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Appendix XXI
TONGUE RIVER, AMSDEN BIG GAME WINTER RANGE, SHERIDAN COUNTY
Amsden Big Game Winter Range is located 1 mile west of Dayton, Wyoming. The unit was not evaluated in detail because topography the lack of water on the unit limit the potential as an experimental or field study site. A small section of the Tongue River is located in a narrow canyon with nearly vertical cliffs on both side of the river. Utilization by elk on this portion of the unit is limited. Most utilization occurs to the north of the river on open slopes where water is limited.
Appendix XXII
WEST PASS CREEK, KERN'S BIG GAME WINTER RANGE, SHERIDAN COUNTY
Kern's Big Game Winter Range is located approximately 20 miles west of Ranchester, Wyoming. The unit was not evaluated in detail because topography, accessibility, and the lack of perennial water on the unit limit the potential as an experimental site or field study site. A small section of West Pass Creek is located in a deep, narrow, and dense timbered canyon on the south side of the unit. Utilization by elk on this portion of the unit is limited. Most utilization occurs on the northern part of the unit where intermittent streams flow water only during spring.
Appendix XXIII
FALL CREEK, FALL CREEK FEEDGROUND, SUBLETTE COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
The potential study site is located on Fall Creek Feedground, 8 miles east of Pinedale, Wyoming (T 33N, R 108W, S 1, SE l/4 2, NE l/4 11, N l/4 12). Approximately 1 mile of Fall Creek is located land deeded to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The site is accessible by four-wheel drive from late spring until late fall.
Land Administrator
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages Fall Creek Feedground for supplemental winter feeding of big game animals, primarily elk.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
Approximately 650 elk utilize Fall Creek Feedground and the surrounding area from late fall until late spring. Moose and some mule deer utilize the area throughout the year.
Livestock Grazing History
Summer and fall cattle grazing is permitted on Fall Creek Feedground and the surrounding area.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and wildlife Service, Fall Creek is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 7,100 feet. Riparian vegetation includes grass, sedges, willow, aspen, and lodgepole pine. Upland vegetation includes grass, sagebrush, aspen, and some lodgepole pine. The area can be described as a sagebrush steppe with interspersions of conifers along the streams.
Rangeland Improvements
There have been no rangeland improvements on Fall Creek Feedground. Elk will utilize native winter range on Half Moon Mountain which is located approximately 4 miles northwest of Fall Creek Feedground. Half Moon Mountain attracts elk because of wildfires and prescribed burnings which have increased grass production on the mountain.
Observed Impacts
Fall Creek Feedground has very pronounced impacts from cattle and wildlife use. Shrubs, mainly willow and aspen, have been heavily utilized in the riparian zone and on upland sites. Aspen regeneration is virtually non-existent. Lodgepole pine trees along the stream have been heavily barked, primarily by elk during the winter. Grass in the riparian zone and on upland sites is moderately grazed by cattle during the summer and fall. Streambanks are not well vegetated and have been trampled by the hooves of ungulates in some areas. Elk feces was abundant along the stream and on upland sites. Cattle dung was observed along the stream and on upland sites.
Potential as Field Study Site
Fall Creek Feedground holds little potential as a field study site because cattle and wildlife both utilize the site. It would be difficult to differentiate the impacts of cattle use from wild ungulate use. Fall Creek
holds good potential as a field study site to research the impacts of both cattle grazing and wild ungulate grazing on water quality.
Potential as Experimental Site
Fall Creek Feedground holds little potential as an experimental site because of moderate to heavy utilization by cattle and wild ungulates which have impacted water quality and vegetative biomass, age structure, and species composition.
Administrative Contact
Steve Kilpatrick
Habitat Management Coordinator
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Star Rt.Box 13A
Jackson, Wyoming 83001
(307) 733-3931
Appendix XXIV
BONE DRAW EXCLOSURES, SWEETWATER COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
Two exclosures are located on Bone Draw Creek approximately 7 miles southwest of Eden, Wyoming (T 24N, R 107W, S 32,33). The lower exclosure (exclosure A) is approximately 42 acres in size and is located directly above the confluence of Bone Draw Creek and Big Sandy River. The upper exclosure (exclosure B) is 37 acres in size and is located approximately 300 yards above exclosure A. The exclosures on Bone Draw Creek are accessible by four-wheel drive year around.
