* KUBICHEK - FWS

BRANCH OF WILDLIFE REFUGES NARRATIVE REPCRTS

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MR, GRIFFITH

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REFUGE MINGO Ff'.RICD MAY - AUGUST 1957

A NARRATIVE REPORT

MINGO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

MAY THROUGH AUGUST, 1957

PERSONNEL

**********************************************************************

Lyle J» Schoonover Refuge Manager • *

John E. Toll — Asst. Refuge Manager * *

Lytle J. P. Jennings Operator General * *

John A. Sir ford — Clerk-Typist * *

Audrey Walk — Mechanic, Heavy Duty * *

*

**********************************************************************

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

PUXICO, MISSOURI

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. GENERAL

A# Weather Conditions Page 1 B. Water Conditions 2 C. Fires 2

II. WILDLIFE

A. Migratory Birds 2 B. Upland Game Birds 5 C. Big Game Animals - 5 D. Fur Animals, Predators and Other Mammals 5 E. Predaceous Birds, Including Crows, Ravens & Magpies 8 F. Fish 9

III REFUGE DEVELOPMENT MAINTENANCE

A• Physi oial Developments 9 B. Plantings 10

IV ECONOMIC USE OF REFUGE

V FIEID INVESTIGATIONS

VI PUBLIC RELATIONS

A. Recreational Uses 12 B. Refuge Visitors 12 C. Refuge Participation IS D. Violations 13

I GENERAL

A. Weather Conditions

After five years of drought, the pendulum swung tne other way# April and May were excessively wet, with a total of 25.57 inches falling from April 1 to June 6# Rainfall in July and August was only slightly higher than normal#

Temperatures have been below normal with a high of only 96 degrees this summer# Despite the cool weather, working conditions have not been as pleasant as could be expected. The humidity has been unusually high as a result of the locally wet conditions plus a steady movement of humid air coming up from the Gulf Area.

Our weather data is obtained from the Army Engineers Station at the Wappapello Dam, located 3/4 mile from the southwest corner of the refuge.

Month Precipitation Maximum Temperature Minimum Temperature

May 11.00 86 40 June 6.10 93 52 July 7.19 96 61 August 2.47 94 55

Total 26.76 Extremes 96 40

The total of 26.76 inches of rainfall this period and 48.87 inches this year exceed any rainfall recordings kept at the refuge since 1949. In fact, our total for the eight month period this year, is more than twice the amount recorded for tne same period in 1952.

Year

Comparative Tabulation Of Precipitation

January Thru April Precipitation May Thru August Precipitation Total

1949 20.64 15.67 36.31 1950 25.28 19.06 44.34 1951 16.55 14.52 31.07 1952 16.75 9.68 26.43 1953 13.99 8.32 22.51 1954 12.78 11.25 24.03 1955 10.93 15.97 26.90 1956 13.42 14.45 27.87 1957 22.11 26.76 48.87

B. Water Conditions

This has been one of the summers everyone knew would come sooner or later# Mingo has gained a reputation for floods throughout its history, then suddenly stayed dry for five successive years#

To appreciate the problem here you must visualize 90 square miles of hilly watershed pouring 48#87 inches of water into the refuge over an 8 month period. Now try to imagine how 18,000 acres of bottomland would look when you cannot discharge water during April, May and June because of flood conditions on the St. Francis River. By now, I think you can see a small sea of brown muddy water rippling over the fields, splashing against the road crowns and completely covering all of the low forest understory. Within the refuge, there was water as far as you could see in every direction.

The pool crested at S39.06 on June 6. A gradual drop was made until August 8 when the pool finally reached the approved level of S35.C.

C. Fires

None

II WILDLIFE

A# Migratory Birds • \

1. Population and Behavior

(a) Waterfowl

The refuge provides an abundance of good Wood Duck breeding habitat. Nearly all of the pool margins, ditches and old river channels have ample cover and a plentiful supply of insects and duckweed. Some key factors, however, are apparently lacking as no noticable change has been observed in the production of these birds in the past five years.

