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FORT NIOBRARA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Valentine, Nebraska
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT
Calendar Year 1981
U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM 1 £ ^i>2
I® It 13 13 U 15 U 17 IB 1®
u Robert M. nti* Bofpg® ^ammt m~u m *xx u* hmmm L, HcSami#! As«lstar?t toftigo Mgr. 05-.il m at 3, C. iifw«t kamiMtmt Rafugo Mgr. 05-9 FfT % (R««saimeg to ft. Hiobmro 11/29/51) 4. Kartn t* l>rmm Outdoor Hoc. Hi—wr 0S~0 m WKX. 5» iMtrf ®» ymipfm Biological te^irslcian cm-6 PFT % i» Hark J. Hoislfiger Tefug® mmgor Tmineo (B-T m 3QOC Cio-t pietureo) (Tmnsferred 4/4/S1) ?. Alar Rofsor® Biological Todboiclen OS-T fff 31 (Hot pictupoO) (Traoaforroc: a/22/51) §• Da^io, r. fia# minimmmt* Worker 1^6 FFT * (riot picturoo! William L. Turner minromrco Worker m~7 fn 505 10* Imp J. tlloy ^-lorkor wt m H. Janlc# t, vmmrm • Clork-tfplst 0S-3 wf KXX 15, B. Ymm Refuge Aasiatant 05-6 p-rt XIO£ (M> 1/56/81) 13. Mllm C. %rfcor Laborer P0-2 Tuiporary XX (I^D 5/26/51 temimtod 12/4/111) 14. T. f-%resh Laborer Tfespomry 301
mploy&m mt pictured.
Kent Brill Laborer MG-2 Temporary xx (mm 6/29/01 terainateo 8/21/81) Gary !>, Coli Laborer ^§-2 Temporary xx WD 5/18/81 terwdnateci 8/21/81) Terry t* Knuth Laborer IICU2 Tefgporary XX imp 9/21/81 terminated 8/21/81) Bcott A* HcPeak Laborer WG-2 Temporary xx ® Primary work site Valentine NWR, secondary Ft. Hiobrsra KWB. ** Primary wrk site Ft, fJiobrara MB; secondary Valentine UWP. Prlrxiry work site Complex Headquarters, Fevjow and Approvals Complex WEfceWevi^' 'Date"' Trm WfTci"TeviS FORT NIOBRARA N.W.R. tablk of cmmrrs A, mmLwim b, ciimnc cmmnom a, um acquisition NOTRIHG TD FEPOFT d. mmmm wmitm to itKPOFT F. ADMI^lSTFATIOtl I. Personnel 2m Youth Profrmm * * 3 3* Oth«?r ^npou&r * 4 4* Volunteer® Program HmmHO TO REPOFT 5» Funcling 4 6« Safety 4 7* Technical Asalstance 5 S« Other I torn 6 a. Mmtinm - 6 h« Other 6 F. HABITAT X. Oerteral IfOTHIHO TO RFjPOPT i. wximan mmD& to bhpopt 3« Forests KOTHIHG TO PI!K)KT 4. eropiaroa HOTHBIG TO RFPOKT 5« Omaalarcra 6 6. Other Habitats IKOTIMI TO PFPOBT T. Oraaing 6 S* Haying B . 9. Fir# ttom&mmt 10. fmt Control 9 11. Water Pi^ta HDTflTHG TO RF3WT 12. tlUMmMia ano Spewlal Araui 9 13. UFA Faaemont ^itorlng HOTHTOC TO WmtT G. Wim.IFF 1. Wildlife Dlveraity HOTHI? R. PUBLIC USE 1, General 22 a. Public Solatlon© IS b* Public Inforwrntlon 24 c. Public Cse mm&mmt 27 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students 3* Outdoor Classroow - Teecbers 4# Interpretive Foot Trails 5. Interpretive Tour Foutes 6. Interpretive Exhibits/O^mnatrations 7. Other Interpretive Wm&m* 29 a. Hunting mmam to mmm % nsmm mmm w phpopt 10. Trapping mmm TO BBPOrr 11. wildlife Observations 30 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation • • 30 13. csmim Hcmmc to bepout 14. Pim&mm 31 15. Off-PoaC fehicllnf 32 16. Other SoiWWilcllfe Orion too necreetion !f01T!IHC TO PfPOBT IT, Law Enforcem^at 32 IB. Cooperating Associations HOtfllKO TO BtPOPT 19, cmemsimm mwtna W PEPOPt i, Emtfmm m> FACILITIES 1« Um 34 2. 36 3. Ma^or Haintananc® 37 4* F «i» ofim XTW !• CoopwiUve Fmpws 3t 3# af IntmrmBt * 39 3* CnKSit® 39 f» r^BACf mrmm TO wmm % *• nxcmicim CM hnmmt 4 it aqimll lime of thmamrmtotm with tarvMm® prnmrnti tiirouitfi th& area (S^ctlcm S), Oil Aimmt 14 7m*pfvmxj Laborer viayra Gltsated aufforec? & broken wist CBectior E.d.K Pefiwp staff aitpfireased a id.l«:tflre in tb© Fort Hiebram Arm (Section F.^*U Purine $m0m% porsmml of the Cooperative llhoopiag Cmne fmcfelne Project tagged tbree young who»qpers In Caimcte. An serial erw one of rhe throe into this arm (Section Several Blcontermial Land Heritage frormm projects were oorapleted, (Bee Seetimii 1.) b# aBiATF ami HABitAT mmxmm the refuge o^orimcm g ary silo winter with only I? days peaeing without the mercury reaching 32 F, The mopmt mm cover recorder acmmlatecf mring the only rajor winter otora on Fefermry 9 and 10, when 9*$ cmiti- rnomm 0*9 in.) were recorded, la a result of mild temper®titrm om easy access to winter forego, the Port's big 0gm herds and other wildlife populations were still in gaed condition by spring. Use onset of spring brourht ©owe asisture but imjch lightning. Several range fires occurred In the vicinity including on# or the refuge. Ttue mmmor mnthm were met with onough moisture to bring tlic yearly total to near isorwel. Wrm mmm prospered with July's raoieture (Table 1) m this mm tbe fifth wettest July cm record, A squall line of thunderstorms with sigh tec twisters roved through the refUip cm August 4 bringing 5,9 omUmotom (2.32 in.) rain m& dMftglttt winoo, Ihough the atom Bmt station personnel to the etcma cellar, most of the refuge's wildlife mts fmhimt fhired well exc^t for severel large trees which lost their limbs or mm uprooted. Two na.for snow storms swept through the area durping 3? centimeters CIS In.) of snow between thorn. The aeco^anyins winds resulted in nmp drifts posing a threet to mftm wildlife. Fortunstoly mild post storm whether conditions pmrtittm mm melt off to safe levels. 2 Tabla lj_ t J&m&l pr^cipitatie^ anct tm&mmtMm. mm mm ohn, T^perafcuro Prmtpit&tim m grmm C F Month im 'till* (cm il^ m in Has Nie Fm mn J/iM .23 .09 3.F 1.5 2.5 I 20.6 -17.0 60 0 FEB •33 .13 9.? 3.7 10.2 4 19.4 -31.7 6? -25 mtw 3.30 1.30 5.6 2.2 5.1 2 23,3 -12,2 74 10 mm 1.24 .49 32.2 - 6.7 90 20 mt 6.93 2.73 32.2 - 5.6 90 22 mm 3.25 1.23 ST. 9 5.0 102 41 mt 14.00 5.51 40.0 7.2 104 45 400 0.27 3.65 39,9 7,0 102 46 SIFT 2.24 .Fa 27,2 - 3.3 99 26 OCT 4.05 1.95 3.6 1.4 2.5 1 26.1 -11a 79 12 HO? 1.70 .67 20.3 i.o 15.2 6 24,4 -12.2 76 10 Df€ 1.93 .76 20,4 11.2 20.3 a 13.3 -23.9 56 -11 Total 4^.3? n.& gs.l aHaip, molted smw, etc. ^Sncm f. l.tffI?nST!!ATIO?l 1. Forsofmal The nisfeor of tetmomry permmml hae increased sl^plfiCBntly while th€ pemanent sttaff haa pmminm relatively stable over the last five ymm (Table ?). The permanent staff wndenweit three trarsfere mm six pro^tions this year (Table 3h Table t., give year ooBSfi(Mtdemr of im^boerd gtrenEth. . Fotmn^it , Temporary f-oayi" n~n IX 1 2,713 21 1,390 rr*M It 1 2,746 II ^55 ff*7f ii x 2, mi 13 m n~n 11 x 2f75e # 575 Ft**77 8 2 2#5T3 7 ^ #>• 3 Table 3. Changes of pemtummt pvrmm®l > Transfers flmm FOB To/Fm© Location B. Su|K!