“Oh, Give Me a Home Where the Buffalo Roam” A Simulation of Wildlife Management in the Henry Mountains of Central Utah

““Oh, Give Me a Home Oh, Give Me a Home Where the Buffalo Roam”Where the Buffalo Roam”

A Simulation of Wildlife Management in A Simulation of Wildlife Management in the Henry Mountains of Central Utahthe Henry Mountains of Central Utah

The buffalo, more properly called bison, once roamed this land from coast to coast. In the early 1800’s there was an estimated 30 million bison in North America. In less than 90 years (around 1890) there were only 1,000 left. In this presentation we will look at why this huge, magnificent animal became nearly extinct. We will also see how modern scientific methods of wildlife management have not only saved them from the brink of certain extinction, but removed them from the endangered species list. Then we will give you the opportunity to manage your own herd of bison in the Henry Mountains of Central Utah.

So, What Happened?

The near extinction of the bison was not an accidental or The near extinction of the bison was not an accidental or incidental event. It was intentional. incidental event. It was intentional.

Intentional??? Intentional???

Yes! We tried to make them extinct.Yes! We tried to make them extinct.

But Why?But Why?

As the growing United States moved west, there was As the growing United States moved west, there was something in our way. Not the Bison, but the Native something in our way. Not the Bison, but the Native Americans. Contrary to popular myth, they did not move Americans. Contrary to popular myth, they did not move out easily. In fact, the US was loosing 10 soldiers for out easily. In fact, the US was loosing 10 soldiers for every 1 Indian that was killed in battle. (They were every 1 Indian that was killed in battle. (They were kicking our military buts.)kicking our military buts.)

A very old, tried and true military strategy is to starve out your enemy by cutting off their food supplies. So what was the Indians food supply? You guessed it, the bison. Bison were more than just food, the were, shelter, tools and served as an important part of their religious ceremonies. In fact there was nothing wasted when a bison was killed. The strategists in Washington determined that their best, and safest course of action was to eliminate the bison. (After all, bison don’t shoot back.)

Senator Throckmorton from Texas said the following, “There is no question that, so long as there are millions of buffaloes in the West, so long the Indians cannot be controlled, even by the strong arm of the Government. I believe it would be a great step forward… if there was not a buffalo in existence.”

Wow!!! They never taught that in any of my history classes. But it happened. Thousand of soldiers and hired hunters were sent West to simply shoot the bison. (It’s true that some were shipped East for processing, but with no refrigeration available, mostly skulls for fertilizer and some hides were shipped. Mostly they were shot and left to rot.) And the strategy worked. The Indians, deprived of their major food source were weakened and eventually subdued.

Fortunately the bison was not completely eliminated and the return of the bison from the brink of extinction is one of the truly great accomplishments of an important component of science called wildlife management.

Wildlife ManagementWildlife ManagementThe term wildlife management may seem to be a contradiction; if we’re managing and taking care of them, then how can we consider them wild. The key to proper wildlife management is to leave the animal as wild and natural as possible. Wildlife management may ensure that the land is left as natural and undisturbed as possible, that the health and balance of the ecosystem is left in tact. They may intervene in preventative ways and even introduce (or rather re-introduce) certain plants or animals to maintain a balanced and healthy system. Overall though they attempt to let nature perform its role as undisturbed as possible. Through the following simulation, you will be able to see how wildlife management works and how tricky it can be.

In the Henry Mountains of Central Utah there is a bison herd of 384 animals. The ecosystem of the Henry Mountains has a carrying capacity of 400 animals. That means there is enough food to safely feed around 400 bison especially through a hard winter. A properly managed herd needs to stay around 400 animals. Your job as a wildlife manager will be to maintain your herd size at around 400 bison. If you go a little above or a little below (20-30 animals either way) you will be safely managing your herd but if you get too big or too small you risk the health of the entire herd as well as the other parts of the ecosystem.

The first thing you need is a Management Card. Click on each slide to find out what management problem you will have to deal with. Add or subtract your points and let’s see what kind of wildlife manager you are. ENJOY

Habitat DegradationHabitat Degradation

An increase in oil exploration An increase in oil exploration resulting in extensive seismographic resulting in extensive seismographic testing throughout the Henry testing throughout the Henry Mountains has disturbed the herd.Mountains has disturbed the herd.

Decrease (-) your herd by Decrease (-) your herd by 8 8 animals.animals.

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Habitat ImprovementHabitat Improvement

The Division of Wildlife Resources The Division of Wildlife Resources has purchased a number of private has purchased a number of private grazing rights increasing habitat for grazing rights increasing habitat for the herd.the herd.

Increase (+) the herd by Increase (+) the herd by 99 bison. bison.

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WeatherWeather

A mild winter with little snow has had A mild winter with little snow has had a dramatic positive impact on the a dramatic positive impact on the survival of the herd.survival of the herd.

Increase (+) the herd by Increase (+) the herd by 77 animals. animals.

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Habitat LossHabitat Loss

A main road through the Henry A main road through the Henry Mountains has been paved leading to Mountains has been paved leading to the construction of summer homes the construction of summer homes and resulting in a loss of critical and resulting in a loss of critical habitat for the herd.habitat for the herd.

Decrease (-) the herd by Decrease (-) the herd by 1212 animals. animals.

