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Appendix VI
CUMBERLAND CREEK, PENNOCK BIG GAME WINTER RANGE
CARBON COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
Pennock Big Game Winter Range is located 3.5 miles east of Saratoga, Wyoming
(T 17N, R 82W, S 5,6; T 18N, R 83W, S 26,35,36). Approximately 4.5 miles of Cumberland Creek is located on the 9,806 acre unit. The site is accessible by vehicle from early spring until winter.
Land Administrator
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department purchased Pennock Big Game Winter Range in 1962. The primary objective of the department is to manage the winter range for winter elk use.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
Approximately 600 elk utilize the unit from late fall until early spring. Seventy-five mule deer and 50 antelope utilize the area throughout the year.
Livestock Grazing History
Pennock Big Game Winter Range has not had authorized livestock grazing since 1965. Prior to 1965, the potential study area was heavy utilized by cattle.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cumberland Creek is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 7,200 feet. Associated riparian vegetation includes grass, serviceberry, chokecherry, willow, aspen, and cottonwood. Upland vegetation consists of grass, big
sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush, and some conifers. The potential study area is included in a low annual precipitation zone.
Rangeland Improvements
A total of 500 acres have been burned over the past 3 years on the winter range. Six-hundred acres are scheduled to be burned in the near future. There is irrigation of a small grass meadow on the southeast portion of the unit.
Observed Impacts
Possible impacts from past intense livestock grazing may still be evident on some portions of the unit. Grass production is low on some upland sites. Bare soil makes up a high percentage of the ground throughout much of the range. Streambanks on Cumberland Creek are fairly well vegetated and stable with some bank sloughing occurring at certain points along the stream. Some elk
and mule deer feces was observed along the stream and on upland sites.
Potential as Field Study Site
Cumberland Creek holds little potential as a field study site because of existing poor range conditions which may be attributed to past livestock grazing. Stream sediment loading and fecal contamination of the stream may be
accelerated and more profound due poor range conditions.
Potential as Experimental Site
Cumberland Creek holds little potential as an experimental site for the same reasons as mentioned above.
Administrative Contact
Robert Gurney
Habitat Management Coordinator
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Box 96
Yoder, Wyoming 82244
(307) 788-1456
Appendix VII
LITTLEFIELD CREEK EXCLOSURE, CARBON COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
Littlefield Creek exclosure is located approximately 27 miles southwest of Rawlins, Wyoming (T 17N, R 89W, S 15). The exclosure is 7 acres in size and encloses approximately 300 yards of Littlefield Creek. The potential study site is accessible by vehicle from early spring until early winter.
Land Administrator
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management erected the exclosure in 1982 to improve stream quality and increase habitat for the Colorado Cutthroat Trout. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management plans to enclose another 1300 acres of riparian pasture which will include the existing exclosure.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
The potential study area on Littlefield Creek serves primarily as transition range for elk, mule deer, and antelope. Some elk and mule deer may be found in the area during summer and fall.
Livestock Grazing History
The land within the exclosure has had periodic trespass cattle use since it was built in 1982. The amount of utilization by cattle has been minimal. During the past year, the pasture surrounding of the exclosure was rested from livestock grazing except for some light spring use by sheep.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Littlefield Creek is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 7,000 feet. Associated riparian vegetation includes grass, sedges, and willow. Upland vegetation consists of big sagebrush and some grass. Jerry Jech of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in Rawlins, Wyoming noted that the riparian vegetation within the exclosure has greatly increased during the past year. Sedges have encroached on the stream, which has help stabilize and narrow the streambanks.
Rangeland Improvements
Willow and Chokecherry were planted along the stream within the exclosure to increase streambank stability and provide overhanging cover. At this point, there is no evidence that willow and chokecherry have established along the stream.
Observed Impacts
There was very little evidence of use within the exclosure by wild ungulates. Some deer feces was observed on the hillside adjacent to the stream within the exclosure. Cattle dung from previous use was observed along the stream within the exclosure.
