Background
Soils
Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus spp. columbianus)
Testing
every major vegetative type in western North America
except those in the tropics, arctic, and extreme deserts.
Generally black-tailed deer inhabit the temperate,
coniferous forests along the northern Pacific Coast, from
northern California to Alaska. They inhabit spruce (Picea
spp.)-fir (Abies spp.)-hemlock (Tsuga spp.) forests as
well as pine (Pinus spp.)-Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga
menziesii) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) -
subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) forests. Some black-tailed
deer also occur in the chaparral communities south of the
central Coast Ranges of California. Mule deer inhabit
grass-dominated plains and prairies, shrublands,
woodlands, and mountain forests from south coastal
Alaska south through Canada and the United States, and
into Mexico. They are found in the semideserts of the
Southwest and Great Basin region, as well as the high
mountains of the Northwest.
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important in winter. Areas where cover can prevent snow from accumulating beyond 12 inches (30
cm) are most beneficial. Wallmo and Schoen reported that mule deer can cope with snow up to 24
inches (60 cm) if not dense or crusty. In Alaska during winter black-tailed deer use old-growth forests
at low elevations, where forage becomes abundant after the stand exceeds 300 years in age and
canopy cover is 60 to 80 percent. During snow-free periods, black-tailed deer move to less dense
stands and subalpine meadows. In the Cariboo Region of British Columbia winter range is defined as
those areas with 10 to 45 percent slope, having a south and/or west aspect, and below 4,950 feet
(1,500 m) in shallow to moderate snowpack zones, or below 3,300 feet (1,000 m) in deep snowpack
zones. Lackenby and others and Black and others listed optimal cover attributes for the Great Basin
shrub steppe region, including estimates of tree heights and canopy closure for thermal, hiding,
fawning, and foraging cover. They estimated the proportion of cover to forage at 55 percent forage,
20 percent hiding cover, 10 percent thermal cover, 10 percent fawn-rearing cover, and 5 percent
fawn habitat.
Mule deer are primarily browsers, feeding on several thousand different plant species across their range.
They are capable of altering or severely damaging plant communities through over-browsing. Mule
deer consume leaves, stems, and shoots of woody plants most often during summer and fall, while
grasses and forbs compose the bulk of spring diets.
All information taken from the USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects Information Service (FEIS) webpage.
across North America. However, it is not found along the
southwestern coast of the United States or the coast of
British Columbia. The whitetail's range also extends from
central Canada south through South America, with a small
portion possibly extending north into the southern
Northwest Territories. The whitetail has been introduced in
the Virgin Islands and other parts of the Caribbean.
Whitetails are most frequently found near streambottoms,
draws, swamps, and other riparian areas. They also frequent
mixed deciduous and coniferous forests at low to mid
elevations with gentle slopes. Elevations can range from sea
level to 6,500 feet (1,981 m). Whitetails prefer to
concentrate or "yard" in small to large groups in regions
where winter temperatures are cold and snow depth
exceeds 18 inches (46 cm). "Yarding" usually occurs in
dense, coniferous stands near riparian areas having a
southerly exposure. These same areas are passed down
from mother to daughter and used year after year.
Whitetails begin to "yard" in midwinter and remain together
through April or May, depending on the depth and duration
of snow.
cover. Whitetails are very adaptable to disturbances, such as agriculture and forestry practices, and
prefer these areas if adequate forage and cover is available. In the southwestern United States
whitetails tend to choose the pine-oak montane forests at higher elevations.
All information taken from the USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects Information Service (FEIS) webpage.
in the western hemisphere. During presettlement times,
mountain lions ranged from northern British Columbia to southern
Chile and Argentina, and from coast to coast in North America.
Although still covering over 100 degrees latitude from the Straits
of Magellan to the Canadian Yukon Territory and now also Alaska,
there has been an overall reduction in mountain lion distribution.
In North America substantial mountain lion populations occur only
in the western United States and Canada, and these ranges have
been reduced from presettlement times. Isolated populations and
incidental sightings have been reported in the central and eastern
United States. At present the only known mountain lion
population east of Texas exists in southern Florida, although a
small population may exist in western Arkansas and eastern
Oklahoma.
lions tend to prefer rocky cliffs, ledges, vegetated ridgetops, or other areas that provide cover for
undetected surveillance of prey. Stream courses and ridgetops are frequently used as travel corridors
and hunting routes. Riparian vegetation along streams provides cover for mountain lions traveling in
open areas.
Mountain lions move from summer range to winter range in areas where their main prey congregates
during the winter. The smallest documented home ranges appear to occur in areas where deer
(Odocoileus spp.) do not exhibit seasonal movements. Seasonal and sex differences in home range size
were reported by Seidensticker and others on the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
All information taken from the USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects Information Service (FEIS) webpage.
throughout the contiguous United States to southern
Mexico. They do not occur in most of Iowa, Illinois,
Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri. Bobcat range is gradually
expanding northward in Canada as boreal forests become
fragmented by farming, logging, and settlement.
Bobcats are adapted to a wide variety of habitats
including swamps, deserts, and mountain ranges. Rollings
stated that prey abundance, protection from severe
weather, availability of rest areas and cover, and freedom
from human intrusion were the key factors in bobcat
habitat selection in Minnesota.
Bobcats are opportunistic and will attempt to take almost
any prey available, including insects, fish, amphibians,
reptiles, birds, and mammals.
kill animals weighing 1.5 to 12 pounds (700 g-5.5 kg). Cottontail rabbits appear to be the principal prey
of bobcats throughout bobcat's range.
All information taken from the USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects Information Service (FEIS) webpage.
America except in the Arctic tundra, peninsular Florida,
and the Southwestern deserts.
Suitable habitat for American beavers must contain all of
the following: stable aquatic habitat providing adequate
water; channel gradient of less than 15 percent; and
quality food species present in sufficient quantity.
American beavers can usually control water depth and
stability on small streams, ponds, and lakes. Large lakes
or reservoirs (20 acres [8 ha] in surface area) with
irregular shorelines provide optimum habitat for the
species.
unsuitable habitat for American beavers. Intermittent streams or streams that have major fluctuations
in discharge will have little year-round value as American beaver habitat.
All information taken from the USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects Information Service (FEIS) webpage.
(Ardea alba), & Lesser egret (Egretta garzetta)
te/pictures/EGRLIT-1.jpg
shallow water quietly watching for fish, frogs, or crayfish to swim by. If you are patient enough to
watch them feed, you will be amazed at their lightning-fast response and accuracy when they plunge
their head underwater to nab a quivering fish. Though well suited for hunting in water, herons and
egrets can often be seen in open fields stalking mice and voles driven from their burrows by winter
rains. These birds are voracious hunters and will eat about any animal big enough to see and small
enough to swallow.
Egrets and herons vigorously defend their feeding territories from other members of the same species.
Between the two, the heron generally drives off the egret. However during breeding season, it is
very common to see colonies of great egrets and great blue herons nesting side by side in the same
tree. It is hard to believe, but these long-legged birds actually nest in the tops of tall trees on the
California mainland. Nesting in trees is a good strategy for protection against predators, but a challenge
for large, top-heavy birds with very long legs. They build a nest platform from large sticks and generally
lay three to four eggs in early spring. The herons begin nesting in mid-February and the egrets start
about a month later.
Herons and egrets are great birds to watch if you are a beginning birder. Their large size, abundance
and interesting behaviors will provide you with many hours of enjoyable viewing. In urban areas, these
birds have acclimated to people so you can get a close view of them hunting without disturbing them.
However, nesting is a different matter. Because of their sensitivity to people during the breeding
season, egrets no longer nest along the Southern California coast where human densities and habitat
destruction are so great. There are a few places around California where you can observe nesting
egrets and herons, but only from a distance with binoculars and spotting scopes. Go out and enjoy
watching these magnificent birds, but remember, you are a guest in their home and any disturbance
you cause may force them to abandon their nests (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/watchable/herons.html).
North America from northern Canada and Alaska south into Mexico
and from coast to coast. It is usually a year-round resident in the
central United States and along the West Coast from Baja to
southern Alaska. The mallard's breeding range is usually in the more
northerly parts of its distribution; it winters in the southern United
States and Mexico.
estuaries, shallow pools, tidal flats, and protected coves. They also graze in stubble fields and inhabit
low-elevation mountain lakes and streams. Mallards primarily nest in grasslands away from the water's
edge but have been known to use old bird nests, tree cavities, rights-of-way, and meadows with
woody vegetation.
