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• 4.6.2.1 Deer and Elk <br />Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and elk (Cervus canadensis) will potentially be affected by mining as <br />a result of destruction of vegetation, loss of watering areas and changes in topography. These effects <br />may be lessened by prompt reclamation and off-site improvements to draw animals away from <br />reclaimed areas during vegetation establishment. Section 8 of Trappers 1989 Annual Report to Mined <br />Land Reclamation Division provides some insight into the results of off-site brush manipulation <br />techniques. <br />Destruction of vegetation will result in loss of cover and forage. This will force deer and elk to use other <br />areas of the mine plan area or adjacent areas to find substitute forage and cover. Relocation will only <br />be successful to the extent that such alternate areas are available. To aid in providing areas suitable <br />for these species during the critical or limiting periods (winter and early spring), various off-site range- <br />land treatments will be initiated. While these treatments may mitigate big game losses, their primary <br />purpose is to draw animals away from areas being revegetated until such areas have successfully <br />established vegetation that will not be destroyed by wildlife. <br />Mechanical Treatments Outside the Immediate Affected Area <br />Mechanical treatments, such as crushing, discing and breaking of shrubs has been used on dense, old <br />growth mountain shrub areas to increase the quality and quantity of forage available to big game <br />(Whittaker, 1980). Gambel oak (Quercus gambeli), serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), and <br />• chokecherry (Prunus viraiana) are expected to produce palatable sprouts after crushing. This has <br />increased available browse, while at the same time increasing grass and forb production. Approxi- <br />mately fifty acres has been treated each year in the winter months beginning in 1981 and continuing <br />through the winter of 1985. The need to continue this effort beyond 1985 will be evaluated in light of its <br />effectiveness and the availability of revegetated areas for wildlife use. <br />If additional treatments are necessary, they will be applied in November through February when the <br />ground is frozen and shrubs are dormant and brittle. A heavy piece of equipment such as a dozer will <br />be run over the shrubs to break them down and induce sprouting. Alternatively, a heavy disc or roller <br />may be dragged over the shrubs crushing them. These treatments have been concentrated in the east <br />and central portions of the mine plan area (Map M50) in areas where dense shrub cover occurs. The <br />elk that overwinter on the mine plan area tend to concentrate in these areas (Section 2.4) and should <br />benefit from this treatment. Deer will also benefit from these treatments during winters of light snowfall <br />when the snow depth doesn't restrict deer movement. <br />During the permit term from 1981 thru 1987, 250 acres of the mountain shrub community were <br />crushed. As outlined in Sec. 4.6.3.1, pellet group transacts were established to evaluate the effective- <br />ness of the treatments. Table 4.6-1 indicates the benefits of brush crushing are very small. In general, <br />deer use is greater on the treated areas, while elk use remains generally equal to non-treated areas. <br />Based on the duration of sampling and the inconclusiveness of the data collected, Trapper will dis- <br />continue pellet group sampling in brush crushed areas and on adjacent undisturbed and reclaimed <br />areas. <br />• <br />REVISION <br />4-154 APPROVED <br />r7?T? I`? TM.