REFUGE NARRATIVE REPORT

January to April, 19.57

KODIAK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Kodiak,

Will Troyer, Refuge Manager

Webster K. Clark, Biologist REFUGE NARRATIVE REPORT

Table o:f Contents

I� GENERAL A. Weather Conditions 1 B. Water Conditions 2 c. Fires 2

II. WILDLIFE A. Waterfowl 2 B. Upland Game Birds 3 c. Song Birds 3 D. Shore Birds 3 E. Small Game Animals 4 F. Big Game Animals 4 G. Fur Animals and other Mammals 7 nr. REFUGE DEVELOPMENI' AND MAINTENANCE A. Physical Development 9

IV. ECONOMIC USE 9

v. FIELD INVESTIGATIONS A. Bear-cattle Investigations 10 B. Wildlife Utilization Surve,r 10 c. Range Reconnaissance SUrvey - and Raspberry Islands ll

VI. PUBLIC RELATIONS A. Refuge Participation 15 B. Hunting and Trapping 15 c. Fishing 15 D. Violations 16 REFUGE N.ARRATIVE REPORT

January to April 1957

KODIAK .NATIONAL wnDIJ:FE REFUGE

Kodiak, Alaska

I. GENERAL

A· Weather Conditions

All weather data is :furnished by the Fleet 'Waather Central, Naval station, Kodiak, Alaska.

Precipitation Temperature

Snow.fall Precip.

Inches Inches Mean Max:i.mum Minimum

January 11.5 2.41 32.2 49 19

FebNary 29.2 3·93 33•0 56 3

March 15.1 6.85 33·9 47 17

April 4.8 hlQ 39.1 51 30

Total 60.6 16.69

- 1 .... General Remarks

The winter at Kodiak continued to be very mild. Snow did not remain at great depths on lower elevations for a� length of time during the winter. Average temperatures were mild, and the average wind velocity was much lower than usual for this period.

B. water Conditions

Most of the lakes remained frozen during the first three months of this period. Some of the smaller lakes were free of ice by April 5. and a few of the larger lakes such as Karluk became free of ice on April 25.

c. Fires

No fires occurred on the Refuge during this period.

n. WILDUFE

A, waterfowl

The winter waterfowl inventory was conducted on January Jl, 1957'. The inTentory was conducted from a OF Navy plane by cooperation o:r the U. s. Navy. �ather conditions and visibility were excellent. The area covered included all of Kodiak. Afognak• and most of the adjacent islands. I

The count consisted of an extremel;r low number of dabbling ducks. This may have been due to a lower population and par­ tiall;r due to a different observer. A larger number of geese were seen, ba.t these were found in the Trinity Island group. an area which had not been checked in past years. Following is a breakdown of the spe cies:

- 2 - Mallards 395 Gadv1all 55 Greenwinged Teal 25 Scaup 2,265 Golden-eyes 6,700 Bufflehead 210 Harlequin 70 :Emperor Geese 1,555 Unidentified 225

Total 11,500

The spring migration of waterfowl started around the middle of April. On April 20, 150 brant geese w·ere observed in Kalsin Bay. During the next two �s several other flocks were observed in this area. Biologist Clark observed one flock of 20 brant on Uganik Island on May 1 and 65 more in Uganik Bay on April 26. One white-fronted goose was observed in Womens Bay on April 27. One male shoveller was observed near Chiniak on April 22. On April 20, one large flock of pintails were observed in Kalsin Bay. Five pair of swan were observed in small pot holes in the Olga Bay area on April 30.

Bob Vincent, biologist for ADF in IG.toi Bay on Afognak Island, reports that each year scaup arrive in that area on October 30 and depart between May 8-10. One female eider started to nest near Kodiak on March 24.

B. Upland Game Birds

Because of the mild winter, ptarmigan remained at the high elevations and fewer were taken during this period. The season closed on April 20.

One blue grouse was stocked on Wooqy Island on March 7.

C. Song Birds

The f"irst fox sparrow was seen on April 23.

D. Shore Birds

K:i.ttiwakes were observed on the rookery on Whale Island on March 12. Bob Vincent of ADF reports both tufted and horned

- 3 - Figure 1

Kittiwakes on rooker.y on Whale Island. puffins arrive on rookeries in Kitoi Bay between May 10-16 and usually leave in August. Clark reported seeing puffinton April 26.

E. Snall Game Animals

Varying Hare

Heavy hunting pressure continued on rabbits until about March 15. Rabbits continue to be abundant in most areas and have overutilized their range in ma:rzy- areas. Rabbits started to turn brown by the middle of April. Range conditions will be discussed under field investigations.

