Goats have been used recently in California to control brush on firebreaks and to convert brush rangeland to grassland. As oil prices become higher, prices for mohair climb and as food prices rise the specialty and export market for goat products will expand, creating more favorable conditions for expansion of goat grazing activities. Wildlife will be affected by the resulting land use changes. Different influences will occur, depending on goat breeds, the aims of the ranch operation and methods used. Benefits to quail are obvious. Deer habitat can also benefit, but adverse effects are possible. The potential hazards and benefits to deer will be related to goat breeds, grazing aims and methods. There are excellent opportunities now for monitoring both old and newly developing goat grazing operations.
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