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RULE 2 PERMITS <br /> Because deer, unlike elk, do not concentrate in certain areas to bear their young, no key deer <br /> fawning areas are known to exist; however, the large number of does with fawns commonly <br /> observed throughout the early summer in or near dense stands of oak and service berry indicates <br /> there is high usage by the does of these areas. In addition, most doe and fawn observations are <br /> made near water ponds located on the site, along Taylor Creek and near the springs in upper <br /> Streeter Draw, because the does do not like to move considerable distances to water when the <br /> fawns are very young.From this observation, it appears that those areas of good cover within one- <br /> fourth to one-half mile of water are key areas for fawning. <br /> Data collected from 1974 to 1977 indicated that browse use by deer, elk and cattle, both past and <br /> present, was excessive. This was evidenced by the "hedged" and "decadent" condition of the <br /> majority of the browse found in the study area. All browse species (e.g., oak, serviceberry, sage, <br /> rabbitbrush, snowberry, and bitterbrush) showed signs of over-utilization. <br /> The net result of the past browse use was a reduction in annual growth with less available palatable <br /> forage. In addition, species such as oak and serviceberry have grown taller, with palatable growth <br /> limited to those portions of the shrubs that are out of reach to all but the largest elk. In some <br /> instances, even the larger elk are unable to reach the growth. <br /> As the oak and serviceberry have grown taller, they have created large windbreaks. In the winter <br /> these dense areas of cover hold the snow, which becomes deep enough to limit all access by deer <br /> and elk. The serviceberry-snowberry transects showed low use for both 1974-1975 and 1975-1976. <br /> The snowberry bushes which were completely covered by deep snows showed no use. The use of <br /> the serviceberry has been limited to bushes near the edges of the stands where less snow buildup <br /> occurs. <br /> During the winter of 1975-1976, deer use of some areas changed from the winter of 1974-1975. <br /> The big sage transect showed a higher use in 1975-1976.The snow cover was much lower in 1975- <br /> 1976 and 1976-1977 than in 1974-1975, and a result the deer were better able to utilize the big <br /> sage. <br /> Data from the extensive transects which were biased towards key areas of use, show that the areas <br /> to the south and east of the mine are key forage areas for the deer in the winter. These are primarily <br /> large expanses of south and east-facing sagebrush-covered slopes where there is less snow cover <br /> throughout the winter. <br /> Traditionally, the most extensive use on the site has been during the summer and fall months by <br /> cattle, deer, and elk. Over-grazing at times by cattle in conjunction with high numbers of deer and <br /> elk have resulted in reduced carrying capacity and a general decline in the condition of the range <br /> over several years. <br /> The reduced carrying capacity resulting from the overuse of the range created an increase of <br /> pressure on the more healthy plants. Certain more desirable species, such as bitterbrush, were <br /> overutilized throughout the year and offered little or no forage during the critical winter months. <br /> III most instances, 8 to 10 inches of snow totally covered the plants. <br /> Rule 2 Permits 2.04-61 Revision Date: 12/20/19 <br /> Revision No.: TR-135 <br />