Range relationships of elk and livestock in the Crow Creek drainage, Elkhorn Mountains, Montana by David Ray Stevens A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Fish and Wildlife Management Montana State University © Copyright by David Ray Stevens (1965) Abstract: A study of range relationships between elk and livestock was made in 1963-1964 on 100,000 acres of Crow Greek drainage, Elkhorn Mountains, Montana. The objective was to obtain quantitative data on food habits, forage utilization, and distribution of elk, cattle, and sheep on spring and summer ranges. The history of livestock and elk on the area was reviewed. A physiographic and vegetation description of the study area was made. Three vegetation zones were described; Fescue-Wheatgrass, Douglas-fir, and Spruce-Fir. Range use by elk was determined during 257 ground observation trips recording 3,125 elk and 15 aerial observation trips recording 1,814 elk. The Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone received almost 100 percent of the elk use from January through March and about 90 percent of the use in April and May. Each zone received considerable use in June and the Spruce-Fir Zone received most of the use in July and August. Cattle and sheep distribution on each grazing allotment was discussed. Elk food habits were determined by examination of 94 feeding sites and analyses of the contents of eight elk rumens. The results were tabulated by season and vegetation zone. The spring diet consisted of 77 percent grasses and 23 percent forbs while the summer diet consisted of 76 percent forbs and only 16 percent grasses. Data from fall rumen samples indicated a progressive shift to grasses during the period. Cattle food habits were determined by examination of 69 feeding sites which showed that grasses formed most of the diet on each vegetation zone. For all zones grasses made up 75 percent and forbs 24 percent of the summer diet. Sheep food habits were determined from the examination of 28 feeding sites which indicated forbs formed most of the summer diet. The percentage of forbs in the diet decreased as the intensity of grazing increased. The forage species most preferred by sheep were indicated. Forage utilization, studied by agronomy cages, exclosures, utilization transects, and ocular estimates, indicated several areas were used to a "heavy" degree. These were considered areas of possible competition for forage among the grazing animals. In the Spruce-Fir and Douglas-fir Zones, grazed in spring, summer, and fall by elk and summer and fall by cattle, interspecific competition was not considered significant during the study period. In the Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone, grazed in spring, fall, and winter by elk and summer and fall by cattle, competition was not considered serious, but the data indicated a potential for conflict on elk winter range areas. Cattle intraspecific competition existed to some degree in each zone. A potential for competition was indicated between sheep and elk, but the degree which existed on the study area was not considered excessive. Intraspecific sheep competition was heavy in some preferred grazing areas. Intraspecific elk competition was not found significant on any part of the study area at the present time. RANGE RELATIONSHIPS OF ELK AND LIVESTOCK IN THE GROW GREEK DRAINAGE, ELKHGRN MOUNTAINS, MONTANA

by V-/ DAVID RAY STEVENS

A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree

of

MASTER OF SCIENCE

in

Fish and Wildlife Management

Approved:

Head/ Major Db^artment

ovx_ Chairman, Examining Committee

[!Dean, Graduate Division

MONTANA STATE COLLEGE Bozeman, Montana ill.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

To the following, among others, the author wishes to express appreciation for their contributions to this study: Dr, Don G, Quimby,

Montana -State College, who directed the study and. ajlded in preparation of the manuscript5 Dr. Robert L. Eng, Montana Fish and Game Department, for project planning? Er. Leroy Ellig, Mr. Joe Egan, and other personnel of

District Three, Montana Fish and Game Department, for field assistance and cooperation? Mr. Kenneth Greer, Montana Fish and Game Department, for assistance and use of facilities in analysis of rumen samples?

Mr. John Antonich, District Ranger, and all personnel of Townsend District,

■ Helena National Forest, for field assistance and cooperation?

Dr. John H. Rumely, Montana State College, for field assistance and aid in vegetation analysis? Dr, W. E. Booth, Montana State College, for aid in verification of plant specimens? Er, Charles Eustace, Montana Fish and Game

Department, for field assistance? my wife, Marilyn, for field assistance, patience, and encouragement. The writer was supported by the Montana Fish and Game Department under Federal Aid Projects W-98-R-4 and W-98-R-5, the

D1. S. Forest Service, and the National Science Foundation during the study. iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page VITA . . . , ...... ii

ACKNOWLEDGMENT . . . . . Iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS . ; , . iv

LIST OF TABLES . . . . 0 *«0 «e«0 oeooo«o0 «ooo9 . vi

HST OF FIGURES . . . e 1 e ' ' • # • 0 0 « 0 o o 0 0 0 9 0 o o o c o . , vii

ABSTRACT ...... ix

INTRODUCTION ...... I

PHYSIOGRAPHY OF STUDY AREA 3

VEGETATION OF' STUDY AREA 9

Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone . , .... 9 Fescue-Wheatgrass Type . . . 10 Sagebrush-Fescue Type .... 10 Juniper-Fescue Type . . . . . 12 Aspen-Willow T y p e ...... 12 Bouglas-fir Zone...... 12 Douglas-fir Type ...... 12 LocLgepole pine Type ...... 15 Aspen-Willow Type ...... ,. 15 Grass-Forb Park Type . . . . . 15 Engelmann-Spruce - Alpine Fir Zone 16 Spruce-Fir Type...... 16 Isdgepole pine Type ...... 18 Aspen-Willow Type ...... 18 Grass-Forb Park Type ...... 18

DISTRIBUTION AND RANGE USE ...... 20

Elk 20 Cattle 26

Sheep 000000000000 .00000000000000 30 T

TABLE OF GOHTEHTS (continued) Page F0©D HABITS 32

Eik. . . . . 32 Spring . . ;.v . . . 35 Summer- .■ . . ■. •. 35 Vegetation Zones , . 36 Eumen Analyses. »eeee»e6 e 37 Gattle ...... 39 Sheep ...... 4. 04946000 43

FORAGE UTILIZATION 4&

Elk and Gattle;.,.. . . ; .... • eeoeooooeooeoeoo 48

Tizer Cattle Allotment .; 0* 00 0 #00 00000009* 51 North Grow Cattle.Allotment . OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 53 South Grow Cattle Allotment 0 0 4 O O O O O-O O 0 O # O O O O 54 Elk and Sheep . . . . ; . :. . -. 00 4 00000000000000 56

RANGE RELATIONSHIPS. 58

Elk and Cattle ...... , ...... , . . 58 Elk and Sheep ...... 62

APPENDIX. .'...... •...... 65

LITERATURE CITED . , ...... , ...... 66 vi

LIST GF TABLES

Table Page

I. CONSTANCY, CANOPY COVERAGE, AND FREQUENCY OF TAXA IN THE ' VEGETATION ON NINETEEN GRASSLAND AND PARK STANDS AS DETER­ MINED BY TWENTY.2 X 5 DECIMETER .PLOTS ALONG A PACED TRANSECT'ON EACH STAND ...... 7

II. PERCENT OF ELK OBSERVED ON EACH VEGETATION TYPE BY MONTH AS ■ RECORDED BY AERIAL AND GROUND OBSERVATION TRIPS IN 1963 AND 21

III. ELK OBSERVED IN JULY, AUGUST, AND SEPTEMBER BY NEEK I N '

1963 AND 1964...... C 0-0 O O 0.0 0-0 O 0-0.0 O 26

IV. STOCKING ON THE NORTH CROW CATTLE ALLOTMENT UNDER THE REST- ' ROTATION GRAZING SYSTEM IN 1963 AND. 1964 ...... 28

V. SCHEDULE OF SHEEP USE ON EACH CAMP UNIT OF THE WIISON GREEK SHEEP ALLOTMENT IN 1963 AND 1964 ...... 31

VI. ELK FOOD HABITS AS DETERMINED BY EXAMINATION OF 94 ELK FEEDING.SITES IN 1963 AND.1964 ...... 33

VII. ELK FOOD HABITS AS DETERMINED FROM THE COMPOSITION OF RUMEN SAMPLES,FROM.EIGHT ELK COLLECTED IN 1963 AND 1964 ...... 38

VIII. CATTLE FOOD PREFERENCES AS DETERMINED FROM EXAMINATION OF 69 FEEDING.SITES. IN 1963 AND 1964 ...... 40

IX. SHEEP FOOD HABITS AS DETERMINED FROM. EXAMINATION OF 28 FEEDING SITES: DURING 1963 AND 1964 ...... 44

X. PERCENT FORAGE UTILIZATION IN 1964 ON KEY AREAS OF THE TIZER CATTLE ALLOTMENT. AS,DETERMINED BY AGRONOMY CAGES ...... 52

XI. PERCENT FORAGE UTILIZATION BY WEIGHT ON WILSON GREEK SHEEP ALLOTMENT AS DETERMINED. BY CLIPPED, PLOTS ALONG ELEVEN ,. TRANSECTS IN 1963...... 57 vii

LIST QF FIGURES

Figure S Page

1. Map of the Grow Creek Study A r e a ...... 4

2. Fescue-Wheatgrass Type in the Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone Near Muddy Lake,Greek oeoeo*#^*************#* TI

3. Sagebrush-Fescue Type in the Feseue-Wheatgrass Zone South of Eagle Banger Station ...... 11

4» Juniper-Fescue Type in the Feseue-Wheatgrass Zone. Near Roberts Greek o ,6 »eeoooo»6 oe»oooo»oeoo® 13

5« Aspen-Willow Type in the Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone on Jenkins Gulch oooooooooooooooooeoo®®® 13

6. Grass-Forb Park Type (Sagebrush-Fescue Subtype) in the Douglas-fir Zone. with.the Douglas-fir Type in the Background in the Vicinity of Eureka Greek ...... 14

7. Douglas-fir Zone Showing the Grass-Forb Park Type (Fescue- Wheat grass Subtype) Intermixed with .the Douglas-fir .Type at the Head of Slim. Sam Greek ...... 14'

8. GraSs-Forb Park Type (Bluegrass-Timothy Subtype)s Foreground, and Spruce-Fir Type, Background, in the Spruce-Fir .Zone at the Head of .PricHy Pear Greek ...... 17

9. Spruce-Fir Zone Showing the Grass-Forb Park Type (Fescue- Sedge Subtype), Aspen-Willow Type,.and Lodgepole Pine Type in Background..on Wilson Greek...... 17

IQ, Map of Study Area Showing Elk Winter and Summer Ranges . . . 23

11. Map of Study Area, Showing Cattle and Sheep Allotments . . . 27

12. The Large Size Agronomy Cage in Place on a Bluegrass- Timothy Subtype Near Tizer Ranger Station ...... 49

13. "Jump-over" Exclosure in Bluegrass-Timothy Subtype Southwest of Tizer Ranger Station on the Tizer Cattle Allotment . . . 49 viii

' LIST OF.FIGURES (continued)

Figure Page

14. "Total" Exclosure on Park at the Head of Prickly Pear Greek in Spruce-Fir Zone ...... 50

15. "Heavy" Use by G.attle in Pasture #3, North Grow Cattle Allotment ...... 50 Ix

