Wire and Fire: Ecosystems Management on the Kerr WMA

Wire and Fire:

A Historical Perspective of

Ecosystems Management on the Kerr Wildlife

Management Area

1800’s – Present

Donnie Frels

EcosystemsEcosystems

What is an ecosystem?What is an ecosystem?



Terrestrial Systems

Aquatic Systems



Terrestrial Systems

Aquatic Systems

•Watersheds

•Forests•Deserts

•Grasslands

•Aquifers•Rivers

•Lakes

•Streams



Terrestrial Systems

Aquatic Systems

•Watersheds

•Forests•Deserts

•Grasslands

•Aquifers•Rivers

•Lakes

•Streams

Fundamental Processes of :

Water Cycle

Mineral Cycle

Community Dynamics

Energy Flow

Individual

Organisms


““Ecological systems are not only more complex Ecological systems are not only more complex than we think, they are more complex than we can than we think, they are more complex than we can think.”think.” Scottish scientist J. B. S. HaldaneScottish scientist J. B. S. Haldane


Ecosystems Ecosystems ManagementManagement

Ecosystems Ecosystems ManagementManagement A process which leads to a productA process which leads to a product

Raw materials

Products

Ecosystems Ecosystems ManagementManagement A process which leads to a productA process which leads to a product

Raw materials

ProductsInfluencesVariables

Intangibles

Natural Man-made Tools


Tools Tools “… “… game (wildlife) can be restored game (wildlife) can be restored

by the creative use of the same tools by the creative use of the same tools which have heretofore destroyed it – which have heretofore destroyed it – axe, cow, plow, fire and gun.”axe, cow, plow, fire and gun.” Aldo Leopold, 1933Aldo Leopold, 1933 Courtesy of the Aldo Leopold

Foundation Archives


Other Tools - Good or Bad?Other Tools - Good or Bad? High FencesHigh Fences

Supplemental FeedingSupplemental Feeding

Predator ControlPredator Control

Herbicides/InsecticidesHerbicides/Insecticides

Barbed WireBarbed Wire

Kerr WMA – Landscape Kerr WMA – Landscape HistoryHistory

Millions of Years AgoMillions of Years Ago – sea – sea

Thousands of Years AgoThousands of Years Ago – conifer forest – conifer forest

man-influencedman-influenced

Hundreds of Years AgoHundreds of Years Ago – oak savannah – oak savannah

PresentPresent – cedar brake – cedar brake


Prior to 1840Prior to 1840 – – buffalo, antelope, prairie chickens, wild buffalo, antelope, prairie chickens, wild longhorns longhorns

Early 1800’sEarly 1800’s – – Apache and Comanche IndiansApache and Comanche Indians

18561856 – – Boneyard MassacreBoneyard Massacre

1880’s1880’s – – Increasing settlement of the regionIncreasing settlement of the region

18801880 – – YO Ranch -YO Ranch - Captain Charles Shreiner Captain Charles Shreiner

19021902 – – Stowers Ranch purchasedStowers Ranch purchased


Kerr County Kerr County –– established January 26, 1856 established January 26, 1856

Kerrsville Kerrsville – named county seat in honor of Major James – named county seat in honor of Major James Kerr, friend of Joshua Brown, an early settler Kerr, friend of Joshua Brown, an early settler

18601860 – the human population of Kerrville was 634. – the human population of Kerrville was 634. Livestock numbered 4,000 head of cattle, 1,100 sheep. Livestock numbered 4,000 head of cattle, 1,100 sheep.

18851885 - YO Ranch – first sheep ranch (600,000 acres) - YO Ranch – first sheep ranch (600,000 acres)


18821882 – – First barbed-wire fenceFirst barbed-wire fence

18971897 – – “…the area was open grassland. Cedar posts were “…the area was open grassland. Cedar posts were difficult to find since the growth of cedar was restricted to the difficult to find since the growth of cedar was restricted to the heads of canyons. Prior to 1900, the cedar was found in only small heads of canyons. Prior to 1900, the cedar was found in only small patches of five to ten acres, and usually at the heads of canyons. patches of five to ten acres, and usually at the heads of canyons. One large mott of thirty to forty acres occurred on the Perry Ranch One large mott of thirty to forty acres occurred on the Perry Ranch

(near Leakey)(near Leakey) in 1905.” in 1905.” Sam Tomerlin as reported to Henry Hahn, 1950Sam Tomerlin as reported to Henry Hahn, 1950


18821882 - From Thomas Moore regarding their desire to - From Thomas Moore regarding their desire to construct a “heart cedar” log home near Indian Creek - construct a “heart cedar” log home near Indian Creek - ““We’ve got to hurry, because in six months that cedar We’ve got to hurry, because in six months that cedar will run out.” will run out.” from West Kerr Current, Vol. 3 No. 35, by Irene Van from West Kerr Current, Vol. 3 No. 35, by Irene Van Winkle, 2006.Winkle, 2006.