F. Big Game Animals.

Sitka Black-tailed Deer

(l) General

The unusually mild winter conditions prevented a:rzy- heavy deer losses. Although deer arrived on their wintering grounds in early November, they were not forced to as narrow a fringe of beach as last year. Their movements were not hampered by extremely heavy snows; thus more range and browse was avail­ able. The same 9t miles of beach were checked as last year for possible winter kills, and only one old buck in the Monashka Bay area was found. This compares with 68 dead deer found on the same beaches last year.

The actual loss this year may have been a little greater than indicated by the one dead deer found. The ease and distance of travel is greater during mild winters and winter kills may possibly be more scattered inland and thus more easily overlooked.

(2) Dispersal Movements

Deer have continued to spread toward the south-. west portion of . A small herd is now located on Uganik Island, and a few are found on the Little River Peninsula. Five deer were reported at U,yak during the past winter. Whale Island and Uzinki Island both have good deer populations. Quite a number of deer are now found in Duck Bay and Izhut Bay on Afognak Island, and in the future this will probably be one flit the most important deer areas. Several have been seen in the Tonki Bay area.

- 4- Figure 2

Willow heavi� browsed b,y deer on Kodiak Island. Note the small diameter of willow stems still left. (3) Range Conditions -Kodiak Island

The conflict between deer and cattle on Kodiak Island is quite acute. Both an:irnals use the beach fringes for Wintering. Most of the Willow found between Middle Bay and Chiniak is heavil;y over utilized by cattle. In macy areas willow has been eliminated. Cattle utilize a much larger portion of the willow stem, and this utilization completely eliminates potential browse for deer.

The range on Cliff Point is in a healthY condi­ tion, and this is directly due to the lack of cattle in this area. At present, negotiations are under way with the Nav.y to eliminate cattle grazing from militar,y grounds at Chiniak.

Willow is the most important browse plant for deer on Kodiak. Blueberr,y only exists in a few isolated spots. In some of the other areas, elderberr,y and salmonberr,y are utilized.

Range conditions on Afognak will be coV-ered under field investigations.

Olympic Elk

(1) Movements

Periodic aerial checks were made throughout this period to note aey unusual movements and concentrations. The Malina Bay beach herd remained in that area until earl;y January. At that time they moved completel;y out of this area and into spruce timber.

The herd on Raspberr,y Island also moved from their summering range on the northern portion of the Island to the southwestern portion which has spruce cover. Elk were found wintering quite heaviJ.;y in the Pararoanof Lake area.

(2) Range Conditions

This will be covered under field investigations.

(3 ) Winter Kills

No winter kills were found this year.

- 5 ... Goats

No goats were seen during this period.

Reindeer

(1) Population

On March 12, an attempt was made to survey reindeer. Snow conditions were good in Kodiak, but upon arrival on the south end of the Island, snow conditions wer� found to be very light, and the ground was onJ¥ partially covered, giving a gray appearance. Reindeer blended in with ground coloring and observations were very poor. � 2)0 reindeer were seen. On May 1, another survey was attempted. The reindeer were fco.nd to be quite scattered, but due to the;ir light gray coats against a dark background, were quite visible. A total of 540 adult reindeer were counted, and this is thought to be the bulk of the population. calves were quite common, but were difficult to see because of the;ir dark colors. Only 80 were counted, but this should not be considered a total count.

(2) Movements

During the March counts, 130 were seen a:t the mouth of the Red River flats and approximatel;y 100 at the junc­ tion of the Bear and Red Rivers.

On April ) 0, reindeer were broken up into smaller groups and were well scattered from the mouth of the Red River to Upper station in Olga Bay. This seems to be their favor­ able calving ground as they were also seen here last spring. Twenty-eight reindeer were observed near the Karluk weir, and a few were seen at the junction of Bear and Red Rivers.

(3) Harvest

Last winter the natives were contacted in Karluk and Alitak villages to determine their take of reindeer. Alitak village reported taking 8 and Karluk 11 for the year; however this spring when they moved into their calving grounds at the head of Olga Bay the Alitak natives took an additional 8 rein­ deer. Contrary to expectations, some of this meat was tried and found to be excellent.

It is a well-known fact that the bulk of the rein­ deer are taken by commercial fishermen during summer monthse

- 6- K 0 D I,A K I S L A N D

~ r • I )

ADULT REINDEER CONCENTRATIONS March 12, 1957, SUrvey 0 April 30, 1957, SUrvey 0 Kodiak Bear

Several guides started hunting the bear on April 5, and b,y the end of the month quite a number of hunters were in the field. Ex.oeptional.:cy mild winters and ear:�¥ springs do not seem to cause an ear� movement of bear from their winter dens. All hunters reported seeing very fow bear during April hunts.

