2005 Herd Unit Classification of Roosevelt Elk

Bensen, Keith

Excerpts: "Annual classification data of Roosevelt elk in Redwood National and State Parks has been undertaken since 1996, in an attempt to document relative abundance and simple population characteristics, such as herd persistence as measured by cow numbers, recruitment and calf survival within known herds. While long term monitoring such as this helps managers understand basic elk popualtion dynamics within the park, it is not intended to replace more detailed investigations and research of the Roosevelt elk population within the park. A new methodology was implemented in 2005 as compared to all previous RNSP elk classification years. Using the suggested methodology described in Weckerly and Francis (2004), the Bald Hills herd was counted in winter (January to February) while all other monitored herds were counted in fall (September to December) as they have been during all previous survey years. Field visits to fall count herd areas from October through December were generally scheduled biweekly, however, some counts were made opportunistically while doing other field work. The fall elk classification counts were concentrated on six identified herd units." Also, "observers reported the total number of elk observed, and also the total number of elk within each classification group [cows, calves, spikes, mature bulls]." Tables are included with the highest number of elk reported within each herd unit and for each classification grouping for 2005; highest reliable cow counts, and the number of calves per 100 cows for each elk herd unit for 1996-2005. Appendix contains Bald Hills elk survey methods, taken from Weckerly and Francis, 2004. The appendix also contains six aerial photographs of "the winter time Bald Hills elk herd survey route (indicated by yellow line) from the Elk Camp Prairie to the Coyote Creek drainage along the Bald Hills and K&K Roads."

2005 Herd Unit Classification of Roosevelt Elk

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