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H-5 <br />A method was developed to measure the "actual" versus the "expected" <br />proximity of plant species to pellet groups in order to test for <br />preferred browse species (LGL 1981). From the center of each current <br />year's pellet group, the browse species (tree or shrub) that had the <br />nearest reachable •Foliage (<1.5 m above ground) to that point in each <br />of four quadrants surrounding the plant was recorded. The same nota- <br />tions were made a~t each of 50 systematically-selected points (20 m <br />apart) along each pellet transect in order to obtain an "expected" <br />distribution of browse around the sample points. By statistically <br />comparing the actual with the expected ratios of plant species (chi- <br />square analysis), the distribution of deer pellets could indicate <br />preferred browse species (LGL 1981). <br />feral Horses <br />Feral horse populations were evaluated during the course of mule deer <br />• surveys for the sodium lease tracts conducted from 1980-1981. The <br />numbers and the locations of feral horses observed during the monthly <br />aerial mule deer survey were plotted on a topographic map of the area <br />in an effort to determine the seasonal population densities and any <br />apparent habitat preferences. During other times, feral horse sign <br />such as horse droppings and hoof prints were noted. <br />rar,,; ~~ro~ <br />Mammalian carnivore studies were conducted in conjunction with the <br />1980-1981 study of the sodium lease tracts. Methods for determining <br />the relative abundance of carnivore populations included scent post <br />stations and counting tracks (in fresh snow) which crossed roads. <br />Additional general information was obtained by opportunistic observa- <br />tions, lagomorph studies, and interviews with local trappers. <br />Scent posts were established according to the methods established by <br />• Linhart and Knowlton (1975). Fifty scent post stations were estab- <br />lished every 0.5 km along most of the unpaved roads in the sodium lease <br />THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS TRADE SECRETS AND PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL AND <br />PROPRIETARY COMAIE RCIAL, FINANCIAL, GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL DATA AN "" `~ <br />INFORMATION. PURSUANT TO LAW,THOSE PORTIONS MARKED "CONFIDENTIAL" ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ^p V'A <br />MAY NOT BE DISCLOSED, COPIED OR MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION. 'v~ <br />