestimated.
Habitat changes have been drastic since 1980 when Agassiz Pool, representing one-third of the wetland base, was converted from an open lake to a shallow emergent marsh. Waterfowl use of this pool has increased dramatically but the dense structure of the vegetation precludes censusing. Also, drawdowns concentrate birds to the extent that censusing is nearly impossible.
Another factor that influences inventory results is use of surrounding agricultural land during wet fall periods. We probably underestimated mallard use days by 50 percent in 1983 because of extensive field feeding in flooded grain fields. Thousands of birds leave prior to dawn and return after sunset, and are therefore not represented in the peak population estimates.
In spite of limitations in the inventory methodology used, we feel that waterfowl numbers and use, particularly by migrant ducks has steadily declined in recent years (Figures 21-25).
B. Geese
The first Canada geese arrived on 7 March, 9 days earlier then in 1982. Based on a production survey flown 17 June, an estimated 378 goslings were produced. Many goose nests were found on muskrat houses.
Fall use by geese was low for the second consecutive year. Figure 21. Peak duck populations, Agassiz NWR, 1974-1983. 32
30
A 25
Fall
§ 20
X A
CD oo / \ CJ OJ CD / \ 15 —-v 10 year mean
Spring r v 10 year mean V > r—t 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 Figure 22. Peak goose populations, Agassiz NWR, 1974-1983. Annual objective 10 year mean ro oocn r—( I CTi cy n3 Cn <3; c: o •r— 1974 1975 1975 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 4-> Orj -a 600 o t- Annual objective CL o M— U '\ ro CM \ y \ 300 - y 200 100 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 Figure 24. Fall use by Canada geese, Agassiz NWR, 1974-1983. Figure 25. Fall use by ducks, Agassiz NWR, 1974-1983. 36 Poor production in Canada and an early pullout from Agassiz (first week in October) are largely responsible for the low numbers. C. Swans Few tundra swans were recorded this year. Fall migration was delayed due to mild weather in Canada. Apparently, swans over-flew or passed us by. The largest group observed was 10 birds on 11 October. D. Coot Coot numbers were down markedly from 1982, a year of abundance. Habitat conditions were excellent for most over-water nesters, thus the reason for the decline in coots is not known. 4. Marsh and Mater Birds Snowy egrets, rare visitors, were observed at Madsen Pool on 18 May (1) and at Thief Bay Pool on 23 May (2). At least 50 great egrets were present on Tamarack Pool during mid to late summer. American bitterns were unusually abundant this year, particularly in Agassiz Pool and Pool 8. Several nests were found and many more birds were flushed during nest searching activities than in 1982. One nest contained 3 bittern eggs plus 2 redhead eggs! (Figure 26). Least bitterns were flushed in practically every pool during nest searching activities. Several nests were also found (Figure 27). Black-crowned night herons (200+ pairs) nested in the phragmites islands in the west portion of Agassiz Pool. This is an increase over 1982. Of interest this year were the sightings of 2 loons in Parker Pool on June 13 and 17, and another in Mud River Pool in 5 July. There are no nesting records for this species at Agassiz. On 8 June, at least 3 yellow rails were heard calling in and near Agassiz Pool study transect #5, a sedge-whitetop community. This habitat type occurs in many areas of the refuge suggesting this species is more common here then formerly believed. A flock of one-hundred sandhill cranes was near the Weir on 25 April. The approximate locations of 12 breeding areas are shown in Figure 28. Based on pair sightings and unison calling, the total population 37 Figure 26. American bittern nests were abundant this year. This one was host to 2 redhead eggs! Don Schultz 7-83 Figure 27. Least bittern were flushed in practically every pool. Several nests such as this one were also found. Don Schultz 6-83 Sajidhill Crane 19^3 A, Breeding Pair 13 Nest Site (^) Flightless Young Figure 28. Sandhill crane breeding areas. probably does not exceed 25 pairs. One nest was found in an old dugout about one-half mile south of the maintenance center. Six-hundred cranes were present on 25 September in the moist soil units. Thirteen double-crested cormorant nests were counted on the large rock pile north of Ditch 11 in Agassiz Pool. This was the second year that cormorants nested on this rock pile constructed in 1980. Another 12 nests were active in the black willows along the Ditch 11 spoil near the rock pile. Approximately 500 white pelicans were present in mid to late summer and frequently roosted on the above-mentioned rock pile. Grebe production was good for 3 of 5 species that nest at Agassiz. Western grebes rallied this year from very low numbers in recent years. Two nests plus 3-4 pairs with young were seen in Agassiz Pool. Pairs were also seen in Headquarters, Madsen and Parker Pools. Eared grebes again nested in colonies in Agassiz Pool. Red-necked grebe nests were numerous, particularly in Headquarters Pool where 5 or 6 were found in one 0.5 acre cattail island (Figure 29). Figure 29, Red-necked grebe nests were numerous, particularly in Headquarters Pool where they nested in loose colonies. 6-83 JPM 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species Shorebirds were particularly abundant in late summer and fall in response to partial drawdown conditions in Tamarack, Webster and Middle CCC Pools. Of 22 species, stilt sandpipers were unusually common. Two avocets were present on 9 May. Franklin's gulls again nested in Agassiz Pool when an estimated 15-20,000 pairs were distributed throughout the central portion of the pool. Significant nest failure and mortality of young resulted when water levels increased 1,5 feet between 15 June and 1 July. 6. Raptors Goshawk sightings, particularly during winter, spring and fall, were unusually frequent for the second year in a row. Snowshoe hares have declined sharply from a peak in 1980-81; thus, goshawks seem to be exhibiting a population "lag effect" as has been well documented in Canadian populations. Individual snowy owls were seen briefly in November and December. Short-eared owls were sighted on only a few occasions in early winter. A gray phase gyrfalcon was seen by Biologist Mattsson on 16 March along the Westgate Road near the Parker Pool control. A hawk owl was present at refuge headquarters from 19-23 December (Section H.ll). This is the first documented record of this species at the refuge. 7. Other Migratory Birds Sightings of individual mountain bluebirds and western tanagers, rare species at Agassiz, occurred at refuge headquarters on 31 May. 8. Game Animals The winter big game census was not flown due to lack of snow cover. Winter conditions were favorable for deer and moose with no winter starvation noted. At least 6 dead moose were found in spring and summer, probable victims of brain worm and/or tick infestation. A. Moose In early February, the Minnesota DNR surveyed a portion of Agassiz Refuge as part of a random survey of northwest Minnesota moose populations. That survey estimated 320 moose for the refuge, a figure that agrees well with previous estimates. At least 2, and perhaps several, moose died of brainworm infestation during the year. Figure 30. The moose populations remained high in 1983. 10-82 RB B. White-tailed Deer Data from 60 pellet courses in April and May yielded an estimate of 25.6 (- 8.4) deer/mi^. When extrapolated to 64 mi^ of deer habitat this density yields 1,638 (i 538) deer on the refuge. Expanded to include 30 mi^ of adjacent State Wildlife Management Areas density yields a population of 2,400 deer. "This is a realistic estimate of the pre-fawn population. C. Black Bear Six black bear sightings were reported compared to none in 1982. Bear hunting is not permitted on the refuge. D. Can ids The coyote population remained low in 1983 in response to the presence of gray wolves. A wolf-killed coyote was found on 6 February in East Pool, evidence of wolves intolerance of coyotes (Figure 31). A pack of coyotes was present in the southwest portion of the refuge in late summer and fall. This area received little use by wolves. Figure 31. This coyote was killed by wolves in East Pool, the ultimate consequence when the two species ranges overlap. 2-6-83 JPM E. Furbearers For the second year, the refuge participated in the State Predator Scent Post Survey. Four routes were run; each is 2.7 miles long and has 10 stations spaced 0.3 mile apart. Of 66 routes statewide, Agassiz had the dubious distinction of having the highest skunk index. Other species recorded visiting the scent stations were red fox (Figure 32), raccoon, mink, deer and fisher (Figure 33). Figure 32. Red fox have increased since the wolves became established. 