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Show North- central Utah is the southernmost extent of the natural range of moose, thus making this species rather unique for Utah. It wasnlt until about 1950 that it was determined that a small permanent moose herd inhabited the north slopes of the Uinta Mountains. Since the 1950fs moose sightings indicate that a southward movement of the population is taking place. It is interesting to note that beaver populations have increased considerably in the same areas where moose 71 are frequently observed./ J- This suggests that since beaver activity creates willow and marsh area, which in return can result in better moose habitat, that abundance of suitable habitat is a main factor controlling the moose population in Utah. The legal Statewide harvest of moose is still small but is steadily increasing. The average production has been about 20 animals for the past five seaons0 Game managers are currently faced with the problem of numerous illegal kills particularly in areas not presently managed for mooseo At present there are no State " Moose Herd Management Units" in the Bonneville Unit area,. However, there are at least two areas where moose sightings are frequent enough to indicate the permanent resident of animals. These areas of particular interest are the Currant Creek- Rock Creek drainages and the Strawberry Valley,, The Rock Creek herd has received particular attention. 72 within the Rock Creek drainage there are over 2,000 acres that are considered moose habitat » In general this is stream bottom land. About 400 acres of this area, vegetated by willow communities, constitute key habitat for the small resident herd ( 25- 30 animals) that has developed since the mid 1960' s. 120 Wildlife managers suggest that this location has a potential for a herd several times the present size. This same potential applies to moose in the other areas possessing suitable habitat. The more prominent non- big game species inhabiting the Unit area are the black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, and cougar. The Canada lynx, found in the Uinta Mountains, is considered to be rare in Utah. Fur animal species in the proposed Bonneville Unit area include beaver, muskrat, mink, marten, weasel, skunk, and badger. The beaver is the most economically important of these animals and an average of 150 pelts are harvested annually. The muskrat is abundant in marshy areas of lakes such as Utah Lake and the marten occurs in small numbers in the higher elevation coniferous forests. Good beaver habitat is found along most of the streams of the Unit area including Rock Creek, Currant Creek, Duchesne River, and Strawberry River. 143 |
