DOCSLIB.ORG

Cow Elk Ecology, Movements and Habitat Use in the Duck Mountains of Manitoba

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Cow Elk Ecology, Movements and Habitat Use in the Duck Mountains of Manitoba COW ELK ECOLOGY, MOVEMENTS AND HABITAT USE IN THE DUCK MOUNTAINS OF MANITOBA MASTER OF ENVIRONMENT THESIS June 2009 Daniel John Chranowski Master of Environment University of Manitoba Faculty of Graduate Studies Department of Environment & Geography © i ABSTRACT This study conducted baseline research to determine home range, movements and habitat selection of Manitoban elk (Cervus elaphus manitobensis) in the Duck Mountain (DM) of west-central Manitoba. Cow elk (n =22) were captured by helicopter net-gun and GPS radio-collared in 2005/06. Data was analyzed with ArcView 3.3 for Windows (ESRI). DM elk show selection for deciduous forest and avoidance of roads. Mean 100% MCP home ranges were 127.85 km2 with 95% and 50% adaptive kernel home range sizes of 58.24 km2 and 7.29 km2, respectively. Home range overlap occurs at all times of the year with many elk using farmland. Elk moved the least in late winter. Movements increased in the spring, declined in June with a gradual increase from July to October. Elk had generalized movement in southerly directions. No cow elk dispersed from the study area. Mean estimated calving date was June 3rd and mean estimated breeding date was September 27th. DM elk were found in mature deciduous/mixed-wood forest and shrub/grassland/prairie savannah ecosites but not found within 200 m of a road or water feature more often than expected by random. Elk were found in areas with <10% and >81% crown closure, on middle slopes and variable aspects. Elk displaced from forestry cut-blocks. Only 149 of 79,284 elk locations were within 100 m of a winter cattle operation. Recommendations to mitigate forestry and BTB impacts focus on riparian areas, road management, farming practices and hunting. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The expert flying, dedication and enthusiasm of Dauphin Air pilots, Pat and Bob Simpson and Tom Gibbs is greatly appreciated. The assistance from MB Conservation field personnel Glen Vandoorne, Doug Tirschman, Fred Case, Jim Kamann, Gerald Shelemy, Doug Maxwell, Laurie Brouzes, Grant Zeiler, John LeDoux, Ian Kitch, Glen Miller, Richard Davis, Ken Rebizant and Herman Dettman made things work smoothly. Many thanks to veterinarians, Marc Cattet of the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, Todd Shury of Parks Canada, Clay Wilson (pilot) & Tony Vandenbrink (wrangler) of Bighorn Helicopters for their safe and efficient handling of the elk capture. Thanks to Ryan Brook, Vince Crichton and Doug Bergeson for comments on the draft thesis proposals. Thanks to my committee members, Rick Riewe, David Walker and Rick Baydack for their continuing support. Special thank-you goes to my advisor, David Walker for his ongoing feedback and encouragement and especially his help with radio-collar re-furbishment payments. Thanks to Tim Sallows for GPS data down-loads provided from Global Precision collars. For their assistance in GIS data analysis, I thank Gary Slack and Tara Wiess of MB Conservation, Steven Hills of Louisiana-Pacific and Sean Frey of Parks Canada. Many thanks go to Ryan Brook for his enthusiasm and insight to numerous brain-storming sessions and for his assistance in the habitat selection analysis. Thanks goes to Bruce Wright of Manitoba Conservation for the educational leave support for this Master‟s research. In addition, I would like to thank all the landowners that allowed elk capture on their land and their continued interest in this project. Finally, to all members of the TB Task Group (both past and present), I extend thanks for your interest and dedication to the task at hand. This is a big undertaking and I apologize if I have forgotten to mention others who may have assisted me in this research. My oversight was not intentional. This project has received generous financial support from MB Conservation, Wildlife & Ecosystem Protection Branch and Parks & Natural Areas Branch; Parks Canada; Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd., The Wildlife Society and the University of Manitoba. In addition, Global Precision Inc. donated radio-collars for the continuance of this research. iii DEDICATION I could not have completed this Master‟s without the love and support of my wife, Mila, my daughter, Deanna and my son, Ryan. I thank you for your