21-6-83 JPM Muskrat structures (houses and feeders) were censused for the entire refuge using 4" = 1 mile color infra-red aerial photos taken 28 July 1983. Using magnification and a light table, individual houses were marked on acetate overlays and tallied. Because of the date of the photos, the muskrat structures represent fall 1982 and summer 1983 building activity. A total of 798 houses were tallied. To estimate the amount of house building activity in late summer and fall (ie., after photos were taken), a quarter-mile wide, 37-mile ground transect representing one-tenth of the total refuge, was surveyed on 27 January 1984. A total of 729 houses were counted. Therefore, about the same number of houses were observed on the ground survey covering one-tenth of the refuge as was tallied from the July photos covering the entire refuge. This indicates that a marked Figure 33. The fisher has increased in recent years. 3-83 RLB increase in house building occurred between 28 July and freeze-up. A total muskrat population estimate may be made as follows: Total structures counted on ground transect 729 Minus 129 (approximate number of feeders) 600 Times 5 (1/5 of habitat surveyed) 3,000 houses Times 5 (average number/houses) 15 ,000 muskrats 10. Other Resident Wildlife A. Ruffed Grouse One drumming count route was run in conjunction with the Minnesota DNR annual survey. Nineteen drums were heard compared to 14 on the same route in 1982. However, throughout the northwest census zone in Minnesota, drumming intensity decreased 33 percent from 1982. B. Sharp-tailed Grouse Displaying sharp-tailed grouse were down 33 percent from 1982 on display areas. Forty-two birds (mostly males) were censused compared to 63 in 1982. Display activity was very erratic; some grounds were active one day and not the next. Some grounds were active but vocalization was either weak or non-existent. The sharptail population in the northwest census zone in Minnesota was down 22 percent from 1982. 45 C. Prairie Chicken Individual prairie chickens were heard booming west of Northwest Pool (private land) and at the Rodahl sharptail display ground. One prairie chicken was flushed just north of Ditch 11 control on Westgate Road. 15. Animal Control Agassiz maintains an inventory of 56 exploders with tanks that are available to farmers experiencing waterfowl depredation problems. Refuge policy is that neighboring farmers having problems may come to the refuge headquarters and borrow up to 4 exploder/tank units. In 1983, 14 farmers took advantage of this program, compared to 18 in 1982. Forty-eight beaver were removed during the spring beaver trapping season. Beaver were trapped at 9 designated areas where they were plugging water control structures or blocking waterways. ^^• Marking and Banding Pre-season mallard banding was conducted at 3 rocket-net sites. Mud River, Parker and Tamarack Pools. Mallards were unusually scarce at bait sites, probably due to abundant food in flooded agricultural fields near the refuge. Windy, rainy weather forced cancellation of several shots as well. Banding accomplishments were as follows: AHYF 268, HYF 210, AHYM 258, HYM 217, Total 953. In conjunction with the diving duck study, ducklings were banded by night!ighting as follows: redheads 498, canvasback 232, ringneck 387, lesser scaup 22, goldeneye 2, Total 1,141. For a discussion of gray wolf radio marking, see Section G.2. Two sandhill crane colts were banded at Dahl Field on 28 June. 17. Disease Prevention and Control In Tamarack Pool, an estimated 500 dabbling ducks and 300 shorebirds died of botulism poisoning during late August. A similar die-off occurred at the adjacent Elm Lake WMA. The refuge airboat was used to pick up dead birds at both sites. Teal and mallards were most affected in Tamarack. Only one dead diver, a redhead, was found at that site. The die-off occurred when water levels dropped due to high evaporation rates in June and July. Exposed mudflat adjacent to emergent vegetation attracted more than 20,000+ ducks, plus geese, coots and shorebirds (Figure 34). H. PUBLIC USE 1. General Public use at Agassiz is consistent with the objectives established for the refuge. There is no non-wildlife oriented recreation. Program direction, emphasis and funding remained at a custodial level in 1983. Existing I&R facilities were maintained in their present condition with no efforts directed at expansion or new construction. Public programs and presentations were given in response to requests. Two public library displays were provided during National Wildlife Week and National Hunting and Fishing Day (Section H.6). Two plans directly relating to public use were completed in 1983. The Station Hunt Plan was submitted and approved. The Fur Management Plan was submitted to the Regional Office in the fall but as yet has not been acted on. Table 4 provides an overview of refuge public use for the past 5 years. Table 4. Visits and activity hours at Agassiz NWR, 1979-1983 Total Activity Year Visits Hours 1983 16,839 29,633 1982 10,724 19,697 1981 11,474 27,484 1980 11,887 14,045 1979 11,629 23,313 A rather dramatic increase in refuge visits was noted during 1983. This was due primarily to the installation of a new and more accurate electric eye traffic counting device which replaced an old malfunctioning hose counter. Increased visitation surely occurred in 1983 but the 57 percent increase probably is a reflection of more accurate counting rather than a significant increase in visitation. The electric eye counter, costing about $500, was installed in June and has greatly improved public use monitoring. It is accurate, versatile and, thus far has required little attention beyond battery replacement. 48 2. Outdoor Classrooms-Students The Outdoor Classroom program is functioning on a demand basis. Ten environmental education sites are identified and available to interested visitors. Most EE activities are from returning teachers/schools who require minimal refuge staff input. Initial assistance is given teachers on their first visit. On subsequent visits a brief talk is all we usually provide. This has worked well with most teachers/schools, while a few are not interested when they learn that a guide is not provided each time. Most school group use occurs in spring and fall. In 1983, we recorded 363 visits and 944 activity hours by 18 school groups. 4. Interpretive Foot Trails There is a one quarter-mile self-guided foot trail, at Station No. 6 of the auto tour route which received approximately 260 visits. 5. Interpretive Tour Routes Presently we have a four-mile, self-guided auto tour route which gives visitors an introduction to the refuge. Eight interpretive stops along the route provide the visitor with information on refuge history, management, and wildlife. The route opens in the spring when weather permits, and closes just before deer season in early November. Approximately 5,430 visitors spent 3,084 activity hours on the auto tour route in 1983. County Road No. 7, which bisects the refuge for 11 miles, provides another excellent opportunity for visitors to see a cross section of the refuge. Visitor facilities located along the county road include a 100-foot tower and a 14-foot observation deck. 6. Interpretive Ex hi bits/Demonstrations The headquarters office serves as the visitor contact center. There is a display of birds and mammals throughout the office as well as a "System 70" display in the conference room. Leaflet racks are provided at 3 locations in the office and 2 leaflet dispensers, one by the refuge gate and the other by the headquarters kiosk are available when the office is closed. Kiosks with bulletin board displays are located at the head quarters and the Parker observation deck. 49 Approximately 860 visitors observed the office display and 1,055 visitors observed the kiosk displays. The office wildlife display was greatly improved this year with the addition of a loon, magpie, sharp- tailed grouse. Franklin's gull, mink and an otter. All occur on the refuge and many favorable comments have been received. Two leaflets were revised during the year; the refuge general leaflet and guide to the auto tour route. Off-refuge exhibits were made for 3 events this year.' The first event, in March, centered around National Wildlife Week. Refuge sponsored activities included presentations at 3 schools to 185 schools and a display with check out materials at the Thief River Falls Public Library. The display consisted of posters and information, a mounted beaver, "touch and feel" items, System 70, and a leaflet dispenser. Also available for checkout to teachers and group leaders was the Wildlife Week slide-tape and Education kits. About 1,600 visitors observed the display and 5 teachers and scout leaders used the slide- tape during a two week period. The second event was "Law Day" where a manned exhibit was set up at Thief River Falls Sports Arena. Low public turnout occurred with only 200 visits estimated. The third event was National Hunting and Fishing Day. A display similar to that used during Wildlife Week was set up at the Library from 8-27 September. Approximately 2,470 library visitors viewed the display. 