Appendix G. Pellet Transects and Deer Management on TFL52 Block B

Transcription

1 Appendix G Pellet Transects and Deer Management on TFL52 Block B

2 PELLET TRANSECTS and DEER MANAGEMENT on TFL52 Block B prepared for West Fraser Mills Ltd. Quesnel, BC prepared by T. Kyle Simpson And Keith Simpson #112, nd St., Surrey, BC V3R 5Y5 March 28, 2008

3 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning i Executive Summary The deer winter range management plan for TFL52 Block B, which was established in 1994 set management objectives to maintain 33% of the deer winter range as old forest (>120 years). Since the management plan has been in place there have been minor changes in habitat conditions within the critical core habitats on the steep slopes adjacent to the Fraser River within the SBSmh variant. Harvesting to control and salvage pine beetle infested stands has reduced the forest cover below targets on the adjacent plateau within the SBSmw variant, which was identified in the plan as a winter range buffer area. Previous monitoring using pellet transects and winter snow tracking in 2001 suggested that the population had increased slightly since Pellet surveys repeated in summer 2007 showed that deer are still present in all areas although overall numbers may be down slightly. Fewer pellets were counted in the core areas and more on the adjacent plateau suggesting that deer are more dispersed and are not concentrating in the core area, possibly as a result of mild winters. Winter severity data was examined as a potential cause of changes in deer numbers and distribution. The Topographic Ungulate Winter Range model, which was developed in the southern part of the Kamloops region, was used to refine the winter range boundaries and establish planning cells on the most critical components of the winter range mainly within the SBSmh variant. It is recommended that the target for old and mature forest be increased to 40% on the core range and lower buffer (SBSmh) and decreased to 20% on the upper buffer (SBSmw). Since forage may be more limiting when the pine plantations establish dense stands on the plateau, silviculture prescriptions that maintain forage production should be implemented. It is recommended that the target for old and mature forest be increased to 40% within each planning cell (core range and lower buffer in the SBSmh) and decreased to 20% on the new upper buffer (SBSmw) within 500 m of the planning cell boundaries. Since forage may be more limiting when the pine plantations establish dense stands on the plateau, silviculture prescriptions that maintain forage production should be implemented. This plan is not consistent with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan - Mule Deer Winter Range Strategy Committee guidelines. The TFL was not designated as a winter range under that plan, since the working plan included a commitment to manage for deer. It is suggested that the proposed changes to the plan be reviewed by regional staff. Their comments and results from winter tracking in 2008 could be incorporated before the plan is finalized.

4 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning ii Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION STUDY AREA SUMMARY OF EXISTING INFORMATION...5 Management Regimes...5 Old Growth and Biodiversity Objectives... 7 Regional Mule Deer Winter Range Strategy... 7 Douglas-fir bark beetle...8 Winter Severity Index METHODS...10 Map Updates...10 Suitability Maps and Management Zones...10 Pellet Sampling RESULTS...11 Comparison of Habitat Conditions...11 Planning Cells...14 Pellet Transects DISCUSSION AND MANAGEMENT OPTIONS LITERATURE CITED...19 List of Tables Table 1. Biophysical habitat units on TFL Table 2. The distribution of different habitat types within the various management zones on TFL 52 Block B... 6 Table 3. Old Growth Management Areas and Management Zones in TFL52 Block B... 7 Table 4. Snowpack zones around the TFL52B Table 5. Parameters and values for fir beetle hazard Table 6. Age class structure from 1995 compared with 2001 and Table 7. Thermal, security and feeding habitat ratios (%) for the deer winter range Table 8. Forest distribution for high value habitat types within the SBSmh Table 9. Areas of suitable habitat and deer densities used to estimate numbers Table 10. Age class distributions of forests within six proposed planning cells on TFL52B Table 11. Habitat distributions of forests within six proposed planning cells on TFL52B Table 12. Comparison of the deer pellet transects done in 1993, 2001 and List of Figures Figure 1. TFL 5 showing the deer winter range and pellet transect locations... 3 Figure 2. Winter Severity Index from weather stations in the region and maximum snow depths at Quesnel, Figure 3. Planning cells and TUWR rankings in TFL52 Block B

