Sagebrush Eradication 



Sagebrush eradication can completely destroy sage grouse, 

 mule deer and antelope populations in many places. It can dras- 

 tically affect game birds and nongame birds. The value of sage- 

 brush to wildlife has been documented by many studies throughout 

 Montana and the West. Sage grouse are completely dependent upon 

 sagebrush. Sagebrush provides important winter food for antelope 

 and mule deer, and it provides cover for many game birds and non- 

 game birds. 



The study area is similar to much of Montana in that sage- 

 brush is constantly being destroyed. This is very apparent 

 northeast of Winifred, where a large expanse of sagebrush- 

 grassland once existed. Now most of the land has been cleared 

 of sagebrush and grain and hay have taken its place. Since most 

 of this sagebrush eradication is on private lands, the burden of 

 saving sagebrush and its wildlife resource lies with the public 

 land managers. The BLM and State Lands Department must prevent 

 destruction of sagebrush on their lands. Key areas, such as 

 winter ranges and grouse breeding grounds, should be protected 

 at all costs. 



Other Brush Eradication 



Besides sagebrush, other brush species such as chokecherry, 

 snowberry, service berry, buf faloberry , hawthorn, willows, etc. 

 are very important to wildlife, and the eradication of these 

 species will severely damage wildlife resources. An extensive 

 drainage pattern formed by numerous creeks, seeps, springs and 

 rivers covers the study area. Many of these water courses are 

 lined with brush, and it is apparent that where you find the 

 best brush stands, you find the majority of the mule deer, white- 

 tailed deer, sharp-tailed grouse and pheasants. Brush provides 

 cover and food for nearly all wildlife at one time or another; 

 thus, it is very important to wildlife. 



There should be no brush eradication on public lands under 

 any circumstances, and private landowners should be encouraged 

 in some way, possibly by monetary awards, not to destroy brush 

 on their lands. 



Weed Eradication 



Programs to destroy weeds have been a part of the state's 

 agricultural community for many years, and the trend toward 

 clean farming and total elimination of undesirable weeds is 

 building popularity. Unfortunately, these programs have also 

 destroyed other forbs and brush that provide food and shelter 

 for wildlife. Most problems occur when the method to destroy 

 the target species is not specific enough to avoid destroying 

 other vegetation. Programs should be set up and enforced, 

 which will eliminate indiscriminate destruction of vegetation 

 and only destroy the target species. 



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