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We tested the hypothesis that nutrient content of bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum [pursh] Scribn. & Smith) either cattle grazed in the spring, rested from cattle graxing for a full year, or given long term rest would all be equal during the given season at 1 location. A 3 pasture rest-rotation graxing system and an exclosure on the Mt. Fleecer elk winter range in southwestern Montana were studied during 4 seasons over 3 years. Only nitro gen (N) and phosphorus contents were generally greater in the spring graxed regrowth pasture. However, regrowth from blue bunch wheatgrass grazed in the spring did not improve the species nutrient content for wildlife the following winter over nongrazed treatments. During winter when elk (Cervus elaphus neL soni Bailey) are present, N, TDN, and IVDMD were not different among the 3 treatments. Elk were determined unlikely to consume enough bluebunch wheatgrass to meet protein maintenance requirements during winter. Our fmdings resulted from analyses repeated over the 3 years for a complete cycle of a 3 pasture restrotation system: however, our hypothesis needs to be tested at other locations before assuming the same results elsewhere.

w oody plants are an important component of rangeland habitat, providing food and shelter for animals that range in size from moose to warblers to insects. Because of this importance, land managers are paying increased attention to browse trends. In this two-part article, we describe how browse trend is assessed at the Mt. Haggin Wildlife Management Area in southwestern Montana.Located south of Anaconda, Montana (Fig. l), winters are extremely cold and windy at the Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area. The annual precipitation is Fig. 2. Willow co~nrnzinityprovides critical habitat for wildlife. about 20 inches, much of which occurs as snow.