complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Unit Name: Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area
Acres: 3,719
Managing
Agency:
FWC Current Management Plan Approved: 10-24-2002
Narrative:
The management plan for this area was approved prior to July, 2008, and does not contain the
eight common management goals and associated quantitative measures that are now required to
be addressed by all management plans. Our progress, during the last two years toward achieving
the common goals and applicable core objectives are described in the narrative below and in
quantitative terms in the tables. Where applicable, this narrative lists outstanding
accomplishments, identifies any deficiencies and corrective actions, and provides other important
or clarifying information for each of the required management goals.
Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area (WMA) consists of a total of 11,039 acres in Southeastern
Gadsden County along the North shore of Lake Talquin. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) holds fee simple title to 1,721 acres of this while another 1,032 acres is
Trustees Land where the FWC has been designated full lead responsibility. Another 2,014 acres,
known as the Rocky Comfort Unit, is Trustees Land where the Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services Division of Forestry (DOF) and the FWC share management authority. The DOF
serves as sole lead agency on the remaining acreage while the FWC serves as a cooperator. With
the exception of the following paragraph, the data in this report reflects information on only that
portion of the WMA where the FWC serves as lead agency.
Joe Budd WMA has a well-deserved reputation for providing high quality hunting opportunities
which attracts hunters from throughout the state. In addition, the WMA remains a popular
destination for horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and other forms of nonhunting recreation outside
of hunting season, not to mention the well-attended programs and day camps provided at the Joe
Budd Aquatic Education Center. Joe Budd is also well-known for its celebrated food plot program.
A portion of the property acquired as part of Joe Budd consisted of land previously utilized as a
dairy farm. The improved pastures on this tract are in need of restoration as are several slash and
L\loblolly pine plantations. Currently, forty acres of the pasture are undergoing groundcover
restoration. Another 25 acres of pasture have been planted in longleaf. Over 300 acres of pine
plantation have been recently heavily thinned as the first step in eventually converting it back to
longleaf.
A total of ten imperiled animal species are known to occur on the area. Florida Natural Areas
Inventory (FNAI) conducted a rare plant survey in 1997. In addition to those identified in this
survey, other imperiled plant species have been discovered, bringing the total currently to eleven.
These populations are frequently monitored and new species will be added as they are found.
Invasive exotics are a continuing problem on the area. Since 2000, four major contracted
treatments have occurred in addition to smaller efforts by area staff. The last one was completed
in June of 2008, just prior to this reporting period. During the 2009-10 fiscal year, treatments
were suspended while an updated survey of invasive exotics was conducted to provide for more
efficient planning of future control efforts.
All archaeological sites are monitored periodically by area staff while in the performance of their
regular duties.
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