Habitat Work Underway on State Game Lands

Game Commission food and cover crews begin season of wildlife habitat improvements

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Game Commission's teams of land managers, foresters and Food and Cover Corps crews are focusing their efforts – and the agency's resources – on a massive amount of habitat improvement projects on the more than 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands this spring.

"Wildlife habitats are changing across the landscape as farming practices evolve and urban/suburban expansion convert former wildlife habitats into various types of developments, from homes to shopping malls," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "According to Pennsylvania's Wildlife Action Plan, 300 acres of wildlife habitat are being lost every day, primarily to sprawl. Some counties have seen an increase in housing units exceeding 20 percent in recent decades.

"For this reason, the Game Commission's network of State Game Lands is critical to ensuring that wildlife will always have access to the three habitat components it needs to survive: food, shelter and water. And, through our habitat improvement efforts, we strive to ensure habitat diversity for all wildlife."

As an example, Dan Yahner, Land Management Group Supervisor (LMGS) for Fayette and Somerset counties, said plans are being made to develop SGL 93 in Somerset County into small game habitat.

"The majority of the 600-plus-acre SGL is a reclaimed strip mine backfill," Yahner said. "Phase one is conversion of the mining sediment ponds into large shallow wetland areas. Phase two will be spraying to eliminate the fescue grasses and locust trees that were planted solely to establish ground cover. These plants have practically zero benefit to wildlife. Then the land will be laid out into contour strips and planted with a variety of annual and perennial plants.

"Fields of mixed clover and small grains such as sorghum, wheat, rye and sunflower will be planted for food. Fields of warm season grasses will be planted for nesting and escape cover. Fence rows of fruit-producing shrubs and trees also will be added. The Food and Cover Crew in Somerset County is basically starting with a blank slate that currently is barren of small game. If all goes according to plan, within five years, this new SGL 93 should be a paradise of small game hunting."

Northcentral Region Field Forester Larry Sheats said a detailed analysis was completed on SGLs 98, 114 and 323 in Clearfield, Lycoming and Centre counties, respectively.

"The analysis included habitat species composition, soil production potential, operability, age class and spatial distribution of habitats, proposed permanent early successional (seedling/sapling stage) extended rotation (mast) areas, and desired future habitat age class distribution," Sheats said. "All of this data will be used by the agency to guide future habitat improvement decisions for these SGLs."

Lycoming/Union Counties LMGS Tom Smith said, in an effort to provide better quality small game habitat on SGL 252 in Lycoming and Union counties, the Game Commission will contract out about 145 acres for brush-cutting.

"Predominantly invasive shrubs, such as honeysuckle, multiflora rose, and autumn olive, all stems less than five inches in diameter, are to be cut to ground level," Smith said. "Desirable species that benefit wildlife, such as crabapple, apple, dogwood, and red osier dogwood, will be retained.  The Food and Cover Crew also will be doing the same type of brush-cutting on another 21 acres."

Bucks/Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton Counties LMGS Dave Mitchell reported that, on SGL 168, in Northampton, Carbon and Monroe counties, his crews have cleared almost 40 acres of invasive barberry from some old fields. As a result, 20 acres will be planted in corn, soybeans and clover, and the remaining acreage will be allowed to revert to native plants.

"This should provide more food for wildlife than the area had in the past," Mitchell said. "In addition, the crew recently 'daylighted' around 1,500 spruce trees on SGL 217, in Lehigh, Carbon and Schuylkill counties. These trees were planted in clear-cuts over the past 10 years.  By daylighting them, the lower branches will continue to grow, providing good cover all the way to the ground. This is important thermal cover for many types of wildlife, including grouse. On SGL 234, in Montgomery County, the crew will be planting loblolly pines with the hopes of establishing dove-roosting areas."

Crawford/Erie Counties LMGS Shayne A. Hoachlander reports that his Erie County Food and Cover Corps crew is using a vegetation-cutting machine mounted on a CAT skid steer machine to release apple and oak trees, regenerate shrub habitat, and convert small diameter single-leader red maple stands to shrubs on SGL 161 in Erie County.

Bedford/Fulton Counties LMGS Jonathan S. Zuck said crews have purchased spring planting supplies, including seed and fertilizer, and have already begun top-dressing clover plots.

"Crews now are planting fruit-producing trees and shrubs, as well as conifers on SGLs," Zuck said. "In addition to planting duties, crews will be assisting with prescribed fires on warm-season grass stands and old field areas."

Wayne/Pike/Lackawanna/Susquehanna Counties LMGS John C. Shutkufski said several acres of apple trees have been daylighted and pruned, and some areas also have been browse-cut on a number of SGLs in Wayne and Pike counties.

Roe noted that the Game Commission is mandated, by state law, to spend a specific amount of money on habitat improvement each year. That minimum is based on an established rate of $4.25 for each resident and nonresident adult general hunting license and $2 for each antlerless deer license.  During the 2008-09 license year, the Game Commission sold 831,968 resident and nonresident adult general hunting licenses and 858,512 antlerless deer licenses, for a total minimum of $5,312,612.