understanding, patience and inspiration! iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii DEDICATION iv TABLE OF CONTENTS v LIST OF TABLES ix LIST OF FIGURES x CHAPTER I: 1.1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 GENERAL ELK ECOLOGY AND RESEARCH 2 RECENT HISTORY OF BOVINE TB ISSUES IN WESTERN MANITOBA 4 RECENT HISTORY OF FORESTRY IN THE DUCK MOUNTAIN 4 1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM 5 1.3 OBJECTIVES 6 1.4 LITERATURE CITED 8 CHAPTER 2: 2.1 STUDY AREA 12 GEOLOGY, SOILS AND CLIMATE 13 PLANT AND ANIMAL COMMUNITIES 14 2.2 LITERATURE CITED 19 CHAPTER 3: ASPECTS OF COW ELK HABITAT SELECTION WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO CALVING AND BREEDING SEASON 3.1 ABSTRACT 21 v 3.2 INTRODUCTION ELK ECOLOGY PERTAINING TO THE CALVING SEASON 22 ELK ECOLOGY PERTAINING TO THE BREEDING SEASON 23 HABITAT SELECTION RESEARCH 26 3.3 MATERIALS AND METHODS 28 ELK CAPTURE 28 HABITAT SELECTION ANALYSIS 29 3.4 RESULTS 32 HABITAT SELECTION 32 3.5 DISCUSSION 34 HABITAT SELECTION 34 3.6 CONCLUSIONS 37 3.7 LITERATURE CITED 48 CHAPTER 4: ASPECTS OF COW ELK HOME RANGE AND MOVEMENTS WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO CALVING AND BREEDING SEASONS 4.1 ABSTRACT 53 4.2 INTRODUCTION 54 GPS RADIO-COLLAR RESEARCH 54 HOME RANGE RESEARCH 55 ANIMAL MOVEMENT RESEARCH 58 4.3 MATERIALS AND METHODS 59 ELK CAPTURE 59 vi GPS COLLAR DEPLOYMENT AND RETRIEVAL 59 HOME RANGE ANALYSIS 61 ANIMAL MOVEMENT ANALYSIS 62 4.4 RESULTS 63 HOME RANGE 63 ELK MOVEMENTS 66 4.5 DISCUSSION 69 HOME RANGE 69 ELK MOVEMENTS 71 4.6 CONCLUSIONS 74 4.7 LITERATURE CITED 97 CHAPTER 5: ASPECTS OF COW ELK HABITAT USE WITH REFERENCE TO SPECIFIC LANDSCAPE FEATURES 5.1 ABSTRACT 103 5.2 INTRODUCTION 104 ELK AND ROADS 104 ELK AND WATER 105 ELK AND CATTLE 105 ELK AND FORESTRY 106 5.3 MATERIALS AND METHODS 107 5.4 RESULTS 109 RELATIVE FOREST USE 109 vii FOREST CUT-BLOCKS 111 ROADS 111 WATER 112 WINTER CATTLE OPERATIONS 112 5.5 DISCUSSION 113 HABITAT USE IN RELATION TO FORESTS AND CUT-BLOCKS 113 HABITAT USE IN RELATION TO ROADS 115 HABITAT USE IN RELATION TO WATER 117 HABITAT USE IN RELATION TO WINTER CATTLE OPERATIONS 117 5.6 CONCLUSIONS 119 5.7 LITERATURE CITED 138 CHAPTER 6: 6.1 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 143 6.2 RECOMMENDATIONS AS IT PERTAINS TO BOVINE TB MANAGEMENT 144 6.3 RECOMMENDATIONS AS IT PERTAINS TO FOREST MANAGEMENT 147 6.4 FUTURE RESEARCH 150 6.4 LITERATURE CITED 151 6.5 APPENDICIES 152 viii LIST OF TABLES Table 3.1 Summary of 22 telemetry flights (June 2005 to March 2007) in which 242 different elk groups were classified into habitat types 38 Table 4.1 Duck Mountain cow elk radio collar information (2005-2007) 76 Table 4.2 Mean 100% MCP, 95% adaptive kernel and 50% adaptive kernel home ranges (km2) for Duck Mountain cow elk (n=22) in 2005/06 and 2006/07 77 Table 4.3 Seasonal 100% MCP home ranges for Duck Mountain cow elk (n = 22). 78 Table 4.4 Monthly cumulative distance traveled (kilometers) by individual elk in the DM from 2005 to 2007 (n = 22) 79 Table 4.5 Mean bearing (0) and mean cardinal direction for all elk by month for 2005 to 2007 (n = 22) 79 Table 5.1 Habitat descriptions of eco-sites with elk locations (n = 17,525) within the Duck Mountain Provincial Forest (DMPF) 120 Table 5.2 Expected vs. observed use of habitat types by cow elk in the Duck Mountain Provincial Forest (2005-2007) 121 Table 5.3 Step lengths of elk that are partially or entirely within or entirely outside 100m of a road feature. Only 11 elk with 2 hour fix intervals used for analysis 122 Table 5.4 Step lengths of elk that are partially or entirely within or entirely outside 100m of a water feature. Only 11 elk with 2 hour fix intervals used for analysis 123 ix LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1 Distribution of forest cut-blocks in the Duck Mountains (1990-2008) 7 Figure 2.1 Location of the Duck Mountain study area in the Province of Manitoba. Shaded areas are the sites of original elk capture in 2005/2006 17 Figure 2.2 Mean monthly temperature and precipitation at Roblin, Manitoba from 1983 to 2007 18 Figure 3.1 Duck Mountain elk capture at point of helicopter net-gun discharge, February 2006 39 Figure 3.2 Duck Mountain elk radio-collar attachment at point of release February, 2006 39 Figure 3.3 Duck Mountain study area layer used for habitat selection analysis 40 Figure 3.4 Study area habitat selection for 2005 to 2007 (n = 10 elk) 41 Figure 3.5 Habitat selection in May and June calving period for Duck Mountain cow elk (n = 10) 42 Figure 3.6 Habitat selection by 6 farmland and 4 forest elk, each with >90% of their home range found within the farmland or forest area respectively, in the DM area 43 Figure 3.7 Habitat selection in September and October rutting period for DM cow elk (n = 10) 44 Figure 3.8 Relative annual habitat use (+ SE) of habitat types of the Duck Mountain area by cow elk at 4 scales of spatial analysis (i.e. 50m, 500m, 1000m, 2000m). 