Elk Security 



1. Direct and Indirect Effects 



No Action Alternative: Under this alternative, no changes in elk security cover 

 are expected. Elk security would still not be present in the proposed project area. 

 Timber stands would continue advancing to climax plant species. No alterations 

 in cover would occur that would increase elk vulnerability during the elk hunting 

 season. No changes are anticipated in disturbance and potential mortality due to 

 hunting. 



Action Alternative: Under this action alternative, by definition, elk security 

 cover would not develop despite providing effective closures on the spur roads. 

 The proposed project area would still remain within Vi mile of an open road. 

 Additionally, the proposed reductions in mature trees would also eliminate this 

 parcel from being considered as security cover. The proposed road closures 

 would have a negligible effect on hunter accessibility and big game survival. The 

 retention trees and areas of advanced regeneration within the proposed units 

 would contribute to elk and deer hiding cover. 



2. Cumulative Effects 



No Action Alternative: Under this alternative, no changes are anticipated in elk 

 security cover, big game hiding cover, or hunter accessibility. Over time, recently 

 harvested stands would mature and hiding cover would improve, but this would 

 likely only offset the reductions associated with ongoing harvesting and 

 subdivision. Temporal shifts in security cover at the hunting district can be 

 expected as successional stages change, but long-term changes are not expected. 



Action Alternative: Under this alternative, negligible effects to big game 

 survival are anticipated. No changes in long-term elk security cover or hunter 

 accessibility are expected with the proposed project. Overall these changes would 

 have a negligible effect at the hunting district level. Likewise negligible short- 

 term reductions in hiding cover are also expected, hi the northern portion of the 

 hunting district, 1,139 acres of hiding cover are being reduced with the 

 Good/Long/Boyle Timber sale on the Stillwater State Forest. DNRC is also 

 considering the Cliff Lake timber sale within this district. Much of this hunting 

 district is managed by the USPS, and limited timber harvesting is expected within 

 this district, so district-wide reductions in hiding cover are not anticipated. In 

 general, negligible effects to big game security at the hunting district are expected 

 with this alternative. 



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