"In reality, we spent $6,169,952 on habitat improvement projects, which was $857,340 more that the legislatively-mandated minimum," Roe said. "This was not a one-time aberration, however, as we have routinely exceeded the minimum threshold set by the Legislature because we recognize how important habitat improvement is for all wildlife.

"However, when you combine our stable license sales with the increasing costs of conducting habitat work – from gas prices to repairs of heavy equipment – we are seeing the amount of work we are able to accomplish stagnate or decline.  Fortunately, with organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation and Pheasants Forever, we are able to do more than what our license dollars allow."

Mercer/Venango Counties LMGS James J. Donatelli reports that deer and turkey are utilizing clover plots planted last summer on five Venango County SGLs with funding assistance from the Allegheny Sultans Chapter of the Wild Turkey Federation. 

"As soon as the snow melted the new clover plots acted like wildlife magnets," Donatelli said.

Columbia/Montour/Northumberland Counties Keith Sanford said Food and Cover Corps employees Jim Roberts and Marc Sechrist spent two weeks in February clearing about 15 acres of reverting brush habitat on PPL's Montour Preserve, which is a part of Farm Game Project 91 in Montour County.

"The men used the Game Commission's CAT 277 and 297 loaders/mowers to clear the acreage, which were re-planted with almost 11,000 aspen and alder seedlings and cuttings on April 10," Sanford said. "The project goal is to create early succession habitat for ruffed grouse and woodcock, and is a cooperative effort with PPL, The Wildlife Management Institute, Woodcock Limited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever and the Game Commission."

Berks/Schuylkill Counties LMGS Matthew D. Belding has been working for the last several years with the Schuylkill Spurs Chapter of the NWTF upgrading food plots on SGLs 326 and 257, both in Schuylkill County.

"The Turkey Federation will be spending more than $1,500 for lime, clover seed and fertilizer to improve the growing conditions for the food plots," Belding said. "The NWTF volunteers have planted many apple trees on SGL 326 to produce a fall food source.  Jeff Thomas from the NWTF has spent countless hours working on the food plots by spreading lime, planting and applying herbicide.  All of the assistance we receive from the Schuylkill Spurs allows our Food and Cover Corps crew to work on other food plots throughout the county. This benefits not only the turkeys but deer, grouse and bears, too."

Dauphin/Lebanon Counties LMGS Scott Bills reported that this spring the Food and Cover Corps crews will be planting a 1.5-acre field on SGL 145, in Lebanon County, with a mix of warm-season grasses and native forbs, including coneflowers, tick trefoil, and partridge pea.

"SGL 80, in Lebanon County, also will have a similar seed mix planted on the Boyer Tract and, through funding provided by the Lykens Valley Chapter of the NWTF, four acres of herbaceous openings in the Monroe Valley area will be limed and fertilized," Bills said. "On SGL 211 near Yellow Springs in Stony Valley, in Dauphin, Lebanon and Schuylkill counties, a four-acre field of crown-vetch and grasses will be killed, making way for a productive planting of half clover and half in mixed warm-season grasses and native forbs, and is being sponsored by the Stony Valley Chapter of NWTF.

"In the Clark's Valley portion of SGL 211, old hedgerows made up of autumn olive and multi-flora rose will be removed and replanted in native shrubs and trees. Through a grant of $6,000 from NWTF, two ramped blinds will be constructed for disabled hunters along Luke's Trail. In addition to the blinds, the road surface will be improved to make it more passable for hunters' vehicles."

Roe noted that the agency also has been using its share of federal Pittman-Robertson funds – which are derived from an excise tax collected on the sale of sporting arms and ammunition – to increase habitat-improvement projects.  For example, Southwest Region Assistant Regional Forester Andy Hetrick reported on how federal aid funds benefit wildlife.

"As a result of an increase in Pittman-Robertson funding this year, the Southwest Region was provided an excellent opportunity to create 421 acres of early succession habitat in aspen forests on SGLs in Beaver, Cambria, Indiana and Washington counties," Hetrick said. "The dense, young growth of recently cut aspen forests provides important food and cover for ruffed grouse, woodcock, and many other wildlife species."

Southcentral Region Field Forester Roy Bucher recently completed drafting plans for a Pittman-Robertson funded project on SGL 170, in Perry County.

"The project is 24 acres and is in an old gypsy moth salvage block," Bucher said. "In the block, most of the trees will be felled, herbicide will be applied to control invasive species, and many different species of trees will be planted in the block. The goal of the project is to rehabilitate the site and improve habitat on the SGL."

Roe said that the Game Commission's land management teams have accomplished much so far this year, and that they have plans to do even more.

"I've long said that it is not our employees' enthusiasm and ingenuity that limits our abilities to accomplish habitat projects to benefit wildlife; it is our limited financial resources that inhibits our capability to do more for wildlife," Roe said. "There is no doubt that we can do more for wildlife if only provided the means to do so."