5 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning INTRODUCTION Tree Farm Licence 5, formerly held by Weldwood of Canada, has been consolidated within TFL 52 as Block B, effective December TFL 52 Block B supports a small mule deer and moose population at the northern edge of the Cariboo Region and south Prince George Region. Elk and white-tailed deer have also been recently reported colonizing the management unit. completed a Fish, Forest and Wildlife Management Plan for TFL5 in 1995 ( 1995). The effects of that plan were assessed in 2001 (Simpson and Simpson 2002). The deer winter range on Block B is within the Sub-Boreal Spruce biogeoclimatic zone unlike most mule deer winter ranges in the Cariboo Region, which are in the Interior Douglas Fir zone. The management plan required a minimum of 33% of the Deer Winter Range to be greater than age class 6. The mule deer winter ranges are currently near the 33% level, and further monitoring of habitat conditions, deer distribution and numbers was requested by West Fraser Mills, the new managers of the TFL. TFL 52 Block B is experiencing forest pest problems with mountain pine beetle and Douglas-fir bark beetle. Most of the pine forest on the TFL has been beetle-killed since the last assessment of the deer management plan. The principles of adaptive management require that monitoring the results of management strategies be used to guide changes and refinements in management. The effects of unpredictable natural disturbances such as beetle kill must be assessed in context of the management plan and its results, and used to modify the plan where necessary. Deer require habitat for foraging and shelter within the TFL. Previous studies indicate that deer are confined to the drier Douglas-fir dominated sites during deep snow periods ( 1995). These higher use sites typically occurred on steep, warm aspect river breaks within the SBSmh biogeoclimatic zone. The deer on TFL52B also relied more heavily on shrub forage rather than Douglas-fir foliage or arboreal lichens as in other parts of the region. Keystone proposes to assess the current condition of habitat on the winter range, and the current deer population on TFL52 Block B. The objectives of this assessment are to: update habitat mapping for deer using forest development plan information, regenerate deer suitability maps (2007) and compare with previous (1995 and 2001) conditions, re-sample pellet transects sampled in 1995 and 2001 and compare deer abundance and distribution with those from previous years, establish new pellet transects in areas affected by beetle salvage harvests, assess the results of the current Management Plan and Forest Stewardship Plan in terms of maintaining and enhancing winter habitat for deer and other ungulates, create management zones for Block B based on deer winter range characteristics, recommend updated management strategies to maintain or enhance the winter range.

6 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning STUDY AREA TFL 52 Block B, now held by West Fraser Mills, is 34,221 hectares in size and located 40 km north of the city of Quesnel along the Fraser River. The TFL consists of two main landforms the Fraser River escarpment and the interior plateau. The escarpment is characterized by steep slopes, gullies and ridges intermixed with small benches creating a patchwork of small, distinct habitats often dominated by Douglas-fir (Baker 2003). The plateau is characterized by rolling terrain with moraine and organic deposits and is dominated by Lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce. Although present across the plateau, Douglas-fir only dominates stands on drier ridges with southern exposure. According to the provincial ecological classification, the TFL lies within two subzones of the Sub-Boreal Spruce zone the moist hot (SBSmh) and the moist warm (SBSmw). The SBSmh dominates the Fraser River escarpment and the SBSmw includes the interior plateau. The SBS is characterized by warm, moist summers and snowy winters. Peak precipitation occurs in early summer and early winter, and approximately 50 percent of the precipitation falls as snow (Steen and Coupe 1997). Dr. Daryll Hebert summarised his observations regarding the TFL as follows. "TFL 5 is located in a unique position along the Fraser River at the transition between the IDF and SBS biogeoclimatic zones. The SBSmh subzone, which corresponds approximately to the Fraser River breaks, is found nowhere else in B.C. The area is the northern extreme of mule deer winter range in the central interior and deer densities are lower than in most other parts of the region due to deep winter snow. Areas in the SBSmw subzone, above the moderating influence of the Fraser River, provide low quality deer winter range. Douglas-fir forests, which have been used to define deer winter ranges in the Cariboo Region, occur only on the driest sites within the SBSmh and SBSmw subzones and are generally very limited in extent" ( 1995). The main wildlife habitat zones defined for TFL 52 Block B from the management plan included Core and Buffer Mule Deer Winter Ranges, Moose Range and Calving Areas, and Old Forest Diversity and Linkage Areas (now Old Growth management Areas). These zones are managed as minimal disturbance areas. Approximately 7327 ha are currently part of the TFL 52 Block B Mule Deer Winter Range. The core area is 2275 ha, with a 500 m buffer area of 5052 ha, adjacent to the core range (Figure 1).

7 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 3 Figure 1. TFL 5 showing the deer winter range and pellet transect locations. Table 1 provides a brief overview of the main habitat types in each biogeoclimatic subzone and the terrain and vegetation characteristics. Habitats and seral stages were fully described in the maps and legends produced by Timberline (Neumann 1993).

8 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 4 Table 1. Biophysical habitat units on TFL 5. BGC Zone Habitat SBSmh Fd- Thimbleberry DT Fd-Juniper DJ Pl-Soopolallie LS Fd-Saskatoon DS Fd-Maple DM Sxw-Coltsfoot SC Sxw-Devil s club SD Act-Ostrich fern CO Sxw-Red osier dogwood SR Site Assoc. 01 (mesic) 02 (v. dry) 03 (dry) 04 (dry) 05 (mesic) 06 (moist) 07 (moist) Position Plateau Bench Toe Slope Associated Vegetation 0-30% birch, spruce, hazelnut, fairybells Description Mixed forest with high shrub-producing potential Crest 0-60% Occurs rarely Terrace 0-30% Fd, blueberry, bunchberry Upper to 30- Saskatoon, rose, mid-slope 80% showy aster Rolling upper to lower slopes 10-40% birch, balsam, thimbleberry, sarsaparilla, Solomon's seal Bench toe 0-30% Birch, Fd, cranberry, queen s cup, bunchberry Gully seepage slopes 08 (wet) Floodplain depression 09 (wet) Floodplain seepage slope 0-30% Balsam, Act, gooseberry, Solomon's seal, bedstraw 0-5% Spruce, alder, dogwood, elderberry, stinging nettle, cow parsnip 0-30% Ba, horsetail, Act, blk twinberry, cow parsnip Wetland 10 Depression 0-5% Willows, cattail, sedges, water hemlock SBSmw Sxw-Queen s cup SQ Rock-Talus RO Pl-Blueberry PB 01 (mesic) Plateau 0-30% Pine, Fd, birch, spirea, rose, prince s pine, bunchberry Pine forests on dry terraces Dry Fd forest on steep slopes with limited understory Mixed forest on receiving slopes and north aspects, very high shrub production with balsam fir Cool mixed forest on moderate terrain, high shrub production in young seral stage Open forest with lush shrub and herb understorey Islands, back channels and wet depressions; open forest with high shrub and herb production Open forest with lush shrub and herb understorey Potholes and small ponds most common on broken ground, rarely associated with main watercourse Mixed forest with high potential for shrub production, abundant downed wood 02 (dry) Not observed 03 (dry) Plateau 0-30% Balsam, v.l. blueberry, huckleberry, falsebox Pine forests on dry terraces (uncommon)

