Elk in the Rocky Mountain National Park Ecosystem - a Model-Based Assessment
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A History of Northwest Colorado
II* 88055956 AN ISOLATED EMPIRE BLM Library Denver Federal Center Bldg. 50, OC-521 P-O. Box 25047 Denver, CO 80225 PARE* BY FREDERIC J. ATHEARN IrORIAh ORADO STATE OFFICE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 1976 f- W TABLE OF CONTENTS Wb Preface. i Introduction and Chronological Summary . iv I. Northwestern Colorado Prior to Exploitation . 1 II. The Fur Trade. j_j_ III. Exploration in Northwestern Colorado, 1839-1869 23 IV. Mining and Transportation in Early Western Colorado .... 34 V. Confrontations: Settlement Versus the Ute Indians. 45 VI. Settlement in Middle Park and the Yampa Valley. 63 VII. Development of the Cattle and Sheep Industry, 1868-1920... 76 VIII. Mining and Transportation, 1890-1920 .. 91 IX. The "Moffat Road" and Northwestern Colorado, 1903-1948 . 103 X. Development of Northwestern Colorado, 1890-1940. 115 Bibliography 2&sr \)6tWet’ PREFACE Pu£Eose: This study was undertaken to provide the basis for identification and evaluation of historic resources within the Craig, Colorado District of the Bureau of Land Management. The narrative of historic activities serves as a guide and yardstick regarding what physical evidence of these activities—historic sites, structures, ruins and objects—are known or suspected to be present on the land, and evaluation of what their historical significance may be. Such information is essential in making a wide variety of land management decisions effecting historic cultural resources. Objectives: As a basic cultural resource inventory and evaluation tool, the narrative and initial inventory of known historic resources will serve a variety of objectives: 1. Provide information for basic Bureau planning docu¬ ments and land management decisions relating to cultural resources. -
Insert Park Picture Here
Mount Assiniboine Park Management Plan Part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site November 2012 Cover Page Photo Credit: Christian Kimber (Park Ranger) This document replaces the direction provided in the Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park Master Plan (1989). Mount Assiniboine Park Management Plan Approved by: November 15, 2012 ______________________________ __________________ Tom Bell Date Regional Director, Kootenay Okanagan Region BC Parks November 15, 2012 ______________________________ __________________ Brian Bawtinheimer Date Executive Director, Parks Planning and Management Branch BC Parks Plan Highlights The management vision for Mount Assiniboine Park is that the park continues to be an international symbol of the pristine scenic grandeur of British Columbia’s wilderness and the recreational enjoyment it offers. Key elements of the management plan include strategies to: Implement a zoning plan that enhances the emphasis on Mount Assiniboine Park’s value both as a component of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (which protects significant examples of Canadian Rocky Mountain ecosystems) and as the location of an internationally recognized wilderness recreation feature associated with heritage structures from the earliest days of facility-based backcountry tourism in the Canadian Rockies. Approximately 86% of the park is zoned as Wilderness Recreation, 13% is zoned as Nature Recreation, less than 1% is zoned as Special Feature and less than 0.01% is zoned as Intensive Recreation. Develop an ecosystem management strategy that coordinates management of vegetation and wildlife in the park with that of adjacent protected areas under other agencies’ jurisdiction and with activities on adjacent provincial forest lands. This includes a proposal to prepare a vegetation management strategy to maintain or restore natural disturbance regimes (i.e., insects, disease and fire) wherever possible. -
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................1 CREATING A WILDLIFE FRIENDLY YARD ......................................................................2 With Plant Variety Comes Wildlife Diversity...............................................................2 Existing Yards....................................................................................................2 Native Plants ......................................................................................................3 Why Choose Organic Fertilizers?......................................................................3 Butterfly Gardens...............................................................................................3 Fall Flower Garden Maintenance.......................................................................3 Water Availability..............................................................................................4 Bird Feeders...................................................................................................................4 Provide Grit to Assist with Digestion ................................................................5 Unwelcome Visitors at Your Feeders? ..............................................................5 Attracting Hummingbirds ..................................................................................5 Cleaning Bird Feeders........................................................................................6 -
