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<br />About 150 mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) occupy the permit <br />area seasonally utilizing the south-facing, sagebrush-grassland <br />slopes in the winter. This habitat is considered to be <br />transitional range for deer. The proposed permit area is part of <br />a broad migration zone for deer that summer in the Medicine Bow <br />range (BLM-EA No. CO-010-9-183 Appendix H, Vol. III of the permit <br />application). Pronghorn (Antilocapra americans) also occur <br />seasonally on the permit area, primarily within the <br />sagebrush-grassland plateau habitat during spring and summer. <br />Carnivores and lagomorphs recorded on the permit area <br />include badgers (Taxidea taxus), striped skunks (Mephitis <br />mephitis), coyotes (Canis latrans), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), <br />and cottontail rabbits (Sylvelagus sp.).. Other species that can <br />be found in small numbers on or near the permit area include <br />weasels (Mustela frenata) and bobcats (Lynx rufus). <br />Game birds identified within the permit area include <br />mourning doves (Zenaidura macroura) and sage grouse (Centrocercus <br />urophasianus). <br />With regard to the sage grouse, the permit area provides 1) <br />typical to marginal nesting habitat, 2) inadequate brooding <br />habitat, 3) inadequate wintering habitat, and 4) no leks. A lek <br />of uncertain stability has been identified south of the permit <br />area. A major sage grouse winter concentration area is located <br />adjacent to the permit area (BLM/EA No. CO-010-81-53, Appendix H, <br />Vol. III of the permit application. <br />Suitable nesting habitat for raptors does not exist on the <br />area, although an active golden eagle nest was located northwest <br />of the area during the 1980 nesting season (EA No. CO-O10- <br />81-53). Several species do hunt over the lease area or migrate <br />through, including turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), northern <br />harriers (Circus cyaneus),, roughlegged hawk (Buteo swainsoni), <br />golden eagle (Aquila chry5aetos), prairie falcon (Falco mexi- <br />canus), and American kestrel (Falco sparverius). <br />-30- <br />