Seasons – August 2023

From the Plateau Land & Wildlife Management Team

Table of Contents

Serpents
Mid Year Check In: Wildife Management Activity Checklist
Activity Reminder: Predator Control
Plateau Joins Upcoming Landowner Workshops as Featured Guest Speaker 
Webinar: Game Camera Surveys – Setting Up for Best Success
News for Texas Landowners

Serpents

By Nick Fisher, Regional Manager, Dripping Springs Region

Photo of the venomous Texas Copperhead. Although in the same family as Rattlesnakes (Viperidae), the venom of a copperhead is not usually life-threatening to healthy adults, but medical attention is necessary.

Snakes are noticeable in the spring when they first emerge from their winter dormancy, but populations actually reach their highest numbers in August and September. Young snakes are typically born in late summer and early fall, meaning, over the next month or two, more snakes will be present than at any other time of the year.  Serpents have been feared and portrayed as evil creatures since the beginning of time, likely due to their ability to control their body without the use of limbs. After spiders, snakes are the most common animal phobia, often without a matter of size or species. Although all are similar in shape, snakes have adapted to thrive in almost all ecoregions of the world from arid deserts to tropical rainforests and even oceanic zones. In Texas, there are over 100 species of snakes currently described ranging over the vast mosaic of habitat the state offers.

As a naturalist and wildlife advocate, a common request from my peers is species identification. Nine out of ten times, a blurry photo of a non-venomous snake from the Colubridae family is sent to my phone with the caption, “rattlesnake?” (Often with a detached head.) If you didn’t spend years studying these patterns and colors, the common first response is to assume the most abundant and feared venomous species in our state – the rattlesnake. Patterns and colors of snakes often vary in order to camouflage with their environment – mostly in an attempt to avoid predation. Not only do many non-venomous snakes appear visually similar to rattlesnakes, but some may coil up and even imitate a “rattle” by use of shaking their tails in leaves or grass when approached. Others might flatten their heads and form a more triangular head shape, also mimicking the venomous Viper family of snakes (i.e. Rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins).

Learning the natural history of snakes may alert you to where you might find one, or know where to avoid. As with most wildlife, being discovered triggers one of two responses – fight or flight. In my 15+ years of experience searching for and attempting to capture and study snakes, unless completely cornered (very difficult to corner a creature that has no limbs to get in the way) or already captured, the first thing these creatures want to do is get as far away from you, and as out-of-sight, as possible. If you have ever handled a snake, you probably know another common attempt at warding off predators is to “musk” or discharge a foul-smelling liquid to seem less appetizing.

 

Common Snake Species in Texas

You may find that different species of snakes display different temperaments, often even varying by the individual, so never assume because you picked up one species and didn’t get bit, that the next one will not bite you either. That being said, I have found water snakes from the Nerodia genus (non-venomous) often show aggression first, striking before making their way to the nearest body of water and swimming to safety. You might also find it surprising that the most common water snake in Central Texas is the Diamondback water snake (Nerodia rhombifer.) No, this is not a mix between a diamondback rattlesnake and a water moccasin. This is a thick-bodied, non-venomous snake that can stretch over 5’ in length and is found near most bodies of fresh water. Most of its day is spent basking until escaping to the water when threatened, usually long before you ever knew it was there and not resurfacing until completely safe to do so. The next most common water snake of our area is the plain-bellied water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster,) another non-venomous water snake with thick, dark bars across its back and an off-white underside. Plain-bellied water snakes exhibit similar life history to the diamondback water snake.

Photo of a Cottonmouth, aka water moccasin, a venomous snake in Texas.

Often similar in color to the non-venomous water snakes, the water moccasins, or cottonmouths, that inhabit our region vary from light brown to black and patternless, often losing patterns and darkening with age. The cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorous can be distinguished from the others by close examination (sometimes closer than safe to do so). The elliptical-shaped pupils with a triangular head are the most visibly determinant characteristics of the viper family in Texas.

Alternatively, the one snake that does not fit into this category is a member of the Elapidae family (same as cobras) is the coral snake, (Micrurus tener.) The common rhyme to remember is “Red on yellow, kill a fellow; red on black, friends with Jack” (or venom lack). Although the coral snake is an elusive, relatively timid species that is rarely seen compared to the other venomous snakes of our region, they exhibit fixed fangs that can deliver a painless bite injecting neurotoxic venom into the bloodstream. The “red on black” refers to a non-venomous snake of similar size and colors to the coral, the milksnake, Lampropeltis triangulum.

