WISCONSIN ELK STUDY PROGRESS REPORT NO.10

The rigorous conditions reported in the last Progress Report on 16 February 1996 persisted throughout the remainder of the longer than usual winter. Record low temperatures and snow depths persisted into early spring.

The lab diagnosis (received 9 May) for the yearling bull (No. 20) that died on 19 March indicated that liver failure, influenced by flukes (a parasite transmitted by snails), was a factor in the death. Two other mortalities were discovered with the receding snow this spring - Adult cow No. 1 was found about 1/4 mile from where it was reported to have been shot during the past deer season. WDNR law enforcement officers who tracked the wounded elk last fall, examined the carcass in the field; the investigation is ongoing. The two reported sightings of a cow elk in the area after the shooting are also being reviewed. The remains of one of 8 calves known to have been born last summer, were also found with snow-melt this spring. It had been dead since early winter; the cause of death could not be determined from the heavily scavenged carcass.

Sixteen elk have been recaptured for attachment of new, more powerful, and longer lasting transmitters on collars. The original ear-tag, battery-powered transmitters began failing at the end of their 6-month life expectancy and the solar-powered radios transmitted only during daylight hours over a limited range.

Wayward cow No. 14, recaptured near Hurley on 14 February, joined the winter herd of 13 elk near the release site on 6 March; she has been with them ever since.

In general, the elk fared satisfactorily in the face of one of Wisconsin's most severe winters. Urine samples in the snow, were collected 5 times at intervals throughout the winter. Results of those analyses indicated that, with the exception of yearling bull No. 20, none of the elk were severely stressed during the winter. At least 2 calves of last summer are still alive. It is possible that other calves survived since 1 of the 2 known to be alive, wintered alone in its previous summer area. None of last year's calves were radio-tagged.

The status of the Wisconsin elk study was presented at The Eastern and Midwestern Elk Management Workshop, sponsored by Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), in Rochester, NY on 8 February. Wildlife managers from AK, KA, MI, PA, KY, NC, NY, TN, and Ontario participated in the workshop. Many of the eastern states are in various stages of an elk reintroduction program and were anxious to learn about the Wisconsin experience. The RMEF Wisconsin Project Advisory Committee (WIPAC) met for a review and planning session in Glidden WI on 22 April 1996. Members of WIPAC include representatives from RMEF-Missoula office, RMEF-Madison Chapter, Wisconsin Elk Study Committee (WESCO), USDA-FS Chequamegon National Forest, Wisconsin DNR, UW-Stevens Point, and Elk Wisconsin.

We are now gearing up for the impending calving season. Three cows, 1 with last year's calf, moved from their wintering area to their 1995 summer quarters last week. There is potential for a maximum of 14 calves being born between the last week in May and 3rd week in June depending upon the pregnancy rate and survival of fetuses through the winter. An intensive effort will be made to capture and radio-tag calves to determine their survivorship this year. Attempts to radio-tag calves were terminated last year because of the relatively long movements made by cows, when they were approached at calving time, into areas that were foreign to them soon after release into the wild. They now know the area very well and we do not expect that a search for calves will be a disrupting factor. John Schmidt, a graduate student from UW-SP, will be joining the research team on 27 May to assist with this and other aspects of the study.

During the past year, we have learned that elk can and do move considerable distances in a relatively short period of time, e.g., we have recorded instances of them moving 5 to 7 miles from a traditional location and returning within 1 or 2 days. In addition, calves of last year were not radio-tagged and their locations can only be obtained by direct sight. Cows will also be making sudden and significant moves as they seek isolation for calving in late May and early June.

WESCO Advisory Council will be meeting in Clam Lake on 1 June 1996 for a review of the project as the second field season commences.