DEVELOPING A WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN
FOR LANDT AX EXEMPTION FOR ROCK BOTTOM RANCH
by
AMANDA PAGE CAMP
A SENIOR THESIS
ln
GENERAL STUDIES
Submitted to the General Studies Council
in the College of Arts and Sciences
at Texas Tech University in
Partial Fulfillment of
the Requirements for
the Degree of
BACHELOR OF GENERAL STUDIES
Approved
DR. KENfRYLANDER
Department of Biological Sciences
Co-chairperson of Thesis Committee
DR. MARK C. WALLACE
Department of Range, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
Co-chairperson of Thesis Committee
Accepted
7
DR. MICHAEL SCHOENECKE
Director of General Studi es
MAY 2004
?jc>f^iy7^
/• <**
< n
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Gillespie County Fxtension Agency has donated their time and effort to
support local research for this project. Members of the Harper Wildlife Management
Association have provided \ aluable background information.
1 w ould like to thank both my committee members, Dr. Mark Wallace and Dr.
Kent Rylander for their wisdom and advice for this project. Dr. Rylander has been
instrumental in the dri\ e to complete my degree, I thank him for his encouragement,
enthusiasm, and support. Dr. Wallace has provided invaluable information to further my
interest in the area of wildlife management. I thank him for his resources and knowledge.
I would also like to thank Don Deitz and Richard Capps of Temple Inland Inc. for
allowing me to join their "Good Ole Boys Club" and providing a fantastic opportunity to
complete my internship at Boggy Slough Wildlife Management Area.
Finally, I thank my parents, Ben and Cone Camp, for their endless second
chances and for their unending faith and belief in my abilities. They have supported me in
everything I have undertaken, and their love is unconditional. Thank you for your
financial support of this project and for trusting me with your home and ranch.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ii
LIST OF TABLES
v
LIST OF FIGURES
vi
CHAPTER
I. INTRODUCTION
1
II. REASONS FOR DEVELOPING WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT PLAN
3
Curtent Conditions on Rock Bottom Ranch
III. SEVEN MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
Habitat Management
5
5
5
Prescribed Burning
5
Brush Management
6
Range Enhancement
6
Managing Exotic and Feral Species
7
Wildlife Restoration
8
Erosion Control
9
Gully Shaping
9
Predator Management
9
Fire Ant Control
9
Coyote Control
10
Providing Supplemental Water
10
Providing Supplemental Food
11
FoodPIots
11
Feeders
13
Providing Supplemental Shelter
13
Nesting Boxes
14
BrushPiles
14
111
Census Counts to Detennine Population Control
14
Spotiight Counts
14
Observation Records
15
Harvest Records
15
IV. SUBMITTING AND IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN
16
V. CONCLUSION
18
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
19
APPENDIXA Map
21
APPENDIX B Turkey Feeder Instructions
22
APPENDIXC Sample Harvest Record Form
24
IV
LIST OF TABLES
1.
Deer, Quail, and Songbird Seed Mix
7
2.
Fire Ant Insecticides
10
3.
Food Plot Mixes
12
4.
^'earh Purchases
16
5.
One Time Purchase Costs
17
LIST OF FIGURES
1.
Wildlife Water Guzzlers
11
2.
Livestock Tank
11
3.
Supplemental Deer Feeders
13
VI
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of developing a Wildlife Management Plan for Rock Bottom Ranch
is to secure a land tax exemption for this ranch by employing contemporary wildlife
management techniques. Land must meet the requirements of agricultural appraisal listed
under the Texas Constitution. Chapter 23, Subchapter D. First, the owner must devise a
plan for agricultural appraisal through wildlife use and submit it to the county's tax
appraiser. Once accepted, the owner must apply the management techniques described in
the plan.
The Texas State Constitution states that certain kinds of farmland can be valued at
their productivity value and not solely on the market value of the land. The productivity
value of land is that land's potential to produce products relating to the agricultural field
(TCPA 4-5). For land to qualify for agricultural appraisal, the land must be used
principally for agricultural purposes. Requirements stated by property tax code. Section
23.51 include: producing crops for human and animal consumption, raising exotic
livestock for commercial use, raising domestic livestock for commercial use, and
participating in a government program for leaving land idle for crop rotations. Plants used
in processing meat or plant products will not qualify for agricultural appraisal. The land
must be used for raising or producing an agricultural product (TCPA 5).
