Abstract
Present forest conditions-loss of a herbaceous and shrubby understory, reductions in the amount of older forests, and increased areas of dense tree regeneration reflect the extent of human influence on these forests. These changes may also be affecting goshawk populations. Information on goshawk nesting habitat and foraging behavior, and the food and habitats of selected goshawk prey, was therefore synthesized to develop a set of management objectives, desired forest conditions, and management recommendations. Key objectives of the guidelines are to provide (1) nesting, post-fledging, and foraging areas for goshawks, and (2) habitat to support abundant populations of 14 primary goshawk prey. Thinning trees in the understory, creating small openings in the forest, and prescribed fires should help produce and maintain the desired forest conditions. Other habitat elements critical for maintaining both goshawk and prey populations include abundant snags and large downed logs, woody debris, interspersion of different tree sizes across the landscape, and the majority of a goshawk's home range in older-aged forests. These guidelines should also benefit forest health, soil productivity, and the habitats of other old-growth dependent plants and animals.

Nesting Home Range (pg. 3)
Approximately 6,000 acres were identified as encompassing a breeding goshawk's home range. Three major components make up the home range: nest area, post fledging-family area (PFA), and foraging area. Size of home range components were determined by radio-telemetry and behavioral studies of goshawks.
The nest area (~30 acres) which may include more than one nest that may be used in alternate years. Nests are typically located on a northerly aspect in a drainage or canyon, often near a water source. Nest areas contain one or more stands of large, old trees with a dense canopy cover.
The post fledging-family area (PFA) (~420 acres) surrounds the nest area. Due to its size, it typically includes a variety of forest types and conditions. These areas are important for fledglings; they provide hiding cover and prey for developing hunting skills. PFAs have patches of dense trees, developed herbaceous and/or shrubby understories, and habitat attributes (snags, downed logs, small openings, woody debris) that are critical for many goshawk prey.
The foraging area surrounds the PFA and is approximately 5,400 acres. Goshawks evidently use available habitat opportunistically. If they are indeed opportunistic hunters, goshawks may choose foraging areas based on prey availability, as well as, habitat structure and composition.

Prey Species (pg. 4)
Goshawks prey upon a wide variety of birds and mammals. Fourteen species were important in the diet of southwestern goshawks including squirrels, rabbits, woodpeckers, jays, and grouse. Specific habitat attributes important to prey species: snags, downed logs, woody debris, large trees, openings, herbaceous and shrubby understories, and an intermixture of various forest vegetative stages. Desired conditions for prey species include (1) forests should contain large trees and have relatively open understories, (2) forest openings are small (1/3-2 acres) to medium (2-4 acres) in size, (3) patches of dense, mid-aged forests are scattered throughout, (4) and majority of forests are in "mid-aged", "mature" an "old" structural stages.

Management Recommendations (pg. 6)
Nest areas (30 acres each) should include three suitable nesting areas per home range. In addition three replacement nest areas per home range should be developed, using intermediate treatment and prescribed burns. Nest areas are typified by one or more stands of mature or old trees and dense forest canopies. No adverse management activities should occur at any time in suitable nesting areas.
Post family-fledging areas PFAs (420 acres) should contain a variety of forest conditions and prey habitat attributes. Regeneration of approximately 10% of the PFA may be required every 20 years to sustain desired canopy cover, size of trees, and mixture of forest stand ages. Management tools such as prescribed fire and removing understory trees are suggested for sustaining critical elements of goshawk habitat. All management activities in the PFA should be limited to October through February. Road densities should be minimized, and permanent skid trails should be used in lieu of permanent roads.
Foraging areas (5,400 acres) should take into account similar management recommendations as those prescribed in the PFA. Because the foraging area need not contain as much hiding cover for fledging goshawks, a more open canopy cover is desired, 40% in mid-aged forests and 40-60 percent in the mature and old forests, depending on the forest type.