Following is a summary of other habitat projects underway in each of the Game Commission's six regions.

NORTHWEST REGION:

Butler/Lawrence Counties LMGS Dale E. Hockenberry reports that his crews are working hard to remove old hedgerows on SGL 216, in Lawrence County, so there will be more early successional habitat there in accordance with Comprehensive State Game Lands Planning.

Mercer/Venango Counties LMGS James J. Donatelli reports that the Mercer County crew has almost completed the servicing of waterfowl and bluebird nesting structures. "In addition, they finished an aspen regeneration cut on SGL 270, shrub release cuts on SGL 130 and SGL 284 and removed a large Scotch pine stand on SGL 284," he said. LMGS Donatelli also said the entire Northwest Region Food and Cover Corps attended fire training at a two-day meeting. "The fire training will eventually qualify everyone at the firefighter 1 level or above," he said. "This will enable the Game Commission to greatly expand the use of fire to create quality wildlife habitat."

Clarion/Jefferson Counties LMGS George J. Miller reports that nesting boxes and structures in Clarion County had the following success in 2009: wood ducks 121 boxes available and 52 were used successfully; 21 mallard structures available and 18 used successfully; 16 goose structures available and 14 used successfully. LMGS Miller also reports that, of the 284 bluebird nesting boxes available for use in Clarion County, 129 were used by bluebirds, 84 by wrens, 34 by chickadees, three by swallows and 34 by mice, bees or were empty.

Forest/Warren Counties LMGS Richard T. Cramer reports that the Warren County Food and Cover Corps crew have been busy utilizing the new habitat machine recently purchased by Harrisburg for numerous habitat improvement projects on SGLs. "Several areas have been treated on SGL 143 and 282," he said. "Aspen cuts, tree and shrub releases and alder regeneration cuts have been performed by crews working with this new and valuable machine."

Crawford County LMGS Jerry A. Bish reports much of his time for the last month has been spent working on eagles. "As the population continues to spread at a rate of 15 percent each year, new nests must be checked out," he said. "Many eagles are moving to private property to nest because the SGLs are saturated. I met with landowners to discuss the various issues. Even though eagles have been removed from the endangered species list, they still are protected by law. Human disturbance is the major reason for nest failure."

Butler/Lawrence Counties LMGS Dale E. Hockenberry stated that the warmer weather has a lot of people going fishing. "While SGLs have numerous fishing ponds, please be aware that it is waterfowl nesting season," he said. "Please stay away from nest boxes, and try to avoid weedy shore areas where ducks and geese might nest."

Crawford/Erie Counties LMGS Shayne A. Hoachlander is planning a prescribed burn of about 20 acres of warm season grasses on SGL 218 this April. "This practice helps control woody vegetation within grassland areas and also removes dense layers of ground duff that inhibits the movement of grassland ground-nesting birds and their offspring," he said.  LMGS Hoachlander also said spring is the time for prescribed burning in many warm-season grass fields. "Plans for burning require reviews by DCNR, DEP and Game Commission staff," he said. "Burning windows are often short due to very specific weather and fuel parameters, and the Food and Cover Corps crews have to be ready to burn with only a days notice." LMGS Hoachlander added that his crews have been trying to catch-up on SGL boundary maintenance since the heavy snows have gone. "They try to mark each SGL boundary at least once every five years," he said. "This helps sportsmen identify the SGL and reduces conflict with adjoining landowners. Unfortunately, some survey pins and monuments are lost by stream movement, flooding, windstorms, and vandalism. This ultimately results in lost resources because of the effort it requires in survey work to reestablish these lines and corners."

SOUTHWEST REGION:

Southwest Region Field Forester Roger Brown reports SGL 285, in Beaver County, has hundreds of acres of un-reclaimed surface mines that have come back in aspen for the most part. "While these un-reclaimed areas are not very attractive to our human eyes, wildlife is taking advantage of this unique habitat," he said.  "Deer trails run the tops and between the spoil piles, and turkey tracks can be found going up, over, and around the spoil piles. Grouse and rabbits can be found under brush piles along the edges of open areas, and beavers are building dams between the spoil piles and taking advantage of the aspen as a food source. Our planned cutting of some of these aspen areas will create early succession habitat providing even more valuable habitat."

Forester Brown and Southwest Region Diversity Biologist Tammy Colt, in October, joined other foresters and biologists from the Game Commission and the DCNR Bureau of Forestry for a "Rockrat Management Workshop." Part of the curriculum was training in how to identify habitat that the rockrats, more commonly known as the Allegheny woodrat, would use. "We also received training in management practices that can improve habitat for these animals," he said. "Tammy and I decided to put our new training to use on SGL 51 in Fayette County. We were able to find a new site with evidence of woodrat activity, but we also found areas that had had a past history of woodrats where we could no longer find any evidence of recent use. Tammy and I will have our 15 minutes of fame as we named the new site the 'Brown-Colt' rockrat site."

