Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
QUARTERLY NARRATIVE REPORTS FOR THE
TULE WILDLIFE REFUGE
(and associated refuges)
1938
NARRATIVE REPORT
TULE LAKE WILDLIFE REFUGE
November and December, 1938> and January, 1939
Submitted by
C. G« Fairohild Refuge Manager
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Tule Lake Refuge and Camp BF-3 Personnel ---- ------- 3
X. General Weather Conditions ------------------
II. Wildlife
A . W a t e r f o w l - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6
B. Upland Gam© Birds -------------------- 15
C. Predator and Rodent Control --------------- 17
D. Fur Taken by Refuge Personnel -------------- 17
E. Fur Take by Other Trappers - ---------- -- 17
F. Other Animals ----- --------------- 21
G. Bird Banding Operations -- -------- - - - 22
III. Refuge Development and Maintenano©
1. Fuel Basement ---------------------- 23
2. Lookout House ------------------- - 23
3 . P u m p - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 3
U. Sign 23
5. Dikes and Levies --------- - - - - --- 2U
6. Graveling and Maintaining Roads - -- -- -- -- — - - 2lj.
7. Nesting Islands ---------------- --- 2h
8. Stream and Lake Bank Protection ------------- 25
9. Tree Planting -------- ------------ 25
10. Seed Collection ----- -------------- 25
11. Crippled Ducks and Geese ---------------- 26
12. Eradication of Obnoxious Weeds ---------- - 26
13• General Cleanup --------------------- 26
Page
II4.. Gravel Stock - - 26
15. Surveys 27
16. Equipment Construction ---------------- 27
17* Lower Klamath Refuge -------- - - - -- 27
IV. Public Relations
A. Ice Skating - - - - — - -- -- -- - — - -- -- - 29
B. Sightseers ----- --------- - - - 29
C. Hunting ----- ----------------- 29
V. Economic Uses of Refuge
A. Grazing 37
B. Haying - 37
C. Timber Removal -------------------- 37
D. Share Cropping -------------------- 37
2
Herewith is respectfully submitted a
report of the work accomplished and events
of interest on the Tule Lake Wildlife Refuge,
California, the Lower Klamath Refuge, California,
The Clear Lake Migratory Bird Refuge, California,
and the Upper Klamath Wildlife Refuge, Oregon.
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )» ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( (
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )» )
3
REFUGE PERSONNEL
CLINTON G. FAIRCHILD Refuge Manager
RAYMOND B. ST.JOHN Junior Refuge Manager
DONALD W. BOYD C1erk-Stenographer
CCC CAMP BF-3
TECHNICAL STAFF ARMY STAFF
V« H. Meseke, A*C«E* William B. Miokley, 2nd Lt. Camp Chief Foreman 8th Inf-Res., Commanding
Hans Nelson Walter Williams, 2nd Lt., Foreman> Const. & Maintenance ]+5Uth Inf-Res., Adjutant
Ray C. Rowan David Clark Foreman, Const. A Maintenance Educational Advisor
Louis Kowolowski Thomas W. Welsh, M.D.C.S. Junior Civil Engineer Camp Surgeon
Ernest E. Knight Machinist
Rasmes A* Westvold Blacksmith
Percy L. Bush Jr. Ass^ to Technician
William L. Kendriok Junior Clerk
Everett H. Durkee Dragline Operator
Almo H. Newton Dragline Operator
k
I
GEMERAL WEATHER CONDITIONS
Compared with previous years the winter weather during
November, December and January was very mild and pleasant. Snow
fell infrequently and in small quantities and most of the days were
bright and clear.
November was characterized by frosty nights, clear warm days
and only a trace of snow, A light storm settled over the area from
the 1st to the Ijth with a precipitation of but .75 of an inch in the
form of snow. The only other stormy period was from the 9th to the
12th with a slight precipitation of .1? inches of snow. From the
12th to the close of the month the weather was essentially clear and
bright. Temperatures for the month ranged from 5° above zero on the
12th to the high of 59° on the 27th.
December brought with it a little more cold and unsettled
weather. Freezing fogs were common during the night and morning
and all told there were ten nights of fog. The December days were
about equally divided between bright, sunshiny weather and dark,
cloudy or foggy days. Despite the threatening clouds only a scant
.15 inch of precipitation was recorded. The 13th of the month
gave us the coldest weather with 2° above zero and the high for
the month, 59° > was recorded on the l+th.
All during January storm clouds ominously threatened to
unleash the full fury of winter and 15 days were cloudy. But the
5
storm threats failed to materialise and a mere *30 inches of
moisture in the form of snow fell during the month# Dense
fogs occurred only four times. The low temperature for the
month was U0 abore zero on the 31st and the high was 53° on the
1st.
6
II
WILDLIFE
A. WATERFOWL
As noted in the discussion of weather conditions this
winter has prorei^ to be mild in temperatures and snow fall*
Thousands of birds who would ordinarily hare flown south hare
remained at the refuge as there is an abundance of food and al
though most of the lake has been frozen over sufficient patches
of open water are arailable* In comparison with prerious seasons
the winter population of migratory waterfowl at Tule Lake Wildlife
Refuge this year is much above the average.
Three days, January 16, 17, and 18, were occupied in
taking the annual waterfowl estimate. On each of these days the
entire area was thoroughly covered by Messrs. Fairohild and
St. John by automobile. The procedure was to patrol the entire
region and whenever a concentration of birds was sighted the number
and species were noted. The task was simplified by the fact that
most of the lake was frozen over and the birds were concentrated
in the few open areas. To complete the census the birds feeding
in the stubble fields in the vicinity of the refuge were counted.
Many flocks were seen leaving the refuge and flying far up the
valley into Oregon to feed. It is believed our estimate is on
the conservative side and showed that we da total of 20,533
ducks, 3,233 geese and 366 whistling swans on the Tule Lake Refuge
(average for the three days).