A number of nesting boxes were erected at Duck Creek and it is reported that about a third of them were used. Mr. Brakhage noticed, however, that as soon as fishing activity on tne state area became heavy this spring, the broods disappeared from the area. It was presumed that they moved into the refuge, but only about 25 young birds have been sighted on the refuge throughout

the summer.

A three day brood count made from June 10 to June 14 by canoe coverea eighteen mij.es of river channel, ditches and shoreline. Only eight birds were seen during this count, all of which were flyers. Especially under flood conditions as we had this year, brood counts are extremely difficult to maJce. Much of the area is inaccessible even by boat and there is simply no way to get an accurate estimate.

We propose to erect a small number of nesting boxes this winter to determine their success on this area. It is also important that we continue to control the large raccoon population on the refuge as this could be an important factor in nesting success.

Two hundred Blue-winged teal moved in at the close of the period. The high water this summer held down much of the shoreline vegetation, creating more mudflats than normal. This condition is ideal for shorebirds and some varieties of waterfowl such as teal and pintails. Mallards, however, seem to prefer flooded fields, timber and marsh vegetation over the mudflats.

(b) Other Water birds

A rather spectacular migration of American Egrets and Little Blue Herons moved in to clean up stranded fish late in September. An estimated 3,000 birds of these two species were present on September 25. The implanted ricefield area near the Goose Pen were most heavily used because large numbers of small fish were stranded behind field levees. An inspection of these areas revealed that they made an almost complete clean up of trapped animal life.

Green Herons remain as summer residents and have increased steadily over a period of several years. The rookery formerly used by cormorants and Great Blue Herons was abandoned this year. It is possible that a new rookery was established which has not yet been located.

(c) Shorebirds

Larger tnan normal numbers of sandpippers and other shore-birds were noted late in the period. One avocet was sighted, making a new observation for the refuge bird list. Peterson

Pag© 4

states that avocets are rare east of the Mississippi River so this area must be very near the eastern extent oftheir migration route.

2. Food and Cover

With geese and ducks both using the refuge, two more or less distinct food supplies are needed. We find that Canada geese feed almost exclusively on tender shoreline grasses and sedges for the first two months after arival. With the gradual lowering of our pool throughout the summer, an abundant supply of this type browse is available. Later in the season, usually aoout Thanksgiving, heavy frosts kill the shoreline browse and the geese shift to winter wheat or permanent pasture fields. Approximately 100 acres of early planted winter wheat on the Company Farm and Goose Pen will adequately take car© of this requirement for the anticipated goose flock.

..v*-As a second requirement for the geese, there should be some form

of cereal grain, preferably corn near the browse fields. In this category, we haven't done so well. Late in the season, 85 acres of corn was planted on the Company Farm by refuge personnel when it became evident that the permittees were not going to get crops out in this area. Due to insect damage, loss by crows and later by raccoons, our late planted field corn and sweet corn is not going to be very successful. Our guess would be that about 8u0 bushels of grain is all that will be raised from this endeavor.

Less than half of our leased land was planted this year, giving us only about 70 acres of medicore corn from this source. Most of this acreage is in boundary line fields which are infrequently used, especially during the hunting season.

W© feel that it is very important that the Canada geese be kept on the refuge until the flock enlarges considerably. Lat year we wintered 2,000 birds and can expect about 5,000 this coming season. So far in our goose management program, no geese have been lost during the hunting season.

With a meager corn supply we wonder if the geese will stay on the refuge throughout the hunting season, ^jiy substantial loss of this nucleus flock would retard our goose program.

Our prospects for duck food, depend largely on water conditions during the fall. An above normal growth of chufa, smartweed and wild

millet has volunteered on many of the uncultivated fields* Mast production, especially in the willow and pin oaks, is better than it has been in six or seven years* Rice on 150 acres of leased land looks promising, but the refuge share of this crop will be too small to hold ducks very long* No aquatic plants with the exception of duckweed and low preference foods such as buttonbrush and lotus are present.

