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• were studied on the ground to determine what characteristics of the site <br />made it more attractive to mule deer or elk than other sites. An exattQle <br />of site characteristics studied at sites heavily utilized by big game <br />follows: <br />1. Topographic characteristics <br />a. Slope aspect and degree of slope <br />b. Protection offered by topographic conditions <br />2. Vegetative characteristics <br />a. Availability of important browse species <br />b. Protection offered by shrub density and shrub heic~t <br />3. Weather patterns <br />• a. Potential of site to accumulate deep snag dicing winter <br />b. Exposure of site to prevailing wind <br />4. Availability of water <br />Browse Condition and Trend Surveys. Sinor a potential impact of mine <br />development on big game animals may be the reno~ral or access blockage of <br />important areas of native brow~.,e, it was necessary to learn what the <br />predevelopment levels of browse condition and utilization were. These <br />data may indicate whether caxxying capacities of current gave ranges <br />are in balance with existing populations and will allow monitoring of <br />changes in braase utilization patterns and intensities as development <br />proceeds. <br />Browse condition and utilization studies were conducted in June, 1979 at <br />sites on the project area preselecked during site reconnaissance for their <br />preponderance of key browse species (i.e., servioeberry, Gatnbel oak, <br />• chokecherry and snaabeizy). The field sampling program was adapted from <br />-9- <br />