•
"White-fronted geese feeding on homesteader^ stubble field near Tule Lake Refuge. In the spring at the appearance of the first green alfalfa and clover shoots complaints start coming in that the geese are eating up and damaging the clover and alfalfa fields. The refuge personnel then goes out to investigate the damage and the birds do at times cause losses, especially in clover seeded late the previous year, if they are allowed to return to the fields unmolested. Picture taken January 17, 1959*
A small flight of geese flying over a homesteader^ house. During migrational flights ducks and geese are usually scattered through the entire homestead area. Picture taken in October, 1936•
7
During the Tule Lake Refuge censuait was noted that one or two
bald eagles^were usually in the vicinity of concentrations of
waterfowl. These big birds were often seen soaring in the air
or resting near the ducks. More than fifty bald eagles were counted
in one day.
Swans and most of the ducks found their source of food
in the lake. Mallards, pintails, baldpates, and the geese fed in
the stubble and alfalfa fields.
An unnusual and interesting sight was that of several hundred
mallard, canvasback, redhead, ruddy, and scaup ducks feeding with
little fear in the wake of a lessee's drag line bucket. Each
bucketful would bring forth a quantity of sago pondweed tubers and
the ducks would rush forward in a scramble for the most luscious
tidbits.
Waterfowl observed during the winter quarter were: mallard,
y ^ ^ ^ ^ gadwall^ baldpate, green-winged teal, shoveler, pintail, wood duck,
redhead, canvasback lesser scaup17, ring-necked goldeneye, buffle-/ / / s / y
head and ruddy ducks; lesser snow, white-fronted, Canada, cackling / ,/ yS y
and Hutohins* geese; whistling swan; American and hooded mergansers; /
and pied-billed grebe.
A trip was made to Clear Lake and it was found that the lake
was completely frozen over and that the duck population was zero.
This count was verified by the dam caretaker, Mr. Roberts.
©/
8
ESTIMATED
WATERFOWL POPULATION
Tule Lake Refuge
October 15 - 31
Duoks
Pintail
Mallard
7
Geese
/
Baldpate y
Goldeney©
/
/
Gadwall
./ Shoveler
Cinnamon Teal
120,000
7i|.,000
1+0,000
1,000
20,000
60,000 / y 5,000
Green-Wing Teal 10,000
Soaup y
/ Ringneok
Ruddy
Bufflehead
Canvasbaok
Redhead
Wood
y
/
9,000
U,ooo
5,000
500
18,000
50,000
100
416,600
Snow /
y Canada
Cackling
Hutohins
1,000
5,000
20,000
1,000
White-Fronted y
125,000 150,000
f y y " 0 1 . cJ o
9
ESTIMATED
WATERFOWL POPULATION
Tule Lake Refuge
N o v e m b e r 1 - 1 5
Duoks
Wood y
/ y
Coot
Redhead
Ce^ivasbaok -
Bufflehead
Pintail
Mallard y
Widgeon /
Goldeneye
/
/
Gadwall
Shoveler y
Cinnamon Teal /
50
100,000
10,000
12,000
250
1U0,000
90,000
20,000
2,000
5,000
140,000
12,000
Green-Winged Teal UfOOO
Soaup
Ringneok
Ruddy
y 7,000
3,000
3,Q00
I450,500
Geese
Hutohins-
Canada
Snow /
White-Fronted
Caoklingf7
A
5,000
2,000
20,000
100,000
30,000
157,000
10
Duoks
7 Pintail
Mallard /
/ Widgeon
Goldeneye
Gadwall
Shoveler7
/
ESTIMATED
WATERFOWL POPULATION
Tule Lake Refuge
November 16-28
50,000
25,000
cl0,000
2,000
2,000
30,000
Cinnamon Teal 150
Green-Wing Teal 2,000
J Soaup
Ringneok
Buffiehead
Canvasbaok 7 Redhead
Wood y
Ruddy /
3,000
5,000
100
10,000
18,000
10
10,000
167,260
v/A
Geese
"7 Hutohins-s.
Canada
Snow
3,000
1,000
15,000
White-Fronted 5°,000
/ Cackling
y
50,000
119,000
11
ESTIMATED
WATERFOm, POPULATION
Tule Lake Refuge
D e c e m b e r 1 - 1 5
Pucks
Pintail ^ 20,000
Mallard 7 15,000
Baldpate 7 5
Goldeneye / 1,000
Gadwall7 500
Shoveler 7 20,000
Scaup y 1,000
Ringneok 500
Buffiehead 100
Canvasbaok 10,000
Redhead 3,000
Wood7 6
Ruddy J 8,000
8U,106
Geese
Hutchins S 3,000
Canada ' 1,000 /
Snow 25,000
White-Fronted 1*0,000
Cackling7 1*0,000
109,000
12
f
ESTIMATED
WATERFOWL POPULATION
Tule Lake Refuge
December 15-30
Ducks
Mallard
Pintail y
/ Baldpate
Shovel©r
Redhead
Canvasback
Scaup
/
Goldeneye
Ruddy /
Gadwall
Ringneck
Bufflehead /
Wood
/
8,000
10,000
5,500
10,000
1,000
5,000
1,000
500
6,ooo
100
koo
100
6
1+5,606
Geese ^
Hutohins
Canada
Cackling
White-Fronted
Snow ^
y
200
1,000
25,000
20,000
5,000 51,200
13
WATERFOWL NUMERICAL ESTIMATES
Taken January 16, 17, and 18, 1939
Tule Lake Refuge
Species y
Mallard
Baldpate
Shoveler
Pintail
Redhead
Canvasbaok
Lesser Scaup
Goldeneye
Ruddy
Snow Goose /
White-Fronted Goose
Canada Goose
Cackling Goose y
Whistling Swan
Coot /
Jan. 16 Jan. 17 Jan. 18
3,000 5,500 l+jlOO
2,300 1,500 3^00
1,600 2,600 6,600
2,1*00 1,700 1,800
300 1+00 600
2,000 i*.,200 3,300
200 500 1,200
1*00 200 100
5,600 UAJOO 6,100
200 100 100
300 1,200 600
600 500 800
3,300 1,600 200
1*00 300 1*00
1,200 1,100 1,500
14
WATERFOWL NUMERICAL ESTIMATES
Upper Klamath Refuge, Upper Klamath "Xalce, and Yioinity
/ 7 M
Specie Jan» 16 Jan. 17 Jan. 18
Mallard 1,700 2,000 1,500
Shoveler 300 200 500
Pintail * 2,000 2,500 3,000 J
Canvaaback 500 500 500
Lesser Scaup 200 100 300
Goldeneye 300 600 600
Ruddy 1,700 2,000 2,200
Canada Goose 1,500 p 2,000 1,800
Whistling Swan 100 100 100 /
Coot 5,000 8,000 h /
8,000
\
View looking southwest across Sump 2^1© Lake Refuge• This area was under lease to farmers for raising grain» Soon after this picture was taken the area was flooded with water and promptly beoame well populated with feeding geese, duoks and swans. So notioeable were the swans which had previously been scattered among the small open holes in the ice-bound lake all winter that word was circulated locally that the northward migrating swans had arrived at Tula Lake. P i c t u r e t a k e n F e b r u a r y 1 7 , 1 9 5 9 , f r o m S e c t i o n 1 6 , T . l ^ N . j R . 3 B -
Ducks and coots feeding on sago pondweed tubers dug up by a lessee1 s dragline working on the dike on the south side of Sump #1, Tule Lake Refuge. Picture taken January 17, 1939, Seotion jU, T. hi N.. R. U S.
