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sightings are listed in Table 4. Several observations of mule deer, • <br />with older fawns, were made when fieldwork was initiated in October <br />1992. No mule deer were observed on the Yoast survey area during the <br />winter aerial big game survey, or during groundwork in winter and <br />early spring. In mid-May, mule deer once again were recorded on the <br />area. Small numbers of deer were observed regularly throughout summer <br />1993. <br />Snow cover was deep and relatively uniform over the Yoast area <br />during winter. No sites were noted to blow or melt free of snow. <br />Although good browse species are abundant on the permit area, deep <br />snow appears to render the area unusable by deer in winter. Snow <br />depths greater than 50 cm (20 inches) can preclude the use of an area <br />by deer (Loveless, 1967). <br />Pronghorn <br />The third big game species known to occur near Yoast is the <br />pronghorn (Antilocaora americans). Primarily an inhabitant-of open, <br />rolling plains, pronghorn would not be expected to frequent the Yoast <br />area. Only two sightings of pronghorn were recorded during this <br />study. On 1 May, two pronghorn were observed in improved pasture <br />(CRP) approximately one-half mile east of the wildlife study area in <br />SE/4 Section 9. On 16 May, two pronghorn (possibly the same animals) <br />were seen in sagebrush ad,)acent to the haul road corridor in NW/4 <br />SE/4, Section 5. <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />• <br />Two gallinaceous game bird species were observed during baseline <br />studies: sharp-tailed grouse and blue grouse (Dendragaous obscurus). • <br />18 <br />