Pat^^ 333.95

mo

Terre

F2t
1980

E Habitat Inventory in Southeastern Montana

RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY:

MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS

SPONSORED BY:

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Kj

APR 6 1981

WONTANA STATE LIBRARV5

930 E Lyndale Ave.

Helena, Montana 59601

TURN

Peter R. FIartin

^OVEMBER 1930

ECOLOGICAL SERVICES DIVISION

FEB 9 1983

«

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY

S 333.95 F2t C.I Martin

Terreslnal wlldlile habitat invenlory I

3 0864 00035905 2 Abstract

A wildlife inventory study on three areas of southeastern Montana
(Otter Creek, Prairie Dog Creek and Hanging Woman Creek) encompassing
approximately 105,200 acres was begun in April 1979. Field work
was completed July 1, 1980. This report, will, among other things,
be used to determine habitats unsuitable for mining according to
the Secretary of the Interior's "unsuitability criteria."

Game species observed on the Otter Creek study area include mule
deer, white-tailed deer, antelope, sharp-tailed grouse and ring-
necked pheasants. One hundred and ten bird species, including the
golden eagle, Swainson's hawk, prairie falcon, upland sandpiper,
mountain bluebird and Brewer's sparrow, were observed. Twenty-nine
mammals including beaver, raccoon, black-tailed prairie dog and
red fox were observed on the study area. Ten species of amphibians
and reptiles were observed.

The mule deer population structure in October 1979 was 8.7 percent
bucks, 41.7 percent does and 49.5 percent fawns. Fawn production
was extremely high at 118.6 fawns per 100 does. Antelope production,
as observed in August 1979 was 64.4 fawns per 100 does. Twenty
sharp-tailed grouse dancing grounds were located. Bird species
composition was determined on grassland, sagebrush, ponderosa pine-
juniper and riparian habitat types. The riparian type had the
highest diversity, 31 species, while the sagebrush habitat type
had the lowest diversity, 6 species. Prairie falcon aeries and
red-tailed hawk nests were located. Small mammal trapping was
conducted on 5 habitat types; grassland, sagebrush, ponderosa pine-
juniper, deciduous tree riparian and marsh riparian. The deciduous
tree riparian type had the highest number of captures, 63, and the
sagebrush type had the lowest, 2.

The Hanging Woman Creek area had mule deer, antelope, sage grouse,
sharp-tailed grouse and ring-necked pheasants as resident game
species. Seventy-eight bird species, including Cooper's hawk,
ferruginous hawk, golden eagle and prairie falcon, were observed.
Fifteen mammal species including the coyote, yellow-bellied marmot
and black-tailed prairie dog were observed. Eight amphibian and
reptilian species were observed.

Over 1800 mule deer observations were made during the study period.
Fawn production was observed to be 92.2 fawns per 100 does in
October 1979. Antelope production, as observed in July 1979, was
67.4 fawns per 100 does. Three sharp-tailed grouse dancing grouncls
and five sage grouse strutting grounds were documented. Bird species
composition was determined on grassland and sagebrush habitat types.
Numbers observed were highest on the sagebrush type while species
diversity was highest on the grassland type. Small mammal trapping
was conducted on the sagebrush and grassland habitat types.
Fourteen prairie dog towns were located within or near the Hanging
Woman study area.

Mule deer and sharp-tailed grouse were the only resident game
species observed on the Prairie Dog Creek study area. Seventy
bird species, including turkey vulture, great horned owl,
prairie falcon, and red-tailed hawk were observed. Only 10
mammal species, including coyote and porcupine, were observed.
Five species of reptiles and amphibians were observed.

Only 142 mule deer were observed during the study. None were
observed during the fall season. They may have moved to the
adjacent Tongue River bottoms in search of more mesic conditions.
One sharp-tailed grouse dancing ground was located. Bird species
composition was determined on ponderosa pine-juniper and riparian
habitat types. The riparian type had the most observations and
the greatest species diversity. Small mammal trapping was
conducted in the ponderosa pine-juniper and deciduous tree
riparian habitat types.

Recommendations made included exclusion from leasing sharp-tailed
grouse and sage grouse breeding areas, mule deer and antelope
wintering areas and all creekbottoms and associated "riparian
habitats. "

•

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Introduct ion „ . . . . 1

Procedures 1

Game Mammals o 1

Game Birds 2

Songbirds . 2

Raptors 3

Non-gane Mammals 3

Study Area 3

Otter Creek. , 3

Hanging Woman Creek 5

Prairie Dog Creek 5

Results and Discussion » 5

Otter Creek 11

Mule Deer , . . 11

Population characteristics. 11

Distribution. 14

Vegetation type usage „ 14

Activity 19

Use of topography . . o 20

Use of exposure . o . , 29

Use of slope. , . . . „ . 21

Antelope . o 22

Population characteristicSo 22

Distribution. o . . 22

Vegetation type usage 27

Activity „ . . . 30

Use of topography 30

Use of exposure^ . „..„...... 31

Use of slope. . „ . » o . « . ^ . . . , » . » 32

Sharp-tailed Grouse. .„,..„ „.„...,. o 33

Ring-necked Pheasant . . o . o o . <. 35

Waterfowl ... ...... » „ .o. 35

Songbirds. o „ . <, »..„....<, » 35

Raptors. <,..„.„„..,. ..o , ....... . 37

Accipiters » ......... „ . . 37

Buteos. ..... o ...„..,.. o .. o . . o o 45

Harriers. ... .o. ....<,... o 45

Falcons. ..... ........ , 45

Owls . . o . „ 45

fon-gane Mammals 50

Amphibians and Reptiles 51

Hanging Woman Creek „ 53

Mule Deer , „ 53

Population characteristics 53

Distribution. 53

Vegetation type usage. 56

Activity. ....... ............ 60

Use of topography. 60

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Use of exposure , » o . . o . » o o 60

Use of slope o - . o o 60

Antelope o » „ 60

Population characteristics. ..... o „ . 60

Distribution « 64

Vegetation type usage. . . . . „ . 66

Activity . . . „ » QQ

Use of topography ..„. .... = . . . o . . 66

Use of exposure. . . » . . . . » „ „ <, «...„.„. 71

Use of slope o . » . o 71

Sharp-tailed Grouse. ... o ..„. .... ..„.,.. o ..... o . . 71

Sage Grouse ......... . 74

Ring-necked Pheasant ............ .......... 74

Waterfowl ..................... ................. . 74

Accipiters. .................. ............. . 77

Buteos ..................... o . o o .......... o . 77

Harriers. .... ....................... 83

Falcons. ................................... 83

Non-game Mammals. ............................... 83

Prairie Dog Creek. ................................... 88

Mule Deer. , . 88

Population characteristics. ... ............ . 88

Distribution. 88

Vegetation type usage. ..................... 88

iiL^LXVXLy«»«»o o«a*«<»oeooo*ooo »*aooo*9ooeo oe« OO

Use of topography .......................... 92

Use of exposure ............................ 92

Antelope 94

Sharp-tailed Grouse. ............................ 94

Waterfowl ... 94

Songbirds ....................................... 94

Raptors 99

t\ \^ Kj a, yj (j C Xb**eooo«6«*cooeo»o*u*a*oo«uo*oooi,)ou •^C/

Harriers. .................................. 99

Owls 99

Non-game Mammals . . 101

Amphibians and Reptiles 102

Summary and Recommendations. .............................. 102

Literature Cited. ......................................... 105

Appendix. ................................................. iU/

11

LIST OF TABLES

Number

1„ Average group size of mule deer in the Otter Creek,

Hanging Woman Creek and Prairie Dog Creek study areas. ... 12

2„ Mule deer, antelope and coyote aerial observations per

hour in the Otter Creek study area « . 13

3. Mule deer population characteristics in the Otter Creek
area in 1979„...„ „ 14

4. Seasonal use of vegetation types by mule deer in the Otter
Creek area . » 19

5. Seasonal activity of mule deer in the Otter Creek area... 20

6. Seasonal use of topography by mule deer in the Otter Creek
area „ . „ . . 21

7. Seasonal use of exposure by mule deer in the Otter Creek
area ..o ...«...<. . 22

8. Seasonal use of slope by mule deer in the Otter Creek area* 22

9. Average group size of antelope in the Otter Creek,

Hanging Woman Creek and Prairie Dog Creek study area..... 26

10. Antelope population characteristics in the Otter Creek
area „ , ,

27

11. Seasonal use of vegetation types by antelope in the

Otter Creek area „ ^0

12. Seasonal activity of antelope in the Otter Creek area.... 31

13. Seasonal use of topography by antelope in the Otter

Creek area .... 31

14. Seasonal use of exposure by antelope in the Otter

Creek area. 32

15. Seasonal use of slope by antelope in the Otter Creek area. 32

16. Sharp-tailed grouse dancing grounds in the Otter Creek
study area and number of males attending in 1979

and 1980 ..........;„..„„..... 33

17. Breeding status of the bird species observed on the

Otter Creek study area 36

18. Numbers per census run, percent composition and
breeding pair density of birds observed on the grass-
land habitat census strip on the Otter Creek study area.. 39

111

LIST OF TABLES
Number Page

19. Numbers per census run, percent composition and breeding
pair density of birds observed on the sagebrush

habitat census strip on the Otter Creek study area, ...... 40

20. Numbers per census run, percent composition and breeding
pair density of birds observed on the ponderosa pine-
juniper census strip on the Otter Creek study area. . „ . . „ „ 41

21. Numbers per census run, percent composition, and breeding
pair density of birds observed on the riparian habitat
census strip on the Otter Creek study area. . „ 42

22. Raptor nest sites on the Otter Creek study area. <, . . . 49

23. Mammals observed on the Otter Creek study area. . . . . >, o « . . . 50

24. Results of small-mammal trapping on the Otter Creek

study area 51

25. Amphibians and reptiles observed on the Otter Creek

study area. ........... ...» 53

26. Mule deer, antelope and coyote aerial observations per
hour in the Hanging Woman Creek area. „ 55

27. Mule deer population characteristics in the Hanging

Woman Creek area in 1979 55

28. Seasonal use of vegetation types by mule deer in the
Hanging Woman Creek area, ..,..„.. 61

29. Seasonal activity of mule deer in the Hanging Woman

Creek area. , , , 61

30. Seasonal use of topography by mule deer in the Hanging
Woman Creek area ...,...,........„.,. ... ... ......... o..,.. 62

31. Seasonal use of exposure by mule deer in the Hanging

Woman Creek area ...,...,,., .......... 63

32. Seasonal use of slope by mule deer in the Hanging

Woman Creek area ,o,. .,,o .,o ........... 63

33. Antelope population characteristics in the Hanging

Woman Creek area ;....,,.„. ..o .,.,..........,,., .o. 64

34. Seasonal use of vegetation types by antelope in the
Hanging Woman Creek area. ... ............................. 67

35. Seasonal activity of antelope in the Hanging Woman

IV

LIST OF TABLES
Number Page

36, Seasonal use of topof^raphy by antelope in the

Hanging Woman C-reek area 72

37. Seasonal use of exposure by antelope in the Hanging

Woman Creek area ..... . 72

33. Seasonal use of slope by antelope in the Hanging

Woman Creek area „ „....„.„...„.„..„ 75

39. Sharp-tailed grouse dancing grounds in the Hanging
V/oman Creek area and number of males attending in

1979 and 1980 „ » „ . . . 75

40. Sage grouse strutting grounds in the Hanging Woman
Creek study area and number of males attending in

1979 and 1980 , » o . « » . » » . o . , 75

41„ Breeding status of the bird species found on the

Hanging Woman Creek study area. . ... ..... ..... o . o ... o ... . 76

42. Numbers per census run, percent composition, and
breeding pair density of birds observed on the grass-
land habitat census strip on the Hanging Woman Creek

study area „ o o . „ . . . . 78

43. Numbers per census run, percent composition and
breeding pair density of birds observed on the sage
brush habitat census strip on the Hanging Woman

Creek study area , . . o . . . . 79

44. Raptor nests sites on the Hanging Woman Creek area 80

45. Mammals observed on the Hanging Woman Creek study area. 86

46. Results of small-mammal trapping on the Hanging Woman
Creek study area 86

47. Hanging Woman Creek prairie dog town locations and

size 37

48„ Amphibians and reptiles observed in the Hanging Woman

Creek study area 87

49. Mule deer, antelope and coyote aerial observations per
hour in the Prairie Dog Creek study area 89

50. Seasonal use of vegetation types by mule deer in the
Prairie Dog Creek area ". 90

51. Seasonal activity of mule deer in the Prairie Dog

Creek area 99

LIST OF TABLES
Number Page

52. Seasonal use of topography by mule deer in the

Prairie Dog Creek area 92

53. Seasonal use of exposure by mule deer in the Prairie

Dog Creek area „ 93

54. Seasonal use of slope by mule deer in the Prairie Dog Creek
Study area , 93

55. Breeding status of the bird species observed on the
Prairie Dog Creek study area 95

56. Numbers per census run, percent composition and
breeding pair density of birds observed on the
ponderosa pine-juniper habitat census strip on the
Prairie Dog Creek study area . . • „ . . . » . 96

57. Numbers per census run, percent composition and
breeding pair density of birds observed on the riparian
habitat census strip on the Prairie Dog Creek study

area 97

58. Raptor nest sites on the Prairie Dog Creek study area... 99

59. Mammals observed on the Prairie Dog Creek study area„... 101

60. Results of small-mammal trapping on the Prairie Dog

Creek study area » . . o . . . o 101

61. Amphibians and reptiles observed on the Prairie Dog

Creek study area. » 102

Appendix Table 1. Parameters recorded at each observation... 107

VI

LIST OF FIGURES

Number Page

1 . Otter Creek study area 4

2. Otter Creek study area vegetation map 6

3. Hanging Woman Creek study area „ 7

4. Hanging Woman Creek study area vegetation map 8

5. Prairie Dog Creek study area 9

6. Prairie Dog Creek study area vegetation map 10

7. Spring mule deer distribution in the Otter Creek area. 15

8. Summer mule deer distribution in the Otter Creek area. 16

9. Fall mule deer distribution in the Otter Creek area... 17

10. Winter mule deer distribution in the Otter Creek area. 18

11. Spring antelope distribution in the Otter Creek area.. 24

12. Summer antelojDe distribution in the Otter Creek area. . 25

13. Fall antelope distribution in the Otter Creek area.... 28

14. Winter antelope distribution in the Otter Creek area.. 29

15. Sharp-tailed grouse dancing grounds in the Otter

Creek area o «... o ........ ..^ ... o „. 34

16. Location of songbird census strips and small mammal
traplines on the Otter Creek study area. ...<,. 38

17. Sightings of raptorial birds of special interest or
concern on the Otter Creek study area. o ............ ^ .» 44

18. Nests and sightings of red-tailed hawks on the Otter
Creek study area „ . „ . . . o . . . „ . 46

19. Nests and sightings of golden eagles on the Otter

Creek study area „ o » . o „ . „ ... 47

20. Nests and sightings of prairie falcons on the Otter
Creek study area o .. ..o ...... „ , „ 48

21. Prairie dog towns on the Otter Creek study area. ...... 52

22. Spring mule deer distribution in the Hanging Woman
Creek area = .» .o „....„„..„...,..„,.„,.... 54

23. Summer mule deer distribution in the Hanging Woman
Creek area o . o „ ........ , , 57

Vll

LIST OF FIGURES
Number Pa^e

24. Fall mule deer distribution in the Hanging Woman Creek
area . ^ .....

25. Winter mule deer distribution in the Hanging Woman
Creek area , .... ..o ..... » ....<,..

26. Spring antelope distribution in the Hanging Woman
Creek area ... = »«,. .

• • o •

29. Winter antelope distribution in the Hanging Woman

32. Nests and sightings of raptors of special interest or
concern on the Hanging Woman Creek study area. . o ...... ,

33. Nests and sightings of red-tailed hawks on the Hanging
Woman Creek study areas ...„„. .... o.. ..... ,

34. Prairie dog towns on the Otter Creek study area,

35. Mule deer observation on the Prairie Dog Creek study

58

59

65

27. Summer antelope distribution in the Hanging Woman

Creek area. 68

28. Fall antelope distribution in the Hanging Woman

Creek area ........ . 69

70

30. Sharp-tailed grouse dancing grounds, sage grouse
strutting grounds and observations of both species

during the study on Hanging Woman Creek. '^^

31. Locations of bird census strips and small mammal trap-
lines on the Hanging Woman Creek study area. .............. ^^

82

84
85

91

36. Locations of bird census strips and small mammal trap-
lines on the Prairie Dog Creek study area. .... .o. ........ . 98

37. Locations of red-tailed hawks, prairie falcons and
Cooper's hawks on the Prairie Dog Creek study area. ...... .100

Appendix Figure 1. Ponderosa pine vegetation subtype. ........ 108

Appendix Figure 2. Ponderosa pine-sagebrush vegetation

subtype ........ .......... . 108

Vlll

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Appendix Figure 3. Ponderosa pine-grassland vegetation

subtype 109

Appendix Figure 4, Ponderosa pine-skunkbush vegetation

subtype . , „ „ , . 109

Appendix Figure 5. Ponderosa pine-juniper vegetation

subtype . . „ , „ 110

Appendix Figure 6. Ponderosa pine-snovvberry vegetation

subtype, o » » » 110

Appendix Figure 7. Sagebrush/grassland-big sagebrush

vegetation subtype Ill

Appendix Figure 8. Sagebrush/grassland-silver sagebrush

vegetation subtype Ill

Appendix Figure 9. Sagebrush/grassland-grassland vegetation

subtype, o , „ „ 112

Appendix Figure 10„ Sagebrush/grassland-deciduous shrub

vegetation subtype o . . o » . . . . , . 112

Appendix Figure 11. Creekbottom-deciduous tree vegetation

subtype o o „ . o . » , . . . „ . . . 113

Appendix Figure 12. Creekbottom-deciduous shrub vegetation

subtype. o„. o ... o o.„. 0...0 ...„„.. , 113

Appendix Figure 13. Agricultural-grassland vegetation

subtype o o o ,.,......„,,.„...._.„„„,.„„„ , 114

Appendix Figure 14, Agricultural-creekbottom vegetation

subtypeo .. .0 ... o „.. o ».„.. ^ o ........... „ 114

IX

c

Southeast Montana Wildlife Inventory Study - Final Report

INTRODUCTION

In response to the worldwide energy situation, the United States
government has begun to shift emphasis from oil to coal as our
basic energy source. Because of this shift, interest has been
expanded in the massive coal deposits of eastern Montana, In
order to enhance orderly, responsible development of that
resource and reasonable protection for Montana's considerable
wildlife resource, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and
Parks conducted the southeastern Montana wildlife inventory
study on three potential coal lease areas; Otter Creek, Hanging
Woman Creek and Prairie Dog Creek.