View looking south from road in front of Tul© Lake Refuge headquarters allowing site of proposed offioe, granary, ham and storehouse (to right of feno© in middle ground)* Picture taken February 9* 1939*
View showing open water in ditoh just east of Tul© Lake Refuge headquarters where a small flook of mallards wintered this year* Wood duoks were seen here the past Fall and Winter* The nearby west end of this ditch is at the road in front of the headquarters buildings where a small electric motor pumps water from the ditoh into the recovery pen. Picture taken February 9, 1939
15
Through the cooperation of the Oregon State Police, Officer
Mark Sullivan was detailed on January 16, 17, and 18, to make a
numerical estimate on the Upper Klamath Refuge. An unnusually
large winter population was counted and the average for the three
days was 16,600.
B. UPLAND GAME BIRDS
Upland game birds on the Tule Lake Refuge are the ring-necked
pheasants and the California valley quail. Ring-neoked pheasants
are more plentiful said are apparently increasing in numbers each
year. Except during the hunting season these birds are much in
evidence. When one drives over the refuge the pheasants seem con
stantly to be running across the road or flushing over the roadside
fences and a few have been killed by automobiles on the Klamath
Falls-Alturas highway. Pheasants are particularly numerous near
refuge headquarters. They gather on the steep ridge which rises
back of headquarters and at certain times of the day may be
observed sailing from this lofty vantage point down over the build
ings and into the alfalfa patch or the nursery. As many as 150 have
been observed in one flight. It was not necessary to feed the
pheasants this year.
The wily pheasant is well able to take care of himself
during the hunting season. Hunters out looking the ground over a
few days before the season opened rubbed their hands in glee as
they saw the plentiful supply of pheasants. As some of them said,
it looked as if they could almost knock the pheasants over with a
16
a olub. But with the first few shots on opening day the pheasants
sourried to cover and the great majority of hunters did not get
their limit of two pheasants, i^ljl pheasants were killed in 1936,
215 in 1937, and 298 in 1938.
The California valley quail range in the brush type of cover
and are therefore restricted on the refuge to the portions bordering
such wild lands on the south and west sides. During the few days
when Tule Lake Refuge was covered with snow and in the coldest
weather grain was scattered for the quail and other birds along the
west side of the refuge and on the dike marking the north boundary
directly east of the headquarters buildings. Due to the mild
weather not as many quail used the brush quail shelters as in the
past two winters.
In November the California Fish and Game Commission turned
25 Chukar partridges loose on the ridge between Tule Lake and Lower
Klamath basin. It is believed that this is a favorable area for
their growth and that they will thrive and multiply. For some time
the liberated birds were seen about the refuge nursery but lately
they have not been seen. It is believed they have drifted up into
the sagebrush and weed cover of the ridge and are adapting themselves
to their new home.' It is hoped the Chukar partridges will establish
themselves as planned and so eventually provide an abundant and
excellent game bird. Wien this happens it is hoped the partridges
will be plentiful enough to divert the hunters* attention from the
quail which are none too plentiful.
Duoks and ooots feeding on sago pondweed tubers dug up by a lessee's dragline working on the dike on the south side of Sump #1, Tule Lake Refuge. Picture taken January 17, 1939, Section Jlj., T. 1+7 N., R. U E.
Chukar partridges in the recovery pen at Tule Lake Refuge. 25 of these birds were released by the California Fish and Game Commission during this quarter on the ridge between Tule Lake and Lower Klamath Lake. It is hoped this bird will become established in this area and eventually share the burden of hunting now borne by the ring-necked pheasant and the none too numerous California valley quail.
17
C. PREDATOR AND RODENT CONTROL
It was found that the number of mice was increasing
enormously in the vicinity of the headquarters buildings and plots.
The demonstration area and pasture were observed to be fairly
riddled with burrows. Most alarming of all was the damage being
done to the newly planted trees about the grounds and in the
nursery. Control measures were thus made imperative. 150 small
wooden boxes 1* x 1* x S" with small notches just large enough
to admit mice were constructed. The boxes were then placed in
the vicinity of mice runways in the pasture and nursery and a
handful of poisoned grain was placed under each box. As soon as
the area around the box appears to be cleared of rodents the box
is moved to a new area where there are signs of rodent activity.
This method has proved very effective.
