This study describes behavior of the Uinta round squirrel (Citellus armatus) in a free-living population. Its objective is to provide basic behavioral information on a small mammal which can fill in part of the gaps in our knowledge of behavior and social organization of the vertebrates. This would contribute to the long-term goal of viewing the progressive evolutionary changes in behavior from lower forms to man. Tinbergen has done much experimental work with animals, but he cautions biologists not to begin experimental work until they have a knowledge of the animals' general behavior. In his book Social Behaviour in Animals (1953), he states that initial behavioral research should be broad, descriptive, and observational in nature. This is necessary before attempting investigation of specific behavioral problems in order to place each behavior pattern in its proper perspective . Accordingly, this study attempts to describe the spectrum of ground squirrel activity aboveground. Further, within the limited scope of a broad descriptive study, it attempts to ascribe possible causation, function, and origin to some of these activities. The beginner sees a welter of activities and postures in the ground squirrel. However, with time one learns that there are general patterns of behavior in the apparent chaos. A given situation, such as feeding or fighting, is sufficiently stereotyped to enable one to eneralize about the activities and postures that occur. This paper presents just such generalizations. All descriptions are of adult ground squirrels in the study area unless otherwise indicated.

Avian botulism or ''western duck sickness" has long been a major problem on duck marshes in the western part of the United States. This has been demonstrated to result from the ingestion of products of metabolism of bacterial cells of Clostridium botulinum type C. These products when ingested by waterfowl act as neurotoxins (Coburn, 1942). Studies have shown that many animal tissues are readily utilized as culture media by C1. botulinum type C (Bell et al., 1955). Since 1955 investigations have indicated a close relation between the occurrence of avian botulism and invertebrate population levels. It is thought that when invertebrates reach peak numbers during their most favorable reproductive season, a large die-off soon follows. Large numbers of birds show symptoms of avian botulism approximately one week after this die-off begins. The theory is that invertebrate carcasses provide a suitable medium for the rapid multiplication of C1. botulinum, and hence, the development of high concentrations of toxin. These toxin-laden carcasses are readily ingested by waterfowl which succumb to the neurotoxins (Jensen and Allen, 1960). The prime objective of this study was to find some means of preventing invertebrates from attaining high peak numbers during their most favorable reproductive season and thus possibly reduce botulism among waterfowl. Complete kill of the invertebrate population appeared to be undesirable for two reasons: (1) too large a kill would reduce waterfowl below desirable levels; and (2) excessive kill would increase the number of decomposing carcasses and favor the outbreak of botulism. It was theorized that the kill should be between 30 and 60 percent of the invertebrates present prior to the time when peak numbers were reached. Only those insecticides which have shown little toxicity to wildlife were used in this experiment. Attempts were made to estimate the value of LD 50 for each of the insecticides used in this study. LD 50 is the dosage causing 50 percent mortality in a test population and is considered the most reliable of the LD figures (Rudd and Genelly, 1956). The specific objectives of this project were: (1) to evaluate the relative effectiveness of selected insecticides, (2) to determine the selectivity of the insecticides on several invertebrate groups, and (3) to determine the treatment most effective in reducing numbers of specific invertebrate groups.

One of the more important forms of recreation in Utah is fishing. Each year since the end of World War II more than 100,000 resident and 4,000 non-resident fishermen have taken to the streams and lakes of this state. They spend approximately $2,200,000 each year in the quest of fish, mostly trout. In 1916, 25,473 licenses were sold, in 1937 the number of licenses had risen to 41,200, in 1945 the sales amounted to 104,000 and in 1947 had icnreased to nearly 131,000. Because of the increased number of fishermen each year, the desirability of greater numbers of legal-sized fish as correspondingly increased. This study was initiated in March, 1948, and field work began in June. Marking and planing of legal-sized trought was the first phase of the project. As the fishing season opened on June 12, census of creels and of automobiles to determine fisherman numbers began on this date and continued throughout the fishing season. Samples of fish populations in the river were collected and released during one day of each week by the use of an electrical shocking device.

Fish Lake, which is located in Sevier county, Utah, is considered to be one of the most productive lakes in the intermountain regions. It is visited annually by thousands of fishermen from Utah and surrounding states. In 1934, a thirteen-day check made by the Utah Fish and Game Department showed that anglers caught 17,521 fish with a total weight of 13,844 pounds, and spent a sum of $27,246.21 on expenses.

The primary objective of this study on the Coalville Deer Management Unit adjacent to the corner of Wyoming in Utah was to determine the condition of the deer herd in relation to its ranqe and population chatacteristics. Postseason doe-fawn ratio was 100:77, while an adjusted doe-fawn ratio accounting for the unproductive female yearling segment was 100:105. The approximate net-productivity for 1964 was 44 percent compared to 27 percent in 1965. In 1964-65, the average age-class mortality rate for the male and female segments was 45 and 35 percent respectively. Preseason and postseason sex ratios were 64:100 and 60:100 respectively. Mature deer were in good condition during the fall harvest. However, a few yearling males and approximately one-third of the fawns (both sexes) were not in good physical condition. Male deer weights, antler points, length of main beam, and antler diameter 1 inch above the burr increased with age. In contrast, female weights increased until they reached 2.5 years of age, with no significant gains thereafter. Antler diameter was considered a good indicator of physical condition. The summer e1evational distribution of deer coincided with the quaking aspen belt between 7,500 and 9,500 feet. Deer marked with streamers and collars did not substantially increase the summer distribution information above the tag returns. Five to 15 percent more marked deer were shot the first hunt after the tagging operation than in subsequent hunts. The average winter e1evational distribution of the deer was 6,700 feet, although the depth of snow and other climatic variables changed each winter's elevational distribution. Deer management in Unit 19 should be closely geared to deer winter concentration areas. Deer hunting regulations should be based on the winter range condition of the majority of the winter range concentration areas. Those winter range concentration areas in need of further deer population reduction to balance deer numbers with the winter range food supply should have postseason hunts after the fall migration. Tag returns from the hunting season did not indicate differential movement of sex and age classes of deer from winter concentration areas to the summer ranges. The majority of the marked deer summered in the same major drainage where tagged, although fall returns were received from five major drainages. A few deer migrated 60 airline miles from their winter to summer ranges, but the majority migrated less than 15 miles from the tagging site. The mechanism triggering fall migration was snow depth, while new vegetation controlled the spring upward movement. All deer that wintered on the same range did not summer together. In 1926, $0.25 range-use permits were required of deer hunters, while in 1965 the Range Owner's Protective Association (ROPA) assessed a $3.00 fee.

