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' Productivity ' Helicopter classification counts were conducted during July to obtain cow:calf ratios (Table 7, Elk Productivity). As in the past, elk were classified on three surface coal mines (CYCC-Mine 1, Pittsburg & Midway-Edna ' Mine, Peabody-Seneca Mine) and three comparable control areas (Middle Creek, Quarry Mountain, Thorpe Mountain). Average cow:calf ratio for both the mine and control sites were 54 calves per 100 cows for 1986. In addition, elk were classified in two areas at higher elevations (Little Flat Tops and ' Duckley Flat Tops). The average cow:calf ratio there was 53 calves per 100 cows. Calving Home Range Size The average calving home range size based on five locations per elk between ' May 14 and June 30, 1986, for mine and control elk was 332 and 570 acres respectively (Table 8, Minimum Home Range Size During Calving 1986). This is very close to that reported in the 1985 completion report, Table 13: ' mine 352 acres and control 512 acres. The average calving home range size, based on three locations per elk ' between May 25 and June 15, 1986, for mine and control elk, was 83 and 55 acres respectively (Table 9, Minimum Home Range Size During Calving 1986). Although this is smaller than that reported in Table 12 of the 1985 completion report, mine elk 194 acres and control 105 acres, this is mostly ' due to the smaller number of locations per elk. Calving Home Range Fidelit Fidelity to calving home ranges was also similar to that reported in the 1985 completion report. Calving home range overlap for mine and control elk ' averaged 80'U and 69q respectively (Table 10). Linear distance between consecutive season activity centers of general home ranges for mine and control elk averaged 0.34 miles and 0.66 miles respectively and for refined ' home ranges 0.42 miles and 1.0 miles (Tables 11 and 12). ilabitat Utilization ~ As shown in Tables 13 and 14, habitat utilization patterns are similar to those reported in the 1985 completion report. Elk continue to select for ' aspen areas during the calving and summer period while using mountain shrub in proportion to its availability. Reclaimed and cultivated lands receive highest use during spring and fall. Mountain shrub is selected during ' winter periods. -3-