«n« Youngr 01/F6 frm Benver Service Center nar*' J, WO* To Flint Hllle mm Alan Pomrs W/22 To Tzffisbek FroiT'Otions Catn Title Serlee/Cimde Kill Ian L. TKmer OI/ll Ha in trance Verier w0-4749~0?' Leonard L« McOnniel OX/Ff Asalatant ^efuj^e Hana^er OS-485-11 Martt J. Htlainger OF/O^ Assistant Befufe Hana^r GS-485-07 Alan Powers 04/05 Blolorlcal Technician OS~404-(r Faren L. Brown 11/01 Owtooor ieereetloti Planner GS-0F3-09 C. Fanoall hrmmt 11/29 Aaalatnnt PeAar© Haaeiser OS-4^5-09 2« Youth Programa A 35 mn-resident Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) mmp was a$ein hosted at the refuge. The mmp was in operation fro© June F9 throw# August ?• Seven. local emicators, each with a supportive conservation hack ground serve# as the c*wf» staff, they induced Camp Director Boys Powell, Environmental Awareneiis Coordinator Wml Mulrhead and Crm Leaders Tom Itaup, Patsy fUndorf, Wtm killings, Tpaces Fore and f-wayne Huttdorf. u tli# partlcipatec In 56 work mc 39 educational projects, Major projects incliioso banding Canaoe §####» bullclng root oration and rsh.ni»blnr, ferlog# ano firs tower oisnsntlinp, 3• Qtfoor vmpaver Programs Under a cooperstlvs rouestional program act up with Colorado Starai t?nivdr«ity# ^athy ?rrdon was hired on s» a biological ale, Sh# I %cme Involved in a variaty of project# ranging from maintenance mc bio logical to mmgmmt* Kathy was on duty from Juno to August this year, mc next year will return to duty for September mc ^venber. 5* Fyndlng The fUnclnr pattern for atSnlnlstraUon of refuge progrems has bean adeouste over the last five years (Table 41, table 4, 19T7~81 funding status. Fiscal Year DAM Fund® m Sale# TCC MP 1991 .739,900 40,000 56,000 40,900 282,000 xcm 771,930 60,000 43,000 44,600 230,000 19T9 200,400 57,000 39,000 30,200 705,000 1976 205,960 36.000 38,000 49,500 218,300 1977 . 150,096 27.200 26,000 13,700 €• Safety Two refuge employee related Injuria® occurred within the complex, this Is the best safety record for the past five years. On May 5 terry Knuth was re®oving pisctic sheeting from a new sidewalk. As the sheet was lifted into the air, wind carried dust ana grass from the plastic into terry's rlgtit eye, no lost time or medical expense was Incurred, On August 14 Wayne Olmsted was reshlngllng the roof on Quarter® 1 at tort Mlobrara when the scaffolding came loose. H« fell about 5 meters (16.^ ft.) to the ground and fractured his rli?ht wrist. A nmr miss situation transpired during the big game fall roundup. On September a bison bull rammed end destroyed a corral shield behind which a worker was standing. To prevent accidental foot misplacement, toe boards were Installed on all the big. game corral catwalks. Jh"* 5 Plimre 2* of n near id»S at the For^s ,,0KW corral. (F-.^14 9/22/81 FMF) itftige -nrsonnel con Table Hemthly safety Mte Chairr arson Topic 1/30 Vlley "ataroous materials 2/2? krmmt Chalnssws 3/27 Vauphn '^orse husbandry 4/24 Skates Motor vehicle operation 5/29 Drews Lifting //2f TOO and TFT staff General T/31 McOeniel Back Injuries zm Ellis Law enforcement 9/22 rime Fire prevention 10/30 Turner First Aid 11/30 Young Weather 12/12 Wiley Heavy equipment A station ami health rvaluetlGR was conducted by Jim HcHulty, regional Safety Specialist, on April ?• Conferences and group discussions were held covering safety proarar ccmsiderations and specific conditions.. ?• Technical Assistance Technical assistance and professional services ware provided to district Fishery Biologist Lynn Schlueter mm State Conservetlon Officer Hide Cray of the Nebraska Qmm and Barks Cowmlssion on fish and *• wildlife management, 6 Tom of Historical Socloty was fumishso materials and in formation to assist in research of forts in Nebraska. A ponoerosa pine log was obtained and shipped to decignors for use in a DeSoto iM oj^hlbit. Valentine Fishery Asaistance Office held a fisheries management workshop at the Fort Mtobraro Visitor Center on December 10 and 11, The two my session was presented to Ellsworth Air Force Base personnel and covered basic wildlife management technidtiea. B, Othftr Xt«is a. Meetings Manager Ellis attended the Ares XV Project Lenders Heeting In Pierre, Smith Dakota, August 4 through 6, The administrative workshop held in conjunction with the meeting was attendee by FefOge Assistant Young, Manager Fills attended the Area Coordination Meeting with the Nebraska Came and Parks Commission on February 4, 1981, Manager Ellis served as a Judge for the Colo Trophy Bufffelo Show and Sale at the HetionsI Western Livestock Center In Denver on January 83, 1981, b« Other Deputy Feslonal Director Shields, Area Manager Salyer, Assistant Area Manager Arhart and Dewey Castor from tcological Services ccMipleted an orientation visit to the complex on May 6, 1981. Planner Drews was appointed to the planning/steering ©emittoo for the Cherry County and Valentine City Centennial observances. She will assist in Mstiorml Archlvsl research, authenticating historical material® as well as provide historical infonsmtlon m the military era of Fort wiobrars ano earlier habitation of the area, F, HABITAT HAHAGPTOT 5. CrassIan HefUge grasslands are used to support herds of bison, elk, Texas longhoms along with other resident big game suc^i as deer and pronghom. Hero® are rotated through the grassland pastures so as to maintain optimum range conditions, 7. (Irasing Cressland utilisation was 5? percent (Table 6) which is about the norm for the last five years, Pastures used in the program are stocked according to available AHMfs, weather protection and accessibility by public and refuge personnel. . Jrm.< Awllable A Ifeit lloctaros {Ac> Bimm tteer mk mmm Total 1t Os^c? X 1,549,2 3#^ 1,664 1,430 470 6 1,906 115 3«4 109.3 2?0 Hi m m 50 10 204 94 39 39 41 n 55,2 21® 106 f 9 8 mu 04,2 213 99 79 (11) 79 (111 80 IM 250,5 693 316 46 78 10 134 42 tm 130.^ 342 14? 201 201 n 26.3 65 If fS3) (83) 21 23,1 5r 16 (235) (235) 23 40.5 100 40 14 11 12 37 93 25 55,0 210 71 m im) 90 (29) TO 27 161,9 400 196 • 65 im 59 (20) 30 m (io) 184 (45) 94 28* 949,8 2,347 1,03** 365 12 377 36 2SB 892,8 2,206 3,103 456 77 99 632 57 2f 178,9 442 222 58 (113) m (113) 26 30 209.6 518 m 53 (203) 53 (203) 21 3U3M 212,5 m 237 192 192 SI 32 217,3 m 241 56 56 23 33 172,4 426 240 149 149 62 3A 116,5 T82 552 101 101 IS 35 3X5,7 552 92 92 17 M 603,8 1,492 1,045 621 2 623 m 3? 