3.2.3.4 Big Game 



3.2.3.4.1 White-tail Deer 



White-tailed deer can be highly migratory animals, sometimes migrating 

 30 to 40 miles between summer and winter ranges (B. Henderson, MT 

 FWP, pers. comm., March 2003). White-tailed deer require thermal/snow- 

 intercept cover habitat during the winter months. For thermal cover, 

 white-tailed deer require at least 40 acres of forest with canopy closure > 

 70%, with the base canopy > 20 feet high, intermixed with open grassland 

 areas, preferably away from human disturbance (e.g., roads, houses, etc.). 



The fires of the Fish Creek Complex burned 36,683 acres of varying 

 severity in 2003. Approximately 7,946 acres experienced low bum 

 severity, 17,180 acres moderate severity, and 11,557 acres experienced 

 high severity fires. Within these same acres, the fires affected 2,614 acres 

 of School Trust land. On School Trust lands, approximately 14 acres 

 experienced low severity bum, 1,549 acres moderate severity, and 1,051 

 acres experienced high severity, stand replacing fire (BAER Team GIS 

 data). Thus, those areas that experienced low to moderate severity fire 

 intensity would still retain value for this species. 



3.2.3.4.2 Elk 



Elk generally avoid open roads, however, they become more tolerant of 

 closed roads in the area over time (Lyon 1998). Densely stocked thickets 

 of conifer regeneration and overstocked mature stands provide thermal 

 protection and hiding cover for deer and elk in winter, which can reduce 

 energy expenditures and stress associated with cold temperatures, wind, 

 and human-caused disturbance. Additionally, extensive (e.g., >250 acres) 

 areas of forest cover >0.5 miles from open roads serve as security for elk. 

 Thus, removing cover that is important for wintering elk through forest 

 management activities can increase their energy expenditures and stress in 

 winter. Reductions in cover could ultimately result in a reduction in 

 winter range carrying capacity and subsequent increases in winter 

 mortality within local elk herds. 



The analysis area for elk is described in the grizzly bear affected 

 environment. As such, the analysis area is 182,045 acres (284 sq. mi.), 

 and is largely composed of USFS, Plum Creek Timber lands, and School 

 Trust lands. Open road densities are presented in the description of the 

 grizzly bear affected environment. After accounting for a 0.5 mile buffer 

 around open roads, non-hiding cover, areas which experienced stand 

 replacing fire, and non-vegetated land on USFS lands, there are roughly 

 64,800 acres of elk security cover, for an estimated 35% of the analysis 

 area. 



Fish Creek Salvage Environmental Assessment 3-23 



