Robb-Ledford Wildlife Management Area tour

Four members of the Gallatin Wildlife Association Board of Directors visited the Robb-Ledford WMA on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2009. As we neared the WMA along Ledford Creek we observed a couple of old woven wire drift fences on State land that went up and over the hill to the east. They appeared to be serving no purpose and posed a hazard/barrier to wildlife movements. Are there plans to remove these fences? As we continued south along Ledford Creek we observed a 5 foot high, 6 wire boundary fence. This fence extended across the landscape to the east and west and was coupled with a bison proof cattle guard at the road crossing. This fence ran between the WMA and other State land to the south where we observed domestic bison utilizing slopes high on the foothills of the Snowcrest Mountains above Lone Rock Creek. We also observe a few bull bison near the road as we continued south. At the confluence of Snowslide Creek and Ledford Creek we observed another 5 foot high, 6 wire boundary fence and bison proof cattle guard and as we once again entered the WMA to the south we began to observe cattle and livestock use impacts.

It should be noted that, according to the grazing schedule on page 8 of the Robb-Ledford WMA livestock use EA, we visited the WMA at a time when the fewest cows were present. There should have been only 366 cows on the WMA, because 352 cows were moved to adjacent Forest Service land during 7/15 to 10/1 and 400 cows were moved to adjacent BLM land during 8/15 to 9/15. However, by October 1st there will once again be 1118 cows back on the WMA until October 22nd, a couple days before big game season opens. That's more than 3 times as many cows as we had a chance to see. Regardless, some of the streambanks along Ledford Creek were already severely eroded and bare of any vegetation where cattle had been congregating to drink and/or cross the creek. Cattle were observed both in and near the creek and spread out into the nearby sagebrush uplands. Hounds tongue was prevalent in high use cattle areas and some cattle were observed covered in seed.

Eroded Streambank along Ledford Creek with high boundary fence in the background.

This cow, covered with hounds tongue seed, is standing over a hounds tongue plant.

As we drove along Ledford Creek to the trail head to Devil’s Hole we discussed the suitability of the surrounding habitat, in particular to the east, for bighorn sheep. We believe there is opportunity to restore huntable bighorn sheep populations to this area primarily on public land (WMA, State, USFS and BLM) and we request the FWP’s evaluation of the site for such purposes. At the trailhead we also observed signs advising people to be “bear aware”, noting the food storage requirements in the area regarding grizzly bear habitat. Unfortunately, the conditions at the trailhead and parking/camping area were degraded due to congregated livestock use, including excessive manure, flies and heavy trampling and vegetation use.

This is the first spot we observed spotted knapweed and small patches were observed in the heavy use areas. We also observed at least one decadent aspen stand that was lacking aspen regeneration in areas of concentrated livestock use. Some streambanks in the area were again heavily trampled and eroded to the point of bare ground. Although livestock use impacts were most evident in areas of congregated livestock use, many of these areas were prime campfire/camping/picnicking locations as well as important habitats for fish and wildlife. Livestock disturbance also appears to be adversely impacting the soils, wetlands and native plant communities in areas of congregated use as these areas were often dominated with non-native species such as Kentucky bluegrass, timothy, Canada thistle, hounds tongue, dandelion, fanweed and other annual/perennial disturbance tolerance species. We wondered how long the cattle would remain in the area. How long will/did the cattle remain in this pasture?

Cattle trampling impacts to Ledford Creek at the Devil’s Hole trail head.

We then drove up to the Ledford Creek-Robb Creek divide where we observed a number of livestock salting areas and mineral supplements. Most of these areas had yet to draw significant livestock use as many of the salt blocks were still untouched. Surprisingly, the Ledford Creek-Robb Creek divide had very little big sagebrush on it and instead had an aspect dominated by green rabbitbrush, fringed sagewort, low growing perennial grasses and other fire tolerant species. We wondered what the history of sagebrush control/eradication might have been in the area. What is the history of sagebrush control/fire in this area? Does the FWP have an understanding of how this area was managed prior to its purchase in 1988? Were any chemicals ever used to control/eradicate sagebrush over the years on the WMA?