After land has been accepted to receive agricultural appraisal, a special tax
exemption is granted to the land owner. Initially, the Constitution did not include
harvesting native plant and animal species. However, an amendment to Article VIII,
Section 1-d-l, in 1995, under H.B. 1358, gives permission for agricultural status through
wildlife management use. Several requirements must be met to qualify for wildlife use.
First, although the land may be used as a residence, the principal purpose of the land must
be wildlife management. Second, land must be under agricultural appraisal "for at least
five of the preceding seven years" before being considered for wildlife use. Section
23.51(7), Tax Code, defines wildlife management as: "Actively using land that at the
time w ildlife management began, was appraised as qualified open-space land under this
subchapter in at least three of the following ways to propagate a sustaining, breeding,
migrating, or w intering population of indigenous wild animals for human use, including
food, medicine, or recreation: (A) habitat control; (B) erosion control; (C) predator
control; (D) pro\ iding supplemental supplies of water; (h) providing supplemental
supplies of food; (F) pro\ iding shelters; and (G) making census counts to determine
population" (TCPA 15). A minimum of three of the techniques must be implemented on
the designated land. The manager must choose which techniques are best suited to his
particular land.
CHAPTER II
REASONS FOR DEVELOPING WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN
rhe main reason for de\ eloping a wildlife management plan is so Ben M. Camp,
the o\\ ner of Rock Bottom Ranch, can switch his land tax exemption status from
agricultural to wildlife management use. Mr. Camp wants to use the land for hunting and
recreational purposes and not for raising cattle. The owner, being a naturalist, also wants
to improN e the o\ erall quality of both the vegetation and animal populations, and wishes
to use as many of the se\en techniques as possible.
At this time, Mr. Camp is only interested in obtaining land tax exemption status.
Mr. Camp plans to join the Harper Wildlife Management Association within two years to
create a more comprehensi\ e management plan for Rock Bottom Ranch and the
surrounding area.
While cost is not a major factor, Mr. Camp does want to create a budget. A
separate bank account created solely for the management plan will be established and
detailed records will be maintained by the owner. After the management techniques have
been initially implemented through contracted labor. Mr. Camp will begin maintaining
the land by himself
The owner is interested in using the land and wildlife for both food and
recreation. The owner enjoys hunting and bird watching and would like to provide a
better environment for the current wildlife population. The owner also wants to develop a
plan that will focus on benefiting White-tailed deer, Rio Grande turkeys, Bobwhite quail,
migrating songbirds, and managing exotic species on his ranch.
This proposal is designed to explain in detail the underlying steps in pursuing a
switch of tax exemption status from agricultural production to wildlife management. The
following sections discuss the curtent ranch conditions, project objectives and plans,
submission to the Gillespie County Tax Appraiser's office, implementation design plans,
and cost projections.
Curtent Conditions on Rock Bottom Ranch
Rock Bottom Ranch is located on eighty acres in Harper, Texas, in Gillespie
Counts. The soil type is in the Purves series, which consists of shallow, clay and clayloam soils. The soil is approximately two feet deep above limestone rock, and in some
places is gra\elly and \eiy stony. l:rosion is moderate and permeability is slow (USDA
31).
Most of the ranch consists of rangeland with 70% grasses, 15% woody shrubs and
trees and 10"o forbs. Common grass types include bluestems, sideoats grama, Texas
w intergrass, curly mesquite, green sprangletop, buffalograss, and purple threeawn.
Wood\ plants mainly include blackjack oak, live oak and ashe juniper. Most of the forbs
consist of pricklv pear cactus, Englemann daisy and bush sunflowers (USDA 32).
Native w ildlife includes Rio Grande turkeys, mourning doves. White-tailed deer,
armadillos, raccoons, possums, squirtels and various rodents. More than fifty species of
birds are found on the ranch during the year. The ranch also has blackbuck antelope,
which are classified as exotic wildlife.
Rock Bottom Ranch is currently under agricultural appraisal for raising cattle. For
the past two years, the land has been "at rest" from grazing. The land also includes two
houses used as primary residences for the owner and his family.
CHAPTER III
SEVEN MANAGEMENT 11-CHNIQUES
Habitat Management
The activities included for habitat management are prescribed burning, brush
management, range enhancement, managing of exotic and feral species, and wildlife
restoration. The main goals of habitat management for the ranch are to remove unwanted
shrubs such as ashe juniper and prickly pear cacti and to improve forb and grass
production as food for targeted w ildlife.