128.3 31? im 38 38 24 331.0 818 m 340 340 59 30 331.0 818 m 99 99 IT Totals n53CUI m9m 9,690 2,951 2,211 30 215 101 5,508 57 Vmy 218 248 S. 719 tm (683) ; am (11) mt) Ton Tor- f Haying Hay conmsraptlon was appmxtmtaly 55 r#rc the Servie© has an with the Galantine IHtral Fire .District whereas w® assist thorn In filiating fires off Service lands while the District will in turn assist In controlling wildfire® within the complex. The agreement has been drawn op such that neither eger.cy will seek expense relBburjiment frwfi the other re§^rcless of fire location* Under an arreeraent with the U.S. Forest Service, either agency will seek reimbyrsment cfepimdtnr upon fire location. Ptfug# personnel responded to the following wildfires: January 27 Tt--throw Bench. This particular fire was initially observea by elrcraft reported to Air Traffic Control. The information was then relayed to Denvor/Chaoron forest S Service offices at which point wo were Infomeo. The staa< yard fire, thich originated from an unknown source, was responded to by two refuge persons with a portable unit, two local rancher® and Cherry County Volunteers. The hot fire was contained and mopped up within three hours thou# approximately 200 large round hay beles war# consumed. April 2 Bsmea Ranch. The fire was located 10 kilometers (6 ml) northwest of Iksckberry Mesdquarter® on a mowed meadow, moving toward the ranch buildings. Three refuge persons with two portable units, local ranchers and the Valentine Rural fire Department contained and mopped up the fire Inside four hours. The Mace bepm when cofsanerclal well driller® were using s cutting torch to shorten a stub tower. April 11 fmnna Ranch. The lire was located southeast of Pony Uke SuMmdouarters end lotted by U#tnini|. One refUpt person eeuiped with a portable unit and two local ranchers with a refuge four by four tanker responded. However, the fire was mostly extinguished by rainfall. April II Stetter Panch/Merritt Dam. the linhtning caused lire was looted 50 kilometers (31 mi) southwest of Valentine, Hebmska, Coordinated effort® between Valentine Rural Fire Department, three refuge person® along with local personnel feu#t the wildfire. The fire was mainly in rough chop hills in an area managed by Nebraska Omm am Parks Comrdseicm (IICAPC) where brush and tree® were prev~ alent. Helpers with shovel® were ladelng, thus maklni* the ftm evm more difficult to contml. About $00 hectares (1,236 m) were bladf^ed, April 13 ftenifte* The li^tnirg ignited fire occurred on Vel^tine mm in habitat unit 33. One refuse person aiaea with a portable unit mi cti»pat<^»o to site, the burning, which covered 0.2 hectares CO3 ac), had started onto adjoining private land. April 13 Gutter Rand?. The range fire was located mvi$mm% of mckberry Headquarters and primed to be lightning started. One refuge person equipped with a portable fire, unit assisted local personnel with mop up as- the fire m» under contelneent when he arrived, the bum wmmmm mproximtmly 120 hectares (300 ac). April la Refure. The llghtnini lilted fire mn located within the Port Niobrara flWH Hildfrn— Area cm the middle 1/3 of Mi Beaver Canyon1® east slope. The fire crew consisting of seven refiire persons ana on# local fought the fir© with backpack unit® due to the area's ruggedneaa. After the fire mm mt, a six by six pusher was negotiated into the fire site to soak omm spots In downed tiriber mm brush. Operations were cocrpleted in tm hours and less f&m 0.A hectares (1.0 ac) were burned due to low spreao rate. September 26 frnfUm* The n$$mrmtXf lightning caused ftm started on Mentlne ^ northeast of Center Lake. One refuge person and a permittee responded equipped with a portable iinlt. The fir® consumed cm# large round hay bale and mm exting- ulshed in approxlnately 1.5 tMNtm* If# Pest Oantrol Two pests were controlled with the aid of two pesticides. If left unchecked, lice Infestations would affect Texas longhoms by decreasinr: repmmctim mo rrowth rate, my Imo to Infection® of other diseases. m effective nsmchemlcsl ccmtrol exists, thsrefors, to suppress the pest, about 27$ tm&umm were treated with Famphur insecticide. Rats and mice $mmm property ther^y increesing maintenance cost. To control the rodent population, Marfbrin Is mm in buildings subjected to the problem. 12. wildemees and Special Arr-:^ An assessment of the portion of the Niobrara River traversing the refuge was made fey Planner Frews and Oreg Howiett, Regional Office Historian, the area was found to meet the requirements for inclusion In the Hatiimal Trail System. This popular water trail will fee nominated for such desigmticm In 1022, *-• 10 Historian Pmlatt also contXmm the delineation of the old Fort area fbr mmiiMition as a national Archaeological {or Historic) iite* He inspected surficial remains at the site of Casterlin^s Bar, circa IBWb, !#iidh Is nlm located on the refuge. figyre 3, north Bern, or the historic hay^hed, befbre rehahilltatloa. (#1? Ih/T?) Fl^ire «. The historic hayshed after return to its orlglml color. 7mm KLD) u MmblUtstlon of tho historic hayshoc (North Bsm?, mllitsfy bullaiBg nmbmr 31, was coBclotoo. l^lXswiiiff clssnlnr mc stshllitsotloii ^ork# ths wss rsturrod to Its orl^raul a»lort Gyortermstsr Foo, The paint was specially tmrm&Mtm to duplicate the original pnint chsre c tortstics and color* Ssstomtlors projects wore also sccompliehoo in the fort Niobrara lflldem figure S. The old t^#er topples...... 7/um m?) Technical Information on the fort. Niobrara Wildwne^s Area was provided to the Nebraska mm and Parka Cenmission, this oats will be used to support their recowencation to the Nebraska State fwrirommial Protection Agency for a change ie the status of the tllebrar® fiver. Torn Suocker of the ffebmslm riatorlcal Society toured the alts of old fort tHotomm and Is being assisted ir his research of Nebraska forts. c. jfrixtirr St* K&danger^ ^ '•'. /or Thr-"-vitared Speclm a. Crane On the mmim of Octobw St3p throe crane© (two adtlt and one irauture) were observed by assistant manager Ament, 60 kilometers (3T fii) s^thsest of Valentine, Hebmska, on the 311J 'toiood It ranch, Pilot biologist tfcmclas Poordng, of th« Cooporatiw looping Cmm Tracking Frojoct, wonitoroc tho hires' arrival into th© nrm the previous evenlnr via aircraft rsclo telestotry. the cmnoe were observer Xoaftng and foodln# m a center pivot irripstlon Wf9%m planted to alfalfb interspersee with ifebrasks San b» Bald Farle the refine serves as a vtnterifif arm for the biros where the rat^r concentrations are found roosting along the Mlofomru Fiver, flin# bald eagles (fix adults and three immtvt*) mre recorded during pmk activity, 3, Two Canada geese pairs successfully nested in the exhibition pasture and ten were fledged, S. Came Tto^ls a. im The elk herd consisted of 3B animls as of January 1 (Table ?). The main herd wintered in (Mit t6A until March 30, when they were moved into the must bison range (Unit 2BF) for the spring and mmm&r. The calf class consisted of four bulls and three cows. Here composition as of Bscm^er 31 consisted of 42 anlsmls (Table m. Table 7. Blk hcmd cor-ipcfeitlon ^ January I. km Bull Cow Total Cnlf i 2 9a I 1 2 3 !