NORTHCENTRAL REGION:

Northcentral Region Field Forester Kirk Bainey said a recent field check of a 19-acre aspen regeneration cut on SGL 204 in Potter County confirmed that the treatment of this stand was successful. "Cut in the winter of 2006 by the Food and Cover Corps after pre-cut work by a forester, abundant aspen sprouts and other tree and shrub species now are mostly above the reach of deer and have attained the size where grouse and other wildlife should heavily utilize this prime habitat for the next several years," he said. "Enhancing the cut's value to wildlife are adjacent spring seeps, two small streams, conifer cover and a maintained herbaceous opening."

Northcentral Region Field Forester P.B. Selfridge reports that a new pipeline on SGL 28 near Owl's Nest to connect a Marcellus Shale gas deep well to an existing large transmission pipeline has been laid out and construction begun. "The trees removed for the new construction required an assessment of value to be reimbursed to the Game Commission," he said. "This pipeline passed near one of the more unique habitats on this property. In meetings Elk/McKean Counties LMGS John Dzemyan and I attended with representatives from the gas and logging industries, we produced a plan to minimize any damage to wildlife habitat and biodiversity along the proposed pipeline. These changes include moving the pipeline from one side of an existing road to the other side to protect a spring/seep area and some apple trees. Also, a section of the construction corridor was narrowed to reduce loss of plant diversity."

Northcentral Region Field Foresters Bainey and Selfridge noted that the foresters' field-work phase of the SGL 14 comprehensive plan recently was completed, requiring most of the winter to accomplish. "Cameron County foresters performed ground truthing and aerial photo interpretation while the local Food and Cover Corps crew, with the approval of Cameron/Clearfield Counties LMGS Colleen Shannon, utilized a bulldozer and 4x4 pickups to keep roads open, allowing foresters the mobility required to adequately map the nearly 14,000 acres of this rugged SGL," Bainey said. "Plowed roads also permitted wildlife research folks to get around to their deer and elk work and the local WCO to set up his turkey trapping operation. Judging from the many tracks, various species of wildlife also appreciate these more easily traveled routes."

Northcentral Region Field Forester Travis W. McNichol has been spending much of his time over the past few months cover-typing SGL 103. "The heavy precipitation, persistent snow cover and limited access made this a difficult task for much of the winter," he said. "However, I did manage to cover several thousand acres and learned much about the area and timber types. It was particularly enjoyable to discover the abundance of wildlife in the remote sections of this SGL."

Northcentral Region Forester Frank L. Chubon said a three-year infestation (2006-08) of gypsy moths, combined with dry summer conditions, resulted in large acreages of tree mortality on some Centre County SGLs. Gypsy moth timber salvage operations have been in full swing throughout this winter on SGLs 33, 60, 100 and 176 in Centre County. "Harvesting operations were halted in March to prevent damage to roads and wet forest soils," he said. "Increased light to the forest floor has improved tree regeneration in some areas. Cuttings in these areas should result in excellent deer, bear, and grouse habitat in the future. Areas that died and have no regeneration will need expensive remediation in the form of herbicide spraying, fencing and planting."  Region Forester Chubon, while inspecting a salvage timber sale on SGL 33, watched opportunistic chickadees, juncos and nuthatches taking advantage of the disturbance caused by the logging operation. "They would watch from a safe distance as the cutters felled the dead trees and dislodged the loose bark then would brazenly swoop in and feed on the wood borer larvae before it had a chance to escape," he said. "Sometimes they would ride along on the harvested trees as the skidders transported them to the landing."

Northcentral Region Assistant Regional Forester Gary Glick said gas exploration companies are increasing their activities on some SGLs. "Many hours are being spent on tallying the timber cut to create gas well pads and gas pipeline rights-of-ways," he said.

Centre/Clinton Counties LMGS Michael Ondik said that, in preparation for a spring with many varied projects on the horizon, Food and Cover crews in Centre and Clinton counties recently attended and completed some very important and ongoing training initiatives. "They have attended the Wild Lands Firefighter Refresher course, in preparation for the use of prescribed fire this spring and summer," he said. "They also have attended a pesticides use refresher course, enabling fresh thoughts for safety of persons and the environment if using pesticides and fertilizers this spring planting season."

Northcentral Region Field Forester Larry Sheats and Vanessa Nichols, a clerk typist with the Northcentral Region Office, researched and confirmed parcel acreages on SGL 134.

Forester Sheats and Lycoming/Union Counties LMGS Tom Smith recently compiled a database for the various sharecroppers on SGLs in these two counties. "Using aerial photographs, we digitally composed maps for each share cropper and computed the actual acreages," Sheats said.

LMGS Smith said that his crews recently completed cleaning and repairing wildlife nesting boxes on SGLs. "This work includes erecting 316 waterfowl nesting structures, such as wood duck boxes, mallard cylinders and goose nesting platforms; 100 other boxes, such as bat, squirrel, bluebird and owl; and constructing 22 new rabbit brush piles," he said. "The Union County foreman stated that the waterfowl nesting success is the best that he has seen in 10 years with very little nest predation." LMGS Smith also said, with the break in the weather, the crews are gearing up for the planting season. "Some of their activities include burning or mowing food plots to remove last season's growth; top-dressing and enhancing existing clover plots with fertilizer; and applying lime to ensure proper pH," he said.

