257 



Distribution : Spring distribution Is shown In Figure 113- Most 

 of the large groups were seen In the Deer Creek area north of 

 East Decker. Antelope were concentrated In this same area 

 again In summer (Figure 1X4). There were also many antelope 

 using the area east of East Decker. 



During fall only a few large groups of antelope were observed 

 (Figure 115). As in spring and summer, antelope were mainly 

 concentrated In the Deer Creek area. Figure ll6 shows the 

 winter distribution of antelope from this study and the winter 

 ranges of antelope from Phillips (1978). Two herds of antelope 

 were sighted In the Deer Creek area, which Is not normal 

 winter range. Antelope were probably not restricted to winter 

 range because of the mild winter. 



Vegetation use: The majority of antelope were sighted In grass- 

 land types (Table 1^9). They were occasionally seen feeding on forbs 

 on mud flats along the reservoir and on spoil piles on the East 

 Decker mine. More antelope were seen in xeric grassland than in 

 sagebrush during most seasons of the study. 



Activity : Most antelope were running when observed (Table 150). 

 They were least likely to be running in fall. The highest pro- 

 portion of bedded antelooe was observed in winter. These results 

 are similar to those from the Klrby area. 



Use of topography : Antelope were most commonly observed on dissected 

 mid-slopes and alluvium/terraces (Table 151). A high proportion 

 of antelope were observed on mesa-butte steep side slopes. 



Use of exposure: Antelope sightings on various exposures is shown 

 in Table 152. Antelope were often seen on flat areas (no exposure). 

 In winter the majority of antelooe were observed on southwest 

 exposures. One-third of the antelope seen in fall were on south 

 exposures. No definite trends in use of exposure were noticable 

 in spring and summer. 



Use of slope : The majority of antelope were observed on flat or 

 gentle slopes (Table 153). During summer Increased percentages of 

 antelooe made use of medium slopes. Antelope were almost never 

 observed on steep slopes. 



Sharp-tailed Grouse 



Only one dancing ground was located in the study area (Figure 117) 

 in 1981. It was attended by 7 males. Two observations of grouse 

 were made in fall; one of I6 birds and the other of a single bird. 

 No broods were seen. 



Four sharp-tailed grouse dancing grounds were present in 1977 

 in the area now covered by the East Decker mine (Amstrup 1977). 

 Average attendance was 11.3 males. 



