QUARTEPXY NARRATIVE REPORTS - ROUTING SLIP DIVISION OF WILDLIFE REFUGES DATE: 19V7

y/ M. SALTER y SECTION OF HABITAT IMPROVEMENT:

KuLiulie.k- (W

Ivlr. Smith A^6£ MRS, G/iRVH^ —Mr» OrifPi'lili

c/ m. DUl^ONT Mi as Cook

SECTION OF OPERATIONS: SECTION OF ERil:

Mr. Ball Mr. Rpgan >2..../

RrunEnes LiK. uMjy Mrs. Watkins Mrs. Fishinan

Mrs. Kricun

_4eZ/ SECTION OF LAND MANAGEMENT; STEK OGRj'iPHERS:

Benu^tuu Hiss Price

y SECTION OF STRUCTURES:

M-r T-y'1 — .'A ' ^

Hri fin "tnfjr-

y / ^ RESA'iRKS: & Cr^ 7 ±LL r

Return to;

*K IN REPLY REFER TO

UNITED STATES alee Lake DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Harrative Report F1SH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

600 national Building Minaeapcliat Hinaeifota

February 14, 1941

Director, Fi«h and Wildlife Hurvioe

uaaiiiagtoa, D* C«

Dear Sin

Thar© is enclosed tiie quarterly narrative report for

the Rice Lake national Wildlife Refuge for the period ending

January 31, 1341, as submitted by Mr* £* 0* Knopp, Refuge

Manager*

We are calling Mr* Knopp*# attention to utilising

some form of binding in assembling his narrative reports*

Vary truly yours.

P* C* Glllett Refuge Inspector

/ x Snelosure or s-rnsFi Yjqaa m

83TAT8 Q3TIHU HOmHTHI 3HT 30 TUHMTFIA^BQ ***1 ^xk 3D1VH38 33IJaJIW QUA H8n ^oqm% vyrtemtuM

salbLluQ ImaoM** 00d aJouvunl taXXoqa?«uiiM

IKI tkl vusirxcf^

•oiTiofl •liXMiW ba* t'xo^o«^10

•0 •(! ,uot&aidmMk

til8 wtG

tol J~ioqei pi f t< i^ifl xlift^uaup beaolons ai ®i»t£T

galbiw boitaq •rfd' iol ©TtiXMlW Xaxjo1^*11 oauai ©oiH

•jiflmR %qqosa .0 .a ^ !»**&*** «« tX^eX tX5

SiiiaiXiiif o^- Liolfnoffa ••qqoaS ^CSIXXAO »W

• v^tocai »tX^a*i*ijaa aiii stjiXJmea^ aX griiluxid lo snol ©ctoa

tatuo\

^sXXXO • io^o»qanI

oijjaoXocCd INDEX

I« GENERAL

Ao Weather Conditions

Bo Water Conditions

Co Fires

II. WILDLIFE

A. Waterbirds

I. Population and Behavior

(a) Species

(b) Groups

2o Food and Cover

3. Disease

(a) Botulism

(b) Lead poisoning or other diseases

Bo UPLAND GriME BIRDS

1. Population and behavior

2. Report on upland game stocking

C. BIG GAME ANIMALS

1. Population

2. Behavior

D. FUR BEARING rt.NIMrt.LS, PREDATORS, RODENTS i^ID OTHER ANIMALS

1. Population and behavior

2. Control

Eo FIS&p I v %

TOANSMirn® BY BBGIONAt OFFICE m

X* }..oherr9-f 7 on arua p«ir9ATOi.

» »

S* F^P'n A701.

X • hobrrj^^xou

Q • p

B«boi..p 00 rrhj^uq gpira ^OCKJ:".

J • T: ObnT.lf TOTJ ^uq popiTATOI.

* f •

(p) piraq boiao::T>r% ol o$uol g^gesr^E

(s) pop/rj1 SfiJ

i • DXSGP afe

. g * i«,ooq ft'uq Co a si.

(p) Gto/jfca

{») 3b;.CTttr?

