Well the publication of our articles on the historic prevalence of beavers could not have come at a better time, because it’s beaver dam removal season in the Sierras. The dams are ripped out on Taylor creek because ‘the non-native beaver dams’ allegedly interfere with the passage of the kokanee salmon in the area, (which were also introduced, by the way). The Kakonee festival is this weekend and Ted Guzzi of the Sierra wildlife coalition was on hand to talk to the reporter Thomas Knudson (Sacramento Bee – remember the USDA fiasco reporter) who has taken an interest in this story. Ted was showing around a photographer from the Bee. The story will run on Sunday’s front page , and it throws the entire beaver nativity issue into the crosshairs because folks have been defending their annual atrocities by saying beavers aren’t native since before Eisenhower was president. We have already had a few amusing letters of outrage which I am not at liberty to discuss but suffice it to say that the Sierra Wildlife Coalition is now the frontlines of the battle and we in war torn Martinez are watching the action while sitting comfy in the back row.
Nice.
Oh and here’s another reason to value beaver ponds, thanks to our apparently-not-so-mortal-enemies-after-all over at this South Carolina Hunter site
Beaver Ponds and Ducks
If there was ever the perfect recipe for small water duck hunting it is found with our friend the beaver. A match made in proverbial heaven. When beavers dam creeks they flood large amounts of crop fields and or woods. This provides the perfect habitat for the beaver and for all types of waterfowl. The flooded timber will quickly succumb to the flood waters and the trees will die. This allows for cavity nesting birds to carve out homes in these dead trees. The edges of the flooded timber will provide ample food, and the typically shallow water allows for the perfect recipe for aquatic vegetation to grow and provide quality food for mallards, widgeons, gadwalls, and others. These cavities and surrounding mast producing trees draw wood ducks, like ants to a picnic. Beaver cause an estimated $22 million dollars of damage in South Carolina annually. There is little doubt this large rodent is a menace. But for the water fowler, the beaver is perhaps his best friend.
Wow….what can one say to that but…um thanks?