Several bear were out during the middle of the winter. One was killed on the Kodiak Naval Base in January.

All hunting kill data for spring hunts will be included in the next Narrative Report.

Planned Sammer Program

Major emphasis will be p;Laced on an attempt to live trap and ear mark bear in the Karluk Lake area. One culvert type trap has been constructed, and experiments will be conducted with this before building aey additional traps. Continued emphasis will be placed on population estL�tes in the Karluk Lake area, and this project will be enlarged to cover some of the major drainages on the Island. Additional work will be done on life history studies, painting, etc.

G. Fur ,A."'lima.ls and other Mammals

Beaver

The beaver trapping season was open during March and April, and more trapping pressure occurred this year than last. Not all beaver have been sealed to date, but it is estimated that around 100 were taken.

As in the past few years, all trapping pressure is concentrated in eas� accessible places, such as the road s.ys­ tem and close to the beaches.

Land otter

The otter take again was very light. Very few in­ dividuals trapped. It is doubtful that over 150 otter were taken during the open season which closed March 31.

- 7- Sea otter

An attempt was made to survey the Sea otter Rocks by boat on April l, but due to heavy seas, �sibility was poor. � two were seen.

A complete sea otter survey around Kodiak, Afognak, and the Barren Islands is planned for May and June.

Fox

Because of the low price o� fox pelts, few were taken during the open season. Fox continue to be very abundant and an unusua� large percent are silvers.

Mink and Marten

No observations.

Weasel

All trappers reported a noted lack of weasels during the open season and few were taken. The exact reason for this low population is not known, but it was noted by a munber of individuals that meadow mice were also ver,y low in population number, and this eould very easil3" be the reason for low weasel populations.

Red Squirrels

The little red squirrels continue to be abundant around the Afognak Lake area and are continuing to spread. One · was seen :i.n Malina Bay and several were seen in the Tonki Cape and Izhut Bay areas. These may have survived from the northern Afognak plant rather than spread from Afognak Lake.

- 8- III. REFUGE DEVELOPMENI' AND MAINTENANCE

A. Physical Development

Oatboards

All outboard motors and skiffs were repaired.

Office

One new typewriter and two new chairs were acquired for the office.

Warehouse

A small room was inst�lled in the warehouse with lock for storage of refuge equipment.

other

One culvert-type live bear trap was built in prepara­ tion for an attempt at live trapping and tagging bear.

IV. ECONOMIC USE

Two special use permits were issued during this period. Number 20625 was issued to Park Mu.nsey for a cabin site in the Spiridon River drainage. Nmnber 20627 was issued to the Alaska Department of Fisheries for a cabin site near Frazer Lake to be used in a fisheries research program.

-9- V. FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

A. Bear-Cattle Investigations

Further investigations were made on the Si.tkalidak Island cattle. On March 11, 1957, FWS personnel accompanied a veter­ inarian to the Island to test this herd for possible disease. Upon arrival on the Island it was found that only ll remained from the original ll3 released there in October.

The ll survivors were tested, and six were found to have the leptespirosis disease. The Department of Agriculture has ordered all infected animals shot and a quarantine placed on the Island until June l, 1958.

B. Wildlife Utilization Survey

Surveys were conducted in Januar,r to determine the im­ portance and usage of wildlife in native villages on Kodiak Island. Table I gives a breakdown of the wildlife utilized by the five villages. This survey is probabl¥ lower than the actual take.

TABLE I

Wildlife Utilization SUrv�s of Native Villages on Kodiak Island

Population Sea and Sea Rab- ot- Wea- Ftar- Gull Rein- Village Bear Seal Lion bits Fox ter sel migan Ducks Geese Eggs deer

Larsen Bay 4 30 98 30 0 10 20 40 260 0 75 0 (51) Old Harbor 5 35 29 64 0 0 0 8 448 l 970 0 (152) Kaguyak 2 10 39 0 4 4 20 58 214 0 300 0 (29) Karluk 2 65 0 20 0 14 40 471 626 0 0 ll (135) Alitak 4 15 0 13 0 4 J 123 173 6 251 8 4

TarA.LS 17 155 166 127 4 31 83 700 1721 7 1596 19

- 10 - Figure 3

One of the cows infected with leptespirosis disease on Sitkalidak Island. c. Range Reconnaissance SUrvey - Afognak and RaspberrY Islands

Objective

Since the introduction of deer, elk, and rabbits on Afognak Island, competition for different types of key browse plants has been noted to be quite acute. This reconnaissance survey was conducted to determine the present competition of these animals for these key species and future difficulties which may result from such competition. In addition, knowledge of present and future ranges and population concentrations was needed.

