Mule Deer Fanatic

DWR Planting Bitterbrush on Wildlife Winter Range
Apr 10, 2008 by Eric Ray

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Division is Asking for Help From Volunteers
(KCPW News) This winter’s heavy snowfall isn’t just causing problems for humans, it’s also making life difficult for some of the state’s wildlife. The Division of Wildlife Resources is trying to make living through future winters easier for animals by planting bitterbrush on winter range areas.
“Bitterbrush are an extremely important winter food for big game animals, especially deer, because deer have a harder time getting to the food supply when the snows are particularly deep like they were this year,” says Phil Douglass, Conservation Outreach Manager for the DWR’s Northern Region. “The accessibility that bitterbrush provides is really important.”

Douglass says about 40 volunteers helped plant 2,000 bitterbrush plants at the Millville Face Wildlife Management Area near Hyrum last weekend. There are still 8,000 more to go. While the DWR consistently works statewide to improve habitat for wildlife, Douglass says the plants are particularly important for the Cache deer herd.

“To give an example, the Blacksmith Fork Canyon has a carrying capacity of about 3,000 mule deer. In the past 10 years, that has declined to about 1,000. So we’re 30% of what we could be. A lot of that has been attributed to habitat degradation,” says Douglass.

Mature bitterbrush plants are being used for this project adds Douglass. That will give the plants a year to take root and therefore they’ll be less susceptible to ruin by animals. Another round of planting is set for Saturday at the Millville Face WMA.

Volunteer information:

According to Darren DeBloois, DWR Wildlife Biologist, volunteer planting will take place Saturday, April 12th at 8am. DeBloois recommends volunteers gather at the north end of the Millville Face WMA at the mouth of the canyon in Cache Valley.

For other volunteer dates, please call Jodie Andersen at (435) 791-8589.