%ture § 17 26 Totals 16 21 38 aOne calf sex unlo^tifled. Table 8. Mr herd c^positim * December 31, Age Mil Cow Total Calf 3 3 6 1 4 4 a Mature 10 IB 28 Totals IT 23 42 13 b, l>#«r Mulo and pQput»%tmm fmm rmminm stabla over the pmt four years with approKimtely 40 anlfoals In oach. Coyote d«pr«6RltiQti la being docuaimtod aa t signin.c^nt contributory fhctor procludlnp the herns• enlargemant* c# Fron^m The pwifhom herd is wmiaUy located within the eahibitlon pasture. Two kid® were produced frm the eight animls on display, Occaslomlly uhm snow cover permit®, some will ©scape over cettlepnrift and, in deep cover, over fmem. However, a alanifl-* cant proportion of the herds * disappearance can be attributed to coyote deprecation* The coyotes have learned to work inaivtouai anlraals against m fence, hue to deprecation and aggression, the eahibltlcm i^astu-re contained six prcmfhoms at year's end. 10, Other Besioimt midlife m, Biscm The objective level for the bison herd is currently set at F25 animals after the fall disposal progreis. The here consisted of F30 Imrivictual® at the first of the year (Table d). Table 9* , Bison herd age structure * January 1. Am Bull Cow Total Calf 1? 16 33 1 12 11 F3 2 U 13 24 3 11 $ 19 4 10 12 22 6 10 11 21 6 11 10 21 t 7 V 14 $ 4 13 IT 9 7 11 is 10 5 T 12 11 3 2 5 • 12 1 I Total® im 122 230 The main bison herd was wintered in the wilderness area (Unit #1) and trensferred to the south range Ctlnit #36) on April X for calving. The majority of calving transpired mid-April to early June after which the herd was moved to the west bison range (Unit #?m) on June i» The herd ma mm sipln moved to the east bison renfe CIMit #afB1 on July 22 where it remained until fell roundup. u k total of 71 mlvm survival to fall mmdup, Consldarinf a pro-due ties clmm ttf 92 cows, the mlvirg succasa was 87 parent, Fall rour.oup and aortinr wore acccwplisbec Sept€^.bor 13 - 18. Dttrtus the mvtiMM rbaoe the heifer calvea war® vaccina tec Agiaisuit brucellosis by Dr. Black, while all calves ware vaccinated against blackleg, sialicmnt eden-r and bewoprbaeic septicemia# One calf and a mature cow died as t reauit of i??orint during the progrmn, Hefugc personnel butchered the anirala in the »lau#t#r house after which the meet mm sold to two ©rganltatloras. Ihe Table Top Talent Club bought part of the mmt to serve at Fort fliobmm1® bison anc lonphom auction while Ducks Unlimited bcught the rest for » wildlife hofiefl,t bamsuet. the min herd was put in their winter ranpe, the Wilderness Area, an Septanber 2k (table 10), Table 10, ij&on hero are structure *« Pmmhw .11, Agt Bull Cow Total Calf 18 18 36 1 12 12 24 f n 11 . 22 3 n 13 24 4 0 7 16 5 10 8 18 6 11 9 20 7 11 8 If $ 6 7 13 9 2 11 13 ID **•i 9 16 11 k 5 9 12 13 1 I Totals 112 119 231 Terns Umfhom Cattle Objective level for the lonphom herd is currently set at 275 animals after the fall disposal prof mm. At the beginning of the year the herd consisted of 27§ animals (Table 11). fable II. Twin lanrhom here composition - January 1, km Bull Com Steer Total b months 15 35 If m ?1 months 6 19 10 35 33' months 1 15 6 22 Mature 0 S5 50 153 Totals 31 154 94 2^9 15 The saature steers were wintered in the north range with the bison herct. The steers received no supplemental feed except for isineml and salt. On March 26, sixty-five head were moved to Unit #33. the two-year old heifers were wintered in Unit #25 where they received native hay as well as salt and mineral. The wearer calves were wintered in Unit #21 where they received a dally native hey ration. Each animal was also given daily rations of one kilogram (2.2 lb) of com and oats* All grain utilised by the refuge originated from DeSoto SWB. The brood cows were wintered in the north longhom pasture (Unit #29) where they received native hay, salt and mineral* The 102 cows were moved into the longhom calving pasture (Unit #19) on March 10* The first calf was bom on March 15* A total of 95 calves were produced giving a production rate of 93 percent* Three calves died of various causes (Table 12). On June 2 the calves were vaccinated against blackleg, malignant edema and hemorrhagic septicemia. Ten bull calves were castrated during the operation. Table 12. Texas lorghom calf Tnortallty. Tag Death Date Sex Sire Dam Cause 139 3/30 H 3107 347 Birthing 150 4/OA B 430 IB6 Scours 189 5/0T H 3107 261 Unknown After calving, all brood cows were divided into six herds. Five of the herds were turned into breeding' pastures containing one bull each on June 5 while the remaining herd was artifically Inseminated (Tables 13 and 1A). Two cows were retained In the exhibition pasture (Unit #2?) with one bull. Cows and bulls remained together until August 7. The AI program was used to develop a Spanish outcross strain using a bull from Wichita Mountain mm with the Spanish ancestry. On July 27 the AI cows were put with bull number 651 to be used for cleanup. Table 13* Texas longhom artificial insemination program. Bull Cow Standing Heat Date Insemination Date 2308 447 6/27 6/27 2308 325 6/27 5/28 2308 208 6/29 6/29 2308 237 7/02 7/02 2306 110 T/05 7/06 2308 226 7/13 T/12 u •gible 14, tmrnB lm0mm kt Pmstura Paatur® Pestun? Pasture fmtm*® Pasture Pasture m$ m #34 m $im #32 m mill Bull mx mill Bull Bull mi P30S m m 213 430 3107 Cow Calf C«u Calf Dw Calf Cow Calf €m Calf Cm Calf Calf 110 iis ww*•" xsTrar 163 m in Wf IB? WT* 124 nm mi 170 223/7 1X9 137 16? 132 164 206 13® 244 172 20? 105 235/7 137 232 110 134 tm PIS 146 339 mr 226 m 241 123 461 140 186(0)150 317 171 441 m 23? 112 250 153 47? dm 261(0)189 347(B)139 469 117 325 im 310 160 490 130 309 125 352 tm ms 194 447 132 339/7 141 SIB 150 345 12? 364 i m 503 107 372 mt 614 142 403 155 395 181 513 179 413 177 652 136 407 154 421 152 526 165 500 107 667 159 m 175 450 102 531 103 504 176 703 174 5m 131 473 ITS 538 113 510 160 732 193 615 122 550 134 622 143 523 115 it 4 191 726 195 617 166 68? 108 542 its 322 us 736 144 629 190 m 124 602 101 §39 120 rm 103 710 XBB- m -198 741 129 901 n 76? 1S6 ?U 169 669 147 763 157 902 8 SOT 1S4 720 146 716 126 nm 133 923 « S10 lie sae 135 m 156 m 8 940 H S62 121 750 149 952 H §76 114 756 180 966 n 9m 8 §31 106 m ii $m tm 926 If 918 8 937 If 925 H 944 8 930 1! 