BLACK-TAILED JACKRABBIT PREFERENCES FOR 8 FORAGES USED FOR RECLAMATION OF GREAT-BASIN RANGELANDS

During peak periods of their population cycles black-tailed jackrabbit s (Lepus californicus) may compete with other herbivores for forage an d negatively impact the health and production of the forage resource. This study was conducted on the northern Great Basin Experimental Rang e near Burns, Oregon. Our objective was to establish the growing seaso n relative preferences of jackrabbits for eight selections of grasses available for reclamation of Great Basin rangelands. Response variable s included percent of plants defoliated and degree of utilization from plots supporting equal numbers of all selections. The percent of plan ts grazed and utilization levels of two crested wheatgrass cultivars w ere nearly twice those of the other grasses. Two cultivars of basin wi ldrye and one selection of Russian wildrye were avoided by jackrabbits , while one cultivar of bluebunch wheatgrass and two selections of thi ck-spiked wheatgrass were passively foraged upon. Seedings of unpalata ble cultivars are suggested to: (1) discourage jackrabbit presence in right-of-ways where they pose a danger, (2) to reduce competition betw een jackrabbits and livestock for forage, or (3) reduce potential dama ge to ground cover or forage resources in critical areas during jackra bbit population peaks. Conversely, seedings of palatable cultivars mig ht he used to lure jackrabbits away from less palatable, but more valu able crops or forages.