The Ecology and Management of Roosevelt Elk in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Crater Lake Institute

Elk are generally recognized as a valuable and unique resource at Crater Lake National Park. it is the responsibility of the Park Service to formulate a management plan to insure the protection and perpetuation of all resources including the elk herds. The present study is a continuation of a project begun in June, 1974 conducted by Roy Manning to survey the status of the elk herds and make management recommendations. The 1975 field work conducted by myself continued Manning's study. The final work in 1976 concentrated in collecting observations in areas of known elk populations and in establishing elk utilization transects for continuing future management purposes.Since the wintering grounds are primarily on National Forest Service, and private lands, and they are hunted during the fall hunting season, the National Forest Service and the Oregon State Game Commission are interested in formulating management plans for these herds. Biologists from both agencies have contributed time to the elk study and an interagency cooperative winter study may be feasible in the future. It is hoped that the results of this study will aid park biologists and administrators in better understanding the present status of elk and in predicting their probable future at Crater Lake.I would like to acknowledge the National Park Service staff especially Superintendent Frank Betts, Superintendent Ernest Borgman, and Chief I. R. & M. Dan Sholly for their continued cooperation and interest in elk management and research at Crater Lake. Jim Blaisdell gave invaluable advice and assistance with the pellet group and vegetation use transects as well as continual encouragement. Richard Werner from the Oregon State Game Commission lent many hours assistance with the transects and Jerry Gaines, National Forest Service, loaned stock animals to haul transect stakes into the backcountry. David Wagner, University of Oregon, identified the sedges and grasses for the vegetation study. And, of course, I appreciate the company of my many friends who shared the Union Peak campfire.

The Ecology and Management of Roosevelt Elk in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

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