NORTHERN WISCONSIN / NORTHWOODS TOURISM, TRAVEL & OUTDOOR INFORMATION ONLINE
ELK REPORTS and NOTES
| Editor's Note: It is believed wild elk were native to Wisconsin, but have been gone since1866. In fact, the elk population in the entire country dwindled considerably in the early 1900s. In 1995, a four-year study was begun to determine the viability of reintroducing elk into Wisconsin. Clam Lake, in the middle of the Chequamegon National Forest, was chosen for this study because of the availability of grazing areas, the smaller chance of the elk disturbing agricultural areas; and because the population of humans in the area is low. Elk were acquired from Michigan, kept in a holding pen near Clam Lake to get used to their new surroundings, and later released into the general area, where they dispersed, and are being constantly monitored by lead researcher, Prof. Ray Anderson, and his staff. In late summer, 1999, the study ended and Sam Moore, Wisconsin DNR took over responsibilities for managing and reporting on the elk herd, as Wisconsin Government proceeds to decide the future of elk in Wisconsin (retain? expand? add elk to other areas of Wisconsin?) Personal note: Although the elk were in our "back yard" the day they were released, we don't see them that often. Those of us who live in Clam Lake consider it a special privilege to see them from time to time and feel like they are our own special thing. (Naomi K. Shapiro) ELK REPORTS and NOTES July, 2003 April 28, 2002 March 27, 2001 November, 2000 January, 2000 August 7, 2000 December 1, 1999 June 12, 1999 April 30, 1999 April 16, 1999 April 14, 1999 February 5, 1999 October 1. 1998 August 23, 1998 June 8, 1998 December 1, 1997 September 17, 1997 June 1, 1997 January 30, 1997 July, 2003 Clam Lake elk herd expected to increase by 20 percent Wisconsin's elk herd in the Clam Lake area is expected to grow by 20 percent this year, based on state wildlife biologists' observations of new calves born in recent weeks. Biologists with the Department of Natural Resources and University of Wisconsin Stevens Point wildlife researchers monitoring Wisconsin's growing elk herd in the Clam Lake area report that the 24 elk they were watching over the spring produced 11 new calves. "Based on our experience, we estimate that a total of around 25 to 30 calves were born this spring," said Laine Stowell, DNR's head elk biologist. "About one-third will perish for various reasons by the end of the year, leaving us with a population of roughly 120, a 20 percent increase over last year." Elk were once native to Wisconsin and are the second largest member of the cervid or deer family in North America after the moose, according to Michelle Windsor, DNR acting chief big game ecologist. Elk were extirpated from Wisconsin in the mid- 1800s. A failed attempt was made to reintroduce them in the 1930s but interest in rebuilding a herd remained, Windsor said. In 1994, a second reintroduction attempt released 25 elk, captured in Michigan, into the Clam Lake area. Today's herd is the result of that effort. "With the help of University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point researchers, our biologists have tracked female elk and black bears in the Clam Lake area of northeast Sawyer County, southwest Ashland County and southeast Bayfield County these past four weeks," said Stowell. "In addition to monitoring the female elk and searching for the newly born elk calves, UWSP researchers intensely monitored black bear activity in the same area to investigate bear predation on elk calves." Stowell said that the researchers documented seven male calves, two female calves and two unknowns. Eight of the new calves were successfully radio-collared, two were too big to capture and one was discovered still-born. Female elk, unlike the whitetailed deer, don't breed until their second year and rarely have twins, which together account for the slower growth of the elk herd compared to a deer herd. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Windsor (715) 284-1403 April 28, 2002: Wisconsin Elk Herd Comes Through Winter in Fine Condition (from Wisconsin DNR and Glidden Enterprise) Wisconsin’s elk herd came through the winter in excellent condition, according to state wildlife officials who estimate the state herd to now be between 85 and 90 animals. Laine Stowell, a wildlife biologist and elk specialist for the state, Department of Natural Resources said that all the state’s elk appear to have survived the winter. He added, that because the weather was mild -- causing little or no stress on the elk -- the females should have ‘vigorous, healthy calves this spring.’ Most of the elk are within a 20-mile radius around Clam Lake, in Ashland County. A seed herd of 25 elk were released in the area in 1995 to reestablish the animal in the state. Stowell said researchers were busy over the winter monitoring radio-collared elk, and trapping elk to place new or replace worn radio collar on them, and checking the health of the state herd. there are currently 36 working radio transmitter collars on the air. Elk staff conducted ground telemetry location surveys and aerial telemetry surveys. ‘During these surveys, we made about 293 elk telemetry locations and 586 individual elk mortality checks,’ Stowell said. The latter determine if any elk have died or if collars were dropped. None were found. Weather conditions determined the outcome of the aerial surveys. Stowell said the best results were on a February day that had light winds, clear skies and temperatures in the 20s. ‘Elk seemed to be sunning themselves everywhere and we counted 52 animals,’ he said. Researchers from universities at Connecticut, Wisconsin, Ontario, and Alberta working together as the Turchin Group conducted snow depth and vegetarian surveys and initiated feces collection for food habit studies. The group also provided the DNR with 10 GPS (geographic/global positioning system) radio collars, eight of which were attached to elk that were trapped this winter. ‘Those collars are configured to take GPS locations once every four hours and on each Wednesday every 30 minutes,’ Stowell said. ‘The collars will be recovered and data downloaded in about a year, ‘ Stowell added. Stowell said this winter was one of the best for trapping elk. Elk are lured with bait into the corral through a passageway with doors that shut behind them. Individual animals can then be collared, a blood sample taken and inoculated for any diseases. A total of 31 elk were caught. Sixteen of these were recaptures, either from this year or previous years. Stowell said of interest to the researchers was that eight of the adult cow recaptures were of the original 16 female elk released in 1995. ‘Five of those had nonfunctioning collars that had been put on in 1995,’ he said. In some cases the smaller calf collars were replaced with larger adult collars. At other times animals outgrow their collars too quickly, and a release mechanism allows the collar to drop off. One bull elk that had a calf collar drop off, had an adult collar put on. As part of elk research efforts, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point researchers also went into nine bear dens in the Clam Lake elk range and placed collars on five yearlings, replaced collars on five several