WISCONSIN ELK STUDY PROGRESS REPORT NO.12

1996 Rut. - The rut developed well this year. The 3 yearling bulls of the 1995 rut, now with 3 X 3 or 4 X 4 antlers at age 2 years, displayed more intense breeding behavior as indicated by their bugling and attendance to the main herd of cows. The 2 older bulls were each with single adult cows. The behavior and movements of the elk during this rut indicates that at least 16 cows could have been bred, portending significant productivity next calving season. The 2 calves that were born this year were still alive as of this writing. At least 3 youngsters from the 1995 calving are also known to be still alive. One of these, a yearling bull, was in the Springbrook region, SW of Hayward during and after the rifle deer season. He was missing during last winter but returned to spend the summer with his mother (No.21).

1996 Deer Season. - The rifle and bow season passed without injury to elk. The herd was monitored intensively immediately prior to, during, and after the hunts. Deer hunting camps on the study area were visited prior to opening day with USDA- Forest Service personnel to remind deer hunters that elk were present. Hunters were also interviewed in the field throughout the season. All hunters were aware of the elk study in their hunting area and were exercising caution in identifying potential targets. Three identifiable groups of elk were monitored intensively, and 2 others periodically, during the deer season. Hunting activities, including drives and individuals on stands and still-hunting, caused an abnormal, relatively minor movements of only 2 bull elk. These bulls broke away from the main herd of 18 elk and moved to 2 areas approximately 2 miles to the south. They stayed in those isolated areas and then rejoined the original group the day after the close of the season. Hunter density on the study area was determined by direct count and an index was formulated for future density determination. One hunter was aggressively nudged with the 5 X 6 antlers of adult bull-23 while he was on a stand early in the morning of opening day. He fired his rifle into the ground next to the bull causing it to leave. Neither the hunter nor the bull was injured.

Movements. - Nearly all of the elk returned to the same general winter range that they had occupied during the winter of 1995-96. Cow-14, (The Hurley Lady) is still with the main herd of 18 elk which is within 2 miles of the release site. The same was true for their locations during the rut with the exception of bull-23 who spent the rut and deer season in the area of cow-21 this year. The elk also occupied the same summer range in 1996 as they did in 1995. This 2-year pattern is an encouraging indication that their seasonal habitat needs are being met within the study area. Their route of travel between seasonal ranges was also the same this year. This created a potential hazard for motorists and the elk that summered north of Highway 77 as they moved 4 miles south to their winter range near the release site. The elk were in the vicinity of the highway for nearly 2 weeks where they were seen frequently by transient motorists and enthusiastic observers who visited the area often in anticipation of observing them. The congestion of parked cars constituted the greatest hazard. Wisconsin Department of Transportation is preparing warning signs to alert motorists in the area where the elk regularly crossed the highway.

Logging. - Two major logging operations are in operation in the vicinity of elk at this time. The general reaction of elk to this activity is being monitored closely. Thus far, logging does not appear to be unduly influencing the behavior of the elk.

Winter Food Habits and Condition. - Most of the elk have once again sought lowland conifer areas for winter quarters. White cedar and mountain maple are components of these areas that are preferred by the elk. Thermal differences between the interior of these conifer stands and open areas is significant. On 16 January 1997, when ambient temperature was -19 F in the open, it was -6 F inside the stand. Snow depths were 29.5 and 21.3 inches inside and outside of the conifer stands respectively on the same date. The bitter cold of last winter has not appeared thus far this year. Urine samples were collected in December and January this winter to gain an insight into current elk physiologic condition for comparison with last winter and to establish a base for the remainder of this winter. Results of the lab analysis are not yet completed.

Habitat Use. - This is being determined for the first year of the study by means of a Geographic Information System using the USDA-Forest Service vegetation data base and our telemetry locations. We have cataloged 9,476 elk locations as of 17 January 1997. The relationship between elk-use areas and physical geographic factors can also be determined in this analysis.

Crop Depredation. - Another amicable discussion was held with the landowners of the alleged pine tree depredation of last winter. They will continue to study the situation and decide on future action.

WEPAC. - The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Wisconsin Elk Project Advisory Committee was hosted by The Bad River Chippewa Tribe at Odanah on 26 August 1996. Committee members form RMEF, USDA-FS, WDNR, WESCo, UW-SP, and Elk Wisconsin discussed financing, current status of the project, project schedule, and public relations.

Presentations. - Since the last Progress Report, project personnel presented programs to, or hosted National Trails Conference, Wisconsin Science, Arts, and Letters High School Teachers, College of the Menominee Nation, Racine Zoo, Governors Northern Wisconsin Council, Buck-a-rama-Hayward, Minnesota Public TV-Venture North, KDLH TV-Duluth, Minnesota Public Radio-Duluth, Wisconsin Public Radio-Superior and Milwaukee, WAXX Radio-Eau Claire, Tennessee Fish & Game Commission, Annual WDNR Wildlife Managers and The Wildlife Society-WI joint meeting, Eastern RMEF Rendezvous-Valley Forge, Pattison State Park, and social or business clubs in Clam Lake, Glidden, Merrill, Brule, and Mason, Wisconsin.