■ ' . ABSTRACT

A study of range relationships between elk and livestock was made in 1963-1964 on 100,000 acres of.Crow Greek drainage, Elkhorn Mountains, • Montana. The objective.was to obtain quantitative data on food habits, forage utilization, and distribution of elk, cattle, and sheep on spring and summer raaagesg^The^h^tiqi^ - of livestock and- elk on the area was reviewed. A physibgr&pihld'' and vegetation description of the study area was made. Three vegetation zones were, described5 Fescue-Wheatgrass, Douglas- fir, and Spruce-Fir. Range use by elk was determined during 257 ground observation trips recording 3,125. elk.and 15 aerial observation trips recording 1,814 elk,. v The Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone received almost 100 percent of the elk use from January through March and about 9© percent of the use in April and May. Each zone received considerable use in June and the Spruce-Fir Zdne received most of the use in July and August.. Cattle and sheep distribution on each grazing allotment was discussed. Elk food habits were determined by examination of 94 feeding sites and analyses of the contents of eight elk rumens. The results were tabulated by season and vegetation zone. The spring diet consisted of 77 percent•grasses and 23 percent forbs while the summer diet consisted of 76 percent forbs and only 16 percent grasses. Data, from fall rumen samples indicated a progressive shift to grasses during the period. Cattle food habits were determined by examination of 69 feeding sites which showed that grasses formed most of the diet on each vegetation zone. . For all zones grasses made up 75 percent and forbs 24 percent of the summer diet. Sheep food habits were deter­ mined from the examination of 28 feeding sites which indicated forbs formed most of the summer diet. The percentage of forbs in the diet decreased as the intensity of grazing increased,. The forage species most preferred by sheep were indicated. Forage utilization, studied by agronomy cages, . exclosures, utilization.transects, and ocular estimates, indicated several areas were used to a "heavy" degree. These were considered areas of possi­ ble competition .for forage among the grazing animals. In the Spruce-Fir and Douglas-fir Zones, grazed.in spring, summer, and fall by elk and . summer and fall by cattle,'interspecific competition was not considered significant during the study period. In the,Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone, grazed in spring, fall, and winter by elk and .summer and fall by cattle, competition was not considered serious, but the data indicated a potential for conflict on elk winter range areas. Cattle intraspecific competition existed to some degree in each. zone. A potential for competition was indi­ cated between sheep and elk, but the degree which existed on the study area was not considered excessive. Intraspecific sheep competition was heavy • in some preferred grazing areas. Intraspecific elk competition was not found significant on any part of the study area at the present time. ' IKTHODiJGTION

Range relationships of elk (Gervus canadensis nelson!) and domestic

livestock have been a matter of controversy on the Grow Greek drainage,,

Helena National Forest, west-central Montana. Several studies of elk and

livestock relationships, including those of Piekford and Reid (1943),

Rouse (1957), and Mackie (1962), have .been made in various parts of the

West but the findings are not entirely applicable to this area, A coopera­ tive study was.initiated.by the Montana Fish and Game Department and the

U. S. Forest Service on approximately: 100,000 acres in the Crow Greek area

of the Elkhorn Mountains. The objective was to obtain quantitative data

on the food habits, forage utilization,- and distribution of elk, cattle, and sheep on spring and'summer ranges, Full time field studies were con­ ducted from June 10 to September 27, 1963 and from April I to September 2,

1964* Supplementary, data were obtained during October and November 1963 and March and October 1964»

Grazing by livestock on the Grow Greek drainage apparently began about

1864» The area was utilized as, free range until the formation of the

Helena National Forest in 1906. Forest Service records show that from 1912 to 1918 the range was heavily stocked with cattle on an eight month permit . ■ I basis and with sheep the.year.around on certain parts. Serious range deterioration resulted and. reductions, in livestock were initiated in 1919«

By 1925 sheep were removed from the lower allotments and cattle numbers were reduced. In 1926 severe damage was still in evidence over much of the

area (Sandvig, 1926). Continued reductions were made until 1943 when - 2 -

cattle ntunbers were stabilized for a 4i> month period on the Grow Greek

allotments. The sheep had been reduced to a small band for a short season

in high elevations not utilized- by cattle. The area has recently been the

subject of an intensive management program by the G. S. Forest Service.

Elk in this area were apparently "transitory" prior to 1939» On

January 26, 1939, 34 elk (3 mature bulls, 4 bull calves, and 27 cows and

calves) from Yellowstone National Park were released just outside the

Forest boundary on E l k h o m Greek (USDA, Forest Service, 1939). By 1941

some of the herd had drifted east and were wintering in the Grow Creek drainage (Cooney, 1941)• West (1941) reported the population to be only

30 at that time. The first hunting season was held in 1943 for forked- horned bulls only. In 1948 regular hunting seasons were initiated; the herd continued to increase and by 1952 was estimated at over 250. Today the herd, numbering approximately 400, winters almost entirely on

Forest Service land. During the build-up of elk numbers, some complaints of elk damage south of the Forest boundary were made by -ranchers. PHYSIOGRAPHY OF STUDY AREA

The Elkhorn Mountain Range, 21 miles long and 18 miles wide, covering

about 172,000 acres, lies southeast of Helena. It is bounded by the

Missouri River Valley on the north and east, the Beavertown-Prickly Pear

Greek drainages on the west, and the Boulder River Valley to the southwest.

The highest point, Grow Peak, is 9,414 feet high while the surrounding

plains are between 4,000 and 5,000 feet above sea level. The central

mass of the range is composed of Upper-Cretaceous volcanic rocks, primarily

andesitic. The western slope is a part of the Boulder Batholith (quartz

monzonite), a more recent volcanic intrusion of the Miocene Epoch

(Klepper et al, 1957). The foothills to the south and east are primarily

sedimentary, composed of limestones and shales. Considerable portions of the original substrate have been altered by recent glaciation (Stone, 1910)

The study area (Figure I) comprised the southern part of the mountain

range, with the ridgeline formed by High Peak and Crazy Peak the northern boundary. Crow Creek and its tributaries, flowing southeast to the

Missouri River, drqin most of the area. The drainage is naturally divided topographically into two portions by a ridgeline broken only by Crow Creek

flowing through a steep canyon. The upper part, the Tizer Area, is a basin at an elevation of 6,500 to 8,000 feet surrounded by rocky ridges. The

lower part is largely foothills composed of rolling ridges with occasional

rock outcrops on the crests. No road directly joins these two portions of the study area. Other smaller parts of the study area are drained by :

Prickly Pear Creek, Muskrat Creek, Elkhorn Creek, and Indian Creek. - 4 -

HIGH PEAK

CRAZY

\ ^-/Lgfw^r cgy I DOUGLAS FM ZONI

FISCUI WHIATGSASS ZONI ow~ jg>^ X —

LEGEND

Estimated division between vegetational zones----— — —

Grassland and park types-----

Study area boundary...... ———

Major drainages------

Exclosures------X Figure I. Map of the Crow Creek Study Area. - 5 -

Climatological data for Townsend, Montana, eight miles east of the study area and at an elevation of 3,800 feet, show the mean annual tempera­ ture for 1963 was 43.6° F. with extremes of 97° and -32° F. The annual precipitation was 15.16 inches of which 4.13 inches fell in. June. Ho departures from the 29-year normal were indicated. Snow accumulates over the entire study area in the winter varying in depth with altitude. Open ridges of the lower elevations are normally blown clear.

Hoofed mammals of the area, in addition those studied, included a few moose (Aloes aloes) and numerous mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). VEGETATION OF STUDY AREA

To aid in field recognition of plants a plant collection was made.

Identification of species was verified by W. E. Booth. Scientific and common plant names are from Booth (1950) and Booth and Wright (1962).

Vegetational classification was influenced by Daubenmire (1943),

Kirsch (1962), and Rumely (1964). Composition and canopy coverage of the vegetation in open parks and grassland areas was sampled as described by

Daubenmire (1959) with modifications. Twenty 2 X 5 decimeter plots were placed at various intervals bn each of 19 paced transects through repre­ sentative sites (Table I). Other vegetation types were studied only by direct observation. The vegetation of the study area was described as part of a forest formation with a grassland -formation at lower elevations. Two zones were recognized in the forest.formation, the Douglas-fir

(Fseudotsuga taxifolia) Zone and the Engelmann spruce (Picea .engelmanni) -

Alpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) Zohb, with four types described for each.

On the west side a Ponderosa pine•(Pinus ponderosa) Zone was present below the Douglas-fir Zone but was not represented in the study area. The grass­ land formation was represented by the Fescue (Festuca spp.) - Wheatgrass

(Agropyron spp.) Zone. • There was a considerable interfingering of zones

'i related to uneven topography.

Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone

Only one grassland zone was represented in the study area. It occupied about 35,000 acres of the lower elevations and foothills up to about 6,500 feet above sea level. Four major types are described. TABIE I. CONSTANCY,2/CANOPY COVERA® AND FREQUENCY, OF TAXA IN THE VEGETATION ON NINETEEN CHiASSLAND AND PARK STANDS, DETERMINED BY TWENTY 2 X 5 DECIMETER PLOTS AIONG A PACED TRANSECT ON EACH STAND.

Fescue-Wheatgrass Douglas-fir Zone Spruce-Fir Zone Zone Grass--Forb Park Type Grass-Forb Park Type Fescue- Sage^ Fescue- Fescue- Sage- Fescue- Bluegrass- Taxar/ Wheat- brush- Wheat- Sedge brush- Sedge Timothy grass Fescue grass Fescue 3 stands I stand I stand 2 stands I stand 7 stands 4 stands

SHRUBS Artemisia tridentata - y 13/ 65^/ Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus - - - - - — Tetradymia canescens - - - - x/ 5 - — Total average cover 13 18

GRASS AND OtASS LIKE PLANTS Agroryron spicatum 13/ 58 2/ 25 3/ 16 4/ 18 15/ 65 Agropyron spp. - - - - - 14/ 1/102/75/ 1/21 Bromus marginatus - - - I/ 10 - — 71/ 4/26 75/ I/ 6 Carex spp. - x/ 5 x/ 5 16/ 95 - 100/20/64 100/ 7/51 Danthonia spp. V 5 2/ 20 x/ 6 2/ 15 x/ 5 100/ 2/27 50/ I/ 5

Festuca idahoensis 25/ 96 22/ 90 24/100 17/ 85 24/ 95 100/13/61 75/ 3/40 Festuca scabrella x/ 5 - W 74 9/ 65 3/ 10 86/ 9/33 Koeleria cristata 6/ 71 3/ 45 2/ 63 3/ 35 2/ 15 25/ x/ll Phleum spp. - - - - - 57/ x/ 2 100/ 8/57 Poa secunda x/ 12 - 3/ 58 - 12/ 2 - -

Poa spp. 9/ 80 __ 14/ 88 57/ 1/10 100/20/70 Stipa spp. - - I/ 15 - 71/ x/20 50/ x/ 5 Total average cover 46 41 42 69 56 50 43 TABLE I. CONTINUED

Fescue-Wheatgrass Douglas-fir Zone Spruce-Fir Zone ____ Zone______Grass-Forb Park Type Grass-Forb Park Type Fescue- Sage­ Fescue- Fescue- Sage­ Fescue- Bluegrass- TaxaS/ • Wheat- brush- Wheat- Sedge brush- Sedge Timothy grass Fescue grass Fescue 3 stands I stand I stand 2 stands I stand 7 stands 4 stands

FORBS AchiIlea mini folium x/ 5 V 30 3/ 74 6/ 63 100/ 3/56 100/ 2/31 Agoseris glauca I/ 7 x/ 20 4/ 39 3/ 36 3/ 35 71/ 2/16 75/ 1/17 Antennaria parvifolia. 6/ 46 13/ 75 4/ 32 V 7 4/ 40 28/ x/ 8 50/ I/ 6 Arnica fulgens - 5/ 40 5/ 74 6/ 50 2/ 10 43/ 2/19 25/ 3/15 Artemisia frigida I/ 25. - - — ■ x/ 5 - -

Arenaria capillaris x/ 4 5 10/ 65 6/ 74 5/ 40 2/ 25 100/ 7/39 50/ x/ 7 Aster spp. x/ 7 - x/ 4 2/ 5 I/ 15 - 25/ I/ 7 Astragalus spp. I/ 10 I/ 25 x/ 15 - I/ 10 - ■ 25/ I/ 7 Cerastimn arvense - - 2/ 21 - - 100/ 5/37 100/ 5/37 Cirsium folioSum ------75/ 3/25 Eriogonum umbellatum 2/ 5 V 3 I/ 15 Fragaria spp. - - - - - 28/ 3/ 9 75/ x/12 Galium trifidum - - - 4/ 20 - 57/ x/25 25/ x/ 5 Geranium viscossissimum - - — 4/ 30 — 71/ 2/13 Lupinus spp. 4/ 22 6/ 30 6/ 68 15/ 70 12/ 60 71/ 8/35 71/x/ 5

Penstemon procerus — _ _ _ 43/ 2/12 Potentilla spp. x/ 10 — - V 5 - 71/ 1/15 100/ 5/55 Taraxacum spp. - 2/ 30 x/ 5 9/ 55 V 5. 57/ 2/19 100/14/89 Trifolium repens - - - - - 75/ 5/60 Total average cover 20 47 37 73 28 43 53 TABLE I. CONTINUED

Fescue-VJheatgrass Douglas-fir Zone Spruce-Fir Zone Zone Grass-Forb Park Type Grass-Forb Park Type Fescue- Sage- Fescue- Fescue- Sage- Fescue- Bluegrass- Taxa^/ Wheat- brush- Wheat- Sedge brush- Sedge Timothy grass Fescue grass Fescue 3 stands I stand I stand 2 stands I stand 7 stands 4 stands

Litter 9/ 88 42/100 30/ 8? 40/100 20/ 80 100/28/98 7/ Mosses and Lichens 10/ 85 7/ 55 12/ 93 20/ 80 100/ 5/48 Bare ground 42/100 2/ 36 I/ 38 I/ 10 2/ 25 100/11/70 100/17/79 l/ Constancy (percent occurrence among stands) is calculated for stands of the Spruce-Fir Zone only.

2/ Excluded from calculations are taxa with less than I percent total average cover for grouped stands.

2/ - indicates taxon was not found in plots but may have been present in stand.

Canora- coverage (percent of area covered by foliage) / Average Frequency (percent occurrence among plots).

5/ x indicates taxon did not average I percent cover but was included for comparison.

6/ Constancy / Canojgr coverage / Frequency.

2 / ---- indicates data were not obtained for all stands. - 10 -

Fescue-Wheatgrass Type; This was the most common grassland type covering a major portion of the open area (Figure 2). It was dominated by

Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) and bluebunch wheatgrass

(Agropyron spicatum). Associated grasses were Sandberg bluegrass

(Poa secunda) and Junegrass (Koeleria cristata). Rough fescue

(Festuca scabrella) and green needlegrass (Stipa viridula), although not common in the sampled stands, were locally abundant on north slopes and more meslc sites. On the more xeric sites and at lower levels, not i included in plots, blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) was common. Some of the more common fdrbs were lupine (Lupinus spp.), pussytoes (Antennaria spp.), and milkvetch (Astragalus spp.).

Sagebrdsh-Fescue Type; This type (Figure 3) was apparently the domi­ nant cover in areas with slightly higher moisture levels, deep soils, and protection from wind action. It was characterized by a shrub union domi­ nated by big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) with Idaho fescue and blue- grasses (Poa spp.) the primary understory species. Associated grasses and forbs were similar to those in the Fescue-Wheatgrass Type. Associated shrubs such as gray horsebrush (Tetradymia canescens) and green rabbitbrush

(Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus) were common. -U-

Figure 2. Fescue-Wheatgrass Type in the Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone Near Muddy Lake Creek.

Figure 3. Sagebrush-Fescue Type in the Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone South of Eagle Ranger Station. . . 7 - 12 -

Juniper-Fescue Type; This type (Figure 4) was usually found on rocky

ridgetops, south slopes, ■ arid other".areas' of shallow soil formation. • 7. Although not quantitatively studied, it was characterized by scattered

Rocky Mountain juniper ■.(Juhiperud; scopulorum) and Douglas-fir. The under- ■ ■ • • : 7 ' 7 v>' . ' ‘ ■ story appeared to be formed by one., or the: other of the other two grassland types. The north slopes and rock outcrops, of the zone ,in places supported a stand of the Douglas-fir Type extended down from the forest formation.

Aspen-Willow Type: This type was common along drainage bottoms and other mesic sites (Figure 5 ) ' It w a s ' characterized by either quaking aspen (Populus tremuloldes) or willow (SaliX spp.) as a dominant usually with a lush understory of bluegrasses, sedges (Carex spp.), reedgrasses

(Calamagrostis spp..), and timothy (Phleum spp.) as well as a variety of

shrubs and forbs. The dominants were widely spaced on some sites.

Douglas-fir'Zone ■

This■intermediate zone occupied about 37,000 acres from approximately

5,800 to 7,200 feet in elevation. ,. ■

Douglas-fir Type: This major forest type (Figures 6 and 7) occupied a considerable portion of the area.. It.was characterized by the dominant

Douglas-fir represented by various•age classes' with a closed or, on south slopes, a semi-open canopy. Scattered,shrubs may be present such as common juniper (Juniperus communis), Oregon grape (Berberis repens), and - 13 -

Figure 4. Juniper-Fescue Type in the Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone Near Roberts Greek.

Figure 5* Aspen-Willow Type in the Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone on Jenkins Gulch. - 14 -

Figure 6. Graas-Forb Park Type (Sagebrush-Fescue Subtype) in the Douglas-fir Zone with the Douglas-fir Type in the Background in the Vicinity of Eureka Creek.

Figure ?• Douglas-fir Zone Showing the Grass-Forb Park Type (Fescue-Wheatgrass Subtype) Intermixed with the Douglas-fir Type at the Head of Slim Sam Creek. - 15 -

spirea (Spirea spp.). The understory usually quite sparse was character­

ized by pinegrass (Galamagrostis rubescens), heartleaf arnica (Arnica

cordifolia), strawberry (Framria Spp0), and raceme pussytoes '

(Antennaria racemosa).

Lodgepole pine Type; This minor type is considered to be a fire sere to the Douglas-fir climax type (Daubenmires 1943)° It was dominated by thick stands of lodgepole pine (Finns contorta)„ The understory was usually sparse in the closed stands but was similar to that described for the Douglas-fir Type in more open canopy sites. Douglas-fir reproduction was common in older stands.

Aspen-Willow Type: This was a minor type in this zone and was con­ sidered similar to that described for the'Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone,

- Grass-Forb Park Type: This type (Figures 6 and 7) occupied certain ridgess south exposuress and other non-forested areas throughout the zone and was considered a projection of the Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone into the forest formation. The cover was characterized by a wide variety of grasses and forbs as a result of site differences, disturbance, and suecessional stages present (Table I), To allow for adequate description, this type was further classified into subtypes. Two common subtypes, "Fescue-Wheatgrass" and "Sagebrush-Fescue", previously described as types, were- apparently upward projections of the Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone, The "Fescue-Sedge

Subtype" was the most common cover in the mountain parks. It was - 16 -

dominated.by Idaho fescue and elk sedge (Garex geyeri). Gommon associated

grasses were rough fescue, bluegrasses, and mountain brome

(Bromus marginatus). .with lupine, yarrow (Achillea millifolium), fescue

sandwort (Arenariti capillaris), and dandelion (Taraxacum spp,) as common

forbs. The remaining two subtypes were not quantitatively studied« The

"Bluegrass-Timothy Subtype" was dominated by Kentucky bluegrass

(Poa pratensis) and timothy. It was found primarily in ©pen drainage

bottoms and mesic areas of high grazing pressure. Associated forbs were

dandelion, clover (Trifolium repens), and cinquefoil (Potentilia gracilis)

The "Sedge-Rush Subtype" was characterized by sedges and rushes (Juncus

spp.) and was found throughout the zone in areas of high water levels.

Often scattered conifers were present in the'Grass-Forb Park Type.

Engelmann Spruce - Alpine Fir Zone

This was the uppermost vegetative zone, occupying about 28,000 acres

from 7,000 to 9,000 feet elevation, between the Douglas-fir Zone and the mountain summits which were rocky and nearly devoid of plant life. 0©

.alpine zone was considered to be present'.

Spruce-Fir Type: This type (Figure 8), considered to be the climax

vegetation, was relatively poorly represented in the study area. It was

most common on cool north exposures and in deep canyons. The type was

characterized by Engelmann spruce and Alpine fir, often in dense closed

canopy stands with a sparse understory primarily of mosses. In some. - 17 -

Figure 8. Grass-Forb Park Type (Bluegrass-Timothy Subtype), Foreground, and Spruce-Fir Type, Background, in the Spruce-Fir Zone at the Head of Prickly Pear Creek.

Figure 9. Spruce-Fir Zone Showing the Grass-Forb Park Type (Fescue-Sedge Subtype), Aspen-Willow Type, and Lodgepole Pine Type in Background on Wilson Creek. — IS

locations the canopy was more open and had whit-ebark pine (Pinus albieaulis)

also represented. With the more open canopy the understory was character­ ized by grouse ..huckleberry (Vaccinium scoparium) s smooth menziesia

(Menziesia ferruginea), valeriana (Valeriana spp.)5 and pinedrops

.'(Pyrola spp.).

Lodgepole pine Type; This type (Figure 9)# representing the primary / cover in the zone, was considered a fire sere to the Spruce-Fir Type. It was dominated by Iodgepole pine. The understory was similar to that found in the Spruce-Fir Type but was normally more profuse with lupine, milkvetch, and common juniper also represented. In older stands reproduction of

Engelmann spruce and alpine fir were common and on north exposures mountain alder (Alnus crispa) was.often abundant. In young stands the lodgepole pine was so dense as to exclude all other species.

Aspen-Willow Type: In high elevations this type (Figure 9) was considered similar to that described for the lower zones. Additional species, such as dwarf huckleberry (Vaccinium caespitosum), were often represented.

Grass-Forb Park Type: This type (Figures 8 and 9) includes all non- fcrested mountain parks in the upper zone. The composition was considered similar to the higher parks of the Douglas-fir Zone with certain exceptions

(Table I) and the subtypes present were similar to those described for that zone. The subtypes in this zone were "Fescue-Sedge", "Bluegrass-Timothy" - 19 -

(both quantitatively studied), and "Sedge-Rush". Scattered Dduglas-fir, lodgepole pine, limber pine (Finns flexilis), and whitebark pine occurred in this type. DISTRIBUTION M D RANGE USE

Elk

Locations and vegetation types were recorded for 3*125 elk observed in 342 groups during 257 observation trips made by 4=wh@@l drive vehicle* horseback* or on foot» A 20 X spotting scope and 7 X 35 binoculars were used as visual aids. Fifteen aerial observation trips were made by heli­ copter or fixed-wing airplanes during which 130 groups and a total of

1*814 elk were recorded. Most observation trips were at daylight or just prior to darknessj the primary feeding periods of elk during spring and summer. This increased the probability of observing elk in grassland and park vegetation types. The number of observations for forested types

(Table II) therefore cannot be compared directly with those for open types as an indication of the relative degree of utilisation. Forested types in the vicinity of.feeding sites are primarily used for rest and escape. Due AVLXlA to the inaccessibility of the study* it was not possible to cover all vegetation types during one observation trip except by air. The percentage of elk utilizing each zone was therefore determined from aerial observa­ tions and the use within the zone from ground and aerial observations com­ bined to give a larger sample, size. The data from 1963 and 1964 have been combined in Table II as no major differences between years were recognized.

The winter range* utilized by elk from December through March* was determined from data.of two aerial observation trips (January 31 and

March 24) and'three ground observation trips (Figure 10). It is composed of open ridges blown free of snow and south slopes in the Feseue-Wheatgrass TABLE II. PERCENT OF EIJK OBSERVED ON EACH VEGETATION TIPE BI MONTH AS RECORDED BI AERIAL AND GROUND OBSERVATION TRIPS IN 1963 AND 1964.

Vegetation types Jan-Mar^/ April May June July Aug Sept

AERIAL OBSERVATIONS . Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone iooS/ 91 89 10. — - — Douglas-fir Zone - . 9 /n 25 * I/ - . — Spruce-Fir Zone, •- — 65 100 100 -

Total elk observed , 724 479 126 284 90 111 -

AERIAL AND (SOUND OBSERVATIONS Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone Fescue-Wheatgrass Type 926/ ^ 7 2 91 52 - — — Sagebrush-Fescue Type 4 6 40 - - — Juniper-Fescue Tjrpe 4 2 — - — — Aspen-Willow Type — — . I 8 - - -

Total elk observed 1,010 1,416 657 35 - —

A Douglas-fir Zone Douglas-fir Type — 4 — Lodgepole pine Type — — _ Aspen-Willow Type — - — — #5 / — - Grass-forb Park Type Fescue-Wheatgrass Subtype — 66 14 10 Sagebrush-Fescue Subtype 34 15 4 100 100 Fescue-Sedge Subtype - — 57 82 — Bluegrass-TimottQr Subtype — — 7 # _ Sedge-Rush Subtype - - - 2 - - -

Total elk observed - 79 858 512 25 - 31 TABLE II. COMTIKDED

Vegetation types Wan-Mar^ April May June July Aug Sept

Spruce-Fir Zone Spruce-Fir Type 6 Lodgepole pine Type - - - - # 7 35 Aspen-Willow Type — - - - 8 6 0 . Orass-forb Park Type Fescue-Sedge Subtype 72 64 59 41 Bluegrass-Timothy Subtype - - - 24 26 13 17 Sedge-Rush Subtype — — — 4 2 9 7

Total elk observed - - - 276 344 246 29

I/ Data from air observation trips on Jan 31 and Mar 24> 1964 are combined.