7. Other Interpretive Programs On-refuge tours and talks were given to several groups including a group of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Regional Hydrologists, District Foresters from Chippewa National Forest, the Association of Minnesota Water Management Districts, 2 scout groups, and 2 television news reporters. One of the reporters from Grand Forks, WDAZ-TV, did a story on the Canvasback/Redhead Nest Study (Section D.5), while the other, KSTP-TV News from Minneapolis did a story on our botulism problem (Section G.17) (Figure 35). Off-refuge programs were given to 8 area groups and organizations where there were over 500 attendees at schools, clubs, churches and community functions. Radio interviews over the telephone between refuge personnel and local AM Station KTRF were held periodically throughout the year. These interviews were increased to once weekly during the fall waterfowl, deer and moose hunting seasons on the stations "Outdoor Report". Topics discussed were wildlife population estimates, hunter success and related information. 50 Figure 35. Biologist Mattsson being interviewed by KSTP-TV regarding botulism die off. 8-83 RLB Eight news releases were issued during the year and printed in several local newspapers. Topics included revenue sharing, auto tour route, visitors opportunities. National Hunting and Fishing Day, Controlled Hunt Zone rule change, refuge deer hunt, woodcutting program and the deer and moose hunt results. Also, local newspaper articles acquired through reporter interviews occurred on the topics of Refuge Wildlife Week activities and the botulism die off (Section G.17). 8. Hunting On-refuge hunts of both deer and moose occurred this year. Waterfowl are hunted near refuge boundaries and on nearby State Wildlife Manage ment Areas (Figure 35). Due to late summer and fall rains water conditions were excellent both on and off the refuge during the waterfowl season. The estimated peak population of Canada geese was 10,000 and mallards exceeded 30,000. About 20,000 mallards remained at the refuge throughout the season and provided some excellent field shooting. Goose hunting was generally poor. Local hunters reported good success during the latter portion of the season, although the bag limit for Canada geese was only one per day. 51 Figure 36. A good day for the young pup. 10-83 JPF The refuge and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources cooperatively manage a Controlled Hunt Zone (CHZ) at the southeast boundary of the refuge. The CHZ consists of a parking lot and 22 hunting stations on DNR land with a 75-yard retrieving zone into the refuge. Instructional signs are provided to make the CHZ self-regulating. Data collected at the CHZ by Minnesota DNR showed a 13 percent rise in goose harvest from 1982 (79-89 birds). Hunter days decreased 38 percent (645 to 420) and each hunter spent less time afield/hunter day (3 hours vs. 3.3). Crippling loss also declined from 38 percent to 25 percent. Probable cause for these changes was comparatively poor goose hunting through most of the season, but good hunting and success for a few days occurred about mid-season. Other factors include the bag limit change from"2 Canada geese in 1982 to 1 goose in 1983 and a goose population with few immature birds. The deer season framework was changed from a split season framework (1977-1982) to a 9-day (November 5-13) season permitting concurrent buck and antler!ess hunting. We recommended this framework to the Minnesota DNR to increase harvest by attracting more hunters. Previously hunter interest in the antlerless season was so low management of the breeding population was impossible. Of 750 antlerless permits available, 639 were issued, compared to 394 of 1,000 in 1982, evidence that the objective of attracting more hunters was realized (Figure 37). Figure 37. Some of the "classier" hunters passed up many deer to bag that special trophy. DS 11-83 The refuge did not serve as an official registration station this year. This was due to a change in the State's registration requirement permitting deer to be registered anywhere within the zone where taken rather than within the kill block where taken. Hunter success was quite good with an estimated 1,025 individual hunters bagging an unofficial tally of 459 deer. Harvest composition is shown in Table 5. Table 5. Deer harvest composition for kill block 203 (Agassiz MWR, Eckvoll, Elm Lake and Mud Lac WMA's), 5-13 December AM AF FM FF Total 189 149 56 65 459 The total kill figure will not be available from the Minnesota DMR until mid-winter, but likely will approach 500. The hunter success rate is expected to be near 50 percent (500 deer/1,025 hunters). The 1983 moose hunt was held 3-11 December in Zone 2. Zone 2 is an area comprised of Agassiz NWR and the three adjacent State WKA's. This is the seventh year of moose hunting since alternate-year hunting began in 1971. Thirty-six permits were issued to one per party of four hunters by a computerized drawing. All hunt participants were required to attend an orientation session prior to the hunt. All moose taken were required to be registered at refuge headquarters. The hunt was judged to be the most successful to date in terms of being a "quality hunt". The orientation sessions went well and were well received by hunters. Hunt results provide evidence of this. Hunters and hunting pressure was well distributed throughout Zone 2. Figure 38. These ladies were mighty proud of themselves. 12-83 LEL Parties hunted hard and were selective about animals taken. Many passed up cows, calves and even yearling bulls to shoot adult bulls. As a re sult our highest ever bull harvest [11%) was achieved. No calves were taken. Table 6 provides a harvest summary. Though problems were minimal, a few did occur. One individual who thought he was shooting at the same "black blob" in the brush ended up being cited for taking one moose too many. Another 1s summarized below in Ripley's -- Believe It or Mot! Figure 39. These boys were as proud of their packing abilities as they were of their trophy. 12-83 JPK Table 6. Daily composition of the 1983 moose harvest, Zone 2 Adult Yearling Daily Date Male Male Cow Total Dec. 3 9 2 4 15 4 4 2 2 8 5 3 0 1 4 6 5 0 0 5 7 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 10 1 0 0 1 11 1 0 1 2 Total 23 4 8 35 Ripley's -- Believe It or Not One party gut-shot a moose at 9:00 A.M. and tracked it to the closed area boundary by the maintenance center. They requested permission to enter the closed area to track the animal and Assistant Manager Bell accompanied them. After considerable effort the moose was finally killed at 3:30 P.M. Manager Bell immediately left the hunters assuming they would field dress the moose. They did not. They waited until 10:00 A.M. the following day to field dress the animal!! When the animal was brought to tne headquarters check station it stunk to high heaven and the meat was already discolored. The hunters thought it would be fine -- once they "washed it up a bit". On the bright side, a party of ingenious individuals attached to their pickup a 1,200 ft. roll of one-half inch nylon rope to tow a dead moose almost a quarter mile to the nearest road! 10. Trapping Fall trapping is directed toward select species of furbearers which adversely effect waterfowl production, ie., mink, skunk, raccoon and fox. Muskrats are also trapped during years when sufficient numbers are available. Beaver trapping is restricted to those animals causing problems to dikes or water control facilities. Three trap units were established and three trappers selected from a previous lottery were issued permits. These three permittees were required to attend a pre-season meeting where they were advised of their unit boundaries, refuge regulations, catch reports, and other items. One trapper was also selected to trap problem beaver areas in the spring. A total 187 trapper visits resulted in approximately 872 activity hours during the year. Harvested were 99 mink, 1,689 muskrats, 23 raccoon, 3 fox and 48 beaver. Catch of all species, except muskrat, decreased from the 1982 harvest. Higher muskrat numbers and generally poor trapping weather affected the harvest. Two changes were made in the 1983 trapping program. The first was a trap size restriction to reduce the probability of catching and holding a gray wolf. The second was to prohibit coyote trapping because of low numbers and because coyotes benefit waterfowl production by displacing fox. Trappers were instructed to immediately release all non-target species that were caught but unharmed. This was done on 7 occasions with 2 coyote, 2 otter, 1 gray wolf, 1 bobcat and one fisher. The refuge fee for trapping is one-quarter of all receipts from mink and muskrat sales. Revenue generated was $1,834.04. 