With a dry fall, neither the mast nor tne moist soil plants will be used. If this happens we can expect to see the ducks come, wiggle their tails about tnree times,and be on their way to Arkansas* On tne other hand, if we snould have a wet fall, we can expect a large number of birds to feed on moist soil plants in the flooded fields and to make extensive use of the flooded mast in many sections of the refuge•

It is not a good policy to depend so heavily on Just the right weatner conditions in our management program, therefore we should continue to think along the lines of our long range plans which outline a number of impoundments for controlled fall flooding.

3* Botulism

None

Upland Game Birds

!• Population and Behavior

yuails were moved around considerably as a result of the high water. Birds using openings in the interior of the refuge, must have retreated to higher land during the spring and returned again as the water receded. A number of coveys have been seen this fall on areas such as the Company Farm, where quail could not have survived the flood. For the most part, the coveys are late, probably from second or even third nesting attempts. This is probably a result of the excessively wet spring.

Mourning doves have been scarce; and much to our surprise the only nests found this summer, were in trees well out in the middle of Monopoly LaKe.

One Juvenile turkey was seen in July. Since turkeys are seldom seen during the summer months, we cannot get an estimate of the

population until this fall*

Fo0^ and Cover

Botn food and cover are adequate for all species of upland game birds*

3* Diseases

None

C. Big Game Animals

Popmection and Behavior

Deer continue to increase rapidly on the refuge* During the high water, they were forced to the periphery of the refuge and in some cases even off of the refuge. After the water receded, we saw deer again at their usual spots, many of them with fawns.

D* Fur Animals, Predators and Other Mammals

The unusual water conditions this spring, made drastic changes in predators and prey balances. A great many small mammals were forced to ridges, spoilbanks and roadsides. Cover was lacking, exposing them to a multitude of predators.

1* Grey Squirrels

Squirrel hunting this summer has been fair. The foliage is still so heavy on the refuge that only a few squirrels are seen.

2* Foxes

No change observed.

3. Raccoon

Raccoon are still our number one predator problem. In the past three years, 1,550 ^oon have been taken in the trapping program, but even with this large catch, there is no evidence that the population is being controlled. Signs are abundant throughout the refuge this summer* Considerable damage has been inflicted on our meager corn supply and it is believed that coon are upsetting the apple cart in Wood Duck production*

4. Mink

No change has been noted in the population status* Trapping success would indicate that the population has remained about static

in the past five years. Mink are the most eagerly sought of the fur-bearers and should present no problem.

5. Muskrats

Muskrats have been steadily increasing since permanent water has been held in the refuge. Using the past three years trapping data as a basis for comparing populations, we find the increase has been 9 fold in a three year period. The harvest by years were as follows: 1954 - 21; 1955 - 96 and 1956 - 199.

Road damage and rice field destruction has increased in direct proportion to the population increase. Trte must continue to direct our efforts toward holding muskrats or we will end up with a lot of brand new maintenance problems.

6. Bobcats

Bobcats had a particularly easy time of things this period. High water forced rabbits, mice, etc. to high land where in many cases cover was almost non-existant. We believe that the population is continuing to increase, but it is not known that they are interferring with the objectives of the refuge.

7• Rabbits

Rabbits, especially the swampers, definately toox a beating this period. It was not uncommon to see 15 or 20 swampers per mile on many refuge roads throughout the months of May and June. Only a narrow strip of grass on the road slopes was available for food. This band of green grass was kept chewed down to the ground on several miles of refuge roads.

It is easy to see that rabbits, forced to exist under such precarious conditions were wide open for predators such as hawks, bobcats and dogs> all which made use of these same avenues of travel.

Mr. Toll, who is studying swamp rabbits, searched unsuccessfully for litters several times during the flood period. In his opinion, many of the early litters were probably lost in the rising water. Later litters may have been absorbed by the females without giving birth.

