A. Michelle Huebner

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT
WILDLIFE HABITAT AND HARVEST PLAN

Tract Name: Lost Canyon Ranch
County: Val Verde
Owner(s): Anne Michelle Huebner & Robert F. Tierney, III
Manager(s): Same
Contact Address: 4802 Ella Blvd., Houston, TX 77018
Office Phone: 713-682.0638

Objective: Restore, maintain, and improve native habitats for wildlife diversity (i.e. All species that occur in the area). Special emphasis is to be placed on management of the ecosystem on this property.

Is property leased for hunting? Yes ( ) No (X)
Consultation is with: Owner(s) (X) Lessee ( ) Manager ( )
Location of Property: The property is located on the old Miers ranch, approximately 35 miles northwest of Del Rio in central Val Verde County.
Is acreage under high fence? Yes ( ) No (X)
Acreage: Cropland: Non-native Pasture: Native Range/Brush: 140 Other:
Total Acres: 140+
Current Habitat Description: The area is a transition zone at the confluence of the Balcones Plateau, Chihuahan Desert and Tamaulipan Brush lands biotic provinces, resulting in a wide diversity of plant and animals which can be found there. The vegetation consists of predominantly upland desert scrub bisected by small canyon riparian areas. Red Bluff Creek borders the subdivision on the North side of the property.

Upland soils are of the Ector-Rock outcrop association which is very shallow and stony with exposed limestone bedrock. Associated vegetation is dominated by mid grasses, shrubs and forbs.

Soils along drainage areas are deeper, alluvial soils which are rich, permitting deep rooting of larger mesquite and shin oak trees which form small groves.

Upland sites are relatively open and dry and are dominated by an assortment of prickly pear, strawberry pitaya, cenizo, evergreen sumac, golden-ball lead tree, kidney wood, net leaf forestiera, linear leaf forestiera, false-mesquite, leatherstem, coyotillo, guajilla, sotol, lechugilla, Mexican persimmon, mountain laurel, ash-juniper and red berry juniper.

Sites along the drainage area consists of thick brush made up primarily of mountain laurel, persimmon, huisache, white brush, desert sumac, smilax green brier, spiny hack berry, sugar hack berry, guajilla, myrtlecroton (southwest bemardia), vine ephedra, guayacan, shin oak, purple leather flower, pearl milk vine and Mexican buckeye.

Past History or Land Use and Wildlife: The area has historically been used for sheep and goat ranching and hunting. Records of livestock stocking rates and grazing system are not available.

Habitats are currently in good condition. No surveys to estimate deer density have been conducted on the ranch in the past. The nearest department survey line is the Mier's Mobile Survey route. During 2003, the estimated density for the route was 242 acres per deer. The average density for Val Verde County was 30 acres per deer. A precipitous decline in deer numbers occurred in the area in 2001, coinciding with an outbreak in anthrax. Local hunting pressure also may be a factor affecting deer numbers.

Wild turkey and both northern bobwhites and scaled quail occur on the ranch. It is possible that Montezuma quail may exist on this ranch also.

There are currently no watering sites for wildlife on this site.

Livestock: There is no livestock on the property.

Habitat Management Recommendations: Habitat management must be directed at maintaining a productive and healthy ecosystem. The ecosystem consists of the plant and animal communities found in an area along with soil, air, water and sunlight. All management activities should be aimed at conserving and improving the quantity and quality of soils, water and vegetation.

Managing for plant diversity is essential. A diverse habitat site will have a good mixture of various species of grasses, forbs and browse plants. Many of these plants will be at various stages of growth, which adds another element of diversity. The diversity of vegetation increases the availability of food and cover for wildlife species. A greater diversity of range plants results in more food being made available during different periods of the year. The volume and diversity of plants protects the soil from erosion. Also, the decomposition of vegetation helps restore needed minerals to the soil to sustain plant life. An abundance of vegetation improves the water cycle by trapping water from rains, thereby preventing excessive runoff which leads to the erosion of soils and flooding of streams.

An ecologically based habitat management program will serve to improve the plant community of the rangeland by increasing vegetation quantity, quality and diversity. This improvement in the plant community will not only conserve and enhance the soil, but improve the water cycle as well. A greater diversity of all forms of life, including microorganisms, insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals is achieved under a sound management scheme. The long term health of the land is improved and conserved for future generations to utilize as a source of income, recreation and for aesthetic enjoyment.

