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1 <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br />Grasslands are the most varied in nature and for this discussion have <br />been divided into four types. Treated areas are those which were at one time <br />cleared for farming and then either seeded to introduced pasture grasses or <br />left alone. These are dominated by smooth brome (Bromus inermis) or crested <br />wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) but often have an open shrub overstory where <br />shrubs have invaded. The second grass type is reclaimed mineland which is <br />dominated by wheatgrasses and bromes. The third type is natural grasslands <br />appearing as small scattered areas among other types which have largely deter- <br />iorated from heavy grazing. This type is generally dominated by mulesear. <br />The final grass type is shoestring meadows which closely follow drainages and <br />are dominated by sedges. <br />Cultivated land is dominated by grain crops (i.e. wheat and barley). <br /> <br />1 <br />In addition to these 5 vegatation types, conifer is also found in minor <br />amounts in the mine area. However, large amounts of conifer can be found at <br />higher elevations along with large open grass forb parks. <br />' METHODS <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br />Trapping <br />In order to monitor elk calving behavior, a live-trapping and tagging <br />program was initiated. Because of the tremendous mobility and widespread con- <br />centrations of elk and a desire to be able to trap in a number of locations, <br />elk were live trapped using portable clover traps and a portable corral trap. <br />Twenty clover traps were constructed at CYCC following the design described by <br />Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit (1979) and Seitz (1980). The cor- <br />ral trap was provided and operated by CDOW. <br />' When an elk was captured in a collapsable clover trap, the animal was <br /> handled without the use of immobilizing drugs as describe d by Colorado Cooper- <br />' ative Wildlife Research Unit (1979) and Seitz (1980). O <br />f <br />t <br />i <br />d i <br />h nce t <br />i he elk was posi- <br />' <br /> e manner, <br />t <br />one <br />n a sa <br />he traps were collapsed and t <br />e an <br />m al <br />s sex and age <br /> determined. Age was determined using lower incisor tooth replacement to <br />' determine if it was adult, yearling or calf. The crew then placed either a <br /> radio transmitter collar or numbered polyurethane collar over the animals head <br /> <br /> -4- <br /> <br />