11. Wildlife Observation Visitors to the refuge include those who travel great distances and are specifically interested in the wildlife at Agassiz. Vacationing couples, especially bird-watchers (Figures 40 and 41), dominate this group. Most local people drive through the refuge for more casual observation of waterfowl, deer, moose and other wildlife. An estimated 6,070 wildlife observation visits were recorded in 1983. Figure 40, Bird watchers and photographers comprise the majority of refuge visitors. This one zeros in on a refuge first - a hawk owl. 12-83 JPM 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation Two parties of two people each enjoyed a day of wildlife observation while cross-country skiing in the wilderness area. Figure 41. This hawk owl is the object of the photographer's interest in Figure 40. It is also the first documented occurrence at the refuge. 12-83 JPM 17. Law Enforcement The law enforcement program at Agassiz involves enforcing Federal and State laws throughout the year, but emphasis occurs during the water fowl , deer firearms and moose firearms seasons. Waterfowl enforcement involves patrolling the CHZ, refuge and adjacent State lands, and nearby private lands. Big game enforcement is restricted to the refuge. Three refuge staff members had law enforcement authority in 1983. State Conservation Officers also patrol in and around the refuge, and frequently state/federal officers work together. In 1983, 11 citations were issued by refuge or state officers. All cases requiring court action were handled through state court. 58 Table 7 lists the offense and disposition of the 11 citations issued. Table 7. Summary of citations issued in 1983 Number of Offense Ci tations Di sposition(s) Toxic shot possession One, a juvenile, had in steel zone his shells seized and his parents were contacted. The other forfeited $30.50 Possession of protected Forfeit $30.50 species (2 cormorants) No Federal Waterfowl Stamp Juvenile, required him to purchase stamp and parents contacted Mo State Waterfowl Stamp Forfeited $47.00 each 1 Remington 870 pump shotgun where the County Attorney re duced an over bag limit charge Unsigned, unattached waterfowl Forfeit $25.00 stamps Over daily bag limit (2 geese) Forfeit $47.00 ATV operation outside Forfeit $30.50 authorized hours during deer season Taking 1 moose over limit Forfeit $333.00 Managers Kotok, Bell and Lewis attended a 40-hour law enforcement refresher training session at Roseville, Minnesota, in April and May. They also traveled to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, in September to accomplish firearms qua!ification. 59 It is interesting to note that there can be ramifications from performing law enforcement duties. Project Leader Kotok made an unplugged shotgun case in October 1981 which was eventually dismissed in State Court due to insufficient evidence. In May 1983, the individual filed in Conciliation Court to sue Kotok for what he called "an illegal ticket" and to recover the monetary loss he sustained due to travel expenses, loss of wages, meals and phone calls related to the original case. Kotok was directed to request legal representation by the U.S. Attorney to appear in court. The Regional Director was required to prepare a letter to the U.S. Attorney stating that Kotok was authorized to enforce regulations and statutes and that he operated within the scope of his authority. On the day of his official appearance a motion was made to dismiss the case and have the complainant file in Federal Court since a federal officer could not be sued in State Court while operating in the scope of his authority. The individual then decided to drop the case. I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES 1. New Construction A new control was built between Northwest Pool and Pool 8 under Contract ^14-16-003-83-046, The completed project now allows water from Northwest Pool to be diverted into Pool 8 instead of county ditch 35. The 42-inch C.M.P. stop log control was completed on 1 November, but not without problems. Construction monies for the project were allocated in FY 1983, so Engineering requested preliminary site information in October 1982. Specifications and design information were developed by Engineering based on this preliminary information. Without a formal survey or visit by Engineering to the proposed site, Contract ^14-16-003-83-046 was officially awarded to Dieseth Specialty Company, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, on 29 April 1983, for $12,975. They had never built a water control structure prior to this award. It became evident at the preconstruction conference on 15 June that the bottom profiles on the up-and down-stream sides of the proposed site were not correct and that the control, if put there, would not properly function. A new site was selected approximately one-half mile east. This resulted in a contract delay and an increased cost to $15,883.84. Actual construction finally began 7 September. The lack of experience of Dieseth in the construction of control structures was immediately evident when the contractor took nearly 3 weeks to build coffer dams. Progress continued at a slow pace as rain and inexperience combined to hinder progress. The contract took 2 months to complete and the contractor had to pay liquidated damages for 7-days of overrun. The 42- inch C.M.P. stop log control was officially completed on 1 November. The Pool 8 dike, built in 1981, had some finishing touches this year. The dike was shaped in preparation for graveling and seeding. Gravel was spread from the Westgate Road to the Pool 8 control structure to assure access for water management. The slopes and remainder of the road surface will be seeded to a legume/grass mix in 1984. 2. Rehabil itation Two major rehabilitation projects were accomplished in 1983. The first became necessary when on 4 April, a large hole appeared on the north side of the outlet tube on Mud River control structure. Water had eroded a channel from the pool to the outlet ditch. The pool was lowered to the approved elevation and then dropped to 41.7 in mid-May to facilitate repair of the control. Repair work began on 23 May. After excavating around the control it was evident that the water had eroded under the concrete slab in front of the control, worked through exposed holes in the sheet pilings and moved along the length of the outlet tube. A large void appeared under the slab. To repair the problem, a layer of concrete was poured around the base of the control. A hole was drilled in the slab and grout pumped through the hole to fill the void. Fill material was tamped along the north outlet tube, base and wing walls. Shaping and riprapping was completed on 13 June. The second project was the Kilen's ditch cleanout. This $16,800, 1.75 mile project was accomplished force account with fire suppression funds (Melvin Hagen, hired as a temporary dragline operator, used the refuge's dragline to accomplish the project). Work began in June and after numerous delays due to weather, repairs and logistics, was completed on 18 November. The completed project will improve the water supply to Olson Lakes and Thief Bay Pool and will improve our ability to control fire in that part of the refuge. A project done by the county is also noteworthy. On the north boundary, east of Berg's, 1.5 miles of spoil from a 1982 county ditch cleanout was leveled and shaped. Eventually this will be developed into a road that will give refuge vehicle access to this portion of the north boundary. 3. Major Maintenance Two activities occurred in this category in 1983. One was the reshingli of Quarters 1 roof and the other was the stockpiling of 1,550 cubic yard of gravel for maintenance of refuge roads. 4• Equipment Utilization and Replacement New equipment purchased in 1983 included a John Deere snowmobile, a fire trailer to transport a tank/pump unit, a topper for a Chevrolet Luv, and 61 a Bombardier ATV bought with fire suppression funds. The delivery date for the Bombardier ATV is January 1984. 