s 57*/. Fab PLEA I\lTURN suT£crcu«^ BULL MOUNTAINS COAL FIELD STUDY Progress Report, 1974 Research Conducted by: MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Environment and Information Division and CONSOLIDATION COAL COMPANY I&10© Prepared by: Gary L. Dusek, Environmental Planning Ecologist, Roundup and Steven A. McCann, Research Assistant for Nongame Mammals, Roundup June 30, 1974 ? 5 W m_A S^:t 930 East Lyndon **« Helena, Montana if§§] ? - 2000 MONTANA STATE LIBRARY 3 0864 0014 6130 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction ................. ... 1 Study Area 1 Location ................... 1 Physiography ........................ 2 Climate ................. 2 Vegetation ................... 2 Grassland Type 3 Agricultural Type 4 Sagebrush-Grassland Type 4 Deciduous Shrub Type .................. 4 Ponderosa Pine-Grassland Type ............. 5 Ponderosa Pine Type .......... 5 Phases of Study ............... 13 General Wildlife Ecology Study . 13 Mule Deer 13 Elk 23 Turkey 31 Pronghorn .............. 37 Revegetation Studies ... ........... 39 Consol's Test Pit 39 Square Deal Pit .............. 41 Nongame Mammal Inventory . 51 Discussion ..... . 63 Appendix ............. 67 Literature Cited ....... ...... 74 INTRODUCTION The concept of reclamation of strip mined lands in Montana has changed somewhat during the last few years. Two objectives of earlier reclamation research conducted at Western Energy's mine near Col strip were to fulfill the requirements of weak reclamation laws and to conceal from public view the unsightly results of surface mining (Hodder 1969). Perhaps as a result of public distrust of intentions of the mining in- dustry, the state legislature enacted the "Montana Open Cut or Strip Mine Reclamation Act" in 1971. That law gave the state authority to enter into contracts with mine operators for the purpose of influencing reclamation of surface mined lands. However, it was soon apparent to many that the law was inadequate to stay abreast of mining and reclamation problems. That law did not exclude areas of critical importance to wildlife from surface mining. In 1973 the "Montana Strip Mining and Reclamation Act," which strengthened the 1971 law, was enacted by the legislature. It recognized the importance of habitat for wildlife and allowed for denial of a mining permit in areas con- sidered of critical importance to wildlife. The Bull Mountains Coal Field Study was initiated in January 1972 by the Montana Department of Fish and Game in cooperation with Consolidation Coal Company (Consol) with the following overall objectives: (1) to determine the impact of surface mining upon the wildlife resource in this area, (2) to ensure that wildlife habitat values receive full recognition in any mining or reclamation effort, and (3) to investigate possible modifications or innova- tions in the reclamation process to avoid unnecessary loss of wildlife habitat. The initial progress report (Dusek and McCann 1973) included: preliminary ecological data and some tentative conclusions concerning principal game species in the Bull Mountains (mule deer, elk and Merriam's turkey), some pre- liminary data and a plan for a three-pasture rest-rotation grazing system on property owned and leased by Consol, monitoring vegetation development and nongame mammal activity at Consol's test pit, and an inventory of nongame mammals. Goals for the report period, March 1973 through February 1974, included: expanding our knowledge of and attempting to relate ecological requirements of game and nongame wildlife to physical and vegetational characteristics of the Bull Mountains, monitoring development of vegetational cover and use by wildlife on small acreages which recently underwent mining and reclamation, and identifying areas that we consider of critical importance to game species. STUDY AREA Location The Bull Mountains (Figure 1) are located south of the Musselshell River, primarily in Musselshell County. Small portions also occur in northern Yellow- stone and eastern Golden Valley Counties. The area is dissected in a north- south direction by U. S. Highway 87 and bordered on the north by U. S. 12. Livestock production has been the principal industry since early settle- ment of the area. Some of the more gentle terrain, particularly around the periphery and in the lower drainages, is under cultivation. Based on the latest figures, 142,000 acres of commercial timber occur in the area (Dusek and Eichhorn 1974). Since 1972, annual cutting of timber has accelerated from a maximum of 1-2 million board feet to about 25 million board feet. Approximately 19,000 acres of agricultural land adjacent to U. S. 87 have been purchased for subdivision into homesites. Land has also been purchased for the same purpose near the Mussel shell -Golden Valley County line. Physiography Elevations range from near 3,000 feet along the Musselshell River to 4,700 feet on the upper plateau that forms the divide between the Musselshell and Yellowstone drainages. Fort Union sandstones, of tertiary age, are ex- posed throughout much of the area. The upper member of the Fort Union forma- tion contains the principal coal beds including the Roundup, Carpenter-McCleary and Mammoth- Render seams. Climate Climatological data for the report period were recorded at Roundup (U.S. Dept. of Comm. 1973-74). Monthly data appear in Appendix Table 29. The warmest average monthly temperature normally occurs during July and the coldest during January. Roundup receives an average of 10.93 inches of moisture per year of which approximately half is received during May, June and July. Temperatures averaged slightly below normal during spring 1973, except for March, when the average temperature was above normal. During summer 1973, June and August were characterized by above-normal average temperatures as compared to below normal during July. Temperature data were unavailable for September. The average temperature was near normal during October but below normal during November. During winter 1973-74, all months were characterized by above-normal average temperatures. Roundup received 13.03 inches of moisture during the 1973 calendar year. April, August, September, October, November and December were characterized by above normal precipitation. The remainder of 1973 had below normal precip- itation. Total moisture during January and February 1974 was below normal. Vegetation Six vegetation types have been identified in the Bull Mountains. Two of those described a year ago, cropland and hay meadow, have been combined (Dusek and McCann 1973). All types, except for the ponderosa pine type, have been divided into two or three subtypes. Subtypes may not necessarily reflect genetic similarity or contiguity within a type, but perhaps an artificial assemblage of similar life forms. Types and subtypes described quantitatively were sampled by a canopy coverage method similar to that of Daubenmire (1959). Canopy of low-growing -2- vegetation was estimated by forage class and species in each of twenty 2x5 decimeter plots spaced at 5-foot intervals along a 100-foot transect line at each of 41 sites. When practical, transect lines were placed parallel to the contour. Data appear in Table 1. Plants collected and identified since initiation of the project are listed in Appendix Table 30. Common and scientific names of plants are from Booth (1950) and Booth and Wright (1959). Grassland Type Included in this type are nontimbered areas where grassland represented the dominant aspect. Many sites, apparently under cultivation at one time, have since reverted back to range vegetation. Included are three subtypes. Grassland Park Subtype This subtype included natural openings in the timbered canopy (Figure 2) and occurred primarily on plateaus, sidehills, ridges and coulee heads. The most abundant grasses on this subtype were cheatgrasses (Bromus sppj which are annuals. There were two species of cheatgrass on the area, but neither were differentiated for purposes of this report. Important perennial grasses, in order of decreasing abundance, were western wheatgrass (Agvopyvon smithii) , other wheatgrasses (Agropyron spp .) , blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) and bluegrasses (Poo, spp.;. Among forbs, broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) , fringed sagewort (Artemisia frigida) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) were most prevalent. Shrubs were sparsely scattered. Those occurring most frequently included wild rose (Rosa spp J , silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana) and common snowberry (Symphoricarpos alius) . Drain ageway Subtype This subtype (Figure 3) occurred primarily in the bottoms of major drain- ages and in coulee bottoms. Canopy of grasses and forbs was greater on these sites than in the grassland park subtype (Table 1). Blue grama, western wheat- grass and green needlegrass (stipa viridula) were the prevalent perennial grasses. Common dandelion (Taraxievm officinale) was the most abundant forb followed by fringed sagewort and common salsify (Tragopogon dubius) . Occur- rence of shrubs on this subtype was negligible. Burn Subtypes This included grassland areas created by removal or considerable reduction of the timber canopy as a result of natural fires. Eichhorn and Watts (1974) studied trends in plant succession on burns of various ages in the Missouri Breaks. Data collected so far from the Bull Mountains were not sufficient to allow any comparisons. Perennial grasses and grasslike plants found in abundant quantities in- cluded western wheatgrass, sedges (Carex spp. j, Junegrass (Koeleria cristata) and needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) . Cud-leaf sagewort (Artemisia ludoviciana) was the most abundant forb (Table 1). Shrubs included wild rose and common snowberry. -3- Agricultural Type This type represented an agricultural disturbance of areas that were perhaps previously dominated by grassland and sagebrush-grassland. The two subtypes within this type included cropland and hay meadows (Figure 4). The cropland included cereal grains and summer fallow. Hay meadows consist of domestic forage species. No quantitative measurements were made. Sagebrush-Grassland Type This type occurred on a variety of slopes and exposures. Various degrees of association existed among sagebrush, grasses and forbs. Two subtypes were documented. Silver Sagebrush-Grassland Subtype The silver sagebrush-grassland subtype occurred throughout the area, primarily in drainage