Information gathered in this study, contracted by the Bureau
of Land Management (ELM), will be used to (1) update the BLM's
land use planning system; (2) establish baseline data to assist
in predicting impacts from coal development; (3) assess the
reclamation potential of the habitat; and (4) determine habitats
unsuitable for mining according to the Secretary's "unsuitability
criteria. "

This study was begun in April 1979 and field work was concluded
in June 1980. The primary game species found in the three study
areas are mule deer {Odocoi.tza'i hzm^onai], pronghorn antelope

{Antilocapfia ame.fiicana] , sharp-tailed grouse {P&dioc^t^6
phaiiamllui) , sage grouse {CzntfLoce.Kcu6 u^opha6lana6) and
ring-necked pheasants [Pha6.lana.i colchicu.6] . White-tailed deer

{0docolt2.ui VA^^ginlanui) are also found on the study area.

Non-game bird species of special interest or concern (Flath 1979b)
found in the study areas were the Swainson's hawk. Cooper's
hawk, ferruginous hawk, golden eagle, bald eagle, prairie falcon,
upland sandpiper, burrowing owl, long-eared owl, mountain blue-
bird, clay-colored sparrow. Brewer's sparrow and field sparrow.
The black-tailed prairie dog {Cijnomiji tudovicianui,) was the only
non-game mammal of special interest or concern (Flath 1979b)
found during the study.

PROCEDURES
Game Mammals

Observations were made during low-level fixed-wing aerial
flights in a super cub airplane. Aerial surveys were conducted
monthly and data were compiled on a seasonal basis as follows:
winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer (June-
August) and fall (September-November). Each study area was
completely covered by flying a grid transect at half-mile
intervals, oriented parallel to the ma.lor drainage. Flight
times were planned to coincide with feeding periods so that

maximum numbers could be observed. This biased observations in
favor of the more open habitat and vegetation types. Observations
were also recorded during vehicular surveys and while walking
through the study areas. At each observation vegetation type,
activity, type of terrain, slope, exposure and time of day
were recorded (Appendix Table 1). Examples of various vegetation
types are shown in Apoendix Figures 1-14. Pertinent population data
were also recorded. Each observation was assigned a grid coordinate
number to determine distribution patterns and for future reference.

Game Birds

The primary emphasis was directed towards locating sharp-tailed
grouse dancing grounds and sage grouse strutting grounds. The
importance of these breeding grounds to these species cannot
be understated. These grounds were found by driving, listening
and looking from the ground and by flying low over likely
terrain features and either seeing the birds on their arenas or
flushing them into the air.

Pheasant crow count routes were conducted during the spring
breeding season to determine the density of cock pheasants
(Kimball 1949).

Ponds, sloughs, and creeks were visited during the spring and
summer months to obtain waterfowl observations.

Songbirds

Species composition, relative abundance, and breeding densities
of songbirds were determined using a strip-census method suggested
by Hickey and Mikol (1979) for use in coal mine baseline
studies. Two 100 m wide, 2500 m long strips were established in
each of the four main habitats found in the study areas (grassland,
sagebrush, ponderosa pine-juniper forest, deciduous tree riparian).
Songbirds were mapped along each strip five times during the
breeding season (early May - early July) in 1979 and three times
in 1980. Two methods were used to estimate breeding bird densities
as described by Hickey and Mikol (1979). The first method
uses the sum of the average number per census run of singing
(territorial) males of each species. This method may underestimate
the number of birds for two reasons: 1) late migrants such as
western wood pewees may not have been present during the earlier
census runs; 2) some birds are silent and therefore undetected
during some census runs. The second method, called the summation
method, uses the sum of the highest counts of singing males for
each species. This method may overestimate the number of birds
during periods when migrants (which often sing) are present
along with residents. It may underestimate the number of birds
in most cases, since it is unlikely that all the resident males
along a strip will be detected in one census run.

A species list was compiled for each study area. Nomenclature
follows the A.O.U. checklist (1957) and Supplements (1973,1976).

Raptors

Raptor nests were located using the methods described by Call
(1978). Creekbottoms were searched in the early spring by
airplane and from the ground for hawk and eagle stick nests.
Suitable cliffs were examined by airplane and on foot for falcon
aeries and eagle nests. Observations of all raptors except
kestrels were mapped during the breeding season to aid in
delineating territories. Intensive foot searches were employed
when highly defensive adults were encountered. Prairie dog
towns were checked during July for burrowing owl broods.

Non-game Mammals

Non-game mammals were sampled using the trapping method suggested
by Flath (1979a) for use in baseline studies. Two traplines
were set up on each of the four main habitats, and run for
five days consecutively. One trapline in deciduous tree
riparian habitat was heavily disturbed by raccoons, so an extra
trapline was set up in this habitat and run for six days
consecutively. One trapline was also set up in marsh riparian
habitat and run for six days consecutively. Each trapline
consisted of 25 stations spaced 10 m apart. Each station
contained one Sherman live-trap, two mouse snap-traps, and
one 5-pound coffee can pitfall trap. A mixture of peanut
butter and rolled oats was used as bait. Live traps and snap
traps which were sprung, but empty were subtracted from the
total trap nights. Several pitfall trap-nights were also
subtracted due to flooding.

STUDY AREA

Otter Creek

The Otter Creek portion of the study area (Figure 1) is located
east of the Tongue River near Ashland, Montana. It lies
primarily in Powder River county with about 10 percent of its
approximately 59,000 surface acres in Rosebud County.

Otter Creek is the primary drainage system in the study area
flowing from the southern border northeast to the Tongue River
at Ashland. Double E coulee and Cook Creek provide for drainage
of the northern portion of the area. Home Creek and Three-mile
Creek are the major tributaries of Otter Creek in the southern
portion. Several other creeks are also found in the area.

The area south of U.S. Highway 212 is dominated by Otter Creek
and its associated agricultural fields. Terraces adjacent to
the creek and dissected mid-slopes comprise most of the area.
Near the edge of the Custer National Forest, ponderosa pine
uplands and steep sandstone bluffs are the dominant features.
North of the highway, ponderosa pine breaks and creekbottoms are
most prominent. The plateau areas between drainages have some
agricultural development.

Figure 1. Otter Creek study ar

ea,

A broad vegetation map (Figure 2) shows the three primary
native vegetation types as they occur within the Otter Creek
study area. These types are the ponderosa pine, the
sagebrush-grassland and the riparian. Each type is very
diverse with several subtypes, which are not depicted. The
type boundaries are only approximations and include portions of
the other vegetation types. The figure is presented only to
give the reader a general feeling for the vegetative makeup
of the area. A more detailed vegetation map has been published
by the Western Energy and Land Use Team, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (U.S. D.I. 1978).

Hanging Woman Creek

The Hanging Woman Creek portion of the study area (Figure 3),
is located 10 miles south of Birney, Montana and 3 miles north
of the Montana-Wyoming border. It is about 12 miles east of
the Tongue River Reservoir. It covers nearly 35,200 acres,
all in Big Horn County.

Hanging Woman Creek is the principal waterway and prominent
terrain feature. It runs from the southern to the northern
boundary. Horse Creek, East Fork Trail Creek, Corral Creek
and First Creek are the major side drainages. Sagebrush and
grassland vegetation types (Figure 4) constitute most of the
ground cover in this study area. The only agricultural
endeavor is hay production, primarily along Hanging Woman Creek
bottoms .

Prairie Dog Creek

The Prairie Dog Creek portion of the study area (Figure 5),
is located about 7 miles west of Birney. It is adjacent to and
south of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, It lies
approximately 11 miles northwest of the Tongue River Reservoiro
Nearly 11,000 acres of Rosebud County are included in this
study area.

Prairie Dog Creek is the principal drainage and flows in a
southeasterly direction across the area. Bull Creek borders
on the north and Canyon Creek borders the area on the south.

This area is characterized by high buttes with over 500 feet
in relief from the plateau tops to the creekbottoms. Ponderosa
pine is the dominant vegetation type (Figure 6) and there is
practically no agricultural development.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Each species or group of species is dicussed separately
for each of the three study areas. Distribution maps are
presented for the important game species and most of the non-
game species of special interest or concern.

LEGEND
Permanent stream . . 'va/v

Paved road

Unpaved road — =

Forest boundary

Study area -• >-

Vegetation map

Ponderosa pine. jWi'*
Sagebrush/ .^

Grassland ^.

Riparian

Figure 2, Otter Creek study area vegetation map.

LEGEND

Permanenf stream -'^^
County road

State line :

Study area -^ ^ oJadd\«

MONTANA

WYOMING

Figure 3. Hangins Woman Creek study area.

LEGEND

Permanent stream
County road
State line
Study a rea
Vegetation map

Ponderosa pine.

Sagebrush/
Grassland

Riparian

MONTANA

WYOMING

Figure 4. Hanging Woman Creek study area vegetation nap.

J.EGEND

Permanent stream
County road
Cheyenne reserV^Ltjon^X-
^Study area

.5 0 1 2 3

miles

Figure 5. Prairie Dog Creek study area.

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10

Care should be taken in interpretation of the tables and figures
presented herein as they represent only fifteen months observations
The winter period was exceptionally mild and the remainder of
the months were marked by below normal precipitation in most
instances.

Otter Creek

Mule Deer

Population characteristics: During the study 831 mule deer were
observed in the Otter Creek study area (Table 1). Average
group size ranged from 2.4 during the summer months (1979) to
6.9 during winter. April 1980 had the highest individual
monthly average as mule deer remained in herds prior to spring
green-up. Deer were most scattered in May and June of 1980.
Dusek (1978) reported group size variation from 2.0 in summer
to 5.6 in winter in the Bull Mountains near Roundup.

The indices of relative abundance (Odum 1959) have been used
to determine population trends in southeastern Montana (Martin
1980). Mule deer observations per hour of aerial survey (Table
2) show the highest numbers during fall when an average 31.1
deer were observed. November was the best month for observation
as 55.0 mule deer were observed per hour of flight. This
coincides with the time of year that deer should be most
numerous. February was the second most productive month, 40.4
deer observed per hour, reflecting the deer's need to feed more
as the effects of winter are being manifested. The fewest
deer were seen in May of 1980. This unusually low number, 2.8
per hour, is at least partially due to windy conditions during
the flight. Low numbers per hour should be expected in spring
and summer as the fawns have either not been born or are not
traveling with the adults. Martin (1980) reported a range of
6.1 mule deer observations per hour in summer to 25.3 in fall
m the Sarpy Creek area.

Mule deer population structure was determined during September
and October (Table 3). During these months fawns are traveling
with the adults and are still small enough to be easily
Identified. Bucks are also easily classified. While there has
been some natural mortality among the young deer and some loss
ot adults to poaching and other factors, the population is at
Its yearly peak during this season. As can be seen production
was extremely good this year with 118.6 fawns per 100 does
observed in October prior to the hunting season. Considering
the extremely hard winters the last two years, 1977-78 and 1978-
79, it seems that this herd came through in excellent condition.
They apparently are considerably below the carrying capacity of
this range They also appear to be on an increasing trend as
Swenson (1978) reported that mule deer need only a 40 percent

^rLi''''''i ^? rr^'" stable. The October flight revealed nearly
50 percent of the population to be fawns.

11

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13

Table 3. Mule deer population characteristics in the Otter Creek
area in 1979,

Month

Number Classified
Total Bucks Does Fawns

Fawns: 100 Bucks: Population Structure (%)
Does Adults 100 Does Bucks Does Fawns

September 52 5 24 23 95.8 79,3 20.8
October 103 9 43 51 118.6 98.1 20.9

9.6 46.2 44.2

8.7 41.7 49.5

Distribution: Spring distribution is shown in Figure 7. Most
observations are located in a band across the center of the study
area between Threemile and East Fork Otter Creeks. Several of
the observations were in the 9-15 size category. More than half
of the observations were in the 1-3 range. The deer are beginning
to disperse over the area and break up the wintering groups.

This dispersal and reduction of group size reaches its zenith
during the summer season (Figure 8). Only three observations were
of groups greater than three.

Fall observations (Figure 9) show the deer beginning to group
together as the number of observations in the 4-7 size category
increased significantly. Also the deer were not as widespread as
during the summer months. Three groups of deer appear to be forming:
those north of highway 212; the central group stretching across
the study area on a southwest-northeast axis centered on Home Creek;
and a southern group extending from above Newell Creek to below
Ten Mile Creek.

The 1979-1980 winter in contrast to the two previous winters, was

very mild with little snow fall. As a result, mule deer remained

quite widespread and did not gather into large concentrations

(Figure 10). Nearly all observations were in the 4-8 size category.

One observation of a group larger than 15 animals was made and

four groups in the 9-15 range were seen. Two major wintering

areas were determined: one southwest of Otter Creek north of

the Custer National Forest; the other east of Otter Creek and south of

Threemile Creek. The remainder of the observations were too

scattered to consider. It is likely that many deer wintered

in the adjacent Custer National Forest.

i

Vegetation type usage: A considerab
is apparent in usage of vegetation t
percent of the spring 1979 observati
pine type while only 15 percent util
The weather pattern, deep snow and c
1979 spring which forced deer out of
grassland types, explains the variat
winter mule deer were able to utiliz
pine and only 58 percent were observ
extremely dry summer of 1980 forced
coulees and draws of the pine type.

le difference between years
ypes (Table 4). Ninety-three
ons were in the ponderosa
ized the pine type in 1980.
old in 1978 extending into the
the creekbottoris and sagebrush/
ion. During the mild 1979-80
e vegetation types other than
ed in the pine type. The
deer to utilize the more mesic

14

LEGEND

Permanent stream . '^a/^

Paved road

Unpaved road —

Forest boundary

Study area -> <-

Mule deer ob

servations

Group size
1-3 A

° /

4-8 a

' M

9-15 A

9 ^=V\J

16+ A

* 3

Year 1979

198d

Fipcuro 7. Spring nule deer distribution in th(^ Otter Creek
area.

15

LEGEND

Permanent stream . ''^v^

Paved road

Unpaved road — =

Forest boundary..

Study area -> -<-

Mule deer observations
Group size

1-3 ^

4-8 -^

9-15 *

16+ A

Year 1979 198

Figure 8. Summer mule deer distribution in the Otter Creek
area.

16

LEGEND

Permanent stream ^^a/v
Paved road
Unpaved road
Forest boundary —

Study area

Mule deer observations
Group size
1 " 3 ^ o

« '

4-8 A

o

^t

9-15 A

e

^9

16+ *

•

-3

Year 1979

1980

i

Fir.uro 0. Fall nu ] e deer distribution in the Otter Creek
area.

17

LEGEND

Permanent stream . aaa^

Paved road

Unpaved road —

Forest boundary.

, Study area -• *-

Year 1979 198

Mule

deer ob

servations

Group s

ize

<*•"

1 -

3

A

o

/

4-

8

'5>

. o

9-

15

A

9

,^^

16

+

A . .

•

V

Figure 10. Winter mule deer distribution in the Otter Creek
area.

18

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19

The sagebrush/grassland type received its highest usage in the
fall of 1979 and spring of 1980, 55 and 56 percent, respectively.
Its lowest usage was noted in the spring of 1979 and the dry
summer of 1980 with 7 and 19 percent of the observations
respectively. Apparently the sagebrush/grassland type is not
preferred by deer in either weather extreme, snow and cold or
hot and dry.