9 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 5 BGC Zone Habitat Fd-Oregon grape DO Sxw-Oak fern SO Sx-Devil s club SD Sx-Horsetail SH WETLAND TYPES (WL) Sb bog BS Mtn Alder- Horsetail AH Sedge Wetland SE Shallow open water pond OW Site Assoc (mesic) (moist) 08 (moist) Position Slope Associated Vegetation Ridge 0-30% Pine, blk huck, spirea Plateau 0-30% Balsam, birch, blk twinberry, rose, bunchberry Gully seepage slopes 0-30% Ba, blk twinberry, gooseberry, oak fern, foamflower, twistedstalk 09 (wet) Depression 0-5% Ba, mtn alder, dogwood, lady fern 10 (wet) Depression 0-5% Pl, mtn alder, Lab. tea, scrub birch, horsetail 10 (wet) Depression 0-5% Mtn alder, horsetail, sphagnum 00 (wet) Depression 0-5% Cattail, willows, buckbean, water hemlock 00 Depression 0-5% Cattail, willows, pond lily Small lake SL 00 Depression 0% Cattail, willows, sedges, pond lily Description Drier forest usually on southern exposures, high downed wood Dense mixed forest complexes near breaks in slope, abundant shrubs in young age classes Open forest along linear draws and depressions Mixed forest along shallow linear draws and depressions Wet depressions often associated with ponds, lakes or other wetlands Wet depressions often associated with ponds, lakes or other wetlands Wet meadows often associate with ponds and lake margins Wetlands often formed along watercourses by beaver activity Open water often associated with other wetland habitats Within the SBSmh older units of the DS-04 and DJ-02 provide the highest value deer shelter, while the DM-05 and DT-01 units can provide good shrub forage for deer. 3.0 SUMMARY OF EXISTING INFORMATION Management Regimes In order to optimize management for deer on TFL 52 Block B, management zones were proposed in the TFL 5 Fish and Wildlife Plan ( 1995) where small openings would be created to conserve deer winter range or provide beneficial mixes of feeding and cover habitat. Management zones where small openings were prescribed for deer were located on the Fraser River escarpment in the SBSmh subzone. The core winter range habitat was composed mainly of Douglas-fir-Saskatoon (04) and Douglas-fir-Maple (05) with some Douglas-fir-Thimbleberry (01) units that occurred in contiguous bands along the upper slopes of the Fraser River escarpment. Surveys

10 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 6 confirmed that deer heavily used these habitat types in winter (Keystone Wildlife Research 1995, Simpson and Simpson 2002). Within the core winter range area, where forest cover is most valuable to deer, minimal harvesting was permissible and only to address forest health concerns, especially Douglas-fir bark beetle. Areas within 500 m of the core habitat (buffer areas) were only to be harvested using small blocks less than 10 ha in size and less than 200 m in width. Scheduling was to provide shrub-producing openings in all areas over the entire rotation. Leave areas and future harvesting was planned to provide future shrub-producing habitat when young regenerating forests (age classes 2-3) become very dense and non-productive for deer cover or forage. The management zones defined in the 1995 management plan consisted of a variety of different habitats. The drier units in the SBSmh (DJ-02, DS-04) typify core deer winter habitat, while adjacent DM-05 and DT-01 units provide foraging areas and movement routes (Table 2). Table 2. The distribution of different habitat types within the various management zones on TFL 52 Block B. BGC Habitat* Total (Ha) SBSmh SBSmw Timber Production % Distribution within Management Zones Deer Forest General Deer Core Corridor (buffer) Moose Calving DT DJ LS DS DM SC SD CO SR WL SQ RO PB DO DO SO SO SD SH WL Total Ha % of Total (*see Table 1 for explanation of habitat codes). Key objectives of the habitat management plan included protecting core mule deer winter ranges in older forests in DS (04) and DJ (02) habitats and retaining old DM (05) and DT