-Ashe juniper provides little nutritive value for wildlife. Shallow, but extensive
root s\ stems absorb moisture year-round that could be used by more desirable forbs and
grasses. Juniper depletes nitrogen in the soil and ground litter from Juniper also inhibits
moisture absorption by soil. Both forb and grass diversity has been shown to decrease
near areas of high concentrations of junipers. Areas in between juniper trees also have a
high rate of erosion (TAES 5-7).
A combination of prescribed burning and brush management will be used. First
burning will be implemented and mechanical (to be discussed later) methods will be used
every one or two years after a bum.
Prescribed Burning
Prescribed burning is the planned practice of applying fire to land to improve the
diversity of vegetation and to increase the number of desirable plant species used for food
by wildlife.
Burning should be done in the early winter preferably with high humidity and low
winds to promote speedy re-growth of perennials in late winter months and to reduce less
drought-related stress on plants (TAES 3-4).
A written bum plan will be submitted to Ben Camp and upon his approval will be
implemented in November, 2004. Buming will be implemented by Sari Moyer and Tony
Plutino of Mason, Texas. Both are Certified Prescribed Bum Managers under the Texas
Prescribed Bum Board and Texas Department of Agriculture and who have agreed to
5
super\ ise the buming at no cost as part of their volunteer hours required under the Texas
Master Naturalist Program (Moyer).
Bmsh Manauement
Bmsh management includes removing undesirable plants such as trees, shrubs,
and grasses through chemical, mechanical, and biological methods.
Juniper can be killed by spraying individual plants with herbicides. Bmsh Busters,
a program implemented by the Texas A&M University System, recommends three
different methods of spraying. Tordon 22 K is used for leaf spraying. Certain guidelines
must be followed and a special license from the Texas Department of Agriculture must be
obtained to use Tordon 22K. Velpar L is use for the Soil Spot Spray method. Unlike
Tordon, Velpar can be purchased without a license. The third method is top removal.
Plants are chopped with an axe or chainsaw at the base (TAES 1). This method is similar
to the bulldozing method discussed above, but takes more time because individual plants
must be treated separately.
Bulldozing is the easiest mechanical method for removing ashe juniper. This
technique simply severs the plant stems at the soil surface. Bmsh is either bumed or
piled and used as a nesting and cover area for turkey and deer. This method requires the
owner to repeat this procedure every three years or when a significant amount of ashe
juniper has grown back (TAES 2). Mr. Camp owns a tractor and he or a member of his
family can do this work.
Range Enhancement
Planting additional native plants will improve the health of targeted species. Open
areas will be seeded with both warm and cool season plants by using a hand-held mixer
and w alking a grid to spray seeds. Table 1 on the next page lists mixes that target do\ e.
quail, and songbirds. See Appendix A for range enhancement sites.
Deer/Quail Mix
Songbird Seed Mix
Illinois Bundleflower
Greenthread
Partridge Pea
Bush Sunflower
American Baskettlower
Partridge Pea
Common Sunflower
American Baskettlower
Texas Yellow Star
Purple Coneflower
Busii Sunflower
Cutleaf Daisy
Maximiilian Sunflower
Illinois Bundleflower
Scrambled Eggs
Lemon Mint
Little Bluestem
Drummond Phlox
Big Bluestem
Purple Prairie Clover
Indiangrass
White Guara
Switchgrass
Black-Eyed Susan
Prairie Verbena
Maximiilian Sunflower
Gayfeather
Table I Deer, Quail, and Songbird Seed Mix (Source: Native American Seed
Company, 2004)
Managing Exotic and Feral Species
Black-buck antelope were first introduced to Texas in the early 1930s (Mungall
19-22). Breeding programs ha\e accelerated with increased interest in hunting exotics.
has caused the population to explode to an estimated 15,000 indi\iduals in Texas. It is
interesting to note that in the black-buck's native India, the animal is considered
endangered.
Because black-bucks are notorious for population explosion, Mr. Camp w ill
census his population regularly and strictly adhere to Rock Bottom Ranch's carrying
capacity rate: three adult males and five female/baby pairs. The antelope are the only
targeted species under this plan that do not migrate from the property. Since six adults
roughly equal one animal unit, this keeps the rate w ell under the maximum carrying
7
capacitv.