bottoms and on other mesic sites. Grasses most commonly occurring with silver sagebrush were western wheatgrass, other wheatgrasses and green needlegrass. The most prevalent forbs included common dandelion, yarrow, fringed sagewort and common salsify. Occurrence of shrubs other than silver sagebrush was rare (Table 1). Big Sagebrush-Grassland Subtype This subtype occurred primarily at low elevations where rolling prairie vegetation extended into the Bull Mountains. Descriptive data for this subtype are only tentative due to a small sample size. Western wheatgrass, other wheatgrasses, Junegrass and green needlegrass were the most abundant perennial grasses found in the subtype. Broom snake- weed, fringed sagewort and Hood's phlox (Phlox hoodii) were prevalent among forbs. Occurrence of shrubs other than big sagebrush (Artemisia tvidentata) was not common. Deciduous Shrub Type Deciduous shrubs represented the dominant aspect within this type. The two subtypes appeared to be influenced by topography and exposure. Skunkbush Subtype This subtype appeared most often associated with open and rocky south- facing slopes. It was nearly always present in the vicinity of scoria outcrops as mentioned by Sanford (1970). Stands of scattered ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) were sometimes present on these sites. Martin (1972) indicated that skunkbush sumac (Rhus tvilobata) is associated with serai communities capable of supporting ponderosa pine. The most common perennial grasses included western wheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass (Agvopyron spicatum) and green needlegrass. Forbs included fringed sagewort and cud-leaf sagewort among many others (Table 1). Less prevalent shrubs occurring on this subtype included wild rose, common snowberry, western snowberry (S. oocidentalis) and dogbane (Apoaynum medium) . Snowberry Subtype As opposed to the xeric conditions that the skunkbush subtype occurred on, the snowberry subtype occurred primarily on northerly exposures or in shaded depressions. Cover of living vegetation was greater on this subtype than on any other type or subtype sampled. Common and western snowberry, together, were the most abundant and prev- alent shrubs although skunkbush represented the greatest canopy of any single species. Its frequency of occurrence was considerably less on these sites than under more xeric conditions. The most prevalent perennial grasses were bluegrasses. Others included western wheatgrass, needle-and-thread and green needlegrass. Yarrow, cud-leaf sagewort and common dandelion were the most abundant forbs (Table 1). Ponderosa Pine-Grassland Type This type occupied broken parks and timbered areas where the canopy of timber was open enough for understory vegetation to develop. Two subtypes are included. Ponderosa Pine-Bunchgrass Subtype Bluebunch wheatgrass was the most prevalent bunchgrass occurring on this subtype and was present on all nine sites sampled (Table 1). Other bunchgrasses, occurring in minor quantities, included green needlegrass and Idaho fescue (Festuoa iddhoensis) . Western wheatgrass and other wheatgrasses also occurred on this subtype. A wide variety of forbs were present of which yarrow was the most abundant (Table 1). Wild rose and common snowberry were found through- out the subtype but were more abundant on northerly exposures. Ponderosa Pine-Juniper Subtype Ponderosa pine occurred with Rocky Mountain juniper (Junipevus scopulorum) primarily on steep slopes with poor soil development. Skunkbush appeared on these sites also. No quantitative measurements were obtained on this subtype. They will appear in a later report. Ponderosa Pine Type This type consisted of homogeneous stands of ponderosa pine, primarily on northerly exposures where the dense canopy of timber precluded development of understory vegetation. No quantitative measurements were made on this type. ■5- Table i i ss,rsrKLc:,?KM Taxal/ GRASSES & GRASSLIKE: Agrop^rof! smith ii Agropyron spicatum Agropyron spp. Bouteloua gracil is Bromus spp. Calamovilfa longi folia Carex spp. Festuca idahoensis Festuca octiflora Koeleria cristata Poa secunda POa S££. Stipa comata Stipa viridula Unidentified Grass Total Grass S Grasslike FORBS : Achillea millefolium Al 1 i urn textile Androsace occidentals Anemone patens Antennaria rosea Artemisia frig i da Artemisia ludoviciana Aster eatonii Astragalus spp. Grassland Type Grassland Park Subtype 11 Sites 91/11/ 752/ 45/ 4/ 22 91/ 6/ 35 73/ 6/ 31 91/13/ 47 9/tr/ tr 45/ 1/ 8 64/ 2/ 19 45/ 3/ 25 45/ 5/ 20 27/ 1/ 6 64/ 3/ 23 18/ 1/ 6 64/ 3/ 18 45/tr/ 3 18/tr/ 5 9/tr/ 9 91/ 3/ 6 18/tr/ 4 9/tr/ tr 27/tr/ 4 Drainage- way Subtype 5 Sites 100/13/ 91 80/ 3/ 33 80/13/ 38 100/21/ 75 20/ 2/ 5 40/ tr/ 3 6 11 40/ tr/ 80/ 1/ 40/ 1/ 18 80/ 7/ 35 40/ 2/ 12 60/ 5/ 28 40/tr/ 100/63/ 98 100/75/100 60/ 1/ 8 20/ tr/ 3 80/ 5/ 53 40/ 3/ 18 20/ 1/ 4 Burn Subtype 2 Sites 100/12/ 90 50/ tr/ 31/ 100/ 4/ 33 100/19/ 65 50/ 1/ 3 100/10/ 58 100/ 5/ 43 50/ 1/ 13 50/ 1/ 5 100/ 5/ 43 50/ 1/ 3 100/56/100 100/ 2/ 28 50/ 1/ 18 100/ 6/ 40 50/ 1/ 5 Sagebrush- Grassland Type Silver Sagebrush- Grassland Subtype 5 Sites 100/14/ 85 20/tr/ 3 100/12/ 75 80/ 5/ 24 100/14/ 81 40/ 1/ 3 80/ 2/ 21 60/1/ 9 80/ 3/ 38 100/ 5/ 40 40/ 1/ 5 100/ 8/ 44 40/tr/ 3 40/ 1/ 17 20/tr/ 1 100/ 5/ 52 40/ 1/ 12 40/ 1/ 4 Big Sagebrush- Grassland Subtype 2 Sites 100/ 8/ 60 100/ 8/ 58 100/ 4/ 25 50/ 6/ 30 100/tr/ 5 50/ 1/ 13 100/ 7/ 45 50/ 3/ 25 50/ 2/ 13 100/ 7/ 35 Skunkbush Subtype 4 Sites 100/16/ 73 50/12/ 24 100/ 2/ 19 25/ 1/ 3 100/24/ 81 25/1/ 3 25/ 2/ 6 75/ 1/ 5 100/ 5/ 28 Deciduous Shrub 50/ 2/ 10 50/ 1/ 18 50/ 1/ 3 100/ 3/ 30 50/ 1/ 6 25/tr/ 1 25/tr/ 1 75/ 2/ 21 75/ 2/ 9 Snowberry Subtype 3 Sites 67/ 7/ 45 33/ 2/ 10 100/ 3/ 25 100/21/ 48 67/tr/ 5 33/ 5/ 20 33/tr/ 3 67/ 1/ 5 100/25/ 58 67/ 6/ 20 67/ 5/ 25 100/66/ 99 100/38/100 100/50/ 98 100/74/ 97 67/ 6/ 42 33/tr/ 2 33/tr/ 5 67/ 1/ 13 100/ 4/ 30 Ponderosa Pine- Grassland Iffie Ponderosa Pine- Bunchgrass Subtype 9 Sites 89/ 7/ 53 100/10/ 48 100/ 8/ 54 56/ 1/ 7 89/ 3/ 28 11/tr/ 1 44/ 2/ 13 22/ 11 44/ tr/ 7 11/tr/ 7 56/ 3/ 21 44/ 1/ 4 89/ 4/ 26 67/ 1/ 9 100/44/100 89/ 5/ 18 33/tr/ 5 22/ 1/ 7 56/ 1/ 14 56/1/ 9 78/ 1/ 17 56/ 2/ 19 33/1/ 6 Table 1 continued Ponderosa Pine- Sagebrush Grass Ian d Grassland Type Gras sland Type Deciduo Shrub us Type Ponderos Bunchgra Subtype Silver Sagebrush- Grassland Big Sagebrush- Grassland a Pine- Grassland Park Drainage way I- Burn Subtype ;SS Skunkbus ,h Snowberry Subtype 1 Subtype Subtype Subtype Subtype Subtype Taxal/ 11 Sites 5 Site; 2 Sites 5 Sites 2 Sites 4 S- ites 3 Sites 9 Sites FORBS: (Continued) Balsamorrhiza sagittata 18/tr/ 2 - - - - 25/ 1/ 1 33/ 2/ b 22/ 1/ 5 Cerastium arvense 9/tr/ 1 - - 20/ 2/ 16 - - 33/tr/ 2 56/ 1/ 11 Chrysopsis villosa 18/tr/ 2 - - 20/tr/ 2 - - 33/ tr/ 2 22/ 1/ 4 COMPOS ITAE 27/tr/ ;; 20/tr/ 10 - 60/ 1/ 5 - - 33/tr/ 2 44/ 1/ 13 CRUCIFERAE 18/tr/ 2 40/ 1/ 11 - 60/tr/ 8 - 50/ 1/ n 33/ 1/ 2 22/tr/ 3 Echinaceae pall ida 18/tr/ 2 - - 20/ 1'/ 15 - - - 22/ V 11 Erigeron pumilus - - - - 100/ 1/ 5 - - - Fragaria virginiana - - - - - - - 22/ 1/ 4 Gaura cocci nea 36/ 1/ 7 40/ 1/ 9 50/ 1/ 8 20/tr/ 1 - - - 11/ tr/ 1 Glycyrrhiza lepidota - - - - - - 33/ 1/ b - |j Gutierrezia sarothrae 82/ 5/ 35 20/tr/ 3 50/ 3/ 10 60/ 1/ 9 100/ 3/ 33 25/ 3/ 13 - 11/tr/ 4 i Lappula redowskii 18/tr/ 2 40/ tr/ 8 50/tr/ 5 80/ tr/ 10 - 100/ 1/ 12 33/tr/ 10 - LEGUMINOSAE 55/tr/ 5 40/ 1/ 11 100/ 1/ 5 - 100/ 2/ 13 - 67/ 2/ 12 44/ tr/ 1 Linum rigidum 18/tr/ 3 20/ 1/ 1 - 20/tr/ 1 - - - 11 /tr/ 1 Melilotus officinalis 36/tr/ 5 20/ 1/ 14 50/ 1/ 5 - - 50/ 1/ 20 33/ 1/ 8 11/tr/ 1 Orthocarpus luteus 18/ 1/ 7 20/tr/ 6 100/tr/ 10 20/ 2/ 8 - - - - Phlox hoodii 55/ 1/ 15 - 50/ 2/ 13 20/ 1/ 5 100/ 3/ 28 - - 44/ tr/ 4 Plantago purshii 9/tr/ tr 60/tr/ 5 - 20/tr/ 2 - - - 11/tr/ 1 Psoralea argophylla 9/tr/ 3 60/ 1/ 12 100/ 2/ 10 60/ 1/ 17 - 25/ 1/ 5 33/tr/ 8 - Psoralea esculenta 9/tr/ 3 60/ 1/ 18 100/ 1/ 30 - - - - - Psoralea spp. 36/tr/ 9 - - 20/tr/ 2 - - - 44/ tr/ 6 Rati bi da columnifera 45/ 1/ 13 40/ 2/ 15 100/ 3/ 25 - - 25/ 1/ 8 67/ 2/ 13 22/tr/ 3 Solidago spp. - - 100/tr/ 8 - - 25/tr/ 1 - 11/tr/ 1 Sphaeralcea coccinea 64/tr/ 13 100/ 1/ 22 50/ 1/ 8 100/ 1/ 21 50/tr/ 3 75/ 1/ 9 - - Taraxicum officinale 73/ 2/ 24 100/13/ 61 50/ 6/ 43 100/ 9/ 60 50/ 3/ 25 25/ 1/ 5 67/ 3/ 27 67/ 1/ 13 Tragopogon dubius Vicia americana 82/ 2/ 24 100/ 4/ 29 50/tr/ 5 100/ 4/ 38 100/ 1/ 5 25/ 1/ 11 100/ 2/ 17 89/ 1/ 12 27/tr/ 6 - 100/tr/ 8 60/tr/ 7 50/ 2/ 2b 50/ 1/ 3 67/ 1/ 7 33/ 1/ 7 Viola nuttallii 36/tr/ 4 - - - - 25/tr/ 1 - 33/tr/ 7 Yucca glauca 9/ 1/ 1 - - - - - - 11/tr/ 1 I co i Table 1 continued (2) Ponderosa Pine- Grassland Type Sageb Grass rush- land Type Deciduous Shrub Grasslar Type id Silver Sagebrus Grasslar Subtype 5 Sites h- id Big Sagebrush- Grassland Subtype 2 Sites Ponderos Bunchgre Subtype 9 Sites 100/ 6/ ,a Pine- Grassland Park Subtype 11 Sites 91/ 4/ 39 Drainage way Subtype 5 Sites 100/ 3/ 59 Burn Subtype 2 Sites ISS Taxal/ Skunkbush Subtype 4 Sites Snow berry Subtype 3 Sites FORBS: (Continued) Unidentified Forbs 100/ 6/ 70 80/ 3/ 47 50/ 5/ 43 100/ 6/ 60 100/ 5/ 55 72 Total Forbs 100/22/ 94 100/37/100 100/27/100 100/30/100 100/18/ 93 100/15/ 90 100/22/ 90 100/25/ 99 SHRUBS & TREES: Apocynum medium Artemisia cana Artemisia tridentata 27/ 1/ 2 - - 100/13/ 58 50/ 2/ 8 100/33/ 85 25/ 1/ 5 67/ 1/ 12 33/ tr/ 2 Chrysothamnus nauseosus Pinus ponderosa (seedling) Prunus virginiana Rhus trilobata Rosa spp. Sjiropjioricarpos albus Symphoricarpos occidentalis 9/ 1/ 3 18/tr/ 1 36/ 1/ 6 18/ 1/ 5 9/tr/ tr 55/ 3/ 14 20/tr/ 2 50/ 1/ 8 100/ 5/ 45 100/ 3/ 35 50/ 2/ 20 100/ 9/ 73 20/tr/ 20/tr/ 1 1 - 100/27/ 50/ 2/ 50/ 1/ 50/ 1/ 100/30/ SO 28 8 6 68 33/ 1/ 2 33/ 2/ 5 67/23/ 28 67/ 6/ 40 100/21/ 62 33/ 8/ 30 100/42/ 98 11/tr/ 56/ 2/ 100/ 5/ 67/ tr/ 100/ 7/ 1 16 34 7 Total Shrubs & Trees 20/tr/ 2 100/13/ 58 100/35/ 93 46 Bare Ground Rock Lying Litter Standing Litter 100/26/ 99 9/ 1/ 4 100/62/ 99 100/20/ 79 100/16/ 99 20/tr/ 1 100/73/100 100/18/ 80 100/27/ 90 100/57/ 98 100/ 7/ 65 100/17/ 97 100/69/100 100/16/ 90 100/24/ 90 100/56/100 100/12/ 83 100/36/ 75/ 9/ 100/52/ 100/15/ 90 40 96 81 100/ 8/ 68 33/ tr/ 3 100/87/100 100/20/ 90 100/11/ 70 11/tr/ 5 100/82/100 100/16/ 82 1/lncludes those plants with a canopy coverage of .5 percent or greater and a frequency of 5 percent or greater in at least one type or subtype. 1/Constancy (percent occurrence among sites)/canopy coverage (percent of area covered)/average frequency (percent occurrence among plots). 