of the adult sows and assessed birthing and mortality rates of yearlings. The bear research along with wolf studies provides information on predator, prey relationships with elk. Biologist says Clam Lake elk herd could grow to 115 this year By Terrell Boettcher, Sawyer County Record, March 27, 2001 The Clam Lake area elk herd is likely to reach at least 100 animals and possibly 115 following this year's calving season, a Department of Natural Resources biologist told members of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) last Saturday in Hayward. "We are expecting 30 to 35 calves to be born" in late spring and early summer, said Laine Stowell. The projected population is nearly a five-fold increase over the 25 elk brought in from Michigan in 1995 as an experiment, with the goal of re-establishing a species that was extirpated from the state 130 years ago. Right now, there are 20 bulls of various ages, and an estimated 40 cows---about a quarter which are heifers and don't normally breed. About two-fifths of the heifers can become pregnant. "We are observing a 90 percent pregnancy rate among the cows 2 1/2 years or older," Stowell said. "Right now, the future looks bright for the Clam Lake elk herd. There's a lot of public support for the elk" in this area, and from people who want to see elk established elsewhere in Wisconsin, Stowell said. More than 230 people attended last Saturday's RMEF Namekagon Valley Chapter banquet and auction at the Country Inn and Suites. The event was a sell-out, with attendees from as far as Madison and Minneapolis. Since the Wisconsin Elk restoration effort first began, the RMEF has put more than $500,000 into it---more than the State of Wisconsin and all other sources combined, said local chapter director Dave Brinkman. "Without the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, there wouldn't be any elk right now in Wisconsin," Stowell said. The management plan approved by the Natural Resources Board last year calls for a natural increase in the Clam Lake elk herd population to the target level of two elk per square mile in a 280-square-mile core area of Chequamegon National Forest centered on Clam Lake. Right now, there's 1.6 elk per square mile there, Stowell said. There has been no special accommodation for the elk----no change in forest management and no trail closures---in the core area, he added. The plan also calls for a target population of 1.5 elk per square mile in the 700-square-mile buffer area, bordered by a hypothetical boundary line running from Seeley to Loretta-Draper, east to Fifield, north to Mellen, to Grand View, and back to Seeley. "So if you fill that whole area up, you're talking about 1,500 to 1,600 elk," Stowell said. There is suitable elk habitat contiguous to that, "so we may expand that core area, depending on the interest of communities in that area." If the elk wander to nearby areas such as Washburn and Douglas counties, "the protocol calls for leaving the elk alone as long as the people don't complain about them," Stowell said. "The elk will exist wherever we let them exist." Mobile animals Some 85 percent of the elk remain in a 45-square-mile area, so "there is a lot of growing room" for that herd, Stowell added. "In deep snow, the long-legged elk have a lot of mobility and in cold weather they seem to be better insulated even than whitetail deer," said Stowell. "In severe weather, they will use white cedar cover, but they don't stay in one place like deer do. Likewise, the elk move around to feed during every month of the year, Stowell indicated. "We haven't seen concentrated vegetative damage to date." The DNR staff continues to monitor radio-collared elk in the area, as well as make flights to observe them from airplanes. The animals "don't spend a lot of time feeding" in the grassy openings of the ELF transmission line, Stowell said. They spend just as much time feeding on aspen browse in logged-over areas or brushy areas along streams, he said. "The Clam Lake area appears to be good range for them, because the population is growing very well," he added. The elk "aren't as attracted to corn as deer are, but the elk are visiting" feed put out by people for deer, such as hay and alfalfa pellets, Stowell said. And they have showed up at bait sites established by bow deer hunters. However, "these are still wild elk," Stowell said. "Even with telemetry, these are tough critters to get close to. I think having predator wolves and bears out there keeps them on their toes. The elk don't have a lot of trust in human beings either." Elk losses few Stowell said that an elk calf was found dead on Jan. 23 this year, just a day or two after it expired. A field necropsy revealed that the 100-pound-plus animal was emaciated, and died of malnutrition. Veterinarians in Madison are looking at samples to see if the elk had a high load of intestinal parasites, but that hasn't been verified, he added. But in early March, Stowell spotted half a dozen elk calves that looked healthy and were feeding on vegetation. There was no indication that they were feeding on bait. Since 1995, at least three elk calves have been lost to bear depredation, and three yearlings have been killed by timber wolves, Stowell said. The cow elk do a good job of protecting their young from marauding wolves, Stowell indicated. The elk who are most vulnerable to wolves are the yearlings who are almost a year old when their mothers abandon them prior to giving birth to another calf. "Regardless of black bear and wolf predation, we are still seeing about a 30 percent growth in the elk herd" each year, Stowell said. "We have lost two elk"----a raghorn bull and a calf----who were hit by vehicles on Hwy. 77, Stowell added. Unlike deer, "elk don't dart out in front of vehicles, but when they get it in their mind to cross the road, they will walk across," he said. "Every elk that we handle, we take a blood sample from to test for brucellosis, tuberculosis, and other ungulate diseases to make sure that the elk we have out there remain healthy," he added. "Any elk in close association with (domestic) livestock will be captured or removed." Future hunt Once the elk population reaches the established goals, Wisconsin would have an elk hunt similar to Michigan's in order to control the numbers, Stowell indicated. Michigan has a hunt during the bugling season in September, and also a hunt in early December. A limited hunt for expendable bulls----spike or raghorns who aren't important breeders---could begin after the Clam Lake herd reaches 150 animals, which is projected in 2003. Any weapon legal for whitetail deer could be used to hunt elk. "Personally, I would hope we would wait a while before having a hunting season, because it would be work-intensive. But it would depend on public interest," Stowell added. Stowell has worked 11 years with the DNR, mostly in wildlife management. He transferred into the newly-created position of elk biologist at Hayward last August. Cow elk shooting being investigated by state conservation wardens -- November, 2000 SPOONER, Wis. — Conservation Wardens are investigating the shooting of a cow elk on the Chequamegon National Forest 12 miles west of Clam Lake on Saturday. The person who shot the animal turned himself in to the Department of Natural