Small game and furbearers of the Rampart Dam impoundment area

Abstract

Probable effects of the proposed Rampart Dam on small game and furbearers of the impoundment area are presented* Checklists were made of 71 birds and 31 mammals* An aerial census of beaver gave an estimate of 80,000 beaver in the study area. Furbearers (excluding red squirrel, ground squirrel, and coyote) have produced a rounded average annual income of $143,000. Potential value of furbearers (except coyote and ground squirrel) was estimated to be $4 million per year. Approximately 1,200 of the study area residents depend on small game and furbearers for about 44% of their annual income. From 1958 to 1962 the average annual value of the fur harvest was $45,000, and the average annual small game harvest was valued at $35,500. Annual per capita income from all known sources during this period averaged $124. It was concluded that Rampart Dam would be detrimental to small game and furbearers upon which most of the human population of the area is dependent.