3/tr - Trace - a value less than .5 percent. A LEGEND U3 CO ■a in r+ Q. ■< CJ -s 0) i IBMe*''' ' — . ,'.. '.' . '.::-•■ . ' - - >' Figure 2. Grassland Park Subtype is shown in bottom and right, Ponderosa Pine-Bunchgrass Subtype is shown at left. •10- Figure 3. Drainageway Subtype is shown in foreground, Juniper Subtype in background. Ponderosa Pine- -11- viit; i'--;1",: .i >■ '«*'-"': : *H . • - -. ' .£■..>.. - .'.:. : _ ■H mm Figure 4. Cropland Subtype in mid-portion of top photo. Hay meadow is shown in bottom photo. -12- PHASES OF STUDY The project was divided into four separate parts. Three will be dis- cussed in this report and include: a general wildlife ecology study, revegetation studies, and a nongame mammal inventory. The fourth, a rest- rotation grazing study, will not be discussed in this report since the system will not be implemented until the spring of 1976. Range data gathered prior to implementation will be discussed in a later report. General Wildlife Ecology Study The purpose of this phase was to determine specific habitat requirements of game species, identify areas of conflict between game species and coal development, and determine what methods of reclamation will best fulfill habitat requirements of game animals. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) , elk (Cervis canadensis), Merriam's turkey (Meleagris gallopavo mevviami) and pronghorn ( Antilocavva amevioana) were the game species most often observed. White-tailed deer (odocoileus virgvniana) and ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) were found pri- marily along the bottomlands of the Musselshell River, although whitetails were occasionally observed in the timbered foothills of the Bull Mountains. On several occasions whitetails were observed with groups of mule deer. Sharp-tailed grouse (Pediocetes phasianellus ) occurred in the Bull Mountains but observations were rare. Animals, when observed either from an aircraft or from the ground, were classified as to sex and whether adult or juvenile. Vegetation type and subtype, class of slope, and exposure were noted as well as locations to the nearest section. Individually marked animals were located to the nearest quarter section. Distance to the nearest cover type was estimated for observa- tions of turkeys. Food habits of mule deer and elk were estimated by the use of feeding site examinations as described by Allen (1968) and others. Mule Deer Aerial and ground data have been combined in the following analysis. Data are based on 2,012 observations of mule deer from March 1973 throuqh February 1974. Distribution and Range Use Seasonal trends in distribution and range use are similar to those ob- served during the previous report period (Dusek and McCann 1973). As indicated in the initial report, distribution of mule deer in the Bull Mountains did not change appreciably throughout the year, suggesting that they were nonmigratory Observations during this report period tend to substantiate that conclusion. Movements Seven mule deer were trapped and individually marked during the winters of 1972-73 and 1973-74. Three adult females were trapped in the Fattig Creek -13- drainage on Consol's ranch during January and February 1973. Two of these (D-1608 and D-1629) were relocated during April 1973. No more observations of marked deer were obtained until January 1974 when two (D-1604 and D-1629) were observed. During early February 1974, one (D-1604) was retrapped. All of these relocations were within three-quarters of a mile of the trap sites. Additional relocations will be necessary to calculate home range sizes. This data should be available by the time the next report is written. Mackie (1970) reported home ranges of adult females in the Missouri Breaks to encom- pass approximately 300 acres. During February 1974, one male fawn was trapped and marked in the Fattig Creek drainage. One adult female and two female fawns were banded in the Halfbreed Creek drainage. No relocations of these animals were obtained during the report period. Group Characteristics Group sizes were smallest during summer, with a mean of 2.2 animals per group. During winter, group sizes were largest with a mean of 7.0 animals per group. Mackie (1970) indicated that the increase in group size reflected a greater incidence of association on mutually used areas. During spring and fall, group sizes were intermediate to those of summer and winter. Means were 5.1 and 4.1, respectively. Use of Vegetation Types Observations of mule deer were facilitated by periods of activity such as feeding. Following these periods, or when alarmed, deer used timbered types for escape cover. Since only the vegetation type the animals occupied when first observed was recorded, the actual importance of timber to deer is perhaps not accurately reflected by the data in Table 2. Spring: Data gathered during spring 1973 reflect heavy use of open veg- etation types primarily associated with major drainages. The grassland type received 37 percent of the seasonal use followed by the agricultural type with 32 percent. The drainageway subtype and croplands accounted for the greatest use within the respective types (Table 2). The ponderosa pine-grassland type accounted for 18 percent of the seasonal observations, most of which occurred in the ponderosa pine-bunchgrass subtype. Summer: During summer 1973, the grassland type received the greatest seasonal use, accounting for 37 percent of the observations. The drainageway subtype accounted for the greatest use within this type (Table 2). Forbs, the most important forage class in the diet of mule deer during this season, were abundant on this subtype (Table 1). The ponderosa pine-grassland type received 22 percent of the seasonal use, nearly all of which occurred in the ponderosa pine-bunchgrass sbutype. Use of the agricultural type decreased from spring while that on the sagebrush-grassland and deciduous shrub types increased. Fall : The agricultural type received the greatest use during fall 1973 and accounted for 40 percent of the observations. Cropland and hay meadows ■14- were both used extensively (Table 2). A fall greenup, resulting from above- normal precipitation during this season (Appendix Table 29), may have influenced the heavy use of this type. Observations in the grassland and ponderosa pine types decreased from summer. Winter: The winter of 1973-74 was characterized by mild climatic con- ditions (Appendix Table 29). A distinct trend in use of vegetation types by deer was not apparent. The grassland and agricultural types each accounted for 29 percent of the seasonal observations. Use within the grassland type was evenly distributed between the grassland park and the drainageway subtypes (Table 2). The ponderosa pine-bunchgrass and silver sagebrush-grassland sub- types received the bulk of the use in their respective types. Use of Slopes Spring: Sidehills and creek bottoms accounted for 38 and 23 percent of the observations, respectively, during spring 1973. The increase in observa- tions on creek bottoms from the previous winter (Dusek and McCann 1973) was perhaps influenced by a major change in the yearlong diet during the spring greenup. Generally, mule deer change from a diet dominated by shrubby vegeta- tion to one consisting primarily of herbaceous plants during this season (Wilkins 1957, Lovaas 1958, Mackie 1970, and Dusek 1971). Mule deer appeared to use indiscriminately portions of creek bottoms having received light to heavy use by livestock during the previous year. Deer perhaps prefer green herbaceous vegetation during this season that is free of stubble as suggested by Dasman (1971). The relative use of all classes of slope by mule deer appears in Table 3. Summer: During summer 1973, observations of mule deer were distributed evenly among three classes of slope (Table 3). Twenty-five percent of the observations occurred on sidehills followed by coulee bottoms and plateaus with 22 percent each. During this season very few observations of mule deer were obtained in coulee and creek bottoms occupied by large concentrations of livestock or in portions that had been heavily grazed. During the report period coulee bottoms received their greatest seasonal use in summer and creek bottoms received their lowest (Table 3). Fall : Sidehills accounted for 30 percent of the observations of mule ''■--'■" during fall 1973, rwenty-one pel :ent of the seasonal >bservations occurred on creek bottoms, which represented an increase in use of this class of slope over summer observations. This corresponded with increased use of the agricultural vegetation type during this season (Tables 2 and 3). Mackie (1970) observed a distinct shift by mule deer to river bottomlands in the Missouri Breaks during late summer and fall. This movement was believed to be related to dessication of forage on adjacent slopes. Winter: During the winter of 1973-74, 33 percent of the observations occurred on sidehills. The remaining observations were evenly distributed between creek bottoms, coulee heads, plateaus and ridges (Table 3). This was a mild winter as mentioned previously. Since snow did not accumulate and depths rarely exceeded 6 to 12 inches, snow depths had little or no effect on the distribution of mule deer. ■15- Use of Exposures During winter 1973-74, 61 percent of the observations of mule deer associated with some degree of slope occurred on southerly exposures. This is similar to findings of Loveless (1967) in Colorado. The use of these exposures during winter is perhaps related to photo-responses of mule deer and to the abundance of shrubby vegetation. Northerly exposures were used heavily during summer and fall (Table 4). Occurrence of deer on east exposures exceeded that on west exposures during all seasons. Food Habits Food habits of mule deer during summer 1973 and winter 1973-74 were estimated by the use of five and four feeding site examinations, respectively. Results appear in Table 5. Sample sizes were quite small, but seasonal trends were similar to those of the previous report period (Dusek and McCann 1973). Four browse utilization transects aided in determining relative use and periods of use of browse species. Summer: During summer 1973, forbs and browse constituted 68 and 32 per- cent, respectively, of the seasonal diet. Among forbs, yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis) was the most abundant and constituted 39 percent of the diet. Mackie (1970) reported a direct relationship between availability of yellow sweetclover, as influenced by precipitation, and its relative use by mule deer. Other forbs utilized