Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />COLORADO YAMPA COAL COMPANY <br />ELK CALVING BEHAVIOR STUDY <br />1984 ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT <br />INTRODUCTION <br />This is the fourth annual progress report of Colorado Yampa Coal Company's <br />(CYCC) Elk Calving Study and reports study progress and results through July 31, <br />1984. The purpose of the study is to monitor elk calving behavior in connection <br />with habitat disturbance resulting--from surface coal mining activities. The <br />specific obfectives are ta: (1) determine if productivity of elk is changed as <br />they are displaced from a traditional calving area; (2) determine what fidelity <br />they exhibit to calving areas; (3) describe the physical and vegetational <br />characteristics of elk calving areas. <br />STUDY AREA <br />The study area has been delineated in the 1981 annual report. CYCC's <br />Eckman Park Permit area (the area of intensive investigation) is located <br />approximately 20 miles southwest of Steamboat Springs, Routt County, Colorado. <br />However, the area of general observation extends as far as 20+ miles from the <br />mine covering the movements of elk tagged on the mine. <br />METHODS <br />Trapping <br />In order to monitor elk calving behavior, the live-trapping and tagging <br />program has been continued. Clover traps were used in the 1983-84 trapping <br />effort. Elk were handled as described in the 1981 Annual Report. <br />Monitoring <br />Aerial (fixed-wing) and ground surveys were conducted in order to monitor <br />and relocate animals (find their position) equipped with transmitters and <br />observe animals with non-telemetry (conventional collars and eartags) markings <br />as described in the 1982 Annual Report. <br />1 <br />