Summer range habits of the pronghorn antelope in central Montana with special reference to proposed
sagebrush control study plots
by Harold James Wentland
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 Harold James Wentland (1968)
Abstract:
A study of the range use, food habits and home range of the pronghorn antelope was conducted during
the summers of 1966 and 1967 on an 83,597 acre area in central Montana which included four study
plots on which sagebrush will be eradicated at a later date. The purpose of my study was to record data
prior to sagebrush eradication on the study plots. These data will be available for comparison with
those collected after the control of sagebrush.
The physiography of the area was described. The vegetation was classified into eight types as follows;
Sagebrush-grassland, grassland, grease-wood, greasewood-sagebrush, shale slope, cropland, abandoned
meadow and timber. Canopy coverage and frequency of occurrence was recorded for low growing
vegetation. This provided data for quantitative descriptions of the first five types listed.
Population characteristics were determined by classification of 4,029 ground observations and 1,559
aerial observations of individual antelope by sex and age classes. Data from ground counts indicated
262 females per 100 males and 84 fawns per 100 females in 1966 and 190 and 71, respectively, in
1967. Data from aerial counts indicated 241 females per 100 males and 57 fawns per 100 females in
1967, Highest fawn-female ratios obtained during ground counts occurred in early August, 1966 and
late July, 1967.
A total of 5,874 individual antelope observations were recorded by vegetation type. These data
indicated declining use of the sagebrush-grassland vegetation type and a corresponding increase in use
of the shale slope, greasewood, greasewood-sagebrush and cropland vegetation types combined, as the
summer progressed in both 1966 and 1967. Despite this trend the sagebrush-grassland vegetation type
received 50 percent or more of the total use both summers. The density of big sagebrush was recorded
at 2,980 individual antelope observation sites in the sagebrush-grassland vegetation type. Both years at
least 90 percent of these antelope were observed on areas where densities of big sagebrush were
estimated to be scattered or common.
Antelope food habits data were obtained primarily by examination of 62 feeding sites and
supplemented, in 1967, by analysis of the contents of 12 rumen samples. Forbs comprised 86 and 97
percent, shrubs 14 and 3 percent, and grasses a trace, of the total use at feeding sites in 1966 and 1967,
respectively. In 1967 these forage classes averaged 85, 14 and 2 percent, respectively, of the total
identifiable material in 12 rumen samples. Five forbs constituted 62 percent or more of the total use at
feeding sites both years and averaged 35 percent of identifiable material in rumen samples. These
included fringed sagewort (Artemisia, frigida), long-leaf sagebrush /Artemssia longif'olia), three-leafed
milkvetch (Astragalus gilviflorus), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and sweetclover, (Melilotus officinalis).
The latter four were the only plant species present in the antelope diet in significantly higher
proportions than in the plant community. Four Artemisia species together constituted 28 and 14 percent
of the total use at feeding sites in 1966 and 1967, respectively, and averaged 10 percent by volume of
identifiable material in rumen samples.
Characteristics of summer home ranges were determined by successive observations of 19 individually
recognizable antelope. Territorial males moved the shortest distances between successive observations
and had the smallest home ranges. Males associated with male herds moved the greatest distances
between successive observations and had the largest home ranges. Females associated with other
females and fawns or with females, fawns and a single male were intermediate with respect to these
measurements. Females moved 59 percent further between successive observations when not
accompanied by a territorial male. The average size of home ranges of territorial males was 121 percent
larger on the sagebrush-grassland vegetation type than on the greasewood vegetation type. Qk
O-
S U M M E R RA N G E H A B I T S O F T H E P R O N G H O R N A N T E L O P E IN C E N T R A L M O N T A N A
W I T H S P E C I A L R E F E R E N C E T O P R O P O S E D S A G E B R U S H C O N T R O L S T U D Y PLOTS
by
H A R O L D JA ME S W E N T L A N D
A t h e s i s s u b m i t t e d to the G r a d u a t e F a c u l t y in partial
f u l f i l l m e n t o f the r e q u i r e m e n t s for th e d e g r e e
of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
■
in
Fish a n d W i l d l i f e M a n a g e m e n t
A p p r ove d:
H e df& C M a j o r D,Ap&rtment
G r a d u a t e De an
M O N T A N A S T A T E ,UNIVERSITY
Bo z e m a n , M o n t a n a
Ma r c h , 1 968
iii
\
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
?
To the following, among others, I wish to express sincere appreci­
ation for their contributions to this st u d y :
Dr. Don C.\ Quimby, Montana
State University, for technical supervision and guidance in preparation
of the manuscript; Dr. Richard J. M a c k i e , formerly with the Montana Fish
and Game Department, for initial project planning; Dr. W. -E. Booth,
Montana State University, for verification of plant specimens; Mr. Steve
Bayless and Mr. Duane P y r a h , Montana Department of Fish and Game, for ad­
vice and field assistance; Dr. Robert L. Eng and Dr. Richard J. Graham,
Montana State University, for critical reading of the manuscript; Mr.
Thomas Mussehl and Mr. Kenneth Greer of the Montana Department of Fish
and Game for assistance in various phases of the project; and to my wife,
Dolores, for patience, encouragement,.and assistance.
During the study, •
the writer was supported by the Montana State Department of Fish and Game
under Federal Aid Project No. W-105-R-^l, No. W-105-R-2, 'and No. W-1Q5-R-3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page.
VITA
ii
A C K N O W L E D G M E N T . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S .. .■_ _ _ . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
iii
.. .•_ _ _ ■_ _ _ ■... . iv
L I S T -O F' TAB LE S. . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . / . . , . . . . . L I S T O F FIGURES.,..
v '
vii
ABSTRACT
.•viii
INTR ODU CT IO N.. ..................
I
D E S C R I P T I O N OF- T H E ST U D Y AREA...
3
VEGETATION..'.,....,...............
6
S a g e b r u s h - G r a s s l a n d V e g e t a t i o n Type...........................
G r a s s l a n d V e g e t a t i o n T y p e . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Greasewood Vegetation T y p e . . . . . . . - - - Greasewood-Sagebrush Vegetation-Type.
S h a l e Slope, V e g e t a t i o n T y p e _ _ _ i..-.
O t h e r Vege tat i oh T y p e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PRONGHORN ANTELOPE POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS,.. , . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . -
IO
10
14
14
14
16
20
USE OF V E G E T A T I O N T Y P E S . ; . . - . , . . - . . . . - . , . : . - . , . . - . , , . - . 23S U M M E R FOOD H
A
B
I
T
S
.
.
.
S U M M E R H O M E RANGES....,..-.,
e e e •
APPENDIX.
LITERATURE CI T E D .
.
.
'
.
.
.
.
.
-
-
.
,
.
.
.
©’ o e.
, 27
38 '
...-. .4
40
.
64
,
V
LIST OF TABLES
Tabl e
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Pa ge
CONSTANCY, CANOPY COVERAGE AND FREQUENCY OF TAXA FOR FIVE
VEGETATION TYPES AS DETERMINED BY -EXAMINATION OF 2 X 5
DECIMETER P L O T S .... .
... .-. . . .............. . .-. . . .-. ......
BIG SAGEBRUSH CHARACTERISTICS ON THE DIFFERENT PROPOSED
TREATMENT SITES ON EACH OF THE SAGEBRUSH CONTROL' STUDY
PLOTS AS DETERMINED BY MEASUREMENTS ALONG IOO-FOOT LINE
TRANSECTS..... •....•___ •___ •. ... .-___ •....■___ ■___ _ . . _____ •.....
19
SEX AND AGE CLASSES OF ANTELOPE ON THE STUDY AREA AS
DETERMINED DURING FIVE AERIAL COUNTS IN THE SUMMER OF
1 9 6 7 ..... ............. .......................... ..
• 21
SEX AND AGE CLASSES OF ANTELOPE ON THE STUDY AREA AS
DETERMINED DURING GROUND COUNTS, 1966-1967___•____ ■___ ....... ■ 22
V.
PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF 5,874 OBSERVATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL
ANTELOPE BY ONE-HALF MONTH INTERVALS ON SIX VEGETATION
x'
TYPES DURING THE SUMMERS OF 1966 AND 1 9 6 7 ___ ■___ •___ 24
VI.
PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF 2,980 INDIVIDUAL ANTELOPE
OBSERVATIONS BY FOUR SAGEBRUSH DENSITY CATAGORIES DURING
/
THE SUMMERS OF 1966 AND 1967 .... ...........■___ ............ L..
26
SUMMER FOOD HABITS OF ANTELOPE BY MONTH AND YEAR AS
DETERMINED FROM 9, 1 1 1 INSTANCES OF USE.ON 62 FEEDING SITES
IN THE SUMMERS OF 19 66 AND 1967. .Y .............
28 /
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
—
^
/
/
L
SUMMER FOOD HABITS OF ANTELOPE BY VEGETATION TYPE AS
DETERMINED FROM 9 , 1 1 1 INSTANCES OF-USE ON 62 FEEDING
(
SITES IN THE SUMMERS OF 1 9 6 6 AND 1967.............. ■___ ■___
FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE AND VOLUME PERCENTAGES OF PLANT
TAXA AND FORAGE CLASSES AMONG 12 RUMEN SAMPLES COLLECTED
IN OCTOBER, 1 9 6 6 AND 13 RUMEN SAMPLES COLLECTED OVER A FIVE
MONTH PERIOD IN SUMMER, 1967. ... .■. . . . . . ■_ _ _ •_ _ _ •_ _ _ ■....■- - - CHARACTERISTICS OF HOME RANGES OF ANTELOPE AS DETERMINED
BY SUCCESSIVE OBSERVATIONS OF EACH OF 10 BANDED AND 9
OTHERWISE RECOGNIZABLE INDIVIDUALS... ------ '........ ■--- ....
34
Z
• .V 39
XI.
MONTHLY CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA FROM THE UNITED STATES
—
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WEATHER STATION AT FLATWILLOW
ON THE EAST EDGE OF THE STUDY AREA.... ... .................4. - 42
'
a
/
vi
L I S T OF-,TABLES (Continued)
Table
XII.
Pa ge
• TAXA WITH LESS THAN I PERCENT CANOPY•COVERAGE OR 5
PERCENT FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE ON VEGETATION TYPES ■.
AS DETERMINED BY EXAMINATION OF 2 -X 5 DECIMETER P L O
XIII.
S
43
CONSTANCY, CANOPY COVERAGE AND -FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
OF TAXA ON THE'DIFFERENT PROPOSED TREATMENT SITES ON
THE-WINNETT SAGEBRUSH CONTROL STUDY PLOT. . . . .... . . .'. ...... .
46
CONSTANCY, CANOPY COVERAGE,'AND FREQUENCY OF.OCCURRENCE OF
TAXA ON THE DIFFERENT PROPOSED TREATMENT SITES ON THE KING
SAGEBRUSH CONTROL STUDY PL O T . ___ -___ .. ..>. .... . . . .
49
CONSTANCY,-CANOPY COVERAGE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE OF.
. TAXA-ON THE DIFFERENT PROPOSED TREATMENT SITES ON THE
SIBBERT .SAGEBRUSH CONTROL STUDY .PLOT.... . . . . . . . . . .-. . . .-. . . .-
53
XIV..
XV.
T
XVI..
XVII.
XVIII.
CONSTANCY, CANOPY COVERAGE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE. OF
TAXA ON THE DIFFERENT PROPOSED TREATMENT SITES ON THE
IVERSON SAGEBRUSH ■CONTROL STUDY,P L O T ...............___ 55
PERCENTAGE ,DISTRIBUTION OF OBSERVATIONS OF-INDIVIDUAL
ANTELOPE IN .EACH OF FIVE GROUP TYPES BY VEGETATION TYPE , z"
DURING THE SUMMERS OF 1966 AND .1967.-. .......... ■___ '___ _ .1.
57
PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF 5,874 OBSERVATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL
ANTELOPE BY SEX AND AGE ON SIX VEGETATION TYPES DURING THE
SUMMERS OF 1966 AND 1967 .... ____________ _ .. .... _____ •___ •
59
XIX. ■ NUMBERS OF INDIVIDUAL ANTELOPE OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING
10 GROUND AND 5 AERIAL COUNTS FROM JUNE 16 TO SEPTEMBER 15,
1967, LISTED BY SQUARE MILES......___ ■........ ■___ 60
XX.■
NUMBERS OF INDIVIDUAL ANTELOPE OBSERVATIONS MADE ON THE ■
DIFFERENT PROPOSED TREATMENT -.SITES OF EACH OF THE" SAGEBRUSH
CONTROL STUDY PLOTS DURING 10 GROUND -AND 5 AERIAL COUNTS IN
THE SUMMER OE 1967. .'___ ... .-.. . .-_____ •___ ■___ ■___ '____■___ ___
62
vii
L I S T OF F I GU RES
Figure
1. •
Page
The study area showing the sagebrush control study plots
and vegetation types a
y. .
.■
4
2.
Sagebrush-grassland vegetation type, sagebrush aspect rare; ..... .......... . .
.
. ............... ............... > 11
3.
Sagebrush-grassland vegetation type, sagebrush aspect s
c
a
t
t
e
r
e
d
.
........
4.
5.
■
11
Sagebrush-grassland vegetation type, sagebrush aspect common.... ................... .................................■
12,
Sagebrush-grassland vegetation type,, sagebrush aspect d e n s e .... ....................................... ..............
12
6.
Grassland vegetation type. .. . - . . . . . . .
.-.
...-.
7.
Greasewood vegetation type...
.......■
13
8.
Greasewood-sagebrush vegetation type........................ ■
15
9.
Shale slope vegetation type......... . .... ....... .
15
10.
Cropland (alfalfa) vegetation type........
11.
Abandoned meadow vegetation t y p e . ...
12.
Timber vegetation t y p e .... 18
‘ ’
S‘A x•
Study area showing land ownership..... ................. . .. .
13. ■
14.
..... ...
13
...'.
......... . . .........
Grid map of study area for use with Tables XIX and XX in
showing locations of antelope observations.........
17
17
41
‘ 63
viii
ABSTRACT
A study o f ■the range.use, food habits and home range of the prongr
horn antelope was. conducted during the summers of 1966 and 1967 on an
83,597 acre.area in central Montana which included .four,study plots on
which sagebrush will be ,eradicated at a later date: The purpose of m y
study was to record data prior to .sagebrush eradication on the study plots'.
