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<br />year and within each year. Population estimates range from <br />one deer/square mile during the severe cold winter months to <br />seven deer/square mile in the mild summer months. <br />Elk. The area surrounding our lease area provides good <br />elk winter habitat and ie used to some extent during these <br />months. Wintering elk appear to concentrate along Middle <br />Creek and Rattlesnake Butte. Additional animals are also <br />found along the buttes north and east of Foidel School. A <br />few elk remain in these areas yearlong. <br />Cover is provided by aspen, mountain shrub, and the top- <br />ography. Cover appears to be adequate to meet the elks' <br />needs. Water does not appear to be a limiting factor on the <br />elk population; their water requirements are met in the form <br />of snow, scattered ponds, stock tanks, and creeks running <br />through the area. <br />Studies are being conducted by Dames and Moore to deter- <br />mine which plant species are of most importance to elk, and <br />the condition and trend of these plants. <br />The Colorado DOW flew portions of northwestern Colorado <br />to locate big game concentrations; the area around the neigh- <br />boring Energy Fuels mine complex was transected in spring 1975. <br />The results of these flights indicated a population estimated <br />at six elk/square mile. This estimate would suggest a potential <br />elk population within their area of 225 elk. At least 30 elk <br />are known to use Energy 1 Mine spoils extensively (according <br />to permanent mine workers reports). <br />Black bear. Little information is available concerning <br />the use of the mine complex area by this species. The Colorado <br />DOW indicates that bears are generally found along the southern <br />fringe of the Energy 1 lease area; they estimate five bears are <br /> <br />i~8 <br />