The creekbottom type usage ranged from none to nine percent
over the course of the study. A goodly proportion of the Otter
Creek bottoms have been developed into farmland. As a result
only a few sections have adequate cover. Those remaining
stretches with good riparian vegetation are extremely important
to deer and other wildlife species. They should be protected
in every possible instance. Combined creekbottom subtypes
showed the highest usage, 21 percent of observations, during
the 1979 summer.

Deer utilize the agricultural areas quite heavily during
the period of initial "greenup . " This occurred in the early
summer months of 1979 and spring of 1980 when 15 and 24 percent
of the deer were observed in agricultural fields in those
seasons respectively. Very few observations were made in the
agricultural types in any other season.

Activity : Examination of mule deer activity at the time of
observation (Table 5) gives some insight into the habits and
condition of the deer herd. The high percentages of deer
feeding in spring and summer indicate they were building up
their fat reserves. A small, but substantial, percentage
(over 25 percent) was observed feeding during fall and winter.
The seasons of greatest stress, the cold spring of 1979,
winter 1979-80 and the hot, dry 1980 summer, correlate with
the greatest numbers observed lying down. Since most of the
deer resorted to pine cover areas with their inherent observa-
bility bias, the percentage actually lying down was no doubt
underestimated.

Table 5. Seasonal activity of mule deer in the Otter Creek area.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979

1979

1979

'79-80

1980

1980

Activity

lOli/

111

188

165

218

27

Standing

362/

37

63

44

11

15

Running

8

9

9

20

^o/

30

Lying

10

5

1

10

tr3/

11

Feeding

47

50

27

26

83

44

\_l Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

3/ tr = trace; a percentage less than 0.5

20

Use of topography: Dissected midslopes were most heavily used
by mule deer in all seasons of the study (Table 6), averaging
nearly 80 percent for the six seasons. Two distinct peaks of
lowland usage were noted, 19 percent in summer 1979 and 26
percent in spring 1980. These two seasons represent the initial
"green-up" period for the respective years. A similar decrease
in usage of the uplands types was noted from spring highs of 22
and 24 percent for 1979 and 1980 respectively to summer lows of
3 and 0 percent respectively. A lack of water at the higher
elevations has been cited as being responsible for this shift
in other areas of eastern Montana (Martin 1980, Knowles 1975).

Table 6. Seasonal use of topography by mule deer in the Otter
Creek area.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979

1979

1979

'79-80

1980

1980

Topography

lOli/

111

188

165

218

27

24

-

tr3/

-

50

89

22

7

4

4

Mesa-butte top 132/ 14 2

Mesa-butte steep

slopes 9 2 5 3

Dissected mid-
slopes 73 78 86 87

Alluvium/terrace - 5 2 -

Flood plain - 14 3 8

!_/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

3^/ tr = trace; a percentage less than 0.5.

Use of exposure: Seasonal use of exposure is shown in Table 7.
Usage of northerly slopes decreased from its high, 41 percent,
in the 1979 spring to its low, 17 percent, during the 1980 spring.
Usage of southerly slopes was at or near 45 percent in all
seasons except the 1979 summer and 1980 spring which have been
discussed previously as being the green-up period. Easterly
exposures were least used during the two spring seasons with
26 and 13 percent for 1979 and 1980 respectively. All other
seasons usage levels were between 31 and 39 percent. Conversely,
usage of westerly exposures were highest during the spring seasons,
The 1979 spring saw 58 percent of mule deer observations on
westerly slopes, the highest figure recorded during the course
of the study. Numbers observed on flat lands were highest
during the summer of 1979, 16 percent and the spring of 1980,
21 percent.

21

Table 7,

Seasonal use of exposure by mule deer in the Otte
area.

r Creek

Exposure

Spring
1979
lOll/

bummer

1979

111

Fall

1979

188

Winter
'79-80
165

Spring
1980
218

Summer
1980
26

North

South

East

West

Northeast

62/
10

14
24

14
12
12

11

12
21
12
13
17

5
39
10
14
21
5
6

10

15

7

30

6

1

27
23
23

4

Northwest

11

13

2

'~~

Southeast

Q

16

2

—

Southwest
Flat

33
1

6

16

20
2

11
21

15
4
4

1/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

Use of slope: Usage of the medium and steep slopes was hi-hest
during the seasons of cold and snow. Eighty percent were
?TS^^«^°" Jhe steeper slopes in the 1979 spring season
(Table 8). Sixty-eight and 71 percent were observed during

^nd liln ^"^H^'if ^""/^^^^"^ respectively. The summers of 1979
and 1980 with 54 and 66 percent respectively and the 1980 spring

Zilt^ ^f'"''^"^ °^ *^^ ""^^ ^^^^ observations represent warm ^
weather slope usage patterns.

Table 8.

Seasonal
area.

use of slope

by mule deer

in the Ott

er Creek

Slope

Spring
1979
1011/

Summer
1979
111

Fall

1979

188

Winter

'79-80

165

Spring

1980

218

Summer
1980
26

Flat
Gentle
Medium
Steep

l2/
19
65
15

16
38
31
15

2
30

36
32

29
39
32

21

54

19

6

8
58
35

1/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number,

22

Antelope

Population characteristics: During the six season study, 1784
antelope were observed in the Otter Creek study area (Table 9).
Average group size ranged from a low of 3.0 in spring 1979 to
a high of 18.4 during the winter months. January, in the dead
of winter, recorded 25.7 antelope per group. Dispersal from
winter herds occurred in April as the group size decreased
from 13.4 in March to 5.0 antelope per group in April.

Antelope were most easily spotted in December and February
when over 91 antelope were observed per hour of aerial survey
(Table 2). This is when the antelope are concentrated in large
groups. Many antelope appeared to have left the Otter Creek area
during January. The total number observed from the air, 77,
was considerably below the 200 plus numbers observed in December
and February. Perhaps this area represents marginal wintering
habitat for antelope. High numbers per hour were also observed
in July and August. This corresponds to the tine frame when
antelope numbers should be at their seasonal peak just shortly
after fawn recruitment.

Production figures and population structure percentages are
shown in Table 10. August data in 1979 show 64.4 fawns
per 100 does. This compares to 68 and 59 fawns per 100
females in Fish, Wildlife and Parks hunting units 740 and 741
in 1978 and 1977 respectively, the latest year in which surveys
were conducted (Wentland 1979). June of 1980 saw the percentage
of fawns in the population remain stable at slightly over 20
percent, while the number of fawns per 100 does increased from
33.3 to 40.0 over June of 1979. The percentage of bucks was
28.9 in June of 1980, slightly lower than the average of 30.7
recorded for hunting unit 740 since 1963 (Wentland 1979) »

Distribution : Antelope spring distribution is shown in Figure 11.
There appears to be four widely scattered groupings of antelope
observations. One is located on either side of Cook Creek north
of highway 212. Another stretches along the southwest side of
Otter Creek north of the Custer National Forest, This group
appears to have the second largest number of sightings. Another
group is found astride Threemile Creek on the eastern edge of
the study area. The greatest number of observations occurred
in the southern portion of the study area with Newell Creek as
its approximate northern boundary.

Many antelope are still in large herds at this time exhibited
by the number of group sightings in the 9-15 and over 15
categories .

During the summer months (Figure 12), antelope were more dispersed
than during spring. The four groupings mentioned above seemed to

23

LEGEND

Permanent stream
Paved road
Unpaved road
Forest boundary
Study area

Figure 11. Spring antelope distribution in the Otter Creek
area.

24

LEGEND
Permanent stream ^^a/v

Paved road

Unpaved road — =

Forest boundary

Study area -n .-

Antelope observations
Group size ./

1 " 3 a o <

4-8 & o ^or

9-15 A
16+ *

Year 1979 198'

Fif^ure 12.

Summer antelope distribution in the Otter
Creek area.

25

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26

Table 10. Antelope population characteristics in the Otter Creek
area.

Number Classified

Fawns

;:100

Bucks:

Population Structure (%)

Month

Total

Bucks Does Fawns

Does

Adults

100 Does

Buclis

Does

Fawns

1979

June

96

16

60

20

33.3

26.3

26.7

16.6

62.5

20.8

July

213

26

116

71

61.2

50.0

22.4

12.2

54.4

33.3

Aug

165

22

87

56

64.4

51.3

25.3

13.3

52.7

33.9

Sept

81

18

43

20

46.5

32.8

41.9

22.2

53.1

24.7

19S0

June

59

17

30

12

40.0

25.5

56.7

28.9

50.8

20.3

blend together with a slight overall shift to the southern portion
of the study area. The northern group still appears to be
separated from the rest of the study area. While some larger
herds remained intact, more observations in the 1-3 range were
recorded than in any other season.

Antelope fall distribution is shown in Figure 13. The number of
observations are greatly reduced because there was only one fall
season in the study and antelope are beginning to congregate into
their winter herds. Except for a few scattered observations, the
antelope seemed to be located in the southern portion of the
study area with Threemile Creek as the approximate northern
boundary. Five groups larger than 15 were observed and six
groups in the 9-15 category were spotted.

Figure 14 shows the winter antelope distribution. The pattern
established during fall was continued as most of the observations
were made south of Threemile Creek. A large majority of the
antelope were in herds of over 16 individuals. The average
group size was 18.4 (Table 9). Since the 1979-80 winter season
was quite mild, antelope were free to roam about their range at
will. Therefore the areas used during this study probably include
more area than that used in more severe winter conditions.

Vegetation type usage: Antelope were found primarily on the
sagebrush/grassland vegetation types (Table 11). Ninety-seven
percent of the antelope were observed on this type during the
fall and winter seasons. The smallest percentage utilizing
sagebrush types was seen in spring 1979, 84 percent. That
spring 16 percent were observed in the ponderosa pine grassland
subtype.

27

abc;de fgh

LEGEND
Permanent stream . -vaa.

Paved road

Unpaved road —

Forest boundary

Study area -> 1-

Antelope observations
Group size ;

1 " 3 a o *

4-8 ^ o J^
9-15 A
16+ A •

Year 1979 198'

Figure 13. Fall antelope distribution in the Otter Creek
area.

28

LEGEND
Permanent stream
Paved road
Unpaved road
Forest boundary
Study area

Fif^ure 14. 'Vinter antelope distribution in the Otter
Creek area.

29

The only other subtype to receive more than mininal usage was
the agricultural sagebrush/grassland subtype in the summer of
1980, where 9 percent of the antelope were observed.

Table 11. Seasonal use of vegetation type;
Otter Creek area.

3 by a

ntelope

in the

Vegetation Subtypes

Spring
1979
991/

Sunmer Fall '
1979 1979
486 219

Winter

'79-80

498

Spring

1980

412

Sunmer
1980
70

Ponderosa pine

Sagebrush

Grassland

Skunkbush

Juniper

Snowberry

152/

2
2

1

1

2
2

1

Total Ponderosa pine

Sagebrush
Deciduous shrub
Grassland

16
34
49

5
43 53

48 44

1
39

58

4
51
40

1
24

66

Total Sagebrush/Grassland

Tree
Shrub

84

91 97

1

97

1

91
4

90

Total Creekbottom

Ponderosa pine

Sagebrush/grassland

Creekbottom

-

1

- tr3/
2 3

1

4

1
1

9

Total Agricultural

"

2 3

"

2

y

1/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

3/ tr = trace; a percentage 0.5

Activity: Antelope are more apt to run during aerial observation
surveys than are mule deer. During the summer surveys, the highest
percentage of running antelope were observed feeding in the spring
months. More antelope were observed standing, 51 percent, in the
winter time than in any other season.

Use of topography: Antelope were most often observed on dissected
mid-slope areas (Table 13) in all seasons. The percentage observed
ranged from 74 in the summer of 1980 to 97 in the fall of 1979.
Alluvium/terraces received use in every season except spring 1979
reaching its highest level, 21 percent, in summer 1980. Mesa-butte
tops were slightly used every season except fall 1979. Mesa-butte
steep sides and flood plains were seldom used.

30

Table 12. Seasonal activity of antelope in the Otter Creek area.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979

1979

1979

'79-80

1980

1980

Activity

991/

486

219

498

412

70

Standing

25

35

36

51

37

31

Running

34

45

39

25

18

44

Lying

16

8

8

9

15

6

Feeding

24

13

17

14

30

19

1/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to the nearest whole number,

Table 13. Seasonal use of topography by antelope in the Otter
Creek area.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979

1979

1979

'79-80

1980

1980

Topography

991/

4 86

219

498

412

66

Mesa-butte top lO^./ 6-22 5

Mesa-butte steep

sides _ 2 - - -

Dissected mid- 90 90 97 95 86 74

slopes

Alluvium/terrace - 2 3 2 8 21

Flood plain - 1 - 1 3

1^/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

Use of exposure: Antelope were observed on all exposures in
nearly every season (Table 14). The greatest usage occurred on
southerly exposures in the spring of 1979, 57 percent. Flat
lands generally had the least amount of antelope usage. This
reflects their lack of usage of floodplains and plateau areas as
discussed above. Northerly slopes were most highly used in the
fall season, 56 percent of the observations, and least used in
the spring of 1979. Easterly slopes were most often used in
spring 1979 and summer 1980, 50 and 49 percent respectively.

31

Table 14.

Seasonal use of exposure by

antelope

in the

Otter

Creek area.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979

1979

1979

'79-80

1980

1980

Exposure

991/

486

219

498

412

66

North

32/

21

12

10

14

12

South

19

9

10

5

8

11

East

-

14

9

7

15

3

West

6

15

—

14

6

—

Northeast

25

14

27

24

24

23

Northwest

5

5

17

3

7

6

Southeast

25

12

3

6

8

23

Southwest

13

6

19

26

17

17

Flat

3

4

3

5

3

6

\_l Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number,

Use of slope: Antelope avoided the flat and steep slopes throughout
the study (Table 15) with 6 percent being the highest percentage
observed in any season. The spring and summer seasons of 1979
saw almost identical usage at gentle and medium slopes. In
all other seasons, gentle slopes supported more antelope than
medium slopes. Its highest level was 66 percent in the fall
of 1979.

«

Table 15. Seasonal use of slope by antelope in the Otter Creek
area.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Win

ter

Spring

Summer

1979

1979

1979

'79

-80

1980

1980

Slope

991/

486

219

498

412

66

Flat

32/

4

3

5

3

6

Gentle

46

45

66

56

59

53

Medium

49

47

32

36

32

41

Steep

3

4

—

3

6

—

\_l Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to the nearest whole number.

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Twenty dancing grounds have been located in or near the Otter
Creek study area (Figure 15). Attendance by male birds at
known grounds averaged 15.3 in 1979 and 17.8 in 1980 (Table 16)
The average number of birds in 1980 at the seven grounds
located in 1979 was 23.0. This represents a 50.3 percent
increase from 1979 to 1980. Obviously the overwinter survival
was extremely high.

There are approximately 0.22 dancing grounds per square mile
in the study area. This compares with .09 grounds per square
mile in the Sarpy Creek drainage (Martin 1980) and 0.12 per
square mile in the Colstrip area (Schwarzkoph 1980).

No broods were observed in the study area. One observation
of approximately 150 birds was made along Home Creek north of
dancing ground number 7 in early November.

Table 16. Sharp-tailed grouse dancing grounds in the Otter
Creek study area and number of males attending in
1979 and 1980.

Dancing
Ground

Location

T

R

S

5S

4 5E

23

NEi

5S

45E

3

SEi

4S

45E

33

SEi

4S

45E

12

NW^

4S

45E

3

NWi

3S

45E

8

SEJ

3S

45E

35

NEi

2S

45E

32

NWi

3S

45E

5

NEi

3S

45E

3

SE^

3S

44E

23

SE^

3S

44E

36

SE^

3S

46E

30

SWJ

3S

46E

31

SW;>

4S

45E

5

SEi

4S

45E

17

SEi

4S

4 5E

26

NWJ

4S

45E

36

SWi

5S

45E

15

NW^

5S

45E

22

s\H

Activity

1979

1980

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

12
9
12
20
1
13
40

13
20
33
36

5
24
30
36
33

9

7

5
20

2
16

6
20
16
16

9

Average males per ground

15.3

17.8

33

LEGEND

Permanent stream 'va/v

Paved road

Unpaved road — =

Forest boundary.

Study area -< >-

Sharp- tailed grouse
dancing grounds • «,

a

Figure 15. Sharp-tailed grouse dancing grounds in the
Otter Creek area.

34

Ring-necked Pheasant

Ring-necked pheasants occur in the study area along all the
major drainage ways. Highest numbers were observed along Otter
Creek. A pheasant crow count route has been conducted south
from the Otter Creek road - U.S. Highway 212 junction by the
Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks since 1974.
The average number of calls per two minute stop over the 20
mile route has been 18.9 (Knapp 1979), ranging from a low of
14.5 in 1978 to a high of 24.4 in 1977.

Waterfowl

Seven species of waterfowl game birds were observed on the Otter
Creek study area (Table 17). Of these only the mallard was
observed to breed in the area. It is possible that several
of the others also breed within the study area, especially in
good water years. Both spring seasons of this study were marked
by drought conditions with 1980 being the most severe. Most
of the reservoirs were dry while Otter Creek and some spring-
fed ponds had water.