The owner and Bill Dunno will provide culling. Mr. Dunno owns High Point
Ranch, an exotic w ildlife ranch, in Harper, lexas. A verbal agreement has been made
between the two owners so that every two years. Mr. Dunno will remo\e excess animals
using nets. Payment w ill var\ with open-market prices (Dunno). In addition to selling
unw anted antelope, Mr. Camp will keep trophy bucks and offer guided hunts when
mature males are ready.
Feral hogs have successfully populated the southeast and are extremely damaging
to fences, w ildlife feeders, food plots, and watering tanks. Heavy hog traffic can cause
soil erosion along creek beds (Nebraska 66-67). The owner has seen signs of hogs on the
back part of the fence and has found, on two separate occasions, holes in the fence.
Trapping and shooting are both good solutions, although shooting is the easiest
and cheapest. For the time being, shooting will be the implemented method to control
hogs. On the other hand, if feral hog sign and property damage increases, trapping will be
put into practice.
Wildlife Restoration
Predators and hunting hav e decimated the native Bob-white quail population. Reintroducing pen-reared quail has not been successful because diseases such as avian pox
and blackhead have exploded among introduced populations (Lehmann A2-3). Mr. Camp
will first create a healthy environment for native quail and wait to see if a native
population takes up residence. If no community is established within one year, Mr. Camp
w ill contact Texas Parks and Wildlife about trapping and moving native quail onto his
ranch.
First, he will constmct a small cover. A tipi-Iike stmcture made of sticks, bmsh,
and limbs is ideally places along a fence and in between areas of open space and co\ er
are best. A typical home range for quail is 35 acres, so two separate sites w ill be created
Ramsey A5-7). Supplemental water specifically for quail is not needed as they can use
the livestock tank already found on the property. Food will be planted in nearby food
plots and through open range enhancement.
Although the success rate is relatively low, the owner is willing to try this method.
There are few predators known to the area and prescribed buming has not been shown to
hinder population growth (TAES 17).
Erosion Control
The ow ner can fulfill one requirement by erosion control. l:rosion control is the
applied practice of stopping soil erosion and improving areas of previous erosion. One
practice of erosion control is gully shaping.
Gullv Shaping
Gully shaping is used to slow erosion in creek beds and gullies. There is a dry
creek bed located in the left center of the ranch. Each time it rains, the creek bed fills with
water and washes away sand and dirt on each side of the bed. By planting specific native
plants such as buffalograss, little bluestem and curlymesquite, the owner can reshape the
sides of the gully and restore vegetation to help hold the soil in place during rainstorms.
Bunchgrasses such as switchgrass and Indiangrass have massive root systems that will
pro\ ide added support to the soil. The vegetation will also provide added shelter and food
for wildlife.
Predator Management
The owner can manage predators as one of the seven requirements. The major
predator for Rock Bottom Ranch is fire ants.
Fire Ant Control
Fire ants can be harmful to infant birds and mammals. To remove fire ants from
the ranch, the owner has two options: physical and chemical control. The ow ner can
physically apply dry grits or gasoline to each individual mound. Gasoline kills the ants by
suffocation. When fire ants ingest dry grits, the grits expand and explode inside the ants'
stomach and the ants are killed. Both of these methods are inexpensive, but require
extensive labor and much time to remove all fire ants from the area.
Insecticides can be used to remove fire ants. Depending on the number of fire ant
colonies present, using insecticides can be expensive. Some of these chemicals require a
special pennit to be used while others can be found in local stores. See Table 2 below.
NAME
HOW IT WORKS
APPLICATION TYPK
.\\\ard. Logic
hormone regulation
used as bait
Enforcer Fire .Ant Killer
attacks iicr\x>us system
used as contact insecticide
Raid Max. Combat
attacks digestive system
used as bait
Turcam, Sc\'in
attacks nervous system
used as contact insecticide
Table 2 Fire Ant Insecticides (Source: Managing Red Imported Fire Ants in Urban
Areas, T.^ES 6-8)
Coyote Control
Although the owner has seen no sign of coyotes, neighbors have advised him that
coyotes ha\ e been sighted in the area. The owner will simply be vigilant and watch for
coyotes, in w hich case he will shoot or trap the animals.
