Project improves wildlife habitat in Klamath County

MALIN - A juniper control project scheduled for later this winter will improve habitat for mule deer, pronghorn and a variety of other wildlife species on 400 acres of Klamath County ranchland.

The project is funded in part by an $18,500 grant from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Access and Habitat Program.

The 13,000-acre ranch, owned by Gerald and Judith Scanlan, straddles the Oregon-California border with 2,500 acres on the Oregon side. Located within ODFW's Klamath Falls Wildlife Management Unit, the property provides winter range for hundreds of mule deer. There also are good numbers of pronghorn on a seasonal basis, and a variety of upland birds and other wildlife.

Over the years, junipers have spread throughout the property, competing with other plants for space, nutrients and water. Removing junipers will open habitat for other native tree and plant species such as mountain mahogany, bitterbrush and forbs and grasses.

"While the focus is on improving big game winter range, the project will benefit all the wildlife on the property by preventing the junipers from encroaching into other important wildlife habitat types," said ODFW habitat biologist and regional A&H Program coordinator Larry Pecenka.

The project also includes coating a pond on the property with bentonite, which will help seal the pond from leaking and allow water to be stored through the summer to benefit wildlife.

The Scanlans have received A&H Program funding for two previous habitat projects on the ranch. In return for these grants, the landowners allow public hunting on the property on a by-permission basis.

The Access and Habitat Program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1993 and is funded by a $2 surcharge on hunting licenses. Funds raised by the program are distributed through grants to individual and corporate landowners, conservation organizations and others for cooperative wildlife habitat improvement and hunter access projects throughout the state.