April 19 7 7 through July 19 78 and are compared in Appendices 

 2 through 6. 



In order to understand the overall ecology of ungulates 

 in a particular area, several years of data are necessary to 

 assess herd productivity, status and well-being. In the 

 West Cabinet Mountains and particularly in the area included 

 in the study area, limited information was available concern- 

 ing ungulates. This investigation was conducted for 16 months 

 and due to time constraints, the paucity of previous informa- 

 tion and the diversity of wildlife in the area, refined life 

 histories and population dynamics could not be addressed. 



Ungulate sign which were noted during fall and winter 

 were fresh and were representative of areas which ungulates 

 used during these seasons (Table 2). Based on the distribu- 

 tion of moose, elk, and deer sign, there were no apparent 

 areas used exclusively by elk or deer. Figure 6 shows 

 federally controlled lands which the Kootenai National Forest 

 has designated as well-suited big game winter range. This 

 designation is based on five criteria including: elevation, 

 aspect, habitat type, snow depth and known use areas. Distri- 

 bution of ungulates during this study does not necessarily 

 correspond with KNF boundaries of well-suited big game winter 

 range because criteria restraints were not imposed and land 

 ownership boundaries were disregarded. 



Moose 



Moose distribution in Montana has expanded considerably 

 in the last 25 years, although this may be a reflection of 

 the increasing knowledge concerning moose. Moose are common 

 in the northwest portion of the state (Stevens 1971). Fif- 

 teen moose observations were recorded during the report 

 period and 189 instances of moose sign (tracks and pellet 

 groups) were also recorded. Information was collected for 

 each moose observed from April 1977 through March 19 78 

 (Appendix 2). Moose sign noted during October 1977 through 

 March 1978 is summarized in Table 2 and was used to develop 

 the map of ungulate winter distribution (Figure 6). Distri- 

 bution of moose observed during the report period is plotted 

 in Figure 7. 



Environmental parameters recorded at each moose obser- 

 vation site are given in Appendices 2 through 6. Spring 

 observations and sign indicate that moose were using the 

 Lake Creek Valley although there appeared to be a movement 

 to higher elevations by mid-May. A dead moose was found at 

 the proposed lower plant site on Stanley Creek and another 

 was observed along the east shore of Bull Lake during spring. 

 Sign was noted at the site of the proposed tailing impound- 



15 