There is no doubt but what the swampers had a tough time and .suffered a heavy loss. It will probably take them a year or two

under favorable weather conditions to build back up to their previous numbers*

E. Predaceous Birds, Including Crows, Ravens and Magpies

Both blackbirds and crows are causing more and more headaches. An ever increasing flock of crows have found our management practices much to their liking and appear to have become full time residents. It would seem from our observations that a non-migratory flock is now staying with us. They are attracted to standing corn fields left during the winter. In the spring they nest throughout the refuge and continue to feed heavily on the agricultural units. Each year more and more corn is destroyed as it first sprouts. A second period of depredation starts as the corn reaches roasting ears. Some areas, such as the Company Farm are particularily hard hit. Scaring devices may not be the solution for the crows since moving them to another field would not solve the problem.

Two solutions come to mind, both of which we probably should experiment with the next crop season. One is to kill the crows by some method not objectionable to public opinion or Service policies. Secondly, we should try several new crops such as some of the hybrid milos, buckwheat and field peas in an attempt to get away from this source of depredation.

This problem is a serious one as it is estimated that crow damage has reduced the amount of corn available to waterfowl on the refuge by at least 25 percent in the past two years. If no contro(is made it will only be a matter of time until we are managing our agricultural lands for crows rather than for waterfowl.

Blackbirds are another source of depredation, although not as serious at Mingo yet as on some of the other refuges. The principal cropped damaged to dat^has been rice. Each year more blackbirds seem to stop at the ricefields during the early fall migration. Most of the damage is inflicted during the early stages of seed development. The milky grains are preferred food. The birds press out the milky fluid from the grain and destroy it for future feed or harvest. At this stage a large number of heads can be damaged by even small numbers of blackbirds.

In the case of blackbirds, scaring devices may have merit. These birds only stop for a short period in their migrational flight and if moved out of the field it is believed they would move on south.

F. Fish

A few changes in tne relative abundance of various fish species was noted this year. Crappie are much more numerous in tne ditches than at any time previously. Some fishermen also report finding many small walleye piice in the ditches. The walleyes apparently came from the state reservoir in the process of moving water to tne shooting pools and later discharging it into the refuge.

The survival of some of tnese more desirable game species can probably be attributed to the abundance of fresh water flowing in-co the refuge throughout the summer. It is too early to get hopes very high as to tne future these species may have. Normally the water is too warm and turbid for their propogation.

Ill REFUGE DEVELOPMENT MAINTENANCE

Our construction program has consisted of a constant battle against barriers. Due to tne high waters, work could not be started until the last week of June. Tnen we were handicapped by lack of engineering assistance. The same week that Mr. Wright came aown and tooic care of the engineering problem, we had to terminate half of our crew and curtail expenses to comply with the new restrictions on funds.

1. Wayne County Road

Construction of the Wayne County Road started July 1 and moved along at a satisfactory pace. The right of way was cleared and most of the grade was completed on 5.5 miles of roadway. The road still requires culverts, two bridges, gravel and dressing down. As a result of the fund restrictions, material purchases have been held up. Right now, we are about stymated on this project until culverts, bridge material and gravel can be purcnasea,

2• Ditch No. 11 Structure

Ditch No. 11 has been cleaned out at the structure site. The Branch of Engineering have cross sectioned the ditch and are in the process of designing a structure. The cost estimates after the cross section were taken, however, are higher than were at the first estimate. As a result of tne anticipated reduction in funds, it is quite possible that this structure will not be built this year.

3t. Burr is Road

We extended tiie Ditch No« li. clean out from the control structure site past the Goose Fen Bridge and toward neadquarters. This woric will help prevent water build ups and road damage in tne future. The clean out material is being placed on the spoilbanx where it can be used to maice a roadway. Tne roadway, however, cannot be completed until culverts can be purchased.

Spillway ~ Ditch No. 5 Road

As a result of road damage caused by high water last spring, it was determined that a spillway was needed in this road to prevent a reoccurance of the same type of damage. The spillway site has been staked out by the Brancn of Engineering and a construction plan is now being made by the engineers.