979 H 935 H 964 n 97® n mi 8 7 6 2 2 19 17 m 13 21 14 26 IB 29 IS Totals are; 102 cous, 20 hoifers, 92 calves After the fall ml* at fmm** wid, the herd consisted of 373 animls (Table 15)* Table 10# Teactts h-erc coB^osltiOB r Docember 31> Ag)g , Bull C^w Stssr Total Calf 25 40 5 TO 1 20 20 5 45 2 5 10 5 20 ^turo 13 90 35 138 mar IT rm IT c. n®rr%m Turkey tb® r>opnlBti®n of to ^ biros bus rr^aioed stable for the past flw. years. Two hens with four and si)? young respectively were observed along the tlobrars Slver curing July. d. Sharp* taailec Crouse Mnclng prouno surveys were conducted April 13. The staff observed 130 mBlm anil II females on ten grounds. Ibis correlates relatively close to the past five ymr raean (Table 16). «. 0renter Northern Frslrle Chicken fmirie chicken nancinr ground surveys were conducted in conjunction with those of the sharp-tailed grouse. Ten, wales were recorded using two grounds, however, no females wore seen at the time. On August T, two adults with ten chicks were observed in the east bison rmm* Table 16. Fmirip groK-tiir nancinf- groune populatlor:^. Sharp*tailed grouse Preirie chicken Tear Hales Vmmlm total Grounds Hales Fivsaleji fotal 'UrmmB IfTt 103 n its a 3 t S I me %m 31 160 ? ifft PA 20 123 6 xm 168 A5 tl3 s a i 10 t im 130 11 161 10 10 10 t Hmn 120.a 2M 160.0 6.0 f. Fin|r*neckfed Pheasant Vith the relatively mild winter, the pheasants case through well. Birds were freouertly observed in the vicinity of headquarters and the river. Approximately t© to 120 pheasants utilise the refuge. g, -iobwhite Qyali Ouall are priruarily heero and occasionally observed along the river and near headquarters. On August 13, 11 chicks accompanied by one him were observed west of headquarters along the county roan. •Byrplus Animal Disposal a. Bison Sixty*four heed were selected fbr dispeasl through public auction held on October 7 (table IT), The sale aula*Is brought a total of #35,660. Average price per hma ms 1557, down from the previous two year® (table IB), IS Table 17. Slaon sale - lyai. Bull Cow Total oat 16 17 33 x 6 4 10 2 1 I 3 2 2 4» 1 1 2 5 3 3 i 1 1 T I 1 S 1 1 9 2 2 10 I I 11 1 1 2 12 3 2 5 Totals 31 33 64 table 13. Bison sal# siimsry - 1079-61 Price . Class km Wo. Sold[ fatal ' " Average - 1961 Bala Ml A Cult IT,50© 11,000 IS33 Bull 1 .6 3tl§0 500 517 Bull Calf 15 5,675 450 392 Cow kmlt 13 §,§00 BOO 677 Cow I A 2,375 600 594 COW Calf ^17 3,000 500 471 135,650 11,000 1557 1920 Sale Bull Adult 9 6,525 §25 725 Bull I 5 2,025 625 565 anil Calf 20 0,425 575 471 Cow Adult t 5,225 §50 746 Cow 1 A 2,200 T25 700 Cow Calf i 5,35© 850 €69 Totals 53 132,150 $m t606 1079 Sal# Bull Adult 1© 3,325 950 833 Bull 1 2 1,175 600 588 Bull Calf 12 6,675 575 556 Cow Adult 5 3,000 650 60© Cow 1 3 2,000 775 667 Cow Calf 16 10,700 725 m totals 42 131,675 $950 1665 19 Four hm4 Mere solecteo for donetlon to tmr-oupported oi^mixfttiona (TttoU 19)• 19# Bjgon ^iait.ioiiai# Bate Wwefamr Sox Ago Oriprisyitlon ami Location X0/1A 2 mill Calf Blue Hounoa State Park Loveme, m 56156 10/14 2 Cow Calf Carroll County Conaiirmti-on Bosrcs Carroll, IA 51401 Texas lonchoms Curpluo animals ware salectau for disposal cairlng tJha anmml lon^om roundup cormencin^: Scptsnber 15. All sale cows were preamncy tasted by Br. John Black, mm. All oilvea ware given a triple vaccina shot for blackleg, laallgrant odem and hemorrhagic septicawia. All sxirplus longhoms, except calves, were tested for tuberculosis mm brmtiim age cows and bulls were tasted for brucellosis. The annual sale was held in conjunction with the bison sale during which m longhoms sole for 1136,460, an average of $1,624.52 fTable 20). This year the value of the Texas longhom increased at a rate greater than the consuner price Index fFigure 75. Figure 6, "Lean** - a sign of the times. (H-IM 6/18/81 KlXj 20 TabXt 20. Tosss lo sals mmmry • 19T9-SX. Price Class A#« Uo* Solo Total Top Amm'm imi Sals Bull Adult 6 1 6,550 $1,500 $1,092 Bull 1 11 15,650 3,100 1,423 Bull Calf 6 A.600 1,050 TTT Cow Adult 19 47,525 3,500 2,501 Cow 1 1$ 42,725 5,600 2,046 Cow Calf T 9,625 ?,000 1,375 Btoer Adult 13 7,360 775 566 St€or 1 3 1,175 475 392 Stoor caif 4 3^Ir, 313 Totals $136,460 15,600 $1,625 1956 Sala mill Asult 2 1,025 1,025 912 Bull I 5 5,500 1,300 1,100 Bull Calf T 6,450 1,100 921 Cm Adult 1? 31,306 3,200 1,341 Cm 1 15 19,650 1,950 1,323 Cow Calf 3 2,606 975 933 stw Adult 19 14,075 1,200 741 Btmr 1 2,475 450 413 Stoar Calf ,3 1.500 K W.... 500 Totals T7 $B5fTT5 $3,200 $1,114 1979 Sale mill Adult 3 3,775 1,550 1,256 mill 1 3 4,175 1,675 1,391 Hull Calf 5 6,700 1,775 1,340 Cm Adult IT 34,506 5,000 2,047 Cow 1 5 6,150 1,075 1,630 Cm Calf 1 1,3536 1,350 1,350 Btmr Adult If 3,425 650 562 Stsor I 13 6,360 550 490 Starr Calf $ 2,675 r 500 446 Totals m $76,400 $5,000 $1,124 21 1,600 (1625? 1,400 1,200 (1124) 1,000 (1114? too 600 mi) 400 mr) 200 0 xm 1978 1979 im X9&1 Ymr Fipvm 7* T^wb Iwmh&m av^smfe pric# par hma, Mm surplus lm?faoms vara donated (Table 21)* Brand r^ta thmbm* OtmxdmUm and location 9/21 126 Mil Calf Ceferaiska Came and Park® Cm«tssioji 1?4 Cow Calf for fort Bobinoon State Park end Iff Cow naif Wildcat Mf Came Pefuine. m Cm Calf IBB Cm Calf 006 Steer 11 469 Steer f 915 Steer 2 941 Steer 2 7;otaX Maytlng and Bmriinj On July 1, 63 Camoa $m&e were captured Oar banding with the •aid of the TO eaa^* This figure incluaeo 13 recaptures. On. June 2, SO of the 92 ferns Imphom calf cw were braodeO. The rewlnlng four calviss were either too young or unborn and therefore branded during the lon^iom roundup, September 15* On September 24, ?1 bison, including the entire calf crop, were banded. On October 30, the refuge1® seven elk calve® were ear sn&rkec with orange ta^s to aid In age class icentifleation. One IncJlvidual died as a result of shock through handling. m lh PUBLIC USE ImmmX Llniteti interpretive nenla is available to mfum visitor® by simply tirivim throiifij svnllable vlldlife/wlldlanos obeenmtion areas. Traditionally, root visits to the reftige were informal and un^lanneo. This trend has clmngod, Specific de^graphlc data anc visitor chamcteristics are mmmiUhl*. Uowever, botls visual observations and visitor contacts by the staff In Wl indicate a hl.