2018-08-30_PERMIT FILE - C1982057 ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: C1982057
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 8/30/2018
• Section_Exhibit Name: TAB 11 WILDLIFE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

The mule deer was the only big game species observed within the strip censes areas.
Mule deer were recorded in sagebrush, mixed brush, and aspen habitat types as scattered
individuals or small groups during these censuses. The largest of these mule deer groups
consisted of four bucks observed at the edge of the aspen stand sampled by census transect
S-2 (Exhibit 11-2).
Results of the qualitative walk-through elk surveys conducted in June 1979 indicate that a
small number of elk do remain on or near the study area during the summer, and that some
calving activity occurs within the aspen stands that are present within the area. The
qualitative elk transects only surveyed aspen habitat since this habitat type is the
predominant habitat utilized by elk for calving activity in this portion of Colorado
• (Hicks, 1979). As shown on Table 11-7, the areas of aspen habitat sampled by Transects 1
and 5 appeared to contain the greatest number of fresh elk calving beds (see Exhibit 11-2
for transect locations). Several other groups of beds were found near vegetation sample
sites Al2 and A20 as indicated on Exhibit 10-1 within the vegetation report of this permit
to mine application. Most elk calving beds found within the Seneca 11-W study area
occurred in portions of aspen habitat where a dense secondary overstory (5 to 15 feet
above the ground) of chokecherry or serviceberry was present.
Although numerous calving beds and three elk were observed in the aspen habitat, no calves
were found. The only other elk observation made during the June 1979 survey efforts was a
yearling bull in the southeast corner of Section 27, T5N, R88W.
11-1).
Elk numbers in
the Seneca II -W area
were highest in January and decreased into
did not
March
as animals began
to move back into their
summer range (Dunckley Flattops) to the
within these aspen stands nor were
south
(Table 11-4). Only a few observations
of elk were recorded within the Seneca II -W
that most elk calving activity occurs
study
area during the
summer months. No elk
were observed within the strip censuses as
more prevalent.
indicated,
within Table
11-5.
The mule deer was the only big game species observed within the strip censes areas.
Mule deer were recorded in sagebrush, mixed brush, and aspen habitat types as scattered
individuals or small groups during these censuses. The largest of these mule deer groups
consisted of four bucks observed at the edge of the aspen stand sampled by census transect
S-2 (Exhibit 11-2).
Results of the qualitative walk-through elk surveys conducted in June 1979 indicate that a
small number of elk do remain on or near the study area during the summer, and that some
calving activity occurs within the aspen stands that are present within the area. The
qualitative elk transects only surveyed aspen habitat since this habitat type is the
predominant habitat utilized by elk for calving activity in this portion of Colorado
• (Hicks, 1979). As shown on Table 11-7, the areas of aspen habitat sampled by Transects 1
and 5 appeared to contain the greatest number of fresh elk calving beds (see Exhibit 11-2
for transect locations). Several other groups of beds were found near vegetation sample
sites Al2 and A20 as indicated on Exhibit 10-1 within the vegetation report of this permit
to mine application. Most elk calving beds found within the Seneca 11-W study area
occurred in portions of aspen habitat where a dense secondary overstory (5 to 15 feet
above the ground) of chokecherry or serviceberry was present.
Although numerous calving beds and three elk were observed in the aspen habitat, no calves
were found. The only other elk observation made during the June 1979 survey efforts was a
yearling bull in the southeast corner of Section 27, T5N, R88W.
15
Studies
conducted during May of 1981 within
aspen stands on the Seneca II -W permit area
did not
show the utilization of these areas
by elk for calving. No fresh elk sign was
observed
within these aspen stands nor were
any cow elk seen within the area. It is
expected
that most elk calving activity occurs
to the south of the current Sencea II -W
permit area
where aspen stands are larger and
more prevalent.
•
Pellet group count data (Table 11-6) revealed
slight differences in the use of various
15