Resources claiming he mistook the animal for a large deer. The elk was shot at about 50 yards with a 12 gauge shot gun and wildlife officials estimated the animal’s weight to be about 350 pounds. State Big Game Specialist Bill Mytton said it is unfortunate that this incident occurred. "An adult breeding cow is one of the most valuable elements of the herd," he said, "and it is a tragedy that we lost one." The incident occurred during the antlerless only Zone T deer hunt that began on Oct. 26 and ran through Oct. 29. A total of about 80 elk now roam a 50 square mile area around Clam Lake. The herd has grown from a seed herd of 25 elk released in May 1995. State, federal and local officials have placed signs and notified hunting groups about the elk. The last elk to be shot by a hunter was in the fall of 1995 during the November gun deer season. That animal was a radio collared cow, which was not found until the following spring at which time the hunter was cited and fined for killing a protected animal. Conservation wardens will discuss the case with the Sawyer County District Attorney’s office on whether or not charges will be filed against the individual and if so what those charges would be. "The first rule of hunting is to make absolutely sure of your target before you pull the trigger. This is especially true in an area that has an elk population such as where this incident took place. In this regrettable case, it’s significant that the hunter did notify us of what had occurred, and while we will take this into account in our recommendation to the District Attorney, we feel he is still responsible for his actions. We have put up signs and done all we can to inform people of the presence of elk in the area. At some point, we must hold the individual accountable for his actions and let the public know this behavior will not be tolerated", said Dave Zeug DNR Northern Regional warden supervisor. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Zeug - (715) 635-4151. Wisconsin Elk Reintroduction Study results in new state wildlife species -- August 7, 2000 CLAM LAKE, WIS. After five years of research, the Wisconsin Elk Reintroduction Study has culminated in approval of the management plan and Environmental Assessment for the Clam Lake Elk Herd by the Wisconsin Natural Resource Board. Wisconsin’s elk are now an official state wildlife species and will be allowed to repopulate naturally. Approval of the management plan also establishes protocol for other elk reintroductions in the state, which would use the Clam Lake plan as a model to formulate a statewide management plan. In 1995, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation teamed up with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to release 25 wild elk into the Chequamegon National Forest, where they had been absent for 130 years. Since then, the reintroduced elk herd has steadily increased to nearly 100 animals, including about 30 calves born this spring. The Wisconsin DNR has set a management goal of two elk per square mile in the 288-square-mile core elk range, with limited hunting permits to be allotted when the herd size reaches 150 animals. Management goals will be continually reassessed as the DNR discovers which habitats the elk use more frequently and in what densities. To date, Elk Foundation volunteers and partners have raised more than $480,000 to help complete the reintroduction study and to further research and manage the new herd. “Elk are something special. Like wolves, they are the epitome of what is wild,” said Bernie Lemon, RMEF Wisconsin volunteer state chair. “Having the herd here will be a thrill for children, many who may never get a chance to go to Yellowstone Park and see elk. It's a piece of the puzzle that is no longer missing.” The Elk Foundation recently committed an additional $78,000 for 2001 to help the DNR implement the long-term state elk management plan and complete other wildlife projects in Wisconsin. The plan will include identifying and evaluating other areas where reintroductions are feasible in the Central Forest and the northern portions of the state. A computer mapping project with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission and the DNR will be critical in determining future elk release areas. The DNR will hold public meetings this fall to discuss potential reintroduction sites. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is an international, nonprofit conservation organization whose mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. Founded in 1984, the Foundation now has 113,000 members who have helped generate the funds to conserve and enhance 3 million acres of wildlife habitat across North America. To learn more about the Elk Foundation, visit www.elkfoundation.org, or phone 1-800 CALL ELK. Elk Report, as of January, 2000 (article from Glidden Enterprise). The Clam Lake elk herd experienced another good year in 1999. The winter of 1998-1999 was very mild, and survival of both adults and calves was good. The herd was estimated at 45-47 elk going into the calving season. At least 16 calves were born, 11 of which were captured and radio-collared within their first few days of life to allow monitoring of survival. To date, 10 of the 11 are still alive. The summer also went smoothly, with no unusual events reported. The rut was punctual and brief this year, indicating that breeding was efficient with most of the cows probably bred. The three oldest bulls, number 3, 10, and 19 (all 5 year-olds) were with separate harem groups and likely did almost all the breeding. Bugling was heard beginning in mid-September and lasting into early October. Fall was also uneventful this year, with no known moralities during gun deer season. Almost all of the hunters encountered by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource (DNR) biologists were aware that elk inhabited the areas they were hunting, and many reported seeing elk recently or during the past few years. The winter of 1999-2000 has again gotten off to a very mild start. And survival is expected to be good. The herd is now estimate at 60-65 animals. There were 8 known elk mortalities during 1999. *February 3 - Yearling bull #31 was found dead in a spring hole on private property north of the Clam Lake area. It had apparently gotten into the spring hole and drowned after unsuccessfully trying to climb out. *February 26 - Male calf #43 was found dead with the carcass heavily scavenged. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UW-SP) elk project personnel conducted a field necropsy, but they were unable to conclusively determine the cause of death. Predation was suspected as the probable cause of death, however. *April 15 - Yearling bull #32 died as a result of injuries sustained in a collision with a car several months earlier. *April 26 - Female calf #47 (nearly 1 year old) was found dead by UW-SP biologists. She was killed by wolves. *April 28 - Male calf #44 (nearly 1 year old) was found dead, also killed by wolves. *June 5 - Male calf #62 was found dead by biologists. Investigation of the carcass by DNR wildlife health specialists in Madison, WI revealed that capture stress and dehydration were the causes of death. When he was captured at 6-8 days of age by DNR biologists this calf was lighter than average (29 pounds) and very lethargic, indicating that he was already in poor condition. *August 2 - Female #70, an uncollared calf, was found dead along Highway 77 by an elk project biologist. She had obviously been hit by a car. *December 4 - Two-year old bull #36 was found incapacitated but alive by a muzzleloader hunter, who reported it to DNR biologists. They found the elk lying on its side with legs moving, but unable to stand up. Because evidence indicated that the animal had been there a long time, the decision was made to euthanize it. Examination of the carcass revealed that it probably died from internal injuries received in an unreported collision with a vehicle. Most of the herd continued to remain within the study area in the vicinity of the area where they were originally released. With the exception of bulls #31 and #32 who both ranged north onto private land before they died, no major movements were observed. The elk are clearly finding all of their seasonal requirements within a relatively small area near Clam Lake. This year marked the transfer of monitoring and management responsibilities from UW-SP to the DNR. The transition has gone smoothly, in large part because of the assistance of UW-SP researchers Dr. Ray Anderson and John Schmidt, who helped DNR personnnel during this phase to learn more about the Clam Lake elk and the methods used to study them. While completing his graduate thesis on habitat selection by the Clam Lake elk, John is continuing to monitor the herd for the DNR. He is being assisted by Interim Elk Biologist Sam Moore, a long-time wildlife manager for the DNR in Hayward. In addition to assuming the responsibility for field monitoring to the Clam Lake herd, the DNR held 6 public meetings throughout the state in September. The purpose of these meetings was to provide interested people with information on initial results of the research conducted by Dr. Anderson and his students from UW-SP, along with elk management issues and options. Although attendance was low, feedback was overwhelmingly in favor of elk restoration in Wisconsin. After public meetings were held, the DNR began drafting a management plan and environmental assessment for the Clam Lake herd, along with a protocol for establishing new elk herds elsewhere in the state. Some of the issues discussed in the plan include management of elk in different areas, elk hunting seasons, responses to crop damage and nuisance elk complaints, predator management, elk protection, captive elk ranches, diseases, and possible impacts on recreationists, businesses, and other resources in the Clam Lake area. Some of these issues will undoubtedly spark controversy, but we are optimistic that elk restoration will continue to be a positive program providing numerous benefits to the citizens of Wisconsin. Looking forward, the year 2000 will be an important one for elk in Wisconsin. In April, the Natural Resources Board will meet to decided whether to retain the Clam Lake herd. If the decision is “yes”, which all indications are it will be, the Board will also decided on whether or not to approve the management plan. If it is approved, the DNR will have a prescription for managing the herd that can then be implemented. Others areas of the state could then be formally considered for establishment of new herds using the protocol developed by the DNR, as well. In the meantime, the Clam Lake elk ill probably continue to thrive in their new environment, blissfully unaware of the excitement and confusion surrounding humanity as we enter the new millennium. Elk Report, as of December 1, 1999 (article by Terrell Boettcher, Sawyer County Record). Elk from Clam Lake Herd Continue to do Well as State Management Plan Prepared The experimental wild elk in the Clam lake area continue to be monitored for their well- being this fall and winter as the Department of Natural Resource prepares a plan for maintaining them on the area’s public forest permanently. Sam Moore, DNR wildlife biologist who is in charge of the Clam Lake elk project, said that those elk who were outfitted with radio transmitters are checked a few times per week. Their movements are also noted. “So far, every indication we have is that their survival is good,” Moore said. “The calves survived well, and the adults are not running into any problems.” The herd is now believed to number around 60 animals. Assisting Moore with the elk project are John Schmidt of Clam Lake, a UW-Stevens Point graduate student who continues to monitor the animals, and Andy Pils of Hayward, who is helping to write the draft management plan for the elk and the environmental assessment. UW-SP emeritus professor Ray Anderson, who has directed the Elk Wisconsin study for the past five years, is finalizing his report and management recommendations. A series of public meetings held in September and October showed that people are “interested in and supportive of having elk at Clam Lake,” Moore noted. Prior to February, the Department will distribute a draft of the elk plan to interested parties and look for input, Moore said. The DNR staff will present their elk management plan to the Natural Resources Board at its February meeting. The board will decide whether to retain the herd at Clam Lake. If the board’s decision is positive, the staff will find-tune the plan with more specific management recommendations, Moore said. As the elk herd grows, DNR staff will keep a close eye on what parts of the elk range the animals use, what types of habitat they prefer, and what their impacts are on other resources such as deer and vegetation, Moore added. "Also, we have to determine the boundaries of the elk management area -- where we want them to be," he said. "If the elk wander outside of that area, they will be tolerated only if they stay out of trouble." The area elk have visited backyard deer feeders. But, said Moore, "We will try to discourage people from making a strong effort to feed the elk, simply because habituation (to humans) can be a problem , particularly with young animals." "We want to keep them wild," he said. The core elk area is primarily public land, where there is less opportunity for elk to be fed, he noted. About 88% of the elk remain in a small area of the Chequamegon National Forest near where they were released, just south of Clam Lake. One group of elk has ranged to the east, in the Butternut-Park Falls area, and another group has ranged to the west, where they have been seen in the Moose Lake-Chief River-Round Lake-area. These animals don’t have radio tags, so "we can’t keep close track of them," Moore said. In February, Natural Resources Board members also will give their thoughts on having elk elsewhere in the state and may ask the staff to submit a protocol for that, Moore added. Those groups who want elk in their area will be instructed as to the steps they should follow to pursue that goal, he said. Bill Hunyadi is the Wisconsin field director for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and a Hayward area resident. He says that the RMEF has generated approximately $400,000 so far to assist the elk study near Clam Lake, and they plan to continue fundraising for the Wisconsin elk reintroduction effort. The majority of the money has been raised by the 19 RMEF