REVIEWS AND APPROVALS

NATIONAL BISON RANGE

Moiese, Montana

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1996

7 / / T / . / L

Refuge Manager Date Refuge Supervisor Review Date

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Regional Office Approval Date

NATIONAL BISON RANGE

Moiese, Montana

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1996

U.S. Department of the Interior

Fish and Wildlife Service

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION

The National Bison Range, located in Sanders and Lake Counties, Montana, near Moiese, includes an area of 18,497 acres. It was established by an Act of Congress on May 23, 1908, primarily for the preservation of the animal for which it was named.

The overall mission of the National Bison Range is to maintain a representative herd of plains bison, or buffalo, under reasonably natural conditions, to ensure the preservation of the species for continued public enjoyment.

Since establishment, however, other big game animals have been introduced onto the area and current management emphasis is directed toward species diversity. Other big game animals currently inhabiting the area include Rocky Mountain elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghom antelope, and mountain goats.

Range elevation varies from 2,530 feet at the Main Entrance to 4,885 feet at High Point on Red Sleep Mountain, the highest point on the Range.

The portion of the Flathead Valley in which the Range is located has a microclimate usually characterized by relatively mild winter temperatures and little wind. Snow cover melts quickly at lower elevations. Sub-zero weather is uncommon. Summer temperatures seldom exceed 100 degrees. Precipitation averages 12.63 inches annually at Range headquarters with slightly more at higher elevations. The growing season averages 90-110 days. Freezing conditions generally occur from late November through March.

The Range is essentially a small, low-rolling mountain connected to the Mission Mountain Range by a gradually descending spur. Much of the Range was once surrounded by prehistoric Lake Missoula which was formed by a glacial dam on the Clark Fork River. The lake attained a maximum elevation of 4,200 feet. Old lake shore lines are still evident on north-facing slopes.

Topsoil on the Range is generally shallow and mostly underlain with rock which is exposed in many areas, forming ledges and talus slopes. Soils over the major portion of the Range were developed from materials weathered from strongly folded pre-Cambrian quartzite and argillite bedrock. These soils are well drained, steep, and range from very shallow to moderately deep in parent material. They have a loamy surface horizon with near neutral pH, high organic matter content, and varying degrees of rock fragment. Except for surface soils, lower horizons have a loamy texture with rock fragment dispersals. Water percolation rates are high, thus soil erosion rates are minimal.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. HIGHLIGHTS 1 B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 3 C. LAND ACQUISITION 5 D. PLANNING 5

1. Master Plan Nothing to report 5 2. Management Plan 5 3. Public Participation 5 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates

(CECRA) Nothing to report 6 5. Research and Investigations 6 6. Other Nothing to report 7

E. ADMINISTRATION 7 1. Personnel 7 2.Youth Programs 11 3. Manpower Programs Nothing to report 12 4 Volunteer Program 12 5. Funding 13 6. Safety 14 7. Technical Assistance 16 8. Other 16

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT 18 1. General Nothing to report 18 2. Wetlands 18 3. Forests 18 4. Croplands Nothing to report 18 5. Grasslands Nothing to report 18 6. Other Habitats Nothing to report 18 7. Grazing 19 8. Haying Nothing to report 19 9. Fire Management 19

10. Pest Control 19 11. Water Rights 21 12. Wilderness and Special Areas Nothing to report 21 13. WPA Easement Monitoring Nothing to report 21

G. WILDLIFE 21 1. Wildlife Diversity 21 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species 21 3. Waterfowl 21 4. Marsh and Water Birds .* 22 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species 22 6. Raptors 22 7. Other Migratory Birds 23 8. Game Mammals 24

9. -Marine Mammals Nothing to report 31 10. Other Resident Wildlife 31 11. Fisheries Resources 32 12. Wildlife Propagation Nothing to report 32 13. Surplus Animal Disposal 32 14. Scientific Collections Nothing to report 34 15. Animal Control 34 16. Marking and Banding 34 17. Disease Prevention and Control 35

H. PUBLIC USE 35 1. General 35 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students 37 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers 37 4. Interpretive Foot Trails 37 5. Interpretive Tour Routes 38 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations 38 7. Other Interpretive Programs Nothing to report 39 8. Hunting Nothing to report 39 9. Fishing 39

10. Trapping Nothing to report 39 11. Wildlife Observation 40 12. Other Wildlife Oriented-Recreation 40 13. Camping 40 14. Picnicking 40 15. Off-Road Vehicle Use Nothing to report 40 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation Nothing to report 40 17. Law Enforcement 41 18. Cooperating Associations 42 19. Concessions Nothing to report 42

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES 42 1. New Construction 42 2. Rehabilitation 42 3. Major Maintenance 43 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement 43 5. Communications Systems 44 6. Computer Systems 44 7. Energy Conservation Nothing to report 44 8. Other Nothing to report 44

J. OTHER ITEMS . 45 1. Cooperative Programs 45 2. Other Economic Uses Nothing to report 45 3. Items of Interest Nothing to report 45 4. Credits 45

K. FEEDBACK Nothing to report 45

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A. HIGHLIGHTS

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes celebrated tribal sovereignty and commemorated the Hell gate Treaty on July 16. An estimated 2,200 people attended the gathering in the NBR Day Use area. There were speakers, games, activities and a barbeque. The Tribe advertised the event with 10" by 11" ads in the local newspapers and radio announcements. The Tribe originally approached the Range with plans for a tribal staff picnic of 800. As plans expanded, Wiseman worked with the Tribe on a special use permit for the event. The Tribe made arrangements for cleanup and garbage collection, parking shuttles, and crowd control. Wiseman and Jamieson met with Tribal staff at the picnic area on the 15th to go over details. Three Special Agents and two Refuge Officers (Williams from Charles M. Russell NWR and Jim McCollum from Benton Lake NWR) were present to assist range staff with crowd control if needed. Fortunately, no significant problems occurred.

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Treaty Day speakers tent, audience, and attendees.

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Self-governance and compacting issues regarding NBR occupied much of manager Wiseman's time throughout the year. Many hours were spent in meetings and preparing information for Tribal and Federal officials.

A major derailment west of Missoula resulted in a large chlorine gas spill. This forced the evacuation of residents, closed Interstate-90 and the railroad. All rail and vehicle traffic were I i 7

rerouted along the south boundary of NBR for more than two weeks, creating heavy traffic and II major road damage on this secondary two-lane road.

Comprehensive Management Planning was initiated for the entire Complex in July and Lindy Gamer was assigned to coordinated this effort. See Section D-2.

Migratory Bird Dav. National Wildlife Refuge Day, and other special events were celebrated at the Bison Range or attended by NBR personnel. See Section H-l.

"A Field Guide to the National Bison Range" received first place in the site awards at the National Association for Interpretation national conference in Billings, Montana. See Section H-6.

Marcv Bishop. Outdoor Recreation Planner, retired at the end of the year, after 11 Vi years with the USFWS at the Bison Range. Some of her major accomplishments during this time were expanding the Environmental Education Library, developing teacher workshops and designing displays at the Visitor Center. See Section E-l, Personnel.

Roundup. October 7 and 8. was again one of the big events of the year. Besides the 3,600 visitors, students, and teachers, it was also attended by a few dignitaries. Paul Gertler, Geographical Assistant Regional Director, Denver Regional Office, lent a hand at moving the bison through the corral system. Susan Brooks, aide to Senator Conrad Burns, spent a day viewing the action. And Mike Finley, Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, checked out the facilities and techniques.

Roundup; Mgr. Dave Wiseman, Susan Brooks, YNP officials. 10/96 MB

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B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

January had 16 inches of snow, which occurred over a 17 day period. February had temperature in the minus 30's freezing streams and rivers early in the month. Warmer weather in mid-month brought a quick thaw and created extraordinary flooding, ice jams and widespread damage along watercourses throughout the state. Low lying land at NBR was under water and was cause for concern, but damage was low.

Spring months March, April, and May, had precipitation above the 45 year average for each month. April received 9 inches of snow. The winter and spring moisture recharged ponds on the Refuge that had been dry for several seasons.

Temperatures in the ninety's and above occurred for 14 days in June and 15 days in July. The highest temperature of the year occurred on August 11 at 101 degrees. These were combined with lower than average precipitation in all three summer months. A July 30 thunderstorm caused a fire on the Refuge. The Mission Valley was often filled with smoke from wildfires occurring west of the Range at Hot Springs, in the Bitterroot Valley, Montana, and in Idaho and Washington.

An inch of snow was recorded on October 29th. Starting November 14th through December, snow occurred almost daily. November and December precipitation were well above average for each month. Precipitation for the year was 14.33 inches, 14% above the 46-year average of 12.6 inches.

The Range was closed to the public on November 19th due to bad weather and icy road conditions. Seven inches of snow fell through the night of the 18th and 19th, with another four inches falling on the 19th. The Range received 26.1 inches of snow in December, with 23.5 inches falling between the 21st and 29th. The Range was closed to visitors for Christmas and the 29th due to bad road conditions. Most of the snow melted during the last two days of December, when temperatures reached the SO's.

Mission Creek freeze-up. 1/96 DV

Table 1. 1996 Weather Conditions

MONTH TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION SNOW

High Low 1996 45-Yr. Avg.

January 54

o i 1.53 0.80 16.0

February 59 -34 0.47 0.57 0.13

March 66 4 0.89 0.73 9.0

April 80 20 1.75 1.03 0.0

May 77 19 2.22 1.81 0.0

June 91 31 1.52 2.01 0.0

July 96 35 0.51 1.02 0.0

August 101 31 0.21 1.08 0.0

September 89 19 0.58 1.09 0.0

October 82 10 0.78 0.89 1.0

November 64 -7 1.62 0.76 17.0

December 57 -18 2.24 0.78 26.1

TOTALS 14.33 12.57 69.23

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C. LAND ACQUISITION

Nothing to report.

