Centennial Valley Association
January 2016
Photo Credit: Cody Deane
Centennial Valley Updates
Hunter check-stations at Alder, Cameron, and Dell, along with hunter
feedback from the field suggest it was a very productive hunting season
across the Gravelly Elk Management Unit, including the Centennial Valley
portion. Although we won’t have the harvest estimates until post-season
phone survey efforts are complete, check-station results indicate a near
record elk harvest for the area with the majority of that harvest being
antlerless elk. This type of harvest was needed to move the population of
≥10,643 following last hunting season back towards its management
objective of 6,400–9,600.
Much of this harvest could be attributed to early, measurable snow
accumulation that facilitated significant elk movement to winter ranges,
where hunters could easily find and access them for harvest. According to
hunter reports, many of the elk from the Centennial Mountains were moving
into and across the valley by early November. This did not occur until just
prior to Thanksgiving in 2014. Similar early movements occurred in the
Gravelly/Snowcrest portions of the management unit as well.
Hunter check-stations also detected a higher buck mule deer harvest
than recent years. I suspect this was also facilitated by snow conditions,
which move deer into more open country, making them more visible to
hunters. Reports at the Dell check-station during opening weekend of the
antelope season indicated very productive seasons for antelope and sagegrouse.
I’m currently completing
post–season game
surveys, with three of four
mule deer trend surveys
finished. I’m working on
completing white-tailed
deer ground classifications
in the lower Ruby and
Jefferson River valleys, a
baseline effort for a future
Paul Maplethorpe
moose trend survey in the
Tobacco Root Mountains, and establishing a white-tailed deer and moose
trend count along the Red Rock River between Dell and Clark Canyon. Soon
after deer are finished, I will begin elk surveys in the Tobacco Root and
Gravelly elk management units and complete as many moose trend surveys
and conditions, with Red Rocks taking priority.
Motorized travel continued to be a significant challenge across open
landscapes this season. This includes using roads that were not open to
motorized travel, confusion surrounding the travel sign system on BLM and
DNRC (no sign means the road is closed to motorized travel), and off-road
travel in the form of trucks, all-terrain vehicles (wheeled and tracked), and
snowmobiles. While communicating with the BLM, I discovered that crosscountry travel using a snowmobile is within the rules during the hunting
season as long as they are traveling on snow. I will be visiting with the BLM
about travel management challenges, and making recommendations for their
consideration, as they proceed through their current assessment of the Sage
Creek Watershed. I will also continue to working on travel management
changes implemented across the Blacktail Wildlife Management area over
the last year and expand those efforts across the Robb-Ledford Wildlife
Management Area in the coming year. Travel management is a large issue
that will require diverse support to improve, but I think the interest and
support are locally present.
-Dean Waltee- FWP Wildlife Biologist 406-842-7407.
The Refuge will have several construction projects in 2016:
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We plan to move a bridge from another National Wildlife Refuge
to the Centennial Valley and place it over Elk Springs Creek on
Culver Road. The road and a culvert were removed in 2011 to
allow fish passage up Elk Springs Creek to Elk Springs. The
bridge will return that location to use by the public.
This bridge and the road across the top of Widgeon Pond dam
will be detour route during part of the Elk Lake Road rebuild
project.
We plan to put Elk Springs Creek back into its historic channel
that leads to Upper Red Rock Lake and abandon the man-made
channel that leads to Swan Lake.
We’ll be looking to remove the remainder of the old Mac Donald
Dam due to beaver routinely building in the old water control
structure and causing fish passage block.
Widgeon Pond Dam is due for repair of its water control structure
as it is 51 years old.
Elk Lake Road project is scheduled to start in late 2016
(November) with bridges placed at Red Rock Creek and Elk
Springs Creek. Construction on remainder of the road is
scheduled for 2017.
