Wildlife Specialist report

literature review of traffic/road type affects on several ungulates, including pronghorn
and came up with an average zone of influence distance of 200 m for ungulates. Taylor
and Knight (2003) examined pronghorn responses to mountain bikers and hikers. Biking
activities caused pronghorn to be altered at an average distance of 328 m and to flee at an
average distance of 234 m. To analyze disturbance affects of motorized activities to
pronghorn this analysis will use disturbance zone of 200 m.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has mapped core bighorn sheep habitat
on the Forest; for this analysis the analysis indicators (mile/density and disturbance zone)
will analyze the change in these areas by alternative from the existing condition.
Deer (Management Indicator Species Representative of Desert Shrub, and Pinon
Juniper/Shrub Oak Woodland Vegetation Cover Types) - Wisdom et al. (2004)
documents that mule deer do not exhibit the same flight response as elk in relation to offroad
activities. Unlike elk mule deer showed very little flight response to off road use.
Yarmoloy et al. (1988) suggest that deer tend to seek cover when harassed by ATVs.
Wisdom et al. (2004) also suggested that deer are responding by seeking cover. If deer
are spending more time hiding in cover during periods of motorized use and less time
foraging this could affect fitness levels. Rost and Bailey (1979) reported a road
avoidance zone of 200 m for deer. Wisdom et al. (2004) reported a 0.06% chance of
flight for deer within 100 m of ATV use. To analyze disturbance affects of motorized
activities to deer this analysis will use disturbance zone of 200 m.
Mule deer have been identified as a management indicator species on the Gila National
Forest for species associated with Desert Shrub, Pinon-Juniper, and Shrub Oak Woodland
vegetation. For the analysis of this focal/management indicator species (mile/density and
disturbance zone) the analysis indicators will analyze the change in these
habitat/vegetation associations by alternative from the existing condition.
Ungulate Summary:
Table 11 list road associated and motorized trail/ORV factors related to Ungulates and
the focal species that represent this group (Gaines et al. 2003); analysis factors based on
the analysis factor discussed above; and the indicator that will be used to compare the
different levels of affect between the different alternatives.
Table 11:
Focal
Group
Road Associated
Factors
Ungulates Hunting, Poaching,
Collisions³
Habitat Loss
Disturbance,
Displacement,
Avoidance,
Harassment
Motorized
Trail/ORV
Associated Factors¹
Combined Analysis
Factors
Analysis
Indicator
Hunting, Poaching Harvest/direct effects Route Miles
Habitat Loss
Disturbance,
Displacement,
Avoidance,
Harassment
Disturbance/indirect
effects
Disturbance Zone
Summarized In
Acres
22