J' £ob0JprpTO0 vrug BQp&AjOZ

* ' f; L XLq-. iViTDnfj:

• £ J 1.93

• • • i, rjonc T p TO

• si ••.pr ... * j "qT r ;j c

Eiwr

IKDKSf INDEX

IIIo REFUGE DEVELOBdENT AND MAINTENANCE

A» Physical Development

IStatement of Progress

£o Plantings

I. Aquatics and marsh plants

2o Cultivated crops

5. Trees and shrubs

4® Grasses

Co Collections

Ic Plant Material

8» Specimens

Do Distribution of seed and nursery Stock

lo Receipts

IVo PUBLIC RELATIONS

A. Recreational Uses

1. Recreation Areas

2. Fishing

3« Hunting

(a) Public shooting Areas

(b) Local Hunting

4« Number of visitors (Official or general public).

(a) Names of Official and important visitors

and time spent at Refugei

Bo Violations -3-

imsx.

v., ECONOMIC USES OF REFUGE

A# Grazing

I© Acres, number animals, period, effect and revenue

Bo Haying

lo Acres, number ton and revenue

Co Timber Removal

I. Species, amount, purpose of cutting and revenue

Do Cooperative Farming

lo Statement of conditions and progress

Eo Fur Harvest

lo Detailed Statement

Fo Commercial Fishing

VI• FIELD INVESTIGATION OR APPLIED RESEARCH

VIIo Other Items

A# General RICE LAKE NATIONAL JfcTLDIIFE REFUGE QUARTERLY NARRATIVE REPORT NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, AND JANUARY, 1940-1941

I* GENERAL

h.9 Weather Conditions

The Rice Lake National Migratory-

Waterfowl Refuge at the present time, does not operate an official weather station. The snowfall, Precipitation, maximum, and minimum temperatures indicated on the table below are taken from the Official War Department records of their station located at Libby, Minnespta, about 15 miles r North of the Rice Lake Refuge.

Month Snowfall Precipitation Max. Min. Temp. Temp.

Nov. 19.3 2.04 31.7 17.

Dec. 3.7 0.05 26.58 8.35

Jan. 11.9 .87 20.97 1.64

Total 34.9 2.97

Although there are no official figures available for the same period a year ago, a check of reports reveals that as far as precipitation is concerned, this period is in direct contrast to the same period one year ago, when the snowfall did not exceed 6 inches for the entire period.

Particular mention should be made of weather conditions for the month of November, on Nov. 11, 12, and

13, one of the worst blizzards in 75 years was experienced.

About 1C inches of snow fell on these days accompanied by high winds that reached a velocity of 60 miles per hour.

War Department figures covering this period

show that snowfall was above average and temperatures for

the entire period, about normal.

B. Water Conditions

During the first half of November, water

levels in the area gradually rose from 95.1 on the first of

the month to 95.8 on the 26th, and remained at this level

during the remainder of the period. These levels are considerably

above those for the same period of the previous year and is

due to the more than average rainfall during August, September,

and October.

All water in the area, with the exception

of several places in Rice River, were entirely frozen over on

Nov. 14, and remained that way for the remainder of the period.

Rice River was completely frozen over on Nov. 26. Lake levels

were about 6 inches above normal.

Co Fires

No fires occurred on the refuge during this period.

II. WILDLIFE

A. WTaterbirds

I. Population and Behavior

(a) At the beginning of this period, waterbirds •y making use of the area consisted of an estimated 80,000 Lesser y Scaup, and Ringnecked ducks, 6000 Mallards, 5,000 Coot. On November 10, twenty four Swan were observed on Rice Lake.

On the same day about 150 unidentified Geese were also observed, heavy mist on this day made accurate identification impossible.

About 95^ of the Mallards ware observed in the Rice River. The Lesser Scaup and Ringneck concentrated on Mandy Lake, this lake covers an area of about 80 acres.

During the days when there was no hunting on Rice Lake, about

25^ of the Lesser Scaup, and Ringneck would feed in that area.