Along this ridge, in particular on the west and south facing aspects we observed a lot of old elk droppings indicating a winter range preference for this area. The soils were shallow and not very productive and the ridge was wind blown, typical of what we have observed on other critical elk winter ranges. Some cattle were observed grazing right on some of these important elk winter range locations, at least in our estimation. We also observed many cattle spread out and feeding along these the west and south facing slopes of the ridge as they dropped into Robb Creek. Cattle were also observed right in and near Robb Creek as well as an unnamed tributary that was a headwaters spring. Cattle were congregating near this open water spring source and the riparian area below, which eventually dried up even though there was a well defined stream channel. The spring itself was heavily trampled and grazed off and cattle were loafing in the area. Excessive manure was also evident in and near the spring source.

Cattle congregating in a spring above Robb Creek – Sept. 9, 2009

As I observed the cattle I wondered about the social displacement issues related to livestock presence as the cattle were the dominant ungulate in the area and this appeared to be a great place to see a mule deer, elk or perhaps a blue or sage grouse. The degraded water quality also concerned me as this is a headwaters spring that in my estimation would have otherwise been suitable for human consumption. Although we weren’t hunting that day, archery and upland gamebird seasons were both open and if I were hunting the presence of these cattle in these prime wildlife habitats would have detracted from that opportunity. The presence of these cattle did detract from our wildlife and native plant viewing opportunities. There is something about a cowed out spring that detracts from the value of this WMA. As well, there were a number of small patches of aspen/shrub riparian habitats along the north facing aspect of this tributary to Robb creek that appeared would soon be fodder for the domestic cattle using the area.

We did observe some livestock salt and mineral blocks that were effective in drawing cattle onto the wind swept ridges that run parallel to Robb and Ledford creeks. These are important elk winter ranges. What is the purpose of congregating cattle in these forage limited areas so important to wintering elk and other wildlife, especially given this WMA was purchased with sportsmen’s dollars primarily to provide winter forage for wildlife?

As we moved back along the ridge to the north we observed Turner’s bison that had come off the mountain uplands to the east of Ledford creek and were now stringing out as they moved methodically up and over the Robb-Ledford creek divide eventually crossing Robb creek before they settled in to feed and rest. The question of the FWP quarantine bison came up as we contemplated what it would be like to replace these privately owned domestic bison with truly wild publicly owned bison over this vast landscape of largely public land. Is there an opportunity to pursue a cooperative wild bison restoration and conservation effort with the owner of the Snowcrest Ranch and the other state and federal land management agencies in the area?

We had to leave the WMA heading north to get back on the WMA as we headed back south up Robb creek and once again we ran into the 6 wire 5’ plus high boundary fence with accompanying bison proof cattle guard. The need for these wildlife barrier high fences was discussed and the thought of removing them under a cooperative interagency and private land wild bison restoration and conservation partnership emerged as an idea we were all hopeful FWP would pursue on behalf of sportsmen as well as wild bison. Ironically as we entered the WMA we again immediately saw more domestic cattle congregating near the boundary fence in an area that already looked heavily impacted by livestock. Basically the cropped grasslands in the lowlands near Robb creek looked like a putting green offering little or no forage or cover value to native wildlife.

As we entered the WMA we contemplated the stated purpose of acquiring this land with public sportsmen’s dollars and the help of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The purpose was proudly displayed on the Robb-Ledford Wildlife Management Area sign, which greets you as you enter the WMA. This sign is handsomely framed on a background of the State of Montana with a large bull elk imprinted into the background and it reads:

ROBB/LEDFORD WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

This management area was purchased by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission with assistance from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to provide winter range for big game. This property was purchased under the Montana Wildlife Habitat Act, which is funded entirely by sportsmen’s hunting license fees.

This WMA has tremendous potential for big game including bison and bighorn sheep not to mention elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, antelope, moose, wolves and black and grizzly bear. This WMA also provides habitat for a number of upland gamebirds and fisheries, including native westlope cutthroat trout. However we are concerned the emphasis on this WMA has been on domestic livestock production rather than native fish and wildlife conservation and habitat improvement.

