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diets of mule deer consisted of forbs and grasses and only as snow depths <br />increased or other forages were depleted did deer alter their diets Co <br />• shrubs. In general, wildlife will eat what is available during [he winter <br />stress period starting with preferred plant species, Gradually, they will be <br />forced to become more and more dependent on less desirable species such as <br />pinyon, juniper and sagebrush. Forbs and grasses on spring, su:.mer, and fall <br />range are, therefore, compatible with deer and e14: forage needs. Shrubs may <br />actually be detri~lcntal to deer and elk on such ranges. <br />Another major requirement for big game is the distance to hiding cover. <br />According to references cited by Thomas et al. (1S79), it should be no more <br />than 60U feet in any direction from the center of open forage areas to the <br />nearest hiding cover. An example would be a circular opening with a diameter <br />of 1,200 feet. This example is an idealistic situation and is not meant to <br />suggest that Forage areas be circular. This recommendation is very similar <br />to the guidelines cf the U.S. Dept. of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service <br />(1978) which suggest clearings in pinyon pine and juniper stands of from <br />1,267 feet to 2,534 feet diameter. <br />• Cover for wildlife consists of two types, thermal cover and hiding cover. <br />Thomas et al (1979) stated: <br />"Optimum deer and elk habitat is the amount and arrangement of <br />cover and Forage areas that result ici the maximum possible proper <br />use of the maximum possible area by the animals. This occurs when <br />the greatest possible area is used and the vegetation is utilized <br />to the maximum without deterioration." <br />"The relic of 40 percent of the land type in cover to 60 percent in <br />forage areas of rp oper size and arrangement appror..imates optimum <br />habitat in tits Blue Mountains." <br />While the study u•as conducted in the Blue Mountains of Oregon, which consists <br />of conifer Forests and open meadows, [he basic principals can be applied to <br />vegetation types in Nortiiwcst Colorado. Thomas e[ al (1979) further defined <br />. hidinv cover as: <br />-8- <br />