2006 Herd Unit Classification of Roosevelt Elk
Bensen K. 2006. 2006 Herd Unit Classification of Roosevelt Elk. Redwood National and State Parks. Orick, CA
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 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. As with last year, a new methodology was used as compared to all previous years [see appendix of 2005 report]." Tables and figures show: highest number of elk reported within each herd unit and for each classification grouping in 2006; highest reliable cow counts for identified elk herds, 1996-2006; selected RNSP elk herd cow numbers from 1996 to 2006 indicating herd persistence through time; and calves per 100 cows for indentified elk herds, 1996 to 2006. Overall, RNSP elk productivity appeared to be approximately average when compared to previous years, with the exception of the unusually productive lower Redwood Creek herd. Of note, the Davison Ranch, Elk Prairie/101 Bypass, and Gold Bluffs have shrunk by more than half to the smallest size ever recorded. It is recommended that if the steady decline continues for one or two more years, then managers should consider making this issue a research and management priority.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Bensen, Keith
- Date of Issue
- 2006-11-20
- Publisher
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Units
- REDW
- Keywords
- Absence (Biodiversity), Abundance, Abundance (Biodiversity), Animal Studies, Cervus elaphus roosevelti (Canadian Wapiti Olympic Elk Roosevelt Wapiti), Classification, Distribution (Biodiversity), herd composition, Mammals, Monitoring, Population, Population Characteristics, Presence (Biodiversity), Progress Report, Roosevelt Elk (Cervus elaphus), Taxa Links To References, Wildlife