2/ Percentage based on 100 percent for entire study area.

3/ * indicates no air observations were made but elk were observed, in that zone from the ground during the month. kj Percentage based on 100 percent within each zone.

5/ # indicates that less than I percent of the observed elk were on that type. - 23 -

LEGEND

Estimated boundaries of elk ranges ■

Major drainages

Figure 10. Map of Study Area Showing Elk Winter and Summer Ranges. — 24 =■

Zone, The majority of the herd winters south of Grow Greek on

Jenkins G-Ulch5 South Crow Greek-, and Slim Sam Creek, A smaller portion of about 70 winters north of Grow Greek while a group of about 100 winters near the southern Forest boundary in the vicinity of Keating Gulch and

Johnny's Gulch, Spring elk movement off the winter range appeared to be directly related to snow conditions, As the snow melted off the spring range and the deeper drifts crusted over during April5 some elk moved up into the Douglas-fir Zone primarily in the vicinities of Eureka Creek5

Hall Greek5 and Warner Greek, This resulted in the vacating of open winter range south of Jenkins Gulch except for a small group of elk which remained pn the Sagebrush-Fescue Type in Keating Gulch into Hay, The center of elk distribution during April was still in the Fescue-Wheatgrass'Zone in the vicinity of Muddy Lake Greek, Beginning of movement off the winter range the latter part of April corresponds with the findings of Picton (i960) in the Sun River Area5 northern Montana, This movement in 1964 in the

Grow Greek area was delayed by a heavy snowfall on May 3° The result was an almost complete withdrawal back to the winter range for about two weeks=

From May I to IA5 96 percent of the observed elk were on the Fescue-

Wheat grass Zone while from May 15 to 31 only 45 percent were on this Zone,

The latter period showed a high use of the Fescue-Sedge and Sagebrush-

Fescue Subtypes in the Douglas-fir Zone, During June most of the elk moved onto the Spruce-Fir Zone (summer range) in the Tiger Greek and

Wilson Greek drainages (Figure 10),■ This movement was apparently not - 25 - delayed by calving. The first calves were observed on the aerial observa­ tion trip of June 4 in that area and their small size suggested that they had been born there. No specific calving areas were determined as observa­ tions of small calves were made in each vegetation zone during June. By the first of July the entire summer range was occupied by. elk (Figure. 10).

Concentrations were in the vicinity of Tizer Creek, Dewey Creek,

Longfellow Greek, and the head of Warm Springs Greek. The majority of this range is in the Spruce-Fir Zone but ground observations revealed that some use of the Bouglas-fir Zone persisted. The primary vegetation type util— ■ ized was the Fescue-Sedge Subtype of the Grass-Forb Park Type. The use of this type decreased the first week of August resulting in almost no util­ ization of the larger parks. The elk were apparently utilizing the small mesic parks within the forest types where the most succulent vegetation could be found. During 1963 and to a lesser extent in 1964, most of the elk moved out of the Tizer Creek Area and into Muskrat Creek at this time.

Part of this change in habits was considered due to the loss of succulence ' of the vegetation in the larger parks toward the end of-July as also reported by Eirsch (1962). Cole (1963) suggests that this withdrawal into the forest types is possibly related to breeding activities. As a result X of these habitat changes, the difficulty of observation and obtaining data on elk increased during the first part of August. This occurred about a week later in 1963 than in 1964 (Table III). 26 -

TABLE III. ELK OBSERVED IN JULY, AUGUST, AND SEPTEMBER BY WEEK IN 1963 AND 1964.

Year July Augus t Sept I 2 3 4 I 2 3 4 I 2 3

1963 39 19 38 16 36 16 2 8 3 :.16 35

1964 45 68 37 19 36 I 5 20 ' 8 I/ ' 1 ~

I/ - indicates no observation trips were made„

In 1964 it was believed that a heavy snow (14 inches) which fell on the

19th improved the observer's ability to see elk and accounts for the increase in elk observations the last week of August. The ease of observa­ tion normally increased with the grouping of elk associated with the breeding season. The first sign of breeding was observed on September 9 in 1963 and on September I in 1964. While breeding was in progress during

September, the over-all elk distribution did not appear to change to any large extent.

Cattle

Cattle distribution and range use was determined primarily through the study of Forest Service stocking schedules and direct observations. Three cattle allotments. North Crow, South Crow, and Tizer, were considered of primary importance as related to elk range (Figure 11). In 1963 a system of "rest-rotation grazing" (Hom ay and Talbot, 1961) was initiated on the

North Crow Allotment. The area was fenced into a six-pasture■system and - 27 -

WILSON CIIIK SMIIP ALLOTMINT

NOftTH CftOW CATTlI AllOTMMT

TIZIft CATTlI AllOTMINT V

SOUTH CftOW CATTlI AllOTMINT

I M I L E

LEGEND

Allotment boundaries — —

Fence lines...... - %— % — )(

Sheep ro u te ------— • ——. «■

Major drainages------

Figure 11. Map of Study Area Showing the Cattle and Sheep Allotments. - 28 -

grazed by 619 head of cattle from Jxme 10 to October 10 (Table 17).

TABLE 17. STOCKING ON THE NORTH CROW CATTLE ALLOTMENT UNDER THE REST- ROTATION GRAZING STSTM IN 1963 AND 1964.

1963 1964 Pastures Period Stocking Period Stocking

Jun 10 - Oet 10 190 steers Jul"10 - Oet 10 195 eows^ZS/

#2 Jul 10 - Oet 10 195 e@ws2/ No grazing

#3 No grazing Aug" 10 - Oct 10 234 cows^/

$4 Aug 10 - Oet 10 234 COWB^/ Jun-IO - Aug 10 234 00WS&/

#5 Jun 10 - Aug 10 234 c e w s V Jun lO - Jul 10 195 cows2/

#6 Jun 10 - Jul 10 195 e©ws2/ Jun 10 - Oet 10 190 steers

I/ Pastxires as designated ©n Figure U= f

2/ Cows are considered t© be with calves.'

2/ Same animals for the years indicated. kj Same animals for the years indicated.

Pastures #1 and #2 are located entirely in the Fescue-Tflheatgrass Zone;

pasture #3 is.in the Douglas-fir Zone; pastures #4, #5S and #6 are partially in both zones. During feeding periods, morning and evening hours,

the cattle distributed themselves primarily ©n the Feseue-Tflheatgrass and

Sagebrush-Fescue Types. They tended to concentrate in the bottoms near a water source during mid-day especially in hot weather. The Aspen-Willow

Type was heavily used during these periods. Some use was also made of — 29 ”

open ridges (Fescue-Wheatgrass Type) during mid-day where wind action apparently decreased fly activity. In the Bouglas-fir Zone the Grass-Forb

Park Type was the primary cattle range with the Douglas-fir Type and the

Aspen-Willow Type used as resting areas.

The South Grow Allotment is divided into a lower, "spring range", and an upper, "summer range", by the Slim Sam "drift" fence. The same pattern of grazing occurred both years, except entrance and departure were delayed one week in 1964. Qn June 7, 1963, 609 cows with calves were turned on the lower unit, entirely in the Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone, where they grazed on most of the vegetation types, concentrating on the drainage bottoms.

On July 10 they were allowed to move through the fence onto the upper range where they remained until October 15. This range is partially in the

Douglas-fir Zone where during the latter part of the grazing season the cattle concentrated on the Grass-Forb Park Type along Warner Greek and north of Muddy Lake Greek. Another concentration area was along

Jenkins Gulch on the Aspen-Willow Type.

The Tizer Allotment is relatively small, occupying the mountain parks primarily in the Spruce-Fir Zone with a part in the Douglas-fir Zone on the west side. On July I, 1963, 43 cows with calves were turned on the Forest in Prickly Pear Greek. They moved almost immediately up through the

Douglas-fir Zone to the parks southwest of Tizer Ranger Station and along the foot of Bullock Hill in the Spruce-Fir:Zone, remaining in this area until September 10. In 1964 the cattle were delayed till July 13 as the - 30 -

range was not considered "ready" by the Forest Service and they remained

on the upper range till September 10 when they were moved down into the

Douglas-fir Zone for two more weeks. The same parks were the concentration areas in 1964 as in 1963. These areas are Grass=-Forb Park Type with

Fescue-Sedge, Bluegrass-Timothy, and' Sedge-Rush Subtypes represented. The cattle utilized the Aspen-Willow and Ledgepele pine Types for resting areas

Sheep

Sheep distribution was controlled by the herder tentatively following a schedule published by the Forest Service. The sheep herd, permitted for

785 ewes with lambs, entered the Forest boundary ®n July 10 and moved through the North Grow Cattle .Allotment onto the Wilson Greek Sheep

Allotment (Table V). They followed the route shown in Figure 22 until !■ ■ August 21. The parks utilized are all in the Sprace-Fir Zone at elevations between 7,000 and "8,000 feet with Fescue-Sedge the most common subtype represented. Daily habits of the sheep paralleled those of the other grazing animals. The primary feeding periods were in the early merningO and evening; during mid-day they would "shade-up", usually in the Ledgepole pine Type. Normally once per day they were trailed to water if it was not readily available on the park. - 31 -

TABLE V. SCHEDULE OF SHEEP USE OH EACH GAMP UHIT OF THE WILSON CHEEK SHEEP ALLOTMENT IN 1963 AND 1964-

Camp Unit 1964 Period Days Period Days

Move on to Allotment Jul 10-11 ■: 2 Jul 10—14 , 5 A=/Crazy Greek 12-17 6 15-18 4 B Clear Greek 18-18 I 19-19 I 0 Lower Moose Greek (Airplane park) 19-23 5 20-24 5 D Dever Parks 24-29 6 25-26 2 E Upper Moose Greek '" -30-30 I not'used 0 F Elk Parks .. -.. - ■ 31-Aug 4 5 . 27-30 - ij. G Bullock Hill 5-9 ' 5 31-Aug 6 7 H Tizer Lake Area 10-10 I not used 0 I Manley Park 11-16 6 7-16 10 B Clear Greek 17-18 2 17-19 3 A Crazy Creek 19-19 I 20-20 I Move off of Forest 20=21 2 21—21 I l/ The letters are used to designate camp units in Figure U 0 FOOD. HABITS

Elk

Elk food habits were determined primarily through feeding site exami­ nations supplemented by rumen analyses„ Feeding sites were examined for use immediately following,, occupation by elk or as soon thereafter as practicable. The instances of Use on each plant species were recorded; one "bite" was considered as one instance of use as described by Knowlton

(1959). This method has been widely used in the past. Percentages were computed by the aggregate percentage method (Martin, et al, 1946). The number of instances of use on an item were expressed as percent of the total number for all items, on a site. The percents were aggregated and averaged to obtain the percentages within groups (season or vegetation type). Rumens from elk were collected from May to November. Personnel of the Montana Fish and Same Department Wildlife Laboratory at Bozeman assisted with analyses following procedures described by Gole (1956.) and others. Volumetric measurements, of recognizable items in a one quart, sample were made and expressed as percentages.

Combining 1963 and 1964 data, a total of 94 elk feeding sites were examined and 19,011 instances of use recorded. These represent spring

(28 sites) and summer (66 sites) food habits in all vegetation zones

(Table VI). TABLE TI: ELK FOOD HABITS AS ,DETERMINED BI EXAMINATION OF 94 EUC FEEDING SITES IN 1963 AND 1964.

