Revised Final Environmental Study Report (24 MB) - Gold Canyon ...

Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Springpole Gold Project
Road Alternatives Assessment
Large Mammals and Furbearers
There are many species of large mammals and furbearers that can be found within the study
area, and describing the biology and/or ecology of each of these species would be a significant
undertaking. For the purposes of this report, the emphasis will be on “significant” species which
are those species that are used as featured wildlife species for forest management planning and
species of economic or social importance. Species at risk are discussed as part of their
respective sections within this report.
Gray wolves (Canis lupus) are believed to have 5 subspecies in North America: Arctic island
wolf, Mexican wolf, Algonquin park wolf, Minnesota wolf and Alaskan wolf (Nowak 1995). The
Minnesota wolf is the subspecies which is found within the study area. Wolves are opportunistic
feeders, specializing in ungulates such as moose, caribou, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus
virginianus), and elk (Cervus canadensis). Hares and beaver (Castor canadensis) can also be
important food items in the diet of some populations of wolves. Where several species of
ungulates occur in the same area, wolves will show a preference for certain species (Bergerud
1990). Wolves are capable of moving long distances, with daily movement rates ranging from
1.6 to 72 km (Burkholder 1959).
Black bears (Ursus americana) can serve as keystone species which are sometimes used as
landscape-level indicator species, reflecting changes across large regions. Although black bears
are classified as carnivores, they are functionally omnivores, consuming a wide variety of plant
and animal foods. Black bears can be a significant source of ungulate calf mortality. Summer
food habits generally contain a predominance of soft mast such as blueberry, huckleberry and
serviceberry. An abundance of nuts or fall berries (cherry, blueberry) is vital to the survival of
black bears because they live off of fat stores while hibernating for 2 to 5 months. Black bears
move in response to seasonal availability of food, to facilitate dispersal as subadults, to pursue
breeding opportunities, and before and after denning (Rogers 1977). The habitat requirements
of black bears vary and can include mixedwoods, uplands and lowland swamps. They require
five basic habitat components: escape cover, fall sources of mast, spring and summer feeding
areas, movement corridors and winter denning habitat (Garshelis and Pelton 1981).
Marten (Martes americana) are a valuable furbearer considered to be a provincially featured
species for timber management in the boreal forest of Ontario according to the Environmental
Assessment Board. Marten generally inhabit late-successional, mesic to moist conifer and
conifer dominated mixedwood forest types, with a preference for mixed versus pure conifer
stands. Overhead conifer canopy cover is an important component of marten habitat as it limits
snow depth, moderates winter temperature regimes and provides summer resting cover.
Cavities in live or dead standing trees or fallen logs are used as maternal denning sites.
Complex physical structure at ground level in the form of coarse woody debris is also an
important habitat element as it allows access to the subnivean space used for hunting during
winter and serves as habitat for important small mammalian prey such as voles and mice.
Although red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi), meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)
and snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) are principle items in the diet, marten are opportunistic
feeders that consume a wide variety of plant and animal items. Marten have low reproductive