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H-4 <br />the site later into the summer months. Consequently, the potential <br />for sage grouse to occur on: the site, this late in the season was <br />increased. During this survey ~...4 man-days were devoted to observing <br />for sage grouse, or sign of sage grouse leks. Additionally, approxi- <br />mately 10 additional man-days were spent in the field during July, when <br />opportunistic observations were made. <br />H.2.2 Larqe Mammals <br />Mina Haar <br />In addition to a literature survey, on-site studies were conducted to <br />evaluate the mule deer population on the lease area in 1980 and 1981 <br />(LGL 1981). These field studies included 1) monthly aerial deer count <br />and distribution surveys, 2) deer pellet group counts to determine the <br />abundance and habit:at preference, and 3) measurements of the distribu- <br />• tion of deer pellet groups in relation to browse plants to determine <br />plant species preference. <br />Monthly aerial surveys were conducted between August 1980 and June <br />1981. Surveys were conducted in fixed-wing aircraft at about 150 m <br />elevation between sunrise and 2 hours after sunrise. Deer groups were <br />counted and their locations plotted on a topographic map. <br />Deer pellet groups were counted along belt transects which were 2 m by <br />1000 m long. Pellet group transect locations followed that of the <br />Emlen bird transects. Each transect was subdivided into 10 equal <br />segments to allow for among-segment treatment of the data. Deer <br />preferences among habitats were assumed to be proportional to relative <br />pellet-group densities. Average deer densities for winter months were <br />computed from pellet-group data using the assumptions that (1) deer <br />occupied the study area in appreciable numbers for about 6 months (180 <br />days); (2) each deer defecated about 13 times per day; and (3) negli- <br />. Bible number of pellet groups were missed from transects prior to <br />counts or missed by observers (LGL 1981). <br />THIS DOCUM ENT CONTAINS TRADE SECRETS AND PRIVILEGE D,CON FIDENTIAL AND - v <br />PROPRIETARY COMA7E RCIA L, FINANCIAL, GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL DATA ANDR . ~ <br />INFORMATION. PU RSUANT TO LAW,THOSE PORTIONS MARKED"CONFIDENTIAL" I ~jy~j ,y~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~ <br />MAY NOT BE DISCLOSED, COPIED OR MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION. ~IDUP: .' Iud .. <br />