From Nov. 1st, to the 10th, the number of ducks decreased slowly and on the 10th, of Nov. there was a very noticable restlessness among the ducks. This was the last day when ducks were observed in considerable number. An estimated 60,000 ducks inhabited the area on that day.

On Nov. 11, and 12, a severe blizzard made / observations impossible. On Nov. 13, an estimated 4,000 Lesser

Scaup and 30 Canadian JGeese were observed on Mandy Lake, 80 i/ Canadian Geese were observed flying over the area on the same day. During the night temperatures dropped to below zero and all water in the area was entirely frozen over with the excep­ tion of a small place in Rice River. On Nov. 14, and 15, about

30 Lesser 7Scaup were sitting on the ice on Mandy Lake, those ducks were able to take to the air when an attempt was made to approach them. No more waterfowl were observed during this period except on Nov. 19, and 26, one unidentified duck was Observed flying from a cornfield on the area. / / .o / -r 2m Food and Cover

Food and cover conditions herein described

cover only that part of this period prior to general freeze

up or from Nov. 1-14.

Rice Lake afforded an abundance of food

and cover. Wildrice beds and rushes provided wind protection

and in the open areas there was an abundance of Wild Celery®

A very large percentage of the ducks on the area failed to

take advantage of these ideal conditions but it is believed

this was due to the fact that hunting was permitted on Rice

Lake*

It is believed that the large concentration

of ducks on Mandy Lake exhausted the food supply and repeated

attempts to frighten the birds from the lake after 4:00 P.M.

proved futile. Lesser Scaup and Ringnecked duck used this

area almost exclusively*

Rice River afforded an abundance of Wild Rice

for food and cover and during the first half of Nov. this area

was used almost exclusively by Mallards*

3* Disease

There was no evidence of Botulism or lead pois-

dming during this period nor were any reports of same received®

B® UPLAND GAME BIRDS

I® Population and Behavior (a) Prairie Chicken

On only one occasjfeion during this period were

Prairie Chicken positively identified as being on the area.

Three of these birds wi observed in cornfield on the Refuge.

(b) Sharptail Grouse

Sharptail Grouse could be observed daily feeding in refuge cornfield, not more than fifty of these birds were observed at any one time. This number is about 20^ less than for the same period one year ago. 1/ (c) Ruffed Grouse

There is no question but what the Ruffed

Grouse is the most predominant species of upland gamebird on the area. During the last period these birds were observed on any part of the area^ where cover prevailed. During this period deep snow made it impossible for these birds to find cover on the higher ground and there is every indication that the birds have moved into the Cedar, Bals&n, and Spruce swamps for cover and protection. Observation would seem to indicate that the number of Ruffed Grouse is less than during the previous period, this may or may not be due to depredations or may be due to the fact that the birds have retired from those areas where observations cc be made more frequently.

Chinese Pheasant

During the previous period and the first half of November, there was every indication that these birds were -6

staging a come back in this localityand on the refuge.

Up to the time of the severe blizzard on Nov. 11-12, it was estimated that about 30 Pheasant inhabited the area.

Although no dead birds were found by refuge personnel several local residents reported finding dead birds and the peculiar manner in which some of these birds died bears mentioning. Prior to the blizzard and heavy snow there was no frost in the ground, on the day that attempts were made to clear roads and highways of snow the temperature was about

5® above zero, as soon as snow plows and graders passed expo­ sing unfrozen ground the pheasants appeared and concentrated along these roads seeking food and grit, the birds would pick in the unfrozen ground and the wet and soft dirt would stick to the bill causing a frozen accumulation of dirt on the bill eventually caused starvation or suffocation. I personally observed one cock pheasant along a refuge road with an accum­ ulation of dirt on the bill about 1 inch in diameter.

Three food shelter^were constructed and phea­ sants made daily use of these and the cornfield on the area.

The Sharp Tailed Grouse made daily use of the cornfield. There is an ample supply of natural food on the area for more than the present population but due to the deep snow pheasants were hard pressed and would not range far from cover.