5. Road and Fence Maintenance

All of the refuge roads were mowed and graded during tne period. Most of the roadsides were also sprayed to prevent encroachment of brushy vegetation. Encouraging progresi^as also been made in spraying all of the new drainage ditches to prevent them from being clogged with willows. Young willows, out of water, we find are readily killed with crush killer. Only top kills have resulted where willows were sprayed in the water.

A portion of tne fenceline was also sprayed to destroy brush and vines growing in the fence. By using the newly purchased tractor pump and a trailer tank fabricated by Mr. Walk, we can do a fast and efficient job of controlling brush. More of tne fenceline should be sprayed this fall if help can be hired.

6. Field Renovation

A portion of tne Wilfong Hill and tne Fox Hill, which were previously farmed and then abandoned to grow up to brush, were bogged. These fields will be sown to permanent grass and maintained as goose pasture. The steeper slopes and the more rocky portions of the hill were left in brush to prevent erosion.

Plantings

1. Cultivated Crops

Less than half of the leased land was tended this year. Most of

the fLeids were too soft until mid-July and tne permittees didb t

want to risk a crop so late. The majority of tne untended fields

are a tangle of vines, weeds, wild millet and sraartweed#

From tne agricultural standpoint, all of tnese falloi^ields should be plowed to add humus to the soil and to prevent an accumulation of weed seeds. From the waterfowl standpoint, the fields should be left as they are. Winter rains will form puddles in the fields, maiding available a good deal of feed in a year when not much else is available.

Most of tne permittees are reluctuant to spend money on their units this year because the refuge units have been a source of expense rather than a profit to tnem. Very few cooperators can be induced to sow wheat after their sad experience with the last crop. It will take two or three dry years to get much enthusiasm on winter crops again.

Both our lime and rock phosphate programs will remain about static this year, because nearly all of tne refuge share of grain will be needed for feeding.

Only 150 acres of rice was planted this year, all of which is tended by a cooperator. The crop is late and will crowd the frost date if it is to fully develop.

Refuge personnel tended 20 acres of brown top millet. This is a southern variety used extensively by refuges in Region IV. Although our stand was poor, it is yielding quite good. All of the seed harvested from this field will be used for aerial seeding of mudflats next year. About the same acreage will be planted next year for harvest. Thirty acres of brown top millet was sown by plane on mudflats early in August. The plants are doing well and growing rapidly, but it will be a nip and tuck situation to beat the frost.

We intend in the future to maintain both a supply of rice seed and millet seed. All of the fields developed for irrigation will be sown to rice if water conditions are favorable early in the spring. Fields that dry out between June 20 and August 1 will be sown to millet. By having this long planting period with the two crops, there should be but few seasons when the fields will not provide waterfowx food.

Since most of the cooperators can not be induced to sow wneat on

tne Dottoiaiand tnis fail, it was necessary for refuge personnel to plant approximately 90 acres on the Company Farm and in tne Goose Pen for goose browse.

IV ECONOMIC USE OF REFUGE

No refuge products were sold during the period.

V FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

Personnel from both tne University of Missouri and the Central States Forest Experiment Station have devoted a good deal of time on forest studies on tne refuge tms period.

A progress report of their program is being compiled and wlix be available for the next narrative report.

VI PUBLIC RELATIONS

A. Recreational Use

A sharp decline in fishing pressure was observed throughout the first half of the fishing season, with all of the drainage ditches full and rivers out of their banics, fish could be caught nearly everywnere. The frequent rains and bad roads were also a contributing factor in reducing the number of visitors.

The latter half of the season has been somewhat better than normal. Crappie fishing has been exceptionally good, bass fishing fair with perodic spurts of good bullhead fishing.

Fishing sites near the parking areas are soon "fished out'j or at least that is the reports that come to us. As the season progresses, we notice that the fishermen keep pushing farther and fartner back into the brush. Now all of the "hot spots" entail about a three mile walk. It is not unusual to see a fleet of chairs, beer chests, little red wagons and sun shades coming down the refuge roads. The colored people as a rule have only one or two fishing places that they visit loyally day after day. It is rather comical at times to examine their catches because anything that bites goes into the sack. This sometimes includes turtles, shad, gar and any variety of fish over three inches long.

