Aspen Bibliography

Population Analysis of a Northern Utah Elk Herd

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

The Journal of Wildlife Management

Volume

38

Issue

2

First Page

161

Last Page

174

Publication Date

4-1974

Abstract

Population changes from 1951 to 1972 in the Cache elk (Cervus canadensis) herd are discussed, based on analyses of aerial trend counts, productivity estimates, hunting pressure trends, harvest figures, and tagging data. Population changes during the study period could be correlated with levels of female harvest. Mortality rates, derived from analysis of tag recoveries from 1951 to 1960 were 0.42 and 0.36 for males and females, respectively. Female recruitment for the same period averaged 28 calves per 100 cows. The disparity between recruitment and mortality resulted in a population decline of approximately 8 percent per year from 1959 to 1966. Curtailment of female harvest (1966-68) effected a reversal of this decline, the population increasing at approximately 15 percent annually during the initial recovery phase. Following initiation of unlimited bull hunting (1968) the rate of population growth dropped to approximately 3 percent. Various contributory components of the female mortality rate are estimated to interpret the observed differential rates of population change. Estimated rates of hunting and "other" mortality for females during the period 1951-60 are 0.16 and 0.24, respectively. Observed and predicted initial effects of unlimited bull hunting and various levels of female harvest are also discussed as guidelines in future management.

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