Prescribed Burning for Elk in N Orthem Idaho
Proceedings: 8th Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conference 1968 Prescribed Burning For Elk in N orthem Idaho THOMAS A. LEEGE, RESEARCH BIOLOGIST Idaho Fish and Game Dept. Kamiah, Idaho kE majestic wapiti, otherwise known as the Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus canadensis), has been identified with northern Idaho for the last 4 decades. Every year thousands of hunters from all parts of the United States swarm into the wild country of the St. Joe Clearwater River drainages. Places like Cool water Ridge, Magruder and Moose Creek are favorite hunting spots well known for their abundance of elk. However, it is now evident that elk numbers are slowly decreasing in many parts of the region. The reason for the decline is apparent when the history of the elk herds and the vegetation upon which they depend are closely exam ined. This paper will review some of these historical records and then report on prescribed burning studies now underway by Idaho Fish and Game personnel. The range rehabilitation program being developed by the Forest Service from these studies will hopefully halt the elk decline and maintain this valuable wildlife resource in northern Idaho. DESCRIPTION OF THE REGION The general area I will be referring to includes the territory to the north of the Salmon River and south of Coeur d'Alene Lake (Fig. 1). 235 THOMAS A. LEEGE It is sometimes called north-central Idaho and includes the St. Joe and Clearwater Rivers as the major drainages. This area is lightly populated, especially the eaStern two-thirds which is almost entirely publicly owned and managed by the United States Forest Service; specifically, the St. -
Published Proceedings from the CWD Forum
PROCEEDINGS Jackson Hole Chronic Wasting Disease Forum December 7, 2016 National Museum of Wildlife Art Jackson, Wyoming INTRODUCTION The purpose of this Chronic Wasting Disease forum was to highlight CWD research and management considerations, with the goal to share current science-based information with the general public and all organizations concerned with the long-term health of elk and deer populations in the Jackson Hole Area. ABSTRACTS *Names of presenters in bold text Wyoming Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Mary Wood, State Veterinarian, Wildlife Veterinary Research Services, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Laramie, Wyoming, USA Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was first described in captive mule deer from Colorado and Wyoming in the 1970’s (Williams 1980). After the initial discovery and description of this disease, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) began collaborative work with Dr. Elizabeth Williams in 1982 to investigate whether the disease was present in free-ranging populations (Williams 1992, Miller 2000). This was the beginning of a decades-long surveillance program to study the distribution and spread of this disease in free-ranging cervid populations. Between 1982 and 1997 a limited number of CWD samples were collected through local check stations near Laramie and Wheatland WY. WGFD surveillance began in earnest in 1997, with peak surveillance occurring between 2003 and 2011 when federal funding was available. Currently the WGFD Wildlife Health Laboratory tests between 1500 and 3500 samples for CWD each year with over 56,000 samples tested to date in Wyoming. Surveillance includes voluntary sample collection from hunter harvested animals as well as collection from road-killed animals and targeted animals showing signs consistent with CWD. -
Elk: Wildlife Notebook Series
Elk Elk (Cervus elaphus) are sometimes called “wapiti” in North America. Two subspecies of elk have been introduced to Alaska. Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) are larger, slightly darker in color, and have shorter, thicker antlers than the Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni). In many European countries “elk” are actually what we know as moose (Alces alces). Fossil bones indicate that a subspecies of elk once existed in Interior Alaska during the Pleistocene period, but all of the elk currently in Alaska were introduced from the Pacific Northwest in the last century. The first successful translocation involved eight Roosevelt elk calves that were captured on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State in 1928 and moved to Afognak Island (near Kodiak) in 1929. These elk have successfully established themselves on both Afognak and Raspberry Islands. The second successful transplant occurred in 1987, when 33 Roosevelt elk and 17 Rocky Mountain elk were captured in Oregon and moved to Etolin Island (near Petersburg) in Southeast Alaska. These elk subsequently dispersed and established a second breeding population on neighboring Zarembo Island. General description: Elk are members of the deer family and share many physical traits with deer, moose, and caribou. They are much larger than deer and caribou, but not as large as the moose which occur in Alaska. Distinguishing features include a large yellowish rump patch, a grayish to brownish body, and dark brown legs and neck. Unlike some members of the deer family, both sexes have upper canine teeth. The males have antlers, which in prime bulls are very large, sweeping gracefully back over the shoulders with spikes pointing forward. -