All information taken from the USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects Information Service (FEIS) webpage.
water like ducks and often feeding with them. Coots feed in many
ways: by diving to the bottom, dabbling at the surface, grazing on
land near shore, and stealing food from other diving birds. They are
expert swimmers, propelled by wide lobes on their toes, but they
are also heavy birds that must patter over the water before
becoming airborne
(http://www.enature.com/flashcard/show_flash_card.asp?recordNumber=BD0200)
Northwest Territories east to southern Quebec and the Maritime
Provinces and south to Florida, the West Indies, and Central America.
They winter from southern Canada south throughout the remainder
of the breeding range.
Red-tailed hawks occupy a wide variety of open to semi-open
habitats. They generally avoid dense, unbroken woodland. Open to
semi-open coniferous, deciduous and mixed woodlands, woodland
edges, grasslands, parklands, rangelands, river bottomlands, and
agricultural fields with scattered trees are preferred. Forest clearings,
alpine meadows, estuaries, and marshes are also commonly used.
Upland draws with adjacent grassland or agricultural tracts were also
commonly used.
All information taken from the USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects
Information Service (FEIS) webpage.
Newfoundland and south to southern mainland Alaska and the Aleutian
Islands. It also breeds in Baja California, central Arizona, southwestern
and central New Mexico, and along the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida.
The bald eagle occurs only locally throughout much of the Great Basin
and Great Plains. Bald eagles winter in most of their breeding range,
from southern Alaska and Canada southward. Resident populations are
found along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts.
Bald eagles prefer habitat near seacoasts, rivers, large lakes, and
other large areas of open water. They prefer to nest, perch, and
roost primarily in old-growth and mature stands of conifers or hardwoods.
near prey. A study in Maine showed a preference for areas with "superdominant" trees. It also showed
bald eagles avoided lakes surrounded by dense forest or inhabited by cold-water fishes. They used
areas away from human disturbance and selected nesting sites near lakes with an abundance of
warm-water fishes. Another study showed a preference for nesting near lakes with a circumference
greater than 7-mile (11-km). The smallest body of water supporting a nesting pair of bald eagles was 20
acres (8 ha).
Eagles choose sites more than 0.75 miles (1.2 km) from low-density human disturbance and more than
1.2 miles (1.8 km) from medium- to high-density human disturbance. Wintering bald eagles in New
Mexico and Arizona used a disproportionate amount of snags in the largest class size (no d.b.h. given)
for perching, and usually perched in the top one-third of these trees. For roosting, eagles preferred
the largest live trees with open structures for visibility.
All information taken from the USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects Information Service (FEIS) webpage.
western Alaska east to Labrador and south to southern Alaska,
Baja California, western and central Texas, western Oklahoma,
western Kansas, and the highlands of northern Mexico (south
to Durango, Guanauato, and Nuevo Leon). The golden eagle
winters from south-central Alaska and the southern portions of
the Canadian provinces south throughout the breeding range
to Mexico, rarely to coastal South Carolina.
The golden eagle inhabits open country from barren areas to
open coniferous forests. They are primarily in hilly and
mountainous regions, but also in rugged deserts, on the plains,
and in tundra. The golden eagle prefers cliffs and large trees
with large horizontal branches and for roosting and perching.
Golden eagles are most likely to use trees for nesting if cliff
sites are unavailable. In the Coast Ranges of California, the
golden eagle nests almost exclusively in trees.
All information taken from the USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects
Information Service (FEIS) webpage.
Identification:
The average length of a rainbow trout is 12-18 inches and the steelhead is
20-30 inches. A mature steelhead usually weighs 8-9 pounds but has been
known to reach 36 pounds. The body is somewhat compressed with a
rounded snout and a large mouth.
History:
The rainbow and steelhead are rated one of the top five sport fish in North
America because of the hard fight they put up. The difficulties of landing a
hooked steelhead in a swift, rocky river in winter are legendary. The flesh
of this fish is usually bright red and rich in smaller individuals and pink to
white in larger lakes where they feed on fishes
(http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/angling/game_fish/rainbow.phtm
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LewisClarkColumbiaRiver
(rainbowtrout.jpg)
Identification:
Two dorsal fins including one adipose fin, broad square tongue with 11-12
large teeth, light pectoral fins, squire tail, 9-10 rays in the anal fin.
History:
Brown trout are close relative of the Atlantic salmon, and also were brought
to North American waters as exotics. These natives of Europe and western
Asia were introduced into New York and Michigan waters in 1883. Lake
dwelling brown trout are a wary lot. They hide in shallow water weed beds
and rocky, boulder-strewn areas, and prefer a water temperature of 65-75
degrees F. Since brown trout spawn in tributary streams in September and
October, they begin to take up residence near stream outlets in spring and
early summer.