chapters in the state, Hunyadi said. The RMEF conducts a statewide big-time raffle which as raised close to $100,000 this year, Hunyadi said. The rest of the money is raised through a habitat partnership program. For a minimum donation of $2,500, the donor can earmark the donation for the Wisconsin elk project, he indicated. Elk Study Interim Progress Report-Calving; 12 June 1999 Four years of field data collection on the Wisconsin experimental elk herd was completed on 17 May 1999 but it was decided to determine elk productivity and monitor calf survivorship during the 1999 calving season to bolster the annual increment data base. Between 21 and 25 calves are destined to be born this year, depending upon the unknown pregnancy rate of yearling cows. A goal of radio-tagging 10 calves was established by the elk research team in consultation with the Wisconsin Elk Project Advisory Committee that was formed by The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Approximately 50% of the calves that were born in the past 2 years have also been radio-tagged. Approximately one half of the elk mothers of 1999 are radio-tagged at this time. Some transmitters have failed (life expectancy = 3 years) and about 50% of the cows that were born in Wisconsin were not captured. Verifying births of the untagged cows will require much field-work; a final tally will not be available until late summer. Pregnant radio-tagged cows, usually in small groups, are monitored daily during the calving season that reaches a peak during the first week in June after a 250-day gestation period. The cows have 20-day estrous cycles during the rut in mid-September with most being bred during the first cycle. A cow will isolate herself from others when she is ready to freshen. After 1 to 2 days of isolation they are cautiously approached in hopes of finding them near the calf. That area is searched diligently to find and hand-capture the camouflaged, immobile, and usually well hidden calf. It is quickly tagged, measured, weighed, and released at the capture site; the mother is never very far away.Ten births have been confirmed thus far this year and 10 calves (5 females, 5 males) have been captured or tagged. Other calves most certainly have also been born to untagged mothers during the past 2 weeks and calves that were conceived during the second estrous cycle last fall are destined to be born within this coming week. The remainder of the 1999 summer will be devoted to monitoring survivorship of radio-tagged calves and determining productivity of untagged cows. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) personnel have been present daily for calf capturing and tagging along with many volunteers and The Wisconsin Conservation Corp. PO Box 429, Clam Lake, WI 54517; (715) 794-2707 or (715) 794-2484 for additional information. Canine Predation Takes Two Elk in April. ELK STUDY INTERIM PROGRESS REPORT - 30 April 1999 Two instances of canine predation of elk occurred within the past week on the study area. Evidence at the scenes of the kills indicated that the predator, in both instances, were wolves. Elk No. 47, an 11-month-old female, was killed on 25 April 1999 between the Torch River and FS Rd 176. Elk No. 44, an 11-month-old male, was killed approximately 0.5 mile from the No. 47 kill-site on 27 April 1999. This calf of 1998 was born of Cow No. 26, the first elk to be conceived and born in Wisconsin during this study. Summary of known mortality among radio-tagged elk since calving in June 1998 (all but Nos. 44 and 47 were reported in earlier progress reports): No. 46 - male calf, killed at age 7 days by a bear No. 31 - yearling bull, accidental drowning No. 32 - yearling bull, automobile collision No. 43 - 9-month-old male, wolf predation No. 44 - 11-month-old male, wolf predation No. 47 - 11-month-old female, wolf predation 'Friendly' Elk Dies of Previous Auto Injury on April 14, 1999 ELK Study INTERIM PROGRESS REPORT - 16 April 1999 Elk No. 32, a one-year 10-month old bull, died 14 April 1999. He was well known to the local people as the spike-antlered bull associated with snowmobile trail 9, approximately 6 miles north of Clam Lake. He spent most of the summer of 1998 with yearling bull No. 31 in the opening adjacent to the release pen. Both of these yearlings were photographed many times by many people and consequently they became conditioned and indifferent to the presence of photographers and to automobiles on Forest Service Road 176. They stayed in this area until 4 January 1999 when No. 31 began a journey north and subsequently died from drowning in a spring hole near Mason, Wisconsin, on 3 February 1999. No. 32 was also on his way north when he was struck by an automobile on 14 January 1999 on FS 191. The injury appeared to be minor at the time. He was monitored daily from that time on. He continued north on snowmobile trail 9/25 and FS 196 where he remained for several days. He was recaptured by project personnel on 10 February 1999 and returned to the release pen south of Clam Lake because he was at risk and posed a hazard to automobile and snowmobile traffic. U.S. Dept. of Navy, ELF and USDA-Forest Service assisted in his recapture and confinement. He remained in the pen until his death. His carcass was immediately transported to Madison, Wisconsin, where an autopsy was performed in a Wildlife Laboratory by WDNR pathologists. Preliminary reports indicate that cause of death was most likely a product of the automobile collision and the resulting internal gangrenous condition that gradually destroyed the functioning of the lungs, kidney and liver. Elk "Viewing Areas" Under Discussion (April 16, 1999) Although there are now approximately 45 elk in the Clam Lake area, very few people have seen the elk since the day of the release. The Great Divide Ranger District and the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center hope to change that by creating three to four elk/wildlife viewing areas in the vicinity of Clam Lake. This will give people a close look at the elk. Both the Visitorâs Center and District are receiving a grant from the Chief of the Forest Service along with matching contributions from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), ELF project (United States Navy), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR),, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (F&WS). This is the first grant by the Chief that emphasizes his Natural Resources Agenda which includes: Watershed Health and Restoration, Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management, Forest Roads and Recreation. With the help of Dr. Ray Anderson (Elk Project Leader), several potential viewing areas have been located. These are areas that have a high potential of elk occurrences because of present use discovered through radio-collar transmitters. Each viewing area would have a different degree of accessibility ranging from pulling off the main road to a half mile hike up a trail. At least one of the areas would be handicap accessible. The Chiefâs grant portion of the funding involving the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, located near Ashland would go toward creating exhibits, brochures, interpretive signs and a resource kit for use at schools and community events. These would be produced