BIG GAME & UPLAND GAME BIRD INVENTORY & PLAN 

 INTRODUCTION 



At the beginning of this project the study area was divided 

 into two segments with a biologist assigned to study both the 

 big game and upland game in each segment (Figure 8) . This was 

 much more practical than having one biologist responsible for 

 only big game throughout the entire study area and one biologist 

 responsible for the upland game. The following presentation is 

 the combination of both biologists' research: 



The Middle Missouri River study area supports an excellent 

 big game population and provides yearlong habitat for large num- 

 bers of mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) and antelope ( Antilocapra 

 americana ) . A few white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) , 

 elk (Cervus canadensis ) and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis ) are 

 also present. The study area contains substantial populations of 

 sage grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus ) , sharp-tailed grouse 

 ( Pedioecetes phasianellus ) / ring-necked pheasants ( Phasianus 

 c olchicus ) and Hungarian partridge ( Perdix perdix ) . Numerous 

 ducks and Canada geese ( Branta canadensis ) are distributed through- 

 out the study area. 



Mule deer and antelope are widely distributed throughout the 

 study area. White-tailed deer are found primarily associated with 

 the Missouri River and Judith River bottoms. Elk and bighorn 

 sheep are found only in the Missouri River Breaks in the extreme 

 eastern end of the study area. Sharp- tailed grouse and Hungarian 

 partridge are widely distributed throughout the study area. Sage 

 grouse are distributed throughout the sagebrush-grassland vege- 

 tation type in the study area. Pheasants are primarily found in 

 the brushy river and creek bottoms, especially when these bottoms 

 are located adjacent to small grain agriculture. Waterfowl are 

 primarily associated with the Missouri River, Marias River, 

 Judith River and many of the lakes, ponds and reservoirs found 

 throughout the study area. The study area also supports numerous 

 other animals and birds. 



Various problems affect or could affect the wildlife resource 

 on the study area. Some of the most serious problems now are the 

 land use practices: livestock overgrazing, brush eradication and 

 weed eradication. Potential problems are dam building and ex- 

 panded oil and gas exploration. All of the above are discussed 

 throughout the report. 



Critical wildlife habitat is found on both private and public 

 lands throughout the study area. To help with the management of 

 the wildlife resource on public lands, many parcels of public land 

 which are important to wildlife are identified in this report. 

 Recommendations which will be of benefit to the wildlife resource 

 are presented at the end of this report. 



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