Vegetation Type Use Fescue- Douglas-fir Spruce-Fir Taxai/ x Number of Seasonal Use Wheatgrass Zone Zone instances ' Spring Summer Zone of use (28 sites) (66 sites) (24 sites) (31 sites) (39 sites)

Agropyron spicatum 341 5/ 59%/ Tr/ l2/ 4/ 75 Tr/ 6 Bronias spp. 143 - - I/ 25 *— — I/ 32 I/ 23 Festuca ldahoensis 3,571 55/ 94 Tr/ 6 51/ 91 2/ 25 Tr/ 2 Festuca scabrella 608 5/ 39 — — 5/ 45 2/ 6 mm — Koeleria cristata 183 I/ 48 Tr/ 9 2/ 50 Tr/ 16 Tr/ 7

Phleum spp. 84 I/ 21 Tr/ 3 2/ 30 Poa spp. 1,434 7/34 6/ 73 8/50 5/ 90 7/ 66 Unidentified grasses 512 2/ 37 3/ 69 3/ 45 3/ 70 4/ 69 Carex spp. 589 Tr/ 13 4/ 62 Tr/ 12 3/ 77 5/ 58 TOTAL GRASSES AND GRASS-LIKE7, 518 77/100 16/ 93 74/100 19/100 19/100

AcTriIlea miIHfoHnm 74 Tr/ 4 I/-35 Tr/ 4 Tr/ 35 I/ 33 Agoseris glauca 1,653 I/ 9 H / 78 2/ 16 14/ 80 9/ 76 Antennaria parvifolia 136 2/ 37 Tr/ 4 I/ 20 Tr/ 3 Tr/ 4 Arnica spp. 877 I/ 11 4/ 33 2/ 20 10/ 74 Tr/ 10 Artemisia frigida 62 1/20 — — I/ 25 Tr/ 3 — — Cerastium arvense 50 I/ 21 Tr/ 4 Tr/ 4 _ I/ 8 Cirsium spp. 63 Tr/ 4 Tr/ 31 Tr/ 4 I/ 32 I/ 30 Eriogonum umbelI atom 26 — — I/ 6 — — Tr/ 3 I/ 6 Fragaria virginiana 69 — — I/ 32 Tr/ 12 I/ 35 Geranium viscossissimum 664 2/ 7 4/ 59 4/ 12 5/ 64 2/ 51 Geum triflorum 231 2/ 35 Tr/ 5 2/ 40 I/ 19 Hieracium cynoglossoides 457 2/ U I/ 25 4/ 20 3/ 45 Tr/ 10 Lupinus spp. 231 4/ 46 2/ 19 2/ 33 I/ 24 I/ 10 Microseris spp. 65 — — I/ 12 ■ ■ I/ 12 Tr/ 12 Potentilla spp. (forbs) 929 I/ 13 8/ 83 2/ 25 2/ 67 n / 92 TABLE VI. CONTINUED

Vegetation Type Use Fescue- Douglas-fir Spruce-Fir Taxai/ Number of Seasonal Use Wheatgrass Zone Zone instances Spring Summer Zone of use (28 sites) (66 sites) (24 sites) (31 sites) (39 sites)

Selaginella densa 12 I/ 33 Tr/ 8 Similacina racemosa 49 Tr/ 5 M — «— I/ 4 Taraxacum spp. 3,255 2/ 17 22/ 29 2 / 29 31/ 90 17/ 92 Trifolium repens 1,056 — — H / 41 — — Tr/ 9 16/ 56 Unidentified forbs 1,052 2/ 45 7/ 84 2/ 45 9 / 9 6 6 / 76 TOTAL FORBS 11,492 ' 23/ 96 • 7 6 /97 2 6 / 95 81/100 72/ 97 Vaccinium spp. 45 I/ 7 V 8 Salix spp. 396 — — 7 / 9 8/ 8 Unidentified browse 55 Tr/ 4 I/ 8 Tr/ 4 — » — I/ 8 TOTAL BROWSE 501 Tr/ 4 6/ 21 Tr/ 4 — — .9 / 25 l/ Only those plant species are listed which constituted I percent in at least one season or vegetation type.

2/ Average of the aggregate percentages of use per site / Percent 1of sites on which item was used in relation to all sites in that category.

2/ Tr indicates taxus constituted less than .5 percent in that category. - 35 -

Spring: Site examinations in March (2 sites), April (8 sites), and

May (18 sites) indicated grasses constituted 77 percent of the diet with

Idaho fescue the leading item. The remainder was mostly forbs. March and

April food habits were characterized by an even higher percentage of

grasses (83 percent). Dry growth of the previous season was used during

the first portion of the period with a change to the new green spring

growth as it became available in April. Idaho fescue made up 65 percent

of the total diet. Of the forbs used, lupine was the primary item in

March with utilization of the previous year’s growth. In April new green

growth of prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) and fringed sagewort

(Artemisia frigida) resulted in heavy use of these species. Species

utilization in May indicated a definite change in elk food habits. The

period. May 1-16, was similar to the two previous months with a high use

of grasses (95 percent) while during the rest of the month only 35 percent

of the diet was grasses. This change in food habits is closely related to

the corresponding change in range use. The food habits the last half of

the month revealed the trend to forbs which was to continue throughout the

summer season. Dandelion constituted the major portion of the diet for

the first time on a feeding site May 25.

'Summer: Site examinations in June (28 sites), July (24 sites), and

August (14 sites) showed forbs formed 76 percent of the diet. In June

forbs received their greatest use constituting 83 percent of the total use.

The primary items were dandelion, arnica (Arnica fuigens), and pale . — 36 — agoseris (Agoseris glauca). Grass-like plants, primarily bluegrasses and sedges, were minor (I? percent) as compared to spring and were considered to have been taken accidentally along with 'forbs much of the time. In July the use of arnica decreased while an increase in the use of clover

(Trifolium repens) and cinquefoil;(Potentilia spp.) was noted, IAttle change was noted in grass use as compared to June with some browse being used the last part of the month. August food habits were characterized by a decrease in forbs to 62. percent and an.increase in browse to 23 percent while the grass use remained constant, Primary browse items were willow . and huckleberry (Vaecinium spp.). /The.important.forb species did not appear to change during August..

Vegetation Zones: The percentage of the diet constituted by various species on the three vegetation.zones was also determined (Table VI). The species utilization on the vegetation zones corresponded to the seasonal utilization due to seasonal changes.in range use habits of the elk

(Table II), On the Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone it was noted that the percent of

Idaho fescue and rough fescue in the elk diet was higher than their per­ centage in the vegetational. composition while bluebunch wheatgrass was lower (comparing Tables I and VI), indicating a possible food preference.

The preferred forbs (forming the highest percent of the diet) appeared to be definitely sought out on all vegetation types. Species utilization in the Douglas-fir Zone and the Spruce-Fir Zone corresponded to the results for the summer season. The large increase in the use of clover and browse - 37.-

species in the Spruce-Fir Zone was considered due to their increased avail­

ability.

Rumen Analyses: A rumen sample was secured from each of eight elk

collected during the seven-month period from May to November to supplement

feeding site data. Considering 1963 and 19645 samples were distributed one

per month except November with two (Table VII), Data from the May sample which was taken during the last half of the month agrees closely with the

findings of the feeding site examinations for that period, 84 percent of the volume being grasses. The rumen samples for June, July, and August

showed grass percentages of 64, 35, and $6 respectively which are consider­

ably higher than those for feeding sites. Rumen analyses also indicated

a higher usage of browse for July (43 percent) and August (I? percent) than

did feeding site examinations, The feeding sites examined in summer were mostly restricted to the open parks; feeding in' the forested .types was not

observed to any large extent. Such feeding sites probably exist and the

possibility of a high proportion of the diet on them being browse and

grasses cannot be discounted. This would be especially true in August when the elk are using these areas to the greatest exbent, A possible source of

error in rumen analyses along with the small sample sige could be a differ­

ential digestion rate of the coarser materials (browse and some grasses)

as pointed out by Norris (1943)° Fall food habits, not studied by feeding

site examinations, were from September, October, and November rumen

samples. They indicated a progressive increase in.grass utilisation from ■ - 38 -

53 percent in September,to 86 percent.in November while both forb and browse use declined. This would, correspond with.the move back to the

Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone during.this period,.

TABLE VII. ELK FOOD HABITS AS DETERMINED FROM THE COMPOSITION OF RUMEN SAMPLES FROM EIGHT ELK'COLLECTED IN 1963 AND 1964. .

Items identified .,.Spring. Summer Fall , (I rumeh)- ': (3 rumens) (4 rumens)

Unidentified grasses W / 4?S/ 63 Carex spp, — . 5 I TOTAL GRASSES AND GRASS-LIKE 84' 52 64

Achillea millifolium Tr3/ Tr Artemisia frigida , — Tr Geranium spp. 14 - r Lupinus spp. Tr 2 14 Potentilla spp. . I Tr Taraxacum spp. 7 — Trifolium spp. < ' - . 5' — Unidentified forbs • 2 12 5 TOTAL FORBS .16 28 20

Berberis spp. 2 Conifer (needles and stems) I 4 Salix spp, 4 Tr - - - — - ^ fjlp - - Symphoricarpus spp... V lr""" - ' Vaccinium spp. -- "C t “ 5 i.; 3. ' ; Unidentified browse .. 10 4 TOTAL BROWSE - -. 20 . 13

Fungi Tr I ' Equisetum - Tr • -

I/ Volume expressed as percent of total identifiable material in one quart sample of rumen contents,

2/ Aggregate percentages given for summer and fall.

3/ Ir indicates that item did not constitute .5 percent of sample. =■ 39 ■=

There have been a considerable number of studies on elk food habits

made in the Northwest„ These studies collectively demonstrate primarily

one common fact: the ability of the elk to adapt to the vegetational com­

position of the range. The results of the present study are considered

comparable to the findings,of other studies on similar ranges, including

House (1957)# Knight (1962), and Kirsch (1962), especially in the utilisa­

tion of forage classes. As pointed out by Kirsch (1962), a relatively few

species formed the bulk of the diet although a wide variety of species. were

utilized.

Cattle

Cattle food habits were determined through feeding site examinations

to give results which would be most meaningful when compared to the find­

ings on elk food habits. The data was collected as soon as practicable

■ after cattle began use on a certain part of the range when they had the

maximum choice of plant species. Thus, the results should more closely

indicate the cattle preference for certain plant species rather than a

quantitative expression of the species utilized for the entire grazing

period. To evaluate food preferences as shown in Table VIII the vegeta­

tional composition of the range was considered. — 40 —

TABLE VIII. CATTLE FOOD PREFERENCES AS DETERMINED FROM EXAMINATION OF 69 FEEDING SITES IN 1963 AND 1964.