These data will be available for comparison with those collected after the
control of sagebrush.
The physiography of the area w a s .described. ' The vegetation was clas­
sified into eight types as follows; S a g e brush-grasslandgrassland, greasewood; greasewood-sagebrush,shale slope, cropland, abandoned meadow and
timber.
Canopy coverage and frequency of occurrence was recorded for low
growing vegetation.
This provided data for quantitative descriptions.of
the first five types listed.
Population.characteristics were determined by classification of 4,029
ground observations and 1,559 aerial observations of individual antelope
by sex and age classes. " Data from ground counts indicated 262 females per
100 males and 84 fawns per 100 females in 1966 and 190 and 71, respective- .
I y , in 1967.
Data from aerial counts indicated 241 females per 100 males
and 57 fawns per 100 females in 1967.
Highest fawn-female .ratios obtained
during ground counts,occurred in early August, 1966 and late J u l y , 1967.
A total of 5,874 individual antelope observations were recorded"by.
vegetation type. ■ These data indicated declining use of the sagebrush-,
grassland vegetation t y p e .and a.corresponding increase in use of .the shale
slope, greasewood, greasewood-sagebrush and cropland vegetation types com­
bined, as the summer progressed in both 1966 and 1967. . Despite this trend
the sagebrush-grassland vegetation type,received.50 percent or more of the
total u s e ■b o t h ,summers. . The density of.big sagebrush.was recorded at 2,980
individual antelope observation sites in.the sagebrushrgrassland vegetation
type.
Both years at least 90 percent of these antelope were observed on
areas where densities of big sagebrush were .estimated to be scattered o r .
common.
Antelope food habits data were obtained primarily by examination of
62 feeding sites and supplemented, ,in 1967, by analysis of the contents ■
of 12 rumen samples. Forbs comprised 86 and 97 percent,.shrubs 14 and
3 percent, and grasses a trace, of the total use at feeding sites in 1966
and 1967, respectively.
In 1967 these forage classes averaged 85, 14 and
2 percent, respectively, of the total identifiable material in 12 rumen.
samples. ■ Five forbs. constituted 62 percent or more of the total use at
feeding sites both years and averaged 35 percent of identifiable material
in rumen samples.
These included fringed sagewort (Artemssia, frigida),
long-leaf sagebrush ,,(ArtemBsia Zongifolio), three-leafed milkvetch {Astra­
galus gilviftorus), alfalfa {Medicago sativa) and sweetclover ,QdeZiZotus '
offioinaZis), The latter four.were the only plant species present in the
ix
antelope diet in significantly higher proportions than in the plant com­
munity.
F o u r .Avtemisi-Ci species together constituted 28 and 14 percent
of the total use at feeding sites in 1966 and 1967, respectively, and
averaged ID percent by volume of identifiable material in rumen samples..
Characteristics of summer home ranges were determined by successive
observations of 19 individually recognizable antelope.
Territorial males
moved the shortest distances between successive observations'and had the
smallest home ranges. " Males associated with male herds moved the great­
est distances between successive observations and had the largest home
ranges.
Females associated, with other females and fawns or with females,
fawns and a single male were intermediate with respect to these measure­
ments.
Females moved 5 9 .percent further between successive observations ■
when not accompanied by a territorial male.
The average size of home,
ranges of territorial males was 121 percent larger on t h e ■sagebrushgrassland vegetation type than on the greasewood vegetation type.
INTRODUCTION
In recent years there has been an increasing trend toward sagebrush
(Artemssia
forbs
spp.) eradication, and the consequent reduction of associated
(Martin 1965), to increase the volume of grasses for livestock on
public and private rangelands.
These changes in floral composition have
caused much concern among wildlife biologists in Montana with respect to
the possible effects on various non-game and game species.
To study the
short and long range effects on wildlife of ecological changes resulting
from sagebrush eradication, a 10-year project was initiated in 1965 by
the Montana Fish and Game Department, in cooperation with the Bureau of
Land Management, in Central Montana.
The current study is a part of that
proj e c t .
The predominant role of sagebrush-grassland vegetation in.the general
ecology of the pronghorn antelope
(Anti-Zooapra ameviaana)
been elucidated by Cole (1956) and Cole.and Wilkins
in Montana has
(1958).
Quantitative
data concerning the effects of sagebrush eradication on the pronghorn are
lacking.
Insight about possible effects may be gained by reference to
studies of both pronghorn food and range use habits
1952; Cole,
op ci-t.;
Cole and Wilkins,
op ait.;
(Ferrel and Leach
and Dirschl 1963) and
the effects of sagebrush eradication on associated vegetation (Hurd 1955;
B l a i s d e l l .and Mueggler 1956; and Hedrick
et at.
1966).
Results of these
studies strongly suggest that the ecological changes in floral composition
resulting from sagebrush eradication would produce results incompatible
with pronghorn food and range use habits.
—
2
■—
-
My study was conducted during the summers of 1966 and 1967 in cen­
tral Montana to obtain quantitative data on range use, food habits and
behavior of the pronghorn antelope in summer on and-adjacent to sagebrush
control study plots prior to.the control of sagebrush.
These quantita­
tive data will be available for comparison with those collected after the
control of sagebrush on the study plots.
DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA
The- study area, with boundaries as sh o w n .on Figure I and located ap­
proximately 50 miles east of Lewistown in central Montana, comprised about 83,597 acres including four sagebrush control study plots.
Private
lands constituted 57.9 percent of the area and public lands, which are
administered by the Bureau of Land Management or the State of Montana,.
42.1 percent
(Appendix, Figure 13).
Rangeland predominates.
Croplands,
restricted largely to bottoms, comprised 2 percent of the total.
Alfalfa was the principal crop but some wheat was also grown. .
The physiography is characterized by undulating and sharply rolling
upland plains, gravel capped benches,
eker 1938).
shale slopes and bottomlands
(Gies-
The latter two occur where erosion has dissected the upland
p l a i n s . . McDonald, Elk, Spring, Yellow W a t e r , and Pike Creeks flow through
the area.
Yellow Water Storage Reservoir and numerous small stock ponds
are also located here.
The soils have developed over cretaceous shales of the Colorado for­
mation (Andrews
et dl.
shaly clay loams.
1944).
Upland soils range from heavy clays to
Shale slopes have soils ranging from fine shale loams
to coarse shale.gravels.
Bottomlands have thin surface horizons ranging
from silty clays to clay loams interspersed with barren hardpan spots.
Gieseker (@jp
)
describes the climate of the area as semiarid
" .... characterized by a comparatively low rainfall, great temperature
extremes, a large number of sunny d a y s , .and a relatively low humidity."
The average annual precipitation at Flatwillow (U.S. Department of Commerce
— 4 —
I
I S agebrush-G rassland
G rassland
S h a le S lo p e
■ i G reasewood
G re a sew ood-S agebrush
C ropland
H tt H Abandoned M eadow
PcWl T im b e r
Figure I
The study area showing the sagebrush control study plots and
the vegetation types.
— -5 — .
Weather Station), on the east edge of the study area, is 12.57 inches. ■
The average summer (June-August) precipitation is 5.7.6 inches.
During
the summers of 1966 and 1967 precipitation was 61.3 percent below and
12.7 percent above normal, respectively.
perature is 45.4 degrees.
The mean average annual tern-,
The highest temperature recorded during the
study period was 105 degrees in July, 1966 and the lowest was 35 degrees
in June, 1966.
Monthly climatological.d a t a .for both summers are shown
in,the Appendix, Table X I . ■
Major influent wild mammals on the area, besides the pronghorn
antelope, include the .wUite-tailed -deer
■
mule deer
■
(Odece-ileus fyemienus) .
'XQdeco-Lleus vi-vgini-anus')
'
r
and the
VEGETATION
C o l e .(op
ci-t.)
and Bayless
(1967) studied the vegetation of the same
general area as that of the current study.
that of the latter.
My analysis"follows closely
His investigation made use of quantitative measure^
ments and included my study area.
The occurrence and distribution of
vegetation types shown on Figure I, with slight m o d i f i c a t i o n , a r e from
Bayless.
Plant nomenclature is that of Booth (1950) and Booth and Wright -
(1959).
Floral composition of the vegetation types of the study are'a, in­
cluding the sagebrush control study p l o t s , was determined by a modifica- ■
tion of the technique of Daubenmire (1959).
The.canopy coverage and
frequency of each taxon occurring within 2 x 5
decimeter plots, systemat­
ically placed within a relatively homogeneous and undisturbed portion of
each vegetation stand,.were visually estimated. ‘ The coverage classes
were:
Clasr1=0-5 p e r c e n t ; Class 2=5-25 percent; Class 3=25-50 percent;
Class 4=50-75 percent; Class 5=75=95 percent; and Class 6=95-100 percent.
The midpoints of these classes were used in data tabulations.
Ground
cover.was evaluated by making a visual estimate of the percent of bareground, rock and litter within the plot frames.
A sample unit consisting of twenty 2 x 5
decimeter plots placed at
10-foot intervals along 50-foot radial lines of a circle's cardinal points
was examined.within each of 79 vegetation stands on the area exclusive of
the sagebrush control study plots (Table I and Appendix, Table X I I ) .
One
sample unit was. located at each of 48 antelope feeding sites as well as
TABLE I.
CONSTANCY, CANOPY COVERAGE AND FREQUENCY OF TAKA FOR FIVE VEGETATION TYPES AS
DETERMINED BY EXAMINATION OF 2 X 5 DECIMETER PLOTS.
:-
■ Taxa
SagebrushGrassland •
46' Stands •
.920.Plots'
Cy/Cv/Fr-/
S H RU BS
Artemesia tridentata
Chrysethamnus-nauseesus
Gutferrezia sarethrae ■
Resa arkansana ■
Sareebatus vermiculatus ■
Total S h r u b s •
FORBS
AchiVlea millefelium
Andresaee septentrienalis
Arenaria heekeri
Artemesia.frigida
Artemesia IengifeVia
Artemksia.Iudevieiana
Astragalus spp = ■■
Astragalus gilviflerus ■
Aster spp.
Aster eemnutatus
Chenepedium album
Rriegenum multieeps
Grindeilia squarnose ,
Haplepapfes nuttailiiHymenexys riehardsenii■
Medieage sativa
Meliletus effieinalis-.
96/11/39
X3/
74/ 3/26
Grassland
5 Stands'
.100■P l o t s '
Cy/Cv/Fr
X
X
48/ -.1/15 .
72/ 3/25
X
X
31/tr/ -7
X
X
24/tr/ 5
33/tr/ .8
20/tr/ I
X
30/ I/ 9
Greasewood?
Greasewood., Sagebrush • Shale Slope
7 Stands
8 Stands
13 Stands
140,P l o t s ' 160 Plots
260 Plots
Cy/Cv/Fr
X
. x .
60/ .1/16
X
14/ I/ -4
80/ 1/18 -
43/ 1/14
X
X
100/12/40-
Vegetation Type..
29/.I/ 4
X
100/ 4/50
Cy/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr
63/ 3/15
25/ 4/ 3 .
50/.I/ 9
13/1/ I
31/ I/ 4
46/ 2/15
63/ 2/ 8
88/ 5/26
86/ 6/50
63/ 1/17
38/tr/ 6"
43/. 2/14
88/ 7/36
29/ I/ 8
X
29/ I/ 6
38/ I/ 6
31/ I/ ,9
54/ 2/11
85/ 8/44
X
15/ 8/ I
92/ 5/32
14/ I/ 9
43/ 4/24
29/tr/ 5 .
31/ I/ 8
29/ I/ 6
63/tr/ 8
86/14/30
57/ 9/41
88/ 9/38
X
TABLE I.
(CONTINUED).
Vegetation-Type
Taxa
Mioreseris spp. ■
Opuntia pelyoantha
Petalestemen oandidum
Phlex heedii
Plantago purshii
Pelygenum avioulare
Petentilla pennsylvanica ,
Pseralea tenuiflera■
Sphaeraloea cecoinea - ■
Taraxacum' effioinale
Thermepsis rhembifolia
Tragepegen dubius
Vioid amerioana
Unknown Forbs
Total Forbs
G R A S S E S AN D
G R A S S - L I K E PL ANTS
Agrepyren deserteirum
Agropyren smithii
Agrepyren spioatum
Beuteleua graoilis
Bremus ..tecterum..
Calamagrostis mentanensis
Calamovilfa lengifelia ■
Carex spp.
Sagebrush- ..
Grassland
Grassland
46 .Stands
5 Stands
920 Plots
.100.Plots
Cy'/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr
46/
11/
65/
43/
60/tr/12
Greasewood
7 Stands
.140,Plots
Cy/Cv/Fr
14/ 2/ 3
I/ 6
I/ 4
2/25
1/12
GreasewoodSagebrush
8 Stands
160. Plots
Shale Slope '
13 Stands
2.60 Plots
Cy/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr
'
z"
63/ I/ 6'
/
X
78/ 1/22
X
X
X
57/1/16
63/tr/10
X .
100/ 1/36
X
14/ I/ 3
X
57/ 4/27
X .
60/tr/ 6
80/tr/12
57/ 4/16
X
X
X
X
13/tr/63
13/ .1/ 2
X
63/ I/ 4
X
X
63/ I/ 7
75/ 1/13
100/15/89
100/ 1/14
100/42/92
100/22/86
100/ 9/64
100/23/86
X
50/. 3/12
50/ 3/19
85/ 3/17
38/ 2/13
X
40/ 1/17
100/tr/25
X
X
98/14/70
52/ 3/18
63/10/32
11/ I/ 4
24/tr/ 5
X
74/ 2/16
100/12/76
X
100/21/76
80/ 5/36
14/1/ 5
100/44/86
43/ I/ 6
43/. 4/20
X
63/ I/ 9
8/tr/ 5
X
100/ 6/43
X .
X
62/ 6/32
77/16/53 .
X
TABLE. I,..
(CONTINUED) . '
-
Vegetation T y p e ■
"
Taxa -
Sagebrush-.
Grassland
Grassland
5 Stands
46 Stan d s ■
■ 920..Plots-= - ■. 100 Plots
Cy/Cv/Fr
D-IsachZi-S stvieta
Festuca oetiflora'
Koeleria cristaia
Fhleum fratense
Poa s p p . ■
Sehedonnardus ipanieulatus
Stipa eomata
Stipa virdula
Total G r a s s e s
Cy/Cv/Fr
X .