Entrance sign to the Robb-Ledford WMA with cattle grazing in the background

As we continued up the ridge between Robb creek and Dry Hollow we encountered the Kelly Springs water development, which diverts water from the Robb creek watershed to a complex series of pipelines and stock water tanks that is spread over 40 miles of public and private land. We have questions related to water rights, installation and maintenance costs and the purpose of this massive livestock water diversion project on a WMA. Who owns the water rights to Kelly Springs and who is responsible for operating and maintaining this livestock watering project? Also many of the stock tanks are located on upland sites important to wintering big game. Since water is the limiting factor on this semi-arid landscape and these stock tanks pull and congregate livestock use, at least temporarily, on important big game winter ranges how does the FWP justify the use of sportsmen’s dollars for such a water diversion project?

We followed the road up toward the Notch and we observed more cattle in the headwaters of Robb creek where the road crossed the creek. This looks like an area historically impacted by livestock use as the herbaceous vegetation component was largely a mix of disturbance thriving annual and perennial species including Canada thistle, Kentucky bluegrass, timothy, cudweed sagewort and a variety of annual forbs. There was a beautiful spring and lush wetland in the area where cattle were just beginning to congregate and we knew it would not be long before this area would be severely impacted by this livestock use.

As we continued touring the WMA we ran into a couple of maggot infested cattle carcasses on the ridgelines. How did these cattle die and why were they left to rot on the WMA? Do the permittees have any responsibility to remove these dead livestock?

Dead Cow on the ridgeline above Robb Creek – Sept. 9, 2009

As we made our way to Rock creek we observed a severely degraded aspen/willow wetland just off the creek, which looked to be an historic heavy use area by livestock. As well, Rock creek and especially the headwaters of Rock creek above the reservoir were significantly impacted by livestock use. This is critical spawning habitat for the native westslope cutthroat trout that over-winter in the reservoir. We suggested back in 1999 that FWP close this area to livestock use because we anticipated these types of impacts would result to this important fishery due to the nature of the topography and cattle behavior. Although we didn’t observe any livestock in the immediate area of the headwaters, there were still cattle in this pasture further down Rock creek as well as just over the hill to the west near Swamp creek. We remain concerned about the livestock use impacts to this headwaters native cutthroat trout fishery. The wetland soils and stream channel were significantly trampled, compacted and over-widened in areas of livestock concentration. The riparian vegetation was significantly cropped and many willows in the area were umbrella shaped. The stream course was shallow and exposed to direct sunlight. Are these the conditions FWP desires for this westslope cutthroat trout spawning habitat?

Westslope Cutthroat Trout Spawning Habitat – Rock Creek – Sept. 9, 2009

We continued easterly toward the boundary of the Blacktail WMA. Cattle were congregated in an un-named tributary to the East Fork of Blactail Deer creek, which was just south of the two track road. This narrow drainage had a flowing spring that was being trampled by the cattle, which numbered near 30 animals. Again, another piece of important wildlife habitat was being sacrificed to livestock impacts. This drainage is surrounded by dry sagebrush uplands. These small riparian areas have tremendous wildlife value and we hate to see them degraded in such a manner. We also wonder about the impact of this congregated livestock trailing, trampling and vegetation use to water quality as well as the limited quantity of water that is left for native wildlife. How will the FWP handle these situations in the areas proposed for livestock use?

As we left the WMA we followed the ridgeline between Spring Brook and Dry Hollow. This road extends for miles across other State and Federal public lands and all along the way we followed the Kelly Springs pipeline and livestock water development project which originates on the WMA. The Kelly Springs livestock water development project was heavily subsidized by both the State and Federal government. It is a costly 40 mile long winterized buried pipeline that feeds 42 stock tanks along wind blown ridges that are prime elk, mule deer and antelope winter range and it was partially designed to allow cattle to stay longer into the winter on these ranges. One of the stated public benefits of this massive project was to prevent cattle from congregating and degrading the trout streams in the area, including the westslope cutthroat fishery in Rock creek. Well, the livestock impacts continue in the streams and are now evident on the forage limited, wind blown ridgelines that are critical to wintering big game.

So we saw livestock in at least 3 different pastures (maybe more) during this one day tour of the WMA. We also witnessed numerous areas important to fish and wildlife that were being adversely impacted by concentrated domestic livestock under a rest-rotation grazing system. These livestock use activities have come at great cost to Montana as well as out of state sportsmen. We believe hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities are being adversely affected by the current livestock management program. We suggest the FWP shift its focus from domestic livestock production on the Robb-Ledford WMA to restoration and conservation of native big game species including bison and bighorn sheep.