In the Weeds: June 2007
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters annually complete over 23,000 habitat projects. "In the Weeds" takes a closer look at these chapter projects. This month, we profile a habitat and education project in Idaho.
The Players
- Upper Snake River Chapter of PF in Idaho
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG)
- Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)
The Plan
In the 1970s, the Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Ririe Dam Project as a flood control dam following several decades of destructive flooding in Bonneville County, Idaho. The project was a cooperative effort between the corps and the BOR. Part of that project includes the Ririe Dam Outlet which flows from the outlet channel to the Snake River.
When the outlet was constructed, the BOR purchased and set aside real property for wildlife mitigation. Property purchased included the Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and the Cartier Slough WMA outside Rexburg. Also purchased was an obscure piece of farm ground along the diversion canal. This 25 acre piece had done nothing but grow weeds for the last 35 years. These weeds were sprayed every year, making them unsuitable for pheasant habitat. The three partners set out to change that.
The Project
Last fall, the Upper Snake River chapter knocked down the irrigation dikes and prepped the ground for planting. The IDFG sent a technician and equipment out to plant the grass seed purchased by the BOR. This spring, all three partners met and planted 800 trees/shrubs for winter thermal escape cover.
The Payoff
Instead of a dead weed patch, there is now 25 acres of great pheasant habitat on public property!
If you have story ideas, dog photos, pre-1980 hunting photos and requests for future On The Wing consideration, please send correspondence to ahauck@pheasantsforever.org.
Return to On The Wing: June 2007"On The Wing" Archive
- On the Wing: September 2008
- On the Wing: August 2008
- On the Wing: July 2008
- On the Wing: June 2008
- On the Wing: May 2008
- On the Wing: April 2008
- On the Wing: March 2008
- On the Wing: February 2008
- On the Wing: January 2008
- On the Wing: December 2007
- On The Wing: November 2007
- On The Wing: October 2007
- On The Wing: September 2007
- On The Wing: August 2007
- On The Wing: July 2007
- On The Wing: June 2007
- On The Wing: May 2007