45 Figure 3.9 Habitat selection within 95% adaptive kernel home ranges for Duck Mountain cow elk (n = 10 elk) 46 Figure 3.10 Relative use of habitat types within the study area by month for Duck Mountain cow elk (n=22) 47 Figure 4.1 All locations of 22 cow elk in the Duck Mountains of Manitoba from 2005 to 2007 (n = 79,286) 80 x LIST OF FIGURES (CONTINUED) Figure 4.2 Annual 100% minimum convex polygon (MCP) home ranges from 2005 to 2007 for Duck Mountain cow elk (n = 22) 81 Figure 4.3 All 95% kernel home ranges for 2005 to 2007 Duck Mountain cow elk (n =
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Summits on the Air – ARM for Canada (Alberta – VE6) Summits on the Air
    Summits on the Air – ARM for Canada (Alberta – VE6) Summits on the Air Canada (Alberta – VE6/VA6) Association Reference Manual (ARM) Document Reference S87.1 Issue number 2.2 Date of issue 1st August 2016 Participation start date 1st October 2012 Authorised Association Manager Walker McBryde VA6MCB Summits-on-the-Air an original concept by G3WGV and developed with G3CWI Notice “Summits on the Air” SOTA and the SOTA logo are trademarks of the Programme. This document is copyright of the Programme. All other trademarks and copyrights referenced herein are acknowledged Page 1 of 63 Document S87.1 v2.2 Summits on the Air – ARM for Canada (Alberta – VE6) 1 Change Control ............................................................................................................................. 4 2 Association Reference Data ..................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Programme derivation ..................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 General information .......................................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Rights of way and access issues ..................................................................................................... 9 2.4 Maps and navigation .......................................................................................................................... 9 2.5 Safety considerations ..................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Profiles of Colorado Roadless Areas
    PROFILES OF COLORADO ROADLESS AREAS Prepared by the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region July 23, 2008 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 2 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ARAPAHO-ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST ......................................................................................................10 Bard Creek (23,000 acres) .......................................................................................................................................10 Byers Peak (10,200 acres)........................................................................................................................................12 Cache la Poudre Adjacent Area (3,200 acres)..........................................................................................................13 Cherokee Park (7,600 acres) ....................................................................................................................................14 Comanche Peak Adjacent Areas A - H (45,200 acres).............................................................................................15 Copper Mountain (13,500 acres) .............................................................................................................................19 Crosier Mountain (7,200 acres) ...............................................................................................................................20 Gold Run (6,600 acres) ............................................................................................................................................21
    [Show full text]
  • Download the Entire Fall 2013 Issue