Elk/McKean Counties LMGS John Dzemyan and Food and Cover Forman Jim Olszak reported that, on the warm day of March 12, woodcock returned to portions of SGL 44.  "Also, numerous deer ticks were out and about after being absent since December's winter onset," said LMGS Dzemyan, who also noted that Food and Cover Foreman Jim Olszak, accompanied by Roger Beck and Brad Carnahan, recently completed winter-cutting projects on SGL 311, involving two locations totaling 72 acres of aspen stands and non-commercial trees; on SGL 44, involving 18.5 acres of non-commercial cuts and some aspen; and on SGL 28, involving 12 acres in the form of 2,400 feet of border cuts. "All these areas will sprout blackberry briers, young trees and shrubs for the next 10, 20 to 30 years providing much improved conditions for deer, grouse and other species of wildlife," he said. "Deer, ruffed grouse and even some rabbits took immediate advantage of the cuts as they were being done."

Cameron/Clearfield Counties LMGS Colleen Shannon reports that her three Food and Cover Corps crews recently completed timber stand improvement cuts on SGL 14 (43 acres), SGL 77 (42 acres) and SGL 100 (12 acres). "The work on SGL 100 was the second segment of a large aspen cut done specifically to encourage regeneration of young aspen and occurred on a recently purchased tract of SGL off of Woolridge Road in Clearfield County, Covington Township," she said. "Snow depth was a challenge for the crews this winter but they continued to work hard for habitat improvement in spite of the weather." LMGS Shannon also reports that her three Food and Cover Corps crews are busy with their springtime work, including: maintaining about 350 bluebird nesting boxes and 130 duck nesting boxes; and grafting more than 100 young apple trees and pruning more than 100 established apple trees. "The crews also are continuing to improve border edges and hedgerows, maintain boundary lines and are preparing fences for the soon-to-arrive seedlings from Howard Nursery," she said.

Northcentral Region Field Forester Chris Folmar finished cover-mapping SGL 90 and completed the GIS portion of the comprehensive management plan. He also began to gather GPS coordinates for SGL 103's boundary corners, prepare maps and aerial photos to help start the cover-mapping process. Forester Folmar also spent a fair amount of time assessing timber on SGL 100 for several new Marcellus shale gas wells, water impoundments and a pipeline right-of-way. Forester Folmar also added that he has continued cruising timber on SGL 100 for a gas pipeline right-of-way, and also continued the cover-mapping process on SGL 103. "During this time, I completed cover-mapping compartment one and will begin compartment two next," he said. "While cover-mapping, I was surprised at the number of grouse I saw. I would say I averaged seeing eight grouse each day, even in open habitat where you normally wouldn't expect to flush grouse."

Potter/Tioga Counties LMGS Denise Mitcheltree said her Food and Cover crews, in March, cleaned out 41 duck nesting boxes, 23 bluebird boxes and eight kestrel boxes in order to prepare for the return of nesting birds. "The crews also released 502 apples trees from encroaching over-story trees and branches to promote more fruit production," she said. "These trees also were lightly pruned to remove diseased or dead branches in efforts to create a healthier tree.  More than 25 percent of these apple trees were older, mature trees that recently were re-discovered on SGL 64 as part of crew efforts to find pockets of abandoned orchards from decades past."

SOUTHCENTRAL REGION:

Blair/Huntingdon Counties LMGS Brad Myers said that April is a very busy month for those in the habitat business. "The month begins by completing the native grass prescribed burns that we did not get completed within the March burn window due to weather or equipment," he said. "The humidity, wind speed and ground conditions have to meet certain criteria to have a safe and successful burn. If the conditions are not met, we don't burn. We have about 40 acres of grass to burn at scattered sites on SGL 251 and 147, as well as Area 420 throughout the two counties. On April days when we can't burn, the crews will be completing boundary line inspections, replacement of metal tags, and repainting the white line and corner markers. This involves walking the entire Game Land boundary with paint, brush, hammer, and tags. They also look for boundary line infractions –and document such things as illegal ATV trails, illegal tree stands, encroachment issues, invasive plants, and anything else needed to be brought to my attention. Each Game Lands receive this inspection at least once every five years. Due to the number of SGLs we have in my area, the crews must complete several SGLs each year in order to stay within rotation. This year we will be maintaining boundary lines on SGL 81,112, 113, 147 and 166, which will amount to about 153 total miles. The crews prefer to accomplish this in the spring prior to the snakes, bugs, and hot weather, and also the lines are easier to follow when there are no leaves on the trees. On rainy days, the crews will be servicing the tractors, repairing/sharpening brush cutters, and attending to other equipment and administrative duties."

