Alternative Approaches to Aerial Censusing of Elk
Eberhardt LL, Garrott RA, White PJ, Gogan PJ. 1998. Alternative Approaches to Aerial Censusing of Elk. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 62(3):1046-1055
When animals occur in groups, aerial counts usually miss more of the smaller groups. Previous studies produced corrections for this problem that were based on estimates of the probability of sighting various group sizes. In the present study, extensive ground relocations of groups containing radiotagged elk (Cervus elaphus) demonstrated that group size is very fluid in this species during winter. We thus explored estimation of total numbers by simulations using the Petersen method and by using field data collected on the Madison-Firehole Elk Herd of Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Comparisons with estimates based on a logistic regression of estimated sighting probabilities indicated the Petersen estimate may provide a suitable alternative method. The new approach avoids the need to repeatedly use the same correction factors.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Eberhardt, L; Garrott, Robert; White, Patrick; Gogan, Peter
- Units
- YELL
- Keywords
- Aerial Surveys, Animal Studies, Elk (Cervus elaphus), Population