X
78/ 4/35
40/tr/13
80/ 1/24
57/
37/
59/
63/
80/ 1/18
40/tr/ 6
80/. 6/55
40/ I/ 5
1/15
I/ 7
3/17
-2/11
98/42/98
.
Greasewood
7 'S t a n d s .
140 Plots
GreasewoodSagebrush
Shale Slope
8 Stands
13. Stands
160 Plots
260 Plots
Cy/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr
43/ 7/13
63/ 7/41
X
75/ 2/21
15/ I/ 3
X
14/ 6/11
57/ 8/24
29/ 3/11
100/49/100 • 100/65/94
100/ 6/38 38/ 1 / 5
25/1/ 3
23/ I/ 6
X •
X ■
100/49/96 - 100/26/84
OT HE RS
Lichens
Selaginella densa
Bareground
Rock
Litter lA/
Litter I I ■
65/ 2/40
28/ 5/15
100/48/94
48/ I/ 9
100/31/95
75/ 1/12
80/ 1/40
100/44/100
80/ 3/33
—
— —
71/16/51
57/34/54
38/tr/10 .
69/tr/15
25/ I/ 3
100/30/71
100/78/100
25/tr/ 5
X
23/ 4/21■
50/21/44
13/ I/ 3 .
I/ includes taxa with at least I percent c a n o p y .coverage or 5 percent frequency- of occur­
rence in at least one vegetation type.
Others are included in Appendix, Table XII.
2/ Constancy (percent occurrence among stands)/Canopy Coverage (percent of area covered
b y .foliage)/Frequency•(percent occurrence.among p l ots).
3j. X indicates taxon present but less "than I percent canopy.coverage-and 5 percent
frequency of occurrence.
4/ Litter I includes dead vegetative material lying on.the ground.
Litter II includes
dead vegetative material still standing.
<
10 31 supplemental sites on five of the eight vegetation types.
No measure­
ments were taken for the cropland, abandoned meadow and timber-vegetation
ty p e s .
Each of these was limited in distribution, of little importance
to antelope and/or more or less homogeneous.
S a g e b r u s h - G r a s s l a n d V e g e t a t i o n Type:
This type (Figures- 2, 3, 4, and 5) was the most extensive on the.
study area comprising 59 percent.
Big sagebrush
(Artemtssia tridentata) ,
the dominant, was found in varying degrees of association with grasses
and forbs, apparently dependent on slope, exposure and/or intensity of
grazing.
The common grasses included western wheatgrass
smithti) t blue
grama
bluebunch wheatgrass
oomata).
amerioana)
(Beuteleuq gracisHs), -junegrass (Keeleria cristata), ■
(Agvopyren spiaatum)
Fringed sagewort
scarlet globemallow
(Agvopyvon
and needle-and-thread
{Avtemhs'la -fv-ig-ida) ,
(Sphaeralcea.ceccinea)
(Sti-pa
CEhlexhoedrLi),
Hood's phlox
and American vetch
(Vieia
were the common forbs.
G r a s s l a n d V e g e t a t i o n Type:
This type (Figure 6) comprised 7 percent of the area.
Important
grasses, occurring in varying degrees of dominance, were blue grama, west­
ern wheatgrass and needle-and-thread.
forb.
Fringed sagewort was the most common
I
H
I
•.
Figure 3.
**
Sagebrush-Grassland Vegetation
Type, Sagebrush Aspect - Scattered
i
v
■
H
K)
I
6
^
'^ f r
' ^
.
.
..
4>r
,
Figure 4.
Sagebrush-Grassland Vegetation Type,
Sagebrush Aspect - Common.
Figure 5
Sagebrush-Grassland Vegetation
Type, Sagebrush Aspect - Dense.
i
H
U>
Figure 6.
Grassland Vegetation Type.
Figure 7.
Greasewood Vegetation Type.
14 -
G r e a s e w o o d V e g e t a t i o n Type:
This type (Figure-7) occurred along the creek bottoms and covered 6
percent of the area.
nant shrub.
Greasewood'(Saveobatus
vemi'ioulatus')
was the domi­
(DistichZis stvlctd)
Western wheatgrass and desert saltgrass
were the dominant grasses. . Important forks included alfalfa
SatrIvd), yellow
milefoliim),
sweetclover
(Melilotus offiatnalis),
common.dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale)
yarrow
(Medieage
(Aehillea
and common salsify
(Tragopogon dubius) .
G r e a s e w o o d - S a g e b r u s h V e g e t a t i o n Type:
This type (Figure 8) occurred on extensive depressions in the uplands
and on the.lower slopes adjacent to creek bottoms.
cent of the area.
Greasewood and big sagebrush were the dominants .
ern w h e atgrass, desert saltgrass and bluegrass
common grasses.
It comprised 22 per­
(Pea
West­
s p p .) were the most
Common forks included fringed sagewort and yellow
sweetclover.
S h a l e S l o p e V e g e t a t i o n Type:
This type (Figure,9) included 2 percent of the total area.
nants included the shrubs, rubber rabbitbrush
and prairie rose
(Rosa arkansana);
(Calamovilfa longifolia)
sagebrush
(Artem&sia longifolia) .
(Chrysothamnus nauseosus)
the grasses, prairie sand reedgrass
and plains reedgrass
and the forks, prairie thermopsis
Domi­
{Calamagrostis montanensis) x
(Thermopsis rhombifolia)
and longleaf
I
H
Ln
Figure 8.
Greasewood-Sagebrush
Vegetation Type.
figure 9.
Shale Slope Vegetation Type.
— 16 —
O t h e r V e g e t a t i o n Types:
The cropland type (Figure 10) covered 2 percent of the area; the
abandoned meadow type (Figure 11) I percent; and the timber type
(Figure 12) I p e r c e n t . .
The cropland type included primarily alfalfa and some wheat fields.
The abandoned meadow type was abandoned agricultural land reseeded nat­
urally to native grasses or artificially with crested wheatgrass
pyvon deseTtovum)
(Agvo-
and gradually reverting back to the native stands.
.The
(Pinus pendevosa), occurred
timber type, characterized by ponderosa pine
along shaly rims and on the higher shale slopes.
A total of 146 sample units were examined on the four sagebrush con­
trol study plots all of which were in the sagebrush-grassland vegetation
type.
These measurements showed that vegetation characteristics were
similar to those for the sagebrush-grassland vegetation type determined
on other parts of the study area (Table I ) .
They are included in the
Appendix, Tables XIII, XIV, XV and XVI, because of their significance
for comparison wi,th post-treatment data.
The number, canopy intercept and height of big sagebrush plants
encountered along 100-foot.lines within each sample unit on the sagebrush
control study plots' were recorded (Table I I ) .
-
—
-
Figure 10.
.
•
’
‘
Cropland (Alfalfa) Vegetation Type.
Figure 11.
Abandoned Meadow Vegetation
Type.
18
X
%4
Figure 12.
* -■*
Timber Vegetation Tyne.
TABLE LI.
B I G ■SAGEBRUSH CHARACTERISTICS ON .THE DIFFERENT PROPOSED TREATMENT SITES ON EACH OF
THE SAGEBRUSH CONTROL STUDY PLOTS AS. DETERMINED BY MEASUREMENTS ALONG IOO-FOOT LINE
TRANSECTS.
.
Study Plots .
and Proposed
Treatment .Sites
N o . of
■Average N o .
100-Foot
Plants/100Line
Foot Line
Intercepts.
Average .
Intercept/
100-Foot'
.Line JkZ
Average
Intercept/
Live Plant
Average
Height■
of Live
. Plants^/
Live/Dead
Live/Dead
14
13
17
26.6/ 1.5
19.8/ 0.8
24,1/ 0.4
22.3/ 0.9
15.6/ 0.4
26 .4 / 0,6
0.8
5
15
10.
2 ■
10
16.6/ 0.2
21 .2 / 1.4
16.2/ 1.2'
6,5/ 0.5
15.8/ 1.0
16.1/
17.2/
13.1/
4.0/
15.9/
0.11.1
0.90.2
0.7
10
9
23.1/ 1.0
14.1/ 0.7
17
12
12
29.3/ 0.4
35.6/ 1.0
28 :2 / 0.4
0.9 ...
7.9
31.9/ 0.7
28.1/ 0.9
0.9
6.8
9.6
Average
Maximum
Height
of Live
Plants — /
WINNETT
Complete Spray(1)— '
Strip Spray
(3)
Defer Control (7)
7.1
6.4
8.7
14.2 .
11.4
16.9 .
0.9
0.-8
0.-8
0.-6
1.0
7.6
7.0
13.8
6.9
5.8
8.9
12.3
19.7/ 0.9
0.9
11.1/ 0.3
0.8
11.9
9.5 -
0,8
1.1
KING
Complete Spray(I)
Contour Furrow(S)
Interseed
(6)
Defer Control (7)
Open Control
(8)
16.9
15.0
15.3
SIBBERT •
Partial Spray (2)
Open Control
(8)
17.7
19.7 ■
IVERSON
Partial Spray (2)
Defer Control (7)
Open Control
(8)
28 . 0 / 0.8
1.0
12,7
11.4
16.0
I/ Intercept in ■feet and tenths, of feet. Heights in inches and tenths of inches.,
2/ Represents the average of the heights of the; highest plants measured along the 100-foot line
transects on each treatment site.
_3/ Numbers in parenthesis identify the proposed treatment'sites and indicate their locations.on
each sagebrush control study plot on Figure 14 in the Appendix.
PRONGHORN ANTELOPE POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS
A 50-mile vehicle route which covered most of the study area in- '
eluding the four sagebrush control study plots was established (Appen­
dix, Figure 14).
The occurrence of antelope was determined with the aid
of 7 x 35 binoculars and a 15-60x spotting scope while driving the route.
’
at speeds not exceeding 20 miles per hour during mornings and evenings.
The route was covered once during each of 27 weeks in the summers of
1966 and 1967.
Five aerial censuses were conducted during the summer
of 1967. ■ Each was begun shortly after sunrise.
Each successive I-mile
wide north-south strip was flown until the entire study area was covered.
The aerial censuses provided the best estimate of total numbers of
antelope on the study area (Table III).
The highest count was 406 on
August I.
A total of 4,029 individual antelope observations were classified by
sex and age from the ground and 1,559 from the air (Tables III and IV).
Data from ground counts indicated there were 262 females per 100 males arid
84 fawns per 100 females in 1966 and 190 and 71, respectively, in 1967.
Data from aerial counts for 1967 indicated 241 females per 100 males and
57 fawns per 100 females.
Possible, mortality among fawns due to exces­
sive rainfall (Baker 1952; Buechner 1950) in June, 1967 may account .for
the relatively low fawn:female ratio that year.
A total of 4.79 inches
of rain fell during this month as compared to the normal of 3.17 inches.
Ninety-five percent of the total fell during the first half of J u n e . ' High­
est fawn:female ratios obtained during ground counts were in early August
21 TABLE III.
Date
SEX AND' AGE'CLASSES' OF-ANTELOPE ON THE STUDY AREA AS -DETERMINED
DURING FIVE AERIAL"COUNTS 'IN THE SUMMER OF 1967. I/
Weather
Total
Adult's
;i No. .
Condition .N o . F '
No. M. - F a w n s . Classified
6/18
Calm and 1
Overcast
C a l m ■and
7/9.
Clear
C a l m ■and
8/1
Clear
8/24 Calm and
Clear
9/11 ■ Calm and
Clear
TOTAL
Females:
IpO Males
Fawns:
100 Females.
117
65 '
59
241
180
50
130
78
91
299
167
70
192
82
132
406
234 -
69
171
49
88
308 •
349
51
175
52
_Z8
305
337
45.
785
325
448
1,559
.
— '
-
I/ Two observers, one being the pilot,.were .present on every flight.
for 1966 and in late July, for 1967.
Yearling females were included in the
fawn:female■calculations,as they could not be distinguished in the field. ■
Some,workers have reported that antelope may breed as fawns
clt.;
Wright and Dow 1962)..
In the summer ..of 1966 Bayless
(Buechner ep
(e>p
eit.)
con-r
ducted four aerial censuses of the Yellow .Water Triangle which included
my.study area.
He found 309 females per 100. males and 74 fawns per 100
females.. ' He also reported that aerial censuses conducted by personnel of
the Montana Department of Fish and Game in 1962 and 1963 on the same area
disclosed fawn:female ratios of 90:100 both.years. ■
22
TABLE IV.
SEX AND AGE CLASSES OF ANTELOPE ON THE STUDY AREA AS DETERMINED
• DURING GROUND COU NTS, 1966-1967 .
Time
Period
June 1-15
1966
1967 ■
June 16-30
1966
1967
July 1-15'
1966
1967
- Adults____ ..
Female's Males ••Fawns
34
—
19
--.
130
232
41
128
115
39
206
99
21
—
80
Uncl..
-
Total
Classified
Females:
100 Males
Fawns:
100 Females
74
179
62
-.
—-■
—
317
181
59
251
496
62
136
42
8
85
162
8
239
295
-
467
208
74
79
79
215
22
4
214
643
255
161
81
81
July 16-31.
1966
1967 ■
97
38
264
164
A u g . 1-15
1966
1967
77
26
31
7
296
134
147
103
178
206
262
587
178
68
A u g . 16-31
1966
1967
77
37
113
78
193
59
192
208
276
87
582
244
101
70
Sept. 1-15
1966
1967
34
15
29
18
78
227
85
—
-T
—
—T
—
—--
—“ .
Combined
1966
1967
564
1, 24 0
215
651
180
I ,254
262
84
884 . 106
2,775
190
71
475
.
USE O F V E G E T A T I O N TY P E S
I recorded the vegetation type on which each individual antelope was
first observed.
1967.
Ground observations totaled 1,434 in 1966 and 2,881 in
In addition, 1,559 observations were recorded from the air in 1967.
The ground and aerial data were combined for this year (Table V ) .
During both summers a trend in the intensity of use of vegetation
types was apparent.
There was a progressive decline in use of the sage-
brush-grassland vegetation type and a corresponding increase in total use
of the shale slope, greasewood, greasewood-sagebrush, and cropland vege­
tation types combined (Table V ) .
