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To compile data on numbers of snowshoe hare and predator tracks, transects were run primarily <br />following roads and trails in the area. A snowmobile was used to access the areas which dictated <br />the location of most transects routes. During each survey transect routes were recorded using a <br />handheld GPS attached to the snowmobile. Transect routes were run in generally the same area <br />as surveyed during the 2007 Block Clearance wildlife studies. Transect routes are shown on <br />Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows the transect routes in relation to proposed pads, roads and other <br />development activities. Figure 2 shows the track transect routes in more detail. Collecting data <br />on predator and prey track numbers along the same routes each time showed if there was a <br />change in numbers of tracks observed between surveys or if patterns changed over time. <br />Transects were run approximately 24 hours after the last snowstorm to reduce the chances of one <br />animal being counted multiple times. Routes were also separated enough to further minimize <br />chances of the same animal being counted more than once. Good snow conditions during the <br />study period allowed for checking in other areas where there are no roads and trails. This data <br />has been included in the transect data for the different habitat types. <br />In addition to the transect surveys, habitat around the Deer Creek Shaft area was.surveyed for <br />tracks. This included aspen stands, willows, the Douglas fir stand to the south of the site and <br />riparian habitat along the Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek. <br />GPS locations for all snowshoe hare tracks were recorded. Emphasis was placed on compiling <br />data on numbers of snowshoe hares per mile of transect by habitat type. This was designed to <br />provide information on both numbers and where they were located. <br />Tracks of all carnivores were recorded, but no GPS locations for these species were recorded <br />unless they were observed near a snowshoe hare track location. Total carnivore track numbers <br />by habitat and mile of transect were compiled. <br />During the early winter, aerial surveys were flown for deer and elk and to locate tracks that could <br />potentially be those of lynx. By the end of December snow in the area had reached a depth <br />where all deer had moved to lower elevations out of the project area. Most elk had also moved <br />out of the project area to lower elevations along the North Fork Valley bottom. The lack of big <br />game use in the study area resulted in aerial observations being discontinued. Data on elk <br />observed or their tracks were recorded while conducting predator-prey track surveys. <br />Opportunistic observations of wildlife species not observed during specific surveys, while going <br />in and out of the project area and while traveling in the project area were recorded by species and <br />habitat type. <br />2