Songbirds

One hundred and ten species of birds, including game birds, were
observed on the study area (Table 17). The Swainson's hawk.
Cooper's hawk, golden eagle, bald eagle, prairie falcon, upland
sandpiper, burrowing owl, long-eared owl, mountain bluebird,
clay-colored sparrow, Brewer's sparrow, and field sparrow were
listed by Flath (1979b) as species of special interest or concern.
All of these except the bald eagle and burrowing owl, both
listed as migratory birds of high federal interest (U.S. D.I. 1979),
were known or suspected to breed in the study area. Habitat
suitable for breeding burrowing owls existed in the study area,
so breeding for this species is possible in the future.

Four breeding bird census strips were located on the Otter
Creek study area, one each in grassland (without sagebrush), sage-
brush, ponderosa pine, juniper, and boxelder-ash riparian habitats
(Figure 16). Tables 18-21 list the percent composition and
average number of birds observed per census run for each of
the bird species found on the four breeding bird census strips.
The average number and the highest number of singing males
observed on each strip are also listed along with breeding pair
density estimates derived from them. Estimates were not made
for red crossbills, which were present as large, non-breeding
flocks during the censusing.

Western meadowlarks dominated the grassland and sagebrush census
strips. Chipping sparrows, lark sparrows, and western wood
pewees were the three most abundant species on the ponderosa
pine census strip. House wrens and yellowwarblers were the two

35

Table 17. Breeding status of the bird species observed on the
Otter Creek study area.

Species

Breeding
Status Species

Breeding
. Status

1. Pied-billed grebe

2. Great blue heron

3. Whistling swan

4. Canada goose

5. Mallard

6. Gadwall

7. Pintail

8. Green-winged teal

9. Blue-winged teal

10. Northern shoveler

11. Turkey vulture

12. Sharp-shinned hawk

13. Cooper's hawk

14. Red-tailed hawk

15. Swainson's hawk

16. Rough-legged hawk

17. Golden eagle

18. Bald eagle

19. Marsh hawk

20. Prairie falcon

21. American kestrel

22. Sharp-tailed grouse

23. Ring-necked pheasant

24 . Turkey

25. American coot

26. Killdeer

27. Common snipe

28. Upland sandpiper

29. Spotted sandpiper

30. Solitary sandpiper

31. Willet

32. Black tern

33. Mourning dove

34. Yellow-billed cuckoo

35. Black-billed cuckoo

36. Great horned owl

37. Burrowing owl

38. Long-eared owl

39. Poor-will

40. Common nighthawk

41. White-throated swift

42. Belted kingfisher

43. Common flicker

44. Red-headed woodpecker

45. Hairy woodpecker

46. Downy woodpecker

47. Eastern kingbird

48. Western kingbird

49. Cassin's kingbird

50. Says phoebe

Bi/

51.

t

52.

M

53.

M

54.

B

55.

M

56.

M

57.

M

58.

M

59.

M

60.

b

61.

b

62.

b

63.

B

64.

b

65.

W

66.

B

67.

M

68.

b

69.

B

70.

B

71.

B

72.

B

73.

b

74.

b

75.

b

76.

b

77.

b

78.

b

79.

M

80.

M

81.

M

82.

B

83.

b

84.

b

85.

B

86.

M

87.

B

88.

B

89.

b

90.

b

91.

b

92.

B

93.

B

94.

B

95.

b

96.

b

97.

B

98.

b

99.

B

100.

Least flycatcher b

Western wood pewee b

Horned lark b

Violet green swallow b

Tree swallow b

Barn swallow B

Cliff swallow B

Black-billed magpie B

Common crow b

Pinyon jay b

Black-capped chickadee b
White-breasted nuthatch b

Red-breasted nuthatch b

House wren B

Canyon wren b

Rock wren b

Gray catbird b

Brown thrasher b

American robin B

Mountain bluebird B

Townsend's solitaire b

Water pipit M

Bohemian waxwing W

Loggerhead shrike b

Starling b

Solitary vireo b

Warbling vireo b

Yellow warbler B

Yellow-rumped warbler b

Ovenbird M

Common yellowthroat b

Yellow-breasted chat b

House sparrow b

Western meadowlark B
Yellow-headed blackbird M

Red-winged blackbird b

Northern oriole B

Brewer's blackbird b

Common grackle B

Brown-headed cowbird b

Western tanager b

Black-headed grosbeak b

Lazuli bunting b

Evening grosbeak W

Cassin's finch W

Pine siskin W

American goldfinch b

Red crossbill b

Rufous-sided towhee b

Lark bunting b

36

Table 17 continued.

Breeding Breeding

Species Status Species Status

101. Grasshopper sparrow b 106. Chipping sparrow B

102. Vesper sparrow B 107. Clay-colored sparrow b

b

106.

B

107.

B

108.

b

109.

103. Lark sparrow B 108. Brewer's sparrow b

104. Dark-eyed junco b 109. Field sparrow b

105. Tree sparrow W 110, White-crowned sparrow M

]^/ Breeding status

B - Hard evidence of breeding

b - Circumstantial evidence of breeding

t - Occurs, but no evidence of breeding

W - Overwintering observations

M - Migratory observation

most abundant species on the riparian census strip. The riparian
census strip supported the highest number of species and breeding
bird density, followed by the ponderosa pine census strip. The
sagebrush census strip supported the lowest number of species
and breeding bird density, although the grassland census strip
supported densities nearly as low. The higher number of species
observed on the grassland strip than on the sagebrush strip was
probably due to greater proximity of the grassland census strip
to ponderosa pine habitat.

Raptors

Eleven species of hawks and three species of owls were observed
on the study area. Inconspicuous species such as screech owls
and saw-whet owls may also have occurred in the study area.
Goshawks were observed within ten miles of the study area, and
suitable nesting habitat for them was present in the study area.
This species may have been overlooked because of poor visibility
in the dense forests it prefers.

Accipiters: Cooper's hawks were observed twice in the study area
in 1980 (Figure 17). One of the observations was during the
nesting season (June). One sharp-shinned hawk was observed on
1 June 1980. Both of these species probably nested in the
study area.

37

LEGEND
Permanent stream '^^^^

Paved road

Unpaved road — =

Forest boundary

Study area -> >-

Bird census strip D

Small-mammal frapline. Q^*

Grassland G «,

Sagebrush. . S ^*

Ponderosa pine P ^.°

Riparian R

Figure 16.

Location of songbird census strips and snail
nammal traplines on the Otter Creek study area.

38

C

3

i

Di

m w

o

1— 1

m

a; 3

00

CO O 03 CO

CO

-d

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B C 1 D E F c; H i

LEGEND

Permanent stream

Paved road

Unpaved road
Forest boundary . .
Study area
Sightings:

Cooper's hawk . .

Swainson's hawk

Long -eared owl .

Burrowing owl x

aA/^

Fi<Ture 17.

Sightings of raptorial birds of special

interest or concern on the Otter Creek study area,

44

Buteos: Swainson's hawks were observed several times in the
study area (Figure 17), and nesting was suspected. Rough-
legged hawks were common on the study area during winter.
Two migrating adult bald eagles were sighted by landowners.

Red-tailed hawks were the most common buteo on the study area.
Five active nests were located in 1979 and three active
nests were located in 1930 (Figure 18). Several other
inactive nests were found. One nest was located on a cliff,
two were in deciduous trees and six were in ponderosa pine
trees (Table 22) .

Golden eagles were seen regularly on the study area. Seven
nests were located (Figure 19), two in ponderosa pine trees
and five on cliffs (Table 22). A pair of eagles initiated
nesting in nest number 12 (Figure 19), but abandoned the nest
in mid-May. The landowner in the area indicated that this
nest was used about every other year. An adult and two
juvenile eagles were observed several kilometers northeast
of this nest in late summer 1979, indicating the possibility
of an undetected nest either in or near the study area.
Another landowner stated that he often saw eagles in the area
just west of nests 14, 15, and 16 during 1979, but rarely saw
them during 1980. These nests were not found until 1980, so
their status in 1979 remains unclear.

Harriers : Marsh hawks were common and probably nested in the
study area. They were usually observed hunting over grasslands
and hay meadows.

Falcons: Kestrels were the most common raptor in the study area,
They nested mainly in old woodpecker holes in dead pine snags
and large Cottonwood trees.

Two prairie falcon aeries were located on cliffs in the study
area (Figure 20). One was active in 1979 and the other was
active in 1980. A third aerie was known to be located on or
near the study area as shown in figure 20. Highly defensive
adults were seen in the area several times in 1930, but the
nest hole was not located. Suitable nest potholes for prairie
falcons were present on several other cliffs in the study area.
Prairie falcons used hay meadows along Otter Creek and Three-
mile Creek for hunting.

Owls: Great-horned owls were common in the study area and
two nests were found. Four long-eared owls were observed for
several days in mid-August 1979 (Figure 17). One pair of
burrowing owls was seen on a prairie dog town on 1 May 1980
(Figure 17). The prairie dog town had been poisoned two weeks
previous to the sighting and was poisoned again in mid-May
with strychnine oats.

45

ABCiDEFC^Hi

LEGEND
Permanent stream . -^^^

Paved road

Unpaved road — =

Forest boundary

Study area -" ^-

Nests . ; Nos.1-9 .

1979 Sightings . a .^.-^

1980 Sightings .0 J

c

Fif^ure 18. Nests and sightings of red-tailed hawks on the
Otter Creek study area.

46

LEGEND

Permanent stream . . '>^w

Paved road

Unpaved road
Forest boundary

Study area

Golden eogle nests . Nos. 12-1
Sightings: 1979 0

1980

Figure 19. Nests and sightings of golden eagles on the
Otter Creek study area.

47

LEGEND
Permanent stream . . ^w

Paved road

Unpaved road — ^

Forest boundary

Study area -• >-

Nests Nos.lO-

Sightinqs o

Probable nest KJ «.

Fif^ure 20. Nests and sightings of prairie falcons on the
Otter Creek study area.

48

o

00

I

Q

-p

o

W)

^

0

^

>>

a

n

o

(D

0

cu

c

-a

>

>

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J

-g

■P -P

q o

Ci 03 Cj

c c c

■P

0 (D
> >
■H -H
P' P>
O O

C C

fcfl

bjo

bJD

43
pi
rti

I 0)

I

^

C P

o o

•H >>

pi

0 •*

O (D

^f

O M
C tp 0

1 I >

0 (P -H

> > p

■H -H O
P> P> d

o o c

pi

;3 tp

o o

pi CO

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>> o

'H

-s

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73 13

C

M

rt

o

-Si

0

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pi

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rt

c^

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c

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piLiP^MhH<;p(p{pi<;<;i— i<iPii-<(-iPi

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OPp O O Of-iPrHiPrH

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x: x: x: i2 x: x:

c c
o o

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d d d d d Cti
P P P Pi P P>

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CM
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IP
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rHCN)COrtiinCDt>00(j50rH(MCO'^"l>CO

49

Non-game Mammals

Twenty-nine species of mammals were observed in the study area
(Table 23). Mink [Huite-la vlion] and yellow-bellied marmots
{Hafimota llavlv z.ntnli>] were observed in the region and probably
occurred in the study area. One dead hoary bat was found in
riparian habitat. Other species of bats undoubtedly were
present in the study area. The blacktail prairie dog was
listed by Flath (1979b) as a species of special interest or
concern. Two small towns were located (Figure 21).

Table 23. Mammals observed on the Otter Creek study area,

1 . Masked or common shrew

2. Hoary bat

3. Raccoon

4. Shorttail weasel

5. Badger

6. Striped skunk

7. Coyote

8. Red fox

9. Bobcat

10. Blacktail prairie dog

11. Thirteen-lined ground squirrel

12. Least chipmunk

13. Red squirrel

14. Northern pocket gopher
15 . Wyoming pocket mouse

16. Beaver

17. Western harvest mouse

18. Deer mouse

19. Bushytail woodrat

20. Meadow vole

21. Prairie vole

22. Muskrat

23. House mouse

24. Porcupine

25. Whitetail jackrabbit

26. Desert cottontail

27. Mule deer

28. Whitetail deer

29. Antelope

La6iafia6 cim>ie.LLi
Pfioctjon totoK
Ha6te.la t^mlnza
Taxidza taxui
He.phiti6 maphltl^
Cani6 latfian6
\/iilpe.6 vulpe.6
Lynx fiaffU'S

Cijnomij6 ludovlci.anui
Sp2.fimophilu6 tfi-Ldzczmlimatuii
Eutam-la^ ml.nln}Li6
Tam.la6c^ufiui hLid6oni(iui>
Thomomij.!) talpoldei,
PtfLognathai, {^aiclatai)
Ca&tofi canade,ni,i6
Re.ith^odontomij6 rmgatotii
?(i^omtj.{>cu6 manicatatui,
tizotona cimfidCL
M^C'lotui penn6 ijlvanicui
H-icfLotiL6 ochfioga^t^fi
Ondatfia zibethicui
Mai mu6culu6
Enzth-Lzon do liatum
Lzpai toMnizndi-i
Sijtvilagai aadabonii
OdacoZlzui htm-ionu6
Odocoileu6 vA.n^gX.nZanU't)
Ant-Lloaapfici amzK-icana.

m

Six small-mammal traplines were run in the study area, one each
in grassland, sagebrush, ponderosa pine-juniper, and marsh
riparian habitat, and two traplines in boxelder-ash riparian
habitat (Figure 16). The marsh riparian habitat consisted of
a cattail [Typha], bulrush [SalfLpui] area around a stockpond.
Table 24 lists the total trap nights, trapping success, and
numbers of each species caught in each habitat. The highest

50

number of species were caught in marsh riparian habitat and
the highest trapping success was in boxelder-ash riparian
habitat. The trapline in sagebrush habitat met with very
poor trapping success. This may not have been typical of
all sagebrush habitat in the study area.

Three of the ?ziomyi,ca6 captured in riparian habitat were
suspected to be white-footed mice (P. £eacopa4 ) . They were
counted as P. manicalata6 in the data until identification
of the specimens is positively verified.

Table 24. Results of small-mammal trapping on the Otter Creek
study area.

Ponderosa Boxelder-

Grass-

Sage-

Pine Ash ^larsh

land

Brush

Juniper Riparian Riparian

Total captures

Trap nights

Captures/100 trap nights

Number of species caught

Species:

VoAomtjiiCuA, manic-uXaXvU)
K^ltlTAodontomiji mzQatotli)
HicfLotui p2.nn6ytvayu.ciU>
f^UcAotui odhfioqaiit^n.
Mai ma6cu£a6

SpzumopkiZuui) tfujd.(ic.2mZA,n2.atvu>
Eutam^a^ minlmLii
Vzn.0Qnathiii> {^aicAOtiUi
SofLZx clneAzuA

11
448
2.

2

12

63

14

486

468

806

541

0.4

2.6

7.

8

2.6

2

2

4

5

1

7

29

2

1
' 2

1

22

6

6

Amphibians and Reptiles

Four species of amphibians and six species pf reptiles were
seen on the Otter Creek study area (Table 25). The snapping
turtle was listed by Flath (1979b) as a species of special
interest or concern. Snapping turtles were fairly common along
Otter Creek. Only one sagebrush lizard was encountered, in
ponderosa pine-juniper habitat with large boulders. The other
species were common to abundant in the study area.

LEGEND
Permanent stream . . '^aa-

Paved road

Unpaved road ' —

Forest boundary

Study area -> <■

Prairie dog towns c?

Fif^ure 21. Prairie dog towns on the Otter Creek study arcm.

52

Table 25. Amphibians and reptiles observed on the Otter Creek
study area.

1. Woodhouse toad

2. Tiger salamander

3. Northern chorus frog

4. Leopard frog

5. Snapping turtle

6. Painted turtle

7. Sagebrush lizard

8. Racer

9. Bull snake

10. Prairie rattlesnake

Ba{)0 woo dhou-itA.
Ambif-itoma tigfiZnum
P6zadacKi6 t>i-ii>(i>ilata
Rand plplzn^
Ch^tijdna iitfipzYitlna.
ChfiijfiZmyii picta
SdztopoKViii gfLacioia6
Colubzfi con&tfi-ictoit
P-ituophl.!, catzni{)t/i
Cfiotatai, vifildii

Hanging Woman Creek

Mule Deer

Population characteristics: During the fifteen months of field
work, 1830 mule deer were observed in the Hanging Woman Creek
study area (Table 1). Group size averages were largest during
the winter season, 10.2, and smallest during the summer time,
2.0. Deer gradually separated from their winter herds during
April and May in both years reaching their smallest sized groups
in June. Winter herds were formed in December.

Hanging Woman Creek supported the highest density of mule deer
of the three study areas. Observations per hour of aerial
survey ranged from a summer low of 19.4 to a winter high of
74.8 (Table 26). During the January flight, 144.4 mule deer were
seen per hour of flight. The highest number seen in Otter Creek
per hour was 55.0 (Table 2).

The population structure (Table 27) shows a slightly lower
percentage of fawns than observed in the Otter Creek area. Does
comprised 47.8 percent of the population in October. This is
slightly higher than the 41.7 percent observed in the Otter
Creek area (Table 3). While the fawn production was lower than
that observed on Otter Creek, it was still very good at 92.2 fawns
per 100 does. This area has been classified as having stable
population levels (Swenson 1978) of mule deer in low nutritional
condition (Swenson and Knapp 1979). These data seem to indicate
an under-harvested mule deer herd.