D. PLANNING

1. Master Plan

Nothing to report.

2. Management Plan

The Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) Kick-off meeting was held July 9 and 10 with Carol Taylor and Adam Misztal from the Regional Office, Shannon Heath from Helena, and Wiseman, West, Bishop and Gamer from the Range. They brain stormed potential issues, purpose and needs, discussed public involvement techniques and format for the CMP.

Wiseman, Bishop and Gamer worked on background sections of the CMP. Wiseman and Gamer attended a National Planning Workshop with other USFWS employees involved in planning.

In October, Gamer organized and conducted a planning administration team meeting to discuss a public involvement plan, and the structure and schedule of the Comprehensive Management Plan. Carol Taylor and Adam Misztal came from the Regional Office to the meeting with West, Wiseman, Bishop and Washtak.

Bishop spent time working on the natural resources sections and appendices for the document. Gamer drafted an issues workbook, public information sections, mailing list and administrative record.

In November, planning efforts were stalled due to Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes lobbying the Department of the Interior for Tribal management authority for the Complex under self-governance.

Action items of the approved North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Prairie Pothole Joint Venture continued to be implemented. The Five Valleys Wetland Conservation Plan was written in 1992 by staff from the Bison Range and the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula. Accomplishments specific to the Bison Range include a signed option on 29 acres on the Northwest comer of the Range that would protect the refuge from trespass and poaching. An environmental assessment and public review process was initiated this year prior to completing the purchase.

3. Public Participation

In December, FWS briefed Governor Racicot with the Tribes present, about the CMP process and its public involvement plan.

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4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates (CECRA)

Nothing to report.

5. Research and Investigations

Grasshopper Research - Gary Belovsky and Jennifer Slade, Utah State University.

I. 1996 grasshopper numbers. For the first time, observed grasshopper numbers at the four study sites demonstrated different trends, i.e., some sites increased from 1995 while others declined. This had never been observed since the study was initiated in 1982. In addition, one site had the highest grasshopper density that had ever been observed in the study.

II. 1996 control of grasshopper numbers. Grasshopper numbers appeared to be limited by competition for food. It is suspected that declining populations might exhibit predator-limitation, while increasing populations will exhibit food-limitation.

III. Grasshopper impacts on nutrient cycling and primary production. Continued study of the cumulative effects of grasshopper feeding and nitrogen cycling and plant production. After two years, it was observed that maintenance of high grasshopper densities increased nitrogen availability and plant production by approximately 15%.

The Conservation of Genetic Resources in Bighorn Sheep - Jack T. Hogg, Craighead Wildlife-Wildlands Institute, Inc., Missoula, Montana.

Initial objectives as initiated in 1988 were to:

1. Determine whether reduced genetic variation generates detectable deleterious effects in current environments and in natural populations of bighorn sheep. 2. Provide managers with the means for identifying those herds that are vulnerable to the erosion of their genetic resources. 3. Provide managers with guidelines for using population size enhancement and artificial migration as tools for preventing loss of variation in those herds determined to be at risk.

This research program addresses the issue of genetic viability in populations of large, polygynous mammals generally and bighorn sheep specifically. The research now has two major facets:

1. The development of empirically sound, general principles of genetic management in bighorn sheep and related species of large mammals. Principles may then be incorporated into each and every facet of a population, regional or species-wide management plan. Effective genetic management requires a regional rather than a population-specific approach. Consequently, this work promises to encourage a more ecosystem approach in which all relevant considerations (habitat, genetics, disease, etc.) are addressed among the various managing agencies and parties in the private sector.

2. The first application of these principles to the design of a specific program of genetic management in the complex of native bighorn herds inhabiting the East Front of the Rocky

> Mountains from Waterton Park (Canada) south to Rogers Pass in Western Montana.

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Consequences of Natural Variation in Early Experience in Pronghoms - John A. Byers, University of Idaho.

This long term study was originated in 1981 and has been carried out by John Byers and his assistants. This basic behavioral study relates the experiences of pronghom fawns during early development to their social organization, dominance and reproductive success during their adult life. It has been concluded that the first bom fawns each year become dominate in the pronghorn social structure throughout their lives. Also monitored were longevity, birth and survival rates which are of value for management purposes.

Parasitism Rates of Brown-headed Cowbirds on Lazuli Buntings - Erick Greene, University of Montana.

Parasitism by cowbirds on lazuli buntings appears to be spatially patchy, with some local populations experiencing low parasitism levels, while nearby populations experience complete parasitism. Monitoring bunting nests have shown that proximity to bison herds is directly related to parasitism levels.

Summer Activity of Prairie Rattlesnakes - Charles R. Blem and Leann B. Blem, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Understanding habitat requirements, activity patterns, and spatial distribution is crucial to management of individual species. The present study presents aspects of such information for the prairie rattlesnake {Crotalus viridus viridus). This is a preliminary study to provide a data base with which to design more specific analyses. Twenty three snakes were captured, marked and weighed. The average snake captured approximated those captured in other studies in Idaho and Wyoming. Data concludes that a thriving population of prairie rattlesnakes is present on the Bison Range. Individuals near centers of human activity are most threatened by automobile traffic. However, several sites having rattlesnakes are at very remote locations on the refuge and should remain secure if left alone.

6. Other

Nothing to report.

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel

1. David Wiseman, Refuge Manager, GS-13, PFT 2. William West, Assistant Manager, GS-11, PFT 3. Marcella Bishop, Outdoor Recreation Planner, GS-9, PFT 4. Joan Krantz, Admin. Assistant, GS-7, PFT 5. Robert King, Maintenance Foreman, WS-7, PFT 6. Loren Clary, Maintenance Worker, WG-8, PFT 7. Darren Thomas, Maintenance Worker, WG-6, PFT-Career Seasonal

,8. Lynn Clark, Biological Technician, GS-7, PFT

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9. Kyle Todd, Park Ranger, GS-6, TFT-Term 10. Timothy Driscoll, Animal Caretaker, WG-5, TFT-Term 11. Delbert (Skip) Palmer, Animal Caretaker, WG-5, TFT-Term 12. Brent Woodger, Animal Caretaker, WG-5, TFT-Term 13. Patricia Jamieson, Park Ranger (Reception), GS-5, TFT-Term 14. Terri Middlemist, Park Ranger (Reception), GS-5, TPT-Term 15. Tana Novak, Park Range, (Reception), GS-3, TFT 16. Lonnie Trunko, Park Ranger (Reception), GS-3, TFT 17. Dean M. Vaughan, Biological Tech (Private Lands), GS-6, PFT 18. Lindley Gamer, Student Trainee, GS-9

Youth Program

19. Kristi Chambers, YCC, 6/10/96-8/2/96 20. Jesse Dalke, YCC, 6/10/96-8/2/96 21. Justin Hawkaluk, YCC, 6/10/96-8/2/96 22. Nathan Hawkaluk, YCC, 6/10/96-8/2/96 23. Ashton Redstone, YCC, 6/10/96-8/2/96 24. Mason Sieges, Montana Human Resources, 7/1/96-8/2/96

Volunteers

25. Charles Keller, bird surveys. May- June 26. Shirley Keller, bird surveys. May - June 27. Mike Larson, visitor center, June - August 28. Ervin Davis, bluebirds, visitor center, duck banding. Roundup March-October 29. Eileen Hostetler, visitor center. May - September 30. John Coleman, visitor center, maintenance. May - August 31. Zelda Coleman, visitor center. May - August 32. Kathy Roberts, Project Tanager, June 33. Eve Stucky, Project Tanager, June 34. Monty Wiseman, maintenance, June - August

Lake County Employee

35. Rachael Sykes, Bio-Insect Tech.

Work Study Programs

36. Nathan Hawkaluk, Charlo High School, January - May 37. Justin Hawkaluk, Charlo High School, January - May • 38. Jayne Yatchak, Intern with Salish Kootenai College, June - September

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YCCs Jesse Dalke, Kristie Chambers, Ashton Redstone, one of the Hawkaluk twins (Justin or Nathan), MHR Mason Seiges.

Rachel Sykes with 4-H members Reece Middlemist and Stephen Hammond looking at St. Johnswort beetles. 7/96 TM

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Marcy Bishop retired in December 1996 after 11-1/2 years as an employee of the National Bison Range and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. She was instrumental in designing and implementing many of the environmental education and public use opportunities that are currently available to visitors. Bishop functioned as the Outdoor Recreation Planner at the Bison Range Complex since 1985, managing the Visitor Center and Interpretive program with an annual visitation of 200,000. She trained staff to greet visitors in a professional and friendly way. She vastly improved accessibility for physically challenged visitors, including paving the Nature Trail and designing an accessible ramp at the new bison corral system. Bishop scheduled school classes of all ages and abilities and gave talks to them on a variety of subjects, using the "skins and skulls" collections which she put together for the Range. She also scheduled and coordinated a number of

Marcy Bishop, Outdoor Recreation Planner. summer day camPs and led field triPs-

Bishop wrote the text and laid out the material for the full-color Field Guide to the National Bison Range, see Section H-6, Interpretations/Demonstrations. She arranged for the loan of a replica of a Bison prisons skull, and designed the interpretive sign. She wrote the text and laid out the sign plan and accessible nature trail for an interagency viewing site at Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge. She wrote the text and produced the art work for a three panel outdoor display located in the parking lot of the Visitor Center. Bishop implemented an active education program which won several national awards in 1989. She kept the Environmental Education lending library folder up to date.