11 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 7 (01) forests within the core that function as feeding habitat or movement corridors immediately adjacent to DS habitats. Old Growth and Biodiversity Objectives The proposed minimum requirement for old forest retention to meet biodiversity requirements in the SBS zone is 11% (Ministry of Forests 1995b). Ideally, this forest was to be retained in areas where it was most valuable to wildlife. The deer winter range has a high priority for preservation of old forest to provide thermal cover, snow interception and food on core ranges. Permanent and transitional Old Growth Management Areas (OGMAs) have been established in the Quesnel TSA that show overlap with the management zones within the TFL (Table 3). Approximately 6.7% of the TFL is classified as core deer range and the majority of that area (67%) is currently included in OGMAs. While 14.8% of the TFL was identified as deer buffer (general) only 18% of that area was included in OGMAs. Table 3. Old Growth Management Areas and Management Zones in TFL52 Block B. OGMA Timber Deer Deer Forest Moose Type Production General Core Corridor Calving Total PERM 3.2% 1.5% 3.6% 1.7% 0.7% 10.6% TRANS 1.4% 1.2% 0.9% 0.1% 0.2% 3.7% Subtotal 4.6% 2.7% 4.5% 1.8% 0.9% 14.3% None 69.7% 12.1% 2.2% 1.5% 0.2% 85.6% Total 74.3% 14.8% 6.7% 3.3% 1.1% 100% Regional Mule Deer Winter Range Strategy Information in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan - Mule Deer Winter Range Strategy Committee (MDWRSC 1996) emphasizes crown closure of Douglas-fir stands as a key winter range attribute, as used in the mule deer winter range handbook (Armleder et al. 1986) and in the Cariboo-Chilcotin strategy as a management tool to evaluate winter ranges. Crown closure of Douglas-fir stands is divided into three categories high, moderate and low, with different objectives for each category depending on the snowpack zone in the area under consideration. In areas with deep snowfall (SBSmw), a greater proportion of stands should have higher crown closure, compared to moderate snowfall areas (SBSmh), which can contain more low and moderate crown closure habitat. For each winter range, target proportions for each crown closure category have been determined, following handbook recommendations. High crown closure winter range includes Douglas-fir stands >100 years with crown closures >5 (56%). Moderate crown closure winter range includes stands >100 years with crown closure classes 4 or 5 (36-55%). A new management strategy for planning timber harvesting in the transition and deep snowpack zones has also been recently released (Dawson et al. 2006). Depth of snowpack is a major factor affecting mule deer habitat requirements during winter (Ungulate Winter Range Technical Advisory Team 2005). Winter ranges in the Cariboo Forest Region were categorized into one of the four snowpack zones on the basis of biogeoclimatic zones (Armleder et al. 1986). Annual snowfall, snow depth and persistence and elevation were also summarized for the zones near TFL52 Block B.

12 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 8 Table 4. Snowpack zones around the TFL52B. Zone Snowfall (cm) Elevation (m) Snowpack BGC Subzone Shallow 100 IDFxm Moderate (197) cm & < 2 weeks SBSmh Transition (197) > 60cm & > 2 weeks SBSmh Deep > > 60cm & most of winter SBSmw The regional strategy (Armleder et al. 1986) recommends that 40% should be high crown closure, 40% moderate and 20% low crown closure in the SBSmh. In the SBSmw, 66% should be high crown closure and 33% moderate. The objectives are compared to what exists on each winter range. If the current crown closure proportions exceed the target proportions, the surplus stands are made available for potential harvest. If the current condition of the winter range does not meet the objectives, no harvest is recommended until target closures are attained (MDWRSC 1996). Previous analysis has shown that the crown closure objectives are likely not achievable on TFL52B due to the characteristics of the Douglas fir forests in the area (Simpson and Simpson 2002). The revised regional strategy for transitional and deep snowpacks (Dawson et al. 2006) provides objectives and strategies for managing winter range habitat through harvest prescriptions. However, the TFL has been excluded from the CCLUP and has no stand structure habitat classes defined. There are habitat classes defined for West Road South on the west side of the Fraser River adjacent to the TFL. Douglas-fir bark beetle TFL 52 Block B is experiencing forest pest problems with extensive mountain pine beetle attack and more localized Douglas-fir bark beetle. Most of the pine forest on the Block has been beetle-killed since the last assessment of the deer management plan. The Douglas-fir beetle prefers felled trees, slash, stumps, windfall, overmature and decadent trees, trees damaged by abiotic factors, and trees stressed by defoliation and root disease (Humphreys 1995). In endemic situations, the damage caused by the insect occurs in small scattered groups in the stand (Humphreys 1995). The Ministry of Forests assessed the hazard associated with Douglas fir beetle using parameters shown in Table 5. Table 5. Parameters and values for fir beetle hazard. Hazard levels and values Parameter Low (0.1) Moderate (0.6) High (0.8) Very High (1.0) D = mean dbh of Fd (cm) >45 B = BGCZ ESSF ICH, SBPS SBS IDF A = stand age (yrs) >140 O = aspect None north, east, flat west south S = slope (%) >40 T = density 0-399, 1,500 1,200-1, ,199 G = growth rate (mm) > <11 Stand Hazard = D * B * A * O * T * G * P (Ministry of Forests 1995a)

