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• this study. Sign of black bear (claw marks on aspen) have been located in <br />the James Creek drainage, immediately east of the proposed affected area, <br />as recently as 1982 (Madison 1984). During the summer of 1984, an elk calf <br />which was dismembered and largely consumed, possibly by a bear, was found <br />in Section 7 (T2N, R92W). Black bears are probably resident to high <br />elevation, remote areas of the Danforth Hills, including the study area. <br />While no bear sightings were recorded during intensive aerial surveys of <br />the Danforth Hills and vicinity, reports of bear sign (tracks, claw marks <br />on trees) suggest black bears are present at low densities. As a result of <br />low densities, black bears are probably not regularly hunted or harvested <br />within the proposed affected area. <br />At one time, northwest Colorado was considered to be among the best habitat <br />for mountain lions in the United States (Cary 1911). This region still has <br />the greatest abundance of mountain lions in Colorado (Armstrong 1972). <br />Mountain lions are highly mobile and range throughout the project area <br />year-around, although areas of cliffs and broken terrain are their <br />• preferred habitat (Russell 1978). Mule deer are considered to be the <br />principal prey of the mountain lion; hence, lions can be expected to occur <br />in the range of deer within the study area. Mountain lion tracks were <br />observed in the James Creek drainage during July 1983, however, no evidence <br />exists which suggests that this species is resident or present in abundance <br />within the study area. Mountain lions are not hunted with regularity <br />within the study area. <br />Upland Gamebirds <br />Upland gamebirds occurring within the study area include the blue grouse, <br />mourning dove, and sage grouse. Sharp-tailed grouse (Pedioecetes <br />phasianellus) are known from the Danforth Hills, but no concentration areas <br />for this species have been identified. No sharp-tailed grouse were <br />observed during field studies and their presence in the area has not been <br />verified (Colowyo 1981, Northern Coal Company 1982). <br />• Chukar and ring-necked pheasant were introduced to the Danforth Hills area <br />and may occur in or near the study area (McKean and Trindle 1976), however <br />neither of these species was observed during field studies. <br />4-13 <br />