ExoticSpecies/images/brown-trout.jpg
The Chinook salmon is blue-green on the back and top of the head with
silvery sides and white ventral surfaces. It has black spots on the upper half
of its body and the mouth is a dark gray. Adult fish average 33 to 36 inches
(840 to 910 mm), but may be up to 58 inches (1.47 metres) in length;
they average 10 to 50 pounds (5 to 25 kg), but may reach 130 pounds (50
kg).
Chinook salmon are highly valued, despite their scarcity relative to other
Pacific salmon along most of the Pacific coast. They are sometimes called
"King Salmon" because many consider them to be the best tasting of the
salmon species. Those from the Copper River in Alaska are particularly known
for their color, flavor, firm texture, and high Omega-3 oil content. The
species was described, and enthusiastically eaten, by the Lewis and Clark
expedition. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_salmon).
content/960-kingshatchery-LG.jpg
Identification:
Two dorsal fins with a deep notch between spinous and soft-rayed
portions, body longer than deep, upper jaw extends beyond rear of eye,
dark lateral streak.
History:
Another popular fish, the largemouth bass, lives in shallow water habitats,
among reeds, waterlilies and other vegetation. It shares these habitats with
muskies, northern pike, yellow perch and bullheads. Largemouth bass are
adapted to warm waters of 80-82 degree F, and are seldom found deeper
than 20 feet. They prefer clear waters with no noticeable current and do
not tolerate excessive turbidity and siltation. In winter they dwell on or near
the lake bottom, but stay fairly active throughout the season
(http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_18958-45681--,00.htm
l).
mages/big_pic_largemouth_bass.jpg
Identification:
Two dorsal fins with spinous and soft-rayed portions united, body longer
than deep, upper jaw doesn't extend past eye, bronze streaks in cheek.
History:
Both the smallmouth and the largemouth bass – the black bass of the
sunfish family - are top game fish with lots of fight and fine-tasting flesh.
The smallmouth bass derives its name from the fact that the rear end of
the lower jaw does not extend past the eye, while that of a largemouth
does. Smallmouth bass reside in Great Lakes bays where waters are cool
and clear, and the bottom is rock or gravel. Ideal smallmouth habitat
contains protective cover such as shoal rocks, talus slopes, and submerged
logs. Their preferred water temperature is 68-70 degrees F, cooler than
that of the largemouth bass.
mages/big_pic_smallmouth_bass.jpg
Identification:
Back, sides, and belly yellow-red, large black spots over entire body except
head. Bottom of gills have two distinct red stripes on each side.
History:
This cutthroat sub-species, native to the Truckee, Carson, and Walker River
systems, is classified by the California Department of Fish and Game as a
threatened species. Lahontan cutthroat prefer cold water lakes and rivers
and feed on insects and smaller fish. Like other trout, cutthroats bite best
in the early morning and evening hours. Although now uncommon,
Lahontan cutthroat were at one time fished commercially in Lake Tahoe
and Pyramid Lake, Nevada.
Identification:
Silvery body with 6 to 8 black horizontal lines from the rear of the gills to
the tail. Streamlined body.
History:
Introduced into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta from the East Coast of
the U.S. in 1879, striped bass are now found from the Mexican border to
southern British Columbia. When planted in lakes, striped bass must be
replanted to maintain satisfactory fishing. Striped bass bite best as the
water cools in the fall. Since this bass needs moving water to spawn, they
concentrate near inflowing streams and rivers during the spring spawn.
Striped bass feed mostly on smaller fish, although they will eat other forms
of aquatic life.
pubs5/ramsar/web_link/images
/striped_bass.jpg
Identification:
Dark blue or blackish spot on gill cover. Small mouth with small sharp teeth.
Dark green back and sides with iridescent purple sheen. Many adult bluegill
have a dark spot at base or dorsal fin.
History:
Originally introduced into California waters in 1908, bluegill have become a
favorite of many anglers. Although considered by most to be a warm water
fish, bluegill populations exist in lakes as high as 5,000 feet in the Sierra
Nevada. Bluegill feed on insects and small fish, with the most active feeding
occurring in mid-afternoon and shortly after dusk. Even in large lakes, this
sunfish stays within a small area for its entire life. Because bluegill reproduce
rapidly and in large numbers, they can quickly overcrowd their habitat. For
this reason, heavy fishing is desirable.
us/StratfordLandingES/Ec
ology/Fish/Bluegill/
Identification:
Silvery-white, with dark green or black mottling in the form of vertical bars
on sides. Mouth large, with transparent sides when extended.
