A. Michelle Huebner
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Wildlife Division
106 Jodobo Street Del Rio, TX 78840
Ph. & Fax (830) 768-3124
E-mail: ssorola@delrio.com
March 6, 2000
Dear Michelle:
Enclosed is your copy of the management plan I have developed for the Wild Turkey River Ranch (40 acres) and Devil's
Backbone Ranch (54 acres) properties located in Val Verde County. You have expressed an interest in applying for agricultural
productivity appraisal under wildlife management as allowed by H.B. 1358.
The plan outlines several wildlife management appraisal qualifying activities which you are engaged in. Those activities
include: 1.) Habitat Control through Grazing Management and Riparian Management through a planned deferment from
livestock grazing. Also, active management through the prescribed Control and Management of Deer and Exotic Species by
way of harvest. 2.) Providing Supplemental Food through Grazing Management through a planned deferment from livestock
grazing and through the use of broadcast feeders during critical times of the year. 3) Providing Supplemental Shelter by
constructing, placement and monitoring of elf owl nest boxes. 4) Providing Supplemental Water by developing a special
watering site designed for improved accessibility to songbirds and other forms of wildlife.
Don't hesitate to contact me for further assistance and I am looking forward to working with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Sylvestre H. Sorola
Natural Resource Specialist IV
THUNDER OUTFITTER PROPERTIES
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Tract Name: Wild Turkey River Ranch & Devil's Backbone Ranch
Owner: A. Michelle Huebner
Address: P.O.. Box 421297, Del Rio, Texas 78842
Phone: (713) 682-0638
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT WILDLIFE HABITAT AND HARVEST PLAN
County: Val Verde
Manager: A. Michelle Huebner riverwalker@sbcglobal.net & Robert F. Tierney filiocht@pdq.net
Address: Same
Phone: Same
Objective: Restore, maintain, and-improve native habitats for wildlife diversity (i.e. All species that occur in the area)
Is property leased for hunting? Yes( ) No(X)
Consultation is with: Owner (X) Lessee( ) Manager( )
Location of Property: The property is located on the Devil's River ……, approximately 35 miles northwest of Del Rio in
central Val Verde County. The Wild Turkey River property consists of 40 acres and the Devil's Backbone property is 54
acres in size. Since both properties occur within the same subdivision it is recommended that they be managed as one unit and
therefore have been combined in this management plan.
Is acreage under high fence? Yes( ) No(X)
Acreage: Cropland: Native Range/Brush: 100 Non-native Pasture: Other:
Total Acres: Roughly 100 acres are currently under wildlife management
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 canyon riparian areas. The Wild Turkey River Ranch
property consists of Devil’s River frontage for approximately 600 feet. The Devil’s backbone property is located away from
the river but has a dry creek which runs through it.
Upland soils are of the Ector-Rock outcrop association which are very shallow and stony with exposed limestone bedrock.
Associated vegetation is dominated by mid grasses, shrubs and forbs.
Soils along Devil's River and portions of canyon floors are deeper, alluvial soils of the De-Dev series which are rich, permitting
deep rooting of large Live oak and Sycamore trees which form thick groves. Upland sites are relatively open and dry and are
dominated by an assortment of cacti, coyotillo, guajilla sotol, lechugilla, Mexican persimmon, mountain laurel and ash-juniper.
Sites along the base of canyons consist of thick brush made up primarily of mountain laurel, persimmon, guajilla, bernardia,
shin oak and Mexican buckeye.
Past History of Land Use and Wildlife: The area has historically been used for sheep and goat ranching and hunting and
fishing. 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 and would be
difficult to do accurately given its small size and rough terrain. The nearest department survey line is the Mier's Mobile
Survey route. During 1999, the estimated density for the route was 54 acres per deer. Corsican-barbados sheep can be found
free-ranging on the west side of the river and probably visit the Wild Turkey River property. Wild turkey occur on the ranch
and roost in Sycamore trees along the river. This unique area, because of its location and the occurrence of permanent water, is
home to diverse populations of plants and animals.
Livestock: There is currently no livestock on either property and none is planned for use at this time
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 the 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 bernardia, smilax, hack berry, wool bucket bumelia and narrow leaf forestiera, as a means of
determining use and carrying capacity of large herbivores, especially white-tailed deer. A plant checklist for the ranch should
be developed over time.
The Wild Turkey River Ranch property has had underbrush cleared under a Live oak grove. That area should be allowed to
grow back in order to increase plant structure and plant diversity for habitat.
Control of exotic mammals (Corsican-barbados sheep) 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 future because of the … size of each property.
Vegetation: No active vegetation management is recommended at this time except rest from domestic grazing and limitations on
grazing by deer and exotics. Vegetation under the Live oak grove at the Wild Turkey River property should be allowed to re-
establish itself to improve cover and food conditions for the turkey and other wildlife.
Supplemental Feeding I Food Plots: One spin broadcast feeders will be placed on the Devil's Backbone property and 1 will be
set up at the Wild Turkey River property. A combination of 16% protein 3/16-inch pellets mixed with corn will be fed during
the late winter and summer months. In the event of extended drought conditions, feed may be dispensed during any other
stress period throughout the year.
Watering Facilities: The Wild Turkey River Ranch property has natural water available to wildlife along the Devil's River
frontage. A water well is being drilled at the Devil's Backbone property. It is recommended that water be made more accessible
to the wildlife on the ground either through overflow from a water trough or through the development of a shallow basin and
an overhead drip system.
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: These properties are …. (not adequate in size) …. (to)
reliably determine white-tailed deer density using conventional techniques such as by a spotlight survey. In addition, because
of small sample sizes, the health of the herd annual reproductive rates, and sex ratio data cannot be used to determine carrying
capacity and an annual harvest rate.
Other Species: Elf Owls are known to nest in nearby woodlands 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 5 nest boxes be constructed
and placed at strategic locations on the Devil's Backbone property this spring to provide them and other cavity nesters
supplemental shelter. Plans for construction and background information have been provided. At lease 3 nest boxes should be
placed at the Wild Turkey River property. 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.
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 for food resources needs to be eliminated and it is recommended that any exotics be removed from the
properties through harvest.
Individual Preparing Plan:
Sylvestre H. Sorola
Natural Resource Specialist IV, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, 106 Jodobo, Del Rio, TX.78840
Office: (830) 768-3124
Date: March 6, 2000
Signed: March 13, 2000
WE ASK THAT “YOU” HELP US KEEP THIS A VERY MAGICAL PLACE!!!
Special thanks to Mr. Sorola and Texas Parks & Wildlife for their endless time and effort in assisting me, through the years,
determine the best way to manage these incredible exciting properties!!!!
Sincerely,
Michelle (Thunder) Huebner