Distribution: Spring mule deer distribution is shown in Figure
22. The deer are fairly evenly distributed throughout the study
area. The largest grouping of observations stretches across

53

LEGEND

Permanent stream -'^^
County road

State line

Study a rec
Mule deer observations
Group size

1 ~ 3 A O

4-8. A o
9-15 A e

16+ A •

Year 1979 1980

MONTANA

WYOMING

Figure 22.

Spring mule deer distribution in the Hanging
Woman Creek area.

54

Table 26. Mule deer, antelope and coyote aerial observations per hour in the
Hanging Woman Creek area.

Month

Hours

Aerial Observations
Mule
Deer Ant . Coyotes

Observat ions/Hour

Mule

Deer Ant. Coyote

Coyot

Mule

Deer

es per 100;
Antelope

April
May

2.25
2.25

143
123

110
146

5
2

63,6
54.7

48.9
64.9

2,2

0.9

3.5
1.6

4.5
1,4

Spring

4.5

266

256

7

59.1

56.9

1.6

2,6

2.7

June
July
Aug

2.3
2.3
2.1

33

46
46

61
197
121

3
5
3

16.5
20.0
21.9

26.5

85.7
57.6

1.3

9 '^

1.4

7.9

10.9

6.5

4.9
2.5
2.5

Sumner

6,7

ISO

379

11

19.4

56.6

1.6

8.5

2.9

Sept

Oct

Nov

2.3
2.25

-y

89
135

191
237

14
5

38.7
60.0

83.0
105.3

6.1
2.2

15.9
3.7

7.3

2.1

Fall

4.55

224

428

19

49.2

94.1

4.2

8.4

4.4

Dec
Jan
Feb

1.9
1.6
2.1

65
231
123

449

274
381

2

4
6

34.2

144.4

58.6

236.3
171.3
181.4

1.1
2.5
2.9

3.1
1.7
4.9

0.4
1.5
1.6

Winter

5.6

419

1104

12

74.8

197.1

2.1

2.9

1.1

March
April
May

2.9
2.3
2.0

151
199
131

298
138
136

4
3
02/

52a
86.5
65.5

102.8
60.0
68.0

1.4
1.3
0.0

2.6
1.5
0,0

1,3
2.2
0.0

Spring

7.2

431

572

7

66.8

79.4

1.0

1.5

1.2

June
July
Aug

2.3

87

119

4

37.8

51.7

1,7

4,6

3.4

Sunmer

2.3

87

119

4

37.8

51.7

1.7

4.6

3.4

1/ No surveys made

2/ No observations made on surveys

Table 27. Mule deer population characteristics in the Hanging Woman Creek
area in 1979.

Month

Number Classified
Total Bucks Does Fawns

Fa^vnsrlOO
Does Adults

Bucks:
100 Does

Population
Structure (%)
Bucks Does Fawns

September
October

77 8 38 31
134 11 64 59

81.6 67.4
92,2 78.7

21.1
17.2

10.4 49.4 40.3
8.2 47.8 44,0

the ridse from Waddle Creek to Corral Creek west of Hanging
Woman Creek. Another major group was observed east of Hanging
Woman between Horse Creek and Trail Creek.

V/hile deer were still observed in most portions of the study
area, a noticeable converging on Hanging Woman Creek occurred
during the summer season (Figure 23). Mule deer were
staying close to their primary water supply, i.e. Hanging
Woman Creek. The greatest concentration of observations was
located east of Hanging Woman Creek south from Horse Creek
through the mouth of Trail Creek to the southern boundary of
the study area. Practically all the observations were in
the 1-3 group size category.

The number of fall observations is greatly reduced from spring
and summer because group sizes are bigger and only one year's
data were gathered (Figure 24). The greatest numbers observed
were in the vicinity of coordinates 0, 26. Most observations
were in the central and southern portions of the study area.

Winter observations are mapped in Figure 25. Four wintering
areas are evident. The largest, both in numbers of deer and
observations, is located along the ridge between Horse Creek
and Trail Creek. The second largest group is found astride
Corral Creek in the southwest portion of the study area„ Two
smaller groups, one north of Horse Creek and one astride Trail
Creek in the southeast corner, make up the remainder of the
mule deer wintering areas. Practically all of the observations
were of large groups of mule deer.

Vegetation type usage: The ponderosa pine type was most heavily
used in the spring of 1979 when 48 percent of the mule deer
were observed in that type (Table 28). The winter season saw
44 percent of the deer in the pine subtypes. The least number
of deer were observed in the ponderosa pine type during the
fall season.

Sagebrush/grasslands were most often used by mule deer in all
seasons and averaged 56.8 percent over the course of the
study. Seventy-three percent of the deer were observed in the
sagebrush/grassland type in the spring of 1980. This type
covered the largest amount of surface in the study area
(Figure 4) .

Creekbottoms were extremely important during the summer and
fall months. This type, with a very small percentage of
surface area, accounted for 17 and 23 percent of the summer
observations in 1979 and 1980 respectively. During the summer
of 1980, the driest season of the study, fully 30 percent of
the mule deer observations were made in creekbottom subtypes.
This includes the agricultural creekbottom type which is
primarily hay fields.

56

LEGEND

Permanent stream ^^^
County road
State line

Study area -< >- ^ad*^^

Mule deer observations
Group size

1-3 A

4-8. A

9-15 *

16+ A

Year 1979 1980

Figure 23. Sumner nule deer distribution in the Hanging
Woman Creek area.

57

LEGEND

Permanent stream -'^^
County road
State line
Study area

Mule deer observations
Group size

1 ~ 3 A o

4-8. A o

9-15 A 9

16+ A

Year 1979 1980

-MQNIANA
WYOMING

Figure 24. Fall mule deer distribution in the Hanj^^ing Woman
Creek area.

58

LEGEND

Permanent stream -'^^
County road

State line

Study area
Mule deer observations
Group size
1-3 -^ o

4-8. £^ O

9-15 A e

16+ A •

Year 1979 1980

MOJilAJvlA.
WYOMING

mi les

Figure 25. Winter nule deer distribution in the Hanging;
Wonan Creek area.

59

Activity: The lack of ponderosa pine cover made deer easier
to observe as they lay out in the open„ For that reason more
deer were observed lying in the Hanging Woman study area than
in the Otter Creek area (Table 29). Most deer were observed
standing in all seasons except spring 1980 when more deer
were observed feeding.

Use of topography: Use of the dissected mid-slopes was the
highest in every season (Table 30). The highest percentage of
observations using the hillside category was during the winter
season, 89 percent. This topographic area is most likely to
offer shelter from the wind and, at the same tine, be free of
snow cover.

The lowland features, alluvium/terrace and flood plains, had
peak use during summer and fall seasons. Deer were forced
onto the riparian bottom lands in search of water and succulent
forage. These types received heaviest usage, 31 percent,
during the driest season, summer of 1980.

Use of exposure: Deer were observed on every aspect in every
season (Table 31) . They were fairly evenly distributed with
a few exceptions. During the spring 1979 season 48 percent of
the deer were observed on southerly slopes. This occurred
just after a long hard winter and the southern slopes were the
first to become free of snow and offer new growth to eat.

The summer seasons were marked by substantial increases in

the usage of flat, lowland categories. Again, deer were reacting

to the lack of moisture in the upland areas. The mild nature

of the 1979-80 winter was demonstrated by the 62 percent

usage figure on northerly slopes.

Use of slope: Seasonal use of slopes by mule deer in the
Hanging Woman Creek area is presented in Table 32 » Usage of
steep slopes was highest during the winter months when 32
percent usage was observed. The lowest percentage was observed
during the summer of 1980, 6 percent.

More deer v/ere observed on medium slopes than any other in
all seasons except winter when gentle and steep slopes had
more deer. Medium slopes averaged 41 percent of mule deer
observations during the study. Flat land areas received the
most during the two summer seasons with 28 and 37 percent
for 1979 and 1980 respectively o

Antelope

Population characteristics: During the six seasons of study,
3,308 antelope were observed on the Hanging Woman Creek area
(Table 9). Average group size ranged from 3.4 antelope per
group during the first spring season to 44.2 antelope per group
in the winter months. January was by far the largest when
3 groups averaged 91.3 antelope per group were observed.

60

•

Table 28. Seasonal use of vegetation types by mule deer in the
Hanging Woman Creek area.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979

1979

1979

'79-80

1980

1980

Vegetation Subtypes

3241/

144

227

419

612

103

Ponderosa pine
Sagebrush
Grassland
Skunkbush
Juniper
Snowberry
Total Ponderosa Pine

Sagebrush
Deciduous shrub
Grassland
Total Sagebrush/grassland

Tree
Shrub
Total Creekbottom

Ponderosa pine
Sagebrush /grass land
Creekbottom
Total Agricultural

-

4

3

10

2

5

3l2/

10

4

26

14

6

6

3

5

-

6

6

tr3/

3

4

2

1

1

11

3

-

5

2

7

-

-

1

-

-

-

48

24

17

44

25

24

40

28

40

34

62

26

—

—

—

15

6

9

7

28

26

7

5

8

47

57

65

56

73

43

_

3

8

_

.»

4

3

15

9

-

2

19

3

17

18

-

2

23

-

1

-

-

-

3

2

1

—

—

-

7

10

l_l Total observations

2_/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

3/ tr = a percentage 0.5

Table 29. Seasonal activity of mule deer in the Hanging Woman Creek
area.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979
3241/

1979

1979

'79-80

1980

1980

Activity

144

227

419

611

103

Standing
Running
Lying
Feeding

422/

67

45

63

34

50

17

10

9

6

8

21

15

2

36

21

10

6

27

21

10

10

48

22

l_l Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

61

Table 29. Seasonal activity of nule deer in the Hanging Woman
Creek area,,

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979

1979

1979

•79-80

1980

1980

Activity

3241/

144

227

419

611

103

Standing

422/

67

45

63

34

50

Running

17

10

9

6

8

21

Lying

15

2

36

21

10

6

Feeding

27

21

10

10

48

22

j^/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

Table 30. Seasonal use of topography by mule deer in the Hanging
Woman Creek area.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979

1979

1979

'79-80

1980

1980

Topography

3241/

144

227

419

611

103

Mesa-Butte top 71/ 8 6 1 8 14

Mesa-Butte Steep 11 - 5 4 3 1
Slopes

Dissected mid-slopes 73 72 70 89 79 55

Alluvium/terrace 5 4 3 6 7 15

Flood plain 3 15 16 - 3 16

\l Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

62

Table 31. Seasonal use of exposure by mule deer in the Hanging
Woman Creek area.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979
324-/

1979

1979

•79-80

1980

1980

Exposure

144

199

419

611

103

North

13

19

19

18

13

16

South

29

6

4

8

9

14

East

4

6

4

13

14

6

West

10

13

25

5

10

6

Northeast

7

12

12

25

12

10

Northwest

8

5

2

19

7

3

Southeast

5

5

2

3

9

9

Southwest

14

6

12

2

17

1

Flat

10

28

20

7

8

37

1_/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

Table 32. Seasonal use of slope by mule deer in the Hanging Woman
Creek area.

Spring Summer Fall Winter Spring Summer

1979 1979 1979 '79-80 1980 1980

Slope 3241/ 144 199 419 611 103

Flat

10

28

18

7

9

37

Gentle

21

19

22

34

36

9

Medium

50

32

45

26

43

49

Steep

19

21

15

32

12

6

]_/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

63

Antelope were more dense than nule deer in the Hanging Woman
study area (Table 26) with greater numbers observed in every
season except the initial spring survey. The number of
antelope observed per hour of flight ranged from the 50 's
in spring and summer to a whopping 197,1 during the winter
season. In December, 449 antelope were observed on the
study area in a little less than 2 hours flight time. That
this area is a major antelope winter range is undeniable.

and production figures are shown in
tage of fawns in the population in 1979
34.6 percent) and decreased in each
oduction figures (1979) were also
67.4 fawns per 100 does were observed,
oes were observed in June of 1980. The
conducted before most fawns were born,
res compare to an average of 61.3 fawns

Wildlife and Parks hunting unit 742
8 (Went land 1979). The Hanging Woman
ontained within hunting unit 742.

Popu

lation structure

Tabl

e 33. The percen

was

highest in July (

succeeding month. Pr

high

est in July when

Sixt

y fawns per 100 d

June

1979 flight was

These production figu

per

100 does in Fish,

from

1963 through 197

Cree

k study area is c

Table 33. Antelope population characteristics in the Hanging
Woman Creek area.

Population Structure

Total

Bucks Does

Fawns: 100
Fawns Does Adults

Bucks:
100 Does

Percentage

Month

Bucks

Does

Fawns

1979

June

93

22

65

6

9.2

6.9

33.9

23.7

69.9

6.4

July

240

34

123

83

67.4

52.9

27.6

14.2

51.3

34.6

Aug

138

22

73

43

58.9

45.3

30.1

15.9

52.9

31.1

Sept

201

40

101

60

59.4

42.6

39.6

19.9

50.2

29.9

1980

June

122

34

55

33

60.0

37.1

61.8

27.9

45.1

27.0

Distribution : Antelope spring distribution is shown in
Figure 26. Antelope were observed throughout the study area
with groups fairly evenly distributed within the size
categories. A concentration of observations is evident just
north of Trail Creek. Another group of observations is centered
in the vicinity of Horse Creek. The entire western portion of
the study area from above PK Creek south to Waddle Creek was
covered with observations.

64

Permanent stream
County road
State line
Study area
Antelope observations
Group size
1 ~ 3 A o
4-8 A o
9-15 A ffl

16* A

Year 1979 1980

MOMIANA_
WYOMING

Figure 26. Spring antelope distribution in the Hanging
Wonan Creek area.

65

During the summer months, the antelope used less of the
Hanging Woman Creek study area as they condensed into three
major use areas (Figure 27). One large group of observations
was made in the northeast portion of the study area north
of Horse Creek. Another group was concentrated in the First
Creek and PK Creek drainages. The third major area was
located along the north side of Trail Creek and extending
northward along the east side of Hanging Woman Creek approx-
imately 2 miles north of the mouth of Trail Creek. Very few
observations were made in the Corral Creek drainage.

Fall antelope observations revealed a major shift in
antelope usage patterns (Figure 28). Many observations were
made in the Corral Creek drainage. Antelope were noticed to
be staying closer to the main water sources, PK Creek and
Hanging Woman Creek. There was a definite shift to the south
and west portions of the study area.

Winter antelope observations are shown in Figure 29. The
major wintering area is seen to be along the north side of
Trail Creek extending northward along the east side of Hanging
Woman Creek. The PK Creek area is another wintering range.
Antelope were also observed north of Horse Creek and between
Corral and First Creeks. This was a mild winter with very
little snow cover. Therefore the antelope were able to pick
which ever area suited them. They may have used entirely
different areas under more harsh circumstances. Practically
all of the observations were of large groups of antelope.

Vegetation type usage: The fact that antelope are heavily
dependent on sagebrush is evident in Table 34. Antelope usage
of the sagebrush/grassland type averaged 91 percent and ranged
from 81 to 99 percent during the six seasons of study. Antelope
were observed in ponderosa pine subtypes in all seasons but in
very low numbers. A significant percentage, 15 percent, were
observed on the agricultural creekbottom type during the fall
season. These antelope were on harvested hay meadows near
water .

Activity: The activity of antelope at the time of observation
is recorded in Table 35. More antelope were observed standing
in the spring seasons, 34 percent in 1979 and 45 percent in 1980,
than the other four seasons which ranged from 22 to 28 percent.
The fewest numbers were observed running during the spring
season as antelope seemed to be conserving energy. The
relatively large percentage of antelope observed feeding and
lying down in the 1979 spring is indicative of the very
severe winter just completed. No antelope were observed lying
down or feeding during the winter aerial surveys.

Use of topography: Antelope were most often observed in the
rolling portions of the dissected midslopes (Table 36) and
least often seen on steep mesa-butte hillsides. A few

Table 34„ Seasonal use of vegetation types by antelope in the
Hanging Woman Creek area.

Total Sagebrush/grassland

94

92

81

93

90

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979

1979

1979

'79-80

1980

1980

Vegetation Subtypes

3141/

471

524

1104

720

175

Ponderosa pine

_

1

tr

^

^

_

Sagebrush

l2/

2

3

2

4

1

Grassland

3

1

-

-

3

1

Skunkbush

-

1

-

-

-

-

Juniper

-

trl/

-

-

-

-

Snowberry

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total Ponderosa pine

4

5

3

2

7

1

Sagebrush

56

50

37

67

55

45

Deciduous shrub

-

-

-

-

-

-

Grassland

39

42

44

26

35

54

99

Tree
Shrub
Total Creekbottom

Ponderosa pine
Sagebrush/ grass land
Creekbottom
Total Agricultural

15

15

2

tr
tr

J_/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

3/ tr= trace; a percentage 0.5

Table 35.

Seasonal activity of

antelope in the

Hanging

Woman area.