Vegetation Type Fescue- Douglas- Spruce-Fir Number of Summer Wheatgrass fir Zone Zone. Taxai^ instances.(69 sites) Zone of use (35 sites) (14 sites) (20 sites)

Agropyron spp. 724 5/ 56^/ 7/ 74 6/ 43„ . 2 / 3 0 Alopecurus alpina 170 2/ 15 — — Tr/ ?3/ 3/ 20 Broraus spp. 595 3/ 46 2/ 31 7/ 71 4/ 55 Calamagrostis spp. 117 2/ 10 - - C O «*> 3/ 15 Danthonia spp. 1,127 5/ 36 9/ 43 5/ 14 I/ 35 Festuca idahoensis 1,083 6/ 53 12/ 89 2/ 36 Tr/ 15 Festuca scabrella 940 5/ 33 10/ 49 I/ 29 Tr/ 10 . Poa spp. 4 , H 9 21/ 90 19/ 83 37/100 23/ 95 Koeleria cristata 260 I/ 24 3/ 54 I/ 14 = CO Phleura spp. 557 5/ 23 — ™ «•= = 10/ 70 Stipa spp. 405 2/ 25 3/ 54 I/ 14 2/ 30 Unidentified grass 494 3/ 75 3/ 71 4/ 64 3/ 95 Carex spp. 1,893 14/ 74 8/ 57 7/ 79 18/ 95 Juncus spp. 194 I/ 27 I/ 11 2/ 21 I/ 35 TOTAL GRASS AND ' GRASS-LIKE 12,885 75/100 75/100 68/100 71/100

Achillea millifolium. 115 I/ 44 Tr/ 43 I/ 71 I/ 50 Agoseris glauca • 595 3/ 48 3/ 23 4/ 57 I/ 30 Arnica spp. 201 I/ 24' 2/ 40 Tr/ 21 — — Aster spp. 138 I/ 15 I/ 6 — ' — I/ 20 Astragalus spp. 512 2/ 17 6/ 34 Tr/ 7 Tr/ 5 Gerastium arvense 31 Tr/ 5 •— — * V 7 Tr/ 20 Cirsium spp. ■ 70 Tr/ 10 Tr/ 6 I/ 14 I/ 20 Hieracium cynoglossoides 145 I/ 11 1/ a Tr/ 7 Ir/ 5 Lupinus spp. 67 I/ 17 Tr/ 11 — > — I/ 15 . Potentilla spp. (forbs)182 I/ 51 I/ 31 I/ 21 I/ 75 Taraxacum spp. 1,182 5/ 64 3 / 4 6 15/ 93 6/ 75 Trifolium repens 525 2/ 12 — — Tr/ 14 9/ 50 Unidentified forbs 789 4/ 74 5/ 66 . 6/100 3/ 75 TOTAL FORBS . 4,827 24/ 99 25/100 32/100 28/100 - 41

TABLE VIII. CONTIHUED

Vegetation Type . Fescue- Douglas- . Spruce-Fir Number of . Summer Wheatgrass fir Zone Zone Taxai/ instances.(69 sites) Zone of use • (35 sites), (14 sites) (20 sites)

Salix spp= 46 Tr/ 3 : ■ = — — — l/ 5 Vaecinitain spp= 12 Tr/ 3 - - - - Tr/ 5 TOTAL BROWSE 60 1/17 - - ■ - - I/ 25

I/ Only those plant species are listed which constituted I percent at least in one season or vegetation type=

2/ Average of the aggregate percentages of use per site / Percent of sites on which item was used in relation to all sites in that category=

3/ Tr indicates taxus constituted less than =5 percent in that category=

Considering 1963 and 1964, a total of 69 feeding sites recording

17,772 instances of plant use were made (Table VIII)= Feeding sites were

examined in June (19 sites), July (40 sites), and August (10 sites). For the entire period, 75 percent of the use was on grasses and grass-like

plants = Bluegrasses and sedges were the two primary items= Of the forbs

used, dandelion and pale agoseris were the most significant = Browse was a minor portion of the diet=

Determined by the examination of 35 feeding sites, food habits on the

Feseue-Wheatgrass Zone were characterized by a high percentage of grasses

(75 percent)= On the mere xeric vegetation types in this zone the primary

grasses used were Idaho fescue and rough fescue, making up 22 percent of

the total diet. The most preferred species in relation to the vegetational = 1|3 =

composition., however, were considered to be oatgrass (.Danthonia spp„) and

rough fescue o Gtn the AspeS=Willow Type and in the drainage bottoms the

bluegrasses, primarily Kentucky bluegrass, were the most used and also

apparently the preferred species with 19 percent of the total diet.

MOkvetch, dandelion, and pale agoseris were the primary forbs used.

The food habits in the Douglas-fir Zone were characterised by a lower

percentage of grasses,. 68 percent. They were determined by 14 feeding

sites on which.bluegrass was the major item with 37 percent of the total

diet. This appeared to indicate a high preference as its percentage in

the vegetational composition was much lower. The increase in forbs was

primarily due to dandelion which increased to 15 percent of the total diet

and was considered to be a preferred item.

In the SpieUce-Fir Zone the grasses still dominated the cattle diet

with 71 percent as determined by 20 feeding sites. The primary items were

bluegrasses, timothy, and sedges which were used approximately in relation

. to their abundance in the vegetational composition; no special preferences

were indicated. The two primary forbs were dandelion and clover with

clover showing the highest preference.

The food habits, as determined, indicated that these cattle had a

distinct preference for specific food items and did not graze indiscrimi­

nately. A review of the literature did not reveal any previous studies ©n

cattle food habits which were considered similar to the present study. . 43 - .

■" Sheep

.Sheep food habits were determined by feeding site examinations„ In

1963 it was noted that the plants used by sheep were related t® the length

of time they were on a feeding area.'.) 'The first time the sheep grazed a

certain site they utilized specific'.plant species which appeared to be

preferred when related to the vegetational composition of the site. Ihen

they regrazed a site several times the diet progressively changed to

different plant species which were considered to be less preferred. Feed- • - .1 ” ing site examinations were classified as to whether the sheep were on the

site for the first, second, third.or -more times (Table IX). McMahan (1964)

presented data on sheep which were, utilizing pastures grazed to four

different degrees. His findings appear to agree with these changes in the

plants used.

Considering 1963 and 1964, food habits ,for the summer period (July 10

- Aug 21) were determined by examination of"28 sheep feeding sites. A

total of 6,550 instances of plant use indicated the major portion

(70 percent) of the over-all utilization was forbs. Pale agoseris was the

most significant species along with lupine and hawkweed (Hieracium spp.).

The specific forb species used changed to some degree over the period due

to the disappearance of early species and development of later species,

however, the change was not considered significant. The remainder of the

diet was primarily grasses and grass-like plants with sedges the most

important single item. . Browse was minor for.the entire period. •= 44 “

TABLE IXo SHEEP FOOD HABITS AS DETERMINED FROM EXAMINATION OF 28 FEEDING SITES DURING 1963 AND 1964-

Sheep ©n Sheep ©n Sheep on Number of .'Sterner site for site for site 3 or Taxa;I/ instances (28 sites) 1st time 2nd time more times of use (11 sites) (-8 sites) (9 s$tes)

Agropyron spp, 109 2/ 25^/ Tr/ 182/ 5/ 25 l / ? 3 Bromus spp. 249 4/ 37 Tr/ 27 8/ 37 5/ 44 Danthonia spp. 214 4/ 70 2 / 4 5 4/ 75 6/ S9 Festuca scabrella 53 I/ 19 Tr/. 9 3/ 25 Tr/ 22 Koeleria crlstata 25 Tr/ 26 Tr/ 18 Tr/ 37 I/ 22 Phleum spp. 122 2/ 38 2/ 45 I/ 25 2/ 44 Poa spp. 76 I/ 34 ■ I/ 18 2/ 50. I/ 33 Stipa spp. 68 I/ 30 Tr/ 9 I/ 37 2/ 44 Unidentified grasses 49 I/ 63 I/ 82 I/ 63 I/ 44 Carex spp. 793 12/100 3/100 5/100 29/100 TOTAL GRASS AND GRASS-LIKE I. 741 29/100 10/100 30/100 47/100

Achillea millifolium 131 2/ 55 I/ 36 2/ 75 2/ 55 Agoseris glauca I. 045 14/ 85 27/100 11/100 5/ 55 Allium spp. 15 I/ 9 m cm = CO Tr/ 3 Antennaria parvifolia. 38 Tr/ 15 CO C=D Tr/ 12 I/ 33 Arenaria -capillaris 37 Tr/ 18 Tr/ 9 I/ 12 Tr/ 33 ■Arnica spp. 155 2/ 28 2/ 27 Tr/ 25 3/ 33 Astragalus spp. 20 Tr/ 13 Tr/ 18 cm = I/ 22 Gerastium arvense 44 I/ 15 *=> - „ = I/ 12 I/ 33 Cirsium spp. 19 , Tr/ 18 Tr/ 18 Tr/ 12 I/ 22 Dodecatheon conjjugens 23 Tr/ 4 = == I / 12 == = Erigeron spp. 294 3/ 14 8/ 18 I/ 25 = == Eriogonum spp. 87 I/ 17 Tr/ 27 4/ 12 I/ 11 Fragaria virginiana 93 I/ 23 2/ 36 <£=. == 2/ 33 Galium trifidum 53 I/ 45 I/ 27 I/ 63 I/ 44 Gentiana calycosa 80 I/ 11 I/ 9 3/ 25 CS cm Geranium ylseossissimum 28 I/ 35 Tr/ 36 3/ 25 I/ 44 Hieraeium eynoglossoides 334 5/ 93 10/ 4 5 5/ 50 Tr/ 33 Lupinus spp, 395 7/ 61 I/ 54 4/ 75 17/ 55 Gnaphalium spp. 58 I/ 26 I/ 18 I/ 50 Tr/ 11 Mertensia alpina 26 Tr/ 4 = = I/ 12 = .Microseris.spp. 37 I/ 17 I/ 27 I/ 25 = *= Ozmorhiga spp. 39 I/ 4 =» C= 2/ 12 = == Pedieularis spp. 94 2/ 22 Tr/ 18 5/ 25 Tr/ 22 - 45 -

TABLE IX. GOKTIWUED.

Sheep on Sheep on Sheep on Number of Summer site for site for site 3 or Taxa^/ instances (28 sites) 1st time 2nd time more times of use (11 sites) (8 sites) (9 sites)

Penstemon procerus .228 3/ 61 2/ 63 5/ 88 3/ 33 Potentilla spp, 283 4/ 58 5/ 82 3/ 37 3/ 55 Senicio spp. 91 V 15 Tr/ 9 3/ 2$ Tr/ 11 Silene acaulis 108 2/ 18 2/ 18 4/ 37 _ BD =™ Taraxacum spp. 220 2/ 55 6/ 73 I/ 37 I/ 55 Trifolium spp. 59 I/ 14 2/ 18 Tr/ 12 I/ 11 Unidentified forbs 550 8/ 86 12/ 82 7/100 1 4/ 78 TOTAL. FCHBS . 4,752 70/100 89/100 70/100 52/100

Vaccinium spp. 55 I/ 10 I/ 18 * «_ 1/ ii TOTAL BROWSE 57 I/ 13 I/ 27 I/ U l/ Only those species are listed which constituted I percent in at least one category,

2/ Average of the aggregate percentages of use per site / Percent of sites on which item was used in relation to all sites in that category.

3/ Tr .indicates taxus constituted less than .5 percent in that category.

The first time that sheep occupied a park or feeding site (Table IX) the percentage of forbs' in the diet was much higher than the over-all average, forming 89 percent of the total. Apparently the plant species most preferred by the sheep were pale agoseris, hawkweed, and daisy

(Erigeron spp.) with dandelion and cinquefoil rating highly. Grass use was minor and no species was considered to be especially preferred.

The second time that an area was grazed by sheep, forbs continued to be the major portion of the diet with 70 percent of the use. The primary - 46 - species were still pale agoseris5 and hawkweeds howevers eriogonran

(Eriogonnm Spp0)5 lupine# lousewort (Pedicularis spp0)5 penstemon

(Penstemon spp0)^ and silene (Silene acaulis) became significant. Grasses, of which mountain brome (Bromus marginatus) was the most significant, con­ stituted 30 percent of the total diet„ Browse use did not appear in the feeding sites0

When sheep had grazed over a site three or more times, examinations indicated an increased importance of grasses and grass-like plants in the diet although forbs still constituted the majority with 52 percent„

Lupine was by far the most important forb after this degree of grazing«

Grasses and grass-dike plants were primarily represented by sedges which made up 29 percent of the total diet. Although sedges also formed a high percent of the vegetational composition some preference over grasses was indicated.

The plant species most preferred by sheep in summer were forbs. Only with a certain degree of "forced" grazing did grasses make up a signifi­ cant portion of the diet. Browse was apparently a minor item in the diet on this range. It appeared that a higher percentage of the diet might be constituted by browse on feeding sites within the forest types. One such site was examined, on which browse constituted 10 percent of the use.

Studies by Doran (1943), Tiegen (1949), and Smith and Inlander (1953) revealed similar findings with forbs constituting the largest portion of the summer diet in mountainous areas. The major difference between these - 47 - studies and the present study was in the use ©f browse which was found to form a major portion of the diet for the sheep in all three of the earlier studies.

