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Sampling consisted of measuring and recording the length of all the <br />~• current year's growth above the metal tag on the designated stem in <br />the fall. The same shoot (stem) was measured again in the spring. <br />By comparing the fall and subsequent spring measurement the amount <br />of growth consumed during the winter was determined, expressed as <br />percent utilization. Comparison of fall measurements and winter <br />utilization values over a period of years indicate the average <br />amount of annual growth and use, respectively, and the trends <br />(increase or decrease) in both parameters. <br />Data from the intensive browse transects are shown in Table 1, <br />Tntensive Browse Transects. <br />Extensive browse transects were placed in known high-use areas on <br />the site to supplement the intensive transect data on deer and elk <br />winter use. By sampling the known high-use areas over a number of <br />years, the browse utilization in these key wintering areas could be <br />more accurately estimated. Each extensive transect consisted of 50 <br />stations. Since these were randomly selected each spring, the same <br />plants were usually not evaluated from year to year. <br />Data from the extensive browse transects are set forth in Table 33, <br />Extensive Browse Transects. <br />The investigator would walk ten paces, select the plant nearest his <br />left or right foot and determine: first the condition of the plant <br />(vigorous down to decadent) and second the amount of the current <br />available growth (estimated) has been utilized to the nearest 10%. <br />After 50 shrubs have been evaluated, the average percent utiliza- <br />tion of each recorded species is calculated. <br />The pellet group studies were conducted to determine the average <br />daily use of browse species by season (expressed as days use per <br />acre) and the percentage breakdown of utilization by deer, elk and <br />cattle. Pellet group counts were conducted at each station on the <br />intensive transects on lines paralleling the extensive transects, <br />and in addition at two separate locations in the habitat improve- <br />ment areas. There were ten pellet group plots or stations in each <br />intensive transect. The pellet group plot transects consisted of <br />25 stations approximately 100 feet apart. Each pellet group plot <br />was a circular area with an 11-foot 9-inch radius. <br />:~ <br />2.04.11-4 <br />