Method of Survey

Most of the survey was conducted during January and March. The means of transportation used was a chartered vessel, and the actual survey was conducted b,y foot with some distant observations made from the vessel and b,y air.

Spot checks were made around the entire Island and usually the beach fringes were cheeked; however occasionally areas were checked a mile or two inland. .Al.l surveys were con­ ducted by general observation. The area was too great and the time available too short to actually measure percentages of browse utilization and so forth.

Topography and Vegetation

The Raspberry strait portion of Afognak and Raspberry Islands has hi.gh and sometimes steep but usually gradually sloping mountains which rise to 2,000 feet in some areas. A spruce forest persists at the lower elevations. High open areas are covered with grasses, fireweed and other vegetation. At lower elevations in small open areas and especially at the base of the mountains, willow (Salix Sp.) is found quite abun­ dant, and elderberry (Sambucus) is scattered throughout the area, but only abundant in confined areas. Some blueberry (Vaccinium) is found in the denser spruce thi.ckets. This is especially abundant on the southwest point of Raspberry Island and near the Afognak Village area. Toward the northern portion near the Shelikof strait side, spruce is very sparse, and the climax cover is grass and alder. Here willow is abundant and blueberry totally lacking. This same type of vegetation pattern persists to the head of Danger and Paramanof Bay.

- 11 - I '. ��---�-J 130

-��J P-ERENOSA BAY

\..

':?:�dT -:,.\�

�1)- c """""- . "-<(�,, ------· · --...... ---.....__..___ '- '-- ·-----...... ' ) __ s Checke b Foot- d iY _ � - CAP< <;_8°N· - -�- � To"' � ------\ �· ..... Aret. ' � ' _...,� ---1 Figure 4

Northeast portion of Middle Afognak area. Note the high dense spruce cover on the mountains.

Figure 5

Tonki Cape area. The low shelf is the important elk wintering area where willow has been heavily over utilized. The middle or remainder of the Island, except the Tonki Cape area, is covered with a dense spruce foresto High mountains are found on the northern portion of the Island between Paramanof and Perenosa Bay. The spruce line here is at the 1,500 foot elevation, and very few open grass,y areas persist. The south middle portion of the Island is a lowland. This entire middle portion of the Island bas abun... dant blueberry and devil's club under the spruce. Very little willow or elderberry is found in this section.

The Tonki Cape area, which is that portion between Saposa Bay and seal Bay, has a very rugged terrain similar to the Raspberry area except most of the mountain sides are very steep. Here, too, open grassy meadows persist at higher elevations and scattered spruce at the lower elevations. 'Willow is abundant; some elderberry can be found .. but little blueberry persists.

Browse Utilization - Racpberry strait Area

This area is the main elk range on Afognak Island. The most important wintering plant seems to be willow. Elder... berry is utilized to some extent, but on]¥ seems to be heavily utilized during December and January. At that time the bark is greener and is probably more palatable. In some areas wil­ low was utilized quite heavily, but very few spots were found which were considered overbrowsed. The tips of devil's club are quite often taken during the winter, but this is not con­ sidered an important food item. In no instance were elk noted to utilize blueberry, even where no other food was availableo The exact reason is not known, since this is an important food item for elk in the Olympic Mountains in r�shington.

No rabbits are found on Raspberry Island. On por­ tions of Afognak, heavy populations exist. Over utilization of willow l:u rabbits is not too great, but in the Litnik and Danger Bay areas over utilization of blueberry is quite se­ vere . In maey places blueberry has been nearly eliminated and in most areas is so over utilized that little remains for deer.

Browse Utilization - Middle Afognak Area

Nearly every spot checked in this portion of the Island had blueberry which was over utilized b.1 rabbits. Heavy damage has been done, and maey plants killed. Deer are

-12- Figure 6

Willow heavily utilized b,y elk in the Tonki Cape area.

Figure 7

�ullow over utilized b,y elk in the Tonki Cape area. Note that some of the plants are dead. Figure 8

Large willows utilized b.1 elk in Tonki Cape area. Note the high browse line.

Figure 9

Comparison of blueberry on Afognak and Raspberry Islands. No rabbits exist on Raspberry Island. Plants on the left have been heavily over utilized cy rabbits on Afognak Island. These have a typical appearance of a large portion of the blueberry range. becoming quite common around Little Afognak Lake and Izhut Bay. They too utilize blueberry, and competition will become greater as the deer population increases.

