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, " 1":) r ~,Cl '- - ... - --" . . .' study area. A small amount of winter range 1S available south of En- can1plnent. The area has never supported large nurnbcrs of deer be- cause of limited winter range although present populations could be increased. The present population is the lowest it has been in recent years partially because of severe winters. The potential increase in deer l1uo1bers is dependent upon the amount oi winter range avaIlable. An estimated 500 elk use the area during the spring, summer and fall months particularly froln June through October. The area provides critical elk calving areas and migration routes necessary for elk survival. Hog Park, COlnmissary Park, Ryan Park, and!urnerous srnall parks along the lower portions of the main stem and West Fork are critical calving and nursery areas for elk in late May and early June. During the spri.ng, nlost elk n1igratc in\..o t1H~ area DVey fO"llY 1l1ajor rontcs 1) up the Encanlpnlcnt River iron1 the Encanlpn1ent area, 2) over Buffalo Ridge from North Pa rk, 3) over the Continental Divide from the Snake River drainage and 4) over the Continental Divide near Hog Park Reservoir from the Huston Park area into South Hog Park Creek. Most of the iall migration follow these same routes. It is believed that nearly one,half of the migrating elk use the Encampment River Canyon route. Most oi the elk winter range lies outside the study area just south of Encampment and in the Savery Creek, Little Snake River country. Some move into North Park and a few relnain in the area where snow dOes not cover their food. The elk population is dependent upon the suitability and ,2-