B. Refuge Visitors

Date , Name Title Address

May 6 C. R. Alexander May 15 R* M. Abney & "Wife August 26 F. A. Carpenter August 26 Harvey Neison August 26 J. R, Wright August 27 F, A* Carpenter August 27 Harvey Nelson August 27 J. R. Wright August 28 J. R. Wright

C. Refuge Participation

GMA, Supervisor Refuge Manager Supervisor Supervisor Engineer Supervisor Supervisor Engineer Engineer

Jefferson City, Mo, Holt, Minnesota Minneapolis, Minn. Minneapolis, Minn. Minneapolis, Minn. Minneapolis, Minn. Minneapolis, Minn. Minneapolis, Minn. Minneapolis, Minn.

Two talks were given to the Puxico High School assembly, fowl migration and one on snakes and snake bite first aid.

One on water-

D. Violations

None

/J. Schoonover efuge Manager

3-1750 Form KR-1 (R©T. March 1953)

W A T E R F O W L

/ REFUGE 1 ^ o MONTHS OF l y TO Sept* 19 S7

ra W e e k s o f r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d

(i) Specl>8 1. 10

Swans: Whistling Trumpeter

Geese: Canada Cackling Brant White-fronted Snow Blue Other

Ducks; Mallard Black Gadwall Baldpate Pintail Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal Cinnamon teal Shoveler Wood Bedhead Ring-necked Canvasback Scaup Goldeneye Bufflehead Ruddy-Other

Coot:

Ui timated 6( adults an A ISO youa g

1—

3 -1750a

Cont, NR-1 (Rev. March 19^3) W A T E R F O W L

(Continuation Sheet)

REFUGE - MONTHS OF TO 19 43-

(i) Species

(21 W e e k s o f r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d

11 12 13 Hi 15 16 17 18

—(31 Estimated waterfowl days use

i—nn s Production : Broods: £ stimated t seen s total

Swans: Whistling Trumpeter

Geese: Canada Cackling Brant White-fronted Snow Blue Other

Ducks; Mallard Black Gadwall Baldpate Pintail Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal Cinnamon teal Shoveler Wood Redhead Ring-necked Canvasback Scaup Goldeneye Bufflehead Ruddy Other

Coot:

(over)

adults md ISO omg

€ 200

24,000

42 i #400

ISO yomg

Total Days Use

Swans

Geese

Ducks

Coots

'it S

Peak Number : Total Production SUMMARI

Principal feeding areas

JtQCL 1 aiO Principal nesting areas

Reported tgr Igrl# J. Sohomov&r

INSTRUCTIONS (See Sees. 7^31 through 753U, Wildlife Refuges Field Manual)

In addition to the birds listed on form, other species occurring on refuge during the reporting period should be added in appropriate spaces. Special attention should be given to those species of local and national significance.

(1) Species:

(2) Weeks of Reporting Period:

(3) Estimated Waterfowl Days Use:

(Ij) Production:

(5) Total Days Use:

(6) Peak Number:

(7) Total Production:

Estimated average refuge populations.

Average weekly populations x number of days present for each species.

Estimated number of young produced based on observations and actual counts on representative breeding areas. Brood counts should be made on two or more areas aggregating 10# of the breeding habitat. Estimates having no basis in fact should be omitted.

A summary of data recorded under (3).

Maximum number of waterfowl present on refuge during any census of reporting period.

A summary of data recorded under (U).