Bishop was also active in the community, serving on many boards and planning committees. She was active with educational groups throughout Montana, served on the Environmental Science Advisory Board at Salish Kootenai College, and helped establish Safe Harbor Marsh, a Nature Conservancy preserve north of Poison.

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Special achievement awards were presented to Bob King, Lynn Clark, Loren Clary, Pat Jamieson and Dean Vaughan for their high level of performance. Joan Krantz and Marcy Bishop received Quality step-increases at the end of February.

On-the-Spot awards were presented to Dave Wiseman, for work on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal negotiations and to Joan Krantz for working on the Federal Finance System.

Tana Novak received an On-the-Spot award for above level performance in preparing a St. Johnswort display, and computer graphic map of NBR and surrounding lands.

Skip Palmer was detailed to the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming, November 1996 through April 1997. He assisted with the construction of the new Visitor Center there, doing much of the rock work. Kyle Todd was detailed to Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona. He assisted with Refuge Law Enforcement, and returned to NBR in April 1997.

Table 2. Five year comparison of NBR personnel.

Permanent

Full-Time Career-Seasonal Term Temporary

1996 8 1 6 3

1995 8 1 6 6

1994 7 2 7

1993 7 2 7

1992 6 2 7

The above table does not include 1 PFT and 1 temporary position at the Creston Substation for management of Swan River NWR and Flathead County WPA's.

2. Youth Programs

Charlo High School Students, Nathan and Justin Hawkaluk began a Work Study Project in January 1996. They received school credit for volunteer work at NBR and input data on Neo-Tropical Bird surveys and cataloged research papers. They also learned how to chart and record heron and cormorant nests, adults and young, and conducted the annual survey at Ninepipe NWR. (See Ninepipe NWR narrative for details.)

Volunteer Erv Davis worked with Dave Fitzpatrick and Charlo High School Science students to erect wood duck boxes along Mission Creek.

YCC's peeled poles, cleaned facilities, cleaned downed branches out of the horse pasture, assisted with fencing, did restroom and vehicle maintenance and cleaning, changed pipe.

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Volunteer Erv Davis worked with Dave Fitzpatrick and Charlo High School Science students to erect wood duck boxes along Mission Creek.

YCC's peeled poles, cleaned facilities, cleaned downed branches out of the horse pasture, assisted with fencing, did restroom and vehicle maintenance and cleaning, changed pipe, picked rock, hauled trash, cut grass and did mechanical control on hounds tongue and toadflax. They also took down the old fence in the Environmental Education area.

In February, the Montana Conservation Corp. conducted chain saw training for 20 members at NBR. They returned the next week to brush trails and cut trees in a regeneration area of Douglas fir.

3. Manpower Programs

Nothing to report.

4. Volunteer Program

The volunteer program continued to be an important source of supplemental manpower for Bison Range activities. A total of 172 individuals put in 6,757 hours on the refuge this year. This came to a total of $64,867 worth of work for an expenditure of $10,540 in supplies and staff time.

Erv Davis, a retired teacher from nearby Charlo, continued to be active in a variety of volunteer areas, working in the Visitor Center, at Roundup, Game Count, a bluebird project, and duck banding. He maintained a line of almost 100 bluebird houses on and near the Bison Range.

Volunteers Shirley and Charles Keller each spent approximately 200 hours on bird surveys on the Range. Volunteers also worked on Project Tanager. Other wildlife surveys included the annual Big Game Count where 69 high school and university students assisted staff, putting in a total of 414 hours.

Staff had the help of 37 volunteers which put in 624 hours at the annual Bison Roundup. About half handled corral gates or assisted with vaccinations and age branding. The other half helped with visitors and school groups. This is a very labor-intensive event, needing experience, skilled helpers to insure the safety of the animals, workers and public. It would be difficult to do without volunteers.

John and Zelda Coleman were the first volunteers to set up at the new trailer sites at Ninepipe NWR. It worked out well and helped with the problem of limited housing for volunteers coming from a distance. John and Zelda assisted with the visitor center operation and mowing of the Day Use/Picnic area.

Volunteer Monty Wiseman assisted with many of the YCC projects, the horseback parking detail at Roundup, and livestock care (horses and display pasture bison).

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Table 3. Volunteers and volunteer hours for 1996.

Activity Number of Volunteer

Volunteers Hours

Wildlife Census 165 1119

Bird Surveys 6 720

Bison Roundup 37 624

Education Program 6 120

Habitat Improvement 35 1760

Antler Collection 23 571

Visitor Center 8 1500

Bluebird Houses and Banding 4 211

General Assistance 3 132

TOTALS 287* 6757

*The number of total volunteers in the table exceeds the actual number of volunteers to the Range since some people volunteer in more than one category.

5. Funding

Table 4 lists funding for the Complex which includes the National Bison Range, Ninepipe, Pablo, and Swan River NWR's, and the Northwest Montana Wetlands Management District.

Table 4. A five-year comparison of funding for the NBR Complex.

FY 1261-2

Base

6860 Other &

1262 FLEX

O & M

Total

8610 YCC

1996 602,500 35,000 116,575 754,075 9,610 6,700

1995 574,715 35,000 128,600 738,315 10,100 8,000

1994 555,050 34,700 130,925 720,675 8,000 8,500

1993 464,200 42,000 178,000 684,200 7,800 11,400

1992 413,500 42,000 165,400 620,900 9,100 8,400

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There was $1,200 for Bird Surveys, and $47,100 Fire Management funds in the FY96 "other" category. However, these funds were not included in the Base and they often fluctuate dramatically from year to year.

The 6860 fund, receipt for sales, remained at about one-third of collections transmitted. These funds are used primarily for large animal management activities, such as Roundup expenses, fencing, water developments, bison guards, etc. The "other and 1262 Flex" funds consist primarily of Maintenance Management Systems (MMS) allocation, 77K, and some seasonal salary. The quarters account, 8610, was utilized for routine repairs in addition to replacing the roof on quarters 62 and 63.

6. Safety

Safety remained a priority consideration on all jobs on the Refuge. General maintenance was done to insure clean, safe working areas for all employees.

Vaughan, Gamer, Jamieson, Novak and Middlemist attended a day-long training in Helena on Employee Security and Safety. This was for non-law enforcement employees. Jamieson and Novak received OC-10 training and certification.

Safety meetings were held as issues arose. They are listed below:

March A memo from Regional Safety Division was read concerning the correct use of ladders, including proper use and correct type for each job. A review of safety videos would be used to refresh maintenance personnel on equipment use. Safety boots and equipment availability and need was discussed. Snake gators would be ordered for field personnel.

May There was a review of ATV safety and use. Discussion followed videos "Back Safety" and "Hand Safety."

June First aid and CPR classes were held for all staff, volunteers, and YCC's. Yearly fire training included Fire Shelter Deployment and Standards for Survival taught by Mike Granger from CMR NWR.

July . Potential dangers and employee concerns were addressed regarding the Tribal Treaty Day Celebration. ATV training and safety was discussed and a video was shown.

August A discussion was held about the current fire season and fire safety. A video "Storm Mountain" was viewed and safety discussed.

Mike Granger, CMR NWR, supervising fire shelter deployment.

There were 4 accidents in 1996 involving staff.

In April, Tim Driscoll injured his right hip, when he jumped in a hole to repair a broken water line.

Marcy Bishop experienced a severe allergic reaction to a malaria immunization for her planned trip to Uganda. The reaction was so severe, she was hospitalized twice and was off work for two weeks.

While exercising one of the range horses, Tim Driscoll was bucked off. He was dazed and suffered bruises in the ribs and hip area. He was placed on light duty for several days, during May.

While co-worker Driscoll was driving through a field, looking for a ditch, the truck hit a bump and passenger Loren Clary hit his head and injured his neck. He was examined and had no further time off of work.

During Roundup, Marcy Bishop was climbing off the corral fence after taking pictures, and while stepping down, slipped and fell on her side. She received sprains, bruises, and injured her right shoulder. A volunteer, Eugene Birk, received a cut on his forehead, when he fell from the catwalk into the chute during Roundup.

An ambulance was called for a visitor who was having abdominal pains. The family placed the call from the Moiese Merc, at the front entrance to the Refuge. Bill West and Loren Clary responded to offer assistance as needed.

Corrective and preventive safety measures in 1996 include:

(1) Fire extinguishers were checked and refilled for residences, shop, corrals, and visitor center/office building.

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(2) All maintenance staff and one LE staff went to a day-long All Terrain Vehicle(ATV) training in Missoula.

(3) Visitor center exit lights were repaired and upgraded along with emergency lighting and fire door signals.

(4) Because of past problems with noncoliform bacteria detected in the Visitor Center, quarters, and shop water, an action plan has been put into effect to shock the entire system quarterly with chlorine. The interim goal is negative bacteria tests for 12 straight months. Range water is tested monthly by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. If this plan does not solve the problem, a chlorination system may need to be considered.

7. Technical Assistance

Educational assistance was provided to students, elementary, high school, and university level students, on bison, including management and disease. General bison management information was provided to the Farm Credit Services in Miles City, Montana, which is beginning to get loan applications regarding bison ranching. A request for visitation numbers from 1990-1996, was received from the Institute of Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana.

Dave Wiseman provided a technical assistance letter to the Lands Division of the CS&KT, in regards to the Tribes requesting input on a proposal to locate a construction equipment training facility near Pablo NWR.

Steven Andree had written from China several times over the last two years. He requested information on bison, any videos we may have available, and lastly, free bison. He was referred to the National Bison Association, Denver, Colorado.

Assistance and information were provided to a German Film Company researching bison. The Inter-Tribal Bison Cooperative staff received help in obtaining film footage.

