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Section 779.20 (c) Continued. of the elk herd (non-calving) was primarily located in the central and western portions of the study area as well as just to the south in the Bear Gulch area, and to a limited extent to the west of the Coyote Creek area. Quantification of the total elk herd is difficult, but a subjective estimate, based on professional judgement and the number of animals observed during both ground and aerial surveys at the time of calving (early Sune), places the total number of elk on the study area between 100 and 150 animals. It is estimated that an additional 50 to 100 animals utilize the area just south of the study area, which would include much of Bear Gulch. It is also estimated that a maximum of 50 pregnant cows utilized (Sune 1979) the calving grounds identified on the Eckman Park Elk Calving Observations (Map 22). Observations of individual elk within the study area indicate that many animals have acclimated to the stimuli produced by the en- • croaching coal mine. Close observation of elk showed that the following situations produced the corresponding reaction: Situation 80 elk feeding (February) 2 pregnant elk feeding 1 yearling and 1 bull feeding chi.....1 ..~ active dragline 200 m away overburden blast 200 m away overburden blast 350 m away Reaction none none ear twitch 2 bulls resting 3 yearlings and 1 cow 3 yearlings and 1 cow 3 yearlings and 1 bull 2 bulls resting 1 cow with newborn calf drill rig operating with men watched curiously 75 m away and continued resting moving motorcycle 30 m away attention motorcycle stopped, motor animals walked off, rider still on away showing little concern man on foot (uncamouflaged) no concern until 200 m man started walking man on foot (camouflaged) attention, laid 15 m down, moved off when man started walking active dragline 50 yards stayed two weeks away then left 770-167