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK One of Our Greatest Treasures in Castle Pines Village Is Our Amazing Wildlife. Thanks to Our Close Proximity
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK One of our greatest treasures in Castle Pines Village is our amazing wildlife. Thanks to our close proximity to Cherokee Ranch, we are home to many animal species that are seldom seen elsewhere, especially in such abundance. The Rocky Mountain Elk is one of these unique Village visitors. Also known as the American Elk, or “wapiti” by Native Americans, the Rocky Mountain Elk is one of the largest representatives of the deer family and one of the largest mammals in North America. Males, or bulls, can reach 1000 pounds and female cows up to 500. An adult bull averages 5ft at the shoulder with antlers of 5 points on either side. They are grayish-brown in color, with a tan rump and a darker brown shoulder-to-chest coloration. The Rocky Mountain elk is a browser, eating mostly grasses during the day in open grasslands. As they are a herbivore, they will also eat other plants, leaves and bark, consuming 9 to 15 pounds of food a day. As night approaches, elk move toward forest edges and usually sleep under tree cover. They range in large winter herds that break down into smaller groups in summer. In mid to late September, the elk mating season, or “rut”, begins. Due to seasonal hormonal changes, the neck and shoulders of the bull increase in size. Antlers, which are made of bone, begin to sharpen naturally and grow up to an inch a day. The weight of each antler can reach 40 pounds, the size being related to the amount of sunlight the bull receives. -
Role of the Protected Area Provincial and Regional Context
Role of the Protected Area Provincial and Regional Context Height of the Rockies and Elk Lakes provincial parks lie in southeastern British Columbia in the Rocky Mountains, about 85 km southwest of Calgary, Alberta. They are flanked to the East by the Elk Valley and the Kananaskis Valley and to the West by the Park Ranges. The mountain ranges of the Kootenay District provide a wide diversity of natural values and recreation opportunities as evidenced by the numerous national and provincial parks in the District (Fig. 2). Over 16% of the land base in the East Kootenays is in protected areas. · Height of the Rockies and Elk Lakes provincial parks are a significant part of BC's system of protected areas. In conjunction with Banff National Park and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Alberta, they form a large, contiguous protected area that is rich in natural, recreational and cultural values. Also, these parks are critical links in the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y)1. · The combined size of these two provincial parks contributes to the protection of biodiversity in the region and is integral to the conservation of wildlife populations, plant communities and biodiversity. · These parks offer a wide range of top caliber wilderness recreation opportunities and outstanding features. Plate 2 : Fish fossil in Elk Lakes Provincial Park 1 Proposal by Canada and U.S. conservation groups to create a thread of ecological connectivity linking protected areas in both countries from Yellowstone National Park to the Yukon. 11 Significance in the Protected Areas System Height of the Rockies and Elk Lakes provincial parks are a significant part of BC's system of protected areas. -
Out-Of-Season Births of Elk Calves in Wyoming
University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln US Fish & Wildlife Publications US Fish & Wildlife Service 1994 Out-of-Season Births of Elk Calves in Wyoming Bruce L. Smith National Elk Refuge Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usfwspubs Part of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons Smith, Bruce L., "Out-of-Season Births of Elk Calves in Wyoming" (1994). US Fish & Wildlife Publications. 67. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usfwspubs/67 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Fish & Wildlife Service at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in US Fish & Wildlife Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Prairie Naturalist 26(2): June 1994 131 Out-of-Season Births of Elk Calves in Wyoming BRUCE L. SMITH National Elk Refuge, Jackson, WY 83001 ABSTRACf-Five out-of-season births of Rocky Mountain elk were documented over a 24-month period at the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming. One of four November neonates was radio-instrumented and subsequently died seven days later due to hypothermia. An April-born calf was killed by a coyote. Supplemental winter feeding of elk at the Refuge may increase the frequency of asynchronous reproduction. Key words: Elk, Cervus elaphus, birth, reproduction, mortality, supplemental feeding Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) are polyestrus, seasonal breeders, and the reproductive cycle corresponds to forage phenology (Taber et al. 1982). Calves are normally produced at peak forage quality in spring when the energetic demands of lactation on dams are rapidly increasing (Moen 1973, Robbins et al. -
