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• portions of the survey area. In most years, more herds were observed on the Yoast permit <br />area than on either the Seneca II or Seneca 1[-W permit areas. <br />Yoast Mine and One-Mile Perimeter <br />Wildlife observations made on the Yoas[ permit area, one-mile perimeter and haul road <br />corridor (21.4 miZ) are listed in Table 1; big game observations are illustrated on Exhibit I. <br />Seven groups of elk were seen within that area; two herds (16 animals) were on the permit area <br />and five herds (38 animals) were in the perimeter. Elk density in the area around Yoast was <br />2.5 animals/mi'; 67% lower than the density on the expanded survey area. The only other <br />animals observed in the Yoast area during the aerial survey were three bobcats. <br />All of the elk seen in the Yoast area were in mountain brush habitat. During all <br />previous surveys, the majority of elk were also in mountain brush. <br />During five of the seven aerial surveys (1994-2000), elk density in the Yoast area was <br />lower than that in the expanded area (Figure 1). Elk are usually scarce in the improved <br />• pastures and agricultural fields north and east of the Yoast permit area. The reduced elk <br />density in those areas dilutes the overall density in the Yoast area. Other portions of the Yoast <br />survey area generally support elk at densities comparable to those seen over the expanded <br />survey area. <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />All three leks in the Yoast area were active in 2000. However, PRES biologists were <br />only able to count grouse at the Annan's #2 lek. CDOW personnel were trapping grouse at the <br />Annan's #1 and #3 leks during the last week of April and we did not want to compromise their <br />efforts by approaching the leks too closely. Counts of 35 males and 7 females, and 24 males <br />and 5 females were made at Annan's #2 lek on 25 and 27 April, respectively. Peak male <br />counts at the other two leks were made by CDOW personnel during [rapping activities (data <br />obtained from R. Hoffman, CDOW). <br />During most of [he seven years the Annan's leks were monitored, the Annan's #2 lek <br />• had the highest attendance (Table 2). Peak male attendance at that lek was fairly constant from <br />1993 through 1998 and ranged from 15 to 22 each spring. At least 35 males were seen at the <br />2000 Yoas~ Mine Wildlire Monitoring Page 6 <br />