13 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 9 P = stand purity or the % of total stand basal area composed of Douglas-fir based on all trees with a dbh greater than or equal to 7.5 cm. The high to very high hazard stands corresponds well with deer winter range. An overview flight, which estimated the location and number of infected trees on the TFL, was done on January 31, Results from this overview flight show a significant number of trees ( ) within the deer winter range have been infected by Douglas-fir bark beetle. Three approaches to bark beetle control are available (Leslie and Bradley 2001): 1. remedial short-term, direct beetle population control measures such as the removal of infected trees, and the use of trap trees; 2. conventional preventive measures such as log and slash disposal, and removal of trees that are deemed to be particularly susceptible to beetle attack (typically large, older trees); and 3. a long-term, ecological approach to beetle control that focuses on restoring natural ecosystem functioning. This approach attempts to restore more natural, resilient forest composition and structures through, for example, thinning and prescribed fire. The first two methods have been employed with reasonable success on the TFL and have resulted in creation of small openings within the oldest stands on the deer winter range on the TFL. Winter Severity Index Winter severity indices (WSI) for the Williams Lake, Quesnel, Hixon and Prince George weather stations were calculated in order to determine potential environmental effects on the deer population. The Kohn Winter Severity Index is calculated by adding the number of days with 46 cm or more of snow depth and days when minimum temperatures are below 17 o C between 01 December and 30 April. Days when both conditions occur count as 2. An index of <50 is considered as mild, 50 to 80 is moderate, and over 80 is severe. Moderate and severe winters can have an affect on the deer population by reducing forage availability and increasing locomotion costs (Ungulate Winter Range Technical Advisory Team 2005). Snow depths between 25 and 50 cm inhibit deer movements, while depths above 50 cm are thought to severely restrict movements (Ungulate Winter Range Technical Advisory Team 2005). The maximum snow depth at the Quesnel weather station each year was also recorded.

14 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning Winter Severity Index Williams Lk Quesnel Hixon Prince George Snow Depth Winter (Dec-Apr) Figure 2. Winter Severity Index from weather stations in the region and maximum snow depths at Quesnel, The data is incomplete for Quesnel and Hixon. Hixon closed in Oct 2006, and Quesnel became automated in September 2005 so snow depths are no longer available. The Williams Lake and Quesnel stations are well correlated as are Prince George and Hixon between years. Hixon is closest to TFL52B and may best represent conditions expected there. Most years have mild winters (WSI<50) with a few moderate (WSI 50-80) winters. Last year (2007) was the first moderate winter in the last 10 years which were classed as mild at all stations. 4.0 METHODS Map Updates The biophysical subzone and site series coverages (1993) were overlaid with the recent vegetation resources inventory (VRI) and the forest development plan from West Fraser Mills using ArcInfo Geographic Information Systems. Some stands were reclassified from conifer to mixed as a result of the new inventory. The current age (2007) was calculated from the recent forest cover information and forest development plan information that showed the areas harvested. Suitability Maps and Management Zones Structural Stage and seral stage were calculated for each polygon based on the updated map. Structural stage was calculated using the age, height and crown closure. The stand modifiers were also calculated using the percent of deciduous trees in the polygon.

15 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 11 Habitat suitability ratings for deer were run in ArcView 3.2 using the ecosystem-based resource mapping (erm) extension provided by the Ecosystems Branch of the Province of BC The map was themed to show average suitable winter shelter habitat and winter foraging habitat. Capability ratings for shelter were also calculated to assist with delineation of new smaller management zones (planning cells), which can be used for future more refined monitoring. Morgan (2002) developed the Topographic Ungulate Winter Range model (TUWR) for the Kamloops Region. The TUWR model identifies capable deer winter habitat based on slope, aspect and elevation using a digital elevation model (DEM) and biogeoclimatic variant linework. The DEM for the mapsheets that overlap the TFL were obtained from West Fraser Mills. The DEM points were turned into a Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) and then classified into slope and aspect breaks according to the Topographic Ungulate Winter Range model (TUWR). The aspect was broken down into south ( o ), west ( o ), east ( o ), and north ( o ) aspects. The slope classes included flat (0-5%), 6-30%, 31-45%, 46-90%, % and greater than 120%. Slopes of 31-90% on south or west aspects are considered best for deer as they have lower snow depths and are commonly associated with Douglas-fir (Armleder et al. 1986). The model was used to create the base for delimiting planning cells for managing mule deer habitat in the Kamloops Region. The same method was used to identify 6 planning cells on TFL52B. Pellet Sampling Pellet transects were done in the summer, following the methods described in Simpson and Kelsall (1989). The transects were completed in the same areas as in 1994 and 2001 with some additions. At each plot, a cluster of five circles, each with a 1.78 metre radius, and separated by 10 metres, was searched for pellets at 50 metre intervals along the length of each transect. New winter, old winter and spring ungulate pellet groups were tallied for each cluster and recorded. Habitat variables such as forest age, slope position, slope, aspect, and site unit were also noted for the central circle in each cluster. Total pellets is the total number of new winter deer pellets counted along the transect. Pellets/50 m 2 is the total pellets divided by the number of plots done (each plot is five 10 m 2 circles for a total of 50 m 2 ). 5.0 RESULTS Comparison of Habitat Conditions Habitat and forest age class mapping was updated with the forest development plan and new summaries of forest status were calculated for the TFL. Over the entire TFL, there has been a slight decrease in areas of oldgrowth forest (-0.4%) while early seral stands are increasing (+5%) as a result of harvesting activities (Table 6).

