WISCONSIN ELK STUDY PROGRESS REPORT NO.7

Elk have been roaming free in the Chequamegon National Forest of Wisconsin for the past 5 months. Twenty four of the 25 experimentally reintroduced elk are alive and apparently doing well; one bull died of stress-related causes 2 weeks after release into the wild on 17 May 1995. At least 8 calves were born in early June and at least 4 of these are still alive. The initial pregnancy test at the time of the first disease test on 1 February, indicated that all 6 adult cows, and 3 of 5 yearlings were pregnant. Another pregnancy test, during the second test for disease on 27 April, showed that an additional yearling was also probably pregnant. This was verified since Report No. 6 when she was observed with a calf. We believe that at least 2 calves died shortly after birth and 2 others did not survive throughout the summer. A better appraisal of calf survival will be possible during the next several weeks when the elk become more observable with established behavior patterns and cover is less dense after leaf-fall.

As of this date, all but 2 elk are on the study area and nearly 70% are within a 4-mile radius of the release site. One cow, the "Hurley Lady", is 45 straight-line miles from the release site where she has been for the past 4 months. She moved north 7 miles, to within 4 miles of Hurley and

All of the cows, except the above 2, have been attended by bulls during the recent breeding season, which is nearing an end. Bugling, the mating call of bull elk, has been heard by the research team and reported by local residents, hunters, and tourists.

The relationship between elk and other uses of the National Forest Study Area was monitored throughout the summer. Most notable of these activities were hound training, bear hunting, and logging; all occurred in the immediate vicinity of elk.

Descriptive literature showing differences between deer and elk is being distributed to hunters, and public places frequented by them, in anticipation of the 1995 whitetail deer seasons.

Tim Lazotte joined the elk research team in mid-September as a graduate student. He will be designing and conducting food habit and physiological condition studies of the elk and assisting with the daily monitoring of their movements and other behavior.

Reports of observations of elk have contributed valuable information to the study. In several instances, these reports were a significant factor in explaining long distance changes in location, and verifying calf survivorship. We encourage everyone to submit observations, no matter how trivial they may appear. Contact:

An informational and planning meeting of WESCO Advisory Council is being planned for late winter 1996. Council members will be notified of details through ensuing Progress Reports.