with summer 1977 data. Summer observations on the northwest 

 aspect were more than double the number of observations of 

 goats made on any other aspect. The majority of observa- 

 tions made during this season were in the Ross and Spar 

 creek drainages. Fall observations were nearly equally 

 distributed on west, northwest and southwest aspects, re- 

 flecting observations made on Ross Point, Spar Peak and 

 Sawtooth Mountain. Fall observations, however, were more 

 diversely distributed than during any other season. A total 

 of 18 observations was made during winter months; use of all 

 aspects except southwest was noted. The Mount Vernon-Spar 

 Peak concentration area accounted for 15 of the 18 observa- 

 tions while the remainder were noted on Ross Point. 



During 15 aerial trips 219 mountain goat observations 

 were recorded, while another 60 observations were noted during 

 17 ground trips. Average group size is given in Table 4. A 

 group consisted of at least two animals. Fluctuations in 

 group size may reflect behavioral traits related to the 

 availability of forage. During April, goats were on winter 

 range; in May and June, following snowmelt, animals appeared 

 to disperse onto newly available range and females were seek- 

 ing solitude for parturition (Brandborg 1955); in July females 

 with kids and yearlings congregated (Brandborg 1955) which was 

 the nature of the group of 13 observed on July 19; from August 

 through October the groups dispersed, possibly in response 

 to forage desiccation. During winter goats were primarily 

 limited to areas having good snow shedding capabilities. 



Disappearance of snow in the spring, vegetation desic- 

 cation in the fall and snow accumulation in the winter may 

 influence group size and habitat use. Although not all por- 

 tions of the study area were censused equally. Figure 13 

 reflects the number of goats using each aspect by month and 

 provides a measure of goat concentration. 



Figure 14 presents mean elevation distribution of ob- 

 served mountain goats. The elevational mode expresses the 

 elevation at which goats were observed most often during each 

 month. According to the mode, goats were observed at the 

 lowest elevations in May, reaching the highest elevations 

 during September. The double mode observed during June may 

 reflect different groups of goats which use different par- 

 turition areas. The Mount Vernon-Spires and Ross Point areas 

 are the lowest mountain goat habitats within the study area. 

 The Mount Vernon-Spires area was documented parturition range. 

 During the parturition period mountain goats were observed 

 at the high elevations on Sawtooth Mountain, but kidding was 

 not documented. 



31 



