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Results and Discussion • <br />Big Came. Elk, mule deer, and antelope (Antilocapra americana) have been observed on or <br />near the Seneca II -W study area during field investigations. Only one sighting of two <br />aitelope, however, was recorded within the vicinity of the Seneca II -W permit area. This <br />observation was made on February 17, 1982 within the SWk, SWk of Section 3, Township 5 <br />North, Range 88 West. <br />A species list has been developed for mammals which may be expected to occur within the <br />Seneca II -W area as determined by habitat availability versus habitat requirements. This <br />list, which includes elk, mule deer, and antelope, has been presented as Table 11-2. <br />Wildlife Resources Information (Inventory Maps) obtained from the Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife designate the entire study area as critical winter range and as a production area <br />for mule deer. For elk, the northern portion of the study area is designated as winter <br />range while the southern portion is classified as a general migration corridor and as <br />winter range. Observations made during the 1979 aerial surveys (Tables 11-3 and 11-4) <br />and ground investigations (Tables 11-5 and 11-6) also indicate that the study area serves • <br />mainly as winter range for elk and as both summer and winter range for mule deer. The <br />distribution of big game observations made on the January 30, 1979 and March 15, 1979 <br />aerial surveys is shown on Exhibit 11-1. <br />Winter and early spring aerial surveys conducted above the tie -across haul road near the <br />Hayden Power Station (see Exhibit 11-1) indicate that utilization of this area by big game <br />species occurs primarily along the Yampa River and on the mixed brush slopes of Grassy <br />Creek which exhibited minimal winter snow cover. Most observations occurred at the <br />eastern end of the transects (see Table 11-3). Distribution of these observations is shown <br />on Exhibit 11-1. Elk occurred primarily within the cottonwoods along the Yampa River <br />while mule deer were observed along the Yampa River and Grassy Creek. Both species <br />were observed feeding among the domestic livestock present near the Yampa River <br />drainage. For the most part, elk and mule deer are only likely to concentrate along the <br />Yampa River during the winter months when severe winter weather and snow levels force <br />them down from surrounding higher elevations. <br />Interviews <br />with personnel of the Colorado Division of Wildlife indicate that <br />in some years <br />• <br />substantial <br />numbers of elk winter near the northern boundary of the permit <br />area (Exhibit <br />14 <br />