The latter three types occurred on mesic
sites located in depressions and/or along creek bottoms.
On these sites
succulent vegetation persisted longer than on the dry uplands where the
sagebrush-grassland.type occurred.
On .the.dry.shale slope vegetation type
somewhat succulent vegetation persisted throughout most of the summer.
Data reported by.Cole (op
eit.)
and Bayless
(op
cit.)
show a similar trend.
Though this trend was apparent both summers, there was a difference
between the summers.
The magnitude of change in use of these vegetation
types between successive periods in general and between early and late
summer was far greater in 1966 than in 1967.
A possible explanation is
that during the first 2 months of the summer of 1966 rainfall was 65 per- ■
cent below normal (85 percent-June; 19 percent-July).
As a result much of
the succulent vegetation on the upland sagebrush-grassland vegetation type
became desiccated by late June.
This may have resulted in the antelope
shifting early to the mesic sites where succulent vegetation persisted.
TABLE V.
PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF 5,874 OBSERVATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL ANTELOPE BY ONE-HALF MONTH
INTERVALS ON SEVEN VEGETATION TYPES DURING THE SUMMERS OF 1966 AND 1967.
Time
Interval
June 1-15
1966
1967
June 16-30
1966
1967
July 1-15
1966
1967
Grass­
land &
Aban­
doned
Meadow
Sage­
brush
Grass­
land
Shale
Slope
Greasewood
Greasewood
Sage­
brush
Cropland
"(alfalfa)
-
-
I
-
99
-
_
5
I
87
77
tr
9
3
2
4
11
tr
2
5
51
69
5
6
6
33
36
16
2
9
14
20
7
21
11 -
_
-
50
63
7
2
32
56
11
12
8
7
28
-
Shale SlopeGreasewoodGrease-SageCropland
Combination
Total
Antelope
74..
-.
-
-..
8
22 •
293
745
47
25
247
770
50
37
236
5
36
17
5
6
61
42
237
1,000
9
5
29
14
72
48
251
July 16-31
1966
1967
Aug. 1-15
1966
1967
Aug. 16-31
1966
1967
-
52
16
12
18
17
2
7
57
6
10
I
-
31
16 ■
54
15'-
8.0
6.0
19.6
12.7
12.6
47 .3
7,0
. 35.8
Sept . 1-15
1966
1967
AVERAGE
■ 1966
1967
2.1
1.7
50.6
62.3
6.7
10.5
.
93
41
643
977
96
305
25 During the same period in 1967 rainfall was 42 percent above normal (51
percent-June; 21 percent-July).
Succulent vegetation on the uplands
persisted through a greater part of the summer.
This may have resulted
in the antelope remaining on the sagebrush-grassland vegetation type
longer and in greater numbers than in 1966. ■
Despite differences in intensities of intrasummer use, the sage- ■
brush-grassland vegetation type averaged 50 percent or more.of the
total use both summers.
In general this also held true whether the ob­
servations of individual antelope were separated by sex and age classes
or by group typfes (Appendix,, Tables XVII and XVIII).
Antelope seemed
to prefer the sagexbrush-grassland vegetation type and .moved onto the
other more restricted types in large numbers only when the, succulent
vegetation on the former became desiccated.
The density of big sagebrush was recorded at each of 960 and 2,020
individual antelope observation sites within the sagebrush-grassland
vegetation type in 1966 and 1967, respectively.
For both summers at
least 90 percent of these antelope were observed on areas where densi­
ties of big sagebrush were estimated to be scattered or common (Table V I ) .
Locations of all antelope observed in 1967 are listed by coordinates
and study areas in the Appendix, Tables XIX and XX., and Figure 14.
- 26 TABLE VI.
Year
PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF 2,980 INDIVIDUAL ANTELOPE OBSERVATIONS
BY FOUR SAGEBRUSH DENSITY CATAGORIES ON THE SAGEBRUSH-GRASSLAND
VEGETATION TYPE DURING THE SUMMERS OF 1966 AND 1967.
.Sagebrush Density!/
Scattered
Common
Rare
Dense
Total No.
Antelope
1966
5 ■
39
• 52
4
960
1967
3
52
44
I
2,020
TOTAL
2, 98 0
I/ Sagebrush densities were visually estimated at each of 2,980 individual
antelope observation sites. ' The basis for the estimates was provided
by a 100-foot line intercept measurement of big sagebrush at each of
38 sites in the sagebrush-grassland type.
Shrub
Intercept
RareScatteredCommonDense--
Less than 2%
2-5%
6-25%
More Than 25%
Average No. Plants/
100-Feet of Line
6
20
41
Average Distance
Between Plants
11.8 Feet
5.1 Feet
1.5 Feet
S U M M E R FOOD HA B I T S
I obtained antelope food habits, data primarily by feeding site ex­
aminations .and supplemented, -in 1967, by analysis of the contents of 12
rum e n s .
I .examined.each feeding site and recorded instances of p l a n t '
use as soon as practicable-after the,antelope had vacated it.
Use of a
rooted, stem or bunch ,of stems for grasses, a leaf or twig for shrubs, and ■
leaves ,or a stem for forbs constituted one instance of use.
Thirty-four
feeding sites w e r e 'examined in 1966 and 28 in 1967 yielding a,total of
9,111 instances of use:
R u m e n ■samples were analyzed according to the.
method of Cole (<s>p eft.) and others.
and measured volumet,rically.
Identifiable material was separated
Each plant species used, was .expressed, as a
percent of the ,diet for each feeding site or rumen sample. . These per­
centages were totaled and averaged for each vegetation type ,and/or for
each time period using the aggregate.percentage method (Martin, et af.
1946).
Results are shown in Tables VII, VIII, and I X .■,
The difference between the,percent of the diet for each plant and
its abundance in the plant community (expressed as percent canopy coverage)
was d e t ermined•at each of 20 feeding, sites in 1966 and 28 in 1967. . The
average of these differences,for each species was tested statistically
where sample size permitted using a two-tailed t - t e s t a t the 5 percent
level of significance.
The h ypothesis.tested was:
there is- no signifi­
cant difference between.the percent of the diet constituted by.ah indi­
vidual species and its abundance in the plant community (Bayless,
-op
cfh .),
TABLE VII.
SUMMER FOOD HABITS OF ANTELOPE BY MONTH AND YEAR AS DETERMINED FROM 9,111 INSTANCES ;
OF USE ON 62 FEEDING SITES IN THE SUMMERS OF 1966 AND 1967.
■
MONTH
June
Taxa
July
August
_____ Summer
19 66 ' ■ 1967
1966 1967
1966 1967
(6)1/ (9)
(12)
(16). (8)
(ID
(3222)
(582)' (773) ' (1990) (977) (1567)
Fr /% -Z Fr/%
Fr / %
Fr /%
Fr / %
Fr/%
1966
1967
(34)
(28)
(4139)
.
(4972)
tl/
Fr /%
Fr /%
t
SH RU BS
C h v y s o th a m n o u s n a u s e o s u s ' G u tie v v e z ia s a v o th v a e ■
A r t e m S s ia
oana
A v t e m e s ia
tv id e n ta t a
R osa a vka n sa n a
S a v o o b a tu s v e v m ic u la t u s
Total Sh r u b s
-
-
17/tr.
17/tr.
-
-
13/6
6/6
13/8
8/8
25/12
13/tr.
17/2
25 /2 0 13/tr. 4 2 / 2 2
-
9/3
18 /3
27/2
-
36/8
7/5
10/6
-
—
2.06
3.05
-
10/3
2.11
6/tr.
28 /1 4
3/1
6/1
4/tr.
9/1
-
3.03
-
16/3
-
FORBS
A o h it le a
m ille f o liu m
-
A v e n a v ia
hookevi
-
Avnioa sovovia
17 /1 7
Avtemssia fvigida
Avtemssia longifolia
Astev cormutatus
Astvagalus bisuloatus
Astvagalus gilviflovus 33/29
Astvagalus missouviensisll/I
Comandva umbellata
Cvepis oooidentalis.
Evigevon ochvoleuous
17 /1 7
Evigevon pumilus
Eviogonum multiceps
Gauva ooooinea '
Glyoyvvhiza lepidota
Gvindelia squavvose
6/tr,
56/6
13/tr.
11 /3
33/10
17/17
6/1
11 /1 1 13/3
42/28
25/2
11/tr.
33/13 13/12 63/37
13 /1
11 /3
11/5
11/tr.
12 /1
- .
1 1 / t r t 6/2 25 /1
6/tr
11/2
13 /1
-
9/tr. ■ 2/tr.
3/t r .
23/2
0.59
■4/1
13/12 2.23 , , H / 3
1.12
18/18 18 / 1 1 3.78s - zIOZlO 4 1.88s
18/2
14/1
4/tr.
15/14
9/9
35/20
4.81s
6/tr,
9/tr.
7/tr.
4/1
4/2
6/6
4/tr.
4/tr.
1 2 / t r . 2.12
2/1
18/1
2/t r .
6/tr.
. 8/1
-
-
-
TABLE VII. . (CONTINUED).
MONTH:
- June
1966
1967
(9)
(6)
(582) (773)
Taxa- ■ •
Fr/%
Haplepappus nuttallia
Hymenepappus filifolius
Hymenexys aoaulus
Hymenexys viehavdsonii
Medieage sativa
Meliletus alba
Meliletus efficinalis
Mieresevis euspidata
Musineen,divarication
Opuntia pelyaantha
Oxytrepis serieea
Fenstemen nitidus
Petalestemen oandidum
Fetalestemen purpureum
Felygenum aviaulare
Fseralea tenuiflera
Ratibida aelumnifera
Sphaeralcea.eeeeinea■
Taraxaeum effieinale
Thalasperma marginatum
Thermepsis rhembifelia
Tragepegen dubius
Vieia,amerieana
Unidentifiable Forbs
Total Forbs
' 33/33
-
17/4
-
July
1966
1967
(16)
(1990)
Fr/%
22/6
11/5
11/4
11/2
11/3 ■
-
11/6
33/1
22/1
11/1
11/tr.
— " 22/4
44/14
11/t r .
Fr/%
- '
'19/12
13/1
50/35
-
August,
1966
1967
(12)
(11)
(8)
(977) (1567)
Fr/%
Fr/'%
13/1
13/1
-
-
13/tr.
Summer
. 1967
1966 .
(34)
(4139)
(3222)
Fr/%
9/tr.
9/tr.
50/19
8/3
45/29
9/4
8/4
38/20
25/18 ■ 36/15
13/tr.
6/4
13/tr.
13/5
13/5 ■
6/5
9/tr.
6/1 13/1
8/tr.
'6/tr
9/9
9/tr.
17/tr.
4/4
8/8
46/4
6/1
9/tr.
6/tr,.25/1
9/tr.
6/tr.
10 0 / 1 0 0 1 0 0 / 1 0 0 94/80 1 0 0 / 1 0 0 92/79 100/91
Fr/%
t
9/5
7/2
36/29 5 .47 s
-•
2/1 . 6/1
2/2
2/1
3/tr. 2/tr. 6/tr.
5/3
2/tr.
2/tr.
-
95/Q6
-
(28)
(4972)
Fr/% .
15/2
4/tr.
_
t
1.86
-
4/2
'7/t'r.
35/17 .
3/1
25/12
4/tr.
4/tr.
4/1
4/tr.
8/4
4/2
18/1.
4.21s
3.85s
— '
7/tr.
3/3
4/tr.
7/tr.
24/4
1.22
3.10
26/5
2.27
7/tr.
100/97
-
TABLE VII..
(CONTINUED) . '
'MONTH
June. ‘
1966 1967
August
1966
1967
(6)
(9)
(16)
(8)
(12)
(582) (773)'(1990) (977) (1567).
Taxa .
■
Grasses
July
1966 1967
Fr/%
Fr/%
Fr/%
17/tr.ll/tr. 13/1
Fr/%
13/tr.
Fr/%
-
Summer
1966
Fr/%
-
1967
(34)
(4139) .
(H)
(3222) Fr/%
10/tr.
t
.
(28)
(4972)
Fr/%
t
8/tr.
I/ Numbers in parenthesis indicate number of feeding sites (top figure) and total instances of
use (bottom figure).
2/ Frequency of use among.feeding sites/Aggregate percent of diet. . T r . indicates less .than 0.5
percent of the d i e t . .
_3/ Indicates the calculated t-value.
4/ S indicates a significant t-value.
TABLE VIII.
SUMMER FOOD HABITS OF ANTELOPE BY VEGETATION TYPE AS DETERMINED FROM 9,111
INSTANCES OF USE ON 62 FEEDING SITES IN THE SUMMERS OF 1966 AND 1967.
'' VEGETATION TYPe I/
Grassland
1966
1967
(2)2/
(108)
Taxa '
Fr/%1/ Fr/%
SagebrushGrassland . Greasewood.
1967
1966
1967 1966
(14)
(8)
(13)
(8)
(1838),
(1538). (1419)(1396)
Fr/%
Fr/%
Fr/%
Fr/%
Greasewood-,
Sagebrush
Shale Slone
1966
1967
1966
1967
(3)
(3)
(7)
(4)
(415)
(1149) (682)
(566)
Fr/%
Fr/%
Fr/%
Fr/%
SHRUBS
Artemksia.aana .
Avtemesia tvidentata
Chvysethamnus nauseosus
Gutievvezia sccvotkvae
Rosa avkansana
Saveobatus vevmiaulatus
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total Shrubs
21/14
7/7
-
-
-
13/1 ■
-
8/tr.
-
.
13/t r .
14/21 ■ 8/tr.l3/tr.
13/2
- •
13/3
-■
- .
— '
-
33/11
-
-
33/6
43/20
— '
-
33/1
57/22
-
25/2
-
33/18 86/42
25/2
FORBS
AehilZea millefolium
Avenavia heokevi
-
A v n ic a s o v o v ia
A v t e m s s ia f v i g i d a ]
A v t e m s s ia l e n g i f o l i a
A s . t e v e o m m u ta tu s
-
A s tv a g a lu s
50/50
,
b is u le a tu s
A s t v a g a lu s g i l v i f l e v u s
A s tv a g a lu s m is s o u v ie n s is
C em andva u m b e lla t a
C v e fis e
E v ig e v o n
E v ig e v e n
E v ig e n u m
e e id e n ta lis
e e h v o le u e u s
f u m ilu s '
m u lt ic e . f s
.
