The Gray Lodge Wildlife Area was purchased by the State Division of Fish and Game in 1931. When the 2540 acre Gray Lodge Gun Club was acquired, it was the first wildlife area established in the Sacramento Valley. Three separate additions brought the present acreage to 8400. It is one of the most highly developed wildlife areas in the nation. Developments include: 62 miles of roads, 35 miles of field levees, 40 miles of drain ditches, 10 miles of water supply ditches, 19 deep well pump units (plus three presently under contract), 20 ditch pump units and six domestic water systems. Good soils generally characterize the 92 field units which are, for the most part, rotated in diverse farm and marshland use. Observed changes in some wildlife populations are presented. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), for example, have been residents only since 1965. Red fox (Vulpes fulva) have apparently now replaced Grey fox (Urocyon cinereoar enteus) on Gray Lodge. This changeover took place from 1965-1975. Beaver Castor canadensis), opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) and coyote (Canis latrans) are newly established animals, while Badger (Taxidea taxus) have disappeared. Total numbers of waterfowl may be somewhat stable, but some species show downward trends. Though never a major nesting ground, fewer waterfowl nest today on Gray Lodge than 25 years ago. Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) and Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) nesting has decreased, apparently due to the leaching out of preferred alkaline marsh pond nesting areas. The area has had just two designated managers during its 47 years of state ownership.
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