The climax herbaceous vegetation community of most rangelands is dominated by grasses with a low percentage of forbs. While this may be suitable for livestock and for a few species of "grassland" wildlife, many wildlife species are more dependent on the seeds and foliage of forbs (commonly called "weeds") than on grasses. Plant communities with a diverse array of "weedy" plant species are more productive than a community dominated by perennial grasses. Periodic disturbances such as fire, soil disturbance, livestock grazing, and mowing can set back plant succession and maintain a diverse plant community.

Browse utilization surveys are recommended to be done during late summer and winter months to review the status of key browse species such as southwest bemardia, smilax, hack berry, woolly bucket bumelia and narrow leaf forestiera, as a means of determining use and carrying capacity of large herbivores, especially white-tailed deer.

Control of exotic mammals through harvest is recommended year around to eliminate their presence and effects on vegetation and competition with native wildlife. White-tailed deer populations should also be harvested annually to maintain numbers at or below carrying capacity. See methods for determining density and herd composition for more details.

Livestock Recommendations: There are NO plans for livestock grazing in the immediate future.

Vegetation:

Small regrowth ash-juniper and red berry juniper is present throughout the property. Selective hand-cutting of cedar is recommended in areas where cedar is abundant and sufficient wildlife cover already exists. Before any cutting is done, a review of areas should be performed with the biologist to make sure cutting is done only where it is needed and only the proper size shrubs are cut. The removal of cedar should be done during the winter months, before the return of Neotropical migrant birds arrive and establish territories and nesting sites.

When cedar is removed from these areas, care must be taken to avoid reducing the amount of cover in the stands below minimum levels needed for wildlife. Because of its evergreen growth form, cedar can add structural density to stands of deciduous woody plants during the winter months.

Cut cedar should be dragged and placed in piles to create additional cover for small mammals and herps.

Supplemental Feeding/Food Plots:

Managing the habitat for proper nutrition should be the primary management goal. Supplemental feeding is not a substitute for good habitat management. These practices should only be considered as "supplements" to the native habitat, not as "cure-alls" for low quality and/or poorly managed habitats. Food plots are not recommended in this particular area of the state because of low quality soils and low and unpredictable rainfall.

To be most beneficial, supplemental feeding in particular needs to be integrated into an overall habitat/deer population management program that maintains the range in good condition. Feeding programs, which provide sufficient additional nutrients to be of value to deer, are expensive and take a long-term commitment.

Although com is commonly used as a supplemental feed, it is one of the poorest types of deer feed available and it should not be used as the only source of supplemental feed. Its low protein level (7-10%) is not adequate for the development of bone and muscle, especially at times when the protein levels of native forages is also low. The preferred method is to use a 16% to 200/0 protein pelleted commercial feed, fed free choice, from feeders distributed at the rate of at least one feeder per 300 acres located within or adjacent to adequate escape cover. Deer are attracted to com and it can be mixed with pelleted feed to get deer accustomed to utilizing the feeders. The amount of com in the mix should gradually be decreased over time. Feeders should be fenced to keep livestock (and feral hogs if present) out but still allow easy access to deer, especially fawns. If net wire is used, the bottom should be raised off the ground (if hogs are not a problem), or there should be low spots on the top, to allow access to smaller deer. The fenced area should be large enough to minimize creating a confined area that deer may be hesitant to enter. Supplemental feed should be made available throughout the year. Feed consumption will likely vary throughout the year, depending on deer's seasonal nutritional needs and the quality of the native forage. Refer to the TPWD bulletin "Supplemental feeding" for additional information.

Although corn has limited nutritional value, it can be used as "bait" prior to and during the hunting season to attract and hold deer in an area for more efficient and selective harvest. It can also be used to counteract feeding that may be occurring on adjacent lands, helping to hold deer on a ranch during the hunting season rather than being 'attracted to feeders on the adjacent lands.

Corn and maize should not be fed from the months of February through August, so that brown- headed cowbirds or bronzed cowbirds are not attracted to the ranch. Increased populations of these nest parasites could negatively impact nesting success of several species of nongame birds. Bird feeders should be monitored also to make sure cowbirds are not using them. Ideally, bird feeders can be used during the winter months. If cowbirds are seen using the bird feeders then either the cowbirds should be selectively removed or feeding birds should be temporarily discontinued. At least one spincast feeder should be maintained on this property for general wildlife use.