No disease was noticed among any of the upland gamebird population.

No predation on upland gamebirds was noticed but on Nov. 14, an interesting attempt at predation was observed. Two hen pheasants were noticed feeding on weed seeds along a refuge road embankment, a small weasel not more than six inches in length would burrough beneath the sno?/ and attempt to come up near the pheasant, the pheasant would fly several feet and again began feeding, the weasel made at least six of these attempts and on the last occassion when success was almost attained the birds were frightened and flew to cover®

2. Stocking of up-land game birds has not been author­ ized for this refuge®

C. BIG- GAME ANIMALS.

I. Population

During the first half of November and X prior to the opening date of the Minnesota deer hunting season, deer were observed on only a few occassions. There is an abundance of deer food on the refuge, and this is also true of the surrounding territory® The deer observed were all

Does and fawns®

The State open season for deer in the surrounding territory from Nov. 15, to 25, inclusive.During this period observation of tracks along the refuge showed that 30 or 32 deer entered the refuge, and that 8 tracks showed deer leaving the refuge. Due to deep snow, evidence and reports showed that deer had begun to browse as early -8-

as Novo 15. It was interesting to note that tracks indicated that several hunters following deer tracks refrained from following when the deer entered the refuge.

During the remainder of the period most of the deer stayed within the area and those observed appeared in excellent shape. It is estimated that at the end of the period about 35 deer inhabit the refugeo

D« FUR BEARING ANIMALS, PREDATOR, RODENTS, AND OTHER ANIMALS

I. Population and Behavior / The muskrat still remains the most

predominant and important fur-bearer on the area. Natur­ ally there has been no increase over the previous period but a very slight decrease is possible due to predation by mink, but no signs of predation were observed. After the freeze up on Nov. 14, many small feed houses appeared on all the water areas of the refuge and there is no evid­

ence of food shortage and water conditions throughout the

period were favorable. X Mink signs on the refuge indicate a favor­ able population of mink, but there is evidence of a decrease in numbers over the previous period due to the fact that these animals range on and off the refuge and reports from trappers bear out this fact.

The most frequently observed and by far the most predominant predator on the refuge, is the small weasel. Observations of these animals and their tracks show a considerable increase.

No signs of Bobcat previously repor­ ted, were observed during this period.

The Coyote, observed on the refuge on inany,occassions was taken by a trapper off of the area.

There is no evidence that competitive pressure has had any material effect on any species of game birds or animals.

2. RODENT AND PREDATOR CONTROL - None.

E. FISH

General conditions for fish life has been reported in previous reports, but due to heavy snow covering the ice, and reports from surrounding territory would indicate that conditions for fish are less favorable during this period than previously reported.

No permits for fishing were issued during this period, nor has the stocking of fish been authorized.

III. REFUGE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE

A. Physical Development.

All physical development during this period has been carried on by G.C.C. The following is a brief statement on the more important physical development projects in operation and completed during this period. -10-

During this period, physical work projects was below average, this is no doubt due to severe weather conditions and the absence of many enr- ollees over the holiday periods.

During this period about 850 mandays were used on maintenance and truck trail construction.

After Nov, 11, much of this work consisted of snow removal and resurfacing the main road from East Lake to

Rice River,

Seventy one mandays were expended on fencing project from Nov.l, to the 9th, of Nov, after

Nov, 11, blizzard work on this project was abandoned during the remainder of the period.

During this period 470 mandays were expended in order to complete the telephone line from

East Lake, to Mcgregor^

About 900 mandays were expended on the levee and spillway, this work consisted of completing dike to spillway and additional fill and hauling riprap material to site of spillway.

About 20 mandays were expended razing one undesirable structure of no salvage value.

At least 1000 mandays were utilized in construction of Refuge Managers Dwelling, this work consisted of hauling sand, plastering basement floor, plastering completed and construction of outside basement -11.

steps.

About 400 rnandays were expended in work

on the Service building. This work consisted in completion

of folding doors, office interior, work shop bench and cabinets

plumbing and flooring in office.