6. Energy The FY 1983 Regional fuel allocation for Agassiz was 12,000 gallons or approximately 1.55 billion BTU's. The refuge consumed about 10,700 gallons (Table 8) totalling 1.40 billion BTU's, a 9.9 percent reduction from the allocation. Diesel consumption, though higher than FY 1982, was still below the average used to pump water in the moist soil units. No pumping has been done since October 1980 due to the lower water regimes of Agassiz Pool. Vehicle fuel efficiency was essentially the same as FY 1982. No new vehicle purchases were authorized this fiscal year. The fuel allotment for FY 1984 is 15,000 gallons, a 3,000 gallon increase from FY 1983. Table 8. Fuel consumption, miles and mileage, 1979-1983, Agassiz NWR Year (FY) 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 Gas (gal )A 9,055 5,771 5,324 5,543 5,046 Mil es 73,2^12 57,359 55,075 61,145 54,779 MPG 8.1 9.9 10.3 11.0 10.9 Diesel (gal)** 7,515 9,080 6,886 3,059 4,521 Aviation (ga1) 0 18 228 757 1,161 ^Regular and unleaded fuel **Diesel #1 and #2 A comprehensive energy survey of the refuge facilities was conducted by Energy Conservation Consultants, Inc., Bloomington, Minnesota under a Regional contract. The purpose of the survey was to locate areas of potential energy savings and outline energy conservation opportunities with recommendations and projected pay-back periods. The recommendation for energy conservation from the final report was the installation of night set back thermostats in the office and 5-stall garage. The head quarters buildings are nearly 50 years old and are energy inefficient!! 7. Other A combination burglary/fire protection system was installed at the Headquarters in June. A telephone dialer system has been set up with the local sheriff department and the Grygla Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department is under an agreement to protect the maintenance center as well as the headquarters buildings. A complete set of infra-red photos was taken in August. This was the second consecutive year that photos were taken and they have proved to be invaluable for the biological and habitat management programs. The headquarters building was cleaned under contract on a trial basis in FY 1983. The service has proved to be very satisfactory and was continued in FY 1984. J. OTHER ITEMS 1. Cooperative Programs Agassiz is involved in a number of cooperative programs with the State, private organizations and other Federal agencies. Activities conducted in cooperation with the Minnesota DNR include ruffed grouse drumming counts, sharp-tailed grouse display ground counts, Canada goose brood counts, duck breeding pair counts, moose production and classification, predator scent post survey, deer pellet course surveys, Controlled Hunt Zone, refuge deer and moose hunts and a monitoring station to measure winter severity on big game. Personnel from the Nongame Program, Minnesota DNR conducted a 2-day assessment of yellow rail habitat in Agassiz Pool. In March, an acid rain monitoring station was set up in cooperation with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (Figure 42). The purpose is to monitor rainfall pH, detect future changes if they occur, and determine the sources of any acid rain pollution. Readings thus far have ranged from pH 4.55 to 6.52 with most readings falling as expected in the pH 5 to 6 range. Other programs include providing weather information to Goodridge School for their degree-heating-day-use and participating in Gypsy moth monitoring. Federal agencies we cooperate with include Denver WRC (collected redwing blackbirds), the National Weather Service (maintain a weather station and monitor snow depth/water content), the Office of Migratory Bird Management (woodcock survey, breeding bird survey), the Bird Banding Lab, and C.E.T.A. (employ youth). Biologist Mattsson ran a breeding bird survey route near Beltrami, Polk County. This is the first time the station has cooperated with this survey. Figure 42. This acid rain monitoring station, the only one in northwest Minnesota, was set up in cooperation with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 10-83 LEL A cooperative agreement between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Red Lake Watershed District, and the Fish and Wildlife Service was developed for the operation of the yet to be constructed Moose River Flood Control Project. 2. Items of Interest The "Refuge Family" expanded! Maintenanceman Virgil Erickson and his wife Cathy became proud parents of a son, Andy. Temporary Wildlife Biologist Don Schultz and his wife Julie became proud parents of a girl, Erin. Manager Kotok and wife Retta expanded their family via marriage of daughter Janice to Dan Reed. A combination of above freezing temperatures, rapid snowmelt and rain during the first two weeks of March caused a great deal of anguish to the entire refuge staff. Ground frost essentially disappeared over night making driving conditions on County 7 deplorable. The 5 mile drive from the paved road to the refuge headquarters was reminiscent of the conditions in the 1930's when vehicles travelled in axle-deep ruts on unimproved trails. Drier conditions resolved the problem though not before Maintenanceman Erickson lost the transmission in his stationwagon. The Marshall County Highway Department eventually re- gravelled the entire length of County 7 in the fall. Manager Kotok displaying his dedication and genuine concern for the resource (and vice versa). Photographer pleads 5th Amendment 3. Credi ts The following individuals were responsible for various sections of this report: Kotok: D 1-4; E 5 Bell: A; E 6-8; F; I 6-7 Mattsson: D 5; E 4; G; K; editing Lewis: B; C; E 1-3; H; I 1-5; J Wikstrom: Typing and assembling 65 K. FEEDBACK LISTEN UP!! Section G.2. provides a summary of activities related to gray wolf monitoring at Agassiz. It should be emphasized that Agassiz is the only national wildlife refuge to have a resident reproducing pack of Eastern gray wolves also, the pack is at the extreme westerly edge of the sub species range. When it was evident that a wolf pack became established in 1982, considerable effort was made by the staff and volunteer help to monitor wolf activity, ie., documenting tracks, scats, howling, visual sightings, etc. We even arranged with Research (Dave Mech and Steve Fritts) to place radios on a few individuals with the intention of ground tracking frequently and aerially tracking once each month. Much useful information was obtained by radio-tracking during 1982 and 1983, eg., territory size, kill locations, numbers of individuals, interactions with other canids (coyotes and fox), interactions with neighboring livestock, etc. In 1983, more radios were placed on wolves and monthly flights were scheduled. To increase the frequency of monitoring flights, additional funding ($1,000) was requested from OES in Region 3. To our amazement not only was the funding request denied, but we were instructed by the Regional Refuge Supervisor to discontinue all flights to monitor radioed wolves. This directive essentially shut down all radio monitoring because ground tracking was inefficient due to the short range (less than one mile) of the radio transmitters. Prior to the directive, monitoring flights were done monthly at a cost of $75 each. Our request for supplemental funding doubled the cost to $150 per month. We feel this cost is insignificant compared to the benefits derived by periodically monitoring the only pack of threatened gray wolves on Service land in the lower 48 states. Apparently, we are alone in our thinking. r—* K. FEEDBACK Section G.2. provides a summary of activities related to gray wolf monitoring at Agassiz. It should be emphasized that Agassiz is the only national wildlife refuge to have a resident reproducing pack of Eastern gray wolves also, the pack is at the extreme westerly edge of the sub species range. When it was evident that a wolf pack became established in 1982, considerable effort was made by the staff and volunteer help to monitor wolf activity, ie,, documenting tracks, scats, howling, visual sightings, etc. We even arranged with Research (Dave Mech and Steve Fritts) to place radios on a few individuals with the intention of ground tracking frequently and aerially tracking once each month. Much useful information was obtained by radio-tracking during 1982 and 1983, eg., territory size, kill locations, numbers of individuals, interactions with other canids (coyotes and fox), interactions with neighboring livestock, etc. In 1983, more radios were placed on wolves and monthly flights were scheduled. To increase the frequency of monitoring flights, additional funding ($1,000) was requested from OES in Region 3. To our amazement not only was the funding request denied, but we were instructed by the Regional Refuge Supervisor to discontinue all flights to monitor radioed wolves. This directive essentially shut down all radio monitoring because ground tracking was inefficient due to the short range (less than one mile) of the radio transmitters. Prior to the directive, monitoring flights were done monthly at a cost of $75 each. Our request for supplemental funding doubled the cost to $150 per month. We feel this cost is insignificant compared