During July, the Peregrine Fund researchers stored a freezer full of quail on the Range for use with their hacking tower. The Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit borrowed radios to help with locating duck nest sites using GPS equipment.

Skip Palmer and Brent Woodger were assigned to Charles M. Russell NWR on September 14, to assist on a wildfire. They traveled over in the new fire truck and arrived just as the rains did. They returned on the 17th.

8. Other

Bill West was detailed to the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Center in Huson, Montana from August 1995 through August 1996.

Marcy Bishop was recommended by the Regional Office for an assignment in Uganda to assist Park Rangers in developing visitor use and interpretation under a U.S. Partners for Biodiversity Program. She was selected as part of a three person interagency team. Bishop had a severe

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reaction to an immunization for the Uganda project and was unable to continue as part of the project.

In February, Dean Vaughan completed the NRCS Stream Dynamics Course. Kyle Todd finished the Seasonal Law Enforcement Academy course.

Pat Jamieson and Lynn Clark attended Desktop Publishing training in Missoula, in May. Jamieson also took a course on starting and working with Cooperating Associations and completed a media/community relations course.

During July, Kyle Todd helped staff the USFWS booth at the State Fair in Great Falls. Pat Jamieson judged the wildlife, forestry, and weed 4-H projects at the Lake County Junior Fair in Ronan.

Skip Palmer was detailed to the National Elk Refuge in Wyoming in November. He helped in the construction of the new headquarters, doing a lot of the rock work. He will return to NBR in the spring of 1997.

Bill West spent December 9 through 12th in Virginia to help NETC develop a training course on Integrated Pest Management.

A Special Use Permit was developed for white (silva) sage collection for Native American cultural and religious use. The permits are issued to help keep track of the amount of use and tribal affiliations and to make permittees aware of restrictions, limits, and rules. Three permits were issued in 1996, and permittees represented Flathead, Sioux, Navajo, and Salish tribes.

Don Barry and Peter Jerome of the Washington office visited the Range in June. They were taken on a horseback ride, led by Assistant Manager West and fonner refuge manager, Jon Malcolm.

Revenue sharing checks were delivered in July to County officials in Lake County ($21,380) for NBR, Swan River NWR and Lake County's WPA's and in Sanders County ($6,535) for NBR. Both checks were down 15% from 1995.

Total receipts, as shown in Table 5, were down in 1996. Both the entrance fees and bison sales were down from 1995.

Table 5. Receipts collected at NBR in 1996 for deposit to the National Wildlife Refuge Fund.

Item/Activity Receipts

Bison Sales . $86,214.00

Antler Collection Fee (Boy Scouts) 135.60

Entrance Fees 16,311.40

Special Use Permits 2,322.74

TOTAL $104,983.74

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F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1. General

Nothing to report.

2. Wetlands

Oxbow wetlands along Mission Creek, ponds in the Nature Trail Education Area, the Ravalli potholes, Looper Pond and other natural and artificial wetlands along Trisky and Pauline Creeks provide habitat for ducks and a variety of other marsh and water birds.

All of the Ravalli Ponds in the southeast comer of the Range were recharged with spring run­off and retained water throughout the summer.

Private lands technician Dean Vaughan worked out of the NBR office on many Partners for Wildlife wetland projects in Northwest Montana. These are reported in the Northwest Montana Wetland District Narrative Report.

3. Forests

Areas of second-growth and mixed second-growth/old growth Douglas fir are of concern due to wildfire hazard they present not only to those types, but to the old growth stands. Douglas fir occur on the north slopes, with most second-growth stands situated down slope from mixed or old growth stands. The second growth has the potential to create fire ladders resulting in crown fires in the old growth. In addition, the thick second-growth creates problems when rounding up or moving bison because riders on horseback or ATVs cannot follow the bison into these thick area. The encroachment of second-growth into the grasslands reduces forage for ungulates.

The Montana Conservation Corp conducted chain saw training for 20 members at the Range. Nine members stayed overnight at the Old Headquarters, and fifteen returned the next week to brush trails and cut trees in a regrowth area of Douglas fir.

A Bureau of Indian Affairs Fire Crew cut second growth Douglas fir at Tower 2 as part of chain saw training, in August. Seven people spent 5 days clearing approximately four acres.

Staff thinned about 3 acres of second growth Douglas fir saplings in the Elk Creek area in November.

4. Croplands

Nothing to report.

5. Grasslands

Nothing to report. No Parker 3-Step done in 1996.

6. Other Habitats

Nothing to report.

>

The bison grazed the south units of the Range at the beginning of 1996. In March, the gates to the High Point pasture were opened. Bison were moved into Upper West for May and early July. From Upper West the bison were moved to Elk Lane and the Lower West pastures in late July. During this time, personnel were advised to check gates often, because the bison were rubbing on them and occasionally getting them open. Bison were in the Creek pasture in September, which allows good viewing for visitors. Bison were returned to the Creek pasture after Roundup. In December they were returned to the south side grazing units.

The overall AUM's for bison are estimated to be 4,800. Foraging by other big game species utilized an estimated 2,240 AUM's for a total or approximately 7,040 AUMs grazed by large mammals.

8. Having

Nothing to report.

9. Fire Management

Bison Range staff are fire trained but primarily serve as a wildfire crew. Prescribed fire hazards along with the low Service commitment to the NW Montana high hazard fuels have virtually eliminated prescribed burns on the NBR.

NBR staff responded to two fires on the Range in 1996. The first was on June 12, when a hay fire started off the Range and crossed on to Bison Range property. The fire burned in dense green trees and brush for approximately 3 hours. Four staff used 100 gallons of water from the pumper/hose truck to suppress the two-tenths of an acre fire.

The second fire, the Pitchstink Fire, burned one-tenth of an acre on July 30, 1996. Lightning hit a live Ponderosa Pine and ignited a dead log near its base after a brief, fierce thunderstorm traveled through the area. The fire was reported by a local resident. Seven staff worked five hours to bring the fire under control.

10. Pest Control

Dalmatian toadflax was mapped for the entire Range by Jane Yatchak and was completed in June. Weed spraying as needed was done on several units, and West coordinated one helicopter spray.

Yatchak mapped goatweed (St. Johnswort) in July. Four grazing units were mapped, with acreage and intensity results below:

Lower West 0 acres Southside not mapped Upper West 54.73 acres light Mission Creek not mapped

7.00 acres heavy Upper North 48.00 acres light

51.00 acres heavy Basin 9.50 acres light

8.00 acres heavy

20

Insectry technician Rachel Sykes worked on several biological control insects. On June 21, she released 200 Brachypterolus puhcanus adults for dalmation toadflax and 200 Calophasia lunula adults southwest of Tower 2. On June 25, Rachel released another 200 Brachypterolus pulicarius and 150 Calophasia lunula larvae on the north side of Headquarters Ridge. A release of 155 Eteobalea serratella eggs on Tribal land at west end of Headquarters ridge, just off the Refuge. Eteobalea serratella larvae spend the winter in the roots of dalmation toadflax. These toadflax insects for release on the refuge were obtained from Bob Norwierski with the Department of Entomology at Montana State University.

Spraying of weeds was May through July by maintenance staff. During May, approximately 45 acres of knapweed was sprayed along the roads and in the Elk Creek pasture. Thirty acres were sprayed in around the buildings and picnic area for hounds tongue, toadflax, whitetop, knapweed and Canada thistle. A truck sprayer was used to spray 75 acres of knapweed and toadflax during July. Spraying of approximately 103 areas of knapweed and sulphur cinquefoil was done with the truck sprayer in late July and early August.

Bill Olsen, Bill West, and Lynn Clark co-authored Field Test of Biological Control Methods to Curtail Exotic Plants on National Wildlife Refuges. It was published in July by the Ecological Services Montana Field Office (Helena).

The Chrysolina beetle has been effective control for St. Johnswort about 1 or 2 years in 10. Efforts to improve biological control by introducing other insect species has shown promise. The plant on the left is a normal plant and the one on the right shows defoliation by the moth Aplocera plaqiata. 10/96 BW

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11. Water Rights

Nothing to report.

12. Wilderness and Special Areas

Nothing to report.

13. WPA Easement Monitoring

Nothing to report.

G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity

The National Bison Range has a wide inherent diversity of habitat types and wildlife species. Special measures taken to maintain diversity over the years include: rotational grazing by the bison herd, suppression of non-native plants, the development and maintenance of watering troughs and ponds, and the maintenance of 60 bluebird nest boxes with volunteer help. There has been special concern and monitoring of neotropical migrant birds. Such diversity is enjoyed and appreciated by visitors who come to see the large animals and also have the opportunity to observe the smaller wildlife of this palouse prairie ecosystem.

2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species

Bald eagles were common sights along Mission Creek, during the winter months. Eight eagles were seen near the front entrance at the end of February. The Audubon Christmas bird count tallied four eagles in Mission Creek.

There was a possible wolf sighting east of the Range in early May. A track cast was taken by Marcy Bishop with dimensions and layout suggesting it was a wolf. Throughout the last few years, visitors occasionally report seeing a wolf. Visitors have most likely seen large coyotes. Even though there are several wolf packs in northwest Montana, there has never been a confirmed wolf sighting on the Range.

3. Waterfowl

a. Ducks

Nine wood duck boxes were erected in April. Erv Davis and Dave Fitzpatrick, Charlo High School Science teacher, worked with 8 Charlo High School science students to erect the boxes along Mission Creek, from the middle bridge to the east bridge. One box was erected in the Nature Trail area. The boxes are not monitored, but are cleaned once a year by Volunteer Davis.

The Mid-winter waterfowl aerial survey counted 440 mallards and 18 common goldeneye along Mission Creek, Post Creek and Sabine Creek. However, staff observed up to 20,000 mallards utilizing Mission Creek during January.

