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Many problem areas can be addressed through the use of damage control structures, such
as Clemson levelers and beaver deceivers. These devices have been used successfully at Camp
Ripley in the past, and additional sites are targeted for these devices each year (Figure 53).
However, two beaver deceivers were removed in 2009. These deceivers functioned well for
several years but failed due to high water (Cody Road Pond ) and floating cattail mats (north end
of Fort Ripley Road). These deceivers will be redesigned to address failures, and reinstalled.
Beaver ponds throughout Camp Ripley provide habitat for Blanding‟s and other turtles,
numerous reptiles and amphibians, as well as feeding areas for birds, and habitat for waterfowl.
Therefore, it is important that these wetlands not be permanently drawn down or drawn down in
fall or winter in order to install these devices. Installation should occur after a temporary
drawdown, or during natural low-water levels. Research in east-central Minnesota investigated
the effects of a controlled drawdown on Blanding‟s turtle populations. The incidence of mortality
was high after the drawdown due to predation, road mortality and winterkill (Dorff Hall and
Cuthbert 2000).
Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)
Porcupines are the second largest member of the rodent family. While most rodents have
a high rate of reproduction along with a high rate of mortality, porcupines have neither. Female
porcupines have one litter per year, with usually only one pup. Their winter diet consists of the
inner bark of conifer trees and their summer diet consists of a variety of woody and herbaceous
vegetation, primarily at ground level (Hazard 1982). Fisher are effective predators of porcupines.
Porcupines can also be a nuisance when they gnaw on wooden objects, tires, and plastic
tubing. Camp Ripley obtained a porcupine nuisance permit from the MNDNR in 2009.
Porcupines were taken only on problem areas identified by Range Control. No nuisance
porcupines were taken under the MNDNR permit in 2009.
Bat Surveys
Bat surveys have been conducted to document which of Minnesota‟s seven potential
species are using Camp Ripley and to compliment the long-term INRMP monitoring on Camp
Ripley. Foraging bats were surveyed during July 2007 using an ANABAT II bat detector that
remotely records the ultrasonic calls made by bats (Corben and O‟Farrell 1999). The calls were
recorded as electronic files that were later reviewed to identify species. Surveys were conducted
for several nights at one location (night sets) (Figure 54). For night sets, ANABAT detectors were
placed on a six foot ladder in a protective box and set to run from one-half hour before sunset,
until one-half hour after sunrise. These sets were run for one night. Bat calls were recorded and
then transferred to digital format. Calls were reviewed and analyzed by MNDNR Minnesota
County Biological Survey staff experienced with identification of ANABAT recordings.
2009 Conservation Program Report
Page 82