““When my parents lived on the When my parents lived on the (Kerr(Kerr) ) area, the range was still open grassland area, the range was still open grassland with widely scattered scrub oaks. Cedar with widely scattered scrub oaks. Cedar was restricted to the canyons and was restricted to the canyons and draws.” draws.” Isaac Zumwalt of Ingram, Texas, as reported Isaac Zumwalt of Ingram, Texas, as reported to Henry Hahn, 1950.to Henry Hahn, 1950.

19001900 - - “We saw cattle get down with the “We saw cattle get down with the creeps and die in grasses which stood creeps and die in grasses which stood four to six feet tall.” four to six feet tall.” Sam TomerlinSam Tomerlin

Intensive Grazing comes Intensive Grazing comes to the Kerr WMAto the Kerr WMA

From 1900 – 1950:From 1900 – 1950: the Kerr WMA property had 13 different owners the Kerr WMA property had 13 different owners

Prior to 1897Prior to 1897 – the KWMA was open range and wild longhorn cattle – the KWMA was open range and wild longhorn cattle grazed the grasslands along with buffalo and antelopegrazed the grasslands along with buffalo and antelope

18971897 – first privately owned cattle were driven up from Leakey to the – first privately owned cattle were driven up from Leakey to the headwaters of the Guadalupe River. headwaters of the Guadalupe River.

19191919 – S.C. Stacker – imported two carloads of donkeys, released – S.C. Stacker – imported two carloads of donkeys, released large numbers of gray mares and also raised mules and goats for the large numbers of gray mares and also raised mules and goats for the U.S. ArmyU.S. Army

19241924 – Robert Real – stocked the area with 2,800 goats, 1,800 sheep, – Robert Real – stocked the area with 2,800 goats, 1,800 sheep, and 220 head of cattleand 220 head of cattle


1921 1921 – E.A. McCoy – “failed to succeed in the ranching business”– E.A. McCoy – “failed to succeed in the ranching business”

1924 1924 – “– “tall bunch grasses were becoming greatly reduced due to tall bunch grasses were becoming greatly reduced due to intensive grazing.”intensive grazing.” Walter Wilson, who worked for Robert RealWalter Wilson, who worked for Robert Real

19301930 – Moody Seagraves was “unable to meet financial – Moody Seagraves was “unable to meet financial obligations” obligations”

19401940 – Daniel Moran – 400 sheep in the Owl Pasture (385 ac) – Daniel Moran – 400 sheep in the Owl Pasture (385 ac) Leased Bobcat Pasture (830 ac) – 725 ewes and lambsLeased Bobcat Pasture (830 ac) – 725 ewes and lambs

Leased 2,300 ac – 900 sheep, 400 goatsLeased 2,300 ac – 900 sheep, 400 goats


Nov. 1, 1945Nov. 1, 1945 – E.L. Fossler and W. Klein – leased 4,962 acres – 77 – E.L. Fossler and W. Klein – leased 4,962 acres – 77 cows, 875 goats, 1,423 sheep, 11 horsescows, 875 goats, 1,423 sheep, 11 horses

Nov. 14, 1945Nov. 14, 1945 – added 259 goats, 33 cows, 5 bulls, 9 heifers, 8 – added 259 goats, 33 cows, 5 bulls, 9 heifers, 8 calves calves

Nov. 28, 1945Nov. 28, 1945 – removed 11 horses, 35 heifers, 18 cows, 13 calves – removed 11 horses, 35 heifers, 18 cows, 13 calves (calf crop 20%)(calf crop 20%)

Fall, 1946Fall, 1946 – “ – “none of the stock did well and they were forced to none of the stock did well and they were forced to make reductions in the number of livestock”. make reductions in the number of livestock”. All livestock All livestock eventually removed.eventually removed.