Rattlesnakes are the most widespread species of venomous snakes in Texas and therefore account for the most bites by a venomous snake, although only about 1-2 of the states’ bites are fatal each year and the antivenin is likely readily available when seeking medical treatment. Copperheads and cottonmouths account for less than 5% of the deaths in the U.S. due to their less potent venom that rarely requires antivenin. Of all encounters I have experienced, even rattlesnakes will likely attempt to escape before confronting a potential predator directing an infamous, hair-raising rattle your way letting you know you are getting too close.

 

Considerations for Snake Encounters

The next time you encounter a snake, take the time to examine it at a safe distance and try and determine if it really is a threat to you, your family, or your pets. Also realize you are likely increasing your chances of being bitten by sticking around in an attempt to dispatch the snake, instead of allowing it to move along (remember, snakes can still deliver a venomous bite with a recently severed head).

A snake that is commonly seen in an area is very likely helping to control a potential vermin problem that could be causing financial damages to your home or vehicles. Snakes are not only important ecosystem organisms as predators, but also prey for birds, mammals, and even other snakes. Several non-venomous snakes including bull snakes and indigo snakes are known to consume rattlesnakes.

If you are unsure of the species of snake, get a photo or make good notes on what you see and ask a professional biologist. I have relocated several snakes from urban homes simply because I enjoy teaching others about wildlife, especially reptiles and amphibians. If you are curious or concerned about what kind of snake you may be looking at, and the benefit they may be providing, reach out to a biologist or send us a picture and we will be happy to inform you. Another good resource is the iNaturalist application. Just capturing a photo and submitting it can provide you with a species name, allowing you to do some more research.

Wildlife Management Activities: Mid Year Check In

by PLW Staff

As we ease into the second half of the year, we want to make sure you are on track to finish your qualifying Wildlife Management activities and that they are well documented. Midyear is the best time to take a look at your plan status and make sure you aren’t playing catch up, or surprised by an Annual Report request from your Appraisal District at the closing of 2023. Here are some suggested activities & timely services to perform after midyear.

Mid year Activities:

August:
– Deer Surveys
– Strip Mowing & Half-Cutting
– Managed Lands Deer Program Harvest Option permit application due Sept. 1st, 2023

September – November:
– Chemical Brush Management
– Imported Red Fire Ant Treatment
– Clean out Nest Boxes

Anytime:
– Supplemental Water maintenance
– Re-filling of Feeders as needed
– Census & Monitoring of Game and Nongame wildlife

Plateau Services:

– Biologist Site Visit– Spend a couple of hours with a Plateau Biologist on your land, and find out what you might be missing.

– Annual Report – Plateau can review, compile and submit documentation of your Wildlife Management activities to the Appraisal District to ensure you are in compliance.

– Annual Service Agreement – We can fulfill a few, some, or all of your wildlife management activities required each year. Service agreements are fully customizable and unique to each property and its owners.

If you need assistance with your activities, Plateau provides products and services suited to the last half of the year. Give us a call at (512) 894-3479 or send us an email for more information.

Wildlife Management Activity Reminder: Predator Control

By Kameron Bain, Landowner Account Manager

Predators Play an Important Role in Maintaining a Healthy Wildlife Habitat

Within healthy habitats, native predators provide an essential function to complex ecological systems. Removal of key predators can have unintended, negative consequences. Predators play a contributory role in balancing prey density, which can contribute to improved species diversity and reduced habitat pressure.

A familiar example is witnessed within the Texas Hill Country. As wolves and screwworms (among others) were eradicated in the second half of the 20th century, white-tailed deer populations began to sky-rocket to the point of becoming grossly over-abundant. This artificial high density has resulted in landscape-scale habitat degradation from excessive use of preferred food resources (including trees, shrubs, vines, and forbs) by deer.

Predator Populations Can Also Become Out of Balance

Artificially high or even moderate densities of opportunistic predators can place significant pressures on naturally low-density or recovering wildlife populations. Where the underlying goal of a land manager is to increase or stabilize target wildlife populations, predator management can serve as an important activity contributing to the measurable success of a Wildlife Management Plan. Our other management actions are sometimes the cause of this imbalance, such as feeding high volumes of corn that attract and support abundant raccoon and feral hog populations.

How does predator control fit in my Wildlife Management Plan?

