methods will provide an index through which use of project area habitats can 

 be compared between seasons and between years. 



The proposed technique for future monitoring is as follows: 



The north bank of the Kootenai River--including cliffs, benches, and 

 shoreline--wil 1 be searched with a 20X spotting scope from ten fixed 

 observation points along U.S. Highway 2 (see figure 9). Exactly 10 minutes 

 will be spent searching for sheep from each point; all observations from the 

 viewpoint will be recorded on maps and standard data sheets. Sightings made 

 while traveling between viewpoints, and duplicate observations of the same 

 group of animals, will be noted. Weather, snow cover, and visibility 

 conditions also will be recorded; the survey will not be conducted when 

 visibility is impaired by fog or precipitation. 



During January, June, and August field trips, researchers should 

 attempt to visit each station three times: once in early morning, once at 

 midday, and once late in the evening. In late March and early April, each 

 station should be visited six times, with observation times rotated so that 

 each station receives some morning, midday, and evening monitoring. In 

 addition, the Sheppard Meadows will be ground-searched for tracks or other 

 evidence of bighorn sheep use during the March-April visit. 



