value of III. High species quality was awarded to both Gallatin 

 main stem sections primarily because of species of special concern 

 including river otters and golden eagles, heron rookeries, and 

 warm springs used by wintering waterfowl. In addition, portions 

 of the main stem support abundant moose, a wintering bighorn sheep 

 herd, as well as black bear, elk, deer, and furbearing animals. 

 Abundant white-tailed deer, elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, moose, 

 mountain lion, bobcat, and beaver resulted in high game species 

 value for the Gallatin's west side tributaries. Due to steep 

 canyons, agricultural development, and other land uses, riparian 

 habitat quality along most of the Gallatin was considered only 

 moderate. In the case of the heavily farmed and grazed East 

 Gallatin, riparian habitat quality was considered low. 



Because of the Madison's and Gallatin's important big game 

 values, the MDFWP saw fit to acquire important wintering habitat 

 along both the Gallatin and Madison Rivers. The Bear Creek and 

 Wall Creek game ranges in the Madison drainage, and the Gallatin 

 Game Range in the Gallatin, were purchased by the Department 

 beginning in 19A5 to protect elk winter range. In addition to 

 game ranges, a considerable number of conservation easements have 

 been acquired by various non-profit organizations. Although the 

 original intent was to protect fisheries values, valuable riparian 

 areas along these main stem rivers have been protected from future 

 alteration. 



Lewis and Clark journeyed the entire length of the Jefferson 

 River during the summer of 1805 on their westward journey, 

 observing whitetail deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, mountain lion, 

 sandhill cranes, numerous river otter and an occasional grizzly 

 bear. They probably saw a very different Jefferson River basin 

 than we see today. Of the 14 assessed wildlife units in the 

 Jefferson and Boulder River, only the Jefferson main stem from its 

 mouth to the Big Hole received a Class I final resource value. 

 Moderate to high quality habitat coupled with outstanding species 

 quality combined to make this reach outstanding. The Jefferson's 

 myriad of river channels, backwater sloughs, and diverse riparian 

 vegetation with mature cottonwood forests are home to an abundance 

 of unique wildlife resources, including great blue herons 

 rookeries, nesting ospreys and other raptors, river otter, and 

 migrating waterfowl. In addition, golden eagles nest on the upland 

 cliffs above the main stem. Important game species include white- 

 tailed deer, beaver, bobcat, Canada geese and upland game birds. 



In contrast to the lush and productive Jefferson main stem, 

 the Boulder River received both species and habitat ratings of III 

 or IV for all five units assessed in the drainage. Moderate to 

 low riparian habitat quality, coupled with low game species 

 diversity, contributed to the low assessment values. No 

 threatened or endangered species or species of special concern 

 were assessed in the entire drainage. Significant elk, mule deer, 

 and white-tailed deer populations do exist within some Boulder 

 River wildlife units, however. 



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