MDF Projects

Rocky Mountain Regional Workday

By Scott Hampel

In the May/June 2007 issue of MDF Magazine, an article titled “Western Juniper Friend or Foe?” by Jack Elbert appeared. This article explained how the western landscape has changed over the past several decades as this “water guzzling” tree has impacted mule deer habitat. Throughout the west, federal and state agencies are now completing projects to offset this encroachment, including in the state of Colorado.

In April 2007, Paula Nicholas (CDOW), Lyle Sidener (CDOW), Justin Martens (CDOW), Doug Gillam (CDOW), Bob Meulengracht, and I met at the Colorado Division of Wildlife headquarters building in Denver to discuss prior funding of mule deer habitat projects located at the Radium State Wildlife Area near Kremmling, Colo. During these discussions, Doug Gillam explained to us some of the long term needs and proposed habitat work to take place on this state wildlife area. One of the projects discussed included areas of pinon and juniper for a cut/burn treatment. After this discussion, I simply asked the question, “Can you use additional volunteer manpower to accomplish this task?” The answer was “yes.” In fact, a project had been started in 2007 but limited funding was available which allowed only 12.6 acres to be prepared. The goal was to prepare several additional acres for a prescribed burn to take place in the fall of 2007.

From here, I quickly came up with the idea for a new/different format for the annual Rocky Mountain Regional Volunteer Workshop to take place in 2007. Each year since 2003, one of the chapters from the Rocky Mountain Region has hosted the Regional Volunteer Workshop. This was typically a two-day session where a classroom setting was held on Saturday with a “field trip” or “guest speaker” scheduled for Sunday. In 2003, the workshop was held in Naturita, Colo., by the Droptine Chapter; in 2004, the Pass the Buck Chapter of Rifle/Silt, Colo., hosted the event. Then in 2005, the event moved to the Mile High Chapter in Denver, Colo., followed by the Northern Front Range Chapter in Fort Collins, Colo., in 2006. The first option was to give a Wyoming chapter the option to host this event, but the “backup” plan was to pursue the “workday” option.

As it turned out, the Wyoming chapter volunteers had personal obligations and commitments which did not allow the event to be held in there in 2007. Consequently, I made a few phone calls to Doug Gillam, the CDOW Wildlife Technician, responsible for managing this wildlife area. We scheduled a proposed “work weekend” as well as a time for me to visit the work site to get a better feel for what would be involved before committing MDF volunteers.

On June 19, I met up with Doug Gillam, Becky Manly, and Lyle Sidener from the Colorado Division of Wildlife to take a four -hour afternoon tour of the Radium State Wildlife Area and adjacent properties. This is a “wildlife gem” located approximately 12 miles southwest of Kremmling, Colo., along the Colorado River. The Radium State Wildlife Area, itself, is comprised of four units totaling approximately 11,000 acres of “huntable” terrain. The property also contains several camping areas frequently used throughout the year. The property provides some excellent habitat for mule deer and elk as well as other species. In fact, this area provides crucial wintering grounds for 1000-1200 deer annually. It is an area in which the CDOW takes aerial surveys and collars deer to study movement and population trends.

Our first adventure involved meeting with Mike LeRoux, a private landowner, so that we could visit his property, which is being considered for a proposed conservation easement project. Following this visit, Doug, Becky, and Lyle took me to a unit within the Radium State Wildlife Area, which had previously received mechanical treatment of pinon and juniper trees. A large piece of equipment, a Fecon mulcher attachment, was used to shred pinon and juniper trees to open up these areas so that proper sunlight and precipitation will allow the growth of sagebrush, bitter brush, and other forbs/shrubs to benefit mule deer. In all, 73 acres were treated at a cost of $340 per acre.

The third and final stop of this tour involved taking me to an area in which 12 acres of a hillside had been recently treated manually with chainsaws at a cost of approximately $4800 ($400 per acre). In this particular area, the CDOW attempted to conduct a prescribed burn of approximately 600 acres on this mountain-side in 2004. This was done so that new growth of grasses and forbs would be available for elk and mule deer as well as eliminate the dense pinon/juniper canopy. The prescribed burn had minimal success. The burn could not carry itself up the hillside because of lack of underbrush. However, those areas, where the burn was successful, are now experiencing the desired results with lots of new growth of grasses, bitterbrush, and sagebrush. Now, three years later, trees are being cut and strategically aligned to create a “fuse”. The ultimate goal here is to set the “fuse” on fire. By cutting the trees, the idea is to get more fuel in specific areas so that the fire can spread to the remaining standing trees. The burn is tentatively scheduled for fall of 2007.

The mountain-side to be treated is public property managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management which is adjacent to the Radium State Wildlife Area. As stated earlier, this project’s goal is to improve habitat for deer and elk. However, another goal is to open the areas near rocky outcroppings so that big horn sheep can be introduced to this area in the near future. The sheep desire and prefer to have open country near the rocky areas. This allows them to identify danger, feel comfortable, and provides security.

After viewing the 12 acres of pinon and juniper which had been cut, I felt confident that this would be an ideal setting for MDF volunteers to take part in the 2007 Rocky Mountain Regional “Workday.” Upon arriving back to my home, I quickly sent an e-mail to volunteer chapters throughout Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Missouri and Wisconsin. The “workday” planning and preparation was underway for the weekend of July 20-22. Volunteers would plan to arrive at the worksite on Friday evening or Saturday morning. Many MDF volunteers camped at the work site. Others arrived at local motels in Kremmling or stayed at their own personal cabins or had friends/family nearby who could provide housing. Others would simply arrive on Saturday, work, and return to home later that day.

