173 



Table 91. Reptilian and amphibian species observed on the Sand 

 Creek study area, 1980-81. 



Common Name 



1 Northern chorus frog 



2 Leonard frop; 



3 Painted turtle 

 H Racer 



5 Bull snake 



6 Plains garter snake 



7 Prairie rattlesnake 



Scientific Name 



Rana plplzn& 

 ChfLy6e.my& p-icta 

 ColuibQ.fl CO ni> tfilcto K 



Thamnophi6 lad-ix 

 CfLOtatui \jZn.-id-i& 



Birney 



Mule Deer 



Population characteristics : During the study 48l mule deer were 

 observed in the Birney study area (Table 92). Average group size 

 ranged from 1.7 in summer 1981 to 6.5 In winter. January 198I 

 had the highest average group size of any month. The pattern of 

 larger groups during winter and spring, and small groups during 

 summer and early fall is similar to that observed by Martin (1980a) 

 on the nearby Otter Creek, Hanging Woman Creek, and Prairie Dog 

 Creek areas. 



Mule deer observations per hour of aerial survey were calculated 

 to provide an index of relative abundance to compare the various 

 study areas. Mule deer observations per hour on the Birney area 

 ranged from 4.2 during summer 198I to 19.8 during winter (Table 

 93). The relatively heavily timbered nature of the study area 

 contributed to these low figures. Biggins and Phillips (1979) 

 estimated that only 17^ of the mule deer were observed in timbered 

 areas, compared to 39^ in upland shrub types. Nevertheless, all 

 of the figures (observations per hour, total number of deer 

 observed each month, number of groups of deer) indicate a much 

 lower mule deer population than on the Otter Creek, Hanging 

 Woman Creek, Poster Creek, and Sand Creek study areas (Martin 

 1980a, 1980b). Many of the local landowners attribute the low 

 deer densities to poaching. It is unclear whether poaching is higher 

 on the study area than in nearby areas with higher deer densities. 

 The sparse, dry vegetation and lack of good riparian (deciduous 

 tree and shrub) vegeation may result in a lower carrying capacity 

 for deer in this area. 



Mule deer population structure was determined during October and 

 November (Table 94). Pawn production was poor with only 4l.7 and 

 80.0 fawns/100 does observed. The 27.7 fawns/100 adults observed 

 in October is far below the 405? fawn level necessary for a mule 

 deer population to remain stable (Swenson 1978a). The November 

 flight revealed a 50^ fawn level, but only 12 6eer were classified. 



