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Although biologists counted fewer elk in the Jackson herd this winter, the survival of elk calves made a marked improvement compared to previous years.
Biologists counted 12,005 elk down from 12,960 the previous year in the Jackson herd, which Wyoming Game and Fish finished surveying last week. The state's population goal for the herd, which winters north of Jackson, is 11,000.
While overall herd numbers dropped, calf survival rebounded to a ratio of 28 calves per 100 cow elk. Biologists use cow-calf ratios to track the health of a herd.
This year's calf ratio is well above the 20 calves per 100 cows counted last year and the average from 1996 to 2001, which was 24.4. Low counts the past few years have been attributed to drought and predators, particularly wolves.
Although the drought persisted last year, "maybe things were a little bit more mild," said Doug Brimeyer, Wyoming Game and Fish biologist. Many factors play into calf survival, and it's impossible to pinpoint which factor is responsible for the rebound, Brimeyer said Monday.
Although calf ratios are higher this year that does not mean predators are not having an impact, he said.
In Buffalo Valley, biologists counted 29 calves per 100 cows, which is low compared to other native ranges, he said. Cows typically go to feed grounds while calves and yearlings tend to winter out on native ranges, he said. Thus, other native ranges had calf counts as high as 69, he said.
Elk wintering in the Buffalo Valley likely come from the Teton Wilderness where calves are exposed to higher densities of grizzly bears combined with wolves, he said.
"Most likely grizzly bears and wolves are having some impact on those localized [elk] herds in the Teton Wilderness," Brimeyer said. Research shows black bears and cougars also prey on calves, and other factors, such as accidents, can take a toll..................
http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/Archives/Environmental/2004/040211-enviro.html
BHR, How do you explain that? I thought the wolves were going to kill all the calves!
Biologists counted 12,005 elk down from 12,960 the previous year in the Jackson herd, which Wyoming Game and Fish finished surveying last week. The state's population goal for the herd, which winters north of Jackson, is 11,000.
While overall herd numbers dropped, calf survival rebounded to a ratio of 28 calves per 100 cow elk. Biologists use cow-calf ratios to track the health of a herd.
This year's calf ratio is well above the 20 calves per 100 cows counted last year and the average from 1996 to 2001, which was 24.4. Low counts the past few years have been attributed to drought and predators, particularly wolves.
Although the drought persisted last year, "maybe things were a little bit more mild," said Doug Brimeyer, Wyoming Game and Fish biologist. Many factors play into calf survival, and it's impossible to pinpoint which factor is responsible for the rebound, Brimeyer said Monday.
Although calf ratios are higher this year that does not mean predators are not having an impact, he said.
In Buffalo Valley, biologists counted 29 calves per 100 cows, which is low compared to other native ranges, he said. Cows typically go to feed grounds while calves and yearlings tend to winter out on native ranges, he said. Thus, other native ranges had calf counts as high as 69, he said.
Elk wintering in the Buffalo Valley likely come from the Teton Wilderness where calves are exposed to higher densities of grizzly bears combined with wolves, he said.
"Most likely grizzly bears and wolves are having some impact on those localized [elk] herds in the Teton Wilderness," Brimeyer said. Research shows black bears and cougars also prey on calves, and other factors, such as accidents, can take a toll..................
http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/Archives/Environmental/2004/040211-enviro.html
BHR, How do you explain that? I thought the wolves were going to kill all the calves!