    american fall 2013 The Long Ride The Tour DiviDe is 2,800 miles of ruggeD foresT Terrain, unforgiving weaTher anD enDurance pusheD To The limiTs, all from The saDDle of a bike. Vol 119 No 2 CONTENTS Fall 2013 Departments 2 Offshoots A word from our CEO 4 Tree Doctor Advice from tree care experts 6 Treelines Alligator juniper, longleaf pine and post-Irene reforestation in 24 44 Vermont, plus: FOREST FRONTIERS: Meet Phil Radtke, a member of the Big Tree Program’s new Measuring Guidelines Working Group. PARTNERS: Bank of America e. L Charitable Foundation partners with us for Community ReLeaf easda t in five cities. Plus, join our exclusive trip to Mexico to meet aron the monarchs. a y B FROM THE FIELD: American Forests staffers report on proj- ects happening in Wyoming and Tennessee and share exciting oute. Photo oute. Photo r news of an award. 38 People and Trees By Ruth Wilson Muse upon our connection to trees and the many ways they bring ivide Mountain Bike ivide Mountain d meaning into our lives. 44 Earthkeepers A WILD CROP AND BACKYARD HARVEST 16 By Jack Wax Meet the man who turns a wild crop into the nuts in your snack drawer. Features 48 Last Look By Tatiana Boyle ed Meadow Pass in Montana on the Great on the Great in Montana Pass ed Meadow 16 24 32 r The Long Ride Aspen in a Reintroducing By Bob Marr Changing Elk to the es toward es toward CL Join us on a bike ride along the y CORRECTIONS C continental divide from Canada to World Great Smoky Spring/Summer 2013, cover and “Islands By Tyler Williams in the Balance,” p.
    [Show full text]
  • East Kootenay Elk Management Plan 2005-09
    East Kootenay Elk Management Plan 2005-09 Prepared by: Steven F. Wilson, Ph.D., R.P.Bio. EcoLogic Research 406 Hemlock Avenue Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X1 [email protected] Richard L. Morley, M.Sc., R.P.Bio. Twin Spruce Resource Management Consulting 7460 MacKinnon Road Nelson, BC V1L 6R5 [email protected] Prepared for: BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection Fish and Wildlife Science and Allocation Section 205 Industrial Road G. Cranbrook, BC V1C7G5 7 February 2005 Executive Summary Declining elk populations in the East Kootenay, characterized by distorted bull to cow ratios and low calf recruitment, led to intense public controversy during the mid 1990s. In response, the BC Ministry of Environment, Land and Parks initiated various hunting restrictions and hired an outside consultant to independently assess elk harvest management in the region and province. The resulting report provided short- and long-term recommendations for managing elk hunting as well as a list of recommendations to promote recovery of the Kootenay elk herds (Raedeke 1998). Raedeke (1998) recommended that a formal elk management plan be developed for the East Kootenay. A plan was required to clearly articulate management objectives and options, to provide a level of certainty for hunters and guide-outfitters, and to direct government and public efforts in areas of population and habitat management. The result was the East Kootenay Elk Management Plan 2000-2004 (Bircher et al. 2001). The status of the elk population in the East Kootenay changed considerably during 2000-04 and the BC Ministry of Water Land and Air Protection (WLAP) requested a formal review and revision of Bircher et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution and Abundance of Tule Elk in the Owens Valley January 2020
    Owens Valley Tule Elk Report 2020 Distribution and Abundance of Tule Elk in the Owens Valley January 2020 This final report fulfills the objectives that were outlined in the “Owens Valley Elk Movement” project proposal with a project start date of spring 2015 California Department of Fish and Wildlife Bishop, California Mike Morrison, Environmental Scientist Cody Massing, Environmental Scientist Dave German, Research Analyst Tom Stephenson, Wildlife Supervisor 1 Owens Valley Tule Elk Report 2020 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2019, the minimum count for the Owens Valley population of tule elk (Cervus canadensis nannodes) was 343 elk with an annual recruitment rate of 0.37; the historic average annual population and recruitment rate were 335 and 0.30, respectively. The Owens Valley population of tule elk is distributed between lowland habitat, concentrated mainly around the Owens River and east of U.S. Highway 395, and upland habitat, which is located on the west side of Highway 395 along the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The lowland population is comprised of the Bishop, Tinemaha, Independence, and Lone Pine sub-herds with a current population of 196 tule elk. The upland population is comprised of the Tinemaha West, Tinemaha Mountain, Goodale, and Whitney sub-herds with a current population of 147 tule elk. There are no known cow elk occupying the Tinemaha Mountain sub-herd at present. In February 2019, 30 tule elk were translocated from the Central Valley to the Owens Valley. Eight bulls and twelve cows were translocated from the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge (SLNWR) in Los Banos on February 2 and one bull along with nine cows were translocated from the Tupman State Reserve in Buttonwillow (near Bakersfield) on February 3, 2019.
