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2.04.11 Fish and Wild Life Resources <br />Information <br />Wild Fauna <br />A table indicating all wildlife species that are known <br />to inhabit Routt County is located in this section. <br />Big Game: <br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife (Colo. DOW) has divided <br />the state into 126 Game Management Units (GMU). The mine <br />complex is included in GMU 13. <br />Only two of the ten species designated as big game in <br />Colorado are found within the area in substantial numb ere. <br />These two species , mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and elk <br />(Cervix canadensis), occupy the proposed development area in <br />varying densities dependent upon the condition of the food <br />and cover, as well as climatic factors and the degree of <br />harassment. Black bear (Urs.us americanus) and cougar (Felix <br />concolor) are found in the area in low numbers. <br />Another big game species that may inhabit the subject <br />area is the white-tailed deer (Odocoileusvirginianus). This <br />species is suggested as a potential inhabitant of the develop- <br />ment area, because of reported sightings a few miles to the <br />west and their known occurrence in similar habitats in north- <br />western Colorado. <br />Mule deer may be found in any portion of the subject area <br />at any time of the year; however a greater population density <br />occurs during the spring, summer, and fall months. <br />The mine area provides marginal winter habitat and fair- <br />to-good summer browse. The areas preferred by deer for summer <br />use lie south of Routt County Road 27. <br /> <br />~~~ <br />