2008 Herd Unit Classification of Roosevelt Elk
Schmidt K. 2009. 2008 Herd Unit Classification 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. Also in 1996 a monitoring program of the elk population in a portion of the Prairie Creek drainage was established independent of the RNSP program (Weckerly 1996, Weckerly et al. 2004). The execution of 2 independent monitoring programs in the same area provided a unique opportunity to compare data gathered opportunistically with data gathered using a systematic approach. Weckerly and Francis (2004) found that counts of cow groups in the Prairie Creek drainage were similar from 1997 to 2003 between RNSP and Weckerly, but herd composition ratios were not. Weckerly and Francis (2004) suggested this may be due to observer bias in classifying calves.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Schmidt, Kristin
- Date of Issue
- 2009-10
- Publisher
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Units
- REDW
- Keywords
- Bald Hills, calf survival, Cervus elaphus rooseveltii, Chilula, classifications, Coastal Dunes, cow groups, cow numbers, Grasslands, herd composition ratios, herd count, Monitoring Program, Northwestern California, Oak woodlands, Population Characteristics, Prairie Creek, Recruitment, Redwood Forest, Redwood National and State Parks, Relative Abundance, RNSP, Weckerly