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INTRODUCTION The 1990 winter big game aerial survey of Seneca II, Seneca II- West and Yost mine areas has been completed. Its purpose was to identify the areas of big game and Golden Eagle usage within and surrounding the mine areas. METHODS The survey areas for Seneca II, Seneca II-\Vest and Yost included the mine permit areas with a iwo mile buffer area about the mine permit boundaries (Map 1), Within each survey area an intensive aerial search was made. The areas were flown according to the terrain and a thorough search of the area 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. The March flight was flown using a Cessna 206 while the April and May flights were made using a Piper Supercub. The Piper Supercub allowed for more detailed observations because it was able to fly lower and slower than the Cessna 206, RESULTS This year the winter weather conditions were mild in northwestern Colorado with little snow accumulation. During all of the survey flights large areas 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 years 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 20 to 30 percent of the observations. DIARCH SURVEY The March survey flight was conducted on March 9 1990. This survey was scheduled to be conducted in late February or early March, however windy rainy and snowy weather conditions prevented flying earlier in the month. The weather conditions at the lime of the flight consisted of a temperature of 38°F, winds were calm, and skies were clear and sunny. South and west facing