condition, removed, or destroyed. The Dipping Vat Coulee pond will have the dam and 

 spillway repaired and improved to maintain the integrity of that structure. 



Wildlife 



Present 



Current wildlife use of the property includes the following species (and/or groups of 

 species) and their present levels of use: 



The primary species is elk, which occupy the area during the winter and spring periods 

 of the year. These elk are the portion of the upper Judith River herd which utilize the 

 JRWMA and adjacent private lands to the north and east. The population has been 

 traditionally managed for 800-1 100 counted animals, post-hunting season. The actual 

 amount of elk usage on the property during a given winter is variable and dependent 

 upon weather conditions and how severely the area was grazed by livestock during the 

 previous summer/fall. Three to four hundred elk utilize the property during the spring 

 green-up period. Mule deer may be found on the area yearlong, but numbers (50-75) 

 are the greatest during the winter and spring periods. Approximately 50 pronghorn 

 utilize the property on an intennittent yearlong basis. A small number of w+iite-tailed 

 deer use the area intermittently. Black bear and mountain lion make occasional use of 

 the area. Blue and sharp-tailed grouse are common, but are in relatively low numbers. 

 Furbearers present are coyote, badger, skunk, and bobcat. A variety of songbirds, 

 raptors, and small mammals use the area in undetermined numbers on a seasonal and 

 yearlong basis. 



Future 



Upon acquisition, habitat management strategies directed tov^rds improving the 

 habitat for wildlife will result in an increased carrying capacity for big game and other 

 wildlife species. Wildlife species that will benefit the most will be those adapted to 

 utilize habitats with more vegetative cover and increased plant vigor. Also, predator 

 species associated with prey that prefer such habitats will increase in number. Some 

 wildlife species that are adapted to exploit heavily utilized habitats will decline. 



AREA MANAGEMENT 



Management Goals 



The foremost goal for management of the Hughes property will be to maintain or 

 improve the condition of all vegetative communities. Increased carrying capacities for 

 wildlife, especially elk, will occur as vegetation conditions improve and adequate 