16 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 12 Table 6. Age class structure from 1995 compared with 2001 and Forest Structure Forest Age Age Class(es) 1995 (%) 2001 (%) 2007 (%) Nonforested n/a Early 1-40 yrs Mid yrs Mature yrs Oldgrowth yrs Totals Management programs on TFL 52 Block B had the objective to maintain 1/3 of the winter range at less than 60 years old for shrub forage and security, 1/3 between years old for security and thermal cover, and 1/3 above 120 years old for thermal cover and forage. The amount of shrub foraging area has increased substantially, particularly in the buffer above (SBSmw) area. Although the overall distribution of forage, security and snow interception cover is still close to the recommended targets of 33/33/33 (Table 7), the distribution is not uniform across the winter range as it is now defined. Table 7. Thermal, security and feeding habitat ratios (%) for the deer winter range. Management Zone Shrub forage & Security (<60 yrs) Security & Thermal Cover ( yrs) Thermal & Forage (>120 yrs) Buffer Above Core Winter Range Buffer Below Combined (2007) Combined (2001) Combined (1995) There is a high proportion of older forests (47%) in the core winter range areas and in the buffer below the core. The amount of old forest in the buffer areas on the plateau, which are mainly within the SBSmw zone, have been reduced below the target as result of aggressive harvesting of beetle-attacked pine. The updated mapping enabled the calculation of areas by site series and age class. Important habitats for deer defined from the 1995 report include the four units in the SBSmh subzone, the Douglas-fir-Thimbleberry (DT-01), Douglas-fir-Juniper (DJ-02), Douglas-fir-Soopolallie (DS-04), and Douglas-fir-Maple (DM-05). The current distribution of these units by seral stage is shown in Table 8.

17 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 13 Table 8. Forest distribution for high value habitat types within the SBSmh. Forest Forest DT DJ DS DM 2007 Structure Age (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) % Total Nonforested n/a Early 1-40 yrs Mid yrs Mature yrs Oldgrowth yrs Total In total, 5230 ha have been logged on the TFL since 1995 of which 391 ha (7.5%) was in the SBSmh subzone. Very little forest within the core winter range was logged from 1995 to 2001 (131 ha) and only 8.5 ha since The majority (54%) of three most abundant habitat units, which form the core deer winter range (DT, DS, DM), have been maintained in mature or old stands (Table 8). Habitat suitability maps were prepared based on the ecosystem unit and seral stage (age class) combinations and suitability ratings ( 1995). The results of the mapping summaries show a slight change in habitat suitability within the SBSmh subzone (Table 9). The amount of shrub foraging area (age <20 years) within the SBSmh has decreased slightly from 1111 ha in 1995 to 967 ha in Over the entire TFL (both subzones), the amount of suitable shrub foraging area has increased from 8058 ha to 9868 ha. Deer population estimates were calculated using the suitability maps and expected winter deer densities (Demarchi et al. 1983). Table 9 shows areas of suitable habitat and the expected densities for the SBSmh subzone. The lower density value in each range from Demarchi et al. (1983) was used since the TFL is at the northern extent of the mule deer distribution in B.C. A total of 387 deer was estimated from 1995 and 376 deer in 2001 based on the area of suitable habitat and expected densities. In 2007, the population estimate based on habitat suitability is 372 deer. Overall habitat suitability on the TFL has therefore changed very little over the 12-year period although the age structure of the habitat has been altered substantially in some areas. Table 9. Areas of suitable habitat and deer densities used to estimate numbers. Rating Class Suitability Density (animals/km 2 /year)* km 2 in 1995 km 2 in 2002 km 2 in High Mod. High Moderate Low Very Low (0.1) < Nil * Bold indicates the low end estimates that were used in the calculations.

18 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 14 Planning Cells The Topographic Ungulate Winter Range (TUWR) was used to create planning cells on the TFL. Planning cells contain high proportions of high and moderate rated habitat (steeper slopes on warm aspects). Six areas between 468 and 920 ha in size were selected (Figure 2). Some areas within the upper buffer were deleted because they do not provide critical habitat during deep snow periods even though they are used during other seasons. An age class analysis shows that there is a high proportion of old and mature forest available to deer in each planning cell (Table 10). Table 10. Age class distributions of forests within six proposed planning cells on TFL52B. Planning Early Mid Mat Old OGMA OGMA Total Cell (<40) (41-100) ( ) (>140) (Trans) (Perm) Old+Mature Overall The distribution of habitat within the planning cells also contains a high proportion of the high value deer winter habitats (Table 11). Table 11. Habitat distributions of forests within six proposed planning cells on TFL52B. Planning DT DJ DS DM Other Total Deer Cell (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) Habitat % % % % % % Overall %

19 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 15 Figure 3. Planning cells and TUWR rankings in TFL52 Block B.