    [Show full text]
  • Staff Summary for June 24-25, 2020
    Item No. 2 STAFF SUMMARY FOR JUNE 24-25, 2020 2. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (DAY 1) Today’s Item Information ☒ Action ☐ Receive public comments, petitions for regulation change, and requests for non-regulatory actions for items not on the agenda. Summary of Previous/Future Actions • Today receive requests and Jun 24-25, 2020; Webinar/teleconference comments • Consider granting, denying or referring Aug 19-20, 2020; Fortuna Background This agenda item is to provide the public an opportunity to address FGC on topics not on the agenda. Staff may include written materials and comments received prior to the meeting as exhibits in the meeting binder (if received by written comment deadline), or as supplemental comments at the meeting (if received by the supplemental comment deadline). Public comments are generally categorized into three types under general public comment: (1) petitions for regulation change; (2) requests for non-regulatory action; and (3) informational- only comments. Under the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, FGC cannot discuss or take action on any matter not included on the agenda, other than to schedule issues raised by the public for consideration at future meetings. Thus, petitions for regulation change and non- regulatory requests generally follow a two-meeting cycle (receipt and direction); FGC will determine the outcome of the petitions for regulation change and non-regulatory requests received at today’s meeting at the next regular FGC meeting, following staff evaluation (currently Aug 19-20, 2020). As required by the Administrative Procedure Act, petitions for regulation change will be either denied or granted and notice made of that determination.
    [Show full text]
  • Mixed-Species Exhibits with Pigs (Suidae)
    Mixed-species exhibits with Pigs (Suidae) Written by KRISZTIÁN SVÁBIK Team Leader, Toni’s Zoo, Rothenburg, Luzern, Switzerland Email: [email protected] 9th May 2021 Cover photo © Krisztián Svábik Mixed-species exhibits with Pigs (Suidae) 1 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 3 Use of space and enclosure furnishings ................................................................... 3 Feeding ..................................................................................................................... 3 Breeding ................................................................................................................... 4 Choice of species and individuals ............................................................................ 4 List of mixed-species exhibits involving Suids ........................................................ 5 LIST OF SPECIES COMBINATIONS – SUIDAE .......................................................... 6 Sulawesi Babirusa, Babyrousa celebensis ...............................................................7 Common Warthog, Phacochoerus africanus ......................................................... 8 Giant Forest Hog, Hylochoerus meinertzhageni ..................................................10 Bushpig, Potamochoerus larvatus ........................................................................ 11 Red River Hog, Potamochoerus porcus ...............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Glaciers of the Canadian Rockies
