Wildlife to Benefit From Guzzlers Installed on Craig Mountain

LEWISTON - - Four wildlife guzzlers were installed on the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area south of Lewiston, a joint venture between the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and Pheasants Forever (PF). Guzzlers are watering devices that collect and store precipitation from rain and snowfall in specially designed tanks. Ranging from 500-gallon size guzzlers designed for smaller mammals and birds, to guzzlers for big game that hold as much as 2,500 gallons, IDFG plans to install six additional guzzlers by this fall. With help from more than 15 volunteers from the three conservation groups, the guzzlers were installed over two days in the steep river breaks high above the Snake and Salmon rivers. "These guzzlers will be very important to wildlife year-round, but during the summer months, they will be vital," says Jim White, wildlife biologist for IDFG. "Especially in areas where springs and small streams have dried up due to the Maloney Creek Fire," he added. According to White, the guzzlers were installed in areas lacking nearby surface water, making the areas underutilized by a host of wildlife species. "The availability of water is often the major limiting factor in how wildlife utilizes the mountain, so these water sources will really help," he said. The guzzler sites are located in areas historically utilized by turkeys, chukars, and big game, especially from summer through late fall. But according to RMEF Lewis and Clark Chapter Chairman, Steve Moore, big game and wild turkey aren't the only wildlife species that will benefit. "There are a whole host of nongame species including small mammals, amphibians and a myriad of songbirds that will benefit," he says. The guzzlers were purchased using $ 6,000 of IDFG money, and $9,000 from RMEF and NWTF funds collected through banquets and fundraising. Besides volunteer labor, both RMEF and NWTF have awarded several grants to the Department for various wildlife enhancement projects on Craig Mountain, including a $30,0000 grant for a grassland restoration project after the Maloney Creek Fire in August of 2000. RMEF is also helping with a 1,500 acre prescribed burn in grassland and ponderosa pine this fall. According to White, volunteer are essential to many projects. "Without the help of many volunteers and wildlife groups, especially RMEF, NWTF, and PF many important projects on Craig Mountain would not be possible," he said.