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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 L Big game observations are illustrated on Exhibit I. <br />Ten elk herds (108 individuals) were observed in the Yoast area. Three herds (41 animals) were <br />within the permit area and seven herds were in the perimeter. During 2003 surveys, elk density <br />in the Yoast area averaged 5.0 animals/miZ, 61 % lower than the density of elk within the <br />expanded survey area. Other animals observed in the Yoast area during the aerial survey <br />included two herds of mule deer (16 individuals) and two coyotes. <br />Ninety-seven percent of all elk observed in the Yoast area were associated with mountain <br />brush habitat and the remaining 3 % were in sagebrush/grassland (Appendix I). During all <br />previous surveys, the majority of elk were also associated with mountain brush. <br />During most years, elk densities in the Yoast area were lower than those in the expanded <br />survey area (Figure 1). Elk are usually scarce on the improved pastures and agricultural fields <br />north and east of the Yoast permit area, which decreases the overall density in the Yoast area. <br />Other portions of the Yoast survey area generally support elk at densities comparable to those <br />observed over the expanded survey area. <br />Except in 2003, elk densities in the Yoast area steadily increased after 1999, when a low <br />of 1.6 elk/mi2 was documented. This increase probably resulted from an observed shift in elk <br />distribution from 2000 through 2002 when more elk were observed on the central and western <br />portions of the expanded area. <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />Two of the four known sharp-tailed grouse leks in the Yoast area were attended by grouse <br />during 2003. Counts of 20 and 17 males were obtained from the Annan's 1 and Annan's 2 leks, <br />respectively. No birds were observed on the Annan's 3 or Yoast Mine Road lek when they were <br />checked in early May. <br />During most of the ten years the Annan's leks were monitored, male attendance was <br />highest at Annan's 2 (Table 1). Peak male attendance at that lek was fairly consistent from 1993- <br />1997 and 2002-2003, ranging from 15 to 20 each spring. Attendance was higher from 1998 <br />through 2001, peaking in 1999 and 2000 with at least 35 males. <br />2003 Yoast Mine Wildlife Monitoring <br />Page 7 <br /> <br />