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• d. Other habitat types <br />Aspen (Populus tremuloides) does not exist on <br />the lease area, but is present about one-half mile <br />to the south. This type offers nesting sites for <br />birds which may range over the lease area to feed. <br />2. Mammals <br />Twenty-seven species of mammals are characteristic <br />of sites represented on the lease area. Of these, ten <br />species have been documented (Table 1G). <br />a. Big game ungulates <br />It is believed that prior to the arrival of the <br />European settlers, bison (Bison bison) were the most <br />common ungulates in the area. Arapahos described the <br />seasonal movements of large numbers of bison through <br />the pass ("the buffalo trap") between North Park and <br />the Laramie Plains. Bison no longer exist in the <br /> valley. <br />• Wapiti (Cervus eZaphus) were doubtlessly common <br /> in the valley in the past. They are presently found <br /> north and east of the lease area seasonally. Suitable <br /> habitat does not exist for bighorn (Ovis canadensis). <br /> Mule deer (OdocoiZeus hemionus) occupy the lease <br /> area seasonally (BLM 1979, 1981). About 150 mule deer <br /> tend to winter on slopes and ridges adjacent to the <br /> proposed permit area until snow depth forces them to <br /> lower elevational ranges north of Walden. The proposed <br /> permit area is part of a broad migration zone for deer <br /> that summer in the Medicine Bow range. In the mildest <br /> of winters mule deer could be expected to reside on the <br /> lease area all winter. Preferred habitat on the lease <br /> area is the sagebrush-grassland escarpment, where deer <br /> show an affinity for south-facing slopes during the <br /> period of use. Bitterbrush, which occurs sparsely <br /> on such sites, and does not occur on the proposed <br />. disturbance area, is believed to be the favored forage. <br />-4- <br />