LMGS Myers also said the local Food and Cover Corps crews are now preparing for spring planting on SGLs. "This spring, we will be planting grains and legumes on many SGLs to benefit wildlife through the summer and fall," he said. "We plant as many acres as our budget, available manpower and equipment will allow. Right now, we are short personnel due to a state hiring freeze, and must share sprayers, plows and planters between my three crews. Each crew has one four-wheel drive tractor that is really needed on the many rough mountain food plots in scattered areas that we try to maintain for deer and turkey. Due to the limitations we have, the strategic locations of these plots are important. Even though it means transporting equipment to remote sites, maintaining some of these small openings in big woods areas creates that diversity and habitat element wildlife really need. The plots maintained for small game are a little easier and more accessible, but the quantity is limited by equipment, men and funds. The bottom line is this: we create and maintain as much habitat as we can for wildlife and sportsmen, within the limitations we have. My crews have a passion for habitat."

Southcentral Region Field Forester Roy Bucher currently is cover-mapping a new addition to SGL 107 in both Juniata and Mifflin counties. "The new addition is about 1,500 acres and is being mapped to complete the new SGL 107 Comprehensive Management Plan," he said.

Forester Bucher also has another salvage timber sale to complete on SGL 170 in Perry County. "Gypsy moths have killed or severely injured most of the oak species in a stand on SGL 170," he said. "As soon as the remaining trees leaf out, I will be laying out the sale area and conducting a stand analysis. I will run a PNDI for the sale area and we will have a timber sale meeting to go over all aspects of the timber sale." Forester Bucher added that he recently marked a non-commercial habitat treatment project on SGL 256 in Perry County. "The stand that I am treating has a high amount of white pine and oak regeneration," he said. "I am removing the small interfering trees to allow more sunlight to reach and invigorate the white pine and oak regeneration. My goal is to provide more thermal cover by allowing the white pine regeneration to grow and establish some early successional habitat by advancing the oak regeneration. The work will be completed by the local Food and Cover Corps crew." Forester Bucher and a fellow forester recently looked at an oak shelterwood treatment on SGL 107 in Juniata County. "I would like to use prescribed fire as a management tool to increase and advance the oak regeneration that is present in the sale area," he said. "We surveyed the site to see how feasible it would be to conduct a prescribed fire in the sale area that is enclosed by a deer fence exclosure.  A 2010 late summer/early fall prescribed fire may be conducted if conditions are favorable at that time."  

Adams/Cumberland/Franklin Counties LMGS Barry Leonard reports that several timber stand improvement cuts have been completed on SGLs 235 and 169, with another cut in progress. "These cuts will improve cover and regeneration, allowing sunlight to the forest floor," he said.

Southcentral Region Field Forester Brent McNeal has been writing the prescribed burn plans for the majority of the Southcentral Region.  The plans are primarily geared towards regenerating fields this year.  However, there are already some plans to do some forest burning this fall.

Southcentral Region Field Forester Brent McNeal has two timber sales that he will mark this spring/summer.  One is a 51-acre overstory removal cut that has a deer fence around it on SGL 76 in Franklin County.  The other sale is a 150 acre treatment in Franklin County on SGL 124.  This treatment includes three thinning blocks and an overstory removal block.

Forester McNeal said that Food and Cover Corps have been cutting areas non-commercially this winter across the region.  Several areas that I have managed this way are the following: 22-acre thinning SGL 235, Franklin County; nine-acre thinning SGL 121 Huntingdon County; and four-acre removal cut SGL 99 Huntingdon County.

Bedford/Fulton Counties LMGS Jonathan S. Zuck reports the second annual Sportsmen's Habitat Day was held on SGL 97 at the Biddle Place on March 27. "A dozen volunteers joined Game Commission staff to improve wildlife habitat on SGL 97 by constructing four large brush piles, and fencing 50 fruit trees," he said. "They also erected 15 bluebird boxes, planted 75 blackberry and black raspberry canes, and daylighted 20 crabapple and hawthorne trees. Everyone, including five children and youth who volunteered, worked extremely hard. In fact, everything went so well that we ran out of supplies and work projects well before lunch. However, after putting in hours of strenuous work, I don't think anyone objected to partaking in lunch a little early." LMGS Zuck also reports crews are wrapping up their winter-cutting projects and preparing to shift gears to springtime activities. "The Food and Cover Corps crews cut more than 100 acres over the winter months using chainsaws and two machines equipped with cutting heads," he said. "Stands of aspen, scrub oak, birch, red maples, and other oak species were treated to improve habitat for wildlife." LMGS Zuck added that an additional 52 acres of scrub oak were cut this past winter on top of Wills Mountain on SGL 48. "In the past year, my crews have used a hydro-ax (a tree skidder fitted with a large mowing head) to cut more than 110 acres of scrub oak habitat, with an additional 50 acres scheduled to be cut this fall," he said. "The acreage that has been cut so far is comprised of six different patches ranging in size from 11 to 35 acres. Cutting the scrub oak rejuvenates it, increasing shrub health and future acorn production. Cut patches also may be treated with prescribed fire this summer to further benefit this scrub oak community."