Activity

Spring Summer
1979 1979
314i./ 471

Fall Winter

1979 '79-80

524 1104

Spring
1980
720

Summer
1980
175

Standing

342/

28

26

25

45

22

Running

19

51

56

75

30

39

Lying

21

9

tr3/

—

7

7

Feeding

26

12

19

-

18

23

!_/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

3/ tr = trace; a percentage 0.5

67

LEGEND

Permanent stream ^^^^
County road =—

State line
Study area
Antelope observations
Group size

1 "" 3 A O

4-8 A o

9-15 4 •
16* A

Year 1979 1980

MQMIANA

WYOMING

Fif^uro 27.

Sumner antelope distribution in the Hans^ins Woman
Creek area.

68

LEGEND

Permanent stream

County road

State line

Study a rea

Antelope observations
Group size
1 ~ 3 A o
4-8 A G
9-15 A «

16* A

Year 1979 1980

MONTANA

WYOMING

Figure 28. Fail antelope distribution in the Hanging Woman
Creek area.

69

Permanent stream
County road
State line
Study area
Antelope observations
Group size

1-3

4-8

9-15

16*
Year

LEGEND

A

o

A

o

A

e

A

•

1979

1980

MONTANA
WYOMING

Fif^ure 29. V/inter antelope distribution In the Hant;-ins? Woman
Creek area.

70

antelope were observed on the plateau tops in all seasons with
the most, 13 percent, occurring during the winter months.
Antelope were also seen on the lowland topographic features during
all seasons. The fall and winter seasons, with 18 and 15 percent
of the antelope respectively, had the most antelope observations
of the lowland topographic categories.

Use of exposure: Antelope were observed on every exposure
in every season except the north exposure during the winter
months (Table 37). There were more antelope on southerly
slopes than on northerly slopes in every season. Forty-two
to 51 percent of the antelope were on the southern exposures
in all seasons except summer 1980 when 70 percent were observed
on the southerly slopes. Usage of the northerly slopes was
relatively uniform, ranging from 19 to 32 percent. There were
more antelope on easterly exposures than westerly in every season.
Usage of flat lands was highest during the fall and winter
months.

Use of slope: Antelope use of gentle and medium slopes was
predominant throughout the study (Table 38) ranging from 82
to 97 percent of total observations. In the summer of 1989
medium slope usage was at its highest point, 66 percent and
gentle slope usage was at its lowest point, 31 percent. Their
positions were reversed in the 1979 spring when 51 percent of
the antelope were observed on gentle slopes and 44 percent
were seen on medium slopes.

Flat land usage was low in all seasons except fall with a
16 percent usage level. The only season with much usage of
steep slopes was winter with 12 percent.

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Three active sharp-tailed grouse dancing grounds were located
during the study (Figure 30). They average 14.7 male birds
per ground in 1980 (Table 39). In an earlier study, Knapp
(1977) reported three dancing grounds which were not located
at this time. Sharp-tailed grouse have been documented as
abandoning grounds in other southeastern Montana studies
(Martin 1980).

Sharp-tailed grouse were observed in several locations some
distance from known dancing grounds (Figure 30). Because
these grouse are known to remain close to dancing grounds it
is possible that grounds exist near PK Creek in the northeast
portion of the study area, somewhere in the Horse Creek drainage,
along the ridge between Trail Creek and East Fork Trail Creek
and along the South Fork Corral Creek drainage.

71

Table 36. Seasonal use of topography by
Woman Creek area„

antelope in the Hanging

Topography

Spring Summer Fall

1979 1979 1979

3141/ 471 524

Winter

'79-80

1104

Spring
1980
720

Summer
1980
175

Mesa-Butte top
Mesa-Butte steep sides
Dissected mid-slopes
Alluvium/Terrace
Flood plain

12/

13

8

92

90

79

72

87

99

5

3

8

15

5

1

tr3/

2

10

—

_

_

!_/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

3/ tr = trace; a percentage 0.5

Table 37.

Seasonal use of ex

posure

by ante]

ope in

the Hanging

Woman Cree

■k area.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979

1979

1979

'79-80

1980

1980

Exposure

3141/

471

524

1104

720

175

North

142/

9

4

11

9

South

9

17

23

6

20

41

East

17

23

12

22

8

6

West

5

4

6

3

5

2

Northeast

12

13

12

1

18

8

Northwest

6

4

3

20

1

5

Southeast

11

7

18

31

19

14

Southwest

25

18

6

6

12

15

Flat

2

4

16

12

6

1

1/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number,

«

72

LEGEND

Permanent stream

County road

State line

Study area -. ^ v>jadd\«

Grouse Sharptail Sage

Breeding grounds •
Observations

Winter b a

Spring g o

Summer o o

Fal I a A

_WQNIANA
WYOMING

Firjure 30. Sharp-tailed grouse dancin;; grounds, sage grouse

strutting grounds and observations of both species
during the study on Hanging Wonan Creek.

73

Sage Grouse

Sage grouse were the most abundant game bird species in this
area. Five strutting grounds were located on or near the
Hanging Woman Creek study area (Figure 30). These are
concentrated in the southern portion along the Corral Creek,
Trail Creek and Hanging Woman Creek bottom lands. The largest
of the grounds, the Corral Creek ground, had 73 birds (male
and female) using it one morning during the 1980 breeding
season. The average number of cocks observed at the four
grounds within the study area boundary in 1980 was 23.9 birds
(Table 40).

Sage grouse were observed in all seasons during the study.
The Corral Creek sagebrush bottoms and uplands appear to be
an important wintering area for sage grouse.

Twelve sage grouse broods, averaging 49 young per brood,
were observed in the Hanging Woman study area in the summer of
1979. This represented good recruitment (Wallestad 1975)
and coupled with an easy winter resulted in a large population
increase o The number of cocks present on the two grounds
observed both years increased from 36 to 72 (Table 40). This
amounted to a 100 percent increase. Possibly the 1979 numbers
observed were somewhat lower than the actual population levels.

Ring-necked Pheasant

Pheasants were observed along the Hanging Woman Creek bottom.
A pheasant crow count survey was conducted during the 1979
breeding season. Birds were heard on 4 of the 12 stops. The
average number of calls per stop was a relatively low 0.5.
This low population density is probably the result of a
scarcity of deciduous shrubs in the creekbottom vegetation
types.

Waterfowl

Six waterfowl species were observed on the Hanging Woman
Creek study area (Table 41). The most common species observed
was the mallard. Only one brood of ducks was observed. That
was a group of 13 young blue-winged teals with one adult
feeding in a road side pond in the early summer of 1979. As
in other portions of southeastern Montana, the Hanging Woman
Creek area suffered through severe drought conditions in the
spring and summer of 1980. Consequently the reservoirs were
dry and offered little or no breeding habitat for waterfowl.

Songbirds

Seventy-eight species of birds, including game species, were
observed on the study area (Table 41). The goshawk. Cooper's
hawk, ferruginous hawk, golden eagle, bald eagle, prairie falcon,
upland sandpiper, burrowing owl, mountain blue bird, and Brewer's

74

Table 38. Seasonal use of slope by antelope in the Hanging Woman
Creek area.

Slope

Spring Summer
1979 1979
3141/ 471

Fall

1979

524

Winter Spring
'79-80 1980
1104 720

Summer
1980
175

Flat
Gentle
Medium
Steep

22/ 4
51 45
44 47

3 3

16

34

48

2

4 6
37 42
47 51
12 1

1
31
66

1

!_/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations

rounde

d to nearest whole

number

Table 39. Sharp-tailed grouse dancing grounds in the Hanging

Woman Creek study area and number of males attending
in 1979 and 1980.

Grnii nd

Lo

cation

Males
1979

Ob

served
1980

Number

T

R

S

1
2
3

8S
8S
9S

43E
44E
43E

30
29
10

SEJ
SWJ

NW*

10

16
12
16

Table 40. Sage grouse strutting grounds in the Hanging Woman
Creek study area and number of males attending in
1979 and 1980.

Ground

Lo

cation

No. of
1979

Mai

es

Observed

Number

T

R

S

1980

1

9S

43E

15

NWi

20

16

2

9S

4 3E

5

NEi

16

56

3

9S

4 3E

14

SEi

_

8

4

9S

44E

6

SEi

«

15

5

9S

4 2E

13

SEi

—

2

75

Table 41. Breeding status of the bird species found on the Hanging
Woman Creek study area„

Species

1. Great blue heron

2. Mallard

3. Gadwall
4« Pintail

5. Green-winged teal

6. Blue-winged teal

7. American wigeon

8. Goshawk

9. Cooper' s hawk
10. Ferruginous hawk

12. Golden eagle

13. Bald eagle

14. Marsh hawk

15. Prairie falcon
16o American kestrel

17. Sharp-tailed grouse

18. Sage grouse

19. Ring-necked pheasant

20. Turkey

21. American coot

22. Killdeer

23. Common snipe

24. Upland sandpiper

25. Spotted sandpiper
26= Solitary sandpiper

27. Willet

28. Greater yellowlegs

29. Lesser yellowlegs

30. Wilson's phalarope
31 „ Northern phalarope
32 o Mourning dove

33. Great-horned owl

34. Burrowing owl

35. Poor -will

36. Common nighthawk

37. Wliite-throated swift

38. Belted kingfisher
39o Common flicker

Breeding
Status

Species

Breeding
Status

tl/

40.

b

41.

M

42.

M

43.

b

44.

B

45.

M

46.

b

47.

b

48.

b

49 „

B

50.

M

51.

b

52.

B

53.

B

54.

B

55.

B

56 »

b

57.

b

58.

M

59.

b

60.

b

61.

b

62,

b

63.

M

64.

M

65.

M

66.

M

67.

M

68.

M

69.

b

70.

B

71.

B

72.

b

73.

b

74.

b

75.

b

76.

B

77.

78.

Red-headed woodpecker b

Hairy woodpecker b

Eastern kingbird b

Say's phoebe B

Western wood pewee b

Horned lark b

Violet-green swallow b

Barn swallow B

Cliff swallow B

Black-billed magpie B

Common crow b

Pinyon jay b

Clark's nutcracker t
Black-capped chickadee b

House wren b

Rock wren b

Sage thrasher b

American robin b

Mountain bluebird b

Sprague's pipit M

Loggerhead shrike B

Starling b

Yellow warbler b

Yellow-rumped warbler b

Common yellowthroat b

Western meadowlark B

Red-winged blackbird b

Northern oriole b

Brewer's blackbird b

Common grackle b

American goldfinch b

Red crossbill b

Rufous-sided towhee b

Lark bunting b

Grasshopper sparrow b

Vesper sparrow b

Lark sparrow b

Chipping sparrow b

Brewer's sparrow b

1/ Breeding status:

B = Hard evidence of breeding

b = Circumstantial evidence of breeding

t = Occurs, but no evidence of breeding

W = Overwintering observations

M = Migratory observation

7«

sparrow were listed by Flath (1979b) as species of special
interest or concern. The ferruginous hawk, golden eagle,
bald eagle, prairie falcon and burrowing owl are also
listed as migratory birds of high federal interest (U. S.D.I.
1979). All were suspected or known breeders in the study
area except bald eagles.

Two breeding bird census strips were located on the Hanging
Woman Creek study area, one each in grassland (without
sagebrush) and sagebrush habitats (Figure 31). Ponderosa
pine-juniper and riparian habitats were not sampled on the
Hanging Woman Creek study area. These habitats probably
supported most of the same species as found in similar
habitat on the Otter Creek study area. Tables 42 and 43
list the percent composition and average number of birds
observed per census run for each of the bird species found
on the two breeding bird census trips. The average number
and highest number of singing males observed on each strip
are also listed, along with breeding pair density estimates
derived from them.

The majority of the birds seen on the grassland census strip
were western meadowlarks. Brewer's sparrows, vesper sparrows
and western meadowlarks in nearly equal proportions dominated
the sagebrush census strip. The sagebrush census strip
supported fewer species, but a higher breeding pair density
than the grassland census strip.

Raptors

Nine species of hawks and two species of owls were found on
the Hanging Woman Creek study area. Short-eared owls were
seen within ten miles of the study area. Inconspicuous
species such as screech owls and saw-whet owls may have been
overlooked.

Accipiters : One goshawk was observed on the study area on
9 May 1980 (Figure 32). It was suspected to have nested in
the area. Cooper's hawks were observed on several occasions
along pine ridges, where they were probably nesting (Figure 32).
One bird acted defensive, but the nest was not found.

Buteos: Bald eagles were observed along Hanging Woman Creek
twice in the early spring (Figure 32). They were both migrants.
Ferruginous hawks were seen several times at the southern end of
the study area in 1979 (Figure 32). They were suspected to be
nesting in or near the study area.

Red-tailed hawks were the most common buteo. Seven nests were
active in 1979 and five nests were active in 1980 (Figure 33),,
Eight nests were located in cottonwood trees and two were in
ponderosa pine trees (Table 44).

77

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J K L ^ N O P Q

Bird census sftfprst
Small -mammal traplin*e

Grassland G

Sagebrush" r—^^''°'

LEGEND
Permanent stream
County road
State line
Study area

-MONTANA

WYOMING

Figure 31. Locations of bird census strips and snail nammal
traplines on the Hanging Woman Creek study area.

81

LEGEND

Permanent stream

County road

State line

Study area

Raptor nests Nos. 11-15

1979 Sightings •

1980 Sightings. . . x

Gotden eagle
Bald eagle
Prairie falcon
Burrowing owl

MQMIANA

Goshawk. '^'W''

Cooper's hawk. . . (O
Ferruginous hawk ^/\

Finjure 32. Nests and sightings of raptors of special interest
or concern on the Hanging Woman Creek study area.

82

Golden eagles were frequently observed on the study area.
Three nests were located on cliffs in the same area (Figure
32). One of the nests was active in 1980 and fledged one
female eagle (Table 44). Many other suitable nest sites
existed for eagles in large pine trees on ridges and large
cottonwoods in the creekbottoms. Sone nests may not have
been detected due to the difficulty of finding stick nests
in ponderosa pine forests. Most of the golden eagle observations
were located around two ridges covered with ponderosa pine
forest, indicating possible nests.

Harriers : 'larsh hawks were common along the hay meadows on
Hanging Woman Creek. They probably nested on the study area,
but no nests were located.

Falcons: One prairie falcon aerie was located on a cliff
(Figure 32). Other suitable nest potholes were located on
cliffs in the north end of the study area. Prairie falcons
were usually seen hunting over the hay meadows along Hanging
Woman Creek.

Kestrels were the most common falcon in the study area. They
mainly utilized dead pine snags found along ridges for nesting.

Owls : Great horned owls were common in the study area. Two
nests were found in 1979, one in an old magpie nest and the
other in a pothole on a cliff.

One pair of burrowing owls nested on a prairie dog town in 1979
and 1980 (Figure 32). They fledged five young in 1979. No
brood counts were made in 1980. Another burrowing owl was
sighted along a road at the north edge of the study area on
26 June 1980 (Figure 32). It may have been associated with a
prairie dog town located just off the study area.

Non-game Mammals

Fifteen species of mammals were observed on the study area
(Table 45). The blacktail prairie dog was listed by Flath
(1979b) as a species of special interest or concern.

Two small-mammal traplines were located in the study area, one
in grassland and one in sagebrush habitat (Figure 31) .
Table 46 lists the total trap nights, trapping success, and
numbers of each species caught in each habitat. The sagebrush
habitat supported the most species and the highest trapping
success,

Blacktail prairie dog towns are shown in Figure 34o Exact
locations and approximate size are given in table 47„ All towns
were searched for sign of black-footed ferrets with negative
results.

LEGEND

Permanenf stream -^-^
County road
State line

Study area -. ^ vjodd^*

Nests Nos.l-lO

Sightings:

1979... D MQMIANA

1980 o

WYOMING

Fifcure 33. Nests and si'^htings of red-tailed hawks on the
Hanging V/ornan Creek study areas.

84

LEGEND

Permanent stream -^-^

County road

State line

Study area . ^^

Prairie dog town <i7

_MOJiIANA
WYOMING

Fif^ure 34. Prairie dog towns on the Otter Creek study area.

85

Table 45. Mammals observed on the Hanging Woman Creek study area^

1. Coyote

2. Red fox

3. Yellow-bellied marmot
4„ Blacktail prairie dog

5. Thirteen-lined ground squirrel

6. Least chipmunk

7. Northern pocket gopher

8. Deer mouse

9. Northern grasshopper mouse
10. Prairie vole

11 „ Porcupine

12. Whitetail jackrabbit

13„ Desert cottontail

14„ Mule deer

15. Antelope

Canii latKani

Hafimota {)lavlv^ntfLii
Cijnomij6 ladoviciana6
SpzfLmophilU't^ tnid(itz'(r\lin(La tai
Eatami,ai m^n-cmui
Thomomyi, talpolddd
?i.fiom(jicai, manlculatai
Onychomyi, leucoga-itt^
l^-idfiotai) ochn.oga6tzn.
Efizth-izon dofiiatam
Ltpii6 toMn-iznd-l-l
SylvA.ZagU'i aadabon-L-i
OdocoX-Z^ui h^mZona6
Antllocap^a amz^iaana

Table 46. Results of small-mammal trapping on the Hanging Woman
Creek study area.