during this season included northern sweet- vetch (Hedysarum boreale) and common salsify (Table 5). Shrubs used during this season included wild rose, dogbane and chokecherry (Primus virginiana) . No use of grass was observed during this season. Winter: Browse constituted 95 percent of the use on feeding sites during winter 1973-74. Silver sagebrush was the most important shrub, accounting for 63 percent of the use followed by skunkbush with 28 percent. Forbs accounted for 5 percent of the winter diet, with aster (Aster sppj the most abundant (Table 5). Use of grasses was negligible during this season. All browse utilization transects (Cole 1959) were read during April 1973 following mild winter conditions and were read again in November 1973. One transect on silver sagebrush and skunkbush was read during mid-February 1974. Results appear in Table 6. On three transects, utilization of silver sagebrush averaged 30 percent when read in April. Skunkbush averaged 32 percent on two transects during the same period. Utilization of skunkbush exceeded that of silver sagebrush during fall 1973 (Table 6). However, when transect 488 was read during February, utilization of silver sagebrush was twice that of skunkbush. Utiliza- tion of rubber rabbi tbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) and green rabbi tbrush (C. visoidif torus) was substantial during both fall and winter (Table 6). Dis- tribution of rabbitbrushes is limited. Therefore, rabbitbrush may be important to mule deer only in specific locations. Population Characteristics Based on 356 ground observations during spring 1973, a fawn:adult ratio 2:100 was calculated (Table 7). This closely compared with data collects ■16- during the previous fall and winter (Dusek and McCann 1973). Sex of adults was not readily determined during spring, so a fawn:doe ratio was not avail- able. Although the 1973 fawn crop was most likely born in June and July, fawns were not readily observable until August. For this reason fawn:doe and fawn: adult ratios were not calculated for summer observations. During fall 1973, fawnrdoe and fawn:adult ratios, based on 536 combined ground and aerial ob- servations, were 47:100 and 37:100, respectively (Table 7). During the winter of 1973-74, the respective ratios were 39:100 and 31:100. The dif- ference in fall and winter ratios did not appear to be substantial. '.'if'-. :"": >* •-" - ■.-.,! • ;• . .-■■■■ t . ,: \ -17- Table 2. Seasonal use of vegetation types and subtypes by mule deer as determined from 2,012 ground and aerial observations during the report period. Vegetation Type Grassland Type: Grassland Park Subtype Drainageway Subtype Burn Subtype Spring 1973 (489)1/ 132/ 22 2 Season Summer 1973 (506) 12 24 1 Fall 1973 (536) ri 16 3 Winter 1973-74 (481) 13 12 4 Total 37 37 30 29 Agricultural Type: Cropland Hay Meadow 7 25 7 12 16 24 16 13 Total 32 19 40 29 CO Sagebrush-Grassland Type: Silver Sagebrush-Grassland Subtype Big Sagebrush-Grassland Subtype Total 7 7^ 7 4 11 5 6 15 2 17 Deciduous Shrub Type: Skunkbush Subtype Snowberry Subtype 3 2 1 5 4 5 Total Ponderosa Pine-Grassland Type: Ponderosa Pine-Bunchgrass Subtype Ponderosa Pine- Juniper Subtype 17 1 22 trl/ 14 1 18 2 Total Ponderosa Pine Type: 18 22 tr 15 tr 20 3 1/Sample size for a respective season ^/Percent of seasonal observations 1/frace - a value less than 1 percent of seasonal observations Table 3. Seasonal use of the various classes of slope by mule deer as deter- mined from 2,012 ground and aerial observations during the report period. Class of Slope Coulee Season Spring 1973 (489)1/ Summer 1973 (506) Fall 1973 (536) Winter 1973-74 (481) -Sample size for a respective season ^./Percentage of seasonal observations Coulee Creek Coulee Sidehill Bottom Bottom Ridge Plateau Head 382/ n 23 i: 12 3 25 22 16 22 10 30 16 21 8 15 10 33 9 19 11 13 15 Table 4. Percent of observations of mule deer occurring on each of eight exposures by season as determined by 625 ground and aerial ob- servations during the report period. Expos j re Season North East South West NE NW SE SW Spring 1973 (151)1/ 32/ lu 13 7 14 5 23 20 Summer 1973 (134) 16 20 18 2 6 10 18 10 Fall 1973 (151) 18 9 12 3 12 21 19 6 Winter 1973- (189) 74 - 13 24 6 15 5 29 8 I'Sample size occurring on some degree of slope during a respective seas ^./Percent of seasonal observations associated with some degree of slope -19- Table 5. Summer and winter food habits of mule deer as determined from examination of feeding sites based on 891 instances of use. Taxa Summer 1973 5 sitesl/ (278)2/ Browse: Apocynum medium Artemisia cana Juniperus communis Juniperus horizontalis Prunus virginiana Rhus trilobata Rosa spp. 20/121/ 20/ 5 60/15 Total Browse Winter 1973-74 4 sites (613) 75/63 25/ 1 25/ 3 100/28 60/32 100/95 Forbs : Artemisia lucoviaiana M Aster spp. _ Eedysarum horeale Lactuca serriola LEGUMIN0SAE 20/19 20/ 1 Medioago sativa Melilotus officinalis Tragopogon dubius Yucca glauca Unidentified Forbs 20/ 3 80/39 60/ 6 20/ tr! Total Forbs Grasses 100/68 25/ 1 25/ 3 25/tr 25/tr 75/ 4 50/tr !/There were actually 7 sites examined, but 3 had less than 30 instances of use so were combined 2/Number of instances of use for a respective season -/Frequency (percent occurrence among feeding sites)/percent of seasonal diet i/tr - trace (a value less than 1 percent) ■20- Table 6. Browse utilization trend data for fall and winter browse species at four locations Locatior Sec. T R Plot No. Key PI SP- .... ants No. Month Percent Leader Use 7 6 28 33 Chna 25 April November '73 '73 90 21 7 6 28 34 Rhtr 25 April November '73 '73 14 1 Area 25 April November '73 '73 47 9 20 8 26 99 Chvi 21 April November '73 "73 40 59 Area 25 April November '73 '73 5 1 8 6 27 488 Rhtr 25 Apri 1 November February '73 '73 '74 49 7 13 Area 25 April November February '73 '73 '74 38 2 25 ■21- Table 7- :z\^°iT:ziT\iT. °/eZiryiiw.s deterained from u879 ground and aeriai °b"™t1°- Season Adults Fawns Unci. Sex & A2e Total Fawns: 100 Does Fawns: 100 Adults Bucks : 100 Does Does Bucks Unci, Total Spring 19731/ 117 30 111 258 57 41 356 - 22:100 . Summer 1973 256 173 19 448 58 -- 506 - - 68:100 Fall 1973 289 83 2 374 137 25 536 47:100 37:100 29:100 Winter 1973-74 264 64 3 331 102 48 481 39:100 31:100 24:100 r (V) I/Only ground observations were represented during spring Elk Until 1973, elk had never been legally hunted in the Bull Mountains. Five archery permits were issued during fall 1973 for a portion of hunting district 590 which consisted of deeded and leased surface lands controlled by Consol. No elk were taken during that season. Another season is tenta- tively scheduled for the same area during 1974. Distribution and Range Use Distribution and range use for the report period were based on 255 com- bined ground and aerial observations. The portion of the Bull Mountains occupied by elk was illustrated in the initial report (Dusek and McCann 1973). Distribution of elk by season since initiation of the project is illustrated in Figure 5 of this report. It is the writer's opinion that at least four herd segments occur in thearea. More data are necessary to determine the size of the ranges used by individual segments, home ranges of individual animals and any interchange of animals between herd segments. During February 1974, two cows were cap- tured and equipped with individually color-coded neckbands as described by Knight (1966). Neckbands used were 6 inches wide. Hopefully, several more elk will be marked this coming winter. Distribution Elk in the Bull Mountains appeared to be nonmigratory and seasonal move- ments within their range closely paralleled that by elk in the Missouri Breaks (Mackie 1970). During winter and spring, elk were concentrated at the heads of major drainages (Figure 5). Several wintering areas were apparent. One occurred in northern Yellowstone County off the southeast end of Dunn Mountain at the head of Railroad Creek (Figure 5). The remaining winter concentrations that were identified were in Musselshell County. One occurred near the divide between Railroad Creek and Fattig Creek, and one on the divide between Fattig Creek and Hawk Creek. A number of elk were observed throughout the year near the mesa separating Fattig Creek and East Parrot Creek but windy conditions and time precluded any intensive work in that area during winter. Elk re- mained at higher elevations during much of the summer and were often observed near a source of free water. During late summer and fall they were often observed along the major drainages. Group Characteristics Average group sizes were largest in number during fall and winter and smallest during spring. This observation was similar to findings obtained in the Missouri Breaks and the Sun River (Mackie 1970 and Knight 1970). Spring: Groups observed during spring 1973 varied from 1 to 6 and averaged 3.3 animals per group. This included one group of five bulls. Summer: Group sizes varied from 2 to 18 and averaged 6.9 animals per group during summer 1973. Large groups observed during this season invariably were cow/calf groups and occasionally contained a spike bull. These groups were observed in small open or broken parks throughout June and July and were riotobserved along major drainages until late August. Bulls larger than "spikes" were not observed with cow/calf groups during this season. One group of six mature bulls was observed on Hawk Creek late in July. Smaller groups during this season primarily consisted of "spikes" or "spikes" and cows. FaTh Group characteristics during fall 1973 reflected breeding activity. Groups varied from 2 to 14 and averaged 8.3 animals per group. Cow/calf groups contained from one to three bulls. Mature bulls were first observed with these groups in early September. Winter: Groups of elk observed during winter 1973-74 contained from 1 to 18 and averaged 8.4 animals per group. Bulls of various antler classes were occasionally observed with the larger groups. Use of Vegetation Types Spring: Only a small number of elk was observed during spring 1973 (Table 8]/ Due to the small sample size, data for this season may not ac- curately reflect habitat preference. The deciduous shrub type accounted for 55 percent of the seasonal observations, followed by the grassland and agri- cultural types with 30 and 15 percent, respectively. Summer: During summer 1973, 46 percent of the observed use occurred in the ponderosa pine-grassland type, all of which occurred in the ponderosa pine- bunchgrass subtype. Mackie (1970) found timbered types to account for the greatest