Laserfiche WebLink
• Predators, Furbearers, and Sma11 Game Mammals <br />Species from these groups which are known from the study area, or which <br />could potentially occur, are listed in Appendix A. Those observed during <br />1983-1985 field studies included desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii), <br />white-tailed jackrabbit, beaver, marmot, muskrat, porcupine, badger, <br />long-tailed weasel, striped skunk, and coyote. Of these species, the <br />porcupine and marmot were most frequently encountered within the study <br />area. <br />Beaver and muskrat were encountered less frequently and were observed only <br />in association with aquatic habitats in the lower reaches of the West Fork <br />of Good Spring Creek and along the mainstem of Good Spring Creek. Evidence <br />of beaver activity exists throughout all but the uppermost reaches of the <br />West Fork of Good Spring Creek, however recent sign (fresh aspen and shrub <br />cuttings, intact dams, slides, and tracks) was confined to Sections 29 and <br />32, T3N, R93W. Most dams upstream of this point were breached by the <br />• spring 1984 runoff. Beaver ponds associated with these breached dams were <br />filled. by silt as a result of this runoff which resulted in widespread, and <br />occassionally large, mudslides throughout the area. Approximately 10-15 <br />intact and apparently active beaver ponds remained in this area. Beaver <br />and their sign were also observed along the reach of the mainstem of Good <br />Spring Creek within the study area. No site-specific beaver or muskrat <br />trapping or harvest data exist for the study area, however estimated 1982 <br />harvest figures for small game management unit 16 (which encompasses the <br />study area) are listed in Table 4-3. Observations recorded during this <br />study suggest that beaver trapping is conducted within the study area <br />primarily in an attempt to control beaver dam building and resultant <br />flooding in agricultural areas, principally along the mainstem of Good <br />Spring Creek. Some evidence exists that beaver populations in the vicinity <br />of the study area have been reduced by a disease during the recent past <br />(CDM 1984). <br />Marmots were frequently encountered in association with meadow/bottomland <br />• areas, near water; while porcupines were ubiquitious. Other predator and <br />small game species were observed primarily in association with mountain <br />shrub habitats. <br />4-18 <br />