Author: WM Pro

Wildlife Management, TPWD, NRCS in the Texas Panhandle

Habitat is the key to maintaining healthy wildlife populations. In most cases, active habitat management is the only way to promote the plant communities that native animals need to flourish. A partnership between the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, Playa Lakes Joint Venture and other conservation organizations has recently filled three new Farm Bill wildlife biologist positions in the Texas Panhandle. Their job will be to, first and foremost, promote good habitat for upland game birds.

These biologists will work with landowners, ranchers and farmers in the Texas Panhandle on habitat management and conservation measures to increase wild populations of lesser prairie chickens, pheasant, quail and other grasslands birds and animals. The state has seen populations slipping in recent years, but additional staffing centered on providing habitat will help get these birds back on track. Continue reading Wildlife Management, TPWD, NRCS in the Texas Panhandle

CWD Testing of Texas Elk is Mandatory!

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a disease that impacts whitetail, mule deer and elk. The disease has not yet been found in Texas, and officials would like to keep it that way. Elk producers wanting to sell or move elk in Texas must enroll in the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) CWD herd monitoring program or have elk tested as described later in this article. During 2011, the TAHC’s rules for elk movement have been held in abeyance to encourage producers to enroll in the CWD elk monitoring program.

After January 1, 2012, however, elk will only be allowed to move after all surveillance requirements have been met. Surveillance requirements can be must met by one of two ways. First, breeders can qualify by enrolling in the CWD status program and testing all mortalities and achieving the necessary status. Or additionally, elk breeders can qualify by having a valid “not detected” CWD test on file prior to elk movement. Continue reading CWD Testing of Texas Elk is Mandatory!

Chufa Food Plots for Turkeys and Ducks

There are many types of foods that can be planted in combination with wildlife habitat management practices to improve a property. A great plant for a variety food plots is chufa. In fact, chufa is an excellent planting for food plots for turkeys as well as food plots for ducks. Chufa is a Spanish word meaning “ground almond.” It is a type of nut-grass that produces a potato like tuber under ground. Most often grown for wild turkeys, these tubers are high in carbohydrates and protein.

As eluded to earlier, chufa makes for great food plots for ducks. This species is an excellent food source for wintering waterfowl when flooded. Chufas flooded up to a depth of about eight inches are readily eaten by dabbling ducks, especially mallards. Diving ducks such as ring-necks, redheads, and canvasbacks, love chufas when they are flooded to depths over one foot. Chufa commonly occurs in bottomland hardwood understories and on exposed mudflats of seasonally flooded lakes. Continue reading Chufa Food Plots for Turkeys and Ducks

Wetlands, Waterfowl Habitat Declining in U.S.

Wetlands provide important habitat for ducks, geese and other water birds. They help to slow flooding and cleans our waters, yet our beloved wetlands and waterfowl habitat are slipping away. The latest U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report indicates that America’s wetlands declined slightly from 2004 to 2009, reiterating the need for continued conservation and wetland habitat management. In short, the trend is staying the same; previous reports have documented a continuous, but diminishing, decline in wetland and waterfowl habitat.

The report, which represents the most up-to-date, comprehensive assessment of wetland and waterfowl habitat in the United States, documents substantial losses in forested wetlands (swamps) and coastal wetlands that serve as storm buffers, absorb pollution that would otherwise find its way into the nation’s drinking water, and provide vital habitat for America’s fish, wildlife and plants. Continue reading Wetlands, Waterfowl Habitat Declining in U.S.

EHD in Whitetail Deer – Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Update

For as long as there have been wild animals there have been diseases that plague them. And no one likes wild animals to die from disease more than hunters, especially white-tailed deer hunters. Hunters prefer that those animals be used to help sustain them and their families, but disease is one of those things that is hard to shake. Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is widespread deer disease that covers much of the whitetail’s range. The United State’s Great Plains states have been hit hard this year, most notably Wyoming and Texas.

Wyoming Game and Fish biologists have confirmed that EHD has killed a number of white-tailed deer and some pronghorn in the Big Horn Basin, Sheridan and Casper areas this year. Samples from approximately 13 whitetail deer and four pronghorn were collected and tested for hemorrhagic disease–either epizootic hemorrhagic disease or the bluetongue virus. The test results indicated that EHD was the cause for two of the four pronghorn deaths and six of the 13 white-tailed deer. To date, bluetongue virus has not been isolated or detected. Continue reading EHD in Whitetail Deer – Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Update

Planting Chufa Food Plots for Wildlife Management

Well-established food plots should be a part of the wildlife management toolbox on every property. Chufas are great for wildlife food plots, especially for wild turkey and ducks. Chufa food plots may be broadcast or row planted depending on the equipment available. For either method, spread fertilizer (13-13-13) at a rate of about 200 to 500 pounds per acre, depending on the fertility of your soil, and disked in. A clean chufa food plot with little weed competition will produce greater yields than a weedy plot.

Broadcast Chufa planting method: Chufas can be broadcast at a rate of about 40 pounds per acre on the prepared seedbed. Next the plot should be disked into a depth of about 1 to 2 inches. Top-dress the chufas with ammonium nitrate at 100 to 200 pounds per acre when the plants are about 6 to 12 inches in height. Broadcast planting will work for both turkeys and ducks where suitable habitat exist. Continue reading Planting Chufa Food Plots for Wildlife Management

Texas Wildlife Management Workshop at Engeling WMA

Texas property owners interested in helping whitetail and other native plants and animals found on their property should be aware of the upcoming habitat management workshop in East Texas. The Henderson County Wildlife Committee will sponsor a white-tailed deer management workshop at the Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on Saturday, September 24 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Topics to be covered include deer management techniques, age and sex ratios, herd health, habitat management, food plots, trophy scoring, data collection, record keeping and census techniques. An optional spotlight deer survey will also be offered for landowners interested in learning more about this survey method to estimate deer populations on their property. Continue reading Texas Wildlife Management Workshop at Engeling WMA