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INTRODUCTION The 1991 winter aerial survey of Seneca II, Seneca II- West and Yoast mine areas has been completed. Its purpose was to identify the azeas of big game and Golden Eagle usage within and surrounding the mine azeas. METHODS The survey azeas for Seneca II, Seneca II-West and Yoast included the mine permit azeas with a two mile buffer area about the mine permit boundazies (Map 1). Within each survey azea an intensive aerial seazch was made. The areas were flown according to the terrain and a thorough search of the azea was made. Once animals were observed their location, number and habitat of occurrence were noted on maps with a scale of 1 inch = 2,000 feet. Notes were taken throughout the survey to indicate any pertinent observations. RESULTS This yeaz the winter weather conditions were mild in northwestern Colorado with little snow accumulation. During all of the survey flights large azeas at the lower elevations had little or no snow. The hunting regulations for the survey area are such that only bull elk with four points or better could be harvested. These regulations have been in affect for several yeazs and seem to have an effect on the sex ratios observed. Although no attempt was made to sex each animal observed it appeared that bulls composed 10 to 20 percent of the observations. FEBRUARY SURVEY The February survey flight was conducted on Februazy 9, 1991 using a Cessna 172. The weather conditions at the lime of the Oight consisted of temperatures ranging from 0-30°F, winds were 5-15 mph from the east, and skies were clear and sunny. South and west facing slopes at the lower elevations were free of snow while upper elevations were snow covered. The survey was initiated at 0800 hours and __ terminated at 1030 hours. The survey of Seneca [[ was from 0800 to 0845 hours. The Yoas[ area was flown from 0845 to 0930 hours. The Seneca II -West area was flown from 0930 to 1030 hours.