Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge

HAYING
Haying, like burning, is a management tool that manages all plant species at the same moment in time. In contrast, grazing impacts plant species at different intensities; dependent on livestock preference for each plant species. For this reason, haying can be used to impact or manage plants where livestock refuse to graze (e.g. weed patches), or fire is not a practical alternative (e.g. close proximity to homes or buildings). Most of the haying is conducted on uplands in tall and mid grass prairie with a limited amount in wetland areas. Haying accomplishes several objectives, including killing invading tree seedlings, removing heavy litter layers, and creating fire breaks for future planned prescribed burns.

Haying is delayed until after July 15 to allow culmination of seasonal nesting by a majority of the ground nesting birds unless specific management needs determine other timing would be beneficial to address a specific need, such as controlling exotic weed invaders. Research has indicated that the majority of nesting by grassland nesting bird species has been completed by this date. Unless the area is being hayed for a firebreak, it is generally hayed once every 3 to 4 years. In a typical year, 100 to 500 acres are hayed each year across the Wetland Management District. In 2001, approximately 100 acres were hayed. Haying is also used on areas to facilitate prescribed burning to provide secure firebreaks.

Cooperators who do the haying are charged a fee for the hay. Fees collected may go toward refuge revenue sharing (paid in lieu of taxes to counties), or may be used for other management needs on the property, or a combination of both.

Home ll Refuge History ll Special Events ll Visiting the Refuge II Refuge Wildlife II Bird Checklist ll Hunting Wildflowers II Fishing ll Habitat Management ll Monitoring/ Research II Outreach & Education Maps II Slade NWR ll Florence Lake NWR ll Wetland Management District

Privacy, Disclaimer, copyrights and logo u se Frequently asked questions (FAQs) First Gov Department Of Interior Mission Statement Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Home Page Return to the North Dakota FWS Home Page Return to the USFWS Mountain-Prairie Region Home Page	Please direct questions and comments to: Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 12000 353rd St. SE Moffit, North Dakota 58560-9704 Phone: 701-387-4397 E-mail: longlake@fws.gov