^®r pmttmimm of distant, traveler® than those of t local nature, this is probably attributable to the rise in travel costs curiny the 19ao»s, with most locsl visitor® limiting the frequency of their casual visits to the m(um» Vacationers ere plarmlng their trips »re carefully to raiodU «ai5i* their travel collar. This supports data ImHeatliii an increase in tiaa spent participating in refuge activities ompite a decrease in refjge visitation. • Visitors - activity Hours of Total Public Use i^f iw imx Firdre Visitation and Use, Fort Flnbrara Pefum, Visitation statistics are fotmilatad fror pneursetic traffic co?.intcr data, as well as actual counts for certain activities, i.e. mHvmmmt*! rnmcation, public tours arc presentations. Total 19fl visitation was Participation in the various interpretive am recreational ieHHtlee totaled 9T,^?P public users. Visitor registr»,tion indicates persons fron 40 states and %B Ibreign countries sojourned to the refljge in 1981, 23 Only percmt of tho total mmtbor of visitors wore from widiin a ^ Onalia ana auiwunaln^ area South-east northeast South CmtmX Southwest West Central ana north Central ftl T 10 S0 30 Percents^e of visitation by fiebmskans fimr® 9* Visitation by llehraska refions. a. Public relatlor-s Off-refu^ program dee ling with wildlife conservation ana mm&fmmt mm provided to local civic and social groups, rtoager Sills also mm a presentation to 150 persons at the Ar?©rican Buffalo Associa tion Conference in Aberdeen, South Dakota, on August 14, A presentation was also mm to C.S.T.A. SHplsysss regsrdinr Fish and Wildlife Service job opportunities. In observance of National Wildlife Weak, PB program wore prmmtmi in schools throwf-hmit the area- and in southern South Dakota. Plsnner Drews involved 630 students In those wildlife conservation program. Croups were also mcoumpm to visit the refuges where they could be Involved In fmvlrorsnental education activitic® as well. An exhibit was placed at the Cherry County Pair held August 19 through hummt £3. Photo displays detailed hunting and fishing opportunities on Valentine Defuse, wildlife wam&mmt and the divers# public use at Fort Piobrara Pefuge, and the historic Fort Hiobrera military rmm'mtim. Choral and specific informtional litem mi re regarding the forvice, refures, and resource wmm&mmt mm provided, finally, an audio slide viewer provided an Interpre tive program on the refuge complex and its operation, and parttcularly attracted attention by wstarring^ local Youth Conservetlon Corps participants. The booth was staffed dally during pmk fair visitation periods. 34 Figure 10, klt&mefr aviai©/visual pro{T®m erm'tJte iRtarsfst of mil, ymn^tmrm mm particularly mgmmm hf th# huffmiG, in~m~n nmm «y») Assistant Hmm&mt Hc^snlol rmm a pr^sstation or th© vrnm^mmt prommm aus op^mtion of the rmfvtm cc»;aplex, with on uplsnc mme telros, to the 65 nttmmm of the 14th Technleal Grouac Oonfaamca# VHtmm mti photo.|oyrmlists partielpatlng in a program sponsored by the Hmbrmmfcm Department of "ccmotfic Dewlopr-^t visitea the ref^s© In June, They were a tour of the refuge and orientation of refuge proiww and objectives. Public InTormtim $mpmw® mm mete to 635 irfoimtiofml ropuests regarding the refuge la IfiJU Twenty-nine nmm mlmnm Mem ntBGmimtm to appropriate sectors of the news media throughout the State of Wmtomtim and nearby South Takots outlets., including televisloti, mdlo, and the press. These included Issues of mtioaal import within the wlldlife/wildlends comorvati^ field, local Issues/problems, sad program and services available to the public. Several feature articles were also provided to appropriate swioia outlet®. A feature article m buffalo and Fort Ktobrera Hefuge mm repuesteo by the feerlcsr Ttotffmlo Association for use in Its publication. Four radio Interviews and four statements were supplied to sc?veral local stations. mm mrj^ mi-® Sources m Hvian Aboc?®® 13 proas amircea 1 i •3 tm Waterfowl I ffi 2/2 OSniS IteeWB 9m Hefu^® hmi.stm.nt 21 media outlets m Brsft Hanual for KWM Slw Circulation for It m&i*. #utl#t® 3/9 nmhmmkm Keceivea 11.T Dillon Throu^ Fists and WUdlif® Fodoml 114 21 prmm outlets 3/30 MaUcmal Vllalif® Ifeak IT mmim outlets 4/13 Pish Spa^niiSf?' Opsratlors C 4/24 Flshln/t Cuccoss or Wad 5/10 Funtlrg and Fishlni? Fermi t Sales Xnorsfts® in 1060 13 press outlets sm TmtUs Cor.rrrwtion Corps (60~s®cond public servlc® announcement) 4 radio outlets $m t€C Opetss 16 nodla outlets J/7 TCC Wild Ooose Ohms® ? local outlet® 8/3 TCC Succ«# T local Oistlets 8/3 Xouth Coryinrvation Corps €a^> EnCs T local outlets 9/3 Fort Mlobrara Afmouncea Buffalo and Tama f>ai® 22 media outlets 9/21 Watloml Htmtlnfr and Fishing Day 22 media outlets 9/26 10th Annisasrsary of Matloml Hunting and Flahlnc CFadio mrmxncmtmt) 5 radio outlets 9/28 Fefur® Buffalo and fama Lonifsom Auction 40 media outlets 10/? Fort Niobrara Fefuge Surplus Animal Sal® 40 media outlets 10/15 Fort Hlohram BefUf® krmomcm Surplus Anlnal Bonttlom 22 outlets 26 tmt® mu nmrcm Wm Latin iaariom mUlif* Officials Visit Fort Hiobrars ®#Twm 22 modla outlets IQ/30 Jmt%m ^owimtecf as Fi roc tor ©f OSFUS IS prmm outlets 11/6 Lake Cof3pl©t«Ki 23 media outlets 12/1 Boor and Fhoasarts - Ym, Coyotes Ko 9 local outlets 12/^ Trtpplng cm ?al©r«tln© Fcfuse 12 local outlets 12/n Vnmrcomr Op-era tion fists Poachers In Sooth Meota IT P outlets It/li Fort Uiobrmm — Yestoraay and Todtey (rsatur« Article) kmr* Syff. Assoc, 12/22 Fish an© Wildlife Aid to Nebraska ilasst n.T Million 16 press outlets "wSTSLt ^ «H!n botl; IJJ „ 0@ear^ on^ the hiacm f " •>«..0:r—".nra'-' Sis1* r Rlu<.tl 0"""" sssr »• 2*«" >..„ „ r"0"°" r81 ^1 — «aia «• obj«ctivo8. ^ Fort Fan-r.„. I ^ Pptelt4vpa^ffa8lM?»ln^bynlH P®P«l»r att_ 2""""~" OSLS"" pS fr^'-.. •>». ^'S «*»• 1980 m rtmr* XI* Visitors ^nioyinr th« cool, vcrcsaBt nrsAigoM tho fort Falls Trail offar®, contrasting th» open Sanctillla, (B-IS-^ S/15/«l KLD) Intarprotiva Tour Houtg^s Public tours inwlvlng a number of oifferent resource thmmm and suoienc«^ were offeree In 19F1- Those wore fivan to various school i-roups, senior citiz^rs groups, social orcmnlaatlons, scout-troc^s, college stucents, &m special Interest grcwps. The refuse also hoeted several n!Cnow Tours,^ both historical and natural, sponaored by the Fcbraska Game anc Parks Cosmiission. Approxlr?