-Bill West- RRLNWR Manager 406-276-3536 x103
Hooray for snow! So far, this winter season is bringing more moisture
to the Centennial than last year. The Lakeview Ridge SNOTEL site
(#568) was 60% of normal this time last year. This year we are at
98%, right where we should be! Let’s keep thinking happy thoughts for
our snowpack the rest of the winter season. Remember this year’s
snow is this spring’s water! For daily, up-to-date information on the
snowpack in the Valley, check out the NRCS website:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/mt/snow/
Lakeview Ridge
SNOTEL siteNRCS website
Announcements
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It’s the New Year, bringing a Housekeeping Reminder!
Membership dues are due for 2016!
A decision for an adaptive change to the Interagency Bison
Management Plan has been announced. This will allow bison
presence year-round on Yellowstone’s perimeter.
CVA participated in the national Giving Tuesday movement on
December 2nd. We raised $600.00! Thanks to all those who
donated and spread the word to make our first fundraiser a
success!
To preserve traditional ranching as a way of life in the Centennial Valley, and to maintain quality
open space, wildlife habitat, water quality and wildlife migration corridors as they exist today for
future generations.
Centennial Valley Association
January 2016
Photo Credit: Cody Deane
2015 Range Rider Report Summary
The 2015 Range Rider season was a successful one! Here are some of the highlights of the season:
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Riders succeeded at being an additive human presence among herds of cattle.
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Able to assist in identifying sick or injured cattle, thus getting them treated in a timely manner.
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Wolves were more vulnerable and influenced by human presence compared to bears.
No confirmed wolf depredations this season, however there was one possible depredation on a yearling steer.
Riders identified 9 different grizzly bears, 3 of which with cubs.
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Grizzlies appeared uninfluenced by cattle presence except when carcasses were present.
There was 1 confirmed depredation this season due to grizzly bears.
We experimented with carcass removal this season.
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Of 31 carcasses, 8 were removed and cattle were moved from the area 17 times.
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Multiple carcasses in the same location within 4 days of each other attract grizzlies. Carcass management seems to be a valuable tool
in decreasing livestock predation.
To read the full report, please visit the “Range News” section on our website or email [email protected] for a copy. Thank
you for all the support, participation, and interest which have played a significant role in our success this season!
Friends of CVA
Board Members
CVA strives to build, utilize, and have working
relationships with many agencies and
organizations.
Yvonne Martinell- Chairwoman
Pat McKenna- Secretary
Scott Huntsman- Treasurer
Mel Montgomery- Board Member
Peggy Dulany- Board Member
Bryan Ulring- Proxy
Ed Wolfe- Board Member
Tony Demetriades- Board Member
Max Yates- Board Member
Bill West- Advisory
Jerry Scheid- Advisory
Erin Halcomb- Advisory
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Cody Deane
Committees
Red Rock Lakes NWR
The Nature Conservancy
Future West
Brainerd Foundation
Federal, State, and County Agencies
Sustainable Northwest
Western Sustainability Exchange
Tom Miner Basin Association
Natural Resources Defense Council
Greater Yellowstone Coalition
Taft-Nicholson Center
Defenders of Wildlife
Livestock Loss Board
And Many Others!
What Have We Been Up To?
Weeds: Bill West & Scott
Huntsman
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Wildlife: Bill West, Bryan
Ulring, Pat McKenna,
Yvonne Martinell, Hilary
Zaranek Anderson
Hunting: Pat McKenna,
Jerry Scheid, Bill West,
Scott Huntsman
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A first draft of the Fundraising Plan has been
completed and is up for a first review!
o We took a stab at online fundraising
and were very successful for our first
try. Great first test of the plan!
o The plan includes a timeline
calendar, goals, strategies, and
much more!
Next steps are targeting grants for capacity
and for the Range Rider program, as well as
developing a plan for Centennial kiosks!
PO Box 240077
Dell, MT 59724
[email protected]
We hope you have a safe and happy
New Year! We look forward to
sharing our 2016 season with you!
www.centennialvalleyassociation.org
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