summer use by elk in the Missouri Breaks. Only on one occasion were elk observed in a recently logged area. On several occasions they were ob- served in stands of timber adjacent to recently logged areas. The qrassland type received 30 percent of the observed summer use, of which the grassland park subtype accounted for the bulk (Table 8). Use of the agricultural type during summer was largely influenced by observations obtained during late August. Fal_l_: The agricultural type, which accounted for 48 percent of the seasonal observations, received the greatest use during fall 1973. This was similar to findings of the previous year (Dusek and McCann 1973). The ponderosa pine-bunchgrass and snowberry subtypes accounted for all of the observations in their respective types (Table 8). Winter: Twenty-eight percent of the observations during winter 1973-74 occurred in the ponderosa pine-grassland type followed by the grassland type with 23 percent. All observations in the latter type occurred in the grass- land park subtype. Use of the ponderosa pine-juniper subtype was associated with southeast exposures and scattered timber. Use of Slopes Spring: Due to the small number of observations of elk during spring 1973, a trend in preference for slopes will not be discussed. Observations during this season were well distributed between plateaus, coulee heads, ridges and sidehills (Table 9). -24- Summer: The greatest number of observations during summer 1973 occurred on coulee oottoms and sidehills which accounted for 36 and 30 percent of the observations, respectively. Creek bottoms were occupied by elk primarily during late summer. This corresponds with increased use by elk of the agricul- tural type during that same period (Tables 8 and 9). Fall: Forty-three percent of the observations during fall 1973 occurred on plateaus, followed by creek bottoms and coulee bottoms with 21 and 19 per- cent respectively. This corresponded quite closely with use of the agricul- tural type by elk during fall (Tables 8 and 9). Winter: Sidehills and coulee bottoms accounted for 29 and 24 percent respectively, of the observations during winter 1973-74. Ridges also received substantial use by elk during this season (Table 9). Due to the mild climatic conditions during this winter, use of the various classes of slope was perhaps influenced largely by habitat preference and forage conditions. Food Habits Food habits of elk during the period of November 1973 to February 1974 were estimated by examination of three feeding sites. Although the sample was 5u d i7ai * a gave sorne indication of plant species used by elk in the Bull Mountains during this period. All examinations were made in open grassland areas. Data appear in Table 10 Forbs, grasses and browse constituted 51, 44 and 5 percent of the instances of use, respectively,, during the late fall and winter period. Fringed saqewort the most important species, accounted for 38 percent of the observed use Utner forbs included soapweed (Yucca glauaa) and cudleaf sagewort (Table 10) Western wheatgrass, which accounted for 23 percent of the diet, was the most' important grass. Green needlegrass and bluegrasses were also used Much of the detected use of grasses throughout the period included that which remained green Shrubs used by elk during this period included silver sagebrush and skunkbush sumac. Population Characteristics Data for summer and fall 1973 were combined to provide a meaningful sample size upon which to base cow:calf and adult:calf ratios. Calves were first ob- served during the first half of June. During the following winter they were difficult to distinguish from cows. Cow:calf and adult:calf ratios for the period of June through November 1973 were 100:56 and 100:41, respectively (Table 11). The cow:calf ratio compared closely with those reported for the Missouri Breaks and the Little Belt Mountains (Mackie 1970, Coop 1971 and Day 1973) -25- m • v t '.. : ^-"' -26- IV) - J I Table 8. Seasonal use of vegetation types and subtypes by elk as determined from 255 ground and aerial observations. Vegetation Type Grassland Type: Grassland Park Subtype Drainageway Subtype Burn Subtype Spring 1973 (20)V 302/ Total Agricultural Type: Cropland Hay Meadow Total Sagebrush-Grassland Type: Silver Sagebrush-Grassland Subtype Big Sagebrush-Grassland Subtype Total ** Deciduous Shrub Type: Skunkbush Subtype Snowberry Subtype Total Ponderosa Pine-Grassland Type: Ponderosa Pine-Bunchgrass Subtype Ponderosa Pine-Juniper Subtype Total Ponderosa Pine Type 30 15 15 25 30 55 Summer 1973 (76) 24 9 33 14 7 21 46 46 Fall 1973 (75) 27 21 48 19 19 33 33 Winter 1973-74 (84) 23 23 17 17 12 12 20 20 13 15 28 1/Sample size for a respective season 2/Percent of seasonal observations Table 9. Seasonal use of the various classes of slope by elk as determined from 255 ground and aerial observations during the report period. Class of Slope Season Sidehill Coulee Bottom Creek Bottom Ridge Plateau Coulee Head Spring 1973 (20)1/ 202/ - - 25 30 25 Summer 1973 (76) 30 36 17 11 7 - Fall 1973 (75) 9 19 21 - 43 s Winter 1973-74 (84) 29 24 17 19 - 12 — Sample size for a respective season 2/Percent of seasonal observations ■28- Table 10. Food habits of elk during the period November 1973 through February 1974 as determined from feeding site examinations. Nov. -Feb. 3 Sites I__ (367) 1/ Browse: Artemisia cana 57/ /\2J Rhus tri lobata 33/ 1 Total Browse TOO/- 5 Forbs : Artemisia frigida 100/38 Artemisia ludoviciana 33/ 2 Aster spp. 67/ -| COMPOS I TAE 33/tr3/ Yucca glauca 33/ 7 Unidentified Forbs 33/ 3 Total Forbs TOO/BT Grasses: Agropyron smithii 100/23 Bouteloua gracilis 57/ ] Bromus spp. 33/ ] Poa spp.^ 67/ 2 Stipa viridula 67/12 Unidentified Grasses TOO/ 5 Total Grasses 1 00/44 i/Number of instances of use for the period ^/Frequency (percent occurrence among feeding sites)/percent of diet 1/tr - a value less than .5 percent Table 11. Population characteristics of elk as determined from 151 ground and aerial observations combined during the period of June 1973 through November 1973. n . ,, Adu1^s Calves: Calves: Period Cows Bulls Total Calves Total 100 Cows 100 Adults June-Nov. 1973 79 28 107 44 151 56:100 41:100 ■29- N, * ■%. -zs^-iEr 5/5 X CJiJ _i m v> U. gj S2 CD u- ..«^ * t £ \ ^ ^ -^ p y T"-*x fr "T": x ^ ' ' ^ - N ■- Z / ^U U j '( J : * "■ o# #v ®# W ; i U \**i$~~\ r-— ■^-^. Qy K. \5 / u I/) •^ V ./' _ 1 './' 2 -C/" ..■ ^ u . 1 ^^v ST""/? /*{ u < *V V •^ >»*«< r ^' % u. \ # ^ 'A -^ y f3«JQ tf^ tt ' *i i 7 /1'V Figure 5. Seasonal distribution of elk in the Bull Mountains covering the period April 1972 - February 1974. -30- Turkeys The historic range of Merriam's turkey appears to be limited to portions of Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado (MacDonald and Jantzen 1967). This sub- species was first successfully introduced in Montana with wild-trapped birds from Colorado and Wyoming in 1954 and 1955 (Greene and Ellis 1971). During 1958, 53 turkeys, trapped in the Long Pines of southeastern Montana, were re- leased in the Bull Mountains. From 1964 to 1967, 157 turkeys were trapped in the Bull Mountains for release in other parts of the state. Turkeys were first legally hunted in the Bull Mountains during fall 1962 Hunter success averaged 37 percent from 1962 to 1972 (Compton 1973). To date there has not been a spring gobbler season in the Bulls. However, a limited season is scheduled for spring 1974 on property owned and leased by Consol . Distribution and Range Use Distribution and range use during this report period are based on 389 observations of turkeys - considerably less than were observed during the pre- vious report period (Dusek and McCann 1973). Most observations were obtained during ground surveys and supplemented with several aerial observations. Distribution The yearlong distribution of turkeys in the Bull Mountains was illustrated in the initial progress report (Dusek and McCann 1973). Birds generally oc- curred in that same area during this report period. During spring turkeys dispersed from major drainages into sidedrainages and foothills. During winter, most observations of turkeys were in close proximity to major drainages. Two relocations were made during the report period of turkeys that were trapped and marked on East Parrot Creek during February 1972. One, observed during April 1973 in the Fattig Creek drainage, was approximately 8 miles from the trap site. Another, observed during January 1974 on Fattig Creek, was approximately 5 miles from where it was trapped. Both were hens. Flocking Characteristics Flocking data for the report period appear in Table 12. The general trend is similar to that of the previous report period (Dusek and McCann 1973) and that reported by Jonas (1966) for the Long Pines. Gobbler flocks were observed during all seasons, but were largest in number during fall and winter (Table 12). For the Rio Grande turkey (m. gallopavo intermedia) in Texas, Watts (1968) found winter flocks of males to be composed of "sibling" units and attempts by juvenile sibling groups to join groups of older males were seldom successful. In the Bull Mountains, gobbler flocks appeared to be composed entirely of either juvenile or older males during late fall and winter, suggesting that some form of social hier- archy among male Merriam's turkey does exist. -31- i/ During this report period, spring was the only season when hens were observed solitarily (Table 12). This was perhaps related to nesting activities During the remainder of the report period they were always associated with some type of flock (Table 12). Brood flocks were observed during summer and early fall. During this /?o2£\ period' obse>"ved flocks contained broods of one or two hens Jonas (1966) indicated that individual broods combined when poults were 7 to 10 days old. Mixed flocks were observed during fall and winter. These were perhaps the result of brood flocks combining during late fall. Most males occurrinq within these flocks were juveniles, although adult males were occasionally observed with these groups. Courtship flocks during spring (Table 12) contained one to three dis- playing males. The number of birds in these flocks decreased from early April to late May as hens began nesting. Use of Vegetation Types Merriam's turkey is basically associated with ponderosa pine, although its habitat is not limited to this vegetation type (MacDonald and Jantzen 1967). In the Bull Mountains turkeys used stands of ponderosa pine as escape cover. During spring, summer and fall 1973, 98 percent of the turkeys