WSP01412 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

1- -- ~ ~ I J."_~I i - " ... "" I, ," n ( t"' 1"~:Jo . . ..-....:...--..... ,', ELK WILD Ao:n SCENIC RIVFR Wildlife Values l11e Elk River with its three main tributaries, the South Fork, 'Iiddle Fork, and North Fork provides excellent habitat, both feeding, resting, and hiding cover for many species of wildlife. This area contains habitat requirements which meet needs for both big game animals, small game species, non-game species, and raptors. While the area >>ithin the drain- age area of the Elk River provides important habitat for wildlife, the Tapiarian habitat is the most important and contains the greatest >>ild- life diversity and numbers, The habitat provided within the study area is very similar to wildlife habitat provided on much of the Routt National Forest in the locigepole pine and spruce/fir ecosystem. Elk, deer, and occassionally bear, summer throughout the study area. Elk normally can be expected to use open meadows, and wet bottoms in the upper reaches of the study area with scattered use found at lower elevations. Deer use is most predominate in the lower lodgepole pine ecosystem of the study area. Blue grouse are found throughout the area, however, the most ideal habitat is associated with major streams, willow stands, and mixed overstory species. Ptarmigan are found in low population is sub-alpine and alpine lands. Other game animals such as bighorn sheep once were common within the study area. HOI',ever, now this area is peripheral range for a small bighorn herd located further north. Snowshoe rabbits are found in low numbers through- out the heavy spruce-fir timber stands. Furbearers such as beaver, mink, muskrat, racoon, long tailed >>easel, spotted skunk, American badger and marten are found within the study area. Beaver activities are most noticeable and the study area has maintained a stable population for many years. The bulk of the beaver population is located just off of the Elk River and its main tributaries on the 'many small side drainages. Other furbearers maintain low population numbers and are more secretive in their activities, however it is believed population numbers are stable and compare to similar sites found on the rest of the Forest. Predators are found throughout the study area mainly during smow free months. Coyotes, bobcats, red fox, and on occassion, a wandering mountain lion may be found within the study area. ~lany sma 11 non-game animal s are found wi thin the study. area. SI1'.a 11 burrowing mammals such as shrews, mice, gophers, voles. anrl wood rats can be found scattered throughout the units with heaviest concentrations found in open parks and on higher dry well-drained ground. Other non-game species found within the unit include Pika, in high talus rock slides: yellow-bellied marmots; various species of squirrels, and porcupine.