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INTRODUCTION <br />The 1992 winter aerial survey of Seneca II, Seneca II- West and Yoast mine aeeas has been <br />completed. Its purpose was to identify the areas of big game and Golden Eagle usage within and <br />surrounding the mine aeeas. <br />METHODS <br />The survey aeeas for Seneca II, Seneca II-West and Yoast included the mine permit aeeas with a <br />two mile buffer azea about the mine permit boundazies (Map 1). Within each survey azea an intensive <br />aerial seazch was made. The aeeas were flown according to the terrain and a thorough seazch of the area <br />was made. Once animals were observed their location, number and habitat of occurrence were noted on <br />maps with a scale of 1 inch = 2,000 feet. Notes were taken throughout the survey to indicate any <br />pertinent observations. <br />RESULTS <br />This year the winter weather conditions were mild in northwestern Colorado with little snow <br />accumulation. During all of the survey flights.lazge areas at the lower elevations had little or no snow. <br />FEBRUARY SURVEY <br />A February survey flight was conducted on Februazy 21, 1992 using a Cessna 182. The weather <br />conditions at the time of the flight consisted of temperatures ranging from 30-40°F, winds were 0-10 mph <br />from the east. Skies were partly cloudy. Steamboat Springs had recently received 5 inches of snow, <br />however, the site had considerably less. South and west facing slopes at the lower elevations were free <br />of snow while upper elevations were snow covered. The survey was initiated at 1015 hours and <br />terminated at ]245 hours. The survey was initiated at 1015 hours because overcast conditions in the <br />survey area prevented earlier flying. This survey of Seneca II was conducted from 1200 to 1245 hours. <br />The Yoast area was flown from 1130 to 1200 hours. The Seneca II -West area was flown from 1015 <br />to 1130 hours. <br />The majority of the elk were observed bedding in mountain brush habitat. <br />