    Glaciers of North America— GLACIERS OF CANADA GLACIERS OF THE CANADIAN ROCKIES By C. SIMON L. OMMANNEY SATELLITE IMAGE ATLAS OF GLACIERS OF THE WORLD Edited by RICHARD S. WILLIAMS, Jr., and JANE G. FERRIGNO U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 1386–J–1 The Rocky Mountains of Canada include four distinct ranges from the U.S. border to northern British Columbia: Border, Continental, Hart, and Muskwa Ranges. They cover about 170,000 km2, are about 150 km wide, and have an estimated glacierized area of 38,613 km2. Mount Robson, at 3,954 m, is the highest peak. Glaciers range in size from ice fields, with major outlet glaciers, to glacierets. Small mountain-type glaciers in cirques, niches, and ice aprons are scattered throughout the ranges. Ice-cored moraines and rock glaciers are also common CONTENTS Page Abstract ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- J199 Introduction----------------------------------------------------------------------- 199 FIGURE 1. Mountain ranges of the southern Rocky Mountains------------ 201 2. Mountain ranges of the northern Rocky Mountains ------------ 202 3. Oblique aerial photograph of Mount Assiniboine, Banff National Park, Rocky Mountains----------------------------- 203 4. Sketch map showing glaciers of the Canadian Rocky Mountains -------------------------------------------- 204 5. Photograph of the Victoria Glacier, Rocky Mountains, Alberta, in August 1973 -------------------------------------- 209 TABLE 1. Named glaciers of the Rocky Mountains cited in the chapter
    [Show full text]
  • South Dakota Elk Management Plan 2015-2019
    SOUTH DAKOTA ELK MANAGEMENT PLAN 2015-2019 SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF GAME, FISH AND PARKS PIERRE, SOUTH DAKOTA WILDLIFE DIVISION REPORT 2015-01 APRIL 2015 This document is for general, strategic guidance for the Division of Wildlife and serves to identify what we strive to accomplish related to elk management. This plan will be utilized by Department staff and Commission on an annual basis and will be formally evaluated at least every 5 years. Plan updates and changes, however, may occur more frequently as needed. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This plan is a product of substantial discussion and input from many wildlife professionals. In addition, those comments and suggestions received from private landowners, hunters, and those who recognize the value of elk and their associated habitats were also considered. Management Plan Coordinator – Andy Lindbloom, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (SDGFP). SDGFP Elk Management Plan Team that assisted with plan writing, data review and analyses, critical reviews and/or edits to the 2015 Elk Management Plan – Nathan Baker, Gary Brundige, Paul Coughlin, Shelly Deisch, Keith Fisk, Steve Griffin, Corey Huxoll, John Kanta, Emily Kiel, Tom Kirschenmann, Chad Lehman, Cynthia Longmire, Stan Michals, Mark Norton, Kevin Robling, Chad Switzer, and Lauren Wiechmann. Those who served on the South Dakota Elk Stakeholder Group during this planning process included: Travis Bies (Western SDGFP Regional Advisory Panel/BHNF Grazing Permittee); Kerry Burns (United States Forest Service); Tim Gutormson (Southeast
    [Show full text]
  • Elk Valley Bighorn Sheep Project
    Sheep on Ewin Ridge, February 2010; Photo: I. Teske Habitat use, seasonal movements, and population dynamics of bighorn sheep in the Elk Valley Prepared for: BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations 205 Industrial Road G. Cranbrook, BC V1C 7G5 and Teck Coal Limited P.O Box 2003 Sparwood, BC V0B 2G0 Prepared by: Kim G. Poole Aurora Wildlife Research 1918 Shannon Point Road, Nelson BC V1L 6K1 Tele. (250) 825-4063; e-mail: [email protected] May 2013 Elk Valley bighorn sheep project Executive summary Winter is a critical season for most mountain ungulates, which use a variety of strategies to cope with burial of preferred forage and increased cost of locomotion in snow. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) inhabit the east side of the Elk Valley in southeastern British Columbia where forestry and 4 large, open-pit coal mines are in operation. Sheep in this area generally winter at high elevation on windswept, south-facing native grasslands, with some sheep also wintering on mine properties. Expansion of coal mining is proposed in portions of the valley which may result in direct loss of high-elevation winter range, which in some instances can result in the creation of winter habitat through reclamation of mine disturbance. Winter range may be the single most important factor limiting sheep populations in the area. The primary objectives of this study were to describe seasonal movements, winter habitat selection, and use of mine properties by this population. A concurrent companion study examined winter range plant communities and plant production, range condition, and winter diet.