Providing Supplemental Water
Another option for the wildlife management plan is supplying water to wildlife
through different types of water troughs. Big game water guzzlers capture rainfall and
supply water to animals. See Figure 1 on the next page. A simple garden hose can be
buried in the ground and attached to the guzzler from the well house to provide water in
fimes of drought. The stmcture is easy to build and maintain (TPWD 102).
10
WILDLIFE WATERING FACILITIES
FLOAT VALVE
SHALL WILDLIFFAr.rP.Sfl
ANCHORS
METAL TROaGH
aifiCIYE£
BIO CAME T/PE
SCALE: 1 1;2" = r
Figure 1 Wildlife Water Guzzlers (Source: Guidelines for Qualification of
Agricultural Land in Wildlife Management, 1 PWD)
Li\ estock tanks can also be used to water wildlife. Rock Bottom Ranch already
maintains a large li\ estock tank. The owner has provided "natural steps" for immature
w ildlife to allow access to water. See Figure 2 below. At this time, the ranch is not crossfenced, and both a guzzlers and livestock tank are not needed. However, Mr. Camp is
interested in cross-fencing in later years and a plan for a big game water guzzler has been
introduced. A map of all current and fiature water tanks is found in Appendix A.
Figure 2 Livestock Tank (Source: Rock Bottom Ranch, Harper, TX)
Providing Supplemental Food
Food Plots
Food plots are open areas of land cleared of trees and scrubs and should comprise
about three percent (2.4 acres) of the total acreage. Two plots will be located on the
11
ranch. See Appendix A for location of the plots. The plots are planted with different types
of seeds during the cool and v\ann seasons. 1 able 3 on the next page lists ingredients for
both warm and cool season plots.
Warm Season Mix
Blue Grama
Cool Season Mix
(Max-Attract 50/50)
Peas
Buffalograss
Vetch
Green Sprangletop
Clover
Indiangrass
Chicory
Little Blustem
Wheat
Prairie Wildrye
Oats
Sand Lovegrass
Rye
Sideoats Grama
Sand Dropseed
Table 3 Food Plots Mixes (Sources: Native American Seed Company &
www.Biggameproshop. com)
Cool season plots will be planted in early fall (October) and warm season plots
will be planted in early spring (April). Warm season plots usually do not fair as well as
cool season due to lack of rainfall and competitionfi"omother forbs and grasses.
Many seed companies have prepared seed mixes for plots specified for certain
types of wildlife. Nafive American Seed Company in Junction, Texas is local and will
provide most of the seed mixes. The owner. Bill Neiman has recommended the mixes
listed to best benefit the native wildlife (Neiman). Big Game Pro Shops.com carries a
variety of legume and grass mixes for both deer and turkey. Some of the ingredients are
non-native, but they are high in protein content and are extremely hardy in cooler
weather. These mixes are an easy way to buy seed for the different seasons and provide a
well-balanced diet for animals.
12
Feeders
Refer to the Appendix A for locations of turkey, migrafing songbird, and deer
feeders.
Simple bird feeders bought at local stores such as Wal-Mart and Kmart can be
used tor migrating songbirds. There w ill be six birdfeeders located on the ranch; three to
feed Black-chinned hummingbirds and three to feed migrating songbirds.
Feeders can easily be built for turkeys. Appendix B contains instructions on
building a turkev feeder. One turkey feeder w ill be adequate.
Deer feeders can be purchased locally at Bode Feed. Since one of the uses of the
plan is simple enjoyment of wildlife, Mr. Camp has requested a feeder be put within
\ iew ing distance of the main house. Pictures of different deer feeders can be found in
Figure 3 below. Rock Bottom Ranch will purchase one of each of these feeders.
Mineral Feeder
Hay Feeder
Pellet Feeder
Figure 3 Supplemental Deer Feeders (Source: Rock Bottom Ranch, Harper. TX)
Prepackaged feed for deer, turkey and songbirds can be bought at local feed
stores. Most mixes for deer and turkey use protein pellets, com and cowpeas. The protein
content in any supplemental feed should be between 13 and 16 percent crude protein for
maintaining a healthy deer population (TAES 91).
Pro\ iding Supplemental Shelter
Another technique for the wildlife management plan is to provide nesting boxes
and brush piles for co\ er for wildlife. See Appendix A for exact locations of nesting
boxes and brush piles.
