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• Yoast Mine and One-Mile Perimeter <br />Wildlife observations made on the Yoast permit area, one-mile perimeter, and haul road <br />corridor (21.4 miz) are listed in Appendix I. Big game observations are illustrated on Exhibit 1. <br />Twenty-three elk herds (114 individuals) were observed in the Yoast area. Three herds (20 <br />animals) were on the permit area and 20 herds were in the perimeter. Elk density in the Yoast <br />area averaged 5.3 animals/miz, 28% lower than the density on the expanded survey area. Other <br />animals observed in the Yoast area during the aerial survey included two coyotes and a group of <br />five sharp-tailed grouse. <br />Ninety-four percent of all elk seen in the Yoast area were in mountain brush habitat <br />(Appendix I). One herd of seven elk was in a stand of trembling aspen. During all previous <br />surveys, the majority of elk were also in mountain brush. <br />During six of the eight aerial surveys (1994-2001),.elk density in the Yoast azea was <br />lower than that in the expanded area (Figure 1). Elk gaze usually scarce on the improved pastures <br />and agricultural fields north and east of the Yoast permit azea, which decreases the overall <br />density in the Yoast area. Other portions of the Yoast survey area generally support elk at <br />• densities comparable to those observed over the expanded survey area. , <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />All four known sharp-tailed grouse leks in the Yoast area were active in 2001. All leks <br />were surveyed on at least two mornings. Peak counts of 8 and 25 males were made at the <br />Annan's 1 and 2 leks respectively. On 3 May, five males were observed on the Annan's 3 lek. <br />No females were observed on or near that lek however. When the lek was surveyed again on 5 <br />May, five grouse flushed from the lek before their sex could be determined. The Yoast Mine <br />Road lek is difficult to approach without disturbing the birds because of the topography and low <br />vegetation. Consequently, only flush counts could be made in 2001 (Table 1). <br />During most of the seven years the Annan's leks were monitored, male attendance was <br />highest on the Annan's #2 lek (Table I ). Peak male attendance at that lek was fairly consistant <br />from 1993 through 1998, ranging from 15 to 22 each spring. At least 35 males were observed at <br />the lek in both 1999 and 2000; attendance was lower in 2001. Peak male attendance at Annan's <br />• #1 and #3 has been more variable over the years. Annan's #3 is in a conservation reserve <br />2001 Yoas[ Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 6 <br />