Aboveground biomass and wildlife browsing of 3-year-old fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) and common winterfat (Ceratoides lanata) on reclaimed coal surface-mined land in northeastern Wyoming was estimated from crown dimensions and by measuring lengths of newly produced twigs, respectively. During winter 1982-83, browsing reduced lengths of new saltbush twigs 36-41% and crown dry weights by 43-52%. Browsing reduced average length of winterfat twigs and crown dry weights by 45%. Accumulation of aboveground biomass of browsed and unbrowsed shrubs was similar during the 1982 growing season, whereas overwinter browsing stimulated new twig growth and resulted in 4 x greater increases in biomass/100 g initial plant weight during the 1983 growing season. Net gain in biomass of browsed saltbush was not significantly less than that of protected shrubs, whereas winterfat biomass decreased due to browsing. Fourwing saltbush and winterfat on reclaimed areas sustained moderate winter use without being eliminated by browsing effects. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 50(4):714-718 Shrubs are an important component of successfully reclaimed surface-mined rangeland because they provide browse and cover for a variety of native and domestic animals and increase ecosystem diversity (Richardson and Trussell 1981, Booth 1985, Parmenter et al. 1985). However, survival and growth of shrubs on reclaimed mines is often poor during the 1st few years after establishment (Bjugstad et al. 1981, McKell and Van Epps 1981, Holechek et al. 1982). Establishment of late-seral species is often especially difficult (Stetler and Mikol 1981). For example, reclamation procedures that promoted grass establishment reduced the success of winterfat seedlings due to increased competition (Ferguson and Frischknecht 1981), and competition with annual weeds had a negative impact on the survival and growth of fourwing saltbush and winterfat seedlings (Van Epps and McKell 1983). Browsing by native herbivores would be expected to reduce the survival of shrub seedlings under such stressful conditions (Booth and Schuman 1981, McKell and Van Epps 1981). However, there has been little quantification of the effects of browsing on shrubs established on reclaimed rangeland. Our objective was to study the effects of browsing by big game on fourwing saltbush and winterfat on reclaimed surface-mined (coal) land in Wyoming. Observations included determination of the season that browsing of shrubs occurred, the magnitude of use, and the response of shrubs to browsing and protection within exclosures. Medcraft and Clark (1986) had previously quantified the occurrence of fourwing saltbush and winterfat in the diets of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and pronghor (Antilocapra americana) at the same reclaimed sites. Research was supported by the Rapid City Unit, U.S. For. Serv. Rocky Mtn. For. and Range Exp. S n., AMAX Coal Co., Boone and Crockett Club, and Natl. Wildl. Fed. We acknowledge the cooperation of the U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Iowa Coop. Wildl. Res. Unit, and thank D. G. Steward and D. W. Uresk for reviews of the manuscript. This is Pap. J-11579 of the Iowa Agric. Home Econ. Exp. Stn., Ames, Proj. 2401.