to the benefits derived by periodically monitoring the only pack of threatened gray wolves on Service land in the lower 48 states. Apparently, we are alone in our thinking. A Vital Link Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, nestled in a picturesque bay on prehistoric Lake Agassiz, is located in the northwestern corner of I•• . * : £* Minnesota. The evolution of Agassiz serves as a symbol of people's ambitions to bend nature to their wills, and of their compassionate efforts to restore a part of the environment to its natural state. This area, . • ; 4 , once vast grassland scattered with hardwood groves, lakes and potholes, was a paradise for waterfowl and other wildlife during presettlement times. In 1909, a very extensive and costly attempt was made to drain the area now occupied by the refuge. By 1933, the area became so tax delinquent and expensive to maintain that the lands were purchased by the state. It was later turned over to the Bureau of Biological Survey, now the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and developed as a vital link in the chain of National Wildlife Refuges in the Mississippi Flyway. I Revitalized Wetlands In 1937, a major program began to restore the wetland heritage of this area. A dike system created sixteen pools abounding in diverse plant life: cattails, bulrush, reed grass, white top, spikerush, pond weed, coontail, watermilfoil, duck weed and other submergent plants. Almost 4,000 acres of stately conifers, mainly black spruce and tamarack, remain in the north-central area of the refuge which was not drained. Approximately 36,400 acres of open water and marsh revitalized the prehistoric paradise —Agassiz. Wildlife The rich and diverse resources of Agassiz Refuge provide a haven for 257 species of migratory and upland game birds, as well as 41 species of resident mammals. Glimpses into their lives may be obtained if you are quiet... patient... sensitive... observant. With the first buds of spring in early March, migrating waterfowl gray the skies over Agassiz. Later in April and May, songbirds migrate, leaving marsh, water and shorebirds to conduct their courtship rituals. Ruffed grouse drumming, squawking Franklin's gulls in a breeding colony of up to 25,000 birds, and majestic flights of white pelicans reaffirm the promise of life which comes with spring. Legend Refuge Boundary Wilderness Area Refuge Roads Seasonal Roads Lost Bay Auto Tour Route Control Structure Observation Deck S. Observation Tower Foot Trail 0 .8 1.6 3.2 Scale in Kilometers The dense vegetation of summer provides Controlled burning combined with winter University classes and other groups may be excellent protection for molting waterfowl bulldozing improves and maintains the brush given conducted tours if arrangements are and maturing ducklings and goslings. After a and timber areas for management of moose made with the Refuge Manager in advance. restful summer in the sun, they are strong and deer. Checking natural succession Camping is not allowed. The nearest motel enough to migrate south, beginning in late provides an "edge" effect which enhances accommodations are available in Thief River September. By November, only 13 species of the quality of habitat for all wildlife. Falls, 23 miles southwest of the refuge on birds will remain for the winter. Level ditches and potholes at Station #5, Lost State Highway #32. Some animals may be seen year round. Bay Auto Drive, have been developed to Headquarters is located 11 miles east of Perhaps one of the greatest attractions of attract breeding pairs of ducks in the spring Holt on County Road 7. Refuge Manager, Agassiz is the opportunity to view a moose in and to provide brood ponds during summer. Middle River, Minnesota 56737. the wild. The best time to view moose is in The earthen spoils are excellent loafing sites Phone: (Holt) 218/449-4115 the early morning hours and at dusk during for birds during spring, summer and fall. late summer and fall. The refuge moose Wilderness Area population is estimated to be 250, inclusive Approximately 4,000 acres of conifers, mainly of adjoining wildlife management areas. black spruce and tamarac, are located in the As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most White-tailed deer are abundant and may be north-central portion of the refuge. This of our nationally owned public lands and natural observed at many locations during the year. block of habitat will be managed as part of resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our the National Wilderness Preservation System. land and water resources, protecting our fish and Occasionally an eastern timber wolf is wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural observed during the winter months. Visiting the Refuge values of our national parks and historical places, and "Lost Bay Drive," a self-guided auto tour, providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor Maintaining a Balance with foot trail provides you with an recreation. The Department assesses our energy and In order to maintain balance in the diverse opportunity to visit the refuge for nature mineral resources and works to assure that their habitats of Agassiz, a variety of management development is in the best interests of all our people. study, wildlife photography or sightseeing practices are used which will benefit all fish The Department also has a major responsibility for from early spring to late fall. Tour guide and wildlife species found here. American Indian reservation communities and for leaflets, refuge leaflets and bird lists are people who live in island territories under U.S. Wafer control provides for year round water available at refuge headquarters. A administration. levels which influence the growth of aquatic one-hundred-foot tower and deck are also and emergent vegetation in each of the available for observation. sixteen pools. Department of the interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service RF-3-32510-1-8/83 Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge To Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge Your Guide To Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge is one of nearly 400 refuges in the United States. It was established in 1937 primarily for migratory waterfowl. Visitors are welcome at Agassiz to view the wildlife and to learn about the wildlife management activities. What is there to do? Refuge Headquarters Auto Drive Wildlife Observation Hiking Birdwatching Photography You are invited to look, listen and enjoy. Please remember to "take only pictures and leave only footprints." If you need more information, contact the refuge manager at refuge headquarters. CD Lansing Parker Observation Area: An observation platform will introduce you to the Dahl Pool marsh community. (2) Observation Tower Climb 100 feet for a East Pool panoramic view of the refuge. ••••••• --- Auto Tour Route: Numbered sign posts refer to descriptions in this leaflet. A Maintenance Complex: Closed to visitors. Shop facilities for refuge maintenance purposes. — County Road 7 • • • Refuge Service Roads • Refuge Headquarters I N Miles Vz 1 2 H ^ 1 County Road 7 and Auto Tour Map .8 1.6 3.2 Kilometers Lost Bay Trail The four mile long Lost Bay Trail will give you an Historically Agassiz Pool was known as Mud and beavers also live in the marsh. Marsh introduction to the refuge. Numbered signposts Lake. In the early 1900's, the lake was drained management maintains the diversity of bird and refer to the descriptions that follow. The auto and its bottom opened to homesteading. animal life. drive is open during daylight hours in spring, summer and fall. 4. "Prescribed burning" is another management 8. In this transition area, where the trees meet tool used to improve wildlife habitat. Controlled the marsh, wildlife managers refer to the "edge 1. The flat topography and mineral soils of fires have periodically swept through this area effect." Where two types of habitat meet, wildlife northwestern Minnesota tell us that Glacial Lake killing the tops of mature willow and matted benefits are higher. There is more food and Agassiz once covered most of this area. The grasses. Re-sprouted willow shrubs are tender cover available and therefore wildlife diversity is trees growing here indicate that the land is a and nutritious food for deer and moose. The lush increased. little higher in elevation than the surrounding new grass and forbs are excellent nesting cover marsh. The refuge headquarters is actually for ducks. One of the goals in wildlife management is to located on a small island. Watch for other create and maintain diversity by encouraging islands of trees as you drive. 