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skiing, sledding, 6) herding of sheep and cattle, and 8) access to private pro- <br /> perty. <br /> The active mining is of course the most continuous and intense use on the mine <br /> plan area. Its primary impact to wildlife however, seems to be physical dis- <br /> placement as a result of surface disturbance. Both elk and deer continue to fre- <br /> quent the area and often bed within yards of active haul roads or other mining <br /> activities. During the winters of 1978-1979 and 1979-1980, between 50 and 150 <br /> head of elk were observed daily in the immediate vicinity of the active mining. <br /> Mine employees have developed a very patron attitude towards the animals and <br /> avoid or censure their harassment in any form. Although deliberate harassment of <br /> wildlife by employees has never been observed at Trapper Mine, it will be admin- <br /> istratively censured should it happen in the future. <br /> Occasional snowmobiling, cross country skiing, sledding and other winter recrea- <br /> tional uses of the proposed mine plan area can potentially conflict with big game <br /> winter use. However, all accesses to the proposed mine plan area are controlled <br /> to the extent practicable. Gates are chained and padlocked so that general <br /> public access is not allowed. Winter recreation use of the area is quite light <br /> and largely restricted to the northeast portion of the proposed permit area which <br /> normally receives little winter use by big game. If access privileges are abused <br /> and big game are deliberately harassed, access to the area by the offenders will <br /> be curtailed. <br /> Herding of sheep and cattle takes place early each spring during the late criti- <br /> cal overwintering period for big game as they are readjusting to green forage. <br /> The activities proposed by this permit application do not contribute to this man- <br /> agement practice. <br /> Access to private or leased property is allowed across the proposed mine plan <br /> area for a small number of local farmers and ranchers. This use is generally <br /> prevented during periods critical to big game because of inclement weather <br /> resulting in poor road conditions. The activities proposed by this permit appli- <br /> cation do not contribute to this practice. <br /> 4-151 <br />