    [Show full text]
  • Fish Passage Site Prioritization 2400
    55 1060 65 1070 75 1080 2600 36 2500 36 Fish Passage Site Prioritization 2400 2300 2600 Elk River (ELKR) 2200 2800 2700 082J.113 PSCIS Assessments Modelled potential barriers (culverts) 2500 1900 2600 Barrier status Upstream length (km) potentially 2100 2400 2000 accessible to fish (at 30%) 2200 2600 1900 2500 Barrier 2400 2300 2200 0 1.0-5.0 Tyrwhitt, Potential 2100 2700 1900 2000 2400 Mount 2800 0.1-0.25 2700 5.0-20 2600 Passable 0.25-1.0 >20 2900 Unknown/Ford 2400 Open bottom structure likely A - Assessed D - Design 2600 Fox Lake 2900 PSCIS status 3000 3100 WCT H - Habitat Confirmation R - Remediation 2000 Frozen Lake 2500 WCT 34763 32 32 Modelled stream accessibility to fish Foch, Mount Fox, Mount 4604428 R 2900 0 3100 8 Potentially accessible (20%) 3000 3 2800 6 2900 5 k 3 2700 e 0 Potentially accessible (30%) e r C n Not accesible ka R l 2400 0 E WCT 8 2300 3 2200 6 2300 5 2100 BEAVER DAM 2 0 WCT 3005 2000 WCT,MW,BT Average stream gradient indicated by line width 1900 Beaver Dam WCT,SU,CT, 2900 Lower 2000 (percent) BT,WF,MW 3003 2700 Elk Lake 4607581 WCT R 2900 WCT WCT, WCT 0 Tobermory Creek BT,MW,WCT DV,MW 83 0-3 2800 WCT,MW,LSU 65 1 BT,WCT,SU, 0 34722 2800 WF,MW,WSU WCT,MW 3-5 2700 3004 4604347 2900 Storelk R 2600 0 4605727 83 Mountain 65 34768 5-8 2500 Upper Elk Lake 13 2800 WCT,MW 0 34723 34764 2700 4605691 WCT 2700 DV,WCT WCT >8 E 34767 lk 4605663 2400 Riv er Model inputs and other point features Pétain, Mount 34721 3651 4605693 WCT 3100 34720 Dam Rocks Rock 3000 WCT 28 2900 28 34718 Cascade Known fish observation (FISS) WCT
    [Show full text]
  • ELK CONSERVATION and MANAGEMENT PLAN December 2018 CONTENTS
    ELK CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN December 2018 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 I. INTRODUCTION 10 A. Goals and Objectives 13 B. Taxonomy and Historical Distribution 15 C. Life History and Habitat 18 D. Distribution and Population Status Since 1970 22 E. Historical and Ongoing Management Efforts by the Department and California Tribes 30 II. CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT 32 A. Adaptive Management 32 B. Population Monitoring 33 C. Population Viability and Genetic Diversity 36 D. Disease Surveillance 38 E. Co-Management with California Federally Recognized Tribes & Tribal Traditional Uses and Knowledge 40 F. Hunting 41 G. Depredation Response and Alleviation 43 H. Human Dimensions 44 2 III. UNRESOLVED MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND INFORMATION NEEDS 45 A. Key Uncertainties 45 B. Research Needs to Inform Management 49 IV. MANAGEMENT ACTIONS 53 A. Strategy for Implementation and Evaluation 53 B. Priority Actions 53 V. PLAN REVIEW AND REVISION 54 VI. LITERATURE CITED 55 VII. GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS AND TERMS 66 VIII. LIST OF FIGURES and TABLES 67 IX. APPENDICES 68 3 FROM OUR DIRECTOR It is remarkable that in a state with nearly 40 million people, one of the largest, most iconic land mammals in North America is one of our most successful conservation stories. Elk, or Wapiti, meaning “ghost kings” as named by the Shawnee Indians due to the animals’ elusive behavior are coming back from a precipitous population decline. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is proud to present this adaptive, scientifically based management plan that considers the many challenges facing elk in the most populous state in the nation. We’ve come a long way.
    [Show full text]