Interior Duplicating Section, Washington, D. C. 1953

3-1751 Form NR-1A MIGRATORY BIRDS (Nov. 1945) (other than waterfowl) i Refuge,,., Months of .to.... «P.tl»- 195....f

(1) Species

(2) First Seen

(3) Peak Numbers

(4) Last Seen

(5) Production

(6) Total

Common Name Number Date Number Date Number Date Number Colonies

Total # Nests

Total Youne

Estimated Numbe r

I. Water and Marsh Birds:

Arwrlaaa Egret Little Blue -mnm Greet Blue eroa Gre«i ilsrcai

l9ZOO mo 200 500

August August August August

1,800 1,000

mo mo

II. Shorebirds. Gulls and Terns:

Kllldeor gaelplytr

75 200

8/SO 8/50

(over)

(1) ( 2 ) (3) (< LL_ (5) (6)

III. Doves and Pigeons: Mourning dove White-winged dove

IV. Predaceous Birds: Golden eagle Duck hawk Horned owl Magpie Raven Crow

800

40

BOO

8/50

maam

mil mmm

Reportec i by h}. U m i

1.200

40

800

INSTRUCTIONS Use the correct names as found in the A.O.U. Checklist, 1931 Edition, and list group in A.O.U. order. Avoid general terms as "seagull", "tern", etc. In addition to the birds listed on form, other species occurring on refuge during the reporting period should be added in appropriate spaces. Special attention should be given to those species of local and national significance. Groups: I. Water and Marsh Birds (Gaviiformes to Ciconiiformes and Gruiiformes)

II. Shorebirds. Gulls and Terns (Charadriiformes) III. Doves and Pigeons (Columbiformes) IV. Predaceous Birds (Falconiformes, Strigiforraes and predaceous

Passeriformes) The first refuge record for the species for the season concerned.

The greatest number of the species present in a limited interval of time.

The last refuge record for the species during the season concerned.

Estimated number of young produced based on observations and actual counts.

Estimated total r ber of the species using the rr '.ge during the period concerned.

79858

(1) Species:

(2) First Seen:

(3) Peak Numbers

(4) Last Seen: i

(5) Production:

(6) Total;

INT.-DUP. SEC., WASH., D.C.

3-1752 Form NR-2 UPLAND GAME BIRDS (April 1946)

Refuge iinao Months of May to Sept* , 19. J57

(1) Species

(2) Density-

(3) Young

Produced

U) Sex Ratio

(5) Removals

(6) Total

(7) Remarks

Common Name Cover types, total acreage of habitat

Acres per Bird N

umber

broods

obs'v'd.

Estimated

Total

Percentage Hunting

For Re

stocking

For

Research

Estimated number using Refuge

Pertinent information not specifioally requested. List introductions here.

. Quell

Tarksey

1*800

12 Only 2 young observed

INSTRUCTIONS

Form NR-2 - UPLAND GAME BIRDS.*

(1) SPECIES: Use correct common name.

(2) DENSITY: Applies particularly to those species considered in removal programs (public hunts, etc.). Detailed data may be omitted for species occurring in limited numbers. Density to be expressed in acres per animal by cover types. This information is to be prefaced by a statement from the refuge manager as to the number of acres in each cover type found on the refuge; once submitted, this information need not be repeated except as significant changes occur in the area of cover types. Cover types should be detailed enough to furnish the desired information but not so much as to obscure the general picture. Examples: spruce swamp, upland hardwoods, reverting agriculture land, bottomland hardwoods, short grass prairie, etc. Standard type symbols listed in Midlife Management Series No. 7 should be used where possible. Figures submitted should be based on actual observations and counts on representative sample areas. Survey method used and size of sample area or areas should be indicated under Remarks.

(3) YOUNG PRODUCED: Estimated number of young produced, based upon observations and actual counts in representative breeding habitat.

(-4) SEX RATIO:

(5) REMOVALS:

(6) TOTAL:

(7) REMARKS:

This column applies primarily to wild turkey, pheasants, etc. Include data on other species if available.

Indicate total number in each category removed during the report period.

Estimated total number using the refuge during the report period. This may include resident birds plus those migrating into the refuge during certain seasons,

Indicate method used to determine population and area covered in survey, include other pertinent information not specifically requested.

Also

* Only columns applicable to the period covered should be used.