Geology and Coal Resources Op North Park, Colorado
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIBECTOR' 596 GEOLOGY AND COAL RESOURCES OP NORTH PARK, COLORADO BY A. L. BEEKLY WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1915 CONTENTS. Page. Introduction _ ______ _,___________ 7 Location and area__ _ _ _____. __________1___ 7 Accessibility_________________________________ 8 Explorations in the region________________________ 8 Preparation of the map___________________________ 10 Base map_.______________________________ 10 ' Field work_______________________________ 10 Office work______________._________ __ 11 Acknowledgments_______________________________ 11 Geography ______________ ______________________ 12 Relief______________________________________ 12 Major features..____________.________________ 12 Medicine Bow Range_______.________ ______ 12 Park Range____________________________ 13 Continental Divide____________.___________ 13 Floor of the park____________ '._.___________ 13 Minor features________________:_. ______ 14 Drainage___________________ ______________ 16 Settlement__________i_______________________ 18 Stratigraphy __________ __________.___________ 19 Sedimentary rocks ______________________________ 19 Age and correlation.. ______!____ .___________ 19 Geologic section________________._________'_ 20 Carboniferous (?) system_______________________ 21 Pennsylvanfan or Permian (?) series______________ 21 Distribution and character_____.___________ 21 Stratigraphic relations________.___________ 21 Fossils_____________________________ 22 Triassic (?) -
The Routt National Forest
100 YEARS OF CONSERVATION AND PUBLIC SERVICE ON THE ROUTT NATIONAL FOREST The Early History of Forest Reserves and National Forests that formed the Routt National Forest by Mary Peterson, Forest Supervisor 2005 marks the 100th anniversary of conservation and public service for the Forest Service nationally! The Routt National Forest has also been the result of a long and colorful history in the last 100+ years! Over the next year, I’d like to share with you some of this great history of the Routt National Forest in a series of articles to celebrate our Centennial. The Routt National Forest is comprised of the dramatic and beautiful Park, Gore, Medicine Bow, Elkhead, and Flat Tops Mountain Ranges. Fortunately for us today, the beauty and resources of these mountain ranges were recognized by early conservation leaders and were set aside as forest reserves, national forests, and a national park. Over the last 100+ years, the current Routt National Forest experienced several boundary and name changes. Following is a brief reconstruction of those changes. The current Routt National Forest was produced from the entire Park Range Forest Reserve and portions of the Medicine Bow, Sierra Madre, and White River Plateau Forest Reserves, established respectively in 1905, 1902, 1906, and 1891. By an Act of Congress approved March 4, 1907, the forest reserves were renamed “national forests”, thus resulting in the creation of the Park Range, Medicine Bow, Sierra Madre, and White River National Forests. Portions of the current Routt National Forest contained portions of these four "early" national forests as well as portions of the Hayden, Colorado, and Arapaho National Forests, and Rocky Mountain National Park. -
Summits on the Air – ARM for USA - Colorado (WØC)
Summits on the Air – ARM for USA - Colorado (WØC) Summits on the Air USA - Colorado (WØC) Association Reference Manual Document Reference S46.1 Issue number 3.2 Date of issue 15-June-2021 Participation start date 01-May-2010 Authorised Date: 15-June-2021 obo SOTA Management Team Association Manager Matt Schnizer KØMOS 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 11 Document S46.1 V3.2 Summits on the Air – ARM for USA - Colorado (WØC) Change Control Date Version Details 01-May-10 1.0 First formal issue of this document 01-Aug-11 2.0 Updated Version including all qualified CO Peaks, North Dakota, and South Dakota Peaks 01-Dec-11 2.1 Corrections to document for consistency between sections. 31-Mar-14 2.2 Convert WØ to WØC for Colorado only Association. Remove South Dakota and North Dakota Regions. Minor grammatical changes. Clarification of SOTA Rule 3.7.3 “Final Access”. Matt Schnizer K0MOS becomes the new W0C Association Manager. 04/30/16 2.3 Updated Disclaimer Updated 2.0 Program Derivation: Changed prominence from 500 ft to 150m (492 ft) Updated 3.0 General information: Added valid FCC license Corrected conversion factor (ft to m) and recalculated all summits 1-Apr-2017 3.0 Acquired new Summit List from ListsofJohn.com: 64 new summits (37 for P500 ft to P150 m change and 27 new) and 3 deletes due to prom corrections.