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Messrs. Crane and Banta September 11, 1~ Page 4 Ground Observations: Ground observations were begun on elk wintering areas during April and continued at stationary observation posts, and along established foot and horseback observation routes through June. Data collected during these observations included number of elk observed, time and location of each observation, animal sex when possible, age class (adult, yearling, or calf) when possible, and starting and total time traveled on the observa- tion routes. Wintering area observations were done from vehicles and on foot in areas near Energy Fuels Corporation's headquarters and Middle Creek. Stationary posts were established at two locations where a large area could be observed with spotting scopes or binoculars (Map A). Post 111 was on a high point (2,225 m.) in Eckman Park viewing upper Foidel Creek. Post l12 was on the ridge crest (2,365 m.) between Foidel and Middle Creeks viewing the Atiddle Creek area. The foot observation routes (L-1 and L-2) were established in Federal Coal Lease 22644 (Map A). Routes were established to cover all habitat types, aspects, slopes, and elevations in the lease area. The length of the routes was such that the entire route could be walked during the prime observation periods in the morning and evening. The direction of travel was alternated allowing all sections of the route to be traveled at dif- ferent times of that period. Lease lil route was approximately 7.3 Km (4.5 miles) in length. The route went through an estimated 6.1 Km of aspen forest, 0.9 Km of sage- brush and 0.3 Km of mountain shrub habitat. Elevation along the route ranged from 2,250 m. to 2,350 m. Most of the route traveled on a north- facing midridge with a slope of 10-20 percent. Lease 02 route was approximately 7.0 Km (4.3 miles) in length. The route went through an estimated 3.6 Km of aspen forest, 0.3 Km of sage- brush, and 3.1 Km of mountain shrub habitat. Elevation along the route ranged from 2,380 m. to 2,550 m. Most of the route was traveled on ridge- crest or north-facing midridge with a slope of 10 - 20 percent. Horseback observation routes: Horseback observation routes were used in larger areas requiring study. This allowed maximum coverage of prime elk habitat. Four observa- tion routes (Map A) were established in elk calving grounds (CDOW, 1979) and areas of high elk distribution (Map D). Transitional ecotone or edge areas of aspen forest and mountain shrub were emphasized (Johnson, 1951). Travel along each route (averaging twice weekly) was made during the prime morning observation period. Middle Creek $1 route was located in the Rattlesnake Butte area. The route was approximately 8.6 Km (5.3 miles) in length and went through an estimated 2.6 Km of aspen forest, 3.4 Km of sagebrush, 1.1 Km of mountain shrub, and 1.5 Km of aspen-mountain shrub ecotone.