20 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 16 Pellet Transects Detailed distribution and habitat use information on local ungulate populations is useful for forest managers. Aerial surveys over closed-canopy coniferous forests are unreliable since animals cannot be seen reliably from the air (D Eon 2001). For example, during a flight in February 1993, 26 moose and 59 deer were seen during a reconnaissance survey of the TFL. These numbers are significantly fewer than the predicted numbers of moose (188) and deer (376) within the TFL ( 1995). Pellet groups, which accumulate mainly in high use areas during the winter, provide a good means to determine average winter use over a longer time period. Fourteen of the fifteen pellet transects previously sampled were re-sampled and two new transects were sampled from July 23 rd to July 27 th, The transects traversed a variety of deer habitats and microsites. Figure 1 shows the locations of the pellet transects within TFL5. The results of the sampling show an overall decrease in pellet density since 1993 and 2001 (1.23 and 1.80) to 0.96 in 2007 (Table 11). The results from 2007 are similar to those of 1993 with less use on some transects (#s 2,3,8,15). The high value Douglas-fir Saskatoon units within the SBSmh, which showed an initial increase in pellet density from 2.3 (1993) to 4.3 (2002), have dropped to 0.81 in The two new transects in beetle-infected areas showed an average amount of use. Although fewer deer were using the core range in 2007, the overall numbers are comparable to previous years suggesting that deer were distributed differently and were probably not as concentrated on the core range in Table 12. Comparison of the deer pellet transects done in 1993, 2001 and Transect Length Pellets/50m 2 Length Pellets/50m 2 Length Pellets/50m

21 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 17 Limited data on moose was collected, but overall the average number of moose pellets/50m 2 showed small changes from 0.15 in 1993, to 0.2 in 2002, to 0.22 in In order to understand the response of the moose population to management programs on the TFL, more thorough sampling of the habitats most suitable for moose would be required. No signs of white-tailed deer were seen during the surveys although they have been reported on the TFL. Deer pellets cannot be distinguished by species so it is possible that some are from white-tailed deer. An elk was sighted and one pellet group was found on transect DISCUSSION AND MANAGEMENT OPTIONS The forest management plan prepared for TFL 5 (now 52B, Keystone 1995) identified the critical habitats for deer and established management objectives which sought to maintain a desirable mix of old and young forest stands in key areas. The approach used on TFL52B was not entirely consistent with the regional mule deer strategy but did consider local conditions and focused on critical winter habitats of deer in the area. Mule deer were clearly restricted to the steep, warm aspect river breaks during critical deep snow periods of the winter. Deer also relied more heavily on shrub forage rather than Douglasfir foliage or lichens (Waterhouse et al. 1994; 1995). Emphasis was therefore placed on maintaining forage producing openings closely intermixed with mature and old stands, which provided thermal and snow interception cover. The plan has been very successful in maintaining what Keystone described as core winter ranges. In fact, the proportions of old forest currently available greatly exceed the established targets in the critical zones. Buffer areas adjacent to the core were also identified which are also used by deer year round unless deep snow conditions force them onto the core range area. Although we had established a single target for old forest retention over the entire winter range, including the core and buffers, pine beetle harvesting on the plateau has meant that old forest targets cannot be met in all areas in the buffer. Fortunately deer use the buffer mainly during low snow periods when adequate shelter can be provided by younger forest stands and forage is now relatively abundant. The planning cell approach used in the Kamloops region has the advantage of ensuring that shelter and forage components required by deer are distributed appropriately within the areas used by deer during critical deep snow periods. In a recent meeting of deer biologists it was concluded that Moderate and severe winter ranges should be concentrated at lower elevations and managers should follow strategies for the snow conditions of the lower elevation subzone or variant. (Ungulate Winter Range Technical Advisory Team 2005). Hiding and thermal cover should be well interspersed with foraging habitat to maximize the edge effect and to provide movement corridors to allow deer to move to critical habitats as snow accumulates. Management of the winter range should provide 40% snow interception cover (closed canopy >60%, > 100yrs), 30%

22 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 18 foraging habitat (< 40 yrs) and 30% hiding cover and thermal cover (open canopy 30-60%, yrs) within each planning cell area. This will provide deer on TFL52B with suitable cover and forage during severe snow events. Co-ordination with adjacent jurisdictions will be required to make management effective in planning cells 2 (Blackwater) and 6 (Cottonwood), where the TFL includes only a portion of the suitable habitat. On the plateau, which is now largely excluded from the planning cells, efforts should be made to maintain forage production in the regenerating pine stands. Silviculture prescriptions to reduce stocking and promote some shrub growth should be implemented immediately. No herbicide treatments should be used within 500 m of the planning cell boundaries. The harvest statistics provided for TFL52B show that the number of small patches has increased substantially. Most (85%) of the blocks harvested since 1995 have been under 10 ha in size. The openings created on the core, buffer and adjacent areas have resulted in the creation of feeding areas in close proximity to hiding and snow interception cover. The small openings should be fully accessible to deer for feeding. Shrub forage resources have been enhanced by this small patch system. Information presented in this report shows that deer numbers have been maintained despite having habitat conditions substantially below the regional targets for crown closure. It is our belief that, while crown closure distribution is important, it is not the limiting factor for deer over the entire wintering area. High crown closure is only required on certain portions of the winter range. The TFL 52 Block B plan emphasizes old and mature forest retention in the areas where it has the highest value to deer. Harvesting in adjacent areas is used to create the patchy environment most beneficial to meeting the foraging needs of deer during winter periods when snow depths are not severely limiting. Because the TFL 52 Block B plan is based on ecosystem mapping, the forest retention has been targeted on the sites most critical for deer winter survival. The regional plan does not specify which units have priority for harvest or which should be retained. The rotation age on the key habitat is estimated at 225 years using the TFL 52 Block B plan, which is substantially longer than the years recommended in the regional plan. The TFL 52 Block B plan permits beetle sanitation harvest on the critical core winter range, which provides snow interception cover and arboreal lichen forage. The habitat adjacent to the core area is managed on an extended rotation to provide foraging opportunities and dense hiding cover in close proximity to critical snow interception cover. Winter tracking surveys would enable the confirmation of use of the DS-04 units of the SBSmh. Winter surveys would also provide snow depth information, which is another critical factor on deer winter ranges (Ungulate Winter Range Technical Advisory Team 2005). It is suggested that regional staff review the proposed changes to the plan. Their

