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~. ~~ . • • <br />OBJECTIVES <br />1 Objectives of wildlife Investigations were as follows: <br />1 <br />1. Evaluate big game use of the corridor, particularly as it <br />relates to mfgratlonal movements, <br />2. Determine whether sage grouse leks (strutting grounds) exist <br />along the corridors or near the mine permit area, and, <br />3. Document all sightings of wild horses, raptors, and coyotes. <br />METHODS <br />~ Methods were restricted to fixed-wing aerial reconnaissance <br />1 flights. All flights occurred In early mornings with a total of <br /> J fourteen flights being conducted from October 1980 through April <br /> 1981. Generally flights originated at Vernal, Utah. However, <br /> counts of animals were made by flying In an east-west direction, <br />J <br /> This was done to place the morning sun behind the aircraft and <br />l thereby achieve optimal viewing conditions. The altitude flown was <br />J usually from 100 to 300 feet. During the April surveys for sage <br /> grouse, flights began near dawn in order to be over potential <br /> strutting habitat by sunrise. The altitude flown was generally near <br />' 100 feet. One sage grouse flight originated at Craig, Colorado. A <br /> Super Cub was used for this flight; Cessnas were used for all other <br /> flights. Counts were made along a 1-mile wide transect centering on <br />' the corridors, and within approximately 3 miles of the mine permit <br /> area. <br />' 3 <br />