D. FUR TAKEN BY REFUGE PERSONNEL
The refuge personnel has not engaged in any fur taking on
the Tule Lake, Clear Lake, Upper Klamath or Lower Klamath refuges.
E. FUR TAKE BY OTHER TRAPPERS /
Fur animals found on the Tule Lake Refuge include muskrats, •/ / / y
mink, weasels, skunks, bobcats and coyotes. Muskrats are by far
the most abundant and the only fur animal present in quantities
large enough to warrant commercial trapping. Under permits issued
by the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation twelve trappers have been
operating on the Tule Lake Refuge and no other trappers are
allowed on this area. A similar arrangement is in effect at the
View of one of the mioe boxes tilted to show poisoned grain underneath. 900 dead mioe (mostly miorotus montanus) were thus counted in the vioinity of the 150 boxes in the month of Deoember, 1938» when it was estimated 23% of the mioe population had been killed. In January 1,165 dead mioe were counted (miorotus montanus and Peromysous sp.)* On January U, 1939# the largest count for one day, 139# was made. A total of 28 acres in the headquarters demonstration plot, pasture and nursery were covered by the ,,mouse purge11 which is being continued in February. Picture taken January, 1939«
A tree in the nursery at Tule Lake Refuge girdled by mioe. Chinese elms appear to be partioularly delectable to the mioe and one sapling along a roadside near Tule Lake Refuge was observed to be barked from the ground surface up several feet. Picture taken January 20, 1939•
Detail of the ground of the demonstration plot at Tule Lake Refuge headquarters showing abundance of rodent burrows. Considerable damage was being done by the rodents to the bluegrass pasture adjacent to the demonstration area. Picture taken January 20, 1959
18
Coyote# trapped by government trapper, W» Wilder, on the Tule Lake Refuge, Calif*
# coyotes trapped
September, 1938 1?
October, 1938 18 * I
November, 1938 i|.
December, 1938 U CL^u-t
January, 1939 6
h9
19
RODENT CONTROL
Tule Lake Wildlife Refuge
Month
Deoember
Acreage Treated
20
Cost
65 lbs. Poisoned grain, 15.25
Results
900 microtus montanus observed dead in vicinity of poisoned grain boxes. Estimated 25^ of mice population killed
January 28 II42 lbs. poisoned grain, |7»10
II65 microtus montanus and peromyscus sp. lying dead in vicinity of poisoned grain boxes. On January U the largest count for one day of? 135 mice was made t
Note: Only the mice in and near the boxes are counted and removed 1/
J.1
*
20
MUSKRAT FDR TAKE
Tul© Laic© Wildlife Refuge
November 1^ 193Q to January ^-939
Name November December January Total
Irwin Beck (north drain) 3U 31+
W. W. Cave 180 205 119 501+
W• J• C ox 177 505 28 710
Jaok Fensler 162 106 221 1+89
Ora Fox ia7 867 7k 1358
Russell Galpin J4I8 867 7k 1359
Frank Graham 22 33 55
0* $• Keisor 303 317 50k 112^
L. Motsohenbaoher (north 36 80 k3 159 drain)
k3 159
B. Sohrank 211 iks 359
B. Shults 30U 521 168 793
H. Wilson 239 299 53 591
George Hood 83 83 2270 38OO 151+8 7618
Upper Klamath Refuge
Name November December January Total
K. S. Keisor 186 k93 536 1015
Barney Martin 168 629 3l+8 111+5
A* Wampler Total to Jan. 1 1010 1010
35k 2132 68I4. 3170
21
Upper Klamath Refuge where three trappers are engaged in fur
taking activities. The accompanying table gives the fur take
during this period.
F. OTHER ANIMALS
/ In past years the mule deer have made winter migrations into
the Tule Lake Valley, sometimes in herds numbering several thousand.
Due to the light snowfall the deer have not yet crowded into the
valley but remain in the foothills south and east of the valley.
Nothing has been seen during this period of the pronghom
antelope previously reported in the vicinity of the Peninsula
Patrol Station and on the ridge bordering the west side of the
refuge.
Previous mention was made of the abundance of bald eagles
on the Tule Lake Refuge. It is believed a number of these birds
look to the waterfowl for their food supply. This is borne out by
the fact that the bald eagles are usually observed in the vicinity
of waterfowl concentrations and have frequently been observed
eating ducks by refuge personnel, farmers and others in this
vicinity. It is believed the eagles are getting too thick for
the welfare of the ducks. Although eye-witness accounts of eagles
killing waterfowl are rare, as stated before the eagles have been
observed on many occasions eating dead ducks on the ice near the
concentrations. On NovemberJUj, three eagles were observed to
attack a white-fronted goose while in flight. The goose was stunned
22
and captured by one of the eagles but shortly after was allowed
to drop to the ground when the eagles started fighting over
possession of their prospective dinner. The goose was rescued by the
eye witnesses but died shortly, apparently from the eagles'^
piercing talons.
G. BIRD BAKPIHG OPERATIONS
The following birds were banded during this quarter«
Number Specie Male Female
32 Mallard 18 11+
12 Pintail 3 9
38 White-fronted Geese
12 Cackling Geese
2 Baldpate 2
96
23
III
REFUGE DEVELOPMENT AMD MAINTENANCE
Refuge development work was aocompllshed by CCC labor from
Camp BF-3 located one mile north of the refuge headquarters. The
following were projects for this period:
1. Fuel Basement
X fuel basement was added to the original basement at
the Peninsula Patrol Cabin with chute and trap doors leading to
the outside on the east side of the house. This project was not
completed at the end of the quarter.
2. Lookout House
Some further work was done on the lookout house on the
bluff above the headquarters buildings. The window glass remains to
be installed.
3. Pump
A pump was installed in the well at the Peninsula Patrol
Cabin and a 50-^oot tower and U,000 gallon redwood tank erected over
the well. Work was begun on a tank house and windmill over the tank.
I4.. Sign
The large refuge entrance sign at Tule Lake Refuge
headquarters was lettered on both sides. This work was hand carving
in redwood.
