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southeast portions of the area. Bottomland habitat occurs along major creeks--Grassy Creek, Sage Creek, Dry Creek--and their larger tributary draws. On the Seneca II-W permit area, elevations range from 7000 to over 7,700 feet ASL, The terrain is highest on the east side of the permit area. Much of the area slopes down to the west toward Hubberson Gulch; the north part of the area slopes northwest toward Dry Creek. Mining activity is largely confined to the southern two-thirds of the permit area. Mountain brush and sagebrush are the two most common native habitats on the permit area. A few aspen stands occur on the area, primarily on the east side. Bottomland is very limited on the permit area. METHODS BIG GAME Big game--elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)--were counted during an aerial survey completed on 241anuary 1998. The survey was coordinated with • Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) personnel and coincided with CDOW's schedule for surveying big game in the region. The same helicopter and pilot (High Country Helicopters, Montrose, CO) used by state biologists were used during the survey. The 89.5-mi' expanded survey area was searched by systematically following each drainage and thoroughly covering adjacent slopes before moving to the next drainage. The survey was started on the east side of the area at 10:38h completed in the west at 15:48h. Two PRES biologists were in the helicopter with the pilot. The locations of all big game, mammalian predators, and raptors sighted during the survey were plotted on 1:24000 topographic maps. Habitat was also recorded for each sighting. UPLAND GAME BIRDS A search for sharp-tailed grouse leks on the Seneca 11-W permit area was conducted on 29 April 1998. That day, a biologist looked for displaying grouse while slowly driving around the permit area. Frequent stops were made a vantage points to scan and listen for dancing birds. • 1998 Seneca n-W Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 2