Total captures
Trap nights

Captures/100 trap nights
Number of species caught
Species:

Pe.n.omy6cu6 man-tcu.£aia4

Onychomyi tzacoQa^tun.

IMdfiotaii ochfioga6tzfi

Sp^■1mophZluil tfi-ideczmZA.mata6

Eutamiai mA^nimai

Grassla

nd

Sagebrush

4

11

492

461

0.8

2.4

3

4

1

8

1

1
1

«

86

Table 47. Hanging Woman Creek prairie dog town locations and
size.

Location

Number

T

R

S

Acre

8S

42E

25

NWJ

30„0

8S

43E

7

SWJ

6.4

8S

43E

23

E-i

60.5

8S

43E

27

NWJ

9.0

8S

43E

32

NWi

16.5

8S

43E

34

NWi

20.5

8S

43E

34

SE*

31.0

8S

43E

5

NEi

29.5

9S

43E

15

NWi

8.0

9S

43E

21

SEf

11.0

9S

44E

6

NWi

28.0

9S

44E

6

SEJ

10.0

9S

44E

5

N4

57.0

9S

44E

6

SEi

22.0

1

2
3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

Amphibians and Reptiles

Three species of amphibians and five species of reptiles
were observed on the study area (Table 48). Only one short-
horned lizard was seen. The other species were common to
abundant on the study area.

Table 48. Amphibians and reptiles observed in the Hanging
Woman Creek study area.

1. Tiger salamander

2. Western toad

3. Northern chorus frog

4. Painted turtle

5. Short-horned lizard

6. Racer

7. Bull snake

8. Prairie rattlesnake

Ambij6toma t^gfi-inam
BaffO bo^zai)

ChA.y6e.my6 picta
Phfiyno6oma dougla^i-i
ColahzK aon6t^-lcton.
Vltixoph-i^ catzni{)tn.
Cfiotall6 \J-ifiid-i6

87

Prairie Dog Creek

Mule Deer

Population characteristics: During the six seasons of study
142 mule deer were observed on the Prairie Dog Creek study
area (Table 1). Average group size was lowest during the
summer months and highest in the winter season. This pattern
is similar to that observed in the other two study areas.

Mule deer densities, in terms of numbers seen per hour of
aerial survey (Table 49), is considerably lower than that
observed on the Hanging Woman and Otter Creek study areas.
The highest figure, obtained during the winter surveys,
was 24.9 mule deer observed per hour of flight o The rugged
terrain and large areas of ponderosa pine cover probably
lowered the density figures.

No production data or population structures were ascertained
because no observations were made during the fall surveys^
In fact, no observations were made during five of the twelve
aerial surveys conducted on the Prairie Dog Creek study area.

Distribution: Observations for all seasons of the study are
shown in Figure 35. None of the observations fell into the
15 plus category. Most of the observations, especially during
spring and summer, occurred on the upland area between Prairie
Dog and Bull Creeks. Several deer were observed wintering in
the Jack Creek vicinity and on the ridge between Spring Creek
and Prairie Dog Creek.

No fall observations were made. It seems possible that many
deer may have moved to the nearby Tongue River bottoms.

Vegetation type usage: The ponderosa pine type received the
most usage by mule deer in the Prairie Dog Creek area (Table
50). During the spring and summer of 1979, 92 and 100 percent
respectively of the mule deer observed were in the ponderosa
pine type. It had substantial use during the winter and
spring (1979) also. The sagebrush/grassland type had 39 and
49 percent of the mule deer observed during the winter (1979-
1980) and spring (1979) seasons. The only observation in the
1980 summer occurred in the sagebrush/grassland vegetation type,
The only creekbottom observation was noted during the 1980
spring season.

Activity: Mule deer activity at the moment of observation is
recorded in Table 51. Most deer in the two spring seasons were
feeding when observed, 55 percent in 1979 and 85 percent in
1980. During summer 1979 and winter 1979-80, 50 percent of the
deer were standing. Very few deer were observed lying down
in any season.

8R

Table 49. Mule deer, antelope and coyote aerial observations per
hour in the Prairie Dog Creek study area.

Aerial Observation

Observation/

hour

Coy

otes per

Mule

Mule

Hul

e

Month

Hours

Deer

Ant .

Coyotes

Deer

Ant. C

oyc

)tes

Deer

Ant .

April

.1/

_

_

_

_

_

,^

May

1.70

17

02/

0

10.0

0

0

0

Spring

1.7

17

0

0

10.0

0

0

0

0

June

1.40

7

0

1

4.1

9

0.

6

14.

3

*

July

0.90

2

0

0

2.2

0

0

0.

0.

Aug

1.10

9

0

2

8.2

0

1.

8

22.

2

*

S umme r

3.4

18

0

3

5.3

0

0.

9

16.

7

♦

Sept.

1.40

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Oct

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Nov

0.80

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Fall

2.20

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Dec

0.95

12

9

0

12.6

0

0

0

0

Jan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

—

—

Feb

0.90

34

0

0

37.8

0

0

0

0

Winter

1.85

46

0

0

24.9

0

0

0

0

March

1.1

22

0

0

20.0

0

0

0

0

April

1.0

0

0

0

0.0

0

0

0

0

May

1.0

0

0

5

0.0

0

5.

0

*

*

Spring

3.1

22

0

5

7.1

0

1.

6

22.

7

*

June

1.0

0

0

1

1.0

0

0

0

0

July

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Aug

-

-

-

-

—

-

-

-

-

Summer

1„0

0

0

1

1.0

0

0

0

0

]^/ No surveys made

2/ No observations made on survey

* Infinite

Table 50„ Seasonal use of vegetation types by mule deer in the
Prairie Dog Creek area.

Spring Summer

Fall Winter Spring

Summer

1979 1979

1979 '79-80 1980

1980

Vegetation Subtypes

38i/ 18

0^/ 46 39

1

Ponderosa pine

-

11

Sagebrush

662/

44

Grassland

-

17

Skunkbush

5

-

Juniper

21

28

Snowberry

ine

—

-

Total Ponderosa p

92

100

26
35

61

41

44

Sagebrush
Deciduous shrub
Grassland
Total Sagebrush/Grassland

39

39

36

13

49

100

100

Tree
Shrub
Total Creekbottom

Ponderosa pine
Sagebrush /grass land
Creekbottom
Total Agricultural

\_l Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

3/ No observations were made during the fall surveys

Table 51. Seasonal activity of mule deer in the Prairie Dog Creek
area.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979

1979

1979

'79-80

1980

1980

Activity

381/

19

03/

46

39

1

Standing

32

50

_

50

13

_

Running

13

28

-

17

-

100

Lying

-

6

-

-

3

-

Feeding

55

17

—

33

35 ^

—

2^/ Total observations

2_l Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

3/ No observations were made during the fall surveys

90

U <o

CD
M

a'

0)

u

fco
O
O

oi
u

CD

+j

c
o

c
o

>

0)

O
!-,

<U

0)
1—1
3

in

CO
0

be

Use of topography: The most significant information gleaned
from Table 52 is the lack of use of the lowland features by
mule deer. During the four seasons when more than one
observation was made, only in the spring of 1980 were deer
observed on a flood plain. None were observed on alluvium/
terrace terrain. The heavy use of the bottom lands by
domestic livestock and much human activity in the form of
core drilling, road building and various environmental studies
may have kept deer usage to a minimum.

Dissected midslopes were used in every season observations were
made, ranging from 34 to 100 percent. Mesa-butte tops
(plateaus) and mesa-butte steep side were used quite heavily
by mule deer. These topographic features comprise a rather
large percentage of the Prairie Dog Creek surface area.

Table 52. Seasonal use of topography by mule deer in the
Prairie Dog Creek area.

Topography

Spring Sunmer Fall Winter Spring Surmer

1979 1979 1979 '79-80 1980 1980

381/ 18 03/ 46 39 1

Mesa-butte top 34?/

Mesa-butte steep sides 32 33
Dissected mid-slopes 34 67
Alluvium/terrace
Flood plain

54

23

_

28

46

41

100

«

1/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

3/ No observations were made during the fall surveys.

Use of exposur
Table 53. Dee
season, as the
Usage of north
summer of 1979
during the win
received subst
and the winter
this case prim
season, 39 per
winter and the

e: Use of exposur
r were most scatte
y were observed on
erly slopes was gr
Southern exposu
ter and spring of
antial use in the s

season, 50 percen
arily upland plate
cent of mule deer

uplands were rela

e by mule deer is shown in
red during the summer 1979

seven of the nine exposures,
eatest during the spring and
res were most heavily used
1979 seasons. Eastern exposures
ummer of 1979, 56 percent,
t. The use of flat terrain, in
aus, was most heavy in the winter
observations. This was a mild
tivelv free of snow cover.

Use of slope: The only major shift during the course of the
study was the increased usage of flat areas during the winter
and spring of 1980 (Table 54) as discussed above. Gentle slope
usage was at a low in the winter months, 9 percent. Medium and
steep slope usage was practically unchanged throughout the study

Table 53. Seasonal use of exposure by mule deer in the Prairie Dog
Area.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979
38i'

1979

1979

'79-80

1980

1980

Exposure

19

03/

46

39

1

North

552/

28

_

11 .

26

_

South

-

-

-

-

-

-

East

—

11

-

-

15

-

West

—

6

-

-

-

-

Northeast

13

17

-

15

-

-

Northwest

—

6

-

-

-

-

Southeast

5

28

-

35

15

-

Southwest

24

—

—

-

26

100

Flat

3

6

—

39

18

—

1^/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

3/ No observations were made during the fall surveys

Table 54. Seasonal use of slope by mule deer in the Prairie Dog
Creek area.

Spring

Sum.mer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

1979

1979

1979

'79-80

1980

1980

Slope

38i/

IS

03/

46

39

1

Flat

32/

6

_

39

18

_

Gentle

42

33

—

9

38

-

Medium

24

28

—

26

15

100

Steep

32

33

^

26

28

"

2^/ Total observations

2/ Percent of observations rounded to nearest whole number

2_/ No observations were made during the fall surveys

93

Antelope

No antelope observations were made in the Prairie Dog Creek
study area during this study (Table 9). The terrain is too
rough and broken to suit antelope. It also has no large
expanses of sagebrush (Figure 6).

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Only one sharp-tailed grouse dancing ground was located near
the Prairie Dog Creek study area. It is located south of the
area in the NEJ of Section 4, Township 7S, R41E. This
dancing ground, which is in the Kirby study area, had 8 males
attending it in the spring of 1979 and 10 present in 1980.

V/aterfowl

The Prairie Dog Creek area had only one pond, located in the
Jack Creek drainage, which had water in 1980 and Prairie Dog
Creek did not flow water much of the duration of the study.
Only one species of waterfowl, the mallard, was observed
within the study area. No broods were observed either year.

Songbirds

Seventy species of birds, including game species, were observed
on the study area (Table 55). The Cooper's hawk, prairie falcon,
mountain bluebird, clay-colored sparrow, and Brewer's sparrow
were listed by Flath (1979b) as species of special interest or
concern. All were suspected or known breeders in the study area.

Two breeding bird census strips were located on the Prairie
Dog Creek study area, one each in ponderosa pine-juniper and
boxelder-ash riparian habitats (Figure 33). The sagebrush
habitat in the study area was not sampled but supported most
of the species found in sagebrush habitat on the Hanging Woman
Creek study area„ Tables 56 and 57 list the percent composition
and average number of birds observed per census run for each of
the bird species found on the two breeding bird census strips .
The average number and highest number of singing males observed
on each strip are also listed, along with breeding pair density
estimates derived from them. Chipping sparrows dominated the
bird population on the ponderosa pine census strip. Yellow
warblers, house wrens, and lark sparrows dominated the breeding
bird population on the riparian census strip. The riparian
census strip supported the most species and the highest breeding
pair density.

94

Table 55. Breeding status of the bird species observed on the
Prairie Dog Creek study area.

Species

Breeding
Status

Species

Breeding
Status

1. Mallard bi/ 36.

2. Turkey vulture b 37.

3. Cooper's hawk b 38.

4. Red-tailed hawk B 39,

5. Marsh hawk b 40.

6. Prairie falcon B 41.

7. American kestrel B 42.

8. Sharp-tailed grouse B 43.

9. Killdeer b 44.

10. Mourning dove b 45.

11. Yellow-billed cuckoo b 46,

12. Black-billed cuckoo b 47.

13. Great-horned owl B 48.

14. Poor-will b 49.

15. Common nighthawk b 50.

16. White-throated swift b 51,

17. Common flicker B 52.

18. Red-headed woodpecker b 53,

19. Hairy woodpecker b 54,

20. Eastern kingbird B 55,

21. Western kingbird b 56,

22. Cassin's kingbird b 57,

23. Say's phoebe b 58,

24. Least flycatcher b 59,

25. Dusky flycatcher b 60,

26. Western wood pewee b 61 <

27. Violet-green swallow b 62,

28. Tree swallow b 63,

29. Barn swallow b 64,

30. Cliff swallow B 65,

31. Black-billed magpie b 66.

32. Pinyon jay b 67,

33. Clarks nutcracker t 68,

34. Black-capped chickadee b 69,

35. White-breasted nuthatch b 70,

Red-breasted nuthatch b

House wren B

Canyon wren b

Rock wren b

Gray catbird b

Brown thrasher b

American robin b

Mountain bluebird B

Townsend's solitaire b

Starling b

Solitary vireo B

Warbling vireo b

Yellow warbler b

Yellow-rumped warbler b

Common yellowthroat b

Yellow-breasted chat b

Western meadowlark b

Red-winged blackbird B

Northern oriole B

Brewer's blackbird b

Common grackle b

Brown-headed cowbird b

Western tanager b

Black-headed grosbeak b

Lazuli bunting b

Pine siskin t

American goldfinch b

Red crossbill b

Rufous-sided towhee b

Vesper sparrow b

Lark sparrow b

Dark-eyed junco b

Chipping sparrow , b

Clay-colored sparrow b

Brewer's sparrow b

\^l Breeding status:

B - Hard evidence of breeding

b - Circumstantial evidence of breeding

t - Occurs, but no evidence of breeding

Table 56. Numbers per census run, percent conposition, and breeding pair density
of birds observed on the ponderosa pine census strip in the Prairie
Dog Creek study area„

Ave„

No o Birds

Ave„ No„

Singing

Highest

No.

Per Census

Percent

Males

Per

Singing

Males

Run

Conposition

Census Run

in Any Census Run

Species

1979

1980

1979

1980

1979

1980

1979

1980

Chipping sparrow

42.4

26.3

56

45

18.0

13.7

21

23

Yellow-ruraped warbler

5.6

7.0

7

12

4.6

6.0

7

7

House wren

4.8

5.7

6

10

4.8

5.0

7

6

Dark-eyed junco

4o6

2.7

6

5

3.0

1.3

4

2

Rufous-sided tavhee

3.4

0o7

4

1

2.8

0.3

7

1

Ijark sparrow

2o4

0o7

3

1

1.0

0„7

2

2

Solitary vireo

2„2

1.0

3

2

1„0

1.0

2

2

Black-capped chickadee

1.6

2.3

2

4

0.2

1.0

1

2

Caimon flicker

1.4

2

0.6

1

Mountain bluebird

1.2

3.7

2

6

0.6

2.0

3

3

White-breasted nuthatch

loO

0<,7

1

1

1.0

0.7

2

1

Brown-headed cowbird

1.0

0„7

1

1

Western tanager

0„8

1.0

1

2

loO

2

Vesper sparrow

0.6

1.0

1

2

0.6

1.0

1

2

American robin

0.4

0.3

+

+

0.3

1

American Kestrel

0.4

1,0

+

2

0.4

0.7

2

1

Western meadowlark

0.4

+

0.4

1

Mourning dove

0.4

0.7

+

1

0.2

0.3

1

1

Red-headed woodpecker

0.4

0.3

+

+

0.6

0„3

1

1

Red-breasted nuthatch

0.2

+

0.2

1

American goldfinch

0.2

+

0.2

1

Brewer's blacldDird

0„2

+

Western wood pewee

0.2

2.0

+

3

0.2

2.0

1

4

Rock wren

0„3

+

0.3

1

Brewer's sparrow

0.3

+

Townsend's solitaire

0.3

+

0.3

1

Red Crossbill

P

P

Totals

75.8

58.7

95

98

40„4

37»9

66

63

+ = Less than one percent

P = Present, no counts obtained

96

Table 57. Numbers per census run, percent composition, and breeding
pair density of birds observed on the riparian census
strip in the Prairie Dog Creek study area.

Average

No.

Average

No.

Highest

No. Sing.