Potential as Field Study Site
Littlefield Creek exclosure holds little potential as a field study site because utilization and impacts from wild ungulates use within and outside the exclosure is minimal.
Potential as Experimental Site
Littlefield Creek exclosure holds some potential as an experimental site mainly because of existing fences that enclose 7 acres of riparian habitat. Also, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has proposed to enclose an additional 1300 acres of riparian habitat which may possibly be livestock free for 5 years after the exclosure is built.
Administrative Contact
Bud Holbrook
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
812 E. Murray
Rawlins, Wyoming 82301
(307) 324-4841
Appendix VIII
BALDY BUTTE EXCLOSURE, MUDDY CREEK, CARBON COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
Baldy Butte exclosure is located on Muddy Creek, approximately 40 miles southwest of Rawlins, Wyoming, 2 miles east of Highway 789 (T 17N, R 92W, S 11). The site is accessible by vehicle year-round.
Land Administrator
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management built the 300 acre exclosure in 1985 to see how the riparian system would respond to the absence of livestock grazing.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
The potential study area serves mainly as winter range for antelope. Some antelope and mule deer are found in the area year-round. The amount of utilization by wild ungulates within the exclosure is minimal.
Livestock Grazing History
There has not been authorized grazing inside the exclosure since it was built in 1985. There has been some occasional trespass cattle use inside the exclosure.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Muddy Creek is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Intermittent. Muddy Creek usually has perennial flows except during drought years such as this past year. The stream bottom is unconsolidated and consists of mainly sand and mud.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 6,700 feet. The potential study area is a desert type environment with the average annual rainfall being less than 12 inches per year. Associated riparian vegetation
consists of sedges, willow, rabbitbrush, and sagebrush. Upland vegetation includes mainly rabbitbrush and sagebrush.
Rangeland Improvements
There have been no rangeland improvements or treatments within the exclosure or surrounding area. There has been an attempt to fill a large downcut section of the stream with large boulders.
Observed Impacts
According to Jerry Jech of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in Rawlins, Wyoming, willow have been declining along the stream due water stress from recent drought years. Streambanks have been eroding away year by year as a result of high water flows during spring and the lack of deep rooted vegetation along the streambanks. There is significant downcutting occurring. Impacts from wild ungulate and cattle use inside the exclosure are minimal. Most of the stream quality problems, mainly stream sediment loading, are most likely
occurring due to impacts from intense cattle grazing upstream and severe flash flooding.
Potential as Field Study Site
Baldy Butte exclosure on Muddy Creek holds no potential as a field study site. Impacts from wild ungulate grazing within the exclosure and surrounding area are minimal. Impacts from cattle grazing upstream and flash flooding have possibly caused existing water quality problems such as stream sediment loading.
Potential as Experimental Site
Baldy Butte exclosure holds little potential as an experimental site for the same reasons mentioned above.
Administrative Contact
Bud Holbrook
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
812 E. Murray
Rawlins, Wyoming 82301
(307) 324-4841
Appendix IX
SULFUR SPRINGS EXCLOSURE, MUDDY CREEK, CARBON COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
Sulfur Springs exclosure is located on Muddy Creek approximately 36 miles southwest of Rawlins, Wyoming (T 17N, R 89W, S 18). Approximately 300 yards of Muddy Creek flows through the 5acre exclosure. The exclosure is accessible by vehicle year-round.
Land Administrator
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management erected the exclosure in 1986 to see how the riparian system would respond to the absence of livestock grazing.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
The potential study area receives summer and fall use by antelope and mule deer and some winter use by elk.
Livestock Grazing History
The land inside the exclosure has not had authorized livestock grazing since it was built in 1986. There is evidence of some trespass cattle use on the east end of the exclosure.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this portion of Muddy Creek is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Lower Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 7,200 feet. The exclosure is located in a desert type environment with a low average annual rainfall. Associated riparian vegetation includes grass, sedges, and some
willow. Upland vegetation includes sagebrush and some grass.
Rangeland Improvements
In 1989, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management planted different species of willow along the stream. Some of the willows have established but are still very small and do not provide much cover or bank stability.