ob- served were within 100 yards of the nearest escape cover. During winter 1973- 74, 73 percent of the birds were further than 100 yards from the nearest cover. Sp_r[ng_: During periods of activity the grassland type received the greatest use by turkeys during spring 1973, accounting for 38 percent of the observations. Most of this use occurred in the drainageway subtype (Table 13) The agricultural and ponderosa pine-grassland types accounted for 30 and 29 percent of the seasonal use, respectively, _ Summer: During summer 1973, 51 percent of the use occurred in the agricultural type, all of which occurred in hay meadows. Twenty-six and 21 percent of the use occurred in the sagebrush-grassland and grassland types. I he silver sagebrush-grassland and drainageway subtypes accounted for the greatest use in their respective types (Table 13). E*I1; During this season the grassland type, which accounted for 50 percent of the use, was the most important type. Observations were evenly distributed between the grassland park and drainageway subtypes (Table 13) Use of the agricultural and sagebrush-grassland types decreased from summer while use of the ponderosa pine-grassland type increased. Winter: Thirty-five percent of the observations during winter 1973-74 occurred in areas where livestock were being fed or in farmyards. The agricultural type accounted for 30 percent of the seasonal use. Cropland and hay meadows were both used (Table 13). The ponderosa pine-bunchgrass subtype, which accounted for 28 percent of winter observations, was the only subtype used in the ponderosa pine-grassland type. -32- Use of Slopes Spring: Coulee bottoms received the greatest use during spring 1973, accounting for 54 percent of the observations. Creek bottoms and sidehills each accounted for 12 percent of the seasonal observations. All classes of slope received at least some use during this season (Table 14). Summer: As during spring, the greatest number of observations of turkeys occurred on coulee bottoms during summer 1973. Fifty-three percent of the seasonal observations occurred on this class of slope. Creek bottoms and sidehills received 26 and 11 percent of the seasonal use, respectively. Fall : Coulee bottoms, where 39 percent of the seasonal observations occurred, received the greatest use during fall 1973. Sidehills and ridges accounted for 27 and 14 percent of the observations, respectively. All classes of slope were used during this season (Table 14). Winter: During winter 1973-74, creek bottoms, which accounted for 66 percent of the observations, received their greatest yearlong use while coulee bottoms received their lowest (Table 14). Fourteen percent of the observations occurred on ridges during this season. Population Characteristics Only 7 broods, which included 38 poults, were observed from July through September 1973. Average brood size was 5.4 poults (Table 15). The average number of poults per female and average number of poults per adult were 4.2 and 1.2, respectively. Except during winter months, the number of adult males observed exceeded females. For this reason the number of poults per adult may have been underestimated. In any event, 50 percent of the turkeys observed during the summer and fall were birds of the year. " ■' -V '■ i titer ■ ■;, ■ ■ , • #H*, -33- I to -p. I Table 12. Seasonal flocking of 377 turkeys during the report period. Spring 1973 (81)1/ Summer 1973 (41) Fall 1973 (118) Winter 1973 -74 (137) No. Fl. Avg. No. Fl. Avg. No. Fl. Avg. No. Fl. Avg. Gobbler 19 5 4 14 6 2 33 5 7 28 3 9 Hen 3 3 1 - - - - - - - -, - Brood - - - 27 3 9 20 2 10 - ~ - Mi xed - - - - - - 65 4 16 109 5 22 Courtship 59 14 4 - - - - - - - - - I'Sample size for a respective season Table 13. Seasonal use of vegetation types and subtypes by turkeys as determined from 389 ground and aerial observations during the report period. Vegetation Type Grassland Type: Grassland Park Subtype Drainageway Subtype Burn Subtype Spring 1973 (81)1/ 21/ 36 Summer 1973 (53) 2 19 Fall 1973 (118) 26 24 Winter 1973-74 (137) Total 38 21 50 Agricultural Type: Cropland Hay Meadows Total 10 20 ^0 11 51 9 8 17 13 17 30 CO ( Sagebrush-Grassland Type: Silver Sagebrush-Grassland Subtype Big Sagebrush-Grassland Subtype 26 18 Total 26 18 Deciduous Shrub Type: Skunkbush Subtype Snowberry Subtype Total Ponderosa Pine-Grassland Type: Ponderosa Pine-Bunchgrass Subtype 25 Ponderosa Pine-Juniper Subtype 4_ 14 28 Total Feedlots & Farms 29 14 28 35 1/Sample size for a respective season ?J Percent of seasonal observations Table 14. Seasonal use of the various classes of slope by turkeys as deter- mined from 389 ground and aerial observations during the report period. Class of Slope Season Sidehi 11 Coulee Bottom Creek Bottom Ridge Plateau Coulee Head Spring 1973 (81)1/ 122/ 54 12 1 1 6 4 Summer 1973 (53) Vi 53 23 2 7 - Fall 1973 (118) 27 39 9 14 2 8 Winter 1973-74 (137) 7 7 S3 14 7 - I/Sample size for a respective season 2/Percent of seasonal observations Table 15. Population characteristics of turkeys covering the period of July- September 1973 based on 71 observations. Avg . Period No. No. Brood Adults young: Young: Covered Broods Young Size M. F. Total Adult F.. Adult July- September 1973 7 38 5.4 24 9 33 4.2:1 1.2:1 •36- Pronghorn The only data gathered on pronghorn appearing in this report were ob- tained during aerial surveys in August 1973. Data concerning winter dis- tribution and habitat use will appear in a later report. Distribution On the west end of the study area, which occurred in hunting district 550, pronghorn were observed in the vicinity of Dewy Creek (Figure 6). The portion east of U. S. 87 and south of U. S. 12 occurred in hunting district 540. In this area pronghorn occurred primarily in the Buffalo Creek, Antelope Creek and Hibbard Creek drainages during August. The areas that pronghorn occupied during this period were characterized by grasslands and sagebrush-grasslands interspersed with timbered ridges. The big sagebrush-grassland subtype is prevalent in these areas. Population Characteristics The following discussion is for hunting district 540 only. The sample size obtained in 550 was too small to calculate fawn: doe and fawn: adult ratios. Fawn:doe and Fawn:adult ratios for district 540 were 31:100 and 24:100, respectively, during August 1973 (Table 16). These ratios were comparable to those obtained for the entire unit during the summer of 1972 (Gordon and Coop 1973). Table 16. Population characteristics of pronghorn as determined from 168 aerial observations in hunting district 540 during August 1973. Adults Fawns Total Fawns : 100 Does Fawns : 100 Adults Bucks • Period Does Bucks Total 100 Does August 1973 106 29 135 33 168 31:100 24:100 27:100 ■37- LEGEND = CO 00 I C -$ en a. 2 c: flj -s -a —J. ^ o U3 -h > r+ en (/i t+ c+ C _. Q. <£><< oj &> • -s ru pj 3P I. a" c: o rs O c TJ T3 -5 O 3 in 3- O -S ::> PERMANENT STREAMS INTERMITTENT STREAMS PAVED ROADS UNPAVEO ROADS OUTCROP OF MAMISOTH-REHDER COAL SEAM ELEVATION Ueet above sea level) ONE GROUP OF PRONGHORN Revegetation Studies This phase of study included monitoring development of vegetational cover and use by wildlife on surface-mined areas that had undergone reclama- tion attempts. Reclamation included backfilling, highwall reduction, and application of seed and fertilizer on affected sites. At the present time this has been done at two sites which include Consol's test pit southeast of Roundup and the Square Deal pit northwest of Roundup (Figure 1). The total affected acreages were 12 and 7, respectively. Consol 's Test Pit Mining on this site began in August 1971. Seeding and fertilization were completed during May 1972. Chemical fertilizer was used on this site. The rationale of the reclamation plan and vegetational composition during the 1972 growing season was discussed in the initial report (Dusek and McCann 1973). Distribution of the various soil mixtures used to cover spoils material is shown in Figure 7. Vegetational Analysis Two permanent vegetation analysis stations were established and read, one each in the sandstone-shale and shale soils, during July 1973 in addition to the 15 established in 1972. The location of the 17 transects appears in Table 7. Each transect was analyzed by a canopy coverage method described previously. Results appear in Tables 17, 18 and 19. Although trends in vegetational cover, by soil mixture and slope, were the same as those that occurred during the first growing season (Dusek and McCann 1973), cover of living vegetation increased from the first growing season. Establishment of vegetational cover in the pit area and spoils ridges (Figure 7) is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. Soil Mixture The following analysis compares data by soil mixture, regardless of slope gradient. Data appear in Table 17. Topsoil : Topsoiled areas exhibited the greatest canopy of living vegetation and the greatest species diversity of all soil mixtures. Forbs were the most abundant forage class. Yellow sweetclover, a biennial, flowered during this growing season and was the most abundant plant species occurring on this type of soil. Alfalfa (Medioago sppj, which was included in the seed mixture and seedlings, if present, indistinguishable from yellow sweet- clover during the 1972 growing season, did not occur on the site during the 1973 growing season. Most prevalent among grasses were crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) , perennial brome (Bvomus sppj and western wheatgrass. This was the only soil mixture where shrubs occurred and included common snow- berry and wild rose, neither of which were included in the seed mixture. Sandstone: Portions covered by sandstone ranked second to topsoil in terms of canopy of living vegetation. Grasses, which included crested wheat- grass, cheatgrasses, ryegrass (Lolium multiflorvm) and perennial bromes, ex- hibited the greatest canopy among forage classes (Table 17). Although forbs ranked second on this soil mixture, yellow sweetclover was the most abundant single species. -39- Sandstone-Shale: The canopy of living vegetation which occured on this mixture was considerably less than that which occured on topsoil and sandstone (Table 17). Grasses were the most abundant forage class, of which ryegrass and orchardgrass (Daatylis glomerata) were most prevalent. Forbs were scarce. Yellow sweetclover and saltbush (Atriplex sppj made up the bulk. Shale: This mixture exhibited the lowest canopy of grasses of the four soil mixtures. Forbs were the most abundant forage class, of