WISCONSIN ELK STUDY PROGRESS REPORT NO.14

This report addresses those events that transpired since Progress Report No.13 -14 April 1997.

Winter 1996-97 follow-up - The generally good physical condition of the elk , as indicated by the nitrogen:creatinin ratio, continued to the end of winter. The results of laboratory examination of elk fecal pellets were received and are being analyzed and incorporated with browse surveys of the last two years to determine winter food habits.

General monitoring - Approximately 13,000 locations have been logged to date. The elk occupied the same summer range for the past 3 summers and have now formed larger social groups closer to the release site as they have done in past years. The groups have been changing in number almost daily since August . We now have habitat use, movement, and home range data for 3 summers and 2 winters. The GIS program is functional and analysis is continuing as we formulate the proper questions to ask the program; the learning curve is rather steep.

Productivity - The 1997 calving season was the focal point of research activities and consumed most of our efforts this summer. Sixteen cows could have been pregnant at the beginning of the 1997 calving season which occurred between 30 May and 26 June. Six and 3 calves were known to be born as a product of the first and second estrous cycles of the 1996 rut respectively. In 1996, the only 2 known calf births occurred on 9 and 10 July, a product of the third estrous cycle during the 1995 rut. In addition to the 9 documented births, the reproductive status of 4 cows has not yet been determined. It is likely that 2 of these have calves (Nos. 21 and 08) since they are mature cows that were with bulls throughout the past rut. The reproductive status of these 2 and other undetermined cows will be ascertained by visual observations throughout the remaining field season; determination of the former will be difficult because of their failed transmitters. Calf births were determined by intensively monitoring the cows during the calving season. When isolated cows remained in a location for 2 days, 200m around that location was searched. Captured calves were fitted with radio-collars and ear-tags, and morphological measurements were taken. Six calves were captured and marked; 3 others were known to have been born as determined later by direct observation. The mean weight of captured calves was 13.7 kg (30.0 lbs); R = 8.1-18.1 kg (18.0 - 40.0 lbs). Calves were found in mature red pine (Pinus resinosa) with dense hazel (Corylus cornuta) understory (n=2), mature red pine with logging slash understory (n=1), 6-year-old aspen (Populus tremuloides) with slash understory (n=1), mature aspen/balsam (Abies balsamea) with hazel understory (n=1), and mature white pine (P. strobus)/aspen/birch (Betula papyrifera) with dense bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) understory (n=1). Radio-tagged calves are monitored daily by telemetry and others, when opportune, by direct observation. One radio-tagged calf (a male out of the Hurley Lady) died thus far. Field necropsy by elk research staff, and subsequent lab examination by WDNR wildlife disease personnel, determined that it was killed by a black bear (Ursus americana). The radio-collar of another calf broke away prematurely on 15 August 1997 after transmitting for 74 days.

A sample of major potential predators on the study area, black bears and wolves (Canis lupis), were monitored by telemetry during the summer. Sixteen bears were captured (7 sows, 9 boars) during the calving season; all sows were radio-collared and one boar was fitted with an ear-tag transmitter; numbered ear-tags were placed on the rest of the boars. Two wolves, the Alpha female and her yearling daughter, from the Torch River Pack were radio-tagged by Wisconsin DNR. Presence of the radio-tagged predators was determined daily to determine proximity to calves. None were within 1 mile of the calf when it was killed although sows were frequently within 0.25 miles of calves throughout the summer.

Bugling - The first indication of the 1997 rut period was noted on 4 September when the clashing of antlers was heard, and then observed, while 2 bulls were sparring in a meadow in the presence of a group of cows and calves. These were 3-year-old bulls No.03 and 10 who came to Wisconsin as calves in 1995 and now had 3 X 4 and 4 X 4 antlers respectively. No.10 dominated this joust that was accompanied by grunts and wheezes. After No.03 retreated, No.10 began "herding" the cows and they responded in what appeared to be a "playful" manner. The first serious bugling was heard from No.10 on the day of this report - 17 September.

Data analysis and writing - Two graduate students (Tim Lizotte and L. John Schmidt) will be completing academic courses, analyzing data, and writing on UW-Stevens Point campus during the 1997-98 academic year. Two project MS theses, "Planning for and immediate post-release behavior of an experimentally reintroduced elk herd in Wisconsin" by Scott Anderson, and "Productivity, survivorship, and winter feeding ecology of an experimental elk herd in Wisconsin" by Tim Lizotte, are scheduled for completion by the end of the 1997-98 winter field season.

Future research plans - 1) Continue monitoring the herd for survivorship and movement with intensive surveillance during the 1997 deer and bear hunting seasons. 2) Complete analysis and writing of data from Years-1 and -2. 3) Begin drafting management guidelines for elk in Northern Wisconsin.