5. Upland nesting areas are as important to "edge." At Agassiz, this is often accomplished ducks as water. The dense vegetation provides during the winter months with bulldozers. By 2. At Agassiz, water management is the most secure nesting cover. Combined with the small shearing off over-mature willow, natural important tool that refuge managers use. This potholes and level ditches in this area, it has succession is interrupted. Young willow and water control structure enables water to flow become ideal spring and summer waterfowl other types of vegetation grow creating "edges" from Headquarters Pool on the right to Agassiz habitat. along older willow. Pool on the left. The dike you are driving on forms the barrier between the pools. 6. A one quarter mile foot trail begins here. Park You have driven through just a small portion of the car and stretch your legs while you explore the vast wetland complex at Agassiz National Water levels determine vegetation types. and look for birds, deer and other wildlife in this Wildlife Refuge. Wildlife and people will continue Managers manipulate water levels to encourage small upland. to benefit from the management and a desirable interspersion of plant growth and preservation of areas like Agassiz. open water. This provides better habitat for The top level of this dike has been raised to waterfowl, especially for duckling broods. provide better water control. Higher water levels Additional information may be obtained from: will restore Lost Bay Pool and improve it for 3. Agassiz Pool is the largest refuge pool. Its waterfowl. The water control structure is similar Refuge Manager average depth is only about three feet. Pelicans to the one at Station 2, but on a smaller scale. Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge and cormorants use this pool extensively during Middle River, MN 56737 the summer, and it is very important as a 7. Agassiz's wetlands serve many functions. (218) 449-4115 waterfowl brood rearing and molting area. Rafts They absorb spring flood waters like a giant of migrating ducks congregate in the fall. sponge. Water passing through wetland areas is cleansed by filtration of sediments and nutrients. This keeps the marsh a very rich community. Wildlife diversity in wetlands includes much more than waterfowl. Many marsh and shorebirds such as great blue herons, Franklin's gulls and black terns can be seen, and muskrats As the Nation's principal conservation agency the natinnln ent 0f ^ lnteri0r haS resP0nsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the histohraT9!131 and CUltUral ValUeS 0f 0Ur national Parks ^d thrnnnh ^f95' and Providing for the enjoyment of life Inemv .nn 00r re?reati0n- The DePartment assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interests of all our people The Indian RP6^ alSt0 haS 3 maj0r resPonsibility for American Ind.an Reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration. Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Species s S F w Connecticut Warbler r Mourning Warbler o o Birds Common Yellowthroat* c c c Wilson's Warbler u u o Date No. Species Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge Canada Warbler o 0 American Redstart* u u u Minnesota Time Afield House Sparrow* u u u u Bobolink* u c o Western Meadowlark* c c c Observers Yellow-headed Blackbird c c c Red-winged Blackbird* c c c Weather Orchard Oriole r Northern Oriole* c c 0 Rusty Blackbird u c Remarks Brewer's Blackbird* u u u Common Crackle* c u c Brown-headed Cowbird* c c c Scarlet Tanager r r Rose-breasted Grosbeak* u c 0 Indigo Bunting r r Evening Grosbeak u u u Purple Finch* u u u Pine Grosbeak o 0 u Hoary Redpoll 0 o Common Redpoll c u c Pine Siskin u r u r American Goldfinch* c c c Species s S F w Red Crossbill r o o The refuge office is on State Aid Highway 7 Veery* u c 0 White-winged Crossbill r o 0 eleven miles east of Holt, Minnesota. Addi Eastern Bluebird 0 Rufous-sided Towhee r Savannah Sparrow* u c u tional information may be obtained from the Golden-crowned Kinglet c c Grasshopper Sparrow r Refuge Manager, Middle River, Minnesota Ruby-crowned Kinglet c c LeConte's Sparrow * u u 0 56737, telephone (218) 449-4115. Water Pipit 0 u Sharp-tailed Sparrow* 0 Vesper Sparrow u u u Bohemian Waxwing r r 0 Dark-eyed Junco c o c Cedar Waxwing* u c u Tree Sparrow c c As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the De Northern Shrike o u c Chipping Sparrow * u u u partment of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This u u u Clay-colored Sparrow* u c u Starling* Harris' Sparrow u ,U includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water Yellow-throated Vireo* 0 u o White-crowned Sparrow u u resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the Solitary Vireo o o White-throated Sparrow* c u c environmental and cultural values of our national parks Red-eyed Vireo* u u u Fox Sparrow c c and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of Philadelphia Vireo o 0 Lincoln's Sparrow u u life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses Warbling Vireo* u c u Swamp Sparrow* u c u our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that Song Sparrow* c c u their development is in the best interests of all our people. Black-and-White Warbler u u u Lapland Longspur u u The Department also has a major responsibility for Ameri Tennessee Warbler c c c Snow Bunting u c c can Indian reservation communities and for people who Orange-crowned Warbler u r u live in island territories under U.S. administration. Nashville Warbler 0 c u Accidentals Yellow Warbler* c c u Magnolia Warbler u Snowy Egret Whimbrel Cape May Warbler u u u Lousiana Heron Red Knot White-faced Ibis Hawk Owl Yellow-rumped Warbler a u a Brant Boreal Owl Black-throated Green Warbler u o Cinnamon Teal Wood Thrush ' Blackburnian Warbler r r European Wigeon Mountain Bluebird Chestnut-sided Warbler o o Red-shouldered Hawk Loggerhead Shrike Bay-breasted Warbler o o Gyrfalcon Prothonotary Warbler Blackpoll Warbler c c Prairie Falcon Golden-winged Warbler Palm Warbler c 0 c King Rail Northern Parula Ovenbird* u u 0 Common Gallinule Field Sparrow Department of the Interior Northern Waterthrush u u u Piping Plover U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ft U. S. Government Printing Office 1978-76<-444 1 Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge occupies part CHECKLIST Species s s F w Species s S F w of the bed of glacial Lake Agassiz in northwest Turkey Vulture r r Screech Owl r ern Minnesota. Containing over 61,000 acres, it The following bird list contains 257 species Goshawk 0 o u Great Horned Owl* c c c c Sharp-shinned Hawk u u u is a unit in a chain of national wildlife refuges in which have been identified on the refuge since Snowy Owl o u u 1937. Those species of extremely rare or Cooper's Hawk 0 o o Barred Owl r r r the Mississippi Flyway extending from Canada Broad-winged Hawk* u 0 u Great Gray Ow! r to Mexico. It was established in 1937. accidental occurance are listed separately. Swainson's Hawk r Short-eared Owl 0 0 o Rough-legged Hawk c c u Saw-whet Owl r State Aid Highway 7 passes through the south Seasonal occurrence and abundance are coded Golden Eagle u u 0 u u as follows: Bald Eagle u 0 c o Whip-poor-will* ern portion of the refuge and provides an Common Nighthawk* u o u S — March-May a — abundant Marsh Hawk* c u c excellent cross-section of the local habitat Osprey r r Ruby-throated Hummingbird* u u u types. The terrain is flat with an average of s — June-August c — common Peregrine Falcon o o only 1 foot of change in elevation per mile. F — September-November u — uncommon Merlin o 0 Belted Kingfisher u o u Open water and freshwater marshes occupy W — December-February o — occasional American Kestrel* u u u Common Flicker * c c c Red-tailed Hawk* c c c Pileated Woodpecker r r r r 36,000 acres. On higher ground extensive r — rare Red-headed Woodpecker 0 o o * — nests on refuge Ruffed Grouse* c c c c areas of willows, open grasslands, and scattered Sharp-tailed Grouse* u u u u Yellow-bellied Sapsucker u u stands of hardwoods comprised of aspen, elm, Gray Partridge* 0 o o o Hairy Woodpecker* u u u u oak, and ash are conspicuous. Two spruce- Downy Woodpecker* c c c c Sandhill Crane* c u c Black-backed 3-toed Woodpecker r r r r tamarack bogs with associated bog lakes Species S s F W Virginia Rail* u u u comprise a wilderness area within the refuge. Common Loon o r o Sora Rail* c c c Eastern Kingbird* c c 0 Red-necked Grebe* c c c American Coot* a a a Western Kingbird u u Great Crested Flycatcher u u 0 The restored shallow water marshes contain Horned Grebe c o c Semipalmated Plover c c c interspersed open water and emergent plants Eared Grebe*j o u o Eastern Phoebe* u u u Killdeer* c c c Yellow-bellied Flycatcher r Western Grebe* c c c American Golden Plover o r o and attract 13 kinds of breeding ducks each Pied-billed Grebe* a a a Alder Flycatcher u u Black-bellied Plover u u Least Flycatcher* c c u year. An established