Birds

Per

Percent

Singing

Males

Males in any

Census

Run

Composit

ion

Per Census Run

Census '

Run

Species

1979

1980

1979

1980

1979

1980

1979

1980

Yellow warbler

25.6

29.7

20

19

18.2

22.3

28

27

American robin

17.6

9.0

13

6

3,2

2.0

5

4

Lark sparrow

13.6

16.7

10

11

7.2

5.7

15

9

Northern oriole

8.4

7.3

6

7

4.6

4.7

7

7

Eastern ld.ngbird

8.4

10.3

6

7

5.6

6.3

7

10

House wren

8.2

13.0

6

8

6.2

9.7

12

14

Red-winged blackbird

6.0

5.0

5

3

3.2

2.0

7

3

Gray catbird

3.4

1.7

3

1

1.0

3

Western meadowlark

3.4

2.7

3

2

1.2

0.7

2

Cass in 's Mngbird

3.4

5.3

3

3

2.4

2.3

5

4

Mountain bluebird

2.3

4.3

2

3

1.0

1.2

3

3

Conmon flicker

2.8

1.3

2

1

2.4

1.0

3

2

Western wood pewee

2.4

6.0

2

4

1.6

5.7

2

9

Conmon yellowthroat

2.4

0.7

2

+

2.0

0.7

4

1

American goldfinch

2.4

2.7

2

2

0.2

1.0

1

1

Black-headed grosbeak

1.6

1.7

1

1

1.6

1.3

3

2

Lazuli bunting

1.6

2.7

1

2

1.4

2.7

4

3

Yellow-breasted cliat

1.6

1

1.2

2

Mourning dove

1.2

2.0

1

1

0.8

1.0

2

2

Rufous-sided towhee

0.8

3.0

+

2

0.8

2.7

3

4

Vesper sparrow

0.8

5.3

+

3

0.8

5.3

2

6

Killdeer

0.8

+

Brown thrasher

0.4

0.3

+

+

0.4

0.3

2

1

American kestrel

0.4

0.7

+

+

Braver 's sparrow

0.4

1.0

+

+

0.4

0.7

1

2

Warbling vireo

0.2

1.0

+

+

0.2

1.0

1

3

Black-capped chickadee

0.2

+

0.2

1

Solitary vireo

0.2

+

0.2

1

Black-billed cuckoo

0.2

1.3

+

1

0.2

0„3

1

1

Yellow-billed cuckoo

0.2

+

0.2

1

Western tanager

0.2

+

0.2

1

Chipping sparrow

0.2

+

0.2

1

Clay-colored sparrow

0.3

+

0,3

1

Jjeast flycatcher

0.7

+

0.7

2

Western kinbird

1.3

1

1.3

2

Common grackle

1.7

1

Brown-headed cowbird

1.0

3.0

1

2

Yel low-rumped warbler

0.7

+

0.7

2

Brewer's blackbird

7.2

11.0

5

7

Red-breasted nuthatch

0.3

+

0.3

1

Pine siskin

3.0

2

Starling

0.7

+

Tree swallow

0.3

+

0o3

1

Hairy woodpecker

0.3

+

0.3

1

Mallard

0.4

+

Red crossbill

P

P

TOTALS

130.4

158.0

95

100

68.8

84.6

131

130

+ = Less than one percent

P

= Present

no counts obtained

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Raptors

Six species of hawks and one species of owl were observed on
the study area. Inconspicuous species such as screech owls
and saw-whet owls may have been overlooked. Goshawks and
sharp-shinned hawks were observed within ten miles of the
study area, and suitable nesting habitat for them was present
in the study area.

Turkey vultures were common, and there were many suitable
nesting areas for them in the study area.

Accipters : One Cooper's hawk was seen just outside the study
area boundary on 11 June 1980 (Figure 37). It was nesting
on or near the study area.

Buteos : Two active red-tailed hawk nests were found on the
study area in 1979. One of these was also active in 1980
(Figure 37). One nest was in a ponderosa pine tree and the
other nest was in a cottonwood tree (Table 58).

Harriers: Marsh hawks were seen several times hunting over
sagebrush habitat. They may have nested in the study area.

Falcons : Kestrels were the most common raptor in the study
area (Figure 37) » One was active in 1979 and the other was
active both in 1979 and 1980 (Table 58). Suitable nest
potholes are present on several other cliffs in the study area.

Ow 1 s : Great horned owls were occasionally seen in the study
area. One nest was found in a pothole on a cliff in 1979.

Table 58. Raptor nest sites on the Prairie Dog Creek study area.

Nest Activity

No. Species Substrate 1979 1980

1. Red-tailed Cottonwood 1 young fledged 1 young fledged

hawk tree

2. Red-tailed Ponderosa 2 young fledged Status unknown

hawk pine tree

3. Prairie Cliff Active - no Inactive

falcon production data

4. Prairie Cliff Fledged 4 young Fledged 4 young

falcon

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Non-game Mammals

Ten species of mammals were observed in the study area
(Table 59). Desert cottontails [Sylvilagu-i audubonll)
and yellow-bellied mormots {Uan.mota {)lavive,nt^li ] were
observed within ten miles of the study area and probably
occurred in the study area.

Two small-mammal traplines were located in the study area,
one in ponderosa pine-juniper habitat and the other in box-
elder-ash riparian habitat (Figure 36). Table 60 lists the
total trap nights, trapping success, and numbers of each
species caught in each habitat. The highest number of species
and trapping success were on the trapline in riparian habitat.
This trapline was in an area with a heavy infestation of
grasshoppers. The grasshoppers cleaned the bait off and tripped
manysnap traps, and clogged the pitfall traps. This may have
lowered the trapping success.

Table 59. Mammals observed on the Prairie Dog Creek study area„

lo Common or masked shew

2. Striped skunk

3. Coyote

4. Least chipmunk

5. Red squirrel

6. Northern pocket gopher

7. Deer mouse

8. Prairie vole

9. Porcupine
10. Mule deer

Me.phZti6 mzphltli,
Canii tatfian^
Eiitamlai, m-Ln-imai,
Tamiaic-lu^tU hudioniciu
Thomomij!i talpoiddi
?dfiomij6ca6 manicutatiU
Hlaiotui ochfioga-itzi
Efizthlzon dofittdtam
Ododoltziii, hzmlonai.

Table 60. Results of small-mammal trapping on the Prairie Dog
Creek study area.

Total captures

Trap nights

Captures/100 trap nights

Number of species caught

Species:

PeAomt/4ca4 mayUcLLlcLttu
^iic-fiotuA ochAogcuttA.
Sofitx. CA.nQAz.ai>

Ponderosa
Pine
Juniper

11
470
2.3
1

11

Deciduous

Tree
Riparian

12
406
3.0
3

1
4
7

101

Amphibians and Reptiles

Three species of amphibians and two species of reptiles were
observed on the study area (Table 61). All were common to
abundant. Other species were probably present, but not
encountered.

Table 61. Amphibians and reptiles observed on the Prairie Do^
Creek study area.

1. Eastern toad

2. Woodhouse toad

3. Northern chorus frog

4. Racer

5. Bull snake

BaffO Moodhou^^Z
?6e.adackfii6 tni^zKlata
Colubufi coni>tKictofL
P-ltuoph-is catznl^zn.

SUMMARY AND RECOHMEinDATIONS

The Hanging Woman Creek study area has the most abundant
populations of big game animals, mule deer and antelope. Both
species are quite dense and in good condition. Both species
seem to be non-migratory and spend most of the year on relatively
small home ranges. The Hanging Woman Creek area is excellent
sage grouse habitat and supports a thriving sage grouse population,
Sharp-tailed grouse and ring-necked pheasants are also present
in fair numbers.

While mule deer and antelope numbers in the Otter Creek area
do not approach the levels in Hanging Woman, they are more
than adequate. Many deer seem to commute into the Otter Creek
study area from the surrounding Custer National Forest to feed,
returning to the forest for cover and rest. The lack of ample
expanses of sagebrush severely limit antelope numbers and
distribution in the Otter Creek area. The lack of sagebrush
is further evidenced by the fact that no sage grouse grounds
were located in the study area. Otter Creek does provide
excellent habitat for sharptail grouse and ring-necked pheasants
and has large populations of these tv/o bird species.

Prairie Dog Creek has no antelope or sage grouse populations.
Only one sharp-tailed grouse dancing ground was found within
one mile of the study area, none actually on the area. Mule
deer were the most common game species observed and they were
not seen in nearly half of the monthly aerial surveys. Prairie
Dog Creek is easily the poorest of the three study areas in
terms of game species diversity and density.

^Ci9.

The study areas currently support good populations and numbers
of species of raptors, songbirds, and sraall-mammals . Fifteen
species of special interest or concern currently breed on or
adjacent to the study areas. Efforts should be made to minimize
the impacts of coal development on nongame wildlife through
protection, restoration, and enhancement of habitat. Protection
of feeding and roosting areas was important as well as protection
of nesting areas.

The following measures should be undertaken whenever possible
to maintain, enhance or protect wildlife populations:

1. Exclude from leasing all sharptail and sage grouse
breeding areas and appropriate buffer zones. These
buffer zones should be at least one-half mile in
radius or more to include nesting cover and wintering
areas.

2. Exclude from leasing all major mule deer and antelope
winter ranges.

3. Exclude from leasing all creekbottoms and associated
"riparian" habitat types. Protection of "riparian
habitat" which is defined as mesic areas with deciduous
trees and shrubs, is very important. A large proportion
of the riparian vegetation on the study areas is found
on side drainages that are not currently protected

as floodplains. Two very important examples are Home
Creek (on the Otter Creek study area) and Prairie Dog
Creek. Many other small patches of riparian vegetation
are scattered on smaller drainages and by stockponds.

Riparian vegetation comprises the smallest area of
native vegetation types on the study areas. Its
importance cannot be understated. It plays an extremely
important role during the hot and dry summer and fall
seasons in eastern Montana. In most instances, these
riparian areas are the only source of water to both
wildlife and domestic livestock. All of the animals
congregate on these bottom lands at this tine. During
this period of intra and interspecific competition for
forage and water, all might be lost if this habitat
type were altered or destroyed.

Riparian vegetation supports the highest densities
and diversity by far, of songbird and small mammals,
and supported nearly a third of the raptor nests. This
habitat was also heavily used by migrating songbirds,
and roosting raptors. Restoration of riparian habitat
after mining may be difficult due to the slow growth
of trees and shrubs (compared to grasses) and high
sensitivity to damage from livestock grazingo Most
of the riparian habitat on the study areas are already

103

beirif? damaged by livestock. Riparian habitat should
be excluded from mining until its restoration has
been demonstrated and assured.

Cliffs and rock formations, especially those made of
sandstone, should be protected or enhanced during
miningo All cliffs with suitable potholes and ledges
for raptor nests should be protected, even if they
are not presently being used by nesting raptors. These
cliffs are being used as roosting areas for raptors,
and may be used in the future for nesting. Cliffs
often support a large number of snags which are
heavily used as nest trees by mountain bluebirds^

Preserve nests that are regularly used by golden eagles
or other special interest raptors. Raptors commonly
build several nests within their territories and alter-
nate between them from year to year (Call 1978). A
nest may be "active" even though it hasn't been used
in several years.

All known raptor stick nests, even those originally
built by red-tailed hawks, should be monitored for
use by special interest raptors until mining actually
takes place. Raptors often rebuild nests originally
built by other species.

Minimize disturbance of active raptor nests during the
breeding season (April-July). Disturbance during
incubation can cause egg mortality from predation or
exposure when the incubating bird is flushed, or total
abandonment of the nest. Disturbance of nests with
nestlings can cause mortality from exposure, interrupted
feedings, and premature fledging.

104

Literature Cited

American Ornithologist's Union. 1957„ Checklist of North

American Birds, 5th ed. American Ornithologist's Union,
Ithaca, New York, 691 pp.

1973. 32nd supplement to the

American Ornithologist's Union checklist of North American
birds. Auk. 90(2 ): 411-419 .

1976. 33rd supplement to the

American Ornithologist's Union checklist of North American
birds. Auk. 93(4 ): 875-879.

Call, M.W. 1978. Nesting habitats and surveying techniques

for common western raptors. Tech. Note NOo TN-316. U.S.
Bureau of Land Management., Denver Service Center, Denver,
Colorado. 115 pp.

Dusek, G.L. 1978. Bull Mountains Coal Field Study. Mont. Dept.
of Fish and Game and Consolidation Coal Co. Final Report.
120 pp.

Flath, D.L. 1979a„ Evaluation of sampling techniques for small
mammal community species composition. Paper presented
at the 59th annual meeting of the American Society of
Mammologists. Corvalis, Oregon. June 1979.

. 1979b. Nongame species of special interest or

concern. Wildlife Division, Mont. Fish and Game. 73 pp.

Hickey, J.J. and S. Mikol. 1979. Estimating breeding bird
densities on coal lands in Montana and Wyoming. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Biological Services Program.
FWS/WELUT-79/03. March 1979.

Kimball, J.W. 1949. The crowing count pheasant census. J„ Wildl,
Manage. 13( 1) : 101-120 .

Knapp, S.J. 1977. Birney-Decker wildlife study. Mont, Dept »

of Fish and Bureau of Land Management final report. 163 pp.

1979. Upland game bird surveys and inventory -

Region 7. Proj . W-130-R-10. Job No. II-7. Rept . Mont.
Dept, of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Unpubl. 13 pp.

Knowles, C.J. 1975. Range relations of mule deer, elk and

cattle in a restoration grazing system during summer and
fall. M.S. Thesis, Mont. St. Univ., Bozeman. 79 pp.

Martin, P.R. 1980. Sarpy Basin Wildlife Ecology Study. Mont.
Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Cormorant Corp.
Final Report. 125 pp.

105

Odum, E.P. 1959. Fundamentals of ecology. Second edition. Press
of W.Bo Saunders Company. Philadelphia. 546 pp.

Schwarzkoph, W.F. 1980o Pers. Comm. Biolop;ist. Western Enerf?;y
Company. Colstrip„

Swenson, J.E. 1978. Big game survey and inventory (deer) -

Region 7, including an analysis of deer production data,
1960-1977o Proj. No„ W-130-R-9, Job No. 1-7. Rept. Mont »
Dept. of Fish and Game. Unpubl . 35 pp„

. and S.J. Knapp. 1979. Big game survey and

inventory (deer) - Region 7. Proj. No. W-130-R-10, Job
No. 1-7. Rept. Mont. Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and ParkSo
Unpubl. 32 pp.

United States Department of Interior (U.S.D.I.). 1978. Wildlife
habitat thermatic map - Birney Quadrangle and Lame Deer
Quadrangle. Western Energy and Land Use Team, Fish and
Wildlife Service and HRB - Singer Inc., Contract No. 14-16-009-78-
011.

.1979o Unsuitability criterion 14

guidelines for the Powder River coal production region.
Inst. Memo. No. 80-126. Bureau of Land Management,
Washington, D.C.

Wallestad, R. 1975. Montana sage grouse. Life history and habitat
requirements of sage grouse in Central Montana^ Mont„ Depto
of Fish and Game. 66 pp.

Wentland, H.J. 1979. Big game surveys and inventory - Region 7.
Proj. No. W-130-R-10. Job No. 7. Rept. Mont. Dept, of
Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Unpubl. 28 pp.

106

APPENDIX

il

Appendix Table ]. Parameters recorded at each observation.

A. Vofjetation type and subtyy^e

1. Ponderosa pine

a. ponderosa pine

b . sagebrush

c . {TT'assland

d. skiiiikbush

e. juniper

f . snowberry

2. SafTebn;sh/grass]and

a. sagebrush

b. deciduous shrub

c. grassland

3. Creek taotton

a. tree

b. shrub /grass

4. Agricultural

a. ponderosa pine

b. sagebrush/grassland

c. creek botton

B. Activity

1. Standinf!^

2. Running

3. Lying
1 . Feeding

C. Topr^?n"aphy

1. Mesa-butte top

2. Hesa-butte steep sides

3. Dissected mid-slopes

4. Alluvium/terrace

5. QuTent flood plain

1).

Expos-ure

1.

North

2.

South

3.

East

4.

West

5.

Northeast

6.

Northwest

7.

Southeast

8.

Southwest

9.

Flat

Slope"

1.

Flat

2,

Gentle

3.

Medium

4,

Steep

107

Appendix Figure 1. Ponderosa pine vegetation subtype,

Appendix Figure 2.

Ponderosa pine-sagebrush vegetation
subtype.

108

Appendix Figure 3. Ponderosa pine-grassland vegetation

subtype.

t

Appendix rigure 4. Ponaorosa pine-skunkbusli vegetation

subtype.

109

Appendix Figure 5. Ponderosa pine-juniper vegetation

subtype.

«

Appendix Figure 6. Ponderosa pine-snowberry vegetation

subtype.

110

Appendix Figure 7. Sagetarush/grassland-big sagebrush

vegetation subtype.

Appendix Figure o. Sagebrush/grassland-silver sagebrush

vegetation subtype.

Ill

Appendix Figure 9. Sagebrush/grassland-grassland

vegetation subtype.

Appendix Figure 10. Sagebrush/grassland-deciduous shrub

vegetation subtype.

112

f-

Appendix Figure 11. Creekbotton-deciduous tree

vegetation subtype.

Appendix Figure 12,

Creekbottom-deciduous shrub
vegetation subtype.

113

Appendix Figure 13. Agricultural-grassland vegetation

subtype.

Appendix Figure 14. Agricultural-creekbottom vegetation

subtype.

114