2013 Herd Unit Classification and Management of Roosevelt Elk
Schmidt K. 2014. 2013 Herd Unit Classification and Management of Roosevelt Elk. Redwood National and State Parks. Orick, CA
Annual classification of elk herds within RNSP began in 1996 to document relative abundance and simple population characteristics, such as cow numbers, recruitment, and calf survival within known herds (Wallen 1997). These herd count/classifications have been conducted annually each fall since that time by parks staff and others. Also in 1996, a monitoring program of the elk population in the Prairie Creek drainage was established independent of the RNSP program (Weckerly 1996, Weckerly et al. 2004). The 2 independent monitoring programs in the same area provide a unique opportunity to compare data gathered unsystematically with data gathered using a science-based approach using a standard protocol. Seven separate herds were counted/classified within RNSP. Six of the herds were counted by RNSP staff between late August and mid-December in 2013. The Bald Hills herd was counted 10 times in January 2013 by Dr. Weckerly. Surveys by Dr. Weckerly associated with Prairie Creek herd monitoring also were conducted in January. Results from these latter two surveys are considered part of the 2013 elk count “season” and are included in this report with the fall 2013 information. This is compatible with how survey results have been reported in previous reports.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Schmidt, Kristin
- Date of Issue
- 2014-04-15
- Publisher
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Units
- REDW
- Keywords
- Absence (Biodiversity), Abundance, Abundance (Biodiversity), Animal Studies, Cervus elaphus roosevelti (Canadian Wapiti, Classification, Distribution (Biodiversity), herd composition, Mammals, Monitoring, Olympic elk, Population, Population Characteristics, Presence (Biodiversity), Progress Report, Roosevelt Elk (Cervus elaphus), Roosevelt Wapiti), Taxa Links To References, Wildlife
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals