Managing Complex Systems at WMAs Requires Complex Rules

ST. ANTHONY - Simple things have simple instructions. Complex things require more attention. Example: Shampoo = Simple-Use, rinse, repeat if necessary. Wildlife Manage Areas (WMAs) = Complex - Consult instruction manual. Managing a wildlife management area requires juggling the needs of animals, fish, humans, and habitat. Recently the different layers of regulations and funding sources that are required to manage Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area have caused confusion for some anglers looking to fish certain ponds on the WMA. As the name implies, Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area was created to benefit wildlife. Wildlife needs water to live, hence the creation of ponds. Fish (which are wildlife too) also live in the ponds. To make the issue more complex the ponds at Sand Creek WMA where people love to fish were built with Federal funds specifically designated to benefit all the different types of wildlife found on the WMA, not specifically benefit fish and fishing. There are other Federal funds that do that! See how this starts to get interesting? The current fishing regulations address when fishing can occur in the ponds and when certain methods of access such as float tubes and boats can be used, but they don't paint the whole picture for how some portions of the WMA can be used. Specific areas of the WMA, including the water in certain ponds, are closed until the beginning of July for the benefit of nesting waterfowl, especially trumpeter swans. It is important that swans are able to fledge their cygnets in peace, so most nesting swans are very sensitive to any form of human disturbance. According to Sand Creek WMA Habitat Manager Eric Anderson, "The Sand Creek ponds provide very important habitat for numerous species of wildlife and fish. Most everyone understands that habitat consists of food, water & shelter; however, they don't realize that space is equally important. For the manager, providing public recreation and space for fish and wildlife is a serious challenge. Hopefully the public can understand that and follow management signs that are placed around the ponds." Wildlife management areas are complex systems that require highly focused management in order to allow for increased levels of use by both humans and wildlife, while at the same time preventing the destruction of the habitat that makes all the different uses possible. Anyone with questions about any WMA regulations should contact the WMA manager or the regional office where it is located. Signs at WMAs are posted in response to changing wildlife needs and take precedence over printed regulations. For questions about Sand Creek WMA contact the Upper Snake Regional Office at 208-525-7290.