Question for MtMiller....

[steve sutton]

or anyone else that might know the answer....

Are the white tabs in this picture the same thing you were talking about that are supposed to reduce fence strikes by Sage Grouse?

Was up in the North Central part of the State, (Wa.), this past weekend on a piece of State property that is one of the better wintering areas for our dwindlign Sharptail population and saw these....they weren't there last year and are on all of the State land parcels in that area....

Made me curious since I had heard that fence strikes were a problem for Sage Grouse, (there are no Sage Grouse in this area), but hadn't heard that Sharptails had the same problems...

Seems that the thick sage along the fence line would negate strikes in places where the wire isn't "open" but I couldnt' think of any other reason that they are present.

Thanks in advance for the response.

Steve

 

[mtmiller]

or anyone else that might know the answer....

Are the white tabs in this picture the same thing you were talking about that are supposed to reduce fence strikes by Sage Grouse?

Steve

So they say. Wonder how it works in the winter.

http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/re...ns/national_instruction/2010/IM_2010-022.html

 

[TheTone]

Just saw my first white "tabs" this week as well in eastern Idaho. They seem to be very limited in distribution, at least so far.

 

[steve sutton]

Appreciate the response....and the link.....

this is "old" fence.....very old and in many places in bad repair since there is no grazing on the property....makes sense in areas where the fence is "open" but on several sections the fence was all but overgrown with sage and other vegetation to the point where no bird was going to try to fly below the top of the brush and in those areas it seems to be something of a waste......guess its just easier to put a crew down and say...(3) of these on every wire between every post and not worry about them making the "decision" as to where they would be best utilized.....

WHO KNEW?...


Steve

 

[npaden]

Researchers reported that hens were twice as susceptible to fence collisions as cocks, resulting in a disproportionate impact on population growth for this species.

I guess humans aren't the only species with a distinct difference in driving capabilities between the sexes.

 

[MThuntr]

The markers are exactly for bird strikes aimed mostly at native grouse. These markers have shown to reduce strikes by nearly 80% on new fences. I heard a case study at the Society for Range Management meeting in Billings last winter where they marked fences near wintering and lekking (dancing) sites and then counted before and after strikes. State and Federal agencies are starting to mark their fences. More frequently the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have been paying ranchers through the Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) to mark new fences and those near leks to reduce strikes. Yes this is part of the Farm Bill. The thought is that by reducing strikes and improving grazing management in these areas will help prevent the bird from being listed as on the T&E species list. Whether that happens is up to USFWS.

As an NRCS Range Specialist, I'll have to admit that I have helped put up and/or contract several miles of fence marking Central Montana. The producer is compensated for the fence markers and improving grazing management which is usually an adapted type of rest rotation that rests parts of critical habitat (namely nesting habitat) from April 1-July 15 of the following year. Studies have shown that an increase in 4 inches of grass height, sage grouse brood success is increase by 8%...not much but significant enough to justify the costs when you consider what could happen if the sage grouse is listed as a T&E species. To meet this type of management the rancher usually has to cut his herd. You'll see this become more common in the future.

 

[THWAK1]

Good question...good info. Thanks, Mthuntr.

 

[MThuntr]

So they say. Wonder how it works in the winter.

http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/re...ns/national_instruction/2010/IM_2010-022.html

I've seen these include a couple black markers next to the white ones. The markers are actually vinyl siding undersill that is cut to 3" and placed in a "W" fashion between fence posts but recently studies have shown that marking the top wire is good enough.

I have a rancher in Southern Phillips County that marked fences so hunters would stop driving into them in the dark (I'm not making this up either) and the elk that migrate there at night would be able to see the fence better.

 

[mtmiller]

mthuntr,

I have had quite a few samples show up on my desk. I was just being a smart ass, as I have seen the black/white ones as well. I do think there is vaule in marking some fences within 0.6 miles of leks (or further), but I think more importanly we need to remove some fences and conduct proper analysis prior to building new ones that may negatively impact all wildlife species.

I love the irony that I have fought to put up new fences with "white-topped" t-posts in some areas, but have them shot down due to VRM, but now we are discussing placing vinyl clips on some of these fences.

In my 10 years in Havre, I had seen 2 SG collisions with fences. Obviously there are more, but I haven't seen as much as some of the research is showing. I have a seasonal that has mapped 100's of miles of fences for me and has never found a collisions site. Of course, summer mapping doesn't show what may be occuring on winter habitat or during breeding season.

Anyway, I may be seeing some new guidance by next month.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Why are there fences on public lands?

 

[Ben Lamb]

Why are there fences on public lands?

Because the BLM is trying to keep the earth from floating away.

 

[steve sutton]

Old fences....

this is land that the WDFW has taken possession of and there are lots of old fences, and structures, on the properties...some still seperate private holdings from WDFW but there are miles of fence that has never been removed.....

Steve

 

[MThuntr]

Because the BLM is trying to keep the earth from floating away.

I've never thought of it that way!

MTMiller, I gathered you were being smart It's hard for me to reply back without sound like an ass. I've seen about a half dozen or so collisions. Mostly on new fences. I had a rancher put in a new fence (he also removed several older woven wire fences) and it ended up being a great raptor perch. Needless to say, he is going to pound a few long nails into the wood posts to discourage perching.

 

[msnyder]

We have actually marked a lot of fence in the Rock Springs area, and have been putting reflective tape on the markers to deal with the winter questions. I haven't personally seen any collisions yet, but have only been here less than a year, and others in the area have documented more than a few on certain stretches of fence. It is definitely a great project for boy scouts or volunteer groups.