1613

WATERFCML UTILIZATION OF HABITAT

Tiiree census areas have been designated to evaluate waterfowj. utilization of habitats

Unit No, 1

This unit is the most developed and intensively managed of the three areas. It contains approximately 1,000 acres of agricultural land, 500 acres of marsh, 300 acres of water and 1,500 acres of pin oalc timber.

The agricultural land is composed of ^80 acres of ricefields and 520 acres in dry farm land. It is anticipated that most of the future refuge farming efforts will be made in this area. Brush is controlled on the marsh areas on tnis unit and it is anticipated tnat any millet plantings will be made here to supplement tne already good production of natural marsh plants. Approximately 540 acres of timber land has been disiced for fall flooding. Much of the remaining timber land is also subjecting to flooding at least once a year.

This area is composed of four habitat types all of which will be intensively managed in the future. A comparison of census data over a period of years will aid in evaluating the value of our management practices.

In the past waterfowl use of this unit has been heavy, comprising roughly 50 percent of our total usage.

Unit Mo. 2

This large area includes Monopoly Lake, with 3,500 acres of agricultural land, and approximately 8,000 acres of timber. Except for the farmland, this unit has received littlemanagement and has developed along the linos of natural plant succession. Even in the future intensive management of this area will be limited. Except at low pool stages, little marsh area is present> much of the timber has little present waterfowl value because of low value species on infrequent flooding.

Goose usage of this unit has varied from light to moderate. Wood duck use is high, but mallard usage has been low. This unit will represent a less intensively managed area for a number of years and any management practices carried out should be reflected in future waterfowl usage.

Unit No. 3

This unit is composed of 500 acres of farmland and 4,900 acres of

timber but it is a considerable distance from water. Waterfowl use in the past has been very light. No goose usage whatever has been recorded.

The agricultural land in this unit is higher and more dependable than that in the other units. The timber is largely pin oaic, but is seldom flooded.

This area is potentially a valuable waterfowl area and will probably be developed in the future. A comparison of census data between this unit and Unit No. 1 may indicate the extent of development necessary on this area.

3-1750 Form HR-IB (December 1^5^)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

WATERFOWL UTIUZATION OF REFUGE HABITAT

. ^, For 12-month period ending August 31; 19 ST

Reported by L» Sehoopoirfr Title Refuge Mnager

Refuge Mingo

(i) (a) Area or Unit Habitat Designation Type Acreage

(3) (U) (5) Breeding

Use-days Population Production

Timber

UKIT K0. I

Crops

mm Marsh Water Total

. Ducks 2,500,000

. Geese 100,000 • Swans o Coots

-JuOOO. Ju&OO

5Q0 300

5.300 . Total 2,600,000

Crops 1,500 Timber Wftf jS.pOQ

UNIT KO. 2 Marsh Water 3.600 Total 13,000

. Ducks

. Geese , Swans „ Coots , Total

2,122,000 67,700

50 200

2,189,700

Timber

UNIT NO, 5

Crops

mm Marsh Water Total

4,900

• • 0 * ^ ® 500 . Ducks

, Geese „ Swans 6 Coots . Total 6,400

Crops Upland Marsh Water Total

Ducks Geese Swans Coots Total

60 w

500,000

500,000 o © <


» Ducks . Geese • Swans * Coots . Total


. Ducks , Geese . Swans < Coots « Total

Crops Upland Harsh Water Total

. Ducks ft Geese r Swans , Coots e Total

(over)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

MINGO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE BOLLINGER, STODDARD AND WAYNE COUNTIES, MISSOURI

R 7 E R 8 E FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

R 8 E R 9 E

U N I T D E S I G N A T I O

FIRST CLASS ROAD

ROADS AND TRAILS

REFUGE BOUNDARY

R 7 E R 8 E

COMPILED IN THE BRANCH OF LANDS FROM MAP REFUGE FILE M-MO. 2.20

Scgle

FIFTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN

!TS-

R 8 E R 9 E

•••••a •••••• •Enoao CEDICECE EEEGEE •ccEcn

MEAN DECLINATION

1945

53 MIN AC

* KUBICHEK - FWS

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