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As shown in the diagram on page 2.7-29, 777 acres of suitable deer habitat is available <br />east and north of the area to be disturbed. It is safe to assume that even if the deer numbers are <br />higher than estimated and allowing for livestock use, there is more than adequate range and <br />forage in the adjacent area to sustain any deer displaced during mining. Additionally, it should <br />be noted that reclamation will be ongoing during mining and the deer will be able to forage on <br />the new vegetation and use the undisturbed areas for cover. <br />Aerial and ground observations during the summer of 1979 and spring of 1980 (Table <br />2.7-6), indicate that the habitats offering the most cover and protection, unreclaimed spoils, <br />mountain shrub and aspen, are used by the does for fawning and rearing areas. The highest <br />concentrations of deer on the property are on the unreclaimed spoils, followed by mountain <br />shrub and aspen habitats {Table 2.7-4), all of which offer good cover. All habitat types were <br />used by the deer for foraging, but the extent to which the reclaimed areas are used appears to be <br />dependent upon the distance to cover. Once the animals are more than 200-300 yards from cover <br />they remain more alert and tend to flee more readily than when close to cover. On some portions <br />of the large reclaimed area north of East Ridge there was no use by deer observed except for a <br />few animals moving through the area in the fall. <br />As with the elk, deer numbers appear to remain fairly constant until fall when the influx <br />of animals during the hunting season and rut causes a small increase in numbers. <br />Small Game <br />Small game species are comprised of the mountain cottontail (Svlvilagus nuttalli) and the <br />snowshoe hate (Le~us americanusl. Cottontails and hares occur at low abundance. Cottontails <br />occur in all habitats except reclaimed grass and hares are found primarily in aspen and <br />unreclaimed spoils with a few in the mountain shrub (Table 2.7-4). Both species presently <br />appear to be at a low point in their population cycles. Increases in their abundance are expected <br />during the next few years, <br />2.7-28 Revised 11/06 <br />