) •! FORAGE UTILIZATION

Elk and Cattle

Concentrating on areas of possible elk and cattle conflict several methods were attempted to determine the amounts of forage used on various parts of the study area. For ease of discussion utilization was divided arbitrarily into light (0 - 3© percent), moderate (30 - 60 percent), and heavy (60 - 100 percent). The primary method was the use of agronomy cages of two types. One was a A Z 4 ft. square of welded heavy gauge steel wire

(Figure 12) while the other was slightly smaller and of a lighter gauge wire mesh. It was necessary to attach .each type securely to the ground to prevent the animals from tipping them over. The vegetation from four to five .96 sq. ft. sample areas both inside and outside the cage was clipped at ground level and weighed while green. At least one sample was taken on each side of the cage at distances of not less than two paces. The differ­ ence in weights between samples from inside and outside the cages expressed as percent was considered the degree of utilization.

Four exclosures, two to five acres in size, were present on the study area. Two were designed to allow elk to jump over the fence to feed while restricting cattle (Figure 13), thus allowing the separation of utiliza­ tion by each animal. The other two were total exclosures (Figure 14) with at least 9 ft, high wire fences which were used in determining over-all utilization. The degree of utilization was determined in the same manner used with the small agronomy cages except the outside samples were - 49 -

Figure 12. The Large Size Agronomy Cage in Place on a Bluegrass-Timothy Subtype Near Tizer Ranger Station.

Figure 13. "Jump-over" Exclosure in Bluegrass-Timothy Subtype Southwest of Tizer Ranger Station on the Tizer Cattle Allotment. - $0 -

Figure 14» "Total" Exclosure on Park at the Head of Prickly Pear Creek in the Spruce-Fir Zone=

Figure 15» "Heavy" Use by Cattle in Pasture #3, North Crow Cattle Allotment „ - 51 - restricted to ©ne side of the exelesure Ib an attempt to maintain the same site characteristics for the samples inside and outside„

Grazed plant transects and ocular estimates were used to supplement the data from the more quantitative methods„ The grazed plant method consisted of sampling 100 bunehgrass plants along a paced transect to determine the percent of the plants grazed. Estimation of the percent weight utilization was determined by use of tables (HSDAi, Forest Service,

1958)<, . Two types of ocular estimates were used, ocular estimate by plot and simple ocular estimate of the percent of utilization in a general area. The ocular estimate by plot consisted of estimating the percent utilization within ,96 sq, ft,'samples along.a paced transect, usually taking 10 or more samples per transect. The average of the percent use ' per transect was considered to be the percentage of utilization for the site, . To be most accurate with ocular estimate methods, the results were continually compared with those obtained by use of agronomy cages and exclosures to obtain a mental picture of the various degrees of grazing.

Tiger Cattle Allotment (Spruce-Fir and Douglas-fir Zones): The degree of utilization was determined by ten agronomy ca%es, two exclosures, and eight ocular estimates. In 1963 heavy utilization was common but mostly limited to some of the level, more mesic parks in the Spruce-Fir

Zone. After the cattle left the allotment in the fall, agronomy cages were placed on eight key grazing areas as determined by ocular estimates.

During the first week of July 1964, the vegetation in six of these cages 52 — ■ was clipped to determine spring elk use (Table X) „ The use was light to moderate with the vegetation far from being mature. While making these measurements„ it was determined that the ocular estimate methods were not valid to obtain the degree of spring elk use due to rapid regrowth of plants at this time. The cages were1 reset in.the same general areas and measured again after the cattle had been removed from the range in

September giving the over-all cattle arid elk use for the period. Several areas received heavy utilization, especially on forbs (Table X). These areas are the lower portions of Bullock Hill,, parks at the head of Prickly

Pear Creek, and parks southwest of Tizer Ranger Station in the Spruce-Fir

Zone. They compose a relatively small■portion of the Grass-Forb Park Type available to cattle and elk on this allotment but received most of the grazing pressure from both cattle.and.elk.

TABLE X. PERCENT FORAGE UTILIZATION IN 1964 ON KET AREAS OF THE TIZER CATTLE ALLOTMENT AS ..DETERMINED BI AGRONOMY CAGES

Elk Cattle & Elk Cage ^rea " (Use prior to July 8) (Use July 8 to Sept 14) No. grass forbs total grass forbs total

Foot of Bullock Hill 34 38 36 24 75 65 xSJ Foot of Bullock Hill ™ — — 39 70 52 3 Foot of Bullock Hill 44 -.55 49 46 78 64 4 ■Park SW-'-'Of -ranger station . 16 ' 40 34 87 87 87 5 Park SW of ranger station■ 10 :. 0. 8 79 61 75 6 Park SW of ranger station 47 40 42 34 62 51 7 Park at head.of Prickly Pear Creek 26 ■ : 8 13 54 73 67 Average percent use 29 ' 30 ■ . 30 . 52 72 66

I/ For #2 cage no determinations were made on elk; figures given under '!cattle and elk" represent the entire spring and summer period» — 53 ~

Tlie ^percent of total use for which each of the two species was responsible was determined by a "jump-over" exclosure located in the largest park southwest of the ranger station (Figure I). With the aid of an agronomy cage inside the exclosure, it was determined that 67 percent and 20 percent of the grasses and forbs respectively were used by cattle in the park and aero and 48 percent respectively were used by elk. This appeared to indicate that the majority of the use of grasses and forbs was due to cattle and elk, respectively, on this area.

Gn the other portions of the allotment, total use varied from moderate to light.

Worth Grow Cattle Allotment (Douglas-fir and Fescue-Wheatgrass Zones):

The degree of utilization was determined by eight ocular esimates, three grazed plant transects, and two exclosures in April and October of 1964, concentrating on elk winter and spring ranges.

Total spring and summer use, determined in October, generally was heavy in the drainage bottoms and decreased toward the ridgetops ;■, Often a lightly used band of vegetation was noted just below the crests with moderate use on the crests. Pasture #1 showed moderate use in Cold Springs

Gulch with mostly light use on the ridges and southern exposures.

Pasture #4 had heavy utilization over almost all of the accessible portions to include, the bottom of the Eagle Creek drainage. Eagle Basin, and the area north and west of the Eagle Ranger Station. Most of the remaining pasture showed moderate use. Pastures #5 and #6 followed the general use - 54 - pattern, over-all moderately utilized with heavy use in JLocal areas»

Pasture #2 was not used in 1964, however, estimates in 1963 indicated the same use pattern as for #5 and #6 in 1964. Pasture #3 had heavy utiliza­ tion on the majority of the parks, ■

Most of the use measured for the period was considered due to cattle with some spring elk use. In Longfellow Park (Douglas-fir Zone) the use of exclosures, one njump-overn and one "total", indicated elk use was'

9 percent and 33 percent of the grass and forbs respectively and cattle use was 51 percent of both.

Winter and early spring elk use, determined in April, was concentrated on the ridgetops and southern exposures southeast of Eagle Greek on parts of cattle pastures #1, #2, #4, and #5» Yearlong-, utilization which included elk spring and winter use as well as cattle use the previous spring and summer was estimated to be moderate to heavy on these areas which were limited in size.

South Grow Cattle Allotment (Douglas-fir and Fescue-Wheatgrass Zones):

The degree of utilization was determined by six agronomy cages, eleven ocular estimates, and ten grazed plant transects in April, May, and

October 1964, concentrating on elk winter and spring ranges.

Spring and summer use followed the same general pattern as for the

North Grow Allotment. Utilization was heavy in Slim Sam Gulch and at the base of Big Mountain decreasing with high elevations. Most cattle use on the upper portions of the mountain was light, but moderate in spots on the north and east sides.. One agronomy cage was placed on a bench high on the

west side of the mountain, heavily used in winter by elk, after the elk

had left the range in the spring. Utilization on this specific area

measured in October, showed*no-cattle use. The open ridges west of

Big Mountain showed the same general grazing patterns with moderate utili­

zation over the majority of. the area. Jenkins Gulch utilization also

followed the general pattern, heavy use in the bottom, light use in the

upper middle of the south ridge,, and light to moderate use on the ridge

crest, Two agronomy cages were placed near the crest of the ridgej data

from each revealed light utilization. The ridges ,surrounding Mudc^Zy Lake

Creek showed moderate use over most of the area, except for a piece of

private land which had very heavy cattle use. These ridges received heavy

elk use on green grass .'in t h e . spring, with the heaviest elk concentrations

on the private land. Gn the parks west of this area at the head of

Warner Creek, in the Douglas-fir Zone, use was measured by agronomy cages placed in early spring. Vegetation, which was clipped in June and clipped again in October, indicated spring elk use to be light and summer cattle use to be heavy.

Yearlong■ utilization including the.previous spring and summer elk and cattle use as well as elk. winter and spring use was determined in

April and May concentrating on winter and spring elk range on the ridge- tops and southern exposures. .Utilization on Big Mountain was heavy on the north, west, and east slopes especially on the ridges. The ridges west - 56 -

of Big Mountain also showed moderate to heavy use. The ridge south of

Jenkins Gulch had moderate use with heavy use in local areas«

Elk. and Sheep

The degree of forage utilization on the Wilson Greek Sheep Allotment

was determined by two methods „ The primary method was based on work by

Gassady (1941) using the before and after grazing principle„ It consisted

of clipping .96 sq. ft. samples distributed along a paced transect of .■

varied length across a representative portion of the park to be sampled.

Twenty samples were taken; ten just prior to the sheep arrival on the park

and ten along the same transect immediately following their departure„

Normally only a few days elapsed between sampling so regrowth was con­

sidered insignificant. Percent weight utilization was determined by com­

paring clipped weights before and. after use. Three agronomy cages were

also used to determine elk and sheep use on the allotment.

In 1963 eleven transects were run on the major sheep parks on the

allotment (Table XI)» Generally sheep utilization was moderate for the total forage and the grasses. Forbs were consistently used to a heavy degree» The pattern of grazing showed the heaviest use on the highest portion of the park available to sheep. This was especially true on the

Grazy Greek Parks, Airplane Park, and the Elk Parks where on the upper portions heavy grazing was noted for the total forage. These areas showed

signs of deterioration and were characterized by a high proportion of the vegetation .being species of f©rbs not preferred by sheep. - 57 -

TABLE XI. PERGEET FORAGE UTILIZATION BY WEIGHT OI WILSON GREEK SHEEP ALLOTMENT AS DETERMINED.BY CLIPPED. PLOTS ALONG ELEVEN TRANSECTS IN 1963......

Camp Unit Grass . Forbs Total

ieJ Crazy Creek (2)^ 45 66 56

C Lower Moose Greek (2) 45 68 57

D Dever Park (2) 9 78 44

F Elk Parks (2) 49 78 64

G Bullock Hill (2) 20 40 30

I Manley Park (l) 44 82 58

Average percent utilization 35 69 52 l/ Letter designations as used in Figure 11.

2/ Number following Camp Unit designation is the number of transects used in that area to determine utilization.

An agronomy cage placed on an area which received heavier than average use by sheep (the upper portion of Airplane Park) indicated spring elk use prior to the arrival of sheep to be. 16 percent and 49 percent of ,grasses and forbs respectively. In the same general locality, data from an agronomy cage indicated sheep use to be 76 percent and 75 percent, grasses and forbs respectively, of the remaining vegetation. , It was considered that this degree of elk utilization was probably representative of spring use on most sheep parks, There appeared to be no elk use on these parks during theep occupation or' after/their departure for the rest of summer. 1 . - 'v £ > nl.. 4 v

. RANGE RELATIONSHIPS

Evaluation of range relationships and the degree of competition between two groups of grazing animals apparently requires a quantitative comparison of range use habits, preferred forage, and the forage supply for each group. Cole (1958) enumerated four conditions which he considered necessary for competition between big',game and livestock. These were:

(I) that game and livestock use the same range areas, (2) that game and livestock use the same forage plants, (3) that the forage plants are an important source of forage for either game or livestock, and (4) that the forage plants are in limited supply or deteriorating in production as a result of combined use. The data.from the present study was evaluated in respect to these conditions to .estimate the degree ©f competition present,

As the optimum level of.utilization for various plant species on this range was not determined, the 60 percent (heavy use) level was chosen arbitrarily, above which it was considered that forage species would be in limited supply.’