which Russian thistle (Salsola kali), an annual, was most prevalent. Slope When data were combined according to gradient, regardless of soil mixture gradients varying from 2.5:1 to 3:1 exhibited the greatest canopy of living vegetation (Table 18). This may have been influenced by the fact that three of the five transects occurring on these gradients were topsoiled. In spite of this, the average percent of bare ground was less on these than the average of all transects occurring on topsoiled areas (Tables 17 and 18). Gradients varying from 1.25:1 to 2:1 had the least canopy. The general trend is the same as that observed during the first growing season after seeding in 1972 (Dusek and McCann) 1973). Exposure Slopes having a northerly exposure exhibited a greater canopy of living vegetation than those facing a southerly direction (Table 19). This is per- haps related to greater retention of soil moisture on north facing slopes as affected by wind, duration and intensity of solar radiation, etc. Plant species that did not appear to be affected by exposure included orchardgrass and ryegrass. The rest of the species with a canopy of one percent or greater did appear to be affected by exposure. Use by Wildlife Game Species Mule deer, the only game species observed on the test pit area, used the area periodically throughout the report period. During April 1973, a group of 15 deer was observed on the south highwall and the topsoiled portions of the south spoils ridge (Figure 7). Other factors indicating the presence of deer included tracks and pellet groups. In the future, pellet group indices will be used to determine the relative use of various portions of the disturbed area. Use of the area by deer appeared to be restricted primarily to topsoiled and sandstone areas that exhibited substantial vegetational cover. During spring 1973, these portions were perhaps as attractive to deer as the agri- cultural vegetation type was throughout the Bull Mountains area (Table 2). During late July 1973, activity by deer was quite apparent at the test pit. Also, utilization of yellow sweetclover was quite heavy. Since livestock were fenced from the area, most of this use was assumed to be by deer. Yellow sweetclover was an abundant item in the mule deer diet during summer 1973 -40- throughout the Bull Mountains (Table 5). Perhaps due to a greenup, enhanced by above-normal precipitation during fall 1973 (Appendix Table 29), deer used the test pit area periodically during this season. During fall 1973, use of the agricultural type by mule deer throughout the Bulls was quite high (Table 2). Deer also used the revegetated area occasionally durinq winter 1973-74. Nongame Species The area encompassed by the test pit has been surveyed for nongame mammal activity since 1970. Census lines described in the previous report (Dusek and McCann 1973) were trapped to determine deer mouse (Peromyscus maniaulatus osgoodii) populations. Census lines A and E, located on the undisturbed peri- meter (Figure 10), exhibited a population of deer mice comparable to the sur- rounding area, which was 4 mice trapped per 1,000 linear feet. The remaining three census lines were located on the disturbed portion. Lines B and D, which contained 2 mice per 1,000 linear feet during 1972, exhibited 4 mice per 1,000 linear feet during 1973. During 1972 only adult males were trapped along census lines B and D. This may be related to the greater movement and home range indices of males (Burt 1940, and Tschache 1970). During the 1973 census, both breeding males and females were trapped along these lines. Deer mouse specimens were trapped for the first time on census line C during summer 1973. One male was trapped on this line. In order to study nongame mammal activity during winter, 26 numbered areas (Figure 10) were established on the test pit. In the following analysis numbered areas were grouped according to soil mixture. Data appear in Table 20. Methods of calculating activity were described in the initial report (Dusek and McCann 1973). Although track data indicated some activity on all soil mixtures by coyotes (Canis latrans) and white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus towns endii ) , heaviest use by these animals occurred on topsoiled and sandstone portions. Activity of deer mice and pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides) appeared to be confined to topsoiled and sandstone areas (Table 20). The occurrence of pocket gophers was indicated by the presence of an earthen mound. Coyotes hunted the topsoiled and other vegetated areas heavily during the winter of 1973-74. Use of sandstone-covered portions by deer mice appeared restricted to those that provided substantial vegetational cover. Square Deal Pit A permit for surface mining was awarded to the Square Deal Coal Company during July 1971. This contract was amended during spring 1972 to include an additional 4 acres. Technical assistance was provided by the Soil Conservation Service, USDA (SCS). Topsoil was removed from the area, a gentle south-facing slope, and stock- piled. After backfilling, topsoil was placed over the entire area during winter 1973-74. Prior to seeding during late February, manure was applied to the entire area. Plant species seeded included wheatgrasses, green needle- grass and yellow sweetclover. Our objectives here, similar to those at Consol's test pit, are to gain information concerning establishment of vegetational cover and use of the area by wildlife. Permanent vegetation transects will be established during summer 1974. -41- Table 17. Constancy, canopy coverage and frequency of low-growing vegetation on various types of soil on spoils material as determined by exam- ination of 20 2x5 decimeter plots on each of 17 sites at Consol's test pit. So" 1 Sandstone Tops oil Sandstone and Shale Shale Taxa 7 Sites 5 Sites 3 Sites 2 Sites GRASSES: Agropyron eristatvm* 100/16/ 711/ 80/10/ 47 67/ 1/ 10 Agropyron smithii* 100/ 5/ 36 80/ 4/25 33/tr/ ill i Agropyron spp. * 71/ 2/ 10 60/ 1/ 12 ' 33/ 2/ 13 50/1/ 2 Bromus teetonm 100/ 3/ 21 80/ 9/ 33 67/ 1/ 3 50/ 1/ 2 Bromus spp. * 100/11/ 57 100/ 6/ 42 67/ 1/ 12 50/ 1/ 5 Daotylis glomerata* 57/ 4/ 16 80/ 2/ 7 67/ 3/ 18 Lolium multiflorum* 57/ 1/ 12 100/ 8/ 39 67/ 4/ 45 100/tr/ 7 Poa spp.* 14/tr/ 1 20/ tr/ 1 _ — Stipa comata 29/tr/ 1 20/tr/ 1 „ m Stipa viridula* 57/ 1/ 3 M _ Tritiaurn spp. * 43/ tr/ 3 60/ 2/ 8 67/ 1/ 7 Unidentified Grasses 14/tr/ 1 100/42/ 97 - 50/ tr/ 2 Total Grasses 100/38/ 84 67/ 9/ 60 100/ 2/ 17 FORBS: Artemisia frigida 29/tr/ 2 - _ Artemisia ludovieiana - 20/tr/ 1 mm Astragalus spp. * - 20/tr/ 1 33/tr/ 2 _ Atriplex spp. * 14/tr/ 1 40/ tr/ 3 33/1/ 3 CHENOPODIACEAE 14/tr/ 1 _ Cirsium spp. 14/tr/ 1 _ — CRUCI FERAE 14/tr/ 1 _ .,„., Kochia sooparia 14/tr/ 1 20/tr/ 1 _ 100/ 1/ 10 Lappula redowskii 29/tr/ 1 _ ■> Melilotus alba* 71/ 1/ 6 60/ 1/ 5 _ Melilotus officinalis* 100/50/ 96 100/25/ 61 67/ 2/ 20 50/ 1/ 25 Plantago purshii 14/tr/ 1 _ _ Salsola kali 14/tr/ 1 40/ tr/ 2 33/tr/ 5 100/11/ 30 Tragopogon dubius 14/tr/ 1 - 33/tr/ 2 Unidentified Forbs 57/ 1/ 100/58/ 4 99 - 33/tr/ 2 100/ 3/ 33 _ Total Forbs 100/26/ 65 100/13/ 60 SHRUBS: Rosa spp. 14/tr/ 1 _ _ Symphorioarpos albus T *, J. _ 1 r* i_ i 43/ tr/ 4 - - - Total Shrubs 57/ 1/ 5 - - - Bare Ground 100/68/100 100/76/100 100/93/100 100/90/100 Rock 100/ 4/ 38 100/38/ 89 100/20/100 100/11/ 82 Lying Litter 100/20/ 35 60/12/ 50 33/tr/ 3 _ Standing Litter i /. — _ , / 14/tr/ 1 — - - covered) /frequency (percent occurrence among plots) 2/tr - trace (a value less than .5 percent) * Included in the seed mixture used at the test pit •42- Table 18. Constancy, canopy coverage and frequency of low-growing vegetation on various types of slope on spoils material as determined by exam- ination of 20 2x5 decimeter plots on each of 17 sites at Consol 's test pit. Slope 1.25:1-2 !:1 2.5:1-3 1 Nearly Level Taxa 6 Sites 5 Sites 6 Sites GRASSES: Agropyron oristaturn* 50/ 1/ 111/ 100/17/ 69 83/ 11/ 58 Agropyron smithii* 50/ tr/ 32/ 100/ 7/ 45 67/ 3/ 23 Agropyron spp. * 50/ 1/ 11 80/ 2/ 19 50/tr/ 2 Bromus tectorum 67/ 1/ 7 100/10/ 45 83/1/ 9 Bromus spp. * 67/ 2/ 17 100/11/ 58 100/ 6/ 47 Dacty lis glomerata * 50/ 2/ 7 60/ 4/ 9 67/ 2/ 19 Lolium multiflorum* 83/ 4/ 31 60/tr/ 5 83/ 7/ 37 Poa spp. * - 20/ tr/ 1 17/tr/ 1 Stipa aomata 17/tr/ 1 40/tr/ 2 - Stipa viridula* 17/ 1/ 1 20/ tr/ 1 33/tr/ 2 Triticum spp. * 33/ 1/ 9 40/tr/ 3 67/ 1/ 12 Unidentified Grasses - - 33/tr/ 2 Total Grasses 83/12/ 52 100/47/ 27 100/34/ 85 FORBS: Artemisia fvigida 17/tr/ 1 - 17/tr/ 2 Artemisia ludovioiana - 20/tr/ 1 _ Astragalus spp. * 17/tr/ 1 20/tr/ 1 - Atriplex spp. * - 60/tr/ 4 17/tr/ 2 CHENOPODIACEAE 17/tr/ 2 - _ Civsium spp. - 20/tr/ 2 - CRUCIFERAE _ 20/tr/ 1 - Koohia sooparia 33/ 1/ 2 20/tr/ 1 17/tr/ 2 Lappula redowskii - 20/ W 1 17/tr/ 1 Melilotus alba* 17/tr/ 2 80/ 1/ 7 50/ 1/ 2 Melilotus officinalis* 67/ 6/ 23 100/53/ 99 100/31/ 76 Plantago purshii 17/tr/ 1 - - Salsola kali 50/ 4/ 12 40/tr/ 2 17/tr/ 2 Tragopogon dubius 17/tr/ 1 - 17/tr/ 1 Unidentified Forbs 33/ tr/ 2 20/tr/ 2 33/tr/ 2 Total Forbs 100/11/ 41 100/55/100 100/32/ 82 SHRUBS: Rosa spp. - - 17/tr/ 1 Symphoricarpos albus - 60/ 1/ 60/ 1/ 6 6 - Total Shrubs - 17/tr/ 1 Bare Ground 100/90/100 100/63/100 100/74/100 Rock 100/32/ 33 100/12/ 54 100/ 8/ 58 Lying Litter 33/ 1/ 7 100/21/ 91 67/15/ 60 Standing Litter 17/tr/ 1 — ... 1/Constancy (percent occurrence among sites)/canopy coverage (percent of area covered) /frequency (percent occurrence among plots) i/tr - trace (a value less than .5 percent) * included in the seed mixture used at the test pit -43- Table 19. constancy, canopy coverage and frequency of low-growing vegetation on northerly and southerly exposures on spoils material as deter- mined by examination of 20 2x5 decimeter plots on each of 12 sites at Consol 's test pit. Taxa GRASSES: Agropyron cristatum* Agropyron smithii* Agropyron spp. * Bromus teotorvm Bromus spp. * Dactylis glomerata* Lolivm multiflorvon* Poa spp. * Stipa oomata Stipa viridula* Tritioum spp. * Unidentified Grasses Total Grasses FORBS: Artemisia frigida Artemisia ludoviaiana Astragalus spp. * Atriplex spp. * CHENOPODIACEAE Cirsiwn spp. CRUCI FERAE Koahia saoparia Lappula redowskii Melilotus alba* Melilotus officinalis* Plantago purshii Salsola kali Tragopogon dubius Unidentified Forbs Total Forbs SHRUBS: Rosa spp. Symphoriaarpos albus Total Shrubs Bare Ground Rock Lying Litter Standing Litter Northerly 8 Sites Exposure 87/10/ 461/ 87/ 5/ 29 87/ 3/ 19 100/ 8/ 32 87/14/ 39 50/ 2/ 11 62/ 2/ 20 12/tr/ : 25/tr/ l 25/tr/ i 50/ 1/ 8 12/tr/ 1 100/34/ 86 12/tr/ 1 25/tr/ 1 37/tr/ 2 12/tr/ 1 25/tr/ 2 50/ 1/ 4 87/33/ 67 37/ 3/ ? 