Domestio water tower# task house and windmill under oonstmotion at the Peninsula Patrol Cabint Tule Lake Refuge. A 160 foot drilled well with an abundanoe of good water is loo&ted under the structure. The pump may be seen at the left edge of the large gasoline storage tank in the baokground. Picture taken January 31# 1939, Section 9# 7. H*, R 3 £•
21+
3* Dilces and Levies
The south dike between Sump =§2 and ^5 oompleted.
This dike is now of sufficient height and width to handle any
proposed rise of the water in Sump $2*
The road bed on the north portion of the west dike
was raised so that it is now safe and passable for equipment*
6. Graveling and Maintaining Roads
The greatest amount of CCC labor used on any one
project during this quarter was expended in surfacing refuge roads*
Gravel was obtained from the rook crusher and from a natural gravel
formation along the Lava Beds boundary on the south side of the
refuge.
7. Nesting Islands
When the dragline oompleted the south dike it was moved
to the south shore of Sump #2 where two nesting islands had
previously been started. In January one island was finished. To
finish the other island it was necessary to blast rook and the CCC
camp compressor was set to work on this island. These two islands
were constructed by means of cutting off points of land with deep,
wide ditches. They are of a more permanent nature than previous
nesting islands as they are composed of rooky formation and sand
and are protected from wave action by the nearness of the shore*
25
8. Stream and Lake Banlc Protection
Rye grass (Elymus sp.) and bayonet grass (Scirpus
paludosus) were planted on the nesting islands as an erosion control
measure. Freezing weather halted this project before it was
completed.
9* Tree Planting J
While the weather permitted an extensive tree planting
program was engaged in. 9,759 trees were transplanted from the
refuge nursery to the bays in the south and west sides of the
refuge and in other odd corners where the additional cover will be
of great benefit to waterfowl and upland game birds. This program
was stopped by freezing weather and will be resumed in the spring
when the weather permits.
10. Seed Collection
The useful sago pondweed exists in plentiful quantities
at Tule Lake and a seed collecting project to gather seeds for
shipment to other refuges was successfully carried out. The sago
pondweed seed is buoyant and floats on the waters of Tule Lake
but unfortunately is mixed with a large quantity of stems, chaff
and other debris which accumulates in the water, mostly from newly
flooded areas. 700 sacks of seeds and accompanying vegetable matter
was collected and stacked at headquarters. Experiments to separate
the seed were carried out and it was found that we do not have
adequate equipment for this job and that the time involved in
separating the seeds by hand is prohibitive. The larger pieces of
26
foreign material were removed from "the seed and when resaoked "there ^ /
were about 370 sacks available for shipment. 96 sacks were sent to
Joseph Talla, Rupert, Idaho; 190 sacks went to George L. Girard,
Ronan, Montana; and 90 sacks are being held at Tule Lake Refuge for
the Ruby Lakes Refuge.
11. Crippled Ducks and Geese
During and after the hunting season the refuge personnel
maintained a careful watch for crippled birds. All birds found
were brought to headquarters, banded and placed in the recovery
pen. There were approximately 300 geese and 200 ducks. Most of
these birds recovered and flew away.
12. Eradication of Obnoxious Weeds
Weeds around the headquarters plot were removed and
burned. This reduced the fire hazard and improved the neatness
and appearance of the headquarters area.
15. General Cleanup
All floating material and debris on the edges of
Sump $2 is being removed. Some usable fence posts were found and
saved for future use and the rest of the material is being burned.
This project is greatly improving the appearance of the sump.
ill. Gravel Stock
Road gravel was produced by the rook crusher and
piled for future use on the Tule Lake Refuge roads.
Sago pondweed seed gathered from Tule Lake. 286 saoks of this seed were sent to refuges in Idaho and Montana. 90 saoks remain to b© shipped to the Ruby Lake Refuge in Nevada. Piotur© taken January, 1939•
A day*s oatoh of mioe in front of on© of the 150 poisoned grain boxes used in rodent control work at Tule Lake Refuge headquarters plot. Only mioe in imniediat© vioinity of boxes were picked up. Picture taken January 20, 1939 •
27
13- Surveys
Surveys for locating the south boundary of the Tule
Lake Refuge and the large fire of last season were finished during
the quarter.
16. Equipment Construotion
The sea-going mower under construotion for the
Tule Lake Refuge moved a step nearer completion. This machine is
not complete at present and it is difficult to estimate when it
will be completed. The camp skilled mechanic and blacksmith are
kept busy working on camp equipment with the consequent result
that very little time is ever given to completing the mowing
maohine.
OVTer Klamath Refuge
The impending development plan for the Lower Klamath
Refuge is the most important wildlife project in this region and
when consummated will be a valuable adjunct to existing refuges.
This development is to be made in conjuotion with the U. S. Bureau
of Reclamation. The objectives of the Bureau of Reclamation are
the disposition of surplus water from Tule Lake and the agricultural
lands of the Lower Klamath Basin in Oregon and the irrigation of
certain lands in the Lower Klamath Basin in California. This
irrigation is to be accomplished with the excess Tule Lake water
and it is expected that there will be a surplus of approximately
55,000 acre feet over and above what is needed for irrigation. It
is proposed to allow this surplus to drain into the Lower Klamath
View looking east showing Laird's Landing at the south end of Lower KX&math, Refuge, Section h7 2 E. Before Lower Klamath Lake was drained this was a landing for freight boats plying Lower Klamath Lake. This location was reached by an old canal going directly north from Laird's Landing to deep water. Picture taken January 26, 1939
A close-up of the house at Lairdfs Landing, Lower Klamath Refuge Picture taken January 26, 1939
A portion of Lower Klamath Lake Bed showing effects of severe wind erosion. Note dust blowing in distance. The annoying dust storms of Merrill, Maiin, and Klamath Falls, Oregon, originate from this lake bed. In fact the Klamath Valley generally with its hundreds of prosperous farms bears the full brunt of these dust storms. Picture taken January 26, 1959, in section 19, T. N., R. 3 E.
