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Lorenci(o Canvon Mint - Wildlife Technical Report • Perhaps the best available estimate of population size is provide by the pellet-count analyses (Table W-3). Based on these data, an average of approximately 8 to 229 elk were distributed across the permit area during 1996. This estimate is equivalent to a density of < 1 to 8 elk mile`. However, the small sample size associated with this estimate tend to make the estimate somewhat questionable. The CDOW data indicate that the elk herd has been increasing since 1990 (CDOW, 1995). Mule Deer Mule deer occur throughout the permit area. The CDOW has identified the permit area as mule deer overall range, mule deer winter range, and the western portion of the permit area as a winter concentration area (Figure W-2). The definition of overall and winter ranges is the same as described for elk. Winter concentration areas are defined as that part of the winter range where densities are at least 200 percent greater than the surrounding winter range density during the same period used to define winter range in the average five winters out of ten (CDOW, 1996b). Mule deer within the permit area are pazt of the Trinidad herd and aze contained within DAU 32. This DAU is approximately 1,995 square miles of which 88 percent is private (Davies, 1996). However, the permit azea occupies about one percent of DAU 32. Like elk, the permit area also • is contained within Hunt Unit 851. The CDOW estimates 11,843 deer make up DAU 32 with a buck:dce ratio of 35:100 (CDOW, 1995). The rifle hunter success for Hunt Unit 851 ranges from 43 to 58 percent (CDOW, 1996g). The management objective for DAU 32 is to increase the population by 1999 to 12,964 with a buck:doe ratio of 38:100. This represents an approximate two percent increase each year (CDOW, 1995). In addition, harvest rates are anticipated to remain at between six and seven percent of the herd until 1999 (CDOW, 1993b). The 1996 surveys indicate deer were using virtually all the habitat types available in the permit area. Roadside count surveys located deer in three types: oak/pinyon, coniferous forest, and mountain shrub (Table W-4). Most of the deer observed during the roadside count surveys were in the oak pinyon habitat (65 percent). Like elk, the limited sight distance within the coniferous forest type probably reduced observation opportunities in this type. The pellet-count transect data indicted that the coniferous forest received the greatest amount of use during the late winter-early spring period (Table W-3). The pellet-count analysis also indicates the mountain shrub type was used consistently throughout the late winter, spring, and summer (Table W-3). Also, grassland pellet groups were lacking over the summer. However, this may be due to the loss of the transects within the grassland habitat. The survey points were lost due to range improvements and pellet groups had to be estimated in this area. Estimates were made by measuring the distance from a known starting point to the approximate location of the • next point. Once this point was located the pellet groups within the 0.01 acre area were counted. WilAli&A75/December 9, 1996 12