«tely 1,000 hours of Involvusent were recorded. Interpretive fdibits the long ami ted intmrpmtim exhibits sche^ded for completion in early 10?9 have yet to mtsrlsliss. However, progress is being mm and installaticm la prmmtly scheduled for late spring of IfMt. Hssnwhile, fiml iwprovem®nts hev« been completed m the Visitor Center, SiSewsUcs and curbing on the nm .parkins area were: laid In April, Undacapins of the grounds was completed. Finslly, 29 lettering denoting th& Fort Vicbmm Visitor C tho intfrpretl^ text and ccmcopt® for the nm Visitor Center exhlhlta were reviewed, with final revisions beinr maoe in April. Planning smd text were completed in Aurwst for the outdoor Inf^rtiiatioml kiosk. Lsml problems with the new teparment of Agriculture Solicitor, m well as s declining budget, slowed final planning alnost to a halt. Mfricultles were also mpmpimmm in finding a Bison latifront skull. Iiowever, by the «m The Visitor Center preeertly houses two exhibits. A photor^aphlc essay exhibit cm bison behavior and natural history of prairie oogs, as well as other wildlife species. Is on view. Also on display is a hllfi quality wildlife art exhibit SspieUng ©l^t refuge wildlife apocies. Over B,300 parsons visited the Center In 19^1. The old museum building once housed the majority of the refug© displays. It is still open to the public and e^ibits include therHsa of refum wildlife tmmmamt, tne buffblo legacy, historic fort Plobmre, cTasses, wildlife/wllclanos recreational opportcmlUes, and wildlife photography, Hounted bird specteens and paleontological ^thifeits are also housed in the museum. It has served as an unstaffed orientation center whi 7* Other Interpretive Frograffls fowral on-reAjge progrsmm Involving school mwm* Y.C.C., and teacher associations were provided. Topics included refuge wildlife mmitmmt, bison behavior and historical areas. A prorrm was developed in June which involved 24 educators in a tmmsy State Class entitled "tlebraaka Sanctiills History and Fcology." The refuge and Valentine Fisheries Assistance Office hosted a raamgement wrkshop for wildlife and recrastional pensomiel fror: FUsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. The training was held at the Fort Kiobram Visitor Center on December 19-11, 1931* Planner Drews provided a section on refuge management policies and operations. An interpretiw tour of the refuge was given and those management proceduros specific to Fort Fiobrana wore discussed. mterial for program and slide shows was provided to Hatloml Bison large and Savanmh wn Complex. S. Hunting There Is no hunting. 30 % Fishing flmm is no fishing. iO* tmpplng There is no tmppim* 11. Wildlife Observation The ?mjorlty of public mm on the refuge t® %?itMn the scope of wildllfe/wildlands appreciation. The esdiihitlon p^taire which contain® a mmll ntMber of representatiVG anlfmlat Including bison, elk, Teme lonihorna, pim^hom, prairie cogs, and Canada pmmmm; rmmAmm mm by the miorlty of visitors. This t,#i#tseeinidt frm mm*® autoraobiXe has proven the major activity with 43,066 person® participating' for a total of 48,5D3 activity hours. Those figure® support the trend dlscusaeo in tiie first part of this section. Although visit®tl Ihe tour mute, and county road alonasid® siroer pastures, provideo photogmphom and observers with excel lent opportunities for siihUng the refuge*a large tmrnmls, the primary target of wont observers. -As wildli f© Ad.Idlands photo rmphy mm hiking Increase in popularity, more people leave their mm to explore the refuge ecosystem on a one*.to-one teal®. the Fort Niobrara Wlldemoss krm is used by adventurous visitors who enjoy day excursions into the pins tereak® along the Hloteram Mver and beyond. Eagle activity mUm the river In the winter mm pristine wilderness experience® In the summer are the ares*® major calling cards. Fbotrngrmpfof i® a popular wildlif® activity which, although little recognised, if increasing in mm as previously noted. Earely do flrst-tte® visitors to the refltge mss up the clmnce to simp a picture of the mj«mtic elk, bison, or 7«mi Xonghom. Amateur photographers cam. to the refute expressly for the purpose of pmcticlng their art. Additionally, wildlif© photapmpherei contact the refhg® to plan proper soasonsl visits. Over 1,260 hour® were spent In wiIdllfe/wlldlands nhotorraphy by 2,660 refuge visitors. 12, Viildlife Oriented Recreation Oanoslng the scenic Hlobmr® Fiver continues to increase in popularity. %« Woferara Is considered the finest canoeing water in Kttomtkm* Thm 22-mile stretch frm. Cornell dm* m the refltge to Bocky Ford 1® one of the fm rmminim timing water® available for canoeists In the state, this is exemplified by the increase In use. Appmxlmtely 9,060 canoeists were obserwt this year, a figure close to the 1060 31 mt$d f fmt uitbXn a mizh. mm m&timmm! tim frmm* Pmk mmi&xm mmmm rmmim late applag f^llmdng the mvmt of mmmt umthmr. Fl««ot.if\d Bismm* mim kept the river hi#, mlnMn* inf a oonslataot pualit^f #roa#o«t the m& mrly i&ll* Cmmimtm .jmmmti %ht Hiobmr® wmtj m&mti thmm*h often oaoaliig ^bu«^ar to tmffic m the mfum river stretch, fho ^aatiamtlon point*1 tmo rmchmi at times, ma #0 refuse staff la m&smmglng mnmlmt® to opt for nailea^r visits ore car still mjoy the prtatine mmllty of the Mfitomm* nmriy IP^om activity hours of wllclitrn/vtlolmm obmrmti-mt by boat warn echlevco as the racrea pmma thron# the sceoic fort Hiobmrm mimmmn, & survey i®a aaOe of the suitability of the t'lohmm Piimr for cieslfrntlon to the Watioml Trail Syst«, Sadi actioti will be imricr- taken ifi Iff^. Pimre 12. ^Ithou# heavily usee at tteos, the pris tire integrity of the river still is foimo trar^tillising by moat mm. mmi Ktr ) 13. Qmpim Th#r# is m mmplm. 1-4 • Ficrlcking The picnic area is mtfit&inm in support of wlloll fe/wilclatto rmrmtlmml Bctlvitim* the area receiver limited use by 935 visitors. This reaicticm is attendant to the ctocr^se in local visitation* ilwever, ore ftmml wedcilng wis performs at the vorosmt picnic area In Hay, 32 'Milcling fmmm driving off the tour route throu# the exhibition posture has beer a preblar?. Mot only cloes this practice depvide the habitat, but It mis© Is owlte unsewly and detracts from other visitors' vllollfe/vdIdlards e^erlence. The tour route Is being renovated, inclvtiinp barrow ditches, to discourage leaving the usin rma* Off-roaa vfiiicling has also deteriorated the hillside just off the road to the picnic ares, where persons seem only to be "joy-ridingsn ^ot only has erosion been hi#, but artifacts are being uneswred- The road m® reconstructed, and plans mil for a fence to be erected, tm Evforcemmt the Fish and Wildlife Service did not file any cases involving Fort Niobrara, Presetly, ^oat "people problws" occurring on the refuge are of local origin. Infractions included placing snares along- the east refuge fenceline in Unit 1 and partial cutting of the wire- fate onto the Nature Cmmmrmm 0-lcOlnley) property. Two Incidences of vandalism to the portable rc«»trooins at the canoe launch site occurred In May, During the night of September 14, 1^1, unknown mnoals cut the fence of Unit 223 bordering the county road, thereby releasinr approKit^tely 100 bison. 4 - •«, e» I - ril - " " :/* • • i w **3^g,* ' "5t;. -:?•.'^ ''St *"ti-vlif"•• .