22

The Mid-winter waterfowl aerial survey counted 440 mallards and 18 common goldeneye along Mission Creek, Post Creek and Sabine Creek. However, staff observed up to 20,000 mallards utilizing Mission Creek during January.

There were no pair counts done on NBR in 1996.

b. Geese

The goose breeding pair census was done on May 6, 1996 by Ray Washtak and Dean Vaughan. Twenty-one pairs were counted in Mission Creek. The production was 22 goslings. The pair count was the same as 1995, but production was down 13 goslings.

4. Marsh and Water Birds

Soras were commonly heard in the ponds by the Environmental Education Campsite and one was picked up on the breeding bird survey at Ravalli Ponds. Cormorants, great blue heron, and osprey were seen occasionally on Mission Creek, around the nature trail and along the Jocko River.

5. Shorebirds, Gulls. Terns and Ailied Species

Spotted sandpipers were visible along Mission Creek, Ravalli Ponds and along the Jocko River. Ring-billed gulls were occasionally seen flying over the Mission Creek and Jocko areas.

6. Raptors

Common nesting species include: great-homed owl, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier and American Kestrel. Two great-homed owls fledged from the nest in the horse pasture, and a red-tail hawk nest was active along the service road between the bridge and the shop.

Five rough-legged hawks were seen near the Visitor Center in January, and seen along the tour road in October. Twelve rough-legged hawks were tallied on the Audubon Christmas Bird Count along Mission Creek.

Osprey frequently foraged in the Nature Ponds and Mission Creek.

Golden eagles were a common site along the Red Sleep Mountain Drive, with an active nest in the Trisky Creek area.

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7. Other Migratory Birds

Volunteer Erv Davis maintained the bluebird nest boxes on the refuge. He gave a talk on bluebirds and did a banding demonstration during Migratory Bird Day festivities at the Range in May. He also banded females and young, see Marking and Banding, Section G-16.

Volunteers Kathy Roberts and Eve Stucky conducted the Project Tanager Study (through the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology) on the range. They located probable nesting sites of tanagers at 4 of 6 potential sites.

Point-count surveys were continued for the fourth year (Table 6). Transects one and two (Pauline Creek) were combined together with every other station ran on each transect. This was done to reduce repeat counting of birds between stations. Transect 61 (Mission Creek Intensive) was not run this year due to high water conditions along the creek and heavy staff work loads in the spring. Analysis of data showed that the roadside survey of Mission Creek covered the area well enough to eliminate the intensive survey. Two new survey routes were added in the grasslands in preparation for a future grassland bird productivity study. Transect 7 consisted of 18 stations along the southwest boundary road form Agency Springs to Elk Creek. It was run 3 times. Transect 8 had 18 stations on the southeast boundary road and was run three times. Protocol for running the grassland transects was changed slightly to reflect the greater detection distance in grasslands. Birds were recorded as being within 50 meters, between 50 and 100 meters and over 100 meters from the plot center.

Charles and Shirley Keller again assisted with bird surveys. They ran a transect from Tower Two to Tower Three and another along the boundary road from the east boundary gate to the bottom of Trisky Creek. These routes had 15 and 22 stations respectively and were run 3 times during the breeding season.

Table 6. Summary of Breeding Bird Surveys for 1996 National Bison Range

Transect Year Started Habitat # of Stoos Times run

T1&2 1992 Pauline Creek 20 3

T3 1992 Open grasslands 20 3

T4 1992 Narrow Riparian 20 3

T5 1992 Open Grassland 20 3

T6 1992 Mission Creek 20 3

T5I 1993 Indian Springs 10 2

T7 1996 Grassland 18 3

T8 1996 Grassland 19 2

K1 1994 Ravalli ponds/ Grass 22 3

K2 1994 Tower 2 - Tower 3 15 3

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The Audubon Christmas Bird Count was Sunday, December 22. Pat Jamieson, Tana Novak, and Curtis Novak were the observers spending five and one-half hours. The route is the Northeast comer of the Range, as part of the Ninepipe circle count area for the lower Flathead Valley. Numbers were down considerably from the 1995 count of 2,664 birds of 30 species, with only 453 birds of 27 species. This could have been a result of the extremely snowy winter. The greatest numbers are as follows:

Mallard - 155 European starling - 70 Canada goose - 54 American goldfinch - 40 Common goldeneye -17 House sparrow - 16

8. Game Mammals

a. Bison

The year began with 357 bison on the Range. Grazing use throughout the year is covered in Section F-7.

The first calf was observed April 9 in the main herd. A cow with a prolapse and a calf with pneumonia were treated and released back on to the Range. A calf was found dead, of undetermined causes, just off the tour road. Two yearling heifers succumbed to tick paralysis in April.

A total of 467 bison came through the corral system on October 7 and 8. Three bulls were left on the range since staff were unable to move them into the main herd. Bison weight and age information is presented in Table 7. All female calves were vaccinated with Strain 19 brucellosis vaccine. All calves were branded with a number 6 on their right hip. Fifty-four bison were donated or sold, see Surplus-bison, G-13.

Of the 414 bison returned to the Range, 113 were calves. The lightest calf weighed 118 pounds and was still buckskin in color. The heaviest animal was a 13 year old bull that weighed 2p20 pounds.

> •

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Table 7. Bison Weights at the 1996 NBR roundup.

Males Females

Weight Number Average Weight Number Average

Age Range Weighed Weight Range Weighed Weight

Calf 146-458 63 313 118-404 50 294

Yrlg. 535-880 40 666 505-750 34 643

2 755-1100 31 983 680-1030 37 849

3 1125-1390 20 1244 730-1015 27 890

4 1120-1575 16 1419 815-1050 23 943

5 1545-1870 12 1718 905-1215 12 1026

6 1675-1870 8 1761 910-1125 16 1021

7 1525-1895 7 1701 850-1130 13 993

8 1750-2005 3 1845 860-1170 11 1004

9 1795-1970 2 1882 950-1165 10 1042

10+ 1745-2020 8 1674 995-1035 21 976

Roundup riders. Bob King, Darren Thomas, Dave Wiseman, Tim Driscoll.

There were 15 special-branded bison identified during this year's Roundup as shown in Table 8.

Table 8. Special-branded bison identified at 1996 NBR roundup.

Weights

Special Brand Age Sex 1994 1995 1996 Comments

Bar Over I 5 Bull 1335 1595 1725 Kansas Mother

Bar Under 1 5 Cow — 1010 1010 Kansas Mother

Bar Over 0 6 Bull 1490 1630 1685 Kansas Mother

19 7 Bull — 1680 1750 Kansas Mother

91 7 Cow 1015 1115 1060 Kansas Mother

17 9 Cow — 1170 1095

Bar Over 8 8 Cow 915 960 905 Kansas Mother

Bar Over 7 9 Bull 1760 — 1795 Kansas Mother

Bar Over 4 12 Cow 1000 795 765 From Kansas

Bar Over 4 12 Cow 950 1010 930 From Kansas

Bar Over 4 12 Cow 790 980 960 From Kansas

Bar Over 4 12 Cow 955 1035 940 From Kansas

Bar Under 4 12 Cow 1015 1050 975

1 Left 4 Right 15 Cow 1020 980 970

1 Left X Right 15 Cow 930 965 915

Bar Under 7 19 Cow 1035 — 990 White Eyelash

Cows brought here as calves from the Maxwell State Game Refuge in Kansas in 1984 were special-branded. Their offspring, when identifiable, have been special-branded since 1987 in order to insure keeping the new blood in the herd. Other animals have been special-branded as a means of keeping individual weight and longevity records. They are not removed from the herd in the annual sales and are allowed to live out their natural lives.

At year's end, an estimated 417 bison were on the Range. Table 9 shows the composition of the herd, but does not include 3 bulls of undetermined age that were not run through the corral system at Roundup. The composition of the herd was 45% males and 55% females.

Table 9. Composition of NBR bison herds on December 31,1996.

Age Male Female Total

Calf 64 49 113

1 30 30 60

2 19 28 47

3 17 21 38

4 15 24 39

5 12 12 24

6 6 15 21

7 7 13 20

8 4 11 15

9 2 10 12

10 3 4 7

11 2 2 4

12 1 4 5

13 1 0 1

14 1 1 2

15 0 3 3

16 0 1 1

17+ 0 2 2

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b. Annual Winter Big Game Drive Census

The Big Game Count was held the Saturday before Roundup, October 5. This is a convenient time to conduct the count because the Bison are in Elk Lane and the deer and elk are easy to age and sex at a distance. A mountain lion was scared off a fresh whitetail deer kill along Mission Creek. Also seen were six black bears and two rattlesnakes.

Table 10. Results of the 1996 NBR fall big game drive census.

Number Counted

Unit Elk Mule White-Tailed Pronghorn Bighorn Mountain

Deer Deer

Sheep Goat

1 23 0 118 18 0 0

2 18 57 1 22 0 0

3 35 53 12 24 0 0

4 12 30 0 2 0 1

5 8 63 0 3 0 4

6 11 14 0 0 44 19

7 44 97 4 30 7 0

8 58 0 43 27 0 0

ALL 209 314 178 126 51 24

c. Elk

Elk were seen along the Winter Drive throughout the winter. In March, a small herd of elk were placed in the West Loop pasture, to provide those visitors with a limited amount of time to view elk, along with the bison in the display pasture. Throughout the summer, elk were generally seen in the distance from a variety of places. There were several bulls and cows that made Mission Creek their home, affording visitors great viewing. Clark heard bugling on August 28. Most bulls had shed their velvet by the end of August. The West Loop elk were moved to Mission Creek in September.