Within any Wildlife Management Plan, predator control should be justified as a complementary practice to help mitigate detrimental effects that could compromise broader wildlife and habitat management goals.

Predators come in many forms, but the most commonly managed species on private lands in Texas include –

Native Predators:

• coyotes
• bobcats
• raccoons
• skunks
• cowbirds
• rat snakes

Non-Native Predators:

• feral hogs
• imported red fire ants
• starlings
• house sparrows

Concerning non-native predators, presence/infestation alone justifies control efforts. Non-native species prey both directly and indirectly on native wildlife resulting in an unnatural pressure to which native wildlife have not had an opportunity to adapt. Native predators present a more complex need for justification.

Top 3 Questions for Landowners Considering Predator Control

Land managers need to answer three important questions to justify reducing predator densities as part of a Wildlife Management Plan:

• Do the predators I intend to control directly or indirectly prey on my target species?
• Do predators occur in a density that can result in a measurable negative impact on my target species? (This impact can be cumulative with environmental factors such as drought and other disturbances.) As an example: if I have a deer overpopulation problem, coyote predation on deer fawns may help me achieve my management goals.
• Am I willing to engage in control of sufficient intensity and duration to make a real impact? Native predator control can require years of sustained, intensive effort to have a measurable impact and populations often bounce back quickly once control stops.

What qualifies as predator control?

Proper trapping, active hunting, and harvest-on-site efforts are appropriate activities associated with controlling most predators. Another predator management technique involves monitoring and treating imported red fire ant (IRFA) infestation. Although IRFA and cowbird control are the only predator management activities with specific minimum intensities to qualify, a good faith effort should be made and documented when performing any predator control activity.

What DOES NOT qualify as predator control?

• Controlling small varmints when the defined target species are deer
• Controlling raccoons because they consume deer feed
• Killing non-predatory animals like porcupines
• Undocumented trapping efforts
• Undocumented hunting efforts

What is Plateau’s predator control solution?

Imported Red Fire Ant Treatment (IRFA): Armed with the right equipment and knowledge, our field technicians have the tools to fight back against this invasive pest. We spot treat whenever possible to reduce the amount of bait and limit impacts to native ants. Unlike treating fire ants on your own or hiring just anyone to throw bait on your fire ant mounds, Plateau will track and log where we treat the fire ants on your property, making this a favorite compliance activity for landowners in Wildlife Management valuation. Plateau recommends treating in late spring / early summer and again in the fall, so now is a great time for you to schedule a fall treatment.

Remote Camera Surveys: Monitoring predator populations is just as important as controlling them. Inferences can be made as to the relative abundance of predators on your property, but camera survey data is a more useful tool in determining when trapping/hunting efforts should be intensified or relaxed. They can also justify controlling a species that is otherwise an important member of a natural ecosystem. With this service, a Plateau professional will establish two or more baited infrared game camera stations for 10-14 days, and provide a detailed analysis of the captured pictures.

If you’re interested in learning more about how Predator Control can benefit your land and Wildlife Management goals or would like to schedule an IRFA treatment or Camera Survey, contact us at [email protected] or (512) 894-3479.

Plateau Representatives are partnering with organizations around the state to cover information on a broad number topics of interest to Texas landowners. Our experts will be on hand and ready to discuss how a Wildlife Management valuation, more commonly referred to as “Wildlife Exemption”, can simplify owning land in Texas.

Game Camera Surveys – Setting Up for Best Success

David Riley, Operations Manager and Wildlife Biologist, reviews best practices for setting up Trail Cameras to maximize wildlife sightings.

Maintaining healthy wildlife populations that are balanced with available habitat requires active management.

With fall just around the corner, wildlife will soon be on the move, migrating to feed or breed, and otherwise preparing for colder weather. Population counts and wildlife surveys can give landowners insight into what species are traveling through your property and benefiting from your management practices. Properly documented surveys also qualify as a Wildlife Management activity under the census category.

In this webinar, David Riley, Associate Wildlife Biologist, details tips and best practices for conducting wildlife surveys with game cameras. David shares strategies for camera placement, timing, and how to maximize the amount of wildlife captured on camera. This webinar also covers an introduction on documenting this survey to meet qualifying standards for a Wildlife Management Activity.

Plateau can help you complete Game Camera Surveys and compile your documentation. For more information: https://plateauwildlife.com/services/wildlife_remote_camera_surveys/