•* •>' "'—<•• • •/ ^ . V''- - - aft1? . •wmi/'-r* Figure 13. Tandals minted to be sure the buffalo would have plenty of rmm to leave — they cut the fence, rolled It back and neatly hocked It. CM4-11 d/15/8.1 FHE) 33 Fl^ur# U. # 2/26/Si lOUD) A mtus^ bull wsijs afoot and rmoved frm the Fort Hlobrara FaMMtion Faatyr^ thn nl^ht of SapttMbar A, mi. Two Martcan Indians from Smith Dakota wore approfoerdeo and arrostec by th« SiimelS State niphmf Patrol, Faya Paha Cmmty Shmrlff, and Mobraska and Parks Cot^dasion, Irivostipstion mvmlm it was a bull elk fror the rofbrd. Kvldenco was collectoc and Information mm mbnoqumtlf turned oyer to rws Special Ac^mfeii and tho t?,S, Attorney»» office. The case Is p€Rciine in D.C. Piftir# 15. The elk was shot and mttm juat inside 'cfoc entrance to e^lblUon pasture as It stood mlmmtm tjfo© roao. fp*3a-P §/s/6i 34 i* tmimm im fmurm Wm Th« visitor center/offlee rocelveci mtm of Its final tmtibm* Hew alOsuttlks &m curbs mm laid srouno the visitor center mm aojoining parking lot* Disturbed sites of the concrete construction projects were resceded to buffalo and grama gmas* BwisWibls indlgsnous and several srwMwmbal trees were planted for landscape .and windbreak purposes, C&gm placed around the trees to prmmt deer browainr and water soakers Installed, An exterior nsme plate was placed on the office and visitation hour sim near the entrance. Flcure 16, Native cedar tree belt transplanted to headejuarters mrm, (IUW4 mm KLD) Ouartara two received a rear trance sidewalk while the oil/paint shed received a set of concrete steps, ft two piMp fuel island was constructed at headquarters. Inducing storage tanks, pusips, electrical my stem and concrete Island, the obsolete wooden gmmry was r^lscen with a pair of new 1000 bushel capacity steel grain bins, the bins mm set on concrete slabs and painted* A nm grandstand was constructed on the sale area's east sice. 35 flfurt it, or MSoir-s#rvict.',» j/tmi mm} Fl#ir« 18. Hi# pair of ifmin^lns Mill aid in tha afeamgo and distribution of earn and oats as winter feed. HMrMt imm mm 36 2. Hehabllitatloii Severe! roofs were rehabilltfited. The wain shop, three stall ^arapre, imjsetsa, and Quarters cm© ano two were reshlnpled while the visitor center's shakes were mmiied and restalrec. The three stall mmp# me fitted with a new set of overhead doors* The visitor center's entrance sidewalk and quarters one rear sidewalk wore replaced* Figure 19* Fart of the new sidewalk constructed at the visitor center's entrance. {JU13-6 4/29/81 KLTj) The YCC crews wrked on several rehabilitation projects. Projects included restainlng the big rme corrals, rebuilding a public use foot trail and scrspirg and repainting the old fort hayshod. *-• 3? 20. The ola Fort heyahed feeliie restored end .repainted to its former glory fOuartemaster Fed) with the aid of YCC. a/13/^1 m) 3. Hajor Haintemnce The sjelntwance crw Is responsible for mintaiain# T? kilometers (rn mi} of Ug psme fence, 6S kilometers mi) of sly wire stock fence, big jr-me corrals, sale area, ?f> vlndmill systems, two shops, tm residence®, horscbem, granary ana « kilometers (5 mi) of public use trail®. the YCC crews participated in several aiajor maintemnce projects. Iti# projects Included longtmm shed and fire tower demolition, horse trail upkeep, f'lobrara Fiver tmsh cleanup and big mm fencing. A. gquipsent Utilization and Replacitent The mlntenance crew maintains several pieces of eouipment. the equipment includes a rma patrol, M tractor, 1^9 tractor, four-wheel drive farm tractor, scraper, hay Cork with sled, stock trailer, jeep, two six-by-six fire trucks, five four-wheel drive pickup trucks, two passenger vehicles and throe portable fire units. The reflige purchased two John r-eere tractors, the first is a Model 212 lawn tractor with a belly mount mower. The second la a Model JP 2A40 with post rollftiards, canopy, reverse warning alarm, #145 loader, heavy duty swinging drawbar, continuous live 540 T?PH power-take-off and category TX 3-point hitch with mmy blocks. 3a In compliance with rvcamimmtionB by the regloml office energy coorcinetor to incr^ae mm?m efficiency, the baaehoartss of quarters one m0 tm were insula tec. Insulation mm also blown into quarters two's attic, 31* solorsereen blinds were purchased for use in the visitor center to conserve heating mm cooling losses. rifure 21, terapomry laborer. To® Itsup, saving fossil fuels by transporting working materials Via wheelbarrow, (k-14-21 mm rhP) J. mm irms 1. foopemtAye 2rograry ^nfer a cooperative a^e^ent, the w^rastoi Qmmi and Parks Cossaisslon, two "tsa^oc'1 deer wiwre placed on the refuge, Katerfbwl sample® were collected for Knorln analysis in cooperation with the Nebraska Ommm »m Parks C^wission. Five nallards, three drakes and 2 hens, were obtained fnva the exhibition ponds in December. The sample® showed negs.tive levels, Refuge personnel cohere ted in ecolorical monitoring, four surveys were od^pleted, including waterfowl, eagle, and whooping crane migration, Prairie chicken lek counts were accomplishec, as well as banding of geese. Si* resource Evmarer® fro® Latin America visited the Fort Niobrara and Valentine mm*8 on September 25 as part of a training course sponsored by the fish and Wildlife International Affair® Office. A one-day course on big game and habitat marmgement techniques mm 39 presents by refuse staff, Htamtimm mf l^oger llo-mXss of Costa Klca# Carlos Ordooe® of Cuatemala, 9em to tool of Bmsr.il # Jos# Palm of Panama, Ceollla Hermnnos of tit# Dominican Hepublic, anct Sergio PipHproe of Bcuedor. The trainees mm mcmpmim fey Curtis Frees# of the Servtce's International Affairs Office who acted as an Inters pretor, 2, Item of Interest a. training fmine# iedsinger completer the Basic Befuge HaaaaaRBsat Course at the Rofuire Acaow held in Beddey, West Virginia, February 29 through mrcli 19* Law enforcement training me provioeo to refuge personnel on l%y 29, Imtrtictlon on c^minlcatlng with the public while functioning as a law enforcement officer, ©a well as mock car stop practices were feelo at the Fort Fiobrsm hesttouarters. All nine- refu.m officers mmllfiec during firmrm training, Heftire officers participated In elrtit hours of law enfOrcefsent training on Beptmher 29 through 30, Hunting regulation enforce ment and firearm us# war# detailed* All participants Bet the rmuiheraents In the attendant flreerme quail11 cations. fe. O^ser As ® mmkm* of the advisory coassittee of the Mature Conservancyfs Hiobrars Valley Preserve, Manager fill# attended planning sessions July 23 and 29. 3, Credits This narrative report me written by C.B, kmmt and K.L. Brews, and edited fey P.M. fills. Typing me accosispllahec fey J.t, vmrnrm.