13
•iiiiii*piiiiii
rw^^ . w - T - . » ^ - r n » T » . . -
Nesting Bo\e>;
Nesting boxes and placed birdhouses for songbirds will be purchased and should
be located away from areas of disturbance (houses, roads, etc.), but near water troughs
and ieeders. These boxes w ill need to be maintained at least once a year. Maintenance
consists of simply cleaning out debris and insects nests. Two Purple Martin houses and
four wren houses spaced evenly throughout the eighty acres and not within 100 feet of
either house w ill be adequate.
Brush Piles
Brush piles are constructed with dead brush and trees. The removed juniper piles
w ill provide adequate co\ er and nesting sites for deer, turkey, and quail. Brush piles are
important in areas of open space and sparse cover. Piles should be located awayfi^omany
disturbance to the animals, including water troughs and feeders. A quiet, secluded space
is required b\ most w ildlife to nest. The area should make the animal feel safe and secure
(TAES 5).
Census Counts to Determine Population Control
It is difficult to be accurate with census surveys since the ranch is not surrounded
by a deer-proof fence. There are several different types of census counts, but spotlight
counts and maintaining good observation/harvest records are the easiest to do.
Conducting census counts will help Mr. Camp determine the number of deer to be
harvested during hunting season.
Spotlight Counts
A general number of deer passing through the area can be determined by
conducting a spotlight count. Spotlight counts are best done one hour before sunset with
three people: one driving a truck or jeep, preferably four-wheel drive, and two using
spotlights from the bed of the truck. The two persons using the spotlights should estimate
250 yardsfi"omeither side of the truck and count deer seen within that distance. A path
should be determined prior to the count. This count should be done during the months of
14
*W«PMaiB^
September, October and November, the fime that sex idenfificafion is most easily
determined. An average of all the counts should be used to determine the populafion of
deer on the ranch at any gi\ en time (TAES 3).
Observation Records
During hunting season, a tablet can be kept in all hunting blinds to record the
number of faw ns, bucks and does sighted. The date, time of day, and number of points on
the antlers, if any, should be recorded. Records for each season will be kept on file.
The owner can also record the number of deer sighted at supplemental feeders.
There are three feeders on the ranch. The owner can randomly select a feeder and record
the number of deer sighted each night. One feeder is located within sight of the primary
house. This record keeping can be used to help the owner determine how many deer to
har\ est annualh on Rock Bottom Ranch.
Harvest Records
Har\est records can also help determine the health of deer populations.
Maintaining good records can help determine census counts and aid in estimating how
many bucks and does to cull each year. A sample record form is found in Appendix C
(TAES 2).
15
CHAPTI R IV
SUBMITING AND IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN
The owner must notify the tax appraiser's office in wrifing that he wishes to
sw Itch fi-om agricultural use to wildlife use no later than May L' of the same year he
w ants to sw itch (TCPA 85). The tax appraiser will then either deny or accept the plan.
The appraiser may accept the plan with provisions that the owner must change in his
plan. Each \ ear, a re\ iew form must be filled out by the owner to update the appraiser on
what (if any) different management techniques were used on the ranch the previous year.
Implementing the plan is as simple as construcfing a budget and building the
required structures. As stated pre\ iously, cost is not a major issue for the owner;
howe\er, Mr. Camp would like to see a proposed budget. The joy and amusement he and
his family will obtain fi-om watching the wildlife will compensate for the money he
spends.
Table 4 is an estimated budget for all major yearly purchases for implementing
the management plan. Table 5 on the next page provides costs for one time purchases and
the first year's budget. Labor will be provided by the plan consultant and the owner.
Costs for fuel for tractor work are also not included. The tractor is used for other work
and since cost is not a major concern, incidentals such as this are not factored in the
budget.
Materials
Quantity
Pellet Feed for
4 bags
Deer
1 block
Mineral Block
2 bags
Com
Ibale
Alfalfa Hay
5 bags
Pellet Feed for
Turkey
Songbird Feed
1 bag
401b. (1 bag)
Cool Season
Mix (food plot)
Total Yearly Costs
Table 4 Yearly Purchases
Yearly Purchases
Cost/Month
Cost
$55.60
$6.95/bag
\
Cost/Year
$667.20
$5.00/block
$4.95/bag
$8.75/bale
$7.25/bag
$5.00
$19.80
$17.50
$72.50
$60.00
$237.60
$70.00
$870.00
$5.25/bag
$48.99/bag
$15.75
$189.00
$97.98
$2191.78
16
One Time
Materials
Quantity
Dove/Quail
1 lb.