Another view of the wind-eroded Lower Klamath Lake bed. These views are of areas within Lower Klamath Refuge. Picture taken January 26, 1939, in Section 19, t. 1^7 n. , R. 3 E*
28
Lake bed where it will be used, together with drainage water
from the Lower Klamath Lake in Oregon and the natural run off,
by the U* S. Biological Survey for development of the Lower
Klamath Refuge for migratory waterfowl# If additional water is
found neoessary it can be obtained from Klamath River water used
for irrigation, picked up by canals and used again to maintain
proper water levels. It is believed that restoration of water
and marsh areas to the Lower Klamath Lake bed as outlined in the
present plan will make this refuge a major resting and nesting
area.
Another view of Lower Klamath Refuge showing dust-charged air in the distance. Picture taken January 26, 1959> in Section 9» T. 1+7 K., H. 5 E.
View showing clouds of dust blowing out of Lower Klamath Refuge. Picture taken January 26, 1959, from Section 9, T. i+7, R. 3*
Water erosion on the shore of ttld Lower Klamath Lake* Picture taken January 26, 1959* Section 20, T* U? N., R. 3 E.
Showing a section of an old stone fence that embraces Laird's Landing. Many miles of stone fence were construoted by the settlers in the early days by means of Chinese labor. Sections of this fence can be seen from the town of Dorris, California (a few miles west of the Lower Klamath Refuge) east to Clear Lake Refuge. The purpose of the fence was to keep stock in the fields along the lake shores. Some of this fence will probably be on the Lower Klamath Refuge. Picture taken January 26, 1939, in Section 55, T. 2 E., R. i+T N.
29
17
PUBLIC RELATIONS
A. ICE SKATING
During the colder weather ice conditions were excellent on
Tul© Lake for ice skating and attracted many local sports lovers.
On© Sunday 70 skaters were noted skimming over the ice on an
enticing spot near the Tul© Lake Refuge headquarters-Lava Beds
National Monument road* Another popular spot for ice skaters is
on the opposite side of the lake near Stronghold.
B. SIGHTSEERS
A number of sightseers visited the refuge on week ends and
holidays to see the bird concentrations. As the winter migrations
took place and colder weather set in the stream of visitors
dwindled to a mere trickle and we do not expect many visitors
until the warmer weather of Spring and Summer.
C. HUNTING
Much to the joy of the northern California waterfowl
hunters the season for 1958 opened on October 15 for a period of
h5 days with the hunting regulations liberalized so as to allow
the hunters three mistakes. That is the hunters were allowed
three oanvasbacks, redheads, buffleheads, or ruddy ducks in their
daily bag of 10 or an aggregate of three birds of the different
species. The possession limit for these ducks was six for any
single specie or six in the aggregate.
30
On the opening day of the hunting season 703 hunters checked
through the three checking stations on the Tule Lake Refuge, taking
a total bag of 3*U52 ducks and geese. The pintail duck and the
white-fronted goose led in the hunters, bag with 877 and SJh
respectively. The largest number of hunters visiting the refuge
in any one day was 768 hunters on October 16 with a total bag of
2,556 ducks and geese. As on the previous day the pintail duck
and the white-fronted goose were the favorites in the hunters' bag
with 3hO pintail ducks and 503 white-fronted geese. Wo found that
during the entire season the white-fronfced goose was the favorite
bird and nearly twice as many of these birds were killed than any
other specie of waterfowl. During the hunting season 25,315 ducks
and geese were checked out by 8,601 hunters. During the entire
season the hunters met us with a spirit of good will and were
very pleased with the hunting regulations and the number of birds
found on the area.
This year we noticed quite a change in the flight of birds
inhabiting the area. We noticed that more birds were feeding on
the areas on the east side of the Tule Lake Refuge than ever before
and we feel that this change was due to the ever increasing water
area on the refuge which is slowly crowding out the grain fields
and forcing the stubble-feeding birds to seek new areas.
The hunters' record reports appear on the following pages.
A oonoentration of waterfowl on the Tule Laic© sump during the migrational flight. Picture taken November 12, 1938# Section 16, T. I|6 N., R 5 E.
