3.2.11.3 Gray Wolves 



Wolves are currently classified as threatened in Montana under the ESA. Due 

 to the large territories of wolf packs, the Analysis Area described for grizzly 

 bears was also used for this analysis. There are no documented denning sites 

 or known consistent use areas within the Project or Analysis Area. Activity 

 that would be expected if a pack occupied this area has not been documented 

 (Ed Bangs, USFWS, pers. comm., 18 March 2002). The closest established 

 active wolf pack is the Lupine pack located northwest of Lolo Hot Springs, 

 which is approximately 22 miles to the west, while the Fish Creek pack occurs 

 further to the west in the area south of Tarkio, Montana (Ed Bangs, USFWS, 

 pers. comm., 18 March 2002). 



Wolves are wide ranging and forage primarily on big game. The Analysis 

 Area generally contains only moderate levels of white-tailed deer winter 

 range, with some use by elk in the winter as well. 



3.2.12 Sensitive Species (Issue #12) 



3.2.12.1 Flammulated Owls 



Flammulated owls occur mostly in mid-elevation conifer forests that have a 

 significant old ponderosa pine component. They are known to occur on the 

 Lolo National Forest in mature Douglas-fir/ponderosa pine forests (Vemer 

 1994). Flammulated owls appear to select open forest stands with large trees 

 and snags for nesting and foraging (McCallum 1994). In addition, use areas 

 have been found to have occasional clusters of thick vegetation for roosting 

 (Howie and Ritchey 1987), and adjacent grassland or xeric shrubland 

 openings that create edge foraging habitat (Wright 1996). Flammulated owls 

 are secondary cavity nesters, usually utilizing cavities excavated by pileated 

 woodpeckers in large conifer trees (cited in McCallum 1994). Flammulated 

 owls are insectivorous and utilize foraging techniques adapted to open forest 

 conditions or forest/grassland edge habitats (McCallum 1994). 



Flammulated owls are unlikely to occur within the Project Area due to the low 

 availability of mature/old ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir stands. Within most of 

 the Project Area, large trees (>21" dbh) are rare, while small patches of 

 mature to old ponderosa pine occur along the main ridge and outside of the 

 treatment areas in the southeastern portion of the parcel. Open, mature to old 

 ponderosa pine stands do occur within the Analysis Area on U.S. Forest 

 Service parcels to the north and northwest of the Project Area. The Project 

 Area is composed of 645 acres of proposed harvest and is dominated by 

 relatively dense, even-aged, small sized (6-8" dbh), second growth Douglas- 

 fir/ponderosa pine forest. 



3.2.12.2 Pileated Woodpeckers 



Pileated woodpeckers likely occur within the Project and Analysis Areas. 

 Pileated woodpeckers prefer mature conifer forest with a canopy dominated 



Deadman Gulch Timber Sale Environmental Assessment 3-14 