Seed Mix
Songbird Seed
1 lb.
Mix
Warm Season
I lb.
Mix (food plot)
Purple Martin
2
House
Bird House
4
Deer Pellet
I
Feeder
Turkey Feeder
1
Hay Feeder
I
Mineral Block
1
Feeder
Hummingbird
4
Feeder
Songbird
6
Feeder
Total One Time Costs
First Year Total Costs
^'able 5 One Time Purchases
Purchases
Cost
$19.99/lb.
Cost/Year
$39.38
$14.95/1/4 lb.
$29.90
$15.96/Ib
$47.88
$39.99/house
$79.98
$19.95/house
$350.00/feeder
$79.80
$350.00
$279.00/feeder
$125.00/feeder
$115.00/feeder
$279.00
$125.00
$115.00
$19.95/house
$79.80
$35.45/feeder
$212.70
17
$1438.44
$3630.22
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION
Ms. Amanda Page Camp will implement the entire program during the late
summer and fall of 2004. All structures will be built by Amanda Camp.
Mr. Camp w ill assume all responsibilities of purchasing needed supplies. All
neccssar\ equipment will be provided by Mr. Camp. Mr. Camp will also approve of any
budget changes as needed.
The owner and Ms. Camp w ill assume all labor aside from contract labor. All
labor w ill be completed prior to gaining tax exemption status. All continuous methods
and re\ iew forms w ill be supervised and coordinated by Ms. Camp and the owner.
SELl C I ED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Dunno, Bill. Personal Interview. 20 February 2004.
Lehmann, V.W. "Quail Management: What You Can Do." Wildlife Management
Handbook III (1999): Al-,'\4.
Moyer. San. Personal Interv iew. 27 January, 2004.
Mungall, Elizabeth C. The Indian Blackbuck Antelope: A Texas View. College Stafion:
Texas .Agricultural Extension Ser\ice, 1978.
Nebraska. Cooperati\e Extension Di\ision Institute of Agriculture and Natural
Resources. Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage: Wild Pigs. Lincoln: Cooperative
Extension Dixision Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1994.
Neiman, Bill. Telephone Interview. 5 Febmary 2004.
Ramsev, Charles W. "Management for Bobwhite Quail." Wildlife Management
Handbook III (1999): A5-A7.
Stuth, JeiT\ W.. and William J. Sheffield. "Determining Carrying Capacity for
Combinations of Li\ estock. White-tailed Deer and Exotic Ungulates." Wildlife
Management Handbook V (1999): A5-A12.
Texas. Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Brush Management Methods. College
Station: Texas Agricultural Extension Ser\ice. 1991.
—. Chemical Weed and Brush Control. College Stafion: Texas Agricultural Extension
Ser\ice, 1994.
—. Deer Census Techniques. College Station: Texas Agricultural Extension Ser\ ice.
1992.
—. How to Master Cedar. College Stafion: Texas Agricultural Extension Service, 1997.
—. Integrating Deer, Quail and Turkey Habitat. College Station: Texas Agricultural
Extension Service, 1998.
—. Interpreting Deer Harvest Records. College Stafion: Texas Agricultural Extension
Service, 1994.
—. Juniper Biology and Management in Texas. College Station: Texas Agricultural
Extension Service, 1998.
19
—. ^fanaging Red Imported Fire .Ants in Urban Areas. College Station: Texas
Agricultural Extension Serxice. 1996.
- - . Presoihcd Range Burning in Texas. College Station: Texas Agricultural Extension
Service. 1991.
—. Rio Grande Turkey Habitat Managenient. College Station: Texas Agricultural
Extension Service, 1995.
—. Supplemental Feeding for Deer: Beyond Dogma. College Station: Texas Agricultural
Extension Serxice. 1996.
Texas. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Final WiUlliJc Management
.Austin: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2002.
Guidelines.
—. Manual for the Appraisal of .Agricultural Land. Ausfin: Texas Comptroller of Public
.Accounts. 1990.
—. Texas Property Tax Code. Austin: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2002.
Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Guidelines for Qualification of
.Agricultural Land in Wildlife Management. College Station: Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department. 2004.
