Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Value of Crested Wheatgrass for Big Game
Author
Urness, P.J.
Publisher
Utah State University
Publication Year
1986
Body

Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum, Agde "Standard," A. cristatum, Ager "Fairway") have has great impact on western North America rangeland habitats of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and pronghorn antelop (Antilocapra americana). The contribution of crested wheatgrass to seasonal diets and nutrition of deer is controversial and appears to vary widely by region and location. Nevertheless, green growth of these exotic grasses has been shown in some cases to be very important from fall to mid-spring, supplementing browse diets of frequently modest or low value until new forb growth in spring. A major general benefit of these exotic grasses has been a reduction of conflicts between deer and livestock on foothill ranges via extensive seedings in broad valley floors that tend to separate ungulate species during critical periods. Antelope have received less direct value from crested wheatgrass than deer. Forbs associated with grass seedings (some themselves seeded) are avidly sought by and of considerable value to antelope. Comparatively few areas of elk (Cervus elaphus) and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) habitat have been seeded to crested wheatgrass, but where available they are used by these strongly graminivorous species. Any serious assessment of the pros and cons of seeding on big game ranges msut be more comprehensive than a mere examination of diet composition. Moreover, trends away from grass monocultures toward simple grass-forb mixes or complexes of all three forage classes are commendable, albeit more difficult to establish and manage.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Paper
Conference Name
Crested Wheatgrass Symposium Proceedings
Collection
Keywords
mule deer
Pronghorn Antelope
western North America
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