at the Center and link to the on-the-ground experience with the Elk/Wildlife Viewing areas in the Clam Lake vicinity. At the selected viewing sites there would be several activities that would involve creating some ecologically sensitive mounds, erecting interpretive signs, installing some metal gates to prohibit motorized access, parking to accommodate three to ten vehicles and seeding the openings to desirable non-native or native grass and legume mixtures. This project invites the public to experience the lifeways of key wildlife while building new understanding of ecological concepts, resource management, and the complex relations between wildlife, human interests and their actions. The education will be aimed at reinforcing the values of renewable resources like elk and other wildlife and the value of their habitat. For further information or comments on these projects contact the Great Divide Ranger District -- Dick Strauss (Acting District Ranger), or Rich Bailey (Wildlife Biologist) at 715-264-2511, P.O. Box 126, Glidden, WI 54527 or the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, Steve Hoecker (Center Manager), or Sue Nelson (Environmental Education Coordinator) at 715-685-9983, 29270 County Hwy. G, Ashland, WI 54806. Elk Dies Accidentally. Interim Progress Report - 5 February 1999 Elk No. 31, a yearling bull, died 3 February 1999. He was the son of cow 09 and was born 3 June 1997 just south of the West Fork of Chippewa River and NE of Cattail Lake in a mature red pine stand. He weighed 33.5 pounds at birth. He spent most of the summer of 1998 with yearling bull NO. 32 in the opening adjacent to the release pen. His right spike antler was deformed, probably injured while it was still in the velvet stage. Both of these yearlings were photographed many times by many people and consequently they became conditioned and indifferent to the presence of photographers and to automobiles on Forest Service Road 176. They stayed in this area until 4 January 1999 when No. 31 began a journey north. He was seen frequently for a few days in the vicinity of Cattail Lake and Hy 77 until he continued his trek north. He left the area of the main herd of elk and traveled in a NW direction at a rate of 3.5 to 5.0 miles per day with some brief stops. His route took him very close to Grandview and then north to Mason and 2 miles farther north where he stayed for several days. He was frequently seen in that area and was still indifferent to people and automobiles. On 1 February he moved to a creek bottom within 1/4 mile of Hy 63 where he accidentally died on 3 February. The mortality mode on his radio-transmitter revealed that something was amiss on that day. He was found dead, late in the afternoon, partially submerged in a small, deep spring with steep banks, near the creek. He was removed and autopsied the following morning. Both hind legs were deeply imbedded in the soft bottom of the spring. This prevented him from climbing out and he ultimately drowned. His windpipe was coated with the fine sediment from the disturbed spring bottom to a point deep into his lungs. The rest of his body organs were in good condition. Samples of these were collected for further analysis in a laboratory. His summer companion, No.32, has resumed his northward movements after a minor encounter with an automobile on FS 191. His current location is the junction of Snowmobile Trail 9/25 and FS 196. It is normal for some yearling bulls to disperse from their natal areas in a fashion similar to that of the adult bulls who move into bachelor quarters after the fall mating season. (Provided by Prof. Ray Anderson, February 5, 1999) Late November, 1998: One of my Clam Lake neighbors spotted about 10 elk swimming across her lake in late November, 1998. Hope to see them soon, too! NKS Elk Report, October 1, 1998 At least 14 calves were born between 24 May and 7 June 1998. There may be 3 additional calves from 2 cows with dropped transmitters and 1 cow that was never tagged, hence the weasel words "at least". Another cow (No.13) may not have been pregnant or, she had a calf and lost it early. Eight of the 14 calves were captured and radio-tagged; 6 were males (ave. wt. = 40.3 lbs.; range = 37.0 - 47.0 lbs.), 2 were females (ave. wt. = 41.1 lbs. range = 39.9 - 42.3 lbs.) Six births were verified from a distance by observation and hence sex and weights are unknown. The pregnancy rate for known cows in 1998 was at least 93% and may have been 100% depending upon the status of No.13 mentioned above. Thirteen calves are still alive at this date (5 males, 2 females, 6 undetermined sex). One calf was killed by a bear at age 7 days. The untagged calf of Cow-16, previously thought to be dead, was seen on 29 August with its mother. Calf survivorship to this date is at least 86% and may be as high as 93%, again dependent upon the status of Cow No.13. The experimental herd now numbers at least 45 and it is very likely that there are approximately 5 additional elk present. The mild winter of 1997-98 undoubtedly contributed to he high birth rate and excellent physical condition of the calves in 1998. Although additional calf mortality is still possible, calves are now beyond the critical survival stage. The next challenge to their continued existence will come during the winter of 1998-99. At the current rate of growth, and under optimum conditions, the herd could number approximately 500 in12 years. The main part of the experimental herd, still in the release area near Clam Lake, has occupied only 35 mi2 of the 720-mi2 study area (The Great Divide District of the Chequamegon National Forest). The rut, or bugling season, began near the third week in September with the first bugle being detected on the 15th. J. Stegeman, a new person on the project as of mid-May, has been monitoring daily movements of the elk to determine their daily behavior patterns throughout the year. His efforts most recently have been directed towards the rut. In general, cows within the major portion of the experimental herd in the vicinity of the release site formed into 2 groups with a single bull attending each. A third 4-year-old bull in the herd (No.19) was clearly subordinate to the other two and spent most of his time alone or on the periphery of the rutting groups which were approximately 2 miles apart. Bugling was sporadic and of low intensity but increased in frequency and intensity whenever Bull 19 appeared. Cows periodically left the breeding groups and returned or, on at least one occasion, joined the other group. The 2 cow-groups eventually were together with the dominant bull by the end of September, which appears to be the end of a relatively brief rut. It appears that all cows were bred during their first estrous cycle but they are still with the dominant bull at this time. Research Agenda for second half of Year-4: 1) monitor movements and survivorship of the herd with emphasis on the deer hunting season, 2) continue compilation and analysis of data for formulation of management options and guidelines in concert with WDNR Deer Committee, 3) continue project publicity efforts in coordination with RMEF, Elk Wisconsin, USDA-FS, and WDNR in preparation for public review after September 1999. Researchers: R.K. Anderson, L.J. Schmidt, J.L. Stegeman. Contact UW-Stevens Point Field Station, PO Box 429, Clam Lake, WI 54517 or Telephone (715) 794-2707 to report observations or for additional information. Wisconsin Elk Study Special Report, August 23, 1998: 14 Calves Born to Clam Lake Elk Herd An effort to re-establish an elk herd, once native to Wisconsin, is meeting with success, researchers said recently. The 25 elk released in the Chequamegon National Forest in 1995 produced at least 14 calves this spring, putting the population at a minimum of 45 animals, project coordinator Ray Anderson said. ‘It is excellent, ‘ Anderson said. ‘The last two years, we had good production and very minor and very acceptable mortality of the calf crop.’ The herd may be larger than 45 elk because seven cows are unaccounted for and they may also have calves, he said. ‘We may not get to check on four of those because we donât have (radio) transmitters on them. The other three are still transmitting,’ Anderson said. Although he canât verify it, Anderson believes there are t least 49 elk in he herd. ‘At this rate of productivity and survivorship, we could have about 500 elk in 11 years,’ he said. The researcher, a retired University of Wisconsin Stevens Point professor, said at least one of the 14 verified calves born this spring was killed by a female black bear and an other may have died of unknown causes. Researchers were able to catch and collar eight of the new calves with transmitters so their whereabouts can be monitored daily, he said. The original elk herd, obtained from Michigan was released near Clam Lake in May 1995 as part of a study to determine whether a permanent herd should be established in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Elk Study Special Report, June 8, 1998: "Greetings from the elk baby factory of Wisconsin. ÎTwas a very good week. Nine calves confirmed born; 7 were caught (6M, 1F) and are on the air. Mammas of calves that were caught are Nos. 02, 06, 09, 14, 15, 25, 26; those with newborn calves that escaped our capture efforts are Nos. 04, and 16. Of note ÷ No. 26 bred last fall as a yearling. She was the first elk conceived and born in Wisconsin 2 years ago. Her photo as a calf, had wide distribution. No 14 is the Hurley Lady. Her calf of last year was taken by a bear when it was about 1 month old. The remaining radio-tagged cows are being monitored closely for impending births. Bulls 07 and 23, the 2 oldest bulls, were seen with Cow 13 last week by loggers in the Bear Lake area. They were described as being "huge" in body and velvet antler. The 3-year-old bulls in the area of the main herd near Clam Lake also have an impressive start on antler development. They will be out of the "raghorn" class this year. We have one more calf collar to apply and will use the ear-tag transmitters for any additional catches. We have a large enough sample tagged at this time but will not ignore any new opportunities. Some calves could be born as late as the first week in July, products of the 2nd or 3rd estrous cycle of the cows." Wisconsin Elk Study Progress Report, December 1, 1997: Clam Lake Herd Now at 34 Editor’s note: Deer Hunting Season has come and gone without any mishap to the elk at Clam Lake, Wisconsin, as far as we know. The following are excerpts from an article that appeared in The Ashland Daily Press, just prior to hunting season, December 1, 1997. CLAM LAKE -- ‘Always be sure of your target and beyond.’ UW-Stevens Point researchers hope hunters make doubly sure they follow this axiom near Clam Lake in Wisconsin’s Chequamegon National Forest. Accidental shooting of an elk can bring a $2,000 fine and loss of hunting privileges for up to five years. The state’s experimental herd has grown to more than 34 bulls, cows, and calves in the Clam Lake area according to Ray Anderson, leader of a four-year elk reintroduction study. The elk are roaming pairs of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Deer Management Units 6, 7, 23, 14 and 28. Most are near Clam Lake with others in the southwest study area bounded by Round, Spider, Lost Land, Teal, Moose, and Chippewa Lakes, and west of Highway 13 north of Park Falls. Bull calves born in 1996, now yearlings with spiked antlers, venture farther afield at times. ‘Hunters need to know that this year’s calves are about the size of a full-grown white-tailed doe,’ Anderson said. Please report elk sightings to University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Elk Research, PO Box 429, Clam Lake, WI 54517; telephone (715) 794-2707 or (715) 794-2721. Elk are easily distinguishable from white-tailed deer although an elk calf born earlier this year has grown to the size of an adult white-tailed doe. Adult elk are much larger than deer, standing 4-5 feet tall at the shoulder compared to 3-3 1/2 feet for deer. Elk have a short, inconspicuous tail while deer have the well-known long, white flag. Fur color is also distinct. The large, conspicuous tan rump patch and black legs and neck of elk differ greatly from the uniform color of deer. Deer antlers curve forward while most elk antlers sweep back. Prior to the 9-day gun season, Forest Service employees posted bright yellow posters around the elk reintroduction study area. Descriptive literature showing the differences between deer and elk was also distributed to hunters and public places frequented by hunters in the Clam Lake area. Report prepared by Prof. Ray Anderson, Project Director. Click here for current elk report on this website, and Click here to visit the Wisconsin Elk Study Pages. Wisconsin Elk Study Progress Report, September 17, 1997: At Least Nine New Elk Calves -- and Bugling Activity Reported Summary to date: The generally good physical condition of the elk continued to the end of winter, with approximately 13,000 locations logged to date. The elk occupied the same summer range for the past 3 summers and have now formed larger social groups closer to the release site as they have done in past years. The groups have been changing in number almost daily since August . Sixteen cows could have been pregnant at the beginning of the 1997 calving season. In addition to 9 documented births, the reproductive status of 4 cows has not yet been determined. It is likely that 2 of these have calves since they are mature cows that were with bulls throughout the past rut. (In 1996, only 2 known calf births occurred. One radio-tagged calf -- a male out of the Hurley Lady -- died thus far, apparently killed by a black bear). Radio-tagged calves are monitored daily by telemetry and others, when opportune, by direct observation. Calves were found in areas with mature red pine, 6-year old aspen, mature aspen/balsam; mature white pine, and aspen/birch -- with varying understories, e.g. dense hazel understory, logging slash understory; and dense bracken fern understory. A sample of major potential predators on the study area, black bears and wolves, were monitored by telemetry during the summer. Sixteen bears were captured (7 sows, 9 boars) during the calving season; all sows were radio-collared and one boar was fitted with an ear-tag transmitter; numbered ear-tags were placed on the rest of the boars. Two wolves, the Alpha female and her yearling daughter, from the Torch River Pack were radio-tagged by Wisconsin DNR. Presence of the radio-tagged predators