A mixture of corn and 16% protein pellets should be fed to the wildlife in the feeder during times of stress. Typically, nutritional stress periods occur during the late summer and late winter months but can occur during drought at any time of the year.

In addition, mineral supplementation is recommended by pouring granular mineral mix on the ground at the feeder or a watering site. A hole can be dug at each site and a one-lb. coffee can full poured occasionally in each hole and allowed to leach into the soil.

Watering Facilities:

There are no facilities for providing water for wildlife needs at this time on this property.

Rainwater harvesting is the best method for collecting water for storage and dispensing for wildlife use. Plans are enclosed for constructing rainwater catchments and guzzlers for wildlife. Water can be allowed to drip onto the ground at the watering site to create a wet area. Wildlife in general prefers to drink dirty water than water out of a clean trough.

Population Characteristics:

There are no records of past deer, turkey or quail census on the ranch.

Method(s) Used to Determine Population Density and Composition:

The acreage on this ranch is too small to perform any deer census to reliably determine deer density. It is recommended that the owner keep records of deer seen and positively identified by sex and age during the late summer and early fall months to determine herd composition and relative population density. Records of deer seen while walking around as well as those observed coming to the feeder should be kept. This information can be used to determine long- term trends in the population and large-scale changes in deer numbers.

Recommendations for Harvest or Other Use:

White-tailed Deer: In general, the key to producing a productive and healthy white-tailed deer population is dependent upon the quantity, quality, and variety of food plants produced by the habitat or range. Food availability can be improved by: (1) harvesting deer, including does, to maintain total deer numbers at or below the capacity of the habitat; (2) not stocking with exotic big game animals, or keeping their numbers at a low level, since exotics compete with white- tailed deer for browse, forbs, and mast; (3) stocking the range with a moderate number of domestic animals, preferably those that do not directly compete with wildlife, and utilizing some form of a deferred-rotation system of grazing, and; (4) controlling invading "noxious" woody vegetation, such as cedar, not needed for cover to reduce competition and increase the production of grasses for cattle and the production and availability of browse and forbs preferred by deer.

Understanding food habits of deer is fundamental to management. Studies have shown that deer prefer forbs and browse (leaves and twigs from trees or shrubs). Grasses make up a very small portion of a deer's diet and they are utilized only when tender and green. Deer cannot digest mature grasses. Forbs are generally high in protein and important to deer size, antler development, and fawn production. However the production, quality, and palatability of forbs is highly dependent on rainfall and the season of the year. Forbs will be absent or unpalatable at least during portions of a year, typically during late summer and late winter.

Browse is the stable component of deer diets and, unlike forbs, is available throughout the year and is relatively drought resistant. Although utilized by deer throughout the year, browse becomes most important during the winter and summer stress periods when forbs are absent or unpalatable. Key browse plants occurring in west-central Texas include Texas kidney wood, little leaf lead tree, Texas sophora, Wright pavonia, china berry, mulberry, Mexican plum, sugar hack berry, guayacan, desert myrtlecroton which are rated as "preferred" species. "Moderately preferred", but also good, species include skunk bush sumac, evergreen sumac, poison ivy, four wing salt bush, Lacey oak, Roemer acacia, Texas redbud, saw green brier, common green brier, Carolina snail seed, Texas colubrina, woolly bucket bumelia, net leaf hack berry, and mountain grape. Many woody plants also produce mast (acorns, fruits, or beans) that is readily eaten by deer, but mast production is erratic and therefore it is not as reliable as a food source as the foliage. Important mast producers are the oaks (including live oak, which is a low quality browse species), and mesquite and Texas persimmon, both of which are low quality browse species. The woody species found in an area is dependent the area's geographic location, soil types, and terrain. Past management practices, such as excessive goat browsing pressure or brush control, could also be contributing factors. The quantity and species diversity of woody plants is typically greatest on the deeper soils of riparian/drainage areas and lowest in areas of shallow upland soils.

Antler development (main beam length, antler spread, basal circumference, and number of points) is dependent upon three factors: nutrition (quantity and quality of food), age, and genetics.