19491949 – – “… the ranch was in an overgrazed “… the ranch was in an overgrazed condition when we took charge in the fall of condition when we took charge in the fall of 1949. There was very little grass or other 1949. There was very little grass or other ground cover in the fields and pastures north ground cover in the fields and pastures north and west of the springs.”and west of the springs.” O.O. West, manager of O.O. West, manager of the Presbyterian MO Ranch Assemblythe Presbyterian MO Ranch Assembly

““Livestock was no longer a profitable Livestock was no longer a profitable endeavor”endeavor”

19501950 – Texas Game and Fish Commission – Texas Game and Fish Commission purchases 6,493 acres for $259,730 ($40/ac)purchases 6,493 acres for $259,730 ($40/ac) Courtesy of B. Taylor – Sonora

Exp. Station

Cedar Encroachment Cedar Encroachment comes to the Kerr WMAcomes to the Kerr WMA

19301930 – Houston Schumacher remembers father driving – Houston Schumacher remembers father driving across the Bobcat Pasture in Model T Ford to springacross the Bobcat Pasture in Model T Ford to spring

1940’s1940’s – Cedar encroachment increases – Cedar encroachment increases dramaticallydramatically

LACK OR ABSENCE OF FIRELACK OR ABSENCE OF FIRE

1.1. Suppression of wildfireSuppression of wildfire

2.2. Protection of property/urbanizationProtection of property/urbanization

3.3. OverOvergrazing or Fencing (?)grazing or Fencing (?)

Bobcat Pasture 1980


1947 – 1948:1947 – 1948: 30 men cut cedar posts for 9 30 men cut cedar posts for 9 months in 5 pastures (what is now the months in 5 pastures (what is now the Bobcat, Spring, Doe, Fawn and Owl) – Bobcat, Spring, Doe, Fawn and Owl) – 2,500 acres2,500 acres

19471947 – chained 207 acres ($4.83/ac) – chained 207 acres ($4.83/ac)

19501950 – chained 230 acres ($3.50/ac) – chained 230 acres ($3.50/ac)

19501950 – two men cut 1,500 posts, 500 cedar – two men cut 1,500 posts, 500 cedar stays in 6 weeks (Owl and Doe Pastures) – stays in 6 weeks (Owl and Doe Pastures) – 900 acres900 acres


19501950 – Soil Conservation Service administered the – Soil Conservation Service administered the Production Marketing Administration program to Production Marketing Administration program to control cedar on private propertycontrol cedar on private property

1. Bulldozing1. Bulldozing

2. Chaining2. Chaining

1950- 19601950- 1960: : Land managers were dealing with the product of their management system

Kerr WMA 1950


1964 – 19661964 – 1966: large acreages of cedar were removed by hand : large acreages of cedar were removed by hand cutting and chaining on the Kerr WMA. Cut cedar was cutting and chaining on the Kerr WMA. Cut cedar was stacked creating many brush piles. Approximately 15 acres of stacked creating many brush piles. Approximately 15 acres of every 100 acres cleared was covered by a brush pile. every 100 acres cleared was covered by a brush pile.

19721972 – Contracts to hand cut cedar – Contracts to hand cut cedar

($30/ac)($30/ac)

19791979 – Contracts to hand cut cedar – Contracts to hand cut cedar

($100/hr)($100/hr)

Wildfire comes to the Wildfire comes to the Kerr WMAKerr WMA

January 1971January 1971 – Love, Turkey and Rock Pastures (1,100 acres) – Love, Turkey and Rock Pastures (1,100 acres)

March 1984March 1984 – East Bobcat Pasture (296 acres) – East Bobcat Pasture (296 acres)

A New Management A New Management Scheme comes to the Scheme comes to the Kerr WMAKerr WMA

“Search for the cure and quit treating symptoms”



Donnie Harmel Donnie Harmel – 1968-1997: – 1968-1997: “You have to “You have to get out of the truck to see what’s happening get out of the truck to see what’s happening in the pasture.”in the pasture.”


Donnie Harmel Donnie Harmel – 1968-1997: – 1968-1997: “You have to “You have to get out of the truck to see what’s happening get out of the truck to see what’s happening in the pasture.”in the pasture.”

Bill Armstrong – Bill Armstrong – 1973 – 2005: 1973 – 2005: “…only “…only Satan has introduced more Texans to Satan has introduced more Texans to burning than Bill Armstrong.”burning than Bill Armstrong.” John Jefferson, John Jefferson, Texas Wildlife, Feb. 2006Texas Wildlife, Feb. 2006



19681968 – Erected deer-proof fence (gun) – Erected deer-proof fence (gun)



19771977 – HILF grazing system (cow) – HILF grazing system (cow)




19791979 – Instituted prescribed burning program – Instituted prescribed burning program (fire)(fire)





19971997 – Hydraulic shears for cedar control (ax) – Hydraulic shears for cedar control (ax)





