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February Survey • An aerial survey was made February I, 1985. The weather conditions for the flight were clear and sunny skies, winds were calm and the temperature was minus 36° F. The most recent snowfall was four days prior to the flight. The survey was initiated at 0800 hours and terminated at 1000 hours. Very little use of the Seneca II survey area was made by deer and elk (Table I). A total of 18 eik and 9 deer were observed. Evidence of sign tracks) indicated that elk had been utilizing the ridge on the extreme western edge of The Seneca II survey area. Deer and elk had been utilizing the area around the mine office and numerous tracks were observed along the haul road in the adjacent reclamation areas. The animals appear to make use of these areas during the night returning to the ridge areas during the day. Table I . February 1985 Big Game Observations at the Seneca II Survey Area. Location Species Number Habitat SW N 10 N R • , E, , TS 87W Elk 3 Mountain brush SW, SE, 27 T6N, R87W Elk IS Mountain brush SW, SE, 27 T6N, R87W Deer 6 Sagebrush SW, SE, 27 T6N, R87W Deer 3 Mountain brush Total Elk - 18 Total Deer - 9 A large herd of elk was observed I - 3 miles east of the Seneca II survey area in Twenty Mile Park. The herd was making use of the open agricultural areas where wheat had not been cut the previous fall. Based upon tracks and evidence of bedding area, the herd of approximately 300 animals was slowly moving from west to east (further out in the valley). Snows received within the last week obscured the tracks to determine where the animals came from. In discussions with Terry Bentley (the pilot who flies elk surveys in the Twenty Mile Park area for the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Company and Colorado Yampa Coal Company), he indicated that the elk come from farther east and • south o f the Twenty Mile Park area. - 14-I-2 Revised 3-21-86