Observed Impacts
The willows that are present are being utilized by either trespass cattle or elk, or a combination of both. Sedges have established along the streambanks which has increased streambank stability. There is evidence of past flooding which has eroded some of the stream channel. Cattle, elk, and mule deer feces were present along the stream and on upland sites inside and outside the exclosure.
Potential as Field Study Site
Sulfur Springs exclosure on Muddy Creek holds little potential as a field study site. Problems related to cattle grazing, flash flooding, and soil types (mainly fine sediment), are most likely impacting water quality and would
be difficult to differentiate from wild ungulate impacts on water quality. The amount of utilization by wild ungulates inside the exclosure is relatively low.
Potential as Experimental SiteSulfur Springs exclosure holds little potential as an experimental site for the same reasons as mentioned above.
Administrative Contact
Bud Holbrook
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
812 E. Murray
Rawlins, Wyoming 82301
(307) 324-4841
Appendix X
WAGONHOUND CREEK, WICK WILDLIFE HABITAT UNIT, CARBON COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
The Wick Wildlife Habitat Unit is located 40 miles northwest of Laramie, Wyoming, along Interstate Highway 80. Approximately 6.5 miles of Wagonhound Creek are located along the western boundary of the habitat unit (T 19N, R 79W, S 5,6,8,17,18,19,20,30,31). The site is accessible by vehicle from late spring until late fall.
Land Administrator
The Wick Wildlife Habitat Unit, which was purchased in 1964, is comprised of 10,344 acres of Wyoming Game and Fish Department deeded land, 2,440 acres of leased state land, and 286 acres of land owned by the Bureau of Land Management. The habitat area is managed to provide year-round habitat for all wildlife species and to provide public access.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
The Wick Habitat Unit provides crucial winter range for elk and mule deer and summer range for antelope. Approximately 600 elk, 200 mule deer, and 200 antelope utilize the unit throughout the year. The majority of the elk move from the higher summer ranges on to the southern portion of the unit by early December.
Livestock Grazing History
Authorized livestock grazing has been excluded from the unit since October of 1988. Prior to that date the University of Wyoming had 800 AUM's of cattle on the unit.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wagonhound Creek is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Intermittent. During drought years the upper portion of Wagonhound Creek, along the southern boundary of the unit, may flow very little water or completely dry up. The lower portion of the stream has several beaver dams which have kept the water table high and provided a source of perennial water flow.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study area is approximately 7,500 feet. Associated riparian vegetation includes grass, sedges, willow, chokecherry, aspen, and cottonwood. Upland vegetation consists primarily of grass, big
sagebrush, black sagebrush, mountain mahogany, antelope bitterbrush, and aspen.
Rangeland Improvements
There have been several rangeland improvements done to improve wildlife habitat on the unit. Prescribed burning, fertilization, range pitting, herbicide spraying, clearcutting, and salt blocks have-been used since 1967 to improve wildlife habitat and animal distribution on the unit.
Observed Impacts
The riparian vegetation along Wagonhound Creek looks very healthy and vigorous. Streambanks on the upper portion of the stream look stable while most of the lower portion of the stream is comprised of several beaver dams which have increased the water table and spread water out of the stream channel. Most elk and deer feces were observed on upland hillsides and ridges adjacent to the stream. Overall, the riparian zone along Wagonhound Creek looks very healthy.
Potential as Field Study Site
Wagonhound Creek holds some potential as a seasonal (late spring and early summer) study site. The fact that Wagonhound Creek may flow intermittently along the southern portion of the unit may present problems for conducting research. Research might be conducted from early spring to early summer when the stream is holding water and big game animals are still utilizing the area.
Potential as Experimental Site
Wagonhound Creek has good potential as an experimental study site. Research might be conducted lower on the stream where water is present year-round and wild ungulate use is not as heavy.
Administrative Contact
Robert Gurney
Habitat Coordinator
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
P.O. Box 96
Yoder, Wyoming 82244
(307) 788-1456
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