Big Game Count for elk in 1996 was 209, compared with 138 counted in 1995. This is a 34% increase. Three elk were removed in December, see Surplus, Section G-13. The average elk count for the last three years was 158. The 1996 composition was 57% cows and 43% bulls.

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d. Mule Deer

Mule deer were frequently observed in the Pauline Creek area of the Red Sleep Mountain Drive. Mule deer numbers from the Big Game Count tallied 314, compared with 246 in 1995. Fifty-one mule deer were removed in December, see Surplus, Section G-13. On December 31, 20 mule deer found outside the Range on the west boundary were let back in by West, King, Clary, and Vaughan. The average mule-deer count for the last three years was 260. The 1996 composition was 66% does and 34% bucks. Since the target figure is 200, the count indicates a need to remove 40 to 50 mule deer, of which at least 30 should be does.

e. White-tailed Deer

Whitetail deer were commonly seen by visitors in the Picnic Area, Pauline Creek, and Mission Creek areas of the Range, May through September. Big Game Count tallied 138 whitetail in 1995, and 178 in 1996. This is a 22% increase. Twenty-seven deer were removed in April and December, see Surplus, Section G-13.

An additional white-tailed deer composition count conducted in October by Wiseman, Clark, Gamer, and Todd, included 119 tallied along Mission Creek. Ratios were 69% does, 31% adult bucks. Fawn to doe ratio was 45/100.

f. Pronghom

Seventeen fawns were weighed and tagged in May and June. Mean weights were not different from those measured in previous years, and researcher J. Byers observed no abnormal or unhealthy fawns. Forty-five females were pregnant in May, so approximately 90 fawns were bom. A census in August revealed 30 surviving fawns (18 males, 12 females). Of these, eight are ear-tagged. Thus, eight of 17 handled fawns, and 22 of 73 un-handled fawns survived. These proportions (handled vs. un-handled surviving) are similar to those in previous years. Fawn recmitment this and last year were far above recruitment in the recent past. The increased fawn survival is attributed to the removal of 14 coyotes from April to June.

A pronghom buck was found dead in Trisky on September 13 by researcher Belovsky. Two pronghom bucks were found dead along the canal in late September. No obvious cause of death was noted.

Visitors always enjoy viewing pronghom. In March, pronghom were visible at the start of the Red Sleep Mountain Drive. Starting in May and on through September, pronghom were visible in the Pauline Creek and Alexander Basin areas.

30

Table 11.1996 NBR year-end pronghom population on NBR. (August)

Sex Age

Fawn 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10+ Total

Male 18 24 5 0 1 1 12 0 0 1 2 27

Female 12 16 1 1 3 3 8 3 5 3 18 25

Total 8 8 4 8 5 8 1 3 5 1 1 52

•smb TT g. Bighorn Sheep B- vignvin onccp

The end-of-year bighorn population totaled 52. This . ^ includes 22 females 1-year and older, 22 males 1-year

and older and 8 lambs (5 male and 3 female). Lamb survivorship (birth to end-of-year) was 57%. Increased lamb survival is attributed to the coyote removal effort.

\ If The first bighorn lamb was bom April 23. Throughout July and August, bighorn sheep were seen often by visitors along the switchbacks and Trisky Creek areas. Carcasses of two rams aged 9 and 13, found by NBR staff in October, were judged to be mountain lion kills. Two 7-year old females disappeared (cause unknown) early in the year (January-April).

Darren Thomas with head of big horn ram that was a possible mountain lion kill. 10/96

Table 12. 1996 NBR year-end bighorn sheep population.

Sex Age

Lamb 1 2 > 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+ Total

Male 5 1 2 4 2 5 1 2 4 0 1 0 27

Female 3 7 2 4 3 3 0 1 1 1 0 0 25

Total 8 8 4 8 5 8 1 3 5 I 1 0 52

>

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h. Mountain Goats

Occasionally, visitors saw the mountain goats from the Red Sleep Mountain Drive. These observations were from the High Point area. There was one sighting of goats on the north slope of Headquarters Ridge. Twenty four goats were observed during the Big Game Count.

9. Marine Mammals

Nothing to report.

10. Other Resident Wildlife

a. Black Bear

Seven different bears were seen by visitors and staff in July, including 1 sow with a cub, and 1 sow with 2 cubs. On September 9 and 15, Todd and Clark saw six bears, 1 sow with a cub, 1 sow with 2 cubs, I single adult. The majority of the sightings were in the Pauline Creek and Bitterroot Trail areas. Six bears were seen during Big Game Count, in October.

b. Mountain Lion

Visitors reported seeing two lions in Mission Creek on July 4. A lion was seen in the Bitterroot Trail area in October. During the Big Game Count, a group of high school volunteers scared a lion off of a freshly killed white-tailed deer.

c. Magpies

Visitors often come into the Visitor Center to inquire what the black and white birds are with the long tail. Many of the public have heard of magpies, but have never seen any. In June, a pair of magpies nested in the Juniper tree outside the Visitor Center theater and raised young. At times, the theater window had to be closed to allow visitors to hear the video presentation. Many children enjoyed looking out the window to watch and hear the young when the parents brought food.

d. Rabbits

As in previous years, mountain cottontail rabbits chose to make their home under a storage shed near the Visitor Center back door.

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Bobcat kitten in thistles in Display Pasture. 8/96 TM

e. Bobcats

Visitors reported seeing a bobcat along the eastern part of Mission Creek on August 4. A bobcat kitten was seen in the residence area and was captured on August 10. The kitten was emaciated and therefore sent to Beth Sorenson in Kalispell for rehabilitation.

11. Fisheries Resources

Mission Creek continued to support populations of rainbow trout, brown trout, squawfish, whitefish and suckers. Anglers used the fishing access near the picnic area and along portions of the Creek east of the Display Pasture. There was occasional fishing at the NBR Jocko Fishing Access along State Highway 200, on the south side of the Refuge.

12. Wildlife Propagation

Nothing to report.

13. Surplus Animal Disposal

a. Live Bison

Nine bison were donated by NBR in 1996. Two two-year old males were donated to Nebraska's Fort Robinson State Park. Five were donated to the Intertribal Bison Cooperative (ITBC), Ponca Tribe, Nebraska. These included two bulls aged two years and two females aged two years old and one ten year old cow. Three female calves were donated to USD A, Iowa State University for brucellosis RB-51 research.

Bid sheets for the annual sealed bid sale of live bison were issued August 12. Forty-seven animals were available for sale.

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Bison bids were opened on September 9th. Of the 33 bidders, 8 were successful. The average was $1,834.34 (up $310.41 from 1995 prices^). Eleven people witnessed the bid opening. Results are shown in Table 14.

Table 13. Summary of 1996 NBR sealed bid bison sale results.

Group Number Successful Bids Total

Sold High Low Average Revenue

Yrlg. Heifers 5 2156.00 2156.00 2156.00 10780.00

2 Yr. Cows 7 2371.00 2371.00 2371.00 16597.00

3 Yr. Cows 5 2388.00 2388.00 2388.00 11940.00

6 Yr. Cows 1 2351.00 2351.00 2351.00 2351.00

10+ Yr. Cows 6 2156.00 2156.00 2156.00 12936.00

Yrlg. Bulls 8 1201.00 1110.00 1149.63 9197.00

2 Yr. Bulls 9 1414.00 1414.00 1414.00 12726.00

3 Yr. Bulls 5 1788.00 1451.00 1539.80 7699.00

4 Yr. Bulls 1 1988.00 1988.00 1988.00 1988.00

Average Sale

TOTAL 47 Price $1834.34 $86,214.00

Marvin Dittus of Elgin, North Dakota, purchased the most bison (nine males and eight females). Diamond Willow Ranch of Magrath, Alberta, Canada purchased eleven females. Table 15 shows the disposition of bison sold in 1996.

Table 14, Disposition of 1996 NBR sale buffalo.

State Breeding Slaughter/Feedlot Total Percent

Idaho 1 0 1 2

Montana 9 5 14 30

North Dakota 21 0 21 45

Alberta, Canada 11 0 11 23

TOTAL 42 5 47 100

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Eighty-nine percent of this year's sale bison went for breeding purposes, this compares with 81% in 1995 and 82% in 1994.

b. Elk

In December of 1996, two cow elk and one calf were removed from the Refuge and the meat was donated to the Kootenai and Salish Culture Committees. The elk removed had frequented the West Loop area, and exhibited albinistic traits.

c. Deer

Sixteen whitetail deer were removed from the north side of the Range in April and transferred to the USFWS grizzly bear unit for bear trapping bait.

Sixty-two deer were removed from the Refuge in December. Fifty-one mule deer (40 does, 9 bucks, and 2 fawns) were taken. Eleven whitetail deer (7 does and 4 bucks) were taken. The meat was donated to nine different local schools for their lunch programs.

d. Hides and Horns

A complete bison skeleton was donated to the University of Montana Anthropology Department. The original request came from Arrow Coyote, a graduate student at U of M. Her thesis study is determining Native American use of bison from bones and artifacts found at a buffalo jump. The skeleton was that of a five year old male that had died as a result of injuries received during the rut. The bull had lain in the field for nearly two years and showed little loss due to scavengers. The reconstructed bison skeleton will be used by Ms. Coyote for comparison to the bones she finds.

The Charlo Boy Scout Troop again collected antlers under a Special Use Permit, see Section J-1, Cooperative Programs, for details.

14. Scientific Collections

Nothing to report.

15. Animal Control

a. Coyote

Coyote reduction was done during April through June to reduce depredation of antelope and bighorn sheep young. Fourteen were removed from pronghom fawning and bighorn sheep lambing grounds. Coyote removal again was timed to gain the greatest benefit of fawn and lamb survival. Removal efforts conducted randomly during 1992-1994 were relatively ineffective.