G a u v a e e e e in e a
- .
. ■ —
.
■-
-
38/2
8/2
21/15
23/7
—
29/26
-
-
-
1/tr.
,7/tr.
7/7
7/2
— ■
-
13/tr.
-
8/tr.
8/tr.
38/5
- '
-
- ■
8/tr.
-
-
8/2
8/4
-
69/39
8/t r .
8/tr.
23/tr.
-
-
-
-
.
25/8
LOO/55
75/73
-
-
— ...
33/tr
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
.
-
TABLE VIII. (CONTINUED).
. .
Taxa-:.'.
■■
Grassland.
1966
1967
(2)
(108): K Fr/%
Glycyvrhiza teipideta
Gvindella squavvose
Haplepappus nuttallia
Hympnepappus filifelius
Hymenexys aeaulus
Hymenexys viehavdsenii
Uedieage saliva
Meliletus alba
Melilotus effieinalis
Mievesevis euspidata
Musineen divavieatum
Opuntia pelyeantha
Qxytvepis sevieea
Fenstemen nitidus
Petalestemen eandidum
Petalestemen puvpuveum
Pelygenum aviculave
Psevalea tenuifleva
Ratibida eelimnifeva
Sphaevaleea eeecinea
Tavaxaeum officinale
Thalaspevma mavginatum
Thevmepsis vhembifelia
Tvagepegen dubius
Vieia amevieana
-
50/50
-
Fr/%
-
-
-
VEGETATION TYPE
SagebrushGrassland - Greasewood
1967
1966
1967 1966
(13)
(8)
(14)
(1538). (1419)(1396)
Fr/% Fr/%
7/tr.
8/1
31/5
8/1
8/4
15/tr,
15/3 50/30
25/7
7/tr
21/13
15/5 88/61
— ■•
8/tr,, - ■
7/5
8/tr,. —
8/tr,» —
15/7
7/2
8/3
“
7/6
31/1
- .
8/1
7/tr.
8/tr •
“
7/2
15/3
7/tr. 38/6
Fr/%
(8)
(1838)
Fr/%
13/2
13/1
88/53.
13/6
25/8
13/1
-.
13/3
-
75/9
GreasewoodSagebrush
1966
1967
(3)
(3)
(415) (1149)
Shale Slope
1966
1967
(7)
(4)
(682)
(566)
Fr/%
Fr/%
Fr/%
Fr/%
33/tr.
- —
—.
——
—
“
—
—
33/11
—
—
100/99 100/65
—
—
—
—.
—
—
—
—
——
—
—
—
—
—
—
-—
—
33/1
—
—.
—
“
—
“
33/tr. 29/1
67/2
33/1
-
- .
-
25/tr.
-
25/1
25/16
TABLE VIII. (CONTINUED).
Taxa-
Grassland
1966 ‘ 1967
(2)
(108)' '■
Fr/%
Unidentifiable Forbs
Total Forbs
Grasses
Fr/%
-
-
10 0 / 1 0 0
-
-
-
VEGETATION TYPE
. Sagebrush- '
Grassland .. Greasewood ._
1967
1966
1967
1966
(14)
(1538)
Fr/%
7/1
(13)
(8)
(1419)(1396)
Fr/%
Fr/%
8/tr.
(8)
(1838)
Fr/%
13/tr.
GreasewoodSagebrush
19-66
1967
(3)
(3>
(415) (1149)
Shale ,Slope
1966
1967
(7)
(4)
(682).
(566)
Fr/%
Fr/%
Fr/%
-
Fr/%
-
-
8 6 / 7 9 1 0 0 / 9 6 10 0/ 99 10 0 / 9 8 1 0 0/ 100 100/80 1 0.0/567/tr.,
8/tr. 13/tr.
-
-
14/2 .
-
1 0 0/ 98
.25/1
I/ Feeding sites were obtained only from five of the eight vegetation types..
7J Numbers in parenthesis .indicate number of feeding sites (top figure) and total instances.of
use (bottom figure).
3/ Frequency.of use among feeding sites/Aggregate percent of diet,. T r . indicates less than
0.5 percent of the d i e t .
TABLE IX.
FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE AND VOLUME PERCENTAGES OF PLANT TAXA AND FORAGE CLASSES AMONG
12 RUMEN SAMPLES .COLLECTED IN OCTOBER, 1966 AND 13 RUMMEN SAMPLES COLLECTED OVER A
5-MONTH .PERIODPIN',SUMMER,' ..19.67 .
________ MONTH
.1967
Taxa
'' .. '
'May ’6
= (I) I/
June
(2)
'
Fr/% 2/
Fr/%
SH RU BS
Artemssia.cana
Artemisia.tridentata
Chrysothamnus nauseosus
Rosa arkansana
Satix spp.
Sarcobatus vermiculatus
Symphoriearpos s p p .
.
July
(4).
August
(3)
Fr/%
Fr/%
September
. ' (3)
Fr/%
FORBS
Aehillea millefolium
Antennaria rosea
Artemisia frigida
Artemisia longifolia
Arnica sororia
Aster eommutatus
Astragalus gilviflonis
Aster hesperius
Aster spp.
Astragalus spp.
Camelina s p p .
Comandra umbellataErigeron pvmilus
Eriogonum multieeps
Fr/Z
33/ I
100/99
50/ 2
50/ I
50/ I
50/ 7
50/ 9
25/tr.
25/tr.
67/ I
33/ 4
100/ 5
33/tr. ■
67/ 3
67/11
33/10
10 0/99
100/ 3
75 /1 7
100/10
67 /2 5
50/ I '
100/ 2
50/ I
50/ 6
75/ 2
50/ 2
58/ 6
100/22
50/ I
8/tr.
33/t r .
Unidentified Browse
TO T A L BR O W S E
October 16, 1966
(12)
67/tr.
67/17
33/tr.
67/13
33/ 3
100/ 8
33/t r .
17/tr.
42/. I
100/30
25/tr.
16/tr.
100/33
50/12
33/ 3
67/ 6
33/ I
50/tr.
25/tr.
25/tr.
25/ 2
25/ I
50/46
50/ 4
67/tr.
33/ 4
TABLE I X .
(CONTINUED.)
MONTH
1967
May 6 •• Taxa '
• •• ■
"
.CD
June
(2)
July
(4)
Fr/%
Fr/%
Fr/%
Gaura ceccinea
HapZepappus nuttallii
Mediaago sativa
MeZiZetus officinalis
Opuntia peZycantha
PetaZestemen oandidum
PeiaZestemen purpurevm
PseraZea spp.
Taraxacum efficinaZe
Thermopsis rhembifeZia
Tragepegen dubius
Vicia americana
Fr/%
September
October 16, 1966
. "(3)
.. .
Fr/%
(12)
Fr/%
25/tr. .
50/ I
25/tr.
25/12
33/14
100/ 9
33/ 5
100/45
58/21
33/30
33/tr. -
25/ 6
50/ I
75/ 5
50/10
50/ I
75/ 2 .
100/ 2
50/38
Unidentified Forbs
100/97
T O T A L FORBS
Grass.
Lichens
August
,
(3)-
100/ I
100/ I
50/ I
25/18
75/13
25/ I
10 0/ 80
75/
33/tr.
67/tr.
33/tr.
33/tr.
33/ I
100/ I
33/ I
33/ I
1 0 0/ 89
100/ I
100/74
67/tr.
-- --- rf-I/ Number of rumen samples in. parenthesis. ■
2/ Frequency of occurrence/Aggregate percent of total volume of identifiable material.
values less than 0.5 percent.
100/71
50/tr.
17/tr.
T r . indicates
- 36
Forbs were the most important forage class during summer (June-August)
constituting 86 and 97 percent of the total use at feeding sites in 1966
and 1967, respectively (Table VII).
This class averaged 85 percent by
volume of identifiable material in rumen samples for June through Septem­
ber in 1967.
Five forbs constituted 62 percent or more of the total use
at feeding sites both years and averaged 35 percent by volume of identi­
fiable material in rumen samples
(Table I X ) .
These included fringed sage-
wort, longleaf-sagebrush, three-leafed milkvetch
{Astragalus gilviflovus),
alfalfa and yellow sweetclover. . The latter four were thdjpnly species to
yield a significant positive t-value one. or both years, indicating a
significantly higher proportion in the diet than in the plant community.
Shrubs were the next most important forage class constituting 14 and
3 percent of the total use at feeding sites -in 1966 and 1967, respectively,
and averaged 14 percent by volume of identifiable material in rumen sam­
ples.
Important shrubs included rubber rabbitbrush and prairie rose.
There was a slight increase in use of shrubs and a corresponding decrease
in use of forbs as the summer progressed both years.
Grasses were unimportant comprising less than 2 percent of the diet
both summers.
Other workers including Cole
and Dirschl
{op oit.)
{op oit.),
Cole and Wilkins
{op oit.),
have reported similar findings.
There was a change in use of individual plant species from month to
month.
Comparison of Tables VII and VIII generally indicates declining
use of plants characteristic of the antelope diet on the sagebrush-
— •37 ~—
grassland vegetation type and increasing use of those characteristic of
the diet on the greasewood, greasewood-sagebrush and shale slope vege­
tation types.
This was. apparently due to desiccation of certain species
on the former, persistence on the latter three, and a corresponding shift
in intensity of use by the antelope (Table V).
There was also a differ­
ence between years in numbers of species utilized (80 percent more in
1967 than 1966) and in the intensity of use of the same species'. . This
may have been a result of differences in moisture conditions between
years
(see previous section).
It may be of interest to note that
silver sagebrush
(Artem&s-ia oana), big
Artem&sia
species, including
sagebrush, fringed sagewo’rt and
long-leaf sagebrush constituted 28 and 14 percent of the total use at
feeding sites in 1966 and 1967, respectively, and averaged 10 percent
by volume of identifiable material in rumen samples.
The results of analysis of 12 rumen samples from hunter kills of
October 16, 1966 and one road kill of May 6, 1967 are also given in
Table IX.
S U M M E R HO ME RANGES.
I determined characteristics of summer h o m e 'ranges by successive ob­
servations of
19
individually marked or otherwise recognizable antelope
from June 17 to .September 11, 1967 (Table X).
.Ten of these were trapped
and marked with neckbands on December 9, .1966 as part of the st u d y .c o n - .
oi-t.). „ Nine
ducted by Bayless
(op
animals were recognizable by horn
characteristics.
Observations of these antelope were recorded by l/10th
mile intervals on a Jg-inch scale map.
The distance between successive
locations and the distance between the geometric center of the home range
and each location was determined for each antelope.
A line was drawn
around the outside points of.observations.of each individual antelope
designating the perimeter of its home range.
The area of.each home range
w a s .calculated with the aid of a Polar Planimeter..
Territorial males occurring alone or with females and fawns moved
the shortest distance between successive observations and had the small­
est home ranges.
Males associated with male herds' moved the greatest
distances between successive observations and had the largest home ranges..
Females associated with other.females and fawns or with females, fawns
and a single male were intermediate with regard to these measurements.
Distances were 59 percent greater between successive observations for
females when not accompanied b y a territorial male.
The average size of home ranges of territorial males was 121 percent
larger on the sagebrush-grassland vegetation type than on the greasewood
vegetation type (sample size three and two, respectively).
The home range
of one male located primarily on the greasewood-sagebrush vegetation type
was 219 percent larger than the latter.
TABLE X.
CHARACTERISTICS OF HOME RANGES OF ANTELOPE AS. DETERMINED BY SUCCESSIVE OBSERVATIONS OF
EACH OF IO BANDED AND 9 OTHERWISE RECOGNIZABLE INDIVIDUALS.
Territorial Males
Observed Alone o r .
Males Associated
With Females and
With Male Herds Fawns
" '
(7)1/'.
Average .Number of ..Observations/
Animal
Average Number of Days B e t w e e n■.
Successive Observations'
Distance.Between Successive
Locations — Maximum
Mean
Distance Between Geometric Center of
Home Range and Successive L o c ations’
Maximum
Mean
Average Size of Home Range
A v e r a g e ■Group Size
'
(8)
10.9
7.4
7.3
11.4
2.30-^
0.75 ■
1.70
.0.-72
1.54-/
12.7-/
Females Associated
With other Females .
and Fawns or With
Females, Fawns a n d '
a Single- Male
(4)
14.0
6.-7 -
5.30
2.12 •
3.90 1.34 -
4.20
1.49 ■
3.95
1.06 ■
6.43
4.46
7.8
13.0
I/ Number in parenthesis indicates number of.banded o r •otherwise recognizable antelope.
Tj All distances in miles.
3/ Size of Home range in square miles.
4_/ A v e r a g e ■group size excluding singles.
APPENDIX
- 41
Figure 13.
Study area showing land ownership.
TABLE XI.
MONTHLY CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WEATHER
'STATION AT FLATWILLOW ON THE EAST EDGE OF THE STUDY AREA.
Temperature, in Degrees Fahrenheit -
Ygar
Month'
1966
June
July
August
Average
Maximum
Average
■ Minimum- ■-!".--■•Average- '\ High
77.0
46.3
89.0
83 .6
56.4
48 .5
61.7
73.0
86.1
100
105
99
-
.
Total
June
July ,
August.
72.0
86 .2
88 .2
47 .9
52 .3
50 .4
60.0
69.3
69 .3
Precipitation in Inches
Low
• Total
35
46
37
' 1.14
Total
1967
.
87
94
38
39
98
40
0. 47
Departure'
From Normal
Normal
0.62
-2.70
-0.26
-0.57
3.17
1.40
1.19
2.23
-3.53
5.76
4.79
1.70
trace
1.62
0.30
-1.19
3.17
1.40
1.19
0.73
5.76
6.49
TABLE XII.
TAXA WITH LESS THAN I PERCENT CANOPY•COVERAGE AND 5 PERCENT FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCEIN VEGETATION TYPES AS DETERMINED BY EXAMINATION OF 2 X 5 DECIMETER P L O T S . '
■■
____________ _
‘
Taxa
SHRUBS, ‘
ArtemSsiar eana Atriflex nuttaltii
Juni-iperus horizentalis
Vegetation Type
SagebrushGrassland
46 Stands
.920.Plots •
Grassland
5 Stands
..-IQO- Plots
Greasewbod..
