Identifying Home Range, Release Site Fidelity and Resource Selection Patterns of a Reintroduced Elk (Cervus canadensis) Herd: Jackson County, Wisconsin
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Date
2018-02Author
Bryan, Travis S.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
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CHAPTER ONE: One of 6 subspecies of elk (Cervus canadensis), the eastern elk (C. c. canadensis), once
ranged throughout the majority of Wisconsin, but local elk populations were extirpated by the
late 1800s. The reintroduction of elk has been an important tool in restoring extirpated
populations to their historical range, and we studied the post-release movements of elk
reintroduced to Wisconsin from 2015-2017. Elk were captured near Stoney Fork, Kentucky and
transported to Jackson County, Wisconsin. Adult elk were fitted with GPS collars to collect
spatial data. Our objective was to identify elk resource home range and release site fidelity
patterns for one year post-release. Twenty-three elk were released on August 20, 2015, and 50
elk were released on July 11, 2016. To assess release site fidelity, maximum distances traveled
were determined for multiple time periods post-release, and data analysis regarding home range
size was conducted using time scaled local convex hull. Maximum distance traveled from the
release site was stable between days 1 – 90 post-release but increased substantially between days
91 -365. Adult elk traveled further distances from the release site than yearlings, and maternal
females remained closer to the release site compared to males and females without calves. Home
range sizes decreased days 1 – 90 post-release but increased between days 91 -365. The effect of
age on elk home range sizes was minimal between adults and yearlings. Maternal females and
females without offspring had similar range sizes, whereas male home range size was larger than
females. Elk initially departed the release site making exploratory movements, and then
established home ranges while including previously used habitat. For ungulate reintroductions to
be successful, release site fidelity is critical for maintaining initial herd growth, continued
reproductive success, and mitigating human-wildlife conflict. Future reintroduction efforts
should encourage elk to remain near the release site.
CHAPTER TWO: One of 6 subspecies of elk (Cervus canadensis), the eastern elk (C. c. canadensis), once
ranged throughout the majority of Wisconsin, but local elk populations were extirpated by the
late 1800s. The reintroduction of elk has been an important tool in restoring extirpated
populations to their historical range, and we studied the post-release movements of elk
reintroduced to Wisconsin from 2015-2017. Elk were captured near Stoney Fork, Kentucky and
transported to Jackson County, Wisconsin. Adult elk were fitted with GPS collars to collect
spatial data. Twenty-three elk were released on August 20, 2015, and 50 elk were released on
July 11, 2016. Our objective was to identify elk resource selection patterns during one year
post-release. We used resource selection function models (RSF) to identify resources that elk
preferred. Reintroduced elk selected for a suite of vegetation cover types, but they consistently
selected against the cranberry, shrubland, wetland, and open water habitats. They preferred
sloped terrain and selected for aspects that provided for thermoregulatory advantages as seasons
changed. Elk initially avoided roads, but as time progressed, elk often utilized resources near
major roads and human development. Overall, elk did not avoid wolf activity centers, but they
selected against them during the time period that coincided with winter. We recommend
selecting release sites near high quality resources. The addition of supplement resources, such as
food plots, provide an immediate source of high quality forage. Implementing multiple food
plots near release sites will help decrease predation risk where wolves are present. Elk often use
agricultural areas which may cause conflict with agriculture producers, and management actions
may be needed to mitigate these conflicts. Where elk congregate near roads, signs warning
motorist of the presence of elk would be prudent.
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/80140Description
The chapters of this thesis were written and designed following the submission guidelines
of the Journal of Wildlife Management, and therefore, strict adherence to the thesis submission
guidelines was not followed and the duplication material and citations within each chapter was
intentional.