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<br />Habitat Utilization <br />Vegetation maps were prepared as described in the previous annual report. <br />Transmitter collared elk locations and calving home 'ranges were then placed on <br />vegetation maps. Utilization was then determined by calculating the percentage <br />of each vegetation type within calving home ranges and percentage of locations <br />within each vegetation type. Habitat selection was then determined by using <br />Chi-square analysis. Selection was defined as the statistically significant <br />utilization of a habitat greater or less than its availability. Significance <br />levels used were ~C= 0.10 for Chi-square analysis. <br />Noise Tolerance <br />Due to the close proximity of calving elk to active mining operations <br />measurements were taken of decibal levels of blasts and haul trucks. This was <br />done at varying distances to determine what type of noise levels elk were <br />tolerating. Measurements were taken within calving home ranges at distances <br />where elk were regularly located. Two different decibal meters were used a <br />Bruel and K3aer 2204 and a Rustrak 1565-B. <br />RESULTS <br />Trapping <br />Trapping for the study was scheduled to take place during the first 3 years <br />of the study and has been completed. However, in order to redistribute <br />relatively new transmitter collars lost due to mortality .of elk, some limited <br />trapping was done this year (1983-84). <br />Intermittent trapping was conducted between September 12, 1983 and January <br />10, 1984. Fifty-four (54) trap nights at 2 locations yielded 42 captures (Table <br />1) for a 78% capture rate. Captures consisted of 31 calves, 1 yearling bull, 9 <br />cows and 2 escapes (1 cow, 1 undetermined). Seven (7) calves were released <br />untagged and 7 of the captures (4 calves and 3 cows) were recaptures. Seven (7) <br />cows received transmitter collars and 9 female calves, 11 male calves, and 1 <br />yearling bull were ear tagged. <br />3 <br />