Shrnutí

Popis

The Fallon, Stillwater and Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuges are located in northwest Nevada and are administered by the refuge administrative office in Fallon, Nevada. Together they comprise the Stillwater Wildlife Management Area SWMA. The weather in 1981 was average or above, but precipitation continued well below average since the fall of 1980. The 30 year old trapping plan was replaced with a new Fur Management Plan. The 20 year old grazing plan was amended with the production of a Grasslands Management PlanProposal for the North Marsh Unit. For the second year in a row, the Aquatic Vegetation Survey was performed as practiced prior to 1975. There had been a tremendous response by aquatic vegetation to increased water in 1979 and 1980. Grazing practices were better monitored and controlled resulting in healthier habitat. 1981, however was one of the poorest water and weather years in recent history and cattle suffered. Wildlife diversity was quite good. Many ponds were drying up so shorebirds were quite abundant. Despite abundant water in 1980 and enough in 1981, waterfowl use was not as much as expected. After fighting to provide habitat, we find ourselves with not enough ducks still alive in flyway to utilize what habitat we have. The Refuge portion of the SWMA is closed to hunting.