Elk and Cattle

Areas of possible conflict between elk and cattle in the Spruce-Fir

Zone were the foot of Bullock Hill, parks southwest of Tizer Ranger

Station, and parks at the head of Prickly Pear Greek on the'Tizer Cattle

Allotment, These, areas were generally occupied by elk approximately from

May to November and by cattle from July to September. Utilization studies (Table X) revealed heavy forage use for the over-all spring and - 59 - summer grazing period. Total food habits data indicated a relatively low- degree of direct competition for forage, in that the majority of the cattle diet while on this vegetation zone was grasses (71 percent) while the majority of the elk diet was forbs (72 percent). Bluegrasses were the most important grass items in each diet, 23 percent and 7 percent for cattle and elk respectively, and two forb species (dandelion and clover) together formed a large portion of each diet, 15 percent and 33 percent for cattle and elk respectively. These similarities indicated a possible" conflict for these particular plant species. In the spring, prior to the arrival of cattle, the elk diet consisted of a higher proportion of grasses than in summer which is not apparent in Table VI for the ,Spruce-Fir Zone.

Since this use was made while grasses apparently still maintained an ade­ quate food supply stored in the roots, regrowth was possible and the actual influence on the yearly grass production was probably not signifi­ cant as shown by data from the "jump-over" exclosure. Apparently some interspecific competition on this allotment is possible5 however, it was not considered to be especially significant. It was believed that the two species actually complemented each other to a certain degree to obtain a more efficient range use.

Possibly some intraspecific cattle competition was.present. Although the average over-all use on grass was not heavy, two areas sampled had heavy use indicating-a possible conflict. The concentration of elk on these areas, as compared to some apparently similar sites not used by - 60 -

cattle, was possibly a result of the high proportion of forbs in the vege-

tational composition (Bluegrass-Timothy Subtype) probably due to the long

history of heavy cattle grazing. It appeared that little intraspecific elk

competition actually existed.

Range relationships in the Douglas-fir Zone, on the upper portions of

the Crow Greek Cattle Allotments, were considered to be somewhat similar to

those on the Spruce-Fir Zone. Tho areas which exhibited heavy spring and

summer utilization, where conflict could occur, were primarily on the parks

in Pastures #3, #4, and #5 on the North Grow Allotment, and on the parks

north of Muddy Lake Greek, in the head of Warner Greek, and at the head of

Slim Sam Greek on the South Grow. Allotment. Elk and cattle usually did

not use these areas simultaneously^ Elk use was primarily in April, May,

October, and November while cattle use was from June to October. As in the

Spruce-Fir Zone the total food habit data did not indicate direct competi­

tion for forage. Here the majority of the cattle diet was again grasses

(68 percent) and the majority of the elk diet was forbs (81 percent).

Bluegrasses were the most important grass items in the diets of each,

37 percent and 5 percent for cattle and elk respectively. Dandelion was more important in both diets than on the higher zone with 15 percent and

31 percent for cattle and elk respectively. There could be considerable

conflict for these specific plants, however, the over-all interspecific

competition in spring and summer was again considered not to be signifi- - cant. Due to inadequate food habit data the fall competition could not be . - 61 completely evaluated. It could be much higher than in the summer due to the increased percent of grass in the elk diet as indicated by rumen analyses data. On most of the heavily, used areas, especially in Pasture

#3 on the North Grow Allotment, intraspecific cattle competition definitely existed.

On the Fescue-Wheatgrass Zone somewhat different relationships were indicated by the data. This part of the range was used by cattle from

June to October while elk use was. approximately from December to May.

Food habits data indicated severe direct competition for forage could exist under certain conditions. Grasses formed the majority of the diets of each animal, 75 percent and 74 percent for cattle and elk respectively, and the same four grass species formed 6.8 percent and 48 percent respectively of each diet. There were a few areas used in common where heavy use was determined when examined in April. : These areas were limited- but indicated that some interspecific competition was present. It was believed that the effect is not serious at the present, time; however,' conditions which would increase cattle use on ridgetops and southern exposures considered to be elk winter range would increase interspecific competition to a significant degree, especially on the South Grow Allotment where the majority of the elk herd winters.

Utilization data indicated that most drainage bottoms in the two

Cattle Allotments were used to a heavy degree. The intraspecific cattle competition was considered.significant on these areas. The bottoms, - 62 -

however, were apparently not of great importance to the elk.

Intraspecific elk competition was not considered to he serious on the

winter range during the study period. Nb areas utilized by elk exhibited

recent range deterioration although some were heavily used. These winter­

ing areas were considered to be the critical portion of the year long

elk range. Since the part of the range used by elk in winter and early

spring is limited any increase in the herd size could effect the range

conditions and increase intraspecific elk competition.

. Elk and Sheep ■

The possibility for elk and sheep competition was limited to parks in the Spruce-Fir Zone along the sheep grazing route. The heavy use of forage ■ **. . - on the upper parts of the Crazy Creek Parks, Airplane Park, and the

Elk Parks indicated a possible conflict. These areas were used primarily by elk from Hay to July. .Elk were also known to be in the general vicinity throughout the summer and fall, but no elk were observed on the parks after the arrival on and use of the parks by sheep. Sheep used the parks in July

and August (Table V). Rouse (1957) had observed elk and sheep grazing the

same areas, although not at the same t ime.. Food habits data indicated

important similarities in the diets when the; "summer'' use by sheep was

compared with the "Spruce-Fir Zone" use by elk (Tables VI and IX). Forbs

formed the major portion of each diet, 70 percent and 72 percent for sheep and elk respectively. Pale agoseris was the primary species used in common forming 14 percent and 9 percent of the diet for sheep and elk respectively. = 63 =

The specific ferbs used would probably be even mere similar if the elk diet was determined only for Fescue-Sedge Subtype which compose most of the areas grazed by sheep. The major grasS=Iike items used in common were sedges with 12 percent and .5 percent for sheep and elk respectively.

Generally the same similarities in diets were noted by Piekford and Eeid

(1943).

The data indicated that, a 'severe degree of interspecific competition was possible between elk and sheep. The competition presents however5 was difficult to evaluate but did not appear to be excessive. The actual period when the elk were on the parks used by sheep and on the specific diet similar to the summer sheep diet appeared to be relatively short.

Much of the time they were on these parks their diet was composed primarily of grasses# the "spring diet"# which was extended later on the high alti­ tude ranges. On a feeding site examination# June 12# the major portion of the elk diet was grasses. The period of major elk conflict with sheep was probably only from the middle of June through July. The reasons for no observed elk use on the sheep parks after sheep utilization were net clear. It is possible that the sheep use# which took a major portion of the preferred elk forage# directly influenced this non-use by elk. It is more probable that the elk would move off these areas regardless of sheep use toward the end of July in favor of more lush vegetation in the smaller parks. This movement could also be hastened by sheep use increasing the rate of desiccation of vegetation by trampling on the mere heavily used — 64 ™ parks. These possibilities were also considered by Kirsch (1962),

A considerable degree of intraspecific sheep competition was con­ sidered to exist on some of the more heavily used parks during the study period. The degree of conflict was not constant and could be controlled by proper management. This may be accomplished by proper herding and scheduling of movements to protect the range from overuse and further deterioration.

j - 6 5 -

APPENDIX LITERATURE CITED

Booth, W. E. 1950. Flora of Montana, Part I, Conifers and Monocots. Research Foundation at Montana State College, Bozeman, Montana. 232 pp.

______and J. C. Wright. 1959. Flora of Montana, Part II, Dicotyledons. Montana State College, Bozeman, Montana. 280 pp.

Cassady, J. T. 1941. A method of determining range forage utilization by sheep. " J V Forestry 39(8): 667-671.

Cole,. 0. F. 1956. The pronghorn antelope - Its range use and food habits in Central Montana with special reference to alfalfa, Mont. Fish and Game Dept, and Mont. Agr. Expt. Sta. Tech Bull. 516. 63 pp.

1958. Big game-livestock competition on Montana's mountain rangelands, Mont. Wildl. April : 24-30.

______1963. Jackson Hole cooperative elk studies. National Park Service Progress Report 1962-1963. Unpubl. Multilith. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. 64 pp.

Cooney, R. F. 1941. Elk Planting (proposed). Unpubl. report. Typewritten Montana Fish and Game Bept., Helena. 2 pp.

Daubenmire, R. F. 1943. Vegetational zonation in the Rocky Mountains. . Botanical Review 9(6): 325-393.

1959. A canopy-coverage method of vegetational analysis. Northwest Science 33(1): 43-64.

Doran, C. W. 1943. Activities and grazing habits of sheep on summer ranges. J. Forestry 41 : 253-258.

Hormay, A. L. and M. W. Talbot. 1961. Rest-rotation grazing - A new management system for perennial bunchgrass ranges. USDA, Forest Service, Production Res. Rept. 51. 43 PP*

Kirsch, J. B. 1962. Range use, relationships to logging, and food habits of the elk in the Little Belt Mountains, Montana. Unpubl. thesis ■ (M.S.) Montana State College, Bozeman. 44 pp.

Klepper, M. R., R. A. Weeks and E. T. Ruppel. 1957• Geology of the Southern Elkhorn Mountains Jefferson and Broadwater Counties, Montana. U. S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 292. 82 pp. - 67 -

Knight, R. H, 1962» Elk population trends, food habits and range rela­ tionships in the Sun liver Area. P. I; Completion Report, Project W-98-R-2. Mont. Fish and Game Dept. Multilith. 13 pp.

Khowlton, F. F. 1959. Food habits, movements and population structure of moose in the Gravelly Mountains, Montana. Unpubl. thesis (M.S.) Montana State College, Bozeman. 27 pp.

Mackie, R. J. 1962. Deer, elk, and cattle food habits and range rela­ tionships in the Missouri Breaks area. P. R. Completion Report, Project W-9S-R-2. Mont. Fish and Game'Dept. Multilith. 53 pp.

Martin, A. C., R. H. Gensch and C. P. Brown. 1946: Alternative'methods in upland game bird food analysis. J. Wildl. Mgmt. 10(1): 8-12. •r' McMahan, C. A. 1964. Comparative food habits of deer and three classes of livestock. 3. Wildl. Mgmt. 28(4): 798-808.

Morris, J. J. 1943- Botanical analysis of stomach contents as a method of determining forage consumption of range sheep. Eeol. 24(2): 244-251.

Pickford,' G. D. and E. H. Reid. 1943. Competition of elk and domestic livestock for summer range forage. J. Wildl. Mgmt. 7(3): 328-332.

Picton, H. D. I960. Migration patterns of the Sun River elk herd, Montana. J. Wildl. Mgmt. 24(3): 279-290.

Rouse, R. A. 1957. Elk food habits, range use and movements. Gravelly Mountains, Montana. Unpubl. thesis (M.S.), Montana State College. 29 p p .

,Rumely, J. H. 1964. Personal communication. Associate Professor of Botany, Montana State College, Bozeman.

Sandvig, E. D. 1926, Period study. Crow Creek Range Division. USDA, Forest Service, Helena, Montana. Typewritten. 8 pp.

Smith, J. G. and 0. Julander. 1953. Deer and sheep competition in Utah. J. Wildl. Mgmt. 17(2): 101-112.

Stone, R. W. 1910. Geologic relation of ore deposits in the Elkhorn Mountains. U. S. Geol, Surv. Bull, 470: 75-98.

Tiegen, M. L. 1949- Forage preference of range sheep. Unpubl. thesis (M.S.) Montana State College, Bozeman. 44 pp. USDAj, Forest Service. 1939. Annual Wildlife report. Townsend District, Helena National Forest, Montana. Unpubl. Typewritten.

1958. Forest Service- Handbook, Title 2200 - Range Management (amended 1962). Multilith.

I960. The Grow Greek..cattle range, Helena National Forest, Montana. Townsend District, Helena National Forest. Mimeo. 10 pp.

U. S. Dept, of Commerce. 1963. Climatological data, Montana. Weather Bureau. Vol 66: 262-276.

West, R. M. 1941 - Elk' of the northern Rocky Mountain region. Field notes on wildlife, northern region, U. S. Forest Service, Regional Office, Missoula, Montana. Vbl 11(9): 1-32. MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

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