Another view of Tule Lake sump with a oonoentration of duoks feeding and resting during the migration. Picture taken November 12, 1958
i r
HURTING RECORD
1938
rov
Date
Number of
Hunters
| O
-g £ 0
0 Redhead
M O <A
•s
!5 a a O
•d d 1 ®
#•
pq
3 1 s
|
5
p
t
I d
0 cb G
ad-w
all u
0 i-4 ®
1 CO
i EH
1 1 a § •r O
g EH
•S | S e cb
5 g a
I
M 0
1 r •r
« a c 0 e
CO d •r 1 •£ {£
C a c 0 O d •d d C d O
« a 0 e
1 a
c e Tl ®
0 d 1 ®
s
g 0 >§ bJ F T
1 d 0
1
j| 1
•iS d <3 CO d
1 ® (0 0 d
T-£ O Got®
October Ifj 7ox /2 £>7 73 877 IdT 7 u 222 i ( 66 3/ < 7 57 <5 77 TSS /? 3552. 15 16 76& 2 21T 3-3 5-^0 IVO 207 7 Q 7 256 25 7/ 38 ' ( P f /5 2/ 583 Sz /f 2556 16 17 no 77 26 ?7 SO / 22 /32 7 22 27 7 1 I7S & 7 7 4 / 17 18 /3r 33 ' 8 / 73- 25" 2. / 0 66 / 8 7 7 3 & 117 3 / *3? 18 19 /3 6 z 2^ 23 2^ /S 4 66 2 G G / / 77 / / <? 3 37 19 20 / 3 / & /5" 37 IS 7 ' 7 7 3 4 / 2 7f f y Z 6 f 20 21 uz i t !(> 2^ 30 / 7 23 / 3 i" 4 / / / *73 2 8 2 0 / 21 22 20 Q 7 38 z z m 73 37 38 73- 2 6 3 2 6 / 56 577 PP 2^ 36 2, * ( 43 4 / / 8L ^3 3S i 3 6 47 7 f /O 74 ? 2 65 / o 72 726 2? 2ii / / 4 / / IZ n (0 I I / 5 / / / / 4^ f / ' 5 / 2k 21? 76 27 10 / 32 IZ (C 6 ^2 / 2 6 Z / 52 IZ 7 nz 2f? 26 10 0 / (0 (, £2 18 n 13 25 / 2 5" / 5" / 2 6 2/ 2 2 Z o P6 27 / / 4 39 8 46 13 76 s 5^ 3 / / / 1 6 7 31 7 373 27 28 U3 ^3 f(o { m 30 84 7 J4 Z. 3 / 6 / { . ZH 73 / C&5 28 29 Z Z 8 /<c 4S 25 Z . 80 55 36 2/ 65 i 7 5" 6 / 7 fZ 350 7 / 3 a 852 29 3° *7 7 Z. S f '<* I / 3 7 64 47 34 77 3 7 7 6 2. 6 Z! 4 7e 7S7 s 7 ( 7 7 50 31 / 7 72 ZZ 36 7 IS - Z 10 / / (0 / 7 83 32 288 31
4/ f z / O Z f 37 / ? Z H f 8 / f 10 2 , 4o 6 /Ze fT 77 /ec. 17 / <^•7 /5 //o / / s 4012, <* 3 y /<?6 7 3,476
Totals Carried Forward
•d ^ _«g •d
HUNTING RECORD
1938
Forward
•d •d
HUNTING RECORD
1958
(cont'd) k
KN fOk
Date
Number
of
Hunters
M c
1
0 0
•d a a
'C a
PC Canvasbaok
•a al «
•s
c <•-
PP Pin
tail
1 «
r-
i 0
S
i - 6
a 1 ^
r-
<§
> r-l H
1
a f— a
i
cc
r-d a
E-
P
i a j P •r O
1 E-
•d <r b P
*, ® c Ih cb
1
1 4 O
CO
Z4 c c
p •r PC H
utc
hin
g'
Goose
<D CO C C
cb
4 T 4 P a O S
now
G
oose
c
•d <D
c
£ 1
<D +> •H
Caoklinc
Goose
>1 •c
1
i3 p a a a 1
P-
00 ® Pi •r X! O
Bro,t /; f$o 5 fy / / ? 7
6 72 /•7
3 2 36 2 o ? Z 7Z
^73 / 7 3 7
/ 3 ( /J 3
2/7 / y z
yvz y f ? 7
3 / 7 3 /3-<S
/ 3 e Zf . &3o -
Nov.
November ^ y z/ W f i zz y Z t y / 3 7^ 6 37 16
\ 17 JS - f i z f zz / ?2 33. n 3^ ! { ( z z y^ 73 y z<s Z 8 6 17
18 113 3 Z6 n y 2 / r/ z '( 2 5 3 y/ ?7 3 27 3 ^ 7 18
19 2 66 6~ 3" / 3o> 2-7 7 1 5 f Z 3 /3 77 757? 3 37 (oOJ 19 ^0 HI 2 8 n 27 /z Z H 37 S 3' / Z /oC , 7 7 / 6 37 10 / $0
21 n 6" 5- / / z/ I f i 8Z ? l 22 1 r I / o r / /
f f (Z- 7 30 22
25 J 2. 7 /5 / / / / H / 27 6* 25
2h BO y / /z n Z z ' 7 z / / y y yy y? / z 15- 2L 25 / p 1 3 / ( / 6Z 3/ / 138 29
2^ / o 1 3 7 JLC 70 rr H 2 / /y 8^ 3 2S- I 26
27 i9 i / 7 M yy 2 .0 / / 7 3 n y 6 S z ' 0 / Z f / y / 7 U3Z 27
28 7/ /7 27 ' 3 Z- f ' f 3 / /y 7/ 33 265" 28
TOTAL 8 .60 / /3 5 /23 5
/ 07 (o /c,
35"(?f 22. i3
1310 77
5-/Y
202 ' ' 31
Z73 J28
/V<?
,^7
/6i" 6 8 3 3
8 /03 /2 3-r
218 ?S,3/S
1938 Season
\
t
t 1 t 1 «C ! -0 1 -0 1 -d •d 1 ^3 1 -d l t 1 -d 1 Tj 1 •d 1 aJ 1 »d •d •d •d •d
VIOLATIONS
t Date
1 10-16
2 10-16
10-18
k 10-19
3 10-19
6 10-20
7 10-20
8 10-20
9 10-26 '
10 10-28 ;
11 10-28
12 10-29 :
13 10-29
It 10-30
15 10-10
16 11- k 1
17 11-5 .
18 11- 5 <
Name
Harrison A* Wells
E. L. Tucker
John Bush
Joseph A. Young
John M. Phillips
Sam Roth
Howard Dixon
Lawrence Rolph
William Peart
Manrice Collings'
Stanley Carkeek
Harold Wilson
Harry Addleman
J. W. Taylor
Herbert Waits
Ernest E. Childers
Albert E. Ryokman
Violation
More than U geese in possession
Killing and possession of 2 eared grebe
Shooting after hours
Killing and possession non-game birds
Shooting after hours
Shooting geese with a rifle at 6:50 a.m. and no hunting license Shooting after hours
Shooting after hours
Shooting after hours
Hunting without state license, shooting from mot orb oat, and no gun plug Hunting without state license
Shooting geese from an automobile
Hunting without license
Shooting before opening hours
Possession Illegal Deer
More than U geese in possession
Shooting early
Shooting late
Fine Warden
125 susp. C. G. Fairohild, W. Anderson
125 susp. C. G. Fairchild, W. Anderson
$25 , $15 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots susp.
$25 F. Loots, Shick, C. Fairohild
$25 , $15 J. C. Revels, Floyd Loots susp.
