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• sightings. The remaining observations were of herds of more than ten elk; the largest herd observed consisted of 36 animals. Average herd size was 7.1 animals. Elk were widely distributed over the entire survey area on 30 January, but were notably absent from the north-central part of the area, and along the extreme northwest and southeast edges of the area (Exhibit 1). Those parts of the survey area are covered by agricultural fields and flat grasslands that often are covered by deep snow. Five herds were on Yoast; only one herd was seen on the Seneca permit area; no herds were seen on the Seneca II-W permit area. Eighty-three percent of the elk seen (564) were in mountain brush habitat. Rough breaks was the only other habitat the held a substantial percentage (15%) of the elk seen. A few herds were observed in grassland (6 elk), reclaimed grassland (5 elk), and fir (1 elk). In addition to elk, 12 herds of mule deer (67 animals) were seen during the survey. Seven coyotes (Canis latrans) were seen, including a pack of four that had surrounded a cow and two elk calves. Alone red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was spotted in the east central part of the area near the Seneca Mine permit boundary (Exhibit 1). Seven golden eagles and one bald eagle (Aaliaeetus • leucocephalus) were also seen. PRES has surveyed the expanded area three other times; in December 1994, and January 1995 and 1996. Results from the 1995 and 1997 surveys were very similar (Figure 1). In contrast, results from the 1994 and 1996 surveys were quite divergent. The very low density recorded during the December 1994 survey was probably a due to poor ground conditions (patchy snow cover) and the use of a fixed-wing aircraft for the survey. Both of those factors affected the observers' ability to detect animals and resulted in undercounting. Observed elk density on 26 January 1996 was substantially greater than the densities recorded during any other survey. Snowfall from the onset of winter through January 1996 was considerably greater than other years. Excessive snow probably pushed more animals out of the higher elevations of the Williams Fork Mountains and north into the survey area in January 1996. During each of the four surveys completed since December 1994, herds were widely distributed over the entire survey area, but were conspicuously absent from the agricultural fields and grasslands in the north-central part of the area. Because there are no tall grasses or shrubs . in those habitats, the vegetation is typically covered by snow in winter. Consequently, there is very little winter forage for big game in that part of the survey area. Few herds have been seen 1997 Yoasc Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 4