Ptarmigan Transplant in the Teton Wilderness

Authors(s): C. Murdock

Publication:

Publisher: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service

Publication Date: 0000-00-00

Type: letter to Forest Sueprvisor, Attn: Wildlife Staff

Location:

Abstract: Due to the extensive acreage of alpine habitat in the Teton Wilderness, white-tailed ptarmigan were suggesed for possible transplant. The Wilderness Act of 1964 recognizes that wildlife once native to the wilderness may be reintroduced and managed as a part of the wilderness resource. After a search through the records and discussing historical sightings with long-time outfitters, the most reliable reports available for the Absaroka Range are from the Shoshone National Forest's annual reports from 1938 to 1941 (4 years total). These list the ptarmigan as being a very uncommon species between Bonne and Mabel Creeks, on the upper end of the North Fork of Owl Creek and the upper end of the Greybull River. Above 20 miles of mostly alpine and subalpine habitat separate these areas from the Teton Wilderness. Any population existing in the listed areas would have undoubtedly extended into the Teton Wilderness. The cause for the extermination of ptarmigan from the Absaroka Range is unknown. A possible reason is a combination of any or all of the following: hard winters, sheep grazing, poaching, limited habitat and the cyclic nature of ptarmigan. The white-tailed ptarmigan is lsited as an uncommon species in Wyoming, with a stable population. Management priority is "One," which is a species of high interest, with a high priority to maintain or increase current population levels. It is presently known to exist in WYoming only in the Medicine Bow National Forest. The current proposal, discussed with Garvice Roby, Fred Herbal and Bob Oakleaf of the Wyoming Game & Fish Dept., and Clait Braun of the Colorado Division of Wildlife in Fort Collins, is to first make a more detailed survey of the alpine habitat to determine its suitability for a transplant. I have made a preliminary evaluation and would like, as one of the leading experts on ptarmigan, Clait's professional opinion of the habitat. The Colorado Division of Wildlife will furnish Clait's time, and the Nature Conservancy in Cheyenne has agreed to cover his travel and per diem. The only cost to the Bridger-Teon is our time and equipment for the trip, proposed for the last week in July. A request will need to go from the Forest Service to the Jackson office of the Wyoming Game & Fish, for them to officially request Clait through t heir channels. Clait has already made three evaluations of this type outside of Colorado: in the Uinta National Forest, the Big Horn National Forest and on the Carson and Santa Fe National Forest. Enclosed for your review is a copy of his evaluation on the Uinta National Forest.

Keywords: Teton Wilderness, animal, bird, ornithology, Aves, Lagopus leucurus, ptarmigan, white-tailed ptarmigan, Wilderness Act of 1964, management, Absaroka Range, Shoshone National Forest, Greybull River, sheep, grazing, livestock, hunting, human activity, population, mortality, Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, habitat, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Jackson Hole, Big Horn National Forest