23 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 19 comments and results from winter tracking in 2008 could be incorporated before the plan is finalized. 7.0 LITERATURE CITED Armleder, H.M., R.J. Dawson, and R.N. Thomson Handbook for Timber and Mule Deer Management Co-ordination on Winter Ranges in the Cariboo Forest Regions. Land Management Handbook No. 13. BC Ministry of Forests. Armleder, H.M., M. Waterhouse, D. Keisker, and R. Dawson Winter habitat use by mule deer in the central interior of British Columbia. Can. J. Zool. 72: Baker, K Tree Farm Licence 5. Rationale for Allowable Annual Cut (AAC) Determination. British Columbia Ministry of Forests. Dawson, R.J., H.M. Armleder, B.A. Bings, and D.E. Peel Management strategy for mule deer winter ranges in the Cariboo-Chilcotin part 1b: management plan for transition and deep snowpack zones. B.C. Min. For. Range, Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. Land Manage. Handb Dawson, R.J., H.M. Armleder, B.A. Bings, and D.E. Peel Management strategy for mule deer winter ranges in the Cariboo-Chilcotin part 1a: Management Plan for shallow and moderate snowpack zones. B.C. Min. For. Range, Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. Land Manage. Handb Demarchi, D.A., B. Fuhr, B.A. Pendergast, and A.C. Stewart Wildlife Capability Classification for British Columbia: An Ecological (Biophysical) Approach for Ungulates. Ministry of Environment Manual 4, Province of BC, Victoria. Humphreys, N Douglas-fir beetle in British Columbia. Forest Pest Leaflet. Pacific Forestry Centre, Natural Resources Canada and Canadian Forest Service Fish, Forest and Wildlife Management Plan for TFL5. Consultant's report prepared for Weldwood Canada Ltd., Quesnel BC. Leckenby, D.A. and A.W. Adams A Weather Severity Index on a Mule Deer Winter Range. Journal of Range Management 39(3): Leslie, E. and T. Bradley Brief literature review of the Douglas-fir bark beetle. Silva Ecosystem Consultants Ltd.

24 TFL52 Blk B Deer Surveys and Management Planning 20 Ministry of Forests. 1995a. Bark Beetle Management Guidebook. Forest Practices Code. Province of BC, Victoria. Ministry of Forests. 1995b. Biodiversity Guidebook. Forest Practices Code. Province of BC, Victoria. Morgan, J A Rationale for the Topographic-based Mapping of Mule Deer Winter Ranges in the Southern Interior Region. Draft unpublished rept. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, Kamloops. Mule Deer Winter Range Strategy Committee Regional Mule Deer Winter Range Strategy for the Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan. Neumann, J Description of methods used for biophysical habitat mapping on TFL 5: vegetation sampling and site index mapping. Timberline Forest Inventory Consultants, Prince George, Manus. Rept. Seip, D Maintaining natural biological diversity in northern interior forests of BC. Manus. Rept., Min of Forests, Prince George. 11 pp. Simpson, K. and J.P. Kelsall Pellet sampling methods for mule deer. Part I: Review of pellet sampling methods and limitations. Part II: Recommended pellet sampling methods for mule deer near Williams Lake, BC. Manus. Rept. to BC Environment, Williams Lake. 40pp. Simpson, T.K. and K. Simpson Assessment of the Deer Management Plan on TFL 5. Report prep. for Weldwood Canada Ltd., Quesnel BC. Steen, O.A. and R.A. Coupe A field guide to forest site identification and interpretation for the Cariboo Forest Region. B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. Land Manage. Handb. No. 39. Ungulate Winter Range Technical Advisory Team Desired conditions for Mule Deer, Elk, and Moose winter range in the Southern Interior of British Columbia. B.C. Min. of Water, Land and Air Protection, Biodiversity Branch, Victoria BC. Wildl. Bull. No. B pp. Wallmo, O.C. (ed.) Mule and Black-tailed Deer of North America. University of Nebraska Press. 605 pp. Waterhouse, M.J., H.M. Armleder, and R.J. Dawson Winter Food Habits of Mule Deer in the Central Interior of British Columbia. BC Ministry of Forests Res. Note No. 113, Victoria