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<br />In all years, expect 1998, elk density recorded in the Yoast area during the aerial <br />surveys was equal to or less than the density recorded in the expanded survey area (Figure 1). <br />In both 1996 and 1997, elk density around Yoast was considerably less than in the expanded <br />area. Elk are usually very scarce in the improved pastures and agricultural fields along the <br />Yoast haul road corridor; snow builds up in those pastures and reduces forage availability. <br />The scarcity of elk along the corridor lessens the overall density of elk around Yoast. Other <br />portions of the Yoast survey area support elk at densities comparable to those seen over the <br />expanded survey area. <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />All three leks in the Yoast area were active in 1998. Each year, except in 1997, STG- <br />• <br />• <br />1 has had the highest attendance (Table 2). Peak male attendance at that lek has been fairly <br />constant since 1993 and has ranged from 15 to 22 males each spring. ST-3 is in a <br />conservation reserve program pasture, where tall vegetation makes accurate counting and <br />sexing very difficult. The peak number of birds seen at ST-3 in 1998 (17) was identical to the <br />previous maximum count made in 1993. Attendance at ST-4 was relatively low in 1995, but <br />has increased since then. <br />1998 Yoast Mine Wildfire Monitoring <br />Page 7 <br />