An unbalanced sex ratio favoring female deer results in a limited number of bucks available for harvest. Also, a surplus of does can contribute to a rapid increase in deer numbers with the potential for exceeding the carrying capacity of the range. The recommended sex ratio for a free-ranging deer herd in central Texas is 2 does per 1 buck. Within a high fence or under a Quality Management Strategy, it is more feasible to maintain the sex ratio nearer 1 doe per 1 buck, with a realistic objective of trying to maintain it at 1.5 does per 1 buck.

The fawn production objective for Lost Canyon Ranch property is. 75 fawns per doe or better.

The desired sex ratio will be 2 to .1 does per buck for the Lost Canyon Ranch to help the ranch recover quicker in the event of a catastrophic anthrax outbreak (*See additional information).

Bucks: The harvest rate of bucks will be dependent on the objectives of the land manager. One of the concerns that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has about the deer populations in many areas of central Texas is the young age structure of the buck segment of the population. Typically, 50% of the annual buck harvest in many areas is composed of 1 1/2 year old bucks, an indication of heavy hunting pressure. If one of the deer management objectives is to produce bucks with larger antlers, they must be allowed to reach older ages, which means that the harvest of young, immature bucks should be restricted. Restricting hunters to mature bucks only (in addition to spikes) is a good management strategy. Deer body characteristics, in addition to antler characteristics, should be used to determine the relative age of buck's "on-the-hoof". However, since many of the deer on a ranch may also roam onto neighboring lands, the benefits of not harvesting young bucks may be partially negated if these bucks are subject to being harvested on adjacent lands. For a deer population management program to be most successful in an area, most or all the land managers in the area must have similar deer harvest strategies.

Under a Quality management strategy, total buck harvest must be restricted to 20% or less of the estimated buck population. This limited harvest will result in low hunter success rates, but will permit a significant portion of the buck population to reach maturity (4 1/2 years old and older) and increase the proportion of bucks in the population. This strategy may only have limited success on smaller tracts of land (5,000 acres or less) where hunting pressure on surrounding lands is moderate to heavy. It is a feasible strategy in areas that are enclosed with a deer-proof fence, which negates the effects of hunting pressure on surrounding lands.

Under a Quantity management strategy, up to 50% of the estimated buck population can be harvested annually to provide maximum hunter success. This strategy will result in a relatively young, immature buck herd, with most of the bucks harvested being 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years old.

Under an Optimum management strategy, 30% to 33% of the estimated buck population is harvested annually to allow for a generally acceptable level of hunter success while restricting pressure on bucks that allows a portion of the buck population to reach older age classes.

The Optimum Harvest Management Strategy is recommended for this property.

Age: Maximum antler development of buck deer is attained at 5 to 6 years of age. Allowing bucks to reach older ages through selective harvest will allow them to attain their potential antler growth.

The harvest of spike antlered bucks should be included in the buck harvest quota, not added to the quota, regardless of the management strategy used. Spikes may comprise from 20% to more than 50% of the total buck harvest quota. Harvesting spikes will remove poor quality bucks from the herd at an early age. Also, if spike antlered bucks comprise a portion of the buck harvest quota, hunting pressure will be reduced on the better quality bucks. Research on the Kerr Wildlife Management area has shown that male deer with spike antlers are genetically inferior and generally produce lower quality antlers throughout their lives than male deer that had forked antlers at 1 1/2 years of age. This trait can be passed on to a spike antlered deer's offspring, perpetuating the "spike gene" in the population. Spikes are some of the few deer in a population that display physical characteristics readily indicating that they are genetically inferior. Once a spike produces antlers that are forked, typically their second set of antlers, it is no longer easy to determine if they are inferior. Spikes should therefore be removed from the herd at an early age when they still display inferior characteristics, rather than waiting a few years to see how they "turn-out" and can no longer be easily identified, all the while remaining in the breeding population and passing on their genes. It is generally recommended that an attempt be made to remove every spike from the herd annually. Even under a "kill all spikes" harvest strategy, there will always probably be some spikes in the population every year. Does provide half the genetic material of every fawn and, since does do not display a physical "spike gene" characteristics, genetically inferior does cannot be selectively culled from the herd. Less than adequate nutrition can also be a factor contributing to spike antlers. The objective should be to keep the incidence of spikes at a low level by 1) harvesting spikes as they occur, 2) harvesting an adequate number of does annually to "turn-over" the doe population to keep the average age of the doe population young and to increase the odds that the does in the population are the product of matings between the bettered antlered males and females with better antler producing genes, and 3) providing adequate nutrition through a combination of habitat management, maintaining livestock and deer numbers within the capacity of the habitat, and supplemental feeding/supplemental plantings.

