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• Generally, use of the area by passerine species appears to be normal for The <br />habitat types in the region. The habitat types offering the greatest amount of cover <br />and forage sustain the highest density and diversity of birds with the more <br />monoculture habitat types supporting the fewest. <br />2.7.2.2 Terrestrial Mdmmals <br />Thirty-three species of mammals (Tables 2.7-4, 2.7-7 and 2.7-B) were observed <br />on and adjacent To the mine permit area. In addition to the species observed, those <br />mammals which are known to occur in this region and ore considered to potentially <br />occur on the site are listed in Appendix 2.7-B -Table 3. <br />This account is divided into four sections. The first section describes big game, <br />The second describes smolt game, The third describes Threatened and endangered <br />species and the fourth describes non-game and domestic mammals. <br />Big Game <br />• Two big game mammals, American elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer <br />(Odocoileus hemionus) are commonly found throughout the mine permit orea. From <br />spring (after the snow is gone) until early winter elk are concentrated in The aspen <br />area along Center Ridge (Table 2.7-4 and Exhibit 2.7-I). The cow elk use this aspen <br />orea for calving and rearing of their young. Aerial and ground observations during <br />the summer of 1979 and spring of 1980 showed that an estimated 75+ cows with <br />calves plus additional yearling animals were using the aspen grove. The cows and <br />calves along with some yearling elk remain in this area through early fall using the <br />aspen grove for cover and feeding on grasses and forties in the nearby reclaimed <br />areas. It is expected that spring and summer use of the aspen grove on Center Ridge <br />and surrounding reclaimed oreas by the elk will remain constant or increase with <br />time. <br />Peak elk abundance on the property occurs in the fall. Bulls move into the area <br />in early fall during the rutting season. In October and early November, elk move into <br />the aspen grove and into the mountain shrub and riparian habitats in the Moffat <br />Area. This later influx of elk onto the permit area appears to be due to the limited <br />hunting allowed on the Edna property and to hunting pressure outside the permit <br />. area. <br />2.7-21 <br />