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(Brown, 1982). The maintenance of good grass cover is extremely important to this quail species. Mearns’ quail are known for their habit of holding extremely tight in cover when approached. It is not uncommon to nearly step on these cryptic birds before they flush. Removing too much cover removes this bird’s primary defense mechanism and thus decreases survival (Dixon and Knight, 1993). They need grass cover taller than 1 foot; prefer areas containing 70% or more tall grass cover, and cannot survive in areas with only 40-50% grass cover (NMPIF 2001). The NMDGF manages quail through annual small game hunting licenses. The species is hunted in New Mexico from November through February, which is another factor affecting Mearns’ quail population levels. Drought and overgrazing are thought to be the factors most critical to Mearns quail populations in New Mexico due to impacts on food resources and ground cover (Dixon and Knight, 1993). Harsh and/or prolonged winter storms also can cause population declines. Mearns’ quail populations also depend upon nesting success. Chick survival appears to be strongly influenced by spring and summer moisture, however heavy rains immediately following hatching can lead to high chick mortality (Dixon and Knight, 1993). Mearns’ quail are uncommon, breeding residents of the Gila National Forest (Zimmerman 1995). Censusing for Mearns’ quail has begun on the Forest (Montoya pers. Com), with coveys detected on all five transects conducted on the Black Range District of the GNF. Further, over the past five years the species has been observed in various locations where they were previously unknown. More numerous and larger coveys of Mearns’ quail have been seen on the Reserve, Wilderness, Black Range and Silver City Ranger Districts (Jerry Monzingo, Supervising Office Fishery Biologist, pers. comm.; Russell Ward, Range and <strong>Wildlife</strong> Assistant Staff, Gila National Forest, pers. comm.; Justin Schofer, Reserve District <strong>Wildlife</strong> Biologist). Merriam’s Wild Turkey [(Meleagris gallopavo merriami)/ Game species] - Merriam’s wild turkey is an indicator of mixed conifer, and ponderosa pine cover types. Wild turkey habitat consists of forest and open woodland, scrub oak, deciduous and mixed deciduous-coniferous areas, especially in mountainous regions. This species is also known to occur in agricultural areas, which may provide important food resources in winter. Wild turkeys roost in trees at night. Severe winters and/or lack of winter habitat are important limiting factors in many areas (NatureServe, 2001). Wild turkeys normally nest on the ground, usually in open areas at the edge of woods; they rarely nest in trees. Wild turkeys feed on seeds, nuts, acorns, fruits, grains, buds, and young grass blades. During summer months, they eat many insects and may also eat some small vertebrates (frogs, toads, snakes, etc). They usually forage on the ground. In New Mexico, most mountain ranges support healthy, self-sustaining populations of Merriam’s turkey. This subspecies typically roosts in ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, white fir, limber pine, western white pine, cottonwoods, large oaks, and piñon pine. Blue Grouse [(Dendragapus obscurus)/ NM PIF High Priority Species Representative of Spruce-Fir Vegetation Cover Type] –The species inhabits coniferous forest, especially fir, mostly in open situations with a mixture of deciduous trees. The species spends winter, usually at higher elevations than summer habitat, in conifer forest of various categories of age and density. Blue grouse roost in large 122
conifers with dense foliage. Limiting factors for blue grouse populations include predation, habitat modification, and inclement weather during brooding. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish manages blue grouse through annual hunting permits (Rodden, NMDGF, 2001). Hunting is another factor that affects population levels. Blue grouse populations appear to be stable (Rodden, NMDGF, 2001). Game Bird Summary: Table 92 list road associated and motorized trail/ORV factors related to game bird focal species that represent this group (Gaines et al. 2003); analysis factors based on the analysis factor discussed above; and the indicator that will be used to compare the different levels of affect between the different alternatives. Table 92: Focal Group Song Birds Road Associated Factors¹ Hunting Collisions Nesting Loss Poaching Disturbance, Displacement, Avoidance, Harassment Motorized Trail/ORV Associated Factors¹ Hunting Collisions Nesting Loss Poaching Disturbance, Displacement, Avoidance, Harassment Combined Analysis Analysis Factors Indicator² Harvest/Direct Effects Route Miles Disturbance/Indirect Effects Disturbance Zone Summarized In Acres Table 93 summarizes the harvest indicator, disturbance indicator, and analysis area that will be used to analyze the effects of the different alternatives to game birds. Table 93: Focal Species Motorized Activity Harvest Mearn’s Quail Merriam’s Wild Turkey Blue Grouse Disturbance Analysis Indicator Zone Area Motorized Trail/ORV Use Route Miles 300m Plains and Mountain Grassland Motorized Trail/ORV and Roads Motorized Trail/ORV and Roads Route Miles 300m Ponderosa Pine Route Miles 300m Mixed Conifer Spruce Fir 123
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Gila National Forest Travel Managem