12/tr/ 1 25/tr/ 2 100/37/ 76 12/tr/ 1 25/tr/ 3 37/tr/ 4 100/71/100 100/21/ ' 74 75/14/ ! IS Southerly 4 Sites 50/ 5/ 25 50/ tr/ 62/ 25/tr/ 2 50/ 1/ 6 75/ 5/ 31 50/ 1/ 7 75/ 2/ 20 25/ 1/ 1 25/ 1/ 1 25/tr/ 1 - 75/18/ 52 25/tr/ 1 25/tr/ 2 25/tr/ 1 25/ 1/ 75/17/ 4 45 50/tr/ 5 25/ 1/ 1 75/ 1/ 4 100/19/ 57 100/85/100 100/22/ 76 50/14/ 31 25/tr/ 1 1 / ■ -■ — — . , -'Constancy (percent occurrence among sites)/canopy coverage (percent of area covered)/frequency (percent occurrence among plots) t/tr - trace (a value less than .5 percent) * Included in the seed mixture used at the test pit ■44- UQ c ~s 3 s: _i. o, x -o r+ C O -s -t> ro t/i o o a> 3 =5 in Q. O —1 f+ - 3" W fD c+ — ■ rt> O l/l O c-f- 01 <-t-t3 —j. — j. o <-+ 3 1 CD Ca O -s i ]■: -h 03 1 ai ■nj "-vl to 3T -a o n> s: -5 _i. 3 3 a ua 3 ft) -5 3 ro r+ c/i ■a r+ ro -s o 0J r+ 3 ->■ (/> < ro ro o r+ QJ l/> -s • ro a> » w O AREA: — SPOILS RID B PIT AREA C HIGHWALL TRANSECT LOCATION ELEVATION IN FEET SOLVATION COAL COMPANY'S TEST PIT jggfBSKRmBSSmm&m 'MSfiBBBBBBBBfiiS ■x^- : Figure 9. Pit and south highwall at ConsoTs test pit during spring 1972 prior to seeding (top) and in July 1973 during the second growing season after seeding (bottom). ■47- Table 20. Percent of winter use of four habitat types by nongame mammals on the Consolidation Coal Company test pit, Bull Mountains, Montana. Habitat Type Winter '72-' 73 10 Visits Winter '73-' 74 7 Visits Both Winters Combined 17 Visits Topsoiled: WT Jackrabbit Coyote Deer Mice Pocket Gophers 251/ 3 8 30 3 6 17 15 6 2 Shale: WT Jackrabbit Coyote 3 7 10 2 10 Sandstone-Shale: WT Jackrabbit Coyote 3 18 2 8 Sandstone: WT Jackrabbit Coyote Deer Mice Bobcat Bushy-tailed Woodrat 10 9 6 23 14 2 2 6 11 7 1 1 1/ Frequency of use among the 26 areas in Figure 10 (percent occurrence of activity among numbered areas within a soil mixture) -48- Figure 10. Summer census lines (lettered) and winter study areas (numbered] -49- J-l 0) a CO c zn i—i 3 ON DO *-* f a -H f*i M r- D. Ol C/i ►-i r-J oi —j to o tt, i-i ^aa,j jeaufT 0001 as^ botuj jo sjaquinfi uj uoT3Bindo CO 1971 - - .33 - .23 1973 - - 1.86 .90 i 1972 43.0 9.3 .29 - .27 October: 1973 36.4 2.7 .29 - .27 1970 47.1 - 2.1 .92 .10 April: 1971 47.1 - 2.1 2.14 1.32 1970 41.8 - 3.9 1.47 .72 1972 41.8 - 7.4 .91 .09 1971 45.9 .2 1.34 .59 1973 49.3 .1 2.06 1.24 1972 46.3 .6 1.64 .89 November: 1973 42.4 - 3.3 1.18 .43 1970 34.3 - 1.7 .41 .05 May: 1971 38.1 2.0 .05 - .31 1970 56.9 1.1 3.23 1.43 1972 31.7 - 4.4 tr - .36 1971 57.3 1.5 .94 - .86 1973 30.1 - 6.0 .46 .10 1972 56.0 .2 3.00 1.20 December: 1973 55.7 - .1 1.65 - .15 1970 26.2 - 2.8 .20 - .16 June: 1971 21.1 - 7.9 .30 - .06 1970 68.3 5.1 1.72 - .81 1972 15.8 -13.2 .53 .17 1971 65.2 2.0 .78 - 1.75 1973 32.2 3.2 .93 .57 1972 68.4 5.2 .61 - 1.92 1973 66.3 3.1 2.19 - .34 1/ tr - a value too small to be measured Table 30. List of plant species collected in the Bull Mountains during the growing seasons of 1972 and 1973. GYMNOSPERMS Family Genus . a >ecies Common Name Symbol o CUPRESSACEAE Juniperus V. communis Common Juniper Juco I, V. scopulorum Rocky Mountain Juniper Jusc ANGIOSPERMS Family Genus Species Common Name Symbol Monocots GRAMINEAE Agropyron A. smithii Western Wheatgrass Agsm *A. spi cation Bluebunch Wheatgrass Agsp Andropogon *A. scoparius Little Bluestem Ansc Calomavilfa *C. longifolia Prairie Sand Reedgrass Calo Festuaa *F. idahoensis Idaho Fescue Feid Koeleria K. cristata Junegrass Kocr Fhleum P. pratense Timothy Phpr Poa P. secunda Sandburg Bluegrass Pose Stipa S. viridula Green Needlegrass Stvi LILIACEAE Allium A. textile Onion Alte Calochortus C. gunnisoni Mariposa Lily Cagu Fritillaria F. pudica Yellow Bell Frpu Leucocrinum Li * mont anion Mountain Star Lily Lemo Smilicina s. stellata StarryFal seSol omonsSeal Smst Zygodenus z. paniculatus Dicots Foothill Death Camas Zypa COMPOS I TAE Achillea A. millefolium Yarrow Acmi Antennaria A. rosea Rose Pussytoes Anro Artemisia *A. cana Silver Sagebrush Area A. frigida Fringed Sagewort Arfr A. lucoviciana Cud-leaf Sagewort Arlu A. tridentata Big Sagebrush Artr Arnica A. sororia Arnica Arso Aster A. eatonii Eaton's Aster Asea Ba Is amorrhi?,a B. sagittata Arrowleaf Balsamroot Basa Chrysopsis C. villosa Golden Aster Chvi Chrysothamnus C. nauseosus Rubber Rabbitbrush Chna *C. viscidiflorus Green Rabbitbrush Chvi 3 Echinaceae E. pallida Purple Conef lower Ecpa Erigeron E. pumilus Erigeron Erpu Gaillardia G. oris tata Gaillardia Gaar Grindelia G. squavrosa Curl cup Gumweed Grsq Gutierrezia G. sarothrae Broom Snakeweed Gusa Eelianthus S. nuttallii Nuttall Sunflower Henu •69- Table 30 continued. List of plant species collected in the Bull Mountains during the growing seasons of 1972 and 1973. Family Genus Sp ecies Common Name Symbol COMPOS ITAE (continued) Hymenoxys Liatris Microseris Ratibida So lidago Taraxicim H. L. M. R. S. S. S. T. acaulis punctata cuspidata columnifera canadensis miss ourie nsis nana officinale Hymenoxys Dotted Blazingstar Microseris Prairie Conef lower Canada Goldenrod Goldenrod Goldenrod Common Dandelion Hyac Lipu Micu Raco Soca Somi Sona Taof CHENOPODIACEAEstowia E. lanata Winterfat Eula APOCYNACEAE Apocynum *A. medium Dogbane Apme BORAGINACEAE Cryptanthe Lappula Lithospermwn C. L. L. bradburiana redowskii incisum Miner's Candle Western Sticktight Narrow! eaf Gromwell Crbr Lare Li in LABIATAE Monarda M. fistulosa Horsemint Mofi SALICACEAE Populus *P. deltoides Plains Cottonwood Pode RANUNCULACEAE Anemone Delphinium Ranunculus A. D. R. patens bi color glaberimus Pasque Flower Low Larkspur Sagebrush Buttercup Anpa Debi Rag! POLEMONIACEAE Phlox P. hoodii Hood's Phlox Phho PLANTAGINACEAEPZarcta^o P. purshii Woolly Plantain Plpu ROSACEAE Fragaria Geum Prunus Rosa F. G. P. R. virginiana triflorum virginiana arkansana Virginia Strawberry Prairiesmoke Chokecherry Prairie Rose Frvi Getr Prvi Roar UMB ELL I FERAE Musi-neon Cymopterus M, C. divaricatum terebinthina Musi neon Cymopterus Mudi Cyte PRIMULACEAE Dodecatheon D. conjugens Shootingstar Doco ANACARDIACEAE Rhus R. trilobata Skunkbush sumac Rhtr SAXIFRAGACEAE Ribes R. aureum Golden Currant Riau LEGUMINOSAE Astragalus Glycyrrhiza Eedysarum A. A. G. *H. gi Iviflorus pectinatus lepidota boreale Three-leaved Milkvetch Narrowleaf Poisonvetch Wild Licorice Narrowleaf Sweetvetch Asgi Aspe Glle Hebo -70- Table 30 continued (2) List of plant species collected in the Bull Mountains during the growing seasons of 1972 and 1973. Family Genus SP 2cies Common Name Symbol LEGUMINOSAE Lupinus L. avgenteus Silvery Lupine Luar (Continued) Oxytvopis 0. lag opus Haresfoot Loco 0x1 a 0. sericea White Pointloco Oxse Petalostemon P. puppureum Purple Prairie Clover Pepu Psoralea P. argophylla Silverleaf Scurfpea Psar P. esoulenta Breadroot Scurfpea Pses Thermopsis T. rhornbi folia Prairie Thermopsis Thrh Vicia V. amerioana American Vetch Viam P0LYG0NACEAE Erigonum E. ovalifolium Oval -leaf Buckwheat Erov ONAGRACEAE Gaura G. aoccinea Scarlet Gaura Gaco Oenothera 0. albioaulis Whitestem Evening Primrose Oeal MALVACEAE Sphaeraloea S. coacinea Scarlet Globemallow Spco VIOLACEAE Viola V. nuttallii Nuttall Violet Vinu CARYOPHYLLA- Cerastium c. arvense Field Chickweed Cear CEAE SCROPHULARIA- Cos ti I led a c. sessiflora Indian Paintbrush Case CEAE Orthocarpus 0. luteus Yellow Owl Clover Orlu Penstemon P. albidus White Penstemon Peal p. eriantherus Fuzzytongue Penstemon Peer p. ni tidus Waxleaf Penstemon Peni CAMPANULACEAE Campanula *c. rotundi folia Roundleaf Harebell Caro PAPAVARACEAE Avgemone A. intermedia Prickly Poppy Arin CRUCI FERAE Thlaspi T. arvense Fanweed Thar * Species added to the collection during the summer of 1973. -71- Table 31. Frequency of occurrence of plant species in the habitats of deer mice and meadow voles in the Bull Mountains, Montana. Plant Species GRAMINEAE: Agropyron cristata Agropyron smithii Agropyron spicatum Bouteloua gracilis Bromus tectorum Festuaa spp. Hordeum jubatum Poa seaunda Stipa oomata COMPOS ITAE: Achillea millefolium Artemisia frigida Artemisia ludoviciana Gutierrezia sarothrae Ratibida colwnnifera Taraxicum laevigatim Taraxicvm officinale LEGUMINOSAE: Melilotus officinalis CRUCIFERAE: Sisymbrium Spp. Thlaspi arvense POLEMONIACEAE: Phlox hoodii CACTACEAE : Opuntia polyacantha ROSACEAE: Rosa spp. CAPRI FOLIACEAE: Symphoricarpos albus SALICACEAE: Salix spp. SAXIFRAGACEAE: Ribes aureum Deer Mouse x x X X X X X X X X X X X X X Deer Mouse and Meadow Vole Meadow Vole x x X X X X X X X X X X X -72- C -S (0 —i T/itt/ ro O -5 3 QJ r+ XJ 0) 3 C/i Q) -J. C+ o. n> c -s — ' _>. o 3 O (JD £u r+ r+ ->■ 3- O ro 3 !/) — I «> ~h -J O tO -S ^J 3 1 •S* O -~J 3 GO ~S — ii _ i O (/l a. ■ —j. 3 3 c l/l I/) tc — J I/) 3" ro — 1 — ' o o c 3 TlOfi Mussels hell County ■< 1973-74 TRAP SITE LOCATIONS LITERATURE CITED Allen, E. 0. 1968. Range use, foods, condition and productivity of white- tailed deer in Montana. J. Wild!. Manage. 32(1): 130-141. Burt, W. H. 1940. Territorial behavior and populations of small mammals in southern Michigan. Misc. Publ . , Univ. Michigan, 45:1-58. Booth, W. E. 1950. Flora of Montana, Part I— conifers and monocots. Res. Found., Mont. St. Coll., Bozeman. 232 p. and J. C. Wright. 1959. Flora of Montana, Part II--dicotyledons Mont. St. Coll., Bozeman. 305 p. Cole, G. F. 1958. Range survey guide. Mont. Dept. of Fish and Game. 18 o Mul til. Compton, H. 0. 1973. Upland game bird survey and inventory, region 5 Comp rept. Proj. No. W-130-R-4, Job No. II-5. 22 p. Coop, K. J. 1971. Habitat use, distribution, movement and associated be- havior of elk, Little Belt Mountains, Montana. M. S. Thesis, Mont. St. Univ. 61 p. Dasman, W. 1971. If deer are to survive. Wildl. Manage. Inst. Stackpole Book Co., Harrisburg, Penn. 128 p. Daubenmire, R. F. 1959. A canopy coverage method of veqetational analysis. N. W. Sci. 33(1) :43-64. Davis, D. E. 1953. The characteristics of rat populations. Quart. Rev. Biol. 28:373-401. Day, T. A. 1973. Summer and fall elk distribution, movements and range use in the Little Belt Mountains. M. S. Thesis, Mont. St. Univ. 70 p. Dice, L. R. 1952. Natural communities. Univ. Mich. Press, Ann Arbor 547 p. Dusek, G. L. 1971. Range relationships of mule deer in the prairie habitat, northcentral Montana. M. S. Thesis, Mont. St. Univ. 63 p. and S. A. McCann. 1973. Bull Mountains coal field study. Mont. Dept. of Fish and Game and Consolidation Coal Co., Prog. Rept. 53 p. and L. C. Eichhorn. 1974. The Bull Mountains might lose their bulls. 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