Browse Utilization - Tonki Cape Area

This area again is one of the important elk ranges. Due to the steep mountains, the wintering range is very con­ fined. On the outside of Tonki Cape a low shelf is found where a large portion of the elk winter, and the remainder winter in the deeper vall�s.

The elk population is not nearly as great as in the Raspberry straits; however, because of the smaller winter range, very heavy over utilization of willow was found. In all spots checked, overbrowsing had occurred on this plant. It was even noted that nearly every devilts club tip had been taken, and some alder was browsed. Here and there patches o£ dead willow could be found which had been killed out because of over utilization.

Very few rabbits are found in this area. A .few deer range here, but they are not too abundant.

Future Management of Browsing Animals

Elk

The largest concentrations of elk are found in the Raspberry strait area. From this surv� and past obser­ vations, it appears that this herd is fast approaching a maxi­ mum population. A few areas can still be found that are po­ tential elk range which are not being utilized at the present time. This entire section receives a heavy hunting pressure, and the harvest can be regulated quite easily.

The Middle Afognak area, because of its dense spruce forests, lack of sunnner range, and lack or willOT.J for winter range, will probably never be an important elk range. Occasionally stragglers do move through here, but it is doubtful whether it will support a permanent herd.

The Tonki Cape has been heavily over utilized for several years, and range deterioration is quite noticeable. At present, there is too large a population of elk and the herd should be reduced. Hunting pressure is very light. and

- 13 - only six animals have been taken the past two years. The area is inaccessible because of exposed oceans and few people hunt Tonki. The season should be lengthened to in­ crease the kill and some of either sex should be taken; how­ ever, because of its proximity to the Raspberry strait area. this might cause an unmanageable enf'orcement problem.

Deer

The deer population has just started to increase to the point of being a significant population on the Island. No indications of deer were found on the northwest side of the Island. A few are found in the Tonki Gape area. and a few around Afognak Village. Deer tracks are quite numerous in the Du.ck Bay and Izhut Bay regions. In the future the Middle Afognak area will become an important deer range. Here blue­ berry browse is abundant except where over utilized qy rabbits, and good sloping wintering beaches are available.

Rabbits

Rabbits have spread over all of Afognak Island. According to past reports they reached peak number in 1947-1948 and are again on the increase. The direct competition between rabbits and deer in the 11iddle Afognak area is quite acute, and this is going to become greater as the deer population increases.

The actual harvest of rabbits on the Island is very lor.N. Some of the natives from Afognak Village take quite a number, but they also hunt Whale Pass on Kodiak Island. The rabbit harvest will never be great on Afognak with the present human population, and they should never have been planted on the Island. In the future the deer population will become more important, and the Middle Afognak area should be managed with th:is in mind. If at all possible, an attempt should be made either to reduce or eliminate the rabbits from Afognak Island.

Summary

1. The main elk concentration is found in the Rasp­ berry Strait area where a near maximum population exists.

2. The Yri.ddle Afognak area is not an important elk area because of vegetative types and should be managed for w�ximum deer population.

- 14- 3. The Tonki Cape �rea is heavily overbrowsed, and an attempt should be made to reduce the herd.

4. Blueberry is the preferred species of rabbits in areas where it is available.

5• In most areas blueberry has been heavilY over utilized b,y rabbits, and a drastic step should be taken to re­ duce or eliminate rabbits from Afognak Island.

VI. PUBU:C RELATIONS

A· Refuge Participation

Refuge Manager Tro.yer attended the Alaska Game Conh�ssion Field Conference in Juneau in Februar,y.

A number of movies and illustrated lectures were given to school children. conservation groups, and other organizations throughout this period. Most of the population in this area shows a deep interest in conservation matters. and this interest is increasing with the present FWS public relations program.

B, Ha.nting and Trapping

Following is a list of the open hunting and trapping sea­ sons for this period:

ptarmigan August 20 - April 20 Bear Throughout this period otter November 16 - March Jl Fox & weasel November 16 - January Jl Beaver March l - April 3 0

c. Fishing

Little ice fishing occurred; however toward the latter part of April Dol� Varden fishing was good in some of the local streams and fishing pressure became quite heavy.

- 15 - D. Violation5

The following individuals were apprehended for falsifi­ cation of residence requirements and fined $25.00 each in the u. s. Commissioner's office:

Violator Address

1. William R. Bailey Kodiak Naval Base 2. George T. Joplin " 3· Michael J. Plager " 4. William E. McAlpine " 5. Donald H. King II 6. Robert P. Pfanenstiel, Jr. n 7. J. H. Ledford " 8. Lee C. Leslie, Jr . II

JV'Jay 14, 1957� � Approved• .

Refuge Sup · isor

- 16 -