Note: Specific harvest recommendations for both bucks and does will be made annually after county deer censuses are completed. The kinds and numbers of deer to harvest will depend on factors such as estimated deer density, the estimated carrying capacity of the range, the observed sex ratio, and fawn production and survival.

Based on a summary of deer survey line results for this part of Val Verde County during the 2003-2004 Hunting Season, a buck to 500 acres and a doe per 350 acres was recommended to be harvested in this area. So on 140 acres, one buck every other year should be harvested and one doe every 4 years should be harvested at this rate. Wild Turkey: Preservation of roosting sites is a key factor to maintain a turkey population on a sustained basis. Turkeys also need escape cover to travel to and from roosting sites. Preferred species of trees utilized as roosting sites include pecan, cypress, sycamore, live oak, elm, hack berry, western soap berry, and large mesquite. Avoid removing hardwood trees such as the various species of oaks, hack berry, elm, or large mesquite.

Feeding high protein pelleted feed from January through March will help increase winter survival. Supplemental feeding will also increase the reproductive potential of the hens.

With regard to harvest, approximately 200/0 of the estimated turkey population can be harvested annually. Adjustments in the harvest can be made on an annual basis. These adjustments will depend upon the nesting success and range conditions.

Records Management:

Records should be kept to monitor the status of the deer herd and measure the success of management over time. As a minimum, record keeping should include:

1.) Annual deer population data (herd composition and incidental sightings)
2.) Number of deer harvested annually

Nongame Species:

Elf Owls are known to nest locally in limited numbers. Favorite nest sites are abandoned woodpecker holes in telephone poles and tree snags. Since overall populations are under threat of losing nest sites throughout the region as a result of removal of surface telephone line poles, it is recommended that at least 2 nest boxes be constructed and placed at strategic locations on the Lost Canyon Ranch in February to provide them and other cavity nesters supplemental shelter. Plans for construction and background information have been provided. Boxes should be at least 300 feet apart and may be placed at varying heights during the month of February or March. Annual records should be maintained of elf owl nest box use by either owls or other cavity nesting birds.

Natural Cavity/Snag Development -Retain dead trees for use by cavity-dwelling species of wildlife. Snags can be created in habitats where naturally occurring snags are limited by girdling.

Nest Boxes –

Nest boxes for other cavity nesting birds such as ash-throated flycatchers, bewick's wren, woodpeckers, screech owls, and tufted titmouse should be placed on old fence posts or large tree trunks located on the property. Information regarding materials, plans and the placement of nest boxes can also be found at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology web site at http://birds. cornell.edu/birdhouse/bhbasics/goodbox.html. They should be put out during the month of February to provide shelter for returning songbirds and permanent resident birds as they prepare for nesting. Records should be maintained of use of nest boxes. The identity of birds using each box should be determined to measure occupation rates. Any additional information concerning date of occupation, number of eggs laid and the numbers of fledglings successfully fledged would be useful but not necessary.

Forms for recording this type of data will be provided upon request.

Other Comments:

Many exotic big game species (which includes over 50 species of antelope, deer, sheep, and goats commonly stocked in central Texas, and also hogs) prefer and consume the same forage (forbs and browse) as white-tailed deer. However, unlike white-tailed deer, many of the exotics have the ability to also utilize grass when the quantity and quality of forbs and browse is low. White-tailed deer forced to survive on the remaining lower quality forbs and browse become malnourished (lower body weights, smaller antlers, poor reproduction rates) while the exotics, with their more diverse diets, do not suffer the same effects of malnutrition. When the objective is to produce the best quality white-tailed deer possible and diverse flora and fauna, competition or food resources needs to be eliminated and it is recommended that any exotics be removed from the Lost Canyon Ranch through harvest at every opportunity.

Individual Preparing Plan:
Sylvestre H. Sorola
Natural Resource Specialist V
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
106 Jodobo, Del Rio, TX. 78840
Office: (830) 768-3124
Date: July 29, 2004

Signed: Anne Michelle Huebner & Robert F. Tierney, III (Landowners)

Date: August 6, 2004