was determined daily to determine proximity to calves. None were within 1 mile of the calf when it was killed although sows were frequently within 0.25 miles of calves throughout the summer. Bugling - The first indication of the 1997 rut period was noted on 4 September when the clashing of antlers was heard, and then observed, while 2 bulls were sparring in a meadow in the presence of a group of cows and calves. These were 3-year-old bulls No.03 and 10 who came to Wisconsin as calves in 1995 and now had 3 X 4 and 4 X 4 antlers respectively. No.10 dominated this joust that was accompanied by grunts and wheezes. After No.03 retreated, No.10 began "herding" the cows and they responded in what appeared to be a "playful" manner. The first serious bugling was heard from No.10 on the day of this report - 17 September. Future research plans include continued monitoring of the herd for survivorship and movement, with intensive surveillance during the 1997 deer and bear hunting seasons; complete analysis and writing of data from Years 1, 2, and 3; and drafting management guidelines for elk in Northern Wisconsin. Report prepared by Prof. Ray Anderson, Project Director. Wisconsin Elk Study Progress Report, June 1 1997: Five New Elk Calves Join Clam Lake Herd Five elk calves have been born since the first week in June to a herd of elk reintroduced to northwestern Wisconsin two years ago, and seven more calves could be born through the second week in July, according to Ray Anderson, project director and professor emeritus of wildlife at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The newborn calves include three bulls and two heifers, he said. Anderson, along with three college students and volunteers, have placed radio-transmitter collars around the calves' necks to determine how well they survive. Except for bark-like warning vocalizations, the mothers of the calves have shown no physical threats to the researchers when placing the radio-transmitter collars on the calves, said Anderson. "With the new calves, the herd now numbers between 35 and 36 animals," said Anderson. "Our main focus of research this summer will be to determine the herd production and survivorship of the calves." Seven calves were born in 1995, shortly after the herd had been transported from northern Michigan to a release site five miles southwest of Clam Lake in the Chequamegon National Forest. Only two calves were born in the summer of 1996. Radio-transmitter collars attached to two wolves and four black bears residing in the area of the herd will assist Anderson and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources with monitoring any predation on the adult elk and calves. "I don't expect either one of these predators to have an effect on the calves," said Anderson. "The calves are so large at birth and they are able to move very fast in a short time after being born. Also, the mothers are very protective of their calves." Since the herd was released in May of 1995 near Clam Lake, two bulls and one yearling cow have died from natural causes. An adult cow was accidentally shot during the gun deer season in November of 1995. The herd has remained with two miles of the release site. Report prepared by Prof. Ray Anderson, Project Director. Wisconsin Elk Study Progress Report, January 30, 1997: Elk Settling into Northern Wisconsin Way of Life Wisconsin's elk survived the 1996 gun deer hunting season without incident; and as many as 16 cows could give birth to calves this spring, according to researchers monitoring the experimental herd. Researchers are hoping for a successful calving period. Two calves, born last spring, the first to be conceived and born in Wisconsin during this study, were both doing well. "The rut developed well last fall," said lead researcher, Prof. Ray Anderson. "The three bulls that were yearlings during the 1995 rut went into the 1996 rut as 3x3 or 4x4 bulls at age two. They displayed more intense breeding behavior as indicated by their bugling and attendance to the main herd of cows." The two older bulls were each with single adult cows. The two calves that were born last year were still alive in December. At least three youngsters from the 1995 calving (following the herd's release) are also known to be still alive. One of these, a yearling bull last year, was in the Springbrook region southwest of Hayward during and after the gun deer season. He was missing last winter but returned to spend the summer with his mother (No. 21). The rifle and bow seasons passed without injury to elk. The herd was monitored before, during and after the hunts. Deer hunting camps on the study area were visited before opening day to remind hunters that elk were present. Hunters were also interviewed in the field. All hunters were aware of the elk study in their area and used caution in identifying targets. Three groups of elk were monitored intensively, and two others periodically, during the season. Hunting activities, including drives, standing, and still-hunting, caused an abnormal, relatively minor movement of only two bull elk, said Anderson. These bulls left the main herd of 18 elk and moved approximately two miles to the south. They stayed in those isolated areas and then rejoined the original group the day after the season closed. One hunter was aggressively nudged with the 5x6 antlers of adult bull No. 23 while he was on a stand early in the morning of opening day. He fired his rifle into the ground, next to the other bull to get it to leave. Neither the hunter nor the bull was injured. Nearly all of the elk returned to the same winter range that they had occupied during the winter of 1995-96. Cow No. 14 (The Hurley Lady) is still with the main herd of 18 elk that is within two miles of the release site. The elk also occupied the same summer range in 1996 as they did in 1995. This two-year pattern is an encouraging indication that their seasonal habitat needs are being met within the study area. Their travel route between ranges was also the same this year. That created a potential hazard for motorists and the elk that summered north of Hwy. 77 as they moved four miles south to their winter range near the release site. The elk were near the highway for two weeks. They were seen often by motorists and enthusiastic observers. The parked cars presented the greatest hazard. The Department of Transportation is preparing warning signs to alert motorists to the area where the elk regularly crossed the highway. Two major logging operations are underway near the elk this winter. The elk's reaction to this activity is being monitored, but thus far, logging does not appear to be influencing their behavior. Most of the elk once again sought lowland conifer areas for winter quarters. White cedar and mountain maple are preferred by the elk. Thermal differences between the interior of these conifer stands and open areas is significant. On Jan.16, when ambient temperature was 19 degrees below zero in the open, it was 6 degrees below zero inside the conifer stand. Snow depths were 29.5 and 21.3 inches inside and outside of the conifer stands, respectively, on the same date. The bitter cold of last winter has not returned so far. Report prepared by Prof. Ray Anderson, Project Director. |
Click Here to return to table of contents.