Southcentral Region Field Forester John L. Smith said that, this spring, seven different areas totaling about 330 acres on SGLs 26, 48 and 198 have been put up for bid to have small, undesirable trees cut. The three areas on SGL 26 are failed clear-cuts from the late 1980s and early 1990s that regenerated with striped maple and hayscented fern. The two areas on SGL 48 are failed clear-cuts from the same time frame that regenerated in mostly black birch. The two areas on SGL 198 have a similar history, but had regenerated in black locust, birch and striped maple. The two sites on SGL 198 currently are fenced, along with one of the sites on SGL 26.  The other four sites on SGLs 26 and 48 were bid out to receive a deer deterrent fence this summer. "After cutting is completed this spring on these sites, we will apply herbicide, probably this fall, to control sprouting of undesirable vegetation, especially fern and sprouting of cut trees," he said. "Plans are to contract these areas out for tree planting next spring with a mix of trees more beneficial to wildlife."

Juniata/Mifflin/Perry/Snyder Counties LMGS Steven Bernardi and his Food and Cover Corps crews have been gearing up for the new growing season. "The crews recently completed their assigned timber stand improvement cuts on SGLs 88, 107, 188 and 256," he said. "Our seedling orders for SGLs and public access cooperators will be arriving shortly for distribution and planting.  The River Crew has been busy launching the four barges we use to haul equipment to our islands and the mainland crews are servicing equipment and gathering supplies, lime, seed and fertilizer, for spring planting."

NORTHEAST REGION:

Carbon/Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe Counties LMGS Michael Beahm said that crews from the northeast completed six acres of prescribed fire on grasslands at Beltzville WMA. "Many of these fields were more than 15 years old, and had quite the thatch build up, and woody vegetation encroaching in them," he said. "The fire burned very well and should revitalize the native grasses and remove much of the woody and invasive vegetation. In addition to the burning, crews are preparing to plant an additional 33 acres of warm-season grasses later this spring. All of this work should pay off with better small game hunting conditions in years to come." LMGS Beahm also said that, on March 20, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society had 17 volunteers to complete a habitat project on SGL 127 in Monroe County. "They cut three stands of mature aspen to create early successional growth," he said. "These cuttings will revive the aspen and improve habitat conditions for the ruffed grouse and woodcock hunting. It was a great morning of hard work and enjoying the company of hunters interested in improving wildlife habitat. Special thanks to Brian Clark for putting this together."  

Luzerne/Sullivan/Wyoming Counties LMGS William M. Williams said the Red Rock Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has teamed up with the North Mountain Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association on a habitat improvement project on SGL 57 in Wyoming County. This project will take place in the High Knob area in Forkston Township and is just off the Southbrook service road, about one mile from the public parking area at the end of Cider Run Road. The project consists of the preparation and planting of a grassy strip and three small landing areas with clover and buckwheat. "A significant amount of border-cutting of black birch and beech trees is being conducted to daylight this strip," he said. The total area to be treated is about four acres. This planting will establish a level of permanent herbaceous legume cover (clover) that will be used greatly by wild turkey and other wildlife in this section of the SGL. Labor needed to support this project is being supplied by members of the NWTF Red Rock Chapter and QDMA North Mountain Branch, with technical support and supervision being provided by members of the Game Commission's land management staff. Existing vegetation will be treated with herbicide by agency staff prior to liming, soil preparation and planting by NWTF and QDMA volunteers. This project addresses the overall habitat objective of improving the quality of wild turkey habitat as specified in the Game Commission Wild Turkey Management Plan and continues partnerships for funding and assistance with cooperative projects on SGLs.

Wayne/Pike/Lackawanna/Susquehanna Counties LMGS John C. Shutkufski said the Wayne County crew is improving the rabbit area know as "Haggerties" on SGL 159 with two cat vegetation cutter/mowers. "They are brushing back overgrown hedgerows and daylighting areas with the intention of replanting to warm-season grasses and clovers," he said. LMGS Shutkufski also said the group's bulldozer is on the Archibald Mountain improving access to the southern end by grading the old road to improve access for future maintenance/habitat improvements. Plans are being developed to burn plots to improve the scrub oak barrens and bring back fruit-producing bushes, such as blueberries.  LMGS Shutkufski said the Pike County crew recently made several metal gates for placement on areas on SGLs.  

Bradford and Susquehanna Counties LMGS Richard Lupinsky Sr., in early April, said Game Commission employees and The Nature Conservancy conducted a 110-acre cool-season grass and shrub prescribed burn on SGL 36. "The plan here is to plant warm-season grass, such as switchgrass, to enhance the habitat for game birds and small game, including pheasants and cottontail rabbits," he said. "Of course, with all other habitat manipulation nongame also benefits from this activity. Fire historically has been a natural part of the landscape just as flooding in the floodplain of rivers. This tends to open to sunlight closed canopy areas and promote vegetative variety on the landscape and an assortment of food for wildlife. The Game Commission will increase the use of this valuable habitat-enhancing tool as time goes on. The habitat and wildlife that occupy it and ultimately, the hunters, will benefit."

