Show r r y p 16 4 1 7 I 4 7 V T 4 r Sj I j n. n N n DIRECTS By DWIGHT BUNNELL It was stressed in the previous pre article that winter range is the key to big game management I BECAUSE this is true the Division of Fish and Game is engaged in an extensive program to rehabilitate key winter range areas This program involves buying privately controlled range areas or cooperative work with other agencies when the critical winter range is ison ison ison on public domain In addition to the range rehabilitation program the Division is concerned with any activities that encroach upon any winter range areas IN THE northern portion of the state Davis County included urbanization is making serious into historical winter range areas If deer winter range is reduced then deer number in that area must be reduced If we are foresighted and clever enough to maintain or even increase winter range then we can continue to enjoy deer and other big game in that area REALIZING that winter range is I the key to game ame l ame management tf the Division Divi ion began several years ago to acquire and rehabilitate critical winter range area The first problem was to identify those areas that were most critical ONCE THESE areas were identified then work could begin Much of the critical area is privately owned This means that the Division must negotiate with the landown landown- ers Many landowners who are also sportsmen have made land available to the Division at minimal prices HOWEVER land prices have soared in recent years As Asa a result many acres of land that might have been available available available avail avail- able are now too high priced If the critical winter range is on public domain then cooperation cooperation cooperation co co- operation is required between the administering land agency agency agency agen agen- cy and the Division Fortunately Fortunately For- For for Utahn thousands thousands thousands thou thou- sands of acres of public lands has been rehabilitated through cooperation between two or more agencies WHAT DOES range rehabilitation rehabilitation rehabilitation involve Lets Let's follow a typical example The range area to be rehabilitated is covered by juniper forests Examination reveals that the ground under the juniper is mostly bare The area offers very limited grazing for browsing it is essentially useless in its present con con- The juniper is first re re- moved Usually this is accomplished accomplished accomplished ac ac- by chaining A Avery Avery Avery very large anchor chain is A flagman directs an aerial the chained juniper trees dragged between two large caterpillar tractors This breaks most of the large trees and also eliminates some sagebrush The area is then with both browse and grass seed SOMETIMES the reseed- reseed ing is done on the ground with a tractor and special equipment Other times it is ismore ismore ismore more practical to reseed from the air using an airplane or helicopter Once the range has been then it must be protected from both livestock livestock livestock live live- stock and wildlife long enough to allow the young browse and grass to become established ONCE THE TIlE cover is established established established es es- then grazing and browsing can be started J r Grazing on n these areas is t closely controlled and is limited to a few weeks in earl early summer Results have been very good in most areas Browse production has been increased several times over its former production As an increased V project Note benefit these areas provide livestock owners with some excellent grazing SINCE THE TIlE beginning of the program acres of range land have been rehabilitated for big game use About have been invested in the pro pro- gram Following is a down break-down of the program State owned owned owned own own- ed land Cooperative Cooperative Cooperative Co Co- operative projects with Bureau of oC Land Management Manage Manage- ment ment acres Cooperative Cooperative Cooperative Cooper Cooper- with the Forest and Cooperative Cooperative Coop Coop- ice Ce acres Cooperative with other agencies acres UTAH'S BIG game range rehabilitation program has brought important benefits to the citizens of the state In the future the benefits will be even more tant As browse on these areas is increased deer numbers can increase in these areas But the program program program pro pro- gram is costly and will become become become be be- come so in the future For this reason public support is vital to the continuation of the program Support is needed to ensure ensure ensure en en- sure your children the same opportunity to hunt deer and other big game that you have enjoyed db |