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• densities recorded during monthly, non-duplicate helicopter surveys of the <br />proposed affected area are summarized in Table 4-3. Elk were most <br />frequently observed in mountain shrub habitats below 7,500 ft during these <br />winter surveys. Regional aerial surveys during 1983-1985 indicated that <br />the largest concentrations of wintering elk in the vicinity of the Danforth <br />Hills study area occurred in the White River Valley and the Axial Basin. <br />Results of radio telemetry studies indicated that elk that winter in the <br />Axial Basin are predominantly migratory elk that calve and summer in the <br />Williams Fork Mountains and the White River Plateau (CDM 1984a, 1985a, <br />1985b). Both proposed alternative transportation routes transect elk <br />migration and winter range areas. Radio telemetry results and observations <br />of conventionally-collared elk also suggested that some elk that winter in <br />the Axial Basin calve and summer in the Danforth Hills, including portions <br />of the proposed affected area. These results also suggested that some elk <br />move through the proposed affected area during migrations between winter <br />ranges in the Axial Basin and White River Valley and summer ranges in the <br />Williams Fork Mountains and the White River National Forest. This <br />migration occurs as a regional drift rather than as movement through <br />restricted migration corridors. <br />Elk calving, nursery, and summer range areas identified in the vicinity of <br />the study area are shown in Figure 4-3. Results of the Meeker PRLA Elk <br />Baseline Study indicated that the West Fork of Good Spring Creek, the East <br />Fork of Wilson Creek, and Hole-in-the-Wall Gulch (immediately south of the <br />proposed affected area) were used by elk during the 1984 and 1985 calving <br />and rearing seasons. During July 1983, 131 elk were counted without <br />duplication within the proposed affected area during an intensive search <br />conducted in a helicopter. During July 1984, this search was repeated; 126 <br />elk were counted within the proposed affected area. <br />Calving area studies during 1983 and 1984 demonstrated that calving habitat <br />used by the main White River herd is extensive and includes the Danforth <br />Hills as well as a larger, more heavily used area of the White River <br />National Forest (CDM 1984a). The proposed affected area lies within one of <br />• three relatively discrete calving/rearing areas located within the Danforth <br />Hills at the western edge of calving habitat used by the White River herd. <br />4-10 <br />