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The economic value of this group is significant. Mountain lion and <br />• black bear are both classified as big game animals. Mountain lions are <br />most abundant in rough, broken country with coniferous forest and riparian <br />vegetation. Black bear harvests in the West Muddy and Coal Creek Game <br />Management Units in 1978 were 18 and 27, respectively (Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife 1979). These two areas include the WSC permit area. <br />The economic value of furbearers in this order has been increasing in <br />recent years. Current pelt values for bobcat, coyote, red and gray <br />fox, and racoon are very high and these species are taken seasonally <br />throughout the region. <br />Artiodactyla <br />There are four members of the order Artiodactyla in the region. They <br />• represent the most important wildlife resource in terms of economic value. <br />They are pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, mule deer and elk. No antelope <br />or bighorn sheep are found on the permit area. <br />Mule Deer <br />Mule deer is the most abundant and economically important big game <br />animal in the region. The majority of mule deer populations are migratory. <br />Movements are generally from one elevation to another, brought about by <br />seasonal changes, weather conditions and photoperiod. Sparse year round <br />resident populations are found along major stream bottoms and throughout <br />the irrigated farmland. <br />Based on DOW population estimates compiled by Data Analysis Units <br />• (DAUs), approximately 237,744 deer occurred in the region in 1977. These <br />2.04-53 <br />