Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan Part B: Technical Manual August 2009 Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan: Technical Manual August 2009 Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan PPaarrtt BB:: MM--KKWWMMPP TTeecchhnniiccaall MMaannuuaall The Technical Manual provides the comprehensive management information needed for implementation of the Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan. August 2009 ISBN 978-0-7726-6239-2 Date: December 17, 2009 British Columbia. Ministry of Environment Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan [electronic resource]: Part B: Technical manual i Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan: Technical Manual August 2009 Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan Part B: Technical Manual August 2009 Approved by: __________________________________ Date: ________________________ Barry Penner Environment Minister ii Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan: Technical Manual August 2009 Acknowledgements The Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan, particularly this comprehensive Technical Manual, is the result of contributions of energy, time, debate, information, deliberation and studious consideration of many individuals, organizations, and agencies with wide-ranging perspectives. Funding support for development of the Technical Manual, which is the essence of the plan, was provided by the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area Trust Fund and the B.C. Ministry of Environment. Special appreciation is extended to the Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan Advisory Group (see below), whose members put in days and weeks of work reviewing information and developing the details of wildlife management in the Muskwa- Kechika. The Kaska Dena provided invaluable support to the Advisory Group with timely, appropriate, and considered information to initiate discussion. Many others have provided very helpful contributions and shown much patience as this complex management plan has evolved over several years. This is the work of many minds and many hands, all committed to the vision of the Muskwa-Kechika. Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan Advisory Group The following government and non-government agencies and organizations were regular participants at the Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan meetings from July 31, 2000 until September 30, 2003. B.C. Ministry of Forests B.C. Ministry of Environment Land and Water British Columbia Inc. Land Use Coordination Office (B.C. Integrated Land Management Agency) Kaska Dena Muskwa-Kechika Management Area Advisory Board B.C. Wildlife Federation Guide Outfitter Association of British Columbia Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Timberline Trail & Nature Club Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia iii Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan: Technical Manual August 2009 Organization of the Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan The Muskwa-Kechika Area is a vast territory with many important wildlife species and habitats throughout. However, scientific knowledge of the specific geographic occurrences of populations and habitats is presently quite limited, and a key part of the plan is to expand this information base over time. To provide an effective, usable plan for such an area requires that it be outcome- focused, supported by comprehensive technical information consistent with present knowledge. Therefore, the Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan is comprised of two documents, which serve two important, related functions: (1) clear and concise strategic direction, and (2) comprehensive technical guidance. Strategic Document This contains the essence of the Wildlife Management Plan designed to stand as an approved local strategic plan as defined by the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area Act. As such, Part A can be referred to as “the Plan”, while recognizing that an important aspect of the Plan is the support of a comprehensive Technical Manual, which is Part B. Technical Manual The Technical Manual, Part B in the full package of the M- KWMP, contains explicit technical direction and advice with respect to implementation of the Plan, including extensive appendices. Part B is designed to serve as a comprehensive reference to assist in implementing the approved Plan. Part B is referred to as “the Plan Manual.” This Technical Manual has two major components: Part B-1: Summary Objectives Tables Part B-2: Technical Management Directions iv Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan: Technical Manual August 2009 Technical Manual Contents Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... v Organization of the Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan ............................................... vi Technical Manual Contents .......................................................................................................... vii LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... ix B-1: Summary Objectives Tables ................................................................................................... 1 1.0 HABITAT MANAGEMENT ......................................................................................................... 1 2.0 WILDLIFE SPECIES MANAGEMENT .......................................................................................... 5 2.1 General Species Direction ............................................................................................. 5 2.2 Ungulates ....................................................................................................................... 7 2.3 Large Carnivores ......................................................................................................... 15 2.4 Furbearing Animals ..................................................................................................... 19 2.5 Red- and Blue-listed Species ........................................................................................ 25 2.6 Fish .............................................................................................................................. 33 2.7 Reptiles and Amphibians: Western Toad ..................................................................... 35 2.8 Invertebrates ................................................................................................................ 36 3.0 NON-INDIGENOUS SPECIES .................................................................................................. 37 4.0 WILDLIFE – HUMAN CONFLICT ........................................................................................... 38 5.0 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ACCESS AND DEVELOPMENT................................................................................................................... 39 6.0 MANAGEMENT OF RECREATION IMPACTS ON WILDLIFE ...................................................... 40 7.0 PROTECTION OF HISTORICAL VOCATIONS AND ACTIVITIES ................................................. 40 PART B-2: Technical Management Directions ............................................................................ 41 1.0 HABITAT MANAGEMENT ....................................................................................................... 43 1.1 General Habitat Direction ........................................................................................... 43 1.2 Landscape-level Habitat .............................................................................................. 45 1.3 Stand-level Habitat ...................................................................................................... 49 1.4 Species-specific Habitat ............................................................................................... 50 1.5 Red- and Blue-listed Plant Species and Communities ................................................. 52 1.6 Fire Management ......................................................................................................... 53 1.7 Migration Habitat ........................................................................................................ 56 1.8 Results-based Habitat Management ............................................................................ 58 2.0 WILDLIFE SPECIES MANAGEMENT ...................................................................................... 60 2.1 General Species Direction ........................................................................................... 62 2.2 Ungulates ..................................................................................................................... 66 2.3 Large Carnivores ......................................................................................................... 81 v Muskwa-Kechika Wildlife Management Plan: Technical Manual August 2009 2.4 Furbearing Animals ..................................................................................................... 87 2.5 Red- and Blue-listed Vertebrate Species ...................................................................... 95 2.6 Fish ............................................................................................................................ 105 2.7 Reptiles and Amphibians ............................................................................................ 108 2.8 Invertebrates .............................................................................................................