Wildlife Specialist report

and Whitman 2000a, Hayes et al. 2002). Roads invite human activity of all sorts, and can
lead to poaching, over-hunting and over-fishing (Strittholt etal. 2006). Elk vulnerability
is highest in areas with open roads, reduced in areas with closed roads, and lowest in
roadless areas. Watson (2005) reported that roads facilitate poaching of pronghorn.
Localized 6 th code watersheds with higher road densities will continue to maintain higher
exposure rates between humans and wild ungulates facilitating the potential for additional
harvest of these species. Alternatives that maintain higher road densities levels will
continue to facilitate this exposure; Table 107 identifies the alternatives of concern in
dark grey. These localized areas of higher road densities would not cause a significant
effect to wild ungulates on the Gila National Forest.
Carnivores: Claar et al. (1999) documents that research related to recreational impacts
on carnivores are lacking. They go on to state that increased access into remote habitats
is a concern, particularly to carnivore species that usually seek secluded areas. Claar et
al. (1999), state that wolves are habitat generalists and are a very resilient species that can
coexist with people if they are tolerated by humans. They are an intelligent species,
which allows individuals to adapt to different levels of disturbance. Individuals may be
very sensitive to human disturbance, but others tolerate disturbance. These traits between
different individuals make it difficult to evaluate the overall affects of recreational
activities (Claar et al. 1999). Much of the literature shows a strong negative relationship
between wolves and increased road densities (Claar et al. 1999, Thiel 1985, and Mech et
al. 1988). Researchers have found that when road densities exceed about 1 mile/mi² (1.6
km/0.9 km radius circle) wolves were displaced or avoided the area (Mech et al. 1988
and 1985). However, Claar et al. (1999) states that findings from many of these studies
that looked at large well established wolf populations may not be applicable to
fragmented, recovering populations in western states. Wolf populations in Wisconsin,
Minnesota, and Montana have become more habituated to humans through time since
recolonization has occurred in these recovering populations (Claar et al. 1999, and Thiel
et al. 1998).
The Mexican Wolf Reintroduction EIS did not recognize road densities on the Gila
National Forest as problem; however since the start of the reintroduction project in 1998,
within the recovery area in Arizona and New Mexico illegal shootings and vehicle
collisions have been the greatest source of wolf mortality. Of the 68 wolf deaths,
between 1998 and June 1, 2009, 31 are associated with shooting and 12 with vehicle
collision (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2010).
Localized 6 th code watersheds with higher road densities will continue to maintain higher
exposure rates between humans and wide ranging carnivores facilitating the potential for
additional harvest of these species. Alternatives that maintain higher road densities levels
will continue to facilitate this exposure; Table 107 identifies the alternatives of concern in
dark gray. The potential to adversely affect wild ranging carnivores like the wolf would
be expected to continue under the alternatives that maintain higher road densities in the
localized areas, as identified in Table 107.
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