7 Stands.
•140 Plots ■
GreasewoodSagebrush
8 Stands
160 Plots
Shale S l o p e '
13 Stands
260 Plots
X
X
X
X
X
X
X.
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
.43
FORBS
Allium textile
Antennaria rosea
Arabis- nuttaltii
Amioa sororia
Astragalus agrestis
Astragalus bisulcatus
Astragalus graeitis
Astragalus missouriensis
Astragalus purshii
Aster- oanescens ■
Bahia oppositifolia ,
Cametina miorocarpa
Cirsium undutatum
Collomia s p p . '
Comandra umbellata
Erigeron s p p .
Erigeron canadensis
Erigeron oohroleucus .
Erigeron pumitus
Eriogonum flavum
' Vv
i
TABLE XII.
(CONTINUED).
Vegetation Type
Sagebtush- .
Grassland
46 Stands
920 Plots
Taxa .v
G ty o y v v h - L z a Z e p t d e t a
H a p le p a p p u s s p l n u l o s u s
H y m e n o x y s . a c a u lu s
H ym enepappus f - L Z if o llu s
X
X
X
L in u m Z e w i s i i
X
X
X
X
M e lile t u s
X
a lb a
■
M u s in e e n d i v a v i c a t u m .
O v o b a n o h e fa .s o io y Z a ta
X
O x y t v o p is . s e v io e a
P e n s te m o n - n i t i d u s
P e ta lo s te m o n p u v p u v e u m
P o ly g o n u m o o e c in e u m .
X
X
X
X
P o t e n t i l l a spp.
P s o v a le a spp.
P s e v a le a a v g o p h y l l a
X
X
X.
X
X
XX
X
P s e v a le a
e s o u le n ta
R a t i b i d a . o o l u m n i f e v a ..
S a g it t a v ia o a n e a ta
S is y m b v iu m l o e s e l i i
T h e la s p e v m a m a r g in a t u m
Greasewood
7 Stands■
140 Plots,
X
X
G a v r a o e o c in e a
Iv a a x illa v is
'L e p id iu m s p p .
L e p id iu m d e n s if lo v u m i
Grassland
5 Stands .
100 Plots
x-
GreasewoodSagebrush.
8 Stands
160 Plots
Shale Slope
13 Stands
260 •Plots
TABLE XII.
(CONTINUED).
i,
Vegetation. Type
Taxa
'■
GRASSES
Andvovogon scopavius
Danthonia unispioata
Muhiemhevgia- spp.
Unknown Grasses-
SagebrushGrassland .
'46 Stands
■920— Plots
X
X
X
X
Grassland
5 Stands.
100 Plots.
Greasewood
7 Stands
140 Plots
-i
GreasewoodSagebrnsh
8 Stands
160 -Plots
Shale Slope
13 Stands
260 Plots
- '46 TABLE XIII.
CONSTANCY, CANOPY COVERAGE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE OF TAXA
O N THE DIFFERENT!.ERQPOSED TREATMENT SITES ON THE WINNETT SAGE­
BRUSH CONTROL STUDY PLOT. I /
Treatment Sites
Taxa
'
SHRUBS
Artemisia tridentata
Atriplex nuttallii
Gut^errezia.sarothrae
Total S h ru bs
GRASS & GRASS-LIKE PLANTS
Agropyron desertorum
Agropyron smithii
Agropyron spioatum
Agropyron traohyeaulum
Bouteloua graeilis
Bromus teetorum
Calamagrostis montarisnsis
Carex spp.
Carex eieocharis
Carex filifolia
Festuea oetoflora
Eordeum gubatum
Koeleria eristata
Muhlenbergid euspidata
Poa s p p .
Poa eanbyi
Poa compressa
Poa seaunda
Sehedonnardus panieulatus
Stipa eomata ■.
Stipa viridula
Unknown Grass
Total G r a s s e s
FORBS
Achillea millefolium
Allium textile ■
Androsaee septentrionalis
Antennaria rosea
Arabis glabra
Complete
Spray
14 Stands
280 Plots
Strip
Spray
13 Stands
260 Plots
Defer
Control
17 Stands
340 Plots
Cy/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr
100/18/63
14/tr/ 3
43/ 1/10
100/14/65
46/tr/ 5
100/22/60
53/ 2/ 9
76/ 2/21
100/19/69
100/14/66
100/23/66
100/16/69
77/10/40
8/tr/ I
92/ 7/30
100/24/84
35/ 6/21
14/ 2/10 .
100/24/85
50/ 7/26
50/ 3/11
29/tr/ 5
64/ 1/11
IItrl 3 .
Htrl
I
79/ 5/44
14/tr/ 2
21/ I/ 8
38/tr/ 4 ■
15/tr/ I
8/ 1 / 4
69/ 2/27
12/ I/ 5
29/ 1/11
41/tr/ 5
12/tr/ I
38/ 1/13 ■
8/tr/tr
92/ 6/59
53/ 2/16
38/ 3/22
18/tr/ 5
18/tr/ 6
64/ 3/29
36/ 1/10
7/tr/tr
14/tr/ 3
31/tr/ 3
46/ 1/22
46/tr/ 4
23/ I/ 6
86/ 5/29
Htrl 2
62/ 4/19
8/tr/tr
53/ 2/10
100/51/99
100/45/99
100/37/98
21/ I/ 4
79/ 1/14
7/tr/ 2 '
15/tr/ 3
77/tr/15
15/tr/ 2
38/ 1/12
18/tr/ I
35/ I/ 7
53/tr/
6/tr/
6/tr/
6/tr/
3
I
3
I
- 47
TABLE XIII. ■ (CONTINUED)' .■
Treatment Sites ,
Taxa: „
Complete
Spray
• 14 -Stands ■
280 Plots ..
Cy/Cv/Fr
Arenaria hookeri
Artemksia frigida
Aster eanesoens
Astragalus foisulcatus
Astragalus gilviflorus
Astragalus gracilis.
Astragalus misseuriensis
Astragalus 's'triatus
Atriiplex spp. .
Atriplex argentea
Bahia eppesitifolia.
Camelina microcarpa .
Comandra imbellata
Conringia orientalis
Crepis .■occidentalis
Crepis runcingta ■ ■
Draba brgchycarpa
Erigeron ochroleucus - - ■
Erigeron pumilus
Eriogonum multiceps
Euphorbia esula
Euphorbia glyptesperma
Gaura coccinea
Grindeltia squarrose
Eaqplopappus nuttallii
Hymenoxys acaulus
Hymenoxys richardsonii
Iva axillaris
Lactuca serriola
Lappula echinata
Lappula reflowskii
Lepidiium SiOnsiflorwi
'
Linum lewisii
Lomatium orientate
Lomdtium pgrryi
Lotus 'eofhieutatus
29/tr/ 3
79/ '2/18
Strip
Spray
13 Stands
260 Plots.'.
Cy/Cv/Fr
77/ .2/21
8/tr/ I
8/tr/ 2
7/tr/ I
15/tr/ 3 ■
Defer
Control
17 Stands
. 340 P l o t s '
Cy/Cv/Fr
18/tr/ 2
71/ 2/24
24/tr/ 2
6/tr/tr
12/tr/ 3
6/tr/tr 12/tr/ 2
6/ I/ 5
8/tr/tr
6/tr/tr
7/tr/tr
8/tr/tr 43/tr/ 6
7/tr/ I
7/tr/tr
29/tr/ 3
24/ I/ 8
65/tr/12
18/tr/ 5
18/tr/ 2
8/tr/tr
7/tr/ I
21/tr/ 2,
.23/tr/ 5 77/tr/12 : ■
12/tr/ 2
6/tr/ I
12/tr/ 3
8/tr/ 3
29/tr/ 4
15/tr/ 2
8/tr/ I
8/tr/tr
21/tr/ 2 •
43/ 1/10
14/tr/ I
23/tr/ 2
23/tr/ I
31/ I/ 7 ■
8/tr/tr
31/tr/ 5
36/tr/ 4
21/tr/ 2
8/tr/ 2
46/tr/l4
7/tr/tr
7/tr/ I
29/tr/ 8
23/tr/ 3
23/tr/ 5
6/tr/tr
35/tr/ 2
29/tr/ 4
12/tr/ I
18/tr/ I
6/tr/ I
18/tr/ 5
6/tr/tr
35/tr/ 5
6/tr/ 2
48. —
TABLE XIII.
(CONTINUED).
Treatment Sites
Complete
Spray
14 Stands
280 Plots
,Taxa
Defer
Contrbl
17 Stands
340 Plots
■
Qftvf tv
Mentzetia dispersa
Musineon divavioatum
Oenothera albieautis
Opuntia polyoantha
Orobanohe fasoioulata
Penstemon albidus
Penstemon nitidus
Petatostemon purpureum
Phtox hoodii
Ptantago purshii
Potygonum ramosissimum
Psoratea argophytta
Psoratea tenuiftora
Eorippa ourvisitiqua
Eorippa istandioa
Sisymbrium toesetii
Sphaeratcea ooooinea
Taraxacum offioinate
Thetaspemea marginatum
Thtaspi arvense
Tragopogon dubius
Vioia ■americqna
Viota nuttattii
Vtvf
I
18/tr/ 2
Qftvf
29/tr/ I
Vtvftv
I
62/ I/ 9
8/tr/tr
24/tr/ I
6/tr/tr
Qftvf
36/tr/ 4
2
8/tr/ 2
93/ 4/48
43/tr/ 6
92/ 2/32
77/ 1/37
7/tr/tr
21/ 2/13
Iftvftr
7/tr/tr
43/ 1/12
Total Forbs
OT HE RS
Rock
Setaginetta densa
:
6/tr/tr
6/tr/ I
12/ I/ 6
82/ 3/46
12/tr/ I
8/tr/tr
8/tr/tr •
8/tr/ 3
8/tr/ I
6/tr/ 2
24/tr/ 5
Ihftvf 5
14/tr/ 5
85/tr/12 •
31/tr/ 5
8/tr/ 5
15/tr/l
29/tr/ 5
88/ 2/38
35/tr/ 2
29/tr/ 5
6/tr/ I
36/tr/ 2
100/ 4/50
36/tr/ 5
57/ 1/13
100/ 5/49
23/tr/ 2 '
38/tr/ 3
47/tr/ 4
82/ 4/46
18/tr/ 4
47/ I/ 8
21/tr/ 3
79/tr/16
57/ I/ 8
Unknown Forbs
Lichens
Litter I
Litter II .
Strip
Spray
13 Stands
260 Plots
' 100/17/96
100/13/93
100/19/96
57/ 2/26
14/tr/ I
88/ 2/36
100/24/89
86/ 4/23
77/ 2/20
54/ 5/19
92/ 4/68
100/24/91
100/ 5/55
82/ 4/35
6/tr/tr
41/ 1/14
100/33/98
71/ 6/32
I/ Location and extent of proposed treatment sites are shown in the
Appendix,:Figure 1.4.
TABLE XIV.
CONSTANCY, CANOPY COVERAGE, AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE OF TAXA ON THE DIFFERENT
PROPOSED TREATMENT SITES ON THE KING SAGEBRUSH CONTROL STUDY PLOT. If
Treatment Sites
.Taxa
.
Complete
Spray
5 Stands
100'. Plots
Contour
Furrow
15 Stands
.300 Plots
Interseed
10.Stands
.200.Plots
Defer
Control .
2 Stands
40 Plots
Open
Control
10 Stands'
200 P l o t s .
Cy/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr .
93/13/55
100/13/54
10/tr/ I
100/16/68
S H RU BS
100/15/57
Artemssia tvidentata
Atriplex nuttallii
Chrysothmnus nauseosus
60/ I/ 6
Gut^errezia sarothrae .
Rosa arkansana
100/15/60
Total S h r u b s
G R A S S E S A N D G R A S S - L I K E PLANTS
Agropyron desertorum
100/13/82
Agropyron smithii
Agropyron spicatim
40/ 3/14
100/ 9/39
Bouteloua gracilis
40/tr/ 2 .
Bromus tectorum,
20/tr/ 4
Calamayrostis montanensis
Calamovilfa longifolia
100/ 3/25
Carex eleocharis
Carex -fi IifoIia
Distichlis stricta
20/tr/ 5
Festuca octiflora
100/ 5/45
Koeleria eristata
Muhlenbergia euspidata ..
Poa spp.
Poa eanbyi
40/tr/ 2
Poa eompressa
100/
2/39
Poa seeunda
.13/tr/ I
47/ 1/10
7/tr/tr
30/tr/ 4 •
100/14/57
100/11/50
100/16/83
100/17/88
60/ 2/ 9
100/28/82
93/ 4/21
93/12/59
13/tr/ I
13/ 2/ 7
7/ 2/ 6
80/ 3/27
13/tr/ 4.
13/tr/ 2 ■
53/tr/ 9
93/ 4/50
■ 50/ 2/18
40/ I/
I
100/17/70 • 100/14/60
10/ 2/ 7
100/16/95 ■ 100/14/76
100/12/75
50/ 5/27
80/ 6/35
1-b/tr/ 2
20/1/ 5
20/tr/ 2
90/ 3/32
100/13/56
100/ 3/40
90/ 6/36
20/tr/ I
60/tr/ 7
100/ 5/49
20/tr/ 8
100/ 5/53
90/ 4/37.
50/ I/ 5 '
13/tr/ 4
53/ 1/16
80/ 1/18
10/tr/ I
60/ I/ 8
20/ 1/10
70/ 1/15
20/tr/ I
70/ 2/19
100/ 1/18
80/ 2/31
TABLE XIV.
(CONTINUED).
