Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Influence of rest-rotation cattle grazing on mule deer and elk habitat use in east-central Idaho
Author
Yeo, J. J., J. M. Peek, W. T. Wittinger, C. T. Kvale
Publication Year
1969
Body

In pastures grazed by cattle (Bos taurus), elk (Cervus elaphus) used forested areas, draws, spur ridges, steep slopes, and higher elevations more than in ungrazed pastures. Elk avoided pastures when cattle were present and chose rested pastures four out of the five years after beginning the rest-rotation grazing system. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were found at higher elevations and used draws more often in rested pastures compared to grazed pastures. Mule deer chose pastures that had previously been grazed that season, while avoiding the rested pastures and areas where cattle were present. In each additional year following the application of the rest-rotation system, cattle progressively used steeper slopes and higher elevations.

Language
en
Keywords
Odocoileus hemionus
Bos taurus
Cervus elaphus
grazed pastures
rested pastures
steep slope
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