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• <br />Almost all of the ells seen were in mountain brush habitat. A few herds were observed <br />in rough breaks (13 elk) and bottomland (10 elk). <br />In addition to elk, 7 herds of mule deer (34 anitnals) were seen during the survey. Lone <br />coyotes (Canis latrans) were seen at three locations in the area (Exhibit 1); a single red fox <br />(Vulpes vulpes) was also recorded. Three sharp-tailed grouse (7~mpanuchus phasianellus) were <br />seen flying below the helicopter. Raptors observed included six golden eagles (Aquila <br />chrysaetos) and two bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). <br />Observations made within the 35-miZ area around the Seneca II-W Mine are listed in <br /> <br />~J <br />Table 1. Twenty-eight sightings of elk were made within that area; none of the herds were on <br />the permit area. Elk density in the 35-miZ area around Seneca II-W was 5.2 animals/miZ. That <br />was approximately 40% lower than the 7.3 elk/miZ recorded over the entire 84-mil survey area. <br />During the December 1994 survey, elk density in the vicinity of Seneca II-W was also slightly <br />less than the density recorded in the 84-miZ survey area. Although fewer elk might tend to <br />winter in the immediate area around Seneca II-W, additional data points are needed before that <br />assumption can be verified. Other species recorded in the vicinity of Seneca II-W Mine on 23 <br />January included nine mule deer, two coyotes, one red fox, one sharp-tailed grouse, two bald <br />eagles, and four golden eagles (Table 1). <br />1995 Seneca 11-W Mine Big Gamc Aerial Survry <br />Page 4 <br />