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An increase in use of off road An increase in use of off road vehicles (SUV’s, ATV’s, 4 wheelers vehicles (SUV’s, ATV’s, 4 wheelers and motorcycles) has occurred, and motorcycles) has occurred, resulting in loss of critical habitat for resulting in loss of critical habitat for the herd.the herd.


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ReproductionReproduction

It has been an excellent reproduction It has been an excellent reproduction year.year.

Increase (+) your herd by Increase (+) your herd by 1212 animals.animals.

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Law EnforcementLaw Enforcement

More Conservation Officers and law More Conservation Officers and law enforcement activities have enforcement activities have protected the herd against illegal protected the herd against illegal actions like poaching.actions like poaching.

Increase (+) the herd by Increase (+) the herd by 3 3 animals.animals.

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Habitat AcquisitionHabitat Acquisition

The Nature Conservancy and the The Nature Conservancy and the Division of Wildlife Resources have Division of Wildlife Resources have acquired a large tract of suitable acquired a large tract of suitable habitat.habitat.


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HuntingHunting

A request for a hunting season has A request for a hunting season has been made for the unit. Do you wish been made for the unit. Do you wish to allow hunting in the unit?to allow hunting in the unit?

YESYES, decrease (-) the herd by any , decrease (-) the herd by any number you choose from number you choose from 1-151-15..

NONO, there is no change in herd size., there is no change in herd size.

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WeatherWeather

Higher than average summer rains Higher than average summer rains have increased forage for the herd.have increased forage for the herd.


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Habitat AlterationHabitat Alteration

A small forest fire has occurred, this A small forest fire has occurred, this clears trees and brush, allowing more clears trees and brush, allowing more grasses to grow for bison to graze grasses to grow for bison to graze on.on.


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WeatherWeather

A severe winter has decreased the A severe winter has decreased the mule deer populations which mule deer populations which compete with bison for forage.compete with bison for forage.


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DiseaseDisease

Brucellosis, a highly contagious Brucellosis, a highly contagious bacterial disease, has had a serious bacterial disease, has had a serious negative impact upon the herd.negative impact upon the herd.

Decrease (-) the herd by 11 animals.Decrease (-) the herd by 11 animals.

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Habitat DegradationHabitat Degradation

Poor rangeland management Poor rangeland management practices have led to an invasion of practices have led to an invasion of annual plants replacing perennial annual plants replacing perennial plants.plants.


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ReproductionReproduction

It has been an average reproduction It has been an average reproduction year.year.

Increase (+) your herd by Increase (+) your herd by 66 animals. animals.

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WeatherWeather

A prolonged drought has had a A prolonged drought has had a serious negative impact on the serious negative impact on the survival of the herd.survival of the herd.


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PoachingPoaching

Poaching, the illegal killing of Poaching, the illegal killing of animals, has reduced the size of the animals, has reduced the size of the herd.herd.


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An increase in winter recreational An increase in winter recreational activity (snowmobiling, skiing etc.) activity (snowmobiling, skiing etc.) has resulted in a loss of critical has resulted in a loss of critical winter range for the herd.winter range for the herd.


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Habitat ImprovementHabitat Improvement The Division of Wildlife Resources The Division of Wildlife Resources

has installed guzzlers to increase the has installed guzzlers to increase the water supply for the herd.water supply for the herd.

YESYES, if you choose to use the guzzler, , if you choose to use the guzzler, increase (+) the herd by increase (+) the herd by 9 9 animals.animals.

NONO, if no, leave your herd size the , if no, leave your herd size the same.same.

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Habitat AlterationHabitat Alteration Chaining (removing small trees and Chaining (removing small trees and

underbrush) and reseeding with underbrush) and reseeding with grasses is a management practice grasses is a management practice designed to increase rangeland for designed to increase rangeland for grazing animals.grazing animals.

YESYES, increase (+) the herd by , increase (+) the herd by 77 animals.animals.

NONO, make no change in herd size., make no change in herd size.Skip to end


Reseeding of rangeland has led to an Reseeding of rangeland has led to an increase in forage for the herd.increase in forage for the herd.

YESYES, increase (+) the herd by , increase (+) the herd by 77 animals.animals.

NONO, make no change to herd size., make no change to herd size.

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Proper rangeland management Proper rangeland management practices combined with plantings practices combined with plantings have to an increase in native have to an increase in native grasses, forbs and shrubs preferred grasses, forbs and shrubs preferred by bison.by bison.


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TransplantTransplant

A transfer of bison has been A transfer of bison has been scheduled for your unit. Do you wish scheduled for your unit. Do you wish to transplant bison?to transplant bison?

YES, increase or decrease (+ or -) YES, increase or decrease (+ or -) herd by any number between herd by any number between 1-15 1-15..

NO, make no change in herd NO, make no change in herd numbers.numbers.

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EducationEducation

A group of students adopted a herd A group of students adopted a herd of bison, educated their community of bison, educated their community about the herd and helped in the about the herd and helped in the restoration of critical habitat.restoration of critical habitat.

Increase (+) herd size by Increase (+) herd size by 99 animals. animals.

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So… How did you do???So… How did you do???What kind of a wildlife manager were you?

If your herd is around 400 (380-420) you did a great job!!!

Did you notice how complicated wildlife management can be? There are many thing that are simply out of your control. With good management though, a healthy herd size can be maintained

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“Oh, Give Me a Home Where the Buffalo Roam” A Simulation of Wildlife Management in the Henry Mountains of Central Utah