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that are on the Regional Forester S
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ALTERNATIVES and MITIGATION MEASURE
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AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT The Gila Natio
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In 1977, a study was published by a
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Regional Forester Sensitive Species
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MacGillivray’s Warbler HP Painted
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Barriers to Animal Travel or Moveme
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occupied sites, etc.). For habitat
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Issues identified during scoping re
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Elk (Game Species identified as spe
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Table 12 summarizes the harvest ind
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Table 14: Pronghorn Analysis Area -
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Bighorn Sheep (Forest Service Sensi
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Mule Deer (Gila Management Indicato
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Wide Ranging Carnivores Table19: Wi
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from a road, except when feeding. K
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HUC 1303020202 Hot/Cold Springs 195
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Percent Change -0.17% -20.66% -45.4
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Mountain Lion and Black Bear (game
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So under this alternative through t
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microhabitat in the desert landscap
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Southern red-backed vole (Forest Se
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largely unknown, but it is thought
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Small Mammals-Effects by Alternativ
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Beaver (Gila Management Indicator S
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White-nosed Coati, Western Red Bat,
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2% in the Hooded Skunk and Botta’
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The literature documents that a lar
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iparian (cottonwood/sycamore), and
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Reptiles and Amphibians-Effects by
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effects to the species and its habi
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Arizona Toad and Narrow Headed Gart
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Under this alternative you continue
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from grassland areas, and game bird
Page 71 and 72: Spotted Owl and determined that roa
Page 73 and 74: and Miller, 1997, Hamann et al, 199
Page 75 and 76: Shrub/Grassland vegetation types, a
Page 77 and 78: Table 49: Mexican Spotted Owl Criti
Page 79 and 80: The potential disturbance area in P
Page 81 and 82: Table 51: Mexican spotted owl feder
Page 83 and 84: Northern Goshawk (Gila MIS Species,
Page 85 and 86: Peregrine Falcon (Forest Service Se
Page 87 and 88: dates the species’ successful nes
Page 89 and 90: NMPIF High-Priority Species Alt. B
Page 91 and 92: Cavity Nesting Birds-Effects by Alt
Page 93 and 94: Findings: Table66: Hairy woodpecker
Page 95 and 96: 2008). The GBMA is primarily manage
Page 97 and 98: trees, and succulents dominated by
Page 99 and 100: New Mexico, where it is resident in
Page 101 and 102: Table 71: Analysis Area - Existing
Page 103 and 104: In these analysis areas the area of
Page 105 and 106: Neotropic Cormorant (Forest Service
Page 107 and 108: the Wilson’s phalarope analysis a
Page 109 and 110: NMPIF High Priority Species Common
Page 111 and 112: Gray Vireo (Forest Service Sensitiv
Page 113 and 114: Song Bird Summary: Table 82 list ro
Page 115 and 116: Costa’s Hummingbird (Forest Servi
Page 117 and 118: Plains Titmouse (Forest Service Sen
Page 119 and 120: For the focal species and their ass
Page 121: the forest edge (New Mexico Partner
Page 125 and 126: Merriam’s Wild Turkey (Ponderosa
Page 127 and 128: Findings: Table 96: Mearn’s quail
Page 129 and 130: showed an increase in numbers from
Page 131 and 132: Insect - Effects by Alternative A M
Page 133 and 134: Dashed Ringtail (Forest Service Sen
Page 135 and 136: area. These routes continue to caus
Page 137 and 138: ecreational activities, game manage
Page 139 and 140: 6 th codes remains between 1.5 to 2
Page 141 and 142: Table 107: 5th Code 6th Code Waters
Page 143 and 144: MSO PACs Analysis Area 187,083 Acre
Page 145 and 146: HUC 1302020804 Alamocito Canyon Tot
Page 147 and 148: 6th Code Watershed Alt B Alt C Alt
Page 149 and 150: Forest Plan and Other Laws and Regu
Page 151 and 152: Topic Threatened & Endangered Speci
Page 153 and 154: Appendix A Gila National Forest Neo
Page 155 and 156: Oak-Juniper Acorn Woodpecker Dark-e
Page 157 and 158: Ponderosa Pine Acorn Woodpecker Chi
Page 159: Marsh/Open American Avocet Clark’
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