Introduction

Range monitoring took place on July 17^th, 2005 within the Meeteetse Conservation District (MCD) boundaries. There were 14 separate location sites where soil samples and forage was collected. Sites were selected based on previous data collected in the years 2002 and 2003.

Methods and Materials

At each site, an eTrex Vista personal navigator global positioning system (GPS) manufactured by Garminâ was used to find the previous sites that samples were collected in the years 2002 and 2003. Once the site was located, a 1-3/16" black rubber hoop was randomly thrown. Wherever the hoop landed, the forage within the hoop was clipped and placed in a plastic Ziplocâ bag. These bags were then taken to the MCD office and then placed in brown paper bags in order for the samples to dry out in the air more effectively. Once the samples were air dried out, they were weighed. A new GPS coordinate was also taken where the hoop landed.

Photo of hoop before forage clipping was done.

At each site, photos were also taken with a digital camera. A photo of the distinguishing landscape for the site was taken in order to help ensure that future efforts sample in the same location. Also, a photo of the hoop before and after the forage was clipped were also taken for further documentation of conditions.

In addition, three soil samples were taken at each site using a boring instrument. These samples were then placed in plastic Ziplocâ bags and taken back to the MCD office to air dry and be tested.

Field notes were also taken at each site. Species present were noted as well as a general grass height (measuring from the ground to the top of the grass seed heads).

Results

Table 1: Forage Weights (grams) collected in 2005 and 2003 using minimum measured weights.

	2005			2003			Change	Change
Site	Weight	Tare	Net Wt.	Weight	Tare	Net Wt.	Wt.	%
1	13.8	6.96	6.8	5.8	3.45	2.4	4.5	291%
2	11.9	6.96	4.9	8.6	3.45	5.2	-0.2	96%
3	22.7	6.96	15.7	5.4	3.45	2.0	13.8	807%
4	12.6	6.96	5.6	6.6	3.45	3.2	2.5	179%
5	11.6	6.96	4.6	4.5	3.45	1.1	3.6	442%
6	10.0	6.96	3.0	4.6	3.45	1.2	1.9	264%
7	10.3	6.96	3.3	4.6	3.45	1.2	2.2	290%
8	9.6	6.96	2.6	5.7	3.45	2.3	0.4	117%
9	9.9	6.96	2.9	7.7	3.45	4.3	-1.3	69%
10	11.6	6.96	4.6	8.5	3.45	5.1	-0.4	92%
11	*	*	*	7.2	3.45	3.8	n.a.	n.a.
12	13.2	6.96	6.2	6.9	3.45	3.5	2.8	181%
13	16.8	6.96	9.8	11.9	3.45	8.5	1.4	116%
14	9.3	6.96	2.3	6.3	3.45	2.9	-0.5	82%
15	11.7	6.96	4.7	5.6	3.45	2.2	2.6	220%
16	*	*	*	12.8	3.45	9.4	n.a.	n.a.
17	*	*	*	14.4	3.45	11.0	n.a.	n.a.
Average			5.5			4.0	2.4	138%

Table compiled on 8/2/2005.

* data not available

Net weight for sites 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, and 15 were greater in the year 2005 than in the year 2003. Sites 2, 9, 10, and 14 had greater net weights in 2003 than in 2005. The average net weight in 2005 was 5.5 grams and in 2003 it was 4.0 grams.