ability of does with fawns during spring. Sex ratios of six and four males 

 per ten females were calculated using classified observations from summer and 

 fall, respectively. Using classified data from all seasons, a ratio of five 

 males per ten females was calculated. These ratios are comparable to data ob- 

 tained by the Fish and Game Department from 1960-1976 for McCone County (table 

 25; see also Appendix M). Harvest data are summarized in Appendix N. 



Sample abundances for pronghorn antelope seen on the roadside wildlife sur- 

 vey routes are shown in Figure 35. It is clear that the Flowing Well Route pro- 

 vided the bulk of the observations, particularly in the late fall and winter; 

 this route transects a heavily-used wintering area along Timber Creek. The 

 Circle and Flowing Well routes also provided relatively large numbers of ob- 

 servations in spring and fall. Sample abundances were lowest in midsummer 

 (when groups were small and widely dispersed) and in midwinter (when wintering 

 herds had presumably moved beyond the areas sampled by the routes). 



In summary, the quality of the reconnaissance area and proposed mining 

 area as pronghorn antelope habitat appeared to vary with the seasons and weather 

 conditions. During spring and summer, pronghorn antelope were found on the en- 

 tire reconnaissance area, with greater densities in the southern half. General 

 observations indicated that this portion of the study area had good interspersion 

 of cultivated fields with grasslands and sagebrush habitats. During late fall 

 and winter, pronghorn antelope concentrated in the areas of more dense sagebrush 

 cover and broken topography which are found in the Timber Creek, McGuire Creek, 

 and Nelson Creek drainages of the southwest quarter of the reconnaissance area. 

 The proposed mining area itself did not appear to provide good habitat for 

 pronghorn antelope, as few sightings occurred in the main portion during any 

 season. Dissected coulees and scoria hills characterized the northern half 

 of the proposed mining area where few pronghorn antelope were observed. How- 

 ever, during spring, summer, and fall, pronghorn antelope appeared to use the 

 extreme southern section of the proposed mining area and an area adjacent to the 

 southwestern boundary. This area in the Nelson Creek drainage was characterized 

 by gently sloping grasslands and interspersed with sagebrush flats. Pronghorn 

 antelope were also frequently seen in the vicinity of the Waller Ranch, adjacent 

 to the eastern boundary of the proposed mining area. Rolling grasslands and 

 cultivated fields dominated this area. Pronghorn antelope were not observed 

 in winter on the proposed mining area or within three miles of its boundaries, 

 probably because this area characteristically had extensive snow cover, v;as 

 exposed to winds and subjected to extensive drifting, and offered little pro- 

 tection from the weather. 



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