Getting Ready for Winter Feeding in Garden Valley

Winter's first snows have already fallen and disappeared from the Garden Valley area. But with cooler weather and the holidays upon us, real winter weather can't be far away. It's a busy time for Idaho Fish and Game staff members, as they prepare for heavy snow that may come to Garden Valley and for a big game winter feeding effort that may or may not materialize. Few wildlife issues are as complex - and as emotionally charged - as feeding big game during the winter. But the decision to feed big game animals during winter is anything but arbitrary. Several players are involved in the process, including the Idaho Legislature, the Fish and Game Commission, the Fish and Game Department and the regional winter feeding advisory committee. Winter feeding advisory committees have been established in each of Fish and Game's seven regions. These five-member committees have several functions. They act as liaisons between Fish and Game and the public, further define local criteria for designating a feeding emergency, assess information on winter and animal condition along with Fish and Game, and make recommendations to the regional supervisor about the need for emergency feeding. Committee Focus From its inception, the Southwest Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee has focused on the region's hot button: the Garden Valley-Lowman area, where two committee members live. Soon after it was established, the committee looked at feeding information from other parts of the state and other parts of the country and developed emergency criteria specific to the Garden Valley-Lowman area. More recently, the committee has refined and clarified how individual criteria are weighed and combined to constitute a feeding emergency. Primary criteria include animal weight and condition (stored fat reserves) going into winter, snow depth, temperatures and quality of forage on the winter range. The criteria are assessed together, with no single criteria necessarily triggering the need for emergency feeding. Monitoring Emergency Feeding Criteria Temperature criteria include five consecutive daytime highs that do not go above zero degrees. Fish and Game maintains three continuous temperature recorders in the South Fork Payette River drainage. Winter feeding snow criteria include snow depths of more than 18 inches on south facing slopes. But an 18-inch snowfall combined with balmy temperatures in December may not constitute a feeding need. Heavy snow crusting - a condition that can occur when heavy snow showers are interspersed with warm weather - as well as the number of deer and elk that have migrated to below 4,000 feet elevation by January 15 also are monitored. Other criteria include animal condition going into winter, as measured from road-killed animals and harvested animals at check stations. This is generally a reflection of the quality of summer range forage. Winter range forage quality continues to be of major concern to the committee and Fish and Game. The invasion of rush skeleton weed, extended drought, and increasing housing development all have an adverse effects on winter range forage quality. Additionally, Fish and Game radio-collars fawns on the South Fork Payette winter range (as well as other winter ranges in the region) to monitor winter mortality. Fawn mortality, which can be 40 to 50 percent without affecting herd size, occurs mainly during the late winter months. The greatest mortality may occur in early spring even as deer begin feeding on new green grass. Information from fawn mortality research in other Idaho locations has shown that fawn mortality in a herd may be high in spite of winter feeding operations. The committee continues to monitor animal condition reports and comments from local residents as winter progresses to determine whether there is a need or when it's time to recommend to Fish and Game that a feeding emergency exists. The committee's role is to make recommendations. Fish and Game makes the decision on emergency winter feeding, which is Fish and Game funded and administered, and the agency is obligated to consider broader effects to overall herd status and health and to operate within the intent of commission and state policy. The authority to initiate emergency feeding has been delegated to Fish and Game's regional supervisors. The Need to Feed When the regional supervisor decides to initiate emergency winter feeding, other Fish and Game personnel go to work. The landowner-sportsman relations coordinator oversees the operation with assistance from the local conservation officer and other regional staff. In the Garden Valley area, two 28-foot cargo trailers are stocked with 20 tons of feed. Purchased by Fish and Game at the recommendation of the regional winter feeding advisory committee, the trailers and their cargo allow feeding to commence the same day an emergency is declared. The Feed Big game feeding has come a long ways since the days of throwing hay bales on the ground. Modern feed comes in large pellets. They are more compact and less wasteful than other forms of feed, and bagged pellets are easier to transport and handle. Historically, grain-based pellets have been fed to deer, and alfalfa-based pellets fed to elk because of their different nutritional needs. These pellets work well in areas where deer and elk are separated, but where the species intermingle, such as Garden Valley, it can complicate feeding operations. As a remedy, Fish and Game began using a new rye grass pellet for both deer and elk in 2005. Developed by wildlife veterinarians, the pellet has a lower protein content than either of its predecessors. Depending on conditions, rye grass pellets can be used by themselves or in combination with alfalfa pellets. The key consideration is to avoid "shocking" a big game animal's system, which may already be under stress. By using a lower protein pellet or transitioning to alfalfa pellets, potentially lethal digestive complications can be reduced. This will prove particularly beneficial at the height of a feeding campaign and when big game animals are making the transition from pellets to new grass during spring green-up. To reduce waste and limit over-eating, pelletized feed is rationed in plastic feed troughs on a daily basis - not simply piled on the ground. The practice of rationing and using troughs reduces pellet loss to dampness - big game animals don't like wet, mushy pellets - or mold (specific molds can poison big game animals). Strategically placed troughs at feed sites distribute animals and reduce fighting for food. At least nine pre-determined Garden Valley feed sites may be used each time winter feeding is initiated. Whatever winter brings, Fish and Game is ready.