$30 C. G. Fairohild, Floyd Loots
$10 C. G. Fairohild, Floyd Loots
$10 C. G. Fairohild, F^oyd Loots
$25 Revels, Loots, Fairohild
$75 Anderson, Sohults, Fairchild, Loots
$25 Anderson, Schults, Fairohild, Loots
$10 C. G. Fairohild, Floyd Loots
$10 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots
$5 Revels, Fairohild, Loots
$50 susp. C. G. Fairohild, Ed Hughes
$25 , $15 C. G. Fairohild, Floyd Loots susp.
C. G. Fairohild, Floyd Loots
$25 , $15 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots susp.
$25. , $15 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots susp.
VIOLATIONS (cont
i Date Name Violation Fine Warden
19 11- 5 George J. Van Buskirk Shooting late and overlimit of geese $25 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots
20 ll- 5 Howard £• Crom Shooting late $25, $15 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots 6UGp •
21 11-12 L. S. Wilder Overlimit of geese fO o
C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots susp.
22 11-12 Charles Allen Making false affidavit, hunting with $25 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots non-resident license
23 11-12 Ira El van Smith Making false affidavit, using borrowed $25 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots 23 license
21+ 11-12 Claude Ma ban Overlimit geese, non-resident license. $35 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots borrowed license, no duck stamp
25 11-11+ Warren G. Noggle Overlimit of geese $25, $25 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots susp.
26 11-11+ W. C. Dalton Overlimit of geese $25, $15 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots susp.
27 11-19 Eleanor A» McCullah %
Overlimit of geese $25, $15 Revels, Fairchild, Loots J susp.
28 11-19 Charles A. McCullah Overlimit of geese $25, $15 Revels, Fairchild, Loots susp.
29 11-28 Leslie Unruh Possession male pheasant during closed $15, $15 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots season susp.
30 11-28 Robert J. Henry Possession male pheasant during closed $15, $15 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots season susp.
51 11-26 John K. Eldridge Overlimit of geese $25, $20 C. G. Fairchild, J. C. Revels susp.
32 11-26 Jack C. Jennings Overlimit of geese $25, $20 C. G. Fairchild, J. C. Revels susp.
53 11-30 William C. Spencer Overlimit of geese $25 C. G. Fairchild, Floyd Loots
31+ 12- 5 A. M. Krouse Shooting after hours, shooting geese with $5 C. G. Fairchild, J. C. Revels .22 rifle
55 12- 7 Elmer Fleshman Illegal possession of parts of deer 20 days Fairchild, Sullivan, Leyva
36 12-10 Earl R. Hiokey Having 8 geese in possession $100 Anderson, Soheifer, Fairchild
VIOLATIONS (oont,d}
£ Date Name Violation Fine Warden
57 12-20 Lt. D . J. Crosno Hunting without license and after hours 150 W. N. Anderson, C. G. Fairohild
58 1-16 G. R. Aikens Overlimit of geese $25, 115 susp.
Fairohild, Loots, Anderson
39 1-31 G. A. Eriokson Overlimit of geese $25, 115 susp.
Fairohild, Loots, Anderson
ko 11-17 A. P. Lyle Overlimit of geese 125, 115 Fairohild, Loots susp.
Cases pending: Mr. & Mrs. Moorland, overlimit geese, posted |25 bond eaoh. Also pending cases against Messrs. Reid, Eldredge and Jennings, and William W. Trippe, Elmer Wilson, Paul H. Felleman, Jack Baker, Paul Nezer, Albert H. Crosby, John Peart, and Harry Miller.
1 12—8 Grank Guisinger }
Oregon Cases
Trapping without a license
2 12—8 Carlton Ober Brown Trapping and trespassing, Upper Klamath Refuge
3 12—8 Ober Brown
I|. 11—8 Homer M. Heat on
30 days Fairohild, St. John, Sullivan, susp. 17 .00 costs Leyva
Trespassing, Upper Klamath Refuge
Illegal shipment migratory waterfowl
5 12-31 Joseph S. Matliok Possession migratory waterfowl out of season
$23 and 90 days susp
30 days susp.
Fairohild, St. John, Sullivan, Leyva
Fairohild, St. John, Sullivan, Leyva
$25 susp. Fairohild, Loots, MoKinnon
$25 susp. Fairohild, Sullivan
37
v
ECONOMIC USES OF REFUGE
A. GRAZING
There was no livestock-grazing on the Tule Lake Refuge during
the quarter.
3. HAYING
There were no haying activities on the refuge during the
quarter.
C. TIMBER REMOVAL
There is no timber on the Tule Lake Refuge.
D. SHARE C BOPPING
There are no share cropping agreements in effect at the
Tule Lake Refuge at present.
38
VISITORS
Fred Starr, California Fish and Game Commission, November 23, December 2, 5, January 11, 13, li^, 15.
Ed. Eughes, California Fish and Game Commission, December 2
P. S. M. Pedersen, CCC, December 2, 3.
Louis Stevens, CCC, December 2, 3» 15•
J. Clark Salyer, Biological Survey, December 3, 1^, 5,
Elmer H. Elwin, W.P.A», December 3»
Harold West, Biological Survey, December 3*
William Walker, Biological Survey, December 3*
H. M» Worcester, Game Management Agent, December
E. B. Eayden, Bureau of Reclamation, December 3, 7.
M. J* Bowen, CCC, December 15«
W. C* Henderson, Biological Survey, December 11•
W. J. Wilder, government hunter, December lij.#
Don Fisher, National Park Service, December 21.
Soharff, Malheur Refuge, January 1^, 6.
Brice Hammock, California Fish and Game Commission, January 11 12, 13, lii, 16.
Larry Smith, Forest Service, January 11.
Ernest Leavitt, Crater Lake National Park, January 26.
John Dore, Crater Lake National Park, January 26.
George Haines, National Park Service, January 31*