Land Administrator
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management in cooperation with the Wyoming Game and-Fish Department manage the exclosures on Bone Draw Creek. The primary management objective is to protect spawning habitat for fish and the secondary management objective is to provide a livestock free control area to show contrasts between
grazed and ungrazed riparian.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild ungulates
Utilization inside exclosure A is limited to a small number of mule deer, mainly during spring, summer, and fall. Occasionally, up to 200 antelope will inhabit the area within exclosure B during late fall while migrating to winter grounds.
Livestock Grazing History
The area within the exclosures has not been grazed by livestock, with exception to an occasional trespass cow, since the construction of the exclosures in 1980. The area outside the exclosures is extensively grazed by cattle.
Wetland Classification
Bone Draw Creek in exclosure A is classified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial. Bone Draw Creek within exclosure B would be classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Intermittent.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 6,500 feet. It is possible that water from irrigated cropland above Bone Draw seeps into shallow aquifers and feeds Bone Draw Creek. Associated riparian vegetation includes grass, sedges, and some big sagebrush. Upland vegetation would be considered desert type with big sagebrush and rabbitbrush being the dominate shrubs.
Rangeland Improvements
There have been no rangeland improvements or treatments within the exclosures or on land adjacent to Bone Draw Creek.
Observed Impacts
The riparian zone inside the exclosures looks very healthy.Sedges have created stable banks and filtered sediment from upstream sources. Outside the exclosures, streambanks are severely trampled and streamside vegetation is virtually nonexistent. The stream is very shallow, muddy and slow moving. Cattle use along the stream outside the exclosures is moderate to heavy.
Potential as Field Study Site
Bone Draw exclosures hold little potential as a field study site because of minimal wild ungulate use within the exclosures and cattle use outside of the exclosures which may be impacting water quality.
Potential as Experimental Site
Bone Draw exclosures hold little potential as an experimental site for the same reasons mentioned above.
Administrative Contact
William LeBarron
Bureau of Land Management
Green River Resource Area
1993 Dewar Drive
Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901
(307) 362-6422
Appendix XXV
GREEN RIVER, SEEDSKADEE WILDLIFE REFUGE, SWEETWATER COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
Seedskadee Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 22 miles north of Green River, Wyoming, east of Highway 312.Approximately 30 miles of the Green River is located on the 13,816 acre refuge. The potential study are is accessible by vehicle year-round.
Land Administrator
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages Seedskadee Wildlife Refuge for all species of wildlife with a higher priority on waterfowl. Seedskadee Wildlife Refuge was established in 1965.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
Approximately 50 mule deer, 50 antelope, and 35 moose utilize the refuge throughout the year.
Livestock Grazing History
Livestock grazing has been excluded from most of the refuge since the late 1960's. Eight water gaps are located along the Green River on the refuge for cattle and sheep use. Livestock grazing is permitted on land surrounding
the refuge.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Green River is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 6,200 feet. Riparian vegetation includes grass, sedges, willow, chokecherry, and cottonwood. Upland vegetation is mainly a sagebrush-grassland. Seedskadee Wildlife Refuge includes approximately 30 miles of stream and riparian zone which contains excellent cover and forage for a wide diversity of wildlife species.
Rangeland Improvements
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has used prescribed burning on some areas of the refuge to increase grass production and reduce decadent woody vegetation.
Observed Impacts
The number of wild ungulates per unit area on the refuge is low, therefore, impacts from wild ungulate use within the refuge are minimal. There is some utilization of willow and chokecherry by moose throughout the unit. Streambanks are relatively well vegetated and stable with exception to water gaps along the river which are utilized by livestock.
Potential as Field Study Site
The Green River on Seedskadee Wildlife Refuge holds little potential as a field study site because of minimal wild ungulate use on the refuge.
Potential as Experimental Site
The Green River on Seedskadee Wildlife Refuge holds good potential as an experimental site because the area within the refuge is large and in relatively good condition and impacts on water quality are few with exception to
livestock utilizing water gaps on the river.
Administrative Contact
Refuge Supervisor
Seedskadee Wildlife Refuge
Highway 312
Green River, Wyoming 82935
(307) 875-2187
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