52 mandays were expended in construction

of bird shelters,

Patrolmans dwelling project consisted

of construction of chimney, and erection of interior partitions.

800 mandays.

600 mandays were expended on the Riprap

project, this work consisted of hauling material and preparing ground work for riprap.

In January of this period, the well at the Administrative headquarters was completed and bid for well

pump were prepared.

B.C.and D.

During this period there were no

planting, or collections of plant material or specimens nor was there any distribution or receipts of nursery stock.

IV. PUBLIC RELATIONS

A. Recreational Uses.

1. No recreational areas have been provided for the general public. A skating rink on Rice River was provided for

C.C.C. enrollees. -12-

2« There was no fishing on the refuge during this

period.

3. Hunting

(a) Public shooting areas have not been approved

for Rice Lake Refuge.

(b) From Nov. 1, to 10, hunting continued on Rice

Lake. The most successful day for the hunters was on Nov.10,

the day before the severe Armistice day blizzard, on that

day about 12 hunters used the area and several bag limits

were taken. The birds taken consisted equally of Ringneck

and Lesser Scaup.

4. Visitors.

Name Date Time Spent

Robert Coppes Dec. 12, 1 day

Phil Nelson "12, 1 "

B. Violations.

No violations occurred on the Refuge.

V. E0ONOMIC USES OF REFUGE.

A. Grazing

There has been no grazing or application

for grazing during this period.

B. Haying

The following tabulations indicates the

acerage, amount in tons removed, revenue received, and -13'

permittee under permits issued during the two previous quarterly reports.

Permit No, Permittee Tons Acres Revenue

3108 Herman Lueck 26.76 53 13.38

3319 Emil Widstrom 1.56 3 2.00

3274 Dick Shaffer 3.52 7 2.00

3141 Leonard Hammerlundl3o56 27 6.78

3140 Mrs Laimi Kangas 5.92 12 2.96

3673 Martin Berg 20.00 40 10.00

3113 Tom Gustin 4.76 9 5.00

3320 John Laakso 6.12 12 3.06

3134 Oscar F.ngstrom 2.49 5 1.25

3362 Berg Bros. 10.82 20 5.41

3360 David Peterson 5.07 10 2.53

The legal description of lands indicated in the permits is by no means indicative of the number of acres cut. The meadows lying within these legal descriptions are very irregular and dotted with small cover patches^ therefor the amount of acres cut is determined by estimating the average yield per acre. As the crop of hay was very poor this estimation for the above permits is placed| at ton per acre.

C, Timber Removal

During the period of this report the Aitkin •14.

County Welfare Board, holder of Special Use permit

No» 1904 requested the release of 185 cords of Poplar wood, to needy relief clients. Not all of this wood was removed during this period. Approximately 160 cord were removed with out charge during this period. This wood was cut and salvaged by W.P.A. and C.C.C, during line and dike clearing operations,

D, Cooperative Farming.

The following tabulation covers a cooperative agreement entered into with Berg Bros, of Kimberly, Minn.

Permit No. Permittee Gr.planted Acres GovH. share Acres

3106 Berg Bros. Corn 10 5

The Government share of five acres of corn was left standing in the field and is utilized extens­ ively by Sharp Tailed Grouse, Deer, Pheasant, and squirrel.

During this period efforts are being made to secure additi­ onal agreements for other parts of the area.

E. Fur Harvest

There was no fur harvest during this

period,

F, No field investigations or applied research have been authorized or approved.

G. Ice Harvest

During this period two Special Use Permits were issued authorizing the cutting and removal of ice from the -15-

refuge. A tabulation of these permits will be made in the following quarterly reporto

VII. OTHER ITEMS

B. No photographs were taken during this period. In future reports every effort will be made to submit photo­ graphs of an interesting nature.

(J Edward C. Knopp Refuge Manager. .

.•' l Ji " ' .

c:- t .) .1 ;

-

-

1 s 3:}

. .