UL Bend Wilderness: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox Protectedprotected area

The '''UL Bend Wilderness''' comprises 20,819 acres (84 km²²) and is located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Montana]] within the [[UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge]], which in turn is also completely surrounded by the [[Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge]]. Bordering on the [[Fort Peck Dam|Fort Peck Reservoir]], a portion of the [[Missouri River]] that has been damed[[Dam|dammed]]. There are no maintained trails and the only access is either on foot or [[horseback]]. The [[Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument]] is located immediately west of the wilderness. The [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] passed through this region and wrote extensively on the abundance of wildlife and the ruggedness of the countryside.

[[U.S. Wilderness Area]]s do not allow [[motor vehicles|motorized]] or [[mechanizationMachine|mechanized]] vehicles, including [[bicycle]]s. Although [[camping]] and [[fishing]] are allowed with proper permit, no roads or buildings are constructed and there is also no [[forestry|logging]] or [[mining]], in compliance with the 1964 [[Wilderness Act]]. Wilderness areas within [[United States National Forest|National Forests]] and [[Bureau of Land Management]] areas also allow [[hunting]] in season. Hunting is permitted in this wilderness.

Broken into three sections, the largest portion is characterized by steep sided cliffs of the Missouri River "Breaks" country. Along the riverbanks, [[Populus sect. Aegiros|cottonwood]] trees flourish and are home to a wide diversity of wildlife. [[Mammal]]s such as [[elk]], [[bighorn sheep]], [[pronghorn]], [[bobcat]]s and [[badger]]s thrive here and numerous waterfowl such as [[pelican]]s, [[canadaCanada geese]] and [[Greatgreat Blueblue Heronheron|heron]]s are also common.

In the 1990s, UL Bend Wilderness was one of several sites selected for reintroduction of a small number of [[Blackblack-footed Ferretferret]]s, the most endangered mammal in [[North America]]. The carnivorous Blackblack-footed ferret is heavily dependent on a plentiful supply of [[Prairieprairie dogs]] as this constitutes the bulk of their food intake.

* {{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.topoquest.com/map.asp?z=13&n=5268905&e=281432&s=100&size=l&u=7&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25 | title = USGS Locke Ranch (MT) Topo Map Quad | format = map | work = | publisher = TopoQuest | accessdate access-date= 2008-06-30 }}

* {{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=legisAct | title = Wilderness Legislation: The Wilderness Act of 1964 | format = | work = The National Wilderness Preservation System | publisher = Wilderness.net | accessdate access-date= 2006-08-15 }}

[[Category:Protected areas of Phillips County, Montana]]

[[Category:Wilderness Areasareas of Montana]]