19971997 – Hydraulic shears for cedar control (ax) – Hydraulic shears for cedar control (ax)

A change in the management system, brought A change in the management system, brought about through the creative use of tools, about through the creative use of tools, resulting in a change in the final product(s)resulting in a change in the final product(s)

Products of the Kerr Products of the Kerr WMAWMA


Field Dressed Weights 4.5+ Yr. BucksKerr Wildlife Management Area

1962-2000

6263

6465

6667

6869

7071

7273

7475

7677

7879

8081

8283

8485

8688

8990

9192

9394

9596

9798

9900

YEAR

40

60

80

100

120

140

Either Sex Hunts Only

POUNDS

Deer ProofFence

Either Sex &Antlerless Only



1962-2000

6263

6465

6667

6869

7071

7273

7475

7677

7879

8081

8283

8485

8688

8990

9192

9394

9596

9798

9900

YEAR

40

60

80

100

120

140


POUNDS

Deer ProofFence


27 42 42 56 6584 79

106146 155

183

228

338 328

408 412453

050

100150200250300350400450500

86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02

BCV Population Trends



1962-2000

6263

6465

6667

6869

7071

7273

7475

7677

7879

8081

8283

8485

8688

8990

9192

9394

9596

9798

9900

YEAR

40

60

80

100

120

140


POUNDS

Deer ProofFence


Total Number of Browse, Grass, and ForbSpecies Encountered on TransectsKerr Wildlife Management Area

6667

6869

7071

7273

7475

7677

7879

8081

8283

8485

8687

8889

9091

9293

9495

9697

9899

0030

50

70

90

110NUMBER

SPECIES

YEAR

27 42 42 56 6584 79

106146 155

183

228

338 328

408 412453

050

100150200250300350400450500

86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02




1962-2000

6263

6465

6667

6869

7071

7273

7475

7677

7879

8081

8283

8485

8688

8990

9192

9394

9596

9798

9900

YEAR

40

60

80

100

120

140


POUNDS

Deer ProofFence


Percent Fawn CropKerr Wildlife Management Area

1954-2000

5455

5657

5859

6061

6263

6465

6667

6869

7071

7273

7475

7677

7879

8081

8283

8485

8687

8889

9091

9293

9495

9697

9899

00

YEAR

020406080

100120140160

PERCENT


6667

6869

7071

7273

7475

7677

7879

8081

8283

8485

8687

8889

9091

9293

9495

9697

9899

0030

50

70

90

110NUMBER

SPECIES

YEAR

27 42 42 56 6584 79

106146 155

183

228

338 328

408 412453

050

100150200250300350400450500

86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02




1962-2000

6263

6465

6667

6869

7071

7273

7475

7677

7879

8081

8283

8485

8688

8990

9192

9394

9596

9798

9900

YEAR

40

60

80

100

120

140


POUNDS

Deer ProofFence


Percent Fawn CropKerr Wildlife Management Area

1954-2000

5455

5657

5859

6061

6263

6465

6667

6869

7071

7273

7475

7677

7879

8081

8283

8485

8687

8889

9091

9293

9495

9697

9899

00

YEAR

020406080

100120140160

PERCENT


6667

6869

7071

7273

7475

7677

7879

8081

8283

8485

8687

8889

9091

9293

9495

9697

9899

0030

50

70

90

110NUMBER

SPECIES

YEAR

27 42 42 56 6584 79

106146 155

183

228

338 328

408 412453

050

100150200250300350400450500

86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02


Middle Trap - Kerr WMAMiddle Trap - Kerr WMA

1952 2006

Plot 6 - Kerr WMAPlot 6 - Kerr WMA

1956 2006

Love Pasture - Kerr WMALove Pasture - Kerr WMA

1951 2006

Redwine Pasture - Kerr Redwine Pasture - Kerr WMAWMA

1954 2006

Plot 9 - Kerr WMAPlot 9 - Kerr WMA

1959 2006

Water Infiltration Plots - Water Infiltration Plots - Kerr WMAKerr WMAGrass Plot Live Oak/Cedar Plot

Love Pasture – August Love Pasture – August 19861986Grass Plot

Bear Creek Draw - Kerr Bear Creek Draw - Kerr WMAWMA

Bear Creek Water Gap

Bear Creek Draw - Kerr Bear Creek Draw - Kerr WMAWMA

Bear Creek Water Gap Wilson Water Gap

THE THE ENDEND

The following publications and much more are available on the FREE CD’s

Also check our web site at

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hillcountry

Wire and Fire: Ecosystems Management on the Kerr WMA

Environment