Treatment Sites
Taxa
Schedonnavdus panicutatus
St.-ipa eomata
Stipa vividula
Total G r a s s e s
FORBS
Achillea millefolium
Allium textile
Andvosace septentvionalis
Antennavia vosea
Avenavia hookevi
Avtemesia fvigida
Avtemhsia longifolia
Astvagalus gilviflovus
Astvagalus gvacilis
Astvagalus missouviensis
Astvagalus puvshii
Camelina mievocavpa
Chenopodium album
CoVlomia lineavis
Cvepis oceidentalis
Dvaba bvaehycavpa
Evigevon oehvoleueus
Evigevon pwnilus
Fvitillavia pudica
Gauva coecinea
Gvindellia .squavvose
Complete
Spray
5 Stands
100 Plots
Contour
Furrow
15 Stands
300 Plots
Cy/Cv/Fr
40/tr/10
20/ 4/18
60/ 1/15
Cy/Cv/Fr
53/tr/ 5
67/ 3/28
53/ 2/11
100/41/100
40/tr/
40/tr/
60/ I/
20/tr/
4 ■
2
4
4
100/ 5/41
20/tr/ 2
20/tr/ I
Interseed
10 Stands
200 Plots
Cy/Cv/Fr
40/tr/ 4
100/ 5/53
20/tr/ I
100/44/98 - 100/52/99
27/tr/
73/tr/
27/tr/
47/ I/
33/tr/
7
6
3
9
9
20/tr/
50/tr/
40/tr/
20/tr/
2
5
6
4
7/tr/tr
13/tr/ I
Onen
Control
10 Stands
200 Plots
Cy/Cv/Fr
50/tr/ 3
100/ 9/65
50/ I/ 3
Cy/Cv/Fr
30/tr/ 2
50/ 2/16
90/12/48
100/32/100
100/49/100
100/tr/ 5 •
50/ 2/40
87/ 5/39
100/ 6/50
7/tr/ 3 .
13/tr/ I
7/tr/tr
Defer
Control
2 Stands
40 Plots
10/tr/
40/tr/
30/tr/
20/tr/
20/tr/
2
5
5
2
I .
100/ 5/43
80/ 4/25
50/ 1/13
50/ I/ 3
10/tr/ I
10/tr/ I
30/tr/ 3
20/tr/
10/tr/
10/tr/
20/tr/
10/tr/
20/tr/ I
7/tr/tr
13/tr/.I
I
I
I
6
I
50/tr/ 3
20/tr/ 3
7/tr/ 2
33/tr/ 7
7/tr/tr
7/tr/ I
13/tr/ I
80/tr/ 6
50/ 1/13
20/tr/ 2
20/tr/ I
TABLE XIV.
(CONTINUED).
Treatment Sites
Taxa
Complete
Spray
■ - 5 Stands
100 Plots
Gy/Cv/Fr
Haplopappus nuttallii
Haplopappus spinulosus
Hedeoma hispida
Hymenoxys ■aoaulus
Hymenoxys richardsonii
Lappula vedowsk-Li
Lepid-Lwn densiflovum
Liatvis punctata .
Lomatium ovientale
Lomatium pavvyi
Lupinus avgenteus
Memillavia vivipava
Melilotus officinalis
Micvosevis cuspida
Micvosevis nutans
Musineon divavicatum
Opuntia polycantha
Oxytvopis sevicea
Henstemon aWidus
Fetalostemon puvpuvevm
Fhacelia lineavis
Fhlox hoodii
Plantago elongata
Plantago puvshii ■
Polygonum avieulave
Contour
Furrow
15 Stands
300 Plots
Interseed
10 Stands
200 Plots
Cy/Cv/Fr ‘
Cy/Cv/Fr
Defer
Control
2 Stands
40 Plots
Open
Control
10 Stands
200 Plots
Cy/Cv/Fr
50/ 1/18
Cy/Cv/Fr
10/tr/ I
40/tr/ 8
20/tr/ I -
20/tr/ 2
10/tr/ I
50/ 2/28
80/ 1/22
20/tr/ 2
7/tr/tr
60/tr/10
Iltvl I
20/tr/ I
20/tr/ 4
20/tr/ 4
30/tr/ 6
20/tr/ 2 ..
30/tr/ 3
50/tr/ 3
_
20/tr/ I
40/ I/ 4
20/tr/ 2 •
20/ I/ 6
100/ 1/43
40/tr/ 3
7/tr/tr
7/tr/tr
7/tr/tr
7/tr/tr
7/tr/ I
27/tr/ 4
53/ I/ 6
70/ I/ 6
100/ 3/15
10/tr/ I
70/ 1/10
50/ 2/38
100/ 2/60
100/ 1/35
7/tr/tr
7/tr/■2
47/tr/13
7/tr/ I
93/ 1/31.
7/tr/ I
30/tr/ 4
40/tr/ 6
10/tr/.I
10/tr/ I
70/ 3/28
10/tr/ I
70/ 1/29
10/tr/ I
TABLE XIV.
(CONTINUED).
Treatment Sites
Taxa
'Potent-IVla gvaeilis
Potentilla pennsyIvaniea
Psovalea avgo-phyll
Psovalea esculenta
Psovalea tenuiflova
Rovippa euvvisiliqua
Rovippa islandica
Sitanion hystvixSphaevalcea eoeeinea
Tavaxaeim officinale
Thevmopsis vhombifolia
Thlaspi avvense .
Tvagopogon dubius
Viola adunea
Vieia amevicana
Viola nuttallii
Complete
Spray
5. Stands
100 Plots
Contour
Furrow
15 Stands
300 Plots,
Interseed
10 Stands
200 Plots
Defer
Control
2 Stands
40 Plots
Open
Control
10 Stands
200 Plots
Cy/Cv/Fr .
Cy /Cv/Fr
Cy /Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr -
10/tr/ I
10/tr/ I
50/tr/ 3 •
7/tr/ I
13/tr/ 2 .
20/tr/ 2
Rock
Selaginella densa
Lichens
Litter I
Litter II
40/tr/ 3
10/tr/ 6
60/tr/14
13/tr/ I
20/tr/ 4
67/tr/10
53/ 1/15.
80/ 1/17
70/tr/ 8
20/tr/ I
7/tr/ 3
7/tr/ I
20/tr/ I
40/tr/ 8
40/tr/ 4
80/ 1/16
87/ 3/34
60/ 2/21 '
60/tr/10
100/10/88
100/ 6/53
100/16/48
" 100/ 4/89
100/37/99
80/ 9/64
20/tr/ 5
20/tr/ 3
60/ 1/21
40/tr/ 5
100/tr/10
90/ 1/21
70/ 1/10
100/ 5/58
10/tr/ 3
90/ 5/45
20/tr/ 3
40/tr/ 7
50/tr/ 3
20/tr/ I
30/tr/ 3
10 0 / 1 4 / 8 6
100/12/92
100/ 17/ 95
100/13/94
73/ 2/22
80/15/48
100/ 4/74
100/26/93
100/ 4/52
90/ 2/20
90/30/59
100/ 6/88
100/23/87
100/ 5/49
100/ 4/43
50/14/48
100/ 7/88
100/26/100
100/ 5/70
100/ 3/35
70/ 9/28
80/ 3/58
100/38/96
100/10/73
20/tr/ I
Unknown Forbs
Total Forbs
OT HE RS
100/ 1/13
13/tr/ 2
.
I/ Location and extent of proposed treatment sites are shown in Appendix, Figure 1 4.
-y- .
TABLE XV.
CONSTANCY, CANOPY COVERAGE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE OF TAXA
ON THE DIFFERENT.PROPOSED TREATMENT SITES ON THE SIBBERT SAGE­
BRUSH CONTROL"STUDY PLOT;'. I/
.
_____ .
____ A''.
- . . . J i . , - ,
Taxa.
SHRUBS
Artemisia tridentata
Atriplex nuttallia
Gutterrezia- secrothrae
Total Sh r u b s
GR A S S A N D G R A S S - L I K E PL AN TS
Agrepyron smithii
Agrepyron spicatum
Beuteloua gracilis
Bremus tecterum
Carex eleechdris
Carex fH i folia
Festuca.ectiflera
Koeleria cristata •
Poa spp.
Poa canbyi
Pea compressa
Poa secunda
Schedonnardus panieulatus
Stipa comata
Stipa viridula
Total G r a s s e s
Desehampsia eaespitosa.
FORBS
Achillea millefolium
Allium textile
Androsaae septentrionalis
Antennaria rosea
Arenaria hookeri
Artemssia frigida
Astragalus gracilis
Astragalus purshii
Cameling mieroearpa
Chenopodium album
Draba braehyearpa
Draba crassa
..
______________■
________ .
Treatment Sites
Partial
Spra^
10 Stands
200;Plots
Open
Control
9 Stands
180 Plots
Cf/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr
100/16/57 •
90/ 1/18
78/11/41
11/tr/ I
56/tr/ 3
10 0/ 17/ 64
100/12/44
100/24/97
10/tr/ I
90/10/58
40/ 1/11
100/19/92 -
60/ 2/ 26
20/tr/ 6
.50/tr/ 5
100/ 9/72
10/tr/ I
20/tr/ 3
40/ 1/10
100/ 3/47
10/tr/ I
60/ 3/23
80/ 2/ 18
100/50/1-00
100/16/67
44/ I/ 8
67/ 3/37
22/ I/ 7
67/tr/17 •
89/ 8/ 64
11/ I/ 5
44/ 2/19
89/ 1/29
22/tr/ I
67/ 2/24
56/ 3/29
10 0 / 5 1 / 9 9
11/tr/ I
50/ I/ 7
80/tr/ll
60/tr/12
50/tr/ 4
10/tr/ I
70/ 1/17
10/tr/ I
50/tr/ 6
10/tr/ I
44/tr/ 7
56/tr/ •3' 67/tr/13
33/tr/ 3
100/ 3/29
11/tr/ I
56/tr/ 3
11/tr/ I
11/tr/ I
- 54 TABLE XV.
(CONTINUED)V'
Treatment Sites
Taxa
Open
Control
9 Stands
.180 Plots
Partial
Spray
10 Stands
200 Plots
Cy/Cv/.Fr
Erigeron 'pymilus
Grindeilia squarrose
Hymenoxys aoaulus
Lepidinm densiflorum
Lomatium orientate
Mamillaria vivipara
Medioago sativa
Melilotus officinalis
Oenothera oaespitosa
Opuntia polyoantha
Penstemon albidus
Phlox hoodii
Plantago purshii
Polygonum avioulare
Potentilla pennsyIvanioa
Psoralea argophyl
Psoralea tenuiflora
Rorippa islandioa
Rorippa sinuate ■
Sphaeraloea ooocinea
Taraxacum officinale
Tragopogon dubius
Vioia amerioana
Viola nuttallii
CyV Cv/Fr
56/tr/ 7
11/tr/ I
11/tr/ I
67/tr/13
22/tr/ 2
70/tr/ 6
80/ 1/20
30/tr/ ■2
10/tr/ I
10/tr/ I
40/tr/ 4
10/tr/ I
90/ 1/18
44/tr/ 4
78/ I/ 9
>
70/ I/ 8
100/ 2/42
10/tr/ I
11/tr/ I
44/tr/ 7
100/ 1/35
,
11/tr/ I
10/tr/ I
40/tr/ 3
20/tr/ 3
70/ 1/18
22/tr/ 2
33/tr/ 3
;
56/tr/ 7
90/1/15
80/ I/ 9
100/10/67
30/tr/ 2
■ 80/ 1/15
89/ 1/21
78/tr/ 5
100/ 5/54
22/tr/ 2
78/tr/ 9
Total Forbs
OTHERS
100/17/97
100/12/94
Bareground
Rock
100/16/88
60/ 1/12
90/12/38
100/ 5/84
100/41/95
100/20/96
67/tr/ 8
100/15/49
100/ 5/87
100/37/96 ■
100/ 2/43
Unknown Forbs
Selaginella densa
Lichens
Litter I
Litter II
10 0/ 3/47
I/ Location and extent of proposed treatment types are shown in Appendix,
Figure 1.4.
- '55. TABLE XVI. ■ CONSTANCY, CANOPY COVERAGE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE OF TAXA
ON THE DIFFERENT PROPOSED TREATMENT SITES ON THE IVERSON SAGE­
BRUSH CONTROL STUDY-PLOT. I/
Treatment Sites
Taxa
SH R U B S
Artemisia tridentata
Guterresia sarothrae
Total Sh rubs
GR AS S A N D G R A S S - L I K E PLANTS
Agropyron desertorum
Agropyron smithiiAgropyron spioatum
Boute Ioua grad Hs
Bromus teotorurn
Carex eteocharis
Carex filifolia
Festuoa .ootiflora
Hordeum Jubatim
Koeleria oristata
Poa spp. ■
Poa canbyi
Poa oompressa
Poa secunda .
Sohedonnardus panioulatus ,
Stipa comata■
Stipa viridula.
Total G r a s s e s
FORBS
Aohillea millefolium ,
Allivm textile
Androsaoe septentrionalis
Antennaria rosea
Arenaria hooheri
Artemisia frigida
Astragalus gilvifiorus
Astragalus gracilis
Astragalus missouriensis
Camelina miorooarpa
Partial
Spray
17 Stands
340 Plots
Defer
Control .
12 Stands
240 Plots
Open
Control
12 Stands
240 Plots
CyyfCv/Fr
' Cy/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Fr
100/25/66
29/tr/ 3
92/22/68
42/tr/ 4
100/21/69
8/tr/ I
100/25/68
92/23/68
100/22/72
18/ I/ 5
100/12/88
18/tr/ I
88/17/46 .
29/tr/ 2
25/ 6/24
92/16/71
50/ 4/20
42/ 2/14
88/ 2/32
25/tr/ 5
8/tr/ 3
25/tr/ 3
100/ 2/28
75/ 1/18
94/ 4/35
59/ 1/11
8/tr/tr
50/ 1/18
33/ 2/12
83/. 2/25
50/tr/ 7
50/ 1/7
58/ 2/11
100/38/99
100/36/99
47/ I/ 4
18/tr/ I
12/tr/ I
25/tr/ I
53/tr/10
6/tr/ I
6/ 1/27
41/tr/ 6
8/tr/tr .
100/13/82
42/ 5/18
92/10/60
8/tr/tr
67/ 2/30
33/ 1/13
17/tr/ I
8/tr/tr
100/ 3/59
17/tr/ 4
50/ 1/13
75/ 1/28 •
100/ 6/55
17/tr/ 2
100/42/99 17/tr/
33/tr/
58/tr/
17/tr/
I
5
5
I
12/tr/ I
100/ 2/33
58/ 1/10
6/tr/ I
12/tr/ I
33/tr/ 3
67/ 1/20
17/tr/ 2
8/tr/ I
42/tr/ 3
- .56. TABLE XVI.
(CONTINUED)V" '
Treatment Sites
Taxa
Partial
Spray.
