Although figures are not available, numerous hunters and 

 other recreationists spend significant numbers of mandays in the 

 study area pursuing their hobbies. These people have a signifi- 

 cant economic impact on the communities within and immediately 

 adjacent to the study area. 



OBJECTIVES 



The objectives of this study are to determine the extent and 

 location of wildlife habitat, to ascertain the status, distribu- 

 tion, composition and critical use areas (such as winter ranges) 

 of the wildlife present and to obtain information on breeding popu- 

 lations, productivity and hunter utilization. In conjunction with 

 these objectives, specific problems affecting wildlife are to be 

 delineated and possible solutions to these problems are to be 

 formulated. Within the range of this study, all of the above ob- 

 jectives were reached. 



TECHNIQUES 



Wildlife observations were made from the ground by using a 

 vehicle and afoot, from the air by using a fixed-wing aircraft or 

 helicopter and on the rivers by floating in a canoe. Binoculars 

 and spotting scope were used as an aid for wildlife observations 

 and classifications. Observation data were recorded when pos- 

 sible as to date, species, sex, age, location, climatic conditions, 

 slope, exposure, vegetation type and topography. Data were tran- 

 scribed from field forms to Unisort cards to facilitate analysis. 

 Information was summarized seasonally. 



Sage grouse and sharp-tailed grouse breeding grounds were lo- 

 cated in the spring by driving around the area and looking and 

 listening for birds and by flying with a fixed-wing airplane over 

 potential breeding ground sites. To determine pheasant densities 

 a 12-mile long pheasant crowing count route with 12 stops, each 

 a mile apart, was set up. The observer stops at each stop, re- 

 cords the number of pheasant crows heard during a 2-minute period 

 and then moves on to the next stop as quickly as possible and re- 

 peats the procedure. Vegetation along the pheasant crowing route 

 and eight upland game bird production routes was typed at 

 1/10-mile intervals. Game bird production data were gathered by 

 random observations of broods along routes. Spring Canada goose 

 breeding population surveys were made by using fixed-wing air- 

 planes and by floating down the Missouri River in a canoe. 

 Canada goose nests were located by floating down the Missouri 

 River in a canoe, stopping at each island and searching the 

 island on foot for nests. 



16 