SOUTHEAST REGION:

Southeast Assistant Regional Forester Randy Bauman reports that, in March, the Southeast Region forestry staff conducted a stand analysis and marked a timber sale on SGL 246. "The shelterwood cutting we are conducting is the first stage in a regeneration process that will eventually lead to early successional seedling-sapling habitat that currently does not exist on this SGL," he said. "We also are preparing the stand to meet anticipated future infestation by the emerald ash borer."

Southeast Region Forester David R. Henry reports that presently, contractors are being requested to offer a bid for felling trees on SGL 46 in Lancaster County. "Work will begin this spring on felling yellow marked trees from 39 acres of an oak-dominated stand," he said. "Designated trees less than eight inches in diameter, at chest height, will be felled to allow additional sunlight to reach the forest floor. As a result of this management activity, existing oak seedlings, as well as new oak seedlings, will be able to survive and grow. Tree seeds from numerous other tree species also will find favorable growing conditions."

Southeast Regional Field Foresters Jonathan Weaver, Randy Bauman and Frank Vinitski currently are working on a forest habitat project on SGL 156 in Lebanon County. "This project should encourage the growth of young trees, resulting in improved food and cover for wildlife," Weaver said.  "Hunter access also will be improved through the creation of a new parking area."

Southeast Regional Field Forester Francis Vinitski reports that a timber stand improvement project will be conducted in Stony Valley along the railroad grade just to the west of Gold Mine Road. "This project, totaling around 200 acres, will improve stand quality and establish new desired seedling regeneration," he said. "Wildlife habitat will be improved by constructing log landings that will be converted into herbaceous openings.  These openings will offer food opportunities for the many birds and mammals which utilize this valley."

Bucks/Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton Counties LMGS Dave Mitchell noted that his crew will be planting a 33-acre field of native grasses and wildflowers on SGL 205.  They removed three hedgerows so the field will be large enough to attract grassland-nesting birds that are not currently using the area. "Hunters will benefit as stocked pheasants, deer, and rabbits will also use the field," he said.

Chester/Lancaster/York Counties LMGS Linda Swank reports that her crews have been busy pruning 328 pear and apple trees on seven different SGLs in York and Lancaster counties. "The crews also released two acres of evergreens by removing the competing woody growth around them," she said. "On SGL 242, two acres of hedgerows were cut with the Southeast Region's new 297C CAT. This is a small-tracked machine with a special cutting head that allows us to mow small woody brush to ground level. This will allow the woody brush to re-grow and provide food and good low ground cover. The machine also was used on SGL 243 to improve two acres of hedgerows and to cut two acres of road-edge border. The brush from the boarder cutting was used to construct brush piles. The crew also fertilized more than 1,000 evergreens on SGL 242." LMGS Swank also reports that it is a very busy time for her Food and Cover Corps crews. "It is a time of planning for spring planting and getting equipment ready as well," she said. "The crews have really been affected by the weather coming out of winter and into almost summer-like conditions. Both the York and Lancaster crews worked together for almost two weeks putting in a bridge on SGL 52 and replacing an old culvert pipe.  In addition, they replaced another culvert pipe that had rusted through on the same SGL. We had to back up getting tree seedlings because of the bridge project, so there is no slowing down. As soon as the seedlings are picked up at Howard Nursery, crews will get together again to sort and deliver them. Also, mowing is already starting and lime and fertilizer are being spread to begin the preparation for planting.  The next few weeks will be nonstop for both of the crews."

Berks/Schuylkill Counties LMGS Matthew D. Belding reports that for the last several years they have been working with the Betchel Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society by hosting a field day.  "Thankfully the weather cooperated with us this year and the group of volunteers planted 1,000 white spruce seedlings inside an oak regeneration site on SGL 110," he said.  "We had 66 volunteers working to plant for four hours. We estimated the plantings contributed more than $5,280 of habitat work completed by the volunteers."

Facts from the Pennsylvania Game Commission: Each of the 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands has an interesting story to tell.  For an article on the role that the area presently comprising SGLs 13 and 57 – a complex of nearly 94,000 acres in Luzerne, Sullivan and Wyoming counties in northeastern Pennsylvania – played in the region's history, pick up a copy of the April issue of the agency's Game News magazine, and read "Silent Whispers: Notes from a Game Lands ghost town," by William M. Williams, the local land manager who oversees this area.

Also, for a more detailed look at habitat work being conducted on some State Game Lands, visit the agency's website (www.pg.state.pa.us) and click on "Habitat Happenings" in the center of the homepage.

Note to Editors: If you would like to receive Game Commission news releases via e-mail, please send a note with your name, address, telephone number and the name of the organization you represent to: [email protected]

SOURCE Pennsylvania Game Commission

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