17 Stands
.340 Plots
Defer
Control
12 Stands
240 Plots
Cy/Cv/Fr
Cy/Cv/Rr ,
33/tr/2
8/tr/tr
8/tr/ I
C h e n e p o d iv m g la u e v m
C iv s iv m u n d u la tv m
C o lle m ia l i n e a v i s
E v ig e v e n p v m ilu s
G a w a e o o o in e a
G v i n d e i l i a ,s q u a v v o s e
L a p p u lq e o h in a t a
L a p p u la v e d o w s k ii
L e p id iv m d e n s if lo v y m
6/tr/tr
12/tr/ I
6/tr/tr ;
6/tr/ I
2 9 /tr/ 2
47/tr/ 5
8/tr/tr
17/tr/ 3
17/tr/ I
42/tr/ ,8
L o m a t iv m . p v i e n t a l e
M e lilo t u s o f f i c i n a l i s
M ic v o s e v is n u ta n s
M o n o le p is n u t t a l l i a n a
O p u n t ia , p o ly c a n th a
P e n s te m o n a l b i d u s .
P h lo x h o o d ii
P la n ta g o . Ia n c e o la ta
P la n ta g o
p u v s h ii
P o ly g o n u m
S p h a e v a l e e a . e o e e in e a
Tavaxaeum o f f i e in a le
T h la s p i a v v e n s e
T v a g 'o p o g o n d u b i u s .
V ie ia
V io la
a m e v ie a n a
n u tta I l i i
Unknown Fdrb
Total Forbs ,
OTHERS
Bareground
Rock
S e l a g i n e l l a .d e n s a
Lichens
Litter I
Litter II
Cy/Cv/Fr'
33/tr/ 2
17/tr/ 2
17/tr/ 3
17/tr/ 2
75/1/22 .
25/tr/ I
17/tr/ 4
6/tr/tr
71/ I/ 8
25/tr/ 4
25/tr/ 3
67/ I/ 7
25/tr/ 3.
100/ 2/34 .
76/ 2/28
33/ I/ 8
8/tr/ 2
100/ 1/39
83/ 1/23
8/tr/tr
75/ 1/21
67/tr/ 7
25/ I/ 7
8/tr/ I
8/tr/tr
75/ 1/18
75/tr/ll
75/tr/ 7
a v ie u la v e ■
P o t e n t i l l a p e n n s y Iv a n ie a
P s o v a le a t e n u i f l o v a .
Open
Control
12 Stands
..,240 Plots
18/tr/ I
6/tr/tr
65/tr/ 9
29/tr/ 2
18/tr/ 2
18/tr/ 2
88/ 1/19
6/tr/tr
24/tr/ 3
100/6/84
17/tr/ 2
100/ 6/75 -
50/tr/ 5
100/11/94
100/35/98
94/ 1/23
18/tr/ 3
100/ 3/56
100/21/90 .
65/ 1/14
100/44/99
92/.2/32
17/tr/ 2
67/ 1/29
100/25/89
92/ 2/31
100/22/97
75/ 1/13
58/tr/ 3
100/5/58
100/34/97
75/ 3/42
42/tr/ 3
. 100/ 6/59
JL/ Location and extent of proposed treatment sites are shown in Appendix,
Table Ilfi
TABLE XVII.
PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF OBSERVATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL ANTELOPE IN EACH OF FIVE
GROUP TYPES'BY VEGETATION. TYPE DURING THE SUMMERS OF 1966 AND 19&7.
'
Group Type I /
..
Vegetation
Type’.'
FemalerFawn " ■.
Female-.
Fawn-Male .
FemaleM a l e ...
Sagebrush-Grassland
1966 •
1967
54(6.3)-^
37(10.1)
65(13.8)
44(4.1),
70(5.9)
Female
78(4.6)
75(2.9)
82(2.8)
Male
-
64(5.5)
45(4.9)
Grassland .
1966
1967 ■
Greasewood
1966
1967
..4(2.0),.
2(2.0)
1(7.3)
6(2.5)
3(3:0)'
11(8.6)
2(8.5)
10(11,0)
10 (12.: 9)
1(2.0)
2(2.0)
4(6.3)
26(10.3)
13(5.8)
12(10.8)
7(6.0),
19(4.6)
15(4.0)
7(2.3)
24(4;2)
13(6.5)
8(3.5)
24(6.3).
4(2.0)
5(2.3)
8(3.5)
31(6.8)
9(3.8)
4(2.0)
2(3.0)
2(9.0)
2(4.5)
2(7.3)
—
.
—
3(3.0)
5(6,8)
—
Greasewood-Sagebrush
1966
1967
Shale Slope
‘1966
1967
Cropland
(alfalfa)
1966
1967
25(15.3)
6(8.0)
7(6.0)
11(20.3)
1(1.7)
17(18.2)
/6(6»%)..
6(10.8)
7(14.7)
TABLE XVIIi
(CONTINUED).
Group' Type
Vegetation
■ Type-
- ' •-
Total Nb. Antelope
1966 ■
1967
Total No. Groups
1966 "
1967
Female-’
■Fawniif -■ " •’■
397
■ 948
"
57(7.0)
158(6.0)
FemaleF a w n -Male..
Female. Male
547
2^232
42(13.0)
172(13.0)
I/ Includes group types commonly seen during both summers.
animals.
2/ Numbers in parenthesis indicate average group size.
83
212
19(4.4)
48(4.4)
Female
55
131
19(2.9)
49(2.7)
Male •
86
578
18(4.8)
100(5.8)
Each, group included two or more
- 59 TABLE XVIII.
PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION O F 5,874 OBSERVATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL
ANTELOPE BY SEX AND AGE ON SIX VEGETATION TYPES DURING-THE
SUMMERS/OFV1966 AND 1967. .
Vegetation
Type
Sagebrush-Grassland
1966
1967
Grassland
1966
1967 •
_____ Adults____
Females
Males
54
66 ■
'
Young
pUnclassified
728
67
50
43
3
3
I
I
8
2
35
80
8
7
3
5
10
21
34
138
16
15
27
12
2
3
288
548
8
25
8
6
2
107
-
471
8
■6
3
-2
10
6
23
47
. 282
564
215
976
487
1,322
168
111
1, 43 4
4, 44 0
2
68
45
16
Total ■
Antelope.
2,751
Greasewood.
1966
1967
Greasewood-Sagebrush
1966
1967
Shale Slope
1966
1967
Cropland
(alfalfa)
1966
1967
Total A n t e l o p e
1966
1967
21
12
8 ■
7
2,031
•
7 .
308
138
— 60 —
TABLE XIX.
NUMBERS OF INDIVIDUAL ANTELOPE OBSERVED DURING TEN GROUND AND
FIVE AERIAL COUNTS'FROM JUNE 16 TO SEPTEMBER 15, 1967, LISTED
BY SQUARE.MILES. .
,
Location—
Adults
F
M;. Fawns
19-K
2 O-K
21-K
17-L
19-L
13
33
3
23
6
2
27
3
■2
I
9
20
2
10
7
20-L
21-L
17-M
18-M
20-M
6
5
16
I
27
97
4
I
26
2
-
21-M
22-M ■
28-M
16-N
17-N .
8
5
-.
I
25
17
I
6
5
18-N •
19-N
2 O-N
21-N '
22-N
23-N
31
7
68
9
4
3
15 ■
10
3
6
5
27-N
29-N
30-N
17-0
18-0
19-0
3
20 .
9
18 '
10
11
20-0
21-0
22-0 '
23-0
24-0
26
16
17
10
58
25-0
26-0
27-0
28-0
29-0
48
17
13
I.
12
I
2
I .
2
2
2
7
16 ■
4
I
I
. 9
14
7
58
2
3
2
—
17
6
13
8
9
' TotalJ=/
Antelope
24
80
8
35
14
22-P
23.-P
24-P
25-P
26-P
F
Adults
. ..M
Fawns.
Total
Antelope
21
8
29
33
3
9
2
4
3
-
23
I
19
13
I
53
11
52
49
4
-
I
7
7
I
6
54
9
-
I
15 '
111
30
6
15
29
37
I
3
48
25
-
50
92
108
2
9
6
4
8
108
50
I
105
9
24
I.
69
27-P
28-P
29-P •
30-P
19-0
9
50
14
5
29
7
6
2
39
60
14
136 •
14
13
10
20-Q
21-0
22-Q
23-Q
25-Q
23
37
46
2
26-0
27-Q
28-Q
29-Q
30-0
18-R
6
I
4
54
21
I
12
6
25
2
7
2
I
6
4
-
19-R
20-R
21-R
22-R
23-R
25-R -
10
47
7
30
7
4
17
13
21
3
3
9
25
23
4
23
2
24
74
3
12
8
20
12
12
3
4
2
2
21
13
17
30
18
77
39
43
7
7
. 41
7
6
22
4
39
. 16
33
20
22
5
10
8
3
11
19
9
5
2
17
50
35
30
15
3
I
2
I
3
15
9
2
-
66
15
Location
86
27
17
2
30
26-R
27-R
28-R
29-R
3 O-R
14-S
15-S
18-S
19-S
20-S
4
44
23
22
7
3
8
40
89
7
14
35
21 .
103
61 TABLE X I X 1
Location
30-0
31-0
17-P
18-P
19-P
■
20-P
21-P
29-S
14-T.
16-T
(CONTINUED)
Adults
F .
M
3
4
6
6
3
4 ■
2
11
9
3
67
8
3
I
3
48
19
4
17-T
18-T
19-T
20-T
21-T
2
7
14
34
13
22-T
23-T
24-T
25-T
28-T
23
15
3
3
5
14-U
15-U
,Fawns
6
4
12
16
9
23
7
2
I
'
.:'
I
2
-
—
I
19
82
31
6
7
-
I
-
11
16
7
6
5
-
I
I
6
6
3
2
—
Total
Antelope
Location
Adults
F,
M
Fawns
Total
Antelope.
21
5
109
-
14
116
60
13
10
29
31
23
21-S
22-S
23-S
25-S
26-S -
43
14
4
64
24
45
63
10
10
9
42
27
146
45
12
5
I
2 7-S
28-S
18-U .
19-U
20-U
25
25
40
3
24
4
3
5 ■
I
39
16
15 ■
26
3 .
9
3
8
44
132 •
51
21-U
22-U
25-U
26-U ■
15-V
59
19
6
2
35
27
3
10
12
18-V
19-V
20-V
21-V
6
4
16
9
22-V
36
33
76
10
4
20
21
44
11
3
' 62
58
136
30
7
4
4
25-V
26-V
6
6
I
3
11
12
18
23
-
22
-
8
I■
49
17
I
38.
-
82
45
43 ■
71 .
11
72
.
114
38
I
84
I
I/. See Figure 14 for. locations.
Sample size within study area boundaries
was 4,416.
(This includes.multiple .observations of individual antelope.)
_2/ The total figure includes unclassified antelope..
TABLE XX.
NUMBERS OF INDIVIDUAL ANTELOPE OBSERVATIONS MADE ON THE DIFFERENT PROPOSED TREATMENT
SITES OF EACH OF THE SAGEBRUSH CONTROL STUDY PLOTS DURING TEN GROUND AND FIVE AERIAL
COUNTS IN THE SUMMER OF 1967-.- .
Sagebrush.Control Study Plots I/
Winnett
3 Treatifient
Sites ;
Proposed
Treatment
Types' " .
Complete Spray
(i)^'
Partial Spray
(2)
Strip Spray
(3)
King
■ 5 Treatmfent■
Sites
F/M/Fawns
F/M/Fawns
-/6/-
6/1/-
Iverson
3 Treatment
Sites
F/M/Fawns
F/M/Fawns
-/-/-.
-/-/ - I
-/2/4/-/3 .
Contour Furrow (5)
Interseed
(6)
15/14/6
Defer Control
(7)
15/3/5
Open Control
(8)
TOTAL
Sibbert
2 Treatment
Site's
-/8/-
-/-/-
148/194/84
4/1/4
6/3/4
188/212/98 -
4/1/4
6/3/4
.1/ Sagebrush control study plots are shown o n .Figure Tb.
Tj Numbers in parenthesis ■.identify the proposed treatment sites and their locations on each
sagebrush control study plot on Figure 14. •
63 -
Winne
Study
Study
Spring Cr.
'' W a t e
Sibbcrt
Stud; Plot
■Vehicle R o u t e
S t u d y »lot
Figure 14.
&
I
Im i l e s
Grid map of study area for use with Tables XIX and XX in showing
locations of antelope observations and locations of sagebrush
control study plots and treatment sites.
64
L I T E R A T U R E CI T E D
A n d r e w s , B. A., G. S . Lambert, and G. W. Stose.' 1944.
Geologic map of .
Montana.
U. -S. D e p t . of Interior,.Geological Survey.
B a k e r , T. C.
1952. . Experimental investigation in determining antelope
distribution and movements.
Wyoming Wild!. Research Quart. Progr.
R e p t . 7:60-70.
Bayless, S . R.
1967. ' Winter range use of pronghorn antelope in central
Montana.
U n p u b l . M.S. thesis, Montana State University.
65 pp.
Blaisdell, J. P . and W. F. Mueggler. 1956.
Effect.of 2,4-D on forbs and
shrubs associated with big sagebrush.
Jour, of Range M g m t . 9:38-40.
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 M o n t a n a , P a r t II.
Montana State College, Bozeman, Montana.
280 pp.
Dicotyledons.
Buechner, H. K.
1950.
Life history, ecology, and range-use of the
pronghorn antelope in Trans-Pecos Texas.. A m e r . Midland Naturalist.
4 3 ( 2 ) :257-354.
Cole, G. -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. A g r . E x p t . S ta. Tech. Bull. 516. 63 pp.
_____
and B . T. Wilkins.
1958.
The pronghorn antelope - Its range use
and food habits in central Montana with special reference to wheat.
Mont. Fish and Game.Dept. Tech. 'Bull. No. 2.
39 pp.
Daubenmire, R.
1959, , A canopy-coverage method of vegetational analysis.
N o r t h w e s t 'S c i . 33:4.3-64.
D i r s c h l , H. J.
1963. . Food-habits of -the pronghorn,in Saskatchewan. ^
J. W i l d l . M g m t . 27(1):81-93.
E i n erson, A. S . 1948. ' The pronghorn antelope and its management.
ed. Wildlife M g m t . Inst., Washington, D. C.
238 pp.
1st.
— 65 ~
Ferrell, C . M.-^and H. R. Leach.
1952. . The pronghorn, antelope of Cali­
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