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• were on the permit area and 14 herds were in the perimeter. Elk density in the Yoast azea <br />averaged 6.5 animals/mil, slightly lower than the density on the expanded survey azea. Other <br />animals observed in the Yoast area during the aerial survey included four sharp-tailed grouse. <br />Ali elk observed in the Yoast area were in mountain brush habitat (Appendix I}. During <br />all previous surveys, the majority of elk were also in mountain brush. <br />During most years, elk densities in the Yoast area were lower than those in the expanded <br />survey area (Figure I ). Elk are usually scarce on the improved pastures and agricultural fields <br />north and east of the Yoast permit area, which decreases the overall density in the Yoast area. <br />Other portions of the Yoast survey azea generally support elk at densities comparable to those <br />observed over the expanded survey area. <br />Interestingly, densities have been steadily increasing in the Yoast area since 1999, when a <br />low of I.6 elk/miZ was documented. That increase probably resulted from an apparent shift in <br />elk distribution during the past three years from the eastern portions of the expanded survey azea <br />to the central and western portions. <br />• UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />Three of the four known sharp-tailed grouse leks in the Yoast area were attended by <br />grouse during 2002. Counts of 13, 17, and 10 males were obtained from the Annan's I, Annan's <br />2, and Yoast Mine Road leks respectively. No birds were observed on the Annan's 3 lek when it <br />was checked on 1 May. <br />On 1 May 2002, TWC biologist Kimberley Brown noted an unusual looking male grouse, <br />possibly asharp-tailed/greater sage-grouse (Cenlrocereus urophasiantrs) hybrid, approximately <br />1 /8 mile southeast of the Annans's 3 lek. That bird sported a moderate sized "ruff' with distinct <br />air sacs, the tail appeared rounded, and the under-tail coverts were white. One non-displaying <br />sharp-tailed grouse was seen near the unusual male. When the biologist approached the lek on <br />foot both grouse flew off to the north. Although no grouse were observed on the Annan's 3 lek <br />proper, two sharp-tailed grouse (sex unknown) flushed from a nearby creek bottom in SE'/~ NE'/ <br />Section 9, TSN, R87W. While surveying the Yoast Ntine Road Iek, biologists found the remains <br />of an adult male shatp-tailed grouse on the lek. The condition of the remains suggested that the <br />• grouse was killed by an avian predator. <br />2U0? Yo,is~ Mine Wlldlile Muniloring Page 6 <br />