USDA. Soil Conservation Service. Soil Sunyv of Gillespie Countv Texas. Austin: Soil
Conservation Service. 1982.
www.Biggameproshop.com.
Big Game Pro Shop Inc. 2 March 2004.
<http: w'ww.biggameproshop.com/mossyoak-bioIogic.htmI>.
20
muxm'Mt''.'"..:',.
imm&^Eissti^sss^a^sssssssBssai^mm^amummi^a
Appendix A
House
Btrdfeeder
Turkey Feeder
Deer Feeder
^
BrushPiles for Nesting Sites
'^
Range Enhancement Sites
FoodPIots
Livestock Tanlc
Future Water Guazler
Nesting Boxes
D
21
mmmmmi'.i.
Appendix B
rkey Feeder
500 pound capacity
1.
Thus lype „f fep5,p, ^^ ^^..^^ ^^^^ ^^^^
SDE VIEW
"'•*'''•''' *''dlifi' managcim nt arcxs am) on
pri>aic ranches, n,,. ias.i U p and vulUv
tin an.uiul iln' platlt.rin pnaclicaJly
I'liminato IIH- triniindous waste iliat
usually aia.mpuniis tir use oltiirkty
fitdcp hy o i r huiiKTV raitooiis.
(.an- should h<- uikin not in pjau llie
frcdcr dircitly undir a Irti or llu
r.kiiinns will soon k-.irn li. dimb Ihc lite
and drop down on Ihv tirdir. Vlhik- il
takis a liiiU- lon^tr lor ttirkt-vs lo kurii to
ulili/L ihis l\pi- nf lifdrr. ihl- sa\ UIRS arc
wxll wnrllmliilf. •|urk<\ will iiorniallv
aut pi llus liidtr niori i> adilv il a lew
poundN of t^rain >ui.li as niiln are scattered
on the i3\.und around the leedi-r at
wvikh inUr\al.s until turkey kaate the
leid in tin- hopper.
CgWH^ tWTMl
<y <^
X -
F
E
•-A
-4
I'tt'Tff
tm^tf
Mr m y
'^'••'t
3
General Notes
1 I'latlorni tosiring :UKI txlerinr of
hopper of I" X 6" tongue ;uid groove.
1. Weldwire twsh iLSed over feed opening.
,•5. Top of lioppcr secured by hook and eye
at each side
4. Tongue and grooM- siding on hopper
in.stalled witii tongui edge up.
•i. ftists si't in from edge of platform lo
deny access lo predators.
itifmn
•
1
-j
-
•
/i \
FRONT VIEW
-^....,.
SECTION'A-A"
fi
U
—Jtj
'.
f»rr crtu^f'-s.'
Ji
ii
~ -^^
•''
>
*
t
'
1
I
_-:
j_l
.
5.
TOP VIEW
Ti^iffl
.
4.
. • • • „ . . • • . . . . ..,^..,,
Ll|
1r - V
SECTION "B - B"
top view
PLATFORM FRAME
22
smmmmn
-m^
Aii^imitval
I U i « l l i l » l l i l H I tktol I
(•ll4tlfttit*uklUM.I*tbM
2" X 4" braces
9 t? C7 9 0<
T
1
\ ^
r-
— ^
I—r7 3 ^
T
2'
I
Tin skirf (predator protector);
8'0"
- 6" post
ground level
t
I
•
i
t
23
IMn^J.^!-
;';ii-i-i<;!^
Appendix C
Deer Management Harvest Record (Doe)
Date
Hunter
Tag Info.
Field Dressed Weight
Body Condition (check one)
good: fat across back and base of tail; fat kidney and in body cavity.
fair: little of no excess fat, but bones not showing.
poor: ribs, backbone and pelvis girdle prominent under skin.
Deer Management Harvest Record (Buck)
Date
Hunter
Tag Info.
Field Dressed Weight
Antler Data: Number of points (a point must be Vi inch or longer from the tip to the
nearest edge of beam)
Right
Left
Spread (inside measurement)
Beam circumference (above burr)
Right
Left
Length of main beam Right
Left
Body Condition (check one)
good: fat across back and base of tail; fat kidney and in body cavity.
fair: little of no excess fat, but bones not showing.
poor: ribs, backbone and pelvis girdle prominent under skin.
24
^ai«i«tHitfi*?s''ff-a