Early on July 20, Joe Straley, chairman of the Northern Front Range Chapter of the Greeley, Colo., area, arrived at my home and helped to get the MDF trailer loaded with the supplies, tools, camping gear, food, beverages, coolers needed for the weekend. By 11:00 am, Joe and I were on our way.

Upon arriving at the worksite at approximately 2:30 p.m., Joe and I worked to set up the “base camp.” We positioned the MDF trailers, wall tent, and dining canopy with cooking grill, tables, and chairs. By 5 p.m., we were set and ready to go. We simply needed the rest of the volunteers to arrive by Saturday morning and we would begin our work. We were anticipating approximately 30 individuals to arrive.

At approximately 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Becky Manly (CDOW District Wildlife Manager) and Justin Martens (CDOW Terrestrial Biologist) arrived at the site. Becky, Justin, Joe, and I took a walk up the nearby trail to get a closer look of the work area and obtain any final instructions and directions of our weekend task. Our instructions were simply cut, cut, cut AND be safe!

Upon returning to camp, two other volunteers had arrived including David Dolton and Doug Wesley. Each had set up their tent campsite. By this time, the sun was now going down and we prepared to view a Power Point presentation inside a wall tent. Justin commented on how this was a “first” as he had never given a presentation within a tent using his laptop. Unfortunately, we did not have more volunteers available to see this presentation. Justin provided us with information regarding studies taking place in the game management unit. He indicated how deer were collared and monitored via regular helicopter flights. Several statistics and graphs were presented. The data obtained over several years showed how deer would move with in the area and identified factors impacting deer mortality. It was very informative. Justin has offered to provide this information to a larger group setting when time/schedules allow.

It was now Saturday morning and the chapter volunteers from throughout Colorado began to arrive. The volunteer workforce included individuals the Northern Front Range Chapter (Greeley, Colo.), Mile High Chapter (Denver, Colo.), Pikes Peak Chapter (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Pass The Buck Chapter (Rifle, Colo.), and the High Mountain Chapter (Walden, Colo.). However, I must also mention two individuals that traveled from Barneveld, WI to participate. Larry and Rita Thompson from the Wisconsin Midwest Chapter were ready to go!

Volunteers milled around, shared coffee, donuts, and stories. Once the nucleus of the group was there, Joe Straley and I held a brief meeting to explain what our task was, our goals, and, of course, safety. A convoy of trucks and ATVs then proceeded up the trail to the work area.

Many MDF volunteers surveyed the area while others prepared their chainsaws with gas, oil, and chain sharpening. (Nearly all chainsaws were provided by MDF volunteers. However, the Northern Front Range and Pass The Buck Chapters did provide funding via their respective chapter rewards to purchase two chainsaws. These will be retained by MDF for future use on additional workdays. Thank you!). Since there were approximately 30 people on the mountain with only 15 chainsaws available, volunteers worked in groups of two or three people. While the volunteers with saws cut, others worked nearby to move and handle the brush and tree debris. Brush piles were NOT created. Instead, the brush was distributed along the ground so that as it burns, the fire will move up the hill in an effort to catch the standing trees ablaze. Other volunteers simply helped by providing water or beverages to others or took photos. Some remained at the campsite area to assist with meal preparations. Cutting continued for several hours with a lunch break and then additional cutting occurred until approximately 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evening.

Saturday evening involved grilled buffalo burgers provided by Mike Stanley and Peggy Ellis with Chef Wayne Anders in charge of the kitchen. A few stories, lies, and beverages were shared with Chairman of the Board, Stan Lueck, and his wife Carolyn Lueck who had arrived for an overnight stay also.

Sunday morning involved a quick breakfast and a resumption of tree cutting activities. This continued until Sunday noon followed by a grilled bratwurst lunch. Finally, our campsite was torn down, gear packed, and consumption of additional beverages.

In all, approximately 40-60 acres were treated with a cost of approximately $600 for the two chainsaws purchased bring the cost to $10-$15 per acre. In addition, this was truly a “fun” weekend for those that participated. Over the course of the weekend, 43 individuals appeared or participated with well over 400 total hours to date. It gave MDF members and volunteers some “hands on” experience with habitat improvements. Friendships were created or further strengthened as everyone worked towards that common goal of “ensure the conservation of mule deer, blacktail deer and their habitat”. Since this event, I have been in contact with Doug Gillam of CDOW. He has viewed the area and is pleased wit the results. Additional MDF manpower may be supplied later this fall. But it appears to be certain that MDF volunteers can take pride and some ownership in the Radium State Wildlife Area. Finally, I would like to thank all of those who took the time to plan, help, and participate in making this event successful. This includes Brandon Ames, Gary Ames, Boyd Anders, Lorenna Anders, Shelby Anders, Nola Anders, Wayne Anders, Brian Anderson, Lindsey Anderson, Jerry Carter, Michelle Cowardin (CDOW), David Dolton, Peggy Ellis, Loretta Fox, Norm Fox, Carolyn Funkner, Henry Funkner, Trevor Gill, Doug Gillam (CDOW), Stan Grebe, Teresa Hale, Scott Hampel, Terry Jud, Mike Kondus, Mike Kondus Jr., Justin Lamson, Jeremy Leech, Carolyn Lueck, Stan Lueck, Becky Manly (CDOW), Mike Mariolle, Justin Martens (CDOW), Joan Nestor, Jon Nestor, Kristin Nestor, Marilyn Nestor, Bud Nolan, Susan Nolan, Ron Pryor, Jeff Shipley, Lyle Sidener (CDOW), Mike Stanley, Joe Straley, Larry Thompson, Rita Thompson and Doug Wesley.

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