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RE TI.T ND DI ION <br />• BIG GAME <br />The sky was overcast during the 26 January aerial survey. Approximately 18 inches of <br />snow fell during the 36 hours prior to the survey, and deep snow cover (z3-4 feet) was present <br />over the entire area. Because the snow cover was so extensive and deep, visibility was rated as <br />excellent during the survey. <br />Expanded Survey Area <br />A complete listing of all observations made during the aerial survey is given in Appendix <br />I. All sightings are also plotted on Exhibit 1. A total of 1,479 elk (13.7 animals/mil) were seen <br />during the survey. A few elk occurred as individuals, but most were in herds. The largest herd <br />observed consisted of 338 animals; 23% of all elk seen. Because so many animals were in that <br />herd, average herd size was inflated to 13.7 animals; the median herd size was 7. <br />Elk were widely distributed over the entire survey area on 26 January, but were notably <br />absent from the agricultural fields and grasslands in the north-central part of the area, and along <br />• the extreme northwest and southeast edges of the area (Exhibit 1). Also, few herds were seen on <br />either the Seneca II-W or Seneca II petittit areas. <br />Almost all of the elk seen (1,428) were in mountain brush habitat. A few herds were <br />observed in aspen (31 elk), grassland (13 elk), and bottomland (7 elk). <br />In addition to elk, 8 herds of mule deer (48 animals) were seen during the survey. A <br />single coyote (Canis latrans) was seen along the western edge of the area (Exhibit 1). A flock <br />of 10 sharp-tailed grouse was seen flying over a grassy opening in mountain brush in the <br />southwest corner of the area. Raptors observed included six golden eagles and one bald eagle <br />(Haliaeetus leucocephalus). <br />PRES has surveyed the expanded area two other times; in December 1994 and January <br />1995. Observed elk density on 26 January 1996 was substantially greater than the densities <br />recorded during previous surveys (Figure 1). Snow cover in January 1996 was considerably <br />deeper than during the other surveys. Increased snow fall probably pushed more animals out of <br />the higher elevations of the Williams Fork Mountains and north into the survey area in January <br />• 1996. Deeper snow cover also probably increased the observers' ability to detect animals which <br />1996 Seneca II-W Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 3 <br />