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Section 779,20 (c) Continued. • area and in particular the existence of elk calving grounds. Other objectives included: locating the non-calving portion of the elk herd, identification of migration routes, and recording observations of other wildlife, especially mule deer. Opportunistic observations and three additional techniques were utilized during the ground surveys. The first technique consisted of early morning telescopic sur- veillance for a one to two hour period from elevated observation points (for location of these points see Eckman Park Elk Calving Observations (Pfap 22)). A 15X to 60X spotting scope attached to a tripod offered an unobstructed view of the potential elk calving area in the Eckman Park and adjacent areas. All large mammals observed were identified to the extent possible and located accurately on field maps. • The second technique involved traveling roads and trails in the mine plan and adjacent areas during early morning hours, and re- cording observations of elk on either side of the road or trail. A motorcycle was driven at 5 mph on these roads and trails on June 11, 1979 and again on June 13, 1979, because it offered an unobstructed view in all directions, was versitile, and while moving, caused less disturbance to elk than a human on foot (Ward and Cupal, 1979). The third and most effective technique which was utilized primarily to define potential elk calving ground was a series of qualitative "walk-through" transects. Field biologists (two during the week of June 4-8, and one during the week of June 11-15) dressed in camou- flaged clothing and walked transects which Criss-crossed portions of the Eckman Park elk calving and adjacent areas (see Eckman Park Elk Calving Observations (PSap 22)). Habitat was searched for signs of elk use and all observations ware carefully recorded. A • calving habitat suitability (CHS) and elk sign index (ESI) were 779-139