Mule deer and sharp-tailed grouse were the only resident game 

 species observed on the Prairie Dog Creek study area. Seventy 

 bird species, including turkey vulture, great horned owl, 

 prairie falcon, and red-tailed hawk were observed. Only 10 

 mammal species, including coyote and porcupine, were observed. 

 Five species of reptiles and amphibians were observed. 



Only 142 mule deer were observed during the study. None were 

 observed during the fall season. They may have moved to the 

 adjacent Tongue River bottoms in search of more mesic conditions. 

 One sharp-tailed grouse dancing ground was located. Bird species 

 composition was determined on ponderosa pine-juniper and riparian 

 habitat types. The riparian type had the most observations and 

 the greatest species diversity. Small mammal trapping was 

 conducted in the ponderosa pine-juniper and deciduous tree 

 riparian habitat types. 



Recommendations made included exclusion from leasing sharp-tailed 

 grouse and sage grouse breeding areas, mule deer and antelope 

 wintering areas and all creekbottoms and associated "riparian 

 habitats. " 



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