ISSUE 2: FWP presently leases over 10,000 acres of DNRC land associated with the 

 WMA. This land is important wildlife habitat and an intregal part of the WMA. The cost 

 of leasing DNRC land will continue to increase and could eventually be cost prohibitive. 



Strategy: Through an Annual Pashiring Agreement approved by DNRC, allow the 

 Association to graze on FWP DNRC leased property to help cover the cost of the 

 lease, upkeep and improvements. This arrangement will allow FWP to maintain 

 management of these lands. 



OBJECTIVE 3. Showcase the WMA as a demonstration area where both wildlife and livestock 

 can co-exist in a rest-rotation grazing system that will allow for the maintenance of a healthy 

 range ecosystem. 



ISSUE I: Wildlife and livestock both require the perpetual maintenance of a healthy 

 rangeland ecosystem for their long-term existence. Both compete for similar resources. 

 These resources exist on both private and public land throughout the state (65 % of which is 

 private). 



Strategy 1: Implement a livestock rest-rotation system on the WMA that will meet 

 the needs of wildlife, livestock and the rangeland resource. 



Strategy 2: Use the anticipated success of this partnership between the wildlife and 

 \^\ ^^ ranching community for educational purposes in tours and presentations for public 



and private land managers and the general public. 



OBJECTIVE 4. Provide an adequate amount of vegetation across the entire WMA annually 

 to supply the winter forage requirements of elk (as designated in the Elk Management Plan) 

 and to reduce elk depredation on neighboring private land. 



ISSUE I: Providing adequate amounts of highly palatable residual forage on the WMA to 

 meet the needs of wintering elk. 



Strategy: Use rest-rotation grazing to manage vegetation to keep it more palatable 

 for elk forage and provide adequate amounts of total forage for elk by each year 

 resting one-third of WMA that is under grazing management. 



ISSUE 2: Provide adequate winter elk forage distributed throughout the WMA. 



Strategy 1: Design pasture layout to provide for the best distribution of habitat 



values across the WMA (i.e. annual rest pasture distribution). 



Strategy 2: Utilize a conservative stocking level (based on approximately 6 



acres/ AUM). 



ISSUE 3: Documenting the success of leaving an adequate distribution of residual 

 vegetation for wintering elk throughout the WMA. 



^ 



15 