16. Marking and Banding

Erv Davis volunteered his services to maintain and monitor the 60 bluebird boxes on the Range. In 1996, he banded 65 mountain bluebirds, 4 after hatch females and 61 local unknowns. No western bluebirds were banded.

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17. Disease Prevention and Control

The practice of vaccinating bison heifer calves with Strain 19 vaccine against brucellosis was continued at Roundup this year. Bison staying on the Range were given an annual booster shot of 5-way leptospirosis vaccine. The 52 sale animals were tested for brucellosis and tuberculosis. The tests were all negative.

Total visitation was down about 11% from 1995 with 186,300 people tallied. Visitors through the front gate totaled 159,400 with an additional 26,900 using the Ravalli Hill viewing site. Approximately 5,400 people visited the range during the 4th of July weekend, close to the record visitation in 1994. Visitors from foreign countries made up 11% of the people who registered at the Visitor Center. The highest percentage continues to be from Germany (24% of all foreign visitors registered) with 13% from Scandinavian countries and 12% from the United Kingdom. A total of 57 countries were represented.

Entrance fees were charged again this season with a $4 per car Day Pass and all Golden Passes and the Federal Duck Stamp accepted for admission. There were separate rates for commercial buses and vans. Fees were charged from the time the longer Red Sleep Mountain Drive opened May 11 through its closure October 25. The Range started participation in the new Fee Demonstration Program in August. The Range changed from having an entrance fee to a user fee for the scenic drives. This is considered to be a new program and is eligible to have 100% of the fees returned to this Refuge for public use. The new program allows for a season pass and for special events. The rational behind this new program is to catch up on needed maintenance of public facilities and to improve/increase appropriate public use.

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General

School group visiting Range horses during Roundup. 10/96 MB

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Table 16. Fee collections for the 1996 season.

Regular Fee Program

(May -July)

Demonstration Fee Program

(August-October)

Day Passes $17,842.00 $20,700.00

Tour Groups 410.00 306.00

Season Pass not available 250.00

Golden Eagle pass 3,800.00 3,750.00

Golden Age pass 1,250.00 1,390.00

Golden Access Pass - FREE 19 issued 29 issued

Duck Stamps 315.00 1,155.00

TOTAL $23,617.00 $27,551.00

The Refuge's 30% share of the regular fee program (in effect until August) equaled $6,990.60 to be put into the 4960 account, a no-year fund for public use. A total of $26,396.00 was deposited to the new demonstration fee program. This account carries over until the year 2002. The $1,470.00 of Duck Stamp money goes into the national fund to purchase habitat. This is a 25% increase over 1995 sales.

Organized tours brought 2,108 visitors in 64 groups, down by 54% from 1995 numbers. Some of the established tour companies, such as Allied, Vantage and National Park Tours, did not come in 1996. Saga Tours continued to visit, bringing 450, or 24%, of the people. Foreign groups increased by 38%, accounting for 13 of the tour groups with 397 visitors.

Visitors attending special events included 3,600 for Roundup (up 25% from 1995), 310 riders for the annual Mission Rangers Saddle Club Ride in May and 185 in summer Day Camp programs. Holiday numbers were comparable to previous years with visitation as follows: Mother's Day, 1,600; Memorial Day, 5,026; Father's Day, 2,100; Fourth of July, 5,400; and Labor Day, 3,000. Mother's Day and the Fourth of July weekends were close to the record numbers of 1994.

Scout visits to the Range included special activities for Cub Scout Day Camps, Girl Scout activities and the area Boy Scout Antler Pickup Project. In all, 145 Scouts participated in activities on the Range.

Roger Hauge of Tumbull NWR (Washington) visited the Range in March to exchange ideas on public use and outdoor education.

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2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students

A major emphasis for public use continues to be on education. School groups had just over 4,000 participants which spent approximately 16,000 hours in learning activities on the Bison Range. Schools were scheduled at both the Visitor Center and the ponds and other outdoor education sites to give them exclusive use of these areas during their visit. Groups received special programs presented at the Visitor Center by staff.

The Bison Range caters to all grade and ability levels from Head Start and developmentally disabled groups through graduate students and elder hostels. Of the 97 school groups visiting the Range this year, 414 students in 19 groups were in University classes and 3 foreign student groups had 64 students.

Information was provided for many student research papers and projects covering bison, genetics, brucellosis, population dynamics, behavior and management as well as other natural history topics ranging from pest management, bird houses and feeders and native grasslands. Requests come from students throughout the United States as well as from local students.

3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers

Some 551 teachers spent 2,500 activity hours on the Bison Range participating in outdoor education activities with their students or at Teacher Workshops. The winter workshop, held February 24 and 25, covered Winter Ecology for 43 teachers. A live lynx assisted 7 human instructors. Teachers could earn academic credit through the University of Montana or OPI (Office of Public Instruction) credits. The Bison Range co-sponsored the November 2 workshop. Nature's Discovery Kits, with the Montana Natural History Center. Thirty-two teachers were introduced to two educational trunks, "Songbird Blues; Exploring Neotropical Migratory Songbirds" and "The Clark Fork-Pend Oreille Watershed Kit." A listing of educational trunks available for loan was dispensed at the workshop. Teachers received OPI credits for attending this workshop.

The outdoor education lending library of lesson plans and other resource materials for field trips and classroom activities continued to be available to teachers. The display collection of hands-on teaching aids, including skulls, study skins, nests and other natural materials were used by most of the visiting school class.

4. Interpretive Foot Trails

The Nature Trails located in the day use area were heavily used by school groups for outdoor education activities. In addition, approximately 35,000 visitors walked and viewed wildlife along the ponds and in the riparian habitat traversed by these trails. Portions of the Teacher Workshops and Summer Day Camps were conducted in this area.

The Bitterroot and Highpoint Trails, accessed from the Red Sleep Mountain Drive, provided short walks to view the bitterroots in the spring and other wildflowers and to reach the highest point of the Range at 4,884 ft.

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5. Interpretive Tour Routes

There are four different interpretive tour routes. The 19-mile Red Sleep Mountain Drive gains 2,100 feet in elevation and is closed during the winter months. It opened for the season on May 11. The long tour closed for the season on October 25. School buses and large tour buses usually use the shorter Prairie Drive and West Loop because of the difficulty of the longer drive.

The Winter Drive offers a two-way 10-mile round trip when the upper reaches of the long tour were closed for the winter. It also provides excellent viewing for school buses, giving them early and late season viewing without traveling the winding Red Sleep Drive. This route closed for a few days in January because of snow, ice and freezing rain. It closed again in November due to too much snow.

Traffic counters showed that approximately 106,000 people used Bison Range tour roads in 1996 with about 60,000 traveling the 19-mile Red Sleep Mountain Drive when it was open mid-May to the end of October. The balance used the shorter Prairie Drive and West Loop or the seasonal Winter Drive.

Pat Jamieson, Park Ranger, conducted a tour over Red Sleep Mountain Drive on March 10 for 6 people who were attending the Montana Environmental Education Association meeting in Poison.

6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations

Fees were again payable at the Visitor Center which brings a large number of visitors into the building. Once there, they can view the displays on bison, bison history and other wildlife materials. Of the 56,000 visitors counted, approximately 32,000 saw interpretive videos. An interpreter was always on duty to provide visitor information and to answer questions about the wildlife and habitats on the Range. The center was open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from mid-May through the end of October, and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays for the balance of the year.

An interpretive kiosk in the Visitor Center parking area provided information about the refuge and visitor safety. The Field Guide to the National Bison Range, which includes a Range map, was available at this site. This field guide received First Place for Site Publications at the 1996 National Association for Interpretation annual meeting in October. Marcy Bishop wrote and designed the brochure and Pat Jamieson was able to accept the award in her name while attending the conference in Billings, MT.

Outreach activities included off-refuge talks and programs presented to approximately 384 people. Recipients included civic, resource and sportsmen's groups and Career Days programs throughout western Montana. Earth Day was celebrated with an exhibit at the Charlo School Science Fair. Pat Jamieson talked to students and gave out free posters. Kyle Todd staffed the FWS booth at the State Fair in Great Falls for two days in July. Marcy Bishop staffed a booth featuring the Environmental Education Program at the Range and highlighting the Refuge System Birthday at the annual Montana Environmental Education Association conference in

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Poison in February. In October, Pat Jamieson assisted Shannon Heath (ES-Helena) with the FWS table at the Montana Education Association conference in Helena.

Jamieson presented a slide program about the Bison Range and the Refuge System to 38 people at the Cumberland (Rhode Island) Public Library. This was arranged by Suzanne Buchanan, Park Ranger at the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (NPS). Jamieson is a native of Rhode Island and met Buchanan at the National Association for Interpretation conference in October.

The Bison Range and the complex was periodically in the news over the tribal compacting issue. The Regional Office issued a news release on the current status of this issue. News releases from the Range included information about the Teacher Workshops, activities available on Migratory Bird Day, operating hours of the Visitor Center and opening/closing of the scenic drives and about the elk poaching incident. KPAX-TV (Missoula) interviewed Dave Wiseman for a 2-3 minute travel spot. KECI-TV (Missoula) and Channel 6 from Spokane (WA) filmed the Roundup for news spots. The Missoulian, the Char Koosta News and the Hungry Horse News also did articles on roundup. The University of Montana Journalism Class interviewed Pat Jamieson for a piece they were doing on Native American Tribes in Montana.

The Missoulian worked with researcher Jack Hogg in developing a full-page photo article on his long-term bighorn sheep project on the Range. A Japanese public TV film crew was issued a Special Use Permit to film Erick Greene's lazuli bunting research. This included use of a helicopter for habitat shots. Jamieson wrote a piece about bison calves and spring on the Bison Range for the Montana Natural History Center's program "Field Notes" aired on KUFM public radio.

