WISCONSIN ELK STUDY

PROGRESS REPORT NO.4

This report has been delayed pending approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Michigan DNR (MDNR), Wisconsin DNR (WDNR), and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) relative to obtaining an experimental donor herd of elk from Michigan. The document has been signed after 5 months of study and modification. We are now arranging for trapping and quarantine of 25 elk in Michigan for shipment to Wisconsin. A private individual with expertise and portable elk trapping and shipping equipment has agreed to trap and transport elk to quarantine facilities with help from MDNR, WDNR and ourselves.

Our schedule now calls for completion of trapping and start of a 90-day quarantine (recently changed from 180 days) in Michigan private facilities by 15 January 1995. Elk will be out of quarantine and ready for shipment by mid-April, if they are disease-free. They will spend about 1 week in a release pen in Wisconsin to recover from travel and adjust to a new environment prior to gentle release into the wild. Forage will be greening up at release time and there will be ample time for adjustment to the wild prior to calving the first week in June. Green-up and stage of pregnancy should reduce stimulation to make long movements when released.

Other accomplishments since the last report on 15 June include:

Completion of detailed research plan and submission to WDNR for comments and to Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) for support.

Four visits (1 by Dr. Socket, Wis. Dept. Ag.)to Smokey Lake Wildlife Reserve at Phelps, WI to explore the possibility of obtaining elk from this free-ranging herd within a 6,000-acre enclosure. Phil Christiansen and Richard Service very gracious and helpful in providing advice and information relative to this alternative. WESCO committee members, WDNR, and RMEF representatives participated in the visits.

The newly formed RMEF-Chequamegon Chapter, organized by WESCO members and RMEF, held its first banquet at Lakewoods Resort on 13 August. The banquet, organized and conducted by WESCO members, RMEF, and several volunteers, netted $24,000. It was sold out two weeks prior to the event (209 capacity). RMEF announced a donation of $50,000 in support of this project at the banquet.

A 16-acre wildlife opening was rejuvenated for elk release site by disking, dragging, liming, fertilizing, and reseeding with 2 legumes and a grass. The mild Fall season provided good sprouting and early growth of the seeding. A 3-acre pen was was built on the release site with volunteer help and is ready to receive the elk for a gentle release.

WESCO, WDNR, and US Forest Service met with State and National representatives of RMEF to create a fund-raising and a project advisory committee. "The RMEF will guarantee the necessary funds to allow the project to go forward early in 1995." Thus far, $162,757 have been accumulated for the project from several sources; $31,873 has been spent. The revised budget for Year-1 (with elk) is $ 177,695, leaving $ 46,000 to be raised for the first field year. There are sufficient funds to trap, quarantine, ship elk to Wisconsin, and commence field research work. An approximate total of $295,000 will be needed for Years 2-5 to complete the project.

Bernie Lemon, President of RMEF-Madison Chapter, has organized a high quality and impressive fund-raising event as a part of the Milwaukee Sentinel Sport Show in Spring of 1995. Be alert for an opportunity for you and your acquaintances to participate in this effort.

The educational elk video-tape was revised for promotional purposes. Copies of this 20-minute tape are available for those who may find use for it. It shows the history of elk in the U.S. and Wisconsin, and the history and current status of the elk reintroduction research project.

Prototypes of newly designed radio-telemetry transmitters were field tested for range and durability in varying weather conditions.

Informational presentations were made to WI RMEF Chairmen, USFS personnel, WDNR Conservation Officers, WDNR Natural Resources Board, Chippewa Falls Rotary Club, and Stevens Point Kiwanis Club. Interviews were granted to newspaper, radio, and television media in Milwaukee, Wausau, Madison, LaCrosse, Duluth, Ashland, Mellen, Glidden, Ironwood, Stevens Point, Spooner, Superior, Eau Claire, and Park Falls.

Trap and quarantine elk in Michigan.

Assemble research monitoring equipment; test and prepare same for field work.

Transport elk to Wisconsin, release into Chequamegon National Forest, and begin monitoring.

Continue fund-raising.