flock of giant Canada u r r White Pelicah c c c Ruddy Turnstone Eastern Wood Pewee* c c geese also nests on the refuge. The primary American Woodcock* u u u u Double-crested Cormorant c c c Olive-sided Flycatcher r management objective of Agassiz Refuge is Common Snipe* c c c Great Blue Heron* c c c Upland Sandpiper* 0 0 Horned Lark* u u u u to provide optimum habitat conditions for Green Heron u u u Spotted Sandpiper* c c c duck production. Cattle Egret r r r Solitary Sandpiper u u u Tree Swallow* c c u Great Egret* u u u Greater Yellowlegs c c c Bank Swallow u u o Black-crowned Night Heron c c c Lesser Yellowlegs c c c Rough-winged Swallow r Least Bittern 0 o o Willet r r Barn Swallow* c c c American Bittern* c c c Pectoral Sandpiper c c c Cliff Swallow* c a u Purple Martin* u u Whistling Swan c r c White-rumped Sandpiper o Canada Goose* c c c Baird's Sandpiper o 0 o Gray Jay r r o White-fronted Goose 0 r Least Sandpiper c c c Blue Jay* u u u Snow Goose u c Dunlin u o Black-billed Magpie* o 0 c c Mallard* a a cf Semipalmated Sandpiper c c u Common Raven u r u c Black Duck* o 0 u Western Sandpiper r Common Crow* c c c Gadwall* c c c Sanderling o 0 Dowitcher sp. c c c Black-capped Chickadee* c c c c Pintail* c u c Stilt Sandpiper u u u Boreal Chickadee r r Green-winged Teal* c u c Buff-breasted Sandpiper r r White-breasted Nuthatch* u 0 u 0 Blue-winged Teal* a a a Marbled Godwit* u u Red-breasted Nuthatch o 0 American Wigeon* c c c Hudsonian Godwit u Northern Shoveler* c c c American Avocet o r Brown Creeper 0 0 Wood Duck* u u u Wilson's Phalarope * c u u House Wren* u c u Redhead* c c c Northern Phalarope u u Winter Wren r 0 r Ring-necked Duck* c c c u Long-billed Marsh Wren* u c u Canvasback* c c c Herring Gull u (Marsh Wren) Ring-billed Gull c u c Greater Scaup u u Short-billed Marsh Wren* u c u Lesser Scaup* c u c Franklin's Gull* c c c (Sedge Wren) Common Goldeneye c r u Bonaparte's Gull u 0 u Bufflehead c u Forster's Tern* c c o Mockingbird r Oldsquaw r r Common Tern 0 r r Gray Catbird* u c u White-winged Scoter 0 r o Caspian Tern 0 o o Brown Thrasher 0 o Black Tern* c c o Ruddy Duck* c c c American Robin* c c c Hooded Merganser* c u u Mourning Dove* c c c Hermit Thrush u u Common Merganser c 0 Swainson's Thrush u u u u 0 Red-breasted Merganser o Black-billed Cuckoo* Gray-cheeked Thrush o o The Moose and Where He Lives AGASSIZ NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, MINNESOTA As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the De partment of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserv ing the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoy ment of life through outdoor recreation. The Depart ment assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best in terests of all our people. The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration. Department of the Interior Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service RF-3-32510-3-8/83 The moose is a comparative latecomer in the his tributary marshes in western Wyoming, and portions toric origin of North American big-game species. of Montana and Idaho. Though moose are inhabi This hoofed mammal drifted from Asia to Alaska tants of marsh, bog, and river environments, they during the Pleistocene-the glacial epoch or Ice have the versatility to exist, to some extent, in the Age. Ocean waters shifted to the polar ice cap and flat farm regions of northern Minnesota and on sea level was lowered, uncovering the jutting straits mountainous dry slopes in seeming elk habitat of of the Bering Sea. This land link served as a bridge the West. for emigrating animals. The moose is the largest and perhaps the most un Moose are found today in northern reaches of the orthodox member of the deer family. The enormous European and North American continents. The amount of meat available from a harvested adult principal domain of American moose stretches moose and the trophy-like palmate antlers of bulls across Canada, much of Alaska, and sectors of the have attracted widespread attention from hunters. Yukon and Northwest Territories. The privilege to hunt a moose is rated by many These huge herbivores are still found in Maine, Min hunters as the greatest opportunity a sportsman nesota, Michigan, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. can receive. Incidental sightings have been reported in other The popular value of this splendid game animal states. works in strange ways, however. In some areas Limited hunting of established moose populations poachers take as many—or more—moose than in Minnesota, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana was bonafide sportsmen harvest during legitimate allowable in 1975 under fixed license quota pro hunting seasons. This practice effects management grams. As the major moose herds in the lower 48 of moose populations and limits opportunities to states today, these populations have premium value develop and maintain moose herds where poaching in any assessment of North American wildlife. is excessive. Development of the herds occurred in the recent The moose is not a herding animal; rather it is past; moose being rare in the states at the turn of solitary, seldom grouping with more than a few of the century. its own kind. Cows are protective of calves—the Natural and man-made changes in habitats contrib females keeping the young with them in full uted to the development of Minnesota's moose watchful custody. herd. Abandoned farmsteads near the state's Red Compared to other members of the deer family, the River Valley declined in quality and reverted to moose is ungainly. But this long-legged deer can marsh, willow and aspen tracts, thus creating suit negotiate swamp and boggy areas where other ani able habitat to sustain moose. mals would flounder. Moose are able swimmers and Controlled burning of rank and woody vegetation they take to water regularly. The nostrils of a at the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, northeast moose contain a V-shaped valve that allows the of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, encouraged new animal to feed on aquatic roots with its massive growth of willow—the major preferred food of head submerged for several minutes. Both sexes moose. Moreover, waterfowl management programs have a "bell" attached to the throat—a pendant carried out by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service flap of skin and hair—that serves no apparent at the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge created functional value. broader bases for the development of aquatic plants These anatomical peculiarities, coupled with the relished by these amphibious herbivores. enormous value of this relatively scarce game ani To the west, Shiras moose (a subspecies) established mal, make the moose an elite member of North a bastion along the willow-lined rivers and America's wildlife community. Hunting Regulations HUNTING BIG GAME SEASON DATES MAP & Deer (Gun) State season for appropriate zone REGULATIONS SPECIAL CONDITIONS The Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge is open only to the hunting of deer in accordance with all applicable State regulations and as posted. Note Refuge Headquarters areas are closed to hunting. • All other wildlife species are protected and may NOT be killed. • Hunters will not be allowed to enter the refuge before 6:00 AM and must leave the refuge by dark each day. • Vehicles must remain on designated roads and parking areas. • All-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles are prohibited. Trail bikes and motorcycles will confine themselves to designated roads and parking areas as required of other vehicles. Travel by any conveyance off designated roads will constitute a violation. Overnight camping and open fires are NOT permitted on the refuge. Primitive camping sites are available on nearby State Wildlife Management Areas. All injuries or accidents occurring on the refuge must be reported immediately to the Refuge Headquarters, Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, Middle River, Minnesota 56737. Phone Number 218/449-4115 QUALITY HUNTING DEPENDS ON YOU AGASSIZ PLEASE RESPECT ALL REGULATIONS JULY 1982 National Wildlife Refuge/MN wmmmmmaa Hunting Map REGULATIONS ON BACK SIDE OF MAP LEGEND REFUGE SIGNS — KNOW THEIR MEANING Seal* in Milns 0 'A 1 2 1 1 1 1 O 1 1.6 3.2 NATIONAL Seal* in Kilom.l.i WILDLIFE Minnesota DNR '//J REFUGE Refuge Boundary mm Wilderness Area AREA Seasonal Roads Refuge Roads BEYOND THIS SIGN UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY Lost Bay .... PROHIBITED Auto Tour Route Closed To Hunting CLOSED Observation Deck H Observation Tower 1 REFUGE BOUNDARY HUNTING PERMITTED SANCTUARY AREA — SIGN — OFF LIMITS TO Campground • THE PUBLIC UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED Parking P NO HUNTING •