7. Other Interpretive Programs

Nothing to report.

8. Hmiting

Nothing to report.

9. Fishing

Fishing is allowed in accordance with state, tribal and refuge regulations along portions of Mission Creek and the Jocko River that lie within the boundaries of the Bison Range. A joint State and Tribal license and fishing stamp is required. An estimated 375 individuals fished on Mission Creek.

The Range celebrated National Fishing Week (June 3-9) by developing a coloring page and distributing it free to children. This year's theme was "Take A Kid Fishing."

10. Trapping

Nothing to report.

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11. Wildlife Observation

Visitors spent an estimated 155,000 activity hours observing wildlife along the Bison Range scenic drives and nature trails. Most often observed were bison, elk, pronghom antelope and white-tail and mule deer.

12. Qther Wildlife Oriented-Recreation

Visitors to Roundup this year totaled 3,600. About 37 volunteers helped during this event by working gates, branding, directing visitors, talking to school groups among other jobs. Visitors included 880 students and teachers as part of 16 school groups. While this was 396 less students than last year, it was only 1 group less. Because of budget constraints, schools bring larger groups, which makes scheduling the Visitor Center, with its limited space, very difficult. During the two days of Roundup, classes were still limited to students from grades 4 and above for safety reasons due to the press of crowds. Younger students and those requiring special assistance were given an option of viewing loading operations later in the week. A Roundup Leaflet and video programs at the corrals provided schools and other visitors with information about the Roundup.

National Wildlife Refuge Week was celebrated during Roundup. Information and free posters were distributed to all school groups. This will continue to be a yearly event, as part of the Service's "100 on 100" campaign to raise awareness of the Refuge system by its 100th anniversary in the year 2003.

13. Camping

Campgrounds for the general public are not provided on the Bison Range. The Environmental Education Campground is available to educational groups. The University of Idaho had 3 groups consisting of 30 students each camp during a 2 week period in May for a Land Use Field Trip. Region 1 of the Forest Service (Missoula, MT) arranged to use the EE Campground for a retreat for 2 days.

14. Picnicking

School groups and summer day camps used the shaded picnic area as a study and staging area. This site was also welcomed by visitors since there are few visitor services within miles. Accessible tables, restrooms and nature trail are available at this site.

The Kickinghorse Job Corps received a Special Use Permit for a Cultural Day celebration held in the picnic area. About 200 participated in a Navajo ceremony, including butchering a sheep and drying deer meat.

15. Off-Road Vehicle Use

Nothing to report.

16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation

Nothing to report.

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17. Law Enforcement

Law enforcement for the Refuge Complex is handled by Refuge personnel. Manager Dave Wiseman, Assistant Manager Bill West, and Bio.-Tech. Lynn Clark all have LE status. Clark acts as primary LE officer two days a week during May through October, with Kyle Todd, seasonal personnel, the other five days. West, Wiseman, and Clark provided backup and responded to after-hour incidents. West supervised the LE program.

A bull elk was poached in December 1995, during the furlough period. Just the head was removed. A news release in February requested information about the incident. The poaching is still under investigation.

A local individual who drove through the boundary fence in 1995 was sentenced in April. He thought he should not be charged for trespass because he "didn't know where he was." Sentence included one year probation, 72 hours in jail, $2510.00 fine, substance abuse counseling, subject to urinalysis, no bars, and loss of drivers license for one year.

Dave Wiseman, Lynn Clark, and Bill West attended the week-long Law and Enforcement refresher course at Marana in February. A fall law enforcement coordination and requalification was conducted at the Range by Wiseman, West, Clark, Todd, Pat Gonzales from Lee Metcalf NWR and Special Agent Rick Branzell.

A theft of USFWS items from locked vehicles in a closed garage occurred on the Refuge in May. The items taken were five binoculars, one spotting scope, and two rifles. The incident is under investigation.

Throughout the year, LE staff handle a variety of visitor problems; locked cars and disabled vehicles being the most common. Dogs running loose on the Refuge Complex also requires time of the officers. On Veteran's Day, Wiseman assisted visitors who had rolled their jeep. A tow truck was called; no one was injured or cited.

A 1992 poaching incident concluded with the guilty person, having appealed a previous conviction, was sentenced for three Class A misdemeanors and a Class B misdemeanor. He was sentenced to pay $100 restitution. He was placed on 30 months probation where he may not hunt, fish, or accompany anyone doing these activities. He must perform 25 hours of community service. He was fined $1500. He was further ordered to pay the special assessment of $85. He allegedly spent $60,000 defending himself.

Jamieson, Novak, and Novak discovered a suicide on the Range during the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count in December. The Lake County Sheriffs department conducted the follow-up investigation.

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Table 17. Violation notices issued on NBR in 1996.

Violation # of Cases Bond Disposition

Driving Wrong Way on 1 $ 75.00 Posted Bond One Way Road

Failure to Pay Entrance Fee 1 50.00 Closed

Pulling a Trailer on Red 1 50.00 Pending Sleep Mountain Drive

TOTAL 3 $175.00

18. Cooperating Associations

Glacier Natural History Association continued to provide books, posters, and videos through an outlet at NBR. The sales for 1996 totaled $31,920. This was up slightly from 1995 sales. The donation, based on FY95, was again used to reprint A Field Guide to the National Bison Range. Each year, new books and other items, are reviewed for possible sale at the NBR outlet. Quarterly board meetings were attended by Marcy Bishop. Range public use staff provided the visitor contact for the sales outlet during routine Visitor Center duties.

19. Concessions

Nothing to report.

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction

Trailer pads with electricity, phone, water and sewer hookups were constructed at the Ninepipe Wildlife Refuge. A new water well pump and pressure tank were also installed. The two pads will serve as "home" for seasonal volunteers, temporary staff, and researchers who come to the NBR complex for several months and live in their RV/Motor home or fifth wheel trailer.

2. Rehabilitation

Large boulders were placed at the end of the Winter Drive to keep visitors from driving beyond. New plastic and gravel were laid on the Bitterroot Trail. The front median along the Visitor Center parking lot was re-lined and filled with new gravel. Curb barriers were placed at the entrance of the Visitor Center sidewalk to prevent people from driving up the sidewalk to the building. Large rocks were placed at the start of the Bitterroot Trail for the same reason.

The septic system and drain field for the old office/bunk house was replaced.

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Poles were cut in the Ninemile area, and peeled by the YCC crew. The poles were then used to rebuild the corrals at the NBR bam, and build a round corral for horse training.

A new weather station was constructed by Skip Palmer, YCC, and volunteer help.

Four staff moved into the office space in the mobile home office annex.

U ,

f

Loren Clary, Tim Driscoll, Brent Woodger, and Darren Thomas at gate to new corrals at bam. 10/96

3. Major Maintenance

Several spring boxes and concrete water troughs were replaced to insure effective water supplies and range utilization.

The composition shingle roof on Quarter 62 was removed and replaced force account.

Maintenance foreman King rebuilt the engine in the law enforcement pickup.

Animal caretaker Woodger replaced the back steps of the old office/bunkhouse.

Three horses were purchased to replaced injured or older animals.

4. Equipment Utiiization and Replacement

NBR vehicles were upgraded to replace worn and older vehicles. A 1988 Dodge pickup was sold in April. Four new vehicles were purchased including Dodge pickup, Arctic Cat, Bearcat ATV 4X4 (purchased with fire funds), John Deere 5400 diesel tractor, and a Dodge 4X4 to be used as a fire truck. An 8' X 20' shop-built trailer was transferred to the Fish Technical Center in Bozeman, Montana. Fire funds were also used to purchase chainsaws and 2 portable water tanks (500 gal. and 3000 gal.) •

Loren Clary with new truck. 2/96 DV

5. Communications Systems

Fire funds bought four Astro Digital Motorola mobile and four portable radios.

6. Computer Systems

Fee program money was used to purchase two Dell computers. Upgrading the old computers will help employees take advantage of the many new programs available. The old computers and printers and a fax machine were donated to the Charlo School System, Charlo, Montana. (This was arranged with Dave Fitzpatrick, High School Science teacher, who has volunteered at NBR for a number of years.)

7. Energy Conservation

Nothing to report.

8. Other

Nothing to report.

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J. OTHER ITEMS

L Cooperative Programs

Permission was continued for hydrologist of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to maintain a stream gauging station on Mission Creek. They gain access to the Dublin Gulch site through the Refuge.

The cooperative antler salvage effort with the Charlo Boy Scout Troop 56 and the Glacier Natural History Association continued for the twelfth year. This year, 17 scouts and six adults spent part of eight days totaling 516 hours collecting elk and deer antlers. Eight scouts and four adults spent part of three days and 55 hours sorting, weighing, and selling the antlers. Two hundred and twenty-four pounds of elk and deer antlef were collected. Elk antlers sold for $8.61 per pound, and deer antlers for $8.89 per pound. The sale grossed $2733.34, with a permit fee of $135.60 going to USFWS, a donation of $1762.90 to GNHA, and $813.64 going to the Scouts.

2. Other Economic Uses

Nothing to report.

3. Items of Interest

Nothing to report.

4. Credits

Bill West - Sections D3, D4, Fl-13 Lynn Clark - Sections Gl-17 Lindey Gamer - Sections Dl, D2 Pat Jamieson - Sections E4, HI-16 Joan Krantz - Sections El, E5,15,16 Terri Middlemist - Sections A, B, C, D5, E2, E7, H17-18,11-4, Jl-4, Word Processing and

Assembly

K. FEEDBACK

Nothing to report.