History:
White crappie are common in warm water lakes and rivers throughout the
state. They are a schooling fish, and the schools tend to stay within one
area. Schools remain near logs or boulders during the day and may move
out to open water in the evening. White crappie feed on minute aquatic
life as well as on insects and fish. This fish, like many warm water species,
become inactive in the fall when water temperatures cool. Although
usually small in size, crappie, when hooked, fight hard and are good eating.
/images/Crappie_White.jpg
Identification:
Silvery-white, with black mottling on sides. Similar to white crappie, except
the black crappie lacks the vertical bar pattern in the side mottling.
History:
Black crappie may be found in most large, clear lakes in California. They
prefer lakes with large areas of aquatic vegetation. Black crappie, like white
crappie, congregate in schools around large submerged objects during the
day and venture into open water at dusk and dawn. This crappie feeds
upon insects and fish as well as minute forms of water life. Black crappie are
most active when the water temperature is between 55 and 70 degrees F.
LandingES/Ecology/Fish/Black%20Cr
appie/P0000553aaa.jpg
Identification:
Strong resemblance to crappie, although they are somewhat huskier.
Colors range from black and darker greens thru a purplish-red hue.
History:
The Sacramento Perch is really not a perch at all. It's actually a sunfish
that was once native to most of what is now known as the
Sacramento\San Joaquin delta, and disbursed all the way up to Clear Lake.
Sacramento Perch are usually caught on accident by anglers fishing for
bass or crappie. They tend to occupy weedy shorelines in depths to
twenty feet or so, and feed on insects, small crustaceans, as well as small
minnows. Some lakes you may come across this fiesty fish are: Crowley
Lake, Clear Lake, and also Lake Almanor in Plumas County.
shes_m/FI0028_1m.jpg
Identification:
Sides and back are gray, with white belly. Head large with long dark
barbels. Forked tail with rounded tips.
History:
Originally native to the coastal river systems of the eastern United States,
white catfish were planted near Stockton in 1874. From this one
introduction, white catfish have spread throughout the state. This catfish
is most common in slow-moving rivers and in lakes with mud bottoms.
White catfish feed mostly on the bottom where they eat other fish and
aquatic insects. They prefer warm water and only spawn in water above
70 degrees F. White catfish feed most actively at dusk and through the
night.
/db_native0261.jpg
Identification:
Bluish-gold sides with white belly. Small dark spots on sides with deeply
forked tail. Head is small in relation to body.
History:
Originally found in the Mississippi River system, channel catfish were
successfully introduced into California waters in the 1940s. Although this
catfish does well in many muddy, dirt bottom lakes, it prefers a clear warm
water lake with a sandy bottom. Channel catfish grow and bite best when
the water temperature is above 70 degrees but will tolerate lower
temperatures. They feed on insects, fish, and small amounts of plant
material. Like other catfish, channel cats feed most actively at dusk and at
night.
g/images/big_pic_channel_catfish.jpg
Identification:
Back is dark olive-brown, silvery sides and belly. Young have dark spot at
base of tail. Slender body.
History:
This large native minnow has fooled many anglers after taking a lure or bait
intended for bass or trout. Because this fish looks like a slender trout, the
angler thinks he has hooked a big one - until the fish is in the net. Although
considered by many as too bony to eat, squawfish were an important part
of the diet of California Indians and early settlers.
hes_m/FI0011_1m.jpg
Identification:
Body gold-green with large scales. Two barbels hang from the rear of the
upper lip.
History:
Introduced into North America from Asia in the late 1800s, carp have since
become common in many rivers and lakes in this country. Carp feed and
are active at temperatures as low as 40 degrees F, although they do best
at about 74 degrees. Carp eat plant and animal material which they stir up
by rooting around in the bottom mud. This fish is one of the few fresh
water fish in California which are harvested commercially. Carp bite on
dough balls or corn and when hooked will give the angler a good fight.
All uncited information comes from
http://www.anglernet.com/web/lakes/beryesa/beryfish.htm.
/education/ExoticSpecies/i
mages/common-carp.jpg
