USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Utah
Habitat Model for Pronghorn Antelope
Owner/Operator: / Field Office:County: / Ecological Site:
Assisted By: / Acres: / Date:
Location (Township, Range, Section):
General Information: The model was developed based on the habitat requirements of pronghorn. The species is common in Utah, where it can be found in desert, grassland, and sagebrush habitats. Pronghorn are often found in small groups and are most active during the day. Breeding takes place in the fall and the fawns (usually twins) are born in spring. Pronghorn are browsers that primarily eat shrubs, although forbs and grasses are also consumed.
Home Range: 5 to 10 square miles. Complete 1 Model per 5 sections.
Factor - Components / Values / Before / After / Weight / Weighted
Score
Before / Weighted Score
After
1 Predominant plant communities in planning area
a) Pinyon-juniper or other forest type; mountain shrub, oak brush
b) Grasslands or desert shrub
c) Shrubsteppe / 0
0.5
1.0 / X 1
2 Topographic diversity
a) Very flat, < 2% slopes or steep, mountainous > 25% slopes
b) Gently rolling with broad swales
c) Predominantly gently rolling with broad swales, 3% - 25% slopes, with some steeper drainages, gullies, ridges and/or rims / 0.2
0.5
1.0 / X 1
3 Cover for fawning & daytime bedding sites
a) Shrub species > 22” tall or grasses < 20 inches tall
b) Flat sites with shrubs or grasses 20 to 36 inches tall
c) Rolling hills with grasses/shrubs at least 20 inches tall / 0.3
0.5
1.0 / X 2
4 Shrub canopy cover
a) < 5% or > 55%
b) 5% - 15% or 40 - 55%
c) 15% – 40% / 0
0.5
1.0 / X 3
5 Average height of shrub canopy
a) < 4” or > 22”
b) 4” – 6” or 20” – 22”
c) 6” – 20” / 0.2
0.5
1.0 / X 1
6 Number of shrub species present
a) 1
b) 2 or 3
c) 4 or more / 0.2
0.5
1.0 / X 1
7 Food - Grazing management and forb & shrub utilization
a) Yearlong grazing or heavy use of forbs & shrubs (>50%)
b) Prescribed grazing; moderate use of forbs & shrubs (33% - 50%)
c) Prescribed grazing with light use of forbs & shrubs (< 33%) / 0
0.5
1.0 / X 3
8 Water sources
a) 1 per 5+ sections & available only at troughs > 20” tall
b) 1 per 3 to 5 sections with some at troughs < 20” tall or ground level
c) 1 per 1 to 2 sections and available at troughs < 20” tall or ground level / 0.3
0.5
1.0 / X 2
9 Migration barriers - Human impacts
a) Fences or dense rural development restrict movements
b) Sections of fence allow passage (bottom wire smooth and 16” off ground or barbed and 18” above ground) and
< 1 home/energy development per section
c) Fencing not restricting movement, no homes or energy development / 0
0.5
1.0 / X 2
Sum ______
Overall score = sum 16 ______
References:
Allen, A. W., J. G. Cook, and M. J. Armbruster. 1984. Habitat suitability index models: Pronghorn.
U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. FWS/OBS-82/10.65. 22 pp.
Karhu, R. 2004. Fencing guidelines for wildlife. Habitat Extension Bulletin No. 53. Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Wilson, Lanny O. 1977. Guidelines and recommendations for design and modification of livestock watering
developments to facilitate safe use by wildlife. USDI-Bureau of Land Management. Technical Note 305.
UTAH WHEG Pronghorn (FOTG Section I – Technical Notes) 05/09