The water resources of the State of Utah are rapidly being developed for agriculture and industry. They are so extensively exploited that their continued and additional use must be justified on the basis of need and efficiency of utilization. To determine more accurately the quantity and quality of water needed to operate a marsh, a project was undertaken by the Utah Department of Fish and Game, the Engineering Experiment Station and the Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit at Utah State University. The study was divided into the two phases, one on quantity and one on quality of water. The present report deals with one aspect of the water quality phase, i.e. that of dealing with the effect of salinity and the salinity tolerance of important emergent aquatic plants. A large amount of research has been conducted to determine the water requirements of agricultural crops, but relatively little is known about quality of water needed to assure good growth of the more important emergent waterfowl plants. Experiments were, therefore, conducted in the greenhouse at Utah State University and in the field at Ogden Bay Bird Refuge, to collect data that will assist in determining the quality of water needed to maintain the salt balance below the lethal level for the desirable plants. The experiments on effects of salinity were begun in the spring of 1961 and ended in the summer of 1962. The objectives of this phase of study were as follows: To determine the salinity tolerance limits for seed germination of some marsh plants. To assess the influence of salinity on vegetative growth and development of some young and adult marsh plants. To determine the maximum salinity tolerance limits of young and adult marsh plants. To study the influence of salinity on reproductive growth and seed production of marsh plants.

The Logan River, one of Utah's better trout streams, has carried more than its share of the increased fishing pressure of the past few years. Careful management of the drainage by the U.S. Forest Service has kept the Logan River free of serious water fluctutations and relatively unpolluted by silt and wastes. The only noticeable fluctuations in the stream is the annual runoff cycle which usually reaches its peak in May. This alone has contributed greatly to the ability of the river to withstand the increased fishing pressure which it has done quite well. The increase in fishing pressure can be better understood which it is learned that there has been a 500 percent increase since 1920; and along with the increase in pressure came a relative decrease in the fishing waters for the state as a whole. If the Logan River is to continue to support the present army of angles and retain a harvestable crop of fish for them, the management of the crop and the fishermen will have to be established on a sound basis. The chief purpose of this study is to contribute a share of knowledge to the sound management of, not only the Logan River, but to other similar bodies of water. Overlooking a single phase of management in such a delicate ecologically balanced area as this renders all other phases ineffective. However, there is much to be learned if the balance is to be maintained.

The objectives of this study were fourfold: To describe the existing big game exclosures in Utah To point out some of the effects of big game and livestock on the range To investigate differences in deer use between game-only areas and the surrounding open-range To evaluate the role of big game exclosures in range management in Utah, and indicate the direction of future endeavor.

A great deal has been accomplished in developing methods of restoring abused lands through seeding, yet there is much to be desired in refinement of techniques and in substantiation of previous experimental results. Controversial opinions as to the best season of planting indicate that additional trials are needed. New species need to be introduced, developed, and proved. methods are needed which lead to more efficient utilization of thos factors limiting the degree of success in establishment. Since moisture is the most predominant limiting factor throughout the arid and semi-arid range land, special attention is given to more efficient utilization of the precipitation. Because of the above, a study was made involving 3 recently introduced species of Agropyron-intermediate wheatgrass (Agropyron intermedium), stiff-hair wheatgrass (A. trichophorum), and tall wheatgrass (A. elongatum). Performance of each is copared to that of crested wheatgrass (A. cristatum). The species were seeded on adjacent plots, measuring 20 by 50 feet, in all combinations of the following: 2 seasons of plantin, 3 intensities of seeind, and 3 spacings between drill rows.

Agonistic behavior of ground squirrels was studied for two years in north-eastern Utah at an elevation of 6,300 feet. The main objective was to determine what role agonistic behavior had in regulating density in a population. All individuals in an unconfined population were trapped I marked I and observed from towers. Detailed data on behavior and density were recorded. Though loss from a variety of factors occurred throughout the year I agonistic behavior had an important role in regulating the population at least twice during the year. In spring some squirrels I usually yearling males and late emerging yearling females, were unable to establish territories. Breeding density was thus limited. In summer an overproduction of young was greatly reduced through aggression in, and movement of, young squirrels. This appeared to be the more important to the population in terms of numbers lost. Agonistic behavior was influenced by density, visibility, movement, and intrusion of nonresidents on areas; by age, sex, and aggressiveness of squirrels; and by time of day and season--all probably warrant consideration in any study of agonistic behavior.